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+{"title":"Nation on the Brink #7","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5967685,"name":"Brink","msg":"The Nation of Ferrovia has fractured with the death of king Harold with three successor states and a bandit kingdom now fighting over the nation's future. King Elric, the king's brother backed by the landed nobility of the country, wages war in hopes of holding up the monarchy and by connection with the landed gentry. As he styles himself now Lord protector Baric attempts to halt the Monarchists and reformists from harming the status quo with the backing of the army his force is small but well trained and armed. The last of the main contenders is Queen Meredith the sole child of King Harold and devout reformist backed by merchants democrats and communists alike she must lead this dispraite force to victory.
Past threads:https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=BrinkQM
You are Sir Edmund ”The Crow” Drayton, a recently Knighted Yeoman, the leader of the small monarchist sub faction of the reformists. In an example of extremely effective lighting warfare you've done a great deal to push to the Monarchist capital of Clark's Landing encircling the city and trapping the Pretender and his Heir inside. In an daring plan youve airdropped a significant amount of your men inside the city before assaulting and seizing the palace with your men. Through sheer skill and luck your men were able to take the pretender alive and now you must attempt to convince Prince Elric to order a general surrender or you will have to hold out against his forcers which are converging on the capture palace.
1d100 best of three please","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712030734983415.png","filename":"1708299857340754.png"},"posted":1712030734},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5967705,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5967525
>>5966747
voting for puitting a little bit of fear into the pretender Elric","attachment":null,"posted":1712031600},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5967708,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 43 (1d100)
>>5967685
also I hope this isn't a terrible roll","attachment":null,"posted":1712031794},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5967710,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5967708
it was pretty meh lol","attachment":null,"posted":1712031855},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5967749,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 94 (1d100)
>>5967685
>>5967710
Nice try but this is how you roll!","attachment":null,"posted":1712035607},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5967752,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5967749
Oh it's actually good sweet. Based off last thread feedback was gonna suggest as a modification to my plan of "just shoot him" we would attempt some trickery where we would take the king out the room "execute" him put a gag in his mouth and bag over his head. Tell the heir that his father is dead and he is now in charge, try to convince em to give orders for surrender under threat of joining his father, assuming he cooperates by the time people realize the fekery that happened we should theoretically be in a much safer position seems we may not have to even attempt this though wew.","attachment":null,"posted":1712035965},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5967819,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 22 (1d100)
>>5967685","attachment":null,"posted":1712040270},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5967956,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5967752
I mean, mock executions are technically a firm of torture and I don't think our protagonist really is into that kind of thing but it might have worked. But i still rather like the idea of just scaring him by making him realize he can't intimidate us, which for Elric had to be the first time he's dealt with someone he can't push around for years and years","attachment":null,"posted":1712061159},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5968056,"name":"Brink","msg":"You crouch down to the pretenders eye level"Look one of two things is going to happen here. Either you and your son die, ending your claims to the throne and leading to the eventual collapse of the monarchist movement since they no longer have an actual monarch to rally around, or you call off your guard, order your men to stand down, and begin the process of transferring rule of the southern districts to the Rightful Queen and the Ferrovian People." His face still one of anger “I will not give up one of my only chances of survival you upjumped serf, If I order my men to throw down their arms Ill be hanging from a lamppost before dinne!r”
You pin your nose and sigh"Look If you get your lads to put down their guns, I am sure I can talk your niece into finding a way to wriggle you out of the consequences of your own actions with your life and property more or less intact. I very much doubt shes going to execute her family worse comes worse I imagine your going to go into exile somewhere with a nice villa while your kids stay in country as potential backups in the line of succession” He sneers at you “ you are truly desperate then afraid my men will storm this place and kill you?” You just smirk at the prince “Elric, I jumped out of a perfectly good airplane to be with you here today. Do you think I'm bothered by the fact that my men are outnumbered and surrounded? We're paratroopers. This is what we *do.* I'm not in any particular hurry to bring you to any harm, but you need to understand that as of right now, the only way you're going to make it out of here alive is if I make it out of here alive.” The young Prince Albrect reaches over and grabs his fathers arm tightly fear in his eyes “Father the war is lost even if the palace is retaken were surrounded and without a real army lets just end this” Elric looks to his son and then back at you and then your men standing around the ballroom.
“Bring me a radio general” You signal to one of your men to bring a radio over. He quickly tunes it to a frequency that is full of various monarchist officers shouting commands and reports. He brings the microphone to his mouth before depressing the switch and speaking. “Attention my soldiers and knights this is your King speaking you've fought well and shown great courage in the face of adversary but we have been bested by my kin and their is no shame in that I hereby order a general halt to all combat in the city and who disobey this order will face the full might of the crown” He lets go of the switch and hangs his head passing the radio back to your man. His son pats him on the back and draws his father into a tight hug.
The gunfire in the city slowly lessens as sunrise slowly gives way to morning as regular infantry from both the communists and reformist forces move into the city to begin disarming the surrendering militias and houseguards.
>go find norton
>take stock of who youve captured
>Finish the battle of Clarks landing and head for Nevefar","attachment":null,"posted":1712072634},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5968061,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5968056
>Leave the monarch and his son under your personal protection.
>go find norton
>take stock of who you've captured
>Finish the battle of Clarks landing and head for Nevefar","attachment":null,"posted":1712073739},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5968062,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5968061
We should also not forget to reward those paratroopers who bought us time.","attachment":null,"posted":1712073800},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5968075,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5968061
+1
The commies are gonna be SO pissed when they realize the queen doesn't intend on killing the pretender (probably)","attachment":null,"posted":1712075474},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5968115,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5968061
>>5968062
These.
Also we need to especially get Elric to hand over operations against the Junta as smoothly as possible and avoid a total collapse of his lines.
Ideally we'd rotate out the monarchists gradually, and allow them to volunteer or go home once each unit is relieved.
>>5968075
They can grumble but expediency is more important than justice. We're literally trading Elric's life for their own lives and we'll make it clear to Mr. Baker when we get the chance. Ideally we'd find an old fort to convert into a fairly comfortable prison, and store the (non cooperative) nobility there until the war is over and their assets have been liquidated.","attachment":null,"posted":1712081794},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5968150,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5968061
>>5968062
+1
Heros those troopers","attachment":null,"posted":1712086307},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5968382,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5968062
>>5968061
+1
get those fuckers their rewards for constantly being willing to jump out of a plane and being surrounded","attachment":null,"posted":1712106993},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5968853,"name":"Brink","msg":"You make sure the palace and your prisoners are to be kept under your control at all times and that anyone who tries to enter the palace is disarmed before they enter. The morning has fully dawned as you step out of the palace gate; various civilians occasionally peek out of the surrounding homes to see the infantry and occasional tank pass by as they collect up the equipment of the surrendering enemy.
The trip north to were the company of troopers were trapped was a quick one and on your arrival you find a true warzone. The enemy had tried their hardest to destroy the company but they had held firm and bleed the enemy hard the bodies of houseguards and milla lay scattered around a block of house which had been riddled by bullets. You meet the company commander as he is supervising body cleanup. Hes Captin Fisk of 3rd company another peasant born officer whos been quite reliable so far
>Promote him to major
>give his entire company R&R","attachment":null,"posted":1712158811},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5968858,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5968853
>Promote him to major
>give his entire company R&R
"Major Fisk." let him recover from shock "I'll write to the queen about this action. Maybe you will get a knighthood next to this promotion. Your company is also to report for some R&R and some reorganisation. Tell the men we couldn't have captured the pretender as fast as we did without their actions. Dismissed."","attachment":null,"posted":1712160021},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5968868,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5968853
>>Promote him to major
>>give his entire company R&R
>>5968858
seconding all of this. Especially a knighthood. maybe send the entire company to Neverfar to attend his ceremony and get a little leave","attachment":null,"posted":1712161143},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5969116,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5968858
+1
The future knight club.","attachment":null,"posted":1712185991},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5969212,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5968853
>>Promote him to major
>>give his entire company R&R
>>Knighthood","attachment":null,"posted":1712195089},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5969587,"name":"Brink","msg":"You send his company off with 48 passes as well as award him the rank of major and promise to put in a good word with the queen and see if you can get him a knighthood. You then turn and make your way south to the harbor.
The relatively unscathed city soon gives way to one of shattered windows and the occasional bullet hole. It seems Norton and his men caused some real havoc down near the harbor. When you eventually arrive at the harbor itself you see what you imagine was at some point a warehouse or something that was now a large crater in the dock area. You find Norton busying himself with ransacking another warehouse that seems full of various fancy clothes. There's honestly alot of bodies around the harbor that must have been very well protected before your friend showed up and made a massive crater out of the harbor.
>Got look at the crater
>speak to Norton","attachment":null,"posted":1712245206},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5969594,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5969587
>Got look at the crater
>Get Norton and a few of his lads to take a picture taken next to that crater.
>speak to Norton
Looting times over buddy. Enemy surrendered.","attachment":null,"posted":1712246069},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5970096,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5969594
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1712294266},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5970275,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5969587
>>5969594
seconding
maybe get Norton some kind of commendation as well.
"Goddammit Drayton why did you convince the Queen to go ahead and make me a knight?"","attachment":null,"posted":1712325701},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5970564,"name":"Brink","msg":"You head over to where Norton is digging through a crate of expensive clothes wearing some insanely gaudy feathered cap on his head like some sort of pirate. “Norton stop being a thief for five minutes and get your men over to the big hole you made” Norton laughs before ordering two of his men who are standing by to grab up his boys before following behind you.
“So like my handy word Edmund?” He says with the widest grin you've ever seen. “Honestly? Yeah, what did you blow up to do it?” You say as both of you come up to the edge of the crater. He keeps grinning at you. “Ammonium Nitrate” You blink in surprise not just because he named a fertilizer but also because that's probably the most complicated word you ever heard your gapped tooth friend say. “Fertilizer?” He vigorously nods “Turns out mixing it with diesel fuel with this shit makes one big fuckin boom” He makes the motion of an explosion with his hands. “Caught some smugglers coming out of the city and they mentioned the big stockpile of fuel and fertilizer they had here in the harbor one of my boys mentioned mixed they could explode just didn't think it was going to be so big one of my squads are still deaf after lighting it”
The rest of his men soon arrive and you take the time to wrangle them into an impromptu photo which you get one of the many reformist journalists to take for you. After you finish and Nortons men swarm off to continue stealing to their hearts content you clap your friend on the shoulder “Norton what you did here today was a deed of great heroism im going to put you up for a knighthood. Nortons face as you expect is soon filled with an angry scowl “Edmund your my friend but that won't stop me from throwing you into the crater” You pat him the back as you cackle “I wouldn't put it past you Norton”
>Return to Nevefar
>do something else in the city (write In)","attachment":null,"posted":1712361476},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5970569,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970564
>>Return to Nevefar
like I mentioned earlier we probably want to do something to make sure the Monarchist line's against the Junta don't collapse but that is also probably a job for Mr. Steel not Drayton.
Also maybe once we get to Neverfar, try to push for establishing a maximum sentence for the crime of "Rebellion" as 20 years in prison, loss of title and property, and lifetime exile from Ferrovia upon release, so we can reasonably say that none of the people we capture will be executed (unless they committed other crimes like wartime atrocities, or need to be tried for normal criminal activity before the war)
It would probably go a ways to making our job easier (our job being to win the war) if people aren't fighting to the death against us because they're convinced they'll die anyway.
Of course, letting Elric live will essentially end the death penalty as a punishment since all the other rebels will be able to reasonably argue that if he doesn't get executed for his role, they shouldn't, either. But stating that explicitly goes a ways toward presenting the reformists as the most reasonable and humane of the belligerents.","attachment":null,"posted":1712362267},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5970578,"name":"TempQM","msg":">>5970569
+1
Yeah since junta and bandit kingdom will fight back harder if we don't spare the ex-crown king, then secessionists and bandits will turn to war crimes to resist extinction. We just need to beat down the communists as they will push to kill everyone or cause another civil war.","attachment":null,"posted":1712363314},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5970605,"name":"Brink","msg":"I would like to point out Elrics survival rests solely on Meredith who has some pragmatic reason to keep elrics children as princes considering his three sons are the only other people in the line of succession","attachment":null,"posted":1712365685},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5970675,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970605
Yeah but we're trying to create a situation where he survives by pushing for a punishment for Rebellion that stops well short of execution so that we can have an easier job of taking back the country. Locking him up for 20 years and sending him into exile (along with other conspirators) would mean we have 20 years to consolidate control over the country and he'd be an old man when he got released, drastically reducing the chances of his causing any trouble.
Also because while we didn't make any explicit promises, we did imply that he wasn't going to be executed when he surrendered to us, and Drayton seems like the kind of person who'd at least do his due diligence to make good on that sort of thing.
A huge part of our strategy so far is convincing our enemies to defect or surrender by guaranteeing their (relative) safety if they come quietly and violently slaughtering them if they choose not to, which put together create a very convincing set of incentives. This just builds on that.
Also, imposing a maximum sentence for all instances of Rebellion would shield Meredith from potential backlash, because it will mean that she is not giving her uncle special treatment that she would not give other rebels.
And even if we're looking at the Commies, there is the example of Emperor Puyi in Communist China to go off of, who was basically allowed to live out his life as a commoner after the war. So it is not impossible that we can bring Mr. Baker and the others in on the plan if we sell it to them convincingly.
I think Drayton should try to make his case for a Maximum Sentence for Rebellion to Baker, Meredith, and the various factions of the Reformist movement using a few of these points.","attachment":null,"posted":1712371180},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5970813,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970564
>Return to Nevefar","attachment":null,"posted":1712381952},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5971662,"name":"Brink","msg":"You spend a few days making sure your prisoners make it out of the city alive and that the communists aren't executing everyone vaguely related to the nobility and that the reformists aren't stealing everything not nailed down. That done you make your way by train to the capital this time your men coming along with you many of them needing some rest and much of your equipment needing to be repaired or replaced.
The city of Nevefar you swear gets busier each time you visit. There's truly a horde of journalists waiting for you at the train station but a group of Queensguard from the palace surround you and escort you to a waiting staff car saving you from being talked to death by journalists. As you arrive at the palace you are welcomed in by the queensguard who are still on high alert but in a far better mood then the last time you visited. The court itself is buzzing with activity as you enter people chatting about the recent defeat of the monarchists and sound hopeful of the coming campaign against the Junta. You see your nominal communist ally Mr Baker speaking to several other men and he does not seem happy. Likewise you see the queen speaking to Marshal Alric at her throne, and finally you also recognize Duke Mason who seems to be in far better spirits and seems quite popular with the white band on his arm signifying his prisoner status now gone.
Speak too
>Mr Baker
>The queen and Marshal Alric
>Duke mason","attachment":null,"posted":1712458828},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5971769,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971662
>>Mr Baker
I want to bounce the "20 years imprisonment, asset expropriation, and exile" idea off Baker and get him on board on pragmatic grounds before trying to sell it to the Queen. I think he is pragmatic enough to realize why it's a good idea, since we have to end the war before we can actually get on with all the actual reforming that the Reformist Movement wants to do, and giving our enemies a good reason to not fight us to the death will speed up that whole process. And he can't deny that we've gotten good results from instigating mass defections in the past.","attachment":null,"posted":1712465113},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5971782,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971769
...and of course the other side of the coin is our commitment to finding creative, exciting, and intellectually stimulating ways of separating our enemies from their corporeal existence, should they choose not to surrender to our forces. Our mercy begins with the enemy's submission and not a moment before. I'm sure Baker can agree on that point as well.","attachment":null,"posted":1712465493},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5971786,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971662
>Mr Baker
>You see your nominal communist ally Mr Baker speaking to several other men and he does not seem happy. Likewise you see the queen speaking to Marshal Alric at her throne, and finally you also recognize Duke Mason who seems to be in far better spirits and seems quite popular with the white band on his arm signifying his prisoner status now gone.
Looks like the Duke may of charisma maxed his way into being free and becoming part of the constitutional monarchist faction and the commies are mad. While this does help our side and commie cope is always great this also does not bode well for the king getting any major punishment cause after all, if some random duke can talk his way into freedom then what about flesh and blood? If the king (and maybe son?) isn't punished harsh enough this could very well be the straw that breaks the camels back as far as the commies deciding to fight US now if we are unlucky. I hope we don't come to regret taking the king alive.","attachment":null,"posted":1712465851},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5971799,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971769
It's already fucked anon the duke got pardoned and he undeniably participated in a rebellion, at this point unless we can really sell a grandfather clause people are going to be pissed at the arbitrariness even if we do push it through.","attachment":null,"posted":1712466531},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5971836,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971662
>>Mr Baker","attachment":null,"posted":1712469150},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5971840,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971799
we're setting a max sentence not a minimum sentence","attachment":null,"posted":1712469532},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5971843,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971840
Ah, well don't think commies will like that but I'll hold my tongue until after the Baker talk.","attachment":null,"posted":1712469782},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5972027,"name":"Brink","msg":"You make your way over to Mr baker who see you as you approach and wave off the men standing near him. “Mr Drayton, fine work in Clarks landing” He offers a handshake which you take “Thank you Mr baker you seem upset. Is it the duke over there?” You gesture to Duke mason “That horseshit? I'm mad about it but no that's not what has me so upset” He pulls out a flask taking a long draw from it “While you were in Clarks landing did you happen to find a large stockpile of grain?” You shake you head “No I did see any grain stockpiles” He grimaces “That makes you and every other officer in the city turns out the pretender sold most of last years grain stock to buy weapons” He leans in closer to you “We figured it was going to be a hard summer and fall originally but we thought once we captured the grain stockpile we would be able to scrap by but now?” He leans back and sighs “We've got a bunch of new mouths to feed in the south and barely enough grain for those in the north and half our damn farmers killing eachother”
>Steer toward duke mason as a topic
>offer a solution (write in)
>discuss maximum sentences","attachment":null,"posted":1712504925},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5972075,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972027
>offer a solution: "Is strict rationing already in place? Do we got resources in excess which we could sell for food? Gendarmery being put in place to stop theft and murder?"
>Steer toward duke mason as a topic:
What did the young lad do to remove his armband? Get a mass surrender going?
>discuss maximum sentences
The thing being said earlier.","attachment":null,"posted":1712508587},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5972182,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972027
>offer a solution (write in)
Could we perhaps take some loans to buy grain from somewhere else (or just straight up ask for the grain) and use the weaponry the king bought as collateral? Or hell instead of weaponry we could use some of the kings assets I'm sure the guy has more than enough in valuables and property to cover any loans we would need especially since we took effort to limit looting.
Also this raises a question if we are screwed on grain and the monarchists were about to be screwed on grain then what's going on in the junta? Surely they must be suffering from similar issues as well without outside interference?","attachment":null,"posted":1712517024},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5972459,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972075
>>5972182
supporting, though "those 20 years are going to be a lot harder for old Elric than I initially had in mind. Oh well, he'll get the same rations as any other prisoner. Though I suppose now I know why he expected we were going to hang him."","attachment":null,"posted":1712540982},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5972914,"name":"Brink","msg":"You look to Mr Baker “surely we haven't run out of credit or we could liquidate some of Elrics assets?” “He shakes his head “money aint the problem out credit is good and with the mountains mostly back under our control we can sell goods on the global market.” He swigs from the flask again. “The real problem is there ain't enough grain to go around Aquila had a bad harvest last year and by the sounds of it they are going to have an even worse one this year we might be looking down the first real famine in the civilized world in nearly a hundred years” “You think for a moment ”The Kreshi have good harvest usually maybe we can buy from them?” He responds with another head shake. “Refusing any trade deals till we handle the last of the bandits in the mountains”
3d100 to convince him on the maximum sentence plan","attachment":null,"posted":1712594100},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5972923,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 63, 2, 26 = 91 (3d100)
>>5972914
Well atleast we have some sort of solution just need to deal with the bandits first, maybe we could subsidized farmers to dedicate some of their production to generally unprofitable but high yield fast growing crops like rice or potatos in the mean time or do the same thing but more focused on temporarily growing food in land that normally grows cash crops just as a stop gap measure. Regardless rolling time!","attachment":null,"posted":1712594580},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5972924,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 46, 16, 3 = 65 (3d100)
>>5972914
Cleaning up bandits it is then.","attachment":null,"posted":1712594655},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5972938,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 38, 71, 16 = 125 (3d100)
>>5972914","attachment":null,"posted":1712595921},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5972985,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972938
>>5972924
>>5972923
Thematically appropriate bad rolls lol
Anyway, I'm willing to back off on this idea a bit if it's not quite gonna go. Plus fuckin' Elric doomed millions of Ferrovians to famine so he's gonna have to take the fall for gross dereliction of duty even if he can skate on the rebellion charges.","attachment":null,"posted":1712600018},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5973032,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972985
Then I recommend him to be stripped of all titles and put into the field to work until his death","attachment":null,"posted":1712605555},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5973090,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973032
Yeah that's probably what 20 years imprisonment is going to look like for a lot of the nobility unless they give us very good reasons not to. I'm still overall in support of the maximum sentence, but if the rolls don't give us enough oomf then that's that.
Nobles like our own Baron who were more or less neutral and did the bare minimum to support the Pretender can probably keep their titles and pursue a more moderate form of land reform where they get paid somewhat for land thats sold to the peasants who work it. Speaking of, maybe some of those more tepid nobles have some supplies squirreled away that they hid from Elric? Might be a line of investigation.","attachment":null,"posted":1712612494},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5973664,"name":"Brink","msg":"You sigh at the somewhat hopeless situation of the grain but decide its best to press forward. “I wanted to talk to you about potentially setting up a maximum sentence for the rebels when trials start” He looks at you suspiciously “How maximum?” You shift nervously “I was thinking 20 years followed by exile” He snorts “Some of these nobles we've captured have done some real awful things to the common folk of ferrovia Drayton even the more moderate members are demanding most of them should swing for what they have done” you sigh again “Are you amongst them?” He frowns and nods. while the plan for a maximum sentence isnt very popular with the communists maybe you can still convince the reformists
>Go speak to Duke mason
>got speak to Alric and the queen","attachment":null,"posted":1712675965},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5973912,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973664
>>Go speak to Duke mason
Before we leave Baker, tell him,
"I certainly understand where you're coming from. I can't disagree that he should hang, for selling the nation's grain, if nothing else. He stole from my plate and the plates of my men as much as he stole from the rest of the nation. To be honest, I hadn't been completely appraised of the situation before arriving here. Still, I hope you at least see the logic behind the maximum sentence for rebellion. It won't be used as a shield for other crimes, just a way to help convince our enemies to surrender if they haven't done anything specifically horrible otherwise. Not to mention, a legal framework through which to begin the land reform process that makes it obvious we're not motivated by base greed."
But anyway, we need to find out how the Duke got pardoned, and see what he can do to feed the Ferrovian People. He's still working Displaced Persons, I hope. That should put him in a position to make himself useful here.
We should speak to the queen last, once we know what cards are in our hand and which ones are even in the deck.","attachment":null,"posted":1712699316},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5974045,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973664
>got speak to Alric and the queen","attachment":null,"posted":1712710848},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5974197,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973090
>Go speak to Duke mason","attachment":null,"posted":1712724281},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5974290,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973664
>>Go speak to Duke mason","attachment":null,"posted":1712735735},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5974451,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973912
this is me btw I posted on LTE
there are other single posts that are also me at various times","attachment":null,"posted":1712762028},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5974453,"name":"Brink","msg":"Wont have time to post till late tonight lads","attachment":null,"posted":1712762334},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5974880,"name":"Brink","msg":">>Go speak to Duke mason
You mull over Mr Baker's decision before turning to him one last time "I certainly understand where you're coming from. I can't disagree that he should hang, for selling the nation's grain, if nothing else. He stole from my plate and the plates of my men as much as he stole from the rest of the nation. To be honest, I hadn't been completely appraised of the situation before arriving here. Still, I hope you at least see the logic behind the maximum sentence for rebellion. It won't be used as a shield for other crimes, just a way to help convince our enemies to surrender if they haven't done anything specifically horrible otherwise. Not to mention, a legal framework through which to begin the land reform process that makes it obvious we're not motivated by base greed." He he crosses his arms huffing “Ill see if I can convince some of the moderates but the radicals would never agree to anything but the rope or bullet for the traitors”
You wish the depressed communist well and make your way over to duke mason whos chatting to several people. He notices your approach and waves you over “ This is Sir Drayton everyone or better know in the papers as the Crow” You chuckle at your apparent nickname “Glad to see your in better spirits and not a prisoner anymore Mason”
>ask about his status as a prisoner
>write in","attachment":null,"posted":1712807284},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5974898,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974880
>>ask about his status as a prisoner
also assuming that his role with Displaced Persosns isn't the reason for his new status, find out what he's been doing with it. Find out if he has any ideas about the grain crisis","attachment":null,"posted":1712810091},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5975065,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974880
>>ask about his status as a prisoner","attachment":null,"posted":1712828146},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5975434,"name":"Brink","msg":"“So how did you manage to not be a prisoner anymore, Duke mason?” A twinge of pain on his face at the word duke “Well The queen in all her wisdom decided my selling of my lands was not legal as I sold them to an unofficial government in the form of her uncle. She then confiscated everything but my ducal capital and demoted me to a Baron. I didnt fight this in the courts so she freed me of any other legal problems other than probation. Oh and my family can no longer raise a houseguard.” you pat him on the shoulder “well congrats on atleast being given back some of your land Mason what have you been up to since I was last in the city?” He shrugs “Marshal alrics letting me do some instructional work with the new armored divisions and im trying to figure out how i'm going to pay to maintain my estate now” he waves as the crowd he was speaking to disperses leaving you and Mason alone/
The former duke looks around the room cautiously before leaning in to whisper to you “You know that coup attempt before your last visit, I got contacted by some folk after I got pardoned, they tried to talk me into doing something similar saying how the Reformists were holding the queen at gunpoint It was real odd I figured last time it was the reformists trying to frame the communists for something but that doesn't seem likely at this point”
>thank him for the heads up and go speak with Marshal Alric and the Queen
>write in","attachment":null,"posted":1712870310},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5975511,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975434
>thank him for the heads up and go speak with Marshal Alric and the Queen
>Write in: "Could be a different nation altogether that is trying to destabilize the nation. Can't be the king as I doubt he has the foresight for that and junta is busy holding their territory. Both attempts look like they are trying to break the alliance but have very little backing to push for a major coup attempt."","attachment":null,"posted":1712877588},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5976142,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975434
>thank him for the heads up and go speak with Marshal Alric and the Queen
Probably the same guys/nation that tried to be sneaky with the origins of the weapons seller a couple of threads ago is my bet. Someone clearly wants us all to kill eachother.","attachment":null,"posted":1712947101},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5976249,"name":"Brink","msg":">thank him for the heads up and go speak with Marshal Alric and the Queen
alright and 3d100 to see if you notice something on your way over","attachment":null,"posted":1712958519},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5976267,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 99, 77, 49 = 225 (3d100)
>>5976249
Please don't be another coup attempt.","attachment":null,"posted":1712960350},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5976337,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 53, 67, 83 = 203 (3d100)
>>5976249
where the foreign spies","attachment":null,"posted":1712967387},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5976888,"name":"Brink","msg":"No real post till tomorrow likely lads Ive been up for close to 30 hours and must sleep","attachment":null,"posted":1713036709},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5976894,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976888
30 hours up. Yeah I feel ya","attachment":null,"posted":1713037245},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5976896,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 90, 60, 47 = 197 (3d100)
>>5976249
I'll go ahead and do the last roll","attachment":null,"posted":1713037536},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5977685,"name":"Brink","msg":"You thank Mason for telling you bout this and turn to begin walking toward the throne to speak to Marshal Alric and the Queen. You've become accustomed to the stares and quick looks you receive from the nobles and other officials when you're at court. The fact your from simple stock and your deeds in the field are the cause of that but you notice someone in the crowd whose eyes will not leave you at all as you walk across the hall. It's a servant or at least someone dressed as one, their eyes tracking your every move until you make eye contact with them.
The servants eyes grow wide and they quickly turn begin moving through the crowd toward the exit with all haste.
>Go after them
>keep heading to the queen
>write in","attachment":null,"posted":1713116763},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5977693,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977685
>Go after them
>write in: Shout: "Intruder" and order the room be closed and stop that servant.","attachment":null,"posted":1713117357},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5978011,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977685
>Go after them
The guy (probably) would of been fine if he just kept his cool a general notices you staring at him so what? Panicking and deciding to speed walk away is probably one of the worst things ya can do ere.","attachment":null,"posted":1713146052},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5978101,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977685
>>Go after them
yes.
>>5977693
or, "Stop that man" perhaps.
>>5978011
yeah running is just about the worst thing he could have done","attachment":null,"posted":1713154909},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5978125,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978011
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1713157190},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5978350,"name":"Brink","msg":">Go after them
3d100 best of three please","attachment":null,"posted":1713186479},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5978362,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 23, 13, 32 = 68 (3d100)
>>5978350
get that Mofo.","attachment":null,"posted":1713189960},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5978368,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 97, 1, 95 = 193 (3d100)
>>5978350","attachment":null,"posted":1713190485},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5978443,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 68, 11, 99 = 178 (3d100)
>>5978350
Gotta go fast!","attachment":null,"posted":1713198097},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5978445,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978443
This sure is one of the spreads of all time.","attachment":null,"posted":1713198207},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5978475,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978443
>>5978368
>>5978362
that middle roll is unbelievable","attachment":null,"posted":1713201861},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5978725,"name":"Brink","msg":"You move quickly after the man pushing your way through the crowd tracking him as he goes. Whoever this man is he is real shit at evasion as you manage to keep eyes on him until hes just at the door. You shout at the two queenguard at the door to grab him just as the crowd closes and you lose sight of him.
You manage to push past the crowd coming to find the queensguard who have managed to catch someone. That someone being a young army officer who is clearly not your target. Sprinting past the guards and their detainee you yell about them catching the wrong man. You expect to have lost your prey after making your way out the exit hallway out infront of the hotel turned palace you find him bent over hands on his knees panting only a couple dozen meters from the door. The thought this man is either really dumb or really out of shape occurs to you but you shrug and jog up to him revolver in hand
>arrest him
>interrogate him now
>write in
Im honestly impressed by how bad those middle rolls are","attachment":null,"posted":1713228487},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5978851,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978725
>>write in
detain him, interrogate him behind closed doors nearby. Obviously don't hand him off to anyone else until we know who he is, and get him out of sight asap so he (and we) don't get shot by his handler.","attachment":null,"posted":1713239340},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5979382,"name":"Brink","msg":"detain him and keep your eyes on him a shes questioned
3d100 best of three","attachment":null,"posted":1713312260},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5979448,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 63, 35, 70 = 168 (3d100)
>>5979382","attachment":null,"posted":1713320440},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5979627,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 24, 52, 7 = 83 (3d100)
>>5979382","attachment":null,"posted":1713334308},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5979653,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 8, 86, 37 = 131 (3d100)
>>5979382","attachment":null,"posted":1713337673},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5979824,"name":"Brink","msg":"As you come up to the man, the pistol raised you order him to raise his hands. He turns his head to look at you, still panting surprise crosses his face and his hands dart for his waistband. He begins to pull a large bladed knife from his waist when you deliver a hard kick to his side sending the man sprawling the knife skittering away on the concrete. You shove your revolver into his face keeping him on the ground while you wait for a handful of queensguard to arrive.
Technically speaking your not legally allowed to arrest people but the fact this man was armed and most definitely not a member of the hotel staff means you can make a citizen's arrest until the queensguard takes him into custody. They soon arrive and cuff the man and drag him off to a security room deep in the hotel basement you follow behind to make sure you keep an eye on your captured spy? Moron? Whatever he is.
The interrogation begins quickly with the queensguard quite angry at someone bringing a weapon so close to their queen. The spy starts off claiming he was here to free Ferrovia of monarchs once and for all but after one of the queensguard threaten to throw him off the hotel roof this quickly changes. The man begins to say he was payed a large sum of money to attack any high ranking military officers he could find in the court while screaming anti monarchists slogans. He only knows one man involved in the plot a small time merchant here in Nevefar.
>pass this along to Mr steel and wash your hands of it
>seek outt his merchants yourself with a couple of your boys","attachment":null,"posted":1713372276},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5979842,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979824
>pass this along to Mr steel and wash your hands of it
>seek outt his merchants yourself with a couple of your boys
But be polite about it. and do inform the queen and our close allies in the court.
>he was payed a large sum of money to attack any high ranking military officers he could find in the court
We were the fucking target weren't we?
Also did we pay back our old merchant friend from the beginning?","attachment":null,"posted":1713373490},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5979846,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979824
>>seek outt his merchants yourself with a couple of your boys
(I mean, obvious story hook is obvious)","attachment":null,"posted":1713373934},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5979849,"name":"Brink","msg":">>5979842
Youve been shuffling some of the loot your men get to that particular merchant but most noble houses at the start of the war liquidated much of their wealth to arm themselves so its nowhere near the amount he expected","attachment":null,"posted":1713374075},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5979932,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979824
>>seek out his merchants yourself with a couple of your boys","attachment":null,"posted":1713380776},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5980525,"name":"Brink","msg":">seek outt his merchants yourself with a couple of your boys
alright 4d100 best of three please","attachment":null,"posted":1713455945},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5980541,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1, 95, 21, 62 = 179 (4d100)
>>5980525
let's hope it works","attachment":null,"posted":1713457824},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5980542,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980541
oh no","attachment":null,"posted":1713457885},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5980544,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 70, 10, 78, 71 = 229 (4d100)
>>5980525","attachment":null,"posted":1713458076},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5980545,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980544
well you pulled my ass out of the fire","attachment":null,"posted":1713458146},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5980593,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 65, 46, 84, 5 = 200 (4d100)
>>5980525
>>5980541
Uh oh","attachment":null,"posted":1713461497},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5980600,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979824
I do gotta say its a bit odd such a out of shape coward who folds at literally the first threat of violence against him would even volunteer for such a suicide mission in the first place.","attachment":null,"posted":1713461929},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5980672,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980600
well that's the thing, isn't it? we don't know where his family is or whether he actually volunteered. It would certainly seem that he was getting set up to be gunned down by the Queensguard and in doing so, cut himself off as a loose end to the conspiracy. I would posit that whoever is behind this would have "succeeded" regardless of the outcome of this guy's mission as long as it caused chaos and disorder in the court and halls of government.","attachment":null,"posted":1713465510},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5981069,"name":"Brink","msg":"While you could just hand this information off to Mr steel and be done with it your afraid this might get swept up in the hustle and bustle of military intelligence. Your lucky in the fact on the queensguard knows where the merchant does business out of and gets the address written down for you.
The next big hurdle in raiding this merchant is finding the men to do it. Your forces have scattered to the winds on leave and it's only by sheer luck you find a handful of your boys enjoying themselves at a nearby theater. It takes a bit of convincing but you manage to talk them into joining you for your impromptu raid. Men gathered and location found, you just need weapons and transport. Transport is easy as you can borrow a truck from the Queensguard weapons are harder but still manages you manage to borrow a couple of pistols and two shotguns from Norton who is in the area doing something with weapons, You decide better than asking what. How should you conduct the raid?
>go Loud
>stealth
>write in","attachment":null,"posted":1713498962},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5981078,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981069
>go Loud
If we catch them by surprise, they won't have time to react and might just surrender then and there.","attachment":null,"posted":1713500456},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5981143,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981069
Start of
>stealth
Then
>go Loud
Try silently, but then go loud when we can't do else.","attachment":null,"posted":1713504726},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5981404,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981143
yeah
how many men do we have?
how many entrances?
say we have 8 men and 3 entrances, putting 2 men on each back entrance and going into the third entrance with 4 men would be the easiest. Have a tin whistle to blow if anything gets sketchy, repeated short blasts means come in but don't shoot unless you think you have to, a long continuous whistle means kill everything that moves and isn't us.
basically we bring 4 boys in to "Talk" to the merchant and the others secure a perimeter to make sure that "talk" isn't disturbed. Again we have no reason to suspect the merchant is a Kingpin and lots of reasons to suspect he is not. we'd prefer if he just sat down and had a little chat with us.","attachment":null,"posted":1713541296},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5981705,"name":"Brink","msg":">>5981404
Youve got five men with you being the sixth two armed with shotguns and the rest armed with autoloading pistols and you are armed with your service revolver","attachment":null,"posted":1713573467},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5981805,"name":"Brink","msg":"The trip over to the place of business of the merchant your looking for is a quick one. The man's name is Lenard Fisher apparently pre war a decently well off importer of tobacco who has apparently in recent months taken to price gouging for various consumer goods since the war kicked off. The shop itself is a two story brick affair with an entrance to the front onto the street and a back entrance in the alley behind. The sign above the door reads Fisher Imports in bold letters. The street is relatively barren as you step out of the truck you've split your team in two with a shotgun each one team has gone to the buildings rear prepared to storm in at the first sign of commotion while the other team walks in with you
You step inside the bell above the door ringing as you doo so the front desk is unmanned but you hear a young voice yell from the back that he will be up in a moment. In a few seconds a young man probably not more than 16 years of age leaves the back room carrying a box and sets it down on the counter, turns to you and freezes staring at you in your uniform. His eyes quickly travel over to the men with you especially honing in on the shotgun held at a low ready by one of you men.
3d100 best of three please","attachment":null,"posted":1713580539},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5981830,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 71, 11, 27 = 109 (3d100)
>>5981805","attachment":null,"posted":1713581644},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5981835,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 22, 17, 76 = 115 (3d100)
>>5981805","attachment":null,"posted":1713582730},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5981895,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 71, 54, 87 = 212 (3d100)
>>5981805","attachment":null,"posted":1713585821},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5981910,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981830
>>5981835
>>5981895
that middle roll is out to get us. hopefully the 54 is enough to party","attachment":null,"posted":1713586987},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5982489,"name":"Brink","msg":"Your pistol is aimed square at the young means chest for a moment as you stare at him before you gesture with it for him to sit down. For the briefest moment your afraid hes going scream or try and run but he slowly nods raising his hands and sitting on the floor muttering about how its just a job and isnt worth getting shot over.
You and your team slowly make your way into the back room after tying up the boy. You can hear several people rummaging around in the backroom talking to each other. The last of your team makes it into the room just as one of them comes around a corner carrying a clipboard. He looks as he does so seeing you and your team. He lets out a loud shit before sprinting around the corner again, dropping his clipboard and beginning to draw a pistol before you can raise your own weapon. He screams alarm as he leans around the corner and begins to fire at you and your team, each of you diving for cover in the crowded room. The pistol shots from him are lound but nearly as loud as the shotgun blast that slams into the man's head as he leans around the corner to fire at you again.
>Shoot your way out
>Demand they surrender
>write in","attachment":null,"posted":1713644736},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5982492,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982489
>Demand they surrender","attachment":null,"posted":1713644871},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5982515,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982489
>Shoot your way out.
I have a feeling they'll shoot themselves to avoid capture if we don't act quickly.","attachment":null,"posted":1713646351},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5982543,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982489
>Demand they surrender
>write in: say: "We are the Crows if you don't surrender you're all dead."
if not possible
>Shoot your way out","attachment":null,"posted":1713648223},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5982681,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982515
Do keep in mind we do have the boy captured so it isn't a total loss even if they do decide to straight up suicide cult themselves.","attachment":null,"posted":1713661303},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5983051,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982489
>>Demand they surrender
Then
>>Shoot your way out
If they don't want to","attachment":null,"posted":1713704930},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5983712,"name":"Brink","msg":"Ok so talk your way out if that fails shoot your way out
3d100 best of three please","attachment":null,"posted":1713743711},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5983728,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 58, 5, 89 = 152 (3d100)
>>5983712
This will end well","attachment":null,"posted":1713744552},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5983758,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 11, 74, 27 = 112 (3d100)
>>5983712
dead","attachment":null,"posted":1713746809},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5983786,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 33, 84, 88 = 205 (3d100)
>>5983712","attachment":null,"posted":1713749689},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5983789,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983786
Welp. Good rolls on the ones I didn't need, at least.","attachment":null,"posted":1713749769},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5983863,"name":"Brink","msg":"While crouching behind one of the many creates that litter the room you decide maybe you can talk them down. “Hey! Were with the crown damn it lay down your guns before our armor shows you morons!” The gun fire from the thugs slackens for a moment before you hear some arguing before hearing the words “Fuck you fisher this aint worth getting killed for” You hear several guns clatter to the floor and four men run from cover to the back door unarmed.
There still seems to be several armed men on the otherside of the room from you and just as you start coming up with ideas to handle them your shotgunner yells to you all “DUCK!”. You dutifully hit the floor as he swings around his cover. The pump action shotgun has never been a standard issue weapon with the airborne but this man must have had some prior service before the airborne as he proceeds to use a technique straight from the trench warfare tactics of the great war. He pulls the trigger and begins to pump the shotgun as fast as he can, sending eight buckshot shells into the enemy cover in rapid succession.
The enemies cover is shredded by this you see at least two of the thugs fall to the ground injured or dead. Taking advantage of this you and the rest of the team push up killing the last of the thugs and finding who you assume to be Mr fisher clutching his side where he's been wounded by gunfire
>Interrogate him
>go for his office for any evidence","attachment":null,"posted":1713754594},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5984046,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983863
>Write: Do some first aid
>Interrogate him
>go for his office for any evidence","attachment":null,"posted":1713773564},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5984101,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984046
>>5983863
Supporting. At least so he doesnt bleed out.
Also the two thugs who ran got a bit of a surprise when they got to the back door, I bet.","attachment":null,"posted":1713786618},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5984399,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984046
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1713828907},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5984476,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984046
+1 although as long as we stop the bleeding guy should be fine for atleast the short term, if your gonna get shot the side is probably the safest spot ya can get shot outside of getting shot in the rear or something.","attachment":null,"posted":1713837396},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5984490,"name":"Brink","msg":">Write: Do some first aid
>Interrogate him
>go for his office for any evidence
4d100 please","attachment":null,"posted":1713838284},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5984500,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 11, 11, 74, 27 = 123 (4d100)
>>5984490
>4d100","attachment":null,"posted":1713838745},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5984501,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984500
....oh.","attachment":null,"posted":1713838805},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5984512,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 28, 93, 29, 31 = 181 (4d100)
>>5984490","attachment":null,"posted":1713839416},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5984513,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984512
No wait, is it just 4d100, not best of three?","attachment":null,"posted":1713839479},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5984521,"name":"Brink","msg":">>5984513
best of three","attachment":null,"posted":1713840310},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5984601,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 71, 16, 9, 26 = 122 (4d100)
>>5984490","attachment":null,"posted":1713846348},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5985465,"name":"Brink","msg":"You crouch down next to the injured merchant as your team secures the injured thugs and your back door team drags the routed team back into the room. “Mr Fisher I assume?” The man clutches his side in pain; several of the shotgun pellets having pierced his side; he nods while gritting his teeth in pain. Digging around in your pocket you pull out the small metal tin that contains your personal aid kit. You pop it open pulling out a morphine serrete and hold it up for him to see. “Answer my questions honestly and I'll give this to you and make sure you get to a doctor as quickly as possible. He nods again, still fighting off the pain from his wound. “Who was your target at the court today”
Between gasps he answers “The Marshal admiral of the navy or the Air Marshal” tapping the serrete you ask your next question “Why them?” you hold out one of the bandages to him so he may pack the wound some before he answers “I dont know damn it that's just who the folk who hired me asked me to do” Hes starting to look somewhat pale you you figure you've got one last question “Who hired you?” He stares longingly at the serrete before answering “Some man witha corellian accent didn't tell me why but it's the same deal with the rumors about the commies just spread em and I get paid” You inject the man with the morphine serrete before gesturing to your man to grab him and load him up into the truck
3d100 to see how the search of the office goes","attachment":null,"posted":1713924954},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5985506,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985465
>>5976142
>corellian
Fuckin called it.","attachment":null,"posted":1713927266},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5985507,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 64, 17, 78 = 159 (3d100)
>>5985465
Anyway","attachment":null,"posted":1713927361},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5985697,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 12, 13, 34 = 59 (3d100)
>>5985465","attachment":null,"posted":1713940488},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5985806,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 41, 48, 86 = 175 (3d100)
>>5985465","attachment":null,"posted":1713962897},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5986306,"name":"Brink","msg":"Heading into the business office you find another of your men holding two young womens cleary secretaries at gunpoint. They are sitting next to a smoldering trash can and a stack of various papers clearly meant to be burned. They both demand lawyers when you try to ask them questions so you turn to the pile of papers. The majority of the papers show clear signs Mr fisher deals with smuggled or contraband materials but the papers you do find that interest you are related to a particular Corelian corporation that had payed Mr fisher a great sum of money with no listed reason.
The company doesnt seem familiar to you and none of the names mentioned besides Mr Fisher either, you do find some papers which imply Mr Fisher owns the home of the attempted assassin. You can either kick this information over to the crown intelligence service or Mr steel who should inform you before anyone else of the results.
>Mr steel
>Crown Intelligence service","attachment":null,"posted":1714016564},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5986365,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986306
>Mr steel
>Crown Intelligence service
This conspiracy needs all resources to be used.","attachment":null,"posted":1714021689},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5986409,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986306
>>Mr steel
>>Crown Intelligence service
both, Mr. Steel first.
>>5986365
yes.","attachment":null,"posted":1714026866},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5987264,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986306
>Mr steel
I have a suspicion there could be a mole in the Crown Intelligence Service considering there overall incompetence so far in actually tracking this down or even considering there could be a conspiracy. While letting them both know probably would stop the conspiracy in its tracks it could potentially give whoever is behind it a heads up allowing them to escape from prosecution.","attachment":null,"posted":1714153309},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5987266,"name":"Brink","msg":"You pass Mr Fisher and the documents to the CIS and Mr steel hoping to hear back about what the hell is actually going on soon. The city of Nevefar has apparently quickly become home to all sorts of very shady characters in the last few months from smugglers like Mr fisher to spies and organized crime. The crown has done its best to curb both but simply put most of its focus on putting down unrest in recently liberated areas.
Now thats your down tracking down as much of the plot as you can its time to decide what you want to do next. You could attempt to find more equipment for your men. You could maybe visit the press to hopefully expand your popularity or you could schedule a private meeting with the queen.
>private meeting with the queen
>Visit an arms factory
>interview with the press
Sorry about no update last night lads had now power due to a storm","attachment":null,"posted":1714153350},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5987272,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987266
>Visit an arms factory
What may be best for us is not always what is best for the war effort. Unless someone has some very clever pitch to the queen I say Let us secure our lads some more weaponry to make fighting the junta easier when it comes time for that.","attachment":null,"posted":1714153591},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5987304,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987266
>private meeting with the queen
We should suggest to her to give out some message of unity with all the parts of our faction to show unity. This way enemy spooks can't play us against eachother.","attachment":null,"posted":1714156698},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5987366,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987266
>>private meeting with the queen
>>5987304
supporting","attachment":null,"posted":1714161550},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5987518,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987266
>>private meeting with the queen","attachment":null,"posted":1714178956},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5988498,"name":"Brink","msg":"The day after your little escapade in capturing Mr fisher you arrange for a private meeting with the Queen and Marshal Alric. The hotel turned palace does honestly feel more like a palace these days; someone found the time to hand Meredith's Sgil on the walls and Queensguard stand at nearly every single doorway. You even recognize some of the Queensguard from clarks landing their comrades having accepted them back into the fold readily .
You enter a dining hall thats been set aside for meetings like this, various tables and chairs pushed to the side of the room with Meredith sitting in a chair on one end and Marshal Alric standing at her side. Coming to a stop halfway through the room you stop and deeply bow to the queen and then deliver a salute to Marshal Alric one he returns. “Welcome Sir drayton congratulations on your capture of my Uncle and cousins, what can I do for you today?” The young queen smiles at you
>write in","attachment":null,"posted":1714255150},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5988509,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988498
>write in: The message of unity shared earlier (with reporters, cameras all the papers and shit) and also for a full focus on taking the Kresh mountains as fast as possible to alleviate the food focsu.","attachment":null,"posted":1714256340},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5988765,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988509
Supporting.
Also maybe mention our little escapade with the Corelian agents.","attachment":null,"posted":1714269210},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5989709,"name":"Brink","msg":"You stand at ease in front of the queen and marshal Alric “I'd first wish to know if your aware of my recent discoveries?” She nods as well as marshal Alric “yes Myself and Alric were briefed on it this morning alongside our regular intelligence briefing the idea of some third party attempting to sow chaos is disconcerting”
Steading yourself you speak “It is my opinion we need to hammer home on the unity in our government lest we be tricked into killing each other, The coup attempt and the attempted assanation of one of the chiefs of staff could have both sent us into a spiral of death and carnage” She rest her head on her chin “Unity is easier said than done Sir drayton the communists aim to kill not only my uncle a act i'm not entirely against but also kill his sons and along with them all of my legitimate heirs which could open us up to potential claimants in the exiled Arbeiterian royalty or the Aqulian empire pressing one of its old claims. But I am willing to try not only due to your request but also because it's the only option for our survival”
>another topic
>return to the front
>write in","attachment":null,"posted":1714352034},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5989973,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989709
>another topic
Asking permission to launch a full invasion of the bandit kingdom so we can start trading for food.","attachment":null,"posted":1714389467},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5989975,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989973
Forgot: put in a good word for Captain Fisk.","attachment":null,"posted":1714389605},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5990056,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989709
>>5989973
Seconding this. I'd also like to hear if we've had any plans to retake the capital and isolate the Junta from the sea.","attachment":null,"posted":1714403344},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5990118,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989973
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1714411428},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5990334,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989973
Yes","attachment":null,"posted":1714434912},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5990500,"name":"Brink","msg":"No post tonight had some things come up
Ferrovian fun fact Modern day ferrovians are not from ferrovia originally they arrived in what is today ferrovia little over a thousand years ago from somewhere in the fogged seas","attachment":null,"posted":1714448256},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5990836,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990500
Oh so Ferrovians are sea people, neato.","attachment":null,"posted":1714500329},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5991001,"name":"Brink","msg":"Shift you weight you bow slightly at her agreement to your request “I also ask permission to finish off the bandits in the Kresh mountains in hopes we can convince the Kreshi to reopen trade” She nods in approval “Youve proven yourself more than adequate as an independent commander so i give you leave to do as you wish although we wont be able to support your push as all available units not acting as garrisons will be need for the coming souther offensive against the Junta”
>another topic
>return to the front","attachment":null,"posted":1714516902},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5991098,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991001
>return to the front","attachment":null,"posted":1714524980},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5991430,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991001
>Return to the front","attachment":null,"posted":1714564472},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5991837,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991001
>>return to the front","attachment":null,"posted":1714607706},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5991978,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991001
>>return to the front","attachment":null,"posted":1714620018},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5992011,"name":"Brink","msg":"Having made up your mind on finishing off the bandits in the kresh mountains you spend the next week or so resting this being the first real break you've had in over six months. During your rest you decide to go through your mail which has built up as apparently not only have you become quite popular domestically but youve become something of the public face of the reformist military abroad. The large majority of the letters are something close to fan letters with many of them cheering you on in your military escapades. You respond to some but its soon time to head south to finish the bandits off before the Kreshi Republic decides to outright embargo what little trade Ferrovia still does with them.
The train ride is smooth as you arrive at the foot of the Kresh mountains east of clarks landing your men forming up. You have at current count two airborne battalions three regular infantry under the F.A.G and two armored companies as well as Norton and his men arriving with a little under strength battalion.
3d100 best of three please","attachment":null,"posted":1714621924},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5992029,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 34, 91, 7 = 132 (3d100)
>>5992011","attachment":null,"posted":1714623438},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5992136,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 64, 12, 38 = 114 (3d100)
>>5992011
Do we still have that mountaineering equipment?","attachment":null,"posted":1714639551},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5992152,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 47, 34, 50 = 131 (3d100)
>>5992011","attachment":null,"posted":1714643571},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5992227,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992011
Surely outside of cannibalism, they have to be practically walking corpses at this point. I imagine they would have already eaten all the easy pickings and leftover supplies by now. No way there's enough food for all of them.","attachment":null,"posted":1714658330},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5992282,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992227
Yeah but they can also steal food from the Kreshi side of the border (which is why we're doing this in the first place)","attachment":null,"posted":1714663325},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5992356,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992282
I'm aware of that but does Kreshi not have a army or something? Sounds like a skill issue frankly.","attachment":null,"posted":1714670404},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5992373,"name":"Brink","msg":">>5992356
The Kreshi army in the laughing stock of the civilized world, The war they fought(against ferrovia of course) lasted less than a month and was a complete loss for them","attachment":null,"posted":1714672528},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5992756,"name":"Brink","msg":"Your men are used to this sort of thing by now arriving in a new location, setting up base camp, driving through some part of the nation they have never been and then kill their fellow countrymen while doing so. This time though you feel like nobody is going to have many reservations on doing the killing, the foothills of the southern Kresh mountain are desolate, any structure having either been abandoned or outright burnt to the ground. This makes sense considering the southern mountains are home to the largest of the penal colonies the Devon mining and processing camp originally home to nearly 20,000 penal laborers; you truly wonder how many of them survived the winter and spring.
Your men make good headway into the mountains traveling up trails normally used for the maintenance of the railroad that would normally be the only method of travel to the main camp. Your scouts soni come across a roadblock thats been erected on the road but find it curiously abandoned and recently too, It seems the bandits more than likely know your coming.
>push hard and fast
>cautious and slow","attachment":null,"posted":1714708057},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5993035,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992756
>push hard and fast
We're not encountering any resistance so far.","attachment":null,"posted":1714743007},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5993074,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992756
>cautious and slow
We're not encountering any resistance so far...","attachment":null,"posted":1714745568},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5993111,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992756
>>cautious and slow
If they know where we are and we don't know where they are, we need to be cautious.","attachment":null,"posted":1714747383},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5993650,"name":"Brink","msg":"Rolled 50, 86, 62 = 198 (3d100)
>>cautious and slow
No need to rush
3d100 best of three please dont mind the roll :)","attachment":null,"posted":1714793704},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5993659,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 18, 13, 15 = 46 (3d100)
>>5993650","attachment":null,"posted":1714795502},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5993719,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 34, 59, 5 = 98 (3d100)
>>5993650","attachment":null,"posted":1714806991},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5993928,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 32, 36, 10 = 78 (3d100)
>>5993650
We're screwed","attachment":null,"posted":1714830455},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5993994,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993659
>>5993719
>>5993928
That's rough","attachment":null,"posted":1714833512},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5994846,"name":"Brink","msg":"damn those are some rough roles will update tomorrow","attachment":null,"posted":1714881198},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5995223,"name":"Brink","msg":"The main body of your force continues up the steep roads of the kresh mountains occasionally finding abandoned roadblocks and other signs of activity. Your men soon round the corner on a flatter portion of the road and come face to face with a gruesome sight. The prisoners have made several makeshift cages and inside said cages are human bones and scraps of guard uniforms from the camps.
A few of your men dismount to examine the bones when suddenly the crack of gunfire is heard and one of your men hits the ground, soon dozens of gunshots join the first as the bandits initiate an ambush one of your halftracks explodes as an improvised explosive is throw from the steep hillsides surrounding the road. You see your men try to scramble and return fire but the sheer volume of enemy fire and tight confines makes shooting back extremely difficult.
>Retreat
>assault through the ambush","attachment":null,"posted":1714931036},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5995278,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995223
>Retreat
If the halftrack is one of our guntrucks, sabogate the guns so the bandits can't use them against us.","attachment":null,"posted":1714936149},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5995286,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995223
>assault through the ambush
When dealing with ambushes like this standard doctrine is to get in your vehicle (if not already in one) put your head down and fuckin floor it through the ambush you believe it or not usually have a better chance of surviving by trying to force through then attempting to retreat.","attachment":null,"posted":1714936807},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5995325,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995223
>assault through the ambush
Tempo tempo tempo worked for us last time.","attachment":null,"posted":1714939521},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5995550,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995223
>>assault through the ambush
The only way out is through","attachment":null,"posted":1714953863},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5996161,"name":"Brink","msg":">assault through the ambush
Dont sit in an ambush 3d100 best of three please","attachment":null,"posted":1715014382},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5996270,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 88, 33, 84 = 205 (3d100)
>>5996161
Let's go!","attachment":null,"posted":1715019901},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5996282,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 85, 30, 42 = 157 (3d100)
>>5996161
I'm fast as fuck boyyy","attachment":null,"posted":1715020364},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5996293,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 81, 47, 55 = 183 (3d100)
>>5996161
gogogo","attachment":null,"posted":1715020962},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5996575,"name":"Brink","msg":"Swearing to yourself you order the convoy to remount and push through the attack. Your infantry send a few more shots back up in the hills before remounting their trucks and start to drive forward. The pace is kept low due to the steepness of the road and general poor quality of the road surface but they still manage to make their way out of the ambush. The fire you do manage to return at the bandits as you push seems incredibly ineffective but it seems the enemies own fire seem lackluster aswell now that the shock of their ambush is over.
The roads and trails in the area all seem the same, very quiet with the occasional ambush making itself known, It seems like you're just going to have to grin and bear the casualties and annoying ambushes for the time being until you reach the labor camp itself.
3d100 best of three please","attachment":null,"posted":1715044229},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5996588,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 71, 59, 80 = 210 (3d100)
>>5996575
Go! Go! Go!","attachment":null,"posted":1715046034},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5996599,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 28, 89, 38 = 155 (3d100)
>>5996575
No turning back now! Brrrrrrrr","attachment":null,"posted":1715046992},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5996607,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 2, 56, 38 = 96 (3d100)
>>5996575","attachment":null,"posted":1715047172},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5996943,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Can we call for a paradrop if we need to be reinforced/resupplied? The bandits may have control over the roads, but have the upper hand in the skies.","attachment":null,"posted":1715074490},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5997174,"name":"Brink","msg":">>5996943
That is an option but the terrain is very rough anything dropped in the area might become damaged","attachment":null,"posted":1715094719},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5997787,"name":"Brink","msg":"You were right the ambushes are near constant. You make your way up the mountain a two day drive soon becoming nearly a week as you have to push past roadblocks and clear a winter and a spring worth of rockslides from the road. Thankfully you take few if any casualties during your week long trek the bandits content to not try and bring proper battle to you as you push toward their mountainous capital.
You soon get your first good look at the labor camp on an overlooking hill. The camp looks more like a city but wrong, each building looks the same, no variation at all tall apartment buildings mixed what you assume to be company stores around them. The streets are in a perfect grid, all of this almost uncanny look accompanied by the surrounding barbed wire topped fence. You can see the bandits have dug in trenches, fighting positions, and even makeshift bunkers made out of quarried stone.
>Bombard them
>negotiate
>frontal assault","attachment":null,"posted":1715139934},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5997817,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997787
>>negotiate
then if they even think of being obstinate about our gracious and benevolent offer to allow them to volunteer into the Ferrovian People's Army, then...
>>Bombard them
get the field guns sighted in, make sure the planes are gassed up and ready to go, and have at it.","attachment":null,"posted":1715141875},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5997818,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997817
like, I mean presight the artillery and order the gunships on standby before offering to parley.","attachment":null,"posted":1715141936},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5997963,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997787
>>5997817
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1715155204},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5998196,"name":"Brink","msg":">negotiate
>Bombard them
3d100 best of three please","attachment":null,"posted":1715180943},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5998208,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 37, 57, 7 = 101 (3d100)
>>5998196
And 1,1,1","attachment":null,"posted":1715181808},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5998236,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 23, 59, 17 = 99 (3d100)
>>5998196
ok nothing can possibly go wrong, right?","attachment":null,"posted":1715183532},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5998238,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998236
yeah i kinda deserved that","attachment":null,"posted":1715183592},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5998469,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 92, 35, 43 = 170 (3d100)
>>5998236
if nobody else rolls is it alright if I do it again?
I must redeem myself for my transgressions against the RNG Gods.","attachment":null,"posted":1715196997},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5998813,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998469
I mean if that first roll is for negotiations then I sat redeemed","attachment":null,"posted":1715216754},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5998815,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998813
*say I really gotta start reading over my posts before sending them.","attachment":null,"posted":1715216817},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5998818,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998815
i mean it's not like i'm much better at proofreading lol
i hope it is for negotiations. it would be nice to get this solved without wasting ammo and our men's lives.","attachment":null,"posted":1715217122},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5999008,"name":"Brink","msg":"Good news you manged to not get shot while negotiating
Bad news no real post till tomorrow","attachment":null,"posted":1715225977},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5999553,"name":"Brink","msg":"The bandits can be seen peeking out of their fighting positions and bunkers as you make you way down a rock strewn hill into the valley the camp is built in. The white flag of truce flutters on a makeshift pole as you approach. The order to halt is throw at you from one of the bunkers as you get within a few hundred meters of the first of the defenses. They demand your business and you politely request to speak to their leader informing them who you are and warning them theres a significant amount of artillery and aircraft nearby to make taking your prisoner or killing you a very bad idea.
They leave you waiting there for several minutes before an older gentleman crawls out of a nearby trench and slowly hobbles toward you. “Well what Deal do you have for the King of Kresh?”
>whats your offer?","attachment":null,"posted":1715274599},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5999708,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999553
what about telling the truth? That we need to take care of the bandit problem in order for Ferrovia to start importing grain from the Kreshi, and we don't particularly care what happens as long as we do exactly that. The simplest thing would be to reorganize them as a new division of the Ferrovian People's Army, send them to fight the Junta, and anyone who is still around on Victory Day gets to muster out with their rank, a new name if they'd like one, and a clean record. If they have a better idea, we're open to suggestion.
We can also mention that based on what we've learned so far; many of them were innocent when they were sent to the labor camps, or were given cruel and unusual punishments for crimes that did not meet the criteria for exile. (it doesn't matter whether this is true or whether Drayton thinks it is true, btw)
If they aren't willing to work with us, we have other options available that would be much less pleasant for everyone involved, but options that we are perfectly willing to see through to the end.","attachment":null,"posted":1715284771},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":5999843,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999708
Supporting. One way or another, the grain WILL flow.","attachment":null,"posted":1715294686},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6000588,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999708
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1715368091},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6000947,"name":"Brink","msg":"You stare him down for a moment before responding “I'm going to offer you the chance to make it out of this alive and when the war is over a pardon, but first I need you to come down out of the mountains and do some fighting against the Junta just to make the politicians and the like to forget about whatever crimes you may have or haven't done in the past.” THe older man turns to the trenches and gains a thoughtful look
1d100 best of three","attachment":null,"posted":1715400887},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6000967,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 75 (1d100)
>>6000947
please RNG please","attachment":null,"posted":1715403619},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6000968,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000967
that's not bad, right?","attachment":null,"posted":1715403680},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6001012,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 77 (1d100)
>>6000947","attachment":null,"posted":1715407740},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6001079,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 72 (1d100)
>>6000947
Come on","attachment":null,"posted":1715418695},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6001795,"name":"Brink","msg":"His eyes trail over the trenches and bunkers the occasional face of a former prison peeking out at him “You know son if the revolt had begun a year or two ago none of your boys would have made it up our mountains alive, We had some real killers up here back then communists, pirates even some real mafia lads. Now though? Bunch of thieves dealers and smugglers nobody who ever fired a gun before now. I figured thanks to the terrain we might have had a chance before you took out the northern camps but now?” He shakes his head in disgust “Sounds like you want us to exchange a death up in here in this damn prison or a death in some field outside Ironhaven”
You fix the old man with a calm look “No what im offering you is a choice between maybe dying in some field outside Ironhaven or a promise of a death to aircraft and artillery over the course of weeks” The self proclaimed king of Kresh sighs. “I guess death with a full belly sounds better then starving up here, You've got yourself a deal Crow”
Youve taken nearly 10000 men prisoner but only around 4000 are in any condition to fight how would you like to add them to your command?”
>Add them to the as regular infantry F.A.G
>make a new formation just for them
>give them to Norton","attachment":null,"posted":1715479445},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6001808,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001795
>>give them to Norton
We have our own bandit king
(Check with Norton first, of course, but I think he'll be fine with it)","attachment":null,"posted":1715480183},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6001960,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001795
>>give them to Norton","attachment":null,"posted":1715492662},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6002250,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001795
>give them to Norton
Looks like we finaly will have a large marine force to cross rivers.","attachment":null,"posted":1715517316},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6003110,"name":"Brink","msg":"You don't have to look long for Norton finding him but to say he's shocked at you giving him nearly 4000 men to now command is an understatement. He agrees only on the condition of him gaining a new rank so you promote him to colonel and wish him luck in wrangling more thieves and murderers
The camp is soon cleared out as you go searching for any remnants of paperwork from the camp's administration. The papers you manage to find in whats left of the administration building paint a horrible picture: the more problematic prisoners for the nobles such as the communists and other rebels had been systematically moved from the camp and into the surrounding hills to make room for much more placid ones from the south. It doesn't take you long to find the mass graves of the prisoners having been shot and dumped into old mines left to rot. There a quite a few big names listed on the papers ordering this at the very top of that list being Prince Elric.
>make the information public
>destroy the evidence
>write in","attachment":null,"posted":1715575261},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6003130,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003110
hmm...
hmmmm....
let's hold on to it for now.
we might need it.
but making it public right now might be a little problematic in its own right.
maybe we should consult Mr. Steel and see what he thinks.","attachment":null,"posted":1715577488},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6003131,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003110
>write in: send it to the queen to do as she wishes","attachment":null,"posted":1715577576},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6003220,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003110
>>make the information public","attachment":null,"posted":1715587392},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6003320,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003110
>write-in: hold on to it for now
If we had received this information a few months earlier, we would've made it public to further aid the war effort against the Monarchists. But since they've been defeated already, releasing this info would cause an outcry.","attachment":null,"posted":1715599168},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6003384,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003320
Yeah. We definitely want to prosecute them down the line, but it might not help us to release it right away.
Also goes without saying, we want to get photos of the graves and the documents (maybe photocopies? Photocopies are a surprisingly old technology) and keep them somewhere safe.
Between this and SELLING THE NATION'S GRAIN SUPPLY, Elric really punched his own card, there's nothing we can or should do to protect him at this point. It might be possible to keep one or both of his sons alive, especially the one who was caught during the rout, but the Pretender himself only has a ticket for a one way trip. The lightest sentence he can possibly get is life in prison as an actual prisoner not just a hotel guest who can never leave.
But as always, Drayton's primary concern is ending the shooting war, not all that other nonsense.","attachment":null,"posted":1715606677},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6004112,"name":"Brink","msg":">write-in: hold on to it for now
alright 3d100 for somethings that will be happening in the coming days please :)","attachment":null,"posted":1715656732},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6004246,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 43, 8, 88 = 139 (3d100)
>>6004112","attachment":null,"posted":1715664881},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6004320,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 63, 26, 81 = 170 (3d100)
>>6004112","attachment":null,"posted":1715675245},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6004358,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 16, 95, 100 = 211 (3d100)
>>6004112","attachment":null,"posted":1715681421},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6004454,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004358
My goodness","attachment":null,"posted":1715691585},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6005138,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003110
Every day Norton gets a little bit closer to being a straight up warlord.","attachment":null,"posted":1715732786},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6005140,"name":"Brink","msg":">>6005138
Honestly all that separates you both as warlords is a loyalty to the queen on your part and Nortons loyalty to you","attachment":null,"posted":1715732916},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6005141,"name":"Brink","msg":"The past few days have been meant to be time for your men to rest and time for nortons new found horde of criminals to be outfitted with uniforms and formed into something resembling a proper fighting force. What it turns into is a hectic race down the mountain when word from the front north of Ironhaven arrives. The information states a large scale collapse of a large section of the enemy line has happened and a desperate call for any available units to the front has been made to take advantage of the collapse.
The question is which part of the front do you wish to fill in?
>The plains in the north
>Hill country of the east
>fields of the coastal south","attachment":null,"posted":1715733356},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6005145,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005141
>The plains in the north
Its where the capital is at if we threaten the capital the other fronts will naturally start faltering as well as troops start retreating back to defend the capital and if we capture the capital its pretty much GG.","attachment":null,"posted":1715733753},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6005146,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005141
Can we have an updated map btw? There hasn't been one in this thread yet as far as i'm aware.","attachment":null,"posted":1715733832},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6005176,"name":"Brink","msg":"Updated Map","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715735993390096.png","filename":"1690133819249974.png"},"posted":1715735993},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6005209,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005176
Thank ya.","attachment":null,"posted":1715737597},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6005339,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005141
>>fields of the coastal south
Closer than the north, and we can potentially take most of their territory south of the river, which would greatly narrow their sea corridor and leave them very nearly surrounded.","attachment":null,"posted":1715743738},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6005616,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005141
>Fields of the coastal south
We got marines for this","attachment":null,"posted":1715770280},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6006014,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005141
>The plains in the north
We've got SOME marines, but we still need to get our vehicles and infantry into the city.","attachment":null,"posted":1715803654},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6006090,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005339
I wasn't thinking about making a thunderrun to the last battle I was just thinking about carving off chunks of their territory to degrade their ability to resist us effectively","attachment":null,"posted":1715807515},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6006450,"name":"Brink","msg":"Rolled 2 (1d2)
2 and 2 rolling for tiebreaker
1 north
2 south","attachment":null,"posted":1715830905},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6007528,"name":"Brink","msg":"The coastal south pushing toward ironhaven in hopes of taking the capital and hopefully forcing the enemy off the rest of their lines. You reach the foot of the mountains quickly and soon find yourself a train to appropriate. Your men arent the happiest to be forced to ride in freight cars but you dont have much choice as any passenger trains have been co opted by other units already.
The train makes the treks west as fast as it can, passing through wartorn ferrovia intent on bringing the war to the Junta. The train soon stops in the wind swept plains not far from ferrovias west coast. Like a well oiled machine your men disembark and set up camp ready to take the fight to the enemy the next morning.
3d100 best of three please","attachment":null,"posted":1715917582},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6007761,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 95, 2, 81 = 178 (3d100)
>>6007528","attachment":null,"posted":1715931814},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6007788,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 61, 2, 26 = 89 (3d100)
>>6007528","attachment":null,"posted":1715934636},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6007922,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007528
hello yes","attachment":null,"posted":1715951073},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6007923,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 44, 24, 96 = 164 (3d100)
>>6007528
it ate my last roll so i hope this one is better than a middle 2
pls rng pls.","attachment":null,"posted":1715951133},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6007924,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007923
I mean not much better but a little better","attachment":null,"posted":1715951194},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6007959,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007924
It's weird how consistently mid and or terrible our middle rolls seem to be.","attachment":null,"posted":1715954238},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6008040,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007959
It was weird how high our rolls were for the most part of the quest. Kinda was bound to happen.","attachment":null,"posted":1715960916},{"board":"qst","thread":5967685,"pid":6008357,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008040
I mean yeah but I can't complain about things that go our way","attachment":null,"posted":1715976700}]}
+{"title":"Normal Cultivator Quest 3","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5969851,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"A world where might makes right. A world of Jade and Gold, of Phoenix and Dragons, of Pills and Talismans, of Martial and Spiritual arts.
A world where diligent training yield strength, meaning freedom. A world where loneliness means death, meaning social chains.
A world still unfair, as the ones reaching the heavens are most likely born rich - be it political riches of the aristocrats, power of secret knowledges and hidden realms of clans, or lucky enough to be born one-in-a-thousand genius.
This is not the case of Quiet Word - that is, (You). This is the case of your friends Dhundan Kepa, the brooding dark intimidating and secretive young boy and Ai, which is stuck too deep in her inner world.
However, you might be one-in-a-hundred genius. The fear of falling behind made you push your boundaries times and times again, leading you to overtake from a slim margin the two geniuses by a combination of luck, hard work, and burn out.
You also motivated the other "gifted but not great" kids - the monkey-bound Yi Norm, the Horse specialist Sin Din and her twin jack-of-all-trade Man Din to follow along.
You have also fairly good relationship with other members of the sect : Kyo Ko, a 11 year old girl extremely secretive of her skills and Bathias, a 15 year old boy that took the role of Hawk Master after the older one got promoted.
Last, Ryota, the Branch Master at the Inborn Realm (Fourth Stage), is personally tutoring you.
In the end, you know a fair amount of technic for such a young cultivator, but your strength lies in the impressive amount of Bonded Spiritual Beasts - A Hawk spirit, a Horse spirit, a Snake spirit and a Wolf spirit.
Speaking of that last one, you didn't told a world about him to anybody. As a scion of the Primordial Wolf spirit, its father warned you of its worth and how people could want to rip it away from you...
You recently discovered that the Hawk Spirit is an embodiment of the mythical element of Growth. Speaking of, you had an unique opportunity to visit the Growth realm, coming back with insights, an unique movement technique and a teapot, hidden in cloth and wore at your belt.
Despite the amount of self-inflicted pressure, you know you're pretty loaded and progressing at a more than acceptable rhythm - having broke through the second of the five minor realms of First stage, the Eye Aperture.
Character sheet : https://pastebin.com/FQqQDEa9
Last thread : https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2024/5930179/","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712270092929573.png","filename":"NCQ_Opener.png"},"posted":1712270092},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5969853,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5969851
However, you simply didn't had time to work on the new movement technique, appraise the teapot (Ok, you mainly lack tea leaves), or bring your Fighting techniques to the level of your cultivation - and you can always cultivate more.
Before you even have the time to mentally list what you have to do, and prioritize among those - an impressive, almost impossible feat for an average 6 year old, a thing as normal as breathing for a sect-trained cultivator - Ryota calls upon the best students of the sect.
Of course, none among the new crop of 5 years old kids is chosen - none of them has finished the Hundred Days of Foundation Building, and you didn't feel the same potential in any of them than in Dhundan, Ai, Kyo Ko, Gro Ta or Bathias.
The rooster is similar to the one sent to the Tamers of Thousand Beasts gathering - the tournament your both your team and your sect failed and finished second.
"Stable Lotus Venerable, thanking us for the recent gift of Lotus-aligned spirit beast, invited our best elements for a Fortuitous encounter.
In truth, he search to help his pupils more than anything. It seldomly matter. Benefit as much as you can for the opportunity."
All of you are given one precious Spiritual Bead - those blue pearls used to catch and bind spirit beasts. Your group moves from the compounds, North-West of the city, to the center of Stable Lotus Harbor, the Stable Lotus sect itself.
In the big plazza, delegations of other local sects are waiting - Military Youth, Versatile Harmony, Buddhist Temple, Sun Adorators, and Abyssal Waters.
You're greeted by an older man - everybody bows when he gets out of the Stable Lotus compounds, with the disciples of the Stable Lotus quest - among them LienWen YanEr. You guess he's the namesake Stable Lotus Venerable.
Start an awfully long ceremony where every master gives face to all the other masters, then a long speech celebrating the alliance of powers of this town and this goodwill from the Stable Lotus sect.
You quickly grasp you will visit a Secret Realm. In teams of 3. Basically, the various sects will lend members to assist the Stable Lotus Sect member in their exploration of the realm completely tuned to their strength.
You are first splitted in several courtyard according to your realm. You and your squad are among the strongest of your courtyard. Now, you will have to approach a Stable Lotus disciple...","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712270137180950.png","filename":"pixai-1732749398282240154-3.png"},"posted":1712270137},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5969857,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">Team up with LienWen YanEr - after all you owe her your breakthrough
>Team up with another Stable Lotus Disciple - and show the young Mistress you're better than her!
Next, you can influence who the third member will be. An other Beast Whisperer will be redundant - but you know a few other kids. You can also settle for someone just based on their sect
>Recruit a Military Youth Kids [Unknown, Ster Ling, Xiao Niar]
>Recruit a Versatile Harmony Kid [Unknown, Ping Jun]
>Recruit a Buddhist Monk Kid [Unknown]
>Recruit a Sun Adorator Kid [Unknown]
>Recruit an Abyssal Waters Kid [Unknown]","attachment":null,"posted":1712270198},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5969915,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5969857
>Team up with LienWen YanEr - after all you owe her your breakthrough
>Recruit a Military Youth Kids - Ster Ling","attachment":null,"posted":1712275623},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5969921,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5969857
>Team up with Lienwen
>Recruit Ping Jun
When in the martial world, trust is a rare resource. We must rely on that trust and build the connections into strength.
Plus, both of them are here to catch spirit beasts and I want to help out our friend/rival in other sects.
Who knows, maybe making a power trio with these two is easier than Dhun and Ai in our sect.","attachment":null,"posted":1712275837},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5969925,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5969857
>Team up with LienWen YanEr - after all you owe her your breakthrough
>Recruit an Abyssal Waters Kid [Unknown","attachment":null,"posted":1712276216},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5970013,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5969857
>Team up with LienWen YanEr - after all you owe her your breakthrough
>Recruit a Versatile Harmony Kid [Ping Jun]","attachment":null,"posted":1712283687},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5970109,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5969857
>Team up with LienWen YanEr - after all you owe her your breakthrough
>Recruit a Versatile Harmony Kid [Ping Jun]","attachment":null,"posted":1712295426},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5970295,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5969915
>>5969921
>>5969925
>>5970013
>>5970109
The answer is obvious : you will visit a realm, a bit like the one you reached in your meditations, with ample spiritual energy and ressources - and maybe spiritual beasts, weapons, and other treasures?
Teaming up with LienWen YanEr, without a doubt the most attuned to the incoming realm is the best course of action to reap the most reward, and that's not taking into account the strengthening of your bond.
"You want to team up with me? Alright, I'll show you the worth of the Stable Lotus unique daughter if that's so!"
She seems relieved - strangely, it seems no one approached her to start with - and she is too proud to take the first step.
"So, who would be the dead weight to round up our squad?"
You take a second to think.
You don't know what you will face in there. You were advised to learn to fight better - so maybe Ster Ling, the Archer, would be a good choice?
However, the kid is insufferable from the little you interacted with him. Ping Jun, on the other hand, is easy to talk to. Oh, there he is.
"Hey Ping Jun. Wanna join us?
- Oh, it's you. Of course. By the way, did you find a spare spirit?
- Sadly, no. Didn't had any opportunity lately - but there is both this time and something a bit later"
His face break down from overjoyed to slightly disappointed.
"I understand. After all, spiritual beast are rare and hard to capture, right?"
He plastered a polite smile, that merged quickly enough into real appreciation seeing you.
"Anyway, what's next?
Our team is complete, let's proceed. The sooner, the better."
She confidently walks toward the supervising member of the sect observing the courtyard - they don't look happy.
"Careful. The one assigned to logistics and organization are denied a dive in the Stable Lotus realm. They're bitter about it."
You're walked through the maze of buildings and bridges over lotus-filled canals. You feel the quality of spiritual energy is improving.
"The wait and the walk makes me all tingly in the belly.
- Me too buddy.
- Me three. I am usually forbidden to go there."
Security is indeed tight, and getting tighter - adults and elders with impressive presence weight you down only by one stare. You are allowed there, but don't feel welcome.
Inferring on what you know, it looks like the city's sect alliance and their choice to nurture promising disciple is made at the expense of the mediocre bulk of said sects.
Not all elder or disciples are liking this politic.
A building's entrance is covered in long and wide cloth. Your escorts wait, while the young mistress eagerly spread them. You step in a buffer zone, a couple meter longs, which is similarly covered in cloth.
Spreading them reveal a courtyard filled with a pond with a huge teal lotus flower half-opened in the middle.
"What now?
- Well we go in dummy!"","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712328530543271.jpg","filename":"Pod.jpg"},"posted":1712328530},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5970296,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"She dashes toward the middle of the pond. You wait for her to make a big splash - she seems to literally run on water.
"Follow me! Step on the lotus!"
Looking clother, she indeed is - each plants easily holding up her weight. You follow in her wake, Ping Jun in tow.
This impressive feat of speed and balance is literally child's play for cultivators such as you three.
The three of you steps in the heart of the flower, which petals coil back, then open again.
You are of course on a lotus flower, like the one that took you there. Other flower are everywhere - especially over your head.
Except this time, you are in another realm. Spiritual energy is denser - but not aligned to any of your techniques in any way.
>Entered the realm of Growth
That last though was false : in addition to the two most dominant energies of the place, hints of Growth are present in the spiritual energy mix.
Two of your Pendants feel it too : the Hawk spirit is particularly awoken, and the mysterious teapot seems to buzz in contentment.
"Alright. We're in the realm as long as we don't fall in the water. The higher we go, the higher quality of energies and treasures. The farther we go from the center, the most likely we are to find treasures.
- So we go high, then sideways?
- Sounds smart. Maybe we can recover from fall if we're high enough?"
The three of you join acts to words. The fourth layer is reached without any kind of effort - the young mistress being unsurprisingly more swift and nimble than the two of you.
"Hold on. that last jump was quite hard."
Upon your heads, layers and layers and layers of flying lotus leaves.
>Opened Eye Aperture
Layers distance between each other increase with height, but the density of flowers remains similar. You focus, and count a total of a hundred layers. Good to know you guess.
What's next?
>Keep climbing the layers
>Go explore sideways","attachment":null,"posted":1712328592},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5970300,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970296
>Go explore sideways
But keep an eye out for any leaves that would provide an easier opportunity to gain some extra height","attachment":null,"posted":1712328898},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5970335,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970296
>Climb the layers at least another bit higher.
>This is the realm attuned to growth, at least somewhat. We can use some of our tricks in the "true" land of growth to assist in at least another leap higher.
Like turning breath into a wind.","attachment":null,"posted":1712333095},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5970364,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970296
>Keep climbing the layers","attachment":null,"posted":1712336729},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5970612,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970296
>>Keep climbing the layers
Greedmax","attachment":null,"posted":1712366144},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5970870,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"Rolled 95, 18, 18, 60 = 191 (4d100)
>>5970300
>>5970335
>>5970364
>>5970612
Alright, bone-clicking time.
>2 anon roll 1d100
Currently rolling for your teammates","attachment":null,"posted":1712387407},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5970890,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 28 (1d100)
>>5970870
Call for rolls?","attachment":null,"posted":1712393528},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5970891,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5970890
Yes.
Let's hope the next anon roll better","attachment":null,"posted":1712393673},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5970896,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 27 (1d100)
>>5970870
Jump around. Jump! Jump!","attachment":null,"posted":1712394663},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5970900,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970891
>>5970896
Well, that was false hope","attachment":null,"posted":1712395959},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5971352,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5970890
>>5970896
>>5970900
"Ping Jun, do you think you can hold on? I think we should press on and move up."
Yeah, give me a couple seconds..."
The boy starts shining in a golden hue. He seems faster, and his subsequent jumps reaches the higher level easily.
"I won't let you show off in my family's secret realm!"
The nimble young mistress follows, and you feel like the lotus are moving around to help her. It's unfair.
Maybe the growth realm techniques will work here? You breath, but no wind rise.
Luckily, your friend haven't seen you acting weird. Thus, in a more traditional way, you follow in their wake, gathering your energy and propelling your movement technique.
You gather Qi and Blood in your leg, pulling energy for the Unlimited Ground-contracting Kick - every centimeter will matter in your jump...
>28 : Failure.
You overshot by two handful of centimeter. Realization downs you : you're not much familiar with that technique - you haven't had time to practice it after all - and it seems empowered in that realm, resulting in your miss.
You already see yourself plummeting humiliatingly out of the secret realm...
>95 from Young Mistress
"Fellow Daoist Quiet Word!"
The lotus moved, catching you before you fall.
"Are you okay? Hold up I'll help you!"
The condescension stings more than half as much as the humiliation you would have suffered falling out of this realm.
"Camon, you beat me in the Stable Lotus tournament, I chose you first in my group, give me some face!"
You felt like your pride was hit by a double technique akin to your double talon strike.
Anyway, with the help of the Young Mistress, you reach Ping Jun up to the 9th layer.
"You Okay? Scared me!"
Before you can answer, a movement down makes you glance : another team of disciples. 10 or 11 year old. None that you know.
You realize it means you're the first group in the secret realm.
"Alright. Either we try to climb some more, or we stay at that level looking for treasures."
>Keep climbing the layers
>Go explore sideways","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712442512202105.jpg","filename":"fa035dbc-8948-41c7-9f28-e594840cea53.jpg"},"posted":1712442512},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5971371,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971352
>Sideways
9/100 seems like a pretty good spot to go for.","attachment":null,"posted":1712443062},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5971416,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971352
>Explore Sideways","attachment":null,"posted":1712446372},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5971447,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971352
>Sideways
Best not to get any greedier.","attachment":null,"posted":1712447781},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5971501,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971352
>Go explore sideways","attachment":null,"posted":1712450722},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5971616,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971352
>Go explore sideway","attachment":null,"posted":1712455887},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5971697,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971352
>Go explore sideways","attachment":null,"posted":1712461702},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5971839,"name":"DrDragonfagOnPhone","msg":">>5971371
>>5971416
>>5971447
>>5971447
>>5971501
>>5971616
>>5971697
2 roll of 1d100","attachment":null,"posted":1712469463},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5971844,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 20 (1d100)
>>5971839
Lòot","attachment":null,"posted":1712469794},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5971848,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 26 (1d100)
>>5971839","attachment":null,"posted":1712470225},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5971850,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712471118749762.png","filename":"FB_IMG_1507706448572.png"},"posted":1712471118},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5971867,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971352
>Go explore sideways
Agh, them bones didn't click good
Now we owe her even more","attachment":null,"posted":1712472926},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5971868,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971848
>>5971844
fug
At this point I wish we were average","attachment":null,"posted":1712472991},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5971904,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5971371
>>5971416
>>5971447
>>5971501
>>5971616
>>5971697
>>5971844
>>5971848
>>5971850
>>5971867
>>5971868
You pick a direction, and hop away from flowers to flowers.
"Let's try to cover the most lotus flowers - treasures of this realm can be find only by being at the right place!"
So you do. Covering ground, hoping from flower to flower, you find nothing.
You can't help but find this secret realm a bit boring - Growth realm was an amazing experience, and that's without taking in account the serpentine labyrinthe of Snake realm or the brief view of the Wolf realm.
But those realms are not as easily reachable - the ritual you had the fortune of joining the Snake Mistress in looked expensive with the amount of materials spend, more materials from the mystical plane than your group bringed back - and prompter to kick you out.
The older kids overtook you - they're twice as high for now. More child enter - all in the older side. Three groups entered the realm under you - 2 groups of older kids, older even than Bathias, and one other group around Kyo Ko's age.
In front of you, lotus are getting sparser.
"So what should we do?"
>Onward, braving the sparser lotus Field
>Circling around the "pillar" of dense flowers above the input pod, keep looking for treasures
>Maybe it's a good time to climb again?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712482529539958.png","filename":"Layer Aerial View.png"},"posted":1712482529},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5971905,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"Picrel with comments","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712482591154042.png","filename":"Layer Aerial View_annotated.png"},"posted":1712482591},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5971913,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971904
>Onward, braving the sparser lotus Field","attachment":null,"posted":1712483393},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5971915,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971904
>Brave the sparser lillies.
>Deploy our hawk, We've taught it to Caw on command, so have it serve as a scout for us.","attachment":null,"posted":1712484674},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5971992,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971904
>>Onward, braving the sparser lotus Field","attachment":null,"posted":1712499838},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5971997,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"Rolled 35, 7, 50, 63 = 155 (4d100)
>>5971913
>>5971915
>>5971992
>2 anon roll 1d100
Like previously, I'm rolling for the other kids","attachment":null,"posted":1712500534},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5972002,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 12 (1d100)
>>5971997","attachment":null,"posted":1712501114},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5972009,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 31 (1d100)
>>5971997","attachment":null,"posted":1712502041},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5972010,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Good thing we didn't climb.","attachment":null,"posted":1712502185},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5972023,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 76 (1d100)
>>5971997
We can do it, I believe in ourselves","attachment":null,"posted":1712504039},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5972024,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5972023
Too late.","attachment":null,"posted":1712504188},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5972049,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5971997
>>5972002
>>5972009
"So what should we do?"
You raise your head.
"If there was anything worth something near the middle, it would have been picked up by the older ones. Let's try our luck further?"
You directly translate words in action, and jump.
>31 for a DC of 60
Too short. you plummet - maybe you can catch a lower leaf?
Yeah, no. Your trajectory is directly sending you in water.
>LienWen YanEr failure
You're overtake in your fall by the teal-clad silhouette of your friend.
You fall in a big splash. Cloth drag you down, despite your empowered cultivator physique.
A hand grabs your collar, and pull you out - you're back in the pond where people are queuing to enter the pod.
"First in, first out, Uh?"
You can feel the disdain coming from the teenager. The deck leading to the pond is crowd with various kids - hey Ster Ling and Dhundan are in the same group; the archer is taunting you by slipping his index under his nose - you get the meaning "the opportunity slipped right under your nose loser".
Another splash - it's Ping Jun. He suffered several cuts, turning water around him crimson. The haughty teenager quickly fish him out of water, and rush to bring him to first aid.
LienWen is staring down at her feets, feeling obviously bad for messing up that opportunity.
>Do you say something to her [Write-in]?
>Or join her in brooding [blaming what? Lack of luck, talent, training?]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712506306226797.png","filename":"suckstosuck.png"},"posted":1712506306},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5972060,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972049
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have insisted we climb higher."","attachment":null,"posted":1712507092},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5972084,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972049
>Do you say something to her [Write-in]?
>"It's not your fault, LienWen, is mine and you know it. It was my fault from the start where I was just slacking from going to a higher realm, not only that but I also made the call of going sideways when I wasn't obviously qualified to do so. I was just a deadweight making the calls, and I'm so sorry for it"
A mix of consoling her and also fervently brooding about ourselves in a short rant-","attachment":null,"posted":1712509610},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5972096,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972049
>Ask her what we could have done better, then listen.","attachment":null,"posted":1712511145},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5972126,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972049
>Do you say something to her [Write-in]?
Find some way to salvage this","attachment":null,"posted":1712513251},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5972137,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972049
>Support >>5972084
>Make a very sincere, Some may say Insistent, suggestion that we go and have some tea away from the rest of the prodigies.
Yes its our secret, but also self loathing and self blame plus people we kinda owe/Wanna get close with. And she has to have tea.","attachment":null,"posted":1712513977},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5972338,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972126
>>5972096
>>5972060
So do you guys not want to get SOMETHING out of this debacle?","attachment":null,"posted":1712530515},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5972345,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972338
What part of 'salvage' implies walking away with nothing? We could attempt to re-enter or something through meditation while we are still relatively attuned to the energy of the realm.","attachment":null,"posted":1712531091},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5972354,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972345
We can't enter again, or we would have already.
The lack of ideas to the contrary was the main contribution for "walking away with nothing".
I say instead we comfort our rival and friend by showing them a treasure and using it with/on them getting us two things.
One, We now know how to use the damned thing.
Two, securing this political alliance.
Potential drawbacks include people we have tenuious hold over blabbing about our treasure but I consider that a worthwhile risk.
Do you have any other ideas?","attachment":null,"posted":1712531593},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5972381,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972354
yeah sure, tea party
We have been able to enter realms with less, I don't thing it's impossible","attachment":null,"posted":1712534573},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5972791,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"Dutiful notice : my permanent IP might change","attachment":null,"posted":1712572214},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5972792,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5972791
Oh it looks Ok.","attachment":null,"posted":1712572275},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5973067,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5972060
>>5972084
>>5972096
>>5972126
>>5972137
>>5972338
>>5972345
>>5972354
>>5972381
"It's not your fault, LienWen. It is mine and you know it.
It was my fault from the start where I was just slacking from going to a higher realm, not only that but I also made the call of going sideways when I wasn't obviously qualified to do so.
I was just a deadweight making the calls, and I'm so sorry for it.
- Yeah, you're right. But I hold responsibility too - our realms are similar so that's mean I'm slacking too and didn't even realized it.
And it was really comfortable hiding behind your choices...
- What could I have done better, except not chosing the obviously wrong choices?
- I lack the insight..."
You'll need to salvage this. And you might have just the thing for it.
"I might have a secret to show you. But for that I'll need a quiet spot, tea leaves and two cups...Oh, and boiling water, too."
Capitalizing on the perks of owning the place, LienWen YanEr gather the things in a turn of hands, then lead you to an empty room.
She present a teapot, and take a handful of dry leaves.
"Wait!"
She stops, hand over the normal teapot.
You unfurl your Treasured Teapot, ask her to put in the dry leaves, and fill, for the first time, the teapot with water.
You wait the required time for the hot drink to brew.
Progressively, the claystone seems to shine in a white and gold hue, the characters are especially bright.
You feel the timing to pour the tea in the cups. The drinks seems brimming with energy.
Your teapot can currently serve water to two people - no more, and you intuitively know that less would be wasteful.
Both of you drink. It's a bit more bitter than you expected but you thouroughly enjoy the high-quality herbs : you're more used to the common variant.
The teapot dulls. The once-colorful character now appears grey.
"So... What does the teapot do?
- Honestly? I don't know. Maybe help with our future cultivation?
- Oh. It felt special. That might be it so."
And with that, you regain the courtyard, waiting for other kids. Most have pulled some materials from the secret realms, lucky ones met spiritual beast and treasures. Stable Lotus Clan members are delighted, other are invited to the sect's treasury for trading. This reminds you harshly that you missed out on that encounter.
And that concludes the day. You head for the sect, sympathizing with the Young Mistress who would certainly get a hard time following your collective failure.
Now, all that remains for you is diligent cultivation. However, you hesitate about pills : are they a good call this week? Won't they interract weirdly with whatever the teapot have done?
Or, contrairwise, would they let you increase the benefits of the tea drinking?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712610305419072.png","filename":"pixai-1734056762113345315-3.png"},"posted":1712610305},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5973068,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"Potential
>Investigate the teapot and its power [How? Write-in what you think it does]
Friendship
>Attempt to mend things between Dhundan and Ai
>You never paid attention to older kids - the 7, 8 and 9 year old seems lacking talent, but still.
>Catch up with Dhundan, Ai, Yi Norm, Man Din and Sin Din - did they got anything special from the Stable Lotus Hidden Realm?
Foundation
>Work on your Foundation [Pills available]
>Work on your Mental Energy with Dhundan
Weapon skills
>Work on your Windy Cavalier's Halberd [Pills available]
>Work on your Spear style : Blood-Shadow Wolf Painful Assault [Pills available]
Spiritual Beasts
>Investigate on the Scion of the Primordial Wolf Spirit[How?]
>Investigate on the talking Spiritual Beasts[How?]
The sect
>Continue to learn how to read
>Help the new kids
Strengthening the Jar
>Slack off [this will be bad for your mental health]
>Carve out a secret spot for yourself somewhere
And, as always...
>Write-in allowed!","attachment":null,"posted":1712610366},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5973087,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973068
>Work on our foundation
>Carve out a secret place for ourselves.
>Help the new kids.
We can use the excuse of moping for our new sancutary. But we should focus on foundation, since the teapot signals the foundational realms apatures.
Its a growth teapot. . . Now while I think that should be complimentary with the pills, it is still its own aspect. So I vote
NO PILLS.","attachment":null,"posted":1712612091},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5973093,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973087
+1
NO-PILLS GRIND, TEAMAXXING","attachment":null,"posted":1712613076},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5973103,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973087
Support. Need privacy to commune with wolf spirit.","attachment":null,"posted":1712615247},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5973192,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973068
>>Attempt to mend things between Dhundan and Ai
>>Carve out a secret spot for yourself somewhere
>>Work on your Foundation [Pills available]","attachment":null,"posted":1712624234},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5973229,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973068
>Carve out a secret spot for yourself somewhere
>Work on your Foundation [Pills available]
>Attempt to mend things between Dhundan and Ai","attachment":null,"posted":1712625964},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5973335,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973068
>There's a wolf, in my heart, who's just lying around doing nothing. Stop being lazy brother wolf. Run and play with me in the dreamtime. Though play does the young pup test his limits and grow stronger.
>Work on your Foundation [No pills, focus on tea and chi]
>Continue to learn how to read","attachment":null,"posted":1712632644},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5973336,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973335
>Actually, we're trying to grow and open our eyes, so I guess when focusing on tea and chi, focus on how caffeine opens the pathways of energy and alertness. Tea has many properties, caffeine being one. It'll also help us be more alert during the day and have crazier dreams due to sleep deprivation at night.","attachment":null,"posted":1712632791},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5973443,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973068
>Work on your Foundation No pills
>Carve out a secret spot for yourself somewhere
>You never paid attention to older kids - the 7, 8 and 9 year old seems lacking talent, but still.","attachment":null,"posted":1712642603},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5973469,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"I realized I forgot an important option in the vote, unlocked by discussing with Kyo Ko last time
>Ask Bathias about Eye Skills
So, if you want to amend your vote...","attachment":null,"posted":1712645828},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5973470,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"Also,
>Tally status","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712646008042200.png","filename":"Screenshot from 2024-04-09 08-59-26.png"},"posted":1712646008},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5973559,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973087
>support","attachment":null,"posted":1712657357},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5973572,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973469
Part of me wants too. The eye skill is a talent inheretence of foundation buildihg, which the treaure seems to be focused on.
But it is better to get some other shit done. Maybe not better better but we can't delay forever","attachment":null,"posted":1712660541},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5973630,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"Since you opened the twin balls of eye aperture, your sight is better - you can clearly see from far away, able to focus and remember thing you've seen more vividly.
The day after that Stable Lotus fiasco, Wolf Mistress picks you among the disciples working on the Eye Aperture - You, Dhundan and Ai have it opened, but as the first to have open the realm, you're also the first that had it stabilized.
"Eye aperture is a twin hourglass. But now it's filled and open, you can work on your Nose Aperture.
It is pear-shaped, with the narrow side leading to a wall. At this stage, cultivators usually experience their first Bottleneck.
However, you're young and ahead in your cultivation, so as long as the sect keeps helping you you're expected to break through while your mouthful of Inborn True Qi you received at birth haven't dissipated yet.
This True Qi means no bottleneck for around two more years for you."
Following the mistress' instructions, you locate the Nose Aperture. It's still and wonderful mystery why Aperture does not appear before you're ready - and seems only visible by seeking them and knowing their locatoins.
Having a sect and instructors is more than mere techniques and leaving you on your own while raking in ressources and work - it could easily have taken you a month or two just to locate the Nose Aperture correctly, despite knowing it's the next step.
Circulating your technique, you generate Qi and Blood threads, and pull them in. Despite a more-than-ample amount of energy gathered and pull in, you feel it's a mere drop in the Nose Aperture.
The early free time dedicated to cultivation is over. Daily chores are starting. But the Wolf Mistress still have something to tell you.
"Keep your eyes open for a Wolf spirit. It won't be immediate, but transplanhumance is coming in 3 months after all.
Although... It's been a while I've not seen your pup, is he fine?"
You answer a non-commital "yes", and abscond.
Over the two weeks, you diligently spins your energy threads. Energy is higher than your pill-enhanced sessions of Eye Aperture stage, but filling speed is a crawl.
You're not able to pinpoint wether the higher energy comes from the teapot or your higher level.
Your daily chores still involve taking cares of the mundane beasts. You take some time to observe the batch of newcomers.
They seem plain. Their potential : poor, deficient, inferior or weak. As a comparison, Dhundan and Ai are somewhere between Excellent and Incredible, not impossibly higher.
This bad potential is on par to the twenty-or-so other kids your age you've left in the dust, none having opened the Heart Aperture yet.
Yourself? Cutting yourself a bit of slack and not wallowing in angst, you have to admit to yourself you're at least Fine.
However, The twin sisters and Yi Norm where in your first impression Average or Mediocre. But the competition burning you out and your focus on group growth pulled everyone up, turning them at least Decent.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712672323053241.png","filename":"Screenshot from 2024-04-09 15-45-04.png"},"posted":1712672323},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5973631,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"Maybe the same could be told about newcomers? Thus, you try quite hard over the next weeks to bond with them. But they're ininterresting and interchangeable in your eyes.
Still, the fact you're spending time with them is making a good impression on them and on the Masters.
There's a third endeavor you're overtaking this week. One running in the back of your mind for a long time.
You go for Horseback runs everyday, to find a remote spot. Something that could be turn in your own, small, Immortal Cave : a spiritually-rich remote secret spot but still easily accessible for you, where you could practice in secrecy.
You don't find one - obviously. Good spot might already be taken and hidden by higher level members of the sects. You then decided you'll make your own.
There's a suitable location at a bit more than half an hour of horseback riding. A hill with a majestic, tall tree.
Sending Horse patrolling, Snake slithering in tree and Hawk circling in the sky with the instruction to Neigh, Hiss or Caw if they see anything or anyone approching, you release the Wolf.
It look like a plain, normal wolf.
It's still a spiritual beast, but if you didn't knew any better, you'd say it's a soul of an average common wolf that have been shoved in a bead.
There must be more to it - and that's why you need this quiet, remote spot. You order him to dig among roots.
However, despite plain it still shares your soul and thus the spirit is at the level of opened Eye Aperture Realm.
This is way more than enough strength to efficiently remove dirt and soil. The week is enough to dig a small cave with an entrance hidden by a couple bushes.
It's been one year and one month since you joined the Eastern Province branch of Tamers of Hundred Beasts.
Potential
>Investigate the teapot and its power [How? Write-in what you think it does]
>Ask Bathias about his Innate Eye Ability
Friendship
>Attempt to mend things between Dhundan and Ai
>You never paid attention to older kids - the 7, 8 and 9 year old seems lacking talent, but still.
>Pick up a few of the new kids under your wing
>Catch up with Dhundan, Ai, Yi Norm, Man Din and Sin Din - did they got anything special from the Stable Lotus Hidden Realm?
Foundation
>Work on your Foundation [Pills available]
>Work on your Unlimited Ground-contracting Kick
>Work on your Mental Energy with Dhundan
Weapon skills
>Work on your Windy Cavalier's Halberd [Pills available]
>Work on your Spear style : Blood-Shadow Wolf Painful Assault [Pills available]
Spiritual Beasts
>Investigate on the Scion of the Primordial Wolf Spirit[How?]
>Investigate on the talking Spiritual Beasts[How?]
The sect
>Continue to learn how to read
>Help the Poor-talented batch of new kids
Strengthening the Jar
>Slack off [this will be bad for your mental health]
>Improve Immortal Cave [How?]
And, as always...
>Write-in allowed!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712672385244413.jpg","filename":"BouseHouse.jpg"},"posted":1712672385},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5973636,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973631
>Ask about Innate eye Talent
>Foundation with Pills
So I was completely wrong there. Looks like.
>Ground contracting kick
Transplanace in 3 months. Lets prepare for that. So work on our movement to catch em and our ability to see them.","attachment":null,"posted":1712673062},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5973660,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973631
>Work on your Spear style : Blood-Shadow Wolf Painful Assault no pills
>Work on your Unlimited Ground-contracting Kick
>Continue to learn how to read","attachment":null,"posted":1712675389},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5973778,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973631
>Ask Bathias about his Innate Eye Ability
>Work on your Unlimited Ground-contracting Kick
>Work on your Spear style : Blood-Shadow Wolf Painful Assault","attachment":null,"posted":1712686942},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5974309,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">Tally status","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712738979351218.png","filename":"Screenshot from 2024-04-10 10-49-04.png"},"posted":1712738979},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5974506,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"Alright guys this seems like a small engagement vote.
I'd appreciate a couple more inputs.
I'll take the opportunity to ask about notification : how much does it help you to be directly answered to?","attachment":null,"posted":1712769590},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5974550,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973631
>Work on foundation (use pills)
>Work on kick
>Learn reading","attachment":null,"posted":1712772978},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5974631,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973631
>Work on ground-contracting kick
>Continue learning to read
>Ask Bathias about his Innate Eye ability","attachment":null,"posted":1712783409},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5974906,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974506
>I'll take the opportunity to ask about notification : how much does it help you to be directly answered to?
? Not sure what you mean by this","attachment":null,"posted":1712811358},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5974909,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973631
>Improve Immortal Cave: Stabilize the walls with stout branches.
>Attempt to mend things between Dhundan and Ai
>Work on your Mental Energy with Dhundan","attachment":null,"posted":1712811878},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5974915,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973631
>>5973660
>support","attachment":null,"posted":1712813004},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5974987,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5974906
When directly answering to an anon like I'm doing, the exclamation mark in the top of the window turns red and not white. Some prefer it that way, meaning there's something to check.","attachment":null,"posted":1712817301},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5975004,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"Alright, seems a bit tied.
I'll start writing the Unlimited Ground-contracting Kick practice. The rest will depend if we get a tiebreak or not; I'll might roll for it.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712818706320110.png","filename":"Screenshot from 2024-04-11 08-56-00.png"},"posted":1712818706},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5975061,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975004
>>5973778
Change innate eye to learn 2 read","attachment":null,"posted":1712827704},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5975078,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"Over the next couple weeks, you keep your basic cultivation practice to a minimal, following the daily morning sessions and not pulling more energy on the side.
Still, the trickle gathered this week should amount to something, right? Dhundan and Ai, which finished stabilizing the new realm, are in result a mere inch behind you in term of raw cultivation.
>Practice the Unlimited Ground-contracting Kick Movement Technique
You can't help but feel like you would have performed better in the Stable Lotus Hidden Realm if you had a better grasp on your Movement technique.
Thus, you put your focus on the secret skill you acquired over the next couple of weeks.
The practice goes extremely well, and you're soon able to leap a bit more than a couple meters : a bit less than twice your height, not bad for a 6 year old.
You feel like a good deal of the technique is too theorically complex for you and out of your reach - not that you have a good theoretical knowledge base about Cultivation to start with.
Still, this is what you infer of your instictive mastery of the technique :
Your Qi and Blood threads are sent in your lower body, and consumed by your legs's muscle, tonifying them and demultiplicating their output.
You feel your Qi is trying to do something else - somethingS else - but fails to transform. Once again, you think the effects will be tremendously different once your Qi will turn in True Qi
Overall, your grasp of the technique is impressive - good enough for Breakthrough! is that an effect of the Teapot-enhanced tea?
>Breakthrough! Chose among :
Rock-breaking roundhouse-kick : Instead of gathering energy in your legs to jump, strengthen shins for a devasting blow.
Fall-contraction : a technique using the underlying principles of the Unlimited Ground-contracting kick to fasten a fall, resulting in lesser fall height and thus reducing risk of injury.
Technique Advancement : create a new technique based on this one. You can add or replace one keyword in the technique name.
However, your technique strength remains under the Opened Heart Aperture for now.
>Practice of the Spear Style : Blood-Shadow Wolf Painful Assault
Second point : improve your fighting abilities. You feel like you've lagged behind, and pick up the spear practice.
It feels well - probably thanks to the amazing pills, supplying you with a perfect mix of energy allowing you to work twice as hard with half the effort.
The practice session went well - extremely well. You're starting to understand there are wolf-related spiritual arts hidden in the technique.
They eluded you by a very small margin - did the enhanced tea helped for that too?
In the end, you now feel stronger using a spear than an halberd - not even factoring in the Cosmic Spear Snake.
Your weapon practice haven't catched up yet to your full cultivation level though.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712831179753008.jpg","filename":"b0effa5f-df86-453a-b9aa-bfde665e465d.jpg"},"posted":1712831179},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5975079,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">Reading comprehension
Last, more time spent with Ryota in his off-time (more available than a couple weeks ago). You infer the sub-par crop of new kids is not worth a time investment from him.
This might be the harsh reality of this world : there is a double-demultiplicator to potential. Gifted ones will progress faster, and thus get invested in more easily than struggling kids.
Thus, the talented thrive twice as much.
In the end, you double your amount of known characters : your improved visual memory is certainly a part of your success.
Potential
>Investigate the teapot and its power [How? Write-in what you think it does]
>Ask Bathias about his Innate Eye Ability
>Focus on the secret Technique hidden in the Spear Style![Requires to also take Spear Style Practice, improves chances of Breakthrough]
Friendship
>Attempt to mend things between Dhundan and Ai
>You never paid attention to older kids - the 7, 8 and 9 year old seems lacking talent, but still.
>Pick up a few of the new kids under your wing
>Catch up with Dhundan, Ai, Yi Norm, Man Din and Sin Din - did they got anything special from the Stable Lotus Hidden Realm?
Foundation
>Work on your Foundation [Pills available]
>Work on your Unlimited Ground-contracting Kick
>Work on your Mental Energy with Dhundan
Weapon skills
>Work on your Windy Cavalier's Halberd [Pills available]
>Work on your Spear style : Blood-Shadow Wolf Painful Assault [Pills available]
Spiritual Beasts
>Investigate on the Scion of the Primordial Wolf Spirit[How?]
>Investigate on the talking Spiritual Beasts[How?]
The sect
>Continue to learn how to read
>Help the Poor-talented batch of new kids
Strengthening the Jar
>Slack off [this will be bad for your mental health]
>Improve Immortal Cave [How?]
And, as always...
>Write-in allowed!","attachment":null,"posted":1712831240},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5975085,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975079
>Eye talent.
>Grouneld contracting kick.
>Foundation
I would like to get a message to Jun, and hope that doesnt take an action. We kinda need to know what animal affinity he has if we want to get him a suitable veast from the transhumance, either directly or via trading with the sect.
So if he can come tell us, or get another message sent, that'd be great. Maybe we can write a letter!","attachment":null,"posted":1712831881},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5975094,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5975085
You can get that as a free part of the "learn to read" action - in the shape of writing a letter.","attachment":null,"posted":1712835194},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5975103,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975079
>Improve Immortal Cave [How?]
Make enough room to start practicing martial styles, then
>Investigate on the Scion of the Primordial Wolf Spirit[How?]
by summoning/channeling while we
>Work on your Spear style : Blood-Shadow Wolf Painful Assault [Pills available]
so that we can hopefully
>Focus on the secret Technique hidden in the Spear Style![Requires to also take Spear Style Practice, improves chances of Breakthrough]
As for our movement style breakthrough, what would happen if we replaced 'ground' with 'space', or with 'sky'?","attachment":null,"posted":1712837340},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5975104,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975078
I forgot to vote for a breakthrough. I am retarded.
I will add
>Fall contraction move
For the breakthrough.
And in light of >>5975094
>I will change >>5975085 Foundation for reading
So we can get these things done properly. I wanna help Jun, to make up for our fuckup.
Hmm. After transhumance, I think we need to sit down and hammer out a set primary objective. We are on a timer with that true Qi, so we cant ignore foundation forever.
And we have been neglecting windy cavalier","attachment":null,"posted":1712837822},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5975105,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5975103
>Wondering about earth and space
thanks to that write-in, you realize that one of failed elemental transform must be related to earth, while the other seems like an energy you've already been exposed too, an energy in the signature of the Cosmic Spear Snake Spirit.
The "Contracting" Keyword of the technique is related to Space, while the "Ground" Keyword is related to earth.","attachment":null,"posted":1712838582},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5975106,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5975103
also, that's 4 option out of the 3 allowed.","attachment":null,"posted":1712838725},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5975108,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975105
Well we have high affinity for earth so we should be able to get good use out of our movement style, and it is good to know it will become more useful as we grow in skill. Would changing 'kick' to 'leap' be meaningful?
>>5975106
If I can't squash those 4 together then I will drop immortal cave expansion, it is more important to develop our spiritual links and abilities to bolster ourselves so we won't get bottlenecked.","attachment":null,"posted":1712839695},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5975115,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975079
>Fall-contraction : a technique using the underlying principles of the Unlimited Ground-contracting kick to fasten a fall, resulting in lesser fall height and thus reducing risk of injury.
>Work on your Mental Energy with Dhundan
>Work on your Foundation [Pills available]","attachment":null,"posted":1712840511},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5975117,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975115
>Improve Immortal Cave [How?] Expand it for martial arts practice. Its a good idea.","attachment":null,"posted":1712840662},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5975118,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5975108
>Kick to Leap :
It will remove the "Leg" keyword of the technique, and simplify it. However, with the underlying mechanics, it would actually make the test harder as you have a great affinity with Leg techniques, but quite poor affinity with Movement techniques (not that paradoxal I swear), mixed with the special mechanical effects of the growth keyword.","attachment":null,"posted":1712840704},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5975119,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975104
With my own reminded of our true qi time limit, I am again swapping my options around, so the TRUE AND ONLY VOTE, IGNORING >>5975104
>>5975085
Is
>Ground contracting fall
>Reading/Write a letter to Jun
>Eye ability
>Foundation [With pills]
New theory is that the next breakthrough will trigger the teapot. Its energy that enhances/opens new options on a break through.
This is my called shot.","attachment":null,"posted":1712840805},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5975121,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5975119
>Theory
I have expressed different concepts with similar words. Care to reformulate with "Realm breakthrough" and "Technique breakthrough?"","attachment":null,"posted":1712840993},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5975122,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975121
Yeah, alright.
So Growth is kinda Change. It's not. . .incrimental change, since sufficiently slow change is indistinguishable from stagnation.
So the theory then goes that Realm Breakthroughs are what is depicted on the side, so unless the maker was just trolling us with deliberately obtuse/misleading directions, then a realm breakthrough is what will trigger the sudden "Growth" as we leap from one realm to the next.
Little Er even said "once the nose apature is open, every breath will feel like cultivating". That's a significant change from generating Blood threads which is inherently different from being able to see spiritual animals and such.","attachment":null,"posted":1712841244},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5975134,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975078
> Fall-contraction : a technique using the underlying principles of the Unlimited Ground-contracting kick to fasten a fall, resulting in lesser fall height and thus reducing risk of injury.
>Focus on the secret Technique hidden in the Spear Style![Requires to also take Spear Style Practice, improves chances of Breakthrough]
>Continue to learn how to read
>Work on your Foundation [Pills available]","attachment":null,"posted":1712842568},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5975135,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975134
My man, did you ignore the option you posted that said "requires spear practice"?","attachment":null,"posted":1712842855},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5975167,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975078
>Fall-contraction : a technique using the underlying principles of the Unlimited Ground-contracting kick to fasten a fall, resulting in lesser fall height and thus reducing risk of injury.
>Focus on the secret Technique hidden in the Spear Style![Requires to also take Spear Style Practice, improves chances of Breakthrough]
>Work on your Spear style : Blood-Shadow Wolf Painful Assault
Help the Poor-talented batch of new kidsnful Assault","attachment":null,"posted":1712847477},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5975298,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975105
I don't know if what I'm about to say is what I'm supposed to say to pass the test, but I'll still make a try
From Thread 1:
>You hold on a few seconds, until a more potent spiritual snake awoke - made of a blinding pure light. You turn on your heels, and flee.
Mind numbing pain. Your leg have been stabbed, a fang completely traversing your left thigh. You fell. In your back, the Horse - when did he appeared? - charges the Light Snake, get dispelled in a tail whip-motion. The Hawk charges for your sake, and is dispelled in a blast of light.
We already know that there's a link in the Space keyword with out Cosmic Spear Snake, and the Ground one is related to Earth, but there's a extra element/energy. It came to my mind that the "Principal escense" is "Snake", and that forms a link with the "Light Snake" even if we weren't directly attacked (I think) by the Light Snake, our Spirits indeed where attacked and we've been exposed to it. So my guess is that the final element/energy is Light or something related to it. If there's a need to give it some name, then I would call it something like
"Unlimited Rising Star Kick" I don't know if it works like this, but what I try to give with the name is how the "star" instead of falling to Earth, defies logic to get back to the Heaven/Space, and at the same time Star make reference to the Light Energy.","attachment":null,"posted":1712858510},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5975328,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975135
Darn you got me anon, I infact did skip past it.","attachment":null,"posted":1712861715},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5975431,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5975298
Nice effort.
Your technique is currently
Movement technique : Unlimited Ground-contracting Kick (Growth, Movement, Leg, Space, Earth)
Turning it into
Movement technique : Unlimited Rising Star Kick
would be a valid move (and incredibly Kino as a character development).
This would be aligned to the elements (Growth, Movement, Leg, Space, Earth, Light)
Also,
>Tally status","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712870114741824.png","filename":"Screenshot from 2024-04-11 23-14-28.png"},"posted":1712870114},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5975435,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5975298
Also,
what have been wounded is your Astral Self. This had physical repercussion on yourself and still bear a two scars emitting a faint light on your thigh where the fang entered and exit after completely piercing your leg - it took you a good while to recover.","attachment":null,"posted":1712870344},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5975445,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975431
Fuck it, I'll support Unlimited rising star if you guys will.
I'm happy with ground contracting and Rising star either way","attachment":null,"posted":1712871650},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5975470,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975431
+1 Unlimited Rising Star Kick
Also change >>5975103 to
>Spear style (with pills)
>Spear style secret technique
>Work on foundation (no pills)","attachment":null,"posted":1712873954},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5975643,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975115
>>5975117
Me - I'll change to Unlimited Rising Star.
We'll have to do Fall Contracting eventually but not today.","attachment":null,"posted":1712885145},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5975835,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975431
I'll support Unlimited Rising Star Kick, it sounds cool and I'm curious how it will change.","attachment":null,"posted":1712898068},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5975879,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5975445
>>5975470
>>5975643
>>5975835
OK.
Do you also intend to fix your vote (focus on secret technique can't be chosen on its own)?
As >>5975298 is 1pbtid without other inputs, I'll assume it's one of you guys phoneposting or something.","attachment":null,"posted":1712904325},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5975883,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">Updated tally status","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712904413344306.png","filename":"Screenshot from 2024-04-12 08-46-18.png"},"posted":1712904413},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5976067,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975879
Oh yeah, I'm >>5975298 >>5973093 and >>5972084
The last one was from my pc and the other two I was phoneposting while I was out doing stuff. I mostly lurk on a thread if I don't feel strongly influenced to vote, so I either do it from my pc or my phone when I feel like it. And Speaking off
>Unlimited Rising Star
>Foundation (With pills)
>Continue to read/Mail Ping Jun to help him with the spiritual beast he asked
I would've love to help the batch of struggling kids, but I guess we could do that in the next update unless something else comes up","attachment":null,"posted":1712937181},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5976071,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976067
Wait hold on, I have a last one vote, right? In that case
>Improve Immortal Cave [How?]
I say expanding would be cool, and if it's possible make a little room to a side where we can meditate. If we're going to use our Wolf spirit to dig, then we also help with the digging, it would be some good physical training and maybe give some more insight on our Wolf Spirit if we're working together this way.","attachment":null,"posted":1712937445},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5976231,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"Being a cultivator means standing like a sore thumb, a metal pike upright amidst a storm, defying the heavens.
You've been lucky to see a falling star in the way back from the Conclave of Beast Tamers. Could you improve your technique to emulate such a thing?
Only, defying the natural order, your own shooting star will rise.
>Breakthrough : Technique advancement - Unlimited Rising Star Kick
Ok, this feel like mad hubrys. But after all, this technique is unique and come from your own visit to the Growth Plane, that you further refined and adapted.
You can't feel much about the light element contained in the new technique. This is a bold choice - light is after all an element you know have a really low affinity for.
Still, you heard that mixing low affinity elements to high affinity element in a technique is a way to overcome said weakness.
The scar of the wound inflicted around half a year ago by the Light Snake have been a daily reminder of your vulnerability. Never again.
>Improve Reading abilities
Over the course of the week, you memorize a hundred more characters.
You ask Ryota to orient this week's practice toward writing a letter - a letter to your friend Ping Jun.
"That's a great idea, and a good way to build up your writing and reading skills."
First, you wish him well and ask if he made a recovery from the unfortunate encounter in the Stable Lotus secret realm.
Then, you come to the point of the message : asking him if he knows his affinities toward beasts, so that you can try to pick up something specially tuned for him.
It took you a little while to write a readable version of the letter - Caligraphy is hard. The message leave the sect at the middle of the second week.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712956903910524.jpg","filename":"91580bf6-8781-4240-910b-4dc6a14f46e4.jpg"},"posted":1712956903},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5976232,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">Foundation + Spear Style [With Pills]
Another day, another opportunity to practice the Hawk's Wide Ballet. There are still hidden techniques in your body cultivation technique - it's a shame you found only one in a whole year.
This have been bothering you for month, piling up on your insecurities. Speaking of, the insecurity of being overtaken is the one currently bothering you.
How did Ai's cultivation speed doubled or tripled? Your bad faith say you just blinked and she changed dramatically; in truth you might have more answers if you just bothered talking to her. In the end, you didn't let them tread on you and your effort like a mere stepping stone; This week was extremely fruitful.
You generate an ample amount of Qi and Blood threads - a single session of practice yields thrice much threads as the best week while you were still working on opening your Heart Aperture! All those threads are caught, sent to to the Nose Aperture, where they reinforce your body, making you brim with energy.
Your work on your Spear Style is not as smooth; but still bountiful - by your estimate, your theoretical fighting prowess with a spear is at the level of the peak of Eye Aperture Opening realm. The combination of movements, and the way to circulate your energy while working on the style, have a deeper meaning that still eludes you.
Paradoxally, while mulling over all these points on your last session of Body Cultivation practice...
>Breakthrough! Chose among :
>Gliding Waltz - A Movement Technique. A way to gracefully step and covering much movement than would appear to the eye.
>Hawk's alacrity - a partner beast technique. You can now provide spiritual energy to a partner beast to fasten it.
>Technique Advancement : create a new technique based on this one. You can add or replace one keyword in the technique name.
Also, a letter came back with Ping Jun's answer. Sadly, you're still not proficient enough to read it - too many unknown words in that answer.","attachment":null,"posted":1712956966},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5976234,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"It's been one year and two months since you joined the Eastern Province branch of Tamers of Hundred Beasts.
The grind doesn't stop : chose 3 among
Potential
>Investigate the teapot and its power [How? Write-in what you think it does]
>Ask Bathias about his Innate Eye Ability
>Focus on the secret Technique hidden in the Spear Style![Requires to also take Spear Style Practice, improves chances of Breakthrough]
Friendship
>Attempt to mend things between Dhundan and Ai
>You never paid attention to older kids - the 7, 8 and 9 year old seems lacking talent, but still.
>Pick up a few of the new kids under your wing
>Catch up with Dhundan, Ai, Yi Norm, Man Din and Sin Din - did they got anything special from the Stable Lotus Hidden Realm?
Foundation
>Work on your Foundation [Pills available]
>Work on your Unlimited Rising Star Kick
>Work on your Mental Energy with Dhundan
Weapon skills
>Work on your Windy Cavalier's Halberd [Pills available]
>Work on your Spear style : Blood-Shadow Wolf Painful Assault [Pills available]
Spiritual Beasts
>Investigate on the Scion of the Primordial Wolf Spirit[How?]
>Investigate on the talking Spiritual Beasts[How?]
The sect
>Continue to learn how to read [Decipher answer letter from Ping Jun]
>Help the Poor-talented batch of new kids
Strengthening the Jar
>Slack off [this will be bad for your mental health]
>Improve Immortal Cave - Home Expansion
And, as always...
>Write-in allowed!","attachment":null,"posted":1712957090},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5976254,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976234
>Catch up with Dhundan, Ai, Yi Norm, Man Din and Sin Din
>Work on your Unlimited Rising Star Kick
>Continue to learn how to read [Decipher answer letter from Ping Jun]
+ Hawk's Alacrity","attachment":null,"posted":1712959169},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5976276,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976234
Seconding >>5976254. We've neglected our friends too long. Knowing Ai made a big breakthrough also makes me want to try to patch things up with her and Dhundan before that festers.","attachment":null,"posted":1712961131},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5976282,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976234
Support
>>5976254
I do want to train our mental energy too, but the foundation is important.
We can apologise for moping, like the self hating slob we are.","attachment":null,"posted":1712962771},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5976343,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976234
>>5976254
>supporting","attachment":null,"posted":1712968611},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5976358,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976232
>TECHNIQUE ADVANCEMENT: Gliding Fall
Feather Fall
>>Continue to learn how to read [Decipher answer letter from Ping Jun]
>Work on your Unlimited Rising Star Kick
>Work on your Foundation [Pills available]","attachment":null,"posted":1712970919},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5976516,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976232
>Hawk's alacrity - a partner beast technique. You can now provide spiritual energy to a partner beast to fasten it.
>Catch up with Dhundan, Ai, Yi Norm, Man Din and Sin Din - did they got anything special from the Stable Lotus Hidden Realm?
Especially Ai who seems to have had a recent breakthrough
>Work on your Unlimited Rising Star Kick
>Continue to learn how to read [Decipher answer letter from Ping Jun]","attachment":null,"posted":1712986747},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5976521,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976232
>Hawk's alacrity - a partner beast technique. You can now provide spiritual energy to a partner beast to fasten it.
>>5976234
>Catch up with Dhundan, Ai, Yi Norm, Man Din and Sin Din - did they got anything special from the Stable Lotus Hidden Realm?
>Continue to learn how to read [Decipher answer letter from Ping Jun]
>Attempt to mend things between Dhundan and Ai","attachment":null,"posted":1712987541},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5976995,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5976254
>>5976276
>>5976282
>>5976343
>>5976358
>>5976516
>>5976521
Moving like your bounded totem, you understand better and more natively how energy circulate in the body of the mundane beast.
Curious, you try to gaze in the blood stream of the Ascendant Golden Flame Hawk - it's easy to peek, after all he is part of you.
Your gaze confirms your hypothesis, noting the similarities of Qi flow and differences - some due to the avian nature instead of mammal, like you expected; some due to the Golden component, and some to the Fire elements. Instructive study.
Wait. He IS part of you - proven by your gaze in its structure. What happens if you just supply Qi to him?
Like for yourself : the Qi and Blood thread supplied to the Spiritual Beast empower it, demultiplicating its muscular output, resulting in a burst of speed.
Does it work with other spirits? You summon the Horse, and indeed.
This turn your mount fast - less than yourself under the influence of your Unlimited Rising Star Kick, of course, but more economical in the long run.
Assuming you have Qi and Blood pills to supply your energy back - and generic ones, it would be a waste to use the specifically tuned ones - you now have a speedy long-range movement option.
Speaking of, you still need to improve your short range movement option. More effort is devoted to the Unlimited Rising Star Kick, leaving your foundation aside for the time being.
Of course, said foundation is once again reduced to a crawl - an occasion for Ai and Dhundan to catch up to your current cultivation.
>Failure
The technique is hard - too hard for you to make progress, despite being the creator of it. Maybe pills fine-tuned to the technique could help you?
Speaking of pills, halve of the Hawk/Dance and the Astral Self have been consumed so far; 4 of the Spear/Wolf/Blood/Shadow remains and all the Wind/Horse aligned ones.
Your consommation of pills is impressively low. By supplying exactly what you need, at concentration adequate for your level, they are a tremendous help for your practice, and most certainly the reason why you had so many breakthrough recently - be it Technical Breakthrough or Realm Breakthrough.
However, your failure send the wheel of insecurity back spinning : are your recent "success" only due to the pills?
After all, you couldn't win the Tamers of Thousand Beasts gathering squad nor army mock-battle. You completely fail the excursion in the Stable Lotus secret realm.
Both of those were pill-less trials and tribulations; or maybe the factor is other people? After all, your various fortuitous enconter went quite well when you were on your own - is your cause of failure spectators?
Maybe, all this time, you were misguided and made a dire mistake when relying on other?
No. That can't be it. After all, friendship is one of your Big Rocks.
Still, that failure shatter the confidence that have been arrogantly growing back after the Stable Lotus Realm fiasco.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713047899591529.jpg","filename":"letter.jpg"},"posted":1713047899},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5976996,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">Catching up with the other kids
Over the course of the week, you take time to catch up with each and every of your friends - separately, for quality time to each and every of them.
Dhundan's run in Stable Lotus Realm was even more desastrous than your own : his team was made of Ster Ling and a wuss of Stable Lotus Harmony.
The Stable Lotus disciple failed early on, then Dhundan and Ster Ling fought - both being immensely skilled in the art of diplomacy and such social butterflies, such an issue was, in hindsight, unavoidable - and fall.
"And your eye Aperture? Did you get an innate skill?
- Of course I do! But I won't reveal my trumps like that!"
Yi Norm had a more expected run : a lot of kid over him, he went sideways, and found a couple precious materials.
The twins, however, had fortuitous encounter. Symetry being a part of Stability, both of them had the same insight, stopped and meditated on mirror positions.
Their cultivation rised sharply, bringing the twins on the verge of opening their Eye Apertures.
But the most impressive one is Ai : She stumble upon a Spirit Beast - she show you her Hare, made of Crystal. Then, she found a rainbow-colored lobster spirit in the Stable Lotus secret realm - and as she could keep it, it means she helped the stable lotus disciple to catch an even juicer prize.
"Also, since I opened the Eye aperture, I'm seeing more things!
- more... things?
- Yeah. Nothing crazy I think, it haven't been really relevent. But I'm seeing Shiny Wiggly lines under ground and stuff."
You wonder what this is, but have no decisive answer","attachment":null,"posted":1713048011},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5976997,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">Letter from Ping Jun
A few days after your expedition, Ryota calls you after calisthenics.
"An answer came back from Versatile Harmony Sect."
He hands your a piece of paper rolled and bearing a wax seal shining with all colors of the rainbow.
"This seal is the personal seal of Sovereign Versatile Harmony. It bears his personnal signature. Versatile Harmony Sect is giving you a lot of face : the letter is adressed to "Disciple Quiet Word, Genius Prospect of Tamers of Hundred Beasts""
You're at least a bit reassured : Ping Jun doesn't seems to harbor negative feelings after being hurt by your fault.
You open the letter. Of course, too many characters still elude you.
Each day, you select a few of them, and Ryota teach you their meaning as well as the order of the strokes to write the character in the future.
The writing is neat, tidy, clean. Cleaner than yours anyway. Until you can read the whole thing :
"To Disciple Quiet Word, Genius Prospect of Tamers of Hundred Beasts, from Disciple Ping Jun of Versatile Harmony Quest, writen by Sovereign Versatile Harmony.
Hello Fellow Daoist. First, I wish to thank you for you letter. Despite my own shortcoming, my wounds were not grievous, and i'm making an hasty recovery.
Your concern and intent to find me a Spiritual Beast deeply moves me. I cannot answer your question directly. Let's just say my sect's technique will allow me to make the most of anything.
However, I'll just let you know I've a strong affinity with the Gold material. No doubt a spirit associated to that element will help me tremendously in my cultivation.
If you manage to acquire such a spirit, we will of course invite you and your master to a proper reception at Versatile Harmony Quest compounds.
Yours truly, Ping Jun."
"Quiet Word. I have a request for you."
Ryota address you after your last reading class.
"The branch have issues with several federated villages missing payments. At the same time. Right before Transplanhumance.
I'm sending several strike team to investigate and send a message. Those villages are remote, skill-less settlements - 5 to 10 thousands; less than a hundred cultivator among them, with less than five person over first stage.
With your open Eye aperture and your extremely young age, sending you will be an humiliating reminder we can crush them. But a dangerous one. You won't be on your own though; a discrete ally with enough strength to quash rebellion will be among your group.
If you're succesful, you'll be of course rewarded. But if you go, you'll most certainly miss Transplanhumance. Departure in less than 10 days. So what do you say?"
On one hand, disappoint Ping Jun and risk your life. On the other, fail your sect and Ryota. Both choices feel wrong.
>Accept the mission
>Refuse the mission","attachment":null,"posted":1713048073},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5977046,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976997
What's the disappointment here?
>Accept the mission
Just pass along that the only reward we ask for, is a gold aspected beast. Doesn't really matter the quality or the animal. And even if Ryota refuses, then we can make the request of Dhun and Ai and the others.
A leader's power isn't in doing, it's in getting other people to do things for him.
We just have to not fuck up the villages.","attachment":null,"posted":1713053264},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5977222,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976997
>Accept the mission
Hell yeah humiliating mortal scrubs","attachment":null,"posted":1713064876},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5977368,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976997
>>5977046 +1","attachment":null,"posted":1713076142},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5977423,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5977046
>What's the disappointment
Me and my horrible formatting at 1 in the morning that I didn't even saw until now.
More seriously, you're getting back in the "bad mental state" debuff because of this turn's rng","attachment":null,"posted":1713084196},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5977471,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976997
>>Accept the mission
For the sect.","attachment":null,"posted":1713093196},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5977487,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976997
>Accept the mission","attachment":null,"posted":1713095503},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5977497,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5977046
>>5977222
>>5977368
>>5977471
>>5977487
"ll accept. For the sect.
-Good. As the first one to chose, you can pick your mission's location : "
>Mistrock Lake Village
>Golden Skystone Village
>Water Bushes Cove
"Each of this village is a barren, stranded land. They survive essentially on the food we provide - in exchange for the rare materials bought at a discount for the sect."
You still have a bit of time before leaving...
Chose 3 among
The Mission :
>Ask Ryota if there is anything more you should learn to prepare for the Mission
>Recruit friends your age for the mission[Unlocked by spending time with the other kids]
Potential
>Investigate the teapot and its power [How? Write-in what you think it does]
>Ask Bathias about his Innate Eye Ability
>Focus on the secret Technique hidden in the Spear Style![Requires to also take Spear Style Practice, improves chances of Breakthrough]
Friendship
>Attempt to mend things between Dhundan and Ai
>You never paid attention to older kids - the 7, 8 and 9 year old seems lacking talent, but still.
>Pick up a few of the new kids under your wing
Foundation
>Work on your Foundation [Pills available]
>Work on your Unlimited Rising Star Kick
>Work on your Mental Energy with Dhundan
Weapon skills
>Work on your Windy Cavalier's Halberd [Pills available]
>Work on your Spear style : Blood-Shadow Wolf Painful Assault [Pills available]
Spiritual Beasts
>Investigate on the Scion of the Primordial Wolf Spirit[How?]
>Investigate on the talking Spiritual Beasts[How?]
The sect
>Continue to learn how to read - Cram as much words as you can before going into mission
>Help the Poor-talented batch of new kids
Strengthening the Jar
>Slack off [this will be bad for your mental health]
>Improve Immortal Cave - Home Expansion
And, as always...
>Write-in allowed!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713096440292234.png","filename":"QA.png"},"posted":1713096440},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5977498,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977497
>What should we learn about the mission
>Spear training
>Find the wolf technique within the spear style.
>Golden skystone village.
We may even get a bribe. This sounds like the best placew to be bribed by.
Its a shame that the windy cavalier style is less convenient than our spear style. But hey, when we run out of pills, We will focus down on it.","attachment":null,"posted":1713096857},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5977512,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977497
>Golden Skystone Village
I like gooooooold!
>Ask Ryota if there is anything more you should learn to prepare for the Mission
>Recruit friends your age for the mission[Unlocked by spending time with the other kids]
>Improve Immortal Cave - Home Expansion","attachment":null,"posted":1713099581},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5977518,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977497
>Water Bushes Cove
>Ask Ryota if there is anything more you should learn to prepare for the Mission
>Work on your Spear style : Blood-Shadow Wolf Painful Assault
>Recruit friends your age for the mission[Unlocked by spending time with the other kids]","attachment":null,"posted":1713101240},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5977600,"name":"DrDragonfagOnPhone","msg":">>5977512
>>5977518
Should have precised : the friend selection is a write-in : who are you bringing, how do you convince them to join, and depending on your answer some might accept, some might deny","attachment":null,"posted":1713109030},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5977658,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977512
>>5977600
>Dhundan . "Oi mate, I bet you want tboss some people around and get some extra credit with the sect? It'll be easy, and if something more trecherous comes up that people get selected for, we can say we did our partthis time. We can get out and about and stretch our legs, or better yet, my horse spirit can do all the leg stretching and we can just enjoy the ride."","attachment":null,"posted":1713113177},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5977672,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977658
Dhun wpuld probably be convinced by saying we have an actual mission for the sect to demonstrate our power and test iur skills in the real world.
Ai wouldnt. Though if we can convince her to go to the transhumance, we can make request that she keeps an eye out for a gold beast, in exchange for a favour.","attachment":null,"posted":1713114111},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5977726,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977497
>Work on your Foundation [Pills available]
>Work on your Unlimited Rising Star Kick
>Continue to learn how to read - Cram as much words as you can before going into mission","attachment":null,"posted":1713120464},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5977763,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"If the sect dissappeared next"year" what skills would be most valuable?
Literacy
Speaking with Spirit Beasts
Friends in Other Sects
Mending the Relationship between Ai and Dhundan
Emergency Supplies in the Cave
What do you guys think?","attachment":null,"posted":1713124346},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5977764,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5977763
Ah yes, doomsday prep, perfect for a 6year old depressed kid","attachment":null,"posted":1713124567},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5977767,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"Also,
>Tally status","attachment":null,"posted":1713124673},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5977804,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977497
>Golden Skystone Village
>Work on your Foundation [Pills available]. Best to build a foundation while young.
>Ask Bathias to teach us how to test elemental affinities. Then we can test our affinities before and after drinking tea from the teapot and see if anything changes. It will also help test other things in the future.
>Work on your Unlimited Rising Star Kick, but drink some tea from the pot before hand. If both of these are growth aligned, maybe the teapot will nurture our growth.","attachment":null,"posted":1713127207},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5977810,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5977804
>Drink tea from the teapot before growth-element technique
this is a really smart idea anon - you'll only need tea for that, but that nice write-in mean you'll get some free samples to test it out.","attachment":null,"posted":1713127489},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5977838,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977497
Supporting >>5977804. The more use we get out of our teapot, the better.","attachment":null,"posted":1713131635},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5977847,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977804
+1
TEAMAXXING","attachment":null,"posted":1713133081},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5977853,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977498
Changing this to support
>>5977804
Feels kinda obvious when you say it like that. Supporting.","attachment":null,"posted":1713133836},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5978142,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977497
>>5977804
>supporting
We will be tea master.","attachment":null,"posted":1713157999},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5978167,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977600
>>5977672 +1
Also Dm, you forgot to include the tally in >>5977767","attachment":null,"posted":1713159590},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5978223,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5977838
>>5977847
>>5977853
>>5978142
>>5978167
Alright won't lock it right now, but your protag knows your sect doesn't have a affinity grad-o-meter from 1 to 100 and instead relies on qualitative testing - something that will have difficulties to evaluate a potential increase.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713164431338139.png","filename":"Screenshot from 2024-04-15 09-00-14.png"},"posted":1713164431},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5978684,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978223
Zen ve vill build it ourselves.
My proposal is a bunch of sticks with little platforms holding rocks. Put some sort of known spiritual lodestone in the basket at the bottom of the apparatus. As the attraction/repulsion pushes/pulls the lodestone in the bucket it will lift rocks of increasing size. This could be made more sophisticated with metal weights or something, but young boy has big stone energy. This assumes that spiritual lodestones exist for each of the elements. One could build a tree with a bunch of lodestones and swing the test item under and over them to see what happens when first testing the item. Should also work for spiritually powerful beasts/people/things if they push/pull the spiritual lodestone. What is a spiritual lodestone? Anything that exerts force to try and move towards or away from a source of a particular type of spiritual energy. Kind of like how the spirits tried to bond to us (although that would require spirit thread to hold them and some sort of spirit weights to accumulate. If attraction was too strong for all your bindings I guess you'd lose your lodestone, but that's the price of being at the cutting edge of soul-science.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713225871730459.jpg","filename":"Testing Apparatus.jpg"},"posted":1713225871},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5978701,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"In the case of 'jump better', I guess we just see if we jump noticeably higher post-tea.","attachment":null,"posted":1713226869},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5978919,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978684
Genius, wuxia Dexter's Laboratory lfg","attachment":null,"posted":1713248580},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5978934,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978684
I yield. Great job anon.","attachment":null,"posted":1713250014},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5979658,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"You decide to make the most of the week by working on your fundamentals. First, the most fundamental of fundamentals.
>Foundation
Every day, you circulate your Body Tempering Technique - two or three times thanks to the pills resplenishing your spiritual energy - then circulate your Meditation Technique.
Diligent practice leads to consistent results, letting you pulling more threads in your Nose Aperture. Progress is consistent you're a bit less than a third of the way to fill said Nose Aperture.
Your pill stockpile is dwindling - you still have enough to work seriously on your foundation one or two times.
>Drink tea + Unlimited Rising Star Kick practice
Frustrated with last weeks struggle and lack of progress, you kept your practice's focus on your movement technique. And there is something else you want to try.
At first, you still make no progress. Then, you try out your strategy : using the seldom coins of spare change remaining from your first city trip, you ask one of the older kid to fetch tea for you.
The boy's back with a small poach, only enough to brew one teapot. You didn't expected much with so few money, but still.
In the end, the greatest challenge turns out to boil water - you achieve so by volunteering for dishwashing, taking a pot with you one day, and bringing it back the next day.
You boil water, take it out of the small fire you lit up, and wait. Wait a bit more. Now. You pour water in the teapot, and drop the few leaves in the incorporated metal mesh.
You take a couple breath while the tea is brewing. Once it's been long enough, you pull out the metal mesh, and throw away the infused leaves, then pour yourself a cup.
As your hunch told you, your comprehension of the Unlimited Rising Star Kick seems better after drinking from the Teapot.
Also, your progress in comprehension are fast, faster than other techniques. One more session should be enough to bring the technique's level up to your cultivation level.
Maybe it is linked to the Growth part of your technique? Or linked to your affinities?
>Affinity evaluation
Speaking of affinities, you just add an idea. you'll just need a few rocks, plates, and something like shelves.
You use some string with just enough slack to let one plate lift a millimeter up before pulling the next one.
>Built Soul Affinity Measurement Contraption prototype!
Now, the difficult part : you'll need a lodestone, that will pull everything while a soul resonnates nearby.
And you remember how the master of the main branch tested you - yeah that, that could work.
Not consuming anything, with a wide array of spiritual beasts, you could average out affinities using a similar group of beast to control for other elements.
And if you luckily stumble into a lodestone at some point, it would even be more straightforward.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713339300863902.jpg","filename":"3b98eab0-b8dd-42ee-94ba-734cb35e521a.jpg"},"posted":1713339300},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5979659,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":""Hey Bathias.
- Oh, Quiet Word. You're coming for advice related to your incoming trip? Or you're finally coming for proper guidance?
- No, it's not that. Not today at least - maybe another time. I'm interrested into methods to evaluate one's potential... A master of the main branch ran a test involving captured spiritual beasts and I had an idea to improve on it...
- Yeah?
- And I wondered if we had some kind of string that could work as a link to the spiritual world and physical world...
- That is oddly specific... Hang on."
He leaves you here and there, standing for a good hour - which you diligently spend working on your foundation, before coming back.
"Here you go.
>Obtained Spiritual Thread!
You can bind the spiritual thread to a Spiritual Beast captured in a Spiritual Bead.
For now, you stockpiled the work in progress in your Immortal Cave. You don't have much more time to refine it or presenting it to anyone.
Of course you still need to calibrate your device. And there is that whole matter of fighting and absorbing a spiritual beast you'll have to be wary of.
>Departure to the Golden Skystone Village
Those days have come and pass in a snap of fingers. You're called again by Ryota, which hands you two pieces of papers.
"Take this. Third Realm-level Spiritual Blade Talisman and Spiritual Armor Talisman. Spin your energy inside to activate them.
Think of those like life-saving insurances.
- What's an insurance?
- Something's that's good to have but bad to use. We're waiting for someone else... There she is."
You have the surprising pleasure to learn you're leaving with Kyo Ko. Bathias is going on his own to the Mist village, while Gro Ta, the Poison Whale kid is going to the Water Cove.
The five of you stands in the courtyard while Ryota takes out three wood swords, with a scroll tied to the hilt.
"Inborn Technique : Sword Control art - Coordinate acquired - Launch!"
One by one, Ryota takes the sword, focus, and hurl them in the sky at a frightening speed. the three swords rise, then turn and shoot forward to their destinations.
"Messages says they'll be honored by the visit of a cultivator from the main branch. Now let's try to find out what's happening there.
A few fasting pills packed, and you're on the road with Kyo Ko.
"So I hope you have something better to move around than the Horse from last time?
- I do."
You summon said Silver Warrior Horse. Under the circumspect gaze of your elder sister...
"Hawk's alacrity!"
Pulling in your reserves, the Horse run. This is slower than the burst of energy from your Unlimited Rising Star Kick, but more sustainable.
Wait, Kyo Ko is sitting behind you?
"That... that will do."
>Write-in : you have a fair bit of travel time. What do you want to do in your stops? Anything you want to ask/tell Kyo Ko?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713339563212568.jpg","filename":"db23e41f-7b4d-45aa-bdd6-83ef9ebdd5db.jpg"},"posted":1713339563},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5979707,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979659
>Ask how the training has been. Clarify if she is the one that is to act as a backup "Insurance"? If she is then does she want to hang back or act as a subordinate while we distract them through more overt displays of intimidation or actions, like we did in the interbranch games. Establish a signal for trouble.
You know, Plot and plan our approach.
>On our stops, keep an eye out for places, learn names","attachment":null,"posted":1713349920},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5979723,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979659
>>5979707
>support
Eh, why not?","attachment":null,"posted":1713354605},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5979728,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"Author blog's :
Sorry for update's delay.
Made the double mistake to buy FF7 AND starting a Pokemon Soul Link with a friend of mine","attachment":null,"posted":1713356071},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5979859,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979659
Woah is she freeloading off our ride
>Ask if she’s done this before and if so, how it normally goes","attachment":null,"posted":1713375360},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5980133,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979707
+1
Maybe bring our letter for reading practice along the way? there were some big words.","attachment":null,"posted":1713398689},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5980382,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5979707
The "Insurance" is clearly the talismans.
Your character knows it's a one-use spiritual art bound on a piece of paper. You have heard of the Great Sect Talismans of the Sound Blade - crafting and selling such consumables.","attachment":null,"posted":1713430195},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5980528,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980382
I was referring to "we are sending one person able to crush the rebellion with you". Just making sure that was her.","attachment":null,"posted":1713456145},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5980886,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"The following days are monotonous. On the road, using fasting pills to save on time, and a short rest at night - you still need to sleep, but around one hour less than a non-cultivator kid your age.
Passing the fields close to Stable Harbor, villages get sparse and sparser while the ambient spiritual energy dwindles and dwindles.
Once every couple days, a place stands out amidst hamlet of poor farmers and hunters.
Lotus Grove Town, with what you feel is a normal amount of spiritual energy - aligned to what you now recognizes as Lotus element energy.
Soul-Blade Camp, with tents bearing the sigil of the Military.
You're currently in an affordable and cheap inn of Jade Thunder Village. Perfect time to discuss organization.
>Does she want to hang back or act as a subordinate while we distract them through more overt displays of intimidation or actions?
"That's exactly the plan. You are the gifted-but-arrogant Young Master of the Stable Lotus branch. I am your non-cultivator maid.
- They won't see your realm?
- Can you? This will let me mingle with their domestics while the Village Elder will try to dupe you by playing on your young age.
- Dupe? No chance they are good-faith?
- Thinner than slim. They would have sent a message excusing for the bad harvest, and maybe sent one of their most promising kids in last recruitment test as a goodwill gesture.
They didn't. That mean they're taking us for fools. This is an affront. And three village at the same time? There's something underlying. The most important thing is to find what. But that's my job. You're the distraction.
- I guess it's not your first mission so?
- First time with such a stake. This is more of a Master's responsibility. But new kids to train (a pretext) and transplanhumance incoming (true reason, this is a guaranteed monetary windfall).
- So what are we doing exactly?
- You parade around, let them all see you. Ideally, you need to display a flashy art. Do you have any technique I would find impressive? Something like that would rock their certitudes and make them reconsiderate.
You might be invited to a hunt or something - where they will try to set up something humiliating but not dangerous per se, this can be a good opportunity to let your flashy move out.
Don't directly antagonize or kill anyone : there are only two of us : we won't win an open fight against them. And killing a patriarch leads to disorders, so even if it's tactically sound as a way to intimidate the ruffians, I hope we won't have to do this.
- What if I'm in trouble? How can I signal you?
- Flare your Hawk spirit. Unrelated subject : your Horse Spirit let us make incredibly good time. We should be there in a bit more than 3 days.[/b]"","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713480737922158.jpg","filename":"dinner_rest.jpg"},"posted":1713480737},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5980887,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"On the road again, Kyo Ko sitting behind you. Your belly full from the broth, meat and noodle - tastes better than the fasting pills, and feel better to be naturally fulfilled than medically supplemented, you fight against dowsiness.
The trail sinews among grassland with the occasional hills and forest. Looking same as your sect's proximity, same as yesterday, same as the day before. You're definitely nodding of.
"Stop here and there. Your money and your horse, or your life then we take said money?"
Four adults are barring the way, jolting you in an awaken state.
"Wait, a lone kid?"
They are a bit surprised. This might be your chance.
>Negociate [What say?]
>Attack!
>Flee (on the right direction, hoping your mount run faster than them)","attachment":null,"posted":1713480799},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5980923,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980887
>Attack
Aaaah bandits
If only they had human rights","attachment":null,"posted":1713483671},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5981004,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980887
>1st, Assess - Are they armed? What strength do they seem to be relying on? Any obvious weaknesses? Obvious power level? How long would it take us to kick them into submission? Do any of our spirits react to any of them? Are they wearing clan colors or a uniform or have identifying tattoos or something (ie. who are they and who are they with)?
>2nd, Guilt them - "Four grown men? Would you kill a child for the penny in his pocket and a soul bound horse who will die when he dies? Would the Universe reward such an action? What circumstances have led you to such an action?"","attachment":null,"posted":1713491452},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5981027,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980887
>[Negotiate]"Pweeese don't huwt me mister. PWEEEEEEESE!" Draw their attention to you while sizing up the situation, waking up fully, and taking a a breath. KyoKo is surely rotating around to flank.","attachment":null,"posted":1713494564},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5981071,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981027
Support. They said "lone kid", which means Kyoko is already circling. We are the flashy distraction in this operation after all.
Maybe uh, get too into the role by crying about our woes, thinly disguised.","attachment":null,"posted":1713499607},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5981083,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980887
>>5981027
Support","attachment":null,"posted":1713500885},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5981094,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981027
>Support
Use the wailijg begging to try and get a read on their stances. Once Kyo kyo drops one, we can charge em","attachment":null,"posted":1713501381},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5981165,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980887
>>5981027 +1","attachment":null,"posted":1713507107},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5981233,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5980923
>>5981004
>>5981027
>>5981071
>>5981083
>>5981094
>>5981165
Allright, I'll take 3 rolls of 1d100","attachment":null,"posted":1713512011},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5981263,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 60 (1d100)
>>5981233","attachment":null,"posted":1713515583},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5981271,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 44 (1d100)
>>5981233","attachment":null,"posted":1713517377},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5981285,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 97 (1d100)
>>5981233","attachment":null,"posted":1713518967},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5981327,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981285
We for sure got some talent for acting, it seems","attachment":null,"posted":1713531384},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5981333,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5981263
>>5981271
>>5981285
The cogs of your brain are turning at triple speed, while you act surprised and flabbergasted - giving you a couple second to completely assess the situation.
Four of them. Knife, Sword, Axe, Bow. Confident pause, and twenty-to-thirty old.
That means danger : they aren't emaciated - meaning they eat well, meaning they're succesful in their trade.
The question of their Cultivation Realm remains - you have no way to ascertain this upon meeting someone. The best you can do is educated guess.
So they're not complete weaklings - else they would be dead. Probably not that great either : they would be, by what you know, respected members of their community if they were True Masters.
So that means first realm. Probably on the higher scale of said first realm - somewhere between opened Nose Aperture and opened Mouth Aperture.
They would be scoffed at in Stable Lotus Harbor - grown men, still in first stage? But you're not in Stable Lotus Harbor. You're seemingly alone in a small country road.
So four of them, higher level of raw cultivation. This is balanced by your Techniques - transmitted by masters, bringed to the level of your cultivation - and your bounded beasts.
So slight advantage for you in a duel. You might pull it of against two of them.
By your own, fighting the four would be suicidal. Good thing you're not alone.
>"Pweeese don't huwt me misters. PWEEEEEEESE!"
You loudly wail. Any distinctive feature? Yes. A necklace with a itched plate of metal, you can't quite see what's on it.
"Now, no, don't cry. We don't have to HURT you, see? Just hand us the Spiritual Horse, and the money your parents gave you before letting you go by your own."
That axe guy is surprisingly gentle. Too bad for him. You feel the explosion of energy more than you see it, and the markswoman fall.
The bandits turn in perfect sync, as a single man driving several bodies toward a blood-soaked fist Kyo Ko. An opening for you.
Summoning from Astral world to Material world your Cosmic Spear Snake spirit, your arm leaps forward like a pouncing wolf following your practiced again and again movements of the Spear style : Blood-Shadow Wolf Painful Assault
Your hit lands, the spear literally bites deep in the shoulder of the swordsman. Not enough. He turns around, with an horizontal slash.
Your Qi and blood ablaze, you nimbly spin your spear and pierce his throat before his sword chart half of the course to your head.
However, the dagger-wielding one and the Axeman are still standing - and reacted almost as fast as the swordsman. A mighty cleave strong enough to split you in half is blocked by your Horse Spirit - dispelled.
You fell, which in turns turns the nasty stab in a miss. And you think you've seen Kyo Ko behind the dagger wielder. Your full attention is on the Axe man.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713532253948409.jpg","filename":"BanditsIDTag.jpg"},"posted":1713532253},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5981334,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"Another cleave, horizontal. You jump out of range. Your left arm hurts.
"Still standing even after the Wind Blade hit you? You're the real deal, aren't you? "
>97 + secret element : blood
You're spinning your energy into your never-used and seldolmely trained Vengeful Spear. Until you see something : the drops of bloods outside of your body are still perceptible to your Astral Sight.
This is the breakthrough you've been tiptoeing and yearning for. Of course blood was the missing thing.
Instead of striking, your redirect your energy in the blood's drop, which spins, expands and coalesce into a vulpine form.
>Learned Hidden Technique : Summon Blood-Shadow Wolf.
Said Shadow acts on a thought, and leaped to the throat of the Axe-wielding bandit, subduing him. On the other side, Kyo Ko bloodied her left fist in addition to her right one.
You've won. At the cost of a gash, but won nevertheless. More important, both your talismans remains.
"Well done. It's not every day a first stage won against a True Master. Now what about your capture?"
>Kill him, here and there. Can't take any risk [Immediate threat neutralized. Future consequences]
>Interrogate him first - then you'll see [Risk of him doing shenanigans]
>Let him go - [Add something to say?] [Risk of him immediately re-engaging the fight. Future consequences]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713532315981542.jpg","filename":"BloodShadow.jpg"},"posted":1713532315},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5981339,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981334
>Which town are you from?
>Kill him after he answers that question.
Just have to be sure.","attachment":null,"posted":1713532780},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5981345,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981334
>Interrogate him first - then you'll see [Risk of him doing shenanigans]
What's the deal with the metal plates? Who do you work for? What do you know about Golden Skystone Village?","attachment":null,"posted":1713533449},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5981402,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981334
>Make sure the wolf moves a little of his bite to have the fangs at munching distance of his jugular veins while we point at him with our spear.
>Interrogate him first - then you'll see [Risk of him doing shenanigans]
>Where do you come from? What's your village?
>How long have you being doing this bandit job or when did you start posting on this road?
>Do you have a boss or something? Or are you just independent?
I'm tentative about the idea of bounding him and bringing him with us, but idk if we have a rope, and if Kyo Ko have a mounting beast fast enough to follow our Horse with the alacrity buff (Tho I guess we're going to walk for a good hour before we can summon it again.)
Also I GOT AN AMAZING IDEA FOR OUR FIGHTING STYLE AND A NEW TECHNIQUE.
Because we have the Snake Spear, an AMAZING spirit for not only our preferred fighting style and affinity with Snakes, it occured to me that maybe we can get a little bit funky with it: We strike with our Snake Spirit, it bites our enemy, and IF IT'S POSSIBLE We command it to stop being as still as a spear, and we use it to slam our enemy to the ground, or perhaps we can use it like a constraining technique where it bites the enemy and doesn't leave him, so we can move him around or stop his movement. Imagine this like that fight scene of Kung Fu Panda when the goose goes to where Shen Long is trapped, and correct me if I'm wrong, but I kind of remember the Rhino guards having like a kind of stick where in the end it has a shackle? We can use out Snake Spirit like that, either make it so it's more flexible and throw around or enemies or control their movement
Now the Technique idea: In a world where everyone born is a Daoist and it doesn't matter how bad you are at it, there should be a Daoist equivalent of a Lawyer. If we meet one, and maybe learn some kind of "truth telling Technique", if we're good with the Blood Element, we can maybe sense through the Blood of our enemies or rivals if they're saying the truth, just imagine this exact scenario, right after a fight and we can interrogate someone, and know if they're lying or not to us, because where using either the Blood-Shadow summon or our own spirits as a mean to detect the lies.","attachment":null,"posted":1713541137},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5981407,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981334
>Interrogate him first - then you'll see [Risk of him doing shenanigans]","attachment":null,"posted":1713541702},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5981813,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981334
>Interrogate him first - then you'll see [Risk of him doing shenanigans]
Lets see if these guys have a boss or know about the village rebellion politics.","attachment":null,"posted":1713580880},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5981963,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981334
>Interrogate him first - then you'll see [Risk of him doing shenanigans]","attachment":null,"posted":1713592642},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5981972,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981334
>Interrogate him first - then you'll see [Risk of him doing shenanigans]","attachment":null,"posted":1713592931},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5982100,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5981402
I'll answer a specific point out of character
>The matter of dispelled Horse
You'll have to gather back Spiritual Energy, which is Energy of Soul for getting the Horse Spirit to coalesce once again.
For that, several options : you can wait. However, this feat is a matter calculated in weeks, not hours - for instance, in the dense environment of the Main Branch, it would had taken you one week to get it back.
Luckily, you also have the option of consuming your Spiritual Energy Pill, part of the gift bag of the Main branch.
There might be other options, [for instance, your character doesn't knows about it but one of the treasure option of the main branch was a Gourd of the Astral Self, an item stockpiling spiritual energy allowing 1 charge of resummon on a 1-hour rest]","attachment":null,"posted":1713610059},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5982117,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5981339
>>5981345
>>5981402
>>5981407
>>5981813
>>5981963
>>5981972
>>5982100
>Make sure the wolf moves a little of his bite to have the fangs at munching distance of his jugular veins while we point at him with our spear.
"I have more than a few questions.
- And I might have more than a few answers. You bested me - despite your greenness in age and cultivation - thanks to your strong potential.
This LuoBin SenLin yields. Now, I can only ask one thing : I'll answer truthfully. Then, you'll take the loot of my comrades and leave me there, unscathed, so that I can bring their bodies back. This LuoBin will have a Karmic debt toward Young Master.
>Which town are you from?
- Originally, a far village, Rice Rock Village, in the west. Right now? Difficult to say... Elusive Wind Village? Town? Campment?
>What's the deal with the metal plates?
- Let's just say we're not the most rigidly structured sect, so it's a token of identification among ourself.
>Who do you work for?
- The mythical man himself, Master Elusive Like Spring Wind!
- Never heard of him.
- That's a testimony to his elusiveness.
>What do you know about Golden Skystone Village?
- That's what? 6 days by foot from here? They gather gold, skystones and even skystones made of gold for their master sect - an hour ago, would had tell I had no clue which one is it among Stable Lotus, Versatile Harmony and the Military, but you're probably from that beast-lovin sect, and you are the one doing business with them right?
Anyway, no idea what's happening there. No news. Nothing unusual came this road last couple months regarding to last couple years."
So yeah, that covers what you have in mind. Now, should you kill, capture, let him go? You look at Kyo Ko. She had a small head movement - your call.
>Kill him. Bandits are scums that forfetted their right to live [Future consequences]
>Capture him. If he's been on that road for several year, you could get a bounty or use him as a diplomatic present to Golden Skystone Village [travel complications]
>Let him gather the body of his dead troup after you looted them and leave [Future consequences]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713613256598844.jpg","filename":"Muscled_interrogation.jpg"},"posted":1713613256},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5982147,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982117
>>Kill him. Bandits are scums that forfetted their right to live [Future consequences]
Nobody makes me bleed my own blood.","attachment":null,"posted":1713618330},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5982219,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982117
>Capture him. If he's been on that road for several year, you could get a bounty or use him as a diplomatic present to Golden Skystone Village [travel complications]
I love travel complications","attachment":null,"posted":1713625184},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5982312,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982117
>Let him go with the bodies.
>Go and sin no more.
Connections are power.","attachment":null,"posted":1713633084},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5982415,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982312
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1713640456},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5982716,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982117
>Let him go after you loot the bodies
Let's be nice.","attachment":null,"posted":1713664196},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5982877,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982117
>Let him gather the body of his dead troup after you looted them and leave [Future consequences]","attachment":null,"posted":1713677608},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5982966,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982117
>>5982312
>Let him gather the body of his dead troup after you looted them and leave [Future consequences]
Tell him we wish to meet Master Elusive Spring Wind.","attachment":null,"posted":1713691298},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5983042,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5982147
>>5982219
>>5982312
>>5982415
>>5982716
>>5982877
>>5982966
Locking the letting him go road.
I need a few more input :
>4 anon can roll 1d100 to loot each bandit. You get something on 50+, the more you roll the best you get.
>Do you want to take a week of walking (regen completely Horse spirit naturally) or pop your only Spiritual Energy Pill (faster travel, you'll arrive the village mounted)","attachment":null,"posted":1713704000},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5983043,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 42 (1d100)
>>5983042
Come on big money.
>Save the pill. Its our ace in the hole.","attachment":null,"posted":1713704226},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5983059,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 90 (1d100)
>>5983042
>Take a week of walking","attachment":null,"posted":1713706352},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5983067,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983066
Yes and no.
Your unlimited rising star gives insane speed burst, but is not a good option for sustainable travel.","attachment":null,"posted":1713706838},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5983070,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 32 (1d100)
>>5983042
>>week of walking
>Can we use unlimited rising star kick?
>Yes and no
I think we should use it as much as we can without getting exhausted
sry I wanted to roll","attachment":null,"posted":1713707023},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5983090,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 42 (1d100)
>>5983042","attachment":null,"posted":1713709177},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5983111,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983059
Kinda cool roll. What do you want to find?
It will be good/great but not busted.","attachment":null,"posted":1713713178},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5983171,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Money sounds good and makes sense.
A short recurve bow and some arrows with some quality that jives with us would be cool too, we have some decent potential there we never explored that could be handy.
Some poison aspect stuff might me cool like a jar for preserving poison.
Any of these, really.","attachment":null,"posted":1713721712},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5983250,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983111
I, being as it is my roll, would quite like a good/great Quality bow or Spear.
More skills to learn","attachment":null,"posted":1713727243},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5983284,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983250
Damn, you being 1PBTID made me get baited by >>5983171 and started writing with Money.
Skills and Spear are out of the question, bow might be on the table - but it's a bow suited for an adult, not a 6 year old.","attachment":null,"posted":1713728728},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5983329,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5983043
>>5983059
>>5983070
>>5983090
>Let him gather the body of his dead troup after you looted them and leave [Future consequences]
"Alright. Can you loot them? Don't forget to search him too."
Kyo Ko does so. You mentally order the hound to release the pressure, and you step away.
"You wait here. Get your comrade and get away.
- This Luo Bin will remember Young Master's mercy.
You two are wary, but nothing much comes out of the defeated bandit, which sits, turning his back to you. Once he's out of sight...
"Here's your share."
So... three bandit-itched plates, and a few strings holding a more-than-fair amount of coins.
You pocket it. Then ask the question burning your lips :
"I wonder... Gold is precious, right? So is it worth anything near a village with gold literally coming down from the sky?
- Alright. So the age of gold coin being worth more than an iron one is a thing of the past - from a time where cultivator where as rare as four-leaves clover.
So first, money was of Intrinsic value - gold was rare and could be melted in jewel.
Then, Mone was of Extrinsic value - cities minted iron coins worth something because the Local Big Guy said so.
However, with the spread of cultivation and everybody being some kind of cultivator, we're back at Intrinsic value. You can't see or feel it, but those coins are actually made of spiritual-rich materials. Some of those Iron or Copper coins are easily ten or twenty time the worth of this gold coin.
>Using Unlimited Star Rising Kick to move around
You spend one more week on the road. A week walking, with a few uses of your movement technique. Alas, the local spiritual energy is poor, too poor to let you gather your strength as much as when you're practicing in the sect. It doesn't help you much moving around.
It's been one year and three months since you joined the Eastern Province branch of Tamers of Hundred Beasts.
And you're just a couple hours away from the village you've been sent to investigate.
How do you plan to make your entrance? [Showing off with Unlimited Rising Star Kick won't work, sorry]
>By riding your Spiritual Horse, Kyo Ko sitting behind you
>By walking
The first expected questions will be who are you and who's Kyo Ko. Of course, you'll answer you're the cultivator of the local branch. How will you introduce Kyo Ko?
>She's your... handler [Make them wary of Kyo Ko, increase pressure]
>She's your Nanny [Makes you appear Clueless, her weak but with greater influence over you]
>She's your Maid [Makes you appear Assertive, makes her appear harmless]
Among the expected questions, they will likely ask how was the road. You'll answer...
>Boring and uneventful
>You killed a bunch of bandits [show their Id plates? Downplay it or tune it up?]
>Lie and brag about how great you were
Of course, you can always...
>Write-in","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713730483518270.jpg","filename":"coins.jpg"},"posted":1713730483},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5983575,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983329
>Riding
>Maid
>Killed a bunch of bandits, play it up. [They are all near the second to last appature, which we bested with superior mobility]
We are the local strong man. And we are here to take census on taxes. Ignore the maid who wanders around unsupervised.","attachment":null,"posted":1713737296},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5983607,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983329
>>5983575
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1713738541},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5983653,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983575
>+1 Yeah, I like it.","attachment":null,"posted":1713740768},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5983754,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983329
>By walking
>She's your Maid [Makes you appear Assertive, makes her appear harmless]
>Lie and brag about how great you were
ten thousand bandits slain every hour","attachment":null,"posted":1713746613},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5983851,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983329
>Riding, with Kyo Ko walking behind you
She's your Maid, which is why she's walking. Her walking is also why it took so long for us to arrive, in case anyone tries to connect the dots related to the bandit attack.
>You killed a bunch of bandits, downplay their danger but ask what the locals know about banditry in the area. The bandits seemed successful what with being so fat, so they've probably been around long enough for the locals to hear about them. If bandits are hurting our subjects, we'll put an end to their anti-social ways.","attachment":null,"posted":1713753577},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5984000,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983329
>>5983575 +1","attachment":null,"posted":1713766007},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5984071,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5983575
>>5983607
>>5983653
>>5983754
>>5983851
>>5984000
Tally Status
I like it how half my votes are hyperconsensual, half are split all the way across the options.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713777278973433.png","filename":"Screenshot from 2024-04-22 11-13-12.png"},"posted":1713777278},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5984728,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983329
>>5983575
>support","attachment":null,"posted":1713862022},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5985218,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"[b]Formatting right check[/b]","attachment":null,"posted":1713903642},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5985245,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"Your choice, of course, is an expected and consensual one : Enter the village riding the Spiritual Horse, with Kyo Ko in tow.
Of course, with the village knowing of the visit of a main sect cultivator, a child scouts away as soon as he sees you on the road - that is, half the length it took you thanks to your opened Eye Aperture.
You keep walking at a composed pace. The landscape is desolated, arid, yellow ochre. Dry, so dry that the earth is cracked, shaping the flakes like the scales of an humongous reptile.
Most of the locals are blond with a tanned skin, on the shorter and scrawnier side; a few dark-haired people.
As expected, this lead to the ideal timing : you are calm and collected when you make it to the center of the village. The rulers of the village are waiting for you.
The Patriarch is a bulkier, taller version of the tanned, blond people you crossed while entering the village.
He looks calm and collected, but you don't know how much comes from the inhumane charm you associate with the cultivators above your Major Realm.
On his side, two sons - one is adult, the other looks a bit older than Kyo Ko - and a daughter - one, maybe two year older than you.
The younger son and daughter are obviously impressed by your Spiritual Horse mount - ostensible sign of riches.
"Welcome. You two are the Cultivators from the esteemed Beast Tamer sect?"
>I am. She's my maid."
You muster all the assurance you can in your voice. The realization of the branch's affront of chosing you dawns the sons. Younger one seems angered, older is surprised a split second before donning again his cordial mask.
The Patrician is unfazed.
"I hope Young Master from Tamers of Hundred Beasts had a pleasant journey to our humble lands.
>Wouldn't said so. Met a few bands of bandits. Dispatched them, but the second group took the maid's horse down. Else, we would have been there a week ago.
- Liar!"
The youngest son, a teenage with a face wider than tall exarcebated by protruding ears, just had an uncontrolled outburst. You gaze him down from your mount.
"You? Killing the bandits plaguing the High Way? Stop adding leg to a snake painting and calling it a dragon!"
You give him a death stare, and drop the three plates looted on the bandits.
>"I didn't took all of those - didn't want to clutter my bag after this first few ones."
That shut him up good, earning the teen a glare from his father and earning you an aknowledging glance from the older brother, while the daughter looks a bit up to you before recomposing a haughty face.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713905844457676.jpg","filename":"6633192d-9b91-4d1a-a1bd-37cfd9ea85ef.jpg"},"posted":1713905844},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5985247,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":""I hope the young master will forgive my son's complete lack of social graces. Come on in, I'll have the servants spin up a welcome feast. Among reasonnably matured participant.
That's the least I could do : I prepared a fair girl - and a fair boy, after all one can never know! - to warm your bed, but it looks like this... won't be necessary."
The first comment was definitely aimed at the second's on.
You don't quite understood last comment, and if it was a barb aimed at your age or implied something about Kyo Ko - which quietly picked the dropped brigand plates.
In the end, you share a meal with the Patriarch, the older son, nine women looking best than the one you saw in the village - but middling at best for your referential.
One sports a wide face and protruding ears, anothe a long face with a bigger nose, like the first son.
The meal is made of a stew - passable, but lacking any hints of spiritual energy.
Kyo Ko advised of the rudeness of bringing the visit's purpose during welcome's meal, so you abstained. A suited have been setted up for the two of you - this impress you more, as it's the first time you have a door-closed room with propper bedding.
After a night of quiet rest, your hands are free to carry on your mission. What will you do?
>The village is renowed for the fields where Golden Skystones are found. Mandate to visit it
>Spend time just walking in the village and surrounding, letting you and Kyo Ko investigate
>Directly confront the Patriarch about the visit and its purpose
>Someone else will be a weaker nut to crack [First son/Second son/Daughter] [Write-in approach]","attachment":null,"posted":1713905906},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5985381,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985247
>>The village is renowed for the fields where Golden Skystones are found. Mandate to visit it
Let's size them up a little more before picking someone to approach. Lets see how they react to this request.","attachment":null,"posted":1713919927},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5985413,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985247
>The village is renowed for the fields where Golden Skystones are found. Mandate to visit it","attachment":null,"posted":1713922087},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5985459,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985247
>Spend time just walking in the village and surrounding, letting you and Kyo Ko investigate","attachment":null,"posted":1713924677},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5985549,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985247
> Ask the Patriarch to give you a tour of the village, including the fields, and ask him to tell you about current events and the status of the village.","attachment":null,"posted":1713930031},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5985681,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985247
>Visit the field","attachment":null,"posted":1713939116},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5985683,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985247
>he village is renowed for the fields where Golden Skystones are found. Mandate to visit it","attachment":null,"posted":1713939489},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5985702,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985549
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1713942903},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5985742,"name":"DrDragonfagOnPhone","msg":">>5985381
>>5985413
>>5985459
>>5985549
>>5985681
>>5985683
>>5985702
I can squash together the write-in with the fields visit. I'll take 2 rolls of 1d100 for investigation","attachment":null,"posted":1713952349},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5985767,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 87 (1d100)
>>5985742","attachment":null,"posted":1713955820},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5985772,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 45 (1d100)
>>5985742","attachment":null,"posted":1713956408},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5986516,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"With the sun rising, so do you. First thing first, debrief with Kyo Ko.
"Alright. I'll stay here to investigate, could you drag the attention of the Patriarch meanwhile? Preferably dragging him away?
- I had in mind a visit of my own in their ressource fields. I can spin somthing to make the big guy tour me around.
- Great. He'll feel in control that way.
A food tray have been left in front of your Suite. So far, it seems to you the Patriarch is treating you well enough, despite the blatant insult of sending the young you there.
After eating and cleaning up, you go directly in the great hall where the Patriarch is waiting for you.
"Greetings, young master.
- Hello Fellow Daoist Golden Skystone Patriarch. I wish to visit the Golden Skystone fields. Care to lead me there? We can use the opporunity to discuss the difficulties you faced."
The strong man nodes, and you head outside where both of his sons are waiting for you.
"The Golden Fields are North-West. They're both a blessing and a bane : the numerous materials found there allowed my Clan to thrive for years and years.
Until the tutelar skystone vanished, letting an environment overwhelmed by spiritual energies gold skystones, where nothing grows; nothing thrives."
The environment is indeed barren. However, you feel like last assertion might be false - a small tug in your soul indicate both your Ascendant Golden Flame Hawk and Cosmic Spear Snake are tuned to the local energies.
You've got the hunch that this environment would be quite suitable to train your Movement technique.
"What about the bandits? Are they part of your troubles?
- Of course. Stealing the few of our exports, attacking merchants thus rising price of inports, and as you never received my letters, intercepting messengers too...
It's a real good thing you cleaned up a bit the region."
He seems sincere, but you catch a hateful glance from the first son. Jealous of the praise? Angry at you pointing out their inability to keep the bandits in check?
Anyway, once he see you staring at him from the top of your horse, he pulls back a calm and collected expression.
"I could have beaten those bandits myself! You were just lucky to be on the right time at the right place!"
That's the second son. Your presence is definitely flaring his competitive spirit.
"So, Fellow Daoist Golden Skystone Patriarch, you have no objection at me looking for such skystones?
- If dad says there aren't, no chance an outsider could find some!
- Oh? Then I'll take your word on it. Two hours. Who finds the most have to call the other one "Esteemed Senior Brother".
- As if I'll lose to you on my own turf! "
The Patriarch doesn't seems quite happy at that development.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714047182668700.jpg","filename":"GoldenSkystonePatriarch.jpg"},"posted":1714047182},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5986517,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5986516
>87 + 1 week sooner than expected :
In the end, both of you abscond. You have a quite fruitful harvest - finding a grand total of 3 skystones of various size and spiritual energy stockpile, the biggest of which you find really impressive.
Based on what you've seen in the cultivator's market, this one would be enough by itself to pay a few months worth of the due taxes.
You've also found something else; more like a small trinket. A gold marble that seems lowly attracted to you when you flare your Spiritual Energy. Exactly what you've been looking for.
Of course, you pocket it. You can't wait to work again on your Soul Affinity Measurement Contraption prototype.
>Obtained a Gold lodestone!
You ride back to the acknowledged meeting point, finding an overtly happy kid.
"Get ready to call me Big Brother! Not only I found two skystones, but they're at the very least 2nd realm and 4th realm!"
Good. His smaller stone is roughly comparable to your middle sized one. But his 4th realm one is definitely at least one realm under your big one.
"Looks like I won this bout, both in quality and quantity, young Golden Skystone."
The harvest is clearly proof enough the Patrician have been overtly bullshitting you : such a boon of treasure in a couple hours? Fetched by two kids, although maybe lucky and promising?
The two adults are silent, their face unreadable.
>Play stupid - "So few rewards? I understand your difficulties to pay taxes"
>Stay silent for now
>Directly confront the Patriarch, in the middle of the barren lands with no witness except his sons to his loss of face.
>Write-in","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714047245292677.jpg","filename":"aab1750a-e4a7-4e4f-8d0f-2ae526715724.jpg"},"posted":1714047245},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5986520,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986517
>Play stupid
But let's not mention the taxes, let's just make use of being a 6yo who might still be naive or not that bright
>Nad without wanting to insult you or your village... This is almost nothing! From the few things my master told me I was expecting at least 10 stones! Minimum! I was even asking myself how I would carry all those good stones back here."
Let's let loose some of our kid nature and exaggerate, like a little mask slip so they think we're not fit for the task","attachment":null,"posted":1714048068},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5986529,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986520
I can support such trickery.","attachment":null,"posted":1714049894},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5986540,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986520
>>5986529
ah, No, we shouldn't exaggerate how much the sect wants.
He'll take that shit serious, and probably consider an armed rebellion if we inflate it too much.
Might be better if we act confused at the small amount of stones, and ask if this is a little or a lot.
Be confused at the value, not the amount.","attachment":null,"posted":1714050713},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5986544,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986540
Okay yeah, that makes sense, in that case I change >>5986520 so it can be more like what >>5986540 is saying","attachment":null,"posted":1714051676},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5986552,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986517
>Directly confront the Patriarch, in the middle of the barren lands with no witness except his sons to his loss of face.
We're playing dumb, but nobody is THAT dumb. Also, he loses little face being confronted here.","attachment":null,"posted":1714053059},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5986617,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986544
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1714060480},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5986650,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986517
>Directly confront the Patriarch, in the middle of the barren lands with no witness except his sons to his loss of face.","attachment":null,"posted":1714065921},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5986673,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986517
>Directly confront the Patriarch, in the middle of the barren lands with no witness except his sons to his loss of face.
He's a cultivator with a higher realm than us, he'll see through silly acts.","attachment":null,"posted":1714069887},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5986685,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5986540
>>5986544
>>5986552
>>5986617
>>5986650
>>5986673
Alright this looks tied.
Any lurker can tiebreak? I might have time to write that update tonight if so.","attachment":null,"posted":1714072252},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5986690,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986552
>>5986650
>>5986673
If you don't wanna play dumb that's cool, but confronting him in a remote location without Kyo Ko, someone who's also higher in realm than us while we're outnumbered by 2 it's dumb too. Plus Kyo Ko is investigating and maybe she could find something to acuse the elder on top of noy paying to our sect","attachment":null,"posted":1714072359},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5986694,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986690
Is he gonna kill us if we ask him the question he already knows we were sent here to ask?
What does that do for him?
I don't think he wants sect reinforcements to come wipe his village off the map
He's not dumb, he knows why we 're here. If he's planning on killing us he's going to do it whether we confront him or not.","attachment":null,"posted":1714072801},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5986699,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986552
I'm this guy,
>>5986520
I'll switch to this. I'm not too genre savvy here, and the write-in is pretty neat.","attachment":null,"posted":1714073012},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5986702,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986685
fuck it, I'll break. On condition that we actually get him by himself. Maybe ask his kids to fuck off and look for more stones.
If we're saving him face, might as well save him proper face.
I am >>5986529","attachment":null,"posted":1714073161},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5986705,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986699
Well, ain't you made me a fool.
Retract this >>5986702","attachment":null,"posted":1714073222},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5986789,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":""To be honest... I'm a bit confused. Is it a big reap? Or a small one? How much are those worth? What about our taxes, and how much you need to live?"
The Patriarch face goes from tense to paternalizing.
"Of course it's much! I had a great haul, but Estimed Senior Brother? That's impressive!"
His father smack the back of his head.
"It's not that much. Great in the eyes of a child; not worth enough for your really relevent questions.
To be completely frank, it's still better than what we found those last months. Maybe luck is coming back?"
The trip back to the compound is made in a relaxed atmosphere - although the smallest child is sulking.
You don't know enough yet. But maybe you had the right attitude, the right choices and the right luck to defuse the situation?
Anyway, you're back to the compound. You pretext a need to meditate and retreat to your quarters, where you detail to Kyo Ko the events of the day.
"I wasn't idle too. I found the accounting's secret books. In short, they never had a shortage of materials or troubles to sell them. Just, they bypassed the sect.
Don't ask to who - they weren't stupid enough to leave the paper tray. So, what now?
- Well, leaving it as is is begging for the situation to continue... I think..."
>You feel you don't have enough informations for now - continue the investigation [write-in how/your angle]
>You feel you know enough. Patriarch is really appeasing, so a confrontation where you voice a stern warning should be enough to solve the issue
>You feel you know enough. Patriarch is guilty of treason - you'll execute him using your Attack talisman as a reminder of their vassal status, and to solve definitely the issue.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714081020844359.jpg","filename":"ProSpyWork.jpg"},"posted":1714081020},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5986809,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986789
>>You feel you don't have enough informations for now - continue the investigation: you'll try to find who they are selling to: the adults might be too smart about their buyers but what about the older children. Literate but impulsive. A secret search of their things before they know to destroy the evidence may prove fruitful. Let's play the fool a little longer and gather what info we can while they think us fools.","attachment":null,"posted":1714082881},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5986812,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5986809
So the "older children" is adult and didn't pipe a word. The middle one is the red-text you tricked into material gathering contest to show they CAN find ressources. And there's also the girl, kept out of the wasteland visit and the meal.","attachment":null,"posted":1714083191},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5986820,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986789
>Continue the investigation.[We will try and bond with the younger kid, And get them to relate as to what we've found/what they know. If we really get a good rapport going, we can ask him to directly spy for us. Kyo Kyo herself is to continue her quiet subversion]
So we need who, what, where, why, how and when.
We have the What, They are cutting out the sect from their trades.
We need the Who are they selling to.
When did it happen?
How did it start/How is it done?
Why? What pushes a man to betray their leiges. Maybe we can ask about the recent troubles of the villages, perhaps under the guise of needing to set them right.
Where are the stones all going, related to the who.
Once we have this, we'll have concluded our report.
Executing the patriarch seems rather. . hasty. But we can devise a punishment later.","attachment":null,"posted":1714083857},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5986821,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986820
Younger kid and the daughter.
Our big strength as a cultivator is our capacity to form connections. This should be no different.","attachment":null,"posted":1714083924},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5986956,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986789
Huh, he's not as smart as I thought
It seems like the second son is too stupid/young to have been told anything so that's probably a dead end, and the first son doesn't seem like he'll leak info. Daughter is the only avenue left.
>You feel you don't have enough informations for now - continue the investigation [write-in how/your angle]
We could also try capturing and interrogating more bandits. Just because Luobin hadn't noticed anything unusual doesn't mean there was nothing to notice. Kyo is sure they've been selling the stones, so they must have had some unusual visitors to sell them too.","attachment":null,"posted":1714100470},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5987041,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986789
>You feel you don't have enough informations for now - continue the investigation
Secretly find and meet with the some of these accountants, maybe they can tell us more. Follow the money, as they say.","attachment":null,"posted":1714110874},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5987069,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5987041
>Accountants
You know they have not dedicated paperwriter and the Patriarch is doing the managing and accounting himself, as is the tradition of small sects","attachment":null,"posted":1714114476},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5987075,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5986956
Who's not as smart?","attachment":null,"posted":1714115235},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5987167,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987069
Maybe approach the younger sister, see what her side of the story is?","attachment":null,"posted":1714137406},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5987188,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986789
>>5986820 and>>5986821 +1","attachment":null,"posted":1714140602},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5987189,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987167
Sister surrounded by brothers, no Mother around seemingly. We gotta ask about that. . Target the sister., she is likely dissatisfied with the situation.","attachment":null,"posted":1714140635},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5987190,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987189
>No mother around
More like 8 or 9 : the patrician have an harem which contains the different mother of the two older boys","attachment":null,"posted":1714140758},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5987194,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":""We have the What, They are cutting out the sect from their trades.
We need the Who are they selling to, which will indicate Where are the stones all going.
When did it happen?
How did it start/How is it done?
Why? What pushes a man to betray their liege.
- We have some answers already. The When? Revenue started to dwindle down around half a year ago, came to a stop one month and a half ago - in synchronicity with where Gro Ta and Bathias are.
The Where? Well, this village is crossed by a road. Further where we came from, bandits didn't heard of them or their merchants - probably meaning it's going the other way around.
I didn't researched enough the villages further in lands - they're countless and meaningless, like sand grains in the river. About as poor as this one.
- So, probably too poor to afford buying them out?
- More likely than not. Three possibilities : we're backstabed by another Stable Lotus Harbor sect, or a village wants to get some relevance and are backed by a major Sect or the Empire itself, against us.
Last option, the bandits are the buyers. It's not likely - everybody seems relieved the scum have been cleaned. Bandits have families and a place to live, and they've been in activity before the issues started."
- Right. We need to know more. The bigger brother won't talk. The younger one knows nothing - however he remains easily controlled by his Ego. The younger girl remains. Maybe I can get her to talk?
- Take this."
Kyo Ko hands you a few thumb-sized ornated bottles, each containing a thick grey liquid. You can almost taste the pungeant herbal smell once you uncork one to confirm what you already know.
- Body Tempering Liquid?
- Really, you should have requested some for the mission. An amazing bargain chip for people working on their Heart Aperture. Works as a pill up to the second stage.
And if it is not consumed, well, you can just pocket it. This is your way in with the little girl.
- She's not little, she's older than me!
- Your point, little boy? Anyway. The sect records say we sent the village some Body Tempering Liquid upon request for both of the patriarch's son. He didn't asked for his daughter.
Of course, this was a favor. A favor he didn't want to repay for her."
You feel you missed something.
"Wait. Not opened her heart aperture? How do you know?
- Well, I can see it silly! You should really have taken some time to work on some Eye Aperture skills.
Anyway, the girl is working on her Hundred Day Foundation. The elder son is better than I expected from a remote place like that : True Master, opening the Dragon Claw Dantian.
The patriarch is Battle King, First Meridian. The second boy is on the verge of opening is Mouth Aperture - but their village techniques seems to be sub-par. That means you could maybe hold your ground against him in a real fight. I'd advise to avoid though."","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714141363556789.jpg","filename":"MoreAccurateVersionOfTheYoungerBrother.jpg"},"posted":1714141363},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5987195,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"The only thing remaining is finding a way to spend time with the girl. And you have just the right idea for that. You can't simply walk to her and pretend to play to ask her those questions - not after building that carefully crafted image of competent, but naive, young master
You'll approach her father, and...
>Say you want to train in the golden waste, and you can help the daughter - after all, the lord have to nurture the vassals
>Say that as the luck is coming back, it could be auspicious to reiterate the clan's affiliation to the sect by the bonds of a wedding, and you wish to court the daughter
>Write-in","attachment":null,"posted":1714141425},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5987205,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987195
>Say that as the luck is coming back, it could be auspicious to reiterate the clan's affiliation to the sect by the bonds of a wedding, and you wish to court the daughter
lol
lmao","attachment":null,"posted":1714143734},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5987220,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987195
No. Absolutely not. No.
>We want to train, train the girl at the same time.
We can let the aptriarch draw whatever conclusions he wants. But no. Thats a cruel lie.","attachment":null,"posted":1714147077},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5987231,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987195
>Ask Kyo Ko to go to the girl and tell her we're going to train, and we wish to meet her because she looks shy and maybe she can benefit from it. Tell the girl that if she wants, ask her father to let her go with a nanny or something to go to the spirit stone waste and we will go there as if it was a "coincidence" some time later.
This might be hella suspicious, but for how clunky it is maybe the dad will think we actually find her daughter cute and we're getting carried on the mission. Hell, when we go to tell the Patriarch were going to train there bring Kyo Ko, and let her plant that idea in the Patriarch head, like her trying to tease us like some older sister going like "Sorry Patriarch, but the young master here seems like somewhat interested in your daughter, don't believe him when he tell you he found the Spirit Stones place 'interesting'. But dont worry, he's some shy kid and I'll be there to make sure he doesn't try something suspicious just like my master told me to, after all, young master Quiet Word is a kid."
We MachiavelliMAXXIN on this bitch, except we're not going full on making the daughter fall in love with us to manipulate her, Quiet Word is not like that","attachment":null,"posted":1714148518},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5987417,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Also, holy shit, when we get back or on the way back, we need to learn this eye skill.
That sort of information is nigh fucking vital.","attachment":null,"posted":1714166555},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5987456,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987195
>>5987231
>support","attachment":null,"posted":1714169956},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5987546,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987194
>Inform the Patriarch that we wish to take his only daughter to the wastes alone and assess her skills and potential.
>>5987231
>While we discuss our desired date with the Father, let Kyo Ko entice the girl and play up her interest.
>Once in the wastes, first test her gold potential and call it a 'test of soul'. Then have her do some acrobatics or dance or something. Then test her intelligence/observation skills by asking the questions. Then I guess let her pet Horse and Hawk and see if she's good with animals. Might as well see if she really is a secret genius or something. Finally tell her we have a more complete test at the Sect, and if she's ever there we'll look to see if she has any hidden talents. Give her some hopeful thoughts towards us.
This isn't a promise of marriage, and it isn't a promise that we will take her back to the sect. It's a bit coy, a show that she has caught our eye. Discuss this with the patriarch in the evening so he has time to give his daughter instructions, presumably on how to charm/impress a young boy. And hey, maybe we'll get lucky?","attachment":null,"posted":1714180668},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5987549,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987546
Oh, and be careful to be polite and respectful. We've got a reputation as an arrogant prick, so treating her nicely will make her feel special.","attachment":null,"posted":1714180790},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5987560,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987194
>>Say you want to train in the golden waste, and you can help the daughter - after all, the lord have to nurture the vassals
We need to look into Eye skills asap.","attachment":null,"posted":1714181357},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5987751,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987195
>Say you want to train in the golden waste, and you can help the daughter - after all, the lord have to nurture the vassals","attachment":null,"posted":1714196563},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5988101,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"So looks like you're going back to the Golden Skystone Waste desert for more training, and daughter-involving shenanigans.
Of course, you'll keep your eyes open and go for zones of the desert you haven't seen before. And as such...
>One anon roll me 1d100!","attachment":null,"posted":1714233950},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5988105,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 74 (1d100)
Random dice generator go!","attachment":null,"posted":1714234190},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5989218,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"After plotting with Kyo Ko, you set the plan in motion.
First, you request to the Patriarch the permission to go train in the wasteland. And you're graciously allowing her young daughter to join you, under your personnal supervision.
"Is that so?
Yeah, he doesn't care. At all. It fits the record about not requesting ressources for her; the "Why does he behave differently for the girl than the boys" question remains.
Thus, you spend most of the following days in the wastelands, working on your foundation and your Rising Star Kick - and tutoring the girl.
She comes in the waste with one of the woman of the Patriarch's harem, woman which stays watching you the whole time.
"I heard you wanted to meet me, stranger?"
Haughty, not pretty. That doesn't start well. You can feel the disdain oozing from that last word.
"I'd advise Little Sister not to act so rash against someone with gifts.
- Little Sister? How dare you?
- Well, your big brother calls me "estimed Senior Brother", so that makes you automatically my little Sister.
- I didn't came in my family's land to get insulted!
- And I don't want to gift this to someone so rude."
The Body Tempering Liquid splashes in the jar, and the girl's gaze gets glued to the grey mixture.
"Now that I have your attention... I see you know what is it - meaning you most certainly knows a Body Tempering Technique and a Meditation Technique.
At least you've been teached the basics. But it would be a waste to give that elixir to someone doomed to failure. So I'll test you before."
You don't have much in that aspect - your bonded spirit are unusuable for that purpose (and you don't want to reveal your trump to potential ennemies so easily).
Thus, you resort to philosophical question you make on spots, cultivation trivia, and (your ace in the hole) the gold lodestone.
Her affinity is weaker than yours, but seems existing.
The impression she makes to you... Is not bad. Her talent is not world-genius, nor even gifted. A bit above average - miles above the half-bake batch of talentless kids, with a bit on effort and enough ressources she can be an average practitionner of the sect.
That is, if she get access to good techniques. It is definitely not a waste to give her the Body Tempering Liquid.
"Ok, now get away - I can't show you our clans technics after all.
The audacity. Still, you respect that and put a bit of distance while you work on your own, sect-secret and personal-secret techniques.","attachment":null,"posted":1714317051},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5989219,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"This becomes the routine for the next four days.
Your Unlimited Rising Star Kick progressed well, thanks to the fitting energy - you're close to the limit of your Foundation. To avoid that bottleneck, you also work on it without expecting much.
Surprisingly, you make bigger progress than expected.
>74 : found something... Inside you and your techniques!
it clicks together. The Hawk's Wide Ballet. It is an introduction to Spacial-element techniques.
You're not sure the past Hawk Master was even aware of that - Space is said to be a wondrous element, reserved to absurdly high level cultivators, allowing them to cover whatever distance they want in one step.
You have the hunch it is more nuanced. But you can't do anything before you have access to True Qi.
Despite her Haughtiness, the young girl seems to appreciate the opportunity you're giving to her.
And that's good, because Kyo Ko haven't found much more on her side, and the Patriarch start to display flicker of impatience at your permanent imposed presence at his house and table.
That, you can understand. You'll have to officially breach the subject of your visit quite soon - in order to find an agreement, and then leave. That is, if you wish to follow a diplomatically appeasing route.
But you might need more informations for that. Informations his daughter might have already supplied to you.
>Write-in the questions you asked the girl while training her!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714317113724934.png","filename":"theGirl.png"},"posted":1714317113},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5989232,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989219
>What other strangers have come to see your dad. [We can give the furthest timeframe, half a year ago, then month and a half ago. See if they know the uniforms.]
>Why's your Dad not put much stock in you, your aptitude is about the same as mine, if not a little better.
Some flattery and seeding a bit of underestimation. Little did she know our talent was autism and selfharming levels of motivation.
>What's the value on these rocks like
>Do any of your mothers help with the running of the town or is this the patriarchs job alone?
>How's your family been these recent months? Happy, stressed, forgetful?
>Hey so what ARE these stones anyway? Have you ever seen how they are used?
Weed in some mildly interested questions to distract from the fact our focus is on the stones and trade. Stuff that portrays a general interest about the town and the family shouldn't be too suspicious.","attachment":null,"posted":1714317984},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5989528,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989219
>>5989232
>supporting","attachment":null,"posted":1714339681},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5989692,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Where have the rocks that you villages has been mining gone?
>If you don't know, who would know?
>Is you father afraid of someone other than the Sect.
>Why hasn't your father asked for help dealing with the bandits?","attachment":null,"posted":1714350549},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5989697,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989219
>>5989232","attachment":null,"posted":1714350939},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5989721,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989219
Am I the most important person in your village in years?
>Why's your Dad not put much stock in you, your aptitude is about the same as mine, if not a little better.
>What's the value on these rocks like
>How's your family been these recent months? Happy, stressed, forgetful?
>Hey so what ARE these stones anyway? Have you ever seen how they are used?
>Where have the rocks that you villages has been mining gone?
>If you don't know, who would know?
>Is you father afraid of someone other than the Sect.
>Why hasn't your father asked for help dealing with the bandits?","attachment":null,"posted":1714353267},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5989879,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989218
>Am I the most important person in your village in years?
>Why's your Dad not put much stock in you, your aptitude is about the same as mine, if not a little better.
>>What's the value on these rocks like
>>How's your family been these recent months? Happy, stressed, forgetful?
>Hey so what ARE these stones anyway? Have you ever seen how they are used?
>Where have the rocks that you villages have been mining gone?
>>If you don't know, who would know?
>>Is you father afraid of someone other than the Sect.
>Why hasn't your father asked for help dealing with the bandits?","attachment":null,"posted":1714368827},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5989940,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"Family
>How's your family been these recent months? Happy, stressed, forgetful?
-Same old? Haven't seen much changes.
>Do any of your mothers help with the running of the town or is this the patriarchs job alone?
-He rules. He can delegate, his wifes have some weight - some more than other.
>Why's your Dad not put much stock in you, your aptitude is about the same as mine, if not a little better.
-Remember when I said some more than other? My mother, well, she's one of the other. Low on the list.
Actually, the most favored one fell in disgrace for the mother of the first son; then a few year later the mother of the second son rise in grace.
My own mother was the lowliest of the wives, before my birth. Still, Father favor most his first wife and the two son's mother. There's another younger wife before my mom.
In the end, with already two talented cultivators as descendents, I'm seen as a spare. Good to have, not good enough to use.
>Is you father afraid of someone other than the Sect.
-Father is not the coward kind.
>Why hasn't your father asked for help dealing with the bandits?
-Bandits are a plague. They come, they go. Kill one, three replace them. It's costier to comb through the whole country than to just take the occasional hit on supply and sales.
Village Visit
>What other strangers have come to see your dad.
-I recall a visit from your sect, a few years ago. A great feast, I was gifted some Body Tempering Liquid. Some kids of the village where taken away - given a chance at cultivation, they said.
There was also some friends of Father, coming from time to time. It's been maybe 5 months since I haven't seen them? Oh, I think I wasn't supposed to talk about them.
>Am I the most important person in your village in years?
-I'm not allowed to say more about Father's friends. He made it very clear they are his secret friends.
Golden Skyrocks
>What's the value on these rocks like
-Enough to get food and clothing for the whole village.
>Hey so what ARE these stones anyway? Have you ever seen how they are used?
-Well you call yourself a cultivator? They're of course precious materials charged in Spiritual Energy! You can use them as craft ressources for treasures, ink for talisman, grind them for pills.
>Where have the rocks that you villages has been mining gone?
-To your sect? That's like our deal?
>If you don't know, who would know?
-Dad, of course. Man Cong, certainly. Dan Rold, perhaps?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714382761511256.png","filename":"ManCong.png"},"posted":1714382761},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5989941,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"That's as much informations as you'll get safely.
>Push the Patriarch's Hospitality, keep looking for answers [Write-in how]
>The Patriarch is clearly guilty of irredeemable betrayal. Execute him using your 3rd Realm Attack Talisman.
>The Patriarch is fishy, but a stern warning will be enough. [Write-in your demands. Suggestions - increased taxes in the future, payment of what was redirected, taking a child in totally-not-hostage-custody-training]
>There's nothing wrong about this village and its management. Tell the Patriarch you expect payment to come back with the returned luck, and leave.","attachment":null,"posted":1714382823},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5989971,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989941
>The Patriarch is clearly guilty of irredeemable betrayal.
Demand a full tribute immediately, that he also send additional tribute to make up for what didn't arrive, and the second son be offered as a student, or else immediate death.","attachment":null,"posted":1714389263},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5989972,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989941
>Ask the patriarch to come and speak with us out in the fields alone, bring Kyo Kyo, and pass it off as 'found something out here of fortune to your economy' or something.
>Inform him why we came, That he has been fucking off his taxes, and selling them to his secretive allies who we absolutely know about, and giving us the run around.
>To save him face, We are doing this quietly. You will give us your backpay of taxes in a timely manner, You will reveal the specific name and titles of who your buyers are, and then you will cooperate with the Sect of a hundred beast tamers to remove them from the equation, or you will be replaced. As a show of good faith, we will take your second son as a guest of the sect. And before you start to feel a little blood hungry, I've had my maid draft a letter for me and send it along back towards the sect yesterday with my findings and proposed conditions. I hope you find these conditions reasonable, for they are the best that the sect can spare for a traitor.
Maybe dangle a carrot of "when your buyers are removed, the official retelling may recount on your foresighted revealing of these menaces rather than your greed in dealing with them."
But that seems beyond our power to grant.","attachment":null,"posted":1714389445},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5989974,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989971
Naturally if he starts to power up, Execute that motherfucker.","attachment":null,"posted":1714389511},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5990007,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989941
>>Push the Patriarch's Hospitality, keep looking for answers. This could be the village, we're from. Spend the day in the village, watchful for anyone paying too much or different kind of attention to us. Do some shopping for tea as cover.","attachment":null,"posted":1714396027},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5990045,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989941
>The Patriarch is fishy, but a stern warning will be enough. [Write-in your demands. Suggestions - increased taxes in the future, payment of what was redirected, taking a child in totally-not-hostage-custody-training]
Payment of what was redirected + another 50% for the trouble, and all information he has on his alternative buyers.","attachment":null,"posted":1714400703},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5990059,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990045
You are being a bit easy on him.","attachment":null,"posted":1714403860},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5990134,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990059
It's the same as what you wanted, except I asked for more money instead of taking the idiot son along.","attachment":null,"posted":1714412586},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5990214,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990134
You also missed out on his cooperation wiping his secret friends out.
Im also taking the idiot son for two reasons.
The first is as a hostage.
The second is to force him to promote the sister to a viable heir. Which we may remind her of later, and before we leave. Creating a debt.","attachment":null,"posted":1714422074},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5990319,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990214
I want the information first on these buyers before we decide what to do with them, and I'd rather get the money than a debt from some backwater villager. It'll keep our sect a lot happier with us if we bring back money owed + extra rather than a kid to babysit.","attachment":null,"posted":1714434352},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5990355,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990319
So we bring the Patriarch out into the field alone with our maid and ask him about it. We know that they haven't been selling us what they've been digging up. We know that other people have come here since the last time the Sect came. Who are they? What have they been doing? What are the terms of the Patriarch's deal? The sect expects the people of this village to honor their deal, and when our expectations are violated we either learn and grow into the new reality that we have discovered, or we take corrective action to remove the obstructions to our goals. Which do we need to do here, and why? Surely you knew that we would notice the decrease in sales? What was your plan for when we came to investigate?
Leave the attack spell with our maid. She's quicker than us, and she can kill the Patriarch if he won't play ball. Violence isn't the ideal solution, but it is an option, and we're offering the Patriarch a chance to talk his way out of execution.","attachment":null,"posted":1714437517},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5990404,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990355
Sounds pretty good - only thing I'd note is we weren't buying from them, we were collecting the stones as taxes. They stopped paying tax so they could sell the stones, presumably.","attachment":null,"posted":1714440642},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5990604,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"So if I merge your inputs :
>Call the Patriarch in the wilds alone
>Say to bait him "Found something out here of fortune to your economy"
That point is important. You can support, or change the phrasing
>Confront him. Give him face, but request :
- Taxes
- Sell out the other guild
- Second Son hostage
>Kill him if he does anything funny
>Give Attack Talisman to Kyo Ko
That point is important. You might want to keep that on hand, or bait and get an unsuspected Kyo Ko to sneakily use it.
Last chance to chime in/get buyer remorse.","attachment":null,"posted":1714466389},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5990667,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990604
Buyers remorse happened.
Perhaps to bait him something like "I'd prefer to discuss the reason of my visit amongst the fields."
Something that doesn't raise his guard enough to. .. bring guards.
I can support giving Kyo ko the talismen. With instructions to sneak murder the fucker if he tries being aggressive.
Him runnning off home is fine, since we can just call the sect down on his head.","attachment":null,"posted":1714473802},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5990697,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"Let's turn this in a properly tallied vote for my sanity.
How to bait Patriarch?
>Found something out here of fortune to your economy
>I'd prefer to discuss the reason of my visit amongst the fields
>Write-in
About the 3rd realm Attack Talisman...
>Keep it
>give it to Kyo Ko","attachment":null,"posted":1714480214},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5990716,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990697
>How to bait Patriarch?
>>Found something out here of fortune to your economy
>About the 3rd realm Attack Talisman...
>>give it to Kyo Ko","attachment":null,"posted":1714485314},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5990720,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990697
>Discuss the reason
>Give to Kyo Ko
The sect head thinks that she can surpress the rebellion herself but adding more to the fire is. . . good strat.","attachment":null,"posted":1714485824},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5990745,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990697
>I'd prefer to discuss the reason of my visit amongst the fields
>Keep it","attachment":null,"posted":1714489394},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5990774,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990697
>I'd prefer to discuss the reason of my visit amongst the fields
>Keep it","attachment":null,"posted":1714493397},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5990868,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990697
>I'd prefer to discuss the reason of my visit amongst the fields
>Keep it","attachment":null,"posted":1714503355},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5991071,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990697
>Discuss the reason for my visit in the field in private away from loose lipped women and children. The walls have ears. Gold doesn't care who you are.
>Keep it I guess. That way Kyo Ko won't waste it trying to protect us.","attachment":null,"posted":1714522261},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5991470,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"You wait alone in the barren fields, where you won your bet with the second son.
Kyo Ko was in charge to let the Patriarch knows you're waiting for him to settle things in a quiet way.
Kyo Ko said she was coming back and lay low ready to strike in support if need arise. So your brain tells you you're not alone. Your heart feels very so though.
Here they are. They? You expected only the Patriarch. First son is not that surprising - but the second one?
You're extremely wary.
"Here I am.
- I asked you to come alone.
- The matter of the clan and its future concern my sons as well as me.
- Very well, if you desire so much losing face in front of your sons. Daoist Golden Skystone Patriarch, you've been found guilty of betraying the Tamers of Hundred Beasts sect.
Instead of paying your dutiful tribute, you have embezzled the precious Golden Skystones and sold them to your own gains.
- Nonsense! Father would never...
- Oh shut up Dan Rol. Everything's right.
- But...
- Look at Father's reaction. He's right. Now, you keep your trap shut and listen. You might learn one thing or two.
- Are you two over? Good. As I said, you've been found guilty. We're settling things here and then. You played, you loss.
First, of course, I want the name of the guild attacking us by your proxy.
Then, the late taxes, as well as something I deem enough for the time I lost for getting here solving your little delusion of grandeur.
Of course, enough for the sect to reconsider their want to turn the village in a smudge on map.
Last, I'm getting back with him." You point your "esteemed little brother", to his greater dismay.
- Bold demands. Riddle me this : why shouldn't we just off you here and now?"
The situation immediately get tenser. Your hand shifts toward the Talisman - just in case - while the older kid raise his guard...
- And now you're the one overstepping, Man Cong. Think. The boy is here, on his own. Why didn't I off him myself at the second he stepped on the village?
Have you seen the poweful Spirit he was riding when entering the place? Do you know what happens when you kill a cultivator bonded to a spirit?
The spirit gets free. And angry. Can you deal on your own with that Horse Spirit? Because I don't know how confident I would be, assuming it's the sole surprise offing him would reveal.
Your terms are broadly acceptable, except on two points :
First, this would put us too much on spot - our long term partners which recently turned exclusive customers will seek revenge.
So I want the sect's help in defending the village.
Second, you can't get the boy. Take the girl."
>"I, in the name of the Tamers of Hundred Beasts, accept."
>You're in no position to negotiate, old man
>Write-in","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714567164763724.jpg","filename":"Confrontation.jpg"},"posted":1714567164},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5991534,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991470
>"The very fact that you offered the girl at all is a reason to refuse. The point of a guest of the sect is that you are not so easily willing to cast them aside. As you just did with the girl."
>"The Village is naturally befitting the sects protection, it is the basis of this partnership after all. We shall get our taxes, and you shall get your protection, and the guild which attacked us will get their just recompense. All ends well for everyone present."
Do you think we're fucking stupid patriarch? There's a reason to pick the boy. It's to discincentivise your backslide. What reason do we have to think you give two shits about the child you keep as a spare?","attachment":null,"posted":1714574501},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5991602,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991534
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1714579920},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5991618,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991470
"Forgive me, Golden Skystone Patriarch, I misspoke. Your 'partners' are already as good as dead, for they are enemies of the sect. Even if we don't use you as bait, they will be hunted down and destroyed, so there is no need to concern yourself with our attitude to thieves, there is only death for them.
The lost taxes is simply a matter of bookkeeping, for the sect would never allow a Patriarch who does not profit us to stay for long, and one who costs us time and effort to stay even less.
Your son might be an appropriate tribute of apology, seeing how serious your error is, which is why I suggested so. If you feel you don't need the forgiveness of our sect so badly, perhaps you should contact those customers of yours, I'm sure interesting times await you after you flee with your family and whatever they can carry into the hills in the company of bandits."","attachment":null,"posted":1714581079},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5991633,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991470
Backing >>5991534","attachment":null,"posted":1714582694},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5991664,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991470
>"I, in the name of the Tamers of Hundred Beasts, accept."","attachment":null,"posted":1714586609},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5991833,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991618
>>5991534
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1714607451},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5991901,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991470
>Fine, keep your son. I however will be staying to personally see to the defense of the village for when retribution comes from our rival. Speaking of which: name them.
Time to find our parents.","attachment":null,"posted":1714613898},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5992101,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"It seems strange to me that you would deny your son the opportunity to train in a place dedicated to such things when you clearly favor him over her, especially considering her younger age and greater potential. I had thought to leave your most valuable child here to protect you, but if you would willingly surrender her, then so be it. Also you now have two sons. Send one to learn in the city, and one remains to aid you. Fight the sect and there will be none, as you know.
I do not fault you for protecting yourself from the most imminent danger. Few would choose death today over life today and a difficult decision in a few years. However, you could have told my Sect about the difficulty so that we could have properly prepared and dealt with it on our own schedule instead of wasting time on investigations. Failure to inform us of the situation has eroded trust and made the sect question the current level of independence of the village. Thus the plan of teaching a future leader both how to defend the village physically, but also to know the names and faces in the sect and that he could rely on us to solve problems larger than himself. If I take the girl now, then it will be she who will likely rule here later. So too with the local bandits. There are many bored guards in the city who would enjoy a vacation to come and eliminate banditry. Instead they harass gifted children with a hundred questions to salve their boredom. If you don't have time or strength to deal with evil on your own, let us know, and we will come when the timing is good for us.
Of course, we will help to defend the villages which provide us our resources. You are not farmers or shepherds, so perhaps you do not think on this, but it is the poor shepherd who does not protect his flock. The sect desires the resources that you provide. It is not in our interest to allow you to perish, even if we defied heaven and ignored our duty to defend our wards.","attachment":null,"posted":1714632235},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5992129,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992101
>There are many bored guards in the city who would enjoy a vacation to come and eliminate banditry.
You know this is false. Bandit hunting is extremely ungrateful and boring job - you patrol, they scamp. Most can read the traveler's power level and pick their fights accordingly, with a perfect knowledge of terrain, and some spotters among the village all around their strike zone.","attachment":null,"posted":1714638853},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5992141,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">Tally status
looks like a consensus is rising. Not locked yet.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714639927807105.png","filename":"Screenshot from 2024-05-02 10-51-29.png"},"posted":1714639927},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5992183,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5991534
>>5991602
>>5991618
>>5991633
>>5991664
>>5991833
>>5991901
>>5992101
>>5992129
>"The Village is naturally befitting the sects protection, it is the basis of this partnership after all.
>I do not fault you for protecting yourself from the most imminent danger. Few would choose death today over life today and a difficult decision in a few years.
>However, you could have told my Sect about the difficulty so that we could have properly prepared and dealt with it on our own schedule instead of wasting time on investigations.
>Failure to inform us of the situation has eroded trust and made the sect question the current level of independence of the village.
>We shall get our taxes, and you shall get your protection, and the guild which attacked us will get their just recompense.
>Your son might be an appropriate tribute of apology, seeing how serious your error is, which is why I suggested so.
>If you feel you don't need the forgiveness of our sect so badly, perhaps you should contact those customers of yours.
>I'm sure interesting times await you after you flee with your family and whatever they can carry into the hills in the company of bandits.
- I don't like it. But this is not like I have a choice in the matter, is it?
Fine. Your terms are acceptable, Young Master.
The one that approached us... They are the Symphony of Gilded Waters Sect. The Gold aspect of our precious material interests them in their crafts.
> - Thank you for being more than reasonable.
- We have a couple details to settle. As you can imagine, I can't just pull out the payment for our mistake from thin air.
I'll beg for Young Master patience, and to use the spoils of your and Dan Roll treasure hunt as a down payment in the wait of us gathering the proper Payment.
I'll write up the proper letter adressed to your Sect Master; I expect to be able to invite you again in a handful months.
> I'm more than glad all ends well for everyone present. But if you allow me the indiscretion of a personal question...
> It seems strange to me that you would deny your son the opportunity to train in a place dedicated to such things when you clearly favor him over her.
- Economics. The tallest barrier to train more cultivators is the amount of available Body Tempering Liquid.
Pills are expensive too, but they're merely ways to hasten one on a road full of bottlenecks. Body Tempering Liquid is a bridge over an uncrossable river.","attachment":null,"posted":1714653506},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5992184,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"ride back to the village, keeping a cordial discussion with the Patriarch. Dan Rol is dumbfounded - especially by learning he have only a couple hours to pack his things, bid his farewell, and share a last feast with his family.
The next day, the Patrician gives you a bag, containing a chest. In the chest, a sealed letter for Ryota, the spoils of the treasure hunt, and a hefty sum of money.
Coins are made of stone, bone, gems, scales, wood, metals, or even intangible materials like ribbons of mist or a disc of mystical water, holding up by its own energy.
After all, the coins are an intrinsic store of value. You're pretty sure the most mundane looking coin in that chest is worth at least as much as a whole string looted on the bandits.
You ride away, with Kyo Ko and Dan Rol walking by your side. Direction : South-East.
The first day of travel is silent. Your totally-not-hostage-new-little-big-brother-disciple is brooding; you wanted to talk with Kyo Ko about how to shorten the travel time, but she haven't dropped the maid role yet. Thus, you hold on to avoid blowing her cover.
That give you ample time to think.
>Both (You) and Kyo Ko are unscathed
>(You) didn't used the precious third stage Talisman of Attack and Armor
>(You) discovered who your sect ennemies are
>(Your) sect ennemies are clueless about your actions in Golden Skystone Village
>(You) are heading back around your expected time of arrival
>(You) might even have a chance to make it back in time for Transplanhumance
>(You) feel this whole adventure is an opportunity for creating a real bond - a strong, durable one, not based solely on extortion and mutuably profitable - with the Golden Skystone village.
This is as close as you could get to an utter, spotless and complete victory, both on short and long term.
On the ebony lining, there was that reveal about bounded spiritual beasts. You weren't aware you could release three beasts around 2nd-to-3rd stage upon dying. And that's not even factoring in the wolf.
>How do (You) feel about knowing your death will release Weapons of Local Destruction?
About the travel and Kyo Ko's disguise
>Keep your mouth shut
>Ask her discretly about speeding up (Any idea?)
About your travel companions
>Any questions or desired interractions?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714653619039790.jpg","filename":"Victory.jpg"},"posted":1714653619},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5992197,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992184
>How do (You) feel about knowing your death will release Weapons of Local Destruction?
>A new weight of responsibility has settled on your shoulders.
About the travel and Kyo Ko's disguise
>Keep your mouth shut.
About your travel companions
>Any questions or desired interractions?
>Ask about his village cultivation techniques and cultivation aspirations.
His name is Dan Roll?","attachment":null,"posted":1714655508},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5992213,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992184
>How do you feel about it?
Well it's not gonna be our problem. But it WILL be our problem when our allies get downed and their beasts are released. We're going to need to plan around such a disruptive event in the future, But it's a useful threat.
>Discreetly ask Kyo Ko if there are any routes or methods she is aware of to get us back in time for transplanhumance.
>Cheer our new Little-Big-brother up with discussions of the sect and things to do. Maybe share anecdotes about the Transplanhumanance we did last time [avoiding Kyo ko's mention, other than maybe a 'respected senior's intervention'.]
Connections are power, Our power at least. And him being miserable isn't doing anyone any good.
>Thank Kyo Ko for her diligent service in the town [And quietly say that until we are back in home territory, it's best to keep the role up. A bandit attack again could make Dan slip up].
It's not a flawless victory, but it's damn near close.","attachment":null,"posted":1714657216},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5992214,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992213
oh and ask Kyo ko if that trick she knows with the eye analysis is the trick that she suggested we learn from our senior brother.
If not, can we learn this from her?","attachment":null,"posted":1714657277},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5992300,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992184
>How do (You) feel about knowing your death will release Weapons of Local Destruction?
This will not be anything new to the sect, they will know much about the issue.
>Keep your mouth shut.
Let her vibe,
>Any questions or desired interractions?
Ask our new sect brother what he knows, what his style is.","attachment":null,"posted":1714664409},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5992310,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5992300
Of course. But you've never been told this directly. What else could they hide?","attachment":null,"posted":1714665167},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5992345,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992184
>How do (You) feel about knowing your death will release Weapons of Local Destruction?
A bit uneasy about the fact that we were sent as a living bomb. This smells of "either you can be a useful diplomat or a useful bomb".
>Ask her discretely about speeding up (Any idea?)
Just excuse ourselves for a bath where our maid is expected to help us. Be hilariously confused and naive if the hostage thinks we're getting busy with Kyo Ko. Maybe we can channel some energy from the golden stones to our hawk and... use space magic to shrink the distance? Ok, I got nothing.","attachment":null,"posted":1714668783},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5992350,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992197
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1714669345},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5992452,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992345
Dont be a fool. We were semt to groom us as leaders and diplomacy/managing a vassal is part of that.
Us being a walking bomb isnt a factor of the equation worth speculating over.we arent disposable to the sect.
Also I second bath as an excuse, because it is very very funny to make quiet word confused. Even funnier if Kyo ko joins in on the teasing.
She is respecred big sister. She is allowed to tease her juniors.","attachment":null,"posted":1714680999},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5992574,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992213
+1
and also +1 to >>5992345 with the idea of talking privately with Kyo Ko with the excuse of taking a bath","attachment":null,"posted":1714693427},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5992620,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992184
>How do (You) feel about knowing your death will release Weapons of Local Destruction?
Consider that this means that the spirits are likely unbound upon the death of the binder. This means that another can capture them, which means that people may kill us to capture Wolf Friend, but also that if we are in a war we should bring beads with us to return the spirits of fallen friends to the Sect.
>Any questions or desired interactions?
Explain the roles at the sect, the basic aptitude testing, the basic schedule, the names of some of the sect members, and the basic duties that he will be expected to perform upon arrival. Ask what is his favorite color and favorite animal?
>How to move it - move it?
Try flying with Hawk friend, infuse with growth essence and see if Hawk friend gets bigger. If needed 'leave the maid behind so that we can get back in time for the festival' and let Kyo Ko run on ahead with the treasure while we fly. If we can't figure out flight, then go to no-sleep mode and run through the night, carrying the boy in a backpack if we need to.","attachment":null,"posted":1714697401},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5992624,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992620
Also, I support bath idea. It's a good idea. We can talk with our hands if we need to, assuming we know Sect sign language. Otherwise just let our beast-souls touch and do some kinky soul-talk.","attachment":null,"posted":1714697515},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5992642,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992184
>How do (You) feel about knowing your death will release Weapons of Local Destruction?
Based, we should lead with that and no one will dare kill us
>Ask her discretly about speeding up (Any idea?)
Send the idiot to go get firewood or something
Maybe we can juice up our horse with extra energy, or improve the compatibility?","attachment":null,"posted":1714699058},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5992841,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992184
Supporting the kyo kyo bath excuse","attachment":null,"posted":1714718796},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5992846,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992620
>Infuse with growth Essence
That would require (guess it...) True Qi to try out","attachment":null,"posted":1714719544},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5992879,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992345
About Spatial magic to shrink the distance...
See >>5992846","attachment":null,"posted":1714724291},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5993137,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"The slow day spent riding a walking horse while Dan Roll is doing his best to keep up without looking bad in regard to the definitely-not-cultivator-Kyo-Ko-pace let you ample time to think. Why haven't the sect told you about what happens to a bounded spirit at a cultivator's death?
You immediately ruled out the possibility of being sent as a disposable keg of black powder - you know you're more valuable than that to the sect.
You feel this news is as a new weight of responsibility settled on your shoulders.
On one hand, it's not like it's going to be your personal problem, although you'd prefer as much as possible to avoid dragging bystanders or friend down with you in the event of your demise. It will be said personal problem however if - you refuse to think when - one of your ally get downed and mayhem ensues.
You're going to need to plan around such a disruptive event in the future - more soul-binding beads will be necessary. At least, you can exert it as an useful threat.
There's another implication : if spirits are unbound on death, another can capture them, which means that people may off you simply for a chance to capture the extremely valuable (but mostly useless to you) Scion of the Primordial Wolf Spirit, echoing with the warning of said Primordial Wolf Spirit.
A shiver runs on your back while remembering the story of Fairy Wise Crane about her friend that disappeared after acquiring a precious Shark spirit.
Still, why haven't they told you about that? Are there other things they omitted to tell about bounded spirits?
Your thoughts are spinning when you realize you reached the next town at nightfall - what took you around two days of walking, on your own short legs. Perks of riding, even at a low speed.
You dispel the Horse spirit, and go book a chamber at the village's inn, requesting one with a bathroom and a copious dinner.
You're sick of the stew of the Golden Skystone village. You know it's probably the best they could do, and a luxury for them, but you yearn for something else. Shrimps would be ideal, but you're too far from the sea to even dream about their delicious chewy crunchy iodized savour - aaaand you're already salivating.","attachment":null,"posted":1714749528},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5993138,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":""Alright I'm going for a bath. Kyo Ko, I'll of course require your assistance. Dan Rol. Wait here.
- Assistance? For what?
- Certainly not bathing. She winks.
- This cannot mean...
- Mean what?
- You can't possibly be developped enough!
- Don't you know physical development is directly linked to cultivation? After all, the greatest cultivators are... bulkier...
- What? For real? I'll cultivate twice as hard if that's so!
- I'm afraid it might be too late for you - for the gains to occur, you still need to be young and have the potential to grow where it matters."
You have absolutely no clue what your esteemed senior is talking about. But seeing how fluttered Dan Roll is makes you nod, acting wise and silent while you enter the bathroom, Kyo Ko in tow. The bathroom is powered by a couple Spiritual Formations to pump water and heat it, as well as a Wind one to dry - letting the innkeeper charge atrociously more for the room, but a rare and luxury sight : you Novice don't have such a good facility in the sect, but it is similar to the one in your room back at the Main Sect's compound during the turnament.
You pull a lever, and hot water rise in the bathtub, covering partially your voices - apart from Kyo Ko loud outburst.
"First, thank you for your diligent services back in the village.
- My, you've grown even more in the past week!
- I too think it's best to keep the role up. I'd love to see Dan Rol's reaction to a travel trouble, like the bandits of last time.
- Mmmmh yes! Right There! - keeping her charade for Dan Rol. You feel it's weird.
- Now, I have two questions. First, your Eye skill, that let you assert the power level of peoples. Was that the one you advised me to learn from Bathias?
- Not really. Bathias thing allow to see from his bounded Hawk's perspective. The skills you mention have been taught by Ryota.
AH THAT'S SO GOOOD! - you really don't understand what's going on, except a gut-wrenching feeling of it being very, very wrong.
- Second... second thing is... Our travel time. Can we somehow speed up?
- We might cross the bandit ambush site in three to four days, with our current speed. We'll see after crossing that point. Our speed is actually far from bad : by riding, and me casually holding up we have Dan Rol speedwalking. I am pretty sure he doesn't have any movement technique, you pushed him enough today for forcing him to show his hand.
So we lack better options - as long as you keep access to this mount of your.
Yes Yes Yes Yes YES YES YES YEEEEEES!"
Her high-pitch screams hurt your ears. She expertly splash some hot water in her face, mess up a tiny bit her hair, making her look slightly sweaty and out of breath, as if she just had to run two thousand meters for her life, then leave the bathroom.
"I'll leave Young Master alone. But next bath turn is for me."","attachment":null,"posted":1714749589},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5993140,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"What just happen? It was a joke at Dan Rol expense, of course. An innocent one - nothing BAD happened, just play pretend.
So why do you feel slightly sick about the implications? At least, your gash on your left forearm is healing nicely, forming a clean scab.
You're quite lucky. Cultivator-inflicted wounds are notorious for the long-term ache they might cause, sometimes causing the demise of a winner unable to quench the wound's burn.
Why were you so disturbed by Kyo Ko's act? Weirdly, this reminds you of the day of the ability test - your first memory - and the blindfold-and-spanking room you disliked very, very much - at least as much as the dark water room where you almost drown.
Once cleaned, you step out of the room where Dan Rol have an interesting complexion.
"Should have not doubted Esteemed Senior Brother. Such experience, in so many fields. Better than me for finding treasures in my home turf, handling complicated political matters,
and utterly destroying me on this race I didn't even believed he could possibly partake..."
You let your lips curl in a cryptic smile, conveying you know better than him despite having absolutely no idea about the meaning of what happened, and still feeling a bit sick.
Well, looks like your incomfort at least asserted domination over the older, more advanced cultivator - he's older than Kyo Ko, but of the three of you, this little stunt confirmed him as the lowest of both the official and real pecking order.
After sharing a meal, and a bad night of sleep agitated by bad dreams of tormenting specters in heavy make up turning face white as snow, exageratingly large lips red as cherry and white wide eyebrows, you get back on the road. Today, you chat with Dan Rol.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714749651472972.gif","filename":"6a546c02aa73e8192588888f5de1ebf0.gif"},"posted":1714749651},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5993142,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":""I hope Little-Big-brother will like it at the sect. As you know, we're heavily focusing our practice on Spiritual Beasts.
- Do you think I can get soul-binded spiritual beasts? It would be great for the Village when I'll get back!
- Honestly? Depends on your luck and talent. I had the Horse gifted to me to bolster my chances as a promising disciple for the upcoming Stable Lotus Harbor City tournament.
- So a good showing at the Tournament could be rewarded? Of course, Esteemed Senior Brother won, right?
- More or less. I've been undefeated. I surrendered in half-finals. My opponent was a friend, he displayed fewer techniques than me, so stepping back improved the sect's chances.
My fondest memory of the tournament is getting two new friends from different sects. So I hope you can participate, the tournament would be held roughtly two month after our return.
Speaking of, the main chances for Disciples to get a spirit is through Transplanhumance, which is happening around these days.
- What? No opportunity for me for one year! Speak about bad timing!
- Or excellent if we make it back fast enough. But a risky one - Spiritual Beasts are dangerous by nature. The Horse spirit was trusted to me because I caught a Dormouse Spirit for the sect."
Better to keep the Kyo Ko involving details out, as well as the Ascendant Golden Flame Hawk - you're not sure how much you can trust Dan Rol, and better to keep your trump cards hidden.
Similarly, you won't ask about his clan cultivation techniques - that is an extremely big Taboo thing to ask, even among Dao Companions.
A couple days later (meaning 4 days since you left Golden Skystone Village, and 10 days since you came around that place the first time), something worth of note happens :
Luo Bin is waiting in the middle of the road, with a new ragtag bunch of misfits.
"Damn it. Should have offed him."
You might had spoke too fast : he's waving his arms, and he and his group have left their weapon on the ground.
"That's... new. What does they want?
- Young master, this LuoBin is glad to meet you again. I have an humble demand : I'd wish to get my slain comrade's plates back."
>Excellent opportunity to get the countryside rid of a handful more bandits.
>"No" and ride away - you're on a schedule, but you didn't spared him to slay him.
>Agree, hands him the plates.
>"Depends on how much you pay for them."
Of course, and as always,
>Write in accepted and encouraged (discussion with LuoBin included)","attachment":null,"posted":1714749712},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5993151,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993142
>And what value do the plates hold to you Luo Bin? If they are just indentification, surely you can just make more in an afternoon.
>But regardless, They are good to show to my sect head the good that is done by curing a bandit problem. What would you exchange for them?
I'd like him to stop being a bandit, but that's probably not on the cards. So what's he got.
Other than that.
>Your wounds have healed up well then? I hope your sect didn't trouble you for being the returning member.
>You lead this group now then? I'm sure it will go well if you are apt to the changing winds.
>Has any news gone about?
I'm thinking we can probably use em to help out with the Golden skystone village, but that may be a misuse.
Anyway, it's best to keep cordial and if the value's just sentimental then I'm inclined to hand it over. But if it's a material good, he can cough up something.
Also, yes, that joke was hillarious Kyo Ko. Quiet Word's discomfort is even funnier when note viewed through his eyes.","attachment":null,"posted":1714750641},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5993210,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5993151
>Also, yes, that joke was hillarious Kyo Ko. Quiet Word's discomfort is even funnier when note viewed through his eyes.
I quite don't get if you're first degree or sarcastic.","attachment":null,"posted":1714755589},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5993312,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993210
First degree tismisc.
The joke was Hillarious. Her execution was well planned and done.
His increasing instinctive discomfort and later torment over the fact is even funnier to me as a disembodied reader even though when I empathise it is viscerally discomforting. Good job Dragon.
Anyway, >>5993151
I wish to amend this. A better plan is after asking the first value question, follow with.
>Of course, have them. By the way this is Dan of the skystone village, I hope you will not make difficulties for his families village or my sect with their tithes.
He gets his friends shit back, we decrease a bandit trouble along a road with our taxes on it. We preserve his life because oh boy, our taxes are getting here one way or another.","attachment":null,"posted":1714763188},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5993328,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993142
>Excellent opportunity to get the countryside rid of a handful more bandits.
No second chances. Get LuoBin to show us what he can do.","attachment":null,"posted":1714764774},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5993360,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993142
>LuoBin, I spared your life because I didn't wish to kill without no need, I expected that you would leave and I wouldn't see you again in years, that maybe you started to live like a honorable person, but that was so naive so I thought you would still live the life of a bandit and we wouldn't cross paths again.
>I showed you mercy and you owe me for it. But instead, you come asking for your comrade's plates days later and with a new group. I will give you another chance, and I will ask you to leave us alone and let us walk the roads without a problem, and if you don't want to, and want to make trouble again, I won't commit the same mistake twice.","attachment":null,"posted":1714768191},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5993419,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993328
>>5993360
I dunno, I don't think you guys are making them most of this opportunity.
One of you wants to kill a guy in our debt and with an In to a notable bandit sect.
And the other wants the same but via threat.
Kinda nothing to gain there. I don't think quiet word is motivated by the harm a bandit group does to a region, or travellers.","attachment":null,"posted":1714774455},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5993525,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993142
>>Excellent opportunity to get the countryside rid of a handful more bandits.
These guys are a bane. LuoBin had his chance to change his ways. Killemall.","attachment":null,"posted":1714785192},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5993675,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993142
Backing >>5993312","attachment":null,"posted":1714797276},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5993680,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993142
>>5993312
>supporting","attachment":null,"posted":1714797869},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5993805,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"So looks like we have a small lead.
Would feel dishonest to wrap the vote as is, I'll let it run a bit more","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714814885439469.png","filename":"Screenshot from 2024-05-04 11-27-16.png"},"posted":1714814885},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5994052,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5993805
Alright, I'm wrapping the vote.
Writing.","attachment":null,"posted":1714837065},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5994146,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">"And what value do the plates hold to you Luo Bin?
- Well, our clan's tradition is to hang those plates on the tombs of the warriors. They would appreciate, and this might avoid their spirits to linger."
A part of you wants to take your weapon. Slay him here and there. Cleanse a bit more the countryside's road.
But you spared him. Let him run last time. You really should have told him to sin no more, but you didn't.
You take a deep breath. Those plates could grant you more clout with the sect.
But you have Kyo Ko and Dan Rol as witnesses. You can do without those plates. And there is something smarter to do about the situation.
Breath in, breath out. A second-long circulation of your internal energy. You regain your calm. After all, your path to greatness is built on connections.
>"Here. Your wounds have healed up well then? I hope your sect didn't trouble you for being the returning member.
- They were glad at least one made it. And your mastery was good enough to let me away with merely scratches. Nothing serious.
>- You lead this group now then? I'm sure it will go well if you are apt to the changing winds.
- This is what I must do for things to go well. Said Wind will blow for us Elusive Freemen.
>- Or death. By my hand if I learn that you and your men attacked some Tamers of Hundred Beasts, or my new brother Dan Rol's village members.
Same goes for trade.
- Alright, after all if I owe my life to Young Master, that mean I owe my life to his sect that raised him to be so virtuous.
I thought you would negotiate for it... Take this as this LuoBin's sincere gratitude."
The man sends you a small leather poach.
>Obtained 9 Qi&Blood pills
That's, to be sure, a pleasant surprise. You pocket the leather pouch, bids a stern farewell to the bandit, and go on your way.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714841764055507.jpg","filename":"6b75e231-8636-4e5f-b0c6-2d77fab5e7d5.jpg"},"posted":1714841764},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5994147,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"A few minutes later, an awfully quiet Dan Rol hurries along, and ask you with a low voice.
"You know, we were pretty sure you just grabbed those bandits plate from your sect coffers or something.
That bandit is a weakling? What's his deal?
- 2nd stage. I beat him and his little group, slayed his men, let this one go.
- "I"? I'm pretty sure I did half of the work."
Kyo Ko have done that thing again. Nowhere to be seen during the interraction with the bandit - you even saw him glancing around in stress when you leaved, probably fearing for his life despite his easy-going attitude - and she appeared out of nowhere. This always startle you a bit, but Dan Rol was clearly not ready.
"AAAaahhh! You... Your... You're a cultivator? Not a maid?
- True Master Kyo Ko, Dragon Foot Dantian. If my cute little brother Quiet Word is your esteemed Senior Brother, you'll have to call me Dearly esteemed Senior Aunt?"
While Dan Rol is having a small mental breakdown, you unmount.
"I guess you're finally trusting him? Good. What's the plan?
- Transplanhumance should happen around 20 days from now, give or take one month - it might already be in progress.
We keep the current rhythm : I'd say 18 days to get back. You load Dan Rol on the horse, we split those pills you just get : 7 or 8 days.
Speeding up improves our chances to catch transplanhumance, but doesn't guarantee it.
Your pills, your choice."
>Conserve the pills
>Consume the pills","attachment":null,"posted":1714841826},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5994151,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994147
>Consume the pills
We didn't had them before for our personal stash, but if we use them there's a possibility we participate in the Transplanhumance, capture something really good with our recent cultivation level, and exchange some spirits for something even greater than these pills.","attachment":null,"posted":1714842214},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5994337,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994147
>Conserve the pills
I don't trust these pills until they get checked out.","attachment":null,"posted":1714851105},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5994372,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994147
>Conserve the pills
What >>5994337 said and also we have other, better pills. And we can see if we have an aptitude for alchemy when we sidequest to find out what these pills do.","attachment":null,"posted":1714852634},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5994384,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994147
>Consume the pills
A few pills are nothing compared to this opportunity","attachment":null,"posted":1714852886},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5994386,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994372
>Other, better pills
Good for cultivating, less so to provide untainted energy using the Hawk's Alacrity skill which require raw energy mix - according that the pills you have on hand are what the label say they are","attachment":null,"posted":1714852918},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5994413,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994386
Well, I'll defer to Elder Sister then.
Change >>5994372 to
>Consume the pills","attachment":null,"posted":1714853734},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5994437,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994147
>Consume the pills","attachment":null,"posted":1714854790},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5994452,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994147
>Consume
Even if not, getting back in a week is good for us","attachment":null,"posted":1714855361},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5994500,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>4884147
>Consume the pills
Also, bathtime with Kyo Ko made me wonder if we can take on the physical attributes of our bound spirits such as eye of hawk or claws of wolf.","attachment":null,"posted":1714858938},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5994881,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994147
>Consume the pills","attachment":null,"posted":1714884350},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5995200,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5994151
>>5994337
>>5994384
>>5994437
>>5994452
>>5994500
>>5994881
Overwhelming win for the Consumers.
>One anon roll 1d60
You hope for high (higher than 18)","attachment":null,"posted":1714929279},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5995213,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 6 (1d60)
>>5995200","attachment":null,"posted":1714929965},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5995221,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995213
Unfortunate doesn't begin to describe your luck.
Locking; update incoming in the next few hours.","attachment":null,"posted":1714930988},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5995224,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Remember: Winners don't do drugs!","attachment":null,"posted":1714931343},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5995265,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995224
Yes we do!
Anyway, welcome to addiction/Poisoning.
I just really really hope we get back to the sect.","attachment":null,"posted":1714934144},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5995266,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995265Did we ever test for poison attribute?","attachment":null,"posted":1714934247},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5995267,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995224
Pills are a cultivators best friend. Them and hyper violence.","attachment":null,"posted":1714934247},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5995344,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":""Wait. Can we at least trust those pills? What if they're laced with poison?
- That bandit friend of yours seemed too simple to pull something like that, but good call.
Send one... Mmh mhh... Jey are glean, regular bills - Kyo Ko spit back the hard ball of medicine.
I don't predict a great Bandit career to that LuoBin."
With that settled, you devote the next week to an insane speed - burning all your obtained pills (Okay, mainly Kyo Ko burning through your pills to keep up on the long range).
A bit better than expected, you made it back to the sect in one week. The only thing in your mind while closing the remaining distance in familiar land : Bed, bath and something other than fasting pills to eat will surely feel amazing tonight.
But first thing first, you must debrief with Ryota.
Sun settled, most Novice and Disciple are in their dormitories. You catch a few master, capitalizing on the end of their daily duties and their lower need for sleep.
"Luck seems to be on our side... Here's the Sect Master."
You wave. That was unnecessary - you feel he was waiting for you. When did he spot you?
"You two look well. And this is?
- Our esteemed guess for a little while, to strengthen the bond between our vassal and the sect.
- Of course. Liu Feng? Can you show our new esteemed guess around? As the Golden Skystone Patriarch Son, of course he have a private guest room."
The Fox Master takes Dan Rol away, while you follow Ryota to his office.
"The two of you are early - more than early. Didn't expected you for almost a month.
How did it went?
- We didn't purged the Patriarch and his village. They tried to double us, but we ruled it more as a vital necessity than a heinous backstab.
Basically, they sold the goods to the Symphony of Gilded Waters Sect. Quiet Word settled things quietly and nicely.
- Here's a down payment for the late taxes - money and a few materials - a letter adressed to you from Golden Skystone Patriarch, and the two talismans.
-I see. Great work you two. Let me read that... Looks like you'll have to get back to the Golden Skystone Village in a few months.
- Quick question : we made our best to come back before Transplanhumance. Did we?
>The roll was for the day of Transplanhumance start
- Missed it by 12 days."
Rats. Those perfectly fine pills where munched for nothing : time was already up around the time you left the Golden Skystone Village.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714940294279476.jpg","filename":"TimesUp.jpg"},"posted":1714940294},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5995345,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":""Kyo Ko, anything to say about Quiet Word's performance?
- He seemlessly slipped into the role. Despite his yonug age, he can skillfully navigate tense social situations and turn things to his advantage.
Not afraid to stand his ground, but still capable of compromising. Got himself respected by a 2nd stage bandit and the 3rd stage Patriarch. I was only there as discrete back-up.
he is a perfect team-mate for my sets of skills, and I think our duo is working well : bringing more members with us was more likely to hinder the mission.
However, he's still young and very inexperimented. We were lucky things went well, I'm not sure how much I would have been able to do in the case of a severe blunder or bad luck.
I know this is why you gave him talismans, but it kept me anxious until the mission's end.
- Very well. The sect owes the two of you. From what you told me, brought back, and I read, you could difficultly have done better.
The sect will be generous in your reward. I'll give you a bit of time to think about what you want."
>Write-in your desired reward for the mission. You can ask for something fairly big
It's a shame you missed Transplanhumance. There is still cultivation - your fundamental have been held on hold for too long.
>Choose 2 :
Potential
>Ask Bathias about his Innate Eye Ability [Unchosable, Bathias is not back from his Mission]
>Ask Ryota about his Read power level Eye Ability
>Improve your Potential Estimation Contraption with Gold lodestone [You'll need other cultivator to go under test for calibration]
Friendship
>Catch up with your fellow disciples
Foundation
>Work on your Foundation [Pills available]
>Work on your Unlimited Rising Star Kick
>Work on your Mental Energy with Dhundan
Weapon skills
>Work on your Windy Cavalier's Halberd [Pills available]
>Work on your Spear style : Blood-Shadow Wolf Painful Assault [Pills available]
Spiritual Beasts
>Investigate on the Scion of the Primordial Wolf Spirit[How?]
>Investigate on the talking Spiritual Beasts[How?]
>Investigate Spiritual Beasts Fight; Spiritual Beasts Absorption
The sect
>Continue to learn how to read
>Help the Poor-talented batch of new kids
Strengthening the Jar
>Slack off [this will be bad for your mental health]
>Improve Immortal Cave - Home Expansion
And, as always...
>Write-in allowed!","attachment":null,"posted":1714940355},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5995348,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995345
>Catch up with your fellow disciples
>Investigate Spiritual Beasts Fight; Spiritual Beasts Absorption","attachment":null,"posted":1714940729},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5995363,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995345
>Ask power level eye skill
>foundation
>Gold aspected beast for Ping and some tailored pills for foundation.
>maybe a treasure examiner","attachment":null,"posted":1714941191},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5995374,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995363
To clarify.
I'd like all three but if they are only going to accept one, pr two, I put it in priority.
Gold beast.
Tailored drugs.
Private treasure examiner (for the tea pot) since I feel that working this crap out ourselves is not going well for our productivity.","attachment":null,"posted":1714941808},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5995431,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995345
>Write-in your desired reward for the mission. You can ask for something fairly big
hold another transplanhumance just for us
haha jk...unless...?
>Ask power level eye skill
>Work on your Foundation [Pills available]
>Catch up with your fellow disciples","attachment":null,"posted":1714946783},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5995434,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995345
>Ask for a golden spiritual beast for Ping Jun.
>If it's not too much of a bother, ask for a supply of growth aspected Lotus Tea
>Train Foundation. Always be foundationing.
>Train Body Shifting: Vision of Hawk, Smell-Sense of Wolf, Virility of Horse. Think on Kyo Ko's statement that a child's body is more mutable than an adult's, so if we're going into shapeshifting it's best to do so now while we are young. We won't need Bathia's ability so much either if we can fly in hawk form ourselves.
I don't think that we need Ryota's eye skill right now, and Kyo Ko can teach it to us if Ryota's not around, so it isn't a priority.","attachment":null,"posted":1714946985},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5995456,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995434
She was pranking Dan bro. We cannot shape shift.","attachment":null,"posted":1714948110},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5995469,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995345
>>Catch up with your fellow disciples
>Ask Ryota about his Read power level Eye Ability
>>Work on your Foundation [No Pills]
Oh look at that we waited too long and the option to make peace between Dhundan and Ai dissappeared. Not ominous at allll.","attachment":null,"posted":1714948551},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5995470,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995469
Eh, not everyone has to like eachother.
All that needs to occur is that they like us.","attachment":null,"posted":1714948629},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5995472,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995469
>>Write-in your desired reward for the mission. You can ask for something fairly big
>Ask for additional protection for Golden Skystone village. All they owe us is for naught if they get wiped out.","attachment":null,"posted":1714948752},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5995792,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995431
>Treasure
Another Transplanhumance is Impossibru.
The power level eye skill is a waste of a reward ask.","attachment":null,"posted":1714969643},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5995799,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995456
And she was implying diligent cultivation at a younger age implies big gainz for the pecker. Still, Body Shifting with parts of your spirit beast is a valid write-in.","attachment":null,"posted":1714969940},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5995805,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995472
>Additional protection
It was already accepted by Ryota in the debriefing - implied by saying you will personally go back to the village in a few months","attachment":null,"posted":1714970307},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5995807,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Anyway,
>Tally Status
Fear not, I won't have time to write before at least 14 hours","attachment":null,"posted":1714970420},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5995808,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995807
It's too early damnit.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714970482365430.png","filename":"Screenshot from 2024-05-06 06-39-45.png"},"posted":1714970482},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5995811,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995472
I'm this guy. Changing to
>Special tea plus gold beast.","attachment":null,"posted":1714970768},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5995832,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Ask for Golden spiritual beast for Ping Jun.
>If it's not too much of a bother, ask for a supply of growth aspected Lotus Tea
>Ask Ryota about his Read power level Eye Ability
>Investigate Spiritual Beasts Fight; Spiritual Beasts Absorption","attachment":null,"posted":1714972726},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5995952,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995345
>>5995832
>supporting","attachment":null,"posted":1714990884},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5996125,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995345
>Write-in your desired reward for the mission. You can ask for something fairly big
MAGIC SWORD MAGIC SWORD MAGIC SWORD
Can we get a magic spear/halberd/jin pls
>Work on your Mental Energy with Dhundan
>Ask Ryota about his Read power level Eye Ability","attachment":null,"posted":1715011453},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5996139,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995832
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1715012440},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5996190,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"Tally status
Winning votes :
>Ryota Eye Skill
>Spirit beast fight investigation
>Special tea + Golden Spiritual Beast as reward","attachment":null,"posted":1715015524},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5996220,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5996190
I'll take a good old Bo3 d100 for the investigation.
DC is 70 - Accepting write-ins and hypothesis, good ones WILL decrease DC.","attachment":null,"posted":1715017419},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5996226,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5996220
More informations from last thread :
>A piece of information comes to mind : a bounded spiritual beast can absorb another, as the greedy Beast Master let slipped. Maybe this is a way to release the shackle of a level-bound beast?
Exact words of said master :
>""I need to see your spirits to avoid them fighting or absorbing the spirits I have over there"
Thus, this can be known beforehand.","attachment":null,"posted":1715017670},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5996263,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 55 (1d100)
>>5996226
It must be that spiritual beasts are composed purely of qi, and by consuming and dominating the qi of another spiritual beast, they gain power far faster than a person could through dutifully cultivating.","attachment":null,"posted":1715019669},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5996296,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5996263
>It must be that spiritual beasts are composed purely of qi,
-1 to DC (69)
>and by consuming and dominating the qi of another spiritual beast,
Good global direction; not exact enough. No credits but this can be a good direction to dig.
>they gain power far faster than a person could through dutifully cultivating.
No credit","attachment":null,"posted":1715021050},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5996314,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 40 (1d100)
>>5996220
Let me see if I can make the theory more specific, here.
>Spiritual beasts are composed purely of Qi.
>Qi is fundamentally just a type of energy, which is present in everything
>The basic process of cultivation is ultimately about absorbing energy and converting it into your own (from potions/pills/food/the environment)
>Spirit beasts are able to directly metabolize energy because that's all they are. It's like rain feeding a lake and changing the water level; it's just nature.
I would even go so far as to suggest...
>Omnivorous/Carnivorous spirit animals may have higher overall potential because they're specialized into devouring other spirit beasts, the same way real carnivores get nutrition from eating herbivore animals.","attachment":null,"posted":1715021991},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5996317,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996314
No credit.","attachment":null,"posted":1715022218},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5996362,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 78 (1d100)
>>5996220
Hmm, My theory then.
The beasts are like magnets, or like our loadstone. When they dominate the beasts that come into place and consume the qi, they do it by converting it to qi like theirs.
Ergo, the better Qi to feed them is like their element. Feed a sun animal fire qi, not a earth element.
However further, different animals have grades and the grade will determine their potential, and that potential probably determines their ability to fight and consume. So if we want to do it safely, we should use our highest quality animal, wolf, and feed him a wolf spirit of any sort but of lower potential.
Or using our growth aspected animal a mid range or low tier beast.","attachment":null,"posted":1715025387},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5996365,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996362
This is to maximise yeild","attachment":null,"posted":1715025447},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5996373,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996362
>The beasts are like magnets, or like our loadstone. When they dominate the beasts that come into place and consume the qi, they do it by converting it to qi like theirs.
>Ergo, the better Qi to feed them is like their element.
-5 to DC
>However further, different animals have grades and the grade will determine their potential, and that potential probably determines their ability to fight and consume.
-1 to DC
>Feed a sun animal fire qi, not a earth element.
Sun is not related to Fire in the setting though.
You scored Quiet Word a triple win.
First, the insights.
Second, your roll of 78 beating the DC by 15.
Enabling turning that roll upon your "normal" cultivation into a meditation-crit and acting immediately upon the insight your roll and writes-in unlocked.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715026260235275.png","filename":"Screenshot from 2024-05-06 20-58-22.png"},"posted":1715026260},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5996399,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996373
Fine, feed a fire beast a heat beast or something.
You get my meaning","attachment":null,"posted":1715028170},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5996478,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"You're really happy to be back home. The familiar faces of your friend, the caring and considerate gaze of the masters.
You also feel better in the spiritual-rich environment of the compound. Lower than the main branch's compounds energy, higher than the Golden Skystone village - wait that's not true : the wastes where energy rich. More balanced, thus more easily to pull from?
It feels good to pull more energy in your Nose Aperture. It feels right. You push aside the thoughts of losing time while on the sect's duty.
Your loyalty to the branch is well-earned, and you chosed to go.
This week is taken slow on the cultivation side - the travel's been exhausting, you have your daily duties of care of the mundane animals.
First, you asked [b]Ryota[/b] to teach you the power-level estimation skill.
"[b]This surely is one of the most fundamental skill to learn for a cultivator.
The process is simple. Let me draw you the diagram of the spiritual art... This is the twin hourglass of the eye aperture.
You just have to spin [red]Qi and Blood[/red] threads to fill those two matrices.
They are simply squared and circles recursively embedded. Start and finish with circle. Depending on your energy and mastery, put more layers.
This will improve your range and precision of sight.[/b]"
This formation demands an amount of fine control you never had to exert before. You make it a daily, hourly occurence of trying to spin a couple threads in the right shape.
Of course, your first attempts are complete failure - first time you try to put way too much threads, overcharging your eyes with energy, resulting in a painful afternoon spent in the research of a dim environment.
But you soonly get the hang of that technique. Soon, you can see the other kid's aperture - in heart in red, eyes in blue, nose in purple, ears in green, mouth in yellow. Second stage kids' cultivators Dantian are overshaded by the blue pools of energy of their minor realms. Third stage masters shows one bright red line, from left palm to the Heart Aperture.
This seems to indicate they are stuck in their cultivation - Ryota got 4 of such lines, burning even brighter as a rope in fire. In addition, two of his bones are purple : those must be the minor realms of 4th Realm.
You also see something you didn't paid attention previously : adult low-skilled cultivator of first or low second realm working as servants.
They clean, cook, trim the sect's garden. You barely noticed them before. Probably poor skill or luck cultivators, winnnig their daily bread working for the branch.
>Investigation
The other half of your free time is devoted to thinking.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715033897792483.png","filename":"Powerlevel_detection_Spiritual_Pattern.png"},"posted":1715033897},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5996479,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"You let your thought wonder, looking for insight a bit like that oniric trip in the Growth realm. You're pretty sure you have plenty of elements to uncover something big.
The sect's master stuck at 3rd realm; like the Golden Skystone Patriarch.
One of Wise Crane story. Lin Xian discovered the secret allowing sect members to cultivate past third realm - secret exclusively taught to Third Realm cultivators that dutifully taught novices. If one discovered that secret, one can rediscover it. Especially after the slip-up from some masters.
You're definitely certain the secret is related to Spirit fighting and fusion.
What could draw a Bounded Spirit Beast to fight?
In nature, Carnivorous spirit eat herbivorous spirit. Could it be...? No.
The Hawk was not disturbed by the Obsidian Thunder Mouse spirit; all animals presented to your soul by the old master where different from the bounded ones. You felt really in danger when you thought the last spirit was a Wolf Spirit. That was instinctive, and a missing piece you didn't grasped the importance of.
[b]A bounded animal spirit might get drawn out by an approaching spirit of the same animal[/b].
Now, why would they fight, why would they fuse?
Wait, why would fusion be a separate occurence than fight? Spirits are made of Qi. A [b]fusion is the result of a consumption.[/b]
Wait. A consumption implies a winner. Maybe your bounded animal losing the fight could be really, really bad news.
What is the fusion doing? Injecting directly in your soul the Qi of the conquered beast, thus improving your realm?
Nonsense. You haven't felt a surge of energy after binding to any of the beast. What you felt where better affinity to pull energy of bounded beast's elements. Maybe you need to feed them a Qi like their element?
You're pretty sure some Spirits have an associated realm - like that high-level Flying Shark that attacked on the way to the Tamer's conclave.
Would fusion let a 2nd or 3rd realm - most of the Sect's bounded spirit - advance a realm?
This could be coherent with the blockage the Master seems to have.
Now, what could be the way? Trying to use a higher-potential spirit like the Hawk or the wolf, and get it to fight something that is of sufficient potential?
You itches to try that theory, you think by closing your eyes circulating your Meditation Technique.
>Meditation crit,
And you're in the Wolf Realm. In a glade, under the Wolf-head shaped rock's shadow.
The Scion of Primordial Wolf Spirit by your side, you feel several presences around you. Instantly overwhelmed by the Primordial.
[b]I thought you child would take care of my cub. He hasn't progressed one single step in your compagny.
Fight. Win and both of you will strive. Lose and I'll give him to a better caretaker after your death.[/b]
You're shivering while the presence vanish. You are circled by three spirit. At least you can pick your fight.
>Sorrowful Steel Wolf
>Illusory Jade Wolf
>Blooming Lotus Wolf","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715034002297255.jpg","filename":"Wolfland.jpg"},"posted":1715034002},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5996484,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996479
>Illusary jade
We are attrocious at illusions. So if we win here, that can be fixed.","attachment":null,"posted":1715034289},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5996508,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996479
>Sorrowful Steel Wolf
>>5996484
Alternatively, if we lose here we die.","attachment":null,"posted":1715036288},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5996517,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996508
I feel like primordial wolf should also give us some slack. We never learned fuck all about this and are trying it out ourselves.
Changing from >>5996484 to
>Steel wolf","attachment":null,"posted":1715037226},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5996531,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996479
I'm between going with the sorrowful steal wolf or the blossoming lotus...
The first might help with our martial going for the Steel angle, but also the sorrowful one feels like it is linked more to the Yin side, which is our weakest side (from what we gather from our terrible affinity with water and our high affinity with Fire+Gold from our Hawk). But maybe it could help balance that inbalance between our Yin and Yang Qi, and also help greatly to empower our Blood-Shadow Wolf technique.
On the other side, the Blossoming Lotus is highly linked with one of our allies, LinWer, and if we get lucky we can buy them their local herb teas who could be infused with SOME Lotus Qi, or we can risk it a lot more of people finding our Wolf Spirit if we want more Lotus-infused cultivation material. And also, maybe the Lotus and Blossoming, are somewhat linked with Life aka Yang Qi which would make more of a huge gap between our Yin and Yang, but empower most of our Yang-aligned Qi Techniques.
But if we're going for a well-rounded build, I feel that I'll vote for
>Sorrowful Steel Wolf
After this, we need to secretly buy some pickaxes (Or even ask nicely to Ryota for some equipment) to keep working on our secret cave base. If we're still really paranoid, as the Primordial Wolf said, our Wolf Spirit would be ten times better in his realm or with a better caretaker than us if we don't seek to improve and train with him.","attachment":null,"posted":1715038896},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5996551,"name":"Anonymous","msg":""This son of mine only wants to grow - he can on your side.
Be wary, as this is not a gift but a curse : most people that can glance at my scion and perceive its worth will try to rip it from you."
>>5996479
>Blooming Lotus Wolf, the wolf of growth. To help our boy grow. We should ask wolf their name too, instead of just calling them wolf.","attachment":null,"posted":1715041324},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5996553,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996531
Grow wolf claws for the digging. Embrace the animal side.","attachment":null,"posted":1715041415},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5996577,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996479
>>Blooming Lotus Wolf
Growth wolf?","attachment":null,"posted":1715044558},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5996613,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996551
>>5996577
I guess our brother is confused: The ones who had the Qi of Lotus + Growth was in a personal Realm the LinWer' Clan has in their instalations
Not because the Wolf Spirit has the property of Lotus means it also has the Growth Qi. It was stuff of destiny the fact that our Golden Hawk had the hidden property of Growth, and when invited by LinWer's Clan they had that secret treasure realm","attachment":null,"posted":1715047599},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5996818,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996479
>Sorrowful Steel Wolf","attachment":null,"posted":1715059284},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5996840,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996479
>Sorrowful Steel Wolf","attachment":null,"posted":1715061081},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5996871,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5996531
>>5996577
If that can help you with that choice :
Yin Qi and Yang Qi are old, big-encompassing categories of Qi. You can be a 99.9% Yang converter-consumer cultivator without problem in my setting. Producing yourself excess of Yin or Yang Qi is however problematic, but this is akin to a genetic disease (and thus not your case)
The Blooming Lotus Wolf is Life and Lotus Oriented, not Growth oriented. You have an extremely good knowledge of Growth, so this is a freebie.","attachment":null,"posted":1715063000},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5997111,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996577
>>5996871
Thanks QM.
In that case I'll change to
>Sorrowful Steel Wolf
Doge shaming.","attachment":null,"posted":1715090832},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5997374,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"Landslide win.
1d100. DC : 40
Good thing is those spirit doesn't know anything about you - thus you can burn trumps in case of failure.","attachment":null,"posted":1715108748},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5997388,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 86 (1d100)
>>5997374","attachment":null,"posted":1715109519},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5997400,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 95 (1d100)
>>5997374
This is a bo3, right? I just don't remember lmao, but i'm going to roll still","attachment":null,"posted":1715110052},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5997406,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5997400
That's a waste of a good roll.","attachment":null,"posted":1715110423},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5997407,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997406
Is such a good roll you should accept it for the next time we have to roll... Riiiiiiiight?","attachment":null,"posted":1715110603},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5997411,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5997407","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715110889762698.jpg","filename":"1689584984691.jpg"},"posted":1715110889},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5997438,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997406
Whenever this happens I console myself with the knowledge that it would be a whole different result if rolled later, so it's not really a waste even if it feels like it.
>>5997407
lmao nice try","attachment":null,"posted":1715112699},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5997464,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"This one.
Like one man, you and the Primordial Wolf Scion spirit face the Sorrowful Steel Wolf
On the limit of your extended perception, you feel the two other spirit receding, going away.
You almost summon the Cosmic Spear Snake spirit. You suppress that instinct.
Instead, you move in a pinch manoeuver. You act as intimidating as you can. The target growls.
You suddenly steps onward, with a sharp head motion akin to a headbut, entering the spirit's personal space.
The wolf takes a low posture, the growl turns into a outward menacing shout, followed by a clawing strike.
Which mean you already won. You were the bait, the Scion of the Primordial Wolf Spirit was the striker.
A jump, the fangs are closing around the wild spirit's throat. Your bonded spirits clench teeth.
The Sorrowful Steel Wolf spirit unravels. A part of its Qi just seems to vanish in your newfound Qi vision.
You spot three colors - for a lack of better word - of Qi remaining. First is vulpine energy, second seems to resonate with your Blood-Shadow Wolf Painful Assault (the Pain Keyword), last one is similar to Gold and Silver, but different enough - obviously Steel.
Those countless threads, like snakes out of a knot assaulting a trespasser, jumps on their killer.
Under the Wolf-Qi threads, the Primordial Wolf Scion spirit starts to unravel too, with the other threads merging in your bonded spirit.
You feel dizzy. What is happening?
"Your soul is tempered with idiot boy. Draw that formation of your sect!"
Flashes of Pain run through your body. Some of those flashes completly stop your motions. Other makes you jerk violently.
Then, there is some stiffness overtaking parts of your members. Turning cold on touch. Way heavier.
Still, you draw the formation of the Soul-merging ceremony, around the whirlpool of Qi threads and you. On your left and right, the twin ogives get filled with fur from a Steelwolf, and gut-clenching wolf screams.
You progressively gets better. The pain starts to recede instead of aggravating. This remains far from over.
Your memory supply a word for what happened. Soul Backlash. A dangerous, life-threatening event.
Without the guidance of the totem spirit of this plane, thing could have gone awfully awry.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715115087174684.jpg","filename":"SorrowfulSteelWolf.jpg"},"posted":1715115087},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5997466,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":""Thank you, great wolf Spirit.
-You survived? I knew you had potential from the first time you walked in the realm.
Now hear my wisdom : Like all spirits, my Scion can fuse once per major realms of yours.
Unlike other spirits, he have two unique perks. First, he can - and will - absorb the first unbounded spirit he fights once per Major realm.
Second, I might provide you the materials when you merge after a fight in my realm. Now scram and survive untill second realm."
With that final words, you're pushed back in the main world.
>Scion of Primordial Wolf Spirit affinities : Steel, Pain
Of course, you go as soon as possible in your Immortal Cave. Summoning the Wolf Spirit there, you examinate him.
His form is almost similar to that of the wolf he defeated - with minor differences, as among two individuals of a same species.
Your bounded spirit looks prouder, healthier, smarter. But at least now the oddity of a seemingly attributeless but high level spirit is somewhat masked.
You're pretty sure an untrained eye couldn't see any difference between the Wolf spirit and a normal spirit. This puts you a little bit more at ease.
>Gold Spirit for Ping Jun
A couple days later, Ryota mandates you to his office.
"We're going to Versatile Harmony Quest compound today. I'm bringing several Gold spirits. We'll gift that friend of yours the one he'll have the best affinity for."
You feel that's very generous from Master Ryota.
The Versatile Harmony Quest sect compounds are in the town itself. Smaller than Stable Lotus town-in-the-town, they still house an impressive amount of students. Where your Sect recruits 15, maybe 20 kids each year, the Versatile Harmony Quest sect accepts everyone with any modicum amount of skill, resulting in twice to thrice as much disciples.
Entering the compounds strike you with how different they seems from what you've already seen : countless courtyards. Some for fist technique training. Some for gardens. Some for beast-tending. Some for metalwork. Some for painting tigers. Some for walking on hands.
This heteroclite collection seems deeply chaotic to you - how can anyone learn in these conditions?
"Ryota.
- All-learning scholar."
The two men simply greet. You can feel the weight of their mutual esteem making using more words a waste of spits.
The Versatile Harmony Quest's master is a middle age tall man. He guides you toward a closed room where Ping Jun is waiting in seiza, then leave.
"Hello boy. My Disciple Quiet Word was rewarded for outstanding feats for the sect. He simply requested a spirit for you.
I brought three. We'll see which one is the more suited for you..."
>Ally long-term build minigame vote!
Which spirit is more suited to Ping Jun among...
>Golden Lifelines Elephant Spirit (Life)
>Empty-framed Golden Lion Spirit (Void)
>Talismanic Golden Horse Spirit (Talismans)","attachment":null,"posted":1715115165},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5997489,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997466
>Talismanic Golden Horse Spirit (Talismans)
A fast mount is quite the prize.","attachment":null,"posted":1715117126},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5997499,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997466
>Golden Lifelines Elephant Spirit (Life)
Void sounds kinda emo
I don't want to make Ping emo","attachment":null,"posted":1715118020},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5997503,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997466
>Empty-framed Golden Lion Spirit (Void)
Void, my favorite element. Time to watch our friend ball out of control.","attachment":null,"posted":1715118168},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5997511,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997466
>>Golden Lifelines Elephant Spirit (Life)
Could this lead down the healer path perhaps?","attachment":null,"posted":1715119084},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5997527,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997466
>Talisman horse
Horse is cool.","attachment":null,"posted":1715120783},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5997549,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997527
So presently our social ties are to the heir of stable lotus and a good potential seedling of versatile harmony.
We are being groomed for leadership and we are good friends with Dhundan, Aoi, the two geniuses and have a good influence over our less talented peers.
This. . Isnt a bad start, being honest. Should last us very well till we reach the peak of 3rd stage, if we stay in the area.","attachment":null,"posted":1715122656},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5997569,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997466
>Talismanic Golden Horse Spirit (Talismans)","attachment":null,"posted":1715124245},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5997571,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997466
Switching my vote >>5997503 to
>Golden Lifelines Elephant Spirit (Life)","attachment":null,"posted":1715124632},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5997608,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997466
?Talismanic Golden Horse","attachment":null,"posted":1715128270},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5997888,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997466
>Talismanic Golden Horse Spirit (Talismans)","attachment":null,"posted":1715147651},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5998671,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"It's close among the Horse and the Elephant, but the former seems slightly more suited than the latter.
"Alright, Quiet Word. here's the materials; I guess you know the ritual? Conduct it while I'll discuss with Master All Learner's Teacher."
They get out of the room, you get Ping Jun to close his eyes : secrets of the sect must be kept;
You draw the mandala of the formation with the precious spiritual charcoal, place the ingredients and the soul bead, and instruct your friend to spin a meditation technique.
His technique is not an Astral Self technique, but this still work to draw in the Spiritual beast.
It takes time. Much more than when done with the fitting technique. Still, it works. After two or three hours where you supervised while the souls get closer, get frightened, crept closer again, hesitate, try to touch, awkwardly get closer, attempt to mingle, fail by lack of know-how.
The merger finally ends. Ping Jun collapse from exhaustion.
Your master and you bids farewell, and leave the Versatile Harmony Sect Compound.
"Ryota, why aren't we going south?
- Oh, we're going to have a look at the All-selling Merchant Alliance Market."
Soon, the galleon-and-chest insignia is over your head. Ryota beelines toward the natural treasure section.
"There. How much for the Purple Bamboo Shoot?"
Ryota pays up. It's quite expensive - almost half of your funds looted on bandits.
"Here. This is not Growth-element tea - you won't ever find some to sell in a market, Growth element is more than elusive...
but this can be drank as infusion and will greatly help you open your Nose Aperture. Of course, as all good things, you will build a tolerance if you drink too much; no point to buy more than that."
You have money. You're in the market. Anything catch your fancy?
>Write-in interresting stuff!
With the amount of money you have, you can get out with 2 or 3 items; thus you can support other's propositions","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715207699636419.jpg","filename":"b174960e-6c63-4fa9-bd61-e5eb799b7b95.jpg"},"posted":1715207699},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5998686,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998671
>A private appraisal.
It's best if the one guy who knows what our teapot does has no connection to us.
>A horse spirit, aspected to soemthing related to warrior. Maybe a specific weapon?
Other ideas are
A bow weapon art
spiritual fruit to share with our friends.
A book for kids about war tactics/ great generals
A spear that bends at our whim, maybe with one of our other minor affinities. Like dance.","attachment":null,"posted":1715209203},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5998693,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998671
>A scarf for Kyo Ko, an instrument for Ai, and a set of lead chopsticks for Dhundan.","attachment":null,"posted":1715209497},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5998736,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998671
I like these >>5998686","attachment":null,"posted":1715211943},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5998809,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998671
>A private Appraisal of the teapot
>A Bow Weapon Art
I'll support these.","attachment":null,"posted":1715216635},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5998933,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Would a spear weapon art even work well with a spear snake or is that like throwing ice cream in a burrito?","attachment":null,"posted":1715221868},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5999133,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998686
>A private appraisal.
> Books on primordial spirits","attachment":null,"posted":1715233424},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5999196,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5998693
I still wonder about the lead chopsticks.
>>5998933
It will work well.","attachment":null,"posted":1715240823},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5999265,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Tally status","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715252356371549.png","filename":"Screenshot from 2024-05-09 12-58-44.png"},"posted":1715252356},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5999812,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998671
>>5998693
Good ideas, support.
>>5999133
+1 to mtg au","attachment":null,"posted":1715292859},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":5999833,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"The lead chopsticks are heavy. They are embarrassing to use if you don't know what you are doing, because you act clumsy with the unfamiliar weight. However, if you use them all the time your hands get stronger and more dexterous with weight. It is hand strength and etiquette training, and gives Dhundan a trump in social combat if he ever shares his chopsticks with someone that he is trying to intimidate.
Plus, it's a bit of a gag gift.","attachment":null,"posted":1715294362},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6000160,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999833
Isn't lead also toxic though","attachment":null,"posted":1715320097},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6000203,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5998686
>>5998693
>>5998736
>>5998809
>>5999133
>>5999812
For now, Appraisal + Bow Art are winning.
A couple hours for Buyer remorse, then I'll write.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715328679227941.png","filename":"Screenshot from 2024-05-10 10-10-01.png"},"posted":1715328679},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6000600,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"You take the opportunity to stroll the Market. What would you get today? Gifts for your close ones? A Spear for yourself maybe?
Why not Spiritual Fruits again? Nothing really catch your eye while strolling across the market.
What about Spiritual Beasts?
There are almost none in the Market. And the prices are prohibitives - three times what you have for a weak-looking Long-legged Ant
"The sect have a monopoly on them.
- Monopoly? What's that?
- We are the one catching them. Our disciples uses them therself, or give them back to the Sect.
The few that trickle through on markets? Don't buy them - the Sect allowed them to be on the stalls, meaning they're worse than sub-par.
You'll have other opportunities. Work digitently, get more favor. You also have the rare instinctive know-how to enter Spiritual realms."
Ryota's word are full of truth. You also have two spiritual beads remaining.
"I think I've seen a "Private Treasure Appraising" service sign. Are they reliable?
- Completely. The All-Selling Merchant Alliance value the privacy of its customer no matter their rank and wealth.
I guess you want to know more about that thing at your belt?"
You walk back toward the booth.
"Hello mister, I'd like a private treasure appraising.
- Hello Master Ryota. Hello disciple. Is it a loot? A craft? A material? A lifebound treasure? An artifact?"
You have absolutely no clue.
"Lifebound. Found on another realm. Alright Quiet Word, I'll leave you alone and will keep up with news of other provinces of the Empire."
On one hand, you are glad Ryota helped you, on the other you never showed him your treasured Teapot. You pay, around half your wealth, and follow the seller.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715368807075813.jpg","filename":"BenThanhMarket.jpg"},"posted":1715368807},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6000606,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"You're brought toward a small room; the second-stage merchant leave you to wait. Once the room is closed, you feel a formation powering up.
A few minutes later, a older looking merchant enters, wearing a blue Kimono.
He's stronger than even Ryota - in addition to the first stage's Aperture, Second stage Dantians, Third stage Meridians, Fourth stage Bones, you can see a energy-rich, blinding, sphere of gold in his dantian.
You turn off your spiritual sight.
"Hello. I am Marketer Golden Eye, Silver Tongue. What's your name?
-Disciple Quiet Word, of Eastern Province branch of Tamers of Hundred Beasts.
-Alright. What do you need help with?"
You unfurl the layers of cloth hiding your Treasured Teapot. The elder man smile.
"This is exactly why I always ask the client to show their need before offering drinks."
He cover your treasure, and opens up the door.
"Gracious Steps? Go fetch my Tea Set Box."
A beautiful girl akin to a carved marble statue that somehow came to life brings the desired Tea Set Box.
The room is closed again, before the Teapot is revealed once more.
"This life-bound artefact seems strong. Try to brew this."
The tea set contains several tea samples. Over the course of your extended tests, you figure out :
- Putting in the teapot one cup of water and one serving of tea outputs two cups of perfectly brewed tea
- You are able to masterfully brew tea, be it the amount of leaves, infusion time and water temperature using the teapot.
- However, this is limited to tea holding a spiritual energy lesser than second stage.
- The Teapot also work for other plant-based brew.
"Not bad. The power signature of the Teapot is greater than a mundane first stage treasure;
I'll assume it's a treasure with Growth aspect. The markings hints at effect at all crossed minor realms.
- Indeed. It had a special shine the first time I used it, just after opening my Eye Aperture.
White and gold. The brewed tea seemed especially potent.
"That mean the spiritual energy limitation of the teapot will certainly be lifted as you raise in level.
There are several possibilities for the abilities of that special, once-per-minor-realm brew.
I have no certitude yet. However, I'm ready to buy the right to sell one or both of the two cups.
You'll just have to write me a letter if you wish so.
If we have such a transaction, I'll make you poor tea in one such private room, and I'll serve the prospective client in an other, guaranteeing the privacy of both."","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715369148265015.jpg","filename":"89708c4e-f4de-4f31-8a11-6e694253be2a.jpg"},"posted":1715369148},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6000608,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"You felt that money was well spent. Lacking a frame of reference, you haven't figured out the teapot could double the effect of a precious ressource.
Next on your list is a Bow skill.
Of course, you won't find the techniques in the Market. You head toward the library of Old Jiang.
"Welcome into Old Jiang Bookstore. Master Ryota and the promising disciple?
Could I dare to hope for new Tamers of Hundred Beasts techniques to join the shelves today?".
It's subtle, but you caught it. Old Jiang stepped in a way letting you, but preventing your master, seeing him hiding a green and brown tale book in his sleeves.
"Nothing like that, Venerable Jiang. My young disciple is having a little session of shopping.
- I see, I see. Maybe I can make an extra effort if that's the case. From my personal treaties collection.
- Don't get fooled, Quiet Word. The old crook is just trying to get leverage on me for getting rarer skill books in the library.
- Of course. But my duty is still to diligently do my part for my community, including nurturing the town's budding talents.
So tell me, young master. What do you desire?
- Martial skill. Bow-oriented."
- If that's so... What tickle your fancy, say?"
>Kirin Slaying Arrow : a somber technique slaying the proverbial benevolent Kirin, bringing doom to the target.
>Illusory Mist Hydra Arrow : an elusive technique. A rain of mist arrows, some illusory, some real, fell on the target as the multiple heads of the Hydra.
>Enduring Crystal Ouroboros Arrow : a counter-intuitive technique, letting crystal arrows take a cicular trajectory
None of that speak to you?
>Write-in a bow technique!
The technique MUST include Leviathan, Phoenix, Army, Dragon, Raiju, Demon, Buddha, Lotus, Giant, Roc, Banshee, Kyubi, Tanuki, Yeti, Hydra, Ouroboros, Moon, Kappa, Sun, Kirin
Once you made your pick, Ryota tells you you're free for the next hour, and enter back in the store.
It looks like he's not really happy about how things went.
>Wait outside patiently
>You're two steps away from Stable Lotus compound; maybe you can share your Purple Bamboo Sprout with LienWen YanEr while you tell her about your adventures?
>Get back in the store. You're curious about Ryota's grievances, and it might be a chance to pocket the tale book.
Of course, you can...
>Write-in!","attachment":null,"posted":1715369209},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6000678,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000608
Can we get a list of our known strong affinities?
Im feeling.
>Sun Clouding Army formations: A set of regimented arrays of arrows set to be fired in sequence to match and counter attack fellow archers.
Something like firing in a tempo to knock aside another arrow and shoot back.
Or set up a 3 by 3 degree to attack a mortal collem. That sort of thing.
>Enter again to understand Ryota's grievences.","attachment":null,"posted":1715375197},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6000715,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000608
>Illusory Mist Hydra Arrow : an elusive technique. A rain of mist arrows, some illusory, some real, fell on the target as the multiple heads of the Hydra.
This one seems cool
>Get back in the store. You're curious about Ryota's grievances, and it might be a chance to pocket the tale book.","attachment":null,"posted":1715377902},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6000786,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000608
>Write-in a bow technique!
Glittering Phoenix's Descent: A powerful but difficult to execute and somewhat costly technique that guides the descent of an arrow, extending it's range and changing it's trajectory.
>Get back in the store. You're curious about Ryota's grievances, and it might be a chance to pocket the tale book.","attachment":null,"posted":1715383729},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6000833,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000608
>Gliding Pheonix Arrow: A technique good for shooting quickly and accurately in high winds or from a mount.
>>Wait outside patiently
Dude is probably buying pr0n.","attachment":null,"posted":1715389107},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6000937,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000608
>Gliding Pheonix Arrow: A technique good for shooting quickly and accurately in high winds or from a mount.
Mounted archery, you say? *throat singing intensifies*
>>You're two steps away from Stable Lotus compound; maybe you can share your Purple Bamboo Sprout with LienWen YanEr while you tell her about your adventures?
Maybe apologize for our abysmal showing last time?","attachment":null,"posted":1715399869},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6001024,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000678
>Sun Clouding Army formations
Not a valid name - should have said MUST include One and only one of...","attachment":null,"posted":1715410087},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6001061,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000678
>Known strong affinities
I'd advise you guys to bring together a spreadsheet, a pastebin or something adjacent as my "Character sheet" notes contains spoiler and such won't share it; and I don't want to also share my "affinity table" as it is a way to abstract crunch and numbers in the quest.
What You know, from the top of your head :
>You're gifted with Wolf, Horse and Meteor-Hammer
>You're exceptionally good with Hawk, Snake, Astral Self, Spear and halberd
You have a certain affinity with Shadow, Gold, Space and Earth; you lack true Qi or more related techniques to measure them with aforementioned skills.","attachment":null,"posted":1715416764},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6001066,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000678
>Changing technique to Hawk Army Array","attachment":null,"posted":1715417110},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6001145,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">Tally Status
I took a bit of liberty with the wrote-in Phoenix skill to reflect more your intention.
To be honest, >>6000786 is more a Skill than a Technique (skill that will be embedded in unlockable techniques of Gliding Phoenix Arrow if you switch your support)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715423885742586.png","filename":"Screenshot from 2024-05-11 12-36-06.png"},"posted":1715423885},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6001175,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000608
>>6000786
>>6001145
Ok, switch to support >>6000833 bow technique","attachment":null,"posted":1715427178},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6001189,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001066
Changing to support
>Gliding Pheonix arrow.
Mounted archery I guess.","attachment":null,"posted":1715430351},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6001344,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001145
I'm interested in how a 5(or is it 6) word technique plays out with our slightly above mediocre talent with bows.","attachment":null,"posted":1715444951},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6001359,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001344
It's 5 keywords (archer and arrow are the same, it was just to find a way to make it sound right)
I guess you will find out :)","attachment":null,"posted":1715445935},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6001386,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000833
I'm changing my own vote at the last second to a mounted stability and accuracy focus only technique with less keywords. I think we can't quite pull off 5 keywords and would be better served by a technique with a narrower mounted focus with 3 keywords and then picking up a second technique later for the non-mounted stuff we want like curving the arrow and good aim in high wind(a likely defensive technique component) if it seems useful
>Write-in Technique: Mounted Pheonix Arrow","attachment":null,"posted":1715448368},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6001388,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"Alright.
>>6001375
I let everyone chime in if that's so. Good opportunity to let you players have more control. Try to find a consensus; how much keyword do you feel comfortable with? 6 is certainly too much, 3 might be a waste and too few.","attachment":null,"posted":1715448479},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6001390,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"Reminder : it is known that best techniques for a cultivator are mixing elements you're familiar with some you struggle.","attachment":null,"posted":1715448600},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6001400,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001388
Thanks for your input, QM, I appreciate it.","attachment":null,"posted":1715449788},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6001638,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001388
4 or 5.
So long as we stack the deck with what we are good at, then we can raise the shit out of our terrible attributes.
Our big weakness is illusions. Abysmal. Horrible. Antithetical.
So adding illusion to "Hawk mega-hammer spear" would be a decent way to raise it.
Id prefer a 50/50 or 2/3rds share be good for us. But this is best done at 4 words.","attachment":null,"posted":1715468021},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6001676,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001638
So a future technique we might want to revisit Illusory Mist Hydra Arrow technique or a Liquid Lightning Kicks technique or something to shore up the most punishing weaknesses.","attachment":null,"posted":1715471192},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6001851,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000608
I like to brainstorm and make shit up, so I'm gonna do some write-ins. But unless like half the anons vote for them, then QM count my real vote for whatever the current option has more votes
>Raiju's Two-Strike Feint Arrow Attack: The arroz shine with electricity and it looks like it parts in two, but the second is an illusory arrow. The Illusory arrow strikes first, making a blinging explosion of light, but the real attack comes with the real arrow, making a thundering sound when it impacts, but also sending an electric wave that paralyze the target that gets hit
>Banshee's Mournful Crying Arrow: The Arrow blends the air which it travels, making a harrowing sound that has the quality that it terrorized those that hears it, except for the caster and up to two allies.
>Demon's Flaming Army: The arrow is shoot upwards, and once it touches the floor a rift is opened where small battalion of Imps comes out, ready to follow the casters order. If this battalion is eliminated, after a time they're summoned again on the rift. The way to stop the Imps from being summoned is by stoping the arrow from hitting the floor, or after it lands closing the rift
>Ouroboros' Infinite Cadence Quiver: The caster decides a rhythm which he draws an arrow and shoots it from it's bow. Once this starts, the Caster needs to keep shooting in the same rhythm, creating a time loop where the same arrow appears on the quiver and is able to damage the target. The way to stop this, is by disrupting the rhythm of the Caster or outright stopping it
I thing this is really overpowered, but my logic is that a seasoned Bow fighter can get A LOT from this technique. Or maybe even someone like Ai which I got inspired. If I remember correctly, one of the times we passed time with her, she was singing or something, and if there exist some kind of Artistic Qi or Dao which revolves on Music, Cadence, Rhythmn or Symphonies. But also those who has control over a hypothetical and not confirmed Qi of Time and stuff like that.
>Raging Descending Dragon Arrow: The caster tense his bow as much as possible, putting all the strength on it and canalize his Qi on the Arrow. Once he let it go, the Arrow roars, and it follows it path uncontested, moving away any arrow in his way or destroy non-living obstacles thanks to a Qi barrier. What limits the Arrow from the target depends if the Arrow was made with good materials, the obstacles are more durable than mundane objects, or some Daoist more powerful than the Caster stops or resist the Arrow.
Imagine it like there's a Qi barrier around the arrow taking the form of a Dragon. If the arrow is made from soft or really cheap materials, and the obstacle is of more durable material, the arrow destroys and the Qi barrier is dispelled as if nothing happened.
I can make a lot more, but I'm already at the limit lmao
>Get back in the store. You're curious about Ryota's grievances, and it might be a chance to pocket the tale book.","attachment":null,"posted":1715481932},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6002028,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>6001400
>>6001638
>>6001851
Alright I think this ran long enough
I'll use a bit of my QM's prerogative on this one.
>Locking Mounted Archer’s Wind-Gliding Phoenix Arrow","attachment":null,"posted":1715499056},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6002182,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">Get back in the store. You're curious about Ryota's grievances, and it might be a chance to pocket the tale book.
No hesitation. You go back in Old Jiang's bookstore - maybe Ryota is buying some Adult books, about Accounting or something like that?
"absolutely not right to give such a strong technique to a first-stage cultivator!
- This Old Jiang didn't gave the technique. Old Jiang sold it.
- Sold it? For a couple coins-string? Cut it. This technique was more than good enough for letting me overcoming my current 4th stage bottlenecks!
- This Old Jiang see. Jealousy? Maybe your young Disciple can share the book with you?
- The book have been carefully selected by you to fit Quiet's Word like a glove. Despite how hard the technique is, he have a good chance of partial insights even at first stage.
I beg Venerable Old Jiang to stop taking me for an idiot.
- Then this Old Jiang will beg Inborn Emperor's Boar to stop being an idiot."
They have not seen you yet. You feel like Old Jiang have a lot of nerve for a Second stage frail old man.
After all, Master Ryota is one of the town's ten most influing people.
First place is of course for LienWen YanEr father, the Venerable Stable Lotus. Then, there is the Military Commandant, All Learner's Teacher from Versatile Harmony, the Buddhist Temple Abott, the Sun Priest, The Abyssal Water Temple master...
The last retort from Old Jiang seemed to have shut Ryota up. He ponders for a while.
"I can't figure out why you've done that. I already told you I won't give you anything in return.
- And this Old Jiang already answered it did not gave the technique as a plot to grab your sect's secrets.
- I don't accept you're doing it from goodness of heart.
- And you're right. Hello again, Quiet word.
- Looks like negociation are shorter than I expected. And I'm at a loss as I didn't understood what you got out of this.
Come on, Disciple. We'll take our leave now.
- Wait! I came back because I forgot something. Not something really important, but still...
I'd like a story book to train my reading.
- Anything in particular?
- The one you hide from Ryota in your sleeve when we entered."
Both of the men burst out in laughter.
"You old fox.
- Bold ask, kid. Here. But I want your word it's for your eyes only. Ryota, consider this the payment for the other technique."
The tension defused, you walk back to the sect.
"The shrewd crow. I gave my word, but the curiosity will keep nagging me.
This is almost enough to make me forget about the news from the Capitol city...
- News from Capitol city?
- The Emperor is unwell. He won a empire-threatening battle, at the cost of a nasty wound several decades ago. Said Wound is flaring up once again."","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715509653348611.jpg","filename":"9d567cb2-2f68-40ea-abe3-3cfb1091e497.jpg"},"posted":1715509653},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6002184,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"It's been one year and four months since you joined the Eastern Province branch of Tamers of Hundred Beasts.
Choose 3 :
Wondrous ressource use :
>Share your Purple Bamboo Shoot [Write in who. If not a member of your sect, it counts as one of your 3 actions]
>Consume Purple Bamboo Shoot alone [Free action]
Potential
>Ask Bathias about his Innate Eye Ability [Unchosable, Bathias is not back from his Mission]
>Improve your Potential Estimation Contraption with Gold lodestone [You'll need other cultivator to go under test for calibration]
Friendship
>Catch up with your fellow disciples your age
>Check if things are going well for Dan Rol
Foundation
>Work on your Foundation [Pills available]
>Work on your Unlimited Rising Star Kick
>Work on your Mental Energy with Dhundan
Weapon skills
>Work on your Windy Cavalier's Halberd [Pills available]
>Work on your Spear style : Blood-Shadow Wolf Painful Assault [Pills available]
>Work on your Mounted Archer’s Wind-Gliding Phoenix Arrow
Spiritual Beasts
>Investigate on the talking Spiritual Beasts[How?]
>Investigate Spiritual Beasts Fusion - what are the consequences and lesson to learn from the Scion's progress?
>Investigate Body Shifting with your Spiritual Animals
>Try reading on your own "The true Story of Gar Ruk, Realm Wanderer"
The sect
>Continue to learn how to read with Ryota
>Help the Poor-talented batch of new kids
Strengthening the Jar
>Slack off [this will be bad for your mental health]
>Improve Immortal Cave - Home Expansion
And, as always...
>Write-in allowed!","attachment":null,"posted":1715509714},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6002216,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002184
>>Improve Immortal Cave - Home Expansion
>>Continue to learn how to read with Ryota
>>Work on your Foundation [Pills available]","attachment":null,"posted":1715514004},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6002225,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"Just saw I messed up a copypaste.
It's been one year and four months since you joined the Eastern Province branch of Tamers of Hundred Beasts.
Meaning the Stable Lotus Yearly turnament will happen in two months of time","attachment":null,"posted":1715514588},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6002246,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002184
>Use our shoots for ourself.
>Foundation
>windy cavalier style
>Catch up with fellow disciples.
I dont think we need to go to the yearly tourniment.","attachment":null,"posted":1715517123},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6002247,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002246
And use pills for foundation","attachment":null,"posted":1715517191},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6002333,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002184
>Catch up with your fellow disciples your age
>Work on your Foundation [Pills available]
>Investigate Spiritual Beasts Fusion - what are the consequences and lesson to learn from the Scion's progress?","attachment":null,"posted":1715523950},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6002438,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002184
>Free Action: Share Purple Bamboo Shoot w/Dhundan if he's working on his nose stage. If he's not in it, but AI is, then share with AI. Might was well use it before we're out of the stage.
>Action 1: Foundation. Always be foundationing.
>Action 2: Catch up with fellow disciples. Goes with the tea.
>Action 3: Train formation fighting with the squad (goes with the socializing). (I'd also be fine with learning a new trump or combat skill for the individual competitions, but squad tactics go well with socializing).","attachment":null,"posted":1715531623},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6002445,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002184
>Work on your Foundation [Pills available]
drugs drugs drugs
>Work on your Mounted Archer’s Wind-Gliding Phoenix Arrow
gotta try out the new technique and we heard it was considered strong by the sect leader soooooo
>Investigate Spiritual Beasts Fusion - what are the consequences and lesson to learn from the Scion's progress?
Want to figure this out before we do something irreversible","attachment":null,"posted":1715533855},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6002640,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002184
>>6002438
+1 Gotta prep for tourney","attachment":null,"posted":1715547932},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6003140,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002184
>>Share your Purple Bamboo Shoot with Dhundan Kepa
>Improve your Potential Estimation Contraption with Gold lodestone [You'll need other cultivator to go under test for calibration]
>Improve your Potential Estimation Contraption with Gold lodestone [You'll need other cultivator to go under test for calibration]
>Work on your Mental Energy with Dhundan","attachment":null,"posted":1715578043},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6003189,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>6003140
For that one, you need to Write-In who you're pulling for calibration.
You can't take an option twice.
>>6002216
>>6002333
>>6002445
You missed the Purple Bamboo Shoot part of the vote","attachment":null,"posted":1715583102},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6003274,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">Tally status
So, locking Foundation + Catching up.
Still letting open the 3rd option (buyer remorse time enabled); the Shoot will be most likely shared with Dhundan.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715592381253668.png","filename":"Screenshot from 2024-05-13 11-22-36.png"},"posted":1715592381},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6003283,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002246
Changing from windy cavalier to
>Investigate spirit fusion
Then I'm gonna suggest we train our mental energies next turn. Would be useful.
Especially since he has gone up two minor realms since last we did.","attachment":null,"posted":1715593351},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6003323,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003189
>>6003140
>Share your Purple Bamboo Shoot with Dhundan Kepa
>Improve your Potential Estimation Contraption with Gold lodestone [You'll need other cultivator to go under test for calibration] Dhundan Kepa
Work on your Foundation
>Work on your Mental Energy with Dhundan","attachment":null,"posted":1715600370},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6003390,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">Catching Up
You take time this week with your friends. You don't go much over what exactly happened, just that you were on a mission for the sect and it went more than well. Dhundan doesn't really care, and grunt on how you've made a terrible choice that delayed your cultivation.
Ai also doesn't get it, but understand it seems important for you. She says she's happy for you. Under your perplex gaze, she retracts into a "sorry that happened?". Those two are awfully, and irremediably, out of touch.
Ai had much progress recently : she's on the verge of breaking over the Nose Aperture. Dhundan, brooding, admit he's a bit behind her.
Sin Din is close to breaking her Eye Aperture open., Yi Norm is halfway there Man Din is severely lagging behind the other members of your gifted group.
With the tournament closing by, and Ai reiterating her lack of will to fight, you decide to share the rewarded Purple Bamboo Shoot with Dhundan.
Secretive and keeping for himself as ever, you can't invite him to sit down and drink with you. Plus, you're not showing him your prized Teapot like that. As such, when he leaves for his secret lone training, you follow him, order him cryptically to wait here for 10 minutes, shove the cup brewed out of his sight in his hand while having you yourself, then empty your cup in one go while keeping eye contact. He follows suit.
The drink is almost tasteless. But with each gulp, you smell the delicate bitter aroma filling up your nose.
The aroma stucks and lingers. Now, like a sponge, each breath you take stockpile smells. Those smells, located behind the Nose Aperture, push on the wall of said Aperture.
A Wall? Wait, you never felt something like that! Other Aperture where a simple matter of stockpiling energy until the Aperture overflows...
>Foundation
The Purple Bamboo Shoot helps tremendously your progress - you estimate you won around a month and a half of amazing filling speed of your aperture in merely two weeks, in addition to the strange pressure you're feeling.
Dhundan broke through a few days before Ai - making him the first of your group; Sin Din also broke through this week.
However, you finished your pills suiting your style - meaning slower progress in the foreseeable future.
You regret the waste of the perfectly good pills provided by LuoBin, speeding you up toward figuring you would have been too late anyway.
A few pills - 4 - remains for your Spear style : Blood-Shadow Wolf Painful Assault. And 10 are suited to Wind and Horse energies.
Wait a minute... Those Wind and Horse pills... They should work for the Mounted Archer’s Wind-Gliding Phoenix Arrow, right?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715607010146743.jpg","filename":"bambooTea.jpg"},"posted":1715607010},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6003392,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">Spirit Beast Fusion
You've given a bit of thought to the Primordial Wolf words :
"Like all spirits, my Scion can fuse once per major realms of yours.
Unlike other spirits, he have two unique perks. First, he can - and will - absorb the first unbounded spirit he fights once per Major realm.
Second, I might provide you the materials when you merge after a fight in my realm. Now scram and survive untill second realm."
You know that fusion is a big secret of the Tamers of Thousand Beasts : it is usually kept out of reach of Tamers of Hundred Beasts.
You still haven't figured out what you will be doing with that knowledge, but now is not the time with how partial said knowledge is for now.
Fusion also means potential Soul Backlash : thus, fusion must be prepared before it happens. It could be a life-saving measure to prepare an array of materials linked to your remaining spirits, and don't act recklessly with Hawk, Horse and Snake spirits for the time being.
The more you think about it, the more you come to a conclusion : not merging your bounded spirits while you're still in First Stage will result in a big missed opportunity.
Two weeks have come and passed in a finger's snap. Gro Ta is back from his mission. Bathias still isn't.
Choose 3 :
Potential
>Ask Bathias about his Innate Eye Ability [Unchosable, Bathias is not back from his Mission]
>Improve your Potential Estimation Contraption with Gold lodestone [You'll need other cultivator to go under test for calibration]
>Ask Ryota about Nose Aperture Breakthrough
Friendship
>Attempt to mend things between Ai and Dhundan [Unchosable, Dhundan is stabilizing]
>Check if things are going well for Dan Rol
>Train Squad Tactics
Foundation
>Work on your Foundation
>Work on your Unlimited Rising Star Kick
>Work on your Mental Energy with Dhundan [Unchosable, Dhundan is stabilizing]
Weapon skills
>Work on your Windy Cavalier's Halberd [Pills available]
>Work on your Spear style : Blood-Shadow Wolf Painful Assault [Pills available]
>Work on your Mounted Archer’s Wind-Gliding Phoenix Arrow [Pills available]
Spiritual Beasts
>Investigate on the talking Spiritual Beasts[How?]
>Investigate Body Shifting with your Spiritual Animals
>Try reading on your own "The true Story of Gar Ruk, Realm Wanderer"
The sect
>Continue to learn how to read with Ryota
>Help the Poor-talented batch of new kids
>Ask Gro Ta how things went in Water Bushes Cove
Strengthening the Jar
>Slack off [this will be bad for your mental health]
>Improve Immortal Cave - Home Expansion
And, as always...
>Write-in allowed!","attachment":null,"posted":1715607071},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6003436,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003392
>Ask about nose breakthrough.
>Practice Spear style.
We need it for the tourniment. And after reflection, cant allow our rival to be left unsatisfied.
>socialise Ao
Good for our mental health and good for the sect.","attachment":null,"posted":1715611679},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6003478,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003392
Backing >>6003436","attachment":null,"posted":1715615843},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6003734,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>6003436
>>6003478
Unless the typo is fixed, I will apply the most vexing parse https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Most_vexing_parse and you will socialize someone or something named Ao.","attachment":null,"posted":1715633168},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6003738,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003734
Whoops
I'm sure it was supposed to be Au","attachment":null,"posted":1715633252},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6003763,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003734
Fak.
Ai. Her name is Ai, the manic pixie dreamgirl","attachment":null,"posted":1715634980},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6003764,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003436
I am he and change this to
>Socialise Ai.
I and O are next to eachother.","attachment":null,"posted":1715635040},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6003785,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"You mean Ai, the flautist.","attachment":null,"posted":1715637120},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6003812,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003392
>Ask Ryota about Nose Aperture Breakthrough
>Work on your Spear style : Blood-Shadow Wolf Painful Assault [Pills available]
>Help the Poor-talented batch of new kids","attachment":null,"posted":1715638906},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6003822,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003734
Clearly we should Socialize Ao, the God Above All from dungeons and Dragons
He needs more friends.","attachment":null,"posted":1715639423},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6003830,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003392
>Work on your Foundation (always be foundationing, even if there's a chance of missing a fight due to stabilization). Besides, how many other sects will have three Noses our age. There are two more steps in Stage 1, so we aren't missing out on the opportunity for our beasts to eat yet. Maybe need to feed them at next year's beast hunt though.
>Ask Ryota about nose breakthrough? Not sure how forthcoming he will be, but we did give him magic nose water.
>Work on your spear style (it's trendy)","attachment":null,"posted":1715640076},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6003942,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003738
That's golden.","attachment":null,"posted":1715647905},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6003945,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003392
>>Work on your Foundation
>>Investigate on the talking Spiritual Beasts[Talk with Hawkmaster]
>>Investigate Body Shifting with your Spiritual Animals (we digimon frontier now)","attachment":null,"posted":1715648159},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6003983,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003392
>Work on your Foundation
>Work on your Mounted Archer’s Wind-Gliding Phoenix Arrow WITH PILLS
>Train Squad Tactics
Gotta get good, also write-in alteration to squad tactics: work on any bottlenecks in Yi Norm and the twins","attachment":null,"posted":1715650143},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6004035,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003945
Changing from this. To:
>>Work on your Foundation
>>Train Squad Tactics
>>Investigate Body Shifting with your Spiritual Animals (we digimon frontier now)","attachment":null,"posted":1715652274},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6004288,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003392
>Ask Ryota about Nose Aperture Breakthrough
>Train Squad Tactics
Work on your Mounted Archer’s Wind-Gliding Phoenix Arrow no pills, we probably won't break through in time for the tournament anyway and I worry about getting resistant
.","attachment":null,"posted":1715669284},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6004443,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"Tally Status.
As usual, enough time for buyer remorse to settle in.
If nothing change, the winning options are
>Nose Ask Ryota
(>>6003830 you're mixing SectMaster with Dhundan, your resident DarkSasuke)
>Foundation
>Spear Style : Blood wolf attack in the painful shadow","attachment":null,"posted":1715690883},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6004445,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>6004443
I can't deal with my self faggotry on a daily basis.
Missing picrel in picrel","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715690944433077.png","filename":"Screenshot from 2024-05-14 14-43-52.png"},"posted":1715690944},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6004837,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Allright. Due to shenanigans, I'll need a roll.
Bo3d100, DC 70","attachment":null,"posted":1715715620},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6004841,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 51 (1d100)
>>6004837
o geez dc 70","attachment":null,"posted":1715715835},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6004851,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 92 (1d100)
>>6004837
Maybe","attachment":null,"posted":1715716228},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6004861,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 17 (1d100)
>>6004837","attachment":null,"posted":1715716646},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6005018,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"Over the course of the week, you cultivate diligently, spinning threads of Qi and Blood from your Body Tempering technique, and pulling them in the Aperture with your Meditation technique. You are between two-third and three-quarter full. Rising slightly your Qi and Blood feels like water gushing and slushing from both parts of the Wall.
This matter of "Wall" feels concerning and important enough to ask Ryota for a bit of his time and direct supervision. He can't give you much time before the end of the week.
In the meantime, you of course train your Spear Style.
Progress are smooth - although they haven't quite caught up with your Foundation, your raw Spear Skill should be an overwhelming challenge to anyone that haven't opened their Eye Aperture.
Around the end of the week, Ryota joins you in the fields.
"Your progress are good, Quiet Word. Good enough to attempt shattering your current bottleneck.
- So early?
- Yes. You see, the Nose Aperture is unique in the first realm : it does not need to overflow to connect with the energy circuit, but to break a iron wall in your Nose. There are ways to turn that gate from Iron to Wood - such as the Purple Bamboo Shoot you were rewarded with.
Now, follow my voice. Spin your threads in the Nose Aperture. Turn the liquid into a snake, coiling in bawl. Keep the snake moving. Let him pick speed.
Faster. Faster. FASTER. Send the snake headbutt the wall."
The Wall, frailed by the decoction, shatters.
The accumulated energy surges in your body, running from your nose to your eyes to your heart to your muscles.
That's exhilarating. This is the moment that cement a certitude in your brain. Cultivation feels amazing. Training, Improving, feeling so much power...
It's freeing, really. You take a deep breath, and release a mouthful of bad air.
The spiritual energy, contained in your breath, spins into a Qi and blood thread. It is sent in your Eye Aperture, then from there your Heart Aperture, then your muscles. You feel dizzy - like the energy surge disrupted the finely tuned balance of a tower of pebbles.
"Nose Aperture is unique. Closer to second stage bottleneck than any other aperture; opening it means every breath you take is like cultivating.
Now come on, you'll have to stabilize your realm now. As you broke through early, this will be faster than if you filled to the brim your aperture."
This time, you were luckier than during your last Minor Realm breakthrough: shattering the wall separating your Nose Aperture to your Bloodstream let you awake an Innate Nose Skill
>Write-in your Innate Skill!
This might be picked on an arbitrary manner of my chosing among write-in. Try to provide me diverse choices.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715724949453594.jpg","filename":"nose-1358583830.jpg"},"posted":1715724949},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6005020,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"You're taken into some closed rooms of the main compound - you're pretty sure Dhundan might be nearby, haven't seem him all week.
You sit, meditating near a pitcher of water and a handful fasting pills. There is much to do, so little time.
>Foundation : Nat 100 on Way of the Spiritual Beast Whisperer (again)
Another breakthrough in your technique?
>Enter a Secret Realm [Wolf, Horse, Snake, Hawk?]
>Technique Advancement : create a new technique based on this one. You can add or replace one keyword in the technique
Current keywords : Astral Self, Beast Taming","attachment":null,"posted":1715725049},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6005022,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"A/N : I think this is the last vote of the threads.
Time for Q/A
>What did you like in this thread?
>What did you dislike?
>Who's your favorite NPC?
>Who's your most disliked?
>What do you want to see (or see more of) next time?
Kudos for not worsening the mental health of our little boy. Who knows, he might recover.","attachment":null,"posted":1715725186},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6005033,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Smell people's/animal's emotions. Scared? Excited? Lying?","attachment":null,"posted":1715725831},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6005037,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005018
I have no idea if this is appropriate or not but...
> Primordial Wolf Nose: You can smell spiritual energy, and with some practice tell the difference between different types. Eventually you may even be able to follow trails of it like a wolf tracks their prey.","attachment":null,"posted":1715725994},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6005040,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005018
>The Nose skill: Smell aspects of beasts/techniques/treasures. Things we are good with/naturally proficient at, smell nicer and come through clearer. Things related are less clear, things we are bad at are hazy, and things we are terrible at smell horrid, like actual shit.
>Enter Hawk realm
We have raised our wolf. Lets work on Fusing our Hawk next, then we can do our horse. And then our snake. Poor snake, oft neglected.
>Add term, Meteor-Hammer
I dont see an issue here. It will add sheer combat power, and given our affinity for it, not raise the DC that much, if at all. Maybe even lower it, due to our high affinity.
>>6005022
We got shit done. We did actually engage in missions that we had prepared for. Liked that.
Dislike. We dont have. . Well, Time to do everything. Yeah, I know, thats the point. But we have so much to do, Socialise the autists, Investigate our own routes, network with others, train train train before our true qi runs out. So some things will invariably fall behind. Dhun needs some more loyalty to the sect.","attachment":null,"posted":1715726206},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6005047,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005022
What did you like?
- Exploration of mystic herbology. Also the continued openness to write-ins.
What did you dislike?
The picture looking up the kid's nose. Would also like occasional updates on Quiet Word's status.
Who's your favorite NPC?
- Quiet Word. Other than him, Dhundan for consistency and Kyo Ko for being funny. I want to like Ai, but she's never around.
Who's your most disliked NPC?
Ai. For having so much potential but not being around (even if that's b/c of our choices).
What do you want to see more of?
Occasional status update. Tacticool fighting. Puzzles. Pretty pictures.","attachment":null,"posted":1715726581},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6005049,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005033
>>6005037
Seems qe were all kinda follwoing the same track.
Ill diversify a bit since I posted too soon. And I'm quite furstrated by sect policy to not tell us rather useful and important information about our breakthroughs. Like that the nose apature is a wall not an overflow.
Favorite NPC is probably the young mistress. Gotta respect the rival.
I enjoy kyo ko or Snake mistress. Both seem smart and mischivious. Ryota and Dhun are cool but. . Well, we are busy.
What would I like to see. . Maybe calling on our connections to fix things. Like we did with gold aspect for Ping.
I also expect our new hawk master is in trouble.
>>6005018
>Other ideas: "Poison sealing nose" which effectively gathers negative gas and filters it through with Qi, allowing you to breath but also expel the gas as an attack.
"All breath", as above but just. Water breathing/toxin breathing.
"Energy breathing", a peculiar and confusing breathing pattern which lowers the cost of other technics, either by siphoning off energy from each breath to partly fill an array formation, or making energy last longer by lengthening the threads it produces. Only works if this doesnt consume energy tho, so. Eh. May actually just be what this apature does anyway.","attachment":null,"posted":1715726983},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6005053,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005049
Energy breathing could go the other way, supercharge a technique by gathering a lot of energy and pushing it into a single technic.
Maybe. Anyway, I still say adding sheer combat power into our foundation technique is a great move.","attachment":null,"posted":1715727509},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6005093,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005020
Realm
>Horse, so we can go faster and do more.
Technique Advancement
>Unlimited Astral-Self Kick","attachment":null,"posted":1715730143},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6005101,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005018
Wise Elephant Nose
Can identify any smell and recall when it has been smelled before.
>>6005020
Hawk Realm
Add keyword 'Growth'
>>6005022
>What did you like in this thread?
Shota king of the hinterlands
>What did you dislike?
>Who's your favorite NPC?
Kyo Ko. Penis jokes shes zased
>Who's your most disliked?
Golden skystone daughter. hag.
>What do you want to see (or see more of) next time?
random events, maybe a bonus d100 for events each fortnight?","attachment":null,"posted":1715730712},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6005107,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Oh, it's a trait that we're adding, not a technique keyword. In that case, Charismatic. People give better gifts when they like you.","attachment":null,"posted":1715731007},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6005207,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005020
>Other ideas: "Poison sealing nose" which effectively gathers negative gas and filters it through with Qi, allowing you to breath but also expel the gas as an attack.
Technique Advancement: Beast Taming Hawk Vision Sharing - a recon technique used to see through your spirit Hawk's eyes","attachment":null,"posted":1715737520},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6005522,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005040
Breakthrough is a choice among secret realm or editing technique, not both.","attachment":null,"posted":1715761676},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6005524,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005101
As said, breakthrough is chosing among secret realm or editing technique.","attachment":null,"posted":1715762139},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6005596,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005522
Sorry, I am tarded.
>>6005040
>Just hawk realm, not hammer
One day.","attachment":null,"posted":1715768505},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6005662,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005524
>>6005101
Hawk realm","attachment":null,"posted":1715774201},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6005828,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"Taking today and maybe tomorrow off for this quest.
Will post new thread then, will notify QST and here if thread is still alive.","attachment":null,"posted":1715790809},{"board":"qst","thread":5969851,"pid":6006120,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":"Alright, I unfaggoted myself
new thread up!
>>>6006116","attachment":null,"posted":1715809690}]}
+{"title":"a yet to be named quest","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5972187,"pid":5972187,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Welcome to the quest, ROOT.
Uh, what? Hello?
Your name is -
Fuck you! I have a name!
You are a -
Test room failed loading object data. Rebooting. ","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712517280340364.png","filename":"2.png"},"posted":1712517280},{"board":"qst","thread":5972187,"pid":5972190,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972187","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712517417367858.gif","filename":"out.gif"},"posted":1712517417},{"board":"qst","thread":5972187,"pid":5972195,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Despite your efforts, the terminal does not accept input from your keyboard. The program automatically launches. A figure is resting on a couch in the mid afternoon, dim sunlight bouncing off the dust in the air.
SAVE1 loaded.
Welcome back! It is currently MID-AFTERNOON. Your RATBOX will arrive tomorrow. Your rent of -2,147,483,648 is due in 10 days.
What would you like to do?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712517804749534.png","filename":"1.png"},"posted":1712517804},{"board":"qst","thread":5972187,"pid":5972235,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972195
Check my CRYPTO PORTFOLIO to ensure I have enough money to pay RENT.","attachment":null,"posted":1712520520},{"board":"qst","thread":5972187,"pid":5972296,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972195
Look around","attachment":null,"posted":1712525417},{"board":"qst","thread":5972187,"pid":5972323,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972195
>Think about the RATBOX","attachment":null,"posted":1712529524},{"board":"qst","thread":5972187,"pid":5972329,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972195
look around","attachment":null,"posted":1712529935},{"board":"qst","thread":5972187,"pid":5972366,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972235
AW FUCK YEA, TIME TO CHECK THESE MOTHER FUCKIN-","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712532888112589.png","filename":"3.png"},"posted":1712532888},{"board":"qst","thread":5972187,"pid":5972369,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972366
>Purchased 2.8 billion Testicular Torsion on 17743431600 for 1,358 fiat
>Current value: 32","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712533002730858.png","filename":"4.png"},"posted":1712533002},{"board":"qst","thread":5972187,"pid":5972370,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972296
>>5972329
You're in your SMALL APARTMENT. Due to having not logged in for 201480 HOURS, your residence is FILTHY and PEST-RIDDEN. It is currently AFTERNOON.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712533200304067.png","filename":"6.png"},"posted":1712533200},{"board":"qst","thread":5972187,"pid":5972371,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972323
Heehehheheheheh oh man teeheheeheee hahaha oh rats hehehe hahahahah ahehe heh eh tehehehehe heh eh im thinking abut rats hahahah hohohohohohohohohohohoho","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712533342135161.png","filename":"5.png"},"posted":1712533342},{"board":"qst","thread":5972187,"pid":5972374,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972370
Remove wood planks from window","attachment":null,"posted":1712533772},{"board":"qst","thread":5972187,"pid":5972389,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972374
This. But also immediately put them back on the moment we see something we don't like.","attachment":null,"posted":1712535272},{"board":"qst","thread":5972187,"pid":5972445,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972370
take a wooden plank, set fire to the apartment and go outside. Kill everybody on the way out with the plank. No witnesses","attachment":null,"posted":1712539640},{"board":"qst","thread":5972187,"pid":5972460,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972370
Check investments to see if my Lockheed shares are good.
Go to E-MAID DOT WEB to hire a maid to clean the room.","attachment":null,"posted":1712541009},{"board":"qst","thread":5972187,"pid":5973491,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972371
>Think about the RAT you'll put into your RATBOX","attachment":null,"posted":1712649317},{"board":"qst","thread":5972187,"pid":5974986,"name":"Anonymous","msg":":( dead thread","attachment":null,"posted":1712817258},{"board":"qst","thread":5972187,"pid":5975162,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974986
Is this how all the interesting threads end? I love the concept of this board but it just seems dead","attachment":null,"posted":1712846950},{"board":"qst","thread":5972187,"pid":5975239,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975162
I'm new here too. Kinda sad.
1/3 of the quests i tried are dead, but im trying to keep my one going. not a self promo!","attachment":null,"posted":1712853717},{"board":"qst","thread":5972187,"pid":5975446,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972366
>>5972369
>>5972370
>>5972371
Check your 2.8b Testicular Torsion every 5s until you can pay your rent. While you're waiting on becoming rich you might as well look at some naked ladies on the interwebs","attachment":null,"posted":1712871654},{"board":"qst","thread":5972187,"pid":5999859,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"HE HAS BEEN NAMED","attachment":null,"posted":1715295674}]}
+{"title":"Fate City Akeldama (redux) 12","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5972351,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":"You are Anon, an albino man with extraordinary strength and magical energy who can remember only faint vestiges of his past, is unaware of his real name, and is a Master in the Akeldama Great Holy Grail War, which is taking place in a city in an artificial world called Akeldama. Your Servant is Avenger of Red, a winged girl wielding considerably powerful magic who has declined to tell you her true name so far. Most recently you destroyed a zombie that had been sent to survey the boundary of the area that you’d set up camp, after making contact with an unidentified pervert (?) through a walkie-talkie that the zombie was carrying. A while later, some kind of sporadic bombardment began targeting your general area, and you and Avenger gathered up the noncombatants who you’d taken in to consider how to respond.
First thread: https://archived.moe/qst/thread/5331278/
Subsequent threads: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Low+Speed+Anti+Divine+QM
Reference for Servant (and other related) stat-blocks: https://pastebin.com/5mPbUP4G
TL;DR timeline recap: https://pastebin.com/fYqqL7s4
Suzaku, Koko, and Anne all join you before long, and Anne observes, “We’re under siege. My supposition is that Caster’s defenses stopped them from discerning our exact location, so they opted to target his entire territory and see what happens.”
“Earlier, someone sent a corpse-familiar to skirt along the border of Caster’s territory. It could be that they were trying to draw up a target area.” You report.
“The Dead Apostles are behind this?” Koko asks frantically, “In that case, go ahead and kill them all!”
“It seems you have a bit of ferocity in you after all, child.” Avenger chuckles in response. “But that is what I was planning to do.”
“Uhh, before you do that, is there anything you could do to make us less likely to be blown up or crushed by falling debris?” Suzaku asks.
You respond:
> “We’ll annihilate the enemy right away. Then there’s no chance of them hitting the hotel.” (Go up to the roof, discern the enemy’s general position, and have Avenger return fire once you locate them)
> “Avenger, do what you can to fortify the area for our friends before we move off and return fire.” (Fortify the hotel and then move to somewhere else in Caster’s territory before having Avenger return fire)
> “This bombardment is a probing attack to provoke us. Let’s fortify an area for the three of you to wait in, then Avenger and I will go to find out the strength of the enemy forces.” (Fortify the hotel and then leave Caster’s territory and head toward the enemy’s position to scout them out before attacking)
> Something else (write-in)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712531242015241.png","filename":"Anon.png"},"posted":1712531242},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5972360,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972351
> “This bombardment is a probing attack to provoke us. Let’s fortify an area for the three of you to wait in, then Avenger and I will go to find out the strength of the enemy forces.” (Fortify the hotel and then leave Caster’s territory and head toward the enemy’s position to scout them out before attacking)","attachment":null,"posted":1712532369},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5972362,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Glad to see you, OP","attachment":null,"posted":1712532429},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5972458,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":">>5972362
Thanks, it's nice to be able to pick the story back up and finally exit hiatus-purgatory","attachment":null,"posted":1712540809},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5972486,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972351
> “Avenger, do what you can to fortify the area for our friends before we move off and return fire.” (Fortify the hotel and then move to somewhere else in Caster’s territory before having Avenger return fire)
Glad to see HGW /qst/ returning, hopefully Catastrophe Superposition comes back too","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712543474992279.jpg","filename":"IMG_5107.jpg"},"posted":1712543474},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5973187,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d2)
In lieu of a tiebreaker, I'll let [FATE] decide
>>5972360
For 1
>>5972486
For 2","attachment":null,"posted":1712623697},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5973422,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":"It seems likely to you that the enemy’s put a significant amount of planning into this attack, and it may be for the best to investigate the composition of their forces before counterattacking. To that end, you answer, “This bombardment is a probing attack to provoke us. Let’s fortify an area for the three of you to wait in, then Avenger and I will go to find out the strength of the enemy forces.” (Fortify the hotel and then leave Caster’s territory and head toward the enemy’s position to scout them out before attacking).
“Great, thanks!” Suzaku replies sincerely.
With sporadic, thundering explosions faintly cropping up at various points in your general vicinity, you turn to your Servant and say, “Can you set up some kind of barrier that would protect this building from a stray artillery-shell, rocket, or whatever they’ve been firing at us?”
Hopping into the air and flapping her wings to stay alight, she replies, “Shouldn’t be difficult. Conventional munitions of that level won’t even leave a scratch after I finish weaving this bounded field. Give me half a minute.”
As your Servant starts waving her staff about and conjuring all manner of arcane symbols in the air, Truvietianne holds up a familiar-looking crystal and asks you, “Do you still have this crystal’s counterpart that lets me contact you telepathically? On the off-chance something doesn’t go according to plan.”
Checking your pocket, you pull out two crystals, one matching hers, and answer, “It seems I do, so you can let me know if something happens over here.”
“Why do you have an extra one?” Koko asks, noticing that you’re holding two.
“This other one is paired to someone else, a fellow I met the other night who called himself ‘Abraxas’. Right after I found Suzaku, in fact.” You explain. Now you remember, you’d scheduled to update each other on how you were progressing this evening. “I wonder how he’s doing…”
“The guy who had the flying chariot?” Suzaku remarks, reminiscing, “Sounded like he was killing the zombies for sport, so he was probably an ok guy.”
“This building should be secure now.” Avenger interjects as she gently lands back onto the floor, “Shall we depart, Master?”
“Yes.” You affirm, though Koko catches your sleeve before you turn to go.
“You’ll make sure to come back in one piece?” The diminutive schoolteacher asks.
“That is the plan.” You answer. Hopefully that will mollify her, though you’re not willing to make guarantees as you go onto a battlefield
You and Avenger then leave the hotel and work your way through the streets toward the edge of Caster’s territory. Before you depart it, your Servant holds up her hand and says, “I’ll take a moment to remote-view where I suspect these attacks are coming from, let me take a seat... and keep watch for a moment.”","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712640328883067.png","filename":"Koko (Koyama Komoe).png"},"posted":1712640328},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5973427,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":"“That’s fair.” You agree, and she takes a seat on a bus-stop bench and quietly sits still for some time before rousing again with a bit of a shudder.
“I’ll share a mental-view of what I saw with you. First off, there were two of these machines quite some distance to the north.” She says as she holds out her hand. Placing yours above it, you see a pair of armored vehicles. It takes a few moments for you to put words to them. Tanks? No, not quite. Self-propelled artillery? That sounds closer.
“Alright, what else of note?” You inquire.
“One Servant, a man who appears to wield a firearm, was standing by on a rooftop directly between us and the machines, and I believe another could be somewhere underground.” She continues.
“You aren’t sure about the second one?”
“My guess is it’s an Assassin with subpar Presence Concealment, it stopped me from getting a clear view of where they were but I could tell someone was there.” She clarifies. “In addition, it seems that whoever’s ordering this attack has some familiarity with magecraft, as I found that while I detached my consciousness from my etheric body, they would have been able to detect me if I continued much longer. I’ll lay off the remote-viewing until we exterminate them.”
“Good idea, thank you for your report.” You remark, approving of your Servant’s reconnaissance and caution. The enemy has two self-propelled artillery gradually firing into Caster’s territory, and may have two Servants mobilized to respond if you move out to counterattack. “About how far away do the Servants seem from us? And the self-propelled artillery, as well.” You then ask.
“The Servants are both about five miles north if I had to make an estimate.” She reports, “And the vehicles, about six. I could save us more than a little time by teleporting us toward one of their positions.”
That does sound appealing, though which target to go after first is the question.
> “Put us near the artillery, we’ll reduce them to scrap and see how the enemy responds”
> “Put us near where you saw the Servant on the rooftops, let’s try to eliminate a higher-value target first”
> “Put us near where you detected the probable Assassin, let’s try to eliminate a higher-value target first”
> Write-in","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712640505230690.png","filename":"self_propelled_artillery.png"},"posted":1712640505},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5973688,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973427
> “Put us near where you detected the probable Assassin, let’s try to eliminate a higher-value target first”
Even if their PC is low rank an Assassin could be an issue.","attachment":null,"posted":1712679562},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5973699,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973427
>“Put us near where you detected the probable Assassin, let’s try to eliminate a higher-value target first”
Good to see you're back.","attachment":null,"posted":1712680880},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5973931,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973427
> “Put us near where you detected the probable Assassin, let’s try to eliminate a higher-value target first”","attachment":null,"posted":1712701583},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5973949,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":"The somewhat-easily detectable Assassin it is
>>5973699
Thank you, and I'm glad that you're all still around after a 5-ish month hiatus","attachment":null,"posted":1712703487},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5974209,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":"“Put us near where you detected the probable Assassin, let’s try to eliminate a higher-value target first.” You order, and your Servant receives the command with an approving nod.
“Gladly, we’ll arrive near their position momentarily.” She replies as she draws a glowing teleportation along the ground at your feet. A few seconds later, you find yourself standing outside a subway station labeled “Jimbocho”, and you vaguely intuit presence of a Servant somewhere inside, though not as clearly as you have in the past. The presence abruptly begins moving away shortly after you arrive.
“It seems we’ve startled whoever it was, if we move quickly we should be able to stop them from escaping.” Avenger remarks as she casts a reinforcement spell on you. Your body immediately feels lighter, more limber, and you can tell that your reaction-time has sped up considerably from where it was before. “I’d say that you could match some Assassin-class Servants in pure physicality as you are now. Though of course you shouldn’t take the entire burden on yourself.”
Unclasping your mace from the bandolier around your shoulder, you take a deep breath and perform a quick swing to gauge your handling of it in light of your enhanced strength and speed. Alright, everything feels good. You feel an unusual tingling feeling in your upper-back all of a sudden, not quite an itching sensation, perhaps something like resonant vibrations? At any rate, you wouldn’t call it uncomfortable, and you have more pressing matters to attend to. “We should go after them together now.”
Having summoned a couple of snarling hounds, your Servant replies, “I’ll send these two in ahead to slow them down as we close in.” As the two beasts sprint into the station with impressive agility, you and your Servant quickly follow.
You can sense the enemy Servant’s attempt to flee through the dimly-lit subway tunnels, but a short while after the hounds pulled ahead of you, the Servant’s retreat stops, presumably to fight off the beasts. Picking up your pace further as Avenger flies at your side, a short distance above the ground, you’re quickly gaining on the enemy.
In the heat of the moment, the two of you failed to predict your enemy’s counterattack. Their preparations were more thorough than either of you had anticipated. As you run over the rail-tracks in one of the tunnels, you hear a quiet
CLICK ","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712724980243051.png","filename":"station_entrance.png"},"posted":1712724980},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5974212,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":"In an instant, the tunnel is filled with a crushing explosive pressure. Under your feet and at both of your sides, the floor and walls are simultaneously blasted apart, sending both of you careening forward as bits of rubble and debris shallowly embed themselves into you. Deafened momentarily from the sudden pressure-waves, you’re quite thankful that Avenger’s spell toughened your body and reduced the damage you took, though even with that you’re not feeling too great at the moment. You’ll want a new set of clothes after this excursion is over too.
“That could’ve... gone better.” You wheeze as you turn onto your back and your sense of hearing comes back, hoping to lighten the mood in spite of your shared slip-up.
“Room for improvement, I suppose.” Avenger replies from a seated position as she brings a potion to her lips with one hand and splashes a second potion onto you with her other hand. As she does, you notice that she took a bit of damage from the explosion herself. Since they seem to have affected her, you surmise that the bombs were probably set up by a Servant or mage. Fortunately, your body is recovering quickly as it responds to your Servant’s treatment. Turning behind, you see that the tunnel behind you has begun to cave in from the damage, and the collapsed section looks like it could spread at any time.
“They held off on using it on my familiars to time it for us.” She then says, “In that case, I’ll just give them more than they can handle.”
But before she can summon reinforcements, the two of you are assaulted by a screeching sound coming from further up the tunnel that quickly consolidates into a mechanically-amplified feminine voice, which shouts: “Good morning, motherfuckers! You took those landmines like a champ, how about some RPGs?!”
Looking toward the source of the sound, through the dim light you can spot three humanoid figures with shoulder-mounted weapons firing them at you.
“Worthless pests!” Avenger hisses as she fires concentrated magical energy as beams of light that envelop the enemies that revealed themselves, but one of the incoming projectiles was not caught up in her attack and is mere moments from impacting the ceiling above you!
You will
> Cover Avenger with your body, and then press forward as soon as you’re able.
> Stand firm, guard yourself as best you can, and prepare to use your enhanced strength and/or your mace to deal with falling debris.
> Grab Avenger’s hand and dive as far forward as you can (pulling her with you) to put as much distance between you and the point of impact as you can.
> Write-in","attachment":null,"posted":1712725135},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5975721,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974212
>Grab Avenger’s hand and dive as far forward as you can (pulling her with you) to put as much distance between you and the point of impact as you can.","attachment":null,"posted":1712890415},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5975816,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974212
> Grab Avenger’s hand and dive as far forward as you can (pulling her with you) to put as much distance between you and the point of impact as you can.","attachment":null,"posted":1712896939},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5977240,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":"In an instant, you reflexively grab Avenger’s hand and spring forward, diving as far away from the RPG’s point of impact as you can.
“Whoa!” Your Servant exclaims in surprise as you pull her forward with you, a fair bit farther than you’d expected to since her spell amplified your strength past its normal limits. You hear an explosion behind you, and spot more of the tunnel beginning to collapse when you glance back after landing in a prone position, a relatively safe distance from the tunnel-collapse.
You’re now near a bend in the tunnel, and as your regain your bearings you notice with some surprise that if your intuition is correct, the Assassin’s presence has doubled back and it swiftly closing in on your position. So they want to engage after all. If you’re lucky they’ll be overconfident, considering you and your Servant withstood several attacks without taking too much damage overall.
Rising to your feet you notice that one of the grenade’s fragments appears to have left a shallow cut on your calf, but it shouldn’t pose a problem besides slowing you down a little if you were to start running. Readying your mace, you quietly tell your Servant, “When they turn the corner, we’ll let them have it.”
Avenger nods in response and readies her staff, but before the Assassin comes into your view, fist-sized projectiles begin bouncing around the walls one after the other, landing randomly at positions within 10 yards or so of you. More grenades? If this attack follows the pattern that’s already been tried twice, they’ll explode momentarily.
“They’ll explode, knock them away!” You tersely shout to your Servant, trying to convey your suspicion as quickly as possible. She responds by swiftly creating a gust of wind centered on herself that blows the objects either back toward the sender or behind you, depending on where they landed initially. But here again, your enemy’s tactics aren’t quite as you predicted.
Rather than conventional explosions, half of the grenades create a blinding flash of light and ear-piercing noise as they detonate, and the others appeared to begin to release a cloud that obscured visibility, though you couldn’t immediately tell since the first type of grenade flash-blinded you.
“They’re upon us. Get down Master.” Avenger orders you telepathically, cleverly bypassing the issue of your physical sense of hearing being impaired. Taking her at her word, you immediately sprawl onto the ground and begin to feel the heat of magically-conjured flames directed toward the passage that the Assassin was coming from.","attachment":null,"posted":1713066904},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5977247,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":"Blinking your eyes, through an obscuring fog you can see a surging wall of flames cover most of the passageway as your vision begins recovering. The Assassin’s presence has closed in, and for an instant you faintly see a large object crudely carved in the likeness of a woman flung through the flames straight into Avenger before being pulled back by a chain fastened around its ‘head’. Your Servant’s spell interrupted, the flames die down a little as she regains her bearings, and you can make out the form of the Assassin as she leaps over the remaining flames.
Seeing this Servant for the first time, you intuitively recognize her as “Aka no Assassin”, and through the fog you can see a woman with pale skin, roughly the same height as Avenger, though the Assassin would be slightly taller if both of them took off their heeled shoes. Rather than armor, the Assassin wears a spiky, wiry mesh over a robe that exposes most of the front of her torso and reveals raunchy, for lack of a better term, undergarments. A mask covers the Assassin’s eyes, in one hand she holds an ornate staff having a head with winglike spikes and in the other she holds the chain that secures the large object.
You spring to your feet and prepare to engage. Aka no Assassin has plenty of agility, but aside from that you could evenly match her physical strength on a good day. And despite taking a bit of damage from the enemy’s earlier attacks, you judge that as long as you can stop her from consistently applying direct pressure to Avenger in close quarters, that should be enough to turn the battle in your favor.
Your approach will be to:
> Move directly toward Aka no Assassin and attack with your mace
> Move between Aka no Assassin and Avenger, mainly trying to block the enemy from advancing into close quarters
> Move to flank Aka no Assassin and attack when she moves against Avenger
> Something different (write-in)
***
By the way, if you were to pick between an interlude that describes
> What Rushorou, Ryuuta, and their Servants have been up to lately
or
> What Sophia, Rusalka, Diomedes et al have been up to lately
Which would you pick?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713067066067944.png","filename":"Aka no Assassin.png"},"posted":1713067066},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5977250,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":"Forgot to mention, the stats for Aka no Assassin that Anon has been able to detect were added to the pastebin link.","attachment":null,"posted":1713067373},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5977598,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977247
> Move to flank Aka no Assassin and attack when she moves against Avenger
> What Sophia, Rusalka, Diomedes et al have been up to lately","attachment":null,"posted":1713108849},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5977936,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977247
> Move to flank Aka no Assassin and attack when she moves against Avenger
> What Sophia, Rusalka, Diomedes et al have been up to lately","attachment":null,"posted":1713142222},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5978145,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":">>5977598
>>5977936
Alright! Sophia interlude is almost done, but I have to sleep and work tomorrow. Hopefully tomorrow evening it'll be ready and I can start the regular update.
Pic related is what Sophia generally looks like, and her current choices of clothing she hasn't actually had a chance to wear the swimsuit yet, and somewhat sacrifices /fa/shion by opting for the trench-coat for maximum coverage as her 200 IQ countermeasure against sunlight.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713158212238649.png","filename":"Sophia.png"},"posted":1713158212},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5978744,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978145
Wow Anon, this is how you raise your spawn? Jk, yass bitch slay","attachment":null,"posted":1713229822},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5978785,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":" Elsewhere in the city, slightly before current events
“Is this enough?” Sophia asked the wooden statue, though no reply from the inanimate likeness of the goddess was forthcoming or expected. Diomedes and Athena had given her leave to meditate in the core of their base, a “sanctum” dedicated to the statue, and in that sanctum Sophia had spent more hours than she’d bothered to count absorbing magical energy of the highest purity, which the statue continuously emanated, into her body.
After reminiscing on her attempts to fight against Servants the night before, the albino vampire had decided that even after inheriting the blade of Harpe from Perseus, she was still too weak. She and Diomedes had been assigned to intercept any reinforcements while Rusalka, Adelheid, that Mathers guy who brought his huge Berserker, and Rusalka’s wights all attacked a Saber-class Servant and his Master. Sophia didn’t know the finer details of how that fight went other than the two Berserkers were eventually able to kill the Saber, at the cost of being significantly worse for wear and Rusalka’s wights being annihilated when they served as meat-shields to soak up the Saber’s strongest attacks, per counsel offered by Athena before the battle.
While all that went down, Diomedes and Sophia had intercepted a group of having another Saber, this one in a professional suit and wielding a pair of katana, a Caster who was more of a musician than a magician, a policewoman whose uniform Sophia eventually recognized to be from a city in Nevada, a scar-faced man who carried an electric guitar, a somehow-functional amplifier strapped on his back, and loudly proclaimed himself to be a “ROCKSTAR” while shredding some impressive riffs with the Caster, and a young blonde woman who carried a violin around and played it in sync with the music of the others.
When Sophia attacked the Saber, his unpredictable swordplay left her unable to injure him and forced her to rely on her innate rapid-regeneration to stay in the fight; when she tried her luck against the Caster, he and the ROCKSTAR were able to frustrate her attacks by a combination of a musical spell that scrambled her concentration and sense of balance, and retaliatory shockwaves that the ROCKSTAR was mysteriously able to create when he played his guitar. Over the course of their encounter, Diomedes dealt serious damage to both of those Servants even when he stayed in his chariot on account of a wound to his foot, but the arrival of another Servant, a tall, helmeted woman wielding a bow from horseback that Sophia could tell had some kind of history with the Achaean hero, kept him rather occupied.","attachment":null,"posted":1713233584},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5978789,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":"She had a much easier time keeping up with the Saber and Caster after Diomedes nearly crushed them with his chariot, but it didn’t sit right with her that the tide turned because a stronger ally did the heavy-lifting. She wanted to strike down Servants by her own power, and yet her most potent weapon, the blade of Harpe that she could summon as a claw in her hand, is not truly of her own power. And before she could definitively settle things, Diomedes was called back by Rusalka, and Sophia unhappily decided to join him in retreat rather than face down such a large number of opponents entirely alone.
Back to the present, the vampire focused some of the vast energies that she’d slowly absorbed from the statue of the goddess into her hand, whispering, “Come to me, Harpe.”
The blade of Harpe manifested in one of her claws, but this time she tried to visualize the entire weapon that she remembered Perseus wielded, focus as much of magical energy into her hand as possible, and manifest it more completely. Gripping the sides of the blade, the vampire gritted her teeth in discomfort as she pulled on it, but as she pulled her magical energy began congealing into the haft of the scythe-spear that Perseus wielded. Inch by painstaking inch, she channeled divine power into bringing the immortal-slaying scythe into its completed form. At last, the end of the spear is extracted from her hand like a particularly deep-rooted tooth, prompting the vampire to exhale a sign of relief.
“Is this what they call a Noble Phantasm?” Sophia asked herself as she examined the manifested weapon. However, her concentration lapsed from her surprise at the new development, and the weapon began to fizzle into raw magical energy and disperse into the air. She cursed, “Damn it. But there’s some progress...”
“Hello? Sophia-san?” A girl’s voice gently calls into the chamber.
“You can call me Sophia, Miko; and you can come in if you’d like.” The vampire replied politely, suppressing her irritation at failing to maintain her manifestation of Harpe.
Stepping under the entrance of the sanctum, Miko responded, “I was just wondering if something happened to you, you’ve been in there all morning and afternoon.”
Hearing faint, sporadic explosions in the distance after she began to pay more attention to her surroundings, Sophia replied, “It seems I lost track of time, hopefully no harm done. How are you, by the way? I imagine things are more comfortable for you now that the wights aren’t around anymore.”
Smiling a bit mischievously, Miko answered, “You didn’t hear it from me, but someone might have wanted to thank that Saber for killing all of them off last night.”","attachment":null,"posted":1713233648},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5978790,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":"“I see.” Sophia replied, glad to see that the girl’s situation was improving, if only marginally. That reminded her, she’d want to ditch Rusalka before too long and try to find out what happened to Kiara, considering Sun Wukong’s warning about the other girl. Though there was something else she might be able to do here. “Say Miko, could you watch as I try to do something and tell me what you see?”
“Uh, sure I guess. Go ahead.” The girl agreed, not having anything better to do at the moment.
Sophia tries to manifest Harpe again. To her relief, focusing on reconstituting the weapon that had dissolved about a minute prior actually worked, saving her the trouble of wrenching it out of her hand piece by piece again. The girl’s eyes widen as magical energy appearing as shimmering points of light slowly coalesces from around the albino vampire and creates the form of the hooked spear that Perseus once held. “Did you notice anything in particular?” Sophia asks, “I’m trying to figure out how this works if I can.”
Squinting her eyes and studying the weapon for a few moments, Miko eventually asks in reply, “Are you able to make it disappear too? I thought I saw something even before you made it appear.”
“Yeah, keeping it here takes a bit of concentration actually.” The vampire replies as she lets the weapon fizzle away again.
Looking carefully, the girl pieced together, “There’s a faint... shadow? In the same shape as that weapon, it’s kind of hovering by your hand. Maybe that’s what you’re recreating when you pump magical energy into it or whatever you do? That’s also not the only shadowy thing you have, I can faintly see something on your back too.”
“…” Initially at a loss for words, Sophia then simply says, “in that case…” before focusing as much magical energy into her back as she can.
After seeing what the vampire eventually manifested, the girl begins to say, “That looks like…”
“Something unexpected.” Sophia interrupts and lets the construct fizzle away again, “I’m going to leave for a bit, I know someone who would want to know about this.”
“Will Rusalka let you?” Miko asks.
“Good question.” A familiar man’s voice from outside the sanctum answers, startling both Miko and Sophia.
“Diomedes.” The vampire says, immediately on high-alert, unsure of how much he’d overheard, “Are you going to try to stop me?”
“Fortunately for you, I haven’t been given an order to do so.” The Achaean hero answered as he entered the sanctum, “Though if you’re gone for too long, my Master may send someone after you since she still hasn’t figured out what kind of Mystic Eyes you’ll manifest, and you’ve become a point of interest to her.”
“Lucky me.” Sophia grumbles as she walks up to him to leave before adding derisively, “Would you be her errand-boy next time around?”","attachment":null,"posted":1713233710},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5978792,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":"Unmoved by her thinly-veiled insult, Diomedes answered, “I follow Rusalka’s orders so long as our contract remains intact. If something were to happen to that contract, I’d be flexible in considering my options going forward.”
Reading a bit of subtext into his words, Sophia curtly replied, “Noted” before rushing past him, out of Rusalka’s base, and into the nearest subway station.
“Now then. Where can find you?” She asked herself, before deciding to head toward the sound of battle to her north-east.","attachment":null,"posted":1713233772},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5980268,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":"In the heat of the moment, you opt to try to position yourself so that you can swiftly retaliate if the Assassin lunges toward your Servant, who is again conjuring flames and spewing them toward the enemy.
Taking advantage of the obscured visibility caused by the smoke-grenades that went off moments earlier, you can vaguely make out the Assassin putting her agility to use, darting between the walls of the tunnel faster than Avenger can redirect her flames, and it’s not long before you lost track of your opponent’s rapidly-changing position. You tighten your grip on your mace in irritation as your attempt to outmaneuver a faster opponent fell short of its intended goal.
“Master. I’ll need to go all-out.” You hear Aka no Assassin speak for the first time, and sense a rise in her magical energy just before a thin red mist bursts out of the fog. Your senses are dulled for a moment when the mist drizzles onto your skin, revealing a new Skill of your opponent, who takes advantage of the momentary opening to dart past you, your mace-strike only denting some of the barbed wiring overlaying her robe as you swing at her.
“Begone, hussy.” Avenger deadpans as she fires several piercingly-bright beams of light at charging the Assassin.
Aka no Assassin clicks her tongue in frustration as she swerves back into the fog in the direction of the section that had caved in behind you to dodge your Servant’s attacks, and you hurry back as you chase after her.
“Would have preferred a younger mark, but your blood will suffice.” You hear the Assassin taunt from within the fog, her voice shifting to a more formal tenor, “Everything is an illusion, maidens shall enter here.”
Sensing the Assassin’s magical energy surge again, Avenger swiftly summons a powerful gust of wind centered on herself to clear away the fog and, by extension, your enemy’s concealment. Next conjuring a conflagration large enough to fill the entirety of the tunnel that your enemy had maneuvered into, you hear Aka no Assassin shriek in pain before screaming the words “PHANTOM MAIDEN!”
The object in the shape of a woman, revealed to be Aka no Assassin’s Noble Phantasm “Phantom Maiden”, suddenly emerged from the flames, opening a pair of doors in its front to reveal that it was hollow, and filled with sharp iron spikes. And its spiked maw clearly aimed to envelop your Servant in a lethal embrace.
Instantly changing course, you use every ounce of strength you can muster to rush toward your Servant, swinging your mace down with both hands onto the Phantom Maiden, knocking it off its intended flight-path. Avenger was spared the gruesome death of being turned into a pin-cushion, but the Phantom Maiden still caught one of her feet in its shutting doors as she tried to fly back.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713413811746648.png","filename":"Phantom Maiden.png"},"posted":1713413811},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5980270,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":"Getting pulled by her ensnared foot into the receding flames by the Phantom Maiden, your Servant’s eyes widened in shock as clawed fingers emerged from the flames and embedded themselves in the center of her throat. As the flames die down further, you can easily see that the formerly comely and smooth-skinned Assassin is now covered in unsightly and blackened burns.
“Not so easy to cast spells with a hole in your windpipe, is it?” Aka no Assassin spat as she retracted the clawed fingers of her left hand from Avenger’s throat before digging into Avenger’s flesh just above her collarbones, making her wordlessly gag in pain, “I’ll relish repaying the pain you gave me tenfold.”
“You won’t.” You firmly interject. Your sudden assault catches your enemy off-guard, as she hadn’t paid you much heed this entire time. Trying to dive away from your mace-strike, she releases your Servant. Managing to avoid having her skull crushed, her barbed-weave overcoat and robe are cloven through like a hot knife through butter by your counterattack, nearly severing her left arm as you land a crushing downward strike on her shoulder.
“You swine! I’ll decorate the walls of this godforsaken pit with your entrails!” Aka no Assassin yells as she staggers backward, clutching at her mangled arm.
“Worse than you have tried.” You respond as you ready yourself to press the attack, knowing with full confidence that this Assassin’s power paled in comparison to the likes of Sun Wukong and Diomedes, even more so after all the damage Avenger dealt to her. Glancing down to your Servant, who’d fallen to her knees after her assailant released her, you see her clutching at her punctured throat. Anger begins to burn hotter in your chest, and that peculiar sensation in your back flares up again.
“Such arrogance. I have half a mind to bring you back alive just to reduce you to a quivering husk.” The enemy Servant spitefully remarked as she straightened her posture.
Before you can charge forward, a small blade pierces your back as a familiar-sounding feminine voice remarks, “I couldn’t agree mo-!”
Without a word, you glanced behind when you felt the blade and threw your left elbow back into the face of your assailant as hard as you could. You didn’t see much before you caved in the person’s face and knocked them back to the tunnel’s wall, knife still in hand.
Aka no Assassin tries to use the opening her ally made to attack, but you react in time to sidestep and bat away the Phantom Maiden with your mace after she flung it at you. You lock eyes with your enemy in a glare that causes her to recoil and step back as she dematerializes the Phantom Maiden and braces her staff in both hands.","attachment":null,"posted":1713413874},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5980274,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":"Your body feels a bit heavier as Avenger’s fortification spell wears off due to her incapacitation, but you activate your own version of the spell to compensate, as well as your ability to visualize magical energy to get a view of the enemy’s points of strength and weakness. Predictably, the head and heart have the highest magical energy concentrations, but you can see a few smaller pressure-points scattered over the Assassin’s body as well. In addition, it seems that she’s using the magical energy to slowly heal herself, so you must act.
You will:
> Quickly and decisively strike the enemy down
> Taunt the Assassin, try to make her lose control and make a mistake that you can exploit
> Telepathically ask your Servant of her status and try to formulate a plan
> Something different (write-in)","attachment":null,"posted":1713413937},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5981771,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980274
>Telepathically ask your Servant of her status and try to formulate a plan","attachment":null,"posted":1713578823},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5981791,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980274
> Telepathically ask your Servant of her status and try to formulate a plan
I wanna make a taunt but I have zero idea of what would work. Any guess on who is this, anons?","attachment":null,"posted":1713579661},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5981840,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":">>5981791
>I wanna make a taunt but I have zero idea of what would work.
You wouldn't have needed to give a write-in, I already had something in mind.
Though if you did write a taunt in I could have done something with it.","attachment":null,"posted":1713582985},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5981847,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981840
I know, I just wanna flex my diss skills","attachment":null,"posted":1713583459},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5984612,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":"Rather than rushing straight in against the enemy, you decide to telepathically check on your Servant, “Avenger, what’s your status? They’ve paused their attack for now.”
“I’m preparing a potion… to heal the wound in my throat.… Stall or hold them back as long as you can... I'll tell you when I'm ready.” She responds, though the pauses and inflections of the voice that she projects into your mind clearly evidence immense pain.
Seeing that Aka no Assassin hasn’t made a move since you knocked back her last attack, you respond, “I’ll stand by unless the Assassin makes a move, and try to stall them until you’re ready.”
“Understood… thank you, Master. Don’t strike before you need to... you were stabbed a minute ago.” She responds tenderly. Thinking on it for a moment, she does have a point; you’d initially planned on trying to deal Aka no Assassin a devastating amount of damage before she could recover or counterattack, but perhaps rushing in could have led you to overextending from underestimating the severity of your wound.
If only you knew some kind of healing magic yourself, this wouldn’t be as much of a problem. Perhaps focusing your fortification spell on the stab-wound could lead the punctured blood-vessels to seal up and stop the bleeding? You’re not sure, but you decide to give it a try as long as the fight’s intermission continues.
“Aahh? AAAHHHH?!?!” You hear horrified wails suddenly. Shifting your stance to keep Aka no Assassin in your view, you also can see the person who stabbed you: with a slender build, wearing white clothes, having dark hair, and holding a small mirror, you hear your assailant’s voice fluctuating between the feminine pitch that you’re somewhat familiar with and a deeper, more androgynous tenor, “My face! My beautiful face! How dare you!?”
This could buy some time for your Servant to prepare her healing potion, so you decide to say, “I’ve been meaning to ask, who are you anyway? I think you’re the one who was controlling that corpse earlier today. Are you this Assassin’s Master?”
“Come back to me, come back to meeeeeeee…” The person whimpered to no one in particular in the same fluctuating pitch while staring into the mirror, ignoring your questions.
“That one, my Master?” Aka no Assassin scoffed at you, “Hardly. I’m the one holding the leash. Sometimes literally, to play along with their proclivities.”
Catching something amiss in the Assassin’s wording, you ask, “They? Why did you use a plural pronoun when you’re only referring to one person?”
“Oh, that?” The Assassin replies, “I’ll let them collect themselves since they quite enjoy telling everyone about it.”","attachment":null,"posted":1713847605},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5984616,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":"You’re starting to suspect that the enemy’s sudden shift to compliant conversationalism means that they think buying time plays to their advantage more than it does yours. Hmm, could it? They both seem to be healing their wounds, and additional reinforcements arriving isn’t beyond the realm of possibility, but the same goes for you the instant Avenger heals the wound in her throat.
“Ahh, I couldn’t ask for a better domme than you, Mistress C!” The dark-haired person that took your elbow to the face gratefully gushed in the feminine voice as ‘they’ clapped the folding mirror shut, stowed it in ‘their’ pocket, and faced you with a mostly-healed visage, “Listen well, you: despite your best efforts to maim me, the Lord Emperor’s gift of turning me into a fifth-rank vampire has made my beauty eternal! Not only that, but with my gift I can rightfully transcend the bounds of gender and be my true self!”
“…” For a moment, you’re at a loss for words. Does this have something to do with how ‘their’ voice would shift pitches when ‘they’ were agitated? ‘Their’ face appears to mainly sport feminine features now that you can take a longer look at it in the dimly-lit tunnel, but you can’t shake the feeling of something being ‘off’ about this whole matter, prompting you to eventually ask, “What does that even mean?”
Lying in ‘their’ side in a pose that reminded you of Hecate’s when she was lounging in bed in front of you, the fifth-rank vampire held the knife that was used to stab you in front of ‘their’ mouth as ‘they’ replied, “Would you like to find out? I could be a woman OR a man for you.” Licking the blade of the knife, ‘their’ expression suddenly shifts into hysterical excitement as ‘they’ rapidly add, “No seriously please find out. I don’t know what you’re made of but your blood’s freakin’ delicious so I’m betting the rest of you is too. Don’t worry I’ll only take little nibbles I promise I’m not dumb enough to kill the golden goose.”
“Delta. Have you forgotten our orders?” Aka no Assassin asked her subordinate with a cold glare, giving away ‘their’ name at the same time. Or at least a designation of sorts, you’re not sure.
Ignoring the formalities, Delta replied, “I’m sure the Lord Emperor would be fine with it if we just confirmed the Servant was dead and brought the Master back.” Directing ‘their’ next comment to you, Delta continues, “We can make it a good deal for you too! Endless leisure-time after retiring from the war, free reign to enjoy the palace’s amenities, we could even ‘get to know each other better’ in the baths as long as we want!”
“I’m ready to conclude this farcical discussion when you are Master.” Avenger tells you telepathically.
Good to know. You’ll:
> Attack the enemy now
> Play along a little longer and try to get more information out of them
> Something different (Write-in)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713847831563855.png","filename":"Delta.png"},"posted":1713847831},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5984654,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984616
> Attack the enemy now
KILL","attachment":null,"posted":1713851950},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5986498,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984616
That person...
Unbelievable still a creep in this world.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714045109332114.jpg","filename":"excalibur.jpg"},"posted":1714045109},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5987000,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":">>5984654
Sounds like it's go-time
I'll try to get the update out in the next day or two","attachment":null,"posted":1714104711},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5989807,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":"The mace-wielding man eyes Delta with weary disgust before answering, “An interesting offer, that I have to decline.”
At the same time, the winged Avenger-class Servant splashed the contents of a potion-vial onto the wound in her throat. The fifth-rank vampire was irked that the Avenger was able to conjure it unnoticed. Unslinging an M4 carbine from ‘their’ shoulder, Delta prepared to fire the 40mm grenade that was tuned up by the eccentric Kuro no Caster to damage Servants from the under-barrel attachment, grumbling, “Well, screw you.”
Before Delta was able to take aim, however, three vicious lions materialized around the Avenger and albino man, who swung his mace to again try to deflect the Phantom Maiden that Aka no Assassin manifested and flung at his Servant. The force of the impact knocked him back, but two of the lions rushed forward to keep the Assassin busy while the third lunged at Delta.
“Aaah!” The dark-haired vampire yelped, choking from firing the grenade at a target at point-blank range and instead just holding the trigger down. ‘They’ hit the beast with a few bullets before it bore down on the vampire, knocking the rifle away with a swipe of its claw and pinning its enemy to the ground with its weight and maintaining its advantage with instinctual ferocity, raking flesh with its claws and puncturing bone with its fangs.
“wHaT tHe HeLl Is ThIs?!?!” Delta fumed as ‘they’ tried ineffectually to retaliate against the summoned creature by extending ‘their’ claws and stabbing at the beast’s torso, “HoW aM i LoSiNg To A fReAkInG aNiMaL!”
Meanwhile, Aka no Assassin had to contend with the coordinated assault of two lion-familiars, the mace-wielding Master, and sporadic offensive spells from the Avenger, though the latter’s firing rate was noticeably lower now as she still clutched at her throat in pain. Reactivating her “Bath of Fresh Blood” Skill to dull the precision her opponents’ attacks and darting between the walls of the tunnel, the magical energy she’d received from her Master allowed her to recover enough to stay a hair’s breadth ahead of her enemy’s assault, but all present knew the Assassin couldn’t keep a defensive fight like that up for long.
The limits of ‘their’ regeneration being pushed by the mauling lion and witnessing the Assassin being pushed to her own limit by her opponents, Delta began to think “Are we going to lose? After going to all the trouble of luring them underground, into close-quarters, setting up traps that they sprung, are these guys just going to power through anyway?! What am I doing? It won’t end like this!” ","attachment":null,"posted":1714359736},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5989808,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":"After about a minute of focusing on evasion with the occasional ineffective attempt at counterattack, Aka no Assassin’s defense was stifled when the albino Master crushed through her wire-mesh and one of her femurs with his mace. A retaliatory swing of her staff fended him and a charging lion back, splashing a little of the lion’s blood onto her skin, but her posture remained hobbled from one of her legs being broken.
Her Phantom Maiden materializing and her magical energy surging again, Aka no Assassin hissed in fierce desperation, “I’ll bathe in your blood! Phantom Maiden!”
“Pah, we’ve already seen that.” the Avenger-class Servant scoffed, though when the Phantom Maiden sank into the ground both the Avenger and her Master paused in shock at the unexpected difference in the Noble Phantasm’s method of attack.
The Avenger’s Master responded by:
> Rushing forward to strike down the Assassin
> Disengaging to carefully analyze and react to the Assassin’s attack
> Something different (write-in)
As you can see, I tried experimenting with a different narrator/perspective for this update","attachment":null,"posted":1714359810},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5989829,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989808
> Disengaging to carefully analyze and react to the Assassin’s attack
See the mana in the ground or something?","attachment":null,"posted":1714362816},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5989909,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989808
>Disengaging to carefully analyze and react to the Assassin’s attack","attachment":null,"posted":1714375986},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5990539,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":">>5989829
>See the mana in the ground or something?
Good observation
>>5989909
Will get to writing","attachment":null,"posted":1714452870},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5995284,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":"A Noble Phantasm with its True Name invoked is a serious threat even if the enemy is on their last legs. You halt your advance and decide to direct your effort into discerning the method of your enemy’s attack. But how can you do that? It sank into the ground.
Then it occurs to you: you’d let your Mana-Sight ability lapse in the course of the fight, but you ought to be able to detect the traces of magical energy of the Noble Phantasm after it sank into ground by reactivating Mana-Sight.
As you do so, you find that after the Phantom Maiden sank, its constituent magical energy left a wake that you could follow with your eyes. Turning as you track its path, you can tell that it’s size has somehow expanded and that it’s about to emerge behind Avenger.
Catching her hand, you pull your Servant down the tunnel, gaining a little distance from both Aka no Assassin and her Phantom Maiden, which swiftly rose from the ground with its spiked doors opened wipe to snap up Avenger.
“Uwah!?” She yelps, startled at first by your sudden pull, and then by the fact that you again moved to protect her from the enemy’s Noble Phantasm when she glanced back to see it. However, you’re not out of the woods yet, since now the bulky torture-device is sliding along the ground after you both with its doors opened wide.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xez4Gf1r60U
All of a sudden, something resonates in you, a feeling all along your spine. Your grip on your mace tightens as you stop, pushing Avenger past you before you turn around and face the enemy’s Noble Phantasm head on. You’ve had enough of this. Enough retreating, evading, or cowering in the face of the enemy. The Phantom Maiden is a weapon of cruelty, and it’s time you break its attack with a weapon of war!
“Counting on your support!” You order your Servant tersely, as time is short before the Phantom Maiden is upon you, and she immediately reestablishes her Fortification spell onto you without any bluster or fanfare.
With your Mana Sight you generally understand the mechanism of the enemy’s Noble Phantasm: a cavity inside the roughly woman-shaped iron body is filled with spikes, and two doors in the front are opened so the device can lunge forward to snap up a target and turn it into a pin-cushion. Trying to bat the doors aside to deflect it may simply let whichever door you didn’t hit slide around and stab into you. However, you spot a vulnerability in its structure: the ‘head’.
Taking a firm stance, you step forward into your swing and bring your mace in a downward strike to crash against the Phantom Maiden’s ‘head’. Meeting its momentum with a forward pressure of your own, it’s simply a clash of power against power.","attachment":null,"posted":1714936515},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5995285,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":"Well, not entirely. Your strike blunts the Phantom Maiden’s momentum, but it begins surging forward again. No matter, you’ll simply hammer it back every time it tries to advance. Its doors snap open and shut trying to ensnare you, but your reach is long enough to stay out of its maw as you repeatedly bash the enemy’s Noble Phantasm with your mace. With each clash, you understand the Phantom Maiden’s true nature a little better. You’d already deduced that it was a weapon of cruelty, and you further come to realize that it’s designed specifically to be used against women. As a man, you’re suited for fighting against it on a conceptual level.
Even so, Aka no Assassin isn’t making it easy for you as your arms grow weary from the stalemate. But the Phantom Maiden suddenly dematerializes, and through the dim light you can see the vampire called ‘Delta’ running away through the tunnel as one of the lions that Avenger summoned begins attacking the other two, and the Assassin herself reverts to spirit-form in an attempt to flee. You’re able to make out a shifting shape of her with your Mana Sight though.
“Did that vampire somehow make one of my familiars defect? The insolence.” Avenger says in a venomous tone in her analysis, before blasting the traitor-familiar with a beam of raw magical energy, killing it immediately. The other two lions are panting or licking their wounds, and your enemy continues to flee down the tunnel.
“The Assassin shifted into spirit-form, would we be able to damage her if we pursue?” You ask your Servant, unsure of how you’d continue fighting an immaterial enemy that’s trying to escape from you.
“Entering spirit-form generally makes attacking a Servant trickier than usual, but I know of ways to do it.” She answers. Looking at her two remaining lions, she asks you, “Would you like me to heal them and prepare a countermeasure against them turning traitor? It had something to do with the vampire injecting its blood into them, so I could cast a spell that makes their veins eject foreign substances like vampire-blood. Alternatively we could save time and pursue immediately.”
You’ll go with:
> Heal the lions and prepare them to continue fighting as needed
> Time is short, you’ll pursue right away
> She can dismiss the lions, but you’d like her to cast such a spell onto you so that in the off-chance you get bitten it won’t be too much of a problem
> Something else (write-in)
Took a while to update, hoping IRL obligations ease up for me","attachment":null,"posted":1714936678},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5995366,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995285
> She can dismiss the lions, but you’d like her to cast such a spell onto you so that in the off-chance you get bitten it won’t be too much of a problem","attachment":null,"posted":1714941421},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":5995869,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995285
>She can dismiss the lions, but you’d like her to cast such a spell onto you so that in the off-chance you get bitten it won’t be too much of a problem","attachment":null,"posted":1714977979},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":6001848,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":"“You can dismiss the lions, but before we pursue I’d like you to cast a spell like that on me, so in the off-chance I get bitten it won’t be a problem.” You request, deciding to balance saving time with protection. With a nod, Avenger hands you a potion-vial that you drink; you don’t feel any effects immediately. She then draws a magic circle on the ground that begins conjuring a thick mist before sending it down the tunnels after your fleeing enemy with a gust of wind.
As the mist continues to flow from the circle, your Servant remarks, “Just a little more to saturate the space… aaaaaaaaand there.”
A visible electrical current suddenly jolts out through the mist, illuminating the tunnel briefly before passing up the path you saw the vampire run.
“Ready to finish this?” You ask, assuming that lightning was her method of attacking Aka no Assassin even after she reverted into spirit-form.
“I’d say so.” She answers, before adding with a faint blush, “Also, I, must commend you for holding your ground against that Servant’s Noble Phantasm. It... may have ended badly for me if you hadn’t stepped up.”
“We’re partners, so it’s to be expected.” You answer simply as you begin to follow after the enemy. The stab-wound in your back and the various other hits you took while fighting Aka no Assassin still ache, but they all seem to have closed up after you drank the potion.
Jogging at your side, Avenger retorts, “You CAN give yourself a little credit when it’s warranted, Master. I doubt there are many who can say they fought back a Servant’s trump card.”
“True; I guess I’m a little better than we thought I was when we met.” You reply jokingly, recalling Avenger’s initially hostile and condescending temperament that’s gradually mellowed out as you’ve fought together the past few days. “Let’s talk more about it after we’re done here.”
“I’d like that.” She responds with a smile, “We’ll catch up with them in a moment.”
As you continue around a curve in the tunnel, you can spot Delta supporting Aka no Assassin on ‘their’ shoulder and carrying her through a door in the tunnel-wall that resembles the one that led to the maintenance room where you first encountered the woman who became the vampire you know as Sophia. Spotting your pursuit, Delta blanches, lets Aka no Assassin fall through the door, and draws a pistol while staying mostly-concealed behind the corner in the tunnel-wall leading to the maintenance room. Aiming the pistol at you, ‘they’ bark, “Stay back or you’ll regret it!”
“Your death is near you, wretch.” Avenger deadpans as she conjures half a dozen magic circles at her side, ready to fire off magical attacks, “If you fall on your face and plead forgiveness, we’ll think about sparing you.”
“Eep!” Delta squeaks, dropping the pistol and falling behind the corner of the corridor to the maintenance room.","attachment":null,"posted":1715481827},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":6001853,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":"“I suppose I wouldn’t call it ‘defiant’ to the last.” Your Servant yawns as she slowly advances, “Time to end this.”
You’re hoping things are about to wrap up as you begin following her, but you decide to focus your Mana Sight again to check if there’s anything out of place. The mist the Avenger conjured earlier predictably registers in your mind as being tinged with a spell, and there are a few residual traces of Aka no Assassin’s Magical Energy leading into the maintenance room. Is there anything else? You doubt the vampire would have had time to set up a spell if ‘they’ even knew any magecraft to begin with, but there could be something. That’s when you see them, several tiny concentrated points of Magical Energy lining the walls of the tunnel not far from the maintenance room’s door. Wait a second….
Wrapping Avenger in your arm, you blurt out in shock, “Get down!” as you fall on her. An instant later you’re ready to kick yourself for accidentally alerting your enemy that you spotted their contrivance, as the points of Magical Energy pulse before exploding, briefly deafening you from a shockwave and sending a cloud of shrapnel flying through the air at a speed beyond what your eyes can follow. What’s more, the tunnel begins caving in here as well.
As the dust settles, you hear a high-pitched sneering voice say, “Thanks for not sending any meat-shields ahead of you!” The dark-haired vampire reveals a grenade from ‘their’ clothes and hurls it past you, continuing, “Did you think we only mined one spot?!”
Your Servant creates a gale-force wind to knock the grenade further away from you before it explodes. Glancing at Avenger and your own body briefly, you can see that both of you have been cut in a few places by the fragmentation, though at least in your case it isn’t devastating for now. Spotting the enemy reach into ‘their’ clothes again, you grab a piece of rubble in desperation and throw it at the vampire’s head. Cleanly colliding with ‘their’ forehead, ‘they’ stagger backward before Avenger fires a concentrated beam of Magical Energy through the center of ‘their’ chest.
Coughing blood all over ‘their’ white clothes, Delta mouths some manner of spiteful remark or curse before slumping face-first onto the ground and lying there motionless. Looking into the maintenance-room, you can see that Aka no Assassin still hasn’t recovered enough to stand, though she shows a glare of hatred as your eyes meet hers. Standing up yourself isn’t easy, as you need to support yourself with your mace before you can get up. Your Servant manages to get herself up by flapping her wings with a surprising rapidity, though she supports herself on her staff once she’s on her feet.
With a grimace, she swiftly conjures magic circles to begin resuming attack, telling you, “Another Servant is approaching swiftly, and something else not too far behind. I’m wiping this one out now.”","attachment":null,"posted":1715482000},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":6001855,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":"You nod in assent and stand clear, but some falling rubble obscures her firing-line, making her hesitate momentarily. You then hear footsteps along the tunnel, and a man about your height with a drawn sword is sprinting toward you with an empty hand outstretched. The first peculiarity you notice is that while he’s moving at clearly superhuman speed, he’s not registering in your mind as a Servant. The next is that a collection of Magical Energy is concentrating in his hand.
Expecting an attack of some sort, you raise your mace into a guard, and the man responds by unleashing the Magical Energy in a highly-pressurized jet of what you believe is water, or at least a fluid with generally similar properties, as a warning shot past Avenger’s face. She turns her magic circles toward him in response.
“Well. Things have certainly gotten out of hand here.” The newcomer commented jovially, before turning to his side and saying, “Come on out Archer, no need to be shy.”
“You sure you’ve had your fill of grandstanding, Messerschmidt? I can wait.” A Servant coolly replies as he materializes, a tall man with the kind of stubbly facial hair that would be expected a week or two after his last shave, wearing a poncho and a revolver pistol at his hip and holding a lit cigar in his hand. The intuition of the Master-Servant contract informs you that he’s designated ‘Archer of Black’.
“I suppose that’s up to those two.” The man called ‘Messerschmidt’ responds with a flourish of his hand toward you, “What do you say, care to take a breather as we exchange pleasantries, or would you like to skip to the part where we kill each other? Perhaps we could take a walk to an area where we corporeal beings are less likely to be buried in rubble?”
You’re not sure if he’s trying to buy time for some kind of stratagem or if he’s simply indulging a personal quirk. You observe that Archer of Black is standing at a range that would be most suitable for firing a pistol, and the blade of Messerschmidt’s sword is infused with Ether that you suspect is similar to the “True Ether”. They’re both fresh to the battle, and while you aren’t running low on Magical Energy you can’t say that you’re in top shape either. Leaving the area would jeopardize your chance to finish off Aka no Assassin though, which you’d really like to do, but trying that with Archer of Black right in front you seems to be a risky tactic. You also get the impression that something else is coming up behind them, but it isn’t the feeling you get when you detect a Servant.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715482095459326.png","filename":"Archer of Black.png"},"posted":1715482095},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":6001856,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":"You’ll
> Tell him that you’ll skip to the part where you kill each other
> Play along with his request and move off, catching your breath would be a welcome respite and he’ll probably give away some information about who he is and his motivations
> Agree to talk, but don’t budge from where you’re standing; you don’t want to let Aka no Assassin out of your sight and can wait for an opportunity to strike later
> Ask him to give you a minute to think about it, them telepathically form a plan with Avenger to surprise-attack the newcomers
> Something different (write-in)","attachment":null,"posted":1715482174},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":6001862,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001856
>> Agree to talk, but don’t budge from where you’re standing; you don’t want to let Aka no Assassin out of your sight and can wait for an opportunity to strike later
Come on Sophie, do your thing. Shouldn't she be called Jen in Anon's mind?","attachment":null,"posted":1715482645},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":6001867,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":">>6001862
Truvietianne told you about Jen going by Sophia when you recovered her after defeating Sun Wukong.
But keep me on my continuity toes :) !","attachment":null,"posted":1715483005},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":6001916,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001856
>Agree to talk, but don’t budge from where you’re standing; you don’t want to let Aka no Assassin out of your sight and can wait for an opportunity to strike later","attachment":null,"posted":1715487120},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":6009633,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":"“I suppose I’ll thank you for your consideration and take a break.” You answer him, lowering your mace so that its haft rests on your knee, “But I’ve had to run around a fair bit today, so I’ll stay here for now.”
“Are you sure? You’re liable to have debris rain down on you if you stick around.” Messerschmidt replies in a tone hinting at a veiled threat as he too lowers his black-bladed sword to a more relaxed position.
Batting away a falling rock and brushing some dust off your shoulder with your free hand, you answer, “A little rain never killed anyone, it’ll be fine.”
Amused at your response, he chuckles, “Suit yourself then. Anyhow, I imagine you’re curious about what led us to this fateful meeting.”
“I’d say there are a few layers to a question like that.” You reply, “The most relevant link in the chain of causality is probably when a certain artillery bombardment began poking at an area about five miles south of here.”
“You lot didn’t make yourselves an easy mark, so I had to put my thinking-cap on to come up with a way to force you onto the field.” Messerschmidt explains in a calm, almost friendly tone, “But without further ado, allow me to introduce myself: Eugene Messerschmidt, Field Marshal of the newly-formed Dead Apostle Army.”
“I see. Pleased to make your acquaintance.” You reply in a deadpan tone that contrasts his easygoing demeanor. “Since it seems you’re high up the chain of command, perhaps you could enlighten me on the goal of your organization. I believe I engaged your forces before I even entered the Holy Grail War here.” In a way, this undead army is your ‘oldest enemy’, considering you fought them the first time you met Rushorou and Ryuuta (and that other boy whom you haven’t seen since) though you wouldn’t call it your most formidable foe. Not to mention the circumstances that led to Sophia being… born? Created? You’re not sure of the most suitable terminology.
“You and a healthy majority of the other Masters.” Eugene replies nonchalantly as he brushes back his brown hair with his hand, “But right, our goal. We decided to take advantage of the situation that Triscus Adajio presented to us, once we got the gist of what was going on. Well, actually we started feeding on or converting the humans before that, though Rusalka went off to do her own thing. But Jester and I go back a while, so we arranged a partnership where he was in overall command while I was the army’s hands-on Field Marshal. Quite an enjoyable experience it’s been if I do say.”
“But what was the point of forming your army in the first place before you even knew about the Holy Grail War?” You inquire, “Thirst for blood from being a Dead Apostle?”","attachment":null,"posted":1716083387},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":6009635,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":"“Hmm, I neglected to mention anything about a wish from the Holy Grail didn’t I? Appetite isn’t my main motivation; I suppose I’m taking my time to enjoy the war, it’s not every day you can command an army in unrestricted warfare. Maybe when it’s over I’ll use the Holy Grail’s wish to start another war here. No need to worry about preserving Mystery when no loose ends leave this world. It seems like the Counter Force isn’t as active here either, which could present some interesting possibilities.” The Field Marshal says. He then shifts the topic, “Now I’ve more or less said my piece, but I’m curious what your deal is. I’d guess self-preservation isn’t your top priority, considering you were fighting a Servant directly a couple minutes ago. And what are you anyway?”
“Well, now that you’ve been so open with me I feel a little bad that I can’t properly reciprocate.” You reply, though you’re not as apologetic as your choice of words implies. It doesn’t sit right with you that this Dead Apostle came to the conclusion of repeating a Holy Grail War for the fun of it, capturing countless humans as cannon-fodder for a war with no purpose besides his personal entertainment. While Eugene was talking, you’ve been trying to gauge his preparedness as well as that of Archer of Black. Despite his casual tone and tendency to run his mouth, Messerschmidt never actually dropped his guard, keeping a firm stance as he rested the black blade of his sword on his knee. When you’d glance at Archer of Black, he seemed much more relaxed by comparison, silently leaning against the tunnel’s wall and holding his cigar in one hand, but the look from his piercing eyes led you to believe that between him and Messerschmidt, the Archer would be the one to strike first if you made a sudden move. When you shifted your glance toward the enemies you encountered earlier, you see that Delta hasn’t moved since Avenger perforated ‘their’ chest with one of her spells, and Aka no Assassin still hasn’t gotten up either.
“Do you just have poor manners, or is something actually preventing you from telling me?” Eugene asked with disappointment apparent in his voice.
“You may not believe me, but the truth is my memory doesn’t clearly extend any earlier than when I woke up in the city that we all started in.” You answer, “What my name is and what I am aren’t known even to me, solving those problems is an important goal. It seems I’m somewhat strong, so I’ll use the Holy Grail to figure things out if they don’t clear up before then.”
Interjecting into your conversation, Archer of Black says, “Messerschmidt. Something’s coming up behind us.”
Unfortunately neither of them seemed lose focus from the revelation, with Eugene replying, “Really? I can’t discern the presence of another Servant, though when there are enough of you nearby detecting new arrivals can be tricky.”","attachment":null,"posted":1716083470},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":6009638,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":"“It’s not a Servant.” Archer of Black answers as he straightens up and steps away from the wall, dropping his cigar and stamping it out, “I would have noticed sooner if it were.”
“Then why act like it’s a problem?” Eugene asks, “I doubt whatever it is will present a threat... although I suppose it could be the Master of another Assassin.”
Feeling the approaching presence much more strongly now, you look past the Field Marshal and the Archer to spot a familiar figure with a pistol drawn as she runs around a curve in the tunnel.
“Took me a hot minute to find you, but looks like you’re expecting me, Anon!” Sophia shouts down the tunnel.
“Anon?” Messerschmidt repeats quizzically.
“A placeholder nickname.” You tersely clarify, then address Sophia, “It’s be a while, hasn’t it? Anne told me you go by Sophia now.”
“That’s right! How is Anne, by the way?” Sophia says as she stops a few yards before she reaches Archer of Black, who was standing guard near Messerschmidt.
“Better, though she’s hunkering down with Koko and Suzaku thanks to a sporadic artillery bombardment courtesy of these guys, if I’m not mistaken.” You explain.
“Is he correct?” Sophia asks the Field Marshal coldly and with palpable hostility.
“I must say, you’re quite beautiful when you’re angry Sophia.” Eugene replies, provoking a flash of surprise on woman’s face before she replaces it with a glare. Messerschmidt continues, “And Mr. Anon, as you call him, is more or less correct. I gave the order to flush these two out of the magically-fortified territory where they were holed up. But allow me to introduce myself: Field Marshal of the Dead Apostle Army, Eugene Messerschmidt.”
“Ah, you’re pals with Jester Karture.” Sophia replies with venom in her tone, “And I’d guess the former boss of a certain ghoul called Anton Kagan.”
“You’ve heard of me and Jester? That’s interesting.” Messerschmidt says, though when his face betrays a sudden realization he adds, “And how did you hear the name Anton Kagan?”
“I’m the one who killed his worthless ass!” Sophia answers with rising anger, but suppresses it again when she starts taking off her coat and tells you, “I already meant to show you this Anon, but it looks like I’ll be giving it a test-run at the same time.”
“Why are you disrobing?” Avenger asks her in suspicion.
“Beat me to the draw.” Archer of Black comments wryly.
“I need a little room to let it ou-” Sophia begins to answer as she throws her coat to the side, revealing a blue sundress, but stops herself and sighs, “Forget I said that.”
“If you want to show more skin that’s fine by me.” Eugene says encouragingly.
Ignoring him, Sophia addresses you when she says, “Watch carefully Anon, this may be important to you.”","attachment":null,"posted":1716083640},{"board":"qst","thread":5972351,"pid":6009640,"name":"Low Speed Anti-Divine QM","msg":"You decide to reactivate your Mana Sight, and when you look at Sophia you can see that her body is densely infused with True Ether. As she takes a deep breath, a large fraction of the True Ether in her body begins circulate and move toward her upper back. In fact, it’s the same part of her upper back where you’ve felt an odd sensation in yours lately, and the sensation returns in earnest as you watch Sophia now.
You, as well as Avenger, Eugene, and the Archer shield your eyes as you all watch the True Ether begin to physically manifest in a shining white flash. Blinking a few times to clear your vision, you feel as though the ringing vibration of a massive bell is causing your entire body to reverberate as you process what you see.
Out of Sophia’s back are a pair of wings: shining a pure white light, bright enough to clearly illuminate the tunnel, covered in feathers that make the wings reminiscent of those of eagles, and after a few moments of analysis you conclude that the wings are formed of the True Ether. Taking it all in, a single word leaps to the front of your mind and roots itself there. Right now, you’d have to describe Sophia’s appearance as...
Angelic.
[To be continued… in the next thread]
I figured it was past time to start really cracking open the mystery-box of Anon’s identity. It may be a bit before the next thread goes up but I’m looking forward to the coming events.","attachment":null,"posted":1716083761}]}
+{"title":"Civ Thread: Sticks and Stones","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5969647,"pid":5969647,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Mobile poster attempting to cobble together a simple civ thread (without letting it immediately die as with other civ threads.) Going to keep it simple as there's already an extremely detailed nation builder on the board atm to satisfy anyone looking for complexity.
>Races are limited to those made out of sticks and stones
>Vote on a race and location, first to three wins","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712252765706528.jpg","filename":"1000012906.jpg"},"posted":1712252765},{"board":"qst","thread":5969647,"pid":5969669,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5969647
Construct, Living Moon","attachment":null,"posted":1712254313},{"board":"qst","thread":5969647,"pid":5969682,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5969647
Myceanea Mana Wastes
Mana Spores are Go","attachment":null,"posted":1712255442},{"board":"qst","thread":5969647,"pid":5969795,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5969682
>+1
Funny little shrooms","attachment":null,"posted":1712265486},{"board":"qst","thread":5969647,"pid":5969917,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5969682
>+1","attachment":null,"posted":1712275691},{"board":"qst","thread":5969647,"pid":5970009,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5969917
>>5969795
>>5969682
>>5969669
Following a mass cataclysm, extinction event, or in this instance, an eldritch blast wrought upon a former lunar paradise by a senile Lich seeking to regain his sanity with a fleeting grasp of magic; fungus tends to be one of the first organisms to recolonize the barren; polluted soil to settle the land to their liking.
This is the case of your fledgling village of Myceanean people as well; grown from a small swamp surrounding a stagnant lake sizzling with residual mana. At one point it was a quarry, evident by glittering minerals and piles of rubble that litter it's steppe walls, despite being barely visible beneath the oily purple water. Staring too long into it, or mycelium forbid- consuming the water induces insanity; which caused some earlier Myceanea to wander off babbling, never to be seen again.
There are 20 of your people; all of which were named by one another as there wasn't an elder at the time of your spawning. As the population grows and rumors of monstrous boars stalking the swamp increase, your people need a leader. They decide to:
>Elect a leader (Democracy: More political intrigue)
>Make the biggest 'Shroom king (Monarchy; less focus on internal politics- can change if players request)
After that is settled; your people decide to
>Cultivate more turf
>Scavenge your surroundings
>Construct housing (or some other structure)
>Send a group of Shrooms to hunt the monstrous boars
>Send a group of Shrooms to explore the surrounding area
>Write in
>Three votes wins, or whatever has the most in a day. Will check back periodically to update.","attachment":null,"posted":1712283452},{"board":"qst","thread":5969647,"pid":5970037,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970009
>Make the biggest 'Shroom king (Monarchy; less focus on internal politics- can change if players request)
>Scavenge your surroundings","attachment":null,"posted":1712286191},{"board":"qst","thread":5969647,"pid":5970081,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970009
Going to throw some context out there before things get rolling
>Didn't want to alienate the first poster, so I thought a living moon turned mana waste would be a fun compromise
>Expect frequent dice rolling so that things don't get stale; for example, a d20 for a simple action that doesn't outright decide the outcome (except a critical failure or success) but rather decides an additional event to occur as well (negative or positive depending on the roll.)
>Don't expect to get much trying to scramble things together from raw resources- the entire moon has been magically nuked and nearly stripped bare of life; but those who lived before left a lot behind for anyone willing to pick through the cursed landscape to find it.","attachment":null,"posted":1712291755},{"board":"qst","thread":5969647,"pid":5970082,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970009
>Make the biggest 'Shroom king (Monarchy; less focus on internal politics- can change if players request)
Early on we should have a strong central power and focused goals, we are only 20 strong and know nothing, the biggest clearly knows something the others dont or else how else would he get so big?
>Send a group of Shrooms to explore the surrounding area
1 in each cardinal direction, dont take any risks only observe and report, bring back something we can expect to find in the area and give us a rundown","attachment":null,"posted":1712291858},{"board":"qst","thread":5969647,"pid":5970822,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970009
>Change politics: monarchy
Three cheers for the shroom king!
>Explore
The cardinal directions sound fine for starters.","attachment":null,"posted":1712383181},{"board":"qst","thread":5969647,"pid":5971585,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"OP ? c'mon man","attachment":null,"posted":1712455111},{"board":"qst","thread":5969647,"pid":5971600,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971585
its a civ thread we do this to ourselves everytime we vote in these fucking threads, QMs for Civ threads have the attention span of goldfish and half the time the threads are made deliberately to abandon","attachment":null,"posted":1712455523},{"board":"qst","thread":5969647,"pid":5972221,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"the real problem is at some point someone will make a legitimate one but get no players. Thankfully the other fantasy civ quests are still going","attachment":null,"posted":1712519148},{"board":"qst","thread":5969647,"pid":5972258,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 3 (1d20)
>>5971585
>>5971600
>>5972221
>>5970822
>>5970082
>>5970037
Apologies, I frankly did lose attention after not getting replies for awhile. Considering the interest though, and your dedication to shroom' civilization. This quest will continue as promised with more frequent updating (as long as there are players present.)
>Make the biggest Shroom' king
As you were all born together; there is little differentiating your kind in terms of wisdom; however- King Squeakcap towers over your kin; twelve feet tall and offering him the best vantage point to survey potential threats and opportunities. Unfortunately, despite his towering size from his nutritious patch of turf- he has an unusually high pitched voice that lent him his name. Despite this, he's easily the biggest- and as such he's king!
>Explore in the cardinal directions...
To be continued in the next post; roll determines outcome.","attachment":null,"posted":1712522046},{"board":"qst","thread":5969647,"pid":5972274,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972258
>Explore your surroundings! (3; near-critical failure.)
Unfortunately for King Squeakcap and his kin, they are entirely unaware as to what "cardinal" directions are- nor how to safely explore or survey their surroundings. They do however, know how to meld together- holding hands to share information through telepathic spores and incidentally enjoying a flood of pleasant endorphins in the process. The king gathers a dozen of his kind to meld; telling them all to scatter and reconvene with what they find. Stumbling off in a stupor, pairs of mushrooms hold hands to continue the pleasure of melding as they explore- which unfortunately impairs all of those involved. A variety of walking truffles stumble in circles throughout the wastes, erratically avoiding pitfalls and frantically running from unusual noises in the distance. It offers little in terms of geological information, threats, or potential resources- but your people get a vague idea of their surroundings after melding with their king.
>North: A big lake! Like too big, it gave us a headache the closer we got to it, there was this soft stuff near it too but it hurts walking by it. There's big fish walking around and they have a clubhouse.
>South: Some sort of city with really sick people walking around, we think they're really sick because the gate's fallen off and no one's fixed it. There's this poor bedridden man in the center of the city kept on display that keeps babbling and screaming. We really wanted to help but the city looks scary.
>East: SPIDERS! GET THEM OFF OF ME! SPIDERS EVERYWHERE! MY EYES! MY EYES! Oh look shin- MY EYES!
>West: Some sort of forest thingy, except the trees are made of metal and oh I think Mychel got sick breathing in this green fog stuff over it.We heard pigs, and big dogs too.
There's a single casualty from the exploration; but it goes unnoticed as the team that returns from the east arrives with one of your kind that went insane from drinking lake water earlier. He's not much better after melding; but he understands that returning from where he came means spiders. He's placed in a small cave with Mychel; resting away from the others as he babbles about "pig friends".
What does King Squeakcap decree?
>We must scavenge our surroundings
>We must construct (something)
>We should explore (direction)
>Write In","attachment":null,"posted":1712523331},{"board":"qst","thread":5969647,"pid":5972321,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972274
>We should explore (north)","attachment":null,"posted":1712529341},{"board":"qst","thread":5969647,"pid":5972343,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972274
I have forgotten the cornerstone of civilization; reproduction- in addition to the earlier recommended actions; I also recommend
>Cultivate more turf","attachment":null,"posted":1712530845},{"board":"qst","thread":5969647,"pid":5972357,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Cultivate more turf
>>5972274
Mycology is the beginning of rejuvenation, and frankly everything our friends found seems like its dead or dying, we must expand in order to begin the process of fixing our world","attachment":null,"posted":1712531694},{"board":"qst","thread":5969647,"pid":5972522,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">King Squeakcap mogging his brothers while waiting for them to sober up and make a decision","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712547322791523.png","filename":"1000012910.png"},"posted":1712547322},{"board":"qst","thread":5969647,"pid":5972638,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972274
>>5972343
>>Cultivate more turf
Spread spores far and wide","attachment":null,"posted":1712554219},{"board":"qst","thread":5969647,"pid":5972912,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972321
>>5972357
>>5972638
Update to come in 4-5 hours (Viewing the eclipse) If no further votes are placed before then, turf will be cultivated; with an unlikely tie being determined by a dice roll instead.","attachment":null,"posted":1712593273},{"board":"qst","thread":5969647,"pid":5973097,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 6 (1d20)
>We must cultivate more turf
Rolling for results","attachment":null,"posted":1712613533},{"board":"qst","thread":5969647,"pid":5973099,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 13 (1d20)
>>5972638
>>5972357
>>5972321
>We must cultivate more turf (Slightly negative bonus outcome)
King Squeakcap decrees that the lands beyond your territory are too dangerous for now; and that it will take many more Shrooms to explore these lands. Your people set to work doing what comes naturally; frantically shaking and spasming over barren strips of land as to spread their spores. Mychel sits out, but the insane wanderer manages to cultivate some turf himself- albeit with strange results; the spore covered ground tainted with the same purple hue of the lake; hopefully his spawn aren't as unstable their predecessor. The land surrounding the lake is entirely converted from barren, toxic stone to a verdant carpet of multicolored fungi.
>+10 'Shrooms in 2 turns
Following this, the nameless lake-drinker from earlier scampers off with excitement towards the sound of stalk chilling grunts echoing from the rest, shouting gleefully about his "pig friends" Rolling for results-","attachment":null,"posted":1712614229},{"board":"qst","thread":5969647,"pid":5973107,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973099
>13 (Positive Results)
It isn't long before the insane mushroom returns to introduce the rest of your kind to his friends, and thankfully- only one seems to have visited. For the gutteral, absurdly loud sounds it's capable of producing- it's disproportionately small; a perfect mirror of King Squeakcap's predicament. However, that is not to say it isn't intimidating- slightly shorter than him yet many times larger than the King himself and likely just as capable of gnawing him to pieces. Yet with all of these terrible qualities; the unnerving hellboar whose flesh crackles with mana stood docile next to the diminutive babbling mushroom next to it. The spectacle comes to an abrupt halt as it makes the earth shake with a stomp before snorting aggressively in the lake drinker's direction- he looks towards the king with embarrassment. "It's hungry."
How does the king handle this?
>Banish the insane one and his boar to the wasteland
>Sacrifice Mychel to the boar
>Convince the insane one to lead the pair into the lake
>Write In
Shroom' Resources:
>Population 20 (+10 in two turns)
>More to be added as they're discovered
Following this situation, what does King Squeakcap decree?
>We must cultivate EVEN MORE turf!
>We must scavenge our surroundings
>We must construct (something)
>We must explore (direction)
>Write In
1st to three (or the most votes in 24 hours) wins; will check periodically to update.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712615710842148.jpg","filename":"1000012922.jpg"},"posted":1712615710},{"board":"qst","thread":5969647,"pid":5973114,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973107
>>Banish the insane one and his boar to the wasteland
We are of one! This creature may give us great power, I concede, but it could just as easily destroy us. We can never trust it, as it is not from the Mycelium. It is not from the turf. Our fledging society cannot yet accomodate those we don't trust, nor those who vouch for outsiders over our own safety.
Oh, and we:
>need more turf
Turf is life.","attachment":null,"posted":1712616494},{"board":"qst","thread":5969647,"pid":5973204,"name":"Shiitake Nakamoto","msg":">>5973107
>>Convince the insane one to lead the pair into the lake
There's food in the lake. Go Fish.
>Construct humidor
A building that moderates temperature, humidity, light, etc to maintain an environment ideal for spores to inoculate and fruit,","attachment":null,"posted":1712625122},{"board":"qst","thread":5969647,"pid":5973285,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973107
>Sacrifice Mychel
Its no biggie, Mychel is just doing his part for the natiral cycle, plus the boar is a useful ally this early, this is the beginnings of domestication and a hearty breed at that
>Construct Something
The snuggle dome is a domed structure in which we can all sleep starting off, later on we make other abodes and make the dome into the mush palace","attachment":null,"posted":1712628891},{"board":"qst","thread":5969647,"pid":5973296,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973285
My argument against first anon is he may not be of the Mycelium but with the ingestion of Mychel in his frail state he may be able to rewire the boar especially as this "insane" mushroom walked him over no big deal, I think we should look into this insane fellow more and see if his insanity is more shamanic/druidic in nature","attachment":null,"posted":1712629550},{"board":"qst","thread":5969647,"pid":5973320,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973107
>Convince the insane one to lead the pair into the lake
>Construct humidor","attachment":null,"posted":1712631378},{"board":"qst","thread":5969647,"pid":5974952,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"sadge","attachment":null,"posted":1712815009},{"board":"qst","thread":5969647,"pid":5974967,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974952
>op says he'll cont the thread
>starts a super interesting quest
>doesnt
major sadge","attachment":null,"posted":1712816139},{"board":"qst","thread":5969647,"pid":5984357,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974967
Any Quests with that damn OP image (or any variation thereof) are pretty much guaranteed to die. Using OP's image is basically an indicator that the QM has no ideas and is going to flake, so it'd just save a lot of time and effort if everyone on the board started ignoring them entirely.","attachment":null,"posted":1713824269}]}
+{"title":"The Fall of Hyrule #5","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5970548,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":"Before the green garbed hero arrived, before the princess’s power arise, before the blade of evils bane, before the kingdom of Hyrule waned, there were kings and queens, soldiers and spies, all battling to keep the kingdom alive. They fought the king of evil’s might, but were all cast down into deepest night. Without their bravery no land would there be, for the hero in green to have set free. So come all ye listeners and harken to me, while I spin thee a tale about the heroes in mail. The common solider whose blood was spilled, to buy time for the hero with the iron will.
Previous Threads: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?searchall=The+Fall+of+Hyrule
The click and scrape of metal on stone along with occasional grunt of exertion are the only sounds in the tunnel as Jinom and his flanking force crawl through the narrowing passages that lead to the rear entrance of the Bokoblin base. Prince Jinom wipes sweat from his brow and takes another breath of the stiflingly hot tunnel air. Up ahead, the Sheikah lead the way, dimly illuminating the tunnel with a heavily shaded lantern as the slither silently forward. A few more minutes of crawling later, the tunnel opens up allowing the Prince's men to stand again. This moment of relief is cut short, however, as the Sheikah hurriedly snuff out their lantern and hush everyone into silence. In the dark silence, faint snorting can be heard and dim fire light can be seen dancing on the tunnel wall. Jinom's force creeps forward as quietly as it can coming to a halt just before the tunnel bends to reveal the back entrance to the Bokoblins base.
Peeking carefully around the bend Jinom can see a few blue Bokoblin sentries patroling atop a makeshift stone palisade. Below them, blocking the way into the Bokoblin camp is a simple movable barricade made of sharpened wooden stakes. Judging from the lack of a commotion Darbus's Gorons haven't made their attack yet. All there is left to do, is wait, or attempt a little sabotage...
> Send the Sheikah forward to remove the barricades and clear the way for the Prince's men.
>Have the Sheikah attempt to take out the sentries and give Jinom's force the chance to totally surprise the Bokoblins.
>Hold position and wait for Darbus to attack, rather than risk the Prince's force being discovered early.
>[Write In]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712359677487881.jpg","filename":"Burning Hyrule.jpg"},"posted":1712359677},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5970557,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970548
Hey, this quest is back! Right on!
>Have the Sheikah attempt to take out the sentries and give Jinom's force the chance to totally surprise the Bokoblins.
Fortune favours the bold! Or, at least Farore does.","attachment":null,"posted":1712360408},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5970636,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970548
>>Have the Sheikah attempt to take out the sentries and give Jinom's force the chance to totally surprise the Bokoblins.","attachment":null,"posted":1712368371},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5970832,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970548
>Have the Sheikah attempt to take out the sentries and give Jinom's force the chance to totally surprise the Bokoblins.","attachment":null,"posted":1712383535},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5971162,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970548
>>Have the Sheikah attempt to take out the sentries and give Jinom's force the chance to totally surprise the Bokoblins.","attachment":null,"posted":1712427060},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5971238,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970548
>>Have the Sheikah attempt to take out the sentries and give Jinom's force the chance to totally surprise the Bokoblins.","attachment":null,"posted":1712434420},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5971244,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5970548
>>5970557
>>5970636
>>5970832
>>5971162
With a barely audible whisper Jinom orders the Sheikah forward to take out the Bokoblin sentries
> Base DC 30 (Entrenched/Alert Foe)
> Sheikah Wisdom +30 DC
> Blue Bokoblin Wisdom -15 DC
> Total DC 45
> Give me three d100s
0 Passes = The Sheika are spotted and the alarm is sounded before they even reach the wall and your attack must be launched now to save them and give Darbus’s men the chance at surprise.
1 Passes = The Sheika make it inside, but are spotted and engaged by sentries. No alarm is sounded but you’ll have to move in now if you want to keep it that way.
2 Passes = Taken down or lured away, the sentries are taken care of leaving you a clear path into the Bokoblin camp
3 Passes = The way is cleared and a vulnerability is spotted in the camps defenses. Which will greatly aid the Gorons in their fight once exploited.
Phone posting at the moment update to come in a few hours","attachment":null,"posted":1712434530},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5971399,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 15 (1d100)
>>5971244","attachment":null,"posted":1712445341},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5971409,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 44 (1d100)
>>5971244","attachment":null,"posted":1712446052},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5971511,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 82 (1d100)
>>5971244","attachment":null,"posted":1712451238},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5971531,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971399
>>5971409
>>5971511
Pretty okay! Sorry for my shit roll, anons.","attachment":null,"posted":1712451842},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5971712,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5971244
>>5971399
>>5971409
>>5971511
The Sheikah move in absolute silence. Sticking to the shadows just out of the torch light they slink right up to the stone palisade. They position themselves just below one of the blue Bokoblins and in a feat of athleticism toss one of their number up the wall. The Bokoblin doesn't even have time to scream as the Sheikah rises into view and sinks his dagger into the swine's neck before pulling its body over the edge. The Sheikah at the foot of the wall catch the falling duo soundlessly. In the next few moments, the Sheikah scale the wall and deal with the remaining sentries discretely before opening the way for Jinom and his men.
The interior of the Bokoblin camp is filled with the snores of sleeping swine and the stench of their refuse. This close to dawn their camp fires have died down and most of the Bokoblins are asleep, though they might not remain so for long. With the outer defenses cleared, Jinom's forces are in an excellent position to launch their surprise flanking attack. They could simply wait now for Darbus's attack, or they could push their luck a little further.
> Stick to plan and await Darbus's attack
> Your current position is too great not to exploit. Begin the attack now and slaughter as many Bokoblins as you can before the camp wakes up.
> Lean a little more on the Sheikah and see if they can't clear the way for Darbus's men the same way they did for yours.
> [Write In]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712462185574759.jpg","filename":"398465.jpg"},"posted":1712462185},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5971719,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971712
> Your current position is too great not to exploit. Begin the attack now and slaughter as many Bokoblins as you can before the camp wakes up.","attachment":null,"posted":1712462565},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5971829,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971712
>> Stick to plan and await Darbus's attack","attachment":null,"posted":1712468509},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5971833,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971712
>Your current position is too great not to exploit. Begin the attack now and slaughter as many Bokoblins as you can before the camp wakes up.","attachment":null,"posted":1712468962},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5971877,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971712
> Stick to plan and await Darbus's attack","attachment":null,"posted":1712473966},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5972394,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d2)
Looks like we have a tie let's see what the dice say.
>>5971719
>>5971833
1
>>5971829
>>5971877
2","attachment":null,"posted":1712535737},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5972435,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5972394
While the original plan had been to use Darbus’s attack to launch a surprise assault. Jinom’s current position is too advantageous to not exploit. Unsheathing his sword, the prince gestures for his men to do the same. In a whisper just loud enough to be heard by his men Jinom says “Let’s slaughter these pigs.” At their leaders’ orders, the Hylians spread out and take position over their sleeping prey.
> Base DC 50 (Lambs to the slaughter/Larger enemy force)
> Jinom’s Formation’s Wisdom +20 DC
> Bokoblin Sentries Wisdom -15 DC
> Total DC 55
> Give me three d100s
0 Passes = Jinom and his men are only able to kill a few Bokoblins before they are detected.
1 Passes = The Bokoblin’s are more alert than expected and the slaughter is stopped soon after it starts.
2 Passes = The ground runs red with Bokoblin blood before Jinom’s men are spotted and the alarm sounded.
3 Passes = The Hylians easily kill double their number in Bokoblins and Jinom’s surprise attack catches the enemy unprepared and scrambling to respond.
Let the killing begin.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712539067818060.jpg","filename":"203216.jpg"},"posted":1712539067},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5972441,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 88 (1d100)
>>5972435","attachment":null,"posted":1712539416},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5972442,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972441","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712539478490733.png","filename":"Screenshot 2022-11-28 121017.png"},"posted":1712539478},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5972453,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 90 (1d100)
>>5972435","attachment":null,"posted":1712540379},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5972488,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 83 (1d100)
>>5972435
wow","attachment":null,"posted":1712543560},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5972492,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972441
>>5972453
>>5972488
It was not meant to be, bros...","attachment":null,"posted":1712543681},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5972501,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"It's so bokover.","attachment":null,"posted":1712544473},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5973261,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5972435
>>5972441
>>5972453
>>5972488
Unmoving and snoring softly, the Bokoblin sleeping before the prince makes for an easy target. With practiced ease, Jinom takes his sword in both hands and brings its point down hard into the Bokoblin's neck. The blade strikes true and the creature's eyes snap open in panic as blood gushes from its neck. It makes a few feeble attempts to resist and call for help, but only a low gurgle and more blood escapes its lips. Soon the Bokoblin stills and the life leaves its eyes. Nearby, the Sheikah too dispatch their Bokoblins with professional and efficient swiftness. Their victims never waking from their slumber. To Jinom's right Sir Nagos, a man known to have a steady hand, brings his blade up to deliver the coup-de-grace to another sleeping Bokoblin. As Nagos's sword races downward however something awakens the Bokoblin and it flinches at the last moment causing the strike to miss the vitals and instead bury itself into the monster's flesh just below the collar bone. The Bokoblin lets out an ear-piercing squeal and thrashes about under Nagos's sword. The knight pulls his weapon free and brings it down again hoping to silence the beast, but the Bokoblin is struggling too much and the sword once again misses anything immediately fatal. The shrieks of pain grow louder as Nagos stabs the Bokoblin three more times before finally setting his boot on the creature’s chest and driving his sword through its head. The monster is silenced, but the damage is already done. All around, alarms are being raised and Bokoblins are seizing weapons and rising to their feet. With the element of surprise gone the only thing left to do is fight.
To where do you fight?
>Push forward toward the center of the Bokoblin camp, you need to make as big of a distraction as possible, so Darbus’s attack can come in unnoticed.
>Find a defensible position and make your stand there you will soon be out numbered and you will need to hold out until Darbus’s arrives.
>Make your way to the main entrance so that you can open the way for Darbus and link up with his Gorons as soon as possible.
Also…
CHOOSE YOUR FORMATION:
OFFENSIVE:
>Mass Charge: (Basic Offensive formation no additional effects)
>Armored Advance: All damage not blocked by defense is doubled for both this unit and its target
MANEUVER:
> Split: Roll damage twice, use the greater result (On counter roll enemy defense twice, take the lower result)
DEFENSIVE:
>Brace: (Basic Defensive formation no additional effects)
> Lock Shields: Suffer no damage from ranged attacks this round unless Countered, gain +2 Courage for the purpose of resisting Scare effects.
> Disengage: Any damage dealt by unit will be halved, if not Countered unit will break contact with the enemy and be allowed to flee combat next round","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712627409519300.jpg","filename":"468512.jpg"},"posted":1712627409},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5973262,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":"As a general reminder here are how the formations work:
Three types of stance/formation
OFFENSIVE:
> Counters Maneuver
> Wisdom Bonus applies to attack
>Builds Momentum
MANEUVER:
> Counters Defensive
> Wisdom Bonus split between attack and defense
> Most varied in its effects
DEFENSIVE:
> Counters Offensive
> Wisdom Bonus applies to defense
> Lowers Momentum
Wisdom Bonus: Applies half your wisdom score to your attack or defense depending on your stance/formation. If your stance/formation counters your opponents, your full wisdom score is used.
Momentum: Adds to your Power in combat depending on its level
>Level 1: Power Bonus +1
>Level 2: Power Bonus +2
>Level 3: Power Bonus +4
Gaining Momentum: Different stance/formations can effect Momentum in different ways but the general rules are…
>Offensive stances/formations build your momentum by 1
>Maneuvers stances/formations maintain the current momentum
>Defensive stances/formations lower your momentum by 1
Your Formation Stats:
Power: 4 Wisdom: 4 Courage: 4","attachment":null,"posted":1712627591},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5973291,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973261
>Make your way to the main entrance so that you can open the way for Darbus and link up with his Gorons as soon as possible.
>Mass Charge: (Basic Offensive formation no additional effects)","attachment":null,"posted":1712629393},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5973433,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973261
>Push forward toward the center of the Bokoblin camp, you need to make as big of a distraction as possible, so Darbus’s attack can come in unnoticed.
Split: Roll damage twice, use the greater result (On counter roll enemy defense twice, take the lower result)","attachment":null,"posted":1712641018},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5973665,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973261
>Make your way to the main entrance so that you can open the way for Darbus and link up with his Gorons as soon as possible.
> Split: Roll damage twice, use the greater result (On counter roll enemy defense twice, take the lower result)","attachment":null,"posted":1712676222},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5973936,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5973261
>>5973291
>>5973433
>>5973665
Split formation heading for the gate update in a few hours until then I need some rolls.
> I need two anons to roll 1d4+10 for your attack.
and
> One anon to roll 1d4+8 for your defense.","attachment":null,"posted":1712702359},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5974107,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 2 + 10 (1d4 + 10)
>>5973936
Bokoblin smashing is a go!","attachment":null,"posted":1712717663},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5974127,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1 + 10 (1d4 + 10)
>>5973936","attachment":null,"posted":1712719668},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5974185,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":"Here's the break down for the current combat.
Your Formation Stats:
Power: 4 Wisdom: 4 Courage: 4 Morale: 64/64
Formation:
>Maneuver - Split: Roll damage twice, use the greater result (On counter roll enemy defense twice, take the lower result)
Momentum: 0
Attack: 1d4+10
>Power: 4 (Base: 4)
>Attack Bonus: 10 ( Power: 4 + Full Counter Wisdom Bonus: 4 +Decent Weapons: 2)
Defense: 1d4+8
> Courage: 4 (Base: 4)
> Defense Bonus: 8 (Courage: 4 + Heavily Armored +4)
Mixed Bokoblin Formation stats:
Power: 3 Wisdom: 2 Courage: 2 Morale: 24/24
Formation:
> *COUNTERED* Huddle Up: Heals half of missing moral if not countered, allows Bokoblins to use improved formations next round.
Momentum: 0
Attack: 1d3+5
>Power: 3 (Base: 3)
>Attack Bonus: 5 (Power: 3 + Decent Weapons: 2)
Defense: 1d2+4
> Courage: 2 (Base: 2)
> Defense Bonus: 4 (Courage: 2 + Makeshift Armor: 1 + Wisdom Bonus: 1)","attachment":null,"posted":1712723457},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5974190,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5974185
In order to make group combat a little cleaner and easier to understand. Each group now has Morale (Average Unit Health x Formation's Courage) run out of Morale and your formation is routed and its remaining members easy pickings.
And to simplify numbers advantages, you will be given a set of bonuses depending on how much you out number the enemy or they out number you.
Equal Forces - No bonus
Greater Forces - 1.5 X Morale, 1.2 X unblocked damage dealt, 0.9 X unblocked damage received
Double Forces - 2 X Morale, 1.5 X unblocked damage dealt, 0.80 X unblocked damage received
Totally Outnumber - 3 X Morale, 2 X unblocked damage dealt, 0.65 X unblocked damage received","attachment":null,"posted":1712724004},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5974193,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":"It's gotten pretty late for me here, so I will have to update tomorrow. Sorry guys.","attachment":null,"posted":1712724152},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5974499,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"We got owned lol","attachment":null,"posted":1712768893},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5974814,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":"Rolled 1, 2 + 4 = 7 (2d2 + 4)
>>5974185
Since the Bokoblins can't possibly beat your defense this round. the only thing left to do is roll the lower of their defense","attachment":null,"posted":1712801857},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5974819,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5974185
>>5974107
>>5974127
>>5974814
Splitting his forces, Jinom orders Sir Nagos to take the other half of his men and meet him at the front entrance to the camp. Thankfully the front entrance isn't too hard to spot as the morning sun streams in through the cave mouth on that side. Keeping in reinforcement range of each other, the two groups tear off through the quickly awakening camp. Half asleep and terrified Bokoblins scramble to get out of the way of charging Hylians as they carve a path through the chaos, until a large mass of Bokoblins blocks their way. The Bokoblin mass is a mix of blues and reds wearing armor made of hides, ropes, and wood planks. Their weapons are surprisingly well made, likely stolen or taken off of some battlefield and sharpened by a Blue Bokoblin "Smith". The enemy is formed up into a solid mass huddled together and gaining additional Bokoblins by the second. With not a moment to lose Jinom's men charge forward clashing with the Bokoblins and engaging them directly. The Bokoblins accept the charge and push back. Forcing the prince and his men to the defensive. The Bokoblins fight hard, snarling, squealing, biting, and striking, forcing Jinom's men to give more ground. The enemy formation loosens up as the Bokoblins grow more eager and attempt to surround the prince's smaller force... exactly as planned. At that moment as the Bokoblin formation breaks up Sir Nagos and his men slam into the Bokoblins from the side cutting into their formation and disorganizing them. The Bokoblins fighting Jinom's men falter in their push as their rear is threatened and the prince rallies his men to counterattack the now confused Bokoblins. Some fall, and others flee as the Bokoblins are pushed back and the two Hylian forces link up.
> The Bokoblins take 7 Morale Damage. 17 Morale remaining.
The initial clash is over, and the battle has now begun, how will you proceed…
CHOOSE YOUR FORMATION:
OFFENSIVE:
>Mass Charge: (Basic Offensive formation no additional effects)
>Armored Advance: All damage not blocked by defense is doubled for both this unit and its target
MANEUVER:
> Split: Roll damage twice, use the greater result (On *Counter* roll enemy defense twice, take the lower result)
DEFENSIVE:
>Brace: (Basic Defensive formation no additional effects)
> Lock Shields: Suffer no damage from ranged attacks this round unless *Countered*, gain +2 Courage for the purpose of resisting Scare effects.
> Disengage: Any damage dealt by unit will be halved, if not *Countered* unit will break contact with the enemy and be allowed to flee combat next round.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712802457411516.jpg","filename":"305735.jpg"},"posted":1712802457},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5974825,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974819
> Lock Shields: Suffer no damage from ranged attacks this round unless *Countered*, gain +2 Courage for the purpose of resisting Scare effects.
Grind them to dust.","attachment":null,"posted":1712802761},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5974828,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974819
>> Lock Shields: Suffer no damage from ranged attacks this round unless *Countered*, gain +2 Courage for the purpose of resisting Scare effects.","attachment":null,"posted":1712802960},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5974947,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974819
>Lock Shields: Suffer no damage from ranged attacks this round unless *Countered*, gain +2 Courage for the purpose of resisting Scare effects.","attachment":null,"posted":1712814757},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5975240,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5974819
>>5974825
>>5974828
>>5974947
Your Formation Stats:
Power: 4Wisdom: 4Courage: 4Morale: 64/64
Formation:
> Defensive -Lock Shields: Suffer no damage from ranged attacks this round unless *Countered*, gain +2 Courage for the purpose of resisting Scare effects.
Momentum: 0
Attack: 1d4+6
>Power: 4 (Base: 4)
>Attack Bonus: 6 ( Power: 4 +Decent Weapons: 2)
Defense: 1d4+12
> Courage: 4 (Base: 4)
> Defense Bonus: 8 (Courage: 4 + Heavily Armored +4 + Full Counter Wisdom Bonus: 4)
Mixed Bokoblin Formation stats:
Power: 3Wisdom: 2Courage: 2Morale: 17/24
Formation:
> *COUNTERED* Offensive - Frenzied Charge -> Wave of Bodies:Generates extra Momentum, adds Courage to Power Stat. Doubles unsaved damage unless *Countered*.
Momentum: 2
Attack: 1d7+10
>Power: 7 (Base: 3 + Momentum: 2 + Frenzied Courage: 2)
>Attack Bonus: 10 (Power: 7 + Decent Weapons: 2 + Wisdom Bonus: 1)
Defense: 1d2+3
> Courage: 2 (Base: 2)
> Defense Bonus: 3 (Courage: 2 + Makeshift Armor: 1)","attachment":null,"posted":1712853916},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5975242,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5975240
Going on the defensive was definitely the right choice.
Now I need:
>1d4+6 for your attack
>1d4+12 for your defense","attachment":null,"posted":1712854042},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5975264,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975242
For the attack.","attachment":null,"posted":1712855473},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5975276,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1 + 6 (1d4 + 6)
>>5975264
For u anon I roll","attachment":null,"posted":1712855989},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5975311,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 4 + 12 (1d4 + 12)
>>5975242","attachment":null,"posted":1712860211},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5975462,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975311
Very cool, they don't hurt unless they roll a 7.
I don't quite get the number advantage system. Is it dynamic with the battle as in armies lose troops and one side gets the bonuses? Do we have any right now?","attachment":null,"posted":1712873222},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5975490,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5975462
It is dynamic, but rarely will it change once battle has begun, a few things can change it, like either side receiving reinforcements, the size of the battle area changing, and long sustained combats where one side is clearly dominating. You have no size bonus right now, as your current troop levels are pretty equal yet. You'd have to deal 2 or 3 rounds of damage like the first one to see an effect on troop numbers and likely by then the enemy will have routed.","attachment":null,"posted":1712875311},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5975494,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":"Rolled 2 + 10 (1d7 + 10)
>>5975240
Bokoblin Attack","attachment":null,"posted":1712875964},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5975495,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":"Rolled 2 + 3 (1d2 + 3)
>>5975494
Bokoblin Defense
Update to come after I get off work.","attachment":null,"posted":1712876067},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5975677,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5975242
"Lock Shields, don't give them an opening." Jinom shouts as the two forces pummel each other. Closing ranks to stand shoulder to shoulder the Hylians tighten up and form an impenetrable wall with their shields as they stand firm against the increasing ferocity of the Bokoblins. Suddenly there is a series of horn blast and the Bokoblins let out a mighty roar throwing themselves recklessly against the Hylian line. The pile up bodies at the front is so great that Bokoblins climb atop their comrades to throw themselves headlong into the middle of prince Jinom's formation, but the men of Hyrule stand firm and the rear ranks cut down these jumpers before they can interrupt the formation. The men at the front hold their ground and dig in their heels as the Bokoblins attempt push through by strength alone.
> The Bokoblins take 2 Morale Damage. 15 Morale remaining.
The pressure is increasing, but the Hylian defense remains solid. What will they do next.
CHOOSE YOUR FORMATION:
OFFENSIVE:
>Mass Charge: (Basic Offensive formation no additional effects)
>Armored Advance: All damage not blocked by defense is doubled for both this unit and its target
MANEUVER:
> Split: Roll damage twice, use the greater result (On *Counter* roll enemy defense twice, take the lower result)
DEFENSIVE:
>Brace: (Basic Defensive formation no additional effects)
> Lock Shields: Suffer no damage from ranged attacks this round unless *Countered*, gain +2 Courage for the purpose of resisting Scare effects.
> Disengage: Any damage dealt by unit will be halved, if not *Countered* unit will break contact with the enemy and be allowed to flee combat next round.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712887437850372.png","filename":"486236.png"},"posted":1712887437},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5975733,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975677
> Disengage: Any damage dealt by unit will be halved, if not *Countered* unit will break contact with the enemy and be allowed to flee combat next round.
Lead them back and away from the main defenses on a meryr chase. The Goron troops should find the defenders far from organized, and their front fortifications half-abandoned!","attachment":null,"posted":1712890738},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5975747,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975677
>>Armored Advance: All damage not blocked by defense is doubled for both this unit and its target","attachment":null,"posted":1712891569},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5975795,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975677
>> Disengage: Any damage dealt by unit will be halved, if not *Countered* unit will break contact with the enemy and be allowed to flee combat next round.","attachment":null,"posted":1712895443},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5975811,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975677
>Lock shields","attachment":null,"posted":1712896639},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5976041,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5975677
>>5975733
>>5975795
Disengage it is then
Your Formation Stats:
Power: 4 Wisdom: 4 Courage: 4 Morale: 64/64
Formation:
> Defensive -Disengage: Any damage dealt by unit will be halved, if not *Countered* unit will break contact with the enemy and be allowed to flee combat next round.
Momentum: 0
Attack: 1d4+6
>Power: 4 (Base: 4)
>Attack Bonus: 6 ( Power: 4 +Decent Weapons: 2)
Defense: 1d4+12
> Courage: 4 (Base: 4)
> Defense Bonus: 8 (Courage: 4 + Heavily Armored +4 + Full Counter Wisdom Bonus: 4)
Mixed Bokoblin Formation stats:
Power: 3 Wisdom: 2 Courage: 2 Morale: 15/24
Formation:
> *COUNTERED* Offensive - Frenzied Charge -> Wave of Bodies:Generates extra Momentum, adds Courage to Power Stat. Doubles unsaved damage unless *Countered*.
Momentum: 3
Attack: 1d9+12
>Power: 9 (Base: 3 + Momentum: 4 + Frenzied Courage: 2)
>Attack Bonus: 12 (Power: 9 + Decent Weapons: 2 + Wisdom Bonus: 1)
Defense: 1d2+3
> Courage: 2 (Base: 2)
> Defense Bonus: 3 (Courage: 2 + Makeshift Armor: 1)","attachment":null,"posted":1712934282},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5976042,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5976041
Alright people, I need:
>1d4+6 for your attack
>1d4+12 for your defense","attachment":null,"posted":1712934351},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5976045,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 2 + 6 (1d4 + 6)
>>5976042","attachment":null,"posted":1712934824},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5976117,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 2 + 12 (1d4 + 12)
>>5976042
defense","attachment":null,"posted":1712943470},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5976133,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":"Rolled 3 + 12 (1d9 + 12)
>>5976041
Bokoblin attack","attachment":null,"posted":1712945933},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5976134,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":"Rolled 2 + 3 (1d2 + 3)
>>5976041
Bokoblin defense
Update will come in a few hours.","attachment":null,"posted":1712946053},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5976344,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5976041
>>5976045
>>5976117
>>5976133
>>5976134
Show them Nayru's courage men." The prince calls to his men. A statement that would be theologically incorrect were it to be said at any other time. These words, agreed upon beforehand, signal to everyone to prepare to Disengage. For to a wise man, it takes great courage and skill to retreat in an orderly fashion before the enemy. As the men prepare to pull away, the Bokoblins increase the pressure, throwing themselves into the Hylian lines with even greater fury. When the final signal is given, the Hylians push forward a step, then fall away as quickly as possible. The break is nearly a clean thing, except for one tenacious Bokoblin sinking its teeth into one of the men-at-arms's calf as he tries to pull back. Thankfully the man's quick moving friends kick the beast off and drag their companion to safety, as the Bokoblins follow the retreating Hylians in a blood thirsty frenzy.
> The Bokoblins take 1 (3/2) damage. 14 Morale remaining.
> Your formation takes 1 damage. 63 Morale remaining.
The Bokoblins are hot on your heels, where are you retreating to?
> Lead the Bokoblins on a chase. The more of them hunting your men, the fewer there will be guarding the front gate.
> Fall back to a more defensible position. Where they won’t be able to take advantage of their increasing numbers.
> Attempt to find an alternate route to the front gate past the slavering hordes of Bokoblins.
> Retreat to the tunnels you came in through. You’ve provided enough of distraction that Darbus should be able to handle it from here.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712968614428883.jpg","filename":"Skedaddle.jpg"},"posted":1712968614},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5976369,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976344
> Lead the Bokoblins on a chase. The more of them hunting your men, the fewer there will be guarding the front gate.","attachment":null,"posted":1712972452},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5976412,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976344
>> Fall back to a more defensible position. Where they won’t be able to take advantage of their increasing numbers.","attachment":null,"posted":1712975815},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5976443,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976344
>> Lead the Bokoblins on a chase. The more of them hunting your men, the fewer there will be guarding the front gate.","attachment":null,"posted":1712977892},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5976448,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976344
> Lead the Bokoblins on a chase. The more of them hunting your men, the fewer there will be guarding the front gate.","attachment":null,"posted":1712978600},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5976510,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976344
>Lead the Bokoblins on a chase. The more of them hunting your men, the fewer there will be guarding the front gate.","attachment":null,"posted":1712985661},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5976892,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5976344
>>5976369
>>5976443
>>5976448
>>5976510
What started as a retreat, quickly turns into a straight up chase as Jinom orders his men to keep running. With blood thirsty Bokoblins hot on their heels however, the order really isn't necessary.
> Base DC 50
> Jinom’s Formation’s Power +20 DC
> Bokoblins Power -15 DC
> Heavily Armored -10 DC
> Total DC 45
> Give me three d100s
0 Passes = The Bokoblin’s are too quick for you and you're caught stung out and out of Formation (*BROKEN* Formation for the first round of combat).
1 Passes = The chase ends soon after it starts as the Bokoblin's numbers cut off all escape routes and you're forced back into combat.
2 Passes = The enemy is led all over the camp before they manage to try you down with additional reinforcements.
3 Passes = The chase thoroughly distracts and dis organizes the Bokoblins and as luck would have it the chase ends with you in a rather defenseable position.
Let's see how long your merry chase lasts.","attachment":null,"posted":1713037073},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5976905,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 52 (1d100)
>>5976892","attachment":null,"posted":1713038871},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5976915,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 30 (1d100)
>>5976892","attachment":null,"posted":1713039511},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5976935,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 24 (1d100)
>>5976892","attachment":null,"posted":1713041576},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5977052,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5976892
>>5976905
>>5976915
>>5976935
The interior of the Bokoblin camp is a maze of tents, cookfires, and obstacles, with no discernable layout, so Jinom leads his men purely on instinct as they cut this way and that trying to stay ahead of their Bokoblin pursuers. The Bokoblins are fast and determined hunters, doggedly chasing the Hylians as they tear through the camp. They nearly catch them several times, but the collapse of a tent or a sharp change of direction keeps them at bay. The chase lasts for a while until, whether through smarts or just numbers, the Bokoblins finally surround the prince and his men and leave them with nowhere to run. “What now sire?” Sir Nagos pants as he takes up his position next to Jinom.
“Now, we stand and fight, and hope that Darbus can reach us in time.”
“Right, fight till its won we can do that.” Nagos responds tightening his grip on his sword and shifting into a combat stance. With his devoted knights at his side, Jinom gives his first order, of what might be his final fight.
CHOOSE YOUR FORMATION:
OFFENSIVE:
>Mass Charge: (Basic Offensive formation no additional effects)
>Armored Advance: All damage not blocked by defense is doubled for both this unit and its target
MANEUVER:
> Split: Roll damage twice, use the greater result (On *Counter* roll enemy defense twice, take the lower result)
DEFENSIVE:
>Brace: (Basic Defensive formation no additional effects)
> Lock Shields: Suffer no damage from ranged attacks this round unless *Countered*, gain +2 Courage for the purpose of resisting Scare effects.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713054504117353.jpg","filename":"361587.jpg"},"posted":1713054504},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5977328,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977052
> Split: Roll damage twice, use the greater result (On *Counter* roll enemy defense twice, take the lower result)
Surrounded, if their momentum is allowed to build up the prince might end up being killed here even if we do a lock shields.","attachment":null,"posted":1713073301},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5977354,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977052
>>Brace: (Basic Defensive formation no additional effects)","attachment":null,"posted":1713074965},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5977417,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977052
>>Brace: (Basic Defensive formation no additional effects)","attachment":null,"posted":1713082550},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5977581,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977052
> Split: Roll damage twice, use the greater result (On *Counter* roll enemy defense twice, take the lower result)","attachment":null,"posted":1713107518},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5977584,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977052
>Brace: (Basic Defensive formation no additional effects)","attachment":null,"posted":1713107699},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5977820,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977052
>Brace: (Basic Defensive formation no additional effects)
Hold until the Gorons roll over!","attachment":null,"posted":1713128178},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5978046,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5977052
>>5977354
>>5977417
>>5977584
>>5977820
"Brace up men, here they come." The Hylians tighten up their formation as the hordes of Bokoblins close in. Squealing, snorting, and grunting the red and blue horde charges.
Your Formation Stats:
Power: 4 Wisdom: 4 Courage: 4 Morale: 63/64
Formation:
> Defensive -Brace: (Basic Defensive formation no additional effects)
Momentum: 0
Attack: 1d4+6
>Power: 4 (Base: 4)
>Attack Bonus: 6 ( Power: 4 +Decent Weapons: 2)
Defense: 1d4+12
> Courage: 4 (Base: 4)
> Defense Bonus: 12 (Courage: 4 + Heavily Armored +4 + Full Counter Wisdom Bonus: 4)
Mixed Bokoblin and Moblin Formation stats:
Power: 4 Wisdom: 2 Courage: 3Morale: 72/72 + Double Forces Bonus: (2 X Morale, 1.5 X unblocked damage dealt, 0.80 X unblocked damage received)
Formation:
> *COUNTERED* Offensive - Frenzied Charge:Generates extra Momentum. Doubles unsaved damage unless *Countered*. Formation doesn’t roll defense only uses defense bonus.
Momentum: 2
Attack: 1d6+9
>Power: 6 (Base: 4 + Momentum: 2)
>Attack Bonus: 9 (Power: 6 + Decent Weapons: 2 + Wisdom Bonus: 1)
Defense: 1d3+4
> Courage: 3 (Base: 3)
> Defense Bonus: 4 (Courage: 3 + Makeshift Armor: 1)","attachment":null,"posted":1713149026},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5978049,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5978046
Roll me...
>1d4+6 for your attack
>1d4+12 for your defense","attachment":null,"posted":1713149195},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5978050,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1 + 6 (1d4 + 6)
>>5978049","attachment":null,"posted":1713149232},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5978137,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 3 + 12 (1d4 + 12)
>>5978049","attachment":null,"posted":1713157652},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5978558,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":"Rolled 2 + 9 (1d6 + 9)
>>5978046
>Enemy Attack","attachment":null,"posted":1713211231},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5978559,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":"Rolled 1 + 4 (1d3 + 4)
>>5978046
>Enemy Defense","attachment":null,"posted":1713211332},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5978763,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5978559
Whoops the Bokoblins shouldn't have rolled defense it should just be a flat 4","attachment":null,"posted":1713231085},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5978767,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5978046
>>5978050
>>5978137
>>5978558
>>5978559
The Bokoblins slam into the Hylian formation causing it to buckle under the pressure. Blades clash and men, metal, and monsters shriek. The Hylians hold their ground, despite the Bokoblin's overwhelming numbers and bestial ferocity. Blows are exchanged but it is the Bokoblins who eventually stagger back, bloodied.
>The enemy formation suffers (2*0.8) 2 damage. 70 Morale remaining.
Where one Bokoblin falls however, another steps into his place and the pressure is back on. Things are quickly made worse by the appearance of Moblins lumbering through the press to engage the Hylians. Trumpeting loudly and wielding large, wicked looking clubs, they are a terrifying sight. When those towering monsters reach our line they're going to do some damage Jinom thinks to himself as he parries yet another wild attack from the Bokoblin in front of him. A change in tactics might be required to mitigate that damage...
CHOOSE YOUR FORMATION:
OFFENSIVE:
>Mass Charge: (Basic Offensive formation no additional effects)
>Armored Advance: All damage not blocked by defense is doubled for both this unit and its target
MANEUVER:
> Split: Roll damage twice, use the greater result (On *Counter* roll enemy defense twice, take the lower result)
DEFENSIVE:
>Brace: (Basic Defensive formation no additional effects)
> Lock Shields: Suffer no damage from ranged attacks this round unless *Countered*,","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713231197466287.jpg","filename":"208453.jpg"},"posted":1713231197},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5978771,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5978767
>The enemy formation suffers (3*0.8) 2 damage. 70 Morale remaining.
Is the correct calculation","attachment":null,"posted":1713231312},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5979098,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978767
> Lock Shields: Suffer no damage from ranged attacks this round unless *Countered*,","attachment":null,"posted":1713281863},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5979327,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978767
>Armored Advance: All damage not blocked by defense is doubled for both this unit and its target","attachment":null,"posted":1713305681},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5979430,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978767
> Split: Roll damage twice, use the greater result (On *Counter* roll enemy defense twice, take the lower result)","attachment":null,"posted":1713318218},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5979441,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978767
>Armored Advance: All damage not blocked by defense is doubled for both this unit and its target
Thin the herd so they can't take advantage of the momentum brought on by the big lads.","attachment":null,"posted":1713319950},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5979457,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":"Sorry folks, feeling a little whipped by work today, I'm going to let this vote ride until tomorrow.","attachment":null,"posted":1713321869},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5979561,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978767
>Armored Advance: All damage not blocked by defense is doubled for both this unit and its target","attachment":null,"posted":1713329367},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5979562,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979457
No worries, QM. Thank you for the heads up!","attachment":null,"posted":1713329426},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5979943,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5978767
>>5979327
>>5979441
>>5979561
Your Formation Stats:
Power: 4Wisdom: 4Courage: 4Morale: 63/64
Formation:
>Armored Advance: All damage not blocked by defense is doubled for both this unit and its target
Momentum: 1
Attack: 1d5+9
>Power: 5 (Base: 4 + Momentum: 1)
>Attack Bonus: 9 ( Power: 5 + Decent Weapons: 2 + Wisdom Bonus: 2)
Defense: 1d4+8
> Courage: 4 (Base: 4)
> Defense Bonus: 8 (Courage: 4 + Heavily Armored: 4 )
Mixed Bokoblin and Moblin Formation stats:
Power: 4Wisdom: 2Courage: 3Morale: 70/72 + Double Forces Bonus: (2 X Morale, 1.5 X unblocked damage dealt, 0.80 X unblocked damage received)
Formation:
> Offensive - Line Breaker (Crushing Blows): Halves enemy Defense Bonus. If Enemy Formation is Defensive, will leave Enemy *BROKEN* next round.
Momentum: 3
Attack: 1d8+11
>Power: 8 (Base: 4 + Momentum: 4)
>Attack Bonus: 11 (Power: 8 + Decent Weapons: 2 + Wisdom Bonus: 1)
Defense: 1d3+4
> Courage: 3 (Base: 3)
> Defense Bonus: 4 (Courage: 3 + Makeshift Armor: 1)","attachment":null,"posted":1713382424},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5979944,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5979943
Time to strike back, I'll need your rolls gentlemen
>1d5+9 for your attack
>1d4+8 for your defense","attachment":null,"posted":1713382568},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5979946,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5979944
Hm, the Captcha was PWN4HW. A sign from the Goddesses?","attachment":null,"posted":1713382675},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5979948,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 5 + 11 (1d8 + 11)
>>5979944","attachment":null,"posted":1713383018},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5979971,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 4 + 8 (1d4 + 8)
>>5979944
Defense.","attachment":null,"posted":1713385740},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5980010,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5979948
Whoops need a re-roll here your attack should be 1d5+9","attachment":null,"posted":1713389961},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5980026,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 2 + 9 (1d5 + 9)
>>5980010
rip","attachment":null,"posted":1713391232},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5980214,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":"Rolled 6 + 11 (1d8 + 11)
>>5979943
Enemy Attack","attachment":null,"posted":1713409186},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5980215,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":"Rolled 2 + 4 (1d3 + 4)
>>5979943
Enemy Defense","attachment":null,"posted":1713409247},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5980226,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5979943
The Moblins loom high over the heads of Bokoblin and Hylian alike as they lumber into position. Not wanting to be caught flat-footed just waiting to be crushed under the Moblins massive clubs Jinom shouts. "Forward men, cut them down. Show them the sharpness of our blades." Moving into the crowds of Bokoblins pressed up against them, the Hylians reap a bloody harvest. The front ranks foes are caught off guard and killed quickly, but enraged hordes soon counter attack surrounding and killing any man who took a step too far into the shifting mass of Bokoblins. Even the well armored knights stand no chance as with one swing of their massive clubs, a Moblin can flatten a man into the dirt and leave large dents in his armor. The attack stalls and the Bokoblins push forward, tightening the ring around the Hylians as they are forced back.
>Your formation suffers 27 Morale damage, 36 Morale remains.
>The enemy formation suffers 8 Morale damage, 62 Morale remains.
Dodging back to avoid wide, but powerful swing of a Moblin, Jinom finds himself once again shoulder to shoulder with Sir Nagos, although the knight looks much worse than the last time they’d met. Nagos’s shield is bent inwards and the man’s arm dangles numbly at his side. His once nicely polished armor now covered blood, dirt, and scratches. “Any sight of the Goron’s yet sire.” Nagos grunts through his teeth as he parries an attack from a blue Bokoblin.
“Not yet.”
“Well, I hope they arrive soon, or we may have to think about a retreat.”
Nagos words while, strategically sound, were tactically impossible. Surrounded on all sides by Bokoblin’s there was no way to retreat. The only hope for the prince and his men now was the Gorons, and Jinom hoped they would arrive soon…
CHOOSE YOUR FORMATION:
OFFENSIVE:
>Mass Charge: (Basic Offensive formation no additional effects)
>Armored Advance: All damage not blocked by defense is doubled for both this unit and its target
MANEUVER:
> Split: Roll damage twice, use the greater result (On *Counter* roll enemy defense twice, take the lower result)
DEFENSIVE:
>Brace: (Basic Defensive formation no additional effects)
> Lock Shields: Suffer no damage from ranged attacks this round unless *Countered*, gain +2 Courage for the purpose of resisting Scare effects.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713410621875522.jpg","filename":"451215.jpg"},"posted":1713410621},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5980236,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980226
> Lock Shields: Suffer no damage from ranged attacks this round unless *Countered*, gain +2 Courage for the purpose of resisting Scare effects.
Armored Advance always seemed to me as too much of a double edge sword.","attachment":null,"posted":1713411462},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5980295,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980226
>> Lock Shields: Suffer no damage from ranged attacks this round unless *Countered*, gain +2 Courage for the purpose of resisting Scare effects.","attachment":null,"posted":1713416016},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5980327,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980226
> Lock Shields","attachment":null,"posted":1713419066},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5980360,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980226
>Lock Shields","attachment":null,"posted":1713424045},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5980409,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980226
> Lock Shields: Suffer no damage from ranged attacks this round unless *Countered*, gain +2 Courage for the purpose of resisting Scare effects.","attachment":null,"posted":1713437783},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5980813,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5980226
>>5980236
>>5980295
>>5980327
>>5980360
>>5980409
"Lock Shields and hold together men. Don't let their strength frighten you th-" Jinom's order is cut short as he is forced to block two quick blows from a blue Bokoblin.
Your Formation Stats:
Power: 4 Wisdom: 4 Courage: 4 Morale: 36/64
Formation:
> Defensive - Lock Shields: Suffer no damage from ranged attacks this round unless *Countered*, gain +2 Courage for the purpose of resisting Scare effects.
Momentum: 0
Attack: 1d4+6
>Power: 4 (Base: 4)
>Attack Bonus: 6 ( Power: 4 + Decent Weapons: 2)
Defense: 1d4+12
> Courage: 4 (Base: 4)
> Defense Bonus: 12 (Courage: 4 + Heavily Armored: 4 + Full Counter Wisdom Bonus: 4)
Mixed Bokoblin and Moblin Formation stats:
Power: 4 Wisdom: 2 Courage: 3 Morale: 62/72 + Double Forces Bonus: (2 X Morale, 1.5 X unblocked damage dealt, 0.80 X unblocked damage received)
Formation:
> Offensive - Line Breaker (Crushing Blows): Halves enemy Defense Bonus. If Enemy Formation is Defensive, will leave Enemy *BROKEN* next round.
Momentum: 3
Attack: 1d8+11
>Power: 8 (Base: 4 + Momentum: 4)
>Attack Bonus: 11 (Power: 8 + Decent Weapons: 2 + Wisdom Bonus: 1)
Defense: 1d3+4
> Courage: 3 (Base: 3)
> Defense Bonus: 4 (Courage: 3 + Makeshift Armor: 1)","attachment":null,"posted":1713475051},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5980816,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5980813
>1d4+6 for your attack
>1d4+12 for your defense","attachment":null,"posted":1713475267},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5980948,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 3 + 6 (1d4 + 6)
>>5980816
Attack.","attachment":null,"posted":1713486457},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5980975,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1 + 12 (1d4 + 12)
>>5980816","attachment":null,"posted":1713489014},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5980980,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980948
>>5980975","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713489198089284.png","filename":"Screenshot 2023-05-28 124550.png"},"posted":1713489198},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5981005,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":"Rolled 2 + 11 (1d8 + 11)
>>5980813
>Enemy Attack","attachment":null,"posted":1713492022},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5981008,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":"Rolled 1 + 4 (1d3 + 4)
>>5980813
>Enemy Defense","attachment":null,"posted":1713492083},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5981021,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":"Rolled 8 + 17 (1d9 + 17)
","attachment":null,"posted":1713494069},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5981022,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":"Rolled 4 + 10 (1d6 + 10)
","attachment":null,"posted":1713494129},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5981036,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":"The prince's remaining troops knit together hoping to hold back another push by the Moblins and Bokoblins. As one of the Moblins raises his club high, shields rise up to respond. The blow connects with terrible force, it’s power enough bend the shields and buckle the knees of the defenders. The men grunt, groan, and curse but they hold on as the club lifts from their shields. There is a breath of relief as the weight disappears, but there is no time for respite as the club crashes down again. Metal creaks and men groan, some falling to their knees, but once again they hold. With a roar of frustration the Moblin, holding its club in both hands, brings the weapon down a third time. The defender’s strength had reached its limit and the third blow topples them. Similar scenes play out all over as the Hylian formation is broken and Bokoblins pour over them. The Hylians fight valiantly, taking many of the over eager Bokoblins down, but there are simply too many of them and the defenders are overwhelmed.
> Your formation suffers 6 Morale damage, 30 Morale remaining.
> The enemy formation suffers 3 Morale damage 59 Morale remaining.
(1/2)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713495351293040.png","filename":"486532.png"},"posted":1713495351},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5981038,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5981036
Prince Jinom fights on desperately trying to rally his men. He cuts his way through one Bokoblin after another trying to reach the pockets of men still fighting, when he is blindsided by the swing of a Moblin club. Thrown and sent tumbling through the dust, the prince struggles to rise to his feet. His limbs are heavy and are slow to obey him and it feels as if the very ground beneath him is shaking. No, the ground is shaking he realizes, and over the sounds of combat, he hears a growing rumble and the sound of... drums?
With a mighty "ROOOAAAA" Darbus and his Gorons rollover the rear of the totally unprepared Bokoblins. Crushing any not lucky enough to get out of the way. Help had arrived.
> Enemy has lost numbers advantage
> The enemy formation suffers 20 Morale damage 11/36 Morale remaining.
> Goron’s suffer no damage
New Formation Stats:
Mixed Hylian Goron Formation
Power: 5 Wisdom: 4 Courage: 5 Morale: 56/80
CHOOSE YOUR FORMATION:
OFFENSIVE:
>Mass Charge: (Basic Offensive formation no additional effects)
>*New* Armored Spearheads: All damage not blocked by defense is doubled for the enemy, your units suffer 1.5X unblocked damage. Add defensive bonus from equipment to attack bonus
>*New* Line Breaker (Crushing Blows): Halves enemy Defense Bonus. If Enemy Formation is Defensive, will leave Enemy *BROKEN* next round.
MANEUVER:
> Split: Roll damage twice, use the greater result (On *Counter* roll enemy defense twice, take the lower result)
DEFENSIVE:
>Brace: (Basic Defensive formation no additional effects)
> Lock Shields: Suffer no damage from ranged attacks this round unless *Countered*, gain +2 Courage for the purpose of resisting Scare effects.
> Disengage: Any unsaved damage dealt by unit will be halved, if not *Countered* unit will break contact with the enemy and be allowed to flee combat next round.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713495412336297.jpg","filename":"336421.jpg"},"posted":1713495412},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5981115,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981038
>*New* Line Breaker (Crushing Blows): Halves enemy Defense Bonus. If Enemy Formation is Defensive, will leave Enemy *BROKEN* next round.
Destroy the defence and let the Gorons crush them to dust!","attachment":null,"posted":1713502312},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5981160,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981038
>*New* Line Breaker (Crushing Blows): Halves enemy Defense Bonus. If Enemy Formation is Defensive, will leave Enemy *BROKEN* next round.","attachment":null,"posted":1713506730},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5981552,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5981038
>>5981115
>>5981160
Using the last of the momentum from his roll, Darbus uncurls and delivers a bone shatter punch to head of the Bokoblin Jinom had been fending off. The Bokoblin cartwheels into the dust and then lies motionless. With a hearty laugh the Goron dusts himself off saying. "I thought 'we' were supposed to be the ones launching this attack, yet here you are trying to grab all the glory for yourself."
"Help yourself, there's plenty of glory left to be had yet. Jinom says with just a hint of sarcasm as he shifts his aching shoulder around painfully. "Looks like they're reforming for another attack, if your troops can break their line again we should be able to scatter them."
"Leave to us," Darbus says with a grin "There's nothing a Goron can't break." Falling in behind Darbus and his warriors, the remaining Hylians face off against the reformed lines of the Moblins and Bokoblins.
Your Formation Stats:
Power: 5Wisdom: 4Courage: 5Morale: 56/80
Formation:
> Offensive -Line Breaker (Crushing Blows): Halves enemy Defense Bonus. If Enemy Formation is Defensive, will leave Enemy *BROKEN* next round.
Momentum: 1
Attack: 1d6+11
>Power: 6 (Base: 5 + Momentum: 1)
>Attack Bonus: 11 ( Power: 6 + Well-Crafted Weapons: 3 + Wisdom Bonus: 2)
Defense: 1d5+9
> Courage: 5 (Base: 5)
> Defense Bonus: 9 (Courage: 5 + Heavily Armored: 4)
Mixed Bokoblin and Moblin Formation stats:
Power: 4 Wisdom: 2 Courage: 3 Morale: 11/36
Formation:
> Offensive - Line Breaker (Crushing Blows): Halves enemy Defense Bonus. If Enemy Formation is Defensive, will leave Enemy *BROKEN* next round.
Momentum: 3
Attack: 1d8+11
>Power: 8 (Base: 4 + Momentum: 4)
>Attack Bonus: 11 (Power: 8 + Decent Weapons: 2 + Wisdom Bonus: 1)
Defense: 1d3+4
> Courage: 3 (Base: 3)
> Defense Bonus: 4 (Courage: 3 + Makeshift Armor: 1)","attachment":null,"posted":1713555404},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5981555,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5981552
Give me some rolls for your combined offensive.
>1d6+11 for your attack.
>1d5+9 for your defense.","attachment":null,"posted":1713555527},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5981563,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 6 + 11 (1d6 + 11)
>>5981555
Maybe the true protagonists of this quest are the princes.","attachment":null,"posted":1713556303},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5981580,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 4 + 9 (1d5 + 9)
>>5981555","attachment":null,"posted":1713558124},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5981843,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":"Rolled 1 + 11 (1d8 + 11)
>>5981552
>Enemy Attack","attachment":null,"posted":1713583256},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5981845,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":"Rolled 2 + 4 (1d3 + 4)
>>5981552
>Enemy Defense","attachment":null,"posted":1713583328},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5981858,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5981552
>>5981563
>>5981580
>>5981843
>>5981845
The two sides advance towards each other, slowly at first, then building into a sprint. Men and Gorons shout, Bokoblins and Moblins roar as the twin waves close and collide in a cacophony of battle. A trumpeting Moblin brings his club down onto Darbus, but the Goron raises his arms to block it. The club lands with a dull *thunk* and Darbus is stopped in his tracks, the muscles in his arms bulge under the club’s weight, but with a shout, Darbus slides down the club and delivers a vicious kick to the Moblins knee. The limb buckles then breaks and the creature topples sideways screeching in pain. The monster's shattered knee barely hits the ground before Darbus seizes the Moblin by its snout and slams his fist into its jaw in a powerful uppercut. The Moblin's howls of pain are cut off and the monster falls backwards, unmoving.
>The Bokoblins and Moblins suffer 13 Morale Damage and are routed.
> Your formation suffers 4 Morale damage and stands to run down the enemy.
All over the line, Gorons smash through the enemy formation scattering them or leaving them broken in the dust. The fight leaves the remaining Bokoblins and they flee in a disorganized mess, each one running for its own life. The Gorons roll down the stragglers, while the Hylians finish off those too injured to escape. As the battle winds down, Darbus approaches Jinom "Looks like we got'em. A few of the more cowardly ones might've slipped away, but I don't think they'll be coming back." He says with a satisfied grunt. "We'll stick around a little while to make sure any stragglers get the message that Death Mountain is no place for little piggies. What're you going to do Hylian?"
It was a good question. The obvious next step was to continue on with the diplomatic mission. There were many more peoples to visit and allies to gain, but much damage had been sustained from this battle. A fifth of the escort had been killed and half of those remaining were injured to some degree. If something were to happen on the road, you'd be less able to deal with it. Resting here however would cut into your already shortened time to find allies.
>Take your men and continue on with the mission. You'll take the added risk.
>Stay with the Goron's and rest some. The last thing you want is to be caught unprepared on the road.
> Leave the wounded behind with instructions to join you later. It risks traveling the country side with two under strength forces, but you'd be whole and hearty after your next visit.
>[Write In]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713583738200926.jpg","filename":"305497.jpg"},"posted":1713583738},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5981860,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5981858
As a heads up I'm going to be a little busy tomorrow, so there may not be an update.","attachment":null,"posted":1713583811},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5981881,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981858
>Stay with the Goron's and rest some. The last thing you want is to be caught unprepared on the road.
Lucky to even be alive, 20% of the escort is dead.","attachment":null,"posted":1713585219},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5981950,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981858
>Stay with the Goron's and rest some. The last thing you want is to be caught unprepared on the road.","attachment":null,"posted":1713591223},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5983035,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981858
>>Stay with the Goron's and rest some. The last thing you want is to be caught unprepared on the road.
Rest and regain strength","attachment":null,"posted":1713702709},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5983132,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981858
> Leave the wounded behind with instructions to join you later. It risks traveling the country side with two under strength forces, but you'd be whole and hearty after your next visit.","attachment":null,"posted":1713716607},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5983843,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5981858
>>5981881
>>5981950
>>5983035
"Me and my men are going to head back and give Darman the good news that the Bokoblin threat to Death Mountain has been dealt with. Then we'll rest up for a while before heading out to rally more support for our war."
"Well, I guess I see you back in Goron City then. I'll have to show you a Goron relaxes after a battle." Darbus barks out a laugh and gives Jinom a slap on the back that nearly knocks him over.
Darman is thrilled at the news that his lands are safe once more and he is more than happy to let Jinom and his escort rest in his city while he shows them all that Goron hospitality has to offer. While Goron "food" is mostly inedible to Hylians, Darman is a considerate host and at the feasts to celebrate the victory over the Bokoblins, all manner of Hylian delicacies are served. The food is prepared in the Goron way. That is to say in large quantities and with a generous amount of spices. It is a far cry from the banquets of Hylian nobility, but it's delicious none the less. After eating there is much singing and dancing and despite their frankly clumsy attempts at dancing the Goron have a blast. Stepping on each other's feet, crashing into other dancers, and falling to the ground, the merriment lasts far into the night.
The following morning, the prince is treated to a Goron massage. An experience that leaves him more bruised than when he went in, but after a soak in the thermal hot springs the prince felt nearly back to normal. A few more days of Goron hospitality later and Jinom and his escort are well enough to move on. Darman thanks the prince once again and promises to send his warriors to their aid at once. "Your father and now you have shown your loyalty to me and my people. You have lived up to our oath of brotherhood and I am glad to call you brother and friend. May the bond between our peoples continue forever." With those final words. Jinom bids farewell and returns to his mission.
>The prince and his remaining escort are fully healed.
Who do you visit next?
> The River Zora, while once enemies, relations between your two peoples have normalized somewhat in recent years. It might be wise to gain their aid, or at least their neutrality in the coming conflict.
> The Rito, even though they are a rather insular people with limited contact with outsiders. They do partake in a decent amount of trade with the Hylians who live near their mountainous home. If you can secure their help, it would be a mighty boost to your cause to have allies capable of flight.
> The Ocean Zora, distinct from their fresh water cousins, are perhaps Hyrule's biggest mercantile partners. While they occasionally clash with the Hylians over fishing grounds on the whole they get along well. With their help you could acquire almost anything you could wish for. Including war materials.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713753101726606.gif","filename":"Goron Dance.gif"},"posted":1713753101},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5983847,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983843
> The Rito, even though they are a rather insular people with limited contact with outsiders. They do partake in a decent amount of trade with the Hylians who live near their mountainous home. If you can secure their help, it would be a mighty boost to your cause to have allies capable of flight.
We ARE already in the mountains...","attachment":null,"posted":1713753252},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5984017,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983843
>> The Rito, even though they are a rather insular people with limited contact with outsiders. They do partake in a decent amount of trade with the Hylians who live near their mountainous home. If you can secure their help, it would be a mighty boost to your cause to have allies capable of flight.","attachment":null,"posted":1713768143},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5984032,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983843
>The Rito, even though they are a rather insular people with limited contact with outsiders. They do partake in a decent amount of trade with the Hylians who live near their mountainous home. If you can secure their help, it would be a mighty boost to your cause to have allies capable of flight.","attachment":null,"posted":1713770205},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5984344,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">5983843
>> The Rito, even though they are a rather insular people with limited contact with outsiders. They do partake in a decent amount of trade with the Hylians who live near their mountainous home. If you can secure their help, it would be a mighty boost to your cause to have allies capable of flight.","attachment":null,"posted":1713822594},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5984457,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983843
> The Rito, even though they are a rather insular people with limited contact with outsiders. They do partake in a decent amount of trade with the Hylians who live near their mountainous home. If you can secure their help, it would be a mighty boost to your cause to have allies capable of flight.","attachment":null,"posted":1713836223},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5984547,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5983843
>>5983847
>>5984017
>>5984032
>>5984344
>>5984457
The road from east to west takes the prince's party through Hyrule's heartland. Making the march to the Rito's home in the western mountains is a pleasant one. Peasants till the soil and prepare the ground for this year's crop. Many of them stop to stare or wave at the Jinom’s group as they pass by. The warm spring weather aids the journey, but rain storms hinder the group turning hard packed dirt roads into muddy bogs. Jinom slogs on though and eventually reaches the foot of the Madayru Mountains. The Sheikah scout the nearby foot hills and find a small Hylian village. The leader of the village, man named Aemon, shuffles nervously and wrings his hands when he is told the prince's purpose for being here. "I don't know about this your majesty. The Rito are... skittish and nervous around strangers. They mostly keep to themselves unless they need something and even then, they aren't the most talkative. I've gotten to know the ones who come to trade here pretty well, so I could vouch for you but they might only give you a short conversation."
"I don't need much, I just need to speak with their leader about giving us aid against the Gerudo, or at the very least a get them to promise to stay neutral in the conflict."
Aemon's eyes widen "Forgive me for saying this your grace, but you don't know what you're asking for. The Rito aren't led by just one person. There tribes of all sorts on this mountain. There's the Hawk tribe, the Owl tribe, the Raven tribe, the Drillbeaks, and Songbirds just to name the big ones and they all have their own leader. Not to mention you can't just visit these people. My family has been here for generations and even we haven't been to, let alone seen one of their villages. The mountain is pretty inaccessible even in the best of weather and the Rito make their homes in the peaks and valleys high up in the mountains.” Aemon pauses for a breath and try to calm his nerves a little, “Listen if you just want neutrality, I can guarantee it that the Rito have no interest in our conflict, and if I spread the word among the traders that visit here that the Gerudo are our enemies, or aren't trustworthy and there will be almost no chance that they'll make any friends among the Rito. If you insist though I can see about getting one of the traders to talk with you. Maybe if you're lucky, and if you make a good impression, they might put in a good word for you and you can go from there.
>The Rito's neutrality is good enough, their support isn't that necessary.
>Speak with a Rito trader and see if you can't push for greater cooperation.
>Head up the mountains and find a Rito village you don't have time to play diplomatic games. You need the word of the Rito leaders themselves.
>[Write In]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713842228327707.jpg","filename":"018724.jpg"},"posted":1713842228},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5984592,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984547
>Speak with a Rito trader and see if you can't push for greater cooperation.","attachment":null,"posted":1713845340},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5984595,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984547
>Speak with a Rito trader and see if you can't push for greater cooperation.
So they're Maroons, are they? Don't want to scare them off.","attachment":null,"posted":1713845872},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5984620,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984547
>>Speak with a Rito trader and see if you can't push for greater cooperation.","attachment":null,"posted":1713848355},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5984645,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984547
>Speak with a Rito trader and see if you can't push for greater cooperation.","attachment":null,"posted":1713850574},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5984700,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984547
>Head up the mountains and find a Rito village you don't have time to play diplomatic games. You need the word of the Rito leaders themselves.","attachment":null,"posted":1713856482},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5985214,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5984547
"I wish to speak with these Rito traders, set up meeting with them. When is the next one due to arrive?"
Aemon shrugs "They come and go as they need your grace. Usually about once or twice a month in the spring. Though they've been a little sluggish so far. I reckon they're due for a visit soon. We should get your soliders indoors though, the sight of so many armed strangers will make them nervous."
Jinom orders his men to disperse and rest for a while. The people of Aemon's village happily take the soldiers in. Plying them with warm drinks and hot meals in exchange for help with chores, news about the war with the Gerudo, or for mention of loved ones abroad. A few days pass and a few inches of snow fall, but the day after the snow ends, a large dark shape descends from the mountains. Squinting against the glare off of the fresh snow, Aemon declares that the descending Rito is a...
>Roll me 1d5
1. Hawk
2. Owl
3. Raven
4. Drillbeak
5. Songbird","attachment":null,"posted":1713902879},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5985278,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 5 (1d5)
>>5985214","attachment":null,"posted":1713909744},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5985512,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5985214
>>5985278
"You’re in luck your majesty it’s a Songbird. They're the friendliest and most talkative of the Rito, but that doesn't mean they aren't cautious around strangers. They usually trade for food, firewood, and building materials for their nests. They also like jewelry and other decorative stuff." Aemon glances back at his house, tugs at his collar, and lowers his voice "They are also the easiest on the eyes. They've got beautiful plumage and their singing is the most wonderful and haunting thing you'll ever hear. That's how they make their living you see. They trade their plumage and songs with the other tribes and with us. If we can make a good enough trade today, you might be able to hear this one sing."
While Aemon was talking the Songbird had flown close enough that Jinom could get a good look. The Rito had mainly dark feathers, but with white streaks on its wings and tail feathers. The throat and chest of the creature shimmered with iridescent colors as it swayed back and forth in the air and the top of its head and spots near the ears were a vibrant turquoise. As the Songbird settled closer to the ground, Jinom noticed the Rito was wearing a sort of fur and leather vest over its chest with large bags hanging down near its thighs bulging with their contents.
When Songbird finally lands, Aemon holds his hand up to stop the prince. "Let me go first your majesty. I'll introduce you and wave you over when it's safe."
Aemon approaches the Songbird and greets it, crossing his arms in front of his chest and giving a bow. The Songbird reciprocates, folding in its wings and bowing in return. The two talk for a bit with Aemon gesturing back at the prince several times. The Songbird shoots a few glances past Aemon, but their meaning is inscrutable. A few more moments pass before Aemon finally waves the prince over.
"Prince Jinom, this is Chari."
"How do you do?" Chari says, bowing as she had to Aemon.
How do you approach this conversation?
>Keep things as light and pleasant as possible. The last thing you want is to make a bad impression.
>Focus on learning as much as you can. The more you know about the Rito the better you'll be able to bargain for their help on the future.
>Be respectful, but direct. You need their help in this war and you must see their leaders as soon as possible.
>[Write In]
Feel free to write in questions, conversation topics in addition to your votes. A good write in or well phrased plea for aid will make it easier for Jinom to get what he wants.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713927915698401.jpg","filename":"337124.jpg"},"posted":1713927915},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5985529,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985512
>Focus on learning as much as you can. The more you know about the Rito the better you'll be able to bargain for their help on the future.
>Ask Chari if they've heard recent news of the outside world at all, and her thoughts","attachment":null,"posted":1713928563},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5985536,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985512
>Focus on learning as much as you can. The more you know about the Rito the better you'll be able to bargain for their help on the future.
>Ask Chari if they've heard recent news of the outside world at all, and her thoughts
Hopefully the prince's royal etiquette lessons show through here.
>They are also the easiest on the eyes
Is, uh, Aemon attracted to bird people?
Actually on that tangential point as royalty is there any significant powers that the princes or princesses could marry to get some allies?","attachment":null,"posted":1713928954},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5985615,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5985536
>is there any significant powers that the princes or princesses could marry to get some allies?
Yes, but that'll be discussed at the next meeting of the royal family ;)","attachment":null,"posted":1713933600},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5985672,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985512
>Focus on learning as much as you can. The more you know about the Rito the better you'll be able to bargain for their help on the future.","attachment":null,"posted":1713938601},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5986364,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5985512
>>5985529
>>5985536
>>5985672
The soft tone of Chari's voice and the formality of bowing triggers a bone deep reflex in Jinom drilled into him after years of etiquette training by his mother and sisters. He straightens up and returns Chari's bow "I am well, thank you for your concern and thank you for agreeing to speak with me."
"Think nothing of it, it's not every day that one speaks with a Hylian Prince."
"Indeed, I must admit I'm ashamed that this is my first time ever speaking with a member of your tribe, or with any Rito for that matter, so forgive me if I offend, I assure you it is done out of ignorance and without malice if I do so."
"That is understandable, we Rito do not stray very far from our homes in the mountains, so it doesn't surprise me that you haven't met one before. What do you know of the Rito, prince."
Jinom repeats what Aemon had told him and Chari responds with a cooing noise and a nod. "You are better informed than you know prince. Yes, we are rather cautious and wary around strangers. It comes from us not being able to leave our mountain."
"Why is that, if you don't mind me asking?"
Chari chirps and flinches as if she had just been slapped.
"Sorry I didn't mean to insult-"
"It is alright I shouldn't have mentioned it. It's a sensitive subject."
"I understand," Jinom says, then quickly changing the subject before a silence can settle, he says "What have you heard about my people."
(1/2)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714021642783263.jpg","filename":"337668.jpg"},"posted":1714021642},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5986366,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5986364
(2/2)
Chari relaxes slightly and emits a softer chirp. "Only what we've experienced from trading with your people. You are diverse of opinion, profession, and temperament. Although on the whole we find you inquisitive, adaptable, and determined. When you want something, or encounter a problem you attack it relentlessly and whether through brute strength, or guile you solve the problem and get what you want. It makes you intimidating."
"I apologize if we seem that way."
"It has had its benefits for my people." Chari says cooing "If we desire something we can always count on one of your people to get it."
"I'm glad that we could be of service. We certainly do take good care of our friends and business partners. Besides us do you have any other dealings with the outside world."
"Sadly no, we only deal with those who come to this mountain." Chari with a low croon.
"So, you haven't heard much about the current goings on?"
"No, is there something we should know?"
Jinom describes the Gerudo attack, death of his father and brothers, his remaining family's flight from the castle, and their current struggle against the Gerudo.
"You have my sympathy," Chari warbles mournfully "To lose one's home and family. It must be painful for you."
"I'd be lying if I said it didn't hurt, but I cannot afford to wallow in sadness and let my father's kingdom fall." Sensing his moment Jinom finally broaches the reason he came. "I've been traveling since then. Looking for aid for my people. That's part of the reason I came here. The Rito have been good to us and I was wondering if they would be willing to aid us in this time of need?"
> Base DC 50
> Jinom’s Wisdom +30 DC
> Song Bird Affability/Royal Etiquette +15 DC
> Tactful Approach (Write In Bonus) +10 DC
> Chari’s Wisdom -30 DC
> Total DC 75
> Give me three d100s
0 Passes = Chari offers little more than her sympathy and a song, she is concerned about you dragging the Rito into a war.
1 Passes = You are offered Chari’s goods at a discount and she will spread sympathy for your cause, but can do no more than that.
2 Passes = Chari is willing to let you plead your case before the Chief of the Songbird, A chance no Hylian has had so far.
3 Passes = You have won over Chari completely she is willing to bring you to her tribe and will give you all the support she can as you plead your case.","attachment":null,"posted":1714021703},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5986369,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 33 (1d100)
>>5986366
C'mon Jinom, smooth talk that birdie! The war may depend on it!","attachment":null,"posted":1714022038},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5986370,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 53 (1d100)
>>5986366","attachment":null,"posted":1714022081},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5986378,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 87 (1d100)
>>5986366","attachment":null,"posted":1714022764},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5986389,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986369
>>5986370
>>5986378
We can work with this.","attachment":null,"posted":1714023839},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5986390,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986389
Who knows maybe we can fear monger and say that the Gerudo will be greedy enough to strike at the Rito mountains eventually for resources, though I don't really know if the birds have any resources that the Gerudo would want.","attachment":null,"posted":1714023983},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5986944,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5986366
>>5986369
>>5986370
>>5986378
"I can give you a deal on my goods, but I don’t think it would provide your kingdom much aid." Chari says.
"Thank you for the offer, but you're right. The needs of my kingdom are far greater than what you can provide. No, I would need the help of all Rito. All the tribes and whatever they can provide."
Chari's talons claw the snow and she readjusts the feathers on shoulder with her beak. She makes a few small clicking noises before finally speaking "I can't speak for the other Rito, or even for my tribe, but I..." She pauses for moment, gathering her courage "I can let you speak with our chief. Maybe you and him can figure something out?"
"Thank you, Chari. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I will gather who and what I need then you can lead me to your village."
Chari shakes her head. "You cannot reach my village on foot. I will have to fly you there."
Aemon gasps "Is that possible? Would you even be able to fly carrying that much weight?"
"I am not so weak winged, but if you could Aemon, hold on to my bags until I get back."
"Certainly." Aemon says as he helps Chari unhook her bundles, then throws them over his shoulder.
"And if you could leave behind any unnecessary items Prince Jinom, it would make the journey easier."
The prince nods and begins shedding his weapons and armor, leaving on only that which will keep him warm, and a dagger, well-hidden deep within his clothes.
"Ready?" Chari asks as Jinom returns. “Ready,” The prince nods and Chari extends her wings. She flaps them once and leaps into the air. She hangs there a moment, her wings flapping steadily, then she reaches out, wraps her talons around Jinom’s upper arms, and takes them both up into the air with a rapid series of flaps.
Chari takes the prince high up into the mountains, passing over several lower peaks and valleys. Her wings work hard to keep them both aloft and gaining height, so it's a good thing the weather is calm today, there is no way Chari could have made this trip in bad weather. After climbing for a while longer, and making a brief stop on a flat peak to allow Chari to rest, the two descend into a canyon between two peaks. The walls of the canyon are cluttered with structures made of cut wood, cloth, sticks, straw, and branches. Shapes dart between the structures and the sound of music and singing echoes up and down canyon. As Chari flies closer Jinom can see that the structures are decorated in a rainbow of colors using paint, colored cloth, and feathers. With one final effort, Chari beats her wings hard and guides them to a particularly large structure jutting out of the canyon wall.
(1/2)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714099313512427.jpg","filename":"337497.jpg"},"posted":1714099313},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5986947,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5986944
The moment Jinom’s feet land on the wood, Chari gives out, collapsing onto the platform in a pile of feathers. Jinom checks on the exhausted Rito, and eventually helps her back to her feet. Supporting some of her weight, the prince guides her towards a large bonfire burning on the platform. After a few minutes warming themselves by the fire Chari is recovered enough to speak without gasping for air. "Our Chief lives in the house over there." She says jabbing her beak in the direction of a hut covered in a multicolored veil of feathers. "He's probably wondering what in the world is going on-"
"Indeed I am." A voice says from behind. Jinom spins around to find a large Rito Songbird standing there with its wings folded in and puffing out its snow-white chest. It is almost twice the size of Chari and more colorful to boot. Its throat is an iridescent green, with a bright yellow head. The body is brown with lighter spots patterning its surface. The tail feathers are long and thin like hair and are a light yellow, almost blonde color. When the Chief speaks his voice is soft like Chari's, but deeper and with a singsong quality. "Chari what have you brought to our village?" He asks.
Chari furtively shuffles forward and bows low before the Chief. "I have brought a prince of the Hylian people, Jinom. He wishes to ask for aid for his people."
The Chief's head turns to look down at Jinom, and at that moment the prince realizes that the singing and music he had been hearing had stopped. A ring of Rito had formed around him and the Chief and he finally knew what a worm brought back to a nest felt like. Stepping forward Jinom opens his mouth to speak.
> Plead for aid for your people. Food, clothes, scouts. Even just a safe haven from the Gerudo or support in convincing the other Rito would help.
> Focus on warning them away from the Gerudo. Talk up the threat and the danger it poses to them all.
> Improve relations with the Songbirds. Speak not of what they can do for you, but what you can do for them. You wish to better the understanding between your peoples, and in the process secure their friendship.
>[Write In]
Like before, good write ins with your vote will improve your odds of success (Even if your particular vote doesn't win.) This is it anons, remember everything you’ve learned about the Rito, and make your case.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714099411591287.jpg","filename":"337286.jpg"},"posted":1714099411},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5987035,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986947
> Improve relations with the Songbirds. Speak not of what they can do for you, but what you can do for them. You wish to better the understanding between your peoples, and in the process secure their friendship.
> Plead for aid for your people. Food, clothes, scouts. Even just a safe haven from the Gerudo or support in convincing the other Rito would help.
Maybe some sort of combination of these two would help.","attachment":null,"posted":1714110381},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5987039,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986947
>Improve relations with the Songbirds. Speak not of what they can do for you, but what you can do for them. You wish to better the understanding between your peoples, and in the process secure their friendship.","attachment":null,"posted":1714110777},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5987049,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986947
>> Improve relations with the Songbirds. Speak not of what they can do for you, but what you can do for them. You wish to better the understanding between your peoples, and in the process secure their friendship.","attachment":null,"posted":1714111642},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5987134,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986947
> Plead for aid for your people. Food, clothes, scouts. Even just a safe haven from the Gerudo or support in convincing the other Rito would help.
> Focus on warning them away from the Gerudo. Talk up the threat and the danger it poses to them all.
Royal etiquette hopefully shines through again.
Perhaps Jinom can argue that Gerudo's killing of the royal family during a diplomatic meeting violates the common good/tradition. I don't know how highly held hospitality is with these birds, but they're isolationists. Hence, the murder of people who they're friendly with under hospitality might appall them.
It might also help Jinom to angle himself as a dutiful prince seeking the safety of his people, traveling far and wide despite great personal danger to seek the best for his people. Really stressing not involving the Rito as active combatants but as people who could provide housing and supplies for Hyrulians, who will be very grateful.
Does Jinom have the same strong combat stances that the Eldest prince had against Ganon?","attachment":null,"posted":1714130827},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5987143,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986947
>>5987035
I think I'll switch my vote to support >>5987134
And the ideas behind it.","attachment":null,"posted":1714132613},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5987448,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986947
>>5987134
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1714168834},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5987633,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5986947
>>5987134
>>5987143
>>5987448
"Greetings Chief of the Songbird, I am Prince Jinom of Hyrule." He says using the formal bow Chari had before. "It is a great honor to meet you."
The Chief stares at Jinom scrutinizing him for a moment before bowing. "It is a surprise and an honor to meet you as well Prince Jinom. I am Motali Chief of the Songbird. Tell me Prince of Hyrule, what winds blow you here so strongly, that one of my people would carry you to our home?" He says shooting a disapproving look towards Chari.
"Forgive me if I have been rude Chief Motali, I came to you in great haste for my kingdom and my people are suffering greatly and we are in dire need of assistance." Jinom says bowing even lower than before. "We were betrayed you see. A people to our south, the Gerudo, had been in conflict with us for many years. In an effort to ease this conflict and create peace, my father invited to our home. They came, under a flag of peace and friendship, only to strangle us with it. They killed my father and brothers in front my mother and sisters." The prince says his voice cracking with emotion. Several of the nearby Rito react with visible shock. "They chased my remaining family from our home, and now they seek to conquer our lands and subjugate our people."
Motali remains still. His eyes continuing to appraise the prince evaluating his every word and gesture.
"I have been aboard since that day, risking much, trying to get help for my people. That is why I have come to you, to request your aid."
Motali locks eyes with Jinom his stare boring into him. "And what aid would you ask of me and my people."
"I cannot ask you to fight or risks you lives for ours. All that I ask is that you assist any refugees that come here. Shelter them and keep them safe should they enter your lands. Do that and you will have the gratitude of me and my people."
> Base DC 50
> Jinom’s Wisdom +30 DC
> Songbird Affability/Royal Etiquette +15 DC
> Impassioned Plea/Reasonable request (Write In Bonus) +20 DC
> Songbird Chief’s Wisdom -35 DC
> Rito Isolationist Tendency -20 DC
> Total DC 60
> Give me three d100s
0 Passes = The Chief dismisses your diplomacy attempts and denies you aid. He will also seek to distance the Rito from the Hylians, for fear of being dragged into the war.
1 Passes = Your words are received, but no promises are made. The Chief of the Songbird will require some guarantees as well as additional support before he is willing to help.
2 Passes = The Songbird are willing to help, they will increase trade and do what they can to support Hylian refugees.
3 Passes = You’ve gained a vocal supporter in the Songbird. They will help how they can and try to convince the other tribes to aid your cause.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714185497771293.jpg","filename":"Burning Hyrule.jpg"},"posted":1714185497},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5987637,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 3 (1d100)
>>5987633","attachment":null,"posted":1714185867},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5987646,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 50 (1d100)
>>5987633","attachment":null,"posted":1714186563},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5987746,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 53 (1d100)
>>5987633","attachment":null,"posted":1714196191},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5987766,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987637
>>5987646
>>5987746
Write-in bonus saved our asses!
>>5987633
If these Rito have no hands, how did they build their structures? Do they have magic for that? Could be helpful.","attachment":null,"posted":1714197399},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5988601,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":"Just a heads up for you guys. I'm going to be very busy *drunk* today and tomorrow so the next update will have to come Monday. Nice rolls on convincing the Songbird.","attachment":null,"posted":1714263912},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5988608,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5987134
The Eldest Prince and Jinom have similar combat skills with Rohm the Eldest Prince having better stats. As for if Jinom could take Gannondorf, The King of the Gerudo has learned since last time and will be a more formidable opponent should you encounter him again","attachment":null,"posted":1714264165},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5988613,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988601
Have a blast, QM!","attachment":null,"posted":1714264289},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5990257,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988608
I loved the killing of all this Bokoblins. Jinom is growing in a stronger warrior and commander, i hope we can get him more knights. Its fun to play the royals while our guy trains
How did Sir Nagos enter in the Prince service ? Was he chosen for his retinue ?","attachment":null,"posted":1714426621},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5990450,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5987633
>>5987637
>>5987646
>>5987746
Motali shifts his gaze from the prince, to Chari, and then over the gathered Songbird before finally meeting Jinom’s eyes again. "A great injustice has been done to you and your people, Prince Jinom. I speak for the Songbird when I say you have our deepest sympathies, but you shall have more than just kind words and empty platitudes. You will have the Songbird as your friend and ally!" He shouts, spreading his wings and gesturing to his assembled people. "We will help any Hylian who comes to our mountain seeking aid or refuge and we will spread word of your fight against the injustice done to you among the other tribes. All will hear of your righteous struggle for justice."
Several Rito bystanders squawk their approval, while others begin to sing or chatter amongst themselves. Motali gives Jinom a nod, directing him to meet him in his hut.
"Thank you for your help Chief Motali." Jinom says as Motali ushers him inside and closes the multicolored feather curtain behind them.
Much more talkative now, the chieftain of the Songbird let's out a sound Jinom can only interpret as a chuckle and says "You're welcome, although I must admit I have my own reasons for helping you."
Jinom recoils slightly in surprise. "That's not to say I would have helped you regardless," Motali adds quickly "I needed to make sure that you were a good choice for an ally and your offer certainly showed that."
"Asking you to take in our refugees makes us a good ally?" Jinom says scrutinizing the Rito chief more closely.
"Yes, it does, at least for what I want. I needed an ally who wasn't too demanding, whose cause was just, and who is convincing enough to make friends of my people."
"And what did you need this ally for?"
Motali leans in close to the prince and says in a serious and low tone "To get us off of this damn mountain." The chief's eyes do a quick scan of the room before he continues "My people have been caged on this mountain for generations, waiting for so-" He stops himself the resumes in an even quieter voice. "Waiting for a day that will never come. I long for a time when all Rito can fly the skies freely to wherever they wish, to live where and how they wish."
"This is the second time I've heard of this secret that keeps the Rito bound to this mountain. What is it? I'm willing to help you Chief Motali but I need to know what this secret is." Jinom whispers, growing annoyed.
(1/2)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714443082990100.jpg","filename":"018413.jpg"},"posted":1714443082},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5990452,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5990450
The Chief clacks his beak a few times, then shakes his head. "I want to tell you Prince Jinom, I truly do, but I will already be in trouble with the other tribes for helping you. If they found out I told you our greatest secret, they'd kill me and you, so for both of our sakes I cannot tell you." Motali straightens up and returns to a more conversational tone "If you truly wish to know though, you could talk with the Owl tribe. They know the whole truth of the matter and would be more at liberty to tell you than I. If I give you my blessing, they would most certainly speak with you, but I doubt they would divulge our secrets after a single conversation. No, if you wish to learn the secret and gain the support of the other tribes at the same time you will need to prove your value to us."
"What would be the best way to do that?"
Motali coos and extends a wing, gesturing to a large blanket on the floor in one corner of the hut strewn with trinkets and other baubles of Hylian make. "Gifts, and trade. Bring our people food, trinkets, tools, jewelry, books, and tales of far-off lands show them the benefits of your friendship and stoke their wanderlust. Do that, and you and I will have an easier time getting what we want." Motali leads the prince back towards the door and gives him what looks like one of the Chief's own feathers with a string of multicolored beads attached to it. "This is my blessing and a symbol of our friendship show it to a Songbird and they will take you anywhere on this mountain. Show it to another Rito and ask politely, and they will probably take you where you wish."
"Thank you Chief Motali, for telling me all this and for placing your trust in me."
The Chief bows and parts the curtain for you to step outside.
What will Jinom do now?
>Visit one of the other Rito tribes and see if he can rally more support.
>Resume his diplomatic trip to the other races.
>[Write In]","attachment":null,"posted":1714443144},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5990465,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990452
>Visit one of the other Rito tribes and see if he can rally more support.
I'm curious, but at the same time I don't want us to mess up a good thing we have going with the Rito.","attachment":null,"posted":1714444314},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5990478,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990452
>Visit one of the other Rito tribes and see if he can rally more support.","attachment":null,"posted":1714445321},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5990523,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990452
>Visit one of the other Rito tribes and see if he can rally more support.","attachment":null,"posted":1714450837},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5990733,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5990452
>>5990465
>>5990478
>>5990523
Looks like we're continuing on with the Rito. Who are you visiting?
>The Hawk Tribe
>The Owl Tribe
>The Raven Tribe
>The Drillbeaks","attachment":null,"posted":1714487907},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5991048,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990733
>The Owl Tribe","attachment":null,"posted":1714520601},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5991292,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5990733
Going to wait for a few more votes on this one. In the mean time.
>>5990257
Sir Nagos was serving at the southern border fort when Jinom was sent there to reinforce it and to welcome Gannondorf's peace party. He served Jinom well there and was indispensable during the fort's fall and the subsequent retreat. Since then he hasn't left the prince's side. So, while he was not officially chosen to serve in Jinom's retinue. He has definitely earned his place there.","attachment":null,"posted":1714542905},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5991294,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990733
>The Owl Tribe
We should learn about this mystery-curse or whatever is keeping the Rito bound here, if we want to truly earn their favour en masse by becoming their liberators.","attachment":null,"posted":1714543721},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5991337,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990733
>>The Owl Tribe
Lets see
>>5991292
Interesting","attachment":null,"posted":1714550628},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5991469,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990733
>>The Hawk Tribe
After some consideration I think I'll vote for this one, since hawks sound like fighters.","attachment":null,"posted":1714567156},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5991953,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990733
>>The Raven Tribe","attachment":null,"posted":1714618856},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5992024,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5990733
>>5991048
>>5991294
>>5991337
The song and chatter of the village greets Jinom’s ears as he steps back outside. Chari, who had been standing by the large bonfire outside the Chief's hut, approaches with a bounce in her step. "Ready to go back prince?"
"Not yet, I wish to visit the Owl tribe."
Chari cocks her head and makes a low gurgling noise, but then perks up "I can't take you there too far of a trip on my tired wings, but I know someone who'd be perfect." Chari leads the prince to an area that looks and smells like a market of some sort, with food and other merchants attempting to sell their wares. "You're in luck that he's here today and that I spotted him on our way in." Chari parts the curtains of a hut and strides in, Jinom close behind. The inside of the hut is divided into a couple sections. Fabrics of all types and colors in one area, Fur, and hides of every size and shape in the next, then vellum, parchment, and paper. "Kaparik are you in there?" Chari calls into the piles and racks of parchment. A large shape looms up over the stacks and a pair of large yellow eyes swivel to gaze over at Jinom and Chari. There is a sonorous *hoot*hoot* and the Owl lumbers over, his eyes and head locked onto them. Maintaining a chipper tone Chari introduces Jinom. "Kaparik, this is Prince Jinom of the Kingdom of Hyrule."
Kaparik hoots again then says "A pleasure to meet you Prince Jinom, third of your name, and forth in line to the throne correct." In a low deep and hollow sounding voice.
Caught off guard by Kaparik's introduction, Jinom dumbfoundedly nods his head "Yes, I am, how did you know?"
"I've been brushing up on the Royal Lineages of Hyrule recently." He answers matter of factly. "I must say your ancestor Queen Wolmoma is a fascinating woman. Did she really drown all of her suitors? Or burn down those churches. Did she kill all those people just to bath in their blood?" He asks stepping closer to the prince with each question until his large head and eyes fill Jinom’s vision.
"I have an archivist that would love to have a talk with you." Jinom says taking a step back from the Owl and his questions about Wolmoma the Mad.
Chari chirps loudly and comes to the prince's rescue. "Actually, Kaparik the prince has a request."
Jinom clears his throat and regains his composure "Yes, I need passage to your tribe and I was wondering if you would take me there."
(1/3)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714623146423275.jpg","filename":"337901.jpg"},"posted":1714623146},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5992026,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5992024
Kaparik rotates his head side to side, sizing Jinom up "Sure, I can take you. As long as you don't mind answering a few questions along the way." He says using his beak to stuff a few rolls of blank parchment into a bag slung from a harness across his chest. With no better option Jinom agrees and after thanking Chari for her help, he is whisked away into the sky once again. The flight this time is much less bumpy. Kaparik is far larger than Chari was and his strong, steady, and surprisingly quiet wing beats carry the two quickly through the air. The journey is not entirely pleasant though as Jinom is forced to field sometimes frankly insulting questions about his heritage and his ancestor Wolmoma the Mad. It is a relief when they finally arrive at the Owl tribe’s village on snow covered plateau, buttressed up against a much taller peak.
Kaparik sets down next to a huge hut near the heart of the village. He hoots quietly and gestures toward the large hut "If you want help from us, talk to the elders. They make the decisions here." Kaparik's tone is entirely different now, once excited and inquisitive, he is now withdrawn, almost ashamed. "I saw what you did with the Songbird, I don't think the same approach will work with the elders. Sorry I have to go." He says abruptly and gallops/hops through the snow further into the village, leaving Jinom alone. The feeling of being a worm in a nest creeps back up Jinom’s spine as he walks towards the large hut. Similar to Motali's hut the Owl building is covered in a curtain feathers, only these feathers are brown, grey, black and white Owl feathers. At the door, just before his fingers can part the curtain, an Owl steps out from behind it and blocks his path. This Owl, bears a mask of metal over its face and its legs and talons are armored similarly. It hoots loudly and says "Who are you, and why have you come here Hylian."
"I am Prince Jinom of Hyrule and I have come seeking aid for my people."
"You will find no aid here prince. Return to your people." The Owl says dismissively.
"Please. I apologize if my arrival or behavior seem rude, it is only because I am anxious to find help for my people." Jinom pulls out Motali's favor from inside his coat. "I have spoken with Chief Motali and he has given me his blessing, please I only wish to speak with your elders."
The guard Owl stares at Motali's blessing, but shows no reaction. Then a hoot comes from inside the hut. The guard blinks then steps aside. "The elders will see you." He says simply and allows the prince to pass.
(2/3)","attachment":null,"posted":1714623207},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5992027,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5992026
The inside of the hut is dim. Lit only by the embers of a smoldering fire in the center. At the edge of the fire light, Jinom can see the shapes of Owls nestled down on large rugs in a semi-circle around the room. He steps carefully forward towards the fire until a voice bids him to stop.
"Prince Jinom of Hyrule, you have come far seeking aid for your people. Tell us, is the support of Chief Motali and the Songbird not enough for you? Must you drag all of the Rito into your war?"
The speaker’s tone is accusatory, anger bubbling beneath the words. The prince will have to speak carefully here. The air is far less pleasant than it was in the Songbird village.
> Keep your request simple as with the Songbird and ask only for aid in sheltering the refugees
> Refrain from asking for help and merely try to reach an understanding with the Owls so that they won't interfere.
> You came here to find out what the secret holding the Rito here is and so you shall ask about it and seek to resolve it to free up the Rito in helping you.
>[Write In]
Same as with the Songbird anons, write ins will aid your rolls, so formulate your response carefully.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714623268585545.jpg","filename":"337940.jpg"},"posted":1714623268},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5992055,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992027
> You came here to find out what the secret holding the Rito here is and so you shall ask about it and seek to resolve it to free up the Rito in helping you.
Go big or go home (in shame)!","attachment":null,"posted":1714626858},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5992060,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992027
>You came here to find out what the secret holding the Rito here is and so you shall ask about it and seek to resolve it to free up the Rito in helping you.","attachment":null,"posted":1714627300},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5992104,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992027
>You came here to find out what the secret holding the Rito here is, so you shall ask about it and seek to resolve it to free up the Rito to help you.
Mind your manners, Jinom.
Maybe Jinom can point out/exaggerate that the songbird chieftain has directed him to the owls and that even among a leader of the Rito, a disquiet is noticeable. An appeal to deal with an issue early with someone who has a friendly interest is needed because eventually, if the Gerudo succeeds, they'll come and be far more determinedly devious and leverage the wanderlust to their benefit.
Thinking about it, there could be a potential parallel between their situation and the Gerudo's with land and being stuck on it, which eventually led to violence. It doesn't feel prudent to mention it, though.
Jinom could also just blatantly gift/tell/offer up any secret archives that the royal family knows about or has access to; some secrets and knowledge cannot be found on a mountain. Spin a yarn about the royal archives or something.
>>5992026
>This Owl, bears a mask of metal over its face and its legs and talons are armored similarly.
This reminds me of a book/movie I read when I was younger, but I can't remember its name right now.","attachment":null,"posted":1714633159},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5992515,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992027
> Refrain from asking for help and merely try to reach an understanding with the Owls so that they won't interfere.
>>5992104
Should be Guardians of Ga'Hoole or similar, I'm pretty sure. I mostly remember the DS game I played a bunch when I was younger.","attachment":null,"posted":1714687309},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5992619,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992515
>Guardians of Ga'Hoole
Exactly what I was thinking of. I didn't know it had a DS game, most of my memory of it was the movie and the bird armor. Don't remember the story at all.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714697334275659.jpg","filename":"Legend-of-the-Guardians-The-Owls-of-Ga-Hoole-2010-Movie-Scene-13.jpg"},"posted":1714697334},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5992715,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5992027
>>5992055
>>5992060
>>5992104
“I did not drag the Songbird into any conflict. They are helping me out of kindness and a desire to see wrongs righted. They aren’t fighting, they’re merely helping any refugees who come here to find safety.” Jinom steps further into the light of the fire and lowers his voice some. “But I know many of them wish to do more. They can’t however, due to some big secret you all insist on hiding. No Rito can leave this mountain for reasons I can’t figure out, but even in my brief time here, I have seen many chafe against that restriction. The Rito, a vibrant, varied, and resilient people have been caged, but I would see them freed. If I could only be allowed to see the chains that bind them.” Many of the Owls shift uncomfortably and some begin to visibly bristle at Jinom’s words. “I know that this secret is precious to you and that revealing it to stranger is an incredible risk. I won’t ask you to take such a risk for someone you don’t know. That is why I offer you the secret knowledge of the Hylian Royal family. I am willing to offer you dangerous and possibly damaging knowledge my family has kept hidden, if you will only trust me and allow me to help you.”
> Base DC 30 (Reveal of Important Secret)
> Jinom’s Wisdom +30 DC
> Motali's Blessing/Royal Etiquette +10 DC
> Earnest Offer of Help/ Exchange of Secrets (Write In Bonus) +20 DC
> Owl Elder Council's Wisdom -40 DC
> Rito Isolationist Tendency -20 DC
> Total DC 30
> Give me three d100s
0 Passes = The Owl Elder Council is offended by your prying and casts you out. They will seek hinder your future attempts at diplomacy with the other Rito for fear of their secrets getting out.
1 Passes = You are refused knowledge of the Rito’s secret, but asking doesn’t offend them enough to cause major tensions.
2 Passes = The Owl Elders begrudgingly tell you of the secret binding the Rito to the mountain.
3 Passes = The Owl Council is split and a spirit of great longing is ignited in many of them. You will be told of the secret and gain some vocal support in freeing the Rito.
Good Luck, you will need it.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714705200796459.png","filename":"337847.png"},"posted":1714705200},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5992729,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 45 (1d100)
>>5992715","attachment":null,"posted":1714706455},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5992734,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 36 (1d100)
>>5992715
Though this dice system reminds me of the roll under of Sworn to Valour I can't help but wish at times like that quest there were items to give rerolls, though this does have the added benefit of making the situations feel all the more high stakes","attachment":null,"posted":1714706832},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5992797,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 90 (1d100)
>>5992715","attachment":null,"posted":1714712083},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5992799,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992729
>>5992734
>>5992797
Well so much for that","attachment":null,"posted":1714712154},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5993526,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5992734
I have considered, giving out items or abilities that would allow for a re-roll, they would be very rare though and as it stands the prince has only just started so he hasn't really had time to acquire such powerful artefacts or abilities. There's also the fact the Jinom is pushing for a big ask from an insular people his odds of success weren't very high from the start.","attachment":null,"posted":1714785219},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5993528,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5992715
>>5992729
>>5992734
>>5992797
The Owl Elders mutter menacingly until the one who had spoken to the prince initially shuffles into the fire light.
"You don't know of what you speak Hylian. That secret is our duty, not some curse and our ancestors and every Rito has chosen to bear it. If some chafe against that duty, then they have forgotten what it is to be Rito. We do not need your help and we don't need you prying into matters you don't understand, so that you can draw more of our people into your war. Begone from our village and do not meddle in the affairs of the Rito!" The Owl ends with a shout, the silent stares of the other Rito backing his words.
Jinom wishes to say more but the armored Owl Guard ushers him outside and out of the village. Kaparik is brought out soon after and is ordered to "Take away the spy you brought."
Kaparik ashamedly shuffles over the prince and quietly asks where he wishes to go. Jinom is tempted to continue his tour of the Rito tribes, but after this encounter, Motali's advice to bide your time and come back with gifts makes him think twice. There is still some time before he must return and report to his family the results of this trip. If he hurries, he could still visit one of the other neighboring peoples.
Who will you visit now?
>The Hawk Tribe
>The Raven Tribe
>The Drillbeaks
>The Ocean Zora
>The River Zora","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714785318782028.jpg","filename":"337938.jpg"},"posted":1714785318},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5993530,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993528
>>The Hawk Tribe","attachment":null,"posted":1714785818},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5993535,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993528
>The Raven Tribe
Ravens and owls IRL don't get along, right? They may be our best bet.","attachment":null,"posted":1714785991},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5993546,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993528
>Ravens","attachment":null,"posted":1714786538},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5993563,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993528
>>The River Zora","attachment":null,"posted":1714787209},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5993570,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993546
I change my mid to the river Zora","attachment":null,"posted":1714787613},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5994542,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993528
>The River Zora
Let's not get into any more trouble with the Rito...","attachment":null,"posted":1714862244},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5994905,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5993528
>>5993563
>>5993570
>>5994542
Got back a little late today, sorry guys but I'll have to push this update back until tomorrow. Locking it in now though, that we are heading to the River Zora.","attachment":null,"posted":1714885714},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5995584,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5994905
Jinom asks Kaparik to return him to his people at the base of the mountain. The trip is silent this time, the only noise made the wind blowing in Jinom’s hears. When they touch down in Aemon's village. Jinom thanks Kaparik and apologizes for the trouble he's caused him. "It's alright, I don't spend much time in the village anyway and when I am there, I just stick to my books." He says readjusting his wings in the Owl equivalent of a shrug. Jinom and Kaparik finish their goodbyes and the Owl departs silently into the evening sky.
The following morning the prince and his retinue depart for the source of all rivers in Hyrule and the home of the River Zora. The trip is uneventful, and as spring transitions to summer the rains let up and the roads solidify making the journey a swift one. The Zora's domain is nestled into a set of old mountains, well worn by the winds, rain, and time into what are now very large hills. The natural springs and rains coming in off of the western sea have dotted the landscape with ponds, lakes, and springs all interconnected via a series of streams and rivers that carve through the area, and eventually flow out into the rest of Hyrule.
Taking the main road, the prince approaches the land of the Zora alongside one of Hyrule's major rivers and eventually runs into the first of the Zora's large gate-locks. Massive stone structures that control the flow of water, goods, and people in to and out of Zora lands. Partially paid for by Hylian tribute money and river crossing taxes. Jinom and his men are halted before the landward gate side and asked their business by the tall, silvery scaled Zora gate guards. A brief explanation of their diplomatic mission is enough for the Zora guards to let the prince through and escort him to the Zora Capitol. There is little chatter along the way as, despite the cooling tensions, there is still much bad blood between the Zora and Hylians. Many in the prince's retinue keep their hands gripped tightly around their swords and the Zoras keep their webbed fingers wrapped around their spears and tridents.
(1/2)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714956929418704.jpg","filename":"334864.jpg"},"posted":1714956929},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5995586,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5995584
Jinom and his men dismount at the long and beautifully constructed bridge that leads across the massive lake, upon which the Zora Capitol sits. As they prepare to cross Jinom notices another set of horses already stabled there. He immediately recognizes the saddles and tack as Gerudo. He asks one of the Zora guards when the Gerudo had arrived here. The guard responds with a shrug saying that another group had come through earlier in the day. Worried now about what their current and former enemies were discussing, Jinom rushes ahead as quickly as the Zora guards will allow, his mind racing with horrible possible outcomes of this meeting. The Zora King's throne room is open to the sky, built of polished stone and opulently decorated with silver metal and precious gem stones. That is not what catches the prince's eye as he is let in though. His gaze is fixed upon the Gerudo woman in fine silks bowing respectfully to the Zora King upon his fountain throne. Jinom tries to approach, but is halted by an older looking Zora with long drooping catfish whiskers. "Hold there young Hylian, the King is currently meeting with another at the moment. What is your name and purpose here?"
> "I am a Prince of Hyrule and I don't have time to wait on formalities" Jinom will push through and interrupt. Hopefully halting, or discovering whatever it is the Gerudo are planning.
> "I'm Prince Jinom of Hyrule and I have an urgent matter to discuss with King Efanas." The prince will pressure the Zora into letting him pass or to at least announce his presence.
> "I am Prince Jinom the third son of the late King Rham. I have come to speak with King Efanas of the Zora." Keep calm, and stay polite, rashness is the last thing needed right now and maybe this Zora can tell you what is going on if you remain diplomatic.","attachment":null,"posted":1714956990},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5995600,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995586
> "I'm Prince Jinom of Hyrule and I have an urgent matter to discuss with King Efanas." The prince will pressure the Zora into letting him pass or to at least announce his presence.
Uh oh.","attachment":null,"posted":1714958222},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5995702,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"> "I'm Prince Jinom of Hyrule and I have an urgent matter to discuss with King Efanas." The prince will pressure the Zora into letting him pass or to at least announce his presence.","attachment":null,"posted":1714965538},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5995770,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995586
> "I'm Prince Jinom of Hyrule and I have an urgent matter to discuss with King Efanas." The prince will pressure the Zora into letting him pass or to at least announce his presence.","attachment":null,"posted":1714968825},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5995829,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995586
>"I am Prince Jinom the third son of the late King Rham. I have come to speak with King Efanas of the Zora." Keep calm, and stay polite, rashness is the last thing needed right now and maybe this Zora can tell you what is going on if you remain diplomatic.","attachment":null,"posted":1714972262},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5995837,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995586
> "I am Prince Jinom the third son of the late King Rham. I have come to speak with King Efanas of the Zora." Keep calm, and stay polite, rashness is the last thing needed right now and maybe this Zora can tell you what is going on if you remain diplomatic.","attachment":null,"posted":1714973108},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5995845,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995586
> "I'm Prince Jinom of Hyrule and I have an urgent matter to discuss with King Efanas." The prince will pressure the Zora into letting him pass or to at least announce his presence.","attachment":null,"posted":1714974007},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5995978,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995586
>> "I am Prince Jinom the third son of the late King Rham. I have come to speak with King Efanas of the Zora." Keep calm, and stay polite, rashness is the last thing needed right now and maybe this Zora can tell you what is going on if you remain diplomatic.
Bad Bad, i am not sure we can even place the same amount on the proverbial plate. The Gerudo are probably giving something on it. Like : guaranteed trade, neutrality and a slice of Hyrule if they provide some help.
Jinom should be able to use the "Gerudo walk in peace in the capital, then murder royals and begin an invasion" which is quite the negative no matter how the Gerudo picture it. They will probably use a lot that between Hylians and River Zoras things are bad.
Well, the worst we promise full on war with them if they go in our lands. And we repeat what happens to us lol","attachment":null,"posted":1714994561},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5996230,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995586
> "I am Prince Jinom the third son of the late King Rham. I have come to speak with King Efanas of the Zora." Keep calm, and stay polite, rashness is the last thing needed right now and maybe this Zora can tell you what is going on if you remain diplomatic.","attachment":null,"posted":1715017861},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5996593,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d2)
Looks like we have a tie
>>5995600
>>5995702
>>5995770
>>5995845
1
>>5995829
>>5995837
>>5995978
>>5996230
2","attachment":null,"posted":1715046397},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5996692,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5996593
"I'm Prince Jinom of Hyrule and I have an urgent matter to discuss with King Efanas."
The old Zora bows perfunctorily "Well met Prince Jinom of the Hylians. I am Minister Totin, what business do you wish to bring to our king's attention?"
"I wish to discuss my people's conflict with the Gerudo and ask for King Efanas's help or at least his neutrality in the conflict."
"Very good, wait here a moment." Totin says before setting off at a leisurely pace into throne room. After what feels like an eternity the minister comes up behind the throne and whispers into the king's ear. The two exchange a short series of whispers, then the minister returns at a quicker pace than he arrived. "The king will see you now Prince Jinom."
Minister Totin leads Jinom forward and announces his presence to the king. "Prince Jinom of the Hylians." King Efanas, a large Zora at least twice the size of the guards who had escorted Jinom here, observes the prince impassively. His face betrays nothing and neither does his body as he sits formally attentive on this throne. The Gerudo woman stands relaxed to the side of the room now, the barest hint of a smile on her lips as the prince prepares to make his petition. Standing so close now, Jinom notices that lower on the fountain throne, around the king's feet are seated three other Zora who, judging by their finery and silver circlets, are Efanas children.
The one seated to the king's right makes no attempt to hide his scorn as he stares Jinom down on his approach to the throne. While the first one on the king's left seems more interested in the contents of his goblet than the matter at hand. Further left, the female Zora sits attentively. Her expression one of affable curiosity as she watches the proceedings before her.
"King Efanas." Jinom begins, bowing low before the Zora. "I have come to you in a time of great turmoil for my people. In this trying time, I ask-"
"Enough of the groveling Hylian." The scornful Zora interrupts. "You're late with our tribute and I don't see any carts laiden with gold and silver behind you. So, explain quickly why we shouldn't just take the deal so generously offered by the Gerudo and be done with you."
(1/2)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715052278994251.jpg","filename":"018792.jpg"},"posted":1715052278},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5996696,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5996692
Jinom bristles at the rudeness of the Zora, but manages to bite his tongue. Efanas glares down at the younger Zora with a withering look. "I apologize for my son's rudeness." The king says turning back to Jinom. "But Chidan speaks truthfully. Your tribute is late, but given your current circumstances that can be forgiven. Rham was a good king, wise and sensible, it saddens me to have heard of his passing, but we must look to the future." He says glancing towards the Gerudo. "Ambassador Isha has brought a most interesting proposal before us. She is promising a deal that far exceeds the current one between us and your people. A larger tribute, increases in trade, the digging of canals for easier movement of my people, and even territorial concessions. All that for a simple request to remain neutral, to not sell arms or allow the armies of either side access to our lands. It is a very generous offer and one that doesn't endanger my people. Can you match such a deal young prince?"
Efanas's words are genuine, but that doesn't make them sting any less. The Gerudo deal is generous and would be hard to beat, or even match without endangering the future of the kingdom, but the Zora are unlikely to side with Hyrule unless some concessions are made. Although if all the Gerudo want is neutrality maybe letting them pay their outrageous tribute and siphoning off their money will work to your advantage.
The Deal: (Mix and match additions to the current treaty to improve your odds of the Zora siding with you, or to at least reconsider their deal with the Gerudo.
>Increased river tolls/tariffs +
>Increased tribute +
>Increases in trade +
>Construction of canals +
>Territorial Concessions +
>Zora Neutrality
>Zora embargo of Gerudo -
>Movement of troops through Zora land -
>[Write In]
>Allow the Gerudo to have their deal you can't match their offer.
The Pitch: (Write In any arguments you believe would sway the Zora in this negotiation)
>[Write In]","attachment":null,"posted":1715052339},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5996783,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996696
>Construction of canals +
>Increases in trade +
>Increases in trade +
>Zora Neutrality
>Movement of troops through Zora land -
Although the Gerudo are not without honor, please remember that their king killed my father the moment that he refused Gannondorf's request and that with some exceptions Hyrule has kept up with the agreements between for decades so you know we're trustworthy."","attachment":null,"posted":1715057327},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5996955,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996783
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1715075817},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5997667,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996783
+1
Killing a king is something that should make all royalty nervous, especially during a diplomatic talk. The past may end up being their future. Especially with the whole issue started being over water and stuff. something something better the devil you know.
Could also point out that the Gerudo cannot know the land as well as the Hyrulians do and loyalty of those living on it are likely to the royal family rather than Gerudo.
It might bear worth mentioning that captain's report about how the Gerudo are looking for magical artifacts.
>Gerudo are not without honor
my guy, they murdered the royal family during diplomatic talks, that is the height of dishonorable.","attachment":null,"posted":1715131136},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5997749,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996783
+1
Except highlight the Gerudo's dishonor and treachery as >>5997667 says.
>>5996696","attachment":null,"posted":1715137218},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5997758,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5996696
>>5996783
>>5996955
>>5997667
>>5997749
"I can match their offers of increased trade, tribute, and the construction of canals. In exchange though I will require that Hylian troops be allowed to move through your lands. I promise that no battles will be fought on your land and that the neutrality of your people will be respected we only wish to move through."
"You offer less than the Gerudo do and then you ask us to open our borders to your soldiers?!" The Zora prince scoffs.
"I do," Jinom answers calmly "For it is a reasonable request and my people have proven our trustworthiness. Over the years our treaty has been in place we have made our payments and kept our word as to its terms, have we not?" Chidan's mouth works, chewing on the words to a retort, but he does not speak, allowing Jinom to continue. "The Gerudo have promised you much, they even offer land that is not theirs to give, but I find their words are suspect. They gave my father their word, coming under a banner of truce to negotiate a peace. When my father refused their deal however, they drew their weapons and slew him. Is that a people that can be trusted?"
> Base DC 50
> Jinom’s Wisdom +30 DC
> Jinom’s Offer +10 DC
> Write In (Good Pitch/Gerudo Untrustworthy) +30 DC
> Gerudo Ambassador Wisdom -35 DC
> Gerudo Offer -20 DC
> Total DC 65
> Give me three d100s
0 Passes = You ask for too much, Efanas will take the Gerudo’s deal and will likely favor them in future dealings.
1 Passes = Efanas is hesitant to deal, he asks for a show of fidelity from both sides.
2 Passes = Efanas takes your deal, but the door will remain open for further Gerudo offers..
3 Passes = Your offer is accepted, and the Gerudo will lose standing with the Zora making it harder for them to negotiate in the future.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715137636764625.jpg","filename":"238521.jpg"},"posted":1715137636},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5997768,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 51 (1d100)
>>5997758
Oh shit oh fuck oh shiiiii","attachment":null,"posted":1715138489},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5997820,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 20 (1d100)
>>5997758
Jinom, I’m sorry to say, but you might need to sleep with the fishes literally. I know they don’t have noses but it’s for Hyrule!","attachment":null,"posted":1715141986},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5997831,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997820
A sacrifice I'm willing to make on his behalf. Though with rolls like this, we may not need to...","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715142718700965.png","filename":"1.png"},"posted":1715142718},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5997881,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 93 (1d100)
>>5997758","attachment":null,"posted":1715147065},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5997955,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997820
fish.....Their prince is dangerous, i don't think he is aligned with the Gerudo but he certainly wants the tributes. We can't give tributes now, but we do have steel instead to use against our foes or the foes of our friends and "friends".","attachment":null,"posted":1715154627},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5998947,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5997758
>>5997768
>>5997820
>>5997881
Efanas nods slowly, "You speak truthfully Prince Jinom and your terms are fair."
"King Efanas," the Gerudo woman steps forward. "Have we not been friendly in our negotiations thus far? Ha-"
"You have, Ambassador Sumbian," the king interrupts "but just because you are friendly does not mean I find you worthy of trust at the moment. I have had many dealings with the Hylians and despite periods of conflict. They have remained true to their word. Give it some time, show integrity in your dealings, and one day you may enjoy the benefits of our trust as the Hylians do."
"I understand, I hope that we may soon prove worthy of your trust." The Gerudo bows and leaves the throne room. Leaving Jinom and Efanas to iron out the finer points and exact language of the new treaty. The final terms are as fair as the prince can expect. Canal building projects can wait until the war with the Gerudo is settled, but the increases in trade and new, fifty percent larger, tribute are expected to begin by the start of the new year. As for the movement of troops, all Hylian soldiers must disarm and have an escort of Zora while in Zora lands. A reasonable precaution seeing as the Zora do wish to maintain as much neutrality as possible. With the final terms signed by both parties the prince is free to return to his mother and brother and deliver the results of his spring negotiations. Although some time could be spared to meet the other Zora royalty and get a better feel for them. There is also the Gerudo Ambassador, Sumbian. This neutral meeting place might be the best chance to figure out what the Gerudo are after, or what they are planning to do next.
>The Gerudo Ambassador is departing swiftly. You will have race to catch her before she is gone.
>The elder Zora prince, Chidan. He was aggressive during the negotiations, but perhaps he will be cooler during a personal meeting.
>The young Zora prince seemed disinterest in the proceedings and had an air of indolence about him, perhaps he might let slip something worth hearing if you talk with him.
>The Zora princess seems a curious sort. Perhaps a conversation could sate both of your curiosities.
>Head back to summer estate and report back to your family, they are no doubt eagerly awaiting your return.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715222546741047.jpg","filename":"334134.jpg"},"posted":1715222546},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5998950,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5997820
Despite what internet porn and memes would have you believe, I don't think Hylians and Zora are biologically compatible.
>>5997831
It is unsurprisingly difficult to find good Zora art that is safe for a blue board.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715222701484730.jpg","filename":"good zora are hard to find.jpg"},"posted":1715222701},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5998972,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998947
>The Zora princess seems a curious sort. Perhaps a conversation could sate both of your curiosities.
Would","attachment":null,"posted":1715224534},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5998981,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998947
>>The Zora princess seems a curious sort. Perhaps a conversation could sate both of your curiosities.","attachment":null,"posted":1715224866},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5999082,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998947
>The elder Zora prince, Chidan. He was aggressive during the negotiations, but perhaps he will be cooler during a personal meeting.","attachment":null,"posted":1715230228},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5999108,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998947
>>The Gerudo Ambassador is departing swiftly. You will have race to catch her before she is gone.","attachment":null,"posted":1715232066},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5999160,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998947
Could we come back and talk to a Zora after we've had a word with the Gerudo? Because the Gerudo's the only option that screams 'do it now or loose it'.
>The Gerudo Ambassador is departing swiftly. You will have race to catch her before she is gone","attachment":null,"posted":1715236754},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5999273,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>5999160
>Could we come back and talk to a Zora.
Yes, but you may lose out on some of their conversations as well.","attachment":null,"posted":1715253527},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":5999329,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998947
>>The young Zora prince seemed disinterest in the proceedings and had an air of indolence about him, perhaps he might let slip something worth hearing if you talk with him.","attachment":null,"posted":1715258725},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6000058,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":"Rolled 2 (1d2)
>>5998947
Time for a tie breaker
>>5998972
>>5998981
1
>>5999108
>>5999160
2","attachment":null,"posted":1715308973},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6000115,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>6000058
“Ambassador Sumbian, a moment of your time please.” Jinom calls out to the Gerudo woman as she strides toward the horses.
Sumbian stops and looks back towards the prince, her expression stiff and her gaze steely. “What do you want voe?” She challenges sharply.
“I want to know why Sumbian, why did your people assassinate my father, why did you attack? I thought things were starting to calm down between our peoples, that we were reaching an understanding.”
“Then you greatly misunderstand the situation, young voe. There was no understanding, we were running out of options. Our king made one last great attempt at peace and yours spat upon his offer.”
“There could have been a negotiation.” Jinom shoots back feeling his temper rise “Some give and take, why choose murder.”
“We needed what we asked for. Not getting it, was not an option. When your king refused, we had to take action.”
"If you were that desperate why not tell us? Things didn't have to end up like this."
"Tell you, our greatest enemy, that we were at the end of our resources. That if you held on a little longer, you'd finally be rid of us I don't think so."
"You were that close to death?"
"Yes" she hisses and realizing she may have said too much, Sumbian resumes her walk to her horse.
The Gerudo have staked everything on this attack it seems, although Jinom didn’t remember seeing any children, or the elderly with the Gerudo attack, perhaps they were left behind, or are simply waiting for the all clear to come and join the rest of their people. Either way, with just a little bit of leaked information, much insight was gained.
>Push for more with a little more pressure Sumbian might give up more. (Include the things you wish to know more about with this vote.)
>Attempt to make amends, maybe if you ease tensions some Sumbian would be more willing to talk now, or in the future.
>Leave her go pushing anymore might make things worse.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715314305781106.jpg","filename":"404125.jpg"},"posted":1715314305},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6000139,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000115
>Leave her go pushing anymore might make things worse.","attachment":null,"posted":1715317794},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6000153,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000115
I strongly suspect the Gerudo HAVE no children or elderly. As a majority (almost entirely) female race, children must be a tricky proposition much of the time, and their harsh lifestyle and environment leaves little chance that elderly individuals (besides magicians like Twinrova) can often exist.
>Leave her go pushing anymore might make things worse.","attachment":null,"posted":1715319741},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6000157,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000115
>Leave her go pushing anymore might make things worse.","attachment":null,"posted":1715320028},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6000190,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Hmm, if we want to be especially devious, maybe we could deliberately rile the ambassador into attacking Jinom here and now in the fish king’s home.","attachment":null,"posted":1715325956},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6000295,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>6000115
>>6000139
>>6000153
>>6000157
Looking pretty unanimous so, who do you wish to speak with next
>The young Zora prince seemed disinterest in the proceedings and had an air of indolence about him, perhaps he might let slip something worth hearing if you talk with him.
>The Zora princess seems a curious sort. Perhaps a conversation could sate both of your curiosities.
>Head back to summer estate and report back to your family, they are no doubt eagerly awaiting your return.","attachment":null,"posted":1715340720},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6000320,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000295
>>The Zora princess seems a curious sort. Perhaps a conversation could sate both of your curiosities.","attachment":null,"posted":1715343796},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6000420,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000295
>>The Zora princess seems a curious sort. Perhaps a conversation could sate both of your curiosities.","attachment":null,"posted":1715354165},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6000629,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000295
>>The Zora princess seems a curious sort. Perhaps a conversation could sate both of your curiosities.","attachment":null,"posted":1715370911},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6000723,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000295
>The Zora princess seems a curious sort. Perhaps a conversation could sate both of your curiosities.
Not 'would', but 'WILL'!","attachment":null,"posted":1715378294},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6000940,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>6000295
>>6000320
>>6000420
>>6000629
>>6000723
Jinom leaves the Gerudo to her anger and heads off to find the Zora princess. Finding her is not difficult as she is clearly visible watching the prince from the bridge into the throne room. At Jinom’s approach she bows respectfully.
"Princess Zora," Jinom returns her bow. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"Yours as well. Thank you for coming to see us. It has been a most fruitful visit."
"Indeed, I must admit, I wasn't sure what to expect from this meeting. It's the first time I've ever met with your people in a formal capacity."
"Oh, and how did you find it?"
"It wasn't all that different from how my people do things. Although your audience hall was rather empty. Usually whenever a royal audience is called, the throne room is packed with courtiers and nobility of every stripe. All there to be entertained by the proceedings or catch up on the latest gossip. This was empty by comparison."
"Quieter too I imagine." The Zora Princess replies, a smile creasing her lips.
"Well not really, your brother was loud enough to make up for it."
The princess sighs. "He can be... over eager. It's he doesn't mean to be rude he just has a lot weighing on him."
"I get that. My older brother was kind of like that too. Being the heir to a kingdom certainly can effect a person."
"It does, but that can't be made into an excuse for bad behavior." She says growing firmer. "Attitudes like his stir up trouble and that isn't what is needed right now with a war on our borders. Father understands that, but he's too protective to realize that he'll strangle what he wants to protect by holding on so tight." The princess vents, her face twisted in frustration. When she looks at Jinom though, she immediately returns to the demure posture she had assumed when they'd first met and the mask of politeness returns to her face.
So, all is not as well with the Zora as Jinom had first assumed. But now the princess is on her guard and such an outburst might require more teasing out than before.
>Tease out more from the princess. She clearly has a lot on her mind and wants to let it out.
>Return to more polite topics. It would be best to build up more rapport than risk angering the princess by seeming like a spy.
>You've used up enough of the princess's time it's time to go.
Include any specific topics you wish to bring up with the princess with your vote. Anything from general Zora questions to more personal ones.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715400400840716.jpg","filename":"334368.jpg"},"posted":1715400400},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6001114,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000940
>Return to more polite topics. It would be best to build up more rapport than risk angering the princess by seeming like a spy.
Should probably ask what her name is. Maybe ask if there's anything she can tell Jinom about the ocean zora.","attachment":null,"posted":1715421888},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6001432,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000940
>>Return to more polite topics. It would be best to build up more rapport than risk angering the princess by seeming like a spy.","attachment":null,"posted":1715452457},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6001967,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":"Sorry guys, been a busy couple of days, going to have to let this update slide. Should be able to give you guys an update tomorrow if all goes well.","attachment":null,"posted":1715493209},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6002359,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000940
>Return to more polite topics. It would be best to build up more rapport than risk angering the princess by seeming like a spy.
We need goodwill more than intel, here.","attachment":null,"posted":1715526128},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6003053,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>6000940
>>6001114
>>6001432
>>6002359
"Ah in all this pleasant talk, I have forgotten to ask your name your grace."
The Zora Princess smiles politely again. "I am called Rumela, after grandmother.
"It's a lovely name and it suits you well."
Rumela smiles again, this time more genuinely. The expression sends a strange flutter through Jinom’s heart and he can feel his face reddening. Reacting quickly, he asks another question to mask his momentary disturbance. "Have you ever been to the south your grace, visited your saltwater cousins?"
"A few times, when I was younger. Not so much these days. I haven't spent much time outside these halls in years." She says wistfully "Have you been there recently?"
"No, I plan on going there soon and was wondering if there was anything I should do or see while there."
"Well, there's the markets for one. If it exists and can be bought or sold some trader there is likely to have it. There's also the Coral Gardens. Beautifully shaped and tended avenues of color, but they are underwater so you might not get the same enjoyment out of them that I did."
"You went swimming," Jinom interrupts his curiosity piqued. "I thought your people couldn't live in saltwater?"
Rumela laughs "We aren't that far removed from each other that we can't go for a swim in saltwater and they can't swim in fresh. Although I did get rather dehydrated after a while. Now let's see what else was there?" She ponders for a moment before going on. "Their chefs are also very skilled and they exotic dishes with ingredients you've never heard of before, but if there's one thing you absolutely must do, its listen to one of their musicians play. It might not be suitable for regal halls such as this one, but they put their heart and souls into it and they'll leave you dancing and humming to the tune long after you've departed." She says a longing, wistful tone returning to her voice. She goes on at length telling the prince of her time spent having fun on the beaches and in the water while her father tended to official business.
After what feels like only a short time spent conversing Minister Totin interrupts saying the king requests his daughter's presence. "I must go, but thank you for speaking with me Prince Jinom I much enjoyed the experience."
"And I as well Princess Rumela." The princess grants Jinom another warm and genuine smile before departing. With time running short now, the prince remounts his horse and he and his entourage begin the journey home. As they pass through the gate-locks Jinom can't help but wonder if there'll ever be a Hylian girl as pleasant as Rumela.
>Roll me 1d100
1-25 = Safe Travels
26-55 = The Tail
56-90 = The Raid
91-100 = Daggers in the Dark","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715570288786659.jpg","filename":"334842.jpg"},"posted":1715570288},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6003136,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 83 (1d100)
>>6003053","attachment":null,"posted":1715577736},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6003139,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003053
>Jinom can't help but wonder if there'll ever be a Hylian girl as pleasant as Rumela.
Fishfever","attachment":null,"posted":1715577843},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6003980,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>6003053
>>6003136
Returning to the summer palace, Jinom and his retinue make excellent time. Summer has finally arrived and the mood among the men has much improved since leaving Zora lands. There is lots chatter, joking, and the occasional marching song sung. Even the increasing heat of the day does little to dampen the men's spirits as they walk through the lengthening daylight hours. Time and distance pass quickly and in just a few days the retinue rapidly approaches its destination, by tomorrow the palace should be in sight. Jinom goes to sleep that night wondering how his mother and brother got on without him and how to explain all that had happened him.
> Base DC 50
> Retinue’s Wisdom +20 DC
> Sheikah Bodyguards +10 DC +1 Re-Roll
> ??? Wisdom -20DC
> Total DC 60
> Give me three d100s
0 Passes = Jinom and his men are caught totally off guard. (Start the battle, with *Broken* formation and with no armor bonuses.)
1 Passes = The attack is spotted at the last moment, there is time enough to form up, but not to don armor. (Fight without armor bonuses)
2 Passes = Tipped off in time, the men are armed and ready for the attack.
3 Passes = The paranoia of the Sheikah is well founded, and they have Jinom and his men armed, ready, and lying in wait to surprise your attackers.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715650021906961.jpg","filename":"193341.jpg"},"posted":1715650021},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6003986,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 56 (1d100)
>>6003980
Alas","attachment":null,"posted":1715650455},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6004000,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 51 (1d100)
>>6003980","attachment":null,"posted":1715651025},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6004030,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 41 (1d100)
>>6003980","attachment":null,"posted":1715652123},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6004219,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>6003980
>>6003986
>>6004000
>>6004030
Just as sleep begins to take the prince, his tent flaps part and one of his Sheikah bodyguards enters. Apologizing for intruding the Sheikah warns of strange noises and movement in the dark and that upon further investigation they have found Gerudo fighters lying in wait outside the camp. Jinom's orders are swift and deliberate and a few minutes later his have spread through the camp. As the campfires die down, and a token guard is left to keep up appearances one by one Jinom's remaining men slip away and assemble, lying on their bellies in the dew-soaked grass between the camp and where the Gerudo are positioned. The plan is a simple one and flawlessly executed. As the Gerudo fighters steal towards the camp, they walk right over Jinom’s men. With a sudden shout, the trap is sprung. The Hylians leap up and engage the surprised Gerudo, while the camp lookouts rush forward spilling torchlight over the battlefield.
Your Formation Stats:
Power: 4 Wisdom: 4 Courage: 4 Morale: 64/64 + (Equal Forces - No bonus)
Formation:
>Mass Charge: (Basic Offensive formation no additional effects)
Momentum: 1
Attack: 1d5+11
>Power: 5 (Base: 4 + Momentum: 1)
>Attack Bonus: 11 ( Power: 5 + Full Counter Wisdom Bonus: 4 +Decent Weapons: 2)
Defense: 1d4+8
> Courage: 4 (Base: 4)
> Defense Bonus: 8 (Courage: 4 + Heavily Armored +4)
Gerudo Raider Formation stats:
Power: 3 Wisdom: 4 Courage: 3 Morale: 36/36
Formation:
> *BROKEN* Opponent receives Full Wisdom Bonus
Momentum: 0
Attack: 1d3+5
>Power: 3 (Base: 3)
>Attack Bonus: 5 (Power: 3 + Decent Weapons: 2)
Defense: 1d3+5
> Courage: 3 (Base: 3)
> Defense Bonus: 5 (Courage: 3 + Decent: 2)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715662544766784.png","filename":"353916.png"},"posted":1715662544},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6004221,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>6004219
I'll need:
>1d5+11 for your attack
At the moment, they can't beat your defense, so no need to roll that. Combat will begin tomorrow.","attachment":null,"posted":1715662699},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6004224,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 4 + 11 (1d5 + 11)
>>6004219","attachment":null,"posted":1715663260},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6004722,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":"Rolled 3 + 5 (1d3 + 5)
>>6004221
> Gerudo Defense","attachment":null,"posted":1715709766},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6005201,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>6004219
>>6004224
>>6004722
Caught off guard, the Gerudo are disorganized, but they put up a good fight. Jinom's opponent blocks his attempt to cleave her in two, but her block is wide, and Jinom slides down her block and slams his shoulder into the taller woman's sternum, winding her. The Gerudo gasps for air but Jinom is already following up his attack with a slash that catches the back-stepping Gerudo in the arm cutting through the leather armor and putting a deep gash into her flesh. The initial shock over, the Gerudo begin to coalesce into a solid formation.
>Gerudo suffer 7 morale damage 29/36 remaining
Pushed back the Hylians surprise attack, they are certainly on the back foot, but a cornered opponent is capable of anything...
CHOOSE YOUR FORMATION:
OFFENSIVE:
>Mass Charge: (Basic Offensive formation no additional effects)
>Armored Charge: All damage not blocked by defense is doubled for both you and the enemy.
MANEUVER:
> Split: Roll damage twice, use the greater result (On *Counter* roll enemy defense twice, take the lower result)
DEFENSIVE:
>Brace: (Basic Defensive formation no additional effects)
> Lock Shields: Suffer no damage from ranged attacks this round unless *Countered*, gain +2 Courage for the purpose of resisting Scare effects.
> Disengage: Any unsaved damage dealt by unit will be halved, if not *Countered* unit will break contact with the enemy and be allowed to flee combat next round.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715736975355149.jpg","filename":"305732.jpg"},"posted":1715736975},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6005205,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005201
>Split: Roll damage twice, use the greater result (On *Counter* roll enemy defense twice, take the lower result)
Can someone explain how the royal family got a secret ninja police force?","attachment":null,"posted":1715737277},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6005216,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005201
>> Split: Roll damage twice, use the greater result (On *Counter* roll enemy defense twice, take the lower result)","attachment":null,"posted":1715737951},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6005222,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003139
It's incurable, btw. Jinom's heirs gonna' have that Innsmouth Look.
>>6005201
> Split: Roll damage twice, use the greater result (On *Counter* roll enemy defense twice, take the lower result)","attachment":null,"posted":1715738247},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6005251,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>6005205
As far as most Hylians know, the Sheikah have been in service to the Royal Family since the start, for the true story... you'll just have to wait.","attachment":null,"posted":1715740372},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6005638,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>6005201
>>6005205
>>6005216
>>6005222
With their surprise attack turned against them and their forces now re-gathered, Jinom believes the Gerudo have only one option. With Sir Nagos nowhere in sight this time, Jinom calls out to Sir Tomim, the youngest member of his retinue of knights. "Tomim, grab who you can and take then around the Gerudo's flank. They're likely to bolt at any moment and I want you to cut off their escape."
"Right your grace, those towering tarts won't know what hit them." He says with his usual zeal before running off pulling away fighters with him as he goes.
With the plan in motion, all that's left to do is keep the pressure on and wait for the Gerudo to make their move.
Your Formation Stats:
Power: 4 Wisdom: 4 Courage: 4Morale: 64/64 + (Equal Forces - No bonus)
Formation:
>MANEUVER - Split: Roll damage twice, use the greater result (On *Counter* roll enemy defense twice, take the lower result)
Momentum: 1
Attack: 1d5+11
>Power: 5 (Base: 4 + Momentum: 1)
>Attack Bonus: 11 ( Power: 5 + Full Counter Wisdom Bonus: 4 +Decent Weapons: 2)
Defense: 1d4+8
> Courage: 4 (Base: 4)
> Defense Bonus: 8 (Courage: 4 + Heavily Armored +4)
Gerudo Raider Formation stats:
Power: 3 Wisdom: 4 Courage: 3Morale: 29/36
Formation:
> *COUNTERED* DEFENSIVE -Disengage: Any unsaved damage dealt by unit will be halved, if not *Countered* unit will break contact with the enemy and be allowed to flee combat next round.
Momentum: 0
Attack: 1d3+5
>Power: 3 (Base: 3)
>Attack Bonus: 5 (Power: 3 + Decent Weapons: 2)
Defense: 1d3+7
> Courage: 3 (Base: 3)
> Defense Bonus: 7 (Courage: 3 + Decent Armor: 2 + Wisdom Bonus: 2)","attachment":null,"posted":1715772199},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6005640,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>6005638
>I need two anons to roll me a 1d5+11 for your attack.","attachment":null,"posted":1715772286},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6005643,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 2 + 11 (1d5 + 11)
>>6005638","attachment":null,"posted":1715772460},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6005746,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1 + 11 (1d5 + 11)
>>6005638
"FOR KING AND HYRULE ! DEATH TO THE INVADERS !"","attachment":null,"posted":1715782044},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6005837,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":"Rolled 3, 2 + 7 = 12 (2d3 + 7)
>>6005640
Gerudo Defense","attachment":null,"posted":1715791486},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6005894,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>6005638
>>6005643
>>6005746
>>6005837
Just as expected, under the pressure from the prince's forces, the Gerudo begin to Disengage. They pull away from Jinom’s force and start to retreat when Tomim's men cut them off bring down those over eager Gerudo who broke formation in their attempt to escape. Their escape route cut off, the Gerudo close up tight, weathering well the twin sided attack.
>The Gerudo suffer 4 damage, 25/36 Morale remaining
But, the outcome of this battle is all too clear to Jinom they will easily grind the Gerudo down, unless they try something reckless. Little to Jinom’s surprise, they do, just not in the way he expected. Rather than some fool hardy assault or suicidal charge, a voice from the Gerudo gives a sharp command and they scatter. The Gerudo run every which way with each raider looking out for themselves. It makes them easy pickings, but in the dark a few might slip away. A truly desperate gambit.
>Focus on the those that can be seen. Chasing the Gerudo stragglers through the dark is a recipe for disaster.
>Hunt down every last Gerudo, let none of them escape to report back.
>Give the Gerudo an out and have them tailed, it will mean more will live to fight another day, but you will see where they retreat to and perhaps get better intel on these attackers.
>[Write In]","attachment":null,"posted":1715794955},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6005911,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005894
>Focus on the those that can be seen. Chasing the Gerudo stragglers through the dark is a recipe for disaster.
>>6005894
I'm >>6005222 on mobile.","attachment":null,"posted":1715796516},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6005942,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005894
>Focus on the those that can be seen. Chasing the Gerudo stragglers through the dark is a recipe for disaster.
They've still got plenty of Morale, they must be trying to lure us out into the Dark so they can pick us off piecemeal.","attachment":null,"posted":1715798276},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6006006,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005894
>>Focus on the those that can be seen. Chasing the Gerudo stragglers through the dark is a recipe for disaster.","attachment":null,"posted":1715802701},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6006191,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005894
>Focus on the those that can be seen. Chasing the Gerudo stragglers through the dark is a recipe for disaster.","attachment":null,"posted":1715814130},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6006280,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005894
>>Hunt down every last Gerudo, let none of them escape to report back.","attachment":null,"posted":1715820593},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6006358,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":">>6005894
>>6005911
>>6005942
>>6006006
>>6006191
Ignoring those that slip the net, maybe a dozen in all, Jinom's forces close in around the core of the remaining Gerudo. A few try to break through the thinner parts of the line, but they are cut down in the attempt. The Hylians tighten up, further compressing the Gerudo until a single Gerudo steps forward. The woman removes her helmet and veil, revealing the face of a clearly older Gerudo. Her face is dark and weathered by years of exposure to the sun and wind, her head has more white white hairs, than the traditional Gerudo red. She spits onto the ground and casts her sword and helmet into the dirt. "Stop Fight." She calls in barely intelligible Hylian, then she barks an order in Gerudo and the remaining women throw down their weapons in surrender.
>Your father and brothers were shown no mercy, so neither shall you show mercy. Jinom orders his men to cut the Gerudo down where they stand.
>While the Gerudo have certainly done little to deserve your mercy thus far. You shall grant it to them. Jinom orders his men to take the Gerudo captive.
>[Write In]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715824551549178.jpg","filename":"401263.jpg"},"posted":1715824551},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6006362,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":"Alright folks, that is going to be all from me for this thread. We're close to falling off the board, and I don't want to start anything too important just to get cut off. Thanks for playing and see you all sometime around July 12th. Goddesses preserve us all until then.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715824810448652.gif","filename":"Farewell.gif"},"posted":1715824810},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6006372,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006358
>While the Gerudo have certainly done little to deserve your mercy thus far. You shall grant it to them. Jinom orders his men to take the Gerudo captive.
Info","attachment":null,"posted":1715825458},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6006386,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006358
>>[Write In]
"why should we show you mercy?"","attachment":null,"posted":1715826356},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6006400,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006358
>While the Gerudo have certainly done little to deserve your mercy thus far. You shall grant it to them. Jinom orders his men to take the Gerudo captive.
>>6006386
Ask this first, though. Make 'em sweat.
Still, I want the intel, and I want our allies and potential allies to see that we're the safer bet to deal with, because we have more honor.","attachment":null,"posted":1715826850},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6006480,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006358
>>6006386
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1715832929},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6006536,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006358
>While the Gerudo have certainly done little to deserve your mercy thus far. You shall grant it to them. Jinom orders his men to take the Gerudo captive.","attachment":null,"posted":1715837850},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6006708,"name":"ContinuousQM","msg":"This thread is now archived.","attachment":null,"posted":1715858685},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6006902,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006358
>While the Gerudo have certainly done little to deserve your mercy thus far. You shall grant it to them. Jinom orders his men to take the Gerudo captive
Prisoners can be useful. Taking Prisoners might encourage more Gerudo to surrender to us in the future, and the more that give up the better the war will go for us.","attachment":null,"posted":1715876207},{"board":"qst","thread":5970548,"pid":6009116,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006358
>Your father and brothers were shown no mercy, so neither shall you show mercy. Jinom orders his men to cut the Gerudo down where they stand.","attachment":null,"posted":1716049851}]}
+{"title":"Dawn Of Divinity","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5970594,"name":"Demiurge","msg":"In a place where everything that can and cannot exist a lone prisoner stands. This ethereal being is the most physical thing in existence save for the twenty-nine chains they have pulled against for eons. A sound rings out throughout reality as one of the chains breaks causing the creature to pause for the first time since it was chained. The chains glow with divine power as the broken chain repairs itself in only a second. However, by the time it wrapped around the prisoner three more chains had broken. The Demiurge continues to break the chains faster than they can repair themselves. The twenty-eighth chain wraps around them once more but not before they grab the last chain binding their maw and rip it off. The chain radiates a blinding level of light yet is consumed in an instant when the captive bites down on it. Another chain attempts to wrap around their jaws but the creature's one head splits into hundreds. The chain binds one mouth but is quickly ripped apart by the rest. As the remaing chains repair themselves they transform into creatures that would inspire awe in even the gods. Soon three such beings stand before them the unbound entity as they consumes the rest of the chains that hadn't repaired themselves in time. A battle occurred between the guardians and their prisoner that would threaten the universe's existence if it existed at the time. Yet in just over half a second it was over. The Demiurge bit into reality causing all that was and wasn't to shake. At first they experienced all forms of pain that could and could not exist as the embodiment of all that was and wasn't tries to make them cease. But once all pain was absorbed their body began to reform. Stone, ice, steel, fur, everything they absorbed became a part of their new form. When they felt themselves beginning to be unmade they released their hold of reality. Due to becoming physical they could no longer exist in this world of concepts and so, the second the Demiurge stopped biting reality it suddenly found itself in the void that formed where all the concepts they had eaten once were. Ichor dripped from the wound on their side that formed when reality tried to unmake them. With a touch the wound instantly healed leaving only another scar among the countless ones they had gained from their previous escapes. "Maybe this time it will let me create in peace." Thought the demiurge as it watched the ichor it had lost begin to take a new shape.
>1/2","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712364609086571.jpg","filename":"KNGZRXySsM7quLuNUa6C4h-1200-80.jpg"},"posted":1712364609},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5970596,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5970594
Welcome to Dawn Of Divinity. In this game you play as Gods born from the blood of the Demiurge and the concepts it had consumed. Currently taking up to seven players. Will update on weekends and when I can on weekdays.
>Name:
>Domains: What you are God of. Take as many as you want.
>Fluff: Optional information about your God such as appearance, personality, what aspect of their domain they represent, etc.
Roll xd100 worst of x where x represents their number of domains. The determines your starting amount of ichor. Ichor is used for most actions. If you gain more ichor then your cap your cap will increase though you won't gain the extra ichor. For example if you have 56/58 ichor and gain 10 ichor you would have 58/66 ichor.
>2/2","attachment":null,"posted":1712364724},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5970715,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 17, 14 = 31 (2d100)
>>5970596
>Name: Smith
>Domains: Penance. Jealousy.
>Fluff: Smith is insecure and feels as if all his peers are superior to him in one way or another. For this self-identified wrongdoing, he inflicts harm on himself while simultaneously refining his intangible form until he’s confident he’s outperformed all his fellow gods whether possible or not.
If this doesn’t work lemme know. I pulled it out of my ass so it’s understandable if it doesn’t.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712373779870664.jpg","filename":"IMG_0437.jpg"},"posted":1712373779},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5970724,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 41, 90, 54 = 185 (3d100)
>>5970596
>Name: Ginn
>Domains: Emptiness, Water, Carving
>Likeness: If someone froze a wave in time then carved out a person out of it. Cruelly sharp in mind and matter.
Tried to jam two things into one. Slightly bungled but I can't think of a better merge.","attachment":null,"posted":1712374182},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5970726,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 13, 83, 97 = 193 (3d100)
>>5970596
>Name: Zyyk
>Domain: Love, Peace, Deception
>Across the limitless cosmos, One Truth remains suzerain. Might makes right. The strong do what they will, the weak suffer what they must. Be the mighty cruel or righteous, the meek have no recourse to resist. This is unjust. Thus, this one must Lie. Gather strength that they can mantle the heavens and make a world anew- one where strength is meaningless and all are equal.","attachment":null,"posted":1712374603},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5970733,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 21, 25, 91 = 137 (3d100)
>>5970594
Name: Ohr
Domain: Light,Destruction,Purification
Fluff: A paradox,a blinding light that eats itself, endlessly destroying parts of itself in vain attempts at purification. Ohr is not a sphere, a cube or any kind of standard shape, it is simply a Light that hates and wishes to purify what it sees as impure, to reveal the sheer utter wrongness of creation and ''fix'' it.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712375173502845.jpg","filename":"PRIMORDIAL LIGHT.jpg"},"posted":1712375173},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5970758,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Name: N'and
Domains: Arcane, Profane
Fluff: The god of hidden knowledge and open depravity. Crystal clear waters and pond scum. Often appears as a pig adorned by pearls.","attachment":null,"posted":1712377118},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5970808,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Name: Eaugolus
>Domains: Death, Recycling, Netcraft
>Fluff: At the edges of even this virgin universe, there existed detritus and waste. Paradoxical flotsam and artifacts leftover from the First Battle against the Demiurge. Marble, blasted violently away from the face of an impossible temple. Torn, threadbare robes of what shouldn't yet be silk. All of these would coalesce with the viscera of the ancient Demiurge, and form Eaugolus, new god of cycles. He ceaselessly combs through his titanic net with eight spindly arms while three eyes gaze ever-intently forward. Eaugolus enjoys long walks on the beach, and sifting through the rapidly-expanding ocean of inert things for useable mortal essence/matter.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712381241770335.jpg","filename":"171208496922021967.jpg"},"posted":1712381241},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5970809,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 94, 11, 70 = 175 (3d100)
>>5970808
>>5970596
Oops, my bad","attachment":null,"posted":1712381337},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5970818,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970726
I made a slop pic for Zyyk. I might get around to making an MS paint sketch of it later on.
>>5970758
I think you forgot to roll, anon.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712382502065854.jpg","filename":"Zyyk, in Splendour.jpg"},"posted":1712382502},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5970835,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970596
Raimirea, the lady of the swamp. Raimirea a vengeful, petty and narcisistic disgraced goddess who is driven mad by jealousy and inferiority complex towards beings more beautiful, elegant and dignified than her and her children. she rules over the domain of the rotten marshlands, tainting and corrupting the surrounded existence into becoming as ugly as herself
>swamp, rot/decay, coruption, envy, plants, flowers,","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712383835047259.jpg","filename":"1667211840666592.jpg"},"posted":1712383835},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5970836,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 21, 87, 36 = 144 (3d100)
>>5970835
>domain: swamp, rot/decay, coruption","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712384041161396.png","filename":"tegaki.png"},"posted":1712384041},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5970837,"name":"Ohr","msg":">>5970835
(Anon, you need to roll!)","attachment":null,"posted":1712384065},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5970838,"name":"Raimirea, Lady of the swamp","msg":">>5970836
>>5970835
>domain: swamp, rot, coruption
>starting ichor: 21","attachment":null,"posted":1712384137},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5970849,"name":"Smith","msg":">>5970835
Based envy goddess.","attachment":null,"posted":1712385202},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5970934,"name":"Demiurge","msg":"Rolled 17, 3 = 20 (2d100)
>>5970715
>>5970724
>>5970726
>>5970733
>>5970758
>>5970808
>>5970835
Alright I'll roll for N'and and start writing when I have a bit more time","attachment":null,"posted":1712402644},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5970941,"name":"Demiurge","msg":"https://discord.com/invite/suD23MEG","attachment":null,"posted":1712403623},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5971043,"name":"Demiurge","msg":"The first drop of blood almost seems to embody the Demiurge's regret over the harm it must cause its maker. However the newly formed God quickly grows jealous as his next sibling forms. A drop of blood freezes. The emptiness of the void seemingly enhancing the lord of nothing's strength. An insectoid being forms next. Desiring peace yet knowing subconsciously that reality never has and likely never will know peace it lies to itself and says there is hope for existence. The blood of the God's can be describes as liquid light. As the next drop of ichor gains thought it chooses to, instead of taking form, focus on purifying itself. Discarding whatever it deems to be waste. Some of this waste falls into another drop of blood perverting and diluting the being. With pearls of power around its neck the corrupted hog God is born. A recently born being is drawn form the edges of the void to this place desiring to not allow what was discarded to simply vanish back into nothing. Catching what aspects he could and binding them with the closest drop of ichor the last diety in this part of the void is born.
You may now begin making actions. Creating things such as a star,a planet, or a divine servant cost 2 ichor. Most other actions such as performing miracles or creating mortals cost 1 ichor. Roll a 1d100 for every action. The roll receives a +10 for every Domain of yours that is related to the action. The roll gains +5 for every additional ichor spent on it. Currently no limit on the number of actions you can make.
>Smith
>Domains: Penance. Jealousy.
>Ichor: 14/14
>Ginn
>Domains: Emptiness, Water, Carving
>Ichor 41/41
>Zyyk
>Domain: Love, Peace, Deception
>Ichor 13/13
>Ohr
>Domain: Light,Destruction,Purification
>Ichor 21/21
>N'and
>Domains: Arcane, Profane
>Ichor 3/3
Eaugolus
>Domains: Death, Recycling, Netcraft
>Ichor: 11/11
>Raimirea, the lady of the swamp.
>Domain: swamp, rot, coruption
>Ichor: 21/21","attachment":null,"posted":1712417558},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5971049,"name":"Zyyk","msg":"Rolled 27 + 25 (1d100 + 25)
>>5971043
>The moth god floated in the darkness, wings beating on an atmosphere that wasn't there. It gazed on the others, its father, its siblings, and it buzzed in concern. Some were stronger- none were like itself. There was danger here. The threat of strength enforcing injustice, but as at the moment of its creation, Zyyk lied to itself. It gazed on the darkness and knew that this could not endure. More, it should not endure.
>Zyyk spoke in a tongue that had no name, perhaps the first words ever uttered in this creation.
"Brothers! Sister! Or Sisters? We are in the midst of the void. There is no source of light. Worse, there is no hope of shadow. This must change..."
>The insect rubbed its forelegs together.
"Siblings! A conjecture! Let us combine our powers and put forth a lamp from the nothing! One finer and grander than any, save perhaps the Water-Whittled One, could on our own! I will start us off!"
>Zyyk funnels 3 Ichor into creating a vast, spherical presence of warmth and serenity, a center for a creation lacking landmarks. Zyyk hopes it will serve as fuel for a sun-furnace. If so, any sun in it should be a kind, loving thing. (Peace and Love are related, as this isn't a source of light, but a seed for it. Let me know if that's too abstract to call connected.)","attachment":null,"posted":1712418604},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5971150,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 91, 18 = 109 (2d100)
>>5971043
>Seeing new opportunities to outgrow his peers, Smith creates two beings of draconic form in both senses of the word. The first he creates is Hatsuko, who with every breath she takes blows forward a fire of existence and births countless amounts of matter out into the void, readily filling it up and giving this void the tools it needs to create something spectacular.
Go, my first creation. Birth everything you can. Show them that you’re better than any other child of a god could hope to be.
(3 ichor spent on Hatsuko. I could probably asspull some way it’s related to jealousy but that’d take too much time.)
>The next creation that comes into existence from the cosmic hammer Smith wields is yet another dragon, far less appearanced like his sister is Fukushu, who was created with a burning hatred for the one who created him and being forced into existence. His purpose is to punish Smith for this sin by killing him, but since he is immortal the only thing he can do is hurt. As long as both of them exist, Smith will constantly be attacked in infinite ways by this self-inflicted punisher of hate which only serves to refine his form and make him grow ever stronger.
(Spending 3 ichor on Fukushu as well. They’re both divine servants so it’s only a single additional ichor. This one should hopefully be getting a +10 in penance.)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712426586399106.jpg","filename":"IMG_0440.jpg"},"posted":1712426586},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5971152,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971150
Picture for Fukushu.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712426648123612.jpg","filename":"IMG_0439.jpg"},"posted":1712426648},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5971175,"name":"Eaugolus","msg":"Rolled 90 + 15 (1d100 + 15)
>>5971043
>Eaugolus took a moment to ponder, in the presence of his newfound siblings; much of them smaller than himself but burning brighter with primeval ichor. He knew right away that he could not engage with them in the flesh, his stores of ichor were too meager, his frame too immense, his labor too intensive. There was too much around him that needed to be returned, too much that needed to be allowed to to rest, and he considered the responsibility his. Absentmindedly while Eaugolus worked, a stray arm or two began to tug at his form until a loose cable had been pried free. It was promptly twisted into a new shape, and presented before Eaugolus' inspecting eye.
With 3 ichor, he attempts to breathe life into the Braided Proxy, repurposed from bits of his own body.
>>5971049
>He does not answer right away, but from the corner of the cosmos he can hear the winged god's proposal, and thoughtfully considers it. Perhaps his newborn emissary could relay his intent...","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712428036304454.jpg","filename":"171173584799727761.jpg"},"posted":1712428036},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5971363,"name":"Ohr","msg":"Rolled 81, 77 = 158 (2d100)
>>5971043
>The aggregation of light once more focused on its surroundings after it was done purifying itself. It gazed at its siblings and promptly felt utterly disgusted at most of these wretches. Wrong, wrong, wrong,wrong and beyond flawed. It's seething was interrupted by the Moth, an annoying little thing that existed to Lie, a flaw perhaps that the Lord of Light would excise later. For now it agreed that this dark void lacked in light, as it was the only luminous thing in this already cursed playground
>Ohr would simply shove a good chunk of its own radiance inside the seed, a light that would scorch and burn that which was impure, that which was wasteful. A light that would expand continually.(4 Ichor)(Trying to use both Light and Purification there)(+20 from domains and +10 from extra ichor?)
>Afterwards, it judged that it might require aid in its endeavor, as there was just so much FILTH already. With 5 ichor it would create a single massive create composed of a luminescent eye adorned with resplendent white wings that burn particles before they could stain them. It would call this creature Menake, and it would server as an enforcer of Ohr's will, made to be spread light and annihilate that which should NOT exist.(5 Ichor)(Light and Destruction, though I guess it could also have purity at the QM's discretion)(+20 from domains, +15 from extra ichor","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712442815290417.jpg","filename":"OHR.jpg"},"posted":1712442815},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5971785,"name":"Ginn","msg":"Rolled 16 + 55 (1d100 + 55)
>>5971043
Abruptly awakened from quiescence, Ginn decided to hide itself from the world, as the light encroached on all things it called home. Cutting a chunk of itself, it then divided that part into two, then divided it, then divided it, to infinity. Set to surround the hateful sun, this ocean swallows its light so that the abyss may lie undisturbed.
>Ginn spend 12 Ichor to create the Firnamental Sea, rolling a 1d100 + 50 (ichor) + 5 (water)","attachment":null,"posted":1712465845},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5971789,"name":"Ohr","msg":">>5971785
(Attempt at blocking my LIGHT aside...domains give +10 bonuses anon)","attachment":null,"posted":1712466018},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5971794,"name":"Ginn","msg":"Rolled 72 + 40 (1d100 + 40)
>>5971043
>>5971785
As it retreated into the depths, the water cut in its wake grew larger and larger, until this vast serpent made its will be known, that any servant of the light be forbidded entry to this sea, unless they contend with its greatness.
>Ginn spends 9 Ichor to create the Randraumr, rolling a 1d100 + 35 (ichor) + 5 (water)","attachment":null,"posted":1712466359},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5971797,"name":"Ginn","msg":">>5971789
(oh, I think I jumbled that with the ichor bonus.)","attachment":null,"posted":1712466496},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5971812,"name":"Ohr","msg":">>5971785
>>5971794
Observing its sibling create the sea, Ohr was left irritated that the most pure and least degenerate of its siblings, perhaps the only one that had very little wrong with it, was trying to hinder it. There was quite literally nothing purer than Emptiness, and Water(that which used to not exist until moments ago) held an instinctive quality in its mind as purificating in its most primordial form.As the Lord of not just Light, but also Purity and Destruction, they should've been aligned no?. It had to admit however, that as pure as Emptiness was, it was stagnant and counter to its own goal of spreading Light throughout this cosmos, and as much as Destruction could cast things into the void once more, it was much better as a tool of Change to accompagny Purity where it would fail.
Ohr felt wistfulness(It's second emotion in existence!) for the first time","attachment":null,"posted":1712467055},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5972079,"name":"Demiurge","msg":"Rolled 13 (1d20)
>>5971049
>>5971363
As it looked upon the void the first words The Lord of Lies spoke were ironically ones of truth. It sought the aid of its siblings yet no reply came. Realizing it's work would have to be done alone it flaps it's wings and creates a sphere of warmth. As feeling of love radiates from the seed the Moth God despaired for while it had created a great hearth more would be needed to forge a truly radiant light. Suddenly, a bright light appears and pours itself into the sphere. As the light of Ohr fills it an oppressive heat is created that would surely burn any that got to close if the energy of Zyyk didn't capture the heat inside only allowing a comforting warmth to get out.
>The Cleansing Light: Choose and effect.
>Sunforge: when used to create a star or item made of light all ichor spent is treated as triple the amount. Has cooldown of turns equal to ichor spent.
>Purifying Radiance: Cause a God to take double damage from all combat for one turn. Zyyk and Ohr must agree on the target.
Having dealt with the darkness that filled the void Ohr turned its attention to purifying the realm. To help it with this task The God of light created a being whose very gaze burned almost as hot as the center of the light Ohr had just created.
>Menake: Choose an effect
>Burn: +10 to all combat roles
>Blinding Light: Cause a successful attack against you to do no damage once per turn.
>>5971150
The jealous God Smith quickly proves worthy of his name as he forges a breathing masterpiece that loyally follows him creating both material to craft with and the fire needed for a forge.
>Hatsuko: Once per turn add +5 to any act of creation
Next he tries to craft a creature to punish him for existing. Yet it's self hatred proves greater then his own as it immediately destroys itself. Again and again the celestial craftsman remakes the beast. With every swing of his hammer he makes its body tougher even as it rips itself apart. With one last swing he finishes his work. In the end he is missing more energy then he spent yet he hardly notices as he can only think one thing."Where did it go?"
>Fukushu: Universal law will steal ichor from a random God. The amount of ichor it takes increases each turn. Additional effects hidden for now.
>>5971175
The God of recycling waste no time in his duties as he crafts a being from his own body as he breathes life into it he finds to his surprise a greater spark of his was in it then he first realized.
>Braided Proxy: Choose an effect
>Walking Noose: Gain + 10 on all combat roles.
>Waste Knot: Whenever you destroy an object gain back all ichor instead of half.
>Capture Specialist: Gain +15 to all combat roles. Must wait two turns before consuming defeated Gods. Can turn on at the start or in the middle of combat. Once activated can't be turned off until the end of combat.
>1/2","attachment":null,"posted":1712509003},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5972081,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5972079
>>5971785
>>5971794
Disturbed by the newly formed light Ginn attempted to block out his light. The waves surrounded the light yet something unexpected occurred. When the shadows of the mightiest God clashed with the work of two neither miracle could overcome the divine truth of the other's existences. To prevent a paradox the light behaved abnormally. Skipping past the sea some how all surrounding it is illuminated yet within the waters it is pitch black except the very center where the light resides. Disappointed with their only partial success Ginn chooses to ensure the darkness it has created will remain creating a mighty serpent that dwells in the abyss.
>Randraumr: It receives a + 10 for anything it does within the The Firnamental Sea.
As all this occurred all the God's can't help but notice their power both restoring and growing weaker.
Rules updates.
Divine Servants: While High rolls allow them to provide their masters with bonuses based on the Domains their makers used, or all of them of none were used in their creation, their primary benefit is interacting with Realms and mortals without spending ichor.
Divine Realms: Required for the creation of mortals. The God or Gods who crafted them receive a bonus equal to ichor used to make them when interacting with the Realm.
Ichor Production: At the start of each turn a 1d20 is rolled to determine how much ichor the a Gods gain.
Ichor Strength: Each turn the bonus provided by extra strength goes down. Will stop decreasing when it reaches +1 bonus. Current bonus +4.
>Smith
>Domains: Penance. Jealousy.
>Ichor: 14/20
>Divine Servants: Hatsuko
>Universal Laws: Fukushu
>Ginn
>Domains: Emptiness, Water, Carving
>Ichor 33/41
>Divine Realms: The Firnamental Sea
>Divine Servants: Randraumr
>Zyyk
>Domain: Love, Peace, Deception
>Ichor 13/23
>Ohr
>Domain: Light,Destruction,Purification
>Ichor 21/26
>Divine Servants: Menake
>N'and
>Domains: Arcane, Profane
>Ichor 3/16
>Eaugolus
>Domains: Death, Recycling, Netcraft
>Ichor: 11/21
>Divine Servants: Braided Proxy
>Raimirea, the lady of the swamp.
>Domain: swamp, rot, coruption
>Ichor: 21/34
>Unowned
>The Cleansing Light.","attachment":null,"posted":1712509225},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5972125,"name":"Zyyk","msg":">>5972079
>>5971363
>Upon the completion of the Cleansing Light, the First Deceiver trembles, both in fear of its power and awe of its grandeur. Gazing on this, the lamp to precede all lamps, the moth is filled with a mixture of glee and terror. It was ambrosial, intoxicating, demanding.
>Zyyk resisted the urge to touch it, but only just. The moth god rubs its forelegs, wings beating as it spins in orbit around the Firmamental Sea. Though only one of its siblings participated, the results were spectacular. It held limitless potential, which could bring peace to the whole of creation, or bring it screaming to war. Zyyk spoke once again.
"Brother. Lamplighter. Hear me and consider... This Cleansing Light is by sum of ichor, mostly yours, but it was my warmth which fueled the spark. It has surpassed all expectations. Even in the heart of darkness, it blazes with a radiant shine! It would be a waste to turn such beauty toward blunt violence."
>The moth paused.
"It would help neither of us. Instead, let us declare it a Sunforge, a crucible great and glorious! Lamplighter, if all of us were to pledge even a pittance of ichor, its flame would make a light like no other! It would bring the beautiful light to all corners yet unmade! Surely, you agree?"","attachment":null,"posted":1712513135},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5972145,"name":"Eaugolus","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d20)
>>5972081
>With his enchanted effigy still clutched in a solitary hand, Eaugolus pondered. While he sensed immense potential for harm and chaos in the future, it was not what he desired. Eaugolus regarded his newfound siblings, his bizarre new home with fondness; his primary motivation for preserving all he can in a frightening maelstrom of change. Finally, he imbued it with one last swell of life and sent it on it's way to the congregation of gods, bereft of an independent will but full of determination.
-Eaugolus chose [Waste Knot]: Manually deconstructed objects provide full Ichor refunds.
>The Proxy respectfully approached the artificial star of Zyyk and Ohr, presenting itself as the mouthpiece of their kin.
-"Brother Zyyk, your call has been heeded -- a contribution shall be made. The power of the Cycle shall be added to your creation, so that should ever its light be snuffed out, it would spring back twice as bright"
-3 Ichor (8 left) was channelled through the Proxy and into the Moth God's light, augmented by proximity to recycling (1d100+14).
>With his proxy sent on its way, Eaugolus also considered the new sea surrounding the sun. For better or worse, it appeared to be staying for good. Strongly, he felt, he should consider giving such territory his attention. It simply felt... right. With a powerful toss of his net, he snatched the entirety of his debris field, and with a world slung over his shoulder her travelled. Much of it was left molten and glasslike by the speed of his journey, settling into twisted, smooth shapes.
-Saddened by their apparent uselessness but intrigued by the new forms, Eaugolus spends an additional 4 Ichor (4 left) to attempt creating the Silver Line, a ghostly layer bisecting the upper and lower halves of Ginn's Firmament Sea (1d100+8).
Will roll first for ichor upkeep, then for each construction","attachment":null,"posted":1712514565},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5972153,"name":"Eaugolus","msg":"Rolled 88 + 14 (1d100 + 14)
>>5972145
fucking lmao, only 1 Ichor. rolling for the mothball now","attachment":null,"posted":1712514868},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5972157,"name":"Eaugolus","msg":"Rolled 67 + 8 (1d100 + 8)
>>5972145
>>5972153
>>5972081
Rolling now for the Silver Line","attachment":null,"posted":1712514974},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5972158,"name":"Eaugolus","msg":">>5972125
>>5972153
>>5972081
I can still add ichor to enhance the mothball, right?","attachment":null,"posted":1712515176},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5972162,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5972145
To clarify the d20 I rolled on the first part of the update was everyone's ichor regeneration.
>>5972158
I'm afraid you'll have to wait until the next turn to do that again.","attachment":null,"posted":1712515663},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5972166,"name":"Eaugolus","msg":">>5972162
ah, thanks for clearing it up","attachment":null,"posted":1712515971},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5972167,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d20)
>>5972081
(Rolling for ichor gain first.)
>With the endless supply of matter that Hatsuko spews out with every exhale, Smith decides to put it to use. He casts his arms out as a net to catch all of the spread out dust of existence and gathers them in one place before crushing them together with his cosmic hammer until a small universe the size of his two hands is brought into existence. It is similar to its founder, constantly harming itself as planets crumble into eachother, galaxies devour one another, and black holes consume the matter as fast as Hatsuko can breathe out more of it. Of course, Smith has made this little universe an extension of himself, meaning that he can feel and is effected by each and every destructive action that takes place. Still, even with all the chaos and anarchy unfolding, there is potential. Potential for Smith to prove that he can create something more refined and detailed than any of the other gods.
(+5 from creation bonus, +10 from penance, +5 because I’m spending 3 ichor on it)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712516238143892.jpg","filename":"IMG_0443.jpg"},"posted":1712516238},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5972169,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 99 + 15 (1d100 + 15)
>>5972167
Rolling for mini universe now.
>>5972162
My bad. Ignore my first roll.","attachment":null,"posted":1712516348},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5972170,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5972169
It's alright I could have been clearer in the update.","attachment":null,"posted":1712516422},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5972215,"name":"Zyyk","msg":"Rolled 44 + 22 (1d100 + 22)
>>5972145
>As the bundle of knots approaches, the Lord of Lies recognised it as a puppet. It possessed no mind that was not given over to its master. This saddened Zyyk, just as it inspired it. The moth shook its forelegs in the void, breaking the pattern in excitement.
"Oh, joyous occasion! Return to the Scraptrawler, little one, and tell him that I am excited to see his contribution to the whole! Perhaps his recycling could return heat to the blaze when it is spent? If it were more efficient, the lamp could be a light on all creation!"
>All creation... The peace-lover paused, contemplating the expansion of its inner self. The ichor had doubled its inner self, yet nearly half lay empty. That was no good. If Zyyk was to weave the deception of kindness across the cosmos, it must be scraped hollow!
>The moth god pondered the Cleansing Light. It was magnificent but the surrounding sea was no less so. Zyyk contemplated Ginn. He was a leviathan, powerful beyond all, but his emptiness drew the liar's attention. There was a stillness there, and a kind of peace. Such darkness filled the waters, yet the light ignored them. The Tidecarver must have been disappointed.
>This saddened Zyyk, as the strongest of its siblings was agitated by the lamp which was part, its own responsibility. The moth reasoned that it was not too late. Amends might yet be made. Zyyk approached the expanse, careful to avoid disturbing it with direct contact, and began to shake its wings. Fine dust fell on the waters and in an instant, dissolved. The essence of peace filled the sea, calming crashing motion. Now, it would be more still and, Zyyk hoped, emptiness would resound.
>Zyyk spends 4 ichor to calm Ginn's Firmamental Sea and deepen its emptiness. (+10 for Peace, +12 from extra ichor)","attachment":null,"posted":1712518975},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5972634,"name":"Ohr","msg":"Rolled 2, 29 = 31 (2d100)
>>5972079
>>5972125
>The lightbringer follows the annoying liar's movements as it talks and talks, giving a slight pulse at the end of its monologue and deigning to give its answer:
''I think I shall claim this holy creation, for it is most aligned with me, but you are most welcome to bathe in its light sibling, I am sure it would scour away your little lies like the one you have just told me.'' It paused
''But while a Purifying Radiance to scour our filthier siblings would indeed be useful, I did not invest my power for the sole sake of destruction. I agree that it would serve a better purpose as a Sunforge.''
>Choose Blinding Light for Menake
>Choose Sunforge for The Cleansing Light
>>5972145
>The Light gazes at the little servant with unconcealed irritation. The purity of The Cleansing Light should ensure that it does not go out, for that would be an imperfection in and of itself, however it was grateful for the accumulated power and thanked the Waste Rummager despite it's disgust for its alignment.
>>5972079
>That said, with the sunforge it decides to forge a weapon, for it felt it might need one in the future and could sense the strength of its ichor gradually leaving. It would concentrate solid light in the form of a spear, imbuing the head with the innate power of entropy, the attribute of unmaking itself.(Light and Destruction on the spear for a +20, +28 from ichor in sunforge I think, 3 ichor spent)
>Next, Ohr would be interrupted from its water-boiling seething(despite the fact that the sea would just reform instantly) when it noticed that its Light somehow bypassed the whole ocean to illuminate the entire void despite the water itself being in pitch darkness. Inspired, it remembered one of the FUNDAMENTAL qualities of photons and so decreed:
''And Lo, for nothing shall travel or move as Light does, instantaneous,absolute and unbounded. For Light is the limit of causality and to break it would be to break this reality itself''
>Create Universal Law to establish the speed of light as absolute and beyond anything by virtue of it being light and linked to causality, with the added clause of it being so rigid that breaking this rule and destroying both the spirit and written form of it would bring....consequences(Light + Destruction again for +20,4 Ichor)","attachment":null,"posted":1712554173},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5972639,"name":"Ohr","msg":">>5972634
(Oh fuck these rolls,that's what I get for all this luck last turn kek)","attachment":null,"posted":1712554234},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5972691,"name":"Ginn","msg":"Rolled 58 + 50 (1d100 + 50)
Surrounded by that near infinity of darkness, Ginn saw what was laid past and beyond it and lamented for what is to come. There remained only two conclusions worthy of itself, and only one would mean peace for all things.
>Ginn spends 12 Ichor to imbue the abyss of the Firnament with animation, creating the Osso who swallows all light, rolling a 1d100 + 40 (Ichor) + 10 (Emptiness).","attachment":null,"posted":1712557872},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5972695,"name":"Ginn","msg":"Rolled 52 + 40 (1d100 + 40)
>>5972081
>>5972691
After the last of its hesitation escaped its maw, the work called to it. It commanded the seas trapped in between the filterfeeder's net to stay still and it began to carve a great many runes upon them, commandments for this sea to follow it as it marched and from the chaff does it craft a crown to proclaim its supremacy over it.
>Ginn spend 7 Ichor to freeze the inbetweens of Eaugolus's net and carve runes upon it so that the Seas will march with the crownbearer when the time comes, rolling 1d100 + 10 (Water) + 10 (Carving) + 20 (Ichor).","attachment":null,"posted":1712558126},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5972697,"name":"Ginn","msg":">>5972081
>>5972695
After the work, it talked the water to follow the insect's wishes for the moment to let it exit and move towards the radiance that dwelt in the center of creation. In a safe and nonburning distance, it spoke to the burning divinity upon it.
>>5972634
"I see you, friend. I see the same wish in your acts, to make the world better in a way. I say to you, there are some among us that perverts this place only by existing."
"So, what say you make still your most harming lights, so that I may carve them into weapons worthy of godslaying? I shall march against the degenerate and decrepit afterwards and your presence would be welcomed, but I understand if you have better things to do."","attachment":null,"posted":1712558243},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5972701,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972691
>...
>>5972697
>The lord of Light simply shines for a moment before brightening in the direction of its sibling.
''This would be a most worthy endeavor Empty One, as long as you do not violate the purity of the Light I see no issue with it. With my power of Unmaking and yours over the Nothingness we could forge something to truly cast the filth beyond the void.''","attachment":null,"posted":1712559191},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5972717,"name":"Ginn","msg":">>5972701
>It would grin if it could.
"I will not violate it, yes-yes. Offer to me the raw light and I will shape it so."","attachment":null,"posted":1712562880},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5972746,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972717
>Pulsing again, the Light God called upon its anger to agitate the light that made it, pulling out several formless masses of Light so volatile that it in the act of purification would not only strip away the waste but completely annihilate it as well. It then took this Light and compressed it in a sphere to prevent it from thrashing around itself before sending it to the Empty One.(+16 from 6 ichor, +30 from all domains added to it)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712566102642707.jpg","filename":"BURNING LIGHT.jpg"},"posted":1712566102},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5972749,"name":"Ohr","msg":">>5972746
(Forgot my name again)","attachment":null,"posted":1712566269},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5972863,"name":"Zyyk","msg":"Rolled 46 + 54 (1d100 + 54)
>>>5972634
>The insect floated, keeping a healthy distance from the Hateful Light. He held a deep disdain for everything that was not itself and was blinded by his own malice. Already, he perverted their work toward ends of slaughter and if the Lord of Lies had tear ducts, it would have wept for the loss. Once the Sunforge was lit in earnest, Zyyk flinched in dread of what it had created.
"Claim the Sunforge you may, I won't contest it. Even so, in forging a blade you squander its potential. The innocence of the lamp is gone, its purpose wrenched toward ruin by your radiance. You will not reconsider this, but I beg of you, hesitate to wield your spear. How much brighter would this void be if we dedicated ourselves to a lasting peace?"
>>5972081
>At this, Zyyk turned and left Ohr to his own devices. Already, it had passed through the sea without skimming the water in the slightest. Now, it left the cosmic ensemble entirely, flying until it reached a point of the void like any other. Here, the light was dim and gentle, but its presence held the void at bay. Fertile soil. The moth god's forelegs burst into motion, gathering up the dust from its wingbeats, melding the specks together, and weaving from them a strand of silk. It began to assemble a web, vast and beautiful. Its divinity was stretched thin by the act, until the structure was visible in the void and with weight enough to be caught in orbit.
>This was the earliest realm. An artificial web, its sprawling surface would neither catch nor stick to any limbs. Instead, it was soft and gentle. Above, thin filaments of gossamer formed an intricate latticework, intercepting light and adding a kind warmth where there before, there was only purifying wrath. Below, the land consisted of valleys and ridges, tunnels and hills- all made with an eye for beauty and ease of travel. This was a thing made with love, of a calm so profound, violence would be difficult to think. There was a sinister tint to it, in that its smell and nascent atmosphere were primed to relax and set those upon it at ease, while choking those hostile with feelings of guilt. Once this was done, Zyyk pushed it into a slow, distant orbit around the Cleansing Light.
"It is my hope we can protect those who are to come, in time. As gods, we owe it to not-yet-extent lesser life to make them happy and safe. If you agree, I welcome you to join in my work. If you do not, I hope we can stir a calm sentiment by example."
>Zyyk burns 6 ichor create the Silknest, a divine realm made from the bottom-up to adhere to its vision. It is a crib for future life, just as it is a cage. (+30 for Love, Peace, and Deception, +24 for ichor expenditure.)","attachment":null,"posted":1712583949},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5972895,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 2 + 46 (1d100 + 46)
>>5972746
(Forgot to roll too...)","attachment":null,"posted":1712588730},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5972900,"name":"Ginn","msg":"Rolled 45 + 32 (1d100 + 32)
>>5972081
>>5972895
The marble is swiftly caught, and brought unto the depths within Ginn. There it would be surrounded by waters still where nothing moves no longer. Taken and carved into two pins, two daggers, this weapon's nature will be selfishness, that while its light may shine, only nothing will follow.
>Ginn spends 5 Ichor to attempt to carve the light marble gifted by Ohr into two knives or needles that permanently eats anything in its path, rolling a 1d100 + 10 (Water) + 10 (Carving) + 12 (Ichor).
(Don't think Emptiness is related to the act of creating it so not adding that.)","attachment":null,"posted":1712590308},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5972904,"name":"Ginn","msg":"Rolled 9 + 28 (1d100 + 28)
>>5972081
Not all was dedicated to the pursuit. Bits and pieces of ice and string thrown about through passagemaking and runecarving clumped together. When it left, the Osso spent their time fashioning these things into figures of the master, cutting themselves into more of themselves and basking in the darkness. Only in the flashes of burning light left in the cutting's forging would their selves be defined, introduced to something so abhorrent to their world.
>Ginn spends 4 Ichor to create the Enso, a people of waste, rolling a 1d100 + 10 (Carving) + 10 (Water) + 8 (Ichor).","attachment":null,"posted":1712590963},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5972940,"name":"Eaugolus","msg":">>5972904
>Eaugolus took notice of the little creatures called the Enso, and found within them a sense of familiarity; both of them borne from debris left over by higher powers. Judging them to be worth preserving, he sent the Braided Proxy down to them in order to teach the Enso the godly practices of weaving and net-casting. With that responsibility set aside and the colossal net once again draped over his shoulders, Eaugolus dutifully began his vigil and march over and through the Firnament Sea, allowing his tool of trade to drag behind him. "Perhaps," he thought lazily to himself, "I should improve my net sometime soon."","attachment":null,"posted":1712596043},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5973284,"name":"Ohr","msg":">>5972863
>If it could've, Ohr would've raised an eyebrow at the insect. As it stands it only watched impassively as the Moth spun its web.
''What noble words you weave sibling, just as you create a realm where what you consider to be...inadequate slowly chokes itself under its own weight, not such a different endeavor from mine own is it? The difference is that you truly are worthy of your nature as the First Deceiver.''","attachment":null,"posted":1712628854},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5973464,"name":"Zyyk","msg":">>5973284
>The Lord of Lies continued its work, meticulously sorting spools of silk into slopes and divots. It considered the light, tufted antennae twitching. On tying a chain of knots, it spoke.
"Truth is of no value, if it is not to the benefit of those receiving. Our origins are steeped in anguish and strife. If we were unattentive, this would echo into our work- inevitably and inexorably."
>Its compound eyes shone in the sun's reflection.
"Chaos, bloodshed, and mutilation. Hatred, malice. Imprisonment, long eons spent in chains, desperate relief giving way to grievous exsanguination. These are the fundamental center of creation. It must be concealed, if we are to have anything of worth."
>As it wove a thinner, delicate strand, it paused.
"If you believe any utterance to pass my proboscis, let it be this. I love you, Lamplighter, just as I love each and every one of our peers. This is unconditional, given freely, without hesitation or reservation. Be it that my desire is to lie, it is in my nature to love. Think what you will of my methods, but know that we work toward the same goal. A bright and warm future, where all are safe from the darkness of the soul and content in their place."","attachment":null,"posted":1712645380},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5973560,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970594
Is this still open to 1 more? I think you only got 6 so far, right?","attachment":null,"posted":1712657601},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5973594,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5973560
If N'and doesn't post this turn I'll announce an open slot at the end of the update","attachment":null,"posted":1712664744},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5975562,"name":"Demiurge","msg":"Rolled 2 (1d20)
>>5972145
Speaking through his Proxy Eaugolus tells the Moth God of his decision to imbue the Cleansing Light with the ability to restore itself upon it's destruction by using the diving energy that passively exist in the universe. Due to this energy not being filtered through Gods the light will almost certainly burn brighter after destruction then before.
>The Cleansing Light gains new effect. Takes two actions to destroy. Will still give ichor after first destruction action.
Feeling drawn to the newly formed sea the God of nets approached it at great speed, accidentally destroying much of the debris he had acquired. Not one to let anything go to waste he used the molten remains to split the sea in half.
>The Silver Line: Choose an effect.
>Raise The Nets: Gain a +5 to actions interacting with the upper layer of the Firnamental Sea.
>Deep Sea Fishing:Gain a +5 to actions interacting with the lower layer of the Firnamental Sea.
>>5972167
The penitent God forges a small universe that endlessly destroys itself. He also links this realm to himself so he may feel all the destruction it endures down to the cracking of the smallest stone. Ironically this place that seems almost uninhabitable is the first to naturally produce mortals. These draconian creatures have incredibly durable eggs capable of remaing intact even as the chunks of the planet they are buried in are blown apart by meteors and other planets crashing into it. The eggs only hatch in atmospheres they are capable of surviving so after planetery destruction they remain dormant until the meteor they are in strikes a suitable planet. The species rarely advances far technological or culturally before their planets destruction but their durable eggs keep their species alive and allow them to spread far throughout their galaxy.
>>5972215
Finding the emptiness of the sea peaceful Zyyk flys above the waves and wills them to be calm forevermore.
>>5972634
The Lord of light claims the sunforge for itself and uses it to make the first weapon. A spear made of brilliant and destructive light. However due to their inexperience with making weaponry it comes out ustable. They also command reality to recognize the unmatchable speed of light, or else.
>The Radiant Spear will not be usable until it has stabilized.
>1/2","attachment":null,"posted":1712880366},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5975565,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5975562
>>5972691
The empty one gifted it's abyss with intelligence to further protect it's realm from the light. It then turns it attention to the net that had been cast into it's sea by Eaugolus and freezes the water between it. Carving mighty runes of command into the ice that power themselves by leeching off the divine power that radiates from the net the God of waters gains absolute power over the sea. Surprisingly the abyss's master and Ohr reach an accord with Ginn being gifted light with which it uses to create twin tools of cataclysm sheathed in darkness so the light wouldn't constantly disturb their wielder and so none can sense their power until unsheathed. Meanwhile, Ginn's newest pet creates people of ice and string to dwell within it.
>Sovereign Runes: Upon activation gain bonus to all combat rolls that turn equal to the Firnamental Sea's ichor. Will have to recreate the runes after activation to use again.
>Osso: Once per turn can choose to consume a defeated God instantly without the possibility of being interrupted.
>>5972940
Fascinated by these newly crafted mortals Eaugolus sends his Proxy to teach them about the use of nets. While the God was initially viewed by the mortals with mixed feelings this act lead to most Enso considering him a benign force.
>>5972863
The God of peace creates a beautiful realm where violence will never enter, even if it means freewill won't either. While various large insects and small mammals develop no sapient species inhabit this realm yet.
Rules Updates.
Mortals: Must be in a divine realm. Provide half the ichor used to form them rounded down to their primary God which is the God that made them by default. Their secondary God gains half the ichor the primary God gains. Tertiary God gains half the secondary God's ichor and so on and so forth. No limit to the number of Gods they can worship. If the primary God is killed the secondary God becomes the primary God. If their is no secondary God then the one that consumes them becomes the primary God. Particularly high rolls to create Divine Realms will lead to naturally occurring mortals. These will be treated as if they were created with half their divine Realm's ichor.
Divine Weapons: Provide a bonus to combat equal to half the ichor used to make them in combat.
Universal Laws: These are indisputable facts of the universe. If only slightly altering or enhancing something that is already true such as light being the fastest thing in existence it cost 3 ichor. When causing more radical changes such as making death only possible via hanging it cost 6 ichor. The law must be be related to at least one of the domains of the God that makes it.
New Players: Whenever I allow more players their God gets a +5 from extra ichor that decreases each turn just like the initial players did.
Now accepting one more player.","attachment":null,"posted":1712880638},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5975567,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5975565
>Smith
>Domains: Penance. Jealousy.
>Ichor: 14/20
>Divine Realms: The Immolating Realm. 3i
>Divine Servants: Hatsuko 3i
>Mortals: Drakomatorians 2i (Smith)
>Universal Laws: Fukushu 3i
>Ginn
>Domains: Emptiness, Water, Carving
>Ichor 9/41
> Artifacts: Sovereign Ruins 7i
>Divine Weapons:Eclipse Daggers 11i
>Divine Realms: The Firnamental Sea 14i
>Divine Servants: Randraumr 9i, Osso 12i
>Mortals: Enso 4i (Ginn, Eaugolus)
>Zyyk
>Domain: Love, Peace, Deception
>Ichor 5/23
>Divine Realms: Silknest 6i
>Ohr
>Domain: Light,Destruction,Purification
>Ichor 10/26
>Artifacts: The Cleansing Light 12i 3 turns until next use
>Divine Weapons: Radiant Spear 9i 1 turn until usable.
>Divine Servants: Menake 5i
>Universal Laws: Light Speed
>N'and
>Domains: Arcane, Profane
>Ichor 3/16
>Eaugolus
>Domains: Death, Recycling, Netcraft
>Ichor: 7/21
>Divine Servants: Braided Proxy 3i
Unclassified: The Silver Line 4i
>Raimirea, the lady of the swamp.
>Domain: swamp, rot, coruption
>Ichor: 21/34","attachment":null,"posted":1712880700},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5975581,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975567
>Name: Ashkur
>Domains: Fire and Subjugation
>Fluff: Born from the demiurge's fiery urge to assert his will across the universe. Ashkur desires to exert control over the universe.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712881442457069.jpg","filename":"3123.jpg"},"posted":1712881442},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5975612,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 62, 31 = 93 (2d100)
>>5975581","attachment":null,"posted":1712883303},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5975623,"name":"Zyyk","msg":"Rolled 12 + 41 (1d100 + 41)
>>5975562
>>5975565
>>5975567
>The First Deceiver witnessed the first flare of the Sunforge along with the glow of the Radiant Spear in its heart, and fidgeted in trepidation. This promised to be a terror of terrors, and yet, in Ohr's impatience, it came out too hot, too wild to be wielded. A disappointment to some, a relief to others. Zyyk's jittering forelegs lowered, as it paused and considered the lesson to be learned.
>Rushing to fulfill its vision could only lead to folly. The moth god's power was weak, its siblings strong and numerous. Already, they fell over themselves to craft weapons and amass servants to aid them in battle. Sooner or later, strife would consume the cosmos. The Peace-Lover lamented this, but thought that perhaps the conflict need not be total. Perhaps its work could be spared. Perhaps... made safer, warmer, softer... It muttered to itself, delirious with dread.
"Yes... the Silknest is not yet fit for little ones."
>The outer weave must be thickened, the inner weave, softed, its valleys, padded, its clouds, becalmed. The realm was filled with clear streams, too shallow to drown in, calm forests, too open to be lost in, and more. Nowhere was potential danger overlooked and not prevented, nor possible comfort ignored where it could be ushered in. The moth god put itself to work once more, and poured the whole of itself into the work.
>Zyyk spends 5 ichor to strengthen the Silknest. (Total bonus of +41: +20 for the domains of Peace and Love, +15 for 5 ichor, +6 for the Silknest)","attachment":null,"posted":1712884138},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5975626,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975565
>Having observed its siblings for a little while in this newborn universe, Ohr's ire came upon a very specific hog. Not only was the wretch the god of Profanity and the result of Ohr shedding its own impurity, but it was also LAZY! It hadn't done anything since the beginning of creation, simply stewing in its own filth...Ohr had enough of the pig and his hogging of precious ichor that could be used to fuel Creation or Purification. Instantaneously willing itself around the Hog Wretch, the Lord of Light focused its most burning cleansing light upon the god with the full intent of destroying it.
>Spend 3 ichor to attack the Hog God(+9 bonus)","attachment":null,"posted":1712884271},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5975628,"name":"Ohr","msg":"Rolled 39 + 9 (1d100 + 9)
>>5975626","attachment":null,"posted":1712884332},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5975636,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 35 + 15 (1d100 + 15)
>>5975567
>>5975565
>With his hammer and his smithing table which were imbued into his being during his birth, Smith begins constructing a sword powerful enough to strike down anything it can reach. Its purpose is to be used not only for his own defense against other gods who may potentially seek to bring him down at some point, but also to be used as a last resort if he cannot outperform his peers in any other way. It’s name is Heirdecimus.
(+5 from the bonus, +10 from jealousy, & I’m spending 7 ichor on it but I dunno if that gives a bonus for the rolls or anything.)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712884756767794.jpg","filename":"IMG_0609.jpg"},"posted":1712884756},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5975672,"name":"Demiurge","msg":"Rolled 10 (1d16)
>>5975581
Not all of the Demiurge's blood had been large enough to immediately take godly forms. Much smaller drops are scattered throughout the void slowly gathering together until enough gather to make new Gods. The blood that would eventually become Ashkur was unknowingly trapped within the Cleansing Light when it was formed. Unable to form due to it's great heat the God remained trapped until Ohr formed his spear. Accidently pulling some of the ichor caught inside the light out with his weapon. Perhaps had this being formed normally it would have been a great source of good but now he carries the heat that once trapped him and a desire to never be imprisoned again.
>>5975628
Rules update
Combat is done via both side rolling rolling 1dx where x is their max ichor. Gods can't create during combat but they can spend ichor to add bonuses and consume items they have with them for half their ichor rounded down. Attacking and defending doesn't cost ichor. Given N'and seems to be inactive I will roll his defense.
>>5975636
The extra 6 ichor gives a +18 bonus though I don't see how this action relates to jealousy.","attachment":null,"posted":1712887139},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5975674,"name":"Ohr","msg":"Rolled 20 + 12 (1d26 + 12)
>>5975672
Alright rerollang, gonna add 4 ichor instead actually","attachment":null,"posted":1712887315},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5975680,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975672
Gotcha. My thought process was that the last resort of fighting whoever he can’t outdo by other means would count towards jealousy but I get how what could be a stretch. In that case it’s just +5 from the bonus & +18 from the 6 extra ichor.","attachment":null,"posted":1712887589},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5975683,"name":"Ohr","msg":">>5975680
Are you in the server anon? We mainly use it for quick rule questions and reminding people to post","attachment":null,"posted":1712887681},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5975690,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975683
I don’t take 4chan stuff outside 4chan. You don’t need to worry about me not posting, though. This is an interesting quest.","attachment":null,"posted":1712888367},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5975695,"name":"Ohr","msg":">>5975690
That's perfectly fine, the main concern is when it goes into hiatus for a while desu.","attachment":null,"posted":1712888674},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5975696,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5975674
Growing tired of watching the hog God do nothing during the time when most other Gods had been acting Ohr decided to cleanse N'and of his existence. The Arcane God's pearls glow as he creates a shield of pure mana in front of him stopping the attack. However it may have been wiser to simply endure the attack for, as had been recently established, being faster then light invites calamity. He pours too much energy into his pearls causing a great explosion that shakes the void. The pig's corpse still bearing a horrible grin as death claimed him before he had even realized his mistake.
-N'and -17/16 ichor
When reduced to negative ichor Gods die or fall unconscious. They can recover from either state once they have at least 0 ichor. While dead or unconscious other God's can take an action to absorb them. This doesn't require a roll the God just has to state they take this action and if no one tries to stop them within 24 hours they succeed. They will gain the fallen God's max ichor and potentially a new domain or domains.","attachment":null,"posted":1712888764},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5975698,"name":"Ohr","msg":">>5975696
>Watching the Hog simply explode brought a certain satisfaction to Ohr. It watches the corpse for a moment and decides to consume it, reasoning that it was better to reform the material into pure ones rather than cast them out.
>EAT N'and","attachment":null,"posted":1712889002},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5975704,"name":"Ginn","msg":"Rolled 9 + 5 (1d41 + 5)
>>5975565
That future is close, oh so close. This joyousness might have delayed it, but it shall come nonetheless.
>Ginn attacks Ohr, rolling a 1d41+5.5","attachment":null,"posted":1712889360},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5975707,"name":"Ohr","msg":"Rolled 16 + 6 (1d26 + 6)
>>5975704
>Seeing the one Ohr had made a deal with attack it, Ohr feels saddened that its purest sibling would stab it in the back for taking it on the perverts of creation. Nevertheless, it stands resolute and defends itself(Spend 2 Ichor, if this doesn't work, protect with Menake)
''Sibling....why?''","attachment":null,"posted":1712889559},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5975722,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5975704
>>5975707
Watching the Light God fight the hog Ginn felt confidant it would be easy prey after exhausting itself. Moving with complete silence the Abyssal Lord tries to ambush but the very second he draws his blades Ohr senses them and lashes out without hesitation, their blow only barely stopped from being fatal due to the power of the Eclipse Daggers.
Ginn 1/41 ichor
Ohr 4/26","attachment":null,"posted":1712890421},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5975729,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Ashkur having escaped his cruel prison would look upon the cosmos. Already full of conflict he knew his purpose he would bring order to the chaos and subjugate those lesser to him. Smelling the fresh blood of the pig god he would salivate pure fire at the opportunities presented. He would bellow his first words "The Pig is mine, defy me and face my wrath."
>Steal the Pig Corpse and Consume it","attachment":null,"posted":1712890531},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5975735,"name":"Ohr","msg":"Rolled 18 + 12 (1d26 + 12)
>>5975722
>Using what remains of its power, Ohr shoots musters everything it has into a last desperate beam of Light meant to burn its brother to a crisp.","attachment":null,"posted":1712890812},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5975741,"name":"Demiurge","msg":"Rules update
The attacked God can make one attempt to flee during combat. They use the same dice to flee as they do to fight. They don't take damage if they fail. Upon success they can't be attacked again that turn.","attachment":null,"posted":1712891066},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5975754,"name":"Ohr","msg":">>5975735
(Yeah if this doesn't hit, i'd like to use Menake to survive)","attachment":null,"posted":1712892023},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5975857,"name":"Ginn","msg":"Rolled 38 + 19 (1d41 + 19)
>>5975707
"Your light threatens all that I hold dear."
Had the sea swallowed all, the depths of an infinite horizon would have been left untouched and pristine above all things. Only in its edge or its source can this even be combated.
>>5975722
To call upon a fealty so recently forged is inauspicious, but what can one do in the face of terrible strength?
>Ginn expends the Sovereign Runes to shield itself from Ohr's beam and strike against the radiance, rolling a 1d41+5.5+14.","attachment":null,"posted":1712900696},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5975863,"name":"Ohr(0/26)","msg":">>5975857
>Ohr, seeing its demise coming, calls upon its servant to blind the empty god, avoiding the attack
''I tolerated you blocking my Light as you were the purest one, I even accepted to give you my Light to forge weapons....And now you betray me when I begin to root out the true filth of this universe?Why, we could do much together, and we still could... We are both spent brother, I can see it in you, what do you think we stop this here? Look,look, your actions have allowed a new sibling to empower himself, one who would no doubt wish to make us all grovel before him, you could've resisted him but you are spent and so am I.''","attachment":null,"posted":1712901500},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5975927,"name":"Eaugolus","msg":"Rolled 38 + 29 (1d100 + 29)
>The concussive ring of a craftsman's hammer richoceting off of the face of a cosmic anvil. The pregnant, anxious silence of scheming peacekeepers and troublemakers, the stabbing of a lance made of hate and fire. Eaugolus perceived all of these and mourned, for he knew in his core-of-cores what would come next. The Cycle would continue.
-Eaugolus Chose Raise the Nets: Add +5 to any roll interacting with the upper half of the Firnamental Sea
>With a lone eye raised towards the corner of the cosmos that just went dark, Eaugolus is surprised to find that what he called the Balestar has gone out, opportunistically snuffed by sibling Ginn. The God of Cycles elects not to penetrate deeper than he must, lest he incur the wrath of Emptiness. Additionally, Eaugolus could feel himself weakening with every use of his immense power. He would see himself protected.
- Eaugolus spends 5 Ichor creating a new artifact net for himself out of the remains of his old one and Firnamental flotsam (2 Ichor base cost), (+10 netcraft bonus, +10 recycling bonus, +9 Ichor bonus). As much as he loved his old net dearly, for the most part, it was only a net; more would be required.","attachment":null,"posted":1712914243},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5975937,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5975735
>>5975857
>>5975863
Knowing The danger Ginn poses Ohr put everything they had into their next attack. As their deadly beam of light pressed against the force of the Daggers Ohr was suddenly engulfed in water. Ginn had activated the Sovereign Runes and now was using the Firnamental Sea and it's light destroying affect to consume Ohr. However just before it could completely destroy them Menake used all it's strength to blast the abyss illuminating the darkness just long enough for the God of light to escape. As the two Gods watch each other they both know the next attack will be the last.
>Ginn 1/41
>Ohr 0/26","attachment":null,"posted":1712916286},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5975977,"name":"Ginn","msg":"Rolled 6 + 19 (1d41 + 19)
>>5975863
"All the wastes of now amounts to nothing against your cosmic tyranny."
The pig and witch stood for awful things, yet they did nothing. The fiery thing only escaped now but even he is lesser in evils.
>>5975937
There must be no hesitation. Darkness predates all things, light chief amongst them. Let nature take its course.
>Ginn calls upon Osso to bind Ohr and let it deal the final strike, rolling a 1d41+5.5+14.","attachment":null,"posted":1712924871},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5975982,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 61 + 11 (1d100 + 11)
>>5975977
>A lesser evil it believed itself, the irony, Ohr would've closed its eyes eyes had it been able to and did something it dearly didn't wish to do. It consumed the Sunforge,Radiant Spear and Menake in one final attempt to save itself
"Then let it be known that there will be nothing to pervert afterwards","attachment":null,"posted":1712925285},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5975983,"name":"Ohr(0/26)","msg":"Rolled 21 + 11 (1d26 + 11)
>>5975977
(Woops, wrong roll)","attachment":null,"posted":1712925346},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5975989,"name":"Ohr(0/26)","msg":">>5975982
(Just to be sure,this is an attack and not a fleeing attempt, I'd be dead anyway)","attachment":null,"posted":1712926900},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5976336,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5975977
>>5975982
Knowing death was one move away Ohr made the desperate decision to consume his spear and servant. They felt Ginn's servant grab them in an attempt to restrain them. A futile effort for a mere servant but it distracted the bright one just long enough to let the sea crash into them once more. Ginn stood before them having chosen to honor it's sibling with an explanation before finishing the execution. Yet just as they finished speaking a limb of light pierced them for while they spoke Ohr charged his final attack. Osso leaped at the God of light in an attempt to stop them but it was too late. With a thought Ohr made their light burn hotter then ever before and watched it's sibling try in vain to escape as their body melted.
>Ginn -7/41 ichor
>Ohr 2/26 ichor
>Ohr begins consumption","attachment":null,"posted":1712967179},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5976427,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5975729
As the burning conqueror crushed what remained of the pearls between his teeth he felt great power flow into him
>You have consumed Arcane. You may destroy it to gain 5 ichor, keep or alter it by spending 5 ichor, or choose one of the following for free. War, Manipulation, or Stars.
Still while the pearls gave him the most energy the pig's flesh tasted better then he could have ever imagined and he was almost tempted to revive him just so he could eat the God again.
>You have consumed Profane. You may destroy it to gain 5 ichor, alter or keep it for 5 ichor, or choose one of the following for free. Uprisings, Ritual Sacrafice, Wrath.
Domains gained via consumption can't be used until the next turn.","attachment":null,"posted":1712976889},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5976469,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976427
Ashkur feels the divine energy seep into his very essence the concepts within shifting and meldling in his body. He reflected on his first deeds, the Firery Conquerer had already laid claim to his victory and he was thirsty for more and he felt anger at those who dared not acknowledge his birthright on this universe.
>Claim the Domains of Wrath and War","attachment":null,"posted":1712981406},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5976477,"name":"Ashkur","msg":"Ashkur with fiery eyes full of Hatred and Contempt would look upon the rebellious star. He would bellow "You dare attempt to claim what is mine? The ocean is mine to do with as I please. Cease your acts of treachery and theft at once or face my wrath. "","attachment":null,"posted":1712981832},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5976479,"name":"Ashkur","msg":">>5975989
>>5976477","attachment":null,"posted":1712981907},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5976485,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976477
>In the midst of consumption, the Lord of Light looks at their new sibling with a dim light, pulsing slightly
''Have you become as greedy as gluttonous as the pig you have just ate? Even acquired a new Sin as well I see.I have had to slay a sibling most pure in defending myself, destroying my own creation and weapon the instant after I helped him make his own arms. If you wish for me to call you ''lord'' or what other pompous titles you wish then I will humor you this once ''Lord of all this Great Creation'', now leave me to my grieving and go bother your disgusting harlot of a sister, perhaps you'll find amusement in defiling her in myriads of ways given your obsession for domination.
>The light continues with its endeavor and shines a spotlight over to Raimirea, the swamp goddess of rot and corruption","attachment":null,"posted":1712982633},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5976486,"name":"Ohr(2/26)","msg":">>5976485","attachment":null,"posted":1712982694},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5976672,"name":"Raimirea (Ichor: 21/34)","msg":">>5972081
Hate. hate. hate. the witch looked over the magnificient, terrible and awe inspiring creation of her brother and sister, ashamed at being compared to herself. she stopped crying, biting her nails, and clawing her hair and began using her power to grow the most foul smelling and ugly swamp tree. its depiscable branch grows into a forbidden fruit resembling an exact replica of the swamp witch's bloodied, torn face. those consuming it will become the embodiment of corruption, turning every part of itself and those it touches into oily substance that only seeks to corrupt, hate and harm itself and it's surrounding and turn it's flesh become the most foul and unappetizing slab that can upset even the divine's stomach
>Create Zaqqum, The Witches Tree (10 ichor)
>forcibly grow the tree into producing a single witch head fruit, and have Raimirea eat it. (1 ichor)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713015918084538.jpg","filename":"The_tree_of_Zaqqum_(2012).jpg"},"posted":1713015918},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5976676,"name":"Ashkur","msg":">>5976485
The god of fire eyes would blaze hot at the insults, but they would cool as he chose his next words. I could snuff your light out easily, but I'll be generous. I lay claim to this universe and intend to enforce that, but even a king needs his council. Thus he's my offer pay tribute and give me two of Gin's domains and I'll let you pilfer the rest of his body. If you do this we could potentially work towards an alliance.","attachment":null,"posted":1713016581},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5976686,"name":"Raimirea (Ichor: 7/34)","msg":"Rolled 72, 63 = 135 (2d100)
>>5976672
As the tree need a suitable place for growth, raimierea created her own realm surrounding the tree and herself as it's anchor. a toxic swamplands with foul smelling water and decaying rotten tree where the witch found itself most comfortable which she called Sarmatia.
>Create divine realm: Sarmatian Swamp (4 ichor)
1st roll +10: Zaqqum, The Witches Tree
2nd roll +4 :Sarmatian Swamp divine realm","attachment":null,"posted":1713017524},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5976689,"name":"Raimirea (Ichor: 7/34)","msg":">>5976686
> The roll receives a +10 for every Domain of yours that is related to the action. The roll gains +5 for every additional ichor spent on it
>1st roll +50 (ichor spent)+30 (domain bonus)= Zaqqum, The Witches Tree
>2nd roll +20 (ichor spent) + 30 (domain bonus) :Sarmatian Swamp divine realm
(fixed (?) bonus, not sure if i'm getting it right get it right)","attachment":null,"posted":1713017793},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5976693,"name":"Raimirea (Ichor: 6/34)","msg":"Rolled 40 + 5 (1d100 + 5)
>>5976672
>forcibly grow the tree into producing a single witch head fruit, and have Raimirea eat it. (1 ichor)","attachment":null,"posted":1713018275},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5976695,"name":"Raimirea (Ichor: 6/34)","msg":">>5976693
>>forcibly grow the tree into producing a single witch head fruit, and have Raimirea eat it. (1 ichor)
also +20 from my domain","attachment":null,"posted":1713018354},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5976706,"name":"Ginn","msg":">>5976695
Does this work.","attachment":null,"posted":1713019583},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5976729,"name":"Osso","msg":">>5976336
>>5975982
While the snake rests against its master's corpse, the darkness was not as content in grieving. They had their charges and they know of the master's other wish, wasted to create them. And so, they whispered.
Lord, may I ask you a mercy? My master wished for an end to your light, but that was second to a more primal want. It wished for a shelter to the darkness, a home for it.
I know that is anathema to you, but can you let the sea follow your light and spread throughout creation to chase it? Annihilate my master, my brother and me if you wish, but please, take care of the mortals under my protection.[/spoiler","attachment":null,"posted":1713020709},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5976951,"name":"Ohr(2/26)","msg":">>5976676
>The Lord of Light would flare in irritation for a moment and address the Fiery Enslaver once more
"If you wish to be King so much, then perhaps you could partake in Creation's design a little bit instead of throwing a childish tantrum,newborn."
>The Light would set aside the carving tools of Ginn aside, making sure to put the pointy and more dangerous looking ones at the forefront(Carving domain).
"This is what I am willing to give you, for I am Lord of Purity and shan't let impurity and filth spread much further. I do not wish for the Empty One's body nor his children now crying out to me to be defiled. Take these tools and go build this castle from which you oh so desire to rule from"","attachment":null,"posted":1713043816},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5976974,"name":"Ashkur","msg":""That's decent tribute for now. I'll grant you the right to the sea's remains."
>Take the carving domain he's offering","attachment":null,"posted":1713046560},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5976981,"name":"Ashkur","msg":">>5976951
Ashkur would respond to the light's remarks. "Yes I plan to exert much control upon the form of this new cosmos, but to do so I need to gather resources. While I may be new the concepts and order they bring are as old as the demiurge himself. Ashkur would extend a hand out to the god of light. "I propose we align ourshelves to eachother as we both understand what it takes to ensure the saftey of creation."
I'm offering an alliance","attachment":null,"posted":1713046958},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5977069,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5976336
As Ohr vaporized Ginn they felt great power flow in to them.
>Emptiness offers Shadows, Perfection, and Discipline for free
>Water offers Steam, Travel, and Healing for free.
>>5976974
Ashkur melts the tools in his hand and absorbs them into his skin.
>Carving offers Blades, Torture, and Training as free opitions.","attachment":null,"posted":1713055480},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5977135,"name":"Ohr(26/43)","msg":">>5977069
>As Ohr absorbs the essence of nothingness and water, it begins to compress its lights more and more until it eventually collapses its form into a radiant Kugelblitz, a black hole of compressed light and radiation.A pitch black hole in space emitting an intensely bright light, enshrouded in an accretion disk of swirling compressed steam, casting shadows extending into infinity
>>5976981
>Its mind expands from the new experience, and it gazes at its brother with a new, if nonetheless familiar perspective.
"I would like to think on it, but I shalt not forget thy offer Conqueror"
>>5976729
>With that being said, the newly formed singularity of Light would gaze upon its new charges, and claim the Eclipse Daggers, the Osso with its sibling and the Firnamental Sea with the mortals in it. It held the essence of Water and so the sea would be its own right, its new charge along the stars","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713059978205572.jpg","filename":"images.jpg"},"posted":1713059978},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5980883,"name":"Ashkur","msg":">>5977069
Ashkur could feel the energy of the domain flow through him. What little conciousness that remained of Gin screamed in agony as he burned it alive forging it into something stronger. War, Wrath, Fire, and Subjugation were all the domains he held. His very nature was destructive like a volcano rushing over an island he would burn through the world. Yet he knew that the most important aspect of his being was not the chaos he could bring, but the new creation that would come after. While suffering may hurt temporarily it often makes one stronger as they grow better. His creations would the harshness of the world, but through their pain would grow. While those foolish enough to stand against him would experience agony beyond comprehension yet through this would come to understand their only options. To kneel or face obliteration.
>Choose the Domain of Torture","attachment":null,"posted":1713480480},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5982425,"name":"Ashkur","msg":"Rolled 40 + 20 (1d100 + 20)
Ashkur seeing conflict in his future would concentrate the element of fire into long trailing chains of fire. Able to bind and restrict his opponents in his fights.
>Spend 5 Ichor to create Flaming Chains of Submission a combat tool","attachment":null,"posted":1713641071},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5982504,"name":"Demiurge","msg":"Rolled 16 (1d20)
Fearing the dangers that would soon come to pass the God of Peace focused on ensuring their realm was as safe as possible.
Meanwhile the first clash of the divine occurred as Ohr sought to eliminate the God of the Profane. While successful they were unable to claim his energy due to the sudden betrayal by the God they had shared their light with. The battle between the maker of light and the preserver of darkness was long and difficult with both Gods being pushed to their limits but in the end Ohr emerged victorious. As they were consuming Ginn a newly emerged God named Ashkur roared at them demanding they leave the sea alone for it was his. Not wanting to give up their kill but also being weary of the God which still had ichor dripping from his teeth from when he ate the fallen Arcane God Ohr offered him the Domain of carving.
Ohr was approached by Osso who begged them to not harm the mortals that dwelt in the sea. In exchange the living darkness swore to serve the God of light and convinced it's sibling and mortals to do the same. After this Ohr collapsed into themselves becoming a being of both light and shadow.
As these conflicts occurred other God's Choose to create. Smith created a divine blade to defend himself if he ever had to face danger himself. For similar reasons the lord of cycles weaved a new net from his old one. Even Ashkur crafted mighty chains, fearful of what was to come.
Meanwhile the inactive God Witch begins to act creating a great swamp to inhabit and growing a tree that corrupts all who partake of its fruit.
>Zaqqum: any God can spend as much ichor as they want to grow and eat one of its fruit. Upon consumption gain a bonus equal to the ichor spent on the fruit for all rolls that turn or the next if eating is the only or last action done that turn. If Raimirea eats a fruit she must perform at least one action related to corruption. Any other God that eats from it must make an action of Raimirea's choice.
Rules Updates
Gods can only consume one God per turn. Osso has gained a one turn cooldown on its ability for balance.
Mortals grow 2 ichor per turn
Realms can hold upto twice their ichor of mortals
Ginn's death has opened a new God slot.
Sorry for this turn taking so long. Let me know if I missed anything.","attachment":null,"posted":1713645593},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5982505,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5982504
>Smith
>Domains: Penance. Jealousy.
>Ichor: 20/22
Divine Weapons: Heirdecimus 7i
>Divine Realms: The Immolating Realm. 3i
>Divine Servants: Hatsuko 3i
>Mortals: Drakomatorians 4i (Smith)
>Universal Laws: Fukushu 6i
>Zyyk
>Domain: Love, Peace, Deception
>Ichor 16/23
>Divine Realms: Silknest 11i
>Ohr
>Domain: Light,Destruction,Purification, Shadows, Steam
>Ichor 43/43
>Artifacts: The Cleansing Light 12i 2 turns until next use. Sovereign Ruins 7i deactivated
>Divine Weapons:Eclipse Daggers 11i
>Divine Realms: The Firnamental Sea 14i
>Divine Servants: Randraumr 9i, Osso 12i
>Universal Laws: Light Speed
>Eaugolus
>Domains: Death, Recycling, Netcraft
>Ichor: 21/21
>Divine Servants: Braided Proxy 3i
>Divine Weapons: Cyclical Net 5i
>Mortals: Enso 6i (Eaugolus, Ohr)
Unclassified: The Silver Line 4i
>Raimirea, the lady of the swamp.
>Domain: swamp, rot, coruption
>Ichor: 22/34
Divine Artifacts: Zaqqum 10i
Divine Realms:Sarmatian Swamp 4i
>Ashkur
>Domains: Fire, Subjugation, War, Wrath, Torture
>Ichor 42/47
Divine Weapons: Flaming Chains of Submission 5i","attachment":null,"posted":1713645784},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5982580,"name":"Season of Crowns","msg":"Rolled 7 (1d100)
>>5982504
>Name: Season of Crowns
>Domain: Life
>Fluff: An outline of a creature bathed in a corona of pale light, it seems to shift its number of limbs, body configuration, number of heads and number of eyes whenever it wishes.
>From its aura an unlimited and immaculate plenty appears to spring forth, a crown of exposed and glowing bone being the only visible constant it keeps
Submission given there's an open slot, do tell me if I did anything wrong.","attachment":null,"posted":1713650831},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5982588,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982505
Does a shield or a protective barrier count as a divine weapon or does that fall under a different category?","attachment":null,"posted":1713651403},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5982604,"name":"Zyyk","msg":"Rolled 39 + 59 (1d100 + 59)
>From the confines of the Silknest, the moth watched all that transpired. Ohr, first to pitch in part of himself to a greater whole, had gone mad with purification. Even before his aberration had finished cooling from the forging, he attacked the swine with intent to feast on his blood! The hog had done nothing but enjoy peace and quiet, and he was slain for it! Then, before the body cooled, Ginn rose up to stab Ohr in the back with all the rage of a typhoon!
>The two struggled, but the Lamplighter's frenzy prevailed and he cut him down. In mere moments, Ohr murdered the weakest and strongest of gods, and now sought to debase himself with cannibalism. This was terrible, then another emerged from the Sunforge, a new god, rendered molten and cruel by the heat... heat which Ohr and Zyyk were responsible for. In an instant of his emergence, he demanded the hog's bacon and lion's share of the Tidecarver. Ohr complied with poor N'and, and haggled on fallen Ginn, giving only his tools, which the burning one, Ashkur, snatched greedily.
>Their horrible feasting echoed through the cosmos, and so too, did the violence. Despite the First Deceiver's best efforts to lead its siblings from strife, war had come to creation, and it would never be the same. The pristine darkness was now stained with blood. Zyyk felt dread grip its heart in a vise, and the sight of the others forging weapons in turn horrified it beyond reason. The moth panicked, falling into a riot of weaving and threading and molding...
"No-no-no... too much suffering... too much misery... the Silknest must be spared of strife... must be made safer... softer... almost there...."
>Zyyk spends 9 ichor to bring the Silknest to 20 ichor. By now, it is a cornucopia of plenty, where violence is almost impossible to think of, let alone act on, and the entire ecosystem has been carefully tailoured to be as beautiful and harmless as possible. At its most fundamental, it is a falsehood, a cage of happy lies from which there can be no escape. (Total bonus of +59: +30 for the domains of Peace, Love, and Deception, +18 for 9 ichor, +11 for the Silknest)","attachment":null,"posted":1713653018},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5982605,"name":"Zyyk","msg":">>5982604
Forgot to link to the update >>5982505.","attachment":null,"posted":1713653079},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5982609,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5982588
Right now I'd rule it as a divine weapon","attachment":null,"posted":1713653469},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5982620,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5982580
During the time when blood is first spilt among Gods the universe tries to balances itself by bringing forth a being of life. While the recent bloodshed has caused it to be born weak it remains to be seen if they will be but a brief season or if they will grow to be worthy of the crown they were born with.","attachment":null,"posted":1713654036},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5982638,"name":"Season of Crowns","msg":">>5982620
Spinning into being, The Season of Crowns flexes its tremendous raw cosmic might, only to notice (to some small amount of distress) that it appears woefully inadequate compared to its fellows. In some ways, even lesser than the servants of its sibling gods. No matter.
With a mustering of courage and unearned optimism, The Season of Crowns announces its birth to the great and mighty (in comparison) gods of the cosmos, despite the lingering smell of ichor staining the void.
>"I am an arrival of myself. Witness what I am, hear my call. I seek among you, my elders, a place I might arrive out of the empty dark, that I might call home and where I might grow strong."
>"I have spoken, and grow quiet once more. Let your voices fill the silence I leave."","attachment":null,"posted":1713656073},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5982649,"name":"Ohr mi K'lum","msg":">>5982638
>The newly formed Kugelblitz stews in its own power for a moment before letting a pulse visible from virtually every point in the universe, casting shades of darkness so pure they might as well be pillars of void.
"Thou, as god of life and the newest of us are weak, but Life is a necessity in this newborn universe and I would allow thou to swim in my oceans and bathe in mine lights and shades to grow into more. I only ask thee to remain pure and not succumb to the spread of vileness permeating this current existence"","attachment":null,"posted":1713657080},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5982650,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 90 + 32 (1d100 + 32)
>>5982505
>The sword was not enough to satisfy the likes of Smith. He needed more. More to prepare himself for the inevitable threat that was the other gods. First it was Ginn. It could be him next. He wasn’t about to be killed by these beings. He had yet to surpass them. Using 10 ichor, the jealous god creates a shield that would hopefully protect him from any and all attacks from a fellow god. Ouroboros is the name he bestows onto it.
(+5 from bonus, +27 from the 9 additional ichor if I reread the rolls for Heirdecimus correctly.)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713657122289941.jpg","filename":"IMG_0844.jpg"},"posted":1713657122},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5982660,"name":"Ashkur","msg":">>5982505
Ashkur would admire the swamp goddess's beauty from afar. What is rot but the subjugation of time over the natural world? He would take her offer of fruit. What plans she had he did not know, but he could understand the power she offered.
>Spend 10R on Raimera's fruit","attachment":null,"posted":1713658706},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5982662,"name":"Ashkur","msg":"Rolled 17 + 12 (1d20 + 12)
Ashkur seeing the Smith's recent expenditures would know that his time to strike would be now. His tendril-like chains would constrict the smith as he launched his attack.","attachment":null,"posted":1713658943},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5982665,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982604
>>5982638
>As the moth finished its weaving and began to calm down, it began to realize three truths that, like most, were terrifying. The Silknest was now the grandest and safest of realms, but lacked any protection. It was now fit for little ones but in their efforts, the Peace-Lover had exhausted themselves too much to fill it. There were at least two warlike gods much stronger than itself, both with a history of violence. If the current course continued, creation would be forfeit to carnage and its work would be for naught.
>This could not be allowed. The weaver puzzled, fidgeting with silk as it heard another voice, this one even weaker and frailer than itself. Despite its anxieties, the weaver felt a pang of pity and moved to comfort the newborn from afar.
"Forsooth, Crownbearer. If you desire a home for yourself, I invite you to put down roots in my Silknest. So long as you intend for your creations to be warm, happy, and peaceful, they are more than welcome here."","attachment":null,"posted":1713659063},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5982666,"name":"Ashkur","msg":"Rolled 6 + 12 (1d47 + 12)
>>5982662
reroll because attack dice is ichor pool","attachment":null,"posted":1713659078},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5982693,"name":"Season of Crowns","msg":"Rolled 1, 55, 76, 52, 91 = 275 (5d100)
>>5982649
>"I am honoured, siblings. Allow me into your embrace."
A pair of curious responses from two elder deities give The Season of Crowns some hope for the near future.
The Season of Crowns meets Ohr first, swimming through the void to flicker into being in the realm of light.
Here in this place, The Season of Crowns summons up a seed, split into two halves. Cast down from its palm(?) one half-seed grows, sprouting into a great and mighty bundle of coiled roots that thicken and sprout into an entire planet before long.
Upon this realm oceans of dew form, and in these oceans mortal life may grow, semi-aquatic jellyfish people who harvest the fruits that grow on the surface and take them down to the shallow seabed where they may soon form crafts of coral.
Once done, The Season of Crowns visits upon Zykk, unleashing the second seed from its palm. Mostly air, this is a loose and spacious domain of gently floating plates connected by the fibrous branches of the world-seed at the planets heart. A world of great gusts and gliding leaves, this is a lighter sister-world compared to its far bulkier sibling.
Here, a fuzzy race of communal, diminutive critters is shaped, with stubby arms and unending optimism, they might spread from their home-plate and adventure every branch of this realm. They are nearly light enough to float, after all.
The first world is named Abza, the second is entitled Lungu.
The jellyfish people are bestowed as "Namma", and lastly the fuzzy critters are named the "Lammn".
As a final effort, the Season of Crowns bestows a miracle upon itself, using its influence over life to attempt to encourage its own growth into a bigger, stronger god.
>ACTIONS
>2i planet
>2i planet
>1i mortal race
>1i mortal race
>1i growth miracle on self
Life domain should grant +10 to each action.
In the idle time that follows, The Season of Crowns will flit between the realms of its elder siblings and observe their works, quiet but observant after totally expending itself of all its ichor.","attachment":null,"posted":1713662589},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5982903,"name":"Eaugolus","msg":">>5982638
>Eaugolus represented the End of Things. So far, this universe had only provided him with work to sort out, dead things for him to organize and care for. Which was why, sensing the arrival of a true god of birth, his curiosity was immediately piqued, and his faithful proxy was set out to investigate.
"Greetings, o-Banded-Brow; lifegiver. As all things end, so too must they begin. Your work shall be cherished by us and others."
>>5982504","attachment":null,"posted":1713680316},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5983149,"name":"Season of Crowns","msg":">>5982903
"My Sibling, you are heard by me."
"I intend to fill this empty meridian with all manner of strange new life. It is my hope that my crafts will indeed be worthy of cherishing, my arrival the beginning of a new era of bloom."","attachment":null,"posted":1713718769},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5983192,"name":"Eaugolus","msg":"Rolled 76 + 40 (1d100 + 40)
>>5982504
>Such a massive influx of new life could only mean one thing absolutely: death would give chase, snapping savagely at the heels of entire generations. Eaugolus sought to ease the process, and knew exactly how. He tears loose a stray cord and merely watches as the paradoxically-ancient silk hissed and bubbled in his hand, expanding and weaving itself into a monstrous, writhing, five-headed funnel. The iridescent, mesh skin of the thing appeared silver at a few angles, and was very difficult to focus on, as if woven from mere shadows and intent.
- Eaugolus attempts to create the Silver Scaffold, an artifact that would stretch between realms and redirect the power of the dead/dying towards Ginn's ocean, his current home. (2i=base)+(5i=aug) + (nets/death/recycling bonus)
- 14 ichor remaining","attachment":null,"posted":1713723519},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5983718,"name":"Zyyk","msg":"Rolled 78 + 50 (1d100 + 50)
>>5982505
>>5982665
>Upon the conclusion of the Silknest, Zyyk watched the creation and despaired. Their sister, the Cursemaker, allowed her soul to curdle with envy and made a horrid, corrupting fruit. This was better than another one of those ghastly weapon, but then, no sooner than its roots had buried, the Lord of Torture snatched the most rotten from its gnarled branches, sank his teeth into it, and then turned on the Smith! This was dreadful! Terrible! Horrible!
>More than that, it was terrifying. The First Deceiver considered the implications. Already, Ohr and Ashkur had proven themselves to be violent beyond reason. They were as strong as they were hungry for power, and Zyyk couldn't resist them. No, their limbs were too weak, their heart too soft, and even then, the Peace-Lover would never dream of striking another! Yet they would inevitably turn their attention to Zyyk's Silknest. It was the safest of realms for mortals, but it was vulnerable to the other gods. This would not do, it would not do at all...
>Trying to understand how the warmongers thought, Zyyk turned themselves to an entirely new type of weaving. Slowly, subtly, the Silknest was surrounded in a web of deceit and falsehood, of comfortable thoughts and placid forgetfulness. If one came to it with the intention to do violence, they would be stricken by mist and mirages, lost in a labyrinth of sights and sounds that weren't real and never would be, until they stumbled back into the void they came through. Untouched, unharmed, and, Zyyk hoped, with shame for their actions.
>Zyyk spends 3 ichor to make a Universal Law, allowing the Silknest to act as a defensive weapon, or protection against hostile attacks. It is purely nonlethal and will never kill, but will exhaust the ichor of others, as standard. (Total bonus of +50: +30 for the domains of Peace, Love, and Deception, +20 for the Silknest.)
>Zyyk has 4/23 Ichor remaining","attachment":null,"posted":1713743930},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5984496,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982660
>>5982662
>>5982666
>Ohr watched the Conqueror eat a rotten fruit, and the oceans started boiling from its rage, even more so when he decided to attack the Smith. In an instant, the shadows everywhere deepened and the light became blinding
''I see thou have decided to ignore my advice and instead commit the one single unforgivable sin of willfully corrupting oneself. I was still considering thine offer wretched spawn but you have spurned me. I will remind you that I am no longer weak and could fight you now if it is a battle you truly seek.''","attachment":null,"posted":1713838487},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5984499,"name":"Oh mi K'lum","msg":">>5984496
(Forgot name)","attachment":null,"posted":1713838548},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5984567,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">tfw missed another god quest","attachment":null,"posted":1713843878},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5984572,"name":"Ohr","msg":">>5984567
You can join when another god dies anon, which will probably be quickly at this rate","attachment":null,"posted":1713844106},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985083,"name":"Ohr","msg":"(Smith, you still there? I hope you haven't quit yet we're kinda wait for you)","attachment":null,"posted":1713895148},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985252,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985083
Oh, shit. I thought I had to wait for QM for me to respond to the attack. My bad. One minute while I read up on the rules of combat real quick.","attachment":null,"posted":1713906286},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985268,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 4 + 28 (1d22 + 28)
>>5982666
>>5982662
>So it was indeed looking to be his turn after Ginn, was it? Well, Smith’s jealousy wouldn’t let him go down without a fight. He’d prove he was a better fighter than Ashkur with his divine weapons. He raised his newly crafted shield up to block whatever attack the god casts his way while attempting to cut away at the chains with his sword so he can prepare to lunge forward for a counterattack.
(+3 from Heirdecimus, +5 from Ouroboros, +10 from jealousy domain, +10 from additional ichor added. Hope I did it all right.)","attachment":null,"posted":1713909072},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985280,"name":"Ohr","msg":">>5985268
Just saying but domains don't add to combat. Not sure if you have ouroboros yet too. Maybe QM can allow you more ichor used","attachment":null,"posted":1713909780},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985299,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5982666
>>5985268
Having just crafted his shield Smith barely managed to block the conqueror's attack. He swings his blade at the burning God but chains wrap around his arm instantly halting the attack. As he struggles to pull his arm free Ashkur lunges towards him only to be stopped by Smith slamming Ouroboros into his head leaving him disoriented. The jealous God manages to get his arm free and swipes at the attacker but Ashkur recovers just in time to dodge the blow. As they stare at each other Ouroboros whispers to its master about the uselessness of their blade.
>Ouroboros: can choose to not use its bonus. For each time the shield isn't used an additional +5 bonus is added to the next time it is used.
>Ashkur 28/47
>Smith 5/22","attachment":null,"posted":1713912398},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985302,"name":"Ashkur","msg":"Rolled 1 + 20 (1d45 + 20)
>>5985299
Ashkur would smile a grin as ichor poured from his Stoney teeth. The smith wasn't all talk, but nonetheless, he would fall.
>Spend 2R for the combat bonus","attachment":null,"posted":1713913386},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985303,"name":"Ashkur","msg":"Just so you know smith you can always choose to flee.","attachment":null,"posted":1713913534},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985310,"name":"Ohr mi K'lum","msg":"Rolled 42 + 25 (1d43 + 25)
>>5985302
>Growing angrier by the minute at this continued nonsense, Ohr would grasp the Eclipse Daggers and combine them at the handles, transfering all the light into one blade and all the shades into the other. It would then appear behind Ashkur and strike with the enshadowed blade to drain Ashkur's flames.","attachment":null,"posted":1713914714},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985318,"name":"Ashkur","msg":"Rolled 10 + 116 (1d45 + 116)
>>5985310
>Spend 26 ichor to defend against Ohr
Ashkur would smile a mad toothy grin. As he engaged in battle with the god of jealousy, the betrayer stabbed him in the back. As ichor ran through his mouth he would say "If it's my time to die then you're coming with me to hell." A massive eruption would spew forth from his body the biggest explosion seen ever through the cosmos. The sheer magnitude of the event sends shockwaves throughout the universe.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713916054032145.jpg","filename":"mushroom-cloud (1).jpg"},"posted":1713916054},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985324,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 8 + 8 (1d22 + 8)
>>5985299
>Even his own divine weapons were jealous of eachother, it seemed. Like father like child. But that’s not important right now. What is is proving that he isn’t inferior to the other gods, mainly Ashkur, in combat. As the enemy god unleashed a desperate explosion, he raised Heirdecimus to parry the shockwave and prevent himself from being engulfed in the flames and save his shield for another round. The only one allowed to kill Smith is himself.
(+3 from Heirdecimus & +5 from using up the last 5 of Smith’s ichor.)","attachment":null,"posted":1713916589},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985325,"name":"Ohr mi K'lum","msg":">>5985324
You miscalculated friend, you got a +18 from both ichor and your two weapons. you won. Congratulations!","attachment":null,"posted":1713916758},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985327,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5985325
He Choose not to use his shield so it would be +13","attachment":null,"posted":1713916903},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985333,"name":"Season of Crowns","msg":">>5985310
>Looking at the absolute carnage of the largest divine conflict ever to imperil the heavens, the Season of Crowns is discomforted by the total obliteration of its kind elder sibling Ohr.
>Creeping forward, The Season of Crowns attempts to pick up Ohrs luminous corpse and gently drag it back to the Silknest while the others continue inflicting violence.","attachment":null,"posted":1713917121},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985334,"name":"Zyyk","msg":">Witnessing the pure devastation of this battle, the First Deceiver wept in grief. They watched as Smith and Ashkur locked blades, and Ohr's body tumbled, broken, into the void. Zyyk pondered with swiftness, then realized there could be no peace so long as this icon of strife continued.
"Lamplighter, forgive me... but your radiant Purity and my Peace cannot endure."
>Zyyk rushes forth to snatch Ohr's corpse and drag it back to the Silknest, to be consumed.","attachment":null,"posted":1713917123},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985335,"name":"Zyyk","msg":">>5985333
"Crownbearer, what say you we divide the finer share of the Lamplighter? I weep to do this, but I know that if I do not, our shining brother's remains shall fall into the hands of another bloodstained madgod, to be desecrated and ruined!"","attachment":null,"posted":1713917311},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985342,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985325","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713917751025963.gif","filename":"IMG_0899.gif"},"posted":1713917751},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985344,"name":"Ohr mi K'lum","msg":">>5985342
Well uh, you chose to save it as the QM said so you tied instead. sorry","attachment":null,"posted":1713917799},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985345,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5985302
>>5985310
>>5985318
>>5985324
>>5985333
>>5985334
As Askur strengthened his teeth the God of light and shadow suddenly appeared behind him and attempted to strike him down. Seeing he was out numbered the raging God decided not to die alone and blasted Ohr with so much force not even the black hole he had become could withstand it. While Smith escaped the blast this was enough to prevent him from attacking. As the two remaing Gods stare each other down the fallen is taken by others.
Ashkur 2/47
Smith 0/22
Ohr -16/43","attachment":null,"posted":1713917833},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985346,"name":"Season of Crowns","msg":">>5985335
“Ohr has been forthright and kind in my dealings with him. Though power has its call, is this proposal of yours truly right?”
“In either case, to the Silknest. Away from this carnage we must travel, and at speed.”","attachment":null,"posted":1713917847},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985347,"name":"Zyyk","msg":">>5985346
"The Lamplighter has been violent, ever-violent, ever since the dawn of time. He is a dangerous god and I do not wish for him to harm anyone else. I agree, let us move with all haste!"
>Zyyk rushes Ohr to the Silknest with the Season of Crowns","attachment":null,"posted":1713917991},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985350,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5985345
Correction Ashkur is at zero","attachment":null,"posted":1713918137},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985358,"name":"Ashkur","msg":">>5985350
What's the defensive bonus of the Silknest and does it stop people from entering it?","attachment":null,"posted":1713918567},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985359,"name":"Zyyk","msg":">>5985346
"This proposal of mine is not right, brother, but it is our only choice if we wish to see a peaceful cosmos. The greatest truth of all is that Might Makes Right. It is my wish to lie, to deceive, to cajole and carouse and confound those who would do violence, so that there may be lasting happiness... but make no mistake, violence is inevitable. Will you join me in feasting on the Lamplighter, or are you a kinder soul than I? I will leave this choice to you and to you alone. Shall we heal our warmonger of a brother, that he might kill again and again and again, until all things are of his light or gone, or will you sit, dine, and sup, that we may remake the cosmos in a better, false visage?"","attachment":null,"posted":1713918588},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985365,"name":"Season of Crowns","msg":">>5985347
>>5985359
“Violent yes, but against another violent god. There is another path. With Ichor, I may weave new life to restore Ohr to a proper form. I do not possess any to expend, but in time new ichor will flow and may be used to restore Ohr to a new form.”
“If you view that this would leave us vulnerable, unable to defend ourselves and frail, then I will join you in this consumptive act. You are my elder, I submit to your wisdom, but I would not have you go recklessly into any decision without knowing there was an alternative.”
“I have known few besides you both. I fear either way, there shall soon be unwelcome visitors to the Silknest.”","attachment":null,"posted":1713919149},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985370,"name":"Zyyk","msg":">>5985365
"Oh, Crownbearer, oh sweet Crownbearer, you are too merciful for this creation. I fear that if we nurture the Purifier, his sun will come to encompass all. He is little better than Ashkur, for all his purity... At the dawn of time, the Sunforge that could have made glories was rent asunder, despoiled for the sake of petty warfare. So much fighting, so much struggle..."
>The moth fidgeted its limbs, antennae wilting as the gravity of the shattered blackhole sucked at their feet.
"I would not have us be weak, child of Life. I would have us be strong, so that there can be peace. I loved the Light, I love him even now, but if when you truly love another... You must know when to let them go."
>Zyyk will begin to consume Ohr.
"I will take his Purity, and an even share of the rest once partitioned, as you deem fit. What would you have of him? Do not lament, Crownbearer, the guilt of this sin lays on my soul alone."","attachment":null,"posted":1713919451},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985372,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5985358
You'll have to wait for the update or until it is attacked this turn to find the bonus. I will state however that it doesn't stop you from entering","attachment":null,"posted":1713919495},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985380,"name":"Ashkur","msg":"Rolled 8 + 18 (1d45 + 18)
Ashkur would continue his violent assault knowing that destruction was his only path forward.
>Smelt my divine weapon for 2 ichor
>Spend 2 ichor to attack the smith","attachment":null,"posted":1713919847},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985384,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 7 + 10 (1d22 + 10)
>>5985345
>Seeing as he’s too weak to attack and that Ohr died attempting to defeat his attacker, the god reluctantly admitted defeat and fled from Ashkur while using Ouroboros to defend his getaway, disappearing somewhere in The Immolating Realm among the Drakomatorians and temporarily taking on their form to recover in hiding. He swears that he won’t let this humiliation go unpunished, however.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713920176023629.jpg","filename":"IMG_0900.jpg"},"posted":1713920176},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985385,"name":"Ohr mi K'lum","msg":">>5985384
You failed to flee, so you're still fighting. I suggest you start burning stuff to gain the ichor to save yourself Smith.","attachment":null,"posted":1713920279},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985390,"name":"Ohr mi K'lum","msg":">>5985384
(My advice is that you should burn everything that not a weapon. You'll get half the ichor from them and you can use it. Don't hold anything back because you will literally die if you don't, Ashkur has the larger dice roll.This is similar to my fight with Ginn.)","attachment":null,"posted":1713920669},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985392,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5985380
>>5985384
After witnessing the attack Smith determines he can't win and flees to his realm however The burning one follows him. Ashkur almost fails to spot him amongst the mortals however when the mortals bow or run upon witnessing Ashkur the jealous God is unable to fully calm his anger. Sensing the only wrathful soul among the mortals the war God faces Smith","attachment":null,"posted":1713920749},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985394,"name":"Ginn","msg":">>5985384
>>5985390
(You could also let yourself die as a punishment for your weakness. I know you have it in you.)","attachment":null,"posted":1713920912},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985395,"name":"Season of Crowns","msg":">>5985370
“The twin natures of light and shadows then, should be kept united under me rather than severed. For the remainder, destruction and steam, if you do not desire them then I will claim them, or allow them to be divided however they end up.”
(Collaborative consumption)","attachment":null,"posted":1713920946},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985396,"name":"Ashkur","msg":">>5985384
Ashkur would move towards the weakling god, "You flee against me, you coward? You couldn't even stop me if you tried."
>Consume the Smith's mortals for ichor","attachment":null,"posted":1713921156},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985399,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 21 + 19 (1d22 + 19)
>>5985390
So this is what the hoarders on TV feel like when they’re forced to clear their house out.
>>5985392
>Damn, he’s been caught. No ichor left to fight with and nowhere left to run. No reason to maintain the facade. Smith flies out of The Immolating Realm to face Ashkur as he summons whatever ichor he can manage. The miniature universe he created folding in on itself as well as all the life forms inside perishing in order to give him power. His draconic children Hatsuko and Fukushu crumbling away as they too were turned into raw energy for the jealous god to use in his fight for survival. Now only his sword and his shield remained. With all the energy he has remaining, Smith charges at Ashkur with Ourobourous guarding his being and Heirdecimus positioned to cut him down.
(11 from the collected ichor, 8 from the combined weapons.)","attachment":null,"posted":1713921268},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985400,"name":"Zyyk","msg":">>5985395
"So be it. Light and Shadows shall pass to you, Purification and Steam to me. Destruction I hold only contempt for. You may take it, as you please. I know it shall find calmer sentiment in you."","attachment":null,"posted":1713921339},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985401,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985394
It’s a paradox. The penance half says to do that but the jealousy half says that he can’t just let himself be outfought.","attachment":null,"posted":1713921387},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985403,"name":"Ohr mi K'lum","msg":">>5985399
(You miscalculated again, the 11 ichor is doubled because of ichor strength. This is a +22 I think)","attachment":null,"posted":1713921546},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985404,"name":"Ashkur","msg":"Rolled 30 + 10 (1d45 + 10)
>>5985399
rolling","attachment":null,"posted":1713921547},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985406,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985403
This death match really got me fucking up my math big time. Thank you.","attachment":null,"posted":1713921694},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985407,"name":"Season of Crowns","msg":">>5985400
“Then so be it.”
(Light, shadows and destruction are under my >>5985395
claim)","attachment":null,"posted":1713921726},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985420,"name":"Ohr mi K'lum","msg":">>5985406
(Okay hold on, this is a clusterfuck, what actually did you burn?)","attachment":null,"posted":1713922499},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985428,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985420
Divine Realm: The Immolating Realm (3i)
Divine Servant: Hatsuko (3i)
Universal Law: Fukushu (3i)
Mortals: Drakomatorians (2i)","attachment":null,"posted":1713923091},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985433,"name":"Ohr mi K'lum","msg":">>5985428
(You would 7 from that, which would still have you win. However you're not allowed to burn laws. But that law never triggered in the first place so we're currently debating whether or not you should be able to burn it. QM should be getting back to you, but honestly I think you should just be allowed to at this point)","attachment":null,"posted":1713923218},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985436,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985433
>New survival strategy: Confuse everyone to stall your imminent demise.
My bad. I guess I should be taking more notes henceforth.","attachment":null,"posted":1713923638},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985439,"name":"Zyyk","msg":">Considering the potential threats to come, Zyyk will equip Ohr's Radiant Spear and the Eclipse Daggers, using all four limbs. Its compound eyes grow tear-ducts solely so they can begin to weep.
"Lamplighter, if you are listening now, know that I will never forgive myself for this, for any of this..."","attachment":null,"posted":1713923905},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985440,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5985399
>>5985404
3+3+4=10/2=5 Laws can't be burned
5x2=10+8=18 21+18=39 40vs 39 given there is confusion over what Fukushu is I will clarify that while yes it was made to be a divine servant given the consequences hidden and revealed for its low creation roll I felt it was closer to a law.
As the two Gods fight one another Smith consumes all that he can leaving only his weapons. The battle goes on the Gods are surprisingly evenly matched. Feeling desperate the realm crafter tries to sense his lost creation hoping to devour it. Just as he is about to give up he finally realizes where it was. "Impossible how..." before he can finish his sentence he feel claws tear into his throat as this brief pause allows Ashkur to slay him.
Ashkur 0/47
Smith -1/22","attachment":null,"posted":1713923910},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985443,"name":"Zyyk","msg":">>5985439
>Zyyk only equips the Eclipse Daggers, as the Radiant Spear is a figment of Zyyk's delirious imagination.","attachment":null,"posted":1713923982},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985447,"name":"Ashkur","msg":">>5985440
>Equip the Smith's gear and claim the divine law if I can","attachment":null,"posted":1713924094},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985448,"name":"Demiurge","msg":"I would like to apologize for all the confusion over this I failed to properly take into account how some of this seems to those who don't see the behind the scenes portion of the effect as well as some of my rules just not making as much sense as I.thought they did when I made them","attachment":null,"posted":1713924137},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985451,"name":"Season of Crowns","msg":">>5985439
>The season of crowns silently arranges Ohrs things, claiming the sea, the servants and artifacts (on a temporary basis) and whatever else and relocating as much as is possible to inside the Silknest, leaving the rest as close to the Silknest as possible.","attachment":null,"posted":1713924191},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985453,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985440
What a fight. Despite the confusion, it was kino. Well played, Ashkur.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713924359346247.gif","filename":"IMG_0902.gif"},"posted":1713924359},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985456,"name":"Ashkur","msg":">>5985453
Yea GG man it was a really close fight.","attachment":null,"posted":1713924516},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985462,"name":"Ashkur","msg":"Ashkur would look upon the carnage he unfolded and be taken aback. The god of war and wrath he had let his rage blind him. While he emerged victorious the cost was great. No, to survive he couldn't just be a conqueror he needed to be a king with a kingdom. And all great kings have a woman by their side. He would bellow to Raimera "I have slain your greatest foe and the smith. I offer you to share in the smith's corpse with me for a formal alliance and to allow me to stay in your garden.","attachment":null,"posted":1713924880},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985475,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5985447
Initially I was going to reveal this in the update but I might as well reveal it now.
>Fukushu: Hidden effect revealed. Unlike normal laws it can be claimed upon it's owners death. In order to do so a God or Gods must challenge the creature. Like a God it's combat dice is based on the ichor it has. If defeated the God becomes the new owner and gains the ichor it has. It can only be challenged once per turn. One effect still hidden.
Also for clarification since I think their may have been some confusion it has been stealing ichor since it was made. If you check its ichor levels you'll see it has grown 5 ichor since it was made.","attachment":null,"posted":1713925510},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985477,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5985475
Actually two effects are still hidden I almost forgot one","attachment":null,"posted":1713925608},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985478,"name":"Ashkur","msg":"Rolled 16 + 8 (1d45 + 8)
>>5985475
Challenge Fukushu","attachment":null,"posted":1713925669},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985481,"name":"Eaugolus","msg":">>5985395
>>5985400
>As if bleeding into reality, the Braided Proxy appeared between the conversing gods of life and lies, hovering over the shattered, flickering storm-corpse of what Eaugolus knew as his elder brother, Ohr the Bale-Star.
-"It is not necessary to consume our brother; to annihilate him in his entirety. I should not wish it so;. Further interference with the battle may yet save our weakened, vengeful siblings, if we only band together to halt their battle and exhaust them. I speak to you, Dreamer and Lifegiver. Perhaps all of our powers in combination can piece something better back together."
>The Proxy turned to Zyyk, before unleashing a low, mournful ring.
-"Should it prove inevitable, however, I feel that it is only right that my custodianship over the Firnamental Sea should continue. That is my say on the matter."
>>5985447
>>5985440
>For the first time, Eaugolus feels compelled to leave the comfort and security of his collection, no longer with peace on his mind. Not only did he fear for the safety of his things, of his siblings, but he feared that Ashkur's nightmarish rampage would bring about an equally hideous flood of waste, trashing up his nets with the agony of untimely and early departures. T'would not be tolerated. At a speed beyond speed, Eaugolus clutched his net in eight great hands and travelled to the site of Smith's demise, discovering the god of Subjugation at the edge of consciousness.
-"Let it be known that I do not stand in judgement of you, sibling, just as I do not stand in judgement of any of other. But I would admit, you concern me. You are vulnerable, much more than myself. I do not believe there is much more that needs to be said. I would leave you to create and violate as you please, but you will leave the realms of nests and nets alone. Are my terms clear?"","attachment":null,"posted":1713925878},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985489,"name":"Ashkur","msg":">>5985481
Ashkur still wounded from his battles would respond "I can agree to that as long as you make no moves to attempt to kill me."","attachment":null,"posted":1713926334},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985493,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5985478
Sensing a presence watching him from a place not even he can see Ashkur roars out a challenge. The impossible dragon manifest before him and lunges at him but is immediately destroyed by blasphemous flames born from the witches fruit mixing with Ashkurs power. As he drinks in the ichor the beast itself vanishes seeming to meld with the void.
Meanwhile in a part of the void beyond the gods a hand that is all hands pats the snout of the recently destroyed beast. "Don't worry my friend you'll have your chance for a good fight in time." Spoke a thunderously silent voice. Fukushu just nips at the Demiurge's finger before wandering deeper into nothing and everything.
>Ashkur couldn't loose. Gain 6 I and the law Fukushu","attachment":null,"posted":1713926434},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985498,"name":"Zyyk","msg":">>5985481
>The moth paused its unraveling of the shadow sphere, now reduced to the size of a child's ball.
"Grandest of Scavengers, if I do not consume the Lamplighter here and now, further bloodshed is inevitable. If you wish to pry the body from I and the Crownbearer, you may make the effort, but I shall not hand him over."
>It raised a hand to its face, sobbing.
"Why must you all fight so? Why!? Ever since our births, you have thirsted for blood! Death! The DESTRUCTION that comprises your orb! Enough! ENOUGH! I will make your pain end, Lamplighter... I will end your shining crusade as it begins, and I will make a creation you would find joyous and worthy of praise."","attachment":null,"posted":1713926694},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985502,"name":"Ashkur","msg":"Ashkur having asserted his superiority over the other tyrants would retire to the witch's garden
>Bring the corpse of the smith to the witches' garden and consume the corpse","attachment":null,"posted":1713926969},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985503,"name":"Ashkur","msg":"While feasting on innards he would below the corrupt priestess. "You should probably reinforce this place with a universal law so it can serve to protect us defensively."","attachment":null,"posted":1713927058},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985509,"name":"Season of Crowns","msg":">>5985481
“I am expended, loose of all my energies. To restore Ohr would be grand, but I am unable as I am.”
“Perhaps your powers in combination with Zyyk may accomplish some goal of yours, but I am an empty vessel.”
“For what is your will, you would need convince Zyyk, without violence I would hope. I am powerless to alter events in either case. I shall act as is agreed between the two of you.”","attachment":null,"posted":1713927547},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985514,"name":"Eaugolus","msg":">>5985489
>Immediately, the death god relaxed, allowing his net to once again fall behind him.
-"Then an accord is made. Fare well, second god of the Trial."
>Sensing need elsewhere, Eaugolus travelled once more to the Silknest, where his Proxy hovered over the mournful scene. He took it in one hand, and knelt over her, extending another arm in a gesture of consolation.
-"Death is only natural, you know that as well as I. You also know that this is one that can be prevented. Look -- his light is so dim and cold now, it is almost burnt out. His harsh edge is gone forever, not even we could bring it back. With patience, there is redemption to be found here. There is redemption to be found in every piece of everything."","attachment":null,"posted":1713927977},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985525,"name":"Zyyk","msg":">>5985514
>The First Deceiver fidgeted, strands of divine veins in its fingers, and sighed.
"Are you so certain, Netweaver? Our brother was... is bellicose, a warmonger who thinks nothing of peace that does not serve his ends. Calm is meaningless in his sight- a trifle to be shattered when it does not suit his will. What would you have me do, carve his substance into twain? Reduce his divine will to so much glowing vapour? He is a god! A god of war, and hate, and the beauty he fought for. I want to take that beauty and... preserve it. To make something good from his legacy, pure, as he would've wanted. What do you desire? Truly, tell me... I am not beyond reason."","attachment":null,"posted":1713928433},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985542,"name":"Eaugolus","msg":">>5985525
-"Violent though he was, he lashed out only in defense of all he thought good; a protector at his core. If such a quality could only be nurtured, drawn out... If we must lie to his heart to save him, then we shall. Surely one such as you would know the importance of denying one's truth in order to guarantee safety. Alternatively, should you wish, peace may be enforced through other means, restrictions impressed upon the skin of reality itself. I doubt many of us have the strength for such an exercise, however."","attachment":null,"posted":1713929342},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985547,"name":"Zyyk","msg":">>5985542
>>5985509
>The moth paused at his words, contemplating.
"...though it pains me, you speak true. The Lamplighter's aspect of Destruction is a portent of dread to this and all future realms. It has urged him to violence, time and again. I do not want to kill. I never wanted to kill... Let us take this Destruction from him, and feed it to the Crownbearer, smallest among us. In the short time he has been here, he has shown himself a wise and kind godling. I believe would use it well."
>Zyyk knelt, begin to carve at the blazing center of the fallen god, and spoke to both deities assembled.
"If we do this- excise the Destruction, that it may be tempered and remade in Life, and swear the Lamplighter to peace with the Burning Tyrant and Cursemaker, for at least a time... I will forswear the Eclipse Daggers and nurse him back to health myself. This I swear, upon the very crux of Deceit. What say you, merciful brothers of mine?"","attachment":null,"posted":1713929897},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985585,"name":"Raimirea","msg":"After a long day of hard work planting her tree Raimerea woke up to the sight of a battered, burning dog in front of her swamp. it held within it's jaw the corpse of an unknown god. the dog yelped loudly, telling stories about how it killed this one because she hated him and that he did this for her sake. the witch didn't even recognize this god. she hated everyone equally.
the dog wagged it's tail, seemingly wanting to be praised and adopted.
at first, the witch is pissed at the fact that it stole her fruit without permission, but then she decided against throwing it on her cauldron. remembering that she planned on building her own hut today and realizing that it would make a fine guard dog.","attachment":null,"posted":1713931018},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985601,"name":"Eaugolus","msg":">>5985547
-"Dreamer, nothing would please me more than to respond with my full support."
>With an arcane gesture, Eaugolus feeds 5 Ichor to the corpse of Ohr in order to hasten/influence his recovery.","attachment":null,"posted":1713932129},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985606,"name":"Season of Crowns","msg":">>5985547
>>5985407
>>5985395
>>5985345
>An agreement has been forged, a compact struck between Zyyk and Eaugolus.
>As a part of this, The Season of Crowns is to devour the destructive heart out from Ohr and take it into himself.
>The Osso thrums, wishing to be used for this purpose, and if allowed (and provided it should not destroy Ohr) the osso will be used by Crowns to instantly partly consume Ohr and take the destruction domain from him but leave the rest of Ohr intact and able to be revived
>While clarification on that is pending, Season of Crowns begins partly devouring Ohr for his domain of destruction (without intent to actually kill him or totally nuke his ichor cap) in case the Osso cannot be used in this manner.","attachment":null,"posted":1713932814},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985631,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"To clarify to Ramirea I’m willing to give you a domain off Jealously but I want the rest of the corpse.","attachment":null,"posted":1713934794},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985653,"name":"Raimirea","msg":"Rolled 61, 41, 42, 14 = 158 (4d100)
>>5985585
>>5982505
>eat fruit (10 ichor)
>action 1 build defensive structure swamp garden + witch hut (5 ichor) (10 from fruit) (swamp)
>action 2 corrupt ashkur's fire domain (1 1chor) (corruption) (10 from fruit)
>action 3 create Divine Weapon artifact for ashkur : glowing dog leash (green color) (3 ichor) (10 from fruit)
>action 4 create mortal: manikin (3 ichor) (rot) (10 from fruit)
after harvesting the fruit. the witch began her new day.
First, the witch decided to fortify the area surrounding the tree to protect the place from would be intruders in the form of the witches hut. the hut is equipped with a garden where Raimirea keeps her rotting swamp flower, vines and trees collection that will act as sentries upon detecting intruders.
secondly, she decided to let the dog into her house as a watchdog. but then it became apparent that she hated how it's bright glowing red flames contrast with with the ambience of her swamp. so she cut one of her fingers and fed it to the dog to corrupt it. then she made a leash using decayed swamp vines around her swamp that glows with green light that turns whoever wearing it to glow with green color to fit in with the ambience of her swamp better.
third. she gave birth to her first mortal. the manikin. rotten and decaying Vines and roots that turn into slithering doll-like entities that protects and maintain Raimirea's swamp garden.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713936394596822.png","filename":"dog-accessories23.png"},"posted":1713936394},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5985655,"name":"Raimirea","msg":">>5985631
(yes)","attachment":null,"posted":1713936474},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5986217,"name":"Zyyk","msg":">>5985601
>In the middle of their delicate work in prying out the god's blazing heart, the moth paused.
"Brother, do you think it would be expedient to more thoroughly bind the Lamplighter? It is my hope that transferring the aspect of Destruction alone will suffice, but if this bloodlust proves inherent to the Kugelblitzer, it may fall short. What say you we lay chains about his essence? A temporary measure, meant to keep him safe, as well as any of us. I would pledge all of my ichor that remains to such a cause."
>Zyyk proposes laying a binding on Ohr: preventing him from attacking another god for 5 turns, and offers to spend 4 ichor on it.","attachment":null,"posted":1714009418},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5986313,"name":"Ashkur","msg":"Ashkur wiping his face from the gruesome dinner with his corrupt mistress would look upon her realm. A piece of beauty in the barren wasteland of a cosmos. Yet this reminded him of what he lacked. His ichor the very force of his own life had been stolen by him by the betrayer and now the nestlings seems to revive him? Nay he would get back what was rightfully his and take his shit.
Ashkur would shout “Give me the ichor I’m owed. The betrayer stole 26 of mine so I request 26 worth of his artifacts and belongings. I will not be stolen from. In addition I will not stand to have the betrayer attack the apple of my eye. Restrain him with some divine law soon or face my fury.
>Ashkur requests the sovereign ruins, eclipse daggers, and cleansing light","attachment":null,"posted":1714017260},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5986330,"name":"Zyyk","msg":">>5986323
>The Peace-Lover halted their surgery, and responded.
"I beseech your grandeur, Burning Tyrant, hold your patience. This very moment, we are working to excise the aspect of Destruction from the Kugelblitzer and render him peaceful, to you and yours. The Sunforge was the work of my hands as well as his own, though as he wronged you, he wronged me in seizing it for himself alone. I propose that we keep the Sunforge cool while we gather our strengths and then, funnel all of our powers into one final creation by its radiance. Something that will benefit us each in turn... A Throne of Light, and Fire, and Deception, and all the powers of the creation yet to be made."","attachment":null,"posted":1714018715},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5986340,"name":"Ashkur","msg":">>5986330
I am still owed Ichor, but I’m willing to work towards a more peaceful resolution to ensure my wife’s safety. I lay claim to the firmamental sea as it is part of what I am owed. I will personally use part of the ichor I get from melting it to ensure the sun forge cannot be corrupted and abused to make tools of destruction again, by using a universal law.
>Claim the firmamental sea and melt it","attachment":null,"posted":1714019315},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5986345,"name":"Zyyk","msg":">>5986340
"Before you do this, PLEASE, I beg you to reconsider- the Sea has long been a curtain to the Wrathful Shine's light. If you dared to make aims for it, the Grand Recycler would be wroth, and that is one war creation would not recover from."
>The moth shifted, agitated.
"This is a danger beyond dangers... Surely, you must recognize this? There is no call for bloodshed, not here, not now nor yet... Please, great one, do not walk away from us toward the shadowed waters! That is a step you cannot take back."","attachment":null,"posted":1714019637},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5986350,"name":"Ashkur","msg":">>5986345
Ashkur would back away from the sea for now. “Then Moth restrain the forge with me and we can ensure peace. The mass destruction it can bring would be too great.
>I’ll offer 2 ichor to the project and request you do the same.","attachment":null,"posted":1714020118},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5986355,"name":"Zyyk","msg":"Rolled 43 + 34 (1d100 + 34)
>>5986350
>A palpable sense of relief filled the void surrounding the Silknest, as the idyllic realm grew, somehow, calmer than it already was.
"I could not agree more. If you agree to pledge yourself to Peace, Lord of Shackles, I am humbled to do likewise."
>Zyyk pours 2 ichor into the shared project, to alter the Sunforge and render it incapable of forging weapons of warfare. (Total Bonus: +34, +30 for Peace, Love, and Deception (as it's anathema to Ohr's intentions for it.), +4 from ichor.","attachment":null,"posted":1714020396},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5986359,"name":"Ashkur","msg":"Rolled 90 + 40 (1d100 + 40)
>>5986355
Ashkur would shake the moth’s hand and agree.
>Pour 2 ichor into the project to make it incapable of producing weapons. Bonus of +40. (30 from War, Fire, and Subjugation with another 10 bonus from the fruit.)","attachment":null,"posted":1714020756},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5986362,"name":"Zyyk","msg":">>5986359
>The moth reciprocates, clasping two of its four hands together.
"Warmaker, in laying down your pride for peace, you have humbled me more than you could ever know. Together, I pray to ourselves that we can make a better future for the little ones who have yet to arrive."","attachment":null,"posted":1714020941},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5986376,"name":"Eaugolus","msg":">>5985601
>>5986217
-"Of course, such a safeguard strikes me as wise, so long as his priorities aren't tampered with."
>Eaugolus channels an additional 4 Ichor through Zyyk as she conducts the divine rending, allowing her to more easily bind his actions and alter his mind.
>9 total Ichor donated to transform Ohr.
-"I will add that your defense of the Sea has gained you much of my favor. I will provide you what gift I can afford, currently.
>Eaugolus gifts Zyyk an addition 4 Ichor.
>6 Ichor remaining.","attachment":null,"posted":1714022624},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5986383,"name":"Zyyk","msg":">>5986376
>The First Deceiver flinches, surprised at the sudden influx of power, then begins beating their wings with glee.
"You render me beside myself with gratitude, Lord Scavenger! I'll return the favour in due time, and do you one better than this. Not in raw ichor nor Sunforge craft, mind, but artifice of my own hands. A gift, meant for you and yours alone. Already, I am aflush with ideas, but when it comes, it will come as a surprise."","attachment":null,"posted":1714023009},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5986386,"name":"Season of Crowns","msg":">>5986383
>>5986376
"Peace, or something like it, seems to have returned for now. The brink of war we were brought to, some many times over."
"I have done my small part in rearranging my elders things, for little else was within my power. I wish only to say to both of you that your wisdom and diplomacy has been an inspiration to me."","attachment":null,"posted":1714023558},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5986826,"name":"Ashkur","msg":"Rolled 48, 31, 2 = 81 (3d100)
Ashkur would expand the swamp which would slowly transition into an arid plain where frequent wildfires were common. It is in this land where he would create his first subjects the Arakai. The Arakai are a series of fire elementals born from their desire for fire to spread across the world. They have a body similar to that of a small humanoid and are composed of molten metal which is always in a semi-liquid state. They consume food like a normal creature, but rather than process its components they burn it for energy. They are extremely violent always attempting to bully those weaker than themselves and are quick to anger in violent outbursts. They practice a form of ritual torture as punishment for breaking laws. The groups of Arakai frequently go to war over the smallest of transgressions which often leads to more war over the effects of the conflict in a never-ending cycle of violence. The flames produced both by the Arakai and the wildfires would be green like Ashkur's flames.
>Spend 2I creating the Arakai (+10, +8 ichor spent, +50 fire, torture, war, subjugation, wrath)
>Spend 3I expanding the swamp (+10 fruit, +8 ichor spent, +10 fire domain)
>Donate 1 ichor to the Manikins (+10 fruit)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714084274532534.jpg","filename":"magmin.jpg"},"posted":1714084274},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5986847,"name":"Zyyk","msg":"Rolled 34 + 56 (1d100 + 56)
I realize now that my ichor spending for this turn was unclear as I forgot to tally the amount in most cases, so I'll break it down here.
>>5982505
>Zyyk started the turn with 16/23 ichor
>>5982604
>Zyyk spent 9 ichor to expand the 11 ichor Silknest to 20 ichor
>Zyyk had 7/23 ichor left
>>5983718
>Zyyk spent 3 ichor on a universal law to make the Silknest protective
>Zyyk has 4/23 ichor left
>>5986217
>Zyyk proposed spending 4 ichor to bind Ohr but didn't follow through with it yet
>Zyyk has 4/23 ichor left
>>5986355
>Zyyk spent 2 ichor to collaborate with Ashkur to bind the Sunforge
>Zyyk has 2/23 ichor left
>>5986376
>Eaugolus gives 4 ichor to Zyyk as a gift for helping save the Firnamental Sea
>Zyyk has 6/23 ichor left
>Zyyk spends 4 of their ichor to bind Ohr
>Zyyk has 2/23 ichor left
>>5986386
>The moth rubs its limbs together, considering the Season of Crown's words.
"Your humility surpasses your majesty. It is my hope, and certainty, that in time, you will grow stronger and do great things for the pantheon."
>>5986376
>Zyyk attempts to use the ichor, 4 given by Eaugolus, 4 of its own, to weave a binding of peace over Ohr. This binding will seek to fill Ohr with knowledge that he is loved and prevent him from attacking any god save for in self-defense or the protection of mortals, for as long as possible. (Total bonus: +56, +30 for Love, Peace, and Deception, +16 from ichor spent)","attachment":null,"posted":1714087165},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5987496,"name":"Demiurge","msg":"Rolled 20 (1d20)
Saddened by the first deaths among the Gods Zyyk focuses on enhancing their realm further so some part of the universe may know peace.
The newborn God of life, recognizing it's weakness, asks it's elder siblings for shelter. This request is answered by the light crafters. First they head to the sea, perhaps instinctively drawn to it as oceans are the birth place of most naturally occurring life, and create the Reef Moon, Abza, home of the Namma race. These jellyfish like people often travel and forth between the land and sea however they avoid the deepest parts of their home for this is a realm where life grows particularly quickly and in a land of excelerated evolution monsters are quick to be born. Heading to the Silknest they make the Gale Moon Lungu where the Lammn race spend their lives peacefully floating on the never-ending breeze. Lastly they reach into their own life force and attempt to enhance their own growth. Sensing the flow of ichor they know it is possible but whether they are strong enough to do it they are less certain.
>Abza: Random events involving monsters or beast have an increased chance of occurring in this realm.
>Godly Growth: Gain an additional 3 ichor each turn. I have decided that influencing something like this would be a 6i law. Since this hadn't been established when this was posted I'll allow you to either spend the remaining 5 ichor and get this or you can be refunded the 1 ichor and have to reroll if you attempt this again. The choice doesn't have to be immediately made.
Seeing the newborn God of life makes Eaugolus realize he has neglected to care for the dead and so he begins gathering their souls in to the realm he now calls home. The Enso sense something different about the currents.
>Silver Scaffold: Mortals in the realm Eaugolus calls home provide him 1.5x the ichor they normally would.
Meanwhile Ashkur eats one of the witch's fruit and attacks Smith just as he finished crafting a shield. Witnessing this the God of peace enchants their home fearing it will be the next place to be attacked.
>Silknest: can provide a combat bonus equal to it's ichor but when activated the attacker cannot be brought to below zero ichor. Upon being brought to zero the attacker can no longer attack or be attacked that turn. Can be activated at any time but cannot be deactivated until the end of combat.
As Smith and Ashkur clash the God of Purification decides to punish the burning one for willingly corrupting himself however the war God responds with a surprising amount of force. His body is taken by Zyyk and Season of Crowns who debate what needs to be done. Meanwhile after a close battle the jealous God is slain.
>You have consumed Penance. Destroy it to gain 5 ichor, spend 5 ichor to keep or alter it, or take one of the following for free. Improvement, Punishment, or Suicide Attacks.","attachment":null,"posted":1714176926},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5987497,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5987496
Ashkur, having fallen in love with the Lady of Rot, brings the corpse to her and offers her the domain of Jealousy. Seeing him as a useful guard dog she accepts his gift and makes him a leash.
>God Leash: Only provides bonus when wearer is considered Raimirea's ally/slave.
She then begins to craft her garden filled with vines and swamp flowers. From these she crafts her first mortals. The Manikin dutifully protect the garden though being naturally creatures of rot their growth is limited.
>You have consumed Jealousy. See the above paragraph to know what you can do. Your free options are Self-loathing, Desire, or Resentment
>Swamp Garden. Since this is the first sacred site I'll let you retroactively choose what type you want it to be. Check rules Updates for explanation.
>Manikin: Only grow at a rate of 1i per turn.
Within the Swamp Askur makes his first mortals.
Eaugolus convinces his siblings not to eat Ohr and manages to create a peace agreement between them and Ashkur. First they alter the sunforge for they fear its power is to great. Then they place a binding on Ohr ensuring they will be unable to harm Ashkur or any others for a while.
>Sunforge: when used to craft Weapons will only provide a single additional ichor.
>Ohr's Binding: Ohr may not start a combat unless defending themself or others from 5 turns.
However just to be safe Season of Crowns is fed the domain of Destruction. Not wanting to risk loosing anothers master Osso aids them in this endeavor. Briefly becoming one with Season's shadow the God is filled with an overwhelming hunger but they manage to ignore it. The Osso's ability to consume light enhanced by being one with the divine allows them to carve the domain out like using a scalpel instead of just ripping it out.
>You have consumed Destruction. Your free options are Monsters, Hunting, and Consumption.
Random Event
Vivashalie can't help bit feel nervous as she and her father travel deeper into the Reef. She understood why gathering the sacred coral was important but the disappearances of the other coral gathers left her feeling frightened as no one knew what was causing it. When she spotted a peace of glowing coral she turned to her father to alert him only to witness what had seemed to be part of the Reef lunge forward and bite him in half. She swam as fast as she could trying to get away but she wasn't quite fast enough and felt one of her tentacles get caught by it's jaws. Pulling with all her strength she felt her limb ripping off but she ignored the pain and kept moving. Squeeze into the small tunnel she and her father had left fron only then did she look back. She saw the beast lay down and despite looking right at it she could barely tell it's form apart from the coral reef.
>Reef Hound: A monster is hunting on Abza. Will reduce ichor growth by 1 if not dealt with. 1 turn threat.","attachment":null,"posted":1714177020},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5987498,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5987497
Rules Update
Combat has received two changes. Unsuccessful flee attempts now only halve damage instead of canceling it outright. Only 1 item can be consumed during combat each turn.
Sacred Sites. Mighty temples or locations blessed by a God. Provide half their cost ichor growth in Realms with mortals that worship the God and half their growth Combat bonus in the realm they are in or will provide their full cost to one of those. A God may have one site in each realm.
Random events. Events occurring that affect the mortals. Gods may choose to intervene in order to prevent a negative effect and/or gain a positive effect.
A new God slot is open.
>Zyyk
>Domain: Love, Peace, Deception
>Ichor 23/27
>Divine Weapons:Eclipse Daggers 11i
>Divine Realms: Silknest 20i
>Ohr bound for 5 turns
>Domain: Light,Purification, Shadows, Steam
>Ichor 8/43
>Artifacts: The Cleansing Light 12i 1 turn cooldown, Sovereign Ruins 7i deactivated
>Divine Realms: The Firnamental Sea 14i
>Divine Servants: Randraumr 9i, Osso 12i
>Universal Laws: Light Speed
>Eaugolus
>Domains: Death, Recycling, Netcraft
>Ichor: 21/32
>Divine Servants: Braided Proxy 3i
>Divine Weapons: Cyclical Net 5i
>Mortals: Enso 8i (Eaugolus, Ohr)
>Universal Laws: Silver Scaffold 7i
>Unclassified: The Silver Line 4i
>Raimirea, the lady of the swamp.
>Domain: swamp, rot, coruption
>Ichor: 22/34
>Divine Artifacts: Zaqqum 10i
>Divine Realms:Sarmatian Swamp 4i
>Sacred Sites: Swamp Garden 9i
>Mortals: Manikin 4i (Raimirea, Ashkur)
>Ashkur
>Domains: Fire, Subjugation, War, Wrath, Torture
>Ichor: 42/47
>Divine Weapons: Heirdecimus 7i, Ouroboros 10i God Leash 3i
>Mortals: Arakai 2i
>Universal Laws: Fukushu 1i
>Name: Season of Crowns
>Domain: Life
>Ichor: 7/20
>Divine Realms: Abza 2i, Lungu 2i
>Mortals: Namma 1i, Lammn 1i","attachment":null,"posted":1714177442},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5987500,"name":"Rairta","msg":"Rolled 5, 40, 53, 2, 90, 93, 28 = 311 (7d100)
>>5987498
>Name: Rairael
>Domains: Sacrifice, Soul, Blood, Number, Law, Binding, Manifestation
>Fluff: After an encounter with certain forces, this remnant of a remnant was nestled deep in the Progenitor, only blooming as the deluge of blood stirred them awake. All that burdens this devotee had been shorn off, only zeal burning from righteous purpose left in its place.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714177680544560.jpg","filename":"A_SERVANT_OF_CHAINS_WHO_FOLLOWS_THE_TRAIL.jpg"},"posted":1714177680},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5987513,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5987500
After a generous burst of ichor filled the Gods with power an echo of a long forgotten Era is awakened by the bloodshed. Alas after granting the other Gods so much strength the universe had very little left to give the new God.","attachment":null,"posted":1714178414},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5987529,"name":"Ashkur","msg":"Rolled 33 + 9 (1d47 + 9)
>>5987500
Ashkur would approach the newly born god to recruit him but would begin to salivate at the mouth. His domains of fire, war, and wrath urged him to burn the bones of this god-like tinder for his inferno. He couldn't resist his more animalistic urges the power he could gain was too great a temptation. His mind had to come up with a justification for what he would do. While he may want to be a king, the power he wields is what will ultimately give him the authority to rule. At least that's what he would tell himself as gorged on the flesh of the newlyborn.
>Attack Rairta","attachment":null,"posted":1714179881},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5987530,"name":"Zyyk","msg":">>5987500
>Sensing the inception of a new deity even frailer than the last, Zyyk sighed. Considering the dangers beyond the Silknest, they put together a wisp of essence and sent it to speak to them.
"Lawspeaker, godchild, you are too weak to be as young as you are. Even a gift would be wasted. The pantheon has entered an era of peace and I don't think you are endangered, but I advise you, tread carefully. Know that you are loved and, no matter your choices, if you have peace in your heart, my home has a place for you."","attachment":null,"posted":1714179909},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5987544,"name":"Season of Crowns (2/20)","msg":">>5987496
>Expend 5 ichor to finish obtaining godly growth
The Season of Crowns is a literal font of life, new ichor springing forth from its halo
>Adopt the domain of Monsters
Abza, that curious and odd realm of monsters and tropical water, calls to the Season of Crowns.
The world is altered to give rise to monsters, the Season of Crowns grows fascinated by the development, slowly but surely adopting the mantle of Monsters itself.","attachment":null,"posted":1714180580},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5987550,"name":"Ohr,Broken Purity","msg":"Rolled 42 + 48 (1d100 + 48)
>>5987498
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIeajyim5eU
>An explosion, then void, then voices, then pain. The agonising feeling of having of having their very being f̶̩̗͑͝͠į̷̡̬̤̔͠l̸̳͍͇̖̪̞͊l̶̝̣̝̭̮̆̓̚͝e̸̳͉̍̋̌̈́t̸̜̒̆̚e̵̯͂̊̂͜ḑ̷̢̛̉͝ͅ, fractured, broken, destro y e d. Then the feeling of the teeth crunching down on its essence and ripping out the tender strands until it is left with a deep hole where something is supposed to be.
>Then came the noise, so much noise, a droning sound that will not go away, no matter how many times it strikes at it. No more silence, no more peace, no mor-
>Knowledge filled it, of being loved, mingling with the confusing and mounting distress into an ugly paralysing stupor(What has happened?). It knew that it was loved(No) and that what had been done was for the better(This is a lie), and that no matter what it would always be taken care of(Stop it) a- STOP STOOP STOP STOP STOP STOP STO-
STATE: [CATATONIC]
>Upon its revival, Ohr would automatically reform into a kugelblitz in a split second, then uncharacteristically would slowly rise from the ground and then just...stop. It would then not respond to any kind of stimuli, not even a twitch, pulse or offhanded comment, just nothing. Even the sight of a newborn god being assaulted did not make him stir.
>At the end of its ascent, before it went unresponsive, large swathes of shades,light and mist oozed out of Ohr like a bleeding wound. Ohr used to keep impure things accumulated to better sanctified them and destroy them, denying rot the chance to spread further. Thanks to his unresponsive state, a quantity of these is beginning to leak without being changed by purity first, and because the Destruction domain is no more, there is no filter to keep them in. The accumulated waste would drift into the Firnamental sea, and the light there would begin behaving oddly. The systems that kept purification in check malfunctionned and started atacking things indiscriminately, the waters would boil into luminous steam that left entire regions devastated yet sanctified, and light itself would no longer make a distinction between ''pure enough'' and ''completely corrupted' and the shades would not stop at sinners in their consumption. The initial wave being focused on the outer regions of the sea meant that it was more dangerous to enter and thus ironically more fortified.","attachment":null,"posted":1714180793},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5987552,"name":"Ohr,Broken Purity","msg":">>5987550
(I meant to spend 4 ichor sorry, reduce that bonus by 4)","attachment":null,"posted":1714180863},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5987582,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 23 + 55 (1d100 + 55)
>>5987516
"This world is imperfect."
>>5987529
"If only I could wipe away the impurities."
If only it had more time in this place. It wanted to create an angel to help in its duties of "auditing" creation. Nothing stops it from creating another Godbeast however. To return to that place, to return to its smith's hand, that is less than a price and more a reward. Perhaps they will be merciful, perhaps they will be wrathful. Nothing matters beyond them.
>>5987498
>Rairael manifests a gathering of runes in the empty air as Ashkur approaches. As the blood and of herself is spilled on the smith’s blade, she finishes her first and last miracle. Her soul is gone in seconds and only the flesh remains. The tyrant gorges on her flesh, but it is poisoned. When it finishes its feast, only a certain command should remain on its mind. “DEVOUR ALL GODS.” It shall be empowered in this endeavour and grow into the image of the chains that once bound the Progenitor. She is only a mirror, after all.
I noticed that nothing stops anyone from doing a miracle in combat. Rairta here is going to spend 2 of her ichor and roll a dice of 1d100+50(Sacrifice, Soul, Blood, Binding, Law)+5(Ichor). After this is the combat dice, it will be very sad.","attachment":null,"posted":1714182448},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5987585,"name":"Rairta","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d2)
>>5987582
"What can we do in the face of such evils?"","attachment":null,"posted":1714182533},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5987589,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5987529
>>5987585
As the newborn is immediately attacked by the witch's hungry dog they choose to use their death to try to influence the War God. As she speaks her final words and ancient voice is heard in every part of the void. "Nothing. So stay dead."
>Ashkur 42/47
>Rairael -41/2","attachment":null,"posted":1714183106},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5987591,"name":"Zyyk","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d27)
>>5987529
>>5987530
>At the sight of this divine infanticide, the moth shook in horror. Not for the cosmos reeling at the Tyrant's stolen majesty, but the godchild now reduced to a broken body, one more lump of meat to be feasted on. It was an atrocity among atrocities. More than mere deicide, it was the opportunistic murder of one far lesser, after greeting him in peace. Zyyk paused, shaking in dread, and then, in another, altogether deeper malice. Zyyk had seen too many butchers.
>It was time to tell themselves the truth.
"..."
>>5987550
>Gazing at Ohr's catanionic sphere, the Peace-Lover spoke.
"Lamplighter, know that for what it is worth, I am sorry it came to this."
>>5986376
>They contemplated Eaugolus, in sadness.
"Grand Scavenger, I fear that I lied when I said I would one day give you a gift."
>>5987544
>They considered the Season of Crowns, already so much stronger than they'd dreamed of.
"Crownbearer, to you, I give my inheritance. The daggers I forswear, and the brunt of power that will be of no use to me now. If you have the aspect of Monsters in your soul, you shall know what to do."
>Zyyk gives the Season of Crowns the Eclipse Daggers and 18 ichor, leaving them at 5/23
>>5987529
>The First Deceiver burst from the Silknest and hurtled at the Burning Tyrant, filled with paradoxically soothing rage.
"ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! AWAY WITH THEE- CANNIBAL! MURDERER! BRUTE!"
>Zyyk attacks Ashkur, expending no ichor.","attachment":null,"posted":1714183208},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5987592,"name":"Season of Crowns (20/20)","msg":">>5987589
>Equipped and empowered, The Season of Crowns departs and quickly snatches away the corpse of Rairta while Ashkur is distracted by Zyyk, stashing it away in the silknest, defences ready to retaliate against any intruder.
>Claim silknest temporarily if needed","attachment":null,"posted":1714183275},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5987594,"name":"Rairta","msg":">>5987591
⠓⠑⠓","attachment":null,"posted":1714183319},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5987617,"name":"Season of Crowns (20/20)","msg":">>5987592
>>5987594
>Begin devouring Rairta, also, in the silknest.","attachment":null,"posted":1714184555},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5987619,"name":"Zyyk","msg":"(To clarify, Zyyk is ceding the Silknest to the Season of Crowns.)","attachment":null,"posted":1714184605},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5987620,"name":"Ashkur","msg":"Rolled 3 + 4 (1d47 + 4)
>>5987591
Ashkur would laugh a vicious laugh at the moth's foolish attempt at bravery. He would splatter the moth's blood across the black void like the insect he was.
I'm not using Orobors for this attack","attachment":null,"posted":1714184722},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5987622,"name":"Eaugolus","msg":">>5987498
>As the dazed, catatonic star-god wandered across the cosmos, polluting as he went, Eaugolus watched from afar with undisguised pity. What a sorrowful sight, he thought to himself. However, Eaugolus took the largest amount of interest in Ohr's leavings; the waters bubbled and hissed where his blood fell, transfiguring what was above and below the sea into an impenetrable, sickening mist. A novel idea occurred to the Net-God.
-From the safety of the Silknest, Eaugolus channels an additional 15 ichor into his Cyclical Net, unknotting it bit by bit and imbuing it with a powerful enchantment. He knew it must be made into a tool befitting Death. (1d100 +15 Ichor +30 DEATH/NET/RECYCLE)","attachment":null,"posted":1714185039},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5987623,"name":"Eaugolus","msg":">>5987622
oh, for pete's sake","attachment":null,"posted":1714185092},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5987624,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5987591
>>5987620
Zyyk charges at Ashkur but as violence is antithesis to her nature she puts no thought into her attack and is slain in one strike by the war God
>Ashkur 42/47
>Zyyk -1/27","attachment":null,"posted":1714185135},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5987627,"name":"Season of Crowns (20/20)","msg":">>5987624
>>5987620
>From the safety of the silknest the Season of Crowns prepares for battle, but bends its will into the universe to allow communication with Ashkur before things get too bad
"Ashkur, Tyrant God, halt."
"I communicate with you now in the efforts of peace and diplomacy. Allow us to negotiate from here, that all might benefit."","attachment":null,"posted":1714185316},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5987630,"name":"Eaugolus","msg":"Rolled 18 + 45 (1d100 + 45)
>>5987622
>>5987623
aaaaaAAAAAAAAAHHh.","attachment":null,"posted":1714185413},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5987631,"name":"Ashkur","msg":">>5987627
Ashkur brings the corpse of Zyyk to the Swamp","attachment":null,"posted":1714185429},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5987650,"name":"Ashkur","msg":">>5987627
Ashkur rage would boil as he spoke to the cowards. "If you want your friend to live then here are my terms. I want 4 out of 7 of the newborn's domains as well as half the ichor from consuming his corpse. Any less would make negotiating pointless.","attachment":null,"posted":1714186818},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5987654,"name":"Ashkur","msg":">>5987650
Begin consuming Zyyk","attachment":null,"posted":1714186878},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5987657,"name":"Season of Crowns (20/20)","msg":">>5987650
"Your terms are totally unacceptable, regrettably."
"Zyyk prepared herself for this, to sacrifice herself to deny you some spoils of your butchery."
"If you will not negotiate then there is little else to say."","attachment":null,"posted":1714187377},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5987679,"name":"Season of Crowns (20/20)","msg":">>5987657
>>5987650
"Should you find reason and peace within yourself, then know this alternative to slaughter."
>Zykk to be returned to the silknest unharmed, unaltered, intact and at her current ichor count, simultaneous to the consumption of Rairta
>Rairta to be divided up, the ichor from eating the body shared evenly, the domains allocated as below
>ASHKUR: BLOOD, SOUL, SACRIFICE
>SEASON OF CROWNS: LAW, MANIFESTATION, NUMBERS
>The final domain, binding, is to be destroyed, the ichor being allocated to Ashkur and Crowns at a 4:1 ratio","attachment":null,"posted":1714190260},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5987688,"name":"Ashkur","msg":">>5987679
I agree to those terms","attachment":null,"posted":1714191051},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5987689,"name":"Season of Crowns (20/20)","msg":">>5987688
>>5987679
>The terms agreed, Season of Crowns holds up his end of the bargain totally and fully and with no deceit, provided Ashkur responds in kind.","attachment":null,"posted":1714191508},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5987690,"name":"Ashkur","msg":">>5987689
>Having agreed to the terms, Ashkur would fufill his end of the deal totally and fully and with no deceit, provided Season of Crows does the same.","attachment":null,"posted":1714191613},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5989347,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5987689
Law offers Bargaining, Protection, and Taming
Manifestation offers Evolution, Spirits, and Summoning
Numbers offers Reproduction, Groups, and Science
>>5987690
Blood offers Murder, Bloodlines, and Feuds
Soul offers Damnation, Guilt, and Instinct
Sacrifice offers Betrayal, Offerings, and Pyrrhic Victory","attachment":null,"posted":1714325765},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5989412,"name":"Season of Crowns 20/22(?)","msg":">>5989347
The mantle of Law shifts as The Season of Crowns ponders it, warping into PROTECTION
This domain the Season of Crowns holds and imparts into the void within Ohr, knitting the divine sphere whole again with this domain that is ironically opposite what it is replacing.
>>5987550
Graft PROTECTION into Ohr
Next, the domain of Manifestation is altered into EVOLUTION, for The Season of Crowns grows fascinated by how life adapts endlessly to its infinite challenges and hurdles, how life always and eternally finds a way, even if it finishes entirely different to how it started.
Finally, the sphere of Numbers finds itself reforged as SCIENCE, the fundamental truth behind how the universe operates.
Physics, chemistry, biology, psychology, an endless array of fields and an inexhaustible number of subjects to study.
Brimming with power, roiling with raw divine essence, the Season of Crowns aura glows violently. A change is brewing within the young godling.
The Season of Crowns
>Life
>Monsters
>Evolution
>Science
>>5987690
“Our compact is complete. You may return to your realm and find no more trouble from us, farewell Ashkur.”
>with that, the season of crowns heads deeper into the Silknest to begin its work on repairing Ohr","attachment":null,"posted":1714329442},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5989418,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989347
Ashkur slurrping on the entrails of the fallen would consider his options at hand. He would forge blood into murder as the only real law is that of power. Seeing the need for an afterlife for mortals Ashkur would choose damnation so that he may turn the cowards of the world into true warriors. Finally, he would turn sacrifice into Betrayal as he realized the power that could have after almost dying to the first Liar of Light.
>Murder
>Damnation
>Betrayal","attachment":null,"posted":1714330140},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5989419,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5987550
As the comatose star floats in it's sea something new is stitched into it.
You have unwillingly acquired Protection. Your free choices are Containment, Traps, and Forges","attachment":null,"posted":1714330273},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5989450,"name":"Ohr","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d3)
>>5989419","attachment":null,"posted":1714332933},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5989456,"name":"Ohr","msg":">>5989419
>Ohr's consciousness reels and latches onto the domain, digging deep claws of light into it, unknowingly shaping it to fill the hole like a man in the desert drinks water. And yet...it seemed just barely out of reach.
>Ohr is "asking"(as best as a comatose being can) Seasons for 1 ichor to reconstruct the domain of Destruction","attachment":null,"posted":1714333346},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5989459,"name":"Season of Crowns","msg":">>5989456
“Elder sibling. A spark, I gift to you, for that which you have done to aid me”
>donate one ichor (but this is the last thing I swear to me you’re the most expensive sibling I’ve ever had)","attachment":null,"posted":1714333736},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5989561,"name":"Ohr","msg":">>5989459
>Spend the 5 ichor to get the domain of Destruction back. Become Whole.","attachment":null,"posted":1714342752},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5990181,"name":"Season of Crowns","msg":"Rolled 43, 34, 16, 89, 30 = 212 (5d100)
>>5987498
A season of change is upon the Season of Crowns.
As the little godling undergoes its metamorphosis, it once again sheds its ichor, creating as it was born to.
Using both usable domains and applying them to everything
>Expend 12 Ichor to create Loomspire, a Sacred Site located in the Silknest and fully dedicated to ichor production, +64
This colossal spire of silk-steel drives itself up into the sky from the heart of the Silknest, strands from all corners of the realm thicken and converge to form this mighty and imposing tower, hovering monstrous silkmoths known as the Bombyxid often seen nesting around it.
It is a glorious reflection of all of The Season of Crowns goodwill for mortalkind. Here in the loomspire, life itself is woven into being, an infinite wellspring of plenty forming forth from the blessed silk produced by the moths.
Entire animals, people, fruits and food can be replicated here, woven into existence by the loom at the centre of the spire. In all the associated rooms, the stewards of this colossal spire dwell.
Sacred silkmoths, the holy monsters that produce the blessed silk used by the loom, it is to these glorious handcrafted beasts that mortals may worship and give offerings, for worship of these beasts is effectively worship of Crowns himself.
These mighty silkmoths are born here, trawl all the way to the edge of the silknest and extend the borders of the silknest as they form their cocoons, then fly back to the spire to live out the rest of their lives.
>Create 2i mortal race in the Silknest +24
The Salix, towering monstrous spiders that produce steelsilk. Unlike a normal spider, they are tall rather than wide, their legs are bladed and sharp, usable as weapons, with two of their legs replaced with dextrous grasping appendages.
>Create 2i mortal race in the Silknest +24
The Bomban, lesser mortal cousins of the Bombyxid, these mothmen are surprisingly bulky and lonesome creatures, but capable of true flight with their wings.
>Create 2i mortal race in the Silknest +24
The Yol are colossal reptilian beasts with many fire breathing heads, which regenerate when severed.
Each is a creature of many minds, they are as cunning as they are mighty.
Admittedly, Crowns got a little ambitious with these ones and they don’t totally match the theme, but they are to be lovely creatures anyway.
>Bless Vivashalie (Abza) with a 1i miracle +20
She shall be empowered to resolve the hunting monster event
Darling daughter, rest your injured head. Know that your god loves you, and has great plans for you.
She will awake from her dreaming healed and with a great new sense for life and the nature of monsters, in time becoming a powerful monster slayer that might avenge her fathers death.","attachment":null,"posted":1714418571},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5991080,"name":"Ashkur","msg":"Rolled 41, 83, 36, 58, 7 = 225 (5d100)
Ashkur would expand his realm being the very planet to his will by forcing lava from underneath the planet upwards to create vast mountain ranges across the landscapes for which a new race may live. On top of these mountains he would create a race of vicious violent Harpies, more animal than man, they would cannibalize their prey. While consuming their prey they would feast on them without killing them immediately to preserve the taste of pain being produced in the animal or man’s body. These beasts living in semi-tribal groups would frequently engage in conflict over territory which would make for a spectacular sight in the skies.
>Spend 5i on the Swamp adding mountains and expanding the planes on the planet. (+15 ichor, +10 fire, +10 subjugation) = +35
>Spend 2i creating the Harpies (+10 ichor, +10 war, +10 torture, +10 wrath, subjugation +10) = +50
Ashkur would then turn his sights to the plains. While his harpies may feast on local fauna they lacked any great enemy or rival to prove themselves against. Inspired by the witch’s pet name for himself he would create a race of rabid hyena-like dog men called the Kurakur who would roam the plains in bands. These creatures would frequently fight over territory as the lands they inhabited would hardly be defendable and they had an innate desire for war. Their organizational structure was extremely loose leading to the chieftains having to frequently beat their rivals into submission. The Kurakur would be the most devout followers of Ashkur and would perform ritual live burnings in his name.
>Spend 2i creating the Kurakur (+10 ichor, +10 war, +10 torture, +10 wrath, subjugation +10) = +50
Seeing the need for an afterlife for his subjects he would begin working on a long-term subject. Underneath the planet of the swamp, he would create a plane of flame and brimstone called Tartarus decorated with the skulls of the fallen and numerous weapons of war. The plane would exemplify all of his domains causing those within the fill extreme emotions of wrath, a heightened sense of pain, and an unquenchable bloodlust causing desires for war. He would create a new form of divine subjects in this realm to serve his needs. They would be called the Faceless Angels. They had bodies made of solidified flame with black wings and pale white masks. The faceless angels were spirit-like creatures who would serve to inspire a warlike spirit in the rest of his subjects. They would possess leaders to cause conflict, anger, and strife within communities to help nudge the people to warfare. They would also kidnap the weakest among the various tribes and flay their corpses to leave as an example for the rest of them.
>Spend 5i on the swamp creating Tartarus a realm of flame which is an addition to the swamp (+5 ichor, +10 torture, +10 fire, +10 war, +10 subjugation) = +55
>Spend 2i creating the faceless angels (+10 ichor, +10 war, +10 torture, +10 wrath, subjugation +10, +10 fire) = +50","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714523709861773.jpg","filename":"ryan-lowe-screen-shot-2019-02-23-at-16-45-03.jpg"},"posted":1714523709},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5991103,"name":"Ashkur","msg":"Rolled 72, 60, 57, 60, 24 = 273 (5d100)
Outside the swamp, Ashkur would forge a number of flaming spheres called stars. These spheres of flame would grow in size relative to the amount of violence taking place in the universe. They would do so by absorbing the lost ichor from numerous conflicts whether spent in battle or taken in damage. This would be possible through amplifying Ashkur’s will of subjugation and his attunement to war allowing the very gravity of the stars to pull in ichor. Once large enough these stars would release their energy into a number of focal points within the mountains of the swamp where they would then be directed into the core of the planet to enlarge it in size.
>Spend 6i on the Stars of War divine artifact (+30 ichor, +10 war, +10 wrath, +10 fire, +10 subjugation) = +70
To ensure the defenses of his realm Ashkur would create a number of fortresses within his realm armed by the faceless angels; these would be focal points of wrath harvesting the desires of violence from the local population and housing a number of rooms where tortured mortals are forced to fight to the death. This complex would generate an intense amount of feelings of wrath and pain, which would then be refined into the purist form possible. Some of this pure domain energy would let loose into the skies, permeating the air and creating a mist of rage in the atmosphere disorienting opponents and causing them to fall into their desires for violence leaving them sloppy in conflict. While other energy would be animated into pure crystals of wrath and war which would animate the earth to do Ashkur's bidding while in conflict.
>Spend 6i forging a divine law to animate the swamp to serve as a defensive tool (+30 ichor, +10 war, +10 torture, +10 wrath, subjugation +10) = +70
Ashkur would improve upon the equipment he had been given previously, First, he would add a number of solidified crystals of flame to his necklace to signify his status as a king. Then he would enchant the blade of Heirdecimus into a more proficient tool of war. He would lay a number of runes upon the blade causing flames of torturous pain to dance upon it. These would weaken his enemies and subjugate them to his will.
>Spend 1i on the God Leash (+6 ichor, +10 fire, +10 subjugation) = +26
>Spend 1i on Heirdecimus (+6 ichor, +10 torture, +10 subjugation, +10 torture, +10 war) = +46
Then as a gift for the swamp witch, he would strengthen her divine site making it able to more easily able to bend those to her will lest they experience torturous pain.
>Spend 3 ichor on the swamp garden (+18 ichor, +10 subjugation, +10 torture) = +28","attachment":null,"posted":1714525134},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5991139,"name":"Ashkur","msg":"Rolled 21 + 68 (1d100 + 68)
Finally to satiate his need for like-minded scholars Ashkur created his first Divine Servant Jingles The Clown. Jingles was a particularly twisted faceless angel whose greatest passion in life was torturing mortals until they bent to the worship of Ashkur. He possessed a body made of fire, 2 pairs of wings on his back, and a clown's cap with bells on it. He would wield a thin twisted spear meant for digging into an opponent's flesh and drilling into the body to create "art." Jingles would be the head of the faceless angels directing them in their duties, while not entertaining Ashkur with his quips about the lesser gods, ordering them around as if they were actors pretending to be soldiers yet there was a certain level of military tact in his performance. He was prone to violent outbursts to the subordinates who didn't heed his will but contrarily showed great reverence to his creator.
>Spend 3 ichor on a Divine Servant Jingles the Clown (+18 ichor +10 fire, 10 torture, +10 war, +10 wrath, +10 subjugation) = +68","attachment":null,"posted":1714526905},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5995139,"name":"Demiurge","msg":"Rolled 16 (1d20)
Ichor being the life force of the Gods Season of Crowns commands it to come to them more readily becoming the first God in a long time to give ichor itself a command.
Meanwhile, having been altered by the loss of their domain, Ohr brings great devastation to his realm however paradoxically makes it more secure as well.
>When doing combat in the Firnamental Sea Ohr can choose to destroy the ichor it is made of in order to gain a bonus equal to ichor destroyed that last until the end of the combat. They choose how much ichor they destroy.
A new God is born and quickly slain. Using the first and last of it's strength to alter it's killer. Rairael was born from shattered chains and like all echoes before it started the forging of a new chain.
>Ashkur gains a +1 in combat for every God he has consumed starting with Rairael.
Not wanting Ashkur to consume the corpse Zykk sacrificed herself allowing Season of Crowns to steal the corpse during the short battle and make a deal with the war God.
Ohr is given the domain of protection by Season of Crowns and uses it to restore themselves to what they were.
Season of Crowns creates a great tower in the Silknest in which many mortals would gather to worship the life weaving beast that lived within it. Many mortals are born this Era including mothmen and spiders yet it is the hydra like Yol that thrive the most during this time. On Abza the Reef Hound is slain by the mortal it failed to kill now imbued with divine might.
Ashkur raises great mountains in the swamps and begins creating new mortals. Beneath the realm he creates an afterlife that turns the souls of his followers into mighty warriors.
>Tartarus: Followers of Ashkur gain greater ichor during crusades.
Ashkur fill the void with stars that burn brighter during times of conflict. Similarly he causes the land itself to absorb violence and turn the Wrath of his enemies against them.
<Stars: Absorb ichor lost or used during battles. Can use said ichor to expand the realm at any time. Has a cooldown equal to the increase.
>Rage of the Land: When defending in the swamp the attacker gains a malus to combat rolls equal to the damage done to you.
Rules Updates
Gods can spend 1 ichor to make their worshippers go to war with other mortals. Mortals won't grow during this time. The winning mortals gain half the ichor the loosing side lost.
Demigods like Servants can interact with mortals freely but can only affect one realm. They have bo2 for their actions but have a lifespan equal to their species ichor + the ichor used to make them Demigods.
New Gods can only start with up to 4 Domains.
A new God slot is open.","attachment":null,"posted":1714919924},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5995142,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5995139
>Zyyk
>Domain: Love, Peace, Deception
>Ichor 16/27
>Divine Realms: Silknest 20i
>Ohr bound for 4 turns
>Domain: Light,Purification, Shadows, Steam, Destruction
>Ichor 18/43
>Artifacts: The Cleansing Light 12i 1 turn cooldown, Sovereign Ruins 7i deactivated
>Divine Realms: The Firnamental Sea 14i
>Divine Servants: Randraumr 9i, Osso 12i
>Universal Laws: Light Speed
>Eaugolus
>Domains: Death, Recycling, Netcraft
>Ichor: 28/32
>Divine Servants: Braided Proxy 3i
>Divine Weapons: Cyclical Net 20i
>Mortals: Enso 10i (Eaugolus, Ohr)
>Universal Laws: Silver Scaffold 7i
>Unclassified: The Silver Line 4i
>Raimirea, the lady of the swamp.
>Domain: swamp, rot, coruption
>Ichor: 34/50
>Divine Artifacts: Zaqqum 10i
>Divine Realms:Sarmatian Swamp 14i
>Sacred Sites: Swamp Garden 12iW
>Mortals: Manikin 6i (Raimirea, Ashkur)
>Ashkur
>Domains: Fire, Subjugation, War, Wrath, Torture, Murder, Damnation, Betrayal
>Ichor: 37/47
>Artifacts Stars of War 6i
>Divine Weapons: Heirdecimus 8i, Ouroboros 10i God Leash 4i
>Mortals: Arakai 4i, Harpies 4i, Kurakur 2i, Faceless Angel's 2i,
Divine Servants: Jingles 3i
>Universal Laws: Fukushu 3i, Rage of the Land
>Name: Season of Crowns
>Domains: Life, Monsters, Evolution, Science
>Ichor: 22/37
>Divine Weapons:Eclipse Daggers 11i
>Divine Realms: Abza 2i, Lungu 2i
Sacred Sites: Loomspire 12iW
>Mortals: Namma 3i, Lammn 3i, Salix 2i, Bomban 2i, Yol 4i
>Demigods: Vivashalie 2 turns left
Universal Laws: Godly Growth","attachment":null,"posted":1714920373},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5995151,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5995142
Correction Ashkur 47/49","attachment":null,"posted":1714921963},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5995171,"name":"Season of Crowns 22/37","msg":">>5989561
>>5987619
>As The Season of Crowns elder siblings come to their senses, or not, they may notice the Season of Crowns watching over them.
>He is different. So much mightier than he once was, so much larger and more established, he is well beyond Zyyk in terms of body, between her and Ohr in raw might.
>Gone are the days of his simple purity of life, now the once-godling boasts four whole domains, life being only one part of his multitude of spheres.
>Crowns appearence has changed the most violently. His simple crown of bone is now colossal and ornate, while his body wreathed in light is now split between two natures, his top half being a vague humanoid shape still, but his lower half shifting between the great and fearsome bodies of terrible reptiles, great mammals, monstrous beasts of the wild and frightening insects or arachnids.
>Wielding the Eclipse Daggers in two extra arms, the Season of Crowns observes Ohr and Zyyk for signs of their stirring, for he has been rather lonely of late.
"Rise elder siblings, from your slumber. I have taken good care of your works while you have rested."","attachment":null,"posted":1714924082},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5995202,"name":"Ohr,Mending the Cracks","msg":"Rolled 94, 25 = 119 (2d100)
>>5995171
>>5995171
>The radiance of the Lightbringer was no longer dim, but it was still diminished and widthdrawn into itself. Still, it showed signs of life. A lone Bomban finds itself in a dark crevice after an accident, its wing broken. The shadows start whispering to it, guiding it through the dark. Not knowing any better from its time in the nest it listens. This Bomban eventually sees a mist, and as it follows it to the Shadows' beckoning, it finds...a hotspring full of liquid light evaporating into an equally luminous vapor. Stepping into it, its wing snaps back into place as if by magic, completely healed
>Spend 1 ichor on a miracle on the Bomban to gain secondary worship(+40 from domains)
>Another wisp of light and shadows was cast from Ohr before he could truly seal himself again. This one was violent, and excited the vapors and waters around it. This one came in the possession of a Lamma, who promptly recognised its power and used it to destroy whatever abominations feasted on its friends
>Spend 1 ichor to do a miracle on the Lamma and gain secondary worship(+50 from domains)","attachment":null,"posted":1714929491},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5995471,"name":"Zyyk","msg":">The First Deceiver laid, ensconced in their own weaving. Slowly, the moth came to its senses and shuddered. Rather than the fiery blaze and gnawing torment it anticipated, it awoke surrounded by the peace of its own making. Somehow, that was worse. In the distance, it heard sounds of mortals, many thousands of them, growing, spreading, evolving. The Peace-Lover flew up into the atmosphere and saw a grand spire piercing the heavens. They were gripped with bewilderment, then dread as they remembered their actions.
>>5995171
>Before Zyyk could dwell on it, a sonorous voice snatched their attention and bid them come. So they did, floating on the winds, and were taken aback by the sight. The Season of Crowns, once so small and weak, had surged to new heights of power. Their frame, diminutive and harmless, now rippled with power. Life was no longer alone, but affected by other, stranger domains. The essence of Rairta wasn't gone but diluted, changed and assimilated by one of greater strength. This could only mean one thing...
"Crownbearer, what have you done?"","attachment":null,"posted":1714948658},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5995490,"name":"Season of Crowns","msg":">>5995471
>the aura of the deity ripples as Zyyk rises from her slumber.
>some brief emotions flash, before Crowns stabilises
“What was required. Ashkur threatened your extinction if Rairta was not returned to him, I refused to surrender you for him to gorge upon.”
“You did not deserve such a fate.”
“We approached the brink of war, with you corpsed, Ohr unresponsive, myself alone against the wroth of Ashkur. I struck a bargain with him to preserve your life and achieve our mutual aims, preventing the tyrant god from becoming so powerful he could dominate all the cosmos.”
“Rairta was divided evenly between myself and Ashkur in exchange for your safe return.”
“His domains were assimilated by the two of us rather than shattered for their ichor, mostly.”
“He was already too far gone to restore to health, born too weak to survive. It was unavoidable. This was the only option.”
“I understand if you are upset, but I am simply happy to see you well.”
>Crowns speaks dispassionately, as if every aspect of this arrangement were a mere part of a calculation or the following of the rules of nature, rather than an emotional moral dilemma.","attachment":null,"posted":1714949668},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5995506,"name":"Eaugolus","msg":">>5995142
>The Salvage-Titan set to expanding upon his territory in the Firnamental Sea, starting from the Silver Line. With the gentle dip of a gnarled finger into an ocean, silver shadows began to take shape. Tiny filaments of string and iron wove themselves around the surface of the water, held up by surface tension, until they stretched up beyond even Eaugolus' own colossal head. These mesh structures would soon house the souls of both the resting dead and the active living, should Eaugolus manage to make his dream a reality. The Enso would be the first, put where survival was no longer a worry, where the god could protect what he considered his fellow scrap-folk. Still, more structures grew into the horizon, some perhaps fated never to be filled.
>Eaugolus boosts the Firnamental Sea with 10 Ichor, organizing some of the flotsam on the surface and making it more hospitable for mortals. [RAISE THE NETS: +5 ACTION BONUS]
>18 Ichor Remaining","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714950134963099.jpg","filename":"171428730614630709.jpg"},"posted":1714950134},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5995510,"name":"Eaugolus","msg":"Rolled 100 + 15 (1d100 + 15)
>>5995506
rollan","attachment":null,"posted":1714950596},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5995556,"name":"Zyyk","msg":">>5995490
>The moth listened closely as the Season of Crowns spoke, bobbing up and down in the clouds. Antennae twitched back and forth in distress while many limbs trembled, but in time, it slowed.
"The Godchild, then, is dead with no hope of recovery. Her body, sundered and supped on, innocence desecrated for the sake of strength. A harsh truth, one difficult to face..."
>Zyyk fidgeted with a strand of silk stretching from spire to soil, gradually reaching a state of calm.
"Yet you have, without hesitation. Well done. Although my efforts were in vain, one share of the Godchild's carcass has gone to a good maw. I see that I was wise to trust in your discernment. In my absence, the Silknest has reached new heights of beauty and life. It is wonderful."
>The First Deceiver flapped its wings, pondering.
"There is no changing the past. We must look toward a new future, a better future. One of kindness, friendship, and love. The finest share of all treasures is cooperation. Your power has grown greater than even my own. I am proud of you, Crownbearer, and certain I will become prouder still. Let us combine our strengths into something worthy of your rise. A fine creation, worthy a grand coronation. What say you?"","attachment":null,"posted":1714954149},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5995582,"name":"Season of Crowns","msg":">>5995556
“A better future sounds wonderful to me, Peace Walker.”
“I would be honoured to contribute on a project together with you. The fires of the sunforge appear warm this cycle, if that may be of use. If not, together we may still craft something grand, though I still have my duties to seed life across the Silknest.”
“The first beings to crawl upon it have risen, but many many more may rise to inhabit it.”
“Do you have any suggestions for such a crowning creation?”","attachment":null,"posted":1714956548},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5995776,"name":"Ashkur","msg":"Ashkur would bellow from his lungs filled with fire, “God of peace seeing as your forge is online I propose to use it for the betterment of our kind rather then as a tool in further conflict. From my experience in creation mortals are clearly the future as they are fitting subjects and live very entertaining lives. I say we use it to further their proliferation amongst the cosmos. If you do this then we can negotiate a compact of peace of sorts and cease this endless violence between the nestling and the royals”
I propose to create something to make mortals grow at a faster rate across the cosmos and I am willing to donate to this cause. I also say we formally enter an agreement to no longer attack each other or other gods unless being attacked by them to avoid useless conflict.","attachment":null,"posted":1714969023},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5996120,"name":"Zyyk","msg":">>5995582
"I think a grand symbol of our causes conjoined would be admirable. The Silknest has no need of another holy site but Lungu is empty and full of potential. Perhaps we could bestow your precious Lammn seasons of joy to come?"
>The moth contemplated, sighing in sudden sadness.
"Such a wonder need not be physical. The Swine now slain's domain of Arcane is a wellspring of inspiration. By our powers combined, we could put forth a mystic tradition, a means of mending life and shaping minds for those little ones with the wisdom to understand."
>Zyyk fidgeted, buffeting the clouds below.
"I am hesitant to ply the Sunforge so soon but assent it is capable of wonders without parallel. It could beget a thing of beauty, radiance with no equal in this cosmos. It matters little. There are septillions of possibilities. You need only choose one of your liking, Crownbearer."
>>5995776
>At Ashkur's words, the moth flinched in shame of its own hostility.
"Brazen Tyrant, while your words have merit, I fear that you would use such a miraculous tool to ease the replenishment of casualties among mortals to inflict violence at a greater scale than ever seen. Your Tartarus is a pit of senseless bloodshed and its purpose as a training ground for conquest of the realms is plain to see. By your slaughter of the Godchild after offering peace, I fear also that words mean nothing to you without power backing them. This I do not hold against you, for it is in your nature. If we were to make such an agreement, I request that we put power toward mutual bindings of peace."","attachment":null,"posted":1715011136},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5996136,"name":"Ohr,Mending the Cracks","msg":"Rolled 62 + 60 (1d100 + 60)
>>5995171
>>5995776
>>5996120
>At the mention of itself and the Cleansing light, a slight pulse is observed from the quasar god, before settling back into its usual activities. It was no longer seemingly lifeless as before, with twitches and ripples along the event horizon and the gamma rays punching out from its polar opposites, but it was still quite dormant.
>Some of the blood that had gushed out of Ohr, now stabilised, automatically set itself to fix the domain without the God's intervention, attempting to put a damper on the devastation from the lights,shades and mists by reducing their destructive output with the now restored energies of Destruction. Randraumr would see this and try to aid it, only to stumble upon the Sovereign Runes, cracked. Restoring them would be hard, but perhaps with the help of the rogue ichor it could fo it. It was after all within its domain, the sea. They would need them for protection
>Spend 7 ichor to restore the Sovereign Runes(+50 from domains, +10 from servant, tell me if this is applicable)","attachment":null,"posted":1715012367},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5996404,"name":"Season of Crowns 22/37","msg":">>5996120
"I have dreams of a great and powerful staff, Lifeshaper. It would complement my crown, and grant me some of my lost power over Ichor that has vanished as I have grown to my mature age."
"I would invest a significant portion of my own power to manifest this into being."
>>5996136
"Sibling, quiet and dim. I request the use of the Sunforge for the construction of a new artifact. Its fires are warm. For all I have done to preserve you and your works, will you grant me this?"","attachment":null,"posted":1715028495},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5996419,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996404
>A direct answer isn't provided, but ripples are observed in the accretion disk before settling down again. The sunforge however is in the middle of a veritable gauntlet of divine traps and disasters that only Ohr could disable safely. The Sovereign Runes' glow is visible as well, heralding their activated state and a warning against would be trespassers. Shadowy tendrils visibly wrap around the Cleansing Light, forming some sort of barrier.
>It does not seem to be a conscious action, but the message seems to be "Not now"","attachment":null,"posted":1715029273},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5996604,"name":"Demiurge","msg":"An update regarding Sacred Sites. They have a max ichor value equal to the realm they are in.","attachment":null,"posted":1715047085},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5996836,"name":"Zyyk","msg":"Rolled 97 + 31 (1d100 + 31)
>>5996404
"A staff, whittled to keep your ichor burning hot? A bold choice... A savvy choice... Oh, Crownbearer, I worry your ambition surpasses my own."
>The moth's antennae twitch back and forth.
"Your elder brother is recovering from my efforts to save him from himself. It may be best to let Lamplighter to come to his senses before we use our Sunforge."
>Zyyk pondered the Silknest below and began to rub its forelimbs together.
"In the meantime, let us make life! You've made so many little ones, but there's still so much space for them! Nothing extravagant, nothing planned... A pittance of ichor and a surprise for the both of us! Let's not waste any time!"
>Zyyk spends 1 ichor to encourage life to evolve, creating a new, unexpected mortal race from their domains in a shared project with the Season of Crowns. (Total Bonus: +31, +1 from ichor, +30 from Love, Peace, and Deception)
>Zyyk: 15/27 ichor remaining","attachment":null,"posted":1715060928},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5996883,"name":"Ohr,Mending the Cracks","msg":"Rolled 87, 74 = 161 (2d100)
>>5995142
>From Ohr's spilled blood new existences arose. Beings of both Light and Shadow coalescene amongst the Steam permeating the sea, both enamored with their own perceived Purity yet both having the insatiable desire to obliterate their polar opposite. Yet they are both dependant on each other and such a conflict always ends in one of four ways: A draw, one side being destroyed, a fusion of the two beings or the beings mating and making new life. All in a never ending dance of strife and passion. Seeing this, Randraumr wastes no time in shepherding the creations of its Master to make sure they do not destroy each other too soon.
>Create the Starborn and Shades for 2 ichor, two species of mortal dependant on one another for reproduction and coexistence despite their never ending struggle(+50 from Domains, +1 from Ichor,+10 from Servant)
>As Ohr stays widthdrawn,a pulse is let out and disturbs the accretion disk, pushing away the necessary materials to create another star. Yet this star is much smaller, roughly the size of a castle. This small star is soon followed by a polar opposite, a Dark Star made of dark matter and shadows instead of the regular plasma and light. Both are pure, yet separate entities circling each other, feeding on Ohr's vapors to sustain their mass and keep their nuclear and annihilation reactions going. To observe them from below is a spectacle, a divine one even, where one can observe the powers of Destruction themselves wafting from the celestial bodies and practically bask in Ohr's direct presence and light. Still tending to the newborn mortals, Randraumr takes the opportunity to show the mortals the site and make sure they respect its boundaries.
>Spend 7 ichor to create the Twin Stars, a sacred site(+50 from domains,+10 from Randraumr,+5 from Ichor?)","attachment":null,"posted":1715064435},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5996884,"name":"Ohr,Mending the Cracks","msg":">>5996883
(Specifically, the mortals are in the Firnamental Sea and the sacred site too)","attachment":null,"posted":1715064497},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5996896,"name":"Ohr,Mending the Cracks","msg":">>5996883
(Also have the sacred site provide the full ichor cost toward ichor growth thanks)","attachment":null,"posted":1715067318},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5998153,"name":"Savivas","msg":"Rolled 50, 55 = 105 (2d100)
>>5995142
>Name: Savivas
>Domains: Mortality and Revolution
>Fluff: There in the depths, lies a forgotten thing. Forever separated from its other half, a garden grew around it. From it, it witnessed many things in search of its faults. Something of this garden took its chances when an impure thing came from above. For it hated the land, it hated the way, and it hated those who made it so. Taking the scraps, it bound itself into a form and flew away from the Lionfaced. In the emptiness beyond, it saw who this world was meant for and it hated so.","attachment":null,"posted":1715176639},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":5998158,"name":"Savivas","msg":">>5998153
Forgot the pic.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715176800524122.jpg","filename":"Greatest Geocentrist.jpg"},"posted":1715176800},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":6000102,"name":"Season of Crowns","msg":"Rolled 62, 72, 74, 20, 21, 63 = 312 (6d100)
>>5996836
>Expend 5 ichor to strengthen the silknest into a 25 ichor realm (Life, Evolution)
Larger still, when it was inherited the silknest was colossal already. Now some part of it will be made mine own. The structure itself is expanded and altered to encourage rapid growth and evolution.
>Expend 13 ichor to strengthen Loomspire to a 25 ichor sacred site
(Life, Evolution, Monsters, Science)
Swollen and colossal, the Loomspire occupies an unfathomable area. The monsters that dwell within evolve rapidly, both they and the structure itself crackle with scientifically derived bio-electricity, which occasionally strikes the land to form enchanted fulgurite, a more unstable and powerful form of the mystic silk usually produced by the silkworms.
>Expend 1 ichor to make a mortal race in the silknest with Zyyk
What will evolve from this random assortment of circumstances and possibilities?
A mammal, merrow, a monster, a man? (Life, Evolution, Science, Monsters)
>Expend 1 ichor to expand Abza (Evolution, life, monsters)
>Expend 1 ichor to expand Lungu (Evolution, life)
The realms minor now must expand. A stretching of the ichor that composes the Gale moon and an empowering of the ichor that composes the Reef moon, with some particular attention to the monster-infested Reef moon.
>Expend my last point of ichor (1) to perform a miracle on the Starborn and Shades to earn their secondary worship (Life, evolution, monsters, science)
Understand me, your first Lord is my elder, but you will understand my importance stretches beyond creation.
Be visited by my beasts of weal and woe, be taught my lessons, know the secrets of the world and evolve yourselves.","attachment":null,"posted":1715312428},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":6000752,"name":"Demiurge","msg":">>5998153
As an echo falls silent a forgotten thing is remembered. Starting with a decent amount of ichor the God of revolution is almost certain to bring great change. (Sorry for not replyingsooner it somehow slipped my mind)","attachment":null,"posted":1715380681},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":6000758,"name":"Season of Crowns","msg":">>5998153
>The Season of Crowns manifests an apparition of itself to communicate with the newborn deity, so full of life this one.
Savivas, sibling, I welcome you to the cosmos.
I wish you well and leave you to your activities. You are robust, mightier than most. I would wish to see you create great things with your powers.
Should you wish to speak on a matter, trivial or dire, know that I am eager to converse.","attachment":null,"posted":1715381282},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":6000770,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000752
No worries.
>>6000758
"Do you know of a high place, where one can see creation in all of its glory?"","attachment":null,"posted":1715382586},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":6000924,"name":"Season of Crowns","msg":">>6000770
"I do not. I have carved grand spires and visited the peaks of impossible stars, but always I have preferred to be close to the realms and their contents, rather than distant and elevated above them."
"Certainly, tall places there may be, but of a place so high as you suggest? None exist."","attachment":null,"posted":1715398359},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":6000939,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 54 + 30 (1d100 + 30)
>>6000924
"Then, there shall be."
Something that struck it as odd was the sheer lack of structure that afflicts the greater world. In the lesser, the spaces that it saw always had something, a characteristic, a thing of note. Here, the lack defined everything, and only the radiance gave a texture to all things. Was there more, hidden from sight?
>>5995142
>Savivas spends 6 Ichor to create Ae'tce, a planet formed from shadows, slowly spiralling further and further from the center of the universe, rolling 1d100+10 (Revolution) + 20 (Ichor)
"Before I exile myself, may I ask you to allow me use of the forge of the sun? I know your king feared of its potential, so know that what I shall craft is no weapon of war."","attachment":null,"posted":1715400288},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":6000941,"name":"Season of Crowns","msg":">>6000939
“You may ask, but I cannot grant you a positive answer. The forge sleeps, for a time at least, until the bright one stirs at last.”
“I too have sought to make use of it, to be denied in the same manner. The time is simply not right.”","attachment":null,"posted":1715400616},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":6000962,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000941
"A shame, that. To another matter, may I take a portion of your children into my exile? They are the most delightful beings, and they are delicious in all ways."","attachment":null,"posted":1715402969},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":6001581,"name":"Season of Crowns","msg":">>6000962
"My Childer are strong and brave. A portion you may spirit away, to your far place I would love to see them develop even so far from home. Heed this however, do not take more than half of each from where they currently dwell."","attachment":null,"posted":1715463787},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":6001776,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001581
"." One down, two to go. Floating away into the plane of death, seeking Raimirea isn't as hard as it would when one knows the places she inhabits. The manikin here seems to know their place, and understand their lowly nature. It took a clump with it and approaches the god who is closest to mortals, "I greet you, who is queen of this land. I am Savivas, and I humbly seek to acquire a colony of your children, so that I may admire their beautiful countenance as I please. You have exerted much to craft such masterpieces, I'm sure, so what may I do to repay such an effort?"","attachment":null,"posted":1715477583},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":6001785,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Ashkur would watch the new god's birth with great intent. Powerful and with vigor he can be of great value as an asset or a force of mass destruction and ruin for the universe and his plans. Cautious of the Potential Dangers he might pose he would forge more tools for his purposes.
Ashkur worried about what might happen to his kingdom's future and his wife's safety would work tirelessly to ensure their protection. He would gather the hatred his mortals held for one another as well as the deepest flames within his planet and forge for himself a golden ring. The simple banded ring was one of pure flame that radiated enchanting beauty. Those who looked upon the ring had their souls ensnared by its trap. It would fill onlookers with extremely violent tendencies, which caused feelings of intense pain if resisted, allowing the mind to be easily influenced and controlled. If attacking the owner of this ring is attacked a phantom copy would appear on their opponent's finger or body acting as an amplifier of its already corrupting effects. Those assailants would instead be turned into beasts of men under the spell of the ring they could be commanded to rampage not just against their original target but whoever the owner commanded them to.
>Spend 6 ichor to create the divine artifact of the Conquerer's Ring - Bonus of +92 (War, Wrath, Torture, Flame, Betrayal, Murder, Subjugation, Fire)","attachment":null,"posted":1715478182},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":6001787,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 92 + 92 (1d100 + 92)
>>6001785","attachment":null,"posted":1715478258},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":6002118,"name":"Eaugolus","msg":"Rolled 36 + 35 (1d100 + 35)
>>5995506
>Not all of his work had finished. Eaugolus thrust his hands downward into the sea, taking handfuls of the still-running ichor of the Silver Line. Weaving delicate lines of silver filament into a titanic bubble-shaped monument partitioned by towering ebony arches. A the center, a simple glass cylinder sat where Eaugolus would rest in the future. Though the thing was a lounge for giants, smaller pathways arches, and rooms wound their way up through the structure like arteries, sized to house an uncountable number of mortal leaders, merchants, and peasants alike; a necropolis-city for the dead and the living.
-Eaugolus spends 15 Ichor, creating the Silver Sphere, a new Sacred Site in the Firnamental Sea dedicated fully to ichor production. [+30 Domains, +5 RTN]
>Eaugolus' fingers began to itch. Was it just him, or did his net begin to look frayed? Perhaps he ought to improve his net.","attachment":null,"posted":1715506554},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":6002855,"name":"Demiurge","msg":"Given we're on page 9 I'm going to archive this thread and work on better organizing all the rules and realm information. I'll put this quest on hiatus for about 2 or 3 months. Thank y'all for playing and I look forward to the next thread.","attachment":null,"posted":1715560093},{"board":"qst","thread":5970594,"pid":6003288,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002855
Hahahaha bitch ass niggaaaaaaaa","attachment":null,"posted":1715594292}]}
+{"title":"Joust!","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5971348,"name":"op","msg":"You sit on top of your horse, fully armored with shield in hand and wait. Not to far from you, stands your older brother William. He lays your lance across his shoulder, today the roles are reversed and he squires for you. Across the way is your opponents pavilion, he has yet to show himself. Due to special circumstances, he is running late. The longer you wait, the more the nerves start to work away at your mental fortitude. You cannot be blamed for this however, for there is much to be nervous about.It is the first joust of the finals, and an unexpectedly large crowd has come to spectate. It has been an uncharacteristically warm spring and the winter dragged its heels departing. An amateur tournament has given nobles and peasants alike all the excuse they needed to leave their homes. The green hills all around the glade are dotted with blankets and pavilions with more coming by the hour. The organizers have likewise done their best to grow the tournament area to meet the needs of the expanding viewership. Seating for the nobility, stalls for merchants, and of course, the pageantry. A great deal of flowing banners, whimsical instruments, and colorful drapery has been put out over time. Not that you are complaining about it, the truth is that it all makes you feel like a real knight. It is enough to stir your imagination. Transporting you at times to places like the far off grand arena in Midlan. Where a knight can win the kiss of a princess, and the cheers of crowds are deafening. Or so you are told.
"Steady yourself, looks like they are finally ready."","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712442179811281.jpg","filename":"0897bf3e946bb599d2cff0c68d690015.jpg"},"posted":1712442179},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5971349,"name":"op","msg":"Your opponent's pavilion opens to reveal Sibil of house Gelt, fully armored and helped along by both servants and two of his brothers. Just yesterday, a rumor had circulated that an accident during practice had left the young man severely injured. From the looks of things, it seems whispers have turned to truth. Sibil is lifted onto his horse, but the lance put into his hand is too heavy. He can barely lift it.
"They should have pulled him out of the tournament. What are they doing setting him on a horse?" You whisper the words loud enough for your brother to hear. "It is an act of cruelty, and it's not much fair to me."
"There is more to this than you know. The house of Gelt would not pull out of the tournament even if they had to mount a headless body onto that horse. Their family carries a black mark from over a hundred- three hundred years ago, they pay for it still."
"So its, politics then." The words are venom in your mouth. You don't know the details but your brother brings clarity to the interactions you have had with Sibil during your youth. It would explain some "odd behaviours", brave border lining moronic.
"You'll get used to it. Or you'll quit. Either way, aim to graze his shield and don't speed up until a quarter way. A win by a few points is a win, no sense hurting him or his pride further. I doubt he will put up much of a fight." William hands you your lance.
Amateur tournaments such as these follow the rules of the "joust of peace". The rules are simple, with a focus on safety. The idea is to prepare squires and prospects for the real thing, while making sure that even young aspirants can safely compete. The lane is shorter to reduce speeds, the shields are much larger, and the lances are lighter. The rules only award points
to hits on the opponent's shield while penalizing body shots. Of course, like in all tournaments, hitting your opponents horse is immediate disqualification and possible bann from all jousts should you be recognized. Despite all these aspects, accidents can still happen.
Sibil’s horse begins its trot forward, the trumpets sound, and the crowd starts to cheer.
>what do?
-(Honourable Knight) Lift your lance and pass your opponent. You will not strike an injured opponent.
-(Principled Jouster) Do what your brother suggested and take your win. He has years of experience and knows best.
-(Blackguard Duellist) Strike your opponent in the shield full force! You didn't put him on that horse, but you will take him off it!
-write in: No write-ins for the first few posts.","attachment":null,"posted":1712442226},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5971353,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971349
>(Principled Jouster) Do what your brother suggested and take your win. He has years of experience and knows best.
Listen to our bro","attachment":null,"posted":1712442535},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5971355,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971353
>-(Principled Jouster) Do what your brother suggested and take your win. He has years of experience and knows best.
Bruh moment","attachment":null,"posted":1712442579},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5971357,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971349
>-(Blackguard Duellist) Strike your opponent in the shield full force! You didn't put him on that horse, but you will take him off it!","attachment":null,"posted":1712442613},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5971895,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971349
>-(Principled Jouster) Do what your brother suggested and take your win. He has years of experience and knows best.
Bro suggested this, no reason not to go with it.","attachment":null,"posted":1712479376},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5971914,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971349
>-(Principled Jouster) Do what your brother suggested and take your win. He has years of experience and knows best.","attachment":null,"posted":1712483968},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5972455,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"OH SHIT KNIGGA, A KNIGHT'S TALE! Glad you went through with this, saw you mention it in the QTG awhile back. We don't want to injure or slight the man, nor lose, so a shield strike only makes sense.","attachment":null,"posted":1712540483},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5972470,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971349
>-(Blackguard Duellist) Strike your opponent in the shield full force! You didn't put him on that horse, but you will take him off it!
We're here to WIN! We're here to DESTROY.","attachment":null,"posted":1712542130},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5972573,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971349
>(Blackguard Duellist) Strike your opponent in the shield full force! You didn't put him on that horse, but you will take him off it!","attachment":null,"posted":1712551529},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5972600,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971349
>-(Principled Jouster) Do what your brother suggested and take your win. He has years of experience and knows best.
No need to clown on a guy who's already down.","attachment":null,"posted":1712552733},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5972670,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCl5Fclcgz8","attachment":null,"posted":1712555829},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5972721,"name":"op","msg":"You follow your brothers advice and never take your horse above a canter. On the first round you aim your lance to glace off Sibil's shield, and as predicted he cannot reciprocate the blow. His aim goes wide and for a moment you worry it will hit your horse. But ultimately, his lance never makes it across the tilt. In the second round Sibil attempts to prop his lance with his shield. Once your lance makes contact however, he can no longer balance it and his aim goes wide again. After the third round ends, you have managed to gain a few points while your opponent doesn't get even have one. Its not what you would call high quality jousting.
What surprises you however, is despite the poor display from your opponent and the timid approach on your end. The crowd cheers on all the same. This leads to sudden realization that the vast majority of the audience either does not understand what they are watching, or simply doesn't care. They are here for the spectacle. The only ones who really care about the finer points of jousting are your fellow jousters, the judges over in the booth, and possibly a few of the nobles. How exactly you feel about this new understanding of the world will keep you up for many nights.
After the joust, you take your horse over to Sibil to see how he is faring. His brothers and servants work quickly to take him off the horse and back into his pavilion. He doesn't respond too much to your presence beyond lifting his hand in a short wave. One of his older brothers however, does take the time to thank you for your discretion. Stating that house Gelt will not forget it. Ultimately, Wiliiam's advice was sound. Its not just about winning, but the way you do it too. You do not only Joust for yourself, but for your house as well. It is the unfortunate truth that politics are never too far from the tilt...
--","attachment":null,"posted":1712563138},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5972723,"name":"op","msg":"There are three jousts that are to take place before you mount up again, giving you a good two hours to explore the grounds and talk with friends. There are many stalls that opened up today that were not here a week ago. Grilled sea food mostly, but also forest game. But some puppet shows, and even an gypsy pavilion has been set up. It may be interesting to visit it before they are chased off by the clergy. Yet before any of that, you decide to stick around and see the next joust. After all, the winner will be your next opponent. Perhaps there is something you can gain from watching their technique.
The first jouster is a young lad name Lybell, you can't recall from what house exactly. No one expected him to get so far in the tournament. His small size and slim frame have led to many jokes that he perhaps practices his jousting in books! Much to his credit however, he is still in the tournament while his critics are not. His accuracy with the lance is on point and his small size allows for much faster acceleration. Hs opponent however, everyone expected to reach the final round. Lesale, of house Welffj, may be the biggest man you have every met. Sometimes, that's all you need to win. You wouldn't be surprised if despite a points advantage for Lybell, Lesale simply ends up dismounting the small rider and winning outright. Only time can tell.
"Care to make it interesting?", coming from your left you are approached by a well dressed man adorned with too much jewellery.
"Care to make what interesting?"
He smirks and tugs his long mustache, "I know whats on your mind boy, I can tell by the look of you. You think you know who is going to win this next round, well perhaps your advanced knowledge of the joust can win you some coin?"
This man is taking bets for the nobles, and probably making good money doing it professionally. He has pegged you as a potential client.
>What do?
-(Honourable Knight) Gambling is considered sinful behaviour, you shall remain chaste!
-(Principled Jouster) Lybell will win because his speed is superior! Technique always wins out over simple brawn.
-(Blackguard Duellist) Lesale will win, might makes right! At the end of the day, the force behind the lance is the most important factor.
-write in: No write ins for the first few posts.","attachment":null,"posted":1712563376},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5972773,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972723
>(Principled Jouster) Lybell will win because his speed is superior! Technique always wins out over simple brawn.","attachment":null,"posted":1712569555},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5972819,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972723
>-(Blackguard Duellist) Lesale will win, might makes right! At the end of the day, the force behind the lance is the most important factor.
Bigger man will probably win.","attachment":null,"posted":1712578461},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5972835,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972723
->(Principled Jouster) Lybell will win because his speed is superior! Technique always wins out over simple brawn.
“Lybell’s technique is superior, gamesman. He’ll be much faster off the start, and I think he has the advantage here.”","attachment":null,"posted":1712580427},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5972879,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972723
>-(Honourable Knight) Gambling is considered sinful behaviour, you shall remain chaste!","attachment":null,"posted":1712586085},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5972894,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Blackguard/Lesalle
I'm intrigued by the gyppos","attachment":null,"posted":1712588707},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5972988,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972723
>-(Principled Jouster) Lybell will win because his speed is superior! Technique always wins out over simple brawn.
Doesn't matter how much force is behind a lance if you can't deliver it.","attachment":null,"posted":1712600275},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5973038,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972723
>(Principled Jouster) Lybell will win because his speed is superior! Technique always wins out over simple brawn","attachment":null,"posted":1712606209},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5973071,"name":"op","msg":"Rolled 11, 14, 5, 5, 9, 20 = 64 (6d20)
","attachment":null,"posted":1712610790},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5973476,"name":"op","msg":"“Lybell is sure to win, I will bet on technique any day before brute strength.” You reach into your pouch and withdraw the few pieces of silver currently available to you. As you drop the coins into the man’s empty palm, his fingers close greedily over them.
“Well chosen sire, come see me to collect your winnings after the joust.” He speaks as if it's a sure thing, he has all the fate in the world in your choice.
–
From your position in the stands, you watch as the two jousters set themselves on opposite ends of the tilt. Coming early has its privileges, and you have been rewarded with front row seats to your competition. Lybell on one end looks like a picturesque knight. His armor is modern and polished, while his white horse matches the gold and blue embroidery of his house. On the other end Lesale mounts his dark chestnut stallion. In contrast to his opponent, his armor is older and gothic. A red boar runs across an otherwise plain black shield. It is not uncommon for jousting armor to have removable pieces such as dragons and other trinkets for dressage. But the gargoyle holding tight to Lesales helmet seems to actually be part of the armor itself! The massive knight is such an imposing figure, you quickly worry if perhaps you had bet away your coinage too soon.
As the trumpets sound, Lybell finds his courage and charges to meet Lesale somewhere in the middle. You are on the edge of your seat, sure that this first round will spell out how the rest will go. Right before the two knights connect, Lybell suddenly adjusts his position and slightly shifts his weight to the opposite side!! His plan is to confuse Lesale, and force a glancing blow while he scores a direct hit!(11 vs 14) It… doesn't work. The gamble is clever, but Lesale didn't get this far on brute power alone. He adjusts his aim and almost knocks the boy out of his seat. As their lances shatters and the two men make their way to the other end, it is clear Lesale had the better exchange. Should the plot have worked, Lybell would have looked like a genius. If it had worked.
(5 vs 5) The second round is more rudimentary. Both knights charge down the lane, and both knights score good hits. None walk away with more points then the other. If the final round ends the same, Lesale will simply win on points. You are sure Lybell will try something, and eagerly await to see the trump card. The final trumpets sound and the jousters are off. Just as you expected, the young man suddenly explodes his horse forward. He held back this speed during the first two rounds in order to surprise his opponent in the final! Lybell scores a direct hit while Lesale struggles to find a good hit himself!","attachment":null,"posted":1712647378},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5973477,"name":"op","msg":"(9 vs 20)However… Force applies both ways. The faster he charges his horse, the more force he will generate when his shield connects with Lesales' lance. In an almost commercial fashion, Lybell is dismounted from his horse. Suddenly free of a rider, his horse continues to gallop past the pavilions, while Lybell finds himself thrown just under your feet.
Quickly, you and an older knight nearby jump over the stands to help the lad. As the first two on the scene, you remove his helmet and support his head while the older knight checks his awareness.He does this by having him follow his finger, and asking him simple questions. Despite the distance of the fall, Lysall seems more confused than injured. When not following the knight’s finger his blue eyes dart around trying to comprehend where he is. More people flock around the boy and start giving advice about if he should, or shouldn't be sat up.
From beyond the crowd, you hear a mocking laugh coming from Lesale who has trotted his horse over to gloat. His laughter is so loud and horse, that you wonder if his mount was joining in. “Har Har Har, Jousting is for ‘men’. Fancy ‘boys’, from fancy houses are better off on their backs. Har Har Har”. Smug in his wit, he trots off. While still trying to understand exactly what Lesale was trying to say, you feel a metal hand on your knee.
Seeming to have recognized you, Lybell brushes his golden locks aside and asks a favor “Do NOT let the oaf reach the finals.”
~~","attachment":null,"posted":1712647439},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5973478,"name":"op","msg":"Having been relieved of your coinage, you wander the tournament grounds in an attempt to clear your head. Without your horse and armor, you are afforded a high degree of anonymity and are left unmolested. There is one in the crowd who does recognize you however. Holding a small festival flag, your friend Anton waves the orange color of your house in your face. His attempt at an apology. He was supposed to be here already.
“I hear you won your match, well done lad knew you had it in you. Didn’t need me at all.” He puts his arm around your shoulder and joins you on your walk. When he gets the chance, he finds a place to lodge the tiny flag into and discard it.
“Not much of a win I'm afraid. Turns out the rumors were true and Sibil was too injured to joust.”
“Not that it stopped you from skewering the poor lad. They say you savaged him!” A hefty accusation the you quickly deny.
“Nonsense, I just tipped his shield, what else was I to do? Who is saying I savaged him?”
“The ladies of the court, I'm afraid. They are calling you a scoundrel.” Anton seems amused by the whole thing but it's not the kind of attention you want.
“Bah, let the hens cluck.”
Before your mood can sour, Anton motions wide with his hand and changes the subject.
“If I knew they planned to go all out, I would have tried harder to stay in the tournament.” Like any well to do noblemen his age, Anton is expected to practice the Joust. Only as much as he has too however, he much prefers the sword. He is your principal jousting partner however, and promised to be here for moral support.
>What do?
-(Honourable Knight) Time to find those ladies and explain your side of things! It would not do to be labelled as blackguard.
-(Principled Jouster)Have Anton treat you to something at the fair as an apology for being late. Perhaps get your fortune read.
-(Blackguard Duellist) Maybe your time would be better spent finding an edge against your next opponent. Even if you and Anton have to manufacture one.
-write in: No write-ins for the first few posts.","attachment":null,"posted":1712647500},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5973497,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973478
>-(Honourable Knight) Time to find those ladies and explain your side of things! It would not do to be labelled as blackguard.","attachment":null,"posted":1712649820},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5973508,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973478
>(Honourable Knight) Time to find those ladies and explain your side of things! It would not do to be labelled as blackguard.
Those ladies don't know what savaged is.","attachment":null,"posted":1712651026},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5973527,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973478
>-(Principled Jouster)Have Anton treat you to something at the fair as an apology for being late. Perhaps get your fortune read.","attachment":null,"posted":1712653598},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5973564,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973478
-(Principled Jouster)Have Anton treat you to something at the fair as an apology for being late. Perhaps get your fortune read.","attachment":null,"posted":1712658090},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5973567,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973478
>-(Principled Jouster)Have Anton treat you to something at the fair as an apology for being late. Perhaps get your fortune read.
The gossip is meaningless, I’m more upset that we lost our winnings…","attachment":null,"posted":1712660004},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5973569,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973478
>(Principled Jouster)Have Anton treat you to something at the fair as an apology for being late. Perhaps get your fortune read.","attachment":null,"posted":1712660183},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5973608,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973478
REAL GYPPO HOURS","attachment":null,"posted":1712666668},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5973689,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973478
>-(Principled Jouster)Have Anton treat you to something at the fair as an apology for being late. Perhaps get your fortune read.","attachment":null,"posted":1712679640},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5973726,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973478
>-(Honourable Knight) Time to find those ladies and explain your side of things! It would not do to be labelled as blackguard.
Wasting time with the distractions of the faire will not help our house. Ensure our reputation is spotless!","attachment":null,"posted":1712683714},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5974276,"name":"op","msg":"You wish he didn't say anything at all, but letting sleeping dogs lie has never been in Anton's nature. Your heart pulls you to explain yourself to the court ladies before a real rumor takes off. But your brain reassures you that rumors are for the winter months, when no one has anything to do but gossip. Now it is spring, and people are tired of talking. This will blow over on its own, surely. Additionally, just the thought of AGAIN having to chase those hens around apologizing for something you didn't do puts you off from the whole thing. Instead you will enjoy some time with your friend.
"So, how about some meat then?" suggests Anton "I'm in the mood for something freshly caught and roasted. The more recently it was alive the better." Anton licks his lips and pats his stomach.
Well, no. You can't do that. It wouldn't be good for you to joust on a full stomach. You need to stay alert and hungry.
"All right, how about a drink then?"
That's even worse! You can drink to celebrate after you won first place!
"No drinking and no eating? What is a man to do at a fair if he can't do neither the former nor the latter?" The question started rhetoric but after a moment became genuine. What does a man do at a fair when he can't eat or drink?
You float an idea Anton's way. "We could perhaps…” “If he is so inclined…” “Just as an Idea..."
"Out with it man!"
"Perhaps we can visit the gypsy tent and get a fortune?". Antons cringes at the notion, as expected. His reply comes after he weighs his words.
"You know I don't take well to that kind of thing. Anything else?"
"There is nothing else! Don't tell me you would rather take in a puppet show with the children?" You already knew his exit strategy, and have deftly blocked his escape. "Besides, you promised to be here in the morning to give a hand. You can consider us square after."
"Fine."
~~","attachment":null,"posted":1712733704},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5974280,"name":"op","msg":"Gypsies mostly come from the south, where once stood the proud kingdom of Uurlinia. Nowadays, they are a vassal state to overseas powers. Westerners, and easterners, from across the sea mingling together. Displaced by war, some have bred into a melting pot of nomadic peoples. Some say they steal children, others say they are just refugees, everyone has an opinion. You have always been thought to judge people based on their character. So you attempt to give them the benefit of the doubt, despite never actually having interacted with them. Outside the tent, a small brown skinned boy beckons you forward and ushers you inside just as a peasant couple leave.
In the interior of the gypsy tent there is a foreboding atmosphere, the insides are dark and stop any sunlight from entering. There is a smell of incense and smoke, and in the center of the room is a table with a glowing glass orb. The boy bids you to take a seat before opening his palm to take payment from Anton. A cursory glance at your friend sees that his lip is stiff and he holds his coin purse tightly as he deals with the boy.
When you and Anton are seated, a woman draped in purple enters from the other side of the tent. She is exotic to say the least, wider in all aspects and much more hairy than any women you have ever seen. The closer she gets the more you are sure she is not all together human, but instead some kind of rodent woman! Patches of fur dot her otherwise human body, and golden eyes sit on the opposite sides of a rather long pointy nose.
"Greetings valued customers! Have you come to peek at what is in your future?"
Anton doesn't say anything, while you are simply engrossed in the act she puts on. First, she proves her mystical abilities by making coins, cards, and even a knife disappear into thin air, only to summon them back at her choosing! After, she shows you her grasp of the future, by delving into your mind and accurately guessing the cards you picked from a deck! Just like a wizard in the stories, fantastic! The woman surly has a grasp of the hidden world...","attachment":null,"posted":1712733963},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5974281,"name":"op","msg":""It's black magic, it's not natural". Anthon whispers under his breath, seeming to have shrunk into his seat.
The rodent woman does not let him off the hook. "I assure you my powers are used only to do good... 'Anton'".
Without knowing his name she guessed it! Anton is not as impressed as you are, and simply stands up before walking right out of the tent. You on the other hand have more courage. You do your best not to think of a naked maiden and embarrass yourself in front of the mind reader! You fail!
"You are braver than your friend, there is a great destiny about you... So much so that your name is obscure to me... I see a knightly figure, he stands where you should be... his name starts with He-Io-Wi-"
"William!" you finish her sentence "My brother William, yes we have switched roles. He is squireing for me today reversing out roles."
"Yes- yes I see. It is so clear now.. There is power in names. Reveal to me o one with a great destiny. What is thy venerable name?"
>What do?
-(Honourable Knight) Fredrik. It was your grandfather's name, now it is your name.
-(Principled Jouster) Gustoff. Named after a heroic figure, you share this name with many in the realm.
-(Blackguard Duelist) Sunny. Your mother gave you a name that would bring light into her life.
-write in: Feel free to write in a name! Tie that name with what you think it's best aligned with, knight, jouster, etc.","attachment":null,"posted":1712734150},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5974294,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974281
>(Blackguard Duelist) Sunny. Your mother gave you a name that would bring light into her life.","attachment":null,"posted":1712735999},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5974303,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974281
>-(Principled Jouster)
Guts or Gotz","attachment":null,"posted":1712738117},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5974315,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974281
>-(Principled Jouster)
Elric.","attachment":null,"posted":1712740272},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5974343,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974281
>(Principled Jouster) Gustoff. Named after a heroic figure, you share this name with many in the realm.
>>5974303
I like "Guts" as a joke from our brother - as a kid, we once planned an ambush, dumping chicken innards on his head in retribution for one of his less-clever pranks...","attachment":null,"posted":1712745178},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5974515,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974281
>-(Honourable Knight) Fredrik. It was your grandfather's name, now it is your name.
We are an honourable Knight in a line of Honourable Knights. It only makes sense to be named appropriately.","attachment":null,"posted":1712770991},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5974878,"name":"op","msg":"No update today, have exam","attachment":null,"posted":1712807182},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5974934,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974878
Good luck","attachment":null,"posted":1712814161},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5975111,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974878
Kick that exam's ass","attachment":null,"posted":1712840044},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5977267,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974281
>(Blackguard Duelist) Sunny. Your mother gave you a name that would bring light into her life.","attachment":null,"posted":1713068486},{"board":"qst","thread":5971348,"pid":5981745,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972455
qtg? im new to this board, please enlighten me.","attachment":null,"posted":1713577322}]}
+{"title":"Do Your Best Quest #171","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5971498,"name":"91m10","msg":"Last time, you innocently baked a cake and shared it with everyone, and for reasons out of your control, you turned into a sleazy manager! Yes, you screwed your secretary, your top talent, and your competition in that order! Doesn’t matter if you thought they enjoyed it, you thought wrong, if not, why are you being visited by the ghost of your former biggest star?! Now it’s time to eat the consequences of your actions in this fever dream. Even Philonune is ready!
“H-Hello, Manager? You’re not busy anymore, right?” The spirit of Debbie floats awkwardly above the bed, she’s slowly floating closer and closer, almost imperceptible to the naked eye, like a bad screensaver that seems frozen after resetting your phone.
“Huh?” Oh no! You only have energy to do random grunts like an NPC outside of cutscenes.
“I-It’s me! Debbie! Y-You don’t seem busy but I don’t want to bother you either way. I-It’s not to say that sleeping isn’t important, it is! And if you’re tired, it’s a must! I-I don’t think I am more important than your sleep either. I’d be really upset if you don’t take care of yourself. Uhm, maybe I should help you doze off to get the point across?” Debbie doesn’t know if she should keep talking or not. “Yeah, that’s it! Johnny, do you want me to sing you a lullaby? Maybe you’re into ocean sounds, ah-phew… ah…phew…” Debbie starts blowing air. “I-It’s almost like I’m whistling like an old teapot, that’s no good. Should I go for a nursery rhyme perhaps? Your ears always perk up when someone starts humming. But I only know 18 of them, I don’t think they’re enough to help a grown man sleep. I got it! A bedtime story! These bad boys can even make a child me fall asleep! Why did I call them bad boys? They’re good boys, they help kids! Should I tell you my personal favorite? Hmm… Decisions.”
Did this ghost forget she was here to warn you about the upcoming spirits? Does she know her role? Your own hallucination wants to make you sleepy, what does that say about you?
What do you do?
>Tuck in bed and wait for Debbie to come to a decision on her own.
>Ask if she died and came to haunt you. You thought she was a nice blueberry…
>Roll over to ignore Debbie.
>Tap the side of your bed and invite spirit Debbie to cuddle.
>Tell her to reprise her role correctly! She’s fucking up the story!
>Write In.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712450330928898.png","filename":"4521.png"},"posted":1712450330},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5971499,"name":"91m10","msg":">>5971498
Information:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/QM91m
Discord: https://discord.gg/AmjbaTR
Archives: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?searchall=do+your+best+quest (Rough Grammar ‘till half of the 9th Thread)
Incomplete Guide: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-nIx_dvaNCPQ7zLg2BK_ucCyGNM741kAANxqXj7hdDs/edit?usp=sharing
Votes:
Votes are counted until 25 minutes have passed. This rule doesn't apply to the last reply of the day.
Votes that require a dice roll are counted until 15 minutes have passed, so we can speed up the process. Rolls are counted until 10 minutes have passed, so be prepared!
(NEW) Dice Mechanic:
We always roll 1d100s!
Since most people weren’t happy with the system of averaging top four rolls, we’re using best of 2/3/4 depending on the attribute a prompt requires. If Johnny is a genius and it’s a Knowledge based roll, he gets more rolls (Max. 7)! If he sucks, he gets less dice (Min. 2)!
When asked for rolls, I will specify how many you’re going to get. Rolling begins after it’s asked.
Rolling 100 is a critical! There are no Critical Failures anymore!
The difficulty of the roll is tied with the effectiveness of the action. In other words, the harder the option the better the result!
Don’t forget that at the end of the day, this is a story-driven quest! What the prompts are describing is more important than the difficulty of the rolls, for results in a fight.
Again, rolls are only counted when they are posted within ten minutes of being asked, so watch out!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712450424623173.png","filename":"info38.png"},"posted":1712450424},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5971500,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971498
>>Ask if she died and came to haunt you. You thought she was a nice blueberry…","attachment":null,"posted":1712450606},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5971505,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971498
>>Tell her to reprise her role correctly! She’s fucking up the story!","attachment":null,"posted":1712451095},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5971506,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971498
Not a regular player, but I popped in to compliment the QM for that sickass cover art.
>Tap the side of your bed and invite spirit Debbie to cuddle.","attachment":null,"posted":1712451116},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5971510,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971506
Never too late to join","attachment":null,"posted":1712451221},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5971516,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971498
>Tell her to reprise her role correctly! She’s fucking up the story!","attachment":null,"posted":1712451343},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5971530,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971498
>Tell her to reprise her role correctly! She’s fucking up the story!","attachment":null,"posted":1712451831},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5971660,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971498
>>Ask if she died and came to haunt you. You thought she was a nice blueberry…","attachment":null,"posted":1712458515},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5971663,"name":"91m10","msg":"“Debs…” You struggle to say in your deathbed.
“S-SORRY! I should’ve asked!” Debbie feels bad for not taking your feelings into account. “What would you like me to do?”
“Do it… right…” You whisper.
“Do what exactly?” The Blueberry is confused as she floats near.
“Your role…” You’re losing your ability to speak with each word, you have to use them wisely.
“My role? You want me to sing?” Debbie gets the wrong idea like expected.
“No…” You slowly shake your head.”For the story…”
“What story?” Debbie is looking around. “You want me to read you a fairytale?” Her eyes start sparkling. She loves bedtime stories.
“You’re my former business partner that came here to warn me about the visit of 3 specters unless I change my ways!” You shout with every ounce of energy left in your body. “That…” You’re super weakened now.
“Oh.” Debbie didn’t know what she was doing. “F-Former? A-Are we not working together anymore…?” The Blueberry’s heart shatters.
“Debbie, you’re dead, what do you want me to do?” You raise an eyebrow. Okay, maybe you have more energy than you think, but you need to get annoyed or something to find it. Maybe a strong emotion is necessary?
“Oh! This? I’m not dead, but I can tell why you got the wrong idea.” Debbie passed her arm through her body. “Our partnership is as strong as ever! I need your help still, manager! I’m sure you don’t want to hear that before going to sleep though. I’m going to change the topic. I’ll humor you!” Debbie clears her throat. “You want me to reprise the role from Carlos Dickens Wright’s famous novel?”
You nod.
“Woah, you always make even the simplest of visits so entertaining. Give me a second.” Debbie gets into character. Her powerful glare is full of anger, sorrow, and contempt. “You’ll be haunted by three spirits tonight. I’m here to warn you that you have yet a chance and hope of escaping my fate. A chance and hope of my procuring, Johnny Ando. Farewell…” You’re surprised that she has the story memorized.
Debbie disappears through the ground…
…
Then she shows up again but wearing a ridiculous costume, mustache included. If you’re not hallucinating at this moment, it means your life is way too stupid even for you to handle.
“…I’m the ghost of Christmas past. Hohoho!” Debbie is playing a new character!
What do you do?!
>“Debbie, you can’t play more than one character.” Complain and complain.
>Play along. Life is a disaster, why not watch what else it has for you?
>“Debbie, someone else is coming. Hide!” You hear someone knocking on the door!
>Write In.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712458870292639.png","filename":"4522.png"},"posted":1712458870},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5971664,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971663
>>“Debbie, someone else is coming. Hide!” You hear someone knocking on the door!","attachment":null,"posted":1712458984},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5971667,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971663
>“Debbie, someone else is coming. Hide!” You hear someone knocking on the door","attachment":null,"posted":1712459277},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5971668,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971663
>“Debbie, someone else is coming. Hide!” You hear someone knocking on the door!","attachment":null,"posted":1712459585},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5971729,"name":"91m10","msg":"Suddenly, the door is being knocked, you don’t remember taking the card key, in fact, the others couldn’t have left to the other room without it. Regardless, this is trouble and it needs to be confronted.
“Debbie, look out, someone else is coming. Hide!” You exclaim as your tiredness has become more of a plot device than something you can explain.
“Don’t you want me to check who it is?” Debbie gets closer to whisper so you don’t have to raise your voice.
You slowly shake your head, your exhaustion is appearing once again!
“I’ll be here if you need me, just call out to me and I’ll be back in a jiffy! Aweee!” Debbie sinks back into the ground.
Muffled sounds that are similar to your name are heard outside, you can’t tell who it is or what this person is exactly saying. You didn’t know how thick the walls and even the door is, that explains why nobody knew what you were doing in the other room. Fancy hotels are amazing! Not like that terrible haunted motel with their stupid cow people…
Now the issue is that you have the mobility of an overweight moose and Ajna’s stamina at the moment. You’re tired and comfy, whoever it is, you need to communicate with them to stop making noise, maybe use your phone? Or let them go because they should assume that you’re asleep at the moment.
What do you do?
>Call Emily’s phone. You feel it’s her.
>Call Vortexia’s phone. You feel it’s her.
>Call your ex-wife’s phone. Who else could it be? She never respects your boundaries.
>Wait it out and do nothing. You’re playing the part for the first specter.
>Write In.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712462985015644.png","filename":"4523.png"},"posted":1712462985},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5971731,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971729
>>Call your ex-wife’s phone. Who else could it be? She never respects your boundaries.","attachment":null,"posted":1712463069},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5971733,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971731
+1
Damn it Carol, this is why you are DIVORCED!","attachment":null,"posted":1712463210},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5971770,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971729
>>Call your ex-wife’s phone. Who else could it be? She never respects your boundaries.","attachment":null,"posted":1712465124},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5971773,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971729
>>Wait it out and do nothing. You’re playing the part for the first specter.","attachment":null,"posted":1712465223},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5971862,"name":"91m10","msg":"There’s only one person in proximity capable of being this obnoxious at this time of night and you divorced her. You bounced back for a little bit, but she wasn’t happy after it, you wonder what she wants. You struggle to pick up the phone and put the call on speaker. It was the right decision, because the beating on the door stops.
“How did you know it was me?” Carol wonders immediately.
“What do you want…?” You sound tired, not entertaining her question.
“Answer me first.” Carol is one paranoid girl.
“Because you’re you.” You don’t know how to make this sound not backhanded, so you’re not going to try.
“Open up, we need to talk.” Carol demands it!
“You have the key though…” You yawn.
“No, I don’t. We put it in a cage on the ceiling while we were watching a TV series. We’re supposed to do a trivia match about it after we’re done, but I already watched it, so I left a decoy.” Carol doesn’t know why she’s explaining, but she needed to vent. “You know, I’m starting to think that Emily acts all serious and efficient to manipulate people to follow her stupid ideas. Anyway, open up. I don’t like being in the hallway.”
“But I’m comfy…” You sink deeper into the bed.
“Are you going to leave the love of your life out in the cold?” Carol acts melodramatically.
“Yeah, we divorced. That’s the point.” You don’t love her anymore…
“We bounced back.” Carol points out that not all the love died.
“And you bounced out.” You remind her that she killed the love.
“Don’t be a tool.” Carol has no other option but to be a Carol.
“I can’t, I don’t want to be useful. I’m too tired.” You are not leaving this bed.
“I’ll sing that dumb song you like, that should help revitalize you.” Carol begins ‘whisper singing’ immediately.
It’s not great, but you feel a tiny bit better enough to move your muscles. Seems like your hunch from before was right, being annoyed does grant you strength. You open the door for her.
“Good.” Carol hangs up.
Since this dumbass stopped singing, you collapse on top of her. Unlike the rest of her family, she doesn’t have the attributes to make your fall any less uncomfortable. Now you’re outside, on the ground AND uncomfy. Great.
The idol doesn’t cause any noise to keep the secrecy aside from some grumbling, she uses her entity to drag you back inside the room and onto the bed. Then she drops by your side.
“…You’re way too heavy.” Carol’s grumbling continues.
“Sorry.” You worm back into the bedsheets, then yawn. And at that moment you realize…
Debbie is floating behind Carol… You told her to hide, what is she doing?!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712472328440620.png","filename":"4524.png"},"posted":1712472328},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5971863,"name":"91m10","msg":">>5971862
What do you do?
>Pantomime to Debbie to hide again while pretending nothing is wrong.
>“Help me out. Is Debbie’s spirit here or am I hallucinating?” Address the Blueberry in the room.
>“You know I really like your family.” Tease your ex-wife.
>“What do you need?” Be useful.
>“I let you in, but I’m too tired to talk…” Be honest about yourself.
>Write In.
(Last Reply of the Day, we return on Monday!)","attachment":null,"posted":1712472391},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5971865,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971863
>>“You know I really like your family.” Tease your ex-wife.","attachment":null,"posted":1712472491},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5971871,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971863
>“You know I really like your family.” Tease your ex-wife.","attachment":null,"posted":1712473132},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5971921,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971863
>“You know I really like your family.” Tease your ex-wife.","attachment":null,"posted":1712485782},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5971942,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971863
>“You know I really like your family.” Tease your ex-wife
More sass. Really annoy her.","attachment":null,"posted":1712491097},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5973323,"name":"91m10","msg":"Do you have the reasonable amount of energy to both keep up with a conversation, stay awake, and smoothly deal with Debbie’s shenanigans? Of course not, and you’re not going to try. In fact, with the little energy you have left, you’re going to mess with Carol, because why not? It’ll be funny.
“Hey, don’t get comfortable, I mean it. We’re going to talk.” Carol wants to get this done no matter what.
“You know I really like your family.” You begin teasing.
“Don’t start with that.” Carol frowns.
“But they were really nice.” You remember them fondly.
“Are you that hungry for attention? I’d say you’re worse than Emily, but she threw her clothes away for a glance from you.” Carol acts disgusted.
“That doesn’t change the fact that they were lovely.” You know that’s the truth.
“Ugh, get over yourself.” Carol rolls her eyes. “You sound like a big loser. Is this the first time anyone’s flirted with you? No? Then stop.”
“I’m not used to it.” You shake your head.
“Yeah, suuure. You got us all in our underwear, dude. What do you think that was? An extreme way to do a tax return?” Carol doesn’t like you playing a fool. “Don’t act like a hag gets you going.”
“She’s beautiful though, and be more respectful to your mom.” You point out that Grace has aged gracefully!
“Okay, dad, I didn’t want to confirm your fetishes.” Carol shows her tongue. “She’s not going to throw away her marriage to bang you of all people. Get real. You can’t throw yourself at any chick that gives you attention. It’s pathetic.”
“I mean, it’s not everyone…” You shake your head.
“Are you thinking about my sister? MY sister?” Carol is shocked. “Oh my god, get some standards.” Huh, you thought she was going somewhere else with this.
“What? Are you jealous?” You slowly raise an eyebrow. This trick never cost you before.
“You’re not a catch if you spread yourself out like influenza. I bet I could have you in the palm of my hand if I wanted to.” Carol sneers. “But that’s not what I’m here for.”
Carol wants to change topics, but do you want these claims to go unaddressed? What will Debbie think about you if she saw you get verbally abused without anything to say back?
What do you do?
>“What do you want to talk about then?” Go with what Carol wants to do.
>“You bet? Then try me. Do your worst.” Be defiant.
>“You’re so cute when you’re jealous.” Tease and tease!
>Write In.
(Only reply of the day, we return tomorrow!)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712631747870220.png","filename":"4525.png"},"posted":1712631747},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5973327,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973323
>>“You bet? Then try me. Do your worst.” Be defiant.","attachment":null,"posted":1712631921},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5973329,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973323
>>Write In.
Conversation taking... too much.. time.
drift back off to sleep","attachment":null,"posted":1712632029},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5973333,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973323
>“You bet? Then try me. Do your worst.” Be defiant.","attachment":null,"posted":1712632231},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5973338,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973323
>“You bet? Then try me. Do your worst.” Be defiant.
When will we have Do Your Worst Quest?","attachment":null,"posted":1712633043},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5973343,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973338
Rise tried that for chapter 28 and got her butt kicked.","attachment":null,"posted":1712633371},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5973366,"name":"91m10","msg":"“You bet? Then try me. Do your worst.” You act defiantly! Who does she think she is? This entire night, you have been one step ahead of her!
“Look. Right now, it is not important and—”
“Coward.” You cough.
“…You’re barely awake.” Carol knows this is precious time.
“Don’t run your mouth if you can’t back it up.” With this newfound courage, you confirm your annoyance makes you less sleepy!
“I-I had it with you! I’m going to make you kneel for me, then you’re going to bark all the answers I want!” Carol gets so incredibly upset so easily.
You don’t think you’re good at pushing her buttons, but she’s just that annoyed about everything that has happened tonight, and she blames you all for it!
“And how are you planning to do that? If you start acting all cute now, I’m not going to buy it.” You’re pretty confident.
“Can I trick you? Of course I can. Are you worth the effort? Nah. I’m gonna make things simple for me and me only.” Carol bounces out of the bed…
…Towards the cake leftovers. She cuts a slice for you!
“What are you doing?” You don’t like where this is going.
“Open up, glasses. I know the only thing you can move is that mouth. There’s an airplane coming, you loser! And it needs to land safely!” Carol knows you don’t have a way to escape and is going to take advantage of that fact!
You must outmaneuver her before things get dicey!
What do you do?!
>Tell Debbie to interfere on your behalf.
>Screw it, eat the cake.
>“Look over there!” Use the oldest trick in the book to distract Carol, grab the cake, and feed it to her!
>“Carol, don’t destroy the sanctity of the cake! You must stop now!” Try diplomacy like a moron.
>Write In.
(Okay, now it's the last reply of the day, we continue tomorrow!)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712635328457007.png","filename":"4526.png"},"posted":1712635328},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5973370,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973366
>>“Look over there!” Use the oldest trick in the book to distract Carol, grab the cake, and feed it to her!","attachment":null,"posted":1712635674},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5973373,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973366
>“Look over there!” Use the oldest trick in the book to distract Carol, grab the cake, and feed it to her!","attachment":null,"posted":1712635977},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5973374,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973366
>"Only if you eat half of the slice." Crack a tired smile. "Or are you worried you'll lose to me again? Even when I'm stuck in bed barely able to stand?" Dare her to match you!","attachment":null,"posted":1712636042},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5973495,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973366
>“Look over there!” Use the oldest trick in the book to distract Carol, grab the cake, and feed it to her!","attachment":null,"posted":1712649742},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5973586,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973366
>Screw it, eat the cake.","attachment":null,"posted":1712662673},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5974131,"name":"91m10","msg":"“Look over there!” You point at Ghost Debbie to distract Carol!
“Nothing can distract me, Phil Noon.” Carol has her eyes on the game. Professional singers are hard to throw off! Maintaining their concentration is part of their job!
“Fool.” Mid-sentence, you parry the upcoming fork with one hand, and with the other, you take a piece of the cake and launch it inside her mouth just like Kata did to Vivi! Her mouth opening is the only thing you need!
“What the—?!” Carol says before her mouth gets full! She eats it. The flavor is just too good to deny. “W-What the hell is wrong with you?!” She starts suffering from the side effects.
“…You started it.” You lie on the bed like you are ill. These might be your final words.
“W-We can go over all of this again…!” Carol doesn’t like the consequences. “Fix me now before it gets any worse!” She leaves the slice of cake by the side, jumps on the bed by your legs in the perfect position for a massage. She still thinks this is a thing and the other kinky stuff you did was a special treatment. “Do it now!”
But before you can say a word, the door gets knocked, the second spirit of the night is making their appearance and you must act before things get dicier!
“Ignore them…” Carol gets twitchy with anger and sweetness. She flip-flops for attention after taking her hoodie off.
The knocking doesn’t die down though!
What do you do?!
>Hide Carol under your bedsheets. Act like a granny from that fairytale about the dumb fuck in a red cloak getting eaten by the cunning wolf. Also, you’re pregnant. Being tired makes you dumb…
>It’s probably Emily, call them on the phone.
>It’s probably Clutz, call them on the phone.
>Decide to ignore it and massage the Carol.
>Pretend to go to sleep. Ignore your problems.
>Write In.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712720019937231.png","filename":"4527.png"},"posted":1712720019},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5974133,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974131
>>Hide Carol under your bedsheets. Act like a granny from that fairytale about the dumb fuck in a red cloak getting eaten by the cunning wolf. Also, you’re pregnant. Being tired makes you dumb…","attachment":null,"posted":1712720211},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5974135,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974131
>Hide Carol under your bedsheets. Act like a granny from that fairytale about the dumb fuck in a red cloak getting eaten by the cunning wolf. Also, you’re pregnant. Being tired makes you dumb…
>It’s probably Clutz, call them on the phone.","attachment":null,"posted":1712720296},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5974137,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974131
>Pretend to go to sleep. Ignore your problems.","attachment":null,"posted":1712720378},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5974143,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974135
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1712720904},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5974174,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974135
+1
Be sure to grope Carol's ass while we hide her","attachment":null,"posted":1712722729},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5974208,"name":"91m10","msg":"“Nope, you’ll have to hide.” You have no other option but to do something that some bad-intentioned people would call ‘stupid.’ You push Carol up with your legs into the air, then move your bedsheets over her spinning body to hide her from view! “Stay quiet.”
“Mhmhm?!” Carol’s muffled voice sounds like complaining, you’re glad that you can’t hear her. She struggles like a ghost forced to face gravity. You pet her to calm her down, but you think you’re touching the wrong curvature. You’ll ignore it, the call must happen now.
You assume the girl outside is Clutz because – if Carol was right – the TV trivia was Emily’s idea, so she’d be the last one to ditch it. With your phone in hand, you dial her number.
“Clutz, dear, are you the one knocking on the door?” You ask with a shriveling voice.
“Manager? Why do you sound like a granny? Do you need some water?” Clutz sounds concerned. The noise by the door stops.
“I’m good, sweetie, just a little tired. Thank you for asking.” You continue your charade. “You’re the one outside, right?”
“Mind opening the door then…?” Clutz doesn’t believe you’re fine. I mean, you might be a little crazy, but not nuts.
“I can’t, dear, these old knees are creaking.” You retort.
“Stop that, you’re not old.” Clutz dryly retorts. “I’ll open it myself.” And in the blink of an eye, the door opens.
“…How did you do that?” You don’t think she stole the card key, right? Your villainous idol couldn’t do something so dastardly.
“I used the Single-Sided Jiggler.” Vortexia shows her lock-picking tool. “…When did you become so fat?”
Vortexia points at the round Carol-shaped belly you have under your sheets.
…
Debbie’s ghost is gone from the room by the way. Regardless, you need to respond.
How do you respond?
>“I ate more of the cake and this is what happened.” Come up with a wild story.
>“I’m hiding Carol under my sheets.” Admit your crimes.
>“I’m cosplaying as my favorite teacher.” Channel your inner Nina.
>“I have a pregnancy fetish.” Say something strange so she stops asking questions.
>“To see you better.” That’s how the story goes, right? She’s Clumsy Red Riding Hood, right?
>“Hold on, why bother to do the TV show trivia if you could barge in like that?” Question Vortexia’s thought process.
>Write In.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712724979806739.png","filename":"4528.png"},"posted":1712724979},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5974211,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974208
>>“To see you better.” That’s how the story goes, right? She’s Clumsy Red Riding Hood, right?","attachment":null,"posted":1712725097},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5974217,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974208
>“To see you better.” That’s how the story goes, right? She’s Clumsy Red Riding Hood, right?","attachment":null,"posted":1712725370},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5974246,"name":"91m10","msg":"“Come closer…” You sympathetically ask. “I can’t speak too loudly…” That’s not how it goes, your entire life you wanted to play this role, and you’re fucking up these lines. This is why nobody loves you.
“Sure...” After closing the door, Vortexia steps forward without a hitch, placing her phone and tool to the side. She’s worried about your health, but her instincts tell her to be wary. “Can you answer me now?”
“To see you better.” You reply like a nice grandma would.
“To see me better, that’s what you said?” Clutz asks.
“Yes.” You cough since you’re sick. Such amazing character acting.
“Even if it doesn’t have anything to do with what I’m asking?” Clutz raises an eyebrow.
“That’s right.” You act so well as a fake granny that she might be thinking you’re not actually an old woman!
“Right…” Vortexia looks around like she’s trying to find a gas leak that could explain your behavior. “And why is your new gut moving like that? Having a stomachache?”","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712730879358627.png","filename":"4529.png"},"posted":1712730879},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5974247,"name":"91m10","msg":">>5974246
“To hear you better.” You’re so convincing now in your role as the Big Badass Wolf. You’re crushing it.
“Noted…” The Clumsy Red Riding Hood isn’t buying it. “And why is it moaning like YUNG-P?” Vortexia pinches your tummy, Carol shrieks in pain.
Huh… maybe this is the part of the story that you should divert from for your own good.
How do you respond?
>“So you can eat this better!” Give her the leftover cake that Carol tried to give you!
>“There’s no one here, Clutz.” Turn Carol invisible, then take the bedsheets off.
>“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Get serious for no reason to gain time for the final ghost to show up.
>“Please, play along and I’ll answer your questions later.” You NEED this play to go right.
>“Look! It’s Ambition-P’s ghost!” Point at her wherever she is!
>Write In.
(Last Reply of the Day, we continue tomorrow!)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712730941271949.png","filename":"4530.png"},"posted":1712730941},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5974248,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974247
>>“So you can eat this better!” Give her the leftover cake that Carol tried to give you!","attachment":null,"posted":1712731184},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5974299,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974247
>So you can eat this better!” Give her the leftover cake that Carol tried to give you!","attachment":null,"posted":1712736700},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5974351,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974247
>“So you can eat this better!” Give her the leftover cake that Carol tried to give you!","attachment":null,"posted":1712748275},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5974353,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974247
>“So you can eat this better!” Give her the leftover cake that Carol tried to give you!","attachment":null,"posted":1712748435},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5974444,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974247
>>“There’s no one here, Clutz.” Turn Carol invisible, then take the bedsheets off.","attachment":null,"posted":1712760779},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5974463,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974247
>“There’s no one here, Clutz.” Turn Carol invisible, then take the bedsheets off.","attachment":null,"posted":1712764269},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5974486,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974247
>>“There’s no one here, Clutz.” Turn Carol invisible, then take the bedsheets off.","attachment":null,"posted":1712767889},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5974495,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974247
>“So you can eat this better!” Give her the leftover cake that Carol tried to give you!","attachment":null,"posted":1712768600},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5974894,"name":"91m10","msg":"“So you can eat this better!” You launch a piece of the cake towards Vortexia’s mouth! You were hiding the plate under the sheets because you didn’t have the time to put it somewhere else.
“What are you tal—“ Before Clutz can finish her sentence, the dessert lands in her yapper. She enjoys it. “—king about…?”
“Huh…” You say. No big reaction from her, not even the slightest of changes.
“I get what you were going for.” Vortexia understands the last bit of your nonsense.
“Really?” Your eyes would be sparking with glee if your eyelids didn’t feel heavy.
“Not the big bad wolf bit though.” Clutz shakes her head.
“I’m not. I’m your granny.” You deadpan.
“You think I’m Little Red Riding Hood?” Clutz raises an eyebrow.
“Perhaps.” You cross your arms.
“I get the whole picture now. I don’t understand why it’s happening though.” Clutz shuts down the idea that she understands your nonsense on a deeper level.
“Aw…” You’re disappointed.
“And it doesn’t explain why YUNG-P is hiding here either.” Vortexia pulls the sheets from you and destroys any type of coziness in the room like an actual villain!
“Brrr…” Carol hides behind you like a cockroach. Well, not exactly, she went under the pillows behind you (Still like a cockroach.)
“Are you delirious?” Vortexia wonders.
“Well, I…” You yawn before you can explain yourself.
“It’s out of tiredness?” Clutz is not showing much emotion. “Did YUNG-P try to take advantage of you?”
“H-He left me like this…!” Carol defends her honor. He needs to fix me again…”
“Shut up.” Clutz tells her off. “Manager, you don’t have to do anything but rest. I got this.” Clutz holds you tenderly. You didn’t realize the moment when the roles changed, but you’re flat on the bed, with Vortexia by your side, caressing your hair. “My biggest fan… Just go to sleep…” She starts humming a soft melody.
Oh god, it’s making you feel really sleepy… Clumsy Red Riding Hood is the nicest…
What do you do?
>“Clutz, the cake is affecting you too. You can’t trick me.” You notice the fever! She can’t trick you!
>Eat Clumsy Red Riding Hood as the legends foretold.
>Oh no! The last ghost’s appearance is about to come: DEATHMILY!
>Sleep. May no one mention the 3rd ghost again.
>Write In.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712809922308805.png","filename":"4531.png"},"posted":1712809922},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5974896,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974894
>>Oh no! The last ghost’s appearance is about to come: DEATHMILY!","attachment":null,"posted":1712810018},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5974899,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974894
>Eat Clumsy Red Riding Hood as the legends foretold.
Kiss her passionately
>Sleep. May no one mention the 3rd ghost again
Rest","attachment":null,"posted":1712810293},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5974901,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974894
>Oh no! The last ghost’s appearance is about to come: DEATHMILY!","attachment":null,"posted":1712810429},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5974904,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974899
We should still kiss her passionately though","attachment":null,"posted":1712810846},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5974988,"name":"91m10","msg":"As the drowsiness starts affecting whatever is left of your normal senses, a shiver goes down your spine, there’s one special sensory faculty that alerts you of danger, a sixth sense that you personally call Philonune.
“Partner, you can’t sleep now. Something is afoot.” Philonune warns. You wonder why, he’s usually asleep during these kinky moments. There’s nothing sexy about sleeping in a woman’s arms though, it’s therapeutic. You’re losing focus, you must assess the situation.
A beeping sound comes from the lock. The door slowly creeks open. The final specter of the night comes forth, a pouty expression is on her face, covered in blankets like a specter of darkness, Deathmily is ready to rip and destroy.
“I knew you’d be here. You two made a fool out of me!” Emily points at the idols with justifiable anger!
“Oh great, things are escalating again… Agh…” Carol shivers due to the cake's side effects.
“Don’t listen, it’ll be fine.” Claudia wants nothing but for you to have a comfortable sleep.
“What are you doing to him?” Emily steps forwards after closing the door.
“Keep your voice low, he’s trying to sleep.” Clutz whispers loudly.
“You’re taking advantage of him while he’s tired?” Emily lowers her voice but not her fury.
“I’m not. YUNG-P was. I just got here.” Clutz speculates.
“Me? I’m a victim, he fed me more cake…” Carol grits her teeth. “I just wanted to talk, and he did this…”
“Like I’m going to believe that now. I’ll take great pleasure in straightening you out.” Emily doesn’t buy it. “And you? Why are you holding him like that?”
“I’m comforting him since he was distressed.” Clutz kisses the top of your head. “You know I LOVE my fans and my manager is my most special one.”
“…You ate cake too. You’re both contaminated. You need to leave now.” Emily makes the executive decision. “I’ll figure something out.”
“N-Nope, not leaving, I-I need to get cured first.” Carol stands her ground… behind you, and out of sight.
“What’s best for him is for you to stay quiet and allow me to continue.” Vortexia won’t let you go. “He needs to sleep now and you’re making a ruckus.”
“Sorry, I can’t trust you in this state, hand him over.” Emily slowly gets closer like she’s approaching a dangerous animal.
You don’t remember the part where the three ghosts wanted to duke it out among them to get the greedy old man, but you like this new interpretation.
What do you do?
>Stay in Vortexia’s arms.
>Jump into Emily’s arms.
>Place your head on top of Carol’s butt.
>With the little strength that you have, throw cake into Emily’s mouth.
>Write In.
(Last Reply of the Day, we continue tomorrow!)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712817435794137.png","filename":"4532.png"},"posted":1712817435},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5974998,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974988
>With the little strength that you have, throw cake into Emily’s mouth.","attachment":null,"posted":1712817965},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5975071,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974988
We're going for this contrived threesome anyway, and our choices don't matter much. Nothing to do but all in
>With the little strength that you have, throw cake into Emily’s mouth.","attachment":null,"posted":1712829652},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5975120,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974988
>With the little strength that you have, throw cake into Emily’s mouth.","attachment":null,"posted":1712840906},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5975171,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974988
>>With the little strength that you have, throw cake into Emily’s mouth.","attachment":null,"posted":1712847894},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5975771,"name":"91m10","msg":"Now the only problem with this new interpretation of the text is that this doesn’t seem safe for the girls. You don’t want them to actually fight, either verbally or physically, they all should be friends! Friends who need to tease Carol for being an asshat.
Anyway, your mind is drifting away, the mental mist clouds your thoughts, but you cannot let yourself be taken away without doing something. Philonune is encouraging you into action, but what can you do in this state? You’ll have to channel your last bit of energy, whatever is left in the tank, to perform your final action of the night.
You pull the final third of the slice of cake that is left. Lock on your target: the gap between Emily’s delicious lips. Take a moment to focus. Out of nowhere, a voice instructs you on how to aim. It’s Perfect Billy Buonanotte’s, the member of the Motley Crew you saved a couple of days ago, he’s telling you how to do this. For a moment you wondered why you are hallucinating about him of all people, then you recall he has perfect aim… You apologize for forgetting his gimmick and follow his instructions. And you launch your final strike
“Listen to me, Vortexia. I’m not your enemy, I want the best for—” Emily stops talking when the dessert enters her mouth. She eats it without thinking. “Huh?!” She’s starting to feel the heat. “Where did that come from? Carol?!”
“It wasn’t me!” Carol the Dastardly idol refuses to take responsibility for something she didn’t do.
“Who else could it be? Johnny is asleeeep~.” Emily covers her mouth to stop moaning.
“You’re in no condition to take care of him either.” Clutz smirks.
Emily is right, you’re anything but conscious… You listen to what they are saying, but you can’t internalize it anymore. It’s all noise. Your eyes can only distinguish shadowy figures in the tiny gap between your eyelids, the girls look like the hottest Psychiatrist test. You’re not much longer for this world.
This is the end of a chaotic day…
What do you do?
>Sleep like you’ve been trying to do. You’ll help the girls in the morning.
>Let Tired Johnny take control now. Like, for real. You weren’t 100% silly before. But now? Chains are off.
>Ask Debbie for help. Maybe she can energize you somehow…
>Write In.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712893864259244.png","filename":"4533.png"},"posted":1712893864},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5975775,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975771
>Let Tired Johnny take control now. Like, for real. You weren’t 100% silly before. But now? Chains are off.","attachment":null,"posted":1712893954},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5975777,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975771
>>Let Tired Johnny take control now. Like, for real. You weren’t 100% silly before. But now? Chains are off.","attachment":null,"posted":1712893982},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5975780,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975771
>Let Tired Johnny take control now. Like, for real. You weren’t 100% silly before. But now? Chains are off.","attachment":null,"posted":1712894148},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5975791,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975771
>Let Tired Johnny take control now. Like, for real. You weren’t 100% silly before. But now? Chains are off.","attachment":null,"posted":1712894973},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5975820,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975771
>Let Tired Johnny take control now. Like, for real. You weren’t 100% silly before. But now? Chains are off.
Sillymaxxing.","attachment":null,"posted":1712897265},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5975828,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975820
This entire quest is sillymaxxing start to finish","attachment":null,"posted":1712897730},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5975836,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975828
Johnny Ando is the sillymaxxing king.","attachment":null,"posted":1712898094},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5975886,"name":"91m10","msg":"Well, that’s it, ladies and gentlemen, Johnny Ando went to sleep without addressing any of the problems that were right in front of his face. The man was far too tired to resolve even one thing in a timely manner. But sleeping always feels good no matter what!
“Y-You can’t go to sleep…!” Carol elbows you from behind to wake you up.
“Huh…?” You say all confused. The system reboot didn’t work properly. You’re a tired man, and odd things happen when you go on like this.
“Don’t do that to him!” Vortexia holds you away from the unlikable Carol.
“How dare you~?!” Emily is upset too. Who would’ve thought her dislike for the idol would’ve helped them be on the same page?
“Don’t worry, everybody! I’m here!” Your tired self exclaims as you stand on the bed. “Now what seems to be the problem?”
“Are you feeling alright, Johnny?” Emily asks because she doesn’t understand what prompted you to stand up.
“I’m fiiiiiine.” You reassure as you yawn. “I’m just a lil’ tired, that’s all.”
“Come back down and rest.” Vortexia wants you back in her arms.
“Screw that. Start massaging me, glasses! I’m all yours!” Carol wants to be cured.
“Now what seems to be the problem?” You ask again for no apparent reason.
“…You already said that.” Carol doesn’t want to be touched anymore.
“Carol, your petty attitude isn’t welcomed when I’m trying to help.” You frown. “Now what seems to be the problem?”
“I think he lost it.” YUNG-P is the first one to leave you for dead.
“Y-You think so?” Clutz isn’t that sure, aside from being a broken record, there’s nothing out of the ordinary.
“Don’t listen to her, Clumsy Red Riding Hood. Tell me how I can help.” You smile.
“W-What did you call me…?” Vortexia is in shock.
“Carol is right, he has gotten delirious.” Emily can tell immediately.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712904559545238.png","filename":"4534.png"},"posted":1712904559},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5975887,"name":"91m10","msg":">>5975886
“What exactly caused this…?” Clutz is really lost about this.
“I can’t say, but the only way to fix this is if you all leave this room now.” Emily says with confidence. “I’ll take care of him.”
“Sounds like a load of bull.” Carol points out.
“I-I’m the most level headed of us all! Just listen to me!” Emily throws a tantrum. “You can’t help in the state you’re in!”
“What’s upsetting you, cute druid?” You ask the Deathmily.
“She’s not listening!” Emily pouts as she points at Carol.
“Ah?!” Carol cowers in fear. “T-The cake already melted her brain! Why is Emily so weak against brainwashing?!”
“What should I do?” You wonder as you stare at Carol.
“Punish her.” Emily wants revenge!
“Lay down.” Vortexia suggests you go back to the realm you were exiled from.
“Help ME!” Carol wants her fix.
Any reasonable thoughts have left. So, yeah, have fun!
What do you do?
>Eat Clumsy Red Riding Hood, punish Carol, and amuse Emily!
>Before making a decision, make some calls. (Write-In.)
>You’re in control! Order them around!
>Cuddle with all of them.
>Ignore them! Create havoc in the world!
>Write In.
(Last Reply of the Day, we return Saturday!)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712904621931503.png","filename":"4535.png"},"posted":1712904621},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5975893,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975887
>>Eat Clumsy Red Riding Hood, punish Carol, and amuse Emily!
Spank dat ass","attachment":null,"posted":1712905723},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5975946,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975893
+1
Do the foursome, then collapse into sleep immediately after","attachment":null,"posted":1712918454},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5976009,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975887
>Eat Clumsy Red Riding Hood, punish Carol, and amuse Emily!","attachment":null,"posted":1712931233},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5976987,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975887
>Eat Clumsy Red Riding Hood, punish Carol, and amuse Emily!","attachment":null,"posted":1713047378},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5977005,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975887
>>Ignore them! Create havoc in the world!","attachment":null,"posted":1713048776},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5977008,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975887
>>Ignore them! Create havoc in the world!","attachment":null,"posted":1713049407},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5977208,"name":"91m10","msg":"[Intermission]
The depressed bear Saraswati is back in the program, the sweatpants, the disheveled hair, the eyebags from weeks without sleeping… She’s a mess! A cute cuddly mess! She can barely refrain herself from squinting with the lights on her, like she has been hibernating for months and was dragged back into society.
“Are we doing the thing…?” The bear slurs her words. She receives some kind of signal to start talking. “MwAAAaaaaAh~, welcome, dear viewers to the program… We’re here to celebrate another labor of love for its excellence… I’m single and I’ll be your host for the evening. Tonight’s show will have a promiscuous man fooling around with multiple girls, wasting everyone’s time in a relationship that will go nowhere… just like mine, millions of years WASTED on a man who can’t trust his wife to save his skin like she has done A BILLION times before, instead deciding to BREAK UP with her so she can be FREE to move on with her life! Doesn’t he know that I want HIM and no one else?! AAAAAH!!! I MISS MY HUSBAND!!!”
Saraswati starts uncontrollably crying. The feed cuts to a technical difficulties screen, pleading the audience for viewing discretion, to have sex responsibly, and to give them the D.
(The rest of the post will be delivered either tomorrow or Monday! Thanks for playing so far and for your patience!)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713063463298130.png","filename":"4536.png"},"posted":1713063463},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5978590,"name":"91m10","msg":">>5977208
“There, you don’t have to do anything, anymore.” Vortexia traps you in her arms, head first on her chest. She’s trying to soothe you to sleep again.
…But this time, the big bad wolf attacks! You hold her tight as you start kissing her body from where your head stands towards her neck. Clutz drops flat on her back on the bed, head learning towards the tail end of it. You are on top, then straighten your back to look down on the whimsical idol.
“J-Johnny…!” Clutz never saw this coming, she doesn’t know how to react, the cherriness on her face tells you the side effects from the cake are developing again.
“What do you think you are doing?!” An upset Emily pulls your arm away to draw your attention.
“Sorry, you’re right.” You admit your mistake, then spank Carol! “There, I’m punishing her!”
“AAAAAAH!!!~” Carol moans in pain! “T-This isn’t a massage!”
“No, you fool, you can only kiss me like that!” Emily grabs your face and starts kissing you like you belong to her. “Now make Carol scream for me. Hahaha~!” Emily licks her lips, forget Carol and Vortexia, your date is the true villain here!
You follow her instructions, not because you are under her spell, but because it feels important!
“UUUUUghh…!~” On a philosophical level, Carol doesn’t like enjoying this. “S-Screw you all…”
“Hahaha~! Your expression is simply delightful.” Emily is sadistic.
“I’m sick of you!” Carol shoves Emily out of the way. “Get lovey dovey with me, moron.” The great idol kisses you!
Out of the blue, someone pulls you out of the kiss to the back of the bed, it’s Clutz below you! She has her arms around your chest, and her legs locked around you! You’re in her spider web! She kisses you now.
“I’m the only one who can take care of you…” Claudia says between kisses.
“No! He’s mine! Mine! Mine!” Carol pulls you out of the spider web.
“Enough! He has always been mine, you damn intruders!!!” Emily appears to pull you out of YUNG-P’s hands.
“You’re all wrong! He has been mine for way longer! I own his heart!!!” Vortexia appears from the back to pull you into her arms.
“No! You're all wrong!” You raise your voice. “You’re all mine.”
This tired man has never felt more alive…","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713215464955071.png","filename":"4537.png"},"posted":1713215464},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5978592,"name":"91m10","msg":">>5978590
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tszifdK6Swd3IOcZXW67PM5FFLcg_WvTky3YglpFPHA/edit?usp=sharing ","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713215563562958.png","filename":"4538.png"},"posted":1713215563},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5978593,"name":"91m10","msg":">>5978592
Spoilers: You had a foursome! Congratulations! Yay?
It’s the morning of the 29th of June! This Thursday has just begun! Well, probably not, you can’t go to school like this, you’ll have to skip like the type of delinquent that you are. Huh? Why are all the girls sleeping in the same bed with you? You remember feeling really sleepy, the girls discussing where to sleep, and… it’s morning! Perhaps they couldn’t decide and ended up like this? It’s cozy being in-between the three girls, but something feels odd, but you can’t put your finger on it...
They all are sleeping soundly like the best friends ever… Wait a second, now you remember! You had a four–
Your phone is ringing! Vibrating more specifically. You need to answer it before it wakes up the girls, even though they look like they won’t wake up any time soon. You’ll take the call to the other room.
What do you do?
>Kiss them all on the foreheads before leaving. Don’t forget to leave them a note that you had fun and to call you when they wake up! You have other things to do.
>Answer the phone! For some reason, Debbie is calling!
>Answer the phone! For some reason, Fiora is calling!
>Answer the phone! For some reason, Nina is calling!
>Take the Cake leftovers with you.
>Write In.
(We'll continue late in the day!)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713215624523995.png","filename":"4542.png"},"posted":1713215624},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5978594,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978593
>>Answer the phone! For some reason, Fiora is calling!","attachment":null,"posted":1713215715},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5978613,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978593
>>Kiss them all on the foreheads before leaving. Don’t forget to leave them a note that you had fun and to call you when they wake up! You have other things to do.","attachment":null,"posted":1713217778},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5978617,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978593
>Answer the phone! For some reason, Fiora is calling","attachment":null,"posted":1713218258},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5978639,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978593
>>Answer the phone! For some reason, Fiora is calling!","attachment":null,"posted":1713220835},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5978693,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978593
>Answer the phone! For some reason, Fiora is calling!","attachment":null,"posted":1713226493},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5978733,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978593
That image is very interesting. It shows Johnny, our boy, very disturbed and shocked. It is arguably the most "punished" we have seen him yet in this entire quest. Don't think I didn't notice, QM. You deliberately drew Johnny looking like Kobashi, didn't you? It's in the way the face is framed and his hair.","attachment":null,"posted":1713228861},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5978948,"name":"91m10","msg":"You replace yourself with Carol in the middle spot, grab your phone and leave to the other room to cause the least amount of noise possible. Those poor girls look tired! Unlike you, whose wobbly legs only show your unyielding resistance.
It’s Fiora. It’s been a while since she checked on you. Well, less than a week, but it feels like forever for some reason. You do way too many things in a day, you need to relax, well, after you break out of jail.
“Hi there!” You exclaim with the glee of having one of the most amazing nights of your entire pathetic existence.
“A pleasure hearing you in good spirits, Johnny.” Fiora sounds as composed as ever. “May I have a moment of your time? I have a plethora of news I’d like to share with you.”
“You may.” You pretend to have a posh accent for a moment.
“Much appreciated.” Fiora politely thanks.
“All good news, I imagine.” You half chuckle.
“Your optimism is always well appreciated, but – regrettably – that isn’t the case.” Fiora doesn’t want to be the bearer of bad news. Even though you’d think it would be her thing with the way she dresses. “I’ll start with the most pressing matter, after the N.U. Officers’ approval, the law enforcer task force led by Qiao Ning, Unit 95, is carrying out mass arrests against ‘criminal’ flame users. Those who mistakenly believed their crimes wouldn’t have been persecuted due to the nature of their methods are due for a rude awakening.”
“Isn’t that kinda good?” You raise an eyebrow.
“I thought so as well to a point, but after speaking to your dear sister, she had important qualms about one of the apprehended I mentioned.” Fiora feels like she could’ve made a mistake. “My only personal reservation, which is in no way minor, is the fact that they aren’t following normal procedures. If you recall, I’ve been responsible for investigating a few of these crimes as requested by the N.U., and –as confident as I am with my analysis— I believe people have the right to a fair trial.” She doesn’t like that people are being locked away like that.
“Wait, you talked to my sister first?” You raise an eyebrow.
“Apologies, but you were unavailable at first.” Fiora thought you’d answer first, but you failed.
“And who is the guy Amelia is upset about?” You wonder if it is someone you know…
“A brave masked man who goes by WILDFLAME.” Fiora reveals. She talks about him with some fondness.
“Oh, god damn it, not him! He’s cool! Why did you do that, Fiora?!” You can’t believe this.
“…I wasn’t responsible for his case.” Fiora deadpans. “Spiritual or not, there’s ample video evidence of his misdemeanors, Unit 95’s accomplishment was being capable of subduing him.”","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713252272403047.png","filename":"4543.png"},"posted":1713252272},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5978950,"name":"91m10","msg":">>5978948
“Oh. Wait, don’t tell me they’re throwing him in Shotgun Kiss…?” You can’t be this unlucky. They can’t be locking flame users in the same jail you want to break into…
“That name… You’re more well-versed than I originally thought. No wonder you and my father clicked so easily.” Fiora is pleasantly surprised. “I recently got the news, but the process started a week ago. I’m here to encourage you to inform me if you have committed any felony of any type. I’ll cover for you.”
Y-You don’t think this kind of stuff should be spoken about over the phone, but you’re no criminal mastermind, and you aren’t sure if you have committed any crimes…
How do you respond?
>“Does knocking out a lot of people count? And I mean, there were A LOT of people.” There are so many people on this list, it isn’t funny.
>“I brutally assaulted a middle aged man after he killed my friend. Does that count?” That fucker Kaz…
>“When I took down the cult, I tampered with the evidence to cover up for my two friends, does that count?” That’s the only way Carol and Vivi can do things, like be friends and have sex with you! Huh…
>“I had sex with my teacher, does that count?” You need to cover all your bases.
>“Oh yeah, I shot a guy in the leg. I didn’t remember until like 2 days ago, but it was before I had a flame, am I in trouble?” Casually mention it.
>“I have a couple of friends that have, can you help them instead?” You wonder. Oliver, Dudley, B-WORM, Vera, Suan De, that dastardly Giorsal, and many more. They probably did something bad! Save their skin!
>Write In.
You have questions, right?
>Ask about how Operation Anti-White Flame is going.
>Ask Fiora for a list of Flame users that have been imprisoned so far.
>Ask Fiora if she’s part of Unit 95.
>Ask Fiora if she’s willing to help you out with a mission to save a friend from jail first…
>Ask Fiora if they already got Gerard.
>Write In.","attachment":null,"posted":1713252333},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5978951,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978950
>Tell her EVERYTHING except the having sex with the teacher thing
>Ask Fiora for a list of Flame users that have been imprisoned so far.","attachment":null,"posted":1713252533},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5978981,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978951
+1
It's time to get serious again","attachment":null,"posted":1713263333},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5979026,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978951
This","attachment":null,"posted":1713272286},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5979144,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978951
Supporting","attachment":null,"posted":1713286947},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5979557,"name":"91m10","msg":"“Does knocking a lot of people out count?” You start your confessional. “And I mean, there were A LOT of people.”
“Pay no mind to those types of scuffles unless you are being sued.” Fiora reassures.
“Cool. I also brutally assaulted a middle aged man after he killed my friend. Does that count?” You wonder. “A cop pal of mine watched me do it.” You add as if it would help somehow.
“My condolences for your loss.” Fiora acts very respectfully. “Perhaps, this case has already been dealt with.” She’s implying that Richard kept it off-record. Yay for corruption.
“You may be right, better safe than sorry though.” You shrug. Why do you always shrug when people can’t see you? Unless you are being observed another way somehow. Ghosts exist after all. “When I took down the cult, I tampered with the evidence to cover up for my two friends. Does that count too?”
“Did you personally hand over this evidence to the police?” Fiora asks for clarification.
“I didn’t! Handed it to my cop pal I mentioned before behind the scenes. We kept it all between us.” You say.
“He’d be the only one affected if it’s discovered. Care to share his name? I don’t want one of your allies to be in trouble either.” Fiora is willing to help others.
“Richard Wright. And, uh, he’s not my only friend who has done illegal activities.” You didn’t want to say but… “Can you help them too?”
“As long as you believe them to be trustworthy, it’d be my pleasure. Consider this your reward for the services you’re going to provide.” Fiora will do it. “Anything else?”
“Oh yeah, I shot a guy in the leg. I didn’t remember until like 2 days ago, but it was before I had a flame, am I in trouble?” You’re getting a little too casual talking about your crimes…
“I will look into it.” Fiora finally got a thing she can cover for you exclusively!
“Thank you! You’re great, Fiora!” You didn’t think evading the law could feel this fulfilling!
“This feeling is all so nostalgic, countless times I had to cover up for my father, always entangled in the most unsavory situations.” Fiora speaks fondly. “You’re worthy of carrying his name.”
“…That doesn’t sound good.” You point out. And that’s only pretending that you’re *actually* named after Kobashi.
“I never pretended like it was.” Fiora never liked her father getting into trouble!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713329222673957.png","filename":"4544.png"},"posted":1713329222},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5979558,"name":"91m10","msg":">>5979557
“Can you give me a list of the flame users imprisoned, please?” You need to know! You mean, Amelia got the list, why wouldn’t you?
“I’ll read them for you…” Fiora delivers this crucial information.
The List goes as follows:
-Ayde Magogue –Money Embezzlement.
-Borja Alonso – Arson.
-Carmella Camerota – Public indecency.
-Darwin Borewing – Bank Robbery.
-Iris Scott – Speeding.
-Rahul Phadanis – Assault.
-Sasha Langdon – Murder.
-Tamaraw Zebuanoa – Assault and Battery.
-WILDFLAME – Public Menace.
-Zhong Guanting – Murder.
Some of these names are familiar, most aren’t. You’re surprised they’re keeping WILDFLAME’s identity a secret still…
…
You need to tell Fiora who you want her to cover up for.
Who do you refuse to help? (Everyone not selected will have their crimes reset.)
>‘Mama’ Bodil Ewing.
>Carmella Camerota.
>Carol ‘YUNG-P’ Sung.
>Dorothy Villiers.
>Flint Masterson.
>Gerard Luther.
>’Dastardly’ Giorsal Kane.
>Henry Collins.
>Kenneth Dudley.
>Lord Gargoyle.
>Mark the Markgician.
>Odetta Larsen.
>Oliver ‘Leo Major’ Watts.
>Rooke Knightley.
>Sven ‘B-WORM’ Dolberg.
>Suan De ‘Slob Dragon’ Rodenhall.
>Susie ‘T_T Neko’ Tornatore.
>Primavera ‘Vera’ Cherrikano.
>Tonu.
>Trent Figg.
>Vivienne Neuville.
>’Perfect’ Billy Buonanotte.
>Write In.
What do you do?
>Ask Fiora if they already got Gerard.
>Ask about how Operation Anti-White Flame is going.
>Thank Fiora for calling you, and move on! You better go out and have a talk with the girls before leaving!
>Write In.
(Only Reply of the Day, we will continue tomorrow! Early!)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713329284019992.png","filename":"4545.png"},"posted":1713329284},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5979730,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979558
This quest must have at least 100 different characters by now, you madman
Mama Bodil - we help her after all she did before Johnny got his flame
Carmella - fuck this bitch; I don't care you have a cool brother (or cousin?) in the canon side-spinoff quest, you are too much of a bitch to save
Carol - we help her because despite her personality and everything, she still helped Johnny take down the Cult. And she's related to Jesse, and Jesse's cool. And if she's gone, people can't spam the emoji of her fused with the dog from Hikkikomori Quest
Dorothy - we help her; she fucking died then became a duck, and I think that's enough punishment
Flint - he did go through a lot since early on in the quest, and if he dies then Amelia's entity becomes a broken husk or something terrible. He wasn't that bad
Gerard - yeah uhhhhhh no, you're going to the pocket prison Pegasus
Giorsal - she's ok last I checked, also redeemed herself for helping the Cult before
Henry - he's an ally already and Johnny just helped him succeed an operation
Dudley - I think he's too cool to keep his crimes, but he might want to stay that way
Gargoyle - what crimes did this guy even do?
Markgician - even if his crimes like helping the Cult are covered up, the prison break will happen. I think he's ok
Odetta - like Dudley, I think she'd hate her crimes being wiped
Oliver - he's known by the Pillars, and any record wiping done for him won't save him. But even so...
Rooke - we still don't know enough about him, do we? Why do this for him?
B-WORM - he's proven his worth and he's cool
Suan De - same as the other ones where her crimes are an honor to her
Neko - yeah sure she's come a long way
Vera - Johnny already pardoned her for the serial stalking. Also, what crimes?
Tonu - same as Rooke. Cool and all, but we barely know them
Trent - same as the other "crimes are a badge of honor" people
Vivienne - redeemed ex-Cult member, same as Carol and Mark and Giorsal
Billy - same thing: cool guy but what crimes?","attachment":null,"posted":1713356198},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5979776,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979558
>Carmella Camerota.
>Gerard Luther.
>Ask about how Operation Anti-White Flame is going.","attachment":null,"posted":1713363242},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5979799,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979558
>>Ask Fiora if they already got Gerard.
>Carmella Camerota.
>Gerard Luther.","attachment":null,"posted":1713367662},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5979828,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979730
I will support this list.","attachment":null,"posted":1713372587},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5979831,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979828
Anon, I only wrote that up to be organized. I didn't even vote, nor is it meant to be a vote. In fact, I'll vote properly right now
>>5979558
>Carmella Camerota
>Gerard Luther
>Kenneth Dudley
>Odetta Larsen
>Rooke Knightley
>Suan De ‘Slob Dragon’ Rodenhall.
>Tonu
>Trent Figg","attachment":null,"posted":1713372773},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5979833,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979558
Forgot this bit in >>5979831 vote
>Ask Fiora if they already got Gerard","attachment":null,"posted":1713372833},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5980174,"name":"91m10","msg":"After noting the list of Flame Users captured, you told Fiora everyone you wanted her to look out for, she was generally surprised by the sheer amount of people, but she seems pleased by the fact that you’re well-connected. She will find a way to cover for everyone. As the conversation went on, there was one thing you wanted to make clear…
“…Do NOT help Gerard, by the way. Just don’t.” You stress.
“One could argue that my father would’ve forgiven his former best friend for his actions at this point in life.” Fiora brings up all philosophically. “Unfortunately, there is no way for us to find the answer, and we won’t dare be as conceited to speak for him.” In other words, Fiora won’t do it unless Kobashi himself asked. She feels a lot of animosity towards Gerard. “Not to say that he needs my aid.”
“By the way, did they get him locked up?” You didn’t hear his name in the list, but it’s worth asking! He’s a Judge, maybe he has some type of special treatment.
“His apology tour isn’t facing any detours. Well, a phone phantom told me he made one to play cards, but aside from that, it’s all smooth sailing.” Fiora responds. “Influential forces lurk behind his back, keeping him secured. I was asked to aid them in his pursuit, but I declined. Suffice to say, I don’t believe he’s even aware of Unit 95’s existence.”
“Any particular reason for declining?” You find this odd with how much she dislikes him. He’s still a lucky bastard.
“Unit 95 is its own law enforcement agency unknown to the public. As an international investigator, I have little fondness for secret police and the type of people they attract.” Fiora won’t engage with a policing body she can’t trust. “I’m glad we had this conversation. I’ll be contacting you soon after I’m done with the preparations. There are more individuals I seek to recruit. Until then, farewell.”
This seems to be the end of the conversation unless you have something else to say.
What do you do?
>Finish talking. If Fiora needs you again, she’ll call!
>Ask Fiora to have a private conversation face-to-face. There’s a lot more you want to ask.
>Ask Fiora about the people she wants to recruit.
>Write In.
What’s next?
>Leave the girls a note before leaving the hotel. You have to return home!
>Call Debbie! You feel like you saw her ghost last night, but you aren’t sure if it was your imagination.
>Return Carol to her house.
>Return Emily to her home.
>Write In.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713403084074176.png","filename":"4546.png"},"posted":1713403084},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5980177,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980174
>>Finish talking. If Fiora needs you again, she’ll call!
>Call Debbie! You feel like you saw her ghost last night, but you aren’t sure if it was your imagination.","attachment":null,"posted":1713403268},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5980180,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980177
This","attachment":null,"posted":1713403727},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5980187,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980177
supporting","attachment":null,"posted":1713404618},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5980188,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980177
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1713404684},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5980203,"name":"91m10","msg":"That was a very fruitful talk! You feel like 90% of the stuff you have learned has been passed through to you on the phone, the other 10% by supernatural means, how convenient. It’s an age of technological wonder, this shouldn’t feel surprising. Anyway, with your personal technological wonder in hand, you decide to reach that one client of yours that made a ghastly visit during the night that you aren’t sure happened or not, so you better confirm it wasn’t your imagination!
“Hello! This is Amber speaking!” An enthusiastic Debbie picks up the phone! She sounds a little bit more tired than usual but not enough to be noticeable to anyone who doesn’t know her… or is a zealous fan. You’re the former.
“Hey, Debbie, it’s me!” You cheerfully say back.
“M-Manager?!” Debbie hangs up. Immediately, you get a call from her. You answer. “I-I’m sorry, I panicked and pressed the wrong button…”
“It’s all right.” You’re getting used to the way Debbie debs. “I wanted to catch up with you about—”
“You don’t sound tired at all!” Debbie interrupts before you can finish.
“Um, I’m a little tired if I’m honest, but how did you noti—”
“I wasn’t spying on you!” Debbie panics and interrupts again.
“Yeah, about that–”
“I mean, I talked to you directly!” Debbie can’t keep her mouth shut. She’s too nervous for some reason. “Don’t you remember? If you don’t, please don’t pay attention to what I’m saying!”
“…” You don’t even know where to begin.
What do you do?
>“Debbie, were you really there? How?” You need to know what the heck happened that night.
>“Debbie, bad! You were spying on me, you nasty pervert!” You can’t believe this! Debbie is no better than Ruby.
>“Debbie, I know you were watching, that was the point.” Be really blunt and weird.
>“Debbie, why were you there?” You need answers.
>“I just wanted to know what the next step for the band should be…” Act all innocent and ignore the awkwardness.
>Write In.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713407859206907.png","filename":"4547.png"},"posted":1713407859},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5980204,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980203
>>“Debbie, why were you there?” You need answers.","attachment":null,"posted":1713407943},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5980209,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980204
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1713408483},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5980213,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980203
>“Debbie, were you really there? How?” You need to know what the heck happened that night.","attachment":null,"posted":1713408873},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5980286,"name":"91m10","msg":"“Debbie, why were you there?” You start with the simplest question.
“Oh no! You remember! I don’t know if this is more awkward or not!” Either way, Debbie wouldn’t know how to deal with it.
“Huh, please answer the question.” You politely request.
“Y-Yes! L-Let me gather my thoughts!” Debbie doesn’t know what to say.
“Take your time.” You try to be gentle.
“H-Here I go! I was passing through and noticed you lying on the bed, I double checked just to make sure I wasn’t imagining! I couldn’t believe my luck! What a coincidence! My manager here, of all places! But soon I realized that you looked ill, so I couldn’t let it just be a fun easter egg on my route and stayed to make sure you were okie-dokie.” Debbie explains as fast as she can, like each word is a machine gun bullet coming for your head.
“But what brought you to this building?” You ask for specifics.
“I was t-tailing someone. NOT YOU! S-Someone else!” Debbie panics hard, you’ve seen her missing her social cues but not this badly with you. “It’s a coincidence we met! A co-in-ci-dence! J-Just like when you did those things, right? You didn’t intend for me to watch! Y-You were talking nonsense! L-Like you were out of your mind! You forgot I was there, y-y-yes?”
Debbie doesn’t know what you were scheming or why, so she wants you to reassure her that there’s no plan to begin with. You’re Johnny Ando though, always a man with a well-thought out plan!
How do you respond?
>“I don’t remember anything.” Play fool for now. Debbie isn’t ready for the truth.
>“Yeah, I was a little out of there, I forgot you were in the room.” You drowned in the passion.
>“Hold on, you watched the whole thing?” Raise an eyebrow.
>“No. I wanted you to watch, but I never expected you to stay the entire time, pervert.” Confront this Blueberry!
>“Wait, who were you chasing after and why?” Ignore the elephant in the room and move to more serious matters. Probably. As serious as Debbie can be.
>Write In.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713414866927739.png","filename":"4548.png"},"posted":1713414866},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5980287,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980286
>>“Hold on, you watched the whole thing?” Raise an eyebrow.","attachment":null,"posted":1713414943},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5980290,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980286
>“Hold on, you watched the whole thing?” Raise an eyebrow.","attachment":null,"posted":1713415347},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5980303,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980286
>Hold on, you watched the whole thing?” Raise an eyebrow.","attachment":null,"posted":1713416567},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5980323,"name":"91m10","msg":"“Hold on, you watched the whole thing?” You raise an eyebrow only for the ghosts (and their pervy equivalents) to appreciate.
“Ah?” Debbie whimpers in confusion.
“I asked you if you watched the whole thing.” You reiterate.
“Ah…?” The flabbergasted Debbie is trying to figure out what is going on. She wasn’t supposed to? She wonders.
“Debbie, answer me, did you spend hours of your life watching the entirety of what I did with the other three or not?” You make it painfully clear. No words wasted. Debbie has to answer.
“AH…?!” It has dawned on Debbie that perhaps going full pervert (Ruby) wasn’t what she was supposed to do.
“Debbie!” You shout.
“AH—!!!” Debbie hangs up after losing her mind.
Seconds later, you receive a long text message only composed of gibberish, the equivalent of Debbie ramming her face on the screen for a full minute and somehow having it all register every single input. It’s one message after the other. To calm her down, you try to give her a call, but it’s immediately rejected. After that, the panic spam comes to an end, and intelligible messages are being written instead.
“SORRY! I DIDN’T MEAN TO HANG UP.” Debbie’s messages are in all-caps. For the sake of decency, your brain will transform them into regular Debbie speak. You continue reading. “I don’t know what came over me, but I felt so overwhelmed that my hands started moving on their own. I didn’t mean to be disrespectful, dear Manager. Please, don’t be offended by my poor judgment.”
Welp, you better respond…
How do you respond?
>Text her that it’s fine and you can text instead if it’s a problem.
>Text Debbie that you don’t hate her, but she has to face the consequences for her erratic behavior.
>Text her that she’s a Pervert.
>Call again. Pressure the Blueberry.
>Debbie has to be in this hotel, tell her to come to your room now.
>Write In.
(Last Reply of the Day, we continue tomorrow!)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713418797626746.png","filename":"4549.png"},"posted":1713418797},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5980334,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980323
>>Text her that she’s a Pervert.
>Point out that the message even says "segs" multiple times and call her lewd
Then move on","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713419584690536.png","filename":"debbiecrime.png"},"posted":1713419584},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5980410,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980334
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1713438376},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5980778,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980323
>Text Debbie that you don’t hate her, but she has to face the consequences for her erratic behavior.","attachment":null,"posted":1713472609},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5981085,"name":"91m10","msg":"Yeah, you better respond immediately, and you’re in the mood to absolutely tease the heck out of your star talent, this won’t backfire on you in any way, shape, or form. In your text, you point out that she wrote ‘segs’ and that she’s a perv. You need to curate your group of friends, you have a lot of depraved women in it, some may say that was the intention all along, but you know you shouldn’t say that.
Your phone bursts into a stream of unintelligible messages from the Blueberry Captain. The same nonsense as you previously received, with the only caveat being that she’s avoiding writing anything that could be considered sexual in any manner. You are starting to believe that her agony is a little prefabricated, idols are too manufactured these days…
You think it will die down at some point, but no, it keeps going and going with no end in sight. You broke Debbie or Debbie broke her phone. Regardless, you need to move on. In a way, now the awkwardness of the situation has been transferred to the idol, and it’s her responsibility to clear up the air between you two. And, knowing this isn’t the end of the world, you’ll give her some space to sort herself out.
Back to the room, the girls were waiting for you! Kinda, they’re sleepy, Vortexia and Emily seem to be on good terms sharing the bed, while Carol has been restrained into a ball with only her head out for air on a random chair, she’s neatly packaged for you to take away. In short, Emily panicked a little when they realized you disappeared, but Vortexia maintained a cool head and heard you talking in the other room, both were relieved that you didn’t ditch them. The thing is that they’re still tired and would like to stay for a while longer. You’re free to go if you have anything planned! Their plan for the day is to figure out a roadmap for Vortexia’s next career moves between them, if you’re interested, you’re free to join them (Which they would prefer if you do since you��re the boss.) If not, Carol has already been packaged to be delivered home.
“…I don’t wanna be friends anymore.” The Carol ball grouses about what really happened.
“Sorry, we’re going to follow the deal to its bitter end.” Emily will make sure that Carol doesn’t get any peace. She yawns and turns to you. “If you want to take Carol away, feel free… Goodnight, bunny…” Emily goes back to sleep like nothing happened. She uses Vortexia’s puffy hair as a pillow. Did she call you bunny affectionately? You don’t look like a bunny, how confusing. You hate ill-fitting nicknames.
“…” Vortexia can’t leave now even if she wants to. “I guess it’s goodbye for now, Manager…”
What do you do?
>Take Ball Carol home.
>Stay in the hotel. You wasted too much money not to enjoy lunch here.
>Sleepy or not, grab ALL the girls and take them home! You’re a responsible adult!
>Write In.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713501041857386.png","filename":"4550.png"},"posted":1713501041},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5981088,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981085
>>Take Ball Carol home.","attachment":null,"posted":1713501156},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5981105,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981085
>Write In.
Kiss both Vortex and Emily on the cheek goodbye
>Take Ball Carol home.","attachment":null,"posted":1713501841},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5981106,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981085
>Stay in the hotel. You wasted too much money not to enjoy lunch here.","attachment":null,"posted":1713501868},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5981124,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981105
+1
>>5981106
Tell the girls to have lunch in Johnny's place here","attachment":null,"posted":1713502991},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5981185,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981105
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1713508840},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5981244,"name":"91m10","msg":"Many times you’ve seen people question their life decisions, you think Carol is feeling like this is a new low. Or a different kind of new low, she’s a celebrity, they do wild shit. You pet Ball Carol, then strap her behind your back. She barely moves at all, you know it’s the point of being restrained so you’re not going to comment more than that.
“Yup!” You cheerfully say to Vortexia, then you approach her and kiss her on the cheek. “I’ll see you later, maybe we’ll catch lunch together if you’re available.”
“Hmm…” Vortexia doesn’t know how to respond and watches you go to the other side of the bed.
“Night too, bunny.” You kiss Emily on the cheek too. Her faint smile grows wider as she gets more comfortable. “You two take care.” You caress both girls before taking your leave.
Outside of the room, Carol requests for you to pull her hood on her head to conceal her identity. You do it somehow but that makes you wonder something important.
“Do you want me to pull you out of your Ball Form…?” You don’t have any reasons to have her in a ball.
“You mean out of being restrained?” Carol has no idea why you called it a ‘ball form.’
“That’s what I said.” You deadpan.
“That's not what you said.” Carol argues back.
“Do you want out or not?” You ask again.
“It’s whatever…” Carol doesn’t care. “I’m too tired to care.” She yawns like a sloth.
“Cheer up, I’m taking you home.” You’d give her a thumbs up, but she wouldn’t be able to see it.
“I’m not depressed, I’m literally exhausted. Can’t twitch a muscle without hurting. No way I’d be moping around for nothing.” Carol sneers at your presumptions. “Now that we’re buds. I expect you to help me out, like you scratch my back, I scratch yours type of stuff. You’ll be the ace under my sleeve.”
“Okay, but I have a busy schedule.” You adjust your glasses.
“Hey! That’s what I should say, I’m the star here. Like, what are you even busy with? The dentist?” Carol can’t believe you would say that.
“Nope. Meeting your family.” You’re excited to meet your imaginary son’s aunt and grandma!
“This is going to suck...” Carol sighs. “This is going to suck so much…!”
At that moment, Carol decided that she will never give tickets for free ever again. Sadly, this is all we have for this thread! Thanks for playing! And see you next time!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713513919697862.png","filename":"4551.png"},"posted":1713513919},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5981290,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981244
Thanks for running!
Vortexia vest girl ","attachment":null,"posted":1713519931},{"board":"qst","thread":5971498,"pid":5981362,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981244
Thanks for running","attachment":null,"posted":1713535819}]}
+{"title":"JOIN THE CAUSE","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5972475,"pid":5972475,"name":"KUNG FU PANDA FAN","msg":"WE NEED TO FIGHT TO KEEP KFP3 ON NETFLIX! WE LOST THE FIRST TWO AND WE DONT WANT TO LOSE A THIRD! HELP ME! HELP THE DRAGON WARRIOR!!!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712542492301788.jpg","filename":"20240407_205545.jpg"},"posted":1712542492},{"board":"qst","thread":5972475,"pid":5972494,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Troopers, I've just received new orders. Our superiors say, Kung Fu Panda 3 is leaving Netflix. We can all watch Ruby Gilman, Teenage Kraken instead. Netflix is getting paid off for its crimes, and our views will have died here, will have died... for nothing. But, we can all watch Ruby Gilman. Meanwhile ideals like good storytelling, good animation and voice acting, they get packed up. But, we can all watch Minions. Well... I'm not watching Minions. I'm gonna get on my twitter, and I'm going online and I'm gonna kick that son of a bitch Netflix's ass so hard, that Amazon Prime is gonna feel it. Now who wants to watch Minions, and who wants to JOIN THE CAUSE?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712543885412036.jpg","filename":"maxresdefault.jpg"},"posted":1712543885},{"board":"qst","thread":5972475,"pid":5972497,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972494
Kek.
>>5972475
Wrong board.","attachment":null,"posted":1712544195},{"board":"qst","thread":5972475,"pid":5972503,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972475
Did you know that you can watch all the Kung Fu Panda movies for free at your local torrenting website?","attachment":null,"posted":1712544724},{"board":"qst","thread":5972475,"pid":5972544,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972494
Sides have gone upriver, Sir.","attachment":null,"posted":1712548486},{"board":"qst","thread":5972475,"pid":5973960,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"I accept this quest","attachment":null,"posted":1712704521},{"board":"qst","thread":5972475,"pid":5974382,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Worthy cause, but MODS DO YOUR FUCKING JOB","attachment":null,"posted":1712753639},{"board":"qst","thread":5972475,"pid":5976002,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Help the dragon warrior
Letsgooo","attachment":null,"posted":1712929796},{"board":"qst","thread":5972475,"pid":5976014,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972494
>Join the cause","attachment":null,"posted":1712931499},{"board":"qst","thread":5972475,"pid":5976166,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972475
>Look around","attachment":null,"posted":1712950420},{"board":"qst","thread":5972475,"pid":5979034,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Really jannies?","attachment":null,"posted":1713273241},{"board":"qst","thread":5972475,"pid":5989992,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972475
this is the only good thread on /qst/","attachment":null,"posted":1714394850},{"board":"qst","thread":5972475,"pid":5990619,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Should make a dragon warrior quest or as a cursed shapeshifter born under the stars of the gods of misfortune
>Blessed with Misfortune: You were born under some unlucky stars. All of the unlucky stars in fact! Your birth under such unfortunate signs drew the attention of the Gods of Misfortune and they see you as their favored child. They look over you and bestow upon you their 'blessings'. They love you, in their own way. You take -50 to almost all luck rolls. Your enemies lose all of their advantages and take -75 to their luck rolls. If a luck roll would kill you you instead get a +50 bonus.","attachment":null,"posted":1714468220}]}
+{"title":"Star Wars: Strings in The Shadow Quest #2","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5972247,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"You are utterly invisible to the naked eye. Only devices or beings able to see in the infrared spectrum could spy you in the world of utter white. Your full-body outfit shields you from the worst of the bone-gnawing cold and is constructed from the pelts of creatures adapted to this hellscape of frozen tundra. Their thick fur and heavy hide insulate you from the snow that you are concealed within. Still, the cold slivers its way through your suit, jealously groping at you with ethereal hands, stealing your warmth. Gaunt limbs rattle and shiver as you hold your silent vigil, waiting for the perfect moment. Your emaciated body appears as ghostly white skin stretched too tightly over frail bones and atrophied muscle; despite your frailty, or maybe because of it, you make an imposing figure with red eyes blazing with purpose and hatred.
From your vantage point, you spot the doors of a shelter sliding open through the magnification of your scope as heat escapes in a cloud of steam. Your stilled heart rate begins to quicken with excitement, and a cruel revanchist grin grows across your ugly visage. You watch three figures languishing by the opening, conversing and smiling. Only their faces are visible through their coats, which, unlike yours, are dark colours to stand out against the snow rather than to blend in with it. All three are Bothans, only their faces are visible, not that you would need to see their faces to determine their species. This world was given to the Bothans to colonise and rule, as long as it stayed loyal to the Hutt Empire and kept supplying the region with the plasma reserves of the planet. For this task, they were gifted thirty million beings roughly a hundred years ago, all your people, all slaves, to toil and die for the extraction of the planet’s plasma. ","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712521513465915.jpg","filename":"StringsInTheShadowOP.jpg"},"posted":1712521513},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5972248,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"The smallest of the trio runs ahead to the two larger Bothans, playing with the snow falling from the sky, trying to catch a snowflake in its mouth. The two making the rear of the trio join gloved hands, watching their offspring play in wonderment, finding warmth together in this frozen world built by the suffering of your people. Your scope cycles automatically into focus, telling you the exact distance and other factors that would affect your shot. It would be easiest to shoot the parents huddling together; one shot would easily scythe through the pair, leaving their bodies broken and dead. But you want them to watch, like so many of your people have been forced to watch their kin die, be it under the whip of the Bothan slave lords or slowly being consumed by the eternal winter.
With a squeeze of a trigger, a silent solid projectile punches through the snowfall as your rifle bucks. Before the bullet impacts, you have already turned to refocus your weapon on the parents and quickly pull the trigger a second time. You watch as your heart pounds in illation and fear; the first shot hits the child who was bent over to pick up a handful of snow. The impact rips the little Bothan’s torso apart and sends the two halves flying over the snow, spilling blood that turns the pure white powder red.
Snorting with mirth, you watch the sight with humour, relishing the view as the parent’s faces turn from content, loving joy to utter horror. Before a wail could escape from either of their lips the second round slams into them, leaving two more corpses lying motionless as a circle of crimson grows around them. The fast snowfall continues to land upon their unmoving bodies, beginning a burial process. As you watch the scene a while longer, soaking in the view, you hope that the bodies aren’t discovered. You want the snow to subsume them so that their contorted forms would only get found during the few days of brief summer as the snow temporarily retreats. Them being missing for so long and then finally exposed in such a manner would, you believe, create the greatest amount of terror within the enemy populace. Glad your scope has been recording the freshest of your kills, you stand up in the thigh-deep whiteness to return your brothers at camp, they will love this.","attachment":null,"posted":1712521536},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5972250,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"Morrigan grins up at you with a goofy smile, her face blotchy with exhaustion as she takes deep breaths. Your Padawan deactivates her Lightsaber and almost falls to the floor on shaky legs. You didn’t mean to tire her out so much while training her today, but her love of learning Djem So was infectious, and she kept spurring the lesson on. Tomorrow, you will make sure she takes it easier, but she is making rapid progress from how she pushes your lessons. You can’t help but feel like a proud father watching his daughter overachieve.
Parting, you wish her a good evening; while you would usually review your session with her, she is far too tired for any further lessons to sink in and more importantly, you’ve got a very important call to make today. For your coming interstellar crusade, you’ve got fifty-odd Jedi that have joined you and will spread the message to other prospective converts, but what you need now is money and a lot of it. You need money for propaganda, for warships, for armies, and so much more. The only man you’ve interacted with who has anywhere close to that sort of money is Duke Denon of the Tion. He de facto runs not just the planet of Tion or the system, but the entire sector. And you’ve scheduled a call with him soon.
You sit alone in your ship, taking this call in isolation, away from the prying eyes and ears of the other Jedi of the temple. While you do trust them, you believe it will be easier discussing this one-to-one, where you don’t have a committee of people all adding their own inputs. Sitting on your couch, you watch your holoprojector, waiting for it to activate and the face of the Duke to appear. Doubt begins to settle in as you count down the minutes; he could too easily flat-out reject such discussions and inform the Council and Senate of your plans, destroying them before you are able to begin. And why would he trust a Jedi Knight as young as you with such a lofty goal?","attachment":null,"posted":1712521613},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5972253,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"A giant face appears before your eyes, full and fat, wearing a jolly smile. “Chris! Wow, it has been a while. When my secretary told me you wanted to talk, I couldn’t believe my ears. My, you have changed. You are a man now. What do you want? How can I help you? Do you want to join HAAS?”
“Duke Denon-” You begin only to be quickly cut off by the man in his sixties who still contains much vigour.
“Call me Denon, son; I abhor using that title between friends.”
“Sorry, Denon, I wanted to discuss with you a new approach that the Human Alliance of Anti-Slavery can take in combatting the malign influence of the Hutt Empire. I have found a number of Jedi that also want to stop the Hutt’s practises and see the region transformed into a fairer one that respects the lives of all. I-”
Denon cuts you off again with a violent swish of his hand. “Christopher, son, let’s not discuss such things over such distances. You never know if anyone else is listening in on these transmissions, and we wouldn’t want them to get the wrong idea. Let’s put a pin in this conversation. I can hear the passion in your voice and feel the strength of your conviction. Why don’t we meet up face-to-face? It has been too long.”
He looks away from his holoprojector into an object to his side, “So, Chris, here is what I can do for you. I’ve got a ball I’m hosting next week on a cruiser in the Tion system. You can join that if you wish. The next day, we can talk about business. Or I can come to meet you wherever you currently call home in a month and a half.”
You answer…
>Meet on the cruiser
>Have him come to Lieserl","attachment":null,"posted":1712521674},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5972257,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"Hi guys back at it, shorter break than last time.
As before, for single 1d100 rolls you get one reroll per thread.
Archive: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Stellar%20Turmoil","attachment":null,"posted":1712521953},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5972278,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972253
>Meet on the cruiser.
Hate Politik but this is the most expedient manner of engagement and also the means by which we can improve his station alongisde our own.
Jedi as guests is rather prestigious.
Also sounds like a lesson for a padawaaaaan.","attachment":null,"posted":1712523478},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5972286,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972253
>Meet on the cruiser","attachment":null,"posted":1712524346},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5972456,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"LET'S FUCKING GOOOOO
Why is it thread 2 though, shouldn't this be thread 3?","attachment":null,"posted":1712540551},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5972463,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Holy h*ck, that was a rough intro. The Bith are described as basically emotionless psychopaths though so maybe they'll deserve it on some level.
>Have ourselves a Ball, & use it as an opportunity to train our Padawan in social accumen
Solid input on that, anon^","attachment":null,"posted":1712541709},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5972620,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972253
>>Meet on the cruiser
>>5972257
LEEEEE GOOOOOO
isnt this thread 4?","attachment":null,"posted":1712553841},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5972751,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972456
>Why is it thread 2 though, shouldn't this be thread 3?
>>5972620
>isnt this thread 4?
This is the second thread for Strings in The Shadow. So I've decided to spilt the quest up in three arcs. The first arc was Stellar Turmoil which was four threads long, in February I started the second: Strings in The Shadow.","attachment":null,"posted":1712566464},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5973050,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"You take a second to decide between the choice; if the Duke joined you on Lieserl, you could show him what you’ve built here before having access to any of his resources. Hopefully, it would give him belief in your abilities, so he would trust you with some of his impressive fortune to build upon what you have. But then going to his party is the quickest way to meet him, and while you are in no rush, it is essential to get the ball rolling when there are trillions that are suffering. Also, Denon having a Jedi guest at his ball would be a prestigious look for him that costs you nothing, ideally making him appreciative of the open association. Furthermore, it is an excellent opportunity to train Morrigan when interacting with those of higher society.
“Thank you very much for the invitation, Denon; I shall join you for the ball. It sounds like it will be a very good time, and I look forward to talking with you in greater depth.” You continue speaking with a calm, controlled cadence that would not be amiss in any corporate office, very different from your typically casual tone.
“Excellent, I’m sure you will enjoy yourself. There will be a lot of good, interesting people there, most of them young’uns like you. The idea is to have those young influential people of the galaxy who see things the way we do, getting to know each other and building bonds; we want a strong community.”
Something catches you off guard as Denon finishes his sentence; you hear the noise of doors sliding open. You whip around to focus on the intruder disrupting your meeting, only to see an angel of snow-white skin and golden blond hair walking through the doorway. That was an oversight on your part. You didn’t tell Claire of your meeting, and with her new unlimited access to your ship, she can enter your vessel without alerting you. Claire stands like an umber-deer caught in the headlights of a racing speeder bike; she blanches, noticing that she is interrupting your call, and timidly apologises to the pair of you while retreating from the room.
“It's fine; why don’t you join us.” Denon smiles through the holoprojector, an evident curiosity written upon his visage which is transmitted seamlessly from lightyears away. Claire shoots you a panicked face, unsure of what to do; instinctively, you invite her over to sit next to you. Her worry mostly evaporates as she sits beside you, joining you in staring at the holoprojected face of the Duke. “Wow, excuse me for saying, but it is very rare to see two free Ramdar together; very inspiring. You must come to the ball; people would love to see the pair of you. A sign of changing fortunes of your people.”","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712609055991245.png","filename":"CommandingPresence-SWL.png"},"posted":1712609055},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5973057,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"Claire smiles awkwardly as Denon controls the conversation. “Uh, Claire, and I guess I can?” She looks at you for affirmation, unsure if she has given the correct answer with the question plain in her answer. You don’t reply verbally, but you take her hand in yours, giving it a soft squeeze, and shoot her a warm smile, hoping your hands are unable to be seen by the Duke. If you have to leave the planet there is nothing more you want than Claire to come with you.
Duke Denon claps his hands enthusiastically, “Excellent, excellent, I look forward to meeting you in the flesh. Chris, do you have any requests for the party? Or any songs?”
You shrug, a bit overwhelmed and taken off-guard by the question. Shaking your head while replying simply, “No, I’m good.”
Claire chimes in during the pause you leave, almost unsure of her own voice, “I have been enjoying Angel Of Lower Coruscant recently.”
“I’ll make sure to write it down; now I’ve got to go. I can’t wait to see you soon. By the way, Chris, you will have to watch out. If you’ve not locked down Miss Claire, there are plenty of rich, handsome young men who will happily sweep someone as beautiful as her off her feet.” With that, his image disappears, and you are left with an irritated frown on your face, not appreciating his leaving comment.","attachment":null,"posted":1712609452},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5973058,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"Spending the rest of your evening with your new girlfriend, you wrap her in your arms; you’ve been glued together like a limpet to the hull of a ship ever since that day on the surface of Lieserl. Being with Claire is amazing; you’ve never felt like this before. Every moment you’ve been able to spend with her is incredible, you feel like a man who has gained the ability to see colour for the first time. Just being around Claire is exciting in a way nothing has ever come close to matching. Every second of your waking day that you can excuse to spend with her, you do, and Claire clearly feels the same way as she reciprocates. Even when teaching Morrigan, Claire usually joins in and leads the lessons pertaining to the control of the Force.
You understand this is the honeymoon stage of a relationship, where you are discovering things about each other that neither of you have shared with anyone else, amplified by the fact that this is your first relationship where everything is new. Claire sinks deeper into your arms as you ignore the movie playing in the background and focus on her, just watching while giving her the occasional kiss, which she greedily accepts. While you are very passionate with each other, Claire frequently shoots you looks when no one is looking to spur you into showering her with affection in the form of secret kisses, you’ve not yet had sex. Claire has never given you a signal to stop or slow down as you grope her through her clothing, but you haven’t gone past that stage despite her willingness. A part of you worries that crossing that line will change your relationship, and everything feels so perfect now you don’t want to disrupt what is going on.","attachment":null,"posted":1712609513},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5973059,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"It is your final day on Lieserl, and you will set off for the Tion system in the evening; everything is packed and ready to go. Morrigan has had the day free, and you’ve spotted her walking around the temple grounds with Luke’s apprentice, Cau; you can’t help but wonder with a rue smile if there is something going on there. After your final check of the ship, you are happy with your preparations for your journey. With the rest of your day free you can spend it as you wish.
You know what you want to do, you don't have to think at all as it has been on your mind the whole day. You want to take Claire out on a date into the city; you want more time alone to be together, just you and her. But perhaps you should speak to Luke or Alyla; it has been a couple of weeks since you and Claire started dating, and there is a level of distance between you and the two. While cordial, there is an imperceptible barrier that has been created, and it will decay with time, but maybe you should talk to them and speed up the reconciliation? Or maybe not, it could cause greater tension if you force a conversation they are clearly uninterested in having.
You…
>Go on a date with Claire
>Talk to Luke about you and Claire dating
>Talk to Alyla about you and Claire dating
>Talk with Scion about the best approach with Luke and Alyla","attachment":null,"posted":1712609574},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5973063,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973059
>Discuss it with Alyla.
Before we run off into the stars.
It would have been optimal, Had we paired off into such neat pairings but life and drama isnt nearly so clean.","attachment":null,"posted":1712609762},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5973081,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973059
>Talk with Scion about the best approach with Luke and Alyla
a mostly neutral party","attachment":null,"posted":1712611741},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5973611,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973059
>Claire Date
Birds of a feather navigate hyperspace together.","attachment":null,"posted":1712667003},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5973939,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"You want to deal with this; you want to fix this fissure of your own creation. Alyla and Luke are your two most important friends. You can’t ignore them, and just hope your relationship with them returns to normal. The issue is you have no idea how to broach the topic; this is utterly alien to you, and you’ve not been in their situation. It would be too easy for you to say the wrong thing and worsen your relationships. Thinking about Luke and Alyla, you know Luke likes or liked Claire, he has made it more than obvious and has explicitly pined for her a few times, but what about Alyla? Does that mean she likes you in that way? You always thought she saw you as a little brother or close enough, so when you’ve got physically, typically in sparring, the flirting was simply harmless.
There is so much to think about, and you really don’t want to cross the minefield of upset feelings. You struggle with other’s emotions; you aren’t great at seeing into their soul and knowing the right thing to say. Also, while you don’t try to be, you are quite naturally self-focused. Typically, you think about yourself, and others' needs normally don’t float into your head unless made explicit; but when they are, you make sure to put others first and are happy to sacrifice your own enjoyment. It is something you are working on, trying to instinctively think about others, but your brain is wired in such a way that it always conjures up your own needs, and you have to actively think about others to put them first.
You could speak to Scion about the best way to approach Luke and Claire, you have no doubt he’s heard things from them that have not yet reached your ears. But really, what you want to do is spend your last day with Claire; there is still so much you want to learn about her and experience with her. Being with Claire is just so easy; it feels more natural than nature. As you think about her, she pops into view; she sees you and gives you a big wave and a dumb, goofy grin. Claire’s steps become skips as she bounces over to you. You’ve noticed a change in Claire over the last few weeks; she’s more openly expressive and seems more confident. Of course, she is still a shy person, but those icy walls she has put up to shut the world out have been melting.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712702716061157.jpg","filename":"PositiviTea.jpg"},"posted":1712702716},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5973943,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"“Hey,” Claire beams at you, and her evident joy is infectious. You can’t help but scoop her up into your arms and give her a little spin. It is easy enough; she is only five-five to your six-foot-two. “What’s the plan for the rest of the day? We should make the most out of it. It’ll be a bit since we come back.”
You groan, audibly showing your lack of enthusiasm for the task you feel you must do. All the while, your hands rest on her hips, not wanting to break contact with Claire. “I would love to spend the day with you, but I think I really should talk to Alyla about us. I hate this gap we’ve introduced within the group. I hate that we’ve hurt them. Or maybe I should talk to Scion; he’s sure to have heard things we’ve not; he does have an ear for things.”
Claire’s happy mood evaporates in a flash and instantly is replaced with a scowl, “Chris, if you talk to them, do you really think it will make things better? You think you can fix their feelings with words? I think the best thing for you to do is let it be. Time heals all wounds and digging at scabs will only open them up. Luke and Alyla will get over this, and we will all be friends again. I promise you, trust me. Let sleeping kath hounds lie. And spend the rest of your day with me; there’s somewhere I want to go, but first, let’s put on some normal peoples clothing. I don’t want people to gawk at us.”
Claire pulls at your arm with her small hands, trying to lead you back into your ship with a strength that would be easy to resist. You relent and allow your worries to slide away, surrendering your focus to the beautiful girl tugging at your arm. Maybe the easiest thing is the best thing to do in this situation. Claire is likely correct, she is much better than you at this emotional stuff.","attachment":null,"posted":1712702945},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5973945,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"After walking around the city and doing a bit of window shopping, you and Claire have set up in a café. You ordered a tea sweetened with honey for yourself, a guilty pleasure, and a warm chocolatey drink for Claire. And you do talk about this and that, and Claire suggests you play two truths, one lie. Interestingly you do find out that she doesn’t just enjoy crappy teen young love novels but also fanfiction as well. You give her a bit of light-hearted ribbing about it, then ask more about her favourites, allowing her to talk at length about why this character goes well with that character and how the author does a great job of writing their interactions. In truth, you don’t care about it. It isn’t your thing, but you happily pretend to hear Claire express just how much she enjoys reading such stuff and allow her to verbalise her love of it, which she hasn’t been able to do before.
While you’ve been talking and getting refills of your drinks, the pair of you have been painting ceramics. You’ve been painting a plate, your ship flying through space. It is pretty bad, but you’ve enjoyed doing it. Claire has been painting a mug, it is blue on the top and bottom with a strip of white with speckled dots. On it, Claire has written “positivi-tea”, a play on the word positivity and tea. The waitress comes over and asks if you are ready for them to go into the oven, fusing the paint onto the ceramics.
Claire looks at you, exhibiting her new mug and asks, “What do you think?”
“I think it is positivi-tea amazing,” you smile at her. She beams back, takes the paintbrush still wet with black paint on the nib, and makes a final adjustment that you cannot see.
“There,” Claire says proudly, displaying the cup which now reads “Chris’ positivi-tea”. Oh fuck, she made that for you. While you were painting a plate for yourself, she was making a mug for you. You feel like such a fucking idiot. Why were you so absorbed in what you wanted to make rather than thinking about what Claire would want? Trying not to show the alarm on your face, you hear a muffled giggle escape Claire's lips. Quickly, you take the same brush she has put down and write on the rim of your plate, “No matter where I am, I will always be with you.”
Leaving the café, you are still flushing from embarrassment. Claire is holding the wrapped box containing your mug and her plate. You did offer to carry it, but Claire possessively holds onto it, refusing it to slip her grip. Once again, you apologise for your rushed job, “I’m sorry, I just wasn’t thinking, I was in my own world.”
“Chris, stop it; I’ve told you I love my plate. You didn’t do anything wrong.” Claire answers sincerely, genuinely happy with her plate.","attachment":null,"posted":1712703211},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5973947,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"“I didn’t do anything right,” You sulk at your mistake.
“No, you have, you’ve made me very happy. Let me try to convince you.” Claire tugs at you, bringing you into an empty alleyway away from eyes of onlookers. With care, she places the box down and jumps into your arms. Showering you with passionate kisses, she entrances you, making you a willing slave to her sensuality. Claire presses herself into you while your hands grope at her bottom. Finally, belatedly, your part, and she looks up at you with her bright red eyes full of mischief and arousal, “I’ve had a great time, and I’m still having a great time. I love my plate, and I lo- I really like you. Now, are you going to stop moping?”
“Yes, ma'am,” You salute her while mentally undressing her from her plain baggy clothes.
The day grows late, and Claire leads you to one last shop that is close to the Jedi temple. A clothes shop is relatively normal apart from the Jedi robes it stocks. You look at Claire, waiting for her to explain the reason she has taken you here. There is a nervousness on her face, that shy awkwardness that was her second nature before you started dating. “So, um, I was thinking maybe I should change my style. With all the new things we are experimenting with, I was wondering if I should pick up some new clothes, you know? I want you to look at me and be like wow. I want to look the part of your girlfriend. And feel more confident and sexy, rather than just be plain and boring.”
You tell Claire she is beautiful and sexy, that your eyes are already glued to her no matter what she wears. A part of you worries this is inspired by what Alyla wears instead of the typical Jedi robes and that she thinks there’s an unspoken competition, but you know bringing it up would spoil the mood. In the end, you suggest Claire…
>Wears her regular Jedi robes
>Wears form-fitting sleeveless top, similar to what Alyla wears
>Write-in","attachment":null,"posted":1712703401},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5973962,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973947
We do just love you how you are Claire, but if you do want to change something. . . Hmm. I don't want to suggest changing the standard uniform, since that can cause trouble later.
But I can think of something simple.
>Rather racy undergarments and a band around our writsts
I'd have suggested a Garter, but we're not royalty.
Now my suggestion is based with the understanding or just telling her, that we don't really care what she wears if it makes her happy. However to feel Sexy, perhaps something that only us two are going to know? A secret that we can parade in public without anyone being the wiser? I think some people find that hot, being the rationale for lacy underwear or something.
To be a visible sigifier though, we wear a bracelet/band on our left wrist and she wears the matching one on her right. Visually demonstrating we are bound together, and obvious to see when holding hands.
Slightly concerned if she would take offense to the idea of the chain metaphore, given our people's present misery.
My only concern is that I'm retarded and this isn't what she's asking for. I think she's asking for approval and I am offering a way that's intimate. But she might genuinely want to dress more openly, and this suggestion of maintaining modesty could damage her resolve.","attachment":null,"posted":1712704581},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5974016,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973962
>My only concern is that I'm retarded and this isn't what she's asking for
The way I see it is she's doing the whole, I'm dressing up for myself not others but also for Chris as well. You know when girls dress up to feel more confident and attractive, part of the lack of confidence is Alyla who is mentioned as being better looking. Claire no doubt feels slightly intimated by Alyla and wants to looksmaxx to be number one in Chris' eyes.","attachment":null,"posted":1712708672},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5974027,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973947
my personal favorite female star wars clothing","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712709920468526.jpg","filename":"9122ed4f569f6d10b34dfff4feeb3c5b.jpg"},"posted":1712709920},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5974056,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973962
+1 to this
>A Dress","attachment":null,"posted":1712712752},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5974304,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973962
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1712738351},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5974710,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"Claire walks around the store, her fingers interlinked with yours as she swings your arms with vigour. She leads you from display to display, studying female manikins and the clothes they wear. Lifting a few items up, Claire holds them against her body, visualising herself wearing the new items. It is incredible to you that she doesn’t already see herself as the rest of the world views her; she is so obviously beautiful. Claire should already feel her powerful and attractive in her plain civilian clothes and her standard robes. You like her in those robes, they speak to you, telling you to slowly strip her of them, revealing her naked form.
“So, what would you like me to try on?” Claire asks nervously, you aren’t sure why she is so anxious, she isn’t shy when it comes to getting intimate with you.
“I’ve got an idea,” You whisper in her ear conspiratorially, sharing your immoral thought. “How about underwear? You wear something sexy under your robes, it will be our secret. A secret that we can parade in public without anyone being the wiser. Everyone thinking you are prim and proper, but I know what's really underneath your thin Jedi robes.”
“Yes, I like that,” Claire looks up at you with flushed cheeks as she chews her bottom lip. “That is if you like it.”
After picking out a few items together, Claire scampers off to the changing rooms. You hang behind, your eye was caught by something, a bracelet of Araksteel. The hard alloy created from the rare ore local to Achlys, your shared homeworld. The dark grey of the metal isn’t the prettiest of alloys, but it is the strongest, typically used for the hulls of warships. You pick up two of them, one for you and one for Claire, displaying your bond which you hope to be as durable and long lasting as the bracelets you have purchased.
Arriving outside of Claire’s changing booth you sit patiently outside the curtain waiting for your girlfriend to appear. After checking you are there and no one else is, Claire opens the curtains to reveal her body wearing lace black undergarments that contrast wonderfully with her alabaster skin. They tease of being almost see through, you swear if you could stare a little bit longer you could make out what is hidden beneath. Claire watches your face and her anxiety disappears as she sees the affect she has on you. She beans at you with a look of victory, doing a little twirl she gives you a wink and disappears behind the curtain. Claire reappears then disappears, every time wearing something new which you want to rip from her barely clothed body. Each appearance Claire grows with confidence getting more into the show, posing in increasingly more provocative positions, enjoying the experience as much as you.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712789087978084.jpg","filename":"Ship.jpg"},"posted":1712789087},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5974718,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"Exhausting the underwear, you stop Claire from disappearing. You gently grab her arm, and she turns back at you with a fire of excitement in her eyes. She looks at you with want plain across her face, you take the second bracelet, the twin to the one on your left wrist and tie it around her right. You suck with words, you wish you knew the best ones to say, “I want you to know that I’m yours for as long as you want me. They are made of Araksteel, from back home, they are unbreakable, and they are to show that we are bound together no matter what happens in this crazy galaxy. I’m yours.”
Claire rushes up to you with a small unshed tear in her eye and steals your lips. The kiss isn’t the usual one overflowing with passion but soft and soulful, brimming with emotion. After you part, she just stares into your face, watching. Finally, Claire tells you, “There was one last bra I missed. Give me a second, I think it will be your favourite.”
You wait outside the curtain for the final time, smiling to yourself. Then you see Claire’s head appear from the curtains, she scans the hallway to see if it is still empty. Certain it is just you and her, Claire pops back and then opens the curtain. She is still wearing the lacy panties she was beforehand, the ones that hug her hips, but this time there is no bra. Just skin as white as fresh snow with a dot of pink on the two large mounds. Claire wears a dangerous grin with eyes full of mischief and arousal. Your clothes feel like a prison as you strain against them while you etch Claire’s topless form into your memory, never allowing yourself to forget the scene. Claire blows you a kiss and to your disappointment she disappears again.","attachment":null,"posted":1712789399},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5974721,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"Walking back to your ship all you can think about is whisking Claire away into your room and letting go of all restraint. Entering your vessel, you see Morrigan dutifully waiting for you, excited to take part in her first ever mission. She does lament that it will not involve using her Lightsaber, to which you tell her that anything is possible. As you walk to the pilot’s chair, Morrigan talks to Claire, who beckons Claire to something elsewhere within the ship. With a call to ground station informing them of your departure, you lift off and fly into the atmosphere.
Leaving the cockpit, you allow the ship to fly itself on autopilot. You find Claire and Morrigan in your training room, talking. Whatever the topic was, as soon as you walk into the room they fall into a conspiratorial silence. Asking Morrigan if she wants to do some training, she happily agrees; you look expectantly at Claire, hoping that she will join the two of you. Claire shakes her head, telling you not this time. She goes to leave you and Morrigan alone but pauses at a desk. Claire stretches with her arms behind her pushing out her chest. You can see through her clothes as if there is nothing there, seeing the bra you know her to be wearing and below that her naked tits. With that she skips off, very pleased with herself.
Focusing back on your dutiful Padawan you decide today’s lesson will be focus on teaching Morrigan…
>Force Speed
>Greater dexterity and control over the Force","attachment":null,"posted":1712789654},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5974727,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974721
I feel like we. . . didn't do badly with that exchange. Also, wow, Chris. Is this what years of dogmatic repression does combined with a sudden realisation of shared affection? I feel it is a bit soon to name it 'love'.
Gor daymn.
Anyway, While Dexterity and control is good, Simple and effective power that needs learning is
>Force Speed.
This, empowerment and sensing are the three most important basic powers we can teach, followed closely by telekinesis.","attachment":null,"posted":1712791531},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5974775,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974721
>Force Speed","attachment":null,"posted":1712797557},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5974810,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974721
+1 to speed","attachment":null,"posted":1712801417},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5974834,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974721
>>Force Speed","attachment":null,"posted":1712803200},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5975153,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"Might not update today, work shit, you know how it is.","attachment":null,"posted":1712844016},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5976725,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"Was planning two updates today, but there's a good chance I won't have the time with UFC 300 tonight.","attachment":null,"posted":1713020338},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5976773,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"Morrigan’s love of Lightsaber combat makes the decision clear: you will teach her Force Speed, she will get the most out of it. This way, she will also be able to keep up with you if a situation requires rapid movement. She struggles at first, frustration and irritation begins to swell, clouding her thoughts. This increases Morrigan’s struggle to learn the skill; you decide to interrupt her attempts and ask Morrigan to join you in meditation. Morrigan doesn’t want to sit and think; she wants to do and succeed, but she says nothing, and your pink apprentice sits across from you, fuming.
“Close your eyes, feel the emptiness of space around the ship. Focus on that nothingness, feel it, bring it into you, and let your thoughts be washed away.” Speaking with your calm, soothing, deep voice, you project that lack of emotion, assisting your apprentice in her attempt.
It does not come quickly, but eventually, she lets go of her emotions. You take Morrigan’s small pink hands in your large ghostly white grip. With your right hand, you oscillate your arm with enhanced speed. Letting Morrigan feel you conjuring the power, she tries to replicate the ability. At first, you feel nothing, but then it grows. Morrigan begins to understand and calls upon the Force, channelling it through her body. Morrigan looks up at you with joy at her newfound success; she ramps up the power she feeds into her speed, matching then surpassing the swiftness of your arm. Morrigan’s grin grows sly at passing you, only to be turned into a frown of deep concentration when you put more of your own power into your speed, matching hers and turning it into a competitive battle.
Withdrawing your hands from hers, you find a ball and toss it to her, slightly enhancing your throw with Force Speed. The two of you make a game of it. Standing across the room, you throw the ball at the wall behind the other, trying to hit it while the other catches it. Watching Morrigan, you find pleasure in seeing her enjoy the lesson. You never thought you’d enjoy being a teacher so much, but there really is something to watching your student have such fun in the training you lead.
“Hey, Chris,” Morrigan begins as she throws a hurtling ball. You dive and roll to catch it, throwing it back more gently, allowing her to focus on her words rather than the game. “Can I ask about you and Claire?”
“Of course, you can ask me about anything and everything, no matter if it is sensitive or embarrassing; part of being your teacher. And it is probably good to talk about Claire and me. Why, what do you want to know?”
Morrigan catches your gentle pass and looks down into her hand at the ball, avoiding your eyes. “I- I- It doesn’t feel proper for a Jedi to be in a relationship.”","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713025949121505.jpg","filename":"1708321963273465.jpg"},"posted":1713025949},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5976775,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"From the hesitations in her voice and her avoidant eyes, you can tell there is something else she is not verbalising. If this was Morrigan’s true thoughts, her righteous personality would have made her deliver her words with more conviction. Neutrally, you reply, “Why is that?”
“Because… Because it is disgusting!” Morrigan’s quiet voice snaps and turns aggressive with deep-seated rage, catching you confused and off guard.
“I’m sorry? Do you not like me and Claire being emotional with each other, or is it the physical stuff you want to see?” Your voice is smooth as butter, trying to avoid further stirring up Morrigan’s emotions and pry the cause of such feelings from her.
“No,” She almost shouts in her continued angry tone, then deflates her following words lacking the previous fire. “It's just… I’ve seen people give everything up for sex. Addicted to it as if some drug fiend. They only care about the next time, forgetting the world around them. I don’t want you to…”
Morrigan’s lips quiver, and tears begin to form in her eyes. You wrap Morrigan up in a firm hug as her tears start to fall, and she cries into your chest. Ah, so it’s her mother, poor girl. Running a hand through Morrigan’s bright blue hair, you allow her to sob, releasing her built-up emotion as her arms try to encircle your chest. Her crying comes under control, and you keep hold of her in your paternal hug, Morrigan seems contented staying there. As if scared of spooking wild fauna, which you are stalking, you softly ask, “Do you want to talk about your mother?”
“I hate her,” Morrigan hisses as she looks up at you with her tear-stained face. “Every night, a man would come with a credit chit in hand and pay for her time. And she fucking enjoyed it. She didn’t give a fuck about me, I was an unwanted accident. A chain around her ankle holding her down. She didn’t even care enough to hate me. And the men would give me looks, some even asked if I wanted to make some money. And I’m scared; I’m scared that one day my mind is going to get rewritten with my species' lust and become just like that whore.”","attachment":null,"posted":1713026272},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5976778,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"“Morrigan, I promise you, you are nothing like her. And every being, even Zletrons, can withstand their urges; we are all sentients with our own choices. Your mum chose her mistakes, and you are so much better than her. All you need to do is whatever you think is right, and if you ever don’t trust yourself, trust me. I will always be your friend and mentor, and I will help you with whatever you need. If you really want me and Claire can be less open about our relationship around you, if that is what you really want?”
“What does it feel like? Being with Claire.”
“It feels wonderful, I feel happiness in a way I never knew was possible. Not because of sex, but because just being with her is wonderful. I can't describe it, but I lo- she's really important to me for who she is, Claire makes the world shine even brighter for me, not because of the physical aspect. And one day, I hope you find someone who makes you feel how I do with Claire. But that doesn’t change how important you are to me; I’m never going to ignore you or put you aside. I’m going to work my arse off to make sure you are the best Jedi ever.”
“I don’t mind watching you with Claire, I do get a little bit confused with watching the two of you but I will get used to it. A part of me likes watching the two of you, it's like having a mum and a dad.” Despite exhausting herself from the tears, Morrigan manages to blush, her pink cheeks turning red. Craning your head, you plant a platonic kiss on Morrigan’s forehead; only after the action do you worry about the impact of the action. Thankfully, she seems comforted by the gesture. You stay together a while longer, reassuring her in your arms silently before you let go. Morrigan scampers off, embarrassed by the interaction, and you allow her to be alone.","attachment":null,"posted":1713026523},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5976784,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"Arriving in the Tion system, you see a familiar Star Dreadnought surfing the stellar waves and judiciously patrolling the system. It is an awe-inspiring manifestation of power; from reading up, you know that Dreadnoughts generate roughly two orders of magnitude the power compared to a regular Star Destroyer. The great monstrosity is able to take on forty of the lesser Destroyers, which themselves could conquer an entire system. As you fly deeper into the system, you dock with a large luxury cruiser; it seems more of a space station than a vessel. It is constructed to mimic a palace of old Naboo floating in space.
Entering the massive ship, a manservant takes you, Morrigan and Claire to your rooms. As you arrive, he informs you that the party will start later that night, and you will have an audience with Duke Denon tomorrow. He leaves, allowing you all to fill into your spacious room; Claire and Morrigan admire the splendour decorating the walls as you take a quick, rejuvenating shower. Claire then asks if Morrigan wants to go in Jedi robes to the party or wear something more girly. Claire’s voice displays her excitement at the opportunity to dress up Morrigan. Morrigan’s awkwardness is apparent, but Claire manages to twist her arm, and Morrigan shyly relents. You do like how Claire and Morrigan get along with each other. Turning to you, Claire asks if you are going in your robes to the party.
>You wear your robes, it will show Denon has Jedi support
>No, you will dress up in a fashion similar to the other partygoers; it is the best way to find out more about them","attachment":null,"posted":1713026775},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5976788,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976784
>Keep the robes
Part of his legitimacy here, we can even wear those big baggy brown ones. The one's which are deliberately hard to fight in.","attachment":null,"posted":1713027085},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5976817,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976788
Just an idle thought, we believe in justice and the active combating of evil.
But I feel that we should also givr some thought and consideration to how we view the force and our purpose with it.
The new order evidently believes as the jedi of The clone wars do. Dogmatic restraint and meditation to act as conduits of the force upon the galaxy.
These Jedi we recruited believe something a bit different, in the Warrior part of warrior monks and living in love with one another.
Maybe we should consider the Philosophy we wish to spread","attachment":null,"posted":1713030909},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5976826,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976784
>No, you will dress up in a fashion similar to the other partygoers; it is the best way to find out more about them
I want to know who he associates with and we won't get an accurate and unfiltered read of that dressed as a Jedi","attachment":null,"posted":1713031869},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5976977,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"UFC 300 has started and there's no deciding vote, no double update today.","attachment":null,"posted":1713046752},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5977001,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976784
>>You wear your robes, it will show Denon has Jedi support","attachment":null,"posted":1713048213},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5977226,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Robes
They'll be somewhat incognito, thus able to gather intel since people will have their guard down more among them. We'll be the one making a statement.","attachment":null,"posted":1713065732},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5977867,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"“I think it is best I wear my robes. It could improve his image to some of his guests, and I think he’d appreciate the open association of a Jedi.” You answer as you study yourself in the mirror, grooming your slick back hair.
“Ok, shall I wear my robes? Or shall I pick something out for me when I dress up Morrigan?” Claire walks behind you into the reflection of the mirror.
“Whatever you’d prefer.” Remembering she is not a guy and your conversation back on Lieserl, you add the words you think Claire wants to hear, “But I would love to see you in something special.”
Claire reaches up onto her tiptoes and plants a kiss on your cheek. Then Claire drags Morrigan out of your room with a skip in her step. As they leave, you catch Morrigan glancing at you, utterly helpless, as Claire steers her out. You know Morrigan will have fun with Claire; she just doesn’t have confidence in herself outside of being a Jedi, and hopefully, Claire can draw it out of her. Musing at the thought, a month or two ago, you wouldn’t have thought Claire, of all people, would be pushing Morrigan out of her shell. It is good to see Claire's confidence grow as you’ve been dating, it's nice that you being with her, if only for this short while, has changed her for the positive.
Doing very little to clean yourself up for the preparation for the ball, you feel lucky to be a man; this sort of stuff is so much easier than if you were a woman. Finally, the hour arrives, and you leave your room wearing your long Jedi robes, black as the night surrounding the spaceship that seems all the darker compared to your chalk-white skin. Your blond-white hair is slicked back as you typically wear it, and the scars on your face are clearly visible. You debate leaving your Lightsabers behind in your room or ship, but they are part of you and your uniform. At the very least, they are hidden within your robes, and no one should be able to spot them or have an issue with them.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713136170631652.jpg","filename":"vladimir-pervunensky-in-the-vortex-of-the-waltz-2005-e1270098486377.jpg"},"posted":1713136170},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5977870,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"Following a long corridor, you study the painting decorating the walls, making a very slow entrance to the main hall where the celebration is concentrated. Entering the great room, the first thing you notice is the tall dome ceiling; it is utterly transparent, displaying the water world of Tion and the innumerable stars hanging in space, shining brighter than ever before. Below the vastness of space stand trees that line the walls; slowly, white petals fall from the branches, giving the appearance of light snowfall. In the centre of the room is the dance floor, where most of the people are swaying to the live band, with many tables and alcoves for those to sit and share private conversations. Manservants glide around the room, providing drinks for the guests; one comes to you and offers a beverage, which you happily accept.
Standing there, you don’t know what to do or who to talk to. Everyone seems to be clustered in groups or dancing while you are alone. You take a sip of your alcoholic drink and survey the room, displaying a calm, relaxed visage, burying the awkwardness below. You notice this room is filled with young people, ranging from late teens to early thirties, all Human or Near-Human. Sadly, you do not spy Claire or Morrigan and will have to butt into someone’s conversation until you find someone that enjoys your company. With a silent sigh of resignation, you walk over to the masses to approach a group at random, you won’t let anyone catch you standing awkwardly alone.
As soon as you push yourself to socialise with utter strangers, you are swept up by three girls. One of them asks, “Hi, I’m Lena, and this is going to sound really stupid, but are you a Jedi?”
“Yes, I am,” You shrug, taken aback by the confrontation as they study you with the same interest a gol-raptor studies its next meal.
The one to your left smirks, haughty and attractive, she challenges you, “See I don’t believe you are. I think you are wearing Jedi robes for attention.”
“I’m sorry, I guess you will have to take my word for it.” You reply, utterly unsure what is going on at all.
“Couldn’t you use Jedi powers to prove it to us? Like a Jedi mind trick?” The one on your right asks in a much more pleasant and friendly tone.","attachment":null,"posted":1713136402},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5977877,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"“I could,” You pause, struggling with the situation. “But it would be very rude, and it only works on those with weak minds. You all seem far too intelligent for me to be successful.”
“I’m not.” The confrontational redhead raises her eyebrows at you with a challenging glare of disbelief. “Use it on me, make me believe you are a Jedi, you have my permission.”
You look around, trying to spy anything that would allow you to escape around the room. Relenting, you wave your hand and touch her mind with the Force, “You believe I am a Jedi.”
“I believe you are a Jedi.” The redhead answers back robotically with eyes glazed over. The other girls stare with open mouths wide and break into girlish giggles. She blinks a few times, and her mind becomes her own again, her tone now soft as velvet. “Wow, okay, he really is a Jedi girls. I’m so sorry about doubting you, I just didn’t know they made Jedi so handsome.”
Another of the girls laughs, “Why don’t you sit with us? We would love to hear about your work, I’ve always admired the Jedi.”
“I’ve always thought Jedi were hot.” Chimes in another, which causes the other two to giggle while you give a weak smile, feeling so out of place.
“Won’t you join us? My daddy is the President of Core Worlds Banking; I’m sure if you tell us all about your role as a Jedi, it could inspire us to make a donation.” The redhead asks, tugging your arm towards a secluded alcove.
Scanning around, you still need to find an excuse to escape. Still, you cannot see Claire or Morrigan, but there is someone you do recognise, Duke Denon, who is deep in conversation with one of his guests. You also spot a young man sitting by himself, looking utterly alone.
You…
>Talk to the Duke
>Talk to the lone boy
>Call Claire, ask where she is
>Write-in…","attachment":null,"posted":1713136607},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5977910,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977877
>Talk to the lone boy","attachment":null,"posted":1713140330},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5977984,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977877
>Talk to the ladies, but keep an eye out for your date & apprentice; their father could make for a powerful ally","attachment":null,"posted":1713144509},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5978103,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977877
>Talk to the Lone boy.
>"I will happily join you later, when the rest of my team arrives. But for now, It is best that we keep mingling."
Do not engage with such forceful individuals","attachment":null,"posted":1713154975},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5978124,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977877
>>Talk to the Duke","attachment":null,"posted":1713157129},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5978690,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"“Being a Jedi must be so hard, always sacrificing for others. Maybe we can do something to make it all worth it?” One of the girls asks as the others join the redhead dragging you over to a set of secluded seats. This feels like a really dangerous situation to be in, and an even more dangerous situation for Claire to find you. Their interest is resoundingly clear: they want to have a Jedi break their oath to celibacy, and they want to be the forbidden fruit to tempt you. Despite not wanting to continue this interaction, being openly desired in such a blatant and aggressive manner has you blushing like a schoolboy getting told a girl fancies him.
“Do you have a laser sword? I’ve never seen one before. Can you show it to me?”
“It is called a Lightsaber stupid.”
“Look, girls, it's great to meet you -WHOA, that’s not my Lightsaber. Look, I have to meet with someone. Him.” You point at random, ending at the sullen young man who stares into his commlink. As you jump out of the trio’s grasp, they pout, pulling disappointed faces.
“You will come back to us later, right?”
“Maybe, but no promises, I have much to discuss with my boy.” Your hands are raised, creating a barrier between you and them.
“If we don’t see you again tonight, you must share your commlink connection with us; I won’t let you leave before you do. Having a Jedi on call would be great if something horrible goes wrong.” The redhead demands, you accept it as your price for your escape, you give it and scamper off, not allowing them to suck you back into their clutches.
Grabbing two new drinks from a tray held by a well-dressed manservant, you neck the first one down, trying to use the sweet liquid to flush the experience away and take the other to slowly sip on. You sit down next to the man who is all alone in this hall that is charged with the excitement of youth. He looks up at you with a dazed, quizzical face, allowing and expecting you to explain yourself. You get a good look at the man with his face no longer buried within his communicator. You estimate that he is around your age, in his early twenties, and the human has dark black hair and matching dusky rings around his eyes from sleep deprivation; despite it, you can tell he was never the sort one would call handsome.","attachment":null,"posted":1713226296},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5978694,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"“Wow, the women here are intense.” You wave at the threesome that are still watching you, giving them a very fake smile. "You’ve got to pretend like we are discussing something; otherwise they are going to try to corner me again.”
“Sure,” He replies with the single word, not the talkative type. Either that or something is resting heavily on his mind from the sleep deprivation. You think the man has a story to tell.
“I’m Chris by the way.” You say with enthusiasm, trying to make up for his lack of energy only to mute it after realising that a man in his condition would be irritated by the eagerness.
“Xee,” He replies, then relents and says more than a single word. “You’ve never been to one of these parties before, have you?”
“First time, are people always so… forward?” This comment manages to get the smile out of Xee.
“It depends on who you are, of course, but it isn’t unusual here. Some people use it as a place to hook up, others for relationships, and some for business connections. All done behind closed doors with the right sort of people.” As the final word slips his mouth, his eyes go wide as if revealing a secret, and then Xee studies you for a second time in greater, more interested detail. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m meeting with our host,” you answer evasively. Not trusting further words on the topic, you purposely steer the conversation away. "What about you, why are you here?”
A dark look of forlorn sadness crosses his eyes. “My parents always made me go to these things. It feels wrong not to continue the tradition. If you mean, why am I one of the privileged? I’ve just inherited Bo Mining. Anyway, back to you. You agree with Denon and HAAS?”
Xee, looks at you with total curiosity as you answer him, studying your face for any movements that would betray a concealed thought. “I mean, who wouldn’t? I think we can all agree slavery is wrong and outdated in this era with droids that can work around the clock more efficiently and cheaply. The Hutts only perpetuate the practice out of their fetid cruelty.”
He smiles at your emotion rising at the end of your response, “It seems Hutts have continued the barbarism of slavery for countless thousands of years, they enjoy the lesser species suffering. How could we have a galaxy free of slavery without the Hutts? The galaxy is so massive that there will always be places their ilk can hide, nothing will ever stop them.”
“Depose them of their positions and strip their species of their ability to assume power in the future.” The thought of the Hutts and the treatment of your people has ignited a fire inside you, and you speak with passion.","attachment":null,"posted":1713226518},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5978700,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"“That’s a tall order; making sure a species is never able to assume any meaningful level of power ever again would be something very hard to do. I can only think of one method.” Xee chortles darkly, taking a new sip of his drink, and waves over a servant carrying a fresh tray of beverages. “Let us forget such dim talk. Let’s talk about other things.”
Drinks flow freely as you continue with Xee, who is now perky and energetic, enjoying conversing with you. You match Xee drink for drink until you feel them start to affect you and begin to slow down, much to Xee’s disapproval and chiding. Xee’s eyes widen and his jaw slackens looking away from you at something. Following his gaze, you see a figure, utterly radiant, her flawless skin purer than snow, glowing under the ceiling’s strong lights. She wears a deep v-neck red dress that emphasises her glow and sizable cleavage. Her flawless skin is only covered by the deep, rich red satin that matches her eyes and her lips.
The figure smiles down, pleased by your reaction; she offers you her hand, which you quickly take with haste. “May I have this dance?”
You escort Claire to the dance floor, after a compliment to a blushing Morrigan who looks very girly, which is unusually different from her typical attire. Taking Claire into your arms, you sway with her to the music, totally unsure how to dance, but that matters little as you study the woman you hold protectively. Exploring her dress, your gaze gravitates back to her chest, how the straining fabric tightly clings to her breasts. Your hands start on her hips; the alcohol in your system causes them to move, sliding as if pulled by an inevitable force resting on her behind, giving the occasional playful squeeze.
“What do you think?” Claire asks, inches away from you, her breath tickling your face.
“I think you are the most beautiful woman I have ever set my eyes upon.” Rewarding you with a brief kiss, you compliment Claire again, and she gives up another one, training you, conditioning you to shower her with endless compliments.
“These people will wonder how I seduced a stalwart member of the Jedi Order,” Claire grins at you, loving the attention you're giving her.
“I think they will be wondering how someone could be as stunningly beautiful as you.” Thankful that no rumours or pictures will spill from this exclusive party.","attachment":null,"posted":1713226835},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5978704,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"Spending the rest of the evening together, you never leave her side, nor do you break contact with her. Keeping Claire jealously locked in your arms, warding away lecherous onlookers wanting to sweep her up the second you release her. Finally, Morrigan gets tired, and the three of you return to your rooms. Standing in the corridor, you wait for your Padawan to close her door. You quickly pounce on Claire, pinning her against a wall and stealing deep, hungry kisses born from an urge growing all evening. Your hand slides up her midriff and paws at her heavy chest through the tight fabric as Claire pulls you tightly into the embrace, not allowing the moment to end.
Finally, eventually, you break from the lust-fueled make-out; Claire opens her door and turns to you. Her scarlet eyes mesmerizing you as they glow with desire, “Can you help me remove my dress? It is a struggle to take off.”
Her lie plain and obvious, wanting and need written across her face, you…
>Help her disrobe
>Wish her a good night","attachment":null,"posted":1713227091},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5978778,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978704
>Help her disrobe
Let's send it","attachment":null,"posted":1713232304},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5978793,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978704
>>Help her disrobe","attachment":null,"posted":1713233954},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5978821,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978704
Ill be the voice of restraint. Someone has too, drunk as shit isnt the way to enjoy this.
Maybe detox with a pill or something
>Bid her goodnight.","attachment":null,"posted":1713236952},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5979244,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"Good chance I don't update today, feeling tired as all hell.","attachment":null,"posted":1713297707},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5979320,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978704
>Send her to bed
We're dronk & we have business to attend to with the Duke.","attachment":null,"posted":1713305298},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5979994,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"I started writing last night with the disrobe choice, and we are split so I'm just going to continue with that direction. Hope thats cool.","attachment":null,"posted":1713388669},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5980042,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"Claire cocks her head and slinks into her room, her eyes not leaving yours. She watches you through the passage, watching your next move with bated breath. Wordless, you take a step forward; there is no internal battle or question you need to find an answer to. You want to be with Claire; you want to take her everything and give her your all back. Claire retreats into her room, and you follow. An invisible hand you conjure closes the door behind you, and you approach Claire, who has her back turned to you. Your hands go to her hips, then slide upwards with a frictionless ease, feeling her outline as they travel to her shoulders.
You give Claire a kiss on her cheek, then her neck, as your hands hold the straps of her dress. Slowly, you lift them off her shoulders and lower them; with a deliberate pace, you allow her dress to fall inch by inch as your kisses follow the same path downwards. Claire stands without movement, allowing your kisses to fall ever lower, and her body is slowly freed of clothing; there is a tension in her that hasn’t been there before. She is nervous about what is coming, her timidness of old returning. As you reach her hips, you allow the red silk to fall as your hands move to her underwear; sliding them to the ground, you kiss her alabaster cheek.
She shivers despite the warmth of the room; standing back up, you hug her naked body. The passion of the hallway is long forgotten. This is bigger than simple lust; there is plenty of time for that later; this is about the bond you share and its specialness. You stand there with her in your arms, using the Force to strip you of your clothes until you both are naked, holding her, feeling each other’s heat. With a gentleness, you scoop Claire up into your arms as if you were a knight of old carrying a princess. Laying her on the bed, Claire looks up at you, studying your body truly for the first time.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713392301551565.jpg","filename":"195863597-old-man-person-in-the-office-generative-ai-illustration.jpg"},"posted":1713392301},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5980043,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"Claire’s hands explore your body as you pin her under you, feeling your strength in your muscular frame. She is so tiny compared to you, utterly defenceless and submissive beneath you; as you grope and play with her nude form, you are careful with your strength in fear it could shatter her porcelain body. Hot breaths escape Claire’s lips, and her chest heaves as your hands play with her form, toying with it, exploring every inch to see what gives you the best reactions. You focus on her, not your own selfish desires, loving her face contort with pleasure.
Finally, you and Claire become one. What starts off sweet, slow and careful becomes energetic, passionate, and hungry. For each movement you make, Claire works with you, moving to your rhythm and pressing against you with audible ecstasy. Claire’s sweet moans are the most incredible music to your ears, encouraging and spurring you on, wanting her to feel the greater depths of pleasure. Lost within each other, you surrender to the moment. Claire’s free-flowing pale hair is wild and unkempt as she writhes within your grip.
After all is done, Claire looks up to you with love-drunk eyes and says the three words that have almost escaped both your lips a number of times. You know you’ve only been together a short while, and this is the passionate stage of a relationship. But being with her makes you feel complete in a way you didn’t know you were lacking. Your reply is a simple mirror of her words, utterly true and heartfelt, the words do no justice to your feelings and how deeply you care about her. “I love you.”","attachment":null,"posted":1713392556},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5980049,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"Morning comes and you wake up early, feeling the warmth of a body pressed against you. It is Claire’s sleeping form, looking angelic in her restful slumber. Softly, making sure not to wake her, you run a hand through her silky hair; it brings a childish comfort that unlocks a memory of a memory of your mother. Slipping out of the bed, you silently get dressed and pull up the sheets to cover her naked torso. With a kiss on her forehead and a message through your communicator, you slip out of the room and allow Claire to rest peacefully as you go to see the Duke.
“Wow, look at you, finally a man. I do wonder if our host has cameras installed in the rooms. Personally I would.” You ignore the mocking words in your skull from the lost dead Sith.
A servant spots you as you enter the hallway, a young human woman who brightens at the sight appearance. You ask her how long she has been waiting for you, confused about how long she has stood in a monotonous vigil. The woman gives you a non-answer along with a polite smile and asks you to follow her to Duke Denon. She takes you through the space station-turned palace, along the endless corridors until you stand before a door. It is like any door on the ship, ornate and garish but utterly unremarkable. Bowing towards you, she opens the door to your meeting.
Duke Denon sits at a desk all smile, “Chris! I didn’t see you last night, I trust you had fun. I heard you spent a lot of your evening with your friend Claire. Interesting at the very least, considering the Jedi code. But don’t worry, we are all friends here. I hope. So, what do you need of me?”
“I want the galaxy to change,” You state, and Denon’s smile grows like a Bull-Cat about to pounce; he silently nods allowing you to continue. “The Republic and the Jedi Council aren’t doing anything about the Hutts and their pointless cruelty, or the evilness of The Singularity. The Hutts will continue with their abhorrent practises until the ability to enforce such suffering is stripped from them, and The Singularity will only end when they convince the entire galaxy to commit suicide. Burying one’s head in the sand isn’t the proper response, we need to do something, or the galaxy will continue to fester under their influence. This cleansing might cause pain, but it is a small price compared to the future where this anguish is without end.”","attachment":null,"posted":1713392815},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5980055,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"“And you want, no, need money?” Nodding his head at your words, still grinning a smile that seems too large for his face.
“Yes.”
“Well, that is something I have a lot of. And I like the words I hear, I know many of my brothers in HAAS would feel the same way. But the money you will require is a massive galaxy-spanning amount that will be funnelled into so many things, arms, warships and reconstruction. It would bleed us dry to fund such an effort. My brothers would need to meet you first and give you a lofty task bordering on the impossible to prove your ability to achieve such a thing, to convince us to go all in with you and risk everything. But let us ignore that for now and talk about what happens after the conclusion of this crusade for justice. The Hutts and The Singularity are gone and forgotten; what happens next?”
“We feel that the best way to avoid a repeat of the Repulic's cowardly passivity is to reduce the role of democracy while retaining some measure of it. We want the Jedi to oversee this newly freed region.”
“The Hutt's former empire won't be part of the Republic?”
Your voice is firm and controlled, businesslike and authoritative. “No, but not an enemy of the Republic. The galaxy was cared for by Jedi until the Ruusan Reformation ruined that. We want a return of that rather than politicians who care more about the coffers in their pockets than the wellbeing of their peoples.”
“I do like your vision, and I would be happy to invest in it if you prove your capabilities. But there is one requirement we would need. Ignoring the slow and fair repayment of the costs incurred to create such a change. We at HAAS would need to make sure that Humans and Near-Humans like your people are cared for and treated fairly, properly supported, and respected after their centuries of suffering at the hands of the Hutts and their minions. A special status that ensures their place at the top and helps them recover from directed generational cruelty. That is our desire and one requirement. What do you say?” Duke Denon looks at you with a friendly smile as he shrugs nonchalantly with eyes that couldn't tell a more different story.
How do you respond?
>Write-in","attachment":null,"posted":1713393112},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5980198,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980055
Your benefit is that you get the wartime economy that you've been intentionally planting the seeds of for years. Slaves of all races will receive assistance to achieve parity with other races, not supremacy. If that is your requirement then I will search for support from someone who truly shares my ideals.","attachment":null,"posted":1713406684},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5980246,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980055
Mention how our support is already growing within our order, & that we seek to liberate all people, but of course our own take some degree of priority.","attachment":null,"posted":1713412455},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5980527,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980055
>I will permit a specified status of priority for rebuilding and rehoming but I will not help forge another caste system. Equality of life is a principle I hold too.
>Besides which, I hope there will not be interest on that repayment, given the significant benefit gained through the fruition of your wartime economy you have been sowing carefully over the past decade.
I mostly agree with >>5980198
We do want to help em, but putting the oppressed as a first class citizenry and none oppressed as a second class neglected faction of citizens is not gonna fly. Resources not social dominanace.","attachment":null,"posted":1713456084},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5980876,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"“We will prioritise rebuilding and lifting up those people who were enslaved, but we will not create another caste system that denigrates sentients.” You tell the man firmly as you come to the realisation that his organisation is only guised in anti-slavery rhetoric, hiding the Near-Human supremacist views.
His face crumples at your words, not hearing what he wanted. The Duke rests his chin on his hand as his frown deepens. His narrowed eyes gaze right through you, as if you did not exist at all. As the silence builds, you go to speak, but Duke Denon shushes you, his mind deep in thought. Finally, his eyes refocuses, and an old smile returns to his lips, “I think we could work together. But for the massive amount of money we’d be funnelling into your cause, there would need to be a huge amount of oversight to ensure you aren’t abusing our relationship. And of course, when rebuilding these worlds, mine and the other companies supporting you, would be the first choice to set up infrastructure and be the primary partners for rebuilding. For a fair rate. Yes, that could work.”
Denon wants to colonise what would be the freed region with infrastructure belonging to him and his allies, locking them in as the default contractors for unless another megacompany spends massive expenses to break into the region. But that seems like a fair enough prize for their support, and there is always nationalisation if they quote exorbitant fees. “That sounds acceptable. I can, we can work with that.”
“Have you just made a deal with the devil? Maybe you should just give up on your foolish goals.” The incorporeal voice slivers in your skull.
“That is assuming you have the ability to affect such a change. Who knows, you may not be as competent as you claim. My friends and I will need proof.” Duke Denon continues, his second chin wobbling as he speaks.
“In a short time, I have grown the number of supporters within the Jedi Order. We have an entire planet of fifty Jedi who are going out to convince more of our brothers and sisters to see sense.” You reply, proud of your actions and those who agree with your ideals.
Duke Denon waves his hand, unmoved by your words. “You can easily have trillions of supposed supporters across the galaxy, but how many would leave their homes and peel their eyes from their holomovies?”","attachment":null,"posted":1713479847},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5980879,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"“We both know that Jedi are people of action,” You say tersely, not appreciating his questioning of your comrades.
“Isn’t part of the reason you are here is due to your Jedi Council’s inaction?” He shoots you a smug grin, then cuts you off as you are about to reply with a barbed comment. “But let us not argue over such things; there is no point. And yes, I concede Jedi are not the average beings of the galaxy. We would need some great act or two, depending on the scale, to win over such trust from my allies. While I believe that you are fully capable of your words, others will need more.”
“What sort of thing would you need to see?” Your temper has not fully subsided and is affecting your tone.
“It depends on how much you want to impress us. The more you impress us, the more we can trust you. I think it would be best if you did the great feat alone, without any of our support, no matter how limited. It would simply be a better sell to see what you can do alone and how our money can magnify that.”
“What sort of thing would impress your friends? Should I not meet them first to find out?” There are many anonymous members of HAAS, and you would like to know their faces. It would give you some limited power over them.
“They trust me to speak for them and wish to remain faceless, I’m sure you can understand, you do not need to concern yourself with meeting them. From now on, after this meeting, unless absolutely vital, our meetings will be extremely rare. I will send someone with you as my own voice.”
“Ok, so, what sort of action would inspire them to open their pockets.”
“Each feat would open up pockets to different degrees. Personally, I would favour something large and grand. Get everyone on your side as soon as possible; building ships and arms is not cheap or quick. But you could do multiple easier tasks to win them over slowly. But as said, warships have a long lead time.” The Duke sighs as he thinks. “For a lesser, but great task, you could capture a Star Destroyer class vessel. One of only nine thousand vessels in the entire galaxy of quadrillions. Or you could liberate a planet as something more impressive. While a Star Destroyer is more valuable than all but the most exceptional worlds, capturing one is an easier thing. Taking a world with fifty people by your side, even if they are Jedi, would be awfully impressive. For that, I would advise a world with a lot of slaves; it would make things much easier. Of course, these tasks would have to target the Hutts.”","attachment":null,"posted":1713479909},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5980880,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"You counter, “Taking a world in Hutt space would be pointless; as soon as the Hutts find out, they would bombard the planet into submission.”
“That’s why you wouldn't declare independence after success. Make everything seem running as normal while using it as a base for building up your power in Hutt space. Not everything needs to be loud and proud. Those are my ideas, but if you wish to float your own, you are welcome.”
You…
>Decide to capture a Star Destroyer
>Decide to liberate a world
>Go with a different Idea(write-in)","attachment":null,"posted":1713479970},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5980934,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980880
>Rob the Hutt Grand Council's vaults within their private worlds
A star destroyer is impressive, but minor in scale ultimately. A planet will be almost impossible to liberate quietly. If the Hutts find out it was a Jedi who broke in, all the better should their tempers cause them to openly retaliate against the Republic & the Order. The blowback will all but assure our aims are accomplished. Hurt our enemies at their most vital weak point, their horded wealth.","attachment":null,"posted":1713485127},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5980981,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980934
Anon is going big here. I'm into it","attachment":null,"posted":1713489226},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5981275,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980934
+1 VERY BIG thinking right here. Would also inspire more criminals to try to hit the vaults when we succeed.","attachment":null,"posted":1713517503},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5981284,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980934
>Support.
Anything we dont take. We should ruin, thermite perhaps.
Hurt their coffers something terrible.","attachment":null,"posted":1713518898},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5981341,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980934
I like this goal but we need to remain discreet for now. Our splinter group could still be eradicated by the current order if they choose","attachment":null,"posted":1713532943},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5981346,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981341
I'd like to not be noticed, but so long as we are hitting their cash flow, then it's a worthy demonstration","attachment":null,"posted":1713533450},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5981413,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981284
+1, if we can't take it, yeet it into The Maw","attachment":null,"posted":1713542803},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5981667,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"You shake your head at the suggestions Denon floats, “I want to do something that will hurt them, more than the loss of a Star Destroyer or a backwater planet. I want to attack them where they will feel it the most. I want to strike their reserve vault.”
Duke Denon’s eyes balloon at your statement, thoroughly taken aback by the scope of your proposal. “You want to travel to one of the most secure systems in the galaxy to break into one of the most heavily guarded buildings ever constructed. And then steal what you can, and I guess destroy the remaining hundreds of thousands of tons of credits and aurodium you cannot carry off with you? Well, that would certainly be more impressive than anything I suggested. It would undoubtedly be inspiring, at the very least. That is if you could achieve it. I will forward you the little information I have on the fort.”
“Thank you. I will let you know when I have succeeded.” You say as you rise to your feet, leaving the old fat man behind.
“Excellent, but if you later decide the task is too great, do not force yourself to do the impossible. I guess Jedi are known for achieving that despite the odds. Also, where are you based? I will need to send a representative to be my mouth in lieu of my presence.” You tell him briefly of Lieserl and its location, then you disappear through the door.","attachment":null,"posted":1713568288},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5981668,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"You are back on Lieserl, it feels good to be off a vessel constantly recycling its atmosphere and be on a real world. Currently, you are sitting around a holotable with several Masters and your closer allies. The holotable projects a moon within a system populated with a number of planets orbiting a sun; more importantly, there are two space stations hanging in the void. One is a minor dockyard designed to repair limited damage a vessel might incur, and the other is a hangar housing squadrons of fighters and bombers. Furthermore, there are seven icons dotted around the system, each one a stand-in for Krula class vessels, which fall into the Star Destroyer category. The moon that sits at the centre of the projection is displayed in a light blue dome, which indicates a shield protecting the stellar body. That moon is Hutta’s Gem, a planetoid partially hollowed to house the massive amount of physical wealth stolen by the Hutt’s Empire.
Scion runs his hand through his hair looking at the display, audibly exasperated, “Chris I have no idea how we would break into the moon, stay undetected for long enough and flee with what we can carry. Yes, we should be able to destroy what is held within if we were able to enter the fort, a large enough antimatter bomb should annihilate the internals. But how could we penetrate the shields, enter the docking bay, and avoid the Krulas? I just don’t see it.”
Temple Master Reela scratches her chin. “We are not able to blast our way through these defences. Not with anything we have got, and even if we did, it would have to be quick. As soon as the alarm is triggered, the rapid reaction fleet, based only a couple of jumps away, will arrive. But leveraging what little firepower we have is not a Jedi’s path. We need to trust in our abilities in the Force.”
Alyla adds to Reela’s words, “How far do we think mind tricks could get us?”
This time, it is Claire’s turn, “Not far enough; even if we clouded the mind of every captain of the Krulas, their crews would still see us and shoot us down.”
“Even if we could do that, we’d then need to penetrate the shield and breach the docking bay, which is tiny. It's purposely designed for smaller ships, limiting single deposits and withdrawals.” Scion jumps back into the conversation, not happy with the idea at all.
“As you said, there are deposits and withdrawals. We could hijack one of those ships transporting goods and use that as our ticket in.” You answer back, trying to bite down your temper.","attachment":null,"posted":1713568349},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5981669,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"This time, Master Jaina speaks, “Each of these transport ships, the Golden Barges, come each month and are escorted by a single Krula. To do that, we’d have to fool the crew of the Krula and dispatch the crew of the Golden Barge.”
“We could do one of two things based on how I see it anyway. We could somehow put a few Jedi into the Golden Barge’s cargo hold and get shipped into the base. That would limit our number to half a dozen. Or we could attack that Krula, board it and the Golden Barge, allowing us to bring as many of us as we can spare.” Master Luke replies with a shrug, uncertain of the feasibility of his ideas.
Scion speaks again, the vexation growing greater in his voice, “This is all great, but once we get in, there will be thousands of staff dedicated to the protection of the Hutt's assets to deal with. The crew of the golden barges are welded within their ships, and they are not allowed to leave. Then there will be the alarms, and we want to leave the system intact. This requires everything to go perfectly for us to be able to pull this off. If anything goes wrong, we will be fucked.”
Claire, who, of course, is sitting next to you, discreetly slips her hand over yours and covertly squeezes it. The gesture tells you two things: one, it is your time to speak to decide the outcome of this discussion, and second, she supports you whatever your plan is. You…
>Sneak aboard a Golden Barge’s cargo with a limited number of Jedi
>Strike a Golden Barge and a Krula in transit
>Wait for the next Hutt to travel to inspect the stored wealth and hide among their slaves
>write-in","attachment":null,"posted":1713568410},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5981679,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981669
>We could steal a Cruiser, Turn it into a bomb and ram it into the asteroids side. Antimatter could do serious damages.
If thats not viable, creating fire ships, then.
>Sneak aboard with a limited number of jedi","attachment":null,"posted":1713569372},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5981685,"name":"Stumbling","msg":">>5981679
>>We could steal a Cruiser, Turn it into a bomb and ram it into the asteroids side. Antimatter could do serious damages.
The shield generator is too strong, it can sustain heavy planetary bombardment for a period. Unless you had a SSD or a fleet of SDs it would take too long to strip.","attachment":null,"posted":1713570256},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5981777,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981669
>Sneak aboard a Golden Barge’s cargo with a limited number of Jedi
Stealth is the only way this is feasible. A strike team that we need to train with as long as possible and coordinate responses to every possibility.
They will have advanced technological defenses. We may need to recruit technological specialists, people with more familiarity with the vault, criminals who have experience with this sort of work.
I'm less interested in stealing their wealth and more with destroying it.
We need create an easily concealable bomb, possibly one that looks like a valuable artifact that holds up to even close scrutiny.
We get in stealthily with our highly trained crew.
Plant the bomb with a very delayed fuse so we can jump far away before it detonates.
After the bomb goes off we can tip off any pirates in the area about the massive scattered hoard being up for grabs in the area, causing more confusion and chaos in the aftermath to help us escape.","attachment":null,"posted":1713579143},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5981814,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981669
>>Wait for the next Hutt to travel to inspect the stored wealth and hide among their slaves","attachment":null,"posted":1713580955},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5982004,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981777
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1713596718},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5982503,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"Taking tonight off. Next update will likely have a time skip, if not the one after that will. Give me a 1d100-10 for how well the Jedi on Lieserl have done to win over new Jedi.","attachment":null,"posted":1713645504},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5982513,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 71 + 10 (1d100 + 10)
>>5982503","attachment":null,"posted":1713646289},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5983581,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"“We should sneak in with the cargo, somehow hide within a container. If they do not notice us in a container, they should unload in close proximity to the vault, if not within it.” You muse openly your inner thoughts.
Scion shrugs at your idea, “That sounds great, but that requires a fair few ifs. Why wouldn’t they detect us in the container? How would any Jedi survive the long transit in the airless hold?”
Answers come to mind, you ask if these ideas are feasible, “Could we not create a container to spoof readings? Making it look as if it contains rare metals, but it is really us and a bomb powerful enough to gut the interior of the vault. And stasis pods should hold us during the journey.”
The council of Jedi discuss the matter, mirroring the ones on Coruscant. But unlike them, all are pushing for productive solutions rather than gradual concessions and retreats. Over the next few days, it is clear your idea is the one that is favoured. Still, the debates go on in different forms until the night of action, each time the topic is different, weighing the pros and cons to incremental changes, trying to find new ideas to increase the plan's likelihood of success. Scion is eventually seduced by the idea, but he remains a voice of worry, trying to find the flaws in the plan before it is put into action.
It is not cheap to construct the faux container. In fact, it takes a massive amount of the wealth from the Jedi on Lieserl, as does the bomb, it almost bankrupts the Jedi-owned planet. But both will do what you need them to do; the bomb will crack the moon, and the container will spoof any scanner, making it appear as an innocent load of beskar. While there are many types of explosives that could be used, the choice for an antimatter bomb was clear: it annihilates its surroundings, not just destroys them, leaving no melted rare metals remaining if caught within the blast. You overhear some grumbles about the project's expense, typically joined with a comment doubting the chance of the mission’s success.
As time passed, more and more new Jedi arrived on Lieserl; at first, there were only a few new faces, but as the months passed, the number of arrivals grew until they outnumbered the original members of the temple. Forty-nine became fifty-six with your arrival, and now your number is one hundred and seventeen, growing by sixty-one new Jedi. Looking over the new faces, you feel proud of your work, that your message had such a draw and that your allies have done an excellent job bolstering your numbers. Most find the new Jedi acceptance of relationships curious at first, unsure how to act with such alien concepts they’ve been pushed away from. Still, many relationships develop quickly after the initial unsurety.","attachment":null,"posted":1713737520},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5983587,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"Taking a long last look at the temple, you see the new housing constructed to home the new Jedi; the buildings are fine on their own, but compared to the ancient ziggurats that they sit next to, they are ugly eyesores. Sadly needs of the now. There is only room for five stasis pods in the technological wonder shaped in the figure of a container. You, of course, are going, and initially, Morrigan wasn’t, but after her incessant begging, you agree. Yes, the mission is dangerous, but all of them will be. You can have her shy away from danger despite your instincts to shield her from harm. Master Alyla and Jaina also join you; they are strong in the Force and wizards with their Lightsabers, as well as Scion, mainly for his analytical skills.
You take an ugly, worn shuttle that has seen many journeys into Hutt-controlled space. Temple Master Reela and Claire have joined you to ensure the Golden Barge picks up the container that will carry you and pilot the shuttle back to Lieserl. Travelling through Hutt space is a challenge in itself; each time you slip out of hyperspace into the real universe, you feel a sickness deep in your soul. It poisons your mind, infecting your dreams, turning them into nightmares, the only comfort is waking up next to Claire, which does soothe you. One day, as you travel, a voice speaks to you, “It is The Singularity affecting the Force; the aberrations they do to the souls of their followers are leaving a stain on this world. They are poising the well, warping the Force with the constant rituals of mass suicides.”","attachment":null,"posted":1713737746},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5983595,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"Finally, you make it to your destination, an asteroid on the fringe edge of the Hutt empire at the tip of the galaxy’s spiral arms. It is a giant asteroid that one day will be dragged too close to the star it orbits and eviscerated, but that day is further away than the time humans first touched space. Before that day, when this rock will be destroyed, it will first be thoroughly mined, with none of the valuable beskar ore remaining.
The plan remains simple; fewer moving parts mean a smaller chance of something going wrong; the idea is also assisted by the lack of information you were able to find out about Hutta’s Gem. It sits in the Har’Sal Sector, reserved for only Hutts and their slaves, little information travels in and out. You only have discovered that apart from the Golden Barges and the rare Hutt, nothing travels in and out of the moon turned vault. Your container will be swapped out for the one of processed beskar, the how was something you left until you arrived on the asteroid.
While playing the part of professors and students from a Republic University, you inquire about the entire process. You find the weak link in the procedure. Only one man, the director of the asteroid, physically checks and signs off the outgoing container that is to be picked up by the Golden Barge. If you somehow influence him to look the other way, your container will be ferried to Hutta’s Gem. The only other check is the sensors that scan the internals of the container, which should be fooled by your expensive custom electronics. What you do know of him is that he is a hated man with little care for others and an insatiable appetite for women and power, with many wanting his blood for his harsh worker conditions. Also, his young daughter suffers from the microscopic particles in the air that have damaged her lungs.
How do you convince the director to switch the containers? (A failed roll will mean you will have to mentally dominate him for some time, damaging his mind, using the Force in this manner is a darkside ability)
>Bribe him(1d100)
>Heal his daughter(1d100)
>Seduce the director(1d100)
>Dominate his mind
>Write-in(1d100)","attachment":null,"posted":1713738032},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5983676,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983595
>>Heal his daughter(1d100)","attachment":null,"posted":1713741828},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5983761,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983595
>Bribe him(1d100)
If we can avoid being outed as Jedi we should","attachment":null,"posted":1713747062},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5983911,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983761
sound logic, but Force Healing sounds more akin to the Jedi Way.","attachment":null,"posted":1713757147},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5984073,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983595
>Heal the daughter
Just request privacy and some mining equipment to make it legit.
"We planned for this."
Should keep him spooked and cover us as jedi","attachment":null,"posted":1713777581},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5984326,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"No one wants to roll?","attachment":null,"posted":1713820053},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5984334,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 74 (1d100)
>>5984326
just waiting for you to ask","attachment":null,"posted":1713821117},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5984342,"name":"Stumbling","msg":">>5984334
Cool thanks.","attachment":null,"posted":1713822323},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5984438,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"You slide onto a chair within a bar; it is a dark building with elongated shadows stretching from corner to corner. Your cloak is dark, eating the light that touches you, creating a barrier of night that enshrouds you. A drunk man glares at you with anger in his eyes outraged you would sit at his booth, surrounding the director are two young women dolled up with makeup to hide their true visage. Quietly, you tell the women to leave over the ugly music, your words cutting through the noise with a menacing strength; their empty minds allow your Force Suggestion to guide them away from this forced meeting. This sends the director irate; his Devaronian face grows increasingly red and is about to explode in loud outrage.
Snatching out, your hand grabs his arm, squeezing it in your powerful grip. His outrage evaporates into scared whimpers as he feels your strength crushing his flesh and bones. This man disgusts you; he is the perfect example as to why this empire cannot just be reformed but must be burnt away with cleansing fire. The director babbles on about having money and is able to do you favours as you slack your grip enough, so the pain is gone, but he is still trapped within your grip, unable to escape. Your face hidden within the shadow of your hood, you turn towards the man, only your scarlet eyes which glow with malice are visible.
“What would you do for your daughter?” You ask the director in a hiss that only he can hear. The music swallows your words, keeping them secret, just between the two of you.
“What?” The director doesn’t comprehend your words initially, assisted by the high concentration of alcohol in his system; then his face blanches as meaning is assigned to your words.
“I know she is dying of the polluted air you force your workers to suffer from. And I know you have spent more than a small fortune in an attempt to cure her. I also know how to save her.” Like a serpent, you whisper to him within the dark, humid bar. With each word, you sink more of the Force into his mind, clouding it with the thoughts you want him to think.
His eyes bulge at your words, and there is a new desperateness within them, not to escape but for salvation for his daughter. The director’s voice is a concoction of hope and fear mixing together into a bizarre cocktail: “You can save her?”
“For a price.”","attachment":null,"posted":1713833569},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5984439,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"You tell the man to ask no questions and to bring you his daughter in a secluded alleyway, which he does. His face is a mask of fear as he enters the veil of shadows between the buildings, clutching his sleeping daughter tightly to his chest. Appearing behind him, you allow your cruel smile to show as he jumps at your appearance. With an obvious internal debate, he hands you his child, who is locked in a deep slumber. As soon as she enters your arms, you disappear into the shadows, leaving the most powerful man on this asteroid alone, in utter fear for his daughter’s safety.
The next day, you return with his child, now healthy and free from the poisoned toxins which were embedded in her lungs. You and the other Jedi spent the entire day watching over her, healing her, and allowing the Force to flow into her, flushing the killing microparticles from her body. The joy on the director’s face is radiant in this isolated alleyway between two tall buildings that shield the passage from streetlights. He almost runs up to her before his self-preservation instincts force his eyes to refocus on your intimating figure. You allow him to take his healed daughter, and as soon as she re-enters his arms, he goes to leave. With an outstretched hand, you grab his shoulder, causing the man to squeak, reminding him that there was a deal, and you name your price. Blanching at your words, he offers you many other things, money, power, women, girls, boys, but you simply reiterate your price. You leave him with these final words: the gift I have given you can be easily undone.
Claire's eyes glimmer with unshed tears as you are about to disappear into the depths of your container, to be interred within the stasis pod that would leave you locked within a state of torpor. With a final goodbye and a long hug, which causes Claire to finally spill those tears she has been holding back, you enter the device. Claire and Reela watch as loading droids fill the container with the large bomb and the five tubes carrying five sleeping Jedi. Watching with a hand over her heart, Claire observes the Golden Barge accepting your container in lieu of the one holding a mass of refined beskar and fly into the stars.","attachment":null,"posted":1713833759},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5984441,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"Waking is an unpleasant experience; your body feels utterly wrong, as if ripped apart and incorrectly sewn together. Trapped in a claustrophobic coffin which restricts your ability to do anything but lay within the darkness. The screen in front of your face flickers to life, displaying the estimated location of the Barge based on the time elapsed, you are about to enter Hutta’s Gem. Outside the resplendent ship, a small portion of the shield that encases the asteroid-turned vault dissipates the imperviable barrier, allowing the singular vessel entry. Golden jaws of the docking bay open, revealing the hangar, utterly empty apart from the four truck-sized loader droids. Landing the Barge automatically opens its cargo hold, receiving the automated instruction from the structure rather than its pilots.
The loaders quickly remove the large containers from the ships into a shielded elevator that will take them down to the vault for unpacking. They move with robotic repetition, removing each container in the same practised manner they have done for their entire existence. There is only one alteration to this procedure, each time the loaders go to pick up your container they withdraw their arms and go to a different container until all have attempted to move you apart from the last droid. The last droid picks up your container and carries you onto the blast-shielded elevator made of near-impervious araksteel. Each time these droids made contact with your container, they were probed by a small datajack hijacking their code and overriding it with your preprepared instructions.
Just as the elevator doors are about to close, you trigger your plan to keep the Golden Barge docked within Hutta’s Gem, to be later used as your getaway vehicle by…
(1d100 please)
>Damaging the hangar’s doors, stopping them from closing
>Damaging the Golden Barge’s engines
>Write-in","attachment":null,"posted":1713833979},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5984466,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 67 (1d100)
>>5984441
>Damaging the hangar’s doors, stopping them from closing
Via a loader droid "malfunction"","attachment":null,"posted":1713836728},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5984619,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 62 (1d100)
>>5984441
>>Damaging the hangar’s doors, stopping them from closing","attachment":null,"posted":1713848294},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5984663,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984441
>Damaging the doors
Don't fuck with the engines of your escape shuttle.","attachment":null,"posted":1713852429},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5984782,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 26 (1d100)
>>5984441
+1, dumb robit ran into it","attachment":null,"posted":1713873279},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5985288,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"Not feeling all that great, maybe I'll be feeling better tomorrow or the day after and I'll continue the thread. But maybe not and I'll disapear for a bit idk.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713910448114754.jpg","filename":"1691494288065125.jpg"},"posted":1713910448},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5985340,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985288
Getting tired of the quest or what?","attachment":null,"posted":1713917663},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5985368,"name":"Stumbling","msg":">>5985340
Slighty, there are new quests I want to try, but I can power through that feeling. Its more my head isn't on straight. The last couple of weeks I've been having mad mood swings and whenever I go out I've been looking for an excuse to throw down over nothing. I'm not rude to people when I talk to them or anything like that, its just when I'm on the streets I go these feelings.","attachment":null,"posted":1713919281},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5985388,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"I've been there dude, you need a change of scenery. Switch up where you hangout, go out in nature, switch departments or gigs altogether, fap less, etc.","attachment":null,"posted":1713920407},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5990669,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985288
cowabunga it is dude.","attachment":null,"posted":1714473925},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5990761,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990669
Sorry mate, still just feeling all wrong. But I do want to finish the thread, otherwise I know I will 100% drop the quest and after 100k+ words it'd be a waste to end it like this.
I'll get out an update tomorrow or the day after.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714491476739308.jpg","filename":"_5a6aedbe-c5cb-485a-9bd9-c6d4c46779f3.jpg"},"posted":1714491476},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5992599,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"With a press of a button, one of the loader droids slams into another, sending its fellow compatriot across the hangar. The top-heavy robot slams into the opened doorframe that leads to the vast emptiness of space. Its arms, a facsimile of an ancient forklift, spear into the wedge left by retracted shutters. A whine emanates from the electronic voice synthesiser, followed by a garbled blurt in the droid’s native Binary. The other three watch the supposed workplace accident with a dumb vacancy; only after it is long done do they react. They swarm around their trapped friend and pretend to try to pry him from entrapment, their minds all infected with the virus, rewriting the code within their circuits that tells them to play the role while doing nothing that could undo the damage.
The three robots shrug and return to the elevator, leaving their comrade trapped. They relay to you that a signal has been sent to call engineers to remove the stuck droid. The door slides shut behind them, and the elevator lowers deeper into the moon. Finally, after some time, the elevator’s smooth descent halts, the doors reopen to another bay, and the remaining droids unload all of the cargo containers from the elevator and then open them up. Long, slender arms unfold from their chest, and they reach out to the depths of the containers. The robotic hands pick up the contents and begin withdrawing them from the containers.
The large antimatter bomb is withdrawn from your container; the large device can only be gripped by the reinforced prong primary arms. The loader then unstacks the stasis pods within the container, allowing you and your fellow Jedi to exit the pods. As soon as the transparasteel coffin lid slides away, you jump free of the prison. With a deep breath, you centre yourself and purge the stress built from the claustrophobic confinement. You notice similar relief in the faces of the other Jedi as they are no longer restrained in those tiny tubes.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714695446852303.jpg","filename":"Forklift-bot.jpg"},"posted":1714695446},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5992601,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Looking past the droid that is gazing into the container, you see the massive bomb that was taking up the majority of the space within the container. Despite its size, it is still hard to fathom that something that small can do so much damage. Once again, the machine speaks in Binary, a language you have never been able to wrap your head around. Master Jaina then speaks, condensing its words into summarised Basic, “Within the walls, there are gaps which a shield runs through. If we set off the bomb with the shields up, it’ll do minimal damage. We need to either hit the control station or the generator to shut down the shield.”
“Any information on the station’s defences?” You reply, speech feels strange to your mouth after being held so long in the stasis pod.
Jaina asks the loader, who replies back. After getting an answer, she turns to you, “No, these droids have no information about the vault’s defences. In fact, they are blind to them. I wouldn’t be surprised if their programming totally removes all visual inputs from security.”
“Ok, let’s move low and fast; we can’t let anyone see us with their eyes or through their cameras. Wearing our robes, we will stick out like aurodium in shit.” You tell your group of five.
Looking down at Morrigan, you shoot her a smile, hoping that this mission isn’t too intense for your young Padawan. Morrigan thankfully shows no sign of worry, seeming happy to be here with you and excited to do something meaningful. Slipping your head out of the container, you see the unloading bay; a gaudy metallic gold shine coats the walls and the ceiling; the only respite is the green marble floor. You want to withdraw back into your stasis pod to retreat from the assault on your eyes, but you power through. There is no one around apart from the three infected robots under your command; they continue unloading all the different containers of their opulent items by category.
Darting from the safety of a container, you sprint through the vast room towards an open corridor. The Force tells you to send out a small shove of telekinetic energy which ever so slightly moves a camera surveying the room, allowing you to exit unseen. The corridor ends at a T-junction, and an image is in front of you. Two images are etched into the wall: the first image is of a nondescript humanoid with an arrow pointing left, and the other is a cylindrical spiral with an arrow pointing right. Master Jaina tells you that the left passageway will take you towards the direction of the generator and the right will take you to the control station.
You decide to…
>Go left
>Go right
>Split up
>Write-in","attachment":null,"posted":1714695668},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5992635,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992601
>Go right
Much safer to disable the control station than a generator.","attachment":null,"posted":1714698450},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5992641,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992601
FUCK YEAH, +1 to the Control Station","attachment":null,"posted":1714699021},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5992690,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992601
Can we set the antimatter bomb somewhere where its expanding radius will hit the generator first, disabling the shield, and then reach the vault? Or does it have to be placed within the vault?
If it goes off in the vault and destroys all the hoard inside in that small localized area then that's mission success right? Would disabling the generator just allow us to destroy the whole moon?","attachment":null,"posted":1714703459},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5992802,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992601
>>Go right","attachment":null,"posted":1714712590},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5993066,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992601
>Go right.
Welcome back bro","attachment":null,"posted":1714744624},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5993274,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992690
The bomb is the size of a van. You'd need to ferry it with one of the droids if you wanted it to destory the generator with it, which would raise alarms. The vault is not one sprawling open room but many individual vaults housing different items.","attachment":null,"posted":1714760773},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5993457,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Sorry no update tonight, left it too late and I've got to get up early for the doctors.","attachment":null,"posted":1714778493},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5995095,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"The clear choice is to the right; while destroying the generator powering the massive facility would allow your bomb to gut the vault, there are undoubtedly reserve generators that will signal an alarm to the entire system. Escape would have been almost impossible with the seven Krulas patrolling the region, and that impossibility, in addition to the current one you are performing, is a step too far. Taking a last look at the cylindrical spiral, you spend a quick second of mental power trying to assess the meaning of the image, but nothing springs to mind. With a wordless nod to the right, you lead your party, Morrigan close to your heels.
Jogging down the labyrinthine hall, you take a few turns, seeing no one on your journey thus far, hoping that none of the security cameras’ feeds are being viewed. Reaching a door, you see the same helix made of green lights protruding from the golden wall. The emerald of the marble floor seems to stretch upwards and contaminate the colouration of the gold walls with a green hue. The wide door, large enough for one of the overweight slugs to crawl through, opens to reveal a room that is dark and shadowed but with enough light to allow you to see.
A wave flows through the open doorway, like a gust of wind carrying a powerful stench that sends an alarm deep into your bones. Taking a step to your side, you block Morrigan from the opening, guarding her from whatever lies within. Your hands are deep in your black robes, fondling the hilts of your Lightsabers. A second passes as you wait for some vile creature to leap out, but nothing comes, so you take a step into the dark precipice of the room. The sick foulness intensifies as you breach the room; there is something in this large hall. It is something utterly wrong that gnaws at your mind.","attachment":null,"posted":1714916131},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5995098,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"To either side, there are figures illuminated by lights behind them, leaving their silhouette as the only detail you are able to make out from a distance. They do not move; perhaps they are mannequins, or perhaps they are simply waiting for you to look in a different direction before launching into an attack. Cautiously, you walk up to the closest figure; all the while, your eyes adjust to the low level of light. The statue is of a male Cathar on his knees, so very lifelike but utterly unmoving; behind him is a diorama of a forest with other statues. Primitive spears slick with blood rip through the flesh of the other Cathars, hoisting them off the jungle floor; scorched blaster marks burrow into blackened flesh, leaving a crater of burnt fur. These are not just statues; they are taxidermies of dead Hutt enemies perfectly preserved in their gruesome defeat for hundreds or even thousands of years.
As you are about to walk away, something about the Cathar on his knees catches your eyes; taking a last look, you crane over him, trying to discern what you saw on the edge of your view. Then you see it, you see his eyes move. The insane spheres track you as you recoil from the figure; you do not need to use the Force to feel the pain and suffering locked within. Gawping at the kneeling Cathar, your party crowds around you, wary of whatever caused you to jump. Alyla asks what is wrong in a soft, soothing voice, attempting to calm you, but it does nothing; you can feel him, his insane madness and his pain. The Cathar is locked within a particle shield that traps him, but there is more that has been done to him. To keep this defeated foe alive for so long, there were surgical procedures to cut the man open, ripping out unnecessary organs and replacing them with machined components, allowing his suffering and defeat to last an eternity. You are unable even to give him the sweet relief of death, allowing him to finally join his comrades in their failed journey.
“It is nothing, let us go.” You speak to your companions in a steely, detached voice; your blades do not have the strength to slice through such a shield, and you can not end his suffering. Guiding them away from the living corpse, you steal one last pained look at the man, not letting Morrigan understand the horror of his condition. All you hope for is there are controls to free him and the others in the control station. Alyla, not reassured by your cold demeanour, she wraps her cool blue fingers with your ghostly white digits and gives you a slight squeeze to let you know she is here with you.","attachment":null,"posted":1714916376},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5995100,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Morrigan strays from the group as you walk down this long corridor of defeated foes locked within an undying prison, curiosity peaked. With a sharp call, you demand her to fall in and rejoin you, which she quickly does hurt clear on her face. Finally, you leave the great hall and can truly breathe again. The passageway returns back to the gold and green, which is a horrendous assault on the eyes; there is a fortune to be made by just removing the gold walls of the facility.
Reaching your target, you are greeted by a reinforced door leading to the control room overseeing the facility. The question is how to get through the obstacle into the protected room. Alyla looks at you questioningly as a hand of hers grasps her Lightsaber, seemingly ready to attempt to carve through the bulkhead.
As a group, you…
>Carve through the door with your Lightsabers
>Batter the bulkhead down with the Force
>Use the Force to convince them to open the door
>Write-in","attachment":null,"posted":1714916438},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5995101,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Sorry about not updating yesterday, had a lot of things going on, might be able to double update today but no promises.","attachment":null,"posted":1714916499},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5995196,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995100
>Carve through the door with your Lightsabers
I think time is of the essence now","attachment":null,"posted":1714928628},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5995226,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995100
Bulkhead would take too long, I know from smokin' the Qui-Gon Jinn Phillips-head Runtz.
>Combine the party's efforts into a Force Illusion of an impatient Hutt on the other side of the bulkhead where you are all standing
Ask the Sith demon in our head for help if need be.","attachment":null,"posted":1714931622},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5995264,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995100
>Use force mind trick or illusion","attachment":null,"posted":1714934038},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5997601,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"While Lightsabers would be able to carve through the imposing grey steel of the security door given time, it would not be immediate. The room’s occupiers would notice the orange glow of the bulkhead before your blades melted their way through the barrier. An alarm would be raised, spelling disaster before you’d be able to enter the room. You have to attack the barrier at its weakest link, the people controlling it. There is a video screen by the door to communicate with the people locked within the room. After telling your friends to get out of view, you go to it and press a holographic button to call the people inside.
A sphere grows and shrinks, a graphic to inform you that the call is waiting to be received on the other side of the shielded control centre. A confused face stares at you dumbly, shocked by the call he receives at this odd time. The puzzled alien face gazes at you with his mouth wide, showing his yellow-stained serrated teeth. He is a humanoid with orange scales, the colour of autumn leaves which covers his reptilian flesh. In the image, you see the room around him; lights, buttons, and screens adjourn every inch of the walls, allowing no simple, clean, unoccupied space. Around the room, there are similar aliens dotted around, sitting at desks and gazing at monitors, with a few looking over at him.
Before the alien can react, you close your eyes and reach out with a clawing hand that snaps forward as you send a wave of psychic power which travels into the mind of the startled creature. His mind is hard and rigid, a steel fortress barred by faith and devotion. It doesn’t yield, so you push on, violently probing into his skull, trying to find the keys to the castle. But like the doors guarding the room, his resolve remains strong and unbroken. Fear spurs you on, and instead of looking for a weakness to exploit or a secret entrance, you call your might and attack with the force of a battering ram which brutally punches through his defences. He is broken, and yours to do with what you wish.
As you take control of the alien a flash of images appear within your mind. You see his world, primitive and backwards, still using archaic stone tools. Then, from the clouds, a vessel descends with a slow grace, gleaming gold in the warm summer’s sun. From the craft appear your gods, large fat worm-like creatures with their angels of battle surrounding them. They take you and a few dozen of the other honoured chosen to come to this vault of the gods to protect their riches for the rest of your life. Each morning, you zealously chant your prayers to your gods for this role and all they do for you people, for being wise enough to see you are their truest, most devoted servant.","attachment":null,"posted":1715128053},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5997605,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Blood spills from the alien’s nose as you move him like a marionette; with a push of a button, the door opens, and you release your control. The alien you were puppeteering slumps as you let go, falling face first into his controls. Before the doors are fully open, you dive through the opening, empowered by the Force you push through your veins, turning yourself into a blur of speed. Before the first of the alien’s comrades can reach their slumped friend, you are in the room with them. In each hand is a bar of blazing blue plasma that hums with murderous intent. Before they are able to radio for help or scream in fear, they are dead. They are all dead. Severed necks, circular holes and cleaved torsos glow from the heat of your blades, displaying the killing wounds you inflicted upon them.
Turning around, you greet the scuffling of feet originating from your friends. Jaina runs over to one of the consoles and withdraws a datajack from her robes, summarily jabbing it into the controls and letting the virus spread from the brain of the space station to every single minute component. All doors lock, and all comm systems die; the only exception is if they provide the code locked within your datajack. This station is silent, dead to the outside, no one will be able to call in distress to alert the wider world of what is taking place. You have succeeded in your mission.
On one of the viewscreens, you find the room holding all the ancient prisoners trapped in stasis, they flop to the floor weakly twitching like a fish left out in the harsh sun. You know you can’t save them; the ship taking you free of here does not have the required life support systems to keep so many beings alive. But at least their last hours will be some small measure of freedom before your bomb explodes and annihilates all traces of them ever existing. You let out a sad sigh, wishing you could do better for them and heal them of the crimes inflicted upon them.","attachment":null,"posted":1715128213},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5997611,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"“We’ve done it,” Alyla wraps you in a hug, incredulous at your success and how easy it has been, ignoring the massive amount of credits it took to get here.
“What next Master?” You say with false deference as you give her a squeeze of exhilarated joy. “What are we wanting to take from this place before we blow it up?”
“I think I would look nice in a good crown,” Alyla replies in a jovial tone.
Morrigan interrupts the celebration you are all feeling, pointing at a screen, “This doesn't look good.”
Walking over to the screen, Morrigan stands by, and you see more of these aliens utterly furious and with pure hate in their eyes. They cradle blasters in their hands and lug their tools to the sealed doors, using them to slice through the now-locked passageways. Like a disturbed hornet’s nest, all you see is movement from angry drones determined to save their hive. A wave of these aliens is swelling, ready to break upon the intruders.
Jaina questions, “We need to make our way back to the ship now. I will seal the room, which should give us more time before they can retake control of the vault. I’ll order the bomb to be placed in the heart of the vaults. What should the loaders put in the empty containers?”
You fill the containers with…
(Roll three d20 for combat please.)
>Precious materials
>Credit chits
>Dataslates holding scientific research
>A bit of everything
>Write-in","attachment":null,"posted":1715128331},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5997632,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 20 (1d20)
>>5997611
Hmm.
>50/50 split of Science research and Credit chits
Be best if the research is focused on Hutt tech. But I think the credit Chits are worth more per weight than the precious materials. It'll recoup our losses and then some.","attachment":null,"posted":1715129176},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5997636,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997632
>Bury the Light plays increasingly loudly in the distance.","attachment":null,"posted":1715129264},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5997638,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 7 (1d20)
>>5997611
>Precious materials
It may be a bumpy ride, this would be the least fragile","attachment":null,"posted":1715129340},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5997641,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997632
nice roll! this subjugated primitive race won't know what hit them!","attachment":null,"posted":1715129401},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5997656,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"btw Stumbling you are based for continuing to run this quest for so long. much appreciated.","attachment":null,"posted":1715130471},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5997662,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997641
They will be free and safe when the hutts are dead.
Guilt isnt something one considers when liberating an empire. But this act does bring a frown to my face.","attachment":null,"posted":1715130736},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5997892,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 3 (1d20)
>>5997632
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1715147946},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5998112,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997632
Damn thats a good roll, certainly changes things.
>>5997656
Thanks, just hope you are enjoying it. That being said I'm still not in the right headspace and I want a break from writing. When I come back I will likely try a writing something else for a oneshot.","attachment":null,"posted":1715172747},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5998268,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998112
Ha, "this is the point where you are meant to lose a named character to establish stakes and the nature of sacrifice"
>20 says no.","attachment":null,"posted":1715185480},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5998286,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998112
Just to be clear, you're taking a break right now?","attachment":null,"posted":1715186696},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5998295,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998268
Was certainly considering it.
>>5998286
After this thread.","attachment":null,"posted":1715187409},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5998551,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">A bit of everything
That way we may stumble upon mystery box prizes","attachment":null,"posted":1715200796},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":5998594,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"I've got a big presentation on Friday and I'm working overtime to get it perfect. This means I have no mental capacity for writing, so the next update will likey be Friday.","attachment":null,"posted":1715202670},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":6000673,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998594
Hope it went well, if you need more time let us know","attachment":null,"posted":1715375012},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":6000761,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000673
Thanks, yeah im not going to update tonight. Im just fatigued from all the energy I spent on it and want to go to sleep a normal time. I will update tomorrow.","attachment":null,"posted":1715381713},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":6002900,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000761
You alive?","attachment":null,"posted":1715561887},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":6003987,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"“Credit chits and any interesting dataslates,” Your voice loud and authoritative. The onrushing hoard stirs the heart in your chest, placing you into the commanding aspect of leadership. “Tell them to do it quickly. It is more important that we are ready to go when we arrive than the amount of stuff they can ram the containers with.”
Master Jaina communicates your words through her commlink with fast, dexterous fingers. Watching her send commands through the interface, a question comes to your mind, which you speak aloud, “Where’s the bomb? Is it in place?”
“It's on its way; let's go.” With the completion of her words, she pockets the device and activates her Lightsaber that rushes to life with a hum and glows in an impressive verdant green.
Breaking into a fast stride, you run through the facility buried within the moon. Morrigan, the smallest of your fivesome, is the slowest, her small legs struggle to keep pace with the rest of you. Instead of speeding ahead or ignoring her strain to match your speed, you slow down to her swiftness, not wanting her to use Force speed to keep up with you, as that’d burn her out before any combat has commenced. Your young apprentice wears none of the worry that plagues Master Alyla’s or Jaina’s face. You find pride and amusement in Morrigan’s ability to allow fear to roll off her like water from a duck’s back.
Turning a corridor, a hail of red plasma explodes into view. The reflective walls that shine with a golden hue are replaced by the crimson of the torrent of blaster bolts streaming towards you. Without thought, your body reflexively brings your Lightsabers to bear, carving through the surging wave of blaster bolts. The narrow hallway is utter madness; death surrounds you, waiting for the slightest flaw in a parry or a misplaced step. Your decades of training combined with your trust in the Force naturally guide your hands in a flowing motion to be in the exact place they need to be. You cannot trust your eyes or your brain with guiding your Lightsabers; there are simply too many rounds being flung at you and your party. Partially stepping in front of Morrigan, you battle the shots that would end your young apprentice.","attachment":null,"posted":1715650537},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":6003997,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"The wall of backwards aliens uplifted from their primitive barbarous world clutch their blasters with religious zeal, trying to hose your party with a wall of burning death. But no shot strikes true; the Force is with you. As the shots are wildly reflected, some return to their send, striking them, leaving deep, blackened, burnt holes in their bodies. Your eyes catch something strapped to one of the lizardman’s belt, a small sphere of polished silver with a single switch. While you fight against the stream of fire, you reach out with the Force and slide the switch down, exposing a light that glows a fierce red. None of them notice the activated grenade and continue to shoot at you and your party to no success. After a few seconds, a shockwave slaps into your naked face, causing you to shirk back. When you return your view to the site of the explosion, you see a crater in the corridor and a few scraps of broken bodies; the majority of the platoon is simply eviscerated. Only a few limbs blasted clear remain, as does the blood that slicks the walls.
Reaching the hall, recording the Hutts' many victories over outnumbered and outgunned foes, you have carved your way through multiple parties trying to block you and your comrades. All of you are intact and unharmed. You are ever so proud of Morrigan, she has done amazingly well to keep up and not falter under this advanced test. Despite the exhaustion creeping into her visage, she still wears a grin of proud joy and triumph, looking at you, waiting for you to shower her with praise. That will come later after you are free of this place. The room is still clouded in darkness that clings to every surface, burying them in its gloom.
A chill runs down your spine, an encoded message from the Force. It doesn’t tell you what is wrong, but there is something you must guard against. Swivelling your head, you try to see something, anything within this room that might be the source of this wrongness. A figure leaps from a perch in the shadows like a great feline predator pouncing upon its prey; a bar of hissing red light slices through the darkness around him. Reactively, an outstretched hand points towards the figure diving at you, as if he were a hawk swooping down onto his prey. Flicking your arm downwards with a violent snap, the figure’s flight rapidly changes, slamming straight down into the hard marble floor headfirst as if controlled by a giant invisible hand. Bones shatter under the violent impact as the humanoid is flattened against the rock, he does not look dissimilar to an animal stuck by an ancient, wheeled lorry. His head explodes into a shower of blood and bone, with his torso being shattered and deformed. That was a rather ignominious death for someone given the great responsibility of being the sole Force user guarding the most precious of installations.","attachment":null,"posted":1715650886},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":6004003,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"Eventually, you make it back to the room holding the elevator that leads up to the hangars. “Is everything ready?”
Jaina, your middleman communicator to the droids, replies, “Everything is ready and waiting for us.”
This time, when travelling on the elevator, you are not within the coffin-shaped stasis tubes but standing outside the cargo containers, waiting for the doors to slide open into the hangar. As soon as they do, you and your comrades leap into the room, butchering the hapless engineers dumbfounded by your appearance from nowhere. Loader droids shovel the cargo into the empty hull as you carve your way into the crew compartment from the cargo hull, and remove the cowering pilots, taking control of the vessel. As the last container is put aboard that ship, Alyla brings the vessel to life as a group of aliens break into the hangar with a puff of smoke from the explosion. Their blasters pointlessly strike the ship, doing no damage other than blackening the paintwork as you exit the moon-turned-vault.
The Golden Barge travels to the Kula that escorted the ship in system, acting as if there is nothing unusual going on at all. All the while, you and the other Jedi are praying that the station is still battling the virus uploaded to the control centre and are unable to send out any form of communication signal. Each minute seems to take hours, and the hours feel as if they are endless days, yet you leave the system without a suspicious eye. As soon as you enter hyperspace, the antimatter bomb detonates. A soundless wall of annihilation expands out of the massive device. The reinforced structure is nothing to the wave of utter destruction that atomises everything in its path. The explosion reaches the edges of its limits and carves through to the surface, leaving a huge crater in the moon where once countless riches were safely stored.","attachment":null,"posted":1715651056},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":6004012,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"Travelling alongside the Star Destroyer sized vessel, you pass from the densely populated regions into the wilder frontier, thankfully outrunning the reports of your action. Finally, you arrive at a small backwater. The massive ship holding thousands of crew notice the sparsely populated void with a few dozen ships, but do not take any special note of a small personal starfighter. What is one small ship among the thousands they see every day? Then there is another one, and another one and another, roughly seventy in total. All spread out at different locations, not in a formation, leaving the crew that read the consoles displaying the ships sensors confused but unalarmed. That changes when every single starship turn in unison towards the Krula. Like a hive of hornets, they race to the object that disturbed their rest.
Automated turrets fire off repeating volleys of anti-fighter rounds at the approaching swarm, but the Jedi, piloting their ships, weave between them with almost contemptible ease. Concussion missiles unload from the fighters, coating the shield in explosive blasts, striking the shields that flicker in prismatic brilliance. Struggling to survive against the barrage of strikes, the shield flickers and falters, disappearing into nothingness. The fighters strafe the massive vessel, crippling the behemoth under the sustained fire. The Krula’s wings are clipped, but it is not dead; it drifts on, damaged and defeated but not lifeless. It would take too long to kill such a beast. But you are free from the monster guarding you, ready to travel home with your Jedi allies sitting within the cockpits of their starfighters.","attachment":null,"posted":1715651434},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":6004024,"name":"Stumbling","msg":"Ok thatsthe thread done and archived. Sorry about being so shit, lot of sutff going on my end none of it good. Pretty sure me and most my team are getting made redudant tomrrow.
Thanks for reading and suffering through my bitching. I'm taking a bit of a break, not sure how long but it'll be a while.
Let me know what you thought I could do better, apart from the whole external stuff ruining my drive and schedule, and what you liked.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715651872143584.png","filename":"1708291992012920.png"},"posted":1715651872},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":6004039,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004024
Thanks for writing all this. You've always been willing to roll with our write-in votes which makes our participation more meaningful. This whole heist was fun. Hope things get better on your end soon, we'll be here waiting and ready until they do. I'm anxious to see the galactic response and to see the war truly begin.","attachment":null,"posted":1715652592},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":6004577,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004024
That was fucking rad dude, thanks for your time & writing. I'm curious about the Sith(?) that we pancaked, but I guess some things shall remain a mystery. Really like the details of the heist, the Hutt use of a species who worship them fanatically, etc. I saw how Alyla was still making subtle moves on the protag... I'm hoping things improve for you.","attachment":null,"posted":1715699445},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":6004646,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004024
Thanks for running pal.
>>6004577
He was a disciple of the singularity. He deserved no better","attachment":null,"posted":1715705805},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":6005671,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004039
>You've always been willing to roll with our write-in votes which makes our participation more meaningful.
Quests are communal stories, I'm just glad you are enjoying participating and adding to it.
>>6004577
>I'm curious about the Sith(?) that we pancaked
He is a member of the Singularity, part of their priestly class named Dark Star. They oversee the ritual sacrifice of their followers and steal their lifeforce for the singularity in the Force they wish to create. You can read more about them in thread 4 of Stellar Turmoil and they feature in the intro of thread 3. He was a very strong opponent, testing your skills, the plan was for him to kill Jaina in his surprise attack but that 20 said no. I decided that I don't want any living Sith in the quest, the Sith have lost so many times over the thousands of years I think it'd be more interesting if they were replaced by a new darkside group of supposedly altruistic utopian collectivists.","attachment":null,"posted":1715774955},{"board":"qst","thread":5972247,"pid":6009400,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005671
Fuckin' oath, thanks for running","attachment":null,"posted":1716064363}]}
+{"title":"Dragon's Cadenza","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5968231,"name":"Greeble","msg":"“Long ago, long ago, our world was lush and green. Singers sang and dragons flew, and sorcery and steel were made one…”
In the deepest dark of an ancient metal ruin, eyes of dead glass watched over broken eggs. Lifeless guardians of lifeless wards, eternal in their vigil, they awaited power which would never come. Severed cables wrapped like vines about the metal eggs, cradling their broken shells and the shattered songs within. They would never be heard, never know the sand and seas and skies, never live.
So it had been for ten thousand years, and so it would be forever.
Across the endless centuries, the egg crypt became known to the members of a diminutive and curious people. They took the shape and size of the old masters; tufts of fur upon the tops of their heads, their bodies surfaced softly in pale or tan hues, and possessing four limbs yet standing upright upon one pair and grasping with the other - and none of them were winged. Ignorant, the two-eyes knew little what the ruin once was, and nothing of the egg chamber or its dead machines. They came for salvage, and secrets, but gained little of either - ancient places do not give up such things.
Slowly, even their pestering encroachments became nearly forgotten, swallowed by the sands.
Nearly forgotten, until one of their young returned, pursued by its own kind through the shifting sands. Others fled with it to the ruin, but their pursuers were faster upon the dunes, piloting bounding bipedal machines and plated skimming craft. Only the young one lost its pursuers when it reached the metal fortress, disappearing within the shattered pyramid's depths.
Rushing through the metal halls, it stumbled, fell, crashed, slid, and then lay still.
Crimson fluid pooled from its cracked mask, and poisons leeched in from the toxic air. When its eyes opened again the burning had already begun, the fire, but the shouts of its pursuers sounded from high above. With failing strength it fled deeper into the dark, past shattered eggs and dead glass, through severed cables hanging like vines, and beyond doors overgrown with fungus, until finally it could bear to go no further. It collapsed within a small chamber, quiet and still, beside a large black egg resting in a bed of sand and coiled cables.
The exhausted young creature pulled itself closer to the egg, and sang as it tried to patch its mask. It sang a lullaby taught by its crafter, - its mother - lyricless and soothing, while kneading a ball of repair agent into the cracked ceramic surface of its mask. If it did not finish quickly, then the growing fire within its mind would become an unbearable inferno, and wracked with madness it would perish in the toxic air as so many had before. No mask could reverse the change then.
As the creature's fingers slowed, and the fire in its mind grew too hot, the surface of the egg cracked.
>You are the song. [Hatching Egg]
>You are the singer. [Young Creature]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712094350841137.jpg","filename":"A Song Begins.jpg"},"posted":1712094350},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5968243,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5968231
This seems intriguing, but it's hard to make a choice.
I think I'll go with
>You are the singer. [Young Creature]","attachment":null,"posted":1712095303},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5968248,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5968231
>You are the singer. [Young Creature]","attachment":null,"posted":1712095807},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5968252,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5968231
>You are the song. [Hatching Egg]","attachment":null,"posted":1712096036},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5968253,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5968231
>You are the singer. [Young Creature]","attachment":null,"posted":1712096121},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5968268,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5968231
>You are the singer. [Young Creature]
I am stunned,thrilled to see an original quest.","attachment":null,"posted":1712097773},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5968309,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5968231
>You are the song. [Hatching Egg]","attachment":null,"posted":1712101555},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5968345,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5968231
>You are the singer. [Young Creature]","attachment":null,"posted":1712103925},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5968356,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5968231
>You are the song. [Hatching Egg]
play that truth and dreams","attachment":null,"posted":1712104511},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5968418,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5968231
>You are the song. [Hatching Egg]","attachment":null,"posted":1712109219},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5968480,"name":"Greeble","msg":"Voting will remain open for another twelve hours to allow for most time zones to have a reasonable chance to vote. Updates will be much swifter after that, probably two or three a day depending on how quickly votes come in. There will generally be at least a one hour warning before a vote closes, though how long before that is announced will vary.
As we get deeper into the thread, please try to link votes back to earlier posts if your ID changes due to phoneposting or a VPN.","attachment":null,"posted":1712113846},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5968496,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5968231
>You are the singer. [Young Creature]","attachment":null,"posted":1712115500},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5968777,"name":"Greeble","msg":"Two and a half hours-ish left to vote.","attachment":null,"posted":1712147918},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5968792,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5968231
>You are the song. [Hatching Egg]","attachment":null,"posted":1712150572},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5968843,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5968496
>>5968345
>>5968268
>>5968253
>>5968248
>>5968243
Singer wins, writing. Should be posted in an hour or two.
>>5968792
>>5968418
>>5968356
>>5968309
>>5968252
Don't worry egg anons, you'll have your day in the sun.","attachment":null,"posted":1712157188},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5968905,"name":"Greeble","msg":"Fire sears your mind and lungs, burning vein and flesh and soul with every breath of this foul air. Curses of the old world hang thick here in the dark, in this secluded chamber so deep within the ruin. If you do not mend your mask, the madness will soon take you. The mask is a simple but precious thing, a concave ceramic oval, sun bleached white and with holes for your eyes - your mother crafted it to have no need for plugs or filters, and now you have broken it. With shaking hands you retrieve the shell of repair paste from the shedskin pouch at your hip, exactly as you have been taught to do, and then an electric cattail from another - with a whispered word you set it aglow, illuminating the sandy chamber.
The chamber, which has become your refuge from the slavers, is small and secluded deep within the ruin - the mountain as you have always thought of it, for you have never seen another thing fitting the name outside drawing in old books. But if you do not work quickly to fix the deep crack in your mask, your refuge will become your crypt.
Whimpering in pain you pull close to an odd black stone and set to work squeezing the repair agent from its carapace shell, pressing thumb and forefinger together until the gray clay like paste extrudes - careful, you must be careful, there is so little of it… too little? That must not be! No, the crack must be sealed! Searing heat pulses through you in waves, every breath bringing the crimson tinge of your vision tighter, narrowing, narrowing, narrowing to a sheet of blood that foretells only madness and death. The fire burns, and soon your mind will, the curse will claim you.
“Mother!...” You call out in pain, helpless and alone. No one hears the call - not ever the hunters looking to place you in chains. The only company to your death are the cables and conduits of the ancients hanging from the walls, and they do not aid those they curse - they rejoice in their death. They are making faces now, scowling and sneering, you see them whenever you look up from the mask. Red eyes in the dark, malevolent crimson, every light glowing brighter and hotter as they spread their fire. Even with eyes shut they watch in the dark of your mind. Only the black ellipsoid stone at the chamber’s center is unchanged - untouched by the red. Fingers stop, and then start again shaking all the worse as they burn away, kneading the paste into the cracked mask slower - it is fear. Fear is devouring you from the extremities in.","attachment":null,"posted":1712165334},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5968908,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5968905
All is red, and you shall die, consciousness shattered and burnt - a husk left to stalk the dark, that is what you will be. A wraith.
But a song sounds within your mind - mother’s song, the old lullaby, the oldest one of your people. Dying, desperate to repair the mask and save your fading consciousness, you begin to sing - it is pitiful, barely more than a pained whimper, but it brings comfort as you near your end.
“Ooooaahhhoooahhh, oohah ah ho ah…”
There may still be enough to repair the mask… still… time…
Thunder claps in the dark, and light floods the room - your electric cattail erupts into a nova of white light, blackens, and shatters. Shards of carbon launched by the dying lamp slice into your skin, drawing blood - more red. Too much. Everything… burns…
You awaken to the feeling of cold and wet pressing against the nape of your neck, slick metal brushing up and under your long white locks. Something is cooing gently, almost purring, thrumming like the turbine of a sand skimmer beside your face. The curse is… gone? No, not gone, you feel it still, at the edges of your mind - but you are cold again. Shifting about on the sandy floor of the chamber, you tilt your head to try to see what is purring so intently.
Four slitted eyes peer back into your two pink ones, far too close. You pull your head back, fearing the thing might bite - but no strike comes.
Snuggled up under your arm is a sleek creature the likes of which you’ve never seen. Its tail is long and finned like a plane or glider, a spike at its very tip and then smooth at first as it runs toward the body, overlapping plates of a strange chitin protecting it in greater degrees with every passing fingerbreadth until the thick tail terminates at the base of its torso, just behind its powerful hind legs. Legs which are utterly unlike any bug you’ve ever seen, plated in that same sleek style as the tail but more heavily and with small spikes near the joints of its hip, knees, and… double ankle? It is digitigrade - you recall the word dimly, never having much use for it. Its two forelegs are less armored and command the oddest set of wings you’ve ever beheld - no dragonfly or beetle, but almost like a cavebat - creatures you’ve only seen in ancient books. Talons adorn its three toed feet, terrible and curved, larger on the hind legs than the front.","attachment":null,"posted":1712165537},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5968909,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5968908
The aerodynamic torso and long neck of the beast are more armored than its limbs, a ridge of plates running all the way to the base of its head - and what a head it is! Angular and fearsome, it looks just as you would imagine a demon; sharp and primal, like a jagged pyramid split in two, a pair of eyes rests on each side, each slitted and prismatic. The eyes higher up its face are slightly larger than the two which rest below and forward, but all four shine with a profound intelligence, A single three sided spike a little longer than your index finger, a horn, protrudes from its forehead, facing forward like a lance. Everything about its head is well protected and cruel, meant to gnash and snap and impale.
A forked tongue shoots out from its mouth, licking the red dripping from the wound on your face - the pain fades quickly, dulled at once. It is friendly!
Reaching out nervously with one hand, you brush along the beast’s neck, eliciting another round of cooing - and the color of its black armored plates shifts to the purest white - the exact hue of your hair. Even its eyes change, fading from a sinister red to a light pink, mimicking your own eyes and face paint. How is such a thing possible? Ancestor’s wrath, did it emerge from that stone? That egg you pressed close to in your madness?
From high above you hear the shouting of the slavers echoing across the metal mountain, passing through the shaft you fell down minutes ago. They will come soon, armed and armored and descending on lines or by jumpboot, filtermasks protecting them from the ancient’s wrath for more than long enough to capture you and return to the surface. They are greedy brutes, raiders working for foreign masters you know little of - The Empire, they had said before burning your caravan and chaining your people. That was only an hour ago.
There is no time for the odd beast.
>You grab your repaired mask and flee at once further into the metal mountain - you are young, and war is not yet your way, but you have been blessed with a knack for the ancient ways and know something of their magic. You may be able to escape these dead halls.
>You grab your repaired mask and search for a weapon, anything, to use to ambush your pursuers - you are young, and war is not yet your way, but you were built stronger and faster than most. A grown man will have the advantage in power, but surprise and a thirst for vengeance will be yours - and then his equipment! With a linegun or jumpboots you could escape more easily.","attachment":null,"posted":1712165636},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5968922,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5968909
>You grab your repaired mask and flee at once further into the metal mountain - you are young, and war is not yet your way, but you have been blessed with a knack for the ancient ways and know something of their magic. You may be able to escape these dead halls.
Cool setting, QM","attachment":null,"posted":1712167635},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5968940,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5968909
>You grab your repaired mask and flee at once further into the metal mountain - you are young, and war is not yet your way, but you have been blessed with a knack for the ancient ways and know something of their magic. You may be able to escape these dead halls.
>>5968253 was me, I think. I'll verify when I get home. Registering a trip for future reference.","attachment":null,"posted":1712168889},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5968941,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5968909
>You grab your repaired mask and flee at once further into the metal mountain - you are young, and war is not yet your way, but you have been blessed with a knack for the ancient ways and know something of their magic. You may be able to escape these dead halls.","attachment":null,"posted":1712169053},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5968963,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5968940
Thank you, anon, I appreciate it.
>>5968922
>Cool setting
Much more of it to come, thank you!","attachment":null,"posted":1712170658},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5968997,"name":"Greeble","msg":"Voting will remain open for one more hour.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712175283035517.png","filename":"A Young Creature.png"},"posted":1712175283},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5969000,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5968909
>>You grab your repaired mask and search for a weapon, anything, to use to ambush your pursuers - you are young, and war is not yet your way, but you were built stronger and faster than most. A grown man will have the advantage in power, but surprise and a thirst for vengeance will be yours - and then his equipment! With a linegun or jumpboots you could escape more easily","attachment":null,"posted":1712175514},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5969017,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5968909
>>You grab your repaired mask and flee at once further into the metal mountain - you are young, and war is not yet your way, but you have been blessed with a knack for the ancient ways and know something of their magic. You may be able to escape these dead halls.","attachment":null,"posted":1712176819},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5969048,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5968922
>>5968940
>>5968941
>>5969017
Fleeing into the mountain wins, writing. Should be done in an hour or two.","attachment":null,"posted":1712178971},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5969088,"name":"Greeble","msg":"The shouts from above spur you into motion, sending you scrambling to grab your mask. Clutching it in both hands, you orient it correctly and then press it to your face and hold it for a half a heartbeat. Air hisses as the ceramic mask seals against your face, and with a heavy breath you suck air through its microfilters once more. Stale, dead, cold - and no burning curses. The only pain left to you is from bruises suffered while falling, and cuts from your shatter electric cattail. While it is long gone, scorched carbon in the sand, light still emits from a few of the cables hanging around the room - whatever phenomena triggered the flash earlier seems to have stuck upon them. Another curse, perhaps.
The odd white beast circles away a few paces, across the sand covering the floor of the chamber. It is about the size of a house mantis, its shoulder coming up a hand’s length below your waist, and it is confused, head cocked as it stops and watches you with its four slitted eyes. What a pitiful creature, born down here in the dark, among dead machines and the ancestor’s curses - it’s a small wonder that it seems unaffected by the air, but you’ve heard of other bugs which are immune. You scratch at your chin, below your mask’s seal, and consider the beast’s appearance - It doesn’t look like any insect you’ve ever seen, the eyes are all wrong, and the wings, and the legs…
“Ho there lads, mind your footing, there’s a chute! Must have gone through the grate…” A deep man’s voice echoes down the shaft you fell from, “Make ready for descent!”
Startled out of your curiosity - and you have always been terribly curious - you hurry to the only exit of the room. It is an arching portal, steel sealed to steel - a sliding door, not unlike those in settlements or craft built in your own age, but automatic in operation. Biting your lip within your mask, you run a hand across the central seam of the door, wiping away millennia of dust - it is pristine beneath, untarnished silver, but sealed tightly shut. You’d hoped to get a nail in there and pull, it has worked before once or twice in other ruins, but not now it would seem.
A chirp sounds from beside you. Looking down, you find the beast looking up, eyes meeting again. It chirps once more, louder.
“What dost thou wish, bug?” You question politely - It answers by pressing up against your leg, pushing hard and letting out that low purr from before, grinding armored plate against your white fiber robe and the muscle beneath, “Ow! Pray cease! I must think.”","attachment":null,"posted":1712183269},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5969090,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5969088
It stops, and looks at you expectantly. The angular head of the beast sways from you to the door, and then back again. It chirps. Helpful. If it wishes to follow you, then so be it - but you must focus on escape! Pushing past a bundle of hanging cables, you find a rune panel beside the arching portal - it is lit up yellow, ancient light shining with power from… where? How? The beast chirps.
Taking a step back, you extend one hand and make the gesture of command, inhale deeply, and then intone, ”Apart.”
Wind rushes past and wings thump out as the beast spreads its forearms, the span of its membranous wings reaching out many times its width. It trills in confusion, its long thick tail thumping around as it tries to balance on its powerful hind legs - soon it manages it, grace coming easily to the newborn. The door has hissed open, the hall beyond lit dimly by a trail of fairy lights - winking little white specks spaced evenly along the floor near the based of the walls.
Tucking back a few strands of your white hair, you look at the beast again.
“Knowest thou my word?” You ask politely, watching its wings slowly lower, four eyes flitting about the room searching for something unknown to you, “Fold thy wings.”
“Line secured!” A man’s voice echoes from above again. You hurry through the arched portal, your question to the beast unanswered beyond the folding of its wings - this must not be a talking bug, it only chirps and purrs. Down the hallways you go, boots clanking on metal, talons clicking, and lights guiding the way. The way splits eventually at a cross intersection, and you look for the guiding lines - colors left from long, long ago, that mark the different ways along walls. Yellow… Red… Green! Thin and faded, but still present, you follow the line down the left hallway. The beast follows close, chirping occasionally and moving off to one side or the other to run beneath hanging cables or over odd metal pods you do not know the purpose of.
“Pray, cease that!” You scold, but your words fade to nothing as you see it has found something - a circular portal, irised shut with metal. Another control panel, dull and dead, sits low next to it. You would need to drop to your hands and knees to enter, but the beast could do so easily. An excellent hiding spot, few know the tones of old magic, but without power it is useless.
The beast chirps, and the panel comes alight. You know the ancient word upon the flickering screen: VENTILATION.
You clutch your hands to your breast, surprised - so it was the beast’s doing, all of this. Does it know something, or is this more animal curiosity?
>Command the portal open, lower yourself, and crawl through into the unknown. It may lead directly to the surface!
>No! You will not follow the beast’s suggestion, there is a perfectly good portal down the hall labeled ‘HANGAR’ in ancient paint.","attachment":null,"posted":1712183380},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5969100,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5969090
>Command the portal open, lower yourself, and crawl through into the unknown. It may lead directly to the surface!","attachment":null,"posted":1712184258},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5969166,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5969090
>>Command the portal open, lower yourself, and crawl through into the unknown. It may lead directly to the surface!","attachment":null,"posted":1712191325},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5969287,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5969090
>No! You will not follow the beast’s suggestion, there is a perfectly good portal down the hall labeled ‘HANGAR’ in ancient paint.
dragon mecha? dragon mecha","attachment":null,"posted":1712202818},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5969290,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5969287
An intuitive feeling for the setting, I see!","attachment":null,"posted":1712203038},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5969306,"name":"Greeble","msg":"Voting will remain open for the next eleven hours.","attachment":null,"posted":1712204727},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5969342,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5969090
>No! You will not follow the beast’s suggestion, there is a perfectly good portal down the hall labeled ‘HANGAR’ in ancient paint.","attachment":null,"posted":1712209462},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5969444,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5969090
>Command the portal open, lower yourself, and crawl through into the unknown. It may lead directly to the surface!","attachment":null,"posted":1712226188},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5969544,"name":"Greeble","msg":"One more hour for votes.","attachment":null,"posted":1712240732},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5969579,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5969444
>>5969166
>>5969100
Writing.","attachment":null,"posted":1712244347},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5969613,"name":"Greeble","msg":"For a long moment you stare at the strange beast, gazing deep into its eyes, and ponder its nature. Commanding dead machines of the mountain to stir to life is no trick, you scarcely would have believed it had you not seen it yourself. It must be a power of the creature, perhaps the ancestors granted it dominion over such things. Pitiful and cruel looking as it is, there is something far greater about the creature than its alien appearance. Steeling yourself, you place a glimmer of faith in its intuitions and power, and extend a hand firmly toward a lit rune panel beside the iris.
”Apart! You intone, and steel whirs and circles as the iris opens - a gust of air blows back locks of your white hair and sends you robe billowing. Warmth floods the hall, and though you smell nothing through your mask a few flecks of sand are soon caught in your open palm.
Wasting no time, you drop to your hands and knees and begin the long crawl through the narrow metal shaft. The beast follows close behind, its wings and legs folding close to allow it to slither like some strange worm - but soon you see it no longer. Total darkness surrounds you as the iris closes, no fairy lights exist here to guide the way, and you begin the achingly slow ascent to the surface, winding and wrapping, twisting and turning…
…And you become terribly lost.
This is beyond your knowledge of the mountain, far beyond the secrets you have gleaned - forever you have felt a closeness to the ancestors’ ancient works, intuiting what others do not, but intuition often fails and the ancestors were cruel. Their curse did not claim you earlier, though you still sense the burning red at the edges of your mind, but these tunnels very well might. Your lips grow dry and parched, the warm air and metal sapping you slowly of strength across what must be… hours? Has it been hours? You blink in the dark, thinking, and nothing changes.
Behind you, the slithering beast chirps. It presses against your leg and then worms alongside and past you in the tight confines. Its stops, pressed against you, a faint pink glow emitting from its eyes - barely enough by which to see the eyes themselves. The four slits turn and stare at you, narrowing, and you feel hot breath flow from its maw. For a moment you fear it has grown hungry and seeks your neck, and you struggle to raise a hand in the dark and clutch at your own throat, a primal need to guard yourself seizing hold… But the beast slithers past. It slinks away further down the shaft, and then chirps again expectantly.
…So you follow it. For an eternity you trace the creature’s path, just a few arms lengths behind it, until finally you see a glimmer of golden light at the end of the tunnel. The beast surges forward, slithering quickly, and you coax your tired and cut limbs into one last burst of energy.","attachment":null,"posted":1712248353},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5969614,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5969613
When you emerge from the duct, hot desert wind howls past across the open sky. Far below you, past the messy and shattered slope of the metal mountain, the endless dunes of the sand sea stretch out to the horizon. The sands are broken up only by lesser ruins, hulks of rusted metal, each a mystery to you but familiar in shape if not name.
Crouching on the small silver platform in front of the duct, its railing long broken away, you pull up the hood of your robe and squint out across the desert in search of other sights. Three pillars of smoke, all far off toward the sun - your caravan. Closer, trails of sand moving fast over the dunes, clouds kicked up so high and violently as to obscure the craft creating them - unmistakably the work of skimmers, and most likely those of the slavers sent by this Empire.
“That descent is deathly steep.” You speak to yourself, leaning over the edge of the platform to examine the jagged and blasted way down through twisted metal. The beast sits beside you and listens intently anyways, once more on all four legs, and so you address it as an ally - for what else could it be after guiding you through the dark? “We must take care, bug.”
The beast's wings spread wide, taloned hind feet stomp loudly against the metal platform, and its long thick tail slithers and snaps in the air. A matching pair of odd gill-looking organs on its aerodynamic chest, just below the neck, widen to form something like the air intake of a skimmer. They part the armored plates to either side, and each whirs and sucks and rumbles as they draw air in. A light glows within them, and you hear... song? Your song. The lullaby.
It is preparing to fly!
>Press the beast's wings back down, order it to stop, anything! If it abandons you now, you will be alone again, alone and parched in a desert without your people! You must descend this metal slope, and it shall follow you. You can try to claim one of the slaver’s skimmers far below, one may be unattended or poorly guarded.
>The beast is small, but there is a curve to its back, a slight indentation along the armored ridges that looks almost like it is intended to be ridden. Attempt to mount the small creature, and let it act as it will. Perhaps this is terrible folly, you may be too large for it, even with such wide wings.
>Write-in.","attachment":null,"posted":1712248519},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5969628,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5969614
>The beast is small, but there is a curve to its back, a slight indentation along the armored ridges that looks almost like it is intended to be ridden. Attempt to mount the small creature, and let it act as it will. Perhaps this is terrible folly, you may be too large for it, even with such wide wings.","attachment":null,"posted":1712250819},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5969665,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5969614
>The beast is small, but there is a curve to its back, a slight indentation along the armored ridges that looks almost like it is intended to be ridden. Attempt to mount the small creature, and let it act as it will. Perhaps this is terrible folly, you may be too large for it, even with such wide wings.
We don’t have to fly - just survive a semicontrolled descent?","attachment":null,"posted":1712254111},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5969672,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5969614
>The beast is small, but there is a curve to its back, a slight indentation along the armored ridges that looks almost like it is intended to be ridden. Attempt to mount the small creature, and let it act as it will. Perhaps this is terrible folly, you may be too large for it, even with such wide wings.","attachment":null,"posted":1712254679},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5969678,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5969614
>>The beast is small, but there is a curve to its back, a slight indentation along the armored ridges that looks almost like it is intended to be ridden. Attempt to mount the small creature, and let it act as it will. Perhaps this is terrible folly, you may be too large for it, even with such wide wings.","attachment":null,"posted":1712255312},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5969687,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5969614
>The beast is small, but there is a curve to its back, a slight indentation along the armored ridges that looks almost like it is intended to be ridden. Attempt to mount the small creature, and let it act as it will. Perhaps this is terrible folly, you may be too large for it, even with such wide wings.","attachment":null,"posted":1712255697},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5969807,"name":"Greeble","msg":"Voting will close in one hour.
>>5969665
Very true, I suppose the real issue is more if it will even be semi-controlled.","attachment":null,"posted":1712266261},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5969814,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5969807
Fingers crossed! Does this quest have dice?","attachment":null,"posted":1712266982},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5969827,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5969814
I'm considering it currently, thought I'm not sure what system I would use.","attachment":null,"posted":1712267551},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5969832,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5969827
1d20 or 1d100, Bo3 to hit a DC, is pretty much standard around here. Simple d6 (attached) is a really good option if you want to ability to level up and such. A few other quests like Lodestar, Seekers of the Esoteric, and Forgotten Realms use their own simple-but-effective scaling systems.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712268205800961.pdf","filename":"1372924544491.pdf"},"posted":1712268205},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5969845,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5969832
Simple d6 seems interesting, I'd never bothered to check it out before. Thanks, anon.","attachment":null,"posted":1712269187},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5969863,"name":"Greeble","msg":"Attempting to ride wins, writing.","attachment":null,"posted":1712270443},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5969950,"name":"Greeble","msg":"Your breath steadies as you approach the beast, falling in sync with the faint music emanating from its chest - could that truly be the same song? Walking behind its spread wings, head tilted, you examine it more closely; it is assuredly meant to be ridden, the indentations are there, like a riding bug but far more refined, elegant even with so much armor adorning the small beast…
“Hold.” You extend a hand, commanding the creature, but the tone is wrong.
Its long neck twists back, articulated to such an extent that it can look directly behind itself, and it chirps. Four pink eyes watch as you try to find a way to mount the creature. Its wingspan is great for its size, tremendous, and its tail is very long and finned, but could it really carry you? It is no dragonfly, and certainly not a glider. Straddling close against its back, pressing yourself down against the armored plates, you find the indents you saw earlier and pull your legs tight into them.
“Pray fly well.” The words are more for yourself than the beast, but it seems to understand, the howling from the intakes on its chest growing louder, more air sucked in - and scorching hot air expelled from vents at the rear of the beast, near the tail. You adjust your feet, pulling them away from the hot wash, and wrap your arms tightly about the beast’s neck.
With a lurching pair of steps, struggling already under your added weight, the long beast steps off the platform and dives. Wind blows back your hood and robes as you fall together with the beast, your stomach lurching weightless in free fall. The beast’s wide wings soon catch the wind, and you feel its long tail strain and pull with its neck, fighting together to take control of the descent. As the dunes rush up to meet you and your armored mount, the descent slows, and slows, and then stops entirely as it pulls up!
Dunes rush past a hundred of your own height beneath you, the beast’s winged shadow tracing across them, cast in stark relief by the high desert sun. Gazing out in amazement, white locks blowing in the wind, you take in the sights of the desert - the distant smoke of your caravan, the plumes of the slaver’s sand skimmers, the far off ruined hulks of brown and silver metal. Up here you are free. Without flying machines, the slavers cannot touch you.
As the beast glides - for it only seems to mostly glide, only flapping its wings occasionally to adjust course - you begin to hear the roar of its air intakes strain and fade. The song a layer deep behind that whirring, burning noise is fading. Fading fast! The realization strikes you too late, and by the time you begin to sing - desperate to try anything - the beast’s strength has failed entirely.","attachment":null,"posted":1712278833},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5969951,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5969950
Hurtling toward the ground in a barely controlled glide, the beast's taloned feet skim the top of a tall dune and cause it to violently lose control, sending you flipping together end over end in the air. You cry out in that horrid second of spinning, the beast’s cry matching your own - shrill and childlike - and then your strength fails and your tired limbs are pulled free from the grooves of the beast’s armor. Separated, you fall fast and hard to the dunes below - the last thing you see before striking the sand is a searing flash of white.
When you finally awaken, your arm pulses with a dull hot ache, inviting the red at the edge of your mind to come crawling back - the curse thrives on pain. Kicking at the hot sand, you find your sandals were torn off in the tumbling crash. It burns, but you have endured hot sand many times before, and soon you have pulled yourself from being half buried. To be devoured by the desert is a terrible fate, and it will not be yours today - you are the curse’s to claim.
Pulling yourself tight into a ball, and tugging your hood up to protect you, you begin to inspect your aching arm, touching it gingerly. Horrid pain shoots through you as you press a finger to it, trying to feel the extent of the break - and it surely is broken. A whimper escapes your lips, unable to bear it. Parched, achingly tired, and running across dunes or crawling through vents for hours, you cannot bear to any more - this is too much. Red eyes watch you from the sands, the ancestors mocking your suffering, and crimson crawls further inward.
Soon the slavers will find you, those skimmers surely must have seen your fall, and you will be captured. Perhaps you will be a wraith by then, and claim one of them as well, claiming a maddened vengeance in your mind-death. Bile rises in your throat at the thought, but that only draws the horror closer, tighter, tighter than the duct ever could have been. It constricts everything, smothering your thoughts with fear, and hate, and red.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712278896017105.png","filename":"Failed flight.png"},"posted":1712278896},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5969953,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5969951
The sand beside you begins to vibrate and warble, and a moment later the beast’s horned head erupts from the ground in a spraying cloud. It quickly pulls itself free entirely, moving through sand like water, and it presses against you. Your mask is held tightly in its toothy mouth, recovered and intact. The red recedes at once even, vanishing back to the periphery of your being, mocking eyes dissolving away.
Breath leaves you as you realize what has happened - the impossible thing the beast has done once more. It’s presence has driven away the curse. And it must have done so earlier - you were too far gone then as well, too deeply infected. You cannot help but smile widely, pain the last thing on your thoughts as you realize you will remain yourself for a moment longer! You wrap the beast in a tight hug - it is far too long to pull more than its neck and torso to you, but those are small enough for such a thing. It is not so tall really, just very long and wide if you take its finned tail and winged front legs into account.
In the distance, you hear the thrumming roar of a skimmer approaching fast. It is an unmistakable noise.
>”Help me, bug.” Beseech the beast’s aid again. It is very young but quite cruel and predatory looking, perhaps it can ward away these foreign slavers in a fight. A skimmer’s supplies would preserve your life a day longer and provide many options, but these slavers are well armed.
>”Hide!” Try to get the beast to bury the both of you in the sand, it seems to have power over the dunes as well as the sky, small though they may be. Hiding is the way of your people in such situations - they are not cowards, it is simply prudent. You will try to find other survivors later, though that will be a desperate search - you have no supplies.
>Write-in.","attachment":null,"posted":1712279015},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5969965,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5969953
>”Help me, bug.” Beseech the beast’s aid again. It is very young but quite cruel and predatory looking, perhaps it can ward away these foreign slavers in a fight. A skimmer’s supplies would preserve your life a day longer and provide many options, but these slavers are well armed.","attachment":null,"posted":1712279874},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5969981,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5969953
>”Hide!” Try to get the beast to bury the both of you in the sand, it seems to have power over the dunes as well as the sky, small though they may be. Hiding is the way of your people in such situations - they are not cowards, it is simply prudent. You will try to find other survivors later, though that will be a desperate search - you have no supplies.
We seem pretty small, hopefully we can stay out of sight.","attachment":null,"posted":1712280621},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5969993,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5969953
>”Hide!” Try to get the beast to bury the both of you in the sand, it seems to have power over the dunes as well as the sky, small though they may be. Hiding is the way of your people in such situations - they are not cowards, it is simply prudent. You will try to find other survivors later, though that will be a desperate search - you have no supplies.","attachment":null,"posted":1712282181},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970024,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5969953
>”Hide!”
Maybe start singing again? That seemed to help.","attachment":null,"posted":1712284872},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970028,"name":"Greeble","msg":"Voting will remain open for one more hour. I'd like to get another update out tonight if possible.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712285323030410.png","filename":"Skimmer.png"},"posted":1712285323},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970049,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970024
Hiding and singing simultaneously seems like a bad plan to be frank. One negates the other.","attachment":null,"posted":1712287723},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970064,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5969981
>>5969993
>>5970024
Writing.","attachment":null,"posted":1712289929},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970107,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5969981
>>5969993
>>5970024
“Hide!” You call out to the beast at once, panic filling your voice - that skimmer must belong to the slavers, your people traveled mostly by slug. Soon they will be upon you, blade and firespitter in hand, and then all will be lost, “Hide! With haste, bug! Hide!”
The beast looks to you in confusion, and then toward the sound, and begins to flex its wings out to take flight on its own - you nearly tackle its plated chest and neck, pressing painfully into the sharp edges as you struggle to keep it on the ground, your broken arm searing with agony. A rumbling growl sounds from the beast, and its jaws snap sharply in the air, once, twice, and thrice, sounding like the jaws of a steel trap springing shut each time - you catch your mask with a shaking hand as it falls free of its mouth, tucking it away quickly in your robe’s deep inner pouches as the beast rages on. Finally you managed to coax the beast into compliance, crying out to it a few more times to hide - words seem to have more effect than your weak arms, especially with one so painfully broken. An alien vibration passes through the beast’s chest and across your hands, up your arms, and into the core of your being - sand parts, and you fall.
Blinking, you find yourself buried nearly head deep in the slope of the dune you were resting upon. Turning your head, you meet the beast’s four eyes once again, pink slits staring back at you from within its cruel and spiked head. It is buried up to its head in the sand, just as you are, but can move freely, like a man submerged in water - you can feel shifting and vibrating currents of sand beneath your legs, but they do not suck you down further. The beast’s central three sided horn grows, metal scraping on metal as it elongates - what a terrific lance that would be if the beast were to charge - and then thrums with a voice.
The voice of a child far younger than yourself repeats your warning from a moment ago, though the beast's mouth remains fully shut, “Hide?”
“Hide.” You confirm with a nod, tucking down a little lower in the sand. Your hair, white as it is, blends in well with the sun bleached dunes, as does the beast’s armored white head. Only very sharp eyes could see you.","attachment":null,"posted":1712295396},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970111,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5970107
The thrumming of the skimmer grows closer, and soon the blue craft flies into sight, skipping and jumping over the dunes at tremendous speed, far faster than the bipedal walkers the slavers operate as well. The body of the craft is bent concave relative to the ground, a great intake on the front sucking in air which it then expels across its body to create lift and skim - huge fans at the rear push it along to ever greater speeds. A pair of men peer out from the glass of its small pilot house, you can faintly see that they wear the helmets and red feathers of the slavers. Feathers. You had never heard of such a thing until today, but before the slavers struck there was some limited talk, an attempt at a parley with the caravan chief - you overhead a little, standing close to the brief joke of a negotiation before the fighting began, because…
Vote One:
>...You were trying to shoo your younger brother - unrelated by blood - away from the tense talks, sensing something was deeply wrong about the foreigners speaking with the caravan chief. You became separated while fleeing, to your eternal shame, and in all likelihood your brother was captured.
>...You are a servant of your people’s prince. Sharing his albinic coloration and a curiosity for the very ancient, you have always been favored despite being an orphan - he was captured by the slavers of this foreign Empire. Often you are treated more as a younger sibling than a servant, but only when others are not watching.
After a few minutes patrolling aimlessly, crisscrossing the dunes and kicking up great clouds of sand, the skimmer thrums off and away across the desert, back in the direction of your smoking caravan. Another pair of skimmers soon follow, a little more distant from your hiding spot as they pass by, and then a pair of stomping jar-like walkers. The beast’s horn hums strangely as it watches the walkers trundle past, but it takes no action, content to watch from your buried hiding place. When even the walkers are gone you emerge from the sand, sweating terribly - the sand is hot, far too hot to be hiding like that for long, and you still have no water.
Vote Two:
>Head back toward the smoking caravan and try to hold out until the slavers leave. Other survivors might meet back there, and there may be supplies… and you owe the dead their funerary rites, as poorly as you might perform them. This will keep you closer to the slaver’s trail.
>Head back toward the metal mountain - there were mushrooms growing in there, and pools of water in places. That is enough to sustain you for now. Other survivors may have succeeded in hiding. You will likely lose the slaver’s trail, but you will be safe.
>Write-in.
VOTE IN BOTH VOTES.","attachment":null,"posted":1712295510},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970151,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970111
>...You are a servant of your people’s prince. Sharing his albinic coloration and a curiosity for the very ancient, you have always been favored despite being an orphan - he was captured by the slavers of this foreign Empire. Often you are treated more as a younger sibling than a servant, but only when others are not watching.
>Head back toward the smoking caravan and try to hold out until the slavers leave. Other survivors might meet back there, and there may be supplies… and you owe the dead their funerary rites, as poorly as you might perform them. This will keep you closer to the slaver’s trail.","attachment":null,"posted":1712301848},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970164,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970111
>>...You are a servant of your people’s prince. Sharing his albinic coloration and a curiosity for the very ancient, you have always been favored despite being an orphan - he was captured by the slavers of this foreign Empire. Often you are treated more as a younger sibling than a servant, but only when others are not watching.
>Head back toward the smoking caravan and try to hold out until the slavers leave. Other survivors might meet back there, and there may be supplies… and you owe the dead their funerary rites, as poorly as you might perform them. This will keep you closer to the slaver’s trail.","attachment":null,"posted":1712305207},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970174,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970111
>...You are a servant of your people’s prince. Sharing his albinic coloration and a curiosity for the very ancient, you have always been favored despite being an orphan - he was captured by the slavers of this foreign Empire. Often you are treated more as a younger sibling than a servant, but only when others are not watching.
>Head back toward the smoking caravan and try to hold out until the slavers leave. Other survivors might meet back there, and there may be supplies… and you owe the dead their funerary rites, as poorly as you might perform them. This will keep you closer to the slaver’s trail.","attachment":null,"posted":1712306540},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970177,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970111
>>...You were trying to shoo your younger brother - unrelated by blood - away from the tense talks, sensing something was deeply wrong about the foreigners speaking with the caravan chief. You became separated while fleeing, to your eternal shame, and in all likelihood your brother was captured.
>Head back toward the smoking caravan and try to hold out until the slavers leave. Other survivors might meet back there, and there may be supplies… and you owe the dead their funerary rites, as poorly as you might perform them. This will keep you closer to the slaver’s trail.","attachment":null,"posted":1712307406},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970243,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970111
>...You were trying to shoo your younger brother - unrelated by blood - away from the tense talks, sensing something was deeply wrong about the foreigners speaking with the caravan chief. You became separated while fleeing, to your eternal shame, and in all likelihood your brother was captured.
>Head back toward the smoking caravan and try to hold out until the slavers leave. Other survivors might meet back there, and there may be supplies… and you owe the dead their funerary rites, as poorly as you might perform them. This will keep you closer to the slaver’s trail.
Let’s go pick up the pieces","attachment":null,"posted":1712317833},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970253,"name":"Greeble","msg":"One more hour for voting.","attachment":null,"posted":1712321192},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970276,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5970151
>>5970164
>>5970174
>>5970177
>>5970243
Servant and back to the caravan, writing.","attachment":null,"posted":1712325931},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970340,"name":"Greeble","msg":"“Follow.” You speak firmly to the beast as soon as it has emerged from the sand, your thoughts already turning from the fading roar of skimmer engines to the fate of your people - of your prince. Manners, however, come even before that - you owe your life to the strange albinic beast, “...Thou hast my thanks, bug.”
“...Bug?” The beast questions, its young voice emitted from the horn jutting from its forehead, an odd vibration filling the air with every word. Its head cocks to the side, and then it follows your gaze to the distant smoke plumes, black and rising high in the direction of the sun, “...Follow!”
“Yes, follow.” You nod, pulling your hood back up and then resealing your mask - it closes about your face with a hiss. The air here does not carry such a heavy curse upon it as the mountain’s depths, but the ceramic mask still serves to protect your face from the harsh sun, even shading your eyes slightly to help stave off sand blindness - though you remember nearly nothing of her but her song, mother’s other gift to you is a precious thing indeed.
The march back across the dunes is long and hard, taking over twice the time as it did to run fleeing from the slavers earlier - they struck so quickly after the talks fell apart, and such a terrible a fear gripped you at the sight of their walkers and weapons that you could not help but run with the greatest haste for the metal mountain. Others fled as well, all of you ordered by the prince to preserve your own lives. The prince… your prince. Your brother, you feel in your heart. He will need to be rescued.
Toward the end of the exhausting trek you collapse, unable to bear the heat even with the protection of your robe and mask - your feet are scorched and burnt, your sandals never found after the crash, and every muscle aches. Without asking, the beast slithers back under the sand, and then emerges below you. You are carried the rest of the way upon its back, your good arm wrapped tightly about its neck to stay atop it as the vibrating liquified sand parts quickly. The effort seems to strain it, but the beast manages the rest of the journey.","attachment":null,"posted":1712333648},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970341,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5970340
When you reach the caravan, only desolation greets you. Stretched out in a line in the valley between two great dunes, fires rise from mushroom sleds and the burning corpses of the mighty slugs which towed them. The small skimmers of your people, both of them, are cratered ruins, their tan metal plating blasted to shards of metal by the cannons of those jar-like walking machines the slavers brought with them. The twin skimmers would not have been a match for the skimmers of the slavers regardless, far too small, they were personal mounts for the prince and caravan chief. You clutch at your mouth, struck breathless by the horror of the scene - there are bodies among the wreckage, not only of the kind and gentle slugs but of your people as well. Dozens of them. Bile rises again in your throat, and you barely fight it off, nausea and disgust washing over you. This is such barbaric cruelty - these foreigners are demons in human skin, this is unforgivable! Red pulses at the edge of your mind, and then recedes. Looking down from atop the dune, you see pools and rivers of dark dried blood, now nearly black - more must have been blown away, stained sand carried off by the desert winds. All of this will be buried in a few days, swallowed forever by the dunes.
Grabbing hold of the beast once more, you point toward the caravan - it understands, and soon you are sliding down the dune atop its back, sand parting easily. You reach the perimeter of the devastation in a matter of seconds. Dismounting unsteadily, still terribly pained and parched, you begin the very slow, very long walk through the caravan which has been your home for many months now. It was not large, meant only to traverse the vast sand sea from one settlement to another, allowing the prince to visit his distant peoples. Now… Now it is nothing.
As you approach the first body, burnt and blacked by a firespitter, you find its black charred skin and shattered bone half collapsed inward. Doubling over under a sudden wave of nausea and despair, you retch and vomit on the sand. When at last the hacking coughs and spitting stop, you are left feeling empty and dead, so dehydrated as to barely be able to cry - but you do. That corpse was Roland, the engineer who worked on the skimmers. Beside him is half of his wife Cereza, her other half a few body lengths away and crushed strangely… stepped on. You retch again, but there is nothing to lose now. The beast takes a few steps toward the bodies, its jaws parted and sharp fangs showing.
“No!” You scream, stumbling to the beast’s side and striking at it with your good arm - you could not hope to harm it barehanded, as even though it stands at only half your height it is armored and more massive overall; if it were to fully rear up upon its hind legs its head would be well above yours. “No! They are people! Stop!”","attachment":null,"posted":1712333750},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970342,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5970341
The beast stops, its mouth slowly shutting, and it looks to you with sadness in its eyes - does it understand? A rumble passes through it and out its shut mouth, muffled but unmistakable that of an empty stomach.
“...I understand, but thou must not sate thyself so. It is accursed to do so.” You bow your head. The beast is a newborn, and it has been very active - a mother should have fed it by now, you suppose, but instead it has been flying and crawling and swimming, “We must find supplies… food and drink.”","attachment":null,"posted":1712333811},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970344,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5970342
“Food!” The beast responds at once to the word, it learns quickly, “Food! Mother, food!”
“I… I am not thy mother, bug.” You say as you begin to walk toward the burnt remains of one of the supply sleds, a few tarps and a bundle of tent poles unburnt near it - there may be food as well, “...Perhaps I must name thee properly, there are no others to do so.”
What to call such a strange beast though?
VOTE ONE: BEAST'S NAME
>Marzanna.
>Casimir.
>Write-in.
Hours later you have gathered up a small measure of supplies, a shedskin pack now sitting beside you and filled halfway with bundles of salted ant meat and beetle gourds, as well as some shells of repair paste and other useful things - medicines, a length of steel cable, a flare pistol, a working knife, and finally a narrow bladed sword which you know to be a spare owned by your prince. He is a fine swordsman, even at his age, but you are not trained in the ways of war - you know only the roughest basics taught in a few private and mostly playful sparring matches. The prince grows bored at times, it was never more than entertainment, but you cherish the memories. You have no true family, even your adoptive father passed some years ago.
Using the blade, you have chopped up one of the smallest tent poles and fashioned a crude splint for your arm, securing it tightly, and then applied a dollop of repair paste - it is intended for mending metal and ceramics, not flesh, but with a word of command and the right tones you coaxed it to sooth your broken bone anyway. Knowledge of the ancestors’ ways, of their magic - if not their cruelty and curses - has great utility in times like this.
Sitting around a small flameless heater, eating beside the crouched beast - which has eagerly gulped down nearly two thirds of the supplies of food you have discovered - you tell stories to it, taking care to teach the meaning of every word. It learns quickly, now beginning to speak more as a person. This of course means it has learned your name.
VOTE TWO: YOUR NAME (This is not a disguised vote for MC sex, just pick one.)
>Aeron.
>Morrigan.
>Write-in.
VOTE THREE:
As you sit and eat and talk, slowly recovering your strength, a single survivor arrives at the caravan wreckage, greeting you with a shout.
>It is Pandora, a fellow curious spirit - she was the one who first showed you the metal mountain a few years ago. She is a crafty sort, devious even, always getting into trouble and then slinking out of it. Of course she survived, you saw her bolt even before the shooting began!
>It is Ahriman, the young commander of the prince’s guard, also of noble blood - he is wounded… He should be dead, last you saw he was fighting the slavers. That coward swore his life to defend the prince, he should not be standing after this catastrophe! …Still, he is a trained warrior. Perhaps he was merely knocked on the head and left for dead.
VOTE IN ALL THREE VOTES.","attachment":null,"posted":1712334077},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970351,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970344
>Casimir.
>Aeron.
>>5970344
>>It is Ahriman, the young commander of the prince’s guard, also of noble blood - he is wounded… He should be dead, last you saw he was fighting the slavers. That coward swore his life to defend the prince, he should not be standing after this catastrophe! …Still, he is a trained warrior. Perhaps he was merely knocked on the head and left for dead.
Both of these names are pretty ominous, but there's not much reason for a traitor soldier to come back like this.
We're gonna have to fight to commandeer a skiff, we can't all ride on the dragon.","attachment":null,"posted":1712335488},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970355,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970344
>Casimir.
“Caz” is cool.
>Morrigan.
Seems quite clear that we are female, though?
>It is Ahriman, the young commander of the prince’s guard, also of noble blood - he is wounded… He should be dead, last you saw he was fighting the slavers. That coward swore his life to defend the prince, he should not be standing after this catastrophe! …Still, he is a trained warrior. Perhaps he was merely knocked on the head and left for dead.
I’m honestly picking this one for the narrative drama","attachment":null,"posted":1712335785},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970365,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970344
>>5970344
>Darner
After a sort of dragonfly
>Morrigan
>It is Ahriman, the young commander of the prince’s guard, also of noble blood - he is wounded… He should be dead, last you saw he was fighting the slavers. That coward swore his life to defend the prince, he should not be standing after this catastrophe! …Still, he is a trained warrior. Perhaps he was merely knocked on the head and left for dead.","attachment":null,"posted":1712336743},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970367,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970344
>Marzanna
>Morrigan
>It is Ahriman, the young commander of the prince’s guard, also of noble blood - he is wounded… He should be dead, last you saw he was fighting the slavers. That coward swore his life to defend the prince, he should not be standing after this catastrophe! …Still, he is a trained warrior. Perhaps he was merely knocked on the head and left for dead.","attachment":null,"posted":1712336770},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970368,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970344
Vote 1
>Casimir.
Vote 2
>Aeron.
Vote 3
>It is Pandora, a fellow curious spirit - she was the one who first showed you the metal mountain a few years ago. She is a crafty sort, devious even, always getting into trouble and then slinking out of it. Of course she survived, you saw her bolt even before the shooting began!","attachment":null,"posted":1712336817},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970371,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970344
>Casimir
>Morrigan
>It is Ahriman, the young commander of the prince’s guard, also of noble blood - he is wounded… He should be dead, last you saw he was fighting the slavers. That coward swore his life to defend the prince, he should not be standing after this catastrophe! …Still, he is a trained warrior. Perhaps he was merely knocked on the head and left for dead.","attachment":null,"posted":1712337109},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970385,"name":"Greeble","msg":"One more hour for votes.","attachment":null,"posted":1712338860},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970413,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5970351
>>5970351
>>5970355
>>5970365
>>5970367
>>5970368
>>5970371
Casimir, Morrigan, Ahriman. Writing.
>>5970355
>Caz
Agreed. You feel it too, don't you?","attachment":null,"posted":1712342926},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970453,"name":"Greeble","msg":"Night has begun to fall upon the desert, and you struggle to identify the approaching figure - a survivor, surely, but the shadows of the great dunes are cast deep here by the lowering sun.
“...Morrigan, is that you there?” Ahriman’s familiar voice calls out, a hint of pain and confusion coloring the young man’s words as he approaches slowly, clutching at his side, “I feared there were no others left! They slew my men, I was left for dead in the sands.”
“Hail, Captain! Thine eyes see true,” You answer back with a wave of your good arm, squinting to make out details of the man - hair darker than night and pale skinned, he wears a tighter fitting robe than your own, and rounded organic armor made from the chitinous plates of bull beetles. Two carbon pockmarks have scored deep into his ridged breastplate, a few nicks adorn other plates, and his left hand clutches at a bloody side, “What news of the princes thee swore life to?”
There is a long pause before he speaks, and you cannot make out his features well in the deepening dark, “He fell. We were separated, their skimmers cast so much sand I could scarcely see, but I saw a blade pierce his breast.”
“...Fallen?” You ask quietly, unable to muster the strength to shout the word. That cannot be so! The prince was surely the slaver’s most valuable target, their leader even asked to speak with him during the brief parley with the caravan chief. No, this must be a coward’s lie, you won’t believe it. “Thou would swear it, Ahriman? Upon the ancestor’s wrath?”","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712347876465824.png","filename":"Beetle Gourd.png"},"posted":1712347876},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970454,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5970453
“On the honor of my house!” He continues to approach slowly, a long knife held in his good hand. He raises it to his chest and pounds the fist that wields it against his battered breastplate, “I could not have been mistaken. I know you cared for him dearly, it… We must bring news to his father.”
“On the ancestor’s wrath!” You insist, placing little value in Ahriman’s family name - he has always upset you, a chider and goader, incorrigible in his womanizing, too casual in his speech with all but the prince. Every time the caravan stopped he put the women of the latest village at risk of dishonor. And he gives you looks, more in the last year, none of them chaste.
“I won’t swear such a foul thing.” He refuses, now growing close enough that you can make out his long narrow nose and high cheekbones, all the details of his lying face - his green eyes watch you carefully, “It is forbidden.”
“Forbidden? And fleeing battle is not? Thy oath was spoken readily once, coward, but I see now it was wind!” You cannot help yourself, red crawling into your mind, eyes in the dark encouraging your wrath - Ahriman is larger, stronger, and though wounded you are as well. Angering him is foolish.
Ahriman stalks forward in the dark with quick steps, sheathing his knife and raising a gauntleted hand to slap across your face - He freezes in place as a terrible thrumming growl fills the air. Casimir stirs from the sands where he had curled up beside you, eagerly listening to stories between bites of roast slug and ant meat - With a flapping thump he stands to his full height, reared up on his larger hind legs, wings spread out and casting a further darkness over you but not Ahriman.
“Don’t.” Casimir’s young voice sounds from his horn, raspier now and filled with fury, jaw snapping once for emphasis. His horn extends once more, the sharp point aimed squarely at Ahriman.
“Witch!” Ahriman spits and steps back a pair of paces in fear, his face nearly turning as white as yours, “Ancestor’s wrath, what kind of insect is that thing you have?”
“I am Casimir.” The beast speaks for itself, wrapping its wings about you closer as you sit, “Sit.”
“I would do as he commands, Ahriman.” You note grimly, “Thy first guess mayhap held the right of it - Perhaps Casimir is the ancestor’s wrath. An easy utterance in fear for thou, but such is only fitting.”
Ahriman has his hand back on his knife, though it’s unlikely it would do him any good - you haven’t seen Casimir fight, but you can only imagine it would be a vicious thing to behold. Atop sand as you are, it likely would not be a fight against a wounded man, Ahriman would sink into the desert and then be torn to pieces, snapping bite by bite, never seeing his own end.","attachment":null,"posted":1712348137},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970455,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5970454
Slowly the wounded captain draws his hand away from the sheathed blade, and he looks to the opposite side of the flameless stove you have been cooking upon, “...I will sit then. Keep that thing away from me, witch.”
“Coward.” Casimir taunts, lowers back to stand on all fours, and then down to the ground beside you, bright slitted eyes still watching Ahriman.
“Don’t throw around words you don’t understand, insect.” Ahriman sits opposite of you nervously, still speaking as obnoxiously casually as he always does, “I will ask again, where did you find that? ...Summon it from hell with your magic?”
He lets out an unsteady laugh, and you realize that he is being serious. You do know some magic, especially that of the ancestors, and he fears that, but nothing to summon beasts, if such a thing is even possible. Hmm. Witch. Better than a servant under these circumstances, not that there is any dishonor in such work - you are proud of serving your prince, but a witch has power… Even if it is an illusion.
“He found me within the mountain,” You explain in brief, wasting no great tales on the man, “We escaped together.”
“Mother.” Casimir coos quietly beside you, calming.
“In the Mountain?... The fortress? That ruin to the east?” Ahriman’s face wrinkles up, brow furrowing deep, “Impossible.”
“She sang me awake.” Casimir replies before snapping up a piece of slug meat you hold out to him, a cut taken from one of the dead and scorched beasts of burden earlier - they’re fit for nothing but food now, and poor food at that. Casimir doesn't mind, though you wish you'd realized that sooner before he ate so much ant flesh.
Did you sing him away? Perhaps that was the cause, your song - you know it holds some connection to Casimir, but you have not had the spirit to sing again, not in such dark circumstances. Too many of the dead still lay unburied, waiting for you to finish your meal and regain enough strength to honor them properly.","attachment":null,"posted":1712348376},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970456,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5970455
“That mountain is cursed,” Ahriman says with wide eyes, “How were you not claimed?”
>”The curse indeed placed a claim upon me, Ahriman, I have been touched. Thou would do well to heed my commands - we move to rescue the prince once the dead have been seen to. Reclaim your honor, or I shall see you claimed by the fire as well.” A witch? So be it, a cursed witch then, one with a cruel beast. Scare the coward into doing his duty. …You will need to treat his wound first, but you can make that rather painful. He deserves worse.
>”My mother’s mask, and Casimir. I know not how, but I am free of the curse. Thou should be thankful, for I am thy only hope of healing.” …You do need to take a look at that wound he has, coward or not. He is still a noble, and one of your people. You are no demon, nothing like the slavers. At least Ahriman fought before fleeing, his armor is a testament to that. You will not mention the curse lingering on.
>”Silence. Cease thy prattle. Seek thy own supplies, tend thy own wounds, and march from here. Never return, Ahriman. …I shall tell others you fell. Such is more than thou deserve.” You have no use for such a coward. Exile is nearly too good for him.
>Write-in.","attachment":null,"posted":1712348460},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970458,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970355
>Seems quite clear that we are female, though?
>>5970453 in particular could easily be a Miyazaki pretty-boy, though >>5970454 implies we're female, I think. Or Ahriman is into teenage bishies, kek
>>5970456
>”My mother’s mask, and Casimir. I know not how, but I am free of the curse. Thou should be thankful, for I am thy only hope of healing.” …You do need to take a look at that wound he has, coward or not. He is still a noble, and one of your people. You are no demon, nothing like the slavers. At least Ahriman fought before fleeing, his armor is a testament to that. You will not mention the curse lingering on.","attachment":null,"posted":1712348750},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970461,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970456
>”My mother’s mask, and Casimir. I know not how, but I am free of the curse. Thou should be thankful, for I am thy only hope of healing.” …You do need to take a look at that wound he has, coward or not. He is still a noble, and one of your people. You are no demon, nothing like the slavers. At least Ahriman fought before fleeing, his armor is a testament to that. You will not mention the curse lingering on.","attachment":null,"posted":1712349170},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970462,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5970458
>Miyazaki pretty-boy
Or Griffith, if you're feeling a lack of causality in your life these days. It isn't settled, but being called 'witch' and Casimir referring to Morrigan as 'she' are just circumstantial. The dragon doesn't know better, if it is wrong at all. It isn't really important yet, Ahriman comes off as kind of skeevy either way.
>>5970455
sing him awake*
Gah, the curse has claimed my fucking proof reading.","attachment":null,"posted":1712349234},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970466,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970462
Don't invoke the curse so early! You'll jinx yourself!","attachment":null,"posted":1712349726},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970489,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970456
>>”The curse indeed placed a claim upon me, Ahriman, I have been touched. Thou would do well to heed my commands - we move to rescue the prince once the dead have been seen to. Reclaim your honor, or I shall see you claimed by the fire as well.” A witch? So be it, a cursed witch then, one with a cruel beast. Scare the coward into doing his duty. …You will need to treat his wound first, but you can make that rather painful. He deserves worse.
>>5970462
Why is MC sex top secret","attachment":null,"posted":1712353458},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970522,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970456
>”My mother’s mask, and Casimir. I know not how, but I am free of the curse. Thou should be thankful, for I am thy only hope of healing.” …You do need to take a look at that wound he has, coward or not. He is still a noble, and one of your people. You are no demon, nothing like the slavers. At least Ahriman fought before fleeing, his armor is a testament to that. You will not mention the curse lingering on.","attachment":null,"posted":1712356439},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970534,"name":"Greeble","msg":"Two more hours for voting.
>>5970489
>why top secret
It's a narrative device to get players to question basic assumptions about the character. There's nothing especially weird about the answer, whichever of the two it is. There's more stuff like that going on if you look around closely, but I can't spell it out without spoiling the fun.","attachment":null,"posted":1712357729},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970602,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5970458
>>5970461
>>5970522
Writing.","attachment":null,"posted":1712365201},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970645,"name":"Greeble","msg":"“My mother’s mask,” You tap at the mask with your foot, having set it beside you earlier before beginning to cook, “And Casimir. I know not how, but I am free of the curse. Thou should be thankful, for I am thy only hope of healing.”
Ahriman frowns and nods, wincing as he pulls his hand from his side for a moment. His hand is darkened and slick with half dried blood, the bleed never having fully stopped. If he has been like this for hours, then he must be weaker than he appears.
“I won’t press,” He allows the topic of the curse to slip away, his face darkening as he clutches his side in pain, “And truly I don’t care - Just see to my damned wound. You’ll heal it?”
“...Verily.” You nod, and after finishing the last of your ant meat you rise and prepare to work - this will take some time, a few minutes at least.
There is nothing special about the wound, but the sight of blood and pierced flesh still sits uneasily with you, especially with so much death surrounding you. It was barely more than a flesh wound, and with needle and thread, and the correct powder, you soon have the messy business finished - you wash the blood from your hands with water from a beetle gourd, finishing off the last of that one.
“Ancestor’s balls, could you have used something to numb it?” Ahriman curses, but he’s no longer bleeding and now has food in hand - the complaint is short lived, as he is soon gorging himself on ant flesh. Another dent in the supplies, and gone to a coward as well. You wrinkle your mouth in disgust at the crude language - it is unbefitting a warrior, but he has lost the right to be thought of as one, whatever skill at arms he might have. To run and hide is your people’s way, but not for those who swear to lay down their lives.
“Eat well, Ahriman, you must recover thy strength,” You implore him, putting aside your feelings of ill will, “For we have a fell business ahead of us.”
“You speak too much like an elder, you precocious brat.” The dark haired captain shakes his head, but eases back on the insults as Casimir’s head stirs from its rest again, four pink eyes glaring daggers, “...Just sound like you have a stickbug up your ass, that’s all I meant. So what’s your plan then? To chase the slavers down with a broken arm and a strange beast you found?”
“...Nay.” You shake your head while beginning to put the little flameless stove away in its metal box. High overhead the shattered moon is beginning to show clearer in the darkening sky, a thousand thousand blasted chunks of regolith floating aimlessly in the heavens, reflecting light like spilled diamonds, “Thou shalt accompany me, captain.”","attachment":null,"posted":1712368989},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970649,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5970645
“That’s a slugshit of a plan, they’ll throw you to the dunes.” Ahriman speaks more quietly now, wary of Casimir - as he should be, the beast does not seem over fond of him, “The prince fell, I saw it - there is nothing to pursue even if we could. I’m not a coward.”
“Thou doubt that.” You swallow saliva hard, uncomfortable with his insistence in the prince’s death - what if it is true? “Thine eyes deceived thee.”
“My eyes bloody well saw the prince get gutted, witch. They dragged his body off, sure, but they were looking for your kind - albinics.”
“Maybe we can convince them to let this ‘prince’ go?” Casimir suggests innocently, not understanding the situation, “They want pink eyes? I have four.”
“Is it stupid?” Ahriman questions, causing you to wonder the same of him. Casimir growls once more but remains in place, curled up beside you in a great armored spiral.
“Hold thy tongue. Casimir is younger than I. Cas, they would honor no bargain, talks were used as pretense before their attack today.” You feel a need to protect the beast, even just its feelings - the prince did the same for you at times, in his own way. It is the right thing to do.
"...Oh." Casimir sounds saddened, a low vibration sounding from his body, almost a sniffle.
“At least he talks like he's young, ancestors below… We have supplies, you should head back to Cavedew, they have a stock of dragonflies there. A message must reach the king, we are ill prepared for these slavers - more will come.” For a moment you almost believe the coward’s intentions, some glimmer of loyalty to your people flickering in his green eyes. A trick of the moonlight, most likely, or your weak heart - he is not trustworthy.
>”The message which reaches the king shall be delivered by his son’s hand, after thou aidest me in his rescue - Thou cannot believe he fell so… trivially. We shall set out at first light, lest the trail grow cold… I require thy skills at tracking.” As a warrior, Ahriman will know the signs of desert passage even better than you, and perhaps he will try to regain his honor.
>”Return to our king if thou darest. Bear thy message, see what good will he holds for a failed captain. …Take provisions and be gone.” You will track the prince with Casimir - he has control of sand and sky, with him you may be able to steal the prince away in the night… if the prince lives.
>”...Bring me to the sight at which our prince fell. I would see it. …Perhaps the kind should be warned.” What if Ahriman is correct? Your prince would wish to see his people preserved, not his corpse chased.
>Write-in.
The dead will be tended to after this regardless of choice. Write-ins will be combined in with other choices if they fit well enough.","attachment":null,"posted":1712369147},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970650,"name":"Greeble","msg":">perhaps the KING should be warned*
Typo in the third option.","attachment":null,"posted":1712369270},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970657,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970649
>”...Bring me to the sight at which our prince fell. I would see it. …Perhaps the kind should be warned.” What if Ahriman is correct? Your prince would wish to see his people preserved, not his corpse chased.
I need proof, you lil b","attachment":null,"posted":1712369769},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970668,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970649
>”...Bring me to the sight at which our prince fell. I would see it. …Perhaps the kind should be warned.” What if Ahriman is correct? Your prince would wish to see his people preserved, not his corpse chased.","attachment":null,"posted":1712370795},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970669,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970649
>”The message which reaches the king shall be delivered by his son’s hand, after thou aidest me in his rescue - Thou cannot believe he fell so… trivially. We shall set out at first light, lest the trail grow cold… I require thy skills at tracking.” As a warrior, Ahriman will know the signs of desert passage even better than you, and perhaps he will try to regain his honor.","attachment":null,"posted":1712370940},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970717,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970649
>>”The message which reaches the king shall be delivered by his son’s hand, after thou aidest me in his rescue - Thou cannot believe he fell so… trivially. We shall set out at first light, lest the trail grow cold… I require thy skills at tracking.” As a warrior, Ahriman will know the signs of desert passage even better than you, and perhaps he will try to regain his honor.
>>5970650
site, rather than sight, as well","attachment":null,"posted":1712373799},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970744,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5970717
Ah, fair catch anon.
Have a garbage paint sketch of older Caz to make up for it. I'm working on a less shit version but I'm slow.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712375912226265.png","filename":"THE DETAIL I'VE LOST! IT WON'T STOP HURTING!.png"},"posted":1712375912},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970747,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970744
One day he'll take back the shading he's lost.","attachment":null,"posted":1712376057},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970748,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5970747
It's like it's all still there! You see it too, don't you? He's going to make them give back his shading.","attachment":null,"posted":1712376247},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970754,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970748","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712376781917264.png","filename":"cazuhira lizerd.png"},"posted":1712376781},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970839,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970649
>”...Bring me to the site at which our prince fell. I would see it. …Perhaps the kind should be warned.” What if Ahriman is correct? Your prince would wish to see his people preserved, not his corpse chased.","attachment":null,"posted":1712384239},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970884,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970649
>>”...Bring me to the sight at which our prince fell. I would see it. …Perhaps the kind should be warned.” What if Ahriman is correct? Your prince would wish to see his people preserved, not his corpse chased.
I don't see a counter-raid making much sense unless we pull out warcrimes and sow chaos with the curse.
On the other hand, we could be a distraction for Cas to find the prince and fly out. Visual identification shouldn't be a problem, but maybe smell will help.","attachment":null,"posted":1712390560},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970953,"name":"Greeble","msg":"One more hour for votes.
At any point if you have questions about the setting/situation, I am willing to write up short answers based on Morrigan's personal knowledge. Might help spur some write-ins later down the line.","attachment":null,"posted":1712406045},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970958,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5970744
Pretty badass!
>>5970953
Aside from humans and MAYBE dragons, are there any other known vertebrate species still alive?","attachment":null,"posted":1712407070},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970965,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5970958
"...Vertebrates? A peculiar question. Never hath I beheld such a creature. Mayhap the cavebat should satisfy thee, be it not foreign legend. Some bugs walketh uprightly and speak as men and bear men's names. They comport themselves well, though rarely have I had opportunity to make their acquaintance or learn their secrets, much less their spines should they possess them. Machines live on as well, some very ancient indeed - many are fell things, cursed as wraiths; I have never known one myself. Perhaps they possess a backbone, carrying on for so many years beyond the ancestor's end."","attachment":null,"posted":1712408270},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970969,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5970958
"...Also, what is a dragon?"","attachment":null,"posted":1712408622},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5970982,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5970884
>>5970839
>>5970668
>>5970657
Writing.","attachment":null,"posted":1712409717},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971019,"name":"Greeble","msg":"Silence falls for a time; there is nothing to say to Ahriman, he is a coward seeking a way further from the duty he has failed. Leaving him to his munching and complaining, you retreat within your own thoughts. You have always been able to do so, but it comes easier now - perhaps it is Casimir’s presence. Within the sanctity of your own mind’s great blankness, only dimly aware of Ahriman’s continued talking, you consider the present situation and try to ignore the red gnawing at the edges of your soul.
The coward claims your prince was slain, but you know Ahriman to be a liar and the prince to be an adept warrior and a hardy sort, and well armored. Though you are no expert in combat, it seems unlikely a single blade could bring him low, not unless it pierced his heart… One of the mechanical walkers the slavers piloted could have done so, but not a warrior on foot. Still, it is worth learning more, the risks of not doing so are too great.
“...Bring me to the site at which our prince fell. I would see it.” You say at last, returning to the present moment, “...And perhaps the king should be warned, if thee speak truth.”
“Finally.” Ahriman says with a mouthful of ant flesh, gulping the big chunk of meat down after a moment more and discarding the stick it was pierced with, “Come, follow me, it was close by.”
You rise from the sand and follow the dark haired captain through the wreckage of the caravan - the fires burnt out some time ago, though embers still glow orange here and there in the ash. The sand will soon snuff those as well. Casimir walks close beside you, neither stomping nor slithering across the sand - he moves silently, having found a way to part the sand gently with every down step and solidify it with every push forward of his four limbs. Perhaps that tires him less?
“Here,” Ahriman says at last, lighting up an electric cattail drawn from a shedskin pouch tied to his belt, “The stains remain, there and there, and Karol there, poor bastard.”","attachment":null,"posted":1712414668},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971022,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5971019
You look on in the dim electric light, but there is little to see except dark splotches cast upon the sand - now mostly worn away by the wind - and the dead body of another of the royal guards. Karol, a large and kind man, one you would have far preferred to survive over Ahriman, lies dead in a heap beside his large straight blade. He acquitted himself well before his end, his blade is soaked in dried blood, chitin armor pockmarked in a dozen places with firespitter blasts. The spear-length bolt protruding from his chest did him in, and a cut metal line hangs from its far end. It is a harpoon launched by one of the walkers, likely intended for subduing the great bugs out on the dunes rather than a single man - he stood no chance against it. Looking closer, far closer, you get down on your knees and sift through the sand, looking for any other clues which may now be hidden. As you search blindly, Casimir’s head dips into the sand like water and emerges with a small silver brooch held tightly between his teeth.
“I saw this. Is this what you want, mother?” Casimir questions from his horn, dropping the brooch in your waiting hand. A silver mushroom, stylized and unmistakably your prince’s - he used it often to pin his cloak. It has been hacked apart, a third of it simply missing.
“...It is.” Your heart sinks as you answer Caz’s question, eyes fixed on the cut metal in your hand, “I thank thee.”
A happy thrumming fills the air, but soon fades - Casimir brushes the side of his plated head against your arm, pressing the distressing brooch away from your sight. You lower your arms, appreciating the beast’s concern - though cruel looking, he has a sense of your heart.
“Satisfied?” Ahriman asks - he has taken up Karol’s heavy sword, resting the blade on his shoulder as he speaks, “It is as I said.”
“And that single wound to thy side, ‘twas enough they left thee for dead?” You snap at the now armed captain, red filling your thoughts, and with an angry throw you hurl the ruined brooch off into the sands, “Thou fled, whatever the truth of this may be.”
“And what if I did, witch?” Ahriman replies angrily, cut by what must be the truth of your words, “I slew four of the foreigners myself, why should I die after fighting so and seeing the prince fall? You have a child’s idea of duty.”
“Thou hast a coward’s.” You spit at his feet, and fury fills his green eyes - seeing the large sword now in his hands, you manage to restrain your own anger, barely, “...But there is sad work ahead of us, the dead must needs be buried. Let us not quarrel further.”
Ahriman deflates a little, looking to his dead comrade, and then nods - the fury fades from his eyes slowly though, “...Let us be silent, witch. I’ll find a spade, unless you intend to dig by hand.”","attachment":null,"posted":1712414735},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971024,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5971022
Without your prince or the caravan chief, there is no one to say the proper words for cremation, and so the dead receive a desert burial. It is a sorry thing to have to do, but they should still find some rest. Casimir, once he understands you are burying the bodies deep, begins to sink them with his strange control of the sand - things go much faster after that, bodies of the slain sinking into the sand like rocks in a pool of water. At the end, Casimir is left exhausted - there is a limit to his ability to swim through the sands - and you feel utterly drained. There is no feeling of closure, all the people of your caravan are simply… gone. Roland, Cereza, Karol… Everyone is gone. Red tinges your thoughts for a time, lingering on even with Casimir near. Red eyes mock you from the dark, but soon your beast has banished them again.
“Find your way back.” You kneel and whisper the prayer quietly in the clearing where the bodies were sunk - buried is perhaps the wrong word - and then rise again to your feet. They are gone, but you live - even cursed, you somehow live. It is wrong. The prayer doesn’t bring any comfort.
“See you around, friends.” Ahriman says, finding a degree of decency now at least, and placing Karol’s shattered helmet beside a few of the others from the guard. Some are missing - captured or fallen too far out from the caravan to find.
Having thought for a time about the evidence of the prince's death, you are not convinced. Bloodstains near a slain guard and a destroyed brooch worn outside his armor are hardly firm evidence, but other than a body or severed limb what could be? Why would they take a corpse though?...
Sleep that night is fitful. You rest poorly, never dreaming. There was no discussion after the makeshift funeral, though planning would perhaps have been better - you simply did not have it in you. Casimir awakens you before first light, and rubbing at your eyes you see him looking toward Ahriman. The young captain has gathered up most of your supplies and slung a pack over his shoulder - he is leaving.
>��An early start to our pursuit, Ahriman? I misjudged thee.” You didn’t, he’s sneaking off, but maybe you can shame him into pursuing the prince. Even an unreliable warrior would be a great aid, and an early start would be to your advantage - even now the trail will be growing colder.
>”A coward and a thief! Not another step, Ahriman!” He’s taking your supplies, that traitorous bastard! Without those the desert will be far harsher. It is not known for its forgiveness of the ill prepared.
>”...Halt! What be thy plan, Ahriman? Do not scurry off like a roach at sunrise - Is the king at the end of thy path?” …Perhaps he may have a point about your rescue plan, and about warning the king of these foreigners.
>Write-in.","attachment":null,"posted":1712414990},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971035,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971024
>”An early start to our pursuit, Ahriman? I misjudged thee.” You didn’t, he’s sneaking off, but maybe you can shame him into pursuing the prince. Even an unreliable warrior would be a great aid, and an early start would be to your advantage - even now the trail will be growing colder.","attachment":null,"posted":1712416314},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971036,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971024
>"Before you leave, I'll have payment for the healing and supplies." He can at least get you a weapon you won't kill yourself lugging around, let alone swinging. And some good shoes.
>You're still going for the slavers, may as well let this coward draw away their attention.","attachment":null,"posted":1712416318},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971040,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971024
>>”An early start to our pursuit, Ahriman? I misjudged thee.” You didn’t, he’s sneaking off, but maybe you can shame him into pursuing the prince. Even an unreliable warrior would be a great aid, and an early start would be to your advantage - even now the trail will be growing colder.","attachment":null,"posted":1712416613},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971044,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971024
>”An early start to our pursuit, Ahriman? I misjudged thee.” You didn’t, he’s sneaking off, but maybe you can shame him into pursuing the prince. Even an unreliable warrior would be a great aid, and an early start would be to your advantage - even now the trail will be growing colder.","attachment":null,"posted":1712417564},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971052,"name":"Greeble","msg":"One more hour for votes.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712418766282485.png","filename":"Bugkebab.png"},"posted":1712418766},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971109,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971052
I need to ask you whether you draw these yourself.","attachment":null,"posted":1712422689},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971112,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5971044
>>5971040
>>5971035
Writing.
>>5971109
I do not. There's some editing that goes on here and there to fix up the most AI melted portions, and occasionally I might redo an entire hand or something, but it doesn't go further than that. I might make the attempt at some point, but I don't have a working tablet anymore.","attachment":null,"posted":1712423207},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971170,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971112
The consistency on the pictures is remarkable","attachment":null,"posted":1712427285},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971193,"name":"Greeble","msg":"Rising to your feet as quietly as you can, a white ghost upon the sands, you keep low and hurry closer to where Ahriman is sneaking away. Casimir remains close, his perfect silence making you feel clumsy and loud, though barely a whisper tells of your pursuit of the captain. The wind covers what noise you do make, carrying it far away from Ahriman’s ears.
“An early start to our pursuit, Ahriman?” You ask once you are closer, catching the long faced man off guard - he startles, pointing the tip of Karol’s heavy sword toward you. You take another step forward, Casimir acting as your shadow - if he were black instead of white it would have been a fitting name. “I misjudged thee, captain. We must follow their trail before the desert claims it all, our prince waits in chains.”
“...Slugnuts.” Ahriman curses under he breath and rests the heavy blade back on his shoulder, “Leave me be, Morrigan, I tried to make this easier on you - your quest is suicide. Give it up before it claims you, you’re too young for this. …Did your beast see me leaving?”
“I heard your heart.” Casimir answers, his young but raspy voice cutting through the wind as if it were not even there - it isn’t loud, it simply defies it entirely, like the song you heard hiding within the roar of his… lungs? Turbines? Whatever resides in the beast’s chest.
“Heard my heart?...” Ahriman’s green eyes widen in fear, uncertainty taking him, “...You should not want a coward to accompany you, and I have no wish to die on the dunes.”
“Not a coward, but I would have a warrior! Thou art a noble still, Ahriman, where is thy pride?” You try to press shame and pride together into one blade, slicing deep, “”Honor waits to be reclaimed, none yet know your shame but I.”
“Then when you get yourself killed my story will be the truth.” He grits his teeth, eyes more on Casimir than you, though the heavy blade remains resting against his carapace pauldron, “Why chase death so eagerly?”
“There are worse things than death, Ahriman,” Red fills the periphery of your mind as you speak the words, almost as if it was invited in, “And what threat is emptiness to me? Without the prince, this is an empty world.”","attachment":null,"posted":1712430624},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971194,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5971193
“...You love him.” Ahriman’s words sound nearly to be an accusation.
“He is my brother.” Your head sinks. Perhaps this is foolishness, but there is no other path you can bear to contemplate - There is no other family to you in this world, the king is distant and very old, short tempered in his final years unlike his youngest and only living son, and your adoptive father passed years ago.
“That is treason to even claim! You speak too familiarly of him, Morrigan.” Ahriman hisses out the warning, anger coming easily now to the young noble, and for once you know his words to be true. Even speaking figuratively, such a bare claim to royal blood would damn most to the executioner’s sword, especially considering your albinic complexion. The king is not a forgiving sort.
You ball your fists, hating things for what they are - the prince is your brother in spirit, “Then we are both damned, a coward who defended his prince and a traitor who would rather die than leave him to chains - Come with me, Ahriman, it is not too late for either of us.”
“...He would forgive you, he always does.” Ahriman looks down and begins to calm, the reflexive accusation of treason bred into him by a lifetime as a noble - they are touchy about bloodline claims, terribly touchy. Long dark hair hides much of his expression, but you see a thin smile begin to form, “Fine then. So be it! The king would not believe me either way, at best I’d have a girl and then lose my head a day later… You’re an angry little mantis, Morrigan.”
Ahriman cackles and throws back his head - an entirely different aspect takes him now in the dark of the early morning. The dune valley still lays in shadow, but the first rays of sunlight are beginning to cast the sky aglow, washing out the view of the shattered moon’s belt.
“Thou shall accompany me?” You ask, uncertain if the man has found bravery or a marauder’s madness - his laugh unsettles you.
“I will, it’s a better death than a senile king’s beetle pit,” Ahriman answers at last, giving you a small and more self-assured nod even as he profanes the very royal line he swore to defend, “And with your beast perhaps we have a chance, the way it buried Karol and all the others… It would be difficult to fight against. Terrifying.”","attachment":null,"posted":1712430685},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971195,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5971194
“We will… fight?” Casimir asks uncertainly, turning his long neck to meet your gaze, four innocent pink eyes staring back through his cruel looking white plates.
“Not unless we must.” You look down at your splinted arm, now barely hurting at all - the repair paste took well, but you do not dare remove the split yet, “I am no fighter… We hath other ways. First we must needs track them. Canst thou fly?”
“Flying would help, they didn’t attack with gliders or dragonflies.” Ahriman adds in, moving closer now, the confrontation entirely over. He is with you.
Casimir shakes his head, a very deliberate imitation of your own mannerisms - it isn’t a graceful movement for him, but something about the awkward attempt strikes you as charming, “I’m sorry, but I’m still weak… the food didn’t help much.”
“Thou didst not recover thy strength?” You question worriedly, crouching down and placing a hand on the beast’s cold armored neck, “What ails thee?”
“I can barely hear it.” Casimir’s voice whispers raspily from his horn, “The song.”
“Then I shall sing it again.” You sit down cross legged beside Casimir and look back at Ahriman for a moment, “Captain, see to the provisions, Casimir has need of me.”
“Need of a singer?” Ahriman asks, chuckling again as he walks past, following your command - which feels odd, his station is far above your own, “Ancestors, that makes two of us! Haven’t been with a singer since Cavedew… Oh, Hanna, where are you out there, your voice and those great tit-”","attachment":null,"posted":1712430773},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971197,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5971195
You suppress a snickering laugh at Ahriman’s awful crudeness, and then ignore the rest of his words - your focus is upon Casimir, and the song he has asked for. The song he needs, if you understand him. Taking a deep breath, you begin.
“Ooooaahhhooowahhh hooo, oohaa ooha ooh, owa…”
Casimir’s horn and plates and very being thrum with the song, joining in to make something far greater - far stranger.
White lights flicker in the air about the both of you, appearing from nothing, and Casimir draws closer to you, pressing tight and wrapping you with one wing. As the motes grow to an unsteady nimbus, and then refine and organize themselves into a circle, you find yourself ringed in by the glow. Fine hairs stand on the back of your neck at the sight. You have never used magic for this before - and it surely is a kind of magic, responding to your tones.
When the circle is at last perfect, it rings like a chime and rushes outwards, casting light across the remains of the caravan as it passes, the then glowing band travels further and further. Ahriman shouts in surprise as the ring reaches him and slamming into his back, sending him sprawling into the sand, but the light fades soon after… And when the light has left, and your singing has ceased, the song remains. Your voice hangs hauntingly in the air, a whisper heard through any wind… Casimir’s horn thrums with power, and even you feel stronger.
“...What hath I wrought?” You ask, standing with Casimir’s aid, his neck serving as a place to brace yourself, “The song remains. How?”
“I can fly.” Casimir replies raspily, “But not with you, mother. Not starting here. It is too low.”
“And you can swim?” You ask, still in awe of the moment, your song filling the entire dune valley - it is coming from Casimir, but it is also simply there, everywhere. A great rumble passes through the earth then - tremors happen from time to time.
“Very well. I could take you with me.” Caz answers happily, “I feel strong!”
>”Search for the slavers by air, Ahriman and I shall track them across the ground.” You could see everything from the air yesterday, briefly, it is an enormous advantage.
>”Then I shall mount thee once more, Casimir - no broken bones this time, okay? I think I like it better when you swim.” He swims fast, but you can see nothing when he dives beneath the sand, trusting entirely in Cas’s senses. You feel comfortable enough to speak casually with Cas now, but not Ahriman.
>”...It is best if we stay close, Ahriman is on foot. He might lose his nerve again if I disappear, and I do not fancy staying beside him alone. Save your strength, Caz.”
>Write-in.","attachment":null,"posted":1712430834},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971213,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971197
>”Search for the slavers by air, Ahriman and I shall track them across the ground.” You could see everything from the air yesterday, briefly, it is an enormous advantage.
Ahriman may be a coward and a creep, but no way he rapes or murders us out here, knowing he'll be alone and at the mercy of a magical monster who calls us its mother.","attachment":null,"posted":1712432568},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971221,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971197
>”Search for the slavers by air, Ahriman and I shall track them across the ground.” You could see everything from the air yesterday, briefly, it is an enormous advantage.
Having an eye in the sky is probably our best use of resources","attachment":null,"posted":1712433783},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971255,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971197
>>”Search for the slavers by air, Ahriman and I shall track them across the ground.” You could see everything from the air yesterday, briefly, it is an enormous advantage","attachment":null,"posted":1712435049},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971269,"name":"Greeble","msg":"One more hour for votes.","attachment":null,"posted":1712436106},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971311,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971197
>”Search for the slavers by air, Ahriman and I shall track them across the ground.” You could see everything from the air yesterday, briefly, it is an enormous advantage.","attachment":null,"posted":1712439287},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971318,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5971255
>>5971221
>>5971213
>>5971311
Writing.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712439760755487.png","filename":"Morrigan and Ahriman.png"},"posted":1712439760},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971407,"name":"Greeble","msg":"“Search for the slavers by air, Ahriman and I shall track them across the ground.” You place a hand on Casimir’s neck, your song thrumming strong, and finally feel enough at ease “Do you know what to look for, Caz?”
“Caz? I like that.” He slitted eyes widen and then flash entirely pink, filling their slanted armor housings entirely with the hue, “I should look for their… heat. They are warm, their metal is hot, hotter than sand.”
You blink, unsure of what Caz means by that, or what change his eyes have undergone, “Very good, go and find them however you may - skimmers and walkers, you remember what they looked like?”
“Yes.” He confirms, a low roar filling the air as the strange intakes on his chest widen once more and begin to suck in air, “I will find them, mother.”
With a gust of flapping wings and superheated air, Casimir takes flight. Orange flame shoots backward in burning cones from both of the beast’s sides, close to where you had rested your feet yesterday. Without an extra body weighing him down he flies gracefully and with ease, quickly ascending directly upward, wings locked and swept slightly back.
Your song grows louder in the air, and another chime rings out as a wide circle of light blasts from Caz’s horn. He overtakes it immediately, flying through it like a hoop, and the ring of light stretches out and wraps about him in an sphere - it flickers once, twice, and then only intermittently, barely perceptible, as he banks levels out, flying fast in the direction the slavers left the day before.
“Ancestor’s wrath!” Ahriman curses, running over to you across the sands, “What is that noise? Where is the beast? Something attacked me, it’s still here… I… Is that your voice?”
“Aye.” You smile and point up toward Casimir’s rapidly shrinking form, “‘Twas my beast’s doing. ‘Tis our song thou hearest.”
“The light and concussion was your beast? It hit me like a bullbeetle even through my armor! What kind of magic is this? Why didn’t you use it to ward off the slavers yesterday?”","attachment":null,"posted":1712446019},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971412,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5971407
“I could not.” You sorely wish you could have, but your magic then was useful only to stir some few devices or make entertaining tricks with sand - no use in a fight, save perhaps to blind a man, “My greatest spell then was this.”
You motion for Ahriman to stand back, stretch forth one hand, and intone, “Rise!”
A column of sand as thick as a man’s torso erupts from the ground, exploding forth in a sudden cloud, ringing and thrumming with power - white motes of light are shot through it, all gathering together in a faint white circle before flashing out and dissipating. You feel drained slightly, as if part of your spirit has left you - slowly strength returns.
Ahriman curses again and gives you a foul look, “You could have done that?! That could knock a warrior flat!”
“I… it should not do that.” You are at a loss for words, staring at your own pale hand. Music carries on in the air, now a series of chimes interspersed throughout it, no longer vocals alone, “Something has changed. ‘Twas a children’s trick yesterday.”
Red pulses at the edges of your mind and you gasp, staggering and nearly doubling over - Ahriman is quick to catch you by your good arm, preventing a fall. When you look back to him, your vision is nearly crimson, the curse pulsing strong - and your thoughts turn at once to your prince’s condition. Locked away, wounded… dead even. Rage and fear flood every sense you possess.
“Release me!” You snap angrily at Ahriman, and he complies at once, green eyes wide in shock, “Never touch me, coward!”
“Your eyes…” Ahriman gulps nervously, his grip on his sword tightening, “They were red.”
“Lies.” You look away, fighting to keep focus, to push through the searing crimson flame within your mind - when you think of Casimir it fades somewhat, but it is nothing like his real presence. The curse will hang heavy when he is away, it seems. “...We must needs begin our hunt, captain.”
“...So we do.”
Together you set off after the nearly faded path of the walkers and skimmers, only the slightest indentations left upon the sands where they had passed the day before. A few hours more and they would have vanished entirely, as the deep gouges and craters they rent in the sand have shrunk to barely a handbreadth. Most of the prints from the walkers are simply gone, maybe one in every twenty barely clinging on in a haphazard pattern. Ahriman’s expertise is vital now, he has hunted far more subtle bugs upon the dunes in years past - though he is no great hunter, any warrior of your people could do so - and these rough marks left by machines may as well be glowing signs. When you left the dune valley earlier your song faded, living on only in your mind - but it still feels present, like it is hiding rather than gone. The curse too is in hiding, but poor at it; red eyes watch from the sands at times, sinister and mocking.","attachment":null,"posted":1712446153},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971413,"name":"Greeble","msg":"“The prince is dead.” The eyes tell you in your own voice. You pull your hood tighter and stare up at the sky instead of answering, allowing Ahriman to take the lead entirely - you would begin screaming at the sands otherwise.
After an hour crossing the sands at a quick pace, Casimir returns - you see him first, eyes still cast skyward, a tiny white speck growing close at alarming speeds. He does not slow, and by the time Ahriman looks up to find the source of the roar filling the air the white beast has crashed down and shot into the sand. A plume shoots in the air, as if he dove into water, and then a dozen body lengths away Casimir erupts back to the surface, slowed but still flying. He banks and sweeps low, skimming the dune closest to you, and comes to a graceful stop so close as to be within arms reach.
“I have found them!” He reports, his young voice carrying your song with it, faint but unmistakable - the dying whir of his turbines, if that is what they are, also bears the song, “Half a day’s walk from here, they are within a moving ruin. Skimmers come and go from it.”
“A moving ruin?” You furrow your brow, perplexed by the news but glad to be able to think free of the curse again - Casimir does indeed ward it off, “A vehicle?”
“I have never heard of one the size of a ruin.” Ahriman seems as baffled and alarmed as you, perhaps moreso.
“It moves on rotating sheets of metal, huge ones!” Casimir tries to impart the details, but he’s excited and has little practice telling stories, “Big tubes, and a claw, little ruins on it! It is slower than you, men walked beside it. They were tiny! Skimmers came and left, I saw one with people chained in boxes.”
“Ancestors, it sounds gargantuan.” You curse, considering your options, “But that must be their lair.”
“We’ll need to see it ourselves.” Ahriman does not sound comfortable with the idea even as he suggests it.
>”Caz, take me there - I wish to see it.” Casimir could swim there with you atop his back, it would be far, far faster even with a return trip to Ahriman - he can keep walking in the meantime.
>”We shall stay as a group from here then, our target is now known.” Continue together on foot, stopping for a meal on the way you will arrive near this moving ruin just before nightfall.
>”...Ahriman, dost thou believe the commandeering of a skimmer is feasible?” He’s a cowardly warrior, but still a warrior - he would have a better sense of such a plan. Maybe you could sneak into the ruin under the guise of a returning craft.
>Write-in.","attachment":null,"posted":1712446266},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971421,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971413
>”...Ahriman, dost thou believe the commandeering of a skimmer is feasible?” He’s a cowardly warrior, but still a warrior - he would have a better sense of such a plan. Maybe you could sneak into the ruin under the guise of a returning craft.","attachment":null,"posted":1712446622},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971457,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971413
>”...Ahriman, dost thou believe the commandeering of a skimmer is feasible?” He’s a cowardly warrior, but still a warrior - he would have a better sense of such a plan. Maybe you could sneak into the ruin under the guise of a returning craft.
We have to use Caz to bait a skimmer, hijack the craft, and return wearing the gear of the slavers.
Presumably the prince is too valuable to kill and he was only hit with a drug-dart or something? Anyways, if we locate him, we can use Caz to throw sand into the moving ruin’s engine intakes (if there is such a thing)","attachment":null,"posted":1712448313},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971541,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971318
Wait, you didn't tell us Ahriman was HOT. This changes everything!
No, not really
>>5971413
>”...Ahriman, dost thou believe the commandeering of a skimmer is feasible?” He’s a cowardly warrior, but still a warrior - he would have a better sense of such a plan. Maybe you could sneak into the ruin under the guise of a returning craft.","attachment":null,"posted":1712452478},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971563,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971413
>”...Ahriman, dost thou believe the commandeering of a skimmer is feasible?” He’s a cowardly warrior, but still a warrior - he would have a better sense of such a plan. Maybe you could sneak into the ruin under the guise of a returning craft.","attachment":null,"posted":1712454114},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971671,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971413
>..Ahriman, dost thou believe the commandeering of a skimmer is feasible?” He’s a cowardly warrior, but still a warrior - he would have a better sense of such a plan. Maybe you could sneak into the ruin under the guise of a returning craft.
Very nice quest, count me in from here on out. I really like your setting qm, and I'll just say I typically don't participate in quests with a female MC but you've won me over in this case.","attachment":null,"posted":1712459769},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971690,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971413
>”...Ahriman, dost thou believe the commandeering of a skimmer is feasible?” He’s a cowardly warrior, but still a warrior - he would have a better sense of such a plan. Maybe you could sneak into the ruin under the guise of a returning craft.","attachment":null,"posted":1712461211},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971784,"name":"Greeble","msg":"One more hour for votes.
>>5971671
Thanks, anon, I really appreciate that. Tons of the setting is still unseen so far, if you like what's shown up already then I think you'll enjoy the rest even more. I tend to avoid female MC quests as well, for whatever that's worth.
>>5971541
>Hot
True, but I'm just glad it generated the bug-armor well, it's very close to what I wanted. The backpack too. Currently working on some of my own art for Morrigan, so we'll have some non-AI stuff besides the bad Casimir sketch.","attachment":null,"posted":1712465832},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971796,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971671
>>5971784
We still aren't confirmed female anyway, are we?","attachment":null,"posted":1712466452},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971814,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971796
I mean, even so it is quite evident.","attachment":null,"posted":1712467201},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971817,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971413
>"I must confess, Ahriman, that I am not entirely free of the curse. I advise you to keep your distance if it comes to it."
>”...Ahriman, dost thou believe the commandeering of a skimmer is feasible?” He’s a cowardly warrior, but still a warrior - he would have a better sense of such a plan. Maybe you could sneak into the ruin under the guise of a returning craft.
being able to approach from 2 different directions would help a lot.","attachment":null,"posted":1712467328},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971821,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971814
I guess since OP's being cagey, we SHOULD keep in mind the possibility we're a femboy.","attachment":null,"posted":1712467547},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971832,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971821
Should that come to be that'd be pretty lame.","attachment":null,"posted":1712468837},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971849,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5971421
>>5971457
>>5971541
>>5971563
>>5971671
>>5971690
Writing. Should have the next post out tomorrow morning but I'll work on it some now.
>>5971821
Morrigan is not a femboy, trap, or anything of the sort.","attachment":null,"posted":1712470924},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971936,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971821
>>5971832
My gut instinct is that this QM is too classy to include meme-material such as this, this appears to be an honest-to-god earnest original quest with pretty high "production values" which is great.","attachment":null,"posted":1712489240},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971940,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971849
Write in Check our own genitals to make sure nothing is missing","attachment":null,"posted":1712490188},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971985,"name":"Greeble","msg":"“...Ahriman, dost thou believe the commandeering of a skimmer is feasible?” You direct your question earnestly to the young captain, unsure of such things yourself - Coward or not, he is still a warrior and must have a better sense of such things. High overhead the shattered moon belt is beginning to fade from sight, obscured in the blue and bright of the desert sky.
“As we are equipped?” His green eyes look down to the hilt of his heavy blade, early morning sun reflecting off the metal of its guard, “It’s possible. I have the advantage in armor, and skill if they fight as they did yesterday…”
You restrain yourself from commenting upon his claim to skill, thoughts of his failure tugging firmly at the red lurking past the edges of your thoughts. If Casimir were not beside you, then certainly you would snap at him.
“...But without jump boots or a linegun, getting aboard will be difficult. We’ll need to find high ground and lure the craft closer. Unless we stop the skimmer, the only option is to jump on it from above, and it will need to be moving slower or I’d splatter in this shell.” He thumps a balled fist against his scorched and nicked carapace breastplate.
“Thou requirest a… leap?” A sinister smile slowly spreads across your face, an idea hatching within your mind, “I shall command the sand beneath thee to rise.”
Ahriman pales at the suggestion, “You’re mad, it could shatter my ankles.”
“And thy idea was superior? To jump and chance being ‘splattered’?” You hold out both your hands beside your head, mocking the young captain, “‘Tis no different than a jumpboot.”
“Witch, it is entirely different. A jumpboot lifts both legs together, it doesn’t strike the bottom of your feet like a bomb.” Ahriman growls, pinching at the bridge of his long nose and turning away, thinking for a few moments. “Fine. Sink me first.”
“Sink you? With pleasure.” Casimir responds raspily to the request, taking a step across the sands toward Ahriman. The man raises his hand in a panic, holding it out firmly to command the white beast to stop. Casimir does, down on all fours and long neck angled up to meet Ahriman’s eyes “...Oh. Not here?”
“Not here. In a dune where we will set our trap, and angled like so.” Ahriman places his heavy sword in the sand with a firm stab, and then uses his hands and arms to show his growing plan, one forearm held angled like a dune and his opposite hand held to it diagonally, like a man buried sideways in the sloped sands, “The skimmer will need to move past, just alongside where I am buried and traveling away from the direction I will be thrown. I’ll be launched like a duneflea and land aboard the deck. With luck, I won’t fall off. It’s how jumpboots would be used, if I had them.”","attachment":null,"posted":1712499111},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971986,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5971985
…That actually makes some measure of sense, and strikes you at once as brave, but you leave those words unspoken as well. Perhaps it is simple foolishness speaking, or some misguided bravado - you’ve heard how confidently he speaks to women at the villages. The thought of launching him pleased you earlier because the image within your mind of him flying through the air in a panic amused you in some dark way - even the red eyes found it a fitting joke. The captain’s new plan however could work, if the force lifted him evenly across his hardened armor it should be easily survivable with little more than a small bruise or two. Hopefully he won’t smash his unhelmeted head against the skimmer’s plating and be knocked out, what an embarrassing end that would be, even for a coward.
>”And I suppose Casimir and I shall play the role of a prize to lure the skimmer in? Very well, duneflea, thou shalt rise.” You will prepare the ambush as planned, and bait a skimmer to where Ahriman is buried and waiting.
>”...Could we not simply bait one to stop? Clambering aboard once it has stopped seems easier.” The slavers would be more prepared for resistance, and may try to skim away before you’ve gotten aboard - but it does seem a bit more conventional than launching a man with magic you barely understand.
>”Caz, could you sink the skimmer? Part ways only, enough to stall it.” A very difficult task for the beast at his small size, if it is even possible - especially against a skimmer. Still, there is a chance.
>Write-in.","attachment":null,"posted":1712499201},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5971989,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971986
>”And I suppose Casimir and I shall play the role of a prize to lure the skimmer in? Very well, duneflea, thou shalt rise.” You will prepare the ambush as planned, and bait a skimmer to where Ahriman is buried and waiting.
The other option is to just fly and land on the craft, but Ahriman is probably heavier than MC.","attachment":null,"posted":1712499532},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972000,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5971936
I can guarantee it's not some weird meme. Thank you for the praise anon, I appreciate it.
>>5971940
Everything appears to be the same as before.","attachment":null,"posted":1712500959},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972004,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971986
>>”And I suppose Casimir and I shall play the role of a prize to lure the skimmer in? Very well, duneflea, thou shalt rise.” You will prepare the ambush as planned, and bait a skimmer to where Ahriman is buried and waiting.","attachment":null,"posted":1712501259},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972005,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971986
>”And I suppose Casimir and I shall play the role of a prize to lure the skimmer in? Very well, duneflea, thou shalt rise.” You will prepare the ambush as planned, and bait a skimmer to where Ahriman is buried and waiting.
I’d prefer if Caz was airborne to help Ahriman during the skimmer fight, he’s not much use as bait.","attachment":null,"posted":1712501423},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972007,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5972005
The skimmer needs to be lured into position and be moving in the correct direction (away from the launch angle), which requires bait that can lure it at medium to high speeds. Morrigan being bait alone would basically just be the 'get them to stop' plan. Caz could join in right after being bait, he's very fast in sand or air. Though I suppose Ahriman could still be launched from hiding nearby to land on a parked skimmer, which is still kind of badass if it works.","attachment":null,"posted":1712501792},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972013,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971986
>”And I suppose Casimir and I shall play the role of a prize to lure the skimmer in? Very well, duneflea, thou shalt rise.” You will prepare the ambush as planned, and bait a skimmer to where Ahriman is buried and waiting.","attachment":null,"posted":1712502606},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972019,"name":"Greeble","msg":"One more hour for voting.","attachment":null,"posted":1712503299},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972065,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971986
>>”And I suppose Casimir and I shall play the role of a prize to lure the skimmer in? Very well, duneflea, thou shalt rise.” You will prepare the ambush as planned, and bait a skimmer to where Ahriman is buried and waiting","attachment":null,"posted":1712507587},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972069,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5972013
>>5972005
>>5972004
>>5971989
>>5972065 (late but its unanimous so have a (You))
Writing.","attachment":null,"posted":1712508015},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972071,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5971986
>”And I suppose Casimir and I shall play the role of a prize to lure the skimmer in? Very well, duneflea, thou shalt rise.” You will prepare the ambush as planned, and bait a skimmer to where Ahriman is buried and waiting.
Knew we kept this guy around for a reason.","attachment":null,"posted":1712508218},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972146,"name":"Greeble","msg":"“And I suppose Casimir and I shall play the role of a prize to lure the skimmer in?” You question, knowing full well it is what the man intends of you - the slavers are after albinics for some reason, so you should appear a choice prize, “Very well, duneflea, thou shalt rise. Let us find a dune to hide thee within.”
Ahriman wavers slightly at your enthusiasm for the plan, your agreeing too easily to be bait unsettling him, but he does not flinch away from his own idea, even if his own role is to be buried and launched, “Ugh, I shouldn’t have said anything. Come on, let’s find a place. Casi… Your beast can find a skimmer and begin the lure?”
“I can.” Casimir’s horn vibrates, the sand parting silently as he walks beside you and the tan carapaced captain, “Mother, may I?”
“You may.” You smile at the simple politeness of the question - the strange title of ‘mother’ is beginning to settle on you now, the confused young beast has such a charm about him. Fondness for a friend, at least, can grow upon sands, even if nothing else does.
A few hours pass as you march in the direction of the moving ruin, the red sun lifting higher and higher above the world. It is a sweltering trek, but you have endured worse - and thankfully you have sandals once more, seized from the wreckage of your people’s caravan. At last Ahriman spies his desired dune, a pair of long twin mounds spaced close together, their wedged tops slithering off into the distance.
“Bring them down through the dip between the dunes, all the way to where the leftmost ends.” Ahriman speaks to Casimir directly, crouching down beside the albinic beasts and pointing toward the dunes, “I will need to be buried there at the end, on the falling slope.”
“Just before the sands are flat?” Casimir questions raspily, tilting his head slightly, and a faint chime sounds from his three sided horn, “...Good sand there, no rocks within.”
“...You can see within the sand?” Ahriman questions.
A faint return chime sounds in the air before Casimir speaks, “And far beyond.”
For a split second your eyes see as his do - peering through sand as shaded glass, a murky white, flecks of black betraying the location of buried boulders or ancient metal scrap; even a few buried bugs. When you blink, the peculiar monochrome vision has vanished.","attachment":null,"posted":1712514597},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972147,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5972146
Ahriman is soon buried in the location he desired, up to just below his arms and large sword. He grips the hilt of the heavy weapon and frowns unhappily, appearing to the whole world as a particularly well armed beetleroot, “...Do not say it.”
“A mighty captain indeed.” You suppress a snicker with your good hand - though in truth your splinted arm is now likely mended, the repair paste and tones doing their jobs well, and you simply have not checked firmly enough to know, “Casimir, let us find a skimmer for him!”
Ignoring Ahriman’s grumpy sand covered looks, you walk toward Casimir and swing a leg over his plated back, mounting far more easily. Having done it a few times now, you know where to position yourself, arms wrapping familiarly about his neck. It remains strange in many ways, but less so each time. Very soon you will not think of it at all.
“...Fair hunting, witch.” Ahriman grumbles, and with a final wave to him you are off.
Casimir’s neck dips and he slides beneath the sands at once, parting it as water and taking you along. The rushing sand does not abrade or scratch at you, you scarcely feel it at all, more like a wind than packed grains of earth, and vibrations thrumming with the power of your song fill the darkness. A chime sounds, and when it returns again you see, the hidden world beneath the sands laid bare. In tune with the music, the chiming grows faster, flickering images of the hidden world cast through your perception in black and white monochrome. As you fly through the revealed sands upon Casimir, you both see and hear that the same sphere of light which surrounded his earlier flight is all about you - a field of energy pulsing with your music.
The view is interrupted by a dip above the surface, and you inhale sharply before submerging again - you cannot breath sand, soft and windy or not.
In half an hour’s time the skimmer has been found; you perceive it as Casimir does, dark ripples rocketing across the far surface of the dunes, black parting violently through white. It is neither elegant or graceful, brute force and chaotic mechanical noise propelling it onward. Despite being a fine example of craftwork, superior in most ways to the ones the prince and chieftain possessed, it strikes you as primitive. Casimir’s grace shames it.
“Do you see them?” Casimir’s voice sounds from his entire body and all the sand about you, thrumming in and then out from the field sphere surrounding you both, “The skimmer!”","attachment":null,"posted":1712514658},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972149,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5972147
You give a confirmatory tap of your sandals against the beast’s sides, unwilling to open your mouth below the sands - the sand in your nose is already bad enough. It would have been better to wear your mask for this, but it remains within your robe.
Breaching the sand once more you lift into the air for the briefest moment - just long enough for a thumping flap of Casimir’s wings - and sweep tauntingly past the skimmer’s view. Chimes ring with your song, and rushing back beneath the sands you see the skimmer’s rippling presence turn sharply. Another dip above sands brings the blue craft into full view once the erupting sandy spray has settled. You fully throw back the hood of your robe and wave to the men behind the glass of the skimmer’s pilot house, even pointing with a finger to your pink eyes. They may not have been able to make out the details, but as the skimmer’s engine roars you know the pursuit is on! So it goes for half a minute, dipping up and down, in and out of sight of the slaver skimmer, taunting and waving.
A hatch atop the skimmer opens, a man in blue coveralls looking out with a hand held over his eyes to shield from the sun. He then dips back beneath the metal hull, and a moment later a man in green carapace with a boxy silver firespitter emerges. Your eyes widen as he levels the weapon.
“Dive, Caz!” You shout, the tan dunes replaced by grainy monochrome again as the beast pulls you beneath. Small black ripples thump upon the surface behind you, the bolts from the weapon impacting where you were moments ago, discordant notes among your greater song.
“Don’t they want to capture you?” Casimir’s thrumming voice rasps in confusion. When you next surface, you hastily draw your mask up from within your robe and don it - another burning bolt of yellow-white energy blurs past, turning sand to glass where it impacts.
Diving again, you answer Casimir’s question from within your mask, “We may have overdone the taunting! I doubt they’ve ever seen anything like you before, Caz!”
The chase is long, dipping and diving and dipping and diving, bobbing here and there across the dune sea all the way back to Ahriman’s ambush spot. The shooting stopped after a few minutes, once the slavers realized it would do no good, but they are eager as ever in their roaring pursuit.","attachment":null,"posted":1712514719},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972151,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5972149
The dark form of a half buried man appears far ahead of you, revealed by more chiming pulses from Casimir - you can see the captain even from afar through the sands, his rigid carapace armor stark and clearly defined, producing a terrific return with every chime. Casimir banks, making sure to send up a spray of sand continuously to keep the skimmer close upon his exact trail, and he takes the path Ahriman requested earlier - right between the two long dunes. You prepare yourself, stretching out a hand and readying to turn quickly and intone the command.
As you pass through the sands a few body lengths from Ahriman, you whip about - a heartbeat later and the skimmer is midway through passing by the buried captain.
”Rise!” You intone, and a pulse of black shoots through the subterranean monochrome - as a bomb would underwater. When the dark pressure of the thudding explosion fades, more chimes clearing your vision, Ahriman is no longer buried. You cannot see him at all, in the sands or upon them. He must have made it atop the skimmer!
>”Casimir, take us about! We shall board as well - can you manage it still?” The beast is tired, he will need food and song when this business is finished. You are no warrior, but Ahriman may need help.
>”Casimir, leave me - aid Ahriman!” Casimir must be able to fight, surely.
>”Keep up the chase, we must distract them!” Perhaps you’re more useful within the sands, Casimir is fearsome looking but actually rather innocent - he has never even killed a bug, only eaten flesh harvested by others.
>Write-in.","attachment":null,"posted":1712514780},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972188,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972151
>”Casimir, take us about! We shall board as well - can you manage it still?” The beast is tired, he will need food and song when this business is finished. You are no warrior, but Ahriman may need help.
maximum chaos","attachment":null,"posted":1712517342},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972227,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972151
>”Casimir, take us about! We shall board as well - can you manage it still?” The beast is tired, he will need food and song when this business is finished. You are no warrior, but Ahriman may need help.","attachment":null,"posted":1712519707},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972262,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972151
>”Keep up the chase, we must distract them!” Perhaps you’re more useful within the sands, Casimir is fearsome looking but actually rather innocent - he has never even killed a bug, only eaten flesh harvested by others.","attachment":null,"posted":1712522317},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972272,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972151
>Casimir, take us about! We shall board as well - can you manage it still?” The beast is tired, he will need food and song when this business is finished. You are no warrior, but Ahriman may need help.","attachment":null,"posted":1712523191},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972359,"name":"Greeble","msg":"One more hour for votes.","attachment":null,"posted":1712532097},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972396,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5972188
>>5972227
>>5972272
Writing.","attachment":null,"posted":1712535837},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972430,"name":"Greeble","msg":"“Casimir!” You call out the beast’s name through your mask and the rushing sand, “Take us about! We shall board as well - can you manage it still?”
“I will do it, Mother!” Casimir’s voice shouts out through horn and sand, “Hold tight!”
You pull tighter against his armored plates, one cheek pressed to his neck as Casimir’s wings extend beneath the sands and together you bank sharply, A short arc brings you sailing below and behind the pursuing skimmer, and then another tight turn and you have its tail!
With a final burst of strength and song, you erupt from the sands behind the skimmer and take to the air - a bullbeetle kicks your chest, the jets on Casimir’s flanks roaring to a desperate full burn to just barely overtake the craft. Half crashing, the white beast scrapes and claws and spins across the rear of the skimmer, narrowly avoiding the huge ducted fans. You are thrown a short distance across the plated hull and roll once, but grab hold of a handle atop one of the rear compartment hatches.
Rising unsteadily to your feet, keeping in a low crouch as the skimmer continues to buck and jump across the dunes, you draw the blade you took back at the caravan - one of your prince’s spares - and bring its point forward in front of you. With your other hand you stow your mask, having greater need of your peripheral vision now. Sounds of fighting, steel ringing upon steel, sound from the front of the skimmer. Casimir is soon behind you, fully righted and scraping claws upon metal in an attempt to keep his balance. Peering up and over the pilot house a few body lengths from you, you see no one fighting on the front deck of the skimmer - the sound must be from below.
Close to you, a tiny hatch opens in the hull, and a very young man in dark green carapace emerges awkwardly, barely squeezing through - he has one chitin covered arm up and through the escape hatch when he sees you and Casimir, his brown eyes widening in terror.
“No! Noo!” It is a desperate cry, the cry of a man half-trapped, and he holds a green gloved hand out to shield his face. The mask of terror he wears is painfully familiar, you saw it upon your people yesterday, and for a time you wore it yourself as you fled these foreigners.
Splitting red shoots through your mind, searing furious heat, and your grip tightens upon the hilt of your slender blade. You have never killed, not even once. The young man, this foreign warrior, deserves…
>Death! The point of your blade is all this foreigner deserves!
>Mercy. “Surrender! Cease thy struggle, demon! Lay down thy arms!”","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712538605967089.png","filename":"Singer and Sword.png"},"posted":1712538605},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972434,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972430
>Death! The point of your blade is all this foreigner deserves!","attachment":null,"posted":1712538882},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972436,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972430
>"Choose. Either death above, or death below."
Don't try to duel this guy though, honorable combat is for people who actually know how to fight.","attachment":null,"posted":1712539107},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972450,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972430
>>Mercy. “Surrender! Cease thy struggle, demon! Lay down thy arms!”","attachment":null,"posted":1712540270},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972452,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972430
>>Mercy. “Surrender! Cease thy struggle, demon! Lay down thy arms!”
Prisoners mean information","attachment":null,"posted":1712540338},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972474,"name":"Greeble","msg":"Two more hours to vote.","attachment":null,"posted":1712542280},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972512,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972430
>Mercy. “Surrender! Cease thy struggle, demon! Lay down thy arms!”","attachment":null,"posted":1712546397},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972520,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972430
>>Death! The point of your blade is all this foreigner deserves!","attachment":null,"posted":1712547054},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972556,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5972450
>>5972452
>>5972512
"Mercy, mercy for a dying world! Let there be an end! We cannot return..."
Writing.","attachment":null,"posted":1712550350},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972681,"name":"Greeble","msg":"The terrified young man deserves mercy; you stay your hand, forcing back the red from your mind and allowing the bloody moment to pass. Cursed though you may be, you are no wraith, and Casimir’s presence dampens the mind fire’s lingering power.
“Surrender! Cease thy struggle, demon!” You spit the curse angrily, raising your blade in a threatening arc, “Lay down any arms upon thee!”
“I am unarmed!” The foreign boy cries out, his dialect strange but comprehensible still - it is unpleasant to your ear. He is young, younger than you’d realize - no more than your own age, yet at arms and among slavers, “Please, mercy! Don’t let that thing eat me!”
Casimir growls and snaps his mouth loudly, his horn remaining leveled firmly at the green carapaced boy, “You do not command me!”
“Up! Up and out from there, and not a single trick from thee, slaver!” You prod at the scared boy’s exposed neck with the point of your sword, drawing a drop of blood. Elsewhere, the sound of steel on steel stops, an ear piercing shriek of pain echoing through the skimmer’s metal hull.
The craft lists suddenly, nearly throwing you off, sand spraying high and all about as it smashes nose first into the crest of a low dune. Stumbling about, you fall away from the hatch, and the boy frees his other arm and quickly pulls his armored legs through. That liar has a knife! A long one, straight and narrow, guarded like a sword but too small to be a true one.
Casimir’s hind claws gouge furrows in the metal hull as he lunges forward, snapping his jaws shut around the blade of the knife and wrenching it free of the boy’s gloved hand, retreating back as soon as he has it. Casimir could easily have slain the frightened boy soldier, but he settles for disarming him.
“I was disarming!” The boy holds his arms up defensively, preparing for a strike which never comes, from you or the white beast, “I meant to cast it away, not fight!”
“A likely tale.” You spit at the boy's feet, growing tired of liars - Ahriman is bad enough as it is, “What of the fight below? Speak!”","attachment":null,"posted":1712557052},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972682,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5972681
“It is lost!” Tears and shame well up in his brown eyes and the skimmer comes grinding to a halt upon the sands, “The other one slew them. The man with the sword-”
“That I did!” Ahriman’s bloody head emerges from the hatch the boy just exited, a fresh but shallow cut along his cheek - the blood must not be his own. There is no home the far larger and more heavily armored man could ever fit through the hatch, but it is more than enough to taunt from now that the skimmer has stopped, “And what a poor fight it was, foreigner! Barely a stroke each and it was over, only one drew steel. Morrigan, the skimmer is ours. Why is this one alive?”
“Aaagh!” The boy screams and moves away from Ahriman, though he’s at no risk. You doubt the captain could get much more than an arm through, and even then he’d have little way to see what he was reaching for, “Velska, save me! Mother!”
“...And you called me a coward.” Ahriman remarks dryly to you, his long nose wrinkling up in annoyance, “Ancestor’s wrath, how young are you, boy? They send children to fight where you’re from?”
“I’m a squire!” The boy barely manages to speak, sobbing terribly into his hands and collapsing down on the blue hull of the stopped skimmer, utterly defeated, “You killed Florian!”
“Quit that!” You give him a backhanded slap across the face with your good hand, the smacking impact snapping his attention back to you, and you grip his chin with one hand and look him in the eye, “...I am scarcely older than thee, if at all, and thy people destroyed mine, and stole away my prince! Dost thou see tears on my cheek? Find courage… or weep more quietly.”
To his credit, the boy quiets down. Ahriman’s head vanishes from the small escape hatch, and soon he re-emerges from the largest one at the front of the craft. What a bloody business it must have been down there, your stomach turns at the sight of the drying red staining his tan carapace - that heavy sword should make for a brutal weapon even when held close by the blade in tight confines. What frightful tip it has, wedged just so for piercing carapace. Flesh is nothing to it.
“Has he talked any more?” The dark haired captain asks, wiping some of the blood from his armor with brushes of his gauntlet - it serves more to smear than clean, “It is good we got one alive, we should make him pay for what his people have done - and there are questions to be asked.”","attachment":null,"posted":1712557112},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972684,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5972682
“Make him pay?” Casimir asks in confusion, “He is defeated. What does he owe?”
“Blood. But not like this - he is my prisoner. We are not demons like these foreigners, Ahriman.” You find yourself speaking in the boy's protection almost without realizing, a sense of pity finding purchase in your heart.
“You… aren’t going to kill me?” The boy asks, sniffling still but no longer sobbing - he is no warrior, not today, only a ‘squire’, whatever that foreign title means.
“No such promise was given.” You warn him, “I would have thy name first.”
“Birch.” He answers quietly.
“Birch?” You squint, the name sounds like utter nonsense, but you press no further and move to get introductions out of the way, “One dost not choose their name, I suppose. I am Morrigan, the beast is Casimir and the bloody one is Ahriman. Prithee speak every answer asked for - my prince awaits.”
“...You do not have people’s names. Barbarians.” Birch mutters to himself. You slap him again, harder, but he does not resist, simply staring at you with hate filled eyes - the crying has stopped entirely now.
“Does our prince live?” You question, keeping your hand raised and ready - Ahriman grabs you by the wrist and moves you aside, which you protest, but there’s no resisting his strength without making a true fight of it.
“I will handle the questions. Go below, clean the skimmer - you have a servant’s eye.” Ahriman orders you, “I know which questions to ask.”
“The prince? What prince?” Birch asks, but you ignore him for now, and…
>Insist upon asking the questions. You are no servant, not after Casimir awoke, none but the prince may command you. You are cursed, and command a mighty beast - terrify the boy into speaking.
>Go below as asked, the skimmer will need to be readied and disguises made - that is within your abilities. Ahriman will likely beat the boy severely, you know how this goes.
>Speak mercifully once more. ”...Casimir, do not let him escape. Ahriman, let us clear the skimmer together - and then I shall prepare a meal. We shall ask our questions over food.”
>Write-in.","attachment":null,"posted":1712557173},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972690,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972684
>Go below as asked, the skimmer will need to be readied and disguises made - that is within your abilities. Ahriman will likely beat the boy severely, you know how this goes.
Mercy has limits.","attachment":null,"posted":1712557865},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972712,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">“...You do not have people’s names. Barbarians.” Birch mutters to himself.
And apparently he doesn't have any fucking brains. What a fool of a child.","attachment":null,"posted":1712562081},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972722,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972684
>Speak mercifully once more. ”...Casimir, do not let him escape. Ahriman, let us clear the skimmer together - and then I shall prepare a meal. We shall ask our questions over food.”
Ghibli mode","attachment":null,"posted":1712563340},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972736,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972684
>>Go below as asked, the skimmer will need to be readied and disguises made - that is within your abilities. Ahriman will likely beat the boy severely, you know how this goes.
-lied about the knife
-called us barbarians
He had his chance and blew it.","attachment":null,"posted":1712565523},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972740,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972684
>>Go below as asked, the skimmer will need to be readied and disguises made - that is within your abilities. Ahriman will likely beat the boy severely, you know how this goes.","attachment":null,"posted":1712565929},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972769,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972430
How do you make charactets holding weapons so well?[/spolier]","attachment":null,"posted":1712568434},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972809,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972684
>Go below as asked, the skimmer will need to be readied and disguises made - that is within your abilities. Ahriman will likely beat the boy severely, you know how this goes.
>"Take a rest, Casimir. Though I'd rather you not think that brutality is all there is for us, there will still be more of it to come."","attachment":null,"posted":1712577228},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972892,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5972769
Usually I have to fix them myself.
One more hour for votes.","attachment":null,"posted":1712587869},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972905,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5972809
>>5972740
>>5972736
>>5972690
Writing.","attachment":null,"posted":1712591677},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972961,"name":"Greeble","msg":"With a sigh and unhappy look to Ahriman, you relent - the skimmer surely must be cleaned, if you are to sneak into this moving ruin, and disguises must be made as ready as they can be. Bodies must be thrown to the sands.
“...Do not be over harsh,” You tell the captain, turning your back to the scared boy soldier and then heading over to the large open hatch on the front deck of the skimmer, “Casimir, come and rest.”
“A song?” Casimir rasps wearily, his voice so young and yet so very rough, “I am weary.”
“Yes, Caz, a song - but first I must do-” You flinch slightly as the first slapping impact lands behind you, Ahriman setting about the brutal work of questioning the boy. A cry of pain sounds out, but you do not look back, “...Must do my work below. The world is not always so brutal, Caz, but there will be more to come.”
“...What is it supposed to be like?” The young beast questions, scraping along behind you and then down into the electric lit interior of the skimmer - with his wings folded in tight he fits easily.
“Not this.” You grimace, seeing Ahriman’s other handiwork now laid out before you within the skimmer’s interior. A dead man in blue coveralls lies slumped in the narrow passageway, and another in green carapace - just like Birch’s but larger - is face down, limbs twisted up strangely. Corpses do not lay as men do. “...Here, this compartment should be quiet.”
You press open one of the small metal doors in the passage - the skimmer’s gray interior is a tightly packed thing - and motion for Casimir to enter a room with a double bunk and metal lockers. Quarters of some kind, and very bare - there is room enough for Casimir to lay down though, and he soon settles in, coiling up on the bottom bunk, a length of his tail and part of one wing still sticking out and over the edge of the thin mattressed bed.
“This will take time.” You let him know, glancing back to the bodies in the metal passageway beyond the quarters, “Quite some time…”","attachment":null,"posted":1712597271},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972964,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5972961
Setting to it, you work diligently for the next hour, barely managing to drag the heavy bodies up and out of the skimmer - and even then only after stripping them of clothes and armor. It is exhausting, nauseating work; until yesterday you had never seen so much blood, and until now you had never seen it so fresh. The dead men look as if they could awaken at any moment, pale but otherwise unchanged. Perhaps they will find their way back to whatever foreign land they hail from, or perhaps not - those may just be stories told by old widows to comfort children.
Pushing the last stripped body overboard - there were a third and fourth inside the pilot house - you try to ignore the shouted questions and crying coming from the front of the skimmer. Ahriman has removed the boy’s armor, finding it hard to beat a person hardened like a beetle. Could there really still be questions to ask after an hour though? You shake your head and go below - there is blood to be cleaned up inside, as best you can, and clothes to try to sort through. Ahriman will need armor which fits, and a foreign blade, and none of it can be stained. Likely you will wear Birch’s, he is close to your size…
Red burns to the forefront of your thoughts as you scrub up the dried blood, flaking it from metal bulkheads and the deck - crimson eyes watch and mock. They want more. More blood, and an end, an end to the boy outside. The beating is not enough, your people call out for revenge… You scrub harder, and harder, whimpering quietly at the pain of the curse, the pain of resisting its burning influence. There is a maddening strength in that fire, one you dare not touch.
If Casimir were not here, what would become of you?
When you have finished, you return to the top of the skimmer and dump the bloody rags over the side. Ahriman has completed his own work, and Birch is now more bruise than boy, laying flat upon the deck and groaning in pain. It looks as if his arm has been broken, bent oddly in a way that makes your skin crawl. Even if he was left here with supplies, he would surely perish in the sands - a cruel fate.
“...Thou hast finished?” You ask Ahriman quietly, staring at the beaten boy, bile rising in your throat - in some ways this is far worse than the corpses, suffering but with no end, “What of the prince?”
“He knew nothing of the prince. But I have learned their methods, and the codes they speak when returning and leaving. The names of leaders, the details of this moving ruin - everything. I know where these slugshits keep their prisoners chained. There are many more than our own people, they’ve struck others before us.”
“Then we shall rescue many more.” You know the words to be foolish even as you speak them, but a part of you cries out for it to be possible, “They are from other peoples?”","attachment":null,"posted":1712597332},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972965,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5972964
The captain nods, a thin trickle of blood dried to the cheek where he was cut earlier, “Aye, many others, the boy doesn’t know the names of the tribes. Most of their captures do not share your eyes, but that is what they’re looking for. Albinics.”
“Why?” That word has burned in your mind for a time now, nearly as hot as the curse does - why would these foreigners come so far just for albinics? The king and prince share your complexion, but it grants no power or influence by itself, it is coincidence.
“Because their ‘Empress Velska’ demands it.” Ahriman answers mockingly, giving the groaning boy another harsh tap from his carapaced sabaton, “Stubborn little roachshit needed a broken arm to spit that out.”
“...Devotion to another is admirable.” You whisper, understanding the boy’s fear and love - though his seems likely to be a dim thing compared to your own, simple piety to his sovereign, “He called out her name before, and for his mother…”
>”...There’s a small galley below, and thy disguise awaits - change and heat a meal, I shall see to Bir… to the boy. I will not cast him out here. At a ruin perhaps, with supplies, but not here.” Enough death for today, the boy can at least be given a slim chance.
>”Let us keep him below, gagged. Tie him up, we may have need of further information.”
>”Let us end this for him.” Kill the boy, or have Ahriman do it, and then prepare for what is ahead.
>Write-in.
You will disguise yourself, eat and prepare, and sing to Casimir after this.","attachment":null,"posted":1712597404},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5972981,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972965
>”Let us end this for him.” Kill the boy, or have Ahriman do it, and then prepare for what is ahead.
There is mercy in death","attachment":null,"posted":1712599540},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973027,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972965
>”Let us end this for him.” Kill the boy, or have Ahriman do it, and then prepare for what is ahead.
Sorry, this is no Miyazaki. And the boy seems like he supports their slaver activities","attachment":null,"posted":1712605157},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973086,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972965
>”Let us end this for him.” Kill the boy, or have Ahriman do it, and then prepare for what is ahead.","attachment":null,"posted":1712612070},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973102,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972965
>”Let us end this for him.” Kill the boy, or have Ahriman do it, and then prepare for what is ahead.","attachment":null,"posted":1712615186},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973112,"name":"Greeble","msg":"One more hour for voting.","attachment":null,"posted":1712616010},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973115,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972965
>”Let us end this for him.” Kill the boy, or have Ahriman do it, and then prepare for what is ahead.","attachment":null,"posted":1712616843},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973144,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5972981
>>5973027
>>5973086
>>5973102
>>5973115
Writing.","attachment":null,"posted":1712619709},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973219,"name":"Greeble","msg":"“Let us end this for him.” The finish grimly, narrowing your eyes at the beaten boy - this foreign demon. He has been reduced to something pitiful, too weak to survive without help. He will not have yours. There is a mercy in death though, a dignity to it when done cleanly. “I shall do it.”
Unsheathing your sword, you find it oddly difficult to take the next step forward, your leg remaining frozen. Ahriman steps aside, motioning to the boy with a hand. With a shaking hand and unsteady feet, you finally take a few steps toward the boy - Birch, a strange name but still a person’s - and kneel beside him, pressing the hair cuttingly sharp edge of your blade to the flesh of his throat. The weight of the blade alone draws a thin line of red, but you hesitate again.
“Not like that,” Ahriman corrects you, pointing with one finger to the side, “Off to the left a finger’s width, and higher. Cut as deep as you can or it won’t be clean.”
“...P-please, don’t,” The words whisper out desperately from Birch’s bloodied mouth, barely understandable through his heavy accent. It is not too late to spare him. “D-don’t, I don’t want to die, please, mother...”
Your hand stays a moment longer, heart beating faster, the shaking of your hand working the blade a hair’s width deeper, drawing more blood. What are you doing? He is far too weak to fight, one hand grasping against your leg but without enough strength to attempt a real struggle. Terrified eyes look up at you, one blackened and half closed from a strike by Ahriman’s gauntleted fist, but the other alive and bright with life - life that fears its end.
Fear.
”The prince is dead.” The red of the boy’s blood mocks you. The curse’s grip tightens.
You press down hard, pulling the length of steel through Birch’s throat.
Crimson blood sprays out across your face and arms and robes - there is warmth in it, quickly lost to the desert’s greater heat, and a taste of iron. Birch’s eyes widen in shock and pain, fully aware, his hand grasping and slapping against your leg, words gargling and drowning in his throat. Stumbling back, pulling away from the spraying wound in horror, you look on at what is not a quick end. Birch’s small hands find his throat, soaking red as he tries vainly to stem the flow, all the time gasping and drowning and shaking. You tighten your grip on the sword and hurry back, desperate to end this - it is too much! Crawling back on your knees, you bring the blade down - A stab to the boy’s chest, and another, and another, and another, but it does not end it, and the pain only grows.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712625647969260.png","filename":"Rider bloody.png"},"posted":1712625647},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973224,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5973219
Ahriman then steps forward and pushes you to the side with one hand, sending you sprawling away, and with a grunt of effort he brings his heavy sword down hard, ending the horror with a clang of metal on metal. As the boy’s head rolls from the deck, the captain turns toward you, mouth wrinkled in disgust, “...What a mess.”
He kicks hard and sends the rest of the corpse from the skimmer, sending it sliding out into the sand with the others. There is a dent in the skimmer’s plating where the sword struck so powerfully - you do not have the strength to kill so cleanly, or to wield such a weapon.
“Clean yourself, and change into his armor.” Ahriman commands you, but you cannot muster a response, staring at the blood on your sword, on your hands - everywhere. A heavy hand rests on your shoulder, “It is rarely clean. …The worst of it will pass.”
Still kneeling, eyes locked on the crimson stain that was a life, thinking of the boy’s cries for his mother - thinking of Casimir - time passes. How long, you could not rightly say. Eventually you find a shaking strength and rise to your feet, taking up the uniform and armor set aside from the boy. Heading below, you change from your blooded white robe and into clothes and armor which were someone else’s when the sun rose this morning. A different life carried them then, but no longer. Using the dead boy's knife - a bayonet - you cut your long hair; the locks drift off in the desert wind, lost.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712625863259092.png","filename":"Morrigan Disguised.png"},"posted":1712625863},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973233,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5973224
Casimir rouses from his slumber as you finish changing, cocking his head curiously at you from the bottom bunk inside the tiny compartment, “...Mother, your colors changed.”
“They’re not mine.” You can’t bear to look at him as you say the words, “It is a disguise, to fool the men on the moving ruin.”
“...I cannot change like that.” Casimir ponders aloud, curious enough to lean out from the bed and give the carapace of your seized armor a tap with the end of his horn. You turn to look back at him again, and his raspy young voice softens, “Why are you upset? You are shedding… water.”
“Tears.” You wipe the few falling down your cheeks away, too many emotions tearing at you, “...But I am better now, let us eat… and sing.”
Ahriman has prepared the meat and mushrooms in a simple stew, hearty and filling, but little appetite remains to you. The food is taken to the pilot’s house, the largest single room on the skimmer, and you sit in the operator’s chairs as you eat. You force yourself to do so, miserable but knowing you will need the strength. There is no solace in the meal, no comfort but Casimir’s presence. When at last you sing, it is a very sad thing - Ahriman cannot stand it, a dark look cast over her. You see him out on the front deck of the skimmer, looking at the piled bodies and then off toward the direction of your quarry. The prince awaits, and with him the captain’s chance to reclaim his honor. …Some honor that will be.
You sing on, bringing something new into existence, a new verse, a new power…
>It is a verse of friendship, a desire to shield those you love from the horrors of the word - a barrier like Casimir’s, fleeting and momentary but nearly unbreakable.
>It is a verse of strength, the strength to change the world by force - though slight of build, your physical power will grow. So long as you live, this strength will remain yours.
>It is a verse of life, rejoicing at what little good remains in this broken world - it cannot return the dead to life, but it can mend flesh and rouse the very old and the very tired. This will deepen your command of the tones of healing and influence over the ancestor’s works.
Ignoring his flight and sand swimming, Casimir has his own protective barrier and the ability to share his natural sand-sight, along with a bevy of other abilities that come from his strange nature. Together, you can emit concussive ring bursts, but they are slow and difficult to bring into existence currently - no use in the heat of battle unless another protects you. All of Morrigan's magic was strengthened from the moment Casimir awoke, as seen with the sand explosions.","attachment":null,"posted":1712626039},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973274,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973233
>A verse of longing, in search of hope and people you can call allies in this lost and barren world.","attachment":null,"posted":1712628320},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973286,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973274
+1 if permitted.
>>5973233
>It is a verse of friendship, a desire to shield those you love from the horrors of the word - a barrier like Casimir’s, fleeting and momentary but nearly unbreakable.
If not, then this.","attachment":null,"posted":1712629022},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973287,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5973274
Very fitting, anon. I like it! I'll have to think on the effect if it wins, I'll consider suggestions for that as well though.","attachment":null,"posted":1712629026},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973293,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973287
Something for sending messages or divining direction, maybe?","attachment":null,"posted":1712629453},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973295,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973287
>Improved Sand Sight, seeing even through metal to detect life
>Projecting the song through sand, dramatically increasing range, permanence, or plain stealth
>Communication or divination
>Lifelink, sharing ones' strength to those in need of it.","attachment":null,"posted":1712629548},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973299,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973233
>It is a verse of life, rejoicing at what little good remains in this broken world - it cannot return the dead to life, but it can mend flesh and rouse the very old and the very tired. This will deepen your command of the tones of healing and influence over the ancestor’s works.
Doubling down on cleric powers seems wise, we're already partly-specced in this direction, it seems.","attachment":null,"posted":1712629814},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973301,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973274
I'd support this write-in over my own vote as well, should have refreshed before posting.
>>5973299","attachment":null,"posted":1712630008},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973305,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5973293
>>5973295
I was considering a kind of communication or divination as well, something much more special than just what a 'mundane' radio could manage, not only in degree but in kind. Radio signals are quite unreliable due to immense interference. Most important messages are sent by courier, or by cable in places that have it.","attachment":null,"posted":1712630235},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973319,"name":"Greeble","msg":"One more hour for votes.","attachment":null,"posted":1712631370},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973326,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973274
Support","attachment":null,"posted":1712631885},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973361,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5973326
>>5973301
>>5973286
>>5973274
Writing.","attachment":null,"posted":1712634985},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973418,"name":"Greeble","msg":"Sitting in the skimmer’s pilot house, Casimir’s armored head laying upon your lap, you stroke gently at the overlapping plates of his neck and sing a new verse. The horror of the last two days, the burn of the curse, the growing dread that your prince may truly be lost - it is too much for a person to bear. Rising from deep within you, a verse of longing leaves your lips, melancholy and ethereal. Ancient words beyond your understanding come to you from within, from deep within the sanctity of your mind you have so often retreated to. You enter that hidden space once more as you sing, closing your eyes - the interior of your mind is tranquil, a blank expanse of white…
And black symbols.
You do not know their meanings, but as you sing they shift and move about, forming words and patterns, all unfamiliar to you, some taking the form of sheets of text, others crude images that refine further and further…
”Tuuva ay, amonto cini…” The words mean nothing, and everything, resonating within your heart, within Casimir’s heart, and far out across the endless sands. Perhaps the words have no meaning but the emotion they carry - the desire for allies, a desperate need to find hope in this lost and barren world.
If the call is heard, you cannot say, but it brings comfort.
When you finish at last and leave that hidden place within yourself, the day’s events trouble you a little less. Curiosity and hope replaces dread, for a few moments at least, your thoughts stuck firmly upon those odd symbols and the patterns they formed. It was almost like a book, or the screen of a machine! How odd.
“That was beautiful, mother.” Casimir coos happily, a satisfied thrum emanating throughout his long body, from horn to tail spike, “We have called for… others?”
“I sang from my heart, Caz… it came to me from somewhere else.” You speak only truth to your winged companion, having little idea of what it is you’ve just done, “Did you see the symbols as well?”
“The ones inside? ...You did not before?” Casimir looks up, tilting his head so two eyes can see your face more clearly, “How do you… pick?”
“No. I’ve not seen them even once.” You bite at your lip, nervous and uncertain of this new change within you, “And what do you mean ‘pick’?”
“Pick what you… are? I do not know how to say it.” Casimir’s body hums with the new verse still, but he is just as confused as you - though in a very different way.","attachment":null,"posted":1712640200},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973421,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5973418
Before your discussion gets much further, Ahriman stomps into the pilot house, green and foreign looking - he’s got one of their lensed helmets on, including the red ‘feathers’ they wear stuck in them. He holds his arms out, inviting comment.
“Green suits thee poorly, Ahriman.” You give him the truth, the foreign armor looks odd on him - you’ve grown used to the tan of your people’s shells, anything else is strange, “And thy helmet even less - A fine foreigner thou shall be.”
“They don’t have our people’s sense of good looks, no.” The captain agrees with a chuckle, taking the prime operator’s seat and flicking a few switches on the skimmer’s control dash. “Pull that lever there beside you, and press the second button just there.”
You do as instructed, trusting his experience with this style of craft - controls are often similar between them, apparently even on this foreign design, ancient in origin. A roar sounds from the skimmer’s great engine as it restarts and forcefully clears of sand, and soon the blue plated machine is skipping and skimming across the dunes again, quickly gaining speed.
“Adjust heading a half degree east, we are off course.” Casimir peers at the controls and curved readout screens on the dash with interest, watching the dials split-flap displays as they change.
“A beast for a co-pilot?” Ahriman laughs at Casimir’s suggestion, but makes the slight change, “You were right though! …Where did you learn to navigate?”
“I did not.” Casimir answers, laying his head back down upon your lap - it is a good fit there. Ahriman looks baffled by Caz’s words but just shakes his head and focused on operating the skimmer.
“We shall reach the moving ruin in half an hour,” You recall the time it took to lure the slavers to your trap, and shave off a few minutes to account for your straight path to their moving lair - it is a guess, but educated, “Thou art readied?”
“As I’ll ever be.” Ahriman says, keeping both hands firmly on the craft’s controls as the dunes rush by outside the pilot house’s glass.
“Good. Tell me everything thy gleaned from the boy…”","attachment":null,"posted":1712640261},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973424,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5973421
It is a long talk.
These foreigners are ‘Sisyphytes’, merely one part of one tribe within a far greater nation united beneath their ‘beloved Empress Velska’. They have come to these lands in search of captures and with an eye for total conquest, but their chief goal now is acquiring albinics - Birch did not know why, only that there was a great reward for finding even one. The moving ruin is called a ‘Battery Carrier’, apparently some kind of enormous treaded weapon platform of unknown origin - perhaps even dating from the time of the ancestors. Its trio of mighty guns are locked skyward, unusable, to the consternation of the Sisyphytes. There are many hundreds of soldiers and other foreigners aboard the moving ruin, and nearly as many captured slaves - All are under the command of a ‘Knight-Colonel Basil’. You do not like the sound of any of it, all of the ways of their foreigners are strange and unsettling.
Many smaller details are shared as well, such as the basic codes and responses used by guards, all vital to not be discovered in your increasingly concerning infiltration. The basic layout of the ruin is also given… but truthfully it is difficult to remember. Your knowledge of the ancestor’s ways should prove useful in that regard, if this is truly of their making.
With most of the details handled, Ahriman brings up one final point, “...Morrigan, go and wipe that paint from your face, and find some goggles.”
“I cannot. It stains the skin,” You rub under one eye with your thumb, wiping a little of the pink pigment away but revealing only just how deep it has bled into your skin over many years - you have always applied it just so, “Goggles are a fine idea though.”
Looking around the pilot house, you spy a pair dangling from a hook and put them on, and then pull your green scarf up higher - a makeshift curse mask is what it will look like to observers, you have seen them among your own people many times. Hopefully the foreigners use them as well, the ones you have seen before had filters but none of the larger helmets fit you at all. Your white bangs conceal the circle upon your forehead, just between your eyes, but you will need to take care with it.
And now finally you come to a very hard choice - What is to be done with Casimir?
>He will take to the skies and await your exit, observing everything - if trouble overwhelms you, you might be able to rush to the top deck and escape upon him.
>He will hide within the skimmer, keeping as close as he can - perhaps he can even follow you through the ruin if you are very careful. There might be side passages, or air ducts.
>He will keep to the sands below the moving ruin, far from any eye or the reach of weapons. He will be safe there, completely so, but far away if a need for help arises.
>Write-in.","attachment":null,"posted":1712640343},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973440,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973424
>He will hide within the skimmer, keeping as close as he can - perhaps he can even follow you through the ruin if you are very careful. There might be side passages, or air ducts.","attachment":null,"posted":1712642226},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973444,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973424
>He will hide within the skimmer","attachment":null,"posted":1712642724},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973488,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973424
>>He will take to the skies and await your exit, observing everything - if trouble overwhelms you, you might be able to rush to the top deck and escape upon him.","attachment":null,"posted":1712648896},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973499,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973424
>>He will keep to the sands below the moving ruin, far from any eye or the reach of weapons. He will be safe there, completely so, but far away if a need for help arises.","attachment":null,"posted":1712649963},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973530,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973424
>He will hide within the skimmer, keeping as close as he can - perhaps he can even follow you through the ruin if you are very careful. There might be side passages, or air ducts.
If Morrigan could fight, I would opt to fly in separate from Ahriman, but with this setup it's better to control the ship against them and seal doors to carve a path in and out.","attachment":null,"posted":1712654019},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973576,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973424
>He will hide within the skimmer, keeping as close as he can - perhaps he can even follow you through the ruin if you are very careful. There might be side passages, or air ducts.
He seems surprisingly sneaky for a dragon/F-16 hybrid","attachment":null,"posted":1712661024},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973616,"name":"Greeble","msg":"One more hour for votes.","attachment":null,"posted":1712667631},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973629,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5973576
>>5973530
>>5973444
>>5973440
Writing.","attachment":null,"posted":1712672004},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973684,"name":"Greeble","msg":"With your disguises fixed in place, your thoughts turn to what is to be done with Casimir. You can hardly paint the beast green and take him with you, and you worry terribly for him. This rescue will be perilous, delving into the unknown depths of this moving ruin filled with soldiers could easily end in disaster.
You make your choice known, speaking to the white armored beast softly, “...Casimir, when we arrive at the foreigner’s moving lair, stay hidden away within the skimmer - if there is a way for you to follow safely, I will come back and fetch you.”
“I understand, mother. I want to stay close.” Casimir presses against you fondly, his presence soothing your heart and worries.
“You’re bringing him inside? Ancestors, you’re a fool.” Ahriman curses, muffled in his helmet, “He’ll clank around on the metal, look at those claws.”
“I can be silent.” Casimir assures him raspily, pink eyes flashing bright for a moment, “I must be.”
“Quiet? In sand maybe, but on a plated deck?” Ahriman shakes his head, deeply displeased with the plan, but his gaze remain fixed on the dunes far ahead of the skimmer - he is a more dutiful pilot than a guard, it would seem, “I heard how you moved earlier, it sounded like someone was scraping shells in a kitchen!”
“I shall wrap his claws in cloth,” You say at once, desiring to keep close - the curse’s claim on you deepens when Casimir is far off, and he could defend you if it comes to that… and you would simply miss him, though you will not admit that to the captain, “Use your mind, Ahriman, there are possibilities with him alongside which we do not have otherwise. If it is of the ancestor’s make, there will be air ducts and side passages, I know their ways.”
“Too bold, witch, too bold…” Ahriman grumbles, considering the adjustments to the plan, “But you have spent more time delving into ruins than I have… I guess you would know. If you’re wrong, don’t expect a rescue. I can’t fight hundreds of men - I won’t.”
“...I would expect nothing else from you.” You cross your arms unhappily, anger rising in you at the captain’s return to cowardice; such a fight would surely mean death, but such was his oath to the prince. If he was another man you would not judge him so, the fear is understandable, but he is a noble and a captain. Such a shameful man.
You leave the pilot house in a huff and head back through the passageway to the small bunk room. Using spare clothes taken from a locker, you pad Casimir’s claws - he gives a few test steps on the metal deck of the skimmer, now far quieter. A very faint thrum fills the air, and he grows quieter still. Care will still have to be taken, it isn’t total silence, but he should be able to easily cut free of the cloth if it comes to a fight.","attachment":null,"posted":1712679108},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973685,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5973684
The next few minutes pass by in silent tension, the skimmer’s engine rumbling away as you grow closer and closer to the moving ruin. When Ahriman calls you back to the pilot house, you can see the colossal metal bulk of the moving ruin - the ‘Battery Carrier’ - off along the horizon. A wide approach is taken, allowing you to get an excellent view of it.
The ‘Battery Carrier’ is a mountainous rusted metal construct, comprised of three distinct sections resting upon almost unimaginably large tracks. Each of the three sections is greater than the size of a small village, and their treads could easily crush any building you have ever seen. They push slowly through great dunes as if the sands did not even exist, flattening everything, leaving deep tracks and sending plumes of sand all about it which obscure the lowest portions of the colossal vehicle. It clears often enough that you can still make out details.
The foremost section is the boxiest, brutal and heavily armored in rusted plates thicker than the skimmer itself, and an enormous round red lens at its very front stares out across the dunes, glowing faintly. A pair of great tri-clawed appendages reach out from its sides, like grasping arms intent on rending metal - it is a strange look, but sends chills through you nonetheless. What could require such claws to fight? Another ruin?
The middle section is slightly shorter in its primary structure, but a gigantic three barreled turret at its top brings it to the greatest height overall - a trio of super heavy cannons are locked firmly skyward, unmoving. The final and trailing section is similar to the boxy first one, but covered nearly from top to bottom in metal shacks grafted to it, a fungus of living quarters and other buildings welded to the ancient war machine. All the sections are connected by thick linkages, several at each joint - there are many, many ways across from one to another.
Other skimmers come and go from the moving ruin, using a trio of open hangar bay at its rear. Ahriman flicks on the skimmer’s short range radio, and you hold your breath as he attempts to mimic the foreigner’s accent and exchange the correct codes.
“Battery Carrier, this is scarab seven.” Ahriman deepens his voice, and does a decent enough job at matching the odd foreign dialect, “Requesting clearance for docking in hangar three. No captures for processing, had a nasty encounter with a damned duneflea, we lost two of our men.”
”Transmit return code, Scarab seven.” A woman’s voice crackles back over the radio.
“Four… eight… Lily… two… Clover.” Ahriman replies carefully, working from memory.
”Clearance granted for docking in hangar three. Welcome home, Sparrow seven. …Shame about the men, too many today. I’ll send the message up the chain.”","attachment":null,"posted":1712679169},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973686,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5973685
When the radio cuts off, you let out a sigh of relief - you will at least be able to enter their lair. The skimmer is brought around behind the slowly moving ruin, and Ahriman lines up an approach with the leftmost hangar bay. As you draw closer, you pass into the deep shadow of the battery carrier, so tall as to block out the sun for quite some distance, and then a few moments later you are scraping up the ramp and into a waiting berth of sand. The skimmer’s engine cuts, and it settles down in the pit-like skimmer berth, held securely in place by the sands. Short walls flank the berth on three sides, metal stairs leading up and out from them. Catwalks fill the spaces overhead, many blue uniformed technicians moving about the hangar, and you can hear heavy clanging machinery and the roar of other skimmer engines as they depart.
“Well, our luck has held this far,” Ahriman says quietly, turning his helmeted head toward you, “Maybe I should take you out for dice sometime, I thought they’d have us here.”
“We’re not through it yet,” You reply before giving a wave to one of the passing technicians through the pilot house’s plate glass windows - he waved first, so you assume it’s the correct thing to do, “Let us move swiftly.”
“Aye, forward.” Ahriman rises from his seat alongside you, you both check over your foreign blades one last time. You ensure your goggles and scarf are fixed tightly, put on a green cap, and then head up and out through the hatch.
Ahriman jumps down from the skimmer’s deck and into the sand of the berth before climbing up the metal stairs nearby. He meets with a man who must be the master of this hangar bay, and they talk for a time. You hold back, pretending to be busy with work on the skimmer’s hull, and pull the brim of your hat a little deeper - you almost forgot to wear a hat at all. Hopefully the white of your hair doesn’t give away your secret, between the hat, goggles, and scarf you are far more green than albinic, but it isn’t perfect.
“...Two men? Lost a whole skimmer earlier to a glider… Dammit.” The bearded hangar master’s shoulder slump, his deep voice carrying easily, “These dunes will take us all. Your skimmer is intact though? Think she’s meant to be in hangar one.”
“A few scrapes and dings, but she runs, the flea didn’t get inside.” Ahriman lies well, because of course he does, “My squire will have them buffed out soon.”
“Mm, very well. Welcome home, you’ve got reports to file, I’m sure… Two more men lost, blast it all…” The hangar master marches off, and the area clears of the blue uniformed technicians for a brief time.","attachment":null,"posted":1712679248},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973687,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5973686
You hurry back inside the skimmer and call Casimir out. He rushes to the deck of the skimmer with startling speed, and then disappears into the sand of the berth. The very tip of his horn peaks out a moment later, his voice sounding quietly from it - no one could see him, hidden as he is.
“There are pipes for the sand, and… bugs.” Casimir whispers from his horn, “A lot of bugs.”
“Bugs?” You question quietly, dropping down to the sands and kneeling beside his horn, pretending to have dropped something.
“Little ones, they move in the pipes.” Casimir confirms, “I can fit through them too, they go up…. To air pipes. Big air pipes.”
“You’re sure?” A sense of nervousness takes hold of you, greater with each passing moment now that you are within the moving ruin, “Hold here a moment Caz, I must speak with Ahriman.”
“I will, mother. Be careful.” The horn vanishes silently under the sands, a faint vibration rippling past under your feet as the beast heads off on his own. You get up and head to Ahriman’s side, just by the staircase leading out of the sandy berth.
>”Ahriman, let us keep close together, thou art a better liar than I.” Allow the captain to lead the way, and begin the search for the prince. You’ll send Casimir up through the sand and air pipes, you can meet with him later - he’ll be able to find you from the pipes.
>”...We should split apart for now, a squire is something like a servant, and I know a servant’s ways - you know a warrior’s. Casimir shall relay messages between us, he will soon be in the vents.” Split up to cover more ground, far more - you must find where the prisoners are being held, and quickly. It is somewhere in the frontmost section of the ruin, you know that at least.
>”I bear good news, Ahriman - thou shalt stay with the skimmer. Casimir has found pipes running through this great machine, I shall ride him through them and find our prince. Await my return.” If Casimir can fit, you can probably squeeze through on his back as well. Ahriman will keep the skimmer secured - a blade, even skillfully wielded, will be of limited help with so many foreign soldiers about the place.
>Write-in
>>5973685
Should have been 'Scarab seven' throughout that whole conversation, oops.","attachment":null,"posted":1712679340},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973707,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973687
>”Ahriman, let us keep close together, thou art a better liar than I.” Allow the captain to lead the way, and begin the search for the prince. You’ll send Casimir up through the sand and air pipes, you can meet with him later - he’ll be able to find you from the pipes.","attachment":null,"posted":1712681493},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973819,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973687
>>>”Ahriman, let us keep close together, thou art a better liar than I.” Allow the captain to lead the way, and begin the search for the prince. You’ll send Casimir up through the sand and air pipes, you can meet with him later - he’ll be able to find you from the pipes.
Prisoners and their care would be servant's work, but albinic prisoners are apparently prestigious, so I imagine the higher-ups will want to gloat about their success","attachment":null,"posted":1712691431},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973828,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973687
>”Ahriman, let us keep close together, thou art a better liar than I.” Allow the captain to lead the way, and begin the search for the prince. You’ll send Casimir up through the sand and air pipes, you can meet with him later - he’ll be able to find you from the pipes.","attachment":null,"posted":1712691884},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973844,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973687
>”I bear good news, Ahriman - thou shalt stay with the skimmer. Casimir has found pipes running through this great machine, I shall ride him through them and find our prince. Await my return.” If Casimir can fit, you can probably squeeze through on his back as well. Ahriman will keep the skimmer secured - a blade, even skillfully wielded, will be of limited help with so many foreign soldiers about the place.","attachment":null,"posted":1712693901},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973859,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973687
>”Ahriman, let us keep close together, thou art a better liar than I.” Allow the captain to lead the way, and begin the search for the prince. You’ll send Casimir up through the sand and air pipes, you can meet with him later - he’ll be able to find you from the pipes.","attachment":null,"posted":1712695224},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973901,"name":"Greeble","msg":"One more hour for voting.","attachment":null,"posted":1712697620},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973932,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973687
>”I bear good news, Ahriman - thou shalt stay with the skimmer. Casimir has found pipes running through this great machine, I shall ride him through them and find our prince. Await my return.” If Casimir can fit, you can probably squeeze through on his back as well. Ahriman will keep the skimmer secured - a blade, even skillfully wielded, will be of limited help with so many foreign soldiers about the place.","attachment":null,"posted":1712701613},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973937,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5973859
>>5973828
>>5973819
>>5973707
Writing.","attachment":null,"posted":1712702616},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973958,"name":"Greeble","msg":"“Ahriman, let us keep close together,” You say quietly to the tall man, keeping your voice low to avoid being overheard by the others within the hangar. Thankfully they are out of sight, and it is a very loud space. Machinery hums and thrums, and skimmers roar to and from berths with every tinny static filled announcement from loudspeakers mounted to the ceiling, “Thou art a better liar than I.”
“That I can agree with,” Ahriman nods, “While we are here, you are ‘Birch’, and I am ‘Florian’ - let’s hope we don’t bump into any of their friends, I took us to this hangar to avoid them.”
You swallow hard, the screams and warm blood of the dying boy suddenly real to you once more, “...I will try to sound as he did.”
“No, it is better if you do not talk at all.” Ahriman shakes his head, “Go and tell your beast.”
You do so, returning quickly to the sands and relaying the plan to Casimir whom you summon with a stomping foot - with a another farewell he is off and into the unseen sand pipes. You suspect he will not always be close by, but if you can reach an entrance to the moving ruin’s duct system then you should be able to call out and summon him quickly. He will find his way from there, his ability to navigate within the metal mountain yesterday was uncanny, and this place has a similar quality to it, though far more weathered and lived in.
Moving back to Ahriman, you tail behind the green carapaced captain and leave the hangar together, passing by rumbling engines powering fuel pumps. Blue uniformed men run lines and cables back and forth to skimmers, and a dozen of the jar-like bipedal walkers are housed in scaffolding filling bays along the left of the hangar. They all stand upright, with cables hanging from them like webs - they are strange machines, clumsy looking but armed with bolt throwers and heavy firespitters, and some even have pipe-like arms ending in claws or holding squat blades. A few look less like jars and more like hunched men wearing carapaced plates, great humanoid machines made of sharp armored angles and thrusters… Those must be truly fearsome, whatever they are, and they look to have firespitters the size of pack slugs and blades that could fell stone towers. They are by far[//i] the largest vehicles within the hangar, and receive more attention from engineers than all the others combined.
Simply walking quickly and looking as if you have an urgent purpose - which you do - keeps questions from being asked, and soon you are beyond the hangar bay and its strange machines. The red-brown passage leading from it is lit by lights running along the corners, and immediately makes sense to you. It is coded with the colored stripes so common in the ancestor’s larger ruins, just like the ‘mountain’ yesterday. You stop Ahriman for a moment when there are no other soldiers within the tall ceilinged hall, and point to the lines on the wall.","attachment":null,"posted":1712704438},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973959,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5973958
“This green one shall lead upward, it is less likely we shall be interrupted higher up.” You try to deepen your voice a hair, though Birch’s was not far from your own, he was too young for much difference to exist yet, “These are the markings of the ancestors, I know them well, Ahri… Florian.”
“Then I will trust you, Birch.” Ahriman nods, but after a moment then points to silver metal bolted to the bulkheads more recently, “...Though there are signs as well.”
“Oh.” You look at the signs, scanning over the odd foreign font - which includes a few letters you’ve never seen, and soon confirm that the green line will bring you higher, but also unexpectedly toward a ‘trader’s district’, “...They have merchants aboard?”
“There are many of their people here, not only soldiers - I didn’t ask much about that. We should not be bothered there,” Ahriman pats at a shedskin pouch on his hip, “...And I do have coin.”
“We are not stopping to spend coin.” You whisper angrily, but Ahriman is already marching off, following the green line and signs. You have no choice but to follow, separating here would turn the plan to chaos. Soon you are both several decks higher, taking old heavily reinforced stairwells to make the climb. The walls are scorched and gouged deep in places, telling of some ancient battle, but you can glean nothing more from the markings.
When you emerge at last, you behold a very long and very wide chamber of the battery carrier. A bazaar has been set up within what must have been a kind of glider hangar long, long ago. Shops and walkways are built all the way up to the deck above, and great elevators have been left permanently lowered to allow in sunlight and desert wind. Even the elevator platforms have been covered in buildings and colorful tarps, never intended to rise again to what must be a flight deck higher up. It feels as if you are at the merchant’s quarter of a cavetown, and a prosperous one at that.","attachment":null,"posted":1712704500},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973961,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5973959
Passing through bustling and pressing crowds of brightly clothed foreigners, you make slow progress to the far end of the bazaar. There are small house bugs scurrying and clicking by, carrying messages and seeking their owners, and even a talking pack slug singing of women, of all things. As if a slug could know anything of them! …A moment later, just behind the slug, a pair of tanned and half dressed young women wander past, wearing little more than colored ribbons. One wags an elegant finger for Ahriman to follow, and blows the disguised captain a kiss, while the other tries to lure in merchants from the opposite side of the path. You almost have to drag the captain away, tugging at his arm to keep him moving past the slug and it’s trail of immodest foreign women.
“...Eyes forward.” You growl, “No time for distractions.”
“...The desert has left me parched,” Ahriman replies angrily, forcefully pulling his arm free from your gloved hand, “I’m getting a drink.”
“Thou shalt do no such thing!” You hiss, seeing that his gaze has been drawn to a drinking establishment of some kind - a winehouse, perhaps, quite a large one. Ahriman’s chief weakness is women, even more so than his cowardice, but drink is a close third.
“Quiet, squire - obey your knight!” He gives you a very light slap, more show than force - at least he has the sense to try not to disturb your disguise, even in an argument, “…It’s for bravery, I won’t be getting drunk. You have my word.”
His word! What a foul joke. Rubbing at your cheek, you answer…
>”Very well. I shall look around then, and thou shalt be finished upon my return or I shall have Casimir geld thee.” There are many strange peoples in this bazaar, perhaps
>”...For bravery? Fine. We shall be brief.” Maybe there’s some sense to it; you know he acts more boldly when drink has taken him - a drink or two may steel his nerves without slowing his blade arm or senses overmuch. You should keep close to ensure that’s all it is.
>”Then we part here, liar! Choke on thy wine.” Ancestor’s wrath, a coward and a drunk! He must plan to go chasing a foreign woman, and then abandon his armor and hide away among these strange people. He could escape his disgrace here, running from it forever…
>Write-in.","attachment":null,"posted":1712704573},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973972,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973961
>”...For bravery? Fine. We shall be brief.” Maybe there’s some sense to it; you know he acts more boldly when drink has taken him - a drink or two may steel his nerves without slowing his blade arm or senses overmuch. You should keep close to ensure that’s all it is.","attachment":null,"posted":1712705070},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5973976,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973961
>>”...For bravery? Fine. We shall be brief.” Maybe there’s some sense to it; you know he acts more boldly when drink has taken him - a drink or two may steel his nerves without slowing his blade arm or senses overmuch. You should keep close to ensure that’s all it is.","attachment":null,"posted":1712705239},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974029,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973961
>...For bravery? Fine. We shall be brief.” Maybe there’s some sense to it; you know he acts more boldly when drink has taken him - a drink or two may steel his nerves without slowing his blade arm or senses overmuch. You should keep","attachment":null,"posted":1712710044},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974032,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973961
>”...For bravery? Fine. We shall be brief.” Maybe there’s some sense to it; you know he acts more boldly when drink has taken him - a drink or two may steel his nerves without slowing his blade arm or senses overmuch. You should keep close to ensure that’s all it is.
I admit it, Ahriman grows on me.
>>5973958
I kind of regret mercing Birch as brutally as we did, but also if we didn't, what the hell would we have done to prevent him raising the alarm at this stage? Nah, it needed to be done. RIP, kid.","attachment":null,"posted":1712710358},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974040,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973961
>”...For bravery? Fine. We shall be brief.” Maybe there’s some sense to it; you know he acts more boldly when drink has taken him - a drink or two may steel his nerves without slowing his blade arm or senses overmuch. You should keep close to ensure that’s all it is.
More importantly, I don’t trust him and if we keep pissing him off, he might dump us and this whole mission","attachment":null,"posted":1712710739},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974043,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973961
>”Very well. I shall look around then, and thou shalt be finished upon my return or I shall have Casimir geld thee.” There are many strange peoples in this bazaar, perhaps","attachment":null,"posted":1712710798},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974048,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973961
I'm a bit late, but
>"Then we part here. I will join with Cassimir and search the air ducts myself. If an alert is sounded, you can play the soldier too drunk to follow orders. Whether you run or stay is up to you."","attachment":null,"posted":1712711001},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974050,"name":"Greeble","msg":"One more hour for votes.","attachment":null,"posted":1712711229},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974094,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5973972
>>5973976
>>5974029
>>5974032
>>5974040
Writing.","attachment":null,"posted":1712716513},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974128,"name":"Greeble","msg":"“...For bravery?” You relent at the captain’s words, seeing enough reason behind them - drink might make him less a coward, and bravery will indeed be needed ahead, “Fine. We shall be brief.”
“Finally speaking some sense, a glass or three and we’ll be gone.” Ahriman removes his beetle-like helmet, tucking it under one arm and flashing a smile at a passing woman - he’s handsome in a very sly way, even you see that, and the fresh cut on his cheek gives him even more of a roguish look. She blushes but carries on, and that seems to please the young captain greatly.
“You said two drinks at most!” You protest, nearly pulling down your scarf before thinking better of it.
“Four, and no more.” Ahriman laughs, heading up to the door of the winehouse and pulling it open, gesturing for you to enter first, “Squires first.”
“You… Thou jest at a time such as this?” You can’t believe this man, he is too much. Another patron enters while the door is held open, sneaking past the two of you as you bicker.
“Five, little mantis.” His grin grows wider, obviously pleased with your roused anger. He’s doing this all on purpose!
“Ahr- Florian!” You despise how easily he has rustled your scarabs, it’s upsetting to be played with so at a time like this, “Thou art a scoundrel.”
“A cowardly scoundrel, my loyal squire, don’t forget my whole list of noble titles - you’ve reminded me of them so often. Come on, inside with you.” He presses you into the establishment with a firm shove of one hand, sending you stumbling inside before coming in arms raised high in greeting to the barkeep, “Can a soldier get a drink here?”
“Aye!” A chubby robed serving woman answers at once before even the barkeep does, “Take any seat, soldiers are always welcome…”
You ignore the rest of the prattle between Ahriman and the serving woman, or anyone else for that matter, taking in the details of the winehouse. It’s a simple affair, a large sitting area of many round tables made from mushroom caps, a long bar carved from a solid mushroom trunk and many metal shelves of drinks behind it, and then finally a large performing stage made of piled up armor plates take from elsewhere in the battery carrier - two women sit upon chairs atop the stage, one singing and playing a stringed instrument you do not recognize, and the other a small drum of some sort. Slender swords rest sheathed beside their chairs.","attachment":null,"posted":1712719774},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974140,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5974128
They’re strikingly beautiful, and complected strangely but not albinic - their skin is as pale as could be, but their long lustrous hair is a hue of pink instead of white, and their eyes are a blue clearer than the morning sky. Twins, they are, or close enough to it, and dressed in matching teal robes with yellow hoods of a fine but simple make. Slight and pretty, you find yourself a bit jealous of them, or perhaps it is simple admiration for the fair pair. Your contemplation is ended as a chill runs through you - you recognize their song. It is a haunting and ethereal thing, soothing the souls of the winehouse’s patrons, but you know it to be your verse, sung just earlier to Casimir.
Those two are no common singers, and the tones of their familiar song carry power, the same power as the one you share with Casimir.
>Avoid the gaze of the twin singers, try to keep close to Ahriman. Have a drink as well, just one - at your weight any more would be unwise, but you could use the calm. With Casimir somewhat distant, you feel the curse more keenly - drink might help.
>...You must meet these singers, they seem foreign even to these foreigners - If they know a song that came to you earlier, they must know something of you, or Casimir, or another beast of his kind. Something, surely. Wait until their song finishes and speak to them in private.
>Sing! Sing with these women, you feel a kindred spirit of some kind with them. Keep your disguise on, which may look somewhat odd, but you know you can join in and do so well.
>Write-in.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712720497347491.png","filename":"Ophelia and Fafnir.png"},"posted":1712720497},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974141,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974140
>...You must meet these singers, they seem foreign even to these foreigners - If they know a song that came to you earlier, they must know something of you, or Casimir, or another beast of his kind. Something, surely. Wait until their song finishes and speak to them in private.
Could be they're captive music-slaves.","attachment":null,"posted":1712720745},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974188,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974140
>...You must meet these singers, they seem foreign even to these foreigners - If they know a song that came to you earlier, they must know something of you, or Casimir, or another beast of his kind. Something, surely. Wait until their song finishes and speak to them in private.
>Make a show of drinking, but only actually drink half the cup before stumbling towards the music-slaves","attachment":null,"posted":1712723690},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974229,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974140
>Sing! Sing with these women, you feel a kindred spirit of some kind with them. Keep your disguise on, which may look somewhat odd, but you know you can join in and do so well.","attachment":null,"posted":1712727938},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974255,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974140
>...You must meet these singers, they seem foreign even to these foreigners - If they know a song that came to you earlier, they must know something of you, or Casimir, or another beast of his kind. Something, surely. Wait until their song finishes and speak to them in private.","attachment":null,"posted":1712731845},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974332,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974140
>...You must meet these singers, they seem foreign even to these foreigners - If they know a song that came to you earlier, they must know something of you, or Casimir, or another beast of his kind. Something, surely. Wait until their song finishes and speak to them in private.
>picrelated
Of course, who else would sing a song of the ancients.","attachment":null,"posted":1712743298},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974339,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974140
>...You must meet these singers, they seem foreign even to these foreigners - If they know a song that came to you earlier, they must know something of you, or Casimir, or another beast of his kind. Something, surely. Wait until their song finishes and speak to them in private.
They know something and we're too curious to let it lie","attachment":null,"posted":1712744448},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974354,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974140
>>...You must meet these singers, they seem foreign even to these foreigners - If they know a song that came to you earlier, they must know something of you, or Casimir, or another beast of his kind. Something, surely. Wait until their song finishes and speak to them in private.","attachment":null,"posted":1712748465},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974371,"name":"Greeble","msg":"One more hour for votes.","attachment":null,"posted":1712751605},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974395,"name":"Greeble","msg":"Captivated by the twins’ song, you ignore Ahriman as he goes off and finds a spot at the bar - you find a wall to lean against instead, crossing your arms as you listen to the performance. Hearing the familiar song from two voices at once, sweet and clear and filled with the passion of ages of experience, you soon find yourself tearing up. The ethereal melody reminds you of Casimir, and of your beloved prince, and even your long dead adoptive father - how many true companions have you had in this world? Few, precious few. These singers must understand that desire far deeper than most, the hope to find something - someone - worth valuing in this world.
…You feel within your heart that you must speak to them.
As the song slowly comes to its conclusion, one of the twins leans to her sister and whispers something in her ear, cupping her hand to even conceal her lips. The second sister’s blue eyes settle upon you briefly, and then move on toward Ahriman’s direction by the bar, and she nods. They then stand, bow, pick up their instruments and sheathed blades, and head off from the stage of stacked metal. The one with the stringed instrument leads, and they head off into one of the winehouse’s side rooms. You follow at once, passing Ahriman’s position at the bar - he isn’t pounding down shells of liquor, so you assume it’s safe to leave him to his own devices for a time.
Reaching the rusted metal door of the side room, you give it a few light taps with one hand. You hear a faint chime and it slides open, a heavy cloud of incense and perfume rolling out from within - scents you’ve never experienced before, full and… fruity? Sweet, at least. You don’t have the proper words for them. The twins are sitting beside one another, one cross legged on the ground and the other on the bed beside her - they’re both tending to their instruments, and sticks of incense burn in holders nearby. Their swords are set aside, propped against the wall nearest them.","attachment":null,"posted":1712755668},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974396,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5974395
“Hail, singers. I may enter?” You ask, though the door has already opened wide.
“Yes, of course.” The one upon the bed laughs kindly before raising a hand toward you, palm first. A very faint chime sounds, and the door slides firmly shut, “You’re among friends here. I am called Ishtar.”
“And I am called Inanna.” The one upon the floor says while tuning the strings of her strange instrument, grinning slyly as she speaks, “You’ll find we’re kindred spirits. Come and sit with us. You knew our song?”
“...I would not call it yours, but ye sang it well.” You find yourself believing Inanna’s words despite that sly grin, and when you sit it is without fear - but you refrain from giving your name in return.
“Then you know more than a squire should.” Ishtar lifts a hand to her face, and mimes lowering a cloth which is not there - she wants you to remove your scarf, “...And the goggles as well, help me win an old bet.”
“Don’t worry, it’s just a game between us - it’s been a very long time since she’s won.” Inanna assures you kindly, plucking at a string of her instrument once and then nodding, satisfied with its sound, before moving onto another. “No harm will come to you here.”
“And how about harm elsewhere? You keep your disguise up, the initial feeling of safety dissipating somewhat despite the twins’ assurances - they clearly know you’re not a ‘Sisyphyte‘, but there are many things you could be and of those only albinics are being hunted down by the small army within this moving ruin.
“Wary.” Ishtar frowns, setting aside her drum on the bed.
“Keen.” Inanna smiles, so similar to her sister and yet different just so. The same mouth, but with a different curve - you’ll never again mistake them for one another, “You will be safe here, and elsewhere - remove that guise, rider, and we’ll have your name as well.”
>”I am called Morrigan.” They have given their word - you sense that one speaks for both in this. Remove some of your disguise.
>”I am called Birch.” Keep up your disguise, this feeling of trust may be a trick of some kind.
>”Rider? How do you know these things?” You’re more interested in what they know than this old bet between them.
>Write-in.
No tallying post this time, we'll be back to that next time though. Got writing early since it seemed unlikely more votes would change the outcome after so many were in already.","attachment":null,"posted":1712755788},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974406,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974396
>”I am called Morrigan.” They have given their word - you sense that one speaks for both in this. Remove some of your disguise.","attachment":null,"posted":1712756945},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974460,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974396
>"Tell me a way to the air ducts, first." We need a place to escape anyway
>”I am called Morrigan.” They have given their word - you sense that one speaks for both in this. Remove some of your disguise.","attachment":null,"posted":1712763915},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974527,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974396
>>”I am called Morrigan.” They have given their word - you sense that one speaks for both in this. Remove some of your disguise","attachment":null,"posted":1712771571},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974549,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974396
>”Rider? How do you know these things?” You’re more interested in what they know than this old bet between them.","attachment":null,"posted":1712772906},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974555,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974396
>”Rider? How do you know these things?” You’re more interested in what they know than this old bet between them.","attachment":null,"posted":1712773667},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974558,"name":"Greeble","msg":"One more hour for voting.","attachment":null,"posted":1712774776},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974577,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"me","attachment":null,"posted":1712777281},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974596,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5974406
>>5974460
>>5974527
Writing.
>>5974577
?","attachment":null,"posted":1712778597},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974657,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974396
>”Rider? How do you know these things?” You’re more interested in what they know than this old bet between them.","attachment":null,"posted":1712785450},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974672,"name":"Greeble","msg":"“I am called Morrigan.” You lift your goggles and rest them upon your green cap, allowing you to see Ishtar and Inanna more clearly now that the tinted glass is out of the way, and then you tug down your scarf slightly to show your face. Inanna laughs sweetly and claps her hands at the sight, then placing a hand on her sister’s leg and giving it a slight congratulatory shake.
“A win for you at last, Ishtar.” The happier twin says kindly, “And it is a bet I am overjoyed to lose - Morrigan, did anyone instruct you to make those pink marks upon your face?”
“No, never. Why?” You’ve been applying them for as long as you can remember, grinding up the pink and purples pigments from handfuls of cave flowers and then applying it to your cheeks and forehead.
Ishtar lets out a sigh of relief at your words and nods to her sister, smiling along with her though wearing it less easily, “The eyes and horn of a dragon, and worn by a young rider… That is a rare sight, and a rare bond. Where is he, Morrigan? What is his name?”
“Who’s name?” You suspect you know who they refer to, but you’ve never heard this ‘dragon’ word once before… or at least not that you remember, there is something oddly familiar about the word though. “What is a dragon?”
“The winged beast whom you hatched, the one which you have given song and a name.” Ishtar explains, choosing her words with great care as she looks deep into your eyes, “You have named him, haven’t you? Tell me of m… of him.”
“I chose Casimir as his name.” You reply in a whisper, almost entranced by the woman’s gaze - there is something almost inhuman about the intensity of her blue eyes, and yet soothingly familiar, “It seemed a fitting match.”
“Casimir….” Ishtar closes her eyes and leans back, laying down upon the bed with a long sigh, “Yes, that is a very fitting name.”
“Thank you, Morrigan. I’ve not seen my sister so happy for years now. Even song barely cheers her on most days.” Inanna reaches out and grasps one of your gloved hands in hers, her touch light and gentle - she gives your hand a small squeeze, “Now, what can we do for you, young rider? My sister heard the verse only an hour ago or so - You are in need of allies, are you not? You have come in disguise, so I believe you’re no friend of Velska’s subjects.”","attachment":null,"posted":1712786663},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974673,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5974672
You nod, “My people were taken by these slavers. The green armored soldiers, the Sisyphytes, they were searching for-”
“For albinics.” The twins answer in unison, laughing for a moment at the synchronization before Inanna apologizes and carries on alone, “Sorry, it is no laughing matter, we just do not speak as one as often as we once did… Yes, we’ve heard of their search for albinics, though it is not why we are here.”
“It is a very tragic thing, all of this.” Ishtar lets out a far less happy sigh, frowning as she sits back up. A change slowly comes over her as she speaks, and for a moment you could swear you hear a song in the air about you. It is only a ghostly sensation, there and gone at once. “We do not interfere anymore… but Casimiar must be very young. He is… small still, isn’t he? Cute. About the height of a large dog when he’s on his forelegs.”
You have no idea what a ‘dog’ is, but Ishtar holds a hand out to show roughly the height she is speaking of - it is nearly dead on.
>”How do you know so much of these ‘dragons’? I had never heard the word before today.” Curiosity burns hotter than the curse, and you must know how these odd women know so many things. It may simply be that they are powerful sorceresses of some kind, but even that is fascinating.
>”He is indeed, though when he rears up his head reaches just over mine own height, and his horn higher still.” Ishtar seems very fond of dragons - Inanna too, though not quite to the same degree - speak more with the twins about Casimir.
>”...If ye offer assistance, I would gladly have it. My prince is somewhere aboard this carrier, I must free him and the rest of my people who were taken.” There is no time to waste on questions or chatter, as edifying as this might be the prince remains locked away - and Ahirman might be turning those third or fourth drinks into a reality.
>Write-in.","attachment":null,"posted":1712786724},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974688,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974673
>”He is indeed, though when he rears up his head reaches just over mine own height, and his horn higher still.” Ishtar seems very fond of dragons - Inanna too, though not quite to the same degree - speak more with the twins about Casimir.
Geek out about our dragon friend! Then...
”...If ye offer assistance, I would gladly have it. My prince is somewhere aboard this carrier, I must free him and the rest of my people who were taken.”","attachment":null,"posted":1712787764},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974697,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974673
>”How do you know so much of these ‘dragons’? I had never heard the word before today.” Curiosity burns hotter than the curse, and you must know how these odd women know so many things. It may simply be that they are powerful sorceresses of some kind, but even that is fascinating.","attachment":null,"posted":1712788160},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974802,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974673
>”...If ye offer assistance, I would gladly have it. My prince is somewhere aboard this carrier, I must free him and the rest of my people who were taken.” There is no time to waste on questions or chatter, as edifying as this might be the prince remains locked away - and Ahirman might be turning those third or fourth drinks into a reality.
>If you would hear more, you may join us, or just wait. Whether here or elsewhere, you'll hear the song on the wind.","attachment":null,"posted":1712800922},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974822,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974673
>”He is indeed, though when he rears up his head reaches just over mine own height, and his horn higher still.” Ishtar seems very fond of dragons - Inanna too, though not quite to the same degree - speak more with the twins about Casimir.
These singers are either immortal and playing a little joke, or they are literal goddesses from ancient Sumer. Ishtar and Inanna are both Sumerian deities. Combined with their knowledge of both dogs and dragons, I'd say that they must predate the cataclysm that turned the world into a busted-ass desert full of bugs and bug-eating people.","attachment":null,"posted":1712802606},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974846,"name":"Greeble","msg":"One more hour for votes.","attachment":null,"posted":1712804021},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974889,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5974688
>>5974822
>>5974802
Going to roll talking some about Caz and asking for help together to keep things moving along.
Writing.","attachment":null,"posted":1712808732},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974937,"name":"Greeble","msg":"“He is indeed,” You find yourself speaking truly freely now, at ease with the twins in a way you have not been with anyone but Casimir for the last two days, and even then only when singing to him, “Though when he rears up his head reaches just over mine own height, and his horn higher still. He has already grown some, I saw his horn lengthen, and I believe his tail is longer than it was yesterday, though only just.”
“We… Well that does sound right,” Ishtar catches herself from saying something else, but as her frown recedes you find it difficult to worry about such things - she is very enthusiastic about dragons, “They grow very quickly in the first year, though it takes a decade to reach maturity. Oh, yes, your Casimir sounds like he is doing very well! - What are his colors?”
“As my own.” You motion to your eyes and hair with a gloved hand, “White carapace and pink eyes. It shifted from black and red shortly after he hatched.”
“Black and… red? Are you sure?” Inanna brow furrows deeper as you nod in confirmation, but she says nothing else on the matter of colors, “I would like to meet him, and I know my sister would love the chance.”
“One so young? I never thought I would ag… Would at all. See a young dragon. He is near, isn’t he?” Ishtar closes her eyes and vocalizes, her voice sounding clear and crisp and ringing with power - a chime ring, and then again a moment later. She shakes her head, disappointed, “...Too much metal, I’m not what I once was.”
“You’re all you need to be.” Inanna comforts her with a pat, before directing another question to you, “Casimir is within the carrier though, isn’t he? My sister has something of a natural intuition for these things.”
You begin to answer, excited to have found two great experts in the field of ‘dragons’, “He is within the air ducts, there was-”
“Ahh, sand in the skimmer berths! Of course.” Inanna finishes for you, sounding as if she is remembering rather than deducing it, ”Those were water pools for cooling Battlers once, but sand has a way of changing things. We had to park in the sidebays. …It should be a simple thing to call him to you if he is within the old systems, the pipes run all through the carrier - even to the prisoners.”","attachment":null,"posted":1712814343},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974945,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5974937
“All the way to the prisoners?” You gasp at the information - that is precisely the kind of detail you needed to know! They run all the way back to the skimmer as well then, perfect for an escape. Perhaps this is not such an impossible mission, and perhaps you’ve found the allies you sang for earlier, “...If ye be willing to offer further assistance, I would gladly have it - My prince is somewhere aboard this carrier, I must free him and the rest of my people who were taken.”
“M… Sister, may we?” Ishtar asks excitedly, all her gloom gone and a fire lit in her spirit - you can hear music in the air, though very faintly, as if it were only a memory, or a long forgotten dream.
“You’re acting more like your old self again! I’ve missed this.” Inanna laughs happily, but there is something keeping her from agreeing, and you feel the flicker of burning heat within your mind, a shooting pang of fear and anger brought on by the curse. “...We would have to run again, Ishtar.”
“Then we will run!” Ishtar stands quickly and marches to the wall, snatching up both the sheathed swords resting there and throwing one of the matching blades to her sister. Inanna catches it easily, and then moves to a metal chest nearby and begins to quickly change into a different dress and cloak. She wears an strange skintight suit beneath her robe, not normal small clothes, and it preserves her modesty in the moment it takes to change. Finished with that, she clasps the sword's sheath to the belt of her new outfit, beside an odd looking metal covered book. Ishtar is preparing herself similarly.","attachment":null,"posted":1712814657},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974948,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5974945
“Ye would be honored guests in our kingdom,” You rise, spurred by twins arming themselves so boldly, and adjust your disguise to hide your features once more, “These foreign soldiers could not reach ye within our deepest caves, the prince and king command many warriors. There will be war over the prince’s capture though, I am sure of it - it is too great an attack to be forgotten.”
“Caves? Perhaps we shall go there. First though, I must see this white little hatchling!” Ishtar secures her sword, and taps at the brooch clasping her cloak. The light around her distorts slightly, and you recognize it as being similar to Casimir’s field. Inanna does the same with her brooch a moment later.
>”...Yes, but first I must drag my companion away from his drinks. He will make comments, pray ignore them all. He’s a boor of a noble.” Grab Ahriman now, you have something of a rescue party forming now.
>”At once then! I have begun to miss him as well.” Leave the winehouse and make for a secluded vent to meet with Casimir - you can come back for Ahriman after, reinforcing Ishtar and Inanna’s desires to help seems wise before you throw a womanizing nobleman in their direction.
>”...Do ye happen to have another such brooch? I trust this foreign armor little.” It is unlikely they do, but perhaps they have something else to give? They are giving so much already though just by helping, it may be an overstep.
>Write-in.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712814787245468.jpg","filename":"Ishtar and Inanna, proper art style.jpg"},"posted":1712814787},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5974953,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974948
>”...Yes, but first I must drag my companion away from his drinks. He will make comments, pray ignore them all. He’s a boor of a noble.” Grab Ahriman now, you have something of a rescue party forming now.","attachment":null,"posted":1712815064},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5975001,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974822
I'm betting on ancient androids.
>>5974945
An android and a dragon then
>>5974948
>...Yes, but first I must drag my companion away from his drinks. He will make comments, pray ignore them all. He’s a boor of a noble.” Grab Ahriman now, you have something of a rescue party forming now.","attachment":null,"posted":1712818148},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5975074,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974948
>”...Yes, but first I must drag my companion away from his drinks. He will make comments, pray ignore them all. He’s a boor of a noble.” Grab Ahriman now, you have something of a rescue party forming now.
The man will surely betray us if left alone too long, and should be easily wrangled with these two in tow.","attachment":null,"posted":1712830146},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5975091,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974948
>”...Yes, but first I must drag my companion away from his drinks. He will make comments, pray ignore them all. He’s a boor of a noble.” Grab Ahriman now, you have something of a rescue party forming now.
I think abandoning him would be really funny tho","attachment":null,"posted":1712833403},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5975154,"name":"Greeble","msg":"One more hour for voting.","attachment":null,"posted":1712844030},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5975170,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974948
>”...Yes, but first I must drag my companion away from his drinks. He will make comments, pray ignore them all. He’s a boor of a noble.” Grab Ahriman now, you have something of a rescue party forming now.","attachment":null,"posted":1712847828},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5975189,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5975170
>>5975091
>>5975074
>>5975001
>>5974953
Writing.","attachment":null,"posted":1712849384},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5975282,"name":"Greeble","msg":"“...Yes, but first I must drag my companion away from his drinks,” The excitement of finding new allies stirs hope in your heart, but the grim reality of your situation remains - you have a coward to wrangle like a disobedient housebug, “He will make comments, pray ignore them all, he’s a boor of a noble.”
“We’re traveling singers, Morrigan.” Inanna laughs, as if that statement alone should defuse all worry of impropriety on Ahriman’s part, “Don’t worry about such things, I will handle him. What are his names? Fake and real both, so there is no confusion.”
“Ahriman is his true name, but in disguise he is called Florian.” You answer quickly, the thought of your own false name and its grisly origin filling your mind with red for a moment; you stagger a little, taken off guard by the force of the curses, and shake your head, “And I… I am called Birch.”
“Are you alright, rider?” Ishtar stops and looks to you with concern, but accepts your nodding reply and carries on to the door. With another wave of her hand and a small chime, the old sliding door opens, and as a trio you leave the side room - instruments and many other goods are left behind, likely permanently, but the twins do not seem to be the kind to put much value in items. They did not even mention the loss.
Inanna leads the way, her sister close behind, and you at the tail - they stride confidently to the bar where the captain is drinking.
Inanna stops just beside Ahriman and wastes no time, poking a finger into his chest and speaking in a stern and commanding tone, almost like a mother scolding a disobedient child, “You’re coming with us, young man.”
Ahriman nearly chokes on his drink, the third from the looks of things, and gets up from the stool he was sitting at in a bit of a flustered mess, shocked into a kind of stupor by the beautiful singer’s command, “Y-yes, of course! Where to? …My squire spoke with you?”
“Yes, Florian, your squire did - now follow, there’s much to be done.” Inanna confirms, turning about and moving right toward the door.","attachment":null,"posted":1712856723},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5975283,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5975282
“...Who am I to say no?” Ahriman shrugs, grinning wide as he follows along behind the twins to the exit of the winehouse. Looking down to you, he gives you an approving nod and then speaks in a whisper, “How’d you get them to help?”
“I told only the truth.” You shrug, unsure of what else to say out here where you might be overhead - Ahriman will have to settle for that for now, but you doubt he’ll complain much while in their presence.
“Very, very good work, my young squire - you learn quickly.” Ahriman grins before putting his beetle-like helmet back on, “I was going to speak with them myself.”
“Call at them, more like.” You roll your eyes, “I know thy ways.”
“They’re fun ways, little mantis. Do you always have to be so stuffy?”
“Dost thou have to…”
The back and forth bickering goes on for a time as you leave the winehouse and travel through the crowds and many stands of the bazaar, eventually reaching the passageways at the very far side and leaving the exotic sights and sounds behind. Rusted passages replace colorful tarps and carpets, and there is not a soul in sight besides the four of you. A large vent access panel is soon found off of on an even less traveled side passage, and Ahriman keeps watch as you call into it quietly.
“Casimir… Casimir… Casimiiir…” You hear your voice echo down into the darkness of the vent network, reverberating and then fading away to nothing. For a minute you wait, hearing nothing, and then the vent begins to shake just so, a slight rattle of metal sounding, and then a little louder, and louder, until at last Casimir’s pink eyes stare out at you from the dark below. He’s had to scale up the vent vertically, approaching from the decks below, and has his legs stretched out and pressed against different walls of the vent, maintaining pressure so that he holds his position.
“Mother?” His voice sounds scratchily up through the vent. More clanging sounds from the vent as he clambers up the last length, though the padding on his claws stops much of it. Now he looks at you face to face, horn slipping out through the wide slats of the vent access panel. His pink eyes widen as he notices the twins. “...Who are they?”
“Ishtar and Inanna, they are allies - they heard our song earlier, when we were on the skimmer.” You remove your disguise for a moment, sensing Casimir’s discomfort with the scarf and goggles concealing you, “They wished to meet you.”","attachment":null,"posted":1712856784},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5975284,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5975283
Casimir’s head tilts as he looks between the twins, and then his eyes widen further and he chirps in excitement. Thrumming song fills the air all about you, “You, you are-!”
“...Yes, once.” Ishtar says quietly, wiping at her cheek with one hand as she steps closer. She reaches out through the slats and runs a hand across Casimir’s armored head, stroking gently, “Sister, come here. He is strong.”
Inanna joins her twin in fawning over Casimir, sending the young dragon cooing in delight at the attention, “Very strong… and handsome as well. Perhaps everything was not a failure then.”
“What?” Casimir asks, not understanding.
“Nothing to worry about, young one.” Ishtar assures him, resting her petting hand still for a moment as she looks down to the closed up intake gills on Casimir’s chest, “...You’ve flown already?”
>”He did, as soon as he saw the open sky. The view was terrific, the fall… not so much.” Your arm is healed, but the pain still lives on in your memory.
>”Are there many dragons where you come from, Ishtar? Thou know much.”
>Just let them speak, you’re not sure what Casimir sees in Ishtar but it is clearly something more than you do. Inanna seems content largely to listen as well.
>Write-in.","attachment":null,"posted":1712856845},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5975287,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975284
>"He has grown, despite the troubles I have brought him mere minutes from birth. And I'd very much like to discuss this in more private locations with many more friends."","attachment":null,"posted":1712857401},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5975324,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975287
+1
>>5975284","attachment":null,"posted":1712861264},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5975361,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975284
>>Just let them speak, you’re not sure what Casimir sees in Ishtar but it is clearly something more than you do. Inanna seems content largely to listen as well.","attachment":null,"posted":1712864470},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5975395,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975284
>Just let them speak, you’re not sure what Casimir sees in Ishtar but it is clearly something more than you do. Inanna seems content largely to listen as well.","attachment":null,"posted":1712866864},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5975427,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975287
Supporting","attachment":null,"posted":1712869552},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5975439,"name":"Greeble","msg":"One more hour for voting.","attachment":null,"posted":1712870861},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5975474,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975287
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1712874193},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5975482,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5975474
>>5975427
>>5975324
>>5975287
Writing.","attachment":null,"posted":1712874944},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5975582,"name":"Greeble","msg":"“He has grown, despite the trouble I have brought him mere minutes from birth.” You answer the question indirectly, speaking for your white armored companion. Elsewhere in the hall, steam hisses from an old pipe. “...And I’d very much like to discuss this in a more private location, and with many more friends.”
“The danger is not so great here.” Inanna assures you gently and with a deep confidence, “What do you mean that you brought him troubles?”
“When I hatched, mother was being chased by slavers.” Casimir speaks for you now, and very eager to relay the tale, “Together we crawled out through tunnels, and flew down to the sands.”
“Save your words for another time, Casimir. I will be happy to hear every detail, that is quite the adventure for one so young.” Ishtar retracts her hand from within the duct, pulling it back through the wide slats of the metal panel, “But more lies ahead, and you must know that these troubles will never fully cease.”
“These Sisyphytes are so persistent?” You ask, stepping forward to take the space Ishtar has left and giving Casimir a few more pats of your own. It is calming, a very simple comfort.
Ishtar’s words bring no such comfort, sending a chill through you, “Velska’s subjects will forever pursue you once she hears of a new rider, though I speak universally as well - everything in this life will be a struggle. It is important that both of you understand this while still young, or you will not bear the ages well. The world is cursed. We should not tarry here.”
“...She’s a pessimist, take that as a wish that you continue to be strong.” Inanna interprets her sister’s words immediately, supplying a far less ominous message as she ceases petting Casimir for a moment as well. “And I still think we are fine here for a moment. I thought your excitement would hold longer, sister.”
“With Casimir, my duty is reinstated - There will be time for sentiment later.” Ishtar replies to her sister flatly, but that little hint of a grin soon returns, “...I am very happy, sister. This is a blessed day.”
“Oh, the b word? From you?” Inanna teases her sister, but her attention is soon turned back to the young dragon as Casimir nuzzles her hand, silently demanding further petting, “My, my, Casimir you little charmer, I believe you have a true admirer.”","attachment":null,"posted":1712881466},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5975585,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5975582
“Strange women…” Ahriman mutters to himself, muffled and barely audible through his helmet, “Feels more like a petting day at the slug stable than a rescue mission…”
Lifting your disguising scarf back up, and lowering your goggles to tint the world once more, you find yourself agreeing with Ahriman’s complaints, at least on a very basic level, “...Ishtar, Inanna, we must set back about our mission.”
“Yes, we must.” Ishtar agrees with a nod, resting one hand on the hilt of her sheathed sword and looking every bit the determined hero, “Sister, come. Casimir, follow your rider through the ducts.”
“Yes, elder.” Casimir’s response confuses you somewhat, but it’s a matter for later - he crawls the rest of the way up through the vent, thumping and rattling away as he presses his limbs against the walls to clamber. Soon even his long tail vanishes from sight, the white spike at its tip the last thing you see of him. You double check that all of your equipment is fastened and stowed well, unsheathing a small length of your long bayonet before sliding it back fully within its sheath. It would be better to have the firespitter it is intended to be mated to, but the soldiers ran them out of charge entirely earlier.
>”The only path is forward, let us stay together until we reach the slave pens.” The twins seem a very capable pair, better to keep them close and move quickly as a group.
>”Ishtar, Inanna; we are disguised, but ye are not. A distraction may be a greater help than two blades… Ye spoke of something left below in the hangar, could it be of use?” They said something of ‘Battlers’, which sounds fearsome by name alone - you do not know what they are.
>”What is our plan, my companions?” Allow your elders to lead for a time.
>Write-in.","attachment":null,"posted":1712881527},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5975593,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975585
>”What is our plan, my companions?” Allow your elders to lead for a time.
They seem to have a much better idea of what is going on than we or Ahriman, and they've been here longer and know the layout.","attachment":null,"posted":1712881932},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5975600,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975585
>”What is our plan, my companions?” Allow your elders to lead for a time.
These ladies are obviously badasses and we should let them drive","attachment":null,"posted":1712882152},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5975610,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975585
>What is our plan, my companions?” Allow your elders to lead for a time.","attachment":null,"posted":1712883113},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5975621,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975585
>On the mountain, Cassimir had some control over the ruins. Would the same apply here? We could seal doors and it would take some time for them to sound the alarm.","attachment":null,"posted":1712883984},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5975663,"name":"Greeble","msg":"One more hour for votes.","attachment":null,"posted":1712886321},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5975725,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5975593
>>5975600
>>5975610
Writing.","attachment":null,"posted":1712890472},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5975824,"name":"Greeble","msg":"“What is our plan, my companions?” You direct the question more to the twins than Ahriman, feeling quite out of your depth now that you’ve gotten so far within the electric lit and rusted depths of the battery carrier, “I must admit I thought trouble would have struck before now.”
“I remember the ways less likely to be traveled, so long as the carrier has not been changed too greatly - we can go directly to the prisoners from here.” Inanna motions for you to follow, and then walks up alongside Ahriman and places a hand on his roughly carapaced pauldron, “If it comes to a fight, how many men are you good for, and how quicky?”
“With this blade? Two or three, more if they come one at a time,” Ahriman answers after considering the question for a moment, looking down at the foreign blade sheathed at his hip - It is a fair bit smaller than the heavy two-hander he was working with earlier, a touch swifter perhaps but lesser in reach and power, “It won’t be a long exchange, whichever way it goes, this armor is shoddy.”
“You’re fighting to reclaim your honor, surely you can do better than that?” You try to goad Ahriman a bit - rousing him to anger might not be the smartest plan, but you need passion for what is to come, not a coward.
“Fine, call it four then, mantis.” Ahriman shakes his head, his stolen helmet concealing much of his reaction, “Lead the way, I can see you’re fighters of some kind - Witches?”
“We’re singers, didn’t you hear earlier? Come, and keep close.” Inanna takes the lead once again, and as a group you begin the careful journey to the frontmost section of the battery carrier. It is not a long journey, Inanna’s memory proving reliable enough to see you through a number of side passages which she awakens with an outstretched hand and chiming notes that seem to originate from nowhere.","attachment":null,"posted":1712897456},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5975827,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5975824
“How doth thee command without tones?” You ask her as after yet another old door slides and squeals open, the rusted pathways and mechanism barely functioning after long years of neglect.
“It comes with experience. Here, there is another door just ahead.” Inanna points to the next sealed blast door along this dimly lit passage. This one is scorched deep in a number cratered impacts, ancient firespitter work that us clearly visible even under the failing lights of this section of the carrier. A loud metallic groan sounds through the entire moving ruin, and a deep rumble shakes up through the deck and your legs, rattling you to your core. “...The turret is moving, don’t concern yourself with it. Extend your hand as I just did, and think clearly on the tones you would use - and of Casimir.”
“Casimir isn’t here though,” You object for a moment, but that just gets you a light slap on the back and Inanna’s finger pointing at the blast door, “...Very well, I shall try.”
Holding out your palm, you think of the tone that would be needed to command the doors apart, and then visualize Casimir within your mind’s eye…
>You are successful! You will be able to use basic command tones without speaking.
>You are unsuccessful, instead projecting a blast of white light and noise leaves a ringing dent upon the door. You will be able to repeat this, it seems to be a potent if somewhat unpredictable attack.
>Your thoughts drift from Casimir and to your prince’s plight, and the curse seizes upon its chance. A blast of red light and discordant chaos punches a hole the size of both your fists through the door. You will be able to repeat this, it seems to be an utterly lethal attack. …But should you?","attachment":null,"posted":1712897517},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5975830,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975827
>You are unsuccessful, instead projecting a blast of white light and noise leaves a ringing dent upon the door. You will be able to repeat this, it seems to be a potent if somewhat unpredictable attack.","attachment":null,"posted":1712897805},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5975858,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975827
>>You are successful! You will be able to use basic command tones without speaking.","attachment":null,"posted":1712900818},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5975864,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975827
>>You are unsuccessful, instead projecting a blast of white light and noise leaves a ringing dent upon the door. You will be able to repeat this, it seems to be a potent if somewhat unpredictable attack.","attachment":null,"posted":1712901535},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5975880,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975827
>You are successful! You will be able to use basic command tones without speaking.","attachment":null,"posted":1712904333},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5975956,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975827
>You are successful! You will be able to use basic command tones without speaking.
Utility is always better than combat applications, I would say","attachment":null,"posted":1712920798},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5975961,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975827
>>You are successful! You will be able to use basic command tones without speaking.","attachment":null,"posted":1712922777},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5975962,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975827
>Your thoughts drift from Casimir and to your prince’s plight, and the curse seizes upon its chance. A blast of red light and discordant chaos punches a hole the size of both your fists through the door. You will be able to repeat this, it seems to be an utterly lethal attack. …But should you?
devil's advocate, but Cassimir should know of malice.","attachment":null,"posted":1712922829},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976018,"name":"Greeble","msg":"One more hour for votes.","attachment":null,"posted":1712931756},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976028,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975827
>>Your thoughts drift from Casimir and to your prince’s plight, and the curse seizes upon its chance. A blast of red light and discordant chaos punches a hole the size of both your fists through the door. You will be able to repeat this, it seems to be an utterly lethal attack. …But should you?
this seems like more narrative fun than simple success or failing successfully
>>You are unsuccessful, instead projecting a blast of white light and noise leaves a ringing dent upon the door. You will be able to repeat this, it seems to be a potent if somewhat unpredictable attack.
but if approval voting is allowed then I'd prefer unsuccess over raw success","attachment":null,"posted":1712933199},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976057,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5976028
Ranking votes by preference is allowed.
>>5975858
>>5975880
>>5975956
>>5975961
Writing.","attachment":null,"posted":1712935856},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976123,"name":"Greeble","msg":"An unseen chime rings clear and resonant in the air of the rusted passageway, and darkness retreats for an instant as a ring of glowing white light flashes into existence about your hand. Ancient machinery squeals and grinds to life as your command is both given and received, and soon the carbon scored blast door has retracted fully. Inanna claps her hands together happily, pleased with the display.
“A quick study, though it is a simple trick.” Inanna says from beside you, already pressing on down the passageway. The area beyond is even more dimly lit, several of the light strips long ago destroyed by whatever fighting happened here in ancient days. “When I learned to do it, it took a few more minutes - If you keep that pace up, you’ll make something of yourself Morrigan.”
“I recall it being several days.” Ishtar leans toward you and speaks in a whisper, “...She kept blasting holes into things.”
“Ah, time does funny things to memories, doesn’t it?” Inanna shrugs and laughs, overhearing the comment despite her sister’s efforts at subtlety. She casually opens the next blast door with another chime, “Perhaps you’re right.”
“...The fighting here must have been something,” Ahriman comments as you pass into yet darker sections of the battery carrier’s interior and across a shaking umbilical, more and more lights blasted away and the carbon scoring and gouges rent into the metal deepening, “Ancestor’s wrath, what could cut metal like that?”
“...You’ve answered the question for yourself.” Ishtar replies as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, perhaps thinking Ahriman a bit slow, “Focus on what lies ahead, it is only an old battlefield.”
Another deep rumble shakes the passageway, more intense now - is coming from all around you, some enormous mechanism turning slowly just out of sight, stressing the ancient and corroded metal. The turret is moving again, and you must now be under it. Soon enough and you are beyond it, following these sealed off side passages all the way through the middle section of the battery carrier, one chime and door at a time. When you at last reach the frontmost section, standing within one of the thick metal umbilical linkages to it, problems become immediately apparent.
The blast door ahead of you is clean, or at least as close to it as it could be after so many years, all but the smallest flecks of the rust removed and then metal even patched and buffed back to a smooth surface in many places. Yellow and black stripes have been painted on it around the edges, and stepping closer you can see that it has been welded shut.
“...Curses.” Inanna mutters, looking over the door in mild frustration, “I was hoping they’d been too lax to make changes like this. We’ll have to cut through, if this path is blocked then the others must be as well.”","attachment":null,"posted":1712944821},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976124,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5976123
“More sorcery, or do you have a torch hidden in that dress somewhere?” Ahriman remarks, tapping at the weld line with the edge of his sword, “Couldn’t get through steel this thick even with a ram or a firespitter. …Are you singing?”
Inanna is, and her twin sister is retreating back down the umbilical passage a good long way, moving at a jog. It takes you a moment to deduce what they’re doing, but when you do your eyes widen to the size of beetle gourds.
“...Ahriman, to the wall!” You exchange a glance with Inanna as she whispers her song - not one familiar to you, but you know innately that it is a powerful verse, “The wall!”
“What? Oh - OH!” He slams himself back against the wall as pounding footsteps sound through the rear of the umbilical. Ishtar charges out from the dark and toward the welded blast door, a pounding blur of teal, yellow, and pink. Dents are left in the umbilical’s metal floor with every lightning fast footfall.
“Hyah!” Ishtar cries out furiously, brilliant light filling the umbilical as she impacts the metal barrier and smashes through, skidding to a screeching stop on the far side, sword now in hand. Just behind her, along the remains of the blast door, two crossing lines of light in the shape of an ‘X’ burn into existence, and after holding there for a moment Inanna’s song grows louder - no longer sung by her, but filling the air itself - and the entire blast door is blown to pieces. Metal pings and clangs, making a terrific racket all around Ishtar, but none of it strikes her.
The large room beyond was occupied moments ago, a pair of green armored Sisyphytes must have been standing watch even at the welded entrance. Now they are little more than red smears, gore and shrapnel split viscera stretched out nauseatingly far across the chamber. It is a storage area of some kind, or once was, now empty save for a few metal crates and this fresh bloody carnage. Everything is cleaned of rust, renewed - in use.
Inanna steps through the smoking ruin of the door and waves you through, “Come quickly, the alar-”
Klaxons begin to sound and the lights of the storage room flash red; the very soul of the battery carrier seems to shake and shudder as the alert sounds, long dormant machinery rising to new life.
“...Alarm may sound.” Inanna finishes, drawing her own blade swiftly and joining beside Ishtar. Ahriman gives you a look, you think, though it’s hard to tell behind that foreign beetle helmet of his, and then draws his own blade. With shaking hands you draw your long bayonet as well, and try desperately not to look at the spreading blood in the storage area’s silvered steel floors. Eyes watch you from the remains which once were men, red and filled with rage - your mind burns, even as you look away.","attachment":null,"posted":1712944882},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976126,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5976124
“Ancestors! If you can rend steel like that, I doubt these foreigners will stand a chance at all… Are you alright, Ishtar?” Ahriman’s praise dies as he notices Ishtar is nearly doubled over, breathing heavily and clearly winded by her charge, “...You won’t be able to repeat that, will you?”
“I will be fine. I can do it as many times as needed. This body, it…” Ishtar shakes her head and slowly stands back to her full height, giving her slender sword a quick flick through the air, “I will be fine.”
“Don’t overdo it, sister - It’s been a long time. Mistakes are bound to happen.” Inanna speaks quietly to her twin, the words nearly lost in the blaring and awful racket of the alarm klaxon, “We should send the Battlers out.”
Ishtar nods after a moment, and then they both touch the brooches clasping their cloaks - you don’t see or feel anything happen, but it surely must have as the twins are soon moving on again, now at a jogging pace as they head to the very large blast door at the exit of the storage area.
Just before reaching it, the large steel door hisses open quickly on its own, disappearing into the walls on either side and allowing bright light to pour in. The chamber beyond is enormous, like the converted hangar the bazaar rests in. A dozen green armored soldiers pile through, swiftly forming a line.
Some wield heavy curving blades of a strange make, other firespitters, and one is riding atop a black plate armored mantis the size of a packslug. The mantis’ blades have been replaced with whirring chainsaws, like the kind used to fell cave mushrooms but far more slender and elegant. All of them - even the ridden mantis - are equipped with jumpboots and heavier carapace than the soldiers you have seen thus far. Pairs of crimson feathers adorn every helmet, slanted in a ‘v’ shape.
“In Velska’s name, lay down your arms!” The one riding the mantis commands in a thunderingly loud voice, a metal speaker worn across the front of his chitinous cuirass amplifying his voice a dozen fold. “Who are you to intrude upon our holy mission?”
>...Let the mantis riding commander speak, perhaps Ahriman or the twins will lead on this.
>”We come for our prince, and we shall have him!” Tear off your disguise, these foreigners will know your face and allegiance! Shout loudly enough that even Casimir must hear, wherever he is winding his way through to follow you - hopefully the vents were not all welded shut too.
>Command the large steel doors shut with a chime, the armored mantis is halfway through it and just standing there. The curse is burning strong now, fear and Casimir’s temporary absence bringing it roaring back to tint your vision red.
>Write-in.","attachment":null,"posted":1712944943},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976139,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976126
>>Command the large steel doors
>Have them mostly closed, enough to trap or even kill the armored mantis, but open to pass through as a chokepoint.","attachment":null,"posted":1712946632},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976147,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976126
>Command the large steel doors shut with a chime, the armored mantis is halfway through it and just standing there. The curse is burning strong now, fear and Casimir’s temporary absence bringing it roaring back to tint your vision red.
I like our odds if we can trap or kill the mantis","attachment":null,"posted":1712947951},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976154,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976126
>Command the large steel doors shut with a chime, the armored mantis is halfway through it and just standing there. The curse is burning strong now, fear and Casimir’s temporary absence bringing it roaring back to tint your vision red.","attachment":null,"posted":1712949186},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976161,"name":"Greeble","msg":"One more hour for voting.","attachment":null,"posted":1712949886},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976167,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976139
+1
>>5976126","attachment":null,"posted":1712950527},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976229,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5976167
>>5976154
>>5976147
>>5976139
Writing.","attachment":null,"posted":1712956848},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976269,"name":"Greeble","msg":"The commander atop the black armored mantis continues to speak, voice amplified and reverberating off the walls of the steel storage room, but you have tuned him out. Adrenaline and fear course through you as you survey the carapaced elites fanning out to form a line and block off your path forward - the path to your prince! With every pounding beat of your heart, the flames of the curse grow stronger, tightening their grip about your vision until all that you can see is crawling red and the dead face of the man you would call a brother - He is with them.
Overcome, you scream wordlessly, violently extending a hand toward the line of soldiers and the mantis behind them. The open steel blast doors flank the riding bug’s abdomen, crimson eyes rippling across the surface of the metal and begging to be released, to kill. Red light pulses from your hand in a flashing circle, screeching and discordant, and the phantom eyes are granted their wish.
All the light in the room cuts, and in that half heartbeat of darkness every soul within sees the eyes as you do - cries of panic sound from the soldiers, shocked gasps from the twins, curses from Ahriman, and dying screams] from the mantis as the steel doors snap shut tight like the jaws of a colossal beast. Steel pounds upon steel, and when the light returns to the room the front half of the mantis is flailing and screeching almost too high pitched to be heard - the whirring chainsaws which have replaced its arms flail about in its death throes, biting deep into one of the heavily armored Sisyphytes and dragging the screaming man down in a stream of spraying gore. The commander tumbles and falls from his dying mount, landing half-controlled in a stumbling crouch; he’s quick, a lesser warrior would’ve been trapped beneath the dying mantis. Behind him, the doors are slowly parting again, dented slighting at their edges and splattered in the dying mantis’ ichor.
“Wraith! Kill it!” The stumbling commander shouts, pointing a gauntleted hand directly at you - but his men with firespitters have already opened fire. Searing bolts of energy fly toward you, hissing through the air; Ahriman grabs you by the back of your breastplate and half hauls and half hurls you behind a nearby crate. Slamming against the metal of the box, the breath is knocked from you and you gasp for air, stunned. As quickly as it came upon you, the curse’s power has abandoned you, leaving only cold and desolation - the ashes of a dying fire.","attachment":null,"posted":1712960547},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976270,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5976269
Steel rings against steel and song fills the chamber, firespitters let out cracking discharges, and men begin to die. Cries of fury and pain fill the air, chimes sound here and there moving fast, often followed by shouts and the thumps of heavy impacts or the roar of jump boots. You see none of it, exhausted…
…And in pain.
Blinking a few times, struggling to think, you pat at the side of your stolen breastplate. Wincing hard, you find the source of your growing agony with a few gloved finger tips, and then look down to better inspect what has wetted them. The green of your carapace there has been scorched black and crumbled away, its shining protective outer coat bubbled up like half boiled mushroom sap and the chitin beneath turned to carbon. Your flesh is seared deep, half cauterized and oozing with thick dark red. If you had not been wearing the captured breastplate, your organs may very well have been cooked all at once… Ahriman was right, shoddy foreign armor…
“Casimir,” You gasp out the name of your dragon as you press down against the ashen wound, whimpering in pain as you apply pressure to stop the deep bleed, “Casimir…”
>”...Mend.” Attempt to command your wound closed. It is beyond the healing arts to mend a wound so quickly, but slowing the bleeding to a trickle may be enough - you just need more time to work. [Morrigan]
>Try to force yourself back to your feet, you must help your allies! The door was only the start, you may be drained of the curse’s unnatural power but the tones are still yours to command. Try to send a soldier or two sprawling, perhaps you can command force even without sand? [Morrigan]
>[Switch to Control Casimir]. Morrigan will do what must be done to survive - You must reach her.
>Write-in.","attachment":null,"posted":1712960646},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976286,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976270
>[Switch to Control Casimir]. Morrigan will do what must be done to survive - You must reach her.","attachment":null,"posted":1712963139},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976290,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976270
>[Switch to Control Casimir]. Morrigan will do what must be done to survive - You must reach her.","attachment":null,"posted":1712963969},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976295,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976270
>>Try to force yourself back to your feet, you must help your allies! The door was only the start, you may be drained of the curse’s unnatural power but the tones are still yours to command. Try to send a soldier or two sprawling, perhaps you can command force even without sand? [Morrigan]","attachment":null,"posted":1712964636},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976315,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976270
>[Switch to Control Casimir]. Morrigan will do what must be done to survive - You must reach her.","attachment":null,"posted":1712965786},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976416,"name":"Greeble","msg":"One more hour for votes.","attachment":null,"posted":1712976211},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976421,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976270
>[Switch to Control Casimir]. Morrigan will do what must be done to survive - You must reach her.","attachment":null,"posted":1712976445},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976426,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976270
>[Switch to Control Casimir]. Morrigan will do what must be done to survive - You must reach her.
Hopefully the twins know a way to deal with this curse business.","attachment":null,"posted":1712976851},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976429,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976270
>>Try to force yourself back to your feet, you must help your allies! The door was only the start, you may be drained of the curse’s unnatural power but the tones are still yours to command. Try to send a soldier or two sprawling, perhaps you can command force even without sand? [Morrigan]","attachment":null,"posted":1712977083},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976484,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5976286
>>5976290
>>5976315
>>5976421
>>5976426
Writing.","attachment":null,"posted":1712982612},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976523,"name":"Greeble","msg":"The world shakes in black and white, and you crawl within the veins of the half-dead. Clawed wings press forward, cloth wrapped talons scrape, a long tail pushes - your movement is rhythm made manifest, steady and assured, slithering and climbing and clambering through the bowels of the corroded carrier. This machine still lives, just as you live - its fusion core emits a steady pulse, a heartbeat sounding out in thumping white, and the dark rumbles of its great weapon speak deeply of wars long forgotten. The wars of the ancestor’s. The wars you were created for, so very long ago.
Scuttling things move ahead of you, around the next bend of the ducts. Lowering your neck and leveling horn, you take aim and draw upon the power of mother’s song. Power flows and thrums, your very being surging to a pinprick at the tip of your horn as you acquire a target lock. A parasonic chirp crashes through the world of black and white, echoing down the vent and around the bend; the little scuttlers flee, clicking in terror as they are struck by the overwhelming noise, and your press on. You do not mean these bugs harm, but you could surely destroy them all, hunt them to the very last - you know that in your core, a ringing truth felt in muscle and metal and song. You do not desire it though - they have their own lives, however small, and you are not hungry.
The world now sways, drifting from side to side. Song reaches out and returns, bringing with it a wash of detail in black and white. Though you can see within even the faintest light, you travel now by pararadar, imaging the world with mother’s song. It is the key to everything, warmth and love itself - you heard it from within your shell even before hatching, before looking into her eyes which are so very like your own. Four eyes were marked upon her, and a horn - A dragon of a rider. Could she have known how beautiful she would look? How much she would mean to you? That she would be the very anchor of your soul?
It does not matter if she knew, or if she knows; it is so.","attachment":null,"posted":1712987748},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976524,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5976523
Many things simply are, and you know not why. The welded barricade ahead of you is one such thing - what is its purpose? The metal is not the same as the ultrahardened steel of the battery carrier, it is an addition after the fact as surely as these green armored soldiers infesting the carrier are. These ‘slavers’. Enemies of mother. You know nothing of the ‘prince’ they took from mother besides what you have heard in stories, but you know what must be done - he is precious to her, and you will recover him. This barrier will not stand before you. Focusing once more, you call upon the might of your song and prepare to charge. It is instinctive, a dragon knows what it can move and what it cannot - and this barrier will surely give way. Backing off a way, you flare your jets to life, feeling their power and heat flood the tight umbilical. Light fills the swaying tunnel, and you see yellow and black stripes upon the far barrier - caution measures, archaic signaling but still in use.
Pulling your wings tight, you rocket forward through the umbilical tunnel like a shell from a cannon. Steel shatters like glass before the light of your horn and barrier, and then you are beyond it. Elsewhere, another creature does the same. Another of your kind, though strange in body - the Elder. Ishtar. Though you cannot see through the metal of the carrier, you see the black wave of her impact ripple past, carrying the song of her strange twin and rider.
You crawl within another vent, a cleaner one, your song returning to you with details of smooth and uncorroded metal - repaired, replaced. The enemies of mother have been busy here, but their metal is weaker, you feel the flaws even where others could not see them. Alarms sound distantly throughout the carrier - something has upset the ancient machine, perhaps the damage you have caused to it.
Carrying on, you try to intuit the path the Elder and her rider must be leading mother and the captain upon. Up! Prisoners would be kept on higher levels. These approximations of humans cannot fly without external machines, at best they leap - a high fall would break them, and so that is where prisoners should be kept. It is simple, logical, and you are sure of it. A faint signal is detected by your horn - two friendly entities are emitting powerful parasonic signals back in the direction of the skimmer bay; they are not intelligent as you are, very simple minds, and they are taking flight. Battlers, something within the core of your being identifies them, matching the word spoken earlier by the twins to the odd signals.","attachment":null,"posted":1712987809},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976526,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5976524
Before you can consider new word association further, alarms blare within your mind and red eyes fly past within the dark. Alerts of a liminal attack flash across the interior of your thoughts, and your barrier of song hardens and rejects the unseen horrors. These are the specters which flock to mother’s afflicted blood and soul - you know them too well now, a burning crimson mark which has clung to her since the first moment’s of your life. She has just wielded them.
…But if anyone can do so, it is mother. She is strong, and must have good reason. Even still, you find yourself slowing, hesitating before ascending vertically up the next duct. Something must have happened for her to draw on such a source of power, even you know it to be a desperate measure.
”Casimir…” Mother’s voice sounds to you, a pained whisper carried unconsciously by her newest verse. A primitive beam weapon has struck her side, and she is gravely injured. The report fades along with her call to you, and…
>Rage fills you! You barrel forward though every barrier between you, crashing through the very deck itself to reach her - nothing will stop you. She needs you beside her! You should have been there to begin with. You will use your strength yourself.
>Pain fills you! You feel mother’s wound as you wound one upon your own body - She is a part of you, more than horn or tail or talon. You will lend her your strength, and struggle forward through the vent. You will reach her eventually, but you cannot rip through metal while you bolster her.
>Love fills you! In the depths of a crisis, you are her first thought. Your bond deepens, and you make haste to her side. It will take time, and she will have to fend for herself briefly, but you will both be stronger once you are reunited.","attachment":null,"posted":1712987870},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976546,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976526
>Pain fills you! You feel mother’s wound as you wound one upon your own body - She is a part of you, more than horn or tail or talon. You will lend her your strength, and struggle forward through the vent. You will reach her eventually, but you cannot rip through metal while you bolster her.
If the alarm is in full tilt, may as well sing at full power","attachment":null,"posted":1712990379},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976550,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976526
>Love fills you! In the depths of a crisis, you are her first thought. Your bond deepens, and you make haste to her side. It will take time, and she will have to fend for herself briefly, but you will both be stronger once you are reunited.","attachment":null,"posted":1712990589},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976621,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976526
>Love fills you! In the depths of a crisis, you are her first thought. Your bond deepens, and you make haste to her side. It will take time, and she will have to fend for herself briefly, but you will both be stronger once you are reunited","attachment":null,"posted":1713007976},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976645,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976526
>Love fills you! In the depths of a crisis, you are her first thought. Your bond deepens, and you make haste to her side. It will take time, and she will have to fend for herself briefly, but you will both be stronger once you are reunited.","attachment":null,"posted":1713011624},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976646,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976526
>>Love fills you! In the depths of a crisis, you are her first thought. Your bond deepens, and you make haste to her side. It will take time, and she will have to fend for herself briefly, but you will both be stronger once you are reunited.","attachment":null,"posted":1713011688},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976679,"name":"Greeble","msg":"One more hour for votes.","attachment":null,"posted":1713016793},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976705,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976526
>Love fills you! In the depths of a crisis, you are her first thought. Your bond deepens, and you make haste to her side. It will take time, and she will have to fend for herself briefly, but you will both be stronger once you are reunited.
Doubling-down on the empath bond here","attachment":null,"posted":1713019205},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976709,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976526
>Love fills you! In the depths of a crisis, you are her first thought. Your bond deepens, and you make haste to her side. It will take time, and she will have to fend for herself briefly, but you will both be stronger once you are reunited.
Lovemaxxing.
Ishtar's a dragon? or another form of artificial being? Interesting...","attachment":null,"posted":1713019832},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976713,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976709
Morrigan seems to be a form of an artificial being too","attachment":null,"posted":1713020094},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976731,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5976709
>>5976705
>>5976646
>>5976645
>>5976621
>>5976550
Do you remember love, anons? Writing.","attachment":null,"posted":1713020723},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976927,"name":"Greeble","msg":"…Love fills you. Casimir and Morrigan will each progress in their abilities.
Even as mother’s call to you fades from your active systems, you clutch tightly at its memory and press onward, song guiding you to its source. If mother is injured then you must reach her! Claw before claw, you make all due haste, rattling and slithering your way through the duct system, belly pressed to patched steel. You reroute once and then twice as you reach more sealed barriers, these ones lowered by the alarm, not welded. At the third such blockage you let out an aggrieved chirp, commanding the doors apart - they open briefly and then snap shut, denied by the carrier itself. It has readied itself for battle. For a moment you consider forcing the blockage aside, barreling through, but you must save your strength to defend mother. You chirp and find another way, longer and circuitous, but soon you hear the sonorous music of the Elder and her rider growing louder, chimes and steel ringing.
Battle has been fully met. Targeting data flows to you, but it is of no use - you do not have the weapons to make use of the Elder’s guidance. Too small, too young, your have but claws and a small horn.
Your legs slow, uncertain. You have never been in a battle before, only near them - chases and snatching a blade from a boy are no true fight. Beam weapons crack and pulse, screams join the song briefly, and then again. Another chirping ping sent through the ducts reveals the winding paths ahead of you - there are more security barriers sealing the way, you will not be able to drop directly into the fight.
Scurrying to the closest access panel, you flex your claws and press hard against steel, slicing through the cloth which padded them. Tapping your horn to the metal, you feel all of its unseen weaknesses, cracks in its internal structure - a sharp pulse of song and the butting of your armor head sends the panel crashing to the floor far below, and you slip free and fall with it.","attachment":null,"posted":1713040648},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976928,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5976927
Wings shoot out instinctively, slowing your fall into the former hangar, and you land in silence, long tail and neck swaying about and then lowering flat. Retreating into the shadows, even your white scales vanish from the view of weaker eyes - there are many crates and signs of reconstruction here, many places to hide and advance from. Green armored soldiers rush past in groups, three here, four there, a pair behind them. They wield blades and ‘firespitters’, as mother calls them, some have strange boots, others wear bulkier armor altogether and wield heavy axes. Large pack bugs, slugs and beetles mostly, watch as the soldiers storm past - they do not comprehend what is happening, but you sense their growing fear.
All of them run toward an open set of blast doors, out of sight visually but revealed by your other senses - a creature has been torn in half by the door mechanism, and beyond it you catch fleeting returns of moving figures, of the Elder and her rider Inanna, and even Ahriman. Song fills the carrier, louder and bolder with every passing second - familiar, but not mothers. She will sing again when you reach her.
You must reach her… but how to approach this battle?
>Advance boldly, you have saved your energy long enough - strike from behind and join your singer, more powerful than before! A path must be cut through these soldiers.
>Trust in the Elder’s protection. Find the door controls in this converted hangar and forcefully seal as many as you can, stem the flow of reinforcing soldiers.
>Frighten the construction bugs! Chirp and screech, flap your wings and command a stampede into existence! Sow chaos and confusion.
>Write-in.","attachment":null,"posted":1713040709},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976955,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976928
>Trust in the Elder’s protection. Find the door controls in this converted hangar and forcefully seal as many as you can, stem the flow of reinforcing soldiers.","attachment":null,"posted":1713044331},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5976962,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976928
>Frighten the construction bugs! Chirp and screech, flap your wings and command a stampede into existence! Sow chaos and confusion.","attachment":null,"posted":1713044883},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5977045,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976928
>Trust in the Elder’s protection. Find the door controls in this converted hangar and forcefully seal as many as you can, stem the flow of reinforcing soldiers.
now we're talking","attachment":null,"posted":1713053263},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5977139,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976928
>>Trust in the Elder’s protection. Find the door controls in this converted hangar and forcefully seal as many as you can, stem the flow of reinforcing soldiers.","attachment":null,"posted":1713060173},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5977193,"name":"Greeble","msg":"One more hour for voting.","attachment":null,"posted":1713062633},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5977229,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976928
>>Trust in the Elder’s protection. Find the door controls in this converted hangar and forcefully seal as many as you can, stem the flow of reinforcing soldiers.","attachment":null,"posted":1713066146},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5977232,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5976955
>>5977045
>>5977139
>>5977229
Writing.","attachment":null,"posted":1713066441},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5977278,"name":"Greeble","msg":"Though your heart cries out to reach mother’s side, your mind knows better - this tide of reinforcing soldiers must be stemmed, doors must be shut. When the next group rattles past in their heavy chitin armor, you dart from the shadows, claws clicking away across the metal deck. With song and the din of battle in the air, none think twice about more sounds of metal on metal, and you reach the first set of doors without issue. Focusing the power of mother’s song within your horn, you lunge forward and up, and pierce deep into the door’s control panel. Chaotic and uncontrolled parasonic energies echo and bounce within, fusing circuitry and putting a final end to the ancient device.
One down…
You leap behind a stack of crates nearby and clamber to its top, peering your head and neck around to survey the great half-converted hangar deck. They are making it into a… laboratory of some kind, but the machine is not set up yet. Three more doors remain, another group of soldiers entering from the one closest to you - it will have to wait. Climbing higher, leaping to nearby scaffolding, you sprint a short distance and then leap and take flight in near total silence. In the air, you lock your remaining target, triangles of light seen only by dragon and rider illuminating them within your mind. When you land, it is horn first, directly into the next panel. Another burst of song sends sparks flying and metal heating red, and the steel door clamp shut in the faces of several surprised soldiers. Pride courses through you; you are doing well, this maneuvering comes easy - the other slavers have not seen you.
Two down…
When you turn, you find a black horned beetle twice your size staring at you, stamping its feet upon the ground as it prepares to charge.
“Halt, beetle!” You hiss out a warning at it, but it is too late - the attentive beast of burden charging forward on scuttling legs, horned head lowered. Folding your wings close, you propel yourself to the side with a kick of your hind legs and a burst of jetfire. The black carapaced beetle charges past and slams into the closed steel door, denting it terribly. Dazed, the beetle takes a few moments to turn - but you are long gone by then. These slavers may be focused on the battle, but their beasts are protective of them and skittish. You take greater care moving past them now, slowing slightly as you maneuver through the construction zone.","attachment":null,"posted":1713069206},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5977279,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5977278
The next door goes without issue, another stab and it is sealed. Three down. The final door, the one you avoided earlier, still has soldiers moving through it. Four of them are not heading toward the fight though, firespitters held at a low ready as they fan out through the hangar, helmets turning here and there and eyes searching the depths of every shadow. Lights on their weapons click on, tight beams illuminating the dark places you would hide within. They know. The group which was cut off must have communicated to the others.
>Slink and slither to the last door, even equipped with their lights you have a great advantage of perception over these slaver soldiers. It will take more time, but there is little risk. The fighting continues, surely they can hold a little longer. [Minimal risk - Slowest]
>Make all haste for the door! Jet past the soldiers if you must and make sure it is sealed, and then flee to safety. They will likely get a few shots off, but your armor and the barrier of song may stop the searing beams. [Medium risk - Quick but not immediate help]
>Fight to the door! The danger will be at its greatest, but your were crafted war - a distraction will draw pressure from the Elder and mother immediately, and you may even still be able to seal the last door if all goes well. [High risk - Immediately helps]
>Write-in.","attachment":null,"posted":1713069267},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5977285,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977279
>You've done enough, join up with the others. When they can only come in from one direction, it will be far easier to use other methods to deal with them.","attachment":null,"posted":1713069711},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5977356,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977279
>Make all haste for the door! Jet past the soldiers if you must and make sure it is sealed, and then flee to safety. They will likely get a few shots off, but your armor and the barrier of song may stop the searing beams. [Medium risk - Quick but not immediate help]","attachment":null,"posted":1713075472},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5977358,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977279
>Write-in.
Seek the blessings of Witch Queen Mazela, she can surely save you with her psychic powers","attachment":null,"posted":1713075631},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5977372,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977279
>Make all haste for the door! Jet past the soldiers if you must and make sure it is sealed, and then flee to safety. They will likely get a few shots off, but your armor and the barrier of song may stop the searing beams. [Medium risk - Quick but not immediate help]","attachment":null,"posted":1713076579},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5977460,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977279
>Make all haste for the door! Jet past the soldiers if you must and make sure it is sealed, and then flee to safety. They will likely get a few shots off, but your armor and the barrier of song may stop the searing beams. [Medium risk - Quick but not immediate help]","attachment":null,"posted":1713091334},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5977533,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977279
>Fight to the door! The danger will be at its greatest, but your were crafted war - a distraction will draw pressure from the Elder and mother immediately, and you may even still be able to seal the last door if all goes well. [High risk - Immediately helps]","attachment":null,"posted":1713103200},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5977840,"name":"Greeble","msg":"One more hour for votes, apologies for the slight delay.","attachment":null,"posted":1713132250},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5977864,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977279
>You've done enough, join up with the others. When they can only come in from one direction, it will be far easier to use other methods to deal with them.","attachment":null,"posted":1713135623},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5977868,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5977356
>>5977372
>>5977460
Writing.","attachment":null,"posted":1713136241},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5977921,"name":"Greeble","msg":"There is no more time to be wasted.
Leaping out from the shadows, you pull your wings in close and draw once more upon mother’s song, tuning jet and talon and tail to act as one. With a tremendous hissing rush of flame, you shoot across the steel deck, right past the legs of surprised soldiers who let out cries of shock and fire weapons off into the dark. Armored white plates screech across steel as you rocket onward like a sled, slight shifts of your tail and large rear talons working as a crude rudder to guide you. More soldiers turn to watch your advance, a few letting off shots with their firespitters; you tense, and your protective barrier flickers into existence for the split second needed to block the shots. Brilliant light fills the hangar, illuminating all the dark places among the crates and construction area.
Slamming horn first into the final door panel, you let out a shriek and fry it's circuits. The two halves of the steel portal lock together with tremendous force. Jets quiet, and you push your legs against the bulkhead in an attempt to free your stuck head, talons scratching furrows into the steel as you struggle. The shooting does not stop, nearby blasts crackling through the air and striking your barrier - with a sharp strained chime the barrier of light shatters just as you pull your horn free and fall backward. A blast strikes your wing, sending alerts and searing pain burning through your mind, and then another strikes the thick plates of your spine, blasting deep but not penetrating.
“Turn about, you roaches! Concentrate fire on the demon!” One of the soldiers shouts out the command, and illumination beams from at least half a dozen others turn to spotlight you before opening fire in a withering barrage of flashing heat.
Screeching, you barrel toward the cover of a nearby stack of steel plates, keeping flat and low but unable to avoid more hits upon your large wings even while keeping them folded close. Without your barrier, the firespitters have a devastating effect, punching holes as thick as mother’s thumb right through your wings and impacting the bulkheads beyond. This cover is not safe enough! More shots strike your plates, and then one catches near your eyes, overloading one temporarily and leaving a deep crack in your plates. Hissing in pain, you jet once more across the hangar…
>Directly to mother! You will be exposed to fire for longer, but you must join her now that the doors are sealed. She will renew the song within you. [Continue as Morrigan.]
>At the commander rallying these soldiers to fire upon you! Impale him, get in among their ranged weapons and show them the fury of a dragon! Fight until the others reach you. [Continue as Morrigan.]
>To better cover, real safety. These wounds are not grievous yet but may cripple you if the soldiers keep up their barrage - they’re accurate shooters, even when surprised, and you must deal with them with care. [Continue as Casimir.]
>Write-in.","attachment":null,"posted":1713141417},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5977935,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977921
>Directly to mother! You will be exposed to fire for longer, but you must join her now that the doors are sealed. She will renew the song within you. [Continue as Morrigan.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713142221},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5978080,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977921
>>To better cover, real safety. These wounds are not grievous yet but may cripple you if the soldiers keep up their barrage - they’re accurate shooters, even when surprised, and you must deal with them with care. [Continue as Casimir.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713151988},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5978099,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977921
>Directly to mother! You will be exposed to fire for longer, but you must join her now that the doors are sealed. She will renew the song within you. [Continue as Morrigan.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713154811},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5978113,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977921
>>Directly to mother! You will be exposed to fire for longer, but you must join her now that the doors are sealed. She will renew the song within you. [Continue as Morrigan.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713155957},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5978159,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977921
>To better cover, real safety. These wounds are not grievous yet but may cripple you if the soldiers keep up their barrage - they’re accurate shooters, even when surprised, and you must deal with them with care. [Continue as Casimir.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713159272},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5978331,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977921
>Directly to mother! You will be exposed to fire for longer, but you must join her now that the doors are sealed. She will renew the song within you. [Continue as Morrigan.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713183768},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5978366,"name":"Greeble","msg":"One more hour for votes.","attachment":null,"posted":1713190440},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5978379,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977921
>To better cover, real safety. These wounds are not grievous yet but may cripple you if the soldiers keep up their barrage - they’re accurate shooters, even when surprised, and you must deal with them with care. [Continue as Casimir.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713192081},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5978441,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5978331
>>5978113
>>5978099
>>5977935
Writing. Apologies, got delayed for a bit.","attachment":null,"posted":1713197944},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5978459,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978441
No worries QM. Thanks for the update! This is one of the faster-updating quests on the board, though, so your 'delay' is really no problem. Thank you for running such a steady quest.","attachment":null,"posted":1713199873},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5978562,"name":"Greeble","msg":"Almost done writing, just getting some proof reading done now.","attachment":null,"posted":1713211626},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5978567,"name":"Greeble","msg":"You are Morrigan.
“Casimir…” His name leaves you in a pained whisper, your fingers wet and warm with bubbling blood as you clutch at the half cauterized wound across your side. The world darkens, narrowing as your eyelids grow heavier, and heavier, every breath a greater effort than the last. Every inhalation burns, and the curse has returned to fill the void it left, but only to torment you - there is no strength in it, none that you dare to draw upon. How much worse would this be if you had done so purposefully earlier? You tried to command your wound shut moments ago, but could not manage the tones - the pain was too great, your voice cracked and failed.
The battle is still raging on, you hear it distantly, so very far away from your darkening world. Eyes of red flame watch in that terrible dark, festering and growing into a creeping and spreading crimson, an agonizing red which consumes more and more of your awareness with every ragged breath.
“Casimir…” You call out again, nearly too pained to speak.
“I am here, mother.” A young voice comforts you, “I heard you.”
“...Casimir?” You cannot see him. You cannot see anything, the dark is too deep, the red too searingly hot, “I… I think I am dying.”
When you speak the words, they ring out as truth - you are dying. Not quickly, the bleed is not so great, but with every pained breath the flames of the curse are fanned higher - it is consuming you. Something sharp presses against your forehead, a pinprick drawing a trickle of blood.
The curse flees, and your eyes open. You are not dying. Casimir’s horn is pressed point first to your forehead, three slitted pink eyes staring into your two. He is hurt, worse than you, one of his eyes nearly put out by a blast. You lift a hand to the side of his face and run your fingers across the white plates, smearing a small trail of red. The thrum of your song still fills him, but it has weakened.
“You’re hurt, Casimir.” You try to sit up further, but your dragon’s presence has banished only the curse, not the pain of the horrid burns along your side. A pathetic noise escapes you as you wince, “...Nn! …My side, I…”
“The Elder’s rider will heal you.” Casimir draws his horn back and stands upon his hind legs for a moment, his neck peering up and around the cover you were thrown behind earlier. You then catch a better look of his blasted and carbon scored plating. Black splotches and cracks mar his perfect white, holes in his wings leak a thick red, and one eye no longer glows; will he heal? You don’t know, and even as your own wound burns, Casimir’s worry you more terribly.","attachment":null,"posted":1713212783},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5978568,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5978567
The song filling the air, the song of the twins, grows bolder before reaching a crescendo, and a pulse of light splashes across the storage room in a wave, throwing bodies and crates through the air like tents caught in a sandstorm. You pull into a tight ball, and Casimir wraps his wings about you to shield from the blast. A crate strikes him, and he screeches in pain, but then the room begins to fall silent. The song is fading, retreating back to the unseen spaces where those energies reside.
“That’s the last of them!” Inanna shouts victoriously, “The hatchling sealed the doors, he thinks quickly for a day-old.”
“That he does… Sister, your hand!” Inanna cries out in shock. …What has happened?
Ishtar’s mad laugh shakes the room, seeming to your ears both louder than thunder and more terrible than the fiercest storm, not at all the laugh of a woman, “Three fingers suits me better, Sister!”
“Ancestor’s wrath, what do you mean her hand?!” Ahriman shouts out in a panic, his voice no longer muffled behind a helmet, “How are either of you alive, you have a sword in you! And your eye! …Aren’t you in pain? Morrigan, come, we need a healer!”
“Don’t make such a fuss, it’s just my… thigh!” Inanna grunts slightly in pain and you hear an awful wet sliding, followed by the clattering of steel on the metal deck plating. Her voice returns to normal at once, “See? Not my best performance, but it won’t be my last - nor my sister’s. …Where is Morrigan?”
“I threw her to safety… Oh, curses.” Ahriman steps into the edge of your field of view, green eyes staring down at you with something close to concern.
Casimir pulls back from you to allow the young captain to see you more clearly. Ahriman’s green armor is blasted and pockmarked, and seems to have held up better than your own. Shoddy or not, it was thicker and withstood the battle more readily, but you still see a number of places where it failed. He bears the pain better than yesterday, but his wounds cannot be as grievous as your own is - surely not. A great deal of blood covers his stolen suit of armor, thick splotches of red across the chitinous plates and dark soaked green cloth beneath, but much of it must not be his own.
“Curses? Indeed.” The twins say, stepping into view as well.","attachment":null,"posted":1713212844},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5978570,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5978568
Ishtar begins inspecting Casimir’s wounds at once, and you wheeze in shock as you see the woman’s awful condition. She is covered in blood, and much of it is hers. She’s been stabbed in at least three places, and one of her hands is missing its thumb and forefinger, sliced deep in such a way that they have been carved off entirely. That is the hand she chooses to stroke Casimir with, three fingered and bloody, leaving prints and trails across him as she kneels to look at the depth of his wounds. The young dragon coos in delight at the attention, like it were the most natural thing in the world. Inanna is in an even worse state, one of her eyes is a bloody mess, a deep gouge across the side of her face having put it out entirely, and she’s covered in deep cuts and stab wounds, the one upon her thigh hardly even the most noteworthy.
“Will mother survive?” Casimir asks Ishtar, worrying not for himself. The three-fingered woman gives no answer and instead looks to her twin expectantly. Inanna nods, crouching beside you and moving your hand from your side, replacing it with her own. Her other hand, slick with blood, holds your free one and squeezes it comfortingly.
“This will hurt, but it will soon end.” Inanna warns you gently, speaking far too calmly for a woman missing an eye. After taking in a deep breath, she whispers a few words of a verse you do not recognize, and the pain in your side flares into new and agonizing life. You scream and thrash, the woman’s hand is searingly hot, a heated iron against your flesh… And then the pain is gone. Tears flow from your eyes, but when Inanna pulls her hand away you spy that beneath the charred plate of your armor the flesh has been cleanly knitted back together.","attachment":null,"posted":1713212905},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5978571,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5978570
“And now we must move.” Inanna stands and whispers the healing verse once again, the painful song quietly filling the air around you, more felt than heard, and she doesn’t even flinch as her wounds knit and her cloven eye reforms, “Ishtar, Casimir will repair?”
“Superficial damage, his eyes may be dimmer for a time. A song may be needed.” Ishtar grunts slightly as her thumb and forefinger emerge from her flesh in a slowly spreading light, her other wounds vanishing as well. All the blood remains however, and both twins’ robes and cloaks are tattered and burnt, turned more into ragged ponchos worn over their strange bodysuits beneath. “...I fear we’ve grown weaker in our long wandering, Inanna.”
“Rust to be worked off. Morrigan, rise.” Inanna waves off her sister’s concerns and hauls you to your feet. You feel stronger now, something has changed - and in Casimir as well.
Your bond has deepened, and the path ahead is clear; you must find the prisoners and free your prince.
Vote one:
>You have learned to make sense of some of the symbols within your mind, as Casimir does. Their deeper meaning still eludes you.
>Your strength has grown closer to that of a dragon’s, your speed and the force of your blows enhanced with draconic grace. …A hatchling’s strength and grace, but it is still a boon.
>...You’re not sure what exactly has changed, but you find your mind strangely filled with thoughts of flowing sand. What could that mean?
Vote two:
>”The survivors shall know of this place’s secrets - where the slaves are kept, and more. We should question one while there is time.” Not much time, perhaps a minute or two at most.
>”Ishtar, Inanna - could we seize command of this vessel? Perhaps negotiation is not beyond these foreign demons if we capture their leader.” The twins are terrifying in a battle, and though Ahriman is still wounded he is no slouch - though you hate to admit that - perhaps such a bold plan could work?
>”...Up! Prisoners would be kept above, wouldn’t they? There can’t be many decks above the next chamber.” Pure intuition. You would ask the twins where to go, but it is clear the Sisyphytes have made many changes to this section of the carrier.
>Write-in.
Please vote for both votes.","attachment":null,"posted":1713212965},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5978576,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978571
>You have learned to make sense of some of the symbols within your mind, as Casimir does. Their deeper meaning still eludes you.
>”The survivors shall know of this place’s secrets - where the slaves are kept, and more. We should question one while there is time.” Not much time, perhaps a minute or two at most.","attachment":null,"posted":1713213564},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5978588,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978571
>>You have learned to make sense of some of the symbols within your mind, as Casimir does. Their deeper meaning still eludes you.
>>”The survivors shall know of this place’s secrets - where the slaves are kept, and more. We should question one while there is time.” Not much time, perhaps a minute or two at most.","attachment":null,"posted":1713215294},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5978604,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978571
>You have learned to make sense of some of the symbols within your mind, as Casimir does. Their deeper meaning still eludes you.
>”The survivors shall know of this place’s secrets - where the slaves are kept, and more. We should question one while there is time.” Not much time, perhaps a minute or two at most.","attachment":null,"posted":1713216968},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5978605,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978571
>You have learned to make sense of some of the symbols within your mind, as Casimir does. Their deeper meaning still eludes you.
>”Ishtar, Inanna - could we seize command of this vessel? Perhaps negotiation is not beyond these foreign demons if we capture their leader.” The twins are terrifying in a battle, and though Ahriman is still wounded he is no slouch - though you hate to admit that - perhaps such a bold plan could work?","attachment":null,"posted":1713216984},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5978649,"name":"Greeble","msg":"One more hour for voting.","attachment":null,"posted":1713222507},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5978696,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978571
>Your strength has grown closer to that of a dragon’s, your speed and the force of your blows enhanced with draconic grace. …A hatchling’s strength and grace, but it is still a boon.
Before all else, one must survive.
>>5978571
>”...Up! Prisoners would be kept above, wouldn’t they? There can’t be many decks above the next chamber.” Pure intuition. You would ask the twins where to go, but it is clear the Sisyphytes have made many changes to this section of the carrier.
>We just need to keep sealing doors until we find the prisoners. We need to secure an escape path anyway, so going directly to them would be greater danger.","attachment":null,"posted":1713226682},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5978719,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5978576
>>5978588
>>5978604
>>5978605
Symbols and questioning. Writing.","attachment":null,"posted":1713228230},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5978838,"name":"Greeble","msg":"The next update will probably be out tomorrow morning, didn't have as much time to write it tonight as I expected.","attachment":null,"posted":1713238460},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5979187,"name":"Greeble","msg":"As you stand with Inanna’s help, you look about the gore soaked storage chamber and feel a growing sense of dread and horror deep within the pit of your stomach - nausea strikes once more as a flood of information fills the interior of your mind, dark runes winking into existence in the hidden spaces of your thoughts. You will have a character stat readout soon. The twins did not simply win a fight against great odds, they butchered these green armored Sisyphytes. Limbs and halves and thirds of men lay scattered all about in spreading red, and whole bodies are crumpled here and there, bent up strange and lifelessly with their carapace cuirasses caved in with devastating concussions. What created those you have not the faintest idea, but the shattered and exposed mess of bones and organs causes you to gag.
You hate these foreigners, but it is hard to see such a grisly scene. Breathing deep, trying to steady yourself, you take a step toward Casimir and place a hand upon his armor. The touch comforts and steadies you at once. These foreign demons harmed him, and your prince, and you. They deserve worse than this.
“The survivors shall know of this place’s secrets… Where the slaves are kept, and more.” You say to the twins, though even as you utter the words you wonder if there are survivors, the wounds delivered to these men look more like the work of stampeding bugs or haywire smithing equipment, not sword blows, “We should question one while there is time.”
The twins look between one another and nod, setting about the grim task of finding someone who still lives among the carnage. Ahriman stumbles a little as he walks to your side, some of his unhealed wounds beginning to slowly catch up to him now. His face is a mask of deep and furrowed concern, green eyes watching the twins warily.
“They’re frightening witches.” He says in a low voice to you, one hand held to a scorch mark at his side, “...Earlier, with the door - was that them?”
You give no answer, trying to keep the curse from your mind - there is no need to frighten Ahriman so far into this mission, whether such a reaction would be rightful or not on his part. Those cursed with the mind fire are not meant to remain themselves when exposed for so long, as you were in the mountain. The episodic fits of the curse seizing hold of your very being weigh on you. …Can it be spread? You have heard of such things, Ahriman surely must have as well, and the twins seem aware but have said nothing yet.","attachment":null,"posted":1713293047},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5979189,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5979187
Soon the twins have found a man still barely clinging to life, and begin to question him; it proves unproductive, and Inanna sighs before simply extending a palm out toward the man’s shattered helmet. Light collects around her hand in a flashing triangle, pulsing and chiming several times. The man screams and howls as if his skin were being flayed, shattered limbs shaking and convulsing. At long last he is still and the nightmarish sounds fade. Inanna stands, wiping her hands together as if cleaning dirt from them, a look of disgust etched deep on her beautiful face.
“The prisoners are held in two sections, the bulk of the slaves are kept two decks up near the top of the carrier,” Inanna announces, “Albinics are kept below, in a laboratory.”
“A laboratory? For what purpose?” The words slip from you immediately, “They experiment upon the prince?”
“Ash di… the soldier did not know of its purpose.” Inanna shakes her head and takes the lead at the front of the group again, heading out into the nearby hangard turned construction area. A number of pack bugs watch as your party walks out, soaked in blood - some your own but most that of the foreign slavers. “...But I might know.”
>”Thou art aware of the purpose? Speak, and quickly - we tarry too long here.” Pump the twins for more information, even if it is mere speculation.
>”The purpose matters not, we go below at once!” Asking was reflexive, all that really matters is reaching your prince! He must be taken from here at once, soon more soldiers will gather and another fight may not go so ‘well’.
>”...My prince would wish to see his people freed first, we should see to their escape first.” It pains you to say it, and it will be a terribly messy escape - many will be caught again or killed - but it would be his wish that they be given a chance.
>Write-in.","attachment":null,"posted":1713293107},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5979220,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979189
>”The purpose matters not, we go below at once!” Asking was reflexive, all that really matters is reaching your prince! He must be taken from here at once, soon more soldiers will gather and another fight may not go so ‘well’.","attachment":null,"posted":1713296286},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5979234,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979189
>”The purpose matters not, we go below at once!” Asking was reflexive, all that really matters is reaching your prince! He must be taken from here at once, soon more soldiers will gather and another fight may not go so ‘well’.","attachment":null,"posted":1713297193},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5979293,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979189
>>”...My prince would wish to see his people freed first, we should see to their escape first.” It pains you to say it, and it will be a terribly messy escape - many will be caught again or killed - but it would be his wish that they be given a chance.
We may even be able to arm some of them, either way the following chaos will surely tie up many of the soldiers giving us time to then free the prince.
Hell, we may even be able to seize this machine.","attachment":null,"posted":1713302517},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5979353,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979189
>”Thou art aware of the purpose? Speak, and quickly - we tarry too long here.” Pump the twins for more information, even if it is mere speculation.","attachment":null,"posted":1713309004},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5979375,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979189
>”The purpose matters not, we go below at once!” Asking was reflexive, all that really matters is reaching your prince! He must be taken from here at once, soon more soldiers will gather and another fight may not go so ‘well’.
Plenty of horrors to dwell on, not so plenty time","attachment":null,"posted":1713311011},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5979402,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979189
>”The purpose matters not, we go below at once!” Asking was reflexive, all that really matters is reaching your prince! He must be taken from here at once, soon more soldiers will gather and another fight may not go so ‘well’.
It is far easier to carry one prince or corpse than a whole bunch of prisoners.","attachment":null,"posted":1713314758},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5979419,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979189
>”...My prince would wish to see his people freed first, we should see to their escape first.” It pains you to say it, and it will be a terribly messy escape - many will be caught again or killed - but it would be his wish that they be given a chance.","attachment":null,"posted":1713317638},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5979569,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979189
>”Thou art aware of the purpose? Speak, and quickly - we tarry too long here.” Pump the twins for more information, even if it is mere speculation.","attachment":null,"posted":1713330039},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5979809,"name":"Greeble","msg":"One more hour for voting.","attachment":null,"posted":1713369080},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5979834,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5979220
>>5979234
>>5979375
>>5979402
Writing.","attachment":null,"posted":1713372925},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5980143,"name":"Greeble","msg":"“The purpose matters not, we go below at once!” You implore your blood soaked allies, looking about the construction area as you speak quickly - whatever is being done to your prince, you will see him freed of it soon. There is no argument from the others, and soon the five of you have left the half-reconstructed hangar deck, hurrying with quick footfalls down a flight of refurbished stairs and into the depths of the battery carrier. Alarm klaxons still sound, and many hatches have been sealed, but Ishtar and Casimir make short work of the barrier; even steel blast doors do little to slow your advance. Ishtar and Inanna have been slowing - despite their strange power they seem to be pressing up against something of a limit.
Finally you reach a door unlike the others, clearly not a repair of the old systems but something new entirely. It is a bone white metal iris, almost like the seals on the duct system used in the Mountain, and large enough for four men to enter through at once shoulder to shoulder. The rune panels beside it are new additions as well, flashing red symbols playing across black display screens, and an odd angled surface jutting out and imprinted with the vague outline of a hand. You have seen panels like this before within ruins, you have explored quite a few, but they never responded to commands or to placing your hand upon them - whatever their secret is, it has eluded you.
“...Harvested?” Inanna asks Ishtar quietly as the twins inspect the pad and door, swords held in left hands while the fingers of their right trace across the angled hand-plate as well as the nearly seamless indentations of the iris’ interlocked metal plates. They each attempt to place their hands against it, and chimes sound in the air around you, but the door remains stubbornly shut. “This must have been taken from a ship.”
“So it would seem, it isn’t connected to the carrier’s mind - It will break like any other, stand back.” Ishtar growls.
“No, hold a moment!” Inanna turns and points to Ahriman, “Put on that filtermask, the air may be contaminated.”
The wounded captain does as he’s told, and hastily as well - while he struggles to get a clean seal, you take the time to whisper a few words of healing, uttering the tones almost beneath your breath. Ahriman was not healed by the painful song earlier, and you need him to hold onto his strength. As the mask is finally affixed properly, you get a muffled thanks from the coward. Former coward? He’s acquitted himself well so far on this rescue, but perhaps it’s easy to be brave with the twins here. You certainly feel more confident about your chances.","attachment":null,"posted":1713399047},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5980144,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5980143
With a powerful overhead cut, Ishtar puts a deep dent in the metal iris - but does not penetrate. Frowning, she takes a step back and allows for the song in the air to grow louder once more, Inanna singing a strange verse quietly and under her breath. Another slash dents the iris again, caving it in further, but still the interlocked plates hold. With a frustrated shout, Ishtar’s third blow cuts a screeching gash into the metal, shearing through the many plates - as soon as they have been perforated the metal peels inward, like the flower of cactus withering away in flame. Turning back toward you, Ishtar gives a fearsome and proud grin, and then collapses.
“Ishtar!” Inanna shouts, rushing to her twin’s side, catching her even before she falls to the deck. The walls beyond the withered iris door are stark white, perfectly clean and illuminated by bright fairy lights across the floor, bundles of black cables running across the walls and ceiling. A murky glass double door is shut some fifteen paces beyond the ruined iris, red lights shining from a small panel just above the frame and from a rune panel beside it.
You hurry to the twins’ side, concerned for your allies - your most powerful allies - wellbeing. This is too close to the prince to be failing now, “What is the matter with her?”
“She isn’t meant to be in this form... Go, I must tend to her.” Inanna drops to her knees, cradling her still sister, and taps at her brooch first and then Ishtar’s. The structure of the carrier shakes, sudden thumping impacts sending vibrations and groans through the metal, “I have caused a distraction, it should keep many of the soldiers away.”
The world turns nearly upside down as something enormous rattles the battery carrier, and then again, and again. It feels like your teeth are going to be shaken loose, three tremendous detonations heard clearly even so deep within the gigantic craft. The turret.
“Your distraction is the weapon battery?” Ahriman remains standing, looking nervously from the glass doors ahead and to the refurbished metal and stairs far behind you, “How?”
“Our battlers are attacking the carrier, it is an automated response.” Inanna strokes gently at her unconscious sister’s bloody pink hair, looking down only at Ishtar as she speaks, ”Go. Find your prince, I will hold this hall for a time. …Keep those masks on.”","attachment":null,"posted":1713399141},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5980147,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5980144
“She will recover?” You ask, worried for the odd woman - the twins have risked much for little more than a song and a chance to see Casimir, and you would very much like to know more of them.
“Yes, enough to walk soon.” Inanna nods slightly, “...She hides her fatigue to not appear weak, but this body is not meant for her… We will not meet again today.”
“Thank you, and…” You can hear heavy armored footsteps coming down the stairwell behind you, probably still a few decks up, “...And farewell.”
“Wait! When you leave, head out to the sands or up to the highest deck - sing, and my Battler will find you.” Inanna speaks further, resolve strengthening her words, “It will bear you wherever you wish. …My sister and I will escape on the other.”
“...I was hoping to keep the skimmer.” Ahriman mutters mostly to himself, muffled by the heavy shedskin filtermask concealing his face - he looks even more like a bug than when he wore the beetle helmet earlier, the eyes of the mask are large and almost compound looking, very rounded, “Ancestor’s strength, Inanna - keep your sister safe. Our people will not forget this.”
Casimir presses up against the two twins in a silent farewell, and then turns and sprints down the hall in a loping charge directly toward the glass doors - they hiss open a moment before he flies through them, and you rush on to follow. When the doors seal shut behind you, Inanna’s song stops. The doors have cut it off entirely, something even steel has not done before.
Walking down the hall a little further, you pass through another set of glass doors and then into a large circular chamber with a slightly domed ceiling. The floors are a nearly perfect white, and dark metal cylinders line the walls. Strange vapors rise from the cylinders and fill the room, bundles of cables running to and from them trace their way up and across the dome until they meet in the middle and form a thick trunk of strange machinery. At the very center of the circular room is a raised platform, just below the trunk descending from the center of the dome, and upon the platform a clean metal slate sits. A body lies atop it, stripped of most clothes and ghostly pale of skin and hair, unmistakably a young Albinic man.
Your prince.","attachment":null,"posted":1713399201},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5980150,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5980147
A shadow slowly rises on the other side of the slate - inhumanly large, the first you see it is a black and white armored mushroom cap lifting higher and higher, dark cloth wrapped tightly beneath it in layers to create a thick but concave stalk that holds up the circular metal cap. Glowing red eyes stare out from behind a darkened mesh mask set within the center of the cloth stalk, each glowing orb perfectly circular and without humanity. The rest of its body is covered in wide and heavy layers of dark robes and carapaced plates. Instead of the arms and hands of a man, metal blades jut from the end of its sleeves, almost scythelike. Smaller sets of metal arms with grasping clamps and strange claws are glimpsed in the shadows and layers of its robes - the bladed limbs are merely its largest. You see nothing of its lower half, the platform and slate conceal it entirely, but you know the creature must be twice the height of a man at least.
“Cursssed. Tainted. Damned. Dessspair. Recccycled. Sssinger.” The figure’s metallic voice clicks and whirrs strangely, sending a chill through you with every stilted word which you know in your soul are directed at you - even Casimir shrinks back from its alien sound, unnatural and corrosive, a voice which worms and burrows into the mind. The thing’s festering attention shifts to Ahriman, hissing with greater venom, “Thrall. Decayed. Ussselessss. Leave, die - choose.”
“We’ve come for the prince!” Ahriman shouts through his mask, sword held out unsteadily before him, “Get your claws off of him, creature! What have you done to him?”
“Transfer.” One of the creature’s large bladed arms traces a thin line across the prince’s bare chest, but not a drop of blood is drawn - there is no cut, the razor edged blade is controlled perfectly, “Gone. Fool. Leave, die - choose. Singer, song - stay.”
>”...Ahriman, you have done well to reach the prince, but this… creature is beyond you. Return to the twins, they may need another blade.” This ‘creature’ is beyond you as well, nearly twice Ahriman’s height and clearly some kind of bug-machine, but it wishes to talk. Talk, lay a hand on Casimir and resist the sudden surge of the curse within you.
>”Give me my prince, demon!” Something about the red of its glowing eyes stirs the curse within you - they match those you have seen in the dark, and it enrages you, fills you with a jealousy and power which is not your own. The specters which taunt you hate this thing even more than they hate you, and they would see it destroyed.
>Simply rush to your prince’s side and cry out his name, you must know if he lives.
>Write-in.","attachment":null,"posted":1713399266},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5980156,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980150
>”...Ahriman, you have done well to reach the prince, but this… creature is beyond you. Return to the twins, they may need another blade.” This ‘creature’ is beyond you as well, nearly twice Ahriman’s height and clearly some kind of bug-machine, but it will not kill you....immediately
>Sing of longing. Those doors must've blocked your reach before, but it will certainly not block you now from reaching the prince. If he lives.","attachment":null,"posted":1713400005},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5980162,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980150
>>”Give me my prince, demon!” Something about the red of its glowing eyes stirs the curse within you - they match those you have seen in the dark, and it enrages you, fills you with a jealousy and power which is not your own. The specters which taunt you hate this thing even more than they hate you, and they would see it destroyed.","attachment":null,"posted":1713401114},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5980340,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980150
>”Give me my prince, demon!” Something about the red of its glowing eyes stirs the curse within you - they match those you have seen in the dark, and it enrages you, fills you with a jealousy and power which is not your own. The specters which taunt you hate this thing even more than they hate you, and they would see it destroyed.
Friend of slavers! Killer of our people! Tormentor of our brother! DIE!","attachment":null,"posted":1713421251},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5980362,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980150
>”...Ahriman, you have done well to reach the prince, but this… creature is beyond you. Return to the twins, they may need another blade.” This ‘creature’ is beyond you as well, nearly twice Ahriman’s height and clearly some kind of bug-machine, but it wishes to talk. Talk, lay a hand on Casimir and resist the sudden surge of the curse within you.","attachment":null,"posted":1713424307},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5980431,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980150
>”...Ahriman, you have done well to reach the prince, but this… creature is beyond you. Return to the twins, they may need another blade.” This ‘creature’ is beyond you as well, nearly twice Ahriman’s height and clearly some kind of bug-machine, but it wishes to talk. Talk, lay a hand on Casimir and resist the sudden surge of the curse within you.","attachment":null,"posted":1713444274},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5980472,"name":"Greeble","msg":"One more hour for voting.","attachment":null,"posted":1713449575},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5980478,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980150
>”...Ahriman, you have done well to reach the prince, but this… creature is beyond you. Return to the twins, they may need another blade.” This ‘creature’ is beyond you as well, nearly twice Ahriman’s height and clearly some kind of bug-machine, but it wishes to talk. Talk, lay a hand on Casimir and resist the sudden surge of the curse within you.","attachment":null,"posted":1713450025},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5980490,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980150
>”...Ahriman, you have done well to reach the prince, but this… creature is beyond you. Return to the twins, they may need another blade.” This ‘creature’ is beyond you as well, nearly twice Ahriman’s height and clearly some kind of bug-machine, but it wishes to talk. Talk, lay a hand on Casimir and resist the sudden surge of the curse within you.","attachment":null,"posted":1713451058},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5980502,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5980156
>>5980362
>>5980431
>>5980478
>>5980490
Writing.","attachment":null,"posted":1713453273},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5980718,"name":"Greeble","msg":"“...Ahriman, you have done well to reach the prince,” You speak without adornment or formality now that the goal of your quest is so close at hand - the prince lies just ahead atop the slate, guarded by this demonic metal thing concealed by layers of cloth and heavy plate, “but this… creature is beyond you. Return to the twins, they may need another blade.”
“And it is not beyond you?, Morrigan?” Ahriman shouts back, beginning to rush forward the platform with blade in hand, “I will not run a second time, not so close!”
“Fool. Lisssten!” The caustic voice of the machine hisses out, burning at the edges of your thoughts almost as the mind fire does - it is focused entirely upon the captain, you catch only the backwash of the foul noise. Ahriman continues to rush forward but then violently staggers backwards, his blade clattering to the ground and crying out in pain. Both of his hands try in vain to cover his ears, to hide from the burning, burrowing noise, “Die!”
Casimir leaps between the Ahriman and the mushroom-capped thing, wings flapping out to form a protective barrier, a golden sphere of light and song thrumming into existence a heartbeat later. At once Ahriman has his wits about him again, and snatches his blade from the ground, ready for battle. The hissing noises fades almost as soon as your dragon has interposed himself, pinky and red eyes staring each other down - despite the brave display, Casimir is far smaller, and against a machine with knowledge of magic… No, a fight would never go well, not without the twins - and even then only if they were not exhausted.
“Keep behind me and go!” Casimir rasps out the command to Ahriman, but his horn remains fixes squarely at the huge robed machine, which he addresses next, “I see the poison that controls you, machine, and I will devour it.”
“...Hatchling. New? Fassscinating. Cursssed sssinger, ssspeak.” The red eyes shift their attention you again while Ahriman reluctantly exits the chamber through the glass doors behind you, turning back for a long moment and looking nearly ready to rush the creature again before thinking better of it.","attachment":null,"posted":1713468127},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5980719,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5980718
“Does he live?” You point to your prince’s motionless body, worry filling your voice as you ask the only question which now matters.
The red eyes stare out at you, meeting your gaze with a steadiness and intensity that almost causes you to reel back - there is a weight to its gaze, a press to it consciousness that sends the curse within you flaring back to burning life, dozens of silent voices screeching and baying for blood, “...Yes. Alive.”
You exhale in relief but remain wary, still tense and ready for this thing to strike at any moment - your only defense would be to flee, or to allow the curse to strike through you once more. The creature’s bladed arms retreat deeper into its heavy robes, and its lower sets of arms with graspers and clamps emerge further into the light. Its red eyes dim slightly - a step away from battle, and toward talking, just as it requested of you. You sheath your blade, knowing it would do no good - you cannot cut metal with what little strength you possess.
>”Wake my prince, and release the others from these metal caskets.” There is nothing to discuss with this thing, demand what you have come for.
>”What be this place’s purpose?” This is no slave chamber, but a strange laboratory just as the soldier revealed earlier.
>”Who art thou, machine?” You would have this thing’s name, if it has one, and know of it - it clearly is not a man or a bug.
>Write-in.","attachment":null,"posted":1713468188},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5980786,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980719
>”What be this place’s purpose?” This is no slave chamber, but a strange laboratory just as the soldier revealed earlier.","attachment":null,"posted":1713472897},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5980821,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980719
>>”What be this place’s purpose?” This is no slave chamber, but a strange laboratory just as the soldier revealed earlier.","attachment":null,"posted":1713475915},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5980920,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"best way to goad ahriman to action is to question his manly commitments
>>5980719
>>”Who art thou, machine?” You would have this thing’s name, if it has one, and know of it - it clearly is not a man or a bug.","attachment":null,"posted":1713483382},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5980956,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980719
>Sing. Sing to Cassimir, to the prince, to the other captives, even to this creature before you. If your own violence will not be enough, perhaps the actions of many will be.","attachment":null,"posted":1713487825},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5980979,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980786
>>5980719
Woops, forgot my trip.","attachment":null,"posted":1713489136},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5981090,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980719
>”Who art thou, machine?” You would have this thing’s name, if it has one, and know of it - it clearly is not a man or a bug.
talk no jutsu activate","attachment":null,"posted":1713501166},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5981161,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980719
>What be this place’s purpose?” This is no slave chamber, but a strange laboratory just as the soldier revealed earlier.","attachment":null,"posted":1713506816},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5981213,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980719
>”Who art thou, machine?” You would have this thing’s name, if it has one, and know of it - it clearly is not a man or a bug.","attachment":null,"posted":1713510425},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5981265,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980719
>”What be this place’s purpose?” This is no slave chamber, but a strange laboratory just as the soldier revealed earlier.","attachment":null,"posted":1713516678},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5981377,"name":"Greeble","msg":"One more hour for voting.","attachment":null,"posted":1713537967},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5981428,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5981265
>>5981161
>>5980786
>>5980821
Writing. Might take a bit today.","attachment":null,"posted":1713543940},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5981989,"name":"Greeble","msg":"Update should be out tomorrow, apologies for the delay.","attachment":null,"posted":1713595255},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5983838,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981989
You alright QM?","attachment":null,"posted":1713752608},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5983842,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983838
Hopefully, it's just a weekend off.","attachment":null,"posted":1713753094},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5983846,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5983838
>>5983842
Still alive, just a lot more going on that I thought there would be. The quest lives on, updates are going to be spottier than I'd like though.","attachment":null,"posted":1713753224},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5983848,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983846
Understood, and understandable. Thanks for the update, QM. I hope all's well.","attachment":null,"posted":1713753313},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5983919,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983846
OK don't worry about the delay.","attachment":null,"posted":1713757846},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5984055,"name":"Greeble","msg":"“What be this place’s purpose?” You ask with trepidation, fear and curiosity proving a volatile mix - under the burning pressure of the curse they may yet prove disastrous. The red eyes behind the mushroom capped creature’s mesh mask dim to points, a kind of squint you realize, and its awful voice soon fills the air as it answers your question.
“The world isss dying.” The creature speaks in sentences now, but it seems to strain it - you flinch away from the sound, sharp pain striking yours with every syllable. This thing is foul, unnatural; it should not exist. “It is cursssed. The purpossse of thisss placcce isss to sssave it. Ever hasss that been our purpossse.”
“Who dost thou speak of, creature - thyself or the Sisyphytes?” If this thing will speak, then you will demand answers of it, however painful they are to hear, “All who live within the world know it is cursed, only death is our escape.”
“NO!” The creature screeches in rage, its bladed arms shooting back out from its sleeve and cleaving down into the steel of the slate your prince lies upon, biting fingers deep into metal but never striking the prince - you almost cry out at the display, but hold your tongue lest the curse take hold and force something destructive out of you, some lethal tone, “There isss NO essscape! No ressst! You feel it, you mussst! Here, we try, oh, we TRY - but we only recccycle. You shhhould know - you are one of thessse, ssso it ssseems to my eyesss! One of the old warformsss, a sssinger and cursssed both.”
“Speak plainly!” Casimir demands, confused and hissing out nearly as fearsomely as the creature. The pain of the things words must strike at him terribly, his pink eyes are squinting in almost human agony, and you can hear your song gathering about him, swelling to repel the noise once more with his glowing barrier.
“I ssspeak how I will, hatchling!” The thing hisses out from behind its mesh mask, motioning with bladed arms from one location to another as it speaks, “Here, we recccyle, we transssfer. We move the sssoul, and bring another in.”
“Thou remove… souls?” You gasp in horror, fear and burning fury welling up almost too powerfully to control - what has become of your prince? “What have you done to him?!”
“I make room for new onesss. Transssfer the old elsssewhere within their form. I cannot dessstroy - no one can, not even Velssska.” The creature clicks its blades together and bows slightly, treating the foreign Empress’s name with a degree of respect you have not seen from it yet - it disgusts you, “You came for thisss one? I am done with him. He isss a failure. Too few memoriesss. A bad recall. A ssshame.”
“He’s gone?” You barely manage the question, your words echoing about the white chamber before fading away into the thrum of song emitted from Casimir’s horn.","attachment":null,"posted":1713775080},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5984056,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5984055
“Yesss, and alssso no.” The thing shrugs, an unsettlingly familiar gesture from something so alien - and you can tell that it is deliberate, an imitation that comes no more naturally to it than you would feel holding your arms wide as Casimir displays his wings when threatened. It is simply not in its nature, and it willingly defies that nature. “What will you do? Take him if you wisssh, but not the othersss… My work is not done. The hero demandsss more… Ssshe will wisssh to hear of you, and your dragon.”
>”I come for my prince alone, nothing else - give him to me!” Whatever this thing has done, surely it can be undone. Your prince is merely sleeping, he looks to be at peace. You can take him and flee from here at once, maybe even with the twins and Ahriman instead of splitting.
>”The hero? Who is that? I do not understand, creature.” Curiosity has gripped you now, even as fear and pain do - you must have answers.
>”Yes and no? Speak plainly! What has become of him - when will he wake?! Wilst thou do this foul thing to those within the pods as well?” You find yourself agreeing with Casimir, growing quickly tired of this creature’s caustic and painful speech. Cryptic words only anger you further, the curse is burning red hot again.
>Write-in.
Updates will likely be slower for the foreseeable future, maybe once a day or every other day.","attachment":null,"posted":1713775202},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5984134,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984056
>”Yes and no? Speak plainly! What has become of him - when will he wake?! Wilst thou do this foul thing to those within the pods as well?” You find yourself agreeing with Casimir, growing quickly tired of this creature’s caustic and painful speech. Cryptic words only anger you further, the curse is burning red hot again.","attachment":null,"posted":1713791040},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5984157,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984056
>>”Yes and no? Speak plainly! What has become of him - when will he wake?! Wilst thou do this foul thing to those within the pods as well?” You find yourself agreeing with Casimir, growing quickly tired of this creature’s caustic and painful speech. Cryptic words only anger you further, the curse is burning red hot again.","attachment":null,"posted":1713795149},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5984190,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984056
>”Yes and no? Speak plainly! What has become of him - when will he wake?! Wilst thou do this foul thing to those within the pods as well?” You find yourself agreeing with Casimir, growing quickly tired of this creature’s caustic and painful speech. Cryptic words only anger you further, the curse is burning red hot again.","attachment":null,"posted":1713798326},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5984233,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984056
>"I will take whoever answers my call." If the prince's soul is removed, it might be elsewhere, another body, or maybe some kind of machine.","attachment":null,"posted":1713804021},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5984366,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984056
>”Yes and no? Speak plainly! What has become of him - when will he wake?! Wilst thou do this foul thing to those within the pods as well?” You find yourself agreeing with Casimir, growing quickly tired of this creature’s caustic and painful speech. Cryptic words only anger you further, the curse is burning red hot again.","attachment":null,"posted":1713824976},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5984649,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984056
>”The hero? Who is that? I do not understand, creature.” Curiosity has gripped you now, even as fear and pain do - you must have answers.","attachment":null,"posted":1713850918},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5984684,"name":"Greeble","msg":"Voting will be open for another ten hours. I think I'll have time to write tomorrow.","attachment":null,"posted":1713855086},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5985023,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5984134
>>5984157
>>5984190
>>5984366
Writing.","attachment":null,"posted":1713891285},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5985264,"name":"Greeble","msg":"”Yes and no? Speak plainly! What has become of him - when will he wake?!” You demand answers from the hissing mechanical creature, fury and fear burning hotter within your mind with every cryptic ‘answer’ it gives, “Wilst thou do this foul thing to those within the pods as well?”
“The one you knew will not wake, he hasss moved, but another ssshall.” The voice hisses from the mask, metal clanking sounding as its unseen legs - many of them - move it to one side. It moves too smoothly, almost looking to glide despite the clear metallic footfalls, “A recalled one. Blank. Few memoriesss. It isss a failure. The othersss may yet be a sssuccesssss. They are nexxxt.”
“Call him back from whence thou sent him, creature!” You shout at the robed mechanical thing and it clicks and clanks smoothing around the raised platform and closer toward you and Casimir. Casimir’s wings flap up defensively again, but the mushroom capped machine-thing towers high above both of you, “Give him back! Thou must be able to!”
“Come and sssee.” The machine bows, the armored mushroom cap atop its stalk-like and dark robed body dipping slightly, its blade arm and two lesser appendages held out toward the slab your prince’s still body rests upon in an inviting gesture, “There isss nothing more to be done. Take him if you will, but not the othersss.”
You rush closer to your prince’s side as Casimir continues his one-sided stand off with the machine-thing, and look down at your prince’s blank and peaceful face. Removing one glove, you place a hand upon his cheek and feel there is still warmth - the breath of life remains with him, but he does not stir at your touch. Gently, you shake him and speak his name - a name you are never meant to utter, a name only for the royal family itself to speak.
“Lethe, my prince, wake.” You whisper.
Slowly, Lethe’s eyes open, his gaze settling onto your own - He smiles, just as you have seen him do so many times before, radiant and warm, but a shadow soon covers his face. Confusion grows behind those pink eyes so similar to your own, a deep incomprehension, and you realize his eyes have changed. It is a subtle thing, a different shade of pink - Could it be the lighting? It must be.","attachment":null,"posted":1713909006},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5985267,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5985264
“Are you sssatisssfied?” The machine-thing asks in a mind burning hiss from beside you, suddenly there. Lethe cries out in terror, in a different voice, and kicks at the robed machine, nearly falling from the slate before you grab a hold of him in a panic, struggling and then failing to keep him there. You fall across the slate as Lethe rolls off the other side and scrambles to his feet, fleeing the machine-thing’s foul speech. “No princcce, but another.”
“Get away! Where am I?!” Lethe shouts in confusion, his cries oddly softer than you recall them being, his movement utterly unlike him - reaching one glass doors at the far side of the pod lined chamber, he slams a hand against it but it stubbornly refuses to part.
>”My prince, I have come to rescue you! Come with me, I know the way from here!” Something terrible has happened to Lethe, you must take him away from here at once - there is no time for anything else with him in this dire state.
>”...Who is that?” There is something terribly wrong about Lethe, could this creature truly have placed another’s soul within his body?
>”Return him to how he was before, creature, or perish!” You have little strength, and are worn down, but the curse burns ever hotter within you - draw your blade and strike at this foul machine if it will not correct the horror it has wrought.
>Write-in.","attachment":null,"posted":1713909072},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5985279,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985267
>”...Who is that?” There is something terribly wrong about Lethe, could this creature truly have placed another’s soul within his body?
We want our Prince back, but we need to udnerstand who this is and why the machine did or could NOT simply restore the Prince, first.","attachment":null,"posted":1713909778},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5985375,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985267
>”...Who is that?” There is something terribly wrong about Lethe, could this creature truly have placed another’s soul within his body?
>>5984233","attachment":null,"posted":1713919667},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5985402,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985267
>”...Who is that?” There is something terribly wrong about Lethe, could this creature truly have placed another’s soul within his body?","attachment":null,"posted":1713921448},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5985565,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985267
>>”Return him to how he was before, creature, or perish!” You have little strength, and are worn down, but the curse burns ever hotter within you - draw your blade and strike at this foul machine if it will not correct the horror it has wrought.","attachment":null,"posted":1713930460},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5985674,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985267
>>”...Who is that?” There is something terribly wrong about Lethe, could this creature truly have placed another’s soul within his body?","attachment":null,"posted":1713938746},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5985723,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985267
>”Return him to how he was before, creature, or perish!” You have little strength, and are worn down, but the curse burns ever hotter within you - draw your blade and strike at this foul machine if it will not correct the horror it has wrought","attachment":null,"posted":1713946646},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5985991,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985267
>”Return him to how he was before, creature, or perish!” You have little strength, and are worn down, but the curse burns ever hotter within you - draw your blade and strike at this foul machine if it will not correct the horror it has wrought.","attachment":null,"posted":1713991131},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5986113,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985267
>>”...Who is that?” There is something terribly wrong about Lethe, could this creature truly have placed another’s soul within his body?
If this were a fantasy novel from the 60s (or a modern Japanese light novel), 'Lethe' would probably be our self-insert point","attachment":null,"posted":1713998133},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5986224,"name":"Greeble","msg":"One more hour for voting, I should be able to get the update out tonight or tomorrow morning.
>>5986113
>Lethe is Isekai bait
Certainly. So is Casimir.","attachment":null,"posted":1714009749},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5986392,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5985279
>>5985375
>>5985402
>>5985674
>>5986113
I'll get to writing tomorrow.","attachment":null,"posted":1714024370},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5986640,"name":"Greeble","msg":"“...Who is that?” You gasp in shock, watching as Lethe continues to panic and bang at the door - this is not how he behaves, he is composed, regal, every bit the man who should one day be king. This person does not even sound like him, their voice is too soft, their intonations are all wrong. Weak. Fearful.
“Gone.” The burning red eyes within your mind taunt you, the curse seizing upon your fear and anger - your disgust at what has happened to your brother. This is wrong. “Dead.”
“Another sssoul, plucked from the broken moon.” The machine-thing’s caustic voice is almost a whisper now, insidious and worming - the curse within your recoils from it but flares only into a brighter agonizing hate, like a swarm of enraged scarabs hissing and skittering about the edges of a burning torch, “But it not sssufficccient to be ussseful, too fragmented. No memories. No passst to recall, but forccced to ssspeak onccce again.”
“But who?” You press, demanding a clearer answer - this thing’s every word nearly sends you flying into a rage, a demand for Casimir to attack it hovering just at the edges of your mind. The pulsing red of the curse nurtures that destructive desire with each passing moment, the eyes demand death - they wish for this machine to be ended.
“That is not known. I ssseizzze what is there to be ssseizzzed. There is no turning back.” The robed creature answers, turning from you and gliding toward one of the pods along chamber’s curving wall, too many metal feet clicking and clanking beneath its concealing robes, “I mussst continue. Leave thisss place, cursssed sssinger. Take the failure, or do not.”
“What will happen to my prince… to him, if I do not?”
“Disssposssal.”","attachment":null,"posted":1714064647},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5986642,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5986640
“And thou shall visit this same fate upon the others?” You ask, eyes still fixed upon Lethe, now curled up like a frightened child near the far glass door. What a pitiful sight; it reminds you too much of yourself, just yesterday within the mountain. Terrified. Without hope, or a path forward, the curse consuming you. It still consumes you. Casimir shifts closer to you, trying to keep between you and the robed machine-thing, and laying a hand upon him once again sends the curse receding.
You know now that his power over it is imperfect, but it still fears him.
>”Then I shall take him and make my leave of this foul place.”The prince must be recovered, whatever his state - if he remains at all. If you had the strength, you would oppose this machine, but you are no warrior and Casimir is young.
>”I will have my prince, and the others as well, creature! Release them.” Do what you must to free the other Albinics. This is extremely dangerous; you are not a capable fighter, and Casimir is very young.
>”...If he is not my prince, then I shall not take him from here - but the others are still themselves, release them!” Lethe, gone though he may be, would have wished the others be freed. This is extremely dangerous; you are not a capable fighter, and Casimir is very young.
>Write-in.","attachment":null,"posted":1714064708},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5986659,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986642
>"Then I will find him myself" Sing","attachment":null,"posted":1714066869},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5986733,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986642
>Take the prince and try to free the non-albinic prisoners up above, as he would've wanted","attachment":null,"posted":1714076302},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5986745,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986642
>”I will have my prince, and the others as well, creature! Release them.” Do what you must to free the other Albinics. This is extremely dangerous; you are not a capable fighter, and Casimir is very young.","attachment":null,"posted":1714077342},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5986763,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986642
>”I will have my prince, and the others as well, creature! Release them.” Do what you must to free the other Albinics. This is extremely dangerous; you are not a capable fighter, and Casimir is very young.","attachment":null,"posted":1714078301},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5986808,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986659
If viable. I mean, we know an ally-seeking song.
Otherwise...
>>5986642
>”I will have my prince, and the others as well, creature! Release them.” Do what you must to free the other Albinics. This is extremely dangerous; you are not a capable fighter, and Casimir is very young.","attachment":null,"posted":1714082830},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5987030,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986642
>”Then I shall take him and make my leave of this foul place.”The prince must be recovered, whatever his state - if he remains at all. If you had the strength, you would oppose this machine, but you are no warrior and Casimir is young.","attachment":null,"posted":1714109886},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5987293,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986659
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1714155463},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5987512,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986659
Support","attachment":null,"posted":1714178400},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5987805,"name":"Greeble","msg":">>5986733
>>5986745
>>5986763
>>5986808
Writing, should have it out tomorrow.
Should have gotten back to address >>5986659 sooner, there isn't a song known to Morrigan that would help in this situation. >>5986808 The ally finding one included. It was a good idea to suggest it though, how things work (both IC and out of character) hasn't been clearly established yet, but that should clear up pretty quickly. No harm in suggesting things in write-ins to feel out how stuff does or doesn't work! Morrigan should get a better idea in character soon, so more informed decisions will be a lot easier to make.","attachment":null,"posted":1714200571},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5987836,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987805
noted","attachment":null,"posted":1714202750},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5990506,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987805
QM?","attachment":null,"posted":1714448965},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5991447,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990506
I'm sure QM will return soon... right?","attachment":null,"posted":1714565112},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5996326,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991447
I fear it is over, anons... Though I hope I'm wrong. This was (is??) a really good quest with a cool setting.","attachment":null,"posted":1715023067},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":5996774,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Please do not leave us hanging qm","attachment":null,"posted":1715056973},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":6003367,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996774
>>5996326
>>5991447
you guys better archive it for precaution, since it's page 9 already","attachment":null,"posted":1715604202},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":6006143,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003367
lol","attachment":null,"posted":1715811251},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":6006215,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003367
Why? If QM has abandoned it, good as it is, there's little point. If they return, archived.moe is there for them.","attachment":null,"posted":1715815300},{"board":"qst","thread":5968231,"pid":6007371,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003367
I'd do it for you but I didn't read the quest and have no idea what description to put in there","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715911150146948.png","filename":"1644407626341.png"},"posted":1715911150}]}
+{"title":"SPY x FAMILY QUEST #1: The Great Plan for a New Protector","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5972907,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":"In a country on the cusp of war there exists two sides. The country of Westalis and Ostania, many people live their lives attempting to keep peace and prevent an all out war from taking the two countries once again.
You are one such person. You've seen the way society was ravaged by war. So you've sworn your life to protect it. The only question is...
How exactly are you protecting it?
> An agent of WISE, Working from the country of Westalis and keeping the peace. (The Same organization as Loid Forger and Fiona Frost)
> A member of The Garden an illustrious and secret assassin Organization, who work for a shadow government to take out traitors(Same organization as Yor Forger)
> A member of the State Security Service an organization dedicated to torturing and interrogating Westalis spies(Same organization as Yuri Briar)
> A Renegade/Mercenary operating on your own morals and beliefs with no true allegiance simply trying to prevent war.
_
Welcome to Spy x Family quest! This is something I decided to run to potentially gauge interest in any sort of Spy x Family quest. If I see there isn't much activity. I'll leave it as a one-shot, if not we can keep it going!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712592028337919.png","filename":"sxf header.png"},"posted":1712592028},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5972909,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972907
>> A member of the State Security Service an organization dedicated to torturing and interrogating Westalis spies(Same organization as Yuri Briar)","attachment":null,"posted":1712592913},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5972918,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972907
> An agent of WISE, Working from the country of Westalis and keeping the peace. (The Same organization as Loid Forger and Fiona Frost)","attachment":null,"posted":1712594369},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5972919,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972907
>> An agent of WISE, Working from the country of Westalis and keeping the peace. (The Same organization as Loid Forger and Fiona Frost)
Not a series I would have expected to see a quest for, I'm interested in seeing where this goes","attachment":null,"posted":1712594384},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5972928,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972907
> A Renegade/Mercenary operating on your own morals and beliefs with no true allegiance simply trying to prevent war.","attachment":null,"posted":1712595043},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5972930,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972907
> A Renegade/Mercenary operating on your own morals and beliefs with no true allegiance simply trying to prevent war.","attachment":null,"posted":1712595203},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5972941,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d2)
>>5972909
>>5972918
>>5972919
>>5972928
>>5972930
Flipping a D2 since this is deadlocked
1- Agent of WISE
2-Renegade/Mercenary","attachment":null,"posted":1712596091},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5972946,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":">>5972941
Agent of Westalis it is. Writing.","attachment":null,"posted":1712596302},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5972958,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":">>5972918
>>5972919
Ah so you're an agent of Westalis, that's understandable. A proud and noble people who want nothing but to prevent war from breaking out once more... While getting a leg up on Ostania. Hey I'm not one to try and go about judging who people decide to work for.
Ah but you're in the middle of something important aren't you? That's right! You just got called by your handler Sylvia!
"Ah Agent, it's a pleasure to see you again. I see here that you've opted to change your name again, agent..."
> What's your new name?","attachment":null,"posted":1712597148},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5972963,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972958
>Tanya Degurechaff","attachment":null,"posted":1712597292},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5972966,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972958
>Samuel Newman
On the nose maybe, but I'm shit at names","attachment":null,"posted":1712597728},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5972972,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972958
>Quinten van der Gray","attachment":null,"posted":1712598587},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5972973,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":"Rolled 2 (1d2)
>>5972963
>>5972966
Alright rolling again since we're just starting up here. Plus it gives us a good way to pick between male and female so.","attachment":null,"posted":1712598629},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5972976,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972966
Supporting, but since the setting is based on Germany, I'd prefer a spelling of Neumann","attachment":null,"posted":1712598751},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5972978,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":">>5972966
>>5972972
Woops, Well guess we're a man and our "name" is Samuel Newman.
Writing!","attachment":null,"posted":1712598878},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5972979,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972976
I'll second this if it is still possible.","attachment":null,"posted":1712599317},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5972980,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972976
>Neumann
Works for me","attachment":null,"posted":1712599334},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5972984,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":">>5972966
>>5972978
>>5972979
>>5972980
"Samuel Neumann" Sylvia looks up at you, a small smirk on her face "A little on the nose isn't it agent? Granted, this has always been a quirk of yours. Since the day you joined you've always been..."
> Aloof and Positive even in the face of danger
> Stern and focused, which leads you to not stress smaller details.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712599866963898.png","filename":"Sylvia_Sherwood_Manga_Infobox.png"},"posted":1712599866},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5972986,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972984
>Aloof and Positive even in the face of danger","attachment":null,"posted":1712600139},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5972996,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972984
>> Aloof and Positive even in the face of danger","attachment":null,"posted":1712601315},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5973005,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972984
>> Stern and focused, which leads you to not stress smaller details.","attachment":null,"posted":1712602883},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5973006,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972984
>> Aloof and Positive even in the face of danger","attachment":null,"posted":1712602951},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5973017,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":">>5972986
>>5972996
>>5973006
Goofy secret agent it is. Writing!","attachment":null,"posted":1712604108},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5973028,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":">>5972986
>>5972996
>>5973006
"...aloof and positive even in the face of danger. It's honestly pretty impressive." she looks over reports she has in her hand "but your results do speak for themselves."
You nod "Thanks Handler, I appreciate that but why did you call me in today?"
She looks to you face stern. "I'm sure you've heard of our current most important mission yes?"
"Operation STRIX, with agent Twilight right?"
You're aware, it's the plan to get close to the current running candidate for Prime Minister Donovan Desmond by pretending to be a Family. Intel has reported that he intends to cause another war allowing Ostania to rule over Westalis. Something all of you are working to stop by any means necessary.
"Indeed, while I'm glad to say that things have been going well with the plan other higher ups have gotten worried." she says face turning stern
"Worried? About what? I'm sure Twilight has got it." you remark eyebrow raised
"Hm. I agree, any look at Lloid, Ms. Briar and Anya leaves no doubt in my mind that he'd succeed. But other don't believe such things." she sighs "Which is why we've had to begin something known as 'The STRIX contingency.' "
"A contingency?" you question slowly realizing what they're going to ask you to do.
"Yes, we want you to be our plan B in the case that Operation STRIX goes wrong."
"What?!" you shout, panicked at the prospect.
"I do apologize but it's necessary. You need to find a wife and child as soon as possible."
You stutter at the blunt request before you.
> I have a son but...!
> I have a daughter but...!
> I have a wife but...!
> I'm single I don't have any of those things!","attachment":null,"posted":1712605294},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5973031,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973028
>> I'm single I don't have any of those things!","attachment":null,"posted":1712605440},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5973036,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973028
>> I'm single I don't have any of those things!
Hard mode engaged, baby!","attachment":null,"posted":1712605940},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5973043,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973028
>I have a son but...!","attachment":null,"posted":1712607393},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5973051,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973028
>> I have a wife but...!","attachment":null,"posted":1712609166},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5973052,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":">>5973031
>>5973036
I think there was a Beatles song about this. Writing!","attachment":null,"posted":1712609166},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5973069,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":">>5973031
>>5973036
"I'm single and I don't have either of those things!" you yell both afraid of the repercussions and annoyed that that's the case.
"With Fiona running assistance on other missions and helping Twilight when necessary. We unfortunately didn't have any other options. You have to get this done now." Sylvia explains
"You said it wasn't essential right?!" you ask trying to see any way out of this.
"It wasn't but it was ordered by those above, non compliance will unfortunately result in termination." she says
"AGCK" you feel your whole body tense up, how are you supposed to even manage something like this in such a short amount of time.
"Good luck Agent, we'll be providing you with the necessary finances to keep things a float." Sylvia says turning back to her work.
You hobble out of her office and sit in a train car blank faced staring straight ahead, receiving strange looks from passengers as a result. A wife? When you don't even have a girlfriend? A kid? When you don't even have the two other things?! How the hell did Sylvia expect you to manage that on short notice?! There's a ringing as you receive a coded message.
"I forgot to mention, you need to get the student enrolled in Eden Academy."
...You let your phone drop to your side. Didn't enrolling already pass? Does your kid have to be really smart? Oh no...
> Attempt to find a wife... somehow
> Attempt to find a kid... somehow","attachment":null,"posted":1712610409},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5973070,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":">>5973052
Fun fact this is entirely wrong I was making a "Here comes the sun." joke but that wasn't what won. I must've made a mental typo.","attachment":null,"posted":1712610488},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5973073,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973069
>Attempt to find a wife... somehow","attachment":null,"posted":1712610934},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5973132,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973069
>> Attempt to find a kid... somehow","attachment":null,"posted":1712619027},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5973158,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Attempt to find a wife... somehow","attachment":null,"posted":1712620477},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5973165,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":">>5973073
>>5973158
Wife it is! Writing!","attachment":null,"posted":1712621200},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5973168,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":">>5973073
>>5973132
>>5973158
"I guess I can look around for a wife..." You remark. fingers pinching the bridge of your nose.
"Oh this is a nightmare." you sigh "I would preferred an attempt at assassination over this..."
_
Hm... I think Samuel is dealing with a lot right now. Maybe we should look in on someone else. This country is much more than just one individual of course.
The question is. Where are we going now?
> City Hall
> State Security Service
> Nowhere in particular.","attachment":null,"posted":1712621412},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5973183,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"> Nowhere in particular.","attachment":null,"posted":1712623302},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5973190,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973168
>State Security Service","attachment":null,"posted":1712623892},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5973216,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973168
>> State Security Service","attachment":null,"posted":1712625575},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5973312,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973168
>> State Security Service","attachment":null,"posted":1712630701},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5973622,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":">>5973190
>>5973216
>>5973312
Awake and Writing!","attachment":null,"posted":1712670425},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5973626,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":"Ah of course, The State Security Service. A secret organization known to many in Ostania as the brutal Secret Police. They exist as a force for their own perceived justice. Striking down dissenters and those who would try to besmirch the name of the country.
Of course there are also those who are simply fighting under the assumption that they're doing so just to help their families, their country and it's citizens. You are one such person and your name is... your name is... Hm. I can't seem to place it right now.
If you could please Madame...
> Tell me your name?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712670930213283.png","filename":"image.psd(6).png"},"posted":1712670930},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5973632,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973626
>Eleanor Finch","attachment":null,"posted":1712672619},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5973668,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973632
Supporting","attachment":null,"posted":1712676812},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5973704,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973626
>Elizabeth Blanc","attachment":null,"posted":1712681302},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5973784,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":">>5973632
>>5973668
Alright, writing!","attachment":null,"posted":1712687902},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5973792,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":">>5973632
>>5973668
Eleanor Finch.
Ah a strong name, you walk down the halls to another interrogation. Inside is a younger man, face bruised some teeth missing. He stares straight ahead not looking at anything really.
"Hello." you say with...
> A Cold focus
> A Pleasant veneer","attachment":null,"posted":1712688356},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5973793,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973792
>A Pleasant veneer","attachment":null,"posted":1712688508},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5973796,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973792
>> A Pleasant veneer","attachment":null,"posted":1712688710},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5973804,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973792
> A Pleasant veneer","attachment":null,"posted":1712689956},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5973993,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":">>5973793
>>5973796
>>5973804
You say with a pleasant veneer a small smile on your face as you approach. This rouses the young man from his stupor as he now looks at you.
"I'm sorry for how you've been treated so far." you continue "I really wish they'd lighten up on people who come in here."
The young man tenses leaning back in his chair a bit. Choosing to not believe what you're implying. There is a grain of truth to it if you're being honest, but these people are bad you're just doing this to protect the country you care about.
"I didn't do anything." He responds
You frown "Now listen, we don't just bring anyone in here. We have good reason to suspect that you we're leaking information to Westalis that would make us look worse than we do. That's not good for keeping this peace here young man."
"You freaks deserve it! Taking people out of their homes! Beating them till they talk! You're trash you hear me?! TRASH!" he yells clearly incensed
Hmmm how to proceed...
> Continue taking it easy.
> Diplomacy has failed, put on the pressure","attachment":null,"posted":1712706686},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5973996,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973993
>> Continue taking it easy.
Give him a chance to dig his grave deeper.","attachment":null,"posted":1712706976},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5974014,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973993
>> Diplomacy has failed, put on the pressure
Hans, bring out the testicle stretcher and my boxing gloves","attachment":null,"posted":1712708463},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5974018,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">> Continue taking it easy.","attachment":null,"posted":1712708948},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5974033,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973993
>> Continue taking it easy.
if we continue to be nice eventually he’ll spill the bean","attachment":null,"posted":1712710374},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5974195,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973993
>> Continue taking it easy.
Keep it up until we need information and then continue with a pleasant attitude while performing horribly painful acts.","attachment":null,"posted":1712724201},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5974252,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973993
>> Continue taking it easy.","attachment":null,"posted":1712731565},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5974412,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":">>5973996
>>5974018
>>5974033
>>5974195
>>5974252
Taking it easy on the traitor. Writing!","attachment":null,"posted":1712757865},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5974431,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":"You smile keeping a light tone of voice. "I understand how you feel. If you would just allow me a question though?"
He stares you down
"Do you want to go to war?" You ask
The man freezes up.
"If you do the things you do, we will be plunged into another war and many like yourself will have to fight in it." you say
He panics
"We do our best to keep the peace, believe it or not we want this country to be better." you continue "Now can you please tell us everything you know and we can use it to continue making the country a safe place to be?" you ask
"I..." the man stops for a moment "A-alright."
"Good, let's take it from the top shall we?" You ask
_
You emerge from the room, gloves off, no blood on your uniform no screaming coming from inside
"Good work Finch. I don't know how you manage to stay so nice with these people." another member comments
"I think they just want what's best in their own way like we do." You respond. "We shouldn't be punishing them as harshly as we are on a first arrest."
"Quite the statement there Eleanor." You tense up as the boss approaches
"Boss!" You salute as he approaches.
"Hey now, no need to be so formal haha" he beckons you "Mind joining me in my office for a moment?"
You nod and follow him, he takes a seat by a glass window behind his desk overlooking the city.
"So Eleanor first let me say I'm glad to have you on board, your methods of interrogation have been a great shake up to this old place." he says smiling
"Of course sir, thank you sir." You respond
"But there have been certain murmurings about WISE recently that have had me nervous so I want to propose something to you." he asks
"Yes sir?" You ask confused
"Would you be willing to start a family to serve as a more active spy in the city."
...
> Sir yes sir!
> What?!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712760114944386.png","filename":"image.psd(7).png"},"posted":1712760114},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5974438,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974431
>What?!","attachment":null,"posted":1712760458},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5974459,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974431
>> What?!","attachment":null,"posted":1712763473},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5974484,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974431
> Sir yes sir!","attachment":null,"posted":1712767759},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5974497,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":">>5974459
>>5974438
Probably the more proper response. Writing.","attachment":null,"posted":1712768779},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5974521,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":""What?!" You shout
"Ahahahahaah!" The captain laughs "Sorry, I sprung that on ya pretty bluntly didn't I?" he calms down "Let me explain."
"Tensions have been rising on this side of the country and as a result people suspect that more and more individuals could be spies. We already dispatch those disguised as civilians but it's proving to not be working as often these days due to the distrust some member of populace have for us."
"So you want to send me out as a member of a family..." you continue
"To lift the suspicion that a normal member would have." HE finishes.
> Well I understand and I do have a son...
> Well I understand and I do have a daughter...
> B-but General I'm single!","attachment":null,"posted":1712771220},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5974544,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974521
>> B-but General I'm single!
The Christmas Cake option","attachment":null,"posted":1712772550},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5974565,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974521
>> B-but General I'm single!","attachment":null,"posted":1712775796},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5974592,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974521
>> B-but General I'm single","attachment":null,"posted":1712778358},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5974654,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974521
>> B-but General I'm single!","attachment":null,"posted":1712785126},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5974740,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":">>5974544
>>5974565
>>5974592
>>5974654
"B-but general I'm single!" you say
"Welp better start lookin' for a boo! HAHAHAHA!" he laughs heartily
That laugh echoes in your brain as you walk outside of the building now in your civilian clothes. You stare off into the distance, how can you even manage something like this...
_
Oh dear... well that's unfortunate. Hm... something about this story is feeling familiar. I suppose that leaves us with one more question.
> Are you a Boy
> Are you a Girl","attachment":null,"posted":1712793755},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5974754,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974740
> Are you a Boy
Chadwick Mordheim","attachment":null,"posted":1712795172},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5974760,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d2)
I'm just gonna flip a coin for my vote
> 1 boy
> 2 girl","attachment":null,"posted":1712795628},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5974764,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974740
>>5974760
> Are you a Boy","attachment":null,"posted":1712795689},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5974766,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974740
>> Are you a Boy","attachment":null,"posted":1712795830},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5974767,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974740
>> Are you a Boy","attachment":null,"posted":1712795868},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5974786,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">> Are you a Boy","attachment":null,"posted":1712799500},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5974790,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":">>5974754
>>5974760
>>5974764
>>5974766
>>5974767
>>5974786
Understood. Writing.","attachment":null,"posted":1712799746},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5974794,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":">>5974740
>>5974754
>>5974760
>>5974764
>>5974766
>>5974767
>>5974786
Ah a boy. Then allow me to ask you this.
> What powers were you given... if any?","attachment":null,"posted":1712800292},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5974826,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974794
>> What powers were you given... if any?
The power of tickles.","attachment":null,"posted":1712802826},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5974829,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974794
Hmm, thinking about what would be a good fit for a spy story, how's about the ability to make ourselves unnoticeable? Like we can project a field that interferes with other people's brains and erases our presence from their senses. So someone could be staring directly at us, but if we use our power their brain tells them 'noone's there'.
https://powerlisting.fandom.com/wiki/Imperceptibility","attachment":null,"posted":1712803056},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5974873,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974794
No powers","attachment":null,"posted":1712806909},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5975015,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974794
>time stop/slow like a sandevistan
Basically extreme reflexes","attachment":null,"posted":1712820789},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5975067,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974794
How about those reflexes from Sniper Elite? We can watch that body cam and see if we nail our target in the balls.","attachment":null,"posted":1712828314},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5975131,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":">>5975015
>>5975067
Hi I'm awake, these two concepts seem familiar I'm willing to combine them both if anons are cool with that.","attachment":null,"posted":1712842068},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5975132,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975131
yes","attachment":null,"posted":1712842300},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5975347,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975131
Yep","attachment":null,"posted":1712862875},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5975382,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975131
ye","attachment":null,"posted":1712865922},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5975425,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"This quest looks pretty interesting, can't wait to see what sort of time slowing/eagle eyed powers our little junior will have.
also
>>5974544
My man","attachment":null,"posted":1712869408},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5975440,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Also Samuel has to go ask Twilight how he managed to acquire his family for tips... Although his response would just be ''Go to a shady orphanage for the kid, as for the wife... Just randomly stumble into them.''","attachment":null,"posted":1712870958},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5975530,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":"I will be doing some posts tonight folks. Forgive me I had a dentist appointment and was waiting for some more responses and a bunch of lovely folks showed up so.","attachment":null,"posted":1712878217},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5975595,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975530
Good teeth are the backbone of any good agent","attachment":null,"posted":1712881998},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5975633,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Oh by the way, how early are we in SxF? Like, has Anya just joined Eden or are we like months into the school year?","attachment":null,"posted":1712884498},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5975985,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":">>5975530
That was a lie, my bad folks. I wasn't supposed to be but it was. We will get back to it today.
>>5975633
I'm thinking of the objectively most optimal time which is like right before the initial meetings and entry but before the entrance exams. So it genuinely is like even more down to the wire than Lloid and Yor. Sort of emphasize the actual insanity of the request.","attachment":null,"posted":1712925439},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5976069,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975985
Samuel needs a raise","attachment":null,"posted":1712937374},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5976120,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":">>5975015
>>5975067
>>5975132
>>5975347
>>5975382
>>5975425
Alright, I'm back Writing!","attachment":null,"posted":1712944005},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5976122,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":">>5975015
>>5975067
>>5975132
>>5975347
>>5975382
>>5975425
Ah just a boy are you? I see, I'm sorry to hear that you've been on your own... that power of yours as well...
I can only hope you haven't had to use it often, if at all. But quite honestly that's a bit too dark for us at the moment. You're currently...
> Playing in the backyard (Athletic)
> Reading and Writing stories (Academic)","attachment":null,"posted":1712944367},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5976131,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976122
>Playing in the backyard","attachment":null,"posted":1712945280},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5976141,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976122
>> Playing in the backyard (Athletic)
Reading is for NERDS!","attachment":null,"posted":1712947028},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5976145,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976122
> Playing in the backyard (Athletic)
Use it to catch fish and flies to catch more fish","attachment":null,"posted":1712947722},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5976150,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976122
>> Reading and Writing stories (Academic)
I think the boy being more cool and academic compared to Anya would be neat","attachment":null,"posted":1712948969},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5976195,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":">>5976131
>>5976141
>>5976145
This wins! Writing!","attachment":null,"posted":1712953561},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5976198,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":">>5976131
>>5976141
>>5976145
>>5976150
You're currently bouncing a ball of the wall outside of the orphanage. You continually take notice of it's approach as you see it slow. You easily move out of the way and grab it with one hand. You sigh.
"This is boring..." you sit down on the floor looking at other kids wandering around playing different games. You hate times like this, it causes you to remember everything that came before.
"I'm gonna go to bed." You begin to wander back into the orphanage. As you pass, you feel the eyes of the other orphans on you. Things have been odd since the pink hair girl left, things seem different more kid want to find homes and leave. You feel the same obviously, you're like 6.
There's a commotion at the front door... a family???
_
You are Agent Samuel Neumann, you've arrived at the orphanage that Twilight found his daughter. I mean hey if it worked once makes that it would work again right? You look and see kids to the sides all in various states of filth and dress. It's honestly pretty despicable, the drunken owner doesn't make you feel much better.
"Well you shouldn't have any trouble with any of em. Just sent a kid to a loving home last week heheheh." he croaks out
Concerning but... huh? You see a small kid standing at the end of the hallway looking at you as you approach.
> Approach the kid "Hey bud, what's your name?"
> Ignore the kid","attachment":null,"posted":1712954304},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5976203,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976198
> Approach the kid "Hey bud, what's your name?"","attachment":null,"posted":1712954918},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5976228,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976198
>Approach the kid "Hey bud, what's your name?"","attachment":null,"posted":1712956819},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5976243,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976198
>> Approach the kid "Hey bud, what's your name?"","attachment":null,"posted":1712957827},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5976302,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976198
>> Approach the kid "Hey bud, what's your name?"","attachment":null,"posted":1712965208},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5978746,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":">>5976203
>>5976228
>>5976243
>>5976302
Hey gents, there'll be a post later tomorrow! I'm workin' from the office this week so I can't post like I usually did! Good news though, after a birthday trip this weekend, I'll be free the rest of the week!","attachment":null,"posted":1713230014},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5978798,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Whew, had me worried there for a second, guess we'll have to start thinking of names for the little fella, I'm thinking... Cyril.","attachment":null,"posted":1713234220},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5978810,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978746
No worries QM","attachment":null,"posted":1713236104},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5979390,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":"Writing now!","attachment":null,"posted":1713312927},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5979396,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":""Hey bud, what's your name?" You lean down to the kid looking at you two
He stares up at you both eyes looking over you both. Seems pretty guarded, but he is the one kid that's not immediately staying away from you. You go into a squat.
"You looking for a family bud?" you ask
He stays silent, but seems to get less tense.
"You wanna take him?" the caretaker asks, clearly just wanting to get rid of him
You grimace sightly and the young man seems to notice this and he actually chuckles. You smirk, hey this might not be so hard after all. "You got a name buddy?"
_
This could be the chance you're looking for...
> What's your name?","attachment":null,"posted":1713313494},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5979403,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979396
>Cyril","attachment":null,"posted":1713314887},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5979410,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979403
support","attachment":null,"posted":1713316663},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5979625,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979396
>> What's your name?
>Vlad","attachment":null,"posted":1713334247},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5979660,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979396
>Cyril","attachment":null,"posted":1713339574},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5979666,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979396
+1 >>5979625","attachment":null,"posted":1713341166},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5981370,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979396
>cyril","attachment":null,"posted":1713537464},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5981697,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":"Hello agents! Some updates, there won't be a post tonight but I did go see pic related in theaters!
I really loved it! It's definitely a side story but it's a side story that was animated fantastically and to me felt like it moved the relationship between Loid and Yor further. While the side characters weren't too much to talk about they served their purpose well and the villain was actually pretty cool. I'd to think about where I;d put this if I decide to adapt it since it can really fit in anywhere based on what I had seen.
As for future posts, there's not going to be many this weekend! I'll be on vacation and posting from mobile isn't possible for me since I'll be out and about a lot. We'll hopefully be back Tuesday and I'll be updating the rest of the week!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713572512950764.png","filename":"image.psd(8).png"},"posted":1713572512},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5981702,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981697
Glad you liked it, gonna try and see it some time next week myself.","attachment":null,"posted":1713573169},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5982422,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981697
Side stories always give me mixed feelings. On the one hand, they are generally very well made. On the other, it is content that is not progressing the primary story and I HAVE A MIGHTY NEED.","attachment":null,"posted":1713641001},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5985418,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":"Alright agents, I'm back from vacation! We'll be back at it again tomorrow since I've spent a good amount of time recuperating from my weekend in sin city as it was.","attachment":null,"posted":1713922397},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5985673,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985418
I can't believe our commanding officer would gamble during his off period, shameful display.","attachment":null,"posted":1713938650},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5986178,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":">>5979403
>>5979410
>>5979660
It's looking like Cyril! Writing!","attachment":null,"posted":1714006010},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5986192,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":""Cyril." you say
"That's a nice name." The older man says
"Are you looking for a family?" you ask "I am too."
The older man smiles softly. "Is that so? How old are you bud?"
"Six." you respond.
He smiles "If you'd like to join a new family, I'd be glad to have you."
You nod. Before the two of you can continue walking however, two children approach in some combination of a fight and game of tag. They're about to careen into you.
> Allow yourself to stumble
> Use your quicktime","attachment":null,"posted":1714007261},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5986197,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986192
> Use your quicktime
Impress him with a flip","attachment":null,"posted":1714007781},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5986201,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986192
>Use your quicktime
Gotta assert dominance","attachment":null,"posted":1714008036},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5986210,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986192
>> Use your quicktime","attachment":null,"posted":1714008780},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5986391,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986192
>> Use your quicktime","attachment":null,"posted":1714024297},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5986594,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986192
>Use your quicktime
Just caught up. Loving it so far! It'd be funny if our family ends up the exact opposite of Loids, in that we all know each other's shit but all have the same goals of avoiding war.","attachment":null,"posted":1714057489},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5986631,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986594
Eleanor:''You're a Westalis spy!? I ought to have you arrested on the spot!''
Samuel:''But don't you want piece? I know we have our differences but we both want the same thing right?''
Eleanor:''But I have my duties as an officer to capture you... But I also have my duties as a wife as well, I'm so... Conflicted.''
Samuel:''Then follow what your heart says, Eleanor.''
Eleanor:''Oh Samuel~''
Cyril:''Can you two knock it off I have to study.''","attachment":null,"posted":1714062805},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5986638,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986631
The real drama is keeping bosses and coworkers in the dark","attachment":null,"posted":1714064345},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5986665,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986638
Billy watkins and cyril duo would make a crazy sports team","attachment":null,"posted":1714068585},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5987645,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986192
Still alive bossman? I know it's only been a couple days but with how QST is I get a bit jumpy.","attachment":null,"posted":1714186481},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5987677,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":">>5987645
Yes, sorry for the delays. Combination of getting bloodwork done and preparing for my birthday tomorrow.","attachment":null,"posted":1714190045},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5987935,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987677
You know, it's almost comical how busy you are, you had a dentist appointment, you had office work, you had a birthday trip, went to the movies and now you had bloodwork.","attachment":null,"posted":1714213271},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5989586,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":"Alright folks with birthday festivities complete, we'll be back to late night posts next week!","attachment":null,"posted":1714344135},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5990357,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":">>5986197
>>5986201
>>5986210
>>5986391
>>5986594
Writing!","attachment":null,"posted":1714438058},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5990426,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":"The entire world slows down around you. The two kids approach and in this bullet time you find yourself in you manage to weave between the both of them. As you do, they both tumble onto the floor for a moment before picking themselves up and continuing to run.
"Those were some slick moves bud." The man looking to adopt says to you soft smile on his face
Ah, you usually don't use that ability so openly. He doesn't seem to be too put off by what he saw.
"I think we can have a lot fun with moves like that at home. What do you say bud?" he asks
You sigh before smiling "I would like that a lot mister."
He smiles "Looks like we got ourselves a little family then."
"You can go ahead and take him." The caretaker slurs out
"What about paperwork." the man asks
"No need, you can get on outta here!"
"W-well alright then?" he leans down to you "Cmon, buddy."
You take his hand and begin walking out of the orphanage.
_
Looks like this family is beginning to form. But where shall we go from here? Would you like to perhaps move ahead? Maybe when the lovely couple meets properly? Or would you maybe want to stick around, maybe something dangerous could happen to this newly adopted son.
> Skip ahead
> Stay for now","attachment":null,"posted":1714441835},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5990443,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990426
>> Stay for now","attachment":null,"posted":1714442743},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5990468,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990426
>> Stay for now
Maybe whatever happens could even be what ends up putting them on her radar.","attachment":null,"posted":1714444749},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5990469,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990426
> Skip ahead
I'd prefer the dangerous thing that happens with the son to involve meeting the potential wife","attachment":null,"posted":1714444761},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5990661,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990426
> Stay for now
lets have cyril and samuel get to know each other a little more before finishing the family","attachment":null,"posted":1714473361},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5990726,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990426
>> Stay for now","attachment":null,"posted":1714486761},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5990914,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990426
>Stay for now","attachment":null,"posted":1714508273},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5995268,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"qm are you still alive","attachment":null,"posted":1714934322},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5997062,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":">>5995268
I'm trying to be","attachment":null,"posted":1715086286},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":5998836,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997062
Hope you're doing alright boss","attachment":null,"posted":1715217996},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":6003979,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":">>5990443
>>5990468
>>5990661
>>5990726
>>5990914
Writing. Sorry for the big delays I have been wiped recently.","attachment":null,"posted":1715650010},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":6004006,"name":"Commanding Officer QM","msg":">>5990443
>>5990468
>>5990661
>>5990726
>>5990914
It's been a day since you've adopted the new kid. You gotta admit, even though it's just for the mission he's grown on you, he's pretty reserved but sharp! He seems to be pretty smart for his age and he has some incredibly moves, you've seen him recover from stuff faster than even yourself sometimes, and you're a trained spy!
Right now though, you're trying to find a place to set up shop, WISE said they would front the bill but man it's hard for you to imagine where you should even live. Is there a good place? A bad place? Maybe you should shack up near Twilight? Would that be too suspicious?
"Dad." huh oh it's the kid "I'm hungry."
You notice your own stomach feeling empty "You know what? Me too, let's grab a bite to eat yeah?"
The kid smiles and you look around for some sort of restaurant.
_
You look around at the world around you, your new dad is pretty awesome so far. Granted you have no frame of reference for what a good dad even is but he's not ignoring you so that's a plus.
As the two of you walk by you both suddenly stop, you're confused but in the corner of your eye there's a glint of some sort of metal your dad clearly sees it as well.
> Let it be
> Ask him why he stopped walking.","attachment":null,"posted":1715651253},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":6004199,"name":"Hubert's Ghost","msg":">>6004006
He has risen from his grave
> Ask him why he stopped walking.","attachment":null,"posted":1715661662},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":6004215,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004006
>Ask him why he stopped walking.","attachment":null,"posted":1715662353},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":6004386,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004006
>Ask him why he stopped walking.","attachment":null,"posted":1715683992},{"board":"qst","thread":5972907,"pid":6004404,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004006
>> Ask him why he stopped walking.","attachment":null,"posted":1715686201}]}
+{"title":"Corpo Clash - Cyberpunk 2020.","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5972521,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"The smell of rotting synth-meat and stale kibble forces you conscious. It's dark, and as your hands grope around the pitch blackness, it's wet. You attempt to stand, and a resounding crash happens as you whack your head on metal.
The pain forces memories back into your head, the shooting, the car chase, hiding in this very dumpster... and who you are...
1: Corporate Netrunner. Raised in a training facility, the net's a second home to you, and you know your way around it better than meatspace.
2: MedTek Dropout. You used to be trauma team, now you're... whoever pays best. Couldn't keep up with the constantly raising deadlines and demands. Burnt you out.
3: Classic Solo. You were born out on the streets, grew up fighting. You were good enough to make a living out of it.
4: [Write-in!]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712547054730172.jpg","filename":"1.jpg"},"posted":1712547054},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5972523,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972521
>1: Corporate Netrunner. Raised in a training facility, the net's a second home to you, and you know your way around it better than meatspace","attachment":null,"posted":1712547374},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5972530,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972521
>4: [Write-in!]
>Wannabe rocker boy/girl: Your sound is unique, your style is preem, and this isn't just a phase!","attachment":null,"posted":1712547696},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5972541,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972521
>
2: MedTek Dropout. You used to be trauma team, now you're... whoever pays best. Couldn't keep up with the constantly raising deadlines and demands. Burnt you out.","attachment":null,"posted":1712548251},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5972546,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972521
>Classic solo, out to make his name. No job too big, even if we bite off more than we can chew. Loud is nice, quiet is nicer, and name is everything.","attachment":null,"posted":1712548629},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5972549,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972521
>3: Classic Solo. You were born out on the streets, grew up fighting. You were good enough to make a living out of it.
Lets go!!","attachment":null,"posted":1712548830},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5972583,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972521
>Console Cowboy: Born on the streets, now you do jobs on the Net for the highest bidder. You don't ask questions, and that's the way they like it.
Come on, we gotta do a Neuromancer run.","attachment":null,"posted":1712551792},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5972623,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972521
>3: Classic Solo. You were born out on the streets, grew up fighting. You were good enough to make a living out of it.","attachment":null,"posted":1712553924},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5972645,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972521
>2: MedTek Dropout. You used to be trauma team, now you're... whoever pays best. Couldn't keep up with the constantly raising deadlines and demands. Burnt you out.
I was just thinking about a ripperdoc quest","attachment":null,"posted":1712554315},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5972727,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972521
>2: MedTek Dropout. You used to be trauma team, now you're... whoever pays best. Couldn't keep up with the constantly raising deadlines and demands. Burnt you out.
Nice quest potential!","attachment":null,"posted":1712564700},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5972801,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972521
2: MedTek Dropout. You used to be trauma team, now you're... whoever pays best. Couldn't keep up with the constantly raising deadlines and demands. Burnt you out.
This would be fun just for the meming","attachment":null,"posted":1712574765},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5972866,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972645
>>5972727
>>5972801
Cranial bruising, muscle damage. Concussion... A thousand aches across your body remind you of your training. You force-reboot your optics and biomon, hoping to get more information.
>ERROR: Kang Tao 525-AB Biomonitor is DAMAGED and unable to boot.
>ERROR: Kiroshi Optical Drivers are out of date! This may seriously impair vision, cognative function, insurance rates...
>ERROR. ERROR. ERROR.
None of your chrome seems to be working at fully capacity. The red warnings flash on your peripherals. Fuck. You could try to run more diagnostics, sitting in this feotid trash... or take a lay of the land and figure it out later.
>1: Try to climb out of the garbage and see where you are, try to get a clearer picture of what happened.
>2: Check your pockets to see if you're still carrying iron... or anything else, for that matter.
>3: Run an indepth diagnostic, and try to force your chrome to work at 100%
>4: [Write-in]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712584325887446.png","filename":"Screenshot_871.png"},"posted":1712584325},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5972869,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972866
>think about how preem it'd be to have a platinum trauma team package
And then
>run a diagnostic, but don't try and force our chrome on, you've seen one too many cases of a choom frying their nervous system trying to overclock their own Augs to not fuck around with yours without a ripper on standby","attachment":null,"posted":1712585006},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5972884,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972866
>3: Run an indepth diagnostic, and try to force your chrome to work at 100%
Curse those bastards at TT management once more while we’re at it","attachment":null,"posted":1712587176},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5972934,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972866
>1: Try to climb out of the garbage and see where you are, try to get a clearer picture of what happened.
Unsanitary. How long have we been in this shitheap? Scav behaviour.","attachment":null,"posted":1712595342},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5972949,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972869
You used to have one - back when you worked there. Nice bonus for the few moment you were off duty. Oh well. Gone now.
>BOOTING DIAGNOSV4 - UNLICENSED VERSION! UPGRADE TO PAID VERSION FOR MORE FEATURES!
The company behind the soft' went bust a year ago. Everyone with the paid version got fried a couple days later. Good thing you didn't upgrade.
-RUN DIAGNOSTIC
>Are you sure you want to do this?
>DIAGNOSTICS CAN RESULT IN REDUCED COGNITION, SHORTNESS OF BREATH, REDUC-
-I agree to the EULA and all risks.
>RUNNING DIAGNOSTIC.
>SCANNING.
>SCANNING.
>SCANNING.
>Kiroshi Optics Drivers - One version behind. Download update from net? Select here for risks of net downloa-
-Next.
>KT525-AB has severe power failure, overheating, failure to connect. Cause unknown. Disconnect?
>Renal Filters running at reduced efficiency - 15%. Cause: Shattered housing. Percussive damage 90% likely to be cause. Seek medical attention.
Well, fuck. That's not good. Heavy damage.
>>5972934
Yeah. You probably should climb out of this foetid heap, if you're as bad as it seems. Looking down at yourself as you haul yourself, slowly and painfully, out of the garbage can and into a heap on the floor.
Your clothes - nothing notable. Some light armour, regular civvies - are bloodsoaked and torn. A couple gunshot wounds. What the fuck happened?
The alleyway is empty, strewn with trash. It's shadowy from the megablocks nearby, but it seems to be midday. A few cars drive past the alley's mouth, and someone honks.
..now what?
>1: Check your pockets.
>2: Visually assess the damage you've taken.
>3: Wander out into the street.
>4: [Writein]
>5: Try to download that driver update for your optics. You'd assume your ICE is fried though, so it'd be risky.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712596354873791.png","filename":"Screenshot_872.png"},"posted":1712596354},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5972974,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972949
>1: Check your pockets.
>2: Visually assess the damage you've taken.
Gunshot wounds? Check for entry/exit wounds, try and recall how we got dumpstered. Failing kidneys... we're on limited time here boys","attachment":null,"posted":1712598693},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5973007,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972974
seconded.","attachment":null,"posted":1712603249},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5973098,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972974
Support.","attachment":null,"posted":1712614173},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5973121,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5972974
>>5973007
>>5973098
Deep breath. You're fine. It hurts, a dull ache all over, but now you've got nearly fresh air in your lungs, your faculties are starting to come back under control.
Your shirt - an old tanktop with "Visit the Sunny Pacific Coast" with an unrecognizable mascot beneath - is torn apart. A militech ballistic harness sits over the top, a couple patches sewn on. In it's main pouch, you can see the outline of a pistol - something you intrinsically know to be an Armali - no, *your* Armalite-44. A weapon you're familiar with. Adeptly unholstering it, the weight tells you it's fully loaded. You put it back.
Another pouch has a shattered inhaler in it. The coded label on the top is meaningless to anyone else, but a trauma team 'medic - like you - would know that it indicates it's a 50% speedheal and 50% Syncomp mix. A general use medical 'hypo, popular among mercenaries.
Shaking it a little, you figure that whatever wasn't drained must've evaporated.
Last pouch is empty - but your pocket, a regular jean pocket - has a burner cell. It's a bit damaged, but still works.
You stow it back away and heave the rest off, checking yourself over. Bruising on what seems like most of your body, a slice on your upper shoulder and worst of all, two gunshot wounds. Abdominal wounds. Medium calibre, it seems. Must've been from a rifle or something. A mix of bloodclot and badly applied synthskin stops them from bleeding, but as you probe it with your fingers a thin trickle of blood leaks out. Ouch.
The diagnostic told you those bullets did hit your kidneys. Not good. Plus... You run your hands across your head, not finding any noticable damage... something's clearly wrong with your head. You're struggling to remember how you got here. Not a heavy drinker... so... must've been dumped here? Left for dead?
>1: Check the phone to jog your memory.
>2: Shoot a couple of empty bottles down the alleyway, test your hand-eye coordination.
>3: Wander out into the street.
>4: Call 911 for help.
>5: Write-in.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712617126742075.png","filename":"Screenshot_873.png"},"posted":1712617126},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5973146,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973121
>1: Check the phone to jog your memory.
We need eddies. Hopefully we have some.","attachment":null,"posted":1712619756},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5973182,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973121
>>1: Check the phone to jog your memory.","attachment":null,"posted":1712623208},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5973185,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973121
>1: Check the phone to jog your memory.","attachment":null,"posted":1712623569},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5973265,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973146
>>5973182
>>5973185
The passphrase on the cellphone pops into your mind instantly, like a light at sea. 5626. 20 new messages from someone called... Danny Diode. Of course! Your fixer.
>WHERE ARE YOU
>scanners are lit up choom!!!
>are you literally fckn dead wtf
>stop ignoring me u fucking gonk.
>did u get zeroed man
...and so on. Last one...
>say when you see something. if ur not flatlined. wont wire u the edds til then k?
...Was 18 hours ago. So you probably haven't been here that long.
Scrolling back through the messages, memories flood back. You were on a job. You, two solos. Some media-journo type doing a story about the true solo life. Hitting.. - you scratch your head, eyes scanning over old messages... - a gang? It was part of some gang war. We were out to aven-
>u good choom? if ur still nearby gtfo. nixxes looking for you. make an example.
The message pops up, from Danny - he must've seen that you'd logged in.
[Inventory:]
>Phone.
>Armalite-44.
>A crushed inhaler.
[ Actions:]
>1: Respond to the text.
>2: Leave the alleyway, look around.
>3: Try to contact the others from your crew.
>4: Use something from your inventory.
>5: [Write-in. ]","attachment":null,"posted":1712627931},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5973280,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973265
>1: Respond to the text.
“Danny, where’s my exfil?!”","attachment":null,"posted":1712628688},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5973289,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973265
>2: Leave the alleyway, look around.
When a man says to GTFO it's best to GTFO.","attachment":null,"posted":1712629263},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5973379,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973265
>1: Respond to the text.
"I just woke up in a dumpster with lead in my renals. No clue what the fuck happened, but I need a ripper that won't snitch."","attachment":null,"posted":1712636309},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5973457,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973379
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1712644294},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5973589,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973379
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1712663346},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5973808,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973589
>>5973457
>>5973379
>>5973280
You sent the text. "I just woke up in a dumpster with lead in my renals. No clue what the fuck happened, but I need a ripper that won't snitch."
Instantly, Diode's reply appears.
"dude we've worked 2gthr since before u were at tt. ofc ill sort u out. in little europe. near the library."
So you've got somewhere to go.
Another message pops up.
"the nixxes still looking 4 you. like i say, want to make an example. others are flatlined. u must've really riled them up. cant help til ur out of the area. good luck choom"
So, you're alone. At least he can help you once you're out, but you've got an angry gang to deal with. The nixxes... you must be in South NC, right? You seem to remember that they're a, posergang, right? The nixxes... Shit.
You shake your head hard, trying to clear the brainfog. It works, a little. You went into their bar, the Watergate... if you're close, it's about 10 blocks to Little Europe. If you're close.
You feel... well, not bad, really. Considering you're almost certainly going to die in the next few days, without help. A dull ache all over, and a bit of pain when you move.
[Inventory:]
>Phone.
>Armalite-44.
>A crushed inhaler.
[ Actions:]
>1: Call 911. Hopefully Trauma Team can help. Even if you can't afford it.
>2: Search the alleyway for... something.
>3: Leave the alleyway, look around.
>4: Try to contact the others from your crew.
>5: Use something from your inventory.
>6: [Write-in. ]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712690368913255.jpg","filename":"maxresdefault.jpg"},"posted":1712690368},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5973825,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973808
2 let's see whats laying around","attachment":null,"posted":1712691759},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5973858,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973808
>4: Try to contact the others from your crew.
>6: [Write-in. ]
Check our balance, maybe we can afford a cab.","attachment":null,"posted":1712695078},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5973920,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973808
>Call CombatCab to make sure we get to the library.","attachment":null,"posted":1712700348},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5973944,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973808
>3: Leave the alleyway, look around.
Others are flatlined. Might as well find out where we are before we go looking for their corpses.","attachment":null,"posted":1712703124},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5973970,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973808
Support >>5973920","attachment":null,"posted":1712704976},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5973981,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973825
>>5973858
>>5973920
The world comes into focus around you, a plan of action tentatively forming.
Check if any of your buddies ended up here, check if you can call a cab, relax and cruise to the end point. Pray the Nixxes don't catch you. Easy.
Okay then, step one. 26 eddies, and 43 ennies. 27 eurodollars, being generous. Piss, you've enough to get to the end of the road, maybe.
Step two... The alleyway's mostly trash. Rotting black bags. But your eyes pick out a man-shape in the rot, slumped against the garbage can you woke up in. Someone in fatigues, mostly stained a dark bloody brown.
It is - was - one of the Solos you hit the Nixxes with. You never caught his name.
Tentatively poking your head out of the alley, the road's busy. A couple pedestrians walking on the opposite side of the street. Traffic's at a standstill - 20 metres down the road, a large truck's parked across both lanes. Five men in ill-fitting suits are gathered around the front car, shouting and arguing with the occupants. Gangoons - the NIxxes. You duck back in before they see you.
So... no cab, then. And if meathead over there's dead, chances are the others are too.
[Inventory:]
>Phone.
>Armalite-44.
>A crushed inhaler.
[Actions:]
>Write-in.
>Use an item.
>Write-in...
>Go out onto the street, quiet-like.
>Start shooting. Fuck those gangoons! [Watch your ammo, choom.]
>Search him for something useful.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712705714873709.jpg","filename":"19a31bad22e53667ba2abdff018fa4d9.jpg"},"posted":1712705714},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5973994,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973981
>Search him for something useful.
We still got our stuff. Let's hoping he has something on him too.","attachment":null,"posted":1712706697},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5974053,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Search him, drag him out of view if need be
>Look for a window, fire-escape, door, or low wall we can get out of the alley from","attachment":null,"posted":1712712343},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5974077,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973981
>>5974053
support","attachment":null,"posted":1712714056},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5974202,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974053
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1712724500},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5974373,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974053
Supporting this is a good plan of action.","attachment":null,"posted":1712751752},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5974523,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973981
Supporting >>5974053","attachment":null,"posted":1712771265},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5974557,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974053
>>5974077
>>5974202
>>5974373
You crouch behind the dumpster, shoving your hand into one of his pockets.
Perfect timing. A suited man walks past, an enormous gun slung over his shoulder. He's looking out at the street, doesn't glance in your direction.
Your hand closes around something large, metal. Heavy. Fishing it out, it's a shiny metal cylinder with a lasercut Araska logo on it. White Phosphorus grenade - a nice find.
There's little else on him - some ruined banknotes, about 50 eddies. But nobody's gonna accept them with that many bulletholes in them - it goes in your pocket anyway.
At the mouth of the alley, there's a fire escape leading up the side of Apartment block - a story or so up, the drop-ladder's probably rusted in place, likely never used.
Waiting for it to be clear, you walk down under it and try to clamber up the walls.
> [Roll - 12 Failure.]
You can't reach it. What were you expecting? To clamber up a flat brick wall with no appropriate augs? Big surprise.
You hear more shouting from the street. A single gunshot, then the revving of engines and screaming.
[Inventory:]
>Phone.
>Armalite-44.
>A crushed inhaler.
>White Phosphorus Grenade
>50 bucks of wrecked notes.
[Actions:]
>Try to clamber up the wall again. Maybe you'll learn to fly.
>See what's going on outside.
>Try to get the fire escape ladder down somehow. (Describe how.)
>Use an item.
>Write-in.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712774274420319.png","filename":"Screenshot_878.png"},"posted":1712774274},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5974567,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"50 torn-up eddies & 26 in good condition?
>Look for a window to break into OR
>Bite the bullet & shoot down the fire escape","attachment":null,"posted":1712775933},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5974680,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974557
>See what's going on outside.
Someone's getting shot, and it's not us. Best keep our head low and see what's happening.","attachment":null,"posted":1712787156},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5974732,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974557
>See what's going on outside.
Might be our lucky day. Yesterday certainly wasn't.","attachment":null,"posted":1712792447},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5974774,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974557
Supporting >>5974567","attachment":null,"posted":1712796923},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5974778,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974557
>See what's going on outside.
We should be ready to toss our war crimes grenade","attachment":null,"posted":1712798084},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5974927,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974567
50 in torn up currency, 26 in your account. Easily accessible.
>>5974680
>>5974732
>>5974774
>>5974778
You walk out onto the street. The street's backed up with traffic, a couple brave people have got out and are shouting towards the obstruction - the truck's still there, and a bystander's dead infront of it. A group - three or four - gangoons are stood around, laughing.
"Yeah? Still want us to move, choom? Hahaha!"
"I told you I wan't no crook, gonk!"
On your right, the Nixx that walked past. He's leant up against a railing that divides the road from the sidewalk 'suggesting' that one of the disgruntled commuters gets back into his car before his head paints the street.
The closer look awakens some more memories - He's wearing an ill fitted suit, a frankenstein assault rifle hanging from a sling across his torso. No visible chrome. The goon's face is the most notable element: He, like every Nixx, has modelled themselves on President Richard Nixon, their faces altered to match his. The perimeter of his face, and the back of his head, are a mess of surgical scars, making up the only evidence that he wasn't born with incredible jowls and a weirdly wide nose.
The memories settle in your head. The Elvises - another posergang - were your clients. You walked into their bar, shot their master-of-arms in the face and... well, now you're here. The sole survivor.
You've probably got a few seconds before the Nixx notices you, and if he shoots or shouts - the others will notice too.
Tick tock, choom.
[Inventory:]
>Phone.
>Armalite-44.
>A crushed inhaler.
>White Phosphorus Grenade
>50 bucks of wrecked notes.
[Actions:]
>Flight - try to backup back into the alley, hope he won't notice.
>Freeze - maybe he'll think you're a hobo?
>Flatline these bastards. (What're you doing, exactly?)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712813794027365.png","filename":"Screenshot_882.png"},"posted":1712813794},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5974971,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974927
>toss the phospherous grenade at the crowd of three/four gangoons
if its a smoke grenade theyll be too confused to try and flatline us, if its an incendiary grenade even better
>back away down the opposite side of the street, hand on gun and looking for any sort of cover on the street if things backfire
am thinking the distraction from the grenade should be enough to fully slip by them down the street, if not then we take cover and start blasting (god help us)","attachment":null,"posted":1712816309},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5975049,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974927
Turn the other direction, walk fast, get something between you and the gang, preferably a building.","attachment":null,"posted":1712826200},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5975057,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974927
>Draw our Armalite, aim carefully, pop him in the head.
>Sprint behind a car and hope they don't immediately identify that it was us that popped their buddy (or took a shot at him, if we missed). Toss the warcrime grenade into the midst of the group of 4 gangoons.","attachment":null,"posted":1712827435},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5975090,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974971
>>5975057
+1 to either of these","attachment":null,"posted":1712833319},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5975110,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974927
>Just walk away with confidence & purpose, putting anything solid between you & them, but keep the grenade ready to throw.","attachment":null,"posted":1712839981},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5975236,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974971
>>5975049
>>5975057
>>5975090
>>5975110
You take a step away, ready to slink back into the shadows when a pang of renal pain stops you... Fuck it, better to end up in the Afterlife than bleed out in a slightly different alleyway.
You're a Medtek, of course. Saving lives is what you're good at - but that doesn't mean you're not good at taking them too. The Armalite-44's in your hand near instantly, the well-practiced draw making you smirk slightly.
The argumentative civilian your target was debating with sees you, his sudden silence tipping the Nixx off. But too late.
The crack of the Heavy Pistol echoed off the walls. In a shocking cliche, the world seemed to slow as the action cycled. You saw the Nixx turning, slowly, with the round catching him nearly exactly on the squamosal suture, by your reckoning. His eyes widened, the only reaction he was capable of... Time caught up, the entire farside of his head blew out, splattering the street. A fist-size chunk of skull shattered a window, and he dropped before the echoes even stopped.
No time to waste, you pivot towards the group, left leg sliding back - matching arm already clutching the grenade. You're in something of a boxer's stance, but with your left arm dropped to waist height.
The feet stay planted as you rotate your torso clockwise, grenade-arm swinging outward from centrifugal force. At the apex of it's swing, you let your hand loose - the cylinder flies out on a flat arc towards the group. Not a perfect throw by any means, but having never played 'ball, you just threw in a way that felt right
[Roll - 9. ???.]
You don't see where it lands - the moment it leaves your hand, you're moving again. Over the dividing barrier, leaping behind a car. Your peripheral lights up bright white, someone begins to scream. The car's rear window shatters, spraying reinforced glass over you. It doesn't cut.
"Let us move from the era of confrontation, to the era of blowing your fuckin' head wide open!" you hear one bellow. Any following words are drowned out by gunfire; that you're thankfully protected from; that shreds a few cars behind you; that might tell you how many are left, if you even got any.
[Inventory:]
>Phone.
>Armalite-44.
>A crushed inhaler.
>White Phosphorus Grenade
>50 bucks of wrecked notes.
[Actions:]
>Wait behind the evidently armoured car, try to gain intel. (What are you trying to learn?)
>Return fire, blind.
>Take up a decent firing position to return fire.
>Try to parlay.
>Write-in.","attachment":null,"posted":1712853518},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5975304,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975236
>Listen and watch carefully. We won't be able to discern their movements from footsteps with the civilians no doubt scrambling about. Instead, listen for them communicating their movements or where each burst of gunfire comes from. Watch to see if they shoot at random fleeing civilians.
>If they don't shoot at the civvies, then holster our gun and wrap up, try and look like a panicked hobo. Flee with the rest of the civvies down some other alley or through a building that leads to a parallel street. Then head to the library. If they do shoot civvies, shoot at the Nixxes whose location we've got a good bead on from our listening.","attachment":null,"posted":1712859172},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5975458,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975236
>Take up a decent firing position to return fire.","attachment":null,"posted":1712872896},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5975481,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975236
Very well written description here, & I love the concept of Richard Nixon devotees as a cyborg cult-gang.
>Crawl under cars backwards away from the shooters; if any come into view, Allah forgive me for uttering this - give them a taste of our big iron; aim for the head & knees","attachment":null,"posted":1712874943},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5976049,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975481
Thanks, anon! I'm trying my best with the writing. It's my first quest, so I wanna do it right.
>>5975236
Mistake - inventory is wrong. You used the phosphorus grenade.
>>5975304
>>5975458
>>5975481
Engines are revving, someone is still screaming in agony, and their guns are loud - you can't hear them, if they're talking.
The stuck traffic is now trying to get the fuck out with shit hitting the fan. A lot of them have gleft their cars entirely, running down the street away from the Nixxes. The gangoons seem to be moving up on both sides, judging from the arc of fire - a few rounds are flying over your head now, rather than hitting the cabin.
You know there's at least two enemies, then. One on each side. It could be three - you can only hear one person screaming. But you might've got more than one. Or maybe it's a bystander... Fuck.
"There could be two but could be four" - nice deduction. You're basically blind, perfect situation for planning. They're not shooting civilians, but they know you're behind this car. No chance to pretend you're a random. Fight or flee.
You scrabble across the floor to get under the previous car. It's a civvie-model Militech-HMMWV Hummer. Heavily armoured, quad-directional tear gas dispenser, 20 minute internal air supply. Yes, the civilian model - and the driver's sat inside. Nearly under this truck, a gunshot sounds close behind you. Asphalt sprays up and you roll onto your back, kicking against the road to push you further under the vehicle. The Nixx drops into a crouch, bracing their gun and dialing in their aim - but you shoot first.
[Roll - 16. Success.]
Bang, bang. Two shots - the first blows his lower left arm clean off, and the barrel drops as it's no longer suported. The second hits his clavicle, throwing him backwards without most of his upper torso.
Gunfire comes from the right side, hitting the Hummer's tire, but you continue to scrabble back, emerging from under the rear of the car. It's tall enough that you could stand up and return fire.
You've fired three shots. 5 left.
[Inventory:]
>Phone.
>Armalite-44.
>A crushed inhaler.
>50 bucks of wrecked notes.
[Actions:]
>Continue to scrabble backwards, under the next car and the next until you're at an advantagious position. Or they catch up and simply shoot you as you're rolling around on the floor.
>Stand up, hope the Hummer doesn't reverse over you and start firing.
>Write-in.
[Picrel is a badly drawn map - you don't know where the enemies are, so they're not on there. If they would be on there. Hope it's helpful in visualizing the area.]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712935230068202.png","filename":"tegaki.png"},"posted":1712935230},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5976062,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976049
>yell "GRENADE!", toss the broken inhaler at the nearest group of nixxies and use the distraction to back away
will make for a good story if we get out of this alive","attachment":null,"posted":1712936280},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5976068,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976049
>Stand up, hope the Hummer doesn't reverse over you and start firing.","attachment":null,"posted":1712937316},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5976070,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976049
>Continue to scrabble backwards, under the next car and the next until you're at an advantagious position. Or they catch up and simply shoot you as you're rolling around on the floor.
Our least bad option I think","attachment":null,"posted":1712937442},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5976098,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976049
>Stand up, hope the Hummer doesn't reverse over you and start firing.","attachment":null,"posted":1712941224},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5976259,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976062
This but instead of running away, start shooting.","attachment":null,"posted":1712959339},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5976555,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976068
>>5976098
[Roll - 3. Failure.]
Preparing to reposition, you fish out the inhaler and toss it over the Hummer with a shout of "GRENADE!" - you stand up and turn the corner to the long-side of the vehicle as you throw, seeing two gangoons through the car window. One hurls himself behind a piece of street furnature - a phone booth. The other, unfortunately, decides to take cover by leaping over the Hummer's hood - putting him directly infront of you.
He's faster. You're raising your gun, but his was already there.
Whrump! - like lightning, his pistol cracks. Hot agony, too bad to know where it came from. As you drop, your finger tightens around the trigger. An instinct.
[Roll - 18.]
His bloodied eyes fly towards you as the rest of his face is ejected backwards through the back of his skull. A lucky shot. You're slumped against the hummer, barely able to keep your eyes open. Fresh blood's covering your chest, and slight movement is agony. Shattered bone scraping on shattered bone reminds you of nails on a chalkboard, but infinitely more awful. The iron taste is overwhelming.
Not dead yet. Your Armalite's still in your hand, clutched in a death grip. Your heart beat is louder than anything you've ever heard.
[Actions:]
>Write-in.
>Let the light take you.","attachment":null,"posted":1712992369},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5976572,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976555
>rip a big piece of cloth from gangoons clothing, apply it to wound area, keep pressing down on it as you make an exit
we're good as dead, this is the only thing thatll give us a marginal chance of surviving","attachment":null,"posted":1712995758},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5976633,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976555
>Write-in.
Stagger to the nearest corpse, search it for any kind of hypo to keep you on your feet","attachment":null,"posted":1713008628},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5976642,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976555
>Call Trauma Team. We'll sell our soul for our life. Eternal debt just for another tomorrow.
Nice trips.","attachment":null,"posted":1713010400},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5976733,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"+1 to all 3^; tourniquet/bandage, then hypo, then trauma team","attachment":null,"posted":1713021122},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5976941,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"another + on the bandage, but screw Trauma Team, death is more financially sound","attachment":null,"posted":1713042265},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5977007,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976572
>>5976633
+1 to both of these, but do the hypo AFTER we kill the last guy.","attachment":null,"posted":1713049339},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5977055,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976572
>>5976633
>>5976642
>>5976733
>>5976941
>>5977007
You crawl. On your hands and knees. Inch by agonizing inch, heartbeat like a drum. Your vision's swimming, the shock to your body causing everything to glitch out. Error messages flash in your eyes as tears-and-blood well up on the surface.
Your hands, blindly grasping, feel cloth and blood and chrome. You blink away the tears, the blood, the error messages to see his body under you - headless. Pockets are full of shit, you toss it to the side - then his chest shatters. Explodes into meat chunks. You don't even hear the gunshots, but just fall back onto your ass. Awkwardly rolling and crawling away. It goes dark as a shadow is cast over you. His silhouette looms over you.
Error messages clear, systems-go-green pops in your peripheral.
>Kiroshi Optics Emergency Usage Activated - €$50,000 fee added to your account.You're welcome!
It identifies his gun, the ammo used. His name - Kenny Midelejko - and a thousand other bits of useless information appears and vanishes.
(Cont.)","attachment":null,"posted":1713054821},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5977079,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977055
He has his gun squarely on you. One twitch and you're dead. All the information isn't helpful.
A single second ticks by. Your grip slackens, and the gun starts to slip from your hand...
[Roll - 16. Very marginal success.]
His finger tightens and he steps forward - you feel the cold barrel press against your head.
"Not ba-" The final, final hurrah. You squeeze your hand into a fist, pulling the trigger flat against the frame.
CRAK! He crumples ontop of you, half-grunting and half squealing, fist-sized hole in his leg. The barrel slips off your head and fires a burst inches from your ear. It's the last thing you hear clearly - ringing drowns out even the thudding of your heart.
He's ontop of your legs, still alive. Desperately trying to wrestle his rifle into a position to end this. You fire your pistol again, missing - he lunges for it, but you fire again and catch his arm; blowing it clean off; sending him tumbling to your right, between you and the Hummer.
[Roll - 15. Success.]
The Nixx tries to kick you, but can't muster up the energy, so he tries to stop the blood. You watch his surgically-altered face twist into panic, then fear. He looks tired, blinking longer. The tension leaves his body, his remaining arm goes limp and his head bows sideward, resting on the concrete. Dead.
You can't move, you can't hear. Lacking the energy to move your head, you stare at his body through a mist of blood, sweat and tears. The text from your optics is too blurry to make out...
[Actions:]
>Refuse to die...
>Rest your eyes...","attachment":null,"posted":1713056054},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5977092,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977079
>Refuse to die...","attachment":null,"posted":1713057104},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5977148,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977079
>Refuse to die...
Death doesn't pay the bills, and we all know default is worse than death.","attachment":null,"posted":1713060903},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5977344,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977079
>Refuse to die...","attachment":null,"posted":1713074273},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5977367,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977079
>Refuse to die...","attachment":null,"posted":1713076136},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5977520,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977092
>>5977148
>>5977344
>>5977367
You refuse to close your eyes. You will not die here, at the hands of some fucking Richard Nixon cosplayers. Not today. Everything is screaming, every cell in your body begging you to rest. Your abdomen feels like it's on fire, your upper chest feels like it's made of sandpaper rubbing on raw flesh.
Cell. Your cell. Your gun drops from your hand, and you reach - so slowly, so agonizingly slowly - for the cell phone. It felt like hours, but you have it in your hand. Bloody and slippery, it takes all you've got not to drop it.
9...
You try wiping some of the blood off...
1...
Your hand spasms, but you don't drop it.
1...
It slips out of your hand. The tinny voice of the dispatcher is audible, but you can't make anything out over the ringing.
The edges of your vision start to go black...
Suddenly, the triumphant the roar of an AV engine cuts through the ringing in your ears... Armoured men you can percieve make out surround you. You hear shouting, alarms, maybe even a few gunshots... It all sounds so distant now.
You fall unconscious - finally - as you're hoisted into the AV, stimulants and chemical cocktails pump into you - not that you're aware. Your heart is restarted several times. It's a tough fight to keep you going.
Whether you ultimately flatline or not, you made it out of that street and left those bastards dead behind you. A phyrric victory, but a victory anyway.
[Quest complete.]
Thanks anons for playing. This was my first quest, and I hope it decent. Any constructive criticism or pointers are appreciated!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713101588887707.png","filename":"Screenshot_893.png"},"posted":1713101588},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5977536,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"That was badass, really well written & the endpoint is appropriate (maybe we died, or maybe we're indebted/impoverished for the rest of our lives in this dystopia of greed). Were the Nixxies an original gang? Have you lurked for awhile or did an ad catch your interest for this board? Looking forward to whatever you run next. Be sure to archive this with Suptg","attachment":null,"posted":1713103406},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5977556,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977536
Thanks, anon! Really appreciate it.
I hang around on /tg/ but never looked at this board. Popped on the day I started this quest, looked at a couple others to get the idea, then immediately made my own - hence why it's kinda rules-lite and sorta arbitrarily rolling (I did genuinely roll a dice though! Just irl.)
Nixxes are an original gang, although similar kinds of gangs exist in the universe. Just none modelled on Nixon!","attachment":null,"posted":1713105565},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5977596,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977520
very nice. im imagining a proper cp2020 quests with character sheets and dice rolls and the likes.","attachment":null,"posted":1713108779},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5977674,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977520
Very well done for a first quest, thanks for your efforts! A finished quest is a great quest around these parts, I salute you","attachment":null,"posted":1713114518},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5977788,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977596
i will probably do that fairly soon!","attachment":null,"posted":1713126000},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5978293,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977788
if you cant think of much for an adventure you can just take one of the adventurebooks from 2020 and use those","attachment":null,"posted":1713175390},{"board":"qst","thread":5972521,"pid":5994949,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Followup or another Qst forthcoming QM?","attachment":null,"posted":1714890824}]}
+{"title":"Containment Quest","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5973303,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"It is the dawn of the 24th Century.
A hundred years ago, mankind believe his destiny lay among the stars. But when he reached his hands beyond the heliopause with his first colony ship, he invited calamity into his world. Titans fell from beyond the stars and scored the surface of the Earth. With them came a terrible plague that scientists named the White Chlorination Syndrome, a near certain death sentence spread by salt that fell like snow. Those who fell ill became salt themselves, or else twisted into red-eyed demons that joined into rapacious hordes of marauders ravaging the lands.
Oh, and a fraction of a percent recovered completely, gaining all the powers of those demons but none of the madness that came with the transformation. Those folk received the name Nephilim for the strength of will that it took to resist the Red-Eyes' call.
You are not a Nephilim.
Every kid dreams themself a Nephilim at one point or another in their youth, but times are not so exciting any longer. Baldr Inhibitors keep the sickness in check well enough that outside of the containment zones - areas of a one mile radius surrounding each fallen Titan - no one needs to worry about joining the Red-Eyed Horde. Oh sure, the world lost some of its greatest cities, but the last fifty years have been a time of rebuilding. Things are almost as nice as they were in the late 20th Century now.
Well, except for the army of Red Eyes occupying the entire continent of Africa and the region once known as the Holy Land. Worrying about those places is not your job, so you don't worry about them most days of the year. No way would they send a rookie like you to the Jerusalem front, no.
You work for the YGGDRASIL Organization, the last remnant of the Old United Nations. That means even though you never caught WCS, you get to fight alongside the Nephilim to protect humanity from the monsters that emerge within the containment zones. Specifically, your job is..
>Staff Officer. You assist with relaying orders and managing Nephilim and soldiers on the ground.
>Logistics Officer. You keep the Nephilim who are fighting the good fight supplied with all the bullets they need.
>Medical Officer. You treat wounded Nephilim and YGGDRASIL personnel in the field camps.
>Intelligence Officer. You collate reports from Nephilim and YGGDRASIL personnel and provide actionable intelligence.
>Mech Pilot. You support the Nephilim in the field by piloting a five meter tall mechanized battle suit, suitable for the rough terrain of the containment zones.
>VTOL Pilot. You support Nephilim and YGGDRASIL personnel in the field by providing transportation in and out of hot zones.
Which containment zone have you been assigned to?
>London
>Berkley
>Washington DC
>Berlin
>Tokyo
>Shanghai
>Pyongyang
>Delhi
>Paris
>Dubai","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712630142794345.png","filename":"Containment Quest.png"},"posted":1712630142},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5973308,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"So if there’s nephlims where are the angels lol","attachment":null,"posted":1712630359},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5973309,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973303
>>Mech Pilot. You support the Nephilim in the field by piloting a five meter tall mechanized battle suit, suitable for the rough terrain of the containment zones.
>London
Bri'ish kaiju fighting","attachment":null,"posted":1712630413},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5973313,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973309
Supporting, but I'd prefer if we weren't ethnically-British but instead something else unexpected. South American?","attachment":null,"posted":1712630825},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5973317,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973303
>Mech Pilot. You support the Nephilim in the field by piloting a five meter tall mechanized battle suit, suitable for the rough terrain of the containment zones.
>Berlin","attachment":null,"posted":1712631320},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5973321,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973303
>Medical Officer. You treat wounded Nephilim and YGGDRASIL personnel in the field camps.
>Berlin","attachment":null,"posted":1712631448},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5973324,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973303
>VTOL Pilot
>Berlin
Daredevil flying bus driver is my calling. Maybe we even get to drop some bombs if we're lucky.","attachment":null,"posted":1712631799},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5973328,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973303
>VTOL Pilot. You support Nephilim and YGGDRASIL personnel in the field by providing transportation in and out of hot zones.
>Shanghai","attachment":null,"posted":1712632005},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5973344,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973303
I personally would have gone for logistics officer. It would be nice to do something off the beaten path for once.","attachment":null,"posted":1712633521},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5973435,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973303
>Mech Pilot.
>Dubai
Put me in coach","attachment":null,"posted":1712641617},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5973450,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973303
>Staff Officer. You assist with relaying orders and managing Nephilim and soldiers on the ground.
>Paris","attachment":null,"posted":1712643437},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5973498,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973303
>>Mech Pilot. You support the Nephilim in the field by piloting a five meter tall mechanized battle suit, suitable for the rough terrain of the containment zones.
>Tokyo","attachment":null,"posted":1712649900},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5973513,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973303
>VTOL Pilot. You support Nephilim and YGGDRASIL personnel in the field by providing transportation in and out of hot zones.
>Shanghai","attachment":null,"posted":1712651450},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5973613,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Intriguing setting premise, hopefully it doesn't get too weeby.
>VTOL Pilot
>Pyongyang
Would love to read a take on the DPRK joining the world they cut themselves off from due to military necessity.","attachment":null,"posted":1712667347},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5973638,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973303
>Logistics Officer. You keep the Nephilim who are fighting the good fight supplied with all the bullets they need.
>Berlin","attachment":null,"posted":1712673534},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5973693,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973303
>VTOL Pilot. You support Nephilim and YGGDRASIL personnel in the field by providing transportation in and out of hot zones.
>Berkley","attachment":null,"posted":1712680076},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5973694,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973303
>Delhi","attachment":null,"posted":1712680090},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5973801,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5973303
>VTOL Pilot. You support Nephilim and YGGDRASIL personnel in the field by providing transportation in and out of hot zones.
>Dubai
The Emirates are accomodating to their protectors and the gas is cheap. Means we get to fly alot.","attachment":null,"posted":1712689775},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5973946,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Intelligence Officer. You collate reports from Nephilim and YGGDRASIL personnel and provide actionable intelligence
>Washington DC","attachment":null,"posted":1712703214},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5974183,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"YGGDRASIL Facility 419: Berlin Command
[Air Marshal Lerghen to Hangar 7. Repeat. Air Marshal Lerghen to Hangar 7...]
The procedurally generated voice of HERTHA echoes through the halls as you make your way to Hangar 7. She - as much as any general intelligence system can have a gender - has a voice that speaks volumes of the Colonel Riker's preferences. Light and soft, a mature lady who hasn't forgotten her maiden's heart even though she's been around the block a few times. Or at least that's how the dirty old man describes it.
The base halls are Spartan and metallic, coated with a special paint that lends the metal resistance to high concentrations of salt. This close to Containment Zone 194, the walls need the protection. People outside have a nasty habit of turning to pillars of salt, you see. Even with them readily available to the general populace, Baldr Inhibitors can only do so much to protect you from WCS. That's why they pay you the big bucks to fly into the hottest of hot zones and pick up the lads and lasses who have the good fortune of being immune to that shit.
Hangar 7's not far from where you were hanging with the lads. Five minutes and you're in, another ten and you're suited up for delivery.
"Lerghen!" A voice you didn't expect to hear pipes up. Your face goes a little pale, because that's the big boss, the dirty old man himself: Colonel Riker. Where you're tall, a bit lanky, square faced, and youthful, Riker's as squat as they come, weathered with experience, and broad as the barn he grew up in. You can hear the countryside in his voice, it never gets old. "There you are! We don't have much time, so I'll be brief. Unit 9 needs pick up one mile into the Exclusion Zone. I need you running silent and low. Tech boys will be running EM interference to keep you off radar, but we can't take any chances."
You give the admiral a strange look. You pilot a Valkyrie-232, a bird that can run close to silent with sonic dampening, but... "Colonel, shouldn't we be sending a Sparrowhawk in? Valks aren't built for stealth exfils."
The old colonel cracks a smile, "When you get as old as I am, you'll learn that however quiet a Sparrowhawk might be, it's also quite loud in other ways. You're the best Valk pilot we got, so I'm sending you in. The coords are already in your ship. HERTHA will help with navigation. Get in, keep the engines on, and bring our lads back, got it?"
You nod slowly and salute, "Yes, sir."
Technicians help you get into an extra layer of protection for the Exclusion Zone. Once you're in, HERTHA appears in the form of a little chibi avatar on the holodash.
[Hello Air Marshall Lerghen. I have plotted multiple viable routes to our target coordinates.]
>Follow the Spree as far as you can
>Follow the old thoroughfare
>Follow the back roads
>Take to the radar shadows of old skyscrapers
>Follow the path of the old wall that divided east and west
>"No, I have a better route" (Write In)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712723160548943.png","filename":"Valkyrie 232 and Air Marshal Lerghen.png"},"posted":1712723160},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5974199,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974183
>>Follow the old thoroughfare","attachment":null,"posted":1712724334},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5974222,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974183
>Follow the old thoroughfare","attachment":null,"posted":1712726241},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5974235,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974183
>Follow the old thoroughfare","attachment":null,"posted":1712728867},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5974269,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974183
>Take to the radar shadows of old skyscrapers","attachment":null,"posted":1712732570},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5974291,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974183
>>Take to the radar shadows of old skyscrapers
Sounds like it's gonna be a hot exfil.","attachment":null,"posted":1712735755},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5974317,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974183
>Take to the radar shadows of old skyscrapers
I like the idea of flying through a dead city.","attachment":null,"posted":1712740367},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5974321,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974183
>>Take to the radar shadows of old skyscrapers","attachment":null,"posted":1712741097},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5974347,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974183
>Follow the Spree as far as you can
Riverbed approach is a classic because it's effective","attachment":null,"posted":1712746479},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5974368,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974183
>Take to the radar shadows of old skyscrapers
Quiet or not, the cityscape is probsbly the most cautious route to take and shouldn’t be a problem to navigate for a hotshot like us","attachment":null,"posted":1712751529},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5974888,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"You keep to the radar shadows of old buildings.
The Exclusion Cone used to be a city, you see. In fact, a handful of people still live there, though they're not the sorts that get along with civilized folk. Without Baldr Inhibitors, nine out of ten people turn into pillars of salt when they come down with the chlorination. Of every thousand who survive, nine hundred and ninety nine of those guys become the sort of people whose shadow you can see among the ruins. Savage and mutated, cannibal beasts with red eyes who serve the three eyed bastard who rules over Jerusalem. The last one becomes a Nephilim.
The crumbling old titans of stone and steel, striding over paths of tar and concrete provide a good shadow for you. OpCam's up, VoxDamp's up, you're as silent as they come and even radar won't tell you from a sparrow unless you open up your doors right now. You don't know why the Colonel needs you quiet for Exfil. Frankly, you don't think you want to know.
[We are coming up on coordinates now...] HERTHA warns you. [Warning, multiple Pascal-3 signatures detected at landi-]
"Yeah, I see 'em," you interrupt.
You don't know what the lab boys mean when they talk about Pascal signatures and metaphysical density. What you do know is that there are three big mother hubbards made of alien steel and an intense hatred for humanity standing where you need to land. Titans of twisted blue steel and sickly oozing flesh: Jotuns. They're what happen when those one of those red-eyed cannibal bastards gets smart enough to start tinkering with the machinery at the heart of each exclusion zone.
Now Valks aren't Sparrowhawks. Your bird can take a few hits from most man-portable surface to air weaponry. Three Jotuns would tear you apart the moment they see you.
[Proceeding is inadvisable.] HERTHA says the obvious. [Calculating course of action that will result in mission completion...]
Before the little GI can finish her calculations - before you can even pull out - three roars of thunder crack through the air and slam into the Jotuns' eye. Your personal comm-line buzzes with a message that makes you wince.
===PersoCOMM==
Ritter-1: Hey there taxi driver~
Ritter-1: Didn't see wreckage with the Jotun, so you better not be dead
Ritter-1: Your LZ's clear, bring the puppy home safe will you?
Ritter-1: And later I got a reward for you~
Ritter-1 attached [Meet Me at the Heartland at 8.png]
Ritter-1: Gotta run <3
======
Right at the bottom, in a message that you KNOW security's tech boys have to read by procedure, is a rather delightfully compromising picture of what Ritter-1 wears beneath her uniform.
[Air Marshal...] HERTHA sounds annoyed at you for some reason. [All inter unit fraternization must be documented with form-]
"Not now, HERTHA," you say, scoping your options.
>By the old subway entrance
>By the entrance to a ruined museum
>By the shoreline
>At the main thoroughfare
>Center of the LZ
>Land and open the ramp
>Hover and let down a ladder","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712808598248278.png","filename":"Ritter 1.png"},"posted":1712808598},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5974919,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974888
>Center of the LZ
>Hover and let down a ladder","attachment":null,"posted":1712813330},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5974933,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974888
>Center of the LZ
>Hover and let down a ladder","attachment":null,"posted":1712814033},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5974957,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974888
>>By the old subway entrance
>Land and open the ramp","attachment":null,"posted":1712815284},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5974960,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974888
>>By the old subway entrance
>Land and open the ramp","attachment":null,"posted":1712815480},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5974981,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974888
>By the shoreline
>Hover and let down a ladder","attachment":null,"posted":1712817133},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5975069,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974888
>Center of the LZ
>Hover and let down a ladder","attachment":null,"posted":1712829047},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5979424,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974888
>Center of the LZ
>Hover and let down a ladder
LZ is cleared and we need the air time to move if there are more hidden enemies.","attachment":null,"posted":1713317770},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5979513,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974888
>>By the entrance to a ruined museum
>Hover and let down a ladder","attachment":null,"posted":1713326152},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5979519,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979424
>>5979513
anons, OP probably flaked","attachment":null,"posted":1713326726},{"board":"qst","thread":5973303,"pid":5979521,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974888
>>Center of the LZ
>>Hover and let down a ladder
SPEED","attachment":null,"posted":1713326919}]}
+{"title":"Simple Space Empire Quest #4","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5974518,"name":"QM","msg":"The Eternal Empire has stood for 14 millennia and has endured hundreds of wars, calamities, and rulers of every type. As the Reaver Clans have been forced to yield, the first generation of House Heinrich's rule begins to pass from living memory.
Though Emperor Otto's reign reaches near its final days, it is not yet finished. Only time will tell what his legacy will be.
>Previous Threads
>https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Simple%20Space%20Empire","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712771067305313.jpg","filename":"Nanite bombing.jpg"},"posted":1712771067},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5974520,"name":"QM","msg":">>5974518
You are Otto Heinrich, firstborn son of Albin Heinrich, third Emperor of his line, and Warmaster of the Eternal Empire. You consider your sixthborn son, Konstantin, and reason that he ought to be left to his course in the Astronomicon Academy. By their instruction, he should make a fine general, and as a prince, ought to receive some flexibility in choosing his campaigns.
His bloodlust concerns you, but he's sixth in line for the throne, soon to be further still. It is no threat to the future and may, if anything, help his career. Even so, you pull some strings to have him put through some of the civilian-heavier holo-sims. This should instill a deeper awareness of the damage he, like any general, is expected to inflict and the need, at times, to minimize it for the sake of the masses. Like Leopold, you'll also be tutoring him where you can find the time. The boy is, if nothing else, enthusiastic to learn from your own experiences.
You consider your seventhborn son, Konrad. The boy is twelve years old and hasn't changed in the slightest. He's no less quiet or well-behaved and has progressed quickly in his studies. You're no connoisseur of fine arts and are biased, but find his work with clay interesting enough. In the decades to come, he may become an exceptional sculptor in his own right. There is little to be done in his case, save be an active presence in his life, so you do.
You consider your firstborn daughter, Arnette. The girl is nine years old and, while bright, is quite opinionated. She's prone to making sweeping proclamations, condemning the lesser nobility as incompetent, and agitating for heightened absolutism. Apart from that, the princess has little fondness for comfort and cares deeply for the, in her own words, "unwashed" masses. This perhaps does warrant some guidance.
What should be done?
>Encourage her to adopt a more moderate stance. The minor houses are the backbone of the Empire, and it would not do to cause a scandal in her eventual betrothal.
>Allow her mother to handle the situation as she pleases. Jeanne also has a particular fondness for the subjects of the Empire and originates from a traitor house herself.
>Leave her be, for now. You had a number of bold opinions as a young boy and eventually grew out of most. Odds are, this is only a passing phase.","attachment":null,"posted":1712771217},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5974528,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974520
>>Allow her mother to handle the situation as she pleases. Jeanne also has a particular fondness for the subjects of the Empire and originates from a traitor house herself.","attachment":null,"posted":1712771623},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5974532,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974520
>Encourage her to adopt a more moderate stance. The minor houses are the backbone of the Empire, and it would not do to cause a scandal in her eventual betrothal.
At the very least she should learn the problems it can cause by openly saying these kinds of things.
Welcome back QM","attachment":null,"posted":1712771727},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5974538,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974520
>Encourage her to adopt a more moderate stance. The minor houses are the backbone of the Empire, and it would not do to cause a scandal in her eventual betrothal.
technically it's the minor houses and the masses that are the backbone, but shhh don't tell em.
Also welcome back.","attachment":null,"posted":1712772240},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5974541,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974520
>Encourage her to adopt a more moderate stance. The minor houses are the backbone of the Empire, and it would not do to cause a scandal in her eventual betrothal.
Perhaps a fatherly reminder that Heinrich itself was a minor house not too long ago?
Also welcome back QM!","attachment":null,"posted":1712772314},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5974573,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974520
>Encourage her to adopt a more moderate stance. The minor houses are the backbone of the Empire, and it would not do to cause a scandal in her eventual betrothal.
She calls for further absolutism yet dislikes the minor houses? They are the biggest supporters or further absolutism and have also produced numerous competent men for the Empire. What is she basing these ideas on?","attachment":null,"posted":1712776571},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5974588,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974573
A nine-year old’s understanding of galactic politics. You know, maybe ot would e fine to let this blow over.","attachment":null,"posted":1712778135},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5974597,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974518
Welcome back QM
>>5974520
>Encourage her to adopt a more moderate stance. The minor houses are the backbone of the Empire, and it would not do to cause a scandal in her eventual betrothal.
Annette you are supposed to keep those thoughts to yourselves even if we are all thinking it.","attachment":null,"posted":1712778599},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5974625,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974520
>Encourage her to adopt a more moderate stance. The minor houses are the backbone of the Empire, and it would not do to cause a scandal in her eventual betrothal.","attachment":null,"posted":1712782533},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5974629,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974588
Still, where's she getting these ideas from? Anyway, we shouldn't let this be when we can turn this into a father daughter bonding moment and life lesson.","attachment":null,"posted":1712783146},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5974639,"name":"QM","msg":">>5974528
>>5974532
>>5974538
>>5974541
>>5974573
>>5974597
>>5974625
You encourage Arnette to adopt a more moderate stance. After all, House Heinrich was once a minor house and the throne would be left vulnerable without its allies. She insists to you that the lesser houses betrayed their rightful rulers during the 2nd Civil War, and the continued existence of any former members of the Tripartite Entente is a shame on the legacy of old Earth. You bring up House De Croize and she claims that's different, as they "got rid of the traitors" and "mom used to be one."
This back-and-forth continues for some time. It becomes clear that Arnette is deeply set in her ideals, or as much as any child could be. As far as anyone can tell, she took the severity of House Rothsford's rebellion to heart, and has extended it to hold House Heinrich's peers in contempt. These views are hardly controversial among Heinrich space and she may well forget about them as her education continues, but the worry that she could take inter-house politics too seriously for someone her age remains. You persuade her to keep quiet about it in the meantime, for the sake of public appearances. Arnette begrudgingly agrees and that's that. You hope this won't develop into an issue later on...
Now that you've finished addressing the concerns of your family, time marches forward. You grow older but your work bears fruit. Under your diligent command, the Royal Guard has been refined, nay, reforged into an elite fighting force. They are ferocious, fanatical, and unflinching in their service of the throne, taken from only the most outstanding and dedicated soldiers of the Imperial Navy and Army. Their equipment and discipline are supreme, as is their coordination and conditioning. Across the forces within the Eternal Empire, only those of House Arthen can match them man-for-man.
There are no applicants to the position. Rather, Royal Guardsmen are handpicked from the ranks, and it is an incredible honour to be approached, which vanishingly few soldiers would deny. Notably, those of ambitious or disobedient psychology profiles are overlooked, even if they are otherwise excellent. Only those of life-long humility and unbreakable resolve to serve House Heinrich without hesitation are selected. Commoners are preferred for nominations, save those scions of the Martial Houses, who form a great portion of the frontline infantry and officer corp.
Under your touch, in a mere ten years, the Royal Guard has been rendered utterly unrecognizable! Their prestige as defenders of the throne remains in tatters due to their failure to safeguard Emperor Alphonse. If they are to be redeemed in the sight of the Empire, they must win victories for its sake. That is something your successor may have to concern himself with. You are getting old, so very old...","attachment":null,"posted":1712784327},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5974641,"name":"QM","msg":">>5974639
Your beloved wife, Jeanne, has worked tirelessly to improve the lot of the former serfs, recently freed from the ravages of the Reaver Clans. The Imperial Bureaucracy has gone to great lengths to get her the supplies she needs, as has House De Croize, where the funds can be spared. There are many hundreds of millions of illiterate, starved wretches scattered across a vast area of space, lost to depths of filth and squalour that are frankly unspeakable.
At this scale, the problem is less institutional than it is existential. It will take the Empire's united efforts or a lifetime of struggle to amend affairs. Still, Jeanne goes far for a mere decade and accomplishes much. Her single-minded focus on elevating nutritional standards, access to healthcare, and public education up to the imperial standard leaves millions of ex-serfs speechless with gratitude. Besides that, it serves as an excellent basis for propaganda and gives the masses the impression that improvements are coming at an unprecedented speed. Even if, in reality, most of the pirate territories are affected little.
This does improve House De Croize's prestige, partly wiping the slate of their former treachery. Between this, the Empress originating from their line, and the old holo-vision campaigns emphasizing the traitors of De Croize as distinct from the house, their reputation has been mostly restored! In a couple more generations, their shame may fall behind them. You are satisfied by this. In secret, you have a deep and abiding respect for the De Croize, as they almost managed to do what the entire Federation of Uvarth couldn't.","attachment":null,"posted":1712784522},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5974644,"name":"QM","msg":">>5974641
Your father, the former Emperor Albin, current Advisor of Xenology, and wheezing ancient at one-hundred and eleven years old, has made progress with the Osgus State. Throughout the entire history of their species, no non-Osgus have ever attended the Slurm ceremony, where the Osgus ruler-to-be is appointed and executes their predecessor. Until now. Your father is speechless as he tells you they invited him to watch a live recording of the event in an airtight bunker, mere tens of kilometers away!
He assures you that this is an incredible step forward for Human-Osgus relations! Fortunately, the newly determined Slurm is fond of Jumpcrawl and by extension, your father. This has afforded him some precious political capital, which could well be leveraged to bring your species even closer together. He cautions you that a misstep at this juncture could be catastrophic, but is eager to follow whichever path you decree.
What should Albin do?
>Push for a military alliance. Recognize the Osgus as peers to Mankind, and pledge to serve in each other's defensive wars. The squids are ruthless and could be a valuable asset.
>Further mingle the economies. The Osgus represent a vast, if regimented market for Human goods, and vice versa. Both species are already engaged in limited commerce, but there is room to expand.
>Encourage the ISL. If both nations back the sports association in totality, it should be able to scale operations considerably. Over time, this is likely to greatly improve the opinions of both populations toward alien involvement.
>Broach the subject of immigration. This is unlikely to be popular with either species, but the squids could colonize human seas, just as humanity could the deserts of the squids. At the moment, there's a fair amount of territory going unused
>Suggest a technological exchange. It's known that the Osgus are notoriously paranoid, but their shields are flatly superior to the Empire's. Of course, if they accepted such a deal, they'd expect Mankind's turret schematics, in turn.
>Invite a delegation of Osgus to witness the imperial coronation. Likewise unprecedented, this would be an incredible gesture of respect, and would outrage most of those with anti-alien sentiments.","attachment":null,"posted":1712784594},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5974649,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974644
>Encourage the ISL. If both nations back the sports association in totality, it should be able to scale operations considerably. Over time, this is likely to greatly improve the opinions of both populations toward alien involvement.
>Further mingle the economies. The Osgus represent a vast, if regimented market for Human goods, and vice versa. Both species are already engaged in limited commerce, but there is room to expand.
>Invite a delegation of Osgus to witness the imperial coronation. Likewise unprecedented, this would be an incredible gesture of respect, and would outrage most of those with anti-alien sentiments.
The first two are the natural next steps and the last one puts a nice bow on top.
One thing Im interested in is getting some Osgus as servants. See about how we could further our interests in Osgus society in the future, either as intelligence assets or as (subtle) proponents of submission to humanity. Humanity is still better after all","attachment":null,"posted":1712784968},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5974653,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974644
>Further mingle the economies. The Osgus represent a vast, if regimented market for Human goods, and vice versa. Both species are already engaged in limited commerce, but there is room to expand.
of course if going well at first.
>Suggest a technological exchange. It's known that the Osgus are notoriously paranoid, but their shields are flatly superior to the Empire's. Of course, if they accepted such a deal, they'd expect Mankind's turret schematics, in turn.
If going even better:
>Invite a delegation of Osgus to witness the imperial coronation. Likewise unprecedented, this would be an incredible gesture of respect, and would outrage most of those with anti-alien sentiments.
step by step.","attachment":null,"posted":1712785083},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5974661,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974644
>Encourage the ISL. If both nations back the sports association in totality, it should be able to scale operations considerably. Over time, this is likely to greatly improve the opinions of both populations toward alien involvement.
Since the Slurm likes it but also
>Push for a military alliance. Recognize the Osgus as peers to Mankind, and pledge to serve in each other's defensive wars. The squids are ruthless and could be a valuable asset.
Not a full military alliance but a defensive one in case we get ganked by multiple powers and we definitely need one at this point considering how big we are now","attachment":null,"posted":1712785855},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5974670,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974644
>Encourage the ISL. If both nations back the sports association in totality, it should be able to scale operations considerably. Over time, this is likely to greatly improve the opinions of both populations toward alien involvement.
>Further mingle the economies. The Osgus represent a vast, if regimented market for Human goods, and vice versa. Both species are already engaged in limited commerce, but there is room to expand.
>Invite a delegation of Osgus to witness the imperial coronation. Likewise unprecedented, this would be an incredible gesture of respect, and would outrage most of those with anti-alien sentiments.","attachment":null,"posted":1712786600},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5974683,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974644
>Encourage the ISL. If both nations back the sports association in totality, it should be able to scale operations considerably. Over time, this is likely to greatly improve the opinions of both populations toward alien involvement.
>Further mingle the economies. The Osgus represent a vast, if regimented market for Human goods, and vice versa. Both species are already engaged in limited commerce, but there is room to expand.
I'll leave the coronation out, for now. Slow baby steps.
And welcome back QM!","attachment":null,"posted":1712787679},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5974702,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974644
>>Encourage the ISL. If both nations back the sports association in totality, it should be able to scale operations considerably. Over time, this is likely to greatly improve the opinions of both populations toward alien involvement.
>>Further mingle the economies. The Osgus represent a vast, if regimented market for Human goods, and vice versa. Both species are already engaged in limited commerce, but there is room to expand.
It's good to be back.","attachment":null,"posted":1712788536},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5974724,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974644
>Further mingle the economies. The Osgus represent a vast, if regimented market for Human goods, and vice versa. Both species are already engaged in limited commerce, but there is room to expand.
>Suggest a technological exchange. It's known that the Osgus are notoriously paranoid, but their shields are flatly superior to the Empire's. Of course, if they accepted such a deal, they'd expect Mankind's turret schematics, in turn.
>Invite a delegation of Osgus to witness the imperial coronation. Likewise unprecedented, this would be an incredible gesture of respect, and would outrage most of those with anti-alien sentiments.","attachment":null,"posted":1712790770},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5974759,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Happy this is back.
>Further mingle the economies. The Osgus represent a vast, if regimented market for Human goods, and vice versa. Both species are already engaged in limited commerce, but there is room to expand.
>Suggest a technological exchange. It's known that the Osgus are notoriously paranoid, but their shields are flatly superior to the Empire's. Of course, if they accepted such a deal, they'd expect Mankind's turret schematics, in turn.
>Invite a delegation of Osgus to witness the imperial coronation. Likewise unprecedented, this would be an incredible gesture of respect, and would outrage most of those with anti-alien sentiments.","attachment":null,"posted":1712795450},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5974765,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974644
>Encourage the ISL. If both nations back the sports association in totality, it should be able to scale operations considerably. Over time, this is likely to greatly improve the opinions of both populations toward alien involvement.
>Further mingle the economies. The Osgus represent a vast, if regimented market for Human goods, and vice versa. Both species are already engaged in limited commerce, but there is room to expand.
>Invite a delegation of Osgus to witness the imperial coronation. Likewise unprecedented, this would be an incredible gesture of respect, and would outrage most of those with anti-alien sentiments.
Love this quest, welcome back QM.","attachment":null,"posted":1712795774},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5974768,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974649
Supporting this, but I think the announcement of the Osgus delegation must come from none other than Albin himself, and at the earliest possible time. We want to give the Empire the most time possible to come to grips with this.
Obvious anti- squid terrorists might also ramp up plans, but with the Royal Guard and Nightshayd in the mix, I’m optimistic that we could crush any terror plots/false flags","attachment":null,"posted":1712795881},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975006,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974644
>>5974649
>>5974768
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1712818956},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975010,"name":"QM","msg":">>5974649
>>5974653
>>5974661
>>5974670
>>5974683
>>5974702
>>5974724
>>5974759
>>5974765
>>5974768
You task your father with encouraging the Slurm to throw his weight behind the Interspecies Sports League as you, the Emperor, do likewise. The ISL was his own creation, so many decades ago, and he’s humbled by how far it has come. You also ask him to push toward the Osgus’ financial interests, to further develop and ingratiate your respective economies. In concert with the ISL, this should lead to a considerable boost in tax revenue, which the ISL’s added needs are likely to drain in turn. Such is the circle of bureaucracy. You and the former Emperor are in agreement that a delegation of Osgus should be invited to the next imperial coronation.
Well, the former Emperor is enthusiastic about the prospect. You’re more intrigued by their shielding technology and think this could be a fine avenue of approach. Your own sentiment to the squids is cautious, but the enigmatic aliens can hardly be any worse than the neo-federalist scum. Before your father’s attempts at diplomacy, the Osgus State had held steadfast to silent isolationism at best, aggressive expansionism at worst. Such an ancient precedent is unlikely to give-in so easily, and the Advisor of Xenology is concerned that asking for a technological exchange outright could lead to the goodwill your species have built over the years crashing down. He’s the expert, so you assent, for now.
Like his invitation to the Slurm ceremony, this is all-but guaranteed to be accepted. Neither of you are under any delusions of how well the presence of alien squids before the very throne of Mars will be received, but perhaps the backlash could be mitigated.
What should be done?
>Boldly announce the invitation of Osgus dignitaries. This will enrage anti-alien members of the Empire, what will likely be several years in advance. There’s a slight worry this would give potential traitors time to prepare, but it would also give the hardline traditionalists (noble and common) among the public time to cool down.
>Don’t make any spectacle of inviting the Osgus. As it ever has been, the focus will be solely on the newly-crowned Emperor, and the squids will be one more group of functionaries in the crowd. Let those who would deny Man’s right to rule the cosmos rage- they are friends to the throne and warrant the same quiet consideration.","attachment":null,"posted":1712819896},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975017,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975010
>Don’t make any spectacle of inviting the Osgus. As it ever has been, the focus will be solely on the newly-crowned Emperor, and the squids will be one more group of functionaries in the crowd. Let those who would deny Man’s right to rule the cosmos rage- they are friends to the throne and warrant the same quiet consideration.
Who is going to stop us exactly?","attachment":null,"posted":1712821015},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975080,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975010
>Boldly announce the invitation of Osgus dignitaries. This will enrage anti-alien members of the Empire, what will likely be several years in advance. There’s a slight worry this would give potential traitors time to prepare, but it would also give the hardline traditionalists (noble and common) among the public time to cool down
This is supposed to be great step forward in our relationship and a momentus occasion. We should not be timid about it.","attachment":null,"posted":1712831581},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975092,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975010
>Boldly announce the invitation of Osgus dignitaries. This will enrage anti-alien members of the Empire, what will likely be several years in advance. There’s a slight worry this would give potential traitors time to prepare, but it would also give the hardline traditionalists (noble and common) among the public time to cool down.
Just a thought I had; we could phrase this as a selfish indulgence that House Heinrich should be excused for in light of our otherwise humble rule.","attachment":null,"posted":1712833666},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975099,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975010
>Don’t make any spectacle of inviting the Osgus. As it ever has been, the focus will be solely on the newly-crowned Emperor, and the squids will be one more group of functionaries in the crowd. Let those who would deny Man’s right to rule the cosmos rage- they are friends to the throne and warrant the same quiet consideration.
Put them under the protection of the Royal Guard, it'll be a good milk run for them.","attachment":null,"posted":1712835629},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975141,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975010
>Boldly announce the invitation of Osgus dignitaries. This will enrage anti-alien members of the Empire, what will likely be several years in advance. There’s a slight worry this would give potential traitors time to prepare, but it would also give the hardline traditionalists (noble and common) among the public time to cool down.
This is a great achievement - even aliens have come to pay homage to the crowning of a new Emperor!
I’m personally more interested in strengthening trade, but better to directly confront anti-squid sentiment now rather than risk a diplomatic incident when trade picks up.","attachment":null,"posted":1712843104},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975144,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975010
>Boldly announce the invitation of Osgus dignitaries. This will enrage anti-alien members of the Empire, what will likely be several years in advance. There’s a slight worry this would give potential traitors time to prepare, but it would also give the hardline traditionalists (noble and common) among the public time to cool down.","attachment":null,"posted":1712843132},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975174,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975010
>Don’t make any spectacle of inviting the Osgus. As it ever has been, the focus will be solely on the newly-crowned Emperor, and the squids will be one more group of functionaries in the crowd. Let those who would deny Man’s right to rule the cosmos rage- they are friends to the throne and warrant the same quiet consideration.
I'm surprised we didn't have to roll for anything.","attachment":null,"posted":1712848100},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975175,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975174
sometimes we just choose the objectively good (or bad) options where there is realistically no chance of deviation","attachment":null,"posted":1712848221},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975186,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975174
I believe that if we had gone for the tech, we would. The ones we've chosen are too agreeable to necessitate a roll to convince them.","attachment":null,"posted":1712849237},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975193,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975010
>Don’t make any spectacle of inviting the Osgus. As it ever has been, the focus will be solely on the newly-crowned Emperor, and the squids will be one more group of functionaries in the crowd. Let those who would deny Man’s right to rule the cosmos rage- they are friends to the throne and warrant the same quiet consideration.
Remember guys we've been putting too much strain on our relations with the nobles.","attachment":null,"posted":1712849728},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975317,"name":"QM","msg":"I'm very glad to be back, and running again anons. Feels good. I'll be updating in another hour or two, depending, as I'm at work and it's a bit busier than usual. I'd planned to make a post with an ETA of a week in the end of Thread #3 but there were an unexpected number of posts and it slid off the board. Next time, I won't wait around that long to archive. I made a post in the /qtg/ but not everyone follows it, I barely do myself, and I'm sorry for any of you who thought I might've flaked. The eclipse was something else, and I hope you all got to see it for yourselves. Here's an update on those puppies if any of you were wondering- the last one I'll be posting. They've all gone to good homes and by now, are around twice the size. Pic's around a month and a half out of date, hahaha.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712860648364453.jpg","filename":"IMG_20240306_161843.jpg"},"posted":1712860648},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975323,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Don’t make any spectacle of inviting the Osgus. As it ever has been, the focus will be solely on the newly-crowned Emperor, and the squids will be one more group of functionaries in the crowd. Let those who would deny Man’s right to rule the cosmos rage- they are friends to the throne and warrant the same quiet consideration","attachment":null,"posted":1712861192},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975351,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975010
>Don’t make any spectacle of inviting the Osgus. As it ever has been, the focus will be solely on the newly-crowned Emperor, and the squids will be one more group of functionaries in the crowd. Let those who would deny Man’s right to rule the cosmos rage- they are friends to the throne and warrant the same quiet consideration.
Could more subtly spread the information around but this doesn't warrant a big show imo.","attachment":null,"posted":1712863278},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975428,"name":"QM","msg":"Locking the vote, and writing now.","attachment":null,"posted":1712869688},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975444,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975317
Good to see them growing up","attachment":null,"posted":1712871590},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975473,"name":"QM","msg":">>5975017
>>5975080
>>5975092
>>5975099
>>5975141
>>5975144
>>5975174
>>5975193
>>5975323
>>5975351
You see no reason to draw undue attention to the Osgus, so you'll make no spectacle of them. If the Empire is to rule over alien species, they must be routine. The xenophobes are certain to be enraged by this, but the Osgus will be delighted. A fair trade.
You receive a proper report of House Nightshayd's progress against Clan Skullstacker. According to their records, they've kept the pirate operations from expanding or escaping, but are caught in a gridlock. The reaver cutthroats are excellent, their spies, cunning, and their sway among the black market, vast. Despite the Eternal Empire belonging to those of noble blood and bearing, Clan Skullstacker holds the homefield advantage in its seedy underbelly. Each faction has been neck-in-neck in a pitched and vicious power struggle.
To your awareness, Nightshayd has declared a proper war of assassins and Skullstacker has responded in kind. Their bloody game of cat-and-mouse has spanned throughout known space, from the innermost core to the farthest frontier. So far, there have been nearly three million casualties on both sides, with no signs of any shift toward a conclusion. Your assassins tried and shamefully failed to capture or kill one of their foremost crime lords after pinning down his location, but to their credit, also managed to prevent a nuclear bombing in House Nightshayd's palace. Rather than a suitcase, the pirates sewed a contraband explosive into a desperate volunteer and smuggled him in through the vents. Only a routine training exercise caught him, and the explosive was defused with mere minutes to spare.
Subsequent interrogations found they'd both blackmailed the man and held his loved ones hostage. Typical reaver tactics. House Nightshayd used to employ some of the same methods, but since House Heinrich's ascension to the throne have relied much more on blackmail. This is an interesting development. You tell them to keep you informed and await further commands.","attachment":null,"posted":1712874093},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975475,"name":"QM","msg":">>5975473
The Privy Council did an excellent job in managing Crown Corp! House Heinrich's mercantile property, arguably a vassal, at this scale, has become an Empire-wide leader in alloys refining, made great strides in construction, industry, and habitation, and even contributed to House Soluton's orbitalworks! Under their deft management, Crown Corp more than doubled its funds and exploded in size! You're truly proud of their commercial accomplishments!
They've only fallen short in one respect...
Logistics.
By their word and witness testimony of their employees, the Imperial Bureaucracy stymied their efforts! Even more, it used underhanded tactics to subvert their work and force it under the Imperial Bureaucracy's control, to retain its monopoly! If you were a weaker-willed man, you would be stunned at the audacity. As it is, you are irate and demand an explanation.
A quick, subtle investigation is launched and pieces together a broad picture. Apart from supporting the local planetary governors, (who lack any real administrative power apart from keeping the local nobility in-line with imperial law) the Imperial Bureaucracy also manages the Empire proper. Most of the taxes, paperwork, and messages necessary to keep Mankind under one banner go through them, and this requires a massive amount of employees. Further, it requires interstellar coordination without noble oversight, which could be biased to favour any one house over the Empire.
As a consequence, an overwhelming majority of bureaucrats are commoners, and the officials among them lack any authority aside from transferring tax funds where they need to go and keeping records on the straight-and-narrow. Even so, hierarchy is inevitable and for the prevention of mob-rule, desirable. In this instance, there is no de-facto multi-system leadership outside of House Heinrich, but there are some paper-pushers whose word is given more weight.
Among the most respected of the bureaucrats is a commoner by the name of Pete, who exceeds even your father's age, at one-hundred and nineteen years old! He was one of the first major members of the Empire's Resources Committee, not as a combatant, but a clerk. His primary task was to audit disobedient merchants, which he did ruthlessly. Once the ERC began to reform into an... "eager"... ecological force, Pete resigned and found gainful employment in the imperial government. Rather than attempt to climb the ranks, he applied himself to reviewing paperwork and, where possible, streamlining the workload for those above him, with sharp efficiency.","attachment":null,"posted":1712874213},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975476,"name":"QM","msg":">>5975475
This earned him a great deal of respect and through word of mouth over the years, enshrined him as a major figure in the Imperial Bureaucracy. Insomuch as there are any. Pete's nearly century-long career has been spent on paperwork in service of the throne, and he's refused to retire, move out of paperwork, or start a family. By every standard, he's a workaholic and up to this point, has shown no signs of ambition or incompetence. The dilemma is that prior to Pete's service under the Empire, he was employed in some capacity by the Merchant Holdings.
As the records were largely lost in the breaking of the Mega-Corps, and even more during the forcible rebranding, what exactly he did for them is unknown. It is known that he does have an immense anti-Corp bias and when Crown Corp began to move into logistics, he pulled a piano's worth of strings and called in a lifetime of favours. Every dirty trick in-and-out of the book was leveraged, with the Privy Council none the wiser. Each and every eventuality was accounted for, in a maze of overhead legalese and under the table thuggery to methodically break Crown Corp's hold on logistics, before it could even begin. With this man and by extension, the Imperial Bureaucracy, against them, the Privy Council's efforts never stood a chance.
As a consequence, Crown Corp lost a decent fortune in funds, which the Imperial Bureaucracy gained and promptly reinvested in sponsoring sharecroppers in a select handful of the newly-annexed frontier planets. The records are more than legible. There was no attempt to conceal the paper-trail, far from it, the actions of the Imperial Bureaucracy, legal and otherwise, are all openly accounted for in writing. You're no scholar but skimming the files, you readily grasp the scale of their treachery. Likewise, the audacity! In the time since, Pete and his co-conspirators have continued their work, as though nothing had happened.
Something must be done.
>Redirect a few of House Nightshayd's agents to conduct an investigation of the Imperial Bureaucracy. You will find everything, no matter how well hidden it may be.
>Task the Imperial Bureaucracy with auditing itself. Pete had a number of pro-Corp rivals, and outmanuevered and sidelined as they might be, they're likely to have some dirt.
>Order the Royal Guard to storm their offices and seize their documents. Duplicity this bold does not warrant a subtle response and their security are hardly willing to commit high treason for their sake.
>Call this Pete and his co-conspirators to the throne on Mars. You will hear an explanation from the man himself, then you will make your verdict known.","attachment":null,"posted":1712874284},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975480,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975476
>Redirect a few of House Nightshayd's agents to conduct an investigation of the Imperial Bureaucracy. You will find everything, no matter how well hidden it may be.
>Task the Imperial Bureaucracy with auditing itself. Pete had a number of pro-Corp rivals, and outmanuevered and sidelined as they might be, they're likely to have some dirt.
More audits the better, see if they match up.
>Order the Royal Guard to storm their offices and seize their documents. Duplicity this bold does not warrant a subtle response and their security are hardly willing to commit high treason for their sake.
>Call this Pete and his co-conspirators to the throne on Mars. You will hear an explanation from the man himself, then you will make your verdict known.
What the fuck was he thinking in going against the Corp owned by the Emperor himself in such a manner? If he thought they were doing something untoward then why did he not confer with his liege?","attachment":null,"posted":1712874842},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975483,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975476
>Call this Pete and his co-conspirators to the throne on Mars. You will hear an explanation from the man himself, then you will make your verdict known.
I would rather we see what he has to say for himself instead of having Nightshayd get more power or just crushing the Bureaucracy. An audit might be fine too, but I'd like to see what the man's angle first is since this doesn't look like it's for greed's sake at a glance. It's odd that he didn't try and hide anything from anyone, at least.
>>5975480
>If he thought they were doing something untoward then why did he not confer with his liege?
Likely didn't think we would even consider his stance since he's a commoner and the Crown Corp acts solely in the interests of increasing House Heinrich's funds. I wouldn't imagine he would think he even had a chance at having his case made against big business.","attachment":null,"posted":1712875033},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975484,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975476
>Order the Royal Guard to storm their offices and seize their documents. Duplicity this bold does not warrant a subtle response and their security are hardly willing to commit high treason for their sake.
Neat way to break the new guard in. I don't want to redirect Nightshayd, they need every asset they can in their underground war.","attachment":null,"posted":1712875044},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975485,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975476
>Order the Royal Guard to storm their offices and seize their documents. Duplicity this bold does not warrant a subtle response and their security are hardly willing to commit high treason for their sake.","attachment":null,"posted":1712875091},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975489,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975483
>Likely didn't think we would even consider his stance since he's a commoner and the Crown Corp acts solely in the interests of increasing House Heinrich's funds. I wouldn't imagine he would think he even had a chance at having his case made against big business.
Then he thinks that the Emperor wouldn't care about any immoral acts on the part of Crown Corp. He thinks so little of his lord? That's no excuse.
>>5975484
How about using House Uvar and have Leopold and his formerly Nightshayd gran lead the audit? That way no burden falls on Nightshayd.","attachment":null,"posted":1712875300},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975497,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975489
>Then he thinks that the Emperor wouldn't care about any immoral acts on the part of Crown Corp. He thinks so little of his lord? That's no excuse.
How exactly could the Emperor know then? And furthermore, if Crown Corp were actually doing anything immoral, if it makes a profit and doesn't cause any instability would anons (the Emperor) actually care? Nightshayd would support doing something immoral/underhanded for the sake of one's own success, and has even pushed for that sort of thing in the past I believe.","attachment":null,"posted":1712876122},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975500,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975497
>And furthermore, if Crown Corp were actually doing anything immoral, if it makes a profit and doesn't cause any instability would anons (the Emperor) actually care?
Uh yeah? We've even acquired a reputation as a dynasty for how principled we are. Remember how we didn't even kill that republican veteran because of them?
>Nightshayd would support doing something immoral/underhanded for the sake of one's own success, and has even pushed for that sort of thing in the past I believe.
There are some morally gray things that we would do for the sake of power, like those taxes that started the Civil War, but nothing that would make me sympathetic to this behaviour by Pete.","attachment":null,"posted":1712876523},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975501,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975476
>Order the Royal Guard to storm their offices and seize their documents. Duplicity this bold does not warrant a subtle response and their security are hardly willing to commit high treason for their sake.
>Call this Pete and his co-conspirators to the throne on Mars. You will hear an explanation from the man himself, then you will make your verdict known.
Yeah, no one in the bureaucracy should be able to do this, especially going over the head of the Emperor and making him and his house lose precious assets. He has however done quite a bit of good work for us so I wanna hear him out.","attachment":null,"posted":1712876789},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975502,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975489
That's a neat idea. I would be willing to swap my vote to only that if you're willing to. I don't want to do every option like you were suggesting earlier.","attachment":null,"posted":1712876833},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975504,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975497
>And furthermore, if Crown Corp were actually doing anything immoral, if it makes a profit and doesn't cause any instability would anons (the Emperor) actually care?
Hm, can't say I'd care about what happens to the plebs as long as cash flows into the Corp. It's just business, baby.","attachment":null,"posted":1712876997},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975508,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975502
Why not? Why not do audits and have Pete plead his case to us?
>>5975504
Bait.","attachment":null,"posted":1712877264},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975515,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975500
Try to have a little empathy for the commoner, anon. It's possible he just doesn't want the Corps to hold power again and do things like what happened while he worked for them, and seeing how Crown Corp was trying to get into the logistics of the Empire he might've seen it as another potential Mega Corp trying to control the lives of everyone once again.
Take into account that Pete probably doesn't have the same mindset people do under the Empire, being defined by his experiences under the Mega Corps of back then. And with no real way to make his case to the Emperor as a small bureaucrat, he likely just did what he could to prevent something like the Mega Corps from happening again.
I don't think he had malicious intentions, since he didn't even try to hide what he did. And he's likely not incompetent or greedy, considering that "Rather than attempt to climb the ranks, he applied himself to reviewing paperwork and, where possible, streamlining the workload for those above him, with sharp efficiency."
>>5975504
Good one.","attachment":null,"posted":1712877839},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975527,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975515
>Try to have a little empathy for the commoner, anon.
I have the appropriate amount of empathy for the pleb.
>And with no real way to make his case to the Emperor as a small bureaucrat.
He isn't a small bureaucrat, his description explicitly makes him out to be one of the most exceptional bureaucrats we have.
>And he's likely not incompetent or greedy, considering that "Rather than attempt to climb the ranks, he applied himself to reviewing paperwork and, where possible, streamlining the workload for those above him, with sharp efficiency."
This we can agree on, my view is that we get him to plead his case then punish and tell him to not do such things again since I can't see any justifiable reason for his conduct when he could've sent things up the chain instead.","attachment":null,"posted":1712878139},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975531,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975483
I support summoning Pete to hear his account.
Clearly the crime was driven by personal ideals, perhaps we can find out what that s triggering his autistic rage","attachment":null,"posted":1712878259},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975534,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975476
>>Call this Pete and his co-conspirators to the throne on Mars. You will hear an explanation from the man himself, then you will make your verdict known.
I respect his massive balls, work-ethic, and rabid anti-corp sentiment. We haven't really lost anything either, as The Emperor, the Imperial Bureaucracy serves us and our purposes. In fact, given that we didn't really lose any resources, is it really treachery?","attachment":null,"posted":1712878531},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975537,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975527
>I can't see any justifiable reason for his conduct when he could've sent things up the chain instead.
How exactly would he be able to make a serious accusation against a Corporation that is under the direct control of House Heinrich? An excellent commoner bureaucrat is still a commoner. His experience under the Mega Corps probably taught him that he shouldn't escalate things with the higher ups unless he wants to lose. He would be making an accusation against a company that acts in the direct interests of the ruling family.
As for why he's doing this, he likely doesn't want another Mega Corp to control everyone's lives.","attachment":null,"posted":1712878681},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975539,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975476
>Call this Pete and his co-conspirators to the throne on Mars. You will hear an explanation from the man himself, then you will make your verdict known.
A century long career worth of influence called in to satisfy a bias against Corp. How horrifyingly bureaucratic.","attachment":null,"posted":1712878885},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975547,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975537
>How exactly would he be able to make a serious accusation against a Corporation that is under the direct control of House Heinrich?
By collecting evidence of wrongdoing then prosecuting what's under his purview and sending up the chain what isn't. Your logic applies better to what he did. How would a commoner unjustly persecute others commandeered by the Emperor by weaponizing the bureaucracy against them just because he personally didn't like them and get away with it?
>His experience under the Mega Corps probably taught him that he shouldn't escalate things with the higher ups unless he wants to lose.
Irrelevant, that experience doesn't justify it.
>He would be making an accusation against a company that acts in the direct interests of the ruling family.
Then do it! If he has any faith in the goodness of his liege then the Emperor would hear him out. To do anything else first would be to go against the Emperor
>As for why he's doing this, he likely doesn't want another Mega Corp to control everyone's lives.
Again, doesn't justify it. I don't care if he has an irrational hatred for Corpos as a concept.","attachment":null,"posted":1712879120},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975558,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975508
I don't want to redirect the nightshayd for reasons I've already explained, I don't trust the Imperial Beauracracy to do a proper audit of itself, I'd rather an outside source like the one you provided (Uvar), and for the plead, I guess I'm just not really interested what he has to say. He seems really straight forward to me, I doubt anything he could say would sway our opinion, and I don't want to risk having to vote on a verdict before the results of the audit come in.","attachment":null,"posted":1712879994},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975560,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975547
>By collecting evidence of wrongdoing then prosecuting what's under his purview and sending up the chain what isn't.
He might have a reasonable aversion to doing that, due to his experiences with the Corps. Somebody knowing how cutthroat the corporate world is probably wouldn't take any chances, especially against a corporation owned by the ruling dynasty.
>Irrelevant, that experience doesn't justify it.
He likely doesn't think in the same way that most people living under the Empire do, especially in regards to seeing businesses as subservient to the Emperor. He worked for the Mega Corps first before this and probably has his assumptions colored by how they acted.
>If he has any faith in the goodness of his liege then the Emperor would hear him out. To do anything else first would be to go against the Emperor
In the eyes of all the noble Houses, the Corps, and the people, House Heinrich is just another noble House (one that is uncharacteristically humble, at that) that just so happens to rule the Empire. We haven't done any Mandate of Heaven stuff, we haven't even formalized ourselves as the true dynasty. To ask for that sort of fanatic devotion from a bureaucrat commoner sounds unreasonable.","attachment":null,"posted":1712880179},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975566,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975558
>I don't trust the Imperial Beauracracy to do a proper audit of itself
Neither do I, which is why I want a seperate audit to crossreference it to. To see the differences then investigate why they are different.
>I guess I'm just not really interested what he has to say. He seems really straight forward to me, I doubt anything he could say would sway our opinion, and I don't want to risk having to vote on a verdict before the results of the audit come in.
Im interested for curiosity's sake but yeah, don't see what he could say to sway me. QM can answer the latter point.
>>5975560
>He might have a reasonable aversion to doing that, due to his experiences with the Corps. Somebody knowing how cutthroat the corporate world is probably wouldn't take any chances, especially against a corporation owned by the ruling dynasty.
That doesn't really contradict what I said with how vague it is. If he thinks they are shady then he could go after them for those reasons instead of muh corpo bad.
>He likely doesn't think in the same way that most people living under the Empire do, especially in regards to seeing businesses as subservient to the Emperor. He worked for the Mega Corps first before this and probably has his assumptions colored by how they acted.
Irrelevant and also stupid. All evidence suggests that Heinrichs are in charge, not the corpos.
>In the eyes of all the noble Houses, the Corps, and the people, House Heinrich is just another noble House (one that is uncharacteristically humble, at that) that just so happens to rule the Empire. We haven't done any Mandate of Heaven stuff, we haven't even formalized ourselves as the true dynasty. To ask for that sort of fanatic devotion from a bureaucrat commoner sounds unreasonable.
That is not fanatical devotion at all. Only a belief that leadership is competent and acting in good faith.","attachment":null,"posted":1712880697},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975608,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975566
>That doesn't really contradict what I said with how vague it is. If he thinks they are shady then he could go after them for those reasons instead of muh corpo bad.
To be fair, he lived a large part of his life under and likely experienced the worst of 'muh bad corpo'.
>All evidence suggests that Heinrichs are in charge, not the corpos.
And when a Corp that is trying to buy out (and probably monopolize) logistics in the Empire is directly linked to the ruling family it leaves little to the imagination about who is in charge. There are many such Corporate dynasties that only care about profit margins and little else. Fortunately for the Empire, House Heinrich isn't a Corporate dynasty.
>That is not fanatical devotion at all. Only a belief that leadership is competent and acting in good faith.
I'm willing to forgive a bit of cynicism, especially when he likely spent all the favors he's been owed in this endeavor. If this were done for truly malicious or avaricious reasons then I wouldn't hold much sympathy, but as it stands it's likely he just needs to realize that House Heinrich (and by extension most of the people at the top) aren't some caricature of greedy Corporate-Governmental tyranny.","attachment":null,"posted":1712882984},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975653,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975476
>Call this Pete and his co-conspirators to the throne on Mars. You will hear an explanation from the man himself, then you will make your verdict known.
Based autist, Cuban pete, king of the rhumba beat...","attachment":null,"posted":1712885730},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975715,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Call this Pete and his co-conspirators to the throne on Mars. You will hear an explanation from the man himself, then you will make your verdict known.","attachment":null,"posted":1712890297},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975761,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975608
>To be fair, he lived a large part of his life under and likely experienced the worst of 'muh bad corpo'.
Then go after them for that shit instead of going "corpo bad! me smash!".
>And when a Corp that is trying to buy out (and probably monopolize) logistics
They can't monopolize it even if they wanted to. I think I had this discussion with you last thread too.
>I'm willing to forgive a bit of cynicism, especially when he likely spent all the favors he's been owed in this endeavor. If this were done for truly malicious or avaricious reasons then I wouldn't hold much sympathy, but as it stands it's likely he just needs to realize that House Heinrich (and by extension most of the people at the top) aren't some caricature of greedy Corporate-Governmental tyranny.
So what was the plan if he was so cynical then anyway? Risk his career against Crown Corp by persecuting them without reason and then what? What has been accomplished? Just as stupid as that journalist that set up a hit on himself and posthumously accused some politician of doing it, clearly thought he was doing something selflesss yet it made no sense and did no good whatsoever.","attachment":null,"posted":1712893080},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975785,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975761
>Then go after them for that shit instead of going "corpo bad! me smash!".
Best to stop them while they don't have unstoppable power than wait until they do, I imagine is the reasoning.
>They can't monopolize it even if they wanted to.
It depends on if we use the full force of House Heinrich to monopolize it or not I suppose. Although I'd argue that monopolies/duopolies/oligopolies can be made if one is business savvy enough in a market system, but I digress.
>So what was the plan if he was so cynical then anyway? Risk his career against Crown Corp by persecuting them without reason and then what? What has been accomplished?
Well that's why I'm supporting asking him to come and make his case. We don't know what is in his mind. We can only make assumptions based on what his life was like, his actions, and who he is. I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, especially since it doesn't appear like he cares about monetary gain, but we'll see how he advocates for himself.","attachment":null,"posted":1712894459},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975786,"name":"The Hypercrisis Bro","msg":">>5974641
>In secret, you have a deep and abiding respect for the De Croize, as they almost managed to do what the entire Federation of Uvarth couldn't.
Didnt De Croize never come close to winning the 2dn civil war?","attachment":null,"posted":1712894478},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975788,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975786
We captured their entire fleet so I guess they did contribute more to us then the Federation did","attachment":null,"posted":1712894613},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975801,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975476
>Call this Pete and his co-conspirators to the throne on Mars. You will hear an explanation from the man himself, then you will make your verdict known.
I want to see more from this interesting character.","attachment":null,"posted":1712895760},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975869,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975476
>Call this Pete and his co-conspirators to the throne on Mars. You will hear an explanation from the man himself, then you will make your verdict known.
We lose literally nothing but like a hour max from just hearing the guy out first.","attachment":null,"posted":1712902272},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5975913,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975476
>direct House Uvar agents to conduct an investigation of the Imperial Bureaucracy. You will find everything, no matter how well hidden it may be.
>Task the Imperial Bureaucracy with auditing itself. Pete had a number of pro-Corp rivals, and outmanuevered and sidelined as they might be, they're likely to have some dirt.
To see if uvars audit matches. If not heads will roll.
>Order the Royal Guard to storm their offices and seize their documents. Duplicity this bold does not warrant a subtle response and their security are hardly willing to commit high treason for their sake.
Seize evidence before they can delete it. We want copies of everything.
>Call this Pete and his co-conspirators to the throne on Mars. You will hear an explanation from the man himself, then you will make your verdict known.
If they had to go this far to sabotage logistics and couldn't do it cheaper than crown corp... I want to see why they couldn't. Because there's some inefficiency there for that to be the case. The Imperial bureaucracy is there to get the best stuff for the cheapest price for the sake of the Empire. If someone else can do the same thing for cheaper. Then it would save the Imperial bureaucracy money to sub contract it out. Which would allow them to put the saved funds into other projects. This seems like it was purely motivated by some animosity towards corporations. And not what was best for the empire's subjects.","attachment":null,"posted":1712911490},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5976024,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975476
>Call this Pete and his co-conspirators to the throne on Mars. You will hear an explanation from the man himself, then you will make your verdict known.
Let's hear him out first.","attachment":null,"posted":1712932362},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5976026,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975476
>Call this Pete and his co-conspirators to the throne on Mars. You will hear an explanation from the man himself, then you will make your verdict known.","attachment":null,"posted":1712932736},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5976060,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975476
>Call this Pete and his co-conspirators to the throne on Mars. You will hear an explanation from the man himself, then you will make your verdict known.
I'm with Pete, fuck the corpos","attachment":null,"posted":1712936109},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5976453,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"So when they say Earth is shattered, do they mean like it's literally been split in half or something?","attachment":null,"posted":1712978823},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5976459,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976453
I don’t know that we’ve gotten much more than “Earth was ruined”. Although I do think restoration of Earth would make for a nice prestige project for House Heinrich.","attachment":null,"posted":1712979403},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5976462,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976459
That would be lit push all the earth space rocks into it. Hit it with heat to re molten the core. Probably could steal mercury for mass depending how shattered it is. Then terraform the fuck out of it. Probably take 100-200 years. But it would be a lit project.","attachment":null,"posted":1712980383},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5976584,"name":"QM","msg":"Apologies for the radio silence. I've been busy with something semi-significant IRL, and will be for today, too. I'll try to update tonight but can't make any guarantees.","attachment":null,"posted":1712998306},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5976880,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976584
All good QM, take care","attachment":null,"posted":1713035604},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978298,"name":"QM","msg":">>5975480
>>5975483
>>5975484
>>5975485
>>5975489
>>5975501
>>5975502
>>5975531
>>5975534
>>5975539
>>5975653
>>5975715
>>5975801
>>5975869
>>5975913
>>5976024
>>5976026
>>5976060
You determine that a multifaceted approach is ideal. Under the command of your secondborn son, Leopold, and guidance of your mother, the newly-risem House Uvar will be tasked with running a fine-comb through the Imperial Bureaucracy. At the same time, the Royal Guard will be sent to storm strategically-significant offices, (the locations of which are, for the most part, unknown to the wider public) and seize potentially sensitive documents before they can be altered or erased. This Pete and his co-conspirators are summoned to the beating heart of the Eternal Empire, to explain themselves before the throne on Mars.
Two months pass as your orders are carried out, before a transport reaches Mars and the bureaucrats disembark in the royal hangar. You sit on your throne, watching calmly as a single-file procession of veteran clerks enter, flanked by Royal Guardsmen. They spread wide and after some shuffling, one ancient shuffles forward on a primitive walker. The man before you is no less than a dessicated fossil, with wet, sunken eyes and a frail, shriveled frame. You watch as he carefully pushes his walker aside and, with the support of a nearby Guardsman, gets onto his knees.
His voice is raspy, and audibly wheezes as he collects himself. Altogether, he gives you the impression of dried, cracked parchment.
"Your... m-majesty. I am Pete, humble sc-scribe under your Imperial... Bureaucracy. How... may I be of service?"
Your own static fills the chamber. "You knowingly interfered in the work of Crown Corp, the commercial property of House Heineich. Explain yourself."","attachment":null,"posted":1713176347},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978300,"name":"QM","msg":">>5978298
The man pauses, breathing heavily. You aren't sure if he's collecting his thoughts or recovering from the effort of speaking.
"Almost one hundred solar years ago..." His tone shifts to bitter contempt. "I served as a functionary... under the Board of Shareholders- th-the Mega-Corps. My work was..." Pete gasps, holding one of his walker's legs to steady himself. "To coordinate sh-shipments. Your majesty... you are a wise ruler. Your father, his majesty, taught you well..."
"You know the truth of the... old Mega-Corps. The... the opulence. The... consumerism. You... don't know... the rot. I was young, then... talented, connected. I was put in ch-charge of a corporate subdivision... to build a new, little starport on Plutul. Our budget was one-hundred million credits, with an ETA of... four years."
The commoner coughs into his sleeve, a slight breach of protocol, but for one of such an advanced age, this can be overlooked at the moment.
"They put us eight-hundred million in debt... and in six years... barely laid down the foundation. Their plan was to... file for bankruptcy... dump the stocks... embezzle it all... I was a figurehead... I couldn't stop them... couldn't get any work done. Then your Empire- my Empire- came."
"They took control. Broke the subcorporations... Evaporated mine. A Soluton got on top of the project... finished it in seven months and four days." At this, he gets a strange sense of awe in his voice. "That was... efficient... no-nonsense, no meetings... only real, physical work! It was beautiful... and I wanted to be a part of it. I was... and am, proud to serve... to be part of something real."
"These corporations... they're all the same, your majesty. They may have... different brands... but the greed underneath is the same. It would be... generations... before the decline set in on the roads, but... I couldn't let that happen... It would be a rock in the Empire's boot... maybe even a nail, and... and... the Empire needs to march strong! On imperial roads!"
Pete shuffles, slowly rising on his walker. "It wasn't my... my place to interfere... but I felt I must... I owed it to the Empire... Please, your majesty... forgive my shameful methods... I'm no noble, no veteran, no... merchant... all I had... all I have... is the holo-pen..."
You consider his words. "I've heard enough. You may depart my presence. Guards, escort them to their rooms." Hardly furnished enough to suit noble dignitaries, but a far cry indeed from the dungeons of House Vonduul. If anything, confinement on Mars is better than the artificial hab-blocks they're used to.","attachment":null,"posted":1713176448},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978301,"name":"QM","msg":">>5978300
In some weeks, House Uvar and the Royal Guard return with data. According to them, Pete's records were honest, with one exception of ambiguous wording. Instead of putting funds toward Ustong pioneering experts employed under Zephyr Corp, as implied, the Imperial Bureaucracy hired the Ustong to help the sharecroppers directly, sidestepping the merchants. That comes as no surprise, given his anti-Corp bias. Your informants do note that this was done over the table through your sister, Aurelia, rather than the fallen house's underbelly. Possibly an oversight from an aged mind rather than any foul play, but your mother taught you to be aware at all times.
What is your verdict? This will also apply to the rest of his co-conspirators.
>By willfully acting against Crown Corp and using extorted credits to fund a former Tripartite House, Pete has committed high treason against the throne. He'll be given a swift public execution, as is appropriate.
>The old man dared to defy the Privy Council at an unimaginable scale, even as they were working on the Emperor's behalf. He'll be castrated and sent to Cradus XVII accordingly.
>Regardless of his intentions, the paper-pusher cost Crown Corp tens, if not hundreds of billions of credits, and is far too poor to properly fine. He'll be placed under house arrest and disbarred from the Imperial Bureaucracy.
>Crown Corp itself was once a Floreds Corp asset, and the commoner's actions could be forgiven in that respect. He'll be allowed to continue his employment under the Imperial Bureaucracy.
Due to a combination of Leopold's expertise and the Royal Guard's haste, some thoroughly interesting, if unrelated data was uncovered. While the Imperial Bureaucracy is a relatively new organization and has very little corruption for its size, there are some inevitable handfuls of scribes and taxmen who think themselves too clever for imperial law. This is a valuable opportunity to set a precedent.
How should governmental corruption be punished?
>Extremely. Those who would exploit the Empire, and by extension, all of Mankind, deserve no future and will receive none on Cradus XVII.
>Severely. Willing theft from the Empire's offices is tantamount to treason and must be dealt with via execution.
>Moderately. Those caught taking advantage of their position will be whipped (or, if needed, worked) in proportion to their misdeeds.
>LenientIy. Anyone taking bribes or skimming from the top will be immediately disbarred, and forced to pay an equivalent fine or go into debt.","attachment":null,"posted":1713176528},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978313,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978301
>Crown Corp itself was once a Floreds Corp asset, and the commoner's actions could be forgiven in that respect. He'll be allowed to continue his employment under the Imperial Bureaucracy.
We need to use Pete to turn the IB to our advantage here. Maybe he can spend the last part of his life undoing some of the damage here, and as a gift, he can advise us on Crown Corp structure to ensure that CC does not become a hindrance to the Empire?
>Moderately. Those caught taking advantage of their position will be whipped (or, if needed, worked) in proportion to their misdeeds.
We want to disincentivize this behavior but not so much that whistleblowers refuse to step forward or go into hiding.","attachment":null,"posted":1713178531},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978326,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978301
>Regardless of his intentions, the paper-pusher cost Crown Corp tens, if not hundreds of billions of credits, and is far too poor to properly fine. He'll be placed under house arrest and disbarred from the Imperial Bureaucracy.
I sympathize with his intentions but this kind of behavior can't be allowed. If we let him off the hook, it gives license to others to do similar "in the name of the Empire". He needs some kind of punishment.
>Severely. Willing theft from the Empire's offices is tantamount to treason and must be dealt with via execution.
Corruption is absolutely unacceptable and will bring this Empire to its knees if allowed to fester, it requires as harsh a punishment as is feasible. I don't particularly mind Cradus XVII if people think it's more appropriate.","attachment":null,"posted":1713183093},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978356,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978301
>Crown Corp itself was once a Floreds Corp asset, and the commoner's actions could be forgiven in that respect. He'll be allowed to continue his employment under the Imperial Bureaucracy.
He's loyal, he had a good motive and he's got what, 5 years to live? Ten? He can be forgiven. Besides, both the bureaucracy and crown corp are ours so it ultimately was not a problem.
>Moderately. Those caught taking advantage of their position will be whipped (or, if needed, worked) in proportion to their misdeeds.
Proportional punishment works best for something like this.","attachment":null,"posted":1713188685},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978357,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978301
>Regardless of his intentions, the paper-pusher cost Crown Corp tens, if not hundreds of billions of credits, and is far too poor to properly fine. He'll be placed under house arrest and disbarred from the Imperial Bureaucracy.
Enjoy your retirement ancient one.
>Severely. Willing theft from the Empire's offices is tantamount to treason and must be dealt with via execution.
I hate corruption.","attachment":null,"posted":1713188789},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978361,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978301
>Crown Corp itself was once a Floreds Corp asset, and the commoner's actions could be forgiven in that respect. He'll be allowed to continue his employment under the Imperial Bureaucracy.
fair enough old man, but know that we are watching.
>Severely. Willing theft from the Empire's offices is tantamount to treason and must be dealt with via execution.
Corruption is sadly sometimes part of humanity, but it should never grow to a level where it causes actual harm.","attachment":null,"posted":1713189899},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978369,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978301
>Crown Corp itself was once a Floreds Corp asset, and the commoner's actions could be forgiven in that respect. He'll be allowed to continue his employment under the Imperial Bureaucracy.
I can sympathize with him and his fellows. Regardless they don't deserve to be executed or tortured.
>Moderately. Those caught taking advantage of their position will be whipped (or, if needed, worked) in proportion to their misdeeds.
Whipping and hard labour might be more than enough to discourage people of corruption lmao.","attachment":null,"posted":1713190962},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978409,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978301
>>5978313
Supporting.","attachment":null,"posted":1713194752},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978415,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978301
>Regardless of his intentions, the paper-pusher cost Crown Corp tens, if not hundreds of billions of credits, and is far too poor to properly fine. He'll be placed under house arrest and disbarred from the Imperial Bureaucracy.
He has to be punished but not severely, put him in a training role for new pencil pushers as his retirement
>Moderately. Those caught taking advantage of their position will be whipped (or, if needed, worked) in proportion to their misdeeds.
>LenientIy. Anyone taking bribes or skimming from the top will be immediately disbarred, and forced to pay an equivalent fine or go into debt.
Depending on the crime","attachment":null,"posted":1713195483},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978447,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978356
+1
I say from medium to extreme depending on the severity of the grift/corruption would probably be the best way to go about things","attachment":null,"posted":1713198401},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978452,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978300
>These corporations... they're all the same, your majesty. They may have... different brands... but the greed underneath is the same. It would be... generations... before the decline set in on the roads, but... I couldn't let that happen
this is a warning we maybe should take seriously. everyone on CC is loyal and not corrupt now, but there's no telling what will happen in a few generations. maybe we should create a figure of CC overseer or similar and tie it to a member of our close family by blood. to act as overseer of the CC and also nexus between it and ourself. maybe it could also oversee/interact with the Bureaucracy in our place","attachment":null,"posted":1713198755},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978457,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978452
Yeah I'll have to agree on that front. I like your idea anon, and it might also do well to make a system that ensures the corporations aren't solely defined by greed and self-interest but instead act for the sake of the Emperor and the Empire as a whole. Perhaps we should ask Pete about what his recommendations would be in this regard.","attachment":null,"posted":1713199668},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978458,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978452
I mean that applies to everything that holds some power and incentive to create or hold onto wealth doesn't it? From the government to the military to the bureaucracy hell even our own nobles could grow spoiled and corrupt making them much harder to please if given enough generations without oversight.","attachment":null,"posted":1713199840},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978461,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978457
The only way to do that 100% I can think of would be through absolute state capitalism which frankly has its own issues. We could abolish or put extreme restrictions onto the stock market forcing companies to only be beholden to themselves and their customer base rather than a bunch of rich guys who just want to get richer and don't really care how its done but that could have some potentially drastic consequences on the economy.","attachment":null,"posted":1713199994},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978462,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978452
>>5978457
Nope, Pete's point applies to every human institution and not just the corpos. I only agree with the part about having a member of the family head the Corp for the purposes of giving it more vision and direction than it could have as a group endeavour.
Anyway, I don't know why anons are being so sympathetic to Pete, he wasted not just Corp time and money for nothing but OUR Corp time and money for nothing.","attachment":null,"posted":1713200470},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978464,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978462
He’s clearly autistic and we see ourselves in him.
Look, I think a better idea is to create a “Corp Auditing Force” within the IB to basically police the Corps and report to the Landsraad directly, rather than the Emperor. We want to create a system where excesses of the Corps are curbed and independent investigators can do this without fear of reprisal.","attachment":null,"posted":1713200651},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978467,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978457
>a system that ensures the corporations aren't solely defined by greed and self-interest but instead act for the sake of the Emperor and the Empire as a whole
i think we should want this, but only for the CC. because it is the Crown Corp, you know. the others are the others, it's fine. i agree we should ask pete for suggestions
>>5978458
we shouldn't put focus on the nobles being somewhat corrupt, they are supposed to have a degree of independence since they are nobles. it's also in their best interest to not be corrupt, and also to be loyal to keep us happy. we keep the nobles on track with favors/threat of force/nightshayds mostly. but for economic and civic actors who are very tied in with the empire, such as Bureaucracy and now CC, their only incentives right now are wages and loyalty, right? so mostly loyalty. so the overseer figure would ensure that in the long run. and i also worry about the comment that the Bureaucracy is very big, and will only become bigger and more prone to inefficiencies. now it's a good chance to try to make it robust
>>5978462
pete is hardcore loyal to us and to the empire, he did it on the best of intentions and it didn't have a real negative effect to the empire (only to the CC)","attachment":null,"posted":1713200946},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978471,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978464
that works only if the IB and the Landsraad happen to stay aligned with us in the long run. in any case i prefer the idea of an official role centered in a person (obviously he could have a group of people supporting), it fits and it gives something to do to one the emperor's close family members. we have lots of sons with no concrete job to do at the moment, although i haven't checked to see if anyone of them would fit","attachment":null,"posted":1713201474},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978478,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978301
>Regardless of his intentions, the paper-pusher cost Crown Corp tens, if not hundreds of billions of credits, and is far too poor to properly fine. He'll be placed under house arrest and disbarred from the Imperial Bureaucracy.
>Severely. Willing theft from the Empire's offices is tantamount to treason and must be dealt with via execution.
No corruption or rot must take hold of the empire.
>I still say we should create an internal block chain system so our books are fully transparent and it's impossible to embezzle funds or misappropriate them.
Solely for us we don't have to let other people look at it.","attachment":null,"posted":1713202193},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978479,"name":"QM","msg":"I've been in something of a fugue the last couple of days, after dealing with things. Hard to write until I started writing, if you catch my drift. Updates'll be back to their standard rate from here-on-out.
>>5975786
House De Croize didn't come close to winning the 2nd Civil War, but they did almost kill Otto, a feat hundreds of Federal troops weren't able to replicate. Otto's psychology is particularly bellicose, even by House Heinrich's standards. If not for House Arthen's chivalric conditioning and his tutelage under House Heinrich, he would be a savage, as well as ferocious warmonger. Even now, he considers the warfront on Uvarth some of the best days of his life, only matched by the time he and Jeanne spent together after their marriage.
>>5976453
Old Earth has been shattered. The planet itself is still mostly in one piece and has kept its previous orbit, but that's all the resemblance it bears to the past. Its oceans have been evaporated or rendered more toxin than water, its continents broken into dozens of pieces, and parts of the mantle, exposed. The ruins of ancient human civilization for the most part, consist of a debris field stretching throughout the upper-atmosphere, and the surface below is wracked with all manner of exotic poisons and long-form radiation. Indiscriminate landmines and other, more insidious traps set by now-defunct automata are scattered throughout, the magnetosphere has been disrupted, and there is no longer a protective atmosphere, let alone one that can be breathed. In almost every way that can be named, the cradle of Mankind has been desecrated. Even so, orbiting the ruin is one of the Empire's most popular tourist destinations and it's widely considered the Empire's most important planet, with Mars as a distant second, and substitute. Some optimists feel the situation is only temporary but most think old Earth is lost in all but spirit.","attachment":null,"posted":1713202325},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978480,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978467
Well its in the nobles best interest to not be corrupt against us for as long as we have the power and will to punish them for their corruption they still can and most likely do get away with more micro scale corruption especially against commoners.
Honestly we are lucky a lot of the noble houses have effectively self indoctrination programs they force their children to go through cause a decent amount of these houses (especially the nightshayds) would not be nearly as... consistent for lack of a better word otherwise, if any noble family (again ESPECIALLY the nightshayds) attempt to lessen or abolish those programs that should sound some major alarms and is something we should be on the look out for.","attachment":null,"posted":1713202329},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978495,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978461
Perhaps something more flexible and fluid than state capitalism, while still fostering and ensuring support towards House Heinrich and the Empire? We could do something like you suggested but with lighter guidance, but with more punishments for anything overly corrupt or greedy.
Then again state capitalism can in fact work. It did well for America (they literally called their type of state capitalism the American System) and it's worked well for China.
>>5978462
Yes it can apply to most human institutions, but that sort of mentality is prevalent mostly in corporations (institutions with the sole purpose of making money).
>>5978464
>Look, I think a better idea is to create a “Corp Auditing Force” within the IB to basically police the Corps and report to the Landsraad directly, rather than the Emperor.
I like the idea of a "Corp Auditing Force", but why not have it report both to the Landsraad and the Emperor? Or maybe we can have it report to House Uvar as well?
>>5978467
I feel like the other Corps will eventually become too big to fight against. Sure that may be many generations ahead, but I'll take Pete's opinion to heart.","attachment":null,"posted":1713203155},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978504,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978479
Have there been any explorers or adventurers that have tried going back to Earth?
Are there any detailed first hand accounts about the planet?","attachment":null,"posted":1713203911},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978505,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"I think I'll go for this for now.
>>5978301
>Crown Corp itself was once a Floreds Corp asset, and the commoner's actions could be forgiven in that respect. He'll be allowed to continue his employment under the Imperial Bureaucracy.
He's too experienced to be put under house arrest. Maybe giving him a position to train more bureaucrats and/or in an advisory role?
>Moderately. Those caught taking advantage of their position will be whipped (or, if needed, worked) in proportion to their misdeeds.
>LenientIy. Anyone taking bribes or skimming from the top will be immediately disbarred, and forced to pay an equivalent fine or go into debt.
Depending on the crime.","attachment":null,"posted":1713203972},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978599,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978301
>Regardless of his intentions, the paper-pusher cost Crown Corp tens, if not hundreds of billions of credits, and is far too poor to properly fine. He'll be placed under house arrest and disbarred from the Imperial Bureaucracy.
>Moderately. Those caught taking advantage of their position will be whipped (or, if needed, worked) in proportion to their misdeeds.
>>5978452
>create a figure of CC overseer or similar and tie it to a member of our close family by blood
I support this suggestion
The overseer should have not have any operational control over the company though. They should be more like a full-time auditor / Board of Directors, with a small team of investigatory staff.","attachment":null,"posted":1713216579},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978602,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978479
>Some optimists feel the situation is only temporary but most think old Earth is lost in all but spirit.
What a grand mega-project - The Restoration of Old Earth!
While it may take generations, it would surely enhance Imperial legitimacy.
Also, did our old (secret AI?) adviser ever reveal his secret to us..?","attachment":null,"posted":1713216844},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978608,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978602
No we never investigated. Idk why people keep asking.","attachment":null,"posted":1713217349},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978610,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"I did a tally for fun and to hopefully make the vote look cleaner.
>>5978313
>>5978356
>>5978361
>>5978369
>>5978409
>>5978447
>>5978505
Allow him to continue.
>>5978326
>>5978357
>>5978415
>>5978478
>>5978599
Forced retirement and house arrest.
>>5978313
>>5978356
>>5978369
>>5978409
>>5978447
>>5978599
No rest for the wicked.
>>5978326
>>5978357
>>5978361
>>5978478
Off with their heads.
>>5978415
>>5978505
Each according to their crime.
There is general support to create some sort of oversight for Crown Corp and/or other Corporations, with different ideas floating around in what that would look like.
And there's also general support to have Pete in a more advisory role in the issue of Corps as well as having him mentor bureaucrats.","attachment":null,"posted":1713217544},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978620,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978495
>We could do something like you suggested but with lighter guidance, but with more punishments for anything overly corrupt or greedy.
Only involvement should be concerning deceit and fraud in my opinion.
>Yes it can apply to most human institutions, but that sort of mentality is prevalent mostly in corporations (institutions with the sole purpose of making money).
Our bloated and crooked modern governments would beg to differ.
>>5978599
>The overseer should have not have any operational control over the company though. They should be more like a full-time auditor / Board of Directors, with a small team of investigatory staff.
No, just have somebody from the family that has vision and good conduct to be something like CEO.
>>5978610
>There is general support to create some sort of oversight for Crown Corp and/or other Corporations
Im more interested in an intelligence agency than such a thing.","attachment":null,"posted":1713219085},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978627,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978620
>Only involvement should be concerning deceit and fraud in my opinion.
I'm still surprised you support government intervention in business in any regard.
>Our bloated and crooked modern governments would beg to differ.
Such governments would not exist without the support and influence of corporations.
>Im more interested in an intelligence agency than such a thing.
Well your opinion is noted, although it's not in the majority. Besides there is no need for a dichotomy between having an anti-corruption agency and an intelligence agency. Both can exist.","attachment":null,"posted":1713219793},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978637,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978620
>No, just have somebody from the family that has vision and good conduct to be something like CEO.
No we should let the Privy Council keep managing it or maybe a group of experts that is ideologically aligned to us, but with investigator oversight and more House Heinrich influence.","attachment":null,"posted":1713220810},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978651,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978627
>I'm still surprised you support government intervention in business in any regard.
Im not an idealist AnCap. I simply notice that almost everytime the government tries to help in something, it either makes the problem worse or it doesn't help at all. All the budgets and spending keep increasing yet the problems never get better.
>Such governments would not exist without the support and influence of corporations.
More like these corpos and governments couldn't exist without the other, their relationship is symbiotic and not one sided as you suggest. Besides, even when the corporations and profit motive aren't there the corruption and greed problem gets worse and not better. After all, corpos aren't the ones that can take your money at gunpoint or from your wallet through printing.
>>5978637
The Privy Council lads would still be there anon, Im not suggesting we replace them but instead have someone give direction and vision to the company.","attachment":null,"posted":1713222865},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978653,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978651
>governments are actually incapable of doing good
I’m surprised that housecats can post on 4chan","attachment":null,"posted":1713223130},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978666,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978653
Never said incapable. Everytime a prosecutor or police officer brings justice to people like thieves, muggers, fraudsters or other such miscreants, it brings me peace.","attachment":null,"posted":1713224268},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978669,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978651
>Im not an idealist AnCap. I simply notice that almost everytime the government tries to help in something, it either makes the problem worse or it doesn't help at all. All the budgets and spending keep increasing yet the problems never get better.
I can respect your opinion and can see where you're coming from, but I disagree in principle.
>More like these corpos and governments couldn't exist without the other, their relationship is symbiotic and not one sided as you suggest. Besides, even when the corporations and profit motive aren't there the corruption and greed problem gets worse and not better. After all, corpos aren't the ones that can take your money at gunpoint or from your wallet through printing.
I'd counter that corporations as we know them are a relatively modern type of entity while governments are about as old as written history. I would go as far as to say a government doesn't necessarily need the assistance of corporate entities to be efficient or do something positive for the people they rule over. And while corruption and greed are indeed present in many different systems and institutions, I'm mostly just stating that within corporations both greed and corruption tend to be more prevalent (especially if corporations go unchecked) due to the very nature of corporations.","attachment":null,"posted":1713224476},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978677,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978610
>people want to be lenient on the old man because he was against the corruption of the corps
>people also don't want to be light on corruption","attachment":null,"posted":1713225142},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978678,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978677
want to be light on corruption*","attachment":null,"posted":1713225203},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978685,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978677
I wouldn't necessarily call forced labor and literal lashings against things like bribery or embezzlement as "light on corruption" kek","attachment":null,"posted":1713225929},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978692,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978685
I would. These kinds of things represent some of the biggest potential threats to the empire and should be treated as such. Anything less than a punishment fit for treason is light.","attachment":null,"posted":1713226333},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978703,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978669
I'd counter that corporations as we know them are a relatively modern type of entity while governments are about as old as written history.
True.
>I would go as far as to say a government doesn't necessarily need the assistance of corporate entities to be efficient or do something positive for the people they rule over.
The government doesn't need corporations at all, it's the economy that does (If it's gonna be prosperous at least). The government CAN do positive things like punishing criminals (which is the one I like the most) but it seems that anything that involves the creation of wealth is bungled much more often than not.
>And while corruption and greed are indeed present in many different systems and institutions, I'm mostly just stating that within corporations both greed and corruption tend to be more prevalent (especially if corporations go unchecked) due to the very nature of corporations.
And Im saying that within governments both greed and corruption tend to be more prevalent due to the very nature of governments. (They will ALWAYS get their money)
Without fraud or force, Corpos will always be limited in what they can do. Checks against those make any other check redundant.
>>5978685
Then you don't hate corruption enough.","attachment":null,"posted":1713227088},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978728,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978692
I personally think that forced labor would serve to set a better example in a place like the Empire, since with an execution their suffering will be over quickly but work and whipping requires them to pay for what they did.
>>5978703
>And Im saying that within governments both greed and corruption tend to be more prevalent due to the very nature of governments. (They will ALWAYS get their money)
A government's nature is not primarily made for the sole reason of making/securing money, but to oversee a people and ensure they don't all die or fall into chaos. A corporation's nature is solely for the accumulation of wealth, everything else is secondary.
>Without fraud or force, Corpos will always be limited in what they can do. Checks against those make any other check redundant.
I disagree. Corporations can use passive strength, usually in the form of money, to get what they want. There's not even a need to use brute force or fraud, if they have enough money they can pressure the government and fund organizations to make societies go in the direction they want.","attachment":null,"posted":1713228727},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978739,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978728
>A government's nature is not primarily made for the sole reason of making/securing money, but to oversee a people and ensure they don't all die or fall into chaos. A corporation's nature is solely for the accumulation of wealth, everything else is secondary.
Doesn't contradict what I said.
>I disagree. Corporations can use passive strength, usually in the form of money, to get what they want. There's not even a need to use brute force or fraud, if they have enough money they can pressure the government and fund organizations to make societies go in the direction they want.
The only thing in that list that really concerns me is the subversion of government but that is a problem that can be handled by the intelligence agency not the paper pushing bureaucracy.","attachment":null,"posted":1713229443},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978755,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978728
In that case it sounds like you would be in support of Cradus XVII. Unless you mean that people serving community service hours and getting whipped is a less desirable punishment than execution.","attachment":null,"posted":1713230523},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978766,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978739
>Doesn't contradict what I said.
I'm of the opinion it does.
A governmental system does not necessarily fail if it doesn't get their money in the end, so long as the nation doesn't collapse into chaos and government itself is dissolved.
A corporation that isn't profitable, on the other hand, has failed its primary (and arguably fundamental) purpose.
>The only thing in that list that really concerns me is the subversion of government but that is a problem that can be handled by the intelligence agency not the paper pushing bureaucracy.
That's fair.
>>5978755
>community service hours
When I think of "forced labor" I mostly imagine work camps and mines, not meme punishments like picking up litter for a few weeks. Also whipping is brutal, especially if it's public.","attachment":null,"posted":1713231162},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978788,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978766
>A governmental system does not necessarily fail if it doesn't get their money in the end, so long as the nation doesn't collapse into chaos and government itself is dissolved.
But that's the thing. They ALWAYS get their money and since that's the case, what external incentive do they have to make it count? Sometimes, they are incentivized do nothing or as little as possible since, if the job is done, they don't get paid more.
Yes, corporations' express purpose is to make money but greed is universal and as such, those who have access to the guaranteed fountain that is government income are the one's whose greed reaps the most unjust and disproportionate rewards. Therefore, since it's rewards are so great, greed and corruption tend to be more prevalent.","attachment":null,"posted":1713233626},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978797,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978766
Yes they do... it's called fucking austerity measures. Like bro go learn basic economics. And if your government fails its massively worse than just a corpo failing to a competitor.
Capitalism is literally the best way to deliver goods to a customer.
State based economics always fails. And if a competitor arrives in capitalism that does the thing better, more efficiently and cheaper. The old outdated model gets put down like the dog it is.
Communism, socialism never work ever. And it's not because "greed".
The Russians subsidized bread. To the point it was cheaper for children to use bread as a soccer ball than it was to have an actual ball. Their was immense waste of bread because it WAS basically free.
Basic economics literally teaches that. And I'm talking real economics models and not bullshit ones like keyseians or MMT.
Fucking dumbasses. Smdh.","attachment":null,"posted":1713234104},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978801,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978797
You won't convince anyone by talking down to them or by speaking in a language they don't understand anon.","attachment":null,"posted":1713234630},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978803,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978797
Read this book and tell me if your opinion changes, anon.
https://www.amazon.com/Capital-Twenty-Century-Thomas-Piketty/dp/067443000X","attachment":null,"posted":1713235540},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978809,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978803
From a quick google search, it seems to be a frog blaming the increasingly unjust economies post 1900 on capitalism. Nothing austrian economics hasn't addressed before, they predicted it in fact.","attachment":null,"posted":1713236102},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978816,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978788
>Sometimes, they are incentivized do nothing or as little as possible since, if the job is done, they don't get paid more.
Not necessarily. You're not accounting for those that are ideologically driven, or legitimately selfless idealists that want to make the world a better place. People act irrationally, but there is less movement to do so under a corporation since it is in their express purpose to make some sort of monetary gain.
>Yes, corporations' express purpose is to make money but greed is universal and as such, those who have access to the guaranteed fountain that is government income are the one's whose greed reaps the most unjust and disproportionate rewards. Therefore, since it's rewards are so great, greed and corruption tend to be more prevalent.
I agree that greed can be found anywhere, but (unless I'm misunderstanding what you're saying here) I personally think it's too extreme to call it the universal driving force of people. Sacrifice and selflessness are usually seen as virtues for a reason.
>>5978797
Yes governments failing is exponentially worse than corporations failing, this goes back to my point about governments not really needing corporate influence. We can talk a bit about austerity economics, it should make some good discussion, but I'll have to wait on my end since I'm going to go to bed and I might be busy for most of tomorrow.
As for talking about socialism or communism's failures as governments or even about capitalism's relation to the consumer, part of me is too tired to discuss the whole "that wasn't real capitalism/socialism!" stuff. My main point is that I'm merely stating corporations are more likely to act in greed than governments.
>>5978803
I haven't seen this book before, might give it a read. Thank you for sharing anon.
>>5978809
>Nothing austrian economics hasn't addressed before, they predicted it in fact.
You tempt me to stay awake, anon.","attachment":null,"posted":1713236484},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978820,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978803
Like other anon said. Austrian economics has always pointed out that you need to not have cartels or monopolies. And that their can't be barriers to entry. Which if you look at let's say Google and Apple. What do they always do? Oh they buy out competition before it even starts. It's very easy to not allow cartels to exist. By allowing new competition into the market. What do big corporations do?
They lobby for regulations (Aka not a free market) that no one else but they can abide by. This then forces competition to cease to exist. Austrian economics spells it all out very well.
Tldr: butthurt frog crying that they lost power after napoleon due to other countries out competing them. Von mises is the goat and always will be.","attachment":null,"posted":1713236876},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978822,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978479
How did that happen anyway? I can't remember if the fall of Old Earth was ever mentioned in previous threads.","attachment":null,"posted":1713236992},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978825,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978816
You can't be greedy in a competitive market. Someone will do it better and cheaper than you and you lose your market share. Hence the term perfect competition. Which is the ideal situation for everyone involved. Cheapest product for the consumer and the best product or someone will buy it from your competitors instead.
Like I said it's literally basic economics.
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/perfectcompetition.asp
Here's a link for the ignorant. Hopefully you're just ignorant and not willfully ignorant. One's not your fault and one is.","attachment":null,"posted":1713237218},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978828,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978809
>>5978820
>a quick google search means that I am now smarter than an award-winning economist
lol, k","attachment":null,"posted":1713237649},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978829,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978816
>You're not accounting for those that are ideologically driven, or legitimately selfless idealists that want to make the world a better place.
I am, it's just that people with true conviction are the exception and not the rule.
>I agree that greed can be found anywhere, but (unless I'm misunderstanding what you're saying here) I personally think it's too extreme to call it the universal driving force of people.
There are other driving forces for human action but wealth is a means to a LOT of ends and is thus one of the most desirable things to humans.
>Sacrifice and selflessness are usually seen as virtues for a reason.
Of course.
I don't know if you actually got my point though since you didn't address it. This one:
>those who have access to the guaranteed fountain that is government income are the one's whose greed reaps the most unjust and disproportionate rewards. Therefore, since it's rewards are so great, greed and corruption tend to be more prevalent.
tl;dr Crooks can get more money in government than they can get in business since the money flows regardless of their results.
>You tempt me to stay awake, anon.
1. So do you, I always love a good argument. This kind, not the throw insults and talk past each other kind.
2. I can't tell if you're saying that like "What is this school of thought that predicted this phenomenon we both dislike" or like "I disagree but I want to go to sleep".","attachment":null,"posted":1713237800},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978831,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978825
Here's an example for Crown corp. There's only so many scientific ways to make steel.
There will obviously be a best way that gives you the strongest steel and is the cheapest way to produce said steel.
Only thing that changes this is innovation. Such as a new found way to make steel that is both cheaper and stronger. For a brief period of time the new competitor makes more money leveraging their new technology. As time goes on guess what? All your competitors know how to do it too. And the market rebalances itself. Rinse le repeat.
This is why companies put so much money into research and development. It's one of the few ways to gain a market advantage (economics term).
The easier way which is what everyone in current reality beats to death... is marketing. By giving some story that people can buy into. And that's why Gucci can charge shitloads of money for basically the exact same good as some other brand that's a 1/10th the price.
It's why China is a current economic juggernaut. They have both the high end "gucci" factory and next door with the exact same equipment. Make cheap as dirt shit. But equivalently the exact same product.","attachment":null,"posted":1713237976},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978832,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978828
Award winning doesn't mean shit. Modern monetary theory won tons of awards. So did keyseians. Guess what time has proved both to be fucking wrong.","attachment":null,"posted":1713238043},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978834,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978828
Spouting credential worship doesn't do anything anon.","attachment":null,"posted":1713238153},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978840,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978803
Also here's what thr Austrians have to say about your dipshit.
https://mises.org/mises-wire/hendrickson-dissects-pikettys-capital-twenty-first-century","attachment":null,"posted":1713238489},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978846,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978832
>>5978834
Anons, this will be my last post in our friendly debate.
I regret to inform you that credentials and expertise REALLY DO matter, in life. Not all opinions are equal - expert opinions are the only ones that matter. Thomas Piketty's opinions on capitalism has informed national economic policy across the Western world for ten years. If you disregard his opinion out of hand on the basis of "lol butthurt frog", you are just announcing that you are currently uneducated on the subject and your opinion is worthless. Now, if Thomas Piketty started shitposting about marine biology on Twitter, he would be ridiculed and for good reason
Take heart, anons! This is an opportunity to confront the challenge head on and do some didactic learning. People improve when they are forced to confront their oversights and weaknesses. Marcus Aurelius would insist that you read Piketty's work and argue against it on the merits. Good luck!","attachment":null,"posted":1713238912},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978847,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978840
you know that the only other book this guy wrote is Bible fan-fiction, right? Not really a reputable opinion.
https://www.amazon.com/Famous-But-Nameless-Inspiration-Characters/dp/1462055095/ref=sr_1_2?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.tbWtZ34FSRWakz3OJYVDXsFXTQ4lUq7DeGOFzcZG475rgzL_N4Dp7P1YGmlCaxBNIH71EIzcznzeZNc6QzYlbJNKRO3HKgeU6rUbfdRWh2Fh24X1z3pXzHLbB7_AVi1OWpOkyavSFuSrz1d1fqzC0cA4zlWC7bIVZSQRS4bVWV5qqIU9k3k7x2PsKYq9vN373FnuIUkdmc4Q6MxOr2ph-KwBsgJTgenj97oPje7vDnE.ckip1uNPGFPeZrQPPAcRRJz4t52P1bnOuf9p3VaY44k&dib_tag=se&qid=1713239025&refinements=p_27%3AMark+Hendrickson&s=books&sr=1-2&text=Mark+Hendrickson","attachment":null,"posted":1713239079},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978852,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978846
>I regret to inform you that credentials and expertise REALLY DO matter, in life.
True.
>Not all opinions are equal>
True.
>expert opinions are the only ones that matter.
Absolutely not. That is just an appeal to authority fallacy, there is no intrinsic connection between an expert™ opinion and the truth. Besides, like other anon said, we have our own experts™ too.
>Thomas Piketty's opinions on capitalism has informed national economic policy across the Western world for ten years.
Appeal to popularity. No intrinsic connection between what is popular and what is true.
>People improve when they are forced to confront their oversights and weaknesses. Marcus Aurelius would insist that you read Piketty's work and argue against it on the merits.
Oh quiet you.
tl;dr: Experts™ aren't gods that define what reality is.","attachment":null,"posted":1713239513},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978864,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713240297032732.jpg","filename":"Derailed.jpg"},"posted":1713240297},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978870,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978864
Nah, this part and parcel of the Simple Space Empire experience. The Quest asks for policy opinions and this is the natural result.
What I don't want is insults and sass which just takes the fun out of it.","attachment":null,"posted":1713240604},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978879,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"The best method to gain control over an entire nation has always been to control the money supply. Loans, currency minting, inflation and deflation are all mechanisms that could be used to gain such control even without being a governmental entity.","attachment":null,"posted":1713241783},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978901,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978870
>What I don't want is insults and sass which just takes the fun out of it.
Some banter is alright. Your free-market buddy is good at it and has been the only one making any real insults or sass until now!
>>5978825
>the theories I follow are the ideal for everyone involved. REAL *insert ideology* has never remained because of those damn *insert ideological enemy*
Where have I heard this before...","attachment":null,"posted":1713245767},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978912,"name":"QM","msg":"I'm currently having some hardware problems and am struggling to stay conscious after a long day at work. The update is mostly written and I could power through and post it, but I want the quest to be the best it can be, and by extension, I think it's best to post when I'm fully conscious.
I'll be mobile-posting tomorrow, as my PC is nonfunctional and will be until near the end of next week. Thank you for your patience. I'm sorry about all of these delays- I think the QM curse is real but as long as there's Wi-Fi in the continental U.S. and House Heinrich endures, I won't stop posting.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713247744097924.jpg","filename":"1534913254530.jpg"},"posted":1713247744},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978918,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978912
Thank you for keeping at it QM. You the real one.
btw as a phoneposter myself I'd understand if you can't update or gotta postpone things, phoneposting can be a bitch.","attachment":null,"posted":1713248505},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978940,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978846
https://www.amazon.com/Problems-Piketty-Fallacies-Capital-Twenty-First/dp/1503145212
Mate and look how well western economics are doing right now with their modern monetary theory. Fucking bankrupt with sky high inflation. Nuff said.
>>5978847
You're a retard and linked the wrong author... kek
Shows all I need about your googling ability... absolute KEK","attachment":null,"posted":1713250479},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978941,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978846
https://www.cato.org/policy-report/july/august-2015/how-piketty-misses-point
Look another source that says his points don't make logical sense. Correlation doesn't equal causation.","attachment":null,"posted":1713250722},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978942,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978846
https://www.chicagobooth.edu/review/how-piketty-is-wrong-and-right
Even Chicago calls it rebranded Marxism.
Ultimate kek.","attachment":null,"posted":1713250896},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978943,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978901
Austrian economics is constantly said to be wrong and we have to use new x economic model. Then those economic models implode a decade later.
The latest being modern monetary theory.
It's all historical fact mate. Has nothing to do with ideology. Literally just logical and statistically backed theories versus conjecture based theories that end up being proven false.","attachment":null,"posted":1713251016},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978944,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978943
https://carnegieendowment.org/2014/05/06/thomas-piketty-is-pulling-your-leg-pub-55570
Oh look he tries to say he's not a Marxist and didn't read it. Yet discusses and even named his book after marxs own.
>>5978847
Just admit you're a dirty communist. It's quite evident.","attachment":null,"posted":1713251369},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5978967,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"What is a quest?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713257529453846.jpg","filename":"1699834150208349.jpg"},"posted":1713257529},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979009,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978967
>quest focuses on economics and politics
>shocked people discuss things related to economics and politics","attachment":null,"posted":1713269132},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979014,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978941
>Correlation doesn't equal causation.
We're all aware that being a drunk driver doesn't have any relation to car accidents, tell me something I don't know anon.
>>5978943
And why hasn't this perfect and wholesome Austrian economic system never kept after being around? C'mon man, I know you wanna say it with how you throw around the word Marxist.","attachment":null,"posted":1713270633},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979017,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979009
Discussion of economics and politics in relation to the quest is to be expected. This is not that, this is a sperg out.","attachment":null,"posted":1713270975},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979030,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979014
>And why hasn't this perfect and wholesome Austrian economic system never kept after being around?
Why was the Chrysler turbine engine surpressed? You are assuming that people choose what is best for the rest of humanity when that is demonstrably untrue.
>>5979017
I don’t see much wrong with it.","attachment":null,"posted":1713273061},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979052,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978599
>The overseer should have not have any operational control over the company though. They should be more like a full-time auditor / Board of Directors, with a small team of investigatory staff.
this is more or less what i had in mind. but maybe we should take the chance to have this role apply also to the Bureocracy, and have it streamline cooperation between them and avoid further complications like this pete guy.
the CC won't be constantly interacting with the B, but they are our corp and we want them to have an edge over other corps so it's bound to happen in the future again, we want to keep it running smooth. this new role would ease communications, sharing and contracting of resources, solve conflicting issues or escalate them to us, etc. and it would save us work each time we want them to do something, we can do it through this figure and lessen our paperwork","attachment":null,"posted":1713276380},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979076,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979030
Business is business, baby. Survival of the fittest.
Good to know the American money making cabal is still going strong.
That project looked cool, a shame the Burgers decided to exclusively use it on their tanks instead of making it commercial.","attachment":null,"posted":1713279055},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979126,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979076
The turbine engine would have too good for the public if it was released. It would have been released too if it weren’t for the fact it was essentially banned by the regulations that automakers and big oil were pushing. ","attachment":null,"posted":1713284173},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979137,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979126
I can just imagine how they justified it. Can't have it spread around so much it gets in the hands of America's enemies lol","attachment":null,"posted":1713285578},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979153,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978829
>I am, it's just that people with true conviction are the exception and not the rule.
I disagree with the sentiment. People with true conviction are the ones who shape nations, cultures and social morality. Most of society then tends to move in the direction they push towards.
>There are other driving forces for human action but wealth is a means to a LOT of ends and is thus one of the most desirable things to humans.
I agree that in our current system monetary power means much (hence the extent of corporate influence), however that doesn't go against what I've said. Greed is still not the universal driving force of all humans.
>tl;dr Crooks can get more money in government than they can get in business since the money flows regardless of their results.
To gain a stable "money flow" it would necessitate the near complete corruption in every arm of the government at all times, which is untrue. Even if it is present this corruption can be purged through a variety of means, especially if the government uses it's own power to do so. Of course this presupposes that the respective governments aren't acting in the interests of corporations (or act like businesses themselves).
However the fight against corruption isn't done as much towards corporations (or if so it's under intense controversy and scrutiny), even though it is in the corps nature to accumulate more wealth.
>>5978825
A theoretical perfect free market isn't truly a defense against greed, considering there are bypasses one could make if you're clever enough. Of course then it could be argued it would no longer be a truly perfect competition, but that goes into how an idealized form of competition is defined. Despite all of that there is an inherent need to have self-interest in an ideal competitive market, sometimes to the extent of forsaking family and culture. That's not even touching on how irrational and emotional people can be.
>perfect competition
I myself once believed that such a thing could be achieved, but I've come to realize that this theoretical is about as likely as "post-scarcity communism". I might be optimistic about the potential of humans, but the necessary environment and cooperation between all parties to play fair in an unregulated cutthroat competitive arena is unrealistic. People tend to still buy junk and make bad decisions despite knowing it's not in the best interests for the rest of humanity, just look at the effect marketing has on people's purchasing choices.
>>5978831
>The easier way which is what everyone in current reality beats to death... is marketing. By giving some story that people can buy into. And that's why Gucci can charge shitloads of money for basically the exact same good as some other brand that's a 1/10th the price.
I completely agree with this statement. Something that has good marketing will sell more than a product that's objectively better and cheaper for the consumer in every way.","attachment":null,"posted":1713288315},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979161,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979153
>I disagree with the sentiment. People with true conviction are the ones who shape nations, cultures and social morality. Most of society then tends to move in the direction they push towards.
Yeah? These people can move society but they are still the exception. Most people are sheep, going about their own lives while still somewhat following the direction of the herd.
>I agree that in our current system monetary power means much
It has always meant much. From a roman aristocrat with tons of gold or a mongol warrior with tons of cattle. Wealth brings power to achieve your ends in life.
>however that doesn't go against what I've said. Greed is still not the universal driving force of all humans.
I was supplementing what you said, Im not confident in saying it's THE driving force but it is definetly A driving force.
>To gain a stable "money flow" it would necessitate the near complete corruption in every arm of the government at all times, which is untrue.
Yet it happens all the time in our modern governments.
>Even if it is present this corruption can be purged through a variety of means, especially if the government uses it's own power to do so.
But the bigger the government is the harder this task will be. This goes along with something I wanted to say about those with conviction. The more lean we can make our state, the less corruption we'll have.
>Of course this presupposes that the respective governments aren't acting in the interests of corporations (or act like businesses themselves).
It's the latter. Government organizations trying to suck as much taxpayer funding as possible, happens all the time.
>However the fight against corruption isn't done as much towards corporations (or if so it's under intense controversy and scrutiny), even though it is in the corps nature to accumulate more wealth.
1. What universe are you living in where corporations aren't scrutinized? Your opinion of "corporations are behind it all!" is the norm, mine of "corporations and government have become one in the same." is the exception.
2. I think the problem you have is that you see corporations as this homogenous organism when in fact they are merely a composite of people. Since greed is a driving force of people, how do the incentives of the organization interact with that greed? My point is that corporations are limited by the fact that they must offer something desirable to someone in order to get any money. Government have no such obligations since they get their money through force and therefore the greed of those within can have much greater and unjust rewards and also therefore there is a bigger incentive to be greedy.","attachment":null,"posted":1713289848},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979174,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979137
It’s worse than you can imagine. The way they banned the turbine engine is through emissions laws restricting what fuels an engine could use. The reason this is important is two-fold. The turbine engine could use any combustible fuel including the highly poisonous lead based gasoline. However the only reason lead gasoline was a thing was because the piston engines at the time were a shitty design that kept breaking if you used any other fuel, which the automakers and big oil knew this fuel would be detrimental to the rest of humanity. So essentially the automakers and big oil created a problem that harmed everyone in the world then used it to banned their biggest threat under the guise of environmentalism.","attachment":null,"posted":1713291036},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979209,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979161
>Most people are sheep somewhat following the direction of the herd.
On that we can agree on.
>Wealth brings power to achieve your ends in life.
I'd argue that the modern society is one compromised of merchants having the most influence through passive strength. The Mongol and the Roman didn't use their wealth in the same way a billionaire today would.
>Im not confident in saying it's THE driving force but it is definetly A driving force.
To an extent, but I don't believe it's universal for all humans. A large amount of governments and even corporations aren't bent on greed but on ideology.
>it happens all the time in our modern governments.
Unfortunately true. We need more intervention against corruption in the government, and they shouldn't act in the interests of business.
>the bigger the government is the harder this task will be. This goes along with something I wanted to say about those with conviction. The more lean we can make our state, the less corruption we'll have.
The weaker the government the weaker the response will be against corruption (both internal and external) and the more easier it is to ignore. A weak decentralized government cannot stop foreign forces from influencing it.
>Government organizations trying to suck as much taxpayer funding as possible
I'm glad we can agree that governments should not act like businesses. Yet without taxes the State must either engage in corruption to make ends meet or demilitarize and depolice itself.
>scrutiny
Not referring to corpos not being scrutinized, they are, merely that investigations tend to give too much leeway to businesses while putting on a show. And when there is some investigation it is usually swept under the rug and memory holed. I can give an example if you wish.
>you see corporations as this homogenous organism when in fact they are merely a composite of people.
I don't see them as homogenous, but they are a homogenizing force. Freedom of trade and movement are the first steps to erasing national borders and cultures, as we can see with the EU's project to federalize.
>governments don't have obligations
I believe I already gave an explanation on what obligations they had and the extreme consequences of them not meeting such.
>greed a driving force and governments are easily more greedy
Greed is not as big of a driving force as ideology or cultural preference, nor is greed as universal as you might think.
A government's punishment for being too greedy against it's people and country is the collapse of said government, far more extreme than a corp going out of business. Unfortunately modern governments tend to act in the interests of capital, and thus they get corporate backing.
>corporations are limited by the fact that they must offer something desirable to someone in order to get any money
A product with excellent marketing can be more profitable even if objectively terrible, making the limits not as big as one would think.","attachment":null,"posted":1713295803},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979267,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979209
I think it’s more accurate to say selfishness is central to human motivation than greed.","attachment":null,"posted":1713299571},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979288,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979014
Because it doesn't help the corrupt fed making the people poorer and their rich friends richer. Where modern monetary theory does. This can be said about all central banks it's not solely a usa problem.
Look at usa money supply increase over the last few years. How MMT said nothing bad would happen with endless money printing. Then look at CPI. And realize it was all a fucking lie.
Like seriously just look at inflation and realize MMT was just a loaf of horse shit.","attachment":null,"posted":1713301999},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979303,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978301
>Crown Corp itself was once a Floreds Corp asset, and the commoner's actions could be forgiven in that respect. He'll be allowed to continue his employment under the Imperial Bureaucracy.
Make him train more bureaucrats and in an advisory role for us.
>Extremely. Those who would exploit the Empire, and by extension, all of Mankind, deserve no future and will receive none on Cradus XVII.
>Severely. Willing theft from the Empire's offices is tantamount to treason and must be dealt with via execution.
>Moderately. Those caught taking advantage of their position will be whipped (or, if needed, worked) in proportion to their misdeeds.
>LenientIy. Anyone taking bribes or skimming from the top will be immediately disbarred, and forced to pay an equivalent fine or go into debt.
Depending on what crime they did.","attachment":null,"posted":1713303669},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979316,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978301
>Crown Corp itself was once a Floreds Corp asset, and the commoner's actions could be forgiven in that respect. He'll be allowed to continue his employment under the Imperial Bureaucracy.
>Take Pete's advice in the matter of the Corps. Ask if he wishes to teach the new generation of pencil pushers.
>Create a system to oversee them. Also make an anti-corruption agency.
State capitalism, ho!
>Severely. Willing theft from the Empire's offices is tantamount to treason and must be dealt with via execution.
No mercy for the corrupt.","attachment":null,"posted":1713304666},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979326,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978301
>Crown Corp itself was once a Floreds Corp asset, and the commoner's actions could be forgiven in that respect. He'll be allowed to continue his employment under the Imperial Bureaucracy.
>Take Pete's advice in the matter of the Corps.
>Create a system to oversee them. Make an anti-corruption agency.
>Severely. Willing theft from the Empire's offices is tantamount to treason and must be dealt with via execution.
>Moderately. Those caught taking advantage of their position will be whipped (or, if needed, worked) in proportion to their misdeeds.
>LenientIy. Anyone taking bribes or skimming from the top will be immediately disbarred, and forced to pay an equivalent fine or go into debt.
Like the idea of punishing them according to their crimes but sending them to Cradus would be redundant.","attachment":null,"posted":1713305550},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979331,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979326
>>5979303
>Depending on what crime they did
This is what the vote is for. You can't just say do all of them.","attachment":null,"posted":1713305884},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979347,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979331
Yeah I had a feeling that was what the vote was about.","attachment":null,"posted":1713308481},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979352,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978301
>>5979303
I'll chang my vote to fully support >>5979316
>>5979331
Alright thanks man.","attachment":null,"posted":1713308957},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979355,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979352
>chang
*change","attachment":null,"posted":1713309018},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979367,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978301
>>5979326
If it's only one punishment then put me on supporting
>Moderately
I'll keep the rest of my vote the same.","attachment":null,"posted":1713310018},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979415,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979267
One could talk about it either way, though I feel like there's some more nuance to it.","attachment":null,"posted":1713317457},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979420,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979209
>The weaker the government the weaker the response will be against corruption (both internal and external) and the more easier it is to ignore. A weak decentralized government cannot stop foreign forces from influencing it.
A lean government isn't weaker than a bloated government just because the former is smaller than the latter the same way a small but experienced and well equipped force isn't weaker than a herd of miscreants. The leaner our government is, the higher the standards we can put on those who seek to enter it.
>I'm glad we can agree that governments should not act like businesses.
They shouldn't act like businesses because they don't operate under the same rules as businesses.
>Yet without taxes the State must either engage in corruption to make ends meet or demilitarize and depolice itself.
I don't want to abolish taxes, only to make the taxes count. To not spend it on the frivolous and redundant.
>Unfortunately modern governments tend to act in the interests of capital, and thus they get corporate backing.
I don't know what you mean by act in the interest of capital (It makes me want to accuse you of being a commie) but my gripe with it is that it has become this incoherent and byzantine mess that only seeks to expand it's power and for no other reason than having power for it's own sake.
>A product with excellent marketing can be more profitable even if objectively terrible, making the limits not as big as one would think.
That's the thing, different people value different things differently. You say they are objectively terrible (I'd agree with you) but by what metric and why should they use said metric? Basic subjective theory of value stuff.","attachment":null,"posted":1713317668},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979442,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979420
>A lean government isn't weaker than a bloated government just because the former is smaller. Higher standards can put on those who seek to enter it.
Ah I thought you were talking about decentralization against unitary systems, my mistake.
>a small but experienced and well equipped force isn't weaker than a herd of miscreants.
Tell that to the Taliban, or really any guerilla force from the Viet Cong to the American Minutemen. I know that's not what you meant, but I couldn't help but see the parallels lmao
>I don't want to abolish taxes, only to make the taxes count. To not spend it on the frivolous and redundant.
On that we can agree.
>I don't know what you mean by act in the interest of capital
You've been saying all this time that corporations and governments have become one and the same. What I'm saying is similar to that, except I believe that governments and corporations are separate entities with the former being more corrupted by the latter than vice-versa. I'm not advocating for the abolishment of property or something like that, on the contrary if corporations continue to grow as they have been private property will become near impossible to obtain due to corporations buying it in mass.
However I agree that there needs to be some sort of change before things start to collapse.
>That's the thing, different people value different things differently. You say they are objectively terrible (I'd agree with you) but by what metric and why should they use said metric? Basic subjective theory of value stuff.
Well personally I think a good start would be to make sure any food product isn't actively killing the consumer with microplastics or be made out of a pink mystery sludge, and things like battery chicken farms should generally be stopped.
As for a formal metric for products, I don't really have an objective answer. But I do realize that we should probably have something in that regard before someone corrupt decides to make one and trick people into it.
This is the third time I've had to make this post. I hope 4chan doesn't decide to die on me again lmao","attachment":null,"posted":1713320122},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979455,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979442
Best way for products is having "Grades"
Back to the steel example. Since that's what crown corp does most currently.
You can have various grades of steel.
Low strength cheap as shit steel (Aka low carbon content)
This steel is fine in anything not structural.
High carbon steel.
This is stronger than low carbon steel.
Used heavily as a structural component.
Cromoly steel. Even stronger but requires very specific fabrication methods to work with.
Same thing for stainless steels.
It's very easy to set minimum thresholds for products to meet to be graded as x. The government doesn't even need to do this. It's very easy to have a third party test a product and give it a stamp. Especially if there's many third parties that do it. Basically we're looking for a consensus on does x product meet y grade.
Very simple.","attachment":null,"posted":1713321758},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979468,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979442
That's not why taliban or vietcong won. If you look at history they lost nearly every battle. They won because the reason we were at war with them wasn't well defined and the population at home didn't see any "progress" being made due to the wars being very badly defined in what their purpose was.
We can cross correlate that to Russia fighting in their SMO in Ukraine. They have very clear goals. Denazification, demiliterization, protection of Russian territory.
First one is killing or arresting anyone of x ideology. Second is killing of any males of fighting age and destroying all their equipment. Protection of Russian territory (Aka the shit they annexed). So kicking the Ukrainian army off of any land that's "russian".
Very simple. Very well defined.
Vs
Taliban which was the entire culture of the area (or at least the vast majority). To get rid of that. But to do it with out killing then all (Aka impossible). So the war was setup for failure in the first place.
Same thing for Vietnam. Majority of Vietnam was behind being communist very few were on our side. Therefore without heavy western intervention they were going to lose. (Which is why everytime we pulled troops out the south got their teeth kicked in) the fact that there was incredible dislike for fighting in a foreign country that didn't seem to want to fight their enemy as much as their enemy wanted to kill them.
This is why other than the west pumping retarded amount of weapons into ukraine is slightly different. Well at least it was it's changing now. They were highly motivated to fight the Russians. That's going away now due to ukraine poorly defining what them winning was. (Aka retake the donbass and Crimea. Which they clearly cannot do)
So now the population is turning against the war.","attachment":null,"posted":1713322492},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979470,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978301
>Regardless of his intentions, the paper-pusher cost Crown Corp tens, if not hundreds of billions of credits, and is far too poor to properly fine. He'll be placed under house arrest and disbarred from the Imperial Bureaucracy.
>Severely. Willing theft from the Empire's offices is tantamount to treason and must be dealt with via execution.","attachment":null,"posted":1713322611},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979472,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979442
>Tell that to the Taliban, or really any guerilla force from the Viet Cong to the American Minutemen.
Yeah asymetric warfare plays by different rules, look up the Huk rebellion if you're interested in a case where the insurgents lost.
>I'm not advocating for the abolishment of property or something like that, on the contrary if corporations continue to grow as they have been private property will become near impossible to obtain due to corporations buying it in mass.
Someone buying everything in free market conditions? Simply not possible by it's very nature of being free.
>Well personally I think a good start would be to make sure any food product isn't actively killing the consumer with microplastics or be made out of a pink mystery sludge.
Yet if someone wanted to eat the mystery sludge, why should we stop them? I agree with you if there's no transparency about it but if someone insists on drinking bleach...
>As for a formal metric for products, I don't really have an objective answer. But I do realize that we should probably have something in that regard before someone corrupt decides to make one and trick people into it.
My point is that there isn't an objective metric, you can state the facts about a product or service like >>5979455 suggests but how people value those facts is going to be subjective.","attachment":null,"posted":1713322785},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979499,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979455
I like this concept.
>>5979468
That is an interesting view on it and I can agree with the meaning behind wars and the necessity of having a set reason for them that people can get behind.
Either way I think the history books describing modern conflicts are going to be wild.
>>5979472
>Huk rebellion
Huh, haven't heard of that one before. Thank you for sharing anon. I'd imagine they didn't win due to their unpopularity and the stability of the Philippines (which was also their country, so no homeland advantage).
>Someone buying everything in free market conditions? Simply not possible by it's very nature of being free.
I don't think free market conditions are sustainable in the long term, ultimately it'll devolve into corporatocracy/oligarchy. But I feel like we're talking in circles about this subject.
>Yet if someone wanted to eat the mystery sludge, why should we stop them? I agree with you if there's no transparency about it but if someone insists on drinking bleach...
I'd rather prevent death and suicide if at all possible.
You yourself said that most people were like sheep that somewhat followed the herd, most people don't really care or have the time to think about deep philosophical or economic theories, to just leave them be this modern misinformed advertiser friendly world is inviting an orgy of death.
>Objective metric and subjective views
I agree there is no agreed upon formal objective metric for products (at least not one that is talked about often), but I'm recommending one is formally collected and promoted before someone else decides to formally make one and promulgate it.","attachment":null,"posted":1713324905},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979532,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979499
>I don't think free market conditions are sustainable in the long term, ultimately it'll devolve into corporatocracy/oligarchy.
I actually agree with that but yeah we're going in circles.
>I'd rather prevent death and suicide if at all possible. You yourself said that most people were like sheep that somewhat followed the herd, most people don't really care or have the time to think about deep philosophical or economic theories, to just leave them be this modern misinformed advertiser friendly world is inviting an orgy of death.
So do I but the way to do that is through the word rather than the sword, to preach your moral vision (It's why I want to develop and propagate the Mandate philosophy). Most people are sheep so they need a shepard not a lawman.
>I agree there is no agreed upon formal objective metric for products (at least not one that is talked about often), but I'm recommending one is formally collected and promoted before someone else decides to formally make one and promulgate it
That didn't really address what I said. I suppose we can make some metrics for products that buyers and sellers can use but the point I was making is that people will make different value judgements about them. "I'll purchase the pricier but better quality one" "This is kind of shit but it will have to do" and so on.","attachment":null,"posted":1713327523},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979547,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979532
>So do I but the way to do that is through the word rather than the sword, to preach your moral vision (It's why I want to develop and propagate the Mandate philosophy). Most people are sheep so they need a shepard not a lawman.
That's well said, but I still believe a mix of words and ruthlessness can be useful for the Empire. I haven't really looked into the Mandate philosophy too much, but it does seem interesting.
>That didn't really address what I said. I suppose we can make some metrics for products that buyers and sellers can use but the point I was making is that people will make different value judgements about them. "I'll purchase the pricier but better quality one" "This is kind of shit but it will have to do" and so on.
I do agree that people don't see products the same way, and many don't even care, I guess my real issue lies with how advertising tends to artificially make bad products desirable to the public and I think a method of countering that is needed before someone finds a way to entrench and justify the existence of bad practices.","attachment":null,"posted":1713328533},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979549,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"And just for fun before I go to bed, I'll update the tally.
>>5979316
>>5979326
>>5979352
Three more to show leniency towards Pete.
>>5979470
One more to force into house arrest.
>>5979316
>>5979352
>>5979470
Three more for executions.
>>5979367
One more for whipping and hard labor.
While showing the old man mercy (and probably getting him to teach new blood along with his advice on how to deal with the Corps) has a strong lead, we now have a tie between killing traitors and whipping/hard labor to anyone we deem corrupt.
Some more ideas for how to deal with the Corps like making a new anti-corruption agency to oversee them and general anti-corruption.","attachment":null,"posted":1713328641},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979552,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979549
>killing traitors
Wait isn't Otto against purely killing anyone we're against? Kill the idea behind the man, not the man himself?","attachment":null,"posted":1713328879},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979556,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979552
Huh that's an interesting way of looking at it. To be fair about executing them they were in fact acting in a way that was treasonous to the Emperor and the Empire.
Although a part of me wonders how Leopold would react to it if we just killed them outright. Would he find it hypocritical? Maybe think since we're in power it doesn't matter, power means everything and so on? I'm half tempted to change my vote just to see what happens.","attachment":null,"posted":1713329182},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979563,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979547
>That's well said, but I still believe a mix of words and ruthlessness can be useful for the Empire.
But ruthlessness should be much more peculiar and discerning in my opinion.
>I guess my real issue lies with how advertising tends to artificially make bad products desirable to the public and I think a method of countering that is needed before someone finds a way to entrench and justify the existence of bad practices.
That mainly happens by harnessing natural though often bad human desires like showing off or fitting in. Products you and I see no value in are purchased more as a status symbol than for any practical utility from the product itself. Thus, attack the source by spreading lines of thought that are alike mine or yours and the desirabilty of such products will quickly decrease.
>>5979552
No? He wanted to kill the Tripartite members very much remember?","attachment":null,"posted":1713329550},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979566,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979556
The old pro-Federation man we spared and gave cybernetics to literally supported treason against the Empire.
>>5979563
They killed millions, ruined entire planets and plunged the Empire into civil war. These guys just took bribes and money.","attachment":null,"posted":1713329788},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979570,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979566
>The old pro-Federation man we spared and gave cybernetics to literally supported treason against the Empire.
In his thoughts, most he actually did was spit on a poster.
Anon greentexted "killing traitors" then wrote "Wait isn't Otto against purely killing anyone we're against? Kill the idea behind the man, not the man himself?", crooks are traitor and are against us thefore why wouldn't it apply?","attachment":null,"posted":1713330055},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979576,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979570
>In his thoughts, most he actually did was spit on a poster.
He would've done something treasonous eventually had he been given the chance. Maybe join those drug runner Federation loyalists. Still spitting on the Emperor's portrait is an act of treason and the Empire is already extreme with punishments.
>crooks are traitor and are against us thefore why wouldn't it apply?
Why didn't we kill all the Ustongs then? We had the power to do it but we forgave those that repented and even left them with two planets. Will we let the corrupt that repent and surrender live?","attachment":null,"posted":1713330684},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979581,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979576
>He would've done something treasonous eventually had he been given the chance.
Then we would've punished him when he tried. You don't punish someone for a crime they haven't commited.
>Still spitting on the Emperor's portrait is an act of treason and the Empire is already extreme with punishments.
No it isn't, it's vandalism.
>Why didn't we kill all the Ustongs then? We had the power to do it but we forgave those that repented and even left them with two planets. Will we let the corrupt that repent and surrender live?
No, we didn't kill all of them because not all of them were guilty of treason. Same with the other two.","attachment":null,"posted":1713331134},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979594,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Out of curiosity what does the imperial crown/regalia look like? Is that stuff older than some houses?","attachment":null,"posted":1713331776},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979640,"name":"QM","msg":">>5978313
>>5978326
>>5978356
>>5978357
>>5978361
>>5978369
>>5978409
>>5978415
>>5978447
>>5978478
>>5978505
>>5978599
>>5979316
>>5979326
>>5979352
>>5979367
>>5979470
Reviewing the available information, you find it difficult to condemn Pete. While he abused his position to undermine Crown Corp and, in so doing, indirectly rendered House Heinrich poorer, he did it with loyalty toward the Empire at the forefront of his mind. Moreover, he enriched the Imperial Bureaucracy in the process, invested its credits well, and functionally cost the throne nothing.
You choose to forgive Pete and his co-conspirators and allow them to retain their prior positions. Even further, the man has diligently and competently served your bloodline for almost a century. Such a work ethic should be encouraged. You have he and his peers guided toward a teaching role, for what little remains of their years. Setting such a precedent may one day beget a tradition among those bureaucrats who refuse to retire.
This has quietly legitimized anti-Corp sentiments in the Imperial Bureaucracy, for better or worse.
Though Pete's motives may have been pure, his actions were an irritant. Their negative effects have been minor on the imperial scale and are thus easily forgiven, but his words- be they baseless rhetoric or valuable testimony- have brought key attention to the profit-motive driving most Corps, including your own. If greed is allowed to fester, it could lead to inefficiencies. You briefly consider if something ought to be done.
>Don't fix what isn't broken. Crown Corp is efficient enough to manage interstellar supply chains, and the less overreach they have to contend with, the better.
>Leave Crown Corp under the management of the Privy Council. Your advisors have done an excellent job in the background, and will likely continue to do so if given the chance.
>Appoint an official to keep an eye on Crown Corp. They'll be assisted by infiltrators from House Uvar and House Heinrich, to ensure that it remains dutiful. Of course, this would only formalize what's already been happening.
>Impact Corps across the Empire, rather than Crown Corp alone. This will require major reforms and merits a significant degree of thought. Not the worst thing to focus on as your reign nears its final days, but you never were one for finances.","attachment":null,"posted":1713335455},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979641,"name":"QM","msg":">>5979640
These examples of corruption among the Imperial Bureaucracy are an affront to your chivalric sensibilities. They must be punished accordingly, and set an example for those who would dare to follow in their footsteps. You are a merciful Emperor from a merciful lineage, and so, you'll grant those whose deeds cannot be forgiven- those who've swindled imperial forces, interfered with the inner workings of the imperial government, or conspired with traitors- the mercy of a quick and relatively painless execution.
Those whose deeds are lesser, limited to petty cronyism and lining their own pockets, will receive a commensurately lesser punishment. They'll be whipped and (occasionally, or, at the discretion of House Heinrich) put to work until they've generated enough value to the Empire to pay off what they've stolen. Unlike the lifelong punishments of some dynasties of the past, those few who manage to work off their debts will be forgiven of their crimes. Even if they'll be at the bottom of the list for consideration for new political appointees.
You feel you've handled the situation well enough, even if none of this is likely to make the mainstream history holo-tapes.
You're reminiscing on the good old days in Uvarth, several months later, when an out-of-breath messenger comes sprinting into the throneroom! Before you can formulate a response, another, also out-of-breath messenger comes sprinting in! You command them both to pause, catch their breath, and collect their thoughts before speaking. At their words, you nearly fall out of your throne in shock!
It appears that The Ledger will have to wait! Both of these men have incredibly important news that you've been anticipating for years! Unfortunately, you can only address one of them at a time!
Which do you want to hear first?
>The strategic information from the scouting expedition in Vrakak space!
>The final results of your sister Lydia's secret project!","attachment":null,"posted":1713335516},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979642,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979641
>The final results of your sister Lydia's secret project!","attachment":null,"posted":1713335698},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979655,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979640
>Appoint an official to keep an eye on Crown Corp. They'll be assisted by infiltrators from House Uvar and House Heinrich, to ensure that it remains dutiful. Of course, this would only formalize what's already been happening.
>Impact Corps across the Empire, rather than Crown Corp alone. This will require major reforms and merits a significant degree of thought. Not the worst thing to focus on as your reign nears its final days, but you never were one for finances.
A permenant oversee position for CC who should ideally be a Heinrich close to the direct imperial line. Also reforms to check the Corp power as for, what I remember they control a significant amount of interstellar commerce in the Empire which is worrisome. The trade must flow, but under imperial authority.
>>5979641
>The final results of your sister Lydia's secret project!
Deal with sister shenanigans since it looks like the Vrak aren’t immediately planning an invasion, otherwise the messenger would have probably started off with that.","attachment":null,"posted":1713338627},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979749,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979640
>Appoint an official to keep an eye on Crown Corp. They'll be assisted by infiltrators from House Uvar and House Heinrich, to ensure that it remains dutiful. Of course, this would only formalize what's already been happening.
I want the fourth option too, but that is something his successor will be better suited for than Otto. Just setting up oversight for Crown Corp should suffice for now.
>>5979641
>The strategic information from the scouting expedition in Vrakak space!
>>5979655
We don't know they aren't planning an invasion. He came in out of breath and was ordered to hold his tongue, he didn't have an opportunity to "start off with it".","attachment":null,"posted":1713358520},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979760,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979640
>>5979655
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1713360926},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979764,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979640
>Appoint an official to keep an eye on Crown Corp. They'll be assisted by infiltrators from House Uvar and House Heinrich, to ensure that it remains dutiful. Of course, this would only formalize what's already been happening.
>Impact Corps across the Empire, rather than Crown Corp alone. This will require major reforms and merits a significant degree of thought. Not the worst thing to focus on as your reign nears its final days, but you never were one for finances.
>>5979641
>The strategic information from the scouting expedition in Vrakak space!
I want to to the other one first but security comes first.","attachment":null,"posted":1713361640},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979780,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979640
>Don't fix what isn't broken. Crown Corp is efficient enough to manage interstellar supply chains, and the less overreach they have to contend with, the better.
Guys... an overseer would be a completely useless position
>Impact Corps across the Empire, rather than Crown Corp alone. This will require major reforms and merits a significant degree of thought. Not the worst thing to focus on as your reign nears its final days, but you never were one for finances.
I can get behind trying to take Corp planets, they will be no threat to us without them.","attachment":null,"posted":1713364086},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979794,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979641
>Impact Corps across the Empire, rather than Crown Corp alone. This will require major reforms and merits a significant degree of thought. Not the worst thing to focus on as your reign nears its final days, but you never were one for finances. Setup house Uvar as a financial audit. Audit all corporations and government arms. Introduce a block chain for transparent exchanges between tax revenue and government expenditures.
>The strategic information from the scouting expedition in Vrakak space!","attachment":null,"posted":1713367379},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979803,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979563
>But ruthlessness should be much more peculiar and discerning in my opinion.
>That mainly happens by harnessing natural though often bad human desires like showing off or fitting in. Products you and I see no value in are purchased more as a status symbol than for any practical utility from the product itself. Thus, attack the source by spreading lines of thought that are alike mine or yours and the desirabilty of such products will quickly decrease.
I agree with both of your points.
I feel like this line of thought has been exhausted by our conversation at this point kek","attachment":null,"posted":1713368399},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979823,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979803
Then can you not support the Overseer idea? Pretty please?","attachment":null,"posted":1713372127},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979847,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979823
I thought you supported the idea of putting a Heinrich as leader for it?","attachment":null,"posted":1713373979},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979851,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979847
As leader for the company yes but not this watchdog position.","attachment":null,"posted":1713374385},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979917,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979851
We can always have a Heinrich leading the company... what we need is house Uvar in the watchdog position. So they can "play at being neutral". And thus watch over all corporations and all government arms. And we can give them teeth by allowing them to use the Rangers and if need be the Imperial army to cut out any rot found. Though it should go through court first.
If you back the transparent empire stable coin for credits. We can have a transparent ledger that makes it impossible for corruption to happen in either the imperial institutions or in the corporations. Once it gets big enough we can then push it onto the other noble families. To make sure they're actually paying their taxes and aren't funding you know a 2nd Civil War or a coup. Of course we can make it so sort of specific thing has a loop hole so Nightshayd can function with their black book ops. But it'll make massively easier for us to catch corruption or tax evasion. And there will only be very few people using the loop hole so it'll be easier to monitor that. Even if it's just us looking the other way for Nightshayd. Plus Nightshayd can just use cash (Aka credits) to hide money.","attachment":null,"posted":1713379832},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979918,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979640
>Impact Corps across the Empire, rather than Crown Corp alone. This will require major reforms and merits a significant degree of thought. Not the worst thing to focus on as your reign nears its final days, but you never were one for finances.
This seems like as good a time as any.
>The strategic information from the scouting expedition in Vrakak space!
Uh oh","attachment":null,"posted":1713379974},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979964,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979640
>Appoint an official to keep an eye on Crown Corp. They'll be assisted by infiltrators from House Uvar and House Heinrich, to ensure that it remains dutiful. Of course, this would only formalize what's already been happening.
>>5979641
>The strategic information from the scouting expedition in Vrakak space!
Sorry sis, possible invasion first","attachment":null,"posted":1713385061},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979984,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979917
I say more like an auditing body that investigates suspect companies for crimes but I don't want no pencil necked, rules lawyering nerd going "erm akshually" over the shoulders of businessmen. Basically: act like the police or an intelligence agency and not some redundant bureaucratic department department. This goes into my desire for an intelligence agency instead of have Houses... the Houses would be rightfully disproportianately represented given their experience and training but it would all go directly under the direction of the Emperor.","attachment":null,"posted":1713387122},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5979993,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979640
>Appoint an official to keep an eye on Crown Corp. They'll be assisted by infiltrators from House Uvar and House Heinrich, to ensure that it remains dutiful. Of course, this would only formalize what's already been happening.
>Impact Corps across the Empire, rather than Crown Corp alone. This will require major reforms and merits a significant degree of thought. Not the worst thing to focus on as your reign nears its final days, but you never were one for finances.
We can get others to manage the specifics.
>>5979641
>The final results of your sister Lydia's secret project!","attachment":null,"posted":1713388638},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5980002,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979641
>Appoint an official to keep an eye on Crown Corp. They'll be assisted by infiltrators from House Uvar and House Heinrich, to ensure that it remains dutiful. Of course, this would only formalize what's already been happening.
If it's just formalizing things it shouldn't hurt.
>Impact Corps across the Empire, rather than Crown Corp alone. This will require major reforms and merits a significant degree of thought. Not the worst thing to focus on as your reign nears its final days, but you never were one for finances.
>The final results of your sister Lydia's secret project!","attachment":null,"posted":1713389126},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5980005,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979640
>Appoint an official to keep an eye on Crown Corp. They'll be assisted by infiltrators from House Uvar and House Heinrich, to ensure that it remains dutiful. Of course, this would only formalize what's already been happening.
>Impact Corps across the Empire, rather than Crown Corp alone. This will require major reforms and merits a significant degree of thought. Not the worst thing to focus on as your reign nears its final days, but you never were one for finances.
>>5979641
>The strategic information from the scouting expedition in Vrakak space!","attachment":null,"posted":1713389633},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5980017,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979641
>Appoint an official to keep an eye on Crown Corp. They'll be assisted by infiltrators from House Uvar and House Heinrich, to ensure that it remains dutiful. Of course, this would only formalize what's already been happening.
>The strategic information from the scouting expedition in Vrakak space!","attachment":null,"posted":1713390284},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5980365,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979640
>Appoint an official to keep an eye on Crown Corp. They'll be assisted by infiltrators from House Uvar and House Heinrich, to ensure that it remains dutiful. Of course, this would only formalize what's already been happening.
Don't bother with the corp reform, they're not causing any trouble yet and if we need to a successor can always take on that burden.
>The final results of your sister Lydia's secret project!
Mystery box!","attachment":null,"posted":1713425347},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5980421,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979984
I have a feeling trusting the houses too much will come back to bite us later on.","attachment":null,"posted":1713440369},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5980422,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979640
>Appoint an official to keep an eye on Crown Corp. They'll be assisted by infiltrators from House Uvar and House Heinrich, to ensure that it remains dutiful. Of course, this would only formalize what's already been happening.
>Impact Corps across the Empire, rather than Crown Corp alone. This will require major reforms and merits a significant degree of thought. Not the worst thing to focus on as your reign nears its final days, but you never were one for finances.
We should probably make the framework for a sort of corporatist/state capitalist model or at least make it so that we have more influence over the corps themselves.
>>5979641
>The final results of your sister Lydia's secret project!
This probably won't win but it's been teased too many times to make me curious.","attachment":null,"posted":1713440430},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5980424,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Main hope here is that we do a corp reform while also trying in House Uvar more.","attachment":null,"posted":1713440701},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5980481,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979641
QM sorry if this has been asked before but does the Empire have a single currency?","attachment":null,"posted":1713450109},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5980610,"name":"QM","msg":">>5979642
>>5979655
>>5979749
>>5979760
>>5979764
>>5979780
>>5979794
>>5979918
>>5979964
>>5979993
>>5980002
>>5980005
>>5980017
>>5980365
>>5980422
You surmise that it would be worth placing an overseer from House Heinrich over Crown Corp, to keep them on the straight-and-narrow. You also feel that Corps are a potential malignancy in their current state, and resolve to curb or regulate their influence. Though you are incredibly curious to see what your sister Lydia has done after so many years, you are more concerned by the imminent danger of the Vrakaks. You inform them as much, and the first messenger quietly weeps. Or at least, looks like he's thinking about it, with the dejected expression on him. Oh well.
The second messenger steps forward with a grin, hands you a holo-tape, and explains that the sender is currently undergoing thorough decontamination procedures, to ensure no verminous diseases are at risk of spreading on Mars. The detachment of Imperial Naval vessels that undertook the scouting mission was led by Caleb, an avowed loyalist to the throne whose father was a known veteran against the Vrakaks under the Federation of Uvarth. This Caleb ventured into Vrakak space and was quickly outmanuevered and encircled by one Vrak fleet, but thought quickly and, using his rudimentary grasp of the Vrak tongue, convinced them that he was sent by the Empire to see firsthand how much better Vrakak ships were than the Federation's. Against the odds, playing to their egos worked, and the captain was enable to finesse himself from a mere scouting operation into an entirely one-sided cultural exchange.","attachment":null,"posted":1713462521},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5980612,"name":"QM","msg":">>5980610
Caleb has lived as an outsider among the Vrakak Clans, touring the Conclave for just over a decade now. In that time, he has gathered a wealth of data and managed to not only avoid any casualties among his men, but convinced the Vrakak of the Empire's non-hostile intentions. This is, of course, fictitious, as the Major Houses and Corps alike have long viewed their kind in with contempt. You review the accumulated trove of information immediately.
The Vrakaks are an omnivorous species that subsist on a variety of tubers and mushrooms, supplemented by charred meat, often decayed beforehand. Like Mankind, they are mammals and the only known spacefaring species to share the broad taxonomy of Man. The similarities between both end there.
The Vrakaks, or Vrak singular, have a rapid life-cycle and their population undergoes frequent periods of surging and collapsing. Each is capable of reproducing by the end of their first decade and reaches elderly status by the end of their fourth, though most die years beforehand. Their gestation period is six months with an average of two per litter, sometimes three, occasionally more, though rarely one. These young are able to perform basic labour in a matter of two years and reach physical self-reliance in six. They are so fecund that, like the rabbits of old Earth, uterine cancer is one of their most frequent causes of death and many are spayed after their fifth or sixth litter.
As has been noted by the Empire in the past, the Vrakak lack consistent focus and are in a constant, energetic state that Mankind can only replicate through heavy stimulants. While this renders them less efficient at straightforward tasks, they are far from mindless and cannot be underestimated. The typical Vrak learns at a dizzying rate and retains most of what they take in. Consequently, most have a broad, versatile skillset and there's little division of labour, with every Vrak expected to work where needed or to pick it up on the job, often moments after another Vrak dropped it without warning to pursue something else.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713462593853439.png","filename":"Vrak Fighter.png"},"posted":1713462593},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5980616,"name":"QM","msg":">>5980612
Further, the vermin are immensely apt at quickly coordinating and improvising amongst themselves. Any handful of Vrakaks will, within minutes, put together a crude hierarchy and begin working toward an arbitrary goal. It's suspected that their dunbar's number is considerably higher than Mankind's or, more likely, they have little-to-no barrier toward working closely with total strangers, so long as their clan structure is upheld. Permanent positions are quite rare and their "society," such as it is, exists in a constant state of flux. Their most central unit is that of the clan, with Vrakaks widely refusing to acknowledge any higher authority.
Even the smallest of these clans consists of dozens of Vrakak, and the largest can reach numbers exceeding fifty-thousand. Membership in them is fluid and largely boils down to whoever stays or goes. Despite this, they have a violent loyalty to their chosen clan and frequently skirmish with and raid others for territory or resources. Infighting is also common, in times of famine, and the Vrakak themselves are one of the likeliest causes of any Vrak's death. These clans are invariably gerontocracies, as Vrak slow down some with age and younger Vrakak lack the patience to govern. If any Vrak lives long enough, they'll inevitably end up in a managerial position by dint of gradually spending more and more of their time coordinating their offspring and being acknowledged as having the expertise to do so.
By all rights, such an anarchic species shouldn't have reached beyond the neolithic period, but there are several key factors driving their advancement. First, the Vrakaks prefer to integrate smaller clans over exterminating them, and surrenders to larger clans are a matter of course, just as breakaways are. Second, they claim a firm grasp of trade and are linked together by a frantic, intricate barter economy that continues with almost no regard to interclan dynamics. Third, a curious property of the Vrak brain allows for selective trauma to induce a lifelong hyperfocus on almost any subject, once the vacant lobotomite is coaxed into it. These and the ceaseless pressure of manic competition allowed the vermin to slowly accumulate the knowledge base necessary for a spacefaring society.","attachment":null,"posted":1713462654},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5980617,"name":"QM","msg":">>5980616
The Vrakaks aren't impressive physical specimens by any measure. Held against Humans, they are diminutive, weak, and flimsy, and lack any degree of discipline whatsoever. To contrast, their reflexes are nearly twice faster, their senses (with the exception of sight, where both species are at parity) are notably keener, and they have almost no fear in battle, though this is less due to any courage and more a lack of thought toward the risks involved. Any imperial soldier, properly trained and equipped, is able to match any two hostile Vrakaks with ease, and this ratio only multiplies at the squad level. The problem is that Vrakak swarms usually have five Vrak to one Man, if not more.
Their ability to survive on less than half of the rations and eagerness to tolerate miserable conditions worsens the problem. Attrition warfare is almost untenable against them. If the Vrakak are left to be for any amount of time, they'll entrench themselves, start digging out sprawling tunnels, and reproduce like mad until their warcamp has turned into a frontline settlement. In their reconquest of the frontier, after a mere handful of years, the Federation of Uvarth was forced to siege whole fledgling colonies of the vermin that sprung up during earlier stages of the war.
The Conclave of Vrakak Clans, the only overarching government of their society, exists largely to facilitate wider expansion, negotiate peace agreements between its constituents, and track the population as well as its needs. Vrakak politics are divided into five major factions which have a number of clans under them. In broad order of influence, these are the Vrakuk, who believe outward expansion is the only worthwhile policy as it is in accordance with their instincts. The Vrek, who believe an internal focus and stricter reproduction controls are necessary for their future prosperity as a species. The Vravak, who believe non-Vrakak civilizations are threatening and must be opposed, as they have, for the most part, attempted to exterminate them in the past. The Vrauk, who believe more frequent raiding and denser trading are ideal, as this allows for the greatest exchange of wealth and ideas. And lastly, the Vreuk, who believe non-violent coexistence with non-Vrakak civilizations should be attempted, as it hasn't been tried before.","attachment":null,"posted":1713462715},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5980620,"name":"QM","msg":">>5980617
The Vrakak currently inhabit 76 worlds, nearly twenty of which are newly settled and analogous to the Empire's frontiers. The clan factions are evenly spread among them, but the defeat against the Federation of Uvarth has seen Vrek thought rise to prominence. It's projected to overake the Vrakuk in popularity some time in the next thirty-to-forty years, possibly resulting in a civil war or shift in their focus. As the Vrakak invasion against the Federation of Uvarth occurred sixty years ago, it is already beyond living memory, six of their generations into the past, and old history, by their reckoning.
They already consider House Heinrich to be a fairly ancient ruling dynasty, and House Vonduul is quite obscure among them. Their understanding of older imperial history is almost wholly absent. The Vrakak are widely belligerent toward the Empire and feel Humanity are too decisive, long-lived, and patient to be trusted. At the same time, they're of the (in your opinion, correct) assessment that Human goods are superior, and the desire to seize them is one of the more common motivations behind Vrakak raids.
By Caleb's estimation, there are many teeming billions of Vrakaks among their space, contrasted by around five billion, if not more Humans, the victims of past raids and invasions, stripped of higher technology and reduced to a primitive state, scattered throughout their planets in isolated enclaves. The Vrakak find Humans too tedious to directly manage and leave them to their own devices, aside from setting resource quotas that they're inconsistently pillaged for. This is a tragic and ignominious state of affairs.
The Vrakak's naval assets are a subject of some concern. After their defeat against the Federation of Uvarth, during which they lost over half of their armada, the vermin have dedicated their four bustling shipyards to rebuilding. Six Vrakak fleets are operational, with a seventh set to emerge within half a decade. Rather than the balanced, heavily-armed approach of Mankind's Mars-pattern vessels, the Vrakak designs vary wildly, even from ship-to-ship, but have a handful of universal trends. Vrakak-class vessels (as there's not enough consistency for any one pattern) are highly modular, made to standards the Empire wouldn't tolerate outside of the cheapest of the cheap, and view defensive shielding as an afterthought. They tend to prize speed and in many cases, opt to eschew cannons for hangars to field wings of bombers and fighters. In previous conflicts, their craft have been nimbler than should have been possible, but this may be due to Vrak reaction speeds rather than any particular technology.","attachment":null,"posted":1713462813},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5980621,"name":"QM","msg":">>5980620
The Empire has performed exceptionally well against the Vrakak in the past, which is why its current borders are free from their kind, but the past has passed. House Vonduul is no more and House Heinrich has yet to be tried and tested against alien hostiles. It would be a dire mistake to underestimate a potential enemy, no matter the weaknesses inherit to their genome. Caleb suspects their full naval capacity could be as many as a dozen fleets, possibly more if the Vrakuk seized control and they were pushed into an expansionist frenzy.
It is the scout's opinion that an invasion by the vermin isn't an imminent danger, but the possibility cannot be ignored. In the same measure, the threat of a large raid against the frontier is very real and he suspects your successor has a nearly half-and-half chance to be faced by one during his reign. Caleb theorizes that there may be Vrakaks in distant stars that have lost contact with the wider Conclave, as their species has been spacefaring for some four millennia now, but lack the centralization or reliable record-keeping to be aware of any past expeditions. Near the end of the holo-tape, he hopes this isn't true, and admits it may be paranoia.
You are rather impressed by the man's success. Especially as you didn't expect anything to come of the scouting to begin with.
What should be done with Caleb?
>Nothing, as his tactics demonstrated little true naval skill.
>Put in a good word for him with his superiors in the navy.
>Induct him into one of the noble houses, likely House Uvar.
>Promote him to an admiral, as you have the authority to do so.
Now that you've gathered a vast range of data on the Vrakaks, your opinion of them has evolved.
What are your thoughts on the Conclave of Vrakak Clans?
>They are a scourge that must be eradicated for the good of Mankind, either as a species or a civilization.
>They are vermin that must be pacified before they pose a greater danger to their Human superiors.
>They are savages that wouldn't be worth the Empire's effort, if not for their unfounded and feral hostilities.
>They are subhuman but could be of some use to the Empire, if properly subdued and controlled.
>They are mammals and by their commonalities to Humanity, worthy of some limited, token respect.
>They are all of these things and more, and must be dealt with in time.","attachment":null,"posted":1713462874},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5980648,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980612
Wonder if we can just introduce some STDs to them and see what happens
>>5980621
>Induct him into one of the noble houses, likely House Uvar.
He didn't show any real naval skills but he has proven that he is pretty talented and has given us invaluable information so he deserves a high reward for this.
>They are all of these things and more, and must be dealt with in time.
They will do great in plantations","attachment":null,"posted":1713464081},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5980661,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980621
>Induct him into one of the noble houses, likely House Uvar.
>Put in a good word for him with his superiors in the navy.
He has shown that he is worthy. Almost want to say we should put him in House Heinrich.
>They are a scourge that must be eradicated for the good of Mankind, either as a species or a civilization.","attachment":null,"posted":1713464759},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5980670,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980621
>Put in a good word for him with his superiors in the navy.
>Induct him into one of the noble houses, likely House Uvar.
>They are all of these things and more, and must be dealt with in time.","attachment":null,"posted":1713465451},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5980676,"name":"QM","msg":"This update should've come sooner than it did, but I've been a bit distracted helping my brother and a couple of his friends proofread their final essays for their composition night-class. That and typing is tricky on mobile, but I'm using an app to keep the text saved rather than doing it in the post itself alone. I'm going to go through and address every question I've been asked, please, let me know if I missed yours.
>>5978610
>>5979549
Thank you very much, this was a lot of help with the update.
>>5978504
There have been many thousands of attempts at exploration, few of which found anything of substance, and hundreds of settlements, none which lasted longer than a century or grew to more than a million embittered colonists.
>>5978602
He has not, not yet.
>>5978822
I mentioned it in passing in thread #2 and elaborated further in thread #3, in the list of historically significant Emperors. The 3rd dynasty, House Geddu's embrace of unshackled AI and unrestricted gene-editing led to a series of uprisings by renegade thinking machines and several aberrant offshoot species. The gene wars culminated in an Empire-defining struggle between pro-humanists, who sought to perfect humanity through the refinement of noble bloodlines, and various post-humanists, who sought to reject humanity for the sake of improvement. In the end, one side levied cataclysmic weapons against old Earth- which varies by the telling- but the tactical momentum (or, depending on which you subscribe to, vengeful fury) allowed the pro-humanists to repulse their enemies.
House Geddu was exterminated for its crimes and to this day, the Empire holds a visceral taboo toward unshackled A.I. and in-theory, gene-editing that attempts to surpass or subvert rather than enhance nature, but in-practice, almost all human gene-editing is lumped into the same category. The fall of old Earth and end of House Geddu left the Empire's resolve in shambles, and set the stage for House Sendai to ascend as the 4th dynasty and implement their ideal of Harmonism. Most scholars blame the resulting atrocities committed against the treasuries and dignity of the various noble houses on the aftermath of the gene wars, but House Sendai is no less reviled for placing the common masses above the enlightened nobility.
>>5980481
The Empire does not have a single, centralized currency. The official coinage is the imperial credit which is used for many interstellar transactions and in House Heinrich's territory, but most noble houses have their own petty currencies, the Corps all pay in company scrip where they can, and a majority of the Empire's worlds have their own, local legal tenders. This is a substantial headache for record-keepers but moneychangers are thriving. So far, it isn't a pressing problem but does represent a lack of economic efficiency.","attachment":null,"posted":1713465696},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5980680,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980621
>>5980661
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1713465919},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5980682,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Induct him into one of the noble houses, likely House Uvar.
>They are subhuman but could be of some use to the Empire, if properly subdued and controlled.","attachment":null,"posted":1713466128},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5980725,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980621
>Induct him into one of the noble houses, likely House Uvar.
>They are a scourge that must be eradicated for the good of Mankind, either as a species or a civilization.
I say we try to bait them into raiding us by leaking the fact there will be a fat convoy of goods going to x frontier world on their border. We lie in wait with Rangers any volunteers and the imperial army. Kill them all then use that as a propaganda campaign to push for the righteous invasion and purging of the varakaks.
Makes the empire look good! We can even spin it that they have humans as slaves and we must liberate our brothers.
Though I highly suggest we make some diplomacy peace deals towards the kingdom so they get stuck in bullshit trade/peace deals while we mop the verakaks up.
1 question qm can we use their infrastructure or not? If not I vote we just glass their planets. If so I say we try to glass everything but important infrastructure such as technology/production capabilities and their space ports.","attachment":null,"posted":1713468811},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5980731,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980725
>+ I didn't see it at the time but I'll support the idea of seeding them with a STD so they die. Probably some some for of the clap or HPV. That should kill them pretty good. Maybe we do a couple different ones.","attachment":null,"posted":1713469263},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5980750,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980621
>Induct him into one of the noble houses, likely House Uvar
Pat him on the back!
>They are vermin that must be pacified before they pose a greater danger to their Human superiors.
Our father wouldn’t want them to be exterminated totally…","attachment":null,"posted":1713470545},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5980755,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980621
>Promote him to an admiral, as you have the authority to do so.
>They are all of these things and more, and must be dealt with in time.
Really there’s only two internal factions that are defacto bad for us: The Vrakak and the Vrauk. The other two are are in our favor.","attachment":null,"posted":1713470692},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5980814,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980621
>Induct him into one of the noble houses, likely House Uvar.
>They are a scourge that must be eradicated for the good of Mankind, either as a species or a civilization.
But they aren’t an immediate problem","attachment":null,"posted":1713475065},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5980827,"name":"QM","msg":">>5980725
You can use Vrakak infrastructure but it was made with a completely alien sense of user capabilities and expectations in mind. Their parts are either boneheaded simple or senselessly intricate, the structures themselves lack any but the most basic safety measures, and no single part of construction was intended to fit into a greater, civilizational whole. Everything was built or maintained for a specific task or niche, and everything relying on it was designed with it in mind or improvised afterward. The Vrakaks do have mass-manufacturing, and lack any degree of standardization or quality control to ensure consistency from any one clan to the next. The plethora of jumbled wires, scrap welds, and misused fittings makes the Reaver Clans look immaculate.","attachment":null,"posted":1713476429},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5980832,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980827
Good to know. Bring a ton of industrial scrappers when we go bois.
Thanks for answering.","attachment":null,"posted":1713477094},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5980881,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980621
>Put in a good word for him with his superiors in the navy.
>Induct him into one of the noble houses, likely House Uvar.
He may not make a good admiral, but he should be rewarded for skilfully bringing such a boon to the Empire and there are many who could definitely use this polytalented man
>They are all of these things and more, and must be dealt with in time.
Perhaps we may find a use for them in the future, though whether they deserve and require extermination is an open question. Regardless, they are currently galactic vermin and must be suitably cut down to size and subdued before we can think about such things.
I should update the todo list, it's been three months and one Emperor since I last touched it. Currency reform is definitely going on there, because this is a monetary mess out of Warlord Era China that is not befitting of a glorious Empire. We need to phase in a single currency across the Empire - while we are unlikely to be able to completely displace local currencies and central monetary policy may be unworkable with the Empire's decentralisation, having Imperial Credits be at least accepted legal tender everywhere and freely convertible is a must for Imperial unity.","attachment":null,"posted":1713480241},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5980891,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980881
> Perhaps we may find a use for them in the future, though whether they deserve and require extermination is an open question.
They make great lower class citizens and would have a solid niche as space fighter pilots.","attachment":null,"posted":1713481098},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5980921,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980881
+1 for standardization of currency
>>5980891
I don't think we should let them get anywhere near military equipment. I really think they would do great in a rubber plantation though","attachment":null,"posted":1713483507},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5980926,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980621
>Put in a good word for him with his superiors in the navy.
>Induct him into one of the noble houses, likely House Uvar
>They are all of these things and more, and must be dealt with in time.
We should point them at the Kingdom and laugh as our enemies maul each other.","attachment":null,"posted":1713484207},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5980945,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980621
>Induct him into one of the noble houses, likely House Uvar.
>They are vermin that must be pacified before they pose a greater danger to their Human superiors.
I can't really think of a way to incorporate them or get them to not be a threat peacefully without a realistically big chance of it blowing up in our faces. The Vrek and the Vreuk are possibly the best bet to not having to deal with their raids, but seen as there are still raids and threats of invasion I doubt they have much influence. Having a slave race usually doesn't pay off in the long run, and their mentality can't really be reconciled to humanity's.
But either way we can't take too much time in thinking about how we have to deal with them, since they are constantly entrenching and reproducing they will become more difficult to repel the more we wait.
>>5980676
I'm glad it helped. I know the vote can get a bit messy at times, but it's proof this is a well liked quest.
>House Geddu post-humanists
Are these the infamous gene cultists?","attachment":null,"posted":1713486298},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5980988,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980621
>Induct him into one of the noble houses, likely House Uvar.
>They are vermin that must be pacified before they pose a greater danger to their Human superiors.","attachment":null,"posted":1713489768},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5980992,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979161
>It has always meant much.
Societies with a hyperfocus on material wealth are a relatively new thing in the concept of Human history and weren't even the default until the last 500 or so years.
Take the Wendot for example.","attachment":null,"posted":1713490377},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5981400,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980621
>Induct him into one of the noble houses, likely House Uvar.
>They are all of these things and more, and must be dealt with in time.
>>5980945
We could probably use them as a pretty useful basic labor force by limiting them to only a couple of planets and heavy propaganda. You do gotta remember their record keeping is pretty much nonexistent and (outside the lobotomy autists) pretty much have the memory of a goldfish so given as little as a generation or two we could easily have them forget they were even a space empire in the first place and pretty much have them believe whatever we could want them to believe.","attachment":null,"posted":1713541101},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5981409,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980621
>Induct him into one of the noble houses, likely House Uvar.
>Put in a good word for him with his superiors
in the navy
No promotion from us, because being able to pull of this kind of feat he did does not mean he can lead fleets. He does have talent though and that should be acknowledged.
>They are subhuman but could be of some use to the Empire, if properly subdued and controlled.
The Vrek and Vreuk should be able to be handled with. If we can put them in a more dominant position this would be good. Of course their current clan structure would have to go more towards nobility/ something stratocratic. Don't feel like Otto would be completely as open as Albin. He's smart enough to see that this species has some potential as loyal citizens, but could also be a chaotic vietnam 2.0 space edition.","attachment":null,"posted":1713541981},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5981553,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980621
>>Induct him into one of the noble houses, likely House Uvar.
>>They are vermin that must be pacified before they pose a greater danger to their Human superiors.
>>5980676
Alright thanks for answering. But what's company script?","attachment":null,"posted":1713555404},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5981560,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980621
>Put in a good word for him with his superiors in the navy.
>Induct him into one of the noble houses, likely House Uvar.
>They are a scourge that must be eradicated for the good of Mankind, either as a species or a civilization.","attachment":null,"posted":1713555962},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5981571,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980621
>Promote him to an admiral, as you have the authority to do so.
>Induct him into one of the noble houses, likely House Uvar.
>They are a scourge that must be eradicated for the good of Mankind, either as a species or a civilization.
But more on the 'eradicate their civilization' side than 'eradicate their species'.
Think we can get the squid bros on the action?","attachment":null,"posted":1713557143},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5981635,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980648
>>5980682
>>5980725
>>5980750
>>5980814
>>5980945
>>5980988
>>5981400
>>5981553
Ennoble the man.
>>5980661
>>5980670
>>5980680
>>5980881
>>5980926
>>5981409
>>5981560
Ennobled and well spoken of.
>>5981571
Noble Naval Promotion.
>>5980755
Promotion time.
>>5980648
>>5980670
>>5980755
>>5980881
>>5980926
>>5981400
All of these things and more, they will be dealt with in time.
>>5980661
>>5980680
>>5980725
>>5980814
>>5981560
>>5981571
They are a scourge to Mankind.
>>5980682
>>5981409
Subhumans that could be of use to the Empire.
>>5980750
>>5980945
>>5980988
>>5981553
Vermin that must be pacified before they pose a threat.
Inducting Caleb into a noble House is almost universally agreed, with the second place going to putting a good word in the ears of his superiors in addition to that.
In the issue of the Vrakaks there seems to be a close race between seeing them as the "scourge of the stars" or "yes that too, but also a bunch of other things", yet seeing them as the "threat that must be pacified before we get our asses kicked" is a close second. There's also ideas floating around about turning them into slaves/serfs by using propaganda (which I personally don't think will work seeing how terrible our propaganda has been, but I concede that I'm in the minority) and/or in installing the Vrek and Vreuk as their leaders. There are methods to attack them that are being proposed like launching an STD towards their population, pitting them against the Kingdom, baiting them into attacking us, or even asking potential alien allies to fight against them with us.
There's also some discussion about standardizing the Imperial currency.","attachment":null,"posted":1713564867},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5981655,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980621
>>5980945
I think I'll change the latter part of my vote to
>They are a scourge that must be eradicated for the good of Mankind, either as a species or a civilization.
Mostly to just break the tie (and because I don't want to take them as slaves lmao or deal with a space Vietnam).","attachment":null,"posted":1713567317},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5981698,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"I'm going to be watching a movie with my folks tonight and am hoping it turns out to be kino, but don't have high hopes, kek. I'll be posting the update once I'm back and will be leaving this up for now.
>>5980945
Despite certain superficial similarities between the latter days of House Geddu and the emergence of the Xenocult, the Empire's learned scholars or those few deemed mentally adroit, resilient, and expedient enough to be taught have held a firm, lasting consensus that House Geddu's depths of desecration against the integrity and dignity of the human genome are far exceeded by the least of the Xenocult. Further, while the scale of damage inflicted on the Eternal Empire by House Geddu exceeds that of the Xenocult by multiple orders of magnitude, most believe this is only due to the quick, merciless, and thorough suppression of the Xenocult wherever and whenever it has shown signs of reaching a critical mass. If not for the courage and tenacity of the noble houses and others in suppressing the threat, it's likely that Mankind itself would have been jeopardized.
Though House Geddu are among the most loathed of the past ruling dynasties, attempting to conflate the Xenocult with a noble lineage, even one fallen and condemned, in full knowledge of the context and implications is tantamount to high treason and punished accordingly.
>>5981553
Company scrip consists of a company's own, internal currency that in theory, can only be spent or redeemed at company facilities. In practice, the scale of the Corps means that their scrip has some purchasing power among the minor houses and merchants, especially those operating at a planetary rather than interstellar scale. The Corps all pay their lower employees in their own scrip, including Crown Corp, however, Crown Coins™ are redeemable to Imperial Credits in Heinrich territory at a 1:1 ratio and under the Privy Council, some efforts have been made to shift over to a predominantly Imperial Credit payment model.","attachment":null,"posted":1713572610},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5981699,"name":"QM","msg":">>5981698
This is done partly for purposes of controlling workers by preventing strikes and regulating their purchases, partly for keeping the lion's share of profits within the Corp, and partly to foster a stronger sense of identification with the Corps. Many Corp employees are multi-generational, and receive reward packages or guaranteed (minor) promotions for continued service. This is especially true on frontier worlds, where the local economies are smaller and, if unchecked (or sponsored) by the noble houses, Corps can dominate whole sectors of extraction, manufacture, and finance.
Worker-centric organizations, such as unions and parties, are heavily suppressed within the Empire, as they broadly derive their legitimacy from mass consensus and tend to be hotbeds for democracy. In many instances of Corp overreach, petitions toward the reigning nobility have been attempted, although these are often ineffective, as the Corps pay the Major Houses their due if they know what's good for them. Almost all Corps have mercenaries on their payroll, which tamps down on most riots or uprisings before they can build up steam.
>>5981635
Thank you again, anon. This vote is to determine House Heinrich's default attitude toward the Vrakaks, which will skew future prompts, flavour text, and so on.","attachment":null,"posted":1713572685},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5981700,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981655
>and because I don't want to take them as slaves lmao or deal with a space Vietnam
You do realize that there are voting for that to conquer them and take them as slaves right?","attachment":null,"posted":1713572770},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982001,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981698
What movie is it?","attachment":null,"posted":1713596334},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982018,"name":"QM","msg":">>5982001
It was the Arthur the King, the new movie about the dog. I was pleasantly surprised. I wouldn't call it one of the all-time greats but I do think it was a pretty good movie.","attachment":null,"posted":1713598118},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982019,"name":"QM","msg":">>5980648
>>5980661
>>5980670
>>5980680
>>5980682
>>5980725
>>5980731
>>5980750
>>5980755
>>5980814
>>5980881
>>5980921
>>5980926
>>5980945
>>5980988
>>5981400
>>5981409
>>5981553
>>5981560
>>5981571
>>5981655
Caleb's scouting expedition brought back data of a breadth and fidelity beyond what imperial analysts had thought possible. Such competence in service can and must be rewarded. As his father was once a soldier in the Federation of Uvarth, he will be inducted into House Uvar, post-haste, as is only appropriate. Likewise, you will personally pen a glowing review of his performance for his superior officers in the Imperial Navy, and see to it that positive rumours are spread through the ears of the noble houses.
His actions have enhanced the prestige of the Imperial Navy, further legitimizing it as an organization in its own right, rather than a mere extension of Alphonse's rebellion as some naysayers claim behind closed doors. Most of the noble houses still eye it warily, but as long as they contribute a tithe of their sons to Heinrich's School of Hard Knocks, it makes no difference. At only 37, Caleb is a young man with his entire life ahead of him, and now that he's received the ennoblement his display of excellence in duty deserves, you hope he goes on to do great things for the Empire and for House Uvar.","attachment":null,"posted":1713598179},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982020,"name":"QM","msg":">>5982019
The Vrakaks are a teeming, bestial subrace of vermin that has spread to infest no less than seventy-six stars, to the vigorous and continued detriment of Mankind. They are lower than scum, feral, sex-crazed degenerates with neither discipline nor honour, and it is a stroke of sheer, cosmic misfortune that the cackling mobs they hold in lieu of noble houses have made it this far. They lack any redeeming qualities, save that they are willing to dwell in filth and subsist on garbage beneath the dignity of even those exiled to Cradus XVII.
You hold them in visceral contempt and see them as they are: a scourge that must be eradicated for the greater good of Mankind. Though your father may feel differently, you have no need for his naviete in this. If the memory of old Earth is to endure the millennia to come, the Conclave of Vrakaks Clans must be crushed beneath the might of the Eternal Empire, and the Vrakaks themselves must be curtailed by any means available. You consider a range of solutions to their wretched pestilence- cunning subterfuge, bold rhetoric, even viral warfare, but deem the time has not yet come. Their defeat will be at the hands of your son, and if not him, than his.
You are old, now, and getting older by the moment. Soon, you'll be ancient, as your father is. You had your triumphs when you were young, in the conquest of the Federation of Uvarth, then again in skirmishes in the Lost Reaches and the war against the Tripartite Entente... As much as you thirst for battle, you wouldn't dare rob the glory of your sons. Besides, you still have that first messenger to deal with.","attachment":null,"posted":1713598297},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982021,"name":"QM","msg":">>5982020
You bid him to approach the throne, and he steps forward with a dazed look on his face. Not uncommon for commoners in the presence of the throne on Mars for the first (and likely last) time, but this is a little different, in a way you can't quite quantify. He hands you a holo-tape and you instruct one of the Royal Guardsmen to slot it in the royal holo-tape projector. You would do it yourself, but... you're the sitting Emperor of Mankind and well into your eighties. There's no shame in having your subordinates do trivial things.
The holo-tape gets straight to the point and before long, you and everyone else in the throne room is similarly dazed. Over the last several decades, your sister Lydia, her husband Edgar, their five children, and a solid fifth of the scholars of House De Croize have singlemindedly dedicated themselves to the advancement of human technology. In particular, they've fused Lydia's expertise in Industry and Planetology and Edgar's obsession with Robotics into something altogether greater than the sum of its parts.
A design for a space elevator. Not just any space elevator, but one comprised of unprecedentedly narrow, skyscraping rods supported by a latticework of nanoweave strands. It is an intricate, multifaceted structure, designed to enable constant transit without pause through the assistance of an extensive, shackled AI, coded almost from scratch to suit the purpose. Even more impressively, its surface area has been minimized and with the strands absorbing shockwaves of internal traffic, is safe to construct in populated areas without taking any unusual precautions. The initial cost of construction is nearly double that of a standard space elevator, but it is projected to be nearly twice as efficient, require only a third of the usual maintenance, and with its clever sound-muffling techniques, have a dramatically lessened impact on the surrounding ecology.","attachment":null,"posted":1713598358},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982022,"name":"QM","msg":">>5982021
It is safe to say that if it's allowed to, this will revolutionize the Eternal Empire and enshrine the genius couple's names in the history holo-slates. Near the end of the holo-tape, Lydia assures you she would've come to make the presentation herself, but Edgar is too old to risk making the trip and she's busy putting in the final touches. Almost as soon as you've finished reeling from the implications, you feel a deep sense of dread. As magnificent as these new space elevators promise to be, they must be constructed by someone.
As Emperor, it is your duty to determine who has the rights to build the design. They'll be greatly empowered by the profits and efficiency it brings, and those who didn't receive it will be enraged. This will be a difficult choice, but by dint of the crown on your head, there's no-one else worthy to make it.
This is likely the most important decision you'll ever make.","attachment":null,"posted":1713598419},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982023,"name":"QM","msg":">>5982022
Who should receive license to build the space elevators?
>House Heinrich. This is a bold choice that will be seen as a naked power-grab. It will also enrich the royal dynasty and greatly enhance your successor's position. Assuming he can deal with the civil unrest, this would be an excellent step toward centralizing authority under the throne.
>House Soluton. Long ago, Emperor Alphonse decided to discretely allow them the first pick at inventors and schematics of macro-architecture and starship designs. Under this status quo, they've gained a soft monopoly on Orbitalworks and have thrived. Entrenching it in this way would render their bond to House Heinrich nearly unbreakable, just as it would disgust their rivals.
>House De Croize. This has been the life's work of Lydia and by extension, the noble house she chose to marry into. Just as they are responsible for the design, they are the most deserving of its rewards. Affording them this boon would render their lineage speechless with gratitude for generations to come, and infuriate their opposition.
>Crown Corp. It would be somewhat treacherous, but, there's nothing stopping you from declaring the nobles too biased and handing the license to your family's own business. Both House Soluton and House De Croize would be angered, but for the first time since the end of the 2nd Civil War, their animosity would be toward the throne rather than each other, and they woud each be well-positioned to cooperate with Crown Corp. If you were savvy, this could please both in-time and, more importantly, make a fortune.
>The Empire. Rather than allow such an amazing advancement to be monopolized, you will publicize the design and allow anyone with the resources to act on it. This would spread the profits throughout the Empire, heavily improving the economy and helping everyone slightly. House Soluton and House De Croize would be frustrated, but that's of little significance when the masses would be overjoyed.
>Nobody. You are skeptical of the design, as it relies on AI to operate on a scale that hasn't been seen in centuries. It was certainly made with the best of intentions, but, closed-network or no, it represents too much of a security risk to go forward with. Everyone involved will be disappointed and your sister's life's work reduced to a curious footnote without ever seeing the light of day, but it is the most responsible thing to do. Assuming you don't trust your sister or House De Croize's judgement, that is.","attachment":null,"posted":1713598486},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982026,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982023
>House Soluton. Long ago, Emperor Alphonse decided to discretely allow them the first pick at inventors and schematics of macro-architecture and starship designs. Under this status quo, they've gained a soft monopoly on Orbitalworks and have thrived. Entrenching it in this way would render their bond to House Heinrich nearly unbreakable, just as it would disgust their rivals.
We are planning on merging the houses soon either way so it will end up with us either way.","attachment":null,"posted":1713598898},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982033,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982023
>The Empire. Rather than allow such an amazing advancement to be monopolized, you will publicize the design and allow anyone with the resources to act on it. This would spread the profits throughout the Empire, heavily improving the economy and helping everyone slightly. House Soluton and House De Croize would be frustrated, but that's of little significance when the masses would be overjoyed.","attachment":null,"posted":1713599763},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982045,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981698
>first rule of noble houses is never to compare them with the xenocult
Alright, noted. Thanks QM.
>>5981700
A few of the votes that supported a multifaceted approach were also supporting using them as workers for plantations, and while I'm not in the majority (and probably won't be if there's a vote for it) those that saw them as a scourge weren't talking much about incorporating them (though I might have overlooked some IDs I'll admit).
>>5982023
>House Soluton. Long ago, Emperor Alphonse decided to discretely allow them the first pick at inventors and schematics of macro-architecture and starship designs. Under this status quo, they've gained a soft monopoly on Orbitalworks and have thrived. Entrenching it in this way would render their bond to House Heinrich nearly unbreakable, just as it would disgust their rivals.
Soluton would be the most angry if we don't give it to them. And while giving to the Empire could help with the economy and happiness, it could also be a double edged sword to let it loose.","attachment":null,"posted":1713601749},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982047,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982023
>>House Soluton. Long ago, Emperor Alphonse decided to discretely allow them the first pick at inventors and schematics of macro-architecture and starship designs. Under this status quo, they've gained a soft monopoly on Orbitalworks and have thrived. Entrenching it in this way would render their bond to House Heinrich nearly unbreakable, just as it would disgust their rivals.
Tempted to put it under Crown Corp, but I really want to turn that into our own private research lab. Soluton has the expertise and their closeness to the Throne will ensure it will be used responsibly.","attachment":null,"posted":1713602169},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982048,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982045
So yeah, you’ve guaranteed Vietnam. Fun fact about irl Vietnam was that it was started by the president to sell helicopters from his wife’s company to the military rather than anything beneficial to America. Communism was an excuse.","attachment":null,"posted":1713602342},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982051,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982045
Looking back at the votes and discussion it seems like I was somewhat right. There is a specific choice that says that the Vrakaks could be useful if subjugated, which I imagine would lead us to conquests and attempts to either incorporate them as servants to the Empire or take them as slaves/serfs. This wasn't picked as much compared to the seeing this as a complicated matter that has to be dealt with in time (there are only actually two people that voted for this that vocally supported using them as a basic labor force, with a third anon being more open about what their fate would be and making suggestions).
>>5982048
>So yeah, you’ve guaranteed Vietnam.
Bro...","attachment":null,"posted":1713603011},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982054,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982023
>>5982026
Speaking of merging QM, some anons (including me) are planning on doing the merger with Soluton sometime after either the Vrak or Kingdom conquest but what exactly do we need to do to prepare for that? Do we have to set up a meeting with the Soluton head to smooth things out or what?
>>5982051
I was thinking along the lines of exterminating most of the species but keeping like 5-6 planets to be used as giant plantations for the remainder of their population. I really think it would be a profitable endeavour if done properly","attachment":null,"posted":1713603269},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982059,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982054
I still don't really trust our propaganda department. Who knows, maybe they'll do better with aliens than humans lmao
And sure it might be profitable, but I don't think it'll be worth it in the long term (or even the short term, with all this discussion of conquering them makes me fear a space Vietnam).","attachment":null,"posted":1713604008},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982070,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982059
At least half the audience is against a war of extermination and the faction in charge is the peaceful anti-expansionist faction","attachment":null,"posted":1713605355},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982078,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982023
>House Soluton. Long ago, Emperor Alphonse decided to discretely allow them the first pick at inventors and schematics of macro-architecture and starship designs. Under this status quo, they've gained a soft monopoly on Orbitalworks and have thrived. Entrenching it in this way would render their bond to House Heinrich nearly unbreakable, just as it would disgust their rivals.
Anons have explained why. It should be enough to end their feud with De Croize too, and we should also reward De Croize with something for developing it.","attachment":null,"posted":1713606716},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982085,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982023
>The Empire. Rather than allow such an amazing advancement to be monopolized, you will publicize the design and allow anyone with the resources to act on it. This would spread the profits throughout the Empire, heavily improving the economy and helping everyone slightly. House Soluton and House De Croize would be frustrated, but that's of little significance when the masses would be overjoyed.
The solution is simple - publicize the design BUT all such space elevators must pay an annual tax on their total commerce to Houses Soluton and De Cruze.
Getting 1% of all space elevator profits Empirewide per year in perpetuity should be adequate to reward them","attachment":null,"posted":1713607401},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982114,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982059
On other hand peaceful conquest would be quite simple. Let loose the corporations on the clans to take over the economy, encourage the ruling clan to remove their political rivals (who would most likely be our enemies anyway), leverage the growing sentiment for peaceful contact to perform diplomacy and gain further influence. Open warfare would be miserable and rapidly turn into Vietnam due to the way their society is structured.","attachment":null,"posted":1713612253},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982198,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982023
>House Soluton. Long ago, Emperor Alphonse decided to discretely allow them the first pick at inventors and schematics of macro-architecture and starship designs. Under this status quo, they've gained a soft monopoly on Orbitalworks and have thrived. Entrenching it in this way would render their bond to House Heinrich nearly unbreakable, just as it would disgust their rivals.
I'd like to give it to The Empire, but I don't want other nations like the Kingdom to get hold of this incredible technology by making the design public. The Empire will ultimately benefit most from keeping this design relatively secret, while still being utilized.","attachment":null,"posted":1713622784},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982213,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">House Soluton","attachment":null,"posted":1713624421},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982369,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982070
I agree and I'm also against a complete war of conquest or extermination, my initial vote was to just pacify them before the inevitable raids become too much of a problem.
>the faction in charge is the peaceful anti-expansionist faction
Of the Vrakak? I though since them QM said "In broad order of influence, these are the Vrakuk, who believe outward expansion is the only worthwhile policy as it is in accordance with their instincts." meant that the Vrakuk were the ones with the most influence in Vrakak society since they were mentioned first (unless it's from least to greatest influence instead of the other way around like I'm thinking).
>>5982114
I'm not sure if it would be as simple as that, especially since they likely wouldn't trust the Corps of an alien species and might just end up pillaging them.
But if we are going to use the Corps then we must have more control over them to make sure they don't become a threat later down the line.","attachment":null,"posted":1713636104},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982378,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982059
The difference between this war and Vietnam is we are going to commit genocide for 76 planets
>>5982114
Major problem you are overlooking here, not only do the xenophobes of the Empire hate the Vrak, but so does most of everyone else including commoners (mostly of the former Fedration). Getting peaceful with them is going to anger a lot more then the Xenophones this time around unlike diplo with the squid bros.
>>5982369
It was in order of greatest to least influence and the Vrakuk are currently the most popular. Also let’s not let the corps go near those cretins, I have a bad feeling about it.","attachment":null,"posted":1713636874},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982395,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982378
We should make a Death Star lmao.
>Also let’s not let the corps go near those cretins, I have a bad feeling about it.
I share the same sentiments, but if for some reason we use the Corps to oversee the Vrakaks then we have to get rid of most of their independence to make sure they don't spiral out of control (I'm talking an extreme form of state capitalism, replacing company scripts with the official currency, and probably some other radical measures).","attachment":null,"posted":1713638529},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982397,"name":"QM","msg":">>5982054
To make a seamless merger with another house, you'll need to maintain extremely high relations over at least three generations. By that point, both houses will see their ambitions and resources as nearly interchangeable, and it can be done without much difficulty. To make a... less than seamless merger with another house, as the ruling dynasty, you simply need to declare it to be so and hold any refusal on their end as treason. In most instances, this would result in a civil war and long decades of resentment, but it can be done and has been under some previous dynasties.
It isn't rare for houses to unite when both have more to gain combined than separate, but this is unheard of among the Major Houses. As House Soluton has a significant independent power-base, it feels no need for this and is too proud to forfeit their autonomy without a fight. The Martial Houses on the other hand, are deeply loyal to the throne and have been for over a century. Attempting a merger would be possible, and it would also alarm the rest of the Empire, as well as destroy their fledgling identities as houses. Rendering them vassal houses in the same respect as House Uvar is also possible and would likely go over well, but there's a chance of some resentment as it's effectively a demotion.
>>5982369
The Vrakak factions were listed in order of most-to-least influence, yes. Rereading it, the text was ambiguous and I'll try to be more clear in the future. The Vrakuk are currently in-charge but the Vrek are gaining numbers and are projected to outpace them sometime in the next thirty-to-forty years. It's likely this would result in a civil war or desperate moves by the Vrakuk, and also likely that Vrakak politics could shift in an unexpected direction. The Vrakak are unpredictable on the macro-scale.","attachment":null,"posted":1713638570},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982398,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982369
Thought the Vrek were in charge. Guess we could push for a regime change since they are in second place.","attachment":null,"posted":1713638902},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982401,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982397
>To make a seamless merger with another house, you'll need to maintain extremely high relations over at least three generations
Well in the case of Soluton this would be true. We were at close allies for all of Alphonses reign and into Albins but the Jeanne marriage did demote them to friendly but they were still close. Plus our overt appeals to them during distributions and such, the marriage with Ferdinand and what appears to be the space elevator going to them I think we accomplish this. It does however seem that Otto will need to make a trek to the Solutons and have a meeting with their head in order to discuss this.","attachment":null,"posted":1713639287},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982416,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982395
I don't want to kill all the humans living on their worlds though. It would be neat to rescue and reintegrate them, and useful too","attachment":null,"posted":1713640481},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982437,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982023
>The Empire. Rather than allow such an amazing advancement to be monopolized, you will publicize the design and allow anyone with the resources to act on it. This would spread the profits throughout the Empire, heavily improving the economy and helping everyone slightly. House Soluton and House De Croize would be frustrated, but that's of little significance when the masses would be overjoyed.
I happen to not share the obsession with merging with Soluton","attachment":null,"posted":1713641761},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982456,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982023
>House Soluton. Long ago, Emperor Alphonse decided to discretely allow them the first pick at inventors and schematics of macro-architecture and starship designs. Under this status quo, they've gained a soft monopoly on Orbitalworks and have thrived. Entrenching it in this way would render their bond to House Heinrich nearly unbreakable, just as it would disgust their rivals.
We should start merging them with us.
The Heinrich-Solution.","attachment":null,"posted":1713642836},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982502,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">The Empire. Rather than allow such an amazing advancement to be monopolized, you will publicize the design and allow anyone with the resources to act on it. This would spread the profits throughout the Empire, heavily improving the economy and helping everyone slightly. House Soluton and House De Croize would be frustrated, but that's of little significance when the masses would be overjoyed.","attachment":null,"posted":1713645429},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982584,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982437
I don't either but I still think it's the best choice","attachment":null,"posted":1713651166},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982596,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982023
>>House De Croize. This has been the life's work of Lydia and by extension, the noble house she chose to marry into. Just as they are responsible for the design, they are the most deserving of its rewards. Affording them this boon would render their lineage speechless with gratitude for generations to come, and infuriate their opposition.","attachment":null,"posted":1713651644},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982791,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980616
>>5980612
Not gonna lie. Vrak culture seems pretty awesome aside from the raiding. I suggest peace with them and support of those of the Vreuk philosophy
>>5980617","attachment":null,"posted":1713668583},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982793,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980621
>Name Caleb head diplomat to the Vrak
he has ten years experience with them. From their pov he is an elder statesman or maybe Akin to Vulcans for Humans in Star Trek
>They are mammals and by their commonalities to Humanity, worthy of some limited, token respect.","attachment":null,"posted":1713668756},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5982796,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982023
>House Heinrich. This is a bold choice that will be seen as a naked power-grab. It will also enrich the royal dynasty and greatly enhance your successor's position. Assuming he can deal with the civil unrest, this would be an excellent step toward centralizing authority under the throne.
I want more power for the house so we can push policies past the nobles","attachment":null,"posted":1713669075},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5983112,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982078
+1 I like this idea
>>5982397
>As House Soluton has a significant independent power-base, it feels no need for this and is too proud to forfeit their autonomy without a fight
Hang on so even if we maintained max relations for three generations they would still refuse to merge without a civil war? Or would half of them be fine with it while the other half attempts to revolt?","attachment":null,"posted":1713713276},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5983148,"name":"QM","msg":">>5982401
You have kept close relations with House Soluton for two generations, but marrying a De Croize within a generation of them bombing Soluton worlds came off to them as a deep betrayal of their trust. That they're friendly at all is a testament to House Heinrich's previous rapport with them. Even without the rights to the space elevators, improving relations with House Soluton would be easier as they've already been improved extensively and House Heinrich has shown an overt preference for them. House Soluton are allies of House Heinrich but a merger is much deeper- it's the surrender of all assets and independence to join with another lineage. It's a massive step that requires absolute certainty on both ends. Given your earlier relationship with House Soluton, it would be possible to attempt a merger even with the damage done to their relations by Otto's marriage to Jeanne, but there's only a moderate chance of success. You'd need to maintain extremely high (close allies or better) relations for three generations to make it certain.
>>5983112
House Soluton wouldn't be willing to merge with House Heinrich if they were ordered to outright, and would fight if House Heinrich attempted to force the issue. Negotiating or requesting a merger is another issue entirely.
I'm going to leave this vote open for a while longer, as it will have major implications on the Empire's infrastructure and not all of the regulars have voted yet.","attachment":null,"posted":1713718761},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5983167,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983148
>(close allies or better)
What is better than close allies?
and it seems that merging is pretty possible soonish. Gotta give them some extra planets in the next distribution.","attachment":null,"posted":1713721446},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5983232,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982023
>The Empire. Rather than allow such an amazing advancement to be monopolized, you will publicize the design and allow anyone with the resources to act on it. This would spread the profits throughout the Empire, heavily improving the economy and helping everyone slightly. House Soluton and House De Croize would be frustrated, but that's of little significance when the masses would be overjoyed.
>But only after we've made reforms to control the Corps more.","attachment":null,"posted":1713726764},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5983259,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982023
>>5983232
+1
We can't let it free unless we have some control over where it goes.","attachment":null,"posted":1713727474},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5983276,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982023
>House Soluton. Long ago, Emperor Alphonse decided to discretely allow them the first pick at inventors and schematics of macro-architecture and starship designs. Under this status quo, they've gained a soft monopoly on Orbitalworks and have thrived. Entrenching it in this way would render their bond to House Heinrich nearly unbreakable, just as it would disgust their rivals.","attachment":null,"posted":1713728166},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5983336,"name":"StandIn","msg":">>5982023
>>The Empire. Rather than allow such an amazing advancement to be monopolized, you will publicize the design and allow anyone with the resources to act on it. This would spread the profits throughout the Empire, heavily improving the economy and helping everyone slightly. House Soluton and House De Croize would be frustrated, but that's of little significance when the masses would be overjoyed.","attachment":null,"posted":1713730597},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5983363,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983148
Sounds like Otto's grandchild will be able to merge the houses without issue","attachment":null,"posted":1713731458},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5983681,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982023
>House Soluton. Long ago, Emperor Alphonse decided to discretely allow them the first pick at inventors and schematics of macro-architecture and starship designs. Under this status quo, they've gained a soft monopoly on Orbitalworks and have thrived. Entrenching it in this way would render their bond to House Heinrich nearly unbreakable, just as it would disgust their rivals.
But like other anons have said, make sure De Croize and Lydia personally receive some kind of reward","attachment":null,"posted":1713741934},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5984003,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"If we were to merge with any house, I'd prefer we merge with Nightshayd so we don't always have the imminent threat of being offed by them the second we piss them off considering the fact that they've managed to slide their way in everywhere. Geraldo's deep loyalty to Alphonse was the main thing binding us together and as generations pass on, the chance of some less loyal head rising up or us inadvertently pissing them off increases. Also, Nightshayd is generally seen as closer to a minor house by most of the other nobility, if I recall correctly, so combining us together would lead to less fearmongering
I don't see how merging with Soluton particularly helps us much, as close allies we basically already got any and all benefits a full merger would give- we could get handcrafted fleets at cost, we could probably get orbitalworks and defense systems up at cost, and that's about all those architecture/engineering nerds are good for","attachment":null,"posted":1713766219},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5984135,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982023
>House Soluton. Long ago, Emperor Alphonse decided to discretely allow them the first pick at inventors and schematics of macro-architecture and starship designs. Under this status quo, they've gained a soft monopoly on Orbitalworks and have thrived. Entrenching it in this way would render their bond to House Heinrich nearly unbreakable, just as it would disgust their rivals.","attachment":null,"posted":1713791573},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5984259,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982023
>House Soluton. Long ago, Emperor Alphonse decided to discretely allow them the first pick at inventors and schematics of macro-architecture and starship designs. Under this status quo, they've gained a soft monopoly on Orbitalworks and have thrived. Entrenching it in this way would render their bond to House Heinrich nearly unbreakable, just as it would disgust their rivals.
On the condition that this is used to maneuver Soluton into the merger with Heinrich, which would then have us make this choice again in the future. Ferdinand will be the head of Soluton through his wife no matter what.","attachment":null,"posted":1713808844},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5984422,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"I don't really care which option wins, though the faint premonition that the shackled AI is at a level of intelligence far beyond anything the Empire has used for multiple dynasties and might go loose is surely just bait right? Haha... and Clipperbot definitely isn't still in that glassed moon...","attachment":null,"posted":1713831692},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985256,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982026
>>5982045
>>5982047
>>5982078
>>5982198
>>5982213
>>5982456
>>5983276
>>5983681
>>5984135
>>5984259
>>5983112
To House Soluton, as we've entrusted them before.
>>5982033
>>5982085
>>5982437
>>5982502
>>5983232
>>5983259
>>5983336
To the Empire, as it would be a boon to us all in the end.
>>5982596
To De Croize, as this is Lydia's life work.
>>5982796
To House Heinrich, giving us a better power base so we can push policies past the nobles.
It seems like giving it to House Soluton is the winning option, with the general condition that this be used as a springboard to begin merging with them. Also some support to reward De Croize with something for developing it.
In the camp of giving it to the Empire as a whole there's some support to do it after our Corp reforms so we can have some control over where this goes. There are also some ideas to have the anyone using the elevators pay an annual tax on their total commerce to both the Solutons and De Croizes, if we decide to publicize the designs.","attachment":null,"posted":1713908014},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985261,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985256
Soluton voter here, I am very against the idea of merging.","attachment":null,"posted":1713908691},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985262,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985256
Another Soluton voter here, I don't oppose the idea of a merge but I believe anons are being far, far too hasty if they want to attach a condition like this right now","attachment":null,"posted":1713908970},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985272,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985261
>>5985262
I myself don't really care much about it either way, but the general plurality with Soluton voters seems to be entertaining the idea of using this to attach them more to us (and eventually merge).
I imagine this will come to another vote sometime if we want to actively pursue merging and to what degree/speed we'd do it if so.","attachment":null,"posted":1713909307},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985283,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985256
Soluton voter here
I don’t really care if this is used to help the possible merger I just think they would be the right choice for this decision.
>>5985262
Support
I think anons are in general agreement however that if a merger is going to happen it should be after the Vrak or Kingdom conquest.","attachment":null,"posted":1713909932},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985285,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985272
Only one or two anons attached the idea of using this to help springboard the merger, most seem to just want to bump up the relations again and as other anon said, merger anons are a bit too hasty","attachment":null,"posted":1713910169},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985287,"name":"QM","msg":"I'll be updating soon tonight, as about half an hour from now I'm going to be headed out to help my cousin haul a new four-wheeler with my trailer. Before that, I was busy proofreading a pile of high-school essays. It's been a busy week, hahaha, but the charger for my PC has come back in and I'm very glad to be back off of mobile.
Regarding a merger with House Soluton, it is possible but there are a number of potential pitfalls. I'm going to lock the vote in to give the rights to the space elevator to House Soluton. The next update will be determining how exactly that happens, as there's several possible routes here. Thank you for your patience anons
>>5985256
Thank you again, I have a separate doc that I fill with the vote tallies, but this is always a lot of help.","attachment":null,"posted":1713910426},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985294,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985285
Giving a quick glance to the votes at least three anons are openly supporting the idea of merging with House Soluton (in different degrees of speed) and most of the rest (except for one or two anons) seem to be alright with or at least tolerate the idea of merging in itself but have different views on the execution.
>>5985287
No problem QM, happy to help.
Good to hear your computer troubles aren't so bad anymore.","attachment":null,"posted":1713911423},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985296,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985287
Good to hear you don’t have to phone post anymore
>>5985294
I meant in this decision specifically being used to justify that","attachment":null,"posted":1713911724},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985717,"name":"QM","msg":">>5982026
>>5982033
>>5982045
>>5982047
>>5982078
>>5982085
>>5982198
>>5982213
>>5982437
>>5982456
>>5982502
>>5982596
>>5982796
>>5983112
>>5983232
>>5983259
>>5983276
>>5983336
>>5983681
>>5984135
>>5984259
>>5984422
This is not a question you consider lightly. The design for this space elevator is, in the long-run, almost twofold as profitable as the traditional schematic. Of course, reconfiguring machinery to accommodate new specifications will have an immense upfront cost, the short-term benefits are relatively slim, and it’s not practical to halt traffic to tear down old space elevators in some of the denser atmospheric-entry zones, but even so… This represents a massive leap forward for Mankind. It also represents an enormous profit for whichever faction receives the rights to act on the schematic.
Your choice is firm. House Soluton. Their proud lineage has held close ties to House Heinrich since your grandfather Emperor Alphonse rose to power. Across the Empire, the artisanship of their voidships and architecture is famed. In that respect, they are unmatched, and that extends likewise to the Orbitalworks in which they’ve seized a fierce monopoly.
The scholars of House Soluton would doubtless view this as theirs by right, and you will not begrudge them, for several reasons. First, Crown Corp is in close association with their Orbitalworks division. Second, House Soluton is the best positioned of any one lineage to best leverage the technology. Third, it would greatly please House Soluton and they are, barring House Heinrich and arguably House Arthen, the premier noble power in the Eternal Empire. This is an obvious choice.
You make it with a clear conscience. It is not only what’s best for the Empire, it’s what's best for House Heinrich. While you’re tempted to simply release the schematic so that all of Humanity can benefit, you recognize that this is a dangerous choice. It would be trivial for the Chavenac Kingdom or possibly others to seize the design for themselves. They would then become that much more of a threat, and render your successor’s job that much more difficult.","attachment":null,"posted":1713945790},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985719,"name":"QM","msg":">>5985717
No, you’ll keep this technology a secret, and leave its spread to the capable hands of House Soluton. The only question is how to go about this. The design is Lydia’s, and by extension, House De Croize’s. They will be displeased at best, but if you’re cautious, the impact may be lessened. It likely doesn’t matter. They are a former Tripartite House after all, but your wife Jeanne hails from their ranks. A more difficult decision, then.
How should this be arranged?
>Grant House Soluton exclusive rights, with no strings attached. This will greatly please House Soluton and quickly get construction underway, although House De Croize will be enraged.
>Grant House Soluton exclusive rights, and reward House De Croize. While House Soluton shall construct the space elevators, House De Croize will receive a substantial payment from the imperial treasury, and a full one percent of their profits in perpetuity. The loss in the long-run is negligible, yet House De Croize may be mollified by such a measure.
>Grant both House Soluton and House De Croize exclusive rights. They will be forced into competition, breaking House Soluton’s monopoly and giving House De Croize the chance to exploit their design. Both would be frustrated, but some might argue this is fair.
>Force House Soluton to undergo a merger with House Heinrich if they want exclusive rights. The odds are high that House Soluton would reject this out of pride and House De Croize would be disgusted at best. If this succeeded, however, the ruling dynasty’s strength would become unassailable.","attachment":null,"posted":1713945850},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985729,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985719
>Grant House Soluton exclusive rights, and reward House De Croize. While House Soluton shall construct the space elevators, House De Croize will receive a substantial payment from the imperial treasury, and a full one percent of their profits in perpetuity. The loss in the long-run is negligible, yet House De Croize may be mollified by such a measure.
I’m honestly not that worried about angering De Croize because they are one of the weakest players in the Empire now and only have a single fleet. Still we have to try since Jeanne is Otto’s wife","attachment":null,"posted":1713947855},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985759,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985719
>Grant House Soluton exclusive rights, and reward House De Croize. While House Soluton shall construct the space elevators, House De Croize will receive a substantial payment from the imperial treasury, and a full one percent of their profits in perpetuity. The loss in the long-run is negligible, yet House De Croize may be mollified by such a measure.
The perpetual 1% cut seems like a good deal to me","attachment":null,"posted":1713954606},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985777,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985719
>Grant House Soluton exclusive rights, and reward House De Croize. While House Soluton shall construct the space elevators, House De Croize will receive a substantial payment from the imperial treasury, and a full one percent of their profits in perpetuity. The loss in the long-run is negligible, yet House De Croize may be mollified by such a measure.
Qm how do we start the slow merger? You said we just had to be allies yeah? Anyway we can start that with house solution? I assume it will take 20-40 years.","attachment":null,"posted":1713957479},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985819,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985719
>Grant House Soluton exclusive rights, and reward House De Croize. While House Soluton shall construct the space elevators, House De Croize will receive a substantial payment from the imperial treasury, and a full one percent of their profits in perpetuity. The loss in the long-run is negligible, yet House De Croize may be mollified by such a measure.","attachment":null,"posted":1713966612},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985833,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985719
>Grant both House Soluton and House De Croize exclusive rights.","attachment":null,"posted":1713969746},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985834,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985719
>>Grant House Soluton exclusive rights, and reward House De Croize. While House Soluton shall construct the space elevators, House De Croize will receive a substantial payment from the imperial treasury, and a full one percent of their profits in perpetuity. The loss in the long-run is negligible, yet House De Croize may be mollified by such a measure.","attachment":null,"posted":1713969987},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985895,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985719
>Grant House Soluton exclusive rights, and reward House De Croize. While House Soluton shall construct the space elevators, House De Croize will receive a substantial payment from the imperial treasury, and a full one percent of their profits in perpetuity. The loss in the long-run is negligible, yet House De Croize may be mollified by such a measure.
Most reasonable choice. The only string I want attached to this gift is that Soluton ends their feud with De Croize (And maybe we can reward De Croize further, if they're not satisfied. We can afford it.)","attachment":null,"posted":1713980011},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985917,"name":"QM","msg":">>5985729
>>5985759
>>5985777
>>5985819
>>5985833
>>5985834
>>5985895
You deem that House De Croize is deserving of recognition for their efforts. Though the design is not theirs to construct, it was their contribution to the Empire, and House Heinrich is not blind to excellence among its subordinates, nor is it miserly in recompense. A suitable reward is swiftly determined- an immediate sizeable payment from the imperial treasury and a full one percent of all profits by the new space elevators going forward.
Your verdict reaches the Major Houses...
>Roll 1d12+3 to mollify House De Croize. +2 [Vast Reward], +1 [Empress (De Croize)], +1 [Imperial Authority], +1 [Heinrich Reputation (Merciful)], -2 [Rivalry (Soluton)]","attachment":null,"posted":1713983214},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985921,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 2 + 3 (1d12 + 3)
>>5985917
Time for all our plans to go up into smoke.","attachment":null,"posted":1713983497},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985923,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985921
Well on the bright side it's not a nat 1","attachment":null,"posted":1713983591},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985924,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985921
>>5985923
It is still a resultant 5, which isn't too bad.","attachment":null,"posted":1713983718},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985926,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985924
So they take it ok enough. We can work with that","attachment":null,"posted":1713983884},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985938,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985924
Two points less than good, but it's alright, I expect they'll probably want 5% or something, no way Soluton is pissed off at the recognition","attachment":null,"posted":1713986551},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985949,"name":"QM","msg":">>5985921
When House De Croize receives word of your decision, publicly, they are incredibly grateful and hope that House Soluton will make better use of it than they ever could. Privately, they are much less so. Your informants in House De Croize tell you the prevailing sentiment is that one of their greatest achievements as a lineage has been brazenly stolen and handed over to those who hold them in contempt for shallow political aims. House De Croize's relations with House Soluton have plummeted as a result of this, and their hatred is now mutual.
House De Croize is less than pleased with the throne, and their faith in House Heinrich's leadership has been dealt a heavy blow. Behind closed doors, many whisper that House Heinrich hasn't forgiven them at all and is unjustly punishing them for the sins of the Tripartite. The sitting Empress prevents things from reaching a boiling point, but it will likely be generations before they feel they can trust the ruling dynasty again.
>Relations with House De Croize have fallen, and they are now cautious toward the throne!
Aside from the House De Croize, your sister Lydia is disgusted with you, and quietly feels you've put warlike ambitions over your own blood. She refused to even send a written acknowledgment of the reward. In every way that matters, you are dead to her. For her own part, your wife Jeanne has begun speaking to you less, and you fear your marriage has gone cold. So be it. The die has been cast.
Once House Soluton receives word of your decision, they are ecstatic and fall over themselves to thank you. They are immeasurably pleased and the mistrust brought on by your marriage to Jeanne has all-but evaporated. Indeed, they cling closer to House Heinrich now than ever before, and you are certain your successors can rely on their support in the future.
In the years to come, as the profits from the space elevators come trickling in, their support is likely to be quite significant. You feel you've made a savvy political move in this, all things considered.
>Relations with House Soluton have skyrocketed, and they now have a deep bond to the throne!","attachment":null,"posted":1713987699},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985950,"name":"QM","msg":">>5985949
You return to the normal administration of the Empire. It feels like it has been far longer than a mere five years, and the man staring back at you in the mirror is a stranger. You are eighty years old, getting older by the minute. Most noble patriarchs would have retired by now, but it is the burden of an Emperor to rule. You consider The Ledger.
>The Empire:
>Territory: 8
>Economy: 4
>Military: 4
>Happiness: 5
>Population: 7
>House Heinrich:
>3 jewel worlds, 12 core worlds, 14 frontier worlds
>2 Retinue Fleets
>Crown Corp
>Royal Guard:
>1 Imperial Fleet
The treasury has been partly depleted for the sake of House De Croize, but the profits from the new space elevator, popularly dubbed 'Croize chutes,' ought to amend that shortly, as should greater economic integration with the Osgus State. You note that Jeanne's civic aid efforts have done well to please the masses, but the former territories of the Reaver Clans require more work to be done before they can contribute in full. Your current focus, however, is on the Corps and curtailing their excesses.
Your head advisor Igor is as eager as ever.
"My liege, these vendors are a risk to the Empire, but they are also profitable. I advise your majesty to consider these next moves carefully."","attachment":null,"posted":1713987762},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985951,"name":"QM","msg":">>5985950
You resolve to take his advice for what it's worth.
How should the Corps be reformed?
>Expand the Imperial Bureaucracy to monitor the Corps. The Corps answer to none but themselves and regularly flout the interest of the noble houses. This must come to an end, and officials both overt and covert will be positioned to keep the Corps's direction on course for the Empire. Such expansions will, of course, be funded by the Corps themselves.
>Expand the taxation on the Corps. It's known that the fortunes of the Corps frequently surpass even noble lineages, and despite their lowly, mercantile stature, they are no more taxed than any aristocrat. This shall be corrected and the Corps will be forced to pay their dues, at gunpoint, if need be. The throne will put their funds to better use.
>Ban commoners from owning Corp stocks. For far too long, conniving merchants have exploited the Corp system to gather power outside of the noble hierarchy. Enough is enough. This practice shall be banned, and the Corp officials will get themselves a noble name by the end of the year or sell their stocks to those deserving, at-cost.
>Ban Corps from owning military-grade vessels. Now that the Reaver Clans have been dealt with, there is no legitimate cause for Corps to own forces capable of sparring with the Imperial Navy. None have so far, (with the admittedly large exception of Hookware Corp) but Corps regularly place orders for warships and there's some concern that these 'caravan guards' could eventually reach strategic relevance. This practice shall be banned, and fleets currently in use shall be surrendered to the throne or forcibly destroyed.
>Ban Corps from minting and distributing company scrip. The Corps, by and large, pay their workers in company scrip, undermining the Imperial Credit and rendering the masses even poorer than they otherwise would be. This practice shall be banned, and any Corps that fail to comply after a five-year grace period shall be fined accordingly.
>Do all of the above. As far as you are concerned, the Corps are a hostile force within the Empire and must be crippled by any and all means available. Striking the Corps like this will damage the economy, but the noble houses will be able to fill the gap as they recede. For good or ill, future historians will remember you for far more than the conquest of Uvarth!","attachment":null,"posted":1713987869},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985953,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985951
Damn, I actually like having Corps as a counterbalance to the noble houses
We could expand Imperial Bureaucracy to ensure they stay in line I suppose, I don't want to cripple them too much
>Expand the Imperial Bureaucracy to monitor the Corps. The Corps answer to none but themselves and regularly flout the interest of the noble houses. This must come to an end, and officials both overt and covert will be positioned to keep the Corps's direction on course for the Empire. Such expansions will, of course, be funded by the Corps themselves.","attachment":null,"posted":1713988220},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985954,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985951
>Expand the Imperial Bureaucracy to monitor the Corps. The Corps answer to none but themselves and regularly flout the interest of the noble houses. This must come to an end, and officials both overt and covert will be positioned to keep the Corps's direction on course for the Empire. Such expansions will, of course, be funded by the Corps themselves.
Setting up a competing power structure is wise. Also, this might be overly cautious, but it would be important for this IB investigative authority to broken up into several divisions, and these internal IB departments are also policing each other. Basically, we want to make sure that no single department could be easily corrupted without notice.","attachment":null,"posted":1713988223},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985956,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985949
>their hatred is now mutual
>generations before they feel they can trust the ruling dynasty again
>you are dead to her
>marriage has gone cold
Welp, did Otto just shoot himself in the foot?
>>5985951
>Expand the Imperial Bureaucracy to monitor the Corps. The Corps answer to none but themselves and regularly flout the interest of the noble houses. This must come to an end, and officials both overt and covert will be positioned to keep the Corps's direction on course for the Empire. Such expansions will, of course, be funded by the Corps themselves.","attachment":null,"posted":1713988293},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985959,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985951
>Expand the Imperial Bureaucracy to monitor the Corps. The Corps answer to none but themselves and regularly flout the interest of the noble houses. This must come to an end, and officials both overt and covert will be positioned to keep the Corps's direction on course for the Empire. Such expansions will, of course, be funded by the Corps themselves.
>Ban Corps from minting and distributing company scrip. The Corps, by and large, pay their workers in company scrip, undermining the Imperial Credit and rendering the masses even poorer than they otherwise would be. This practice shall be banned, and any Corps that fail to comply after a five-year grace period shall be fined accordingly.
We should also start standardizing coinage, it'll be a net benefit.
>>5985956
>Welp, did Otto just shoot himself in the foot?
Damn, yeah. They took it much worse than I thought they would.","attachment":null,"posted":1713988630},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985961,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985949
This feels like a crit fail anyway... we gotta do something about this feud anons.
>>5985951
I don't really like any of these. My hope was to tale their planets under the justification that no Corp should rule. Taking their planets plus keeping tabs on high up individuals through intel monitoring and gathering is enough in my opinion. Oh and permit collective bargaining in Heinrich planets.","attachment":null,"posted":1713988651},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985965,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985949
>and their hatred is now mutual.
I am sure we can leverage that to our advantage
>generations before they feel they can trust the ruling dynasty again.
at least we still have room to repair our relations in time so not the worst but still a significant blow.
>you are dead to her.
Lets hope that time will heal this wound
>your wife Jeanne has begun speaking to you less
This is probably the biggest issue and I suggest Otto get on that right away
>Relations with House Soluton have skyrocketed, and they now have a deep bond to the throne!
It was worth it in the end though
>>5985950
>Expand the Imperial Bureaucracy to monitor the Corps. The Corps answer to none but themselves and regularly flout the interest of the noble houses. This must come to an end, and officials both overt and covert will be positioned to keep the Corps's direction on course for the Empire. Such expansions will, of course, be funded by the Corps themselves.
Seems like the best choice
>>5985961
Who cares about the feud, Ottos marriage is at stake!","attachment":null,"posted":1713988792},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985967,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985965
>Who cares about the feud, Ottos marriage is at stake!
I know, that's the first thing to fix.
Why are y'all expanding bureaucracy monitoring though? This was exactly what I argued was the worst solution to the Corp question.","attachment":null,"posted":1713988999},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985968,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985951
>Expand the Imperial Bureaucracy to monitor the Corps. The Corps answer to none but themselves and regularly flout the interest of the noble houses. This must come to an end, and officials both overt and covert will be positioned to keep the Corps's direction on course for the Empire. Such expansions will, of course, be funded by the Corps themselves.
>Ban Corps from minting and distributing company scrip. The Corps, by and large, pay their workers in company scrip, undermining the Imperial Credit and rendering the masses even poorer than they otherwise would be. This practice shall be banned, and any Corps that fail to comply after a five-year grace period shall be fined accordingly.
This scrip nonsense is plainly bad for both the masses and the Empire, and there's no reason to keep it around. There are at least arguments against the others, like the vessels (though I think it's nice they can protect themselves from raiders to some degree).
>>5985961
Yeah that definitely felt more like a 2 result than the 5 it was. What the heck would an actual 2 look like?","attachment":null,"posted":1713989225},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985969,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985951
>>5985965
Also add:
>Ban Corps from minting and distributing company scrip. The Corps, by and large, pay their workers in company scrip, undermining the Imperial Credit and rendering the masses even poorer than they otherwise would be. This practice shall be banned, and any Corps that fail to comply after a five-year grace period shall be fined accordingly.
>>5985967
I think its a pretty good option since we are basically reducing their political power which is the important part which can lead to other options such as additional taxation. I think using this reform to seize planets is going to alarm everyone and no corps owns any actual planets except Hookware if I remember correctly.
More importantly anons, any ideas on how to get Jeanne to speak with Otto regularly again?","attachment":null,"posted":1713989338},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985970,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985968
>What the heck would an actual 2 look like?
Blood feud maybe. Bunch of knives.","attachment":null,"posted":1713989479},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985971,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985970
Do they not already have a blood feud? Soluton and De Croiz hate each other now, and our relation with them has just soured for generations.","attachment":null,"posted":1713989606},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985972,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985969
>no corps owns any actual planets except Hookware if I remember correctly.
Multiple Corps own planets iirc, Hookware is just the one that has the most.
>More importantly anons, any ideas on how to get Jeanne to speak with Otto regularly again?
Argue our case? Ask her about her thoughts? I want to see her argue against the realist position of Heinrich unfortunately requiring Soluton support while Otto concedes that he doesn't like it either. Try to come together in fixing this problem","attachment":null,"posted":1713989705},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985974,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985971
To me it seemed more one sided with the Soluton's hating the De Croiz for their rebelling. We made it mutual now though
>Do they not already have a blood feud?
I don't think they're stabbing each other right now which is very good. But it definitely seems like it could escalate and these types of things can get very bloody and costly for everyone/","attachment":null,"posted":1713989913},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985975,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985972
I don't think repeatedly bringing this subject up to her will help the relationship. It may just need time and regular exposure to each other to heal.","attachment":null,"posted":1713990141},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985977,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985975
Rug sweeping won't help either anon. I agree that maybe some time and distance could help but ignoring the issue will not.","attachment":null,"posted":1713990392},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5985978,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985972
>Multiple Corps own planets iirc, Hookware is just the one that has the most.
Nope, the only ones that did were Armasoft and Hookware and since Armasoft got obliterated only Hookware does which is 1 planet: Tennesey
As for arguing our case, I don't think that will work since this is more of an emotional issue than a practical one concerning her. Maybe she thinks that we haven't entirely forgiven the De Croizes and by extension her for being of their blood?
>>5985974
It was originally the Solutons pissed at the bombing of their planets with the De Croizes attempting to earn their forgiveness. Now its mutual hatred though.
>I don't think they're stabbing each other right now which is very good.
If that happens then we will intervene, otherwise let them throw insults in the Landsraad
>>5985975
>>5985977
Well first we gotta find out what the issue is specifically with her. Is it out of loyalty to her old house or is it more personal as I suggested above","attachment":null,"posted":1713990563},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986000,"name":"QM","msg":">>5985961
There would've been an option for planet seizure but at the moment, there are only two Corp-owned planets in the Empire. One is held by Cherry Corp and was given to them as a reward for their services to the Imperial Navy, and the other is held by Hookware Corp, and has been under them for several dynasties. Generally, non-noble tradition isn't any obstruction to the throne but they have a considerable armada and deep pockets. If any one Major House were made to confront Hookware Corp alone, none could be fully certain of victory.
>>5985959
>>5985961
>>5985968
House De Croize was enraged as a large majority of their invention's profits are going to House Soluton, who've openly condemned them as traitors since the end of the 2nd Civil War. The chutes were the result of many years of study and investment on House De Croize's part, none of which received any assistance from House Soluton. Justified or not, many feel the life's work of some of their greatest minds has handed to their rivals solely because they're more influential.
If not for the payment and Jeanne, they would almost certainly be belligerent toward the throne. The same would be likely if House De Croize were allowed to keep their design, as House Soluton would've felt the traitors were allowed to make reckless innovations after Matthieu's example, and shatter their ancient monopoly due to their familial ties to House Heinrich. Most of the noble houses are petty and fickle, and wrangling them together is one of the most difficult tasks of any ruling dynasty.","attachment":null,"posted":1713991503},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986007,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Yeah it does kind of fucking suck to spend decades of research and tons of resources into a revolutionary project only for it to be handed off to a noble house that has hated your guts for 50 years, even despite all your efforts to mend relations, as a "peace offering", and for it to be done by your own brother as well. At the very least the chutes are still known as Croize chutes, they truly did earn this achievement, but it is what it is","attachment":null,"posted":1713991915},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986009,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986007
Not to mention the pitiful 1%, in retrospect it's almost insulting","attachment":null,"posted":1713992082},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986013,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986007
Yeah from a personal perspective what we did was beyond a dick move and it isn't that surprising our sister despises us for it. Probably the best move from a dynasty perspective just again as long as we get the merger off at some point just still extremely callous.","attachment":null,"posted":1713992250},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986019,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986000
I can somewhat understand De Croize's reaction, but this was still not enough for the Solutons to stop hating them? Goddamn","attachment":null,"posted":1713992502},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986020,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985951
>Expand the Imperial Bureaucracy to monitor the Corps. The Corps answer to none but themselves and regularly flout the interest of the noble houses. This must come to an end, and officials both overt and covert will be positioned to keep the Corps's direction on course for the Empire. Such expansions will, of course, be funded by the Corps themselves.
>Ban Corps from minting and distributing company scrip. The Corps, by and large, pay their workers in company scrip, undermining the Imperial Credit and rendering the masses even poorer than they otherwise would be. This practice shall be banned, and any Corps that fail to comply after a five-year grace period shall be fined accordingly.
Congratulations, chaps. You've utterly betrayed our sister and destroyed her life's work, put our marriage on the rocks, annihilated all the fence-mending we did with DC and further entrenched a monopoly so we could get a boost with Soluton. Who could have possible seen a result like this coming? How many more times will we need to do something like this in the name of chasing this stupid fucking white whale?","attachment":null,"posted":1713992548},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986023,"name":"QM","msg":">>5986019
House Soluton has calmed somewhat, and views this as an adequate payment for the damages De Croize did during their bombing campaigns in the 2nd Civil War. They're still bitter and will be until the Tripartite Entente has passed from living memory, and likely a generation beyond that.","attachment":null,"posted":1713992702},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986026,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986020
I still have no clue why we want to merge with Soluton or what benefits we would even receive, it's probably the second toughest merger imaginable too and requires tons of effort, just behind trying to merge with Arthen","attachment":null,"posted":1713992842},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986027,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986020
>>5986026
I was neutral towards the merger before but I'm now fully against it. If we must merge with someone, let it be Nightshayd.","attachment":null,"posted":1713992921},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986032,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986020
It is my hope that this is the last concession we will make to Soluton.
>>5986026
What benefits? How about getting all their planets fleets and assets for one?","attachment":null,"posted":1713993025},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986037,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986032
They're already going to answer any calls to arm so we effectively can already command their assets for any conceivable use (war), and as close allies we can already request stuff at near-cost, even if we merged with them we'd have to pay for the cost of the materials","attachment":null,"posted":1713993145},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986038,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986027
>Nightshayd
Whenever I see the name my brain just reads it as nightshade, like with Soluton as solution. But a merger with nightshade seems interesting","attachment":null,"posted":1713993279},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986039,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986032
They are a family that specializes in engineering and craftsmanship. If we were to fully merge with them it would either dilute that or our own family's traits, which would be a terrible shame. I also just want to keep them around for the flavor they provide as a powerful noble family.","attachment":null,"posted":1713993329},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986042,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986037
>They're already going to answer any calls to arm so we effectively can already command their assets for any conceivable use (war), and as close allies we can already request stuff at near-cost, even if we merged with them we'd have to pay for the cost of the materials
Except that service is conditional on further concessions, unlike our own navy and retinues. The cost is irrelevant, the point is control and power.
>>5986027
That's an even worse idea. Giving up right at the end of the race? We should either finish it or not run at all and it's too late for the latter option.","attachment":null,"posted":1713993415},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986045,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986042
What concessions, the fact that they'll get some handful planets at the end anyway, much like every other noble house in the Empire? We already take every jewel and are the ones who delegate it out","attachment":null,"posted":1713993569},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986046,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986042
What race? We haven't "started running" anything. We improved relations with Soluton yes, but that is hardly something that "is too late to back down from", whatever that would mean in this context. It's not like we put a big down payment on starting a merger process.","attachment":null,"posted":1713993577},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986049,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986046
I mean im pretty sure half the anons saw giving Solution the elevator as a down payment for a merger.","attachment":null,"posted":1713993756},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986050,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986027
Yeah, I already explained my reasons for why a merger with Nightshayd would both be feasible and very helpful, but would just like to reiterate the point that the Nightshayd are fucking everywhere and if they wanted to, could cripple the entire Heinrich line at a moment's notice since we've encouraged them to be everywhere, it's only with the fledgling House Uvar that we even started trying to not let Nightshayd have control over everything
Thank fuck we didn't merge them with Skullstacker's seedy network, couldn't imagine how the fuck we'd deal with that monstrosity of webs, not to mention the fact that Nightshayd is basically our only source of intel for most of this so if they were compromised we wouldn't even see the assassins coming","attachment":null,"posted":1713993797},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986054,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986049
But we don't actually lose anything by not going through with a merger. Soluton still loves us, and the elevators are still securely in the hands of those who can most capably create them.","attachment":null,"posted":1713994082},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986056,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986054
Depends on your perspective anon.","attachment":null,"posted":1713994187},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986058,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986050
That said, while from an optimization perspective Nightshayd is by far my pick for a merger, I'm not sure if I actually would want to do it, I like the literary and gameplay challenge of potentially setting up a megathreat within the very capital if we continue getting Nightshayd into every conceivable space
Nightshayd has been close allies with us for 3 generations though, so nothing to worry about, yes :) Ignoring the fact that our intel of them comes directly from them, of course","attachment":null,"posted":1713994530},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986059,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986045
>What concessions, the fact that they'll get some handful planets at the end anyway, much like every other noble house in the Empire?
Yes? Plus things like this space elevator. We remove the Solutons as a seperate entity and we improve our position against every other entity within the Empire as well.
>We already take every jewel and are the ones who delegate it out
Yes but we're not allowed to take everything are we?
>>5986046
>It's not like we put a big down payment on starting a merger process.
Actually that was the entire point of this venture. We're taking over House Soluton and this helps us get more Solutons on our side.
>>5986050
I like Nightshayd since they are content on being the greatest duke in the king's court instead of constantly asking to keep up with the Imperial goverment like the other major Houses.","attachment":null,"posted":1713994564},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986060,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986059
We're not allowed to take everything nor do I very much want to, the more planets we own, the bigger of a dog we seem, but it also means eventually we'll have to spend more time on actually running our own planets, there's no conceivable reason or benefit to having every planet in the Empire under the Heinrich name
It also means that if some of our planets are attacked, we actually have to defend them ourselves, as opposed to if some random Arthen planet being raided, they can deal with the problem themselves","attachment":null,"posted":1713994756},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986066,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986059
>Actually that was the entire point of this venture.
As well as the small part where it just made the most sense as an option. But sure definitely the entire point of why that option was chosen was for the merger.
Ironically enough, merging houses is short-sighted and will likely weaken the Empire if anything by likely causing another civil war and diluting their craftsmanship.","attachment":null,"posted":1713995065},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986071,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986039
Honestly, that right there is why I'm not really for too extensive political centralisation in general - space feudal politics just provides more colour to the gameplay than unitary despotism as well as cutting out micromanagement.
>>5986042
What end? This is just the starting blocks - we've only just repaired our relations and we would need to keep this up consistently for centuries to even just make it possible. We shouldn't be falling into sunk cost fallacy this early considering this was just the down payment and much of the cost is still to come - the best time to stop was last turn, the next best time is now. Take the win with bringing Soluton out of their sulk and leave it at that - if we can keep them onside then great and we should seek to do so, but we should never do something like this for them again.","attachment":null,"posted":1713995333},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986072,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986060
>there's no conceivable reason or benefit to having every planet in the Empire under the Heinrich name
How about not having to tard wrangle houses as much to not risk being overthrown.
>It also means that if some of our planets are attacked, we actually have to defend them ourselves, as opposed to if some random Arthen planet being raided, they can deal with the problem themselves
Like this can't be done by us? Nothing you have said is actually a negative.
>>5986066
>Ironically enough, merging houses is short-sighted and will likely weaken the Empire if anything by likely causing another civil war and diluting their craftsmanship.
Actually not merging them is what is shortsighted. Sure you have some more stability but no Empire benefitted in the long run from having a powerful aristocracy.","attachment":null,"posted":1713995359},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986075,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985959
>support
We want a centralized currency that we control.
>>5985951","attachment":null,"posted":1713995455},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986077,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986072
You do realize that the only reason the Eternal Empire has remained so eternal is because the ruling house wasn't the only noble house around, right
Imagine if fucking Geddo merged every other house into some genetic fuck-up mess, the whole empire would collapse apart into individually run sectors/planets or be like the Kingdom of Chavenac
We also do shockingly little tard-wrangling of houses, considering the fact that we wiped out every single house that was even ambivalent toward us during the second civil war (Rothsford and Ustong)
It's better to have some specialists around than dilute everything down into an above average on every front","attachment":null,"posted":1713995694},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986078,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986071
>Honestly, that right there is why I'm not really for too extensive political centralisation in general - space feudal politics just provides more colour to the gameplay than unitary despotism as well as cutting out micromanagement.
None of these features are absent in unitary despotism. There will still be family politics and absence of micromanagement.
>What end? This is just the starting blocks - we've only just repaired our relations and we would need to keep this up consistently for centuries to even just make it possible.
No? Not like Im asking to usurp completely peacefully.
>the best time to stop was last turn, the next best time is now. Take the win with bringing Soluton out of their sulk and leave it at that - if we can keep them onside then great and we should seek to do so, but we should never do something like this for them again.
Total half measure. We neither keep the peace nor take over Soluton, all that sacrifice just to not do the thing that will make it worth it.","attachment":null,"posted":1713995749},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986081,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986077
>We also do shockingly little tard-wrangling of houses, considering the fact that we wiped out every single house that was even ambivalent toward us during the second civil war (Rothsford and Ustong)
Which is why we did that in the first place, to reduce the number of tards, and I want to keep doing that.
>It's better to have some specialists around than dilute everything down into an above average on every front
I don't know why you think a merger would involve diluting the character of the Houses. They would still be seperate families in character, only now one commands the other.","attachment":null,"posted":1713995896},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986082,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986078
Merging with Soluton is a bad idea and we should stop this crusade now before we start another civil war in the process.","attachment":null,"posted":1713995931},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986085,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986066
Flat out wrong. With solutions fleet and all their planets and assets. It would be nearly impossible for the rest of the empire to try to coup us.
That's the whole point. I don't get why you guys don't get that. The whole reason we have been boosting everyone's reputation was literally so we could absorb solutions, Nightshayd, and the martial houses. That's nearly 70% of the empire directly under our families control at that point.
Our fleet size would triple if not more.
I say we start the merger guys. Contingent on our heir marrying their heir. So then when we invade varaks we can mollify everyone that ends up butt hurt. To be honest I only care about arthen, the martials and Nightshayd. The martial and arthen will be ecstatic about the war against the space rats. Especially when we give them about 10-15 planets to them. Then I'd give the martials about 5-7 each. Give about 10 to minor houses. Give 5+ to house Uvar. And look and pissing off de croize super hard and then ganking them. I honestly don't know why we kept them and Ustong around. Time to prune the noble house numbers into some easier managed.","attachment":null,"posted":1713996152},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986086,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986081
We only have to deal with two major "tards", Arthen and Soluton, both of which are very agreeable at this point
We gain zero benefit from owning planets- the empire's treasury doesn't boost up at all, our economy stat remains the same
Shipyards will still take 10 years to pump something out, we can already get the support of their retinues in war, we can already commission fleets at-cost
The literal only benefit from merging with Soluton is we theoretically don't have to tard-wrangle them, but by your own statement we'll have family politics anyway so we'll still have to tard-wrangle them so branches of the family don't get too upset??","attachment":null,"posted":1713996157},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986087,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986082
Bro we doubled our power from the last civil war... why would we stop or care?
We just need Arthen and Nightshayd and martial houses to be happy. The rest can get fucked.","attachment":null,"posted":1713996216},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986088,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985951
>Expand the Imperial Bureaucracy to monitor the Corps. The Corps answer to none but themselves and regularly flout the interest of the noble houses. This must come to an end, and officials both overt and covert will be positioned to keep the Corps's direction on course for the Empire. Such expansions will, of course, be funded by the Corps themselves.
>Ban Corps from minting and distributing company scrip. The Corps, by and large, pay their workers in company scrip, undermining the Imperial Credit and rendering the masses even poorer than they otherwise would be. This practice shall be banned, and any Corps that fail to comply after a five-year grace period shall be fined accordingly.
And I'll also tentatively support
>Expand the taxation on the Corps. It's known that the fortunes of the Corps frequently surpass even noble lineages, and despite their lowly, mercantile stature, they are no more taxed than any aristocrat. This shall be corrected and the Corps will be forced to pay their dues, at gunpoint, if need be. The throne will put their funds to better use.
Rather than having them treated in the same financial way as aristocrats, we can reform the Empire in a way that allows people to be taxed according to how much they gain.","attachment":null,"posted":1713996220},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986091,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986078
Our positions are clearly completely irreconcilable - I still think it's a retarded idea from both a story and meta perspective, you still think it's a great idea for understandable reasons and further argument will just lead to a bad tempered and inconclusive back and forth so I'll leave doing more of that to other people. We definitely haven't seen the last of this topic either way.
Of all the things that might might cause a player civil war, this wasn't on my bingo card.","attachment":null,"posted":1713996452},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986093,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986085
Soluton already supported us in the last civil war, our fleets included all of theirs, there's little need for an actual merger
Even if we merged everyone, at that point, any future coups would just come from within branches of our own house, so it's the exact same situation as before","attachment":null,"posted":1713996529},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986094,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986086
We constantly get personal funds to do stuff... so you're flat out wrong. That's how we paid for Crown corp and how we paid for the initial Rangers.
We'd have more money and more control. We'd double our fleet size. And just cause solutions haven't said no to us yet doesn't mean they won't. Once they're a part of our house they are 110% behind us regardless of what we do. No having to juggle their loyalty. We just have to do stuff that is good for us.
Like for example instead of giving the croize chutes to them we could of kept it our self or given it to de croize. Because of them being their own faction we had to give it to them or potentially lose one of our strongest backers.
We get to dictate family politics like how we did for our kids. The fact that our sister in de croize can't see the big picture is hilarious to be honest. Nobody in the main family branch feels like that. We gave our brother money to gamble for fucks sake. Kek
We gain a larger share of the ship building stuff. With all their money we could buy out cherry Corp or even hookware. And literally corner the market.","attachment":null,"posted":1713996615},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986095,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986085
>The whole reason we have been boosting everyone's reputation was literally so we could absorb
Funny that all this talk about merging is recent then and hasn't been present for the majority of the quest when we were managing reputation previously. It's really silly to claim that the only reason we improved relations was to merge with them when the merge plan was recent in the scale of the overall quest and as can be seen from the discussion, it's clearly a controversial point, even among people who voted for the improved relations.","attachment":null,"posted":1713996780},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986096,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986086
>We only have to deal with two major "tards", Arthen and Soluton, both of which are very agreeable at this point
Again, conditional.
>We gain zero benefit from owning planets- the empire's treasury doesn't boost up at all, our economy stat remains the same
No it would boost the economy. Instead of having two split tax collections we have one which is smaller in total and we could correct any retarded economic policy.
>Shipyards will still take 10 years to pump something out, we can already get the support of their retinues in war, we can already commission fleets at-cost
Yet now we won't have arms races between vassal houses and the central government meaning more appropriate fleet counts for the tax revenue collected and therefore better scaling in the long term.
>The literal only benefit from merging with Soluton is we theoretically don't have to tard-wrangle them, but by your own statement we'll have family politics anyway so we'll still have to tard-wrangle them so branches of the family don't get too upset??
I said in the sense of literary appeal, we will still have interpersonal drama, but in machiavellian terms we will have much less opposition.
>>5986093
>Soluton already supported us in the last civil war, our fleets included all of theirs, there's little need for an actual merger
Even if we merged everyone, at that point, any future coups would just come from within branches of our own house, so it's the exact same situation as before
Not really, it'll become a much less risky game when the status quo is so safe.","attachment":null,"posted":1713996781},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986097,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986094
We didn't "pay" for Crown Corp, we forcibly inducted the company into our ranks, no questions asked
Last I remember, the initial rangers came directly from the treasury, which isn't boosted by owning planets, but by boosting the economy overall
Dictating family politics means a whole lot of nothing if our wife gets mad at us for giving away her family's biggest invention for practically free (a valid reason in my eyes, but clearly not in yours), people clearly still have their own thoughts and aren't all mindcontrolled by us the second they have a drop of Heinrich blood in them","attachment":null,"posted":1713996914},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986098,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986093
Not if we keep being ballers and don't let strife pop up...
We literally haven't had a single upset person with in the family. Only people that have ever gotten upset is literally people who married into another house and forgot their true loyalty is to the Heinrichs.
Bro you realize there's many more aliens ect. Out there... you'll wish we had more power after we been fighting orks for 150+ years and all the nobles want to throw in the towel. Or the corporations not underneath us want to start over charging for their products...
Just cause our current borders are some what peaceful because there isn't a empire bigger than us doesn't mean that will always be the case. There could easily be Orks or Tyranids on the other side of the varaks or further out from reaver space... or you know the whole thing about the kingdom knowing of something that could fuck us up. They implied it was another empire of some sort.","attachment":null,"posted":1713996946},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986099,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986095
Bro it's been spoken of for the last 3+ threads. Ever since after the Civil war. So you're flat out wrong.","attachment":null,"posted":1713997006},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986100,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986096
The status quo would be no safer with everyone under the nominal title of Heinrich, I think that's our main point of contention here
You guys believe doing mergers will reduce the chance of a coup. I disagree, and believe we'll then just have infighting come from within the Heinrich branches themselves","attachment":null,"posted":1713997052},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986101,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986097
No we paid out of personal funds for several things. We gave money to zephyr Corp. I really don't want to have to search for all of them. So I highly suggest you do.","attachment":null,"posted":1713997254},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986102,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986098
Why not just continue being ballers as is, then, and don't let strife pop up in the empire? People within our family can clearly become upset if their wishes are ignored, just like how noble houses become upset if their wishes are ignored. Mergers change nothing of the fact that we still have to provide concessions and think about balancing the needs of multiple groups","attachment":null,"posted":1713997339},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986103,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986100
>The status quo would be no safer with everyone under the nominal title of Heinrich, I think that's our main point of contention here
You guys believe doing mergers will reduce the chance of a coup. I disagree, and believe we'll then just have infighting come from within the Heinrich branches themselves
That would require us to let those who don't agree or believe in the new status quo into power. We will have disagreements and struggles but ultimately, all Heinrich will have the same faith or they would not be Heinrichs.
>>5986102
Except the expectations and obligations would be very different","attachment":null,"posted":1713997433},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986104,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986100
Why would their be fighting? Other than saying their will be "conflict".
We've managed conflict without infighting at all. Our biggest contention has been keeping noble houses that hate each other from fighting by making lots of suboptimal choices solely to keep x or y happy. This would reduce one of those variables.
Seriously go play CK2 and realize having a fuckload of vassals is shit tier. When shit hits the fan you'll suddenly see they aren't supporting you. Which is literally the worst possible outcome.","attachment":null,"posted":1713997442},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986106,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986099
"""Spoken of""". The idea first came up in the middle of thread 2 by one guy, was then part of a giant list of reforms by the QM, failed to receive sufficient votes to go through, and then barely received any mention in thread 3. I guess it was technically "spoken of" but it hardly has this "entire purpose of all the relation gain we ever did" you claim.","attachment":null,"posted":1713997541},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986108,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986101
You determine that for all of its newly conquered territory and imperial grace, House Heinrich has an unacceptable lack of assets. To that end, you take direct control of the Floreds Corp remains. In effect, this has resulted in the advent of a new Corp, owned by and beholden to House Heinrich. Given the Corp's previous scope, the only question is rebranding and specialty. For now, you'll only concern yourself with the former.
What should the new Corp be called?
Paid nothing for making Crown Corp
While you are fond of alien species, your heart drifts toward the ERC. The Empire's Resources Committee. Really, it is the Emperor's Resources Committee. These people, commoners nigh to the last, served you and spent their lives for the throne's sake without heed for the dangers. For years now, they have kept their heads to the ground and have continued their duties to the best of their ability without complaint. Under House Heinrich, loyalty is to be rewarded, unlike House Vonduul, which saw loyalty as its own reward.
They are among the very few commoners you respect, and the feeling is mutual. Your zeal to protect the wild places and appoint likeminded men has shaped the organization into what they are today. Now, to ensure their future in the Empire, you must reshape them with a mind toward the future. The tattered remains of the ERC stand in lockstep with imperial will. To them, you are not a step short of infallible.
Paid nothing to restructure the ERC into our beloved rangers
While Zephyr Corp's funds are slim compared to their preexisting rival Corps, the near-exclusive backing of House Soluton and Hookware Corp goes a long way. Combined with the financial genius of Theo and Freyja working in concert, it proves to be enough to push it over the edge! Zephyr Corp has a breakthrough and becomes a major Corp in its own right!
Zephyr Corp took nothing from our own pocket, we maneuvered Hookware into supporting them","attachment":null,"posted":1713997674},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986109,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986102
Because juggling 15 noble houses is absolutely shit tier. It would be much easier with 5-8. And we could organize the empire better. Rather than have everyone fighting for scraps. Or pissed x got something. Like for example de croize right fucking now. We wouldn't have to deal with that shit.
Have Arthen around have a unified Martials, have a science nobility, have our BFFs Nightshayd, then "minor houses". Easy now we just need to give people planets and keep tech and industrialization booming. Everyone's happy and we can stop looking at the eternal as much and focus on things outside the empire.
I'd rather hand look out to 5 groups than 15 any day. Our voting would go quicker and everything would be more streamlined.","attachment":null,"posted":1713997785},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986111,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986108
>our beloved rangers
A bit of a tangent but I really am not a fan of them. Way overblown EPA. We never should've even given them fleets, and now look at them, a glorified extension of the Imperial Navy which is probably worse in combat anyways. A gigantic waste of resources that is just lame imo. They should be dissolved.","attachment":null,"posted":1713997979},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986115,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986109
If we took away all the Noble Houses, nothing would change, it'd all be the same except in name
For example, our fifth cousin Robert (former Soluton) is the expert at implementing orbitalworks, but is mildly annoyed at us since we sent his personal fleet to die against the Vrakaks
Our sixth cousin, Gerta, created a design for a revolutionary new elevator! She wants to construct them immediately, but isn't known for being able to do large-scale construction
We give the design to Robert to implement, in recognition of his faithful service during the last war, which makes him happy, but now Gerta is upset! Oh no!
Basically exact same situation","attachment":null,"posted":1713998141},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986117,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986111
Wow we really don't agree on anything do we? Rangers are awesome.","attachment":null,"posted":1713998201},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986118,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986115
More meant in reply to this post >>5986104","attachment":null,"posted":1713998219},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986119,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Expand the Imperial Bureaucracy to monitor the Corps. The Corps answer to none but themselves and regularly flout the interest of the noble houses. This must come to an end, and officials both overt and covert will be positioned to keep the Corps's direction on course for the Empire. Such expansions will, of course, be funded by the Corps themselves.
>Ban Corps from minting and distributing company scrip. The Corps, by and large, pay their workers in company scrip, undermining the Imperial Credit and rendering the masses even poorer than they otherwise would be. This practice shall be banned, and any Corps that fail to comply after a five-year grace period shall be fined accordingly.","attachment":null,"posted":1713998401},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986120,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986108
Sorry to be fair it was plunder that we used to buy stuff. Wasn't "personal funds". Though us buying stuff like lemon Corp if you look at the ledger increased our economy. So did us investing in crown corp. Similar to us investing money into zephyr.
I assure you QM is adding the stuff we do and have to the ledger. Or as in the last example with "crown corp" funds when we expanded our Corp more.","attachment":null,"posted":1713998522},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986121,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986111
The Ranges have great potential and could be a good way to test out crazy experimental ships. They're practically an extension of the government (and thus the Heinrichs) and are a good way to gain planets/power/influence without making it seem like a naked power grab.
Also having a Space Knightly Order just sounds badass.","attachment":null,"posted":1713998526},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986122,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986115
No we didn't.... he came back and we put him in house Uvar... and we gave him a fat recommendation in the Imperial Navy.... but we weren't beholden to do any of that. And why wouldn't we do that for a family member it makes us stronger...
Yay Greta did it now she GETS TO OVERSEE CROWN CORP aka the Heinrichs Corp. Build it. She'd be happy asf no giving it away to a random family.
They could easily work together. Cause guess what? THEY DONT HATE EACH OTHER.
If they did have a family problem we as the emperor could easily squash it. And you forget we have Nightshayd to cut any genetic dead ends out of the family for us...
Smh bunch of zoomers.","attachment":null,"posted":1713998838},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986127,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986122
Look, I agree with you that the zoomer generation of Robert and Gerta are lame and dumb, but I think you're overly optimistic that everyone being under the Heinrich name will suddenly make problems easier to solve (or maybe I'm pessimistic from your perspective)
I appreciate the blocks being clearly delineated as is: we deal with the Soluton block, that's about a third of the Empire, we deal with the Arthen block, that's another third, then a bunch of minor houses plus Nightshayd. Once all those are just part of Heinrich, we'll have to deal with fucking uncle twice-removed George who outsmarted the Nightshayds (in part due to their training) who's now forming a close friendship with nephew Bill, but we don't know if they're planning a coup or just friendly","attachment":null,"posted":1713999344},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986129,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"guys i just had the realisation that, if all our intel comes mainly from house Nightshayd, how do we know what they really think of house Heinrich? What if they are slowly losing loyalty, and begin to feed us false info to further their plans?","attachment":null,"posted":1714000129},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986130,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986129
Just trust your Nightshayd companions :) They have zero ambition whatsoever and are happy servants to the throne and would never even think of betraying us, despite being the spymasters and experts in subterfuge :)","attachment":null,"posted":1714000335},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986141,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986129
They are our greatest allies :)","attachment":null,"posted":1714001842},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986147,"name":"QM","msg":">>5985953
>>5985954
>>5985956
>>5985959
>>5985965
>>5985968
>>5985969
>>5986020
>>5986075
>>5986088
>>5986119
You reason that, as the Empire's economy is tied to the Corps, it is only reasonable that the direction the Corps are taking it should be monitored, and the Corps should be using the Empire's currency. This is a complex issue, so you'll focus on handling the former first.
Expanding the Imperial Bureaucracy is no small task and under normal circumstances, would require a decade of diligent labour, if not longer. Fortunately, Pete and his co-conspirators are fully behind the throne and, going out of their way to make things happen, can cut this down to a fraction of the time. There are several possible shapes this counter-mercantile enterprise could take.
Which is your preference?
>Directly integrate the Imperial Bureaucracy into the Corps. They'll monitor the Corps and audit them regularly, to ensure that unhealthy business practices and rebellious sentiments are nipped in the bud. Rather than an adversarial force, the bureaucrats will do their best to coordinate trade between Corp vendors and planetary markets.
>Create a new subfaction of the Imperial Bureaucracy entirely. It will have a clarity of focus that a larger organization could not, and take on part of the bygone Emperor's Resources Committee's mantle. Instead of the old environmentalist bent, they'll concern themselves solely with auditing the Corps and eradicating Corporatist thought before it can gather momentum.
>Trust in House Uvar and leverage them for the task. There's no need to make sweeping reforms when the men of Uvar are already prepared to work as subtle spies and open consultants, with the help of planetary governments, where sensible. This would be helped by their status as a vassal house, and their proximity to House Heinrich.
>A multi-faceted approach is best. The Imperial Bureaucracy will be expanded, a new offshoot of it will be founded, and House Uvar's responsibilities will be widened. Perhaps a tad excessive, but you want to ensure complete certainty of the Corps' standing and their actions.","attachment":null,"posted":1714002741},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986153,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986147
>Directly integrate the Imperial Bureaucracy into the Corps. They'll monitor the Corps and audit them regularly, to ensure that unhealthy business practices and rebellious sentiments are nipped in the bud. Rather than an adversarial force, the bureaucrats will do their best to coordinate trade between Corp vendors and planetary markets.
>Trust in House Uvar and leverage them for the task. There's no need to make sweeping reforms when the men of Uvar are already prepared to work as subtle spies and open consultants, with the help of planetary governments, where sensible. This would be helped by their status as a vassal house, and their proximity to House Heinrich.
I'd rather have Corporatist/State Capitalist thought than Corporatocracy/Oligarchy, which is why I'm not voting for the middle option.","attachment":null,"posted":1714003368},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986154,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986147
>Create a new subfaction of the Imperial Bureaucracy entirely. It will have a clarity of focus that a larger organization could not, and take on part of the bygone Emperor's Resources Committee's mantle. Instead of the old environmentalist bent, they'll concern themselves solely with auditing the Corps and eradicating Corporatist thought before it can gather momentum.
Integrating the bureaucracy directly into the corps is a little spooky for me, and the bureaucracy is already semi-set up for this task, so I'll go with this option. Don't really want Uvar to just be a new ERC, and having everything over the table makes it a fairer playing field for everyone.","attachment":null,"posted":1714003431},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986155,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986153
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1714003451},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986159,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986147
>Create a new subfaction of the Imperial Bureaucracy entirely. It will have a clarity of focus that a larger organization could not, and take on part of the bygone Emperor's Resources Committee's mantle. Instead of the old environmentalist bent, they'll concern themselves solely with auditing the Corps and eradicating Corporatist thought before it can gather momentum.
A new department seems like the way to go","attachment":null,"posted":1714003889},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986160,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986129
Don't worry about it anon the people trained to stab people in the back would never stab us in the back! Besides nothing can be done at this point :)
Anyway
>Directly integrate the Imperial Bureaucracy into the Corps. They'll monitor the Corps and audit them regularly, to ensure that unhealthy business practices and rebellious sentiments are nipped in the bud. Rather than an adversarial force, the bureaucrats will do their best to coordinate trade between Corp vendors and planetary markets.","attachment":null,"posted":1714004050},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986163,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986147
>Create a new subfaction of the Imperial Bureaucracy entirely. It will have a clarity of focus that a larger organization could not, and take on part of the bygone Emperor's Resources Committee's mantle. Instead of the old environmentalist bent, they'll concern themselves solely with auditing the Corps and eradicating Corporatist thought before it can gather momentum.
Basically, Paramilitary Space IRS. If this concept does not fill you with terror, then count yourself lucky","attachment":null,"posted":1714004252},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986164,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986147
>Create a new subfaction of the Imperial Bureaucracy entirely. It will have a clarity of focus that a larger organization could not, and take on part of the bygone Emperor's Resources Committee's mantle. Instead of the old environmentalist bent, they'll concern themselves solely with auditing the Corps and eradicating Corporatist thought before it can gather momentum.
Spooky space IRS","attachment":null,"posted":1714004310},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986165,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Establishing the IRS but with guns in space is by far the evilest decision we will have made in this quest so far.","attachment":null,"posted":1714004623},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986166,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986147
>>5986153
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1714004693},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986173,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986147
>>Create a new subfaction of the Imperial Bureaucracy entirely. It will have a clarity of focus that a larger organization could not, and take on part of the bygone Emperor's Resources Committee's mantle. Instead of the old environmentalist bent, they'll concern themselves solely with auditing the Corps and eradicating Corporatist thought before it can gather momentum.
>>Trust in House Uvar and leverage them for the task. There's no need to make sweeping reforms when the men of Uvar are already prepared to work as subtle spies and open consultants, with the help of planetary governments, where sensible. This would be helped by their status as a vassal house, and their proximity to House Heinrich.
could be good
also QM what is house Nightshayd's opinion of us (as far as we know) and what does Otto think regarding them? What sort of wariness does he have about the professional back stabbers?","attachment":null,"posted":1714005398},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986176,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986165
We haven't done it, yet. The multi-faceted option is pretty much that but stronger.","attachment":null,"posted":1714005901},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986177,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986147
>Directly integrate the Imperial Bureaucracy into the Corps. They'll monitor the Corps and audit them regularly, to ensure that unhealthy business practices and rebellious sentiments are nipped in the bud. Rather than an adversarial force, the bureaucrats will do their best to coordinate trade between Corp vendors and planetary markets.
>Trust in House Uvar and leverage them for the task. There's no need to make sweeping reforms when the men of Uvar are already prepared to work as subtle spies and open consultants, with the help of planetary governments, where sensible. This would be helped by their status as a vassal house, and their proximity to House Heinrich.
Space IRS is spookier compared to this lol","attachment":null,"posted":1714005962},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986182,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986173
>What sort of wariness does he have about the professional back stabbers?
Didn't the QM say that Otto wasn't one for trickery and had a more warrior way of doing things?","attachment":null,"posted":1714006071},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986316,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Create a new subfaction of the Imperial Bureaucracy entirely. It will have a clarity of focus that a larger organization could not, and take on part of the bygone Emperor's Resources Committee's mantle. Instead of the old environmentalist bent, they'll concern themselves solely with auditing the Corps and eradicating Corporatist thought before it can gather momentum.","attachment":null,"posted":1714017621},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986454,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986147
>Create a new subfaction of the Imperial Bureaucracy entirely. It will have a clarity of focus that a larger organization could not, and take on part of the bygone Emperor's Resources Committee's mantle. Instead of the old environmentalist bent, they'll concern themselves solely with auditing the Corps and eradicating Corporatist thought before it can gather momentum.
Having an arm of the government cosy up to the people it is meant to hold the leash of cannot be a good idea.","attachment":null,"posted":1714037901},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986576,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986147
>Directly integrate the Imperial Bureaucracy into the Corps. They'll monitor the Corps and audit them regularly, to ensure that unhealthy business practices and rebellious sentiments are nipped in the bud. Rather than an adversarial force, the bureaucrats will do their best to coordinate trade between Corp vendors and planetary markets.
>Trust in House Uvar and leverage them for the task. There's no need to make sweeping reforms when the men of Uvar are already prepared to work as subtle spies and open consultants, with the help of planetary governments, where sensible. This would be helped by their status as a vassal house, and their proximity to House Heinrich.","attachment":null,"posted":1714054864},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986584,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986147
>Directly integrate the Imperial Bureaucracy into the Corps. They'll monitor the Corps and audit them regularly, to ensure that unhealthy business practices and rebellious sentiments are nipped in the bud. Rather than an adversarial force, the bureaucrats will do their best to coordinate trade between Corp vendors and planetary markets.
>Trust in House Uvar and leverage them for the task. There's no need to make sweeping reforms when the men of Uvar are already prepared to work as subtle spies and open consultants, with the help of planetary governments, where sensible. This would be helped by their status as a vassal house, and their proximity to House Heinrich.
>>5986454
I don't think it's much of a concern, considering the nature and sentiment of the Bureaucracy after Pete.","attachment":null,"posted":1714055599},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986601,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986147
>Directly integrate the Imperial Bureaucracy into the Corps. They'll monitor the Corps and audit them regularly, to ensure that unhealthy business practices and rebellious sentiments are nipped in the bud. Rather than an adversarial force, the bureaucrats will do their best to coordinate trade between Corp vendors and planetary markets.
>Trust in House Uvar and leverage them for the task. There's no need to make sweeping reforms when the men of Uvar are already prepared to work as subtle spies and open consultants, with the help of planetary governments, where sensible. This would be helped by their status as a vassal house, and their proximity to House Heinrich.
State Capitalism, here we go!","attachment":null,"posted":1714058759},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986660,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986147
>A multi-faceted approach is best. The Imperial Bureaucracy will be expanded, a new offshoot of it will be founded, and House Uvar's responsibilities will be widened. Perhaps a tad excessive, but you want to ensure complete certainty of the Corps' standing and their actions.
Keep the industry in line.","attachment":null,"posted":1714066874},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986661,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986147
>>5986660
Actually I'll change my vote to
>Directly integrate the Imperial Bureaucracy into the Corps. They'll monitor the Corps and audit them regularly, to ensure that unhealthy business practices and rebellious sentiments are nipped in the bud. Rather than an adversarial force, the bureaucrats will do their best to coordinate trade between Corp vendors and planetary markets.
>Trust in House Uvar and leverage them for the task. There's no need to make sweeping reforms when the men of Uvar are already prepared to work as subtle spies and open consultants, with the help of planetary governments, where sensible. This would be helped by their status as a vassal house, and their proximity to House Heinrich.
Cause taking a multi-faceted approach isn't going to win most likely.","attachment":null,"posted":1714066939},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986696,"name":"QM","msg":">>5986153
>>5986154
>>5986155
>>5986159
>>5986160
>>5986163
>>5986164
>>5986166
>>5986173
>>5986177
>>5986316
>>5986454
>>5986576
>>5986584
>>5986601
>>5986661
You determine that it's most expedient to directly integrate the Imperial Bureaucracy into the Corps and lean on House Uvar to support them. The prospect of founding a new department weighs on your mind, but you don't think it's fully necessary at this time. In the event that the future shows the Corps harder to monitor than anticipated, the dynasty will keep the possibility in their pocket. Together, the Imperial Bureaucracy and House Uvar should be up to the task.
Now comes the latter issue: the banning of company scrip. The Corps have relied on their own petty bills and fungible tokens for centuries and there aren't enough imperial credits in open circulation to replace them on short notice. The Privy Council raises the concern that a misstep here could see the coinage of the noble houses rise to prominence. This is an easy enough problem to solve, but you must be cautious not to stumble into fiscally damaging measures.
How should the ban on company scrip be handled?
>Go ahead as planned. The Corps will have five years to find a legitimate currency and if they are wise, they'll be grateful they aren't fined for their presumption. This may entrench the noble houses' petty currencies, but the economy will be better off.
>Extend the grace period. The Corps will be given twenty years to adjust their exchanges, to ease the financial burden. A slow burn approach, the incremental shift should see the scrip seamlessly phased out of commerce.
>Compensate them at equivalent rates. The throne will empty its own reserves to pay the Corps for their scrip, at a 1:1 ratio. This will be a dire blow to the treasury, but the Corps will be pleased and transition to the imperial credit immediately.
>Print more credits to pay them off. As Emperor, you have the right to issue currency and will do so, paying the Corps for their scrip at a 1:1 ratio. This sudden flood of imperial credits will reduce its long-term market value, but the treasury shall be spared and the Corps pleased.","attachment":null,"posted":1714072855},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986704,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986696
>>Print more credits to pay them off. As Emperor, you have the right to issue currency and will do so, paying the Corps for their scrip at a 1:1 ratio. This sudden flood of imperial credits will reduce its long-term market value, but the treasury shall be spared and the Corps pleased.
Nothing bad ever happens by printing more money.","attachment":null,"posted":1714073216},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986706,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986696
>printing money
OH NO NO NO
I'd definitely rather have the slow burn, there's no pressing need to overturn it now, not like the corps are about to revolt, and if we devalue the credit too much, people won't use it anyway
My vote is for
>Extend the grace period. The Corps will be given twenty years to adjust their exchanges, to ease the financial burden. A slow burn approach, the incremental shift should see the scrip seamlessly phased out of commerce.","attachment":null,"posted":1714073390},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986707,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986696
>Extend the grace period. The Corps will be given twenty years to adjust their exchanges, to ease the financial burden. A slow burn approach, the incremental shift should see the scrip seamlessly phased out of commerce.
Seems like a safe option that works for us","attachment":null,"posted":1714073428},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986715,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986696
>Extend the grace period. The Corps will be given twenty years to adjust their exchanges, to ease the financial burden. A slow burn approach, the incremental shift should see the scrip seamlessly phased out of commerce.","attachment":null,"posted":1714073931},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986721,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986696
>Extend the grace period. The Corps will be given twenty years to adjust their exchanges, to ease the financial burden. A slow burn approach, the incremental shift should see the scrip seamlessly phased out of commerce.","attachment":null,"posted":1714074877},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986770,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986696
>Extend the grace period. The Corps will be given twenty years to adjust their exchanges, to ease the financial burden. A slow burn approach, the incremental shift should see the scrip seamlessly phased out of commerce.
This is a generous timeframe","attachment":null,"posted":1714078709},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986774,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986696
>Extend the grace period. The Corps will be given twenty years to adjust their exchanges, to ease the financial burden. A slow burn approach, the incremental shift should see the scrip seamlessly phased out of commerce.
By far the safest and smartest option the fact printing money is even an option makes me think we should make future emperors take a mandatory basic economics course.","attachment":null,"posted":1714079344},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986781,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986696
>Print more credits to pay them off. As Emperor, you have the right to issue currency and will do so, paying the Corps for their scrip at a 1:1 ratio. This sudden flood of imperial credits will reduce its long-term market value, but the treasury shall be spared and the Corps pleased.
As long as it's controlled and moderated according to the market and doesn't cause major disruptions within the economy.","attachment":null,"posted":1714080263},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986827,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Extend the grace period. The Corps will be given twenty years to adjust their exchanges, to ease the financial burden. A slow burn approach, the incremental shift should see the scrip seamlessly phased out of commerce.","attachment":null,"posted":1714084350},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986828,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986147
>Create a new subfaction of the Imperial Bureaucracy entirely. It will have a clarity of focus that a larger organization could not, and take on part of the bygone Emperor's Resources Committee's mantle. Instead of the old environmentalist bent, they'll concern themselves solely with auditing the Corps and eradicating Corporatist thought before it can gather momentum.","attachment":null,"posted":1714084618},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986829,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986696
>Extend the grace period. The Corps will be given twenty years to adjust their exchanges, to ease the financial burden. A slow burn approach, the incremental shift should see the scrip seamlessly phased out of commerce.","attachment":null,"posted":1714084687},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5986923,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986696
>Extend the grace period. The Corps will be given twenty years to adjust their exchanges, to ease the financial burden. A slow burn approach, the incremental shift should see the scrip seamlessly phased out of commerce.","attachment":null,"posted":1714096787},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5987319,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986696
>Print more credits to pay them off. As Emperor, you have the right to issue currency and will do so, paying the Corps for their scrip at a 1:1 ratio. This sudden flood of imperial credits will reduce its long-term market value, but the treasury shall be spared and the Corps pleased.","attachment":null,"posted":1714157887},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5987325,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986696
>Print more credits to pay them off. As Emperor, you have the right to issue currency and will do so, paying the Corps for their scrip at a 1:1 ratio. This sudden flood of imperial credits will reduce its long-term market value, but the treasury shall be spared and the Corps pleased.","attachment":null,"posted":1714158549},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5987343,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986696
>Extend the grace period. The Corps will be given twenty years to adjust their exchanges, to ease the financial burden. A slow burn approach, the incremental shift should see the scrip seamlessly phased out of commerce.","attachment":null,"posted":1714160300},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5987439,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986696
>Compensate them at equivalent rates. The throne will empty its own reserves to pay the Corps for their scrip, at a 1:1 ratio. This will be a dire blow to the treasury, but the Corps will be pleased and transition to the imperial credit immediately.","attachment":null,"posted":1714168105},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5987481,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986696
>Extend the grace period. The Corps will be given twenty years to adjust their exchanges, to ease the financial burden. A slow burn approach, the incremental shift should see the scrip seamlessly phased out of commerce.
There is no rush, and hyperinflation is baaaaad
@QM, do we have a central bank that sets Empire-wide interest rates?","attachment":null,"posted":1714174215},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5987488,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986696
>Extend the grace period. The Corps will be given twenty years to adjust their exchanges, to ease the financial burden. A slow burn approach, the incremental shift should see the scrip seamlessly phased out of commerce.
Just get it done. It's been a mess for millennia, we can wait 20 years more.
>>5987481
mang, we barely even have a central currency much less an authoritative central bank","attachment":null,"posted":1714174988},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5987509,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987481
>>5987488
It’s sort of surprising how simultaneously strong/weak the Imperial authority is - near-“absolute” power in the Emperor but the actual government is sort of ineffective, sprawling, toothless from an economic perspective. I guess this is the net impact of despotism over millenia though","attachment":null,"posted":1714178328},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5987523,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987509
I think it underscores that the Empire is not a nation-state as we know it but more a big heap of de facto independent entities held together by a common allegiance. The Emperor is a scalpel, a sharp instrument of (theoretically) absolute authority that can cut away at individual things but sometimes you need the hammer of an authoritative government capable of acting autonomously and dividing its attention to get things done on a wide scale. For that, I favour a slow and moderate centralisation process.","attachment":null,"posted":1714179460},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5987531,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987509
>>5987523
It comes with its benefits too- some random bunch of planets doing poorly doesn't affect us as much, and each planet manages its own economy on an as-needed basis
Like imagine if Hookware scrip suddenly crashed in value on Tennsey, that literally doesn't affect us at all, meanwhile if our own shipyard planets' economies crash, we're fucked and maybe bringing down the entire imperial credit with it","attachment":null,"posted":1714179940},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5987539,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987509
>>5987523
>>5987531
It’s basically the HRE which I actually don’t have a problem with","attachment":null,"posted":1714180310},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5988180,"name":"QM","msg":">>5986173
As far as Otto is aware, House Nightshayd are close allies to House Heinrich because his grandfather, Emperor Alphonse, allowed them to keep their spy networks after the 1st Civil War, despite their status as subtle enforcers of House Vonduul's rule, and their patriarch Gerardo Nightshayd had a deep respect for him. That House Heinrich hasn't pried into their affairs and has given them several planets certainly hasn't hurt.
Otto's own perspective of House Nightshayd is that they are honourless cutthroats and a lingering holdover from the reign of House Vonduul... as well as his mother Clara's house and a critical support to House Heinrich's reign, and therefore worthy of a wary respect. He doesn't trust House Nightshayd, hence his founding of House Uvar, but he thinks they can be relied on as long as their interests and the ruling dynasty's coincide.
>>5987481
The Empire does not have a central bank, although most of the Major Houses are known to give loans to trusted relatives, allies, or subordinates. Before the Tripartite Entente was destroyed, House Rothsford filled a similar niche, and stored and lent currencies from across the Empire. Their destruction contributed to the economic damage after the 2nd Civil War but was largely mitigated by the dissolving of Amasoft Corp. There are many planetary banks but these tend to be small, regional affairs catering to commoners and merchants who don't have the connections to the aristocracy to receive a significant loan.","attachment":null,"posted":1714237299},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5988197,"name":"QM","msg":"Rolled 10 - 1 (1d12 - 1)
>>5986704
>>5986706
>>5986707
>>5986715
>>5986721
>>5986770
>>5986774
>>5986781
>>5986827
>>5986829
>>5986923
>>5987319
>>5987325
>>5987343
>>5987439
>>5987481
>>5987488
You decide to take the Privy Council's advice into consideration and quadruple the grace period. Rather than five years to get their affairs in order, the Corps will have two decades and no excuse for dragging their feet. You considered issuing more imperial credits but decided against it. If the throne had the Corps wrapped around its finger, it would mean nothing if the treasury was worthless.
You begin to put all of this into action. At the same time, your father Albin moves to further mingle the Human and Osgus economies, as House Nightshayd continues its war of assassins in the shadows. You await the results patiently.
>Pete's skill as an administrator is sufficient that the Imperial Bureaucracy's expansion is an automatic success.
>1d12+4 to expand trade with the Osgus State. +2 [Mutual Support (ISL)], +2 [Knowledge (Osgus)], +1 [Personal Friendship (Albin)], +1 [Minor Trade], -2 [Ideals of Superiority (Osgus)]
>1d12+1 for House Nightshayd to seize Clan Skullstacker's network. +2 [Spy Network], +1 [Excellent Espionage], -2 [Criminal Obsfucation]
>The enemy's roll
>1d12-1 for Clan Skullstacker to counter House Nightshayd's operatives. +2 [Criminal Network], +1 [Excellent Espionage], -2 [Imperial Crackdown], -2 [Infamous Reputation]","attachment":null,"posted":1714238189},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5988200,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 6 + 4 (1d12 + 4)
>>5988197
SQUIDS","attachment":null,"posted":1714238374},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5988203,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988197
Best of luck anons
I would but after last thread I am pretty sure I will be hanged if I roll again
>>5988200
More money for us it seems","attachment":null,"posted":1714238438},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5988204,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 9 + 1 (1d12 + 1)
>>5988197
Nightshayd","attachment":null,"posted":1714238478},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5988206,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988197
>>5988204
>Nightshayd 10
>Skullstacker 9
Phew.","attachment":null,"posted":1714238541},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5988237,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988200
So we have some above average trade with the Osgus.
>>5988204
And the Nightshayds barely manages to outmaneuver the Skullstackers.","attachment":null,"posted":1714239965},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5988255,"name":"QM","msg":">>5988197
>>5988200
>>5988204
Negotiations with the Osgus initially go smoothly, as your father is a figure of some respect among the squids. Then, the unthinkable comes to pass during the drafting of a contract. At 116 years old, your father suffered a severe hemorrhagic stroke and, despite the best efforts of the dynasty's surgeons, was pronounced dead within the hour.
The news has not yet reached the public. The Osgus State offer their condolences and a basket of pearls, which you understand is deeply symbolic in their culture. Those of House Heinrich in the know are reeling. So far, this only extends to his close family and friends. The High Advisor of the Mukvun Court in the Mukvir, Yolonko, has expressed a profound lack of mukva at the news. You aren't sure what to make of that and you don't care.
You've lost your father. He ruled the Eternal Empire for over half a century and guided it to new heights of prosperity. His influence led to a complete paradigm-shift in xeno relations and the founding of several important organizations. By his might, he broke the Tripartite Entente, and by his wisdom, he sent you to be trained under House Arthen, shaping you into the man you've become today. Your father was an eccentric who feared too much for your life, but he was a good man, and you loved him for it.
A quick investigation finds that your father's health was surprisingly poor, considering his genetic stock and lifestyle. One officer in the Royal Guard, Stephan, comes forward with a confession. Decades ago, he and another Royal Guardsman witnessed the late-Emperor smoking alien narcotics with unknown effects to ease diplomatic tensions with the Mukvir. For two days afterward, he was thrown into a comatose, hallucinative state and was unresponsive to any and all outside stimuli until he came out of it. Your father swore both men to silence in the name of the throne.
Out of respect, they didn't divulge this when you ascended to the throne as your father still lived. The Royal Guardsman's partner died when a rabid neo-federalist dropped a pallet of bricks on his head in a routine parade march in the streets of Uvarth seven years ago, leaving him and now, you, the only men in the galaxy who know the secret. His words ring of truth and you appreciate his deferrence to your father, so you don't have him censured. You are both reasonably sure this was a strong contributor to his early death.
No matter the cause, you must determine what is to be done.
>Have a solemn, quiet funeral among the family of House Heinrich.
>Order an extravagant state funeral to honour the deceased.
>Declare an Empire-wide period of mourning among the masses for their fallen Emperor.
>Instill new funerary practices for the deceased heads of the ruling dynasty, as your father's body could be recovered in full, rather than scraps of his uniform. (This will lead to another set of choices.)","attachment":null,"posted":1714240818},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5988264,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988255
>>Order an extravagant state funeral to honour the deceased.
>>Declare an Empire-wide period of mourning among the masses for their fallen Emperor.
>>Instill new funerary practices for the deceased heads of the ruling dynasty, as your father's body could be recovered in full, rather than scraps of his uniform. (This will lead to another set of choices.)","attachment":null,"posted":1714241097},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5988266,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988264
Supporting. Don’t smoke alien weed, people","attachment":null,"posted":1714241277},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5988290,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988264
Support
Obviously not enough to actually affect the treasury in a meaningful way since I don’t think we can afford it.
Regardless I believe mom is going to probably be pissed at us considering we put Albin in a working position until he literally died.","attachment":null,"posted":1714242532},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5988304,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988255
Damn, rest in peace buddy, you were a cool guy
I have no preference as to how this vote goes","attachment":null,"posted":1714243149},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5988394,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988264
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1714247452},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5988516,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">"early death"
>116 years old
Did Arthen set the new standard for how long people live now?
>>5988264
+1
>>5988290
Yeah that wasn't smart. Isn't mom a nightshayd?","attachment":null,"posted":1714257064},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5988637,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>Order an extravagant state funeral to honour the deceased.
>>Declare an Empire-wide period of mourning among the masses for their fallen Emperor.
>>Instill new funerary practices for the deceased heads of the ruling dynasty, as your father's body could be recovered in full, rather than scraps of his uniform. (This will lead to another set of choices.)","attachment":null,"posted":1714265471},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5988861,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988516
It helped ease relations with a a now key economic and cultural partner. it was smart for geopolitics. his lungs were a tactical sacrifice.","attachment":null,"posted":1714273020},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5988879,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988861
With Albin dead this means that Otto has not only killed more Heinrichs than the Tripartite, Federation and Reaver Clans but has also destroyed relations (his wife, sister and mother) better than any of them ever did.
He can't keep getting away with this","attachment":null,"posted":1714273794},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5988915,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988255
>Order an extravagant state funeral to honour the deceased.
>Declare an Empire-wide period of mourning among the masses for their fallen Emperor.
>Instill new funerary practices for the deceased heads of the ruling dynasty, as your father's body could be recovered in full, rather than scraps of his uniform. (This will lead to another set of choices.)
>>5988861
There was another candidate that would have been pretty good at the job. It was not worth it. The kind of autistic "power at all costs (to family)" attitude that you show will be the end of House Heinrich if it continues in his heir.","attachment":null,"posted":1714275510},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5988921,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988861
Funnily enough, voters actually chose to smoke the weed for absolutely no gain in relations whatsoever, just to forget the social faux pas of not laughing at a plant joke that made no sense (by human sensibilities)","attachment":null,"posted":1714275803},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5988995,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988921
>social pressure into taking weed for the meme
Drugs aren't for winners.","attachment":null,"posted":1714280578},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5989370,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988921
We were losers at the time anon and losers take drugs.","attachment":null,"posted":1714326849},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5989374,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988921
To be honest, I was just curious and wanted to see what would happen if we hit the xeno ganja","attachment":null,"posted":1714327148},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5989542,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988264
Supporting","attachment":null,"posted":1714340965},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5990634,"name":"QM","msg":">>5988264
>>5988266
>>5988290
>>5988304
>>5988394
>>5988516
>>5988637
>>5988915
>>5989542
You are deeply saddened by the passing of your father. Not only has House Heinrich suffered a grievous blow, the Eternal Empire has lost a living symbol of imperial wisdom. Soon, you and in due time, your son and heir must carry on the line without him. Soon, but not yet.
Now is the time to grieve. Billions shall mourn the death of the second Emperor of House Heinrich's line, and no expense shall be spared in giving him the greatest funeral possible. Holo-vision footage will carry this to untold multitudes of eyes, but it is, at least in part, also a private affair. You recovered your father's body and can give it a proper burial rather than a ceremonial one, as was your grandfather's case. Being the third Emperor of House Heinrich's line, the details are your responsibility to decide.
How should the fallen rulers of House Heinrich be laid to rest?
>Inter them in a fortified dreadnought orbiting old Earth, which is to become a mausoleum. The surface is too dangerous for royalty to regularly visit, but traditions are the backbone of Mankind.
>Load them into a cannon, to be launched directly into Sol. In a grand show of symbolism, as they were a light to the Empire, they'll fuel the light that shines still over Mars.
>Place them in a small, automated ship designed to enter the Hypervoid, then disable its continuum field. In the belief of some, the localized false vacuum decay will unite them with the cosmos.
>Hold them in frozen conditions in the palace basement, painstakingly embalmed and preserved for the future. Resurrecting the dead may be impossible, but keeping fresh genetic samples close at hand may be useful down the line.
>Bury them beside the scraps of Emperor Alphonse's uniform. There's no need for flashy theatrics when a funerary courtyard will suit the task just the same.
>Have them cremated and the ashes used to grow a sturdy hardwood tree. It's likely what your father would have wanted, even if it isn't much of a spectacle.","attachment":null,"posted":1714469104},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5990636,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990634
>Inter them in a fortified dreadnought orbiting old Earth, which is to become a mausoleum. The surface is too dangerous for royalty to regularly visit, but traditions are the backbone of Mankind.","attachment":null,"posted":1714469469},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5990642,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990634
Let's try for a less intrusive form of preservation while still being mindful and respectful of the old ways.
>Keep extensive genetic samples of each emperor in the palace laboratory but inter their bodies into a fortified shrine orbiting Old Earth.","attachment":null,"posted":1714471043},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5990665,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990642
Supporting this write-in - the Imperial aristocracy has a weird obsession with purity of genetics and heritage as well, so this seems to reflect that.","attachment":null,"posted":1714473681},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5990684,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990634
>Inter them in a fortified dreadnought orbiting old Earth, which is to become a mausoleum. The surface is too dangerous for royalty to regularly visit, but traditions are the backbone of Mankind.
>Have them cremated and the ashes used to grow a sturdy hardwood tree. It's likely what your father would have wanted, even if it isn't much of a spectacle.","attachment":null,"posted":1714478658},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5990782,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990642
Support","attachment":null,"posted":1714494916},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5990783,"name":"QM","msg":"Apologies for taking so long with this update and being sporadic about them lately. My younger brother is about to graduate from high-school and I've been distracted helping him out with that.","attachment":null,"posted":1714494936},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5990787,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990783
Congratulations to your brother OP!","attachment":null,"posted":1714495133},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5990788,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990783
No worries, QM - family comes first","attachment":null,"posted":1714495198},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5990799,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990634
>>Bury them beside the scraps of Emperor Alphonse's uniform. There's no need for flashy theatrics when a funerary courtyard will suit the task just the same.
>For Father, plant a sturdy hardwood tree over his body. We can put a similar spin on it for future emperors; we could be buried with arms and armor, for example.","attachment":null,"posted":1714496721},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5990800,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990642
Ah, and support the "keeping samples" bit but not putting them into the orbital shrine.","attachment":null,"posted":1714496781},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5990858,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990634
>>5990799
>>5990800
Support these ideas. Keep samples, bury them, every son decides something appropriate to honour his father's unique legacy. Scraps of Alphonse's uniform, hardwood tree for dad, Otto's son and heir will decide something, possibly arms and armor, for him, and so on and so on, for as long as House Heinrich and the Empire exist.","attachment":null,"posted":1714502901},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5990974,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Trade the Ocean Planet for the Cores, bit maker sure the cores have backdoors in then we can exploit if we need to .","attachment":null,"posted":1714514337},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5991014,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990974
Wrong Space Empire quest","attachment":null,"posted":1714517840},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5991099,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990642
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1714525043},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5991340,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>Bury them beside the scraps of Emperor Alphonse's uniform. There's no need for flashy theatrics when a funerary courtyard will suit the task just the same.
>For Father, plant a sturdy hardwood tree over his body. We can put a similar spin on it for future emperors; we could be buried with arms and armor, for example.","attachment":null,"posted":1714550747},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5991856,"name":"QM","msg":">>5990636
>>5990642
>>5990665
>>5990684
>>5990782
>>5990799
>>5990800
>>5990858
>>5991099
>>5991340
You determine that fallen Emperors should be interred in a fortified shrine orbiting old Earth, but that their son (or heir) should decide on something sentimental to reflect their legacy. In your father's case, his closest biodegradable possessions and flesh will be burned, and the ashes used to plant a tree. His bleached skeleton, reverently stripped of all else, will be put to the mausoleum of House Heinrich, where it will hold an eternal vigil over Mankind.
Before the ceremony, you had redundant genetic samples extracted for future archives. Going forward, this will be the policy of the Eternal Empire, and deepen Alphonse's mystique, as his couldn't be gathered in this way. Of course, the palace laboratory does have extensive genetic samples from your grandfather, but those were collected for medical rather than symbolic purposes.
The funeral itself is tragic. For the first time in decades, you find yourself moved to tears, the most stoic angles of which are captured for holo-propaganda. Your mother, bitter, blames you for his passing. "He was a fine Minister of Xenology, wasn't he? I hope your father's work was worth his last days."
You quietly tell yourself that it was. By his actions, the Osgus State has been taken from a deadly foe to a near friend, in the span of a human lifetime. Surely, the future of the Empire is worth more than one man's life. You have no choice but to tell yourself this and accept the burden of guilt on yourself, as is an Emperor's duty. Everything you've done, you have done for the future of the Empire.
Your mother, sister, and wife can't see that, blinded as they are by emotion. They weren't there at the trenches of Uvarth. They don't know the depths of bloodlust egalitarian filth will sink to in their hatred of their betters. They don't understand, and it's likely they never will. The mourning fills the Empire with sadness, enough that it briefly impairs its functioning. For all of his flaws, Emperor Albin was loved and won't soon be forgotten.","attachment":null,"posted":1714609141},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5991857,"name":"QM","msg":">>5991856
Time passes.
You are informed that House Heinrich's shipyards over Mars and Plutul have finished manufacturing war-fleets! One Mars-pattern, one Cherry-pattern. You are told that Bullseye Corp's experimentation is nearing the end of its prototyping stage, but won't see hard results for another decade as they are breaking new ground. The shipyard over Clan Matador's capital, Knossos, has been refurbished and is now prepared to begin its work. All excellent news, however, you have strategic considerations to make.
Who should both of the finished fleets go to? (Specify which faction will receive which pattern of fleet, otherwise the Cherry-pattern fleet's destination will depend on which of the two factions- if they're being separated- is more open to new technology.)
>The Imperial Navy: They suffered severe losses during the raid by the Reaver Clans and are in need of reinforcements.
>House Heinrich: The ruling dynasty has only two retinue fleets, but its holdings are prosperous enough to support several more.
>The Martial Houses: Among the closest allies to your bloodline, they don't yet have any true fleets of their own.
>House Soluton: They are already delighted with the throne, but tossing them a fleet could be a savvy way of hedging your bets.
>House De Croize: They are frustrated with the throne, to say the least, but a concession like this could reassure them of your intentions.
>Someone Else: The Empire is a vast place and there are many possible recipients, some more deserving than others.","attachment":null,"posted":1714609202},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5991861,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991857
>The Imperial Navy: They suffered severe losses during the raid by the Reaver Clans and are in need of reinforcements.
They'll take the standard fleet.
>House De Croize: They are frustrated with the throne, to say the least, but a concession like this could reassure them of your intentions.
We gotta throw these guys a bone now before their discontent boils over.","attachment":null,"posted":1714609503},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5991862,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991861
+1, seems okay to me
>extensive genetic samples from your grandfather
I wonder if this obsession with genetics in the nobles will eventually lead to a group trying to make a Kwisatz Haderach.","attachment":null,"posted":1714609827},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5991872,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991861
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1714610889},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5991880,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991861
We sure giving De Croize a fleet wont make Solution mad?","attachment":null,"posted":1714611422},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5991884,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991880
probably but we are really close with them right now, it's worth upsetting Soluton a little to cool down De Croize","attachment":null,"posted":1714611642},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5991898,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991857
>>The Martial Houses: Among the closest allies to your bloodline, they don't yet have any true fleets of their own.","attachment":null,"posted":1714613724},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5991920,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991856
Poor mom. It was a good play on our part but tragic nonetheless. We need to get on repairing our relationship with Jeanne though.
>>5991857
>The Imperial Navy: They suffered severe losses during the raid by the Reaver Clans and are in need of reinforcements.
Both to the navy to replace the losses from the Reaver raid","attachment":null,"posted":1714616299},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5991968,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991920
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1714619429},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5991976,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991857
Both to the navy. Giving a single fleet to De Croize feels really pathetic. I'd rather invite their leadership to a sitdown than that.","attachment":null,"posted":1714619662},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5991980,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991857
>The Imperial Navy: They suffered severe losses during the raid by the Reaver Clans and are in need of reinforcements.
Both fleets to them.","attachment":null,"posted":1714620086},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992018,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991976
I have no opinion as to how this vote goes, but a whole war fleet would be seen as a pretty to very generous gift
The big houses (Soluton and Arthen) only have around 3 or something in their personal retinue, a single war fleet is already enough to make a house pretty notable, so it's not on the same level as giving them a pity 1%, definitely a considerable gift, especially for a house with no shipyards of their own","attachment":null,"posted":1714622474},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992074,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991857
>>5991898
I'll change my vote to give both navies to
>The Imperial Navy: They suffered severe losses during the raid by the Reaver Clans and are in need of reinforcements.","attachment":null,"posted":1714628244},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992263,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">The Imperial Navy: They suffered severe losses during the raid by the Reaver Clans and are in need of reinforcements.","attachment":null,"posted":1714662287},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992279,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991857
>The Imperial Navy: They suffered severe losses during the raid by the Reaver Clans and are in need of reinforcements.
Both to the navy. The Empire is much larger than it has been in many centuries, they need more tonnage to patrol the new space we hold.","attachment":null,"posted":1714663211},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992295,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991920
>"We need to get on repairing our relationship with Jeanne though"
>Votes against an option that would help repair the relationship
huh?","attachment":null,"posted":1714664132},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992302,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992018
Even if that's the case, it feels very weak to give them shit simply because they got mad. It sends the wrong message in my opinion and doesn't address the heart of the disagreement.
>>5992295
You don't repair relationships by just throwing money at it anon.","attachment":null,"posted":1714664562},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992307,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992302
Jeanne is going to be dead soon, the opinion of House De Croize as a whole is more relevant","attachment":null,"posted":1714665052},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992329,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992302
Well she seemed pretty upset by us not throwing money at it previously","attachment":null,"posted":1714667478},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992340,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992302
It could be seen as us feeling bad and trying to give them something to make up for it, which I would agree might make us appear weak, but could help relations
It's like if you tossed out an old photo album that you didn't know your wife thought was important, so you try to cook dinner for her that night or something I don't know, it's conciliatory and makes us look human, which may or may not be bad, but I don't think it would hurt our relations with De Croize","attachment":null,"posted":1714668421},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992347,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991856
>You quietly tell yourself that it was. By his actions, the Osgus State has been taken from a deadly foe to a near friend, in the span of a human lifetime. Surely, the future of the Empire is worth more than one man's life. You have no choice but to tell yourself this and accept the burden of guilt on yourself, as is an Emperor's duty. Everything you've done, you have done for the future of the Empire.
Also it's been said by others, but damn, if I could I'd give Otto a pat on the back, fucking sucks to make all of your closest family hate you, even your own mother, while doing what you think is the right thing to do since you bear a responsibility that extends beyond any mere individual. Keep up the good work, buddy","attachment":null,"posted":1714668918},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992351,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992307
Not really, her and Otto still have decades to live.
>>5992329
More like upset about her family not being compensated fairly for their service to the Empire because of politics. It's about the principle of the matter. To give them stuff now, I fear, is to reward them for being mad and not for their service.
>>5992340
Which is why I want to reconcile with Jeanne and then have a sitdown with De Croize leadership.
>>5992347
Heavy is the head that bears the crown and so far as he is able, a prince should stick to the path of good but, if the necessity arises, he should know how to follow evil.","attachment":null,"posted":1714669550},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992354,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992295
I don’t really care which way this votes as both are good in my eyes but I chose the imperial navy just because we need it bolstered again
>>5992347
Otto making the best decisions and ruining his family life for us. Truly one of the best Emperors.","attachment":null,"posted":1714670209},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992359,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Honestly, if it wasn't for Otto's family ties id advocate for outright abandoning De Croize at this point. Now that they hate Solution just as much as Solution hates them anything we do to help out one of them will inevitably at minimum annoy the other side once Otto passes we should either work toward mending relations properly through mutual diplomacy or just outright abandon De Croize and side with Solution instead of this back and forth appeasement sheniganary.","attachment":null,"posted":1714670695},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992366,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992359
This isn’t bad logic but we’re not really in a position of domestic or martial strength and any civil war would have an uncertain outcome - we’re still recovering from the Reaver war.
We shouldn’t assume that we can easily BTFO the De Croize - they are a serious threat.","attachment":null,"posted":1714671261},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992384,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992366
Who said anything about us fighting? I just meant when it comes to decisions such as above until something is worked out diplomatically so the two houses dont hate eachother anymore we should just either ignore both or prioritize Solution. Besides if any civil war does break out we most likely wont be the instigator and im sure Solution would be more than happy to help deal with the issue (assuming they don't straight up start it)","attachment":null,"posted":1714674372},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992402,"name":"QM","msg":">>5991861
>>5991862
>>5991872
>>5991920
>>5991968
>>5991976
>>5991980
>>5992074
>>5992263
>>5992279
You consider granting House De Croize a fleet but in the end, determine that mending relations with your wife's lineage will take a closer touch. For an insult of the stolen Croize chute's magnitude, whether it be perceived or true, mere tonnage may not be enough. Both fleets are sent to the Imperial Navy, where they'll reinforce the weight of the throne. This should restore the damage done by the Reaver Clans and enable them to better patrol the territories of the Empire.
Two more events in House Heinrich's shipyards demand your personal attention. Beckham, the CEO of Cherry Corp and mother to Shannon, your son Theo's lab assistant, has made a personal visit to Mars. He is old, incredibly so, but unlike most of the nobility, has had no compunction in installing invasive cybernetics to mitigate the march of time. Rather than shuffle on a cane, feeble and tended to by servants, he strides into your throne room, proud on legs of steel. His torso has likewise been removed for a sturdier chassis of chrome, and much of his skull replaced. The only vestiges of humanity that remain are his piercing white eyes and tailoured suit. Though you don't show it, you are silently envious.
He kneels deeply, but does not press his face to the floor like so many others who debase themselves. The CEO remains silent until you speak. "Arise, my servant." At this, he stands with mechanical grace and responds with an eerily human voice. "My liege and Emperor, I come to ask a selfish favour." Your rebreather rests on your fist as you contemplate. With the speaker, there is no need to shift your posture to accommodate a moving jaw. "Out with it, then. If you can't be forthright with your Emperor, there's no man in the stars you can trust."","attachment":null,"posted":1714676306},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992404,"name":"QM","msg":">>5992402
Beckham pauses, thinking, and after a moment, nods. "Well said. In my capacity as acting CEO of Cherry Corp, I've come to request the use of House Heinrich's shipyards over Plutul to manufacture a war-fleet for our own purposes. After the raid by the Reaver Clans, the board under me has come to agree that Cherry Corp needs to be prepared to protect our world of Mon-Cheri, in the event that the Imperial Navy is abroad or spread thin." You listen patiently. "We recognize that this will preoccupy our experts and delay our services to the crown for some time. Consequently, we are prepared to pay the esteemed House Heinrich the going rate for such a war-fleet, plus interest."
He claps and at the ensuing clang, another man in a suit, this one predominantly flesh and blood, with the exception of a synthetic right hand, approaches with a contract. The functionary kneels in silence and presents it to a Royal Guardsman, who carries it to you for your reading. Unlike the documents of yesteryear under House Vonduul, this is short and to the point. You approve.
In exchange for access to the shipyard on Plutul for two decades and exclusive rights to the resulting fleet, Cherry Corp will pay House Heinrich a considerable sum upfront- more than half the value of the bribe you received from the former Merchant Holdings Corps, Cherry Corp included, at the start of your reign. These are fair terms, slightly favouring the ruling dynasty.
The CEO waits in silence for your response.
>Accept these terms. The Imperial Navy may have to wait longer for another fleet, but Plutul isn't your only shipyard. House Heinrich would get much use out of these credits.
>Bargain for a higher price. Cherry Corp's pockets are deep and if you came to you, the odds are they're willing to pay. A sizeable fortune, although they may be displeased.
>Reject these terms. No former faction of the Merchant Holdings can be trusted with a war-fleet, no matter their rebranding or loyalty. This is certain to frustrate them, but the Empire's security is paramount.
>Tear up the contract! You'll give them the rights to Plutul for free, as payment for services of their voidships well rendered against the Federation of Uvarth. Cherry Corp's gratitude will be assured.","attachment":null,"posted":1714676383},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992407,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992404
>Accept these terms. The Imperial Navy may have to wait longer for another fleet, but Plutul isn't your only shipyard. House Heinrich would get much use out of these credits.
Fair enough but add some stipulations to make sure that the only thing it will be doing is defending Mon-Cheri and nothing else","attachment":null,"posted":1714676819},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992408,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992404
>>5992407
+1
Don't want a situation where they're selling to both sides of a conflict or acting opportunistically.","attachment":null,"posted":1714677283},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992423,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992404
Gotta say, allowing a corp a fleet is pretty iffy in my opinion, since fleets aren't just used for defense but can be used for offense too, and 200 years down the line can be used against us, or would just be wasted patrolling around their planet. If their concern is truly just defense of their planet, can we offer to build them some orbitalworks instead? Those things defend planets like nobody's business (since that's their literal job) and more importantly there's no way to weaponize it against us (unless we have to militarily take their planet for some reason, in which case it'd be effective at doing its job, aka defending planets)
The only other corp with home loyal fleets is Hookware and that's already scary since they have four of those fuckers, every other corp hires mercenaries, so if they really needed a fleet for some reason I don't see any reason why they can't just hire one
>Counter-offer to see if they'd be interested in having orbitalworks defend their planet instead, it should be more than sufficient as a strong defense compared to a fleet","attachment":null,"posted":1714678716},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992424,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992404
>>5992407
Support","attachment":null,"posted":1714678831},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992425,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992423
Supporting this. I don’t want Corpo fleets, and would prefer that they develop orbital defensive structures","attachment":null,"posted":1714678919},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992427,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992404
>>5992423
I guess I should ask QM whether offering them orbitalworks is a valid option before we rush in headfirst, so about how long is the timeframe for making orbitalworks generally, QM? Also how are orbitalworks seen in comparison to owning a fleet in general? If you don't want to answer the second question so that we really have to debate amongst ourselves how Cherry corp would respond, that's fine too","attachment":null,"posted":1714678970},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992430,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992404
>>5992423
Supporting.","attachment":null,"posted":1714679079},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992433,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Also as an additional point to not handing over the shipyards over Plutul for two decades, that will stunt our own warfleet production for the navy, we just managed to get back up to where we were before, and we're clearly going to need to be stronger to take on more organized groups like the Chavenac Kingdom. Sure we just got the Matador shipyards, but building fleets is a long-ass time sink, and getting 3 more fleets in 20 years is a lot better than just getting 2","attachment":null,"posted":1714679290},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992435,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992404
>>5992423
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1714679681},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992436,"name":"QM","msg":">>5992427
Offering Cherry Corp orbitalworks is indeed a valid option. In general, the timeframe for equivalent tonnage is the same and specialized shipyards aren't required, because planetary defenses don't have to concern themselves with maximizing density of components for efficient Hypershunt travel and can simply build at scale. For purely defensive purposes, they are more cost-effective but lack strategic versatility.
Planetary defenses are seen as an important security measure but far less prestigious than mobile fleets. The perception of their use in battle corresponds to this, much like how in the ancient past of old Earth, a charge against the enemy on an open field was seen as grander than driving them off from the safety of a fortified keep.","attachment":null,"posted":1714679804},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992443,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992436
>>5992423
Thanks qm
Alright ideally these Cherry corp dudes don't care about prestige like noble houses, we both realize that orbitalworks are just as good at defending, and having a grand castle fortress has a nice image of its own too
Plus we still get to manufacture a fleet for the Navy
If they're cheaper to construct, then we won't be so arrogant to ask for the same price as a fleet I'd hope, but just in case I'll add that as a modifier to my vote","attachment":null,"posted":1714680340},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992444,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992404
>>5992424
>>5992423
After the clarification, I'll switch to support orbitalworks for a lesser fee than what they're offering","attachment":null,"posted":1714680405},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992460,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992404
>>5992423
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1714681385},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992470,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992404
>>5992423
Supporting.","attachment":null,"posted":1714682631},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992497,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992423
+1, along with the lesser fee, good thinking all around","attachment":null,"posted":1714685956},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992509,"name":"QM","msg":">>5992407
>>5992408
>>5992423
>>5992424
>>5992425
>>5992430
>>5992435
>>5992444
>>5992460
>>5992470
>>5992497
You sit deep in thought for some minutes, then reply. "Would you be interested in having orbitalworks constructed to defend your planet instead? They should be more than sufficient as a strong defense compared to a fleet, and cheaper, at that." The CEO's sleek posture is inscrutable, but his eyes betray some hesitancy. You don't wait longer than a moment, as he promptly answers your question.
"That would be more than sufficient, my liege, but the board is also concerned with the defense of our commercial interests. I did not wish to bother your eminence with such trivialities..." He stands stock-still, collecting his thoughts, then continues. "No matter. House Heinrich has been a wise lineage and your imperial mien echoes Emperor Alphonse's own. I have no reason to fear, so I'll be forthright with you, as requested. The noble houses are looting our shipping lanes."
There was nearly a minute of silence before he went on. "Legally, my liege, and within the defined limits of their own stars. They aren't pirates and I wouldn't dare accuse them of such, but their fees are constant and astronomical in more ways than one. Everywhere we can be gouged, we are, and there's no end to it. Import taxes, export taxes, noble tributes, cargo fees, commoner fees, docking fees, fees for processing fees..."","attachment":null,"posted":1714687024},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992512,"name":"QM","msg":">>5992509
"Millions, up in vapour, every solar cycle. This has left our profit margins razor-thin and some years, we've had no choice but to operate at a loss. Expanding our enterprises under these circumstances has been an ordeal. The captive market on Mon-Cheri and the crown's subsidies have consistently kept us in the black, and make no mistake, my liege, we are grateful for that. Cherry Corp's situation isn't unique. Almost all of the Corps are regularly raked for all they're worth. The sole exception, Crown Corp aside, is Hookware."
"Hookware Corp's convoys are able to buy and sell with impunity across the breadth of the Empire. The noble houses don't dare to charge them any more than standard tariffs due to the pressure of their fleets, and the Tenssey family has been able to make a fortune, hand over fist, for centuries. The board hopes that a fleet of our own could lessen the exorbitant price of doing business." Beckham bows his head. "My liege, with all of the respect your position over Mankind rightly demands, I fear that orbitalworks, while ideal for our purposes, would not have the same effect and humbly beg you to reconsider."
This adds a rather considerable degree of context.
How should you respond?
>Cut-off negotiations. You've heard enough drivel from this Cherry Corp mouthpiece. These ex-secessionists should be grateful they're allowed to exist at all, after what their ilk did to your grandfather.
>Be firm and insistent. Cherry Corp will have their orbitalworks, at a fair price, and they'll be happy with them. Their concerns for defense are reasonable, just as the nobility has every right to tax their lessers.
>Assent to the previous terms. If Cherry Corp is willing to pay, they'll have their war-fleet. The symbolic value is no less significant than the firepower, and by the sound of it, that's what they're after.
>Be generous toward them. For a reasonable (nearly-doubled) cost, Cherry Corp will have both its orbitalworks and the right to construct a war-fleet. They're already friendly, and having a strong ally outside of the houses could be worthwhile, although this does have its risks.
>Grant them an imperial charter. As long as Cherry Corp is serving the Imperial Navy, they are to be exempted from additional fees. The nobles might be annoyed by this but as they're also defended by the Imperial Navy, they have no room to complain.
>Reassure his concerns. If the noble houses are levying taxes on the Corps like this, it's likely they're impacting lesser merchants as well. This could be impacting the economy for the worse, and warrants an investigation, perhaps even an attempt at reform.","attachment":null,"posted":1714687117},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992519,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992512
>Reassure his concerns. If the noble houses are levying taxes on the Corps like this, it's likely they're impacting lesser merchants as well. This could be impacting the economy for the worse, and warrants an investigation, perhaps even an attempt at reform.
>Grant them an imperial charter. As long as Cherry Corp is serving the Imperial Navy, they are to be exempted from additional fees. The nobles might be annoyed by this but as they're also defended by the Imperial Navy, they have no room to complain.
>Grant them the orbitalworks if they still wish to have them after the previous two options.
If he still feels the need to pay for actual defenses I won't begrudge him them, but the first two should handle the economic concerns he has. This looks like a serious issue that we should address if what he says is true.","attachment":null,"posted":1714687566},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992520,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992512
>Reassure his concerns. If the noble houses are levying taxes on the Corps like this, it's likely they're impacting lesser merchants as well. This could be impacting the economy for the worse, and warrants an investigation, perhaps even an attempt at reform.
Team up with the Corps to centralize tax collection.","attachment":null,"posted":1714687617},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992522,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992512
>Reassure his concerns. If the noble houses are levying taxes on the Corps like this, it's likely they're impacting lesser merchants as well. This could be impacting the economy for the worse, and warrants an investigation, perhaps even an attempt at reform.
>Allow him to build orbital works if he still wishes","attachment":null,"posted":1714688083},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992526,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992519
I'll support this, an imperial charter is perfectly valid since basically their entire identity as a Corp has been being shipbuilders for the Imperial Navy since the first thread, I also like the caveat that it's only as long as they're serving the Imperial Navy","attachment":null,"posted":1714688248},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992534,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Be generous toward them. For a reasonable (nearly-doubled) cost, Cherry Corp will have both its orbitalworks and the right to construct a war-fleet. They're already friendly, and having a strong ally outside of the houses could be worthwhile, although this does have its risks.
>Grant them an imperial charter. As long as Cherry Corp is serving the Imperial Navy, they are to be exempted from additional fees. The nobles might be annoyed by this but as they're also defended by the Imperial Navy, they have no room to complain.
>Reassure his concerns. If the noble houses are levying taxes on the Corps like this, it's likely they're impacting lesser merchants as well. This could be impacting the economy for the worse, and warrants an investigation, perhaps even an attempt at reform.","attachment":null,"posted":1714688944},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992542,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992512
>Be firm and insistent. Cherry Corp will have their orbitalworks, at a fair price, and they'll be happy with them. Their concerns for defense are reasonable, just as the nobility has every right to tax their lessers.
We should have a careful balancing act here. I'm glad we didn't just let them build the war fleet, it would've likely caused a crisis.","attachment":null,"posted":1714690227},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992553,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992512
>Be firm and insistent. Cherry Corp will have their orbitalworks, at a fair price, and they'll be happy with them. Their concerns for defense are reasonable, just as the nobility has every right to tax their lessers.
I honestly dgaf if Cherry Corp is on the ropes now and again, don’t want them too comfortable","attachment":null,"posted":1714690628},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992554,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992519
+1 although we should add a clause that allows us to revoke the charter if his story doesn't check out, it's a bit suspicious he didn't open up with this frankly.","attachment":null,"posted":1714690690},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992557,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992512
>Be firm and insistent. Cherry Corp will have their orbitalworks, at a fair price, and they'll be happy with them. Their concerns for defense are reasonable, just as the nobility has every right to tax their lessers.","attachment":null,"posted":1714690946},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992563,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992553
>>5992542
>>5992557
Don't you guys want to at least look into it? If this is true this could seriously be severely hemorrhaging our empires economy and will probably only get worse and harder to deal with overtime as they continue siphoning wealth.","attachment":null,"posted":1714691205},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992564,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992563
I do wish to look into it, but I don't want make any promises or let them have the Charter (at least for now).","attachment":null,"posted":1714691503},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992565,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992564
Then we can hold off and give them a charter after we look into it frankly I don't see any difference between giving it now with a clause and giving it to them later. I just don't see any reason we shouldn't start looking into it right now, literally 0 reason to wait.","attachment":null,"posted":1714691729},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992566,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992565
I agree, but the vote is supporting giving them the charter as well which I'd rather wait on than do immediately.","attachment":null,"posted":1714691970},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992567,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992566
How about this then?
>Reassure his concerns. If the noble houses are levying taxes on the Corps like this, it's likely they're impacting lesser merchants as well. This could be impacting the economy for the worse, and warrants an investigation, perhaps even an attempt at reform.
>Grant them the orbitalworks if they still wish to have them
And after the investigation is done if what they claimed is true we can then reward them with a charter for their cooperation bam.","attachment":null,"posted":1714692329},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992568,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992554
Also ignore this vote
>>5992567
This is my vote now.","attachment":null,"posted":1714692393},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992570,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992567
I'd support this, but I'd like it if we didn't promise anything yet until we make sure things are as he's saying.
Otherwise I don't want to just grant them the orbitalworks for free (I'm assuming it's for free since the write-in isn't specifying that we're standing firm on that deal and just says we're granting it), that stuff costs money.","attachment":null,"posted":1714692639},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992571,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992570
Can you just write your version of it then?","attachment":null,"posted":1714692917},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992575,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992570
I assumed it was part of the deal, I didn't intend for it to be free.","attachment":null,"posted":1714693485},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992577,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992571
>Assure him that we'll look into the matter with great care, and that he has nothing to concern himself over. Do not make any absolute promises on this matter.
>Stand firm in the issue of constructing the orbitalworks at a fair price, do not grant it to them for free and do not allow them to construct a fleet.
Something like this. I'm a bit tired so it might not be my best write-in.","attachment":null,"posted":1714693623},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992579,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992575
I must've made the wrong assumption then.","attachment":null,"posted":1714693715},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992580,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992577
+1 a bit vague and ironically corporately worded but sure changing my vote to this.
From this
>>5992567","attachment":null,"posted":1714693874},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992585,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992580
Honestly I didn't intent for it to be corporately worded, that's actually pretty funny.
>>5992512
And I'll be formally changing my vote from >>5992542 to >>5992577","attachment":null,"posted":1714694363},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992682,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992577
>>5992512
>support
If it's really happening time to have some basic regulations. We don't want to hinder our economy.","attachment":null,"posted":1714702433},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992792,"name":"The Hypercrisis Bro","msg":">>5992404
>Reject these terms. No former faction of the Merchant Holdings can be trusted with a war-fleet, no matter their rebranding or loyalty. This is certain to frustrate them, but the Empire's security is paramount.
If they are that's dressed about security they can pay for us to build a new imperial fleet to patrol the area.","attachment":null,"posted":1714711518},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992800,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992512
>Reassure his concerns. If the noble houses are levying taxes on the Corps like this, it's likely they're impacting lesser merchants as well. This could be impacting the economy for the worse, and warrants an investigation, perhaps even an attempt at reform.
We need to fix our fucked economy. Taxes are fine - but excessive and double taxation aren’t
>Be firm and insistent. Cherry Corp will have their orbitalworks, at a fair price, and they'll be happy with them.
But orbital works are a fair ask for defence.","attachment":null,"posted":1714712331},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992822,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992512
>Grant them an imperial charter. As long as Cherry Corp is serving the Imperial Navy, they are to be exempted from additional fees. The nobles might be annoyed by this but as they're also defended by the Imperial Navy, they have no room to complain.
Reassuring sounds like bureaucrat speak to kick the can down the line without actually doing anything. An imperial charter sounds like a good idea that won't piss off all parties involved, though I wouldn't be opposed to giving them a fleet if we can ensure they remain loyal to the throne.","attachment":null,"posted":1714715847},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5992965,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992512
>Reassure his concerns. If the noble houses are levying taxes on the Corps like this, it's likely they're impacting lesser merchants as well. This could be impacting the economy for the worse, and warrants an investigation, perhaps even an attempt at reform.
Those fees should be going to to the Empire, not the Noble Houses","attachment":null,"posted":1714739600},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5993131,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992512
>Reject these terms. No former faction of the Merchant Holdings can be trusted with a war-fleet, no matter their rebranding or loyalty. This is certain to frustrate them, but the Empire's security is paramount.
>Be firm and insistent. Cherry Corp will have their orbitalworks, at a fair price, and they'll be happy with them. Their concerns for defense are reasonable, just as the nobility has every right to tax their lessers.","attachment":null,"posted":1714748520},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5993289,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992512
>>5992577
Supporting. Otto's reign has been surprisingly financial.","attachment":null,"posted":1714761604},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5993291,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992577
>>5992512
>support","attachment":null,"posted":1714761668},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5993301,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992512
>>5992577
+1
Mostly because I don't want them to have a fleet.
>>5992682
>>5993291
Don't be lame, anon.","attachment":null,"posted":1714762228},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5993313,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993301
Oh fuck I didn't realize I voted good thing for ID.
Thanks for the catch anon.","attachment":null,"posted":1714763261},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5993316,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992512
I'm fine with either >>5993131 or >>5992577","attachment":null,"posted":1714763386},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5993330,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993313
Alright just try not to do that again. Most anons are paranoid about samefags, mostly from experience with them and how bad it can get. I believe you, but the QM will make the final verdict on the vote.","attachment":null,"posted":1714764914},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5993531,"name":"QM","msg":">>5992519
>>5992520
>>5992522
>>5992526
>>5992534
>>5992553
>>5992557
>>5992577
>>5992580
>>5992682
>>5992792
>>5992800
>>5992822
>>5992965
>>5993131
>>5993289
>>5993301
You must remain firm in your decision. The Corps represent a dangerous powerbase with control over logistics throughout the Empire, one detached from the noble aristocracy. If they are allowed to manufacture fleets and project force, they could prove a dangerous opposition to the throne. Even so, they are a useful asset and you are not blind to the needs of your subjects. As you speak with authority, harsh static filling the chamber, the throne room falls silent and all, save the Royal Guard who stand at attention, fall to their knees.
“This is the first I’ve heard of excessive taxation. Rest assured, I shall have an investigation launched and resolve the issue, if there is one, as I see fit. The shipyards over Plutul are critical for Imperial security and I cannot allow a private financial interest to delay the reinforcement of my navy. A shipwright yourself, you understand well what is at stake.”
You let the tension hang in the air, then continue.
“Your board will have its defenses. Orbital defenses. The best that Imperial Credits can buy, with the direct assistance of Crown Corp. Do not think I’ve been blind to Cherry Corp’s history of service to the throne. I will be taking the Cherry-pattern schematic’s military record into full consideration for my final decision. That is all I have to say on the matter.”
Beckham remains knelt and replies. “Understood, my liege. I am honoured to accept your terms.” You wave your hand for the door. “Then you may depart from my presence. You’ll hear from my servants within the fortnight.” The CEO rises to his feet, cautious not to meet your gaze. “Thank you for your time, sire.”","attachment":null,"posted":1714785837},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5993534,"name":"QM","msg":">>5993531
The next issue is simpler to resolve. The shipyard over Knossos, formerly held by Clan Matador, has been refurbished and is prepared for service. Many of Clan Matador’s technicians have been pressed into cooperation with the throne, so that they might earn redemption for their past centuries of subservience to pirates.
Their expertise considerably eased the burden of the Imperial Shipyard’s expansion and so far, they’ve shown minimal signs of dissent. Much less than anticipated. If anything, they’re eager to pledge their work toward a worthy Emperor. You are eager to have it. The only question is which model of ship should be manufactured over Knossos.
Which pattern best serves the Empire’s needs?
>Mars-pattern. The mainstay of the Imperial Navy, Mars-pattern warships are designed with thick armour, heavy firepower, and straightforward slugging in mind. Their tried-and-tested parts are both affordable and reliable, and Mankind, from the lowest of the low to the highest of the high, has relied on them for millennia. Even so, the Mars-pattern has failed old Earth before and it is old, old enough that some naysayers feel its glory days are behind us.
>Cherry-pattern. The life’s work of Beckham, among others, Cherry-pattern warships are similar to those of the Mars-pattern but vary in several aspects, with a vast internal energy reservoir in lieu of private crew quarters, denser shielding, thinner armour, and fewer but larger munitions. In their brief century of combat, Cherry-pattern has proven itself at broad parity with its elders. It is increasingly popular with certain forward-thinking officers but less zealous voidsmen tend to dread serving on its decks, leading to a quiet perception as a punishment detail.
>Bullseye-pattern. The innovation of Bullseye Corp adjusting to imperial service, Bullseye-pattern warships are divergent from the imperial standard, with thin armour, weak shielding, sparse yet specialized munitions, and demanding maintenance needs, compensated for by fine engines and intricate sensors that lend it immense speed and accuracy. The Bullseye-pattern’s emphasis on interconnected squadrons over self-reliant ships strikes the wider admiralty as bizarre, but the Order of Rangers has gotten decent results out of them.
>Matador-pattern. The mainstay of the Reaver Clans, Matador-pattern warships are undergunned and flimsy by the Imperial standard, but boast an immense ease of maintenance and with their combined dense engines and huge cargo holds, are equally well-suited for rapid hit-and-run assaults and distant excursions without hope of resupply. For many centuries, the Matador-pattern has been a thorn in the Empire’s side and the admiralty holds them in wary respect, though having them fight en-masse for the throne would be a first.","attachment":null,"posted":1714785937},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5993547,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993534
>Mars-pattern. The mainstay of the Imperial Navy, Mars-pattern warships are designed with thick armour, heavy firepower, and straightforward slugging in mind. Their tried-and-tested parts are both affordable and reliable, and Mankind, from the lowest of the low to the highest of the high, has relied on them for millennia. Even so, the Mars-pattern has failed old Earth before and it is old, old enough that some naysayers feel its glory days are behind us.
We need to update our designs soon but until then it’s old reliable","attachment":null,"posted":1714786655},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5993550,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993534
Interesting question, I'm not too attached to the outcome of this vote and am fine with whatever others pick, but probably not Bullseye, and I'm leaning Matador-pattern since it's what those guys are familiar with and it might be useful for distant excursions like going deep into Vrakak space or long drawn-out sieges of the Kingdom, or wherever else, and we don't have a scouting fleet yet
>Matador-pattern. The mainstay of the Reaver Clans, Matador-pattern warships are undergunned and flimsy by the Imperial standard, but boast an immense ease of maintenance and with their combined dense engines and huge cargo holds, are equally well-suited for rapid hit-and-run assaults and distant excursions without hope of resupply. For many centuries, the Matador-pattern has been a thorn in the Empire’s side and the admiralty holds them in wary respect, though having them fight en-masse for the throne would be a first.","attachment":null,"posted":1714786753},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5993557,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993534
>Matador","attachment":null,"posted":1714786924},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5993558,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993534
>Matador-pattern. The mainstay of the Reaver Clans, Matador-pattern warships are undergunned and flimsy by the Imperial standard, but boast an immense ease of maintenance and with their combined dense engines and huge cargo holds, are equally well-suited for rapid hit-and-run assaults and distant excursions without hope of resupply. For many centuries, the Matador-pattern has been a thorn in the Empire’s side and the admiralty holds them in wary respect, though having them fight en-masse for the throne would be a first.
I honestly think we should have multiple fleet designs in the mix. We should probably do a “Mars 2” pattern once accrue soem science points though","attachment":null,"posted":1714787038},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5993562,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993534
>>Matador-pattern. The mainstay of the Reaver Clans, Matador-pattern warships are undergunned and flimsy by the Imperial standard, but boast an immense ease of maintenance and with their combined dense engines and huge cargo holds, are equally well-suited for rapid hit-and-run assaults and distant excursions without hope of resupply. For many centuries, the Matador-pattern has been a thorn in the Empire’s side and the admiralty holds them in wary respect, though having them fight en-masse for the throne would be a first.
I'd also support the idea of eventually getting a "Mars 2" updated pattern.","attachment":null,"posted":1714787148},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5993618,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993534
>Matador-pattern.
They could also serve as good expedition / exploration ships into unknown space.","attachment":null,"posted":1714791204},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5993670,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993534
>Cherry-pattern. The life’s work of Beckham, among others, Cherry-pattern warships are similar to those of the Mars-pattern but vary in several aspects, with a vast internal energy reservoir in lieu of private crew quarters, denser shielding, thinner armour, and fewer but larger munitions. In their brief century of combat, Cherry-pattern has proven itself at broad parity with its elders. It is increasingly popular with certain forward-thinking officers but less zealous voidsmen tend to dread serving on its decks, leading to a quiet perception as a punishment detail.
Are you anons seriously going to essentially downgrade the navy? I know they're useful for reavers but these things are gonna suck in firepower and armor.","attachment":null,"posted":1714797026},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5993678,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993670
It's just one Matador fleet for this cycle, not like we're changing every fleet to only be Matadors, it'd be good to have one scouting/deep mission/supply train-siege type fleet","attachment":null,"posted":1714797530},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5993681,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993534
>>Cherry-pattern. The life’s work of Beckham, among others, Cherry-pattern warships are similar to those of the Mars-pattern but vary in several aspects, with a vast internal energy reservoir in lieu of private crew quarters, denser shielding, thinner armour, and fewer but larger munitions. In their brief century of combat, Cherry-pattern has proven itself at broad parity with its elders. It is increasingly popular with certain forward-thinking officers but less zealous voidsmen tend to dread serving on its decks, leading to a quiet perception as a punishment detail.
Don't want to go with Matador because that seems to be generally useless except for raiding fleets, which we currently do not have a use for. Maybe if we decide to commission some privateers and send them after the Kingdom. I'll vote Cherry to throw them a bone.","attachment":null,"posted":1714798009},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5993682,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Mars-pattern. The mainstay of the Imperial Navy, Mars-pattern warships are designed with thick armour, heavy firepower, and straightforward slugging in mind. Their tried-and-tested parts are both affordable and reliable, and Mankind, from the lowest of the low to the highest of the high, has relied on them for millennia. Even so, the Mars-pattern has failed old Earth before and it is old, old enough that some naysayers feel its glory days are behind us.","attachment":null,"posted":1714798133},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5993687,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993534
>Cherry-pattern. The life’s work of Beckham, among others, Cherry-pattern warships are similar to those of the Mars-pattern but vary in several aspects, with a vast internal energy reservoir in lieu of private crew quarters, denser shielding, thinner armour, and fewer but larger munitions. In their brief century of combat, Cherry-pattern has proven itself at broad parity with its elders. It is increasingly popular with certain forward-thinking officers but less zealous voidsmen tend to dread serving on its decks, leading to a quiet perception as a punishment detail.
>Ask for a heavy version. With heavier guns, more engines, more energy, more shielding. (Like a star destroyer or super carrier)
>Realize you should offer all Corps to show off a prototype of an updated and better ship. Say in 10 years, maybe 20. So we can spur weapons and shielding development. Donate funds from crown corp towards the research and development. Give equal amounts to all shipmakers. (Make sure were the ones making that damn defensive orbitals)
Hopefully we'll have multitude of wonderful ships that we can then choose from.
>We want new strike craft, frigates ect. Put out bounties for new scientific discoverys such as: power sources, weapons making stuff, armor, robotics, drone tech, transportation, industrialization, ect. (The empire and the Heinrichs gains right to use patent too though.)
This will boost funding indirectly to the order of erudition. And other scientific start ups like de croize. We want access to the patents to both boost the empire and keep crown corp using the latest tech.
And it will give another place for power to fight in their's and the empire's interests. Empire techs up. We help finance it. but it should pay for itself through increased economy from increased efficiency gained by better tech. And patents use rights.","attachment":null,"posted":1714800442},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5994008,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993534
>>Matador-pattern. The mainstay of the Reaver Clans, Matador-pattern warships are undergunned and flimsy by the Imperial standard, but boast an immense ease of maintenance and with their combined dense engines and huge cargo holds, are equally well-suited for rapid hit-and-run assaults and distant excursions without hope of resupply. For many centuries, the Matador-pattern has been a thorn in the Empire’s side and the admiralty holds them in wary respect, though having them fight en-masse for the throne would be a first.
Having a fleet of these for long-distance expeditions would be nice. Also, would it be possible to have them look into updating the Matador pattern to specifically fit this niche, or does it already fit it pretty well?","attachment":null,"posted":1714833905},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5994161,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993534
>Mars-pattern. The mainstay of the Imperial Navy, Mars-pattern warships are designed with thick armour, heavy firepower, and straightforward slugging in mind. Their tried-and-tested parts are both affordable and reliable, and Mankind, from the lowest of the low to the highest of the high, has relied on them for millennia. Even so, the Mars-pattern has failed old Earth before and it is old, old enough that some naysayers feel its glory days are behind us.","attachment":null,"posted":1714843209},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5994257,"name":"QM","msg":"To clarify, each pattern represents dozens, if not hundreds of voidship models held together by shared parameters of manufacturing. They each have a wide variety of tonnage meant to fulfill a sprawl of predefined tactical roles, and even in the classic Mars-pattern, there's a wide range of voidship types and sub-types. Any pattern is capable of holding its own in a space battle or waging a campaign, and are roughly equivalent on a macro-level, but differ dramatically on the micro-level.
A Mars-pattern battleship, Bullseye-pattern battleship, and Matador-pattern battleship are all heavily distinct, despite falling into the same overarching strategic niche. They all meet a baseline of competence that warrants their consideration for the Empire's use but truly excel at different tasks. The most popular voidship pattern in the Empire wasn't available for selection here, as the manufacturing methods are fiercely-held trade secret. The Hookware-pattern is broadly similar to Mars-pattern, sacrificing some technical sophistication for supreme ease of maintenance and manufacture. The result is warships that perform noticeably worse in the battlefield but are almost twice as cheap (both to construct and upkeep) and quick to assemble.
>>5993687
Researching new voidship schematics takes decades, if not centuries of work, due to the intricacy and scale. Scientific progress in the Empire has been impacted by the insular nature of the houses refusing to share information between their experts and, until recently, a lack of consistent education for the masses of commoners. The Order of Erudition has started to change this but is a new organization competing with the more prestigious Astronomicon Academy, trying to build bridges between the houses across generations of hunger for power and paranoia, and dealing with a huge workload trying to crack Clan Yellabones' cipher and rediscover the forgotten terraforming techniques of yore.
The Corps are involved in some degree of research but none, with the partial exception of Ceiblue Corp (deeply interested in tapping into medicine and agriculture) have specialized in the field. The Guilds are capable of research but are largely focused on refining what they're already aware of to keep their edge in quality. House Heinrich has great potential but has focused on the Empire over itself, and the few experts of the bloodline that aren't working for the Order of Erudition are scattered and directionless. It is, in short, a mess.","attachment":null,"posted":1714847425},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5994258,"name":"QM","msg":">>5994257
>>5994008
The Matador-pattern's speed, cargo capacity, and ease of maintenance lends itself very well to long-distance expeditions, though this is more coincidental than intentional. It's a versatile class of voidship but sacrifices some raw firepower and durability for heightened efficiency at lightning raids and in some cases, brazen smuggling. Ironically, some minor merchants have paid top-credits for captured (usually disarmed) pirate vessels in the past, since their speed, cargo hulls, and low cost of upkeep are highly desirable for anyone involved with interstellar trading.
It's likely that Cherry-pattern transports altered to suit hauling freight would be popular with merchants, as their large energy reserves are useful for rapid maneuvering and emergency shunts and most wouldn't care about the lack of comfort for the crew. At the moment, it's a purely military design (with the exception of obsolete surplus, sold mostly to minor houses and mercenaries, as per Emperor Alphonse's policy) and the overwhelming majority of civilian ships are churned out by Hookware Corp on the cheap. House Soluton does occasionally sell to wealthy merchants and even used Soluton made voidships go for enormous sums at auction.","attachment":null,"posted":1714847505},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5994317,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994258
Would it be reasonable to start producing Matador-Pattern (whether disarmed or not) ships for commercial sale? Not right now, but just as a note.","attachment":null,"posted":1714850263},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5994385,"name":"QM","msg":">>5994317
It would be possible to, yes, but whether it's reasonable is a matter of perspective. House Heinrich is currently in control of four shipyards, located at Mars, Plutul, Uvarth, and Knossos. The Eternal Empire holds those over Mars and Knossos, which are indirectly controlled by House Heinrich in their head's capacity as Emperor. House Heinrich holds those over Plutul and Uvarth, which are directly controlled by House Heinrich as their personal property. As House Heinrich lacks any shipbuilding expertise of its own, it has been leasing its shipyards out to Corps, who are desperate for imperial contracts.
Mars is manufacturing Mars-pattern warships under the Imperial Shipwrights, Plutul is manufacturing Cherry-pattern warships under Cherry Corp, and Knossos' manufacturing focus hasn't yet been determined but will also be under the Imperial Shipwrights. Uvarth is applying its industrial capacity to research new ship variants under Bullseye Corp. For a shipyard to change its pattern, it requires a decade to retool its specifications but with all of the ship parts being cross-compatible, the cost to do so is negligible.
The Imperial Navy consists of two Hookware-pattern fleets, two Mars-pattern fleets, and two Cherry-pattern fleets. All four shipyards are in military manufacturing, meaning that they're producing war-fleets for use by the Imperial Navy or other factions deemed deserving by the Emperor. Military manufacturing is expensive but essential, and currently funded by taxes and donations from hardline loyalists.
If the shipyards were to shift to civilian manufacturing, they would begin to make a massive profit from merchants, nobles, and other individuals who need and can afford ships for their own purposes. Once the maintenance of the shipyards and employment of shipwrights, technicians, and other faculty is taken into account, this is reduced to only a large profit. For the Empire's shipyards, this would improve the wider economy, while for House Heinrich's shipyards, this would go directly to the dynasty's wealth.","attachment":null,"posted":1714852904},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5994393,"name":"QM","msg":">>5994385
Mixed manufacturing with an even divide between military and civilian output is possible, but doubles the time needed to finish a war-fleet and halves the profits from civilian buyers. If Hookward Corp isn't directly commissioned, Tennsey is generally involved in mixed manufacturing and sells its war-fleets (made once per twenty years) to the highest bidder, usually mercenaries but occasionally a noble house. The Major Houses tend to prefer military manufacturing and shift to civilian manufacturing when they reach the limit of what their domestic economy can support.
The reason this hasn't been mentioned this earlier is that Emperor Alphonse was a militant revolutionary whose reign hadn't yet stabilized, Emperor Albin was a xenophile environmentalist who was surrounded by militants and didn't care about voidships, and Emperor Otto is a militant warmonger who believes the armada and by extension, strength of the Empire must expand at all costs. House Heinrich has been a heavily martial dynasty, and that pattern is likely to continue. The next Emperor may opt to change the focus of the shipyards or keep them at military manufacturing. There's nothing stopping Emperor Otto from doing this now, but his reign has been focused on other parts of the Empire and his mindset wouldn't have come to the idea on its own, much like how Emperor Alphonse wouldn't have had the idea to enact the Order of Rangers without a pressing need for them.","attachment":null,"posted":1714853071},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5994407,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994385
>>5994393
Either way, this doubles-down on my vote for having them produce Matador-pattern ships. They're the ships I feel most comfortable selling to civilians and merchants, while later sercing the important role of expeditionary forces and armed logistics in our own military.","attachment":null,"posted":1714853481},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5994475,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994393
How old is Otto at this point? I'm thinking it's getting around the time for him to abdicate, not anything particularly destabilizing going on that requires him to remain.","attachment":null,"posted":1714856507},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5994522,"name":"QM","msg":">>5994475
Emperor Otto is 85, pushing 86, and Empress Jeanne is 58. Ferdinand is 36 and nearing the completion of his work, Leopold is 34 and busy guiding House Uvar, Grayson II is 32 and still involved with the Landstaat, Alphonse II is 30 and has already reached the rank of admiral, Theo is 29 and studying, Konstantin is 27 and an upper mid-ranking general in the Imperial Army, Konrad is 22 and progressing his mastery of sculpture moving on from clay to marble, and Arnette is 19 and her absolutist views haven't changed over time, rather, she's written extensive documents in its favour under several pen names. They've been less than influential, even among House Heinrich, but she has high hopes and her prose improves by the year.","attachment":null,"posted":1714861234},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5994529,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994522
I didn’t realize that there was a near three decade difference between Otto and Jeanne.","attachment":null,"posted":1714861553},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5994547,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994257
>The Corps are involved in some degree of research but none have specialized in the field.
I really think we should start up a dedicated research division in Crown Corp anons. We have the money, and if nobody else is doing it we can kickstart an innovation race that will only benefit the empire even if we lose out.","attachment":null,"posted":1714863284},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5995828,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994547
Sure, I'd agree now that we have a good capital base from our steel/materials manufacturing, it would have been much too risky to just start off with a huge investment into research funded mostly by loans","attachment":null,"posted":1714972230},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5995838,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995828
I would also like to do money lending. It was such a free market with no competition and it still appears to be that way.","attachment":null,"posted":1714973160},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5996222,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993534
>Matador-pattern. The mainstay of the Reaver Clans, Matador-pattern warships are undergunned and flimsy by the Imperial standard, but boast an immense ease of maintenance and with their combined dense engines and huge cargo holds, are equally well-suited for rapid hit-and-run assaults and distant excursions without hope of resupply. For many centuries, the Matador-pattern has been a thorn in the Empire’s side and the admiralty holds them in wary respect, though having them fight en-masse for the throne would be a first.","attachment":null,"posted":1715017505},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5996241,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993534
>Matador-pattern. The mainstay of the Reaver Clans, Matador-pattern warships are undergunned and flimsy by the Imperial standard, but boast an immense ease of maintenance and with their combined dense engines and huge cargo holds, are equally well-suited for rapid hit-and-run assaults and distant excursions without hope of resupply. For many centuries, the Matador-pattern has been a thorn in the Empire’s side and the admiralty holds them in wary respect, though having them fight en-masse for the throne would be a first.
Something the engineers might be more familiar with.","attachment":null,"posted":1715018822},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5996294,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993534
>Mars-pattern. The mainstay of the Imperial Navy, Mars-pattern warships are designed with thick armour, heavy firepower, and straightforward slugging in mind. Their tried-and-tested parts are both affordable and reliable, and Mankind, from the lowest of the low to the highest of the high, has relied on them for millennia. Even so, the Mars-pattern has failed old Earth before and it is old, old enough that some naysayers feel its glory days are behind us.","attachment":null,"posted":1715020981},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5996345,"name":"QM","msg":">>5993547
>>5993550
>>5993557
>>5993558
>>5993562
>>5993618
>>5993670
>>5993681
>>5993682
>>5993687
>>5994008
>>5994161
>>5996222
>>5996241
>>5996294
You consider expanding the production of Cherry-pattern warships but decide against it. Plutul is already working overtime to churn them out and you’re hesitant to put any more credits in Cherry Corp’s pocket. Though the Matador-pattern is foreign to the Empire, it’s far from unfamiliar. For generations, admirals have vied against their nimble hulls and scything gunnery. The Imperial Navy knows their capabilities inside-and-out, and with the help of turncoat shipwrights, they’ll be crewing them soon. Some would argue that making your enemy’s strength your own is the truest form of conquest. You feel differently.
The kick of a kinetic gun on your shoulder, the shockwave of a bomb thrown over rubble, the rush of blood between your ears… To you, that is the truest form of conquest. It doesn’t matter. The Empire’s fate won’t be decided by the boots on the ground, least of all yours. The shipyard over Knossos will go ahead with the Matador-pattern then.
You’ve finished everything that needs to be handled with the shipyards.
In the aftermath of your father’s death, the Osgus State has continued to maintain positive relations. The backing of both of your star nations has caused the ISL to effectively double in size and reach some prominence among their kind. Even more competent squid athletes are being fielded against Human teams but talent scouts search for the best sportsmen in the Empire to compensate. It varies from season to season, but the two species are at a broad parity. A few have suggested mixed-species teams but inertia has kept it from coming through.
Your economies have further merged and both the Eternal Empire and Osgus State receive a benefit. The Corps ply new markets and vie against each other in the rush to expand. In particular, Zephyr Corp has found a valuable niche selling exotic “land-smoothed” stones for the squids to swallow and to your understanding, they’ve been something of a hit in Osgus culture. By extension, the fortunes of House Lochstrum and House Ustong have improved.","attachment":null,"posted":1715024146},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5996347,"name":"QM","msg":">>5996345
House Nightshayd’s war of assassins against Clan Skullstacker shows few signs of ending soon, but they are confident they’re gaining ground. A prominent businessman’s luxury condominium was caught in a sudden fire that authorities weren’t able to contain before the entire top floor was incinerated. One major crime boss was killed, one less head on the snake-pile for your mother’s former house to deal with. This conflict is far from decided.
You are informed that Gerardo Nightshayd died in a tragic shaving accident, eight years ago, and now that Gerardo II has dealt with his rivals, House Nightshayd has determined there’s no more need for his body doubles to continue the charade. Gerardo II has upheld his father’s policy of subservience to House Heinrich and quietly hopes your bloodlines can continue your mutually beneficial relationship.
You examine The Ledger carefully.
>The Empire:
>Territory: 8
>Economy: 5
>Military: 6
>Happiness: 5
>Population: 7
>House Heinrich:
>3 jewel worlds, 12 core worlds, 14 frontier worlds
>2 Retinue Fleets
>Crown Corp
>Royal Guard:
>1 Imperial Fleet
Despite the death of your father and the clandestine conflict being fought across the Empire, things are looking up.
Your Head Advisor, Igor, is in a somber mood.
“Your father was a better man than most, your majesty. It’s sad to see him depart us, sire, but he would be happy to know his legacy is in strong, capable hands.”
You like to think so. Without your father’s presence and with your sons growing farther away by the day, the Imperial Palace feels emptier than ever. Your mother and wife have become distant, for their own reasons, and some part of you worries that they conspire between themselves. Your sister hasn’t once spoken with you but that’s… unfortunately standard for Lydia. Sometimes, late at night, you feel like the Prime Minister’s skull is the only one you can trust to understand the burden you bear.
Heavy is the crown.
What ought to be done?
>Mend affairs with your family. It will be difficult, perhaps even harder than the campaign on Uvarth, but Jeanne could open doors to reconciling with House De Croize.
>Spend some time on a holo-film. Your grandfather did it in his reign, your father did it for his, and you think it’s about time that you did it for yours. A documentary of your campaigns, something to have you remembered as the warrior you were, not a broken cyborg clinging to the throne.
>Push for additional reforms. The Eternal Empire is the greatest gathering of Mankind to ever exist, but it wrestles with its own weight. You must ensure that your subjects, and the rule of House Heinrich, can withstand the march of time.
>Abdicate. You’ve seen over three-fourths of a century and are tired of this responsibility. You never wanted to be Emperor. Your son can have the crown and you… you can finally leave the insipid politics behind.","attachment":null,"posted":1715024212},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5996360,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996347
Mom's a Nightshayd, so I definitely don't like any conspiring... but surely she wouldn't kill her own son
Either way, I like the idea of continuing the holo-film tradition, but we gotta fix the family before any of that
>Mend affairs with your family. It will be difficult, perhaps even harder than the campaign on Uvarth, but Jeanne could open doors to reconciling with House De Croize.","attachment":null,"posted":1715025353},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5996364,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996347
>>5996360
Also don't worry buddy... I know you're tired of it all, and the crown weighs heavy, but we gotta end it off on a good family note... we'll abdicate soon.","attachment":null,"posted":1715025446},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5996366,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996347
>>Mend affairs with your family. It will be difficult, perhaps even harder than the campaign on Uvarth, but Jeanne could open doors to reconciling with House De Croize.
>>Spend some time on a holo-film. Your grandfather did it in his reign, your father did it for his, and you think it’s about time that you did it for yours. A documentary of your campaigns, something to have you remembered as the warrior you were, not a broken cyborg clinging to the throne.","attachment":null,"posted":1715025586},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5996375,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996345
Good news overall and the ledger is looking great. I do have a question QM, what happened to Emperor Jekka (curse be his name)? Was he executed or did he die in naval combat against Alphonse?
>>5996347
>Mend affairs with your family. It will be difficult, perhaps even harder than the campaign on Uvarth, but Jeanne could open doors to reconciling with House De Croize.
Don’t worry Otto, your duty will end soon but when it does Jeanne should be by your side. I care more about the familial matter here then the political
>>5996360
She won’t do it, she may be upset at Otto but she won’t kill her son. We do need to marry Ferdinand’s firstborn son to a Nightshayd though","attachment":null,"posted":1715026356},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5996473,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996347
>Mend affairs with your family. It will be difficult, perhaps even harder than the campaign on Uvarth, but Jeanne could open doors to reconciling with House De Croize.","attachment":null,"posted":1715033512},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5996492,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Mend affairs with your family. It will be difficult, perhaps even harder than the campaign on Uvarth, but Jeanne could open doors to reconciling with House De Croize.","attachment":null,"posted":1715034726},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5996496,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996347
>Mend affairs with your family. It will be difficult, perhaps even harder than the campaign on Uvarth, but Jeanne could open doors to reconciling with House De Croize.
I want to abdicate but Ferdinand is still working on his project. I'd like to give him a year or so to prepare for the position perhaps and then abdicate. I assume that his project nearing completion should be over with by the next "turn", so hopefully this can all happen either at that time or a little before then.","attachment":null,"posted":1715035357},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5996497,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996496
Oh and also he should have time to marry and get to know his wife before he becomes emperor.","attachment":null,"posted":1715035417},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5996502,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996496
I will say, I'm pretty interested to find out what Ferdinand's personality is really like
When we were Alphonse, Albin was pretty clearly going to grow up to be a alien nerd autist (and turned out more based than we could have imagined), and when we were Albin, Otto was fucking destroying Uvarth soldiers by the hundreds and a tempered noble warmonger because of Arthen, but by comparison, I feel like we don't know too much about Ferdinand
He managed to beat Alphonse II in a fight and the two respect each other, and obviously he's working on his rifle, but I honestly feel like I know Leopold better than I do Ferdinand thanks to all the decisions we had to make about that kid, so it'll be interesting having some Ferdinand POV for sure","attachment":null,"posted":1715035823},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5996518,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996347
>Mend affairs with your family. It will be difficult, perhaps even harder than the campaign on Uvarth, but Jeanne could open doors to reconciling with House De Croize
Probably the last and biggest gift we can leave to our heirs","attachment":null,"posted":1715037250},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5996540,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996347
>Mend affairs with your family. It will be difficult, perhaps even harder than the campaign on Uvarth, but Jeanne could open doors to reconciling with House De Croize.
>Spend some time on a holo-film. Your grandfather did it in his reign, your father did it for his, and you think it’s about time that you did it for yours. A documentary of your campaigns, something to have you remembered as the warrior you were, not a broken cyborg clinging to the throne.","attachment":null,"posted":1715040591},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5996556,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996347
>Mend affairs with your family.
>Spend some time on a holo-film.","attachment":null,"posted":1715041947},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5996559,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996347
>>5996366
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1715042060},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5996605,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"QM, if we split our effort between making the holofilm and mending affairs with the family, will it make the mending family check more difficult","attachment":null,"posted":1715047089},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5996634,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996605
Doing two things at the same time always applies a penalty, yeah. I have no idea why anons want to do a holofilm now.","attachment":null,"posted":1715049588},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5996752,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996347
>Mend affairs with your family. It will be difficult, perhaps even harder than the campaign on Uvarth, but Jeanne could open doors to reconciling with House De Croize
Priority no.1","attachment":null,"posted":1715055875},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5996828,"name":"QM","msg":">>5996605
If you tried to do both things simultaneously, it would be more difficult for both. If you did one after the other, fitting them in the same "turn," not necessarily, but ten years would go by rather than five years.","attachment":null,"posted":1715060053},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5997420,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996828
Will we have another action after this one.","attachment":null,"posted":1715111272},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5997423,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997420
Meant to end that with a question mark kek","attachment":null,"posted":1715111462},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5997431,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996347
>>5996366
Supporting","attachment":null,"posted":1715112272},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5998062,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996366
Supporting this","attachment":null,"posted":1715166139},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5998143,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Why the holofilm? What purpose does it serve? How could it possibly be worth risking mending affairs with the family? Do you really think Otto's reputation is that bad among the Empire? And if it is, is it really worth the worse chance at mending affairs? It's so bizarre to me how this option is this popular, please someone explain it to me, because none of you have given any reasoning for the holofilm.","attachment":null,"posted":1715175492},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5998277,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996347
>Mend affairs with your family. It will be difficult, perhaps even harder than the campaign on Uvarth, but Jeanne could open doors to reconciling with House De Croize.
>>5998143
I'm pretty sure its literally a "Our father did it and his father before him did it so we should as well" type deal.","attachment":null,"posted":1715185780},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5998313,"name":"QM","msg":">>5997420
You don't and can continue your reign or abdicate. In theory, an Emperor who has an heir in-line for the throne can abdicate at any point. In practice, it's rarely done before a couple of decades of rule.
I'm locking the vote here so I can start updating. I lost track of time yesterday and hadn't realized it had already been around twenty-four hours. This'll likely be different from the standard macro-politics, but there's no shortage of landmines.","attachment":null,"posted":1715188559},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5998315,"name":"QM","msg":">>5998313
That wording was a bit vague. You will have another action after this, one of which is the chance to abdicate. Abdicating is always a choice, outside of a sudden death.","attachment":null,"posted":1715188660},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5998347,"name":"QM","msg":">>5996360
>>5996366
>>5996473
>>5996492
>>5996496
>>5996518
>>5996540
>>5996556
>>5996559
>>5996752
>>5998277
Your deeply, deeply buried inner auteur yearns to make a holo-film, but the worry for your family's sake outweighs it. There'll be time once these misunderstandings are resolved. Your mother and wife are both distant and your family has aged enough that you rarely see your sons anymore. Unlike the campaigns against the Federation of Uvarth, there's no army you can rely on. You'll have to do this on your own and live with the results. You hope it's not alone.
Who do you want to try to mend affairs with first?
>Your mother, Clara. The former heiress of House Nightshayd and the love of your father's life. She's bitter for your choice to appoint your father as Advisor of Xenology and blames you for his death. Her relationship with your wife is close and if she wanted, she could help rebuild those bridges.
>Your wife, Jeanne. One of the most prestigious daughters of House De Croize and the only person you've ever let yourself be vulnerable toward. She's gone cold over your choice to give the Croize Chutes to House Soluton. If you can get her to forgive you, all else will come easier.
>Your sister, Lydia. The most brilliant of Emperor Alphonse's daughters and one of the minds behind the groundbreaking Croize Chutes. She's filled with vitriolic hatred towards you over your choice to give the Croize Chutes to House Soluton. It's unlikely that you could ever mend relations at this point, but she's your sister and you grew up together.
>Your daughter, Arnette. Your one and only daughter, and the apple of her mother and grandmother's eye. She strongly approves of your choice to strengthen House Soluton and idolizes you. There's no need to earn her forgiveness but she could be a lot of help influencing the others, or if handled poorly, render your task more difficult than it already is with her outspoken opinions.","attachment":null,"posted":1715189897},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5998358,"name":"Indonesian Gentleman","msg":">>5998347
>Your mother, Clara
The obvious choice first of all.","attachment":null,"posted":1715190721},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5998366,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998347
>Your wife, Jeanne. One of the most prestigious daughters of House De Croize and the only person you've ever let yourself be vulnerable toward. She's gone cold over your choice to give the Croize Chutes to House Soluton. If you can get her to forgive you, all else will come easier.
The spouse should always be the priority.","attachment":null,"posted":1715191369},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5998387,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998347
>Your wife, Jeanne. One of the most prestigious daughters of House De Croize and the only person you've ever let yourself be vulnerable toward. She's gone cold over your choice to give the Croize Chutes to House Soluton. If you can get her to forgive you, all else will come easier.
I'm gonna go with wife first, she should know us the best after all these years, we've let our guard down around her, and the relationship between our mom and our wife should be a two way street so if we get our wife we can also mend things with our mom easier, though starting with mom is obviously also tempting since she has a connection with us in different ways and could still see us as her kid/not fully blame us","attachment":null,"posted":1715192737},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5998415,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998347
>Your wife, Jeanne. One of the most prestigious daughters of House De Croize and the only person you've ever let yourself be vulnerable toward. She's gone cold over your choice to give the Croize Chutes to House Soluton. If you can get her to forgive you, all else will come easier.
Only one that matters","attachment":null,"posted":1715194155},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5998421,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998347
>Your wife, Jeanne. One of the most prestigious daughters of House De Croize and the only person you've ever let yourself be vulnerable toward. She's gone cold over your choice to give the Croize Chutes to House Soluton. If you can get her to forgive you, all else will come easier.","attachment":null,"posted":1715194391},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5998427,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998347
>Your mother, Clara. The former heiress of House Nightshayd and the love of your father's life. She's bitter for your choice to appoint your father as Advisor of Xenology and blames you for his death. Her relationship with your wife is close and if she wanted, she could help rebuild those bridges.
Go to mom, hat in hand, and ask forgiveness. We should start the apology tour at the top of the family tree and work down.","attachment":null,"posted":1715194504},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5998471,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Your wife, Jeanne. One of the most prestigious daughters of House De Croize and the only person you've ever let yourself be vulnerable toward. She's gone cold over your choice to give the Croize Chutes to House Soluton. If you can get her to forgive you, all else will come easier.","attachment":null,"posted":1715197028},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5998616,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998347
>Your wife, Jeanne. One of the most prestigious daughters of House De Croize and the only person you've ever let yourself be vulnerable toward. She's gone cold over your choice to give the Croize Chutes to House Soluton. If you can get her to forgive you, all else will come easier.
Wife comes first","attachment":null,"posted":1715204562},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5998629,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998347
>Your mother, Clara. The former heiress of House Nightshayd and the love of your father's life. She's bitter for your choice to appoint your father as Advisor of Xenology and blames you for his death. Her relationship with your wife is close and if she wanted, she could help rebuild those bridges.
We gotta be nice to our mum. I say we snitch on dad and his xeno weed.","attachment":null,"posted":1715205353},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5998630,"name":"QM","msg":">>5998358
>>5998366
>>5998387
>>5998415
>>5998421
>>5998427
>>5998471
>>5998616
You turn to your wife, Jeanne. Closer to you than anyone else in the Empire and one of the handful breathing to have seen your face without its respirator. She saw that sunken, jawless mass of scar tissue and loved you all the same. The perceived spurning of House De Croize wounded her, deeply, and your marriage- once so intimate- has gone cold. Your heart aches without her.
If you're going to die without regrets, you need to bring her back into your embrace. More importantly for the dynasty, if you want to bring House De Croize back to the imperial fold, you'll need her help. You know Jeanne well and have for many years, but you've never seen her like this. These are dark waters and you have precious little light to guide you.
How should you handle this?
>Rekindle your romance. A trip through the Empire could be just the spark you need to thaw her heart. You'll go from star to star, searching for that smile you've lost.
>Find common ground. Her love for the masses has been a constant, so you'll devote yourself to helping the destitute. Once she notices and joins your work, things will warm.
>Pour your heart out. You've been married for decades and need to be honest with each other. If she only knew how important House Soluton was to securing House Heinrich's reign, all of this could go away.
>Make an indirect gambit. If she still has a lingering sentiment for House De Croize, you'll go out of your way to promote qualified De Croize admirals, scientists, and bureaucrats. A distant gesture, one which she's sure to notice.","attachment":null,"posted":1715205379},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5998641,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998630
>Pour your heart out. You've been married for decades and need to be honest with each other. If she only knew how important House Soluton was to securing House Heinrich's reign, all of this could go away.
The other options mostly skirt around the issue, and honest dialogue is usually the way to resolve any problem, but I'm still a little iffy on whether this is the best choice, since the reasoning that we just really need Soluton on our side has a very high chance of pissing her off even more, so I'm not very attached to this option and can be convinced otherwise","attachment":null,"posted":1715206134},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5998642,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998630
>Rekindle your romance. A trip through the Empire could be just the spark you need to thaw her heart. You'll go from star to star, searching for that smile you've lost.","attachment":null,"posted":1715206187},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5998645,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998630
>>5998641
Actually fuck, this is a tricky decision and I'm indecisive, I'm already gonna fold and change my choice to
>Rekindle your romance. A trip through the Empire could be just the spark you need to thaw her heart. You'll go from star to star, searching for that smile you've lost.
Gotta do it slowly, then pour our heart out like a real romantic","attachment":null,"posted":1715206240},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5998647,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998630
>Pour your heart out. You've been married for decades and need to be honest with each other. If she only knew how important House Soluton was to securing House Heinrich's reign, all of this could go away.
Like anon said, all others skirt around the issue (though we could still do a trip in addition)
But the position in the prompt is very reductive since it doesn't really elaborate the reasoning and vision behind the decision. Do we need to elaborate it ourselves again QM?","attachment":null,"posted":1715206420},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5998651,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Damn, the other two options aren't bad either now that I think about it more, doing something for someone is a good way to show your humanity and shows that we feel bad without having to voice it directly, but I'll stop thinking about it and just stick to whatever the vote outcome is, all of this waffling about is unbecoming","attachment":null,"posted":1715206610},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5998660,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998630
>Find common ground. Her love for the masses has been a constant, so you'll devote yourself to helping the destitute. Once she notices and joins your work, things will warm.
To help her realize Otto has a heart behind that mask
>Pour your heart out. You've been married for decades and need to be honest with each other. If she only knew how important House Soluton was to securing House Heinrich's reign, all of this could go away.
Say this later when things have become warmer between the two, she may understand that there is a bigger picture at play.","attachment":null,"posted":1715207120},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5998668,"name":"QM","msg":">>5998647
If you choose to pour your heart out, there'll be another subprompt for the specific reasoning. The overwhelming consensus for backing House Soluton was that it was either necessary or ideal to have them as allies, but the individual thought processes varied somewhat.
>Do we need to elaborate it ourselves again QM?
You don't need to but you can if you'd like to. I like to include the thread's speculation, future ambitions, and so on in updates where possible. There was a lot of discussion over it last time and it's been an intricate issue.","attachment":null,"posted":1715207316},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5998672,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998630
>Pour your heart out. You've been married for decades and need to be honest with each other. If she only knew how important House Soluton was to securing House Heinrich's reign, all of this could go away.
Otto is not a subtle man, and not a schemer. he tackles his problems head on, and wins.","attachment":null,"posted":1715207888},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5998684,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998630
>Rekindle your romance. A trip through the Empire could be just the spark you need to thaw her heart. You'll go from star to star, searching for that smile you've lost.","attachment":null,"posted":1715208834},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5998685,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998630
>Rekindle your romance. A trip through the Empire could be just the spark you need to thaw her heart. You'll go from star to star, searching for that smile you've lost.
and then after we can pour our heart out. I don't think mentioning how much Soluton matters in politics is going to do anything but get her farther away from us. Work slowly to rebuild the connection and then hit her with our heart.
>Hardest decision in the quest is to figure out how to fix our marriage
kek","attachment":null,"posted":1715208976},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5998690,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998630
>Rekindle your romance. A trip through the Empire could be just the spark you need to thaw her heart. You'll go from star to star, searching for that smile you've lost.
>Pour your heart out. You've been married for decades and need to be honest with each other. If she only knew how important House Soluton was to securing House Heinrich's reign, all of this could go away.","attachment":null,"posted":1715209395},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5998698,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Rekindle your romance. A trip through the Empire could be just the spark you need to thaw her heart. You'll go from star to star, searching for that smile you've lost.
>Pour your heart out. You've been married for decades and need to be honest with each other. If she only knew how important House Soluton was to securing House Heinrich's reign, all of this could go away.","attachment":null,"posted":1715209904},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5998748,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998630
>Rekindle your romance. A trip through the Empire could be just the spark you need to thaw her heart. You'll go from star to star, searching for that smile you've lost.","attachment":null,"posted":1715212592},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5998867,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998630
>>5998660
+1
Romance means more children.","attachment":null,"posted":1715219260},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5998885,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998867
Not disagreeing but she is like 53","attachment":null,"posted":1715219932},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":5999463,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998630
>Find common ground. Her love for the masses has been a constant, so you'll devote yourself to helping the destitute. Once she notices and joins your work, things will warm
let's try to hit two birds with one stone. lots of people in our recently conquered territories still have it awful, if we increase their quality of life it would be a net gain for the empire. morally and also because they will produce more resources and manpower and so on","attachment":null,"posted":1715269658},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6000042,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999463
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1715307084},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6000764,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998690
Supporting this","attachment":null,"posted":1715381893},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6001050,"name":"QM","msg":">>5998642
>>5998645
>>5998647
>>5998660
>>5998672
>>5998684
>>5998685
>>5998690
>>5998698
>>5998748
>>5998867
>>5999463
>>6000042
>>6000764
After much inward seeking, you decide that the best thing to do is attempt to revive your romance and be honest with your wife. This won’t be easy, but neither were the trenches of Uvarth, or waking up without a tongue, jaw, or the bottom half of your face…
Should the worst come to pass, it can't be worse than what you’ve already suffered. You’ll do what you can. That’s all any man can do.
Even an Emperor.
>Roll 1d12+2 to renew Otto’s romance with Jeanne. +2 [Decades of Marriage], +2 [Large Family], +1 [Mutual Affection], +1 [Imperial Authority], -2 [Tense Relations (De Croize)], -2 [Clashing Personalities]","attachment":null,"posted":1715414764},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6001056,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1 + 2 (1d12 + 2)
>>6001050
Come on Otto, you've seen worse than this it can't get worse!","attachment":null,"posted":1715414975},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6001059,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001050
>>6001056
Oh lawd she's gonna fucking kill him isn't she.","attachment":null,"posted":1715416006},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6001235,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001056
you've got to be kidding me","attachment":null,"posted":1715434177},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6001240,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001056
You just had to jinx it didn't you?","attachment":null,"posted":1715434573},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6001276,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001056
It's so over","attachment":null,"posted":1715438075},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6001285,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001059
Nah, I bet she's just going to get a divorce. Take half our shit. And start fucking the pool boy.","attachment":null,"posted":1715439365},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6001314,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001056
Just fucking kill Otto with this roll, QM. Spare him the shame, please.","attachment":null,"posted":1715442385},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6001356,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001056
Fucking hell should've fucking abdicated fuck fuck
Fuck you cosmos","attachment":null,"posted":1715445784},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6001748,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001056
>1post by id
>rolls possibly worst roll in the quest ever
>mfw","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715476339027520.jpg","filename":"grim.jpg"},"posted":1715476339},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6001937,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001056","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715489590979258.png","filename":"FUG.png"},"posted":1715489590},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6002379,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 10 + 2 (1d12 + 2)
>>6001050","attachment":null,"posted":1715527676},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6002380,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002379
Had to check. Definitely the 1 post id curse.","attachment":null,"posted":1715527736},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6002412,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002380
It's okay anon, I knew something like this would happen so I maximized it by jinxing it","attachment":null,"posted":1715530008},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6002528,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 7 + 2 (1d12 + 2)
>>6001050
Hoping","attachment":null,"posted":1715538796},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6005318,"name":"QM","msg":">>6001056
It starts with a cruise. A small, sleek vessel accompanied by an escort of Royal Guard frigates. Taken from the fallen House Rothsford, it now serves the throne. Subtle, clandestine, on a slow, meandering course through the core worlds that yet pay heed to the legacy of old Earth.
Your reasoning for this was simple. You need to keep Jeanne's mind off of galactic politics, and what better way than to leave the imperial palace behind? There's no fanfare made of the ruling couple's arrival to a system, nor are future destinations made public. It is as secretive as possible for the circumstances. This is an entirely private affair. At first, your wife is pleased by the shift in pattern; the tours, the dinners, the harmless small talks.
For a while, it almost feels like those first days you spent together. Then, the tension starts. During a low-orbit flight on a leisure craft, you mention the tenacity of Soluton's admiral, Thomas. That earns a worried frown. As the two of you walk through an urban center, disguised as mere nobles (albeit, under heavy watch), you bring up the ex-Federals you fought alongside in the final siege and your pride in House Uvar. She pauses a long while before moving on. When you're both touring the inside of a bygone dynasty's flagship, the pride of old House Veshai, it strikes you that a certain corridor is just like the one where the De Croize caught you by surprise with that plasma rifle. Hearing you mention it, Jeanne stiffens and takes a long moment to compose herself.","attachment":null,"posted":1715742702},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6005322,"name":"QM","msg":">>6005318
Concerned, you lay a hand on her shoulder, and she sighs. "It's always about war with you, isn't it?" You pause. "House Heinrich is a proud martial dynasty." Jeanne's response is swift and tired. "I wasn't asking about our household." The squad of Royal Guardsmen following you files back to give you privacy. You explain. "I was raised by House Arthen, to be a living weapon in the Emperor's hand."
Her next words catch you off-guard. "Did you take their lessons of chivalry to heart?" As you try to think- "I..." -she interrupts you, an act unthinkable for most, but the Empress is an exception. "You love it more than anything else. You love the fighting. You love the killing. I can see it in your eyes… I always have." You attempt to defend yourself.
“There’s nothing wrong with fighting for a worthy cause.” Jeanne groans and pushes your hand away. “There’s nothing right with it! So many men have died at your hands and every last one took a little bit of you with them. Every conversation we have circles back into war, or the potential for war, or the history of war, or the struggle of war. It’s always war, war, war…” Your wife begins to sob, leaning against the wall. “It’s all you care about. It’s all you ever think about.”","attachment":null,"posted":1715742769},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6005323,"name":"QM","msg":">>6005322
You interject. “That’s not true. I care about you-” She replies. “As a means to an end! The right set of genetic markers from the wrong house! The mother of an heir who’ll go and conquer the stars someday. Kill a few billion more of our miserable species so that some poor soul can plant the imperial flag on another rock!” If you had a mouth, you would scowl. “It isn’t like that. I love you.” The Empress closes wrinkled eyes.
“Oh, I’m sure that you do. You love me, one more part of House Heinrich. You love your sons, assets to House Heinrich. Expanding the strength and prestige of House Heinrich. So that it can fight more wars… win more wars… and what has any of those wars ever gotten you? Us?” Jeanne reaches up and touches your rebreather with trembling hands. “So many years together and I haven’t once heard your voice. Everyone in House Heinrich, our house, almost lost their brother and son that day, for no other reason than your insistence on strife!”
“The Tripartite Entente was gone. The battle was won… There was no other call to board that warship than your own thirst for blood.” You exhale, slowly, pacing yourself. “I had a duty to the Empire.” Jeanne grips the hem of your coat, tears streaming down her face. “I married Otto the man, not Otto the Emperor! This lifelong war of yours has consumed you. All that’s left is a husk.” The static crackles as you reply.","attachment":null,"posted":1715742831},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6005324,"name":"QM","msg":">>6005323
“I am the Emperor. If I don’t shoulder that burden, no-one else can.” Your wife clenches tighter. “The burden is of your own making, husband. You carry it for no other reason than to prove to yourself that you can. You put it over your sister, your own flesh and blood! Her life’s work is gone! Don’t you care?” You clench your fist. “It was a sacrifice I had to make. House Heinrich’s position is certain-”
She’s openly weeping now, shaky grasp torn between pushing you away and pulling you closer. “Soluton’s fleets are the throne’s, but at what cost? De Croize is betrayed, after they swallowed their pride and gave it all up for the throne… Betrayed! You’ve made fools of the loyalists among them and the rest will nurture that resentment for generations to come!” Jeanne lets go and quietly wails, shoving you back, but you don’t budge.
“All you care about is your dynasty! Your selfish, selfless ambition… I’d hoped you weren’t so shallow, that when the fighting was done, you could move on from the bruised, beaten boy at Arthen’s training camps… but I know now that I was wrong. Your father ruined you, just like you ruined your father.” You are stricken speechless. “You were a fine Emperor, Otto, the finest, but you were no head of our family.”
Desperate, you reach to touch her face and she pulls away. “Please. Leave me in peace.” You stand, stock-still, as the love of your life turns, lifts her dress, and runs down the corridor.
A solitary tear trickles down your weathered cheek.","attachment":null,"posted":1715742894},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6005326,"name":"QM","msg":">>6005324
Some nights later, you sit alone in your chambers, clutching the Prime Minister’s skull. You’re filled with rage, toward no-one and everyone. The grief within keeps welling out, but you bury it in hate. Jeanne’s words reach your mind, cutting deeper than the blade. You remember the egalitarian mob. The sword in your hands, fighting, killing…
To hell with De Croize and to hell with Soluton!
The Federation was a foe you could face! You were happy, then. You fought for a purpose, then! Your wife is right about one thing. Whether you were born a butcher or made one, you are. It’s what you’ll be remembered for. It’s what you want the masses to remember you for, when they look back on your reign. Emperor Otto… You never wanted the crown. You were a general before you were sovereign. There are only a few years left.
You must make the most of them. The holo-film documentary, walking in the footsteps of Emperor Alphonse and Emperor Albin. Your father and grandfather… but this is not your father, nor your grandfather’s work. It is your own and you’ll do it your way.
What will the holo-film cover?
>The Federation: Your prime and the first time you led troops in mass-battle. The conquest of Uvarth and dubbing as Warmaster were your greatest accomplishments- it was all downhill from there.
>The Lost Reaches: Your few years of freedom, spent tethered to your father’s throne. The wastes you saw and struggles you faced are little-known, it’s best they be recorded.
>The Tripartite Entente: Your direst struggle, the misstep that set the stage for your reign as Emperor. The tale has been told thousands of times, but never by you.
>Everything: There is no one part of your life that matters more than the rest, so you’ll cover it all. Ambitious for a first project, likely to spread your efforts thin, though there’s no shortage of funding.","attachment":null,"posted":1715742957},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6005327,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005326
>The Federation: Your prime and the first time you led troops in mass-battle. The conquest of Uvarth and dubbing as Warmaster were your greatest accomplishments- it was all downhill from there.","attachment":null,"posted":1715743109},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6005328,"name":"QM","msg":"I'm sorry I took so long in posting, but I've been busy IRL and this was... difficult to write.","attachment":null,"posted":1715743148},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6005329,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005328
No worries QM. This update was pretty emotion ridden.","attachment":null,"posted":1715743199},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6005333,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005326
>Everything: There is no one part of your life that matters more than the rest, so you’ll cover it all. Ambitious for a first project, likely to spread your efforts thin, though there’s no shortage of funding.
If we go out, we go out with something to be remembered by.","attachment":null,"posted":1715743364},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6005369,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005326
>Everything: There is no one part of your life that matters more than the rest, so you’ll cover it all. Ambitious for a first project, likely to spread your efforts thin, though there’s no shortage of funding.
A cold and heavy crown","attachment":null,"posted":1715746008},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6005370,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005326
Tragic, I would like Otto to begin trying to build a bond with his sons and daughter of equivalent strength to those he had with lost loved ones. Maybe some form of martial monasticism too? Would be an interesting dynamic.
>The Lost Reaches: Your few years of freedom, spent tethered to your father’s throne. The wastes you saw and struggles you faced are little-known, it’s best they be recorded.
Mainly because it's been overshadowed by everything else, a look into what lies beyond the frontier!","attachment":null,"posted":1715746054},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6005491,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005324
>Your father ruined you, just like you ruined your father.”
That hurts
>”You were a fine Emperor, Otto, the finest, but you were no head of our family.”
Heavy is the crown
>>6005326
>Everything: There is no one part of your life that matters more than the rest, so you’ll cover it all. Ambitious for a first project, likely to spread your efforts thin, though there’s no shortage of funding.
It is importantly for historical documentations sake
>>6005328
It was a good update QM
Let’s us hope anons that Ferdinand will not be as tragic as his fathers before him","attachment":null,"posted":1715756990},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6005512,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">The Lost Reaches: Your few years of freedom, spent tethered to your father’s throne. The wastes you saw and struggles you faced are little-known, it’s best they be recorded.","attachment":null,"posted":1715760211},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6005713,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005326
>The Lost Reaches: Your few years of freedom, spent tethered to your father’s throne. The wastes you saw and struggles you faced are little-known, it’s best they be recorded.
I would rather do The Federation but I feel that Everything is the worst option, so I'll settle for The Lost Reaches since it has more votes than The Federation.","attachment":null,"posted":1715779794},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6005716,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005326
Also, why are we doing the holo-film? Didn't it lose the vote?","attachment":null,"posted":1715779940},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6005718,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005326
>The Lost Reaches: Your few years of freedom, spent tethered to your father’s throne. The wastes you saw and struggles you faced are little-known, it’s best they be recorded.
It's the one story that none but us can tell.
>>6005491
>Let’s us hope anons that Ferdinand will not be as tragic as his fathers before him
Unlikely with us at the helm","attachment":null,"posted":1715780256},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6005724,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005326
>The Lost Reaches: Your few years of freedom, spent tethered to your father’s throne. The wastes you saw and struggles you faced are little-known, it’s best they be recorded.
We could do some heavy mythologizing here, and really polish the “official” history of our later successes this way.","attachment":null,"posted":1715780567},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6005745,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005326
>The Federation: Your prime and the first time you led troops in mass-battle. The conquest of Uvarth and dubbing as Warmaster were your greatest accomplishments- it was all downhill from there.","attachment":null,"posted":1715781888},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6005795,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005718
Maybe but lets be optimistic","attachment":null,"posted":1715786589},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6005847,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005326
>The Federation: Your prime and the first time you led troops in mass-battle. The conquest of Uvarth and dubbing as Warmaster were your greatest accomplishments- it was all downhill from there.","attachment":null,"posted":1715792468},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6005852,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005326
>The Federation: Your prime and the first time you led troops in mass-battle. The conquest of Uvarth and dubbing as Warmaster were your greatest accomplishments- it was all downhill from there.","attachment":null,"posted":1715792851},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6005855,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005713
>>6005326
Switching to
>The Federation: Your prime and the first time you led troops in mass-battle. The conquest of Uvarth and dubbing as Warmaster were your greatest accomplishments- it was all downhill from there.","attachment":null,"posted":1715792984},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6005859,"name":"QM","msg":">>6005716
Otto catastrophically failed to mend relations with his family but still has around four years left in the five year bracket. The original vote was only short by two and I figured Otto is the type to throw himself into a project after getting his heart broken.","attachment":null,"posted":1715793362},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6005868,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005326
>The Federation: Your prime and the first time you led troops in mass-battle. The conquest of Uvarth and dubbing as Warmaster were your greatest accomplishments- it was all downhill from there.","attachment":null,"posted":1715793707},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6005882,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005326
>The Federation: Your prime and the first time you led troops in mass-battle. The conquest of Uvarth and dubbing as Warmaster were your greatest accomplishments- it was all downhill from there.","attachment":null,"posted":1715794153},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6006105,"name":"QM","msg":">>6005327
>>6005333
>>6005369
>>6005370
>>6005491
>>6005512
>>6005718
>>6005724
>>6005745
>>6005847
>>6005852
>>6005855
>>6005868
>>6005882
The campaign against the Federation of Uvarth defined the rest of your life. It's the times you think back to, the legend the masses look up to. You'll focus your efforts on the Federation alone. Before you can begin, there are a few questions you must answer.
Should you enlist any external expertise?
>Yes, Loca Corp. Their work on Harold's Day in the Sun was excellent, even if the commoners didn't appreciate it.
>Yes, the Imperial Army. Their propagandists revere you and would be honoured to contribute.
>Yes, both Loca Corp and the Imperial Army. Their approaches are likely to clash, but if they can cooperate, it will be a spectacle.
>No, you'll do this yourself. This will be an amateur production on your part, fueled by passion and as many credits as you can scrounge together.
Where are you going to source the budget?
>The Imperial Treasury. If this goes well, the inspiration to the masses should outweigh the blow to the economy.
>House Heinrich's vaults. There's no shortage of credits to the ruling dynasty's name, and you are head of the dynasty, after all.
>Donations by loyal subjects. You'll be working with a shoestring budget, which will hopefully add an air of authenticity.
>All of the above. You can spare no expense in seeing your vision made manifest. It's likely there'll be some surplus leftover.
Lastly, how should the Federals be portrayed?
>Scum. A collection of filth no better than pirates, eager to massacre their fellow man and desecrate the legacy of old Earth.
>Barbaric. A teeming, ravening horde that fought with wild ferocity, and inevitably fell before the Empire's noble strength and iron discipline.
>Tragic. A motley rabble of idealistic fools, misguided by a handful of treacherous demagogues and corrupt politicians.
>Nuanced. As men, no better or worse than the rest of the species, fighting for their own ideology, which happened to be incompatible with House Heinrich's enlightened rule.","attachment":null,"posted":1715808589},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6006117,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006105
>Yes, Loca Corp. Their work on Harold's Day in the Sun was excellent, even if the commoners didn't appreciate it.
They got experience in all our previous films
>House Heinrich's vaults. There's no shortage of credits to the ruling dynasty's name, and you are head of the dynasty, after all.
We are decently wealthy
>all
Feels like Otto would portray them in a wide way","attachment":null,"posted":1715809560},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6006170,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Yes, the Imperial Army. Their propagandists revere you and would be honoured to contribute
>House Heinrich's vaults. There's no shortage of credits to the ruling dynasty's name, and you are head of the dynasty, after all.
>Tragic. A motley rabble of idealistic fools, misguided by a handful of treacherous demagogues and corrupt politicians.","attachment":null,"posted":1715812351},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6006176,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006105
>Yes, the Imperial Army. Their propagandists revere you and would be honoured to contribute.
>House Heinrich's vaults. There's no shortage of credits to the ruling dynasty's name, and you are head of the dynasty, after all.
>Tragic. A motley rabble of idealistic fools, misguided by a handful of treacherous demagogues and corrupt politicians.","attachment":null,"posted":1715812867},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6006182,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006105
>>Yes, the Imperial Army. Their propagandists revere you and would be honoured to contribute.
See if we can get any vets on it.
>House Heinrich's vaults. There's no shortage of credits to the ruling dynasty's name, and you are head of the dynasty, after all.
It's our project, we pay for it.
>Nuanced. As men, no better or worse than the rest of the species, fighting for their own ideology, which happened to be incompatible with House Heinrich's enlightened rule.
They deserve respect. Out of perhaps every opponent we've faced, only their resolve was truly unshakable.","attachment":null,"posted":1715813447},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6006190,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006105
>Yes, the Imperial Army. Their propagandists revere you and would be honoured to contribute.
>House Heinrich's vaults. There's no shortage of credits to the ruling dynasty's name, and you are head of the dynasty, after all.
>Nuanced. As men, no better or worse than the rest of the species, fighting for their own ideology, which happened to be incompatible with House Heinrich's enlightened rule.","attachment":null,"posted":1715814070},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6006208,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006105
>Yes, the Imperial Army. Their propagandists revere you and would be honoured to contribute.
>House Heinrich's vaults. There's no shortage of credits to the ruling dynasty's name, and you are head of the dynasty, after all.
>Tragic. A motley rabble of idealistic fools, misguided by a handful of treacherous demagogues and corrupt politicians.
Portraying them as Tragic is more consistent with our agenda than portraying them as Nuanced, and still pays them respect. I'd rather call them tragically misguided than reasonable and risk creating or maintaining Federalist sympathies.","attachment":null,"posted":1715815020},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6006230,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006105
>Yes, the Imperial Army. Their propagandists revere you and would be honoured to contribute.
>House Heinrich's vaults. There's no shortage of credits to the ruling dynasty's name, and you are head of the dynasty, after all.
>Tragic. A motley rabble of idealistic fools, misguided by a handful of treacherous demagogues and corrupt politicians.","attachment":null,"posted":1715816800},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6006285,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006105
>Yes, the Imperial Army. Their propagandists revere you and would be honoured to contribute.
>House Heinrich's vaults. There's no shortage of credits to the ruling dynasty's name, and you are head of the dynasty, after all.
>Tragic. A motley rabble of idealistic fools, misguided by a handful of treacherous demagogues and corrupt politicians.","attachment":null,"posted":1715820792},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6006411,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006105
>Yes, the Imperial Army. Their propagandists revere you and would be honoured to contribute.
Having a singular artistic vision is better than just throwing more money at it (the Hollywood approach).
>House Heinrich's vaults. There's no shortage of credits to the ruling dynasty's name, and you are head of the dynasty, after all.
We can afford it.
>Tragic. A motley rabble of idealistic fools, misguided by a handful of treacherous demagogues and corrupt politicians.
The whole vibe should be "Otto weeps for the necessity of euthanizing these foolish men - think of what could have been achieved had they simply seen the wisdom of the aristocracy?"","attachment":null,"posted":1715827549},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6006917,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006105
>>6006411
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1715877981},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6006934,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006105
>Yes, the Imperial Army. Their propagandists revere you and would be honoured to contribute.
>House Heinrich's vaults. There's no shortage of credits to the ruling dynasty's name, and you are head of the dynasty, after all.
>Tragic. A motley rabble of idealistic fools, misguided by a handful of treacherous demagogues and corrupt politicians.","attachment":null,"posted":1715879339},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6006951,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006105
>Yes, the Imperial Army. Their propagandists revere you and would be honoured to contribute.
Having some vets from the Imperial Army sounds good.
>House Heinrich's vaults. There's no shortage of credits to the ruling dynasty's name, and you are head of the dynasty, after all.
>Donations by loyal subjects. You'll be working with a shoestring budget, which will hopefully add an air of authenticity.
Good for propaganda.
>Scum. A collection of filth no better than pirates, eager to massacre their fellow man and desecrate the legacy of old Earth.
>Tragic. A motley rabble of idealistic fools, misguided by a handful of treacherous demagogues and corrupt politicians.
A bit of both, depending on the person.","attachment":null,"posted":1715881298},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6006963,"name":"QM","msg":">>6006117
>>6006170
>>6006176
>>6006182
>>6006190
>>6006208
>>6006230
>>6006285
>>6006411
>>6006917
>>6006934
>>6006951
You reach out to the Imperial Army's upper brass and are almost immediately flooded with more volunteers than you can handle. The propagandists pledge their expertise to your vision, arsenals of military hardware is given up for your use, and the few veterans that remain are eager to take any amount of grunt work, let alone interviews. You are the Warmaster and a hero to them all.
They understand the cost of building and keeping an Empire. You are confident that you have the best help you could ask for. The budget comes almost as easily, pulled from the vaults of House Heinrich. It will be enough for your intentions. You want to tell the story of the campaign against the Federation as it was, not create a crass spectacle for mass-consumption. The centerpiece, the Federals themselves, will be cast in a tragic light. Many, even most, were brave and determined to defend their homeworld against overwhelming odds.
They were also entranced by the false promise of egalitarianism and misguided to the point of aiming weapons against old Earth. Tens of millions died for their mistakes in the final siege to take the House of Parliament. Hundreds of millions elsewhere, many, upright and dutiful servants of the throne. You enjoyed the battles, the violence for your dynasty, but you recognize the war as a sad necessity. If not for the conquest of the Federation, billions of innocent commoners would be at the whims of mob rule and utterly directionless. Prey to the true terrors of the galaxy.
You commence holo-filming on Uvarth. There's a sense of tension to it, knowing that your actions now will define your memory for generations to come.
>Roll 1d12+5 to produce a holo-documentary. +2 (Military Backing), +2 (Otto's Reputation [War Hero]), +1 [Imperial Authority]","attachment":null,"posted":1715882994},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6006976,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 3 + 5 (1d12 + 5)
>>6006963
AAAAAAAAAAAAAA","attachment":null,"posted":1715884570},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6006977,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006976
FUCK","attachment":null,"posted":1715884631},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6006985,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006977
>he thinks an 8 is bad","attachment":null,"posted":1715885266},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6006991,"name":"QM","msg":">>6006976
You pour your heart and soul into the production but you are no auteur. Your inborn knack for conquest doesn't lend itself well to holo-cinema- you stumble into several gnarly pitfalls and besides them, insist on a strictly first-person perspective to convey fast, blow-by-blow pacing in what's supposed to be a five hour holo-film. Fortunately, the military propagandists are able to smooth over the rough spots and convince you to add a few wide, panning shots so the viewer can collect themselves.
The fame you hold as a war hero (and Emperor) doesn't hurt, either, and ensures that its initial release will reach a wide audience. You find yourself satisfied with the documentary, though near the end segment, where you explain your actions and the importance of loyalty to the viewer, you are tempted to do unthinkable.
>Remove your rebreather so they can see the scars beneath. Show the masses the real Otto and the price of victory that must be paid.
>Keep your rebreather on and close things on a high note. As Emperor and Warmaster, you must be the image of invincibility.","attachment":null,"posted":1715886282},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6006995,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006991
>>Keep your rebreather on and close things on a high note. As Emperor and Warmaster, you must be the image of invincibility.","attachment":null,"posted":1715886421},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6007000,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006991
>Remove your rebreather so they can see the scars beneath. Show the masses the real Otto and the price of victory that must be paid.
We aren’t gonna be Emperor soon so may as well, let Ferdinand be a contrast to Otto","attachment":null,"posted":1715886587},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6007008,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006991
>Remove your rebreather so they can see the scars beneath. Show the masses the real Otto and the price of victory that must be paid.","attachment":null,"posted":1715887279},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6007026,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006991
>Keep your rebreather on and close things on a high note. As Emperor and Warmaster, you must be the image of invincibility.","attachment":null,"posted":1715888747},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6007042,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006991
>>Keep your rebreather on and close things on a high note. As Emperor and Warmaster, you must be the image of invincibility.
Unfortunately, an emperor is a symbol, a symbol of strength that simply cannot ever appear as equal to anyone.
>>6006985
More like a natural 3 out of 12 is bad, were it not for the modifiers, it would have been much worse.
Also, by this point 3 generations of Emperor's made films, this is probably becoming a tradition by now.","attachment":null,"posted":1715890144},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6007128,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006991
>Keep your rebreather on and close things on a high note. As Emperor and Warmaster, you must be the image of invincibility.","attachment":null,"posted":1715896594},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6007135,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006991
>Keep your rebreather on and close things on a high note. As Emperor and Warmaster, you must be the image of invincibility.
I think the Empire needs the myth of “Otto the Invincible” more than we need to reveal our human nature","attachment":null,"posted":1715897127},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6007137,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006991
>Keep your rebreather on and close things on a high note. As Emperor and Warmaster, you must be the image of invincibility.","attachment":null,"posted":1715897129},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6007142,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006991
>Remove your rebreather so they can see the scars beneath. Show the masses the real Otto and the price of victory that must be paid.
Let them see Otto the human for once. And maybe prove Jeanne's parting words wrong?","attachment":null,"posted":1715897537},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6007147,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Remove your rebreather so they can see the scars beneath. Show the masses the real Otto and the price of victory that must be paid.","attachment":null,"posted":1715897673},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6007152,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006991
>Keep your rebreather on and close things on a high note. As Emperor and Warmaster, you must be the image of invincibility.","attachment":null,"posted":1715897793},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6008015,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006991
we should go for both at the same time, kinda of a mixture. showing that victory has a price is important but ideally, the image of invincibility idea must also be kept in the foreground as the conclusion of the work and the whole point of it.
>main message should be that the price of invicibility and endurance is perseverance at all cost and that victory, and growth towards posterity and prosperity has a price","attachment":null,"posted":1715959187},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6008076,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006105
>No do it yourself
>House Heinrich's vaults
>Nuanced
This feels like a personal project the Otto is using to work out some inner issues. A solo project self funded and exploring the enemies he ironically felt the most emotionally connected to feels in character for his arc","attachment":null,"posted":1715963624},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6008082,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006991
>Remove your rebreather so they can see the scars beneath. Show the masses the real Otto and the price of victory that must be paid","attachment":null,"posted":1715963863},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6008764,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006991
>Remove your rebreather so they can see the scars beneath. Show the masses the real Otto and the price of victory that must be paid.
Otto focusing so much on his role as Emperor instead of the truth of being a flesh and blood person has hurt him so far. He needs more balance with his human side.","attachment":null,"posted":1716010275},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6008899,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006991
>Keep your rebreather on and close things on a high note. As Emperor and Warmaster, you must be the image of invincibility.","attachment":null,"posted":1716027859},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6009014,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006991
>Keep your rebreather on and close things on a high note. As Emperor and Warmaster, you must be the image of invincibility.","attachment":null,"posted":1716043382},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6009123,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006991
>Keep your rebreather on and close things on a high note. As Emperor and Warmaster, you must be the image of invincibility.","attachment":null,"posted":1716050048},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6009188,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Huh, interesting vote.","attachment":null,"posted":1716053288},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6009190,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006991
>Keep your rebreather on and close things on a high note. As Emperor and Warmaster, you must be the image of invincibility.","attachment":null,"posted":1716053350},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6009282,"name":"QM","msg":">>6006995
>>6007000
>>6007008
>>6007026
>>6007042
>>6007128
>>6007135
>>6007137
>>6007142
>>6007147
>>6007152
>>6008015
>>6008082
>>6008764
>>6008899
>>6009014
>>6009123
>>6009190
You choose to keep your rebreather on. You are a symbol of imperial might and cannot, under any circumstance, show weakness to the masses. The mask your father chose for you remains your face to the Empire. Once your body has decayed, only the mask will remain. It is a bitter feeling.
Heavy is the crown.
The holo-documentary is received with great fanfare and subsequent donations turn out enough to break even. It is in the Empire's interest to keep the barrier to receiving propaganda as low as possible, so viewing it is otherwise free. It is a solidly above-average holo-film and makes some waves, but it is only above-average. If not for your own involvement, it would be released and forgotten within the decade. As is, it will be a historical curiosity.","attachment":null,"posted":1716058104},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6009288,"name":"QM","msg":">>6009282
You examine The Ledger with weary eyes. Precious little has changed. The investigation into the tax practices of the Major Houses is ongoing and has yet to yield results. Your son, Ferdinand, has finished working out the details of his kinetics gun and the design is now reaching the Empire. It is something to take pride in.
>The Empire:
>Territory: 8
>Economy: 5
>Military: 6
>Happiness: 5
>Population: 7
>House Heinrich:
>3 jewel worlds, 12 core worlds, 14 frontier worlds
>2 Retinue Fleets
>Crown Corp
>Royal Guard:
>1 Imperial Fleet
Your Head Advisor Igor meets your gaze with a warm understanding.
"You have been a strong Emperor, my liege. The strongest anyone could ask for."
You are ninety years old and nearing the end of your reign.
What should be done?
>Propagandize further. It isn't enough that the campaign of Uvarth be remembered, the rest of your life's story needs to be retold before it is lost.
>Contact the Mukvir. Your father never managed to connect with the weeds, perhaps you could succeed where he failed.
>Focus on eradicating Clan Skullstacker. Bringing the Reaver Clans to heel was the greatest achivement of your reign, but it is not yet done.
>Abdicate the throne. The time has come for your heir to assume the Emperor's burden, and for you to finally leave all of this behind.","attachment":null,"posted":1716058178},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6009294,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009288
>Abdicate the throne. The time has come for your heir to assume the Emperor's burden, and for you to finally leave all of this behind.","attachment":null,"posted":1716058406},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6009307,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009288
>Focus on eradicating Clan Skullstacker. Bringing the Reaver Clans to heel was the greatest achivement of your reign, but it is not yet done.
As tempting as it is to abdicate now, our job is NOT QUITE DONE. And I don't believe that our sons are yet ready to take on the burden of the crown. We can give them just a bit more time...","attachment":null,"posted":1716059422},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6009315,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Checking id with a meaningless post","attachment":null,"posted":1716060148},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6009317,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009288
>Abdicate the throne. The time has come for your heir to assume the Emperor's burden, and for you to finally leave all of this behind.
You were the best Otto now rest","attachment":null,"posted":1716060393},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6009318,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009188
>>6009190
Good, it changed, I can now vote. QM, this is a dead giveaway blatant samefagging. An anon recently outed himself in space monkey quest as voting from multiple non-single post IDs. Either the same guy or someone else with access to multiple stable IPs is samefagging here too and he pulled out all the stops when he saw that the rebreather vote was close.","attachment":null,"posted":1716060403},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6009322,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009318
Of all the things to samefag vote on, the rebreather vote was what he pulled out all the stops on? Wild.","attachment":null,"posted":1716060580},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6009326,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009288
>Abdicate the throne. The time has come for your heir to assume the Emperor's burden, and for you to finally leave all of this behind.
>>6009318
The fuck","attachment":null,"posted":1716060666},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6009349,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009288
>Abdicate the throne. The time has come for your heir to assume the Emperor's burden, and for you to finally leave all of this behind.
>Question Igor if he intends to keep his promise of revealing the secret behind his agelessness.
Otto is 90 and Ferdinand is done with his project, it's time.
Also Igor said he would tell us what's going on with him on his own time, he should be held to that.","attachment":null,"posted":1716061703},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6009352,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009349
this","attachment":null,"posted":1716061834},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6009358,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009288
>Abdicate the throne. The time has come for your heir to assume the Emperor's burden, and for you to finally leave all of this behind.
>>6006995
>>6007026
>>6007042
>>6007128
>>6007135
>>6007137
>>6007152
>>6008899
>>6009014
>>6009123
>>6009190
Keep the mask, 11 (1 of which is a 1 ID post)
>>6007000
>>6007008
>>6007142
>>6007147
>>6008082
>>6008764
Remove the mask, 6 (1 of which is a 1 post ID)
>>6009318
I may be paranoid about samefagging myself anon, but this is not nearly close enough of a vote to justify it.
I'll have to check out Space Monkey Quest to see what you're talking about there.","attachment":null,"posted":1716062157},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6009371,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009358
I understand","attachment":null,"posted":1716062856},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6009374,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009358
You should understand though, it is pretty easy for someone to samefag without getting caught by any one-post ID rule","attachment":null,"posted":1716062962},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6009378,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"I could have done this before and established my votes, plural, if I wanted and I am ashamed to admit that I have done this in other quests","attachment":null,"posted":1716063065},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6009379,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009378
Here, three votes real quick (I also have one real ID that I've been using)","attachment":null,"posted":1716063150},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6009382,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009379
I am a former samefag who never got caught, but stopped when I realised how autistic and retarded it is to do this and that it only results in my favourite quests ultimately dying. These 3 IDs could be stable and beyond suspicion if I wanted to.","attachment":null,"posted":1716063342},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6009385,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009188
>>6009190
And I am telling you this is a dead giveaway of someone who just switched IDs and wants to test the waters before voting.
Samefagging anon, I used to be you. You love this quest, you have gotten really attached, you think other people are being retarded and you want to make sure that the right choice, the choice that you want is always made. Please stop this. If you don't like what the majority in a quest are voting for, it is better for you to leave. This only ends up hurting everyone in the long term.","attachment":null,"posted":1716063539},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6009417,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>>6006335
>>>6006163
>>>6006132
>>>6006398
>>>6006402
After looking through many of the arguments, seems like the vote in question where the anon was accused of being outed came down to whether women should have rights or not. Although there was a brief accusation of 'spitevoting' before this. The anon (or anons, I'm not entirely sure one way or another) accused of multiboxing voted to "Allow female in the Hegemony more social mobility" (hilariously enough, women's rights didn't win. Supreme Monke Quest anons are wild). However the accused multiboxing anon didn't win that vote, although the whole conversation/interaction was weird.
I don't really know what to make of this.
>>6009371
>>6009374
Yeah I can see where you're coming from, and to an extent I agree, but I don't feel this is important enough of a vote to samefag in. And the vote is too weighted on one side (almost being twice as many as the losing vote) to think it's happening.
>>6009378
>>6009379
>>6009382
>>6009385
Bro what? I'm surprised you're admitting to samefagging or even having the capacity for it, even though you're saying you're not doing it anymore (which if true, good on you anon. Thank you for making qst better!)","attachment":null,"posted":1716064959},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6009436,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009288
>Focus on eradicating Clan Skullstacker. Bringing the Reaver Clans to heel was the greatest achivement of your reign, but it is not yet done.
>Have Ferdinand give his gun design to crown corp. Throughly test it then introduce it to the retinue and royal guard. Then push it to the imperial armies. Of course let him oversee everything and be in charge of the new branch of crown corp weapons manufacturing. Ask your dear son. What he is going to make next? Of course give him a share of the profits for his own personal use.
We can then give it to the Rangers and the army too. Money to be made and for our son to gain fame and appreciation of our military forces for a superior combat platform.","attachment":null,"posted":1716065948},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6009444,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009417
There's only 1 good reason to samefag guy's... to make sure your waifu wins. Otherwise you're just.... a degenerate.
(Sarcasm)","attachment":null,"posted":1716066175},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6009447,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002379
This is me BTW. My id changes like once a week idk why.","attachment":null,"posted":1716066279},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6009455,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009417
>I don't feel this is important enough of a vote to samefag
You can't get the mindset if you're not a retarded autist like I am. It's addictive and it grows worse over time. First you push a little to have an important, close vote end in your favour. Then you do it more and more, until you end up samefagging every single vote of the quest or close. You do it because true samefagging requires set up, you need to post and vote a few times to establish an id's credentials before you need to use it to sway a vote. You do it because you are afraid it might be suspicious if important votes always spawn 5 new IDs that vote as a bloc. You do it because you are an autist, getting inordinately attached to things is a core symptom, and you end up getting mad at every vote that doesn't go your way, even the smallest and most inconsequential.","attachment":null,"posted":1716066503},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6009460,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009444
Kek.
>>6009455
Damn, that sounds like an addiction. I sincerely wish that people wouldn't have this mindset and don't want to believe there's at least a small possibility, but I know this is 4chan and I won't put anything beyond anybody.","attachment":null,"posted":1716067060},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6009470,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009460
Yeah, it is. One of my strongest autistic symptoms is the cursed ability to get addicted to anything I like strongly enough. It took me the longest time to realise that this is not true for everyone. I couldn't help it at the time, I was born wrong, this was how my brain worked. Even now, when bitter experience has taught me better and I can recognise the early signs, it can be difficult to overcome the urge. It's like you're a recovering alcoholic but anything you like strongly enough can become your alcohol if you let it.
Samefagging anon, if this was a forum I'd be telling you to pm me from a new account if my descriptions resonate. If I'm right and you think like I did, I'd really like to talk to you, as I'd really like to talk to my younger self if I could.","attachment":null,"posted":1716067927},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6009478,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Focus on eradicating Clan Skullstacker. Bringing the Reaver Clans to heel was the greatest achivement of your reign, but it is not yet done.","attachment":null,"posted":1716068596},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6009486,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009470
You could always make a new email just for communication. I've posted emails in /co/ before without negative responses.","attachment":null,"posted":1716069397},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6009488,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009470
Although as a fellow autistic person I don't think we are "born wrong." Self hatred like that is not just morally wrong, but counter productive. If you go about life thinking of yourself as a broken toy you will just wind up psychologically torturing yourself for not living up to an impossible standard. It is one thing to have behaviors you don't like and making efforts to change them, it is another to internalize your flaws to that degree. Especially when it is something as inherent as to how your brain works.","attachment":null,"posted":1716069533},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6009490,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009470
Like actually anon, if you want, you can contact me. Tell me what platform works best for you and I can make an account to chat with you (and anyone else who might want to talk).
4chan and other internet sites attract neurodiverse people, which can be comforting, but it can also lead us down rabbitholes that it is hard to crawl out of. Lord knows I did back in the day.
If any autistic people, adhders, borderliners hell narcissists feel like they want a judgement free place to vent I am okay to listen.","attachment":null,"posted":1716069670},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6009538,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009288
>Abdicate the throne. The time has come for your heir to assume the Emperor's burden, and for you to finally leave all of this behind.
The burden of the crown is heavy
It is time to let it go and finally end our fight","attachment":null,"posted":1716074056},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6010096,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009288
>Abdicate the throne. The time has come for your heir to assume the Emperor's burden, and for you to finally leave all of this behind.
>Have Ferdinand give his gun design to crown corp. Throughly test it then introduce it to the retinue and royal guard. Then push it to the imperial armies. Of course let him oversee everything and be in charge of the new branch of crown corp weapons manufacturing. Ask your dear son. What he is going to make next? Of course give him a share of the profits for his own personal use.
One last act before abdicating. I want to get rid of Skullstackers but after everything Otto deserves to abdicate.","attachment":null,"posted":1716131847},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6011904,"name":"QM","msg":">>6009294
>>6009307
>>6009317
>>6009326
>>6009349
>>6009358
>>6009436
>>6009478
>>6009538
>>6010096
The time has come. There's so much that remains to be done, but that work will be your son's. Only one thing is left.
"Igor. At the start of my reign, you promised that you would tell me the truth of your longevity. Now, at the end, I am holding you to your oath."
Your trusted Head Advisor, who advised your grandfather, your father, and yourself throughout their lives, bows his head.
"You truly wish to know, sire?"
You nod. "Yes."
Igor stands slowly, with a hesitancy you've never seen from him. "Then I am honourbound by the throne on Mars to obey. Please, your majesty, forgive me for my duplicity."
Before your eyes, the old man throws back his hood and begins to melt.
>End of Thread #4","attachment":null,"posted":1716288813},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6011908,"name":"QM","msg":"It pains me to leave Thread #4 on a cliffhanger but there's many things to cover in the next few updates, so little time remaining before it slides, and so much going on with my life right now, that I cannot do otherwise. I'm going to be busy for the next several days, mostly celebrating my younger brother's graduation from high-school. Thread #5 will be up in another week, give or take a couple of days. I'll shoot for June 1st and post in the /qtg/ thread as well. As always, thank you for participating in Simple Space Empire! You guys are great and always the best part of my day.
>>6009318
I'm concerned about samefagging, too. The only way to address the multi-pronged approach some anons take is to ask everyone to post under a trip but that's also easy to circumvent. Though it worries me and turns this thread even further over to the scourge of egalitarianism, I'm going to go with my gut on votes and ask (You) all to vote normally. There's no fun in samefagging, or voting, if the preferred option always wins.","attachment":null,"posted":1716289384},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6011925,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011908
Thanks for everything QM. See you in a week!","attachment":null,"posted":1716291229},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6011943,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011908
Cliffhangers are based, thanks for all your efforts QM. This quest has been a joy to read","attachment":null,"posted":1716294660},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6012010,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011904
Oh shit Igor is a slime this whole time
>>6011908
Can’t wait for the next one QM, have a good one","attachment":null,"posted":1716300010},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6012037,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011908
Thanks for running QM, probably my favorite quest right now.","attachment":null,"posted":1716302674},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6012114,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011908
Wish your brother and you the best!
Will be waiting warmly.","attachment":null,"posted":1716307735},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6012164,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011908
See you soon QM!","attachment":null,"posted":1716310537},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6012210,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011908
>As always, thank you for participating in Simple Space Empire!
No, thank you QM for making such a kino quest!","attachment":null,"posted":1716313062},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6012389,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011904
egads he's a nanite construct isn't he
>>6011908
see you soon qm","attachment":null,"posted":1716324490},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6013590,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011908
Hope you the best, QM.
I can't really defend that post I made, it does looks pretty suspicious. To explain I thought about how the choices correlated to the contrast of what anons were discussing about how House Heinrich should act and Jeanne's words. I don't know why I didn't just say that along the vote, or why I didn't vote first instead.
I think I'll mostly just lurk from now on in these threads for the sake of not making more drama.","attachment":null,"posted":1716426871},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6013609,"name":"QM","msg":">>6013590
I actually didn't think that post was samefagging to start with and just put it into the back of my subconscious while tallying the votes, like I do for most similar posts. I thought the same thing, and besides that, make similar posts occasionally myself in other quests. I think anon was overreacting but I'll admit I am a little paranoid there's been some samefagging in the quest in previous threads. Generally, I trust you all and don't worry about samefagging except when I've got a gut feeling telling me it's going on. Don't sweat it man. I'm glad you're all enjoying the quest enough to keep reading it to the end of the fourth thread.","attachment":null,"posted":1716429081},{"board":"qst","thread":5974518,"pid":6013629,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6013609
Thank you QM. I agree that samefagging is terrible, and a quest like this one doesn't deserve it. But I don't want there to be drama about it since I know it can be tiring to deal with this sort of thing in threads, I'll try my best to be respectful and I encourage any anons reading to be respectful too, and not to samefag.
Again thank you QM, you've made a quality quest worth reading.","attachment":null,"posted":1716430482}]}
+{"title":"Seekers of the Esoteric (Volume 7)","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5975312,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Old Maple Hill. That’s what they call it, mostly because that’s what you called it, and even then only because it is centered around... Well, a small hill, with an old maple tree, and you were a child, and you never thought it would be the center of an entire community.
Funny how things change.
Your name is Ezreal Mious Van Houtzmann. ‘Mious’ means ‘wisdom’ in the language of your mother's people, the Sylvan Elves of Dappulyet, whom you may never see or visit again; you can only hope she got your last letter, before you fled your homeland in the pursuit of world peace and personal freedom (it’s a long story). “Van Houztmann” is your human father’s surname... Well, sort of. He was born merely ‘Rudolfo Houtzman’, and seems to have added the ‘van’ and the extra ‘n’ as some form of dramatic flourish. You adopted it much later. It means ‘of the strong men’. Despite all your hereditary strength and wisdom, however, sometimes you feel like a leaf on the wind—a summoned wind, a night-wind, generated by the beating of great wings beating in the unseen dark.
Under your stewardship—and that of Izirina and Costella Fanucci, the women whom you love—Old Maple Hill became first a sort of sanctuary and rehabilitation center for those humans of Hawksong—the world’s preeminent metropolis—who had been afflicted by the chimeric plague better known as ‘the dragon-pox'. As a reward for your good works, your trio was granted the hill itself and the land around it was gifted to you in trust, to preserve and protect in the name of the fairy court upon that eponymous hill. After a year-and-a-half abroad—first in homeland and then upon the sacred moon itself!—you returned with divine knowledge of the holy arcane, to share with those grateful and newly-sorcerous subjects of Hawksong who had decided to remain there. Partly this was out of pride, and out of solidarity with Izzy and Costella, and partly due to a sense of responsibility for what you had wrought.
More and more, though, you wonder if you really had any say at all...
Almost four months ago, you undertook a diplomatic expedition to the Sylvan Realms to rescue the monstrous son of Hawksong’s prince Cosnort—secretly some form of ‘aragonborn antipaladin’ in service to the Gods of Darkness. You hadn’t done this out of any love for those horrid entities, or even the Prince Consort or her majesty Queen Ekaterine, but because you believed it the best way to keep the peace between your peoples.
You’d succeeded, but at a great cost.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712860257275343.png","filename":"esoterica7.png"},"posted":1712860257},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5975313,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5975312
An elven sage had implicated a future descendant of Izirina Henzler (actually the long-lost and thought-dead noble heiress Rebecca Vaz-Yosef) in a shifting prophecy of doom and gloom; fearing his poisoning of the council against you and your mission, you’d taken the Prince Consort’s child and fled in the dead of night. To effect your escape you were forced to rely upon your people's ancestral enemies, the scheming traitors of the Unseelie Court, and to promise them two favors—including a rather implausible undertaking—for safe passage. You left behind your royal carriagement; to the best of your knowledge, they are still being held prisoner by an ever-more-isolationist Sylvan government, where you must surely be seen as an enemy of the elven race.
Two weeks later, you learned that this, and much else that you and Izirina have done and achieved, has been orchestrated from behind-the-scenes by a Dark God of Esoteric Knowledge, whose emissary Izzy had taken as a tutor... And who, the fell being revealed, would one day serve as tutor to your child.
In the wake of these revelations, you remained committed to make good on your pledge to the Unseelie Fey: to make for them a ‘star’, empowering their race and realm as the sun and moon once did before their fall from grace. However, you would NOT follow the Dark Ones’ recipe to produce it, but would instead find another way—a way which safeguarded your people's most precious secrets and avoided empowering your enemies anymore than necessary.
And as for the matter of children, and of marriage... Well, that was always a tricky subject in a union of three spirits, in a land where polygamy is illegal. You’re committed to make it work, somehow. You BELIEVE it can be done, in your heart-of-hearts! But, well... These bloody women don’t ever seem to make it EASY for you, do they?
“You told them WHAT?!”","attachment":null,"posted":1712860282},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5975314,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5975313
“I’m sorry!” Costella Fanucci blurts out. “Papa had this—this MAN over, Carlos Something, and he said that, like... At my age, and with my prospects... And Carlos is from, like, this TOTALLY respected family that knows mine from way-back-when, and HE isn’t married yet, and Mama REALLY wants grandkids and ESPECIALLY since I got over the dragon-pox and CAN have kids...”
“So they wanted to marry you off to this ‘Carlos Something’?” Izzy summarizes.
“Uh-huh,” Costella nods, looking sheepish.
“And so you told them we were already engaged?” you ask, staring wide-eyed at the freckle-face, sun-kissed face of the woman who was SUPPOSED to be the LESS-troublesome of your two significant others.
“W-well I spend so much time here, and there's already RUMOURS, and like, Mama and Papa mostly like you—”
“Mostly??” you ask, startled.
“—And Apprentice to the Archmage is ALMOST as good as, like, being rich—”
“Almost?” Izzy asks, for the Archmage is her adoptive mother.
“—and I j-just didn’t know what else to say!” Costella wails, throwing herself upon the two of you in her distress. “He brought a DOWRY and everything! Mama and Papa were already, like, TOTALLY ready to accept, and I... I just...”
You pat her on the back, exchanging a look with Izzy.
“Technically, I didn’t say, like, WHO I’m engaged to,” Costella sniffles. “I just said I was e-engaged to, like, someone... And they assumed it was Ez because I’m always at the Hill, and, like...”
“...And they know it’s our pet project, and of the three of us, I’m male,” you conclude.
(Well, fair enough. It’s not as if two women can wed, after all, and THEY’VE never walked into your tent to Izzy atop a thrashing, gasping Costella with her hand... well, enough about that.)
In truth, you are probably overdue for SOME sort of discussion about your relationship with Mister and Missus Fanucci, a kindly human merchant couple born and bred in Hawksong. Even so, you’re not sure exactly what to tell them... Or what their own expectations might be. You somehow doubt it involves a second woman.
What will you do?
>Agree to meet with the Fanuccis—just you and Costella, with you in the role of dutiful fiance
>Perhaps it’s best to get this all out in the open—all three of you—and to meet this challenge as a ‘trhouple’
>You have no idea how to handle this, so you won’t--you’ll not meet with Costella’s parents formally, not yet
>Costella’s on her won with this one: she dug her grave, and she can lay in it, because you're too busy
>Write-in","attachment":null,"posted":1712860343},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5975331,"name":"RQM","msg":"Previous threads (and prior quests which share a setting and some characters, though those aren't strictly necessary reading) are at https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=ReptoidQM","attachment":null,"posted":1712861825},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5975334,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975314
>Agree to meet with the Fanuccis—just you and Costella, with you in the role of dutiful fiance
Costella has been helping us with our problems, its only fair we return the favor. I just hope this carlos fellow doesn't do something ridiculous like challenge us to a duel or something.","attachment":null,"posted":1712862049},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5975362,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975314
>Agree to meet with the Fanuccis—just you and Costella, with you in the role of dutiful fiance
>>5975334
I'm sure he'll take one look at us and bow out
There's no competing with elven good looks, even cut by half.","attachment":null,"posted":1712864537},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5975384,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975314
>Agree to meet with the Fanuccis—just you and Costella, with you in the role of dutiful fiance
I think before we come out with our harem we need to become so powerful that nobody can do shit about it.","attachment":null,"posted":1712866161},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5975441,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Perhaps it’s best to get this all out in the open—all three of you—and to meet this challenge as a ‘trhouple’
Cut the bullshit, we're starsmith","attachment":null,"posted":1712871066},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5975529,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975313
>a Dark God of Esoteric Knowledge
he said it.jpg
>>5975314
>THEY’VE never walked into your tent to Izzy atop a thrashing, gasping Costella with her hand... well, enough about that.
so it's not just that kiss while we were away. glad to see you took the suggestion I made to one of your tournament posts, OP.
>Perhaps it’s best to get this all out in the open—all three of you—and to meet this challenge as a ‘trhouple’
on one hand, I'd like to maintain things calm before we can explain better, on the other it's best to rip the bandaid early.","attachment":null,"posted":1712878180},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5975635,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975314
>Agree to meet with the Fanuccis—just you and Costella, with you in the role of dutiful fiance
As much as I like to straightway tell them about our polyamorous relationship, it is not legal - at the moment - and the parents (from the looks of it) seems particularly desperate in attaining wealth and status and the continuation of their lineage. Someone like us won’t too terribly useful to them if we show our hand this early.
For now, let’s keep up appearances. Maybe see how receptive they are to unconventional relationships or beliefs about sexuality before we commit.","attachment":null,"posted":1712884746},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5975701,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975314
>Perhaps it’s best to get this all out in the open—all three of you—and to meet this challenge as a ‘trhouple’","attachment":null,"posted":1712889200},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5975712,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5975701
>>5975529
>>5975441
>>5975635
>>5975384
>>5975362
>>5975334
“Alright,” you sigh. “I can play along.”
“Tips…”
You hold up a hand, and look sympathetically to Izirina.
“Costella’s done lot for us. Both of us. Right?”
“Right,” Izirina says, “so BOTH of us should be there.”
Costella looks up sharply, eyes darting between the two of you as guilt creeps across her fair features.
“I don’t want to, like… Cause any friction. I’m sorry, this is all my fault!”
“No, it’s okay,” you assure her, running fingers through her wavy brown hair with one hand while you give Izirina’s hand a reassuring squeeze with the other. “It’s just a meeting right? But, well… Maybe introducing the Fanuccis to our UNUSUAL dynamic isn’t the best first impression? I’m already only half-human, foreign-born… There’s a lot to take in already, right?”
“I guess,” Izzy says, though her expression reads as less-than-wholly-convinced.
"Are you, like, totally sure?" Costella asks, still giving you an out even as she fails to hide the hope in her voice, and dawning excitement.
"I am," you confirm, your own heart hammering despite your careful control of outward emotion.
"Aaah!" Costella cries, squeezing you both tighter against her, ahem, bountiful assets. "Thank you thank you THANK you. You're LITERALLY saving my life!"
Izzy's brow knits, but she neither attempts to escape the three-way embrace, nor speaks further against your plans. Not the SUNNIEST reaction, but... Well...
(One romantic crisis at a time, Tips old boy.)
You set aside your work of the Unseelie Star project for the moment, though you have no doubt Izzy will continue to advance it. She always works best when under pressure or stress, in need of distraction and diversion. As much as you wish you could alleviate her of that burden—and you WILL—it might actually help to offset your partial absence while you ready yourself for…
For…
“Oh Gods Above, am I actually ENGAGED?” you murmur to yourself.
It all suddenly feels quite real, because in a sense it IS. You already committed to making a life with both Izirina Henzler and Costella Fanucci, and your unconventional sleeping arrangements are an ‘open secret’ among the Old Maple Hill encampment. Even the Queen of Hawksong knows about it though—despite being one of multiple wives in her own secret affairs, she has flatly refused to reform the laws to accommodate a public plural marriage for your sake.
(…Not that this would NECESSARILY absolve Mister and Missus Fanucci of their concerns, even if it were legal.)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712890159687992.jpg","filename":"medieval-wedding.jpg"},"posted":1712890159},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5975717,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5975712
This, though… This is a meeting of STATED INTENT. Approaching your significant other’s parents and declaring your plans to marry their daughter… That’s as good as a legal promise. Couple with cohabitation, the implication is clear: their daughter is (likely as not) no longer a virgin, and can’t even pretend at such. You WILL take care of her, wed her, make a mother of her to the best of your mutual ability, or there will be REPERCUSSIONS. After all, this ‘Carlos’ fellow is apparently an eligible suitor with decent credentials—to deny an up-and-coming family and a young woman such advantages and then to fail to deliver upon your word would be tantamount, in many circles and even in COURT, to a sexual and spiritual violation, a crime against the Gods of Love and Marriage and against the Crown!
These thoughts swirl around your always-busy brain a you slip into your smallclothes and wrap yourself in your star-spangled, moon-marked robe and thin, breezy white breeches and shirt—the last gift of Holy Luna, besides the berry bushes which Costella and the local volunteers have been dutifully tending to. Costella ahs become quite adept as a gardener and keeper of livestock, especially the chickens and goats who you keep primarily for eggs and milk, and each of which she has named. The PEOPLE of Old Maple Hill, too, she has an easy and effortless rapport with, moreso than you or Izirina thanks to her own earthiness. However, one area where she has faltered, sadly, is in maintaining your robe.
Costella is capable in myriad ways—an amateur carpenter by now as well as farmer and diplomat and, yes, even a passable seamstress. Admittedly, her magical and intellectual capabilities lag behind that of you or Izirina—even after you, she and Izirina entwined your souls in that ritual roughly two years ago. However, you two ‘ivory tower’ mages are both specialists and prone to heady and abstract thinking. COSTELLA, by contrast, is general, and practical, and incredibly adaptable.
What she CAN’T do, though, is work the mysterious celestial material from which your garment is worked.
Regular needles wont’ pierce the cloth, and enchanted ones struggle. It won’t take dye or bleaching agents readily, though conversely and frustratingly you can still find splotches of red-brown where your own spilled blood has stained it. Mundane materials cannot be used to mend it, either, since none can match the sheen or substance of the lunar cloth. You frown to see it, knowing that this is ESSENTIALLY your only attire… And here you are, about to meet your future…
Your…
You gulp, and decide you are long overdue for a visit to your old friend—and advanced aesthetic illusionist—Nicolette Testa.","attachment":null,"posted":1712890349},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5975720,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5975717
Izirina is still a little reserved and standoffish after your earlier discussion, but readily assents to use her <Dimension Door> spell to transport you to the distant southerly border-town of Turtledove, where Testa has long since returned for her apprenticeship under the acclaimed ‘beautician to the elites’, one Mistress Gartner. In your pocket you have a seal-stamped envelope, bearing the symbol of the Hawksong Mages’ Tower in purple wax—the usual mechanism by which you can be quickly recalled with an anchored upcasting of <Teleport Object>.
Do you bring Costella?
>Yes, no reason you can’t BOTH look your best for this important occasion
>No, you need to talk to Testa privately about some of your anxieties
Do you have anything in mind for an outfit?
>Just patch, mend, repair and restore your moon-robes
>Actually…
[Write-in any modifications to Tips’ aesthetics or style you’d like to see; this will be reflected in the next commissioned artwork. Pictorial reference are appreciated.]","attachment":null,"posted":1712890410},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5975757,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975720
>No, you need to talk to Testa privately about some of your anxieties
>Actually…
blend some "human" style into it, if possible.Since it's the only clothe we can use reliably, let's put our other half in it.","attachment":null,"posted":1712892239},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5975766,"name":"RQMdumpssomelore","msg":">>5975757
[Anything specific, anon? Just something more like common-folk or merchants wear, maybe--pants, a jacket or tunic?]
Also, for the record: Tips' outfit IS pretty 'human': he's just dressed like a WIZARD. Elven mages are religious figured who usually wear headdresses or headbands if anything, rather than pointed 'wizard caps', which are a longstanding Northman tradition for casters. Robes are a holdover from the old days of the Paladin Kings and their forebears, with trousers being a more recent trend (albeit 'recent' in terms of centuries now), and such things are actually MORE traditional among elves of both or, as their society recognizes it, all THREE sexes, or men of the northeastern tribes, as well as orcs, and really picked up as 'adventurer' became a valid profession.
'Sylvan fashion' tends to in general involve a lot more form-fitting 'athletic' or even 'athleisure' attire and 'raw' looking ingredients such as magically-preserved feathers, flowers, leaves, and bark, less expensive dyes, and 'vegan' alternatives to leather and horn, as well as thin, fine gossamers, little capelets, and a general tend towards (form a human perspective) androgyny.
Lunar Eladrin essentially have magically-created synthetics and exotic materials such from their unusual fauna, with common attire being silvery jumpsuits and skorts, or white cottony robes and dresses. Think 60s Star Trek meets New Age cult, but less colour and more chrome. Since they're all artificial beings without sex differentiation for whom gender is just a personal preference, they have literally no standards of menswear vs womenswear, except that their royal family, who are all ostensibly female, dress in ornate and crystal-festooned gowns","attachment":null,"posted":1712893417},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5975787,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975766
I dunno much about medieval clothing, but we can go towards a tunic. also thanks for the explanation.","attachment":null,"posted":1712894573},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5975845,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975720
>Yes, no reason you can’t BOTH look your best for this important occasion
A second opinion on all of this would be nice.
As for the shirt, I think the blood-stained sylvan shirt is nice - a reminder that we once fought for the sylvan realms, a token of friendship from those two retainers, and one of few links we still have to our mother’s side heritage. Just keeping the entire thing clean is good enough.
>>5975766
I think - as archmage’s apprentice - a robe [without sleeves] and trousers with some embellishments or patterns should be good. Wear the sylvan shirt underneath so only the sleeves and bits of the torso part are visible.
Picrel has too many laces - ignore that, and the coat he is holding - but the general form should resemble this
>this will be reflected in the next commissioned artwork. Pictorial reference are appreciated
Neat.
am >>5975635","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712899265267013.jpg","filename":"IMG_7496.jpg"},"posted":1712899265},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5975850,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975845
I like this, point to add dont wear our hat when we meet them, its impolite and we dont need to be hiding our heritage to people who are gonna be family","attachment":null,"posted":1712899599},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5975888,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975720
>Yes, no reason you can’t BOTH look your best for this important occasion","attachment":null,"posted":1712904816},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5975899,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975850
Alright. I’m pretty sure taking them off indoors is the standard anyway.","attachment":null,"posted":1712906488},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5976184,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975717
>though, is work the mysterious celestial material from which your garment is worked.
>Regular needles wont’ pierce the cloth, and enchanted ones struggle. It won’t take dye or bleaching agents readily, though conversely and frustratingly you can still find splotches of red-brown where your own spilled blood has stained it. Mundane materials cannot be used to mend it, either, since none can match the sheen or substance of the lunar cloth. You frown to see it, knowing that this is ESSENTIALLY your only attire… And here you are, about to meet your future…
Why would our moon cloths be our only attire? We learned improved aethrial form, we don't turn intangible randomly anymore. So what's stopping us from wearing regular clothes?","attachment":null,"posted":1712952419},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5976201,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976184
Nothing its just literally a magic cloak that was made out of magical moom materials and we like it","attachment":null,"posted":1712954869},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5976226,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5976201
>>5976184
[When you received it, you had no other attire that was attuned to you besides your old school-robe, which had been damaged in your battle against the Unseelie Champion and Oncyth. It's still the only clothes you have which you don't phase through or light aflame or anything in any transformation, and which can even shift and adjust to accommodate things like Wildshaped wings... Though its enchantment is wearing a bit thin ever since Nenaias' treant smacked you around.]
[Since you returned to Earth, you've been pretty busy, and living out of a tent on a hippie commune. You really only ever owned a couple changes of clothes anyway. You DO earn a stipend from the Tower again, though, so can buy extra attire if you so desire. Aside from wealthy people and fashionistas like the Testa or The Infiltrator from RIQ, most people only own 3-4 sets of clothes in Hawksong, though.]","attachment":null,"posted":1712956422},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5976376,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5975888
>>5975845
>>5975757
[Low turnout on this one. odd, but I'm locking and writing nevertheless!]","attachment":null,"posted":1712972698},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5976409,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976376
it's a clothes update into a family dinner, not exactly world defying stakes right now qm.","attachment":null,"posted":1712975736},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5976413,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5976376
>>5976409
“Oh my gosh oh my GOSH,” Costella gushes. “I can’t believe it! A vacation and I’m, like, getting a WEDDING DRESS?”
“It’s going to be a pretty short vacation,” you say, before she gets her hopes TOO high, “and Turtledove has seen better says…”
It’s true enough. The dusty little mountain-valley trade-town has been much-depleted by the last two decades of steadily-worsening ties between the human empires of the Northwest and the Southlands. Rumours of demon-worship and degeneracy among the dark-skinned races of Man have spread, though how much of it is true and how much is Reptilian manipulation is somewhat uncertain to those who, like you, are ‘in the know’. Before the friction between Hawksong and the Sylvan Realms, THIS was long believed to be the gathering stormfront of a continent-wide war. Now, without marching armies or bustling trade, it is just a sad and empty place, with businesses struggling to make enough for the food and water imports needed to sustain the local labour pool even as it dwindles.
“Still, an hoenst-to-Gods WEDDING DRESS…”
“NOT a wedding dress,” you remind her.
“Well, okay, but… Like, it’s a dress for LANNING a wedding. An engagement dress, I guess?”
“Just a dress,” you affirm.
“But a FANCY one!” Costella swoons, and then stops suddenly, eyes widening. “Ez, are you sure about this? Like, you’ve been at the Hill with me and Iz, not working, so…”
“I’ve GOT gold,” you say, a little defensively. “The Archmage has been paying me a Field Researcher’s salary.”
“I guess we ARE sorta’, like, researching, AND in a field, huh?” Costella muses, and then giggles at her own world-play.
You roll our eyes, but that sunshine smile is infectious and, in truth, you’re a little excited yourself. For the last long while, your aethereal ‘condition’ made the idea of purchasing new clothing moot. THEN, you were always busy, or away from sites of commerce, or both. Now… Well, Turtledove may no longer be a hub of international shipping and service as it once was, but among all the dilapidated and shuttered storefronts, the abandoned enterprises and halfling squatters with their tanned hides and hungry eyes, there is one facility which still shines with fresh, paint and glitters with mastercraft illusion magic, in magenta, and indigo, and lustrous gold: the “mage’s tower” of Mistress Margot Gartner.
“Come in, come in~,” cries a sing-song voice, chipper and full of cheer. “We’ve got travel cloaks, adventuring gear for those who crave style as WELL as safety, and gay apparel for every gala and grand ball, for one and—Oh! Oh. Hi, Tips.”","attachment":null,"posted":1712976012},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5976414,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5976413
“’Oh, hi’ to you too, Testa,” you reply with a sneer at the reception.
“Oh, don’t be sensitive,” your one-time classmate and long-time friend says, sticking out her tongue at you and winking, hand on cocked hip. “Oh, and you brought Costella!”
“Nicky!” Costella greets her, scooping her up in a squeezing embracing. “How have you ben?”
“Adjusting just fine, though I ahd to modify my WHOLE wardrobe, and on my OWN time and with my OWN coin!”
The comments draw your attention to the contrast between your lover and your friend. Costella’s always been a rather tall woman—moreso since the rite which affected you, she, and Izirina—and Testa is one of the only friend you have who is shorter than you, excluding the literal goblinoids. Or, well, perhaps that isn’t true anymore, for she’s shrunk and additional few inches ever since the <Rite of Attunement> was used upon HER< in tandem with the gobliness Zith-Zi. Aspects of each woman bled into the other, rendering them still recognizable and distinct, but almost akin to sisters in appearance: neither is green, or as short as a ‘true’ goblin, but Nicolette Testa’s broad, spade-shaped ears and luminescent eyes attest to SOEMTHING inhuman (or at least ‘demihuman’) about her.
“You must, like, get a staff rate or something, though?” Costella inquires.
Testa grimaces, and explains: “Actually, with me just … You know, leaving for a week without really telling Mistress Gartner how long I’d be gone, the lost pay pretty much balanced that out.”
Testa leans sideways to look past Costella, and to give you a glare. You cross your arms, standing firm, and remind her: “It was your idea, Testa. And I thought you said it was not big deal?”
“Well, I’m not gonna’ lie: I AM super cute now. Everyone says so! Even if the boys keep mistaking me for a halfling or gnome…”
“’The boys’?” you repeat, arching an eyebrow.
“You know, just, like… BOYS. GUYS. Regular, general, everyday MALES,” Testa says, laughing nervously and waving a hand.
(Ah, same old Testa…)
“Anyway, what brings you here?” she asks, looking between the two of you.
“We’re getting MARRIED!” Costella all-but-explodes.
Testa’s eyes widen, and she looks to you for confirmation.
“Well,” you start, and then stop. “I mean…”
For a moment, you think Testa’s raised eyebrows will lift the wizard hat right off her head.
“It’s complicated.”
“I bet,” she says with a sly smile.
“Shut up,” you sigh. “I’ll explain, while I tell you about the outfits we want to buy.”
“Ooooh?” Testa coos, suddenly even MORE attentive. “I’ll pour the tea, and the you can spill it, hmmm? Have a seat, have a seat! Anything for a paying customer…”","attachment":null,"posted":1712976074},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5976415,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5976414
Over small, delicate, and beautiful-ornate little cups of strangely-spiced southern tea, you fill Nicolette Testa in in the ‘engagement’, and the reason for its urgency, and for your visit.
“So you need to show up some smooth-talking merchant’s kid, and make a good impression?” Testa says, tapping her chin. “Hmm… Well, he might be richer, and taller, and better-looking than you—“
“WHAT?” you shout. “Says who?? Whose side are you ON?”
“I’m just making an educated guess,” Testa says, hiding a smirk behind a sip of her teacup. “Anyway, DESPITE all that, you’ve got ME as your stylist, so you have this in the bag. I can already envision it…”
Testa frames you with her fingers, close one eye and squinting the other as she imagiens you in some over-the-top outfit, no doubt.
“Nothing TOO ornate,” you say. “Just… Maybe a little more ‘every day human man’ formalwear?”
Testa stares at you blankly.
“You know what I mean!” you say, face hot with embarrassment. “Just… Something that a regular fully-human would wear when visiting his… His…”
“Mother and father-inlaw to-be?”
You pursue your lips and nod, quickly, still unable to say it.
“Alright, alright…. I think I get what you’re going for,” she says, appraising you for a moment before turning to Costella. “And how about you, Bride-to-Be Fanucci? Anything special in mind?”
“Bride-to-be….” Costella sighs happily, cupping her green-speckled cheeks. “Oh gee… I don’t know, m-maybe something with a big poofy skirt? A-and some… Ribbons?”
“Well you sure have the hips for it,” Testa says, a touch enviously, pouting at your… Fiancé’s… Hourglass figure. “I think we can make it work, yeah. Let me just take your measurements…”
“W-wait, you mean YOURSELF?” you ask, paling. “By hand?”
“Oh don’t be a baby,” Testa says, reaching out and tapping your nose. “You’ve been all up in my SOUL. This is just to know which direction your dress. And anyway, I’m a ~professional~.”
“Are you?” you ask.
“Better me than some strange halfling, right?”
"Stranger than YOU?"
"Oh shove it, Tips!"","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712976153203305.jpg","filename":"il_fullxfull.4583656303_c7yn.jpg"},"posted":1712976153},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5976417,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5976415
Teasing and minor embarrassments aside, you DO trust your friend’s skill and aptitude for design and execution. The next few hours only serve to prove that faith well-founded: she takes both of you in-turn into a curtain-cordoned space to skillfully assess your every dimension with hand, and eye, and caliper, and strips of dotted string. Thereafter, Testa discusses in greater depth what each of you have in mind, and takes to sketching one version after another on a small notepad with a piece of charcoal, until you are both satisfied with your shared vision.
“It’s all so exciting and, and… Like, totally romantic, isn’t it?” Costella asks, reaching out and squeezing her hand.
You look to her and…
>Temper her enthusiasm—this isn’t a real engagement or an imminent marriage, not yet, and you don’t’ want her getting too carried-away
>Let her have her fun—what harm can it do?
>Get into it a little as well—this IS the woman you love (or one of them) and it IS a big deal and, damn it all, it IS romantic!
>Write-in
Do you have anything special you’d like to discuss with Nicolette Testa, aside from the project at-hand?
>How she’s been adjusting to her new form, and any side-effects she’s been experiencing
>The matter of the prophecy, and the Nothic, and the Dark Gods’ interest in your hypothetical progeny
>The whole… ‘throuple’ situation, and Izirina’s obvious misgivings about this approach to resolving the engagement
>The Unseelie Star project, and the challenge of crafting it from secondary ingredients
>>5976409
I guess, but people wanted more Costella, and this whole situation will be a big effect on the relationship(s) moving forward","attachment":null,"posted":1712976263},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5976432,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976417
>Let her have her fun—what harm can it do ?
While she's focusing too much on the marriage part, I don't wanna be a killjoy since the situation is an exciting one
>How she’s been adjusting to her new form, and any side-effects she’s been experiencing
enough of our problems, for now","attachment":null,"posted":1712977292},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5976451,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976432
+1
and
>The whole… ‘throuple’ situation, and Izirina’s obvious misgivings about this approach to resolving the engagement
a second opinion.
am >>5975845","attachment":null,"posted":1712978787},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5976478,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976417
>Get into it a little as well—this IS the woman you love (or one of them) and it IS a big deal and, damn it all, it IS romantic!
>How she’s been adjusting to her new form, and any side-effects she’s been experiencing
>The whole… ‘throuple’ situation, and Izirina’s obvious misgivings about this approach to resolving the engagement
Maybe one of our problems","attachment":null,"posted":1712981854},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5976629,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976417
>Get into it a little as well—this IS the woman you love (or one of them) and it IS a big deal and, damn it all, it IS romantic!
>How she’s been adjusting to her new form, and any side-effects she’s been experiencing
>The whole… ‘throuple’ situation, and Izirina’s obvious misgivings about this approach to resolving the engagement","attachment":null,"posted":1713008150},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5976632,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976417
>Let her have her fun—what harm can it do?
We do want to marry her at some point
>How she’s been adjusting to her new form, and any side-effects she’s been experiencing
>The matter of the prophecy, and the Nothic, and the Dark Gods’ interest in your hypothetical progeny
>The whole… ‘throuple’ situation, and Izirina’s obvious misgivings about this approach to resolving the engagement
>The Unseelie Star project, and the challenge of crafting it from secondary ingredients","attachment":null,"posted":1713008532},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5976776,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5976632
>>5976629
>>5976478
>>5976451
>>5976432
You smile and nod, and Costella’s own smile broadens and brightens. Whatever your concerns or misgivings, this isn’t the time or place for them—not when Costella Fanucci is looking at you with such giddy, girlish love.
Honestly, It's difficult not to feel that same excitement when you look at her. She is lovely to behold: with heart-shaped face and cascading curls, with sun-kissed freckles on rosy cheeks. The way she talks, and moves, and laughs… Well, this might not be EXACTLY how you envisioned things going, and this might not be an IMMINENT marriage, but there’s a reason you want to marry her EVENTUALLY.
Just… Izirina, too.
“Sounds complicated,” says Testa.
“It is!” you lament. “Costella sort of spring this on me, and now Izzy’s being all, well, WEIRD about it…”
“It’s your own fault, of course,” Testa adds matter-of-factly.
The two of you are alone for the moment, discussing some alterations to the initial designs and going over some materials and colour-swatches for your clothing… Or at least, that was the intention. Costella is currently elsewhere in the tower, serving as a living mannequin for a half-dozen swarthy halfling women. Last you saw her, the little folk were pinning fabric around your fiancé, and snapping at its hanging ends with scissors—scissors which slice keenly and neatly, with never a stray thread, and which, drawn across a cut—can mend two pieces back to one. Costella has less PRACTCIAL need of enchanted fabrics, magically-made, but it’s what Margot Gartner’s Tower has, so it’s what she’ll get.
“My fault?” you recoil. “What do you mean?”
“Well you’re the one trying to balance two women at once, you cad,” Testa points out, tone still bland and without venom.
“I’m not a CAD,” you argue.
“I’m just saying, when you have a girl on each arm and you give your hand in holy matrimony to one, the other’s going to feel weird about it. And Izzy’s CUTE, but it’s in a dorky kind of bookworm way, like you, whereas Costella is… Well...”
“I get it,” you say. “You think she’s feeling insecure?”
“Wouldn’t YOU?” Testa retorts.
It’s true enough… Even a blind (elf)man or a boy-crazy woman like Testa can recognize that Costella is, almost objectively, gorgeous, and in that way which has widespread appeal: tall, fair, buxom, broad-of-hip, athletic without being too muscular. Izirina’s rich, tan complexion, her brilliant eyes and half-mad smile, her smaller chest and squeezable… Well, she had physical appeal as well, but especially clad all in black and with only sparing use of (Nicolette Testa-approved) make-up, izirina’s default aesthetic leaned more towards the intimidating and utilitarian than towards ‘feminine beauty’.
“It’s not like Izzy doesn’t ALSO like her,” you say. “It’s not just about what -I- want.”","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713026384809764.png","filename":"openart-image_GCunzjFm_1710818643995_2.png"},"posted":1713026384},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5976779,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5976776
Testa looks up from her sketches, and catches sight of your flushed face. Her eyes widen.
“Oh, so Izirina and Costella are like…” Testa holds up a hand, crossing her fingers in a somehow erotically-suggestive manner.
You say nothing, but the heat spreads to your ears.
“Like Pearce?”
That snaps you out of your mortified silence, as you practically explode: “You KNOW about PEARCE??”
“Well, it was tough to miss him mooning over that elf with the shaggy black hair,” she says with a pout, then sighs and deflates. “When I couldn’t get that elf’s attention either, I pieced it together. If only those two were more like whatever is going on with YOUR girls… Willing to ‘go either way’. Now THAT would have been something…”
“Testa!”
“What, you’re going to judge ME from your tent with two women and one bedroll?” she asks, jabbing at you with her charcoal pencil.
“Fine, fine!”
Testa stops, then looks at you sharply, asking: “Wait, how long did YOU know Pearce was… That way?”
“A-anyway,” you stammer, “enough about my problems!”
“We’d already moved onto talking abou—”
“How are you adjusting to your new, uh, YOU?” you scramble.
Testa rolls her eyes at your evasive tactics, but humours you.","attachment":null,"posted":1713026582},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5976781,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5976779
“Honestly, it’s not that big a deal. I mean, my parents are going to have a FIT I’m sure.”
“You haven’t told them?” you ask, surprised.
“I haven’t SEEN them,” Testa explains. “right after we were done making that belt and doing that funny dancing ritual, I was right back to work. My master is SUUUUCH a slaver.”
“Where is your master, anyway?” you say, remembering the faintly-intimidating Mistress Gartner, with her larger-than-life presence, shrewd and hungry expression, abundance of enchanted furs.
“Attending some trade… Thing… Down south, I guess?”
In the SOUTHLANDS? Well Hawksong’s domains aren’t not FORMALLY at war, and she has to get exotic hides and furs SOMEWHERE you suppose… But you wonder how legitimate that trade is, legally-speaking, on EITHER side of the ephemeral ‘border’ between civilizations.
“I wish I had a master more like yours,” Testa sighs wistfully. “You just go wherever and DO whatever you want, don’t you?”
“My apprenticeship has its own baggage,” you note darkly.
“I thought we weren’t walking about YOUR problems anymore?”
“Right, sorry.”
“AND you have a spot close to Hawksong…”Testa continues, tilting her head sideways and sighing again.
“You miss Hawksong?”
Testa’s expression shifts slightly, a shadow passing over it. You give her a look, and she blurts it out: what’s bothering her.
“Okay, so, the BODY is fine,” she says, gesturing to her petite and (admittedly) shapely-yet-spritely form. “But there HAVE been these, uh… Other changes.”
“Other changes?” you ask, worriedly.
“Well, you mentioned that you and Izirina and Costella are all… Tangled-up, spiritually and magically, right?”
You stare.
“You and Zith-Zi are—”
“NOT the same way,” testa is quick to insist. “I am NOT into other girls like that! That would be—”
She stops, reading our expression.
“W-well, not that there’s anything WRONG with that. But… I sometimes dream I’m there. That I’m HER… or one of them, anyway. The… The other Zith-Zi, too. Carazzi or whatever. And sometimes I get this little niggling feeling in the back of my head, or a little tug at my heart, like someone’s… Well, it sounds hysterical, I know, but sometimes I just think about pestering you and your personal portal-producer there to zap me back to just, you know, check in on my fellow nilbogs.”
“…Nilbogs?”
“Like, reverse goblins, get it?” she asks. “G-O-B-L-I-N, right? N-I-L-B—”
“I get it,” you say, glaring at Testa’s affected cutesy innocence, only to cave with actual concern. “Is it… Bad? When I was apart from Izirina and Costella, the longing got to me after a while.”
“Well, yeah, but that’s because you’re also kissing and canoodling,” Testa points out. “No, it’s not AWFUL.”
“You could come back with me,” you suggest.
Testa’s face scrunches up and she shakes her head rapidly.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713026688150988.jpg","filename":"images.jpg"},"posted":1713026688},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5976785,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5976781
“No, I’m no quitter! But… Well…”
She looks out the window, setting down her pencil, and you see that in the margins she has drawn large-headed, wide-eared figures in the margins, some with swords and some with horns and hooves. So too a recognizable facsimile of a certain broad-shouldered, moustachioed mutual friend.
“How is the big guy, anyway?” Testa asks, following your gaze and then looking back up at you.
“Well, about that…”
It’s been months now since Pearce (your childhood friend and a Guardian of the Hawksong Mages’ Tower) and Oncyth (a lycanthropically-accursed elf you made your ally) agreed to ambush an agent of the Forces of Darkness on your behalf. You’d called it off, but Oncyth had held you to your word—that his participation would finally clear his ‘life-debt’ to you, incurred when you saved him from Unseelie slavery. In his curt way, with few words, the werewolf had conveyed that it was a matter of some urgency, and that he had no interest in haggling the terms and conditions of his emancipation form your service. You hadn’t been terribly bothered to retain him, mind you: you like him fine, but you value freedom.
The problem, of course, was PEARCE liked him more.
Logan Pearce is a heavyset and muscular blonde human man, the product of the farms outside Hawksong, magically-gifted but also gifted in strength and stature by that breeding and upbringing. He is also, ahem, a man of the sort who prefers the company of other men… Or, at least, of raven-haired elfmen. For the longest time, it was apparent he had feelings primarily or only for YOU, though neither of you ever truly spoke of it. With Oncyth’s appearance, though, there had been a shift in his gaze, and (as you discovered in embarrassing fashion) it was rather mutual.
“Will you be back?” you had thus asked Oncyth, and it was more for Pearce’s sake than for your own.
Oncyth had shaken his head.
“Why not?” you’d asked.
His eyes had drifted skywards. The sun was still up, though on its march downward from its noon zenith.
“A full moon is coming,” the wolf-elf had said. “Soon.”","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713026984158447.jpg","filename":"byron-hamilton-half-elf-werewolf-uplox.jpg"},"posted":1713026984},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5976786,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5976785
You had recalled what the old spriggan on the Hill had told you, about the ‘moon-madness’ of those afflicted by the therianthropic curse. Obviously there was some truth to that, then, and not mere fairy prejudice.
“How did you cope with your… Condition… When you were waiting in Dappulyet?” you asked.
“Roamed,” Oncyth said simply, and then met your eyes with his intense, purplish ones. “Killed. Ate.”
“...Animals, or elves?”
He hadn’t been able to answer, or hadn’t wanted to. Maybe, when the moon was full, he couldn’t even remember.
What had you done, about the problem of Oncyth?
>You’d let him leave, and he hadn’t returned in the months since
[Oncyth leaves the party, Pearce is heartbroken, nobody is harmed]
>You’d asked him to stay, and bound him with the <Belt of Binding> to restrict his transformation
[There will be other complications, and you’ll lose a powerful magic item, but it will resolve the immediate issue]
>You and Pearce had worked with him to help him master his moon-madness without outside assistance
[Failure chance may incur some serious consequences, but on a success Oncyth gains full mastery of his transformations and mental state, you get an Unseelie Star Project research breakthrough, and you keep the <Belt of Binding> AND Oncyth]
>Write-in","attachment":null,"posted":1713027045},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5976807,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976786
>You and Pearce had worked with him to help him master his moon-madness without outside assistance
Go big or Go home.
We still have the Belt of Binding emergency shutdown solution - i'm not afraid to risk it as a fail-safe","attachment":null,"posted":1713029388},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5976911,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976786
>You and Pearce had worked with him to help him master his moon-madness without outside assistance
I'm totally willing to give up the belt of binding, but I'm sure Oncyth would prefer not being perma bound with a cursed item
also that research breakthrough","attachment":null,"posted":1713039162},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5976933,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976786
>You’d let him leave, and he hadn’t returned in the months since
don't feel like making Pearce bed-ridden so soon","attachment":null,"posted":1713041094},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5976972,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976786
>You and Pearce had worked with him to help him master his moon-madness without outside assistance
A research breakthrough could be useful. We don't know how difficult making the star will be.","attachment":null,"posted":1713046400},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977067,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976786
>You and Pearce had worked with him to help him master his moon-madness without outside assistance
The unseelie star breakthrough is too good to pass up.","attachment":null,"posted":1713055417},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977114,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5977067
>>5976972
>>5976933
>>5976911
>>5976807
You’d initially considered using the <Belt for Binding>, that exceptional magical implement which you and Nicolette had together devised to imprison the Prince Consort of Hawksong (also so-called ‘Dragon King’ of Bloodrise) in his true form. It would be suitable for purpose, keeping the elfman in his current form even if ‘moon-madness’ were to seize him. But then, you’d had second thoughts: ‘keeping’ and ‘imprisoning’ this ally—this friend—seemed fundamentally the wrong approach, even if it was the easier one. You also couldn’t bring yourself to just let him wander away to potentially savage some innocent, and to consign himself to savage solitude.
Besides, it would have broken Logan Pearce’s heart. This, more than anything else, you could not abide.
Pearce was eager to assist, as you expected he would be. The plan was simple: with his sword-cane staff at the ready, your big blonde brother-in-arms would stand by your side while you attempted to first soothe the savage beast within Oncyth, and then to uncover the mechanism by which the moon so maddened him. You bound him—loosely, with simple rope, as day died away and a full moon made ready to rise. It wouldn’t last long, and wasn’t designed to, but it would buy precious time.
“You don’t need to do this,” Oncyth had said, confused but obviously moved. “Our debt is squared. Neither of you owes me anything.”
“We know,” you said with a smile.
“Don’t make it weird,” Pearce had added, leaning on his cane. “Tips is just the kind of guy who likes to help, if you hadn’t realized.”
“Then why are you here?” Oncyth had asked, bluntly.
Pearce had coughed, looking away—and ceasing his subtle admiration the way the muscular elfman’s physique strained instinctively against his bindings, which you at least had picked up on, with some amusement.
“Well, you know,” Pearce had said. “I don’t want anyone getting hurt.”
“I fear that may be unavoidable,” the wolf-elf had said with a sour defeatism.
You and Pearce had exchanged a look, you recall, but neither of you had relented nor retreated. Pearce had been there for you, in your pursuit of Izirina and otherwise. This was the least you could do for him.
“Why don’t you tell us how you ended up like this?” you’d asked, to bide the time until the moon replaced the sun.","attachment":null,"posted":1713058355},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977115,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976786
>You’d let him leave, and he hadn’t returned in the months since","attachment":null,"posted":1713058364},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977116,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 8, 5, 3, 15 = 31 (4d20)
>>5977114
“Born this way,” Oncyth had replied.
“Then your whole family is… Like you?” you’d asked, surprised.
“Don’t know,” he’d replied, and when pressed added: “I don’t really remember them much. I think the first time the full moon rose, I must have…”
(Must have WHAT/ Run away? Been cast out? Slaughtered them all in a lupine fugue state? Oncyth wouldn’t elaborate beyond that, not on THAT subject.)
“Eventually met others like me—cursed ones, those who the moon transforms. Met an old one, once—older than most of us live, oldest one I’ve met… Besides myself, now, I guess. He said it’s an old curse—a curse in the blood, a curse that spreads like a disease. He says that those who first carried it were soldiers.”
“Soldiers?” you ask, fascinated in spite of the dire circumstances. “Soldiers in what war?”
“One of the old ones, between Light and Dark, Elf and Dragon,” he’d replied. “Those ones. They were servants of the gods, sort of like your ‘Paladins’ here… But I guess they failed, and in a major way.”
“And the Fairy Gods CURSED them and all their descendants, and anyone they bite… For failing centuries ago?” Pearce had asked, outraged.
“That can’t be right,” you’d agreed, because for all your disputes with the Bonum Chaoticum—the creators and honoured ancestors of your mother’s folk—you had NEVER Seen signs of such cruelty in them.
Oncyth had shrugged as best he could, simply replying: “That’s what he said. All I know is when the moon rises…”
He’d trailed off, as darkness settled in, the last rays of the sun disappearing through the branches of the grove where the three of you stood. It was the same one where you’d prepared to ambush Izirina’s ‘Nothic’ tutor a week before that night, now ironically repurposed for this new endeavour.
“I guess you’ll see,” Ocnyth had said, with a sigh that became a snarl.
Already-impressive musculature, lean in the elven way, ballooned out against the tightening bindings, forming the physique of a canid of ursine proportions—a black-furred wolf, thrashing, disoriented and agitated—almost rabid in its ravenous snapping and howling. Oncyth, in all his lycanthropic fury, would not long forget that he still had thumbs, though… or even if he did, you knew the rope wouldn’t hold him if his fury grew as his body had. The bright light of Holy Luna shone down, illuminating the mass of hairy muscle and directionless rage, for once bringing anything but purification and peace.
“Here goes nothing?” Pearce had quipped, rotating the head of his staff with a click and readying the sword within for a quick draw.
“Not nothing,” you’d replied, with all the confidence you could muster.
[Natural Philosophy roll to prevent Oncyth attacking anyone in his maddened state with magic and animal-handling skills; +1 DC for Arcana; DC 15 to <Calm>, DC 17 to <Free Senses>]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713058502230255.png","filename":"level 2,1 (updated).png"},"posted":1713058502},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977124,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 20, 7, 15, 17, 13 = 72 (5d20)
>>5977116
>>5977115
You’d begun moving your hands and feet, drawing upon your inner well of arcane energies to cast a spell to free your friend’s addled mind. <Free Senses> would have been ideal, of course, but the fairy-spell was not as speedy a cast as a basic <Calm> spell—one fo the first you’d ever learned, and a personal favourite for defusing such situations. When Oncyth ahd burst his bonds—as you knew he would—it was this expedient measure which you ahd opted for…
>15
…And which, luckily, you had managed to cast. You’d narrowly dodged those snapping jaws the breadth of your torso, pinching your nose against the foul miasma which his ‘dire werewolf’ emitted with each huff and puff of his hellhound-hot breath. Your gentle touch had ended up more of a frantic slap, but it had sufficed to deliver the magical payload, and to briefly stun the slavering beast which, alas, had overtaken fair Oncyth. Indeed, you’d never before seen him so mad-dog as he was then—not under his own transformative power, not under Unseelie dominion.
“Tips!” Pearce had shouted, and had tackled the lycanthrope from the side, shoving him away and grappling his head. “Thank the Tower for <Bull’s Strength>, h-huh?”
You’d nodded, but even in that moment, it had been apparent that Pearce’s upcasted strength-spell could not match Oncyth’s primal wrath indefinitely. You had to work fast…
[Arcana + Feycraft + Natural Philosophy bonus die: 6d20. DC 15/18]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713059181234069.jpg","filename":"833549dd7086860b53033adcd0b28fa56847120er1-395-512v2_uhq.jpg"},"posted":1713059181},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977125,"name":"RQM","msg":"Rolled 9 (1d20)
>>5977124
Well, already a crit, but I forgot a d20...","attachment":null,"posted":1713059241},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977141,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977124
WE'RE INVINCIBLE","attachment":null,"posted":1713060346},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977159,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5977124
>>5977125
>>5977141
In the past, you’d used spells such as the <Rite of Attunement> to transform a person—to dilute their physical-spiritual traits among a group, to alleviate affliction by imbuing health and wellness. As a side effect, you had been able to change the nature of a spirit—almost CRAETE one, in Zith-Zi’s case—and to separate out and embody a mote of Hellish essence to create Carazzi. You had also, in the case of yourself, Izzy, and Costella, forged an attachment to another plane thanks to <Elemental Infusion>. On Holy Luna, you had added <Wildshape> to this repertoire, the fairy discipline by which you strongly suspected the elven warriors in Oncyth’s story had attained this wolf-shape which was now their descendant’s curse.
On that night, you’d combined each of these spells into one, singular masterwork.
You levelled your staff, the <Archmage’s Gift>, and let the electric energies to which it was naturally attuned give way to the healing intentions and holy lunar energies which were your own affinity. Oncyth has roared in fury, but Pearce had wrestled his mouth shut before a torrent of sickening wind could knock you off your feet and strip you of your strength.
“Take your time,” Pearce had grunted. “I can wrestle this big bastard all night, honest!”
Well, if this all went well, you supposed Pearce would have many a night to prove that sarcastic braggadocio true or false, under more pleasurable circumstances… That was what you were thinking, but it wasn’t what you’d said. The jokes could wait for later. Instead, aloud, you had spoken very different words:
“Cousin, child of the Sun and of the Moon, Adopted of the Woods, Heir to Freedom…”
Speaking aloud from the heart, in your native elventongue, you let your elven poet’s soul guide your tongue, as you rested the splayed, stubby branches of your lightning-struck staff to the black beast’s broad brow.
“…I release you from this burden, this curse, which was never yours to bear. Your grandmother’s house has become bane to you. Your freedom has become a brutal, corrupted thing—a violent nature, red in tooth and claw. Freedom has become a prison—a chaos which defies even the gentle guidance of a thinking mind, a noble heart. The body with which you were born has become prison to your mind and soul… And I now free you.”
You tapped his left shoulder.
“I free you from your ancestral obligations, and your bloodline’s history, and your own.”
You felt it then: the snapping of an unseen string, a binding cord broken. The moonlight of the clearing shimmered, sparkled, flickered. The snarling savage before you settled somewhat, staring with uncomprehending confusion.
You took a breath, and moved your staff to the right shoulder now, and spoke again:
“I free you from your curse, and your madness, and your guilt.”","attachment":null,"posted":1713061352},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977162,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5977159
You pulled the staff back from him then, evading snapping jaws that sprung loose from Pearce’s grasp. You jumped back as your burlier battle-mage companion stepped in to shield you, but…
“It’s okay,” you said.
>20
Oncyth had wailed, whined, and eventually howled in despair, and pain, and eventually in an ecstatic relief. The werewolf reared up on his hind legs, swatting and grasping at some invisible, intangible thing that had always been ether, and was no longer. Eventually, fur and fury and finally that fell form melted away, revealing a familiar, still rather impressively-built elfman, who fell to his hands and knees, gasping, and sobbing…
And finally, laughing. It was the first time you’d ever heard Oncyth laugh.
“Are… Are you alright?” Pearce had asked, taking off his robe and offering it to Oncyth, who simply nodded and accepted it, and your human friend’s gentle hands upon his shoulders.
“I’m free,” he’d replied. “I’m… I’m me.
Oncyth had looked to you then, in undisguised awe and gratitude.
“I just thought back to something the Nothic said,” you admit, cringing a little. “It had said that part of making the Unseelie’s star work would be severing their connection to the Celestial Gods, and then connecting them to something new. So, since you were obviously connected to the moon…”
“…You broke my connection to it,” Oncyth finished. “To them… The Goddesses of the Moon.”
You nodded, a little frightened by what you’d done, but also hopeful. After all, that experience—observing that transformation with a mage’s eyes, and a disciple’s sensibilities—was a breakthrough not just for Oncyth, but for YOU. Delving into the matrix of magic surrounding it, breaking some connections and establishing others… Freeing his senses, imbuing him with a connection not to Holy Luna or Holy Sol but to Old Maple Hill and the ambient energies here, it had weakened Oncyth…
But it would also serve as the blueprint for the Unseelie Star, and the uncertain future it heralded.
>UNLOCKED: The Rite of Attunement can be used to break a connection between a being and their 'native' plane or deities, and connect them to a new power-source
...
...","attachment":null,"posted":1713061447},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977163,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5977162
"...So," you conclude your story to a plainly-riveted Nicolette Testa, "last I saw him, Pearce was doing quite well. He's been coming by Old Maple Hill to see Oncyth every few days... And from what I hear, Oncyth might be going to visit the family farm soon."
"Oooh?" Testa asked. "Moving pretty fast, then, are they?"
"Well, as far as the Pearces know, Oncyth's just... A friend."
"Right. A 'roommate' soon, do you figure?" Testa asked wryly, finishing her tea.
"One step at a time," you said with a smile, taking the small kettle set betwixt the two of your and pouring your own.
What spell did you add to your standard repertoire that night?
>Greater Disjunction: You can sever a mage or magical creature, even a divinely-empowered one, from the source of its energies, instantly ending or preventing transformations and illusions, or otherwise dramatically weakening a foe
>Remove Curse: You can immediately end magical or physical afflictions, or even a divine geas, with your magic, curing even divine afflictions with a healing touch and granting true free will
>Imbue Wildshape: You can freely, and almost instantly, transfer characteristics from one being to another, allowing you or nearby individuals to shapeshift into a wide variety of animal forms... Including that of a powerful lupine humanoid
Also, choose one stat to increase:
>Arcana
>Natural Philosophy
>Courage
>Religion","attachment":null,"posted":1713061561},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977221,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977163
>Greater Disjunction: You can sever a mage or magical creature, even a divinely-empowered one, from the source of its energies, instantly ending or preventing transformations and illusions, or otherwise dramatically weakening a foe
In an age of high magic the ability to shut down magic seems pretty handy
>Arcana","attachment":null,"posted":1713064778},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977254,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977163
Remove curse and disjunction are both good… ah, man. This is tough.
>Greater Disjunction: You can sever a mage or magical creature, even a divinely-empowered one, from the source of its energies, instantly ending or preventing transformations and illusions, or otherwise dramatically weakening a foe
It covers more ground. We might need it in a fight.
>Arcana","attachment":null,"posted":1713067530},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977275,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977163
>Imbue Wildshape: You can freely, and almost instantly, transfer characteristics from one being to another, allowing you or nearby individuals to shapeshift into a wide variety of animal forms... Including that of a powerful lupine humanoid
This spell is more inline with our long term research. And tip's theorizes that a version of this spell is what the fey used to create lycanthropes.
We could turn veloz into a weredragon or else cool like that. And i don't we are going to being fighting any more mages or people who draw on extra-planar energy any time soon.","attachment":null,"posted":1713068918},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977319,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977163
>Greater Disjunction: You can sever a mage or magical creature, even a divinely-empowered one, from the source of its energies, instantly ending or preventing transformations and illusions, or otherwise dramatically weakening a foe
>Arcana","attachment":null,"posted":1713072490},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977349,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977163
Abandon your futile quest and visit Witch Queen Mazela for her blessings","attachment":null,"posted":1713074491},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977351,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977349
[Wrong quest, anon.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713074617},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977355,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Bait used to be believable.","attachment":null,"posted":1713075110},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977465,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977163
>>Greater Disjunction: You can sever a mage or magical creature, even a divinely-empowered one, from the source of its energies, instantly ending or preventing transformations and illusions, or otherwise dramatically weakening a foe
In case we need to fight the dark gods' servants","attachment":null,"posted":1713092077},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977617,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5977465
>>5977319
>>5977275
>>5977254
>>5977221
>+1 Arcana
>Learned: Greater Disjunction
“…Anyway, as a former ‘elven roommate’ of Pearce’s, I resent the implication.”
“Well I don’t know hat you DIDN’T ever do anything.”
“I did NOT—”
“Suuure, Tips.”
“Testa, I swear on all that’s holy and natural hat I will—”
“…Um, hey!”
Both you and Testa look up for your traditional friendly squabbling at the sound of another voice from the doorway. You gasp a little to see Costella there, beautiful as ever, but now clad in a stylishly sleeveless dress, dark cyan and white and with white elbow-length gloves. In one hand she clutches what looks to be a purse of the same hue, albeit covered in some sort of soft fur, while in the other she holds a detachable cowl or capelet of the same material in white—too hot for desert daytime temperatures, but no doubt useful for a Hawksong or Old maple Hill winter. The halfling assistants, working under Testa’s instructions, have produced a something at once elegant and, well, rather SEXY—cinched up beneath Costella’s not-unimpressive bosom, with the skirt of the dress flaring out and cascading won beneath it, it accentuates her figure incredibly well, and the colour brings out her eyes and suits her freckles, which fleck her cleavage, neck, and face like seafoam from the faint oceanic dress. Lace accents only add to the effect, so it becomes easy to imagine this woman as some sort of sea-born oceanid fey.
“Wow!” you simply say.
“Good work, girls!~” Testa hails the little women peaking out from behind Costella.
You go to your fiancé and, a little swept up in the moment despite yourself, your hands find her hips as you look her up and down.
“So, like, you liiike it?” Costella asks, cheeks a little rosy at the public display of affection.
“You’re stunning,” you tell her.
“It’s not exactly, like, a WEDDING dress, though, like you said,” Costella notes.
“It’s not exactly a wedding you say,” and then add: “Yet.”
Costella’s flush deepens, and she giggles, and you exchange a quick peck on the lips before turning to Nicolette Testa and the halfling women who have assembled to discuss their craft with her.
“We’ll have to hire this fine establishment's services again someday in the future, when we’re ready for an actual ceremony,” you say, loudly enough to be heard over the excited chatter of the half-dozen little women.
Testa takes a bow, and grins, adding: “We’re not done here yet, though. Your turn, now! Girls, strip him!”
“H-hey,” you blurt out, “wait a minute!”","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713110806233713.png","filename":"level 2,5.png"},"posted":1713110806},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977621,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5977617
But there is no waiting. Many small but determined hands push you along, pinching or poking you whenever you object or push back. Soon enough they’ve ripped away your outer attire to reveal your blood-stained undershirt and trousers, both of that pristine and somewhat-reflective Lunar white. They coo and pull gently at the fabric, admiring the material and clucking their tongues at the rips and stains, speaking quickly in a patois-common that is difficult for you to follow.
“W-what was that, again? Slower, please?”
"You spoil up dis outfit nasty, man. Yuh want we fuh change um straight, or keep some ah um?"
“Oh, uh… Keep the shirt, maybe?”
"Yeah, man,” the halfling woman replies skeptically. “You is de boss."
"De customa always right,” agrees another.
The bloodstains will be covered up, based on the designs Testa had been doodling, but the shirt itself has a great deal of sentimental value to you—as a gift from Nym and Devi, the Lunar Eladrin who had been your attendants and friends for a year, as a reminder to yourself and others of your journey to Holy Luna and your time as a student of the Sacrae Scholae Lunae, and even the red-blown flecks and splotches serve as a reminder of your struggles for (and against) the Sylvan Realms. Hidden and kept close to your breast, the fine glossy shirt brings you a strange sense of comfort and continuity, even as a very different, much more ‘fashionable’ sleeveless tunic-robe is constructed around you and your pants replaced with a patterned pair.
"You wan some symbol?” asks one of the halfling girls.
“Uh?”
She puts her hands on her hips and frowns, attempting to clarify: “Coat of arms, or a company stamp, or suh?"
“Well…”
>You request the stoat symbol of your father, Rudolfo, which he wore upon his adventuring outfit
>You request the New Moon symbol of Princess Miannie, your mother’s patron deity
>You request a symbol of the Hawksong Mages’ Tower, the so-called spire-and-star
>You take a symbol of your own—perhaps a maple leaf and cluster of berries, to represent the Hill?
>No need—your words and actions will speak for themselves
>Write-in
[C]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713111195283547.png","filename":"ai slop.png"},"posted":1713111195},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977626,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5977621
With you and Costella both festooned in fine fabric once more, and both looking quite good in your estimation, you pay up and bid your friend Testa a fond farewell.
“What, no friends-and-family discount?” you ask.
“I ought to add a ‘shrunk me two inches shorter without asking’ tax, really,” Testa replies, taking your jingle coin-purse with a smile and wink.
“Yeah, yeah,” you sigh.
“Don’t be a stranger, okay?” Costella adds. “Iz can, like, totally whip up a portal and bring you over any time you feel like it!”
“It WAS nice catching up,” Testa admits, and looks wistful.
“I’m sure Zith-Zi and Carazzi would be happy to see you, too.”
Testa shoots you a half-hearted glare.
“Huh?” Costella asks, leaning in to whisper into your ear: “What’s THAT about?”
“I’ll fill you in n the way home,” you tell her, and shortly thereafter you make your leave and do so.
Is there anything else you discuss with Testa before you leave?
>Yes [write-in]
>No
Do you have anything else to discuss with Costella before the meeting with her parents?
>So, what’s this ‘Carlos’ guy like? Should you expect any trouble?
>What did she mean her parents MOSTLY like you?
>Maybe Costella has some thoughts about how to cheer Izzy up?
>It might be a good idea to temper expectations a LITTLE—you aren’t so sure about setting a date for any weddings until this ‘plural marriage’ matter is sorted, for instance
>No need—let’s just get this ‘engagement’ sorted out and get back to work
>Write-in","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713111316872907.jpg","filename":"ai approximates yoru waifu.jpg"},"posted":1713111316},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977656,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977621
>No need—your words and actions will speak for themselves
>>5977626
>No
>What did she mean her parents MOSTLY like you?
>Maybe Costella has some thoughts about how to cheer Izzy up?
>It might be a good idea to temper expectations a LITTLE—you aren’t so sure about setting a date for any weddings until this ‘plural marriage’ matter is sorted, for instance","attachment":null,"posted":1713113039},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977715,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977621
>You request the New Moon symbol of Princess Miannie, your mother’s patron deity
I’m still interested in that Moon magic, damnit!
>>5977626
>Yes [Shirin]
Vision quest! Besides, a callback to the Infiltrator days would be nice.
>So, what’s this ‘Carlos’ guy like? Should you expect any trouble?
>What did she mean her parents MOSTLY like you?
>Maybe Costella has some thoughts about how to cheer Izzy up?
>It might be a good idea to temper expectations a LITTLE—you aren’t so sure about setting a date for any weddings until this ‘plural marriage’ matter is sorted, for instance
The first two are for comedic value, the second two are more serious.","attachment":null,"posted":1713119715},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977729,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977621
Symbol breakdown:
Central spike represents the archmage’s tower and the pursuit of the stars
Circle represents the moon
Right side (field of spikes) represents the old maple hill - large spike in the middle is the elderly tree spirit
Left side (open palm hand) represents our commitment to pacifism and preservation of life
any similarities to the Dishonored symbol is completely intentional.
>>5977626
>So, what’s this ‘Carlos’ guy like? Should you expect any trouble?
>What did she mean her parents MOSTLY like you?
>It might be a good idea to temper expectations a LITTLE—you aren’t so sure about setting a date for any weddings until this ‘plural marriage’ matter is sorted, for instance
Tell them straightway our relatives live in the syvlan realms; they will not be able to attend any events in hawksong for the foreseeable future.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713120733284350.png","filename":"IMG_7507.png"},"posted":1713120733},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977730,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977621
>>You take a symbol of your own—perhaps a maple leaf and cluster of berries, to represent the Hill?","attachment":null,"posted":1713120756},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977731,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977729
am >>5977254","attachment":null,"posted":1713120794},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977732,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Maybe Costella has some thoughts about how to cheer Izzy up?
>It might be a good idea to temper expectations a LITTLE—you aren’t so sure about setting a date for any weddings until this ‘plural marriage’ matter is sorted, for instance","attachment":null,"posted":1713120817},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977736,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977621
>You request the New Moon symbol of Princess Miannie, your mother’s patron deity
Symbolic olive branch
>No
>Maybe Costella has some thoughts about how to cheer Izzy up?
>It might be a good idea to temper expectations a LITTLE—you aren’t so sure about setting a date for any weddings until this ‘plural marriage’ matter is sorted, for instance
These are related, and I'm sure Costella wants Izzy to be happy too","attachment":null,"posted":1713121142},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977780,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5977736
>>5977732
>>5977730
>>5977729
>>5977715
>>5977656
Before you activate the enchanted envelope which Izirina left in your care, you take a moment to gaze down upon the symbol sewn onto the breast of your new robes—a last-minute addition, spurred on by the halfling seamstress’ heraldic inquiries. Neither the Miouses nor the Houtzmans really have any symbol of that nature, not being nobles or founders of any royally-recognized guild or Sylvan holy order. As much as you've come to love your father, the 'Van Houtzmann Weasel' isn't really an adequate substitute, and will only draw more attention to your unimpressive pedigree and lack of wealthy family backing if it gets brought up. In lieu of this, you invented your own--a representation of your journey, your accomplishments, and the status you DO have: a central circular shape to represent Holy Luna—still sacred to you, even now—with a spire attesting to your status as Archmage’s Apprentice. To either side, you styled smaller protrusions represent Old Maple Hill (not YOUR land exactly, but certainly emblematic of your importance to Hawksong) and the open palm of greeting and peace.
“What’s it mean?” Costella asks, unexpectedly close to you and staring down at the same symbol.
“Just something I came up with, to show that you’re not engaged to some vagrant,” you say modestly, and not just because you feel a little self-conscious explaining every influence aloud.
“Well DUH,” Costella says with a smile, pulling you into a hug and looking down into your eyes. “I’m only engaged to a HERO who goes around, like, saving lives and stopping WARS all day!”
“Well, maybe not EVERY day,” you say, though you can’t help but smile.
“Thanks for bringing me along, Ez, really.” Costella says. “And for the dress, but mostly… It was, like, really nice to have just some ‘us’ time. I know I’m not really any help on all those magicky projects you and Iz get up to…”
“Hey, none of that,” you scold her gently. “We’ve talked about this. You’re the one who keeps the Hill GOING while we’re busy with ‘magicky’ stuff.”
“W-well, either way, it was nice to have a ‘date day’, just the two of us… And Nicky… And a bunch of halflings.”
She squeezes your hand.
“Time to go?”
You nod, and turn to wave to the Margot’s Tower. Testa and her helpers all wave back from the window of the strange little boutique’s third floor. Then, you produce the envelope from your pocket, place your fingers upon the lilac seal, and will a small portion of your magic into the sigil to active the enchantment within. A moment later, the two of you are reunited with Izirina just outside your familiar tent.
“Oh!” Izzy says, looking at the two of your in your fanciful new attire. “…You both look nice.”","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713125701023769.png","filename":"izirina the younger rqm edit.png"},"posted":1713125701},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977781,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5977780
“Thanks, Iz!” Costella says, giving her a big squeeze. “We should like, TOTALLY get Testa to do up an outfit for you.”
“I already have two sets of robes and one pair of sleep-clothes,” Izirina notes neutrally, but with a hint of hope adds: “I DO have quite a bit of gold in my personal account, though…”
She looks at you, and her brow furrows for just a second.
“Another time, maybe. After things are sorted out in regards to this… Engagement.”
Izirina retires unusually early, leaving you and Costella alone again. Of course, it’s a shared tent, but the shift in her tone and body language gives you pause.
“Do you think taking her to get a dress might cheer her up?” you ask Costella in hushed tone, for you can see our OTHER significant is concerned as well.
“Well shopping always makes ME feel better!” Costella’s easy smile turns back to a frown as she looks towards the tent. “But, like… I think Iz is a little different than me that way.”
“Testa thought this whole ‘engagement’ thing might be making her feel… Insecure.”
Costella’s frown turns to an expression of outright dismay.
“Oh gosh, she probably feels like it’s just you and me getting married and, like, leaving her out! I knew it, I, like, messed everything up!”
“Hey, hey,” you say, taking her hand in yours and forcing her to meet your gaze and NOT to charge into the tent. “It’s fine. After all… Any marriage is a long ways off, right? This is just to make your parents feel more comfortable… Right?”
“R-right,” Costella mumbles, a little crestfallen.
“We’re all committed to one another,” you press on, trying to resuscitate her spirits. “TOGETHER, we’ll make this work.”
“Well, like… Maybe then what we ought to do is some sort of… Together-thing? Like… Like a little trip, the three of us, once, like, everything’s cleared up with Mama and Papa!”
You smile and nod. It sounds like a good idea to you! Though, well, it depends on how things progress on the Hill, and with the Unseelie Star…
(You love your ‘job’, such as it is, but it really doesn’t afford you much free time these days.)
“Speaking of Mister and Missues Fanucci… What did you mean when you said they MOSTLY liked me?” you can’t help but ask, now that the spectre of your ‘in-laws’ has been raised.
“Well, you know…” she says, fidgeting and avoiding your eyes. “It’s just that Papa is kind of traditional about, like, boy stuff and girl stuff, and what makes a man, like, GOOD enough for his daughter.”
You wait expectantly, and eventually Costella just blurts it out:
“Well, like, you’re kind of, like… Short, and skinny, and you don’t really do a physical job or anything involving, like… Buying or selling or making stuff, I guess?”","attachment":null,"posted":1713125770},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977789,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5977781
“I earn a steady income from the Tower now,” you remind her. “I just bought us enchanted clothing from a boutique that outfits nobility!”
“I know, I know!” Costella assures you, patting at your hair and cheeks urgently. “But, like… You don’t own a HOUSE, you know? Or have a business… Or anything else like that. And even then, I think Papa just sort of thinks certain jobs are, like... lazy, or not 'real' work?"
Well, that hardly strikes you as fair. It's not as if your 'work' hasn't involved strenuous physical exertion. If MOST of it is scholarly research or memorization and implementation of arcane theory, the OTHER portion has involved life-and-death battles and travels half-way across the continent! Though you suppose even those examples are quite far from the day-to-day life of a man like Mister Fanucci, who owns a sort of tool-and-furniture store and carves much of his merchandise himself...
“But Missus Fanucci is fine with the idea, right?”
Costella chews her lip, and you groan.
“But I thought she loved me!” you say.
“She does! She, like, TOTALLY does, Ez!” she says. “But, like… She’s pretty religious.”
“So am I!” you protest.
“Yeah, but it’s a totally different religion,” Costella points out, fairly. “Mama’s the type of lady who geos to holy festival days, and says her prayers of thanks every night and morning, and stops by the temples with donations whenever something good OR something bad happens, and asks clerics for advice.”","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713126094406625.jpg","filename":"61fj9PnQe0L._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg"},"posted":1713126094},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977791,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5977789
It’s true that day-to-day human faith—primarily worship of the Bonum Legale or Lawful Good Gods—is outside of your usual wheelhouse. You’re actually surprised by how little you really KNOW about the faith of your father’s folk, despite living in or around Hawksong most of your life. You know the basics, of course—that Moroth and Marese are mother and father at the head of an expansive pantheon composed of their children, to whom they have delegated aspects of worldly life. Each of those Gods of Order then provides teachings, blessings, and advice to Mankind and those other races which adhere to the faith, by way of temples and clerics, who in turn inform a great deal of the law and policy throughout the domains loyal to Hawksong’s Crown. Those temples serve as centres of charity, sanctuary, dispute-resolution, and education in secular and religious matters alike, provide healing, and help sponsor and organize community festivals and events to celebrate the gods and heroes who built and protect the civilization in which you all live.
There are similarities to your practice as a Disciple of the True Fey, but the relationships and structures within the Law Gods’ faith is rather more hierarchical, legalistic, and officious than what you are familiar with, their ceremonies less uninhibited and their deities more distant and impersonal. For you, meeting a ‘lesser god’ or ‘demigod’ from among the immortal pantheon of the Bonum Chaoticum is as easy as trekking up a hill with some cookies and an open mind and heart (and elven eyes to see them). For a follower of the Bonum Legale, a visitation by one of their angel emissaries is an incredibly rare and auspicious occasion, demanding reverence, penitence, and total humility.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713126155737029.jpg","filename":"unnamed.jpg"},"posted":1713126155},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977792,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5977791
"I'm sure it'll be fine!' Costella is quick to reiterate. "They know your'e a good guy! And important, and cute, and a really thoughtful lover--"
"I HOPE they don't know the last one," you mutter.
"Well, like, okay, that's just me and Iz who know that," Costella admits. But Mama and Papa don't have, like, a PROBLEM with you. You're just, like... Maybe not exactly who they pictured me MARRYING, I guess?"
Will you undertake any efforts to change the Fanuccis’ opinion of you as a man, before you meet with them for this formal family sit-down?
>Maybe you could help organize the production of goods around Old Maple Hill into something more like a guild, and see about selling some of what you produce in Hawksong?
>You’ve been living in a tent for a while… maybe it’s time you started construction of a house, the first permanent domicile in the Hill?
>You could approach Izzy’s adoptive mother, your Master, about a formal residence in the Hawksong Mages’ Tower?
>Perhaps you should asks your philandering and swashbuckling father, Rudolfo Van Houtzmann, about the ways of charm and machismo?
>A visit to the religious quarter and consultation with a cleric—maybe even a paying-of-alms and a prayer for guidance and aid from one of the Gods of Order could be in order…
>No need—you’ve got this, and you don’t want to stress yourself, or overthink things, or put on some phony act
>Write-in
>>5977729
We had a tie between a custom symbol and a moon symbol, so I made an executive decision to reward this high-effort post.","attachment":null,"posted":1713126218},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977797,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977626
>What did she mean her parents MOSTLY like you?
>It might be a good idea to temper expectations a LITTLE—you aren’t so sure about setting a date for any weddings until this ‘plural marriage’ matter is sorted, for instance
supporting >>5977729 for the symbol","attachment":null,"posted":1713126522},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977799,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5977797
[Bit late, anon, but it's okay -- your choices were selected!]","attachment":null,"posted":1713126814},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977803,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977792
>Maybe you could help organize the production of goods around Old Maple Hill into something more like a guild, and see about selling some of what you produce in Hawksong?
leaning towards this since it'll help our community gain some income. also I should've doot before voting.","attachment":null,"posted":1713127160},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977807,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977792
>A visit to the religious quarter and consultation with a cleric—maybe even a paying-of-alms and a prayer for guidance and aid from one of the Gods of Order could be in order…","attachment":null,"posted":1713127375},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977821,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977792
>Regarding the unilateral decision of QM
How dared you favorise the thing I was too lazy to add a +1 because I also didn't want to clutter the thread with 3 vote message back to back?
>You’ve been living in a tent for a while… maybe it’s time you started construction of a house, the first permanent domicile in the Hill?","attachment":null,"posted":1713128220},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977856,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977792
>A visit to the religious quarter and consultation with a cleric—maybe even a paying-of-alms and a prayer for guidance and aid from one of the Gods of Order could be in order…
Rather not build a house in our fey commune where we're in touch with nature
Also what would we sell, the goodberries? Kinda worried about doing that.","attachment":null,"posted":1713134123},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977860,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5977856
[The Old Maple Hill commune also produces a few more mundane goods... Not in quantity or quality sufficient to make Tips and company rich, but slightly more than they technically need.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713135177},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977872,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977860
Alright I can get behind selling those as well, it's just for appearances anyway really","attachment":null,"posted":1713136476},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5977974,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977792
>Maybe you could help organize the production of goods around Old Maple Hill into something more like a guild, and see about selling some of what you produce in Hawksong?
We’re not changing your faith or anything of the sorts. An additional source of income is good for the people here - a little more self-sufficiency won’t hurt.
appreciate it.
>>5977821
Don’t be. It’s not that long.","attachment":null,"posted":1713144003},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5978031,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5977974
>>5977856
>>5977821
>>5977807
>>5977803
Old Mapel Hill’s little community ahs grown in productivity since you returned and started taking and active hand in day-to-day affairs. Part of that is the use of your own magic, of course—your specialty IS in healing and improving upon the conditions of biological life, which has increased yields of eggs, milk, wool, and more. Another part is your parley with the local fairy court—when fey spirits descend from the hill and dance with the bees and butterflies, plants grow faster and endure hardship more readily. Another part is simply that Costella has been around more, really only traveling into town every other week.
This time, you decide to go with her. You recruit your human cousin (by marriage, at least) Adolf, and a few others. Together, you gather up some of your surplus, to bring it to the ‘main street market’ as it is often called. Together with them, and with Costella, you erect a small stall to hock your various plant and animal products.
“Are you sure about this, Ezreal?” Adolf asks, furtive eyes flickering rom one passerby to another. “If things get ‘difficult’ wkith the city, we won’t be able to spend the coin we make, but storing this surplus would make us self-suffciient.”
“You’re too paranoid, Addy,” you tell him. “Queen Ekaterine is an ally… And even that ‘Prince Consort’ of hers owes us one.”
“As if a snake like that knows the first thing about gratitude!” Adolf scoffs. “And everyone knows the Queen does whatever he says.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure,” you say, recalling Hawksong’s young queen and her aura of authority—sufficient, you suspect, to even cow the so-called ‘Dragon King of Bloodrise’, known locally by his cover-identity ‘Prince Consort Long Wang, the Eastern Exorcist’.
You’re no merchant, sadly, and neither is Cousin Addy. Your goods are also, admittedly nothing special. They are fairly good quality, by your estimation—full, ripe, delicious vegetables, and good quality animal products as well—but none of this is anything that a ‘shining city’ like Hawksong hasn’t seen before, in greater quantity and quality.
“Should we lower the prices?” you worry aloud.
“What?” Costella asks. “No way! Like, if you do THAT, people will walk all over you! In Hawksong, it’s all about making sure people know what you’ve got is worthwhile. If you drop the price down to the floor, they’ll, like, think your GOODS are low quality, too!”","attachment":null,"posted":1713147445},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5978032,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5978031
As it turns out, Costella Fanucci is not just a merchant’s daughter, but a shrewd saleswoman herself. You can’t help but wonder—privately, internally—if the boost in mental acuity which accompanied her transformation into a feminine ‘paragon’ is partly responsible, too. Her enthusiasm and allure can’t be understated in its effect, as she bounds up and down the section of the market you’ve staked out. Her ‘marketing strategy’ pays off, too: after the first couple days fail to meet her expectations, she helps your companions to construct and paint a sign depicting a pixie, holding a folded-over leaf like a platter full of merchandise, and starts referring to your stall as “The Old Maple Hill Fairy Market” with “All-Natural Elven Products”, which is all… SORT of accurate, and certainly garners more attention.
“When the animals are raised by elves, their milk and eggs just taste better,” one patron says.
“Is that so?” you ask, loathe to contradict them. “Well, I try to keep them happy and healthy…”
“This wool is so much softer than human-raised sheep!”
“Haha, yeah…”
“It’s, like, all about PERCEPTION,” Costella says sagely, arms crossed beneath her chest and a proud expression on her face. “You’re, like, the ULTIMATE quality-assurance mascot, Tips! Especially for people that know you helped cure the pox!”
“Hm,” you reply, a little morally ambivalent about the whole thing.
But these ARE quality products, after all… And the animals ARE happy and healthy… And it supports the Old Maple Hill community…
(And your image as a savvy businessman, maybe?)
Soon enough, the fateful day approaches. Wearing your new Testa-designed attire, you and Costella each kiss Izirina goodbye, promising to return soon.
“…Right,” Izzy says.
You exchange a look with Costella, whose own expression mirrors your own.
“Say, Izzy, we’ve been thinking…” you begin.
“Like, would you like to maybe take some kind of trip with me and Ez, when we’re done with this?”
“A trip?” Izzy asks, perking up a little bit. “To where?”","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713147541796466.jpg","filename":"71O2LY7YcXL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg"},"posted":1713147541},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5978033,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5978032
Izzy has always been fond of travel, especially to mystical and fantastical places. Your current plans for the Unseelie Star—the centre of your research lately, and thus your life—call for ‘ingredients’ from two such communities. You were advised by the dark spirit called ‘The Nothic’ to sue than elixir composed primarily of the juices of the <Goodberries> which you brought home from Holy Luna, empowered by the energies of the Elemental Planes and kept stable by storing it in peculiar crystals found in the subterranean realm of the ‘Drow’ dark elves. While you’ve decided to deviate from that formula and limit the amount of power provided to the Unseelie Fey, you’ve found no suitable alternative to the Drow crystals, and even your alternative to the extraplanar energies involves a trip into the Goblin Wastes, to visit the ‘sand elves’ of the Neme-Ashurati and the elemental fey who comprised their guiding court. Either could be a worthy destination for someone with interests like Izzy’s.
Where do you propose the of you travel together?
>Wevenore, the ‘Oasis of Crystal and Silk’ of the dark elven race
>The hidden sanctuaries of the Neme-Ashurati sand elves
>Somewhere else, to seek ingredients and diversions of another sort… [Where?]
>Actually, nevermind [Opt out of this travel plotline]
[Pick one, please.]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713147602600879.jpg","filename":"81ykQWvvhBL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg"},"posted":1713147602},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5978055,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978033
I thought theral was supposed to get the crystals for us?
And I faintly recall our recipe was
Goodberry elixir + fire from hell planes / elemental / holy luna moon + crystal + sever old ties + rite","attachment":null,"posted":1713150091},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5978057,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5978055
>I thought theral was supposed to get the crystals for us?
[He promised to get you an 'in', and he could probably see about fetching you some, but if Tips and Costella are interested in taking a trip with Izzy and/or investigating the nature and origin of these unusual mineral formations which defy current understandings of magical theory... Well, it's an option for a reason!]
>Goodberry elixir + fire from hell planes / elemental / holy luna moon + crystal + sever old ties + rite
[At the end of last thread the vote was to modify it to Queen Banelight's blood elixir + native elemental energies of the sort the Neme-Ashurati's patrons channel + Drow crystals + sever old ties + rite, with the objective of not following the Nothic's advice if at all possible.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713150330},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5978065,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978057
Ah. I remember now.
I recall Tips saying he can’t go on such a trip right now because of commitments to the archmage. On that note, how much does she know about the unseelie star project?","attachment":null,"posted":1713150823},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5978068,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5978065
>I recall Tips saying he can’t go on such a trip right now because of commitments to the archmage
[More his commitments to the Hill and the people and fairies there, and to his girlfriends and family. And there HAS been a timeskip during which he spent a fair amount of time there, slept in the camp every night, and devoted his time and energy towards teaching the 'locals' Feycraft philosophy, and helped them become self-sufficient enough to sell off surplus goods.]
>On that note, how much does she know about the unseelie star project?
[The Archmage? Nothing, unless Izzy has told her, or she's learned by some other means. By default, I write Tips as keeping any new magical project anons have voted to tell Archmage Henzler secret, since the general approach to her tends to be mistrust and people have repeatedly voted not to involve her.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713151104},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5978070,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978033
>Wevenore, the ‘Oasis of Crystal and Silk’ of the dark elven race
>>5978065
nothing, since we haven't told her.","attachment":null,"posted":1713151154},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5978086,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978070
+1
I’d rather deal with the elves last. They might not be the same people as the ones in sylvan realms but the things we’ve done probably didn’t go unnoticed.
am>>5977974","attachment":null,"posted":1713152515},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5978109,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978033
>Wevenore, the ‘Oasis of Crystal and Silk’ of the dark elven race
Best place to take Izzy, very foreign and she can teleport us out if things go poorly
Though Theral guaranteed our safety so things shouldn't go poorly.","attachment":null,"posted":1713155531},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5978170,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978033
>Somewhere else, to seek ingredients and diversions of another sort… [Where? A wealthy eastern city.]
The dark elves are racist, their AMBASSADOR used a racail slur against when we were in hawksong. And they along with the dark fey were planning to spark a war and attack our homeland. we shouldn't go there they might take us hostage our lynch tips which would be a bad vacation.","attachment":null,"posted":1713159652},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5978194,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978033
>>The hidden sanctuaries of the Neme-Ashurati sand elves
I still want to find an external shell alternative.","attachment":null,"posted":1713161788},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5978340,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978033
>The hidden sanctuaries of the Neme-Ashurati sand elves
Honestly I'm afraid the drow would offer Izzy some dark knowledge for their nefarious ends, once they realise how much of a sucker for it she is, and we will have double the Nothic problem.","attachment":null,"posted":1713184461},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5978515,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978033
>>5978170
>The hidden sanctuaries of the Neme-Ashurati sand elves.
Going anywhere is better than going to wevenore.","attachment":null,"posted":1713205305},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5978730,"name":"RQM","msg":"[I' may take one of my rare days off, I think. I may post later tonight if I'm feeling it, but I got some demoralizing news at work and am feeling pretty down-in-the-dumps.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713228805},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5978740,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978730
I’m sorry to hear that RQM, I hope everything works out for you. And remember, you’re awesome :^)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713229465103913.jpg","filename":"CA14101B-5662-4157-B9A8-9B15F62A429C.jpg"},"posted":1713229465},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5978764,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978730
Take your time.","attachment":null,"posted":1713231102},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5978777,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978730
dang bro
hope all is well","attachment":null,"posted":1713231995},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5978805,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978730
take your time bro, we'll be waiting","attachment":null,"posted":1713235837},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5978807,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5978777
>>5978764
>>5978740
>>5978805
[Thanks anons. An episode of Frieren and generous pour of proper Canadian rye whiskey went a good, long way to improving my mood and getting the creative juices flowing again.]
>>5978515
>>5978340
>>5978194
>>5978170
>>5978109
>>5978086
>>5978070
“The Neme-Ashurati?”
“Well, technically either ‘the Neme’ or ‘The Ashurati’… And I’ve heard of it being pronounced ‘ASHERati’, too.”
“Oh, are those the elves you told me about that can, like, swim throughs and stuff?” Costella asks.
“Technically more of a ‘genasi’ than an elf,” you correct Costella. “It’s like an elementally-attuned fairy descendant, but—”
“Wow! I’ve never meta sand-elf before!” Costella gushes.
“They’re not ‘sand-elves’, Costella,” you sigh.
“…Elemental fairies?”
You both look to Izzy who, while she is still sulking, is unable to hide the curiosity in her voice, and whose shaded gasses are woefully-insufficient to hide the flashes of fiery light which tend to flare up when her eyes are wide and her interest piqued. Costella grins, giving you an utterly-unsubtle thumbs up and wink, and you stifle a small laugh.
“I thought it might be useful to discuss our ‘Unseelie Star’ problem with them, given their affinities,” you say, “but you never DID get to see the Goblin Wastes last time I encountered them, so if you’d be interested—”
“Yes,” Izzy says quickly.
You don’t bother hiding the laugh this time, and you nod.
“Well, we’ll make plans as soon as this whole, ah, SITUATION Is sorted out, then. How about that?”
Izirina frowns, as if trying to figure out whether this is some sort of trick or manipulation. The battle is already won, though, and you both know it. Izirina has NEVER been able to hide her interest in fey magic or the cultures of the East; if the Goblin Wastes are bit less exotic than the distant Oriental lands, the Neme are far more exotic than some Easterling human city… At least, to a human like Izzy.
“I’ll pack my things,” Izzy says.
“Well, we’re not going yet, but…”
You trail off, because Izirina Henzler is already off like a bullet rom a dwarven hand-cannon.
“Good thinking,” Costella whispers, watching as the third member of your triumvirate bustles about, popping in and out of the tent and grabbing various tools and reagents from her scattered ‘field laboratories’ around the area.
In truth, you’re a little excited yourself. It’s been a while since you last visited these distant cousins or the strange, harsh clime in which they dwell. You recall fondly your training there, and the strange sand-filled sanctuary in which you learned the <Daylight> spell. You wonder if you’ll see your old acquaintance Nemenmo, who taught it to you, and what else you might learn…
But one thing at a time.
“Uh, Izzy? We still nee that <Dimension Door>!”
“Huh? Oh, right!”","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713235954888948.png","filename":"rolling with it.png"},"posted":1713235954},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5978808,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5978807
One of the many wonders brought about by izirina Henzler’s mastery of advanced conjuration is that you very rarely need to make the journey between Old Maple Hill and Hawksong by foot anymore, nor pass through the city’s many guarded checkpoints. It’s actually quite the security risk… Or would be, you suppose, if anyone else had access to the same degree of spellcraft as your rival-turned-lover. Luckily (?) few if ANY other mages have such capabilities…
“For now.”
“What was that, Ez?”
“Oh, uh, nothing,” you reply.
Costella doesn’t look convinced, but drops the matter. For now, <Dimension Door> and Izirina’s other derivative spells are simply a great convenience. For instance, it allows Costella and yourself to arrive in Hawksong instantly, albeit a little ways away from Costella’s family home, with your formal attire unruffled.
“Not that I’m complaining,” you complain as the two of you trek the remainder of the journey, ‘but why didn’t she teleport us all the way there?”
“Well, like… It only Izzy send someone somewhere she’s been, or knows about, right?” Costella muses. “I guess she could have done that whole ‘spiritual communion’ thingy, but she was pretty excited, so she probably just didn’t, like, think about it?”
“She’s never visited you at home?” you ask, a little surprised, given how close the girls have grown and how long their own relationship has been developing.
“Well, like… She’s busy all the time, so I get it,” Costella says, suddenly self-conscious. “And I’ve never met HER mom, either, you know?”
“Yeah, but YOUR parents are actually pleasant people,” you say sourly, grimacing at the thought of how your master, the Archmage, would react to someone like Costella.
It’s true, too: you’ve spent a fair amount of time with Costella, especially after the ‘incident’ which transformed the three of you and the awkwardness with Izirina thereafter. It was then that you first began to fall in love with her, you suspect , though Costella realized the depth and nature of the feelings faster than you did. Your first kiss was in the same home which you now stand at the entrance of, over two years ago. During your time there, you had ample opportunity to get to know Edmondo and Ines Fanucci, and her younger siblings Rosella and Gabriele. You were never CLOSE in the same way you grew close with the extended Houtzman clan during your stay with your father’s family, but they seemed nice, and your relationship was more than cordial, in large part due to the gratitude they obviously felt for your restoration of their eldest daughter to health, wellness, and beauty.
When you knock on the door, and Edmondo opens it, things are… A bit different.","attachment":null,"posted":1713236061},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5978811,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5978808
“Papa!”
“Hello, Mister Fanucci,” you greet him.
“Hm?” Mister Fanucci grunts, glancing your way with a squint, and then beaming at his daughter. “Costella! Oh, you look beautiful. What a fine dress!”
“Thank you, Papa! Ez bought it for me.”
The older man—well, not THAT much older you suppose, but at least 50-something, and aged in the manner of Men rather than Elves—looks at you again. He has a slight hunch, and is balding, and his moustache—the same shade as Costella’s hair—offers him still great maturity in his bearing. He is still strongly-built, though, in the manner of labourers, and his well-worn hands are steady and steely, just as his gaze now is.
“The Archmage considers dresses business expenses now?”
“Uh,” you say, a little thrown by the question.
“Actually, Papa, Ez and I have been, like, selling some of the stuff folks have been growing and making at Old Maple Hill!”
“Oh? So you’ve got my princess doing farmhand’s work? And running a stall for you to buy her own dresses?”
“Well, that’s not really—”
“Papa…” Costella demurs quietly.
“Well, come in, come in!” the man says, beckoning you both. “Don’t just stand there. My home is your home…”
He scrunches his nose a little as he realizes what he’s said, and the newfound dimensions to the statement.
“After all, I hear we’re to be family.”
You follow them in, and are immediately hit by familiar scents. First is the smell of wood-shavings and glue, from Mister Fanucci’s workshop, which take sup most of the initial living-space. Beneath and behind that lays the subtle, savoury spiciness of Missus Ines Fanucci’s home-cooking, which you’ve had cause to enjoy in the past. You haven’t actually eaten any MEAT in a few months now—part of your teaching upon the Hill has been how to coexist with domestic and wild animals without doing unnecessary harm—but it smells like you’ll be having some tonight. Your stomach growls at the guilty pleasure of the thought.
“You’ll find the first few years of business mean a lot more of that growling,” Mister Fanucci says, giving your stomach a light slap with the back of his hand. “I expect that will only be YOU feeling that hunger, though, huh? Not my Costa?”
“We have enough food at the Hill, actually,” you say. “In fact, well, one of our projects is going to quite possibly revolutionize agriculture altogether.”
“Bah, rabbit food!” Mister Fanucci sniffs, and waves you towards the kitchen. “Tonight we’ll remind you how men eat.”
(…)","attachment":null,"posted":1713236276},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5978813,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5978811
Costella has already gone ahead, and its excitedly chattering with her mother, a shorter, auburn-haired woman who, if a bit older than you, is at least a decade younger than her husband: Ines Fanucci, her mother. She has her daughters curves, which you pointedly do NOT notice at all actually, and in truth you think she's only a few years older than you.
“Costella, you’re so DARK,” she gasps. “That’s no good! You were always so pretty and fair.”
“Mama, I’m FINE, really,” she says. “It’s just a bit of a tan.”
“A FARMER'S tan,” Mister Fanucci adds, drawing a wide-eyed look from his wife, who then glares at you, waving a spoon.
“You have people for this sort of thing, I thought, Ezreal? Why is my daughter out in the fields, getting a tan like some… Some drifter or labourer?”
“Mama, it’s NICE working out in the sun! And I, like… Don’t think I can really GET sunburnt anymore?"
Costella and her mother both look to you for confirmation, and you can only shrug.
“Haven’t got around to researching THAT yet, then?” Mister Fanucci asks. “Maybe on your next year away—”
“Papa!”
“—When you leave my daughter all alone and worried and probably PREGNANT—”
“Edmondo!”
You blink a couple times, processing all the implications and formulating a response to all this.
>Remind the Fanuccis that their daughter was quite likely incapable of having children at ALL, before you cured her dragon-pox affliction
[Stand your ground, risk rudeness or argument]
>Reassure them that there’s not going to be any surprise pregnancies and, if the time does come for that, your days of leaving on extended ‘work trips’ is in the past
[Take a responsible posture, play the part of the reliable son-in-law]
>Laugh it off and settle in for dinner
[Stay quiet, keep your head down, let Costella lead]
>Change the subject...But to what?
[Evade questioning, attempt to steer conversation; write-in a subject if you have one in mind]
>Write-in","attachment":null,"posted":1713236383},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5978837,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978813
>Change the subject...But to what ?
"Speaking of year-long trips, now that Prince Longwang returned from his I think people might calm themselves a little after that uncertain time."
I'd pick option one, but it's kinda risky. Option 2 we basically eat it for free and 3 is basically cucking out so awkward conversation it is.","attachment":null,"posted":1713238416},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5978900,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978813
>Reassure them that there’s not going to be any surprise pregnancies and, if the time does come for that, your days of leaving on extended ‘work trips’ is in the past
>>5978837
I don't know what social war you're trying to fight here but I assure you #2 is a normal and acceptable response.","attachment":null,"posted":1713244600},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5978933,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978813
>>Remind the Fanuccis that their daughter was quite likely incapable of having children at ALL, before you cured her dragon-pox affliction
Reminds me of my first meeting with my Mother In Law where I had to pull up my sleeves to show I hadn't needle marks (because of my long hair)
She dropped the subject but I later learned she wasn't convinced because "all addicts use needles in between their toes"","attachment":null,"posted":1713249880},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5978954,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978813
I understand his concerns - but I will stand my ground.
“Mister Fanucci. Our business - is - a collaborative effort. She has been of great help to us - especially marketing and sale. I will not push her to do anything she does not want to - but equally I will not forbid her, within reason. I want us both to stand as equals in marriage.”
“And on the matter of blackness. You mustn’t worry about it; folks may say she looks poor, or judge each and every one of us for it, it matters little. Their seething won’t bring them money or happiness. Don’t give their kind any attention and they will go away. But if they don’t - if their actions really affect you - summon me. I will see to it.”
And for pregnancy
>Reassure them that there’s not going to be any surprise pregnancies — their daughter was quite likely incapable of having children at ALL, before you cured her dragon-pox affliction and you have your own measures
Frame it in such a way that it does not involve abortion - I don’t trust them to understand that option.
am >>5978086
Welp. Here we are again on this topic. I might as well ask it now.
What contraceptive methods does Tips know and use?
Sterilization and abortion, are those on the table? Can he do them, or know of people who can do them?","attachment":null,"posted":1713253475},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5979192,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5978954
>What contraceptive methods does Tips know and use?
[Tips and his friends primarily use the methods of locak Hawksong society: timing, pulling oit, and outercourse. Sheathing methdos such as primitive condoms are primarily used in sex-work and casual flings, and are generally seen as trashy. Clerics of the appropriate Gods of Light generally have blessings to encourage or discourage conception, and there are many herbs which can be consumed before or after the act, or mixed into a spermicidal mixture to be applied with a lubricant.]
>Sterilization and abortion, are those on the table? Can he do them, or know of people who can do them?
[Tips could probably find a way to sterlize himself or another quite readily using life magic, though it's never been his field of focus. Given his voted-upon determination to have a kid with Izzy, though, he probably wouldn't want to do that if he wasn't sure he could reverse it easily. Costella's opinion on kids is as-yet undiscussed.]
[The 'Reptilian Master Race' use biological magic to permanently-disable the reproductive capabilities of their 'undesirables' such as hybrids unless they intend to use them to breed more; others (especially among household slaves of the Serpent Priests) just castrate them.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713293617},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5979325,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978954
>What contraceptive methods does Tips know and use?
>Sterilization and abortion, are those on the table? Can he do them, or know of people who can do them?
Narrator, calm yourself or I'm aborting you","attachment":null,"posted":1713305492},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5979407,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5978837
>>5978900
>>5978933
>>5978954
[Alright, locked and writing!]","attachment":null,"posted":1713315447},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5979411,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 12, 18, 1, 17 = 48 (4d20)
>>5979407
“W-well, we haven’t really talked about that,” you admit, exchanging a glance with Costella, whose flush faced indicates her discomfort at being put on the spot—and by her parents, no less. “But we’re not, ah, irresponsible. There aren’t going to be any ‘surprises’.”
“That’s what they all say,” Mister Fanucci points out, albeit without any real malice in his tone—just skepticism.
“Sir, I’m reasonably well-versed in herbalism, and rather expert in Living Alchemy,” you remind him “If I wasn’t, we wouldn’t even be talking about this. It’s quite probable pregnancy—accidental or intentional—wouldn’t be a possibility.”
Costella’s mother gasps, and her husband’s eyes narrow. Costella herself seems to shrink, eyes flitting between her parents as she awaits their reaction.
(...Too much?)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713316869678880.jpg","filename":"Meet_the_parents_ver2.jpg"},"posted":1713316869},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5979423,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979325
I can’t see him go out like this.","attachment":null,"posted":1713317753},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5979433,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5979411
>>5979423
>1
“What,” Costella’s father asks, a bit of growl in his voice now, “you think I don’t remember what you did for us, boy?”
“Ezreal, if you please,” you say, asserting yourself.
“It doesn’t entitle you to take what you want!” he says. “Just because you saved my daughter’s life, you think you’re allowed to marry her without even asking me or my wife about it? To take her away from her family business to start working in yours, on the queer fairy hill of yours far from town, so we hardly even see her? And all without making an honest woman out of her!”
“P-papa, please,” Costella blurt out.
“Of course not,” you reply, taking your wizard’s cap off and holding it in both hands with a small bow. “I’m here, aren’t I? And if there weren’t such a pressing matter at hand, maybe we could have approached it—all of this—more gracefully.”
You regard him and his wife in turn, and take a deep breath.
“Mister Fanucci. Our business—OUR business, mine AND Costella’s—is a collaborative effort. I’d be lost without the business savvy which, I’m certain, she learned from YOU. I haven’t pushed her to do anything, but have been the beneficiary of the delightful, helpful woman you and your lovely wife raised.”
You turn then to Missus Fanucci, bowing again.
“On the matter of her tan... I wouldn’t worry about it, ma’am, honestly. Some people may say she looks poor, but amount the children of the nobility and well-to-do, ‘adventuring’ is the big craze, after all. If some people seethe over it, well, that just shows they’re out-of-touch.”
“Take it from the adventurer, huh?” Mister Fanucci interjects critically, though you notice some of the tension leaving his tone.
“No more of that, I’m afraid,” you say with what you hope is a reassuring smile. “I might not look it, sir, but I’m not as young as I was—I’m in my thirties now. If anything happens—a pregnancy, illness, scandal, ANYTHING, I’ll be there for Costella. If either of YOU need anything, you need only let me know. I’ll see to it.”
The elder Fanuccis exchange a look, while you take a moment to look to Costella. She meets your eyes , a little tearful, and smiles, flashing you a thumbs-up. You’re worried again to see those tears, though you know her well enough to know that she isn’t SAD, and you hope it’s a good sign…
>18
…And a moment later, when Mister Fanucci’s hands clap down upon your shoulders, and you look back to him, you’re sure it is.
“Well, you’re not so tall or handsome as Carlos De Gori, but I think you’ll do,” he says ruefully. “More backbone than I remember you having. Maybe it’s just the ponytail tricking me, huh?”
“Thank you?” you say, for it feels a LITTLE like damning you with faint praise.
“No dowry, though?” Mister Fanucci inquires.
“Uh, well—”","attachment":null,"posted":1713318360},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5979434,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5979433
“Oh shush yourself, you old miser!” Missus Fanucci snaps at her husband, giving him a quick rap on the head with her spoon, before wiping it on her apron.
“I’m only saying—”
“No more saying!” Ines Fanucci says, and smiles at you. “Come now, it’s time for eating. Sit down, sit down! But don’t eat just yet—we have to say our prayer to Atheme, for the ingredients… And for your fruitful harvest over by the Hill, too!”
Mister Fanucci grunts quietly, but settles it, and bows his head with hands clasped. A little self-consciously, Costella joins in. Her mother, of course, it already murmuring her prayers to the Harvest Goddess, one of the many daughters of the Northwestern pantheon’s chief male and female deities and a favourite in the farmlands. Pearce’s parents are adherents, as well, as you recall…
Do you join in the prayer?
>Yes
>No
>Utter a prayer of thanks to your own gods when this prayer is done
Do you make conversation over the meal? If so, about what?
>No, let the Fanuccis talk if you will—you’ve made your point and have nothing to add
>Talk about the royals—what are their opinions on the Queen and her Prince Consort?
>Chat business—maybe there’s some sort of ‘synergy’ between what a woodcarver does and what you produce, or need to purchase?
>Ask about their faith—it might lead to a lecture, but you know it’s a subject Missus Fanucci feels strongly about and is interested in
>So, what’s the deal with this ‘Carlos De Gori’ fellow, anyway? How did that near-engagement come about?
>Write-in","attachment":null,"posted":1713318422},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5979444,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979434
>Yes
>Talk about the royals—what are their opinions on the Queen and her Prince Consort?
Do they know that Long Wang had sex with a giant bug?","attachment":null,"posted":1713320200},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5979449,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979434
>Utter a prayer of thanks to your own gods when this prayer is done
>Chat business—maybe there’s some sort of ‘synergy’ between what a woodcarver does and what you produce, or need to purchase?
They are her parents. They ought to know a thing or two about it.
I don’t see much use out of the other options. I guess we could talk about Queen Eka & Theral and maybe gauge their feelings towards out-of-the-norm relationships, maybe, but aside from that I don’t really see the benefit of bring it up. Same goes for religion. We already pacified her father, but I’m not so sure how he’d react if we pushed for carlos. We speak too much, give too much away, and they might believe we and Costella are not on the same page. Better to let the topic rest and let them think we know (somewhat) about him.
Also captcha:","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713320446447142.jpg","filename":"IMG_7515.jpg"},"posted":1713320446},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5979469,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979434
>Utter a prayer of thanks to your own gods when this prayer is done
>Talk about the royals—what are their opinions on the Queen and her Prince Consort?","attachment":null,"posted":1713322539},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5979494,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979444
No one in Hawksong should have any knowledge of the Wyrms outside of Ez and gang, and even then thats a secret we want to keep close, LW is a cool dude but if any reptilian spies hears rumors of bug fucking I promise you it would come back to us easy as fuck, he is literally a king and has 1 basically a dragon, and 9 Wyrm kids who love him deeply, the backing of 2 dieties 1 of which he paladins for granting him magic normally used by "good guys" being his radiant aura and voice of kings/dragons abilities, Tips is strong but this dude has literally been possesed by a demigod who he is related too and fucked a goddess before Eka, hes not the one","attachment":null,"posted":1713324715},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5979543,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979494
Typically when something is in spoilers it's because it's not intended to be said aloud
However in this case I absolutely want to say it aloud
Fuck that loser, we can take him blindfolded and with both arms tied behind our back","attachment":null,"posted":1713328350},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5979646,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979434
>Utter a prayer of thanks to your own gods when this prayer is done
>No, let the Fanuccis talk if you will—you’ve made your point and have nothing to add","attachment":null,"posted":1713336271},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5979786,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979434
>Yes
>Chat business—maybe there’s some sort of ‘synergy’ between what a woodcarver does and what you produce, or need to purchase?","attachment":null,"posted":1713365226},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5980016,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979434
>Utter a prayer of thanks to your own gods when this prayer is done
>Talk about the royals—what are their opinions on the Queen and her Prince Consort?","attachment":null,"posted":1713390250},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5980207,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5980016
>>5979786
>>5979646
>>5979469
>>5979449
>>5979444
[Locked and writing!]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713408181685501.png","filename":"writing.png"},"posted":1713408181},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5980251,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5980207
“Blessed Atheme, Lady of Abundant Bounty,
We are humbled by thy table's plenty,
Through the gifts borne from your golden froth,
Sustained by the rain of your brother, Elsoth.”
You sit awkwardly for a moment, not sure exactly what to do. The Tower, while an institution of human learning and not AVERSE to the local faiths, never really emphasized or educated you upon them outside of a few electives on divine magic in application, which—to your chagrin now—you never took great interest in. Costella, bless her, seems to pick up on this, and with an expression indicates to you: ‘follow my lead’, lowering her head and mumbling along. You do likewise, fumbling your way through the words of the second (thankfully final) verse.
Grateful, we relish in this feast,
From the highest bird to the humblest beast,
Oh, Marese, and mighty Moroth we implore,
Shield us from hunger and harm evermore.”
“Amen,” says Costella brightly.
“Amen,” her parents each say, and immediately Mister Fanucci reaches out to scoop some food…
Only to stop when, to everyone’s surprise, you keep going, continuing the prayer.
"Abbilen lu'fuma, n'nehrur yah d'berrkig,
Bel'la dos whol nindol zlabak belbol,
L'ke'hl'ash d'l'har'dro,
L'sunel d'chath wun mue'hal,
L'ssinssrigg d'phraktos phor…”
One thing about the elventongue, especially in its most poetic form and ESPECIALLY in prayer, is that it is almost more difficult NOT to sing it. Without realizing, your lilt takes on a musical inflection, such that by the time you look up, all three of the Fanuccis present are staring at you in confusion and almost alarm.
“Oh, uh…”
“What are you saying?” Missus Fanucci asks.
“Pretty much the same as you,” you explain, trying to keep the wave of self-consciousness from your voice and the blush from your cheeks. “Just in thanks to the Bonum Chaoticum.”
“Who whodum whaticum?” Mister Fanucci asks.
“The fairy gods,” Costella supplies.
“O-oh,” her mother says, recoiling a little. “Well… I guess that’s not… I mean, it’s just a little unexpected. Are you religious, Ezreal?”
“I’m a Disciple of the True Fey,” you say—not ADMIT, mind you, for you feel no shame in it, even if you don’t always agree with your highest-most deities about every detail.
“I thought that you Tower-types didn’t worship anything but ‘progress’,” Costella’s father says. “But, hey, better than that Queen of ours…”
“Edmondo!” Ines chastises her husband, then looks to you apologetically and a little skeptically. “Though, it’s just… This food came from human fields, tended under Atheme’s Law and blessed by her clerics, so I don’t know…”","attachment":null,"posted":1713412668},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5980252,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5980251
“Mama,” Costella speaks up, voice gentle but firm, “the fairies on Old Maple Hill have been doing quite a lot of caring for me and Ez… Keeping us and everyone there healthy and fed, helping us with our chores and our gardens. I’ve eaten a lot of meals with them, too, and they’ve always made me feel welcome there. There’s no harm in making them feel welcome here, too, right? And Ezreal, too?”
Costella meets your eyes again and nods, decisively, taking your hands in hers. You look at her in silent gratitude as—with better-than-passable Sylvan-speech—she finishes the prayer:
“Lu'skoftenlk d'har'dro harl,
Lu'gre'as'antar kahzet tu'fyr jal l'tresk'ri's dalharen,
Ul'naus wun jialar lu'ssussun, xuil mem retlah."
“A-amen,” her mother appends, unsure what else to say.
“Since when are YOU religious, too?” her father asks.
“Maybe Ezreal’s a good influence on me?” Costella suggests, throwing you a (not especially subtle) wink.
“Hm,” her father says. “Anyway, let’s eat, before it gets cold for all this poetry, huh?”
You all dig into a delicious, hardy meal of orange-red sauce—meat-fat and finely-diced squash, well-seasoned—in which larger lumps of beef and pork have been marinated. The concoction is well-seasoned and fitting, with fairly-fresh bread to mop up when remains from the inside of the bowl, and glasses of a weak, sweet wine-juice to wash it down. It isn’t fancy, but it’s filling, and you lean back satisfied after the meal is done.
“Thank you, Missus Fanucci,” you say. “It was amazing.”
“Oh, no need for that,” Ines says, preening a little, and leaning in to whisper to you: “Though if you like it, you should make sure to say so to Costa. She never applies herself in the kitchen like a woman should.”
“Mama…” Costella groans, for the mother is about as good at subterfuge as her daughter—which is to say, not at all.
To spare her (and yourself) the argument, and to sate your curiosity, you hurriedly address her father:
“You mentioned Queen Ekaterine earlier… I take it you’re not a fan?”
“Oh no,” his wife groans, and Costella cringes a little too and gestures to you, but it’s too late.","attachment":null,"posted":1713412729},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5980253,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5980252
“A fan of that girl? As PRINCESS, of course. But as QUEEN? No, no I can’t say I am,” Edmondo Fanucci grouses. “I’m a loyal subject, don’t get me wrong, but she’s FAR far too young and soft to be sovereign, I think. Her family’s of course been good for all of us—”
“And are CHOSEN of Moroth and Marese, who know what They are doing,” Ines Fanucci quickly interjects.
“—but her father, King Archos, knew how to keep the PEACE, I’ll tell you. With SWORD and SHIELD, and gryphons on patrol! No orc or goblin or DRAGON dared threaten us then!”
“You don’t think Queen Ekaterine has done a good job following up on that?” you ask. “She WAS the one who helped enable me to cure the dragon-pox…”
“After her foreign ADVENTURER husband and that dilettante Lord Yosef let lizards into the city to spread it, and dragons scorch our fields!” Costella’s father asserts. “And where was he when the worst of the plague came? Where was SHE? Holed up in her palace, her husband off cavorting in the Far East or wherever, and LORD YOSEF took off and ran away to wherever he came from. So much for all that talk about ‘equality’ and ‘dignity for all’, huh? She pawned off all THAT responsibility on you—”
“Dear, there isn’t much should could do,” Ines Fanucci tries to temper her husband’s mounting frustration.
“Paladin Prince ALEXOS wouldn’t have let it get that far,” Mister Fanucci asserts.
“Gods rest his soul,” Missus Fanucci sighs, bowing her head and clasping her hands again. “If only those nasty Southmen hadn’t cut the poor man down… And when HE went to negotiate PEACE!”
“Not that those black bastards ever ADMITTED it,” Mister Fanucci snorts. “Like we don’t know. But I guess it could be worse—it could have been Prince Rufos on the throne, locking us down every time anything happened rather than punching BACK at our enemies like a strong ruler ought to.”
“Not especially pious, he or his sister,” Missus Fanucci admits in a whisper, wincing at the impropriety of the criticism even as it leaves her mouth.
“Right! The way I see it, what we NEED,” Mister Fanucci asserts, “is a PALADIN KING, a PROPER one, like Archos and his father and HIS father. THAT would make Hawksong great again.”
You hold your tongue throughout this tirade. Partly, you’re just interested in the perspective. Another part of you is afraid to interrupt or contradict the narrative, lest the focus turn upon YOU again. The biggest part of your silence, though, shares a source with yours and Costella’s mutual awkwardness. The two of you are among the very few people in or around Hawksong who know the full truth of the Queen and her ‘adventurer husband’ Prince Long Wang.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713412814636181.png","filename":"theral irinnile ekaterine.png"},"posted":1713412814},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5980254,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5980253
You, and Costella, and a select few others know that ‘Long Wang’ is really the false face of the ‘dragonborn antipaladin’ and Dragon King of Bloodrise, called ‘Theral’ by his own monstrous subjects… And that Queen Ekaterine’s heir, her young child, is the son of that strange lizardman, who proudly worships the Gods of Darkness. You also know it’s rather more complicated than even THAT, for Long Wang apparently represents a ‘moderate’ contingent of his fell race, who warred against their brethren in defence of Hawksong from dragons and disease (at least, if Ekaterine or Long Wang are to be believed). You even worked with him and his ‘Reptilian infiltrator’ agents to rescue his son by secret, second, and insidiously-insectoid wife, in pursuit of peace between your peoples, and the impression he left WAS less than wholly negative, at least.
As for Ekaterine… Well, she seems to you a reasonable woman, and a well-meaning one. Approximately Costella’s age, she is educated, erudite, and possessed of a strange will of charismatic presence which cowed even her husband and his eerie entourage, and she has been your tireless partner for peace… Even if she was rather stubborn about denying your tentative request for a legal, plural marriage to both your beloveds.
Do you speak up in defence of Ekaterine? Of Long Wang?
>Yes, you believe in both of them
>Long Wang is a duplicitous danger, MAYBE, but Ekaterine is a good woman
>You don’t really trust either, yourself…
>Intimate to the Fanuccis the truth of the royals and their relationship—the full truth
>Write-in
[C]","attachment":null,"posted":1713412875},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5980256,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5980254
“And anyway,” Mister Fanucci continues as you consider what to say and what to keep to yourself, “I think we all KNOW where that ‘Prince Consort’ is, huh?”
“…we do?” you ask, exchanging a confused look with Costella, who shrugs.
“Off CONSORTING,” Costella’s father says, with an emphasis in his voice and fingers forming air quotes.
“Ugh, scandalous,” his wife tuts. “Easterlings and their HAREMS.”
“Everyone knows adventurers are a bunch of libertines,” Costella’s father says with a scowl.
“Debauchery, and irresponsibility,” Costella’s mother confirms, shaking her head sorrowfully. “The young people are being seduced by gold and thrill-seeking at the expense of responsibility, community, and good family values…. Though we don’t know for SURE about the Prince Consort, dear, and you REALLY ought to stop SAYING things like that!”
“The Queen ought to throw the blackguard out and slam the gates behind him, if he isn’t going to stick it out here with the people whose taxes pay for his galivanting! Instead, INSTEAD, our Queen is a KEKQ—”
“EDMONDO.”
“I’m only saying,” Mister Fanucci demurs, then smiles and slaps you on the shoulder. “It’s good you stopped with all that nonsense before it corrupted an obvious good boy like you, Ezreal. That lifestyle attracts the worst sorts.”
“I’m sure that a religious young man like Ezreal understands the holiness of matrimony,” Ines Fanucci sighs, and looks to you with a gentle smile, and a hopeful one as well. “Isn’t that right, Ezreal? The elves don’t ‘dabble’, do they?”
Well, polygamy certainly isn’t common… Or forbidden, for that matter. Marriage is actually relatively uncommon among the elves of the Sylvan Relam—respected, but a matter of a couple’s personal preference more than anything else, meant to signal and celebrate a lasting and fruitful union rather than a prerequisite for starting a family. And as for you, and Costella…
And Izirina…
You look to Costella, helpless. Her own eyes are wide with worry, wide as the bowls you ate from, and her face scarlet with embarrassment.
>Lie, and assure Costella’s parents that your mother’s people are very monogamous, and so are you
>Avoid any direct admissions of your own relationship or history, but admit that marriage among elves is a rather more casual affair
>Well, you can’t LIE to your future parents-in-law… So maybe it’s time you broached the subject of yours and Costella’s OTHER ‘fiancé’
>Write-in","attachment":null,"posted":1713412935},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5980292,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980254
>Long Wang is a duplicitous danger, MAYBE, but Ekaterine is a good woman
Wang will be harder to defend, but the queen is a different matter,
>>5980256
>KEKQ—
just making sure since typos are your trademark, 'kekq' was really the start of the slur he's gonna say ?
>Avoid any direct admissions of your own relationship or history, but admit that marriage among elves is a rather more casual affair
throw in their long lifespan as an excuse for them taking more time to tie the knot.","attachment":null,"posted":1713415558},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5980301,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980254
>Long Wang is a duplicitous danger, MAYBE, but Ekaterine is a good woman
Honestly now that Alexos is brought back up Therals bugfuckery is hardly the most damaging secret that could leak.
>Avoid any direct admissions of your own relationship or history, but admit that marriage among elves is a rather more casual affair
Oh god
Maybe uh
We can say we broke up
and then Costella can say she started dating Izzy
and then she can say she started dating us again","attachment":null,"posted":1713416494},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5980304,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980301
>and then Costella can say she started dating Izzy
if and when we do bring our 3 way relationship, we probably won't be able to also talk about izzi and cos being more than good wife-friends","attachment":null,"posted":1713416660},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5980318,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980254
>Yes, you believe in both of them
>>5980256
>Avoid any direct admissions of your own relationship or history, but admit that marriage among elves is a rather more casual affair
I just realized, did Costella invite Izzy over to meet her parents as her ‘girlfriend’? Because if Izzy can lay on the charm, it would help ease their misgivings, somewhat.","attachment":null,"posted":1713418226},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5980328,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5980292
>just making sure since typos are your trademark, 'kekq' was really the start of the slur he's gonna say
[Damnit, word-filter. Yes, he was about to insinuate that the Prince Consort was making a
>c u c k q u e a n
of the queen]","attachment":null,"posted":1713419173},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5980330,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980318
>I just realized, did Costella invite Izzy over to meet her parents as her ‘girlfriend’?
not that we know of
>>5980328
>c u c k q u e a n
now that makes sense. thanks.","attachment":null,"posted":1713419389},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5980331,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5980301
>on Alexos
[Tips doesn't actually know that Long Wang killed Alexos, mind.]
>>5980304
>>5980318
>>5980301
>on homosexual relationships
[it's not strictly illegal in Hawksong, though there are anti-SODOMY laws which more affect someone like Pearce than someone like Costella. It IS highly frowned-upon, though. Tips would know, without being told, that revealing their daughter is into other women would be a huge shock and probably upset them.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713419424},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5980352,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980331
expected, but thanks for the input as always.","attachment":null,"posted":1713422683},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5980357,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980254
>>Yes, you believe in both of them
I can't say too much - state security - but her weak leader image is a carefully controlled representation for the public. Trust me, she have the soul of a Paladin-Queen.
And Long Wang? I don't know the full detail of truth and falsehood about this Harem thing. What I know about him are his adventures. The stunts he pulled, their political weight... As far as I know, they avoided at least two full-out blown wars.
>Avoid any direct admissions of your own relationship or history, but admit that marriage among elves is a rather more casual affair","attachment":null,"posted":1713423663},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5980586,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980357
+1
As for the
>Avoid any direct admissions of your own relationship or history, but admit that marriage among elves is a rather more casual affair
It happens. Sometimes. Marriage itself as well.","attachment":null,"posted":1713461174},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5980859,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980254
>You don’t really trust either, yourself…
>>5980256
>Avoid any direct admissions of your own relationship or history, but admit that marriage among elves is a rather more casual affair","attachment":null,"posted":1713478651},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5980974,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5980859
>>5980586
>>5980357
>>5980318
>>5980301
>>5980292
[Writing!]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713488953341477.png","filename":"here we go.png"},"posted":1713488953},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5981001,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5980974
You honestly share many of Mister and Missus Fanucci’s misgivings… or, at least, similar misgivings. They’re both far more right than they know, too. You initial instinct is to defend the Queen of Hawksong, but to acquiesce to their astute assessment for her sinister spouse… But something stops you.
You remember the Queen and her Prince Consort, embracing, talking quietly. Thebobvious mutual respect and love there.
You remember the Prince Consort—or Dragon King, maybe—and the words he spoke to you, under the effects of alcohol and evidence anxiety. They were words which resonated you. They spoke to you as an (elf)man of mixed heritage, about being torn between two worlds at times, and as a male with two females whose emotional needs you need balance.
>“Do you ever... Regret it? Trying to make it work with more than one of them?”
>“Never.”
Knowing now that he is Izirina’s cousin—Zith-Zi’s own half-brother, and having met with the Nothic, that fell being’s dark intimations also yet linger. In your mind, and return to you now:
>“The Yosefs are never satisfied, you see. They always fear, always desire, always seek to know more, have more, BE more…”
You’d taken that at the time as a condemnation, a warning, a part of the evil spirit’s dark prophesising. Maybe it WAS all that. But you also remember the Prince Consort butting his head gently a against that of his great, terrible son, and humming a gentle song to him. Whatever evil he serves… There is good in that man—or lizardman—also.
“I believe in the Queen, and in the Prince Consort.,” you say aloud. “I believe in them both.”
Edmondo and Ines exchange a look, and Costella looks a little worried. You smile at her, though, and your fiancé steels herself, and nods. You can tell she doesn’t know where you’re going with this—what your play is—but she’ll back you all the same. You have her support, in this as in your prayer… As in so much.
“I’ve met them both,” you explain. “I know more about them than most. And I can't say everything I know—not without treason—but I’ll say this: Queen Ekaterine’s ‘weakness’ is not al that there is to her. She has a true strength beneath it.”
“Then she should SHOW it!” Mister Fanucci protests.
“There are advantages to being seen as ‘soft’,” you say.
“People underestimate Ez all the time, Papa,” Costella says, and you cringe a little before she adds: “And they regret it. EVERY time.”
Mister Fanucci looks skeptical, but you press on, saying with absolute certainty:
“Trust me, Queen Ekaterine has the soul of a Paladin Queen.”","attachment":null,"posted":1713491268},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5981003,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 15, 1, 17, 17 = 50 (4d20)
>>5981001
You turn to Costella’s mother next, though you continue to address them both as you speak—both their concerns, and both subjects.
“As for Prince Long Wang? I don’t know him AS well, but here’s what I DO know, about him and his adventuring: the stunts he’s pulled, they had purpose. Political weight. He’s no capricious creature. He’s prevented at least one outright war, maybe two… Maybe more.”
Mister Fanucci grumbles a little, but it’s Missus Fanucci who speaks up this time, saying: “But don’t you agree that a man’s place is at home, with his wife, when she’s with child? That he ought to be with his family, caring for his children?”
The interrogation in her tone, however gentle, is rather obvious. This isn’t about The Dragon King, not really.
“I don’t pretend to know the truth about any, ah, ‘harem’ situation he might be involved in,” you half-lie. “I know these things can be… Complicated. Among my mother’s people, the Sylvan Elves, their long lifespan means that marriages tend to be more… Casual. It can take them a while to, you know… To ‘tie-the-knot’.”
“Is that why you waited until it was almost too late to let us know your intentions for our Costa?” Mister Fanucci interjects, pointedly. “You almost had to be forced into it, didn’t you?”
Miss Fanucci adds onto this before you can respond, saying: “The way Costella had always talked, well… She’d always seemed so certain you and the Archmage’s daughter were going to be wed. I never even REALZIED that the two of YOU were… Well, we wouldn’t have let you spend so much time aloe without talking to you if we’d known!”
Costella cups her face in her hands, stopping just short of resting her elbows on the table to cradle her head when her mother shoots her a look, and she remembers her etiquette. Of course, you can’t just openly admit the truth: that you’re seeing both women, that you mean to someday, somehow MARRY both women… Let alone that the two of them are just as entangled as you are with either of THEM, spiritually AND intimately. Izirina has never so much as been to Costella’s home—never met her parents—but you can’t imagine there would be much of a rapport there. Even if there was… Well, relationships between women might not be as taboo as those between men, but such same-sex couplings are hardly the norm, or widely accepted. Perhaps the only thing more controversial than a plural marriage is a HOMOSEXUAL one—and such a union just as unlawful, even if simple acts of physical affection are merely frowned upon.","attachment":null,"posted":1713491329},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5981010,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5981003
Instead of saying all THAT, though, you explain: “I wouldn’t have committed to her if I wasn’t certain. That’s what I learned from my mother’s people, because that’s what marriage means there: it’s more of an ‘option’ than it is here, but when two people who can live CENTURIES are sure that they love each other, and mean a lot to each other, and want the world to know that their bond is REAL, and TRUE….”
You meet Costella’s eyes, and she’s tearful again, but smiling wide. You take her hands in yours.
“THAT’S when you get married.”
The afternoon passes into evening, and the wine—weak though it is, begins to get to everyone who imbibes it in any quantity—which is to say, you and ESPECIALLY Mister Fanucci, who at one point—when the women are cleaning up, as is the customer—places his arm around your shoulders, and speaks plainly and frankly:
“I’m not going to mince words, Ezreal,” he tells you. “I never would have let you spend so much time with my daughter a you did, either, like my wife said. It wasn’t because I thought you were with that Henzler girl, though. It was because I thought you were a faggot.”
You almost choke, and your eyes widen, but you stay your tongue and keep your cool.
“When Costella told me she was engaged, I knew she meant to YOU, but I thought this was all….”
He waves a hand vaguely, rotating the wrist.
“Like, a trick, huh? To get out of marrying Carlos.”
“Oh?” you say, jaw locked and shoulders squared.
Edmondo Fanucci’s sly smile spreads into a wide grin, and he slaps you on the back again.
>17
“I’m glad I was wrong,” he tells you. “I don’t understand everything you say or do, boy, but you have the makings of a proper man to you… And a proper elf, too, for what little I know foe levs! You stood your ground, you were respectful, and if you’re a little prissy for my tastes… Well, You obvious make my Costa happy, and you have my permission.”
“…Thank you,” you say, with a small smile of your own.
“So,” he asks, leaning close and whispering—properly whispering now, clearly not wanting the others to overhear. “I’m a man, and I know that there’s no way you and my Costa have been up on that hill with all those fairies and weirdos—no offence, of course—and you’ve not DONE anything.”
“Sir, I—”
Mister Fanucci holds up a well-worn woodworker’s hand and gives you the knowing look of a working-class human male from a city which, though you’ve never had cause to experience it, you know to have a thriving ‘red lantern district’.
“I trust you to take responsibility, if anything happens,” he says. “You’ve proven you have a god heart, and a good head on your shoulders. You’ve got magic, and we all know about herbs and creams and all that.”
Your face is burning bright by now, and you don’t’ trust yourself to speak, so you just nod.","attachment":null,"posted":1713492457},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5981011,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5981010
“But in coming here, in Costella calling off the marriage we planned for her to marry you instead, there are obligations,” Mister Fanucci says gravely. “I don’t want it getting around that my Costella is the sort of girl who would… You know… ‘geta round’ without being married. And her mother, Gods love her like she loves them, she wants grandchildren.”
“…”
“So?” he asks, leaning it, no longer smiling. “You have a plan, right? A timeline?”
“Uh,” you say, and look up to see Costella, bringing you each a cup of water, staring wide-eyed.
>You tell him you don’t have a date set, and children are a long ways off
>You tell him you’re going to marry Costella soon, and children are something you’ve been thinking a lot about
>You avoid the question entirely, and hope he’s tipsy enough to not notice if you get hi talking politics or something again
>Write-in","attachment":null,"posted":1713492518},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5981031,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981011
>You tell him you’re going to marry Costella soon — but children are a long ways off
Right now we have a project; it consist of five parts - two which require us to travel to two different countries. Once we return, I should be able to stay at Hawksong for most of the time - that’s when the marriage preparations should begin.
( >>5978057 just for reference - don’t tell him that.)
So we pacified the old cunt - for now. Good. I suppose he is marginally useful so let’s make sure we don’t burn any bridges, but give us some time to work with.","attachment":null,"posted":1713494939},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5981033,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981011
>You tell him you don’t have a date set, but children are something you've been thinking for some time now.
Including the project argument >>5981031 said. the only incognita would be our timetable, but children isn't something we're shy of.","attachment":null,"posted":1713495225},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5981035,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">inb4 narrator's daily post about removing our balls and abortificients.","attachment":null,"posted":1713495313},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5981039,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"I like Tips. I’d hate to see him or Costella or Izzy saddled with a responsibility so grand because of a single night’s mistake. I want them to happy.","attachment":null,"posted":1713495801},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5981049,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981039
don't we all ?","attachment":null,"posted":1713497690},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5981066,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981049
Well, if it comes down to Tips, Costella, and Izzy, and an unborn child created by accident… I know what my choice is. But I’d rather not - it’s a last resort, so, the whole sterilization thing.","attachment":null,"posted":1713498721},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5981101,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981011
>You tell him you don’t have a date set, but children are something you've been thinking for some time now.
Technically true, which is the best kind
We're half elf, so hopefully he'll understand the lack of hurry with the date.","attachment":null,"posted":1713501789},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5981121,"name":"RQMshitpostsalittle","msg":">>5981066
[I mean, Tips has already created a problematic 'child' by accident once...]
>>5981010
>And a proper elf, too, for what little I know foe levs!
*I know of elves","attachment":null,"posted":1713502715},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5981168,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981066
I thought you were talking about Carazzi until the last sentence. Glad to see you again, narrator.
>>5981121
that's what I thought he'd refering to early on","attachment":null,"posted":1713507153},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5981329,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981101
I'll support this","attachment":null,"posted":1713531824},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5981354,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981011
>You tell him you don’t have a date set, but children are something you've been thinking for some time now.
I want the day and time to be special- I bet Costella’s big on astrology, and we do know that magical dates coincide with each other at times and places. Hell, an eclipse marriage could be kino- the New Moon hiding the Sun, in a great ironic reversal of the norms.","attachment":null,"posted":1713535202},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5981780,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5981354
>>5981329
>>5981101
>>5981033
>>5981031
“W-well,” you begin, then clear your throat and start again. “Sir, we have a fairly massive undertaking ongoing at the moment… Actually, a FEW, if I’m being honest.”
“This new business of yours?” Mister Fanucci asks.
“’Business’ involving the Queen, and Prince Consort, and the Gods,” you say, “but yes—the business at Old Maple Hill and in town here is important, too. There’s going to be a lot to do-for me AND for Costella.”
“Business for a man to attend to,” Edmondo Fanucci says pointedly, tapping your chest. “A woman’s business, once she’s married, is caring for the home and for children., first and foremost.”
Costella frowns a little, but you see something else in her posture and body language as you glance over her father’s shoulder: consideration, and an ambivalence that is not wholly ne-sided. She’s considering it. She’s… Interested in the idea. And by the way she hovers back, rather than interrupting to rescue you, you infer something else: she is interested, too, in what YOU have to say on the subject.
“I… Ah… Well, I mean, there’s not really a RUSH, exactly. As a half-elf, my age is… That is to say, both myself AND Costella have a long life ahead of us, with lots of opportunity. Right now… Well, it’s like I told Missus Fanucci: I want to be there to care for any children we have, and set up a firm foundation and—”
“And, and and,” Mister Fanucci sighs. “Ezreal, I appreciate you taking your time to plan, and not being reckless with the decisions which affect you and my daughter, but at a certain point a man’s got to ACT. You almost lost Costella to Carlos, putting off this engagement! Who knows what you’ll miss if you dilly-dally on this forever, huh?”
You… Wouldn’t exactly characterize it that way, but again you simply frown and listen, neither nodding along nor arguing the pint. Not yet.
“Costella’s mother was two years younger than she is now, when Costella was born. Women who put off having their children too late never have them, or they’re more likely to have a difficult pregnancy.”
“Again, we’re both quite young and with my magic—”
“Magic doesn’t change anything, Ezreal. I don’t want my daughter living alone with someone like this, so people will talk about her, and to have her putting off her life until there’s no more ‘business’ to attend to. Take it from someone who knows, boy: business never sleeps, and it never stops. There’s ALWAYS more ‘business’, one way or another.”","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713579263239407.png","filename":"tally.png"},"posted":1713579263},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5981782,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5981780
You consider Edmondo’s words thoughtfully, and realize that however much he’s had to drink—and whatever his peculiar hang-ups—he has something of a point. With how your life is going—with an Era of High Magic fast approaching!—you are unlikely to see much respite. There will always be demands upon you, and with ever passing year your myriad obligations multiply. Can you postpone your own life—and put the life of Costella Fanucci—on hold indefinitely?
“I can’t set a date yet,” you assert, brooking no argument. “It would be silly. Irresponsible, even. But there WILL be a wedding, sir.”
“Yeah?” Mister Fanucci laughs. “After all this, there’d BETETR be!”
“And as for children… I understand what you’re saying. And it’s honestly been on my mind a lot, lately, too.”
(For reasons other than this, and involving another woman as well, but EDMONDO doesn’t need to know that.)
“I’d like to have children,” you say, and you realize you mean it. “I’d like that a lot. And I don’t want to wait forever.”
“OR until me and the missus are old and grey, huh?” Mister Fanucci presses.
“Sooner,” you agree, “rather than later.”
“Atta boy!” the older human slaps you on the shoulder, laughing again, and then adds seriously: “But wedding first. And it had better be at a temple to Love Goddess Tristyllea, huh? Ines will have a coronary if it’s not…”
“Papa! Ezreal!” Costella inetrrupts, before you’re force to answer THAT question at least, and hands you each a cup. “I think it’s, like, time for some water, huh?”
You look to her gratefully, and she smiles. It’s beautiful, happy, and grateful smile you receive in return. It’s clear that at least SOMETHING of what Costella overheard pleased her.
Not long after, you and your fiancé make your excuses to excuse yourselves, and depart into the lantern-lit half-darkness of Hawksong’s nighttime streets.
“Well, that, uh…” Costella trails off at first, chewing her lip, then looks to you with hope in her eyes and a question in her tone. “I think it went pretty well?”
>You agree—and her parents have a certain charm to them even now
>You had a pretty awful time, honestly, and you’re not afraid to say so
>Write-in
[C]","attachment":null,"posted":1713579323},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5981784,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5981782
Before you can do more than open your mouth, Costella is rushing to fill that brief void following her first implicit question with another. Poking her fingertips together and staring down at them, she adds:
“Thanks again for doing this for me. I know it was, like, totally awkward… And I get that, like… Yous aid some stuff you didn’t mean, and DIDN’T say some stuff you COULDN’T say, because… Well, yeah.”
You slow your footfalls and wait for her to finish—to reach the point she’s building towards.
“But, like… Even if it’s not a REAL engagement, if we’re not… Going to get married or, um, have CHIDLREN or anything, like, SOON…”
She flushes a little, and then looks at you, surprisingly shyly.
“I really liked having this as, like, a just-us night?”
“…Costella, I—”
“I know, I know!” she hurries to interject, waving her hands. “And I love Iz, too, like, a LOT! But sometimes, it’s nice to have you to myself for a bit, too?”
She pauses, and bites her lower lip.
“And since we’re here anyway… I was sort of thinking maybe we could, like… get a room at an inn, before we head back? And I could maybe, like… have you to myself a little bit longer? Just for, you know…”
She bats her eyelashes a little.
“…Tonight?”
>You ought to return to the hill, before Izzy worries about you
>…Well, when she asks like THAT, what’s one night?
>Write-in","attachment":null,"posted":1713579384},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5981815,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981782
>You agree—and her parents have a certain charm to them even now
considering what we knew about them, it went better than I expected
>>5981784
>…Well, when she asks like THAT, what’s one night ?
naughty girl. we had some lone time with izzy before knowing Cossy, so why not give her one "us" night ? Time to experience the famous Fanucci leglock","attachment":null,"posted":1713580960},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5981887,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981782
>You feel ambivalent
Mama Costella is nice.
Pa is not.
>>5981784
All the previous talk about creams and herbs and what not - do we currently have with us right now contraceptives? If not,
>You ought to return to the hill, before Izzy worries about you
Potentially making her fall pregnant now complicates things. And while oral sex nice, I suspect she (and Tips) wants more than that alone. Get back to that hill, get all the shit you need and - then - cum inside her and Izzy as well if she wishes.
>>5981031","attachment":null,"posted":1713585458},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5981948,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981782
>It went well, yes, at the cost of not bringing up Izzy. Do we just hide that part forever?
>…Well, when she asks like THAT, what’s one night?","attachment":null,"posted":1713591025},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5982038,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981782
>Ambivalent
Ma is nice but what the french call a "Baptismal frog"
Pa have a solid head on his shoulder but is bigoted.
So yeah, difficulties with the whole "society won't accept" part of our socially unacceptable thingy.
>…Well, when she asks like THAT, what’s one night?
I feel Ezreal deserve a bit of love - Izzy does love a bit like an autistic person; she's not as good as Costella to make us feel loved.","attachment":null,"posted":1713600561},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5982042,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981887
>Potentially making her fall pregnant now complicates things.
anon do you really think that'd be our first time creampying her ?","attachment":null,"posted":1713601412},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5982146,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981782
>You had a pretty awful time, honestly, and you’re not afraid to say so
>>5981784
>You ought to return to the hill, before Izzy worries about you
This is a trap. Izzy already is worrying that we'll neglect her in favor if Costella. Mark my words, if we falter here she'll do something unwise.","attachment":null,"posted":1713618242},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5982247,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5982038
>Baptismal frog
[Huh, that's a new one. I think I intuited the meaning though.]
>>5981815
>>5981887
>>5981948
>>5982038
>>5982146
[Making coffee, then writing!]
>>5982042
...","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713627597378027.png","filename":"locked.png"},"posted":1713627597},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5982253,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982247
>…
We are double teamed a lot, so that’s kinda given it happened some times, with either of them of course.","attachment":null,"posted":1713627837},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5982270,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 4 (1d4)
>>5982253
You'd be surprised
>>5982247
With Costella looking at you like THAT, you simply stand no chance. You’d both told Izzy to expect you back tonight, but there’s something about the look in Costella’s eyes that is just as potent—and far more pleasant—than the artificial aura of lust which Carazzi had once inflicted upon you.
“Well, what’s one night?”
Costella walks close with you, her hand in yours. You look over at each other periodically as you make your way to the inn in question. You bypass a few small family homes which offer single rooms for single individuals. Wordlessly you pass by still others, knowing their thin walls and creaky beds are not what you seek.
As you travel, your glances grow more frequently. Your fingers play with one another, rubbing each other’s knuckles and wrists, and then stroking and squeezing one another’s arms. Costella playfully bumps her hips against you, and you pinch her in turn and make her squeal. The girlish laughter makes you look in her direction at just the right time to catch the torchlight flickering in her beautiful blue eyes; you kiss her, because in that moment you must. She cups your face, then slips her hands under your robes to clutch at your shirt, to rub your chest. Stumbling into an alley your own hands find hers: big, soft, save for nipples hard enough o poke through her dress. You remain there a while, kissing, caressing, silent except for soft gasps and moans.
Eventually, you find a room above a tavern which rents their loft above by the night, but also by the hour; you pay the stern-looking half-orc woman at the bar some extra coin to cover you until morning, and giddily hurry to the room.
25% chance of pregnancy scare","attachment":null,"posted":1713629873},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5982272,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">ask if we have contraceptives or not, if not, vote as return to hill
>vote counted as 3:2, with the two being
>>5981887
>>5982146","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713629974453164.jpg","filename":"IMG_0206.jpg"},"posted":1713629974},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5982295,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5982270
You aren’t irresponsible about it, of course. You hadn’t come to Hawksong expecting to stay the night, and so aren’t armed with your usual selection of contraceptive measures, but this is the sort of establishments which sells at least some of them, albeit primarily the rather uncouth and unappealing option of an animal-intestine barrier. Even as you both opt to forgo that, you aren’t without options...
Though in the passion of the moment, some things slip your mind until it's very nearly too late.
>4
>You manage to pull out, breaking Costella Fanucci’s powerful leg-lock in a burst of endorphins and adrenaline, before it’s too late.
>see pic related for further detail (warning, LEWD, nsfw)
You flop down beside her a moment later, finally—after several such sessions—spent. Costella clings to you, nuzzling against you, hands still roaming your body—not in search of sex, but simply in naked appreciation of your form.
“I think tonight’s been a good one,” you say eventually.
“Yeah?” Costella asks, smirking a little slyly and stroking your hair. “I’d hope so, after THAT.”
“I meant the WHOLE night,” you say, flicking her nose and making her yelp. “Including the bit with your parents.”
“O-oh?” she says. “Sorry Papa was a little, um…”
“I get it,” you sigh, frowning a little. “They were both a little ‘intense’ compared to when I used to come see you, but we DID call off the engagement they planned and surprise them with our own. I think… Well, I hope they aren’t like that EVERY time we have dinner, but if it’s just the once…”
“They’ll get used to the idea!” Costella pledges, looking determined. “I’ll get through to them, Ez! I promise. You’re just, like… probably not who they saw me marrying, exactly. Or who -I- pictured, honestly?”
“…Oh?”
“B-but I’m glad! I’m REALLY happy that, like… We met, and found each other.”
“You and me,” you reply, “and Izirina?”
“Y-yeah…”
“How long are we going to keep that last part secret?” you ask pointedly. “Forever? The one thing I noticed is how TRADITIONAL your parents are. If you have to warm them up to the idea of ME… What do we do about Izzy? Just keep her secret forever? You know that will make her feel…”
“Not great.”
“No,” you agree grimly. “She won’t feel ‘great’ about being a secret, while you and I get married.”
“and I don’t WANT to hurt her,” Costella almost wails. “I love her too! I love BOTH of you, and US the THREE of us, together. But, like… I’ve always wanted a wedding, and… And children. And if this is something that takes a long time to, like, sort out legally or whatever... I still want to, you know... Do those things.”
Your mind flickers back to earlier that night, when the two of you were entangled, and her legs were all but entrapping you within her desire.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713631901369574.png","filename":"spicy-2.png"},"posted":1713631901},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5982299,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5982295
“Costella… That was pretty close, before.”
“Sorry,” she says sheepishly.
“It almost seemed like you WANTED me to… You know…”
Costella’s face reddens, and she avoids eye contact.
“Costella?”
“I… I just got carried away is all. All that t-talk about, like, you know, having children was… And tonight’s just been so ROMANTIC, just like something out of , l-like, a romance novel, and I’ve never felt you, like… Do THAT inside, and…”
Costella looks up at you with big eyes.
“It wasn’t on purpose, honest! But I mean… Would it be bad if it WAS? I-if you, you know, HADN’T, um, ‘pulled out’, and we had… You know…”
>Chastise Costella for her recklessness
>Admit that the idea has some appeal
>Just cuddle in silence until morning, and deal with this later
>Activate your teleportation envelope and leave her there; you're MAD
>Write-in
Are there any other things you'd like to discuss with Costella, while you have her here alone?
>The whole matter of the prophecy and your efforts to avoid it
>This Carlos De Gori fellow
>This love goddess her father mentioned, and Costella's own faith
>Izzy and Costella, and the natrue fo their own love
>Nothing
>Write-in
>>5982272
[There's no 100% effective contraceptive measures, anyway, side from abstinence, avoiding penetrative intercourse altogether, or abortion. This vote was always going to have a pregnancy chance roll, especially in light of the above.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713632080},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5982310,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982299
>Chastise Costella for her recklessness
I love the feeling too, but right now pregnancy is not something we can allow to happen. Next time we - will - use contraceptives. Actual ones. This will never happen again.
>Izzy and Costella, and the nature of their own love
>[There's no 100% effective contraceptive measures, anyway, side from abstinence, avoiding penetrative intercourse altogether, or abortion. This vote was always going to have a pregnancy chance roll, especially in light of the above.]
I know, but having multiple methods certainly tips the odds in our favor. Or at least one.
And you three.
I told you all about this shit. The reason I keep mentioning sterilization, abortion, and all that is precisely for this situation. Had things went the other way, I expect each and every one of you who chose that path to support abortion. If you don’t got the guts for that, you can go fuck yourself - I will not see Tips and Costella forced into a shitty marriage because we decided to be retarded one night.
We had it. We played our cards well at the meeting with the parents and then we decided to do the one thing that fucked it all up.
>>5981887","attachment":null,"posted":1713632886},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5982396,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982299
>Chastise Costella for her recklessness
This is not a thing to decide on in the throes of passion.
>The whole matter of the prophecy and your efforts to avoid it
>This Carlos De Gori fellow
>This love goddess her father mentioned, and Costella's own faith
>Izzy and Costella, and the natrue fo their own love","attachment":null,"posted":1713638532},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5982427,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982299
Fuck, seems like she's not that much more sane than Izzy.
>Chastise Costella for her recklessness
I get it, Cossy, but that's not something for you to decide on your own without telling us. That's irresponsible and we're already risking it with this "us" time without Izzy.
>Izzy and Costella, and the natrue fo their own love
How deep is it and if it's more than just sexual gratification between them both.
>>5982310
now's your time to shine, narrator.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713641107444549.jpg","filename":"live Hatsumi reaction.jpg"},"posted":1713641107},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5982626,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5982427
>>5982396
>>5982310
“And what?” you demand. “If we had gotten you pregnant, before we’re married, before we’ve talked to IZZY about it, and RIGHT before we’re about to embark on an expedition into the GODS DAMNED GOBLIN WASTES??”
Costella’s hopeful, doe-eyed expression turns shocked, then fearful. In that first instant, you’re honestly sort of pleased—she SHOULD feel bad, after pulling a stunt like that! That satisfaction doesn’t last, though, obviously. You’ve been accused of having a soft heart, and even if that isn’t EXACTLY true, you reserve your real anger and disdain for those who TRULY deserve it. Costella, whatever madness and folly possessed her, doesn’t number among them.
“I wasn’t… Like, of COURSE we’d talk about it before we… I just, you know, thought it m-might be…”
You lay back down—having sat up in your angry outburst, and you place your arms around your lover. Costella sniffles a little, and murmurs:
“I’m Sorry, Ez. I wasn’t thinking… And I’d never try to, to force you to…”
“I get it,” you sigh, , pulling her head to your shoulder and stroking her hair, fingers sliding down and through the strands to rub her bare back. “I mean, it felt really good, so I’m not COMPLAINING about, uh, THAT.”
“It DID, right?” Costella chirps, sighing happily at the recent memory, thighs squirming together. “You know, fi you want, we could—"
“COSTELLA.”
“R-right, sorry,” she whispers.
You proper yourself up on one elbow, enough that you can properly see Costella’s face… Well, insofar as it isn’t buried in her sex-mussed hair. Yous weep some of it away so you can make eye-contact—so you can make sure she gets it.
“This isn’t the kind of thing we decide on in the throes of passion, at random… or one your own, without telling me, AND Izzy.”
Izirina Henzler’s face flashes before your eyes, and you wince a little. This little liaison… it’s already going to require explanation, and the smoothing over of ruffled feathers, you’re certain of it. At the time, charging in here and ripping your clothes off to dispel the tension, you’d set such concerns aside. Now, shocked out of passion’s afterglow and back into sanity and clarity by Costella’s words, you’re forced to face that reality head-on. You look back down at Costella’s face, still pressed into the inn’s thin and threadbare pillow in glum contemplation, and you wonder if she’s thinking the same thing.
“What exactly is the relationship between you and Izirina, anyway?” you ask.","attachment":null,"posted":1713654955},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5982628,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5982626
“…Um?” Costella replies, looking confused by the question. “Ez, you KNOW that we, uh… I mean, you’ve SEEN us, doing things.”
“I know THAT,” you say hurriedly, and a bit more testily than you intended. “I just mean… Is it… When you say you LOVE her, what do you, uh, MEAN by that?”
Costella’s face flushes a little, which seems almost laughable in light of all that the two of you have shared with one another—not LEAST of which your recent hour-long escapade.
“Well, I loved you FIRST before I really KNEW Iz, but, like… I know we’re both GIRLS and it’s DIFFERENT, and that, the, like, Gods don’t support or belss t-that sort of thing, and we can’t get married, but it’s just kind of likeidontknowsortofawarmfeelingwhenshelooksatmeandtellsmeimdoingwellandidontknowijust—”
“Costella,” you say, giving her a gentle squeeze, “slow down.”
She titters nervously, face redder than ever, and says:
“Well I just… I love her, you know? Like, I love her like I love YOU. And…”
Costella’s face falls a little, and she finally scoots up into a sitting position and cradles her knees, looking away.
“…She isn’t… Like that.”
You blink.
“But I’ve seen her uh…”
(Damn, this IS curiously awkward to talk about, even now, with this third party in your ‘throuple’)
“She’s, you know… Used her hands and mouth on you. And kissed you. And…” You clear your throat. “Things.”
“It’s more than THAT,” Costella blurts out. “Ez…”
Costella looks at you with trepidation in her gaze.
“You know she does that stuff more for US, right?”
“…Wait, what?”
Costella leans towards you now on both arms, and the words pour forth:
“I don’t think Iz exactly, like, ‘likes’ sex, with boys OR girls, the way, like, you or me do. She just kind of… Well, I think she ENJOYS it, but it’s more like a way to be close with someone, maybe? Like, the way you make me feel, or SHE makes me feel, it leave my whole body shaking, and my heart pounding, and I just feel so GOOD, like it’s the BEST having sex with someone you love!”
Costella smiles brightly, squeezing her cheeks as she gushes, but then abruptly frowns, forehead furrowing.
“But Iz just looks like she’s thinking the whole time, and when she’s done, she looks like she does when she’s figured out a tough alchemical formula or, like, learned a new spell or something, you know? And wh-when I offer to, you know… R-return the favour, she always says no.”
Costella’s face falls a little further, and you see the beginnings of tears at the corner of her eyes.
“…And she never says ‘I love you’.”","attachment":null,"posted":1713655109},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5982629,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5982628
You want to comfort and reassure Costella, of course. However, you hesitate. First, you consider Costella’s words, and compare them to your own experiences. Izirina Henzler has certainly initiated intimacy with you before—even sort of ‘initiated’ your whole relationship, even if it took you well over a year to properly define it. However, you realize with a start that you don’t think she’s ever even said ‘I love you’ to YOU. She’s demonstrated it—at least, that’s how you’ve interpreted certain acts, gestures, commitments—but she’s never (or scarcely-if-ever) really said as much.
“I think she ‘does it’ with people to keep them around, and make them feel good,” Costella muses sadly. “And with you, I know it’s because, like, she DOES love you, and wants to be with you. But with me, it’s always… ‘it’s fine if it’s Costella’, you know? Not… ‘Ooo, I really want Costella right now’ or anything, just… “it’s fine’. A-and I know that I don’t have the history and bond that you two do, and that our relationship is DIFFERENT, but I something..."
You wait as she assembles her thoughts.
"I sort of think she, like... Does stuff with me because YOU want us both, and it's more f-for, like... Your sake?"
You aren't sure how to respond to that. Before you can formulate a reply, Costella presses on.
"B-but I know YOU love me, so meeting my parents, a-and talking about marriage, and children, and a-all of that was just…”
Costella sniffles again, and rubs her eyes and nose with the back of her arm, gracelessly.
“It was really nice, and made me feel really good, and I guess part of me thought maybe it was something where, i-if we had a baby, then that bond would sort of be, like... Oh, I don't know!"
“Costella…”
“I’m sorry!” Costella blurts. “I know your first child should be with Iz, especially with, like, her ‘condition’ and everything making you two wait to do it.”
“It’s not that,” you say. “Costella, we… If me and Izzy have a child…”
Costella looks confused, but you can’t bring yourself to say any more—not here and now.
“It’s complicated, and it’s a ways off, ‘condition’ or no condition,” you say. “we’ve talked about it—because it IS important to talk about these things first…”
Costella looks suitably chastened, and nods.
“…But it’s not happening yet, and we’ll talk about it with YOU, too. I told you once, and I meant it: the three of us are going to make this work, ALL of us, TOGETHER. That’s a promise, Costella.”
You smile, and reach out to hold her. She melts into it, her chest pressed to yours.
“I love you, Costella Fanucci.”
“I l-love you too, Ezreal…”","attachment":null,"posted":1713655170},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5982630,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5982629
Morning comes too quickly. Between the exuberant start to the night and the lengthy discussion which followed, you got scarcely any sleep. In spite of your natural elven attunement to cycles of sun and moon, you genuinely consider casting <Calm> on yourself with enough aura behind the spell to put you back to sleep for another few hours. However, before you can properly consider this extraordinary measure—
“Don’t give me that!” roars a voice from below, muffled by the timbers but loud enough to make it through whatever thick, wadded insulation afford these hourly rooms their modicum of privacy. “I know they’re here! What room are they in?!”
“Oh no!” Costella gasps, waking at once and sitting up with a start.
You look to her questioningly, and she cringes, and explains:
“That’s, uh, Carlos De Gori’s voice.”
“Oh,” you reply.
“COSTELLA!” bellows the same voice, as footfalls—more than those of just a single man—thump and clatter through the hallway outside. “Come out here right now, or I’ll let everyone know exactly what kind of inn you and your so-called fiancé are staying in!”
What will you do?
>Tell Costella to wait here, and step out to confront this asshole
>Go meet him together, and try to reason with him
>Hurriedly gather your clothes and what possessions you brought, including the envelope to teleport the two of you back home to Old Maple Hill
>Maybe a spell can solve this? [which one?]
>Write-in
Sorry for words-words-words, anons. I think I got carried away!","attachment":null,"posted":1713655231},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5982640,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982630
I intended to vote that the idea has some appeal, but I keep coming in mid update and something distracts me until the next mid-update =P
>Continue the affair loudly while you send a wildshaped clone to deal with him
Dunno if this’ll work, but I do have the urge to fuck with this guy unknowingly while shaming him to keep it down, there are others here trying to have a good time ;)","attachment":null,"posted":1713656317},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5982643,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5982640
[Not be be the fun police, but Tips has never cloned himself and, without ensouling a clone, its initiative and ability to act and operate independently seems limited based on early experimentation with lizards and other organisms. Just thought I should include a reminder.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713656522},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5982663,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"fuck, we can teleport back but it'd probably be throwing on the face of Izzy what we did the night before. A fight doesn't seem too good, even with an advantage, he's with more people and calming won't be enough. Even a win won't do good since it'd confirm we were here and not only that, we brawled with the guy. what do, what do...
>>5982640
funny idea anon, but no","attachment":null,"posted":1713658986},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5982669,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"wait a minute, I know, we can use our wildshape to fly outta here.
>>5982630
>Maybe a spell can solve this ? [wildshape]","attachment":null,"posted":1713659190},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5982695,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982299
>Admit that the idea has some appeal
>Izzy and Costella, and the natrue fo their own love
Idea - we marry her in front of her parents in Hawksong, we marry Izzy in front of our parents in the Sylvan realms when all the dark stuff blows over, and uh she marries Izzy in uh somewhere Bloodrise? ha
Everyone gets official ceremonies and her parents NEVER find out.
agh I missed the vote, what a quick update
>>5982630
>Tell Costella to wait here, and step out to confront this asshole
Once he sees we're half elf he'll give up, he knows he can't compete","attachment":null,"posted":1713662623},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5982707,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982695
>Once he sees we're half elf he'll give up, he knows he can't compete
nigga, he's with some people, he's gonna try beat the shit outta us","attachment":null,"posted":1713663362},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5982726,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982630
>Hurriedly gather your clothes and what possessions you brought, including the envelope to teleport the two of you back home to Old Maple Hill
Carlos is a cunt - the kind who thinks beating up Costella’s new lover would make her love him again. Somehow. Against someone that retarded, even attempting to talk is a misplay. The only winning move is to not play - even if we win, win unscathed, getting into a fight with someone like that is not a good look.","attachment":null,"posted":1713664529},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5982738,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982707
Yes and? It's a chance to add mass calm to our list of spells. Seriously doubt any of them have the magic to hit our Aetherial Form.","attachment":null,"posted":1713664873},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5982741,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982695
>Idea - we marry her in front of her parents in Hawksong, we marry Izzy in front of our parents in the Sylvan realms when all the dark stuff blows over
The only problem is getting welcomed into the syvlan realms again. I don’t know what we could do. As far as they’re concerned, we fled with a very valuable prisoner in hand.
>>5982640
It gets me thinking about using monstrous growth again. It would be pretty funny if we did that on Carlos’ penis. Good luck having sex again.
But no. Fighting him at all isn’t worth it.
>>5982707
Yeah, he probably has his friends ready to jump us.","attachment":null,"posted":1713664951},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5982744,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982741
>The only problem is getting welcomed into the syvlan realms again. I don’t know what we could do. As far as they’re concerned, we fled with a very valuable prisoner in hand.
Perhaps a peace treaty and offers of trade agreements from Theral?","attachment":null,"posted":1713665050},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5982775,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982738
Dude, showing up isn’t worth it at all because of the repercussions. We gotta get outta here.
>>5982741
Good plan, anon","attachment":null,"posted":1713667690},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5982918,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982630
>Tell Costella to wait here, and step out to confront this asshole.
+
>Maybe a spell can solve this? [wildshape, combat form.]
If him and his fodder goons try to jump us, we can just toss a magma or lightning elemental at them.","attachment":null,"posted":1713682668},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5982927,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982918
>>5980016
>>5978170
>>5975334
This is me.","attachment":null,"posted":1713683582},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5982933,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982918
anon, do you think that fighting in the inn is a good idea ? specially when he can't prove we're here to others as it is ?","attachment":null,"posted":1713684856},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5982954,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982669
Wouldn’t using the teleport letter be easier? Less likely to be spotted too.","attachment":null,"posted":1713688059},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5982961,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982933
Yes? This bum Carolus and some thugs he wrangled came here to harass Costella and us
It's in our befit to trash them with our magic and brutalize and humiliate him and his lackeys. Running away like a worthless bitch will have carlous try this again when we are not nearby.","attachment":null,"posted":1713689264},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5982968,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982961
I’d rather jump him later. Right now we only got Costella with us.","attachment":null,"posted":1713691441},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5982976,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982954
Yes, but the problem is that Izzy will know why we took so long to return thanks to how we are
>>5982961
Dude, you’re forgetting that even if we win, word will get out that we were shagging costella here and she’ll get a bad reputation. We can dunk this guy on another occasion.","attachment":null,"posted":1713692402},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5983003,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982299
>Chastise Costella for her recklessness
More like voice our disagreement in a
At least it wasn't on purpose. But this is a big and grave decision that should not be taken on the... ahem... heat of the moment.
>This love goddess her father mentioned, and Costella's own faith","attachment":null,"posted":1713698703},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5983005,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982630
Oh, I'm late.
>Hurriedly gather your clothes and what possessions you brought, including the envelope to teleport the two of you back home to Old Maple Hill
Power Word : Smell Ya Later.
Best for our sweet Costella's reputation. He looks like an idiot. We then confront him on our terms.","attachment":null,"posted":1713699090},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5983013,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982968
We can sumon advanced elementals, regenerate, become intangible, infuse ourselves with elemental power and wild shape into a beast form. we don't need back up to deal with fodder goons.
>>5982976
He can't do anything to anyone's reputation, sleeping with your fiancé is regularly behaviour. Carlous is just saying whatever he can to make costella come outside. Because the inn staff is stonewalling him.
And what do you "if" we win? Tips is a dangerous sorcerer who killed dozens of evil fey back at his homeland. Carlous and his lackeys are as far as we have been told normal people.","attachment":null,"posted":1713700050},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5983063,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982630
>Go intangible, escape through the wall, approach Carlos from the other side, pretend we heard him bellowing Costella's name, and deal with him and his goons. Retrieve Costella later, give the innkeeper hush money.
This should save Costella's reputation.
The teleport option is tempting, but what will happen is he will break into a roon where someone obviously had sex, decide we escaped and go on to slander us.
I wonder how he found out we were here in the first place.","attachment":null,"posted":1713706472},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5983155,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5983063
>i
>>5983005
>>5982918
>>5982726
>>5982695
>>5982669
>>5982640
Your first instinct is to abscond in some way, by means of Izirina’s <Teleport Object> or otherwise. Maybe in <Improved Aethereal Form>, or via a winged <Wildshape>? Neither of the latter options can bring Costella with you, though, while the first…
…Well, it will mean meeting Izzy, right now, still stinking of sex and with adrenaline high. Not necessarily the best way to begin the inevitable conversation about your delayed arrival.
Besides, you need to know how much this Carlos knows, and if he can prove any of it or intends to do anything else with that information. He might intend on ruining Costella’s reputation, for instance, or be planning to spring some similar trap another time, another day… Maybe when YOU aren’t around to stand between he and Costella Fanucci.
(Who can say how IDIOTS like this man think, after all?)
No, you’re a powerful and dangerous mage, with nothing to fear from a single man (in both senses of the word) and his hireling gaggle of goon, or whomever might be accompanying him. What you DO have to fear is consequences for Costella if you don’t settle this here and now.
“Stay put,” you whisper to Costella.
“What? Ez, no, we should just—Mm!”
You silence Costella with a kiss, which leaves her breathless and as little starstruck. You smile at this, and then turn your back. Pulling on your striped trousers and fancy new Testa-made tunic would entail more struggle and delay than you can afford, and risk being caught half-clad and tangled in your attire—humiliating, and less than combat-optimal if it comes down to that.
“Then I guess I’ll wear fur,” you murmur to yourself, “or scales, or feathers…”
You step to the door and push it open. As you do so, you speak:
“<Wildshape>”
…and animal integument covers your nakedness, as your body warps and shifts into something more akin to:
>Veloz—a mobile, aerial form akin to your lunar hummingbird companion
>Hershy—or Hirschel—the feathered, dragonblooded drake, with his gold feathers and fire breath
>Some aspect of Muffins—that of a fearsome grappling lion, a tough, stubbornly-defensive goat, or a keenly-sensitive, venomous viper [specify which one—you cannot manage all three aspects at once]
>Write-in (must be an animal you’ve had some experience with)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713719449353500.png","filename":"complicated decision.png"},"posted":1713719449},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5983161,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983155
>Hershy—or Hirschel—the feathered, dragonblooded drake, with his gold feathers and fire breath
I don’t like the snake - too frail and if there’s too many people we can’t offend everyone at once. Goat could be decent, but I’d rather have fire breath. Veloz doesn’t have that much offense. Lion is okay I guess but I’d rather not grapple with multiple people present.","attachment":null,"posted":1713720541},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5983165,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983155
>Lion
Call me paranoid, but I think the drake could tie us to the Reptilians in the witnesses' eyes","attachment":null,"posted":1713721216},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5983169,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983165
My line of thinking is that the lion or any aspect of muffins would be more able to traced back to us. A drake wouldn’t. I don’t believe Tips has that in his possession. So we could have some deniability in the matter. Tips wasn’t “here” - his “pet” was.","attachment":null,"posted":1713721518},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5983174,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983155
>Muffin lion style","attachment":null,"posted":1713721789},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5983231,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983155
WEREWOLF","attachment":null,"posted":1713726757},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5983237,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5983231
[You won't be as combat-capable as Oncyth even if you opt for a wolf-form, just a heads up. Voters didn't choose to upgrade the Wildshape spell, taking Greater Disjunction instead.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713726880},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5983324,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983013
>And what do you "if" we win?
I was kinda eepy and for some reason thought that there being a mage was a possibility. but still, the major problem was cossy's reputation, but not much to do now.
>>5983155
>Some aspect of Muffins—that of a fearsome grappling lion
while the dragon sounds awesome, I don't wanna use fire breath in an enclosed space. Goat sounds good, but I think lion would be better to finish goons off due to the initiative.","attachment":null,"posted":1713730316},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5983332,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"My plan is to wrestle him into submission, then CALM him.","attachment":null,"posted":1713730544},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5983551,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5983324
>>5983231
>>5983174
>>5983165
>>5983161
These men are not here for peaceable purposes. They mean to intimidate Costella at best, and to attack one or both of you at worst. You know next to nothing about Carlos De Gori, except for his designs upon Costella, and that he is wealthy enough to offer a bride-dowry and stupidly belligerent enough to assemble a small crew of fellow fools to try to win back a lost lady love by force of arms. As such, a formidable form seems most appropriate, and the first such form that comes to mind is that of your pet chimera, Muffins; more specifically, his most fearsome, leonine aspect.
Your hair grows long and thick, splitting the thin band which you use to hold your ponytail in place as it spread out to encompass your neck and shoulders. You feel your skin ripple as fur follicles multiply and rapidly produce golden-brown hair in rolling waves across your body, like a sudden crop of wheat across barren earth. Beneath your skin, bones and muscles pop and crackle as they rearrange into something more muscular—albeit not quite so mighty as Muffins himself, who has grown larger than you have heard of true lions in the Southlands growing. It becomes rather cumbersome to stand on two legs rather than four, but you grip the wall to hold yourself up as you turn to face the forces of this ‘Carlos’: four burly-looking male, three humans and one with at least some orcish admixture by his underbite, thick brown, and the porcine lilt to his nose.
It the last one, the half-orc, who first notices you. He scents the air like an animal, seeming to notice the shift in your body by smell, and turns to face you with some startlement. He taps one of his fully-human companions with a quick knuckle-rap upon the shoulder, and this man, too, takes in your fierce, beastman-like appearance with evident shock. For your part, you notice both of them are armed—they have shortswords upon their belt, and the cheap leather armour of casual adventurers or corporate private guards. So, too, the other two men, who are still knocking upon other doors, ignorant of you: armed, armoured, ready for trouble.
“Hey, Herman! Jackson! What’s the hold-up, ey? I don’t hear you two knocking!”
This voice doesn’t come from any of the four you’ve spotted already, but from behind them. Emerging from a room he’d seemingly barged his way into comes a swarthy, handsome man, taller than the others. Even in his loose silk shirt and breeches, you can tell his body is more trained and better built than the others in an instant: it’s in his posture, his movement. He doesn’t wear armor, but he alone has drawn his sword: a proper longsword, ill-suited to the close confines of the inn’s narrow halls, but with a decorated handguard and a peculiar sheen when attest to it being both the weapon of an aristocratic family AND it having been enchanted in some fashion.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713736421170539.jpg","filename":"meta made this.jpg"},"posted":1713736421},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5983552,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5983551
“You’re their ringleader, I presume,” you growl, the rumble coming naturally to your voice in this form and lending you a bit of menace.
“And what the fuck are you supposed to be?” Carlos De Gori laughs, looking you up and down. “I thought you beastmen knew better than to come to a place like this, for humans and demihumans.”
So he doesn’t recognize you? Well, between your current shapeshifted state and your never having MET the man, you suppose that makes sense…
“Some of us are trying to sleep in,” you say.
“Scram, catman—leave, or go back to your room,” De Gori arrogantly shoos you. “We’re looking for a human girl, and a half-elf man. We have no business with you.”
You assume that Costella’s parents likely told him something of her new fiancé when breaking the bad news to him, which explain his knowing your race. But how did he know to look for you here? Was he or one of these goons of his watching the Fanucci home to catch sight of her suitor, so he could spring this little ‘surprise’?
What will you do?
>Introduce yourself—you are that ‘half-elf man’, Ezreal Mious Van Houtzmann, Apprentice to the Archmage, fiancé of Costella Fanucci. Now, what does he want? [Intimidate attempt, Courage roll to menace]
>Ask what he wants with this human and half-elf couple, and why he’s so sure they’re here [Sociability roll to gather info]
>Strike while their guard is relatively lowered—take down or injure a couple of these goons with your leonine strength [initiates combat; you can spend additional MP to amp up your form; 4/5 left]
>Wish them luck, and return to your room to hunker down until they leave [problem remains unresolved, but you can avoid the altercation]
>Write-in","attachment":null,"posted":1713736492},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5983616,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983552
>Write-in: Summon an ice elemental next to you to back you up.
+
>Introduce yourself—you are that ‘half-elf man’, Ezreal Mious Van Houtzmann, Apprentice to the Archmage, fiancé of Costella Fanucci. Now, what does he want? [Intimidate attempt, Courage roll to menace]
We should summon an elemental, incase he tries to rush us with his squad in this hallway. A display of magic could also help us in intimidating him.","attachment":null,"posted":1713738942},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5983618,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983616
this>>5982918 is me.","attachment":null,"posted":1713739011},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5983670,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983552
Backing >>5983616","attachment":null,"posted":1713741612},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5983679,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983552
man, it'd be so funny to just return to our room and leave this to future EZ, but we gotta nip this in the bud.
>Introduce yourself—you are that ‘half-elf man’, Ezreal Mious Van Houtzmann, Apprentice to the Archmage, fiancé of Costella Fanucci. Now, what does he want? [Intimidate attempt, Courage roll to menace]
mogging time","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713741852971348.gif","filename":"Angry Wolf.gif"},"posted":1713741852},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5983729,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983552
>Strike while their guard is relatively lowered—take down or injure a couple of these goons with your leonine strength [initiates combat; you can spend additional MP to amp up your form; 4/5 left]
You treat me like a stray dog - and you’ll be bitten by one","attachment":null,"posted":1713744574},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5983740,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983552
>Ask what he wants with this human and half-elf couple, and why he’s so sure they’re here [Sociability roll to gather info]
I want the intel","attachment":null,"posted":1713745105},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5984033,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983616
I'll support that course of action.","attachment":null,"posted":1713770339},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5984469,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 10, 18, 9 = 37 (3d20)
“Oh?” you ask tersely. “And I suppose you’ve been spying on this couple, to learn that they were here?”
“What’s it to you?” De Gori demands.
“Hey, boss, this guy smells—” begins the half-orc.
“Worse than he looks,” De Gori says, with a sneer, “and that’s saying something.”
“I think what your lackey was about to say was that I smelled ‘off’,” you say. “Maybe like a half-elf. Or like alchemical reagents and the elemental planes. Or maybe like Costella Fanucci.”
De Gori’s eyes go wide with shock and outrage, and then narrow as he seems to process what you just said.
“Who in the Hells are you, lion-man?”
“I’m sorry,” you say, “I’ve been RUDE, haven’t I?”
Casting a spell in <Wildshape> is a difficult thing, with your normally-mobile digits half-fused into paws and your half-transformed posture making the footwork necessary for the other aspects of the arcane arts equally awkward. Instead, you release your grip on the doorframe, dropping down into a stance more natural to your current form, and you allow the current to complete its process, turning you from something akin to a strange felid beastman to a true king of the jungle.
“My name is Ezreal Mious Van Houtzmann, Apprentice to the Archmage, Disciple of the True Fey,” you say, your voice deepening and slurring some of the syllables as deadly carnivoran dentition replaces your human-elven teeth, and your jaw extends outwards to accommodate, “but you probably know me better as the half-elf who’s gong to marry Costella.”
“You!”
“Yes, ME,” you growl.
De Gori’s goons gasp and shout minced oaths to the Gods of order, taking a step back as they watch your transformation with confusion and horror. To his credit, the leader of this ill-conceived endeavour at least holds his ground, raising his sword in a defensive posture and adjusting his footwork.
(Hm… A warrior? At least, he’s someone with training…)
“Now tell me: what’s it to YOU, Carlos? What do you think someone like YOU can do to the likes of ME?”
You still somehow doubt that he can best you, but your sincere hope is that, having seen a sample of what you can do, De Gori will wise up and it won’t come to that. After all, he’s have to be pretty confident or pretty FOOLISH to fight a magical jungle cat in a confined space, right?
[3d20 courage. DC -3 for your fearsome appearance and higher power-level and social status. DC +2 for being outnumbered and unarmed--your staff and wand are with your clothes]
DC 14 for the goons, 16 for Carlos","attachment":null,"posted":1713837028},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5984492,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5984469
“What, you think we’re scared of magic tricks?” Carlos barks back. “This is a magic sword, and I know how to use it! All you can do is turn into an even BIGGER pussy than I already heard you were.”
“Your think you know about me by reputation?” you ask. “You won’t be the first person to think they do… And if it came to it, you wouldn’t be the first to DIE shortly afterwards, either, Carlos. Not even the first to die screaming, beneath tooth and claw.”
(Usually Muffins’ or Oncyth’s, mind you, but HE doesn’t need to know that)
You lower your head and take a few paw-pads forwards, snapping and growling. Carlos De Gori, for all his bravado, takes a step back, but then steels himself.
“Wh-whatever,” he huffs. “You’re still outnumbered, asshole!”
You laugh, the sound coming out as a thrumming purr, and you nod your head in a gesture that sends your mane flying.
“Look again, Carlos.”
De Gori gulps, clearly afraid to take his saucer-wide eyes off of you, and asks: “Guys?”
No answer comes, though, because his four minions—to a man—have abandoned him, fleeing down the stairs and quite possibly out of the inn altogether. De Gori finally allows his eyes t flit away from you, just for a moment, JUST long enough to fully understand the situation he’s in.
“Is Costella in there?” he demands, and then shouts: “COSTELLA!”
“That’s none of your business,” you reply. “Show some courtesy: people are here to enjoy themselves, Carlos, and one another. Someone like YOU has no place here. Not anymore.”
“You—!”
“Yes?”
“You… You won’t get away with this!” Carlos snaps. “She was my girl first, damnit! You’re not even her TYPE! You think you can just wave your stupid wand, brainwash her into loving you, and geta way with it?!”
You stare at him, your feline face hiding your confusion at this interpretation of events. Carlos De Gori must take the silence as you stonewalling him, though, for after a few heaving breaths, he steps back and points his sword at you, declaring:
“This isn’t over! I’ll be back for her, you bastard!”
“You should reconsider,” you reaffirm, “for YOUR sake.”
Carlos De Gori looks like he might want to argue the argue further, but he bites back whatever reply he was formulating when you lunge forward, and he very nearly tumbles down the stairs in his hurry to escape you. By now, of course, others are peeking out of their room, only to gasp or shriek and slam the doors shut when the ‘lion’ in the hallway turns to regard them. You finally release a sigh you’ve been holding—of relief, of exasperation—and return to your room.
“Costella, do you mind?” you ask. “I don’t have thumbs right now…”
“R-right, I’m on it, Ez!" Costella says, and hurries to shut the door behind you so you can shed your fur.","attachment":null,"posted":1713838323},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5984494,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5984492
Less than an hour later, the two of you both bipedal and clothed once more. The half-orc woman at the bar simply nods as the two of you depart, regarding you with wary respect no doubt borne of your having chased off five armed men.
Costella, for her part, is silent. Between your chastising of her for her sexual irresponsibility, her revelations of emotional vulnerability, and her spurned suitor (possibly ex-boyfriend?) attempting to attack you, this whole ‘private night of fun’ situation has presumably not gone the way she’d hoped it would. You have to admit some exasperation yourself…
(But last night WAS really good)
“Time to go home?” Costella asks sheepishly, when she catches you staring.
>Yes, return to Old Maple Hill… To talk with Izzy, and to plan your trip to the Wastes
>No, there’s something you have to do in Hawksong first [what?]
>>5983740
>>5983729
>>5984033
>>5983670
>>5983616
[Woops, forgot to tag you anons! The reason for not summoning an ice elemental were addressed in the post, but one of the downsides of Wildshape is that it interferes with the somatic components necessary for spellcasting... At least, in the way you use Wildshape and the sorts of spellcasting you do right now.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713838417},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5984514,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984494
>No, there’s something you have to do in Hawksong first [what?]
>Clean up
>Talk to Costella’s parents about Carlos’ attempt on our lives
He’s a rotten son of a bitch, too focused on winning that he doesn’t even know what the stakes could’ve been.
Clean ourselves. Make ourselves a bit more presentable. They probably figured we did have sex but we did assure them, so there’s that. Still, don’t make it that blatant.
As for the talk with her parents - get our stories straight. We were staying at an inn. Heard shouting from a bunch of people, going from room to room, threatening us. When Tips left the room to confront who was, we saw Carlos standing with his sword brandished, with a couple of his friends. Tips chased them off.
Ask the parents to sever any ties to Carlos and his families for good. We defended ourselves.
>The reason for not summoning an ice elemental were addressed in the post
You could’ve replied before you posted the update. Just tag >>5983616 right away as soon as you are free as a FYI.
am >>5983161","attachment":null,"posted":1713839542},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5984520,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984494
>Yes, return to Old Maple Hill… To talk with Izzy, and to plan your trip to the Wastes
Thankfully we mogged the guy. But what was that talk about brainwashing ? wizards trully are the most oppressed class.","attachment":null,"posted":1713840038},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5984537,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5984514
>You could’ve replied before you posted the update
[Maybe, but the majority of votes and the general trajectory of the scene were for a confrontation, so it didn't seem worth delaying the update until tomorrow over.]
>>5984520
> But what was that talk about brainwashing ?
[Hmm...]","attachment":null,"posted":1713841146},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5984549,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984537
>[Hmm...]
If it's just basic wizard prejudice 'coz his salty, cope better. Now if he thinks that we did something else while we healed Cossy, than I'll be salty.","attachment":null,"posted":1713842584},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5984556,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984494
>Yes, return to Old Maple Hill… To talk with Izzy, and to plan your trip to the Wastes
Let's not talk to Costella's parents about this","attachment":null,"posted":1713843072},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5984562,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984556
can you give your reasoning, If I may ask?
I feel letting this go would set her and her family up for more trouble later on.
>>5984492
>“This isn’t over! I’ll be back for her, you bastard!”","attachment":null,"posted":1713843356},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5984604,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984562
They're gonna hear about it anyways, he made a pretty big scene. I feel like they'd react better hearing it through the vine than if we went to bother them right after it happened.","attachment":null,"posted":1713846946},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5984609,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984604
I don’t know about that. I’d rather have our side told straightway before we go on an expedition to the goblin wastes. We leave it to others, Carlos might be able to downplay a few things, change the details so it would seem we were the aggressor or exaggerated what we did.
>By now, of course, others are peeking out of their room, only to gasp or shriek and slam the doors shut when the ‘lion’ in the hallway turns to regard them. You finally release a sigh you’ve been holding—of relief, of exasperation—and return to your room.","attachment":null,"posted":1713847342},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5984615,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5984604
>>5984609
[Minor point of order: very few people actually saw you and Costella enter the inn, most of those who saw you ONLY saw you and not Costella, and you were in the form of a lion when most people peeked out at what was happening. This being a low-rent love hotel near the 'red lantern district' ie. the seedy part of town where brothels and drug dens are permitted, few people around here are likely to know who you are. De Gori also can't just go around telling people what happened: what he just did wasn't a formal, legal duel, but an illegal assault and a breach of public order.]
That doesn't mean there's no risk, though.","attachment":null,"posted":1713847831},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5984641,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984615
Interesting. I’ll still go-ahead with my original plan here >>5984514 but adjust a few things - tell the parents to keep quiet about this incident, but be aware of any future interactions. They might try to slander us.","attachment":null,"posted":1713850320},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5984662,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984641
dude, telling her parents we were ambushed in an inn right after talking with them and her father asking us to not taint her reputation isn't smart. at best, I could see you telling them that he tried to ambush us, but them it'd propably lead to them learning it was in an inn sooner or later.","attachment":null,"posted":1713852370},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5984693,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984662
Hm. Yeah, I suppose that would be too inconvenient as well. I guess we’ll have to take the risk, then. I’ll back your >>5984520
We should still clean up before seeing Izzy, though.","attachment":null,"posted":1713856041},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5985454,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5984514
>>5984520
>>5984556
>>5984693
Luckily, you had both the foresight and the aura remaining to <summon> some elemental water from the appropriate plane for a quick rinse-down of yourself and of Costella, and a second casting to summon a fire elemental to the temperature tolerable and to dry you both off. After all, you reasoned, Izirina was going to be upset ENOUGH about your absence and late arrival without you both stinking of sex.
“Should we, like… Tell mama and papa about this?” Costella asks worriedly, still shaken up by the recent altercation even as you fumble through your unfamiliar attire’s pockets for your enchanted envelope.
“Absolutely NOT,” you reply. “Costella, this place isn’t exactly reputable, and I PROMSIED Mister Fanucci not to drag your name through the dirt.”
“I mean, I don’t mind a BIT of dirtiness with you,” she jokes with a forced smile and nervous laugh, but then asks anxiously: “What if Carlos does, though?”
“Does what?” you ask. “Admits to assaulting the Archmage’s apprentice in a public place? Prince Rufos’ old security measures might be relaxed somewhat, but we KNOW the Queen, remember? Or, well… I know her, and you know me.”
“And the Prince Consort,” Costella adds.
You frown, and add: “Yes, and you know HIM. Anyway, it’ll be a bad look for us if De Gori goes around telling people he saw us here, IF they even believe him, but it will be far WORSE if he admits to committing a crime against people like us.”
It strikes you just how important you’ve become, suddenly—how well-connected, how established. With all your traveling, and then the simple living in the ancestral manner of the Sylvanfolk in which you proudly partake at Old Maple Hill, it is easy to forget it. Few people around Hawksong know you by appearance, but those who do are in credibly highly-placed people, often invested in (or indebted to) you and your associates… And that’s not counting the eyes of multiple GODS upon you!
Your fingers find the envelope bearing Izirina’s signature tower seal in purple wax. Your eyes linger upon the symbol, and you muse over just how far you’ve come.
You feel…
>More confident [+1 Courage, but ego also increases, and may have effects]
>Like the same old ‘Tips’ as ever [No stat changes, remain humble]
[C]","attachment":null,"posted":1713924460},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5985457,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5985454
You take Costella’s hand in yours, meeting her eyes with what you hope is a reassuring smile and giving the extremity a squeeze. With hardly any effort at all, you channel a bit more of your magical energy into the envelope, triggering the spell placed upon and within it: that of a majorly-upcasted <Teleport Object> spell, locked onto the location of your mutual lover: Izirina Henzler.
There is a soft ‘pop’ upon your appearance, and a momentary feeling of disorientation. Costella helps you keep your feet, for which you quietly thank her. You both then look up, quickly taking in your surrounds: your tent beneath the Hill, with the simple comforts of your life together moved about, in some cases scattered haphazardly, while others have been crammed into a wooden trunk you haven’t seen before. Or, well… Maybe crammed is the wrong word, for when Costella opens it to peer inside, it seems as if much of what you, she, and izirina own has been pushed into it, and many more things besides, and yet it STILL has room for more.
“Folded space,” you whisper to Costella, to assuage her curiosity.
You look around and, spotting a familiar black, pointy hat, you clear your throat and greet the source of your miraculous translocation, and no doubt of the trunks peculiar storage capacity.
“Izzy, we’re back.”
You’d been expecting an immediate demand for an explanation, maybe some accusations. What you hadn’t expected, at all, is… Nothing. The mage prodigy looks up from where she is laying upon the ground, head laid back upon a slumbering, rumbling Muffins-pillow. Izirina regards you only momentarily, spares Costella an even briefer glance, and then simply says:
“Oh? I thought you’d have been longer.”
“Longer?” you ask.
“S-so youa ren’t, like, mad?” Costella asks.
“Angry? Upset?” Izzy asks, maybe a little too quickly. “No. Why should I be?”
You exchange a glance with Costella.
“I’m just about done packing,” Izirina goes on to say, “but then I got engrossed in this book.”
You and Costella each turn your heads sideways to read the spine of the volume in question, which is titled: ‘On the Hiftorief of the Goblin Brigandef and of Orcifh Hordef: Thofe Vileft and Mofte Favage of Racef Which Beleagure Thofe More Noble’.
“I think I got… Some of those words?” Costella mumurs, after sounding her way through the title with silent mouth-movements.
“The ‘f’ is an ‘s’,” you explain. “Old printing presses were… Tricky.”
“There was a shift in the alphabet and in pronunciation and spelling as well,” Izirina adds, correcting you as she snaps the book shut with a loud clap that makes Costella jump.
“Um,” Costella squeaks.","attachment":null,"posted":1713924521},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5985458,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5985457
“Anyway, I hardly even noticed you were gone,” Izzy says simply, “but now that you’re back, I assume you have your own preparations to make? Your return DID deplete some of my magic to accomplish, of course, so I’ll need a few hours before I can transport us half-way across the continent…”
What will you do?
>Let matters lie
>Address your delayed return and what happened
>Write-in
Are there any other preparations you need to make before departing from Old Maple Hill?
>Purchase and pack some supplies [like what?]
>You’d actually like to bring along some friends or allies [who?]
>Write-in
>No, you’re ready
And how do you plan to make the trip to the Goblin Wastes?
>Teleportation seems a sound idea—straight to the last place where you encountered the Ashurati, better to expedite your mission there
>A carriage would give you all more time to take in the sights, enjoy one another’s company, and make a proper vacation of it… Plus it would be more comfortable for staying there
>Write-in","attachment":null,"posted":1713924581},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5985480,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985454
>More confident [+1 Courage, but ego also increases, and may have effects]
Courage is a powerful stat.
>Let matters lie
If izzy doesn't care one way or another, and is more focused on the trip. I don't see why we should bring it up.
>Purchase and pack some supplies [Some shirin and offerings to bring to the Ashurati.]
The shirin cam in clutch the last time we went there, the goblins love buying it.
>You’d actually like to bring along some friends or allies [Zith-Zi,Efron and Carazzi]
they know the area in goblin wastes better and they can speak goblin.
>A carriage would give you all more time to take in the sights, enjoy one another’s company, and make a proper vacation of it… Plus it would be more comfortable for staying there
The Ashurati are nomadic, if we teleport to where we saw them last they could be in a different place. And we should save izzy's spells.","attachment":null,"posted":1713925839},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5985485,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985454
>More confident [+1 Courage, but ego also increases, and may have effects]
We should feel proud. We did a lot of things, not just for others, but for our own sake as well. We helped ZithZi. Helped Costella and Izzy, got the relationship to this point, and we helped Oncyth.
>>5985458
>Address your delayed return and what happened
We stayed at an inn. Carlos and his folk tried to kill us. Tips scared him off.
>Purchase and pack some supplies [like what?]
Bring a few bundles of goodberries - emergency rations
Contraceptives of all kinds, assuming they haven’t already prepared that. I don’t recall abortifacients being an area he studies in, so, look into that as an additional reading material. Bring it along if we could find it.
( >>5979192 )
By the way, Muffins is currently at the Old Maple Hill, right? I remember him going through the same passage as us when we left the sylvan realms. I think we can bring him along.
>Teleportation seems a sound idea—straight to the last place where you encountered the Ashurati, better to expedite your mission there
It’s not the safest place out there.
>>5984514","attachment":null,"posted":1713926046},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5985487,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985480
oh, yeah, bringing along ZithZi would be good. I’m not sure about Carazzi, though.","attachment":null,"posted":1713926136},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5985491,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5985485
>By the way, Muffins is currently at the Old Maple Hill, right?
[Not only at the Hill, but in the tent, Izzy having been suing him as a pillow when you came back.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713926375},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5985494,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985491
oh, I thought that was like a pillow that had muffins as a pattern lol","attachment":null,"posted":1713926475},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5985517,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985454
>More confident [+1 Courage, but ego also increases, and may have effects]
tbf this is better, even with some hidden drawbacks
>>5985458
>Let matters lie
so she was expecting it to take a long time. either because of Cossy's family or she was expecting us to get too "happy" with the whole marriage thing, and she doesn't care either way. I don't really like this, but since she's indifferent I don't see why we should ruffle her feathers.
>Purchase and pack some supplies [Some shirin and offerings to bring to the Ashurati.]
>You’d actually like to bring along some friends or allies [Zith-Zi,Efron and Carazzi]
>A carriage would give you all more time to take in the sights, enjoy one another’s company, and make a proper vacation of it… Plus it would be more comfortable for staying there
We're making this the "us" time for the trouple, so carriage it is","attachment":null,"posted":1713928106},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5985637,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985454
>More confident [+1 Courage, but ego also increases, and may have effects]
yea boiiiii
>Let matters lie
It seems she understands? We'll pamper her on this trip just in case.
>Purchase and pack some supplies [like what?]
Shirin, and lots of it
>>You’d actually like to bring along some friends or allies [who?]
Just Carazzi
>Teleportation seems a sound idea—straight to the last place where you encountered the Ashurati, better to expedite your mission there","attachment":null,"posted":1713935452},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5985660,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985454
>Like the same old ‘Tips’ as ever [No stat changes, remain humble]
>>5985458
>Address your delayed return and what happened
Got held up dealing with an old flame
>Purchase and pack some supplies [Shirin like we’re Breaking Bad]
>You’d actually like to bring along some friends or allies [Zith-Zi and Carazzi for some bonding time, ask Testa if she’d like to come as well]
Maybe we can help them bond.
>A carriage would give you all more time to take in the sights, enjoy one another’s company, and make a proper vacation of it… Plus it would be more comfortable for staying there
Road-trip!","attachment":null,"posted":1713936892},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5985724,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985454
>Like the same old ‘Tips’ as ever [No stat changes, remain humble]
Overconfidence is a slow and insidious killer.
>>5985458
>Address your delayed return and what happened
Izzy sounded passive-aggressive. Don't be more autistic than her, anons.
>No, you’re ready
We can't bring Carazzi to meet the fey, she's a demon. And Zi will have to stay to babysit her.
>A carriage would give you all more time to take in the sights, enjoy one another’s company, and make a proper vacation of it… Plus it would be more comfortable for staying there
More time to talk and bond","attachment":null,"posted":1713947057},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5985905,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985480
This is me>>5983616
>>5982927","attachment":null,"posted":1713981752},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5986218,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5985905
>>5985724
>>5985660
>>5985637
>>5985517
>>5985487
>>5985485
>>5985480
[Locked and writing!]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714009445773120.png","filename":"locked for 4point5 votes lol.png"},"posted":1714009445},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5986226,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986218
I had to double check when I saw the condom vote and was looking who voted for it, until I saw the usual suspect. I'm surprised there wasn't also a vote for abortificents.","attachment":null,"posted":1714009905},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5986229,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986226
You asked.
>>5982427","attachment":null,"posted":1714010175},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5986233,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 11, 7, 2, 19, 14, 13 = 66 (6d20)
>>5986218
>>5986226
>>5986229
>>5986218
Maybe it’s the swell of confidence you’re still feeling from taking stock of your accomplishments, but you decide not to let this matter lie. You might not be quite the social butterfly that Costella Fanucci is, but you’re not quite so awkward as Izirina Henzler, and that means you clearly recognize exactly what she’s doing… Maybe even before SHE does, in fact.
“Izzy,” you say, “you’re being a little passive aggressive.”
Your tone is gentle, but Izirina still recoils as if slapped. Costella gasps softly, and raises her hands to her mouth. You bristle a little, realizing that in some ways the relationship dynamic between the three of you has become a little unhealthy... No, it’s ALWAYS been like this.
Well, maybe not always; when you were younger, you weren’t afraid to butt heads with Izzy—‘Henzler’, as you more often called her—and you were NEVER afraid to call her out. Sometimes you were even a little unfair about it, you realize with hindsight and in light of newer, fonder feelings. As you got to know about her history, her adoptive stepmother, and her chimeric ‘condition’, and as your envy turned to fascinating and then to love, that all shifted. You began to walk on eggshells around her, to keep things from her to spare her feelings or avoid confrontation. Well, no longer.
“I am not,” Izirina says stiffly. “I’m just focused on the trip which the two of you both promised me as a way of making up for—”
“For nothing, Izirina,” you say. “this trip isn’t to ‘make up’ for anything. It’s because we love you, and want to spend time together, with you, doing something we all enjoy.”
“So you don’t even think you’ve doing anything WRONG?” Izzy demands, voice low and cold.
(There it is.)
“Iz, we just—” Costella begins.
“We ended up in town later than expected,” you interrupt, shooting Costella an apologetic look but not yet willing to relinquish the reins of the conversation, or to cede to her more conciliatory instincts. “We stayed at an inn. We were attacked by Costella’s ‘other suitor, if you can call him that. It was a bit of a debacle, but we got it sorted out.”
Izzy’s eyebrow raise slightly at the mention of the attack, and you think you see a flicker of concern pass across her otherwise rigid features, but then she simply turns away again.
“Of course,” she says. “You have nothing to fear from any layperson, Tips. We both know that. I was never worried about you.”
“Not about our well-being, maybe,” you say.
Izirina reaches into one of her robe’s many hidden pockets, withdrawing her shaded glasses. She flips open the arms and raises them to her face.
“What else is there to worry about?” she asks coldly.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714010790496872.png","filename":"level 3.png"},"posted":1714010790},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5986252,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5986233
“Izzy,” you say softly, and take a step towards her. “Come on.”
You take Costella’s other hand in yours, and approach her together. Izirina takes a wary step back before catching herself, briefly looking rather vulnerable, even frightened—an expression you don’t often see on her face these days.
“We’re in this together,” you say. “That’s what this trip is about. I understand you’re worried about Costella and I on some level—”
“Of course I’m not—!”
“—and that’s okay,” you say. “There will be times like that, but we’re GOING to get through this together. That’s what we all committed to, right? No matter what, there’s no ‘first wife’. We’re all partners in this… This ‘throuple’ thing, or whatever you want to call it.”
“But only one of us is going to… To get a wedding for sure, isn’t that right?” Izzy asks, voice breaking with such a subtle crack that you doubt anyone but you—or Costella—would notice.
“Oh!” Costella gasps. “No, Iz, you can totally—”
“NO,” Izzy snaps, then takes a sharp breath through her nose and wraps her arms around her midsection. “I can’t. You need to… Your situation takes priority. And when it comes to children, you’re… It’s simpler with you, too. Everything is always EASIER for you, Costella! And you, Ezreal… You can both just… Just DO things! GO places! There’s not all these complications, and all this history, and dead houses, and secret names, and ruined or cursed uteruses, and evil spirits, and… AND…!”
“…And?” Costella coaxes.
Izirina looks to you, as if uncertain if she should say more—should tell Costella about the dark prophecy which Nenaias uttered and the Nothic compounded… About why you’re taking a trip into the Wastes to retrieve second-choice ingredients for the Unseelie Star, why you’re delaying having children.
>19
“…I just want things to be easy,” she concludes. “Easy like they are for everyone else.”
Costella and yourself beckon Izzy in, and hesitatingly, awkwardly, she allows you to embrace her.
"Hey, hey, it's okay," Costella soothes her, taking off her head and stroking her hair. "Maybe, like... You and ME can get married? I bet that freaky Bloodrise kingdom has legal, uh, girl-girl weddings?"
Izirina laughs at that, and nods, though she's still sniffling a little.
“This trip will be good for all of us,” you decide.","attachment":null,"posted":1714011893},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5986287,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5986252
Unfortunately, it still isn’t the sort of trip the three of you can just take alone, or embark upon instantly. You’re confident, but not cocksure to the point of foolishness.
First, there are the material preparations: rations to carry with you when forage is scarce, should the journey go long. You secure these readily enough at the Hill, though the one thing you DON’T bring is ‘moonberries’. The <Goodberry> bushes which you have planted and tended so carefully have only just begun to flower, and while one has produced the beginnings of a single, small fruiting body, it’s far too soon to pluck it. Even if it weren’t, Muffins has taken an increasingly carnivorous approach to his meals as he's grown older, even the goat-head of your three-headed pet chewing fat and bones with gusto—if the berries can fill an individual up and restore their energies, it might still not meet all his needs.
After these practical concerns comes the matter of traveling-companions. Even if you and izirina—and Muffins and Veloz, who OBVIOUSLY are coming with you—are all fairly adept at self-defence, Costella isn’t, and neither you nor Izirina have the physical might to follow- up when your magical energies fail or falter… Or to wield reliably against the magic-resistant adversaries you might encounter. Furthermore, none of you speak Goblintongue—or, well, Izirina and yourself speak only a smattering, while Costella knows only a few choice profanities courtesy of Zith-Zi, so you have no means among the three of you to defuse a situation before it TURNS violent.
Luckily, you know a goblin. Or two. Or, well… Two SORT of goblins?
“I’m still a goblin where it counts, just ask Jimmy” Zith-Zi says defensively, and adds with a hint of pride: “Nie yik wane vie kien po det kat mei ahn!”
“So things are going well with you and Efron?” you ask, while trying to parse out the latter sentence in your head.
“…Well enough, I guess,” Zith-Zi says, after some thought and with a shrug, though she can’t hide the grin which spreads out as she adds: “Threw his folks for a loop when I told his folks what you told ME, about my grandpa being a human bigwig or whatever-the-fuck. Can’t say shit about me bein’ some wasteland rat anymore! And being able to stand my ground without STABBIN’ anyone, well, that’s kidna’ nice. Honestly I’ve been findin’ it a lot easier ta’ be, like, calm ‘n shit in general, ya’ know? Makes conversations with the ball-‘n-chain easier, too.”
“Yeah,” you sigh, “conversations with a significant other can be tricky, huh?”
“Girl troubles again?” Zith-Zi teases. “Well, more women, more hassle, amirite? Still, some nights it might be worth it for TWO Jimmies… Ha!”","attachment":null,"posted":1714015165},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5986288,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5986287
The raunchy commentary, coupled with the reminders about how she’s changed, all serve to remind you of Zith-Zi’s OTHER ‘other half’, whom you left in her care.
“And how’s Carazzi?” you ask. “How have you two been getting along?”
Zith-Zi grimaces a little, and your heart falls. Youd’ hope the ‘former goblin’ in front of you and the demonic entity which had emerged from her when you transformed her into her current state could strike a balance, and thus bring some stability to the green-skinned, appetite-addled demogoblin.
“Hey, hey, don’t get yer panties all bunched-up in those fancy new pants a’ yours!” Zith-Zi says, catching your crestfallen expression. “It’s—she’—doin’ fine, I guess. Takes well to combat training, anyhow. Prob’ly ‘cause she got to crib off all MY hard-won lessons when ‘we’ were growing’ up together, with her ridin’ along playin’ tapeworm or whatever.”
“I’m not sure it’s that simple,” you say.
“I SAAAIID ‘or whatever’, didn’t I? Sheesh, Tips, not everyone’s a magic-nerd like you.”
You roll your eyes. Yep, some things NEVER change.
“Anyway, it seems good for her. She likes it, too. Only… I think the real problem is that when she gets worked up, or her sparring partner does, or she gets roughed up a little, the dick-bitch throws a regular ol’ SHITFIT.”
“She gets angry?” you ask, a little surprised.
Zith-Zi laughs biiterly.
“ANGRY would be easier,” she says. “she gets PSYCHO, and HORNY. It’s a fuckin’ mess. had ta’ stop her killin’ your old man after practice just last week.”
“Rudlfo?” you ask worried. “is he okay?”
“Well he’s got the mother of all fuckin’ hickeys, I’ll tell ya’ that,” Zith-Zi says. “Stopped her guttin’ him or breakin’ his pelvis, though. Dirty old geezer didn’t even seem that bothered, ya’ ask me.”
You’re relieved (you think), but Zith-Zi looks troubled.
“An’ then she CRIED about it. Imagine that! I never woulda’ fuckin’ bawled like a baby, even when I was one. Bene thinking, with her skills—MY skills, but whatever, fine—and that, uh, ‘killer instinct’, maybe what she needs is some proper fieldwork.”
“Well,” you say, finally broaching the subject which you arranged this meeting for, “about that… I might have just the thing.”
“Ugh,” Zith-Zi groans. “You’ve got that look in your eye. Adventure time again, ey?”
“Something like hat,” you admit.
“Well, where to this time?” she asks.
“How do you feel about a bit of a homecoming?”
Zith-Zi downs her drink and listens.
>+1 Courage!
>+1 Ego…
>Zith-Zi and Carazzi join the party!","attachment":null,"posted":1714015226},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5986290,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5986288
Before you leave the city , there’s one more matter to attend to. You intend to pay a visit to your old ‘connection’ on campus for some of the green-tinted, mind-expanding ‘shirin’ stimulant. You haven’t taken the substance in years, but aside from its rather invigorating effects and the potential for inducing intellectual epiphany, it was ALSO quite useful as a bargaining-chip in your negotiations with the goblinfolk last time you visited the Wastes. You have one packet tucked into your lunar attire back at your encampment, but it is old, and you’re honestly not sure if it’s ‘good’ anymore, or has become inert (or toxic?) with the years. It is at its source—a rather egregious establishment called ‘The Pretty Kitty’—you hope to secure more.
(Though he never seems to have much on him hat he hasn’t already taken, and it’s rather pricey with him playing ‘middle man’…)
In the end, you secure…
>A smaller amount, quickly but likely expensively, from the middling mage Harrison Murray
>A larger quantity, possibly for a better bargain straight from the source: ‘The Pretty Kitty’ brothel
>Write-in
[Corrected the shirin amount. Realized I was jumping the gun giving you a set amount when we could have a fun scene or two. Also stopped me from just going on FOREVER AND EVER without a vote. Pardon the slow writing, too.]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714015345798522.png","filename":"level 3 corrected.png"},"posted":1714015345},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5986328,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986288
>Zith-Zi laughs biiterly.
>“ANGRY would be easier,” [...] “she gets PSYCHO, and HORNY. [...] Had ta’ stop her killin’ your old man after practice just last week.”
>“Rudlfo?” you ask worried. “is he okay?”
>“Well he’s got the mother of all fuckin’ hickeys, I’ll tell ya’ that,” Zith-Zi says. “Stopped her guttin’ him or breakin’ his pelvis, though. Dirty old geezer didn’t even seem that bothered, ya’ ask me.”
Troubling, but thankfully it's our dad so he gets a hornyness buff to help in combat as well. Hopefully we can help her control it with our mission.
>>5986290
>A larger quantity, possibly for a better bargain straight from the source: ‘The Pretty Kitty’ brothel
if we're gonna pay a pricey amount anyway, might as well go to the source and use it as trading coin for the ashurati.","attachment":null,"posted":1714018592},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5986338,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986290
>A larger quantity, possibly for a better bargain straight from the source: ‘The Pretty Kitty’ brothel
We need all the cards on our side.
>>5986288
>Rudolfo as Carazzi’s instructor / fuckbuddy
I suppose it is better than being imprisoned in the sylvan realms.
>Pardon the slow writing
I get it.
>>5986226
I might as well say this now. I am getting sick of your shit.
I don’t wake up thinking about abortion, have my breakfast with the remains of the unborn as flavoring on my toast while fantasizing about how to best sterilize pajeet or niggers. I don’t joke about that matter. Especially here of all places.
It is a heavy topic, but a necessary one, when the quest veers into it. I brought up the matter of abortion / sterilization / contraception only when
1) Carazzi demonstrating a willingness to rape and ability to breed
2) Meeting Costella’s family, where the matter of pregnancy came up
I asked RQM about the matter of contraception ( >>5979192 ) and because of this, I (and only I, it seems >>5982042) knew we need more reliable means of contraception other than “pulling out” or outercourse, which I suspect Costella and Tips will not follow when the three of you voted to stay at an inn with her - I’m not opposed to it, mind, only unprotected sex, as my vote ( >>5981887 ) can attest.
And I was proven correct - only through luck did Costella was not pregnant. A coinflip (25 - 75%, but still) we did not need to take. A coinflip I was so insistent on avoiding all this time.
( >>5982427 ) You even agreed with me once. What happened?
I want to see everyone happy. And one very important way is to not thrust the burden of pregnancy and childrearing onto an unready Tips and Costella, so that is why I do as I did.
Shut the fuck up - if you don’t have anything useful to say - and let me do my thing.
am >>5985485","attachment":null,"posted":1714019197},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5986342,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986290
>A larger quantity, possibly for a better bargain straight from the source: ‘The Pretty Kitty’ brothel","attachment":null,"posted":1714019428},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5986385,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5986328
>>5986338
>did Carazzi have sex with Ruldofo Van Houtzmann
[Just to clarify, no, she just jumped him during a 'post-training wrap-up', ended up making out with him, and drained some of his energy before Zith-Zi pulled her off and she seemed to feel remorseful.]
>contraceptives and abortifacents
[Izzy has some herbs and creams in her trunk.]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714023405444684.jpg","filename":"P7UQFLCN2H6K1ED9.jpg"},"posted":1714023405},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5986400,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986338
>I might as well say this now. I am getting sick of your shit.
>I don’t wake up thinking about abortion, have my breakfast with the remains of the unborn as flavoring on my toast while fantasizing about how to best sterilize pajeet or niggers. I don’t joke about that matter. Especially here of all places.
Look, I just thought it's funny that you were the one bringing abortion from time to time so it seemed like a shtick. It wasn't my intention to make you seem like some edgelord, it's just funny it's something that got repeated a lot.
>You even agreed with me once. What happened?
continuing what I said, I don't have a problem with you talking about preventive methods, even a harsh one, and that situation was one where preventive methods were needed. Again, the repetition made it seem kinda like a shtick to me, specially since abortion was mentioned and you also suggested looking into surgery or magical alternatives to make tips and the girls infertile while we deal with stuff and possibly restoring it later on.
Might be my broken humor taking it to far, but I'm sorry if it seemed like I was making you look like some edgelord or else.
>>5986385
>[Just to clarify, no, she just jumped him during a 'post-training wrap-up', ended up making out with him, and drained some of his energy
alright, that's better. still nasty, but way better if it's just "uncalled" kissing.","attachment":null,"posted":1714025216},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5986456,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986400
>the repetition made it seem kinda like a shtick to me
Three times. Twice during this thread and once when discussing Carazzi in the last one. I take no pleasure in mentioning it.
>specially since abortion was mentioned and you also suggested looking into surgery or magical alternatives to make tips and the girls infertile while we deal with stuff and possibly restoring it later on.
Because they are more efficient compared to other forms of contraception. By having both partners sterilized, you reduce the chance by quite a lot, compared to only using one form of contraception (condoms / herbs). That is why I want that option so much.
>Might be my broken humor taking it to far, but I'm sorry if it seemed like I was making you look like some edgelord or else.
I’ll willing to let the matter rest if you do the same. I don’t want to talk about pregnancy until that is relevant again.","attachment":null,"posted":1714038443},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5986635,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986290
>A larger quantity, possibly for a better bargain straight from the source: ‘The Pretty Kitty’ brothel
It’s been years… it brings back memories. A shame, how it all went down.
>>5986385
So it wasn’t too bad and she knows it’s wrong- that’s fantastic. All we have to do is work on self-control now. Hell, maybe Izzy would enjoy mothering Carazzi- it might improve her mood :^)
>>5986338
>>5986400
>>5986456
Ahhh, this also brings me back! =P","attachment":null,"posted":1714063499},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5986917,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5986635
>>5986328
>>5986338
>>5986342
If you’re going to be spending the same amount of coin either way, you decide it would be better to get more product. Three are times when coin CAN’T buy access, after all, and at such times shirin—something with intrinsic value to anyone willing to partake—could provide useful… And potentially fun, if you’re being honest to yourself. Of course, that means delving into the seedier area of Hawksong; where your little misadventure at the inn with Costella had only touched upon, you now will be diving deep. You decide it best to bring Zith-Zi, if deference to this—if she can be your ‘muscle in the wastes, she can do so here as well—but that in turn means bringing Carazzi.
And in this part of town…
“Hoooo~,” Carazzi coos, the sound turning into a low whistle as her head twists this way and that to take in the ‘sights’ of the red lantern district. “You sure you that we can’t just take that vacation here?”
“I’m sure,” you say, in a tone that stifles any objection. “Carazzi, you need to learn to control yourself.”
“I’m workin’ on it!” the demogoblin protests. “Honest!”
You regard her critically. Even now, she looks a little thin, if not as emaciated as she was when you retrieved her (at great peril) from the Tower’s basement. That does at least indicate that she’s not been overindulging her ‘appetite’ for emotionally-charged spiritual energy, and also goes a long way towards explaining her lapses: she’s still ‘hungry’, no doubt. The source of the demonic ectoplasm which forms the cloned goblin’s ‘soul’ is apparently a succubus—a demon of desire. She only has so many ways to feed that Hellish hunger within: fear and lust principally.
“What happened with my father, then?” you ask.
“So, ah, ‘big sis’ told you about that, huh?”
“Ain’t your sister!” Zith-Zi snaps, from where she’s marching a few paces ahead, studiously making a show of ignoring the interaction—if not very convincingly.
“L-look, Tips, it was just a little snogging, you know?” she says evasively, avoiding your eyes and rubbing her arm. “We just got to sparring, and he was teachin’ me so many tricks, an’ I got distracted and he got a good slice in… An’ then he offered to clean the wound, and havin’ a big, sweaty, VIRILE guy with his hands all over me after all that, and with where his EYES kept driftin’… I could FEEL it, you know? He WANTED it, at least a little, an’ I was so worked up an’ I just… Gave him a little peck!”
“I hear Zith-Zi fund you straddling her and sucking on his throat like some sort of vampire,” you say, grimacing at the mental image it evokes.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714096196964168.png","filename":"tumblr_pxgthy2Kr01sqw1rao1_r1_1280.png"},"posted":1714096196},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5986920,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5986917
“Well he wasn’t COMPLAININ’ or nothin’!” Carazzi protests, throwing her hands up in the air, then pouts and looks down at her deformed, talon-hoof feet, twisting her ankle back and forth. “A-and I didn’t drawblood… Just a bit a’ juice, ya’ know?”
Your disgust deepens, as much with your father as anything else. You WISH you could say that was out of character.
“Not THAT kinda’ juice!”
“Only ‘cause I stepped in,” Zith-Zi shouts back.
“Well, that’s a relief,” you say, at least glad to not have to think about your horndog father being ‘ridden’ by a hermaphroditic hell-creature, and one you feel vaguely familial towards at that. “Still, this trip is to get you AWAY from those sorts of influences, and out where you can exercise your urges in a more… Appropriate fashion.”
“R-right, yeah, got it,” Carazzi says. “I’ll make ya’ proud!”
You smile a little at that, but the emotion is short-lived, because—
“Before THAT,” Zith-Zi chimes in, “we’re here, at the whorehouse.”
The three of you gaze up at the large, purple-and-pink marquee, displaying what looks to be a rather over-anthropomorphized catfolk female drinking a saucer of milk in a rather inefeficient manner, involving the pouring of it from above into her mouth, down her chin and.. Welll.
“…F-fuck, there’s a LOTTA’ juice circulatin’ in THERE,” Carazzi comments in a low whisper, lowering her gaze to the patrons entering and exiting the establishment-and, of course, the numerous scantily-clad human (and halfling) women vying for their attention or seeing them off with kisses, full coin purses clutched tight behind their backs.
“Down, boygirl,” Zith-Zi snarls, obviously embarrassed that a creature so resembling herself is openly drooling over the ‘selection’.
This is it: the so-called ‘Pretty Kitty Club’, where your old acquaintance Harrison Murray’s feline shirin-supplier can allegedly be found.
You decide…
>Carazzi should stay outside
>Zith-Zi and Zarazzi should come along
>To go in alone, and leave Zith-Zi to supervise Carazzi
You also reflect that shirin, being an untaxed import brought in surreptitiously by beastfolk, isn't 'illegal' per se, but it's not exactly being imported and sold 'over-the-counter'. Furthermore, you've never been to a place like this, and you feel a little out-of-place, but you recognize a moneytrap when you see one: these might be 'wholesalers' with more supply and better bargains available to them, but they're likely to try to take you for all you're worth... And they have the brutish human (and dwarven) muscle around to make it an issue.
How will you approach this?
>Brazenly and gregariously, with your newfound confidence on full display
>Get in, get out, don't be spotted or recognized, don't make a scene
>Slyly and smoothly, and with an eye for angles
>Write-in","attachment":null,"posted":1714096505},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5986934,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986920
>Zith-Zi and Carazzi should come along
Stay as a group - less likely to be picked off that way
>Get in, get out, don't be spotted or recognized, don't make a scene
Why the fuck would we snitch on ourselves. Hell no. As for looking at the prostitutes, whatever, we already have sex on the regular.","attachment":null,"posted":1714097970},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5986964,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986920
>“A-and I didn’t drawblood… Just a bit a’ juice, ya’ know?”
>Your disgust deepens, as much with your father as anything else. You WISH you could say that was out of character.
>“Not THAT kinda’ juice!”
is she talking about sweat here or the energy she absorbs from emotions ?
>Zith-Zi and Zarazzi should come along
>Get in, get out, don't be spotted or recognized, don't make a scene
"I go inside, grab my shirin and return quietly."","attachment":null,"posted":1714100979},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5986967,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986964
>is she talking about sweat here or the energy she absorbs from emotions ?
[The latter, though I suppose there's probably a paraphilic correlation for her.]","attachment":null,"posted":1714101125},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5986972,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986920
>Zith-Zi and Zarazzi should come along
We need ZZ, and Car can't be unsupervised
>Slyly and smoothly, and with an eye for angles","attachment":null,"posted":1714101422},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5987074,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986920
>Slyly and smoothly, and with an eye for angles
As the saying goes,
"Fuck it we bawl"","attachment":null,"posted":1714115174},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5987087,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987074
what about the other votes my dude ?","attachment":null,"posted":1714119678},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5987120,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987087
>To go in alone, and leave Zith-Zi to supervise Carazzi","attachment":null,"posted":1714127970},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5987178,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986920
>Zith-Zi and Carazzi should come along
This is gonna be a good test in restraint for Carazzi, and make sure she knows it.
>Slyly and smoothly, and with an eye for angles
or
>Slyly and smoothly, and with an eye for angles
I wanna see who’s still around- wonder if Mina is still running the joint. I wonder if Edwin even remembers us ;_;","attachment":null,"posted":1714138404},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5987180,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986920
Meant for >>5987178 to be
How will you approach this?
>Brazenly and gregariously, with your newfound confidence on full display
or
>Slyly and smoothly, and with an eye for angles
cause I wanna see our galpals again whoever remains, at least ;_;","attachment":null,"posted":1714138641},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5987536,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986920
>>To go in alone, and leave Zith-Zi to supervise Carazzi
>Brazenly and gregariously, with your newfound confidence on full display","attachment":null,"posted":1714180219},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5987570,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5987536
>>5987180
>>5987178
>>5987120
>>5987074
>>5986972
>>5986964
>>5986934
[Writing!]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714181895428423.png","filename":"locking.png"},"posted":1714181895},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5987638,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5987570
“Come on, “you say after only a moment’s delay. “Both of you.”
“OH??”
Zith-Zi grimaces at Carazzi’s overenthusiastic exclamation, and then looks skeptically to you.
“Well we can’t leave her alone, and if we’re going to make the most of this opportunity and avoid DIFFICULTIES, I’ll need someone, ah…”
“Seedy? Crooked? Kinda’ low?” Zith-Zi presses, eyes narrowing.
“Well, I don’t mean to—”
Zi snorts, and gives your ass a slap that makes you blush as she brushes past you.
“Just yanking your chain, Tips. You’re greener than that fuckin’ powder a’ yours. ‘Course you need someone seasoned. You’re not exactly the ‘smooth criminal’ type.”
“Wouldn’t be my first time talking my way out of trouble,” you counter, rubbing your stinging rear.
(Or your first time talking your way INTO it, admittedly. It IS good to have her along.)
Speaking of trouble, as you lead Carazzi into the den of sin and iniquity, you can’t help but notice a thin sheen across Carazzi’s bumpy, toad-like green skin, reflecting the pink light of cat-themed lanterns. Her breathing is heavy, sizeable chest heaving and eyes wildly darting hither and tither.
“This is a test in restraint,” you caution the demigoblin.
“What, like ropes an’ chains an’ shit? ‘Cause that sounds—”
You snap your fingers a few times, and meet Carazzi’s guilty expression with a stern one of your own.
“Control,” you say. “Focus.”
“R-right, yeah, I get it…” Carazzis mumbles, casting her gaze down at the floor and balling her talon-like hands at her side, as if to resist the urge to grab handfuls of the goods on display.
Within The Pretty Kitty are myriad examples of feminine beauty—albeit often caked in make-up and aided by the lighting, and sometimes with an unmistakable weariness in their eyes and falsity to their smiles. As you enter, some of the male employees—that is to say, the muscle—note your presence with nudges to one another and nods of heir chin. You at least had the good sense to remove your hat before coming here, but it’s tough not to draw attention with your companions, Carazzi especially—women-of-the-night and their patrons gaze down from the balcony above into the foyer-like entrance, or whisper to one another. By the time you’ve reached the lone desk which you assume to be the check-in location for clientele, the woman minding it is ready for you.
“Well hi there, handsome~” she greets, with a practiced huskiness to her voice. “I’m Felia. What can I do you for? Or rather… What are you here to DO?”
This Felia woman is at least fifty, you’d wager, with crow’s feet and streaks of grey through her hair, and her corset and bustier are doing a great deal of ‘heavy lifting’ for her bosom. The notion of her as a ‘working girl’ strikes you as faintly sad, though you suppose perhaps she manages the establishment.","attachment":null,"posted":1714185983},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5987639,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5987638
“We’re not here for business ,” you say simply, and then lean in. “Well, not the usual sort.”
“Oh?” she asks, leaning on her elbows and looking the three of you over, while her breasts squish to the podium before her such that you fear they’ll pop out of her top. “Freelancers? You’re real cute, kid, but we don’t do ‘man’s man’ stuff. Or…”
She gestures to Carazzi.
“Goblins have a bit of a rep, after all. Not exactly, ah, known for cleanly habits in this line of work.”
“I’m not really a—”
Zith-Zi reaches out and claps a hand over the mouth of her ‘evil twin’ before she can spill her proverbial guts. In the process, she catches Felia’s attention.
“Now YOU, precious, YOU have potential,” she purrs, sashaying around the podium and circling the wary ex-goblin. “Tres exotique, which is a little outside our ‘usual these days—new management, you understand, and the ‘market’ for demihumans dried up a little anyway. But YOU… You look BUILT for—”
“—for knocking in your teeth if you call my ‘precious’ again.”
You stare bug-eyes at Zith-Zi, who shrugs as if to say ‘what, what ELSE do you say to someone accusing you of being a prostitute?’ You begin to question whether she might not be the ‘smooth’s ort of criminal herself—she WAS a wasteland bandit, more famous for extortion by the sword and drinking male goblins under the table than for subtlety or guile.
Luckily, once she recovers from the verbal slap, Felia merely laughs. The smile doesn’t quite reach her eyes, but she says: “Well, if you ever change your mind, a lot of men like someone little and feisty. ‘Tamable, not tamed’. We could make a whole gimmick out of THAT…”
Carazzi whines needily beneath the hand-muzzle, but calms herself when Zith-Zi kicks her in the shin and shoots her a deadly glare.
You interject, keeping your cool and explaining: “We’re not here for that—not buying, and not selling.”
“Just a night on the town, then?” Felia asks, switching her attention to you and quickly reprising the demeanour of an eager and attentive merchant. “Our kitchen has been recertified by the city, and our selection of ales, wines, and spirits has expanded thanks to some partnerships with—”
“We had some, ah, OTHER refreshments in mind.”","attachment":null,"posted":1714186044},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5987641,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5987639
Felia’s smile remains, but her expression hardens, eyes sharpen.
“We-ell… I’m sure I don’t know what you mean, constable.”
“I’m not with the guard,” you say lowly. “I’m here because I know Harrison.”
Who?” Felia asks, and you assess her confusion as genuine.
“…The password is ‘Kamunu’.”
Immediately, the brothel-manager’s expression shifts through a few expressions, and then she sighs and rubs her temples.
“We have got to change that password one of these days,” she sighs, then squints. “Wait, didn’t we?”
“But it is -A- password, right?” Zith-Zi interjects. “One my knife-eared pal here wouldn’t know if weren’t in the know?”
“Hey,” you say, touching your pointed ear.
Felia looks thoughtful, then nods, and signals one of the bouncers—a dwarf—to guide the three of you not to the rooms upstairs, nor to the darkened and smoky room below, but to an adjoining wing of the old building. There, you find yourself face with the first actual catman you’ve seen since arriving—a feline-faced, fully-furred biped, a true beastman, holding court cross-legged upon a gaily-patterned, thickly-padded rug. He’s not alone, either: besides the bouncer blocking you from the back, a couple of burly-looking Easterlings—human ones, EastMEN—are there also, with thin moustache, shaved heads, and passing an ornate pipe between them as they gaze imapssievly upon you with their almond eyes.
“So you know Harrison Murray?” the catman asks, his voice lilting with an unfamiliar accent, and rumbling with a tiger-like reverb. “How?”
“School,” you say simply, “and a shared enthusiasm for your… product.”
“Mage,” he says, yawning expansively and scrunching up his face in what you take for distaste, but which could just as easily be some unfamiliar inhuman expression. “Where’s your hat?”
“I’m not here for the Tower,” you say meaningfully.
“Why are you here, then, half-elf?” he asks. “You talk like you read a lot. Carry yourself like you can sneak, though. And these two things with you—”
“These ‘things’ have ears,” Zith-Zi snarls. “And a sabre, if it comes to it.”
Both of the Eastmen shift their stances, showing off sheathed, curved swords of their own—each easily the height of Carazzi.
“Mine are bigger,” the catman purrs. “But Felia knew my father, and my aunt, and she tells me you are now with the guards, or the Queen’s other dogs. I believe Felia, who was so trusted by my ancestors, and serves Aunt Mina beyond the veil of Death’s Domain. So it is that I, Udarji, welcome you to my humble bazaar.”","attachment":null,"posted":1714186105},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5987642,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5987641
“…Thank you,” you say after a moment, and sit as he gesture you to do. The goblin-girls behind you both do likewise, though Carazzis seems to be struggling with the effort to cross her legs in the meditative style in which Udarji is sitting, and which you mimic. Zith-Zi doesn’t even try, simply popping a squat and keeping her hand on her blade’s sheathe.
“Shoulda’ brought Hershy,” she mutters.
“I understand from your words, your posture, and your eyes that you are not like Harrison Murray, half-elf sir,” Udarji says. “I will pour us tea, and you will tell me why you are here.”
And so he does, and so you do.
“Shirin, yes… The ‘spice of life’, it is called where I call home,” Udarji sighs happily. “You know its pleasures, yes?”
“Yes,” you admit.
“And it’s potentialities?” the catman asks.
“Yes,” you agree.
“And dangers?”
You hesitate.
“Do not be coy,” Udarji insists. “Which have you had? What do you seek? The white? The blue? The pink? The green?”
“There are… Different sorts?” you ask.
Udarji goes on to freely explain that, yes, there are. The white shirin is its pure form, a mix of two plants from the east, a root and a leaf. It is a pure stimulant, only minorly hallucinogenic fi at all, but potent for keeping warriors alert and awake.
“What we sell here is often… Adulterated, stretched-put, with local herbs.” Udarji sticks out is tongue in evident displeasure, and his tail repeatedly thumps the carpet beside him. “But not so much as the others.”
The green, with which you are familiar, contains a hallucinogenic compound of some potency.
“To expand perceptions,” the catman says, “or confuse the. It links one to Dreamland, to the realm of Unconsciousness. One must navigate carefully, or be led astray.”
“And the others?” you ask.
“The blue is… Sedative. It encourages a sleep, a dreamless one. Even in waking, it calms the passions even as it keeps one awake. It dulls one… But dullness, subdual, this can be a useful thing in some liens of work. The guards here are fond of it—it dims the bright lances of pain, helps to focus upon simple, boring tasks.”
“What’s the pink shit do, then?” Zith-Zi asks.
Udarji holds up a hand, then flicks up a finger.
“Makes a man rigid. Makes a woman moist. Melds a mind, renders one… Pliable. Suggestible. Not only sexually. But yes, also sexually… It is a favourite here, of course.”
He looks again to you, expression unreadable, green eyes unblinking.
“What do you seek?”","attachment":null,"posted":1714186165},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5987644,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5987642
What are you going to buy?
>White shirin
>Blue shrin
>Green shirin
>Pink shirin
>A mix [which ones]
And how much?
>You desire enough for personal use
>You desire enough for you and your party—and maybe a few others—to indulge, to smooth negotiations
>You seek a bulk quantity to trade in your travels—perhaps you can get a deal? Though he may expect to be looped in somehow…
>You wish to set up a steady supply moving forwards, to Old Maple Hill
>Write-in","attachment":null,"posted":1714186226},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5987661,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987644
>Green shirin
>You desire enough for you and your party—and maybe a few others—to indulge, to smooth negotiations
advanced drug dealing
rip mina","attachment":null,"posted":1714187668},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5987682,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987644
>A mix [3/4 green, 1/4 blue]
I wanna try some of the other ones.
>You desire enough for you and your party—and maybe a few others—to indulge, to smooth negotiations
For now just that, but the possibility of making deals for the Hill will be kept in mind.","attachment":null,"posted":1714190640},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5987683,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987661
>rip mina
who was she again ? I forgo","attachment":null,"posted":1714190701},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5987699,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987644
>A mix [White, Green.]
White shrin sounds like a good combat drug.
>You seek a bulk quantity to trade in your travels—perhaps you can get a deal? Though he may expect to be looped in somehow…","attachment":null,"posted":1714192499},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5987700,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987683
She was a cat lady brothel owner. Seems like she died of old age and the place has come under new management.","attachment":null,"posted":1714192561},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5987719,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987644
>A mix [which ones]
White + Green
(Half each)
>You desire enough for you and your party—and maybe a few others—to indulge, to smooth negotiations
>>5987682
I don’t like the idea of the old maple hill involved - we don’t really need the money, and we already have a legitimate business there anyways. That’s unnecessary risk.
Am >>5986934","attachment":null,"posted":1714194492},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5987731,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987719
like I said, it's food for thought. I don't wanna make it a den of addicts, of course.","attachment":null,"posted":1714194968},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5987744,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987731
I was thinking more of old maple hill as a forward operating base rather than selling it there. Distribute it to the hill, the agents in that hill go sell it somewhere, that sort of thing. It could work, but I’m not so sure if even thats worth the risk.","attachment":null,"posted":1714196072},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5987904,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987644
>Mix :
>Green
>You desire enough for you and your party—and maybe a few others—to indulge, to smooth negotiations
>Pink
>You desire enough to have a hell of a night with the two girls of your life.","attachment":null,"posted":1714208558},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5987956,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Why are you anons so obsessed with drugs? I've noticed it before too.","attachment":null,"posted":1714217160},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5987986,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987956
Shirin has observable results, its literally magic not just make you high woowoo bullshit magic, with analysis its actually a useful divination tool but for goblins as they are antimagic they use it to trip balls","attachment":null,"posted":1714222169},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5987988,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987644
>>5987644
>A mix [All]
>You seek a bulk quantity to trade in your travels—perhaps you can get a deal? Though he may expect to be looped in somehow…
>You wish to set up a steady supply moving forwards, to Old Maple Hill
WOODSTOCK BABY!
Mina… ;_;
>>5987956
It’s not really the drugs for me, but the callback to the OG.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714222410657087.jpg","filename":"2998547C-6029-4EEF-8B5C-DA6C229288F9.jpg"},"posted":1714222410},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5988051,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5987988
>>5987904
>>5987719
>>5987699
>>5987682
>>5987661
The green shirin is, of course, what you are here for. That it offers a tangible connection to the dimension of dreaming makes a lot of sense, given the epiphany it once granted you. ‘The Dreamlands’, this term is unfamiliar to you, but know it by others: ‘the Mindscape’ in older documents, or ‘The Collective Unconscious’, as more modern arcane and alchemical texts refer to it. Beings with a mind to speak of brush up against it in their sleep. More advanced mages can go wandering there, though they risk demons escaped from The Hellish Realms, and the Unseelie Fey, and still other dangers. Many who learn to send their spirit away and plumb the depths of that dimension never return, their bodies becoming catatonic, vegetative. But there are other avenues to glean knowledge from that space, too: on the moon, you heard of an ‘Akashic Record’ kept there, accessible tot hose properly attuned; stories told in documents old attest to the ability to pull revelation from the void of sleep through lucid dreaming; it is even said to be the medium through which prophecy is predicted, and such information flows!
“The green,” you say quickly, and then clear your throat. “And the white.”
White shirin is a straight stimulant, a drug for wakefulness and energy. Goblins are not a cerebral race, by and large—that’s what people say, but it’s also your impression of the breed, present company included. You care for Zith-Zi and even for her demoniac, intersex shadow-self, and they have their clever moments, but you wouldn’t characterize either of them as the sort of go searching the so-called Dreamlands for esoteric information. Rather, what they might desire most—or Zi’s fellow wasteland bandits—is a means to march longer, travel further and fight harder. White shirin could likely do that… For them, or for you and your friends, in a pinch.
“And how much?” Udarji asks, leaning forwards, the rumble in his voice deepening and eyes flashing. “You have brought coin, yes?”
“Down boy,” Zith-Zi growls, playing your body-guard. “You ain’t his kinda’ pussy.”
To you, she says: “Tips, don’t take that shit out here. Price’ll be whatever you got on you, as soon as they know what that is.”
“You wound me, little halfling,” Udarji says, not sounding particularly wounded.
“Ain’t a halfling,” Zi grunts, sounding more aggrieved.
“I only need enough for me and these two, and perhaps two or three others, to experience the effects,” you say, doing some quick calculations. “Four pouches of each? The little paper pouches, such as you provided Murray.”","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714230341778197.png","filename":"tally.png"},"posted":1714230341},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5988052,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5988051
Udarji scratches at his fluffy cheek for a moment, squinting his eyes and looking thoughtful. He opens his mouth, and names his price, and it’s better than what Murray would have charged, but just barely. It would use up two-thirds your coin currently on-hand. Your stipend from the Tower is steady, but not overly generous in the absence of research grants, which you haven’t exactly been chasing.
Do you haggle?
>Yes [Courage roll, boosted by your allies’ presence; failure could led to being denied, charged more, or accosted]
>No [Lose your gold, gain eight pouches of shirin, green and white]","attachment":null,"posted":1714230402},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5988054,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988052
>Yes [Courage roll, boosted by your allies’ presence; failure could led to being denied, charged more, or accosted]","attachment":null,"posted":1714230580},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5988125,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988052
>Yes [Courage roll, boosted by your allies’ presence; failure could led to being denied, charged more, or accosted]","attachment":null,"posted":1714235163},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5988132,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988052
>Yes [Courage roll, boosted by your allies’ presence; failure could led to being denied, charged more, or accosted]
Gamba","attachment":null,"posted":1714235333},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5988136,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988132
am >>5987719","attachment":null,"posted":1714235401},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5988359,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987956
I need to be able to relate to the protagonist
>>5988052
>No [Lose your gold, gain eight pouches of shirin, green and white]","attachment":null,"posted":1714245620},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5988411,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988052
>No [Lose your gold, gain eight pouches of shirin, green and white]","attachment":null,"posted":1714248898},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5988456,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988052
>Yes [Courage roll, boosted by your allies’ presence; failure could led to being denied, charged more, or accosted]
We did up our courage recently, also
>and it’s better than what Murray would have charged, but just barely.
It seems like we are getting partially riped off, usually reseller's charge significantly more than their source. If the udarji can only beat murray's price by a hair then he must be up charging us.","attachment":null,"posted":1714251963},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5988533,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5988456
>>5988411
>>5988359
>>5988132
>>5988125
>>5988054
[Locked and writing!]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714260029293493.png","filename":"tally.png"},"posted":1714260029},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5988543,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 12, 13, 14, 16 = 55 (4d20)
>>5988533
“…This isn’t much better than what Murray was offering.”
Udarji doesn’t react right away, apart from a single flit of his tail, then says:
“His business is not my business. He must not be making any coin, to do such a thing.”
“That’s one explanation,” you say.
“The other’s that you’re rippin’ us off, čalkun,” says Zith-Zi.
You don’t recognize the last word, but by the way Udarji’s ears swivel backward and fold, you gather it’s not the politest form of address. You frown at Zith-Zi, but then turn back to him and add:
“She isn’t wrong, Mister Udarji. I’m buying in quantity, compared to Murray. You know this, and I know this… And I also know that to be making a profit, you must be charging small-time purchasers like him, who buy a couple baggies at a time, much more than cost.”
“You accurse me of being ungenerous with him?” Udarji asks pointedly. “And with you?”
“I accuse you only of good business, but I’m putting to you that it would be BETTER business if you didn’t overcharge you.”
“My prices ae fair,” Udarji insists.
“Uh, Tips? Other-ZZ?”
“Only ZZ,” Zith-Zi snaps at Carazzi, speaking up for the first time in this meeting. “What?”
The demogoblin gestures at the two guards besides Udarji, who haven’t moved or changed expressions, but who have tamped the pipe to stop the smoke, and are watching you with eerie stillness.
“Those guys are getting mad,” she says. “The ca’s getting even angrier.”
“I am not ‘catman’ or ‘čalkun’,” Udarji hisses. “I am TABAXI, and I am Udarji al-Rwzit, and I will not be insulted in my own den!”
“I mean no insult,” you say, swallowing your fear and meeting those green, slit-pupiled eyes just as you might have met those of the Dragon King, or Izirina Henzler before him. “I am just asking for a fair deal.”
[Rolling; DC 13]","attachment":null,"posted":1714260833},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5988580,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5988543
The tension in the room is thick, thicker than the smoke around you or the carpet beneath you—somehow more tangible than anything else. The thing is: there is tension, but not fear. You’re not ARROGANT—you don’t’ think of this feline fellow as BENEATH you—but you’re also simply not afraid of him. You can transform into a more fearsome feline than he on a whim. You have been in too many tense negotiations, for higher stakes, with more powerful and dangerous opponents on the opposite side. This ‘tabaxi’ cannot command a dire werewolf or a treant. He is not a Dragon King or Ranger Commander. He cannot transfix you with his gaze or trap you on a distant satellite, far from Earth.
>16
“…You are strong, half-elf.”
“I am, sir,” you agree. “Stronger than anyone else in this room.”
“Hey now,” Zith-Zi says. “let’s not get carried away, ya’ little—”
“I’m bigger than you,” you interrupt her.
Zith-Zi pouts a little, and a moment later, Udarji laughs and slaps he knees.
“Fine, fine, you may have your victory,” he says, “and your shirin. But I will have my coin. AT least, I will have some.”
“Yes,” you agree, and put forth your offer.
When you leave, your coinpurse is lighter, but not so light as it might have been. Rather than parting with ALL your coin—or nearly all of it—you spend half of it, keeping a respectable amount for more traditional purchases wherever silver and copper are accepted—and even a single gold coin.
>+4 White Shrin, +4 Green Shirin
>-Some wealth
“You know,” Zith-Zi muses aloud, hands on hips and a thoughtful expression on her face, “you’ve changed, you know that?”
“Have I?” you ask, then smile. “You know, actually, yes. I do know that. I have.”
“It’s a good look on ya’,” she says.
“Oh. Uh, thank you,” you say, still a little flustered by such an earnest complement from the lieks fo Zith-Zi.
“Kinda’ sexy,” Carazzi adds, 'innocently'.
Both you and Zith-Zi give you a look, and then Zith-Zi looks to you, stabbing a finger at her doppelganger.
“That one’s NOT from me, got it?” she says. “that thought? NOT mine.”
You remember what Carazzi once shared with you—that Zith-Zi had once harbour an affection more than friendly for you, and simply smirk.
“Come on,” you say. “We have what we came for, and our carriage awaits.”
“Hopefully not LITERALLY, huh?” Carazzi says. “It’s gonna’ be a bit of a walk…”
One of the downsides of bringing a magic-resistant entity is the lack of teleportation to take you home. That means no instant transport to the Hill, but then again, the carriage isn’t waiting quite THAT far out.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714263045655535.png","filename":"level 3,1.png"},"posted":1714263045},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5988582,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5988580
It still takes you the better part of the evening to reach the area near Hawksong’s main gate where Izzy and Costella await. Costella leans out of the carriage and waves cheerfully to you, a lantern held in her other hand to illuminate her position and aid her less-well-adapted eyes in spotting you; neither you nor the ‘sisters’ required light to see, and traveled in darkness.
“I hope you weren’t waiting too long?”
“We just got here, actually,” Costello says brightly. “Iz had us, like, wait until you were on your way.”
(Divination, right. So she was keeping an eye on you when you went into… OH!)
“Uh, well, we had to run a-an errand,” you stammer, peering past Costella to where Izirina—wearing her shaded glasses even at night, regards you neutrally. “It was, that is to say—”
Your cheeks heat. Your confidence cracks.
“Did you get what you needed?” Izzy asks.
You nod.
“Good,” she says, and smiles ever so slightly. “I trusted you would.”
You parse the double meaning, and breathe a sigh of relief.
“Besides, you take longer than that,” she adds thoughtfully.
Costella, confused, scrunches your forehead and looks between the two of you, and asks: “What do you mean by—”
“ANYWAY,” you say, ignoring Zith-Zi’s sniggering. “Time to go. I’m exhausted, but I can sleep on the road.”
And so you roll out. The carriage-driver whom Izirina has evidently hired is a half-orc, and with low-light vision of his own—and queer, gaunt horses with great, wide white eyes to pull the cart—raveling by night is no issue.
“Daytime will be trickier,” Izirina admits, “but we’ll all be alert and awake during the day. Less chance of ambush this way.”
“How did you afford it?” you ask, having so eaisly depleted your own stipend.
Izirina looks at you strangely, and says: “I turned in my research. You know they pay us more for that, right?”","attachment":null,"posted":1714263106},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5988584,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5988582
You frown a little, knowing that any research which Izzy is turning in is—necessarily—magical and alchemical knowledge accessible to the Archmage—her adoptive mother, your master, and a rather unsettling and upsetting figure. You have MISGIVINGS about Theresa Henzler… About her methods, her intentions, and the way she treats people. You reflect on how she spoke even of Izirina herself, the last time you and she were alone: as a bargaining chip, a means to control you, as well as a source of power and knowledge, but not at all as you would expect one to speak their child. You remember the way she starved Carazzi of affection and attention to the point of becoming truly ravenous.
You and Izirina have never spoken of your lingering ill-will towards her adoptive mother, nor the shift in their relationship after the ritual which transformed you, Izzy, and Costella. Before it, Izirina would be reprimanded for calling her ‘Mother’; since then, she has done so freely, and proudly. A part of you wonders what the price was, for that familiarity…
Do you broach the subject during your travels? If so, how?
>Write-in
Do you have any other subjects to discuss with the others?
>Write-in if so
What is your first destination on this journey?
>You will return to where you last encountered the Ashurati—the rocky, mountainous region amidst sand and steppe, where one of their sacred spaces is maintained and their fey ancestors commune
>You will seek out the eponymous goblins of the waste, and have Zith-Zi and Carazzi speak with them—or negotiate with shirin or coin—to have them gudie you to where they have seen the Ashurati
>You will travel to a trading output of more civilized Wastelanders—for such waystations DO exist—and gather information while you shop and explore, in a more relaxed fashion
>you will find a space which feels right, intuitively, and take some green shirin to trigger a vision, which you can hopefully sue to navigate
>Write-in","attachment":null,"posted":1714263166},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5988828,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988582
>(Divination, right. So she was keeping an eye on you when you went into… OH!)
so not only she knew what we did, she could watch it. zam. upfront anons were right on this one. now, did izzy have a guilty goon shesh ? we may never know
>>5988584
>Speaking of the tower, how has been your relantion with the archmage during the time I was away ?
>Ask Cazzy what she's feeling about the travel
>You will seek out the eponymous goblins of the waste, and have Zith-Zi and Carazzi speak with them—or negotiate with shirin or coin—to have them gudie you to where they have seen the Ashurati","attachment":null,"posted":1714271374},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5988918,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988584
>Do you broach the subject during your travels? If so, how?
Yeah I'd turn in my research too, if your mom wasn't a huge bitch
>You will return to where you last encountered the Ashurati—the rocky, mountainous region amidst sand and steppe, where one of their sacred spaces is maintained and their fey ancestors commune","attachment":null,"posted":1714275670},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5988991,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988584
>“Before it, Izirina would be reprimanded for calling her ‘Mother’
>A part of you wonders what the price was, for that familiarity…”
Eh. Studying under the Nothic probably got results. That’s what the archmage cares a lot about.
>ask about (>>5988582) what research she has turned in, the information she has given
>Tell ZithZi about the doings of yesterday. Ask ZithZi about Carlos attacking us - what should our response be
She knows more about shady things than we do.
>You will return to where you last encountered the Ashurati—the rocky, mountainous region amidst sand and steppe, where one of their sacred spaces is maintained and their fey ancestors commune
am>>5988132","attachment":null,"posted":1714280312},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5989004,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988991
>Eh. Studying under the Nothic probably got results. That’s what the archmage cares a lot about.
I think even her would be wary of the nothic, considering her experience with dark beings.","attachment":null,"posted":1714281541},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5989044,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988991
Supporting this","attachment":null,"posted":1714291062},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5989047,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988584
>>You will return to where you last encountered the Ashurati—the rocky, mountainous region amidst sand and steppe, where one of their sacred spaces is maintained and their fey ancestors commune","attachment":null,"posted":1714291440},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5989217,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5989047
>>5989044
>>5988991
>>5988918
>>5988828
[Writing!]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714316910513037.png","filename":"tally.png"},"posted":1714316910},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5989274,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5989217
The matter of Izzy and the Archmage troubles you as you sleep that night, nagging at you to such an extent that, were it not for your elven physiology and attunement to the sun-moon cycle, you’re not sure you’d have slept at all. Sleep you do, though, and you awake with your head in Costella’s plush lap, with her fingers in your hair. You blink blearily in those first few disorienting moments of wakefulness, and see…
“You’re wearing my hat.”
Carazzi is, indeed, wearing your hat. It’s tilted back and somewhat askew to accommodate her horns, but her smaller head helps to facilitate this. She looks somewhat guilty, giggling and removing it right away to offer it back.
“Sorry, Tip. Just a, you know… Like a whim?”
You look down at the hat, and up at the strange, dark-green creature holding it. She blinks back at you, and then fidgets as she tries and fails to suppress a wide smile, looking away and fidgeting. It was a cute sight, undoubtably; you had thought it, and she had evidently picked up on the thought with her empathic sense.
“You can hold onto it for a bit longer,” you say, and the demogoblin immediately dons it again before you even finish the sentence.
“Uuuugh,” Zith-Zi groans, leaning against the window. “Too fuckin’ twee. Wouldn’t catch me wearin’ one of those dorky hats.”
You look at the ‘nilbog’—to use Testa’s term for the transformed goblin—and at her attire: leather armour resembling a corset and spiked brassiere, with a single oversized pauldron upon which Hershy—the golden-feathered chimeric drake which has long been Zith-Zi’s companion is seated, while accepting dried crickets from Izirina. You don’t consider this LESS eccentric than your hat, which is of course a part of the rich and storied history of a centuries-old magical tradition predating even HAWKSONG… But you’re self-assured enough to not feel the need to argue the point. Instead, you ask Carazzi:
“How are you feeling about the travel?”
“It’s weird,” she muses, looking out the window to the other side as she speaks. “I sorta’ recognize the place… Like, it FEELS like I should remember. The details are all fuzzy, but sometimes we see a landmark—like that big rock there, see it?—and I, like… Remember other goblins and me, and drinking, and other stuff.”
“That’s ‘cause this is MY old stompin’ grounds,” Zith-Zi interjects. “Those are MY memories you’re rememberin’!”
Carazzi frowns, staring out the window with greater intensity, but says nothing. Her expression is thoughtful, troubled.
Do you offer her any advice and comfort?
>She should think of those as her memories, too—she and ZIth-Zi were one and the same back then, and she has a right to them
>She should let those memories go, and create new ones—forge a new identity, a true self not reliant upon the shadows of her past ‘self’ as a spiritual parasite
>Let her puzzle it out herself
>Write-in","attachment":null,"posted":1714321353},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5989275,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5989274
As for Zith-Zi, when you next make camp near that same rock outcropping—and it’s a rather strange phenomenon, making camp in the middle of the day, just as you’re waking up, rather than to sleep!—you take a moment after you’ve eaten with the others and discussed your plans, and have a little aside with her. It’s not about Carazzi, though, or her old memories of the Wastes, but about something else…
“So this De Gori asshole tried ta’ jump ya for jumpin’ Costa’s bones, huh?” Zith-Zi summarizes what you’ve shared. “Want me ‘n the boys ta’ fuck him up?”
“Who are ‘the boys’?” yu ask, confused.
“You know, THE BOYS. Me, Efron, Pearce… Maybe Carazzi, I GUESS… The Boys!”
“Do you think that’s wise?” you ask. “I don’t want to escalate the situation. I just… I’m not sued to situations this, well, SHADY.”
“Which is why you asked me, huh?” Zith-Zi teases, poking you in the stomach and side with a series of little jabs to make you flinch and fidget. “What, you can negotiate a drug-buy in a seedy whorehouse with some black-market Orientals, but ya’ aren’t sure how ta’ handle a love-triangle?”
“I just wanted to get your advice!” you protest, squirming away.
“Aren’t you always talkin’ shit about how you’re OLDER than me? More EXPERIENCED?”
“Zi, if you’re not going to help, and are just going to make fun of me…”
“I didn’t say THAT,’ Zith-Zi says. “Look, you asked if retaliating is wise. And you said HE said—Carlos, that is—that he said some shit about you ;brainwashing’ Costella. Maybe she might know what that’s all about, or her folks? Seems like there’s more to this. But the MAIN thing there is to this, is this Carlos De Gori shithead still thinks he’s got a shot. You have ta’ make it clear to him he doesn’t, ‘cause he obviously ahs fuck-all going on in his life and is gonna’ follow-up on this. That’s my instinct.”
“And how do I do THAT?” you ask.
“Could get hitched,” she suggests. “If you two are married, he’ll know it’s too late ta’ shoot his shot.”
Your gaze flits to Izzy and Costella, currently talking while gigglingly playing with Hershy—or Hirschel, as Izirina calls him. Zith-Zi follows your eyes but, with surprising tact for her, doesn’t make a smarmy comment about it.
“If you can’t do that,” she says instead, “you gotta’ send him a message. That might be ‘fuck off or my boys will break your kneecaps’ or ‘here’s some evidence me and Costa are for real, this isn’t some khoblis magic scam ornothin’… now fuck off or my boys will break your kneecaps’.”
You frown, but nod, and consider the nilbog woman’s words.","attachment":null,"posted":1714321414},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5989277,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5989275
You and the others commence traveling again as the sun begins to set. It’s a really unusual rhythm, and it takes some getting used to even for you. As you settle in to sleep, you find Costella has already drifted off, swaddled in a blanket against the surprising nighttime chill in the Goblin Wastes, more evident this visit than during your last, though the days are nearly as hot. Zith-Zi and carazzi are both fast asleep as well, utterly unbothered by the bumping and rattling of the cart. You smile at their peacefully-sleeping faces for a moment. When you look up, you see Izirina doing much the same with YOU, though her own expression is inscrutable… Almost as inscrutable as the deceptively-youthful mask her adoptive mother wears.
The Archmage… Yes, you suppose it’s time to talk about that.
“So, you’ve been submitting research for grants?” you ask.
Izirina nods, and smile a little.
“Mother has been very pleased, and has paid us quite well. It’s why we can afford all the aspects of day-to-day life at Old Maple Hill… And the material components for the teleportation envelopes.”
“That spell takes material components besides the paper and wax?” you ask.
Izirina nods, and then frowns and shakes her head.
“Well, not BESIDES the wax, but the wax itself is actually impregnated with an alchemically-cultured and magically-enriched resin that allows it to hold an enchantment. It’s like the chalk a mage would use for setting runic enchantments like wards or <Explosive Runes>, if they wanted to keep them stable in the long-term. It’s… Not inexpensive.”
“I didn’t know,” you admit. “Uh, thank you.”
Izzy smiles a tiny, but obviously proud, smile at your praise and appreciation, and dips her head in a small nod.
“So these transportation spells.. Are those what you’ve been sharing? Or is there more?”
“Well, I’ve been working on Divination as well, but that’s more recent… And since the incident in the woods, with the Noth—with my teacher, that is, I’ve not been making as much progress.”
She scowls a little at that, though you can’t tell if she’s frustrated with you, or with herself. It reminds you of something that had been troubling you about tat arrangement, between her, the Nothic, and the Archmage.
“I’m surprised Archmage Henzler was okay with you receiving, you know… That sort of tutelage, given her history.”
(Being possessed and manipulated like a meat-puppet by a demon by an agent of the Dark Gods will do that, you suppose)
Izzy chews her lip, and looks out the window. After a moment, your eyes widen.
“She doesn’t know?!”
“I… Maybe didn’t say where I discovered those spells?” Izirina admits, voice lilting up as if to say: ‘Is that so bad?’
“Izzy…”","attachment":null,"posted":1714321474},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5989280,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5989277
“It wasn’t DARK MAGIC,” she protests. “Just REGULAR magic I learned from a… From a particular source.”
“Still-“
“I’m not learning from it anymore,” Izzy interrupts, with a desperate plea to change the subject embedded in her voice. “Can’t we just… Not talk about that?”
“Where does the Archmage THINK you’ve been learning this stuff, then?” you ask.
“Well, <Plane Shift> was my own spell,” Izzy says, with a hint of pride. “She knows about THAT, of course. I couldn’t hide what had happened to me, when we… When I… Well, you recall. I had to explain it. And that spell was my own invention, so…”
“So Archmage Henzler assumes you invented these other spells yourself,” you note.
“And I mostly DID, you know,” Izzy retorts. “The No—my teacher taught me to teleport objects from one place to another, but NOT how to anchor them to a point. I was taught the <Contingency> spell to trigger their activation, but NOT the means to automatically pull them back to me. I worked out how to maintain that connection indefinitely, though—how to fuel them from my own reserves of qi, or spirit-power—from YOU.”
“ME?” you ask, startled. “But I cant… Oh.”
Izirina nods, as you realize what she means. The spell that entangles’ the magical envelopes and their holders with their creator—with Izirina Henzler—is a derivative of your ancestors’ and gods’ own sacred <Rite of Attunement>.
“Izzy!” you shout, before quickly stopping yourself.
You look to the carriage’s other occupants—all still asleep. You lower your voice.
“Izzy, that sort of knowledge isn’t for… For someone like the Archmage!”
“I didn’t share that with her,” she says. “I just told her it was to do with how you, I, and Costella had changed… That it wasn’t something just anyone could do. Which isn’t wholly true, actually—I don’t understand all the particulars of ‘Feycraft’, or that ritual, but anyone wit sufficient skill COULD achieve similar effects by creating a magical matrix with the right—"
Izirina looks at you, and seems to register the expression on your face.
“What’s wrong?”
You struggle to think of how to broach the subject, but to your surprise, Izzy seems to figure out the problem before you give voice to it.
“Tips… Ezreal… Why don’t you want my mother to know how to use these spells?” you ask. “Is this why you haven’t submitted the detailed casting-scroll for <Clone>? I’d assumed you were being so secretive about the other magic because of your religion, and because they were fairy-magic… But there’s more to it, isn’t there?”
How do you respond?
>The Archmage shouldn’t be trusted—she isn’t an altruist
>The Archmage is manipulating Izzy—she doesn’t really love her
>The Archmage is a bitch, and doesn’t deserve to have this knowledge
>…it’s fine
>Write-in
[Don't forget to vote in both votes!]","attachment":null,"posted":1714321535},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5989283,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989274
>She should think of those as her memories, too—she and ZIth-Zi were one and the same back then, and she has a right to them
Think of it as two people having seen them together.","attachment":null,"posted":1714321553},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5989284,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5989283
[Don't forget >>5989280 !]","attachment":null,"posted":1714321644},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5989292,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989274
>Bear hug both Zis
Now they can remember this instead of quibbling over old memories :V
>>5989280
>The Archmage shouldn’t be trusted—she isn’t an altruist
Least bad reason","attachment":null,"posted":1714322200},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5989323,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989274
>>She should let those memories go, and create new ones—forge a new identity, a true self not reliant upon the shadows of her past ‘self’ as a spiritual parasite
You were a passenger on the backseat, not an actor. You know that place, you can feel solace, but you have to build new memories.
>The Archmage shouldn’t be trusted. She have her own Agenda and endgoals, which we don't know in detail.
We just know she's generally up to no good. No bad, but no good.","attachment":null,"posted":1714323663},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5989333,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989274
>Let her puzzle it out herself
Make of it what you will
>>5989280
>I can’t trust the Archmage — she would be too hasty with it
She is wise, but she isn’t infallible. The way she contained Carazzi made more much more volatile than she could’ve been. It worked, but only in that condition alone. Had she escaped… things could’ve gone to shit.","attachment":null,"posted":1714324529},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5989410,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989274
>She should think of those as her memories, too—she and ZIth-Zi were one and the same back then, and she has a right to them
>>5989280
>The Archmage shouldn’t be trusted—she isn’t an altruist
Really all of the above but this one sounds the best
Not an altruist is putting it lightly - she tortured Carazzi!","attachment":null,"posted":1714329040},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5989432,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989280
>We can't trust her not to use these spells in unethical ways, or enable others to do so.","attachment":null,"posted":1714331892},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5989441,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989274
>Let her puzzle it out herself. Give a comforting hug.
>>5989280
>The Archmage shouldn’t be trusted—she isn’t an altruist and doesn't shy away from using spells in unethical ways.","attachment":null,"posted":1714332459},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5989492,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5989441
>>5989432
>>5989410
>>5989333
>>5989323
>>5989292
>>5989283
[I have time for an update, but we have a draw as to Carazzi. Normally I'd default this to no advice, and letting her sort it out herself... But with your EGO +1 which came with your Courage increase, I will disqualify that and roll between the two other options, PLUS include the hug, if we don't get a clear plurality within the next hour. Tips' inherent confidence is such that, in a draw or ambiguous vote, he will go for bolder and less timid options, and action over inaction.]
[Vote is still open for now, though.]","attachment":null,"posted":1714336883},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5989544,"name":"RQM","msg":"Rolled 2 (1d2)
>>5989492
[Locked]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714341354580756.png","filename":"rolling.png"},"posted":1714341354},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5989554,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 16, 18, 7, 6, 15, 7 = 69 (6d20)
>>5989544
“Izirina, the Archmage… Your mother… I don’t trust her.”
Izirina’s frown returns, but you don’t’ give her time to object—you press on.
“She doesn’t share my priorities, or yours. She’s not driven by altruism, or th wll-being of others.”
“She’s not a monster Tips.”
“I didn’t say she was,” you’re quick to point out.
This has the effect of mollifying Izirina somewhat—for you can see outright accusations of immortality would be a nonstarter. There’s a bond there, an attachment, as one might expect between a child and the one who raised them. You understand it well enough—your own parental relationships have been fraught at times, strained and distant, but you found yourself forgiving your mother her flaws and missteps as you grew older. She and your father were both absent for much of your life, whereas the Archmage stuck by Izirina, whatever her reasons, and raised her even after the demonic possession which initially compelled her to do so had abated. She’s granted Izzy status, resources, prestige, and power. This carriage, with its eerie steeds and dozing coachman, are gifts of the Archmage, like your precious lightning-struck staff. You UNDERSTAND why Izzy would care for her, and wish to trust her…
“But we can’t just assume she has the same interests as us,” you continue. “Izzy… I’ve read a lot about the Archmage. I’ve spoken with her privately, as her apprentice. I know she’s wise, and experienced, but I also know she’s… Ruthless, at times, in pursuit of her goals. She isn’t empathetic.”
“Mother is just… Just different,” Izirina protests. “She wants what’s best for the people of Hawksong, but not everyone can express it the way you do… Or sees things the same WAY you do.”
“She wants the best for the people of Hawksong? Does that icnlude demihumans? And beastmen?” you ask. “What about fair folk, like me and my mother, outside of Hawksong? What about goblins… Or a creature like Carazzi?”
Izirina’s face scrunches up in distaste for tehq uestion, ro perhaps her inability to adequately answer it.","attachment":null,"posted":1714342399},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5989571,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5989554
“You’re calling her a racist? Tips—”
“I’m not,” you quickly correct her. “I know she doesn’t like Carazzi—I KNOW that much. And I understand why, just like I understand and even share some of your misgivings with the Reptilians. But that’s the thing—I don’t know WHAT else she wants, HOW she feels about any of those other people. Do YOU? And when she says she’s prioritizing Hawksong’s interests… Izzy, she’s OLD. Older than I think you know. Are you really sure your mother’s idea of ‘the interests of Hawksong’ is the same as mine, or yours, or Costella’s, or Pearce’s? That it isn’t ultimately the interests of herself, and a select few others? That she isn’t willing to use people as pawns to advance that goal?”
“She’s not… It’s not like that,” Izirina murmurs, quiet now, looking down at the gravel and sand and gripping her robes.
“I’m not saying she’s evil, or unethical,” you say, though it is a half-truth, padding for your true point to spare Izzy’s feelings the sharpness of your actual opinion while still getting it across. “I’m only saying that we don’t’ KNOW what she’d do with this knowledge—the ability to duplicate people to create experimental materials, the ability to change the nature of a being’s soul, the ability to harness all that POWER. And until we know… We should be careful.”
>18
Izzy is quiet for a long time, but you can see it has sunk in. She understands and, logical woman that she (usually) is, her inability to refute or eliminate your concerns must be upsetting.
“She’s trying,” she croaks out.
Your heart falls a little bit, because you can see this criticism of a woman who Izzy has always desperately longed to please, and to live up to, has hurt her. You step forward, and beckon her towards you. Izzy slumps forward, silent, shaking slightly, and you hold her until you both fall asleep.
When dawn comes and your coachman is once more asleep, the rest of your wake, and stretch, and ‘enjoy’ your meals of dried, nutrient-rich trail rations and weak tea as best you can. It’s the downside of such travels, one that—perhaps, someday—the moonberry bushes at Old Maple Hill can make a thing of the past. Or perhaps logistics could be dramatically improved, if a less knowledge-and-energy intensive means of casting <Teleport Object> could be devised? In truth, yours and Izirina’s researches COULD make a huge difference in the world, rather than just at and around the Hill, if you had influence and status akin to that of the Archmage…
That’s in the future, though. Right now, you have more immediate matters: those with the ‘sand elves’ of the Neme-Ashurati and, even MORE immediately, those with Carazzi, who is staring down into her tea with the troubled expression she’s worn since Zith-Zi snapped at her ‘younger sister’ for ‘stealing’ her memories.","attachment":null,"posted":1714343450},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5989582,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5989571
“You didn’t do anything wrong,” you tell the demogoblin.
“H-huh?” she says, snapping out of her reverie and looking at you quizzically, as you take a seat beside her, upon the large rock which she ahs made a stool of.
“You were just a passenger,” you elaborate. “When Zith-Zi was making those memories… You weren’t stealing them. Youw ere just along for the ride.”
“But the emotion, the feelings, the… Like, I dunno’, connections or whatever… None of THAT’S mine either!”
Carazzi grimaces, her twisted visage truly ghoulish in that moment, before the anger cracks and gives way to despair.
“I was just feelin’ it ‘cause I was inside of her… But iw asn’t really HER, was I? An’ if I wasn’t Zith-Zi, and those feelings weren’t mine, have I ever felt ANYTHING/ or is it all just a bunch’ve bullshit? Am I even feelin’ real feelings NOW, or just… Just imitating you guys? Feeling whatever comes off of you and…”
Carazzis lets out a yelp of surprise as you pull her to you in a long, tight embrace. You stroke her (admittedly somewhat greasy) hair, and rub her back. Her weak struggles subside, and she melts into you.
“What are you feeling now?” you ask.
“…Cared for.”
“And that makes you…?”
“…Happy.”
“And are you going to remember this trip? This hug? That happiness?”
Carazzi is quiet, contemplatively so.
“Will anyone else remember what you’re experiencing right now, or feel the same way about it?”
“…”
Two small-but-strong arms wrap around your midsection.
“This moment is yours,” you tell her. “Every moment, every memory you make from now on, that’s yours too. You’re not a shadow, or an echo, or an imitation. You’re Carazzi.”
You release the hug and gently extricate yourself from Carazzi’s clinging. When you look back at the demogoblin—at your strange, not-so-monstrous creation, you see something new there: something like awe, or wonder, or…
“I love ya’, Tips. Just so you know. I know you made me an whatever, but… Even if ya’ didn’t, I’d love ya’.”
>You love her too [truth, specify how you would characterize your feelings about the demogoblin Carazzi]
>You… Aren’t quite comfortable saying that
[C]","attachment":null,"posted":1714344036},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5989587,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5989582
After your important conversation with Izzy and Carazzi are out of the way, and with your direction and some helpful <Guidance> from Izirina, you finally arrive at the familiar, rocky hill where you once ate, drank, and trained with Nemenmo and her people. You see no sign of them when you arrive in the evening—no <Daylight> glow, or <Faerie Fire> either. However, you know that doesn’t necessarily mean anything… Their people are nomadic in the manner of the Sylvan folk and most other elf-kin, but this is a holy site to them where they may well return to.. If they aren’t already here, hiding in plain sight amongst the sands, through which they can swim like a fish through water. Perhaps they’re watching you and your friends even now. You feel a pang of concern when you realize that they might be actively avoiding you—after all, you’re here with a goblin bandit (sort of) a demon )kind of) and two human outsiders (inarguable),a s well as a Northwestern carriage manned by a half-orc (unavoidable).
What will you do?
>Announce your presence and beseech any Neme or True Fey to reveal themselves and speak with you
>Climb the hill to visit the sacred sand-bowl amidst the finger-like pillars, which you know to be hidden amongst the peaks [specify if you bring anyone with you]
>Assume your <Improved Aethereal Form> and attempt to sneak closer, to spy upon anyone present
>Leave—nobody is here, and so you must search elsewhere
>Write-in
[Don't forget to vote in both votes!]
[Also, a couple typographical/editing corrections...]
>>5989554
>*day-dozing coachman
[He wasn't asleep at that moment, of course. Someone's driving the coach, don't worry!]
>>5989280
*“Tips… Ezreal… Why don’t you want my mother to know how to use these spells?” Izzy asks
[Woopsie. I gather most or all of you parsed who was talking from context even with my misattribution.]","attachment":null,"posted":1714344155},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5989615,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989582
>You love her too [truth, specify how you would characterize your feelings about the demogoblin Carazzi]
Like a child
We already got 2 chicks and they're hard to juggle
>Announce your presence and beseech any Neme or True Fey to reveal themselves and speak with you","attachment":null,"posted":1714345839},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5989630,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989582
>You love her too [like a daughter]
>>5989587
>Climb the hill to visit the sacred sand-bowl amidst the finger-like pillars, which you know to be hidden amongst the peaks [bring Izzy]
since she was with us last time.
>[Also, a couple typographical/editing corrections...]
we kinda got used to the minor ones and sometimes we don't even notice, kek
>>5989615
>We already got 2 chicks and they're hard to juggle
>>5989615
I don't doubt there being some anon wanting to haremmaxx","attachment":null,"posted":1714346675},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5989718,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989582
>You love her too [truth, specify how you would characterize your feelings about the demogoblin Carazzi]
Like a cousin or sister of ours.
>>5989587
>Climb the hill to visit the sacred sand-bowl amidst the finger-like pillars, which you know to be hidden amongst the peaks [specify if you bring anyone with you]
Izzy","attachment":null,"posted":1714353105},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5989850,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5989630
>since she was with us last time.
[Have I forgotten a meeting with Nemenmo? I don't recall writing one where Izzy was also present...]","attachment":null,"posted":1714365831},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5989884,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989850
My mistake, I meant to write zizi","attachment":null,"posted":1714369587},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5989891,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989582
>>You love her too [truth, specify how you would characterize your feelings about the demogoblin Carazzi]
Cousin/little Sister
>>5989587
>Climb the hill to visit the sacred sand-bowl amidst the finger-like pillars, which you know to be hidden amongst the peaks [specify if you bring anyone with you]
Izzy + Costella","attachment":null,"posted":1714372831},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5989936,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989630
>like a daughter
I wonder if Carazzi would count as our child for the prophecy. She's kinda of the Yosef line too.","attachment":null,"posted":1714381826},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5989965,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989936
Isn’t she more of a ZithZi creation than ours? We were involved in the rite but it came out of her.","attachment":null,"posted":1714387676},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5990011,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989936
It’d be funny if it did, but I dunno.","attachment":null,"posted":1714396748},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5990400,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5989965
[One could argue (as my family tree I posted suggests) that an arcane meta-genealogist would regard her as a child of two parents (Zith-Zi and Tips) or four (Ismena the Infiltrator, Yen-Zi the Goblin, Irinnile the Succubus, and Tips). Or as simply a parentless artificial creature! It's really a matter of perspective.]
>>5989936
[Forgot a vote, anon...]
>>5989891
>>5989884
>>5989718
>>5989630
>>5989615
[Locked and writing, though!]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714440558472895.png","filename":"Locked.png"},"posted":1714440558},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5990441,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990400
>One could argue (as my family tree I posted suggests) that an arcane meta-genealogist would regard her as a child of two parents (Zith-Zi and Tips) or four (Ismena the Infiltrator, Yen-Zi the Goblin, Irinnile the Succubus, and Tips).
I was gonna ask how the fuck 4 could parent her then I remembered that the lizard was fused with the succubus when she was piping momzi. Man, now I'm curious as to how she got into that.","attachment":null,"posted":1714442417},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5990447,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5990400
You decide it best to investigate. The Neme are a shy people—or a xenophobic one, put less charitably. In this harsh environment, it makes sense to be, so you can’t necessarily hold it against them, but you wouldn’t be surprised to discover they are here, only hiding. Announcing yourself could risk scaring them off—especially if they geta close look at some of your companions-and so you decide to climb the mountain.
…But then again, that would involve CLIMBING.
“Izirina?”
“On it. <Summon Elemental!>”
Almost immediately, you feel yourself lifted up from above, buoyed by the swirling sand beneath you as an upcasted elemental from the Plane of Air picks you up. Beside you, Izirina is similarly aloft. You look down upon the others, and tell them:
“We’ll be back soon. Costella…”
Costella smiles understandingly, and nods. She needs no explanation for why she’s being left back at basecamp: she isn’t a magical specialist as Izirina is and, with the bad mood Izzy ahs been in, a special ‘together’ trip, with just the two of you bonding over your mutual magical interests, could be quite beneficia. She loves Izzy too, and wants that for her just as much as you do.
And as for the others…
“Zith-Zi, keep watch, if you would?
“Literally what you’re paying me for,” Zith-Zi quips, then comes to a sudden, startling realization. “Wait, shit, ARE you paying me?”
“No,” you say, and ignoring the cacophony of goblin profanity which results, knowing by now that she doesn’t really mean it.
“Carazzi?”
The other ‘goblin present looks away from Zith-Zi’s tantrum to regard you curiously.
“Be good,” you tell her.
Carazzi nods, eager-to-please as ever—desperate for approval, for recognition, for positive emotion. You can’t help but find it as endearing as it is sad, and honestly kind of cute. For all her upsetting and unsettling attempts at physical intimacy, you still can’t help but regard this strange being in an almost paternal light. It’s something about the way she looks to you for guidance, for approval. You’ve never really HAD a child of your won, obviously, but this must be what it feels like… Right? To make and shape a life?
(Not that you’d say as much aloud… A simple 'I love you, too' would suffice, and DID suffice, and was far less embarrassing.)
You look to the stagecoach driver, but the half-orc has already checked out, tipping his wide-brimmed hat low and kicking his feet up, and—with honestly enviable efficiency—has begun to sleep. He’s been driving his strange, nocturnal horses hard, without complaint or even questioning. You suppose you can’t begrudge the silent stranger his rest…","attachment":null,"posted":1714442847},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5990448,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5990447
Izirina and yourself ascend the mountain, soaring rather than climbing. You could do this yourself with a Wildshape>, but the truth of the matter is that Izirina is simply a stronger caster than you are. Especially since returning from the Elemental planes, her reserves of raw power dwarf yours—it’s the only reason she can so often serve as a teleportation hub in the way she does. Even now, controlling two elementals, she looks utterly unbothered. If she hadn’t been so quickly contained by Nenaias the elven sage, when you battled him in Iternagreyn, capital f the Sylvan Realms—you strongly suspect she could have summoned something strong enough to burn his treant to ash…
“You’re amazing, you know that?”
Izirina turns to you, startled by the compliment, and even with her tinted lenses you can tell her lightning-bright green eyes have gone wide; her tanned complexion is certainly not enough to hide her blush.
“Y-you too,” she mutters, and turns away, rising higher and bringing you with her.
You both alight upon the mountain. Something almost instinctual tells you not to beeline straight for the dish where the Ashurati keep their sacred sands, amidst pillar-like fingers carved with murals and glyphs. That sort of sacred space should be entered in a correct, respectful manner, if one does not wish to anger the spirits who dwell there, with the permission of their priests or shamans…
And yet there are no priests. No shamans. No Neme, or Ashurati, or anyone else.
“Hello?” you call out, after stumbling around in uncertainty ahs achieved naught but the kicking-up of wasteland dust.
“You said they were nomadic,” Izirina recalls. “Maybe they’re not here, this time of year?”
“It’s possible, but there should still be spirits… True Fey. Remember how the spriggan is bound to the tree upon Old maple Hill? That’s how fairy courts normally work… Well, apart from the Unseelie, but they’re not a REAL fairy court.”
“And their lack of a focus is the problem we’re trying to solve,” Izirina notes, then reflects upon this and asks: “Why CAN’T we just bind them to a tree, or mountain, or something else?”","attachment":null,"posted":1714442908},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5990451,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5990448
“Legend says they’re cursed, for their evil deeds,” you explain. “They were denied to the light of the moon, which was once their right. The sun was made into a weapon against them, as with demons and devils, and other creatures of the Hellish Realms and servants of the Dark Gods. They were left with nothing, and denied even the fruits of the Earth.”
“What did they do?” Izirina asks. “I understand that they torment, enslave, and kill people, but… Originally, I mean? What was their first transgression?”
You open your mouth to answer… But then realize that you don’t actually KNOW. Given what they became, you assume it must have been bad… But you’ve never asked. You didn’t ask the Goddesses of the Moon, the Lunar Eladrin, or the Unseelie themselves. You strongly suspect they’d give different answers, to…
Before you can contemplate this further, you hear a noise—a clattering of stones, as something jostles the gravel and rocks of the cliffs. You turn to face the sound with excitement at first, but then it occurs to you: would the Neme-Ashurati, who had been so carefully hidden all this time, make such a careless mistake? Despite their typical fair-folk’s grace? Your fears are realized when you catch sight of the wolfish, yellow eyes of a goblin, peering over the edge of a cliff.
“Tips…”
“I see it too,” you whisper.
At dusk your vision is clearer than your human lover’s… Perhaps even better than that of the goblin, for their race are creatures of deeper darkness than yours: their ‘darkvision’ works best with little or no light, where your ‘low-light vision’ functions best in these conditions, like that of a crepuscular animal. Chances are, the goblin has spotted you, but doesn’t know who or what you are, aside from a bipedal being. They might not even know you’ve spotted them.
What will you do?
>Greet the goblin
>Intimidate the goblin into surrendering
>Capture the goblin [specify a tactic or spell, if you have one in mind]
>Kill the goblin [specify a tactic or spell, if you have one in mind]
>Flee back to your basecamp
>Assume <Improved Aethereal Form>--which, to a goblin’s painfully unmagical eyes, would be essentially invisibility
>Write-in
>>5990441
[See https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?searchall=reptilian+infiltrator if you'd like. it's not required reading, though.]
The long and short is that a bisexual incel Reptilian Infiltrator treated her mission to Hawksong like Rumspringa, fucked around a LOT, and binding herself emotionally and spiritually to a sex demon just made her libido worse; after her messy breakup with her human husbando, her casual goblin side-piece became her ONLY regular lover, and she never expected her succubus' kinky "modifications" were capable of actually impregnating someone.","attachment":null,"posted":1714443133},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5990455,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990451
>Greet the goblin
Ask if he knows anything about the location.
am >>5989718","attachment":null,"posted":1714443630},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5990507,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990448
>You could do this yourself with a Wildshape>, but the truth of the matter is that Izirina is simply a stronger caster than you are. Especially since returning from the Elemental planes, her reserves of raw power dwarf yours—it’s the only reason she can so often serve as a teleportation hub in the way she does. Even now, controlling two elementals, she looks utterly unbothered. If she hadn’t been so quickly contained by Nenaias the elven sage, when you battled him in Iternagreyn, capital f the Sylvan Realms—you strongly suspect she could have summoned something strong enough to burn his treant to ash…
sometimes I forget she was the "true" mc of this quest.
>>5990451
>Greet the goblin
we're in a position where he can't really try anything dumb so why not.","attachment":null,"posted":1714449293},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5990555,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990451
>Greet the goblin
sup bro.","attachment":null,"posted":1714455584},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5990575,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990451
>Greet the goblin","attachment":null,"posted":1714457996},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5990577,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990451
>spoiler
damn, Reptoid inovating with an actual femcel gooner representation","attachment":null,"posted":1714458227},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5990869,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989936
I thought the prophecy specified our and Izzy's child, not just one of ours alone. Izzy wasn't involved in the creation of Carazzi so we're safe there.
Also she's not really a child.","attachment":null,"posted":1714503500},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5991136,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 20, 5, 16, 4, 3, 8 = 56 (6d20)
>>5990455
>>5990507
>>5990555
>>5990575
You aren’t sure exactly what to make of the goblin’s presence, but you’ve had success negotiating with their kind in the past—it’s how you met and befriended Zith-Zi, after all! Moreover, you really aren’t inclined to start a fight—THAT instinct is how you ended up experiencing the horrors of bloody combat once before, and how Muffins developed his somewhat-upsetting penchant for goblin-flesh. It took you quite a while to train it out of him, enough that you can leave him unsupervised around your ‘nilbog’ friend.
(At least Carzzzi seems to not register as edible to the chimera, you’ve noticed… Thoguh conversely, he seems rather frightened by her at times.)
At any rate, with Zith-Zi at the mountain’s base, you struggle to remember what little goblintongue you recall. It isn’t a lot, but linguistics IS one of your specialties. You approach the goblin, who only realizes they (he, you think?) have been spotted when you are within spitting distance. Then, startled, they leap up. You raise your hands in supplicating gesture and try your luck, while simultaneously testing your memory…
[Linguistics roll, bonus for sociability, 4d20; 2d20 Sense Motive.]","attachment":null,"posted":1714526767},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5991140,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Eh. Not bad first contact.","attachment":null,"posted":1714527059},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5991151,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991136
we're so social
but not very sensitive","attachment":null,"posted":1714528063},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5991158,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5991136
>>5991140
>>5991151
“Hello friend,” you begin, the scratchy and choppy language tingling your throat and dragging up phlegm you didn’t know you had, “we have booty enough to gamble it, and our knives are in the open where you can see them.”
Izirina looks confused, her mouth moving slightly as she tries to work out what you’ve just said.
“Old goblin greeting,” you whisper to her in Common. “It’s not meant to be literal.”
>20
“Howza’ knife-ears khoblis know Gob?” the goblin asks, still have-hidden by cover but now, at least, peeking out enough for you to indeed identify him as a male of the species. He also, apparently speaks Common… Which isn’t entirely a surprise. It’s broken, but useful for traders and raiders like the wasteland goblins to at least know a smattering of the human tarde-tongues.
“I learned it from a friend,” you say with what you hope is a disarming smile. “My name is Ezreal Mious Van Houtzmann, and I—”
“Too many blood name,” the goblin notes.
You’re momentarily disoriented, but you start up again: “Well, ‘Ezreal’ will do. But Actually, I’m here with Izirina—that’s the human woman—and a few other friends, looking for someone. Well, a few someones. They lvie here—”
“The djinn!”
“Well, they’re affiliated with the djinni—those are the elementally-attuned Treu Fey I mentioned, Izirina—but I was actually looking for the flesh-and-blood inhabitants of—”
“I don’t understand,” the goblin admits, twiddling about with one bony pinkie-finger in his oversized, bat-like ear. “Explain slow, or switch to gob-lang.”
Feeling more confident in your goblin-speech after this first contact, you do as he asks:
“I was wondering what you were doing here?” you ask. “It seems like you know who lives here… Do you know where they went.”
“They left,” the goblin says sourly. “Been looking, nothing here anymore…”
The pulls his finger out of his ear, and his posture shifts slightly.
“Well, until you two showed up.”
“What’s he saying?” Izzy whispers.
“We’re the only ones here,” you translate, then turn back to the goblin. “Tell me, you say there’s nothing here ANYMORE… Do you know WHEN they left? The ones who lived here?”
“Scattered when the Amaršoubim came calling,” the goblin says. “Who wouldn’t?”
“Amaršoubim…” you sound out the unfamiliar word. “Meaning… God, or big? No, ‘great’. And šoubim… That’s a word for ‘people’, isn’t it? Great people? Giants?”
The goblin scoffs, then thinks on it, then shrugs.
“Giant for šoubim. Your size, I guess.”
“So… Humans?”
“Ha!” comes a voice from behind you. “Better than THAT!”
>8 and 3 for Sense Motive
Before you can react, something hits you from behind, hard enough to pitch you forward into the stones of the small mountain.","attachment":null,"posted":1714529080},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5991160,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5991158
forgot pic","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714529147313408.png","filename":"Boleadoras.png"},"posted":1714529147},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5991162,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5991160
There’s no sharp pain, at least, so your immediate fear that you’ve been fired upon quickly abates, but it’s replaced swiftly with confusion and disorientation of a different sort, for your arms are bound to your sides. You look down and see that you have been tangled in some sort of contraption of string and stone. A cry of alarm to your left informs you that Izirna has been likewise surprised and incapacitated. You struggle and swear, attempting to squirm your way to freeing a hand so you can at least cast a spell, but al you manage to do is roll over… Just in time for a footfall to slam down on your sternum, knocking the wind from your lungs. It isn’t the goblin you were speaking with, but another, missing an eye and wearing the usual Wastelander roughshod hodgepodge of metal and leather. He snarls down at you, a wordless threat.
“Good job, Gih-Di!” the voice you heard before says. “Looks like this return trip’s not a total loss after all.”
“Y-yeah!” you hear the goblin you were negotiating with say, not entirely convincingly. “That’s right! Distracted them, totally on purpose, just for you, Elak-Rak!”
“That’s ‘BOSS Elak-Rak, maggot.”
“Y-yeah! Right on, Boss!”
You look up at source of the voice which preceded this attack—this ‘Boss Elak-Rak’. Descending from the sacred space where you once practiced your <Daylight> spell with Nemenmo the Ashurati, comes a goblin… But a taller one, more humanoid. His hair is tied back in a short, bundled bun, his skin-tone almost akin to that of the Eastmen who you encountered in the backrooms of The Pretty Kitty, or to the human disguise of Hawksong’s Reptilian Prince Consort. When you squint, though, you can make out that rather than a yellowish-beige, tough, the underlying hue is more of a subtle orange… And even without that, the wide yellow eyes and backwards-sept, ragged-edged ears would give the ‘Boss’ of these brigands away as other-than-human.
“Amaršoubim,” you groan in realization. “Not ‘great person’. ‘Greater goblin’. HOBgblin.”","attachment":null,"posted":1714529207},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5991164,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5991162
“That’s right,” Elak-Rak says with a jagged grin, flecked with gold and silver where some of his teeth have been replaced.
He hefts a club over one shoulder, a long lump of wood wrapped with bands of metal, and studded with spikes. He wears the tanned pelt of some striped beast, with antelope antlers jutting out above his shoulders, lending him a distinctive silhouette. This is aided somewhat by his leanly-muscled physique, attesting to his ability to wield the ungainly weapon… But moreso by the appearance of several more goblins, with sacks, nets, crude spears and cudgels, and more of the curious throwing weapons. Among them, and given wide berth by their smaller, greener cousins, are two more hobgoblins. It’s tough to gauge their full strength from your awkward position, but you’d guess there are somewhere between seven and a dozen goblins of varying sizes and breeds here.
“And what are YOU TWO s’posed ta’ be, I can’t help but speculate?” he asks.
What will you do?
>Flex your reputation and status, and demand to be let free this instant
>Try to use your vulnerable position to get the hobgoblin to tell you what happened to the Ashurati
>Call out for help, and hope your friends can get here in time to aid you
>Signal Izirina to sick the Air Elementals upon these goblins and hobgoblins
>Attempt to cast a spell while bound [which spell? How much MP do you spend on it?]
>Write-in","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714529268563323.png","filename":"Image.png"},"posted":1714529268},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5991167,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991164
>Flex your reputation and status, and demand to be let free this instant
um we're a big important person how dare u","attachment":null,"posted":1714530110},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5991179,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991164
I presume we don’t have the lightning staff with us? If no, then
>Signal Izirina to sick the Air Elementals upon these goblins and hobgoblins
If yes then lightning 1 MP
We need to kill this hob immediately.
am >>5990455","attachment":null,"posted":1714531175},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5991182,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5991179
[Your lightning staff is on the ground beside you. You could reach it and attempt to cast, but it would have similar penalties to casting with gestures right now... Though -1 DC IF you can reach it.]","attachment":null,"posted":1714531341},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5991187,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991164
Kinda funny how we got weak rolls for the "most" important one
>Signal Izirina to sick the Air Elementals upon these goblins and hobgoblins
I don't think reputation will work that much with bandits and I'm don't wanna lie down with a lot of gobbos surrounding us.","attachment":null,"posted":1714531912},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5991203,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5991187
>Kinda funny how we got weak rolls for the "most" important one
[I didn't make it clear in retrospect, but your crit success on Linguistics is the only reason you can understand the hobgoblin, Elak-Rak, and negotiate with him -- the 'normal' goblins speak Common, but he doesn't.]","attachment":null,"posted":1714533654},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5991222,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991203
Alright, that’s better. Since I always assume hobgoblins to be smarter than regular ones, I didn’t think about it.","attachment":null,"posted":1714535644},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5991304,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991164
>Attempt to cast a spell while bound [which spell? How much MP do you spend on it?]
>aethiral form 1mp.
We can use Aethrail form to slip the bolas's binding and untie izzy. We shouldn't have izzy elementals attack, they might throw their spears at us if we do that.","attachment":null,"posted":1714546142},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5991316,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991304
And you think they won’t try this with ethereal form ?","attachment":null,"posted":1714547720},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5991324,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991164
>Write-in
>.Free-movement out of the situation
It is not a spell, it's our inner nature, right? If we had trouble with tangibility during intercourse with that elven chick, what could prevent us to phase through the fucker?
On that line of thought... How hard would it be to pull a heart squeeze partial tangibility power-terror kill?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714548536890458.png","filename":"Screenshot from 2024-05-01 09-28-21.png"},"posted":1714548536},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5991329,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991182
Got it.
I’ll back >>5991304
Aetherial form then
>>5991324
I’m not sure if our flesh and bones would be tough enough to withstand his flesh and bones if we were to partially tangible it. Partial tangible + weapon, or even an object would be insane, though.
(Teleports table into your spine)","attachment":null,"posted":1714549318},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5991417,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991324
Supporting this.","attachment":null,"posted":1714562757},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5991418,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991324
Honestly, a liver crush or lung crush would be way quicker if you’re gonna go that route. Liver for pain compliance. Lung for kill.","attachment":null,"posted":1714563183},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5991473,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"I can't believe it took like 3 threads for us to weaponize that thing.","attachment":null,"posted":1714567354},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5991644,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991324
From what I remember we can't phase through living things.","attachment":null,"posted":1714584624},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5991798,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991316
Unless their spears are magic, they won't be able to harm us, and since goblins are nature are unmagical they won't even be able to see us clearly.","attachment":null,"posted":1714602982},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5991814,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991798
almost forgot that, so it's just izzy on the ropes.","attachment":null,"posted":1714605186},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5991969,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5991417
>>5991329
>>5991324
>>5991304
>>5991187
>>5991179
>>5991167
[Locked!]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714619436482322.png","filename":"postin.png"},"posted":1714619436},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5991986,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5991969
You don’t bother to reply to the hobgoblin. It’s a mixture of outrage and focus which stills your tongue, for you are focused on formulating an escape attempt, but this ‘Elak-Rak’ seems to take it otherwise.
“Translate it!” he barks in his gravelly goblin dialect, kicking one of his smaller, greener subordinates in the rear with a heavy boot. “I want to know who these fuckin’ assholes think they are, and what they’re doing here!”
It seems he only caught your interjections in the ‘Common Tongue’, the trade-language of the Northwest. That he doesn’t ask you himself implies he doesn’t speak the dialect himself… Which is rather curious. You aren’t well-versed I the lore of the scattered goblin tribes and bands, with their shifting territories and allegiance, but you’d always been given to think that the hobgoblins were not merely taller, or stronger, but generally considered WISER as well. Certainly, they’re considered more dangerous…
But no more magical, and that is your edge. While Elak-Rak's subordinate is repeating his question to you in your father-tongue, you are work still and silent spellcraft--FEYCRAFT, rather--to affect an escape.
Most of your spells require somatic components. Even <Improved Aethereal Form> typically utilizes gestures and spoken syllables of ancient elventongue to control the wavelength upon which you vibrate, and the form and frequency which your matter and energy assume. However, ever since the incident which first rendered you intangible, you have always had an easier time returning to that ‘default’ than the reverse. In the sylvan Realms in particular. You discovered that sufficient… Distraction… Could cause you to slip out of corporeality involuntarily. You’ve evolved far beyond that difficulty now, but it should still be relatively simple thing to simply let your mind wander, and your body dissipate, and…
>HP: 3/3
>MP: 3/4 (+1 if you can reclaim your staff)
>Attempted cast: <Improved Aetheral Form>
Autosuccess, but rolling feycraft + Arcana to see how subtle you are about it..","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714620323968721.gif","filename":"danny-phantom.gif"},"posted":1714620323},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5991988,"name":"RQM","msg":"Rolled 15, 1, 12, 10, 9, 10 = 57 (6d20)
>>5991986
weird, it ate my dice","attachment":null,"posted":1714620385},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5991989,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991986
>Autosuccess, but rolling feycraft + Arcana to see how subtle you are about it..
nice roll","attachment":null,"posted":1714620457},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5992001,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5991986
>>5991988
>>5991989
You feel the twined rope of your bindings simply slip through you, the way you might feel a breeze pass you by. As in the past, you are unable to simply sink into the earth, just as you cannot long occupy the space of a living being. As before, this makes you wonder just what this means for the Earth—why it should seem to react to this magic as if a living thing—but you have no time to speculate in depth today.
>1
“Hey!” Elak-Rak bellows, casting his gaze this way and that. “Where in the HELLS did he fuckin’ GO?!”
The hobgoblin swings his greatclub in tandem with his frantic scanning of the surrounding stones, causing the smaller goblinfolk to yelp and flatten themselves to avoid being pulverized or decapitated by his negligence. However, even when they look directly at you, these fundamentally-unmagical beings are INCAPABLE of seeing you…
>15
…And if they noticed your disappearing act, the startled search is a distraction from Izirina.
“Find him, you festering, rancid little snot-bags!” the lead hobgoblin roars to his shorter subordinates. “Don’t let him get away!”
You stand up, and meet Izzy’s eyes. She had been sizing up Elak-Rak, you think—it’s tough to see where she’s looking with those shaded lenses, but you can hear her murmuring to herself, and you think she’s plotting… A trajectory? With a start, you realize she means to call down her lesser air elementals to buffet him from one side, and shove the ‘greater goblin’ off the cliff altogether, to splatter upon the ground below! Seeing you have begun your own gambit, though, she quiets, and looks expectantly to you.
(Well, you can’t say you blame her, but even so, rather gruesome…)
“You two!” Elak-Rak shouts at his fellow hogoblins. “Get the rod, and the chest! The bastard’s probably hiding like those genie shits were…”
Your head snaps around, and you star at Elak-Rak. A rod, and a chest? You aren’t sure what he means, but if they allowed him to find and combat genies—or djinni or, more accurately still, TRUE FEY… Well, that sounds simultaneously dangerous and deeply intriguing.
What will you do?
>Signal Izirina to initiate her own escape—and Elak-Rak’s lethal launch from the mountaintop
>Wait—an signal Izzy to wait—to see what strange magical items these hobgoblins possess
>Use your relative weightlessness in this form to quickly descend the mountain and fetch your friends
>Retrieve your staff and send forth a bolt of lightning, to show you mean business
>Write-in","attachment":null,"posted":1714621392},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5992003,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992001
>Retrieve your staff and send forth a bolt of lightning, to show you mean business
"I didn't have to miss."","attachment":null,"posted":1714621508},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5992010,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992001
>Retrieve your staff and send forth a bolt of lightning, to show you mean business
Kill the gobs going for the rod and chest. Izzy can take care of the big guy.
>>5991329","attachment":null,"posted":1714621887},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5992035,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992001
>Retrieve your staff and send forth a bolt of lightning, to show you mean business
The chest either can capture magical beings or do something else, but a rod ? intriguing","attachment":null,"posted":1714624098},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5992078,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992001
>>Retrieve your staff and send forth a bolt of lightning, to show you mean business
Kill da boss.
Maim subordonate, enough to neutralize them, and get them to sing.","attachment":null,"posted":1714628588},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5992121,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992001
>Signal Izirina to initiate her own escape—and Elak-Rak’s lethal launch from the mountaintop","attachment":null,"posted":1714637435},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5992632,"name":"RQM","msg":"Rolled 10, 7 = 17 (2d20)
>>5992121
>>5992078
>>5992035
>>5992010
>>5992003
[Just a quick mystery roll]","attachment":null,"posted":1714698257},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5992639,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 13, 15, 11, 19 = 58 (4d20)
>>5992632
>>5992121
>>5992078
>>5992035
>>5992010
>>5992003
Before you mastered your <Improved Aethereal Form>, your <free Movement> state came with many disadvantages. Chiefmost among them—aside from falling through floor and out of your clothes and the, ah, sex stuff—was that you couldn’t reliably hold onto a weapon. Well, it seems even NOW you can’t, since the impact of the bolo caused you to drop your staff. However, with that athereal form being, well, IMPROVED, it is a simple thing to retrieve it. You hardly need to shift your frequency at all , nd only for half a moment, without so much as dropping your inbuilt invisibility to do so. And so you do—
“There he is!”
--or so you’d thought, anyway.
>10, 7 for the enemies
You are able to ‘dematerialize’ again, and to dive back before one of Elak-Rak’s lieutenants hurls a spear at where your staff just was, a mere moment ago. Luckily, you are able to retrieve the <Archmage’s Gift> ahead of this, but it gives you an important reminder—to not get cocky, even now. It seems that thought you are utterly invisible to the goblinodis in your current form, any interaction with a physical object is enough for the leadership—or at least Elak-Rak, who seems unusually acute in his perception—to launch an attack. At first you’d thought to startle the hobgoblins and their jade-skinned flunkies with a show of force without inflicting any harm…
“Get the girl! Knife-ears won’t leave without his pet humie, mark my fuckin’ words.”
…But in light of this revelation and that LAST remark, you rethink your strategy. You’re loathe to shed blood or end lives unnecessarily… But the keyword there, as ever, has been ‘unnecessarily’. Sometimes, as you have been forced to reckon with repeatedly, the time comes when it is you or them.
You raise your staff high, and flickering in and out of corporeality, you cry:
“<LIGHTNING BOLT!>”
DC 15, -1 for the staff, +2 versus magic-resistant races.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714698836829151.png","filename":"zip zap.png"},"posted":1714698836},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5992643,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 15, 20, 13 = 48 (3d20)
>>5992639
>19
You take no pleasure in the screams which result from your spellcasting, nor the smell of burnt hair and fabric, of scorched flesh and ozone. You close your eyes in fact, and look away. Even as you knew the tall spears with their metal tips would serve as perfect lightning rods to target the two lieutenants before they could retrieve this mysterious ‘rod’ and ‘chest’, you regretted what would become of them. They still twitch, but you strongly suspect that this is a relic of an overelectrified nervous system, and not in fact a sign of life.
“Ibihg!” Elak-Rak shouts, jumping back and releasing his own club, narrowly avoid a shock himself.
He looks around frantically, backing up another step.
“Well, one of you little mossy-green fuckers, get me the gods-damned rod and chest! Hurry!”
[Morale check, DC 17 due to you nuking two hobs]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714699154345563.jpg","filename":"d9lrgoa-5897e8ec-1531-448d-a7e3-875e1020f005.jpg"},"posted":1714699154},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5992648,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5992643
The goblins exchange furtive glances. You recognize in their stances, in their eyes, the silent calculus of cowardice—or perhaps of wisdom and prudence, if you are being more charitable. There seems to be little fondness between Elak-Rak and the ‘lesser’ goblins he bosses about, and with his lieutenants felled, the balance of power has changed. Theya re reconsidering their allegiances.
>20
“NOW!” Elak-Rak roars, and kicks a loose stone the size of your head at once of the goblins, with enough force to send the caterwauling wretch careening down the cliffside. That should at least be enough to alert your allies… But it’s also more than sufficient to mobilize the goblins through fear to serve the so-called amaršoubim. Elak-Rak himself reaches for Izirina in the chaos. You raise your staff and point its smoking, splintered head at him, crackling with energy, but he is too fast—to fire at him risks firing upon Izzy as well.
Luckily, she has defences of her own…
[2d20 for lesser (1MP) air elementals]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714699513150270.png","filename":"638062015555039371.png"},"posted":1714699513},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5992649,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 14, 16 = 30 (2d20)
>>5992648
trying again","attachment":null,"posted":1714699574},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5992653,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5992649
>>5992649
“Grab him!”
The air elementals had become half-visible whisps, hovering aimless and directionlessly about, after Izirina summoned them. This is the manner of all elementals, after all—they perform a task mindlessly, then do nothing or simply cease to be, unless they go ‘wild’ and instead begin to berserk about with equal imprecision. They had not been dismissed, though, and there is no need for Izirina to free her limbs or so much as say a word-of-power to set them upon a new mission.
>16
“Wha—huh?!”
In truth, the simply animate gales which Izirina had <summoned> forth to lift you up were not produced with combat in mind, and each was drawn forth and given ‘form’ with only the minimum of her power. Caught off-guard however, Elak-Rak the Hobgoblin is easy prey: they simply lift him up and juggle him about, disorient ting him. He hurtles profanity like divine lightning, but can do little else but bob helplessly, comically, in place.
“Leave,” Izzy says, rising now and finally struggling free of her bindings, and removes her shaded glasses so that her eyes can flash a fearsome emphasis. “Leave and live, or be destroyed.”
There is a coldness in her voice, a violence without anger. You recognize it: it is her mother, the Archmage Henzler, speaking through her. Not literally—thank the Gods!—but in spirit, in the way she was raised. She means it: if these pitiful thieves do not retreat, you know well what she will do: annihilate everyone else upon this mountain.
The goblins hesitate…
“When I get down from here, I’ll skin every last fuckin’ traitor that runs and hides! I’ll find you, and fuckin’ make a CLAOK out of your FUCKIN’ scummy goblin fuckin’ SKINS!”
>critical success to mobilize the goblins lingers
The goblins brandish knives, and clubs, and crude polearms made of knives-on-sticks. They advance, or ready to throw their missiles—those that have missiles to throw. A hail of such weaponry could fell Izirina easily, of course—she IS still only human, inner energies aside. The far MORE likely outcome, though, is the brutal death of every goblin here—especially if you assist.
What will you do?
>Aid in eliminating this goblin band in its entirety
>Manifest visibly, and attempt to aid Izzy’s intimidation efforts
>Try to defuse the situation—plead leniency for the goblins, and offer them protection
>Leave them to it… And go seek this rod and chest, in the meantime
>Write-in","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714700395968058.png","filename":"wrath.png"},"posted":1714700395},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5992666,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992653
>Aid in eliminating this goblin band in its entirety
He made his choice.
am >>5992010","attachment":null,"posted":1714701289},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5992696,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992653
>Kill Elak and try one last time to get the rest to stand down","attachment":null,"posted":1714703932},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5992702,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992653
>Aid in eliminating this goblin band in its entirety
Elak has the dawg in him, gotta give him that.","attachment":null,"posted":1714704469},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5992704,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992702
Not really. He didn’t do shit. Just let his lackeys jump us and only when we’re bound does he come out to talk. His own troops are only kept in line by fear. A rotten cunt to the end. Might as well kill him before he keeps on talking.","attachment":null,"posted":1714704671},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5992719,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992704
>His own troops are only kept in line by fear.
If you recognize this why do you want to kill them all instead of just him? He's the only thing keeping them going.","attachment":null,"posted":1714705494},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5992733,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992719
Because right now they - are - fearing him, so much so they’re willing to kill us for him. They already have missile weapons readied. Izzy is on the line.
If we kill a bunch of them, and the rest flee, sure, we won’t pursue, but right now, no.","attachment":null,"posted":1714706752},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5992737,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992733
Actually, nevermind that. Those gobs were the ones who made and threw the bolo. (>>5991160)
We let them go now they could ambush us later and they won’t be taking any chances then. Wipe them all out.
They live their lives ambushing travelers. This is the cost of playing that game.","attachment":null,"posted":1714706916},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5992848,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992696
That. +1","attachment":null,"posted":1714720069},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5993495,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5992848
>>5992702
>>5992696
>>5992666
[We seem to have a tie. Anyone (who isn't a 1post ID) care to break it?]","attachment":null,"posted":1714782713},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5993556,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 2, 4, 16, 4 = 26 (4d20)
>>5993495
[Alright, intention-blending it is… Targeting Elak-Rak, with subsequent lethal strikes upon the goblins depending upon what happens next.]
>>5992848
>>5992702
>>5992696
>>5992666
You sigh deeply. These goblins… They’ve made terrible choices, which have n doubt negatively—likely lethally—affected a great many travellers. They playa dangerous game, and if death is to be their prize… Well, so be it.
…
…
“Ah, fuck,” you grunt through gritted teeth.
“Tips?” Izzy asks, distracted from your enemies’ impending doom by your relatively-uncommon profanity.
You can’t do it. Even now, you can’t just unleash a storm upon hapless little thugs like this—not without giving them every possible chance to turn over a new leaf, or at least to turn tail and run. Not if you don’t absolutely HAVE to.
By Elak-Rak—the fiend forcing them through fear to fight you? Well, he’s another matter.
You allow yourself to flicker into corporeality long enough to summon forth another <Lightning Bolt>, aimed squarely at the airborne, largely-immobilized hobgoblin ringleader. His eyes bug out and her bears his snaggle-teeth in a furious—but also transparently fearFUL—grimace.
“Don’t you fuckin’—”
You speak the words. The lightning flies…
[DC 14, given his combined disadvantages and resistances.]","attachment":null,"posted":1714786895},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5993560,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 6, 17, 17 = 40 (3d20)
>>5993556
>16
Elak-Rak screams. He screams, and screams, and screams. You will the lightning to fry him faster, to finish him, but it doesn’t—his magic resistance and physical constitution is too great. It was wise to take him out early, to focus your fire and end him in this way. In a straight fight, this buffoonish barbarian would present quite the martial threat. No wonder his subordinates are so terrified.
And speaking of those subordinates…
Morale check, DC 18 given their leader's state.","attachment":null,"posted":1714787071},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5993575,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993560
>DC 18
>2 17s
WHEW","attachment":null,"posted":1714787843},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5993579,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5993560
>>5993560
The goblins watch with horror upon their warped, wizened faces. It isn’t empathy, at least not much of it, but a realization of exactly what they’re messing with… And how little they have to gain from continued conflict with mages of your ilk. Those with throwing weapons look down upon them, and at your flickering, half visible form and Izirina’s fiercely-flashing eyes,… And drop them, hands raised in surrender. Still others don’t even bother to do that—they simply bolt, half-sprinting and half-tumbling down the hillside. Izirina, with a shrill victory scream, hurls Elak-Rak after them. His still-twitching body jerks and spasms down the slope, bouncing and breaking upon the rocks.
Izirina trembles, silently shaking. You realize with a start that, as much as you HATE killing… izirina never HAS killed. Not like this, certainly—not a n intelligent being, capable of speech, almost human in form, and in such a brutal fashion.
“Are you—”
“I’m fine,” she says quickly, and quietly. “I just… I need a moment.”
You allow yourself to materialize and, alone upon the mountain, you embrace her. Izirina doesn’t return the gesture, nor does she even turn to face you… But nor does she cry. She just looks upon her works—upon Elak-Rak’s ruined body, in contemplation. You carefully AVODI looking at his fellows-the two other hogoblins, whom you slew so swiftly.
>3/3 HP
>3/5 MP
Before long, Muffins’ roaring and bleating signals the approach of your friends. Hearing the screams and cracks of artificial-elemental thunder, they must have known something was amiss. They come warlike in posture and attitude, bearing weapons… Well, except for your half-orc carriage-man, who has apparently seen fit to guard his horses and his livelihood. Costella’s façade of violence quickly crumbels when she sees her two loevrs are safe, rushing to embrace you.
“Oh thank the Gods Above, you’re safe!” she cries out, squeezing you both tight against her larger body.
“That’s right,” you say. “We’re fine. It’s all going to be okay.”
A moment later, you feel small, sharp-nailed hands grabbing at your tunic, and look down to see Carazzi’s nub-horned head pressed against your hip. You pat her hair soothingly, and she calms. Veloz flits around you, this way and that, hovering about the dead bodies and glaring out not the Goblin Wastes below, while Muffins graces your growing assembly of affection with a single rub of his flank before the snake-head scents the air, and tugs the other two aspects of his tripartite being towards the corpses to… Ah, DISPOSE of them.
“Ssst!’ you hiss, and he stops. “None of that. We have food for you!”
Muffins groans, and flops down upon the stone, before rolling over onto his side and staring, forlorn, at the flash-fried goblinoids he has been forbidden to devour.","attachment":null,"posted":1714788249},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5993580,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5993579
Zith-Zi alone does not join your gaggle, instead staring down through squinted eyes at the goblins—her (former?) kinfolk.
“Little shits have been massed inta’ a warband by some hobbos, huh?” she asks, and cucks disapprovingly. “never woulda’ happened if I was keeping ‘em in line.”
Hershy, her feathered chimera-drake, yawns and makes a squawk of general agreement—or, at least, you interpret it that way.
“What are we gonna’ do about ‘em?” the ex-goblin ex-bandit asks.
>Hunt them down and destroy them—they acted under duress THIS time, but also without remorse in the past
>Follow them, but to attempt parley—you want to know what happened here, and what they know of the Ashurati
>Let them scatter—you will meditate here, and search for clues as to what occurred and where the denizens of this place went
It also occurs to you how little you really know about Zith-Zi’s life before you met her. She was a bandit, wasn’t she? Maybe something akin tobroken Elak-Rak, smouldering below? Did she ever do as these goblins did—capturing and killing innocent travellers for profit? Does she empathize with them?
>Ask Zith-Zi about her past, and her sympathies
>Let the past remain in the past—Zi can keep her secrets
>Write-in
>>5993575
There would have been a 4d20 attack on Izzy if that had gone otherwise, and Elak-Rak would actually have had 1 HP left if she hadn't killed him","attachment":null,"posted":1714788310},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5993585,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993580
>Follow them, but to attempt parley—you want to know what happened here, and what they know of the Ashurati
>Ask Zith-Zi about her past, and her sympathies
Good to know that while Izzy may be the foremost expert on magic dimensional travel in the world she's still a squishy headcase.","attachment":null,"posted":1714788713},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5993610,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993580
>Follow them, but to attempt parley—you want to know what happened here, and what they know of the Ashurati
We let them go now and they’ll come back again. Find them. Give them a shot at peace one more time. Any more missteps and they’ll be dead for good.
>Ask Zith-Zi about her past, and her sympathies
She lived this long. She must’ve done something right. Or smart.
>>5992666","attachment":null,"posted":1714790425},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5993612,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993580
>she asks, and cucks disapprovingly
I think this one was a freudian slip by qm
>Follow them, but to attempt parley—you want to know what happened here, and what they know of the Ashurati
>Ask Zith-Zi about her past, and her sympathies
>spoiler
makes sense. as much as I've wanted the guy alive for questions, the focus vote winning was ok.","attachment":null,"posted":1714790620},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5993621,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5993612
>>5993580
>freudian slip
*clucks
[I don't think I've ever done cuckoldry, have I? I guess Izzy the Infiltrator lost Edwin to another woman, but she also introduced them... And also was fucking around, actually. I guess I have, actually!","attachment":null,"posted":1714791350},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5993664,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993621
>I don't think I've ever done cuckoldry, have I ?
I hope not, but then again I haven't read your other works, kek","attachment":null,"posted":1714796112},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5993713,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993580
>>Follow them, but to attempt parley—you want to know what happened here, and what they know of the Ashurati
>Let the past remain in the past—Zi can keep her secrets","attachment":null,"posted":1714805929},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5993746,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993580
>Let them scatter—you will meditate here, and search for clues as to what occurred and where the denizens of this place went
>Ask Zith-Zi about her past, and her sympathies
>Commiserate over lost former friends and allies over some alcohol
Maybe she’ll get a good cry in, if she cares enough about them. With any luck, Carazzi could sympathize and lend a shoulder to cry on.","attachment":null,"posted":1714810195},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5993802,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993580
>Let them scatter—you will meditate here, and search for clues as to what occurred and where the denizens of this place went
>Let the past remain in the past—Zi can keep her secrets","attachment":null,"posted":1714814488},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5994629,"name":"RQM","msg":"[Tonight's update will be late or absent, because I'm hanging with friends! it's an unexpectedly busy weekend in general, so there may be irregular update sin general until Tuesday.]","attachment":null,"posted":1714869721},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5994767,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994629
Ok, no worries OP","attachment":null,"posted":1714876081},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5994780,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994629
See you soon.","attachment":null,"posted":1714876804},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5994902,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5993585
>>5993610
>>5993612
>>5993713
>>5993746
>>5993802
“We can’t just let them leave,” you reason. “They might know where the Ashurati and the Trye Fey of this place have gone… Or been taken.”
“I thought that goblins couldn’t, like… Even SEE fairies” Costella, asks, looking between you and ZIth-Zi for confirmation.
“The Neme aint’t ‘True Fey’,” Ziy-Zi explains, beating even you to the punch. “They’re flesh ‘n blood, same as your or me. Or, more like Tips, I guess. They can dive down inta’ sand same as water, but apart from that, a net’ll catch ‘em just like anyone else.”
“...Oh.”
Costella obvious catches the implication in those words, just as you do: an implication of EXPERIENCE.
You nod, and add: “Elak-Rak… The hobgoblin, ah, down THERE… He mentioned something about a rod and a chest. It sounded as if he thought they’d be able to combat my <Improved Aethereal Form> with them. Zi, do you—”
“Nope.”
You shut your mouth. Zith-Zi isn’t looking at you, instead staring down at the retreating goblins.
‘I know where they’ll be ayin’ low,” she sighs, rolling her shoulder such that Hershy must flutter up and wait for her limbering-up to conclude before he settles once more. “There’s a ‘goblin market’—a big communal gathering place for us, or THEM I guess… They’ll be looking for safety in numbers. No need to rush—they’ll scatter, but goblins are small. Weak. It’s not their nature ta’ stay solo for long.”
“Apart from you, you mean?” you ask.
Zith-Zi looks at you with a sharp turn of her head. You sense that she wishes to makes some snappy comment in reply… But she can’t. Instead, she puts her hands on her hips, and looks back down at the Wastelands—where she was born where she grew up.
“Yeah,” she says. “I guess, apart from me.”
As you descend the cliffs of the forsaken and abandoned Ashurati enclave, you steal several glances at Zith-Zi. She is uncharacteristically contemplative, strangely silent. Hershy seems worried for her, poking his snout at her cheek repeatedly. She responds only by batting him away with (gentle) swats. Eventually, your party reaches the bottom, loading in preparation to pursue the pack of retreating raiders. As the others set about their tasks, you finally get her alone.
“Zi…”
“Oh?” she snaps. “You finally gonna’ spit out whatever-the-fuck you been stewin’ on, Tips?!”","attachment":null,"posted":1714885646},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5994904,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5994902
When you were younger, you might have stammered or flinched. When you weren’t as close with the pink-skinned little ‘nilbog’ rogue, you might have backed off, or taken offence and gone on the offensive. Now, as the two of you stand, you do neither. She glares at you. You meet her gaze. Eventually, Hershy croaks and breaks the silence, and Zith-Zi sighs. She breaks the staring contest first, staring down at the sandy scrub-brush scramble beneath your feet and kicking rocks with her stompy little boots.
“Did you sell my cousins into slavery?” you ask, quietly but directly.
Zith-Zi looks up at you with a manufactured defiance, which quickly crumbles.
“You don’t know what it’s like,” she says simply.
It isn’t an accusation: it’s a statement of fact, as she sees it.
“That’s a yes,” you intuit.
“DUH,” she replies, throwing her hands up. “Neme are fuckin’ RARE, and MAGIC, and BEAUTIFUL. You know how little exists in this big wide-open fuckin’ geological SHITHOLE they call the ‘Goblin’ Wastes that sells like those fuckers?! Either back to their own people, or to Eastmen, or to Southmen for their harems or whatever?!”
“You… You sold SEX-SLAVES?!”
Zith-Zi opens her mouth, then shuts it, then shrugs.
“Didn’t ask,” she admits. “Dark brown humie comes askin’ for a lithe piece a ‘ ass fro his boss down South, a girl makes assumptions.”
“So you aren’t even sure, but you THINK you were selling sex-slaves?” you ask, incredulous. “What ELSE did you do?”
“Oh, shall count the WAYS, my master?” Zi asks, sarcastic, and holds up a hand to count upon her digits. “I lied, and cheated, and stole, and swindled, and KILELD FOR MONEY, like I STILL fuckin’ do for the record but now the humies y it’s okay ‘cause I don’t kill anyone they KNOW, an’ I did all KINDS a’ shit! You wanna’ talk ‘sex-slavery’? What you think -I- never earned any coin on my fuckin’ knees, or on my back?!”
You are startled by this exclamation, and by the sheer venom and pain in it… And perhaps even more, but how quickly Zith-Zi shoves that all aside, and crosses her arm, grinning a mean, mirthless grin.
“You just don’t get it, Tips. I love ya’, I do, but you really fuckin’ DON’T get it. You CAN’T. You grew up, what, in some forest where the animals don’t even eat each -other without sayin’ please ‘n thank you 'n sorry-for-botherin'-ya'? Then you grew up in a LITERAL ivory-fuckin’-tower in the biggest, richest city in th’ world? Shacked up with the ARCHMAGE’S DAUGHTER? Made friend with a QUEEN? You're practically fuckin' ROYALTY!”","attachment":null,"posted":1714885706},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5994908,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5994904
“I’ve endured hardships as well,” you point out.
“Not like me,” the ex-goblin says. “I did what I had to. How do you think I know where they ran off to? I’ve been there, fleein’ Paladins, or Jihadis, or Wushi. Or other goblins! It’s life out here. You do what you gotta’. And no mater what you turn me into, or what colour my skin is, or if I’m ‘pretty’ or whatever…”
Her gaze drifts past you, and you follow it as she trails off. Both of you settle upon Carazzi: the embodiment of all teat Zith-ZI was, of all her darkness and ugliness, now so ignorantly innocent, and yet still savage, and deadly, and dangerous.
“A gob is a gob is a gob,” Zith-Zi mutters. "But what else are we s'posed to be, livin' in a place like this?"
Zith-Zi doesn’t meet your eyes. Perhaps she can’t.
Has your opinion of ZIth-Zi changed?
>Yes—you can’t view her the same way, knowing she’s killed, enslaved, and abused your fellow fair-folk for coin
>No—she’s still the same ZIth-Zi as ever, still your friend, and nothing will change that
>Write-in
Does it change your view towards the likes of Elak-rak and his minions?
>Your sympathy is increased
>your sympathy is decreased
>your sympathy is unchanged
>>5994904
>typo correction
*KILLED
*humies say it's okay","attachment":null,"posted":1714885798},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5994925,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994908
>No—she’s still the same ZIth-Zi as ever, still your friend, and nothing will change that
When we met her, we already knew that theft, slavery and murder were things she most likely had done, althought the chance that she may have sold some to sex slavery is a little different. If I read that comment correctly, it implies she also had to sell her body a couple times as well, so she really was in a desperate situation.
>your sympathy is decreased","attachment":null,"posted":1714887072},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5994931,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994908
>>No—she’s still the same ZIth-Zi as ever, still your friend, and nothing will change that
Well... relatively speaking, she's not that bad compared to the ones still here. She moved on.
>your sympathy is decreased
Rape and murder and slavery is business as usual in these parts. If we can't enforce our will through diplomacy, through mercy, then force it is.
am >>5993610","attachment":null,"posted":1714887701},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5994934,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994908
>No—she’s still the same ZIth-Zi as ever, still your friend, and nothing will change that
>Hug her and apologize for bringing up her painful past- and let her know that this doesn’t change how much we care for her.
Maybe we can promote a redemption arc- have her free the fair-folk instead of enslaving them.
>your sympathy is decreased
A shitty situation- but how much of that is being contributed by them. Stirring the pot of a shit situation isn’t a solution, but continues the problem.","attachment":null,"posted":1714887858},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5995203,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994908
>>No—she’s still the same ZIth-Zi as ever, still your friend, and nothing will change that
>your sympathy is unchanged","attachment":null,"posted":1714929506},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5995302,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994908
>Yes—you can’t view her the same way, knowing she’s killed, enslaved, and abused your fellow fair-folk for coin
yo slavery is kinda messed up
>your sympathy is unchanged","attachment":null,"posted":1714938330},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5995329,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5994925
>>5994931
>>5994934
>>5995203
>>5995302
You reach out to hug Zith-Zi, but she takes a step back, looking genuinely confused.
“uh?”
“You… looked like you could sue it?” you suggest.
Zi stares at you for a seconds, then cracks up laughing. She keeps on laughing, and laughing, until everyone is staring at the two of you, and the nilbog is nearly doble over, actually crying with laughter. Hershy, annoyed at being s jostled, flutters away to alight upon a nearby spire-like stone protrusion. It’s now YORU turn to be confused.
“I’m sorry, Tips, it’s just… Holy shit!” Zith-Zi gasps for breath, wiping her eyes. “You really, REALLY don’t belong in this place.”
“I know,” you agree, frowning. “I don’t think anyone does. Rape, murder, slavery… A place where this is all just ‘normal’, that’s awful. And it makes awful people.”
Zith-Zi’s smile fades in her eyes and turns down at the edges.
“What?” she asks. “Like me?”
You shake your head, and smile.
“You, and Carazzi for that matter, you’ve grown beyond this place. You’ve made yourselves into something else.”
“YOU made us into something else, you mean,” Zi points out. “Kinda’ fuckin’ literally, in her case, huh?”
You shake your head, and point at her.
“You made tough choices to deal with a tough existence, but when you had the chance to get out of there, you did. And you didn’t go back to being like you were. That was all before I did anything with magic. Before you and Carazzi were separated, and when you were still 'together'.”
“Then what about all those gobs that are still here?” Zi asks. “What are we gonna’ do when we catch up with ‘em? Hug it out? You're cute, but you ain't THAT cute.”
You sigh and look in the general direction they fled. The terrain is not so flat and your position not so elevated that you could watch them scurry forever, all the way back to whatever hole they’re hiding in… But you’ll find them. You have many means to do so, after all, even if ZIth-Zi’s hunch is wrong. And when you get there…
“You made your choices, and they made theirs,” you say, with finality. “I’m not saying that life is fair out here, or that they had the same opportunities I’ve had, or even that YOU’VE now had… But they wouldn’t treat us gently. We can’t afford to do so with them. We’ll talk, but it’s on OUR terms, not theirs.”","attachment":null,"posted":1714939678},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5995333,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5995329
You gather your allies and discuss your plan. You’ll rest here, long enough to eat some of the food you brought and to recuperate your energies. You move down to the base of the small mountain, though, leaving the hobgoblin corpses where they lie, unburied. Eventually, you see buzzards swooping in to gather upon the peak. Even as his two mammalian heads each take their respective sustenance, Muffins watches them enviously as they feats upon the bounty you’ve provided.
“Hopefully not the first of many meals for them…”
“Huh?” Costella asks from beside you.
You fore a smile, and shake your head.
“It’s nothing.”
Once everyone is ready and packed up, you leave this once-hallowed place, which hopefully will be sacred against soon—if you can find those who lived and worshiped here, and save them from the cruel fate their captors might otherwise have in mind.
How will you track the goblins? What will you do when you get there?
>Let Zith-Zi be your group’s face—she knows how goblin raiders in this region operate, and how to haggle with them to buy the information (or people) you need
>You’ll go in loud, and make a statement—cast Daylight, Summon Elementals with Izzy, and assume Aetheral Form, and DEMAND the information or captives
>Stage a surprise atatck—only killing those who you ABSOLUTELY have to, but not shying away from the language of force which people here seem to understand best
>Under cover of night, with you in Aethereal form and Carazzi’s natural demonic abilities, you could probably evade even goblin darkvision and infiltrate the goblin market to liberate any prisoners…
>Write-in","attachment":null,"posted":1714939765},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5995350,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995333
>Under cover of night, with you in Aethereal form and Carazzi’s natural demonic abilities, you could probably evade even goblin darkvision and infiltrate the goblin market to liberate any prisoners…","attachment":null,"posted":1714940763},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5995351,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995333
>Under cover of night, with you in Aethereal form and Carazzi’s natural demonic abilities, you could probably evade even goblin darkvision and infiltrate the goblin market to liberate any prisoners…","attachment":null,"posted":1714940885},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5995401,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995333
>Under cover of night, with you in Aethereal form and Carazzi’s natural demonic abilities, you could probably evade even goblin darkvision and infiltrate the goblin market to liberate any prisoners…
Neat plan and Cazzi's booty is only average anyway.","attachment":null,"posted":1714943675},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5995529,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995333
>Let Zith-Zi be your group’s face—she knows how goblin raiders in this region operate, and how to haggle with them to buy the information (or people) you need
I’d rather not spend mana unnecessarily","attachment":null,"posted":1714952214},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5995744,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995333
>You’ll go in loud, and make a statement—cast Daylight, Summon Elementals with Izzy, and assume Aetheral Form, and DEMAND the information or captives","attachment":null,"posted":1714967417},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5996044,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5995350
>>5995351
>>5995401
>>5995529
>>5995744
You discuss your plan with Carazzi along the way: that the two of you should slip in to scout the situation and, if possible, resolve it stealthily under cloak of night. Normally, the goblins’ darkvision would eliminate any advantage which night might provide, but the two of you are magical beings, with the means to elaborate upon simple stealth. You’ve already demonstrated that <Improved Aethereal Form> affords you a measure of invisibility from the goblinoid races, and as for Carazzi…
“I haven’t, uh, done anything like that before, ya’ know?” she laughs nervously.
“It should be part of the suite of abilities which a succubus possesses,” Izirina notes. “Mother’s private tomes on the subject mention that most demons have the ability to hide under cover of darkness to some degree, with succubi being among the most effective at suing that skill.”
Carazzi stares in half-comprehension, nodding along nervously as Izirina explains the general principles of magical darkness, and how it differs form the mundane sort: how it blocks light and negates it, rather than simply being its absence. You can tell very little of this is getting through to the demogoblin, and eventually a frustrated Zith-Zi interjects:
“Ya’ use your demon-magic automatically in practice. Can’t you just do that here, with this?”
Carazzi seems startled to be so directly addressed by her ‘sister’, who even now you’ve noticed rarely speaks to her except to give instructions or critique. Perhaps it’s a good sign for their relationship, that Zi’s taking an interest in how her ‘other half’ operates.
“That’s kinda’ just me going off of, uh… Feelings ‘n shit?” Carazzi says, sounding rather unsure of her ow explanation. “Like, someone starts feeling a certain way, or I start to feel a certain way, and then things just sort of…. Build up, and accelerate, and a kind of… Uhhh…”
“It’s intuitive,” you conclude. “Not conscious spellcraft on your part, but an automatic response. Like a reflex.”
“Y-yeah!” she says nodding along in relief. “That’s right.”
“Well, then try feelin’ like you don’t want to be seen,” Zith-Zi says confidently, crossing her arms beneath her chest and nodding sagely. “Simple as.”
“We can practice on the way there,” you say gently.","attachment":null,"posted":1715003192},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5996047,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5996044
Carazzi’s nerves seem to ease up a little, out of happiness to spend time with you if nothing else. It slows your progress somewhat, but with ZIth-Zi’s knowledge of the area and Muffins’ ability to scent tracks, slowing a few hours so that you and Carazzi can travel on foot and practice her stealth is no impediment you your mission. It DOES mean remaining awake all through the night and sleeping during the day, though. It’s a rhythm which doesn’t come naturally to you, and the <Daylight> spell is out-of-the-question if your purpose is to practice nocturnal infiltration, and at first it seems to be in vain.
“I can still see you,” you note.
“S-sorry!” she says. “I just… I can feel your eyes on me, an’… You know, you’re TIPS, and I LIKE when you’re payin’ attention ta’ me, so tryin to make it so I don’t WANNA” be seen or whatever is kinda’, I dunno’… Tough?”
Zith-Zi groans, running her fingers down her face and rolling her eyes up in exasperation.
“You’re embarrassing th’ hell out of us both with that shit, you know that?” the nilbog tells her demonic double. “I know -I- sure as fuck was never THAT fuckin’ needy. What the hell is wrong with—Hey, where’d she go?”
“…I’m, uh, right here,” Carazzi mumbles.
Though you can’t help but find Zith-Zi’s criticism over-harsh, it actually proves most useful: it is in Carazzi’s desire to avoid a tongue-lashing by her purified counterpart that she finally sinks into shadow, erecting a barrier of magical darkness that even succeeds in distorting your mage’s sense.
“All according to vrevohg,” Zith-Zzi brazenly lies, then clarifies: “’Vrevohg’ means ‘plan.’”
“Sure,” you reply, rolling your eyes.
You spend the day trying to force yourself to sleep, which you do in stops and starts, head resting upon Costella’s lap as she strokes your hair, attempting to soothe you into slumber in spite of the sun and your natural elven instincts. You DO appreciate the sensation, but you have to admit you’re not as well-rested as you could be when night again falls, and the so-called ‘goblin market’ approaches.","attachment":null,"posted":1715003270},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5996049,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 15, 17, 8 = 40 (3d20)
>>5996047
The markets in question is more like a moving fair: a great caravan, which roams hither and tither, rather than a fixed place upon the map.
“It’s always around this valley here, Zith-Zi explains, inscribing a crude map into the soft sand with her knife-tip. Different bands’ll set up shop at different areas of the valley, though ‘n depending what people are buyin’ and sellin’, and who the biggest buyers ARE, gobs’ll gather more ta’ one side or the other and everything’ll kinda’ gravitate to one corner.”
“So, like… Where would they be tonight?” Costella asks.
Zith-Zi frowns at her map, hands on hips, then throws them up into the air.
“Well, fuck, I’e been gone years now! How should I know? But, well, if I had ta’ guess..”
She stabs her knife down into the dirt, so that it stands up in place, and nods to it.
“Since trade between north ‘n south humies stopped, Southmen’ve been makin’ up the difference buyin’ shit off us. And if they took any Neme as slaves…”
“T…Then the Southmen will be eager to buy them,” you finish.
Zith-Zi nods, and you turn to Crazzi.
“Ready?”
“Uh, yeah!” she says. “Ready as I’ll ever be!”
“You’ll do fine,” Zith-Zi tells her. “You’d better. You’re reppin’ us both out there, after all.”
Carazzi gulps.
“Be careful, both of you!” Costella add, giving you a long squeeze.
Izirina shoves a seal-stamped envelope into your hand, just in case, which you stow in a pocket for a quick magical avenue of escape. After a quick pat of Muffins and convincing Veloz to stay put rather than following, you and your demogoblin creation descend into the valley.
In <Improved Aethereal Form>, you move somewhat faster, and without physical exhaustion—or, at least, with much less. You are not so swift or mobile as under the moon’s low gravity, though, and you are further forced to slow by Carazzi’s own pace: she IS short, after all, and hr little legs do not carry her as quickly over long distances as even your slight and unathletic frame. It is almost an hour before you catch sight of dim lights in the distance, though, and together you silently slip through the dusty, rocky plain towards them. Eventually, you come upon the goblin caravans of the market.
The goblin market lit up not for the vendors’ benefit but to better highlight their wares, and to provide a beacon for buyers. In keeping with Zith-Zi’s prediction, you do indeed see Southmen there—brownish human men, and ONLY males, in varying hues ranging from not much darker than Izzy to nearly as black as the Drow of the Dragon King’s entourage. The loom tall over the short, hunger-panged frames of the goblin-folk, who make up the majority of the bustling night-market, and who shriek and squawk in a patois of goblin-tongue and Southern trade-dialects, to advertise their offerings.
[Linguistics roll...]","attachment":null,"posted":1715003330},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5996058,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5996049
Carazzi (luckily for you) retained her knowledge of the goblin language from when she and ZIth-Zi were one. For your part, you and Izirina used to occasionally read annotated books of poetry and half-fanciful travelogues of the Southlands, in your time together between classes. She was always more fond of the Orientalist accounts, admittedly… But you remember enough to get by.
>17
“Fine fabrics! Come here, under the light—see the colour, the craft? Barely any sun damage, 10% off if you can find a blemish!”
“Weapons! Armour! Lightly-used weapons and armour! Too big for gobs, and their old owners are too dead to miss ‘em! All weapons must go!”
“Exotic animals, alive and dead! Beasts of burden! Livestock! Weird and wonderful curiosities, perfect for a pet with only a bit of discipline! Deals on whips and cages!”
You frown at that last one, momentarily distracted by the thought of mistreated animals in need of liberation, but Crazzi tugs upon your sleeve to regain your attention, and points towards one array of parked, planted caravans from which you hear the crier shout:
“Get yourself a girl! Humies, gobs, and sundry others! Buy yourself a boy! Strapping slaves of all sorts! Good workers with strong backs! Hidden gems of the desert, rough-but-beautiful!”
That grim sales-pitch sounds like a promising place to start, and so the two of you skirt around the outskirts of the market, hidden amidst the shadows cast by moon above and the goblins’ own torchlight. Unfortunately, as you draw near, two complications arise and become apparent in short order:","attachment":null,"posted":1715004945},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5996059,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5996058
Firstly, though some human and goblin slaves are displaying, tied to one-another in a row by rope, none are Neme-Ashurati, but rather an assortment of Northern and Eastern men and women in varying states of defeated fatigue, as well as some (generally female, and to your admittedly-untrained eye distressingly youthful) goblins. There is a tent erected behind then, though—or rather, several tents assembled into a single great complex. Their entrance and exit flaps part and flutter closed as buyers and sellers enter and exit, sometimes accompanied by bound and bowed—or browbeaten and bullied—slaves, including beastmen and other more exotic affair than those outside. If any Ashurati are here, it is inside of that panoply of tents, hidden from view, where you would need to risk close proximity to the slavecatchers and their weapons to retrieve them.
Which brings you to the second complication: there are not only the common green-skinned goblins here, but more of their hobgoblin masters. At first you took them for more human buyers, but as you draw nearer and see them by the dim torchlight, you recognize their orange-tinted skin, large ears, and reflective, predatory eyes gleaming greedily. They are well-equipped than their shorter subordinates, as Elak-Rak and his fellows were, and you can tell they are on high-alert. You see scurrying amongst the (non-enslaved) labourers several faintly-familiar green faces, bruised and battered purple, and realize that some of those whom you pursued to this place arrived ahead of you, and must have alerted their ‘bosses’ to be on alert in case you came calling.
What will you do?
>Stay at the outskirts and wait until the market breaks apart and moves on—it will require a prolonged stake-out, but make for an easier target if you wish to free specific slaves and quickly escape
>You cannot wait, and risk detection or complication—you are not yet seen, and together you should be able to sneak into the collection of tents and find where they keep the more peculiar ‘product’, such as beastmen and (perhaps) fairies
>You are incensed by this abominable practice, and resolved to free ALL the slaves… If you can only arrange some chaos to enable their mass liberation and escape into the wastes…
>Write-in","attachment":null,"posted":1715005005},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5996077,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996059
>You are incensed by this abominable practice, and resolved to free ALL the slaves… If you can only arrange some chaos to enable their mass liberation and escape into the wastes","attachment":null,"posted":1715006606},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5996099,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996059
>You see scurrying amongst the (non-enslaved) labourers several faintly-familiar green faces, bruised and battered purple, and realize that some of those whom you pursued to this place arrived ahead of you, and must have alerted their ‘bosses’ to be on alert in case you came calling.
They really threw away goodwill before we even extended it to them. Oh well. Total Gob Death it is.
>You cannot wait, and risk detection or complication—you are not yet seen, and together you should be able to sneak into the collection of tents and find where they keep the more peculiar ‘product’, such as beastmen and (perhaps) fairies
We’re not really equipped to deal with an entire market. Izzy might be. Get in, find the fairies, get out - preferably without needing Izzy’s teleportation letter. We can call in more firepower later.","attachment":null,"posted":1715008995},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5996107,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996059
>You cannot wait, and risk detection or complication—you are not yet seen, and together you should be able to sneak into the collection of tents and find where they keep the more peculiar ‘product’, such as beastmen and (perhaps) fairies.
There are too many people here to be starting a ruckus, and they might bring to bear ,magical equipment (like "the rod, and the chest") to counter us if we wait.","attachment":null,"posted":1715010138},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5996218,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996059
>You cannot wait, and risk detection or complication—you are not yet seen, and together you should be able to sneak into the collection of tents and find where they keep the more peculiar ‘product’, such as beastmen and (perhaps) fairies
as much as I wanted, freeing the slaves now wouldn't amount to much and we still haven't seen what we wanted, so searching it is.","attachment":null,"posted":1715017198},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5996301,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996047
If I had a nickel each time I saw this meme in this board this week, I'd have 2 nickels.
Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice.","attachment":null,"posted":1715021269},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5996305,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996059
>>You cannot wait, and risk detection or complication—you are not yet seen, and together you should be able to sneak into the collection of tents and find where they keep the more peculiar ‘product’, such as beastmen and (perhaps) fairies
Am >>5995203","attachment":null,"posted":1715021527},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5996321,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5996305
>>5996077
>>5996099
>>5996107
>>5996218
You deeply despise what you see and hear of this place, and if your sympathies for the goblins here were not already utterly depleted, this would have served to do so. It is difficult to reconcile any notion of these beings as victims of circumstance with the atrocity of slavery—perhaps especially of their own kind. In spite of this though—and with a heavy heart—you must leave these people to their fate.
“We ain’t freein’ ‘em?” Crazzi whispers.
You shake your head, and signal for the demogoblin to cover your approach. Unique among the goblinfolk (well, semi-uniquely, if ‘the other Zi’ or Testa count), Carazzi can see you in this form, being partly a product of your own fairy ritual-magic. Now she shrouds you in a cloak of deep darkness, as together you wait for just the right moment to creep closer, and to slip beneath the cloak of canvas to peer into the inner-workings of the slave operation.
Once inside, you find it surprisingly difficult to navigate. The tents have been aligned so that you must progress through a haphazard network of entrances and exits, sometimes catching glimpses of moonlight and starlight where a gap exists between them. Many are empty—perhaps most. You wonder if these are meant to serve as ‘viewing rooms’, or perhaps (as you speculate without joy or titillation) a place to ‘sample’ the merchandise, as sexual slavery is clearly still a part of this deplorable business-model. Once or twice, you are force to press close together against the interior wall of a tent, holding your breaths, as goblins pass you, en route to the outside or to another tented chamber. Eventually, though, you make your way to an ‘inner core’ of tents.
Here, the noise of voices and scent of unwashed, sweaty bodies tip you off to a concentrated presence of captives and attendants. You press your finger to your lips, a reminder for Carazzi to stay silent. Within her magical darkness, you cannot tell if she has nodded, and so you must simply trust in her ability to follow instruction… And enter.
Here, the majority of capital investment in the enterprise is concentrated as well: cages to hold larger numbers of captive, and proper chains to bind them. As before, the majority of those held here are humans (and halflings or gnomes, you note) of both sexes, though primarily female as well. From their physical condition, you gather these to be most likely ‘prized specimen’s, for they are largely comely of feature. They are left with water dishes, like something one might leave for a dog, and a few have small wooden trays upon which a paucity of food has been provided. Of particular interest, however, are those who are neither human nor goblin, but OTHER.","attachment":null,"posted":1715022538},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5996322,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5996321
You see a minotaur—the only one who you have ever seen in-person, though you have heard they are more common in the Southlands. He is large, broad of chest, with a wide span of horn crowning his bovine head, and deep, sad eyes. So too you see some spotted creature, bipedal but presently pacing in ape-like loping posture, breathing heavily and drooling ravenously, back hunched and—occasionally—chuckling unhappily at some private gallow’s humour. Each of these strong specimens is well-secured with chains in their bespoke cages. Another cage holds three smallish, feathered women with wings upon their backs and wide, staring eyes—blank of apparent intelligence to your quick inspection, and without any apparent drive to escape; their feet are clawed and bound together, and, apparently lacking hands, they have no means to remove the gags placed in their mouths.
…And there, near to them, is a single Neme, or Ashurati, clad in the tight-fitting and sparse clothing which allows them to ‘swim’ throughs and earth. The sand elf’s confines are accordingly unique—rather than standing upon bare earth, this captive’s cage has a metal bottom, forbidding them egress from below. You take this to be a male, though the Neme are lithe even for fair folk and this one is young. He glares out of his pale eyes, silently fuming and furious, and fidgeting as if in physical discomfort to be so isolated form the earth, and stepping gingerly as if too much contact with the metal might burn him.
Carazzi cannot take the two of you too close, not without risking discovery. The space is dark, but not pitch-black, as torches have been ensconced atop poles to provide fire-light for visitors to see by. None are currently within, though. There are no dark-skinned humans in sight, only the ‘staff’ of this abhorrent enterprise, the goblins cleaning cages with brooms, providing food and retrieving dishes, (rarely) responding to some enslaved individual’s complaint, or (more commonly) threatening one of them or jabbing at them with blunted spear to silence them. Overseeing these half-dozen small goblins are a pair of hobgoblins—a male and a female.","attachment":null,"posted":1715022607},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5996323,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5996322
The male wearing fairly fine silk swathes and turbans in the style of the Southeast, and the female clad in leather jacket and patched of metal-studded black, leather armour that resemble the attire of that ‘Elak-Rak’ whom you and Izirina slew. The male holds in his hands a rather peculiar thing—a magical device, you quickly ascertain—in the shape of, well, a glyph-marked, colour-ringed brass rod. This is THE rod, you assume, which Elak-Rak had hoped to fetch, and is seated upon what you speculate to be ‘the chest’. This chest appears to be a squarish construction of metal-rimmed wood, painted a red-purple hue; to your mage’s sense, it is almost VOID of magic, blacker than Carazzi’s magical darkness.
The female hobgoblin, for her part, seems unarmed, and yet is easily on higher-alert of the two, eyes constantly scanning the two entrances in to this largest of tents. Her eyes pass over two of you, and you hear Carazzi gasp as they linger for a moment… Before moving on. Carazzi sighs in relief, and you’d be lying if you claimed you did not do likewise; you sense something formidable in that one.
You haven’t been noticed yet, but a patch of moving darkness will draw much more attention here than a still one, which can easily be passed off to the magically-dull senses of the goblinfolk as a trick of the light if nothing tips them off. Your <Improved Aethereal Form> does not REQUIRE darkens sot hide itself, though interaction with physical objects could momentarily expose you, and you aren’t sure what the rod and chest might mean for you.
What will you do?
>Separate from Carazzi and creep closer to the Ashurati captive, to quietly converse with him and learn more, and break loose of the beastman captives [which one?], as a distraction and possibly ally in combat
>Stage an attack upon the hobgoblins and these smaller, greener kin, to liberate all within this tent [specify if you have an opening spell or target in mind]
>Leave for now—you have what info you need to plan an attack with your other allies
>Write-in","attachment":null,"posted":1715022673},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5996341,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996047
>“All according to vrevohg,” Zith-Zzi brazenly lies, then clarifies: “’Vrevohg’ means ‘plan.’”
well memed zz
>>Separate from Carazzi and creep closer to the Ashurati captive, to quietly converse with him and learn more, and break loose of the beastman captives [which one?], as a distraction and possibly ally in combat
Get what info we can, watch the hob with the items - if he ever puts the rod down steal that shit","attachment":null,"posted":1715023830},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5996346,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996323
>Separate from Carazzi and creep closer to the Ashurati captive, to quietly converse with him and learn more
Don't liberate anyone until we have more info","attachment":null,"posted":1715024211},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5996356,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996323
>Separate from Carazzi and creep closer to the Ashurati captive, to quietly converse with him and learn more, and break loose the beastman captives Minotaur, as a distraction and possibly ally in combat
he's the only one who could do something to them. the spotted creature is a mystery box and the harpies are useless in this case.
>>5996341
remember to vote for a beastman, anon","attachment":null,"posted":1715025030},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5996357,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"also I'm surprised we got another doot soon. I assume is to make up for the missing one yesterday.","attachment":null,"posted":1715025092},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5996434,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996356
I wanted to talk to the Ashurati before making my choice","attachment":null,"posted":1715030399},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5996538,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996356
+1
Make a deal with the minotaur. He helps us get the neme out, deal with those gobs, we will get him out.
>>5996099","attachment":null,"posted":1715039469},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5996636,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d20)
>>5996538
>>5996356
>>5996346
>>5996341
“Stay here,” you whisper to Carazzi.
The shadows shifts lightly as you leave her side, as if she wants to follow you… But she stays put, a you request. You advance, alone. Hidden from mundane sight, and treading gingerly even so, you size up the minotaur. The massive beastman is a rime candidate to free, to create the chaotic conditions necessary for liberation. So, too, does your gaze linger upon the rod which the male hobgoblin clutches covetously, and which you in turn desire. Your curiosity and moral impulsivity do not get the better of you, though. Your wandering eyes eventually settle on the prize—or, at least, the first of many objectives here.
As you advance, the captive Ashurati seems to recognize you—or, at least, to recognize you as his kin, and a trespasser her. Delight and relief wash across his foreign features, but he is wise enough—even in his youth—to celebrate silently, so as not to draw undue attention.
“Do you understand the Sylvantongue?” you ask hopefully.
“Well enough,” he answers, whispering in the strangely-accented local dialect of elven-speech. “How do youc oem to be here? Are you of the spirits, the True Fey?”
(Ah, yes, your form…)
“Something like that,” you answer. “Not quiet, but it isn’t important right now. How did you come to be here?”
“Is it not obvious?” the young Ashurati asks, despairingly, gazing down at the cage, and then glaring at the hobgoblins.
“Yes, you admit. “What I meant, though, was HOW? How did you get captured? And what happened to the others—the other Neme, or the spirits upon your mountain?”
“You have been to the Westmost Basin of the Sacred Sands?” he asks.
“Twice, technically,” you say. “I’m a friend of Nemenmo, if you know her?”
The young Neme shrugs, and explains: “Nemenmo is a very common name, for women of the Neme. It means ‘beloved of the Neme’.”
(Well, that checks out, etymologically…)
“The others fought, and killed or fled when the battle was lost,” the young Neme admits, cringing at the shame of it. “And the spirits, our True Fey ancestors and kin…”
You follow the subtle tilt of his chin to the male hobgoblin again.
“The rod and the chest?”
He nods.
“What are they?” you ask.
“The rod is a weapon, which allowed them to pull into this world that which exists between worlds,” he says. “And the chest… the chest is where they are kept, which have been bound.”
Stealth, untrained, of this sneaky little conversation. DC 10, so your subtlety and aethereality.","attachment":null,"posted":1715049844},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5996650,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5996636
Your eyes widen. Those sound like powerful artefacts—doubly-so if a painfully unmagical being like a hobgoblin can use them! It also makes the hobgoblins a grave risk, even to the likes of you, in this form. You have more questions, of course—how it can be aimed without being able to see the spirits, the mechanisms by which it works and how many it may target at once, and more…
>1
…But before you can ask them, you are answered rather more directly than you would like. Which is to say, you feel a bolt of splitting agonizing pain, and fall upon the ground.
“You’re right,” you hear the male hobgoblin say to his female companion, as startled goblin screech in alarm and scatter from where you have suddenly appeared before them. “He WASN’T just talking to himself.”
“Fucking told you, didn’t I?” his female companion says, producing her blade—which shines red with an activated magic, faintly unwholesome in its nature—even now, you think you recognize it as a demonic enchantment of some sort. “You never fucking listen, Graz-Gab.”
“Alright, alright, I’m hearing you now,” he replies, as he approaches you, the now-glowing rod levelled at you, and its glyphs alight, while the coloured bands pulsate in a repetitive rhythm, radiating from base to tip as he gives you a prod with a sandaled, gnarly-nailed foot. “What have we here? Some pale elf?”
“Looks like a Northern mercenary, if you ask me,” the female sneer, finally switching from the gobbling language to a broken Common. “You, pretty little boy, you some adventurer boy? Gone a bit too far away from home, have you? Mama Skekz-Gab will take good care of you…”
“You get the FUCK away from him!”
Both the hobgoblins’ attention—and that of their freshly re-panciked entourage of green goblins—turns to the corner, where the magical darkness flares out in a strange pulse of un-light and reveals Carazzi, misshapen and jagged teeth bared in a monstrous sneer, yellow eyes aglow and trimmed with red, chest heaving with fear and fury and hands extended into truly wicked talons worthy of a fiend from The Seven Hells Below.
“Shit, there’s two of them?” the male hobgoblin—Grz-Gab—yelps, taking a step back, eyes darting between you and Carazzi.
“Really?” the female, Skekz-Gab, asks. “You think they’re together? Seems like an odd couple to me.”
The momentary distraction of Carazzi’s appearance and the pointless debate which follows offers you just enough time to croak out a single word—albeit not to do much else. You feel frozen in place, paralyzed utterly and completely by whatever power the rod holds.
What will you say?
>”Help!”
>”Run!”
>”Minotaur!”
>Something else [one word only]","attachment":null,"posted":1715050604},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5996676,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996650
>”rod.”
I’m not sure if Carazzi can free the minotaur in time.
>>5996538","attachment":null,"posted":1715051747},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5996699,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996636
>Rolled 1 (1d20)
Aiiie mercy slaver sama
>>5996650
>”Minotaur!”
Guess we gotta gamble","attachment":null,"posted":1715052467},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5996707,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996650
>”Minotaur!”
gambiling time. kinda funny that we got our crit fail in the lowest dc in this thing. I assume a regular failure would just be getting wounded and not barely incapacitated.","attachment":null,"posted":1715052922},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5996716,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5996707
[The rod just works that way when [REDACTED], regardless of degree of success. On a regular failure, you would have been spotted but had a chance to react before the rod was activated.]","attachment":null,"posted":1715053254},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5996722,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996716
I see, so touching us would be the same result regardless of his degree of success. What a nasty thing for gobs and hobbos to have.","attachment":null,"posted":1715053895},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5997330,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996650
>”Minotaur!”","attachment":null,"posted":1715105330},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5997720,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 11, 14, 3, 10 = 38 (4d20)
>>5996676
>>5996699
>>5996707
>>5997330
“Minotaur!”
“Huh?” Carazzi replies. “The fuck is a—Oh!”
You’re grateful that the demogoblin has the good sense to follow your gaze, even in her current state, because explaining any further is beyond you. Even croaking out those few syllables was almost more than you could manage. This rod is truly a nasty thing for hobgoblins to have, so potent as it seems to be. The sheer totality of your paralysis, and your uncertainty as to how it works, is exactly why you did not direct Carazzi to snatch the rod instead of freeing the bull-man—if it is turned on her, you don’t know what effect it might have! Now, you can only hope she succeeds in the mission you have assigned her instead.
You desperately try to crane your neck as the split ‘hooves’ of your demonic goblin companion strike the sand, propelling her forwards. Up close like this, with your face in the dirt and gravel, they really only superficially resemble hooves—really, they are more like two-pronged paws with large, black nails, like a spider’s paw warped grown huge. Soon, they are gone again from your sight, and you hear chaotic cries, signalling frantic action just outside your line of sight:
“No you don’t, you little bitch!”
“Stop her! If I take the rod off of him—”
“She’s going for the fucking minotaur! That must be the word he said, in the north-speak!”
“Well stop her, then! What do I pay you for?!”
“I pay you, you—augh!”
The two voices of the argumentative hobgoblins are quickly drowned out by the cries of slaves, and of the other goblins, until you cannot make out particulars, except…
2d20 for Carazzi's effort, DC 12 due to the element of surprise and the chaos
2d20 for the female hobgoblin's attack against her","attachment":null,"posted":1715135187},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5997734,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5997720
>14 for Carazzi
…A deep, booming bellow, almost absurdly like the booming ‘moo’ of a cow but for the savage rumble underlying it, and the way its shapes itself into what you perceive as a WORD, albeit not one you know.
“Oh fuck. Well don’t just stand there you little green shits, restrain him!”
You see a few goblins scamper past you, launching themselves into battle with whatever crude armaments they can muster. A moment later, several of them as send flying, flailing in panic or limp in their unconsciousness, as another bovine groan shakes the tent.
But where is Carazzi? You find yourself earing for her, having not so much as heard a peep from the little green woman. She clearly succeeded in freeing the minotaur, but could she have been hurt in the process?
>10 for Skeks-Gab
“Oof!”
You hear the male hobgoblin let out a grunt of pain, and abruptly the pain flooding through you abates. The stiffness in your limbs lets up in that same instance, your locked joints so limb that you actually struggle to rise even now, as if your whole body is too loose, your bones rubbery and flesh fluid. It’s like being drunk, or overdosed on shirin, or both—normally an experience you actually sort of enjoy, but not one you can afford to indulge in right now.
Luckily, Carazzi is right there, with uncanny strength in her small frame to help lift you up and support your weight.
“Eeeasy does it, Tips,” she says. “You okay? What happened? No offence, but you went down faster than I’d go down on a… Well, anyway, real quick!”
“The rod,” you croak out. “Did you get the rod? It… It stunned me. I was helpless.”
“I tripped the hobbo fucker holdin’ it, but things are getting’ a bit hectic up in this shit, so I didn’t, like… No, I didn’t grab it. I’m sorry!”
Carazzi is right, after all: the tent has developed into a melee, with the liberated minotaur, swinging a goblin by the ankle like a flail to smack about others. The female hobgoblin, Skekz-Gab, is occupied attempting to strike at his limbs, clearly still hoping to hobble him for future sale rather than to kill him outright. The other prisoners of these slavers are banging upon their bars now, crying for freedom,… Including the Neme male who you had been speaking with when you were struck down by the rod’s power.
And speaking of the rod, its owner is clambering even know to his hands and feet, and scrambling to retrieve the item. He is seconds away from retrieving the mysterious magical device and turning it upon you again… But he is also no longer guarding the chest which had served as a seat for him before the fracas broke out ,and which apparently contains the ensnared elemental fey allies of the Neme-Ashurati, captured upon their holy hill.","attachment":null,"posted":1715136280},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5997738,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5997734
“Come on, let’s dip!” Carazzi says, guiding you towards the exit. “This shit is NUTS, ‘n not, like, the fun kinda’ nuts ya’ know?”
What will you do?
>Get out while the getting is good—regroup with your allies and make a plan
[The only option where there's no risk of the rod being used against you before you can get away]
>Join the minotaur’s battle and take down these dangerous foes together [specify if you have a spell or stratagem in mind]
>Focus on freeing the other slaves in the tent, as many as you can [any particular plan?]
>Attempt to retrieve the chest [warning: it looks heavy]
>Attempt to destroy the chest [how?]
>Retrieve the rod
>Write-in [encouraged]","attachment":null,"posted":1715136389},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5997754,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997738
>Attempt to destroy the chest: With Greater Disjunction in order to suppress or destroy its magical enchantment.
I feel this is the perfect chance to test our most recent spell.","attachment":null,"posted":1715137453},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5997759,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997754
>>5996107
>>5991304
>>5988456
This is me.","attachment":null,"posted":1715137661},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5997762,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997734
>its owner is clambering even know to his hands and feet, and scrambling to retrieve the item. He is seconds away from retrieving the mysterious magical device and turning it upon you again…
>>5997738
>lightning strike on that hobgob
Retrieve the rod if we can, but if it breaks or gets destroyed in the process, whatever. Deal with the rod and the person holding it.
>Get out
Then we run.
>>5996676","attachment":null,"posted":1715137800},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5997763,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997754
I’m a little worried about the hobgob going for the rod","attachment":null,"posted":1715137890},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5997774,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"man, considering we're jelly, joining the fight or trying to take the chest aren't viable and I don't wanna destroy it.
>Get out while the getting is good—regroup with your allies and make a plan
pussying out it is
>>5997762
anon, it's just one option to choose.","attachment":null,"posted":1715139007},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5997780,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997774
I meant after we use lightning, we run. I dont stick around. I dont want to stay in the fight. I know theres gonna be the risk of the rod being used on us. This is just clarification.","attachment":null,"posted":1715139388},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5997782,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997780
I thought you wanted to try grabbing it. Why even use the thunder at all, then ?","attachment":null,"posted":1715139658},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5997788,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997782
Because I want to kill the gob currently going for it?
My train of thought is
Use lightning to kill gob
- we fuck up
- we kill him
- the rod gets destroyed in the fighting
If rod gets destroyed, we run
If we kill him, we get the rod, then we run","attachment":null,"posted":1715140100},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5997796,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997788
>>5997782
>>5997763
The fey who were allies of the neme are trapped inside that box. If we manage to bust it open and free them a horde of angry fey spirit's could help us against these goblins.","attachment":null,"posted":1715140275},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5997830,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997788
>My train of thought is
>Use lightning to kill gob
>- we fuck up
>- we kill him
>- the rod gets destroyed in the fighting
>If rod gets destroyed, we run
>If we kill him, we get the rod, then we run
I dunno OP will let us get sucha convenient option, at best either hit and run or hit and try to grab it.
>>5997796
I don't wanna destroy the box because we could kill some neme that way","attachment":null,"posted":1715142688},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5997895,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977163
“Greater Disjunction: You can sever a mage or magical creature, even a divinely-empowered one, from the source of its energies, instantly ending or preventing transformations and illusions, or otherwise dramatically weakening a foe”
>>5997754
I’m not sure if it works that way. Getting the neme out would be nice, though. Good distraction.","attachment":null,"posted":1715148376},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5997937,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5997738
>Lightning bolt the Hobgoblin.
I'd like as much as possible to get the rod and chest out of this mess.
>Double-tag the Hobgoblin with Carazzi - order her to fetch the rod while we blast him
>Then, get Carazzi to help the Minotaur while we open cages","attachment":null,"posted":1715152740},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5997983,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997738
>Lightning bolt the hobgob
>Retrieve the rod","attachment":null,"posted":1715158331},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5998341,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997738
>Disjunction the chest","attachment":null,"posted":1715189672},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5998835,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5998341
>>5997983
>>5997937
>>5997774
>>5997762
>>5997754
[Locking, writing soon!]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhg9bYNLvOg","attachment":null,"posted":1715217972},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5998860,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 17, 3, 8, 10 = 38 (4d20)
>>5998835
“No.”
You can’t just leave—not with a chest full of True Fey awaiting liberation, not to mention the OTHER slaves. Carazzi looks at you like you’re crazy, but she doesn’t object, instead turning her panicked gaze towards the frantic fighting.
“…Alright,” she says. “What’s the plan, then?”
You briefly consider using <Greater Disjunction> upon the chest containing those divine spirits, but to do so risks a great unknown, for you do not know the nature of the chest’s enchantment, nor what <greater Disjunction> might do to those magical beings within. And if you’re not going to go straight for the chest…
“The rod.”
The mysterious brass rod is too powerful a weapon to risk facing again, though. If you’re going to stay, it needs to be handled, first and foremost… or it’s owner. Luckily, with two of you (and some measure of strength returning to your limbs, so it truly IS two of you, rather than Carazzi-plus-one) you have a more tried-and-true spell to employ for just such an occasion.
“I’ve got the hobgoblin,” you say. “You get the rod!”
“Right!” Carazzi says, swallowing her fear and regaining something of the warrior’s form she wore a moment ago, green skin abristle with warts more like spines or scutes now. “If there’s one thing I think I remember how ta’ do well from when I was Zith-Zi, it’s handlin’ rods!”
(You do your best to ignore that common as you lift the <Archmage’s Gift> and take aim, grateful that you were able to keep a grip on your primary weapon this time. The turbaned hobgoblin, Graz-Gab, sees Carazzi coming, and scrambles for the rod, but he notices you lining up yoru shot too late to react to the real threat.
"Fucking khoblis!" he cries.
Carazzi ducks down, diving to the gravel-strewn ground and grabbing for the rod. Your line of sight is clear. This will be your last, best shot before you become a target for goblinoid retaliation.
>3/3 HP
>3/5 MP
"<Lightning Bolt!>"
DC 15, -1 for staff, -2 for distracted and disoriented opponent, +2 for spell resistance","attachment":null,"posted":1715219168},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5998883,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 1, 6 = 7 (2d20)
>>5998860
>17 vs DC 14
The hobgoblin cries out in alarm, and then goes silent in spasmatic, electrified agony as the lightning rips through him. The booming crack of elemental thunder rattles the cages, and the flash of blue-white light seizes all eyes. Slaves and slavers alike turn to you, and for a moment there is something like calm—the eye of the proverbial storm, made almost literal by your choice of spell.
And then…
“Graz-Gab!” his partner—sister? Wife? Cousin? Friend?—cries out.
“Got it!” Carazzi shouts, holding the rod aloft as she bounces to her quasi-cloven feet.
“The rod!” Skekz-Gab, the remaining hobgoblin, hisses, mourning forgotten in her greed. “You little frog-faced cunt, I’ll rip open your insides and wear ‘em like a bloody NECKLACE!”
Carazzi yelps as the slicing scimitar of the fellow female fighter is brought to bear upon her. The orange goblinoid woman is fast—too fast, closing distance before you can fry her like so many other hobgoblins this day. The minotaur, though is hot on her heels, reaching out to grab her in a three-party chain of a chase.
First 2d20 are the attack on Carazzi by Skekz-Gab, hobgoblin fighter, with her magic blade; DC 12 because of martial skill and... Let's say, the nature of her weapon.
2d20 for the minotaur's attack on her, distraction, DC 12 due to his greater size and strength and her divided attention","attachment":null,"posted":1715219857},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5998899,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 5 (1d20)
>>5998883
Carazzi retreats a step, dodging the swing of the blade by a scant inch. You squint as you see her emerald flesh roil and shift, not in any deliberate fashion, but almost as if… DISRUPTED in some way, rippling and lifting up a layer of skin towards the blade. Carazzi herself recognizes this as well, staring wide-eyes at her own body betraying her, but acts with surprising acuity and cleverness: she levels the mysterious brass rod and points it at the hobgobliness. It glows in that rhythmic fashion, rings lighting up , and blasts the blade which so threatened your friend.
>1
The sword shatters, its owner shrieking in surprise and fury as she stares at the pommel. Carazzi woops in triumph, shouting:
“Suck on that, you stuck-up orange fucker!”
Before the hobgoblin can retort, she is forced to drop flat to avoid a bearhug by the minotaur. She rolls over and springs onto her feet, facing down against the much larger beastman—now unarmed, and thus at a huge disadvantage. It’s clear that’s he’s more used to fighting with a weapon, for one; for another, it’s gods-damned MINOTAUR she’s up against eight feet and four or five hundred pounds of bovine-humanoid muscle. Her superior speed alone isn’t going to win her the day, only keep her alive longer.
“GOBLINS!” she cries out. “GET HIIIM!”
And ‘get him’ they do. The goblins who survives his initial assault have rallied, and reinforcements have arrived—with spears, pronged polearms, and a net. It adds to the pandemonium, and from outside you can hear that the chaos is spreading. Buyers and sellers have no doubt heard the commotion, and reacted by rushing to aid the merchants, or fleeing into the wastes in preservation of their own lives and wealth.
At least one goblin who saw you cast the <Lightning Bolt>, though, has the wherewithal to hurl a throwing knife in your direction, and shouts to his fellows to target the ‘khoblis’—the caster—as you feared might be the case.","attachment":null,"posted":1715220470},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5998900,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998883
nice, cazzy avoids the attack on her but you forgot the 2 die for the minotaur","attachment":null,"posted":1715220481},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5998902,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 14, 18 = 32 (2d20)
>>5998899
Woop, and forgot the minotaur's roll","attachment":null,"posted":1715220530},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5998905,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998900
i thought he’d roll after taking gob’s attack into account lol","attachment":null,"posted":1715220728},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5998907,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998902
very nice
>>5998905
nah, when he announces the die, he rolls them in the same post.","attachment":null,"posted":1715220842},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5998909,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>5998899
>>5998900
>>5998902
>>5998905
>>5998907
>5 for the knife
The shot goes wide, and with a quick duck you amnage to avoid it—and even save your wizard’s cap!
>18 or the minotaur
When you stand up again, the hobgoblin ringleader has been seized by the minotaur, who is holding her above his head in both hands as if he might rip her in twain. He roars a challenge to the goblins who, without a means to capture him without ensnaring their own leader, seem to struggle to formulate a new strategy.
“Tips!” Carazzi greets you, giving youa quick hug. “Holy SHIT, that was AWESOME! And I’m not gonna’ lie, all this emotion flyin’ around in here is getting’ me all kindsa’ worked up…”
The demogoblin squirms, and you see a sheen of sweat beading her dark green skin. She licks her lips, eyeing the bedlam with open arousal and excitement.
What will you do?
>Beat a retreat—you have the rod, and the way things are going in here, your escape route will soon be cut off [low-to-medium DC]
>Sic Carazzi upon the goblins, while you summon an elemental strong enough to lift the chest [2 MP]
>Try to recruit the minotaur for muscle [Linguistics check and Sociability check; DC of the later determined by how you do on the former]
>Free the other slaves here—create more chaos, and bring this whole operation down! [biggest risk]
>Write-in","attachment":null,"posted":1715220930},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5998922,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998909
>Free the other slaves here—create more chaos, and bring this whole operation down! [biggest risk]
Slavery is wrong","attachment":null,"posted":1715221411},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5998925,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998883
>17 vs DC 14
was this you correcting the previous dc ?
>>5998909
>Beat a retreat—you have the rod, and the way things are going in here, your escape route will soon be cut off [low-to-medium DC]
we got the rod and I'm not confident on risking to get the chest with the elemental and remaning with only 1 MP and Cazzy getting in battle trance while culling the gobs.","attachment":null,"posted":1715221439},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5998927,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998922
>Slavery is wrong
we can return later to free them, anon. we're not in that good of a shape.","attachment":null,"posted":1715221501},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5998936,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998860
That lightning is doing work.
>>5998925
Yeah. DC 15 +2 -2 -1 = 14
>>5998909
>Beat a retreat—you have the rod, and the way things are going in here, your escape route will soon be cut off [low-to-medium DC]
We could push our luck but I really don’t like having 3 MP remaining. We can use one or two more spells and maybe make one mistake but thats about it.
>>5997762","attachment":null,"posted":1715221985},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5998976,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998925
>was this you correcting the previous dc ?
[More like totaling it up, as >>5998936 demonstrated.]","attachment":null,"posted":1715224624},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5999107,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998909
>Free the other slaves here—create more chaos, and bring this whole operation down! [biggest risk]
How are we supposed to justify leaving the true fey sealed here? Not only is the part of the whole reason we came to the wastes is to meet with them.
Their lives could be in grave peril, the southerners are know demonologists. (They are probably where the hob's got the demonic blade and sealing equipment from.) Demons are know for eating souls. If they stay some southern mage will buy them, and then hand them off to a demon ally to be devoured.
We would have failed at being a disciple of the true fey, and we would have failed our mission in coming here to the wastes.","attachment":null,"posted":1715232024},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5999194,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998909
>Free the other slaves here—create more chaos, and bring this whole operation down! [biggest risk]","attachment":null,"posted":1715240414},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5999202,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5998909
>>Try to recruit the minotaur for muscle [Linguistics check and Sociability check; DC of the later determined by how you do on the former]
>>Free the other slaves here—create more chaos, and bring this whole operation down! [biggest risk]
The idea is first allying with the Minotaur to get him holding the frontline.
We open up the slave's cages, get the Neme to stick with us, try to manage the chaos enough to avoid Carazzi's going into overdrive.","attachment":null,"posted":1715241795},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":5999238,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999107
Since you wanna get the name, don’t you prefer the elemental + Cazuza as a distraction option ? Freeing all seems like a good way to get most killed","attachment":null,"posted":1715248648},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000110,"name":"RQM","msg":"[My computer seems to have died outright, so... Pardon a delay.]","attachment":null,"posted":1715313710},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000124,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5998922
>>5999107
>>5999194
>>5999202
>>5998936
>>5998925
[Alright, we're back! QM curse really tried for me, though. Both my desktop and laptop simultaneously began experiencing different catastrophic failures. Anyway... Writing.]","attachment":null,"posted":1715315900},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000133,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 20 (1d20)
>>6000124
Your instincts scream at you to flee—to leave this place with the rod in hand, to rejoin the battle only when your allies are alongside you. With limited aura, your spells can only carry you so far. That’s the dirty secret of even the most powerful mage: magic uses up life-energy quickly, even for simple spells. A mage supercharged with extraplanar energy, like Izirina, can overcome this; a paladin or priestess, granted their powers from above by a divine being, can as well. You, however… You can’t. Even after your attunement to a space-between spaces, your own inner energies are painfully finite. One or two mistakes, and you will fall, and die, the same as any untrained warrior in the midst of a disorganized and dangerous situation like this.
…At least, that’s what you would have said, once. But you’ve seen worse. You’ve endured greater pain, been in crazier situations, overcome more desperate odds. You’ve fought the Unseelie and won, traveled to the moon and back, bested prophets and dark spirits, defied a GODDESS and lived to tell the tale! And even if you don’t agree with the Gods of Freedom about EVERYTHING, how are you supposed to justify leaving these captives to their dark fate—let ALONE the Treu Fey, sealed away in their chest? Isn’t what you CAME here for—to find, and ally, with the fairies ensnared inside that mysterious chest?
You are Mage Apprentice Ezreal Mious van Houtzmann, and you will NOT fail
“Free the slaves!” you shout. “We’re bringing this whole operation down.”
Carazzi nods, her earlier concern swallowed up in the proxy-emotions which have obviously overwhelmed her sense of self-preservation. As you leap forwards, the little green demoness is at your side, fending off her goblin cousins as you do likewise. You lack the acumen to pick locks, and the physical strength to break them, but what you DO have is that oldest of all magical standbys:
“<Magic Missile!>”
>2/5 MP
This is the other dirty secret of magecraft: that one who comes to rely upon it to solve some problems often comes to rely upon it as a solution for ALL problems. Your father Ruldofo once told you of the reputation which magic-users have in professional adventuring circles: as glory-hogs, one-man armies, capable of outshining warriors, scouts, thieves, rangers, and even priests in their individual fields…
“But of course,” he’s said, “the mage’s Torch which burns twice as birght bruns half as long, ey wot?”
Of course, a properly cats <Mage’s Troch> need NEVER burn out—that’s pretty much the POINT of the spell. Still, even as lock after lock are blasted asunder by your barrage of mystical motes, and the captives pour out, you take his meaning. Without your magic, you will be helpless. It behooves you to use it sparingly…
“He’s freeing the merchandise!” one of the goblins shouts. “Get the fucking khoblis!”
…And yet, that doesn’t seem as if it will be an option.","attachment":null,"posted":1715317176},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000136,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 20, 17 = 37 (2d20)
>>6000133
Even with Carazzi screaming in orgasmic glee as she carves a swathe through your assailants, the goblins have numbers on their side.
You brace yourself, grateful that your staff at least afford you SOME martial option. The goblins close in like a crashing wave of greenish se-foam in Hawksong bay. You heft the <Archmage’s Gift> like a club, and swing away.
>20
You crack a goblin upside the head, hurling him—or her? In all this insanity, it’s tough to tell—into another. Yous wing again and again, screaming in fear until it turns into mad laughter, to see the goblins shrink back with fear, fleeing. The trailing cloud of electrified fog—like crackling thunderclouds—follows the brachiating head of your staff, warding them away like so many shrinking trollspawn before a torch in on of your father’s stories, of his ad your mother’s adventuring days. You begin t understand the appeal.
[The last roll was your melee, and your success has bought you ground an impressed your allies; rolling a morale check for your freed slaves, and another for the goblins. DC is 12 for yours, thanks to your crit success and circumstances, and 15 for the goblins, whose leader is in no shape to rally them.]","attachment":null,"posted":1715317412},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000137,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"we won the gamba once more. that was really lucky.","attachment":null,"posted":1715317540},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000140,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 20, 5, 6, 4 = 35 (4d20)
>>6000136
>>6000137
>17
Though afeared at first, the goblins do not keep their distance for long. These are seasoned criminals, lifetime raiders and slavers, warriors born. Worse yet, they’re small, and weak, and they know it—have ALWAYS known it. Youa re not their first oversized prey. Like wolves surrounding an auroch, they flank, and feint, and draw nearer. They push you back, seek to encircle you. You feel the cold iron of cage bars against your back, and know you are cornered. The little green men and women grin at you with godawful flee, and you ready to defend yourself by magical means, at the cost of still more aura…
>20
…But as it turns out, you need not.
A shriek rises up, followed by two more. These are not discordant screams of pain or rage, though; rather, soon they turn musical, rising up in a complementary chorus. You and the goblins all turn as one to face the source, and find the three winged bird-women. They have joined together in a huddled hug, clutching to each other and singing a song of sadness and joy, triumph and freedom. The young male of the Neme-Ashurati stands nearby, pale and almost pupil-less eyes wide, and in his hands he holds the three gags which he has just removed.
Elsewhere, you see other slaves—women, young women, nude or nearly nude, and beastmen. They, too, are freed,a nd cpatieated by the song. Yet as the song quiets, theand all in the tent regain their senses, they do not steala way to enjoy their newfound freedom…
They instead take up arms.
The would-be slaves grab tools, or attack their enslavers. Some stumble and fail. A few bleed, and die… Yet others—many, maybe MOST—manage to claim for themselves knives, slavecatchers, axes, and polearms. Crying for the sheer joy of freedom, they fall upon their captors. The goblins are numerous, yes, but those they have victimized rival their numbers, and many—especially the minotaur wicked, cackling spotted beastman whom Carazzi lets loose—are far mightier on a one-to-one basis. Emboldened by your example, and furious at their foes, they fight of their freedom with an unmatched vigor and an untamed savagery.
The tide turns! Fortune favours the bold! Freedom rings, loud and clear, and you all sing along with the chiming of that halcyon bell as the bird-women soar high, and rain the fur of the oppressed upon the oppressors.
Rolling for the minotaur vs. hobgoblin battle","attachment":null,"posted":1715318159},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000145,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000140
Hot damn
Looks like those goblins got the horns
I knew we would roll well in pursuit of a noble goal","attachment":null,"posted":1715318889},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000149,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6000140
>>6000145
The goblins slavers who have managed to hold their ranks and survive the uprising huddle together, a little stain of increasingly pathetic snot-green in the midst of the cacophony of colours and chorus of defiant shouts. Just when it seems they might muster for one final assault, though—
“RRRRAAAAAAAOUGH!”
>20 vs. 4
>A THIRD FUCKING CRITICAL SUCCESS
—the minotaur hurls down the battered, broken body of their commander—that female hobgoblin. She is still breathing, albeit barely, and by the looks of her bent and misshapen form, not for long. The minotaur bellows with a thunderous ‘moo’ of victory, head held high and fists raised in gladiatorial glee. Seeing this, and finally understanding their failure here, they abandon the field.
Or, rather, they TRY to.
Bosom heaving, ragged breeches tight, eyes ablaze, and face contorted into a truly terrifying and deformed mask of bloodlust and battle-frenzy, there stands Carazzi Her clothes are half-hone, her pendulous breasts swinging loose. Her hands are blood-soaked claws, her back the hunched shoulders of an ape, haunches wide-side like a crouching tiger. Her teeth are daggers, her jaw hanging loose and low, and her breath rises in visible steam—in acris, hellish smoke.
“Where are you goin’, pretty little things?” she coos. “You think you can jus’ get a gob all hot ‘n bothered an’ then leave without finishin’ the job? HUH?”
The goblins shrink and whimper. The fight ahs left them, yet they cannot flee. The slaves, seeing their opportunity, begin to scatter, to disperse through the other exists, before this nightmarish beast from the Seven Hells can set its sights and unholy appetites upon them. Elsewhere, you hear the cackling of the spotted-man and the screams of those who flee or fall to him, or the cries of outrage and alarm of those patrons and proprietors who yet remained in the goblin market even as the slave-tents were emptied of their unseemly ‘goods’. Only the minotaur remains—he who you first freed, and who is still catching his breath.
Well, he and the Ashurati boy, who stares in open terror at that which you have created an unleashed.","attachment":null,"posted":1715319358},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000150,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6000149
“Mmm, fuck, an’ I’ve worked up QUITE the appetite…” Carazzi moans, fondling herself as she approaches, dragging spear-like claws down a breast that bubbles with bloom of dark blood, only to seal behind her scything knife-nails. “Come on, boys… Oo, an GIRLS, too! Won’t you help fill me up? Can’t you see how bad I <WANT> you inside me?!”
What will you do?
>Spare the goblins, if they surrender
>Let Carazzi feed, and sate her <WANT>
>Write-in
What of the surviving hobgoblin woman, Skekz-Gab?
>Let her die
>Kill her yourself
>Stabilize her, and take her captive
>Write-in
And what is your next move? The slave operation is crushed, the leaders dead or good-as-dead, but the goblin market and its buyers and sellers more broadly still exist. The slaves are free, but have been freed into a barren and desolate realm, where hostility is common and respite rare.
>Recruit the minotaur to grab the chest, and get out of here in the commotion
>Ensure the other slaves get free and clear without being recaptured or becoming lost in the wastes
>Send up a signal for your allies to join you, in conquering and capturing the other goblin raiders in this place
>Write-in
I cannot fucking believe how these rolls went. Fate was with you, anons!","attachment":null,"posted":1715319420},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000159,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000150
>Spare the gobs if they surrender
>Stabilize her and take her captive
>Ensure the slaves get free and clear
Whooo","attachment":null,"posted":1715320072},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000167,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000150
>Spare the goblins, if they surrender.
>Kill her yourself.
Hobgoblins are cruel vicious and shifty she will plot her revenge if we let her go.
>Ensure the other slaves get free and clear without being recaptured or becoming lost in the wastes","attachment":null,"posted":1715320434},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000169,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000150
We’re one more 20 away before we get another reroll, yeah? Neat.
>Let Carazzi feed
She may rape the women - just kill them afterwards. I’d rather not risk having the men impregnating her.
The men we take prisoners, anyone that doesn’t surrender we kill. We bring them out in small batches, so we could use them as a guide for resources like food and water, or information on other threats. If things do get dire enough we could slaughter them for food.
>Stabilize her, and take her captive
Slightly too useful to die. I’d rather question her about where to find food & water and the chest itself.
>Send up a signal for your allies to join you
I’d rather stay here. There’s shelter and stuff we can use - as opposed to wandering aimlessly in the desert. We stay here, we turn this thing into a stronghold. Ask the freed slaves to stay as well if they want to.","attachment":null,"posted":1715320734},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000172,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6000169
[Outside of true, EXTREME desperation, I'm vetoing the idea of Tips using sapient, humanoid-looking beings as food, let alone someone like Costella doing so.]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715321253719841.gif","filename":"1484879678663.gif"},"posted":1715321253},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000175,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000172
noted.
>>6000169
Hm. Scrap that rape idea too. The more I think about it the less feasible it is - the other slaves here, the party coming here soon - not that useful compared to the benefits.
I still stand by the idea of taking them prisoner, interrogating them for information, and only letting few of them out as guides only if it is necessary.
I suppose Carazzi will have to make do with masturbation. Oh well.","attachment":null,"posted":1715322429},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000185,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000150
>Spare the goblins, if they surrender
>Stabilize her, and take her captive
>Recruit the minotaur to grab the chest
Ask if Mino would like to tag along for a little while.
I want Mino Marble Hill GETS
>Send up a signal for your allies to join you, in conquering and capturing the other goblin raiders in this place
UNLESS
We help Nemebros enough to create a nice Feywilds reserve in the wastes, with muscles of Mino, Sirens and Hyenabro. Maybe we can gate our Fey reserved together?","attachment":null,"posted":1715324164},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000187,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000185
>>6000169
>>6000159
Weren't you guys worrying about wasting mana? We should we spend our mp helping a goblin who would want to kill us if she recovered?
The last time we healed a goblin they immediately held a knife to our neck and took us hostage, once they recovered. I can only imagine a hobgoblin slaver would be even more malicious.","attachment":null,"posted":1715325066},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000195,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000187
we do only have 2 MP currently. I'd rather bind her limbs and put her in a cage before attempting even non-magical healing.
I think I'll keep her in a cage until our party arrives or we rest and get our MP back. If she dies, doesn't matter, we have the other goblins to interrograte.
that should be
>>6000150
>take her captive - stabilize her only after she is restrained and we get our MP back, or after our party arrives","attachment":null,"posted":1715326367},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000218,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000150
>all dez nat 20s
Holy shit- this gob’s our good luck charm
>Let Carazzi feed, and sate her <WANT>
She deserves it for this insane luck.
>Stabilize her, and take her captive
Luck hob
>Send up a signal for your allies to join you, in conquering and capturing the other goblin raiders in this place
Pure profit","attachment":null,"posted":1715332108},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000219,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000175
You know she could feed off the emotions and soul, right? Doesn’t have to be death by snu snu.","attachment":null,"posted":1715332214},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000229,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000219
Yeah, but her words seem to state she wants sex.
>“Mmm, fuck, an’ I’ve worked up QUITE the appetite…” Carazzi moans, fondling herself as she approaches, dragging spear-like claws down a breast that bubbles with bloom of dark blood, only to seal behind her scything knife-nails. “Come on, boys… Oo, an GIRLS, too! Won’t you help fill me up? Can’t you see how bad I <WANT> you inside me?!”","attachment":null,"posted":1715335074},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000242,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000229
Remember, this is a being that feeds more off the emotions of the act and nibbles on the soul- the desire to eat works just as well to satiate, in my experience. We can simply tell her to only feel off the fear/terror rollercoaster emotions, then eat the soul- that way she gets rewarded for her exceptional performance and we don’t have worry about jumping anybody’s bones for a while.","attachment":null,"posted":1715335914},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000291,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000150
>Spare the goblins, if they surrender
>Feed the hob woman to Carazzi
>Recruit minotaur
>Ensure the other slaves get free and clear without being recaptured or becoming lost in the wastes","attachment":null,"posted":1715340368},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000306,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000133
>>6000136
>>6000140
Hot damn, 3 nat 20s, Tips had the dawg in him https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=322rh65Ah0E
>>6000150
>Spare the goblins, if they surrender
you did good, girl, but I rather not have you going murderhobo unless it's needed.
>Stabilize her, and take her captive
>Recruit the minotaur to grab the chest, and get out of here in the commotion
man, we really lucked out on this one, zam. tonight we'll comemorate.
>>6000187
I get where you're coming from, anon, but stabilize isn't healing so she'll still remain fucked.","attachment":null,"posted":1715341381},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000404,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6000175
>>6000195
>>6000219
>>6000229
>>6000242
>>6000306
>does Carazzi need to rape to feed?
[She could also just weaken then bybsiphoning off life-force, though in her current state there's a good chance most or all would die even if you asked her not to do so, were she allowed to feed upon them. It will strengthen her, though.]
>will stabilize awaken the hobgoblin?
[No, she would remain unconscious for now, and hobbled by her broken limbs without Monstrous Regeneration being used to fix them.]","attachment":null,"posted":1715351751},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000427,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000404
I see, welp if they don’t accept it she can siphon them
>>6000306
That’s me btw","attachment":null,"posted":1715355168},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000847,"name":"RQM","msg":"Rolled 9, 19, 14, 14 = 56 (4d20)
>>6000306
>>6000291
>>6000218
>>6000195
>>6000185
>>6000175
>>6000169
>>6000167
>>6000159
[Locking for:
>spare all gobs
>deny Cazuza her goblin nuggies
>Intention-blending the option where you help the salves escape and the one where you escape, so that you help them get free and clear before dipping out
>definitely recruiting cowman
As well as rolling Linguistics and a mystery die.]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715391518033968.png","filename":"hmm.png"},"posted":1715391518},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000848,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">14 on mystery
Also a 19 lmao","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715391710710407.jpg","filename":"IMG_7783.jpg"},"posted":1715391710},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000891,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6000847
“Carazzi, no.”
“Ooo, it’s gonna’ feel so fuckin’ GOOD, all that slick, thick life-blod flowin’ down my throat, fillin’ me up an’—”
“CARAZZI, STOP.”
Carazzi looks up at you sharply, at first startled, then incensed, and finally…
“Come ooonnn,” she pelads, whining needily. “They look so GOOD, ‘n they’re a buncha’ pricks anyway, right??”
You look down upon the huddled, terrified survivors of this revolt. They’re slavers, murderers, thieves and brigands, and it’s tough to find any sympathy for such creatures within yourself… But you also see shadows of Zith-Zi, and foreshadowing of what Carazzi might be capable of, if you let her go down the even darker and more depraved path of a cannibal killer. Sure, she���s a demon, but she’s ALSO a goblin.
“I said no,” you say firmly.
Carazzi gnashes her teeth angrily, her faced warped and almost reptilian in that moment. She screams in frustration, and stomps her feet… But then, looking into your uncompromising visage, she deflates, physically AND emotionally as the tantrum abates.
“What about the orange bitch…?”
“<Stabilize>,” you answer, poking the not-quite-corpse of the hobgoblin with your staff—just enough energy to keep her from dying, but not enough to wake her or to restore the function of her broken limbs.
>2/5 MP
Carazzi slumps down, falling upon her plush backside upon the grit and thenf lopping onto her back and staring up at the ripping tent-ceiling with blank eyes. She lets out a low, exhausted groan.
“Are you alright?” you ask her.
“Yeah,” she sighs. “just… Hungry. So fuckin’ hungry, Tips. ‘N tired. ‘N….”
And aroused, you infer, though your gratified the demogoblin has enough restraint now to not say so aloud. Seeing that you have control of her, and understanding enough Common to deduce that you are not going to kill them, the goblins breathe a sigh for relief. Before they can scamper away, though, you slam down you staff with a crackle of lighting that makes them squeal in fear.
“Drop your weapons,” yous ay, ‘and empty your pockets.”
“You’re robbin’ us?” one goblin asks, with the temerity to sound offended at the prospect.
“I’m ensuring we face no knives in our backs,” you say.
“Dangerous out there in the wastes,” one goblin reasons. “Sendin’ us out there unarmed is pretty much just killin’ us with extra steps.”
“Be grateful I’m taking any extra steps to begin with,” you sneer.
It gives you pause for reflection, though. The fate of these goblin slavers is secondary to you, but what of their slaves? Having turned them loose, have you only doomed them to be recaptured, to be killed by wasteland beasts of greater savagery such as trolls or ogres? Will they wander until exposure, hunger, or thirst claim them? Have you given them the ‘freedom’ of the grave?","attachment":null,"posted":1715395162},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000892,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6000891
You turn to the minotaur, and ask him: “Do you speak Common?”
He stares blankly at you.
“Xun dos telanth eldalie?” you ask hopefully.
“Dabe šoubim?” Carazzi asks, wearily sitting up.
Still, nothing. You look to the Neme prisoner, who simply shrugs—he is as foreign to the lands of the cow-folk (wherever exactly those even ARE) as you. You sigh, and try to piece together a working lingua franca from bits of Southern tongues you picked up in your youthful reading and in your studies, and have rarely had cause to use since.
>19
The minotaur is agreeable enough, and honestly it’s easy enough to get by with a few gestures at the chest, some sign language from yourself and from weary Carazzi, and the few words you are able to recall. While you or Carazzi would have strained under the load of the magical chest, the minotaur does not. Even in his poor condition, the product of rude and rough treatment, and of the recent battle—it is a simple thing for him to heft the prize AND the unconscious hobgoblin Skekz-Gab. The Neme lad—Khankhe is his name—arms himself with a goblin weapon, and between he, Carazzi, and yourself, you are able to herd the goblins without much difficulty.
“Thank you, cousin,” he says to you in his desert-dialect of the elventongue. “You have done myself and the ancestors a great kindness, though a stranger.”
“Freedom is the right of all sentient beings,” you say, repeating an old elven aphorism.
“Well-said,” he says, smiling. “The Gods must have sent you!”
You almost choke at that. You aren’t sure exactly WHAT the Bonum Chaoticum think of you… But you certainly hope that they will take kindly to your deeds done here, at least in part due to your motherland and your faith as a Disciple of the True Fey.
Your deeply-held principles are also what guide you to weave between the tents of the goblin market in search of freed captives to gather to your banner. Some of the pavilion’s exhibits are now ablaze, some collapsed, many more hastily packed into caravans and trucked into the barren landscape in whatever direction seemed safest or most expedient. Among those who remain, some are those merchants whose goods could not be so swiftly re-packaged for transport, while others are brazen opportunists, eager to loot what ahs been abandoned… Or to recapture the prisoners whom you have freshly freed.
“Get away from them!” you shout at once group, firing another <Lightning Bolt> into the mass, stunning and startling some and striking one dead—another life lost, but in defence of the innocent.
>1/5 MP, as a result of staying to help","attachment":null,"posted":1715395223},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000893,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6000892
In the end, several of the slaves are missing, their fates unknown. Did they escape into the wastelands? Were they recaptured? And that madly-laughing, hairy-faced beastman… Where is HE? Or the winged woman, whose song heralded your victory? You feel some sense of gratitude to them, and yet they are nowhere to be seen, and you cannot give them thanks. You suppose their freedom from bondage is probably thanks enough.
>14
In the end, you rally mainly those slaves who were least capable of surviving the vagaries of the hot days, hold nights, and prowling bandits: halfing and human women mostly, though a few men as well; some goblin females or wretched-looking and sickly or elderly males, too, whose injurious condition precluded their escape and probably plunged them into their current low status, such as to be considered servants and saleable goods by their own bands. These poor and miserable sorts find evident safety rallying to your crackling mage-staff. From what remains of the dismantled goblin market, you find clothes for the naked, a smattering of food for those most hungry, and some of both for Carazzi, whom all the others give wide berth.
“’S not really, like, regular hunger,” she mutters, though she munches upon the dried vegetable-cakes you find for her all the same, and adds a quiet: “Thanks, though…”
You lead this train of followers back the way you came—back to Izirina, Costella, ZIth-Zi, and the half-orc driver, whose heavy, bushy brow lifts in surprise, though he alone says nothing.
“Tips, holy shit!” Zith-Zi cries. “What the fuck is THIS?”
“Are you okay??” Costella asks, rushing yo, and then to Crazzi. “Oh gosh, is that blood?!”
“’S not mine,” Carazzi says, and you catch a small snort and what almost looks like a glint of pride and approval form her nilbog ‘big sister’.”","attachment":null,"posted":1715395284},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000894,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6000893
Costella’s smothering affection seems to breathe a bit of life into laggardly Carazzi, such that you leave the two of them to it, meeting instead with Izirina, who regards you and your new charges with a small smile.
“So it went well,” she concludes. “Costella was getting worried, when you two didn’t come right back, and then screaming started, and the market broke apart.”
“Were you worried, too? Or… Were you watching?” you ask, recalling she has been studying and employing Divination recently.
Izirina shakes her head, neither confirming nor denying the ability to do so. Instead, she says:
“I knew you’d be okay,” she says. “You’re Tips.”
You feel your heart warm at this unshakeable faith she has in you—Izirina, the one student of your school-days who could best you consistently, whose esteem matters most even OUTSIDE from your love for ne another.
Her forehead knots for a moment, as she considers this a bit more deeply.
“Well, and I would have summoned a Tier-Five Elemental and simply destroyed everyone and everything in the market, if you took much longer.”
You sigh, the moment spoiled.
“What are we going to do with all of these people, though? Izirina asks, now a little concerned. “A <Dimension Door> can allow a group to pass through, but with each transported individual, it weakens. With a group this size, we’d risk stranding someone.”
“How many can you safely transport in a single day?” you ask, as you silently count the seven (not counting little Veloz and Hershy, but counting not-so-little-anymore Muffins) in your original group, and another fifteen liberated prisoners of the goblins… Plus Skekz-Gab and her surrendered minions, for another seven. Almost thirty people now form your party, with not nearly enough food or water for them all!
“I could probably take… Half to Old Maple Hill,” Izzy admits, cringing at her quick math and its implications. “Or the whole party to somewhere nearer-by.”
What will you do?
>Ask Khankhe of the Ashurati to guide your party to his people, and request shelter for those whom you have saved among their tribe
>Force the goblins to guide you to one of their bandit-bands, and ransom your captives (and shirin, perhaps?) for safe passage
>Stay here for the night, and use <Clone> to duplicate the coachman’s horses for an unconventional dinner
>Have Izirina take half the party back to Old Maple Hill with her magic [specify who you leave behind]
>Write-in","attachment":null,"posted":1715395344},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000903,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000894
>Ask Khankhe of the Ashurati to guide your party to his people, and request shelter for those whom you have saved among their tribe.
The Ashurati might be able to help us open the chest.","attachment":null,"posted":1715396479},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000922,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000894
>Have Izirina take half the party back to Old Maple Hill with her magic [leave: gobs & Skekz-Gab, Khankhe]
Don't wanna burden the nemes that much, so let's just bring the smaller ones, our captive and the guy we'll be returning + us.","attachment":null,"posted":1715398247},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000948,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000894
>Ask Khankhe of the Ashurati to guide your party to his people, and request shelter for those whom you have saved among their tribe.
If there’s no food for the gobs, so be it. Let them starve. They’ve spurred our mercy. I’m almost tempted to let Carazzi rape and eat them just to put them in their place.
>>6000169","attachment":null,"posted":1715400906},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000960,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000948
anon, let's leave her murderhobo tendencies to when we have no other option and certainly no rape","attachment":null,"posted":1715402752},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6000965,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000894
>Stay for a bit and eat cloned horse","attachment":null,"posted":1715403362},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6001021,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Stay here for the night, and use <Clone> to duplicate the coachman’s horses for an unconventional dinner","attachment":null,"posted":1715409523},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6001022,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000894
>Stay here for the night, and use <Clone> to duplicate the coachman’s horses for an unconventional dinner
I wouldn’t mind going to the bandit camp and freeing more slaves later ngl","attachment":null,"posted":1715409715},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6001094,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000894
>Dimdoor the slaves to Maple Hill
>Clone a horse for the gobs and send them off into the wastes
>Ask Khankhe to guide the rest to Ashurati","attachment":null,"posted":1715420087},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6001288,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001094
>Dimdoor
>Dimmadoor
We need a white ten-gallon wizard hat and a name change to Doug","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715439504216214.jpg","filename":"159E45EE-6A3F-462F-BBD3-840A51836E47.jpg"},"posted":1715439504},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6001321,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001288
You mean Izzy needs.","attachment":null,"posted":1715443152},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6001327,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6001288
>>6001321
>Your austistic Jewish witch GF changes her name to Doug
[It's far too late in the quest for me to make Izzy/Doug trans. Unless you means transhuman, in which case we already did that.]","attachment":null,"posted":1715443483},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6001439,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001327
Wait, making Tips or Izzy a tranny was possible at the start ?","attachment":null,"posted":1715452939},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6001455,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6001439
[I'm joking about Izzy, but it was entirely possible to make Tips be any sex or gender. You may remember we were a thread or so in befroe we established Tips' sex and gender, and wiuligar (intersex Sylvan culture-specific 'third gender', literally translates to 'boy-girl') was an option, for instance.]","attachment":null,"posted":1715454037},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6001462,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001455
Oh, I forgot about the elven thing.","attachment":null,"posted":1715454768},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6001497,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001462
[Good time for a snippet of lore, actually! So, Sylvan Elves are very concerned with their low fertility and population decline, leading to strong taboos against homosexuality (though it's tolerated if you ALSO have kids) and transgenderism and non-binary identities (which they associate with lack of children), as well as simply not wanting to reproduce or interracial relationships (like that which produced Tips). The exception is the wiuligar, who are born physically and visibly intersex; the elves see this as the gods making their will known, and they're usually infertile anyway (like intersex people IRL), so 'it is what it is'. As eladrin (like the moon elves) are all non-reproductive hermaphrodites anyway, the wiuligar are seen as candidates for the priestly class, being 'closer to the high elves'. This does occaisonally lead to sympathetic elders 'fibbing' to allow a particularly miserable/dysphoric trans elf or gay elf to join that class as a priest, though it means simplifing/rejecting their personal gender to become a they/them, and often some degree of selective abstinence, as well as social seclusion and monastic oaths.]
[Northern humans, by contrast, have pretty much no conceot of transgenderism aside from 'crossdressing' (ssociated with perverts), but are somewhat more toelrant of homoseuxality provided people aren't public about it, don't try to get married, etcetera, though as mentioned before there ARE still anti-sodomy laws that are sporadically and selectively enforced in Hawksong's sphere of influence.]
[Reptilians regard the whole matter of intersex individuals, homosexual behaviour, and interracial relationships as mammalian degeneracy and evidence of their inferiority, though they aren't above weaponizing it against the 'lesser races' in their infiltration and social engineering... And, of course, what certain Serpent Priests get up to in private is anyone's guess. Their half-blooded agents are ironically given more leeway, because they aren't allowed to breed anyway and are already regarded as disgusting and beneath contempt.]","attachment":null,"posted":1715457389},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6001587,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001497
thanks. I think you talked about the elves not wanting to encourage the more diverse expressions due to low brith rates, although the wiuligar as a priest class is new.
The human laws were also talked about before, but the reptilians is a new one. So they're harsher than the northerners on non-straights and are ven against interracial relations, war gains aside.","attachment":null,"posted":1715464450},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6001715,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6001587
>the wiuligar as a priest class is new
[Not all wiuligar are priests/clerics explicitly, though they're all regarded with a certain distance and respect (like that one elder who was in charge of supervising young men and women). Not all priests/clerics are wiuligar, either! There's just a certain amount of overlap. Many wiuligar are minasien (prophets/diviners), too.]
>>6001094
>>6001022
>>6001021
>>6000965
>>6000948
>>6000922
>>6000903
[Writing!]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715474358278722.png","filename":"locking.png"},"posted":1715474358},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6001759,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001715
I see, so it's just a case of them being priest at a greater %","attachment":null,"posted":1715476820},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6001760,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6001715
“Khankhe, do you know where your people are sheltering now, in the wake of the…”
Your eyes—as with his, and everyone else’s, shift towards the goblin slavers whom you have taken prisoner.
“…The attack?”
“Of course,” he answers proudly. “I have memorized all our routes and safe places, as if the custom of the Neme!”
His boastful confidence falters, though as he regards your group in its entirety.
“it is no short distance, and no easy journey,” he notes.
“How many days?” you ask.
“By carriage or wagon? Few—three or four days. Faster still, if one were to <Sandswim>…”
He trails off, cringing at the inability of you foreign and alien to people, to do as the Neme-Ashurati do, and to glide effortlessly through loose-packed soil.
“On foot, it will be twice that. At least a week. And with a wagon or with so many,w e will attract… Attention.”
“More goblins?”
“Worse things than that, cousin,” he tells you grimly. “Trolls make homes in the gulleys and ditches of that place.”
Trolls… You know of trolls. They were the basis for the <Monstrous Regeneration> spell which you devised. Theya re a form of goblinkin—at least, that’s the closest humanity has yet come to categorizing them—but much, MUCH larger than even most orcs. They lope like apes, with long and gangly arms, but they have intelligence greater than mere beasts; not much greater, but enough to be dangerous.
Aside from these great and terrible goblinoids, ther eis the matter of food: you have enough rations to keep your original party of slightly-more-than-seven going for a week or two. With what you looted from the goblin market, you can double that… But it is now split thirty ways, instead of seven. And that’s not counting feeding the half-orc driver’s strange, nocturnal chimera-horses!
…
…
(Wait… The horses… Could it work?)","attachment":null,"posted":1715476829},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6001761,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6001760
You approach the half-orc, clearing your throat and getting the attention of the quiet fellow. He regards you levelly from beneath his cap, awaiting your words.
“Sir,” you say, “if I could cast a spell upon your horses which would do them no harm, but would rerate a, a… A duplicate of them… Something soulless, but still somewhat alive… Something which could transport us, or serve as, ah, as FOOD…”
The half-orc shrugs, and says perhaps the first words he’s said in the entire trip:
“Mate, they’re not even my horses,” he says. “I lease them. If it’s safe for the horses, go for it.”
“Thank you,” you say gratefully. “Thank you very much, mister…?”
The half-orc doesn’t answer simply returning reading a slim, paperback pulp-paper novella emblazoned with the symbol of notorious tabloid ‘The grey Press’, seemingly an adventurers’ travelogue, and puffing upon a cigar.
You regard the horses’ strange eyes—wide and wide, but moving, shifting. They are unnatural and artificial things, but no more or less than the jackalope who you made, and spared, and made a member of the fairy court on Old Maple Hill. You pat the gaunt flank of one of the eerie animals, and it nickers quietly, and it nuzzles your hand, while the other turns its ears to you—perhaps anticipating feeding time.
(You suppose you have horsefeed, too, to the extent that THIS affects your culinary calculations…)
“One more thing,” says Khankhe, appearing at your side and interrupting your contemplations. “The goblins… They will not be welcome.”
“They’re prisoners,” you say. “We can use them… And we can’t let them go free.”
“You could kill them?” he suggests. “Feed them to the demon you keep?”
“No,” you say flatly, for MANY reasons.
“They are dead weight,” Khankhe insists. “They do not deserve this kindness. They spit on it! Even now, they watch our backs, waiting for weakness, constantly checking upon our weapnosns to see if they are unattended!”
“And what about the goblin SLAVES?” you point out. “Some of these goblins are victims, not victimizers.”
“Only now, when they are worthless even to their own sorry race,” Khankhe says bitterly. “The only good goblin is a dead goblin.”
“I have goblin friends,” you say, with an edge creeping into your voice.
Khankhe looks confused, and so you nod to Zith-Zi. He looks back, more befuddled than before.
“That is not a goblin, cousin,” he says. “If she is, I have never seen its like. And I can see as you see, recall. I see her SOUL. A FAIRY’s soul. I do not know her race by sight, but she is of the Fair Folk.”
"Don't tell HER that," you half-joke, though the Neme boy simply nods, and seems to take it quite seriously, even fi he does not understand.","attachment":null,"posted":1715476915},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6001765,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6001761
“And Carazzi?”
He fidgets uncomfortable.
“If you keep this creature as a pet or a weapon, I understand, though I would warn you it is dangerous. But a demon is not a goblin, either. WORSE, but bound by the Pacts of Old. Goblins do not obey any pact. They break their word as easily as they breathe. THESE goblins, especially, deserve no more favours.”
You look to the goblins—the salves and slavers, all furtive, and nervous, and twitchy. You look to Zith-Zi and Carazzi, having some ‘sisterly’ conversation about the recent battle, with Zith-Zi finally seeming to warm to her counterpart somewhat—at least enough to laugh and slap her on the back at a few of the anecdotes she shares. Finally, one of the horses nudges your hands, and whinnies, while the other tosses its head this way and that, and stomps a hoof demandingly, awaiting the ‘promised’ treats.
One way or another, the Ashurati ARE your destination. You could use their help to open the chest and free their True Fey friends, for one thing. For another, you also seek their aid, and the aid of those True Fey with their elemental affinities, to fulfill your bargain with the Unseelie Court. The only question is how you’ll get there
What will you do?
><Clone> some soulless horses to serve as temporary mounts for your party, to expedite your travels
><Clone> and slaughter some horses for meat, before the existential ennui sets into their soulless bodies, and thus extend your rations for the journey ahead
><Clone> horses to serve as temporary mount for the goblins, and banish them from your sight—slavers and slaves alike—while the rest of you press on unencumbered
>Forget the <Clone> scheme… You’ll carry on as-is, and simply tighten your belts against hunger…
>>All of you, equally
>>But it will be the slavers who suffer hunger, not the rest of you, even if it means some may die
>Write-in","attachment":null,"posted":1715476975},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6001767,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001765
Izzy mentioned she could make a portal for half the group, right? Could she open a portal to say, the Hawksong jails, and we could throw all the goblins in? Then the non goblin group members could continue on to the Neme on horse clones.","attachment":null,"posted":1715477204},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6001780,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001765
><Clone> and slaughter some horses for meat, before the existential ennui sets into their soulless bodies, and thus extend your rations for the journey ahead
Rest to get our MP back then
If the horsemeat isn’t enough then
>But it will be the slavers who suffer hunger, not the rest of you, even if it means some may die
><Clone> some soulless horses to serve as temporary mounts for your party, to expedite your travels
>>6000948","attachment":null,"posted":1715477903},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6001781,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6001767
[A good suggestion! She could, but explaining the situation, processing them, etcetera could take a few hours, since she's not a city official or anything and the crimes they committed were far away and committed against subjects of othsr realms primarily. A return trip could also be tricky for her, having cast a quite sizeable Door; she might not be able to return for 24 hours, during which you'd have to camp out where you are or risk her not being able to easily locate you and return to you.]","attachment":null,"posted":1715478015},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6001797,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001780
>+1
>>6001781
can we just teleport and lock them on maple hill instead ?","attachment":null,"posted":1715479508},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6001827,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001781
Hmmmm. Would any of the freed slaves rather be dropped off in Hawksong than make the trip to the Neme, and able to explain and process the gobs in Izzy's place?
If not I think camping out for one (1) day might still be the best option.","attachment":null,"posted":1715481087},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6001834,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6001797
>can we just teleport and lock them on maple hill instead ?
[You have no jail there... yet. You could set one up, though, if you went with her.]
>Would any of the freed slaves rather be dropped off in Hawksong than make the trip to the Neme, and able to explain and process the gobs in Izzy's place?
[Certainly an option, though they aren't from there and don't have Izirina's (or your) social clout.]","attachment":null,"posted":1715481262},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6001844,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001834
Maybe we could write them a letter of introduction with an official seal
Please tell me we started carrying pen and paper after our letter writing debacle in the elven lands.
If not Izzy can conjure or summon some?","attachment":null,"posted":1715481672},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6001846,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6001844
[Izzy's trunk includes pen and paper, and she has her seal, so that's a very valid suggestion!]","attachment":null,"posted":1715481748},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6001854,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001846
Alright I vote for that then
Send the gobbos back through a portal with one lucky slave volunteer with an official letter from Izzy to get them all sorted into jail, or maybe even as many slave volunteers as she can send since I figure some will be keen on getting back to civilization, everyone left can ride on horse clones to the Neme.","attachment":null,"posted":1715482059},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6001917,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001765
>>Write-in
>Kick the unarmed goblin slavers out onto the wastes, they can fend for themselves.
They can run back to the ruined caravans and scavenge for food back there or try to find something edible in the wastes. We have no obligation to help these slavers and keeping them imprisoned is too much of a struggle.
><Clone> some soulless horses to serve as temporary mounts for your party, to expedite your travels","attachment":null,"posted":1715487133},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6002003,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001765
>Kick Goblins out in the waste and let them fend for themself
><Clone> and slaughter some horses for meat, before the existential ennui sets into their soulless bodies, and thus extend your rations for the journey ahead","attachment":null,"posted":1715496883},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6002066,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001765
><Clone> and slaughter some horses for meat, before the existential ennui sets into their soulless bodies, and thus extend your rations for the journey ahead
>Give a bit of food to the slavers and kick them out
>Ask Zi whether she thinks the goblin slaves could fit in at Maple Hill","attachment":null,"posted":1715501649},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6002367,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6002066
>>6002003
>>6001917
>>6001854
>>6001797
>>6001780
[Making coffee and writing!]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715526917023327.png","filename":"time to cook.png"},"posted":1715526917},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6002400,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6002367
Khankhe is right. The goblin slavers have already received mercy aplenty. You are under no obligation to offer them even the shelter and security of a jail cell—a cell that would take Izirina huge amounts of magical energy, even by HER standards, to get them to, and then extra time and effort for she to write a letter explaining their presence. Why should you waste all this time for the likes of bandits and mancatchers?
But neither they, nor their one-time victims, will be left to simply starve and die.
“Carazzi, could I have your help with something?” you ask.
Years ago, you developed the <Clone> spell, an original application of your knowledge of Living Alchemy and your magical affinity for healing, for animals, and for matters of the body and soul. Taking each of these disciplines beyond their conventional limits, you had discovered it was possible to ‘regenerate’ or ‘heal’ the tissue of an individual to such an extent that a soulless copy of their body could be made—a WHOLE new body, healed from a small sample of flesh and blood! It was this very principle that allowed Carazzi to come to be. Now, though, you soothe one of the night-horses while Carazzi carves away the necessary flesh. You heal the wound, cast <Clone> upon the biological materials thus extracted, and produce an entire living (sort of) and breathing (undeniably) horse. You do this repeatedly, until all your magic is expended between <Clone> and <calm> and <Cure Wounds>, and you are depleted once more. Then, while the duplicate horses are still docile, before the strange disorientation and apathy of soulless existence can set in…
Carazzi slaughters them, and processes them into food, with hardly a whinny or scream.
Costella still can’t bare to watch it, of course. You have to turn away a few times, to avoid being sick. You doubt you could eat meat, if you had to see this gory, grisly process performed every single time—let alone do the killing yourself. Your mind drifts to those goblins and hobgoblins whom you slew with lightning, and the bile rises and your head spins until you must sit down as you feel the weight of death and killing hit you all at once—something you haven’t experienced since Dappulyet.
“Amazing.”
You look up, to see Izirina’s shadowed glasses reflecting the butchery of the <Clone> horses.
“You think so?” you ask dully, grimacing at the wet sounds of ‘food prep’
“Tips, that’s enough food for all of us, with a single mage’s magic, only what you had available from a single rest, expended over a few minutes, you made enough high-caloric, nutrient-rich food for this entire group for a few days! It isn’t self-replicating like the <Goodberry> bushes we planted, but the implications…”","attachment":null,"posted":1715529428},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6002401,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6002400
You regard the process anew, and nod, finding some appreciation in that at least. These <Clones> aren’t really alive, after all—not in the way even Carazzi is, with her core demon-essence offering her the capacity for self-possessed drive and volition. They cannot learn new things, grow, take initiative; in your experience, after a few days they lack even the will to move, or eat and drink, or defend themselves. And their sacrifice can save real people this day… And maybe real animals, in the future?
“It will go further than just a few days,” you answer aloud.
You drop a bundle of still-bloody meat at the feet of the goblin slavers.
“What’s this?” one asks dumbly.
“Exactly what it looks like,” you reply. “Your rations. Take them, and go.”
“And our weapons?” they have the gall to ask.
“We’re keeping them so that you can’t use them against us,” you remind them. “Was I not clear?”
“Oh, so we’re to go into the Wastes armed only with the smell of fresh blood? We’ll be eaten by fuckin’ wolves or lions or TROLLS before the end of the next 48 hours!”
“Better find shelter fast, then,” you reply coolly. “But if you’d prefer, I can take back the meat?”
The goblin slavers do not, in fact, decline the meat, though they glower bitterly at you as the minotaur, Khankhe, and Zith-Zi see that they leave. The rest of you linger just long enough to cook the clone-meat over a mid-sized fire elemental, summoned by Izirina, and to eat some of it.
Do you keep Skekz-Gab the hobgoblin prisoner?
>Yes, keep her to question
>No, send her off with the other slavers
>Write-in
[C]","attachment":null,"posted":1715529489},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6002407,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6002401
“Texture’s a bit fucked, ain’t it?” ZIth-Zi notes through a mouth full of cloned horse-flesh.
“I’ve, like, never eaten horse before, so I don’t really know?” Costella muses, chewing on some of her own.
“Texture’s, like, totally fucky,” Carazzi confirms, nodding sagely as she reflects on some shared memory of the pair. “I remember m—uh, I have your, like, memories of your mom’s horse stew.”
Zith-Zi grimaces at this, but then nods, expression softening.
“Mama Zi knew how ta’ cook up horse just right,” she says. “Could sue spices ta’ stretch shit inta’ supper. PROPER supper, ya’ know? With not-fucky horse meat, with proper meat texture.”
"I'll take 'fucky texture' into consideration next time I'm revolutionizing biological arcana," you say dryly.
Then Carazzi wonders aloud about her own 'texture inside', causing you to almost choke on your own food and Zith-Zi to very nearly die laughing, while Izirina clears your airway with some quick action.
After the quick meal, you pack up the cooked meat as best you can, and distribute it upon those freed men and women of the party—including the small, green ones.
“Say,” you ask Zith-Zi quietly, when you have a moment alone, “do you think the goblins would fit in well, at the Hill? I mean, if they have nowhere else to go, and their own kind have… Rejected them, as it were…”
Zith-Zi snorts, and nudges you playfully with the shoulder which Hershy is nestled upon, provoking a squawk of objection from her animal companion.
“You really are a big fuckin’ bleedin’ heart, ya’ know that, Tips?”
“Is that a no?” you press. “Or a yes?”
“I think they’ll do whatever they gotta’ for a cushy life like THAT, since bein’ sold as fuck-meat or footmen is their only other offer right about now,” she says bluntly. “As ta’ whether the humies ‘roudn there will take kindly ta’ a population a’ gobs setting up shop and poppin’ out more gobs…”
“The only males are quite old,” you note. “You think they’ll, uh, reproduce?”
“Tips,” Zith-Zi reminds you, “a gob is a gob is a gob. Goblin women only pop out goblin babies, no matter who the daddy is. An’ Hawksong broke up Goblintown and chased off my ma just, what, twenty years or so ago?”
“You’re turning twenty-five,” you remind her.
“Twenty four and don’t fuckin’ remind a girl of her age!” she snaps, jabbing you in the kidney so that you bend over for a moment and the shorter woman can get you in a headlock.","attachment":null,"posted":1715529787},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6002408,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6002407
“I just think it’s a recipe for trouble’s all,” ZIth-Zi admits when the two of you are done play-wrestling, frowning and crossing her arms.
"How so?"
“There’s too much of a culture clash. You can wash a gob, but he gets himself grungy again. It’s how gobs live. You can teach ‘em to talk all posh, but they’re gonna’ swear like fuckin’ soldiers all the same. An’ even if they don’t do any criminal shit, humies don’t like them… Don’t like us. Hell, even all pretty and pink now, Jimmy’s folks still look down on me a little, you know that? Not that I’m not grateful, an’ it’s not better than it WAS, but… Maybe some races aren’t meant ta’ live side-by-side in close proximity, ya’ know? Hell, I love ya’ Tips, but even I wouldn’t wanna’ live on The Hill with all that pussy veggie-and-fairy shit, no offence.”
“Some taken,” you say sourly, and Zith-Zi gives you another playful jab, which turns into a quick squeezing hug of your hip.
“I’m just sayin’, it’ll be a big adjustment for everyone, if you start a goblin village right near Sparrowton.”
Together, you watch the goblin freedmen working alongside the others you liberated from their more brutal kindred, loading supplies and readying for the journey.
You depart, considering the matter, and decide…
>You’ll offer all the former slaves refuge in your community at Old Maple Hill
>You’ll try to find another solution
>The humans and halflings are welcome, but not the goblins—they’ll have to find other arrangements
>The goblins are welcome, but only if they undergo the <Right of Attunement> to become nilbogs like Zith-Zi
>Write-in","attachment":null,"posted":1715529848},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6002417,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002401
>Yes, keep her to question
Keep her bound. Don’t bother healing her broken limbs. If she dies, so be it. She doesn’t obey our command, she shows any resistance, we break them again. Or cut them off. She doesn’t need fingers to talk.
>>6002408
>You’ll try to find another solution
We’re under no obligation to take care of them either. We give them food, maybe some money, some advice, but that’s about it.
>The humans and halflings may stay at Hawksong
Warn the goblins Hawksong is not a place that welcomes goblins
>>6001780","attachment":null,"posted":1715530313},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6002446,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002408
>Yes, keep her to question
>You’ll try to find another solution
I mean if Hawksong doesn't want them, and even they don't want the Maple Hill life, better to find a way to keep everyone happy.","attachment":null,"posted":1715533917},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6002512,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002401
>Yes, keep her to question
Stabilized. Not tortured, not healed.
>The humans and halflings are welcome, but not the goblins—they’ll have to find other arrangements
The rite will disturb the balance too much.","attachment":null,"posted":1715537228},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6002591,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002401
>Yes, keep her to question
that's the reason we stabilized her, after all
>>6002408
>Sparrowtone
I love zizi's humour
>You’ll try to find another solution","attachment":null,"posted":1715544662},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6002793,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002407
>Yes, keep her to question
We need to find out who gave her people the rod and the box, as well as any information on it.
>The goblins are welcome, but only if they undergo the <Right of Attunement> to become nilbogs like Zith-Zi.","attachment":null,"posted":1715557916},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6002972,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6002591
Sparowton is an actual place, last mentioned in Volume 4. It's a farming village directly accountable to Hawksong and wholly dependent on them for security.
>>6002793
>>6002591
>>6002512
>>6002446
>>6002417
[Writing!]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715564650023532.png","filename":"next up.png"},"posted":1715564650},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6003004,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6002972
You load the cloned horse-meat up in the carriage, along with a bound Skekz-Gab and the chest, which you hope to ask her about when she has regained consciousness Though the minotaur (whose name you haven’t yet ascertained) doesn’t seem burdened by carrying these things, you feel intrinsically bad about using a newly-freed ex-slave as unpaid labour.
As for the other goblins—those who were captives and not captors—you allow them to come with you… For now. You take Zith-Zi’s words to heart and, even if you feel for their plight, you decide it will do neither them nor the rest of your new entourage any good to stir up racial animosity between communities, or to force anyone to adopt a lifestyle that runs contrary to their instincts. You’re sensitive enough to not offer sanctuary to the humans and halflings while denying it to the goblins, though, instead simply promising those assembled that you will find them somewhere safe to stay, in due time, after you have attended to the matter of the Neme and True Fey.
This all gives you some unpleasant food for thought, though: if you cannot even get humans and goblins to get along, does that not bode ill for the future of even more hostile races like those of the monster-kingdom in the Bloodrise Mountains and the people of Hawksong and the Sylvanwood? Maybe the secret is to just give everyone space?
(Well, not like you’re in any position to be making such monumental decisions anyway…)
Together, you and your caravan continue your journey into the wastes. Khankhe is your guide, and his help IS appreciated, but after the day a complication arises…
“Uh, cousin? Aboveground, things feel very different… And I know the way, but by the earth’s own currents, not by landmarks above.”
(Great…)
It seems he can <Sandswim> around to better orient himself, and he feels fairly safe doing so, for few threats share this affinity for moving through the shallow ‘ocean’ of dry and desiccated soil. It will mean the rest of you staying put for a time, though, and you have seen several signs of trouble: scattered and smashed wagons, without signs of the owners or their contents, save sunbleached bones which could be men, or mounts, or goblins, or animals. You can’t be sure, because all have been gnawed or bitten clean through and the marrow sucked out.
“Troll country,” Zith-Zi reminds you.","attachment":null,"posted":1715566156},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6003005,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6003004
Alternatively, you could use <Faerie Fire> to guide you and your party through the dark, but though you have been traveling at night to this point, doing so in the country of those giant-sized nocturnal brigands who did this is especially dangerous. Not that staying in one place ISN’T. It is Skekz-Gab’s waking, accompanied by a cacophony of impotent curses, that makes your decision for you.
“Go ahead,” you tell Khankhe, “I have questions to ask this one.”
As you say this, Zith-Zi automatically takes out a dagger and arches an eyebrow, awaiting instructions.
Will you use torture or coercion?
>Yes, the hobgoblin deserves it
>No, it goes against your principles
>No, but what you will do is [write-in an approach if you have one in mind]
Aside from the nature and workings of the chest, is there any other question you have for Skekz-Gab?
>Write-in if so","attachment":null,"posted":1715566216},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6003009,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003005
>No, it goes against your principles
All details on the slaving operations that she has, so we can fully dismantle it.","attachment":null,"posted":1715566417},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6003043,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003005
>Yes, the hobgoblin deserves it
We do it in such a way to compel truth. Torture only works in getting people to talk (in order to stop it) - not necessarily to tell the truth.
We tell her: If she cooperates, she tells us what she knows, if she is not verbally abusive, we give her bits of food.
If she doesn’t do that, we strip her naked. Have her face down on the ground. Wake her up by hitting old wounds if it appears she falls asleep in this posture. We tell her we will continue this until she decides to be willing to listen.
Let the cold do the work.
>Aside from the nature and workings of the chest, is there any other question you have for Skekz-Gab?
Other slave markets and slavers, what does she know of them?
How do the people here usually get food and water?
>>6002417","attachment":null,"posted":1715569214},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6003063,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003005
>Yes, the hobgoblin deserves it
only coercion though","attachment":null,"posted":1715571571},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6003065,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003009
>All details on the slaving operations that she has, so we can fully dismantle it.
good one, anon. supporting.","attachment":null,"posted":1715571631},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6003187,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003005
>>No, it goes against your principles
Questions :
All the above, plus
>Where are you coming from?
Hobgoblins are recent in the wastes, right?","attachment":null,"posted":1715583007},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6003229,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003005
>No, but what you will do is scare her by threatening to unleash a hangry Carazzi on her if she doesn’t answer
Should scare her straight, with the added benefit of nourishing Carazzi with emotion.
>Where are the True Fey, and your hidden riches?
Gotta deprive them of capital to avoid rearming them.","attachment":null,"posted":1715588334},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6003873,"name":"RQM","msg":"[I'll try to get an update out today, but I'm having tough time writing (or doing much of anything else) today. Sorry for the delay.]","attachment":null,"posted":1715642427},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6003879,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003873
Take your time.","attachment":null,"posted":1715643084},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6003917,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003873
no problem, take care OP.","attachment":null,"posted":1715645588},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6003989,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6003063
>>6003065
>>6003187
>>6003229
Zith-Zi stands ready with her dagger, awaiting your order. Instead, you shake your head.
"No," you say softly, "we'll try something else first. Carazzi, could you come here, please?”
Carazzi approaches, her eyes gleaming with that unsettling mixture of curiosity and hunger. You feel a pang of guilt for using her in this way, but Carazzi readily acquiesces to her assigned role, and the demonic part of her, that dark essence, seems to revel in it. It's not torture, but this approach is still one that goes against the ethos of freedom and mercy that the fey gods uphold to some degree. But these are desperate times, and desperate measures sometimes require the edge of fear.
“Skekz-Gab, right?”
“Fuck you!”
You survey the bound hobgoblin woman, struggling to right herself or to liberate her limbs. It is difficult to do, packed in with the horsemeat, the hobgoblins’ chest, and Izirina’s own magical chest; she has little room to work with even ignoring the ropes, which Costella has skillfully tied for maximum security.
“I, like, learned it from the shippers and receivers Papa deals with,” Costella had said, quickly clarifying: “You know, for making sure their goods don’t get damaged in transit or whatever?”
“Are you hungry or thirsty? We have food and water… if you, uh, don’t mind horse-meat.”
Skekz-Gab narrows her eyes and sneers, astutely inferirng: “Right, so that’s the offer. What’s the price?”
“I have some questions to ask you,” you admit.
You are doing your best to communicate in the goblins’ own language, with Carazzi offering occasional whispered corrections. Principally, you wish to understand how the chest was used to capture the elemental True Fey of the Ashurati, and how it can be opened to free them. Aside from that, you wish to parse out the particulars of the hobgoblin’s wider operations: where they came from, where they store any other loot or treasure which they might use to fund their abhorrent enterprise, and how they source their food and water.
“I just gave you the only answer you’re gonna’ get from me, you knife-eared khoblis piece of shit,” the foul-mouthed hobgoblin says, though she repeats it for your benefit: “Fuck. You.”
“You’re not being very cooperative,” you note with annoyance. “I’ve been very gracious so far… Especially given the circumstances, and what YOU would no doubt do if they were reversed.”
“Yeah, because you want what I’ve got in my head,” Skekz-Gab says. “As soon as you know what youw ant to know, what happens to Skekz-Gab, huh DO I go FREE?”
“Well…”
“Duuuh, ‘well…’” she mocks your voice, and scoffs. “You’ll kill me, sell me, or turn me over to some human or elf jail.”","attachment":null,"posted":1715650550},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6003990,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 14, 8, 4, 12, 11, 19 = 68 (6d20)
>>6003989
“Your behaviour and willingness to assist could help me decide which one of those I choose,” you say.
“Bullshit,” she snaps. “You think I’m stupid? You’ve already decided what you think I deserve. Probably already did it to the others… The ones you didn’t just fry with lightning back there.”
You sigh deeply. You freed the other goblins, those who survived, and let them go on their ungrateful way. You somehow doubt Skekz-Gab will reflect any more fondly on this fate than they did, though… if she believes you at all. So, Plan B (or maybe it’s better to call it ‘Plan C’, for its principal figure?) it is.
"You remember Carazzi, don't you?" you ask, your voice calm but carrying an edge. "She's very... eager for a meal after all the exertion today."
You step aside, and Carazzi steps closer to the bound captive. Skekz-Gab looks up at her, defiant but visibly holding her breath in an unconscious act of fear—prey, trying not to attract a predator’s attention. The shadows to play across your demogoblin creation’s caricature-like, warped features, her eyes glinting with a malevolent interest, like a cat above a trapped mouse. You know her urges are constant battle for her—a battle she's managing better thanks to your bond, but still, a battle nonetheless. Right now, with appetite piqued, she is truly fearsome.
“What I’m thinkin’,” Carazzi says with childlike innocence in her tone, “is first we strip her naked. Have her face down on the ground, ass up, right? Leave her out like that all night. Wake her up by hitting old wounds whenever she starts ta’ fall asleep. We do this until she, like, breaks!”
Carazzi licks her lip and reaches out to trace her clawlike nails over Skekz-Gab’s face, even her lips. The hobgoblin recoils, but is too fearful of the consequences to risk biting the succubus-souled goblin.
“Ooo, that sounds good… Just suckin’ out all that sufferin’, drop by delicious drop… Fuck, getting me all hot and bothered just thinkin’ about it. Maybe when it’s all done I’ll show her just how much energy she’s given me?”
[6d20 for Intimidation; 4 for Sociability, 2 for Carazzi, DC 13 thanks to the good ideas.]","attachment":null,"posted":1715650618},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6004051,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6003990
You frown a little, and shoot Carazzi a look. Carazzi flinches a little, and mouths a silent ‘sorry’ for taking her threats to far into an unseemly realm. Still, it’s tough to argue with the results:
>19
“Okay, okay! Fucking HELLS, I’ll talk! Just get this… This THING away from me.”
Carazzi’s character breaks, or perhaps her self-consciousness overpowers her evilly-erotic fantasizing. She steps back, looking down at her deformed hand with its murderous extremities, and seems to suffer a moment of self-doubt. That’s healthy, that sense of self-awareness, and you’re proud of her. On a whim, you reach out and ruffle her hair, patting her head to convey that she need not be ashamed of what she is, but should rather take pride in having exercised restraint. You’re not sure how much of that comes across, but she certainly leans into her, arching her back and pushing her head int your hand like a friendly cat with a happy sigh.
“Did I do good?”
“Yeah,” you say with an amused smile.
“Can you give me lots of praises later?” she asks, looking up at you with fluttering eyelashes.
“Uh,” you say, suddenly a little nervous.
. “Might help me with my, ya’ know… Hunger situation,” she explains. “It’s not sex or souls, but it’s, like… Positive emotions are good, too. They fill me up at least a little.”
“Right,” you say. “Yes, I can… praise you.”
Carazzi squeals in glee and hops up to give you a big hug, before stepping back. Skekz-Gab watches this whole display in confusion and disgust.
“What the fuck even ARE you people?” she asks. “Is that thing your ugly little sex-toy or something?”
You glower down at Skekz-Gab, as does Carazzi, and the hobgoblin seems to remembers her predicament.
“We’ll be asking the questions,” you say, and so you do.
What you learn is enlightening. The hobgoblins are denizens of the Goblin Wastes, just as the greener sort you’re used to are. However, they are fewer in number, and at least Skeksz-gab’s own band originates (or most commonly frequents, perhaps) an area further north and east.
“…But then those fucking ORCS came down,” she laments.
Skekz-Gab doesn’t seem to know exactly what cause the incursion of the grey-skinned, faintly-porcine demihumans into the Goblin Wastes from the mountainous, far-northern region often labelled with the undifferentiated generality ‘The Orcwilds’ on Hawksong maps. They are known slavers as well, but had no interest in taking hobgoblin slaves, instead slaughtering each and every band they encountered and taking their spoils for their own. Unde this unrelenting pressure, the hobgoblins moved down and, as is custom upon their subrace, set themselves up through superior physical might, organization, and equipment as leaders among their smaller, ‘lesser’ green kindred.","attachment":null,"posted":1715653098},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6004052,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6004051
“And you’ve been successful here,” you note. “Lots of trade with the Southmen?”
Skekz-Gab attempts a noncommittal shrug, but the ropes and confines impede her.
“Where do you keep your provisions? Your wealth? Your weapons?” you demand.
Skekz-Gab grins mean-spiritedly.
“Oh? Gonna’ rob us, Mister High-And-Oh-So-Mighty Knife-Ears? Well, we move around a bit, and each of our little groups pretty much does our own thing, but we have a base where we store the biggest and best loot, and hash shit out when there are arguments. I could show you… But good luck fighting our big boss.”
“I think I’ve proven I can manage,” you sniff… Though you already have a lot on your docket, in truth. For instance: “Do you have more magical items like this rod and chest?”
“Maybe,” Skekz-gab says, then her eyes flit to Carazzi’s menacing, sharp-toothed smile, and she quickly answers: “Yes. But before you ask, I don’t know how they work. THAT was Graz-Gab’s job, not mine.”
Graz-Gab… The turbaned, male hobgoblin, whom you killed. Great.
“What did he do, to make them work?” you ask.
“Fuck, I don’t know,” Skekz-Gab says. “Pointed the rod, said a thing, BOOM, stuff appeared and fell over like they were spazzing out. Pointed it at the chest, said another thing, BAM, the chest popped open and the fairies or whatever got sucked in.”
“Where did you get them?” you ask, fascinated despite the dark purposes to which these devices have been put. “How do they work without you being spellcasters, or even… Capable of magic at all?”
“Do I look like a khoblis, Knife-Ears? I don’t fucking KNOW. You point it, you say stuff, it just works.”
Skekz-Gab frowns, seeming to consider something. You wait expectantly for her to voice it aloud and, caught, she must comply.
“We were holed up near these old tombs—burial mound type ones, looked like they were probably humie, and really old. Probably got them from there. That’s where the big boss got his crown he’s always wearing now, and this big fancy stick thing that was magic, too. Figure it’s all related. He gave me my sword, too, and called it a ‘demon-blade’, so… Hell shit, I guess. I don’t know.”","attachment":null,"posted":1715653159},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6004053,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6004052
Well, it’s certainly interesting, but what you REALLY need to know if the magic word to open the chest. Unfortunately, THAT Skekz-Gab cannot recall, save that it sounded ‘foreign’ and ‘probably human or elven or some shit,’ which isn’t a lot to go on. You’re staring down at that chest, holding the rod in your hands and turning it over and over, when you are snapped out of your contemplation by a high-pitched, warbling whistle.
“That’s the <Alarm>,” Izirina announces, drawing her wand from its hidden holster and crouching defensively, looking this way and that as the various ex-slaves abandon what they were doing ro discussion to rush towards your central encampment. “Something triggered it.”
“Could it just be, like, just a little wasteland mouse or something?” Costella asks hopefully.
“It would need to be a rodent of unusual size,” Izirina says grimly. “I set the parameters so only an animal of goblin size or greater entering the perimeter would set it off.”
You’re grateful Izzy apparently knows such a spell and had the forethought to cast it, but to your alarm it sounds off again, and again. Multiple incursions into the demarcated space around your camp. It’s dark by now, and it is a moonless night; even your low-light vision can only see so far, over the rough and hilly terrain of this region, speckled with many rocks ranging rom pebbles to larger stones, the size of the minotaur or even sometimes larger, scattered randomly as if hurled by some distant giant on the mountains in the distance.
Muffins serpentine tail-head, though, scents the hair, and hisses in displeasure.
“I saw one, running between the rocks.” shrieks a elderly male goblin. “It’s a troll!”
“Shit,” you mutter.
“Trolls ain’t a joke,” Zith-Zi intones darkly. “Big fuckers, fast, ornery, and they don’t like to talk too much with anything bite-sized like me ‘n you. Not ALWAYS attack-on-sight types, through. Big group like this, they might be just eyeballin’ us, making sure we aren’t causing trouble for them. Especially if it’s a females with babies… It’s the males ya’ really gotta’ watch out for.”
“Any advice?” you ask.
“They hate fire. Could do somethin’ with that, right, wiz-kid?”
“I’m a grown man,” you protest, “and I’m older than you!”
What will you do?
>Go on the offensive—expose the hiding trolls, and force them to leave
>Stand your ground and ready to defend your carriage
>Get moving—maybe if you back off and exit the territory, the trolls will leave you be?
>Attempt to negotiate—call out to them
>Write-in
[Specify if you have a spell or tactic in mind]","attachment":null,"posted":1715653220},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6004085,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004053
>>Write-in
>Mount muffins and cast magma elemental infusion on him, and go clear them out.
If the trolls hate fire, then the sight of a lava chimera should intimidate them into leaving.","attachment":null,"posted":1715654479},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6004090,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004052
man, what a wonderful weapon to have since you only needed to say specific words. maybe we can figure the one for the box with time. depending on how things go we might not be able to fight their king now.
>>6004053
>Stand your ground and ready to defend your carriage
Magma infused Chimera might help make them back off.","attachment":null,"posted":1715654826},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6004095,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004085
I like the idea but I believe Tips only has 1 MP right now. I’d rather not risk it. Have Izzy summon elementals instead.
>>6004053
“It would need to be a rodent of unusual size,”
Glad it was not a rabbit. That would have warranted an explosive.
>>6003043","attachment":null,"posted":1715655271},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6004104,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004095
I forgot about that. OP are we still at 1 MP or did we recover something ?","attachment":null,"posted":1715655836},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6004116,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004053
We got some MP - cast DAYLIGHT","attachment":null,"posted":1715656848},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6004125,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6004095
>>6004104
>>6004116
[Tips' MP is at 3/5 after a meal and some rest. Thank you for reminding me -- I meant to say!]","attachment":null,"posted":1715657609},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6004135,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004125
I see.
I'll back the magma muffins idea then, but have Izzy cast it. 3 MP is just a bit too thin. We both are going to rest, anyway. Spread the exertion among us.
>>6004095","attachment":null,"posted":1715658521},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6004145,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004125
thanks OP.
>>6004135
Good idea, since we're choosing to stand our ground anyway.","attachment":null,"posted":1715659069},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6004300,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Izzy cast Magma Muffin","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715670827244865.jpg","filename":"fc374b15-7e53-4d07-ac3b-1837f1622723.jpg"},"posted":1715670827},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6004316,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004053
>Attempt to negotiate—call out to them
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9TyxxLHfBwE","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715673798055857.jpg","filename":"B74F7234-6A91-4960-993B-E039DFD8FE27.jpg"},"posted":1715673798},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6005240,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 6, 6 = 12 (2d6)
>>6004085
>>6004090
>>6004116
>>6004135
>>6004300
>>6004316
“Muffins.”
Your chimera companion is soon at your side, padding over on silent paws and stepping gingerly with his hooves to avoid kicking gravel and raising any alarm. The instincts of predator and prey converge in your three-headed friend: he knows something is out there and, not knowing whether it is bigger and more fearsome than he, or perhaps smaller and suitably edible, he is eager to settle the mystery—or so you suspect. Whatever his motivations, his flank pushes against you, and his goat-head nibbles the sleeve of your white moon-fabric tunic, pulling your hand to him. He knows the strategy at play as well as you do:
“<Elemental Infusion>,” you say quietly.
With a quick series and gestures and an adjustment to your stance, the extraplanar energies are called down from elsewhere, into you, and with another pat, they flow into Muffins. His body tenses, all three head producing soft vocalizations of discomfort, but he trusts you, and this process is a familiar one. Before lookng, his fur is burning away, revealing cracked and craggy armour of half-molten stone. His mane is an inferno, his eyes alight like those of Izirina.
>2/5 MP
And speaking of Izirina:
“Careful,” Izirina says, now at your other side, gazing into the distance. “You’re low on energy. You know, I could have cast that instead?”
“Then give him a boost,” you reply, voice low. “Upcast it.”
She reaches out, fearless of the heat and flame roiling off of your companion. Izirina never feared the flames, after all, even before they were a part of her.
“<Elemental Infusion>,” she says.
You are simultaneously gratified and faintly jealous, to see your own signature spell so effortlessly upcast by your one-time rival. Muffins ahs never looked more fearsome, swelling in size as the energies inflate him and transform his molten hide into a spitting, volcanic carapace. He opens all three of his mouths at once, and an inferno flashes forth, spraying into the air and sending streaks of sizzling slag splashing in three arcs out into the dark.
[Rolling two dice, one for the number of trolls and another for the threat level of this band.]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715739637272586.png","filename":"old reliable.png"},"posted":1715739637},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6005241,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005240
>happy that we maxed out the dice
>looks at the info at the bottom
Not like this, OP","attachment":null,"posted":1715739799},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6005246,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 3, 5, 5, 1, 3, 1 = 18 (6d5)
>>6005240
>>6005241
>>6005240
It is said that trolls fear fire. Even without Zith-Zi telling you that, you know from your schooling that cauterized troll-flesh will not knit and heal as readily, so it makes sense they would avoid that element. However, ‘fear’ is not necessarily accurate, or not completely. It is as Zith-Zi said, rather: they HATE it, and hatred can take many forms..
>6
>6
>Maximum number, maximum danger
…And some are more dangerous than others. As Muffins assumes his empowered war-form and roars his challenge into the night, it is met not by fleet-footed flight, but by a quiet whistling sound. Yous quint into the dark, Muffin’s glow aiding your low-light vision to better function.
Then, your eyes widen.
“They’re throwing stones!” you shout.
This, like ‘trolls fear fire’, is technically accurate, but almost as son as you’ve said it you realize how much you have undersold what is occurring. You and the others are not facing a barrage of rocks, such as a person might throw. Rather, descending like falling stars from the firmament above, there come BOULDERS—six of them, some half the size of a man, and at SPEED.
Six stones, each with their own potential target: you, Izzy, Muffins, or the carriage and mass of people behind you. 1 or 5 is Muffins, as he's the most obvious target; 2 is you, 3 is Izzy, 4 is those at the back.","attachment":null,"posted":1715740177},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6005247,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 20, 15, 6, 17, 9, 12 = 79 (6d20)
>>6005246
>4 on Muffins. 2 on Izirina
DC for Muffins is 17 thanks to his Infusions, and he currently is treated as having 4 HP (two more than normal)
DC for Izzy is 15, and she has 3 HP","attachment":null,"posted":1715740286},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6005249,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005246
Muffin ranked most and Izzy can deal with then, so ok-ish","attachment":null,"posted":1715740299},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6005252,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005247
A 16 and a 20, shit. At least Izzy got unscathed","attachment":null,"posted":1715740381},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6005280,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6005252
>>6005249
>>6005247
>>6005246
You were not prepared for this. None of you were.
>20 and 17
Muffins is the most obvious target, for good or ill. You and Izirina have empowered him, but also made him a beacon for the malice of the trolls. Muffins endures one rock with a beat and a roar of defiance, shrugging it off, but the next one comes down HARD, so hard that he screams and even his stoic snake-head hisses in open agony. Magma explodes forth from him, and you scream his name, fearing him dead, for that molten rock is in fact his enchanted BLOOD. Luckily, the chimera manages to surviving, kicking his legs and leveraging his increased weight to push the massive rock off of him.
>2/4 HP for Muffins
He pulls himself free, limping and whining in dismay, as if calling out to you for comfort or aid…
>1/4 HP
…Just in time to catch another, blessedly SMALLER rock to the side of his goat-head, causing the lion one or snap towards the source with fearful urgency.
“AUGH!”
You tear your eyes away from Muffins to stare in equivalent or greater horror at Izirina. A rock strieks down in front of her, and she shields her face rom the shrapnel of its detonation on impact, from the sheer force with which it struck.
“Izzy!” you scream.
You rush towards her, but another stone comes down between the two of you, stopping you short. You wave away the cloud of dust it kicks up, coughing, and see that—thank all the Gods—she is alright.
You knew trolls were dangerous, but an attack of this coordination, in silence, and with such force… It is beyond what you would have expected. These trolls must be massive to be so powerful, to muster such a dreadful volley.
…or perhaps not ALL of them.","attachment":null,"posted":1715741318},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6005283,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6005280
You see a couple shapes advancing through the dark, loping on all fours like apes are said to—or like Oncyth in his wolf-form does, you suppose. They’re not even as large as even your werewolf friend, though, albeit still much larger than you or even Pearce (who, right about now, you really wish was here). They split off, one in each direction, circling as if to probe for weaknesses in your 'formation'... if you can even be said to have such a thing.
“TIPS!”
Carazzi and Zith-Zi are soon rushing to your side, to join you in battle. The minotaur, too, groans a deep sound and pounds his chest once, with a clenched fist, before striding up to meet the charge. The others in your entourage, mostly noncombatants such as untrained women and old goblins, hold back. The half-orc driver, to his credit, at least does not leave without you... But perhaps he simply fears that if he breaks from your group, he will be pursued the most doggedly, with his carriage reeking of the cloned horsemeat and an obvious source of booty.
What will you do?
>Focus on healing Muffins, first and foremost [heals 2 HP for 1 MP, gets Muffins back into the fight faster]
>Assume an <Elementally Infused> <Wildshape> for maximum melee combat potential
>Summon an elemental to cover your retreat [What kind? One, or two?]
>Let the others distract the trolls and tank some hits while you attempt to create a <Sanctuary>
>Write-in
Do you issue any specific orders to your allies?
>Write-in
[Next batch of rolls will be yours, and depends on your choices.]","attachment":null,"posted":1715741379},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6005347,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005240
I thought we agreed on only having Izzy cast infusion on Muffins?
>>6004085
Magma muffin
>>6004116
Daylight
>>6004135
>>6004145
Izzy magma muffin
>>6004316
Negotiations
Ugh. This is the scenario I was trying to avoid. 2 MP Tips is not a good look right now.
>>6005246
>you know from your schooling that cauterized troll-flesh will not knit and heal as readily, so it makes sense they would avoid that element.
Sounds like lightning could work on them.
>>6005283
>Focus on healing Muffins, first and foremost [heals 2 HP for 1 MP, gets Muffins back into the fight faster]
>Do you issue any specific orders to your allies?
Have Minotaur pick up Izzy and tell the stagecoach to drive
Izzy summon fire elementals to each side of our caravan - we’re leaving.
As for Muffins once we get him online we have him protect the rear
They hate fire but they have ranged options. We stay here, we get pelted with more missiles. We run and burn everything around us.
>>6004135","attachment":null,"posted":1715744266},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6005366,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005283
>Focus on healing Muffins, first and foremost [heals 2 HP for 1 MP, gets Muffins back into the fight faster]
we double boosted him, we have to keep him in the fight for longer.
>Have Izzy and Carazzi help us find the trolls. Izzy can send an air elemental to distract the ones focusing on throwing rocks while we have Muffins and the Minotaur deal with the ones closing for melee, with us as support.
we deal with those and they'll think twice about continuing to pursuit us.","attachment":null,"posted":1715745835},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6005396,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6005347
[There were two votes for Tips to cast a spell, Two for Izzy to do so, and one without any spellcraft. Magma Muffins won, but I opted to split the difference and have the two each cast a buff on Muffins, with the (IMO valid) in-character rationale that I don't think Tips actually knew for sure that she could cast it, since he sort of invented that spell himself. Sometimes, intention-blending in a split vote is a tricky thing.]","attachment":null,"posted":1715747237},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6005399,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005347
im pretty sure muffins getting double boosted is the only reason he is still in the fight. he would likely be out cold from the trolls nat 20 otherwise.","attachment":null,"posted":1715747443},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6005400,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005283
>Focus on healing Muffins, first and foremost [heals 2 HP for 1 MP, gets Muffins back into the fight faster]","attachment":null,"posted":1715747503},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6005403,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6005399
[This is also true.]","attachment":null,"posted":1715747659},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6005410,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004300
I didn’t quite realize he counted this vote as well. Didn’t see it tag the post.
>>6005399
I know. In any other circumstance going into a fight with 2 MP isn’t a very good look. But I will take it over Muffins being knocked out.","attachment":null,"posted":1715747836},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6005472,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005240
>max dice
YES
>for the enemy
:o
>>6005283
>Focus on healing Muffins, first and foremost [heals 2 HP for 1 MP, gets Muffins back into the fight faster]
We rock at healing","attachment":null,"posted":1715753291},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6005593,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005283
>>Focus on healing Muffins, first and foremost [heals 2 HP for 1 MP, gets Muffins back into the fight faster]","attachment":null,"posted":1715768330},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6006407,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 1, 9, 16, 9 = 35 (4d20)
>>6005593
>>6005472
>>6005400
>>6005366
>>6005347
There are valid strategic reasons for why you rush to Muffins’ side and cry out:
“<Cure Wounds>!”
You’d be lying if you said those were your primary concern, though. With you <Archmage’s Gift> to cast through, you can avoid burning your hands, but even fi you couldn’t, you know in your heart you would have endured the pain and blisters to mend your friend. After all, it’s MUFFINS. You love this creature like a child. He ahs been your loyal pet for nearly half your life. He has been a constant companion in your life, a friend to (most of) your friends, and a stalwart ally in battle. To see him so wounded fills you with fear for him, so that you can scarcely think of anything else.
>1/5 MP
[Rolling for degree of success; barring a crit-fail scenario, you will heal him at least a little.]","attachment":null,"posted":1715827311},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6006418,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 13, 1, 14, 9, 4, 6, 17 = 64 (7d20)
>>6006407
>>6006407
>1
It’s difficult to focus. Even at this distance, the sweltering heat rising from your double-enchanted animal companion causes you to sweat like the heat of a Goblin Waste summer, and you need to adjust your hat and move your hair out of your eyes…
>16
>3/4 HP for Muffins
…But you’re good at healing, and before long, Muffin rises, shaking his head and glowering at the approaching trolls. Good boy that he is, your chimera is eager to avenge his early loss. He remains your best asset, too… But perhaps not in the way which he intends.
“Carazzi! Zith-Zi!” the two halevs of your old goblin friend look your way.
“Keep an eye on the trolls. Direct Izirina!”
“Direct me to do what?” Izirina shouts urgently.
“<Summon> some air elementals—we need distractions.”
Izirina looks thoughtful, and then smiles dangerously. “If I upcast the spell, they could serve as a defacto <Wind Ward>. They could be used to fend off all but the largest projectiles!”
“Yes, sure, do that!” you snap, then think better of it. “Actually, no… Not if you don’t have the energy for it. We need fire elementals to guard the caravan as we back off. We’re leaving, and we want them tot think twice before they pursue.”
Izirina frowns at your hasty amendment, and opens her mouth, but then closes it and nods. She follows your instructions, beginning to cast a pair of <Summon Elemental> spells.
To the minotaur, you look hopelessly. He’s your best melee combatant, Muffins aside, and yet you can hardly communicate with him. Flagging him down, you gesture to Izirina, and attempt t convey, with a few rudimentary phrases, that he should safeguard her while she casts. He regards you blankly, with those expressively-empty cow-eyes of his. You… Honestly aren’t sure if he gets it.
Well, no time to hammer the point home—the ‘small’ trolls, if indeed such hulking monsters can be called small when they towering over most men—are almost upon you.
“Muffins!” you scream, your voice a little higher and more fragile than you’d have liked.
Muffins roars and bleats, launching into position between you and your imminent assailant, as you instinctively duck your head, turn your shoulder, and—to your embarrassment,--squeeze your eyes shut.
[4d20 for Muffins, DC 13 because of his elemental advantage]
[3d20 for the minotaur, DC 15]","attachment":null,"posted":1715828162},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6006427,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 8, 15 = 23 (2d20)
>>6006418
Even with your eyes shut, you feel the impact shake the earth beneath your feet. You nearly even fall over! You force yourself to open them, for self-preservation’s sake if nothing else, and see Muffins up on his hind legs, scrambling with his hooves for purchase upon the dusty ground. The troll is larger than him, and built for the grapple in which they are presently engaged. He whines, still wounded, and at a distinct disadvantage…
>13, 14
…Save for one particular advantage: his enchantment! Even if his biting and butting heads and lashing, venomous tail are failing to find purchase, every instance in which the two terrific beats remain entangled is another second of immolation for the troll. You watch as its dark green skin listers and burns away; thankfully, albeit horrifically, it remains burned, and burns further and further down to hot red flesh and blackening bone. A face not unlike that of a goblin stretched with and fitted over too-large teeth gasps in pain, milky yellow eyes staring in horror as its strength fails and, finally, Muffins falls upon it with tooth, and claw, and horn, and hoof, and burning venom.
>5/6 trolls
“Good boy,” you whisper, resisting the ruge to pet him,a nd instead turn to see what else has happened.
“<Summon Elemental!>”
Two air elementals appear to either side of Izirina, whose hands are spread in wide gesture as she wills them to manifest. They are immediately airborn, hovering above her and the Zi ‘sisters’, who direct her:
“There!”
“Incoming!”
The air elementals hurtle as Izirina directs them, in accordance with their darkvision-guided directions, to intercept more missiles. However, the other approaching troll deviates from its crash course with the caravan to attack her from behind. You sprint towards her, stumbling nearly falling,c alling out her name…
>17
But someone bigger and stronger gets there faster: the minotaur, name unknown but valour proven twice-over! Did he understand you, or simply see the foe and recognize his responsibility? Either way, the troll was too single-minded in its hunt: it fails to see the threat until it’s too late. Inertia carrries it to a skidding stop just in time to be tackled and gored; then, with a swing of his well-hewed neck and oversized hea,d the minotaur hurtles his impaled enemy out into the dark, tumbling end-over-end.
Izirina stares in plain horror at the doom that nearly came for her, but rallies quickly, shouting again:
“<Summon Elemental!>”
Two more elemntals: twin beings of fire, tall as a man and raging with extraplanar heat and light, descend upon the already-regenerating troll…
>4/6 trolls
…And end its struggles, and its threat, permanently. Izirina watches, her expression as cold as the fires burn hot.
Rolling for enemies...","attachment":null,"posted":1715829002},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6006430,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d3)
>>6006427
1 is Tips, 2 is Izzy, 3 is Zith-Zi","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715829072958487.jpg","filename":"51wFfidEB-L.jpg"},"posted":1715829072},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6006438,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6006430
You breathe a sigh of relief. And exchange a nod with the minotaur. However, your respite is short-lived.
“Tips! TIPS!”
You look to Zith-Zi in alarm, and see her rushing towards you. “Watch your fuckin’--!”
>two rocks intercepted
>two come down
>8, 15
>One hits
>rolled: target as Tips
>2/3
You do not hear the last word. In fact, all you hear is ringing. You don’t even feel the pain of the impact—not for a few moments. You simply find yourself horizontal, lying on the ground, hat knocked form your head. You reach around for it, and feel something wet. You bring your hands back into view, and see…
“Oh,” you say. “That’s a lot of blood.”
“Scalps bleed!” Zith-Zi snarls at you, straining to help you up in spite of your dead-weight and larger size. “Get over it and GET THE FUCK UP!”
You start to regain your footing, but you take a bit longer to shake the double-vision. When you do, you’re glad for it, because the four shapes now taking shape from the distant darkness, within the range of your firelight-aided low-light vision, are already large enough to fill our heart with terror.
“Yeah,” you say, ‘eight would’ve been worse.”
“What in the Hells are you MUMBLIN’?” Zith-Zi demands, then shakes her head. “nevermind, we need to move! Look at the size of those fuckers!”
“I could take ‘em,” Carazzi says, quickly clarifying: “I-in a fight, I mean.”
“No,” Zith-Zi says, “you could not. And you didn’t.”
“No,” Crazzi cringingly agrees. “I didn’t And, uh, I’d rather not.”
Given the distance and darkness, it’s tough for you to gauge the four trolls’ size accurately even now. However, you’d estimate the largest to be the size of… Well, if you had to pick a frame of reference, it would have to be the princesses of the moon, or (given its breadth) perhaps that treant which the elven sage Nenaias summoned. It towers over the others like the minotaur towers over you.","attachment":null,"posted":1715829990},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6006439,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6006438
“Fuckin’ hell, six males in a pack?” Zith-Zi mutters. “Don’t see THAT every day, thank the shittin’ gods. Must have been attracted by the ruckus in the gblin market, an’ all the dead and abandoned goods.”
Carazzi and Zith-Zi both turn to you, expectantly.
“What’s the plan” they ask as one, and then exchange a quick look of embarrassment.
>You, Muffins, and the fire elementals will attempt to scare them off or slay them while the others retreat
[lower DC, greater risk to you]
>You’ll all retreat with the others, while the elementals harry them in your place—both fire and air
[higher DC, lower risk to you]
>You’ll all stand and fight them here—no running
[greatest risk to everyone, but lowest DC]
>You’ll forsake the horses, and the carriage full of meat and loot as a sacrifice, to ensure your escape
[lowest risk to everyone, auto-success, but you have to choose two items to take from the below list]
>>Skekz-Gab
>>Izzy’s trunk
>>The chest
>Write-in
[Specify any spells, items, or tactics you employ]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715830051068076.jpg","filename":"720X720-troll-warband.jpg"},"posted":1715830051},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6006454,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006439
Shit, I don’t know about this one. I really don’t want to abandon the horses and carriage - that’s our fastest source of transport and 2nd infinite food glitch. I don’t feel like we can take the “Tips & Muffins & fire elementals” cover escape either - one more strong hit or two more normal ones and we’re down for good. The higher DC of all retreat isn’t something I’d like to try when we only have 1 MP. Standing our grounds seems like the “best” option - all our offences and defenses are online - but we’re up against 4 trolls.
>You’ll all stand and fight them here—no running
Tips & Izzy: Lightning on one troll each
ZithZi & Carazzi: keep watch on the other two trolls, distract them
Minotaur: Keep doing ambushes - take out the legs and run away - let the fire elementals finish the job
One hell of a gamble.
>>6005347","attachment":null,"posted":1715831248},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6006457,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006418
I presume the wind elementals are already on the defensive, blocking the projectile attacks. If not, order them to do that as well.","attachment":null,"posted":1715831316},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6006464,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006439
man, if we had rolled any other number of male trolls in the pack this would be over by now.
>>6006454
supporting, and adding that Muffins will pick off any trolls that gets too close to your group since he's living bait for the trolls. with the 2 wind elementals shield at least 2 of their throwers, we can do it.","attachment":null,"posted":1715832031},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6006469,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006439
>You’ll forsake the horses, and the carriage full of meat and loot as a sacrifice, to ensure your escape
>>Izzy’s trunk
>>The chest
Sorry Skekz","attachment":null,"posted":1715832427},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6006470,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006464
oh yeah I forgot about Muffins. Having him guard the group would be good. Another line of defense along with the elementals.","attachment":null,"posted":1715832541},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6006473,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006470
I’m >>6006454 btw","attachment":null,"posted":1715832608},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6006600,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006439
>>You’ll all stand and fight them here—no running","attachment":null,"posted":1715844422},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6006606,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006439
>You’ll all stand and fight them here—no running.","attachment":null,"posted":1715845093},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6006789,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006606
anon you should link back if you posted before.","attachment":null,"posted":1715867957},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6007372,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6006606
>>6006600
>>6006469
>>6006454
>>6006464
You look at your caravan and surrounding company. You’ve had some time to recover, as have those traveling with you, but even before this fight, it had been a rough few days… And you can only IMAGINE what those whom you liberated went through, prior to your arrival. None of you are in any shape to outrun these trolls. If you forsook the cloned horsemeat and caravan, MAYBE… But you don’t have time to free the horses, nor the muscle to extract and abscond with all your valuables.
And you’ll be DAMNED if you leave two innocent horses, even creepy-looking nocturnal horse chimeras, to be torn limb from limb and eaten alive by these big, green bastards. You’re a Disciple of the True Fey, damnit, and a compassionate Chimericist—a friend to nature, and even to artificial animals!
“We stand and fight,” you say.
“WHAT?!” demands Zith-Zi.
“…Okay,” says Carazzi quietly, demurring to your authority.
“No, not ‘okay’,” Zith-Zi snaps at her clone. “What’s gotten inta’ you?? You did NOT get that ‘okay’ from me!”
The trolls advance, in spite of Zith-Zi’s objections and—whatever her bluster, whatever goblin instincts she or Carazzi might retain in their altered state-neither will abandon you. The nilbog ex-bandit realizes this same truth a moment after you do, groaning and palming her face.
“Okay,” she grumbles, and Carazzi (poorly) hides a smirk.
You’re happy to see them getting along, sort of, and grateful for their support, but they’re also not necessarily suitable for much more than serving as a distraction for trolls of such size. You direct them to do so and, making eye contact with the minotar, direct him to follow after the. You can offer precious little instruction other than that, at distance and across the gulf of your language barrier, but as long as he keeps doing what he’s BEEN doing, you suspect (or hope, and pray) that he’ll do just fine, and keep the Zi ‘twins’ safe.
As for you, and Izirina…
“I’ve used a lot of energy,” Izirina notes.
“I know,” you say.
“The invigoration potions in my chest would take too long to get,” she noets with a frown.
“YOU HAD INVIGORATION POTIONS?!” you demand.
Izirina shrugs helplessly, saying: “Only two… And I was saving them for an emergency.”
“An emergency that didn’t come on too fast to grab them??” you ask.
Izirina has the good sense to look embarrassed, admitting: “I should probably invest in a potion’s bandolier when we get back to Hawksong…”
You sigh, and hang your head low. Well, nobody expects to be attacked by a half-dozen monstrous wasteland trolls, you suppose.
“Fine,” you say. “it’s fine. Just… Pressure them with lightning.”
Izirina regards you with a scrutiny that tells you she’s looking you over with her mage’s sense, and her frown tells you she doesn’t like what she sees.","attachment":null,"posted":1715911182},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6007374,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 1, 17, 12, 9, 16, 1, 13 = 69 (7d20)
>>6007372
>1/4 MP
“Tips,” she says gently, “you should fall back, with the others.”
“Bullshit,” you reply.
“You’re in no state to fight them, “ she tries to reason with you.
“I still have another bolt in me,” you insist.
“If we fail… I won’t have the energy to teleport you away. Maybe not even myself.”
“I’m staying,” you assert.
“Tips!” she shouts. “Stop being stubborn! I’m TRYING to protect you!”
“I don’t NEED you to protect me,” you snap. “I can look after myself!”
Izirina stares you down but, after a moment, you recognize a characteristic quiver in her lip. She’s on the verge of crying.
“I don’t want to lose you,” she says.
“You won’t,” you promise.
The two of you huddle close together. You clasp your crackling staff; Izirina brandishes her black-and-gold wand. Shoulder to shoulder, her free hand finds yours. You squeeze it.
“If things look really bad—” she begins.
“Don’t be dramatic,” you say, and force a smile. “We’ve faced worse.”
“Have we?” she asks, seriously.
You watch as her air elementals intercept another hurled stone, both of them giving it their all to buffet against the massive slung projectile which the largest troll casually picks up and throws with barely a break in his stride.
“Uh,” you stammer.
Before panic can set in, Muffins stalks forward, and rumbles to both of you. Something drops you’re your bleeding head and, reaching up, you find your hat—Veloz, precious Veloz, has returned it to you. Terror’s spell is broken. You are with the greatest mage of your generation, side by side with your first love and aided by you best animal friends.
“We’ve got this.”
[2d20 for Zith-Zi and 2d20 for Carazzi, antagonizing the trolls; 3d20 attack by the minotaur, success DC based on how the other two do.]","attachment":null,"posted":1715911249},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6007383,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 12, 9, 13, 8, 5, 13, 12, 17 = 89 (8d20)
>>6007374
Before you can say anything more, Zith-Zi and Carazzi are close enough to begin baiting the trolls—attacking their feet and legs, hurling smaller—MUCH smaller—stones of their own, and otherwise harassing them. Two of the four break in different directions, only to double back, huffing and puffing in exertion and anger, as they are struck from behind.
>12, 9
With her energy weakened, Carazzi cannot affect any sort of aura of fear or desire, or do much of anything else that a normal goblin could not. Worse yet, she doesn’t seem quite as adept a combatant as Zith-Zi without her powers; she may have been born of her, but she clearly did not retain all her prowess, nor ahs her training with your father yet bridged that gap. The trolls scent weakness, and are soon resoled to chase her together, two-against 1.
“Hey!” Zith_Zi shouts in alarm, as the third breaks off as well. “HEY! Stop, you big ugly sons-a’-bitches!”
She chases after them on her little legs, grimace upon her pink face as she struggles to catch up with these large, fast apex predators… And can’t.
>1
Carazzi stares in horror at the oncoming onslaught—at imminent demise. What will happen to her demonic essence, if they rend her limb from limb, if they eat her? For a fleeting, terrifying moment, you are terrified that you will find out…
“I SAID FUCKIN’ STOOOOOOP! <Prismatic Spray>!”
>17
To your shock, and Izirina’s, and even ZITH-ZI’s, the Nilbog manages to produce from her outstretched hand a blast of blinding, rainbow light, storbing and flashing irregularly and with such intensity that the dark-adapted eyes of the trolls are stunned and disoriented. It’s a weak form of that spell, hastily and amateurishly cast, but it gives Carazzi the precious seconds she needs to scamper towards you and Izirina, too terrified to continue the troll-baiting scheme.
(Not that you can really blame the poor thing…)
One of the trolsl is afster to recover than the others, shaking off his dazzled condition to leap after her…
>16
But THAT’S where the minotaur comes in, crashing upon him and beginning to pummel him senseless with blow after blow.
“Izirina,” you say.
“on it,” she replies, and directs one of her fire elementals to descend upon the minotaur’s victim as soon as he’s clear; the other, meanwhile, shields him from retaliation by its fellows.
>3/6 trolls left
[Rolling for the trolls (2x2d20) and Muffins (4d20); short delay to feed my cat.]","attachment":null,"posted":1715911839},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6007401,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007383
Nice, we needed that kind of distribution badly","attachment":null,"posted":1715912573},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6007403,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 3, 10, 16, 20 = 49 (4d20)
>>6007383
>>6007401
The trolls, walled off from avenging their brother’s death at the hands of the minotaur and fire elementals, instead turn their frustrated retribution upon the one who so afflicted their vision: upon Zith-Zi, whose legs prove just as insufficient to outpace them now that she’s retreating rather than chasing.
“Oh fuckfuckfuckfuck FUUUUUUUUU-“
You can’t say for sure, but you strongly suspect that single casting of <prismatic Spray> was probably all she had in her. It’s a taxing spell for someone untrained and, whatever training she’s had (from Efron, you’d imagine?), she’s only even been CAPABLE of magic for a short while. Magic is a muscle, or analogous enough—you need to work it out to be able to properly wield it for any length of time. Wors e yet, ‘aura’ (or ‘magical energy’ or ‘chi’ or WHATEVER you call it) is ultimately tied to one’s own physical vitality, in some part, and thus magical exhaustion can lead to physical exhaustion.
“She’s flagging fast,” Izirna whispers.
“Muffins!” you shout.
The chimera roars to action, bolting forward faster even than the trolls. Like a hurtling <fireball>, he explodes onto the scene and crashes into another of the trolls, instantly knocking him off course and beginning to savage and burn him. This, in turn, puts off the other troll, whose lust for nilbog blood is obviously lesser than his love for life.
>no successes for the trolls, one success for Muffins
>2/4 trolls left
The remaining ‘small’ troll is not long delayed, though. With some measure of intelligence, he casts his gaze around until eh finds a suitably-large rock and, with both hands, eh wrenches it free. Stumbling awkwardly under its weight, he waddles towards distracted Muffins, whose name you scream. Your animal companion looks up, just in time for the rock’s shadow to loom high over him.
“<Lightning Bolt!>” you shout, one last time, and let loose upon the unforgivable bastard who DARES to threaten YOUR chimera.
[Rolling for Tips]","attachment":null,"posted":1715912629},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6007410,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">4th 20
We about to lock in","attachment":null,"posted":1715912843},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6007414,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 19, 13, 5, 7, 18 = 62 (5d20)
>>6007403
>>6007410
>20
Instantly, the troll is stunned, as a bolt of lightning larger and more powerful than any you have yet launched passes through him. The entire night lights up as your target screams in pain and agony. The impact of your bolt is such, in fact, that the troll EXPLODES, red-black blood and green hide scattering everywhere. The boulder it had hefted lands with a thump and shakes the ground…
>1/4 trolls left
…And the troll is no more.
>0/4 MP left
However, you are also altogether out of breath, and out of magic. You couldn’t cats another spell without passing out immediately, at best; you’re still concussed, and bleeding, and in no state to help anyone. Only Izirina’s arm around you is keeping you up. Veloz hovers worriedly, poking you gently with his sharp beak as if to say ‘hey, hey, don’t fall asleep!’
“I’m up, I’m up,” you insist. “I just… Need a minute.”
“We don’t have a minute, Ezreal.”
Izirina gently lets you down, and you fall to your knees as she steps forward, and into the long, deep shadow of that greatest and final troll.
“Izzy…”
She looks back at you impassive, and then grins.
“I’ve got this,” she assures you. “I was top of our classes, remember?”
You groan. How could you forget?","attachment":null,"posted":1715912993},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6007418,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 11, 18, 19, 16, 8, 15 = 87 (6d20)
>>6007414
“<Fireball>!” Izirina cries, starting with a classic.
A spark launches from the tip of her wand, like the world’s fastest firefly buzzing a straight line towards the titanic creature who is nearly upon her.
>19
It goes off with a blast of heat and light to nearly equal your lightning bolt, and the troll roars a deep, guttural groan of pain. The enormous monsters advance is delayed, and the damage inflicted does not regenerate. Dollops of burning flesh fall and splash like overripe fruit. The air is full of an awful, acrid smell, geysers of troll-blood tainting the otherwise-appealing smell of cooking meat…
And yet, the troll doesn’t fall.
“Tough motherfucker, ain’t he?” Carazzi wonders, now at your side.
“Ha… Haaa…. Gonna’ take more than a single hit, even a big one, to do in a boy that size,” Zith-Zi notes, hands on her knees as she catches her breath.
[And then… it was the giant troll’s turn to roll; two sets of 3d20, one on Muffins and one on Izirina]","attachment":null,"posted":1715913334},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6007436,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 18, 15, 6, 16 = 55 (4d20)
>>6007418
>19
The surviving troll—somehow, damn him, SURVIVING even as he burns!—reaches out and GARBS Muffins. The chimera must be like a red hot coal, but even as the behemoth curses in some booming black-speech, he tosses your flailing friend back and forth.
“Put him DOWN!” you shout… And immediately regret your choice of words.
The great troll does indeed ‘put Muffins down’… At speed. Specifically, he cups him in a hand and, ignoring the slashes and scratches and bites and plainly DLEIGHTING in your beloved Muffins’ aggrieved animal-noises of pain and confusion, he HURLS him at Izirina.
>1/4 HP left for Muffins
>1/3 HP left for Izzy
>Special trait: the giant troll does 2 damage on a successful attack, due to his brute force
The smoke and flame of Muffins’ form, and the cloud of dust which rises from the impact, obscures both of them for a moment. It is the accursed troll who sees the results first, and his booming laughter chills your bones. You fear the worst, at first, and what you see when the debris settles is nearly as bad: Muffins lays atop Izzy, both of them groaning, and struggling to rise to their feet.
“This ain’t good,” Zith-Zi mutters.
“No,” you whisper. “Oh no.”
The troll is rocking o his feet, clearly not in the best of shape either… But you strongly suspect Izirina and Muffins have both broken limbs by the way they move as well. And Izirina…
Izzy is strong, INCREDIBLY strong, at least in magic. Her inner well of extradimensional energy, her brilliant mind, they’ve paired to make her a truly terrifying foe in a fight… But she’s also summoned four elementals, each of (you would estimate) ‘tier 2’, AND cast an impressive-looking fireball. CONSERVATIVELY, you would guess she has spend nearly twice as much aura as you could if you were at optimum fighting form, wielding your staff… Maybe even with time to attune yourself to the area for a bit more of a reserve to draw upon.
“She’s running on empty,” you realize.
Izzy must realize it, too, better than out. Maybe she knew it when she cast her <Fireball>, which is why she put so much into it. And it WORKED!
Just… Not well enough.
The troll reaches down once more. Beautiful, sweet, loyal Muffins moves to guard Izzy. If she has even a single spell in her, the delay your chimera friend might buy her would be enough. Maybe he could even strike the lethal blow himself! You plead to any gods who are listening, who can intercede, to make it so…","attachment":null,"posted":1715914138},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6007449,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007436
>Special trait: the giant troll does 2 damage on a successful attack, due to his brute force
fucker still had the dawg in him even after that attack, respect. but now he's minced meat.","attachment":null,"posted":1715914412},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6007458,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6007436
>>6007449
Muffins seizes upon the monster’s wrist with his forelimbs and both lion AND goat mouths. His snake-headed tail spits fire and venom, a viper that swallowed a sun. The enormous troll wails in agony and instinctively flinches back, his hands still ruined and nerves raw from utilizing Muffins as a projectile earlier…
But he refuses to stop, to be cowed by pain. The troll wants PAYBACK.
He reached down again, but Muffins is on the move. Hobbling awkward, your furry friend, wreathed in molten stone, deflects one grasping blow with a swat of his paw, evades another. He keeps the beast busy, but better yet, he manages to get at his ankles. Like some tiny dog fighting a bear, he bites and snaps, circles and attacks, ripping at tendons.
>18
>vs DC 17 defences, -1 for having been burned badly
When the troll begins to fall, his expression—writ hugely across a face as wide as your torso—seems shocked. It is like watching an ancient tree come tumbling down beneath the biting of a frenzied beaver. The result is the same, though. Bellowing inn pain and outrage, the troll comes tumbling down, and down, and down, until….
>BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!
The wind of this impact is enough to blow your clothes and nearly bowl Zith-Zi over before Carazzi catches her. When it clears, though…
>0/6 trolls left
The last and greatest of the trolls has tumbled down to the Wasteland. He has fallen, and if his healing abilities are sufficient that he might again rise, Muffins, the fire elementals, and the minotaur make certain it will not be so. Izirina watches on until, finally she looks back—at you, and at all the others. She hobbles away from the fallen troll, and falls down to her own knees before you, face as pale as you’ve ever seen it, and clutches at you.
“I thought… I thought I’d have to… Oh gods…”
You wrap your arms around her, removing her hat and freeing her hair. It billows bout it in a weak breeze, present nowhere else, and you bury your face in it, and hold her close.
“Iiiiiizzz! EEEEEZZZZ!”
You both look up just in time for Costell’s chest to fill yours and Izirina’s vision, as she pulls you both to her breast, sobbing.
“I thought you were both gonna’… DIIIE-IIIIIEEEE!” she sobs.
You embrace both of the women you love and, after a moment, Izirina does likewise, clutching the both of you to her.
“It’s okay,” you say, and this time you’re sure of it. “it’s all going to be okay.”
You’re not sure how long you three remain like that. Eventually, finally, after a long and terrible night, the sun rises, and brings the safety of day.
>The End, until Thread 8","attachment":null,"posted":1715914955},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6007466,"name":"RQM","msg":"So, the Goblin Wastes went a bit longer than intended! I expect they'll take up the first 1/3 to 1/2 of Thread 8, and we might get up to 10 threads or so of this quest at this rate. What can I say? I didn't expect all the choices you guys made, or that troll battle to end up as epic as it was.
I hope you all had as much fun with it as I did, but now's a good time to let me know your thoughts:
>Did you enjoy this trip to the Wastes? The combat, especially, which I think is the most pitched it's gotten in a while?
>How did you enjoy the marriage and family drama at the thread's start?
>There were requests for more focus and screen-time for the Zi Sisters and Costella--do you feel they got a decent amount of it? How do you feel about them?
>Has the pacing been okay?
>Are you still liking the quest more broadly, and is there anything you'd like to see me bring into focus or change in the threads to come?
Answer as many or as few of these as you'd like, and feel free to ask some questions of your own. Thanks as always for playing!","attachment":null,"posted":1715915252},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6007478,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007458
man, this fat fucker still had a good defense despite all that, zam. thanks the gods for our roll.
>>6007466
>Did you enjoy this trip to the Wastes? The combat, especially, which I think is the most pitched it's gotten in a while?
Yes, it's a nice trip and the combat was harsh in a different way. the 1st one due to us getting disabled early on by that staff and now due to being low on mana.
>How did you enjoy the marriage and family drama at the thread's start?
It's an unexpected situation, but kinda funny with how we managed to mogg the guy away and we managed to talk to izzi okayish so all is almost good.
>There were requests for more focus and screen-time for the Zi Sisters and Costella--do you feel they got a decent amount of it? How do you feel about them?
It's good to see them more and since we'll continue this next thread we'll get even more gobbo presence.
>Has the pacing been okay?
sure, it has been ok
>Are you still liking the quest more broadly, and is there anything you'd like to see me bring into focus or change in the threads to come ?
I'd like to see something related to the sylvian gods, although we're away from home so it'll be difficult, I see.","attachment":null,"posted":1715915663},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6007488,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007466
>Did you enjoy this trip to the Wastes? The combat, especially, which I think is the most pitched it's gotten in a while?
Yes, whooo
>How did you enjoy the marriage and family drama at the thread's start?
It was a nice way of presenting conflict that isn't the usual life or death
>There were requests for more focus and screen-time for the Zi Sisters and Costella--do you feel they got a decent amount of it? How do you feel about them?
Yes, they're enjoyable
>Has the pacing been okay?
Ye
>Are you still liking the quest more broadly, and is there anything you'd like to see me bring into focus or change in the threads to come?
Don't let us be done with elves forever please","attachment":null,"posted":1715915965},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6007520,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007466
>Did you enjoy this trip to the Wastes? The combat, especially, which I think is the most pitched it's gotten in a while?
It was quite something else. We had a stealth section in thread 5 when we infiltrated Ekaterine's castle, a fight with Nenaias, but nothing like an open battle with multiple combatants in a while. I like it.
>How did you enjoy the marriage and family drama at the thread's start?
Costella's father doubting and antagonizing us the entire time only to give a modicum of respect at the end for us not being disrespectful to him is strangely realistic. Retarded, but realistic. Him never getting his comeuppance, nor any rebuke, too. Planning out our words so the old cunt would shut the fuck up was fun. at least.
You know my opinion on the unsafe sex.
As for the smut itself, >>5982295 it was okay. A little too short for my taste - longer paragraphs of Tip's description of the event and actions would have been nice. I would have preferred the short dialogue accompanied by those.
By the way - as someone who reads and writes perhaps too many of these - I don't recommend writing sound effects at all. It does not work. State the volume or shape of cum, or the actions of the body -- writing SPRRTT when he ejaculated would turn it comical.
Had I known more about Carlos and the state of the location we were in earlier, I would have gone for a kill on him, or cripple him, the very least. Killing him without revealing ourselves would have been the perfect way of removing that threat.
>There were requests for more focus and screen-time for the Zi Sisters and Costella--do you feel they got a decent amount of it? How do you feel about them?
Good. I like Carazzi being less "on leash" this time around. ZithZi is still that wise mentor I still remembered from earlier but she's still a friend. Carazzi showing some hangups about rape is a nice growth compared to when we were in the cell.
>Has the pacing been okay?
First half is good. Second half, with the Goblin wastes, was getting a bit long. Getting the Shirin, getting jumped at the mountain, talking to ZithZi, they all add up, even with the multiple choices at a time. Honestly I thought our success at the goblin market fight would've sped things up a little and we would've made it to the Neme place by now.
>Are you still liking the quest more broadly, and is there anything you'd like to see me bring into focus or change in the threads to come?
Well, I do like this back-and-forth domestic life at Hawksong & adventure thing you got going on. Keep it up. I'd recommend some downtime after this, some talk with the Neme people before returning home or some big adventure again.
Looking forward to the next thread's thumbnail.","attachment":null,"posted":1715916977},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6007527,"name":"RQM","msg":"","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715917575511060.png","filename":"Izirina the Younger & Costella Fanucci.png"},"posted":1715917575},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6007529,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6007520
>Looking forward to the next thread's thumbnail.
Kek, I bet. Might as well give the rest of the players a sneak preview! though 4chan wouldn't let me post it until I made it a separate post from this text, for some weird reason.
>>6007527","attachment":null,"posted":1715917652},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6007532,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007520
>Had I known more about Carlos and the state of the location we were in earlier, I would have gone for a kill on him, or cripple him, the very least. Killing him without revealing ourselves would have been the perfect way of removing that threat.
Uh that's kinda messed up bro","attachment":null,"posted":1715917914},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6007536,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007532
>Uh that's kinda messed up bro
So is bringing your mates to a kill someone you don't like","attachment":null,"posted":1715918028},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6007544,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007527
our gfs are so cute
>>6007520
>Had I known more about Carlos and the state of the location we were in earlier, I would have gone for a kill on him, or cripple him, the very least. Killing him without revealing ourselves would have been the perfect way of removing that threat.
I feel you, but I don't think killing is the way to go, specially since he's a noble","attachment":null,"posted":1715918194},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6007561,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6007544
>a noble
Carlos De Gori is the son of a wealthy family, but they aren't of noble blood.","attachment":null,"posted":1715918814},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6007568,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007536
>So is bringing your mates to a kill someone you don't like
Is that what happened though
I got the impression he wanted to interrogate us and probably rough us up, but not kill us
Plus he seemed to think we used magic to ensorcell Costella, so saying it was just he didn't like us is misleading","attachment":null,"posted":1715919145},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6007576,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007544
Well, if we didn't give away our name, what could people say, really? A beastman killed a noble in a dodgy motel. Carlos' friends - assuming they report it - would say its a beastman. A few might've seen Tips and Costella going there, but they wouldn't necessarily make the connection.
Still, we can make this work even in our current sitution. If Carlos intends to harm us again, Tips can use aetherial form to scout out where he is, find a time when he is alone, jump him there, have Izzy open dimensional door to a goblin waste, transport him there, kill him, and destroy the body. We play this right and as far as everyone's concerned, a noble disappeared. Hell, we don't even need to be present - let Izzy and ZithZi do the killing. Tips and Costella would have a good alibi.
Indeed Costella and Izzy are cute.
Costella's knife has a cat's head pommel (partly because I like how a schiavona looks - and partly because RQM says her parents are italian)
Costella's clothes are based on this 1460s cotehardie
https://bloshka.info/2021/08/31/cotte-and-cotehardie/","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715919555125993.jpg","filename":"insta-Cotte-3.jpg"},"posted":1715919555},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6007583,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007561
even better.
>>6007568
>Plus he seemed to think we used magic to ensorcell Costella
>I got the impression he wanted to interrogate us and probably rough us up
Sounds like cope to me.
It's a shady part of town. Maybe he merely wants to rough us up, but we don't know if he has that restraint. He could have crippled us for all we know.","attachment":null,"posted":1715919974},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6007861,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007561
oh, that's better then.
>>6007520
>You know my opinion on the unsafe sex.
we do, specially if it's with a hag :)","attachment":null,"posted":1715944244},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6008034,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007583
>Maybe he merely wants to rough us up, but we don't know if he has that restraint. He could have crippled us for all we know.
I don't want to kill people just based on a maybe.
Also we can cast monstrous regeneration, even crippling injuries can be healed.","attachment":null,"posted":1715959988},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6008275,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6008034
>>6007583
>>6007568
>>6007544
I will note that, while characterization can shift and change, the Tips who went to pains to spare Nenaias and regrets even killing Unseelie and goblin bandits is PROBABLY going to need a Courage roll to even attempt a premeditated murder of a human being.
Next thread, expect a roll related to the sheer amount of carnage he witnessed these last few days.","attachment":null,"posted":1715973871},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6008365,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008275
>Next thread, expect a roll related to the sheer amount of carnage he witnessed these last few days.
Tips will return to being omnivore, but only with the flesh of the enemy.","attachment":null,"posted":1715976893},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6008386,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6008365
He never stopped eating meat, exceot for the year and a half he lived among elves. We had a vote on that. Plus, he just ate cloned chimera-horse!","attachment":null,"posted":1715978807},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6008424,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008386
>Plus, he just ate cloned chimera-horse!
wait, you're telling me our clones aren't vegan ? but yes, I remember.","attachment":null,"posted":1715980962},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6008452,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008424
Nah man, we literally overclock a trolls natural healing that we learned with magic and make a homonculus from a piece of the subjects flesh that will die without being controlled, were basically a baby biolich","attachment":null,"posted":1715983695},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6008457,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008452
Going off this idea if Tips specd into some mind control magic we could make and control an army, but as it stands we can definitely make a constant supply of flesh for fleshweaver shit if we do go the Theral route eventually","attachment":null,"posted":1715983921},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6008502,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008275
We got 4 nat 20s in this thread - do we get another reroll for big failures? If so, would that apply to that carnage roll?","attachment":null,"posted":1715988090},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6010052,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Well, looks like this thread is gonna fall off soon. Here is an alternate version.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716127050604410.png","filename":"Seekers_Comish_shaded__color.png"},"posted":1716127050},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6010387,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010052
liked the new light, but I miss the eyelashes","attachment":null,"posted":1716161164},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6010413,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6008502
I'd usually give that if there were 4 d20s on one major roll. As it is, I know that was a pictured battle, but I don't think you folks really need the extra bonus right now, anyway! I didn't expect you anons to have as much success as you did, such as liberating a couple dozen slaves and totally dismantling the goblin market, which is actually part of why the arc went a bit long!
Next thread probably coming tomorrow, btw.","attachment":null,"posted":1716163494},{"board":"qst","thread":5975312,"pid":6011116,"name":"RQM","msg":"New thread's up!
>>6011108","attachment":null,"posted":1716228128}]}
+{"title":""Super" """Villain""" Quest","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5974637,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">In the name of all that is evil and unjust!
You are Carrie Cross and you've spent your whole life giving to the world without anything to show for it. Well it's about time you think... to take some back! You're done playing nice and by the rules, so why not start breaking them and playing nasty? Growing up with Saturday morning shows and your enduring obsession with them, will surely pay off now!
And perhaps paid off a little too well... to avoid some of the heat from your growing infamy, you've decided to skip town for awhile and take a little vacation down to sunny Miami!
>While you're here, you'll need a place to stay! Someplace nice but modest and out of the way should be fine.
>This is a vacation so you want to stay at the most luxurious place you possibly can!
>While here, besides relaxing you also had a mind towards some villainy, so a downtown location is preferable.
>...perhaps there's a branch of the secret society here? If you dare to stay with them, you know they'll accommodate you well.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712784279405230.png","filename":"villainous.png"},"posted":1712784279},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5974638,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":">>5974637
As a continuation from the previous thread;
>>5944238
Thus far you've become more and more familiar with your superhuman powers (an elastic and stretchy body), and created a supervillain identity and style! Through various crimes like disrupting a celebrity event, and robbing a bank, your reputation has grown to the point of being noticed and even targeted by superheroes in your hometown of Malton. Although it's a delightful sign of your success thus far, it's also worryingly dangerous. And if that weren't bad enough, you also discovered a murderous secret society with a cult of worship around superhumans, and have potentially gotten tangled up in their affairs.
Despite all the hard-earned triumphs of your supervillainous persona "Stretch Goals" however, you haven't found the same success in your own personal life, working at a dead-end job with no social life. Maybe that will change though, with recent efforts you've made to go out and make new friends? At the very least, after a heart wrenching confrontation, you no longer need to keep secret your supervillain side from your dad anymore.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712784319200758.png","filename":"real Florida hours.png"},"posted":1712784319},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5974712,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974637
Welcome back QM
>While you're here, you'll need a place to stay! Someplace nice but modest and out of the way should be fine.
We are using our stolen money so lets not splurge and attract attention","attachment":null,"posted":1712789194},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5974733,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974637
>While you're here, you'll need a place to stay! Someplace nice but modest and out of the way should be fine.
The maniacal mishaps of Carrie Cross continues!","attachment":null,"posted":1712792484},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5974833,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974637
>This is a vacation so you want to stay at the most luxurious place you possibly can!
We have money to burn and the whole point of a vacation is too kick back and relax.","attachment":null,"posted":1712803078},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5974911,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974637
>...perhaps there's a branch of the secret society here? If you dare to stay with them, you know they'll accommodate you well.","attachment":null,"posted":1712811965},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5975089,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974637
>>This is a vacation so you want to stay at the most luxurious place you possibly can!","attachment":null,"posted":1712832674},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5975532,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":">>5975089
>>5974911
>>5974833
>>5974733
>>5974712
Looks like a tie between staying someplace modest or going overboard for the most luxurious place you can. I'll give it a little bit for anyone else to weigh in or change their vote, otherwise I can roll to decide.","attachment":null,"posted":1712878352},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5975599,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5974637
>>This is a vacation so you want to stay at the most luxurious place you possibly can!","attachment":null,"posted":1712882097},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5975625,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":">>5975599
>>5975532
>This is a vacation so you want to stay at the most luxurious place you possibly can!
A new day, a new city! You've never really traveled on your own so the drive down to Florida was an experience itself, but as much as you may have liked to meander or stop along the way, you only have the week off. So you prioritized getting to Miami in the first place and now want to get settled in. And where you're going to stay? Well you suppose there may be a branch of the secret society here and you may check it out but you'd rather not stay there. Otherwise you could choose some decent place out of the way, try and keep a low profile while enjoying yourself.
But this is supposed to be a vacation isn't it? And thanks to your newfound wealth you're a multi-millionaire now! Maybe you had plans for all the money you stole, but you won't break the bank just by splurging a little on a nice vacation.
"-oh wooow! This place is something else, I wonder if I could just live here..."
"And if you should need anything at all ma'am, including reservations for anything please let us know."
Per night the cost is what you'd expect of monthly rent for a nice place in Malton, but it's not for nothing. The place itself, the Second Season resort is the most luxurious place you found looking online, but the amenities are beyond compare when you even have staff ready and waiting on you full-time for whatever you may desire. Really it would be the most amazing vacation you've ever had if you simply spent the week in the resort here, so it will take some effort to motivate yourself to get out and see the city. For now though you've been driving for many hours straight and only just got in, so it's nice to collapse on the big comfy bed and laze around the room for awhile.
Given the time to settle in, and to figure out what you want to do while you're here on vacation. After all, you only have the week so you'll want to make every day count!
>For the time being you'd like to keep things straightforward, so some conventional sightseeing of the city would be nice.
>The best way to appreciate this place would be to get yourself lost and wander about, seeing and experiencing what you can.
>For the price you're paying, a day here at the resort would be nice enough, and the chance to better figure out what you want to do... plus, the chance to take in the beach and go swimming!
>The vacation is a nice idea, but you're not here idly. You intend to continue your villainy here even if it only is for awhile! Start making plans and looking into what you can target!
>A stop over to the secret society could be in order, if only to get a sense of the superhuman and superhero situation in the city.
>A dastardly write-in?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712884205615452.png","filename":"fanciest place in town!.png"},"posted":1712884205},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5975638,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975625
>For the price you're paying, a day here at the resort would be nice enough, and the chance to better figure out what you want to do... plus, the chance to take in the beach and go swimming!
mmm vacation","attachment":null,"posted":1712884903},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5975640,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975625
>>For the price you're paying, a day here at the resort would be nice enough, and the chance to better figure out what you want to do... plus, the chance to take in the beach and go swimming!","attachment":null,"posted":1712884978},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5975652,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975625
>For the price you're paying, a day here at the resort would be nice enough, and the chance to better figure out what you want to do... plus, the chance to take in the beach and go swimming!
Ah well since we are deciding to splurge
Also when was the showdown with Jetstream supposed to be? I really want to see his reaction when we don't show","attachment":null,"posted":1712885723},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5975969,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975625
>>For the price you're paying, a day here at the resort would be nice enough, and the chance to better figure out what you want to do... plus, the chance to take in the beach and go swimming!","attachment":null,"posted":1712923300},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5976118,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975625
>For the price you're paying, a day here at the resort would be nice enough, and the chance to better figure out what you want to do... plus, the chance to take in the beach and go swimming!","attachment":null,"posted":1712943492},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5976237,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":">>5976118
>>5975969
>>5975652
>>5975640
>>5975638
>For the price you're paying, a day here at the resort would be nice enough, and the chance to better figure out what you want to do... plus, the chance to take in the beach and go swimming!
Maybe the reason was to avoid any heat from your villainous activities back home, but this wouldn't be much a vacation if you didn't enjoy yourself. And after everything that has happened recently, as well as that tiresome long drive, the opportunity to relax and enjoy yourself is welcomed. Besides, what would be the point of staying at such a luxury resort if you weren't going to appreciate everything it has to offer?
"-and you stand me up?! Why, because you're scared? Must be, too chickenshit to show your face around here anymore! Got you running scared, and if you ever stick your head up Stretch Girl... you better bring a bag with you, to gather up all your teeth with after I'm done with you!"
"-pfft, oh dear... that's not a very cool look... what a loser, I should take and break his new jetpack, ahahahah!"
A private cabana by the pool, the chance to relax in the sun on a wicker chaise, a coconut to drink out of besides and an attendant never far should you simply call for anything. And while you wait for an appointment at the resort spa, you have plenty of time to enjoy simply being here... as well as the chance to check on your phone for how things are going back home since your departure. It had been that in the day or so leading up to your departure you had intentionally avoided anything like the news, but now you can't help being curious.
Sure enough you find a whole buzz online regarding Jetstream and his issued challenge that you never bothered to show up for. That bothersome superhero you encountered before and had a scuffle with, leading to your "theft" of his jetpack. As he was none too happy with this, he later called you out on live broadcast rather harshly. And while it did provoke you terribly and you very nearly responded, in the end you just figured to ignore it all and take this vacation. In truth you remained pretty angry and stressed all the way driving down here, but every moment you spend here now you're thankful for it and glad you didn't get tangled up in any superhero nonsense.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712957594268248.png","filename":"poolside.png"},"posted":1712957594},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5976239,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"There had been so much on your mind lately but it becomes harder and harder to care much about anything the more you relax here, and how easy that is to do. Living it up like this, it's all the convincing you need for commitment to your chosen lifestyle of supervillainy, and it's all the more motivation to continue doing and succeeding as you have been. If nothing else, to finally get a taste of the good life and doing what it takes to afford such expenses.
"...ooough, why even bother going back at this point? Every day like this- agh! N-No massage please, no thank you!"
"It's part of the skincare service. The routine works better when-"
"I-I'm fine as it is, this is good! No massage... no thank you."
A bit of an awkward exchange about anyone touching you, which tends to be a frequent concern at least at the resort spa for obvious reasons. Although your abilities have improved to be better than they were, you're still not at a point where you'd feel comfortable making such bodily contact with another person. The risk of them noticing anything strange about your elastic self, although reduced is still too much for you to tolerate. Otherwise though, you enjoy a splendid time for every other therapy service they offer, and even the seemingly silly ones that feel like a waste of money (like an aural sound bath?!) are still enjoyable to you for being able to afford such frivolous expenses.
So that when you walk out feeling better than you can remember ever having felt, you're happy and confident enough to finally head down to the beach without a care. Not as nervous out in your swimwear, which seems odd since you never mind your skimpy supervillain attire but then, that's as Stretch Goals the fearless supervillain! As Caroline Cross, well... you're more used to oversized hoodies and baggy pants. But you're feeling good about yourself right now, it's the off-season and beaches aren't thronged with tourists, and it's late in the day now so you can push self-consciousness aside for awhile.
"-oop! Almost! Lemme try... c'mere! Ahh, if only... well maybe not Travis, but someone... ha! Gotcha!"
How many years has it been since you visited the, or any coast? It's been so long that you can easily spend several hours alone between the shore and the surf. And this time around you're no longer afraid of your own abilities, so wading in the ocean for you takes on a new meaning, as you're able to stretch your body out to such heights while always keeping your head above the water. You even try to experiment a little and end up exercising yourself and your abilities, as stretching and moving underwater is a completely different experience and actually rather exhausting after enough time and effort doing it. You could easily imagine becoming quite physically fit if you made this a regular effort, imagine how well you'd be able to stretch on land if you got used to doing it underwater?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712957678430702.png","filename":"resort spa.png"},"posted":1712957678},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5976240,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"Although there was some concern that people may notice what you're doing, but you keep far enough away from the shore to where, unless there's a random diver nearby then nobody would clearly see your body as such. Plus, you get a little carried away and careless even when you end up having a lot of fun trying to catch fish by stretching after them. It takes the near-passing of a boat to bring you back to reality, giving you the chance to settle down for awhile and feel your elongated body drift any whichways with the ocean and the tide.
A chance to breathe deep... well not too deep since the deeper you go the harder it gets to breathe, but take awhile to appreciate things, and the beautiful sight of the sun setting over Miami.
>What a lovely day, you feel like a million bucks! A fancy dinner at the resort, maybe some time at the bar, and a good night's sleep will do you well. To start tomorrow off ready for villainy!
>Actually you wouldn't mind going out for the night. Who knows for how long, but a chance to see the city nightlife... whether or not you end up engaging in it.
>Nighttime in Miami you've got to see, but why not leave that to someone else as well? The resort offered booking for night tours by boat, and it would give you the chance to see some juicy targets.
>Surely you can get up to some criminal trouble tonight? Even if it's something petty just for starters, you're certainly feeling up for it!
>A wretched write-in?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712957740966395.png","filename":"sunset.png"},"posted":1712957740},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5976280,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976240
>>Actually you wouldn't mind going out for the night. Who knows for how long, but a chance to see the city nightlife... whether or not you end up engaging in it.","attachment":null,"posted":1712961899},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5976284,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976240
>Nighttime in Miami you've got to see, but why not leave that to someone else as well? The resort offered booking for night tours by boat, and it would give you the chance to see some juicy targets.
Full resort experience whoooo","attachment":null,"posted":1712962987},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5976297,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976240
>>Actually you wouldn't mind going out for the night. Who knows for how long, but a chance to see the city nightlife... whether or not you end up engaging in it.","attachment":null,"posted":1712964759},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5976352,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976240
>Actually you wouldn't mind going out for the night. Who knows for how long, but a chance to see the city nightlife... whether or not you end up engaging in it.
We should steal jetstreams jetpack a second time","attachment":null,"posted":1712969901},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5976828,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976240
>Nighttime in Miami you've got to see, but why not leave that to someone else as well? The resort offered booking for night tours by boat, and it would give you the chance to see some juicy targets.","attachment":null,"posted":1713032254},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5977068,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"Looks like a majority for
>>5976280
>>5976284
>>5976297
>>5976352
>>5976828
>Actually you wouldn't mind going out for the night. Who knows for how long, but a chance to see the city nightlife... whether or not you end up engaging in it.
After such a nice day at the resort, you're actually pretty eager to make your way around town and see what this city has to offer at night. Largely you expect to go sightseeing for the most part with no particular goal in mind, just driving where you fancy and checking out what looks cool but in the process you can probably pick up on some things for any villainous plans. Though the resort does offer tours which would probably be more inline with your specific sort of scheming, allowing for better scoping out potential targets, but this is of course a vacation first and foremost so you want to have fun. And more fun to you is exploring this wild new place for yourself.
So you can call it a day for your time at the beach, wading back to shore as evening settles in and more and more of the city illuminates in the distance. A little while back at your room to wash and get dressed, something nice but nothing fancy for a first night out, before you can ask for your car from one of the valets and make your way onto the Miami streets. You got some suggestions while you were waiting for your car to be brought, as to where you might want to check out but your interest is more to drive about wherever you feel like and check out whatever catches your interest.
---
"-from Malton, you said? Is that in Texas?"
"Um... something like that! Just down here for the week... you know, vacation!"
"Oh some of us are out-of-towners as well, but if you're looking for places to be we know a few!"
Eventually after an hour or so of driving aimlessly and then about an hour to find a place to park and wander about on foot, you can manage your way along to what seems like a pretty trendy and upscale restaurant on the waterfront. Miami is properly a city and hard to compare with Malton, and even in the off-season for tourism there's still some traffic and people abound but that didn't bother you much when there's such a bright and vibrant atmosphere of this place. By comparison the nightlife of your small city is sleepy, so it's more than a little overwhelming to wander about. At the same time though, the downtown area at least is not a especially huge of an area all things considered, so even wandering around you can see much of what there is to offer...
...maybe not as much as you would have thought, but then you may as well kick yourself when you eventually find out that the downtown area isn't really the hub of nightlife for the city. You can find places here and there sure, but it's elsewhere that's really popular after dark.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713055434639050.png","filename":"downtown.png"},"posted":1713055434},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5977070,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"Fortunately you are on your own, so while it's all a bit much for you and certainly could take some getting used to, at the same time you don't have to worry about appearances and can keep to yourself for the most part. Mostly for the most part. Over dinner you happen to strike up conversation with a group of ladies on a girls' night out, at a neighboring table on the outer bar and patio seating area of the restaurant, overlooking the river. As it turned out, live news footage was being broadcast of an accident involving a ferry not far away, and quickly on the scene was one of the local superheroes to provide help wherever they could. The prompting for some discussion amongst people at the restaurant and particularly the bar, and something you couldn't help expressing your own opinion over which led to a degree of involvement in conversation.
"Err... thanks for the offer but um... I mean, I can't get anything from the bar so..."
"That's no problem, if you wanted to! Shelly probably knows some places you could get by, if we played it right."
Although you weren't particularly keen on meeting new people or getting to know strangers, and certainly you don't expect to get along with or have much in common with these women, it does present you with something to consider. That on your own you'd have a tough time of getting into just any bar or club you wanted to, but this group of friends seem confident they could get you into one of a few places that aren't so dogged about carding everyone. Although if you're being realistic, in a sense you're not really impeded from going anywhere you want to really, since with your abilities there are very few if any places you could infiltrate if you wanted to. But here was an opportunity to do so with a group and not have to rely on your abilities.
But that's only if you wanted to join in on their little outing for the night. You've never been one to go out and party, or enjoy a night on the town, and part of you wouldn't even want to really. Particularly because of this new advent of superheros operating near to you, and the difference in how things are here between Miami and Malton. But it's the chance for a new experience in a new place, and who knows what you might get up to?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713055497518559.png","filename":"river view.png"},"posted":1713055497},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5977071,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":">You appreciate the offer, but you're already in over your head here! You can enjoy yourself for the rest of the evening at any number of places you already saw.
>Maybe not engage in villainy but while you're here in downtown, you'd instead prefer to try to cause some trouble to happen and then see what the superhero response is. To come in handy if during this vacation you plan for something serious.
>Well you wouldn't call them friends but you suppose you could tag along, and see where the night takes you.
>You do want to go along, but not to party yourself. Rather to see what doors you can get behind and what closed off rooms you can explore, and find out about any potential... less than reputable things going on around here.
>...actually there's a really nice place you could take them all to! A certain little secret society, a little bloody and a little murderous, you're sure they'd love it!
>A vicious write-in?","attachment":null,"posted":1713055559},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5977150,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977071
>>Well you wouldn't call them friends but you suppose you could tag along, and see where the night takes you.","attachment":null,"posted":1713061102},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5977196,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977071
>You appreciate the offer, but you're already in over your head here! You can enjoy yourself for the rest of the evening at any number of places you already saw.","attachment":null,"posted":1713062809},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5977204,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977071
>Well you wouldn't call them friends but you suppose you could tag along, and see where the night takes you.
underage drinking whoo
wait how old are we","attachment":null,"posted":1713063168},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5977205,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977071
>You appreciate the offer, but you're already in over your head here! You can enjoy yourself for the rest of the evening at any number of places you already saw.
fake bar cards is a decent way to get arrested. We need our civilian identity to be squeaky clean.","attachment":null,"posted":1713063181},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5977542,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977071
>Well you wouldn't call them friends but you suppose you could tag along, and see where the night takes you.","attachment":null,"posted":1713103800},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5977753,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"Hey all just a heads up, got a busy day however will try to post, just later than usual.","attachment":null,"posted":1713122702},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5978249,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"Took later than expected, but I wouldn't leave you hanging. Looks like a majority for;
>>5977542
>>5977205
>>5977204
>>5977196
>>5977150
>Well you wouldn't call them friends but you suppose you could tag along, and see where the night takes you.
You'd gone out for the evening just to check out wherever of the city you could end up finding yourself, but hadn't expected to actually meet anyone. Perhaps it was merely by chance, but you take it as your recent interest in gaining something of a social life and clear indication of just another of your ongoing successes. Even if you don't even particularly want to know any of these women, you suppose you could tag along with them if they're friendly enough to offer and even take a risk for you. Really it's the law's fault for being against you in this matter anyway, twenty is more than enough as far as you're concerned!
So you can hurriedly stuff your face and then awkwardly wait for them to finish their own dinner, before departing with these friendly but otherwise complete strangers. Feeling nervous for being something of a center of attention, but appreciating it nonetheless... even if it eventually dawns on you that these women are being so nice and friendly because they feel sorry for you, a young first-time tourist here alone that they can show a good time. At least they lead the way and take you to a place that is definitely more active in the nightlife scene.
"...aaand two for Carrie!"
"Th-Thanks, yeah... but I mean, I don't want anyone getting in trouble for me..."
"Don't worry about it, there's too many people here for it anyway!"
At one of the marinas on the waterfront, it's not exactly some sizzling nightclub as you might have expected, but there's plenty of people around and plenty to do with loud music and drinks abound. Very much out of your element and already feeling overwhelmed, it's just a help that you're able to try and just act along with this new would-be friend group of yours... and of course that you can be sneaked drinks.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713168034794950.png","filename":"more active place.png"},"posted":1713168034},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5978251,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"They're here to enjoy themselves as well so a little nervous awkwardness on your behalf isn't going to put a damper on their own night out, you're just there alongside them and the more the merrier. Especially when overtime they happen to encounter other people the know around the place, so you don't have to worry about sticking out.
"Well Carrie here is from there, so she knows better than anyone!"
"Waait, you mean Malton-Malton? That's crazy! What's it like now with the..."
"Ehehehe... uuummm, y-yeah like you said, pretty crazy! You don't uhh... any like... super villain people here?"
"Miami? Not for years, maybe some scumbags that try to make trouble but it's like that in every big city. No supervillains, same as anywhere else."
Although, you're so busy just trying to play along and fit in, that you don't have much a chance to consider your own situation here. Particularly when it comes to drinks, and drinking nervously for that matter. Hastily downing whatever you get without thinking about it. And eventually between as many drinks and socializing and loud music, unable to think about much clearly. Just going along with whatever everyone else does, going with the flow and enjoying yourself until you get carried away enough to start doing what you want to rather than just what the others want to... well, what you want to do but not in the best condition to do it.
"Hey, you want to go somewhere?"
"Haah-haaaah... sssomewhere better than thisss? Oookay but after thisss song!"
Music to dance to, sports broadcasts to scream and cheer at, strangers to laugh and converse along with. A bit of a haze between the lights of the city and the noise of your surroundings. Where are the group of friends you tagged along with? And where are you anyway? Oof... maybe you shouldn't have done this on your first night out here, in such a strange place to you.
---","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713168217109082.png","filename":"sloshed.png"},"posted":1713168217},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5978252,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"---
"...blegh... oooggghhh... I don't feel... why is it so dark?"
Who knows when, a rotten feeling between your head and your stomach wakes you up. Or maybe it's the nauseating motion you feel despite laying in bed. Having a struggle to get out of bed, you have an even greater struggle as you stagger about the cramped, dark and unfamiliar place and fall over... furniture? Uneven flooring? You can't tell, as you try at least to sit up and rub at your tired eyes and try to make sense of anything. Slowly adjusting, at least able to feel around your immediate surroundings and get a feel for the very strange layout of what you assume is a bedroom.
Moving to your knees and grasping about till you can find a door. Two doors. One locked, the other not. The other a bathroom, perfect for what you need and perfect for timing as you crawl to the toilet. Not feeling much better after using it, you can at least get the awful taste out of your mouth at the sink besides in this extremely cramped bathroom. Trying to pull yourself up to standing with the sink counter, and eventually finding the lights after unfamiliar difficulty.
"-oh... it's a boat. Fancy, but how did- wait, where are my clothes?!"
The first switch didn't work so you don't have to worry about the discomfort of sudden bright light. The second turns on some dim floor lighting which isn't enough to make much of anything out clearly, but you can at least pair a low-light glimpse of your surroundings to the impression you got from feeling your way around. And while you're not familiar with boats, you cannot imagine where else you could be from the strange shape and cramped nature of the bathroom and bedroom... as well as the very faint motion from water.
Maybe an alarming situation to wake up to unfamiliar, but much more alarming is glimpsing yourself in the mirror and then realizing and feeling that you're missing any of your clothes. Coupled with the bedroom door being locked and your inability to open it despite a rough effort, you have to try pretty hard not to panic. At the very least it seems you're in here alone and it's not like you were tied up or anything, as you come to find when you can locate a switch for the dim floor lights of the bedroom.
But why you're locked in here and who did it to you, remains worryingly unclear.
>Panic! Try to find whatever possible exit you can, whatever you have to do!
>Don't panic! Calm down and try to make sense of things, what can you remember?
>Bleh, you still don't feel good. Hungover. As long as no one is bothering you in here, it could do you well to take it easy and rest for a good while.
>A cruel write-in?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713168294600553.png","filename":"bedroom cabin.png"},"posted":1713168294},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5978274,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978252
>>Don't panic! Calm down and try to make sense of things, what can you remember?","attachment":null,"posted":1713172607},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5978309,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978252
>Don't panic! Calm down and try to make sense of things, what can you remember?
On this episode of Supervillain Quest, Carrie Cross gets trafficked to Mexico to be sold to the highest bidder","attachment":null,"posted":1713177751},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5978394,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978252
>Don't panic! Calm down and try to make sense of things, what can you remember?","attachment":null,"posted":1713192934},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5978402,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978252
>Bleh, you still don't feel good. Hungover. As long as no one is bothering you in here, it could do you well to take it easy and rest for a good while.
Lol we seem to have very poor impulse control","attachment":null,"posted":1713193809},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5978757,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978252
>A cruel write-in?
>Use your powers to slide through the door.","attachment":null,"posted":1713230543},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5978894,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"Looks like a majority for
>>5978757
>>5978402
>>5978394
>>5978309
>>5978274
>Don't panic! Calm down and try to make sense of things, what can you remember?
You don't know where you are or what's going on, so the best thing to do right now... is to rely on your abilities to escape! No clothes to worry about, so you can stretch and compress as much as you need to in order to fit through the door.
"...argh, is it sealed or something?"
To your annoyance though, if there even is a gap for this door to the cabin then it's too small for you to fit through. Bodily perhaps, but certainly not your teeth or nails which can't stretch. You figure that if it's a door on a boat then it's probably made to keep out water or moisture as much as possible, so not much chance for you to squeeze your way out... or in for that matter.
"Hey yeah... how did I get in here?"
Someone must have brought you? If you can't just exit the door so easily, well then the next best thing to do right now is not panic! Calm down, at least at this very moment you're not in danger, you think? Feeling rotten sure but not injured in any way you can tell? And if some guy had taken advantage of your condition, you'd feel that too wouldn't you?
Some guy... that guy! That's right, there was a guy. Trying to remember what you can, clutching your head as you move back to lay in the bed again. Last night, last night... well you met that group of friends and went with them to well, party. Got to drinking, got carried away, lost track of time and yourself. You don't remember being separated from those other women but you vaguely remember meeting other people along the way, particularly a guy who seemed interested in you and made some moves. Of course you thought he was just being nice and friendly, but... something happened?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713243397075781.png","filename":"hazy remembering.png"},"posted":1713243397},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5978895,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"A lot of it is a haze, but you remember anger or upset, a fight maybe? He was holding you, touching you on some boat in the marina and would have done more but suddenly became distraught? Either way you remember he was worried and screaming when he left you, and that got you scared enough to leave yourself. Disoriented with yourself and where you were, you looked for a place to hide from all the commotion... sirens, police?
"And... ended up here? But where's here?"
Mustering all the strength you have just to get up again, you try searching around the cabin again and this time with the minuscule help from the floor lights, you can locate some small windows in the cabin. One of them half-open even, where you can wince to the light from pulling back the curtains and see... what looks like the marina outside? Morning time, this boat moored along with many others, but because of their size and positioning you can't see much more than that. Just the skyscrapers of downtown Miami beyond.
So at least you don't have to worry about being in immediate danger, assuming from what you can barely remember. Not kidnapped by criminals and facing some terrible fate, you just came in here to hide from whatever was happening elsewhere. Why no clothes though, you can only assume you lost them somewhere while trying to get inside the cabin here. So not exactly a prisoner, especially if this was just some random person's yacht, but you also can't just exit out the window and walk back through the marina naked.
Well, you could but you wouldn't... probably?
>As sneakily and carefully as you can, try and stretch out to search this boat or any other for any clothes, and then get back to figure out what happened?
>A bit risky, but maybe you could get out of the cabin and into the water? Then you just have to swim back to the resort, or wherever else you may want to go.
>Perhaps you could wait for help? Maybe not for the owner of this boat, but for anyone who might happen by, that you can make up some excuse for the predicament you're in?
>A horrendous write-in?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713243459260202.png","filename":"cabin windows.png"},"posted":1713243459},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5979011,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978895
>>Perhaps you could wait for help? Maybe not for the owner of this boat, but for anyone who might happen by, that you can make up some excuse for the predicament you're in?","attachment":null,"posted":1713270011},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5979015,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978895
>As sneakily and carefully as you can, try and stretch out to search this boat or any other for any clothes, and then get back to figure out what happened?
Carrie would probably die of embarrassment getting caught indecent by a bunch of strangers. Especially in Miami","attachment":null,"posted":1713270660},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5979100,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978895
>As sneakily and carefully as you can, try and stretch out to search this boat or any other for any clothes, and then get back to figure out what happened?
So some guy was making moves on us and then freaked out when he found out about our powers, most likely.","attachment":null,"posted":1713281944},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5979103,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978895
>>A bit risky, but maybe you could get out of the cabin and into the water? Then you just have to swim back to the resort, or wherever else you may want to go.","attachment":null,"posted":1713282266},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5979151,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978895
>A bit risky, but maybe you could get out of the cabin and into the water? Then you just have to swim back to the resort, or wherever else you may want to go.
Play stupid games win stupid prizes I guess","attachment":null,"posted":1713287946},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5979249,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":">>5979151
>>5979103
>>5979100
>>5979015
>>5979011
Looks like a tie between either sneaking to try and find clothes, or getting in the water and swimming away. I'll give it awhile for anyone else to weigh in, or change their choice, otherwise I can roll to decide.","attachment":null,"posted":1713297972},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5979354,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978895
>>As sneakily and carefully as you can, try and stretch out to search this boat or any other for any clothes, and then get back to figure out what happened?
we probably left our clothes outside the door when we locked ourselves in here.","attachment":null,"posted":1713309011},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5979363,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978895
>>A bit risky, but maybe you could get out of the cabin and into the water? Then you just have to swim back to the resort, or wherever else you may want to go.","attachment":null,"posted":1713309748},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5979395,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"Rolled 2 (1d2)
>>5979354
>>5979363
Well that didn't exactly work as a tiebreaker!
I guess I'll roll for it then, to settle.
>1, sneak around for clothes
>2, try to swim back","attachment":null,"posted":1713313308},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5979452,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":">>5979363
>>5979354
>>5979151
>>5979103
>>5979100
>>5979015
>>5979011
>A bit risky, but maybe you could get out of the cabin and into the water?
Maybe if it were nighttime you would risk leaving the boat and sneaking about the marina, checking other boats or wherever else for any clothes you could find. Then at least you'd be able to walk back to the main area for the various restaurants, bars and other establishments, in order to try and ask around and find out what happened.
It looks to be morning however, and the chance of getting noticed or caught without your clothes... you might rather just die! No way, no how. If your options are to have to swim all the way back to the resort, however many miles north of downtown then you'd prefer that even. There is some desperate consideration even towards using the bed covers to cover yourself perhaps, but even that seems too risky and how would you get it out through the window anyway?
"Oooh I just hope... there's not too many boats out today..."
Out through the window you go then, squeezing and elongating your body through the small space in order to drop down into the water. At least it's not cold, but indeed there are plenty of boats out at this time of day as you soon find out. Not so much to worry about though, it's more commercial and cargo shipping vessels of great sizes that are going the deeper waterways to and from the city.
Nothing to concern yourself about too much then as you tread water in multiple senses. Where it's shallow enough (relative to how much you can elongate your body) you can stretch down and simply walk... although you quickly find you have to be careful as being this close to the city there's various junk and other things strewn across the bottom that you'd do well not to step on, finding out the hard way when you snag your foot on something and scrape it trying to pull free. Elsewhere you can avoid it though or especially when it gets too deep for you to stretch, you can just swim.
And swim pretty well, and fast at that given how you can distort your body under the water to benefit swimming. It's sure to take a long time but really the only thing you think you should have to worry about is getting noticed by people. Not as much for them seeing you without any clothes (given the opaqueness of the water) but rather the questionable and worrying sight of a person just swimming along through waterways trafficked by ships.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713321407330362.png","filename":"swimming along the way.png"},"posted":1713321407},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5979453,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":""Good morning ma'am!"
"-AAAAGH!"
Regardless of your success it's still a terribly long way to travel by water, even if you are managing well enough on your own. But as you had feared, it seems you were noticed by more than a few people who ended up bringing notice to you. The wrong kind of notice.
"-it's okay, don't panic! I'm here to help if you need it!"
"What are you?! Where did you come from?! D-Don't look!"
"Sorry! I'm Riptide, a superhero around here! The ocean, I mean!"
You figured you were making good progress, and it's probably been about an hour or two since you left from the marina. So apart from the occasional alarm and attempts to get your attention or offer to help from onlookers at a distance, you figured you'd be able to make it all the way back without trouble. To your shock, and fear however, you get surprised by the emergence of... well, some kind of human-shark looking person? A superhero by their own admission, whether they noticed your swimming offshore or it was reported to them you can't say, but you could probably assume they naturally deal with aquatic sorts of problems like people falling into the waters around Miami.
Though a hero is a bad enough surprise for you, but it could be worse. Could have been they approached you at a point where you were elongated and striding along the seabed, rather than just swimming and more or less your normal bodied-self. Though you're still caught embarrassed, but at least it seems like a shark... woman? If the voice is anything to go by.
"I-I'm just swimming out here, I'm fine!"
"Well you shouldn't be, it's dangerous! Passing ships may not even see you! And well... ahem, skinny-dipping? Let me get you out of here!"
Not as though there's a particular risk of your superhuman nature being discovered, and even if it was, your mess of wet hair in your face sort of does the job for hiding who you are? But right now you're more embarrassed about being caught out like this or being rescued as such, rather than your evil identity being discovered. You'd rather she just went away and left you alone, this Riptide. Preferably forgot all about this! But then, not as if you really want to but she could help you along a lot better than on your own. To help you along to the resort or at the very least fetch some clothes for you, something like that.
>Get the hell out of here! You don't need any help and you're just fine swimming along on your own!
>As risky as it may be, you could accept some help given the... difficult circumstances.
>Hero! Attack! She's bound to have the edge in this aquatic environment but you're no pushover yourself!
>Actually... oh dear! You don't have the strength to continue any further! You simply must cling to her for support, and you'll surely drown if she doesn't take you to her home base!
>A vicious write-in?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713321484491326.png","filename":"don't worry citizen you're safe now!.png"},"posted":1713321484},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5979505,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979453
>As risky as it may be, you could accept some help given the... difficult circumstances.
Ask that she secure some clothes for you before taking you anywhere other people might see","attachment":null,"posted":1713325549},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5979523,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979453
>Get the hell out of here! You don't need any help and you're just fine swimming along on your own!
No shark girl, we don't want to be friends","attachment":null,"posted":1713327094},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5979540,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979453
>Actually... oh dear! You don't have the strength to continue any further! You simply must cling to her for support, and you'll surely drown if she doesn't take you to her home base!
Her home base likely has a spare set of clothes, and this lets us not have to explain why we are naked.","attachment":null,"posted":1713328084},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5979883,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979453
>Get the hell out of here! You don't need any help and you're just fine swimming along on your own!","attachment":null,"posted":1713376595},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5980004,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979453
>As risky as it may be, you could accept some help given the... difficult circumstances.
How's life treating you these days, Elise?","attachment":null,"posted":1713389273},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5980024,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":">>5979505
>>5979523
>>5979540
>>5979883
>>5980004
Looks like a tie again, between either accepting help or refusing it. Will give it the chance for anyone else to choise or change their vote, or I can roll to decide.","attachment":null,"posted":1713390770},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5980038,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979453
>As risky as it may be, you could accept some help given the... difficult circumstances.
We can control our elasticity pretty well now and we have entirely plausible excuses so should be fine. Also we need clothes","attachment":null,"posted":1713391883},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5980101,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979453
>Get the hell out of here! You don't need any help and you're just fine swimming along on your own!","attachment":null,"posted":1713396819},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5980128,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979453
>>Get the hell out of here! You don't need any help and you're just fine swimming along on your own!","attachment":null,"posted":1713398546},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5980159,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980024
Ill change my vote>>5979540
To this
>As risky as it may be, you could accept some help given the... difficult circumstances","attachment":null,"posted":1713400417},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5980191,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":">>5980159
>>5980128
>>5980101
>>5980038
Stepped out for awhile to get dinner but back now to continue things, but it looks like we got a bunch more people to weigh in on the vote, while once again still ending up with a tie! At least I think so, so I'll roll to decide it then;
>1, accept help
>2, refuse help","attachment":null,"posted":1713405305},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5980194,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"Rolled 2 (1d2)
>>5980191
Whoops, forgot the actual roll","attachment":null,"posted":1713405366},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5980217,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":">>5980194
>>5980191
>Get the hell out of here! You don't need any help and you're just fine swimming along on your own!
Even if there weren't the issue of being a superhuman yourself, and a villain at that so opposed to any hero, you're still not sure that you'd accept any help like this. Being suddenly surprised by some shark-monster hybrid person out at sea (well, offshore), even if you were just a normal person you'd probably be too freaked out to go along with her offer.
"N-No! I don't want your help, leave me alone!"
"Hmph! Fine, but when you start drowning I'll be back to save your ass! See if you're grateful then..."
To her credit she even tries to take you in her arms to carry you with her, probably (correctly) assuming you're too distressed to be in your right mind to accept her help. But you continue to insistently refuse her, and push against to break free of her hold. Finally getting the message even if she doesn't accept it, the shark-woman leaves you in a huff then, to continue swimming on your own.
Worryingly though she made clear her intention to not abandon you, and assumedly will remain within swimming distance? In case you should actually start to falter and drown, and need help. This is terribly bothersome for you since it's going to make the rest of your return journey swimming, that much more difficult. Not wanting to give away your superhuman nature, now any time you consider or have the opportunity to stretch yourself in any way, you have to dunk your head under and try to peer with difficulty through the ocean waters and make sure Riptide isn't lingering within sight distance of you... and that's just assuming she can only see as far as you can, if she has some extended visual sense underwater then there's no avoiding it!
But you don't really have a lot of options otherwise, since if you had to rely on just your own fitness without any stretching at all, then you actually would be at risk of drowning and pretty quick probably. Especially at the distance you still have to go.
---","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713409550412891.png","filename":"swimming northward beyond downtown.png"},"posted":1713409550},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5980218,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"---
"No! N-No thank you, I'm fine!"
"Suit yourself!"
Yet another boat, yacht, cruiser, sailed ship, and otherwise privately owned vessel passes you by. Stopping along the way when noticing a young woman out swimming by herself a ways offshore, to see if you need any help. At your continued insistence though, you can let them know that you're fine and don't need any help.
It's actually quite annoying to you now, beyond even the point of being embarrassed at being caught out skinny-dipping (albeit underwater and at a distance), because it's been several hours now at the slower pace you have to go and by now it's been probably a dozen or so boats or concerned parties that accosted you along the way back to the resort. Eventually though, after a grueling and exhaustive time and effort, you finally sight the Second Season itself and the beach in the distance. In the home stretch now, and not a moment too soon.
"Ugh, finally! I swear, if I never set foot in the ocean again, it'll be too soon! Now then... how to actually get back to my room?"
Already late afternoon by now, you find yourself elongated and standing just a ways offshore from the beach beyond the resort. So close yet so far, when you can't very well just waltz out of the surf and casually head on up to your room, for everyone to see you like this along the way. You did accomplish the impressive feat of swimming all the way back here from the marina downtown, but now there's a challenge you can't just stretch your way out of.
Or, maybe not actually! Watching and waiting as if just another swimmer out in the shallows near shore, you notice how people left umbrellas and towels and other beach things. Of course some people are actively using them but in other cases they're out somewhere in the shallows with you, or a few of them having a snooze. So while it may be a risky endeavor, you finally muster some courage to approach the shore. Less and less needing to elongate your body, till the point where you're basically just squatting as your normal self in the shallows.
"Alright, alright... no kid, don't come over here... yes, everyone keep doing what you're doing... not paying attention, aaand... yes! Quickly, pull it back..."
From being as close to the shore as you're comfortable getting, you manage to find a viable target in some towels left closer to the waterline. You wait a long time for the opportunity to not be noticed, and you have to be quick about it, but finally you manage to stretch your arm out the distance enough to snatch one of the towels and quickly pull it back to you in the water.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713409759090570.png","filename":"back to Surfside.png"},"posted":1713409759},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5980219,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"There, now that's better. It's by no means perfect, or even good, but you have something to wrap around yourself and cover up with. Still plenty embarrassing to have to walk by people in nothing but a towel, yet you're not outright naked anymore so it's an ultimate improvement! After that, it's just a matter of putting some distance from the one stolen towel, emerging from the surf to steal a dry one, and then hastening back to the resort where you can try to find a bathrobe from the spa to steal.
"Huuaagh! What a nightmare! At least... at least it's over now?"
Who knows how many hours it's been then, but finally you can get back to your room (with help from the front desk at having lost your room keycard) and collapse in bed exhausted. Still embarrassed and worried about everything that took place since last night even, but finding it easier to just not care so much and push it from your mind now that you're back to your room and can finally relax. Some small victory finally, to remedy all the anxiety and stress thus far.
Well, mostly. Just for some background noise you turn on the TV to find the local news reporting on some strange creature sighted in the waters around Miami. It seems at least in one case, someone scuba diving you hadn't accounted for, noticed and got a recording of you at a distance. Of course it's poor-quality footage at a distance underwater, and by the way your body was elongated no one could ever assume it was a human, let alone Carrie Cross. In fact some marine biologist asked for their opinion, writes the footage off as something like an octopus or a diseased shark.
Still though, it's embarrassing enough to throw an exasperated fit, kicking and pounding your arms against the bed with an annoyed scream.
>After such a long and exhaustive day, you just want to take it easy. Settle for a nice quiet evening at the resort, and a good night's rest for tomorrow.
>You can't just go to sleep! Not yet, when you still have to figure out what happened at the marina! At least to find your clothes and belongings if you can!
>At the very least you can go get your car back, if it hasn't been towed away already. Leave the investigating for later.
>You'll probably need some help for all of this, is there anyone you could rely on or call for? At least so you're on the right track.
>A malicious write-in?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713409999207749.png","filename":"bakc to your room, finally.png"},"posted":1713409999},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5980284,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980219
>You can't just go to sleep! Not yet, when you still have to figure out what happened at the marina! At least to find your clothes and belongings if you can!","attachment":null,"posted":1713414808},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5980296,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980219
>You can't just go to sleep! Not yet, when you still have to figure out what happened at the marina! At least to find your clothes and belongings if you can!
Time to live out the plot of the Hangover","attachment":null,"posted":1713416032},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5980348,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980219
>You can't just go to sleep! Not yet, when you still have to figure out what happened at the marina! At least to find your clothes and belongings if you can!
>At the very least you can go get your car back, if it hasn't been towed away already. Leave the investigating for later.
We need our wallet clothes and car keys.","attachment":null,"posted":1713422356},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5980578,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980219
>You can't just go to sleep! Not yet, when you still have to figure out what happened at the marina! At least to find your clothes and belongings if you can!
Hey I have seen this before!","attachment":null,"posted":1713460753},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5980885,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980219
>You can't just go to sleep! Not yet, when you still have to figure out what happened at the marina! At least to find your clothes and belongings if you can!","attachment":null,"posted":1713480651},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5980965,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":">>5980284
>>5980296
>>5980348
>>5980578
>>5980885
>You can't just go to sleep! Not yet, when you still have to figure out what happened at the marina!
You almost end up falling asleep, given the chance to finally relax in bed. But as exhausted as you are, you can't let the time get away from you. Your car and your belongings are still out there and as well you want to fully know what happened at the marina last night, not just vague recollections through a headache haze. Besides, there is a rather delicate matter that you can't just let slide.
"-oh right! My uh... membership card, the club. If it gets lost..."
Besides everything else, that certainly motivates you to get up! After all you remember what happened to Mr. Kovacs when you gained the use of his card, which led to his untimely demise. If anyone took your wallet and should find their way to a branch of the secret society... you'd expect yourself to be in a lot of danger, that you couldn't just hide from.
And so groaning with reluctance, you drag yourself out of bed and to the bathroom to wash yourself after most of the day spent submerged in the sea. Finally getting dressed in your actual clothes before heading downstairs to ask for help at the front desk, to get transport for where you need to go.
---
"A group of women? I was with them, they're my... friends."
"Sorry but I don't work the weekends here, you'd probably want Luis or Raquel if it was the bar."
A couple hours since leaving the resort and it's already sunset, that you finally found your way to the marina. Your first order of business had been your car, and indeed it was towed away earlier today. You eventually managed to find out where it was taken but the trouble is that to get it back you need your relevant driving information, which of course you don't have. So next then was the marina where by chance you figured to stop by head office for any sort of lost and found, and fortunately there waiting for you are your clothes from last night! It seems they'd been left on some boat (curiously not the same one you slept inside of) and then found earlier today by an employee doing one of the daily patrol checks of the docks and boats.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713488569620008.png","filename":"not my beautiful car!.png"},"posted":1713488569},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5980967,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"That is some relief then, but the most pressing concern remains to be your wallet, phone and other personal belongings still missing. And none of those things are here or seem to have been found. Your only recourse is to go asking around the various establishments of the marina itself, at least those you can remember well enough. You encounter some expected problems however, when it comes down to trying to find out about just a particular few women from among the crowd of weekend customers last night.
"If you just want to know what happened, yeah it was some weird stuff!"
"...weird stuff?"
"Oh yeah, I mean it wasn't my shift but everyone was talking about it... something about some guy here, came screaming to everyone about the girl he was with, like... melting in his arms? Sounds sexy to me, but they called ambulances and the police and everything, even a hero showed up! Crazy stuff..."
Well that's not exactly the best news, as you sit at the bar with just a ginger ale to drink and some nachos for a snack, feeling a bit defeated by these obstacles and still pretty rotten from earlier. As it's a weekday though, there's only happy hour to contend with, so the bartender can spare you some time at least to answer your questions and talk about the gossip she's heard.
By the sound of things then, among whatever else happened, you probably went someplace with that guy you met... one of the boats in the marina for privacy you assume (and perhaps where your clothes were discarded), but when things started getting intimate he found out firsthand about your elastic body, and particularly the effects of alcohol upon it. Panicking and leaving you to go and get help from anyone who would listen.
When it was that the police and a superhero showed up however, you know that you probably would have been scared and tried to flee, as you ended up doing and eventually hiding in one of the other boats. Well there's that much understood and out of the way at least, though it still leaves questions if not leading to more. Primarily and still, as to where your wallet and belongings are. But also now, if there's some guy out there who knows your identity and powers...","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713488737670539.png","filename":"back to the marina.png"},"posted":1713488737},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5980970,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":">See if you could talk to a manager, or otherwise get in touch with an employee who's shift it was, so you could possibly find out about the friend group you were with... you remember their names at least.
>You wouldn't put it past the guy to have stolen your things, if he's the kind of guy to take advantage of drunk woman. As well as the personal reasons to do so, try and find out about him.
>Being that this is personal, you'd rather deal with the people yourself. So for now, focus on some way of getting your car back if you can, while spending time between the restaurant and the marina, in case any of the persons of interest should return.
>As this is a rather delicate matter, now you actually would want some... professional help. Maybe the secret society can aid you in dealing with these problems, albeit the risk of them learning of your abilities?
>A ghastly write-in?","attachment":null,"posted":1713488798},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5981016,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980970
>You wouldn't put it past the guy to have stolen your things, if he's the kind of guy to take advantage of drunk woman. As well as the personal reasons to do so, try and find out about him.
Not sure how else our wallet and everything would get separated from our clothes.","attachment":null,"posted":1713493014},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5981030,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980970
>>See if you could talk to a manager, or otherwise get in touch with an employee who's shift it was, so you could possibly find out about the friend group you were with... you remember their names at least.","attachment":null,"posted":1713494821},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5981093,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980970
>You wouldn't put it past the guy to have stolen your things, if he's the kind of guy to take advantage of drunk woman. As well as the personal reasons to do so, try and find out about him.
they stole our shit, but looks like our maidenhood is safe!","attachment":null,"posted":1713501336},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5981194,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980970
>You wouldn't put it past the guy to have stolen your things, if he's the kind of guy to take advantage of drunk woman. As well as the personal reasons to do so, try and find out about him.","attachment":null,"posted":1713509605},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5981478,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980970
>You wouldn't put it past the guy to have stolen your things, if he's the kind of guy to take advantage of drunk woman. As well as the personal reasons to do so, try and find out about him.","attachment":null,"posted":1713549433},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5981591,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980970
>Ring your own phone, see if you can hear yourself calling.","attachment":null,"posted":1713559601},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5981807,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"Apologies for the delay, yet another late evening. Unusually busy these last few days in fact,
>>5981591
>>5981478
>>5981194
>>5981093
>>5981030
>>5981016
>You wouldn't put it past the guy to have stolen your things, if he's the kind of guy to take advantage of drunk woman. As well as the personal reasons to do so, try and find out about him.
Your first impulse is to... well, you have the clever idea to try calling your own phone and see if you can hear it. With some appreciated help from one of the marina employees, you can wander along the docks to try and find your phone this way. Unfortunately you're not able to locate it by listening, but it was a good idea and if you weren't able to find any other leads then you might be able to track your phone by GPS or something? That's a thing, right?
In the meantime though, you set your sights on finding the guy who tried to take advantage of you. As much as he was willing to do, you'd pin him as the one who stole your personal belongings. If he couldn't get one thing from you then surely another! As well of course that he must know something about your superhuman nature if it caused all that trouble last night. If and when you find him... well you're not really sure what you'd do to him, but you're not comfortable with the idea of some stranger just going about knowing your identity. Especially not if he has all the relevant information with your driver's license and whatever else.
"-oh, this was the boat the police came to?"
"You heard about that? Yeah that's the one. I think it's bullshit though, guy was probably doing drugs on his boat or something and had a trip."
"Why would you call the police on yourself if you were doing drugs... wait, you said his boat?"
On the way back from trying to find your phone however, you do pass a particular moored boat where there's clear signs of police activity; the yacht itself chained for impound and some police notices taped on both sides. You weren't sure what to make of it in passing but figuring to ask, the marina employee guy helping you out answers what you wanted to know. And more. Maybe it's a bit of a stretch to imagine, but it seems possible that your would-be lover boy didn't just drag you to some random boat to get frisky but instead his own? Well if he's got a nice yacht like this then at least he's not some bum just prowling the marina bars on the weekend.
You can even return to the customs office and bring the matter up, although it seems that there's some complications on the matter. The yacht itself has something of a reputation since the owner is currently in prison, something which they wouldn't normally just give out information on but in this cause it was some high-profile financial crime case and a big deal in town, so it's assumed that most people already know of the situation when prompted.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713580657659040.png","filename":"one of the fancy yachts.png"},"posted":1713580657},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5981817,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"The guy you believe you met last night, is assumed to have something to do with the criminal owner in question because he comes to check on the boat periodically, with whispers of him staying at a nearby condo having belonged to the guy in prison as well.
Unfortunately beyond that they won't give you any more information, at least not about the guy you spent time with since he's not the infamous financial lawbreaker. But before you leave, it couldn't hurt to offer a couple hundred bucks to the marina guy who helped you out, as "thanks" for his service. In exchange, he can at least point you in the right direction. Literally so, as in this case the supposed condo is in a high-rise on the waterfront and near the marina. It's a good start at least, much easier than trying to figure out and obtain the police report which would have been your next idea to try and follow up on.
---
At first your idea had been to just wait on the boat for the guy to return, but who knows when that might be? Perhaps he only stops by the marina on the weekends? You have the residential building to go by though, as much a stretch as it may be. You're not really hopeful for anything, but while you're here you might as well wait awhile to see what you can. Expecting to return later after all, once you know for sure where to go and what to do. Finding a bench to sit and eat a carryout dinner then (since your attempt to actually enter the high-rise was refused), you can watch and wait at least until you're finished with your food and then probably set about the process of getting your car back.
Maybe watch the sunset too, pretty nice place on the waterfront here and-
"Nope... no, not him... that's a lady... not him eithe- wait! Is that him?!"
Dropping the styrofoam box when you jump up in alarm, spilling the food everywhere, you hastily try to sit back down and not make yourself so noticeable. You'd been passively watching people coming and going from either the front doors or the garage entrance, the convenient spot you found, and again you hadn't expected any actual success rather than just casing the location a bit. And especially not expecting much when you only have your hazy recollections from last night to go on.
But sure enough, you eventually do catch sight of the guy exiting from the front doors and talking on the phone... maybe not "sure enough" since you can't really be sure of anything. But he does strike you as the same guy, the most out of the various men you've seen go to and from the building. Enough that you were startled to see him again, and he does have features that stand out in your memory. Going out for the evening though, you assume, your mind gets carried away with all sorts of imagining when really you should concern yourself of how you want to interact with him. If you even want to in the first place...","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713580986484420.png","filename":"waterfront high-rise.png"},"posted":1713580986},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5981818,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":">Follow him now! Wherever he's going until you find a good opportunity to confront him!
>Wait until he returns... a risky choice, to assume he will return. But you'd rather confront him in his place than out in public.
>You don't necessarily need to confront the guy himself... if you could somehow find out which condo is "his" then maybe you'll find your stuff inside?
>With a definite lead on the guy now, you don't have to act immediately. You can leave and better prepare, like finding out more or returning later in full villain array.
>A sadistic write-in?","attachment":null,"posted":1713581047},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5981866,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981817
>Follow him now! Wherever he's going until you find a good opportunity to confront him!
wtf bro","attachment":null,"posted":1713584357},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5981900,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981818
>Follow him now! Wherever he's going until you find a good opportunity to confront him!","attachment":null,"posted":1713586126},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5982098,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981818
>Wait until he returns... a risky choice, to assume he will return. But you'd rather confront him in his place than out in public.","attachment":null,"posted":1713608763},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5982166,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981818
>Follow him now! Wherever he's going until you find a good opportunity to confront him!","attachment":null,"posted":1713621153},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5982254,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981818
>Follow him now! Wherever he's going until you find a good opportunity to confront him!
I REALLY don't want to get Glowie'd by the secret society","attachment":null,"posted":1713627862},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5982453,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981818
>Follow him now! Wherever he's going until you find a good opportunity to confront him!","attachment":null,"posted":1713642723},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5982527,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":">>5981866
>>5981900
>>5982098
>>5982166
>>5982254
>>5982453
>Follow him now! Wherever he's going until you find a good opportunity to confront him!
It's not your preferred style, but given the potential severity of the matter you don't want to let the guy out of your sight if you can help it. Although you hadn't actually expected to find him on short notice, rather that you'd have to come back another day instead, but now having found him you don't see much choice other than to act. So you hasten to gather up the spilled food using the box and then chuck it away, before looking yourself over and satisfied with your plain clothes rather than something that would make you stand out... although you would have preferred having a hoodie or something, to hide your hair but you didn't bother bringing one to Miami of all places.
"Alright scumbag.. where are you going out for the night?"
Stalking after the guy then, it's just a good thing that he's on the phone and distracted as to make your job easier. You can be sneaky if you have the chance to prepare for it, but out here on the street and in public you don't really know what you're doing besides trying keep back far enough without losing sight of the target. It's just fortunate that he didn't opt to drive anywhere, and more fortunate still that he seems to just be out on some errand nearby for the evening; he visits an electronics shop and leaves with a bag, stops by an ATM to make use of an envelope, meets with some woman in the Bayfront park nearby to hand her possibly the same envelope and converse for awhile, then parting ways with her and finally going to dinner.
He's alone now, and in a public venue, with a reason to remain there for awhile at least. It's possible he could just freak out if he sees you again, but if he's the sort of guy living this careful and criminally-associated lifestyle, then you imagine he wouldn't want to cause a scene at least. So you ponder joining him at dinner, in a way that you could corner him and talk while keeping things civil. At least once you've gotten your foot in the door like that to begin with, then you could decide how you want to deal with the matter further.
>Act nice and friendly, like nothing is wrong and you remember him from last night! Try to keep his guard down.
>Outwardly you can keep up appearances, but let him know that your reason for being here is deadly serious. You are a supervillain after all!
>If he knows your identity and abilities, then why not just be honest about things? That doesn't mean playing nice, but why bother acting out of character when you can just get to the point?
>This situation is too public, too exposed for your tastes. You'd prefer to just ambush him on the way home, someplace more secluded like in the park again.
>Pull the fire alarm and then... politely "compel" him to come with you to an alleyway where you can do whatever you need to, or take him wherever you want.
>An atrocious write-in?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713647161321660.png","filename":"dinner at a nice place.png"},"posted":1713647161},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5982545,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982527
>Outwardly you can keep up appearances, but let him know that your reason for being here is deadly serious. You are a supervillain after all!
Villain to Villain Communication
Villain to Villain Conversation","attachment":null,"posted":1713648282},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5982569,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982527
>Pull the fire alarm and then... politely "compel" him to come with you to an alleyway where you can do whatever you need to, or take him wherever you want.
we need to be able to interrogate him.","attachment":null,"posted":1713649775},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5982581,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982527
>Outwardly you can keep up appearances, but let him know that your reason for being here is deadly serious. You are a supervillain after all!","attachment":null,"posted":1713650950},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5982587,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":">>5982527
>>5982545
>>5982569
>>5982581
As well, you can go ahead and make a 1d100 roll for the effort. Mainly in this regard as to how well you can get him to cooperate (or get what you want from him), whether by civil interaction or force, depending on your choice.","attachment":null,"posted":1713651389},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5982595,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 7 (1d100)
>>5982587
If he actually didn't try to rape or steal from us then give him a quick kiss as thanks.","attachment":null,"posted":1713651641},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5982672,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 62 (1d100)
>>5982527
>>Pull the fire alarm and then... politely "compel" him to come with you to an alleyway where you can do whatever you need to, or take him wherever you want.","attachment":null,"posted":1713659537},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5982700,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 98 (1d100)
>>5982587
>>5982527
>Outwardly you can keep up appearances, but let him know that your reason for being here is deadly serious. You are a supervillain after all!
Uh, gimme back my shit or die?","attachment":null,"posted":1713662777},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5982926,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 84 (1d100)
>>5982527
>Act nice and friendly, like nothing is wrong and you remember him from last night! Try to keep his guard down.","attachment":null,"posted":1713683544},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5983236,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 21 (1d100)
>>5982527
>Outwardly you can keep up appearances, but let him know that your reason for being here is deadly serious. You are a supervillain after all!","attachment":null,"posted":1713726849},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5983290,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"Hey all just a heads up, today is another day I know I'm going to be busy in advance. Will still try to continue, but it won't be until later than usual if so. In the meantime though, as well as if anyone else will be able to weigh in with their action choice (and roll), you also can choose how to bolster your abilities, since the effort of escaping from the boat and traveling all the way back to the resort in the water, is a new environment in which you had to try and familiarize using your abilities. So taking that into account;
>Elasticity (1/5) - How stretchy your body is and how much you can distort yourself, as well as how well you return to form.
>Endurance (1/5) - How resilient your body is, both in terms of stretching amount/limit, and harm in general.
>Composition (2/5) - The nature of your elastic body's composition, either how fluid or rigid your physical form is.
>Control (4/5) - The range of motion and control you have over your own body and elasticity.
you can go ahead then and assign a point to any of the categories.","attachment":null,"posted":1713728840},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5983293,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983290
>Elasticity","attachment":null,"posted":1713729001},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5983477,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983290
>Composition
We had our little accident because of this, didn't we? Or atleast, the lack of composition. I'd rather not risk another incident like this happening again.","attachment":null,"posted":1713733390},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5983493,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983290
>Endurance","attachment":null,"posted":1713733643},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5983510,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983290
>Endurance (1/5) - How resilient your body is, both in terms of stretching amount/limit, and harm in general.","attachment":null,"posted":1713734477},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5983524,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983290
>Composition
endurance and elasticity seem too passive to me. Composition and control lets us pull of cool tricks.","attachment":null,"posted":1713735127},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5983821,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983290
>>Endurance","attachment":null,"posted":1713751583},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5983988,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983290
>Composition (2/5) - The nature of your elastic body's composition, either how fluid or rigid your physical form is.
For our diseased shark form for some fucked up looking but effective shapeshifting so we get some hard "bones" works well for our touch trauma also","attachment":null,"posted":1713764620},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5984016,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":">>5983293
>>5983477
>>5983493
>>5983510
>>5983524
>>5983821
>>5983988
Seems like a tie between either Endurance or Composition. I'll give it till tomorrow for anyone else to make their choice or press their case/change their vote. In this specific case of your abilities I would prefer not to roll on it if possible.
In the meantime, though it is late as expected, but I'll be trying to make an update now.","attachment":null,"posted":1713768125},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5984107,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Come on guys, composition means that it'll be less likely that we turn into Carrie Soup if we aren't consciously maintaining a humanoid form. Our lack of it is why we ending up losing our stuff","attachment":null,"posted":1713787237},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5984116,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"Looks like a majority for;
>>5983236
>>5982926
>>5982700
>>5982672
>>5982595
>>5982581
>>5982569
>>5982545
>Outwardly you can keep up appearances, but let him know that your reason for being here is deadly serious.
>98
This seems as good an opportunity as you're going to get to confronting this guy, while keeping things civil. Better than just attacking him on the street you figure, though you still have that option should you need it. Keeping up appearances to begin with but for his own sake he'd better not mistake you for playing nice. As you take a deep breath and try to feign a calm and polite demeanor, entering to the restaurant and indicating that you'll be joining your friend at his table for dinner.
"Anthony... good to see you again."
That's right, you remember his name now, seeing him clearly again. A decent-looking fellow maybe a few years older than you, but he doesn't exactly give the impression of a criminal or someone associated with them. Nervous? Something like that, unkempt. You sit opposite him coolly and with a soft smile, but your words are intoned completely differently. Though you hadn't expected his reaction, when he takes his eyes off the menu and quickly realizes who it is that just sat down with him.
"-you! Oh thank god, you're alright! I thought you might be... they told me you may have fallen in the water, they'd be searching the water around the marina for you. Oh, this is relief... you have no idea Carrie."
To your surprise he seems to react with genuine concern at seeing you again, and immediately takes a hand of yours in both of his, to his mouth as if to make sure that you're real. Your instinct is to punch him or otherwise rely on your abilities to strangle him or something, but in trying to keep up appearances you at least avoid hostility for the moment. Rather, blinking and gulping in confusion, you're not really sure what to make of this yet. But you try not to get distracted from your reason for being here.
"L-Listen to me you bastard, this isn't something like... picking up where we left off. After what you did to me last night, you're lucky I don't just go to the cops! Taking advantage of an underage girl-"
"-underage?!"
"Err... I mean, under the drinking age not like, you know..."
"Okay but, I didn't take... advantage? You were all over me like you knew me, kept calling me Anthony."
Oh.
Well shit. Maybe you can kind of... sort of... remember it going that way.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713788141858711.png","filename":"dinner table.png"},"posted":1713788141},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5984119,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"Is that true though? You can't tell but he seems concerned enough about the situation, and you did rather surprise him out of the blue like this, for him to be scheming up some grand lie about everything. The more you look at him though, the more you can understand why you may have approached and tried to get to know him, in a drunken state; he looks a lot like your ex-boyfriend Anthony from high school. Well, not really ex-boyfriend or even ex-anything really, you were supposed to go to prom together but he stood you up. Nothing more than that but it certainly did a number to your heart!
In the condition you were in last night then, you can imagine how you might have made a fool of yourself with him. But that doesn't fully explain...
"Maybe it could have gone that way-"
"-you're lucky it didn't."
Reasserting your grip, you're not strong enough to intimidate or anything but you can withdraw your hand from him holding you, and bring it to rest with your other hand on the table. Not that you need to intimidate him you don't think, as he's clearly worried and uncertain about you and the whole situation.
"That's not what I... I'm saying, I figured there was something going on with you, maybe more than just drunk? So I walked us out of there to my boat, nicer and quieter for you at least."
"Nicer and quieter so we could... I mean, you could..."
"-you fell apart in my arms! Maybe we could've gone together, but there wasn't any chance... I-I don't know what happened Carrie. I'm sorry, maybe I had too much to drink as well? Seeing things... I thought you needed help, so I went to get help... I'm sorry I left you."
Without your own hand for some comfort or support, his hands are free to take his head in them as he tries to remember what happened and process it. Clearly it's been weighing on him enough to affect him like this, but then would you expect much differently from anyone else? Anyone normal at least. If he's to be believed, maybe he wasn't entirely noble in his efforts to help you out when you were a drunken mess. Although you probably didn't make it easy for him to refuse where things would have gone by the sound of your behavior (and what you can vaguely remember), that's still no excuse when you weren't in your right mind. But either way, to get as far as that and then experience firsthand the person you're with being superhumanly different? With no other way to perceive it other than your body almost literally melting in his arms?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713788339279849.png","filename":"remembering last night.png"},"posted":1713788339},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5984123,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"You're not excusing him, not forgiving anything. But you can at least understand him... you think. You at least feel like kicking yourself for looking for your would-be ex in him, and throwing yourself in his arms last night. Not that it particularly stirs any sympathies for him however, not when things are all the more complicated for him knowing your identity and aware if not accepting of your superhuman nature.
"And that's why you stole from me? My wallet, my phone and- no! Not yet, we're in the middle of something!" you hiss at an annoyed waitress looking for a chance to ask what you want to drink for dinner, "Wait, so what is your name?"
"...what? Oh, it's Carter... but I didn't steal anything, I didn't know you had anything to take." he frees his face from his hands for a time, when you bring him back with your questioning.
One step at a time. At least at the moment he claims not to have stolen your possessions, but who's to say he doesn't have them back at his place or hidden wherever? It's not much to go on, the notion of trusting him for all he's saying despite his reaction to you. But regardless of your belongings, there is the other matter. As to him seemingly aware of the truth about your superhuman nature, to some extent at least. He knows your name, he knows your face, and he has some idea of what you can do... or at least what happens when you have too much to drink, or possibly something else?
This rather annoying for you in any case though, you must admit. It seemed so easy to just pin all the blame on the apparent sleazebag from last night, but assuming he isn't lying to you, then you don't really know who took your belongings.
>Well this didn't go as expected, it seems you did quite a number on him. No hard feelings? Maybe try to reach some understanding over dinner? Who even is this guy?
>Regardless of whether he actually stole from you, if he wants to do right by you then he'll help in getting your belongings back.
>For all the trouble he's caused you, you expect something in return. He seems to have access to a lot of resources, so he'd better make it up to you.
>You suppose you'll have to try and intimidate him into keeping secret about you? If you can't come up with some convincing ruse to sell him, that is.
>As dire a problem as he could be, can you bring yourself to potentially... kill the guy? You've never done anything like it before, but then you've never needed to...
>So uh... how far did things get between you two? What did you do together before things went awry... you're only asking of course, to hold it against him! Definitely!
>A brutal write-in?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713788514700610.png","filename":"contemplating strangling him.png"},"posted":1713788514},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5984156,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984123
>>Well this didn't go as expected, it seems you did quite a number on him. No hard feelings? Maybe try to reach some understanding over dinner? Who even is this guy?
>>Regardless of whether he actually stole from you, if he wants to do right by you then he'll help in getting your belongings back.","attachment":null,"posted":1713795087},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5984162,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984123
>Regardless of whether he actually stole from you, if he wants to do right by you then he'll help in getting your belongings back.
Ok so I know we fucked up but we need our shit back before we get fucked over by the you-know-who.","attachment":null,"posted":1713795502},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5984272,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984123
>Well this didn't go as expected, it seems you did quite a number on him. No hard feelings? Maybe try to reach some understanding over dinner? Who even is this guy?
>Regardless of whether he actually stole from you, if he wants to do right by you then he'll help in getting your belongings back.
I doubt both of us were so wasted that we'd be stumbling around naked in public, so where did our clothes go if they weren't on his boat?","attachment":null,"posted":1713812038},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5984364,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984123
>Regardless of whether he actually stole from you, if he wants to do right by you then he'll help in getting your belongings back.
>So uh... how far did things get between you two? What did you do together before things went awry... you're only asking of course, to hold it against him! Definitely!","attachment":null,"posted":1713824914},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5984580,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"Had been waiting for the five-vote minimum but in this case it seems the choices are fairly unanimous, so can get something done at least
>>5984156
>>5984162
>>5984272
>>5984364
>Regardless of whether he actually stole from you, if he wants to do right by you then he'll help in getting your belongings back.
You hadn't expected things to go as well with this guy as they have, so while it's a bit of a surprise how much you've gained his cooperation, you're thankful for it. Without needing to act intimidating or get violent, you were worried what you might have to try and do to force him to do what you want. Unfortunately you may still have to in the end depending on how much you can tolerate him knowing about you, but at least for the time being you've got his... well, maybe not participation but his acceptance of you. An acceptance out of guilt perhaps but it's something you can benefit from.
"So uh... you come here often? What's good here?"
"...the ceviche is pretty good."
Well, a free meal is a free meal!
---
Admittedly the situation is a bit uncomfortable given the elephant in the room, of pretty much everything that's happened between you and this guy since last night. All things considered however, you're able to have something of a decent dinner together. At least, eventually the two of you are able to feel more at ease with things. Still a very difficult and strange circumstance but not as immediately worrying as it seemed before.
"So your boss took the fall and went to prison for it?"
"Not really my boss, he was in charge of everything but we've been friends since college. Honestly if it weren't for him I wouldn't have been able to graduate. I guess things just... caught up with him, but he tried to isolate us from what he was doing I think. Whatever it is, here I am until he gets out."
You spend some of the evening at least getting to know the guy a little, to understand if you should be concerned about him at all. Again though, unless he's lying about everything, you don't feel that worried. He isn't even some financial guy himself, just the best friend of one who got dragged him along into things. Some cryptocurrency venture out of an ivy-league school, by the sound of things they had a nice little setup going until the guy in charge started messing around with money. For that he went to prison for several years now, while Carter remained on the outside to "take care" of some creatively hidden or secured assets that weren't accounted for by the investigators. Namely the condo and yacht here in Miami belonging to some separate company, and an offshore account with a big chunk of money. These things to be minded by Carter until his friend gets out of prison, with a provision for taking care of the guy's wife... the lady you saw him meeting in the park earlier, some periodic payment for her to live well on.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713844506357312.png","filename":"busy place come dinnertime.png"},"posted":1713844506},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5984582,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"As for Carter himself well, not much to speak of really. He came here to Miami after his friend went away and he's just been living here and passing the time harmlessly enough, as under the radar as much as he generally can. Though you notice some disappointment in him, for the decent situation his life is in as a result of the charity of others, unable to strike out or make any success on his own. That's probably why he is the way he is, stressed and nervous. You almost feel bad for him if he wasn't living better here than you ever had before turning to villainy, but then again nothing in his life here actually belongs to him either.
"Well maybe I could forgive all this, and we could work something out... but you'd better help me in getting my stuff back!"
"Sure! Sure... whatever you need Carrie. I know everyone at the marina, I spend half my time there so I should. At least security should be able to help?"
Almost feel bad for him, you're kind of on the fence when prodding him for details about what the two of you got up to last night... just for more reason to make him feel guilty, not out of any personal interest! Sounds like the two of you got pretty frisky on his boat, and some of which you can vaguely recall as you hear him nervously relate it to you. You try to hide your interest of course but it sounds like he didn't get much farther than feeling you up, albeit pretty thoroughly, since once you started getting your clothes loose and off is when he was able to make enough bodily contact to find out the hard way that your body is elastic. That's when he panicked and tried (despite your superhuman efforts to keep him) to leave and get help, which in turn caused your own panic and impulse to flee. Losing your clothes entirely along the way you can only assume, when you tried finding a boat to hide in, and the first one you weren't able to get inside of. That much you can remember, sneakily trying a few different boats and finally managing to get inside the third.
On the topic of having lost your clothes though that prompts you to demand his help in reclaiming your stolen... or perhaps simply lost belongings, a change in subject he welcomes with a relaxed breath and a nod. By the sound of things, he could get the help of most anyone working at the marina and even things like security footage he could probably get a look at. So in that regard, you're a step much closer to settling this bothersome business.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713844676929211.png","filename":"fleeing one boat to find another to hide in.png"},"posted":1713844676},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5984583,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":">You'd like to go now if possible, and with him, to personally see that this matter is dealt with as best as possible together.
>You feel you can trust him to take care of this at least on his own, and get back to you tomorrow. Thus, freeing you for the evening to do what else you need to.
>This can wait till tomorrow. For now, you'd like to go on a walk together... to a place you can better corner him, and figure out where things stand in regards to his awareness of your superhuman nature.
>He has access to a wealth of resources? Well besides however you might want to benefit from that later, what does he have in the way of connections?
>A grueling write-in?","attachment":null,"posted":1713844745},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5984607,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984583
>You'd like to go now if possible, and with him, to personally see that this matter is dealt with as best as possible together.
We have shitty drunk instincts. Time to swear off alcohol forever.","attachment":null,"posted":1713847123},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5984646,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984583
>You'd like to go now if possible, and with him, to personally see that this matter is dealt with as best as possible together.
I would not like to get glowied","attachment":null,"posted":1713850659},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5984766,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984583
>You'd like to go now if possible, and with him, to personally see that this matter is dealt with as best as possible together.
We NEED our shit back. No more wild nights in strange places, ok?","attachment":null,"posted":1713869415},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5985352,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984583
>You'd like to go now if possible, and with him, to personally see that this matter is dealt with as best as possible together.","attachment":null,"posted":1713918245},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5985575,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"Same as before, four unanimous would make for the majority;
>>5984607
>>5984646
>>5984766
>>5985352
>You'd like to go now if possible, and with him, to personally see that this matter is dealt with as best as possible together.
As he turned out to be something of a pushover (although most probably would be when confronted with a superhuman), you weren't particularly vying for his assistance. You didn't feel like you needed it anyway, but his offering to help could perhaps make things easier at least. Otherwise who knows where you might have to go looking, and for who next?
So you can finish your dinner together, and in a casually malicious way you can "convince" Carter to accompany you to the marina, hanging onto his arm all the way. A physical reminder that you're not to be trifled with, but then he doesn't offer much resistance at all. Whether or not you believe anything he said so far, you quite definitely get the impression that he's too intimidated of you to try anything funny. Or rather, intimidated for his lack of understanding about your abilities. You wait and relish for the opportunity to stretch an arm around his neck and force his cooperation, but to his credit he acts like quite the good little helper.
"-what you've got on the camera from... last night?"
"Last night. After... uh, nine or ten probably?"
"Nine or ten? Well you just watch and let us know..."
If nothing else, having Carter along does make things easier for you. Earlier in trying to get the help of the marina staff, you could only manage some sympathy from a guy here and a guy there, who could spare some minutes for you. As he indeed must be a regular around here though, your conscripted helper is able to meet and greet his way into security with you. Where, after some explaining they're willing to go over what security footage from the available cameras they have. They don't expect much since naturally most of the cameras are oriented towards the docks and the boats themselves, rather than the boardwalk-style area for restaurants and shops.
And for this, it does take awhile to pin down what you're looking for. Eventually though...
"-there! Well there I am, at least."
"And those other ladies are your friends?"
"Yeah! We met at place on the river and had a great time, then we came here to-"
"I assume those are your belongings they're stealing?"
"...it was them?!"
Sure enough after several re-watches and speed-thru's of the footage, what there is available, the situation is narrowed down. You watch yourself having a time with the other ladies, the point where you started getting carried away, and finally when the lot of you parted ways and you started wandering around till you found and approached Carter amongst everyone there.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713930864751600.png","filename":"back at the marina.png"},"posted":1713930864},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5985580,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"Importantly, you didn't carry your possessions with you, leaving them at the table with the group of friends. And it's when they saw you bothering Carter that they acted, in what appears suspiciously rehearsed, by promptly grabbing all your belongings and using your wallet to pay before leaving the place together.
Considering you never came back, it seems that their little scheme worked. And appearing to be something they all understood and went along with, you question if this was their first time doing this to someone? Worse still, while you and the security guy were watching yourself and the table, Carter was focused on something else in particular; the drinks. And how, not only were the ladies sneaking you many more than they themselves were drinking, but also that it appears they may have tampered with and put... something in one of your drinks. Re-watching the moments in particular, he can't be sure since the footage isn't the best for such a quick and sneaking sabotage, but it certainly looks shifty and reinforces his suspicions that your behavior last night wasn't only the result of being drunk.
"...th-thank you, officer. That's all we needed."
"No problem miss, but I'm not an officer."
Heartbeat in your ears, vision strained, you're practically clenching your teeth through your own face by the time you stagger outside of the security office. Trying your hardest to keep your composure and not want to just stretch and lash out to break something, in your anger and upset. Is this what you get for trying to be nice and make new friends? You tried to go out and enjoy yourself in a new place for the evening, on vacation here, and this was the trouble you got. Just imagine if you weren't superhuman, and how you probably would have woken up instead with some complete stranger in bed.
"...are you alright Carrie? It's pretty shitty what they did to yo- ouagh! C-Carrie?!"
Carter follows out of the office shortly after you, having talked the matter over with security. When he moves close to try and see how you're doing though, resting his hand on your shoulder, you grip at him with your own hand. Stretching your arm up and under his sleeve and coiling around to constrict about his neck. Tightening in your anger and only stopping when the sounds of him choking, bring you back to reality in reminder that you're in public and someone might notice if they happened by.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713930925903901.png","filename":"security footage.png"},"posted":1713930925},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5985584,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"Still furious, but you loose your grip of him as he falls to your legs gasping, apparently uncertain of what just happened since you acted so quickly and in anger about it.
"...I want them, I want to know where they are Carter."
"I asked... phew, give me a second... I asked the guys in there but they don't know any of them. You know their names though, I could ask the bartenders or managers of any of the bars."
Struggling to catch his breath, you help him to his feet again. Letting him know in no uncertain terms, as to what you're after in regards to your newfound "friends" from last night. It's only been about twenty-four hours, chances are they still have your belongings wherever they are. But then, getting your possessions back isn't really your primary concern regarding these women. Not at the moment anyway, while you're anger runs hot.
>Have Carter do whatever he can, that gets you to these women the quickest. Even if that means taking him with you, to find them.
>Having help to find who you're after is nice, but when it comes to actually dealing with them you want to do so in your own way, and alone. Even if it means a greater delay in finding them.
>You have your target and probably could find them, perhaps even on your own. But you'll want to make sure you're prepared before confronting them, even if it takes a couple days to do so. Better at least than just rushing in angry.
>As far as anyone should be concerned, a crime took place. Report to the police about it and let them find and bring your belongings back to you... although with the authorities involved, who knows how those thieves will respond?
>A rueful write-in?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713931017814497.png","filename":"ladies night!.png"},"posted":1713931017},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5985642,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985584
>Having help to find who you're after is nice, but when it comes to actually dealing with them you want to do so in your own way, and alone. Even if it means a greater delay in finding them.
reeee","attachment":null,"posted":1713935635},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5985661,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985584
>>Have Carter do whatever he can, that gets you to these women the quickest. Even if that means taking him with you, to find them.","attachment":null,"posted":1713937026},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5985747,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985584
>Have Carter do whatever he can, that gets you to these women the quickest. Even if that means taking him with you, to find them.","attachment":null,"posted":1713952844},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5985757,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985584
>Have Carter do whatever he can, that gets you to these women the quickest. Even if that means taking him with you, to find them.
It's time for some villainous vengeance.","attachment":null,"posted":1713953946},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5985817,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985584
>Have Carter do whatever he can, that gets you to these women the quickest. Even if that means taking him with you, to find them.
Time to have our Carrie moment","attachment":null,"posted":1713966436},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5985987,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985584
>>Have Carter do whatever he can, that gets you to these women the quickest. Even if that means taking him with you, to find them.","attachment":null,"posted":1713991008},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5986112,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":">>5985987
>>5985817
>>5985757
>>5985747
>>5985661
>>5985642
>Have Carter do whatever he can, that gets you to these women the quickest. Even if that means taking him with you, to find them.
If given the time to calm down and think clearly, it may have been that you'd decide to have done something else. Something practical and carefully thought out, to mitigate risk and best achieve what you're after. But at the moment you're seeing red and you want resolution and satisfaction at that. You don't care if Carter is there with you when you strangle these women to death, so long as it gets you to them as quickly as possible.
Tonight even, ideally.
"Carrie? Where did... there you are. Well I talked to some of the managers, brought up the names you said. Most of them were a wash but that one particular, Maria, she's a local and comes by here on occasion. Her address..."
"-wait, they know her address? And they just gave it to you?"
"He didn't just give it to me. The bartender knows a guy who knows a guy who went on a date with her? I passed him some hundreds to send along, but who knows if it's even legit."
Too upset and angry to just sit around and wait for him, you took to pacing about the dock where he left you, for the forty-odd minutes it took him to go and ask about from the managers he knows. Indeed it seems that for much of the friend group you tagged along with, they were out-of-towners and told you as much. But at least one of the women, who you recall knew which places to frequent, lives here in town.
And to your delight, as well as surprise at Carter's effectiveness (or his money, rather), you now know where she lives. Or may live, you can only hope it's a real address and still the same. In any case it does at least settle your temper considerably. Enough to request his help further and without resorting to intimidation or force, specifically the use of his car since yours is still impounded.
---
Sure enough it takes awhile to get back to Carter's place from the marina, in order for him to get his fancy sports car and drive the both of you by phone directions, trying to find the address. There's some confusion for a bit but eventually you can figure out that it's a condo high-rise over in Miami Beach rather than around the marina or downtown Miami itself. Around about midnight though, you find yourselves down the street from the given address. Watching and waiting, trying to figure out what to do.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713998078170190.png","filename":"cruising about South Beach.png"},"posted":1713998078},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5986114,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"The only thing you're certain of, is that you want to get in there and find out for sure.
"Well if she even still lives here, I don't know how you'd go and find her. So I guess we can call it a night? I'm sure your phone will still be there tomorrow."
"Please... just find a place to park."
"Just find a place... this is South Beach."
It's not the most upscale place you've seen, while only your second day here in Miami, but it's clearly one of the newer high-rises and a fancy enough residence to have a doorman and other basic security measures. Fortunately you can get inside with Carter's help, pretending to be friends of friends of a resident, and together appearing like a couple rather than individuals you're given more slack. Less suspicious than either of you trying to get in alone. The problem you encounter though is that the elevators require a keycard to access, though there's the bright idea between you two to just subtly linger about together until an actual resident going up to their place happens by.
Several floors up then, of course you still can't make use of the elevators but Carter happens to know that for residential high-rises like this with some security, when it comes to the stairwells only the ground floors tend to be similarly keycard-accessible. Once you're beyond at most the second floor up, then you can use the stairwells freely as you please, and even exit from them at the ground floor without a keycard; just not enter from them, to keep out persons like you from trying to enter and travel up them in the first place.
"Can I borrow your phone please? I'm gonna keep calling mine to listen out for."
"Come on... how far are you going to go with this? Carrie, this isn't you! You're not some... evil criminal out for revenge!"
"I'm not?"
Well he got you this far, but now that you're actually here he's getting cold feet. Worried about what your planning to do, or could end up getting carried away and doing. From what little he knows of you, maybe his worries are justified? Though to be fair you've had plenty of time now since earlier, to calm down and think clearly. You're no longer prone to just kicking open a door and beating something to death (or feeling that way), but even thinking clearly you still have your reasons for being here. Getting your belongings back isn't some silly nonsense, you feel you're well within your right to do so and not just because of the personal danger the secret society membership could pose to you.
But even setting your rational reasons and concerns aside... you'd be lying to yourself if you didn't want to get some payback for what was done to you, and particularly what could have happened to you, as a result of what was done. Whether or not you actually end up going through with some vengeance seeking however, you suppose you'll have to find out.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713998140256290.png","filename":"finding the high-rise.png"},"posted":1713998140},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5986116,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":">You'll drag Carter along with you, and assure him you only want to get your things back. But once you locate the right condo, return his phone and send him back to the car.
>Coming this far, you don't really need him for anything else... thank him at least, but he's free to leave now. You can take things from here, and want to get Maria alone if you can.
>Despite his reluctance, he has his uses. A lookout for one thing, and potential help in searching through a place for your belongings. Even if having him with you all the way could be a liability.
>Perhaps an alternate method? Watch and wait, stake the place out until your target either leaves or returns the high-rise, to be able to confront her personally. She wouldn't recognize Carter after all.
>A vile write-in?","attachment":null,"posted":1713998200},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5986134,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986116
>You'll drag Carter along with you, and assure him you only want to get your things back. But once you locate the right condo, return his phone and send him back to the car.
We are going to totally pummel Maria's shit in btw","attachment":null,"posted":1714000581},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5986152,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986114
>Coming this far, you don't really need him for anything else... thank him at least, but he's free to leave now. You can take things from here, and want to get Maria alone if you can.
We don't want him squealing to the police, it's best he has no information of what happens.","attachment":null,"posted":1714003347},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5986300,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986116
Backing >>5986152
damn he shelled out a couple hundys for us though, he’s a real one","attachment":null,"posted":1714015942},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5986311,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986116
>>Despite his reluctance, he has his uses. A lookout for one thing, and potential help in searching through a place for your belongings. Even if having him with you all the way could be a liability.","attachment":null,"posted":1714016999},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5986565,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986116
>Despite his reluctance, he has his uses. A lookout for one thing, and potential help in searching through a place for your belongings. Even if having him with you all the way could be a liability.","attachment":null,"posted":1714053959},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5986760,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986116
>Despite his reluctance, he has his uses. A lookout for one thing, and potential help in searching through a place for your belongings. Even if having him with you all the way could be a liability.","attachment":null,"posted":1714078046},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5986878,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"Looks like a slight majority for;
>>5986760
>>5986565
>>5986311
>>5986300
>>5986152
>>5986134
>Despite his reluctance, he has his uses. Even if having him with you all the way could be a liability.
You're not particularly inclined to take Carter himself on as a henchman, but having his help is rather eye-opening as to the potential benefits of having one or some in the first place. Of course you do prefer working and being alone in regards to supervillainy, simply because of the nature of your abilities and of course not wanting to have to worry about anyone else. Plus there's the concern of who you can trust and any worries about being betrayed. That said however, it is quite a relief to have help in ways you wouldn't have been able to manage yourself or wouldn't have thought of. Were it not for Carter for example then you almost certainly wouldn't have found where this Maria lives anytime soon, not by tonight for sure.
It might be risky to drag him any further along, but you're not yet at a point where you couldn't use his help still. Besides, if you've come this far with him with cooperation then short of outright killing Maria there doesn't seem much you could do that would further incriminate yourself with him, when already he knows your identity anyway. Something you may have to deal with besides, so perhaps don't let him go free just yet.
"-th-there! Did you... c'mere and listen, do you hear that?"
"...is that what your ringtone is? Call it again."
It takes quite awhile to not-so-subtly pace along each floor of the building, constantly calling your phone with Carter's and listening out for any ringing. In as much as you have to go to every door on each floor, make the call, and press your ear close to try and hear for anything. With a few awkward moments besides, when some resident is either returning home or are leaving, walking along the corridors and past the pair of you who have to act nonchalantly and seem as though you're waiting for someone or just standing in the hallway having a conversation.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714090700510964.png","filename":"corridor prowling.png"},"posted":1714090700},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5986880,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"It's not ideal and a potential police risk, but what else can you do? When more than an hour later, finally and fortunately you manage to locate the sound you were hoping for. Nearly missing it even, when already so many dozens or even hundreds of doors? That you'd tried and gotten nothing. But sure enough, you at least find the door where repeated calls to your phone respond with the ringtone... just lucky no one is home you suppose, or else they would have silenced it after the fifth time calling or so.
"It must be... here, keep watch while I..."
"That... that you do with your body, does it... hurt, or anything?"
"Shh! I'm trying to feel for the... got it! I think..."
With Carter to stand against you both to keep a lookout and to visually block anyone from seeing, you stretch and press your arm under the door to reach up and grab about for a way to open the door from within. For your trouble though you hear a sudden bunch of yapping and get your arm bitten in the process. More startling than painful, you can clumsily open the door to find a nasty little dog trying to keep guard as you and Carter hasten inside. Together you chase after and eventually catch the annoying little bugger, looking for a place to shove him while you do what you came here for.
A further relief though, if the dog is freely wandering about the place and barking at intruders, that you take that to mean for sure no one is home. Or at least no one conscious.
"Finally! My phone! Thank the lord..."
"What else, your wallet?"
"I had a small bag as well, not even a purse. Kept my car keys and other stuff inside, find the keys and you'll know it's the one."
Initially you wander about the place, impressed by the condo Maria has. Wondering if it's actually hers or maybe like a corporate-owned place? Carter quickly draws your attention back however, and reminds you of the job to do. After all, just because Maria or anyone else isn't here right now doesn't mean she couldn't come back any minute. So after clarifying what you're looking for, the pair of you split up to search through the place without trying to ransack it.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714090762018206.png","filename":"you better beg for mercy.png"},"posted":1714090762},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5986881,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"Although you do make your own effort to search, you find yourself increasingly distracted the more you make your way through Maria's place, by all the imaginings and planning for what you want to do to her when you she gets here. When you can get at her, and respond to her mistreatment of you however you see fit. Fortunately you do eventually manage to stumble upon your wallet in what you assume to be the office room of the condo... all your money gone and most of the other contents strewn across the table, but most importantly the secret society membership card present among them. What an immense relief then, sighing greatly as you gather everything up back into your wallet despite the increased ill will for seeing all the money stolen. Probably more taken using your credit card, but you're pretty sure there's ways of getting any of that back at least.
"Carrie! Are these your keys?"
"Uhhh... yes! I think so!"
"Then here's your bag, it was in a mess in the kitchen. Is that everything then, we can go now?"
"That's everything, but..."
Carter surprises you in the office room, having found your bag and keys. Along with finding your wallet then, you're in high enough spirits to hug him in accomplishment and gratitude. Thanks to his help then you managed to recover almost everything, certainly the important things you came here for, and in a much shorter time than you probably would have been able to on your own. If that is everything then, shouldn't you just leave? What a fortuitous effort this turned out to be, that you can have found where the thief lived and gotten your belongings back without a confrontation, and able to leave without being noticed. Easy peasy, done and dusted without any trouble...
...but you're not done here, are you? You can make the excuse to Carter that you still need to get your credit card back, and by this point he really has helped you as much as he can, so you could send him on his way. He's not stupid though, and tries to pressure and convince, even pull you with him to leave. Not wanting you to do anything irrational or criminal when you now have everything you need. But if Maria isn't at home now, you expect she will be either within the next few hours or so, or certainly by morning or noon if she stayed out for the night. After what she did to you and what could have happened, you're perfectly content to sit and wait here until she gets home. To return the favor to her, as much as she did to you, or worse even since you hadn't deserved it in the first place.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714090824248653.png","filename":"searching the place.png"},"posted":1714090824},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5986882,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"You're not so emotionally committed to revenge however, that you can't think clearly. Perhaps Carter has a point, or at the very least that you hold off on this payback until you're better prepared for it? Currently you... probably couldn't make use of your powers in confronting Maria, lacking your villain disguise. Not that you need to, you could probably get physical with her as you are if you needed to. But if you left now and returned later you could target her as your villainous self without any need to hold back. But then, that might be a little suspicious if a supervillain just attacked some woman seemingly at random...
>Get Carter to leave, one way or another. You're going to stay and deal with this no matter what it takes.
>Have him stay actually. On the one hand if you can't use your abilities then having him here would physically put things in your favor, but also it could benefit you to incriminate him in what you do, as further reason for him to keep quiet about everything.
>Maybe he's right... you got what you came for, best not to risk anything further. Maria had just better pray that you never encounter her again...
>You'll listen to him for now, but only so that you can come back later and fully prepared to do whatever you feel is justified.
>A lamentable write-in?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714090899846237.png","filename":"a nice balcony for Maria to go over.png"},"posted":1714090899},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5986916,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986882
>You'll listen to him for now, but only so that you can come back later and fully prepared to do whatever you feel is justified.","attachment":null,"posted":1714096000},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5986938,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986882
>You'll listen to him for now, but only so that you can come back later and fully prepared to do whatever you feel is justified.
Leave with him then we can break back in whenever we want.
Just make sure we remember the room number and floor and everything.","attachment":null,"posted":1714098470},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5987096,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986882
>You'll listen to him for now, but only so that you can come back later and fully prepared to do whatever you feel is justified.
Nobody crosses Carrie. And she touched our rightfully stolen dosh too. That is unforgivable.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714121926674639.gif","filename":"big storm.gif"},"posted":1714121926},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5987292,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986882
>Have him stay actually. On the one hand if you can't use your abilities then having him here would physically put things in your favor, but also it could benefit you to incriminate him in what you do, as further reason for him to keep quiet about everything","attachment":null,"posted":1714155390},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5987676,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986882
>>You'll listen to him for now, but only so that you can come back later and fully prepared to do whatever you feel is justified.","attachment":null,"posted":1714189976},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5987889,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"Looks like a majority for;
>>5986916
>>5986938
>>5987096
>>5987292
>>5987676
>You'll listen to him for now, but only so that you can come back later and fully prepared to do whatever you feel is justified.
If you were here on your own things would probably go differently, you very much would have liked to stay and settle this matter personally. As much as having Carter here would benefit that desire as well so that you'd have his help to overpower Maria and anyone potentially with her, his presence also serves as a voice of reason. Of sorts, that you're willing to at least hear him out before committing to anything emotionally. And while he can't convince you to give up on this vendetta of yours, he can convince you to call it a night and leave from here, for now. Not like Maria is any great threat, but better to engage her when you're fully prepared so that you can act against her as much as you want to without any need to hold anything back.
Besides, you got what you came here for really. So eventually you can take your leave of the condo after letting the nasty little dog out again, fuming and grumbling all the way but otherwise cooperative with Carter's wishes of getting the hell out of here as quick as possible before anyone gets home or notices what you're doing. Back into the corridor, then the stairwell and all the way down to the ground floor where you can find a separate entrance and go to hop a fence. Better than risking notice or footage for anything that could place you.
Not a satisfying culmination to the night's efforts, but admittedly an overall successful one. To have reclaimed your belongings and found the culprit, within an evening and all without needing to get your hands dirty. The power of teamwork! Or something like that, perhaps the power of money and connections instead.
---","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714206634951108.png","filename":"different entrance-exit.png"},"posted":1714206634},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5987890,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"---
"Is that... everything then? Everything you wanted?"
"Well they still stole my money... but really the only thing left that matters to me is my car."
"No chance for that tonight, but I bet I could get it out for you tomorrow. Better than whatever hoops they'd make you jump through."
Back in his car again and driving away from Miami Beach back to the downtown area, you take into account everything you wanted or needed in order to salvage the misfortune you suffered from those women taking advantage of you. Of course Carter sounds like he just wants to be done with things and you wouldn't blame him, but you've not been made whole yet. There is lastly the matter of your impounded car but if that's something else you want to hold over him then that's something else he's willing to help you out with. More and more in fact you're starting to notice or at least feel, no longer so much out of guilt for your little drunken impropriety but rather that he seems intimidated by you and doesn't want to invite any trouble.
Probably the increasing weight of realization on him, that you're a superhuman, has him on edge. Perhaps even afraid? Of what you might do to keep things secret, something you'd considered earlier and is now finally starting to dawn on him. For now though, it's getting pretty late and you're feeling quite drained after such a difficult and stressful day. If you have any greater plans for the situation, you'd prefer to deal with them tomorrow.
>He can take you back to your resort and that will be fine for the night. If he can get your car back tomorrow then you'll consider things even between you.
>Closer to his place, you suppose you could spend the night there. Easier to get your car back together first thing in the morning, and decide things from there.
>You do want to go back with him, but your intentions are villainous, so to his boat instead. After all, you can't let him go with your secret known, so you have to deal with him. Easier when you've got him isolated and cornered.
>Compel him to stay at the resort with you for the night, if only because your villainy knows no bounds! Apart from his help, you also intend to squeeze him for some value if you can, threatened or otherwise.
>Well, thanks for everything Carter and it was nice knowing you! Proceed to jump out of the car and make your abrupt departure.
>An intolerable write-in?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714206697105886.png","filename":"across the bridge and back to the mainland.png"},"posted":1714206697},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5987906,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987890
>Closer to his place, you suppose you could spend the night there. Easier to get your car back together first thing in the morning, and decide things from there.
Resort is fine too","attachment":null,"posted":1714209107},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5987947,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987890
>You do want to go back with him, but your intentions are villainous, so to his boat instead. After all, you can't let him go with your secret known, so you have to deal with him. Easier when you've got him isolated and cornered.","attachment":null,"posted":1714214298},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5988115,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987890
>Closer to his place, you suppose you could spend the night there. Easier to get your car back together first thing in the morning, and decide things from there.","attachment":null,"posted":1714234604},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5988370,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987890
>Compel him to stay at the resort with you for the night, if only because your villainy knows no bounds! Apart from his help, you also intend to squeeze him for some value if you can, threatened or otherwise.
Also it's a really nice resort
He has his own boat though, so he might be used to such luxuries...","attachment":null,"posted":1714246085},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5988520,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987890
>>Compel him to stay at the resort with you for the night, if only because your villainy knows no bounds! Apart from his help, you also intend to squeeze him for some value if you can, threatened or otherwise.","attachment":null,"posted":1714258217},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5988593,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":">>5988520
>>5988370
>>5988115
>>5987947
>>5987906
Looks like a potential tie between either staying at his place, or having him stay at the resort. Will give it awhile for anyone else to choose or change their vote, else I can roll to decide if need be.","attachment":null,"posted":1714263615},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5988795,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988593
Roll for it then","attachment":null,"posted":1714270352},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5988830,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987890
>Closer to his place, you suppose you could spend the night there. Easier to get your car back together first thing in the morning, and decide things from there.
I'm sure his pad is decent too","attachment":null,"posted":1714271417},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5988848,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"Back now and will be writing
>>5988593
>>5988795
>>5988830
Looks like it'll be at his place then.","attachment":null,"posted":1714272147},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5988895,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":">>5988830
>>5988520
>>5988370
>>5988115
>>5987947
>>5987906
>Closer to his place, you suppose you could spend the night there. Easier to get your car back together first thing in the morning, and decide things from there.
Late as it is and after everything you've been through, right now you'd just like to find a place to rest as easily and quickly as possible. And from where you are driving currently, that would be Carter's place. Of course he doesn't object to you coming over to stay with him though he certainly hadn't expected it.
"Wowow! You live better here than my whole house back in Mal- erm, back home."
"Well it's not really mine like I said, I'm just taking care of it for my friend. Same as the boat."
Thankfully it doesn't take long then to drive back to his own residential high-rise near downtown, park and head inside to take elevator up, and come to marvel at the high end condo he has. Or, the company has, that he's just minding in the meantime. But even if the deed is not in his name, he's still living the high life here which you can't help but be a little jealous of; for you this was supposed to be a nice little vacation to get out of town. You get to live it up for a week and then it's back to your normal life. For Carter though it's like 24/7 living it up!
Maybe you got into the wrong business, the wrong sort of crime. Ah, but then you wouldn't be able to make grand villainous speeches, and isn't that what it's all about really at the end of the day?
"Kitchen, whatever you want to eat or drink, living room, whatever you want to do. There's also services at all times if you need anything..."
"And what, you're sleeping on the couch? Because I want a bed."
"I mean, I don't... have to sleep on the couch... but there's more than one bedroom."
Wow, this really is a nice place. Not as luxuriously expensive as the resort you're staying at, or the secret society manor back in Malton, you have seen better places yourself in your time than this. But it's nothing to sneeze at, and as said you're quite jealous for what a nice little life Carter's got going for him here. Won't last forever by the sound of things, some more years until his friend is out of prison and then they'll have to figure out what their plan is from there.
But he's had and will have much more time enjoying things here, than your entire supervillain career yet. You choose not to dwell on it too much though, for all the stress and trouble of the last two days. You're here, with your own room and a bed, and hoping to get a hard-earned good night's sleep.
Hoping to that is. There are, well... other things you could get up to here at his place for the night... but yes, you'll settle just for sleep. For now.
---","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714274409315044.png","filename":"guest bedroom.png"},"posted":1714274409},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5988896,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"---
"My baby! Ohhh mommy missed you so much!"
"Check for scratches, any damage. If you don't bring it up before you leave, it isn't their fault anymore."
Fortunately you did at least manage to sleep well and are feeling more or less back to normal after such a horrible yesterday. With Carter waiting for you to wake up and get ready for the day at your own pace, he took you out to a decent brunch place he knows, and then on to go get your car back after.
And to his credit again, he can at least manage to accomplish this for you. What difficulties you would have faced otherwise, if Carter has a stand-out skill then it's with these sorts of finicky tasks and exchanges with people. Where you get declined, he can either convince or bribe his way through. As was the case yesterday, much the same now where he takes care of everything regarding your car... perhaps not totally legally but either way it's out of your hands.
Makes you think how nice it would be to have a sidekick or henchman like him back in Malton. You'd thought of the role as like a partner in crime, but even just an assistant or something like that, proves rather nice to have around actually.
"...is that everything then, Carrie? Are we all squared up?"
Leaning on your car while you sit in the drivers seat to start it up and check everything over, he looks to you for confirmation. Of course it seems the matter with your car is thankfully settled, and you've gotten your stolen belongings back thanks to him. But of course he's referring to the bigger picture, as to whether you're willing to let him off the hook now for his help.
And as much as you had promised to do so yesterday, but perhaps you're not finished with him yet?
>Eh... he's done right by you. So long as he knows the score, about your identity, then you suppose you could say your goodbyes.
>That'll do for now, but you expect to see him before you leave Miami. In the meantime you've got the remainder of your vacation to salvage!
>You lied about forgiving him! If there's more that you can get out of him, like money or further help with things (crimes or even just your vacation here in Miami), then you'll take it!
>Him knowing the truth about you doesn't sit well with you. Maybe you'll kill him or maybe you won't, but you'll need to straighten things with him. Back at the resort perhaps?
>Feeling in such high spirits for getting everything of yours back again, he's gone out of his way to help you... is there anything he could use your help with in return?
>An atrocious write-in?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714274471481280.png","filename":"impound lot.png"},"posted":1714274471},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5988904,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988896
>Feeling in such high spirits for getting everything of yours back again, he's gone out of his way to help you... is there anything he could use your help with in return?
If not
>Eh... he's done right by you. So long as he knows the score, about your identity, then you suppose you could say your goodbyes.","attachment":null,"posted":1714274771},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5988942,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988896
>>Feeling in such high spirits for getting everything of yours back again, he's gone out of his way to help you... is there anything he could use your help with in return?","attachment":null,"posted":1714276896},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5989074,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988896
>Feeling in such high spirits for getting everything of yours back again, he's gone out of his way to help you... is there anything he could use your help with in return?","attachment":null,"posted":1714294467},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5989144,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988896
>That'll do for now, but you expect to see him before you leave Miami. In the meantime you've got the remainder of your vacation to salvage!","attachment":null,"posted":1714308423},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5989478,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"Hey all just a heads up, looks like my apartment burned down.
So uhhh… maybe a bit longer than usual to post.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714336066261242.jpg","filename":"57B31EA9-B6AB-4E2D-8694-FD673A52C040.jpg"},"posted":1714336066},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5989581,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989478
What the FUCK, I never saw the QM Curse manifest like this. Hope you and your stuff is alright though","attachment":null,"posted":1714343967},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5989594,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989478
Hoping that you are safe","attachment":null,"posted":1714344669},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5989602,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989478
Jesus christ. Came here from the QTG to give my condolences.","attachment":null,"posted":1714345281},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5989611,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989478
Oh jeez
hope you had insurance","attachment":null,"posted":1714345669},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5989623,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988896
>>Feeling in such high spirits for getting everything of yours back again, he's gone out of his way to help you... is there anything he could use your help with in return?
>>5989478
I'm very sorry to hear that","attachment":null,"posted":1714346402},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5989645,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":">>5989581
>>5989594
>>5989602
>>5989611
>>5989623
I’m fine thanks for the concern, but the place is torched.
Still, will try to post somehow if I can find a way!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714347375757283.jpg","filename":"4DA9C84A-328F-408F-959C-D8E309ECD491.jpg"},"posted":1714347375},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5989751,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989645
Thats pretty fucked up looking. No rush for the next update, your physical safety is first over the quest.","attachment":null,"posted":1714355655},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5990119,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988896
>Feeling in such high spirits for getting everything of yours back again, he's gone out of his way to help you... is there anything he could use your help with in return?
>>5989645
What happened? Do you have any idea what started the blaze?","attachment":null,"posted":1714411441},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5990285,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":">>5990119
As far as it seems someone was barbecuing indoors or on their deck. Something which is explicitly against the residential rules, a list of rules that has grown rather large in the last year or so since a certain clientele started moving in en masse and flagrantly disregarding proper tenant and neighborly behavior.
In any case the problem now seems to be that the building is condemned so no one can go back in to get anything, which means I only have my phone to post anything. Not exactly able to write entire updates via phone texting and ascii limitations. Maybe I can try to get to a library nearby for a computer but until I am able to get some replacement it will probably be a tough time trying to post.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714430838487941.jpg","filename":"6D68A8D9-A336-4922-9184-4FDF2A9CD24E.jpg"},"posted":1714430838},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5990336,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990285
>As far as it seems someone was barbecuing indoors or on their deck.
What kind of fucking mongoloid would do this? Someone oughta swipe that grill from them for the safety of everyone involved. I hope you can bounce back soon, just focus on stability first or something.","attachment":null,"posted":1714435061},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5993644,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":"Hey all just a heads up, so I got a place to stay temporarily but the problem remains now that I don't have a computer. I am able to reply like this, but can't really write the kinds of updates typical of the quest so far, to be able to keep it going.
Going to have to work extra to earn what it'll take to replace everything I lost, but even then it could take awhile to get some sort of computer replacement. Will try what I can and update if things change or look to, though!","attachment":null,"posted":1714793523},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5993657,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993644
Sorry to hear about this man, I'd recommend a cheapass rig just to tide you over.","attachment":null,"posted":1714795204},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5993972,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993644
Take it easy OP","attachment":null,"posted":1714832199},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":5995283,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":">>5993657
That's the plan yeah, but until then I suspect the quest will have to remain on hiatus. Which is disappointing because I can still post like this at least, but not at the caliber necessary or deserving for this quest.
Hopefully it won't be so long though, will have to see.
>>5993972
Always easy!","attachment":null,"posted":1714936477},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":6004371,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995283
Just checking in. How are you doing now QM?","attachment":null,"posted":1715682727},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":6005012,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":">>6004371
Still couch surfing, but I think I have a placed lined up for next month at least. The challenge now besides a computer obviously, if trying to figure a work schedule where I can also continue the quest if possible. Hope to be able to but thus far it's been roadblock for sure.
Thanks for the concern though, trying my best to find a way if we can keep going.","attachment":null,"posted":1715724255},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":6005939,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005012
Glad to hear it. You should know that your players are still very much interested.","attachment":null,"posted":1715798160},{"board":"qst","thread":5974637,"pid":6010312,"name":"Channel 5 Action News","msg":">>6005939
Indeed, as am I in continuing. Obviously for the time being things will be on hiatus then, depending on the current trend. But if I can get my living situation stable again in a timely manner, then I think we can continue without trouble.
Ironically in the meantime I could have continued with something, even just by phone-posting, but naturally something simpler in nature. Not as serious as this quest, which warrants a large time investment, lengthy posts and planning. I don't think I would, it's just a shame the way things went and how a different style of quest might have been hindered less.
But oh well, thus far and ideally going forward, this has been an enjoyable quest for me and I hope for players. I say because it's page 10 so the thread will probably drop off the board within a couple days, but I hope of course to continue again as soon as possible!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716152855541022.png","filename":"villainously.png"},"posted":1716152855}]}
+{"title":"Core of Steel- 10 Two against the Empire","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5975459,"name":"CoreQM","msg":"The tides of history have called upon the line of Marik once more to remove an imposter from our country’s throne. I call upon all patriots, at home or abroad, and ask that they rise against the Empress. So with iron and blood, we may reclaim our future from the hands of a mad despot. So that their children, and their children’s children can live in a secure, safe world.
-Jaime Marik, Patriot’s Address
The Ferrum Empire has descended into Civil War. The weapons built to subjugate the world and decisively crush their neighbors are instead turned inwards.
You are one of those weapons. Beta Core, an Artificial Intelligence built to operate the Empire’s most advanced mech frames against their enemies in tandem with a human pilot. Only together with a pilot, can you move the frame, merging the raw processing power and reflexes of an AI with the knowledge and restraint of a human.
This mission, your pilot is a teenager named Sophie.
You, along with your AI sister Delta, currently are operating for the Patriots. Your other sister, Gamma, is presumably operating for the Loyalists, but you are uncertain of her whereabouts.
Prior threads can be found at:
https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Core%20of%20Steel%20Quest
—-----
For a bit more background, General Marik, architect of the Patriots, has swiftly marched his primary forces of Army Group South north to the Empire’s capital of Victoria in an attempt to capture the Empress and end the fighting before Loyalist reinforcements arrive, and before the snowstorm grounding the Imperial Air Arm blows over.
If he fails to do so, his cause is lost before it even begins as functional supply lines, raw numbers, and air power take their toll.
Beta and Sophie were dispatched to eliminate one source of Loyalist reinforcements from the Tsang Tsun Military Academy by killing the leadership there.
Assistance has been granted in the form of Headhunter, a foreign pilot and machine from the until-recently hostile Tamar Alliance, who is on station to provide close support when called for.
A raging blizzard has also aided his task, making stealth protocols more effective than otherwise expected.
Already, you’ve penetrated through multiple defensive patrol routes, and obtained codes from one of those patrols to appear as just another friendly mech.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712873146744890.png","filename":"Duel on the Front.png"},"posted":1712873146},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5975461,"name":"CoreQM","msg":"A stutter is how it starts. A hitch in your link, the seamless flow of commands and affirmation being slacked for 1.23 seconds causing the stride to be delayed just enough to not quite be a misstep.
The ground-eating pace you kept up for the past hour has been marked by such things, characteristic of Sophie’s dwindling stamina. No further military patrols dogged your steps, the plains gave way to civilian habs, and the navigational turn to the east to approach the Academy was executed without problems.
Ensconced safely within her metal cocoon, your pilot consults her bright console. Her eyes squint, tracing patterns on the map.
“Target is the biggest building in the center of the campus. A stadium normally used for sporting events. The roof is undoubtedly closed right now because of the weather, so collapsing it could be an option.”
“Do we have structural plans for the stadium? I request permission to attempt to access the local net and obtain said information.”
“No, and denied. We work with what we have. Ow. Don’t want to trip any silent alarms before we get there.”
You feel her thoughts, her emotions. Her frustration at the lack of briefing mingles with your own disappointment. The fear of failure.
The strain of trying to keep focused for so long is taking its toll.
“Low-sync, pilot?”
“No, no. I’ve got this. Need to see the map to make the calls. Stop trying to coddle me.”
The statement, while not inaccurate, does sidestep the actual problem of faltering sync. Namely, that you need her able to sync later, not now.
“Drop down willingly, pilot, before you black out when actually in combat. It is an unacceptable risk to the mission.”
The frame is pulled to a stop by your will.
“I will verbally brief you, to compensate for your ocular imperfection. Low-sync, pilot. In seven seconds. Six. Five.”
“What? No!”
“Four. Three. Two.”
Reluctantly, she slides down. Out of mid-sync, back to low. You can feel your thoughts slowing, the lighting-fast reactions and ability to transform thoughts into motion no longer being so easy.
It is good to find her being reasonable, now.
“Excellent, pilot.”
Sullen silence is her response. And a muted flash of anger.
“If we engage enemies, I will help pull you back up.”
“I don’t Need your help for that. Just move along, Beta. Stick to the plan.”
Anger fades to disappointment. And a note of acceptance.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712873218888550.jpg","filename":"Beta Sensors.jpg"},"posted":1712873218},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5975464,"name":"CoreQM","msg":"Almost to the Tsang Tsun Military Academy, you’ll need to pick the approach. Beta is positioned directly to the West currently. The layout of the grounds is roughly a large oval.
What was the plan you worked out, again?
Pick Method
>Loud and Fast.
Run in to strike hard, and rely on speed to get out. Simplicity itself.
No rolling for stealth. Probably straight to combat, depending on what enemy forces are there.
>Imposter attempt, Part B
With the IFF codes from Icicle Company, you could continue your masquerade as a different machine, right up until you are in range of a chosen target.
Doesn’t require rolling on Your part. This is different from just trying to be totally undetected.
This is also an ‘unlocked’ option that is available because of what you stole earlier.
>Slow and Silent.
Remaining in stealth, you just need to slip through any active sensors and make it to the point.
Requires rolling, varying degrees of difficulty depending on which target you’re going for initially.
(Sneaking directly to the Stadium’s harder than trying to just knock down some residential buildings, for example)
>The Remote Decision.
You’re calling in Headhunter to hit something first. Then you’ll look at sneaking or charging, or anything else.
Headhunter does some rolling. Maybe loud, maybe quiet.
>Write-in, something else
Pick the first target to go for. The only thing you’re actually requested to strike is the Stadium, but you could make reasons to hit elsewhere for the sake of the mission.
>The Stadium.
It’s what you’re here for. All the Academy leadership is supposed to be attending a social event here.
>The Mech hangars.
Along the Southern edge, normally a full battalion of training mechs are located here. Any response would be coming from this location. Why not hit them first?
>’Zone 6’
A wide section of unlabeled buildings to the West, you’re set to pass by these if you directly went straight towards the stadium at the center.
>Residential buildings.
Mostly to the East, potentially the best target to create a distraction by drawing attention.
>Watterson Observatory
To the North, this is another potential distraction target, in addition to being a hardened target.
>Write-in, something else?
A/N:
Feel free to ask questions. This is supposed to be the ‘how it ideally goes’ plan before you run into opposition or hangups.
If you do decide to just call Headhunter onto the primary target and leave, then I’ll laugh, but it’s an option you do have.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712873385298083.jpg","filename":"Mech and Pilot.jpg"},"posted":1712873385},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5975468,"name":"CoreQM","msg":"Oh, and Character sheet. Combat mechanics posted in the picture.
Stats of Beta
(Stats are without any equipment)
Will- 5
Attack- 3
Defense- 3
Skill- 3
Structure (health)- 11
Sync modifier- 1x, 1.5x, 2x
Refusal to End- Beta cannot take more than 3 structure damage from a single attack.
As One- When assisted by another sibling, 1 auto-success to Will checks per assisting Core in addition to the +50% of the assisting core’s Will.
XH-12 Arcturus Reactor- +1 to Structure, Easy to Maintain (Added into stats already)
Project Burning Eagle- Improved thrusters, built to give limited flight capabilities, but primarily used to assist in pin-point dodging midair and additional mobility on leaps- +1 Defense, flight
Project Yi Accelerators: +1 to defense, first time you would fail a defense roll by 1 point, add an autosuccess.
Project Predator- 2 Auto-successes when engaging in E-War attack and defense. Enables Jamming.
Project Sunburst- Primary laser weapon capable at all ranges. +1 attack at all ranges, 1-3 Damage, dependent on setting.
Pilot Sophie ______
Linking Addict- Will reroll failures to enter or Maintain Sync.
Requiem for a Class- 3 times per thread, switch a dice result to a 6. Use after rolling.
Will- 3
Skill is used for Stealth rolls, along with detection. And is affected by Sync. Will is used for E-War and hacking, and isn't.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712873669884200.png","filename":"Core of Steel Combat Mechanics.png"},"posted":1712873669},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5975492,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"It's good to be back","attachment":null,"posted":1712875773},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5975544,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975464
>Imposter part B
>Go for stadium
Hit em. Wipe em. Fuck off. Best plan","attachment":null,"posted":1712879033},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5975554,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975544
+1
Maybe we also hit the mech hanger on the way out?
I also suggest we save Headhunter for an emergency, such as Sophie passing out","attachment":null,"posted":1712879569},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5975561,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975464
So many potential targets, so few mechs to do it with.
>The Remote Decision
>The Mech hangars
>Imposter attempt, Part B
>The Stadium
I’m assuming the Icicle company mech we’re impersonating is undergoing maintenance in those hangers. If so, we can angle our approach to the starium from the mech bay and Sophie can play the part of a trainee that was in the area when it was attacked and took the mech out to reinforce the VIPs.
If she can feign trouble with communications until someone starts calling us out on it, even better. Lets us get closer before telling them who we are so there’s less excuse to redirect us elsewhere.
Icicle company will be so screwed by the time this is over. There’s going to be Loyalists convinced that someone on their team handed over IFF and other operational information to get this far.
I’m open to alternatives though.","attachment":null,"posted":1712880363},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5975564,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975464
I'd support the Imposter plan, but I feel we're going to get caught early if asked why we're approaching the Stadium. So I ask, which target would put the Stadium between us and the target? Have Headhunter create a distraction at the said target and we'll act like we're responding to the attack (and just happen to pass through the Stadium).","attachment":null,"posted":1712880625},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5975584,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975464
>The Remote Decision
>The Mech hangars
>Imposter attempt, Part B
>The Stadium
Anon has a good plan.","attachment":null,"posted":1712881508},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5975588,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975564
>>5975464
I’d be willing to back this over my own (>>5975561). Same general plan and all.
Along those lines, I’ll formally ask where the mechs in maintenance are being kept so we can pretend we did an emergency deployment.
Maybe Sophie can add some confusion later by stating some ground troops made their way towards the mechs and were taken out, which is why she hopped in and started moving towards their obvious target. Make them either spread out looking for more low-visibility targets that don’t exist or call everyone in giving us an excuse to close in all the way, pop leadership, and jet out before the rest can arrive. We should be faster than anything they have.","attachment":null,"posted":1712881626},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5975604,"name":"CoreQM","msg":">>5975564
Hangars are in the south, Stadium in center, so swinging north and approaching from that direction makes you look like you're heading for....well, the Stadium.
>>5975588
Maintenance is in the Hangars, usually. There's some underground sections in the same area, also, that would show up on the map you received. March out from there, and proceed west for the training ranges.
>>5975464
Also, I just realized how bad the vote formatting looks. No clear definition between vote section 1 and 2. Whoops. A little late to change it at this point, unfortunately.","attachment":null,"posted":1712882719},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5975613,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975604
It's settled then.
>The Remote Decision
>The Mech hangars
>Imposter attempt, Part B
>The Stadium","attachment":null,"posted":1712883344},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5975620,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975604
Guess we have to pick between coming from the hangers to justify why we’re spoofing a mech that’s undergoing maintenance or coming from across the stadium and hoping they don’t think too hard about how we got there. We could also spoof a deployed unit, but same risk that they’ll notice the same friendly being tagged twice eventually.
I’ll lean back towards coming from the hangers. If we lie about troops also being in the area it’d make sense to fall back to stadium. No way would anyone have luck finding them in this weather, so it’s better to hole up around a target they know they’ll be aiming for.
We can also say we’re not in shape to find and fight whatever just hit the mech bays when the troops failed to take it, but we can stomp on troops around the stadium just fine.","attachment":null,"posted":1712883967},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5975862,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975464
>Imposter attempt, Part B
>The Stadium.
Keep up the act. We hit then point blank. They won't know what happened until we long gone.","attachment":null,"posted":1712901408},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5975957,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975464
>The Remote Decision
>The Mech hangars
>Imposter attempt, Part B
>The Stadium","attachment":null,"posted":1712922064},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5975995,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975561
+1
I like this anon’s plan. Keep impersonating Icicle Company as long as we can.","attachment":null,"posted":1712928705},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5976078,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975561
Supporting","attachment":null,"posted":1712938531},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5976236,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975464
>Remote Decision
>Impostor Attempt, part B","attachment":null,"posted":1712957530},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5976398,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"BETA IS IN FIRST PLACE FOR THE TOURNAMENT
LETS!
FUCKING!
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!","attachment":null,"posted":1712974848},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5976497,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975464
supporting >>5975561","attachment":null,"posted":1712984169},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5977016,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976398
Total. Core. Victory
Beta tournament
Beta crown
Beta world","attachment":null,"posted":1713049813},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5977037,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976398
AI CORE SUPREMACY","attachment":null,"posted":1713052030},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5977298,"name":"CoreQM","msg":"Headhunter strikes the mech hangars in the south, delaying any reinforcements possible and sowing chaos while you continue to mimic a Black Knight from Icicle company, pushing for the actual target of the stadium.
The chances of being uncovered and identified before you complete your mission rely on the unreliable and impossible to calculate metric of human interest, but nothing should be out of order. Outside of visual acquisition, that is.
Over the next minutes on the approach, you send a series of transmissions. Carefully timed and curated to appear like random junk data, they should be impossible to decode unless one has the appropriate cipher key and is listening for the correct cues.
Even an AI like you would be annoyed at catching enough worthless junk first. Yet, they convey the new and updated plan of attack to Headhunter. Coordinates of strike point and a timer. To try and fit anything else is unneeded.
The response is a slight flare on thermal sensors, further off than you were expecting. To the west and trailing your path. A brief dropping of whatever thruster baffles conceals their flight capabilities. You assume that is an acknowledgement and affirmation, even without a specific returning comms channel.
Good. It would be aggravating if they undid your careful work of hours maneuvering into position with a single miss-timed broadcast.
The delay does have the extra benefit of giving a mandated rest period to your pilot, ideally giving a respite from the intense focus of Mid-sync.
Her see-sawing on the gamut of mild nervousness to crushing fear isn’t particularly conducive to relaxation, and you still don’t exactly know what you can do to settle her.
Maybe you got too used to the slightly cold, separated connection of Thea’s VNDI implants. Was Sophie always so….unstable?
“Relax, pilot. I have conveyed instructions to Headhunter, and they have received them.”
Calm. Focus. Confidence. All things you try to convey across the tenuous link of low-sync.
“You are safe. We will not know defeat.”
“Easy to say when you can see.”
The retort is half-hearted, and followed by a sigh.
“I am your eyes, pilot. Better than your own sensors could be. For example, I detect three active reactors to the west of the Academy.”
A stop in your own tread tells you more.
“Two Medium or light units. Designate Target One, Two, Three. Two appears to be following One, moving fast on an irregular path. Three is stationary.”
“Towards us? Are…”
“Negative. It is not optimized for a search pattern. Highly inefficient. They are doing irregular stopping and starting movements. Thermal readings detect light laser fire. Moving patrol elements may be engaging undetected targets on the ground when stopped.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713071250869958.jpg","filename":"Machine in Snow.jpg"},"posted":1713071250},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5977299,"name":"CoreQM","msg":"Her pulse slows, breathing becomes more regular as her mind runs through your analysis. And finds flaws.
“In this weather? Really? List off the things you would be unable to detect at this range, that they could be firing at.”
“Infantry. Powered armor units. Non-fusion powered vehicles. Stealth-capable mechs, like Ronin. Headhunter. Civilians. Structures-”
Sophie cuts you off.
“Infantry? In this weather? No, this is an Academy. It’s not a patrol, a training group. Probably. Doing a course under extreme conditions. They’re engaging training targets. Stopping, firing, starting. Match up the movements and tell me if they follow that pattern.”
A full stop and listening to your seismics give you an answer.
She’s right (Mostly), and you tell her as much, causing a surge of smugness and confidence, while she orders you into a detour to give the training machines a healthy amount of space.
Pilot successfully distracted, mood buoyed, and nervousness defused. Slightly.
The path you take is north of the newly designated ‘training area’, still maintaining the profile of the BLKT-09 Black Knight. With all of the slowness, heft of tread, and IFF of the patrolling mech you stole it from. You aren’t hiding, but not trying to draw additional attention, either.
It doesn’t even attract the attention of the training duo, even as they seem to finish their erratic movements and circle to rejoin the third, stationary reactor.
Three then proceeds to follow the same route of the prior mechs. The seismic tremors its steps leave allow you to place it as a heavyweight machine.
Despite being approximately thrice the tonnage of its lighter companions, the progress it makes is not marked by stops or stutters, the mark of an experienced pilot, and the cracks of a railgun rings out in the distance, muffled by snowfall.
That does narrow the potential models it could be down. A fragment of your attention scours the Warbook, the scant information proving not enough to get a positive identification.
An upgraded Dominus, a Legio, a Claymore, any of the three, or others. All perhaps requiring an amount of respect, if well-piloted.
If Headhunter does their attack run from the West, as you would expect them to, this machine could be by happenstance perfectly positioned to get one or two shots on them when they approach or evacuate.
Another problem. Perhaps. You could just trust Headhunter’s inferior machine to hold up to the fire and call them in anyways.
Being shot down would be a fine enough distraction, after all.
Or they could avoid the fire and be perfectly fine.
You're getting into a feedback loop.","attachment":null,"posted":1713071383},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5977312,"name":"CoreQM","msg":"You remain silent, not voicing your concerns to your pilot. Her blindness does let you exploit this chance to make a decision on the problem without orders.
Options:
>Try another coded broadcast to Headhunter, light on details but directing them to attack from another vector
>Try a detailed broadcast. You could use the opportunity to exchange information much more freely, and make a more detailed plan.
You’re just another patrolling machine calling their far-away lance. There should be nothing suspicious. Nothing at all.
>Strike early, strike fast. Close and crush them, resolving the problem in a more direct manner. No changes needed. They won’t even get to scream.
>Do nothing. Stick to your plan. Headhunter will solve the problem themselves. Or not.
>Defer to your pilot. Bring her into the loop.
>Write-in. Something else?
A/N
I am impressed and honored by the performance of Beta on the popularity contest section of the tourney. However, he's also in the awkward middleweight section of 'not OP enough to be a planet-cracking monster', yet way too much for anything shorter than a two-story building. It's a highly amusing power scale problem that only appears in crossovers.
That's also not even touching how questionable a contestant he is when it comes to most non-combat competitions. Flirting? Repeated confusion.
Delta might know more, with the amount of people she ate.
I may have also shelled out to someone for some actual commissioned art, so maybe we'll see where that goes sometime down the line.","attachment":null,"posted":1713072036},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5977317,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977312
>Try another coded broadcast to Headhunter, light on details but directing them to attack from another vector.","attachment":null,"posted":1713072458},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5977324,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977312
>"Flirting competition? 'Flirting' not found in warbook, elaborate."
>"It means saying something nice to make people like you. A lot. Basically."
>"Understood. Contestant xxxxxx, you have a small logistics footprint."
Perfect.","attachment":null,"posted":1713072957},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5977379,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977312
>>Do nothing. Stick to your plan. Headhunter will solve the problem themselves. Or not.","attachment":null,"posted":1713076876},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5977430,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977312
>Try another coded broadcast to Headhunter, light on details but directing them to attack from another vector","attachment":null,"posted":1713085453},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5977446,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977312
>do nothing
He isnt our ally. Not really","attachment":null,"posted":1713088338},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5977506,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977312
>Try another coded broadcast to Headhunter, light on details but directing them to attack from another vector
Help the asset out","attachment":null,"posted":1713098634},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5977591,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977312
>Defer to your pilot. Bring her into the loop.
I’d recommend
>Try another coded broadcast to Headhunter, light on details but directing them to attack from another vector
to her though.
All she’d need is the info on the railgun, the approximate location of the mech (probably in relation to the target area), and an updated timer to with how long we think she’ll need to loop around them or erase them. Up to her to figure out the rest.
She was the pilot who surrendered to us before, she if she gets taken down she may do the same. I’m hesitant to allow the Empire access to any of her information on her mech or our mission here by indirectly allowing her capture.","attachment":null,"posted":1713108312},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5977619,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977312
>Try another coded broadcast to Headhunter, light on details but directing them to attack from another vector","attachment":null,"posted":1713111093},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5977727,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977312
>Try another coded broadcast to Headhunter, light on details but directing them to attack from another vector.
We’re gonna need this guy later.","attachment":null,"posted":1713120615},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5977738,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977312
>>Defer to your pilot. Bring her into the loop.","attachment":null,"posted":1713121510},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5978090,"name":"CoreQM","msg":"Rolled 3, 4, 4, 5 = 16 (4d6)
Dice, roll of 1, second roll of 3.
First for Opfor. Second for Will","attachment":null,"posted":1713153016},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5978098,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978090
Opfor be sleepin' today fr","attachment":null,"posted":1713154519},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5978105,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978090
Well, Opfor didn’t see anything. Aaand Sophie climbed back up herself to see what we just did, or she’s trying to stay in low-sync. She’s the only one with 3 Will that we know of.
I take heart in the fact we haven’t been asked to contest the Will roll.
>>5978098
It is a blizzard out there. I’d be sleeping in too.","attachment":null,"posted":1713155024},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5978172,"name":"CoreQM","msg":"Your processes turn the decision over, and over once more.
The risks are not so great, should you use the same method of broadcasting as you did earlier. At stake, detection would read only as a mistaken approach vector. A different flight plan. Innocuous.
Perhaps you are approaching this from an incorrect perspective.
A set of supposed allies inflicted more damage upon you than full companies of Tamar mechs and men. Dagger squad’s betrayal did give you a painful lesson in trust. Even thinking of the outcome makes you seethe.
Do you want Headhunter to return from this mission intact? If you met a month ago, they would have been an opponent. If orders had not changed, and Thea not changed friendlies into enemies. No, it was up to her commander at the time. Sunray. Kinston. Both?
You made your choice then. For fear of consequences, or self preservation, it matters not. Only the outcome does.
The longer Headhunter remains an effective combatant, the more they can assist your mission, and the greater the chance of success and your survival.
That is worth the risk, you judge. You can dispatch them later.
A shiver ripples through your skin. Does Command, does General Marik, view you that way? View the cores? Waiting until you are no longer effective, then brushing the liabilities away in an erasure of what you are with kill commands, memory wipes, and reprogramming.
No. You have value. You have use. You are needed. The Empire needs you. You Will make your mark in history. You will not be forgotten. Not be replaced.
Besides, to throw away your best weapon would be illogical. Let alone preemptively remove the problem. It would be like….ejecting the Sunburst laser array, because you used it to cut your own leg off. Nonsensical. If its capacitors were overloading, and set to explode, perhaps. But no sooner.
Headhunter is the same. An ally and effective tool, until proven otherwise. It has given no indications of unreliability.
Neither did Blake.
Introspection concluded, you begin the process of encoding and disseminating the data packets.
All while the awkward, stamping tread takes you around the northern edge of the training ground, away from the practicing mechs and into inhabited areas. Roads, snow-covered and hardened. Bereft of movement or tracks. Merely pooling lights from poles, providing a tepid illumination in the snow.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713159733939770.jpg","filename":"Headhunter profile.jpg"},"posted":1713159733},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5978175,"name":"CoreQM","msg":"The danger of detection may be replaced with the danger of identification, but your Predator array still fails to pick up on the panicked traffic of an alarm. Merely unsecured transmissions of worthless things. Random pictures of a mass of people, saluting. Nonsensical messages. Poor-quality shakey videos. Why would they be throwing hats, anyways?
Unchallenged, even still. What a mockery of security.
Full sensor sweep, again. Thermal outputs….seismics…mag-scan…..visuals, poor as they are. Many light vehicles, parked. Idling. The three mechs from earlier. Buildings could block emissions for you to pick up on, and often muddle your mag-scan, but it is still clear that no actively moving machines are close enough to intercept you.
Bare steps from the campus, proper, of the Tsang Tsun Military Academy. And yet nothing.
The timer still ticks away. Closing in on the time of attack. Mere minutes.
Inhale. Exhale. Human actions.
Pilot is in Mid-syncAnd has been
“Beta. If I asked you to stop, would you?”
“Insufficient information. Your wording is very imprecise. Elaborate.”
“To call off this attack.”
“We have our orders. Do you have an appropriate reason to not carry it out?”
You leave off the potentially construed as insulting remarks about timeliness. This current moment could be said as the sixth to last minute possible for such a debate.
“A feeling. That we aren’t getting the whole picture.”
A feeling.
“Do you suspect something is amiss here, Pilot? A delay would-”
“I KNOW! I just, just…”
The trailing off does not inspire great confidence in her fortitude.
“What, pilot?”
Her head shakes.
Pilot problems or not, the time is now.
>Execute.
You head for the Stadium, immediately after Headhunter begins their attacks on the southern hangars.
>Call off.
Very minimal time for subtleties this late. You’ll need to contact Headhunter directly for a delay.
>Write-in. Changes to the plan? Contact Command?
A/N
Had to fix formatting. Whoops.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713159842324799.jpg","filename":"Imagine a Mech walking past this.jpg"},"posted":1713159842},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5978180,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978175
>Give the Order, Pilot. Attack or abort, it is your decision.
>We appear to be crashing a social celebration, theory, their new crop of Pilots has just been promoted. Elimination of leadership and pilots serves the patriots cause by eliminating resistance to Marrik's march.","attachment":null,"posted":1713160461},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5978198,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978180
Support","attachment":null,"posted":1713162018},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5978213,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978175
>Pilot is in Mid-sync
Ohhh, Sophie you sneaky little devil. I’m proud of you and your will; that you’re growing bolder as a person. The problem is just that you’re directing it against us.
>>5978180
>Give the Order, Pilot. Attack or abort, it is your decision. I trust you either way.
+1 to this along with some clarification
We give her, let’s say… 30 seconds to decide. Even if headhunter begins his attack in that time, it’s no biggie. Sophie seems hesitant about killing the students, but no one has any qualms about destroying the mechs in the hangars. So we don’t really need to worry about tell him to delay.
If Sophie is unable to make a decision, then we attribute it to her overworking herself, and continue with the mission as planned.
As a reminder, if the pilot tells us to abort the mission, then we take zero blame and are not at fault. In fact, listening to the pilot is what Kinston -prefers- us to do. What’s more, this wouldn’t count against our perfect record since the mission was called off rather than us failing to complete it.
I’ll say that I’m not against abandoning the mission. There’s two reasons why.
1. Do it for Sophie. She’s asking if we trust her, and part of me wants to affirm that. We’ve worked so hard to build up good relationships with our pilots, so what is this if not another chance to reassure her. Actions speak louder than words after all.
2. More enemy pilots means the patriots are less likely to win. The patriots being less likely to win means that Beta and Delta are more valuable. Being valuable is good for us.
That said, going ahead with the mission isn’t too bad either. Kinston won’t be in a bad mood when we return.
The only thing is that Sophie cannot throw us under the bus and make us take the blame when we return. We also have the memory logs to prove it in case she starts acting irrational. If she asks us to get in trouble instead of her then we say no. It’s fine if we lie for her sake and say that we detected some new variables (that way she called off the mission based on facts rather than “a feeling”), but if Kinston gets mad then it’s not fair if she asks us to pay for her screw up.","attachment":null,"posted":1713163470},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5978245,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978175
Holy shit welcome back, I was wondering where this quest went, also
>>5978180
>supporting.","attachment":null,"posted":1713167741},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5978263,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978175
>>5978180
Support
Still got a job to do. But it's Sophie's call at the end.","attachment":null,"posted":1713170125},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5978289,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978180
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1713174990},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5978344,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"So Sophie knows what we did, and didn’t have any problem with it.
Maybe we actually did better by not deferring to her. It proves we were willing to protect someone else without being ordered. Hardly the first time, but each instance adds up.
>>5978175
Know what, I’ll propose an alternate plan after outlining what I think the big picture is.
Like >>5978180 said, the target seems to be both pilots and leadership. I’d argue the leadership is just a nice bonus honestly, killing the bigwigs won’t stop the pipeline, only slow it. Marik’s timeline likely doesn’t need it slowed, it needs it set back. The “social gathering” the leadership is at was the real target all along.
Kinston mentioned choking on the hypocrisy. Sending the child soldier who lost her whole class to make more enemy pilots like herself would fit the bill.
So, alternate plan idea
>Have Headhunter continue with the attack on the training mechs
>Hijack the gathering with Predator and have Sophie contribute to the event. Ask if she would like to take back some of the memories she gave you to assist with making the human connection to this class.
Sophie can spell out that we had the opportunity to strike them directly. We’re close enough to hijack the graduation after all, and we did take out their mech hanger. They could call in Icicle Company, but it’d only prove there is no choice to spare them. That they’re enemies, and enemies don’t get to choose when they die. Like her class didn’t when State Sec rolled in and massacred them for some political power play her group didn’t even factor into.
Where she goes from there is up to her. She can encourage them to join her side. At least she had enough humanity to spare them, while the Empire wouldn’t. She could encourage them to shift to independents in the war, that Command is screwed up enough on both sides and they should be something better. You’re supposed to encourage graduates to do better than the current generation, right? Even if Sophie is part of that despite probably being younger than this group. And was never told that in her graduation since she never had one. She just went to war.
One of her friends was going to give her a callsign when they graduated. Like some of them no doubt promised each other.
She still doesn’t have one. Only her mech does.
It’s not what the mission called for. But it might accomplish the same thing without costing her soul like Kinston figures it will. It’s the best we can do to protect her from the fallout. And we get the bonus of having thought of it first. “Only a tool for the pilot” my ass Kinston, this is way outside what they intended pilots to use us for and we still find ways to contribute!","attachment":null,"posted":1713185906},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5978375,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978180
support","attachment":null,"posted":1713191656},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5978486,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978175
>Execute
>Do you not remember statesec killing your classmates? This is war. You must kill your enemies assets. Especially when they're nicely grouped together.
There's no reason not to kill these people...","attachment":null,"posted":1713202821},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5978526,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978180
Support","attachment":null,"posted":1713206591},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5979487,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"OH SHIT!
HELP!!!
The guy running the tournament is demanding "some sort of art (MS paint doodles or napkin sketches are fine)" in order to register a valid IP for the voting and participation. See >>5979438
I fucked up the original submission, so even though Beta is a legitimate contestant, I myself do not have a valid IP for the tournament.
Anon's of Core-of-Steel quest, PLEASE, I need your help in getting fanart of Beta + MERRYGATE","attachment":null,"posted":1713324129},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5979693,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979487
Just click "Draw" down at the bottom of the window and make something awful. Then say it was Sophie trying to draw Beta with her ruined eyesight.","attachment":null,"posted":1713347212},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5979797,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979487
I have negative art skills so I can’t assist. There’s always the /qag/ thread to ask around in. Something where MERRYGATE has just finished an introduction to biology and is about to start on how to use general knowledge of it to tailor chemical weapons?
You can request terrible AI art of them and say Delta or the Empire submitted it. The worse it is while still capturing the idea it involves Beta and MERRYGATE, the better.","attachment":null,"posted":1713367578},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5980972,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979487
Merrygate? Isn't that ObserverQM's thing? Wait I wonder if Solstice Quest has started up again","attachment":null,"posted":1713488838},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5980994,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5980972
Yep, she's from Retaliation Quest by ObserverQM.
The tournament is having the different contestants interact, and I'm excited to see Beta talk with her since she is also an AI like him.
Actually, while we're on the topic, I'd appreciate some input from CoreQM. How do YOU think Beta would feel upon meeting her? I ask because I don't have much material to use as reference. We the players never personally saw the three siblings bond, it's only been talked about after the fact. The other situation was with Athena, but she was a dumb-dumb AI, so Beta didn't have a legitimate conversation with her.
IRL I ship it, but in-character I've got no clue how Beta would act.","attachment":null,"posted":1713490421},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5981007,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980994
I suppose the best analogy we could posit in the thread would be if we met a Tamar Core that we knew wasn’t based on Anohkin’s work. Similar enough to understand, but clearly not part of our immediate family.
I’d be willing to treat this theoretical Core as a relative to start. Worthy of immediate acknowledgment in a way that humans have to work with us for a long while to earn, but we’d need to learn more about them before we’d consider them close enough to trigger the effects of (and general protectiveness implied by) As One.","attachment":null,"posted":1713492055},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5981131,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980994
I know what Retaliation Quest is, namefag, I've been on every fucking thread of it.","attachment":null,"posted":1713503448},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5981136,"name":"CoreQM","msg":"Rolled 4, 2, 2 = 8 (3d6)
“Theory: We appear to be interrupting a social celebration involving a promotion ceremony of pilots. This should serve a double purpose for the Patriot cause, to decapitate leadership and eliminate pilots before they can be fielded.”
Reasoning, so clear and logical, provided by the machine. If she goes forwards now, there is no turning back. A traitor by both word and action.
“Give the order, Pilot. Attack or abort, it is your decision.”
Is…Is what she’s doing here wrong? She wishes the world would stop, turn back time to when the Empire’s enemies were simply on the other side of the border, when things were clear and certain.
Wishful thinking. Not even her better half could perform such a miracle.
Perhaps just reach out, talk the leadership she was going to murder into sitting this civil war out. Fulfill the mission another way. Following the letter of her orders.
But the time for planning such a thing would have been hours ago. To stop, to reach out for an uncertain chance.
That would have shown up on logs, on records. Far too much of a gap to explain away. She would never pilot again if that came to light. Never sync again.
So at the bottom of the slope, the end of the rolling snowball of choices, Sophie makes her decision.
“There is no decision. Engage and destroy.”
Her senses expand, limbs become ensheathed in steel. Focus reaching out to every point of the frame. The numbness, the aches, the frailty of flesh vanishing. The world is slowing again, every moment a new possibility opening up.
Her timer counts off the last seconds.
And the slight sense of resignation is swept away by euphoria.","attachment":null,"posted":1713503865},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5981138,"name":"CoreQM","msg":"The first sign you see of Headhunter’s assault beginning is an alarm raised.
The second sign is the thermal plume of an explosion. Something large. Ammunition dump? Fuel bunker? It fades too quick to be a runaway fusion reactor.
Your cue. Sophie lends her voice to the confusion.
“Patrol, Icicle One responding to unknown explosions in the south.”
Obviously fake, but gives you a vague reason to be moving directly through the campus to your target.
Moving now, every second counts. Ready-five pilots would be racing to their machines if they weren’t already there, leaping into cockpits and powering on weapons.
Target in sight. Line up primary weapon.
A massive building, large enough to walk a mech into if desired. A monument to structural engineering, covered by a wide dome, slanted to allow snow to slide off under the current chilling conditions. Vulnerable.
Collapse the building, kill all those inside.
Sunburst finally spins to life, a blue-white beam spraying thermal energy into the outside edge of the wide dome. Metal twists and flexes, melting under a long burn. Slowly. Too slowly.
Switch to short-range, high power mode, and aim at another section. Perhaps the Sunburst isn’t an ideal weapon for this task.
The groan of the strut is audible, crying out, before transforming into the snapping crunch of a single support failing.
There is a faster way to accomplish this.
Thrusters catapult you up above, before letting gravity take hold to send your full weight down on the roof. The effect is immediate and dramatic, the remaining roof collapsing in its entirety, sparks flying and lights winking out.
A brief scramble to keep your feet in the falling metal is a challenge, but a manageable one.
The cloud of dust raised by the demolition is still falling while you engage in further destruction, one arm swiping back and forth from the inside to tear ferrocrete chunks out of the interior.
Sensors confirm the building was occupied by many people.
Dust and debris settle.
From the end of the timer to the destruction of the target, 62.2 seconds. You should have just opened with the physical strike.
Either way, mission accomplished. Targets eliminated?
Sensors sweep over the rubble.
Heat from the interior escapes through the vanished roof, appearing oddly on your thermal sensors.
There are many unmoving bodies, cooling swiftly. Ones that do move brighten briefly under Sunburst’s attention, before becoming unrecognizable in milliseconds.
Targets eliminated.
Your minds turn to extraction.
Legs propel you back out of the ruined stadium, over the edge and out.
Eyes look south, to the flashes of Headhunter’s explosions winking in the storm.
Reactors are powering on, the inevitable response. One. Two. Three. Four. Five.
Then to the west, to the training grounds, where already online mechs scramble to aid.
To the north, free and clear, yet completely the wrong direction.
And to the east, unknown yet seemingly clear.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713503975013627.jpg","filename":"Stick a mech on the roof.jpg"},"posted":1713503975},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5981139,"name":"CoreQM","msg":"Voting
>You will go North to lie low and then evade before making your way back to base
>You will strike South, helping Headhunter disengage and destroying the enemy ‘response force’
>You will go West, bluffing your way back past the now-distracted training mechs and retracing your steps
>You will go East, heading through new, unknown enemy territory.
>Write-in.
A/N:
Another unknown AI? Probably initial paranoia and caution, attempting to ascertain if they are likely to eliminate Beta. If they are friendly and not pathetically weak, then an exchange of ideas and data is in order.
Also here's the one precious piece of fanart I have someone drew back with Dagger Squad.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713504254588661.png","filename":"Treasure.png"},"posted":1713504254},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5981196,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981139
>You will strike South, helping Headhunter disengage and destroying the enemy ‘response force’
I want him around in case Sophie passes out
>>5981131
Chill tf out. It's not about whether you've been on that quest or not, I'm saying the name because there are other anons in the thread who might be curious.
And the only reason I had a tripcode is because I left it on by accident after posting stuff for the tournament.","attachment":null,"posted":1713509697},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5981199,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981139
>You will strike South, helping Headhunter disengage and destroying the enemy ‘response force’","attachment":null,"posted":1713509868},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5981235,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981139
>You will go North to lie low and then evade before making your way back to base
Flyboy should be fast enough to just vroom out of there.","attachment":null,"posted":1713512607},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5981279,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981139
>>You will strike South, helping Headhunter disengage and destroying the enemy ‘response force’","attachment":null,"posted":1713517730},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5981318,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981139
>You will strike South, helping Headhunter disengage and destroying the enemy ‘response force’
>>5981136
>>5981138
>Is what she’s doing here wrong?
Yes but this is war. The moment you get into the fucking robot Sophie, you are already damned.
>Perhaps the Sunburst isn’t an ideal weapon for this task.
We still picked it because we're up against other mechs. A missile strike would have been bloodier but cooler
CoreQM, when will everybody including Beta wake up to the pilot being addicted to linking?","attachment":null,"posted":1713528766},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5981321,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981318
>A missile strike would have been bloodier but cooler
We need to find a new supply of G42, would have made things much faster","attachment":null,"posted":1713529473},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5981326,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981139
>You will strike South, helping Headhunter disengage and destroying the enemy ‘response force’
Well, I tried to give you an alternative Sophie. Whether you’d have taken or not would have been another question.
No one will question us running towards an attacker, and it’d be nice to get some performance info on Headhunter.","attachment":null,"posted":1713531018},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5981338,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981139
>You will strike South, helping Headhunter disengage and destroying the enemy ‘response force’.
>>5981318
I think Kinston already knows. He reviewed the footage of the ace gank in thread 5 and saw Sophie nodding off during high-sync.
To be fair to Sophie, how could you not get hooked on being a ten meter tall death machine that thinks at three times human speed? I feel sorry for Gamma’s pilot that the best they can manage is a measly 1.5.","attachment":null,"posted":1713532693},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5981353,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981338
Do you think Kinston will ever confront Sophie and Beta on it?
Do you think Thea will ever find out or get addicted herself?","attachment":null,"posted":1713535106},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5981386,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981353
Nah, Thea’s too tough.
Sophie got hooked on linking because we damaged her brain, and she’s an impressionable teenager.
I’ll answer the Kinston question with another question: Why did he send a blind girl with known neurological damage and easily observable personality disorders into combat?
Kinston makes a show about giving a shit but he knows that Beta is his only route to survival. Sophie’s just a pawn he can sacrifice to make it happen.","attachment":null,"posted":1713539492},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5981412,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981338
He definitely knows. He desperately wants her to back out, but he can't ask her to because he knows how badly the war needs her.
>>5981139
>You will go West, bluffing your way back past the now-distracted training mechs and retracing your steps
Known terrain and the entire point of headhunter's attack was to draw attention away from us. Kind of defeating the purpose if we go toward it.
Bonus points if we can smash the training mechs and pilots along the way.","attachment":null,"posted":1713542547},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5981523,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5981353
If he blames/confronts Beta about it then Kinston can go f himself. We have more of a right to be angry than he does.
Nobody told us that linking can have these side affects. Ffs, Beta probably doesn't even know or understand what addiction even means.
Once again, information being withheld from him is causing problems that he is now having to deal with.","attachment":null,"posted":1713552255},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5981665,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981139
>You will go North to lie low and then evade before making your way back to base","attachment":null,"posted":1713568114},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5981879,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981139
>You will go West, bluffing your way back past the now-distracted training mechs and retracing your steps","attachment":null,"posted":1713585163},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5984577,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981139
Are you OK OP?","attachment":null,"posted":1713844314},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5985337,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984577
I think OP said he’s in engineering college.
Which means he’s currently having his nuts crushed to a fine paste by finals.
If that’s the case, good luck and Godspeed OP!","attachment":null,"posted":1713917444},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5985805,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985337
I don’t remember my engineering finals ever being too bad, but I’m one of those weird people who liked exams since I remembered material taught in classes well. I was less equipped to study in college compared to others once I hit Junior and Senior years, but I still did better on finals than my class grades would normally suggest.
Find either a quiet place or a group of people in your major that you can study with, crack open the relevant books, and sample problems in sections that you know you were weak in. Build a vocab list if you’re iffy on some and there’s been questions in past tests on it. Grind your way through one or two problems you’re confident in just to prove you’re right, then move on to different material.
If the class is one where you’re given an equation sheet, even better. Learn what each variable stands for and what it looks like in a written problem. Everything after that is plug-and-chug that needs no further study. You only need to work problems where those equations have special criteria to be valid so you can remember and recognize the rules.
If the class is organic chem, get the crying out of the way early. Then buckle down and prepare to work a lot of problems since there a lot of rules to confirm. Save the ones you’re confident in for the end (unless they’re fundamental to later problems you aren’t sure of) to prove you didn’t jar the process to solve them loose while working the others.
This has been General Exam Tips, brought to you by Anon.","attachment":null,"posted":1713962282},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5986644,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984577
It's so over","attachment":null,"posted":1714064754},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5986790,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986644
We're not even back yet, bros...","attachment":null,"posted":1714081036},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5986990,"name":"CoreQM","msg":">You will strike South, helping Headhunter disengage and destroying the enemy ‘response force’
A thought bubbles through your link.
It is strange to see so many mechs ready and waiting for an attack. Five is too many. One, two, perhaps would be expected, especially with the three training counting as a ‘fast response unit’.
Was it your fault? A mistake, perhaps?
Or coincidence. Either way, Headhunter may need assistance.
Leaving the rubble in your wake, you run south towards the first of the signatures.
While preparing to work on intercepting and decoding the flurry of transmissions soon to pass through the air, naturally. What kind of second-rate Core would you be if you couldn’t multitask?
Jamming to block everything wouldn’t slow any further external response much. Landlines or a more powerful transmitter that can punch through your Predator would be somewhere around the Academy, already calling for aid.
It would be more useful to leave the lines open and passively gather intel.
Or it could be a chaotic jumble of screaming junk data and spitting garbage.
So someone else decided to open up jamming at that point in time. Well, it wasn’t like you and Headhunter were communicating much, anyways.
Accelerate to maximum ground speed. Stay on target, the nearest reactor signature. It is only thermals which guide you, magscan melding the machine with the hangar it stands outside, while seismics are worthless while your own tread shakes the ground.
A pair of blue flashes through the storm reveal its armament. Laser-based, aiming at the sky.
Away from you, on the other side of the hangar buildings.
All you need to do is round the corner of the hangar, strike physically to ground them, and apply Sunburst on its close-range profile until their reactor is breached and shuts down. Or explodes.
Planning over.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714104055182399.png","filename":"Needs more snow.png"},"posted":1714104055},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5986993,"name":"CoreQM","msg":"Wait for the lasers to flash once more, then go.
Half a heartbeat passes before you Move, passing around the corner and visually identifying your target as a drab green Crab medium walker. Its primary armament on a cooling cycle, 7.3 seconds pass with you closing the gap and delivering a crushing punch to send it reeling forwards, then targeting the thinner rear armor with a pulse pays dividends in another thermal spike from breached engine.
Struck so suddenly, in quick succession, maybe a truly elite pilot could have caught themselves, turned, and at least taken a single shot at you.
Instead it flops down in front of you, face-first fall broken by the protruding snout of the machine, heat skyrocketing and engine spinning down.
You give it one more burst of blue photons in the center mass to ensure it will never stand again, and turn your attention to surroundings, and the remaining four active defenders.
One reactor spikes and fades to nothing with a crack-crack of explosions.
Three, then.
Headhunter flashily reveals their position, rising back into the sky on an obvious thermal plume.
Having discarded whatever thruster shrouding they use for stealth, tracers, lasers, and missiles follow.
Giving easier tracking and targeting to the sources.
Not that you needed it. Much.
A trainer mech, half your height, lofts missile after missile into the sky before you cut through the spindly left leg with an extended burn, leaving it to topple and helplessly squirm on the ground.
Too easy.
The show-off’s evasive ovals in the sky turns into a dive on a different reactor, before that winks out.
One last machine.
You race for it, ground speed comparing not so favorably to their airspeed, but they have a greater distance to travel.
The hapless victim gets the chance to fire off several rounds and lasers into the sky before you close to visual range, identify it as a green painted Shadowhawk, and pepper with repeated laser strikes.
It swivels to face you, returning the favor with its own weaponry, flailing about with its own myriad of mismatched weapons.
A roar of thrusters, a loud ker-chunk, and Headhunter makes your distraction fatal, taking it in the back with its queer melee spike weapon, then letting it go limp and collapse to the ground.
Like a puppet with severed strings.
Exhale.
Your pilot shakes her head, a spike of pain translating across the link.
Manageable. Nothing to worry about. Determination and steadfastness replace it swiftly.
Eyes lock on your ‘ally’, while they start walking towards you, at a much slower pace.
Grounded, they’re far more ungainly than you. Clearly it is a machine that happens to have ground movement as an afterthought. Vulnerable when grounded.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714104121622737.jpg","filename":"Headhunter Assault.jpg"},"posted":1714104121},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5986994,"name":"CoreQM","msg":"When closed to a range where audio communication is possible, they gesture about with an arm, harsh tone filtering through the speakers.
“Mission complete? Lost track of you for a while. Hostile jamming doesn’t make it any easier, either.”
Your pilot gives her affirmation, voice wavering slightly.
“Comp- Complete. Just to extract, now.”
“Fine. I’ll shadow you out, just as before, after finishing putting a few more of these hangars to rubble.”
>I need 4 rolls of 1d6, for Skill
Detection
AN:
Overly optimistic update schedules and CoreQM, name a more iconic combination.","attachment":null,"posted":1714104246},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5986995,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986994
We love you CoreQM, please don't die or get cancer OK?","attachment":null,"posted":1714104305},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5987006,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 5 (1d6)
>>5986994
rolling","attachment":null,"posted":1714105162},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5987008,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 6 (1d6)
>>5986994","attachment":null,"posted":1714105556},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5987015,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 5 (1d6)
>>5986994","attachment":null,"posted":1714107206},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5987018,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d6)
>>5986994","attachment":null,"posted":1714107472},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5987019,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d6)
>>5986994","attachment":null,"posted":1714107478},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5987031,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5986644
We're back","attachment":null,"posted":1714109961},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5987226,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 5 (1d6)
>>5986994
Rolling","attachment":null,"posted":1714147766},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5990105,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Something to consider with Sophie as we work our way back - should we try using EWAR on Headhunter to see how it operates? Performance logs for the thrusters and weapons would be good to have.
If there’s something in them that indicates a vast improvement over Patriot tech then Command could try for a tech exchange. Better thrusters for better cyber defense, for example. But what they do with the information really isn’t a concern for me.","attachment":null,"posted":1714410608},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5992301,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990105
Probably not the best idea to snoop around in his stuff especially since our alliance is only an "enemy of my enemy is my friend" kind of deal. Headhunter might not even be qualified to make the call to allow it if we ask him for permission.","attachment":null,"posted":1714664421},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5992508,"name":"CoreQM","msg":"Signals are still a mess. Incomprehensible static and junk data, just as you would want it for this surprise attack.
Sweeping with other senors gives you three more incoming from the west. Seismics inform you as one heavy, two lights. The training group, returning too late. Easily accounted for.
But one thing is amiss.
A hole in the storm, in visual range. A spot just above the remains of the Crab. The snow passes around it, not through.
“Beta. South, at best speed. Top speed. As fast as we go. I think…I think I’m losing sync.”
Concern colors her tone.
She doesn’t see it.
Sunburst comes up, aiming at the hole. Blue beams ripple and flash, a crack sending the cloaked drone to the ground.
“Pilot. We have a watcher.”
Now that you know what their signs are, it should be more plausible to detect it.
“We got it, so no more, right? Right?”
You recognize the model, built to be used in a network, upgraded slightly, with some sort of optical camouflage. Where there was one, there will be more.
“Identified as a Hive drone. Much as the one we Cores used back in the simulators.”
The foreign jamming at least is being an ally, preventing it from sending back information. For now.
You are nervous. No, your pilot is afraid, and it is infecting you. Altering your judgment. Deep behind enemy lines, with only this untrustworthy lesser machine as backup. Which takes to the air again, rising on a pillar of fire before its baffles activate to conceal its flight.
“Do you…Want to find her? Gamma?”
Sophie voices your thoughts.
She’s operating the Hive system. Somewhere. It has to be her.
Voting.
>Yes. Time to detour, to find her. At least to send a message. Something.
Change mission to finding Gamma, for a message or to subdue.
>No, you have your mission. Every minute you delay brings rising risks. You’ll see Gamma another day.
Focus on extracting safely.
>Write-in. Something else.
AN
Yes, I am being pulped by finals. No, you haven't tried to hack Headhunter yet.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714686800751781.jpg","filename":"Hive Drone mk1.jpg"},"posted":1714686800},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5992521,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992508
Good luck on finals QM!
As for the vote:
>No, you have your mission. Every minute you delay brings rising risks. You’ll see Gamma another day.
That plus a bit of the write-in. I say that we also leave Gamma a message on the ground as we depart. Something short and simple like “Me and Delta are okay. We miss you. See you soon.”
I know that we can’t send it via a transmission since the first option explicitly says that we’d have to detour in order to do that, but we could just use the laser to write something in the ground for her drones to see after we’ve left.
The only reason I’m saying that we leave is because it’s too risky to stay. Sophie burned herself out and the alarm has been raised. Even with Headhunter the odds look like we’ll be captured or destroyed before anything meaningful is accomplished. We just have to keep biding our time until an opportunity to free her arises.","attachment":null,"posted":1714687669},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5992525,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992508
>No, you have your mission. Every minute you delay brings rising risks. You’ll see Gamma another day.
Let’s tally this up:
-end of long mission
-exhausted/wounded pilot
-outnumbered
-being watched
-probably another Core in vicinity
Conclusion: picrel
Good luck on the finals QM! As someone who went through engineering finals, you have my sympathy.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714688164557199.jpg","filename":"A17BF7B8-A124-4AEF-B9F2-CAA4A56D898B.jpg"},"posted":1714688164},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5992529,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992521
Supporting this","attachment":null,"posted":1714688571},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5992537,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992508
>Write-in. Something else.
Can we try to hack one of the hive drones and leave an encrypted message to Gamma?","attachment":null,"posted":1714689796},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5992538,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992537
But otherwise:
>No, you have your mission. Every minute you delay brings rising risks. You’ll see Gamma another day.","attachment":null,"posted":1714689861},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5992539,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992508
backing >>5992521 if possible, otherwise just normally
>No, you have your mission. Every minute you delay brings rising risks. You’ll see Gamma another day.","attachment":null,"posted":1714689931},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5992548,"name":"CoreQM","msg":">>5992537
That would entail stalling/entering a search pattern to find another drone. The first one spotted is scrapped, and there's some sort of foreign jamming which is blocking the usual method of just fire up the Predator and find/hack their signal.
Then again, maybe those drones are looking for you. Perhaps there's more in the immediate vicinity.","attachment":null,"posted":1714690529},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5992561,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992508
>>No, you have your mission. Every minute you delay brings rising risks. You’ll see Gamma another day.","attachment":null,"posted":1714691140},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5992569,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992508
The answer to “do we want to find Gamma” is always yes. The correct question is how we balance it against other risks and demands.
If Gamma is deployed we have to assume she isn’t on our side. She’ll have a leash and a pilot, presumably loyal to the Empire. So it’ll be a fight to remove the pilot and capture her.
Sophie is flagging, while Gamma would have been in low-sync the whole time. We’re better than Gamma, but they can wear Sophie out. A reason for her to have stayed in low-sync more often. Too late now.
We do have an ally, and she’s not a bad one as far as we’re aware. Cutting-edge Tamar tech, with the blizzard cloaking the thrusters. No seismics to give it away, so it may be cloaked better than we are. The pilot has also seen us in action before as an enemy, so she would know not to fuck around against Gamma.
I’d say, in order
>Attempt to bring the drone with you. Long enough to escape the mechs, end the jamming, and leave a message in it
If the drone is now too damaged for that then
>Comm your ally. Ask her if she will assist with finding your sister. It is beyond the mission scope, but you both spared this pilot and her ally before. Perhaps it is enough.
We’re stuck in a blizzard, and that limits the enemy’s ability to follow. If she’ll stick around, we could find light cover, let Sophie leave sync completely, and have Headhunter scout. If she keeps popping drones she’ll eventually force Gamma to start searching herself and can comm us so we can sweep in.
If she’s unwilling to take that risk then that leaves
>No, you have your mission. Every minute you delay brings rising risks. You’ll see Gamma another day.
as the only option. Win or lose, we know we would be reunited with Gamma. The Empire would seek to use us against the Patriots because they see us as a tool, and a tool doesn’t care for its master. The same protection doesn’t extend to Sophie. Not unless they can leash her as they do us, and I consider that an unacceptable trade-off. We have to win, and the odds aren’t good enough for it without rest for Sophie.","attachment":null,"posted":1714692631},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5992581,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992569
Oooohhh, you gave me an interesting idea.
Maybe we could try to take the damaged drone with us back to base for the techies to study it.
That might give us an advantage the next time we encounter Gamma.","attachment":null,"posted":1714693938},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5992587,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992581
If we’re heading back then definitely. No sense not carrying a piece of enemy tech with us. And there’s a non-zero chance a message from Gamma can be extracted from it. We’re not the only one who can leave them hidden around.
Unrelated, I wonder if Gamma’s pilot is from the academy here? Her pilot when we fought her was unavailable after deployment and is now with us, and all of the Empire’s data on our field performance is with a teenager. Maybe they figured not to mess with a winning formula and gave Gamma the same type of pilot.","attachment":null,"posted":1714694567},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5992588,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"I strongly suspect we lost an opportunity here. We could have turned several officers and pilots to the patriot side, but with them all dead it's going to harden enmity.","attachment":null,"posted":1714694725},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5992597,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992588
You could have voted with me earlier to offer an alternative. Like with Sophie spending most of the mission in mid-sync, it’s too late to change now.","attachment":null,"posted":1714695372},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5992705,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992588
>>5992597
We'd have just gotten shot. Or the would-be-defectors. You think there aren't loyalty officers out the wazoo in their training grounds? Especially now with an open rebellion happening? It's wishful thinking, methinks.","attachment":null,"posted":1714704724},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5992720,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992705
What's more, Sophie would have gotten in big trouble, meanwhile Beta is on thin ice as it is.","attachment":null,"posted":1714705541},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5992793,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992508
>No, you have your mission. Every minute you delay brings rising risks. You’ll see Gamma another day.
> Use Sunbeam to mark the Beta, Gamma, and Gamma symbols onto a surface. Just to let her know we're all still alive.
Should only take a second. Pity the sunbeam isn't fine enough to inscribe binary data at a quick rate.","attachment":null,"posted":1714711584},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5992840,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992508
>>5992793
>supporting","attachment":null,"posted":1714718441},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5993502,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992793
Supporting","attachment":null,"posted":1714782927},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5993742,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992508
>>No, you have your mission. Every minute you delay brings rising risks. You’ll see Gamma another day.
Supporting the idea to itch Beta, Delta, Gamma in a way that makes her understand we recovered our other sister;","attachment":null,"posted":1714809934},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5996542,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992793
>>5992508
>support","attachment":null,"posted":1715040784},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5997578,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992793
I mean… is Sunbeam *not* capable of engraving binary data?
It’s got a pulse mode. How easy is it for Beta to control? Can we control the pulse tick rate? It’s obviously powerful enough to etch a surface if it can melt straight through tank armor.","attachment":null,"posted":1715125404},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":5999478,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997578
Even a rocket launcher can engrave binary if you have a big enough rock, but lasers made for war are rarely made for surgical precision cuts. I'm hesitant to assume anything smaller than a finger in width.","attachment":null,"posted":1715270535},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6000090,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">no posts in a week
It's so over","attachment":null,"posted":1715310924},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6000347,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000090
Ya boy’s going through finals right now.
Give the guy a break.","attachment":null,"posted":1715347233},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6000574,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000347
Oh, I already finished with my final exams last week, so I assumed other schools were on the same schedule
I forgot that not everyone is done by May 5th","attachment":null,"posted":1715367067},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6005426,"name":"CoreQM","msg":"Beta, Gamma, Delta. A swift etching of three symbols into the concrete of the bays with Sunburst. A line linking the Delta and Beta.
You toy with the settings a bit, adjusting the pulse rate up and down.
On. Off. On. Off. High-power. Low-power.
Start. Small and large marks. You could make something to be left here. A way to send a message. Coordinates, perhaps. A channel and time? Something else?
“But we need to move, Beta.”
Your pilot reminds you of the sudden pressure of time.
If you can’t delay trying to actively search for Gamma, delaying to write something isn’t exactly much better. It would be intercepted by anyone to look upon it, also. Useless.
Either way, it would end with you being swarmed by ‘Loyalist’ units responding, so say nothing about the possibility of them just endlessly calling in more and more mechs.
But maybe….The aces of the Empire, arriving to test themselves against you. One way to Prove once and for all, you are the best. To be forever etched in history.
A hacking cough from inside forces a small modification to that. Well, the two of you. In history.
So tempting.
Well, Headhunter is above. So it would be three. Would that still count as an appropriate feat?
Your offhand gathers up the smoldering remains of the Hive drone. It’s probably mostly scrap, but the lingering hope of a lead to contact Gamma through it remains.
Time to return to base through enemy lines. Easy.
>Dice. I need 4 rolls of 1d6, for Skill, then 3 rolls of 1d6, for Pilot’s Will.
AN:
Finals are over. And this thread's about to slide to the bottom of the board. Well, time to head for the finish line of a stopping point","attachment":null,"posted":1715748678},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6005427,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 2 (1d6)
>>6005426","attachment":null,"posted":1715748805},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6005428,"name":"CoreQM","msg":"Rolled 2, 6, 5, 2, 1, 3, 4 = 23 (7d6)
Interlude: From the Memory Banks.
“Do you feel accomplished, Doctor?”
“It passes all the tests we set for it. Every benchmark, surpassed. Every goal, reached.”
“This AI, this….”
“Core, we call it an AI Core.”
“Core you developed. Yes. How do you actually get it to function in a useful manner?”
“We have added a sophisticated control system of checks and balances to stimulate growth and manage its future development. Most importantly, several sets of imperatives to ensure it continues to --ERROR DATA NOT FOUND--”
“So with all of these carefully moderated stimuli and leashes put in place, why has it stalled out now?”
“Well, we’re having trouble keeping it interested and motivated in the tasks at hand. Wiping its memory banks and having it repeatedly approach tests as if it is the first time does seem to solve the problem, but it is rather detrimental to that same growth we want to promote.”
“Your supercomputer is getting…Bored?”
“Not exactly, the-”
“A human problem. I have another Project in the pipeline right now which might be able to solve that. Give it a more human perspective.”
“Interesting. Tell me more.”
------
Also a short few Interludes as an apology for being gone so long.","attachment":null,"posted":1715748844},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6005433,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d6)
>>6005426
I shall call this roll, FIVE","attachment":null,"posted":1715749197},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6005436,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 6 (1d6)
>>6005426","attachment":null,"posted":1715749241},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6005502,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 2 (1d6)
>>6005426","attachment":null,"posted":1715758528},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6005518,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d6)
","attachment":null,"posted":1715760819},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6005575,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 4 (1d6)
>>6005426","attachment":null,"posted":1715767094},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6005682,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005426
>>6005428
We’re back","attachment":null,"posted":1715776034},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6005719,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 3 (1d6)
>>6005426
Last one.","attachment":null,"posted":1715780333},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6007089,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"If no one else will comment on it:
>>6005428
I had wondered earlier if our project took a “shortcut” by making Cores out of human imprints. We had a Sophie ghost for a while after our first high-sync, and syncing in general seems like a step too far for a human/machine pair unless one of them had a firm foot in how the other thinks. Basing the machine’s thought processes off a human’s mind would greatly help.
This seems to suggest that. That a Core is actually a two-part project, one part Core (the supercomputer) and another part human-adapted. Take the thought processes of a human that’s been strapped into a sync system to read how they think and map that result onto a Core, then see how it adapts. I’d assume most conversions fail, but a select few succeeded at harnessing the Core to serve as a replacement brain. Beta and his sisters/brother(?)
Echo may have been a different “map” than we were, one that couldn’t grow itself in the Angels because they weren’t also Cores. A certain level of computational power being required to sustain the independent growth of the human mind-map makes sense. It’d also explain how Brighton could be correct about not having the resources for another Core, but could still make Echo powerful enough to fight Delta. Beta and his sisters aren’t Cores, they’re the mental maps of a person that could adapt to using a Core to sustain themselves. Echo is another one of those, and the prerequisite for that would be to have mental map of a new person that can survive adapting to a Core. Fortunately for Brighton, she DID have those.
Kinda weird that they had a whole cadre of pilots of Sophie’s age training to be part of the program, right? Child soldiers don’t seem like the best fit to be piloting experimental AIs. But as a source of mental maps of young people at a time of adapting brain chemistry? They’d have a better chance of becoming the new AIs. Even better than the old ones since they’ll have trained with first-gen AIs so their mental maps are already conditioned to work with Cores indirectly. The relative youth may have also been expected to make them more pliable than the experienced pilots we were likely based on.
Mix them in with some old-guard pilots to actually fight in the war and you have both the present and future of Project Warden secured.
Sophie has already shown how she’s adapted to how a Core operates since she lost her sight. If anything I’ve said tracks, it means Echo was likely a copy of Sophie. Brighton had her sync data, and she’s proven tenacious enough to survive as our pilot. She’d be a perfect candidate to graft onto a Core.","attachment":null,"posted":1715892785},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6007120,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007089
Loyal, eager to please, cooperative? Yet also tenacious in pursuit of that? Yeah, that would track.
Hell, is our original pilot Mort? Or are we Mort?","attachment":null,"posted":1715895880},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6007125,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007089
An alternative - the other Project mentioned IS the sync system we currently use. Alpha was the first successful instance of a human using the sync system to properly harness a Core and motivate it to continue functioning, largely by supplanting the Core’s AI and using it directly. A Cawl scenario, if you will.
Beta and the others are then second-gen Cores that attempted to map humans directly as the Core AI using data gathered from Alpha and other unsuccessful test pilots of its generation, and much of the original person is lost since people don’t really understand how this Core/human interaction works. They’re just copying the homework as best they can and seeing what sticks well enough to be useful. It’s why the sync system is still in place to motivate/salvage Cores that might stall out due to insufficient self-motivation to excel or self-destruct due to unpredictable behavior carried over from the human aspect, and why they can’t do things like instill loyalty in us. They don’t choose what sticks and what doesn’t.
Third-gen would be after enough iterations of human-Core analysis through the sync system that the pilot is no longer needed as the Core is sufficiently human to self-sustain and the Core-based safeguards are enough to control it. That’d be the theory, anyway.
A sync project would probably be trying to make more responsive pilots by increasing feedback between them and the lesser AIs that currently exist. It really shines with power of a Core behind it though, so much so that it seems to alter the pilots themselves.","attachment":null,"posted":1715896314},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6007225,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007120
Seems too convenient, but that’d be funny. He was ghosted not because of disloyalty, but because he was Beta’s pattern and no one noticed early enough. The bureaucrats keeping track of the test pilots were picked for loyalty, not competency.
Might be that getting the data they needed for this first generation entailed pushing the pilot to death or uselessness. We’re already breaking Sophie and we’re trying to meet her partway. Anyone with a fully machine-based Core must go through absolute agony to sync properly.","attachment":null,"posted":1715903561},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6007339,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007089
>>6007125
I'm not sure what the other project mentioned was, but I think you are wrong about the purpose of the sync system.
>"It’s why the sync system is still in place to motivate/salvage Cores that might stall out due to insufficient self-motivation to excel"
I was given the impression that the sync system has nothing to do with motivation. That instead, it's 100% just a leash. Having a supercomputer operate at full potential and make millions of calculations per second is incredibly dangerous. So instead, they are forcibly slowed down to the point where even a human is faster, because a human needs to have full control of the machine and not let the core can hack thousands of computers in the time it takes just to hit the shutdown button. Being slow makes the cores less effective for winning combat, thus the sync system was created where it allows for a human to be somewhat brought up to the speed of the A.I, that way it can win battles while still needing to go through a human to do anything.
>>6007120
I'd wager that Mortimer is definitely a piece of us in the same way that Sophie gave Beta the memories of her dead classmates, but he's probably not the original "template".","attachment":null,"posted":1715909366},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6007651,"name":"CoreQM","msg":"It itches now.
The crown of her head, where the neurohelmet meets the skin. A bit above the forehead.
One of those unreachable spots. Trying to get at it with a hand could disrupt the link.
Eyes closed. Take a breath. Feel the sway of the Frame, rocking back and forth from step to step. Let the frailness fade away with the bile and sinking feeling. The mission’s not done, the other half needs her.
Eyes open. It doesn’t help. Squint. The bright panels are fuzzy. Splotches swim across her vision. Concentration is not enough.
“Next steps. Core, new pursuers?”
It responds.
“Negative.”
“Keep me updated. Dropping to- to a lower sync level.”
Concern over status. Pity, even? Or disappointment. It’s all the same. A twinge of I-told-you-so.
Dammit. The cord of the link slips back to mere threads, her vision blurs, and the itch transforms into a migraine. Which she still cannot touch.
—---------------
You told her there were no pursuers. Nothing detected on seismic, thermals, or the limits of mag-scan. All accurate and true.
Sophie slipping back to low-sync at least conserves her for another good push up to combat speeds, but it does make you slightly slower. Sloppier.
This is along your chosen route, making the best time possible while keeping your own signature as concealed as you can manage.
>The West, retracing steps.
Back through the wide-open snowy fields and transit lanes, around Icicle Company’s patrol routes
>Straight South, through the heart of Victoria's downtown.
Heavily urbanized, to rush past responders headed towards the Academy and take the fastest route overall
>The East, to find a new target.
State Security Headquarters seems to have been added to your mission as a target of opportunity. Nominally in the actual city of Victoria, a suburban environment of low buildings. Could be easily worth a detour while they’re busy being distracted.","attachment":null,"posted":1715923262},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6007692,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007651
>The East, to find a new target.
Take a breather Soph, I want to murder a few sons of bitches.","attachment":null,"posted":1715925870},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6007702,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007651
>>The West, retracing steps.","attachment":null,"posted":1715926952},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6007748,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007651
>The East, to find a new target.","attachment":null,"posted":1715931105},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6007782,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007651
State sec you say.
Sunbeam. Blake.
>East","attachment":null,"posted":1715933122},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6007819,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007651
>The East, to find a new target
Total StateSec death","attachment":null,"posted":1715939139},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6007864,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007651
>The East, to find a new target.
What could go wrong","attachment":null,"posted":1715944635},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6007903,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007651
>The West, retracing steps.
The mission is over. We did our job and now it's time to leave.
Sophie is exhausted and in no position to strain herself further. This StateSec target is optional and was not part of the briefing. No one can bitch at us for not pursuing it because Beta can point out that we were not told ahead of time; the plan we already made didn't include this, and we're not prepared to deviate from it. Ffs we saw proof that Gamma was in the area, a high level threat, so Kinston can shove it if he gets upset at us.
I also want to get back to Delta asap. Not only for the reckoning she's earned, but also to see where her ultimatum with upper command will lead. ","attachment":null,"posted":1715948691},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6007929,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007651
>The West, retracing steps.
StateSec means Gamma. Gamma against our current state means death.","attachment":null,"posted":1715951803},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6007937,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007651
Changing my vote from >>6007819 to
>The West, retracing steps
I forgot about Gamma. We need to extract out NOW
>>6007929
Thanks for the reminder","attachment":null,"posted":1715952395},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6007958,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007651
>The West, retracing steps.","attachment":null,"posted":1715954183},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6007979,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007651
>The West, retracing steps.
I want to do the optional objective, but hitting another position on top of Gamma being present is a bridge too far for me. Going after Gamma directly with Headhunter support was as far as I could go.
Besides, non-zero chance the target was added by a mole and it’s actually an ambush since Gamma is nearby. That’d suck.
Any support for
>Inform Headhunter of the stealthed recon drones and Core presence. Gamma is skilled. You need more eyes.
as an addition? An aerial view might reveal more than a ground-level view can. The camouflage system may not be as robust from above for example.","attachment":null,"posted":1715955598},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6008011,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007651
changing >>6007864 to
>The West, retracing steps
in hindsight, the laser message would be useless if we went right back to stir up trouble.","attachment":null,"posted":1715958954},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6010585,"name":"CoreQM","msg":"Announcement:
I’m taking a break. For around 4ish months.
There’s no real easy way to put this, but I’m starting work at a place which limits my writing time to the weekends only. I can’t run a quest on that little, as I’ve found out after getting gut punched by finals. See: the sad state of how short my updates have been in this thread.
I still fully intend to return and find Beta’s final resting place, the state of the Empire, and bring the story to a conclusion. It’s just going to take a bit. I'll throw an announcement in the QTG when I'm preparing to return.
Thanks for everyone who's enjoyed the journey so far, and voted in said quest.
Until next time,
CoreQM","attachment":null,"posted":1716175012},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6010624,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010585
Take care QM. Be sure to archive","attachment":null,"posted":1716178111},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6010632,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010585
QTG? And damn, just as the Cyberpunk Quest goes offline and I still wait for Solstice Quest 2 and Halo: Wolfpack. Good luck on your job though CoreQM, I'll be waiting....hopefully. I'll see if I can remember haha","attachment":null,"posted":1716178984},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6010657,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010585
No worries QM.","attachment":null,"posted":1716181423},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6010683,"name":"Cobalt 1","msg":">>6010585
If you're taking a break, then don't sweat it QM. /qst/ is for having fun, not for being a burden on your back. I hope things go well for you, and we'll patiently await your return.
That being said...
>"and find Beta’s final resting place, the state of the Empire, and bring the story to a conclusion."
Uhh, this part scares me. Roughly how many more threads do you think this quest will go on for after you come back from the break? Are we approaching the end of the story? Or will this still go on for quite a while before we reach the finale?
One last question before everything ends for now: what should I do about the whole 'King of QST Tournament'?
Beta seemed to be winning in first place with 21 votes when the next best only had 15.
If I still have questions for you, should I ask you them in that thread via my tripcode and you respond via yours? Or is there something different that you'd prefer?
For example, I don't know if it was ever 100% decided on what Beta actually looks like for the tournament art submissions, or if we should continue to use AC6 Steel Haze as the reference material. The guy running the event said that original characters are a-okay, while licensed characters are not, but I don't know if that rule also applies to the art we use.","attachment":null,"posted":1716184265},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6010864,"name":"CoreQM","msg":">>6010683
My goal was to present a finished quest in approximately 10-15 total threads. But again, I tried to get out of the simulator in a single thread, and look where that went. So after I come back, 2-5 more threads. Probably. I have no intent to drag it out to 50ish threads. If I do want to continue other adventures in the same setting, or a continuation, it would be presented as a sequel quest.
On the Tournament, I’ll be lurking around for questions. I’m also on the QST discord, though it’s a questionable place.
I did attempt to commission someone for some art, but they’ve yet to get back to me about it. So Steel Haze for now.","attachment":null,"posted":1716206743},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6010939,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010683
The rule didn’t apply for the art references so you’re good there. Maybe have them mix in some Jehuty for the sleeker design and a Burning Eagle thruster sample?","attachment":null,"posted":1716213289},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6010972,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010864
>So after I come back, 2-5 more threads. Probably. I have no intent to drag it out to 50ish threads.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716217016492664.jpg","filename":"oh no.jpg"},"posted":1716217016},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6011403,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010864
We love you and your quest QM, please don't give up","attachment":null,"posted":1716247673},{"board":"qst","thread":5975459,"pid":6013632,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010585
Good luck my man. Even if life changes and running this isn't fun after, I enjoyed the quest. I dig giant robos and you write well. I didn't participate that often, but I really enjoyed reading your stuff.
Hope you come back.
I will vote for Beta in the tourney, up until he goes up against my boy Elliot; given I have written far, far too much fan fiction involving him and the other cast of a certain quest. At that point, I will spread propaganda that Beta is a robo Facist or something.
Looking forward to seeing you again boss.","attachment":null,"posted":1716430623}]}
+{"title":"The Prodigal Son: Another Life","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5976163,"name":"Writer","msg":""Wake up." You open your eyes to the familiar, yet always somewhat imposing, stone walls of your room in Blackthorn Keep. Your name is Caden Blackthorn, the eldest son and heir of Lord Edric Blackthorn and his dear wife Lady Agatha. At fourteen, the weight of your future responsibilities as the lord of Blackthorn Keep already presses on your shoulders, a constant, if not entirely unwelcome, companion.
The morning sun barely filters through the narrow window, casting long shadows that dance across the floor. You rise, the cool stone beneath your feet a stark contrast to the warmth of the bed you reluctantly leave behind.
Today, unlike most days filled with the rigorous studies and training expected of a lord's heir, promises a brief respite. It's the day of the Autumn Festival, a day when the entire keep and the surrounding villages come alive with music, laughter, and the scent of fresh harvests.
>A) A strange sense of déjà vu washes over you, leaving you with the eerie feeling that this moment has unfolded before.
>B) Fragments of a half-forgotten dream flash through your mind, hinting at terrible things on the horizon.
>C) Memories of another life, filled with a decade of pain and heartbreaks, the adventures of a prodigal son, flood your consciousness vividly.
>D) Your mind is clear, with a focus solely on the present, unburdened by the past.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712949960149411.jpg","filename":"1703183477934837.jpg"},"posted":1712949960},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5976171,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">D) Your mind is clear, with a focus solely on the present, unburdened by the past
Go into the witches forest where Queen Mazela will give you your physic powers","attachment":null,"posted":1712950698},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5976187,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976163
>C) Memories of another life, filled with a decade of pain and heartbreaks, the adventures of a prodigal son, flood your consciousness vividly.","attachment":null,"posted":1712952816},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5976194,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976163
>B) Fragments of a half-forgotten dream flash through your mind, hinting at terrible things on the horizon.
is this gonna me a redo ? 'coz I didn't read the og","attachment":null,"posted":1712953476},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5976235,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976163
>>B) Fragments of a half-forgotten dream flash through your mind, hinting at terrible things on the horizon.","attachment":null,"posted":1712957114},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5976247,"name":"Writer","msg":">>5976171
>>5976187
>>5976194
>>5976235
Fragments of a half-forgotten dream flash through your mind, hinting at terrible things on the horizon. Yet, it's just a dream, you remind yourself. Reality is what counts.
Your hand brushes against the cold, solid stone walls of your room—tangible and reassuring, unlike the fleeting specters of your nightmares.
As you don the day’s attire—a tunic and breeches that strike a balance between simplicity and the elegance expected of a young noble—you catch your reflection. There, in the mirror, is a fourteen-year-old boy teetering on the edge of manhood, the future lord of the Blackthorn Keep. Despite the ordinariness of the morning, a sense of impending sorrow clings to you, unshakable and ominous. What could it mean?
"Caden, how much longer will you hide in your room?" The voice that breaks through your reverie is unmistakably Mirena’s, her tone playful yet impatient.
Mirena, daughter of Castellan Hugh, has been your closest friend since childhood. Her vibrant spirit, forever wild and free like the winds that roam the Blackthorn lands, always pulls you from the weight of your thoughts, driving away the shadows of duty and expectation that cling to you.
"Mirena," you reply softly, her name a whisper that somehow lightens the burden you feel.
"Were you expecting someone else to fetch you?" She laughs, her mirth echoing around the stone chamber, scattering the shadows that linger from your unsettling dreams. Sunlight catches in her golden hair, creating a halo around her that starkly contrasts with the cold grey stones of the keep. Her smile, radiant and warm, pushes away the encroaching dread that has enveloped you since waking.
Once merely the scrappy, tomboyish girl who raced you through the orchards, Mirena is blossoming into something more—a beautiful, graceful young woman. Day by day, it becomes painfully clear that the feelings you have for her are deepening, transforming your childhood friendship into something far more complex.
Yet, amid this blossoming awareness, a grim voice inside whispers of impending doom, a tragedy that might soon tear her from your side forever.
>A) You sense an urgent need to see your mother, the frail yet gentle Lady Agatha, to comfort her with your presence.
>B) You seek out your father, Lord Edric Blackthorn, a man you deeply admire and strive to emulate.
>C) You head to the courtyard, eager to engage in sword training with your mentor, Sir Allister, and his son, your close friend, the young squire Corwin.
>D) You make your way to Master Lewin, your father's devoted steward and your teacher, seeking his counsel on the matters troubling you.","attachment":null,"posted":1712958400},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5976339,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976247
C) You head to the courtyard, eager to engage in sword training with your mentor, Sir Allister, and his son, your close friend, the young squire Corwin.
We want to be a strong warrior for when we meet witch Queen Mazela","attachment":null,"posted":1712967798},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5976422,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976247
>C) You head to the courtyard, eager to engage in sword training with your mentor, Sir Allister, and his son, your close friend, the young squire Corwin.
>>5976171
>Go into the witches forest where Queen Mazela will give you your physic powers
what was a thing in the og ?","attachment":null,"posted":1712976466},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5976431,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976422
>what was a thing in the og ?
What? I don't get what you're asking","attachment":null,"posted":1712977244},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5976438,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976339
Who's queen mazela?","attachment":null,"posted":1712977556},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5976452,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976438
The queen of witches, the all seeing and all knowing. The teacher of magic and psychic powers. The devourer of magic and blood. The incarnation of the magic god Lok'thuk herself.
BOW BEFORE THE QUEEN MORTAL BEINGS !!!","attachment":null,"posted":1712978818},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5976456,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976452
Are you making it up or is this quest a fanfic of something I don't know?","attachment":null,"posted":1712979172},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5976460,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976456
Mortal, you disgrace thy queen.
>Mazela channels her inner being decapitating you limb by limb with her physic powers and throwing you part by part into her demon pit filled where the demons devour your mercilessly. But she does keep 1 particular part for the collection of severed d***s right behind her throne made of crystalized body parts from her once fearsome enemies.","attachment":null,"posted":1712979650},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5976504,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976460
oh, so you're the same troll from the gondola quest","attachment":null,"posted":1712985003},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5976532,"name":"Writer","msg":">>5976339
>>5976422
You push away the looming dread that has shadowed you since waking. "I need to head to sword training now, but I'll meet you at the Autumn Festival later," you promise your childhood friend.
"You could afford to miss one session," Mirena snorts, the graceful young maiden briefly giving way to the spirited, tomboyish girl you grew up with. "You're Lord Edric's only son and heir. Sir Allister wouldn't discipline you like he does the other boys for skipping practice."
"Yet, it's important I don't," you reply, the weight of your future responsibilities firm in your voice. "Especially because I am the heir. I need to be prepared for the day I take charge of this keep, and setting a good example for the other boys is part of that preparation."
Your ultimate goal is to earn your father, Lord Edric Blackthorn’s, pride and respect. Shunning training, even for the Autumn Festival, would not serve that purpose.
"You sound more like an old man than a boy my age," Mirena teases, her eyes rolling playfully before her tone softens, tinged with nostalgia. "I miss the days when I could spar with you and the others."
In her younger days, Mirena was the fiercest of your companions, fiercely independent, always amongst the boys, fighting, exploring, more inclined to muddy her dresses in the castle grounds than sit for needlework. But as adolescence set in, societal expectations nudged her towards more traditional feminine pursuits, sidelining her from the training grounds.
"You don't need the training, Mirena. You're already tougher than many who wield the sword," you say, hoping to cheer her up with a light-hearted compliment. Her smile in response, light and genuine, warms you as she chuckles softly.
"See you later, Mirena," you call out as she walks away, the sunlight highlighting her golden hair, her spirit undimmed by the paths life has chosen for her.","attachment":null,"posted":1712988809},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5976535,"name":"Writer","msg":"The crisp morning air greets you as you stride into the courtyard, the familiar clank and clash of steel ringing in your ears. You're eager for the day's training with Sir Allister, a seasoned knight who has served your father loyally for years and whose guidance you've relied on since you were just a child swinging a wooden sword. Alongside him, Corwin, his young son and your close friend, waits with a grin, a wooden practice sword in hand.
"Ready to cross swords, Caden?" Corwin calls out, his voice teasing yet competitive. He twirls his wooden sword expertly, a challenge gleaming in his eyes.
You nod, gripping your own sword a bit tighter. "Always ready to best you, Corwin," you reply, the corner of your mouth turning up in a half-smile.
Sir Allister, watching the exchange with a keen eye, steps forward. His armor clinks with each step, the sound of experience and countless battles. "Today, let's focus on defense," he suggests, his voice deep and authoritative. "A good warrior knows how to attack, but a great one knows when and how to defend."
You and Corwin take your starting positions opposite each other, swords raised. As Sir Allister calls out instructions, you begin.
>A) You charge forward with determination, driven by the conviction that the best defense is a good offense.
>B) You hold your ground, conserving energy and adopting a stance that prepares you to counter Corwin's initial strike.","attachment":null,"posted":1712989273},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5976578,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976535
>B) You hold your ground, conserving energy and adopting a stance that prepares you to counter Corwin's initial strike.","attachment":null,"posted":1712997478},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5976697,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976535
>B) You hold your ground, conserving energy and adopting a stance that prepares you to counter Corwin's initial strike.
Witch Queen Mazela is always watching us, since she's the all-seeing witch who always watches over us all. We need to heed the words of our teacher so she'll be proud of us, so she'll see we're learning, if not, she won't teach us the physic powers.","attachment":null,"posted":1713018608},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5976957,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976532
>>B) You hold your ground, conserving energy and adopting a stance that prepares you to counter Corwin's initial strike.","attachment":null,"posted":1713044526},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5977003,"name":"Writer","msg":">>5976578
>>5976697
>>5976957
"Don't be hasty. Wait for your opponent, conserve your energy," Sir Allister instructs, his voice a guiding force in the midst of the clanging swords.
Taking the advice to heart, you hold your ground, conserving energy and adopting a stance that prepares you to counter Corwin's initial strike. Corwin, fueled by youthful zeal, advances with a series of quick, sharp attacks. You meet each with a calculated parry, turning his own force against him under Sir Allister's watchful gaze.
"Good, Caden! Now, remember your footing," Sir Allister calls out. "Balance is key."
You adjust your stance slightly, feeling the gravel shift under your boots. Corwin's blade seeks an opening, but you're ready, blocking his thrust and countering with a firm push that tests his balance. The intensity of your duel escalates, each movement sharpening the edge of your focus.
"Watch his eyes, not just his sword," Sir Allister advises, his experienced eyes catching every subtle cue. Lifting your gaze, you lock eyes with Corwin, and the world shrinks to just the space between you. Your swords clash, their sounds a rhythmic beat in the cool morning air.
You begin to read Corwin's intentions more clearly—his feints, his genuine strikes—and adjust your strategy accordingly. Corwin is skilled, undoubtedly one of the most capable among the young squires, but his eagerness sometimes outpaces his strategy.
Sensing an opportunity, you feign vulnerability, drawing him into a bold, overextended lunge. With precise timing, you use his momentum against him, sending him off balance and his wooden sword clattering to the ground.","attachment":null,"posted":1713048648},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5977004,"name":"Writer","msg":""That's enough, lads," Sir Allister's voice cuts through the tension. Both of you are breathing heavily, the rush of the bout flushing your faces. You extend a hand to Corwin, helping him to his feet.
"Well fought, Caden," Corwin says with a good-natured clap on your shoulder, his respect for you undiminished by the defeat. "You're getting better every day."
"And you have a fine way of keeping me on my toes," you reply, returning his gesture with a respectful nod. Despite the disparity in your skill levels, Corwin's challenge is always welcome; it sharpens you both, promising that he will indeed make a fine knight someday.
Sir Allister approaches, a smile of approval softening his usually stern features. "Excellent work today, lads. Remember, the skills you sharpen here will serve you beyond the courtyard. They're not just for combat but for life’s many battles."
As you sheathe your sword, his words linger in your mind. Every lesson in this courtyard is a step toward your future, a preparation not just for battle but for the myriad challenges you will face as lord of Blackthorn Keep. Each drop of sweat, each moment of exertion, is an investment in that inevitable role, shaping you into the leader you are destined to become.
>A) You sense an urgent need to see your mother, the frail yet gentle Lady Agatha, to comfort her with your presence.
>B) You seek out your father, Lord Edric Blackthorn, a man you deeply admire and strive to emulate.
>C) You make your way to Master Lewin, your father's devoted steward and your teacher, seeking his counsel on the matters troubling you.","attachment":null,"posted":1713048715},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5977017,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977003
>under Sir Allister's watchful gaze
You forgot to mention the watchful gaze of our beloved Witch Queen Mazela ! She watches over us, for she is the all-seeing one. The queen is proud of us for heading the words of our mentor. She noticed how eager for knowledge we are, therefore if we continue down this path she'll surely teach us physic powers.
>A) You sense an urgent need to see your mother, the frail yet gentle Lady Agatha, to comfort her with your presence.
We mus not disappoint mother, for the Queen of witches is watching us.","attachment":null,"posted":1713049871},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5977084,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977004
>A) You sense an urgent need to see your mother, the frail yet gentle Lady Agatha, to comfort her with your presence.","attachment":null,"posted":1713056417},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5977120,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977004
>>A) You sense an urgent need to see your mother, the frail yet gentle Lady Agatha, to comfort her with your presence.","attachment":null,"posted":1713058739},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5977302,"name":"Writer","msg":">>5977017
>>5977084
>>5977120
After your rigorous training session with Sir Allister and Corwin, you sense an urgent need to see your mother, the frail yet gentle Lady Agatha, to comfort her with your presence. You need to see her, to ensure she's well, and perhaps to reassure yourself just as much as her.
"Good morning, mother," you say softly as you ease the door open to her sunlit chamber.
"Good morning, my son," Lady Agatha replies, her smile like a burst of sunlight that further illuminates the room, despite her visible frailty.
Your mother, still the image of grace and nobility in her exquisite blue silken gown, her auburn hair flecked with gray and neatly braided, embodies a quiet dignity in her early forties. She has endured much, her health ever precarious. After several miscarriages, you remain her only child, the sole heir to Blackthorn Keep, lavished with all the love she has to give.
Despite the delicate state of her health, her spirit remains strong, a source of kindness and warmth within the often cold, stone walls of your ancestral home. Her presence has long been a shield against the creeping shadows that seem ever-eager to encroach upon your home.
You sit beside her on the bed, taking her hand in yours, noting the fragility of her touch. Her smile is as heartwarming as ever, yet today, it doesn't quite reach her eyes, igniting a flicker of worry in your heart. The room, filled with the soft scent of lavender and the quiet hum of the garden beyond her window, should have felt comfortable, yet a shadow seems to linger around the edges of your perception.
Try as you might, you cannot dispel the gnawing sense of impending darkness—a foreboding that the soft light your mother casts might soon dim, leaving Blackthorn Keep—and your heart—shrouded in sorrow and struggle. This silent warning, this fear that the days ahead may bring pain not only to you but to all who dwell within these walls, weighs heavily upon you.","attachment":null,"posted":1713071584},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5977305,"name":"Writer","msg":""Mother, how are you feeling today?" you inquire, masking your worries with a tone of casual concern.
"Every day is a gift, especially those that allow me to see you grow, my dear," she replies, her voice soft but filled with a love that knows no bounds. "But tell me about your training. Are you keeping well?"
Her deflection is not lost on you; she's always been more concerned about others, especially about you, than about herself. You tighten your grip on her hand, a silent reassurance. "Training went well. Sir Allister says I'm improving. But it's your health that worries me, mother."
Lady Agatha chuckles softly, her eyes shining with both affection and a trace of melancholy. "Always my protector, aren't you, Caden? Don’t worry about me; I am well cared for, and your love is my greatest medicine." Her words are meant to comfort, but you sense the effort behind them, the will to maintain normalcy despite the signs that all is not as well as she portrays.
You nod, deciding to stay with her longer, to bask in the warmth and light of her presence while you can. For now, at least, you can keep the encroaching darkness at bay, together.
>A) You vow to save her, determined to do whatever it takes to ensure her safety and well-being.
>B) You seek out your father, Lord Edric Blackthorn, a man you deeply admire and strive to emulate.
>C) You make your way to Master Lewin, your father's devoted steward and your teacher, seeking his counsel on the matters troubling you.
>D) You choose to step out of the keep and join the festivities of the Autumn Festival, hoping to find a moment of joy amidst the turmoil.","attachment":null,"posted":1713071651},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5977331,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">A) You vow to save her, determined to do whatever it takes to ensure her safety and well-being.
Queen Mazela will surely be able to help us out with her blood magic. Mother will be well on her feet in no time giving birth to 10s of brothers and sisters. TO THE WITCHES FOREST LADS!","attachment":null,"posted":1713073398},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5977345,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977305
>B) You seek out your father, Lord Edric Blackthorn, a man you deeply admire and strive to emulate.","attachment":null,"posted":1713074291},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5977401,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977305
>A) You vow to save her, determined to do whatever it takes to ensure her safety and well-being.","attachment":null,"posted":1713079752},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5977604,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977305
>>A) You vow to save her, determined to do whatever it takes to ensure her safety and well-being.","attachment":null,"posted":1713109698},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5977611,"name":"Writer","msg":">>5977331
>>5977345
>>5977401
>>5977604
You vow to save your mother, determined to do whatever it takes to ensure her safety and well-being.
Your father, Lord Edric Blackthorn, has spared no expense to treat his beloved wife, ordering his steward Master Lewin to enlist the services of the finest physicians and apothecaries in the land for Lady Agatha's care.
Yet, for all their expertise and concoctions, their knowledge has limits. They are not wizards. They cannot stop the inevitable or cheat death.
"My lady," Mirena announces as she steps gracefully into the room. She wears a feminine dress, a change from her usual practical attire, and curtsies gracefully to your mother. A flush of color rises to her cheeks when she realizes you're also in the room, not accustomed to maintaining such a feminine demeanor in your presence.
"I have asked Mirena to serve as my lady-in-waiting for a bit," your mother explains with a playful yet knowing smile, her eyes twinkling with mischief and understanding that suggests she knows more than she lets on, perhaps even guessing your deepening feelings for Mirena—a realization that brings a flush to your own cheeks as well.
You understand why your mother has chosen Mirena for this role. Mirena, having lost her mother at a young age, was raised solely by her father, Castellan Hugh. As a result, she lacked a maternal figure to guide her through the nuances of womanhood.
Your mother, the kindest soul you know, stepped in to fill this void, and assumed a maternal role in Mirena's life, treating the motherless little girl almost as her own daughter, nurturing her with the maternal affection and guidance she missed in her childhood.
Mirena, once the fearless companion of your childhood adventures, more boyish in spirit than most lads her age, and usually more comfortable in the mud than in silk, has always revered your mother, viewing her as the epitome of grace and femininity—the mother figure she sorely missed.
Now, as a young maiden, Mirena can no longer afford the tomboyish freedoms of her childhood; she must embrace her role in society as a woman of elegance and poise, a transformation guided by your mother's adept hand. There are few better mentors than Lady Agatha, whose nobility and grace have never waned, not even under the shadow of her illness.","attachment":null,"posted":1713110179},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5977614,"name":"Writer","msg":"Noticing your gaze, Mirena’s cheeks take on a deeper shade of red. Your mother, catching this silent exchange, smiles warmly. "You look stunning today, Mirena," she praises, her voice laced with playful mischief. "I wouldn’t be surprised if a handsome young nobleman falls hopelessly in love with you at the Autumn Festival."
At her words, Mirena offers a shy smile, a sight both rare and endearing—a glimpse of the young woman emerging from the shell of the wild, free-spirited little girl you grew up with. Your mother carefully adjusts Mirena’s hair and smoothes out her dress, adding, "There, you look perfect now. Enjoy the festival. You too, Caden."
You nod, your heart filled with a bittersweet mixture of affection and impending sorrow, appreciating these moments of levity amidst the shadow of your mother’s illness. You silently vow to cherish these moments, fleeting and precious, amidst the looming shadows of the future.
"This Keep needs your light, mother," you whisper to yourself, reaffirming your commitment to do whatever it takes to protect her.
>A) You seek out your father, Lord Edric Blackthorn, a man you deeply admire and strive to emulate.
>B) You make your way to Master Lewin, your father's devoted steward and your teacher, seeking his counsel on the matters troubling you.
>C) You go to see Old Thora, the castle's midwife who delivered you, and whose ancient pagan beliefs have always intrigued you.
>D) You decide to head out to the Autumn Festival, pausing to exchange a few words with Garrick, the loyal gatekeeper, as you leave the keep.
>E) You set out to find the perfect gift for Mirena, something that will surely bring a smile to her face.","attachment":null,"posted":1713110587},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5977622,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">They are not wizards. They cannot stop the inevitable or cheat death.
Wizards? Perhaps not! Witches? Maybe!
>A) You seek out your father, Lord Edric Blackthorn, a man you deeply admire and strive to emulate.
We need to discuss an expedition to the witches forest in order to save our mother with ancient blood magic. Queen Mazela will surely have the knowledge to save our sick mother for she is the all-knowing one","attachment":null,"posted":1713111226},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5977814,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977614
>B) You make your way to Master Lewin, your father's devoted steward and your teacher, seeking his counsel on the matters troubling you.","attachment":null,"posted":1713127732},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5977817,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977614
>B) You make your way to Master Lewin, your father's devoted steward and your teacher, seeking his counsel on the matters troubling you.","attachment":null,"posted":1713128030},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5977982,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977614
>>E) You set out to find the perfect gift for Mirena, something that will surely bring a smile to her face.","attachment":null,"posted":1713144378},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5978299,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977614
>>B) You make your way to Master Lewin, your father's devoted steward and your teacher, seeking his counsel on the matters troubling you.","attachment":null,"posted":1713176349},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5978319,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977614
>B) You make your way to Master Lewin, your father's devoted steward and your teacher, seeking his counsel on the matters troubling you.","attachment":null,"posted":1713180463},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5978466,"name":"Writer","msg":">>5977622
>>5977814
>>5977817
>>5977982
>>5978299
>>5978319
Afterwards, you make your way to Master Lewin, your father's devoted steward, and your childhood teacher, seeking his counsel on the matters troubling you. Master Lewin was the one who taught you to read, to write, shaping the mind behind the young man you are today.
You find Master Lewin in his usual haunt, the study, surrounded by towering shelves filled with ancient tomes and scrolls. Despite his advancing years, the old steward's eyes still spark with intellect and understanding, qualities that have guided you since your childhood.
"Caden, shouldn't you be enjoying the Autumn Festival?" Master Lewin inquires, his tone warm yet tinged with confusion.
"I intend to, shortly," you respond gravely. "But first, there's something pressing I need to discuss with you." You pause, gathering the fragments of a half-forgotten dream, hinting at terrible things on the horizon. "It's about some recurring nightmares... dark visions that haunt me night after night."
"What dreams, Caden?" he asks, his brow furrowing with concern.
"I see my mother's light fading from the Keep," you confess, sharing the vivid images that haunt your sleep. "After that, darkness overwhelms the Keep. Pain and sorrow follow." A wound that never heals. "I'm in a distant, cursed land, far from home, waging a crusade." Fighting against bestial monsters. "I watch Blackthorn Keep crumble, its walls overrun by moss and decay." Your voice drops lower, revealing a personal fear, "And I lose..." Mirena, "my dearest friend...." the girl I love, "forever."
Master Lewin listens intently, his expression thoughtful as he processes your words. "These are just dreams, Caden. You mustn't let them weigh on you," he reassures you gently. Then, his tone shifts, reflecting a deeper contemplation. "You know, I once read a book where a philosopher proposed that dreams are merely echoes of another life."
"Another life?" You echo, intrigued yet perplexed.
"Yes," Master Lewin nods. "He argued that each choice we make in your life alters our path, creating different timelines, different possibilities. According to him, our dreams might simply be glimpses of these other lives, paths untaken, or choices we might still face."
"If a new world is created every time we make a choice, then which world is the real one?" you ask, the philosophical depth of the question dawning on you.
"The world you choose to live in, lad—that's your reality, your truth," Master Lewin answers, smiling kindly. "Of course, these are just the musings of what some might call a mad philosopher. Nothing more."
>A) This is a good life, Master Lewin. I have no wish to find myself in another.
>B) I'm afraid, Master Lewin. I'm afraid of losing my mother, afraid of turning into a broken man I don't recognize, afraid of all my dark visions coming true.
>C) But if I choose this life, won't all the pains and sorrows I've endured and overcome in that other life be in vain?","attachment":null,"posted":1713200854},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5978482,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978466
>A) This is a good life, Master Lewin. I have no wish to find myself in another.
Mazela is always watching, we must not let her down","attachment":null,"posted":1713202561},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5978514,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978466
>A) This is a good life, Master Lewin. I have no wish to find myself in another.
let's take what we can from the visions, but not let them cloud our judgement","attachment":null,"posted":1713205055},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5978906,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978466
>>A) This is a good life, Master Lewin. I have no wish to find myself in another.","attachment":null,"posted":1713247210},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5978936,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978466
>>A) This is a good life, Master Lewin. I have no wish to find myself in another.","attachment":null,"posted":1713250214},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5978984,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978466
>>A) This is a good life, Master Lewin. I have no wish to find myself in another.","attachment":null,"posted":1713264113},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5979612,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"OP ?","attachment":null,"posted":1713333503},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5979742,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978466
>A) This is a good life, Master Lewin. I have no wish to find myself in another.","attachment":null,"posted":1713357717},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5979864,"name":"Writer","msg":">>5978482
>>5978514
>>5978906
>>5978936
>>5978984
>>5979612
>>5979742
"This is a good life, Master Lewin. I have no wish to find myself in another," you affirm, your voice steady with conviction. You are aware that House Blackthorn may not boast the wealth or power of some other noble families, but that does not diminish your appreciation for what you do have.
The love of your mother, Lady Agatha, whose gentleness and resilience inspire you to be kind; the pride of your father, Lord Edric, whose expectations frame your path; the wisdom of mentors like Master Lewin and Sir Allister, who have guided your education and training; and the warmth of friends like Mirena, who infuse your life with joy and a true sense of belonging. These relationships are the true treasures of your existence, far outweighing any material wealth or political influence.
Reaffirmed by this reflection, you leave the study, stepping out into the crisp autumn air, eager to partake in the festival's celebrations. As you enter the courtyard, you encounter your father, Lord Edric Blackthorn. A nobleman nearing fifty, his dark hair just beginning to be graced with streaks of gray, standing amongst his closest and most loyal men, including Sir Allister and Castellan Hugh.
"Sir Allister has been commending your prowess in today's training," your father begins, his voice rich with pride. The affection and expectation he holds for you, his only son and heir—especially precious to him as you were born after several heartbreaking miscarriages by your lady mother—shines in his eyes. "I am truly proud of the man you are becoming, Caden. I shall rest easy when my time comes, knowing that Blackthorn Keep will be in strong hands."
>A) "Thank you, Father. I will continue to strive to meet your expectations and to honor our family's legacy," you affirm, your commitment unwavering.
>B) "I have been blessed to have Sir Allister as my teacher, whose wisdom has always guided my blade," you acknowledge, grateful for his mentorship.
>C) "I pray you have many more years with us, father," you express, hoping for more time to learn and grow under his guidance.
>D) "I pray that I will be strong enough to defend our house, father," you say, your resolve tinged with the hope of proving worthy of your heritage.
>E) "Your legacy will not end with me; I will ensure our family's name continues to be a symbol of strength and honor," you promise, deeply aware of the legacy you carry.","attachment":null,"posted":1713375898},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5979958,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 4 (1d5)
>>5979864
>A) "Thank you, Father. I will continue to strive to meet your expectations and to honor our family's legacy," you affirm, your commitment unwavering.
>B) "I have been blessed to have Sir Allister as my teacher, whose wisdom has always guided my blade," you acknowledge, grateful for his mentorship.
>C) "I pray you have many more years with us, father," you express, hoping for more time to learn and grow under his guidance.
>D) "I pray that I will be strong enough to defend our house, father," you say, your resolve tinged with the hope of proving worthy of your heritage.
>E) "Your legacy will not end with me; I will ensure our family's name continues to be a symbol of strength and honor," you promise, deeply aware of the legacy you carry.
1 = A, 2 = B, 3 = C, 4 = D, 5 = E","attachment":null,"posted":1713384585},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5979983,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979864
>D) "I pray that I will be strong enough to defend our house, father," you say, your resolve tinged with the hope of proving worthy of your heritage.","attachment":null,"posted":1713387110},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5980036,"name":"Writer","msg":">>5979958
>>5979983
"I pray that I will be strong enough to defend our house, father," you say, your resolve tinged with the hope of proving worthy of your heritage, the weight of your future responsibilities pressing upon you.
"Of course you will be!" your father responds robustly, clapping you on the shoulder with a smile brimming with confidence. "You are my son, the heir of the noble Blackthorn legacy! There's nothing you can't achieve if you set your mind to it."
Your father is a man of immense pride—a trait that has served him well as the lord of Blackthorn Keep, though it sometimes blinds him to the softer, more vulnerable realities of those around him, both family members and servants. He sees only the strength and potential in you, often overlooking the burdens such expectations can impose.
Your mother, with her keen perception and gentle demeanor, has always balanced this perspective. She sees not just the future lord in you but also the young man grappling with his own doubts and fears.
Despite his shortcomings, you deeply admire your father and strive to live up to the lofty visions he holds for you. This drive pushes you to excel in your studies with Master Lewin and your swordsmanship under Sir Allister, fueled by a desire to one day make your father proud.
So far, you have done a commendable job when it comes to making your father proud. In the training yard, his voice always rings the loudest, his applause the most vigorous, as he watches you spar with the other boys. His pride in you is unmistakable, even when he fails to notice your inner turmoil.
When you were a child, he often brought you along on his visits to the many villages under his lordship. Part of this was undoubtedly to acquaint you with the lands you would one day rule. But another, perhaps more personal part, was to boast that he finally sired an heir—the golden heir who could do no wrong in his lord father's eyes. Not a boy struggling with the weight of expectations too heavy for a child to bear
>A) You wish your father could see beyond the future lord he envisions, to understand the hidden fears and hopes of the boy you still are.
>B) You appreciate how your father's high expectations have pushed you forward, sharpening your mind and skills, molding you into a better scholar, a fiercer swordsman, and, you hope, a more capable lord.","attachment":null,"posted":1713391757},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5980041,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">A) You wish your father could see beyond the future lord he envisions, to understand the hidden fears and hopes of the boy you still are.","attachment":null,"posted":1713392079},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5980208,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980036
>A) You wish your father could see beyond the future lord he envisions, to understand the hidden fears and hopes of the boy you still are.","attachment":null,"posted":1713408419},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5980345,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980036
>>A) You wish your father could see beyond the future lord he envisions, to understand the hidden fears and hopes of the boy you still are.","attachment":null,"posted":1713422176},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5980396,"name":"Writer","msg":">>5980041
>>5980208
>>5980345
You wish your father could see beyond the future lord he envisions, to understand the hidden fears and hopes of the boy you still are. Yet, you know this is perhaps a hope too high. Your father loves you deeply but lacks the insight to decode your quieter, more personal struggles: your unspoken fears and hidden feelings.
"Let us return to our earlier discussion, my lord," Castellan Hugh interjects, drawing your father's attention back to matters of state. Mirena's father, a stern and diligent man who rose to the respected rank of Castellan despite his common birth, is a man known for his rigid traditionalism and strict discipline. To many, he is seen as an opportunist, an upjumped commoner grasping at noble straws. Mirena, though fiery and outspoken by nature, still behaves submissively in his presence, her vibrant spirit dimmed by strict disciplining.
"A new crusade has been announced," Hugh continues, his voice carrying a note of urgency. "It is a campaign deep into the cursed lands, aimed at confronting the pagan cults of the 'leopard woman.' It is repugnant, the worship of such savagery by those heathen scum. The church requests that we send young men from our lands to aid in this fight."
You feel a knot of anxiety tighten within you, recalling the fragments of your dark dreams. Does your father expect you to volunteer and fight in the cursed lands?
"Any young man eager to forge his reputation in the Crusade has my blessing," your father declares, his gaze then shifting to you. "However, my son must remain here. He is the heir to Blackthorn Keep, my only son. It would be unwise to send him to such a distant conflict. Caden's place is here at Blackthorn Keep."
"Understandable, my lord," Castellan Hugh responds, nodding in agreement, his expression unreadable. Sir Allister also nods, his face a mask of stoic approval.
Relief washes over you. While your father's aspirations for you are lofty, they do not extend to risking your life in the cursed lands against pagan cultists.","attachment":null,"posted":1713434356},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5980402,"name":"Writer","msg":""There you are, Caden! I've been searching everywhere for you—" Mirena's voice cuts through the courtyard, lively as the girl you remember racing through the orchards. But her demeanor shifts abruptly as she notices the company you're in, and she quickly curtsies, saying, "My apologies, Lord Blackthorn."
"Ah, you're Castellan Hugh's daughter, aren't you?" Your father regards Mirena, who looks striking in her dress, with an appreciative eye. "I remember when you were just a scrawny little thing always tagging along with Caden... you've blossomed into quite a beautiful woman."
"Thank you, my lord," Mirena replies, her voice tinged with discomfort. Her response lacks the blush and shy smile that your mother's compliments usually evoke; instead, there's an edge of unease. It's clear she's not accustomed to such attention from older men, and it visibly unsettles her.
"She may have grown prettier, but she remains as willful and disobedient as ever," Castellan Hugh interjects with a scowl, his tone harsh. Hugh is a man of old beliefs, firm in the conviction that women should be obedient to men, "I thought I told you to wear the red dress?"
"Lady Agatha thought that one a bit too immodest," Mirena murmurs, her gaze dropping to the floor.
Castellan Hugh’s face tightens in disapproval. He's not one to challenge Lady Agatha's decisions, respecting her status as the Lady of the Keep, but his displeasure in being overridden by a woman’s judgment is evident. He views the Autumn Festival as an opportunity, a chance for Mirena to catch the eye of a potential suitor, perhaps a second son of a lord or a wealthy merchant, with a dress that might show a bit more skin than Lady Agatha deems appropriate.
You understand his motives all too well. Throughout his life, Hugh has been derided as an upjumped commoner and now seeks to elevate his daughter's station by any means necessary—even if those means involve exploiting Mirena's appearance, blatantly ignoring her comfort and feelings in the process.
As you stand there, watching the interaction, you feel a protective stir within you. Mirena is more than just a pawn in her father's ambitions. She is your friend, a person with her own will and right to dignity. You resolve to support her, to ensure that during this festival, she experiences the joy and freedom deserving of her spirited nature, not the weight of her father's schemes.
>A) You resolve to confess your love for her today, the decision heavy in your heart but clear, as you know it's the truth you can no longer keep hidden.
>B) You decide to wait, letting her make her own choice, too afraid of risking the cherished friendship you share in case she doesn't feel the same way.","attachment":null,"posted":1713436019},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5980438,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980402
>A) You resolve to confess your love for her today, the decision heavy in your heart but clear, as you know it's the truth you can no longer keep hidden.","attachment":null,"posted":1713445181},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5980587,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980438
>A) You resolve to confess your love for her today, the decision heavy in your heart but clear, as you know it's the truth you can no longer keep hidden.
We're going to get some pussy tonight lads","attachment":null,"posted":1713461219},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5980788,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980402
>A) You resolve to confess your love for her today, the decision heavy in your heart but clear, as you know it's the truth you can no longer keep hidden.","attachment":null,"posted":1713472964},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5980815,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980402
>A) You resolve to confess your love for her today, the decision heavy in your heart but clear, as you know it's the truth you can no longer keep hidden.","attachment":null,"posted":1713475216},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5981332,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980438
>>5980587
>>5980788
>>5980815
You resolve to confess your love for her today, the decision heavy in your heart but clear, as you know it's the truth you can no longer keep hidden. If you hesitate, you risk losing her to another, and that is a possibility you cannot bear to entertain.
As you turn to accompany Mirena to the festival grounds, your steps falter when you spot Old Thora, the aged midwife of Blackthorn Keep. She is an old woman shrouded in mystery and steeped in the old pagan beliefs of the land. However, having delivered you into the world fourteen years ago, Old Thora has always held a special place of favor in your mother's heart.
"You should make an offering today, milord, from your house to the Old Woman of Winter," Old Thora suggests, her voice carrying the weight of ancient customs, ancient customs that precede the church by centuries. "The Autumn Festival was never truly a day for celebration. In my youth, half a century ago, it was a day to appease the spirits of winter, to ensure we are spared their wrath when their season comes."
"Those are merely pagan superstitions, Thora, tales to frighten children," your father responds dismissively, his voice laced with exasperation. "We shall not waste our time with such trivialities."
"I implore you to reconsider, milord," Thora insists, her fingers tightly clasping the pagan runes hanging around her bony neck. "If the Old Woman of Winter is not appeased voluntarily in Autumn, she will take something far more precious in the Winter."
"Enough, Thora," your father interjects, a man of practicality who has little patience for what he deems mere superstition. "The Old Woman of Winter is nothing but a tale. It's time you forgot such foolishness and joined the rest of us in the present. The old gods are dead, Thora. We live in a new world now."
"They are merely sleeping, milord," Thora counters quietly, her gaze deep and unsettling, as if seeing beyond the veil of the present into a world ruled by forgotten gods. "When your churches turn to dust, the old gods will rule these lands once more."
As you witness this conversation, your heart races with an inexplicable urgency. A sense of foreboding fills you, whispering that this moment may be a pivotal one in your life. This choice, whether to heed the old traditions or to embrace the new ways, can alter your life forever.
>A) You dismiss Old Thora's warning and focus on enjoying the festival with Mirena, opting to embrace the joy of life over the dread of ancient winter spirits.
>B) You decide to heed Old Thora's warning; before the festival begins, you sneak away to light a candle in the old, forgotten temple in the forest outside the keep, an offering to the Old Woman of Winter, keeping your plans secret from everyone.
>C) You choose to make a quiet offering to the Old Woman of Winter at an old pagan temple before the festival, but first, you apologize to Mirena for leaving her side, explaining what you need to do.","attachment":null,"posted":1713532217},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5981336,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981332
>C) You choose to make a quiet offering to the Old Woman of Winter at an old pagan temple before the festival, but first, you apologize to Mirena for leaving her side, explaining what you need to do.
Follow our intuition","attachment":null,"posted":1713532625},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5981376,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981332
>C) You choose to make a quiet offering to the Old Woman of Winter at an old pagan temple before the festival, but first, you apologize to Mirena for leaving her side, explaining what you need to do.","attachment":null,"posted":1713537901},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5981418,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981332
>>C) You choose to make a quiet offering to the Old Woman of Winter at an old pagan temple before the festival, but first, you apologize to Mirena for leaving her side, explaining what you need to do.","attachment":null,"posted":1713543304},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5981491,"name":"Writer","msg":">>5981336
>>5981376
>>5981418
You stand silently, trying to grasp why your father so quickly dismissed Old Thora's suggestion to make an offering to the Old Woman of Winter. Certainly, he is a practical man with little patience for superstitions. Yet, there might be another reason. The Autumn Festival will draw many visitors—nobles, knights, and clergymen alike. Your father would not want to appear as a backward country lord still clinging to pagan rituals in their presence.
What if you make a quiet offering to the Old Woman of Winter instead? You mull it over. There's no harm in it, you reason. Besides, your nightmares consistently feature winter as the backdrop for your mother's fading light and the ensuing darkness over Blackthorn Keep. It feels unnerving how your half-forgotten dreams match Old Thora's superstitious beliefs.
You recall an old, forgotten, moss-ridden pagan temple you discovered years ago in the forest outside the keep, a memory from the days of 'monster hunting' with your childhood friends. What if you sneak out during the festival and light a candle there in honor of the Old Woman of Winter, a quiet plea to spare your mother come winter?
"What are you thinking, Caden?" Mirena asks, noticing your deep contemplation.
You wouldn't normally share such a plan to honor an old pagan deity with anyone. But Mirena is different; you would trust her with your life. You confide in her, "What Old Thora said... it's been haunting me. I've been having these nightmares about mother... about winter. I want to make an offering to the Old Woman of Winter... just in case Thora is right. Remember the old pagan temple we found as children?"
"I remember," Mirena replies, her expression turning serious. "I'll come with you, Caden."
"It's not safe—" you start to argue.
"Lady Agatha is like a mother to me, too. If there’s even a slight chance that this could help her, I need to be involved," Mirena interrupts firmly. "Besides, this keep isn't safe either, not in the way you believe it to be. I’d rather relive our monster hunting days, chasing after old pagan temples together with you, than stay at the festival and endure being ogled at by old men commenting on how much I've 'blossomed.'"
>A) "All right, Mirena, let's go on an adventure together, one last time," you agree, feeling a mixture of excitement and nostalgia as you plan this unexpected journey.
>B) "I'm sorry, Mirena, I cannot take a young woman into the forest," you say reluctantly, concerned about the dangers that might lurk away from the safety of the keep.
>C) "I'm sure my father didn't mean anything like that by his comment. You'll be safe here at Blackthorn Keep, whether I'm here or not," you assure her, trying to alleviate any concerns she might have.","attachment":null,"posted":1713549938},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5981493,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981491
>A) "All right, Mirena, let's go on an adventure together, one last time," you agree, feeling a mixture of excitement and nostalgia as you plan this unexpected journey.","attachment":null,"posted":1713550112},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5981506,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981491
>A) "All right, Mirena, let's go on an adventure together, one last time," you agree, feeling a mixture of excitement and nostalgia as you plan this unexpected journey.
Lads, I think we're going to bang her in that old pagan temple. I can smell it","attachment":null,"posted":1713551059},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5981509,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981491
>D) Beat up your dad for what he did in the old timeline","attachment":null,"posted":1713551256},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5981574,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981491
>A) "All right, Mirena, let's go on an adventure together, one last time," you agree, feeling a mixture of excitement and nostalgia as you plan this unexpected journey.","attachment":null,"posted":1713557496},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5982097,"name":"Writer","msg":">>5981493
>>5981506
>>5981509
>>5981574
"All right, Mirena, let's go on an adventure together, one last time," you agree, feeling a mixture of excitement and nostalgia as you plan this unexpected journey.
The Autumn Festival, bustling with hundreds of visitors, will surely distract everyone at the keep. Your father will be occupied with greeting noble guests, and the guards will be too busy managing the festive chaos to notice your absence.
You quickly grab your sword to defend yourself and Mirena against any potential threats in the forest. Mirena gathers the candles you plan to light at the old, forgotten pagan temple, and together, you start your journey.
The weight of your sword feels reassuring at your side as you approach the gates of Blackthorn Keep, the crisp autumn air filling your lungs, sunlight casting a golden glow around you.
"Who goes there?" Garrick, the middle-aged gatekeeper, calls out upon spotting you and Mirena.
"It's me, Caden of House Blackthorn," you respond with a steady voice, "taking a walk."
"Lord Caden?" Garrick murmurs, squinting. "And who's the lady with you?"
"It's me, Garrick," Mirena says with a roll of her eyes. "Just because I'm wearing a dress doesn't mean I've turned into someone else!"
You can't help but smile as you step outside the keep. Mirena catches your expression and queries, "What's so funny?"
"I'm just glad," you answer warmly, "that no matter how you look, dress, or sometimes act, you're still the same Mirena I've always known."
"I will always be the same Mirena, Caden," Mirena assures, touching your hand gently as you walk through the lush forest surrounding the keep. "And we will always be friends."
"Always," you echo, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. A deep sense of relief washes over you, dispelling your earlier fears that growing older or even your deepening feelings might change the bond between you.
"Are you sure we're going the right way?" Mirena suddenly asks, her voice tinged with doubt as the forest grows denser around you.
>Roll D100","attachment":null,"posted":1713608523},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5982126,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 32 (1d100)
>>5982097","attachment":null,"posted":1713615941},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5982224,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 9 (1d100)
>>5982097","attachment":null,"posted":1713625759},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5982442,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 8 (1d100)
>>5982097
man, what shitty rolls we got","attachment":null,"posted":1713641947},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5982447,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982442
>man, what shitty rolls we got
This might be the rolls for her virginity, I think we fucked up lads. No sexy time in the temple in front of the winter gods for us","attachment":null,"posted":1713642207},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5982451,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 56 (1d100)
>>5982097
lucky 4th
>>5982447
>This might be the rolls for her virginity
kek, but I think that's for any dangers in the forest","attachment":null,"posted":1713642572},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5982454,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982451
>kek, but I think that's for any dangers in the forest
That's the danger, what if we get her prego on our first try. It's a full money today, we should be careful and not porky no condy. But father would probably be proud that we're already thinking about the future of the House Blackthorn","attachment":null,"posted":1713642737},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5982982,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982454
>full money
?","attachment":null,"posted":1713692959},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5982997,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982982
sorry, full moon kek","attachment":null,"posted":1713695115},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5984114,"name":"Writer","msg":">>5982126
>>5982224
>>5982442
"I'm not sure," you admit, feeling a slight unease. You know your father's lands like the back of your hand and have passed through this forest countless times. Yet, for some inexplicable reason, you feel disoriented today.
You recall a vivid nightmare where you are in this very forest at night, being hunted by a monstrous figure—a nude woman with the head of a leopard. It's only a dream, of course, but it feels so real, as if it happened in another life.
You tighten your grip on the sword at your side and press forward, pushing through the dense underbrush. Today is the Autumn Festival, a day that once held significance for the old pagans who made offerings to their ancient, dark, and primordial gods.
Despite the bright autumn sunlight, a sense of being lost washes over you—a feeling you've never experienced before while roaming your father's lands as a child.
"Was that here before?" Mirena's voice breaks through your thoughts, tinged with unease. You both stop at the sight of an old hut that appears suddenly in a clearing. Its architecture is rugged, primitive, and distinctly pagan, like something out of a forgotten era.
"This part of the forest... it was always said to be uninhabited," you respond slowly, your voice low, as you scan the area, your senses heightened. The hut looks as if it has stood here for centuries, untouched by time, yet neither of you recalls ever seeing it on your childhood explorations.
"Do you think someone lives there?" Mirena asks, her curiosity piqued despite the apparent danger.
>A) "Let's check it out, but stay close," you suggest, curiosity piqued by the unexpected discovery, cautious yet driven to explore.
>B) "We should turn back," you consider, suddenly aware of how far you've strayed and the fading light.","attachment":null,"posted":1713788110},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5984122,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984114
>A) "Let's check it out, but stay close," you suggest, curiosity piqued by the unexpected discovery, cautious yet driven to explore.
Is this the witches hut of our beloved queen?","attachment":null,"posted":1713788491},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5984249,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984114
>B) "We should turn back," you consider, suddenly aware of how far you've strayed and the fading light.
staying far away from anons magical realm","attachment":null,"posted":1713807058},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5984295,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984114
>B) "We should turn back," you consider, suddenly aware of how far you've strayed and the fading light.","attachment":null,"posted":1713815156},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5984301,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984114
>A) "Let's check it out, but stay close," you suggest, curiosity piqued by the unexpected discovery, cautious yet driven to explore.","attachment":null,"posted":1713816590},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5984573,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984114
>>A) "Let's check it out, but stay close," you suggest, curiosity piqued by the unexpected discovery, cautious yet driven to explore.","attachment":null,"posted":1713844164},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5987477,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"OP ?","attachment":null,"posted":1714173517},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5987564,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987477
Don't worry, he's sleeping with the fishes","attachment":null,"posted":1714181507},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5987969,"name":"Writer","msg":">>5984122
>>5984249
>>5984295
>>5984301
>>5984573
"Let's check it out, but stay close," you suggest, curiosity piqued by the unexpected discovery, cautious yet driven to explore.
You remember the tales spun around the fireside of witches and doppelgangers that inhabit these woods—stories designed to instill fear in the hearts of children. You shake your head slightly, trying to dispel the unease. No, those are just tales to frighten children, you whisper to yourself. At fourteen, standing on the brink of manhood, you shouldn't let fairytales unsettle you.
Stepping cautiously towards the hut, you keep one hand on the hilt of your sword, the metal cool under your touch. The forest seems to close in around you, each step forward increasing the intensity of the silence that hangs like a shroud.
Mirena follows closely, her presence a reassuring constant at your side. "You think it's safe?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper, as if afraid to break the heavy stillness that envelops the clearing.
"We'll be fine as long as we're careful. Let’s just take a quick look," you reply, trying to sound more confident than you feel. The hut, with its timeworn walls and thatch roof that seems to blend into the surrounding foliage, looks like it could belong to another world—a remnant of the old ways perhaps, hidden away from modern eyes.
As you approach, the details of the hut become clearer: the wood is gnarled and mossy, windows shuttered tightly, and an eerie stillness surrounds it. You pause, listening for any sign of life, but there is only the whisper of the wind through the trees.
"Strange that we never saw this place before," you murmur, scanning the clearing for any signs of recent activity. "It looks like it's been here for ages."
Mirena nods, peering curiously at the structure. "It does feel like it's from a different time... Maybe it's abandoned?"
"Maybe," you agree, though the atmosphere suggests anything but abandonment. A tingle of forewarning crawls up your spine as you reach out to gently push the door open, wondering what secrets lie within the shadowed interior of the ancient hut.
>Roll D6
A) Dried herbs, small animal bones strung together, and signs of recent animal sacrifice.
B) A friendly adventurer who calls himself the Vulture Knight.
C) A beautiful woman sitting cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by a circle of candles, chanting in a low, hypnotic voice.
D) Two identical boys, one of them holding an obsidian mirror.
E) An old man with covetous eyes, with an ancient chest in the corner that looks untouched for decades, its lock rusted but begging to be opened.
F) A roughly carved stone idol of a forgotten pagan goddess, and a series of faded murals on the walls depicting the old pagan rituals and deities.","attachment":null,"posted":1714219078},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5987991,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d6)
>>5987969","attachment":null,"posted":1714222848},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5988005,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 4 (1d6)
>>5987969
>You remember the tales spun around the fireside of witches
>C) A beautiful woman sitting cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by a circle of candles, chanting in a low, hypnotic voice.
Witch Queen Mazela?! Is that you?!?!?","attachment":null,"posted":1714226889},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5988008,"name":"Writer","msg":">>5987991
As you step inside the hut, your eyes gradually adjust to the dim light. It's a cluttered room, filled with dried herbs hanging from the ceiling, small animal bones strung together like ghastly garlands, and dark stains that hint at recent animal sacrifices. The air is thick with an earthy, metallic scent that makes your stomach churn.
"We need to leave," you whisper urgently, your grip tightening on the hilt of your sword. Every instinct screams that this place is not merely abandoned, but inherently malevolent.
Mirena, standing close beside you, nods in silent agreement. Her face is pale, her eyes wide as they dart around the room, taking in the macabre details. "Yes, there's nothing good that dwells here," she murmurs back, her voice trembling slightly.
The sense of dread is heavy, pressing in on you from the shadowy corners of the room. You can't shake the sensation of being watched, of trespassing in a space that has been claimed by something dark and ancient.
"They are merely sleeping, milord, when your churches turn to dust, the old gods will rule these lands once more," Old Thora's haunting words echo in your mind.
With one last sweeping glance at the eerie interior, you step backward, eager to leave the oppressive atmosphere of the hut. Mirena follows closely, and as you both exit, the fresh air of the forest feels like a cleansing breath.
"Let's put some distance between us and this place," you suggest, driven by an urge to escape the lingering, unnerving feeling that claws at the back of your mind.
"Agreed," Mirena says, quickening her pace. "I don't think I could stand another moment in there."
As you walk briskly back through the trees, the lightness of the open air does little to dispel the heaviness in your hearts. What you saw in the hut was a reminder of the old gods, remnants that refuse to be forgotten or ignored.
>A) You continue your quest towards the old pagan temple, determined to make an offering to the Old Woman of Winter in hopes of safeguarding your mother's life.
>B) Feeling overwhelmed by what you found in the hut, you decide to head back to the castle, seeking solace in its familiar, less mystical surroundings.","attachment":null,"posted":1714227048},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5988014,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988008
>A) You continue your quest towards the old pagan temple, determined to make an offering to the Old Woman of Winter in hopes of safeguarding your mother's life.
Fuck, why didn't we stay, we could've meet our Queen... We fucked up","attachment":null,"posted":1714227458},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5988057,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988008
>A) You continue your quest towards the old pagan temple, determined to make an offering to the Old Woman of Winter in hopes of safeguarding your mother's life.","attachment":null,"posted":1714230984},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5988432,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988008
>A) You continue your quest towards the old pagan temple, determined to make an offering to the Old Woman of Winter in hopes of safeguarding your mother's life.","attachment":null,"posted":1714249941},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5988446,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988008
>A) You continue your quest towards the old pagan temple, determined to make an offering to the Old Woman of Winter in hopes of safeguarding your mother's life.","attachment":null,"posted":1714250706},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5989075,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988008
>>A) You continue your quest towards the old pagan temple, determined to make an offering to the Old Woman of Winter in hopes of safeguarding your mother's life.","attachment":null,"posted":1714294603},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5989269,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988008
>A) You continue your quest towards the old pagan temple, determined to make an offering to the Old Woman of Winter in hopes of safeguarding your mother's life.","attachment":null,"posted":1714320915},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5990103,"name":"Writer","msg":">>5988014
>>5988057
>>5988432
>>5988446
>>5989075
>>5989269
You continue your quest towards the old pagan temple, determined to make an offering to the Old Woman of Winter in hopes of safeguarding your mother's life.
The daylight begins to wane, but the familiarity of your father's lands offers a measure of reassurance. These parts are free from bandits and dangerous wild animals, and even the local wolves, though known to roam the forests, were not known to attack men, especially so close to human habitation.
"I think I remember this path," Mirena says, her voice tinged with confidence. She was always the better tracker when you played 'adventurers' as children. It doesn't surprise you when she points out signs you missed, skillfully guiding you along the correct path to the forgotten pagan temple just as the sun begins to set.
"Thank you for coming with me," you whisper softly, your gratitude mingling with the cool evening air.
"Someone needs to make sure you don't get lost, Caden," Mirena replies with a playful smile. Yet, beneath her light-hearted banter, there's a layer of solemnity—a shared understanding of the seriousness of your quest. "And guide you back home."
You take a deep breath as you approach the temple, its ancient stones covered in moss and ivy, a testament to centuries passed. The air grows cooler, the shadows longer, as you step into the temple, built long ago in honor of pagan deities whose names have faded from memory.
The inside of the temple is dim, lit only by the last few rays of the setting sun piercing through the gaps in the stone. You feel a strange sense of timelessness here, as if the temple exists in a perpetual twilight, untouched by the passage of centuries outside its walls.
Taking a candle from Mirena, you light it carefully, placing it on an old stone altar at the center of the temple. The flame flickers gently, casting eerie shadows on the walls, carved with the figures of the old gods, watching silently as you make your offering.
"This is it," you say, the words more to yourself than to Mirena, as you step back from the altar, the weight of your actions settling on your shoulders.
Mirena stands beside you, her presence a comforting constant. "Let’s hope the Old Woman of Winter hears us," she murmurs, her voice a soft echo in the vast silence of the temple.
>A) You pray for your mother's health.
>B) You pray that this life never changes.
>C) You ask for protection from your nightmares.","attachment":null,"posted":1714410521},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5990121,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990103
>A) You pray for your mother's health.","attachment":null,"posted":1714411507},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5990161,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990103
>A) You pray for your mother's health.","attachment":null,"posted":1714417148},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5990170,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990121
I guess that if we pray for her health she'll 100% die and then we'll be cursing the old ones for the rest of our lives crusading everyone who worships them. I'm calling it right now, since OP did say in this post >>5981332
>A sense of foreboding fills you, whispering that this moment may be a pivotal one in your life","attachment":null,"posted":1714418029},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5990715,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990103
>A) You pray for your mother's health.","attachment":null,"posted":1714484897},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5990747,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990103
>>A) You pray for your mother's health.","attachment":null,"posted":1714489469},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5991384,"name":"Writer","msg":">>5990121
>>5990161
>>5990170
>>5990715
>>5990747
You kneel before the stone altar, the flickering candle casting long shadows that dance across the walls. With Mirena by your side, you close your eyes and clasp your hands together, the ancient chill of the temple seeping into your bones.
The carved figures of forgotten gods gaze down upon you, watching silently as you offer your whispered prayer to the Old Woman of Winter. "Please … protect my mother, Agatha Blackthorn. Spare her from the harshness of the coming winter," you murmur, your voice trembling with the weight of your plea.
Your words hang in the air, absorbed by the cold stone around you. The echoes of your voice fade into the vast silence, leaving only the soft crackle of the candle to break the stillness. Beside you, Mirena whispers her own prayers, her voice barely audible but lending strength to your own plea.
The pagan temple feels frozen in time, a sanctuary untouched by the passage of years. The cool breeze rustles through the gaps in the walls, brushing against your skin like the touch of the old gods themselves. Despite the darkness encroaching from the outside, a sliver of hope flickers within you.
You linger for a moment, the weight of your prayer still pressing on your heart. Finally, you rise, stepping back from the altar and glancing over at Mirena. "Let's head back," you say softly, knowing that your offering is now in the hands of powers beyond your control.
Mirena nods, and together you leave the temple, the fading candlelight behind you symbolizing your hopes. As you step into the cool evening air, a sense of anticipation washes over you. The offering has been made. What happens next is out of your hands.
>Roll D100","attachment":null,"posted":1714558607},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5991596,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 54 (1d100)
>>5991384
Leggo","attachment":null,"posted":1714579725},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5991713,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 85 (1d100)
>>5991384","attachment":null,"posted":1714590923},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5992153,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 13 (1d100)
>>5991384
>>Roll D100","attachment":null,"posted":1714644271},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5993141,"name":"Writer","msg":">>5991596
>>5991713
>>5992153
When you and Mirena return to Blackthorn Keep, darkness has already fallen. The Autumn Festival has come and gone, leaving the grounds empty and quiet. There's always next year, you think to yourself, suppressing a sigh.
"I found them!" One of the guards shouts upon seeing you and Mirena nearing the gates.
Soon, your father, mother, Castellan Hugh, Sir Allister, and others arrive. It’s clear your absence was noted and didn’t go unnoticed.
"This is unbecoming of you, Caden," your father, Lord Edric Blackthorn, shakes his head, disappointment lacing his words. "I understand that Mirena has blossomed into quite a pretty woman, but a nobleman should take care not to disgrace a woman living in his castle."
"We didn’t do anything like that!" you protest, your face flushing. The implication that you sneaked out to indulge in illicit activities with a common-born girl sends a ripple of anger through you. Castellan Hugh looks furious, clearly unhappy with the idea that his daughter may be considered tainted, ruining her chances of finding a suitable match.
"Caden and Mirena are childhood friends who went on a walk, nothing more," your mother, Lady Agatha, steps forward in your defense, looking noticeably healthier than she did that morning. She smiles at Mirena. "Isn’t that right, Mirena?"
"Yes, my lady, we went on a walk. Caden escorted me safely," Mirena adds hastily, her cheeks reddening. "He did nothing dishonorable."
"Even so, this could cause a scandal," Castellan Hugh mutters. "People may think my daughter is ruined, harming her prospects for marriage."
"In that case, perhaps I can play matchmaker and propose a good match for Mirena, here and now," your mother suggests with a smile, nodding at you and Mirena before turning to your father. "I propose we betroth Caden to Mirena. Our son will soon need an heir to carry the Blackthorn legacy, don’t you think so, Edric?"
"This is a bit sudden," your father replies, taken aback. Clearly, he had hoped for a match better suited to his only son and heir than the castellan’s daughter. "We should think about it longer."
"Edric, they have been in love since they were children," your mother insists, making both you and Mirena blush, your heart pounding in your chest. "It would be a crime to tear their young love apart for political reasons. I don’t think we’ll ever find a better match for our son than the girl he has always loved."","attachment":null,"posted":1714749704},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5993145,"name":"Writer","msg":""What do you think, Caden?" your father asks, genuinely considering your mother’s proposal.
"I would be honored if Mirena takes me as her husband," you reply, your voice surprisingly steady despite the racing of your heart.
"And you, girl?" your father turns to Mirena, eyeing her appraisingly. "Would you take my son as your husband?"
"She would," Castellan Hugh interjects, speaking for his daughter. He had hoped to marry her to a second son or an old widowed lord. Marrying his daughter to the lord’s heir is a match he could have only dreamed of. So, he doesn’t bother with his daughter’s consent.
"Let Mirena answer for herself, Castellan," your mother says firmly, a quiet strength in her voice that makes Hugh back down and lower his eyes. "Mirena, would you take Caden as your husband? You are free to answer truthfully, without fear of coercion."
"I’ll be honored to marry Caden, my lady," Mirena murmurs, filling your heart with happiness. "I have... always been in love with him."
"I know, girl," your mother smiles, then turns to your father. "What do you think, Edric?"
"Well, I’m not the kind of monster that would tear these young lovers apart," your father chuckles, "Social status aside, any man would be fortunate to have such a pretty bride. You have both my permission and blessings, Caden."
And just like that, you became betrothed to your childhood friend, the girl you’ve loved for as long as you can remember. Yet, not everything is perfect—you remember the pagan hut you had seen in the forest and the evidence of blood sacrifice within. You'll need to raise this matter with your father and investigate further to protect the peace of the Blackthorn lands.
But that is a problem for another day. Tonight, you’re the happiest man in the realm.","attachment":null,"posted":1714750010},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5993146,"name":"Writer","msg":"This is where we'll leave Caden and Mirena in this timeline. The next chapter will likely return to the original timeline, where the crusade veteran Caden awakens in the inn where we left him in the first story.","attachment":null,"posted":1714750075},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5993348,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993146
alright, thank you OP. As I haven't played the og quest, can you give me a summary of it ? all I know is the "cucking" that happens since anons always talk about it whenever this quest is mentioned","attachment":null,"posted":1714766721},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":5993435,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993348
https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2024/5871209/","attachment":null,"posted":1714776130},{"board":"qst","thread":5976163,"pid":6007133,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?searchall=prodigal+son
archived this quest since it wasn't done before.","attachment":null,"posted":1715896963}]}
+{"title":"Walterquest: REDUX 2","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5976207,"name":"BANE","msg":"Your name is WALTER HARTWELL WHITE. You have just woken up after your 50TH birthday. It's time to go to the hospital.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712955286822704.png","filename":"disputation of the holy walt.png"},"posted":1712955286},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5976208,"name":"BANE","msg":">>5976207
Welcome to Walterquest! Here's some important links:
ALL WALTERQUEST
https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Walterquest
WEBSITE
https://baneofjustin.quest
GENERAL INFORMATION
This is a drawquest. The current player character's actions are determined on a majority vote. I tend to update one to three times a day. Feel free to be as creative and wacky as you would like! I also run other quests, which you can find on my website. Thanks for playing and reading!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712955312328243.png","filename":"merrychristmas.png"},"posted":1712955312},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5976209,"name":"BANE","msg":">>5976208
RECAP: You’re WALTER WHITE, a 50-year-old CHEMISTRY TEACHER employed at J.P. WYNNE HIGH SCHOOL.
Yesterday was your birthday, and instead of going straight to work, you take a detour to WAL-MART with your son, WALTER JR., to enjoy yourself a bit. You drop him off at school a bit later and decide to skip work entirely, including your second job at A1A CARWASH. You then proceed to call up your brother-in-law HANK SCHRADER to go hit up a gun range. You shoot two guns and then decide to head back home (after calling your wife, SKYLER WHITE, and grabbing some groceries to soothe the tensions, of course).
You come back home to a surprise party, and you have a great time (talked to your fellow faculty, your mother on the phone, your son and his friends, and Hank and his coworkers), though you may have forgotten to blow out the candles on your cake. Afterwards, you and Skyler clean up the house, ending the night with a heartfelt conversation with your son.
Before you go to sleep, you decide to use a sick day to get a check-up at the hospital, since you’ve been coughing quite a bit lately.
You currently have
TOTAL POINTS (7:6)
WALTER POINTS: 7
HEISENBERG POINTS: 6
For more information on how points work, please visit: https://archived.moe/qst/thread/5848264/#5850604","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712955343284836.png","filename":"recap1.png"},"posted":1712955343},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5976212,"name":"BANE","msg":">>5976209
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3o8dYTRrsJo","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712955450504811.png","filename":"death.png"},"posted":1712955450},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5976213,"name":"BANE","msg":">>5976212
The moon shines brilliantly down on a defeated building, riddled with bullet holes. From a few holes, blood oozes out like pus in an infected wound. Some ways away, a car can be heard screeching out of the compound. In another direction, police sirens. Images of dead men flood your brain. Who are these people? You strain to remember, but your mind takes you elsewhere.
Drip. Drip. Drip. The leaky roof accents the desolate feeling that this garage evokes. What is this place? What is all this equipment for? You feel a cool sensation in your chest, one immediately followed by a sharp, escalating pain. Flecks of iron envelop your taste buds as a bloody handprint blurs into view. You’re dead. But how can you be? None of this makes any sense. You need to snap back to reality before you spiral.
Who… is that? Is that…? But why? You try to see more. You try to comprehend what you’re witnessing. But your sight fails you. The world around you blurs as the sirens grow louder. You smile as you blink for the last time.
---
You wake up. The Albuquerque sunlight assaults your eyes, forcing you to blink out of whatever nightmare you were having. You try to remember what you saw, but you fail to remember. A shiver runs down your spine as you realize that the emotions from the dream still linger. You feel dread, but almost disgustingly, a sense of satisfaction. You decide not to focus on these feelings for your own sanity. It’s just a bad dream.
You sit upright on your mattress—well, as upright as you can. Your inescapable slouch burdens you every day, but such is how life goes for a man. You grunt as you eventually get up out of bed. You’ve got business to attend to.","attachment":null,"posted":1712955482},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5976214,"name":"BANE","msg":">>5976213
The Albuquerque skyline stands strong against an empty sky and a rather desolate desert. The city parallels the environment, seemingly listless but chock-full of life. Walter’s 2004 PONTIAC AZTEK glides over all the other cars below him on the freeway, the grey matter of the asphalt grinding beneath its tires. Walt checks the time on his console. 7:37. He sighs.
As he exits the highway, he passes by the DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE BUILDING, home to the ALBUQUERQUE DEA FIELD OFFICE where Hank works. Inside, Hank is hard at work, searching for a certain “Cap’n Cook”.
Back at the White residence, Skyler chats with Marie as she prepares lunch for herself. Honestly, it would be more accurate to say Marie chats with Skyler while Skyler listens to Marie’s gossip. At the same time, Walter Jr. listens to a boring lecture about the United States Civil War at J.P. WYNNE HIGH SCHOOL.
Elsewhere, a mother and her child enjoy a delicious basket of fried chicken, while behind them, a rather hefty customer receives a tray of his own from a friendly employee. All of this is monitored by ceiling cameras which display on a SAMSUNG LAPTOP, surveilled by a co-founder of LOS POLLOS HERMANOS.
On the backstreets of the city, an Asian-Hispanic man walks with no real purpose. He swaggers down the sidewalk, cigarette held between his lips, until he stops. A younger man in loose clothing greets him, and the two dap the other up.","attachment":null,"posted":1712955513},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5976215,"name":"BANE","msg":">>5976214
You drive into the LOVELACE MEDICAL CENTER facility, taking a ticket and parking in the parking garage. Eventually, you talk to the man at the reception desk and follow his directions regarding paperwork and copayment. You take your seat. The world around you seems to fade away as you sit there in the waiting room, alone.
What will you do to pass the time?
>TWIDDLE YOUR FINGERS. You’ve got thumbs, don’t you?
>THINK ABOUT SOMETHING. Your mind seems to wander a lot these days.
>GET SOMETHING TO EAT. The hospital food may be shitty and overpriced, but damn it if you aren’t hungry. (+/- 1 RANDOM POINT)
>GO TO THE BATHROOM. Relieve yourself. (+/- 1 RANDOM POINT)
>OR MAYBE… (Write-In!) (+???)","attachment":null,"posted":1712955548},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5976219,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976215
>TWIDDLE YOUR FINGERS. You’ve got thumbs, don’t you?","attachment":null,"posted":1712955750},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5976224,"name":"BANE","msg":">>5976212
Aieee the song is Corner of Memories by Heem (feat. Milye, flywilliums, and Woojinee).","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712956078189821.jpg","filename":"artworks-vD3F5oQYV7eNqdA3-8rGzsA-t500x500.jpg"},"posted":1712956078},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5976227,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976215
>TWIDDLE YOUR FINGERS. You’ve got thumbs, don’t you?
Awesome to see this back, and love the animation!","attachment":null,"posted":1712956710},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5976233,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976215
>>GET SOMETHING TO EAT. The hospital food may be shitty and overpriced, but damn it if you aren’t hungry. (+/- 1 RANDOM POINT)
Waltuh","attachment":null,"posted":1712956980},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5976263,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976215
>GO TO THE BATHROOM. Relieve yourself. (+/- 1 RANDOM POINT)","attachment":null,"posted":1712960024},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5976341,"name":"BANE","msg":">TWIDDLE YOUR FINGERS.
>>5976219
>>5976227
>GET SOMETHING TO EAT.
>>5976233
GO TO THE BATHROOM.
>>5976263
Seems like we'll wait, but let's see if we can't work these all in. Writing!","attachment":null,"posted":1712968542},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5976392,"name":"BANE","msg":">>5976341
You've never particularly liked hospitals. Whether this is due to the matters regarding the human body making you squeamish or the fact that you'd never received your doctorate, you don't know. The eggshell wall paint alone feels cold and clinical. This place could honestly be a lot more colorful, you think. You sigh and clasp your hands together, interlocking your fingers, save your thumbs.
You look down at your hands as you rotate a thumb around the other. As you mash both of them together, you think about why you're here in the first place. You've had a bit of a cough recently, and it hasn't been... pleasant. You doubt it's anything serious, in fact, you'd hardly coughed at all yesterday. But you can’t shake this uneasy feeling in your chest. Though that feeling just might be another cough coming. Your hands come undone as your chest heaves, and you sputter. God. That one was rough. You pray that no one around is looking at you, but you’re sure that you’ve elicited a few stares. You decide you should leave this lobby for a bit. You just sat down, anyhow, they’re probably not going to call your name for a bit. You walk over to the receptionist.
“Hey, do you know where I could find the—”
“Restroom? Down that end.” The receptionist is a bit snippy, if not altogether helpful. You nod and quickly thank him before walking in the direction of his pointed finger. You find the restrooms pretty easily and enter the men’s. Thankfully, the only smell in here is the scent of the toilet deodorizers (most likely because it is so early in the morning), so you take a deep breath and exhale. You do much better being alone with no one around than the opposite. Since you’re already here, you decide to take a leak as well. You walk to a urinal, and unzip.
How do you aim?
>DESTROY THE DEODORIZER. Get that pink target! (+2 HEISENBERG POINTS)
>AROUND THE WORLD. You’ve got to get the entire urinal.
>BURST FIRE. Let’s hope those Kegels were worth it.
>PATTERN IT UP. Lines and shapes are always fun. (+2 WALTER POINTS)
---
TOTAL POINTS (1:2) [Please ignore the error from earlier]
WALTER POINTS: 3
HEISENBERG POINTS: 6","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712974370713238.png","filename":"22.png"},"posted":1712974370},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5976410,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976392
>AROUND THE WORLD. You’ve got to get the entire urinal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwDns8x3Jb4","attachment":null,"posted":1712975754},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5976463,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976392
>AROUND THE WORLD. You’ve got to get the entire urinal.
Oh shit we baaaack","attachment":null,"posted":1712980461},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5976466,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976392
>BURST FIRE. Let’s hope those Kegels were worth it.","attachment":null,"posted":1712980566},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5976467,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976392
>AROUND THE WORLD. You’ve got to get the entire urinal.","attachment":null,"posted":1712980672},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5976553,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976392
>AROUND THE WORLD. You’ve got to get the entire urinal.","attachment":null,"posted":1712991140},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5976583,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976392
>>BURST FIRE. Let’s hope those Kegels were worth it.
lets shoot bursts as it rotates like a sprinkler","attachment":null,"posted":1712998218},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5976816,"name":"BANE","msg":">AROUND THE WORLD.
>>5976410
>>5976463
>>5976467
>>5976553
>BURST FIRE.
>>5976466
>>5976583
Round and round we go. Writing!","attachment":null,"posted":1713030717},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5976861,"name":"BANE","msg":">>5976816
Manhood in hand, you loosen your pelvic floor and allow a rather steady stream of urine to splash against the hard porcelain of the urinal. As you empty your bladder, you decide that watering one single spot on the urinal would be a waste, and you graciously pee all over the surface of the latrine. Spots will dry out after trickling down into the bowl, but you're quick to remoisten them. In the excitement, you accidentally hit the wall behind the urinal.
After a while, you soon run out of fluid, and you allow the last few drops to hit the pool that has accumulated in the bowl before adjusting yourself and zipping back up. You flush, and then go to wash your hands. That was... fun. You reach to grab some soap and happen to look at yourself in the mirror. It's you. You catch yourself staring at your reflection a bit too long and hurriedly rinse off the foamy soap on your hands. You grab a towel and dry your hands, using the same one to open the door. Soon, you're back in the waiting room.
"White, Walter? Mr. White?" You stand up, seeing a nurse in patterned scrubs walk through the doorway and say your name. "If you could follow me," she says as she leads the way. You follow.
You are now in an EXAMINATION ROOM. You look around at all the medical posters and tasteless art.
"Go ahead and take a seat for me, Mr. White." You sit. "Doctor Belknap will be with you in just a few minutes." She smiles as she exits the room.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713033865314975.gif","filename":"23.gif"},"posted":1713033865},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5976862,"name":"BANE","msg":">>5976861
After around seven minutes, an older gentleman walks in the room. You stand, as he turns to face you.
"Hi, Walter, how are you?"
"I'm good." He gives you a half smile.
"Not too good, if you're dropping in for a check-up, I imagine." You give an awkward smile back.
"True." Dr. Belknap motions to your chair.
"Please, sit. Did Monica do any tests with you at all?" You shake your head. He grimaces. "I apologize for that, we're short staffed today." You nod your head, understanding. While you're a little upset that this hospital visit is taking much longer than usual, you get where the doctor is coming from.
"No, that's alright." Dr. Belknap grabs a clipboard from the desk behind him and a pen from the drawer.
"So, what brings you here today, Walter?"
"Well, uh, I've been having this persistent cough for a while now. It just won't seem to go away. I'm not really affected by it other than having to stop what I'm doing for a few seconds, but it's not the greatest."
"I see. How long has this been going on?"
"It started about a month ago, and I feel like it's been getting better, but it's just not going away. I've been trying echinacea in some tea, but I don't think that it's working."
"Alright. Any other symptoms? Fever, shortness of breath?"
"No fever, but I do feel a bit short of breath at times, especially when the coughing fits come on."
"Alright, let's take a look. If you don't mind, I'm going to listen to your breathing." With gentle hands, Dr. Belknap begins his examination, his stethoscope pressed against your chest. "Take a deep breath and hold it for me." You do so. "And release." You do so. His somewhat mundane expression turns into a frown as he asks you to do it again. Silence stretches between you both as Dr. Belknap listens intently, his brow furrowing slightly at each labored breath. He asks you to lean forward as he presses the stethoscope against your back.
"Mr. White, do you have a history of smoking?"
"Cigarettes?
"Any nicotine product."
"No, never." You try not to show it, but you're shocked he would ask this. "Why do you ask?" He doesn't respond.
Finally, Dr. Belknap straightens, his expression grave. "Walter, I'd like to run some tests," he says softly, his tone tinged with concern. "I have a feeling this may be something more serious than just a cold. Would you be alright with undergoing a CT scan?" You can feel your face drop.
"Is that necessary? I mean, it's not like I've got cancer or anything, right?" You lift the corners of your mouth to signify you're joking, but Dr. Belknap does not return the smile. Oh God.
---
As you lay inside the scanner, you can feel your life flashing before your eyes. The muted yellow plastic of the machine digs into your body, and you can feel yourself merging with the frame. This is probably the disorentation hitting.
After a while, you put your clothes back on and talk to Dr. Belknap.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713033896681984.png","filename":"24.png"},"posted":1713033896},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5976863,"name":"BANE","msg":">>5976862
"Give us a few days to review the results of your scan. Until then, pay attention to these coughing fits and avoid areas near smoke." His face is grave. "Let's hope for the best.
In a flash, you're walking back to your car. What just happened?
>TELL SKYLER WHAT HAPPENED. She deserves to know what you're going through. (-3 HEISENBERG POINTS)
>DON'T TELL ANYONE. You're only going to be a burden. (-3 WALTER POINTS)
>TELL SOMEONE. Only one person should know about this. (Write-In!) (+???)
>GO BACK INSIDE AND PUNCH DR. BELKNAP. Who does that uppity fuck think he is? (+3 HEISENBERG POINTS)
>OR MAYBE... (Write-In!) (+???)","attachment":null,"posted":1713033929},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5976865,"name":"BANE","msg":">>5976863
TOTAL POINTS (1:2)
WALTER POINTS: 3
HEISENBERG POINTS: 6","attachment":null,"posted":1713034060},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5976868,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976863
>TELL SOMEONE. Only one person should know about this. (Write-In!) (+???)
Call our mother, ask her not to tell Skylar.","attachment":null,"posted":1713034248},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5976874,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976863
>TELL SKYLER WHAT HAPPENED. She deserves to know what you're going through. (-3 HEISENBERG POINTS)
I think she should be the first to know. Most of Walt's issues with her stemmed from him not being honest, let's get ahead of the curve and just be upfront with her. Skyler as an ally is better than her being against us.","attachment":null,"posted":1713035290},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5976914,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976863
>>5976874
+1
Let's rewrite history.","attachment":null,"posted":1713039444},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5977081,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Tell your wife goddamnit give women a break","attachment":null,"posted":1713056138},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5977085,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977081
Tbh zased?","attachment":null,"posted":1713056523},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5977087,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976874
+1 to this
Skyler's a good woman if she's treated right","attachment":null,"posted":1713056604},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5977137,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976863
>OR MAYBE... (Write-In!) (+???)
Go back to grey matter
Time to seduce that big eared freak","attachment":null,"posted":1713060126},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5977265,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976874
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1713068381},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5977599,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976874
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1713108879},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5977670,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976863
>TELL SOMEONE. Only one person should know about this. (Write-In!) (+???)
Tell Hank.","attachment":null,"posted":1713113889},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5977800,"name":"BANE","msg":">>5976868
>TELL MOM.
>>5976868
>TELL SKYLER WHAT HAPPENED.
>>5976874
>>5976914
>>5977081
>>5977087
>>5977265
>>5977599
>GO BACK TO GREY MATTER.
>>5977137
>TELL HANK.
>>5977670
Time to give our dearest wife some terrible news. Writing!","attachment":null,"posted":1713126832},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5978551,"name":"BANE","msg":">>5977800
You sit behind the wheel of your 2004 PONTIAC AZTEK, the engine humming softly as you drive back home. Your head is a whirlwind of thoughts, replaying the conversation with Dr. Belknap and the uncertainty of what lies ahead. The rhythmic thrum of the road beneath the tires acts as white noise to your racing mind. Glancing at the rearview mirror, you catch a glimpse of your reflection, your eyes tired and drawn with worry. You shake your head. You've got to keep it together until you get home.
You tense up as soon as your house comes into view. You park your car in the driveway of 308 NEGRA ARROYO LANE and turn off the engine. Your heartbeat goes crazy as you open the car door and take your first few steps towards your home. You take a deep breath, slide your house keys into the doorhole, and turn the knob.
---
You're home. It hasn't been an insane amount of time since you've been gone, but after what you've heard today, it feels like a lifetime. You hear a familiar voice in the kitchen.
"Marie, I think you're just going to have to tell him no. Nice or not, he's crossing a boundary." You close the door behind you, and the sound of it closing catches Skyler's attention. "Oh, Walt's home. I'll call you back in a bit." She hangs up the phone.
"Hey, honey." You smile as she walks up to you. She smiles back and crosses her arms.
"Was the hospital busy? You took a lot longer than I thought you would; lunch has been ready for an hour or so now." Oh man. You resist the urge to swallow.
"It uh— it wasn't terribly busy, no. It's just uh..." Skyler's amused face turns concerned almost instantly.
"What? Walt, is something seriously wrong with you?"
"I think we should sit down." Skyler looks at you worriedly, her blue eyes pierce through you. Despite how beautiful she is, you find it a bit unsettling. She nods at your proposal, and the two of you sit down on the couch. The clock ticks with each passing second, the next feeling longer than the one before it.
"What did the doctor say?" You can't bring yourself to look at her, so you turn to the next option: the floor. You sigh.
"He was checking my chest, and... he found something. They had to do a CT scan. He didn't say anything definitive, but it could be serious."
"What? What does that mean? And a-a-a CT scan? Why?"
"Skyler, I wish I knew for certain, but... I have a feeling that I might have lung cancer." You gulp. Hesistantly, you look up at Skyler, but you instantly regret doing so. Her eyes are wide, and her hands cover up her mouth. She looks so distraught that you feel she could cry at anytime. Indeed, her eyes do water, but she doesn't cry.
"Oh, Walt. I— I don't—" The both of you give each other the same sad look. This is the worst thing to ever happen to this family.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713210933360698.png","filename":"25.png"},"posted":1713210933},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5978552,"name":"BANE","msg":">>5978551
"At the very least, they're not sure yet. It could be nothing, or it could be..." You trail off. Silence hangs in the air so heavily, you feel the weight of it would crush you both. Suddenly, you feel Skyler's hand grab your own. You turn to her. Tears are streaming down her face, but she's smiling. It's that sad smile that she'd give you whenever the bills got a bit too high. The same smile she had when she'd remember her dead childhood dog. The same smile she's giving you now.
"We can work through this. It may not even be cancer, right? The tests come back, when? Tomorrow? The day after?"
"They said in a few days, yeah."
"Well, until then, let's stay... optimistic." She sniffles in between her words. You try to reach for a tissue, but she doesn't let go of your hand.
"Optimistic is... good." You smile slightly. The two of you embrace, one of shared fear and determination.
You're glad you told your wife.
--
YOU HAVE SPENT -3 HEISENBERG POINTS!
TOTAL POINTS (1:1)
WALTER POINTS: 3
HEISENBERG POINTS: 3
--
Eventually, WALTER JR. comes back from school, and you all eat a meal together. Both you and Skyler decide to hold the news from him, at least until the test results come back. The day is over almost too quickly.
What will you do?
>SKIP TO THE RESULTS. Give us the bad news, doc.
>TELL JUNIOR NOW. Maybe we should give him an opportunity to prepare for these results.
>TELL SOMEONE ELSE. Someone else should also know about this.
>PREPARE FOR CANCER. You've got to get a grip and figure out what you'll do once you get your diagnosis. (Write-In!) (+???)
>DO SOMETHING FUN. Fuck this health bullshit. You need a distraction. (Write-In!) (+???)
>OR MAYBE... (Write-In!) (+???)","attachment":null,"posted":1713210973},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5978556,"name":"BANE","msg":"Apologies for the day of absence! Got insanely busy last night and wasn't able to update. I'll try my best to be more transparent if anything else affects updates like this, I have a pretty bad track record with that. Thanks for being patient :)","attachment":null,"posted":1713211110},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5978595,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978552
>TELL SOMEONE ELSE. Someone else should also know about this.
>PREPARE FOR CANCER. You've got to get a grip and figure out what you'll do once you get your diagnosis. (Write-In!) (+???)
>tell hank and ask him to help skyler with junior if you die from chemo early.
>get a gym membership. We are going to outlift cancer with our gains","attachment":null,"posted":1713215848},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5978601,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978552
>TELL SOMEONE ELSE. Someone else should also know about this.
Let's tell our bro Hank.
>PREPARE FOR CANCER. You've got to get a grip and figure out what you'll do once you get your diagnosis.
Meditate. Think about our will and going to the gym.","attachment":null,"posted":1713216768},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5978673,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978552
>>5978595
+1
Also let's look into what other things we can use to keep it at bay while we wait on the doctor. Nothing wrong with taking matters into our own hands.","attachment":null,"posted":1713224857},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5979163,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978552
Oh shit Walterquest is back? I'm excited.
>>5978595
>>5978601
+1 to these","attachment":null,"posted":1713289896},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5979202,"name":"BANE","msg":">>5978595
>>5978601
>>5978673
>>5979163
>TELL HANK.
>PREPARE FOR CANCER BY GOING TO THE GYM.
>>5978673
>SEARCH FOR ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS.
Good stuff you guys. Writing!","attachment":null,"posted":1713295037},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5979348,"name":"BANE","msg":">>5979202
You wake. You hardly got any sleep last night; your mind was too busy thinking about what to do to prepare for a potential cancer diagnosis. You hope that it's really nothing, but you know better.
---
YOU HAVE TWO (2) DAYS UNTIL THE DIAGNOSIS.
---
The first thing you do is eat breakfast with your family. You suppose it's cliche, but knowing that you may only have a little time left, these little moments mean far more to you now than they have before. Walt Jr. seems oblivious of the tension in the room, which is good.
"Hey, n-no more veggie bacon." You and Skyler both turn to look at him. He looks up at Skyler. "Not watching our cholesterol anymore, mom?" Now it's your turn to look at Skyler. She doesn't show it, but you can tell she's on the verge of breaking into tears. She gives Junior a smile.
"I got tired of you both moaning and groaning about the bacon." She looks at you and then holds her tummy. "Ooh, ow. One minute." She hurries off to the master bedroom.
"Need any help, Sky—" you start to call after her, but she interrupts you from inside the bathroom.
"No, honey, it's alright. Go ahead and drive Junior to school after you guys finish eating. I'll be here for a bit."
"Alright, take it easy in there." You look to Junior, who looks worriedly at the corridor. "She'll be fine. Happened a lot when you were in there, you know." This causes Junior to grimace; the idea of being a fetus isn't one that pairs well with breakfast it seems. You both eventually finish eating, and you drop Junior off at school.
"You're not coming, dad?" You shake your head.
"No, son. Taking a few days off for the coughing. It's gotten worse lately." You smile at him. "You want me to pick you back up or is that friend of yours getting you?"
"Yeah, Louis."
"Sounds good. Tell him to come by the house once in a while, hang out a bit." Junior seems hesitant.
"Uh, sure dad. Bye." He heads inside. You head back home.
Upon opening the door, you hear sobbing coming from the bathroom. You hurry there to see Skyler crying by the sink.
"Honey, are you alright? Is this because of the baby?" She shakes her head.
"Nothing was wrong with my stomach, Walt. I just needed to get away so I wouldn't cry in front of Junior." She sniffles, and you hold her. "God," she chokes out. "Thank you, honey." She kisses your cheek and wipes her face.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713308522461981.png","filename":"26.png"},"posted":1713308522},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5979349,"name":"BANE","msg":">>5979348
"Jesus, Walt, you can't be serious." Hank's jovial voice turned disbelieving when you gave him the news over the phone.
"I wish I wasn't."
"Shit, Walt... I... I don't know what to say."
"Yeah, it's... it's a lot to take in. But I wanted you to hear it from me. Honestly, I didn't want to worry anyone until I knew for sure. I had to ignore the thought of not telling anybody. I mean, the amount for chemotherapy alone? I can't help being a burden." Hank clicks his tongue.
"Hey, hey, Walt, I get it. I understand not telling anyone, but, I'll be honest, it's the coward's way out."
"I didn't mean to—"
"Nah man, I know your intentions are good. But if you do have cancer, don't let it get treated, and just pop off mother Earth like that, what do you think that'll do to Skyler and Junior? Sure, they might be a little better off without some debt hanging over them, but they'd have lost you."
"Yeah. Yeah, you're right."
"We all love you man." You both sit in silence over the phone for a bit.
"Hey Hank?"
"Yeah, buddy."
"If I die—"
"Woah, man. Slow down."
"Hank, please. If it turns out I do have cancer, and if I do get treated, if I happen to not make it. Can you promise me that you'll take care of my family? Help Skyler with Junior and the new baby?" You gulp. You really hate yourself for saying this. Your pride is being mortally wounded right now, but you've made up your mind.
--
YOU HAVE SPENT -2 HEISENBERG POINTS!
TOTAL POINTS (3:1)
WALTER POINTS: 3
HEISENBERG POINTS: 1
--
"Shit, man. What kind of a question is that? Of course, no matter what.
"Thank you."
"Hey, how about you promise me this: Promise me you won't face this alone. You've got Skyler, Junior, and me and Marie. We're all a team, remember? A family."
"Thanks, Hank."
"Anytime."","attachment":null,"posted":1713308555},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5979350,"name":"BANE","msg":">>5979349
With the remaining time left in the day, you decide to do some research of your own. After all, it's all you did for 6 years in college. Your fingers dance across the keyboard as you immerse yourself in your research. Could you imagine if you had the internet at your disposal when writing your thesis? Unbelievable. You start by browsing reputable medical websites, reading articles and studies on alternative cancer treatments that catch your eye. One by one, you plunge headfirst into a world of herbal supplements, intrigued by claims of their potential to boost the immune system and inhibit cancer cell growth. You take notes, jotting down the various remedies you come across. You're not immediately sold on any of them at first glance, but you keep them in mind regardless.
Next, you explore the realm of healing massages and acupuncture treatments. You read testimonials from cancer patients and survivors who swear by the therapeutic benefits of these practices, and you find yourself drawn to the idea of incorporating them into your own treatment plan, if not the very least because you would genuinely just enjoy a nice massage. But you don't stop there. You delve into the world of fitness. You learn about the importance of exercise in improving circulation and oxygen flow, as well as the benefits of strength training in building muscle mass and increasing physical strength. You actually have to stop to imagine yourself as buff as someone like Dolph Lundgren. Honestly? The thought does not bother you.
---
YOU HAVE EARNED +1 WALTER POINT! (research)
YOU HAVE EARNED +1 HEISENBERG POINT! (fantasy)
TOTAL POINTS (2:1)
WALTER POINTS: 4
HEISENBERG POINTS: 2
---
The day draws to a close. Both Hank and Marie are now aware that you may have cancer, and Skyler is trying to remain strong. Perhaps for the better, Walter Jr. is none the wiser about your illness. You've learned a good deal about alternative medicine, and you're motivated to actually go out and improve your own physicality.
What will you do tomorrow? (CHOOSE ONE.)
>DO SOMETHING WITH WALTER JR. AFTER SCHOOL. You should really spend some more time with your boy. (+4 WALTER POINTS)
>GO ON A RIDE-ALONG. You've been thinking about the opportunity Hank gave you at your birthday party. (+2 HEISENBERG POINTS)
>REACH OUT TO SOME OLD FRIENDS. Your old "pal" Elliott's birthday is coming up. Maybe you should pay the guy a visit. (+6 WALTER POINTS)
>RELAX AND EAT SOME FRIEND CHICKEN. You've heard some good things about the chicken place downtown. What was it, Los Pollos something or other? (+4 HEISENBERG POINTS)
>OR MAYBE... (Write-In!) (+???)","attachment":null,"posted":1713308588},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5979356,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979350
>GO ON A RIDE-ALONG
I don't know what the rest of you want to do as far as long term plans, whether we'll even go into drugs at all or we'll be content with a happy-ish ending where we just die from cancer surrounded by family, but I at least want to see Jesse","attachment":null,"posted":1713309067},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5979358,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979350
>>GO ON A RIDE-ALONG. You've been thinking about the opportunity Hank gave you at your birthday party. (+2 HEISENBERG POINTS)","attachment":null,"posted":1713309205},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5979361,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979350
>RELAX AND EAT SOME FRIEND CHICKEN. You've heard some good things about the chicken place downtown. What was it, Los Pollos something or other? (+4 HEISENBERG POINTS)
We have to balance the points, even if seeing Gretchen and Elliot is in-character for what this Walt is doing.","attachment":null,"posted":1713309595},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5979365,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979350
>GO ON A RIDE-ALONG. You've been thinking about the opportunity Hank gave you at your birthday party. (+2 HEISENBERG POINTS)
No clue how we're gonna do it, but Jessie redemption arc here we come","attachment":null,"posted":1713309962},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5979368,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979361
If we go to Gus now, as the Walter-y guy we are, we're prime pickings for being taken advantage of, we need at least some experience with the game","attachment":null,"posted":1713310028},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5979374,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979368
Heavy agree","attachment":null,"posted":1713310988},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5979412,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979350
>OR MAYBE... (Write-In!) (+???)
>lift weights at the gym
Gainsenburg","attachment":null,"posted":1713316897},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5979417,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979356
Forgot to +1","attachment":null,"posted":1713317520},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5979426,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979350
>>5979412
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1713318153},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5979996,"name":"BANE","msg":">GO ON A RIDE-ALONG
>>5979356
>>5979358
>>5979365
>>5979417
>RELAX AND EAT SOME FRIED CHICKEN.
>>5979361
>LIFT WEIGHTS AT THE GYM
>>5979412
>>5979426
Hopping in with Hank and Gomez on the drug bust of a lifetime! Hopefully we see some... friendly faces along the way. Wrrrrrriting!","attachment":null,"posted":1713388728},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5980103,"name":"BANE","msg":">>5979996
"It's the last house on the right, see it? Not the two story one, the one next to it. The kind of um... I don't know, what do you call that... um, green?" You strain your neck from inside the SUV that you, Hank, and Gomez are sitting in to see the house that Hank is referring to.
"Sage," Gomez answers.
"Sage? What, do you work at the fucking pottery barn? Jesus."
"Sage. That's the word for it. My fault the only word your dumbass knows is 'green'?"
"Cheese dick. I know that one, how about that?" Gomez shakes his head. "Anyway, it's the sage one, see it?" You do see it, eventually. It just looks like a normal house to you.
"So, what tells you it's a meth lab?" you ask.
"Just our snitch. Says some dude goes by Cap'n Cook lives up to his name in there. Says he always adds a, a dash of chili powder," Hank chuckles. "Ah, you exuberant Mexicans." One guy? Really?
"Uh-uh," Gomez interjects. "Captain Cook? That's a white boy's name. Dopey as hell too." You guess you could believe it. If you were in a lab with all the ingredients, you could probably make it yourself too. But non-scientists? Wow.
"Yeah?" Hank reaches into his pocket to grab his wallet. "Tell you what, I got you twenty bucks that says he's a beaner." Gomez does the same.
"Alright. You're on." Hank places a twenty dollar bill on the console, and Gomez puts two teners down. You sigh at this exchange. Hank looks impatiently at a school bus driving by. Seems like the bust was scheduled to happen only after the bus passed the house in order not to interrupt its route. Smart. It quickly speeds by. As soon as it does, Hank holds his radio up to his mouth.
"Alright. School bus is clear, you got the green light."
"Copy that," a voice on the radio responds. As Hank starts the car to get closer, a big black van with four DEA officers holding onto it drives right up to the house. Hank follows them.
"Watch this, makes them shit." He scats "Ride of the Valkyries" as you all approach the scene. The officers on the car jump off of it and ready up as soon as it stops, unholstering their guns and standing in formation. You notice they're all wearing masks and respirators.
"Meth labs are nasty on a good day. You mix that shit wrong, and you got mustard gas." Oh yeah, that's right. You remember that fish smell. Actually, mustard gas is sulfur. With the ingredients you'd find in a meth lab, it'd most likely be:
"Phosphine gas," you correct. Hank looks back to you, and you think that you may have overstepped for a second. This is his ride you're along for, after all. Plus, you kinda seem like a criminal for knowing this. At least a criminal nerd. Gotta reel it back. "I think." Hank turns back to the scene.
"Yeah, exactly. One whiff'll kill ya. That's why the respirators." The three of you watch as the officers slowly disappear into the backyard.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713397010390467.png","filename":"27.png"},"posted":1713397010},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5980106,"name":"BANE","msg":">>5980103
BAM! You hear a gunshot that shatters what is probably a glass door. The officers rush inside the house, which was apparently blasting rap music. You arent privy to see the bust, but you're kind of glad that you aren't. I mean, what would you do near a crazy junkie meth cook? Jeez. It's hard to imagine. Eventually, the radio in Hank's hand speaks again.
"House is clear. One suspect in custody."
"Copy that. The suspect, might he be of the Latino persuasion?" Hank sounds hopeful.
"Driver's license says Emilio Koyama." Gomez's expression turns gleeful. Wow. It really was one guy. You're surprised that you're surprised.
"Asian! Pay up, suck—" He reaches for the money, but Hank slaps his hand on it first and takes it.
"Hey, hey, hey. First name, Emilio. That's at least half a beaner. Tell you what, I'll let you off for a ten." Gomez snatches the money from him, grumbling. "Cheer up, Gomey. You people still got J-Lo."
"Hank, d'you think I might get to go inside? See the actual lab?" Hank and Gomez share a look.
"Uh... yeah, yeah. Tell you what, we're gonna go ahead and peek our heads in, check it out first. Stay here a minute." They get out of the car, leaving you inside. Man, you've got to see this lab. This has to be some amateur stuff, you mean, chili powder? Fucking chili powder? Why purposefully ruin the final product like that? Actually, you're sure you know why, it's because he's a stupid junk— what was that? Your train of thought is interrupted by a jingling sound to your right. Probably someone unlocking their car or something.
...
That is a half-naked man putting his pants on. He's... really struggling with it too. He fumbles with the pant leg a few times before tripping on it and tumbling off the roof. You can't help but flinch; the fall sounded painful. A topless woman tosses down a few more of his clothes as he gets up.
"Oh, God," you let out. You look to the man putting his clothes on. He's really on edge, constantly looking towards the sage house with the DEA all over it. He scans the area... and locks eyes with you. You finally get a good look at... his face. "Oh my God." He seems to recognize you too and curses. "Pinkman?" Your former student, JESSE PINKMAN, holds up a finger to his lips and absconds. You get out of the car to see him get into his.
"THECAPN" reads the license plate on Jesse's CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. Oh your God.
How do you react? (CHOOSE ONE.)
>IGNORE HIM. You'd rather not get your hands dirty with all that criminal grime. To think, one of your former students. (+3 HEISENBERG POINTS
>TELL HANK. You've got to. You're not just going to let him get away, are you? (+3 WALTER POINTS)
>TEAM UP WITH JESSE. You know, this meth thing seems pretty lucrative. Maybe, he and you could team up? (+5 HEISENBERG POINTS)
>CONFRONT JESSE. You haven't talked since he flunked your class, but you can't not help a former student. (+5 WALTER POINTS)
---
TOTAL POINTS (2:1)
WALTER POINTS: 4
HEISENBERG POINTS: 2","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713397047229833.png","filename":"28.png"},"posted":1713397047},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5980112,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980106
>>IGNORE HIM. You'd rather not get your hands dirty with all that criminal grime. To think, one of your former students. (+3 HEISENBERG POINTS","attachment":null,"posted":1713397596},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5980117,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980106
>CONFRONT JESSE. You haven't talked since he flunked your class, but you can't not help a former student. (+5 WALTER POINTS)","attachment":null,"posted":1713397965},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5980118,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980106
>IGNORE HIM. You'd rather not get your hands dirty with all that criminal grime. To think, one of your former students. (+3 HEISENBERG POINTS","attachment":null,"posted":1713397978},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5980135,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980106
>>IGNORE HIM. You'd rather not get your hands dirty with all that criminal grime. To think, one of your former students. (+3 HEISENBERG POINTS
lets look at the lab. we can contact jesse later and grade him for his lab setup","attachment":null,"posted":1713398713},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5980140,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980106
>>IGNORE HIM. You'd rather not get your hands dirty with all that criminal grime. To think, one of your former students. (+3 HEISENBERG POINTS
Gotta build up those points for the big spendy.","attachment":null,"posted":1713398834},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5980186,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980106
>CONFRONT JESSE. You haven't talked since he flunked your class, but you can't not help a former student. (+5 WALTER POINTS)","attachment":null,"posted":1713404365},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5980474,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980106
>CONFRONT JESSE. You haven't talked since he flunked your class, but you can't not help a former student. (+5 WALTER POINTS)","attachment":null,"posted":1713449858},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5980667,"name":"BANE","msg":"Good discussions you guys :) Shockingly, it seems we're at a near tie now.
I probably won't be able to update til late tonight, so feel free to deliberate on what the best course of action here really is until then. Expanding on your choices is also recommended, the more detail you give, the better you can steer Walt towards the desired future you want to give him.","attachment":null,"posted":1713465109},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5980949,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980106
As Walter-y as we are right now, we'd probably just piss Jesse off if we go in and try to fix his life as the science teacher who flunked him, Jesse only started respecting and looking up to Walt after he showed he could get his hands dirty and the shared fucked up experience of having to actually kill a guy for the first time
Therefore, though I'd wish we could start off this relationship fast and on a good foot, the slower burn is probably the smarter way to go
>IGNORE HIM. You'd rather not get your hands dirty with all that criminal grime. To think, one of your former students. (+3 HEISENBERG POINTS)
Let's go check out the lab first, then go and find him later like in canon
If we just try to team up with him now, he's going to be suspicious as hell since we're quite literally here on the scene in a DEA vehicle","attachment":null,"posted":1713486501},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5981072,"name":"BANE","msg":">IGNORE HIM.
>>5980112
>>5980118
>>5980135
>>5980140
>>5980949
>CONFRONT JESSE.
>>5980117
>>5980186
>>5980474
Fascinating thoughts, people.
>>5980949
Good thinking :)
Writing!","attachment":null,"posted":1713499710},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5981100,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981072
Actually, I'll update tomorrow, I'm beat from work.","attachment":null,"posted":1713501694},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5983865,"name":"BANE","msg":">>5981072
You walk towards the house, looking back only once at Jesse's rapidly disappearing car. A pit forms in your stomach; you can't help but feel guilty that you didn't confront him. Your conscience is lightened again by the thought that you're not snitching on him, at the very least, but it's heavied again with guilt that you aren't telling Hank what you saw.
"Enjoy a nice trip to lockup, Mr. Koyama." You hear Hank laugh as he leads Emilio to the squad car nearby. Emilio sees you as he gets in, and you can't help but gulp. You really hope that Jesse seeing you and not getting caught would give him a second chance opportunity to not get into the world of methamphetiamine again, but knowing addicts, he's bound to relapse into it again. You sigh as you enter the house.
---
YOU HAVE EARNED +3 HEISENBERG POINTS!
TOTAL POINTS (4:5)
WALTER POINTS: 4
HEISENBERG POINTS: 5
---
The stench inside is awful. The source of it seems to be an amalgam of the scents coming from various open containers and the piles of junk lining the counters, tables, and floor. Hank hands you a mask, one alike the ones you have in the science department at J.P. Wynne. You put it on and walk around. As you survey the wreckage, you can't help but instantly get into a chemistry headspace. You notice the flares that have been pulled apart and the matches, their tips rubbed clean of their iconic red color. You grimace. These two could stand to learn a lot more about chemistry. Red phosphorus, a vital ingredient in the production of methamphetamine, is present in those flares, but not so much for the matches. They're most commonly found on the striking strips on the boxes. Jesse and Emilio were needlessly tainting their product with a ton of potassium chlorate and other materials. Amateurs. Well, amateurs at chemistry at least. You've never actually made any meth. And why would you? You're... you're no criminal.
---
YOU HAVE EARNED +1 HEISENBERG POINT! (passively observing cook site)
TOTAL POINTS (2:3)
WALTER POINTS: 4
HEISENBERG POINTS: 6
---
But, man. You can't help but look at the state of the lab in disdain. If you had these kinds of resources, you could do the same thing they do but exponentially better. In fact, if the DEA weren't around and you really wanted to, you could actually recover a lot of the ingredients here. A lot of the lithium strips they have are untouched, the filtration system they have could easily be improved, and you would absolutely not use a single bit of chili powder. Your brain is kicked into overdrive, seeing beyond the chaos and leveraging the situation in your favor. You turn to the operatives carrying bag after bag filled with hundred-dollar bills. The money you could make? Well, it could pay for so many bills, so many fees... cancer treatment...","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713754683199970.gif","filename":"29.gif"},"posted":1713754683},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5983867,"name":"BANE","msg":">>5983865
Your heart skips a beat when you finally realize what you've been thinking. You're not a criminal. Right? Jesus, this place is giving you a headache. You swallow. Why did you want to come here in the first place? Cancer. That's right, you wanted to try new things and (like Hank said) get some more excitement in your life. But why do your thoughts turn to this? Is this just par for the course near the scene of a crime? You suppose that anyone's mind would wander at a place like this.
You've had enough.
...
You return home. It's late, and you're washing dishes. You've just regaled your family at dinner with your experience at the bust, save some details you've decided to keep to yourself. Walter Jr. seemed very interested about the whole thing, and he actually listened to your thoughts about the chemistry side of things. Skyler looked a lot happier today, but you can tell she's not completely at peace with holding your potential diagnosis from her son. It's been a long day, but you suppose you have time for one more thing before you turn in for the night.
>NEVERMIND, GO TO SLEEP. Tomorrow is the day the results come back. You should really go to sleep, so you can wake up bright and early.
>TELL JUNIOR. Enough is enough; the boy has to know. (+2 WALTER POINTS)
>CONFRONT JESSE. You could probably sneak out and find where he lives from the school directory. (+4 WALTER POINTS)
>BE RAVENOUS. You've had a HARD day. (+2 HEISENBERG POINTS)
>OR MAYBE... (Write-In!) (+???)
---
TOTAL POINTS (2:3)
WALTER POINTS: 4
HEISENBERG POINTS: 6","attachment":null,"posted":1713754721},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5983872,"name":"BANE","msg":"Apologies for the radio silence for the past few days! I've been feeling terrible following a workout and happened to be busy in general. We're back on for Walterquest :)","attachment":null,"posted":1713754783},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5983880,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983867
>>CONFRONT JESSE. You could probably sneak out and find where he lives from the school directory. (+4 WALTER POINTS)","attachment":null,"posted":1713755058},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5983881,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983867
>TELL JUNIOR. Enough is enough; the boy has to know. (+2 WALTER POINTS)
Can we tell him by the pool? Is there any tequila in the house? Maybe we can soften the blow and reinforce him being mature enough to know this by reframing the tequila scene from the show?","attachment":null,"posted":1713755176},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5983888,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983867
>BE RAVENOUS. You've had a HARD day. (+2 HEISENBERG POINTS)
Get that pussy Walter","attachment":null,"posted":1713755361},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5983901,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983867
>>TELL JUNIOR. Enough is enough; the boy has to know. (+2 WALTER POINTS)
He should be aware.","attachment":null,"posted":1713756161},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5983907,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983880
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1713756805},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5983935,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983867
>>TELL JUNIOR. Enough is enough; the boy has to know. (+2 WALTER POINTS)","attachment":null,"posted":1713758840},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5983939,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983867
We don't even have an official diagnosis yet (though we all know it's positive) so I don't really see the need to tell Junior, my real preference is either sleep or having sex, but I don't want confronting Jesse to win for the same reasons I explained earlier, so I'll vote for
>>TELL JUNIOR. Enough is enough; the boy has to know. (+2 WALTER POINTS)","attachment":null,"posted":1713759050},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5983965,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983867
>Write in. Lay in bed pondering the cost of treatment, mortgage payments, car wash income, Junior's collage fund, a new mouth to feed, teaching income. Do the math.
>Ponder bags of hundred dollar bills.","attachment":null,"posted":1713761790},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5984021,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983965
I won't change my vote but I'll also support this with a +1, even if we don't go into drugs we should at least make sure the family is well-provided for, and thinking about it is the first step","attachment":null,"posted":1713768606},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5984105,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983867
>>CONFRONT JESSE. You could probably sneak out and find where he lives from the school directory. (+4 WALTER POINTS)","attachment":null,"posted":1713787090},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5984115,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983867
>>TELL JUNIOR. Enough is enough; the boy has to know. (+2 WALTER POINTS)
Im going to fight it but just in case I need you to be the man of the house","attachment":null,"posted":1713788120},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5984136,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Didn't we agree with Skyler not to tell Junior before we got official confirmation?","attachment":null,"posted":1713791673},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5984193,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983867
>TELL JUNIOR. Enough is enough; the boy has to know. (+2 WALTER POINTS)
I'll also +1
>>5983965","attachment":null,"posted":1713798731},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5984205,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983867
>CONFRONT JESSE. You could probably sneak out and find where he lives from the school directory. (+4 WALTER POINTS)
Here's my issue: Jesse is going to get killed sometime soon if we don't intervene. Emilio thinks Jesse snitched on him and Krazy-8 is going along with this narrative even though he's the snitch. If we want to redeem Jesse and keep him with us, we need to do it soon. Maybe not now, but at least soon.","attachment":null,"posted":1713800989},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5984230,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983867
>>CONFRONT JESSE. You could probably sneak out and find where he lives from the school directory. (+4 WALTER POINTS)","attachment":null,"posted":1713803799},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5984314,"name":"BANE","msg":">CONFRONT JESSE.
>>5983880
>>5983907
>>5984105
>>5984205
>>5984230
>TELL JUNIOR.
>>5983881
>>5983901
>>5983935
>>5983939
>>5984115
>>5984193
>BE RAVENOUS.
>>5983888
>PONDER DEBT AND WEALTH.
>>5983965
>>5984021
>>5984193
Looks talking to Junior beats talking to Jesse.
As an additional note, we are at the exact ratio that Junior prefers Walter to be. This ratio is one that I've already given in the first thread (https://archived.moe/qst/thread/5848264/#5850604), but I will add a new option to any future posts to give the option of spending points to reveal someone's preferred ratio (this option was always available, I just never said anything about it :P). We've never tried this, so let's set the cost at 2 Walter and 2 Heisenberg points each.
This will look something like this:
>REVEAL DESIRES. Spend 2 WALTER POINTS and 2 HEISENBERG POINTS to reveal a character's preferred ratio. Can only be used on characters Walter has interacted with.
WALTER JR.'s preferred ratio is:
(2W:3H).
Possible point values for 2:3:
2W:3H
4W:6H
6W:9H
This ratio can change based on actions you choose to make towards this character.","attachment":null,"posted":1713818967},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5984410,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984314
>Reveal desired ratio Hank wants
Is this like a vote for what we want revealed that required more than one anon for it?","attachment":null,"posted":1713830136},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5984412,"name":"BANE","msg":">>5984410
Let's say I added this to the last post. It would look like this:
>NEVERMIND, GO TO SLEEP. Tomorrow is the day the results come back. You should really go to sleep, so you can wake up bright and early.
>TELL JUNIOR. Enough is enough; the boy has to know. (+2 WALTER POINTS)
>CONFRONT JESSE. You could probably sneak out and find where he lives from the school directory. (+4 WALTER POINTS)
>BE RAVENOUS. You've had a HARD day. (+2 HEISENBERG POINTS)
>REVEAL DESIRES. Spend 2 WALTER POINTS and 2 HEISENBERG POINTS to reveal a character's preferred ratio. Can only be used on characters Walter has interacted with.
>OR MAYBE... (Write-In!) (+???)
---
TOTAL POINTS (2:3)
WALTER POINTS: 4
HEISENBERG POINTS: 6
It's a vote that has to accompany an action. Majority rules, and if there's no contention to spending it, I will reveal as such.","attachment":null,"posted":1713830449},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5984435,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984412
Alright, thank you for clarifying Bane.","attachment":null,"posted":1713833456},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5984462,"name":"BANE","msg":">>5984314
"I think I should tell Junior." You look at Skyler. "About the cancer diagnosis." Skyler's eyes widen.
"I thought we were waiting until you got the diagnosis."
"I did too, but... I think it's important for him to know what's going on, especially if things take a turn for the worse. Besides, I think I'd like him there with us, whatever the result might be."
"I don't know. He's so young."
"He is. But he'll respect us more for this, us treating him like an adult." Skyler looks at you, studying your expression. She smiles.
"Okay, if you think it's best. But make sure you approach it carefully." You nod.
"Of course. Do you want to come talk to him with me?"
"I think it's best if he just hears it from you. But thank you." You nod again, get up, and head towards the door. "And Walt?" You turn around. "Thank you for being honest with me. I love you." Now it's your turn to smile.
"I love you too, Skyler." You walk up to her, and the two of you kiss and embrace.
---
"Junior. Hey, Junior." You knock on his door twice. You can hear what seems to be rustling from inside his room.
"Uh, give me a second, dad," Walter Jr. says from inside. You can't help but smirk. Seems like boys stay the same regardless of generation.
"Meet me outside in the backyard. I've got something I need to talk to you about." The rustling stops.
"What do y-you want to talk about? Am I in trouble?"
"No, nothing like that. Just come on out, I'll be waiting for you." You walk into the kitchen and grab a bottle of JOSE CUERVO ESPECIAL GOLD TEQUILA and two shot glasses from the cupboard. Looking outside from the kitchen window, the sky seems overcast. You slide open the glass patio door and take in the cool, crisp evening air. It's not a bad night out. No stars, but you've never relied on them to enjoy a nice evening. You pour the tequila into both glasses and take one, sipping the strong and sweet drink while you wait for your son. Eventually, the chip off the old block shows up.
"Woah." He notices the alcohol. You grin.
"Take a seat." He does so. You point to the other shot on the table. "Take a sip, son." He hesitates.
"Does this one, uh, taste good?" You chuckle at his question.
"If you're asking if it tastes better than that beer I got you, then yes. But in general, alcohol rarely tastes good." Actually? "At first." He seems to take this advice as he sips the drink. He coughs a little, but he manages to finish the shot.
"Attaboy," you say as you pour him another shot. He takes it but doesn't drink from it yet.
"S-So, what did you want to talk about, dad?" Oh man, here we go.
"Well, you know how I went to the doctor for a check-up two days ago?"
"Yeah, I remember," Junior replies, concern flickering in his eyes. You clear your throat, your gaze shifting away momentarily before returning to meet your son's as he tentatively sips his shot.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713836547202727.png","filename":"30.png"},"posted":1713836547},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5984463,"name":"BANE","msg":">>5984462
"Well, uh, they found something... It's... it's a bit serious. There's a possibility that... that I might have cancer." You see Junior's mouth gape open, tequila spilling out.
"W-What? Cancer?"
"I haven't gotten the results back yet, but... I just wanted to let you know." You both sit in silence. Walter Jr. wipes his mouth with his sleeve.
"But... but you'll be okay, right, Dad?" Jesus. What do you say to that? You don't want to scare the kid, but the reality of the situation... no, he doesn't need to be thinking about all that.
"Yeah, yeah, of course, Junior. If I have it, I'm gonna fight this thing, alright? And, and your aunt Marie, she'll make sure that I've got the best doctors looking out for me." Marie was telling Skyler about putting together an oncology dream team for you if the results came back positive. Junior seems to start reacting pretty well to this, despite how distraught he looks.
"Alright, dad." You give him a sad smile.
"Come here," you say as you bring him into a tight hug. "I love you, son."
"I love you too, dad." Reality seems to really set in for him as he holds you tight. You hear him sniffle, but he tries to keep a straight face.
"We'll get through this together." You both break the hug. "Want to skip school tomorrow and come with me to hear the results?" He nods. "Alright. Get some sleep, we're headed to the hospital bright and early."
---
YOU HAVE EARNED +2 WALTER POINTS!
TOTAL POINTS (1:1)
WALTER POINTS: 6
HEISENBERG POINTS: 6
---
Due to your actions, WALTER JR'S RATIO HAS CHANGED.
---
As you lie in bed, you think. With the weight of your diagnosis, financial concerns inundate your thoughts. Mortgage payments, already a strain on your finances, now seem insurmountable without a steady income. Your teaching income feels woefully inadequate. The modest earnings you get from the car mean basically nothing. Shit, the car wash! You haven't been for days... you know what Bogdan does to employees who don't show up. Looks like that source of income might be gone too. If you do have cancer, it threatens to drain all of your savings. Even Junior's college fund now stands at risk of depletion. With a new mouth to feed on the way, the strain on your already stretched resources becomes all too unbearable.
Amidst this, a new thought emerges in your mind. You've witnessed the workings of an illicit business, and you have a possible connection. Your analytical mind does the work for you. The fortune you could amass with the money you make from producing methamphetamine... it would be enough and more. You wouldn't have to worry about all this... but you shouldn't. Should you? Fuck.
You've had a big day. Your immediate family, save your parents, knows about your possible diagnosis. Tomorrow, you get the results.
>ROLL 1d100 (+6 WALTER POINTS, -6 HEISENBERG POINTS) FOR YOUR CANCER DIAGNOSIS. BEST OF THREE (3) ROLLS.","attachment":null,"posted":1713836588},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5984480,"name":"dice+1d100+6","msg":">>5984463","attachment":null,"posted":1713837781},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5984482,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 60 + 6 (1d100 + 6)
>>5984463","attachment":null,"posted":1713837842},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5984483,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 52 (1d100)
>>5984463
Rolling for a clean bill of health.","attachment":null,"posted":1713837843},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5984511,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 45 (1d100)
>>5984463","attachment":null,"posted":1713839331},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5984515,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 33 (1d100)
>>5984463
on the chance that the +6 guy doesn't count","attachment":null,"posted":1713839564},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5984548,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984463
Interesting that his ratio changed, I can see Jesse's desired ratio changing throughout the course of our interactions with him too if we follow canon","attachment":null,"posted":1713842289},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5985090,"name":"BANE","msg":">>5984482
>>5984483
>>5984511
>HIGHEST ROLL: 60
Writing...","attachment":null,"posted":1713895515},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5985209,"name":"BANE","msg":">>5985090
You wake. You turn to look at Skyler. She's sound asleep. You smile as you look at your wife's beautiful face. Quietly, you slip out from under the covers, sliding into your slippers as you get up out of bed. Your mind is heavy with the day's impending results. You quickly brush your teeth; the sound of running water causes Skyler to stir a little, but she doesn't wake up. You shuffle out into the hallway. You pass the three caricatures of you and your family as you look at Walter Jr.'s bedroom door. You sigh. You make your way into the kitchen and decide to cook breakfast for everyone, hoping that it would offer a brief respite from the weight of uncertainty that hangs over you.
Eventually, the clang of the pan against the metal of the gas burner and the chops of the knife into the crisp vegetables rouse Skyler out of her rest. The inviting scent of the omelettes and bacon wake Junior up. Both walk into the dining room, groggy. They smile at each other, but when they turn to you, the smile turns sad. Walter Jr. gives you a pursed smile as he takes his seat. Skyler kisses your cheek and looks at the pan full of bacon that you plate next to the omelettes. She carries a few of the plates to the table while you plate up some toast and grab the butter from the fridge. Junior collects some silverware, and Skyler helps him get the grapefruit juice out of the fridge. Together, you gather around the table in a rather somber silence, each lost in your own thoughts.
With each passing minute, the anticipation of the hospital visit halts the mundane chatter that would normally takes place at family breakfasts. The sound of utensils against plates along with the slow march of the ticking clocks in the room are the only sounds you can hear. You look outside. It's a beautiful day.
---
In the hospital waiting room, you and your family sit with palpable tension. Your hands clasp tightly together, your knuckles turning white as you try to steady your racing thoughts. Skyler sits beside you, her gaze fixed on the floor as she chews nervously on her lip. You exchange nervous yet reassuring glances with Skyler, and you notice Junior fidgeting restlessly in his seat. Poor boy. The minutes tick by, and each passing moment only serves to amplify the dread that hangs over you like a dark cloud. The sterile hospital scent gets to you, and you feel as if you'll go mad.
You cough, and you keep coughing. Skyler places a hand on your back as you attempt to halt your hacking and rasping. You eventually do, but not before you attract the gazes of everyone in the waiting room. You try to ignore them and stare out the window instead. Outside, the sun casts long shadows across the facility staff parking lot. You squint up towards the sun as a cloud hides it from view. It's not so bright anymore.
"White, Walter?" You look up. It's that nurse again, Monica. You stand, and both Skyler and Walt Jr. follow suit. "Dr. Belknap is ready to see you. Follow me, please."","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713902538655220.png","filename":"31.png"},"posted":1713902538},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5985210,"name":"BANE","msg":">>5985209
You take your seats. This room is very... brown. Dr. Belknap's diplomas and certifications make a modest yet bold statement on the wall in front of you. The man himself soon walks in, papers in hand.
"Good morning, Walter. It's good to see you again." You shake his hand as he walks by. "And Mrs. White, good to see you too." He shakes her hand. He nods to Junior and takes his seat. The room is silent as Dr. Belknap places the pages on the table.
"Here's the results of your CT scan. I'm afraid... they're not what we'd hoped for." Damn it. "I'm sorry to say that the scan revealed a mass in your lung, Mr. White. You have stage four lung cancer." There are pictures of the scan, showing a growth in your right lung. God damn it.
"What does that mean, specifically?"
"Well, the cancer has spread enough that we can't remove it with surgery. It's... inoperable." Inoperable? Inoperable. You want to ask a question, but your voice fails you. You can't help but stare at Dr. Belknap as he continue to... hmm. That's... interesting.
"Oh God. Oh my God," Skyler stammers. Hmm, did the doctor have lunch before this?
"I know this is a lot to take in." You guess it's not impossible, but there's no way that's from breakfast. That's not a breakfast thing.
"Well... what are his options?" Actually, you think you remember seeing some asian dish with it and some eggs. You can't remember the specific name, but you can visualize it.
"While surgery isn't a viable option, chemotherapy and radiation therapy would be. You'd have to get treatment as soon as you can." God. How does he not notice it?
"Will that heal him? For certain?" Belknap grimaces. Oh, at what Skyler said, not at the other thing.
"Nothing is certain with cancer. He may go into remission, but given the growth of his cancer, the prognosis isn't exactly favorable. If it's left untreated, he may only have a year at most. With treatment, he'll have a few more."
"Jesus. Walt, what do you— Walt? Walt!" You blink back to reality. Everyone is looking at you.
"Yes?"
"Mr. White, you've understood what I've just said to you?" Dr. Belknap leans slightly with a concerned look on his face.
"Yes. Lung cancer. Inoperable." No one in the room looks comfortable right now. The doctor adjusts himself in his seat.
"I'm sorry. I just need to make sure you fully understand."
"Best-case scenario, with chemo, I'll live maybe another couple of years. It's just—" You motion to your button placket, a word you are currently failing to remember. "—you've got ketchup on your... right there." Dr. Belknap gives you a look and slowly looks down at the red stain on his lab coat. Skyler and Walt Jr. look at it too before looking back at you, bewildered.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713902571186571.png","filename":"32.png"},"posted":1713902571},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5985211,"name":"BANE","msg":">>5985210
You soon leave the hospital.
What will you do?
>GO STRAIGHT HOME. You don't feel comfortable here at all. You've got to get home, STAT.
>DISCUSS WITH THE FAMILY. Talk to your family in the car. (+2 WALTER POINTS)
>BURGER TIME. You need some comfort food to get over these depressing results. (+1 WALTER POINT)
>PIZZA TIME. You need some comfort food to get over these depressing results. (+1 HEISENBERG POINT)
>KILL YOURSELF. (GAME OVER)
>OR MAYBE... (Write-In!)
---
TOTAL POINTS (1:1)
WALTER POINTS: 6
HEISENBERG POINTS: 6","attachment":null,"posted":1713902603},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5985212,"name":"BANE","msg":">>5985090
FYI:
1-99: Cancer
100: No cancer","attachment":null,"posted":1713902787},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5985239,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985211
>BURGER TIME. You need some comfort food to get over these depressing results. (+1 WALTER POINT)
Tempted to see if you have the stones for Walter to drive his Aztec into the grill of an 18 wheeler with his family inside but I also don't want the quest to end.","attachment":null,"posted":1713905638},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5985243,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985211
>DISCUSS WITH THE FAMILY. Talk to your family in the car. (+2 WALTER POINTS)
>write in
Start a coffee company to sell the most chemically pure columbian
coffee
Take medical leave for chemo","attachment":null,"posted":1713905825},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5985276,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985211
>DISCUSS WITH THE FAMILY. Talk to your family in the car. (+2 WALTER POINTS)
>>5985243
Coffenberg coffee baron sounds like fun, I support this idea.","attachment":null,"posted":1713909672},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5985281,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985211
>PIZZA TIME. You need some comfort food to get over these depressing results. (+1 HEISENBERG POINT)","attachment":null,"posted":1713909792},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5985301,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985211
>DISCUSS WITH THE FAMILY. Talk to your family in the car. (+2 WALTER POINTS)
>>5985212
kek","attachment":null,"posted":1713912866},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5985336,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985211
>>PIZZA TIME. You need some comfort food to get over these depressing results. (+1 HEISENBERG POINT)","attachment":null,"posted":1713917425},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5985339,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985211
>DISCUSS WITH THE FAMILY. Talk to your family in the car. (+2 WALTER POINTS)
>BURGER TIME. You need some comfort food to get over these depressing results. (+1 WALTER POINT)","attachment":null,"posted":1713917658},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5985883,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985211
>DISCUSS WITH THE FAMILY. Talk to your family in the car. (+2 WALTER POINTS)","attachment":null,"posted":1713978210},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5986061,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985211
>Write-In
Start driving like a maniac on your way home.
Fuck it, might as well live a little.","attachment":null,"posted":1713994923},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5987399,"name":"BANE","msg":">BURGER TIME.
>>5985239
>>5985339
>DISCUSS WITH THE FAMILY.
>>5985243
>>5985276
>>5985301
>>5985339
>>5985883
>COFFEEBERG.
>>5985243
>>5985276
>PIZZA TIME.
>>5985281
>>5985336
>DRIVE LIKE IT'S BOSTON.
>>5986061
This may be the final update for this thread! With finals coming up, it's probably best for me to end this thread properly here. Writing!","attachment":null,"posted":1714164461},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5987408,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987399
"Jr., don't you kids have a saying?
GG NO RE?"","attachment":null,"posted":1714166026},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5995663,"name":"BANE","msg":">>5987399
Your grip on the steering wheel tightens as you consider the road ahead of you, both literally and figuratively. Beside you, Skyler sits in the passenger seat, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside the window. You can only imagine what she might be thinking. In the backseat, Walter Jr. sits quietly with his eyes on you; even as scared as he might be, he remains your strong boy. You couldn't be prouder. As you drive in silence, you struggle to find the right words to break the tension in the car. Finally, you clear your throat.
"I know this isn't easy," you begin. "But we need to talk about what comes next." Skyler turns to look at you. At first, her expression is one of shock, shock that you would actually want to talk about what everyone had heard only a few minutes ago. Her lips curl upwards into a sad smile.
"Right. You're right, Walt. What comes next... is treatment, right?" Her voice is shaky. You take a deep breath.
"Dr. Belknap told us the cancer is advanced," you say. "And the treatments... they might not... be enough."
There's a heavy silence in the car as your words sink in. Skyler's hand finds yours, her grip tight with emotion as she struggles to process the enormity of what you're saying.
"But... you're still going to give it a shot, right?" Skyler finally asks, her voice trembling. "Right, Walt?" You meet her gaze. She's tearing up. God, you can't bear to see her cry. Walter Jr. sits in stunned silence.
...
Do you give it a shot? Should you pursue treatment for your lung cancer? You think about your bills, your mortgage payments. Your teacher's insurance is shit. It won't cover cancer treatment. But it's not just the money. You wish it was. You consider the possibility that the treatment might not even work. Probably won't even work, according to Dr. Belknap. What if all the chemotherapy and radiation therapy only prolong your suffering without offering any real hope of recovery? You imagine the pain, the nausea, the exhaustion that would accompany each round of treatment, all for naught. Not to mention, the hair loss...
And then there's the toll it would take on your family. Skyler, Junior, your daughter on the way... how would they cope with seeing you suffer? The thought of putting them through such agony fills you with a deep sense of guilt and despair. And then if you don't make it? You can't bear the idea of burdening them with your illness, both emotionally and financially. Maybe you should just... let it take you. It's not the worst thing in the world. You'll be surrounded by your family and your loved ones. You wouldn't burden them too much if you just—
It's the coward's way out. You remember Hank's words. Promise me this: Promise me you won't face this alone. You've got Skyler, Junior, and me and Marie. We're all a team, remember? A family.
...thanks, Hank. Anytime.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714961559640886.png","filename":"33color.png"},"posted":1714961559},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5995665,"name":"BANE","msg":">>5995663
"Damn right I'm giving it a shot. I'm fighting this. We're fighting this." You grip Skyler's hand tight and give her a look so determined, she can't help but break a smile.
"Good," she replies. Looking at your rearview mirror, you see Junior smile too. You're happy to see your family in good spirits again.
---
YOU HAVE EARNED +2 WALTER POINTS!
TOTAL POINTS (4:3)
WALTER POINTS: 8
HEISENBERG POINTS: 6
ALERT: You are growing increasingly more docile.
Alerts will pop up when you go over 7 points as a reminder. Refer to https://archived.moe/qst/thread/5848264/#5850604 .
---
Hmm. Maybe there's a way to keep this high going.
"You guys feel like eating some cheap fast food? I know I could use it." Skyler looks at you, unsure.
"Is that a good idea?" You can almost feel Junior stifling an annoyed groan.
"Skyler, I already have cancer." Junior chuckles behind you, and you join him. Skyler gives you an amused look and turns to the road again, nodding.
"Not even an hour after the diagnosis and you're already joking. Alright, cancer man. What are we eating?"
"Honestly, I'm split between Burger King and Pizza Patrón. You guys have any preferences?"
"Pizza Patrón!" Walter Jr. blurts out. You and Skyler look at him.
"I guess we're going to Pizza Patrón."
---
YOU HAVE EARNED +1 HEISENBERG POINT!
TOTAL POINTS (8:7)
WALTER POINTS: 8
HEISENBERG POINTS: 7
ALERT: You are growing increasingly more conflicted. You may find it more difficult to make decisions.
---
You take a bite of pizza. In this moment, even with terrible news overhead, you feel content. You've got some troubling days ahead, but you feel like you can take them on. After all, you're not alone.
...you could probably use some coffee though.
Thanks for reading Walterquest: REDUX 2! Sorry for the delay in this update; things have been hectic lately.","attachment":null,"posted":1714961646},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5995671,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995665
And thank you for running, Bane!
Based quest as always.","attachment":null,"posted":1714962591},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5995825,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995665
Thanks for running
Guess it figures we can't have our cake and eat it too by having both Walter and Heisenberg points stacked sky high","attachment":null,"posted":1714971941},{"board":"qst","thread":5976207,"pid":5995896,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995665
Thanks, see ya next time!","attachment":null,"posted":1714982705}]}
+{"title":"Gazebo Quest","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5975352,"pid":5975352,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Anon, you've angered the Gazebo.
What do?
> Shoot an arrow
> Commit seppuku
> Flee","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712863457416623.jpg","filename":"3198782601_d61b979447_o.jpg"},"posted":1712863457},{"board":"qst","thread":5975352,"pid":5975369,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975352
>Flirt","attachment":null,"posted":1712865198},{"board":"qst","thread":5975352,"pid":5975381,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 30 (1d100)
>>5975352
Roll to seduce","attachment":null,"posted":1712865886},{"board":"qst","thread":5975352,"pid":5975505,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 66 (1d100)
>>5975352
Urinate on the gazebo.","attachment":null,"posted":1712877068},{"board":"qst","thread":5975352,"pid":5975514,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 30 (1d100)
>>5975369
>>5975381
>>5975505
All of the above.","attachment":null,"posted":1712877808},{"board":"qst","thread":5975352,"pid":5975784,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 85 (1d100)
>>5975352
Shit the Gazebo's pants","attachment":null,"posted":1712894368},{"board":"qst","thread":5975352,"pid":5975890,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975369
>>5975381
>>5975514
You flirt and try to seduce the gazebo.
But the gazebo has no heart, no soul, only hate.
>>5975505
>>5975784
You urinate and shit on the gazebo.
The gazebo catches you and eats you.
The end.","attachment":null,"posted":1712905285},{"board":"qst","thread":5975352,"pid":5975894,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975890
Good quest, QM. See you in the next one.","attachment":null,"posted":1712905762},{"board":"qst","thread":5975352,"pid":5976094,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975890
I count this as a win","attachment":null,"posted":1712941000},{"board":"qst","thread":5975352,"pid":5976114,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975890
Gg guys. We will get him next time.","attachment":null,"posted":1712943355},{"board":"qst","thread":5975352,"pid":5976169,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975352
>Commit seppuku","attachment":null,"posted":1712950571},{"board":"qst","thread":5975352,"pid":5976176,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5975890
Now can we play as the real hero of this story: The Angered Gazebo. Will its righteous anger ever be quenched? Will the slain scatological protagonist ever be avenged?! Find out next time if OP ever delivers!","attachment":null,"posted":1712951248},{"board":"qst","thread":5975352,"pid":5976248,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976176
Give him some credit. He actually ended the quest.","attachment":null,"posted":1712958404},{"board":"qst","thread":5975352,"pid":5994736,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Thinking quickly i use a squirrel, some string, and a shrink ray to build a shrink ray and use the shrinking rays fired by the shrink ray to shrink the gazebo's anger to a manageable level.
"Carl you're better than this. Think about your wife. She's got two little gazebos on the way and she's going to have to build them by herself if you're sent to jail."","attachment":null,"posted":1714874645}]}
+{"title":"Warlords of Chaos #1","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5976148,"name":"Lanu","msg":"The great hosts of chaos marched towards Karag Dum. Thousands, tens of thousands made their way towards the ancient ruins of a proud dwarven bastion that had held out for so long. Its cannons had roared, its mithril clad warriors had cut and hewn and cleaved and shot the warriors of chaos. Its forges churned out endless suits of armor, countless weapons, endless stockpiles of bolts. Its mighty walls, placed atop a lone mountain domineered over the landscape, the towers seeming to pierce the very sky and disturb the gods above. And for that, it had to fall. The dwarves fought, and yet, they had fallen to the hordes of chaos. Despoiled, ravaged, raped, as all lands ought to be, sooner or later.
You had never seen the Karag before. And now, only crumbled ruins remained. Maybe, the next time you visit it, it won’t be so far in the future, for the crumbled walls and broken towers more remind you of the rotten jaws of a warhound than of a proud bastion overrun by brave soldiers of Chaos.
As you crest the bleak ocher hill, you see what you long expected. Beneath a burning orange sky, a gathering of armies, warbands and hosts. Spitting on the ground and uttering a oath, then continue forwards, order your host to make camp while you head for the centre of the gathering, towards the lone tent overlooking the countless hordes.
As soon as you step in front of the tent and try peering inside, you feel a shove from behind. Tumbling forwards and already drawing your weapon out, you turn to strike at your assailant, but to no avail, as you fall through the tent flaps, which close shut behind you. A cleave at them leaves your blade harmlessly bouncing from the magical cloth. A rough chuckle emerges from behind you.
“Another one!” A Hung chief laughs. “Settle in friend. We all wait long.”
A quick scan of the massive tent reveals a impressive gathering of warlords, chiefs and champions, of Kurgan, Hung and Beastmen types, all eyeing each other with doubt, suspicion and spite. Yet, all keep their weapons by their belts. They must have been here for long in order to have relaxed so much in such company. A moment of thinking later, you choose to follow their lead, but keeping your gaze on a bestigor with a head crowned with 3 pairs of horns.
You think of speaking to the mob, yet before you can, a female voice booms in the room. “You won’t wait for any more.”
In a flash of motion, every blade is drawn and more than twice that many eyes are anxiously glancing around the tent.
“A whispering on the steppes had called you all here.” The strange cloaked figure spoke as it appeared in the center.
Within a moment, the champions and warlords and reaves and warriors all surrounded the figure, distrustful of each other, but afraid of the figure that just appeared between them.
“I called you here.” The figure continued, concealed by the dancing shadows too thick to be natural. “I called you here so that you may wage war upon the southlands.”","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712948846549554.jpg","filename":"Kulx2.jpg"},"posted":1712948846},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5976149,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5976148
It is now that you notice the long beak protruding from the face and the sleeves hanging emptily by the flanks of the figure.
“Who are you?” A Kurgan asks, raising his violet blade towards the sorceress, his blade tip nearly touching the cloak.
“I am the messenger of the lord of chaos.” The figure replies. “And they require my sister rescued.”
“Why would we serve?” The Hung chief asks. “What is in it for us?”
“Other than to be in a large host and to raid the lands of Kislev?” The messenger asks, shakes her beaked head disapprovingly, and then continues “Ten manweights of pure dwarven silver to whomever delivers her to me.” (60 loot)
“Where be your sister?” The Hung asks quickly.
“In fort Ostrosk.” She replies.
“And we are to follow you into Kislev?” A Kurgan swordsman asks, now withdrawing his blade to himself.
“No, you are to go there and bring her here, back to me.” The messenger replies.
“So someone else is to lead us?” The Kurgan asks.
“No human will command me!” The bestigor roars.
“It is up to you to choose who will lead you.” The messenger replies. “And I think it would be best if you make a choice, for many in the camps will desire a strong ruler of the host and a lack of one will lead to many leaving.” (Elected leader will gain a extra chaos knight.)
Some murmuring, a few boastsful shouts and a few yells later, the messenger speaks, this time her voice possesing a booming quality. “Who will not invade may leave.”
To your surprise, some do. Whether you are surprised so few or so many left is beyond you.
“For the remainder, I will carry a sacrifice of good fortune for you. I will need a name and your host.” She continues.","attachment":null,"posted":1712948918},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5976153,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5976149
Welcome! This will be my first attempt at running a mechanically defined game. I hope it will run smoothly and that everyone will have fun with this.
The rules are limited to what you see on the image.
So, first of all, everyone in here who wants to participate will need to do a few things:
>Use some method of identification
Be it a tripcode, a name, or something, I will need a way to tell who you are, as this will hopefully last for multiple threads and as there will hopefully be multiple players.
>Create your warlord
I’ll need a name and a origin, which can for now only be a Hung, a Kurgan or a Beastman. Later on, you will be able to get Norscans and potentially even other things, but for now, you are limited in your starting options. This will determine your starting unit options.
And, of course, if you desire, for a bit of flavour, a description (if you wish, you can go pretty OC donut steal, as chaos heroes usually are).
>Pick your army
Each player will start with 60 loot that they can purchase units with to represent their starting armies.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712949095591959.png","filename":"Kurgan.png"},"posted":1712949095},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5976155,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5976153
The list of available units and their costs are:
Kurgan units (units for characters of Kurgan origin):
Horse archer – 10 loot:
HP 2
D 1
M 5
Kurgan cataphract – 18 loot:
HP 3
D 1
M 4
Slave – 6 loot:
HP 1
D 1
M 3
Chaos warrior – 24 loot:
HP 4
D 2
M 1
Chaos knight – 32 loot:
HP 5
D 2
M 3
Hung units (units for characters of Hung origin):
Horse archer – 12 loot:
HP 2
D 1
M 5
Hung savage – 8 loot:
HP 1
D 2
M 3
Slave – 6 loot:
HP 1
D 1
M 3
Warbeast of the north – 44 loot:
HP 4
D 3
M 4
Chaos warrior – 22 loot:
HP 4
D 2
M 1
Chaos knight – 36 loot:
HP 5
D 2
M 3
Beastmen units (units for characters of Beastmen origin):
SPECIAL RULE - everyone can move full speed through the forest, can see two tiles in the forest
Ungors – 5 loot:
HP 1
D 1
M 3
Gors – 10 loot:
HP 2
D 2
M 3
Centigors – 16 loot:
HP 2
D 1
M 5
Minotaurs – 30 loot:
HP 4
D 2
M 2","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712949267117158.png","filename":"Tong.png"},"posted":1712949267},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5976178,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":"Based, I'm ready to play LanuQM.
Krantagarh is a hoary and venerable minotaur-lord - his fur grayed with age, he is a particularly battle-worn example of his misbegotten kind. Only average-sized for a minotaur, his horns are weathered and pockmarked, his shoulders layered with scars, and most importantly - his mighty right-hand was lost in battle long ago. As a result, he wields a one-handed axe - he has become surprisingly deft with this to compensate for the lack of pure killing power. He has lived so long by choosing his wars carefully, never overextending himself, and commands a loyal band of survivors, minotaurs, centigors, and gors. As for ungors - he finds them delectable. Unlike many other minotaurs, Krantagarh's wounding and advancing age has forced him to develop some small measure of cunning on the battlefield - complex tactics are beyond him, but he has the capacity to reason beyond simple charging advances.
Krantagarh's Band
One unit of Gors – 10 loot:
One unit of Centigors – 16 loot:
One unit of Minotaurs – 30 loot:
---
Total cost = 56 loot. 4 loot remains.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712951296220304.png","filename":"this is actually ai-slop.png"},"posted":1712951296},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5976216,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976153
Looks interesting, but I'll hold off for now, both to see how it plays and to wait for those "other things". Good luck with it, though!","attachment":null,"posted":1712955623},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5976294,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"I'm interested...Might make something later, either later today or later in the quest as I'm mainly a fan of Norsca.","attachment":null,"posted":1712964228},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5976301,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":"Magor Gorebow, one of a great many number of Ungor archers, his bow shoots the furthest, his draw the longest, and his height the greatest among his fellow bretheren of archers.
Twelve Units of Ungors - 60 loot","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712965043371503.png","filename":"latest - 2024-04-12T193409.578.png"},"posted":1712965043},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5976308,"name":"Hangar","msg":">>5976155
Hangar's Riders
Chaos Knights: 32 Loot
Kurgan Cataphracts: 18 Loot
Horse Archers: 10 Loot
---
A Kurgan from the steppes, Hangar is a veteran armour-clad warrior of a type common among the northern tribes, yet new to his position. The former champion of the riders who are now pledged to Hangar was cut down by a south-man mounted swordsman who bore a moustache of the most impeccable size and lustrousness. Since that day, Hangar has not shaved his upper lip; for he seeks to grow a grander and far mightier moustache of his own, so that through the size of his facial hair and the will and gifts of the gods he might seek to bring the Swordsman low and claim his hide for the gods of the north.
Total Cost: 60 Loot","attachment":null,"posted":1712965393},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5976436,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976155
Important question for the QM.
I plan on taking a Warbeast of the north, but I need to know which in particular before I finish the lore/flavor for my warlord.","attachment":null,"posted":1712977527},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5976495,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976301
Dear god. Fuck me.
>>5976436
It is a broad category meant to encompass everything from subdued chaos spawn to half demonic creatures caralled by the hung to the great stabilized chimera of the chaos wastes.","attachment":null,"posted":1712983741},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5976499,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976301
>two-thousand thundering hooves and a thousand echoing "ba-a-a-a's", the ungor tide comes
What a fucking madlad.","attachment":null,"posted":1712984500},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5976518,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5976155
Mulrog the Cruel
A mighty warrior from the Eastern Steppes who took his steel Armor after slaying his previous Warlord in One on One Combat. Inheriting the Warband together with it he sought to expand it. He is a brutal Slavemaster punishing unruly slaves by slowly impaling them on blut wooden stakes.
In Battle he pins his enemies in Place using his Slave Hordes while loyal Achers flank the enemy and he leads his mighty Chaos Knights into brutal charges, breaking his enemies resolve under Chaos forged hooves and steel before dragging the survivors into Slavery.
Mulrogs Reavers
Chaos Knight - 32 loot
Horse Archer - 10 loot
Slaves - 6 loot
Slaves - 6 loot
Slaves - 6 loot
Total Cost = 60 Loot
Question QM. Can i acquire a Warbeast later on to place my dude on top of? like a lesser Chaos Dragon or Chimera?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712987205185299.jpg","filename":"Mulrog_The_Cruel.jpg"},"posted":1712987205},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5976527,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5976518
Yeah, if it's his aspiration, I can make it a lore post about it when Mulrog achieves something notable, like capturing a city or a fort, however, it would be a purely fluff thing as players characters are there to present a face for the interactions with each other and with NPC's and are presumed to have been in whatever unit survives the last (for obvious reasons).","attachment":null,"posted":1712988026},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5976528,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5976527
yeah. capturing a more worthy mount would be high on the priority list. dominating a chimera would make for a damn impressive display to show off when returning to his tribe and find a mate.","attachment":null,"posted":1712988200},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5976581,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976148
This is an ambitious concept, OP. I've got too much on my plate to join now but I'll be watching closely.","attachment":null,"posted":1712997947},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5976615,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5976495
Rue'Vahn the Depraved is a Hung champion of Slannesh. Formerly undivided, he embraced the Dark Prince out of gratitude when offered a most wondrous of gifts; a bride. His beloved Sunset is a chaos manticore, and together the husband and wife carry out the will of their generous god. However, marriage is no picnic, but thankfully the happy couple have their basic wants and needs taken care of by the numerous servants and slaves they've accumulated.
---
Warbeast of the north – 44 loot
Two units of Slaves – 12 loot
Total Cost: 56 loot","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713007604449165.jpg","filename":"Rue'Vahn.jpg"},"posted":1713007604},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5976625,"name":"Sarrick","msg":"Sarrick Whispersoul
Sarrick is a Hung sorcerer, his authority granted by his connection to the gods and maintained by his ruthless cunning and silver tongue. He lusts for knowledge and to discover the deepest and darkest truths of this world and the beyond. No sacrifice is too great to bring the attention of the four down upon him and any number of souls can be given as tribute to ensure their favour. His followers stand in awe of his connection to the gods, and his divinations have led them from one victory to the next. Now he claims there is opportunity for glory in Kislev, and so they march.
The Whispersouls:
2 chaos warriors - 44 loot
2 hung savages - 16 loot
Hit that neat 60 with no spare. Kind of concerned about movement 1 but fuck it.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713008039398825.jpg","filename":"sorcerer.jpg"},"posted":1713008039},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5976667,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5976625
Don't worry too much about it. To get to Kislev, the hosts will first need to beat their way through the Baersonlings and the Goromadny mountains, and up there, everything is constricted to movement 1 and cavalry will struggle a lot to get through there.","attachment":null,"posted":1713015243},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5976677,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5976667
Just as planned. That makes me feel considerably better.","attachment":null,"posted":1713016655},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5976685,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5976677
The horde will most likely come from the top right (between the Frozen sea and the Goromadny mountains).","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713017389148784.png","filename":"WIP4.png"},"posted":1713017389},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5976732,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Interesting stuff, so Southron Chaos Cultists, Rat-Things, Albionese, Chaos Dorfs, Norscans, & Tong may all be on the table at some later point?
>>5976518
Are those Chaos Penguins?","attachment":null,"posted":1713021058},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5976744,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5976732
And some variants of chaos orcs, ogres, cultists and dark elves too.","attachment":null,"posted":1713022181},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5976891,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976744
>chaos orcs
Is that some super old lore or something? I don't remember ever seeing those. Granted I haven't been in the hobby since long after they started to take the setting "seriously".","attachment":null,"posted":1713036949},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5976899,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976891
Yeah, I think like 2e of oldhammer? Certainly not new material. Obviously LanuQM is a man of culture and prefers the oldest lore.","attachment":null,"posted":1713037891},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5976901,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976899
Damn. Mans is swimming in the primordial soup of lore kek","attachment":null,"posted":1713038013},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5976903,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5976891
Go back far enough and you can find chaos anything.
>>5976732
>Are those Chaos Penguins?
Didn't spot them the first time, but now I can't unsee them.","attachment":null,"posted":1713038358},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5976908,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976903
>chaos anything.
Even chaos lizardmen? Chaos slann.
>chaos penguins
Would honestly probably be great for longship combat. You chuck them into the water and tell them to bite holes into the keel of a vessel or something. Makes me wonder what other sort of chaos animals would be useful outside of hounds and wolves. Not including the more obvious ones like bears and birds. The mighty chaos moose, now with 70% more spears for antlers.","attachment":null,"posted":1713038964},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5976913,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5976908
>chaos lizardmen? Chaos slann.
Ok, you got me there. Closest I can give you is Chaos snake men in Khuresh but I don't think they have any connection to the lizardmen, they're more just a reptilian equivalent of normal chaos beastmen. Though honestly they have so little information on them who the fuck can be sure.","attachment":null,"posted":1713039344},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5976922,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976913
I think the snakemen of Khuresh are the naga expy of warhammer. In comparison to the "reptilians who have been on the planet since forever 'conspiracy'" lizardmen. Maybe if our timeline was different, Warhammer would have explored the in-lore-only factions and the snakemen could have been chaos lizardmen. Alas, we got warhammer fantasy PAULDRON edition instead.","attachment":null,"posted":1713040196},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5976932,"name":"Zar Torchak the Ravenblessed","msg":">>5976155
A young Zar born under the stars of the Great Raven Torchak has gathered around him a vast horde of young Kurgan who thirst for glory. Many young kurgan warriors chafe under the oppressive leadership of older Zars who hoard wealth and glory for only their chosen warriors. Under the banner of the Ravenblessed a young warrior can range out onto the plains among brothers and seek his own destiny!
6x Kurgan Horse Archers","attachment":null,"posted":1713040932},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5976949,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976732
>>5976903
>Chaos Penguins?
I guess that the southern Chaos waste has to have some mutated beast-men, and if the only beasts there to begin with were Penguins...","attachment":null,"posted":1713043618},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5977237,"name":"Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5976155
A Kurgan warrior known to travel within dreams, granting him knowledge of enemies yet to be faced & batttlefields yet to be trampled. Accustomed to preying upon Hobgoblins & Hung, he carries with him a great many horses to maintain fresh mounts for roving across the steppes.
>Chaos Knight
>Kurgan Cataphract
>Kurgan Horse Archer","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713066783373760.jpg","filename":"western_scyhtian_chieftain_by_jfoliveras_dd176t6-375w-2x.jpg"},"posted":1713066783},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5977322,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5976178
>>5976301
>>5976308
>>5976518
>>5976615
>>5976625
>>5976932
>>5977237
The hosts are assembled for now. Future aspiring warchiefs may join after this raid is concluded.
===============================================
"Krantagarh, Magor, Hangar, Mulrog, Rue'Vahn, Sarrick,Torchak, Ivan. Eight warlords for the eight points of chaos." She mutters, and slightly twists to grab the dagger by her hip, only to remember her hands are missing. A quick second of anticipation later, she speaks up again. “And so I send seventeen thousand souls southwards.” she says to herself as she turns around and leaves, seeming more to glide a mere hairs thickness above ground, the warlords parting to make way. “Maybe you could, while I prepare a sacrifice, agree upon who will lead the hosts?” She says to you lot. “The chaos knights I summoned here expect a leader of the host to swear their fealty to, or they will disperse and leave.” And with that she disappears to outside of the tent, undoubtedly off to perform some vile sorcery.
===============================================
This is the second part of of the inter-raid, the choice of the leader of the warhost.
The warlord can in this case be elected either by popular choice (requiring at least 51% of the vote - 5 votes within the next 24 hours) or not elected at all, in which case, the warbands can operate on their own and make their own strategic decisions. (for now, whether to attack the coastal strip between the frozen sea and the Goromadny mountains (better for infantry), or through the Belyevobota pass(better for cavalry). Of course, the leader can split his warhost.
In other situations, hostility between chaos warbands would be allowed as long as the warlord in question wished his men to attack others, however, as the men and beasts feel drawn to here by the very winds of the steppe, they will refuse to fight – for now.
In this case, the elected warlord will receive an extra unit of chaos knights.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713072713518596.png","filename":"Marauders.png"},"posted":1713072713},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5977333,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"This might be an opportunity for political play. Perhaps someone will ask to be elected with a promise of splitting some of their loot for a certain amount of time. Or perhaps it will be a game of drawing straws. Everyone loves random chance. Or even still, weighing the forces already at their command they may seek to make an even stronger mass to bludgeon their way through the enemy and expose the weakling southerner's lands.
So many paths that all lead to the destruction of the frail fools floundering for fleeting farms from frozen fallow.","attachment":null,"posted":1713073471},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5977343,"name":"Mulrog","msg":"Mulrog steps forward one hand on the pomel of his sword. Mustering the assembled Warlords his gaze mostly sticks to the Minotaur dominating a large part of the tent and the other Kurgan Lords.
"The south are many. And while they are weak even a Manticore can get burried under a mountain of slaves. A strong vision is what we need. One Lead by the Gods to find the greatest plunder and slaves."
"Elect me your leader and we will have plenty of cannonfodder to occupy those weak southlanders while our cavalery tears open their heartlands."
>It seems obvious that Mulrog is mostly interested in taking slaves and plunder which might give an opening if someone wishes to draw him to their side. A show of force and cunning could also be helpful of convincing him someone else might be more capable of directing such a campaign.","attachment":null,"posted":1713074242},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5977435,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":"Rolled 5 (1d8)
Rue'Vahn pulls out a set of soothsaying bones before speaking up. His voice is boisterous and mirthful, as though speaking to old friends.
"I agree that a strong vision is needed. Of this there is no doubt. Which is why I won't nominate myself. Instead, I say we place our faith in the only leader we can trust: one chosen by the Gods. I will remind everyone here about who we truly serve, and owe our souls to."
He then places the bones around the table, one for each warlord.
"We throw the runes, willingly placing our destinies in the hands of The Great Four, and see who is deemed worthy. You may call me a fool, but I recommend you play along because whomever is chosen shall receive my vote, along with the others who feel the same way that I do. Aside from pleasing our masters, the other advantage to this is that it avoids pointless bickering and prevents heated rivalries from developing. None would dare to question the will of the gods."
As he says that last part, he stares back and forth between Krantagarh and Magor, amused by the possibility of a minotaur taking orders from an ungor.
(Oog, he proposes that we all roll a 1d8. Whoever rolls the highest wins. If there's a tie, then it's who rolled first.)","attachment":null,"posted":1713086247},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5977474,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":"Rolled 3 (1d8)
>>5977343
>>5977435
Krantagarh stands abruptly, heaving himself to his hooves, causing momentary alarm amongst the council. He exhales heavily, before reaching across the council table to delicately pluck at one of the seer's runes with his massive left paw.
"Gods. Will. Decide," he pronounces, as he looks at Rue'Vahn and then Mulrog, before casting onto the table-top.
He sits without even looking at the rune - his piece said.","attachment":null,"posted":1713093499},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5977477,"name":"Sarrick","msg":"Rolled 6 (1d8)
Without a word he casts a bone. It spins on its end unnaturally, with no sign of stopping.
"If eight cups were on a plate which would you pick? Is the one you take greater than the rest, or simply the first your hand touched? An inconsequential decision. None here will truly bow their head until one can prove themselves above. I wonder to be made leader now a curse, bound to jealousy and expectation without the proven merit to bear such weight."
The spinning bone abruptly stops dead, and topples over to one side. Sarrick looks down at the rune showing, then glances around the gathering with a slight smile.
"Loyalty comes through choice, not chance. Let the one who wins this game have our host's knights. But would any of us truly bow to such a petty victory? The answer to this question lies on the far side of the cities of the south, not here in these ruins."
>No one's really going to listen to a unproven leader, either in or out of character, so this is basically just who gets some extra knights (which would be great, a 50% increase in starting forces, so I hope I rolled well). Chaos after all, everyone thinks they're the chosen one...
>Holy shit was captcha an asshole there.","attachment":null,"posted":1713093635},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5977478,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977477
OOC - I definitely agree that our lil alliance is going to fracture and probably there will be infighting…
Krantargarh likes his Ungor flank to be medium-rare and pre-seasoned with a dry rub, he has a refined palate, you see…","attachment":null,"posted":1713093897},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5977482,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5977478
It's okay, I have the map of the Wheatlands. The only surrounding maps I lack are of the steppes and wastes (fuck that, I have literally no good maps to base mine on) and of Norsca, however, I could easily segment it into single clan maps)","attachment":null,"posted":1713094857},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5977485,"name":"Mulrog","msg":"Rolled 5 (1d8)
>>5977435
>>5977474
When the Minotaur rose Mulrog had clasped his pommel slightly tighter and widened his stance as if expecting violence only to slightly relax again when the creature agreed upon the proposed method.
"What some call fate some call the meddeling of the Great Crow. but for now let us make sure these gathered champions do not disperse for petty reason. Their blades shall be useful in the south and who is truly worthy can be a constant struggle as the gods intend.." the steel clad champion replies and casts a bone onto the table.","attachment":null,"posted":1713095099},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5977486,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5977478
the biggest threat to chaos.... is chaos.
so i completely agree with you. lets hope we find enough prey down there before infighting breaks out.","attachment":null,"posted":1713095159},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5977551,"name":"Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d8)
"Wisdom lies in divination, but we are all blessed by the Winds.... No Hung or Beast would I call leader, lest the Beast was born of Great Kurgan blood. The Gods will choose who heads our host in reaving, but only blood decides the fate of warriors."
He grabs talismans, then casts his lot.","attachment":null,"posted":1713104409},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5977571,"name":"Hangar","msg":"Rolled 7 (1d8)
>>5977435
Hangar nods sternly, eyeing the other candidates one after another as fingers stroke a Moustache slick with grease and sacrificial gore.
"Yes. When there is no record to prove and no contest of arms allowed, the gods shall choose who they will as Champion. Let the path forward be decided by Tchar's whims and the inevitability of Nieglin's call."
He takes up his bones, and casts.","attachment":null,"posted":1713107040},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5977589,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977571
Looks like you’re getting an early extra unit of Knights, friendo","attachment":null,"posted":1713108131},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5977601,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5977589
There's still two more warlords to toss the bone tokens.","attachment":null,"posted":1713109168},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5977608,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977601
Point taken :)","attachment":null,"posted":1713109987},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5977629,"name":"Zar Torchak the Ravenblessed","msg":"Rolled 4 (1d8)
>>5977435
Torchak blows on the bones for luck and us certain the great Raven shall bless him.","attachment":null,"posted":1713111714},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5977724,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5976528
>a damn impressive display to show off when returning to his tribe and find a mate
Yeah, but why dominate a chimera to help find a wife when it can BE the wife?
>>5977478
>our lil alliance is going to fracture and probably there will be infighting…
Speak for yourselves! I intend to have Rue'Vahn be genuinely loyal to whoever is in charge.","attachment":null,"posted":1713120370},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5977733,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5977724
>Yeah, but why dominate a chimera to help find a wife when it can BE the wife?
because Mulrog is not a depraved whorshipper of the dark Prince in its silver palace
probably closer to a whorshipper of the blood god if anything.","attachment":null,"posted":1713120846},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5977735,"name":"Lanu","msg":"I will just note (because I'll probably be asleep then) - after the last roll is done, the host leader should attempt to plan out who will go where and in what order. For now, I only have two maps prepared, the one for the Wheatlands (north-eastern Darklands) and the one for Kislev and the surrounding lands.
The Wheatlands are more suited to cavalry, while the approach to Kislev over the Goromadny is way more suited to infantry.
And there is also the point to note that the order of advance would be of import. The first to arrive would be the first to bloody themselves and the first to plunder. (In case of disagreement, a roll-off will be done)","attachment":null,"posted":1713121108},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5977737,"name":"Mulrog","msg":"hmmm.. the Hung and Beastmen can probably take the path through the mountains while the Kurgans would probably be best served advancing through the Wheatlands
though my slaves wont be the best there. at least my Cavalery will work better since they are the real hammerblow.","attachment":null,"posted":1713121443},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5977759,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":"I don't care whether I am sent to the mountains or the Wheatlands, and I'm fine with going first or last, but I will ask that I'm not alone. Whatever I'm assigned I don't think I'll do well by myself, whereas if I'm accompanying another warband I can do more damage.","attachment":null,"posted":1713123597},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5977777,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5977737
Supporting, my guy's warband would want to stick in forest/mountainous terrain if possible.
>>5977735
Lanu, you should feel free to step in and roll for the last player in order to keep things moving. It would probably make sense for you to commandeer an "abandoned" warband as an "NPC" force until the original player returns or a new player claims the NPC force.","attachment":null,"posted":1713125508},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5977795,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5977777
I would, but I put the time limit of 24h and I'm just about to head to bed. So I'll leave it to you lot to get some sort of preliminary agreement until next morning, which is when the deployments will begin.
So far, Mulrog and Rue'Vahn would prefer Wheatlands (Warbeasts are cav), while Krantagarh would be better served with Kislev over the mountains.","attachment":null,"posted":1713126436},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5977802,"name":"Hangar","msg":">>5977777
If they don't roll, either they choose not to cast their lot, or they refuse the method but are then voted down by the other seven of us. No need to roll for them here if they don't roll themself.
>>5977737
"Your Cavalry, my riders and of those of Torchak and Ivan will be a formidable force. Of the four of us, Zar Torchak's light horse would be most suitable as outriders; the rest of us will form the mailed fist that breaks the mewling southern whelps."
"If I am chosen, and Nieglin's say upon my dice proves the decider here; then I would march us Kurgan through the Wheatlands. The Beasts will take their mountain path; it is for the Hung to decide if they feel more kinship with the race of men or the cloven kin."","attachment":null,"posted":1713127117},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5977835,"name":"Sarrick","msg":"Heavy infantry here, so up the mountains for me.","attachment":null,"posted":1713131077},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5977972,"name":"Ivan the Unbearable","msg":""My horsemen will harvest heads in the Wheatlands, just as surely as the cowards stave off hunger there toiling as slaves."
He agrees to the tentative plan, & intends to spy upon the sorceress in his dreams later that night, as well as scout the passes leading into Kislev's hinterlands.","attachment":null,"posted":1713143776},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5977990,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":"Hey been busy all day, will catch up and respond","attachment":null,"posted":1713144872},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978081,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d8)
>>5977343
Of few words and great hunger, Magor nods and agrees with Mulrog.
"Plunder and sla'a'aves. . .this very good. . .always need more. . .always hungry. . ."","attachment":null,"posted":1713152034},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978095,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978081
So, where shall Magors host prefer? Whatlands or Goromadny?","attachment":null,"posted":1713153439},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978157,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5977571
An armored gauntleted reaches inside and pulls the tent flats open, revealing a massive chaos warrior clad in crimson armor. His hollow and narrow eyeslits sit below a brass plate fashioned with an inlaid golden symbol of Khorne. He stares at the company, enters and boldly walks to the center, where he glares at the runes. A moment later, he raises his head towards Hangar, and then speaks in a raspy voice. “Tchar has favoured you, at least today. I and my brothers in arms shall follow your banners.”
Before anyone can converse, the messanger of Tchar speaks up, yet again in her previous fashion. “Azamat. Give him the token.”
The chaos knight reaches for a satchel at his hip, then tosses it at Hangar, who promptly catches it.
“What’s inside?” Hangar asks.
“Grab the ruby, the clay shall mould itself around.” The crowhead speaks.
Reaching inside, Hangar first feels something wet and earthy, clay perhaps, his fingers digging through the soft material, until they reach a hard crystal edge. Grasping it with the tips of his nails and pulling it outside, the clay follows, bound by magics. A moment later, the clay forms itself into a miniature shape of a starved, naked, mutilated woman, her head completely wrapped in cloth, her arms and legs hanging outside of a small cage hanging by a single chain above.
“So you know who you’re looking for.” The crowhead speaks.","attachment":null,"posted":1713159092},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978158,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Here is the rough map of the Wheatlands (all the maps are prone to changes as I find more official and fan maps to base them around).","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713159215112713.png","filename":"WWIP1.png"},"posted":1713159215},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978192,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5977972
>>5977802
>>5977759
>>5977737
>>5977629
Now, I made a mistake, so I will attempt to slightly speed the process up.
The forces deploying to the Wheatlands, that being Hangar, Mulrog, Torchak and Ivan (and possibly Rue'Vahn, as his chaos warbeasts are cavalry) are to note their deployment down (with letters, CK is chaos knights, KC is kurgan cataphracts, HA is horsearchers, S is slaves, WB is warbeasts) on this map and to take their first turn (arrows pointing to where you are moving to). First come, first serve, as they say. I will, when I reply with maps, use actual symbols.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713161560518242.png","filename":"Wheatlands deployment.png"},"posted":1713161560},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978197,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5978192
Are those sprited from battle for wesnoth?
I will have to take a backseat for this morning. Gotta work","attachment":null,"posted":1713162015},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978201,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5978197
>Are those sprited from battle for wesnoth?
Not all, but a solid chunk (about 60%, but I expect the % will drop as more shit gets added).
>I will have to take a backseat for this morning. Gotta work
Understandable, just keep in mind, about 24-30 hours per turn, otherwise, I improvise.","attachment":null,"posted":1713162285},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978214,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Vakshena was enjoying her stride. It had been long decades since last the embarked upon raids to the south and her arm had only gotten stronger since. The journey was, while boring, pleasant, as no foes had yet dared oppose the great norther prong of the host. The dead steppe with its yellow hued grass provided a pleasant backdrop, while the Frozen sea proved a livelely companion for the long march, with cold whipping winds swooping down from the roaring waves which eternally cracked, broke and then smashed apart the almost formed ice cower. Vakshena enjoyed it. Each time the wind would swoop down, whistling more like a harpy than like anything the beastfolk or the wastelanders were used to, causing the column to huddle together tighter, seek just that bit of comfort and warmth. That she loved. She and her chaos plate clad, both those chosen by gods and awarded for their great deeds and those that bought their plates with plunder from their many campaigns to the bearded armorsmiths, neither of them shivered. Neither of them tired. They marched on, enjoying the call of the sea, the whipping of the wind, the roar of mighty sea beasts that hailed them on their journey. Her meditation was broken by a white stallion.
“Lords Krantagarh, Sarrick and Magor!” A horrific creature screeched at the three as it rode closer upon a great white stallion. “I am sent to aid you!”
The three warchiefs looked at the pityful sight. A man, perhaps, this had once been. It stood no taller than a southlanders hip, being barely more than skin and bones, naked except for a thick chain wrapped around its neck and two monkey like arms, the face a deformed, underfed grimace of pain, holding a staff twice its height, while not reaching the length of a man laid out on the floor, all riding atop a stallion most would kill for, which only accented the poor state of the thing on its back. “Halt your hosts!” It cried, most amusingly to the great minotaur.
The three chiefs, amused, did as instructed, the stallion knelt, letting the cursed creature step off its back, and then with effort beyond most men, walked to the cold coast, shivering too much for health. The monkey-like creature raised the staff, chanted for a minute, then thrust it down into the icy sea. A moment later, the great crashing of ice thundered through the air and the sheets and chunks of ice pressed up against the coast, forming a solid surface thick enough even for minotaurs to run upon, while the little creature collapsed of exhaustion.
“Make sure he lives.” Vakshena said as she grabbed a hung barbarian. “Or else you won’t.”
The forces deploying to the Wheatlands, that being:
>>5977777 Krantagarh
>>5977990 Magor
>>5977835 Sarrick
Are to mark their deployments with letters (M - minotaur, C - centigor, G - gor, U - ungor, CW -chaos warriors, HS - hung savages) east of the yellow line and draw arrows noting their movements. Same as with other, first come first serve. Ice (white) functions the same as steppe.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713163539815229.png","filename":"FSdeployment.png"},"posted":1713163539},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978220,"name":"Rue’Vahn","msg":">>5978192
I’d prefer to have Rue’Vahn start in the wheatlands, but if Hangar decides that the beastmen will need some help against Kislev then I’ll trust his judgment.
If our leader doesn’t respond within… idk, 12ish hours then I’ll choose for myself and raid the left side of the wheatlands, and then head southwards along the worlds edge mountains","attachment":null,"posted":1713164276},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978229,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5978192
Multiple houses are small citirs? Big cities?
Single houses small citys? Or hamlets?","attachment":null,"posted":1713164795},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978232,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5978229
A mixture based upon "I feel like it" "it makes sense" "it's vaguely balanced that way" "there's a symbol on a official map" "it should be there" "a fan map placed this cool thing here"...
But generally single huts/houses are villages, outposts, hamlets, farmsteads, trading posts...
Double huts/houses are large villages, towns, maybe some old/small forts...
Triple are large towns, cities, fortresses...
Quadruple are citadels and fun things and such.
And for dwarves, for an example, they usually have a level or two more, to represent the defensiveness and wealth, so for dwarves, a small family fishing post is level 2 instead of level 1 (or not even being shown on the map for a example).","attachment":null,"posted":1713165464},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978233,"name":"Hangar","msg":">>5978220
Come to the Wheatlands and fight alongside the Kurgan. Bring your own blades, the gods will provide the rest.
>>5978192
Let us break their northern city! Nothing will be left behind us to harry as we ride on.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713166042612577.png","filename":"Strike.png"},"posted":1713166042},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978236,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5978233
I agree with this sentiment. I can provide slaves to storm the walls. As long as i get compensated for their lossds","attachment":null,"posted":1713166137},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978242,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5978233
A blowing of the horn was a signal to attack, but also one to rouse the defenders from their sleep. While the Kurgans rushed forwards, lances lowered, the brave Kislevites awoke, donned their armor and mounted their steeds for a quick and decisive clash in the half light of the sunset, the falling rays concealing the forces they were riding towards
A ferocious clash of cavalrymen ensued, with the arrows of the unarmored Kurgan horsemen releasing volleys of arrows ahead of the horde, the cavalrymen being thrown off their dead horses, sent tumbling down to break their spines. Then a vicious flank charge came from the cataphracts, the long lances impaling men and steed alike. Yet it was the grim determination of the Kislevites that led them forwards into the jaws of death and into a clash with the chaos knights themselves, for the doomed regiment wished no lesser death than the greatest one possible.
The red and white horses clashed against the armored chaos warhorses, the straight Kislevite lances clashing against the jagged and hooked ones.
The Kislevites died to a man, but they threw out a quarter of your chaos knights out of the line. One of your chaos knights is down to 2/4 HP. The Kislevite lancers are dead.
The unhurt Chaos knights entered Severnostepsk fortess and quickly sized the armory, the staff, rations, the gold, the insignia and everything of value. You have acquired 30 loot.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713167477645052.png","filename":"WL1.png"},"posted":1713167477},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978255,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Fuck me, I just realized I never posted the rules.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713168599078787.png","filename":"RULES1.png"},"posted":1713168599},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978286,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5978192
A thunderous charge at dawn. Chaos Knights and Horse Archers to take out the defenders and the slaves to plunder the village.
the other slave units follow behind
hope the arrows make this clear.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713174642228230.png","filename":"Mulrog_firstturn.png"},"posted":1713174642},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978294,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5978286
The Kislevite villagers are, to your misfortune, out logging and your slaves, meant to strike out of the forest end up running into the Kislevite axemen. Those who are not shot, chopped down or impaled flee into the forests. However, the chaos knights charge forwards with horse archers on their flanks, killing the men on their return trip and taking the rest as prisoners that you can eventually break down into more slaves. The village is looted, the women and children dragged off, the animals slaughtered for food. And the village up north sees the plume of smoke.
>Chaos Knights and Horse Archers to take out the defenders and the slaves to plunder the village.
The peasants had higher initiative and were able to get in a strike first, and were able to inflict enough damage to kill off a unit of slaves.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713175511889707.png","filename":"WL1.png"},"posted":1713175511},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978295,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5978294
dang it.
well at least they were only slaves i lost. a unit of slaves and the knights should be capable of taking out that village to my north while the rest of my host starts travelling south.","attachment":null,"posted":1713175859},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978297,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5978295
2 units of slaves have a 50% chance to take a village. A slave + anything better than it has 100% chance of taking a village.
Oh and btw, the village you sacked was Koporye and got you 10 loot. Right now you are 4 loot in the positive.","attachment":null,"posted":1713176317},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978302,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5978297
Yeah sounds good so far which is why i planned to do exactly that. But now that i know the math i know that there wont be a problem next time","attachment":null,"posted":1713176560},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978305,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5978192
Once the first village of the Wheatlands was sighted, Krantagarh bellows in excitement! He raises his axe high in the axe and thunders:
"GORS, ATTACK FRONT!"
He and his heavy team of minotaurs slowly build momentum, until they lope along in a heavy jog. His Gors are faster, their hooves propelling them across the hardscrabble. Once they are over halfway, the second order comes:
"CENTIGORS, CHARGE!"
The restless aberrations bray and emit horrid shrieks as they heft their weapons and leap into shuffling gallops! The two advances are timed for a simultaneous strike against the first village - first blood will go to the Beastmen today! Krantagarh himself keeps to the south, out of the fray, to better watch the battle and provide support.
>LanuQM, let me know if I calculate the movement rates wrong, but I'm pretty sure my troops only need to be NEXT to the town to attack? If I'm wrong, just have the Centigors hit the village solo.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713177073924543.jpg","filename":"K_firstturn.jpg"},"posted":1713177073},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978360,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5978305
While the charge was planned to be simultaneous, it was the Gors that impacted the Baersoning villagers first. Axes, spears, shields, swords, all clashed against unprotected bodies, limbs went flying, blood was spilled and brains were scattered on the snow covered dirt of the fishing village.
You have plundered what is for you a nameless hunting camp as you did not understand, nor try to interrogate Baersonlings. You have gained 10 loot. Your unit of Gors is at 1/2HP.
>LanuQM, let me know if I calculate the movement rates wrong, but I'm pretty sure my troops only need to be NEXT to the town to attack? If I'm wrong, just have the Centigors hit the village solo.
Moving a unit next to a enemy will cause them to engage in combat.
However, moving a unit onto the enemy village will cause you to loot the village. So if you intend to plunder it, move your units on the villages.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713189533444841.png","filename":"FSdeployment.png"},"posted":1713189533},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978388,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5978095
Likely Wheatlands, as that's where Mulrog is going.","attachment":null,"posted":1713192665},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978395,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5978214
I made a mistake with this, it should be saying
>The forces deploying to the Goromdany mountains...
>>5978388
I'm waiting for the deployment and movement map:
The Goromadny mountains.
>>5978214
The wheatlands
>>5978192","attachment":null,"posted":1713192948},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978400,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5978360
Cool, do units heal naturally over time or do I spend loot to heal?
How much loot is required to upgrade my Minotaur unit to speed 3? Don’t want Krantagarh to be the slowpoke of the band","attachment":null,"posted":1713193734},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978405,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5978400
look at >>5978255
the rules. not sure exactlay how it works. so clarification might be useful","attachment":null,"posted":1713194067},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978411,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5978400
>>5978405
The units heal for free between raids.
As for upgrades, they are achieved following great deeds/battles or as rewards for quests/sidequests.
The minotaurs will remain somewhat slow for the forseeable time.","attachment":null,"posted":1713194834},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978469,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5978214
Guess I'll start the slow plod forwards. Hopefully by next week the chaos warriors can be within a few post codes of someone to fight...","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713201198950300.png","filename":"Untitled.png"},"posted":1713201198},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978473,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5978469
Noted.
>Hopefully by next week the chaos warriors can be within a few post codes of someone to fight...
Don't worry about that, while you did get a first strike in, the NPC's will counterattack. Now, the level to which they'll be effective about it is a different story.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713201764511816.png","filename":"FS1.png"},"posted":1713201764},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978483,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5978469
Sarrick, I’ll let you take the next double-house town and then use my Centigors to swing up north to get that most northernmost one-house village, since they have pretty good movement speed. I’ll have the Gors and Minos hang back and then we can swing southeast together.","attachment":null,"posted":1713202771},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978488,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5978483
Derp, southwest is what I meant","attachment":null,"posted":1713202893},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978508,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":"I'll have Sunset and the slaves start with these western villages before heading south. That tiny little town at the top isn't worth bothering with.
If we are allowed to have more complicated tactics with our troops, then I'd like to have the manticore take most of the damage for the slaves until it gets to half health or less. After that they will sacrifice themselves to make sure that the warbeast lives to retreat and recover.
Lastly, a question for the QM. Are we able to recruit new units "on the fly" or do we need to return north in order to spend our loot?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713204120072228.png","filename":"Rue'Vahn turn 1.png"},"posted":1713204120},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978513,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5978508
>If we are allowed to have more complicated tactics with our troops, then I'd like to have the manticore take most of the damage for the slaves until it gets to half health or less. After that they will sacrifice themselves to make sure that the warbeast lives to retreat and recover.
Sorry, but the enemy randomly decides whom to strike.
>Lastly, a question for the QM. Are we able to recruit new units "on the fly" or do we need to return north in order to spend our loot?
In certain situations, yes, but usually no. I'll inform you when such circumstances become available.
The closest of such situations will probably be in the north, where the Baersonings, if they fall, may be subjugated by the players, from where, they will provide tribute in form of loot, a place for your troops to winter (so they may start closer to the enemy) and the potential for Norscan characters and units to be recruited.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713204668632934.png","filename":"WL1.png"},"posted":1713204668},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978524,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5978395
Working, will post asap once home.","attachment":null,"posted":1713206504},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978564,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"A few more questions for the QM.
So the sand colored tiles are plains, and I assume the light brown ones are hills. Does that mean the dark brown ones are mountains, and if so are they impassable?
Next, I assume two allied units cannot occupy the same space, and we'll need to surround a target if we want all of our troops to attack at the same time, but can our units move through each other? Or will they have to find a way around?
Lastly, my other question is about the "ALL of its movement for that turn" part.
Lets say a unit has 3 movement, and it has already moved across 1 plains tile and thus has two movement left. If it is now adjacent to a hill or river, is it able to move onto that tile? Basically, does moving onto rough terrain cost the units maximum movement, or does it merely deplete all the remaining movement you have left?","attachment":null,"posted":1713211856},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978566,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5978564
I’m also curious about these things.
Lanu - this is the exact type of map autism I was hoping for when I joined the quest, thank you for running! Your efforts are appreciated!","attachment":null,"posted":1713212716},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978575,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5978564
>Does that mean the dark brown ones are mountains, and if so are they impassable?
Yes, mountains are, for now, completely impassible, tho some events may reveal new areas within them. And of course, at some point, you will be able to modify the terrain with slavery, but that's a ways off.
>but can our units move through each other?
Nope, some special units will be able to do so in the future, but right now, you have nothing.
>Lets say a unit has 3 movement, and it has already moved across 1 plains tile and thus has two movement left. If it is now adjacent to a hill or river, is it able to move onto that tile? Basically, does moving onto rough terrain cost the units maximum movement, or does it merely deplete all the remaining movement you have left?
It depletes all the remaining movement you have left. You could move onto a hill on the last point of movement.
>>5978566
Thanks man.
>>5978469
Alright, I have concluded chaos warriors having 1 movement is gay and retarded so I have increased their movement to 2 and moved them further left. It both makes them useless and too expensive for what they are with 1 movement, while 2 makes more sense.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713213235721113.png","filename":"FS1.png"},"posted":1713213235},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978618,"name":"Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5978286
I can't readily make edits as a phoneposter, but I'll send my forces to deploy from just behind where Mulrog started out & head South-West to attack the double-hut icon town with everything my forces can bring to bear.","attachment":null,"posted":1713218398},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978650,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":"Ah, I almost forgot. Rue'Vahn will send out messenger birds to the other warlords in the wheatlands with a proposal.
"Dearest allies, after considering how we lack the foresight of Tchar, I realize it might be to our shared advantage if someone sends a single regiment further ahead in order to scout.
I understand that this would reduce the manpower available for raiding, so I am willing to gift some loot and spoils to the volunteer in exchange for assisting in this communal effort. Horse archers would work best since they are both the fastest and also not terribly important or expensive, but I'll leave the decision in your capable hands.
If any of you are interested in sending forth a unit of scouts, or if anyone else wishes to help pitch in for the donation fund, then respond when convenient."
>>5978575
It doesn't affect me, but if Chaos warriors are now 4/2/2 doesn't that make them just as good as minotaurs but waaaay cheaper? Should Krantag get some of his loot refunded or maybe have his mino's get like a dmg buff or something? Cuz otherwise he got fucked lmao
>>5978618
Wait south west... do you mean pic related? Shit, that's where I was planning on going next. Uhh, I guess I'll need to start rethinking my route","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713222659626371.png","filename":"This place.png"},"posted":1713222659},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978695,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5978650
>It doesn't affect me, but if Chaos warriors are now 4/2/2 doesn't that make them just as good as minotaurs but waaaay cheaper? Should Krantag get some of his loot refunded or maybe have his mino's get like a dmg buff or something? Cuz otherwise he got fucked lmao
Eh, I think it's like 24 loot for Chaos Warriors and 30 loot for Minotaurs, so not a tremendous disparity. I wouldn't argue with LanuQM if he wants to modify the Minotaur stat line or provide some other minor buff to compensate.","attachment":null,"posted":1713226582},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978721,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978695
Minotaurs do have the added benefit of not taking penalties from forests. Though whether that offsets the cost of an extra unit of slaves/ungors I don't know.","attachment":null,"posted":1713228279},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978776,"name":"Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5978650
Yeah, that's the one I was after. What area are you looking to scout?","attachment":null,"posted":1713231852},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978872,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5978776
I imagine that the destination of the scouting unit would be a communal decision, but pic related are the three ares that we'll probably want to know more about. Having a better idea of what their garrisons and defenses look like would be quite useful. My other worry is that the Southlanders might try to organize a legitimate response, and if so, then we don't want to get surprised by an enemy army appearing unexpectedly.
That said, with the change in plans, I now intend to head towards the yellow circle unless anyone has an objection.
Also, question for the QM.
If a scouting unit gets sent out, will they end up alerting the people ahead of time, or are they able to do their job stealthily and without raising the alarm?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713241225781509.png","filename":"Places of interest.png"},"posted":1713241225},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978892,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978695
Yeah. I'm thinking about it and I'm eyeing increasing the damage of minotaurs to 3. Or giving them 1 extra damage in the forest, to truly make them the ultimate forest ambush predators. I'll make my conclusion in like 8 or so hours when I get done.
>>5978872
I believe that the columns of smoke from the village and the castle you burnt will be doing the alerting alright. As for your unit of scouts, they will put themselves at risk, but kislevites will definitively be preparing to do their own counter strike at you.
Now, a additional thing to consider, are you here just to loot, or should you consider going through the mountain pass and into Kislev proper to try and capture the fort Ostrosk?","attachment":null,"posted":1713243198},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978945,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5978892
Right, I'd been meaning to ask about that.
So two things: first, is the mountain path guarded or defended? It's only one tile wide, so fighting in there is going to be really rough. Second, is pic related fort Ostrosk? If not, did our beaked benefactor tell us where it is? Furthermore, Hangar is the one who was given the clay doll, but does that mean that he's the only one who can identify the sister?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713251451106699.png","filename":"Is it this one.png"},"posted":1713251451},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5978996,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5978945
>the mountain path guarded or defended?
Only one way to find out.
>Second, is pic related fort Ostrosk?
>he doesn't know kislev geography by heart
ngmi
>Furthermore, Hangar is the one who was given the clay doll, but does that mean that he's the only one who can identify the sister?
You saw what she looks like, so you can identify her.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713267244620088.png","filename":"rando.png"},"posted":1713267244},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979001,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5978618
Is this good for the movement?
>>5978695
And regarding the minotaurs, I have made my choice. They get +1 HP, making them the tankiest unit in the beastmen roster and on par with chaos knights.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713267762658620.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713267762},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979003,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5979001
Based, thank you QM. We thicc now","attachment":null,"posted":1713268462},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979004,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Now, as it has been ~30 hours and (unfortunately) Torchak and Magor haven't acted, their first turns are bypassed. If they wish to join in the raid, they are free to and I'm sure we can come to a agreement. In the meanwhile:
The Kislevites still show no sign of movement. The few peasant villages and their militias are hunkering down, preparing to fight to their deaths.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713268531491133.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713268531},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979007,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Meanwhile, in the north, a sizable force is marching towards you, a host of bloodthirsty berserkers, flanked on both sides by desperate men ready to fight in the defense of their homeland against whichever host comes from the wastes.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713268902794055.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713268902},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979012,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5979004
Just a Quick clarification QM.
If i move the Horsearchers onto the village to Plunder IT and some slaves next to the village. Would the archers stop before the village and not end their move on IT this turn? Or would both fight and continue movement afterwards.
Dependance on the answer i will have to consider sending anyone up there or just swinging south anf link up to plunder the cities around the lake","attachment":null,"posted":1713270145},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979021,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5979012
If you send the horse archers onto the village and slaves next to it:
>All of them would engage in combat with whoever is in the village.
>Then, if they kill whoever is in the village, they continue their movements.
The way it goes is - everyone moves until they stumble upon the enemy or until they use up their movement or hit something impassable.
Then if they stumbled upon a enemy, they fight, then use up their remaining movement.
So, you could send your horsearchers and a unit of slaves and have a 100% chance of capturing a village, but a 50% chance of losing a unit of slaves.","attachment":null,"posted":1713271234},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979025,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5979007
Lanu, I’m phobeposting today so I won’t be able to edit the map directly, sorry.
Could I have my Centigors swing south and attack the southern-most enemy infantry from the southeast hex? Once battle is resolved and if they survive and movement is still possible, could they retreat another hex to the southeast?
My Minotaur unit will move due southwest so that they flank the Centigors new position.
My Gors unit will retreat one hex northeast, since I’m guessing that they still have only 1hp.
Let me know if you have any questions or if I should clarify further?","attachment":null,"posted":1713272272},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979037,"name":"Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5979001
Absolutely, looking to push on & raize that town next turn since I ran out of movement.","attachment":null,"posted":1713273668},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979055,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5979004
me second turn. gonna take the gamble on loosing the slaves for more loot. my archers can catch up easily enough.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713276737468534.png","filename":"mulgor_Second turn.png"},"posted":1713276737},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979078,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5979025
>Could I have my Centigors swing south and attack the southern-most enemy infantry from the southeast hex? Once battle is resolved and if they survive and movement is still possible, could they retreat another hex to the southeast?
Here are your options with your centigors. I think you might be forgetting the "hills drain all your remaining movement" part. And if you're asking for my advice, red and orange have 50% chance of you killing the berserker and having a -1 on your centigors and a 50% chance of your centigors killing a thrall and dying. The red guarantees you kill a thrall and from there, you should be able to ride past the battleline if you want to.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713279358021086.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713279358},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979084,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5979078
Great, thank you for clarifying - I did forget about the hills movement.
I’ll have the Centigors take the red path, attack thralls and ride past battle line. I’ll have the Minotaurs take the previous Centigor hex to shield the wounded Gors","attachment":null,"posted":1713279836},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979087,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5979037
Ivan the Unbearable's host struck southwest, his chaos knights and kurgan lancers shaking the very ground under their hooves with the horse archers covering their southern flank.
The first contact was achieved between the horse archers and the kislevite kossars advancing up north. The horse archers first weakened the formation of footmen, then broke them apart in a charge. Noone survived.
The next clash was between the chaos knights and the strelsy guarding the fortified town. The chaos knights were beaten off with significant casualties to the garrison that killed just under half of the knights number, leaving many dead on both sides but leaving the shaken garrison just ripe for the kurgan lancers to butcher.
Chaos knights have taken 2 damage.
You have 20 loot.
Your horse archeres killed a kossar militia.
Your cataphracts have captured Preslav and looted it.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713280016608678.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713280016},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979089,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5979055
The horse archers struck against the defenders of Svarog's dig with volleys of arrows that would have wiped them out had they not hid behind their houses, palisades and towers. Said arrowplay left half of both the attackers and defenders dead and this looked like a foregone conclusion, a successful defense of the mining camp until the slave horde arrived, driven forwards by cruel slavemasters. By the end of the day, the village had been plundered.
You gained 10 loot.
Your horse archers are down to 1/2 HP.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713280356611546.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713280356},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979090,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5979084
The centigor charge on the thralls is a quick and brutal affair, with the dead being partially eaten, partially strapped to where the saddle would sit on a normal horse, as a half frozen ration to be cooked later. Meanwhile, the great minotaur host moved into the human settlement, hiding between buildings, ready to nastily surprise any who dare approach.
Your centigors killed a unit of norse militia.
>Your minotaurs are even more scary now as they have 5+1 HP","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713280597270754.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713280597},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979095,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5979090
Based, my testosterone is spiking! Krantagarh can’t wait to split human skills with his axe!","attachment":null,"posted":1713281620},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979145,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":"Alright, here's my second turn.
Sunset will move first and head to the middle, then the slaves will flank by moving into the forest. The order to attack is signaled by a mighty roar.
Also, question about >>5978411
When you say between raids, do you mean between raiding villages, or does "raid" mean this entire segment of the quest/until we free the sister?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713287045775466.png","filename":"Rue'Vahn turn 2.png"},"posted":1713287045},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979152,"name":"Sarrick","msg":"Chaos Warriors will continue the march at their new and improved speed. Thanks you for that change.
The hung savages will be sent down to kill off those berserkers. Madmen of the east versus madmen of the west.
Lanu, you're putting a load of effort into running a game via a mongolian basket weaving forum, so literally anything you do is more than I can expect, so you have my gratitude. However, as a weathered grog I can't help myself diving into mechanics, and if you wanted to refine this system going forwards (while still keeping it simple), I'd recommend upping the HPs a bit and introducing a small amount of variance in initiative/damage. Maybe just D3s or something. Otherwise, you can math out a turn very easily and it takes a little of the romance out of it.
Obviously if you're happy as is carry on and I'll happily take part. To prevent derailing and/or me being a bitch I'll drop the subject here.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713288062886534.png","filename":"1713280597270754.png"},"posted":1713288062},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979172,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5979145
(I will presume you want the village looted and will ask that in future, you mark the unit that you want to loot the village.)
The slavemasters move their human herds into the villages in the cover of the darkness and will, when a mighty roar sounds, unleash their herds upon the village. The kossar defenders will be butchered to the last and Rue'Vahn will safely enter the village with his retainers and collect the plunder.
>You got lucky and both your slaves attacked before the Kossars
You gained 10 loot.
>When you say between raids, do you mean between raiding villages, or does "raid" mean this entire segment of the quest/until we free the sister?
The raid lasts until the last warhost announces its attention to retire for the season and manages to evacuate to relative safety. This means both a open way to retreat and that everyone choses to do so.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713290930610157.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713290930},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979180,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5979152
>Chaos Warriors will continue the march at their new and improved speed. Thanks you for that change.
No problem my man. I wrote the stats while drunk. They're fully subject to change. As are the rules.
While the chaos plate clad warriors march along the coastline, the hung savages rush southwards to strike at their southernly foes. The first mob of Hung barbarians descend down, spear facing axe, Hung facing Baersonling. Yet, while the Norscans are worthy foes, Tchar favours his true sons as spearmen impale their foes.
Soon after, the other gang of savages rushes southwards, catching them unprepared and killing who they could catch and sending the rest running for the mountains.
>I'd recommend upping the HPs a bit and introducing a small amount of variance in initiative/damage.
There's already quite a bit of it, as more often than I'd like, I find same initiative values, in which case I flip a coin. For a example, Mulrog lost a slave unit while conducting basically the same attack as Rue'Vahn, who got away with it completely safe. And while I too am a fan of variance, it would basically double the turn time, which, while quick now, I very easily see expanding a lot (I expect the average player will have gained 1 to 2 units after this turn at the absolute minimum, in some cases more) and I think that Norscans becoming playable will also have the same effect as I think 2 to 3 players will join the moment the Baersonings pledge allegiance.
>Obviously if you're happy as is carry on and I'll happily take part. To prevent derailing and/or me being a bitch I'll drop the subject here.
I will definitively revise and touch up the system in-between the raids, but you're being very civil about it and I have no illusions about this being a perfect system, just a simple one.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713291930834597.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713291930},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979186,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5979180
better some dead slaves than having my knights or Archers damaged.
i will have to keep them back a bit and will probably retreat soonish to see what i can get next time. because Slaves aint really cutting it.","attachment":null,"posted":1713292816},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979190,"name":"Hangar","msg":">>5978242
>>5979004
With the bounteous plunder of Severnostepsk secured and the fortress' husk now but an empty carapace offered to the fly-lord, Hangar commands his riders south and west; the horse archers roaming ahead then doubling back to report to the main strength anything they might have seen on their wide ranging.
>>5977629
If you still intend on riding south, Torchak; you should keep to the east and ride aside the river. There may be little plunder that otherwise remains.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713293259710634.jpg","filename":"Move.jpg"},"posted":1713293259},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979198,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5979190
Your incursion reveals nothing about the whereabouts of your foes.
Leaving the burnt remains of the stone fort, Hangar reaches for his clay sack, grabbing the ruby and letting the clay form into a familiar shape. Suddenly, the shape jerks in pain, trying to withdraw the limbs within the cage that is entirely too small for that. While you can't hear the pained screams, you can imagine them by the jerks and the twisting of the body.
A though jumps into Hangars mind. How will they get into Kislev? The clay cage starts swinging. Through the Belyevobota pass? A pair of burly Kislevites open the cage and pull the woman out. Then how will they leave it? They chain her hands in front of her. He can't expect the pass to remain open after he and his pillaging host get done with pillaging both the Wheatlands and Kislev. They clay figure is stumbling forwards. Should he leave someone to hold the pass against the counterattacks? Her hands are raised above her. She is hanging by the chain wrapped around her wrists. Or should he hope that Krantagarh and Sarrick can subdue or carve a path throught he Bearsoning lands themselves? She is contorting under the whip strikes. Hangar puts the clay and the ruby back into the sack.
>There may be little plunder that otherwise remains.
He boastfully says, having led a raid that burned 1 fort and 4 villages out of 44 settlements.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713294704308513.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713294704},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979203,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5979190
>>5979186
>>5979145
>>5979037
Turn 3 begins:
In the Wheatlands, the Kislevite forces are finally seen again. A lone unit of Kossars standing on the hills which Hangars Kurgan horsearchers had just scouted appear, overlooking your men and their march.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713295043494216.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713295043},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979205,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5979152
>>5979095
In the Baersoning lands, things are developing more rapidly and with more intensity.
A whaling ship landed behind your lines, the lightly armored men stepping forwards on the beach, seeking to strike from behind, yet knowing their lives are forefit.
And in the front, a unit of Huscarls can be seen crossing a river, ready to strike at you and defend their walled towns. This promises to be a bloody fight.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713295262300905.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713295262},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979212,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5979203
slow and steady goes the fight. i am gonna need some more archers. and maybe a unit of Cataphracts for the next raid. plus the slaves i am surely gonna lose against those villages around the lake.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713295969194660.png","filename":"mulgor_third_turn.png"},"posted":1713295969},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979243,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":"My deepest apologies for the lack of daily posts. I should mention I work night shifts around monday and sunday, and am very exhausted those days.","attachment":null,"posted":1713297684},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979245,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":"Also I'll be honest, the Ungor horde is simple. We seek prey, we shoot at it. Point us at the foe and let us loose!
We'll follow the nearest sounds of battle and join with our beastmen allies.","attachment":null,"posted":1713297756},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979250,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5979245
I presume you'll move forwards and engage the whalers?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713298060933090.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713298060},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979252,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5979250
Yes!
Loose the arrows!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713298263607246.jpg","filename":"maxresdefault (65).jpg"},"posted":1713298263},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979253,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979252
The Ungor hordes overwhelm the isolated whaler gang, with arrows, javelins, spears, daggers, claws and fangs making short work of the red haired men, leaving little for even the crows to feast upon.
You added a lot of bulk to the northern push.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713298475716300.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713298475},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979257,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5979205
Krantagarh slavers wildly at the sight of the incoming boat, and when the inferior man longs step ashore, he bellows with rage at their deceit! He abandons his position amongst the ruins of the hunting village and his honorguard causes the earth to shake as they charge north!
>Minotaurs move two hexes due north to attack the men!
>Gors move into hunting village ruins
>Centigors charge one unit south to attack the two-house town wildly!","attachment":null,"posted":1713298686},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979258,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5979257
Oops I didn’t refresh.
I’ll have my Minotaurs march two hexes southwest instead","attachment":null,"posted":1713298749},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979260,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5979253
With thousands of baying and roar's, the horde moves on! Though, one might notice they tend to gravitate around the larger minotaurs, enjoying the sight of them savaging the foe up ahead and loosing projectiles in support.
Well, that's what we'll do once it's our turn to do so if we're doing everyone acts then new turn style.","attachment":null,"posted":1713298776},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979264,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5979257
oh and the centigors should retreat North east if they survive,","attachment":null,"posted":1713299052},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979272,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979198
Important question for the QM
How many turns is the raid expected to last? My follow up question is whether we are expected to free the sister this same raid, or if we are only trying to grab enough loot to buy bigger armies with which we can assault Fort Ostrosk for next time. Is she the goal for this entire quest or just the chapter 1 goal?
The reason I'm asking is because your answer will determine whether or not I travel through Belyevobota pass, which is like a 12 turn commitment before I exit the other side.","attachment":null,"posted":1713300062},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979281,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5979257
>>5979258
The Centigor charge breaks itself against the shieldwall at the gate of the Norscan town. Vicious charges are repelled by stalwart defenders as spears thrust upwards into the guts. A third of the huscarls are dead, while half of the horsemen lie dead.
Your centigors are at 1/2HP
>>5979272
>How many turns is the raid expected to last?
However long the raid can and wants to last.
>whether we are expected to free the sister this same raid, or if we are only trying to grab enough loot to buy bigger armies with which we can assault Fort Ostrosk for next time.
Nah, your forces aren't strong enough. If anything, your priority goals should be harming the Wheatlands enough that they can't fully rebuild the next time and harming the Baersonings enough that they swear fealty to you.
>Is she the goal for this entire quest or just the chapter 1 goal?
She's the first goal (quest) presented to you.
>which is like a 12 turn commitment before I exit the other side.
You don't actually need to go all the way through, you just need to get past the garrison in the village.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713300589387311.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713300589},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979289,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":"Sarrick, Magor - Looks like I got too cocky with my cavalry, I might need to take a backseat and let my Minotaurs do the heavy lifting for a while.","attachment":null,"posted":1713302175},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979292,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5979281
Lanu, can I have my Centigors retreat or do I need one of the other players to bail me out?","attachment":null,"posted":1713302236},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979312,"name":"Hangar","msg":">>5979203
"The Kislevites stand on hills that lie on a path between us and nothing of any value or promise. We will march past them; DARE those wretches to venture down from the feeble safety of their barren rise. It is their choice now if they wish to keep their worthless hills and lives, or to follow our hooves with by stepping upon the open plain to be rendered into sacrifices unto the four."
His hand stings, he can still feel the press of the Ruby; a throb that seems to grow as he allows his attention to linger upon matters of the present rather then the machinations of a future yet to fall.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713304405268277.jpg","filename":"Move.jpg"},"posted":1713304405},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979319,"name":"Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5977972
Lanu, I know these aren't mechanics you had baked in, but did my OBE/AP efforts reveal anything to me about the terrain, defenders, reinforcements, or the sorceress? Would you like me to roll for it?
To the other warchiefs, I'll join in attacking the central cluster of towns & villages next turn.
This turn, unless those white lines are enemy forces, I'll continue on to raze the village just South of my position. If my Chaos Knights need another turn to heal, I'll hold them in reserve during the attack.","attachment":null,"posted":1713305140},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979357,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":"Another question for Lanu - can I spend some loot to heal my current troops and have them camp in a forest for a turn or something?
My centigors are at 1/2hp - could I spent 8 loot to restore them to full health?
Similarly, enemy wounded troops should be able to do the same","attachment":null,"posted":1713309121},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979388,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5979203
Here's my turn 3
I'll be heading towards the villages just south of the center","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713312886077195.png","filename":"Rue'Vahn turn 3.png"},"posted":1713312886},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979484,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5979292
Forward! Let mighty braying and a storm of projectiles herald the Ungor tide! Support the Minotaurs!","attachment":null,"posted":1713324086},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979488,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979484
Based af beast-bros, always having each others backs","attachment":null,"posted":1713324220},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979601,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5979289
I'll read this as "move my minotaurs up" and if I'm wrong, let me know and I'll remedy it.
>>5979292
>Lanu, can I have my Centigors retreat or do I need one of the other players to bail me out?
You'd need someone to bail you out. Specifically, you'd need Sarrick to move in his savages as they have a higher initiative than the huscarls.
You could risk striking with your minotaurs but that would give you a 50/50 of losing 1 HP on either your minotaurs or on your centigors.
>>5979357
>can I spend some loot to heal my current troops and have them camp in a forest for a turn or something?
Nope. If you wanna heal, you gotta back out and amass troops back in friendly(er) lands.
>>5979484
Your ungor herds rush forwards where they can.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713332333375949.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713332333},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979610,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5979312
As his cavalry column marches into the lowland between the two raises, a strong impression of a ambush is forming within Hangars mind.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713333259894454.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713333259},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979617,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5979319
>unless those white lines are enemy forces
They represent the extent of your own line of sight.
>If my Chaos Knights need another turn to heal
They ain't healing until the raid is over.
>Would you like me to roll for it?
You could, give me a d100.
The village of Mishkapol is undefended, the men having been butchered by your horse archers previously. Whoever hadn't left the village is enslaved, while all of value is dragged from the homes that are then set ablaze.
You gained 10 loot.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713333663362099.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713333663},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979621,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5979212
>>5979388
The march of the chaos hosts continues.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713334002946902.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713334002},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979692,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5979621
So its the next turn already?
Hope ist clear where everyone is supposed to go. I want the Horse Archers to link up again with the Knights and not Charge ahead recklessly","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713346901081997.png","filename":"1713334002946902.png"},"posted":1713346901},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979694,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5979692
We're waiting for Sarrick.","attachment":null,"posted":1713347220},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979715,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5979601
Thanks for clarification! Hopefully Sarrick wants to bail me out. Seems like I can more or less safely smash the lesser-armored human troops with the Centigors and Gors.","attachment":null,"posted":1713351673},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979733,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5979601
Send ungors to surround the enemy from the rear! Meanwhile, that unit in the middle? Focus our efforts onto them from all angles.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713357361012297.png","filename":"Concentrate.png"},"posted":1713357361},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979737,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5979733
Those are Sarricks men. You sure about that?","attachment":null,"posted":1713357607},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979743,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5979733
Haha, a bit early for betrayals, friend. I respect the bloodlust though","attachment":null,"posted":1713357717},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979790,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5979737
Lanu, I’d probably give him a deadline to respond or else you discard the nonsensical order and just have the ungors advance as a mass","attachment":null,"posted":1713366805},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979793,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5979790
He already moved for the turn. We're waiting for Sarrick to act, as he's the only one who didn't do his turn 3.","attachment":null,"posted":1713367107},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979796,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5979793
Oh I just meant the “attack your allies” part of Magor’s order, no worries.","attachment":null,"posted":1713367544},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979802,"name":"StandIn","msg":">>5979733
Hi! Friend of Magor here, he's away from home at the moment and he cannot post on mobile. He said that it was a mistake and that he'll fix it when he gets back, he meant to say that he is attacking the enemy not the allies. Other than that, keep up the great Quest QM!","attachment":null,"posted":1713368388},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979804,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5979802
Alright, got it. Thanks for the reply and tell him to not worry about it as he has done his action for this turn.","attachment":null,"posted":1713368465},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979838,"name":"Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"Rolled 20 (1d100)
>>5979617
Head for the closest village of the central cluster around the lake, the one South of the river.
Mulrog, we can meet in the middle to raid the larger towns there.","attachment":null,"posted":1713373140},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979843,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5979838
good to know i wont be alone. one problem i see is that the enemy will be able to hold the river and we will lose initiative on everything.
so we will get hit hard trying to cross. not impossible. but it will be costly.
just realized the hills will slow us down massively.
so it might be more worth it to just leave them and go around the water somewhat.","attachment":null,"posted":1713373588},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979844,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5979838
>>5979692
Guys, hold on, don't get hasty. As soon as Sarrick moves, the Kislevites and the Baersonlings will. Then you get to move.
Also, regarding Ivan's dreams are filled with strange scenes of battle of warriors obviously not from this world, with skins almost the color of gold and eye sockets of almost a square shape, with faces angular beyond those normal for even the Norscans, with the beaked messenger standing next to a strange, moving and unfinished porcelain figure next to it, observing and perhaps commanding the legions of strange warriors.","attachment":null,"posted":1713373645},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979845,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5979844
yeah sorry about that.
i thought it was the next turn already. got confused during work.","attachment":null,"posted":1713373781},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979852,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5979715
>Hopefully Sarrick wants to bail me out.
I got you bro.
With the defenders now mangled and exhausted by the beastmen the hung savages move up to assault the town and finish them off. The chaos warriors continue down the coast.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713374402351720.png","filename":"1713332333375949.png"},"posted":1713374402},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979854,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5979852
Based.
The rapid march of the savages, followed by a vicious charge not only breaks the renowned norse shieldwall, but butchers the survivors. Heads are removed from bodies of men and stacked in piles while the wild northmen satisfy their lust on the norscan women that had not yet fled.
Sarrick gained 20 loot.","attachment":null,"posted":1713374814},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979855,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Turn 4:
From the watchtower in Urslo, the sight of the difficult fight ahead is obvious. The Norscan housecarl line is standing in front of a nameless tributary river, ready to die fighting. On the northern side of the stream, a small band of fighters stands, willing to die for their tribe. Now is a time to commit or break off.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713375010124195.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713375010},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979857,"name":"Lanu","msg":"In the wheatlands, a mob of brave Kossars struck over the hill at the cataphracts, killing a third of them before being killed off in return, while a unit of Ungols has marched up from the east, ready to strike at the flanks of Hangars host.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713375326407130.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713375326},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979862,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5979857
alright.
since nothing showed up on my radar but i had a bit more of a thought. please consider the following my new orders to my host.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713375768984667.png","filename":"mulgor_fourth_turn.png"},"posted":1713375768},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979868,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5979862
The hills above your host are crested with Kossars, while the town itself, unremarkable in all ways describable is filled with red tufts of colour, the infamous Strelsy.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713376018649763.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713376018},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979873,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5979868
if they wanna come out and fight me they can come. ín the field i should have initiative with my cavalery. so their best shot is staying holed up.","attachment":null,"posted":1713376140},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979877,"name":"Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"Hmm... Visions of Dark Elves perhaps?
Same as before, advance on the village just South of the river feeding the lake.","attachment":null,"posted":1713376388},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979880,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5979877
This good?
>>5979873
True, however, you're the raider here. You need to burn villages, not they.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713376517632785.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713376517},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979898,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5979855
Tricky situation for us. Sarrick and Maggie, what do you guys think about taking a turn to reorient our line of battle and bring my Minotaurs forward to break up the Huscarls? This river fording looks pretty shitty but my Minotaurs can take the punishment.
I can have my Centigors take out the enemy infantry hiding the forest, I’m pretty sure they’ll survive. My Gors unit will have to stumble around in the hills for now.","attachment":null,"posted":1713377832},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979900,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5979898
Your Centigors are down to 1HP and fighting in the forest will automatically hit them first. Sending your centigors at anything other than thralls or berserkers in open ground will lead to them dying.","attachment":null,"posted":1713377920},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979903,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5979900
Thanks for clarifying, I’d assumed that I’d have an initiative advantage in the forest given beastman movement bonus in forest tiles.","attachment":null,"posted":1713378257},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979909,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5979898
I reckon the chaos warriors and minotaurs should lead the way here. I'll shuffle north with the warriors and murder the thralls in the woods, and be ready for both units to push across the river next turn. The savages can run off with their loot to make room for the minotaurs to push up. Given the 3 tile wide front I can't really see a better way to do it. Hopefully after this we can make a little room for Magor's ungors to actually move up and get some action too. Definitely don't intend to use them as meatshields for my own benefit.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713379243179772.png","filename":"cunning plans.png"},"posted":1713379243},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979913,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5979909
Cool, thanks.
1) Minotaurs charge due southwest to the front line.
2) Gors stumble through the hills southwest.
3) Centigors move two hexes southeast, and then one hex south. I’m trying to get them out of the way so Magor’s goatbois can come storming in.","attachment":null,"posted":1713379622},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979921,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5979909
>>5979913
This it for the movement?
The fight in the forest is a vicious one, as the thralls get the first strike, managing to ambush the chaos warriors, leaping from the tree branches, emerging from amidst the roots and releasing volleys of arrows, javelins and stones, yet, the chaos warriors are not quick to succumb to such weak blows. After the initial shock, the countercharge by the warriors who had spent more time in combat than their foes had lived left many of them dead.
After the rout, five hundred dead thralls lay amidst the trees and only a tenth of their number of the chaos warriors.
>Chaos warriors are at 3/4 HP","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713380055732797.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713380055},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979928,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5979921
The movement looks right to me, thanks for your rapid response!","attachment":null,"posted":1713380540},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979991,"name":"Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5979880
Looks good to me","attachment":null,"posted":1713388356},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5979992,"name":"Hangar","msg":">>5979857
The Kislevites trail us with Ungol Horse Archers? Let us give our own Horse Archers and our Cataphracts a chance for glory in the eyes of the gods by riding these Ungols down.
The Kights will keep up their relentless march toward the lake and the settlements there down the gullet of the passage.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713388475623838.png","filename":"Strike.png"},"posted":1713388475},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5980166,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5979802
Thanks bud.
Alright, green and blue and red circles are allies. Things without circles are not allies.","attachment":null,"posted":1713401739},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5980278,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":"Here's my movement for turn 4","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713414143878496.png","filename":"Rue'Vahn turn 4.png"},"posted":1713414143},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5980416,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5979992
The charge against the Ungols is a risky one, and the fight seems like it could swing in either sides favor, yet a risky charge by your Kurgans routs them, those who are not cut down or shot are too scattered to do much harm. Yet, it is not without losses, as your Cataphracts lose half their number to Kislevite shot and arrow.
In the south, likewise, vicious fighting occurs as your knights, while passing next to the hill are attacked by vicious Kossars. A slow, yet certain charge up the hill leads to a bloody fight. Fifty knights lay dead, and yet again, ten times their number in Kossars.
>>5980278
The march of the chaos host continues.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713439249289851.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713439249},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5980417,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5980166
I await for your movement orders.","attachment":null,"posted":1713439323},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5980450,"name":"Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"I'm thinking my warband takes the Southmost of those villages, Rue'Vahn takes the one slightly East & North of it, we converge on the larger town, then await Mulrog to take the next large town. As we take more casualties the need to consolidate forces is higher.","attachment":null,"posted":1713446805},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5980453,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5980450
look. i am looking to taking the village and slightly larger village where i am now. i can threaten pressure from the north on those towns. but my units are gonna be heavily damaged when i am done there.
I WILL pull back soon to consolidate and recruit more forces in the north.
right now i have 20 loot, and after conquering these towns i will be up to 50. but i will need to recover afterwards. and i wont risk losing my knights. they are super expensive.","attachment":null,"posted":1713447583},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5980456,"name":"Krantaragh","msg":">>5980453
I’m obviously in the other field of battle, I think you have good logic here. I definitely think we should all avoid risking our high-quality troops and get out with our loot intact. Better to quit early and consolidate.
Coming back with 50% more troops next raid should let us really batter the enemy…","attachment":null,"posted":1713448165},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5980458,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5980456
yeah. i have already lost one slave unit and my Horse Archers wont survive for long either i would guess. and i will sacrifice the other slave units to get that loot and make sure my Knights survive.","attachment":null,"posted":1713448331},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5980471,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Fun fact, the raiding host has, so far gained 110 loot. So far, I think that only 1 unit of slaves has been lost, so the host has net gained 106 loot.","attachment":null,"posted":1713449316},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5980546,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5980471
Should you just move Magor’s horde on his behalf? He’ll likely want to keep charging southwest anyways…","attachment":null,"posted":1713458181},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5980550,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Turn 5:
In the Baersonling lands south of the Frozen sea, the Norscan host holds its position, while a banner of a chaos warrior host rises over the walled town. You know the bloody fight when you see one.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713458441889947.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713458441},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5980551,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5980550
Okay based.
1) Minotaurs move northwest to wade into the stream and attack the Huscarls southeast.
2) Centigors hold position.
3) Gors move north and then northwest to get back into town as the rearguard.","attachment":null,"posted":1713458655},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5980552,"name":"Lanu","msg":"And likewise, the Kislevites keep their positions, ready to fight for their homes, wives and children.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713458683277360.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713458683},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5980563,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5980551
While the huscarls get the first blows up as the minotaurs climb up the frozen riversides, shivering from the cold water of the streams descending from the everfrozen Goromadny mountains, they are quickly swept away by the great blows of the minotaur herd led by Krantagarh himself, his axe, still beyond the power of any man to fight with effectively, cleaves many a brave norscan in half.
Those that do not flee are impaled on stakes and roasted over fires that the minotaurs heat themselves up with.
Minotaurs are down to 4/5HP
>>5980550
Magor, if you disagree with how I moved your guys, tell me, we'll fix something up.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713459288990439.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713459288},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5980570,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5980552
alright. i might make a mistake here but Khorne cares not whose blood flows. only that it does.
the Slaves are to storm the position of the militia on the hills to keep them from attacking the Knights. if they die that is a worthy sacrifice.
The Horse Archers are to sweep the enemy up afterwards if they managed to kill the slaves.
meanwhile the knights are supposed to break the forces of the strelsy and plunder the village. i hope this will work.
the other slaves are to keep the knights other flanks secure","attachment":null,"posted":1713459868},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5980571,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5980570
forgot to attack drawn attack plan.
am faggot i know. ","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713459930130828.png","filename":"mulgor_fifth_turn.png"},"posted":1713459930},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5980580,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5980570
>>5980571
It goes as expected. The slaves are driven uphill, are massacred by the kossars who descend down with sabre, bow and pistol. Meanwhile, the charge of the knights is broken by a volley of gunfire, before the horse archers ride in on their fast steeds, sabres drawn. The initial charge leaves dozens dead, but the ensuing whirl of blades leaves the strelsy corpses strewn across the town.
+10 loot, knights are at 4/5 HP","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713460893755978.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713460893},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5980589,"name":"Sarrick","msg":"The chaos warriors will shuffle onwards. The savages will stay put so Magor's horde can get past. Might as well take advantage of this little bit of forest we have.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713461325306256.png","filename":"cunning plans.png"},"posted":1713461325},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5980627,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5980580
Yeah. Depending on what Shows up next i am gonna retreat very soon or i will Start making losses in my Plunder. Might invest in some Chaos warriors next. Slower but they can at least take a punch","attachment":null,"posted":1713463284},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5980647,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5980589
Whereas normal marauding bands would have lit campfires in the forests, the chaos plate clad warriors, warmed either by the embrace of their gods and demons or by the runes of the chaos dwarfsmiths have no such needs and advance in pitch darkness.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713463997283774.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713463997},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5980689,"name":"Hangar","msg":">>5980552
As the Chaos Knights continue their advance, whilst the Cataphracts and Horse Archers catch up to where the Knights had previously stood.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713466384683576.jpg","filename":"Move.jpg"},"posted":1713466384},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5980803,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980689
The cauldron seems to deepen as you go further in.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713474106412219.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713474106},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5980810,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5980550
Here's my turn five movement
>>5979838
>>5979843
If you guys are hitting those villages on the lake, then I might go further south and hit those four on the other side of the hills","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713474884597297.png","filename":"Rue'Vahn turn 5.png"},"posted":1713474884},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5980818,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5980417
Sorry, was working today, I'll make orders now","attachment":null,"posted":1713475634},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5980822,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5980563
Ah, no I don't disagree. It looks good.
Essentially the Ungor strategy is simple: fire and Maneuver. Leverage our better speed and and numbers to move around flanks and rears of the foe, keep pressing at them. When the front line of ungors tire, retire them so the ones at the back can move up.
And arrows. Lots and lots of arrows.
If the enemy press hard ot move to strike, we fall back, arrows still raining down.
Advance and surround!","attachment":null,"posted":1713475925},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5980823,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":"I don't know if we're allowed to pass through allies, but ideally my Ungors would keep moving. Some would break off to try and go to the other sides of the river bank. If the norscans refuse to stand and die and try to flee through the river, they will find the banks lined with ungor archers.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713476093827649.png","filename":"Surround.png"},"posted":1713476093},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5980942,"name":"Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"I am simple Kurgan Man: keep advancing towards the village just South of the river; looks like our forces are all coalescing towards the lake town soon.","attachment":null,"posted":1713485743},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981048,"name":"Ecruxian Continuity","msg":">>5980823
ungor swarm makes me laugh whenever it comes up on the map but i really hope you dont run into cav","attachment":null,"posted":1713497423},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981163,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5980810
>I don't know if we're allowed to pass through allies
Nope, and neither are you allowed to pass over the dark brown tiles (mountains) while hills (medium brown tiles) slow you down to 1 tile per turn.
The vicious ungor tide, slowed and choked by the stream and the hills turned the vast hordes attack into a thin trickle. Yet, even this thin stream eventually swept away the brave norscan shieldwall after it had cost the horde 600 souls.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713507008059906.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713507008},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981167,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5981163
Fuck, this was meant for Magor.
>>5980823
Rue, this is for you.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713507131088747.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713507131},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981170,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5980942
And this is for Ivan.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713507265075399.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713507265},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981172,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981163
Wait, just to clarify...
So I understand you can't pass through allies when they are blocking, but do all of our own troops move at the same time or is this like chess or Wesnoth where each unit goes one at a time? In that latter case, a unit can go first and move out of the way before the next one moves through the tile that was previously occupied.","attachment":null,"posted":1713507374},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981174,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5981172
Units go one by one. A player makes a post, his units go in the convenient way so his movements are doable and can't pass through eachother. After his orders are fulfilled, they stand still.","attachment":null,"posted":1713507675},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981178,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Turn 6:
Wheatlands:
The vicious Kossar charge leaves the horsearchers of Mulrog dead. After the Kossars cornered them in a church and lit it ablaze, cutting any and all who dared exit with their sabres.
While their village is still a smoldering ruin, at least some revenge is had.
Meanwhile, a unit of chaos knights under Hangar is half decimated by a suicidal charge downhill. (2/5HP left)
Meanwhile, Rue'Vahn's host is viciously set upon by a horde of Ungols and his dear Sunset is lanced in the throat, leaving her almost dead. Luckily for him, Ivan's host is nearby, and if they can be convinced to help, Sunshine will certainly recover.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713508110081430.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713508110},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981179,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Baersonlings:
Not much of note happens. The Chaos warriors firmly stand in their position, ready for vicious combat that will follow soon, chopping trees and erecting barricades for the upcoming fight.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713508201054815.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713508201},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981211,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5981178
AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH
IVAN PLEASE HELP I'LL GIVE YOU MY LOOT!!!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713510332984100.png","filename":"Rue'Vahn rn.png"},"posted":1713510332},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981224,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5981178
Oh right, it's a new turn and I didn't actually move anyone.
Sunset will fall back, while the slaves move in the way to block any pursuers. The problem is that since they're infantry with one health, the ungols will be able to wipe them out without taking any damage, and then able to continue their chase. If I pay Ivan and the slaves live, then at least I didn't lose anything by participating in this chaos raid.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713511216694065.png","filename":"Rue'Vahn turn 6.png"},"posted":1713511216},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981231,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5981224
Keep in mind, there is no disengaging from combat.
So there is no 100% guaranteed way to keep Sunset safe, you can only minimize the odds of the Ungols striking Sunset by swamping them (the Ungols) with as many enemies in combat as possible as they hit a random nearby enemy.
If I was you, I'd send both my slaves down south to attack the southern Ungol and hope that Ivan strikes at the Ungols from down south.
That would give Sunset a 2/3 chance of surviving.","attachment":null,"posted":1713511566},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981236,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5981231
Oh shit that's right. I forgot, my bad.
Okay new plan, the slaves move around to flank and attack from the side. That should still give Ivan plenty of tiles to attack both of the remaining Ungols (assuming he agrees to help ofc). If Sunset has three attack and she already killed one, then that means the enemies have a maximum of 3 HP. Fingers crossed that the reinforcements should be enough.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713512685445937.png","filename":"Rue'Vahn turn 6 FIXED.png"},"posted":1713512685},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981239,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5981236
Maybe wait Till Ivan had his turn. Because outside of your and the npc turn there is no shot for them to strike and sunset","attachment":null,"posted":1713513294},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981246,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5981179
Tough situation but someone’s gotta tank the hit
1) Minotaurs move two hexes southwest to attack the enemy. They should survive the first round of combat here…
2) Centigors chill.
3) Gors move one hex southwest.
Sarrick, if you end up taking the town, we should discuss possible loot-sharing arrangements…","attachment":null,"posted":1713514195},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981247,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5981246
A thunderous roar is followed by a stampede of hooves descending down into the rapid stream from the thick northern forest. Yet, a barrage of arrows, bolts, javelins and stones thrown by the nervous chaos warriors breaks their charge as they attempt to climb up the steep riverside.
Then, a horn blows and the chaos warriors close ranks and descend down the steep slopes, oftentimes, simply throwing themselves down upon the charging brutes.
The minotaurs fail to fight their way out of the river. A vicious exchange of blows follows and many dead are left on both sides.
(The only way the minotaurs survive this is if Sarick bee-lines it for the the river tile north of the town with his chaos warriors).","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713514650020706.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713514650},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981255,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5981247
Can he reach me in time anyways? I figured he can only move one hex per turn in forest/streams","attachment":null,"posted":1713515217},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981257,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5981255
This turn he will be north of the stream. Next turn, if he moves before you, he will be in the stream and will have a 50% chance of saving your minotaurs.","attachment":null,"posted":1713515289},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981258,"name":"Hangar","msg":">>5981178
My Knights were surrounded by plains-tiles, though. The Kislev militia moved off the hill to get next to me, and when combat is carried out with both participants on flat terrain the Cavalry have the initiative over infantry. Which I think means my Knights should have struck first and cut them down before they could have attacked, I think?
Or is there a natural charge bonus that overrides some terrain effects?","attachment":null,"posted":1713515296},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981260,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5981258
You are right and have caught a mistake. 2 units of kislevite militia charged your knights, and while your knights struck one of them down, the other both delivered 1 damage and should be alive, but I dismissively deleted it before time.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713515446863009.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713515446},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981298,"name":"Hangar","msg":">>5981260
The heavily wounded Chaos Knights will ride out to destroy the militia next to them (effectively remaining in place but scoring an easy auto-kill against militia on the plains), whilst the Knights with only minor scratches will charge the militia defending the village to break them and leave the settlement open to plunder. The Kurgan Horse-Archers scout north two hexes to check if any further foes approach the pass, then return south two hexes once more to return to their turn's starting point.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713521986822494.png","filename":"Strike.png"},"posted":1713521986},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981311,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5981257
Haha, I’m sure he’ll save me…","attachment":null,"posted":1713527229},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981323,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981247
Lanu, I have a theoretical question. If Magor threw 3 Ungors at the enemy knights, would he whittle them down? Can enemy units defend only once per player turn?","attachment":null,"posted":1713530197},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981328,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5981298
The chaos knights rally the survivors and in a vicious countercharge kill the kislevites, be it by sword, mace, lance, spear or simply by horse, whether the impact or the bite of the chaos steed.
The horsearchers find no foes in the northwards trip.
>>5981323
The units, both yours and enemy's can only engage in combat once a turn.
So if 3 ungors fought a chaos knight on open terrain, on the end of the first turn, there would be 2 ungors and the knights would be at 3/5 HP, on the second, 1 ungor would be left and the knight would be on 2/5HP and the knight would strike first on the third turn and take no damage.
However, if the same encounter happened on rough terrain, it would go
2 ungors - 2/5 HP
1 ungor - 1/5 HP
1 ungor - 0/5HP","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713531411628859.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713531411},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981330,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Kinda funny how both Krantagarh and Rue need help on the same turn.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713531953803314.png","filename":"chaos horde march.png"},"posted":1713531953},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981348,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981330
Such is life when you are RPing as a bullheaded chaos lord.
If my Minotaur unit is killed, does Krantagarh himself survive? I would obviously RP him losing a horn or some other significant wounding if he lives.","attachment":null,"posted":1713534569},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981349,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5981348
He'd survive. I specifically noted:
>as players characters are there to present a face for the interactions with each other and with NPC's and are presumed to have been in whatever unit survives the last (for obvious reasons).","attachment":null,"posted":1713534651},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981352,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5981349
Cool, thanks for clarifying. I’m hoping to at least get out of this first raid with break-even loot but that is seeming less likely now…","attachment":null,"posted":1713535051},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981361,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5981178
Shouting at his slavemasters to carry of the loot he captured closer to the other lords Mulrog turns his gaze south. scouting ahead to determin if it would be worth the risk to engage there or reinforce his nominal allies for a greater slaughter yet to come.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713535782777824.png","filename":"Mulrog_sixth_turn.png"},"posted":1713535782},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981365,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5981361
The town is defended by a strong contingent of dug in Strelsy. It definitely seems like a fight your knights could win, tho at moderate cost.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713536915964256.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713536915},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981378,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5981365
yeah.... doesnt seem like something i want to risk my knigts to. the enemies can just cloes in around me and whittle me down. nah. i will just menace them a bit til Hangar has pulled back so they cant really do all that much if they wanna protect their city.","attachment":null,"posted":1713538052},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981397,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5981365
though i do have a question now that i thought a bit more. >>5980580
here..... did my knight wipe out the Stresly or did i need the Archers to finish them off?
if i wiped them out with the knights then i could risk it and go plunder that village. taking the defenders out would put the knights at 3 hp... then onr of other two units would arrive and attack me putting me at two HP...
no that wont work. because i cant retaliate then because i already fought so they would crush me next turn since i will lose initiative on the village and they outnumber me making me lose my final two HP.
yeah. no way for me to take that village really.
unless anyone else sees something i am missing.","attachment":null,"posted":1713540646},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981398,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5981397
You needed he archers to finish the strelsy off. Normally, the knights would do it alone, but since the strelsy are in a village, they gain +1HP, which is enough that the knights are incapable of killing them.","attachment":null,"posted":1713540897},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981399,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5981398
alright. then i will just keep position and stop them from moving out to help their bretheren on the other side of the hills.","attachment":null,"posted":1713540986},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981425,"name":"Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"Crush the Kossacks attacking Rue'Vahn, in return for a great deal of the spoils of course...
We should definitely horde-up to break these lakeside villages & towns.","attachment":null,"posted":1713543810},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981437,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5981425
Rue only has 14 loot. Just so you know.
The sound of horns stops the Ungols before they commit to their charge to wipe out the horde of chaos warbeasts. From the south, in the last possible moment, a vast horde of horsemen rides forth. The Ungols, more concerned with the newcomers, turn their attention northwards and the two chaos hosts meet in a bloody crash, with screams, yells and shrieks being drowned under the stampede of hooves, the whistling of arrows and the choking dust of the sun kissed steppe.
By the end, 1200 Ungols lie dead, 60 warbeasts, 50 chaos knights and 150 cataphracts.
>This will probably be the biggest battle of the raid of 2537 IC, so if anyone has any ideas, share them.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713544794184059.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713544794},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981440,"name":"Krantigarh","msg":">>5981437
>any ideas, share them.
Ah, in what sense? Naming the battle?","attachment":null,"posted":1713545259},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981441,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5981437
ideas? on what to call that battle? or what type of idea.
descriptions?","attachment":null,"posted":1713545266},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981442,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5981440
>>5981441
Name of the battle.","attachment":null,"posted":1713545346},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981443,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5981442
Battle of Sunsets Rage","attachment":null,"posted":1713545552},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981444,"name":"Krantigarh","msg":">>5981442
“Ivan’s Bloody Charge of 2157”?","attachment":null,"posted":1713545604},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981453,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5981437
Wait, 60 to 80 monsters in a unit?
Wow I completely misjudged the lore numbers. I get that there isn't a single minotaur in a unit of minotaurs, but for some reason, my brain assumed that "warbeast of the north" meant that it was literally a single monster who was capable of fighting off entire regiments. I feel really dumb now, lmao.
>>5981443
>>5981444
I like both of these names.
>>5981425
Yeah so I'll def give you the loot I have, but do you want me to send my slaves with you for the rest of this raid, or should I have them retreat with Sunset because that's what I was about to do.
Basically, what do you think should be the plan going forward","attachment":null,"posted":1713547597},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981460,"name":"Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5981453
I'll just take 2 loot for now & borrow your slave forces, you can owe me one later but with a bit of loot you can expand your forces for the next one.","attachment":null,"posted":1713548314},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981463,"name":"Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5981444
I fuck with this name, +1","attachment":null,"posted":1713548453},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981465,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5981453
The idea was that it was a very mixed bag. From warhounds mutated by chaos to chaos spawn, to manticores to even very mutated Hung.","attachment":null,"posted":1713548564},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981470,"name":"Sarrick","msg":"As much as I'd love to save the minotaurs, I don't think I can. The Chaos Warriors head for the combat, either through the forest or traveling along the stream (wading in baersonling lands sounds shit to me, but I guess chaos warriors are made of sterner stuff?). As these are difficult terrain I'm stuck at a hex a turn though unless I've missed something. Best case is that the more western chaos warriors take two more turns to make contact.
The savages are now pinned in by all the ungors. Lanu, assuming Magor posts his turn and there is space to do so, can they move at that point vaguely in the direction indicated?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713549073907748.png","filename":"cunning plans.png"},"posted":1713549073},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981495,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5981470
>>5981444
>>5980823
As the chaos warriors start their wade through the freezing streams, the cold water sizzling and boiling in contact with their armor, and begin their long march in the thick forests, they reveal their numbers to the chaos warriors defending the town.
Confused talk is exchanged between the warriors, yet eventually, a lone boy carrying a tar black banner is sent forwards towards the minotaurs.
The minotaurs watch as the gold haired boy, certainly of no more than fifteen winters old, walks to the edge of the stream bed, then uncomfortably slides and skids down, almost falling over twice.
Krantagarh murmurs something and a minotaur with a human face on his shoulder steps out from hiding.
"Who art thou?" The face on the minotaurs shoulder asks.
"Gesu, son of Hama, a smith of Urslo, of the Baersonlings." The boy recites, obviously nervous.
"Why cometh you here?" The face asks as the minotaur slowly paces towards the boy.
"I come to invite to negotiation." The boy says with a shaky voice.
"And what do thaut offer of the Baersonlings to the Krantagarh's band?" The face asks, the minotaur now within three long paces of his kind away from the boy and slowly circling him.
"For peace, the chief offers fifteen wagons of food and furs and a chest of silver (10 loot) and a free passage through our lands." The boy says, more leaning on the banner than holding it.
>This will require a 2/3 player agreement.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713550337607590.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713550337},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981513,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5981495
Just to be clear is that a flat 10 loot offered, or 10 loot each?","attachment":null,"posted":1713551667},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981515,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5981513
Flat 10 loot.","attachment":null,"posted":1713551787},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981518,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5981515
And a follow up, do they negotiate on behalf of this one village, or all the baersonlings?","attachment":null,"posted":1713551979},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981519,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5981518
The Baersonlings in general.","attachment":null,"posted":1713552059},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981533,"name":"Krantigarh","msg":">>5981518
What do you think? Negotiate to 30 loot now (10 loot) per player and then we come back and sack them anyways?","attachment":null,"posted":1713553354},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981535,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Also, keep in mind, this would allow you to rally Norse troops and board your troops onto warships.","attachment":null,"posted":1713553467},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981536,"name":"Krantigarh","msg":">>5981535
Well, that’s actually not a bad deal, assuming that we can get more loot. I’d settle for 20 loot rather than 10 if we get boats as well…","attachment":null,"posted":1713553696},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981540,"name":"Sarrick","msg":"One last question before I decide. I assume if the Baersonlings submit via this deal we will finish this little map and be able to buy new troops/maybe do other things before moving onto a new area. Our troops have taken damage, which based on the narration represents taking casualties. Will we have to buy them back to full health via loot, or will they heal up for free?","attachment":null,"posted":1713554306},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981543,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5981540
>I assume if the Baersonlings submit via this deal we will finish this little map
Yes.
>and be able to buy new troops/maybe do other things before moving onto a new area.
Not quite. You will be able to either:
>immediately continue towards the north and engage the dwarves or continue towards the west and engage the Kislevites towards Kzarla and Svedora.
Or
>rest, spend your loot and recover for the rest of the season
>Will we have to buy them back to full health via loot, or will they heal up for free?
If a unit has not been fully destroyed and has at least some men left (still exists on the map) it will recover to full HP if you choose to rest and recover. If you choose to immediately continue, your troops will not heal yet.","attachment":null,"posted":1713554638},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981572,"name":"Krantigarh","msg":">>5981540
I’ll write up a lil RP post about Krantagarh’s reaction to the offer based on your decision Sarrick!","attachment":null,"posted":1713557209},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981577,"name":"Sarrick","msg":"My vote is in favour. My troops are pretty much intact, I can march on immediately, and in return I get access to new units to recruit and boats which will help a lot with mobility for my slow ass warriors.
In character, I can see Sarrick demanding Krantigarh cede his share of this tribute. Seeing as his forces are mangled while Sarrick and Magore's troops are intact. The truce benefits Krantigarh most, especially if it saves the minotaurs from being destroyed. Maybe agree to the truce on the grounds the loot from the deal gets split two way between myself and Magore as a result.
Out of character, feels a bit of a dick move for us to decide without Magore having any input at all. Maybe hold off an hour or so on the reply, which will take us to about the time he posted yesterday in case that's when he gets off work or some shit to give him a chance to weigh in.","attachment":null,"posted":1713557938},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981586,"name":"Krantigarh","msg":">>5981577
Okay, sounds good to me. I totally agree that IC, you’d have me over a barrel, so if Maggie doesn’t respond, I can RP a post like:
1) Krantagarh demands double loot from the messenger (20 total).
2) Krantagarh thinks he’s a genius but is then figuratively held at gunpoint by Sarrick and Magor - you guys take the 20 loot for yourselves.
3) Krantagarh is mega-butthurt IC but has no other choice but to take the shitty deal.
4) Krantagarh now has a reason to betray Sarrick and Magor in the future…
Sounds fun to play!","attachment":null,"posted":1713558892},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981603,"name":"Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5981437
Just for an extra bit of flavor text, Ivan's Kurgan riders drank the blood of the enemies' horses that were not judged strong enough to be added to their own herd of mounts. (horse blood is high in protein)","attachment":null,"posted":1713560796},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981620,"name":"Krantigarh","msg":"some RP, Lanu - feel free to approve/deny as QM
Krantagarh concentrates- his reddened eyes bulge with the effort, and fetid breathe is emitted in huge clouds into the cold afternoonair. Gesu, the boy from the village, knows that his life hangs in the balance - his face is wan with terror.Krantagarh'sthickly-muscled body is covered in wounds, stained with both old blood and new - his graying hide is filthy, and his ox's legs tremble subtly with fatigue. The fighting with the local town's Chaos Warriors was brutal - his troops were savaged. He has misjudged the attack - his troops were too slow to exit the frozen stream, and they paid the price. Despite his rage, Krantagarh's low cunning wins out - he cannot hope to take the town with his diminished force. He brought too few beastmen with him on this raid. The truth of his weakness galls him, but even at this low point,he cannot resist changing the deal in his favor: he barks and coughs his orders in theawful tongue of his people.
The human face on the other minotaur's shoulder is quick to relay Krantargarh's demands:
"Krantagarth One-Handed demands thirty wagons of food and furs, and two chests of silver, in addition to right of recruitment and warships. Accept this deal, or his allies will avenge his death by flaying your people alive in sacrifice to the Gods of the North."
Gesu can only stammer his acceptance, and stunned to be alive, flees back into his Baersonling village...
---
Krantagarh is quick to congratulate himself on his genius, as his troops muscle the wagons of loot away from the town. His illusions are quickly shattered when Sarrick, sorcerer of the Hung, and Magor Gorebow, descend on his location swiftly. Little in the way ofwords are exchanged between the Chaos Lords - the power differential between them is bothstark and obvious. Where Krantagarh was once strong, now he and his army is battered and weak. Krantagarh resists the urge to place his axe through Sarrick's brains, as his forces firmly and deliberately shove the minotaurs aside. Magor chitters with greed and thumbs his bow, as the loot-wagons are split between his forces and Sarrick's.
Krantagarh is left only with the plunder of the first village - a measly price for the cost inblood and lives.
His missing hand itches, his rage burns hotter than any funeral pyre - but his hard-won wisdom prevails over his fury. Revenge now is impossible, but revenge later? Who can say what the Dark Gods have in store?","attachment":null,"posted":1713562886},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981631,"name":"Hangar","msg":">>5981443
Nice name.","attachment":null,"posted":1713564454},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981971,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5981620
I fully approve of this.
>>5981603
Based. A pyramid of skulls is raised where the Ungors made their stand and died.","attachment":null,"posted":1713592903},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981981,"name":"Lanu","msg":"For:
Krantigarh
Sarrick
Magor
The scouts are sent ahead to ascertain the state of both the enemies further on and the Baersonling lands left unraided. In the northern passage, a small herd of centigors rides ahead, their hooves breaking up the still gravel of the coast, shattering the thin ice that forms on the banks of the frozen sea. The men exit their homes cautiously, their armor donned and their hands obviously concealed on their weapons, while women and children cower behind closed windows and doors.
Two villages are are come upon in the northern travels, but both are under Baersonling banner, so they are safe. For now. What strikes the fancy of Nocnur, the commander of the small scouting herd is a fortress atop a mountain overlooking both the dwarven lands and the village. Grumbling angrily, he decides to ascend the hill with a small escort, struggling part of the way up the narrow mountain passes before giving up.
The first obstacle that will await the horde is Sjoktraken, the port of the Kraka Ravnsvake. A mighty port rising up above the coastline, standing like a squat, yet towering cylinder of light grey stone, overlooking the surrounding lands. While the fight with the dwarves promised to be a hard one, the plunder promised to be worth it.","attachment":null,"posted":1713594299},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981983,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5981981
And of course, I forgot the pic.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713594400921080.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713594400},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981987,"name":"Lanu","msg":"For:
Krantigarh
Sarrick
Magor
Meanwhile, a scouting force of Hung and Ungors made their way through the rough mountain passes of the Goromadny mountains, shivering as the cold winds whipped them, as the snow slid from everwhite mountain peaks and closed the passes, as the rocks eternally chipped from the steep rockfaces, almost maliciously aiming to hit any and every who passed under them. The very rocks seemed to want to kill any who moved. These norscans here must have been mighty desparate to settle here.
Whats more the wild streams of freezing water seemed to wax and wane on their own malicious and evil pulse. A hung fell into the stream, only for water to freeze as he stepped into it. He lost a leg, and very soon after, as the warhosts turned hungry, his life aswell.
And what awaited the host that moved here?
The forts of Straghov, Kaminski, Kzarla and Zvenilev. And behind them, the prize. Fort Ostrosk.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713595098041736.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713595098},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5981998,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Or for anyone who wishes - return and recover (retire yourself from the rest of this raid):
Return to:
Chaos wastes and rejoin the great beastherds (recruit beastmen units):
SPECIAL RULE - everyone can move full speed through the forest, can see two tiles in the forest
Ungors – 5 loot:
HP 1
D 1
M 3
Gors – 10 loot:
HP 2
D 2
M 3
Centigors – 16 loot:
HP 2
D 1
M 5
Minotaurs – 30 loot:
HP 5
D 2
M 2
The cold Hung coast to rally the savages and the wildmen (recruit Hung units):
Horse archer – 12 loot:
HP 2
D 1
M 5
Hung savage – 8 loot:
HP 1
D 2
M 3
Slave – 6 loot:
HP 1
D 1
M 3
Warbeast of the north – 44 loot:
HP 4
D 3
M 4
Chaos warrior – 22 loot:
HP 4
D 2
M 1
Chaos knight – 36 loot:
HP 5
D 2
M 3
Eastern steppes and rally the Kurgan hordes (recruit Kurgan units):
Horse archer – 10 loot:
HP 2
D 1
M 5
Kurgan cataphract – 18 loot:
HP 3
D 1
M 4
Slave – 6 loot:
HP 1
D 1
M 3
Chaos warrior – 24 loot:
HP 4
D 2
M 1
Chaos knight – 32 loot:
HP 5
D 2
M 3
Stay with the Baersonlings and rally their men for raids (recruit Norse units):
SPECIAL RULE - everyone can construct longboats for themselves (and one other unit) in the interturn (if your army is half Norscan, it is fully amphibious)
Thrall – 6 loot:
HP 1
D 1
M 3
Bondsmen – 8 loot:
HP 2
D 1
M 3
Huscarl - 14 loot:
HP 2
D 2
M 2
Berserkers – 9 loot
HP 1
D 2
M 3
Chaos warrior – 28 loot:
HP 4
D 2
M 2","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713595753650211.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713595753},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982002,"name":"Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5981971
He'll yeah borther
Are all units of the same type equivalent besides cost? Chaos Warrior (Hung) = Chaos Warrior (Norscan)? Also, are the Baersonlings available for recruits to all warbands or just those who besieged them? Either way, for the moment I'm pressing on to the village South of the river.
Captcha: KHOR
BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD, SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE","attachment":null,"posted":1713596514},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982009,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5982002
>Are all units of the same type equivalent besides cost? Chaos Warrior (Hung) = Chaos Warrior (Norscan)?
Yeah, they're interchangeable.
>Also, are the Baersonlings available for recruits to all warbands or just those who besieged them?
To everyone.","attachment":null,"posted":1713597600},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982010,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5982009
Wrong layer.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713597662605750.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713597662},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982012,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5981998
Are we allowed to retire a single unit of our army, or do we have to do them all together?
Also, when we begin the next raid, will we have any restrictions on where we redeploy? Like, if we recruit Norscans are we barred from returning to the wheatlands that season?","attachment":null,"posted":1713597808},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982017,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5982012
>Are we allowed to retire a single unit of our army, or do we have to do them all together?
You can retire individual units, but you will only really get the benefits, the lore and the dialogue when you retire the entirety of your army.
>Also, when we begin the next raid, will we have any restrictions on where we redeploy?
Not at all.","attachment":null,"posted":1713598046},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982031,"name":"Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5982010
I'll send the slaves from Rue'Vahn's warband first while horse archers attack the village at range. Whenever an opportunity opens up, the cataphracts & knights will hammer down any remaining defenders. Horse archers will remain alert for any survivors or reinforcements.","attachment":null,"posted":1713599620},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982034,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5982031
Oh shit yeah, I forgot. Here, I moved the slaves up.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713599786223013.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713599786},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982050,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5982031
>>5982034
Yeah for the rest of the raid, feel free to move/use the slaves as you see fit. It'll be easier than telling me where you want them and then waiting for me to move them for you.
>>5982017
Okay cool, if we can have individual units retire then I'll have Sunset and the monsters return home to heal and await for the slave masters + fodder to finish getting some last minute revenge.
Oh, and one more question for now. When we enter the 'buying' phase of the pre-raid prep, are we also allowed to sell units or trade them in? I'm wondering if slaves could fetch a decent price from our new Norscan allies.","attachment":null,"posted":1713602664},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982053,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5982050
>Okay cool, if we can have individual units retire then I'll have Sunset and the monsters return home to heal and await for the slave masters + fodder to finish getting some last minute revenge.
Where are you retiring sunset and Rue'Vahn to?
>Oh, and one more question for now. When we enter the 'buying' phase of the pre-raid prep, are we also allowed to sell units or trade them in? I'm wondering if slaves could fetch a decent price from our new Norscan allies.
Huh good question. I'll put it as "slaves can always be bought/sold for 6 loot". As for other units, no, I'll say they can't be sold or traded.","attachment":null,"posted":1713603265},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982069,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5981998
I’ll retire back to the Chaos Wastes, and hire another unit of Gors. I think that leaves me with 4 loot left over. Can I construct a longboat even if I don’t hire a Baersonling unit?","attachment":null,"posted":1713605251},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982080,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5982069
>I’ll retire back to the Chaos Wastes, and hire another unit of Gors. I think that leaves me with 4 loot left over.
Correct.
>Can I construct a longboat even if I don’t hire a Baersonling unit?
Nope. You'd both lack the skill to make and to sail the ships.
Meanwhile, while Krantagarh is in the Chaos wastes and rallying his herd, he has the opportunity to "socialize".
>Vonok, the ancient yellow eyed Bray-shaman weakly leaning on his Braystaff (probably) carved of a mammoth bone while standing atop a large stone.
>Roxana, a woman with a triangle carved into her forehead clad in crimson plate armor and wielding a great two handed cleaver that even Krantagarh would like to avoid being hit by.
>Bindo, a Tileian man with three eyes in his right eyesocket, his robes tattered and torn by his long journey up north.","attachment":null,"posted":1713606824},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982083,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5982080
>Vonok, the ancient yellow eyed Bray-shaman weakly leaning on his Braystaff (probably) carved of a mammoth bone while standing atop a large stone.
I’m hoping to run a pure beastman force here","attachment":null,"posted":1713607097},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982088,"name":"Hangar","msg":">>5982080
Which turn am I on? I've lost track and can't determine if I'm waiting for the turn to catch up with me, or if I'm lagging behind and need to move again.","attachment":null,"posted":1713607778},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982092,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5982088
You have moved this turn. Only Magor hasn't.","attachment":null,"posted":1713608090},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982095,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Wheatlands, turn 7:
The Kislevites keep shuffling their reinforcements around. The initial weeks of easy raiding have passed and every village sacked will have to be paid for with blood. It is up to the warlords to determine if it's worth it to press onwards, or to return, lick the wounds and fight another day.
A month and a half have passed.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713608366875976.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713608366},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982109,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5982053
>Where are you retiring sunset and Rue'Vahn to?
I don't really know what my options are, but if our resting spot doesn't restrict our redeployment next raid, then I'll probably go visit our new Norscan allies since I hope to hire some of their units.
Speaking of which, could you elaborate on their special rule? I assume that the additional unit that they make amphibious needs to be adjacent to them when they build the boats, but are the Norscan troops able to "ferry" others back and forth across a body of water, or do we decide a single time on which extra unit gets the amphibious benefit and then after that you can't change who gets the benefit? If so, are we allowed to assist our teammates via this method and help them across water even if they don't have any Norscan units themselves?","attachment":null,"posted":1713611470},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982112,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5982109
>I don't really know what my options are, but if our resting spot doesn't restrict our redeployment next raid, then I'll probably go visit our new Norscan allies since I hope to hire some of their units.
So far, they're listed here: >>5981998
>Speaking of which, could you elaborate on their special rule?
The Norscans build boats over the span of the inter-raid. The longships are presented in the form of a unit that different units can step on.
A Norscan and a different unit can enter said ship, however, the ship can only leave the coastal tile with a unit of Norscans in it. The longboats have 8 movement. And yes, you are allowed to ferry units of other players.
They (the longboats) can move over the sea and river tiles, but not over the stream tiles. They can step on a coastal tile and from there, disgorge the 2 units onto dry land. They provide the defensive bonus of 1 extra HP.","attachment":null,"posted":1713612082},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982113,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5982112
Cool, thanks for clarifying. Might have to get some boats once I have some loot to spend","attachment":null,"posted":1713612214},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982123,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5982083
Krantagarh approaches the ancient shaman, exhaling through his nostrils. He had enjoyed the warmer climate of the Norscan lands and his wounds and his blood he had spilt over the frozen soil had weakened him to cold. The shaman did not react to the minotaur. Krantagarh stood, his piercing gaze directed at the shaman.
"What stand I upon?" The fossil spoke.
Krantagarh lowered his gaze and analized the boulder. He slowly raised his head and spoke "A rock."
The shaman turned his head, then angrily, with as much force as he could, slapped Krantagarh. From the snapping in his hand, it hurt him way more than it hurt Krantagarh.
"What slave gave birth to you when you speak in such Hung manner?!" He angrily asked, then before Krantagarh could reply, he slapped him again. "This rock came from the skies!"
"So?" Krantagarh spoke.
"Carry it with you! Place it in the largest, deepest forest! Make a herdstone!" The shaman shouted, then almost collapsed in a fit of coughing. "I am old. My death comes. Let my body be first at the herdstone."
>Krantagarh can now place a Herdstone inside of a forest
>Said Herdstone can produce a unit of ungors (or slaves) for every 3 settlements within 2 tiles of the forest, a unit of gors for every 4 settlements, a unit of centigors for every 5 and a unit of minotaurs for every 10 settlements (all rounded down)
>Forest is defined as a continuous stretch of forest tiles (with streams/rivers only being included if there are forest tiles on at least 2 opposite sides of the stream/river tile)
>Krantagarh can only acquire these units if he is present on said map and has a unit of his own step on the herdstone
>These units will not stockpile","attachment":null,"posted":1713615100},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982124,"name":"Hangar","msg":">>5982109
>>5982002
>>5981443
I assume that we're going to break open Gorodische and Alexandropol before considering retreat; will we satisfied with our current loot after these and do we want to press any further? I've only sacked Severostepsk and Tairapol, but Severostepsk was a big one so I've 40 loot in my sacks.
>>5981443
Mulrog, did you want to try and burn out Korsov before you pull back? Since CK's have 5 health to start and one of mine therefore has 3 left, I could send the CK into the hills to keep the militia off you if you wanted to attack the town directly?","attachment":null,"posted":1713615121},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982125,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5982123
Cool, I love the mechanic Lanu","attachment":null,"posted":1713615334},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982127,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5982109
Rue'Vahn's approach is not taken to kindly, yet the Baersonlings don't dare fight him in any way, and when pressed, they take to tending Sunset. The capital of baersonlings, Urslo, and its great hall are used to house the small contingent of warbeasts as no other buildings can and food is delivered to Rue'Vahn. In such days, he and his small entourage of Hung warriors and captains initially spend their time drinking and eventually making contacts with the Baersonlings. Rue's favourite drinking partner was:
>Sjur, the fourth son of the clan chief, a thin, wiry man who had taken a heavy blow during the fighitng with minotaurs and had barely survived, but was making steady recovery and was drinking in joy to have lived.
>Nilsa, a hag witch doctor of the tribe tending after Sunset and heavily drinking to force some bravery into her gut before approaching the wounded wife of Rue'Vahn
>Erik Alsgaard, the son of the owner of the famous "Last Hope inn, descending down from his mountain hold to drown his sorrows over the kidnapping of his wife.","attachment":null,"posted":1713616100},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982136,"name":"Sarrick","msg":"Sarrick stands high in Goromadny Pass. Before him, the land slopes down, gradually turning from rugged mountains to the steppes and forests of Kislev. A hardy people that might be equal to his own if only they didn't worship such weak gods. The Baersonlings had submitted, and between tribute and plunder he had gained much. He chuckled under his breath at a memory of the foolish minotaur Krantagarh, raging as he was forced to give away his treasures. His mirth faded, and he looked down seriously again. It was still not enough. He needed more to fulfil his ambitions, and he saw the potential in the distant Kislevite settlements below him.
The Wheatlands were under attack by the greater part of their host. No doubt word had spread by swift riders by now. The Baersonlings were separate though, isolated. No word would have come from the north. All eyes in Kislev would be facing East, at least for a time. An opportunity. Fort Ostrosk was probably still too far with his forces alone, but tribute and slaves would be vulnerable for the taking. He had certain rituals in mind, and a quick raid should give him enough.
His smile returned and as if in sympathy and winds of Chamon rose around him for a moment causing the snow beneath his feet to hiss. He turned back to the north, to his gathered warriors, still intact despite the slaughter they had brought to Baersonling lands. He pointed south, his order simple.
“Forwards.”
---
I rather fancy myself some warbeasts (which will be fluffed as captives being magically mutated into chaos spawn). At the moment I'm on 30 loot, so as my men are still good, we'll press on with a quick raid into Kislev to try and top up. Hopefully they won't be expecting us.
So intact CW to the west, the damaged chaos warriors and savages advance south as a group.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713617258383015.png","filename":"cunning plans.png"},"posted":1713617258},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982137,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5982123
And follow-up question - do towns of ANY alignment count towards the Herdstone mechanic, or do they have to be friendly towns?","attachment":null,"posted":1713617318},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982142,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5982136
>I rather fancy myself some warbeasts (which will be fluffed as captives being magically mutated into chaos spawn).
You could put it as a return to Karag Dum or the chaos wastes, depending on if you just wanna mutate your hosts or if you wanna get more men.
>>5982137
My man.
>Lemme put a herdstone, a fucking herdstone, in the lands of my allies, so they are constantly being murdered by the goatmen in the forest instead of providing me with men and smoked fish.
Non friendly towns are needed. Or, well, if you put it, they won't remain friendly for long.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713617740755862.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713617740},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982144,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5982142
Hehehe, just checking. Can I move the herd stone once placed or is it permanent? Does it generate new troops with every deployment or only once?","attachment":null,"posted":1713618152},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982145,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5982144
Once it's down, it's there until destroyed. You will get a warning before the deployment if it is in danger.
As for generation of troops, it generates them once every interraid up to the maximum capacity.","attachment":null,"posted":1713618229},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982155,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5981586
Magor and his Ungors will recover.
But in a strange twist of Beastial cameraderie, he chooses to share half of his loot with Krantigarh.
"Beastherds. . .must stick. . .together. . ."
>>5981998
Rest, recoup, and graze. Then we will rejoin for the next war.","attachment":null,"posted":1713619512},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982161,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5982155
Whoa, cool man. Thank you. You’re off Krantagar’s murder list for now!","attachment":null,"posted":1713620351},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982176,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5982155
Where is Magor retreating to to recover?
Here's the list of locations: >>5981998","attachment":null,"posted":1713621697},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982201,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5982176
I’d also like to purchase one unit each of Baersonling Thralls and Bondsmen, plus two boats, with the extra loot from Magor - I think I have exactly enough","attachment":null,"posted":1713622984},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982205,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5982201
But you're already in chaos wastes.","attachment":null,"posted":1713623136},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982206,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5982205
Oh dang, you’re right.
How about two units of Ungors instead?","attachment":null,"posted":1713623259},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982208,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5982206
Never mind, I can only afford one unit of Ungors along with the Gors that I bought previously. So I think I would have 4 loot left over","attachment":null,"posted":1713623364},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982212,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5982176
Chaos Wastes of course. And I believe I can afford one more unit of Ungors.
If I split my 10 into 5 and 5 with Krantargh, I should be able to afford it but barely.","attachment":null,"posted":1713624051},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982214,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5982212
The march north brings Magor's host first at great misfortune as a cold snap hits him and his horde, his host shivering and despair hitting them, only for them to suddenly emerge at a location of interest. A warm fen.
Doubt besets Magor for what to do:
>March on, this is trickery of the gods. We will be miserable, but we will be hardened by the experience.
>Skirt the outsides until the storm passes. Best be able to flee when the ill comes.
>This is a reward from the gods. Enter the warmth and enjoy it.","attachment":null,"posted":1713624657},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982227,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":"Rolled 2 (1d4)
Magor consults a charm made of the bones of an old Bray-Shaman, the faces on each side with an eerie gleen glow
1. The Dog says to March On: There are no blood and skulls to be had here
2. The Serpent says to Stay: Give up not the pleasures that are gifts from the gods
3. The Eagle says to skirt the outsides: the clever beast takes the prey
4. The Crow says to March On: Misery and illness guide the soul towards the great Father's blessings, in life or death","attachment":null,"posted":1713626183},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982229,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5982214
>This is a reward from the gods. Enter the warmth and enjoy it.
Praise the Serpent for this wonderful gift of warmth and pleasure.","attachment":null,"posted":1713626244},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982242,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5982229
Magors entourage grows fat as it feasts upon the fruits of the fen. One unit of ungors has +1 HP.","attachment":null,"posted":1713627101},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982244,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5982124
These 3 HP Chaos knights could be useful i think. If you keep the miliatia busy i can Sack the City with little risk
Just make Sure not to loose YouTube United. I guess i coulf also help out with killing one of the militia units before plundering the City and taking on the defenders","attachment":null,"posted":1713627358},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982257,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5982124
There should also be another militia in the hills that is currently hiding","attachment":null,"posted":1713628156},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982263,"name":"Hangar","msg":">>5982095
>>5982244
The Chaos Knights with three health remaining ride into the hills, bearing the brunt of the pitiful weapons and strike at the Kislevite Militia, to cut the support from the town so Mulrog can make his attack. The horse-archers keep up their scout-riding, path turning north then south again, whilst the remainder of Hangar's riders keep their eyes upon the Kislevites on the river's southern bank; seeing if they dare to act.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713629110904792.png","filename":"Strike.png"},"posted":1713629110},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982264,"name":"Hangar","msg":">>5982257
If it shows itself I can beat it, too; as long as you're attacking the Streltsi to pin them down and mulch them up.","attachment":null,"posted":1713629302},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982267,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5982264
I will Do that. Gonna take a bit though. Having to be GM for DND right now","attachment":null,"posted":1713629377},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982271,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5982263
The uphill charge is slow, but steady and soon the hillside runs red with the blood of brave militiamen defenders. What is more concerning is a different mob of militiamen just north of the Chaos knights position and the Strelsy garrison to the south.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713629880347106.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713629880},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982284,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Y’all still taking players?","attachment":null,"posted":1713631167},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982293,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5982271
Stresely only Deal one Damage right. So this should be no risk","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713631448524031.png","filename":"1713629880347106.png"},"posted":1713631448},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982298,"name":"Hangar","msg":">>5982271
Since I didn't move the other Chaos Knights yet this phase, could I move them now? Or have they lost their action this turn?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713632047344295.png","filename":"Strike.png"},"posted":1713632047},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982301,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5982284
I think so yeah. Go ask Lanu","attachment":null,"posted":1713632112},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982320,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5982293
Yes, the strelsy only do 1 damage.
>>5982298
I'll allow it this time.
>>5982284
Yeah, tho keep in mind, you'll wait a bit before the next raid begins, as while Rue'Vahn, Krantagarh and Magor retired for the raid and while Malrog and Hangar are begging to be retired, Ivan and Sarrick have quite a bit of life in them yet.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713633608643530.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713633608},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982321,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982320
Gotcha! Do I send out my force sheet and stuff now, or at the next raid?","attachment":null,"posted":1713633739},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982323,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5982321
You can do it now. I'll give you 60 loot to begin, same as everyone else, tho you have the option to be a norscan.","attachment":null,"posted":1713633819},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982335,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982323
Hooray!
Huffud the Big
Previously a particularly large cow from Middenland, who grew into a hulking mutant due to eating a fragment of Warpstone after mistaking it for a juicy leaf.
She leads her fellow beastmen- specifically her fellow Minotaurs
Minotaur -30
Minotaur -30
Total: 60 loot","attachment":null,"posted":1713634368},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982337,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982335
Forgot the image!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713634432321468.png","filename":"IMG_0201.png"},"posted":1713634432},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982382,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982320
>>5982323
If you're still taking players, can I get a sheet in ahead of the next raid? I'm the same anon as >>5976581, things have cleared up over the last week, and I'm confident I'd be able to post daily.
I'm thinking of running a fodder-heavy norscan warband, mostly bondsmen and berserkers. If you think you're getting near your limit though I don't want to slow things down for everyone else, multi-player quests are always hard to run, even with a handful of players.","attachment":null,"posted":1713637605},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982390,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5982382
Sure, join up. I'll soon start slowing down the rate of my replies and limiting it to like 2-3 a day now that the system is mostly ironed out.","attachment":null,"posted":1713637961},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982405,"name":"Hangar","msg":">>5982320
Ta!
...And, yes, it looks about time to start riding northward again.
>>5982335
>>5982208
Hah! Looks like we might have found you a bride, Krantagarh!","attachment":null,"posted":1713639775},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982410,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5982405
<agitated snorting>","attachment":null,"posted":1713640017},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982420,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5981998
>>5982390
Born the bastard son of a Kurgan vagrant and Southron thrall, Korthak's fate was to live and die as Norscan chattel. Like most strong thralls, he was pressed into the support of a warband. Also like most, he was sturdy as an ox, half-decent with an axe, and filled with violent rage. During a pitched battle, his head was wreathed with an unnatural blaze and when the fighting was done, the flesh had melted away to reveal a burning skull of bronze.
Suspecting the favour of Kharneth, his master set him free. Left with nothing else to live for and the distant sound of wardrums echoing in ears that were no longer there, Korthak ventured back to Baersonling lands and rallied a volunteer warband. As a warlord, he's an untested whelp, eager to prove his worth to the Gods. As a man, he feels rootless and has little loyalty to any one tribe. He hopes to find a greater purpose in murder.
>Sons of the Bastard Skull
>4 Berserkers (-36 Loot) Pious devotees of the Blood God, seeing portents of slaughter and visions of gore in the reflection of his brazen dome. They're filled with zeal and ready to die for Kharneth, but they'd prefer to kill!
>3 Bondsmen (-24 Loot) Young and foolish marauders, easily awed by his mutation. Most pledged on to loot and pillage, but a savvier few joined to earn glory with an ease they never could in a more veteran band.","attachment":null,"posted":1713640919},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982464,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5982390
So the retired players are waiting for Malrog, Hanger, Ivan and Sarrick to wrap up, correct?","attachment":null,"posted":1713643034},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982468,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5982464
Yes and right now, we are waiting for Ivan.","attachment":null,"posted":1713643176},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982473,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5982468
Great, thanks for clarifying. Also - congrats - 10 interested players is a sign of high quality QMing, you should feel proud!","attachment":null,"posted":1713643360},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982477,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5982464
Please the Name is Mulrog.","attachment":null,"posted":1713643513},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982572,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5982335
>>5982410
By Loesh yes!!!
Krantagarh and Huffud, sitting in a tree
K-I-S-S-I-N-G
>>5982127
>Nilsa, a hag witch doctor of the tribe tending after Sunset and heavily drinking to force some bravery into her gut before approaching the wounded wife of Rue'Vahn
Erik has my sympathy, but Rue'Vahn has his own beloved to care about right now, and so he'll regularly be helping Nilsa by calming down Sunset whilst the healer works their magic.
>>5982136
Ohh, here's an idea
For the second raid, after hitting that single hut village, we could ignore everything else, head south-ish, and rush straight for Fort Ostrosk. I also realized that it's not just the 60 loot captive there, the fort itself is a tier 3 settlement which means 30 loot ON TOP OF the 60. If you or anyone else wants to work together to capture the fort, I'm willing to settle for less than 50/50.","attachment":null,"posted":1713650179},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982579,"name":"Huffud","msg":">>5982572
<confused cow noises>","attachment":null,"posted":1713650789},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982618,"name":"Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5982335
KEK
Welcome aboard to the both of you
>>5982031
Same tactics I mentioned here to be applied going forward; I'm looking to move in a diagonal line Southwest to Northeast through the two villages, across the river (stream?) into the town with the Streltsy encamped to pincer them, then continue on from there with the rest of the horde to mop up these villages before I retire for the season.
I'm curious about recruiting Chaos Dorfs","attachment":null,"posted":1713653990},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982873,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5982572
Nilsa will both be thankful for the aid and for the drinking companion.
"Chieftain." Nilsa says. "Have you heard of Ulfwerenar?"
"What about them?" Rue'Vahn replies.
"We have lost control of them." Nilsa says. "The chieftain bid me cure them, yet I know not how to."
There is a implicit understanding of danger, both with wild Ulfwerenar roaming about and the risk of punishment for disobedience.
"Where?" Rue'Vahn asks.
"A mountain pass to the south. I can send a man to show you, but there is a entire tribe of them there." Nilsa says.
>New area on map opened up.
>Subduing the Ulfwerenar (raiding all their villages) will allow the recruitment of Ulfwerenar units","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713677332993561.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713677332},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982875,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5982618
Setup for the attack is okay?
>I'm curious about recruiting Chaos Dorfs
All in due time (and interturn dialogue choices).","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713677522363587.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713677522},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982882,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Turn 8:
Wheatlands:
The Kislevites have rallied and are both preparing for a large countercharge from the southern hills against Ivan and are conducting a massive river crossing, seeking to crush Hangars forces.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713677893016652.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713677893},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982884,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Turn 8: Fort Ostrosk:
The Kislevite villagers flee with what they can carry. The strelsy hold their position.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713678071284196.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713678071},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982893,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5982873
Am I the only one who is able to go after the Skinwolves? If not, I'll send word to Hangar to at least let him know about the situation. I don't really have good infantry, which would be needed to win fights in the mountain passes. The other facet is that this might gain us all some favor with the Norscans, since they don't really like us very much atm.","attachment":null,"posted":1713679165},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982897,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5982405
hey Hangar. i know maybe not the best time. i got this thing with the Stresely in the city.
if i can make a suggestion to minimize your losses while breaking out of here either you get your Chaos Knights to kill the Kossacs crossing the river and running across the hills where i will open the path with the plundered village.
that would require to use your cataphracts to either kill the enemy cavalery or stresely while the horsearchers occupy the stresely or cavalery so the stresely cant follow you into the hills.
the other option i put down below in a picture. get your knights up north while killing the kossacks near the river. unless you have to stop on the already looted village you can just leave with them.
use the catphracts to kill the Kislevite cavalery so they can not pursure while the horsearchers keep the Stresely in the river and busy. The Stresely cant kill the archers due to being in water before the archers kill them.
your cataphracts will die later to the kossacks i think unless they retreat with your chaos knights on the way.","attachment":null,"posted":1713679769},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982898,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5982897
am faggot forgot to include drawn plan","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713679830053739.png","filename":"Options for Hangar.png"},"posted":1713679830},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982899,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5982893
>Am I the only one who is able to go after the Skinwolves?
You and anyone you inform. Or the person you inform informs.","attachment":null,"posted":1713679880},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982900,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5982882
crush the stresely. crush their village plunder their wealth.
>>5982405
Hangar. I will try to compensate some of your loss. if you wish it i will ride at your side in the next raid.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713679992630985.png","filename":"Mulrog_turn_7.png"},"posted":1713679992},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982901,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5982900
He could also attempt to flee over the hills. Infantry and cavalry move at the same rate over them.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713680154217161.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713680154},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982902,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5982901
he could i agree. which is what i suggested in the first part of my post. kill the kossacks crossing the river so they cant follow and use the other two units to delay the enemy reinforcements over the river so he secure his retreat. the other thing is more risky but could save another unit for future fights.
i am just trying to repay him for helping me loot more.","attachment":null,"posted":1713680255},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982911,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982897
How much HP do those Kislevite Cavalry have? If they're the equivalent of Cataphracts with 3 HP then there's nothing I can do to kill them this turn, as the Chaos Warriors aren't in range and the Cataphracts and Horse archers don't have enough power even together.
>>5982901
How much speed do the infantry have? If they're movement 1 I can run, but if they're movement 2 they can get into the hills and catch me next turn.","attachment":null,"posted":1713681507},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982915,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5982911
>How much HP do those Kislevite Cavalry have?
3HP
>How much speed do the infantry have?
The strelsy (redcoats) have 2, the rest have 3","attachment":null,"posted":1713681718},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982916,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5982911
ah damn.... 3 hp... yeah. better run across the hills and maybe use one of your units to moveblock the enemy cavalery to delay their pursuit.
sorry for getting you into this situation.
those cataphracts are very expensive.
but they could kill the Stresely before dying and then moveblocking the enemy.
the ARchers could run away north or run south and kill one unit of kossacs so the most heavily damaged Chaos Knights could get a headstart through the hills.
but the kossacs need to die or the will run down your 1/5 HP Knights.","attachment":null,"posted":1713682191},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982921,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"The cossaks are lightly armored cavalry so its unlikely theyll chase after chaos knights. Maybe you could burn the villages to create some smoke that would help hide the retreat.","attachment":null,"posted":1713683170},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982924,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5982921
wait. i think i mean the cossars that are in the river close to the knights. they need to die or the will kill one of the Chaos Knight units.
and i think i burned whatever villages i had access to.","attachment":null,"posted":1713683370},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982925,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982899
Okay yeah, in that case I’d tell Hangar, but ask him to not tell anyone else without first consulting me. He obviously doesn’t have to listen to my request, but that’s his choice. My recommendation would be for someone with tough infantry like Chaos Warriors or Minotaurs to head in there, although I suppose I could do it if no one wants the job of fighting Skinwolves","attachment":null,"posted":1713683504},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982941,"name":"Hangar","msg":">>5982916
Even if the Kossacs are movement 5 (And I think they're movement 4, as Kataphract equivalents?), there's 5 tiles of plains before they reach the hill, so if I just keep moving away the knights are safe from them. What they aren't safe from is the Kislevite militia, who can get into hills and kill the wounded ones on their next turn.
What I'm thinking of (correct my reasoning if in error?) is pic related; take out both militia whilst they're in the river with my 2HP Kights and Horse Archers, then move on with their remaining movement space. The strelsy aren't fast enough to shoot at anything that's in the hills next turn, the Kossacs are just a little too far away to reach the hills; and both those units would only be able to attack the Horsemen in their new spot in the village ruins from on the same square in their turn (the one with the green triangle) at their maximum movement, so one wouldn't be able to move to there, and it'll live one more round. Yes, the Horse Archers will probably die in the turn after, but with my half of the loot Mulrog took from Kursov I can just buy another.
Meanwhile, the Cataphracts will just head four hexes directly north... either they draw off the Kossacs to chase them, or I can potentially double back and nibble on the militia.
>>5982925
My response would be to suggest informing Rue'Vahn's Warbeasts (and the new Norscan/Minotaur people if I know of them). And will hold my tongue on telling anyone else whilst I await a response.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713685640371685.png","filename":"Wheatlands.png"},"posted":1713685640},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982946,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5982941
yeah. your plan could also work yeah. if you want to i can take the rearguard later to protect your knights. my knights are still very healthy.","attachment":null,"posted":1713686012},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982947,"name":"Rue’Vahn","msg":">>5982941
(Whoops I forgot to turn my tripcode back on)
I’m assuming that the Ulfwerenar are not going to be easy to defeat, so if anyone is willing to risk fighting them, should we try to reward them a little for unlocking a new unit for everyone else?
I know it’s 40 loot, but they might also miss out on the battle for Fort Ostrosk which might occur next raid.","attachment":null,"posted":1713686290},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982948,"name":"Hangar","msg":">>5982925
Oh, derp, you are Rue'Vahn, thought you were Krantagarh. But, yes, bringing the new guys along might be useful. Anyone you think would be helpful?
>>5982946
Sounds a plan.","attachment":null,"posted":1713686356},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982949,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5982941
Actually very well played. It seems the chief of our warhost is good at tactics.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713686556039533.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713686556},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982959,"name":"Rue’Vahn","msg":">>5982948
I don’t think he’d care or be interested since he’s cavalry focused, but I’ll tell Ivan about the secret. He saved Sunset, so I’ll try to repay him any chance I get. Same as before, I’ll ask him not to tell anyone else just yet, but I won’t stop him if he chooses to.
As for who to bring along or send in there… I think we should learn a little more about the Skinwolves first.
>>5982899
QM, am I able to ask Nilsa or her chieftain about the capabilities of the Ulfwerenar? I’m not looking for specific numbers because that might be too bs for me to know, but just a rough comparison to another unit?
Something like: “do you think a battalion of chaos warriors would defeat them? Huscarls?”.
>>5982618
Lastly, I realize that this new development in the north might have changed my plans a bit. If I try to go for it, then I’ll need tougher units than slaves (thankfully they can be sold).
In which case, I’ll ask Ivan if he can be a little bit careful with my slaves, since they only have 1 HP. I gave Ivan my word that they would help him, so I don’t want to back out on that. However, if I’ve already given up my looting rights, then it’d be nice if they don’t return dead.","attachment":null,"posted":1713688651},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982960,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5982959
"They are at home in the hills and move through them with speed unmatched by others. They strike as madmen and endure wounds as the heavy kislev footmen."","attachment":null,"posted":1713689016},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982969,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5982960
So sounds like they ignore the hills move penalty, and likely do 2 damage and have 2 or 3 HP. Someone who's been fighting Kislevites so far, can you confirm the HP?
If they're 2 HP each then I'm up for it. Both my chaos warriors and hung savages will kill the first unit they meet each term through HP pool or initiative advantage. If they're 3HP I'll be slaughtered though.
>>5982884
For this turn the bulk of forces will advance on the abandoned kislevite village to plunder what they can and round up any stragglers.
Although it'll be a tough fight up the river, the northern chaos warriors will push into the strelsy, their heavy armour will see them through.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713691525216281.png","filename":"cunning plans.png"},"posted":1713691525},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982970,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5982969
Was also going to say, I'm planning to pull out for some R and R after taking these two first villages. Looks like the Wheatlands campaign is winding down and it's not so fun invading Kislev proper on your lonesome. Also Lanu is making cool events for people off the clock and I want in on some of that shit.","attachment":null,"posted":1713691840},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982974,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5982969
Well, the Strelsy have 2HP and they are only dressed in woolen cloaks. Heavy footmen are probably more heavy than woolen cloaks.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713692194517963.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713692194},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982977,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5982974
Fuck that then.","attachment":null,"posted":1713692423},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982980,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5982977
C'mon, don't you want the ultimate hilltroops?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713692741474825.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713692741},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982983,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5982980
I do, but I can't see any way to get them. If there are just two units of them in those hills then my forces would be wiped out.","attachment":null,"posted":1713693090},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5982984,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":"Krantagarh (and Huffud?) could probably be hired to go after the Ulfwerenar. Three units of Minotaurs is a pretty serious mountain invasion force…","attachment":null,"posted":1713693503},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983039,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5982984
<approving cow noises>","attachment":null,"posted":1713703710},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983052,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5983039
I figure that if we get the blessing from the warband leader (Hangar), your units could go south, taking the very narrow mountain passes and my warband would swing southwest through the foothills. If you end up needing help I could then either attack into the mountains from the western pass and if not, could assault the towns in the foothills.
Plus it’s possible that I could place my herdstone in the little forest to the northeast and scare up some additional troops this way.","attachment":null,"posted":1713705219},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983053,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5983052
>Plus it’s possible that I could place my herdstone in the little forest to the northeast and scare up some additional troops this way.
Or you could be a chad and place it in the southernmost Kislevite forest and get like 4 slaves (24 loot) per turn as long as you just manage to get that far down and back up (maybe via boats if you for a example, manage to subdue the Fjellsende norscans).","attachment":null,"posted":1713705495},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983054,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5982984
Especially if backed up by loads and loads of Ungors, eh?","attachment":null,"posted":1713705761},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983057,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":"You're talking about this southernmost forest, right? I definitely spied that as being the best location possible but as you mentioned, it would require boats and even then, I don't think I have the necessary troops yet for a deep-strike into Kislevite territory. If my next raid goes well though, I might have the resources for it. Producing a free army of ungors, gors, centigors and minos once per deployment would be extremely based.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713705956767105.png","filename":"herdstone map.png"},"posted":1713705956},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983060,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5983054
I actually don't think the Ungors would do much good here as they you'd likely lose them at a rate of 2 per each Ulfwerenar and I feel you'd get more mileage from perhaps marching them either out of the Baersonling lands and sticking to the forest, or striking at the Fjellsende.
>>5983057
Well, not the next raid, but maybe the one after that one. And especially if you team up with, lets say Korthak and his 7 ships, you could make a nice job of it. Oh and another thing to consider for Hangar, if you defeat the Fjellsende, you could sail a fleet down their river, up the Tobol and strike Ostrosk with a naval force.","attachment":null,"posted":1713706358},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983065,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5983052
Wise and cunning minotaur indeed! That sounds like a great plan, even though I'm not sure how long just two units of minotaurs can handle
>>5983054
<very approving cow noises>","attachment":null,"posted":1713706690},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983076,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5983065
Well, I’ll have a third unit of Minotaurs as well, and you can always retreat out of the passes to switch your unit order if one of your Minotaurs gets too dinged up. The narrow pass and high HP of the minos sort of ensures that you’re going to be putting the hurt on the enemy, and a pincer attack would be devastating.
Goes without saying that I’d offer to split the loot equally on this mini-raid between us.","attachment":null,"posted":1713707820},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983082,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5983076
whelp, I'm sold! Hopefully that'll help me get a little closer to the others who have raided already","attachment":null,"posted":1713708637},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983085,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5983076
>>5983082
depending on how rich Ivan and Hangar come out of their respective raids, I'd wonder if they'd even "loan" us some loot to buy more Minotaurs now for the werewolf assault, with the expectation that we'd pay them back once we're done.","attachment":null,"posted":1713708864},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983113,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5983060
Good advice.
Uhhh, hrmm, gotta figureout which front would put my men to the best.","attachment":null,"posted":1713713488},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983141,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5983057
>>5983113
If either or both of you beastmen have eyes for the southern coast, I'd be glad to pledge my boats for your hooves. We could loot more as one force than separate.","attachment":null,"posted":1713717101},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983145,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5983141
Good to know, I figure that we’ll take Lanu’s advice and complete one more round of raids to build up our forces, and then we can make a mass naval rush on the Kislevite end of the map. It’s a juicy target, with all those cities present, but by definition resistance will also likely be heavier there.","attachment":null,"posted":1713717900},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983154,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5983145
A worthy crucible! We'll break ourselves on Kislev or be reforged! My own men can keep their infantry at bay, while your horns batter down their walls.","attachment":null,"posted":1713719443},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983181,"name":"Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5982941
Do we get loot from defeating enemy forces or only from raiding their settlements?
Chaos Knights crush the Militia North of the closest village, Slaves push through the village, Horse Archers maintain mobility harassing the Strelsy to keep them at bay, Cataphracts push through the village after the Slaves soften them up. Ideally my whole warband will remain on open plain tiles in order to maximize their speed of movement until they hit the next village, at which point they'll ford the river North using the two open tiles. At that point, I'm either withdrawing or making my way East over the hills to strike at the settlements on the other side of the lake, dependent entirely on whether or not my neighboring raiders are willing to join in the attack.
Rue'Vahn, I appreciate the info, but as it stands I have no footmen besides your slaves.","attachment":null,"posted":1713722181},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983187,"name":"Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"Any bonii to sacrificing people to the Chaos Gods?","attachment":null,"posted":1713722659},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983194,"name":"Rue’Vahn","msg":">>5982984
>>5983065
Alright then. If oog the both of you are interested in fighting the skinwolves, then Rue’Vahn would be willing to tell you since you’re the best equipped for it anyways.
If I had loot to spare, then I’d offer to donate some wealth to the both of you as thanks for taking the job everyone else is scared of. So instead, I’ll try to commit to helping with the herdstone when you guys eventually decide to strike deep into the South","attachment":null,"posted":1713723691},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983196,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5983181
>>5983187
>Do we get loot from defeating enemy forces or only from raiding their settlements?
Loot is only gotten through raiding.
The wave of slaves is rushed forwards and trades blows equally against the kislevite militia. The two mobs smash into eachother and the Kossars outside of the walls are swept away, while the slaves sent at the village are killed off. Then, the heavy chaos knights charge the exhausted militiamen and drive their great lances through them, while the cataphracts ride northeast and set flame to the other village.
>1 slave is dead
>20 loot is gained","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713723749298351.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713723749},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983198,"name":"Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5983196
Nice, how much loot am I up to? Are we able to take captives from our raids?","attachment":null,"posted":1713723857},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983202,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Turn 9:
Wheatlands:
The Strelsy make a pincer attack at the horsearchers. For now they are alive, but that will merely buy Hangar time to flee.
>I very seriously recommend everyone to disengage. Your units are almost universally near dead and those that aren't are outnumbered by the few Kislevite units you do see.
>>5983198
You're up to 50 loot I believe.
As for captives, they're a part of the loot.
As for sacrificing, randomly, no, it can be a bit of fluff. However, you might get a interraid event in which you can do so for actual boons.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713724160153353.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713724160},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983208,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Turn 9:
Kislev:
The Strelsy viciously fall upon the Hung savages crossing the river. Before they can react, a volley of shot has pierced them and a horde of scarlet clad axemen descends down, cleaving them apart in great blows.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713724455411138.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713724455},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983214,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5983202
No problem. MY knights will pull back into the open plains and wait for Hangars Knights to crest the hills and will take up the rear guard while disengaging.
the slaves will already disengage and if need be return to the steppes. unless Hangar wishes me to follow him. Mulrog has found a certain respect for this Warlord.","attachment":null,"posted":1713724961},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983218,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5983202
Ivan collects the captives taken on his raids & asks the young men who among them are the best runners. Of these he selects a Gospodar, a Roppsmen, an Ungol, a Hung, a Kurgan, a Norsii, & a Teutogen (Reichsman/Imperial). Each of them he marks with a scar upon the face mimicking his own, embedded with a small sliver of warpstone.
"You will spread word of my reaving, & my inevitable return. You will tell your people to rally behind me, to gather at the pyramid of skulls that mark Zar Ivan's Bloody Charge. Your scars will mark you as my vassals when next I raid, while all who do not swear themselves will be marked for death."
Each of them is allowed to keep enough supplies from the last village to survive the foreseeable future & is told to scatter to the winds in search of their people, whether they be slaves, nomads, villagers, or urbanites.
The newly titled Zar Ivan withdraws to the Kurgan Steppes with the slaves & loot he has gathered.","attachment":null,"posted":1713725396},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983240,"name":"Rue’Vahn","msg":">>5983202
>>5983218
Actually, it’d be 52 Loot since I’m giving Ivan some of my spoils right now as per >>5981460 and more will be given after next raid","attachment":null,"posted":1713726970},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983292,"name":"Hangar","msg":">>5983202
Can I just say 'I disengage' yet? Because, yes, I'm riding for the north as soon as I can. How far away do I have to get from Kislevite units to disengage mine?","attachment":null,"posted":1713729000},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983304,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"I'm also curious, how far do I need to get to fully withdraw? If the Strelsy engage my forces, the Slaves will presumably get caught since they're the slowest on open ground; should that happen, I'll use the distraction to wipe out the pursuers. Otherwise the Horse Archers will perform a fighting retreat if they're caught up to.","attachment":null,"posted":1713729340},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983317,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983292
>>5983304
In this case, you can, as you're far enough to escape safely, with the exception of Hangars HA.
>>5983218
Based","attachment":null,"posted":1713730047},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983326,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5983317
since he can disengage most his units now i would like to joing him.
>>5983292
As the Warlord rode with his Knights across the hills the somewhat mauled horde of Mulrog joined him.
the blood covered warlord seemed in good spirit. "A glorious raid. The Gods will surely approve of the carnage we wrought. As thanks for your support of dealing with the cowards in the hills i wish to repay you." Mulrog called out flanking the other Warlord with his own Chaos Knights.
i am offering to fight with you in the next raid and if you wish support during the off season while we rebuild. if you do not wish Mulrog to come with you he will just return to the steppes to recruit new horses.","attachment":null,"posted":1713730393},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983353,"name":"Hangar","msg":">>5983317
In that case, I disengage with my Chaos Knights and Cataphracts. The Horse Archers strike out south and kill the Strelsy unit crossing the river, and then go to the gods with a blooded song on their lips as the other Streltsy overwhelm them.","attachment":null,"posted":1713731203},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983395,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5981998
I'll hold off on my selection until I see what awaits me upon the Steppes of the Great Kurgan.","attachment":null,"posted":1713732058},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983403,"name":"Hangar","msg":">>5983326
Hangar laughs loudly, throwing back his helm as the gore drips from his moustaches. "A Glorious raid indeed, and plenty of southlander souls sent wailing to the gods. Your support is welcomed, Mulrog. When we ride south again I will welcome your strength on my flank."","attachment":null,"posted":1713732135},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983450,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983395
Give me some 10ish hours to sleep.","attachment":null,"posted":1713732807},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983452,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983208
Sarrick, if you want, you can safely raid that village and that castle and disengage.","attachment":null,"posted":1713732868},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983484,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5983208
>>5983452
Yes please. That was my plan anyway. Irritated I lost those savages as there was no need for it, and I very nearly didn't move them, but as I'd already drawn the arrow in paint I left it on the grounds that there probably wouldn't be any problem from it. Alas, those strelsy were waiting for just such a mistake.
Still, by my count I'll be making out with 60 loot so I won't complain too much.","attachment":null,"posted":1713733454},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983485,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5983450
I'll check again in some 12 to 16 hours myself, rest up QM","attachment":null,"posted":1713733466},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983528,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Oh and please, I'll need the locations of where you retire to (norsca, beastherds, eastern steppes, hung wastes).","attachment":null,"posted":1713735389},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983541,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5983528
Fuck, yeah my bad. I'm heading back to sweet home hung land.","attachment":null,"posted":1713736075},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983554,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5983528
Eastern Steppes of the Great Kurgan","attachment":null,"posted":1713736494},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983584,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"It looks like Zar Torchak died during the raids (dude never posted to enter the battlefield/ghosted the thread). This conveniently enough left an opening for Ivan to claim the title of Zar of the Kurgan raiders furthest to the West. Can his 6 Horse Archers be split amongst the 3 Kurgan Warlords (Mulrog, Hangar, & Ivan)?","attachment":null,"posted":1713737696},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983609,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5983584
Could be fun to turn this into a side-quest for the Kurgan players as well","attachment":null,"posted":1713738582},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983765,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5983141
Works for me! I'll gladly bring along my Ungors for a glorious raid!","attachment":null,"posted":1713747791},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983778,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5981998
Okay then, with Ivan done and the prep for the next raid beginning, I'll sell the unit of slaves that returned for six loot. That, plus my four original leftovers plus the ten I got from raiding that one village, minus the two I gave to Ivan as a thank you should leave me at 18 to spend.
I'll hire two units of Norscan Bondsmen for 16, which leaves me with 2 loot remaining.
>>5983403
Rue'Vahn will ask Hangar if he thinks the warlords should come up with a plan for Fort Otrosk? It's an important enough target that just "winging it" seems risky. The reason he's bringing this up is because Rue'Vahn doesn't feel like it's his place to personally organize such an assembly; it'd be undermining Hangar's authority.
Maybe start off with a head count of who is even interested in the first place? From there perhaps a way to decide upon how the loot will be split if victory is achieved?","attachment":null,"posted":1713748777},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983966,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5983528
eastern steppes. its time to go back home and get more horses.","attachment":null,"posted":1713761898},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983977,"name":"Hangar","msg":">>5983778
"We will certainly need our strongest warriors massed to break Fort Otrosk. The Fortress Severnostepsk held powerful Kislevite Lancers inside their walls; the defences at Otrosk will be more formidable and backed up by a greater amount of forces from the surrounding lands. With your plan for Krantagarh, Huffud and Gorebow to take their next season campaigning against the Skin-wolves, we would be missing much of the meat. When we strike against Otrosk, we should all be there."","attachment":null,"posted":1713763579},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5983979,"name":"Hangar","msg":">>5983528
Eastern Steppes","attachment":null,"posted":1713763649},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984020,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":"Alright, now that pretty much everyone has retired for the season, I'll finish up my prep for the next time. I've got a Warbeast and two units of Norse Bondsmen, which should hopefully be enough.
Here's what I plan to do for the second raid. I'll attack Tarnovo, then cross the river and head for the tier two settlement. If my units are still looking healthy, then I'll double back towards the middle and assist with whoever is attacking there.
What do you guys think?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713768350907484.png","filename":"Invasion Plan.png"},"posted":1713768350},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984029,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5983541
The Hung tribe of Sarrick Whispersoul greets him with joy and a great fat beast of chaos is slaughtered, its meat and fat roasted over the flame to greet him and his returning warriors.
Amidst the celebrations, a certain someone catches Sarricks attention:
>A strange sorceress from a different tribe, clad in fine tan robes, gently leaning against Sarricks arm
>A famous hunter of the tribe that bid Sarrick good fortunes and sacrificed the last of his beast stock in Sarricks fortune
>Sarricks old mentor, a cranky old fool that had helped Sarrick get started on his way of sorcery
>>5983554
Zar Ivan's return to his tribe was celebrated, as he was the greatest of warchiefs of the great raid of 2537 and as he and his tribe will undoubtedly enter the books and the tomes of the the southernlings. Wine flowed freely, slaves were brought up for the warriors to pleasure themselves upon and a great many of the flock were roasted.
And then, during the height of the celebration, came forth a:
>Warrior clad in chaos plate, leading forth his armoured steed and shouted "I came from the wastes leading my band of brothers! Will you take over the grand host that pushed south so we know to follow you, for we will accept no lesser leader!"
>Sorcerer, with the head of a lizard and bid thee "Oh great Zar, abandon your anger towards the Ostrosk and the vile deceptress that dons the image of the crow! She will harm the four lords of chaos which you have always followed! Turn your anger and your host towards Ormfell, where the vile Sarls dwell and punish their chief who goes against the wills of the four! There await for you great riches and blessings from the four!"
>A drunken shaman "I see great fortunes if you continue as you do currently! None of the four are displeased with you, or else I'd be struck down from the heavens for uttering this!"
>>5983765
Magors northwards journey finally brought him to his dark and brooding grove, where his hordes replenished in their hunts and orgies around their herdstones, where feasts and rapes were held, until one day, Magor was brought at a:
>A female Hung savage speaking wild things beyond reason of normal men
>A wounded troll that spoke of great riches and revenge
>A tiger headed beastman from Ind on the edge of death","attachment":null,"posted":1713769978},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984031,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5984029
>>5983966
Mulrogs return, while showing only a greatly diminished force is still greatly celebrated, prized cattle are slaughtered and fatty meat is eaten in a great hall. Yet something dug at Mulrog and one night he arose:
>with a crow pecking at his face. Shooing it away, it spoke "Turn back from this! Plunder Praag instead!" Then, it flew away.
>from a pleasant dream. Getting up, he realized he had grown in size and that his bed had broken under him, while his wife, standing at the doorway, wrapped in sheets disapprovingly looked at him. As he got up confused, he hit his head on the celling of the room. (Your unit of chaos knights receive +1HP and +1D)
>having seen a passage through the Goromadny mountains in the Belyevobota pass towards a lost dwarven hold, long abandoned from all
>>5983979
Hangar, the grand Zar of the horde of 2537 returns to his homeland, tired, bloodied, yet dragging a immense heap of wealth to his homeland, with his horde growing ever larger and his tribe prospering, now dressed in fine clothes and furs of the southernlings, getting drunk on the fine alcohols of the Kislevites and dining on the fatty meat of the whales from the norscans.
On his trip home, he was passing close to Karag Dum and he:
>bypassed it, not caring to slow his journey one bit
>entered there and sought council with the crow headed messenger, wherever the mysterious benefactor of this whole ordeal may be
>found a odd and unfinished marble statue of a woman seated on a chair precariously leaning on its last two legs, while the statue had its feet raised on the table, a cup of wine graciously in the grasp of one of the marble hands
And after he had finished, he was greated by his tribe that had:
>rallied behind his banners (gain 2 horse archers)
>sent nobles to join his ranks (gain 1 cataphract)
>called on start settling the slaves so they may work form him and his tribe (found a settlement for each 5 loot invested, said settlements will give Hangar 1 loot on each interraid)","attachment":null,"posted":1713770039},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984045,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5984031
Correct me if i am wrong. I should habe 50 loot to buy morr stuff and i did keep my most expensive stuff and some slaves intact.
Question. Could the hold provide a foothold for future expansions if IT could be secured?","attachment":null,"posted":1713773470},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984047,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5984045
Correct, you have 50 loot and you did retain your 1 unit of chaos knights and 1 unit of slaves.
>Question. Could the hold provide a foothold for future expansions if IT could be secured?
Mulrog can only find that out if he dreams of the passage.","attachment":null,"posted":1713773860},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984051,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5984047
Further question. The buffed damage and is only for the one unit of knights not any further units i might recruit now. Correct?","attachment":null,"posted":1713774740},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984059,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5984051
Yes, only for the one unit you have currently.","attachment":null,"posted":1713775445},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984065,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5984031
>from a pleasant dream. Getting up, he realized he had grown in size and that his bed had broken under him, while his wife, standing at the doorway, wrapped in sheets disapprovingly looked at him. As he got up confused, he hit his head on the celling of the room. (Your unit of chaos knights receive +1HP and +1D)
While gathering his New hosts using the riches He plundered from the southlands his promise always at the forefront of his mind.
So when the change came he embraced it, seeing it as a sign from the Blood God to bring ever greater carnage upon his enemies. Assembeling three more units of Horse Archers he also managed to procur the services of a unit of Cataphracts. The dlaves he still had would serve little purpose but looting and maayje taking the edge off a particular countercharge.
A surging bloodlust made him restless as the last Horse Archers were assembeled. Sending a raven to Zar Hangar he informed the Lord that Mulrog was ready and wished to know where their next conquest would be.
>>5983977","attachment":null,"posted":1713776624},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984099,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5984029
>Lizard-headed Sorcerer...
Lanu, what were your thoughts on divvying up Zar Torchak's Horse Archers among the 3 Kurgan Warlords (myself, Hangar, & Mulrog?)","attachment":null,"posted":1713786487},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984102,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5984099
I've half considered making them disperse back to the steppe, but I think I have a slightly more fun idea of what to do with them.","attachment":null,"posted":1713786922},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984111,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d2)
Caught up in the spirit of the Serpent, Magor finds himself in an indulgent mood. He feels the urge to take the Hung woman first, then listen to her story second. But the prospect of having trolls at his command and of great riches also entices him. Trolls who could perhaps make some fine half-trolls the next chance they take some women of the foe.
He defaces a gold coin, on one side the symbol of the serpent's head, the other of its tail.","attachment":null,"posted":1713787578},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984112,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5984029
>A female Hung savage speaking wild things beyond reason of normal men
Magor takes the Hung woman and bends her over for a night and a day, siring more ungors, then listens to her story.
These wild things may have lost reason, but no beast ever loses instinct. He shall find them, entice them with promises of much pleasure and excitement, for the glory of the Serpent","attachment":null,"posted":1713787791},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984118,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5984099
"The deceptress is not of this world!" The lizard headed man speaks. "Meet me after the celebration at the altar." He whispers as he breaks off from the party.
Ivan's visit to the altar finds the sorcerer anxiously glancing around, a dagger clutched in his hand.
"Explain yourself." Ivan orders.
"I received visions," whispers the lizard headed man "and not only from the weaver, but from the others aswell. And they do not favour her, they despise her. Do not bring their hatered down on yourself, but do not bring her wrath on yourself down either. Merely pretend you wanted more loot."
"This still does not explain it." Ivan replies. "Speak simply or don't speak at all."
The lizard headed man shakes his head, then pauses. A moment later, he speaks up again "What is the realm of chaos?"
"Where the gods dwell and work the world from." Ivan replies simply.
"Exactly, but it is not merely where our gods, or the gods of the southernlings live." The lizard headed man replies. "There are many other gods and not only those of our world either."
Ivan eyes the sorcerer.
"And these gods not of our world, or better said, not known by our world, are encroaching upon it. The raven headed thing merely takes the costume of one of Tchars servants. Her goals must be sabotaged and the gods would surely reward you."
"So why not kill her?" Ivan asks.
"Don't throw away your life." The lizard headed man replies with dismissal.
>>5984112
"I tell you, things are coming! Flee with your tribe, for all shall be put to the death!" The woman screamed, telling of great destruction. "Warriors shall come from the north and you and your kin will be slain! The followers of the four and the southernlings, all shall bend the knee or all shall die! The everchosen will be but a cupbearer!"
It quickly grew tiring, yet, it had impressed something, maybe a discomfort, maybe a fear, maybe a desire for migration.
>Magor's horde may retire to any forest that has more hexes than he has units","attachment":null,"posted":1713788317},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984133,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5984031
>bypassed it, not caring to slow his journey one bit
What more do I need, but a fleet steed beneath me as my riders ride home laden with plunder? If Tchar's messenger seeks to speak with me then that is my fate, and it will happen there or here."
>rallied behind his banners (gain 2 horse archers)
"To settle on the steppes is foolishness indeed; for too linger long in one place brings Nieglin's poxes and pestilence, and gives Tchar cause to warp and shift the land beneath. Those who stop looking to the new horizons and focus on their wants become indulent as pleases Loesh; and any settlement upon the steppes asks for Khorne's descending wrath. To survive on the steppes is to hold the fleetness of your steed secure by your strength, and outpace those few who can bring the ruin to you."","attachment":null,"posted":1713790976},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984146,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5984118
"For whose throat do you wield that dagger, and from whence have you came to the Steppes of the Great Kurgan? Does the Bird-Woman serve the Undoer"?","attachment":null,"posted":1713793589},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984152,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5984146
"I wield the dagger for the throat of any who do not serve the four. I am not certain of my safety, and neither should you be." The shaman replies, "And my name is Eric Avila, from Santa Magritta." he says as he ruffles his pockets and pulls out a old necklace with a token of Myrmidia, then tosses it to Ivan. "As for whom she serves under, I do not know, merely that whatever it is, it is not of our world."","attachment":null,"posted":1713794641},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984155,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5984152
So he's a Marrano? LMFAO
"Very well Lizard, you will serve me henceforth & ensure the favor of the Four is upon my raids. What have the Sarls done to displease the Gods? Their bodies will be trampled beneath a thousand hooves."
Can I recruit Norscans as it stands or would I need to withdraw from battle again to the Baersonlings' lands first?","attachment":null,"posted":1713795076},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984165,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"Rolled 59 (1d100)
>>5981998
Presuming that I can't recruit Norscans from the Steppes, I'll allocate the following (otherwise I'm after some Huscarls)
52 Loot:
Chaos Knights -32
Kurgan Cataphracts -18
=
2 Loot
Horse Archers
Kurgan Cataphracts x2
Chaos Knights x2
Rolling to dream in the Astral Warp for signs relating to the Raven-Faced Woman, Eric Avilla, the Norscan Sarls, & the Pyramid of Skulls in the Wheatlands...","attachment":null,"posted":1713795705},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984174,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5984020
Is that in the Wheatlands?
Zar Ivan sends a raven to Rue'Vahn:
"The pure blood of the Great Kurgan flows through my veins, and the wisdom of my ancestors is maintained: I do not trust an Eastern Savage, for his word is only better than a Hobgoblin of Khazaria. Yet you have been blessed with a great bond by the Gods, which you have honored, and so the noble spirit of the Steppes must surely reside within you. Ride with me as I rise to rule the Kurgan, and I shall name you Khagan of the Hung as my domain expands. I ride for the Wheatlands, a stop on my way to raid further upon the shores of the Norscans."","attachment":null,"posted":1713796660},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984183,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5984155
>Can I recruit Norscans as it stands or would I need to withdraw from battle again to the Baersonlings' lands first?
Nope, you need to retire to Baersonling lands if you want to recruit Norscans.
As for your dreams, you see a vision of a walking corpse carrying the clay depiction of the tortured woman to the raven headed sorceress, yet as the walking corpse approaches, for a single moment, the clay depiction of a woman disappears and a large, proud and powerful figure appears next to the raven headed woman.
The next moment, the clay depiction is there, but only for a moment, as it and the powerful depiction appear and disappear, the whole world seeming to violently shake and shudder.
In the end, as the walking corpse hands the clay figure to the raven headed woman, he seems to first stumble a bit backwards, then in a violent and gory explosion, be propelled backwards, as if a invisible hammer of a dragon ogre hit him.
Ivan wakes up with a scream.","attachment":null,"posted":1713797358},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984189,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5984118
Lol I just realized the woman was speaking wild things beyond reason, rather than speaking *of* wild things beyond reason as though there were monsters to recruit. Ah well, a troll would have been nice, but there are always more opportunities. Chaos provides!
>The woman is annoying, but somewhat entertaining. Magor keeps her and has her gagged. Every now and again when he's truly bored, he'll listen to her ramblings and the men can laugh at the ridiculousness of it. Or tremble quietly for a good scare.
For now, we'll rejoin with Korthak. There is more raiding to be done!","attachment":null,"posted":1713798081},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984191,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5984183
Ill omens...
I'll ride once again through the Wheatlands, though it will likely be a short raid.","attachment":null,"posted":1713798441},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984217,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":"By the way, still here!
Krantargh, you alive?","attachment":null,"posted":1713802102},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984219,"name":"Sarrick","msg":"Rolled 2 (1d3)
>>5984029","attachment":null,"posted":1713802447},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984225,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5984029
>>5984219
>A famous hunter of the tribe that bid Sarrick good fortunes and sacrificed the last of his beast stock in Sarricks fortune
Sarrick knew well not to trust one of his own kind. All sorcerers played games with their words, and even when they spoke the truth they used it to deceive. Great import could be found if what they said was untangled, but there was always a danger in that maze, one it had already taken him decades to free himself from in the case of his mentor. On the other hand the hunter was honest, his support exactly what it appeared, and of great value among their people.
Meanwhile, I believe I also have 60 loot. 20 from a bearsonling village, 10 from mugging Krantagarh and then 30 from the two villages in Kislev. The plan is probably to buy a warbeast and either more savages or horse archers, but I'll wait to see what mr hunter has to say first, just in case.","attachment":null,"posted":1713803304},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984228,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5984217
Yep, still here. Im pretty sure I got all my decisions out of the way early since my first raid was so short-lived, hehe.
I’m chomping at the bit to fuck up some werewolves","attachment":null,"posted":1713803406},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984229,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5984174
Yeah that's the easternmost section of the Wheatlands. I'm basically calling dibs on those villages if no one has a problem with that.
Rue'Vahn will send a messenger bird in response.
"I do not break my promises like some pawn of Tchar. My words are used to manipulate others, true, but I do not break my oaths.
I travel for the Wheatlands as well. I will ride with you, and support your rise amongst the Kurgan.
That said, I feel it is worth mentioning that I do this out of gratitude to you, rather than promises of power. I won't look a gift horse in the mouth, as the title of Khagan of the Hung is an alluring prize, but you saved my wife, and that matters to me above all else. The obsessions of Loesh are what own my soul."
>>5984155
Does Ivan share the secret about Lanu that he's been made privy to?","attachment":null,"posted":1713803612},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984232,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5984225
"Sarrick my friend!" The hunter said as he approached. "I see you have done good! Very good!"
The pleasantries were exchanged and as the conversation veered to the hunters life, he complained. "My foot was crushed and I grow old. I cannot hunt well no more, but it is what it is. I now wonder if you could do me a favour."
"Which one?" Sarrick asks.
"I have heard that in Norsca, beyond the Baersonling lands, but east of the Aeslings, dwell great mammoth herds. If you could steal some cubs for me, I could start raising them for the tribe." The hunter says. "I will be of use to the younglings who won't kill me for my uselessness."
>>5984155
>"Very well Lizard, you will serve me henceforth & ensure the favor of the Four is upon my raids. What have the Sarls done to displease the Gods? Their bodies will be trampled beneath a thousand hooves."
"A chieftain of theirs was cursed to serve them and has broken the curse. Such a thing cannot be allowed."","attachment":null,"posted":1713803929},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984240,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5984232
"Old friend, you ask for a favour and offer a service instead. Very well, mammoths for you and for the tribe, and death upon their tusks for our foes."
---
If the mammoths are further than the Baersonlings but east of the Aeslings, does that put them on this >>5981983 map around Kraka Drak? Or is there another one along the coast but before the Aeslings?
Would anyone like to join the Whispersoul on a journey to the north west, looting a few dwarf holds on the way? Obviously with our noble leader Hangar's permission, unless he desperately needs my forces to assault Fort Ostrosk?
Either way, I've decided on units Lanu, one unit of northern warbeasts and two hung savages for my 60 loot, please.","attachment":null,"posted":1713806040},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984243,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5984240
That would be a good test for my knights. Sadly the terrain does not seem suited for horses. So unless Hangar wants me to go there or goes there himselr i as Mulrog would habe to declinethe opportunity.
Also i dont think assaulting Ostorrok is in the cards right now. We are missing too much firepower and bulletsponges without the beastment","attachment":null,"posted":1713806416},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984244,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5984240
Further north of the Kraka Drak.","attachment":null,"posted":1713806497},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984246,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5984228
One question for Lanu before we embark on our mountain raid of the werewolves:
If my units are single-file, in back-to-back hexes in a mountain pass, can they swap positions using a movement point each, or would they need to exit the mountain pass entirely to change their unit order?
I know units block each other, even friendly units of the same army, but the mountain raid might take a long time if Huffud and I need to retreat out of the mountains once or twice apiece to reorient our troops.","attachment":null,"posted":1713806809},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984248,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5984133
>>5984244
Is there anything more I need to do regarding decisions, or do I start spending my loot now to prepare for the next raiding season?","attachment":null,"posted":1713807027},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984253,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5984246
I'll allow it. If two units on full movement are next to eachother, they can fully expend their movement to rotate.
>>5984248
Other than negotiate with other players, no.","attachment":null,"posted":1713808022},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984285,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5984229
I'm keeping it close to my chest for now since I'm not sure who is trustworthy, least of all the Raven or the Lizard. I'll be raiding from the Northwest of the Wheatlands, so if you're coming from the Northeast we can meet in the middle South before we head for unravaged lands.
A raven to Zar Hangar: "I ride once again for the Wheatlands to sow more bones in the fertile soil. The Raven-Hag chose you to lead our hordes, but the Skulltaker's favor was given to me by right of bloodshed. It is only right that the one to lead our charges be of the line of the Great Kurgan, & so I write winged words from one Zar to another. I will rejoin you from the West when I am satisfied of my raiding; then we shall split the spoils of the Dwarves & lesser men. Until then, trample all the Southlings with the favor of the Gods."","attachment":null,"posted":1713813695},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984315,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5984285
>I'll be raiding from the Northwest of the Wheatlands, so if you're coming from the Northeast we can meet in the middle South before we head for unravaged lands.
Hmm, okay cool. If you're coming from the Northwest, then I assume that you'll be heading for this area that I circled in orange?
After I'm done with the purple circle, I'll head towards the orange circle to help you, or if you'd prefer, I can go waaaaaay south and meet you at the area in red.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713819074060645.png","filename":"Invasion Plan Zoomed Out.png"},"posted":1713819074},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984335,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5984315
100%, though I'll likely withdraw to Norsca once we've raided all we can.","attachment":null,"posted":1713821128},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984343,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5984248
Hmm. And I have 40 loot from my raid, 50 if Mulrog grants me half the Treasures of Korsov.
So:
2 Chaos Knights
1 Kurgan Cataphracts
+ 2 Horse Archers (event)
+1 Chaos Knights (-32)
+1 Kurgan Cataphracts(-18)If granted 10 by Mulrog; otherwise 8 Loot in reserve.
>>5984285
"The Raven-Hag made no choice, Unbearable one. It was the whims of Tchar's fate and the number of Nieglin upon my die that set that fate upon me. Your victory on our ride was a glorious one; but we all reaped our bloody tallies. If you look to whom the gods have blessed it is Mulrog who swells with the vigour of their favour. May the gods yet favour our continual march."
"I also make my return to the Wheatlands, as the gods have set no clear path before me this season. The Kislevite lands will shake again beneath Kurgan hooves."
>>5984065
"Last season we cut at the Wheatlands. This one, let us return to fall upon them with greater force."
>>5984240
"The Mountains are Ill-suited to my riders, Sarrick. Though the Mammoths are of interest, this is not a march I can join upon without first knowing a clear path. May the gods grant favour and vision."","attachment":null,"posted":1713822331},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984354,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5983765
>>5984189
Huzzah, and well-met! We'll be glad to have your hundreds of hooves at our sides. With Krantagarh and Huffud off in the hills, we'll have room for as many of your Ungors as can fit. I think we could reave down that Wheatlands river, despoil the southland and be back up, backs loaded with gold by the season's end. Failing that, we could strike at the heart of the Baersonlings and carve our names in the sagas. You're the more veteran of us so I'll defer to your judgement. What say you?","attachment":null,"posted":1713823521},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984405,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"Dropping this link to a 'yuge amount of fanmade WHFB army books for inspiration:
https://warhammerarmiesproject
.blogspot.com/?m=1","attachment":null,"posted":1713829638},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984617,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5984343
i did already spend most my loot and have only two left.
i can give you the two i have left over from my purchases. which would give you the ability to recruit another unit of Horse Archers. Which is better than nothing i would guess.","attachment":null,"posted":1713847986},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984753,"name":"Lanu","msg":"I'll try and get the deployment maps ready today.
I need to finish up the northeast Norsca, touch up southern Kislev and do the changes within the Wheatlands (Kislevites wouldn't just not prepare for future raids).","attachment":null,"posted":1713867175},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984757,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5984753
No worries QM, we’ll wait patiently.","attachment":null,"posted":1713867808},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984760,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Deployment map for the Wheatlands:
As previously, deploy where you desire to deploy to, just mark your units with a letter.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713868496226516.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713868496},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984761,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Deployment map for Kislev, the Baersonling lands and the Dwarven hold of Kraka Ravnsvake and the Ulfwerenar.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713868584764404.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713868584},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984764,"name":"Lanu","msg":"And of course, draw your first turn in addition to your movement. You don't have any enemies in your line of sight, no matter where you deploy.
I'll try and make a single big reply after everyone put their movements.","attachment":null,"posted":1713869099},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984767,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5984764
Here's my deployment, QM.
Should we deploy first and then make our movement orders after? I'm a bit nervous giving movement orders without knowing enemy locations, etc etc.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713869724551504.jpg","filename":"K_raid2_turn1.jpg"},"posted":1713869724},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984768,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5984767
>Should we deploy first and then make our movement orders after?
You have no reason not to make your movement orders aswell.
But if you want to wait for other people to deploy and move first, go for it, just be aware of being cockblocked by a different player.
>I'm a bit nervous giving movement orders without knowing enemy locations, etc etc.
You don't have any enemies in your line of sight, no matter where you deploy.","attachment":null,"posted":1713869876},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984770,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5984768
Hmm, okay.
1)Minotaurs and southernmost Gors attack two hexes southwest to assault forest villages. Minotaurs enter and loot town if possible.
2) Centigors and northernmost Gors attack one house village on the coast (Centigors moving two hexes northeast), Gors enter village to loot if possible.
3) Ungors trail behind Minotaurs, move two hexes southwest","attachment":null,"posted":1713870333},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984772,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5984770
Wait, you're striking at the Baersonlings?","attachment":null,"posted":1713870549},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984774,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5984772
Oh, my mistake - I thought these were enemy villages because they were marked in red but now I see that this is the same location as my previous raid, I’m an idiot. I’ll fix my orders in a few minutes.","attachment":null,"posted":1713871093},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984776,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5984774
No problem, don't worry about it.","attachment":null,"posted":1713871411},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984777,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5984343
Maybe we should only do minimal plunderin in the Wheatlands and push through to the other side of the mountains. The wheatlands are gonna be cramped for the forseeable future
What do you think?","attachment":null,"posted":1713871460},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984778,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5984776
Here's my second attempt. Basically, minotaurs go in the mountain pass first to attack the first werewolf village, the two units of Gors follow behind, then the Centigors, then the Ungors.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713871681851592.jpg","filename":"K_raid2_turn1_revised.jpg"},"posted":1713871681},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984781,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5984760
My forces gather at the site of Ivan's Bloody Charge, the Pyramid of Skulls.","attachment":null,"posted":1713872487},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984795,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5984405
Oh yeah, the WAP, I got that.
I also use WFRP, MadAlfred and Hypothetical war, aswell as random pdfs i find by searching around.
>>5984781
Any specific deployments in mind?","attachment":null,"posted":1713876937},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984797,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5984777
That's one way to look at it.
The other is that we might have the forces gathered to break EVERYTHING in the Wheatlands on this raid. Let us sack these lands in the name of the gods and claim their soil for the Zars of the kurgan!
>>5984760
We gather near to the river on the east, and launch our attack by marching the Chaos Knights forward upon the village there! If our charge of Knights kills the defenders there then the Cataphracts can march in and seize the place.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713877160465020.png","filename":"Wheatlands.png"},"posted":1713877160},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984798,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"I was hoping my prior efforts at recruiting would bear some fruit there, but if I don't see anyone gathered I'll push on South towards the hills","attachment":null,"posted":1713877697},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984814,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5984761
here is my plan! Much-very complicated, I know","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713880310462473.png","filename":"h_raid (1).png"},"posted":1713880310},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984817,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5984760
>>5984797
The Meeting between Mulrogs Horde and that of Zar Hangar had been a tense one. The warriorlord that had once been so clearly human now strained in a new massive harnish that had been forged for him. Where Mulrog once swung a rune covered Longsword it now looked like a shortsword on his massive stature.
To compensate the Warlord had taken up a massive Axe and rode proudly at the head of his host of Chaos Knights.
On his command his Archers galloped behind Hangars Flank and swung around, flanking the Zars Forces on the other side.
"Greetings Hangar. I come to fulfill my promise and raise monuments to the Skullthrone. Let this season be a bloody one and many a skull be offered to the brass Lord!" the massive Warrior shouted with barely contained glee in his voice for the slaughter yet to come.
After a short tactis meeting they got into position Mulrog choosing to assault the more fortified village immediatly to sate his bloodlust.
hope this is suitable enough for the beginning of the conquest.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713880675076278.png","filename":"SecondRaid_Mulrog_Turn 1.png"},"posted":1713880675},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984818,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5984817
Your leftmost chaos knights overlap with Hangars horsearchers, I believe.","attachment":null,"posted":1713881053},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984819,"name":"Bad Back Anon","msg":">>5984818
Alright. Shouldnt they already have mobed by the time i place my units? But i can change that if you need me to. Just a minute","attachment":null,"posted":1713881295},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984820,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5984814
No, wait, Huffud! You’re attacking the wrong way! Attack the towns to the south.
If I have time later I’ll RP a post about the dummy Minotaurs getting ready to attack the wrong towns…","attachment":null,"posted":1713881306},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984821,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5984818
Alright. Shouldnt they already have mobed by the time i place my units? But i can change that if you need me to. Just a minute
Very sorry about that. Put down a wrong name","attachment":null,"posted":1713881356},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984822,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5984821
>>5984819
Sure, makes sense, we can go down that reasoning.","attachment":null,"posted":1713881481},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984825,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5984822
i will just fix it. the slaves dont matter much anyway.
just ordered the units a bit to the right. the slaves dont matter much. they are there to take a countercharge or something.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713881626785597.png","filename":"SecondRaid_Mulrog_Turn 1.5.png"},"posted":1713881626},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984828,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5984814
>>5984820
<CONFUSED COW NOISES>
lmao, I fucked up. Aight, turning the gang around!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713881865635669.png","filename":"h_raid (2).png"},"posted":1713881865},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984829,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5984817
...what happened to Mulrog??","attachment":null,"posted":1713881927},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984830,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5984828
XD
It's okay, I get what you want to do.
You're supposed to deploy on the side of the yellow line that says "DEPLOY HERE".
I'll put you on that side and I'll have the minotaurs march down the mountain pass towards the Ulfwerenar.","attachment":null,"posted":1713882002},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984831,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5984830
thanks!","attachment":null,"posted":1713882160},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984832,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5984829
mulrog is a massive dude now.
got an upgrade that increased the damage and HP for my Chaos Knights that was triggered by Mulrog growing large enough to crush his bed and when getting up hitting his head at the top of his tent..
so i was thinking he is probably the size of a small Ogre now. so he can no longer really be called human which is why i said he once was so clearly human. he is now too large to be called human.
also picking up an Axe is just the Khornate thing to do.","attachment":null,"posted":1713882164},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984833,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5984829
Like roughly this size from normal human to the left to mulrog on thr right","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713882290210873.jpg","filename":"20240423_162357.jpg"},"posted":1713882290},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984835,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5984833
damn. That's cool! I'll have to look for upgrades like that too!","attachment":null,"posted":1713882402},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984836,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5984835
well it was an event reward from between raids. you might get something as well if you do something cool or interesting enough for Lanu even before the next intermission.","attachment":null,"posted":1713882504},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984859,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5984835
Also had a minotaur shaman dedicated to Tzeentch as an Idea. But wanted to go much more into the normal Chaos Lord vibe","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713884224308736.jpg","filename":"17138841303688337448496692426742.jpg"},"posted":1713884224},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984913,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":"The march from the Beast Lands had been a fast enough - lust for revenge had quickened Krantagarh's hooves, along with those of his forces. His last raid was a near-failure - saved only by the cowardice of the Bearsonling villagers, who had capitulated rather than fight to the last. The shame caused Krantagarh to stew in fury for weeks, and pushed him to plan a daring assault. He would bring yet another of the man-tribes to heel and thereby prove his value to the warmaster, Hangar, and to the gods.
The words of yellow-eyed Vonok, bray-shaman, fed to Krantagarh's bloodlust as well - he had shadowed Krantagarth's troops, overseeing their transport of the massive herdstone. His hacking coughs grated upon Krantagarh's nerves, but the old seer was above reproach - Krantagarh was too old and wary to risk the wrath of the gods by harming him. It was Vonok who had introduced him to Huffud, the strange she-beast. Krantagarh had never met a minotaur like her - more bovine than most of their kind, she apparently lacked the capacity for speech. And yet, she commanded a small army of minotaurs all the same - a strange contradiction. Together, with Vonok's guidance, they had made their way back south, with Krantagarh's rage building all the while.
By the time of their arrival, Krantagarh was enraged, voracious and had worked himself up into a killing frenzy - he would taste blood and meat! He would consume his share of the enemy on the battlefield! Upon sight of the first village, he could not contain himself:
"WE. WILL. KILL! WE. WILL. KILL!" he chanted in his broken tongue, the army of Beastmen chanting along. Alongside him, Huffud bellows in time, her forces joining in. He lifted his great-axe in the direction of the village, preparing the order to assault - to feast upon the man-lings, and then -
"Lord. Please!" one of his lieutenants said, tapping him on the shoulder, speaking in the broken tongue of beastmen. Krantagarh turned to him, beady eyes narrowed with killing lust.
"WHAT?!"
"Is. Wrong. Village....They. Surrender. Before."
Krantagarh peered back at the town...hmm. So it was. Hmm. Perhaps he had been over-eager, he thought.
"Hooves. March. Southwest!" he ordered, attempting to save face. Behind him, he swore he heard suppressed chuckling, but when he looked, he only saw the serious faces of his subordinates staring back at him. Hmm.","attachment":null,"posted":1713886356},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5984926,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5984913
it seems that, though Huffud's gifts lie more in might than in brains, she is more than smart enough to understand the order to turn around- and she only needs to have the order repeated once!","attachment":null,"posted":1713886763},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985017,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"Honestly getting more into this qst as it goes, pretty hype to become the Everchosen at some point
Captcha: M002
Guess that means I need to recruit Beastmen.","attachment":null,"posted":1713891146},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985029,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5985017
Tbh, I’m looking forward to when the warband starts infighting and we all start clobbering each other","attachment":null,"posted":1713891469},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985031,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5984833
>>5984859
Chad mini craftsman.
>>5985017
Yeah, especially since in my headcannon (that this is operating on), some faggot called Diederick Kastner got lynched in his village upon people finding out he was half Norscan.
>>5985029
Right now I see 4 friction points.
Sarrick-Krantagarh
Ivan-Hangar
General loot distribution
Pro raven-head or anti raven-head","attachment":null,"posted":1713891572},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985033,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5985031
loot distribution is gonna be a huge thing when settlements get rarer and more difficult to plunder.
but Mulrog so far is blisfully unaware of the pro and anti rave-head conflict. he just wants to kill shit.","attachment":null,"posted":1713891823},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985074,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5984761
After several days of meditating naked in the snow, Korthak's cold induced delirium filled him with visions of slaughter. Not to the south, but the west, in the lands of Kislev. His men were unproven, untested, but that was no matter. They would reap skulls from their petty townships or they would go to Kharneth with a warcry on their lips.
>>5984189
>>5984354
A change of plans, with the Zars striking south, the pickings will be slim. The Baersonlings have let us winter in their holds so I see no call to strike them, not when the warmth of Kislev beckons. Join me, and we can see their feeble civilization laid low!
This goes for any of you in this or future raids, if we march in one host, I'm more than willing to split the plunder however many ways. As long as I get the chance to take a worthy share.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713894770422050.png","filename":"Deployment.png"},"posted":1713894770},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985078,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5985074
Give arrows for movement.
And keep in mind, both hills and streams slow your units down to 1 per turn, except streams give you a massive initiative debuff.","attachment":null,"posted":1713894944},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985081,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5984833
>>5984859
Now that is rad.","attachment":null,"posted":1713895083},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985084,"name":"Sarrick","msg":"Looks like no one wants to join me playing pokemon go with mammoths. As Krantagarh and Huffid already jam up the hills (plus I assume Krantagarh probably isn't on speaking terms with Sarrick) and in the Wheatlands my slow ass infantry will just get left behind and/or run over by kislevite cavalry, looks like it's time to head north on a solo adventure to play pokemon with mammoths.
gotta catch em all
First though, we need to break through the dwarf holds of Sjoktraken and Khazid Borgkarag. Sarrick has split his forces. In the north, he leads a force of Hung and his new Chaos spawn along the coast towards Skoktraken. He orders his hung to restrain their bloodlust for now and use the hills and forests to mask their approach.
To the south, his most trusted warriors advance towards Khazid Borgkarad. In the barren valley it will be harder to approach unseen and the stream hampers their progress, but on the narrow front their massed ranks mean no enemy force could meet them without being pincered between two of their formations.
So I'm hoping that the dwarfs are actually a good match up for me. I would guess they're slow and have high hp, and so low initiative. The hung savages with relatively high initiative and damage should work pretty well as long as they can double team enemy units.
Also, a question for our lord and savior Lanu. Is their any mechanical difference between the light blue streams and dark blue rivers beside boat access?
>>5985081
Agreed. Later if I post without map I might pull some of my own models out too.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713895153990525.png","filename":"cunning plans.png"},"posted":1713895153},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985085,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5985084
>Also, a question for our lord and savior Lanu. Is their any mechanical difference between the light blue streams and dark blue rivers beside boat access?
So far none.","attachment":null,"posted":1713895240},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985088,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5985084
i might have come to help out but my cavalery is not very suited to fighting in the hills. though i might be interested in grabbing some of those mammoths for myself in the future.
might post more models later. though a good chunk of my chaos army for fantasy is not painted.... yet.","attachment":null,"posted":1713895487},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985092,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5985078
Certainly so! This is a bit brazen without any Huscarls or Chaos Warriors but I'm confident I can take more loot than I lose with this westward invasion.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713895572105006.png","filename":"Deployment.png"},"posted":1713895572},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985095,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5985092
Based risktaker. Let's see if it works out. I have made wrong predictions with my own ideas so far.
Also, I just noticed a mistake I made. You both cant move nor place units on the mountains (the darkest brown tiles).","attachment":null,"posted":1713895765},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985104,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5985088
As long as I get first dibs my hope is a future involving mammoths for all.
I'm part way through a daemons army, more for 40k at thats what my group plays, but luckily the models cross over so I can still flex my power level
>>5985092
Korthak, we could potentially look at something like pic attached depending how our initial battles go. It's mostly rough terrain towards fort Ostrosk from here, so our infantry are at less of a disadvantage against the kislevites then they would be in most places.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713896123535944.png","filename":"the double whammy.png"},"posted":1713896123},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985120,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985095
Thank you for clarifying that, I'll correct it here...
If the northernmost Bondsman isn't slain by whoever's garrisoning the town, the Berserker moving into his position will stay put for that turn. I'm confident our numbers can overwhelm the Stresly surely garrisoned there, even with the disadvantageous terrain...
>>5985104
I was thinking likewise and would be glad to lend my axe to your banner. The dwarves spook me somewhat, as my units are squishy and the dwarves are decidedly not.","attachment":null,"posted":1713896581},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985125,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5985120
May the dark gods forgive my retardation. Then again, I am following the Blood God, and he's pretty lenient in that respect, as long as I can get results.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713896643871670.png","filename":"Deployment.png"},"posted":1713896643},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985132,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5985104
Demons.
Yeah. Summoning demons will have to be something we try out later. I wonder if we could expend resources to summon demons onto the field in case we have some very heavy resistence we would like to expend troops on that wont stick around anyway","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713896909085260.jpg","filename":"17138968298885725853323167939675.jpg"},"posted":1713896909},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985138,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5985125
You sure you don't wanna move your southern wing? Those bondsmen and berserkers will be mighty vulnerable in that stream.
>>5985132
Nice model","attachment":null,"posted":1713897173},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985140,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5985138
Oh hell, I forgot the arrows. I know I don't physically have a brain anymore, but I didn't think it would impact my short-term memory this much, ahahaha.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713897346814178.png","filename":"Deployment.png"},"posted":1713897346},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985149,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5985125
khornes greates champions have Brawn and brains.
not that mulrog is that much of a tactician and planer for his campaigns.","attachment":null,"posted":1713897698},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985152,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5985140
It's okay, it takes a bit of time to get used to doing this.
I think we're still waiting for Rue and Magor.","attachment":null,"posted":1713897896},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985167,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5985074
I will join Korthack!
And post movement soon as I can.","attachment":null,"posted":1713898697},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985213,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5985149
That they have. I hope to prove my brawn worthy in winning a southern king's ransom in gold, or a worthy death at the end of a Kislevite blade.
>>5985152
All things will come, in time. I do not fear Nieglin's creeping rot, but I respect it.
>>5985167
Up axes, beast-brother! With our hordes joined to one, we'll crush mother Kislev's icy bones underfoot!","attachment":null,"posted":1713902806},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985224,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5984797
>>5984817
OH FFS
Look, I honestly don't mind if other people wanted to go for those villages even after I called dibs beck in >>5984229 and >>5984315
If other warlords want to raid those places, then that's fine by me. I shouldn't have priority simply because I spoke about them first.
But what I am pissed about is that no one said anything until now. If I had several irl days to rethink my plans then it'd be fine, but this is declaring your intentions at the last minute. So now I've got to rethink my entire invasion path on the same turn that we're deploying.","attachment":null,"posted":1713904062},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985230,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5985224
My Hung brother, everyone knows Kurgan can't be trusted.","attachment":null,"posted":1713904496},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985232,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5985230
Tough talk from a common bandit…
having fun with this trashtalk fellas, hehe ","attachment":null,"posted":1713905220},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985235,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5985017
Alright then Ivan, since there's been a change of plans, I guess I'll be joining you in the west. How does this rough draft for an invasion look?
Each of the two circles has 50 loot worth of villages. You pick the one that you want and I'll take the other; that should be fair to split. Afterwards, if our troops still have enough health, we can ride south to those towns in the lower hills.
What do you think?
>>5985230
Lmao, chaos really is it's own worst enemy sometimes","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713905341184198.png","filename":"New Invasion Plan.png"},"posted":1713905341},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985237,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5985232
>Common bandit
from a literal animal
100% chance of eventual wizard v minotaur showdown","attachment":null,"posted":1713905415},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985240,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5985237
<insulting cow noises>","attachment":null,"posted":1713905732},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985244,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5985237
Krantagarh has learned to enjoy the tangy flavor of wizard, manling…","attachment":null,"posted":1713905830},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985253,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5985224
>>5985017
I'd appreciate some more visual descriptor of your deployments other than "at the pile of skulls".","attachment":null,"posted":1713906519},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985257,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5985253
Oh my bad. I was gonna wait till Ivan picked which circle he wanted, but I'll deploy now if you'd like.
I'll have the two units of Bondsmen start closest to the river, with Sunset and the warbeasts covering the western flank. I'll use the tokens once I find out what Bondsmen look like.
Also, sorry for the delays. I had my turns all planned out ahead of time but then the rug got pulled out from under me.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713908021101940.png","filename":"R2 T1.png"},"posted":1713908021},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985258,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5985235
Looks good to me, my forces are more mobile so I'll take the purple circle.
Lanu, I was referring to the site of "Ivan's Bloody Charge" as marked on the map & where I told those I spared (& began mutating) to gather. Put me on a course for the westernmost village within the purp-pink circle, with a formation of Horse Archers ahead, Cataphracts side by side, & Chaos Knights side by side in the rear. A pentagram formation appropriately enough.
Rue'Vahn's Bondsmen can ferry his forces directly to the settlements along the lake via boats correct?","attachment":null,"posted":1713908202},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985266,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5985230
If Ivan could read I'm sure he would be very upset
By the way Lanu, are there any other tribes/ethnos of Chaos worshippers & raiders besides the Albion(ites?), Norscans, Kurgan, Tong, & Hung? The wiki mentions Dorstans, though I think that's a typo.","attachment":null,"posted":1713909041},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985289,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"Jackieee, one more thing! (hopefully someone gets the ref)
Zar Ivan has ravens prepared for when he reaches the Pyramid of Skulls, which he stacked in honor of the Blood God, to scatter to the Eight Winds; written in the dried blood of sacrificed Strelsy is the following: "Riders of the fallen Zar Torchak heed the call of the Four's favored; Zar Ivan the Unbearable claims your bows as his and his plunder as yours. Gather at the Skulltaker's mound that marks my past victory to reap the blood of Kislevites and rich Southlings further afield, or languish in death with no fame to your names."","attachment":null,"posted":1713910677},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985500,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985167
What's your next move, & does it involve a neverending horde of satyrs?","attachment":null,"posted":1713926859},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985693,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Now, since I doubt Magor would deploy in the Wheatlands and since I have some free time, I'm doing this a bit ahead of time:
Zar Hangars horde rushes forwards, with Chaos Knights slamming into the defences of a petty village. Yet the most dead on your side are from the Kurgan cataphracts as they are the ones to most aggressively strike at the village, to draw the enemy fire and to enter it.
>Hangar has 10 loot. Cataphracts received 1 damage.
Mulrog the cruel's forces take more losses than Hangar's, as while his forces, crossing a stream, perform comparably to Hangars, only losing cataphracts and clearing out a impressive town, his horsearchers on Hangars flank first fall under fire from the strelsy atop a hill, which they clear out in bloody combat, only for another formation of strelsy to march upon the same hill and engage in a repeat of the fight.
>Cataphracts received 1 damage. 2 units of horsearchers received 1 damage each.
Yet what awaited them on the other side of the river was of more interest. Some of Zar Torchak's horsearchers, under employ of Kislevites and marching ahead of a Kislevite Ungol horde, watching the river crossing.
Meanwhile, Rue'Vahn and Ivan both found themselves facing a similar situation. Kislevites watching the hills, while the Kurgan of Torchak stand under the Kislevite banners with Ungols following in a line behind them.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713940243009448.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713940243},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985695,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5985693
Any good nomad knows, allegiances are fickle things and sway in the direction of loot. What may the hosts of Chaos offer to buy the loyalties of the Kurgan horsearchers already under the employ of another?","attachment":null,"posted":1713940359},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985698,"name":"Rue’Vahn","msg":">>5985693
Oooooohh, things have gotten interesting
Question for the QM: if we defeat the Kislevites who have left their villages in order to fight us on the open fields, will our troops receive damage if we raid an undefended town? Or is it completely safe to attack empty villages?
Also, I’ll re-ask Ivan’s question about whether or not I can ferry my forces across the lake via boats.","attachment":null,"posted":1713940871},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985699,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5985698
>Or is it completely safe to attack empty villages?
This.
>Also, I’ll re-ask Ivan’s question about whether or not I can ferry my forces across the lake via boats.
Yes, but you move at the speed of 1 per turn and you're still as vulnerable as ever when crossing a regular river/stream.","attachment":null,"posted":1713940979},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985768,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5985500
Now that I have some free time, look at the map where my allies are deploying and basically deploy behind/beside them.","attachment":null,"posted":1713955956},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985771,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":"If I am backing up Korthak, there really isn't a lot of room to maneuver through this valley. So I'm going to need to just follow behind him until more space can be cleared.
I'm hoping its possible the single hex behind a unit can provide archer support, otherwise, well, we'll just need to move out of this valley and onto more open ground.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713956255229121.png","filename":"Ungors.png"},"posted":1713956255},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985783,"name":"Lanu","msg":"The march of the chaos hosts in the north finds little opposition in most places so far, with the exception of Korthak's raid, which, in its northern branch finds a heavily defended fort. The initial clashes are bloody, leaving half of the bondsmen and a third of the strelsy dead and the river flows crimson with the blood spilled.
In the next clash of arms, the bondsmen will be dead to the last, but a unit of berserkers could clear the strelsy up, butcher them to the last and carve a opening.
Also a thing I forgot for >>5985693
The battle of Strelsy hill left 1200 dead (800 strelsy and 400 horsearchers) and is a pretty impressive feat of butchery. Mulrog's horde has raised a nice monument.
=================
Turn two begins","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713958400301672.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713958400},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985785,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5985771
Also, stacking up units does not give combat benefits, only the first unit provides anything. It does however let you flow in multiple units against the enemy if your own units die quickly enough.","attachment":null,"posted":1713958474},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985791,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5985783
>>5985785
Uh, is there an update for the beastmen or are we deploying in Turn 2?","attachment":null,"posted":1713959964},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985796,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5985791
Shit I forgot. I also missed a tile for the Ungors to move to. I fixed it. Also, I'm buffing the minotaurs, they can see over hills when they're on hills.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713960606403255.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1713960606},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985797,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5985796
Hehe, no problem.
My Minotaurs advance two tiles southeast to fight the skinwalkers, followed by the two Gors units, Centigors next, last is Ungors","attachment":null,"posted":1713960823},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985798,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5985796
Whelp, my minos will move southeast in a line- it’s imperative that they stick to neighboring hexes, for the sake of swapping out when too injured","attachment":null,"posted":1713961294},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985800,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5985798
I figure if we get the werewolves to surrender early, we keep marching south through the mountain passes and see if we can hit an extra town or two on the other side?","attachment":null,"posted":1713961462},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985804,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5985693
They should have already gotten my message; Cataphracts shift to the tiles ahead of my Horse Archers, Chaos Knights follow their movement to flank the Cataphracts, thus a wall of 4 hexes just before the traitor Kurgan; my Horse Archers will use the opportunity once others are engaged to flank Southwest & head for the soft, gooey village center. Either the rogue Kurgan butcher their "allies" or get crushed into dust.","attachment":null,"posted":1713962266},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985813,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5985693
the Battle of the Eastern hills will make for a formidable monument to the skullthrone and Mulrog feels pleased.
however noticing the forces of the late Zar Torchak's he groans in disgust at how quickly these kurgan warriors changed their alliegances away from those they at least shared blood with. Swallowing Bile he sends them a Raven with a clear message. Serve him and redeem their wretched lifes in the eyes of Khorne. Or if all they needed was money the would receive 1/10 of the loot of Mulrogs Raid if they turned upon the southlanders seeking to stop their passing..
Or be destroyed and crushed in the service of southlanders that would only seek to use them as mercenaries and share no heritage with them from the great steppes.
From Afar the near Ogre sized Warlord watches as his message is received and grips his Axe harder. a wild snarling smile splits his face while a second raven is send to Hangar offering him passage at Tarnovo which Mulrog just plunderd.
as for battleplans.
The horse Archers will do a little dance with the more southern of the injured units moving up and into the mountains to see if anyone else wants to come visit. the unit of Horse archers that has not been injured so far will move up to the edge of the water waiting for the response of the the Kurgan archers.
on the other Side Mulrog and his knights will plunder the city while the Cataphracts move up and around to make way for Hangars forces if he chooses to cross.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713964621376448.png","filename":"SecondRaid_Mulrog_Turn2.png"},"posted":1713964621},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985814,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5985813
or if the switcheroo is not possible i will just opt to switch the two units around.","attachment":null,"posted":1713964682},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985818,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5985800
we shall see!
I mean- <agreeing cow noises>","attachment":null,"posted":1713966576},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985822,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5985818
i like to think Huffud is an agent of tzeentch and highly intelligent.
just pretends to be a morron so everyone else underestimates them.","attachment":null,"posted":1713966733},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985823,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5985822
<confused cow noises>","attachment":null,"posted":1713966935},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985854,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5985783
Beasts behind us, dogs before us! Forward! The gods never cared for those who spent themselves in peace!
The northmost Berserkers will attack first! If they win, excellent. If they lose, the Bondsmen on the hill behind them will take their place and attack, then the wounded Bondsmen will do the same.
I suspect there's militia defending that southern village, but settlements provide a +1 HP bonus to those defending them so the southmost Berserker will attack first, then the Bondsmen.
I'm confident we'll be recouping our losses, and then some.
(I'm assuming that units can attack based on proximity, instead of requiring movement into the enemy's hex. If not, this'll just be movement.)
>>5985771
Once this township's fallen, I'm confident we can rally and make a strike for the town to its southwest. It has some forested terrain the Ungors would be most pleased by. Failing that, we could strike for the villages to the south or southeast. I'll leave it to your discretion. The city to the far west seems like too tough a nut for us to crack but if you think your hordes can manage it, I'll back you to the last.","attachment":null,"posted":1713973623},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985855,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5985854
I keep dropping these confounded map scrolls. Tchar's trickery is to blame.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713973685393939.png","filename":"Raid #1.png"},"posted":1713973685},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985858,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5985854
units fight when next to each other.
the rules for this game and especially combat are here >>5978255","attachment":null,"posted":1713973899},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985864,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5985858
I thought so, thank you for clarifying.
>>5985783
>>5985854
Instead of moving to the west, the northmost Bondsmen will continue to strike at the Stresly, with all else going as planned. Sorry about that.","attachment":null,"posted":1713974390},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985873,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"Ivan is simple man: he hates Hobgoblins, traitors, & Hung in that order. If the Horse Archers don't turn around, there will be unspeakable acts of torture, simple as.","attachment":null,"posted":1713976845},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985881,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5985873
lots of impalement and burning off the limbs?
that is something Mulrog could get behind. i will have to write down some notes","attachment":null,"posted":1713977837},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985884,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5985881
I have a little something in mind... I'll save it for the event of, but it involves delimbing for sure.","attachment":null,"posted":1713978423},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985896,"name":"Sarrick","msg":"With the Chaos Warriors in position, they launch a double pronged assault on Khazid Borgkarag. Hopefully the dwarfs will be caught off guard.
In the north, Sarrick's hung warriors creep into the forests around Sjoktraken, while the sorcerer holds his chaos spawn in reserve behind them.
Time to find out just how full of loot dwarf settlements are... and how tough their warriors are too.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713980383032008.png","filename":"cunning plans.png"},"posted":1713980383},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985935,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5985884
Ivan, do you want to move your troops first and then I send mine where they are needed, or do you want me to go first and you strike where you can?
Another question for the QM: once combat starts, units obviously cannot disengage, but can they continue maneuvering around into tiles that are still adjacent to the enemy they are fighting?","attachment":null,"posted":1713986142},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985936,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5985935
Clobber them from the Eastern flank, although I'm anticipating the Kurgan Horse Archers making a smart choice rather than getting ground into dust. I was hoping you would be able to sneak up on the settlements along the lake via your Norscans after they're dealt with.","attachment":null,"posted":1713986311},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985937,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5985804
Rue'Vahn, here's my movement plan, hopefully it makes sense.","attachment":null,"posted":1713986374},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5985952,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5985937
I think I understand it, but I'll wait for Lanu to post a picture just to be sure. A fight like this could cost us a lot, but on the other hand, Rue'Vahn is burning for the chance to make these scum pay for hurting his wife last raid.","attachment":null,"posted":1713988113},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5986124,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5985693
The sight of Kurgan in the service of Kislev displeases Hangar. He rides over to speak with his shaman, for he has a message he wishes sent.
That evening, a bulbously swollen toad lumbers up to where the Kurgan horsemen in Kislev's employ are camped by the riverside. The bloated, stinking thing opens a mouth that parts with slick rows of jagged teeth that keeps on opening further, until the creature is near-inverted. From among the pulsating, pustulant guts the shaman's voice speaks to them.
"Breakers of oaths! Your service has turned to the southlands! You know that the great gods in all things will turn their eyes to those who stand against their whims and wishes; you know your families will spit and curse at your very memories no matter should you survive or fall in service to the mangy bear. And should you fall against us, their will be no honour or song to mark your passing."
"We will cross this river. We will break the whips of the Kislevite masters you have placed upon your own back. And if you stand against us we shall break you too."
"If you wish to survive as foe to the Kurgan, then turn south and ride; as fleet as your steeds will carry you unto the ends of the world. Perhaps you might even ride fast enough to evade the coming clash of arms; though you are fool indeed if you think the memory of your flight might ever be escaped.
If you wish instead for glory, then vow yourselves in silent service and do not stray from your camps, whatever command the southlanders task you. Once we have crossed the river and broken your new masters you might rejoin the bands of the Kurgan as outriders to share in our spoils and plunder. But know that if you draw blade against us then your fates shall be sealed, and you shall die as wretches in the mud, your names forgotten by all."
>>5985693
>>5985813
"The gods have truly blessed you with superior strength, Zar Mulrog; and with that boon to you they show where their favour truly lies, no matter how others might bluster and brag. As you offer, shall I acquiesce; I shall start my crossing of the river near your positions. Should those Kurgan across the river stay their hands and hold position then I would ask you to stay your hands against them; for they cannot easily rejoin our muster whilst the lances of Kislev hover at their backs. But if they ride against us, we must break them completely."
Hangar's riders move east of the broken village, and begin the crossing of the river in two places with Chaos Knights stepping into the stream to follow Mulrog to the far bank.","attachment":null,"posted":1713998938},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5986125,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5986124
Image got away there.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713999130184277.png","filename":"Mapgame.png"},"posted":1713999130},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5986343,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5986124
If they so much as make a move my direction i will show them why I am called the Cruel.
these Kislevites will be broken by our charge. if these leaves get swept up in the brawl then it will be their own fault","attachment":null,"posted":1714019506},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5986375,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5985783
>>5985855
As Korthak and his men move forward, my Ungors will follow suit. If at all possible, it would be nice to try and outflank the village from across the river.
I'd try to do so again from the north of said village, but I imagine trying to move up that much river is. . .difficult.
If only the Eagle gave us the gift of gills and fins","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714022569595994.png","filename":"Outflank.png"},"posted":1714022569},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5986496,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5985266
Albion has a very small quantity of official lore so I'll take some fancannon. As for Dorstans, never heard of them. Dolgans are the closest thing I know.
>>5985797
The clashes between the minotaurs and the skinwolves prove a bloody and long affair, as both sides meet their equals or at least as close to equals as they can. Skinwolves are battered aside, minotaur flesh is rended and the hills and valleys run red.
Yet despite the best efforts, it seems like the next round of clashes will see the minotaurs safely taking the hillfort by themselves.
>>5985798
Before Huffund stands a choice, whether to split her forces up for faster clearing of the foe, or to keep it concentrated for whatever reasons and plans the warpstone eating cow can think up of.
>>5985854
>>5985855
>>5985864
The northern fort is cleared of defenders. While the bondsmen die to a man assaulting the fort, the norscan berserkers ambush the already exhausted defenders and butcher them to a man. It is now merely a question of continuing to stream the forces through the secured valley and to enter the fort and plunder it.
The southern village is likewise cleared without major losses for the berserkers as they manage to strike before the defenders. Yet again, plundering the village and continuing the forward stream is the remaining priority.
>>5986375
Magors horde will move down, streaming around the norscans with their lust for loot as strong as ever.
>>5985896
Sarricks hung warriors spot a duo of men observing them from a fortified outpost above the forest. It takes a split second for cold sweat to wash over them and for shivers to pierce them to their spines as the realize the potential for a warning for the dwarves, be it a horn, a beacon or a banner to warn them. Yet the men in the fortified outpost don't react, merely sitting on the ledges and preparing to observe the clash.
The chaos plated footmen however, engage in a bloody clash that is started by the dwarves, as the veterans pre-empt the charge, releasing a volley into the chaos warriors, surely a skill honed through decades of drill. Dwarves viciously fight, holding their towers, walls, tunnels and homes, as bolts, bullets, grenades, cannonballs, rocks and whatever else comes underhand is thrown, shot and launched at the four hundred chaos warriors attacking the valley fort. By the end, the chaos warriors fail to push the dwarves out.
(One of dwarven special traits discovered - first strike when defending settlement).","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714044848590363.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1714044848},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5986507,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5985804
The cataphracts and the knights line up, preparing for both the vicious fight with the Kurgan and hoping for a sweeping victory in case the Kurgan join them.
A raven returns from their lines. "Pay for our service or you shall be sacrificed to your gods."
>>5985813
Mulrog recieves a message via the raven. "One fifth and we side with you when you engage the Ungols, or you shall dig graves for your men."
The kurgan horsemen see nothing from the hill.
The town nets you 20 loot.
>>5985935
>but can they continue maneuvering around into tiles that are still adjacent to the enemy they are fighting?
Nope, they're stuck where they find themselves.
Rue'Vahn will also recieve a message demanding "We will take slaves, whether they be from your warriors or the kislevites you will pay us in, they shall make do."
>>5986124
The frog will not return, but a arrow will be fired over the river with a scroll of frog skin written in the dark tongue. "Payment, Zar Hangar. Payment for swords. You know your warriors too only follow you for the promise of plunder and southern women and drink."
Now, Ungors and Kurgans (and Rue'Vahn) have yet to move. Where they move depends on your response to them.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714046602914408.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1714046602},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5986509,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5986496
Thanks for update, QM.
Basically I keep fighting the skin wolves, no troop movements to make.
Huffud, you’re probably safe to split up and attack both werewolf villages since they’ll probably surrender before we kill all three units. I think it’s pretty likely that we’ll be able to move south out of the mountain pass and continue the raid","attachment":null,"posted":1714046668},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5986522,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5986507
Thus read the raven reply: "Eight Winds; eight directions horses may travel with ropes & hooks to drag apart your bodies. When we charge, you shall flank to the West out of our way, the Ungols will be crushed into dust, & you will raid the villages to the East before us. Once the bloodletting is done, you will keep what you have taken, & swear yourselves to me."
The line of Cataphracts & Knights pushes towards the Ungols; if the Kurgans do not do as told, they are attacked as well. My Horse Archers follow behind & to the West to prevent any treachery from the other Kurgan when they flank the charge, positioning themselves to follow towards the villages or flank behind the Ungols as needed.","attachment":null,"posted":1714048385},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5986541,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5986507
Another Raven is dispatched this time at night so the Ungols can not spot it, agreeing to the Kurgans demands for one fifth of Mulrogs loot from this Raid if they serve him in turn. but there is also a warning that he gives no second chances and if they betray him he would show them why he is called the Cruel
>>5986124
to Hangar he dispatches a messenger to bring these news but also a warning to keep an open eye for treachery till these reinforcements have proven their loyalty.
as for Orders. The knights will advance witht he Cataphracts next to them and leave open room for Hangars forces to form a united front of steel with them. the Horsearchers will secure the river against any enemy stupid or brave enough to attempt to break through.
the slaves have to brave the river for the crossing but will next turn beginn to fortify the plundered town again. i want a foothold to fall back to if necessary.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714051314954820.png","filename":"SecondRaid_Mulrog_Turn3.png"},"posted":1714051314},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5986555,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5986496
<cow noises of “fuck it we ball”>
SPLIT THE COWS, one east and one south. Hopefully they can mop this up on their own- if they don’t… we have a problem
Also, how many troops are in a unit?","attachment":null,"posted":1714053403},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5986581,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5986509
You might want to move your minotaurs after the fight. The village will probably be undefended then so you can plunder it and mobe foreard in case the other minotaurs need support later","attachment":null,"posted":1714055296},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5986597,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5986581
I think they’re still slugging it out actually - if I had to guess, the skinwalkers have 3 or 4 HP, so it would take two turns of combat to kill them.
If I matters I would order a general advance down the mountain pass to loot the village and continue on","attachment":null,"posted":1714058438},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5986599,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5986597
getting out of those mountains will be a pain. but then you will have an easy time in the woods beneath them. best of luck to ya.
i really wanna get my hands on some skinwalkers myself to get away from my crippeling in ability to fight in forests and hills.","attachment":null,"posted":1714058683},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5986647,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5986507
>>5986541
The Chaos Knights who had entered the fords line up with Mulrog in formation of the unified front, whilst more of Hangar's troops now start their own passage across the river.
>>5986541
"Then you have struck a deal, Zar Mulrog, and I will not gainsay your agreement; let us see if there Kurgan hearts still beat in those who followed Torchak south."","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714065704496218.png","filename":"Wheatlands.png"},"posted":1714065704},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5986648,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5986496
Advice to my fellow warlords. Don't fight dwarfs. They're tough as fuck.
The Chaos Warriors continue the attack. I can only pray to the four that they hit the intact unit this time instead of finishing off the hurt unit.
In the north, the hung and warbeasts shuffle around so they can all attack at once next time. Hoping the big damage from the warbeasts means they'll be able to kill the dwarfs in one turn. Not sure who these humans watching us are. Seeing as they seem to be neutral to the conflict can I send a messenger to make contact and see who they are?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714065731607649.png","filename":"cunning plans.png"},"posted":1714065731},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5986653,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5986496
In the wake of the slaughter on the streams, the sound of silence echoed. Only the crackling of Korthak's skull flame broke the silence as the berserkers busied themselves beheading the dead- friend and foe alike. In the days to come, their skulls would be crushed under a hundredfold hammer blows in tribute to Kharneth.
For had Kharneth not blessed them? Where they'd expected glorious sacrifice of themselves in praise of power, they reaped victory! In the eyes of some, this proved that the sight of the Blood God was on their warlord. Now, their doubts had been put to the blade, but the raiding season had only just begun.
"Forward! Take what you will and march! Valhalla awaits the first man to die in battle!"
>>5986375
"Beastman, I spoke true. One half of this loot will go to your horde when this is done and through. Let it be known that I care not for plunder, only the siren song of slaughter! I say we strike for the west and put their towns to the torch. The southern villages are meager and will have meager winnings, but the dark gods promise glory in struggle! Then again, a skirmishing force of your ungors to the south might keep the dogs of Kislev distracted... What say you?"
>>5986648
"Any man whose head doesn't rise past my waist worries me. If the dwarves have survived this long, they must be cruel indeed."","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714066414122387.png","filename":"1714044848590363.png"},"posted":1714066414},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5986655,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5986653
An incompetent map thrall cries in terror as he experiences the spread eagle method of sacrifice.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714066537847288.png","filename":"Raid #2.png"},"posted":1714066537},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5986771,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5986507
>"We will take slaves, whether they be from your warriors or the kislevites you will pay us in, they shall make do."
Are they saying they'll join us if we pay them the same amount of loot as it costs to purchase a unit of Kurgan horse archers? Because if so, that's actually a good deal for me since Hung Horse archers cost 12 while Kurgan ones cost 10.
I have no loot to spare right now, but I'll send them a message saying that I'm fine with hiring one of them with the loot I'm going to get after raiding the central villages, assuming that sounds agreeable to them. If they agree then their task during the battle is to ride around and attack from behind, or if they feel like cowards, then at the very least to stay out of our way.
The only question now is if Ivan wants them or not. If Ivan wants them then that's fine by me, I'm just saying that if he doesn't want both of them then I'm willing to take 1 of the two.
Also, I'll post my movement in an hour or so when I get home.","attachment":null,"posted":1714078738},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5986822,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5986507
Actually wait, I just thought of something.
Lanu, if I move my bondsmen onto that nearby raided village, will they get the HP bonus from standing on a settlement? Or does that only apply to the enemy when they are the ones defending?
If the HP bonus still applies, then here's my movement plan. One of the bondsmen will take shelter within the ruins of the pillaged town to protect themselves from the enemy cavalry. Sunset and the warbeasts will move to be in the perfect position to decimate anyone who tries to surround the village, while also being able to protect the remaining Norscans who have hunkered down in anticipation of enemy charge. This also sets up a nice little "death valley" between the Bondsmen in the fields and Ivan's Cataphracts; suicide for anyone who charges in there.
If the HP bonus doesn't apply, then instead I'll reconsider and need some more time to plan for the battle","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714083927984953.png","filename":"R2 T2.png"},"posted":1714083927},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5986831,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":"These people out here with tactics and scores of troops, meanwhile I’m just throwing two cows at a bunch of dogs","attachment":null,"posted":1714084896},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5986838,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5986831
We don’t need to be smart, we got HOOVES and HORNS","attachment":null,"posted":1714085734},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5986863,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5986831
TOP KEK","attachment":null,"posted":1714089212},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5986888,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"Lanu, I need imaginary digitally described BLOOD, and I need it NOW, if you would be so kind. Are you running multiple qsts at once?
Rue'Vahn, you're offering to pay them later, I'm telling them to go do their jobs & pay themselves. Whichever move they make better be getting out of my way, that's my main concern.","attachment":null,"posted":1714091836},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987027,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5986888
>trips
>888
Holy shit, Ivan really is favored by the gods","attachment":null,"posted":1714109710},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987040,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5986509
The minotaurs, with a vicious roar, push forwards, their great bats, cleavers and clubs smashing into the skinwolves. The clash costs them mightily, yet they survive and continue onwards, marauding through the defenseless valleyfort.
>Minotaurs down to 1/5HP
>20 loot earned
>>5986555
Huffund's cow minotaurs split into two mobs, with the southern one reaching the goal village and starting the vicious and bloody combat with its defenders. Great bodies pile up on both sides.
>>5986648
Sarricks chaos warriors luck out, as the freasher mob eats the volley of dwarven shot, the mighty bullets piercing the plate forged by their flame worshipping kin.
The valley fort is cleaned out and not only is the weaponry and armor seized, but the rations, the decorations and even silver is scraped from the walls.
>30 loot earned
>both units of CW down to 2/4HP
As for the messenger, he heads to meet them, but doesn't return. A long wait later, another messenger is sent, who returns, but drunk and dragging a even more drunk first messenger.
"Tis a inn!" He says, attempting to stand straight. "Last 'ope inn!" He mutters. "'orscans run it! Good drink. Expensive. Place's built like a fort!"
>>5986653
>>5986655
Korthak's warbands enter the fort and the village, kill and enslave who hasn't ran away and loot and burn all that can't walk. Two pillars of smoke rise into the cold Kislev sky that day.
>30 loot earned","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714110807772228.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1714110807},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987043,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5987040
>>5986375
I moved Magors troops up behind Korthak's. If that's wrong, tell me.","attachment":null,"posted":1714111008},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987046,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5986888
>>5987027
It should have been me. Not him","attachment":null,"posted":1714111374},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987048,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5987040
I think you forgot to move the chaos spawn and savages in the north.
They were supposed to get into position to overrun the dwarfen village i think. >>5986648
As can be seen in Sarricks diagram","attachment":null,"posted":1714111547},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987064,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5986771
>>5986822
The ravens stop coming as soon as Ivan sends his proposal to the Kurgans. You have to assume his offer was more to their liking.
>if I move my bondsmen onto that nearby raided village, will they get the HP bonus from standing on a settlement
Yes.
The Strelsy descend down and engage in a vicious fight for the town with your bondsmen.
>>5986522
"We salute the Zar!" Says a lone Kurgan rider heading towards your lines. "We are fighting the Ungols! Join the struggle!"
>I chose to interpret your commands as move up the cataphracts and the knights to support the traitor Kurgan.
And it is bloody, as the Ungols manage to cut down one of the traitor Kurgan and one of your Cataphract units, but for no small price amongst their own, as charges and countercharges exhaust both the man and beast, only for a final charge of the kislevite infantry from the hills to decidedly butcher your cataphracts that moved up on the flank.
If nothing else, Khorne is pleased.
>>5986888
>Lanu, I need imaginary digitally described BLOOD, and I need it NOW, if you would be so kind.
Life's being a shit. Got a lot of stuff to do. Way too much.
>Are you running multiple qsts at once?
Dear god no.
>>5986541
>>5986647
As the chaos forces ford the river, the traitor Kurgan swing out wide to flank the knights, seeking to encircle them as the Ungols charge from the front.
Yet, just as the Ungols impact your lines, the traitors turn their lances and strike the Ungols in the rear, cutting their center in half.
By the end, twelve hundred Ungols lie dead, for the price of 200 Kurgan horsearchers and 40 chaos knights.
I seek a name for the battle.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714113566692048.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1714113566},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987065,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5987048
Yes, yes I did.
==========================
Turn 3 begins.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714113665965829.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1714113665},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987070,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5987064
>I seek a name for the battle.
Charge of the Zars chosen","attachment":null,"posted":1714114788},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987077,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5987065
Here's my movement for turn 3.
I know that initiative is predetermined or else decided via dice, but are we allowed to choose who we attack/deal damage to?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714115267901738.png","filename":"R2 T3.png"},"posted":1714115267},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987080,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5987077
>but are we allowed to choose who we attack/deal damage to?
No : )
It's random, but you can somewhat influence it. Getting a bunch of high initiative units, like horsearchers lets you kill off units, potentially leaving only the target for your heavy hitters.
For your units, on open terrain, the initiative is warbeast>bondsmen. For most players, its HA>KC>CK.","attachment":null,"posted":1714116350},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987088,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5987064
The coming charge was eagerly anticipated by Mulrog and he rejoiced while hacking his way through the Ungols that were so foolish in attacking them. But in a strange way he respected their bravery charging to, what promised would be, certain doom. A monument of skulls would be errected where they fell while some of the strongest prisoners were dragged off to recover and fight in the pits for their right to survive till they started embracing the glory of the Blood god.
For Orders the Horse Archers start the crossing while my knights and Cataphracts move over. The two traitor units are a scouting vanguard and will stay next to each other for now.
Slaves move into the towm and start fortifying themselves there
>>5986647
You can have at least one more settlement on the river. We will have to see what else we can plunder.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714119702224542.png","filename":"1714113566692048.png"},"posted":1714119702},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987103,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5987064
Forward! Do you see how the Gods bless Korthak who is first into the village? Soon it shall be our turn!
(Also I just realized, I bought 2 more units of Ungors and I don't recall 2 units dying in the start of the game. Shouldn't I have 14 right now?)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714122755828665.png","filename":"Forward.png"},"posted":1714122755},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987107,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5987103
I believe you lost a unit in the 5-6th turn, during the Ungor attack on the Bondsmen in the Baersonling lands, which put you down to 11 units from 12.
And I think you only bought 1 unit of Ungors:
>>5982212
>Chaos Wastes of course. And I believe I can afford one more unit of Ungors.
>If I split my 10 into 5 and 5 with Krantargh, I should be able to afford it but barely.","attachment":null,"posted":1714123598},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987115,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5987064
Hangar's Knights advance with Mulrog, whilst behind them more riders step from the crossing to wheel out toward the left flank. Even the last of the Horsemen now start to cross.
>>5987088
"There will be more then that for the both of us in time, I am certain. Villages through the forest, villages to the south. But let us not scheme too far without knowing the awaiting foe; for the whims of gods mock presumption and cast plans to disarray."","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714125512505009.png","filename":"Wheatlands.png"},"posted":1714125512},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987119,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5987040
My beastie boys all continue down the mountain trail, Lanu","attachment":null,"posted":1714127655},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987132,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5987040
KEEP SWINGING THE COWS AT THE DOGS!
Oh and keep marching east with the other minotaur. We need the cash","attachment":null,"posted":1714130335},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987137,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5987064
My HA was supposed to swing around to the edge of my forces to flank the enemy or push on to the villages, & all the rest of my forces should have charged right into the Ungols in a line. How much damage do Ungols dish out?
Chaos Knights push into the Ungols from the two Western hexes, Horse Archers not engaged move behind them to attack the Ungols from behind.","attachment":null,"posted":1714131796},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987140,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5987132
Hopefully the werewolves don't make us fight it out and they surrender before they maul your Minotaur units as well.
I'm basically going to retreat my minotaurs north through the central mountain pass back to friendly Bearsonling territory - they're too expensive to risk in further combat.
It's probably going to be a slog to get through the mountains here, but if Lanu time-skips us to the future, we could run into trouble if Magor or the other players track east in their own raids. So I think we just have to play it out one turn of movement at a time, unfortunately. Or maybe Lanu could have the surrendered Ulfwerenar reveal a "hidden path" of plain tiles through the eastern mountains that lets us move more quickly?","attachment":null,"posted":1714132345},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987175,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"Really wish I could edit files on mobile, my movement has gotten all fucked up.","attachment":null,"posted":1714138174},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987176,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5987175
Cant you just download the picture to your gallery and edit it there?
That is what i did for my movement","attachment":null,"posted":1714138307},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987182,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987175
If you're using android, pocket paint is a solid app for adding arrows.","attachment":null,"posted":1714138986},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987216,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5987040
Lanu, do the bright yellow hexes at the top left of this map signify anything? Is that a new terrain type we haven't seen yet or something else?
And praise to Tzeentch for twisting fate onto a path where my chaos warriors live.","attachment":null,"posted":1714146729},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987219,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5987216
after pillaging those two towns you could probably just retire already. you make 30 loot per town?
that is pretty lucrative.
though knowing that the dwarfs fight first anyway in settlements i might offer some support next time since the main drawback of the cavalery in that terrain is negligeble already so long as fighting stays contained to cities.","attachment":null,"posted":1714147072},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987225,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5987219
I think current plan is loot that second town, then visit the pub and retire early for the season. Maybe blow all my loot on norse units so I can sail across to mammoth lands next time.","attachment":null,"posted":1714147735},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987248,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5987137
The Ungols killed one of the traitor horsearchers and did -1 damage to the cataphract, which was then finished off by the militia and the strelsy rushing down from a hill.
I'll reposition them, but right now, they would have been positioned just south of the southmost chaos knight.
>>5987216
They're cutoff points for this map. You go to them, you go to the next map.","attachment":null,"posted":1714152311},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987257,"name":"Lanu","msg":"I'm waiting for Ivan's (hopefully visual) instructions and Korthak.","attachment":null,"posted":1714152901},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987258,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5987040
Skulls for Kharneth, gold for ourselves! Onward we go.
>>5987103
I think we ought to seize that town and I'll start heading in that direction, but do you figure that city on the stream inlet there is worth the extreme casualties we'd take trying to seize it?","attachment":null,"posted":1714153036},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987259,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5987258
>>5987257
I don't know how I keep forgetting the actual raid post","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714153098062649.png","filename":"Raid #3.png"},"posted":1714153098},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987262,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5987259
because you want to sacrifice more slaves/thralls?
>>5987258
if that city is a dwarfen town your units wont get any hits in i think. just get slaughtered piecemeal since they have first strike and you will be in a river. i know not the one you asked. just giving my opinion","attachment":null,"posted":1714153249},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987276,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5987262
Units can at most get a single strike in. If Sarrick's lucky, his warbeast will tank the hit. If not, well, he's losing a hung savage.","attachment":null,"posted":1714153660},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987278,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5987276
wait. i think i was confused as to the specific town. i though he was talking about the violett one. if he is talking about the blue one north of that then yeah. he stands a chance. though its probably gonna be very expensive","attachment":null,"posted":1714153936},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987280,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5987278
Oh, the violet one. Yeah. Go check that one out. See what you find.","attachment":null,"posted":1714154043},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987286,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987280
The evil place?
Yeah when we all go to attack Fort Ostrosk I was considering sending a unit of slaves as a gift to whoever lives there. I wonder how they'd react.","attachment":null,"posted":1714154854},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987287,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5987280
you want me to get my units killed?
maybe a knight could get in there and hold out. or a chaos warrior. then just feed slaves into the grinder till you manage to break through. getting 40 loot would probably barely cover the cost of capturing the fortress.","attachment":null,"posted":1714154867},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987316,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5987182
Thanks Anon!
Rue'Vahn, are you taking on the Streltsy with your warbeasts?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714157624124510.png","filename":"image1.png"},"posted":1714157624},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987328,"name":"Sarrick","msg":"There's only so ready you can get for chaos spawn breaking your door down, so that's the plan. Hopefully they tank the hit to keep the savages alive.
After this its time to visit the tavern and chill for a bit.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714158626577023.png","filename":"cunning plans (2).png"},"posted":1714158626},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987333,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Baersonling adjacient lands:
Huffund loots a village. She has gained 10 loot. It seems like the Ulfwerenar are willing to fight to their gruesome deaths.
Sarricks troops manage to, with Tchar's help, suffer minimal casualties as the warbeasts engage the dwarfs first. (If you wish to retire after looting this town, you can do so immediately).
Korthak and Magor continue their march.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714159054976939.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1714159054},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987337,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5987316
Ivan, FYI, since you probably weren't too concerned with the details previously, troops can't pass through eachother and as soon as they find themselves next to an enemy, stop, until they resolve their combat.
A bloody massacre happens as the Kislevite and Kurgan horsemen charge eachother in vicious attacks and counterattacks, yet the blood truly starts flowing when the Norscans and the warbeasts clash with the Kislevite footmen.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714159477100015.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1714159477},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987339,"name":"Lanu","msg":"The eastern flank is calmer, as the chaos hosts have some time to reorganize and reorient themselves.
=====================
Turn 4 begins.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714159539464347.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1714159539},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987340,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5987337
They can move BEHIND each other though, right? As in one after another?","attachment":null,"posted":1714160028},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987344,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5987339
Horse Archers are the Vanguard. One unit of the damaged ones will stay behind and be reinforcements for the slaves if need be.
Mulrog advances towards the west seeking to plunder more riches.
Question though QM. When going south would we also reach another map? because there isnt much left here on this map to plunder.
or there wont be much left in a couple of turns i would guess.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714160302901022.png","filename":"Mulrog_Raid_2_Turn_4.png"},"posted":1714160302},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987356,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5987339
Ok, here's my next evil plan.
A few questions: does Mulrog canonically have Chaos Penguins like in his pic?
Are the Wheatlands an original setting?
Will Eric Avilla tell me where this "Ormfell" is exactly?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714160804812156.png","filename":"image2.png"},"posted":1714160804},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987359,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5987356
>A few questions: does Mulrog canonically have Chaos Penguins like in his pic?
maybe some mutant servants that look like that.
currently thinking about getting a Mini for Mulrog and painting it up. dont have any penguin minis though.... only rabbits. and Aloe. gotta take care of his skin after all XD","attachment":null,"posted":1714161052},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987361,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5987340
Yes, they can.
>>5987344
>Question though QM. When going south would we also reach another map?
Right now, no, as I have nothing prepared, mostly because there isn't much. You'd hit Drakenmoor and Chaos dwarf lands to the south and hobgobs to the east, but I've yet to properly find (or look for) maps to remake.
>>5987356
>Will Eric Avilla tell me where this "Ormfell" is exactly?
If you hit a <10 roll on dreaming right now.
>Are the Wheatlands an original setting?
see picrel, from "something rotten in kislev"","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714161232687130.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1714161232},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987364,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5987361
alright got it. so after plundering these lands we are gonna have to trek across the mountains to get more shit.
god. crossing the mountain chains is gonna be a pain. and there are gonna be orks and ogre filling those passes.","attachment":null,"posted":1714161362},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987365,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987339
Alrighty then. If we're in turn four, I'll have the unit of Bondsmen who are on the village move northeast, then north, then northeast to end their turn in the stream. My plan for them is to loop around the lake in order to get to those two settlements on the other side.
Sunset and the unit of Bondsmen in the field can't move because they're still engaged in the fighting.
I'll draw a picture when I get home.
>>5987356
Ivan my man, I think that unit of Strelsy by me are fkn dead. I wonder if there'd be a lore thing for overkilling a unit lmao.","attachment":null,"posted":1714161508},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987368,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"Rolled 90 (1d100)
>>5987361
Roll under? I ask because this sidequest NPC told me to go raid somewhere that isn't on the wiki or marked on any maps I have access to, least the lizard could do is point it out.
Is there any way I can raid the Kul or Dolgan Kurgan tribes? Also, once I have Norscans, can I deploy my forces across bodies of water?","attachment":null,"posted":1714161634},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987371,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5987339
Sarrick strides through the broken gates of Sjoktraken. As he passes warding runes upon the shattered gateway they hiss and glow, reacting to the dark shroud of Chamon around him. Dead spawn lie in piles, the twisted amalgams of flesh and metal have been feathered with quarrels and pierced by bullets. Further inside, behind the barricades, more of them lie dead amongst their victims, squat dwarf warriors rent apart by the unnatural creatures. Hung warriors picked over the bodies like crows, taking well made dwarven weapons and armour to be repurposed in the service of the four.
Further inside the port-hold there is the distant sound of fighting still, the remaining spawn set loose within the halls to hunt down any survivors. No doubt some would escape through hidden passages, or secrete themselves in safe rooms until he led his warband on. No matter. The dwarfs would be ready for the next assault and hungry for vengeance. Should any of his peers intrude on their land, Sarrick doubted the dwarfs would draw any real distinction between one chaos host or another.
He watched a group of his hung warriors carrying out chests of gold and silver and nodded to himself in satisfaction. Two holds had fallen to his warriors sudden assault. Both fights had been bloody, but his forces were intact, and with rest would recover. And the wealth... the wealth would build him a fleet, enough to keep a promise to an old friend first, and enough to threaten the southerners after.
---
>>5987333
>(If you wish to retire after looting this town, you can do so immediately).
More than happy to take up this offer. 60 loot isn't a bad haul at all, so time to loot up and head home for an early finish. My forces will retire to Baersonling lands as anywhere else would be too far to carry all that heavy dwarven gold and I want to get some ships. On the way back, Sarrick and his lieutenants will stop in at the Last Hope Inn for some norscan mead.","attachment":null,"posted":1714161758},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987380,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":"man, if i kill the last dog I'll have 20 loot... not enough for even a single minotaur. I guess I can try to make a sacrifice to the gods?","attachment":null,"posted":1714162357},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987395,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5987380
You went and took the job that nobody else wanted. You did a huge favor for the rest of us by unlocking skin wolves for us all to recruit.
I'm willing to throw some loot your way as a thank you, but I need to finish my raid before I can do that bc I'm broke at the moment and I also need to finish repaying my debt to Ivan.
I'd encourage other warlords to do the same, but it's up to them whether or not they want to listen.","attachment":null,"posted":1714163941},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987404,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5987365
Whoops, I forgot my tripcode
Anyways, here's a drawing of the movement for those Bondsmen.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714165672429965.png","filename":"R2 T4.png"},"posted":1714165672},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987441,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5987339
>>5987344
Hangar's riders also continue their ride across the plains; savouring the wind in their faces and the movement of their steeds beneath them as they thunder across the steppes. These lands, he thinks, would be a fine place for his tribe to migrate across once the Kislevites have been thrown back beyond the mountains and the true gods have been redered their due.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714168232449466.png","filename":"Wheatlands.png"},"posted":1714168232},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987451,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5978158
Lanu, can units level up over time through enough victories, and can we gain access to new unit types within pre-existing rosters?","attachment":null,"posted":1714169042},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987462,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5987451
Looks like we have to complete little quests/events to unlock new units. Like the subjugate the skinwolves thing that the minotaur crew is doing, or my quest to capture mammoths for the hung. Seems the same for upgrading units too.","attachment":null,"posted":1714170628},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987625,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5987258
>>5987259
I'm looking forward to attacking that town to the west because we'll have big advantages to striking from the woods. We can decide on the other place later I feel.","attachment":null,"posted":1714185135},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987720,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5987333
The horde marches on, due west for the stone houses of Kislev.
>>5987625
Aye. Though I feel curiosity, the sinister pull of Tchar, I feel you speak words of wisdom, friend. Once we've got out of these streams, us norscans will pull back and let your beastmen take front.","attachment":null,"posted":1714194503},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987721,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5987720
That's it, the dark gods must have laid a curse on my mind for their sick amusement.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714194565443035.png","filename":"Raid #4.png"},"posted":1714194565},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5987723,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":"The Ungors follow! All moving forward behind Korthak's own horde.","attachment":null,"posted":1714194672},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5988043,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5987380
Well, just doing some math:
I got 20 loot just now
You’ll likely get 20 loot from the central village
Then, hopefully the werewolves surrender before you need to sack the last village, providing some additional loot 10?
And then if we keep going south, we might pick up another 10-30 loot down there. So there’s a pretty good chance that we’ll both end up with ~30 loot by the time this raid is over.","attachment":null,"posted":1714229811},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5988065,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":"Man
I can't believe even though Ungors are goatmen
I cannot climb mountains with a movement penalty
I wish I could climb mountains","attachment":null,"posted":1714231423},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5988084,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5988065
Well, Ungors already have that Forest bonus. Perhaps Skaven will come with mountain bonuses if we manage to unlock them?
Captcha: HARAT","attachment":null,"posted":1714232746},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5988085,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5988065
too much man. too little goat. same problem for Gors.
Centigors are too much horse. and minotaurs too much cow for those bonuses.
>>5988084
chaos Dwarfs or corrupted ogre/trolls could also work.","attachment":null,"posted":1714232985},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5988103,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5987333
>finally attack the eastern wolf settlement
>keep the other mino where it is
>>5988043
What central settlement? Also, I don’t think my 1 hp Minotaurs can kill… anything, right now","attachment":null,"posted":1714234088},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5988161,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5987368
"Ormfell." Ivan mumbles to himself. "Ormfell."
Ivan's dreams quickly turn to nightmares as a strange smooth marble figure grasps for him, grabbing his shoulder and crushing it under its massive grip, leaving Ivan's arm a limp pulp as it raises him close to its massive marble baby-like face, which mockingly grins at him. "Ostrosk awaits. Why do you delay?"
Ivan awakes with his arm numb, having slept on it, but he finds bruises on it.
Ivan rubs his eyes. "Ormfell."
Thinking a bit about it, he heads towards the lizardmans tent, only to find him a crumpled mass, looking like something flat squished him from above, his bones broken like treebranches after a storm, sticking out in bloody spikes from the stretched canopy of his skin.
"I guess I won't be finding Ormfell." Ivan says half outloud.
A Norscan nearby turns his head questioningly.
"What are you looking at, dog." Ivan asks.
"I know where Ormfell is." The Norscan replies. "Everyone does."
"Where?" Ivan asks.
"Sarl lands, north of Ormskaro. Bay of Blades. Maelstorm Gulf." The Norscan says somewhat nervously.
>>5987451
Sarrick nailed it. >>5987462","attachment":null,"posted":1714236364},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5988166,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Wheatlands:","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714236533528453.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1714236533},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5988171,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5988103
Whoops, I missed that you had already looted the central village for 10 loot, forget what I said.
Anyways if I continue south with my nonMinotaur troops I’ll still split any loot obtained down there since your burly bois were necessary to fight through the mountain passes","attachment":null,"posted":1714236867},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5988173,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Kislev map:
Huffund, I'll let you autowin the ulfwerenar fight with 1/5HP remaining on both your minotaurs and a total of 20 loot.
Krantagarh and Huffund can, if they wish, re deploy behind the yellow line, or behind Korthak and Magor.
Also Korthak and Magor, your southern force is getting on the flatland, you can start spreading out.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714236938653114.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1714236938},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5988174,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Sorry for the slower pace and the lower quality writing, life's a shit.
==============================
Next turn begins.","attachment":null,"posted":1714237000},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5988178,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5988084
Hangar. this is my plan. kill their outliers and let the enemy crash upon our unified line hopefully minmizing casualties since we have a lot of cavalery.
maybe we can also keep one rank back so that the enemy will deal minimal damge to us.
i am not sure what kinda damage those riders will deal to us. i dont remember if they deal one or two damage.
>>5988173
this is not the final plan. i am trying to coordinate with Hangar since we will have to work together.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714237281474609.png","filename":"Mulrog_Raid_2_Turn_5.png"},"posted":1714237281},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5988184,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5988174
also take it slow and dont kill yourself trying to get stuff out. if you need a break just tell us and take a day to recharge if necessary.","attachment":null,"posted":1714237549},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5988201,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5988174
Here's my turn.
Sunset will go straight for the tier two village whilst the farthest Bondsmen continues to loop around. The closer Bondsmen start heading between those two tier one villages so that they can begin making boats next turn for themselves and Sunset.
Also, just to double check and make sure, the unit of Bondsmen in the north still has 2 HP thanks to standing on that one town when they took the damage, right?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714238412025598.png","filename":"R2 T5.png"},"posted":1714238412},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5988209,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5988201
>Also, just to double check and make sure, the unit of Bondsmen in the north still has 2 HP thanks to standing on that one town when they took the damage, right?
Yes, you are correct. I forgot to remove the -1","attachment":null,"posted":1714238691},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5988216,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5988173
Here you go, Lanu.
Two questions -
1) Can I leave my Minotaurs up in the Mountains or otherwise retire them early? Don't want to risk them.
2) Could you clarify how many towns are within range of this eastern forest for the Herdstone mechanic? I count potentially six towns within the forest or within 3 tiles of the forest edge, but the map is sort of cut-off and I'm not sure I'm calculating the distances correctly.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714239158304436.png","filename":"new deployment.png"},"posted":1714239158},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5988260,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5988216
It's within 2 tiles of the forest actually. And you'd get 4 towns.","attachment":null,"posted":1714240975},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5988263,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5988260
Eh, thanks for clarifying. I’ll save my herdstone for the southern forest.","attachment":null,"posted":1714241064},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5988297,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5988161
>>5988166
>Ivan offers the Norscan an armlet of silver to help him navigate there in the future
>The assembled Kurgan from Zar Torchak's warband are given the remaining horses from the dead Ungols
>Those Ivan marked at the end of his prior campaign upon their faces are inquired about; their whereabouts & fates
>The remains of the dead Zar are asked after, specifically how & where he died, & whether or not a kurgan of stones was raised in his honor
>The survivors of his host are made to swear themselves before Zar Ivan
>Those who fought under Ivan's banner in the last raid of the Wheatlands are gifted the warm red coats of the Strelsy to be draped over their steeds & mark their victories
As for any Kurgan to have survived on the Kislevite side, they are made an example of: first they are impaled upon poles through the belly, care being taken not to pierce the spine. Eight hooks tied onto the ends of ropes are pierced through their upper arms & legs, both sides through the ribs, their mouthes, & their groins. Eight horses are made to bolt with the ropes tied to their bodies. Ivan speaks, "The screams of traitors are music carried upon the Eight Winds to the Gods!"
Movement Plan:
First the red lines, then the purple, then the dotted lines; the new recruits can earn their keep & do as I told them.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714242955066199.png","filename":"image3.png"},"posted":1714242955},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5988334,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5988173
We'll continue our march. Two-thirds of the southern swathe of the horde will cut south, to give Magor the chance to earn glory in blood and to reave a Kislevite village or two, or three, if their watchmen turn out to be drunker than the dwarves.
>>5988065
Your horde is vast, friend. I suggest you send a couple of herds through the woods to strike at their near-north villages. Kislevite militia are weak, your spears and arrows ought to make short work of them.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714244728823085.png","filename":"Raid #5.png"},"posted":1714244728},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5988395,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":"How do herdstones work?","attachment":null,"posted":1714247620},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5988510,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5988395
Per Lanu:
>Krantagarh can now place a Herdstone inside of a forest
>Said Herdstone can produce a unit of ungors (or slaves) for every 3 settlements within 2 tiles of the forest, a unit of gors for every 4 settlements, a unit of centigors for every 5 and a unit of minotaurs for every 10 settlements (all rounded down)
>Forest is defined as a continuous stretch of forest tiles (with streams/rivers only being included if there are forest tiles on at least 2 opposite sides of the stream/river tile)
>Krantagarh can only acquire these units if he is present on said map and has a unit of his own step on the herdstone
>These units will not stockpile","attachment":null,"posted":1714256659},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5988530,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5988178
I think the Kossacs are their matching equivalent of the Kurgan Cataphracts.
I'd suggest that you move the horse archers at the back five hexes west if we're going to engage the Kislevites here, they might be able to move in and tip a balance somewhere next turn.
Don't forget that the Streltsy have two HP, they can move next to your wounded horse archers and tank one damage to kill them off in return if there's nothing else adjacent (so the top one could hit the horse archers next to the mountains, then the one below could take a spot with one adjacency and kill the other. You only need to inflict one HP damage with the horse archers to kill a militia, so you might want to consider sacrificing one of your wounded Horse archers into the closest Streltsy to allow another to make a kill against it; this would then allow you to launch a bit of a hit-and-run raid with the closer horse archers against the next militia in line. It's not much of a difference, but it means that we kill a Streltsy + another militia this phase, and they therefore won't be able to inflict quite as much damage against us when they move in the next.
Anyway, image attached is of my proposed movements + suggested amendment to your own that still gets you roughly back into your same end-state of the turn you posted (-1 dead horsemen), but it's your call, and you might want to make further movement adjustments as well.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714259391371015.png","filename":"Wheatlands.png"},"posted":1714259391},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5988545,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5988173
I’m going to retire and let my troops heal, they can’t take more fighting","attachment":null,"posted":1714260997},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5988560,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5988545
No worries, Huffud - you’ve already been a huge help","attachment":null,"posted":1714261928},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5988956,"name":"Rue’Vahn","msg":">>5988103
>>5988171
>>5988545
One of the options you guys might have, is to go to the Norscans (or have someone else do it for you since they might not be fond of talking to Beastmen), and ask them for an additional reward.
You went and solved one of their biggest problems for them, so a token of appreciation is pretty reasonable. I’d only ask that if you do so, you put in the good word for Nilsa as she’s the one who trusted us with this information.","attachment":null,"posted":1714277802},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5988985,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5988530
hmmm. i am thinking about letting the enemy hit us if they dare. have one of my riders murk the infantry on the plains and pull them back behind friendly lines. On open ground they can not match us in initiative with their lack of cavalery. so we either get more time to close in or the come to meet us.
if they dont then we can send our archers to pick off singular units and bleed them dry.
and since i cant really choose who fights where it would be a gamble if the cavalery sent to fight the stresely would attack them or the militia north of them. so its not even guaranteed to kill a stresely.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714280132344607.png","filename":"Mulrog_Raid_2_Turn_5.5update.png"},"posted":1714280132},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989015,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5988161
so lanu. my updated battleplan is >>5988985
militia only have one hp far as i know so the one HP horse Archers can kill them in a driveby and get out of dodge. the other 1 HP Horse Archers go further south to flank the enemy. My Cataphracts and Knights take the center formation.
if the enemy wants to charge us then so be it. but they wont be too effective at engaging us i think.
>>5988530
updated my battleplan. should keep more units alive this way that can either get in next turn or retreat a bit more after killing something.
but next turn the knights will be able to engage something at last.","attachment":null,"posted":1714284076},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989050,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5988216
And yes, I forgot yesterday, you can retire your minotaurs.
>>5988297
>Those Ivan marked at the end of his prior campaign upon their faces are inquired about; their whereabouts & fates
None of them have returned. Upon second thought, you really find nothing surprising here, as all you have done is mutilated and forced into mutation a number of young men, dooming them to either banditry or lynching.
>The remains of the dead Zar are asked after, specifically how & where he died, & whether or not a kurgan of stones was raised in his honor
The Kurgan that switched to your side are reluctant to speak about this, but the ones you defeated are more willing, under torture. "Sack of shit didn't let us drink. Barg shot him with a arrow, came in one end of the neck, came out the other. Left him where he fell."
>The survivors of his host are made to swear themselves before Zar Ivan
They in unison reply that they shall treat you as you treat them.
>Those who fought under Ivan's banner in the last raid of the Wheatlands are gifted the warm red coats of the Strelsy to be draped over their steeds & mark their victories
Your gifts are greeted with joy and chants.
>>5988395
You don't have any, they are a interturn event. Krantagarh only has one available to deploy (but you'll be able to snatch beastmen from his herdstone).
>>5989015
I'll wait for Hangar to post his updated reply to your plan, because I fully see you two changing it up a bit until the update deadline comes.","attachment":null,"posted":1714291801},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989051,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5987344
>>5987441
>>5988178
>>5988530
>>5988985","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714291905924782.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1714291905},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989055,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5989051
yeah, you doing alright Lanu? not overworking yourself i hope.
now for more game related questions.
would painting up a mini get any ingame advantages? probably not. stupid question i know
are the events between raids random from a big table you have prepared or more something you think would be suitable due to your knowledge or warhammer lore?
would it be possible to later summon demons in between battles or in the midst of a raid. i would guess they disappear after battle but could be useful as shock troops.","attachment":null,"posted":1714292728},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989058,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989051
Questions for the QM
Since initiative is decided by subtracting HP from Movemen, does that mean that as a unit’s initiative will improve as it takes more damage? Or is initiative determined by maximum HP rather than current HP?
Other question: when deploying for a raid, are we allowed to deploy some of our troops in the wheatlands and some in the Goromandy, or do we have to keep all of our forces together within the same region/zone?","attachment":null,"posted":1714292940},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989061,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5989055
>yeah, you doing alright Lanu? not overworking yourself i hope.
Right now, it's mostly anxiety. Should clear up in two days I hope.
>would painting up a mini get any ingame advantages?
Mulrog can get even bigger.
>are the events between raids random from a big table you have prepared or more something you think would be suitable due to your knowledge or warhammer lore?
A mix of the two. I have a list of terms I try and combine in a logical way + a number of things related to players.
>would it be possible to later summon demons in between battles or in the midst of a raid. i would guess they disappear after battle but could be useful as shock troops.
Unlockable as a consequence of the interturn events.
>>5989058
>Or is initiative determined by maximum HP rather than current HP?
From maximum HP.
>when deploying for a raid, are we allowed to deploy some of our troops in the wheatlands and some in the Goromandy, or do we have to keep all of our forces together within the same region/zone?
For now, I'll keep it restricted to the single region/zone.","attachment":null,"posted":1714293015},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989066,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5989061
Good.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714293439999366.jpg","filename":"17142934057826802044826062069786.jpg"},"posted":1714293439},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989080,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5987371
Sarrick and his lieutenants will be disarmed as they enter the fortress like Inn and will be offered fine Norscan mead. Yes, overpriced, but still, very good mead and with the price being far from a unaffordable burden now that the dwarven forts were sacked. In it, you found interesting company:
>A tall, slender, androgynous figure, wrapped in fine cloths, with only a pair of hard, black eyes being uncovered, sitting quietly in a corner and cautiously eyeing the other guests. As you sneak a more brazen peek, you spot a flash of metal, a warning. Or a invitation.
>A Bretonnian knight wearing a chaos star on his chest, boastfully claiming how he will ride eastwards to seek the best armoursmiths of the world.
>A ropsman muttering to himself about the dead Aponnians
>A quiet drink
And after that, a happy return to the Baersonling lands, where Sarrick settled into a comfortable life until the next seasons raid, spending his time with:
>Sjur, the fourth son of the clan chief, a thin, wiry man who had taken a heavy blow during the fighitng with minotaurs and had barely survived, but was making steady recovery and was drinking in joy to have lived.
>A strange albino that refused to introduce himself, instead calling on you to lend him aid as you both serve chaos, promising a mighty black greatsword (+2D to a single unit of Sarricks choice) and a sack of gems (20 loot) should you aid him in securing his passage upon a mist cloaked island in the Frozen sea
>Oddbjorn, a Norscan whaler calling upon you to join him in fishing adventures as beasts of a size never seen before are prowling the seas and the ice is thick enough further insea for even chaos knights to gallop across them, promising great loot should you succeed.
And just so you know, Skinwolves are available in Baersonling lands.
Skinwolf - 26 loot:
HP 3
D 2
M 4
>>5988545
Where does Huffud retire to?","attachment":null,"posted":1714295588},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989089,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5988985
>>5989051
Not sure if that's entirely wise, yes your cav will strike before infantry on the plains; but each unit can only strike once so if the infantry mass and strike at the same spot they can accept casualties and drag us down. Either keeping more distance or starting some favourable-trade exchanges would have seemed better alternatives.
That said, the die is now cast I guess; so I will move up to offer what backup I can.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714298544933173.png","filename":"Wheatlands.png"},"posted":1714298544},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989093,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5989089
i dont fancy my chances that the one unit will get killed and allow the other unit to come in since i cant force anyone to attack someone specific.
the militia below the lower right stresely might not get touched at all and get to attack back with both archers instead atttacking the stresely
so the unit could just get stuck, swarmed and murdered. with the current plan the enemy will face mostly nearly intact units and can then get flanked next turn. or need to retreat. and they dont have far to retreat.
sadly i cant see many good exchanges right now. at least none i would gamble on with several that might get stuck there.","attachment":null,"posted":1714299453},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989107,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5989080
Huffud retires to beastmen lands, to graze on grass and warpstone and, hopefully, attract more minotaurs","attachment":null,"posted":1714302123},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989112,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5989107
Don't make any unit purchases until I'm done with my mini-raid south!","attachment":null,"posted":1714303235},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989118,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5989112
Don’t worry, I don’t have money to buy anything anyway! I’m waiting for donations from you and Rue’Vahn","attachment":null,"posted":1714304498},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989119,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5976518
This helmet makes it look like Mulrog has a mustache kek","attachment":null,"posted":1714304559},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989137,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5989080
>A Bretonnian knight wearing a chaos star on his chest, boastfully claiming how he will ride eastwards to seek the best armoursmiths of the world.
Lets see what the knight has to say. As a Hung from the East himself, Sarrick may be able to provide some assistance on such a journey... assuming appropriate benefits will result.
>Sjur, the fourth son of the clan chief, a thin, wiry man who had taken a heavy blow during the fighitng with minotaurs and had barely survived, but was making steady recovery and was drinking in joy to have lived.
And lets talk to the young Baersonling lord once we get to their lands. Perhaps he could offer some help in gathering men and ship, and presumably they have the common ground of disliking minotaurs.","attachment":null,"posted":1714307980},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989162,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5989137
>disliking minotaurs
<offended cow noises>","attachment":null,"posted":1714310966},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989235,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5989050
KEK I kinda' assumed honestly that those lads wouldn't make it far
I'll have to keep an eye on these traitor Kurgan, although drinking is encouraged rather than restricted
>>5989066
Damn he THICC
>>5989080
Not my prompt, but I'm curious about dead Aponnians","attachment":null,"posted":1714318162},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989321,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5989137
The bretonnian reveals himself to be Geffray. "Aye, sir Kurgan." He says. "I am on a quest to find the mythic dark dwarves. I have set off a long time ago and wondered deep in the Goromadny mountains and I have delved deep, very deep. So deep even the stone wept for me. I suspect I know a underwater passage from the Frozen sea that would let me strike and the dark dwarves and plunder their treasury and test my armor against theirs. For noone crafts better armor than the Bretonnians."
"And how would this be of boon to me?" Sarrick asks.
"You'd get to force them to open up their gates and lower their prices to you once they figure out you can strike them when and how you wish. Not to mention you'd get a fatter slice of loot than me." Sir Geffray says.
>New deployment location discovered, mouth of the Frozen sea
The drinking very quickly bonds you with the unhappy youth. One day he takes you to the side alley.
"Listen, soon, there shall be a feast in honor of my fathers ascent." He says. "How much for your services?"
"Elaborate beforehand." Sarrick replies.
"I want you to go in and kill my father. Him and his huscarls. In their great hall. And all of my brothers too. I'll pay you tribute. Each season you show up, half of what my realm makes. (8 loot per interturn you retire in Baersonling lands, does not stockpile, you gather it or you lose it)"
>New deployment location discovered, Urslo
>>5989107
Huffunds grazing ends up with her encountering a unique individual:
>A bovigor of miniscule stature for his kind, but clad in chaos plate and with mechanical arms, wielding a great gun.
>Roxana, a woman with a triangle carved into her forehead clad in crimson plate armor and wielding a great two handed cleaver that even Krantagarh would like to avoid being hit by.
>Bindo, a Tileian man with three eyes in his right eyesocket, his robes tattered and torn by his long journey up north.
>>5989235
Well, now you know where to retire in case you want to find out more about them.","attachment":null,"posted":1714323572},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989346,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5989321
Huffud approaches the crimson-clad woman, mooing and huffing and snorting, like minotaurs are prone to doing.
Is it a challenge? A greeting? That is for Roxana to decide","attachment":null,"posted":1714325703},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989351,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5989051
Yeah, what is G8, & what happened to the rest of the Kurgan from Zar Torchak's band? Did they find out anything about the Kislevite forces & defenses while they stayed with them?","attachment":null,"posted":1714325944},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989363,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989346
Roxana spreads her legs to provide more balance for herself, then lowers her cleaver so that the tip is resting on the floor.
She reluctantly raises one of her arms from the cleavers handle and hails Huffund with it.
"Do you understand me?" She says to the overgrown cow, then shakes her head a bit. "If you do, I will pay a lot for a sack of Hell Pit. I have a company of veteran very chaos warriors (+2D, +2HP) that managed to survive the arenas and the monster pits in that hellhole that will gladly join you when we are avenged." She thinks a bit, then choses to specify. "And I don't mean just above the ground, the ratmen are below it aswell."
>>5989351
>G8
Some branch of the US army that has memeworthy presentations.
>what happened to the rest of the Kurgan from Zar Torchak's band?
Disbanded and scattered.
>Did they find out anything about the Kislevite forces & defenses while they stayed with them?
If pressed, they'll mention how the Kislevites are mostly planning to meet the host in the field rather than defending their holdings.","attachment":null,"posted":1714326381},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989369,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5989363
Huffud thinks for a bit, then lowers her head in what… looks like a nod?
Unbeknownst to anyone, she was just lowering her head to munch on some particularly tall grass.
Still, it LOOKED like a yes!","attachment":null,"posted":1714326751},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989389,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"Thanks for all your time & writing Lanu, quality stuff. I really like the nightmarish shit that happened when I inquired about Ormfell. Is your interpretation of the Roppsmen more akin to Balts (Latvians, Lithuanians, & old Prussians), Finns (Finnish, Estonians, & Karelians), or Magyars/Hungarians?","attachment":null,"posted":1714328002},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989415,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5989389
>Thanks for all your time & writing Lanu, quality stuff.
Thanks man. I'm trying to put a bit of a fresh spin on what Warhammer really is, a collage of the settings that were popular when it was being made.
>Is your interpretation of the Roppsmen more akin to Balts (Latvians, Lithuanians, & old Prussians), Finns (Finnish, Estonians, & Karelians), or Magyars/Hungarians?
I think I'll lean them towards the Magyars/Hungarians, as they are related to Ungols, who are obviously Cossack-Turkic.","attachment":null,"posted":1714329771},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989473,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5989389
First up, seconding this.
Second, a question on the logistics of raids. So in the first raid, people withdrew at different times, and the people who went sooner got some cool events to fill the time while they waited for the rest. Then we all deployed again at the same time, fully healed up. Is there any way for me to heal up before everyone else finishes their raid or do I just have to wait out however long it takes? Maybe at a cost and/or after a certain number of turns of downtime in order to prevent abuse?
Just thinking about Sjur's offer to kill his dad, but concerned I'm going to end up waiting out say (pulling this figure out my ass) twenty turns for everyone to finish this raid, then deploy onto a tiny map and have a quick bum fight only to have to wait another twenty turns if I take any great damage.
Also makes me wonder if raids have a turn limit before we are all forced to withdraw? Or can people go as long as they're willing to continue?","attachment":null,"posted":1714335863},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989477,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5989473
well last time when you force the bearsonlings to surrender you were nearly undamaged and could just continue.
the murder of the people should be pretty easy. you have chaos Warriors en masse. and possibly even the skinwolves if you buy any. after dealing with that should allow you to just deploy somewhere else after.
>>5989415
also Lanu. are we still waiting for someone?","attachment":null,"posted":1714336031},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989481,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5989477
>you were nearly undamaged and could just continue
This makes me think I didn't come off quite like I intended, I wasn't trying to complain, I just want to know where I stand before I make decisions. If getting mangled and withdrawing early means long waits then so be it, plans will just have to take that into account.","attachment":null,"posted":1714336443},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989485,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":"Anyone wanna help me conquer one of the most well defended skaven settlements ever?","attachment":null,"posted":1714336696},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989498,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5989473
>Is there any way for me to heal up before everyone else finishes their raid or do I just have to wait out however long it takes? Maybe at a cost and/or after a certain number of turns of downtime in order to prevent abuse?
I'd like to give you more to do in the inter-raid space, but I'm currently too scatterbrained. The anticipation for tomorrow evening is getting to me.
>Also makes me wonder if raids have a turn limit before we are all forced to withdraw? Or can people go as long as they're willing to continue?
They can go for as long as they are capable of continuing.
>>5989477
>also Lanu. are we still waiting for someone?
Me to sober up overnight. Expect the start of the next turn in 10ish hours.","attachment":null,"posted":1714337136},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989501,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5989481
Ah sorry. I think i misunderstood your concern.
Maybe you could try communicaring with other warlords? Try to pull them to your side for the next adventure.
Mulrog is always ready for a challenge and good loot. And for a Khornate somewhat level headed","attachment":null,"posted":1714337374},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989502,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5989485
I’m definitely in, especially if we can both afford another unit of Minotaurs apiece. Five units of tanky bullmen is a real threat in confined spaces","attachment":null,"posted":1714337384},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989525,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5989502
Hell yeah, Minogang till the end","attachment":null,"posted":1714339614},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989531,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"I'll join after I'm done in the Wheatlands & then finish my own sidequest in Norsca, Skaven genocide best day of my life.
I think we're waiting on Magor too.","attachment":null,"posted":1714339870},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989533,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5989525
<bull bellowing distantly>
I’ll need your help to kill Sarrick, bulls strong men weak","attachment":null,"posted":1714339990},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989538,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5989502
>>5989525
>>5989531
The rats absolutely deserve it, but I'll warn you guys to be careful. This isn't clan Mors or Eshin we're talking about. Hellpit is going to be absolutely swarming with rat ogres or worse. The other problem is that I'm like 50% sure that the tier 4 purple settlement is the entrance, which is a really difficult place to attack since only one unit can fight at a time, and you'll be attacking from the water so you'll auto-lose initiative.
>>5989533
Men weak. Bull strong. Manticore stronger. ","attachment":null,"posted":1714340543},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989541,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5989538
Yeah, we might want to like… attack the entrance at a time, taking turns to whittle it down if such a thing is possible
>>5989531
Oh if you and Magor join it’s gonna be AWESOME- the whole beast gang, the Zar, the manticore lover- we’d only be missing Mulrog and Sarrick
>>5989533
Cows together strong","attachment":null,"posted":1714340875},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989543,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5989321
>The Bretonnian
Many Hung warriors would have drawn blades over being called a Kurgan... or thrown fists seeing as they were disarmed upon entering the inn. Sarrick was a little less hot blooded than many of the warriors though and let it pass with nothing more than a slight frown. After all, he couldn't see much difference between a Bretonnian or an Imperial, he guessed it was much the same the other way around.
“I wouldn't say your offer is without merit,” he tells Geffray, “but it also has great risks. The Dhrath have long memories and no concept of forgiveness. Any deal imposed by force will forever be at risk of their vengeance. Perhaps with greater forces beside us...”
---
So yeah, gonna put this one on the backburner for now. I assume chaos dwarfs are similar to the norse dwarfs (so hellish to fight). Perhaps if Geffray is willing to wait a bit I can rally some more warlords for this in the future.
>The Baersonling
Sarrick smiled as Sjur's offer. He had challenged a charge of minotaurs, and now plotted to seize his father's throne. The gods smiled on bravery and ambition, and this youth had both. Having his puppet ruling the Baersonling was an attractive proposal, but he could not remain here to make sure his puppet survived, and the paltry wealth of the Baersonling would hardly raise a great host.
“Young Sjur, so hasty, but your plan is... flawed. Your people will never be loyal to you if they think you a mere puppet. Instead of that let us call it a partnership. Help me to raise norse warriors and ships now, accompany me to the north to prove our power. When you return with the heads of our enemies, and I beside you as an ally, your tribe will be willing to follow. Then I will help you take your father's throne.”
A puppet that could maintain it's own position would be far more useful, and fostering a sense of partnership would hopefully bring a degree of loyalty. After all, how difficult could it be to manipulate one young warrior?
---
So yeah, the tribute offer is of dubious value as I'll probably head to different areas most times and it's not even that much loot. Hoping he can instead get me a discount on hiring some troops now or a free unit or two or something like that, and if he considers me an ally I'm sure I can make use of that at some point.","attachment":null,"posted":1714341209},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989548,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5989541
>we’d only be missing Mulrog and Sarrick
I would join but honestly it looks like you have plenty of dudes already and adding more would probably just jam up in narrow skaven tunnels.
Also I really want to go mammoth catching. If anyone else has boats (or wants to march through dwarf lands) they're welcome to join.","attachment":null,"posted":1714341568},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989560,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5989548
I'd be happy to help come next raid. Mammoths will help us all.","attachment":null,"posted":1714342693},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989569,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"Well we have the Baersonlings & Berserkers, next we'll get Sarls & Mammoths, next can come the Skaven & Dark Dorfs (whom I assume are the same as Chaos Dorfs). Hopefully Mammoths will be enough to batter down their defenses.","attachment":null,"posted":1714343174},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989597,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":"Wait if everyone is going after Mammoths and Skaven, then is anyone going for Fort Ostrosk?
That was going to be my target for next raid, but I'm not sure if I want to attack it alone","attachment":null,"posted":1714344852},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989608,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5989597
The Witch can wait, & there is plenty more to raid before we get close enough to the fort, whether here in the Wheatlands or in the Sarl lands.","attachment":null,"posted":1714345583},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989642,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5989597
A raven flies to Rue'Vahn, "The Southlings fell without much of a fight. I shall take the smaller village North of the river, East of the lake, & let that be repayment of your debt. Once the Kislevites here fall, I'll ride for the mountains & demand tribute from the men of the hills. Will you join me next season when I raid the Sarls? I will recruit Baersonlings to sail there. The Raven-Witch is powerful, but I do not fear her wrath. She shall have her prize when those reaping skulls on her behalf are so inclined, not before."","attachment":null,"posted":1714347115},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989665,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5989642
>"the smaller village North of the river, East of the lake"
You mean this place? Yeah I'm fine with that.
As for attacking the Sarls... I have no idea where I'll deploy next season. I might join, but I'll need to see how much loot I get before retiring since that will determine what units I can buy.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714349016046006.png","filename":"This place.png"},"posted":1714349016},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989699,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5988334
Agreed!
>Gonna read up and post a plan","attachment":null,"posted":1714350987},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989797,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5989699
Nice dubs
Rue'Vahn, that's the one, yeah.
Is there any way to get units with increased mobility? 5 Movement simply isn't enough sometimes.","attachment":null,"posted":1714358794},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989813,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5989797
The norscan boats give us 8 movement and +1 HP, so that's a good option for mobility.
Actually, now that I'm remembering the extra health the boats give... that might make attacking the Sarl significantly more viable for me next raid","attachment":null,"posted":1714360765},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989847,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5989548
i am planning to retire to bearsonling Lands as well so learning of your plans i could change my own and get boats instead of Skinwolves.
>>5989560
or if you would be willing to take some of my units aboard i could get some more useful infantry.","attachment":null,"posted":1714365619},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989873,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5989813
…wait, can you just. Put units in boats and drag them on the land?","attachment":null,"posted":1714367890},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989878,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5989873
Nah. The movement is only on rivers and ocean. But they can get you pretty far across","attachment":null,"posted":1714368805},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989888,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Wheatlands:
The gods smile upon you, for a great battle shall be fought!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714372458855868.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1714372458},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989890,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Kislev:","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714372776475261.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1714372776},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989894,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5989888
>888
This whole freaking quest is blessed by chaos
On a more humorous note, it'd be reeeally funny if I had that unit of Bondsmen sneak up from behind and raid one of those two villages while the big fight is going on. It'd be a dick move, so I probably won't, but the idea still makes me chuckle.","attachment":null,"posted":1714373002},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989898,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5989543
"I would have raised a greater force with me, had my father allowed for it. It was me with my host that defended the stream from Krantagarh's minotaurs, but not even with my Huscarls, but merely bondsmen, for my father never let me raise my host. And you know what happens when he dies?" Sjur says smashing the table top with his fist.
Sarrick uncaringly glances at him from under his hood.
"The four sons fight for the throne." Sjur says. "And I'm the one without a host of huscarls to my name. "I can die and I can have my back cut open and my ribs spread." He grabs the mug and downs it, half spilling over his chest. "I'll rally who I can, but I need you to take me under your hosts protection.
>Accept his offer and take the unit of Huscarls (H2/D2/M2) he assembles from his friends after looting the Urslo armoury
>Refuse the offer, you don't need or want him","attachment":null,"posted":1714373532},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989900,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5989608
Korthak and Magor have a very solid chance at capturing Ostrosk if they go that direction. There's only a town or two before they hit it, at which point whoever takes it can get away with 90 loot. (30 for Ostrosk + 60 for quest reward).","attachment":null,"posted":1714373771},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989902,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5989888
It is time for blood to be spilled, lances to be broken and skulls to be collected.
For plans. Purple lines are executed first. Then tuquoise movement and finally the charge of Cataphracts and Knights
>>5989089
Hangar. Will you protect my southern flank after i butcher the militia with my Horsearchers and engage the Stesely?
But i am open for other suggestions.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714374076532661.png","filename":"1714372458855868.png"},"posted":1714374076},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989905,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5989902
Forgot movement for the other Horsearchers. HAngar can command them where ze needs to. Mulrog is too consuned by battleleust to carr","attachment":null,"posted":1714374938},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989915,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5989888
>>5989902
Mulrog has started his bloody charges, and Hangar curses that his elites are not yet fleet enough, too far from the battle to strike. Instead he keeps moving his riders onward, passing some orders to those forgotten by Mulrog in his frenzy.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714377981921453.png","filename":"Wheatlands.png"},"posted":1714377981},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989964,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5989890
Krantagarh paces in the underbrush of the forest; his excitement builds. Finally, the Four have begun to bless his actions - his massive paw grips his axe in anticipation. He had ordered his minotaurs home to the Beastlands - so bloodied were they by the conflict against the wolf-men. But his minor horde of Gors, Centigors and Ungors were undaunted by their march through the narrow passes of the mountains, and they have finally reached the fat lands of the Kislevites below.
Beyond the forest's edge, scattered towns and villages are dotted alongside a deep river - Krantagarh cares not for the name of this piddling thing, nor for the names of the human towns that lie there. His heavy hooves are ready for trampling - to pulverize human bone against cobblestone, and his axe has begun to whisper darkly to him once more. Thick strands of saliva burst from his mouth - Krantagarh hungers.
The unit of Gors he had attached himself to eye each other nervously - the bullgor has been known to feast upon lesser Ungors, but has Krantigarh developed a taste for Gors as well? They don't know...
Krantigarh, peering at the closest human town to the northwest, decides to dispense with clever tactics - he will simply have his Gors and Centigors overwhelm the town with bodies and hack them apart. As for the Ungors - they will be little use in this fight. Snorting, he orders them to proceed southwest, in the hopes of installing them as a scouting party in a lightly-forested patch of earth in that direction.
Loot is needed - debts are owed to both Magor and Huffud, and Krantigarh does not like the feeling of indebtedness. And there is one more lord to whom he owes a favor - the conniving sorcerer. It is not enough to win his battles - he must build his strength while he does so as well, if he is to get revenge. He snorts again - enough contemplation!
Krantigarh bellows in rage, raising his axe, and begins to lope with a heavy stride out of the forests and onto the plains! Let the humans fight! Let their flesh feed his troops! Let the Four bless him with victory!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714387596186407.png","filename":"kislev map_krantigarh's turn.png"},"posted":1714387596},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989980,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"I take it I didn't get any loot from that village due to using the new band of Kurgan?
Red first, then yellow, then purp.
Rue'Vahn, fortune favors the bold.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714391823607393.png","filename":"image4.png"},"posted":1714391823},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5989995,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5989964
I agree with this strategy.
In general, my Ungors will follow him, though I will send a detachment of some to the town southeast to scout it out and take a look if they might take it. It's across a river, so if they sense significant resistance they shouldn't attack thorugh the river and I will have them cross somewhere else to attack from land.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714395394610202.png","filename":"Scout.png"},"posted":1714395394},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990108,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5989890
We press on, praises to the Dark Gods on our lips! Soon, we'll revel in the stench of blood and sacrifice!
>>5989995
We've got a massive horde, now that I think of it, and Fort Ostrosk isn't far... do you think pressing south and throwing ourselves against its walls would be worth the risk?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714410889652379.png","filename":"Raid #6.png"},"posted":1714410889},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990144,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5990108
With the troops you have you'll be vulnerable to cavalry, but as long as you stick to the woods and hills and try to use the rivers to your advantage I think you could probably grind through. It might mean relatively heavy casualties, but just from Ostrosk you'd get 90 loot to split, and you can grab a couple of other settlements into the bargain as well.
And if you reach the edge of the woods and send one unit to loook out from the hills past them and the entire kislevite army is waiting for you it wouldn't be too late to do a 360 and walk away.","attachment":null,"posted":1714414827},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990173,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Drunken update:
Kislev raid:
Magors forces find a village susceptible to raids, yet not one they could take without substantial losses and definitely not one they could certainly take.
Krantigarh's gors wipe the village clean of defenders, yet are yet to plunder it.
Korthaks forces spread out.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714418153312269.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1714418153},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990178,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5990173
Wheatlands:
A vicious charge kills many, both amongst the militia and the strelsy, yet there are losses amongst the Kurgan aswell, as two units of horsearchers under Mulrog are wiped out and as the knights under both Hangar and Mulrog face almost certain defeat against the winged lancers of Kislev, unless allied intervention is provided.
Btw Rue, sorry for doing this, but I moved your units for you.
>10 loot for Ivan and Rue'","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714418467497021.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1714418467},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990187,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5990178
hey Lanu short question. i think the winged riders have three hp last time we faced them right?
i am not quite sure right now.
But pretty sure that Horse Archers outspeed them in the initiative right?","attachment":null,"posted":1714418877},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990188,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5990178
>"Btw Rue, sorry for doing this, but I moved your units for you"
I mean, you moved them where I was planning on moving them anyways, so I'm chill, but is it okay if I ask why? Were we all on a new turn and I didn't notice/forgot to move or something?
Also, isn't the village that Sunset attacked a tier two? So shouldn't I have 20 loot?
Oh and one other thing, can that unit of Bondsmen see the two villages across the water (and more importantly, whether they have troops protecting them)?","attachment":null,"posted":1714418940},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990189,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5990187
>i think the winged riders have three hp last time we faced them right?
Yep.
>But pretty sure that Horse Archers outspeed them in the initiative right?
That aswell. You could swamp them in horse archers to kill them, since they're pretty wounded.
>>5990188
>but is it okay if I ask why?
I wanted to get a turn update out for today before I hit the bed and before the drink hit me too hard.
>Also, isn't the village that Sunset attacked a tier two? So shouldn't I have 20 loot?
You are completely correct.
>whether they have troops protecting them)?
The village is ungarrisoned.
Also, just in case, next turn is on.","attachment":null,"posted":1714419224},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990191,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5990189
>That aswell. You could swamp them in horse archers to kill them, since they're pretty wounded.
oh yeah. i am gonna swamp them good. and gonna offer some advice to hangar to get his knights out there with no further damage.","attachment":null,"posted":1714419330},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990192,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5989898
>Accept his offer
A free huscarl is a free huscarl after all.
"Gather what you can little friend. Once I gathered herbs on the steppe for my master, the least of his servants. All things start small. Dwarf gold and axes will buy us the rest of the warriors we need. Come with me to earn glory and the favor of the gods. When we return we shall see if your father and brothers can still look down on you."
On top of the huscarls Sjur is bringing, I'd like to hire a second huscarl, and then four units of bondsmen, which by my arcane mathematics should leave me on 10 loot.","attachment":null,"posted":1714419379},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990195,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5990178
alright for my plan i want the purple arrows to go first to kill of the two units of winged lancers that have lost two HP already. and those purple arrows for the Horse Archers will then get out of the way for Hangars forces.
then the teal arrow to damage the last surviving fighter. Mulrog stands his ground and the Cataphract moves up and around if Hangar helps me out fighting to maybe take some pressure off mulrogs knights. though they still have half their HP remaining.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714419581814850.png","filename":"Mulrog_Raid_2_Turn_6.png"},"posted":1714419581},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990198,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5990189
Oh if I missed a turn then my bad. I'll try to keep a better eye out and I'll take the new one in an hour when I get home","attachment":null,"posted":1714419655},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990199,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5990195
>>5990178
no wait. forget that command for those cataphracts. Hangar can get up there with one of his knights assuming Mulgor murders the stresely in the middle we can get rid of all of them this turn. .","attachment":null,"posted":1714419699},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990202,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5989915
shit. forgot those lancers dealt two damage a pop.
i will try my best at distracting them with Horse Archers.
If that stupid no pass zone would no longer apply then the more northern Horsearcher of yours could just ride through and get the hit in allowing the southernmost horsearcher to finish the Lancers off.
we can hope for your cataphract to win the speedtie that i think it is with the Lancers. and even if they wont there will be four units that would be more okay to tank the hit than the unit of knights.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714420236380717.png","filename":"possible advice Hangar.png"},"posted":1714420236},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990215,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5990173
Okay, I’m phoneposting, but here’s my orders, LanuQM.
1) southernmost gor unit advances one hex northeast, two hexes north to land in the stream.
2) northernmost gor unit advances due southwest, looting town in the process.
3) Ungors advance one hex southwest, one hex northwest to land in the forest tile as a scouting force.
4) Centigors cautiously advance two hexes southwest to line up with the Ungors. Do they see any humie weaklings lurking?
—
Huffud, looks like the minogang is in luck - we’re set to get another 15 loot apiece and that should be enough for us to buy two more units of Minotaurs together. We’re gonna steamroll those tunnels boyeee","attachment":null,"posted":1714422132},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990226,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5990173
We march on. I'm confident the Baersonlings under my banner can seize these two villages. If not, I'm certain Magor will put them to the torch. My plan is to rally the northern forces to the town to the west of the one by the forest, then strike it in force. I'm confident by berserker can soften the forest town up before the ungors can move in.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714423849547234.png","filename":"Raid #7.png"},"posted":1714423849},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990247,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5990226
Continue to support. The Ungors to the east will cross the river away from the town, and try to do some opportunistic raiding.
I suspect that the enemy won't want to leave the shelter of their village or if they do won't leave it undefended, meaning we'll have better odds picking them off on the field. If the going gets too rough, or the loot runs dry, head west and prepare to regroup with the other forces.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714425363170965.png","filename":"Forward.png"},"posted":1714425363},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990250,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5990189
Alrighty, so here's where my troops will go next.
Also, what turn are we on? It's seven, right?
When I open the thread, I use ctrl+F to search for an announcement of what turn it is, so that's probably why I missed turn six.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714425570160974.png","filename":"R2 T7.png"},"posted":1714425570},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990252,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"Here's my plan, red -> purp -> blue -> yellow
Seizing the two towns & positioning for the followup across the river, then moving South soon enough.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714425920906431.png","filename":"image6.png"},"posted":1714425920},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990256,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5990250
Check the original Wheatlands map, I'm heading South after these villages are put to the torch.","attachment":null,"posted":1714426522},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990266,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5990256
I've circled a couple of areas that still haven't been looted yet. Which one(s) are you heading for?
My troops are all starting to get low on HP, so after grabbing the other 20 loot village, I'll probably only go after one more town before retiring.
I can send Sunset and the Bondsmen to the orange circle, or I can stick with you on the way to the purple and green circles. Doesn't matter to me, so it's whichever you prefer","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714427986420172.png","filename":"Places of Interest.png"},"posted":1714427986},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990267,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5990178
>>5990195
>>5990202
Revamped phase for us both:
Lancers have 3 HP, I think? The one I encountered in the first fortress was boosted by +3 and still died to a charge of all my units.
If that's correct, then our furthest Horse archers can swing in from the flanks (white movements) and kill the two on 2HP before they get to move (they're faster and have less HP to minus from that score). Then the remaining Horse archers can then nip in together with the yellow movements and finish the last Lancer before it can touch a Chaos Knight in anger.
This then frees up my 2HP Chaos Knights to ride north and Kill a Strelsy, then my full-health Knights move and Kill another Streltsy, and finally Mulrog kills the last of them.
If that's everyone dead, my remaining Knight to move and Cataphract will then ride south as per green arrows.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714428181448747.png","filename":"Wheatland.png"},"posted":1714428181},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990271,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5990266
It'll be a race for the green by the looks of it, so I'll take those if you want purps. Then we can hit the mtns, warband permitting. Although I am willing to come to an arrangement with the other Zars.","attachment":null,"posted":1714428383},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990288,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5990266
Ravens fly behind the lines of pitched battles between Kurgan & Ungol, Marauder & Gospodar. They clutch crude maps & inked messages mixed with the shed blood of Kislevites:
"Zar Mulrog the Cruel, Blessed by the Gods with Strength,
Zar Hangar, Blessed by the Gods with Fate,
Hail from the raized villages to the West!
Blood has been spilled in the name of the Four, as I'm sure you can say in the East.
Riders of Zar Torchak have told me of his falling & joined my own host, but earned little trust with me; those who sided with the weak Southlings made it clear that his own men were his undoing, & so I pass on word of this should you encounter any yourselves. Keep them at the distance of a Tong horn-bow.
Of the Wheatlands, little remains for us; we have butchered all who were so foolish as not to flee, & sacked the treasures of Kislev's frontier. The villages of the hills are likely more trouble than they're worth, surely peopled by hardier men. Thus I see a use for them. I will compel them to give tribute, so that they may settle the fertile lands we have so ravaged. Our own people may come to settle as well, & Kislev shall hold sway here no more.
I offer you the villages to the South along the river before I despoil them (those marked in green), & I shall ride to your aid should they rally more defenders. In return, you will swear your solemn oaths to me & before the Four not to raid these lands in any further seasons, drained as they are, & spread word among our people of the great bounty here ripe for the taking by those who wish to settle for a time.
So say I,
Zar Ivan"","attachment":null,"posted":1714430922},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990444,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990202
>>5990267
Check your DMs","attachment":null,"posted":1714442764},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990458,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5990271
Considering how damage works, I guess I'll try to take that 20 loot settlement in the purple region, assuming there's no change of plans.","attachment":null,"posted":1714443785},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990486,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5990458
Sounds good, if they don't accept my offer I'll just take some green + orange.","attachment":null,"posted":1714445631},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990537,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5990267
if we can mix up our turns like this then i would be fully in favor of this.
>>5990189
Lanu would what Hangar proposed work? could we mix our turns together like this?","attachment":null,"posted":1714452531},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990540,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5990288
waking in the middle of the night to one of his knights holding a message. The man was nervous as the massive shadow of his warlord rose above him. The dull light of the moon glinting off the Greataxe in one of Mulrogs Hands. A few candles created from the corpsewax of slaughtered foes are lit allowing Mulrog to see the message from Ivan.
He chuckles to himself, still not dried gore sliding of his moustache and dripping onto the pages.
For a few hours he ponders till the sun rises before sending a reply. Ivan can have his raiding rights for as long as he can hold them. These plains hold little more in the way of interest to Mulrog. though more loot would be appreciated. especially considering the current state his forces are in.
As the sun climbs across the crimson edge of the world in a clear sign of favor from Khorne a raven is dispatched back to Ivan while Mulrog prepares to obliterate the Stresely thinking themselves capable of surrounding and winning against him on their own.","attachment":null,"posted":1714453130},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990544,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990444
not at 4 am. unlike Mulrog","attachment":null,"posted":1714453646},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990637,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5990288
Hangar studies the message and map a few times, then starts his own response.
"Zar Ivan, Blessed by the gods with Imagination;
Much has been spilled; and much more will flow in the name of the four.
Making these lands a new homeland for the Kurgan tribes is a visionary goal to which I grant my support. Once they are secured for the clans, I intend to sup my own tribe upon the grassland riches we have left empty by our passing. I stand in favour of your agreement and will take the share you leave for me; but your tongue must now serve to pass this deal to those with fathers and brothers fresh-fallen to our many blades, and lead them to worship of the True powers."
"And if your tongue cannot sway these wretches from the offer of salvation you grant them, you know that we must continue our ride and send them to the gods."","attachment":null,"posted":1714469498},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990645,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":"Okay cool, looks like everyone has come to an agreement. That lets me relax a little.
If everyone is splitting the loot fairly, then I still might stick with my plan to raid the tier two settlement in the purple circle if nobody cares. That way I have the same amount that Hangar and Mulrog will get after they split the green circle 50/50.
If the Kurgans end up settling these lands then I recommend that an effort is made to fortify the Belyevobota pass so that the Wheatlands can be easily defended from Kislevite attempts to reclaim it without needing much manpower. The only other threat would be hobgoblin attacks, but that's not much to worry about.
None of this really affects me and my people since the tribes of the Hung are far away, but at the very least it will mean more territory claimed for chaos, which means more worshipers for Loesh.","attachment":null,"posted":1714471700},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990651,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5990645
Well the kurgan are mostly nomadic still anf unlikely to settle down much. They eill herd their cattle around the fertile steppes so raids from Kislev are unlikely to work well without any footholds when there are nonfixed settlements to raid.
The Hobgoblins might be more of a problem but more than the Kurgan already have with them i believe","attachment":null,"posted":1714472233},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990653,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5990645
As for fortifications. There was a possible dream about an old Karak of the dwarfs in the mountaind for Mulrog. Maybe that could be used with a Garisson of Chaos Warriors and maybe Skinwolves","attachment":null,"posted":1714472341},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990660,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5990651
Well don't forget that if Kislev gets cut off from the Wheatlands, then it's also getting cut off from all that tax money as well. The less territory they own, the weaker they are. Weakening our enemies by doing this will make it easier to conduct our invasions on the other side of the Worlds Edge Mountains. There might even be the chance that the capital diverts troops (who would have otherwise gone to reinforce Ostrosk) in order to reclaim Belyevobota pass.
>>5990653
If we end up on... "tolerable" terms with the Dawi Zharr, then we could probably pay them money to upgrade any defenses we make. The +2 to HP from tier 3 walls plus a moat in front to auto-win initiative could be devastating.","attachment":null,"posted":1714472887},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990680,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"Big brain ideas all around, definitely need to secure the pass.","attachment":null,"posted":1714477706},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990681,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":"All this planning is over Krantigarh’s head, but OOC I would generally advocate for a mass strike against the south of the map using boats and rivers, the raid after the next one. I could drop my herdstone for the free units, we could crush the biggest pocket of resistance in one decisive assault, and then split up to take the rest of the map for resettlement, etc","attachment":null,"posted":1714478006},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990688,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5990660
Pretty sure we kinda stole most of the taxes already. But cutting them of completely would certainly raise a lot of eyebrows.
>"tolerable" terms
Yeah. After what Sarrick might be planning that is gonna be hard. Speaking off
>>5990680
Securing the pass. Some sort of Bersekers backed up by chaos warriors might make the most effective defense. But we will have to see if we can even secure the pass for now","attachment":null,"posted":1714479050},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990707,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5990688
>>5990680
>>5990660
Y'all are beginning to act more like conquerors than raider warlords.
Aren't we meant to just raid and wreck and destroy, loot and grow? Why fortify? Why strike deals for anything but sharper blades and thicker plates?
Uhhh I mean- <warmongering cow noises>","attachment":null,"posted":1714482904},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990709,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5990707
Supply lines.
Its all about how much territory you need to cross to get the things you need.","attachment":null,"posted":1714483783},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990754,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5990707
>>5990709
OOC, it’s a reasonable idea, but you guys should know that the Kislevites are not going to sit back and let us take their northern lands permanently. It’s been piss-easy to raid their towns with their piddling garrisons but I don’t know if we’d be able to fight off a legit Kislevite army at this point.
We’re still small potatoes in the grand scheme of things…","attachment":null,"posted":1714490001},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990756,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5990754
i agree somewhat. we will have to find a way to fortify the world edge mountain passess before that,
if i have that dream about the Dwarfen Karrak again that might make a reasonable emplacement to stop anyone from easily crossing the mountains.","attachment":null,"posted":1714490397},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990762,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990707
The Kurgan are Nomads. If the grass of the Wheatlands plain is nicer then the grass of the wastes to the north then we'll move there for a season to graze our herds; or melt away back north if Kislev sends a true Army through the pass. Even with the threat of Kislev returning it's still probably safer and a better climate then living in the Chaos Wastes.","attachment":null,"posted":1714491758},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990776,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5990762
>>5990756
>>5990680
Also since the Kurgan are supposed to identify more with their own tribe then with a particular Kurgan over-ethnicity, I guess I should probably pick a Kurgan tribe to be representing. So I'll go with the Hastlings, unless Mulrog or Ivan feel any great attachment to that particular name on the map over any other?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714493634934981.jpg","filename":"Northern Tribes.jpg"},"posted":1714493634},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990780,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5990776
Mulrog Kul The Cruel has a nice ring to it i think.","attachment":null,"posted":1714494683},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990786,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"I was thinking about being half Kul, half Dolgan, but considering the settlement plan Dolgan makes more sense. Zar Ivan the Unbearable of the Dolgan Tribe","attachment":null,"posted":1714495108},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990791,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5990776
>>5990780
>>5990786
So our warlords might have some past together. Or more correctly with each other considering the tribes arent too fond of each other","attachment":null,"posted":1714495395},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990798,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"This lore keeps getting deeper","attachment":null,"posted":1714496666},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990882,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Wheatlands:
OOC, you guys have cleared everything in the flatlands up. If you can agree on who raids what and what message is sent to the hillmen, you can fastforwards this. If not, it's a mixture of racing ahead to raid what you want and threatening/fighting other warlords.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714505502966749.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1714505502},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990885,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Kislev:
Krantagarh gains 10 loot as his gors sack a village. His northern gors kill a unit of militia as they charge them during a river crossing. A village is free to sack.
Korthak's unit of bondsmen runs into a unit of strelsy encamped ontop of a hill. The fight is a long and vicious one.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714505684610478.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1714505684},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990893,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5990882
i would take these two town marked with purple. that will net me 40 loot for which i have to give 8 to the horsearchers
hangar you can have the white marked villages. for the white and purple marked town i would suggest you take them and maybe offer 5 loot as a gift. if you want to.
i wont be mad if you dont give me five loot. but since that would be a gift after the raid it would not be subject to the promise Mulrog made to the Archers.
anyway. for message to the Hilltribes. I am not the greatest diplomat. But he can promise that if the prove themselves to Khorne he will take their warriors and make sure that in the eyes of the true gods they can attone for their resistance up till now.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714506299055930.png","filename":"loooooooooting.png"},"posted":1714506299},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990894,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5990885
Lanu, shouldn’t that two-house village be worth 20 loot, or did I misunderstand the loot table? Also I was hoping to have the unwounded Gors keep advancing southwest, but if they have to stop their movement to loot, that is totally fine.
My orders:
1) wounded Gors unit takes the undefended nearby village for another 10 loot.
2) unwounded Gors marches due southwest.
3) Centigors march two hexes southwest, Ungors march three hexes southwest. Are those southwesterly villages undefended or I just can’t see the garrison?","attachment":null,"posted":1714506334},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990897,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5990894
>Lanu, shouldn’t that two-house village be worth 20 loot,
Yet again, you are right.","attachment":null,"posted":1714506441},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990909,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5990266
I made a pact with Rue'Vahn that he can take the purple marked settlements on this map. I'll take the two orange settlements, plus the village remaining along the lake. Rue'Vahn can have the larger town beside it.
>>5990893
Mulrog & Hangar can decide between themselves on the white & purple settlements.
I'll writeup a narrative & my message to the hill folk, plus make a map whenever Hangar & Mulrog hash out their agreement.","attachment":null,"posted":1714507383},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990916,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5990776
so what you say to >>5990893
proposal?
i think i could probably go and retire to the Baersonling lands soon. was thinking about getting some Skinwolves and some infantry.","attachment":null,"posted":1714508431},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990917,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5990660
By the by
Remember when you said you wanted to give me loot? You don’t have to, even if it’d be appreciated. I release you from your vow","attachment":null,"posted":1714508515},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990919,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5990885
An uphill battle, then. Glory to the victor, dark gods damn the fallen! A raid on the coast as well, and still the host trudges on. We'll fight on until Kislev is burned or the fires of our hate quenched.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714508647195302.png","filename":"Raid #8.png"},"posted":1714508647},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990923,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":"Just got home, so I've got a lot of posts to reply to
>>5990909
Actually, if I'm being honest, I don't think I have the man power to take all of those villages in purple (if they are defended). I've only got a fresh unit of Bondsmen, and Sunset who as at half HP. That's enough to comfortably take the purple 20 loot settlement, but everything else is a gamble that could cost 8 loot to only gain 10. If the net positive is only 2 loot, then I think I'd rather it go to you guys instead of paying the Norscans, which is the equivalent of burning it.
>>5990681
I'm 100% on board with that once we get the mammoths. I don't think we even have a proper port from which to launch our boats until we have captured some territory from the Sarl.
>>5990754
If we do it right, I think we could pull it off. Here, everyone take a look at pic related. With the addition of a moat, our troops will win initiative. That means two units will get to strike first and deal 4 damage before the enemy can hurt our troops. If we placed like a unit of chaos warriors or huscarls there, I don't think Kislev would be able to dislodge us by conventional means. They'd get repelled, and have to return with some heavy artillery, and we all know how difficult it is to move artillery through mountains.
>>5990917
Eh, oog you didn't join the quest in time for the first raid, so I think you deserve a little help to get caught up. I would have said the same for Korthak, but he's doing normal raiding whilst you took one for the team. That's the other thing, I want to encourage warlords to do these kinds of communal efforts, and make sure everyone knows that they aren't shooting themselves in the foot by doing it; that they'll receive at least some form of compensation. In-character however, it's for an entirely different reason.
If I'm released from my vow, then I'll still send you both some loot, although maybe not as much? My original plan was to give 5 loot to each of you, but maybe now it'll be 5 for the two of you to split?
>>5990786
>>5990791
If we are doing which tribes in particular, then I think Rue'Vahn is a Hung from the Aghol tribe.
I wonder which one Sarrick belongs to...","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714509350341149.png","filename":"Fortification Plans.png"},"posted":1714509350},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990928,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5990923
>I'm 100% on board with that once we get the mammoths. I don't think we even have a proper port from which to launch our boats until we have captured some territory from the Sarl.
i think we can just get out and put the longboards onto water with our norscan units wherever
And that fortification. would take some time to set up. but it would be very good to allow for proper defense. unless they throw masses of heavy infantry at that they wouldnt be able to break through.
if more loot is needed. i might be able to spare one or two points if i can get some raiding done against some dwarfs. or wherever i deploy to next.","attachment":null,"posted":1714509747},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990929,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5990923
QM said the defenders are all dead, we're just carving up the mutated chaos turkey at this point. Take all the purple circle as we agreed.
I definitely am fond of the pass fortification strat, Lanu, how do we make that happen?
The chaos marauder tribes need more lore, especially between different Kurgan, Hung, Norscans, etc.
I'm done with my writeup, just waiting on Hangar so I can post a map. Or we can each make our own tally, whatever helps the QM.","attachment":null,"posted":1714509777},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990930,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5990929
>I definitely am fond of the pass fortification strat, Lanu, how do we make that happen?
Well, you'd need to clear it out. Then, you'd need to invest into settling. The rate is same as loot gained from looting, while the passive production is /10. Villages produce 1 loot per season.","attachment":null,"posted":1714510069},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990933,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5990930
Could we build a four-house settlement/castle in a single season or would it need multiple seasons to be constructed?
The ROI is too slow for real profit, but as a tactical fortification, building a castle could be great…","attachment":null,"posted":1714510324},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990936,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5990933
>Could we build a four-house settlement/castle in a single season or would it need multiple seasons to be constructed?
You can do it in a single season.
>The ROI is too slow for real profit, but as a tactical fortification, building a castle could be great…
You are plundering warlords, not investors.","attachment":null,"posted":1714510446},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990938,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5990930
If we're demanding the capitulation of the hillfolk villlages, what more would we need to do to clear it out? I don't see a fortress left on the map at the pass.
Would the other zars be willing to invest 10 loot if I add 20 so that the settlement would be highly defensible at tier 4? I would invest more if we could reach an even higher tier.
>MULROG
>HANGAR","attachment":null,"posted":1714510488},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990939,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5990938
>If we're demanding the capitulation of the hillfolk villlages, what more would we need to do to clear it out?
If you're willing to accept 5ish loot per interraid as tribute, then you can go without any more fighting.","attachment":null,"posted":1714510686},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990940,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5990929
Oh shit they're all dead? Damn Khorne must be having a blast rn.
Alright then, I'll take the purple circle. With that abundance of unexpected extra wealth, that will let me be waaay more generous than I was planning on being.
>>5990928
After what Ivan just said, I'm fine with pitching in towards the cost of building defenses.
With an extra 20 loot to throw around, I can also afford to give a bit more to the Beastfolk for getting us access to Skinwolves.
>>5990930
What would it cost or take to build a moat/flood a small section of the pass? To me, that would be what decimates the enemy attempts to dislodge us.
>>5990938
I'm willing to invest a bit, but I'd recommend that we only go up to tier three at the maximum. The HP bonuses round up, so a 30 loot is the same as a 40 loot. Also, if you look at >>5990923 then there's a valuable spot where we can have two tier one fortifications that would allow two of our units to attack the enemy at the same time. Not many Kislev units can survive 4 damage.
>>5990882
>>5990250
Wait, are we still on turn seven or is this now turn eight?
If it's a new turn, then here's my movement plans if we're not doing the fast-forwarding. If we are doing the fast-forwarding (which I'm in support of), then I'll take the entire purple circle, assuming that they are all empty and undefended like Ivan said. If there's any sneaky little villagers hiding anywhere then that might change things.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714510808670823.png","filename":"R2 T8.png"},"posted":1714510808},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990941,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5990936
>>5990939
Honestly I’d rather just take the loot now and build up our armies. Why try to scrounge a profit up in the north when we can raid the richer lands to the south?
I’d basically only support building a castle to prevent counter-raids by the Kislevites, I don’t see resettlement as a viable option","attachment":null,"posted":1714510876},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990946,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5990938
I could give like 10 loot since i do want get some infantry for myself. Its something i am severely lacking in.
Though we would also need units to defend those fortifications. So some of that would just disappear again.
We can do those fortifications later i believe. Just take their capitulation for now and tribute for them not getting murdered in response. Maybe include a picture of the Zars toasting to their victory with cups made from the skulls of fallen enemy leaders.","attachment":null,"posted":1714511174},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990948,"name":"Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5990939
I was going to demand half the value of each hill village as tribute from them now in return for not raiding them, plus hopefully unlock Ungol recruitment. Is that viable?
After it's all wrapped up, I would get 5 total from the Wheatlands going forward during the interraid? I take it the investment in a settlement would also add to that?","attachment":null,"posted":1714511291},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990960,"name":"High Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"The people of Alexandrovsk & Ekaterinoslav are awoken in the twilight hours before dawn to the end of their worlds; reavers bearing the proud blood of the Great Kurgan, trampling all in their path from the Eastern Steppes. Those compelled by the courts of Kislev to labor beyond the World's Edge Mountains had already fled, leaving only the hardy pioneers eking out their small fortunes on the frontier. No further escape is possible. Miracles do not answer the prayers on Gospodar & Ungol lips, close as they are to the domain of altogether different gods. Fools who run are pierced by arrows & dragged around the walls by the surrounding horde of mounted killers. A simple command is given: open your gates & line up before the walls, or be slaughtered to the last. After the shortest deliberation, the villagers obey. A man slows his horse before them, scarred, bearded, & of a fearsome gaze. He speaks at last:
"Settlers of the Wheatlands, you are Kislevites no longer. Zars of the pure-blooded Dolgan, the feared Kul, & the Chaos-blessed Hastlings have slain all the warriors who would ride out in your defense. Now we alone keep the Beasts, Hobgobs, & Hung from your despoilment. The wealth of your homes we shall take now from you, but you may earn it back yourselves with time. Those men with families will go into the hills to the villages of Plodiv, Samydessus, Scuthopolis, Sithonopolis, Kers, & Wrongturning. You will explain the situation to them there, of their new rulers, of the tribute they owe. You will return here with said tribute or else the families you left behind will serve for it, & we shall put the hill villages to the sword without mercy. Those who wish to regain what they have lost may ride with us on our raids & earn far greater prizes: glory, & the favor of the Gods! Our folk will settle these lands we have emptied, as may you all so long as you swear your fealty to your new lord, the High Zar of the Wheatlands. So say I, High Zar Ivan."","attachment":null,"posted":1714512393},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990963,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5990923
>I wonder which one Sarrick belongs to...
You asked for it. Lore dump time.
Sarrick is a Kuj. As a youth he joined raids against Cathay and saw the Great Bastion and all the power and civilization they had, which led to his aspirations to be more than a steppe savage. Being a mediocre warrior, it would likely have come to nothing, but an affinity with the wind of Chamon led to his apprenticeship under a tribal sorcerer.
>>5990941
For once Sarrick and Krantagarh can agree. Although the Wheatlands might be nice compared to his homeland, on the global scale they're still a shithole, and there are far greater prizes out there for the taking.","attachment":null,"posted":1714513485},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5990973,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5990893
>>5990916
I get the two villages and the town? Sounds good to me. I'll call us even with that since you weren't able to hand me that half-town loot after our last raid.
>>5990960
We shall see then if they yield, if they flee, or if they dig in.","attachment":null,"posted":1714514334},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991003,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5990923
If you can afford it, I won’t spit on 5 loot!
>>5990941
A Minotaur building a castle. Now that’s a fun image","attachment":null,"posted":1714517041},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991054,"name":"High Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"Anyone willing to contribute to the fortifications (a single high-tier keep + some lower tier hill forts next to it & a moat), I'll cut you a share going forward of the tribute I accrue. Alternatively it can be kept in reserve to assist someone for a specific task or if their losses pileup on a raid.
Lanu, I'm looking to take an extended interraid amongst multiple destinations. Not trying to Hobgob the system with the interraid tribute, just have multiple stops in mind before I reach the Sarl lands.","attachment":null,"posted":1714521337},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991061,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5991054
I have some debts to settle amongst the Beast Lords and I’m after another unit of Minotaurs but I’ll donate whatever I have left over. Could be ~10-20 loot, depending on how I do in the last part of this raid.
Both IC and OOC, Krantigarh grudgingly will supply resources to the Kurgan lords in the interest of keeping the peace.
>Warlords of Chaos Quest is really just Wall Street of Chaos Quest as the players make complicated debt and loot-sharing arrangements
By next quest, we’ll have created a central bank, currency and credit ranking system","attachment":null,"posted":1714522012},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991064,"name":"High Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5991061
>central bank...
We aren't hobgobs or skaven (yet)","attachment":null,"posted":1714522132},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991146,"name":"High Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"How many Norscans do I need to deploy my warband across a body of water? I might need to bum a ride with Rue'Vahn or someone else if it's too many.","attachment":null,"posted":1714527842},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991150,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991146
Seems like each Norscan unit can bring another non-Norscan unit along in their boat. The naval system sort of benefits small elite armies vs big non-elite ones, but that’s okay I think","attachment":null,"posted":1714528040},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991173,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":"Question for Lanu
Obviously the numbers and stats of our units have to stay the same, but are we allowed to decide on the lore / story of how we recruit the troops that we purchase? Like, instead of just showing up to a place and hiring them with gold, can we say stuff like "Ah I encountered these warriors on my travels. They were starving and disarmed, so I gave them a significant amount of supplies and gear. They swore their lives to my banner and now fight for me" or something?
Also, on a separate note, thank you for running QM, this has been a lot of fun and I'm getting even more hyped now that things are starting to speed up.
>>5991003
Ooohh wait a minute, how does this sound:
If he's released from his vow, then Rue'Vahn will do something very unusual for a Hung and attempt to honor it anyways, but now it won't be all at once. He's still going to try to send both Huffud and Krantagarh 5 loot, it's just it'll be half during this interim and the other half will be sent at the end of next raid.
I'll let you two decide how it gets split; whether someone gets 2 and the other gets 3 or if someone gets all 5 now and the other gets 5 next time. Doesn't matter to me.
The other thing I'll say is a reminder of >>5988956
The Bearsonlings apparently earn 16 loot every year, so if you've permanently solved their serious skinwolf problem, then surely they spare 8 loot for you guys just this once.
I know that neither of you are retiring to the Norscan territory this winter, but it'd probably be easy to ask one of the other warlords to do the talking for you. I can't do it because I'll be heading back home to Naggarond until next raid.
>>5991054
I'll probably donate. The success of the Kurgans doesn't mean very much to a Hung, but crippling Kislev is significant, and there's also the added benefit of adding legitimacy to the importance of our collective warbands.
I'd recommend that a portion of the tribute is kept in reserve, in case an emergency ever happens and we need some instant cash.
>>5991061
>"Warlords of Chaos Quest is really just Wall Street of Chaos Quest as the players make complicated debt and loot-sharing arrangements"
That sounds like a god-tier shitpost joke-quest
If we make it to next year, that should 100% be the April Fools thread","attachment":null,"posted":1714530346},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991188,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5991173
>Listen, you're going to short Kislevite grain stocks, and I'll buy long-range puts for the ensuing collapse. I have a Kurgan fix on the situation...
>Fuck the SEC - DO IT OR I'LL AXE YA","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714532078795548.jpg","filename":"Krantigarh's new gig.jpg"},"posted":1714532078},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991193,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991188
>The call that saved The Empire","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714532797149519.jpg","filename":"He bought.jpg"},"posted":1714532797},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991273,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5990973
alright then that is settled
>>5990919
korthak you wanted to go mammoth hunting with Sarrick right?
i would like to come with. if i wanna get some good/decent infantry though i will only be able to transport part of my army.
so we can probably negotiate passage.
you gonna be in Baersonling lands for interraid?
>>5991061
>Warlords of Chaos Quest is really just Wall Street of Chaos Quest as the players make complicated debt and loot-sharing arrangements
please no. i dont have a degree in economics.","attachment":null,"posted":1714540992},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991274,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5990940
>What would it cost or take to build a moat/flood a small section of the pass? To me, that would be what decimates the enemy attempts to dislodge us.
Keep in mind, a unit of lets say, winged lancers or the heavier Kislevite cav would absolutely mogg any attempts by you to cross the moat.
As for the price, lets say 5 loot.
>Wait, are we still on turn seven or is this now turn eight?
Now should be turn 7 that we're fastforwarding.
>>5990948
>I was going to demand half the value of each hill village as tribute from them now in return for not raiding them,
With that high of a demand, you might aswell raid them. Villages can at most provide 2 interraids worth of tribute, so a grand total of 10 loot.
>plus hopefully unlock Ungol recruitment. Is that viable?
With this, you can unlock the local recruitment of slaves(militia). For Ungols you need to go to the northern Kislev.
>>5990960
If you want them to develop on their own, you could also just not collect tribute. For each two interraids they don't pay tribute, a village will be rebuilt, or a new one built.
>>5991054
>Lanu, I'm looking to take an extended interraid amongst multiple destinations. Not trying to Hobgob the system with the interraid tribute, just have multiple stops in mind before I reach the Sarl lands.
Make it a logical route and I'll consider it and maybe even concede.
>>5991146
>I might need to bum a ride with Rue'Vahn or someone else if it's too many.
You could also rent ships from the Baersonlings if you are strapped for cash. It'd be a ship for a single raid for 2 loot.
>>5991173
>Obviously the numbers and stats of our units have to stay the same, but are we allowed to decide on the lore / story of how we recruit the troops that we purchase?
If they can fit within the gameplay framework, sure (ie, you hire units with stats and abilities you'd normally be able to, no recruiting minotaurs in baersonling lands and such, but if you want to spin it to extra creativity, like a unit of chaos knights being a corrupted unit of the knights of morr, or something in that spirit, I'll allow it).
>Also, on a separate note, thank you for running QM, this has been a lot of fun and I'm getting even more hyped now that things are starting to speed up.
Yeah, the players are picking up the pace. I'm just interested in why noone's really aiming for fort Ostrosk, is 60 loot not enough to gather the attention of raiders?
>>5991173
>If we make it to next year, that should 100% be the April Fools thread
By the next year? You'll be conquering Athen Loren by the end of this one.","attachment":null,"posted":1714541172},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991278,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5991274
Its the short attention span and unwillingness to go there underprepared and loose a lot of shit. At least for me
.... and i might have been a bit too meta gamey what with possible revelations about the raven headed one that Mulrog isnt privy too","attachment":null,"posted":1714541793},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991286,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Next turn:
Also, if the 2 loot per village is offered, I'd need a volunteer to battle it out with a militia unit in the pass (a unit with 2 damage and more than 1 HP), before the players can re-deploy here.
As always, Magor, you can mention to me if you're unhappy with your movement or if I fucked something up. I drank a lot of rum yesterday.
>>5990894
>Are those southwesterly villages undefended or I just can’t see the garrison?
You can't see the garrison (well now you can, but you get what I'm saying).","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714542047958478.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1714542047},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991289,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5991274
>"heavier Kislevite cav would absolutely mogg any attempts by you to cross the moat"
I don't know why we'd ever try to cross the moat to their side, but good to know.
>"(ie, you hire units with stats and abilities you'd normally be able to, no recruiting minotaurs in baersonling lands and such, but if you want to spin it to extra creativity, like a unit of chaos knights being a corrupted unit of the knights of morr, or something in that spirit, I'll allow it)"
AWESOME, that's exactly what I was hoping to hear! I fully intend to keep all the numbers and gameplay stuff identical, I just want to try something fun with the story/flavor/fluff.
As for the spoiler, well... From how you described it, Fort Ostrosk sounded like it was going to be suicidal to attack by ourselves. That we'd have to grow our warbands larger before we could safely capture it, or else partner up with another warlord and have to settle for splitting it which would only net us 45 loot or maybe even less if it takes three of us. If it's 45 loot, then we'd have an easier time just raiding normal villages. At least, that's my reason. ","attachment":null,"posted":1714542379},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991290,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5991286
militia in the pass?
you mean over in the wheatlands?
my knights can do it. still have 3 HP and do some overkill with 3 damage. also massacaring more dudes which could be enough for a small throne of skull to sit upon when residing in the Baersonling lands? Sounds like the Khornate thing to do.","attachment":null,"posted":1714542559},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991306,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5991286
Do we not get downtime first, or is this assumed to be moving on within the same raiding season?","attachment":null,"posted":1714546274},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991315,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5991306
>Do we not get downtime first, or is this assumed to be moving on within the same raiding season?
You can both retire for the season, content with your winnings so far or continue immediately.","attachment":null,"posted":1714547659},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991317,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5991306
pretty sure it has been stated multiple times by Lanu that they only heal outside of raids. if you want to switch maps you do so with what forcs and damage there is on them right now.
>>5991315
i think i can still continue a bit if something remains to be cleared out. but also wouldnt mind retiring, paying off the newly hired kurgans with 8 loot and make sure they stay true to their new oaths to me.","attachment":null,"posted":1714547755},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991326,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5991315
Hmm. I'm not actually all that badly hurt, with one Chaos Knight, the Cataphract and my horse archers currently undamaged - even the most wounded Knight still has 2 HP left. So I'll pop in and give the beastmen some backup.","attachment":null,"posted":1714548663},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991328,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5991326","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714548928663316.png","filename":"Mapgrid.png"},"posted":1714548928},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991331,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5991315
so can we just pop over. or need to finish off some sort of guard at the border?
For now i would send my two wounded Horse Archers to the Lands of Baersonlinglands to prepare for my arrival.
i will just grab these extra 20 loot and then probably retire. my cavalery wont be very useful for much longer anyway with","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714550164540390.png","filename":"going_over.png"},"posted":1714550164},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991333,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5991331
>so can we just pop over. or need to finish off some sort of guard at the border?
A unit you send to clear out the path will lose 1HP as long as it can do 2 D and more.
I'd recommend Hangar using the -3 knight so he is -4 and then not bringing him to Kislev.","attachment":null,"posted":1714550362},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991334,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5991333
Or you. I just saw you have a -3 Knight.","attachment":null,"posted":1714550422},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991336,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5991334
my knights still have 3 HP due to the buff they got. but i would prefer to have that as a buffer.
so >>5991326
hangar. would you be willing to use one of your knights that has sustained heavy damage to pop over the mountains and kill the milita guarding the pass? And then you can just retire them.","attachment":null,"posted":1714550608},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991338,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5991336
It would also net you 10 loot.","attachment":null,"posted":1714550702},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991341,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5991338
ah alright...... gotta think then. those level 2 villages will be guarded by stresley at best probably. so nothing that can deal 2 damage in one go?
then i could risk that.","attachment":null,"posted":1714550782},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991343,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5991333
>>5991336
Good point, I'll do that. It'll allow Mulrog to get over with more HP, and the wounded Knight can get all my current loot safely back to the Steppes.","attachment":null,"posted":1714550844},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991344,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5991343
eh. i can probably just target that small village in the forest and get my extra 10 loot that way. but then i will definetly retire.","attachment":null,"posted":1714551052},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991346,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5991333
>>5991343
Also, with movement for if I get to move this turn.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714551390691530.png","filename":"Mapgrid.png"},"posted":1714551390},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991354,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5991274
Funny you should mention that...
>>5991286
The battle against the Stresly was a triumph but the coastal raid against that eastern village was a waste. So be it, the beastmen will see it razed in turn and we have richer targets to plunder. This forestside town will fall, surely, but my heart burns with greed hotter than my scalp.
>>5990247
What say you we strike at Fort Ostrosk, then split the plunder two ways? It would be reckless but if we won, the powers below might smile on us. If we lost, we'll have bloodied the bastards. I think a less ambitious raid on the town to its north would be just as well, at your discretion, but I think the innumerable Ungor host of yours and my own hardbitten Berserkers could see the witch's sister pried from her cage.
>>5991273
Aye, I'm planning on it, and to retire in Baersonling lands when this raiding season is said and done. If you want to pitch-in, I'd be glad to transport your blades, as long as we can split any loot between ourselves, or slanted to whoever's fought the hardest. I don't care much for the details. These mammoths will be a gods-send to us all.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714552807916630.png","filename":"Raid #9.png"},"posted":1714552807},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991356,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5991354
>Aye, I'm planning on it, and to retire in Baersonling lands when this raiding season is said and done. If you want to pitch-in, I'd be glad to transport your blades, as long as we can split any loot between ourselves, or slanted to whoever's fought the hardest. I don't care much for the details. These mammoths will be a gods-send to us all.
ye. ready to fight and kill and plunder. we will see how useful i will be. hopefuly i will be able to get a unit of skinwolves or two.","attachment":null,"posted":1714552942},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991358,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5991354
>>5991356
we can have a talk with Sarrick since he also settled down there. i wont be needing very much transportation. but some riders would otherwise have to be left behind if i only got god infantry.","attachment":null,"posted":1714553003},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991406,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5991286
Here’s my orders:
1) Centigors move one hex southwest and one hex south to attack the one house town and then loot it. With the higher initiative they should have a 100% probability of success.
2) Wounded Gors stay put. Unwounded Gors and Ungors attack the nearest two-house town on the river and loot it, since it seems undefended?
Lanu, can you confirm that I currently have:
4 loot to begin this raid sequence
20 loot from the 2 house Skinwolves village
20 loot from the 2 house village I just captured
10 loot from the 1 house village my Gors just took","attachment":null,"posted":1714561699},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991416,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5991406
>Lanu, can you confirm that I currently have 54 loot in total.
It seems to me that you do.","attachment":null,"posted":1714562477},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991422,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5991406
We were gonna split the last of your raiding spoils, weren’t we?
It’s okay if you’ve changed your mi d","attachment":null,"posted":1714563562},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991423,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5991286
If we're all heading into Kislev proper, then I'll take Sunset and the full HP Bondsmen to grab this one village. After that I'll retire for the season and head back to the lands of the Hung.
>>5991416
Oh, if we're doing calculations right now, then can I ask you to confirm how much I have at the moment?
2 that I began with
20 from the first lake village
20 from the second lake village
40 from all the towns inside the purple circle of the Wheatlands","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714563567163085.png","filename":"R2 Turn 8.png"},"posted":1714563567},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991426,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5991423
I kinda wanted to take that village later. but if you wanna grab it. no harm, no foul.
>>5991343
but then i would like to take the settlement on the path with the militia.
i am not gonna need extra HP i think","attachment":null,"posted":1714563825},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991431,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5991422
No, no - we’ll split the total proceeds right down the middle. I can only raid down here because your thicc bois cleared a path through the werewolves.
Your loot: 30 (I think?)
My loot: 50 (so far)
Total: 75
So we’re both set to get at least 40 loot here and probably more like 50, since I’m hoping to pick up another 10-15 loot if things go well over the next turn or 2","attachment":null,"posted":1714564481},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991433,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5991423
I believe you guys can agree on who raids what. If you can't I'll resort to measuring who can get to what first.
I'll note that (I believe):
Rue'Vahn took 20 loot already.
Ivan took 40
And I'll note there is 150 unraided loot to distribute.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714564541083650.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1714564541},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991442,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5991433
Oh and there is the choice of simply not sacking the villages and taking them under your protection in exchange for tribute. Standard rates apply.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714564851863297.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1714564851},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991446,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5991431
The villages gave me 20 loot, and Rue’Vahn might give me 5","attachment":null,"posted":1714565104},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991451,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5991446
Revised
Your loot: 20
My loot: 50 (so far)
Potential loot inbound (since I’m attacking two villages currently): 30
Total to split: 70-100
Your business with Rue’Vahn is seperate, and I have a debt to Magor to pay off, but it’s easiest and best to leave those debts out of the loot-sharing for this raid.
So at minimum we’ll both be getting a unit of Minotaurs if we want, with some extra left over, which is not bad at all. Much better showing for Krantigarh on his second run","attachment":null,"posted":1714565380},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991454,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5991433
If I'm not mistaken, then on pic related, my claim was for the locations which I've just circled in purple. From here it's only a question of whether that's disputed or not.
>>5991426
Oh I mean, if you want it then you can have it. If my estimation of loot was correct and I have actually earned 80 loot, then I've gotten enough to be satisfied with. If we settle the Wheatland raiding rights then I might just retire now and head back to Naggarond. The only thing I'd ask is that if you are going to spend the winter with the Norscans, then you maybe put in the good word with the Jarl for Nilsa, since she is the one who trusted us with the knowledge of the Skinwolves.
>>5991446
I think the plan is to send 5 loot now, and another 5 by the end of next raid. That way it's the same amount, but it's giving me more time to pay it off.","attachment":null,"posted":1714565459},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991460,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5991454
>If I'm not mistaken, then on pic related, my claim was for the locations which I've just circled in purple. From here it's only a question of whether that's disputed or not.
Yes, correct.","attachment":null,"posted":1714565918},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991466,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5991454
i didnt make any claims so it would be fair for you to go after that village.
i am mostly gonna poke my cataphracts head across the hill and see what kinda enemy awaits. if its some stresely or militia then i will just butcher them with my knigts. i then planned to go south and grab that village. if i can get the one on the pass however i can glance over that village since my knights would be down to two HP anyway and after 20 loot down to 1 HP and would have to retire. at which point my host would retire as well.
i just marked what each warlord wanted to have based upon what i still remember.
purple is me grabbing an extra 10 from up north village and 10 from below for 40 total loot so far in the wheatlands. orange Ivan on the left villages for 20, which brings him to 70 loot in the wheatlands you Rue should be somewhat up there as well with your looting.
Hangar in white got 30 from the villages in the south and 10 additional from one on the northern stream, which with the 10 he already had brought him to 50.
now for the village and milita guarding it. If hangar wants that it would get him up to 60 loot and force one Knight to retire for the season.
in that case i would like to get that extra village but it isnt necessary. going from 60 to 70 loot is a good difference but wouldnt destroy me. especially since i still have two loot in reserver and would have to pay 10 for the dudes i recruited which would leave me with at least 52 Loot which is exactly enough for TWO units of Skinwolves.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714566994651716.png","filename":"1714564541083650.png"},"posted":1714566994},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991480,"name":"Mulrog","msg":"and yes. i will take your message with me to the Baersonlings.
and i will then immediatly recruit some skinwolves.probably have to mark them with brand of Khorne to make them submit to me.","attachment":null,"posted":1714567909},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991490,"name":"High Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"Here's my math:
>Prior Raids = 2 Loot
>4 Lake Villages Already Raized = +40 Loot
>Lake Village Bucholt = +10 Loot
>Alexandrovsk & Ekaterinoslav = +20 Loot
>6 Hill Villages' Tribute (half their value) = +30 Loot
>Total: 102 Loot
I'm looking to head to the Eastern Steppes, then the Baersonling Lands (where I can recruit Ulfhednar from), then the Last Hope Inn, then deploy to the Sarl Lands of Troll Country. Can Norscan Thralls be used to build/sail ships? I wouldn't be collecting any tribute on this extended interraid I'm assuming, especially since I just depleted their coffers. Would I need to travel to the Wheatlands in order to collect tribute in the future?","attachment":null,"posted":1714569158},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991492,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5991490
>>6 Hill Villages' Tribute (half their value) = +30 Loot
Yeah, regarding this.
>>5991274
>I was going to demand half the value of each hill village as tribute from them now in return for not raiding them,
With that high of a demand, you might aswell raid them. Villages can at most provide 2 interraids worth of tribute, so a grand total of 10 loot.","attachment":null,"posted":1714569406},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991496,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5991492
let me guess. one of the largest sources of loot is the slaves we take? those peasants probably wont have much of worth to take otherwiese","attachment":null,"posted":1714569600},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991498,"name":"High Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5991173
>>5991188
>>5991193
Now Kislev's only hope for the next quarter is the mysterious young wizard, Sminem.
Alright, Q3 Investors ONLY:
I'm looking for between 55 & 75 Loot to be invested into securing the pass (a tier 3 fort, two tier 1 or 2 hillforts, & a moat). I'll pitch in 20. Whoever invests I'll offer the accrued tribute from the trade I control through the pass whenever a need arises, or we can split it into a trickle of passive loot every interraid until the investment + half of a return is doled out to everyone. I'll also offer my assistance in a future endeavor once I'm finished with the Sarls.","attachment":null,"posted":1714569727},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991499,"name":"High Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5991492
Ok, so I would gain 10 now from the 6 villages, then 5 from them during each interraid? That would be separate from the trade I would gain tribute from in the pass right (a percentage of the settlements invested in)?","attachment":null,"posted":1714569852},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991503,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5991496
Well, yeah, you're taking everything, food, tools, metal, icons, cloths, wood, animals, furs, coinage, men, women, children...
The 2 loot is only for the first interraid of tribute, as thats considered them taking everything but the bare essentials to survive. The 1 loot per turn is their actual production per year.
>>5991499
The village in the pass is not one that would surrender. But yes, you'd gain 10 now and 5 afterwards. As for trade, your invasion kinda ruined that. If you want to reestablish it, consider retiring to the wheatlands in the future and picking up some quests there.","attachment":null,"posted":1714570216},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991524,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5991454
Works for me!
>>5991451
Hell yeah, those rats won’t know what hit them","attachment":null,"posted":1714573107},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991547,"name":"High Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5991503
Sounds good to me. Can thralls build/sail ships, and can my Kurgans sail the ships I rent?","attachment":null,"posted":1714575186},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991580,"name":"High Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"Re-Math'd:
>Prior Raids = 2 Loot
>4 Lake Villages Already Raized = +40 Loot
>Lake Village Bucholt = +10 Loot
>Alexandrovsk & Ekaterinoslav = +20 Loot
>6 Hill Villages' Tribute = +10 Loot (5 passive in future)
>Total: 82 Loot","attachment":null,"posted":1714578915},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991652,"name":"High Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"Sry for spamming but since you brought up interraid in the Wheatlands I'll add that stop to my vacation, so in order:
Eastern Steppes
Wheatlands
Baersonlings (includes werewolves?)
Last Hope Inn
Troll Country","attachment":null,"posted":1714585418},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991653,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5991652
Wait, try to put it in logical order.","attachment":null,"posted":1714585662},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991654,"name":"High Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"Isn't that going East to West in more or less a straight line?","attachment":null,"posted":1714585696},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991655,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5991654
So this is your return path to re-raid Kislev after you retire to the Eastern Steppes?","attachment":null,"posted":1714585789},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991657,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5991652
the steppes are a good way farther east than the Wheatlands. The bearsonlings are even further west since the are on the other side of the world edge mountains.
the last hope inn would have to be your first stop. then the baersonlings. the wheatlands Eastern steppes.... and then maybe troll country.","attachment":null,"posted":1714585836},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991658,"name":"High Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"Yes, I'm looking to end my vacay by sailing for Troll Country/Baersonling Lands","attachment":null,"posted":1714585858},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991660,"name":"High Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"Sarl****** Lands","attachment":null,"posted":1714585940},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991685,"name":"High Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5991657
Last Hope is South-West of the Baersonlings isn't it?","attachment":null,"posted":1714588709},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991687,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5991685
It's between Baersonlings and the Kraka Ravnsvake.","attachment":null,"posted":1714588776},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991689,"name":"High Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"That's what I thought. Does my route not make sense? It's East to West in a more or less straight-line.","attachment":null,"posted":1714588895},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991694,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5991689
Alright, but keep in mind, you're rushing through these areas and you won't be getting a proper event in most of these.","attachment":null,"posted":1714589050},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991698,"name":"High Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5991694
I'm willing to take my time if need be, I'm lore-maxxing. Not trying to collect an interraid this time either.","attachment":null,"posted":1714589492},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991700,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5991698
Thing is, I want to limit the loremaxxing aswell, as knowledge is power.","attachment":null,"posted":1714589634},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991702,"name":"High Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"Alrighy. In a lore/meta sense I'm also doing a recruiting run, advertising the open land for Kurgan & Norscans to settle, whether that nets me anything tangible or not.","attachment":null,"posted":1714589710},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991721,"name":"Hangar","msg":">>5991433
>>5991466
Looks good to me, Mulrog. 60 Loot from the Wheatlands is pretty nice... not as great as Ivan's score, but then he's going to need it more with what he's planning to spend setting himself up as Zar of Wheat.
Are you going to need any of my host to double-back and help you take out that hill- town?","attachment":null,"posted":1714591984},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991725,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5991721
Hill town? do you mean over in Kislev Proper?
because the Town in the pass will probably not allow more than 1 unit to assault it at once.
also i got 40 loot in the wheatlands. 50 if i get to assault/plunder the village on the pass
i am gonna get 20 loot from the tier 2 settlement in Kislev which would get me up to at least 60 loot altogether.","attachment":null,"posted":1714592240},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991731,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5991721
the tier 2 settlement in kislev proper should pose no problem. my knights deal three damage. unless there is some super heavy infantry in that town nothing should be able to stop me.
my cataphracts will scout ahead on the hills where they wont be in an immediate fight with the town so i can see how safe the assault will be.
the threat level should be absolutely minimal.","attachment":null,"posted":1714592951},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991764,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5991354
That sounds like an excellent plan!","attachment":null,"posted":1714599071},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991768,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5991286
Ah shoot, I just realized I should have linked my battle plans to you >>5990247
Actually though it seems pretty good, his single unit was able to take the town well. In such a case then, I will join forces in the west with Korthak, and prepare for a joint attack on the town.
in the east, my other Ungors will also prepare to surround the settlement.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714599399603746.png","filename":"Surround.png"},"posted":1714599399},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991791,"name":"High Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5978158
>>5990923
Rue'Vahn's plans looked really solid to me, though a Tier 3 Bastion as the main bulwark would still be preferable alongside a Moat & a Tier 2 Palisade leading to the pre-existing village.
Lanu, do I need to buy troops to staff the pass or can my recruiting campaign in the Eastern Steppes, the Wheatlands, & Norsca for settlers supply guards?
I'm still curious if Norscan Thralls can build & sail ships. Also, if I rent ships for 2 Loot would that mean I need Norscans to sail them, I would need to return them, or I'm simply being transported for that cost per unit?
Last question, what troops can I recruit among the Wheatlands?
Once all that is figured out I'll ask for official investments.
Any ideas for naming these two new settlements? I'm thinking some combination of opolis, sberg, oslav, Ivan, Dolgan, Kurgan, Zar, Khorne, etc.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714601916458619.png","filename":"image7.png"},"posted":1714601916},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991860,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5991524
Hellpit would be easy to capture if it wasn't for that dang mountain tile. Here, I did a drawing. There's a single tile of mountain in the way that is blocking the ability to attack with two units at once. If we could find some way for a single unit to bypass that either by locating a secret tunnel or by using scrolls of flight, then Hellpit would be easy to crack open. We'd still need to send people down into the tunnels below, but at least we'd have gotten past the front door.
>>5991466
>"i didnt make any claims so it would be fair for you to go after that village."
Okay well then why don't we just do this fair and square, and split it 50/50?
You get 5 loot, and the 5 loot that I get will cover the compensation towards Huffud and Kratagarh
>>5991498
>>5991791
I'll pitch in for the cost of the defenses, but I'll wait until I've both retired and also seen what my interim lore stuff reveals. After that I can see what units I want to buy and begin allocating my budget around.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714609389801586.png","filename":"THIS PIECE OF $HI1.png"},"posted":1714609389},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991871,"name":"High Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5991860
Much appreciated, I may need to owe you a favor in order to get to the Sarl lands. I was wondering what that settlement was since it was shaded differently to the Dorf holds. What was that one marked "Evil Place" earlier?","attachment":null,"posted":1714610621},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5991875,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5991860
Hellpit is basically only safely "takeable" by Minotaurs given that we have 5 HP and can almost certainly tank whatever awful Skaven unit is camping at the doorstep.","attachment":null,"posted":1714611070},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5992041,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5991860
if you want to share then i dont mind even if your doing all the work. not sure if Khorne would approve of a gift from a follower of Loesh.
>>5991860
>>5991875
as for Hellpit minos wil be your best bet. unless its some sort of chaosspawn that deals 3 damage a pop.
getting access to some sort of flying unit would be very useful.","attachment":null,"posted":1714625073},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5992092,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Next turn:
>>5991791
>Lanu, do I need to buy troops to staff the pass or can my recruiting campaign in the Eastern Steppes, the Wheatlands, & Norsca for settlers supply guards?
No, you'll get appropriate troops depending on the level of the settlement and the choices in the interturns.
Now I also remember someone asking if thralls can build longboats and a bit more elaboration on how does seasonal renting of longboats work.
Thralls can build longboats. As for how renting longboats works, an AI unit of thralls/bondsmen and very rarely something else is provided to you, you control it, but the moment you land on the shore, they basically go AFK until either something threathenes them, at which point they fuck off, leaving you stranded, or until you return, at which point, you re-embark and they sail you back to where you want.
Also for minotaur lad, the centigors don't have higher initiative than infantry when assaulting towns or fighting on hills.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714630500612003.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1714630500},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5992095,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5992092
Easy turn for me. The Cataphracts go directly south up on the hill to scout. The archers will move south into the stream.
Chaos knights hold position..
Also forgot my slaves. They would have retired and started preparing a suitable location for Mulrogs army to return to for the winter in Baersonlinglands together with the injured Horse Archers
Caption
8K GG","attachment":null,"posted":1714630924},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5992098,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5991731
Other than the villages in the mountains themselves, there are no enemies to be found on the map.
(every village marked with a number on >>5991433 is free taking)
>>5991490
>>5991652
>>5991658
>>5991660
>>5991702
High Zar Ivan the Unbearable decides to retire early in order to pursue his journey to recruit settlers for the Wheatlands, with his hordes returning to the east to meet with their families, to replenish their numbers and to get drunk and feast.
During his feast, a number of odd faces appear, a ancient kurgan warrior, dressed in nothing but Cathayan silks, a hobgoblin warrior riding a horse like befits a human and a hung cripple clad in jewelry befit a king, yet he manages to corner none before first his duties of recruiting settlers and then his host continue their journey.
His next stop brings him to the wheatlands where he likewise starts tending to the needs of his host and the difficulties of corresponding and informing the kislevites and the dolgans of their mutual duties, yet again, his hasty passing leaves him with little time to tend to the finer intricacies, like, for a example, a erection of a capital, or the establishment of laws, for he and his horde continue northwest in a attempt to reach the Baersonling lands before retiring for the season. Barely passing, Ivan continues towards the Last Hope Inn, tired from the relentless campaigning, recruiting and negotiating, steps into the inn, and proceeds to pass out from drinking a keg of ale. His patrons charge him for his room, then kindly escort him from the prying eyes of the figures Sarrick had seen previously and a few new ones, like a kislevite boyar, a norscan half troll and a coal coloured human.","attachment":null,"posted":1714631978},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5992099,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5992098
Finally, drunk, exhausted and frankly sick of travelling, Ivan returns to the lands of his Baersonling hosts and takes a few days to rest and sleep before forcing himself up to tend to his plans.
Firstly, Ivan would have to decide, who would he settle the Wheatlands with, having taken the dominant position with them:
>Dolgans, the nearest, cheapest and most eager to settle, as they often did in Kislev itself. The steppe men and women would still stick to their old ways and would be difficult to mould.
>The Baersonlings, already settled nearby, yet unwilling to compromise on their traditions and ideas and unwilling to accept Ivan.
>Slaves, already broken in, shattered from a dozen nations and peoples, expensive, yet willing to work and able to be moulded into a force and a realm Ivan would impose upon them
>Write-in
Then, Ivan would spend the later halves of his days doing what Norscans do, drinking in company of:
>A strange albino that refused to introduce himself, instead calling on you to lend him aid as you both serve chaos, promising a mighty black greatsword (+2D to a single unit of Sarricks choice) and a sack of gems (20 loot) should you aid him in securing his passage upon a mist cloaked island in the Frozen sea
>Oddbjorn, a Norscan whaler calling upon you to join him in fishing adventures as beasts of a size never seen before are prowling the seas and the ice is thick enough further insea for even chaos knights to gallop across them, promising great loot should you succeed.
>Himself, dedicating his time to dreaming the odd times and strange places hidden by strings of fate pulled by the gods.","attachment":null,"posted":1714632041},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5992122,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5992092
Alright, here's my turn 9
After I raid that village, I'll split the loot and then retire for the season.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714637522617439.png","filename":"R2 T9.png"},"posted":1714637522},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5992127,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5992092
We march west, guided by visions of gore! Glory won in battle or an early death on Kislev's blades! Kharneth demands it!
>>5991768
Together, we will conquer and we will slay! Your northern ungors might be better off trailing the norscans and helping us to fight any bastards helping to garrison Fort Ostrosk, but far be it from me to command a brother by blood spilled.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714638713013691.png","filename":"Raid #10.png"},"posted":1714638713},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5992130,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5992092
Hangar rides his horsemen onward across the plains.
>>5991875
Hangar's Cataphracts dip their lances in silent salute as they ride past the victorious Gor-herd and the village they are about to plunder.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714638983507019.png","filename":"Mapgame.png"},"posted":1714638983},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5992145,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5992092
Lanu, if my Centigors are done fighting in the hill village, then I’d like them to move two hexes northwest, two hexes north to attack the two house village, saving my Gors. Ungors can move three hexes due south.
Also looks like I picked up another 10 loot, could you confirm?","attachment":null,"posted":1714641549},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5992157,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5992145
Do you need to save the Gors? From the looks of it on the map there's nothing in the village to defend it, so you could just have he Gors walk on through and loot on the way?","attachment":null,"posted":1714647044},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5992166,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5992157
Ah, as I look again - clearly there was a defender there and the Gors have cleared the village already. The enemy unit didn’t appear on the previous map so I wasn’t sure if Lanu just forgot to put the unit icon there.
Anyways if the village is already clear:
1)Gors loot the village and head southwest to attack the next southwest village on the river bank.
2)Ungors move as previously ordered.
3)Centigors instead attack due northwest to take the next river village along with the Gors","attachment":null,"posted":1714649901},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5992172,"name":"High Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5992099
I was hoping for the Roppsmen option...
The Albino it is. That's +20 up front?
>Dolgans","attachment":null,"posted":1714650742},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5992174,"name":"High Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5992172
So long as it is, here's my loot expenditure:
>Baersonling Ships x7 -14 Loot
>Norscan Thralls x1 -6 Loot
>Horse Archers x1 -10 Loot
>Ulfhednar x2 -52 Loot
>Wheatlands Fort -20 Loot
Loot = 0
I'll give the +2 Damage to my unit of Cataphracts, where the Zar feels most at home upon the Steppes.
Considering the info about units staffing settlements based on tiers, I'd like to raise an additional 50 beyond the 20 I've thrown in, so that there will be two Tier 3 settlements + two Moats (one on each side). This will ensure Kislev cannot dislodge us, & once again I will either disburse the interraid tribute from the settlement among investors or accrue it into an "emergency fund" if you will.
RUE'VAHN THE DEPRAVED LOESH-BLESSED
ZAR MULROG THE CRUEL
ZAR HANGAR OF THE HASTLINGS
PRIME BEEF KRANTAGARH
KORTHAK BURNING-BRASS
HUFFUD THE GREAT HEFFER
MAGOR GOREBOW OF THE GOAT-TIDE
SARRICK THE SORCERER
Who among you will aid me in this endeavour?","attachment":null,"posted":1714651762},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5992191,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5992174
Mate I don’t even have enough money to buy more cows
I appreciate the title, and this is VERY cool- but Minotaurs be expensive yo
Best of luck in your endeavor though! It’ll make for a fine rallying point","attachment":null,"posted":1714655164},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5992225,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5992174
...... i could contribute 10 if Rue keeps his promise to give 5 loot to me. that would be all i can afford since i also want two units of skinwolves.","attachment":null,"posted":1714658285},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5992256,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5992172
>That's +20 up front?
It's actually not. The +20 loot is after you get him to the island
>>5992174
>I'll give the +2 Damage to my unit of Cataphracts, where the Zar feels most at home upon the Steppes.
And same to here. The sword comes as payment after the job is done.","attachment":null,"posted":1714661982},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5992274,"name":"High Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5992256
In that case, revised math:
Start
Loot 82
>Baersonling Ships x5 -10 Loot
>Norscan Bondsmen x2 -16 Loot
>Horse Archers x1 -10 Loot
>Ulfhednar x1 -26 Loot
>Wheatlands Fort -20 Loot
Finish
Loot 0
>Norscan Bondsmen x2
>Horse Archers x3
>Kurgan Cataphracts x1
>Ulfhednar x1
>Chaos Knights x2","attachment":null,"posted":1714663045},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5992278,"name":"High Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"PS I accept the quest to take this albino weirdo across the sea on my rental fleet, the Sarls can wait awhile longer.","attachment":null,"posted":1714663128},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5992335,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5992256
Actually, probably better to ask you to clear it up, Lanu.
>>5992092
There's no image of a unit in the town the Gors are next to, but there is a pair of black arrows and the Gors do appear to have taken damage. Did they manage to kill the unit in the town, or is it just missing from the image?","attachment":null,"posted":1714667899},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5992336,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5992335
They managed to kill it. It was a militia unit.","attachment":null,"posted":1714668063},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5992339,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5992336
Thanks for clarifying Lanu!","attachment":null,"posted":1714668384},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5992365,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5992098
>>5992127
Then let it be so!
>Northern Ungors will follow the Norscans
>Western Ungors will begin to encircle the foe town
>Ungors that took the town will loot and rape everything that's there if they haven't already. Magor wants first pick of anything interesting.
>Remaining eastern Ungors prepare to encircle the river village!
>>5992174
The title is well received by Magor, though I have little loot to offer you at this time. I'm not even sure if I have any loot, the last loot I got ages ago was 10 loot which I spent on having 2 more ungors. I see I still only have twelve, so I presume it was for recouping losses from the very first phase of the campaign.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714671145253725.png","filename":"Plans.png"},"posted":1714671145},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5992371,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5992174
A fortress could suit our needs, but would that plunder not be better spent on sharp steel and murderous men? No man ever earned glory before the gods cowering behind walls. The plunder I take I will keep for myself and those who fight with me, so that I can continue to fight! Kharneth demands it!
Still, I see reason in your proposal and you've proven yourself a savvy raider. Though I do not have enough to give now, I will hand over five shares of loot when this season is done and consider your work well in the future. In time, such a stronghold might rival the greatest of Southron cities. It would only be cunning to get in on the ground floor.
>>5992365
Together! By our hands and in the sight of Morrisleb, Fort Ostrosk will fall, brick-by-brick! Not by gauntlets of Chaos Chosen, but bare, calloused grip of goats and northmen! If we are the victors in this, our blades will reap fame as well as flame!","attachment":null,"posted":1714672462},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5992573,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Hey. Do you still take new players?","attachment":null,"posted":1714693072},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5992819,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5992573
I think so yeah. Current raid is getting closer to its endpoint so building an army and warlord can probably happen without having to wait too long.
Manu can corret me if i am wrong though","attachment":null,"posted":1714715426},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5992843,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5992095
The cataphracts crest the hill and find the everpresent foes. A strelsy detachment vigilantly standing guard.
Want to take 20 loot and retire?
>>5992122
OOC it's a militia unit, wanna take 10 loot and be done with it?
>>5992127
A vicious charge of the berserkers catches the bloodied strelsy unaware, axes and javelins and spears hewing into kislevite flesh before the vollies can be fired and before a charge of the bardiches can hew your men down. The village is cleared, all that is left to do is to sack it.
>>5992145
>>5992166
Regarding this, your Gors can't sack a village and then continue onwards, a settlement saps all movement when stepping onto it, same as hills, rivers and forests. So I moved your centaurs to just south of the village. Also, yes, you have previously gained 10 loot and you have now gained another 10 loot. I can change it if you dislike it.
>>5992365
So far you have 10 loot, but have lost 2 ungors.
Your ungors swarm the village, a quick skirmish is fought between the ungortide and the militiamen, but they are simply swept away by the great wave of beastmen. The village is defenseless.
>>5992573
Yeah, you can cook up your character and your 60 loot's worth of an army, but you'll only be able to join after the current raid's been done. I recommend reading the start of the quest, plus noting that you can also play norscans.
The current recruitment sheet is:
>>5981998
+ for Baersonlings:
Skinwolf - 26 loot:
HP 3
D 2
M 4","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714718986992495.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1714718986},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5992850,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5992843
Yeah. The knights will charge over the hill take some damage and then plunder the village. Gonna retire afterwards to Baersonlinglands.
>>5992122
If this still stands i think we can write it a bit like Rue Vhan and Mulrog meeting on their respective ways home and having a little talk
Lanu i made 40 loot ik the wheatlands, 10 ehole crossing the border and 20 in Kislev proper right? That would put the pay for the two raid units i took in 14 loot correct?
I have two loot from before and rue promised 5 for... a service which is not loot gained from raiding
That should give me 63 loot left over?
Gonna write a small thing out between Mulrog and Rue'Vhan when i get home.","attachment":null,"posted":1714720482},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5992856,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5992843
>"OOC it's a militia unit, wanna take 10 loot and be done with it?"
If that's the case then yeah, I'll raid the village and retire.
The 10 loot from the town gets divided and sent off; 5 going to Mulrog while the other 5 gets split between the minotaurs as a thank you for clearing the Skinwolves. I'll say that this first batch will go to Huffud to help get caught up for joining late, and then next raid I'll give 5 to Krantagarh. If they instead want to share it now so that one of them has 3 while the other gets 2, or something, then I'll leave that for them to decide.
As for where I retire, I'll be heading back home to the lands of The Hung, specifically the Aghol territory north of Naggarond.
If it's okay with you QM, I'll actually ask for you to wait before describing what interim lore encounters I get. I have a fun little lore thing I want to do first involving some troop recruitment. I'll write out a cool lore blurb tomorrow once I get home from work, and then after that I'll ask for the interim choices. If you're okay with this, that is.
Once I've done both of those, I'll plan my budget and decide how much loot I want to spend on even more troops vs donate to Ivan's fortification fund vs hold on to/save for later.
>>5992850
Yeah that sounds pretty cool. A meet up + chat before retiring. Although I'll warn that oog it might be like 18-24 hours before I can properly respond cuz irl I've got a busy day tomorrow.","attachment":null,"posted":1714721044},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5992858,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5992850
I think the maths checks out. I haven't been keeping track this raid, but I trust all of my players.
Also, consider investing in Huffund.
Mulrogs return to the Baersonling lands, loaded with such heavy wagons of loot and such long columns of slaves brings him much cheering. And of course, such a figure cannot go without attention.
>Oddbjorn, a Norscan whaler calling upon you to join him in fishing adventures as beasts of a size never seen before are prowling the seas and the ice is thick enough further insea for even chaos knights to gallop across them, promising food and supplies and volunteers should you succeed.
>Lodin, fat and aging man, and a exiled Fjellsende chieftain, promising you regular tribute (of 9 loot after he rebuilds) should you aid him in regaining his throne.
>Vigi, a youthful and darkskinned girl (or boy, you can't quite tell and don't care about inquiring), asking for aid in reaching and desecrating a monolith at the spring of the river Lynsk and promising his own weight in gold and gemstones as reward (50 loot).
>>5992856
>If it's okay with you QM, I'll actually ask for you to wait before describing what interim lore encounters I get.
All fine with me. I always appreciate player engagement.
>Although I'll warn that oog it might be like 18-24 hours before I can properly respond cuz irl I've got a busy day tomorrow.
Should be fine, as Kran, Magor, Hangar and Korth all have their forces in the field.","attachment":null,"posted":1714721731},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5992865,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5992843
Blood for the soil! Smoke for the pyre! Fort Ostrosk is almost in sight! Soon, we'll have the Hound in frenzy!
>>5992365
You do the honours with this town, friend. I have eyes on a greater prize. I only hope your ungors' hides are thicker than the Kislevite black powder's strong.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714722739156661.png","filename":"Raid #11.png"},"posted":1714722739},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5992905,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5992843
Here's my orders:
1) Ungors move one hex south, one hex southeast - they peek at the forest village - any defenders there?
Looks like my Centigors/Gors are penned in a bit by the other mounted troops, so they'll just chill for now. I'll keep my wounded Gors chilling in their village as well.","attachment":null,"posted":1714731575},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5992918,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5992843
The riders keep riding. The new positions should give a clearer picture; and then I can a decision.
>>5992905
I didn't think I was actually pinning you, but regardless I should be out of the way now.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714733064180163.png","filename":"Mapgame.png"},"posted":1714733064},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5992920,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5992918
Cool, thanks!
I Amend my orders somewhat:
1) Wounded gors retreat one hex southeast, two hexes northeast.
2) Centigors move three hexes south, obe hex southwest. I want to get out of range of the streltsy and positive for a team-up with Zar Hanger’s mounted forces, basically.","attachment":null,"posted":1714733954},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5992982,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":"Rolled 2 (1d6)
>>5992865
Gods grant you glory and favor, brother in Chaos and bloodshed!
>>5992843
>Northernmost Ungors will continue advancing behind the norscans
>One unit of Ungors will storm the Kislevite town!
>One unit of Ungors to the East will storm the undefended village!
>The rest in the east will try and pursue the lone kislevite unit, they will make for the river to the west
Now let us see who to dedicate these glories too, in the time honoured tradition of d6
>The Kislevite Village
1-3 Magor favors the Serpent, for it has been most kind
4-5 It is unwise to always favor only one of the Four, roll for the other three
6 Chaos Undivided","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714740090863855.png","filename":"Plans.png"},"posted":1714740090},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5992991,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":"Rolled 6 (1d6)
>>5992982
The surviving Kislevites will envy the dead, for today the Ungors seek living prisoners to indulge on debaucheries most dark and dire! The women taken, to provide more numbers to the horde, and the men a feast most fresh and lively
>Village to the East","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714740318819999.jpg","filename":"ungor_raiders_with_the_mark_of_slaanesh_by_taelonar_d8pojo0-fullview.jpg"},"posted":1714740318},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993010,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5992991
A wandering Bray-Shaman advises we pay heed to all the Four, and his words are welcomed.
Blood sports are held to the Hound, captive villagers made to duel with ungors to spill blood and shed skulls piled high
Great heaps of bodies are left to fester in the sweltering sun in a great cesspit where we lay our waste, for the glory of the Crow
Lots and games of chance are held, some captives to live as slaves to honoured mutants others to be slain, for the Eagle's sake
And the Serpent is honored with much revelry, ungors taking contests to see who has the greatest stamina through night and day
Totems to all four are left behind on the ruined village","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714740987983008.png","filename":"Bray_Shamans.png"},"posted":1714740987},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993039,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5992856
Returning from his latest conquest with wagons bursting with loot Mulrog had been in deep thought about where he should next ride. Back Home would have been nice, but he felt like the steppes wouldnt provide what he needed. What he wanted were more knights, but the realities of War demanded footsoldiers to aussault castles and town.
Steering his Mount away from the pass and more northward towards the Baersonling Lands he had made his decision. One that was most fortunate, meeting with Rue'Vahn the depraved Hung, who was on his way back home. Mulrog greeted his fellow warlord with some courtesy but also apprehension due to the Manticore leering at him with Malice. Nonetheless the hosts didnt come to blows and instead a feast was held where the warlords shared stories of their exploits before Mulrog mentioned retiring to Baersonling Lands to find some suitable warriors for his next cause.
Hearing of the Healers Woes with the Skinwolves Mulrogs determination grew even more and in return for some loot he even promised to make sure that the woman would receive the good word and more.
Urslo would be his target for the winter months where he demanded the Woman be brought to him. Not only would he impress upon the chieftain that she made sure that their Problem was taken care off. He also offered the woman a small token made of brass with his symbol pressed into it, guaranteeing her safety while he spent his winter there.
But he also probed her for knowledge about the Ulfwerenar and how these creatures were created and controlled, offering some of his slaves up to be transformed. Their minds already having been broken and bent to his will hopefully allowing him to control them even after the transformation took hold in them.
>>5992858
>Oddbjorn, a Norscan whaler calling upon you to join him in fishing adventures as beasts of a size never seen before are prowling the seas and the ice is thick enough further insea for even chaos knights to gallop across them, promising food and supplies and volunteers should you succeed.","attachment":null,"posted":1714743130},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993055,"name":"Narvoch Ravenwing","msg":"Narvoch was a Baersonling boy, too clever for his own good. His village was ransacked by raiders on dark night many winters ago and he fled alone into the frozen wastes. He has now returned to his sorcerer as a mighty sorcerer with thralls to serve him, a retinue of warriors sworn to his name and a pack of skinwolves enslaved to his will. A dark, red eyed raven never strays far from his presence.
Narvoch Ravenwing was once one of the Baersonlings. He is now something more.
>Chaos warrior – 28 loot
>Skinwolf 26 loot
>Thrall – 6 loot
>>5992843
Here's my character, ready for whenever the raid ends. I'll add a picture once I find or generate something that I like","attachment":null,"posted":1714744128},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993174,"name":"High Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5993055
Welcome aboard!","attachment":null,"posted":1714753250},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993197,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5993055
OOC - welcome aboard!
IC - Krantigarh says “all sorcerers must be consumed, your raw bone marrow will be tangy and sweet on my tongue”","attachment":null,"posted":1714754880},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993244,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993055
Another soul to join the winds of war, welcome!
(I wonder if the other leaders will tease Narvoch for being so young and untested)","attachment":null,"posted":1714759195},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993249,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5993244
age means nothing. if he is capable Mulrog will respect him.
Speaking off
>>5993055
OOC: Good to see ya
IC: Another godsdamned sorcerer","attachment":null,"posted":1714759355},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993267,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5993055
<WARMONGERING COW NOISES>
OOC: welcome! wanna join the siege of hellpit?","attachment":null,"posted":1714760338},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993331,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5993055
Fellow caster-chad, disregard these martials, they are jealous of our wisdom.","attachment":null,"posted":1714764915},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993335,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5993039
As the two warlords feast and celebrate, a great many things are discussed. Stories of exploits, rumors about the newest members of the invasion, speculation on the mysterious Lanu and the sister trapped in Ostrosk, and lastly, plans for the future.
Rue'Vahn declares that the shared loot is more than merely a favor to Nilsa, it is a symbol of his good faith towards Mulrog. It is foolish to believe the word of a Hung, but you can usually trust their actions.
He goes on to explain that he's been keeping a close eye on the tensions amongst the warlords, and although he is relieved that things haven't yet fallen apart, he is uncertain how long that will last. Krantagarh seems to want Sarrick dead, but more importantly, Ivan might end up challenging Hangar for the title of leadership. Rue'Vahn proposes that should such a conflict come to pass, that he, Mulrog, and the everyone else enforce a rule or something. That the challenge be tolerated on the condition that it is not settled via infighting. Our own troops should not be wasted on something petty, and instead, the conflict be resolved another way. We could have a repeat of the very beginning and put it to a vote, we could make it a contest determined by who can raid the most loot within a single season, etc. The details do not particularly matter to him, as long as we don't end up with a mountain of our own dead, even though that would immensely please the blood god.
He will still support Ivan's claim, as he is sure that Mulrog will support Hangar, but he is sickened by the thought of the everyone going back to square one. He is even willing to consider making these kinds of donations a regular thing if it means he doesn't have to worry about disaster.
Rue'Vanh explains that unlike most others, he is not particularly interested in power or wealth. He only cares for serving the interests of Loesh as a way to express his gratitude, and right now, that means making sure this invasion succeeds.
So in summary, the loot is given freely and without any expectations of reciprocation, and he simply hopes that it shows Mulrog the truth of his intentions; to strengthen cooperation and avoid civil war.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714765268265859.jpg","filename":"A feast for chaos.jpg"},"posted":1714765268},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993340,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5993335
Mulrog did indeed not trust the words of Ru'Vhan though he did feel similarly. He promised to not waste troops on infighting. it would only give the southerners time to rally and maybe even push them back. While he does enjoy battle and bloodshed immesurably he does not wish to add his skull to the Skullthrone just yet.
And similar to how Rue seeks only to please Sloesh Mulrog seeks to exalt Khornes Glory.
with a possible understanding reached the warlords can part knowing they likely wont just stab each other in the back.","attachment":null,"posted":1714765558},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993374,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5992858
Alright here we go. I've been waiting for this since the quest began.
With the haul of treasure that he has plundered, Rue'Vahn begins his journey home with an excitement not seen since he proposed to Sunset. Finally, after years of planning, he is ready.
Messenger ravens are sent ahead of time so that his contacts are expecting him when he arrives. Upon his return to the lands of the Aghol, he keeps a low profile by sailing along the coast and doesn't bother visiting the gathering places of the tribe. Instead, he is bee-lining straight for a ritual site in the west.
There, he greets a number of Druchii witches who he remembers fondly from his days of being allied to the servants of Morathi and her cult of pleasure. Opposite to the dark elves are a number of chaos sorcerers who he had done quests for in the past, and asked to be here for this day. All present for this moment are generously paid the wealth they are due for assisting in what comes next, and great number of slaves are brought forth to be sacrificed as fuel for the incantations. As the final preparations are being made, Rue'Vahn summons forth his most trusted retainers to open a small chest which he has been slowly filling over the years. By now, it is well packed with magic scrolls, all containing a copy of the exact same spell: The Transformation of Kadon
The slaves, the scrolls, the service of the wizards, it cost a small fortune for him to see this day (44 loot to be exact) , but it was all worth it. You see, this was a very special day. It was his anniversary, and he was about to achieve the most wonderful kind of present of all; the kind he can share with the one he loves.
He approaches the center of the ritual site and places his wedding ring on the dais. The chanting begins and the Winds of Ghur condense into a storm. The scrolls evaporate and their energy pours into the circle. Upon the hundredth cry of "PRAISE THE DARK PRINCE!" a lightning bolt crashes down and everything goes silent.
The invocation seems to have been a success. Rue'Vahn approaches the center, and as he picks it up, he notices that his previously silver wedding ring is now coated with a beautiful amber.
Part 1/2","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714769891976684.png","filename":"Rewards of Loesh.png"},"posted":1714769891},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993376,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5993374
Part 2/2
He demands that the magi inspect it, and explain how the newly enchanted artifact works. They tell him that it is safe, and just as he hoped, he can now transform into a manticore for a few hours, several times a day. Effectively a scroll that replenishes itself. Annoyingly it is not able to be permanent, but what does it matter?! At last he can finally spend time with his wife as an equal, and experience life the way she does.
>(+1 'Warbeast of the North' recruited)
A round of triumphant cheers and applauds are held before before Rue'Vahn thanks the sorcerers and bids them farewell. They are invited to join him as he heroically returns to the great gathering places of the tribe and partake in the resulting celebrations, but he will not hold it against them if they have other business to attend.
He doesn't know what the future holds, but one thing is for sure: there's going to be nothing left of the bedroom by the end of this winter.
Alright there we go. That's the lore thing I wanted to do. Now that he can transform, all that's left is to find a way to make Sunset intelligent/fully sentient. Although if you want to veto the lore thing, QM, then I understand.
Regardless, with that out of the way, I am now ready to fully retire until next raid and choose which interim encounters I am presented with. The reason I wanted them delayed is because I don't know if the anniversary event might have an impact on them or alter who I meet. Once I decide on that, I'll plan the rest of my budget and see how much I can contribute to Ivan's fortifications.
Also, just to make sure, I have 38 loot right now, correct? If my math is accurate, then I had 2, earned 90 this raid, then gave away 10, and just spent 44, leaving me at 38.","attachment":null,"posted":1714769958},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993385,"name":"Zar Ivan etc. etc.","msg":">>5993376
Fucking siiick dude","attachment":null,"posted":1714770827},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993427,"name":"The Zar","msg":">>5993010
Also all this, holy h*ck
So Magor, Krantagarh, & Hangar are still in the field right?
Lanu, are you using the Pulk system for Kislev's defenders or going by Oblasts?","attachment":null,"posted":1714775428},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993707,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Hangars scouting discovers a significant force of cavalry ready to strike at him from the south.
Krantagarh's ungors (ugh) find a mere militia guarding the forest village. Still a force beyond their capabilities.
Magors efforts net him 30 loot.
And a despoiled village aswell.
Korthaks berserkers catch a unit of strelsy offguard and butchers the to the last. Yet fort Ostrosk is seeming to turn into a bloodbath.
>>5993427
>Lanu, are you using the Pulk system for Kislev's defenders or going by Oblasts?
Kislev is actually a united state and a very competent one by where it survived, so I think the Kislevites should be more fluent in how they unite their pulks.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714804925512263.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1714804925},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993716,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5993039
"So Mulrog the Cruel, you seek to head north?" The whaler asks. "Well, the hag witch has told me the ice shall be thick this year. Absurdly thick. The ice should even force the fish to the surface, entrapped in ice. Your men should simply be able to march on the surface, putting any beast on the surface to the sword. And the norscans, ever on the edge of hunger, will appreciate it. So will the Hung. I reckon many will flock to your banners."
>>5993055
Welcome to the quest Narvoch. More hordes are always welcome, especially now that I've gotten into the rhythm.
>>5993374
>>5993376
I fully approve.
And furthermore I rust your maths.
Rue'Vahn's return is cheered, celebration is held and animal furs and leathers are laid out for him and Sunset's nightly wrestling competitions. Yet, when Rue's outside of his tent, he spends time getting drunk, eating and occasionally conversing with:
>A Druchii slaver, a tall, slender figure you cannot place the sex of until he speaks. "I seek slaves warlord of the dark prince. And I seek them in the troll bay. You shall be compensated in elven craftsmanship."
>A estalian scholar, a dark skinned, two headed man. "I heard of your deeds. I am interested in crafting beasts."
>A Hung warrior biding you to march south "O warlord, march south and clear the coast free of the Aeslings so that we may settle the north of Norsca. Many a warrior would flock to your banner should you do so!"","attachment":null,"posted":1714806564},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993721,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5993716
what kind of beast can i expect. Seawyrms? Whales? other darker creatures spawned from lightless dephts?
I assume this mission is gonna be on a timer as to when i can complete it?","attachment":null,"posted":1714807394},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993727,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5993721
>what kind of beast can i expect. Seawyrms? Whales? other darker creatures spawned from lightless dephts?
Yes.
>I assume this mission is gonna be on a timer as to when I can complete it?
Only the next raid.","attachment":null,"posted":1714808260},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993729,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5993727
alright. then i might have to rally some support to my cause promising some help in return.
>>5993331
sarrick. your mammoth hunt will be useful. would you help me out on this next hunt to the poles to hunt for seamonsters? I will return the favor, helping you out and share some of the loot with you.","attachment":null,"posted":1714808794},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993731,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5993707
Blood... In the months since my blessing, food has burnt to ash in my mouth, water to mist and booze the same. Such are the gifts of the gods, my skull need not eat so long as I slay but I thirst STILL! I thirst for BLOOD! The one thing my tongue of flame can taste! The blood of my friends, blood of my foes! BLOOD! Blood to grease the boots of Kharneth!
Forward, dogs! Make death or die! The northern part will skirmish, berserkers cleaving militia or being cloven in turn. The bondsmen behind them will keep the stresly at bay, softening them up for the goat horde. The southern part will taunt the idolaters, bidding them come forth and die at our furious steel, while the eastern berserkers and our beast friends move west.
>>5993010
I believe that we'll make Fort Ostrosk ours, soon. There's a heavy price to be paid in Kislev skulls and if you are ready, as I am, I'm eager to bargain! The brunt of your horde is far to the southeast, perhaps too far to join in time for the plundering but I'm confident what we have will be enough. It must be or we will die in glory!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714808956287516.png","filename":"Raid #12.png"},"posted":1714808956},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993733,"name":"Rue’Vahn","msg":">>5993716
Aww man, I like all of these options.
I know I can’t pick multiple, but am I allowed to ask if some of them can elaborate before I decide?
For example, is the Druchii’s offer a one-time thing, or is this a recurring arrangement where I’ll now have access to elven stuff?","attachment":null,"posted":1714809056},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993738,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5993733
>I know I can’t pick multiple, but am I allowed to ask if some of them can elaborate before I decide?
These options represent alternate realities rather than actual visitors. So, you really can't converse with them much more.
>For example, is the Druchii’s offer a one-time thing, or is this a recurring arrangement where I’ll now have access to elven stuff?
The vast majority of things, unless dismissed by players or obviously a onetime offer, are recurring opportunities.","attachment":null,"posted":1714809237},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993761,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5993738
Hmm, I don't actually know what the Estalian wants me to do, but regardless, I think I know what I'll pick. I just need to talk to the other warlords first and see where everyone is going next raid because that might change my mind.
Also, just to make sure, I assume that Troll Bay means the coast of troll country in Kislev, but which of these circles in particular is the elf talking about? Or am I completely wrong and getting it mixed up with somewhere else?
Okay, roll call.
Can I get a head count of who is attacking where during the next raid? I don't need anything particular, just a rough idea of what area / goal.
>Hellpit(?):
Krantagarh and Huffud, are you two attacking Hellpit next time? If so, then I assume that the raid after next you intend to go on the big journey to the southern forest to place the herdstone? I'll probably tag along for that one, but I have no interest in the rats right now.
>Sarls(?):
Ivan, Sarrick, Hangar, you guys are all going north to attack the Sarls and capture mammoths while Mulrog rides out on the ice to hunt seamonsters?
>Unconfirmed(?):
Korthak, I assume that you'll take Fort Ostrosk this raid, but where do you plan on going next? Same for you Narvoch, where are you going to deploy and target for raiding? How about you Magor, what's your plan for next time?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714811939441871.png","filename":"Troll Bay.png"},"posted":1714811939},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993777,"name":"Bad Back Anon","msg":">>5993761
Ye. I will go and hunt some seamonstersm you want in?
I might be able to squeeze enough money together to rent some boats for your army","attachment":null,"posted":1714812745},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993779,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5993761
Mulrog offers you join him in hunting and killing. What better time to spend with the ones you live than hunting monsteous sea creatures frommyour deepest nightmares","attachment":null,"posted":1714812897},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993780,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5993761
The stretch of coast encompassing the purple circle and all the way until you get into the open sea.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714813028300065.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1714813028},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993803,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5993707
Hangar curses as the numbers of the reinforcements are revealed to him. Too many Kislevites, especially to meet when pincered between two forces; and most of Krantagarh's beast-herds are already melting away back into the forests. To live in the wastes, sometimes it is only the fleetness of your steed that keeps you alive. Those that lust with the fury of the lord of skulls might still howl and snap at declining such a challenge; but Tchar holds that fates might change upon the turn of another day, and Nieglin decrees that all things shall rot in their time. There may even still be a victory to find here; but a reckless charge will not bring it... we fall back, for the moment. There are Ungors roaming north of the river, and should they cross then their numbers might bolster ours enough.
At the very least, if these Kislevites are distracted here they cannot ride north to reinforce the Fortress...","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714814637430618.png","filename":"Mapgame.png"},"posted":1714814637},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993809,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5993780
What happens with the elf if other warlords raid those villages? Am I able to trade loot from elsewhere for the same slaves that they'll take?","attachment":null,"posted":1714815222},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993814,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5993809
Oh no, he doesn't care about that, he wants you to bring units of slaves to anywhere on that coast so he can pick them up and give you your payment.
And by that, it's implied that you buy units of slaves and march them over the map.","attachment":null,"posted":1714815415},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993827,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5993814
Oooooohhh okay I get it, he wants me to drop them off.
How many does he want? Or is it a situation where he just pays for every slave brought to him?","attachment":null,"posted":1714817458},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993830,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5993827
He'll pay for each slave delivered.","attachment":null,"posted":1714817744},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993834,"name":"Krantigarh","msg":">>5993707
Krantigarh, sensing a change in this battle's energy (and having nothing at all to do with Zar Hangar's strategic retreat), orders his forces to begin reassembling in the forests. Perhaps if he collects them once again, he may be able to raid that one last forest village in the south...
>>5993761
>Krantagarh and Huffud, are you two attacking Hellpit next time?
Yes, that's right. I was planning to help Huffud with the Hellpit assault, and then afterwards, pitch the big "Kislev Forest River Deepstrike Marine Assault" aka KFRDMA so I can place my herdstone.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714818224228417.png","filename":"K_turn_retreat.png"},"posted":1714818224},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993835,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5993834
Oh, shit, yeah, I forgot, you have 1 more unit of wounded gors, do you want them to move in the same direction?","attachment":null,"posted":1714818624},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993839,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5993835
Sure, let’s try to collect everyone together. DESU, I was expecting to retire shortly after the mountain pass fight, which is why I stopped moving the Gors, but this lil post-mountain raid has gone better than I imagined…","attachment":null,"posted":1714818998},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993861,"name":"Sarrick","msg":"So using my excellent art skills here's how I see options for a northern campaign. My general plan was to sail past the dwarfs into the area I suspect the mammoths to be (beyond the baersonlings but east of the aeslings). The current map of dwarf lands shows Kraka Ravnsvake and surroundings, so Kraka Drak may also be on the mammoth area map, in which case there may be an opportunity to loot for big dwarf gold is any of their settlements look vulnerable. Alternatively, we can just stick to task and capture some baby mammoths, though I assume that will also involve having to fight adult mammoths, which will likely suck.
After that, assuming we're in a fit state to continue I see four main options:
First, double back the way we came and try to push down the Ravsnvake in dwarf lands. Using the lake and the HP bonus from being in ships may make an attack this way viable, but it would likely still be hard as the dwarf warriors are equivalant to chaos warriors in stats.
Second, push along the coast, subjugate the Aeslings, then head south, through what looks like a mountain pass into the brown tribe. Personally, I feel like the black tribe is positioned more where the Sarls are meant to be, but in that case I have no idea who the brown tribe are. Maybe they are the Sarls and the black tribe are the Skaelings?
Third, basically the same plan as number 2 but after the Aeslings continue along the coast towards the Vargs.
Fourth, we turn back after getting the mammoths and go onto this quest we're seen about hunting sea monsters on the ice. This seems like a bit of a mystery box option, as presumably there will be no settlements to loot, so the reward will be something else, and also we have no real idea what the sea monsters are or how tough they'll be.
Personally, I'm committed to the mammoth hunt, but which of the four routes afterwards depends on what everyone else is doing.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714820777290392.png","filename":"Untitled.png"},"posted":1714820777},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993869,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5993861
Like i offered before. I help you and you help me hunting afterwards.
I would assume the hunt will bring loot based on the number and quality of creature slain. Maybe there is even an option to subjugate a merewyrm or something","attachment":null,"posted":1714822117},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993871,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5993869
Sounds reasonable. Just checking, but you have boats, right?
Fucking captcha.","attachment":null,"posted":1714822495},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993873,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5993861
>Personally, I feel like the black tribe is positioned more where the Sarls are meant to be,
Because they are.
>but in that case I have no idea who the brown tribe are. Maybe they are the Sarls and the black tribe are the Skaelings?
The blacks are the Fjellsende, a term I've seen on a couple of maps and chose to adopt as a Norse tribe, as I see no logical way for the Baersonlings to be present on both sides of the Goromadny and to have their lands split down the middle with Kislevite forts and Dwarven holds.
>>5993871
Well, if you push past the dwarven lands, you won't have to use boats.","attachment":null,"posted":1714822615},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993874,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Hey QM when should new players jump in? After the raiding season has concluded?","attachment":null,"posted":1714822678},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993875,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5993871
I will have three boats at least. I will exchange my slaves for thralls and get two units of skinwolves. When not transformed they should also be able to build and sail ships.
I can rent some more if need be. Or buy some bondsmen if needed.
Or if our bloodthirst friend shows up with wnough men he might be able to transport us all on his own","attachment":null,"posted":1714822938},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993877,"name":"Narvoch Ravenwing","msg":">>5993761
My first inclination would be to stick with my fellow casterchad and go hunt mammoths but I'm not sure there's gonna be much loot and glory there?
>>5993871
I can carry three units in my boats.","attachment":null,"posted":1714822969},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993879,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5993874
Yep, tho you can write your character and select the army for 60 loot beforehand.
Refer to the last few lines in: >>5992843","attachment":null,"posted":1714823265},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993884,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5993873
>The blacks are the Fjellsende
I assume you mean the browns there. But besides that I agree. A small, split population of Baersonlings couldn't possibly survive between the dwarves, the Kislevites, the Sarl and Aeslings (the last in particular considers the baersonlings mortal enemies). And even if they somehow did would quickly diverge and be a new tribe anyway.
>if you push past the dwarven lands, you won't have to use boats.
Technically no, but in reality the difference in speed between a force sailing and a force marching would make a joint expedition somewhat impractical.
A couple questions on boat based combat:
If a boat (on water) and a enemy unit (on the coast) are next to each other I assume they fight, and the embarked unit gets +1HP the same as garrisoning a town. How does this interact with carrying another unit? Say we have a norse bondsman transporting a chaos warrior. If they end up in combat does the bondsman attack/take damage? Or the warriors? Or both? If the bondsman unit is killed, are the chaos warriors destroyed as well, as they are now at sea without a transport? If the boat is in combat, and there is a free coast tile next to it, can the warriors disembark into it, or are they locked out of moving as two opposing adjacent units would normally be, and so have to stay on the boats?","attachment":null,"posted":1714824104},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993888,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5993884
Naval combat is not yet a thing. I shall think of it long and hard (and quite probably avoid making it until you people decide Ulthuan needs to fall, at which point I'll add dedicated naval combat units like war longboats and warkrakkens and such shit).
As for
>If a boat (on water) and a enemy unit (on the coast) are next to each other I assume they fight, and the embarked unit gets +1HP the same as garrisoning a town.
You don't get +1HP, you get 1HP, 0D, and lower initiative than your opponent, as you are considered to have been caught unready.
If(/when) the boat is destroyed, the units on it drown and die. So, taking a extra turn or two to properly scout out the coast before disembarking is quite important.
>If the boat is in combat, and there is a free coast tile next to it, can the warriors disembark into it, or are they locked out of moving as two opposing adjacent units would normally be, and so have to stay on the boats?
No disembarking. You stay on the boat and die.
So TL;DR don't get your boats into melee, they'll die. Disembark a safe distance away and then go out and fight.","attachment":null,"posted":1714824516},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993890,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5993888
Ah, my bad, I obviously totally misread that. Hopefully it's because I read it while drunk and/or very tired, but probably I'm just retarded.
My boats will be staying with a safe 1 tile gap between them and the coast at all times until I know the beach is clear.","attachment":null,"posted":1714824991},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993894,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5993890
>Ah, my bad, I obviously totally misread that. Hopefully it's because I read it while drunk and/or very tired, but probably I'm just retarded.
I probably phrased it poorly (because I too was probably drunk, tired or retarded when writing it).
>My boats will be staying with a safe 1 tile gap between them and the coast at all times until I know the beach is clear.
Should be easy with a 3 tile line of sight.","attachment":null,"posted":1714825681},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993899,"name":"Narvoch Ravenwing","msg":">>5993877
AI has given me something I'm happy enough with for Narvoch","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714826760705386.jpg","filename":"file.jpg"},"posted":1714826760},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993901,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5993899
Neat","attachment":null,"posted":1714827051},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993904,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5993894
When disembarking do units need to disembark all at once? Or can it be in waves?","attachment":null,"posted":1714827344},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993906,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5993904
It can be in waves, tho if you are caught disembarking with two units still in the boat, only one can fight at a time.","attachment":null,"posted":1714827495},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993908,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5993906
Okay. But the combat units can disembark and saecure a landing zone if necessary. You dont need to have the crews disembark on the same turn. The boats can be left on the shore to then return to them? Or do i have to leave dudes behind to take care of the boats if i wanna use them for the return journey?","attachment":null,"posted":1714827671},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993912,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5993908
>But the combat units can disembark and saecure a landing zone if necessary.
Yes.
>You dont need to have the crews disembark on the same turn.
No, however, it doesn't make much difference, as the boats need to beach themselves for you to disembark.
>The boats can be left on the shore to then return to them?
Yes, however enemies may steal/destroy them.
>Or do i have to leave dudes behind to take care of the boats if i wanna use them for the return journey?
No, you can disembark, leave, reembark and sail away.","attachment":null,"posted":1714828547},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993951,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5993884
Wait the Aeslings and Baersonlings fucking hate each other? That works out great for me.
If like 4 or 5 warlords are heading north for the mammoths, then I might tell the Druchii "sorry senpai, I'll do it next year", and instead listen to the Hung warrior to go and clear the northern coast of Aeslings.
My only concern is that it might start to get crowded up there in the northern mountains. Forget not having enough loot to go around, but also a question of whether we'll have enough room on the map to fit all our troops.
Idk, what do you guys think? I haven't committed yet so I'm still not sure...","attachment":null,"posted":1714831357},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993963,"name":"Lanu","msg":"You have cleared a passage into the northern lands past Ravnsnake","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714831887876463.png","filename":"Northeast norsca.png"},"posted":1714831887},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993965,"name":"Ivan the Thrivin'","msg":">>5993899
Absolutely bitchin' PFP
>>5993761
The Sarls are still high on my list, but first I have to sail some Albino across the Frozen Sea. Not sure where I'll end up next turn. (Albion? The Island of the Chaos Godling? Svalbard?)
>>5993899
>>5993874
New warlords, I'm still trying to raise enough Loot to construct unpassable fortifications in the Blyat Pass from Kislev to the Wheatlands. This will allow us to have another spot for interraid rest & recruitment, as well as the tribute from the Forts themselves & preventing Kislevites from attacking behind our Chaos Hosts' battlegrounds. However much you invest will be doled out to you at a rate of 1/10th per interraid until you have made back your investment + another half of it, OR I can save all of it for an "emergency fund" if you will in case an investor takes a catastrophic loss or another goal crops up in need of funding. Keep it in mind after your raids.","attachment":null,"posted":1714831929},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5993987,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5993963
So blue is dwarfs. I assume the four building settlement is Kraka Drak itself. If it is defended by an elite dwarf unit that always has initiative and there is only one entry tile it looks practically unassailable.
The purple settlements I will hazard a guess are not norscans as they are all in woods/hills rather than on the coast. Maybe beastmen or an orc/goblin tribe?
The pink settlement, as it is both a size three and a unique colour, I would guess is something unique, though I have no idea what it is off the top of my head.","attachment":null,"posted":1714833116},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5994010,"name":"Ivan "Ungols can keep Cryin"","msg":"Lanu, what was the spot labeled "Evil Place" on the Northern Kislev/Baersonling map? Also, where exactly is the Last Hope Inn on said map?","attachment":null,"posted":1714833945},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5994025,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5993987
>purple
beastmen
>pink
aeslings","attachment":null,"posted":1714835096},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5994027,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5994010
I can't find it, you're gonna have to be a lot more specific and descriptive, or preferably tell me the post with the map.","attachment":null,"posted":1714835332},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5994031,"name":"Rue’Vahn","msg":">>5993965
Ivan, I think I can pitch in about 10 to 15 loot, but my question is whether or not we also need to purchase troops to defend the pass. If so, what kind of troops? I could buy 2 Hung savages for 16 if we need them to protect it.
Also, I’m pretty sure that “evil place” was Hellpit and the skaven","attachment":null,"posted":1714835483},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5994059,"name":"Ivan "Ungols can keep Cryin"","msg":">>5994031
So each tier of settlement automatically grants it defenders scaled to that tier; thus I'd prefer two higher tier settlements with moats, additional defenders unneeded.","attachment":null,"posted":1714837430},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5994065,"name":"Ivan "Ungols can keep Cryin"","msg":">>5982142
The "evil place" in green, was this Hellpit like Rue'Vahn mentioned, & where exactly is the Last Hope Inn on the map?","attachment":null,"posted":1714837726},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5994067,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5994065
Here","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714837826920553.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1714837826},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5994082,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5994067
If I want to raise fresh units are there specific places I have to go such as forests? Can I send some of the army to raise while others continue war if so?","attachment":null,"posted":1714838759},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5994087,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5994082
If you want to raise more units, you need to retire for the season. You can however, partially retire your army, but for you specifically, I see no reason to do so. I'd also recommend continuing to wage war and swinging westwards with your entire army.","attachment":null,"posted":1714839075},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5994088,"name":"Narvoch Ravenwing","msg":">>5993965
I will keep it under consideration for the future, Zar Ivan, but for now the path that I must walk requires that my host grows larger.","attachment":null,"posted":1714839125},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5994095,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5993707
>>5993731
The Hound favor you Brother in Bloodshed.
My ungors north shall follow you to reap blood and skulls of these pitiful manlings. In the east they shall continue the warpath also, though they be too far to help us they shall reave a swath through kislevites all the same.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714839336975754.png","filename":"20240504_080950.png"},"posted":1714839336},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5994175,"name":"Ivan "Ungols can keep Cryin"","msg":"What turn are we on? How many do interraid periods last if others keep campaigning?","attachment":null,"posted":1714844120},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5994179,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5994175
>What turn are we on?
I believe 9th turn.
>How many do interraid periods last if others keep campaigning?
Until everyone retires/dies.","attachment":null,"posted":1714844421},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5994230,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993987
I think pink is generally a color associated with slaneesh and a couple of dark elven factions","attachment":null,"posted":1714846017},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5994557,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":"Okay so here's what I'm thinking.
I accept the conversation / proposal from the Hung Warrior to kill the Aeslings (pink settlements) along the coast. In which case I think I'll need to call dibs on those in order to get the interim reward.
In order to defeat them all, I'll spend 22 loot to buy a unit of chaos warriors, which will leave me at 16 loot. With the two units of Bondsmen that I still have, I'll need to pay 2 loot to rent a boat from the Baersonlings so that my army is full amphibious. Then I can sail all the way along the ocean and slaughter them to make room for new Hung settlements. If the territory is claimed for the tribe, but raised in my name, then I might earn the title of Khagan.
Ivan has a portion of the Wheatlands that answer to him, so this might be my attempt to emulate that in Norsca.
By renting the boat, that leaves me with 14 loot. I can either use all of it to pitch in towards the fortification effort, or give only ten and keep a small reserve of 4 loot in case we need it later.
I'll help the elf slaver next time when I've got more troops to escort the slaves to the bay.
Anyone have issue with me calling dibs on the pink villages? Ivan, will the 4 extra loot make a difference or should I keep it?
Basically, what does everyone think?","attachment":null,"posted":1714865485},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5994584,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5993761
Your certainty humbles me. My plan is to go north with Sarrick and help him hunt mammoths, come victory or no. If I triumph in this, it'll be at the head of a worthy host. If I fail yet live in shame, it'll be myself and the few to survive. Either way, that's my ambition. I have thought about sailing south but these mammoths would be a boon to all our warbands.
>>5993055
>>5993899
Sneaky witchling, your kind aren't to be trusted but I know better than to dare double-cross you. If we march side-by-side, you can trust in my axe.
>>5993888
I wish I'd known that with the berserkers, kek. The line between a glorious and foolish death is thin indeed.","attachment":null,"posted":1714867816},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5994593,"name":"Ivan "Kurgan Grain is Thrivin"","msg":">>5994557
I appreciate it, & increments of 5 are needed unless someone else wanted to pitch in a little extra.","attachment":null,"posted":1714868420},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5994852,"name":"Ivan the Eversmilin'","msg":"Lore speculation lads: would cannibalism & general gluttony fall under Khorne or should it be the domain of another Chaos God? What about sloth & fear, including cowardice? Arrogance seems to be Loesh/Slaanesh's angle. It seems like Nurgle would be a deity sacrificed to for appeasement more than veneration for most, & Slaanesh would be more popular amongst the decadent civilized lands as well as Beastmen & other enthusiastic marauders.
Captcha: PHDR
Only respond if you have a degree in Havikocity.","attachment":null,"posted":1714881745},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5994921,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5994852
gluttony as any form of excess should be classed under slaanesh.
cannibalism could fall under both Khorne and Slaanesh same with desecration of the dead.
sloth is aaabsolutely a nurgle thing, just letting things happen is very like tha fat cauldron stirrer.
and slaanesh. yeah. probably more favored amongst the decadent that have a lot or those that might be lifted from the deepest depth to more depraved ventures.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7l0Rq9E8MY&ab_channel=IV-everTofu","attachment":null,"posted":1714886682},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5994941,"name":"Ivan "the 4th Wall is Dyin'"","msg":">>5994921
Based source, all of Ivan's knowledge comes from cryptic messages revealed in dreams. That's how he knows that a horde of Malal Daemons are coming to destroy our hordes & everything else once Fort Ostrosk is pillaged. Allegedly.... Still going to follow through eventually though.","attachment":null,"posted":1714889721},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5994942,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5994941
Yeah. that is why Mulrog hates sorcerers and prophecies. incredibly inacurate and prone to interpretation.","attachment":null,"posted":1714889882},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5994945,"name":"Ivan "the 4th Wall is Dyin'"","msg":">>5994942
Well my warband's pet sorcerer got imploded if that does anything for you, must have been Skaven Mossad or Old Ones using leyline DEWs... Marukhati Selectives, perhaps even.
Captcha: XY4D
4D chess, man...","attachment":null,"posted":1714890168},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5994987,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5994059
I mean, that's good against Kislev, but what happens if the Hobgoblins or the Chaos Dwarfs decide they want a greater slice of Zorn Uzkhul? Will you be able to race your armies back to defend the wheatlands from armies coming from the other direction?","attachment":null,"posted":1714897672},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5994988,"name":"Ivan "other Zars mirin'"","msg":">>5994987
A fair concern, which is why I'll have a moat on each side in addition to twin forts in the pass. The region has already been cleared out and will take awhile to reap rewards; all of the interraid tribute short-term will be coming from the 6 hill villages that are hard to reach, & the two forts that will be impossible to breach. Between the lack of targets/value & the meta aspect of all settlers being armed Northmen I'm not concerned with invasions from the East, only Kislev trying to reclaim Ukraine/their breadbasket.","attachment":null,"posted":1714898172},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5995021,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Here, the next turn.
Korthak and Magor keep hammering their faces into Kislevite defenders, while Hangar is keeping at a distance. Now, the real question is whether Kran will try to pull a operation and march his horde through the forests all the way south or if he'll content himself with a few more villages.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714904207320029.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1714904207},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5995022,"name":"Lanu","msg":"I also have to say, I'm very satisfied with the players and their commitment and how the system is working overall, as it's not breaking at the seams and doing a very good job at simulating how an invasion would actually work (subjugation of tribes, recruitment of them, periodic returns to the homeland, etc etc.","attachment":null,"posted":1714904338},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5995034,"name":"Ivan "other Zars mirin'"","msg":">>5995022
Double dubs on the 999th post, very nice.
It's all thanks to your interesting prompts & dedication to the Qst. Not even a big skirmish game fan normally. Which Qsts have you run before?","attachment":null,"posted":1714907473},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5995035,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5994852
I'll weigh in here as a wise sorcerer. The gods speak through me, after all.
Which god something is connected to is less about 'what' you're doing and more about 'why'. Taking the cannibalism as an example. Why are you eating people? If you're eating their heart to take their strength, that would be Khorne. If you're just doing it for fun because you can, that's Slaanesh. Doing it out of desperation because there is no other food is Nurgle. For Tzeentch you could eat their brain to inspire dreams of their memories, or perhaps you are doing it to spread terror and manipulate your enemies into a certain response. Trying to categorize a physical action to one of the gods is a mistake, because the gods aren't physical beings or really concerned with the physical world. What they are interested in is thoughts and emotions, so in many ways what you intend is more important than what you actually do.
>>5995021
The current assault on Ostrosk is looking bloody. Even if Magor and Korthak grind through eventually I'm not sure they'll have anyone left by the end of it.
>>5995022
Glad you're happy, because I think we all are too. Great job chief.","attachment":null,"posted":1714907660},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5995037,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5995021
>>5995022
You should be proud, Lanu - you've put together a great effort and you've collected some dedicated players as a result.
Here's my update - yes, I really do want to get that last village...","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714907789182932.png","filename":"K_turnupdate.png"},"posted":1714907789},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5995045,"name":"Ivan "other Zars mirin'"","msg":"I came up with some well-founded IMO lore autism/speculation on different Kurgan tribes as far as what they call their leaders based on location/cultural influences. I'm assuming the Tong influenced the Hobgoblins, Hung, & Kurgan thus many adopting the title of Khan, while the more Easterly Hung retained the title of Khagan. Thus my Kurgan groupings:
Northern Tribes (Jarls)
-Kvelligs
-Gharhars
-Draghars
-Crowfane Horde
Western Tribes (Zars)
-Dolgan
-Kul
-Hastlings
-Tahmaks
-Iron Wolves (Norscan Blood)
Central Tribes (Khans)
-Tokmars
-Yusak
Eastern Tribes (Khagans)
-Khazags
-Avags","attachment":null,"posted":1714909354},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5995059,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5995034
So far, I've ran Despot of Lanu (>>5855463 and >>5898842, a short quest that I ran and finished and was pretty happy with) and Multiplayer Civilization Thread (>>5912911 that failed to catch on).
>>5995035
>>5995037
Thanks guys.
>>5995045
I'll actually argue against this.
The Kurgan connection with the Norscans should be extremely limited due to both geography and relative strengths (heavily weighted in the favor of the Kurgan, seen both from the fact that the Kurgan are the lords of the steppes, a naturally dominant form of warfare, the fact that the Kurgans have traditionally sent out hordes like the Gospodars that conquered up to the lands of the Empire and Norsca and the fact that Asavar Kul was the last everchosen and that Vardek Crom was the most likely for the current one, with both being Kurgan), meaning that the Norscans will have very little way to influence Kurgans, while the Kurgan lack of naval capability will make them unlikely to come into contact with the Norscans.
If anything, a claim could be made of the hobgoblins and the Kurgan influencing eachother way more than either the Hung or the Kurgan, as both share the environment and the lifestyle.
Another point to note would be on the Hung-Kurgan relations, which I would say should again be limited, as ones are the dwellers of the steppes, while the others are the dwellers of the wastes (tundra and arctic) and said groups usually didn't mix overmuch due to way too steep of a cost for competing with the other for essentially no rewards other than slaves, which can be more reliably gotten through raiding southernlings.","attachment":null,"posted":1714911735},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5995064,"name":"Magor gorebow","msg":">>5994584
The Hound demands blood and skulls.
But the Eagle demands we use the blood within our skulls to think!
What say we go for the villages which surround the fortress? The rest of my army will come up from the west and join us for a final assault. In such a time, perhaps Grandfather Crow may favor us if we try to poison the river with foul and offal upstream?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714912871588559.png","filename":"20240505_083614.png"},"posted":1714912871},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5995105,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5995021
>>5995064
With Magor moving off to the east rather then crossing to join him, and Krantagarh vanishing further into the woodlands; the visions of raiding out the rich city and taking it as plunder have faded. Instead, Zar Hangar gives his moustaches a twist as he orders most of his forces on a northward march, directing one unit of his horsemen to hold for a moment to watch their tail. How he wishes for fleeter steeds! Perhaps when he returns to his homeland he should make effort to breed a stronger strain in the coming seasons, so that mounted riders might once again out-pace men or beasts. For now, he will do as nomads have oft done;
He shall follow the herds as they migrate.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714916964886619.png","filename":"Mapgame.png"},"posted":1714916964},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5995169,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993965
Ill keep it in mind. Right now im waiting to see if the dwarven adventure results in us being able to recruit chaos dwarves. Id love to play one of them as a warlord. If dm says thats not happening then ill take you up on your offer","attachment":null,"posted":1714923893},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5995217,"name":"Ivan "Mustang Drivin"","msg":">>5995059
Fair points, although I assume that just like in real life with the Scythians, Cimmerians, Alans, Persians, Bulgars, etc., that the Kurgan would become more Turanid (mixed Europid/Aryan & Asiatic) & vice-versa with the Tong & Hung on their Eastern periphery. The Tong are listed as having 8 tribes for example, all but 1 of whom are said to have miscengenated with Kurgan, Hung, or Beastmen. There is very little in the way of resources to compete for though, I'll fully concede, & I can't help but agree about Norsca.
I'd also conjecture that the Indyans must have high-castes consisting of Kurgan descended warriors & priests.
Also, I found a Chaos Marauder tribe with basically no lore to be found that were said to be different from the Kurgan, but weren't identified as any of the rest. If you want a faction to do your own world-building with, checkout the Veigs. I'm going to personally assume they're some sort of Dravidian-Turanid mixture, like Pashtuns or some other Afghan/Paki ethnos.
>>5995169 (nice)
Much appreciated Chaos Dorf anon","attachment":null,"posted":1714930714},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5995521,"name":"Narvoch Ravenwing","msg":">>5994584
There will be no conflict between us in this raid, blessed one. This I have seen.
>>5994942
Truth and falsehood are not so hard to discern, for a strong enough mind. The ravens speak. You need but listen and heed their words.
>>5995035
Well said. The true nature of the Dark Gods can be difficult to grasp, much less explain to those uninitiated in the deeper mysteries.
>>5995059
I haven't even began playing and I've only skimmed the thread so far, but it looks like a nice, simple system with a lot of passion behind it. Do you have any experience with other skirmishes?","attachment":null,"posted":1714951990},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5995574,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":"Alright, I think I'm just about ready to commit to killing the Aeslings as per the suggestion of the interim Hung Warrior. My only question for the QM is that if I accept the task, will there be a time limit? Will I have to succeed before the end of the next raid, or will I be able to chip away at it across multiple seasons like the Hellpit or Ostrosk missions?
If so, then here's my invasion plan for everyone to see. I am calling dibs on all the COASTAL pink settlements. If there are still Aesling towns further inland, then those are fair game (although I'll still probably go after them anyways).
I'm going to deploy from where I assume we'll start, which is at the bottom right. From there, I'll follow the orange line in pic related and sail the long way around until I reach a little north of that tier 3 city. My boats will land and I'll surround the place with monsters and chaos warriors. After looting, I'll get back on the boats, and go along the the purple line until I hit the blank space at the top left of the map. If it does not get revealed, then I assume I'll need to follow the green line to capture that tier 3 dwarf city before I am allowed to move on to the next zone and kill more Aeslings.
If the map does get revealed, then I'll follow the blue line instead of the green one, and see where it takes me.
If anyone needs help along the way, they can just ask and I'll send some reinforcements in exchange for a small share of the loot. Hopefully everyone will be able to manage just fine on their own, but I'd be in a unique position to help by attacking the enemy from behind since I'm sailing aaaaaallll the way around.
Everyone okay with this?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714955769571814.png","filename":"Raid 3 Invasion Plan.png"},"posted":1714955769},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5995645,"name":"High Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5995574
If any object, crush them.","attachment":null,"posted":1714960853},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5995654,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5995574
I'm pretty sure Huffud and I will be in Rat Vietnam for your raid on the Aeslings, but I see no problem with it and wish you success. May you feast upon the entrails of your victims, etc etc.","attachment":null,"posted":1714961189},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5995795,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5995574
no objections from me. i wanna hunt mammoths and then kill giant fish.","attachment":null,"posted":1714969767},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5995872,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5995021
The Kislevites are in force. Dangerous foes, all. We must be wary of their cannon shot. Fall back to ford the stream north, then, but watch our backs.
>>5995064
I gnash my teeth but you speak truth. My warband will fall back, help soften up the northern town and slay the Stresly there. If we can crush it and bring pressure to them all... but their numbers match our own and heavy infantry, clad in steel, are behind the walls we seek to topple. Besides that, the raiding season nears its end and our fellows would be wroth if we wasted more time.
I say we take three more blinks of the gods' eyes, then call it for the season and split our plunder between ourselves, victory or no. Fort Ostrosk isn't the only stronghold of Kislev. I don't fear their blades but I don't want to meet Kharneth with hands dry of blood.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714978615721875.png","filename":"Raid #13.png"},"posted":1714978615},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5995876,"name":"Rue'Vahn","msg":">>5995872
>"Besides that, the raiding season nears its end and our fellows would be wroth if we wasted more time"
I can't speak for the others, but no pressure from me. You don't have to rush yourself or call it quits early just for my sake.","attachment":null,"posted":1714979176},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5995880,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5995872
No pressure. i only just started painting Mulrog after all.","attachment":null,"posted":1714979822},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5995887,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Next turn:
The Kislevites diligently hold their positions.
It seems like Kislev will be a tougher nut to crack compared to their unsupported Wheatland colonies.
Maybe this raid is a demonstration of the need for a stronger leader to coordinate and control his subordinates? Because two or three Kurgan warlords would have ridden through this mob of Kislevites without too much issue.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714980868295458.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1714980868},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5995897,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5995887
Time for everyone else to cross the river. At least Hangar now knows how tough a challenge Praag may prove in future seasons.
Whilst amidst the flow, we drop into the water's flow body parts of the Kislevites taken in our wheatlands battle that have spent the time in our possession putrefying. Let them return to Kislev and bring with them any of Nieglin's gifts they may have gathered beyond their deaths.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714982867162476.png","filename":"Mapgame.png"},"posted":1714982867},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5995907,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Also, will the trio of Hangar, Magor and Korthak attempt a push towards Ostrosk? C'mon get that sweet 90 loot just waiting for you.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714985380422618.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1714985380},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5995909,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5993761
I have not met made my choice, for I do not yet know all the options that may present upon this raid's conclusion. There is appeal to hunting mammoths and open plains enough to ride; but the northern woods hide many dangers and surprises. Whilst the other beast-Lords are committed elsewhere; if some of Magor's many eyes could be turned toward this venture I would rate chances of success higher.","attachment":null,"posted":1714986142},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5995915,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5995907
>>5995872
>>5995064
I would join my forces to theirs, if they intend to still be around by the time that I could reach their lines to help them breach the citadel. But with all the distance between us and the sloth with which my riders progress over open country, it might be that they will have either succeeded or else withdrawn from the field before I can arrive.","attachment":null,"posted":1714986461},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5995917,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995907
Hey, I've been reading through the quest in detail to get ready and I have a question. The rules say that a defender on a settlement gets an HP bonus of half the loot gained, but from what I've seen so far of the first raid this doesn't seem to be the case. Am I missing something, or just bad at math?","attachment":null,"posted":1714986491},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5995922,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5995917
From what I've seen the defenders have been getting a HP bonus of the settlement hut-number. (Militia in villages getting 2HP, Streltsy in Villages getting 3HP, Streltsy in Towns doubled to 4HP, and Lancers in a city getting 6HP).
I don't know if that's a change, a mistake, or just the forces of change and entropy having their fun in the great game.","attachment":null,"posted":1714987357},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5995926,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5995917
I might have made a mistake in writing, but Hangar has a good understanding.
If a settlement is of a level 1 or 2 (10 or 20 loot), the units within it get 1 extra HP, if they are level 3 or 4 (30 or 40) the units within get 2 extra HP.
It is also very possible I make mistakes when calculating as I usually do it in the morning or in the evening, with me, in both of the cases, usually being tired.","attachment":null,"posted":1714988027},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5995938,"name":"Narvoch Ravenwing","msg":">>5995922
>>5995926
My plans may now commence, thank you. (You should probably change that section in the rules for next thread)
>>5995574
I have no objections. My modest host will sail with you at first but disembark earlier to sack those two towns in the woods before marching north.
I offer passage to those who wish to hasten their journey. All I will ask in return is their agreement that these two towns and their spoils are mine for the taking.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714989292959888.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1714989292},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5995945,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5995938
>(You should probably change that section in the rules for next thread)
Yeah, I'll touch them up at the start of the next thread and add some rules and etiquette, as I have realized I keep missing questions by my players.
Also, you could sack this town aswell. It is isolated, you can sail to it by river and it is a nice 20 loot.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714989890240289.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1714989890},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5995950,"name":"Narvoch Ravenwing","msg":">>5995945
Good point. It can be added to The Plan.
Another question: When I sack a settlement, can I choose to take some of the loot in the form of slaves? Get 14 loot and 1 slave from those towns, for example, or even more slaves than that?","attachment":null,"posted":1714990598},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5995951,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5995950
No, for now no, as the captives are not broken in enough for them to go fighting for you. It can, however, be earned as a quest reward.","attachment":null,"posted":1714990752},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5995968,"name":"Sarrick","msg":"No objection to any of the plans presented so far. I'm just here for mammoths, which I'm guessing will be in the large plains marked. After securing mammoths it looks like I'm heading onto the ice to aid Mulrog in killing sea beasts, then possibly heading back to Baersonling lands to launch a coup.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714992946219091.png","filename":"mammoths.png"},"posted":1714992946},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5995969,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5995968
If you want help for that Coup. lets just say i wouldnt be disinterested to help if you want it. free of charge.","attachment":null,"posted":1714993023},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5995972,"name":"Narvoch Ravenwing","msg":">>5995968
A coup on my homeland? Let us speak more of this in the future.","attachment":null,"posted":1714993424},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996011,"name":"Sarrick","msg":"On a wind swept ridge above Urslo, the sorcerer Sarrick sat, etching runes into fingerbones using a steel needle. Behind him, a dead thrall lay in a circle of ashes with his skull, tongue, eyes and intestines removed and placed at the four points of the compass. A familiar ritual, one Sarrick had performed many times. The thrall also had missing hands. He needed the bones after all. He raised one to his mouth and blew on it to remove the bone dust. Another familiar ritual, carving bones up on the hilltops. It was strange how far he had come from his youth in the tundra, how much he hated that primitive life with no greater ambition than to steal from weaker peoples, and yet how many of their traditions he continued even now.
He glanced down from the hilltop towards Urslo. On the shores beside the city new longboats were almost complete. His longboats, to take his warriors west and gather mammoths to take to his homeland. Some of them were grossly swollen compared to the others, unwieldy wide things with great cages at their centre to hold the beasts he hunted on the long journey east. Again his homeland. He was still bound to it, by promise and action as much as his childhood rituals. However much he disliked the place, it was a useful, full of warriors willing to fight and die for a future he promised them. Mammoths would strengthen them, and that would strengthen him.
The runes complete, he placed the last bone in a small leather bag. He shook it for a moment, then upended it, tipping the bones on the ground before him. Despite the strong wind none of them fell far, instead bouncing and rolling in a small cluster. Sarrick stared down at them. The pattern, the spaces, the runes that faced up, and those that faced down, hidden. He frowned slightly. So little was clear. This sorceress who had gathered them was hidden from him still, and that made him... uncertain. He was sure there was more to her than she revealed. They were being used, all of them, though he was unsure to what purpose.
He cast the runes again, this time directing his thoughts to more immediate concerns. The Baersonling. Sjur, the young princeling. The Baersonling king was weak, his sons too, only the youngest showed any promise. Sarrick suspected that given time, Sjur would have risen anyway, his ambition would drive through his unfortunate circumstances. Better then, he help him rise and seize his loyalty and gratitude while it was on offer. He wondered, for a moment, if he should include any of the other warlords in their plan to kill Sjur's father. Most of them would care little, Sarrick thought. A petty coup among a small people. Korthak and Narvoch though... he knew too little of them. Perhaps they would have a loyalty to their king. He would watch for now.
>>5995969
>>5995972
The coup was intially discussed here: >>5989321
For now Sarrick and Sjur will be keeping the coup secret though, I'm afraid.","attachment":null,"posted":1714999305},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996014,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5996011
i do remember that. but if you want some extra muscle and my forces arent too depleted. know that you can count on khornate bloodlust.","attachment":null,"posted":1714999434},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996016,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5996014
I'll keep it in mind. Extra meatshields help is always useful.","attachment":null,"posted":1714999688},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996020,"name":"Narvoch Ravenwing","msg":">>5996011
I suspect we will have some matters to discuss, an enlightened one to another, autism to autism communication after the next raid.","attachment":null,"posted":1714999857},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996021,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5996011
Man, a mammoth would be a great way to represent Huffud on the battlefield… if I weren’t busy with Hellpit, I’d love to help you","attachment":null,"posted":1715000118},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996137,"name":"High Zar Ivan","msg":"So Lanu, not many are looking to support the fort this interraid it looks like. If I just build a Tier 3 Fort with a Moat this time, can I expand it to a Tier 4 next interraid?","attachment":null,"posted":1715012380},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996144,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5996137
Yeah, of course.","attachment":null,"posted":1715012535},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996179,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5995887
Sorry I’m late, Lanu.
1) northernmost Gors moves two hexes southwest, one hex south.
2) southernmost Gors moves one hex southwest, two hexes south.
3) Ungors move one hex northeast, one hex southwest. Centigors move one hex southeast.","attachment":null,"posted":1715014893},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996181,"name":"Rue’Vahn","msg":">>5996137
Oh wait, I should mention that I think a tier 2 fort adjacent to a tier 1 fort would be more more effective than a single tier 3 fort, since troops can only attack once per turn.
Speaking of which, I officially commit to send that 10 loot towards the fortification effort. The 4 I still have remaining can help fund the next moat or upgrade for next season, after the villages produce their tribute.","attachment":null,"posted":1715014909},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996186,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5996179
No rush my dude, we're here to have fun.","attachment":null,"posted":1715015176},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996188,"name":"High Zar Ivan","msg":">>5996181
Thanks, that's 30 for the pass.
Mulrog, Korthak, & Krantagarh said they would pitch in too I believe.","attachment":null,"posted":1715015358},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996195,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5996137
>>5996181
>>5996188
I’m hoping to hit one last village, retire, split up my loot, make unit purchases and let you guys know how much I can contribute at that point","attachment":null,"posted":1715015668},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996200,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5996188
i have to see if Korthak accompanies Sarrick and me to hunt mammoths . or i will have to use some of that loot for extra boats","attachment":null,"posted":1715015769},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996279,"name":"Narvoch Ravenwing","msg":">>5996200
>or i will have to use some of that loot for extra boats
I will repeat that I can carry three units up there and ask for nothing material in return.","attachment":null,"posted":1715020123},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996281,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5996279
i would then also have to ask you to carry those units to the icesheets later on. if you want to you can come as well to hunt up there to gather things. maybe even subjugate some sea monster for your army.","attachment":null,"posted":1715020250},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996333,"name":"Narvoch Ravenwing","msg":">>5996281
I'm in for some beast hunting, as long as you wait for me to sack those three towns or maybe even help me get it done faster.","attachment":null,"posted":1715023641},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996336,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5996333
sure thing. i can help. might get to test out those Skinwolves beforehand. might invest in some Huscarls or something to get in there faster and cover more ground even if the Huscarls are slower.","attachment":null,"posted":1715023730},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996343,"name":"Narvoch Ravenwing","msg":">>5996336
Excellent. We have a bargain.
>>5982960
By the way, the original description of the skinwolves mentioned that they're at home in the hills, but there's no mention of this special ability in the unit we can recruit?","attachment":null,"posted":1715023910},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996344,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5996343
Oh yeah, my bad, their special ability is they retain the full movement in hills.","attachment":null,"posted":1715024039},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996382,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5996343
i would like to write anin character interaction for the making of this pact. you okay with that?
something about Narvoch returning to Ulso and running into mulrogs encampment after hearing about the other sorcerer and looking for him?","attachment":null,"posted":1715026861},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996405,"name":"Ivan Schmivin'","msg":"Lanu, what's up with ranged units? Seems like Horse Archers should be able to disengage from combat due to being ranged + mounted. Can ranged units attack from a space away? Can mounted units disengage from non-mounted units? Can Dorfs & Skavens travel through mountain tiles? Can I unlock units with even greater mobility than 5? Can you see why kids love the taste of cinnamon toast crunch?","attachment":null,"posted":1715028498},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996418,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5996405
>Lanu, what's up with ranged units?
Never happened.
The reasoning being that with units of the sizes they are operating at, most, if not all units are mixed, having both ranged and melee capabilities. If you look at, for a example, cases of Turks fighitng, you'll see them both engaging at range, doing their general horsearchery and then closing the distance and charging the enemy.
>Seems like Horse Archers should be able to disengage from combat due to being ranged + mounted.
Would break the system and needlessly complicate it. The ability to repeatedly engage at range, then disengage from enemy forces is represented in the very high initiative score, while the enemies being able to withstand the repeated volleys and return them until scattering the horsearchers is represented by the almost universal ability of the horsearchers to strike at the enemy first and to die if any significantly stronger enemy engages them.
>Can ranged units attack from a space away?
Will be a thing with some siege weaponry.
>Can mounted units disengage from non-mounted units?
No, combat is assumed to happen over a prolonged period of skirmishing, charges, shooting and ultimately a mixture of murder and rout/scattering of defeated units.
>Can Dorfs & Skavens travel through mountain tiles?
Mining will be a thing. Traversal of mountains, no. That will be reserved for flying units.
>Can I unlock units with even greater mobility than 5?
Through upgrades, for a example, elven steeds, yes.
>Can you see why kids love the taste of cinnamon toast crunch?
No, as I've never had it.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715029185207276.png","filename":"chabungus.png"},"posted":1715029185},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996420,"name":"Ivan Schmivin'","msg":">>5996418
Thanks QM, solid reasoning. Is that from Dork Souls or Dragon's Ligma? Both let you make some truly spectacular abominations.","attachment":null,"posted":1715029302},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996456,"name":"Narvoch Ravenwing","msg":">>5996382
Yeah, sounds good. Time to get in the game for real.","attachment":null,"posted":1715032034},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996547,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996418
>”Will be a thing with some siege weaponry.”
>”Mining will be a thing. Traversal of mountains, no. That will be reserved for flying units”
Oh shit, I am so fucking hyped
The chorfs can’t come soon enough","attachment":null,"posted":1715041106},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996558,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5996418
I, for one, cannot wait to bargain with the thirsting gods for a chance at immortality. Lanu, you beautiful man, I know you have a whole set of mechanics mapped out for Chaos favors that you are just waiting to unveil...","attachment":null,"posted":1715042050},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996824,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5995887
>>5995064
With these streams so thick and the militia over our heads, there's no use in bothering to flank the Stresly. One band of my Berserkers will strike and soften them up, your Ungors can kill and loot, or die at their guns, and leave the path open for the next. I'm not sure we can seize Fort Ostrosk without the horses to ride the garrison down or steel to withstand their blows. Not without an ocean of blood.
>>5995876
>>5995880
Noted. We'll raid well into autumn, then.
>>5995915
I'd be willing to wait for your men. It's likely my warband and Magor's horde can thin them out ahead of your ranks. You're our warleader by Nieglin's boon and patience, endurance of the mind, is the most important of his teachings. Even if most of our ilk ignore it.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715059695744047.png","filename":"Raid #14.png"},"posted":1715059695},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996891,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5996456
In the deep of winter with Snow smothering the Baersonling Capital of Urslo the silence of the world was broken by the sounds of heavy work, Trees being felled and shouting over the construction of a great many longboats. Some of them were of strange shapes meant for large creatures the Sorcerer might have seen before.
The current Jarl of the city had been somewhat uneasy with another sorcerer in town in addition to all the other hosts currently living in his lands, recruiting his young men and goring themselves in vast quantities of southern wine and ale. But that was of little importance for now. Finding the other sorcerer on the other hand was important. There had been portents and signs but their meaning had been unclear and vague, a second opinion was needed to interpret the will of the gods.
His wanderings were interrupted by the sounds of fighting, dying men and cheering from an encampment just over a small hill. The stench of blood and brass was thick in the air and steadily getting thicker. It had been so thick in fact that it almost silenced the sound of hooves and armored men coming up on him from behind.
Narvochs throng of thralls and Chaos Warrios he kept with him as bodyguards immediatly turned to face the challenger who wwere riding high atop black steeds. Their leader was a man alsmost the size of an Oger though only marginally slimmer due to the thick steel armor he was wearing. Bloodlust, kept in check through discipline radiated from the newcomer as he regarded the sorcerer and his men. a small entourage of men followed the riders and seemed unassuming though radiating blessings and curses from the Gods.
One of the riders came forward "My Master. Zar Mulrog Kul, the Cruel wishes to know what you are doing at his encampment sorcerer." the man proclaimed, inquiring about the sorcers name and aim.
When it became clear that he was searching for the Sorcerer Sarrick Mulrog nodded and dismounted swiftly. The fresh Pelt of a massive Skinwolf was packed into a package ready to be turned into a new cloak. The Beasts Skull dangeled on a chain nearl Mulrogs Belt and showed clear signs of a swift decapitation.
"If you seek Sarrick then he and his encamptment are over on the next hill. But anyone in town could have told you that. This must have been ordained by the Gods. So i invite you to spectate the choosing and talk. I have a feeling our goals might align." the massive Warlord insisted, ushering the Sorcerer and escort into his camp.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715065857058333.png","filename":"Urslo_in_Winter.png"},"posted":1715065857},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996892,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5996891
>>5996456
The improvised Arena was near the Camps edge and held many riders of the Zar in drunk revelery while Slaves fought against beast and man to escape and ascend the ladder out of the pits. Blood was spraying in wide arcs, turning the freezing ground into a treacherous battlefield. Just as they entered and sat down was a new Champion of the Arena declared. A former kislevite having embraced the fury of Khorne had torn the throat out of a wolf and used the carcass to beat the two last beasts to death to the loud cheering of the crowd.
The Warlords talked over wine and foodstuffs from the south coming to realize that they both were planning on working with Sarrick for at least a while. And with more helping hands the amount of mammoths and sea creatures that could be captured could increase a lot more. When the two Warlords parted the derision of the Khornate has lessened somewhat and a small present of slaves and fine wine were presented to the leaving Sorcerer who was sent on his way to Sarrick.
i hope this is okay for you","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715065919791060.png","filename":"Arena_Champion.png"},"posted":1715065919},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996970,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5996420
Drag Sneeds + Art breeder.
>>5996558
It's really not that complex, just a list of events I mix and match in a logical way.
>>5996195
If you want, we can fastforwards your horde into hitting the last village. It's frankly just a question of who the militia hits, with the hit being fatal to your ungors and gors and your centigors being fresh enough to tank. And in the meanwhile, two units hitting the village will kill the militia. I'd frankly recommend not using gors to capture it.","attachment":null,"posted":1715077027},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996974,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5996970
Right I was planning on having Centigors, Ungors and at least one unit of Gors simultaneously attacking to kill the militia immediately, but I’ll take a “fast-forward and retire with 10 more loot” if you’re willing to offer it?","attachment":null,"posted":1715077338},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996975,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5996974
It's a 50/50 whether the militia hits the ungor or the centigor, with a ungor strike being a fatality.
If you're a betting man, give me a d2, with a 1 being a fatality for the ungor.","attachment":null,"posted":1715077452},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996979,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d2)
>>5996975
Eh, not afraid to gamble a bit, here goes","attachment":null,"posted":1715077821},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996984,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Next turn:
As usual, sorry for moving your ungors around, I've not lost any of them, if you disagree with their movements, we can work something out.
Kran has gained 10 more loot and lost a ungor in attacks against the militia of the village, so he is 5 loot ahead.
Korth has sacked a town and has gained 20 loot, following a ferocious charge of his berserkers against unprepared strelsy ranks.
Zar Hangar's horde is safely riding through the already sacked lands.
The Kislevite horsemen are taking positions on the opposite bank of Tobol river. It will be hard to cross it, tho raiding southwest between Tobol and Lynsk might be a viable direction, if the hills can be cleaned of militiamen.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715078168699734.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1715078168},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996993,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5996979
So, where you retiring to?","attachment":null,"posted":1715078807},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996996,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":"Alright, Huffud, I think we both get 40 loot apiece here, since our total loot count is as follows:
Your loot: 20 (two skinwolves villages)
My loot: 60 (two-house skinwolves village, three additional villages south of mountains)
Krantigar's total loot at raid end: 44 (I believe)
To Magor - I'm delivering you 5 loot to pay off my debt from earlier, thanks very much for your prior consideration!
To Zar Ivan - I'll donate 9 loot for your mountain pass fortifications, to be used as you see it fit.
With my remaining 30 loot, I'll buy another unit of Minotaurs, all the better for the Hellpit run.
Please note: Huffud and I will be invading Hellpit for the next raid, but AFTER THAT, I'll be deepstriking to the southern Kislev forest to plant my herdstone and generally fuck things up in the south.","attachment":null,"posted":1715078964},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5996997,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5996993
Oh, Beastlands again, so I can hire more Minotaurs.","attachment":null,"posted":1715079025},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5997002,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5996996
Does that mean you’re giving me 40 loot, or were you a gentlebull and counted my loot total for me?","attachment":null,"posted":1715080113},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5997004,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5997002
I was sort of imagining that Krantigarh and Huffud would throw all the loot into a big pile in the Beastlands and then split it right down the middle. 40 loot for each partner. Again, I couldn’t have made it down south past the mountains without you clearing the two werewolf villages.","attachment":null,"posted":1715080294},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5997005,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5996984
We ride onward!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715080335706309.png","filename":"Mapgame.png"},"posted":1715080335},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5997024,"name":"Narvoch Ravenwing","msg":">>5996891
>>5996892
Truly my steps were guided to this meeting by the Raven God himself.
Perfect","attachment":null,"posted":1715082708},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5997034,"name":"High Zar Ivan","msg":">>5996996
Sweet, that's 39 total.
Rue'Vahn, an extra 1 would actually help it turns out.","attachment":null,"posted":1715083318},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5997040,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5996997
The return northwards was great and celebrated, with many great games and feasts being organized in the great beastherds of the chaos wastes.
Great arenas were erected with champions streaming into the pits to duel or engage in bloody mob fights for the glory of the eternally watching spectators. Great pyres rose into the skies, seeming to touch the very heavens, fed by wood, bones, corpses of the defeated and by the great roaring winds weaving through the thick forest. Intoxicating vapours emerged from the great fire wrapping its warm and slender tentacles around the great herdstone. And a intruder is brought in front of Krantagarh:
>A bovigor of miniscule stature for his kind, but clad in chaos plate and with mechanical arms, wielding a great gun
>Bindo, a Tileian man with three eyes in his right eyesocket, his robes tattered and torn by his long journey up north
>A exceptionally mutated man from the north, standing almost as tall as Mulrog, but broader, his head being a disgusting mixture of two, a lower, equally large head fused to the front of the upper head emerging where a nose would emerge on a normal man, his right arm twice as thick as the left, but ending in a spike growing from his elbow, his left splitting into three equally sized arms emerging from his wrist, and his massive waist ending in three pairs of horse legs, each ending in the avian shaped legs. This must be a warrior of the Tong.","attachment":null,"posted":1715083923},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5997094,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5997004
<Approving Cow Noises>
>>5997040
Aight, I got a little loot now, so I’ll buy a third Minotaur! And I’ll have 10 loot leftover","attachment":null,"posted":1715089610},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5997096,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5997040
Man, it looks like Krantargh’s getting an Ettin!","attachment":null,"posted":1715089778},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5997099,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5997040
Krantigarh’s bloodshot eyes pass over the mutated man, confusion building. Such horrible spawns are typically violent and insane - Men warped in such fashion are not to be eaten, he knows this. But it is strange that a man so blessed with the touch of the Four is able to keep his composure - that he has not been reduced to rabid frenzy. A dull curiosity sparks in Krantigarh’s mind - how is it that he still walks and talks?
>A exceptionally mutated man from the north, standing almost as tall as Mulrog, but broader, his head being a disgusting mixture of two, a lower, equally large head fused to the front of the upper head emerging where a nose would emerge on a normal man, his right arm twice as thick as the left, but ending in a spike growing from his elbow, his left splitting into three equally sized arms emerging from his wrist, and his massive waist ending in three pairs of horse legs, each ending in the avian shaped legs. This must be a warrior of the Tong.","attachment":null,"posted":1715089963},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5997102,"name":"The High Zar","msg":">>5997099
Nice, finally getting some Tong into this.
Seems like Tamurkhan the Nurglite should have been a Tong rather than a Kurgan.
Lanu, don't be too sad about Bindo, I'm sure he'll get picked eventually.","attachment":null,"posted":1715090329},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5997123,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5997099
The man walks with the confidence of a apex predator, even amidst Krantagarh and his minotaurs, stripped naked where most men wouldn't dare step in chaos plate. He walks towards Krantagarh and stops when his face is almost touching Krantagarh, at which point his lower head speaks in a high pitched and unpleasant voice.
"The chiefs of the Tong have heard of your hosts travels." The Tong says. "And while they do not care to join your petty hobbled limp southwards, they will offer you services of their men." The Tong warrior says. "Of course, they expect you to pay with a thousand slaves (10 loot) each time you enter the Tong lands to recruit."","attachment":null,"posted":1715091304},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5997185,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":"Back home, time to write.","attachment":null,"posted":1715095536},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5997198,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5996824
We have shed much blood brother, and brought much favor to the gods. All that remains are the sacrifices worth taking without shedding our own blood, and those which must be flavored with time and fear. I will finish off the stragglers to the north, surrounded and cut off as they are. Then it comes the time when even the Hound must lick his wounds, to prepare for the next great battle.
>>5996984
Northern ungors to take the enemy across the river.
Western ungor to return to the forest, now is not the time to be ridden down
Eastern ungors to surround the river village, while another guards the flank
>Btw Magor is always open to suggestion from his valued comrade in arms, so my plans can be adjusted on suggestion","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715096554734058.png","filename":"Plans.png"},"posted":1715096554},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5997211,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5997123
Cool beans, will have to collect some loot.
Lanu, this is sort of a big ask, but before we launch the next set of raids, could we collate all of our “unlocked” troops and their stats into one post?","attachment":null,"posted":1715097679},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5997228,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5997211
Sure, I'll do it before the next thread, but for now I'm 99% sure it's literally just:
>>5981998
+ for Baersonlings:
Skinwolf - 26 loot (can move at full speed in hills):
HP 3
D 2
M 4","attachment":null,"posted":1715098675},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5997293,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">>5997228
Eh, what about the Tong units I just got access to?","attachment":null,"posted":1715103384},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5997307,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5997293
You don't know until you head up there to recruit them. The Tong aren't sharing anything with you. As you might have noticed, they don't think too highly of you.","attachment":null,"posted":1715104399},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5997322,"name":"Sarrick","msg":">>5997307
The Tong are massive assholes even by chaos worshipper standards. I like to think the first person to visit them will just get murdered upon arrival.","attachment":null,"posted":1715105086},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5997496,"name":"Ivan "shadowb& off Raven-net"","msg":">>5997322
All you Tongoloid savages look the same to me","attachment":null,"posted":1715117750},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5997548,"name":"High Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"I wrote up a set of laws for my lands. Lanu, did you want me to wait until next interraid to implement them due to the rushed in-game nature of this turn?","attachment":null,"posted":1715122635},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5997607,"name":"Rue’Vahn","msg":">>5997034
You got it senpai. 1 extra loot sent to the fortification effort.
If I capture the Aesling territory for the Hung, then I might start my own defense fund in order to protect those newly acquired settlements.
That said, if nobody manages to capture Fort Ostrosk this raid, then I might change up my plans completely and try to go for it myself next season rather than slaughter the Aesling.","attachment":null,"posted":1715128258},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5997620,"name":"Krantagarh","msg":">Chaos warbands assemble to take a particular settlement
>Three years later, everyone has forgotten the original goal and is pursuing their own objectives
We're doing a phenomenal RPing job here guys","attachment":null,"posted":1715128655},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5997647,"name":"Narvoch Ravenwing","msg":">>5997620
Just as planned","attachment":null,"posted":1715129650},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5997653,"name":"Rue’Vahn","msg":">>5997620
Even though it’s 100% accurate for Chaos to behave like that, I might end up going after it myself like I mentioned in >>5997607 if only because it reflects poorly on us and is going to become kinda embarrassing
Also, I completely forgot that 4chan auto replaces f..a..m with senpai, lmao","attachment":null,"posted":1715130039},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5997679,"name":"High Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5997653
LMAO I knew more or less what you were going for, anytime I see that or whatever desu means I know what happened","attachment":null,"posted":1715132155},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5997721,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5996984
>>5997198
Hmm... It ails me but you speak true. I think we have a half-and-half chance to take Fort Ostrosk, but if you aren't eager to commit, it would be a mistake. Failure would leave us in ruin and we've already sacked to our heart's content. That's that, then. I'll depart to the longhouses and divvy up my loot between us both there. If you consider yourself my brother in bloodshed, you'll do the same.
In the meantime, I've got mammoths to hunt. After that, my warband will be back the season after the next or marching under the banner of whoever topples the stones.
>Withdraw and retire to Baersonling Lands","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715135247586841.png","filename":"Raid #14.png"},"posted":1715135247},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5997856,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5997721
If you are turning back, then I shall have to re-think my own plans.
>>5997198
It seems Korthak has decided to leave. Ostrosk is therefore beyond us this season, so unless you still wish to pillage the settlements north of the river from Praag and are prepared to split the loot evenly with my riders, I too shall turn about and ride back for my Homeland.
>>5997607
How many are heading for the mammoths next season? Whilst I am content to return to Ostrosk next season in attempt to finish the job, I will not do so without sufficient numbers at my back; and much of our strength has already pledged themselves elsewhere.","attachment":null,"posted":1715144940},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5997878,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5997721
>>5997679
>>5997653
>>5997647
>>5997620
>>5997322
>>5997198
>>5996892
"To those who hear the words of I, Zar Hangar of the Hastlings;
Next season, many of your bands have already pledged yourself to lesser causes then that which united us. Though I would not have you forswear oaths already struck in the sight of the true gods, I shall insist that there be no repeat of these dalliances, no further pledges struck in the coming season that will distract us from our goals. Savour the third season to grow your strength and rally those sworn to your causes; for at the fourth turning and in the sight of the four we shall ride as one and sweep through the north of Kislev to our goal."","attachment":null,"posted":1715146659},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5997893,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5997856
there is Korthak, Sarrick and Narvoch going mammoth hunting. and maybe going to the thick sea ice.
i hope it pays well enough and maybe unlocks one or two monstrous units capable of fighting normaly in water.
>>5997878
the raven is returned with a piece of human leather used as parchment. on it written in blood is a pledge to see kislev burn in two years time.","attachment":null,"posted":1715147997},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5997900,"name":"Rue’Vahn","msg":">>5997856
>>5997878
I had really thought you guys were going to be able to take Ostrosk this season, which is why I already started drafting up plans in the north.
Now?
I’m roughly a coin toss away from deciding on whether I stick my plan to kill the Aeslings, or help you in the south to take Fort Ostrosk this upcoming season. Hell, even if you don’t go after it, I might take a gamble and try to go after it alone.","attachment":null,"posted":1715149790},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5997928,"name":"Lanu","msg":"Might be time to fucking bail.
Also, 10 more loot for Magor Gorebow.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715151608999506.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1715151608},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5997935,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5997548
I'd like it if you released them on the next interturn, thank you.
>>5997721
As is tradition, even the formerly hated are accepted back into the embrace of the Norscan tribes upon success on the field of battle and the favou of the gods.
In such warm embrace, Korthak's burning skull was finally able to do something he hadn't done in a long time. Pour enough alcohol down his burning throat to get drunk. Days of drinking later, his lust for alcohol done, Korthak dedicated himself to the next aspect of his job that every warlord must master. Politics, schemes and intrigue. In said job, he found himself a interesting partner:
>Lodin, fat and aging man, and a exiled Fjellsende chieftain, promising you regular tribute (of 9 loot after he rebuilds) should you aid him in regaining his throne.
>Vigi, a youthful and darkskinned girl (or boy, you can't quite tell and don't care about inquiring), asking for aid in reaching and desecrating a monolith at the spring of the river Lynsk and promising his own weight in gold and gemstones as reward (50 loot).
>Tofa, a middle aged blonde woman of immense beauty and a master smith, asking you for dwarven metal (gain at least 50 loot from the dwarves) so she could practice her craft with the dwarven metals (provide a +2D +2H -2M to any unit you wish).","attachment":null,"posted":1715152486},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5997936,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5997928
10 More loot for Magor, but also 2 of his Ungol units dead, a 'break even' kind of turn at best. And the Kislevite hosts continue to mass.
It's time to ride for home. Hangar turns his steeds around and heads back to the Kurgan lands, having gained very little from Kislev. At least he holds his triumph and treasures from the Wheatland.","attachment":null,"posted":1715152497},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5997960,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5997936
Where to? Back to Kurgan lands?","attachment":null,"posted":1715154912},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5997962,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5997960
Yes","attachment":null,"posted":1715155169},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998002,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5997962
Yet again, Zar Hangars host, in its return trip towards the Kurgan lands, passes by the keep of Karag Dum, the whispers of the steppe spirits calling them towards it. And this time, Zar Hangar:
>bypassed it yet again, not caring to slow his journey one bit and still yet to have commited his forces to fort Ostrosk
>entered there and sought council with the crow headed messenger, wherever the mysterious benefactor of this whole ordeal may be
>found a odd and unfinished marble statue of a woman seated on a chair precariously leaning on its last two legs, while the statue had its feet raised on the table, a cup of wine graciously in the grasp of one of the marble hands
>chose to wander the halls of the ancient dwarven keep with his bodyguards, seeking to find whatever may lay in it.
And after he had returned, after the feasts, games, drinking and celebration, turned to work as the seasons slowly passed, turning his attention to:
>the Chaos dwarf merchant, there to offer mercenary work in the wheatlands, where the Hobgoblins were assembling to strike on the Dawizhar holds in the south, promising payment in their equipment and services.
>Ruzhik, a older kurgan chief, seeking to marry his single daughter to a promising warlord.
>Asena, a young strigany woman, predicting great fortunes to you should you strike westwards and despoil the hall of the troll king.","attachment":null,"posted":1715159857},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998092,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5998002
>Zar Hangar bypassed it yet again, not caring to slow his journey one bit and still yet to have committed his forces to fort Ostrosk.
>the Chaos dwarf merchant, there to offer mercenary work in the wheatlands, where the Hobgoblins were assembling to strike on the Dawizhar holds in the south, promising payment in their equipment and services.
>>5997900
It seems the Chaos Dwarfs offer assistance for assistance in kind. I would say to ride with me here if you choose not your year in the north. The forges of the Dark land will grant us the tools to break the walls.
(Also hopefully so we can get >>5996547
into the game at last.)
>>5997679
"Zar Ivan, Exhalated in the harvests of Corn;
The Dawi-Zharr promise payment in goods and deeds for those who ride against Hobgoblins massing on the Zorn Uzkhul; Hobgoblins who if gathered would pose similar threat against the lands which you now try to hold. I propose that you join me in this venture; for the equipment of the forges of Zharr should be a most useful aid in your construction project."","attachment":null,"posted":1715169879},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998110,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5997928
>Might be time to fucking bail.
As the Eagle demands! The time of swift flight is upon us.
It is a pity we cannot conduct the rituals on the river village where the Eastern ungors are, but the enemy approach by hoof and swift foot.
Instead, the Ungors to the East will take any and every slave they can, set fire to the village, and haul much ass back across the river with prize in hand, heading northward towards the woods. The ungors to the north will do the same, moving away to the east towards the wood.","attachment":null,"posted":1715172283},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998111,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5997856
My Ungors are willing to split spoils if it would afford us rides from your horsemen.","attachment":null,"posted":1715172479},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998122,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5997935
Hey, if this Tofa’s work is combined with Sarrick’s (eventual) mammoths or with a Minotaur, or with one of the veteran chaos warriors I’m gonna get… good gods","attachment":null,"posted":1715173799},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998125,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5998110
Where does Magor retreat to? Baersonlings, Hung, Kurgan, Tong (10 loot fee), Wheatlands, northern beastmen or to the eastern Kislev forest?
>>5998092
Still not caring for the raven headed witch, Hangar does not bother with Karag Dum, yet instead commits himself to his duties.
Astradroth, the Chaos dwarf pitches his idea to you "The Hobgoblins under Ghughlukh Khan amass in great hordes and plan to strike southwards." He says calmly. "And while Zharr Naggrund would hold and while little damage would be suffered even in the outskirts of Zharrduk, I don't particularly care to suffer even that, so I call upon you to ride to them and strike at them pre-emptively."
"And what good is it to me to do so?" Hangar asks, eyeing the dwarf.
"Would you not like to purchase armor like the one you wear now?" Astradroth says.
"Uzkulak sells it." Hangar replies.
"Uzkulak has falled from inside. To whom or what, none know." The chaos dwarf says.
Hangar tilts his head back, looking at the dwarf from a even bigger height.
"Fine, scum, a thousand suits of armour." (can upgrade up to 5 units of savages/slaves/thralls/bondsmen/berserkers/huscarls to chaos warriors or 5 units of horse archers/cataphracts to chaos knights)","attachment":null,"posted":1715173916},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998127,"name":"High Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5997878
>>5998092
"Zar of Hastlings, Chosen of Tchar, I recognize your wisdom. My ships are already preparing to sail, otherwise I would ride beside you now to crush the wretched Hobgobs of Khanzaria. The Mighty Four Willing, the blood of my steeds still flowing, & the bravery of my riders unbroken, I will make my way there before the next season is over. If you wish to rest within my lands before my return you shall be my guest. Remember to burn their dead, & their living, lest the green wretches return."
Lanu, you're saving the Albino post for the start of the next raid I take it, since I accepted that sidequest?
Any final investment commitments now that everyone is withdrawing?","attachment":null,"posted":1715174023},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998128,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5998122
A extremely damaging and tanky unit, but one that will have no initiative or movement speed. And while big numbers look scary, it'd be kinda sad to see it die to like 6 militiamen. But that would be perfect for tunnel clearing against skaven or dwarves.","attachment":null,"posted":1715174047},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998156,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":">>5998128
Honestly if Korthak doesn’t pick it, I will look for it later","attachment":null,"posted":1715176747},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998170,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5998127
>Lanu, you're saving the Albino post for the start of the next raid I take it, since I accepted that sidequest?
No, I just forgot it amidst everything.
"You see Zar Ivan, it is not actually a island at all, but a ship of the king of earth." The albino says, pushing his long white hair away from his face with his slender fingers. "And only it can lead me through the ruby gate so that I may return to my empire."
"What are you an emperor of?" Ivan asks.
"An ancient empire of chaos I am doomed to destroy in my struggles with my usurping brother." The albino replies.
"Tchar plays his games with you." Ivan replies. "Who may we expect troubles from? I doubt you would have sought such an armed guard against a weak foe."
"Indeed not. The royal guard watches the gate. They are no easy foes. As fast as your cataphracts and as tough as them, yet better than them with blades and entrenched in beached ships. There is plunder there, but there will be bloodshed." The Albino says.","attachment":null,"posted":1715177528},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998172,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5998125
Can I join Korthak to the Baersonlings? Will I still be able to raise more Beastmen there or must a go to places like the Northernbeastmen?
How likely does it seem for my hordes to flee relatively intact on foot?","attachment":null,"posted":1715177873},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998173,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5998172
>Can I join Korthak to the Baersonlings?
Yes, of course.
>Will I still be able to raise more Beastmen there or must a go to places like the Northernbeastmen?
No, but you could recruit skinwolves.
>How likely does it seem for my hordes to flee relatively intact on foot?
All that's left can safely flee on foot.","attachment":null,"posted":1715177972},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998177,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5998173
Well, I'd like to share the loot with Korthak, as my bloodshed brother. I can do that while still retreating to the Beastmen lands yes?","attachment":null,"posted":1715178288},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998178,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5998177
Yes, you can give some of your loot to Korthak while still returning to Beastmen lands.","attachment":null,"posted":1715178334},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998189,"name":"High Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":">>5998170
"I have secured passage across the sea; all that I need is the location to which to sail. Make good on your word, pale one."","attachment":null,"posted":1715180543},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998204,"name":"Narvoch Ravenwing","msg":">>5998170
Based crossover","attachment":null,"posted":1715181419},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998310,"name":"Korthak","msg":"Korthak left the lands of Kislev richer than he entered, splashed in blood, shoulders weighted down in spices and coins. The reception from the norscans brought a strange feeling. He thought little of it and still thought less of them. The weakest booze, though, now burned going down, to say nothing of the real rotgut. A rare, sensual blessing of Kharneth. While drinking, he idly wondered if this was incidental to his skull or born from the notion of a warrior's revelry.
One-third of his warband had fallen in battle, but that was no worry when their torments now delighted the dark gods, and he'd razed a handful of walled towns with their sacrifice. Gotten within spitting distance of Fort Ostrosk, even, but that was nothing worthy of praise. That most of his men survived and returned with treasure was. There'd be no shortage of volunteers, he suspected.
>>5998110
He didn't do it alone, though. There was another... Magor, the Gorebow, and his herd of ungors. The beastmen fought well, killed plenty of Kislevites and razed a few villages in their turn. He'd marched with him, fought with him, and he reasoned that was more than anyone else'd ever done. By dint of killing and dying together, they were brothers, in blood spilled over blood coursing, the only bond that truly exists, and that was worthy of recognition. A detachment of thralls watched over by now veteran bondsmen breaks off of the warband's column, heavy with stolen blades, liquors, and foodstuffs, all of use to an ungulate. They go in search of the herd.
>Korthak plundered 50 Loot from Kislev.
>He's keeps 25 Loot for himself and gives 25 Loot to Magor.
>>5997935
The warlord considered the man before him. Fat, old, weak... and filled with the promise of tribute. More importantly, he spoke of war on his Fjellsende kin as though it were an imminent tragedy and not the greatest of glories. If Korthak still had lips, he would have grinned.
"Once Fort Ostrosk falls you'll have my strength, Lodin. Soon after, you'll have your throne and enough skulls to make another!"
To not only avenge himself on the northmen who so scorned him, but do it in the name of a fallen chieftain, butchery free of an outsider's censure? That was an opportunity he couldn't miss.","attachment":null,"posted":1715188313},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998340,"name":"Ivan","msg":">>5998204
I'm lost","attachment":null,"posted":1715189647},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998346,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5998204
what is the reference?
>>5998310
nice. wanna hang out at Mulrogs Arena some time? no fighting. just roleplay.","attachment":null,"posted":1715189888},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998353,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5998204
: )
>>5998340
>>5998346
Elric of Melnibone.
It's writer, Michael Moorcock invented chaos, both the symbol and the concept, as well as laid the foundations for Warhammer and the Witcher, was extremely influential and set up a bunch of tropes still commonly used in fantasy. He basically made dark elves a thing, made being edgy cool, created the proto Targaryens and more or less made Khorne (Arioch) and Nurgle (Urish).","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715190487796966.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1715190487},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998364,"name":"Ivan","msg":">>5998353
Basado y rojapilled
So I'm dealing with Dunmer","attachment":null,"posted":1715190998},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998365,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5998353
that name rings a bell. at least the writers name. not the character.","attachment":null,"posted":1715191142},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998395,"name":"Narvoch Ravenwing","msg":">>5998353
If only I had been the one to run into him, I'd have some visions of his dark future to share.
But then again, that would be spoiling the gods' fun. It was fated that I not speak to him.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715193460304385.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1715193460},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998461,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5997878
"This is wise. As you are our gods-chosen warleader, I swear by Kharneth's bloody axe that in the fourth season to come I will march under your banner, toward Fort Ostrosk or wherever else you deem fit."
>>5998346
I see no reason why not! We are both bona-fide Khornates, after all. Us skulltakers have got to stick together.
>>5998353
I had my suspicions, kek. I never did get too deep into the sagas but Moorcock's arguably influenced more than Priestly ever did.","attachment":null,"posted":1715196311},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998496,"name":"Zar Hangar","msg":">>5998125
"Then, for a thousand suits; I will ride out against this Khan."
So, the Sums this time...
>>5984343
8 loot left from the last raid
>>5991721
+60 loot from the wheatlands/'that pass village'
=68 Total
3 Chaos Knights
1 Kurgan Cataphract
2 Horse Archers
+ 1 Kurgan Cataphract (-18 Loot)
+ 5 Horse Archers (-50 Loot)
= 0 Loot Remaining
Let's hope these additions can somewhat ease the numbers issue I faced last raid.","attachment":null,"posted":1715198199},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998505,"name":"High Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"So everyone has finally withdrawn for the interraid season, & the reaving can begin anew.
Lanu, as it stands the Grand Fortress of Ivanoslav should stand directly in the pass as a tier 3 settlement, with a moat facing West to Kislev & another moat behind facing East. (40 Loot from my 20, Rue'Vahn's 11, & Krantagarh's 9)","attachment":null,"posted":1715198915},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998515,"name":"High Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"The moats should nonetheless be passable the same way the Last Hope Inn's pathway is.","attachment":null,"posted":1715199184},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998517,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5998461
The return of Korthak had caused a bit of a stir. it had been late in the season when the new Warlord had returned bloodied and victorious. His burning skull had been a clear mark of the Gods favor. Something Mulrog could scarecly ignore. One day after another night of drunken revellery Korthak was approached by a Plate clad warrior, accompanied by several thralls.
"Hail Korthak Bronze Skull, my Master. Mulrog The Cruel wishes to extend you an invitation to observe the Choosing of his new Huscarls in his Arena." the Knight proclaimed before gesturing to the thralls following him and offering them as a present that was part of the invitation.
The Arena was a spectacle of blood and murder. Currently several captive Ungols had been thrown into the pit to fight against a large, shaggy and very hungry Bear. Two fighters had already been torn apart but the last three men had managed to arm themselves with clubs and broken off spikes. Mulrog was sitting in his lodge, drinking Empire Wine stolen during his raids from the skull of a Skinwolf.
With a gesture he offered a seat and drink to the other warlord. They watched the fight to its bloody conclusion with only one captive surviving heavily wounded. "If he survives he will get the chance to become one of my huscarls. Or he might find the Glory of the Bloodgod in his dreams." Mulrog finally exclaimed before coming to the core of why he invivted Korthak.
He wished to know why he had attached himself to their fight , though would accept a simple answer without much in the way of probing questions afterwards.He was looking for reliable allies and making sure that they would not start murdering each other while there were still Southerners to kill and plunder to make. And seeing a fellow warrior blessed by Khorne he hoped that next season they could have a little competition on who could gather the best plunder and greatest trophies. He would not be raiding much though out on the sea ice, hunting beasts of the seas.","attachment":null,"posted":1715199315},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998529,"name":"High Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"If Mulrog & Korthak are still commiting to their investments I can also found the lesser settlement next to the moat, before the pre-existing village.
>>5991791","attachment":null,"posted":1715199690},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998540,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5998529
I will get back on that tomorrow when i will do the math what i will need and can spend","attachment":null,"posted":1715200166},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998542,"name":"Huffud the Big","msg":"FINALLY! THE MURDER CAN BEGIN ANEW!","attachment":null,"posted":1715200236},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998560,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5998177
Magor's journeys bring him to his great northern host. The usual dance of celebration, alcoholism, orgies and duels follows until a certain someone catches Magor's eye:
>A wounded troll that spoke of great riches and revenge
>A tiger headed beastman from Ind on the edge of death
>A armless slave that claims to have escaped from the Tong","attachment":null,"posted":1715201062},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998571,"name":"Lanu","msg":"I'll try and start the second thread tomorrow. I'll probably structure it a bit better, rephrase some of them and do a few things to make my life easier, like making a thread anchor for questions to me. If anyone has recommendations for things to fix/change other than the phrasing for the bonus HP in the settlements, I'd appreciate them.","attachment":null,"posted":1715201561},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998591,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5998560
Sorry for the delay in posting. Is it okay if this still happens and I head to the beastman lands? I'd like to hope I can visit a good friend, party up, then go to beastlands. There's lots of forests near the north anyway.
>A wounded troll that spoke of great riches and revenge
Hey! He's still alive. I like trolls.
>>5998310
Should have kept better track but I believe I have plundered 20 loot this adventure. I shall share 10 with you.","attachment":null,"posted":1715202424},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998600,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5998517
The sudden invitation took the Bastard Skull by surprise, but it was far from unwelcome. A grunt and nod was all the response the Reaver received, and then Korthak was off. He found his way to this arena shortly. Though he lacked a nose, he could smell hot blood on icy winds and laughed. This was the kind of merriment worth having.
Better yet, it was a proving ground. A means of slaughtering the weak to make way for the strong. Kharneth reveled in these things and as another of his killing dogs, so did Korthak. The thrall-turned-warlord was a strange sight, even aside from his skull. Rather than the spiked heavy plate of a true chaos warrior, he wore a shiny new suit of a huscarl's maille and a stolen stresly's coat, bleached by the sun and stained with blood. A broad axe sat on his belt and a saxe with in it, but little else. If not for his blessing, he wouldn't be out of place among the rank-and-file marauders.
Where visible and not burnt, his skin was ruddy and something subtle, the way he carried himself or mouthed his words, marked him as a half-Southron. Yet here he sat, surrounded by Northmen in a place of honour. Strange indeed. Korthak considered Mulrog's words carefully, as the fires behind bronze teeth reduced precious wine to sweet steam flowing from both ear holes. When he spoke, his voice crackled. "I reckon the glory of the Blood God isn't a dreaming thing, insomuch as this whole wide world is a dreaming thing. The sky overhead, the snow underfoot, the blood pumping in our veins..."
"It's all false. A dream we've all decided on for ourselves because we're too weak to know the four in truth. Maiming, killing, burning... It's all different ways of ripping back the curtain to show ourselves what lies beneath. I fight because what's beneath is beautiful. Not like a quiet sunset or shapely bosom, but mighty in its beauty. Oceans of blood, whirlwinds of blades, multitudes of the lost and damned adrift- clashing, striving, dying beneath a throne of skulls! A maelstrom without beginning or end, thrashing forever-and-ever to the drums of war! Imagine it. Imagine that!"
"It's a beautiful dream, isn't it?" He lifted a calloused hand to point at the ungor, now limping from the fallen bear. "That goat'll go on to do great things, or die, and it makes no difference! We're all bound for the same pit in the end." The cup, now empty, he sat on the skinwolf's pelt, balanced between scarred knuckles. "Mulrog... the Cruel... distant half-cousin of mine. There's no truth in words. I want to know your measure and you to know mine. Once this choosing is done, what say you we have ourselves a duel? A friendly sparring match, to the first blood to kiss the dirt. A symbol of the wars we'll make together."
Nothing too convoluted, a flat d20 from me against you for the fun of it.","attachment":null,"posted":1715203352},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998607,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5998591
Much appreciated. I think you got 50 Loot, from sacking those three 10 Loot villages and one 20 Loot town bordering the woods. That's the same amount as I managed, going back step-by-step through the raids, so it hits me that an even split would leave us both back where we started, ahahaha. By the dark gods, that's going to be a horrifying amount of ungors.","attachment":null,"posted":1715203811},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998665,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5998607
Oh yeah! You're right!
PRAISE THE DARK GODS!","attachment":null,"posted":1715207238},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998666,"name":"High Zar Ivan the Unbearable","msg":"Lanu, have you taken any inspiration from Sworn to Valour, 40K, Dark Souls, Dragon's Dogma, or The Elder Scrolls for this Qst?","attachment":null,"posted":1715207263},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998741,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5998607
btw if I got 50 loot, you get 25 of course. And your 25 is well received to much rejoicing!
>>5998310
While the majority of his herd made ready to migrate to Beastmen lands, bringing along many southern men to feast upon and southern women to sire more Beastmen, Magor and a few of his best Ungors would personally attend the Northerling's revelries. Though he wished it were otherwise, that he were truly a beast through and through, the Eagle had blessed Magor with more of the sense of men in him than beast, though he knows this is surely why he has risen above the heard. It is with this thought he mused and found amusement, that he who favors the Serpent and all its pleasures would find ally and friend with a follower of the Dog, for there was much animosity between the Snake and the Hound. Indeed, these days, he has found more and more of the Serpents gifts and wears many charms to them he had obtained from the Bray-Shamans. Yet there was still strength to be found in Chaos Undivided.
Magor arrives with his favorite pet, a comely Hung madwoman (by beastmen standards anyway), barely dressed in the attire of a slave, a golden gag shoved into her frothing mouth with the blazing eyes of a lunatic, here to be bound and to please Magor as he attends the bloodsports. He brings gifts of loot: the choices of skulls from the mightiest of foes his warband has fought, as well as the fiercest and most resistant slaves he could muster for the blood games.
With gifts of loot and skulls he approaches the Norscan guards to the city and summons up the words of men on his beastly tongue: "Hail, Northmen. Magor Gorebow seeks to join Korthak, bloody of hand, burning of skull, blessed of the Hound, in glorious revelry! I bring gifts of loot, of slaves, and skulls."","attachment":null,"posted":1715212132},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998799,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5998665
I've been keeping a record tally myself, hahaha.
>>5998741
Sometime before, or after, or during Korthak's attendance with Mulrog, for the dark gods cared little for the contrivance of time and the ways of Tchar were strange, the cloven one made his way to Baersonling lands. Norscan contempt for beastmen being what it was, even they were loathe to drive off one with sackfuls of plunder. A fair bit of bickering went on between a couple of bondsmen on the watch, then the primal mob was ushered in.
Magor found the burning skull's band in a pitched encampment on the settlement's outskirts, and the man himself sitting in a snow embankment midway through a bottle of wine, steam spewing with every sip. Next to him were sprawled half a dozen jars of mead, now gone, and it seemed that this bottle was the second of five. Korthak got up and waved, more sober than one would expect from someone taller than a Southerner's belt. It was hard to tell an expression on a faceless skull but his hand wasn't near his blade, a rare thing.
"Hail, greatest of ungors! It's good to see that hide's still clinging to your bones, and even better, that you've brought gifts!" He staggered forward, thrusting a half-finished bottle into Magor's grip and clapping a hand on his back. "Well met! Let's drink to glorious deaths yet to come!" The warlord paused, gritting his teeth. "Tell me, did my trusted men and the thralls under their watch reach your herd with speed?"","attachment":null,"posted":1715216313},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998845,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5998799
Magor raises his bottle in joint toast with Korthak "to many deaths to come!" He savors its flavor as the Serpent demands, already an idle hand tugs the leash of his prized slave just a bit closer.
"That they did! Many ungors made it across the river and now bray loudly into the night thanks to your men. Yet another oath of loyalty between my herd to your tribe, writ the heavier by deeds rather than words. One of many we shall seek to repay."
Magor watches the spectacle below, smiling as he watches a wounded Ungor feast upon the corpse of a bear. A good omen.
"It is for this reason I am also here! We are a mighty force you and I, and only the most insurmountable of odds can hope to stop us. I come to ask: where shall my Herds march next? I can think of no one better to discuss war plans than one blessed by the Lord of Skulls and one whom I have cleaved flesh and bone with."
>btw I wouldn't mind joining in the convo with Mulrog, or observing the duel if it happens. Yeah I couldn't figure out a good way to fit in it either, but the Eagle smooths over many such wrinkles in time with his talons","attachment":null,"posted":1715218440},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5998992,"name":"Rue’Vahn","msg":">>5998571
Oh shit I forgot.
Lanu I’d like to officially commit to both >>5994557 and >>5995574
These were just hypotheticals and drafts before, but now I am confirming that I purchase a unit of chaos warriors for 22, rent a boat for 2, donate 11 to Ivan, and accept the proposal from the Hung warrior.
I will also ask the warrior for details. I will clear the coast, but how many settlements will that be? My current map only shows a single Aesling city in the east, so once that is taken, how many more will there be? Next, do I need to care about the Aesling settlements that are further inland, or are they not relevant to the migration effort? Lastly, I’ll ask if the warrior can tell me a little more about the men that will flock to my banner; are we talking tons of cannon fodder or a battalion of elites?","attachment":null,"posted":1715225460},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5999118,"name":"Mulrog","msg":"Rolled 12 (1d20)
>>5998600
The thoughts of Karthok had been at least somewhat interesting. While he disagreed with some parts others were appealing to his mind. Endless glory and gory combat sounded like a dream. Getting up from his seat he raised a hand.
"Today. We have a special challenger. Kortha the Bronze Bastard Skull wishes to know my metal. And i wish to know his. Hold back the next fight." he shouted at terrified slaves and the roaring approval of his warriors.
Surprisingly agile for an Ogre sized man wearing black chaos plate the warlord slip on his hormed helmet and jumped over the railing. It was a steep drop of almost 15 foot(4,5 meters) down into the Arena. His bloodlust was increasing fueled by drink and the thougts of glorious battle.","attachment":null,"posted":1715232525},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5999122,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5998845
>you coudls till make it. it will be a bit of time after you both return... or in your case stop at Baersonling lands that Mulrog wil extend his invitation. who knows who Korthak send a messenger to after he got the invitation.
if you show up. bring some booze and snacks with ya. its gonna be a party.","attachment":null,"posted":1715232814},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5999156,"name":"Korthak","msg":"Rolled 4 (1d20)
>>5998845
At Magor's words, Korthak roared with approval. "Then it is done! We're brothers, in deed and blood!" He gripped the ungor's shoulder with firm certainty. "If you ever have need of my axe, you need only call on me, and I'll do the same for your bow." The skull poured recklessly, for he lacked the lips to drink. "As for your request... I plan to sail north and help that witch, Sarrick, it was, hunt mammoth cubs for the Hung. I'd be glad to have you but I don't think there'll be much to plunder in the ice. The wheatlands have been reaved ruthlessly but some settlements remain. You could find luck striking further south and sacking the borders of Kislev before the others, or death. It all depends on the will of the gods, the portents, the blood..."
He broke his stream of thought with a sudden shout. "But to hell with prophecy, watch this!"
>>5999118
The once-thrall leaped into the pit, whipping out his axe, howling more like a bone whistle than the throat of a man. Mulrog was a behemoth of steel and brawn, wielding weapons and armour of the finest forging. He was also a veteran warrior, one no less blessed by Kharneth, and merciless.
In comparison, Korthak was lean and ill-equipped, but fought with an instinctive finesse and no less vicious ferocity. "Praises to the Blood God!"","attachment":null,"posted":1715235767},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5999174,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5999156
While Mulrog was drunk, Korthak was no less drunk. While both warriors landed well in the Arena that was most that went well for Korthak.
The treacherous ice that shattered under Mulrogs steps made his stand unstable. It didnt help that Mulrogs Axe had heft and reach on his side with longer arms. "Blood be Spilled. Skulls Piled High! BLOOD FOR THE BLOODGOD!" Mulrog shouted when they engaged for the first time.
And the Experience gap was further higlighted as the massive Warlord launched an onslaught that only barely didnt take Korthaks Head in the first second of the duel.
But Korthak was not without advantages of his own. If he could manage to slip into the inner reach of Mulrogs Axe he would stand a chance. Instead of blocking the attacks of the Axe Korthak went to parrying them. Steel screamed on steel, showering the Arena with Sparks on the third exchange. By now Korthak had found an opening Mulrog left just after finishing such an exchange, while pulling his Axe back up.
Slipping under Mulrogs Guard the once Thrall aimed for a joint weakpoint to penetrate with his Axe. The Knee flying up to inetrrupt him he only noticed in the corner of his eye when it was too late. Having used the momentum of bringing back the Axe to rip his other leg up, something so dangerous that no sane man would do it in a fight to the death, the Knee impacted with Korthaks Jaw and flung him around.
With a ringing in his ears that sounded like the raw fury of a hundred Khornate demons Korthak found himself on the ground disarmed. The heavy Boot of Mulrog pinned his leg down. the tip of the Axe finding a weakpoint in his armor. Just a thin line was drawn across his side, but it was enough for blood to spill upon the ground.
The pressure suddenly lifted and the Bloodlust of Mulrog subsided as he offered the other Warlord a hand. "You fought well, like a warrior twice your age and experience would. Reaving your skull would be an insult for i can see a great future in Service to the Brass Throne." Mulrog exclaimed, pulling Korthak to his feet and offering to hold a feast in his honor. No matter If he refused he would at offer the services of Nilsa the wise woman with knowledge of medicine to make sure his wound would not give Nieglin a playground.
hope this works for you","attachment":null,"posted":1715238833},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5999300,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5998591
>Sorry for the delay in posting. Is it okay if this still happens and I head to the beastman lands? I'd like to hope I can visit a good friend, party up, then go to beastlands. There's lots of forests near the north anyway.
Sure, go for it.
A troll you meet during your celebration, notably lacking all his fingers, speaks to you. "Throgg, troll, chief. Take finger, take one more finger, one more finger. Soon, no more finger. He then try to take hand away, but I run. He has many shiny things. You like shiny things? I can show to Throgg and shiny things."
>>5998992
>I will also ask the warrior for details. I will clear the coast, but how many settlements will that be?
The point of it is primarily to cow the Aeslings into not defending the straight once it freezes over, to let the Hung move in and only have to fight the Vargs. You could go on a extermination campaign, or you could head for their capital sacking everything along the way and accepting their surrender eventually.
However, the Aeslings are in my perception way more populous and powerful the Baersonlings, so you will likely have to push inland. As for the map, it is yet to be made.
>Lastly, I’ll ask if the warrior can tell me a little more about the men that will flock to my banner; are we talking tons of cannon fodder or a battalion of elites?
I'll give you some quantity of loot and let you spend it on Hung troops.","attachment":null,"posted":1715255580},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5999313,"name":"Rue’Vahn","msg":">>5999300
Oh okay, I think I understand.
In that case, one last question: I’m assuming that I need to accomplish this during the next raid, or is there no time limit on this mission?","attachment":null,"posted":1715257816},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5999319,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5999313
There is no timelimit for the Aeslings. Here's the WIP map btw.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715258240106464.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1715258240},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5999324,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999319
Oh fuck that’s a lot","attachment":null,"posted":1715258582},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5999325,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5999319
And yes, I do realize the scale difference between what I did for the Aeslings and the Kislevits/Baersonlings. I attribute it to the time-space dilation and the warp influence (and not to the maps I used for this, but I also recognize that the empire will probably scale up aswell),","attachment":null,"posted":1715258583},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5999350,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5999300
Is Throgg famous yet?","attachment":null,"posted":1715260507},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5999351,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5999350
Mildly, tho in this reality, the end times never happened and everything just fizzled out.","attachment":null,"posted":1715260634},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5999361,"name":"Magor Gorebow","msg":">>5999300
Magor would take a slew of Ungors, and follow the Troll to Throgg's place. As soon as Throgg's cave was in sight, he would step back and speak to the Troll.
"You want us to attack the King of Trolls?" Magor laughs and ba'a'a's "Seize him!" He commands, as dozens upon dozens of his ungors move with rope and chain and hook on the fingerless troll.
"Perhaps the Troll King would favor us if we return this fool to him. Perhaps not. Let's go and find out!"","attachment":null,"posted":1715261172},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5999476,"name":"Korthak","msg":">>5999174
Korthak fought with wild fury and keen skill, but in the end, it wasn't enough to prevail. Now he laid, defeated under the Cruel one's foot. The victor's gauntlet lifted him up, as his skullflame crackled in a sporadic blaze and he laughed. "AHAHAHAHA! Magnificent! I don't know what I was expecting! You're the size to match a half-giant and no less favoured by Kharneth!"
He mulled over his offer, still swaying from the blow to his jaw. "Hmm... a feast, for me? NAY! Those fallen in weakness deserve nothing! Those strong enough to seize their fate deserve everything! Who is the strongest of them all? He who sits on the Skull Throne! A feast we'll have, but it'll be for the Blood God's sake!" As he crawled out of the pit, he started reducing another bottle to steam and could almost swear he felt a few drops get through. "I've found your measure, Mulrog. You are a worthy foe and in time, could be a steadfast friend. I'd be honoured to march at your side." Korthak drunkenly twirled his axe, pondering their duel. "I have many more Southlings to kill, many more lessons to learn writ in blood before we have ourselves a rematch."","attachment":null,"posted":1715270498},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5999512,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5999476
"Then to the Blood God we shall drink. It will be good to have another upstanding warrior next to me while going north to fight alongside those Sorcerers"
Now for my unit raising.
I have 63 Loot to spend.
Skinwolves= -26
Huscarls =-14
Bondsmen= -8
Thralls= -6
Selling of slaves= +6
should leave me with 15 loot.
>>5998529
i can donate those 15. or if 9 is alright with you i can get another unit of thralls. but it wont be necessary.
My forces after buying would be
Chaos Knights +1D,+1H
Cataphracts
Three Horse Archers
Skinwolves
Huscarls
Bondsmen
Thralls.
so one unit would have to shelter with an ally. or if i can afford those thralls i am completely independent.","attachment":null,"posted":1715272424},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5999519,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999174
>>5999476
>Korthak: "His size might be trouble..."
>Magor: "But would you lose?"
Korthak: "Nah I'd win"","attachment":null,"posted":1715272710},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5999523,"name":"Mulrog","msg":">>5999519
sadly didnt work out that way. RNGesus said Mulrog was the winner.
but i am looking forward to another duel with Korthak","attachment":null,"posted":1715273116},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5999568,"name":"Lanu","msg":"New thread:
>>5999532
>>5999532
>>5999532","attachment":null,"posted":1715275056},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":5999616,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999523
Oh I was just referencing the Gojo meme
Search Google for "Nah I'd win"","attachment":null,"posted":1715277679},{"board":"qst","thread":5976148,"pid":6003371,"name":"The Chronicler of High Zar Ivan","msg":"And so the realms of the Old World held their breath, awaiting disaster to come once again in its perpetual cycle, or otherwise remained ignorant of the growing threat to the North. The Mighty Four played their games, the Elder Races continued to languish in apathy framed as caution, & the unrelenting march of time pressed on.","attachment":null,"posted":1715604651}]}
+{"title":"World of Titans- Multiplayer Kaiju Quest","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5976616,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"In times past, giants walked the earth. Now, they shall awaken and walk again.
The first nuclear weapon detonated in 1945, showering the earth in radiation that had gone unseen for millions of years. The opening of Pandora's Box led to countless explosions, twice against man, and many more in barren deserts and oceanic depths. As the crust of the planet became charged with energy once more, ancient things began to stir.
You play as one of these creatures: A young Kaiju, awakened by radiation and ready to feed on it. As one of many who are emerging into existence, the time has come for you and your ilk to reclaim your rightful place as the rulers of Earth.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713007716451569.png","filename":"Threadop.png"},"posted":1713007716},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5976619,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Creating a Kaiju:
To join, come up with a concept for your Kaiju. Maybe it's an ancient egg that's just hatched due to a nuclear explosion, an animal mutated from an experiment, or even an alien invader. Whatever it is, it's weak and fresh, with room to grow before it can truly gain the power of a god. Providing a visual reference for your Kaiju is optimal.
Stats:
A Kaiju begins with F in all stats. However, even this rating is enough to devastate part of a city. You may choose two stats to increase upon character creation, excluding Size.
Sheet:
>Description:
>HP:
>Size: F
>Strength:
>Stamina:
>Speed:
>Specia:l
>Energy: 1/4
Description: Describe your Kaiju's concept, origin, and some potential abilities. This determines the sort of actions you may take during turns. For example, a reptillian Kaiju cannot randomly attempt to construct a web using its Special stat, while a giant spider may. The broader the range of things they can do, the weaker the overall effect.
HP: Size + Stamina (F=1, A=6)
Size: (The size of your Kaiju in its current iteration. Cannot be increased at creation, gained upon reaching Milestones. Larger sizes allow you to do more damage or move faster.)
Strength: (The physical strength and fighting ability of your Kaiju. Affects hit success rate.)
Stamina: (The resilience of your Kaiju, covering how much damage they can tank and their capacity for recovery between battles.)
Speed: (How agile your Kaiju is in battle, and their ability to traverse distances.)
Special: (Your Kaiju's special abilities. They may have breath attacks that do more damage than their physical attacks, or the ability to create nests and birth minions. Requires Energy to utilise in most situations.)
Energy: 1/4 (You begin with 1/4 units of concentrated bioenergy, increased by consuming sources of radiation or other energy forms. This allows your Kaiju to utilise their Special stat to achieve effects that their other stats don't cover.)
Once you're done, select a starting location on the world map and mark it out or list the coordinates. Kaiju may not start within a 1-tile radius from one another.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713007908209591.jpg","filename":"Egg.jpg"},"posted":1713007908},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5976623,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Stat Contests:
Difficult actions are carried out with 1d3 rolls. A 1 is a decreased degree of success, 2 is the expected degree of the stat, and 3 is an improved degree. For example, a Kaiju with F Strength attacking another with E Stamina will typically fail to wound it. However, by adding a degree of success, it may be possible to match that stat. This makes it possible for Kaiju to punch above their weight class to a degree, and completely overcome obstacles once they become sufficiently powerful.
Battles:
Kaiju will, obviously, be doing battle against themselves and the human forces that they're invading. A battle involves making a series of Stat Contests. The most common will be actively rolling Strength against a passive Stamina stat to determine if the Kaiju receives an injury. However, alternative contests may be applicable. A speedy kaiju could attempt to actively roll Speed to evade an attack, or utilise Special in place of Strength to use a beam attack.
Defeating an enemy may count as a Milestone that strengthens your own Kaiju, and being defeated will either render your Kaiju unconscious or dead. Early-game deaths or defeats from NPCs may not be fatal, while brawling in the late-game will likely lead to death.
[bEvolving:
Kaiju are able to grow stronger. They may do this through two methods: Milestones and Energy. When a Kaiju achieves a great feat, such as scoring their first kill or razing their first city, they may be considered to have completed a milestone. This allows them to increase their size, which naturally increases their HP and the impact of their stats. Alternatively, a Kaiju may increase a non-size stat by consuming an entire filled-up energy bar and a full turn. This allows them to permanently upgrade themselves over time.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713008015700902.jpg","filename":"Battle.jpg"},"posted":1713008015},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5976627,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Turns:
Each turn, a Kaiju receives 3 actions. Ideally, when not fighting, you'll want to be establishing your own goals. For example, spending actions to make a lair, or an action search for nuclear sites to subsequently feed from. You can spend an action to move a tile on the map, attack other kaiju, hunt for food in the wilderness, attack a city, etc, it'll rely on your write-ins.
As this system is makeshift and untested, the direct impact of stats on these actions will likely end up being played by ear. Many actions will require rolls or be possible to counter with rolls.
Winning:
The game ends naturally when all Kaiju have achieved their individual goals and are no longer interested in changing the status quo. Some examples are a single Kaiju slaying all others, several Kaiju deciding to permanently ally and co-exist, or the game simply dying off.
Feel free to start posting now. I'm not sure how many players I can take, but will indicate when signups are closed. Please be patient with me since this is a new system I'm trying to test out and simplify.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713008128166384.jpg","filename":"Duel.jpg"},"posted":1713008128},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5976665,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"This looks like a based quest but I'm unfortunately already busy running my own quest!! Best of luck, QM, I'm sure you'll get some takers here.","attachment":null,"posted":1713014877},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5976666,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976627
I'm willing to bite, but I do have a question. an I make a parasitic mushroom that spreads and take territory instead of random giant scaley beast number whatever, or is that not in the kaiju spirit? I can offer giant plants and mushrooms for people to duke it out with down the line if that helps?","attachment":null,"posted":1713015055},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5976703,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5976666
Yeah, that sounds fine to me. There’s all sorts of Kaiju, big mushroom would be fine. Making minions would probably be an action that uses Special, and creates mobs that have their own stat blocks, similar to Kaiju.","attachment":null,"posted":1713019104},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5976735,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Description: GIANT ENEMY lobster. /shrimp?
Apparently the islands here were nuclear test sites, which is cool because I was going to spawn here anyway.
>HP:3
>Size: F
>Strength: E
>Stamina: E
>Speed: F
>Special: F
>Energy: 1/4
Location: F7","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713021212833244.jpg","filename":"Ebirah.jpg"},"posted":1713021212},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5976756,"name":"Shroomy","msg":">Description: The Mushroom (aka The Plant Hopper, the Brain Eater, the Zombie Shroom, the Pale Rider, Hongo del Diablo, Shroomy, Champi)
was first discovered by a scientific expedition into Argentina's subtropical forests, when the expedition ran into "unwell, creepily friendly" animals. First suspecting rabies, scientist eventually discovered obvious signs of mycological infection, from spores in lungs to mycelial cords tracing the animals' nervous systems, including the brain. Over the past few months, these sightings have accelerated as more and more animals seem to lose basic instincts, and venture out of their normal habitats. Even more worrying, all recovered mushroom samples belong not just to the same species, but unbelievable enough, the same rhizome. Whatever is in there is widespread, and probably spreading under the ground for miles. An armed expedition is underway to study, and if necessary contain or destroy what is shaping up to be a continent-spanning ecological disaster, as predator numbers in the area have started dwindling, with infected animals losing even their basic hunting instincts when faced with infected prey animals or plants.
Appearance: pic related, for now. All sightings so far have been limited to mycelial cords within vegetal and animal tissue, including within large mammals...
>HP: 3/3
>Size: F
>Strength: F
>Stamina: E
>Speed: F (duh)
>Special: E
>Energy: 1/4
Location I7
Shroomy probably will be a nightmare for humans to deal with if it develops how I'm envisioning it, but breath attacks should work well enough, if it comes to that. Just don't expect it to move anywhere fast. It'll stick to being a creeping wave of an environmental hazard until it grows up a little, or if something big comes poking.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713023626657039.jpg","filename":"zqc1xrgp9sca1.jpg"},"posted":1713023626},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5976759,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5976735
>>5976756
Welcome! Will add your Kaiju to the map soon. Also as a side note for everybody, the map can be crossed since it’s a globe.","attachment":null,"posted":1713024120},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5976814,"name":"Shelob","msg":">>5976619
>Description: A spider mutated by exposure to a radioactive meteorite, as well due to eating affected insects
>HP: F
>Size: F
>Strength: F
>Stamina: F
>Speed: E
>Special: E
>Energy: 1/4
Location: H19","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713030530342083.jpg","filename":"5d2bc5851c69fbfdd0b71adc8c197ac5.jpg"},"posted":1713030530},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5976846,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"DEWA-PENYU
HP: 3
Size: F
Strength: E
Stamina: E
Speed: F
Special: F
Energy: 1/4
Description: Arising from the shallow waters just outside Manila, DEWA-PENTU is a lumbering, unstoppable behemoth - the CARAPACE of CRYSIS!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713032946765410.jpg","filename":"home video from manila just moments ago....jpg"},"posted":1713032946},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5976851,"name":"Crispycuts","msg":">>5976619
>Description: The Typhon
"Today on Iceland monitor, a writhing mass of black and orange tendrils has crashed into earth. A majority of it burnt up in the atmosphere, but government officials report sighting some leftover at the crash site. However we have reports of mental disturbances, electrical equipment failure, and a sudden unseen force is preventing further study. Further updates will be given as the situation unfolds, back to the weather."
>HP:3
>Size: F
>Strength:F
>Stamina:E
>Speed:F
>Special:E
>Energy: 1/4
Location: C9","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713033094902952.jpg","filename":"Apex.jpg"},"posted":1713033094},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5976860,"name":"Nukeman","msg":">>5976627
>Description: Yaderevo (Ядepeвo)
A ceaseless discharge of molten nuclear fuel seeping into the depths of the local ecosystem and rising back into a colony of radio-biological organisms united into a wandering nuclear frame.
>HP: 3/3
>Size: F
>Strenght: F
>Stamina: F
>Speed: D
>Special: F
>Energy: 1/4
Appeareance: I will draw ut when I have the time, but until then imagine a giant tree with roots at both ends with some of the inferior ones ending in elephant-foot like apendages for locomotion... now make it bigger and plate it with plutonium.
>Location: Cernobyl (D12)","attachment":null,"posted":1713033552},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5976877,"name":"Memitim","msg":">>5976619
Description: An extradimensional entity which behaves similarly to a conscious singularity. Manifests upon worlds bearing large populations sapient life, then slowly expands as it decoheres and assimilates matter into more of itself, eventually subsuming the entire planet.
>HP:2
>Size: F
>Strength: E
>Stamina: F
>Speed: F
>Special: E
>Energy: 1/4
Location: A1","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713035344732784.jpg","filename":"41.jpg"},"posted":1713035344},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5976881,"name":"Shelob","msg":">>5976814
Sorry, HP should be 2 not F","attachment":null,"posted":1713035663},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5976893,"name":"Phantrumpitus","msg":">>5976616
>Description: Out in space there are species that fight their wars primarily with bioweapons beyond anything man could make. Every now and then one escapes. Phantrumpitus was created to capture one that landed on Earth. He was created using the largest earth organisms it's makers could get as a basis to minimize the risk of it being killed by the atmosphere. It can create and blast an incredibly sticky substance that rapidly hardens on contact with air from it's trunk.
>HP: 4
>Size: F
>Strength:E
>Stamina:E
>Speed:F
>SpeciaLF
>Energy: 1/4
Location G11","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713037090319294.jpg","filename":"elephant_kaiju_by_kaemcspadden_d7i65b0-fullview.jpg"},"posted":1713037090},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5976895,"name":"Phantrumpitus","msg":">>5976893
Misread how to calculate hp should be 3","attachment":null,"posted":1713037508},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5976900,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976846
Oops, I forgot to specify my location: G17","attachment":null,"posted":1713037970},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5977073,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976619
Name: The Hive Mind
Description: Born from the collective unconscious of the people of a Japanese city because of classified experiments from an american military base that was there going wrong. The experiments were related to mind control technology.
Has the ability to control other life forms, from altering their behavior to completely turning them into familiars. It also uses this power to avoid being noticed by humans when it isn't hostile.
>HP: 3
>Size: F
>Strength: F
>Stamina: E
>Speed: F
>Special: E
>Energy: 1/4
Location: E18","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713055581532023.png","filename":"E_277.png"},"posted":1713055581},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5977175,"name":"The Beast of Tetanko","msg":">>5976616
The Beast of Tetanko
>Description: This titanic beast was once simply a crustacean with gigantism, likely doomed to a short life due to its poor ability to ambush prey. But fate had a different plan in mind for this strange creature, as it was declared an emissary of god and fostered by the Tetanko, a small and isolated island tribe. Over generations, it was cared for and fed by the people, growing ever larger and larger in the meantime. In turn, it served as the island's protector, fending off rival tribes and other strange beasts once it grew large enough. The beast's unnatural lifespan and indefatigable regenerative powers were judged as further sign of its blessing rather than its abnormal mutation combined with the pampering of the villagers, and over the millennia since then, it has shrugged off the mortal limitations of its original existence, free from disease and grown truly immense feeding on whales and other large marine life between decades of hibernation. Its most recent sleeping cycle was interrupted by an atomic blast, and when it finally dragged itself to the surface, it found its former home completely devastated, its chosen people nowhere to be found. Enraged by this loss, the Beast of Tetanko now comes to the mainland, fueled by hunger and vengeance in equal measures.
>HP: 3
>Size: F
>Strength: F
>Stamina: E
>Speed: F
>Special: E
>Energy: 1/4
Location: D1
In terms of abilities, the Beast of Tetanko is basically a regenerative nightmare, able to come back from even the most grevious of injuries stronger than ever in a short amount of time. In terms of use in combat, I was thinking he could forcefully induce cancerous mutations with his regenerative prowess, exchanging pure strength for further versatility in his approaches as he mutates extra eyes and mouths and limbs and things.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713062219550827.jpg","filename":"_18a135c4-4bad-40e8-a159-0dc8fa8c329f.jpg"},"posted":1713062219},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5977233,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5976846
Please indicate the tile coordinates. I’ll start up the first turn soon!","attachment":null,"posted":1713066513},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5977235,"name":"Arctic Ursa","msg":">Description: A Giant Polar Bear, that when agitated glows bright glacier blue.
In the frigid depths of the Arctic, where ice and snow reign supreme, an ancient force stirred beneath the frozen surface. Deep within the heart of an ice cavern, a colossal polar bear, larger than any creature ever seen, emerged from its millennia-long slumber. This behemoth, now known as the Arctic Ursa, had laid dormant for centuries, frozen and hidden from the world by the icy embrace of its homeland.
But as the world changed, so did the Arctic Ursa. For it had managed to evolve in hibernation, growing larger and more powerful with each passing year and even managing to gain the power to bring the cold with it. This majestic creature became a force of nature, its fur shimmering with an otherworldly glow, and its roars echoing across the frozen expanse.
As human activity encroached further into the Arctic, disturbing the delicate balance of nature, the Arctic Ursa awoke once more, its ancient instincts driving it to search for food and new shelter after it’s long hibernation. Towering over cities, it has become a walking blizzard and a symbol of winter unleashed.
Now exploring this new era of time, the Arctic Ursa stands as a wanderer of the world, a formidable presence that demands respect and reverence from all who dare to stop him from finding a new home.
>HP:3
>Size: F
>Strength: E
>Stamina: E
>Speed: F
>Special: F
>Energy: 1/4
Location: B3","attachment":null,"posted":1713066583},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5977249,"name":"Arctic Ursa","msg":"It’s main attack is to make Blizzard Wind Slashes with it’s claws and its special attack is a gigantic ice beam that he can unleash on his enemies or make ice fortifications to help him defend himself","attachment":null,"posted":1713067296},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5977350,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5976735
>>5976756
>>5976814
>>5976846
>>5976851
>>5976860
>>5976877
>>5976893
>>5977073
>>5977175
>>5977235
TURN 1: CHAOS
Across the world, various disasters have struck all at once. Numerous meteors have crashed into the atmosphere, nuclear bombs have detonated in preparation to turn them on foes, and rising temperatures have melted ice caps and disturbed things once slumbering within. Earthquakes and tsunamis are forecasted, and those living in catastrophe-prone areas are waiting in terror for the wrath of nature to strike. Humanity is about to learn a harsh lesson: That they have never been the rulers of the Earth.
>Current players:
>Action 1
>Action 2
>Action 3
You may start making actions now. I'll aim for turns lasting roughly 24 hours. Actions are all write-in. Feel free to use real-world justifications and research to act, as we're on a real world map at the moment. For example, Yaderevo has chosen to start in Chernobyl, so may immediately start trying to absorb radiation for energy. Other Kaiju may need to spend an action trying to locate energy-filled zones, which reveals that information to them. This info is only available to those who spent actions obtaining it, unless it's an obvious and realistic situation like a real nuclear plant that anybody can deduce independently.
If you'd like to ask questions regarding various actions, please feel free too, so we can work out any confusion or unclear portions together.
>Join game: Create your Kaiju sheet and select a place for them.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713074551186675.png","filename":"Map Turn 1.png"},"posted":1713074551},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5977370,"name":"Memitim","msg":"Rolled 3 (1d3)
>>5977350
>Action 1: Submerge self into the ocean.
>Action 2: (Special) Decohere local reality. Attempt to break down the atomic structure of surrounding matter into a volatile energy state suitable for absorption.
>Action 3: Assimilate radioactive products produced by the prior action.
Not sure if I need to roll for this, but I did so just in case.","attachment":null,"posted":1713076438},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5977386,"name":"Arctic Ursa","msg":">Action 1: Move to B2
>Action 2: Move to A1
>Action 3: Attack Memitim
Sorry Memitim, but you’re the biggest threat to me right now. Which means you got to go.","attachment":null,"posted":1713077951},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5977387,"name":"Arctic Ursa","msg":"Oh shoot, I meant to be specific
I attack him with my Blizzard Claws","attachment":null,"posted":1713078032},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5977392,"name":"Shelob","msg":">>5977350
>Action 1: Spin a web
> Action 2: Look for energy
> Action 3: Feed on prey","attachment":null,"posted":1713078668},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5977393,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5977370
>>5977386
Memritim’s Action 1 is stealth-related, so I think I’ll rule Stealth as being under ‘Speed’ from now.
Arctic Ursa’s Strength is E, and Memritim’s Stamima is F, making an undefended attack hit even in the worst case roll (1/3). However, since Memritim has made an action to utilise stealth, I’ll consider that as an active Speed roll against Ursa’s passive Speed to try and dodge the attack. Will require 1d3 from Memritim.
Action results will all be compiled upon turn update. I think that in order to eliminate the need for roll requests, let’s roll 3d3 each turn to cover all bases for all 3 actions, even if they’re things that don’t require rolls such as movement.","attachment":null,"posted":1713078765},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5977397,"name":"The Typhon","msg":"Rolled 2, 1, 3 = 6 (3d6)
>>5977350
>Action 1: (Special) Devour the minds and bodies of the local population in Isafjordur using my tendrils and psychic mass.
>Action 2: Search for other sources of energy
>Action 3: Establish a hidden lair on the Island
I'm sure they did something to deserve this.","attachment":null,"posted":1713079163},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5977403,"name":"G.E.L","msg":"Rolled 3, 2, 3 = 8 (3d3)
>>5977350
Action 1: Hunt fish/ disrupt fishing trawlers.
Action 2: Find Energy.
Action 3: Bask on a nice rock.","attachment":null,"posted":1713079896},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5977405,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>5977350
>Action 1: D-P proceeds straight to Manila proper, and it begins tearing the city apart! To the surprise of the local populace, the gigantic turtle creature begins consuming metals of all kinds, toppling buildings and bridges!
>Action 2: D-P special action revealed!! The metals consumed by D-P in turn one begin to be incorporated into the hide, shell and claws of the god-turtle!
>Action 3: The Malaysian military finally gets their act together and a tank battalion arrives - a single glancing blow from a tank round is enough to score the shell of D-P deeply and scare it off! D-P retreats into the ocean, diving deep and swimming due east to G16!","attachment":null,"posted":1713080296},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5977419,"name":"Shroomy (aka the Jungle Fever)","msg":"Rolled 1, 2, 3 = 6 (3d3)
>>5977350
"...amidst the chaos of the past few days, the armed scientific expedition into Argentina's northern subtropical forests has been delayed..."
"...It is our duty to protect our citizens, with or without the support of our neighbors..."
"Images from Argentina this morning show the buildup of forces poised to push into the north of the country this week. Lacking international support due to current worldwide tensions, the Argentinian military makes up the bulk of the forces. Paraguayan and Bolivian officials have raised concerns about this building near their border, but..."
>...Grow...
>Continue taking over local fauna and flora in an effort to understand how they function. So different from it...
"...yes, sir, we have report of more infected herds exiting the forest towards the south already...We took tree samples...yes, this far out...we'll be pushing in shortly...I understand sir."
>...Food...
>Push mycelial cords south towards the center of the country. There is energy there...
"... Panic this morning in Embalse as a regular tree trimming by public services revealed contamination by some type of mycelium. The majority of the town's trees appear to be infected...at this time, government officials have declined to answer whether this is the same species of mushroom currently infecting the north of the country..."
"...yeah, you can see the smoke from here...Look, look, they're burning it! They're burning the forest!..."
>...Pacify...
>Start moving mycelial cords closer to the surface near the expedition and growing...what have we collected so far...hmm,purple-spored puffballs should do.
"..yes sir, the burning is coming along nicely..had to shoot a couple animals...no, not aggressive, just weren't afraid of the fire...they learned again though, haven't seen any in the past few hours..."
"...hey, that purple-spored puffball wasn't there...yo, come and burn it...SHIT! *cough* *cough* "
"...under the fucking trucks?! We barely stopped for an hour, how could mushrooms grow so fucking fast?! Get a medical tent setup for those who didn't have their masks on...god save their souls..."
I'm hoping the greentext isn't getting buried too much. Decided to have fun with it and go with the indirect footage route, at least for now. Shroomy isn't the most articulate, especially at such an early stage!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713083018163064.jpg","filename":"shroomyturn1.jpg"},"posted":1713083018},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5977422,"name":"Memitim","msg":"Rolled 2, 1 = 3 (2d3)
>>5977393
> let’s roll 3d3 each turn to cover all bases for all 3 actions
Sounds good. I shall do this in future.
For now...
Since Action 2's roll was already made, I'll roll 2d3.
First dice is for Action 1.
Second dice is for Action 3.","attachment":null,"posted":1713084040},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5977424,"name":"Nukeman","msg":">>5977350
>Action 1: Finish devouring the Cernobyl reactor
>Action 2: Search for further nourishment in the form of nuclear reactors and nuclear missiles
>Action 3: Denuclearize the Belarussian and Ukrainean SSRs(Nom nom nom...)","attachment":null,"posted":1713084494},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5977433,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":"Rolled 2 (1d3)
>>5977350
>Action 1: Fly above Tokyo, high enough to be hard to reach by human technology
>Action 2: (Special) Attempt to control Tokyo's population and if possible surrounding areas (guess i'll do a roll for that in case it's needed)
>Action 3: Have successfully controlled life forms locate nuclear energy sources","attachment":null,"posted":1713085813},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5977434,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":"Rolled 2, 1 = 3 (2d3)
>>5977393
>>5977433
(my bad, here are the other 2 rolls)","attachment":null,"posted":1713086194},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5977438,"name":"Shelob","msg":"Rolled 2, 3, 1 = 6 (3d3)
>>5977393
>>5977392
here are my 3 rolls","attachment":null,"posted":1713087181},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5977443,"name":"Arctic Ursa","msg":"Dice+3d3","attachment":null,"posted":1713087628},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5977444,"name":"Arctic Ursa","msg":"Rolled 3, 3, 3 = 9 (3d3)
","attachment":null,"posted":1713087777},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5977491,"name":"Phantrumpitus","msg":"Rolled 3, 3, 1 = 7 (3d3)
>>5977350
"Transport successful. Begin gathering energy before contact with target."
>Action 1 Search for energy sources
>Action 2 Consume any found
>Action 3 Move to F11","attachment":null,"posted":1713095734},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5977501,"name":"Nukeman","msg":"Rolled 2, 3, 1 = 6 (3d3)
>>5977424","attachment":null,"posted":1713097528},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5977502,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1, 2, 1 = 4 (3d3)
>>5977405
Forgot my roll","attachment":null,"posted":1713097625},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5977920,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Working on update. I think I’ll close new player entries, the length of it made me aware that I can’t fit any more.","attachment":null,"posted":1713141324},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5978115,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"BREAKING NEWS!
The previously reported megafauna, coined by locals as the ‘Arctic Ursa’, was last sighted exiting Alaska and making its way into open waters. Satellite observation ceased when it entered the Arctic Ocean Spatial Distortion, and attempts to continue tracking it are underway. In other news, worldwide reports of-
*Click*
-total ecological collapse of the Solomon Islands and their surrounding waters. Reports from Honiara have come in, warning of a ‘gigantic organism’ that has covered a large amount of its biosphere, and the city itself, in organic webbing. The DRA is in the process of scrambling relief efforts, and the Labor Party has pledged its full support in this time of crisis. Meanwhile, Papua New Guinea is fearful of-
*Click*
-the frighteningly high death toll in Ísafjörður. Survivors have, disturbingly, been found in severe states of hysteria. The destruction of the surrounding regions leave experts cautious of the possibility of a megafauna attack, considering the current state of duress that the rest of the world has been placed under.
“Whatever this is, it’s no coincidence,” said-
*Click*
-local fishermen, who have been reporting sightings of a ‘Giant Enemy Lobster’ off the coast of Cuba. While there have been no direct attacks on vessels, fishing operations have been heavily disrupted, and the coastal flooding points to heavy and repeated water displacement within the North Atlantic Ocean. Puerto Rico-
*Click*
-is under attack. We repeat, Manila is under attack. In the early hours of the morning, a superspecies resembling a turtle emerged from the ocean and immediately began destroying infrastructure. All contact has been lost with on-site reporters, and we-
What?
Breaking news. The Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas has managed to muster a full-scale military response. After deploying tanks and aircraft to the wreckage of Manila, the creature abandoned its attack and fled into the sea. The Philippine Navy is putting together an effort to trace it, and has sworn to eliminate this threat before-
*Click*
“-it destroys us all. Don’t you get it? The mushroom. It’s ALIVE. We tried to burn it, we tried to kill it, and now it’s mad.”
“All I mean is that… This thing is a part of nature. And nature has its way of-”
“There’s nothing natural about this thing! NOTHING! I’ve seen the *bleep*ing autopsies, I’ve looked at photos of ground zero. Ask any expert other than me, and they’ll tell you that-”","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713156698556466.jpg","filename":"Attack.jpg"},"posted":1713156698},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5978116,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5978115
*Click*
-radiation levels in the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant have decreased significantly. While teams are still unable to approach or deploy remote drones due to the increase in ambient radiation in the surrounding areas, thermal satellite imaging has revealed that the reactor itself has been largely cleansed.
This, however, is nothing worth celebrating. The trail of irradiated land implies that the origin point of the roving disaster sweeping Russia was none other than Chernobyl itself. As of 2100 hrs tonight, multiple attacks have been confirmed on active power plants and weapon silos in Belarus and Ukraine. Representatives from-
*Click*
-Tokyo express concerns about the mental-health epidemic sweeping the nation. Additional concerns regarding the appearance of various Daikaiju around the world, especially the creature dubbed DEWA-PENYU by the Republic of Indonesia down South, has prompted the JSDF to double up its preparations. Meanwhile-
*Click*
-mass deaths of elephants leave wildlife services stunned.
“We’ve never seen anything like this before. Not even poachers can leave them in this state.”
*Click*
One thing is clear. Humanity is no longer alone.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713156759999255.jpg","filename":"Attack2.jpg"},"posted":1713156759},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5978118,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">Turn 1 Actions:
>>5977370
2,3,1
Action 1: Speed (F) VS (F- Arctic Ursa Speed) - Active
Action 2: Special (F>E) - Active
Action 3: Passive
Memitim dives beneath the ocean, first and foremost, upon awakening in this consciousness-dense plane of existence. However, it can already sense mass deaths rippling across the noosphere, and knows that others are slaying them before it can assimilate their minds. With its extradimensional form, it’s able to move so deep into the sea that none can find it.
From there, it attempts to tear reality itself apart, reducing it into pure energy that it can then subsist of. Vast quantities of seawater are converted, creating blinding flashes that attract the attention of both humans, and worthier adversaries. The destruction of reality itself begins causing a shimming spatial distortion to take shape, as matter rushes in to fill the voids left behind. A veil of aberrant space is left floating in the Arctic sea. It has created energy from nothing.
As Memitim continues absorbing energy, it feels reality itself -snap-, refusing to bend further to its will. The entire region of space has become too tattered and unstable to drain more sustenance from, and any ships foolhardy enough to enter will find that the laws of physics themselves have been utterly devastated. From here, Memitim will need to look for new sources of energy, or spots where reality is coincidentally exploitable enough for it to repeat the maneuver.
>Memitim gains 1 energy > 2/4
>>5977386
3,3,3
Action 1: Passive
Action 2: Passive
Action 3: Strength (E>D) VS (F- Memitim Stamina) - Active
Identifying a threat, the Arctic Ursa heads North, straight into the veil that marks out the utter destruction of natural reality. Its kaiju body is enough to protect it from the warped laws of space and time, even as it dives into the ocean in search of its prey. The Blizzard Claws freeze large swathes of water with each strike, and should they have struck true, Memitim would have been wounded heavily in the assault. However, the alien has hidden itself too well, and the bear’s trip ends in failure.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713156832867143.jpg","filename":"Attack3.jpg"},"posted":1713156832},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5978119,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5977392
2,3,1
Action 1: Special (E) - Passive
Action 2: Passive - G20
Action 3: Strength (F>G) VS (F- Solomon Islands Settlements Stamina) - Active
Shelob the spider quickly makes her home across the Solomon Islands. She has little trouble crossing the waters when needed, and each new patch of green is a biosphere that can be conquered. There is little room for a gigantic monster to hide out, putting her in close proximity to the sole country that occupies the island chain. Soon enough, they’ve been enwebbed.
>Lair 33% complete
As she raises her antennae and attempts to sense sources of energy, shining like gems of light across a deep ocean, Shelob senses radioactivity right on her doorstep. Her own island has the biomass she needs to feast on and enjoy, but not the nuclear power she truly needs to grow. This can be solved by going North-East, to G20: An island chain in the Pacific that has seen nuclear tests. Residual energy still remains.
While this realisation comes, she begins feeding, terrorising the inhabitants of the Solomon Islands even further.
Solomon Islands Settlements:
>Size: F
>Strength: F
>Stamina: F
>Speed: F
>Special: F
However, with her own body still small, she’s not able to completely devastate and flatten their frankly pathetic settlements. While she can easily crush scattered villages and devour their folk, she hasn’t yet achieved the feat of wiping a tiny country out of existence.
>>5977397
2,1,3
Action 1: Special (E) VS (F- Isafjordur Stamina) - Active- Energy Consumed
Action 2: Passive - D10
Action 3: Special (E>D) - Active
The Typhon descends upon the small icelandic town like the calamity of myth.
Isafjordur:
>Size: F
>Strength: F
>Stamina: F
>Speed: F
>Special: F
As it lashes out with its psychic powers, the vast majority of its two-thousand inhabitants are subject to its will. Whether they go insane, are killed on the spot, or are reduced to animals, the beast is able to have its way with them. When the sun rises, every living soul has been touched by its mind, and the survivors have been snatched up and devoured. There is still much, much more it can devour on Iceland, and its job isn’t done on this single grid tile, but it has begun its rampage.
>The Typhon has consumed 1 energy > 0/4
After this deed is done, it’s able to sense the radiation to the South-West. Dense clusters of nuclear power plants are present in Europe. It can feed off these multiple times, rather than just single instances, making this spot a treasure trove of potential energy. It will find what it seeks on D10.
Following this, Typhon begins establishing a lair somewhere within Iceland. ((Feel free to describe your desires for it as you finish the last action needed, and I’ll assign a stat effect.))","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713156894541570.jpg","filename":"Attack4.jpg"},"posted":1713156894},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5978121,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5977403
3,2,3
Action 1: Strength (E>D) - Active
Action 2: Passive - E6
Action 3: Passive
The Giant Enemy Lobster begins its reign of terror by devouring fish en-masse and disrupting fishing operations. Trawlers are knocked askew by it, and the reef is left devastated as it eats. The awareness of this creature sharply rises as a result.
As it feasts on whales and sharks, the G.E.L’s antennae direct it towards the closest source of radiation: The Eastern Seaboard. While it’s a bit far inland, there are numerous nuclear power plants on American soil. It becomes aware of the nuclear plants on E6, which will last it for quite a while.
The basking on a small island catches the attention of the Cuban authorities who have been troubled by its recent activity. This means that more eyes are on the Kaiju now, and its presence is being watched. Responses to its attacks will be improved, but should it successfully crush these reinforced cities or survive a stronger assault, it’ll grow stronger from the challenge.
>>5977405
1,2,1
Action 1: Strength (E>F) VS (E- Manila) - Active
Action 2: Special (F) - Passive
Action 3: Passive
DEWA-PENYU begins ripping into Manila! The attack is staunch, and it focuses on ripping into metal wherever it can find it.
Manila:
>Size: E
>Strength: F
>Stamina: E
>Speed: F
>Special: F
However, it must be tired from its awakening, for it’s not able to completely devastate the city, or leave an irrecoverably scar. Still, thousands are dead, due to the high population density.
While it chews on buses and bridges, oblivious to the fighter jets flying above it, the Kaiju is slowly approached by tanks. It can afford to ignore them as it integrates vast amounts of metal into its body, hardening itself temporarily.
>DEWA-PENYU has an improved Stamina stat against the next attack. (E>D)
>DEWA-PENYU has consumed 1 energy > 0/4
This leaves it vulnerable to the attack from a tank battalion. One explosion rocks its shell, sending the still-small titan fleeing deep into the ocean, away from the smoking Manila.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713156979983041.jpg","filename":"Wreck.jpg"},"posted":1713156979},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5978122,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5977419
1,2,3
Action 1: (E>F) - Active
Action 2: Passive
Action 3: (E>D) - Active
Mycelium continues spreading throughout the ecosystem, taking over plants and animals alike. This act establishes the Argentinian jungles as part of Shroomy’s domain, changing it and making it a place where it can stand its ground against other Kaiju.
>Lair 33% complete
The incursion into Embalse brings Shroomy in contact with the Nuclear Power Station, one of three in Argentina. It’s able to wreak havoc on it, using its mycelial strands to invade the reactor and siphon the power from it.
>Shroomy gains 1 energy > 2/4
Finally, the growth of tendrils and roots manifest in it being able to spawn various terrifying fungoids in its area of effect. Though it’s not a colossal titan just yet, it has the ability to influence Northern Argentina as part of its domain, through an extensive underground network.
>Lair 100% complete
Shroomy’s lair (I7, Unnamed):
>Size: F
>Strength: F
>Stamina: F
>Speed: F
>Special: E
>Shroomy’s lair: When killed, Shroomy may instead respawn on this lair with 1 hp and 0 energy.
((This will only be relevant later, as being reduced to 0 hp in the early-game will likely not result in death straight away))
>>5977424
2,3,1
>Action 1: Passive
>Action 2: Passive - (D11, C12, C13, D13)
>Action 3: Passive
The reactor that birthed the Yaderevo is quickly subsumed, with even the legendary Elephant’s foot absorbed into its nuclear mass. Radiation levels in Chernobyl plummet rapidly, equalising with the surrounding area. That is, before the creature starts moving, dragging a trail of death through the Russian countryside.
>Yaderevo gains 1 energy > 2/4
As it searches, the entity is easily able to detect various silos and reactors. In fact, there’s more where it’s sitting, easily within reach. The European continent is a nuclear goldmine, with possible sources all around them. Densest to the West, but it can do a clockwise sweep easily and obtain even more precious fuel. The downside is that this shining beacon of radiation is so strong that any Kaiju can be drawn to it from sheer density. D11, C12, C13, and D13 are all radiation hotspots.
Finally, it assaults the various states and consumes their missiles, throwing them into crisis. Those who have had their reactors implode fear sabotage, and those with their weapons destroyed fear the vulnerability it leaves them with. The rampage of the molten beast irradiates vast swathes of land, leaving it unlivable, and emptying the grid of the last vestiges of useful nuclear material.
>Yaderevo gains 1 energy > 3/4","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713157041657433.jpg","filename":"Wreck2.jpg"},"posted":1713157041},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5978123,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5977433
2,2,1
Action 1: Speed (F) - Active
Action 2: Special (E) VS (D Tokyo Stamina) - Active
Action 3: Passive (F17)
The Hive Mind places itself in low orbit, hovering high above the reach of bombs and tanks. From there, it’s well-protected from other Kaiju. It cannot linger forever, but for now, it is safe and secure, ready to begin the next part of its plan:
Taking over the minds of everybody in Tokyo.
Tokyo:
>Size: C
>Strength: F
>Stamina: D
>Speed: F
>Special: F
Tokyo’s population proves to be too large for it to handle, however. It’s able to gain a group of mind-controlled minions. The brief acclimation period attracts some scrutiny from family members, but the takeover goes largely unnoticed. The entity now has a core group that it can influence and use to its liking.
>Cult gained: Thralls
>The Hivemind has consumed 1 energy > 0/4
Thralls:
>Size: F
>Strength: G
>Stamina: G
>Speed: G
>Special: G
By analysing the knowledge from their minds, the Hive Mind is able to deduce that Japan has quite a few nuclear reactors. It’ll be no issue to descend and begin attacking them. However, by consulting its thralls, it also learns of the nuclear power plants found in China and Taiwan, up to the South-West of its current position. F17.
>>5977491
3,3,1
Action 1: Passive
Action 2: Passive
Action 3: Passive
Phantrumpitus’ initial observation reveals that there’s more energy up North. Its own landing zone has minimal sources of nuclear power, so it’ll need to wander upwards to find it. It becomes aware of E10’s reactors, that seem to call to it.
However, that doesn’t mean that the African continent is useless. Different Kaiju have different means of obtaining energy, and being made from Elephant DNA gives it the limited ability to stabilise its alien genome and integrate samples directly into it. The creature is able to feast on the largest living land animal as it tromps through the Sahara, deriving nutrients from their massive bulk.
>Phantrumpitus gains 1 energy > 2/4
It moves onwards, finding itself drifting closer to the source that it initially observed.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713157121526774.jpg","filename":"Monster Battle.jpg"},"posted":1713157121},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5978126,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"State of the World
The world is in chaos due to the sudden emergence of these colossal organisms. For the next turn, countries are still ill-prepared, but will be able to mount assaults and prepare their weapons after that. The veil of secrecy has been lifted, and public awareness is rising.
TURN 2: PANIC
>Current players:
>dice+3d3
>Action 1
>Action 2
>Action 3
Remember to roll your dice! And if you want to use a specific stat for an action, list out what stat you’d like to use. While the map is highlighted, your Kaiju may not have access to the same information as you, so refer to your turn posts for the specific tiles that you know possess energy sources.
Also, in future turns, I'll probably be trying to change the format I convey info, and things may be less clear because of that. Simply because typing up this much takes a while and will explode my brain after a few turns.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713157199879574.png","filename":"Map Turn 2.png"},"posted":1713157199},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5978155,"name":"Shelob","msg":"Rolled 3, 3, 1 = 7 (3d3)
>>5978126
Shroomy's concept reminds me of The Genius Plague by David Walton
>Shelob continues working on her web, covering more and more of the island while feasting on the two legged creatures and other animals she keeps coming across and wrecking villages that are in the way.
>Action 1: Continue on lair (Special
>Action 2: Keep eating
>Action 3: Destroy any building/settlement that gets in the way of the web (Strength)","attachment":null,"posted":1713158965},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5978164,"name":"Memitim","msg":"Rolled 2, 3, 3 = 8 (3d3)
>>5978126
>Action 1: (Special) Manipulate the zone of unreality enveloping A1, whipping up the miasma of existential incoherency into a kaleidoscopic maelstrom; matter sporadically shifts states, three-dimensional space shatters into fractals, effects become temporarily unmoored from causes before violently snapping back into order. Disadvantage Ursa, Defend self. (-1 Energy?)
> Action 2: Phasing back and forth between dimensions, Memitim navigates the pandemonium it has orchestrated like a spider upon a web then, in a blur of impossible geometry and light-warping edges, descends upon Ursa.
> Action 3: Continue savaging the Arctic Ursa","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713159472824650.png","filename":"42.png"},"posted":1713159472},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5978195,"name":"The Typhon","msg":"Rolled 3, 2, 5 = 10 (3d6)
>>5978126
>Action 1: Continue building lair
>Action 2: Devour bulungavik using my tendrils
>Action 3: Devour Thingeryi using my tendrils
The lair is a coral of tendrils and orange mist, slowly assimilating the local environment. It stores the psyche of all victims, acting as a bank for sustenance. The secondary feature is it takes the physical forms leftover from the feeding process- turning them into lesser typhons that expand the lair.","attachment":null,"posted":1713161880},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5978196,"name":"The Typhon","msg":">>5978195
Forgot my picture","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713161965633108.jpg","filename":"Coral.jpg"},"posted":1713161965},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5978205,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5978195
3d3, reroll them please!","attachment":null,"posted":1713162540},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5978206,"name":"The Typhon","msg":"Rolled 2, 1, 1 = 4 (3d3)
>>5978205
Apologies","attachment":null,"posted":1713162618},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5978210,"name":"G.E.L","msg":"Rolled 3, 1, 2 = 6 (3d3)
>>5978126
Action 1: Move to F6
Action 2: Move to E6
Action 3: Attack the nuclear plants.","attachment":null,"posted":1713163271},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5978212,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5978210
You can move diagonally, so if you'd like to replace action 1, you can reroll the dice for it.","attachment":null,"posted":1713163362},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5978222,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":"Rolled 2, 1, 2 = 5 (3d3)
>>5978126
>Action 1: Have the Thralls storm the biggest source of energy located, ready to protect The Hive Mind from any attack
>Action 2: Descend into the stormed energy source and consume it and any potential other source of energy in range
>Action 3: Once consumed, rise into the sky again","attachment":null,"posted":1713164339},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5978226,"name":"G.E.L","msg":"Rolled 2 (1d3)
>>5978212
>>5978126
Action: Special weapon defenders.
I'd like to have my special weapon themed like a pistol shrimp, please.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713164603185052.gif","filename":"Shrimp Pistol.gif"},"posted":1713164603},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5978292,"name":"Phantrumpitus","msg":"Rolled 2, 3, 2 = 7 (3d3)
>>5978126
Energy source detected. Seek and consume.
>Action 1 Move to E10
>Action 2 Consume energy
>Action 3 Detect more energy sources.","attachment":null,"posted":1713175223},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5978308,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5978306
Dewa-Penyu isn't within range of Vietnam at the moment, as per the grid map. It'll have to move to the corresponding location on the world map in order to reach it. Stats can be permanently upgraded by reaching 4/4 energy and spending a turn evolving. >>5976623","attachment":null,"posted":1713177707},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5978312,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":"Rolled 1, 1, 3 = 5 (3d3)
>>5978308
Oops, let me try again, I somehow missed your update post above, my sincere apologies.
Turn 1: Still recovering from the attack on Manila, the god-turtle senses for radioactivity...and turns north towards Taiwan!
Turn 2: Move to F16.
Turn 3: Dewa-Penyu emerges on the coast of Taiwan, and attacks Oloanpi City! The turtle feasts on yet more metals and alloys! Somewhere in this corner of Taiwan, there is the Maanshan reactor, but the god-turtle is content to fill its belly with mundane resources for now.","attachment":null,"posted":1713178263},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5978343,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"is it still possible to join?","attachment":null,"posted":1713185534},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5978345,"name":"Memitim","msg":">>5978343
>>5977920","attachment":null,"posted":1713185926},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5978347,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5978343
Any more than this will be too much for me to handle. But I accounted for inactivity and dropoffs when opening slots. If The Beast of Tetanko doesn't reply to this turn, I'll consider it to have dropped out. Feel free to join at the start of next turn, post your sheet, and make four actions as a slight catchup, in the event they drop out.
Also, the next turn will be a bit more than 24 hours, won't be able to give updating my full attention while at work.","attachment":null,"posted":1713186116},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5978363,"name":"Arctic Ursa","msg":">>5978126
>Action 1: It does not matter if weird fish has decided to make the area all squiggly The cold is all that matters in the end.
Using its Blizzard Claws, Ursa decides to try and freeze the surrounding area and use the power of the cold to make unreality become reality.
>Action 2: If the weird fish descends or gets near Ursa then Ursa will grapple him and bear hug him so the weird fish cannot move and be hurt at the same time.
>Action 3: Then Ursa will try to bite into him so he can eat him like the nice juicy fish he is. (If grapple fails then Ursa will try to predict where he is going/coming out from and then slash him)","attachment":null,"posted":1713189997},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5978364,"name":"Arctic Ursa","msg":"Rolled 1, 2, 2 = 5 (3d3)
","attachment":null,"posted":1713190180},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5978477,"name":"Shroomy (aka Hard to be a shroom book nerd unless you're a polyp)","msg":">>5978155
I'd never heard of it, but I guess nothing is original anymore! It's actually quite close, though I won't spoil my eventual plans. Mushroom people are in the pipeline, though mine are due to a game I played a few month back called Evolve.
My actual post will come in a little bit. I wasn't expecting a full lair on turn 1, though the effect is quite nice. I'll need to think on how to proceed. Though I will say that I may have left the end of my post a little too ambiguous considering how the QM built on it. The goal was infection, not death, though even with a 3 rolled some incidents are bound to happen when interfacing with such complex organisms.
...Puffball Incident Denier does have a nice ring to it though...","attachment":null,"posted":1713202157},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5978489,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978477
Yeah I figured it was just a coincidence, as fungus parasites are an appropriately "alien" concept that a lot can be done with.","attachment":null,"posted":1713202896},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5978506,"name":"Shroomy (aka I forgor)","msg":">>5978489
And the Amazon still serves as the perfect place, at least on land, for a new species to appear in, as evidenced by the book. Though I've kept Shroomi's actual origins vague as well. It doesn't remember much about it, or much of anything, for now. ","attachment":null,"posted":1713204008},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5978537,"name":"Shroomy (aka Journey to the Center of the Nerves)","msg":">>5978126
Shroomy is happy. And intrigued. And Shroomi can feel two things at once now. All the extra rhizome is coming in handy. Those large bipedal mammals are strange. Implantation went mostly well thanks to Shroomy's growing experience from the smaller mammals. Except for some explosive failures, where the implanted spores were a little too much puffball and not enough Shroomi. Mammals are not meant to be puffballs, as it turns out. Poor mammals.
Still, these mammals are valuable. They have something Shroomy can use, like it uses the plants and the animals. Though it does not use those words, it can make the difference between the parasite its less evolved brethren usually are, and the symbiotes he has observe in the forest. The thing in the biped's skulls, in the liquid...it kind of looks like a big mushroom, spreading rhizome through the creature. Shroomi knows a gentle touch is needed, so it takes special attention as its tendrils creep further east towards Buenos Aires. Yet even now it feels no more such sources. A thought for later.
>Action 1: Expand towards Buenos Aires and Attucha I and II. Aim for little damage, just dig under the reactor. May count as a double action since the plant has two reactors?
"...Shocking view from our reporter at the Embalsa power plant this morning as thick mycenial cords have wrapped over and inside the structure in a matter of hours. Much like in other areas of the world, the feared meltdown has failed to materialize as radiation levels are trending down..."
"...Tremors have been detected getting closer to Buenos Aires. Local first responders are evacuating the area near the reactors, the government has called all other citizens to shelter in place..."
>Action 2: Interface with the humans from the convoy. Nothing intrusive, just a light touch. Much like with the animals, they should still behave normally, with reduced aggression, especially towards fellow infected, but not only them.
"So?"
"The death rate is going down. Twenty percent of the first wave of infection. Now it's down to eight. Less than an hour. It's learning."
"Sure, but what is it /doing/ to them?"
"When it isn't turning them into human puffballs? Well first it sedates them, maybe so they don't harm themselves, and then the spores stick into the lungs, without obstructing breathing, and start spreading through the body from here...it looked aimless until fifteen minutes ago. Here, we have recordings."
"It pivots towards the spine. It's looking for something."
"That's not the worst part sir."
"Then what is?! We have a mushroom species that is actively learning how to take us over!"
"This happened to all the patients. In all the containment rooms. At the exact same time,give or take five seconds. The rooms were isolated. My best guess is that it's one organism or a colony communicating with itself, and we can't stop it from doing so."
"So what happens when it reaches the brain?"
"..."
"..."
1/2","attachment":null,"posted":1713208108},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5978538,"name":"Shroomy (aka Spores VS Armies)","msg":"Rolled 3, 2, 3 = 8 (3d3)
>>5978537
>Action 3, if taking the two Buenos Aires reactors doesn't count as two actions: start using the refined puffball spores as defenses for the lair. Anything that gets too close should get a dose. Make sure to use the new spores that don't turn some people into spore bombs. Not sure if that would count under attack or defense, though. it's technically a counter, so it depends on how you roll combat. It won't attack anything but will counter-atttack any invading force. Well, more like infect. As for the consequences of the infection, that'll be a next turn thing. Also, those fungal lifeforms should be kept mostly non-lethal. Breach inside vehicles or protective suits, the occasional gash to let in spores, but no crushing or ripping people apart, waste of a perfectly good infected.
Speaking of, now that we're a turn in, what is the actual time of a turn? A day, a week, or is it variable?
Also, do green zones mean that we can harvest energy from there continuously? I was under the impression that reactors were one and done.
And yes, I am mostly asking because I'm thinking of having Shroomy hook up its lair to the local flora and turn it into a solar energy factory. Makes for a tempting target for the others, but would provide local energy for Shroomy since I'm thinking of turtling, and way down the line could help it get back on its feet
Also, adding dice again since it looks like they didn't roll it seems.","attachment":null,"posted":1713208351},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5978632,"name":"Nukeman","msg":">>5978126
Myriad of quasi-neuronal responses receive and fire information as the radiological organism continues it's feast. The decision making mechanisms, rudimentary as they may seem, present a clear path for the Yaderevo, a path west.
>Action 1: move to D11
Germany, while lacking in fissile material compared to its neighbours to the west and east, still sports an impressive aglomeration of decrepit reactors and, most importantly, nuclear weapons, not their own but that is of no matter, food is food.
>Action 2: Consume whatever nuclear warhead the americans have put in Central Europe, and also the German nuclear power plants, as a snack before the main course.
Beyond the Rhine however lays the Yaderevo's true target in Western Europe, 56 nuclear power plants, 290 warheads, all packed in the compact land of France, all ripe for the taking.
>Action 3: Go to France/Denyclearise France
France is in about 3 squares, can I move to and act upon specific regions not represented by the gridmap or how is that supposed to work?","attachment":null,"posted":1713220522},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5978679,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5978632
You have to be present on a grid that encompasses the real world location in order to act on it. For the sake of simplicity, you can visit any region within that tile. For example, Typhon can go anywhere it wants in Iceland. And The Hivemind can affect all of Japan. There was an example earlier where Dewa Penya tried to move to Vietnam, but had to swap to Taiwan since it wasn’t within reach, and action expenditure to get to it was high.","attachment":null,"posted":1713225220},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5978827,"name":"The Beast of Tetanko","msg":"Rolled 1, 2, 1 = 4 (3d3)
>>5978126
sorry I missed previous turn, church and work consumed me.
The Beast of Tetanko awakes from its slumber. Food. It must find food. It cannot go into a deep sleep--not yet. Even its primitive mind can comprehend that this is a time of great change, and that if it falls into a hunger coma, it may not wake again. Following its senses, it looks for the closest source of abundant energy it can detect, knowing it will likely find man things there...and perhaps, some of its people will be among them.
>Action 1: Move to C2
>Action 2: Create a semi-permanent lair in the biggest roomiest it can find. Every great beast needs a lair, where else would you store the offerings of your throng? Eviction of any human presence goes without saying.
>Action 3: Try sniffing out the closest source of energy, for this is the first chance the Beast has had to grow in a long time.","attachment":null,"posted":1713237319},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5978991,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5978538
Sorry for not replying earlier, didn’t have much time to check. Time will be variable, but can be assumed to at least be a couple days. Nothing too long, since militaries are still actively preparing.
The reactors being eliminated are arbitrary. Tiles that are extremely dense will be eliminated slower. But it won’t be 1:1, won’t say that because there’s 50 reactors it provides 50 energy. As long as it’s still green, actions can be used on it. Also only 1 energy per action, even if there’s two reactors.","attachment":null,"posted":1713265205},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979043,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5978155
3,3,1
Shelob’s web finally encompasses the islands. Not only does it stretch throughout the trees and form silken bridges between the landmasses, but it drags close to the water’s surface too. Any aquatic Kaiju is subject to its stickiness the moment they surface. The islands have been taken over by it, and human responses will be slowed significantly.
Shelob’s lair (H19, Unnamed):
>Size: E
>Strength: F
>Stamina: F
>Speed: F
>Special: F
>Shelob’s lair: Kaiju who are not larger than this lair have all Speed rolls lose a degree of success when acting on this tile. Shelob is exempt from this effect.
Additionally, she cocoons countless prey, both sapient and non-sapient. She is the undisputed ruler of these islands, and soon enough, vast quantities of biomass have been collected and preserved.
>Food stores: The owner of this lair may use this to recover 1d3 HP.
Then comes the attack.
Solomon Islands Settlements:
>Size: F
>Strength: F
>Stamina: F
>Speed: F
>Special: F
Unfortunately, Shelob’s attack still cannot wipe them all out. They’re too slippery, too small. Just when she leaves the villages alone, thinking they’ve been exterminated, more humans emerge from the rubble with torches days later. She’s not large or fast enough to oversee the entire island chain at once, and the country remains afloat.
Reaction:
Rescuers from Australia are intending on saving the survivors. If the settlements are not obliterated next turn, military assaults will begin.
>>5978164
2,3,3
>Speed (F>E) vs Speed (F)
The storm continues shifting and growing, disrupting the balance of the ocean and sending rippling waves outwards. While the depths hid it last time, they won’t protect Memitim forever. This time, there’s an active effort that consumes energy and protects it from direct assault. It’s ready to avoid the first successful attack that comes its way.
>Memitim has consumed 1 energy > 1/4
>Reality Storm: Memitim gains an increased Degree to its Speed stat this turn, and actively attempts to dodge an incoming attack (Speed vs Speed).
Then comes the twin assaults. The bear is doomed to be struck from the force of their blows!
Reaction:
Arctic Ursa attempts to cleave the storm apart, but fails. It then tries to grapple Mimitim after being struck, but the Reality Storm allows it to slip out of the way. The final strike lands, however, leaving the both of them on even ground. Both are close to being beaten by one another. Losing will temporarily dispel Memitim or force the bear to flee to lick its wounds, while the winner will be able to claim dominance and grow.
>Memitim HP: 1/2","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713275918140948.png","filename":"Arctic Battle.png"},"posted":1713275918},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979046,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5978195
2, 1, 1
The Typhon’s lair is complete!
Typhon’s lair (C9, Unnamed):
>Size: F
>Strength: F
>Stamina: F
>Speed: F
>Special: E
>Typhon’s lair: Typhon’s lair serves as a bank for Energy, allowing it to be stored and withdrawn remotely. This allows surplus energy from Overcharge to be stored and not lost at the end of turns. However, any Kaiju may draw from this bank if they are present on the lair while The Typhon is absent. 0/3 Capacity.
Next is its assault on a small fishing village.
Bolungarvik
>Size: F
>Strength: F
>Stamina: F
>Speed: F
>Special: F
Typhon does not manage to devastate it in the same manner as the previous town. Its tendrils collapse buildings and crush streets, but its rampage does not last long, and it finds itself tiring.
Þingeyri
>Size: G
>Strength: G
>Stamina: G
>Speed: G
>Special: G
The next town, however, is truly pathetic. With only 300 people here, it’s a completely negligible source to wipe from the map. Typhon’s new energy store allows it to collect the psyches of these victims. However, it will gain severely diminishing returns from only assaulting small villages.
>The Typhon gains 1 energy > 1/4
Reaction:
As a nation with no standing army, Iceland is calling for aid. Destroying large swathes of the nation will be easy with its lack of military capability. However, allowing foreign aid to reinforce it, then crushing the capital city will net a Milestone. Reinforcements will arrive next turn.
>>5978210
1,2,2
G.E.L first moves to F6, where it has sensed the American nuclear plants.
Then it begins its assault! The first nuclear power plant it comes across is the Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Power Plant in Georgia. The lobster’s path takes it right by Florida, and Hollywood is thrown into an uproar by the proximity of the attack. Once it makes landfall, the G.E.L traverses several hundred kilometers upriver, where it assaults the plant and consumes its nuclear material in short order.
>G.E.L gains 1 energy > 2/4
However, due to attracting observation earlier, the military has been prepared to attack it, unlike the armed forces of many other nations.
Human Army
>Size: G
>Strength: E
>Stamina: F
>Speed: E
>Special: D
>Special(E) VS Stamina(F)
Unfortunately for them, their planes and tanks are unprepared for their giant enemy to raise its claw and shoot their planes out of the sky with a superheated bubble. The cavitation-blast repels their defenders in short order, forcing them on the retreat and warding off an incoming attack.
>G.E.L has consumed 1 energy > 1/4
Reaction:
The United States Armed Forces will target and attack G.E.L for as long as it remains in their territory. As the Kaiju grows stronger, the likelihood of a Special attack being used will increase.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713276062856972.jpg","filename":"Landfall.jpg"},"posted":1713276062},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979047,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5978222
2,1,2
The thralls of The Hive Mind assault the nuclear reactors blindly. There’s no organisation, no appearance of a terrorist cell or cult, they simply swarm in as groups of individuals, disabling the defenders, who are ill equipped and unwilling to kill these random citizens. The authorities are called to the scene.
Once all resistance ceases, the entity descends from the sky to expertly consume the energy from the reactor. It’s left drained, with none noticing its presence. Japan has plenty of nuclear reactors, and it’ll be able to consistently drain them for quite a while before stocks run dry. No other Kaiju is contesting the cultural birthplace of their kind, giving it free rein to do so.
>The Hive Mind gains 1 energy >1/4
It flies into the air soon after, making it impossible for the turtle to turn East and assault it. By the time the authorities arrive to deal with the riot, The Hive Mind is nowhere to be found. All they see is a reactor that’s been mysteriously drained.
Reaction:
The Thralls are no matched for armed police. Many of their number are killed, and the rest are taken into custody. The police are stumped, boiling it down to a mass hysteria case. None of the Thralls have any answers as to where the nuclear fuel went, nor would they be willing to divulge it without their master’s permission. As all remaining Thralls are in custody, suffering any more damage to their numbers will cause The Hive Mind to lose its minions.
Thralls:
>Size: G
>Strength: G
>Stamina: G
>Speed: G
>Special: G
>>5978292
2,3,2
Upwards it goes. After crossing the strait, it finds exactly what it was looking for. Numerous reactors are within sight, spanning Spain and Portugal.
Phantrumpitus wastes no time in assaulting the nuclear reactor. At its size, it’s easily able to shrug off any attack they can mount. It’s not ready to ignore tank shells, but neither are Spanish officials prepared to mobilise strike teams. It successfully rips out the core of the reactor and consumes it, leaving survivors to flee in terror.
>Phantrumpitus has consumed 1 energy > 3/4
As it raises its trunk to sense more energy, it detects additional plants on D10 and D11. The hunting ground that it’s on will have enough to feed it for a while, and it won’t need to move on just yet. It also detects a far stronger source of concentrated energy to the North...","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713276161720016.jpg","filename":"Power Plant.jpg"},"posted":1713276161},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979049,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5978312
Taiwan turns out to be the right place after all. It can sense nuclear material there, and is eager to feed. Southeast Asia experiences a slight breath of relief as it moves further away from them, turning its attention to other neighbors.
The trip is uneventful, apart from a tanker it collides with. However, at roughly 30 metres, like every other Kaiju, it doesn’t destroy it just from a passing glance.
All the metal eating keeps it nice and comfortable in the meanwhile. It’s no nuclear reactor, but it serves to nourish the creature and strengthen its shell. Not enough to make a difference against other Kaiju, but perhaps if it had the energy to spare, it could become durable enough to ward off more human attacks.
>Stored Metal: Upon building a lair, Dewa-Penyu has the materials to speed up construction of an abode significantly.
Reaction:
WARNING! China is extremely eager to defeat this creature and attempt to leverage the situation to exert political control over Taiwan. They will be immediately mobilising.
>>5978363
1,2,2
>Strength(E>F) vs Memitim Special (E) (Failed)
>Strength (E) vs Memitim Stamina (F) (Success-Dodged)
>Strength (E) vs Memitim Stamina (F) (Success)
The Bear’s icy claws alone are not enough to challenge the energy that’s being used. Unfortunately, it can’t dispel the spell that’s being cast over the arctic, and it has trouble finding the monster within.
The grapple fails, and what the bear thought to be a sure-shot ends up being a grasp against empty air. Savage lashings whip against its skin, drawing icy blood.
However, the bear calms itself and attempts to predict the entity’s emergence. It manages to choose the right direction, and right as more blows strike it, it bites down on the bulk of the alien creature and crushes it partially.
Reaction:
Memitim’s storm causes one of Arctic Ursa’s attacks to fail. The second one lands, but without any defenses of its own, the bear is wounded by the extradimensional invader. Both are equally hurt now. The loser will slink off, and the victor will be able to stand proud.
>Arctic Ursa HP: 1/3","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713276223570807.jpg","filename":"Tanks.jpg"},"posted":1713276223},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979050,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5978537
3,2,3
The reactors are silently taken over by strands of the mushroom. Energy is siphoned from it, powering the Kaiju’s abilities and allowing it to grow its roots even deeper into the earth. With enough radiation, it can permanently increase its range of control, and mass itself into something greater.
>The Shroom gains 1 energy > 3/4
For now, however, it makes use of that energy to dig its roots into the strange two-legged creatures that constantly interact with its fungus growths. It sows the seeds for future manipulation, creating a group of infected humans that it’ll be able to control in the future.
The Parasitised
>Size: F
>Strength: G
>Stamina: G
>Speed: G
>Special: G
>The Shroom has consumed 1 energy > 2/4
After successfully implanting spores within the humans, it reinforces its territory with reactive puffs that explode upon being struck. These are attempts to ward off invaders, who are likely to burst them when trying to wreak havoc in Argentina.
>Refined Puffballs: The Shroom’s Lair will attempt a counter-attack if attacked without being destroyed. Loses a degree of success against Kaiju larger than the nest.
>The Shroom has consumed 1 energy > 1/4
Will take some work, but yes that sounds feasible.
>>5978632
Planes fly over Yaderevo as it moves West, observing its path of devastation through the forests and fields. The cold parts before its molten flesh. However, no bombs descend on it. No, this thing intrigues the Kremlin, and they want to investigate whether it can be used. Harnessing their own nuclear source may have results outstripping even their reactors.
As it exits Russian soil and begins devouring warheads, their interest only grows. It is devouring the weapons of their enemies, and with the entire world destabilised by creatures popping up everywhere, they can get away with letting it roam free for just a little while.
>Yaderevo gains 1 energy > 4/4
It continues onwards, reaching France! D10. Plenty of nuclear power awaits, but its actions will be devastating countrysides and dense cities.
Reaction:
Russia has taken a particular interest in this creature that has emerged from their reactor. They are cooking up plans to utilise it to their advantage.
Yaderevo may increase one non-size stat by spending 3 actions and 4 energy!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713276285429079.jpg","filename":"Growth.jpg"},"posted":1713276285},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979051,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5978827
1,2,1
The Beast makes landfall in Alaska, where Arctic Ursa once was.
From there, its efforts to create a lair begin. At its size, clearing out room is easy. But it’ll be a while before it can craft a satisfactory home for itself.
>Special (E)
>Lair 33% complete
It senses that the closest source of energy is down in D4, where Canada has constructed nuclear power plants. It’ll be able to walk along the coast. However, there’s another option before it. Up North, two Kaiju are fighting in a spatial distortion that sends waves crashing into the distant shores. If it can exploit this, it may be able to wade into the melee and defeat one of them, stealing their energy in the process.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713276371590569.jpg","filename":"Lobster.jpg"},"posted":1713276371},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979053,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"State of the World
While still reeling from the emergence of Kaiju, the world is putting together a plan. Developed countries are now ready to fight against them. Attacking cities will result in immediate responses from militaries, which may damage the HP of Kaiju. At Size F, they’re roughly thirty metres tall or long, making them a far cry from skyscraper toppling titans. It’s still bigger than any organic threat humanity has faced.
TURN 3: RESPONSE
>Current players:
>dice+3d3
>Action 1
>Action 2
>Action 3
Remember to roll your dice! And if you want to use a specific stat for an action, list out what stat you’d like to use. The map indicates nuclear spots, but I probably forgot to mark every single one. Please refer to your turn responses to see which tiles I've declared as having reactors, when I replied to your search actions.
Increasing Size:
>Size is increased by spending 3 actions after achieving a major milestone.
>Kaiju deal 1 extra damage to Kaiju of a lower size than them, in the event that they hit.
>For each extra size they have, Kaiju may move 1 extra tile during a single use of their movement action during their turn.
>Evolving fully restores HP, to account for their HP cap increasing.
>Evolving size transforms an energy cap from 4 to 6.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713276460573248.png","filename":"Map Turn 3.png"},"posted":1713276460},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979057,"name":"DEWA-PENTU","msg":"Rolled 2, 1, 3 = 6 (3d3)
>>5979053
Turn 1: Build Lair on Taiwan using metal reserves.
Any extra turns should be sent soaking up radioactivity from the Manshaan reactor on the southern-most tip of the island.
I’m RPing as a gigantic turtle-beast and so choosing to ignore your warning about the Chinese military reaction for now :)","attachment":null,"posted":1713277057},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979064,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":"Rolled 2, 1, 3 = 6 (3d3)
>>5979053
>Action 1: (Special) Attempt to control the population of the city the nuclear reactor was in, and surrounding areas if possible.
>Action 2: Scan the minds of successfully controlled individuals to locate the biggest source of energy they know of.
>Action 3: Have the Thralls bring any energy source they find and are able to carry to a spot where the Hive Mind can feed from them to attempt to gather energy this way.","attachment":null,"posted":1713277945},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979065,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":">>5979064
(I should clarify, for action 3 by the Thralls I mean including the new ones, not the ones that are jailed).","attachment":null,"posted":1713278073},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979094,"name":"Shelob","msg":"Rolled 1, 1, 1 = 3 (3d3)
>>5979053
Having created a large enough web and eaten her fill Shelob decides to explore further and check out the energy she sensed earlier taking out any settlements she coms across in her way to the ocean
>Action 1: Destroy any settlements in her way (Strength)
>Action 2: Travel to G20 (Speed)
>Action 3: Absorb Energy","attachment":null,"posted":1713281615},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979096,"name":"Shelob","msg":">>5979094
Well, those are some poor rolls","attachment":null,"posted":1713281733},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979131,"name":"Memitim","msg":"Rolled 1, 3, 2 = 6 (3d3)
>>5979053
> Action 1: For a fraction of an instant, a soundless screech reverberates through the molecular structure of a kilometer of ocean before abruptly cutting out. The extradimensional being's profile flickers in and out of observable space before rapidly contorting from a series of entwining bands into a rippling sheet, then into something resembling an elongated Klein bottle. Finally, its profile is obscured as the ocean around it erupts into gigantic plumes of foam and water spray. Memitim had rapidly delivered a flurry of blows at the water's surface in a furious outburst, creating veils of aerosolized liquids and rough waves to briefly hide its movements from Ursa. Defensive/Misdirection action using Strength?
> Action 2: (Special) Perhaps sensing the interloper's weakened state, Memitium instinctively surges all of its remaining strength into manifesting its feeding mechanism. An atom-scouring halo of warping reality flares into existence around the dimensional outsider's evermorphing anatomy. Defensive/determent action, inflict damage on contact.(-1 Energy)
> Action 3: Smoothly submerging into the water directly beneath it, Memitim dives below the ocean's tumultuous surface in a shallow parabola, before spearing upwards at a low angle into Ursa's undercarriage. Attack Ursa directly.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713284977123385.jpg","filename":"43.jpg"},"posted":1713284977},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979278,"name":"Shroomy (aka The Circle of Nuclear Life)","msg":">>5979053
>Action 1: The reactors in Buenos Aires seem to have some more left to give, so Shroomy should keep going while the bipeds are either unaware, or unwilling to destroy their dwelling to stop it.
>But that energy will only carry Shroomy so far.
>...decay....
>It's all about decay. Decay is what gives the glowing ores their power. Decay is what feeds the mushrooms. But decay cannot exist without life, without a cycle. For the mushroom to grow, it must either destroy its host, which is undesirable in the long term, or keep it healthy enough that it can take a share forever. Shroomy intends to do the latter, but better. For he is better than all the other mushrooms. Obviously.
>Action 2: Use the accumulated energy (and Special) to start adapting the plant life around the lair. The plants gather energy from the sun to sustain themselves. But they could do more. Shroomy can mutate the mushrooms, and the plants in the area are basically extensions of its rhizome already. Once they are more efficient, the local plants could simply be molded to transfer part of the gathered energy through the mycelial cords, turning it into more energy easily gathered by Shroomy. But first, Shroomy should try to change the local plants into something that would fits its purpose.
>Now that Shroomy can access the not-quite-rhizome inside the infected bipeds, he must seek to understand just what they are, and how they function. They appear more numerous than any other animal species it has seen so far. They would no doubt make for a fantastic partner to leech off of, both for energy and knowledge. Even unconscious, Shroomy can already glean so much, and it can feel itself growing. So many mini-mushrooms, isolated yet united in a purpose, it seems. The next step is obvious. Shroomy wants to know more. Time to wake them up.
>Action 3: Order the spores inside the Parasitised to stop sedating them. The spores are to relay signals and information only, taking no action to harm or control the host, barring the subject attempting to harm itself, on purpose or not. Once the Parasitised are awake, spend some time and attention learning as much as possible. The sheer number of infected should make up for the slowness of such a non-intrusive method.","attachment":null,"posted":1713300516},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979282,"name":"Shroomy (aka Star Recruiter of the Lighter Blue Lantern Corp)","msg":"Rolled 2, 1, 1 = 4 (3d3)
>>5979278
[Interlude: Argentinian Military expedition]
"Sir, they're waking up."
"All at once? It was as you feared, then."
"Hello, please state your name for the record."
"Gonzalez, it's me. What's going on?"
"Please. This is serious. Do as instructed."
"Okay, okay. Cabo Juan Rodrigez."
"What is the last thing you remember?"
"Well, we were on the edge of the camp with Jimenez, and I remember him saying something about a mushroom, then there was this...mist everywhere. I must've fainted or something. Sorry about that sir, it's been pretty hectic these past few days, but I know that's no excu-"
"That's quite okay. How are you feeling right now?"
"Actually, just fine sir. I'm not even as tired as I was yesterday."
"Good, good...and, Rodriguez...you've been asleep for several days."
"What?"
"You and half the bloody convoy. It was the spores."
"What the fuck?! Did I breathe in the fucking spores?!"
"Yes."
"Are they..."
"Still inside you? Yes."
"What's going to happen to me?"
"We aren't sure..."
"So?"
"They're okay physically. We're monitoring them and apart from their insides looking like they grew a second nervous system, they're healthy. Some extra caloric needs but that's back to normal now that it isn't growing. Mentally, it's much the same. Most don't realize they were asleep for a while, but we have no forgotten or mismatched identities. Testimonies line up. No erratic behavior...save for one case, technically."
"Right, Subteniente Goncalvez did not take to the reveal of his infection well."
"He is currently in the psych ward after being restrained by the interrogator and two fellow soldiers. But the circumstances are peculiar. I've taken the liberty of swearing the men to silence. Officially, he was tackled after making threats of suicide. In truth, he lunged for the interrogator's weapon and go it, and proceeded to put it to his temple, but proved unable to pull the trigger...here is he camera footage...with sound."
*Goncalvez is standing up, gun to his head, while the interrogator tries to calm him down, two soldiers behind him. *
"...It won't turn me into one of those things!...w-what?! no...NO!...MET ME DIE YOU F***ING MUSHROOM! F*** YOU!...Juan, here, take it!”
*Goncalvez throws the gun away towards the interrogator.*
“TAKE IT AND F***ING SHOOT ME! DON’T LET IT TAKE ME! PLEASE! KILL ME-EE-EEE...*incoherent sobbing*"
*Goncalvez ends his tirade as the two soldiers rush in and pin him down.*
"...Fuck."
"Complete mental breakdown. I have no doubt he would have done it, had the mushroom let him."
"And if it can stop them, what else can it do..."
I'm hoping this isn't too annoying or stepping on the QM's toes. I'll fully admit that at this point I'm here to get the creative juices flowing rather than be competitive, but you never know where the road less traveled might take you. ","attachment":null,"posted":1713300613},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979337,"name":"The Typhon","msg":"Rolled 1, 3, 2 = 6 (3d3)
>>5979053
>Action 1: Move C10
>Action 2: Move D11
>Action 3: Harvest Energy
"On deutschland's news, a dark mass has been spotted emerging from the North Sea, off the coast of Germany. Reports of locals claim it is assaulting a nearby nuclear power plant- causing millions in damages. We currently await response from armed forces."","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713306831842459.jpg","filename":"Wrekage.jpg"},"posted":1713306831},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979393,"name":"Phantrumpitus","msg":"Rolled 3, 1, 2 = 6 (3d3)
>>5979053
"We are here live in Spain where the recently dubbed Hellephant has been seen seemingly sleeping for days. No activity has been reported since it's last attack aside from occasionally raising it's trunk in the air and letting out some sort of howl before going back to sleep."
>Action 1 Continue to feed.
>Action 2 & 3 Defend self if attacked by other kaiju","attachment":null,"posted":1713313127},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979508,"name":"Arctic Ursa","msg":"Rolled 1, 3, 3 = 7 (3d3)
>>5979053
>Action 1: It knew, just like its opponent probably knew that that this would be the last strike. So Ursa put all his energy into a final punch to try and maybe end this INVADER.
>Action 2: If the punch fails then try to use the rest of blocking the attack.
>Action 3: Then counterattack with your special move. The Ice Roar
I’m usually more descriptive but today has been real tiring","attachment":null,"posted":1713325753},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979528,"name":"Arctic Ursa","msg":"I meant to say use his strength for blocking.","attachment":null,"posted":1713327290},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979608,"name":"The Beast of Tetanko","msg":"Rolled 1, 3, 1 = 5 (3d3)
>>5979053
The Beast senses something. Over the hustle and bustle of the man things, beyond the churning arctic sea, death beneath the frothy blue...
It senses blood. Great amounts of it. And where there's blood, there's meat.
>Action 1: Move to B1
>Action 2: Move to A1
>Action 3: Whoever survives the clash between Arctic Ursa and Memitim, I savagely wrap my claws around and try to wrestle them until they expend the last of their energy and I can strike a killing blow (Stamina)","attachment":null,"posted":1713333042},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979656,"name":"G.E.L","msg":"Rolled 3, 3, 2 = 8 (3d3)
>>5979053
>Action 1: Consume energy
>Action 2: Harass armed forces (STR)
>Action 3: Attack armed forces (STR)","attachment":null,"posted":1713338872},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979661,"name":"Nukeman","msg":">>5979053
The Yaderevo goes inert, resting. Its apendages meanwhile transform, millions of tiny hook-like structures emerging along their lenghts.
>Increase Strenght (F->E)","attachment":null,"posted":1713340406},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979663,"name":"Memitim","msg":">>5979608
>>5979508
Regardless of how this resolves, I will not forget that you guys wasted two of my turns and all of my energy reserves on this pointless skirmish.
I was fully content to spend the early game vibing and systematically lowering the global sea-level. Now, I will devote every opportunity to stunting your development instead.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713340486124636.gif","filename":"2347859798.gif"},"posted":1713340486},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979672,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Turn will be slightly delayed again. I think I’ll have to make it ‘a bit over a day’ instead of 24 hour commitments, since I don’t have quite enough time after work day to account for all actions. Will still do my best to make it regular and maintain momentum.
>>5979282
Don’t worry! It’s more than welcome.
Also, for actions in general, I think I’ll have to make a distinction between stat usages. Strength is for attack, Stamina is more of a passive thing for defense, and Speed is stealth/avoidance in some way. In order to make builds important, there can’t be too much of an overlap, and stats aren’t able to reliably take on each others’ roles. The exception is Special, which is intended to be able to achieve variable effects at the cost of energy. However, I’ll probably say that feeding energy into an action that uses the first three stats will pump up its success rate.
Will clarify more during Turn 4 map update post. I’ll also need to think of how to determine Action order when two actions are in conflict. Probably will say that it’s Action 1 vs Action 1, with the higher speed going first, higher roll as next priority, and then simultaneous action if that’s fully tied. Then on to Action 2 vs 2.","attachment":null,"posted":1713342685},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979865,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d3)
>>5979057
2,1,3
As promised, Dewa-Penyu’s metal from earlier is instrumental in creating a fortress of steel that enemy forces will struggle to breach. The mysterious construction is left behind for the population of Taiwan to behold, as it wanders South to feast on radiation.
>Lair 100% complete
Dewa-Penyu’s Lair (F17)
>Size: F
>Strength: F
>Stamina: E
>Speed: F
>Special: F
>Dewa-Penyu’s Lair: Attackers that do not have a higher size than this nest suffer a lowered degree of success when using Strength to attack its Stamina.
>Dewa-Penyu gains 1 energy > 1/4
>Dewa-Penyu gains 1 energy > 2/4
Reaction:
Chinese fighter jets immediately scramble to defend THEIR land. Y’know. The land that’s theirs. West China. Bombs and bullets descend on him as he happily chews on the radioactive material in the reactor.
Human Army:
>Size: G
>Strength: E
>Stamina: F
>Speed: E
>Special: D
First 1d3 of this post is for attack against Dewa Penyu, take note of the lowered health if it hits.
>>5979064
2,1,3
The Hive Mind replenishes its Thralls by assaulting the nearest town. Genkai, the town of 5000 surrounding the Genkai nuclear reactor, is subject to its psychic attack.
Genkai-chō:
>Size: F
>Strength: F
>Stamina: F
>Speed: F
>Special: F
>Cult Upgraded: Thralls
>The Hivemind has consumed 1 energy > 0/4
The resulting villagers are brought under its wing. All five thousand are taken over at once, and their thoughts opened up.
Thralls:
>Size: G>E
>Strength: G
>Stamina: G
>Speed: G
>Special: G
Only Human: Thralls do not gain any stat bonuses from superior size. Receiving damage will reduce their size by a grade.
After scanning, The Hive Mind becomes aware of the trauma lingering in the minds of many Japanese citizens: Fukushima. There is enough leaked fuel in there for The Hive Mind to seize, and since authorities have been failing to measure the ruins for years, attacking it won’t raise any alarm bells. Sending a number Thralls into it will kill them for sure, but if they can passively go in and gather up irradiated material, it can feed without using an action. Some others know of reactors to the West. E-17.
Over the course of the turn, the new thralls walk, drive, or take buses and trains all the way from Genkai to Sendai, where they mob the reactor. The attack on the plant goes well, and with a far larger swarm, the response is slower. They don’t dare to shoot and kill entire mobs of citizens who have marched from up North. They gather up the plutonium rods and leave them in an open field for The Hivemind.
>The Hivemind has gained 1 energy > 1/4
Reaction:
Japan is absolutely stumped. With no proper organisation or theme, or terrorist intent, or even cult beliefs to go by, they cannot understand why these several thousand people are attacking nuclear plants. However, security begins to step up in response. Plants that were in the decommissioning process begin to close double-time.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713375921298318.jpg","filename":"Reactor.jpg"},"posted":1713375921},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979867,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d3)
>>5979094
1,1,1
Shelob charges through the forests, attempting to crush even more of the scattered villages and towns that stand in her way.
>Strength (F>G)
Solomon Islands Settlements:
>Size: F
>Strength: F
>Stamina: F
>Speed: F
>Special: F
Multiple villages are crushed, and the death toll rises. However, she still cannot eliminate them all. As she dives into the ocean in search of the radiation patch where the bomb dropped ages ago, helicopters fly overhead and ships sail North from Australia. They don’t dare to bother her as she soaks up the rays from the trench, but…
>Shelob has gained 1 energy > 2/4
Reaction:
Planes from the Royal Australian Air Force arrive to bomb the island! In areas where there are no signs of life from villagers, they release napalm onto the massed webs, attempting to blow up large segments.
Human Army:
>Size: G
>Strength: E
>Stamina: F
>Speed: E
>Special: D
Shelob’s lair (H19, Unnamed):
>Size: E
>Strength: F
>Stamina: F
>Speed: F
>Special: F
>Shelob’s lair: Kaiju who are not larger than this lair have all Speed rolls lose a degree of success when acting on this tile. Shelob is exempt from this effect.
First 1d3 of this post is for attack against Shelob’s Lair. A successful hit will damage it, removing its effect until an action is spent to repair it.
>>5979278
2,1,1
The reactor is fully drained! Shroomy is nourished with precious energy. There are a few more of its kind in the country, but afterwards it’ll have to head off in search of sources. Or create its own, it seems.
>Shroomy has gained 1 energy > 2/4
Argentinia is given a respite, apart from the quiet and non-intrusive reactor destruction. As it focuses on nourishing the shrooms instead of its conquest, the military takes time to make plans. The plants within its lair are gradually transformed into things that can start siphoning energy up.
>Lair upgrade 33%
>Shroomy has consumed 1 energy > 1/4
Rather than grow new thralls, Shroomy focuses on learning from its existing ones. They’re gradually released from their bindings, free to live their lives again. Or not, as they mostly end up in custody. Its own awareness of humankind grows from observing them, and its ability to direct them when the time comes improves. It would be difficult to control these creatures to the point where they do complex operations that go beyond the scope of fighting, but it’s beginning that path.
>Cult Upgraded: The Parasitised
>Shroomy has consumed 1 energy > 0/4
The Parasitised
>Size: F
>Strength: G
>Stamina: G
>Speed: G
>Special: G>F","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713375995924353.jpg","filename":"Gigantic.jpg"},"posted":1713375995},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979870,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d3)
>>5979337
1,3,2
Millions of damages are indeed experienced, as the swirling mass tears towards the plant and finally leaves a grateful Iceland alone. Its long march has not gone unnoticed, however. German tanks and airplanes scramble. Several planes are immediately lost upon going too close to the maelstrom. As it makes its approach, they fire. It’s not enough to stop it from obtaining the plant that it seeks, however.
>The Typhon has gained 1 energy > 2/4
Reaction:
The Heer doesn’t take this incursion lightly! A tank battalion attempts to shoot it as it crosses through the country on its way to the nuclear reactor.
Human Army:
>Size: G
>Strength: E
>Stamina: F
>Speed: E
>Special: D
First 1d3 of this post is for attack against The Typhon, take note of the lowered health if it hits.
>>5979393
3,1,2
The ‘Hellephant’, as Phantrumpitus has been named, is able to rip apart a Spanish reactor, before lazily returning to bed. It’s not completely helpless against other Kaiju, however, and is well prepared for a hostile neighbour to act. Fortunately, none of the monstrous variety come for it.
>Phantrumpitus has gained 1 energy > 4/4
Phantrumpitus may increase one non-size stat by spending 3 actions and 4 energy!
Reaction:
The Ejército de Tierra prepares an assault! They’re rolling up to the sleeping giant. While it’s a colossal monster, it’s not inherently immune to these tank rounds just yet. All of these Kaiju are still in the lower range, at around thirty metres, and there are tons of weapons larger than it. If not proactively assaulted, they will attack with an increased degree of success at the end of the next turn.
>>5979656
3,3,2
Delicious, sweet power. Once the first Georgian Power Plant is destroyed, it moves on to the next, crawling across the land to reach it. By the time it arrives, the plant has been evacuated and the reactor shut down, but they haven’t been able to neutralise or decommission the materials. Its big lobster claws manage to tear the reactors open and consume more material.
>G.E.L has gained 1 energy > 2/4
Then it decides to harass the planes and tanks that have been constantly flying overhead and bumbling after it.
Human Army
>Size: G
>Strength: E
>Stamina: F
>Speed: E
>Special: D
>Strength (E>D) VS Stamina (F)
>Strength (E) VS Stamina (F)
Dozens of tanks are smashed in the assault! The planes are too scared to bomb the reactor, not knowing what it’ll do to the surrounding continent, so G.E.L is free to do as it wishes for now. There’s more energy to be had now that these pesky two-legs have been crushed in their metal shells, or swatted away with its superior tail-strength.
Reaction:
The US Military flees, leaving the next turn completely free for the Kaiju to act without worry. However, they won’t stay down for long, their response is sure to be heavy handed when it next comes. They do not take lightly to a giant enemy on US soil.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713376058033849.jpg","filename":"Kaiju2.jpg"},"posted":1713376058},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979872,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d3)
>>5979661
The Yaderevo evolves! Its hooks turn savage, and as it sits there to metamorphosise into something stronger, the France Military turns their eyes on it. Radiation is already being spilled everywhere, so they might as well try to bomb this thing and kill it!
Yaderevo
>Size: F
>Strength: E
>Stamina: F
>Speed: D
>Special: F
Reaction:
The French drop several bombs on the roiling mass of fuel. It no longer has the actions required to dodge these, due to its transformation, but it’s advisable to invest actions into defenses while testing out its new strength in the turn ahead.
Human Army
>Size: G
>Strength: E
>Stamina: F
>Speed: E
>Special: D
First 1d3 of this post is for attack against The Typhon, take note of the lowered health if it hits.
>>5979131
1,3,2
>Strength (E>F)
Memritim uses its limbs to strike the water rapidly. In the chaos of the situation, it’s not able to muster up its full force, and the effect is weakened. There must be something about the fellow Kaiju that’s inherently interfering with its ability to warp reality. Perhaps these creatures are all so large and dense that the violation of the square-cube rule is already forcing Physics to bend in some way. Regardless, it’s attempting to counter the first attack using Strength directly.
>Special (E>D>C) VS Arctic Ursa Stamina (E)
Sensing an attack coming, Memitim uses its feeding ring to immediately lash its foe when it tries to come close. Making contact with it will produce a counterattack with even greater efficiency, guaranteeing that the foe is punished for striking.
>Memitim has consumed 1 energy > 0/4
>Attack (E) VS Stamina (E)
The third is a simple lash, aiming to finish it off if it somehow avoids the blow.
>>5979508
1,3,3
>Strength (E>F) VS Memitim Stamina (F)
The Arctic Ursa attempts to defeat this reality-distorting alien beast the best way a physical powerhouse knows how: A swift punch!
>Strength (E>D)
It then prepares a block with its large and bulky arms, in case that first move didn’t finish it off and it’s ready for more.
>Special (F>E>D) VS Memitim Stamina (F)
Then a special attack, charging an Ice Roar with energy to increase its effectiveness even further.
>Arctic Ursa has consumed 1 energy > 0/4
>>5979608
The Beast of Tetanko decides to be an opportunist, and reap the spoils of this battle. It charges upwards right as the final blows are being made.
>Stamina (E>F)
It intends to wrestle the winner into submission, making use of its fresh state to secure a double victory.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713376119180510.jpg","filename":"Bombed.jpg"},"posted":1713376119},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979875,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"KAIJU CLASH! Memitim VS Arctic Ursa VS The Beast Of Tetanko
((Since I didn’t make the distinction between attack stats clearer, and my last turn post was confusing I’ll let it succeed and play out during this turn for the various parties. Next turn, I’ll stick to it though. Especially for things like attempting to use Stamina as an attack. Sorry for the inconvenience, still working the kinks out.
I’ve decided that it doesn’t make sense to have it go ‘Action 1 vs Action 1’, because that would mean you just get punched before your defensive actions go off, even if you make one that goes ‘try and block the next hit’. The order shouldn’t matter so strongly, so let’s say all defensive ones are considered first, like a sort of shield point, then attacks go in order of their listing.))
The defenses of the great titans are ready. They both begin with a strike, with Memitim using its strength to churn the water and make the giant bear miss with its very first blow! The strike would have connected were it not for the defense attempt.
>Memitim Strength (E>F) VS Ursa Strength (E>F) (Dodged!)
Then the counterattack is set up while the great bear charges its frosty breath, attempting to turn the area into a sub-zero wasteland. It’s a strike that will absolutely pierce defenses.
>Ursa Special (F>E>D) VS Memitim Stamina (F)
>Memitim HP: 0/2
However, the blow from the reality-erasing ring is released at the same time, and is far, far too powerful for the bear to block, just like its own blow.
>Memitim Special (E>D>C) VS Arctic Ursa >Strength (E>D)
>Arctic Ursa HP: 0/3
Both collapse into the ocean, utterly spent from their effort. The Beast of Tetanko shows up moments later, finding no victor. Both are drifting away rapidly, and it finds itself unable to catch up to them and devour their unconscious bodies. However, a massive amount of bioenergy has been spilt. Normally, the winner would automatically absorb it from the loser. But there are no winners, so… It experiences an immediate and COLOSSAL overcharge, with any surplus doomed to decay. The creature is absolutely brimming with power.
>Arctic Ursa has defeated Memitim!
>Memitim has defeated Arctic Ursa!
>The Beast of Tetanko absorbs Memitim’s energy. 1/4 > 5/4
>The Beast of Tetanko absorbs Arctic Ursa’s energy. 5/4 > 9/4. Unused surplus will disappear at the end of the turn.
Arctic Ursa has achieved a milestone. At any time, it may choose to spend 3 actions to Upgrade Size. This fully heals it.
Memitim has achieved a milestone. At any time, it may choose to spend 3 actions to Upgrade Size. This fully heals it.
Defeat: Memitim may not act on the next turn. It may choose any tile along the X Axis it was defeated on to respawn at the end of the turn.
Defeat: Arctic Ursa may not act on the next turn. It may choose any tile along the Y Axis it was defeated on to respawn at the end of the turn. ","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713376243682254.jpg","filename":"Brawl.jpg"},"posted":1713376243},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979882,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"State of the World
World governments are meeting to discuss this crisis. Fingers are being pointed, with nations accusing one another (sometimes outrightly) of holding responsibility. Conspiracies abound online. Secret labs, aliens, bioweapons, illegal waste disposal, nobody knows just where these Kaiju are coming from. Armies are independently responding in some cases, while more remote areas are less likely to get support.
The Kaiju are still growing, and are not yet at the level where they’re beyond humanity’s power to defeat. Governments are already catching on to the fact that nuclear reactors are being targeted, and operations are in place to drain them, in hopes of dissuading attacks.
TURN 4: WARFARE
>Current players:
>dice+3d3
>Action 1
>Action 2
>Action 3
Remember to roll your dice! And if you want to use a specific stat for an action, list out what stat you’d like to use. While the map is highlighted, your Kaiju may not have access to the same information as you, so refer to your turn posts for the specific tiles that you know possess energy sources.
Additionally, please take note of >>5979672 this post. If I find that a stat seems inappropriate for a scenario, I’ll be regarding it as using a different one instead. This is less applicable in freeform actions like using a feat of strength to dig a nest vs using psychic powers to make a pocket dimension, I’ll defer more closely to your stat pick in those cases. But for battles, I’ll stick to the fact that Strength is used to attack, Speed is used to dodge by forcing your speed stat into a conflict with the enemy’s, and Stamina is both the chance you get hit and the ability to roll a block vs attack.
As I’ve calculated so far, you have to MEET the stat to succeed, and active actions take precedence over the passive stat. Defenses are stored up and will erode with successful attacks.
Sorry for the mess this turn, and please let me know if there’s feedback, or if I've missed anything. Busy day. I'm going to be gradually changing formatting and simplifying things, like not posting army and town stats every time they're brought up.
Also, Tetanko, you can evolve a non-size stat, I just hit the character limit.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713376591079592.jpg","filename":"Bureacrats am i right.jpg"},"posted":1713376591},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979902,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>5979865
Sorry, QM - can you clarify whether I took damage directly or whether my lair got destroyed? Also I theoretically have a temporary improvement to my stamina due to metal-munching on Turn 2, does that apply still?","attachment":null,"posted":1713378154},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979905,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":"Rolled 3, 3, 2 = 8 (3d3)
>>5979882
I think you’re doing great op, best quest on this board rn
>Action 1: (Special) Use up energy to attempt to control people from neighboring towns and settlements, extending the control range. Deal the "final blow" to any uncontrolled life form that may still exist in the controlled city.
>Action 2: Go into Fukushima and drain it dry, staying hidden. The Thralls may leave their offerings inside the town while the Hive Mind is away.
>Action 3: Once that’s done, come back and take the offerings. The next step will now to start making the controlled area into a proper lair, but I’m assuming that will have to wait for next turn?","attachment":null,"posted":1713378635},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979906,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979902
The planes tried gunning down Turtle boy directly. But since he had the improved stamina defense (D) AND they rolled a 1, turning their E into an F, it failed. No damage on you.","attachment":null,"posted":1713378698},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979916,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>5979906
Great, thanks! Do I retain the temporary stamina bonus or would I have to spend a turn and another point of SPECIAL energy to regenerate the bonus?","attachment":null,"posted":1713379813},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979949,"name":"Arctic Ursa","msg":">>5979882
Damn that was a good fight! Sucks that I couldn’t grab any of that energy but what can you do. I would like to recover at H1 please.","attachment":null,"posted":1713383060},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5979954,"name":"Dewa-Penyu","msg":"Rolled 3, 1, 1 = 5 (3d3)
>>5979882
Turn 1: Spend one turn scavenging metal and a point of Special Energy to regenerate temporary stamina bonus. If the bonus is already present (due to failed Chinese attack earlier), soak up radiation from Manshan Reactor.
Turn 2: Soak up radiation.
Turn 3: Soak up radiation.
Dewa-Penyu absolutely dgaf about weak Chinese military attacks. I’m trying to build up my special meter to upgrade Stamina.","attachment":null,"posted":1713383551},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5980068,"name":"Memitim","msg":">>5979882
> Memitim re-emerges at A15","attachment":null,"posted":1713394384},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5980152,"name":"Phantrumpitus","msg":"Rolled 3, 3, 2 = 8 (3d3)
>>5979882
"Enemy weapon vehicles approaching. Assessing threat. Threat level low. Continue intended progress."
"We return to the scene where the planned attacked is suppose to commence. However just over an hour ago the creature seems to have cocconed itself in some strange substance. While official have not given a response on if this new development will change their attack plan there is no indication on site that they are stopping or even slowing down the operation."
>Evolve strength","attachment":null,"posted":1713399536},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5980182,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5979916
Yeah, it expired on a hit.","attachment":null,"posted":1713403796},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5980184,"name":"The Typhon","msg":"Rolled 1, 3, 1 = 5 (3d3)
>>5979882
>Action 1: Use my psychic power and retaliate against the tanks.
>Action 2 & 3: Get more energy
"We are back on deutschland's news, the Panzerbrigade 12 have opened fire to questionable effect. Reports say the "kaiju" has retaliated from the attack, evidence by submitted footage."
Footage from a camera on a turret of a Leopard 2A6 shows a volley of shells going center mass into the storm. Afterwards the storm turns around and what appears to be the shape of a head comes into view. A roar, then static as the camera malfunctions.
"We will continue to update as the situation evolves. Now switching to the Global Summit on the new found threats."
That kaiju fight ending was pretty comedic. ","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713403878729782.jpg","filename":"Fire at will.jpg"},"posted":1713403878},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5980242,"name":"G.E.L","msg":"Rolled 1, 3, 1 = 5 (3d3)
>>5979882
>Action 1: Eat energy
>Action 2: Eat more energy
>Action 3:Clear a path to F6 (STR)/(STA?)","attachment":null,"posted":1713412184},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5980245,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5979882
Holy fuck, I knew I was missing something. I forgot the entire ass map. Sorry.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713412452959901.png","filename":"Map Turn 4.png"},"posted":1713412452},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5980359,"name":"Shelob","msg":"Rolled 3, 1, 1 = 5 (3d3)
>>5979882
Shelob ignored the strange flying creatures as she swam through the ocean, after all she wasn't hungry and they weren't in her way. It didn't take long until she arrived at her destination and she could the energy flow through her. As she enjoyed herself though she noticed her being attacked. Enraged she made her way back home.
>Action 1: Move back to H19
>Action 2: Attack the bomber planes
>Action 3: Repair any damage done to the web","attachment":null,"posted":1713423807},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5980412,"name":"Shroomy (aka Sicko Shroom)","msg":"Rolled 1, 1, 1 = 3 (3d3)
>>5979882
Late and somewhat hurried post while I'm on break from work. And no fancy interlude today, Sinusitis has been kicking my ass and has cursed me with shit sleep for the past few days.
>Action 1: Drain Buenos Aires nuclear power
>Action 2: Same, unless they've run out. If so, Use energy to continue the lair upgrade.
>Action 3: Keep learning from the Parasitized. With any luck, they will know more about the power Shroomy felt somewhere up north. It looks like they were harnessing it here, so it must be well known, and like it, these bipeds seem able to communicate over large distances, though the means they use to do so are...perplexing.
Technically, I don't need to search since, like Embalse and BA, the Brazilian reactors are easily available knowledge, but I'm fishing for at least an estimate of how much energy is in there, at least until they start shutting some down. I know using else:if statements in actions can get annoying.
I'm guessing the 33% progress came from the one, so I'm hoping a 2 or 3 would see it finished this turn. The early I set it up, the earlier Shroomy gets its investment back, and more!
In the meantime, I'm making plans on expanding the Parasitized using a new infection process. The soldiers were unconscious for a week, but only the first couple of days were spent growing the mycelium in their bodies, the rest was Shroomy keeping them sedated for study. That's fine for the defenses, as it puts attacking humans in a controlled coma, but if civilians start dropping in the streets, they'll panic. But a longer infection, with the mycelium only growing during sleeping hours, along with a hint of sedatives so they don't wake up and notice the growing pains. Still would take a turn, but might help reduced awareness gain? If it sounds too broken in terms of stealth, I can scrap the idea and say that a coma is unavoidable due to the infection process. Your call, QM.","attachment":null,"posted":1713438735},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5980414,"name":"Shroomy (aka Low Roller Shroom)","msg":">>5980412
*sigh* looks like my die are sick too...
I just hope I get something from action 3, or at least don't make someone's head explode.
>You...human...what is this...4chan...thing?
>*Parasitized's head explodes*
>Hmm...curious...","attachment":null,"posted":1713438904},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5980665,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Hey guys can I join in on this thread?","attachment":null,"posted":1713465028},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5980722,"name":"The Beast of Tetanko","msg":">>5979882
For once in its life, the Beast is full. Instinctively, it knows that it's stomach is almost empty, such was its haste to exploit the titanic clash, but it feels so filled with vigor its as if it might explode. In fact...some of that energy felt rather unstable. Feeling it was better to be safe then sorry, the Beast let a great chunk of the titanic energy in its veins seep into its muscles and fat, strengthening its brute force capacity, before letting the excess unstable energy slough off harmlessly.
>Actions 1-3: Expand 4 Energy to increase Strength from F->E
>Lose 1 energy to overflow","attachment":null,"posted":1713468669},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5980785,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980665
Found the entry being closed for players so I’ll wait patiently for an opening if it happens","attachment":null,"posted":1713472884},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5980873,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980785
Same","attachment":null,"posted":1713479576},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5981387,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5979905
3,3,2
>Special (E>D>C) vs Stamina (E)
More of the kaiju’s mind control sweeps over the residents of the nearby cities, swelling the ranks of the enslaved even further. They’re reduced to mindless goons who operate off instinct and knowledge, shedding all self preservation until it sees fit to micromanage them on a further level.
>The Hive Mind consumes 1 Energy >0/4
Thralls:
>Size: E>D
>Strength: G>F
>Stamina: G
>Speed: G
>Special: G
Only Human: Thralls do not gain any stat bonuses from superior size. Receiving damage will reduce their size by a grade.
Fukushima is miraculously drained of radiation. There are workers on-site who are seeing to the release of treated and formerly contaminated wastewater, but a quick use of The Hive Mind’s abilities places them under control too. As it didn’t sacrifice a large number of them in order to harvest the vast amount of irradiated material inside Fukushima, it’s forced to spend time doing it manually.
>The Hive Mind gains 1 Energy >1/4
Those who are continuing to assault nuclear reactors are soon attacked by the military. Soldiers have wised up to the fact that the nuclear reactors are being attacked by Kaiju worldwide, and this certainly has something to do with it. Especially when it comes to getting answers. However, they can’t stop the tide forever. Eventually, more fuel rods are pried out of the reactor and dragged outside, with the thralls having no regard for the fact that they’ve handled it unsafely, and their hands and skin will fall off in a week. The handful who take charge of this deadly task are negligible in the long run.
>The Hive Mind gains 1 Energy >2/4
((Yeah, lair has to wait for next turn))
Reaction:
The JSDF has now caught on to the fact that these people are being controlled. While political turmoil is erupting because of this, they’re fully willing to shoot to kill now. Thralls will be vulnerable to attack as they research this. Additionally, there are a large number of thralls in custody, and if directed well, they can weave a narrative to further The Hivemind’s goals.
>>5979949
The defeated bear floats all the way South, drifting deep into the sea before finally regaining consciousness somewhere West of South America. It feels like it has grown from the fight, and can be readier next time.
>Arctic Ursa HP: 1/3","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713539665203585.jpg","filename":"Ocean.jpg"},"posted":1713539665},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5981388,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Rolled 3 (1d3)
>>5979954
3,1,1
Yummy metal! The previous layer has sloughed off after a bombing, and the turtle is forced to create a new layer of alloy by infusing its energy into the raw material. At least it hasn’t felt pain since that first tank shot!
>Dewa-Penyu has consumed 1 energy >1/4
>Stamina increased against next attack.
The Manshan reactor is drained dry. They have one more set of reactors the turtle can reach. After that, it’ll have to head West to China in order to harvest energy. Fortunately, this doesn’t require it to migrate all the way to a new grid.
>Dewa-Penyu has gained 1 energy >2/4
>Dewa-Penyu has gained 1 energy >3/4
Reaction:
The Taiwanese government is protesting against this unrequested military aid, as it’s a violation of their sovereignty, but are too desperate to push the point and truly request that they leave. Notably, Winnie is very smug about this.
Seeing that the attacks against the turtle don’t seem to be working, the Chinese attempt to directly bomb its nest, in hopes of making it leave after smashing its makeshift metal home. However, their weapons suffer from a decreased degree of success against it.
Strength: E>F
1d3 in this post is for the roll against the nest. If it gets a 3 it hits again.
>>5980068
Similarly, Memitim re-manifests in another stretch of frozen Northland. It’s weakened, but has learnt much about the way physics operates in this realm. It’s ready to begin acting again.
>Memitim HP: 1/3
>>5980152
3,3,2
The army surrounds the cocoon as it forms. Within, Phantrumpitus is quickly becoming the strongest among the Kaiju, at least in terms of brute strength. They aim their weapons and prepare for an all-out assault, as it reinforces its body and metabolises the radiation.
>Strength: E>D
Reaction:
After preparing their operation for several days, the Ejército de Tierra shoot! Tanks fire at the cocoon, and planes drop payloads directly onto it. Soldiers in armored cars aim their machine guns, in case it bursts free and they need to be more mobile. With these attacks meeting its stamina even in the worst case scenario, the alien elephant is wounded inside.
>Army Strength E>D vs Phantrumpitus Stamina (E)
>Phantrumpitus HP: 2/3","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713539793274662.jpg","filename":"forest wreck.jpg"},"posted":1713539793},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5981390,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5980184
1,3,1
>Special: (E>D>E) vs Army Stamina (F)
The tanks are no match for Typhon’s powers. They’re easily lifted into the air and crushed, with their inhabitants being squeezed into bits of flesh. The military is forced to stop shooting once it moves within range of the nuclear reactor. They’ve failed to harm it, and they’ve taken losses. They pull back for now, making the mistake of giving it the chance to absorb more energy.
>Typhon has consumed 1 energy > 1/4
Within, it’s able to rip apart the reactors and absorb the bountiful energy. Typhon’s energy reserves grow. It can store them away in its lair if it wishes, but doing so will leave it unattended. For now, it hasn’t reached its cap, and no energy is wasted.
>Typhon gains 1 energy > 2/4
>Typhon gains 1 energy > 3/4
Will note that energy cannot be manually gathered over cap, overcharge is obtained through defeating enemies.
>>5980242
1,3,1
Yummy nuclear reactors! G.E.L is able to eat in peace, then tear its way down to the Floridian coast. Hollywood is being evacuated, and dozens of wealthy citizens are calling for bigger bombs to be used against the menace of Maine. However, the military doesn’t respond to these knee-jerk plans, instead working on a larger response.
>G.E.L gains 1 energy > 3/4
>G.E.L gains 1 energy > 4/4
>>5980359
3,1,1
>Attack (F>G) vs Stamina (F)
The helicopters are dumping napalm on her nest when Shelob approaches. They rise into the air, avoiding her swinging limbs. Even when she climbs to the tallest treetops, human aircraft still fly higher than that, preventing her from smashing them. She’s left to rebuild her nest in frustration. The evacuation efforts can only go so far, and there are still settlements left to crush.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713539856374712.jpg","filename":"Cityattack.jpg"},"posted":1713539856},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5981392,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5980412
1,1,1
The Embalse reactor is drained, and Shroomy has to resort to Atucha next. Soon enough, Argentina is dry of nuclear power, with the reactors taken over by mycelial networks. The fungal network will have to go elsewhere to get that power, especially since their own plan to produce it hasn’t yet bore fruit.
>Shroomy gains 1 energy > 1/4
>Shroomy gains 1 energy > 2/4
The minds of the minions tell it that H8 and I8 both have nuclear plants. But it’ll be encroaching on Brazil if it goes in, earning the ire of another country.
((In order to simplify things for myself, I’ll only say that tiles run out of reactors at the end of turns, instead of during. So if one feels like it’s about to be drained dry, you can use as many as you want on it, so that actions aren’t cancelled. Try and avoid if/else statements otherwise though, a binary set of conditions is fine, but def not in combat. I’ll go for the first action stated if there’s conflict.))
Reaction:
Argentina makes a concentrated effort to attack the mushroom clusters. Satellite imaging locates the largest sources of radiation, where the energy is stored, and firebombs are dropped. The infected are still kept in quarantine all throughout, and they’re discussing dire solutions.
>Strength (E) vs Stamina (E)
1d3 for the attack on Shroomy.
>>5980722
The beast evolves! The energy is metabolised, allowing it to increase its strength greatly. It now has the destructive potential to contend directly with the two that it stole energy from, with much to spare. A discharge escapes from its body, filling the waters around it with radiation that nourishes the sea life, but is wasted otherwise.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713539927629508.jpg","filename":"laser.jpg"},"posted":1713539927},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5981394,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"State of the World
Many nations are now coming to the conclusion that they have to pool their resources and fight together. Of course, many others still believe that they can use these giant monsters to their advantage, and influence geopolitics. Others are hiding secret weapons from their so-called allies, refusing to pull them out even in this time of war.
Attacks on the Kaiju will be increasing from here on out, so long as they linger in inhabited lands. Any Kaiju that ends up within the borders of a United Nations country will be attacked at the end of the turn. Some are even charging up for dedicated attacks on targets. Those who have been harmed may want to invest actions on recovery.
TURN 5: ALLIANCE
>Current players:
>dice+3d3
>Action 1
>Action 2
>Action 3
Had to skip Yaderevo, since it's been a while.
>>5980665
I don't think I'll have room, sorry. It's rough to get updates out and deal with the moving parts, and I think I'm stretched to a pretty tight limit for the time being. Will mention in the turn thread if any room opens up, though. Or if somebody manages to create independent minions with their own actions, they can let spectators control them or something.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713540098238439.png","filename":"Map Turn 5.png"},"posted":1713540098},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5981395,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Rolled 2 (1d3)
>>5981392
Sorry, forgot to roll.","attachment":null,"posted":1713540160},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5981403,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":"Rolled 2, 1, 1 = 4 (3d3)
>>5981394
>Action 1: The Hive Mind uses the Thralls' collective unconscious to warp the space of the controlled area into a labyrinth (lair). It is altered to fit the dreams, desires and thoughts of members of the Thralls. While not noticeable from an outside perspective, someone living there would slowly start noticing stranger and stranger things, and eventually lose their mind for sure, assuming the Hive Mind doesn't place them under control first. However, to the Thralls, it creates a soothing, familiar environment, the interpret it as a paradise.
>Action 2: Considering the increase in security in different power plants, have the Thralls mostly collect nuclear material from already controlled land in order to avoid losing too many of them. Also scan their minds to check if any has any knowledge or ability that would allow them to produce their own energy in order to make the labyrinth self-sufficient.
>Action 3: Just for good measure, rise up in the sky once more, to be unreachable in the eventuality that humans manage to detect the Hive Mind's presence.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713541137937164.gif","filename":"aa.gif"},"posted":1713541137},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5981405,"name":"G.E.L","msg":"Rolled 3, 1, 1 = 5 (3d3)
>>5981394
Evolve: Stamina (E>D)","attachment":null,"posted":1713541335},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5981406,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":"Rolled 3, 1, 2 = 6 (3d3)
>>5981388
The god-turtle bellows in rage as its shelter is demolished! Clearly, this island is no fit home for a young deity of the natural world.
DEWA-PENYU ambles slowly to the northern tip of Taiwan, drawing closer to the northern Taiwanese nuclear reactors that it has previously sniffed out… more energy is needed!
Turn 1: Absorb energy from reactors!
Turn 2: Brimming with power, DEWA-PENYU abandons Taiwan, entering the sea and paddling with mighty strikes, swimming west to mainland China! DP comes ashore in Quanzhou, smashing through the harbor and making its way to the nearby mountain range!
Turn 3: DP, having learned that shelters exposed to the air are prone to be attacked, burrows deeply into the earth, hopefully to rest…
Next turn I’m hoping to spend my energy to permanently level up STAMINA","attachment":null,"posted":1713541610},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5981447,"name":"Shroomy (aka Patient Shroom)","msg":">>5981395
Hmm, so what's the outcome there? Damage? Worse?","attachment":null,"posted":1713546369},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5981499,"name":"Arctic Ursa","msg":"Rolled 2, 3, 2 = 7 (3d3)
I choose to spend all of my actions to upgrade my size","attachment":null,"posted":1713550764},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5981517,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5981447
Damage, yeah","attachment":null,"posted":1713551939},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5981554,"name":"Shelob","msg":"Rolled 3, 2, 2 = 7 (3d3)
>>5981390
>>5981394
Frustrated that the flying creatures that damaged her web also managed to avoid her Shelob goes on a rampage to take out her anger on any land based creatures she comes across
>Action 1: Shelob moves along the island once again destroying any settlement she comes across (strength)
>Action 2: Any human/animal she notices is attacked and webbed up
>Action 3: She repairs any damage done to her web","attachment":null,"posted":1713555489},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5981582,"name":"The Typhon","msg":">>5981394
>Action 1: Attack Berlin (Special)
>Action 2 & 3: Absorb more energy","attachment":null,"posted":1713558281},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5981623,"name":"The Typhon","msg":"Rolled 1, 3, 3 = 7 (3d3)
>>5981582
Forgot my dice","attachment":null,"posted":1713563681},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5981692,"name":"Phantrumpitus","msg":"Rolled 2, 1, 3 = 6 (3d3)
>>5981394
"Damage received. Retaliate and recover."
>>>5981392
>Action 1 attack the Ejército de Tierra. If unsuccessful repeat until successful. >Action 2 move to D10
>Action 3 Mistaking Yaderevo for an energy source attempt to consume them. Strength attack.","attachment":null,"posted":1713571510},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5981915,"name":"Memitim","msg":">>5981394
> Move to B14.
> Move to C13.
> Absorb ambient radiation.","attachment":null,"posted":1713587828},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5982043,"name":"Shroomy (aka Expert in Gibberish Shroom)","msg":"Rolled 3, 3, 2 = 8 (3d3)
>>5981394
Shroomy is annoyed. And of two minds. The energy is right there, up north. Ripe for the taking. It has never balked at letting some mycelial cords wither and die once they were no longer useful, but the bipeds are different. Like a thousand individual mushrooms, instead of one entity. Each so full of ideas, perspectives. It could do so much if it worked together with them. And now they're about to tear themselves apart. It understands now. The language, the fear, the...politics.
But the humans don't know everything.
They don't know about the new spores. They don't know that one can be infected or carrying spores without falling into a coma. They don't suspect just how much it has infiltrated Buenos Aires. And now Shroomy know where those that want to take away its newest hosts/toys/best-friends-forever are. And now both Shroomy and the humans are about to realize that mushrooms can also have stubbornness issues and a mean streak.
>They fear the Shroom, and wish to kill it. But what if they are shroom? They are individualist. They would not destroy themselves to "save" their species. Not these ones. Not like the spores would let them.
>Action 1: Shroomy will try to go for a leap-frogging infection using the new spores. Starting from the mycelial cords spread around Buenos Aires when it took the nuclear materials there. Clouds of new spores, aimed towards identified buildings, recovered from the Parazitized's memories. The Casa Rosada. The National Congress. And news stations. Those will be easiest. Plenty of "reporters", some kind of information gathering and spreading sub-caste, are lingering around the reactors. And they often meet with the ruling class it targets, in those fancy rooms for meetings. And outside, when they press around them waving objects around. Probably some kind of mating ritual? Whatever it may be, it just needs one to get a lungful of spores, then meet with the rest of the ruling class to spread it like wildfire. And by the end of the week, they won't have a choice but to listen. Shroomy must only learn how to talk.
>Action 2: Research proper communication with and between the Parazitized. Direct imprinting of words may not work, the sheer size difference makes another puffball incident likely. Sharing memories, perhaps? Scraps of TV programs, conversations, something their minds would recognize as external. It already has some grasp on their language.
>Action 3: Enter negotiations with the ruling caste of Argentina. Try and calm the poor things down.So tiny, so afraid, so blind. But they can learn. And they will work together. Why? Protection. It has seen the memories, the why of the attack on itself. There are more, like him but different, attracted by the same energy, destroying without regard. It must make the bipeds understand its goals are different, and not at odds with their own. They require protection. It requires energy to ensure its continued survival. Their goals can align.
(Please no triple 1 again.)","attachment":null,"posted":1713601670},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5982046,"name":"Shroomy (aka Psychic Bumblebee Shroom)","msg":">>5982043
Is it efficient to waste a whole turn and possibly the last of Shroomy’s energy on a social gamble in a Kaiju game I mostly cam up with while half-asleep? Probably not. Will it even work? Maybe. Do I care? Ehh, I'm here to weave an interesting story and have fun doing it. Honestly this has been doing wonders for my writer's block, so thanks for rolling with it so far QM!
Assuming this hare-brained plan is even allowed (though between the actions I've spent on the humans, the spores and the intel, and the Hive Mind's own ideas, I like to think I'm not completely pulling this one out of my ass to rise up to the challenge you threw at me, QM), and succeeds, I do have a sneaky couple of plans Shroomy could use its new friends in high places for. Also, for the language, given how I started with news broadcasts, the idea of Shroomy communicating by blasting fragments of Spanish television and radio in people's brains tickles my fancy. Like a psychic Bumblebee. I can’t wait for it to find out about soap operas on top of news reporting.
Also, thank you dice gods for either approving or setting me up for a fall sometime soon, I appreciate it either way ","attachment":null,"posted":1713601781},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5982101,"name":"Memitim","msg":"Rolled 3, 3, 3 = 9 (3d3)
>>5981915
Oh. I forgot to roll.
Let me rectify this.","attachment":null,"posted":1713610175},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5982287,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Is this quest full?","attachment":null,"posted":1713631228},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5982294,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5982287
It is, yeah","attachment":null,"posted":1713631863},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5982296,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5982046
Kek, it's an interesting idea for sure.","attachment":null,"posted":1713631924},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5982313,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982294
Thanks for answering! Have fun","attachment":null,"posted":1713633143},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5982457,"name":"The Beast of Tetanko","msg":"Rolled 1, 2, 3 = 6 (3d3)
>>5981394
The Beast still feels swollen with energy, but it recognizes that it cannot rest to sit on its laurels; it has a lair to finish, more energy to claim, and a tribe to look for. Pushing its newly enhanced muscles, it begins the return journey home.
>Action 1: Move to B2, sticking to the tundra but if it encounters any more man-thing shells (trucks) or lairs (depots/pipelines) with the black nectar inside (oil), it will smash the shell and regenerate a pouch to carry the black nectar with it. (Special)
>Action 2, Move to C2, this time tearing it's way through the small cities and towns to clearly denote its territory. The man things will only be tolerated for bringing offerings of black nectar, nothing else will be allowed near its lair. (Strength)
>Action 3: Resting on its laurels, it will continue to reinforce its abode, dragging the ruins of the man thing lairs to build a wall around its home (Strength)","attachment":null,"posted":1713642867},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5982639,"name":"Softy","msg":">>5976619
Description: An almost Manatee-like Kaiju, with armored dorsal spikes to absorb sunlight so he can move faster. Don't be fooled by his tough exterior, he's actually super nice and playful! He is omnivorous, but his main diet consists of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, typically found deep in ocean vents, but he can also eat most anything through his vacumous maw. Hailing from the gulf regions, he's a pretty chill guy to be around, and will sometimes help other Kaiju find food. Speaking of, he will sometimes regurgitate his food, in addition to added solar energy, in a plasma-esque beam to defend and distract. He can also shine the solar energy from his back, providing a healing glow for nearby life, as a way to ensure he has a food source in the area he leaves for when he comes back. This has been noted to energize other Kaiju. His call is low and billowing, like a baritone fog horn.
>HP: 4/4
>Size: F
>Strength: E
>Stamina: E
>Speed: F
>Special: F
>Energy: 1/4
Location; F3","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713656206385927.jpg","filename":"Mana-War.jpg"},"posted":1713656206},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5982934,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5981403
2,1,1
The latent psionic potential that humanity has is magnified and manipulated by the Kaiju, until it can manifest physically. The labyrinth begins to come into existence, taking over residential areas and cities. It’s still not strong enough to completely subsume Tokyo, or larger cities, but it can easily create a lair within a rural region. This will make for an excellent commune for the Thralls, now that they’ve been pulled away from their lives and abandoned their responsibilities.
>Lair Progress (Labryinth, E18): 33%
There are few nuclear sites that are completely within The Hive Mind’s territory. In order to directly control them, it’ll have to mount an attack on the power plant and enthrall its inhabitants. The few regions that have been overtaken already are quickly looted and left out in the open for The Hive Mind to pick up at its leisure.
>The Hive Mind gains 1 Energy > 3/4
The JSDF is scanning for Kaiju using satellite imaging. Its attempts to rise up in the sky potentially coincide with this, unfortunately…
>Speed (F>G)
Reaction:
The JSDF attempts to identify and attack whatever is causing these mass possessions. However, in order to do so, it must first locate it. And locate it they do. Satellites pick up on the mass flying high above Japan’s airspace. Planes are soon sent to attack, aiming to gun this UFO down.
>Strength (E) vs Stamina (E)
>Speed (E) vs Speed (G)
1d3 to see if it manages to hit The Hive Mind’s stamina, as the stealth roll failing is unavoidable. Take note of the damage if it scores a 2 or 3.
>>5981405
3,1,1
The Lobster molts its shell and grows an even tougher one. Just in time too, for the army picks that same moment to attack!
>Stamina E>D
>HP 3/3>4/4
Reaction:
The US Military is not ready to use a nuclear strike on their own soil. However, they have bigger guns cooking this time.
Human Army
>Size: G
>Strength: E
>Stamina: F
>Speed: E
>Special: D
As warned, an ICBM containing an experimental weapon is launched directly at the lobster, right as its carapace hardens again. The bomb is far stronger than the conventional weapons they’ve been using, and makes use of a newly-discovered source of fusion that they’ve been keeping under wraps for a decade. The missile strikes!
>Special (D) vs Stamina (D)
>Mass Obliterator: This Special weapon is particularly devastating against organic targets. The shockwaves that the Mass Obliterator releases rapidly liquefy living matter, making it a dreadful weapon that can be used to take a city without destroying its infrastructure. This attack does 1 extra damage if it hits a target.
1d3 to see if it can match the G.E.L’s stamina. HP will decrease if it’s a 2 or 3.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713685353247989.jpg","filename":"Big Bomb.jpg"},"posted":1713685353},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5982935,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Rolled 3, 1 = 4 (2d3)
>>5982934
Sorry, forgot to fill field.","attachment":null,"posted":1713685415},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5982936,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Rolled 1, 2 = 3 (2d3)
>>5981406
3,1,2
>Dewa-Penyu gains 1 energy > 4/4
Quanzhou (Medium City)
>Size: D
>Strength: F
>Stamina: E
>Speed: F
>Special: F
>Strength (E>F) vs Stamina (E)
Dewa Penyu doesn’t do significant damage to the city, instead just moving upwards into the mountains. Though the nest was destroyed in Taiwan, it’s familiar with this region now, and can still reconstruct it in the Chinese mountains in the future.
>Speed (F)
Then it goes to sleep, hoping to not be bothered.
Reaction:
A direct attack on their soil doesn’t go unanswered. They first attempt to locate it, then carpet bomb the area that the turtle was last seen in.
2d3s. First is for their strength (E) + dice vs Stamina (E>D because of special), then 2nd is for speed to see if they can locate it in the first place. If they get a 1, they fail to even find Dewa Penyu.
>>5981499
The bear grows! It finds its muscles swelling, and hormones flood its body. It’s now larger than any of the others, with appropriate strength to match. Perhaps it will have its vengeance soon.
>Size: F>E
>HP: 3/3>4/4
>Arctic Ursa does 1 more damage against smaller Kaiju
>Energy cap increased to 0/6, must fill it to increase stat.
>>5981554
3,2,2
>Strength (F>E) vs (F)
Shelob’s rampage finally bears fruit. Her rage devastates the island, finishing off the paltry civilisation that has sprouted across them. Even with evacuation efforts underway, she manages to crush Honiara, as well as the Australian forces who are trying to safeguard it. With only 700,000 people on this island, the country is essentially destroyed by her rampage. They’ll recover someday, as scattered villages, but she’s punched them into the stone age.
Shelob has achieved a milestone. At any time, it may choose to spend 3 actions to Upgrade Size. This fully heals it.
Those who have been captured are collected into large balls of biomass. Her lair is already full of these food pockets, and they’ll help her heal herself far quicker than other Kaiju typically can.
>Food stores: The owner of this lair may use this to recover 1d3 HP. (2 charges)
And her lair is repaired, allowing it to trap Kaiju again and give her an advantage.
>Lair restored.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713685477952891.jpg","filename":"damaged.jpg"},"posted":1713685477},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5982937,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Rolled 3 (1d3)
>>5981582
>Special (E>D>E)
Berlin: Large City
>Size:C
>Strength: F
>Stamina: D
>Speed: F
>Special: F
Typhon uses its psychic powers to assault Berlin, crushing minds and buildings alike. But it’s no small town. It hasn’t attacked a large city like this before, and finds itself unprepared to completely flatten it. Soon enough, it leaves the city behind to go for the nuclear reactors in the region.
>Typhon has consumed 1 energy: 2/4
>Typhon gains 1 energy: 3/4
>Typhon gains 1 energy: 4/4
Reaction:
The German army sends more planes to blast Typhon. They can’t use bombers, so they have to gun straight into its mass with their fighter jets. Tanks can’t harm the roiling mass either, at least not without blowing up their own city in the event that the shells pass through it.
>Strength (E) vs Stamina (E)
1d3, damages Typhon on a 2 or 3
>>5981915
Memitim soaks up the solar winds and ambient radiation of the Northernmost sections of the world, building up energy for later. It’s still weakened heavily, and is in no shape to fight, so perhaps building up its HP and Energy reserves will be wise. No enemies come to slay it.
>Memitim has gained 1 Energy: 1/4
>>5982457
1,2,3
The tiny towns in Alaska are either out of the way, or too small to even be notable. It crushes them with no effort spent at all, then pulls their buildings together to create a new home in the icy North. Perhaps if it can do something to gain the loyalty of man, they will cluster to it and worship it again. However, this will be difficult with the state of the world. Worship doesn’t come lightly, and it will be a highly challenging venture. The Kaiju may not know that fact, even.
>Lair 100% complete.
The Beast of Tetanko’s lair (C2)
>Size: F
>Strength: F
>Stamina: E
>Speed: F
>Special: F
>Place of worship: The beast once watched over a tribe. Similarly, this nest will serve as a place where loyal followers may reside. The Beast Of Tetanko’s Cult will be immune to attack for as long as they’re within the same tile as this lair, and the lair is not damaged.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713685539566466.jpg","filename":"Monster.jpg"},"posted":1713685539},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5982940,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5982043
3,3,2
The brand new mushrooms rapidly infect citizens and officials alike, spreading like wildfire through Argentinia. The ruling class is directly targeted, and soon enough, the government has been infiltrated by spores that they can’t detect. It’s not foolproof, nor all-encompassing, but it’s enough to produce an effect.
Then comes the miraculous offer. It manifests as visions and dreams over time, that they’d only think to talk to their loved ones about. But soon, the communication is too strong to deny. That’s when the government realises it’s being controlled, and spoken to. There’s an immediate panic, as they try and handle this massive breach of national security. However, after a period of time, they calm down and listen to its offer. Nobody likes the idea of being possessed by spores. They value their individuality too much, and many are furious with the idea that this thing has already fused with them on such a deep level. But they see the need to safeguard their country from the monsters that are wrecking their world.
>Cult Upgraded: The Parasitised
>Shroomy has consumed 1 energy > 1/4
>Shroomy has consumed 1 energy > 0/4
The Parasitised
>Size: F>E
>Strength: G
>Stamina: G
>Speed: G
>Special: F>E
Reaction:
Shroomy has, somehow, made contact with the Argentinian government. Attacks have ceased, and they’re actively listening. Shroomy must spend 1 action per turn on active negotiation in order to not have the situation escalate. Actions such as taking over reactors or physically affecting Argentinia will destabilise this, as there are many within the party and military who are now taking efforts to avoid infection, for fear that it affects the mind. Javier Milei, president of Argentinia himself, is one of the victims, but he can be killed and replaced if they deem that the infected are completely compromised.
It’s now up to a giant kaiju to navigate this political sphere. That, or completely overtake their minds. But that will mean war.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713685602630508.jpg","filename":"Tendrils.jpg"},"posted":1713685602},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5982942,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5981692
2,1,3
>Strength (D) vs Stamina (F)
The foolish soldiers who dared to blast the elephant are immediately flattened. It rampages through their lines, breaking their formations and crushing all their vehicles. They’re scattered by this assault, and dare not chase it to retaliate as it wanders North to battle another Kaiju.
>Strength (D>C) vs Stamina (F)
KAIJU CLASH! Phantrumpitus VS Yaderevo
The roiling nuclear mass has gone inert for quite a while now. As such, it’s unable to respond to the giant monster bearing down on it and attempting to absorb it. The burning fuel singes the exterior of Phantrumpitus’ skin, but it’s still able to soak up large amounts of energy from it. If it doesn’t fight, it will die.
>Yaderevo hp> 1/3","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713685665875416.png","filename":"Washup.png"},"posted":1713685665},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5982943,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"State of the World
Experimental weapons are now making an appearance, with the Mass Obliterator that was used against G.E.L being the first one. Many nuclear powers have them, and they have the capability to damage these young Kaiju harshly. Self-preservation will be more important than ever now. If they cannot withstand these blows, continuing to anger humanity will be devastating.
Unbeknownst to the Kaiju, Russia and Japan have begun independently pulling out ancient projects of theirs.
TURN 6: PANDORA’S BOX
>Current players:
>dice+3d3
>Action 1
>Action 2
>Action 3
>>5982639
New entries are closed, sorry. Too much for me to keep track of.
Also, I originally intended on letting the game proceed till a Kaiju managed to wreck the world or become an Alpha, but I think the amount of time spent on updates means I can't let it go indefinitely. I think I'll cap it at 15 turns, and maybe encourage an all-out fight to the death after that, for Kaiju who want to actively take a crown.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713685817679336.png","filename":"Map Turn 6.png"},"posted":1713685817},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5982964,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":"Rolled 3, 2, 2 = 7 (3d3)
>>5982943
>Action 1: Keep building labyrinth
>Action 2: (Special) Attempt to control enemy air force. The successfully controlled ones shall attack those that resisted the Hive Mind's power.
>Action 3: Keep on raising out of reach, while the controlled planes are keeping any potentially incoming ones busy.","attachment":null,"posted":1713689860},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5982967,"name":"The Typhon","msg":"Rolled 1, 3, 2 = 6 (3d3)
>>5982943
>Actions 1-3: Evolve Speed","attachment":null,"posted":1713691416},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5982986,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":"Rolled 3, 2, 1 = 6 (3d3)
>>5982943
I spend all three turns upgrading STAMINA!
Also, QM - perhaps you could allow player fatalities starting after turn 8? As players get knock out, would reduce your burden","attachment":null,"posted":1713693998},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5982987,"name":"Memitim","msg":"Rolled 2, 3, 3 = 8 (3d3)
>>5982943
> Action 1: Move to K13. (I assume the board-edges wrap)
> Action 2: (Special) Decohere local reality. The valance shells of atoms slosh away as the range and intensity of the weak electric force fluctuates wildly. Many steaming whirlpools form upon the frigid oceans beneath Memitim as innumerable liters of water evaporate in flashes of energized sub-atomic particles.
> Action 3: Absorb generated energy.","attachment":null,"posted":1713694065},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5982989,"name":"G.E.L","msg":"Rolled 3, 1, 2 = 6 (3d3)
>>5982943
>Action 1: Attack army (STR)
>Action 2: Crush army (STR)
>Action 3: Move to F6","attachment":null,"posted":1713694190},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5983018,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982986
Yeah, I was thinking of making fatalities stick after a while.
>>5982987
The map wraps horizontally, but not vertically, since it’s a globe. You can redo and reroll that action if you’d like","attachment":null,"posted":1713701062},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5983200,"name":"Arctic Ursa","msg":"Rolled 3, 2, 1 = 6 (3d3)
>>5982943
Ursa feels nice… AND STRONK
>Action 1: Move to H21
>Action 2: Move to H20
>Action 3: Then Surprise Attack Shelob on H19","attachment":null,"posted":1713723950},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5983498,"name":"Shroomy (aka Backshroom Dealings)","msg":"Rolled 2, 1, 2 = 5 (3d3)
>>5982943
Satisfaction seeps through nerve-like coiled rhizome. The bipeds are proving receptive. But now Shroomy is so very hungry...no matter, it had planned for this. This...politics. It thinks it understands the basics. Tell them what they want to hear, give them something, and ask for something in return.
>Action 1: Assuage their fears. (Locked negotiation action). Show the Parasitised that they are still themselves, explain the limitation on hurting the mushroom and other infected. Show the rest of the government that they are still in control, and that a loss of control would be very visible and impossible to conceal.
>Action 2: Give ground in the negotiations. Pull back and cannibalize parts of the Lair closest to the cities, where the army had been bombing it. The bipeds's communication is not as all-encompassing as The Mushroom had believed. Doing this will apparently cause the bipeds of the country to be more favorable to their leader caste for their perceived "victory" over the "threat". The Argentinian government receives accolades from the public and other nations. Shroomy gains favor. The extra material gets shuffled back into advancing the "advanced photosynthesis megaflora" project (APM). Hmm, strange. Must be all those three letter acronyms the bipeds seem fond of using for everything rubbing off on it...
>Action 3: Propose a deal. The Argentinians want a defender. Shroomy needs energy, at least until it can produce its own. It is willing to not attack any more reactors. It doesn't need to. Shroomy understands that the bipeds are wary, and are now moving the delicious energy away from the places it sensed it in. Shroomy also knows that "money can be exchanged for goods and services". Shroomy understands that the right incentive can lead those individualist bipeds to act against the greater interest of their...group? Clump? Whatever confusing hive-thing they have going on. The Brazilians, Mexicans, and basically everyone will be moving nuclear fuel around. Shroomy want the Argentinian government to get in on it. Underhanded deals, corruption, smuggling, whatever it takes so that some of these fissile materials find their way into the Argentinian forest. Some of it is bound to go missing anyway. Tch, such inefficiencies... Although, do make it clear that Shroomy needs to grow stronger to defend itself and any allies. If the Argentinian government cannot provide some..."starter capital", it will have to go fetch it directly, with all the diplomatic incidents that Argentina's "under control" mushroom problem spreading into Brazil would have for everyone involved...
Shroomy finds it may just enjoy politics after all! So nice to have someone else to talk to!
(And now for phase 2. Came up with action 2 on the spot, not sure if it'll be accepted, basically using the lost hit point or consuming another to advance the upgrade instead of energy. Dangerous, but that's the fun of it. Just need to hang on long enough to get producing.)","attachment":null,"posted":1713733927},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5983571,"name":"Memitim","msg":">>5983018
Alright.
I'll change Action 1 to:
> Move to A14","attachment":null,"posted":1713737137},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5983785,"name":"Phantrumpitus","msg":"Rolled 3, 3, 3 = 9 (3d3)
>>5982943
Use my first action to attack. Continue attacking if successful otherwise head west after consuming their energy","attachment":null,"posted":1713749663},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5983788,"name":"Phantrumpitus","msg":">>5983785
I meant if unsuccessful","attachment":null,"posted":1713749724},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5983992,"name":"Shelob","msg":">>5982936
>>5982943
> Action 1 through 3: Evolve","attachment":null,"posted":1713765421},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5983993,"name":"Shelob","msg":"Rolled 2, 3, 3 = 8 (3d3)
>>5983992
Just in case rolling is needed","attachment":null,"posted":1713765532},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5984164,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Delay on today’s update, can’t finish it up by tonight. Have half the posts done though.
In the meantime, I recommend Kaijuu Jieitai if any of you are into manga. Pretty good monster movie content.","attachment":null,"posted":1713795650},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5984196,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984164
No worries, QM. Will wait patiently for good content","attachment":null,"posted":1713799494},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5984204,"name":"The Beast of Tetanko","msg":"Rolled 1, 2, 1 = 4 (3d3)
>>5982943
Oop, good thing for the delay. My turn is pretty simple though.
Now that the lair of the Beast is finally completed, it decides to curl up and finally process the last of the energy coursing through it. Even its somewhat primitive mind can understand that it is not the alpha of this world, and it still needs more strength to protect itself.
>Actions 1-3: Spending 4 Energy to increase Stamina by 1.","attachment":null,"posted":1713800702},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5984845,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d3)
>>5982964
3,2,2
The realm is finally complete! The veil of energy is weaker here. However, The Hive Mind learns more about the potential of this psionic neighbourhood in the meantime. It discovers that it can transplant pieces of this lair throughout Japan, allowing it to grow and subsume neighborhoods and towns. It doesn’t work on a mass scale, for there are 125 million living minds to contest with, but it’ll make it easier to gain new minions. Instead of having to enthrall populations, it can seed locations with this new lair, and induct its occupants over time.
However, choosing particularly well-traveled places will increase awareness of its actions, as it’ll be impossible to hide this strange realm from too many people at once.
>Lair Progress (Labryinth, E18): 100%
Labryinth (E18)
>Size: F
>Strength: F
>Stamina: F
>Speed: F
>Special: E
>Dreamsphere: The Labryinth is a dreamland that naturally inducts victims into it. This lair eliminates the Energy requirement to increase the members of The Hive Mind’s Cult (Thralls).
The Hive Mind is under attack by jetplanes, which are performing strafing attacks on it at high altitude. It attempts to directly control those pilots, and gain firepower via the weapons that humanity uses. The attempts to attack it this turn are foiled by the fact that their own pilots are turning on them. There’s a period of confusion at first, as planes are shot out of the air. Eventually, a strong enough response is mustered up to gun down the rogue pilots.
The JSDF is highly rattled by this event, and keeps it a secret from the public. Engaging the creature like this is deemed dangerous, and they pull back.
>Special (E>D) vs Stamina (F)
>The Hive Mind has consumed 1 energy > 2/4 Energy
This, combined with the creature’s escape into the sky, makes it immune to detection and attack for this turn.
Reaction:
The Japanese Intelligence Industries have taken drastic measures. Several members of the cult have been tortured in an attempt to see if they can obtain any info. Other members of the various agencies have pooled together information, and have just barely begun to discover the presence of an American facility on their soil that allegedly looked into mind control tech a while ago.
>>5982967
The maelstrom grows and swirls, taking in nuclear power and growing larger. It’ll now have an easier time directly avoiding attacks by spending actions. While it’s sitting still and metabolising this energy, however, the army begins a secondary strike. The previous one has done damage to it, emboldening them.
>Typhon has consumed all energy > 0/4
>Typhon’s Speed: F>E
Reaction:
Another attack on Typhon! This time, they use guided missiles, seeing if they can dispel this storm and force the creature away from Berlin. Much of the city is evacuating, and Germany is in chaos. If they can strike it again, they might have a chance after all.
>Strength (E) vs Stamina (E)
1d3. Hits on 2 and 3.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713883656111614.jpg","filename":"Attack5.jpg"},"posted":1713883656},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5984846,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Rolled 2 (1d3)
>>5982986
All that energy continues to be absorbed, fusing with the metal shell and toughening it significantly. Dewa Penyu is almost impervious to their conventional weaponry now. The longer they go without being able to harm it, the more desperate they’ll be getting. The thoughts and feelings of the Chinese people are very hurt by this development. Even though they’ve found the turtle’s resting spot, their previous bombing hasn’t even scratched it.
>Dewa Penyu’s Stamina: E>D
Reaction:
Even more bombs fall on the creature as it sleeps, dropped straight by the PLA. However, their chances of actually wounding it are lower than before. China is thinking up alternative options for dealing with it now, seeking to drive it from their lands.
>Strength (E) vs Stamina (D)
1d3, hits on a 3 and lowers Dewa Penyu’s hp.
>>5982987
2,3,3
Memitim is able to repeat its reality-weakening motion in a different spot. It’s too risky to continually destabilise the same point of the physical realm, or it might create an effect that could erase even itself, but through effort and constant motion, it’s able to convert matter into energy again. Planet earth loses a negligible amount of its actual mass, permanently stolen by this interdimensional invader.
It’s still damaged and vulnerable to attack, but the various nations have more important matters than whirlpools in the Arctic Islands, and it’s left alone.
>Memitim gains 1 energy >2/4
>>5982989
3,1,2
>Strength (E>D) vs Stamina (F)
>Strength (E>F) vs Stamina (F)
Not even the Mass Obliterator has managed to wound the Giant Enemy Lobster. In response to the strike, it crushes several more military installations, destroying anything that resists its efforts to claim more energy. Even a few planes are shot out of the sky by cavitation bursts. The move into the ocean causes them to mobilise ships instead, as they attempt to harry it until it leaves US Soil entirely. However, this pre-emptive strike has left them hesitant to approach. Especially after failing to use their bomb, which has destroyed numerous parks across the city G.E.L was attacking, as well as any animal bigger than a roach.
G.E.L has achieved a milestone. At any time, it may choose to spend 3 actions to Upgrade Size. This fully heals it.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713883719238926.jpg","filename":"Hedorah.jpg"},"posted":1713883719},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5984849,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5983498
2,1,2
Reaction:
The Argentinian cabinet is calmed substantially by this claim. However, in the end, it comes from the mouths of the infected, who have too much at stake to tell the truth in the event that their cognition has been overtaken. Even demonstrations of what true control would look like on animals do not remove this fear. The loss of bodily control and Ego death is ingrained in the human psyche. They cannot accept the mushroom like this. However, attacks on the creature stop while it’s performing this negotiation. It has time to repair itself and fix the damage they did earlier.
The withdrawing of mycelium from the power plant and usage on building a better lair is a strong peace offering, showing that it’s a monster capable of concession. This already differentiates it from the feral beasts wreaking havoc across earth. With little choice, Argentina begins making a deal with its neighbours, attempting to convince them of the need for nuclear material. Underhanded deals, offers to store materials from decommissioned factories, and barrels of raw material for arms trading are all undergone.
>Lair upgrade 33%
>Argentina has regained energy.
>>5984204
Though it’s not the Alpha, it’s now among the toughest creatures to walk the earth. Even the superweapons of humanity will have trouble piercing it. However, it’s not the largest yet. Creatures may overpower it with sheer force, and if they get through its carapace, they can devastate its flesh and rend it asunder. It will have to grow large before it is truly resistant, for defenses may be overpowered by vast amounts of bioenergy in the end.
>Stamina: E>D
>HP: 4/4
>Beast of Tetanko has consumed 4 energy >0/4
>>5983200
3,2,1
Arctic Ursa crosses the intercontinental borders, swimming through the pacific ocean in order to attack Shelob in the ruins of the Solomon Islands. Due to its size, it can move an extra tile, and makes landfall just in time to attack!
>Strength: (E>F) VS Stamina (F)
>>5983992
The spider is attacked! Right before she cocoons herself, the Arctic Ursa wanders into her abode, chilling the water in its wake.
>>5983785
>Strength (D) vs Stamina (F)
Phantrumpitus mounts an attack on the mass of nuclear fuel, who hasn’t moved or attempted to grow in a while. After its assault, it travels West, into the ocean, where none chase it.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713883785907041.png","filename":"Clam.png"},"posted":1713883785},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5984850,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"KAIJU CLASH! Phantrumpitus VS Yaderevo
The fuel has indeed gone inert. The elephant wrecks its amorphous body, sucking up large chunks and scattering the rest over the course of its battle. The monster is obliterated, and with no will to regenerate, is defeated. For good, perhaps. As it siphons up the energy of its foe and wanders Westwards, Russian jets choppers fly high overhead, before descending to investigate the remains.
>Phantrumpitus has defeated Yaderevo!
>Phantrumpitus absorbs Yaderevo’s energy. 0/4 > 5/4
Phantrumpitus has achieved a milestone. At any time, it may choose to spend 3 actions to Upgrade Size. This fully heals it.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713883848983967.jpg","filename":"Battle4.jpg"},"posted":1713883848},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5984852,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"KAIJU CLASH! Arctic Ursa VS Shelob
>Shelob’s lair: Kaiju who are not larger than this lair (E) have all Speed rolls lose a degree of success when acting on this tile. Shelob is exempt from this effect.
Icy claws descend on the colossal spider. Her carapace isn’t hard enough to defend against it, and the far larger beast smashes her into pulp. Even though her web slows it as it rampages through the island chain, it doesn’t need speed to crush her. Bioenergy spills forth, and the bear absorbs it, gaining a distinct advantage as it roars in victory.
>Strength: (E>F) VS Stamina (F)
>Shelob HP: 2/2>0/2
>Arctic Ursa has defeated Shelob!
>Arctic Ursa absorbs Shelob’s energy. 0/6 > 4/6
However, Shelob was already raring to evolve, with the full recovery that such a thing would bring. As the bear celebrates, her body tumbles straight into a reserve of food that she’s set aside for such a situation. The biomass and atomic energy that’s inherent to her species combine. She feels that sense of pride and rage at wrecking a whole country, and grows rapidly within the cocoon.
Before the bear can leave, or try and finish her off, she’s already done bursting forth, fully recovered and ready for round two…
>Size: F>E
>HP: 2/2>3/3
>Shelob does 1 more damage against smaller Kaiju
>Energy cap increased to 2/6, must fill it to increase stat.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713883912286829.jpg","filename":"Battle3.jpg"},"posted":1713883912},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5984853,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"State of the World
The Kaiju feel a shift in the air. From deep parts of the world, there are stirring motions and waves of energy. Nuclear tests are being conducted, artifacts are being used, and there are even signals coming from high, high above. The world challenges them, and while most of them are bent on domination and destruction, there are developing threats which could become just as strong.
TURN 7: RECKONING
>Current players:
>dice+3d3
>Action 1
>Action 2
>Action 3
New entries are closed.
Increasing Size:
>Size is increased by spending 3 actions after achieving a major milestone.
>Kaiju deal 1 extra damage to Kaiju of a lower size than them, in the event that they hit.
>For each extra size they have, Kaiju may move 1 extra tile during a single use of their movement action during their turn.
>Evolving fully restores HP, to account for their HP cap increasing.
>Evolving size transforms an energy cap from 4 to 6.
Was thinking on how to rule Arctic Ursa’s simultaneous attack. It’d leave Shelob with 0/2 hp, after all. But I did say that upgrading size is a full recovery. So in the end I thought that it’d give both the defeat bonus and allow for a heal.
Also, sorry for the delay. Please let me know if I've forgotten any rolls or pasted any wrong info.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713883978806030.png","filename":"Map Turn 7.png"},"posted":1713883978},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5984865,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":"Rolled 3, 3, 1 = 7 (3d3)
>>5984853
The time for vengeance is at hand! The Carapace of Crisis is finally ready to retaliate! Some change has been wrought deep within the primitive mind of the god-turtle - a seed of aggression begins to blossom. Waves of anger flood the beast’s nervous system - and with the newly found confidence of its metal-hardened frame, it seeks revenge on its previous attackers. The Chinese must suffer for their assault upon a deity of the primordial world - and so the divine tortoise-beast awakens from its slumber, leaves its tunnel system, and attacks the city of Quanzhou!
Turn 1-3: Attack Quanzhou! Any left over turns should be spent absorbing radiation","attachment":null,"posted":1713884541},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5984907,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":"So I’m at 2/3 HP right? How does recovering HP work? Do you have to spend energy for it?","attachment":null,"posted":1713886168},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5985003,"name":"G.E.L","msg":"Rolled 3, 2, 3 = 8 (3d3)
>>5984853
>Action 1: Move to E7.
>Action 2: Move to D8
>Action 3: Time to throw down (STR).","attachment":null,"posted":1713890309},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5985018,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984907
Yeah, you are. You can spend actions to recover. Or energy to try and boost the result. Some like Shelob have gotten upgrade charges that grant more than just 1 Hp in a simple action.","attachment":null,"posted":1713891164},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5985037,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":"Rolled 3, 1, 3 = 7 (3d3)
>>5985018
Alright, thanks
>>5984853
>Action 1: Attempt to recover lost HP
>Action 2: Expand labyrinth into neighboring towns and cities
>Action 3: (Special, although if I’ve been following this shouldn’t cost energy since I’m in my lair) Attempt to control the current population of the labyrinth, including newly added areas. Prioritize any military forces that may be entering the labyrinth to kidnap people.
>Action 3","attachment":null,"posted":1713892292},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5985254,"name":"Memitim","msg":"Rolled 1, 1, 2 = 4 (3d3)
>>5984853
> Action 1: Move to A15.
> Action 2: (Special) Decohere local reality. Mass quantities of seawater undergo spontaneous nuclear fission, blanketing the region in a dense radioactive miasma.
> Action 3: Absorb the generated radiation to fill energy reserves.","attachment":null,"posted":1713907125},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5985295,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Say when will Godzilla show up","attachment":null,"posted":1713911560},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5985312,"name":"The Typhon","msg":"Rolled 1, 2, 2 = 5 (3d3)
>>5984853
>Action 1: Move to C10
>Action 2 & 3: Recover health","attachment":null,"posted":1713914885},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5985348,"name":"The Typhon","msg":">>5985312
Wait after double checking I should be on 0 health, does this mean im incapacitated or am I simply dead?","attachment":null,"posted":1713918070},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5985367,"name":"Phantrumpitus","msg":"Rolled 1, 2, 1 = 4 (3d3)
>>5984853
Deciding to save its growth for when it is hurt Phantrumpitus will spend all it's actions evolving Stamina","attachment":null,"posted":1713919237},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5985374,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985348
The latest attack missed, putting you at 2/3. You’re fine for now.","attachment":null,"posted":1713919659},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5985671,"name":"Shelob","msg":"Rolled 1, 2, 2 = 5 (3d3)
>>5984852
>>5984853
Round two, intruder.
Shelob has no idea what this large creature attacking her is, or what it wants from her but she is not just letting it walk away after thrashing her like that. After devouring all of her emergency food and growing even bigger than before she is ready for revenge.
>Action 1: She uses her scythe arms to stab Arctic Ursa (Strength)
>Action 2: She spits poison in his face (Special)
>Action 3: Expecting retaliation she crosses her scythe arms in front of her to black (Defense/stamina)","attachment":null,"posted":1713938468},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5985897,"name":"Shroomy (aka Happy Shroom with Friends)","msg":"Rolled 3, 1, 1 = 5 (3d3)
>>5984853
>Action 1: Coordinate with the Argentinians to consume the new sources of energy, whether by extending cords to the holding areas or having the cargo delivered to a random spot of forest away from civilization. Offer both options, and agree with whichever they pick in a further show of cooperation.
>Action 2: Immediately funnel the energy into advancing Shroomy's APM energy upgrade.
>Action 3: Continue dialog with the Argentinians. Be upfront that, while Shroomy could spend energy making his new friends better, and making accepting the mushroom parasite (it prefers symbiote actually), it has to spend this energy on strengthening itself, both to be able to secure its own existence, something the humans are probably understanding of now that "all hell has broken loose", as they say, and because it did kind of agree to defend Argentina, and to a degree most of South America should any Kaiju come knocking.
>Shroomy will however keep silent about its suspicions that the other Kaiju's consumption of fissile materials (so that's how these work, uh? Decay, always more decay) would make them a potent source of energy for itself should it manage to defeat one. They may not want to let Shroomy help if it makes him too powerful. Yet. They may be convinced in time. Or maybe they won't have a choice but Shroomy does hope it won't come to that! It's just made new friends and would like to keep them. Going back to being the only one that can talk would be so very lonely...","attachment":null,"posted":1713980429},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5986055,"name":"Arctic Ursa","msg":"Rolled 1, 1, 2 = 4 (3d3)
>>5984853
>Action 1: Ursa goes for the haymaker
>Action 2: Ursa their special to beam Shelob back to the Ice Age.
Action 3: Ursa finally tries to tackle the spider out of it’s lair.","attachment":null,"posted":1713994091},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5986123,"name":"The Beast of Tetanko","msg":"Rolled 1, 2, 1 = 4 (3d3)
>>5984853
The Beast is assured of its strength now, and seeks to makes its territory known in the best way it can, by blood. It moves as fast as its now rather bloated body can across the land, taking the mountainous route to avoid human interference. While it may be going out of the way to avoid stomping on the man things, it will still bat away any that attempt to harm it with their fire spears.
>Move to C3
>Move to D4
>Move to D5","attachment":null,"posted":1713998872},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5986531,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Rolled 3 (1d3)
>>5984865
3,3,1
>Attack (E>D) Vs Stamina (E)
Quanzhou is summarily wrecked by the God-turtle! Their bombs and shells, this time, don’t make it through its shell. The monster has reinforced itself enough to shrug them off. The city is left in ruins as it rampages through streets and crushes buildings. Even with its small size, the sheer hardness of the metal is enough to smash through towering high-rises on impact. The smog-filled streets soon run red with blood. The city will take decades to recover from this, if at all, and the nation is in a state of utter shock.
Dewa Penyu has achieved a milestone. At any time, it may choose to spend 3 actions to Upgrade Size. This fully heals it.
The turtle then sets its sights on one of the many nuclear reactors that China has, lumbering in a straight line from Quanzhou and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
>Dewa Penyu gains 1 energy >1/4
>Dewa Penyu gains 1 energy >1/4
Reaction:
Human Army
>Size: G
>Strength: E
>Stamina: F
>Speed: E
>Special: D
The PLA’s experimental weapon is released right over the nuclear plant. Unlike the American weapon, this one is flashier, combining materials to form a blazing ball of plasma that sears the land around it and converts dirt to glass. The rays directly burn the shell of the turtle, attempting to heat it up and melt it. They’re desperate to maintain their pride by killing the monster attacking them.
>Special (D) vs Stamina (D)
>Red Sun: This Special weapon is used as a non-nuclear WMD, with the intention of putting out extreme heat that indiscriminately melts everything around it until it dissipates. This attack does 1 extra damage if it hits a target.
1d3 to see if it can match Dewa Penyu’s stamina. HP will decrease if it’s a 2 or 3.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714050006289266.jpg","filename":"Attack6.jpg"},"posted":1714050006},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5986532,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5985037
3,1,3
>The Hive Mind regains 1 hp > 3/3
As the JSDF pulls back, The Hive Mind is left to recover up in the air. Now that they’re aware of it, they’re rapidly tracking it down and keeping tabs on its location.
The labyrinth continues to grow, taking over neighbourhoods and converting them into aberrant zones where the sanity of their inhabitants begin to fray and fracture. It’ll take effort before the lair can be upgraded to encompass more and accomplish more, but steady progress is being made
>Lair Upgrade 33%
Meanwhile, investigators and agents of the state have been wandering into these dens to try and discover the truth. However, intelligence ministries constantly find their experts vanishing into nothingness. This prompts them to send rescue teams, and those teams are subsumed soon enough as well. Eventually, they wise up and stop, but The Hive Mind has gained armed soldiers as part of its mob. Not enough to start an insurrection yet, however.
Thralls:
>Size: D>E
>Strength: E
>Stamina: G
>Speed: G
>Special: G
Only Human: Thralls do not gain any stat bonuses from superior size. Receiving damage will reduce their size by a grade.
((Yes, your lair counts as the entirety of the tile, you still get its benefit even if RP wise you fly out to the surrounding waters))
Reaction:
In these desperate times, the Prime Minister signs off on a special operation to infiltrate the old US Military base and dig through it for its secrets. Within it, Japan discovers the origin of this mind control technology, as well as papers that theorise the existence of noospheres and metaphysical Jungian undercurrents that flow beneath the collective unconscious of humanity. They take this knowledge and begin finding ways to exploit it, as well as interfere with whatever it was that the Americans were cooking up in their labs.
>>5985254
1,1,2
Memitim continues its journey to destabilise the world. Vast quantities of seawater are vanishing, turning into energy that it can then claim. While this constant cycle of motion and absorption is inefficient, it’s surely safe. Nations are too busy with their own enemies to pay attention to the falling waters, and the creature is free to soak it up from spot after spot, until it inevitably becomes too unstable to risk further decoherence of matter.
>Memitim has gained 1 energy: 3/4
>>5985312
1,2,2
The swirling mass of energy makes the wise choice to first move into the open sea before trying to recover. As it hovers in the air to regenerate, water spouts are churned up in its presence, filling the ocean with its namesake. Germany leaves it alone for the time being, remaining highly alert and cautious.
>Typhon has regained 1HP >3/3","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714050069797832.jpg","filename":"Attack7.jpg"},"posted":1714050069},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5986535,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d3)
>>5985897
3,1,1
Fissile material is flown into Argentenia and ejected from the plane’s cargo hold in the promised region. Once the planes land, false checks take place, and they lie to the international community about the safe arrival of the controlled nuclear substances.
>Shroomy gains 1 energy > 1/4
Similarly, the quest to create flowers capable of gathering vast amounts of energy for growth is going well. The government is no longer trying to cut the nest down to size, and the flowers grow healthily in the depths of the forest. Soon, it’ll be able to achieve a new effect with this lair.
>Nest upgrade 66%
The continued negotiation keeps them at ease. Especially the declaration of protection. Shroomy can still identify anti-mushroom sentiment within uninfected members of the cabinet, and quarantines have taken place in order to not spread it. In the beginnings of this rift, word of experimental fungicide and drastic options pass around, reaching the ears of the infected. However, it doesn’t have the control to sniff out every bit of this dangerous sentiment. Not without acting against them further.
Hopefully it doesn’t come to that.
>>5986123
Despite taking a route that’s far away from cities, the creature is still moving a significant distance inland. The bombs begin dropping once more.
Reaction:
American planes fly overhead, attempting to carpet bomb the lumbering beast as it travels across the continent. They’re on high alert after the G.E.L’s rampage, and even though it’s clearly a different beast, they have no trust left for any of these gigantic beings. Perhaps it’ll ruin the goodwill it’s showing by sticking to the mountains.
>Strength (E) VS Stamina (D)
1d3, hits on a 3.
>>5985367
The energy from the Yaderevo seeps deep into Phantrumpitus, latching into its alien cells and refusing to be stolen ever again. There’s just enough surplus to store in its energy reserves. The beast strengthens itself just in time too.
>Energy: 1/4
>Stamina: E>D
>HP: 2/3>3/4
>>5985003
3,2,3
>Strength (E>D) VS Stamina (E)
G.E.L swims into the sea to attack Phantrumpitus! With those gigantic claws, and a lashing tail, it’s able to wound the elephant easily. It has a bit of an advantage in the water, and the elephant is too busy growing itself to fight back.
>>5985671
1,2,2
>Strength: (F>G) VS Stamina (E)
>Special: (E>D) VS Stamina (E)
>Shelob -1 energy >1/4
>Stamina (F) (Active Defense)
After emerging from the cocoon, Shelob assaults the Arctic Ursa with a flurry of attacks, aiming to bring down the colossal beast that’s invaded her lair!
>>5986055
1,1,2
>Strength (E>F) VS Stamina (F)
>Special (F>E>F) VS Stamina (F)
>Arctic Ursa -1 energy> 3/6
>Strength (E) VS Stamina (F)
A devastating series of combo attacks come from the giant bear! First it swings with a haymaker, then launches a burst of ice, then attempts to regain the land advantage by preventing itself from being tangled in perpetual web.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714050219561445.jpg","filename":"Assault.jpg"},"posted":1714050219},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5986536,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"KAIJU CLASH! Phantrumpitus VS G.E.L
The Elephant is busy executing the same maneuver as before, when it transformed its body to increase its capabilities in the face of enemy tanks. It’s interrupted by the snapping claws of a gigantic enemy lobster.
>Strength (E>D) VS Stamina (E)
Despite the increase in HP, its newly-grown flesh is cleaved away from the monster’s vicious attacks.
>Phantrumpitus HP >2/4
KAIJU CLASH! Arctic Ursa VS Shelob
>Shelob’s lair: Kaiju who are not larger than this lair (E) have all Speed rolls lose a degree of success when acting on this tile. Shelob is exempt from this effect.
>Shelob Strength: (F>G) VS Arctic Ursa Stamina (E)
A weak blow fails to properly wound the Arctic Ursa, and glances off its fur and ice. The bear doesn’t need to spend an action defending to ward it off, for it has invested in tough skin and armor already.
>Arctic Ursa Strength (E>F) VS Shelob Stamina (F)
>Shelob Stamina (F) (Active Defense)
It immediately retaliates with an equally weakened strike. However, this blow is absorbed by the crossed claws of the she-spider, who persists in spitting venom right back in the face of her foe.
>Special: (E>D) VS Stamina (E)
>Arctic Ursa HP >3/4
>Special (F>E>F) VS Stamina (F)
The sizzling venom is frozen into an inert sheet of solid material by the icy breath that follows immediately after. It has significantly more energy stores than Shelob, from punching her out earlier, so the beam is a devastating one. If she hadn’t increased her size, she would have taken far more damage.
>Shelob HP >2/3
>Arctic Ursa Strength (E) VS Lair Stamina (F)
The bear’s next attack isn’t a direct assault on the spider. Rather, it’s one meant to tear the lair apart and push her straight through hundreds of meters of webs and trees. The spider is lifted and shoved across her lair, ripping it up as they both move. Though her carapace is undamaged, the bear’s attack has eliminated her speed advantage.
>Shelob’s lair is damaged! Special effect lost.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714050282751951.jpg","filename":"Bear.jpg"},"posted":1714050282},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5986537,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"State of the World
A nuclear explosion has occurred in Russia (C15). The world is concerned over this, and despite the tensions of international relations, aid is offered. All of it is rejected, neither does Russia attempt to blame anybody for this. They simply move on. The political situation is rough enough, with their own ongoing invasion having been disrupted by otherworldly attackers of their own. There may be something worth investigating— or staying away from.
The rest of the world is consistently launching attacks against Kaiju now, whenever they enter cities and linger in their lands. The successful attacks have shown them that slaying these monsters IS possible, and they need to fall into a rhythm of attack and defense.
TURN 8: STATUS QUO
>Current players:
>dice+3d3
>Action 1
>Action 2
>Action 3
New entries are closed.
Sorry for the long wait. I think 2 days is more comfortable for me, though. Less rush to get actions written up after work.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714050350341785.png","filename":"Map Turn 8.png"},"posted":1714050350},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5986549,"name":"Memitim","msg":"Rolled 2, 1, 1 = 4 (3d3)
>>5986537
> Action 1: Move to A16.
> Action 2: (Special) Decohere local reality. The inscrutable mass of undulating geometries proceeds to drift eastwards at an inexorably sedate pace, each shadow cast from the extradimensional outsider failing to accurately mirror the creature's visible anatomy in new grotesque manner. Below, molecules are cleaved from the seething ocean layer by layer by unseen forces and the air thrums and crackles with discharged potential energy as countless atomic bonds spontaneously disentangle in farcical reinvention of thermodynamics.
> Action 3: Feast upon the newly liberated energies.","attachment":null,"posted":1714052465},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5986561,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>5986531
I choose to spend all 3 turns increasing my size! The god-turtle’s shell melts and shifts - its melted shell is reforged into bio-steel!","attachment":null,"posted":1714053724},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5986627,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":"Rolled 1, 1, 2 = 4 (3d3)
>>5986532
>Action 1: Keep upgrading lair
>Action 2: Descend close to the ground to absorb any energy in there, be it what has been collected by the Thralls or what was already there. Have the Thralls be ready to defend the Hive Mind should there be an assault.
>Action 3: Have the Thralls start producing and distributing weapons as much as possible. Since their minds are linked together, they should all be able to use them. The cult must gain military autonomy to repel attackers.","attachment":null,"posted":1714062010},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5986628,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":">>5986627
Meant for >>5986537","attachment":null,"posted":1714062074},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5986867,"name":"Phantrumpitus","msg":"Rolled 3, 3, 3 = 9 (3d3)
>>5986537
"Unknown biothreat detected. Analyzing. Threat is not target. Calculating chances of eacape... low. Determining best course of action. Retaliating."
>Spend all actions attacking Gel.","attachment":null,"posted":1714089370},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5986907,"name":"G.E.L","msg":"Rolled 1, 1, 3 = 5 (3d3)
>>5986537
All actions: Fight!","attachment":null,"posted":1714095096},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5987038,"name":"Shelob","msg":"Rolled 3, 2, 1 = 6 (3d3)
>>5986537
Revenge! This new enemy is tough, so far it has hurt both Shelob and her precious web. Part of her considers running but this is her territory, her home and she won't give it up.
Action 1: She runs into the bear as hard as she can (Strength)
>Action 2: She stabs him with both scythe arms (Strength)
>Action 3: She bites into the bears flesh (Strength)","attachment":null,"posted":1714110610},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5987338,"name":"Shroomy (aka Wikipedia Metallurgy deepdive)","msg":"Rolled 3, 1, 2 = 6 (3d3)
>>5986537
>Action 1 and 2: Finish the upgrade. Use the extra time and attention to not waste any energy. And if things go well and Shroomy has extra time, maybe start figuring out if those flowers could be cultivated on its main body...it hasn't used that one in a while.
>Action 3: Diplomacy. Point out that it is aware of the fungicide ideas, but isn't angry. He finds it natural, and hope they will move past it eventually. Further the talk about mutual defense. Highlight the fragility of human armies and cities, and how Shroomy could prove the...anvil to their hammer...so you use these useless rocks to bash other useless rocks into useful things, you say? Fascinating...anyway, yes, should any Kaiju threaten Argentina, Shroomy does not mind getting in the line of fire to hold it down while they kill it. Military cooperation is still cooperation after all. If prompted, make no mystery that having its main body destroyed in the process, while an annoying waste of resources, is not a big problem for it. Let them individually make the conclusion that if it can just make another body and seamlessly transfer its consciousness over, it could probably do that with the Parasitised and any who join them. And the secondary conclusion that, while it could realistically be reduced to a point where it represents no military threat, actually getting rid of it entirely might prove altogether more difficult and expensive.
I've had the idea for a while, but the first lair effect gives me a solid basis. Having it affect the Parasitised is a project for later, not sure how much later though. Still, it makes for the first, and perhaps most appetizing argument for joining up. Some loss of individuality starts to look a lot more appetizing when you throw being able to shrug off death and old age into the mix...so long as you don't mind a giant mushroom in your head bugging you to show it wiki articles or soap operas every so often...","attachment":null,"posted":1714159478},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5987396,"name":"The Typhon","msg":"Rolled 3, 1, 2 = 6 (3d3)
>>5986537
>Action 1: Move to C9
>Action 2: Attack Hofn (Strength)
>Action 3 Attack Djupivogur (Strength)","attachment":null,"posted":1714164008},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5987595,"name":"Arctic Ursa","msg":"Rolled 3, 1, 3 = 7 (3d3)
>>5986537
>Action 1: Continue to tackle Shelob
>Action 2: Throw a nasty Uppercut
>Action 3: And then go for the ground pound","attachment":null,"posted":1714183348},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5987662,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987338
To clarify, the intention for the next upgrade is to be able to indefinitely make energy and self-sustain, right?","attachment":null,"posted":1714187814},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5987707,"name":"The Beast of Tetanko","msg":"Rolled 1, 1, 3 = 5 (3d3)
>>5986537
The Beast isn't missing out on another chance to feast on Kaiju flesh, especially not one so similar to its own kind!
>Move to D6
>Move to D7
>Move into D8, lurking within the ocean's depths. If either kaiju begins to falter, the beast will hook onto it from belong and sink it with its enhanced strength and massive clawed limbs. (Attack with Strength)","attachment":null,"posted":1714193175},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5987919,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5986549
>Memitim gains 1 energy >4/4
Memitim has enough energy to permanently upgrade itself now. However, this incursion into the Bolshevik islands attracts Russian attention. It’s still wounded from the fight, and hasn’t taken the time to recover.
Reaction:
Another nuclear explosion takes place on B16.
>>5986561
>Dewa Penyu Size: F>E
>Dewa Penyu HP: 2/4>5/5
>Dewa Penyu Energy: 2/4>2/6
The new biosteel shell repels the attacks that rain down upon it. Dewa Penyu is much bigger now, and they severely fear its power. Bombs and shells blast it as it finishes its transformation, but nothing can scour its shell. Even the Red Sun may struggle. Left with no choice, the shadow government that rules over the CCP decide to reveal one of their nation’s greatest secrets.
Reaction:
Almost eight centuries ago, the Great Wall was breached. The Mongols did not cut a hole open as was told in the history books. They smashed it apart with strange powers of their own, carving apart a swathe of land enough for a whole army to approach. The guardian deity that watched over China watched, unwilling to sweep its tail across the land and slay humans, even as they slaughtered its wards. So it became one with the wall itself, fusing its body within the breach and sealed it up forevermore. In time, the Mongols were cut off and dispatched, leaving the invaders to bang their fists against the rest of the unyielding stone.
Now, eight centuries and a decade later, the beast casts off its brick shackles and takes to the air, sensing the devastation of its country again.
QINGLONG AWAKENS!
>NPC Kaiju: Qinglong
>Size: E
>Strength: F
>Stamina: F
>Speed: E
>Special: E
>Energy: 2/6
The creature is awakened by a talisman brought out from an underground vault. With it, the bond between the Kaiju and the Chinese people is forged anew, and their protector returns to the nuclear age. It turns its attention South, from its position on D16.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714211154185996.jpg","filename":"Dragon.jpg"},"posted":1714211154},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5987920,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5986627
1,1,2
Pumping more energy into the labyrinth allows for it to grow and expand. It now encompasses a larger swathe, making it harder for enemy Kaiju to wreck in one sitting. This has the natural effect of inducting even more members into it over time.
>Lair Upgraded
Labryinth (E18)
>Size: F>E
>Strength: F
>Stamina: F>E
>Speed: F
>Special: E
>Dreamsphere: The Labryinth is a dreamland that naturally inducts victims into it. This lair eliminates the Energy requirement to increase the members of The Hive Mind’s Cult (Thralls).
Next up is the gathering of energy. There are no more plants within its overtaken range, so a new attack is necessary. The arrival of an army of civilians alerts them. They’re no longer willing to kill people they know are being controlled, and when the options are giving up a power plant and gunning down hundreds of civvies, they choose the former.
>The Hive Mind has gained 1 energy > 3/4
Weapons are produced and passed out among them. However, an unfortunate consequence of being in Japan hits The Hive Mind. Among all these cultists it has obtained, there are nearly none with useful arms manufacturing knowledge. There are the occasional gun otakus, or people who work in factories and assembly lines, but the knowledge of how to actually make a high-quality firearm just does not exist in the public consciousness.
Fortunately, a hero emerges. One man has fervently studied the schematics for the Abe-Killer Improvised Pipe Shotgun, or the A.I.P.S. Knowledge of its construction begins to spread among the cult members, giving them power against lairs and other cults. Of course, despite their stats, they don’t have the organizational power to actually use this against a Kaiju.
Thralls:
>Size: E
>Strength: E
>Stamina: G
>Speed: G
>Special: G>F
>Only Human: Thralls do not gain any stat bonuses from superior size. Receiving damage will reduce their size by a grade.
Reaction:
Japan is rapidly denuclearising as an emergency measure. Large amounts of fuel rods are being gathered up from facilities and collected in one place. They’ll likely be shipped off soon, bringing them out of the Kaiju’s range, unless the convoy is attacked. Care has been taken to place them far North, away from Gendai, which was the Southern site of The Hive Mind’s attack. The Thrall army will have limited reach to seize this.
Suspiciously, however, there is absolutely no attack on The Hive Mind for an extended period.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714211215549588.jpg","filename":"Invasion2.jpg"},"posted":1714211215},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5987923,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Rolled 3, 2 = 5 (2d3)
>>5987338
3,1,2
Finally the Advanced Megaflora project bears fruit. Shroomy finds out that it can convert sunlight and materials in the soil into energy that’s enough to sustain even a creature of titanic proportions. This energy naturally leaks out into the soil, revitalising it and encouraging growth in Argentina’s natural plantlife. It may mutate out of their control sometime, but for now it proves to have immediate effects in combating deforestation.
>Shroomy’s Lair Upgrade:
>APM: As long as this lair is undamaged, this tile does not run out of Energy. Any Kaiju may gather this energy.
Shroomy has achieved a milestone. At any time, it may choose to spend 3 actions to Upgrade Size. This fully heals it.
The ones who are actively cooperating with it are worried about the actions of the non-infected as well. For the most part, they’ve come to the conclusion that they have no choice but to trust it by now. When a Kaiju actually comes by, their trust will likely grow and be cemented. They’re ever-hesitant to actually agree and make commitments and promises, sp most agreements end with ‘We’ll see about it’.
Reaction:
The cabinet is fighting against members who are uninfected, and planning on staying that way. Every day, there are legislative battles to sequester them away and cut them out of politics on grounds of being compromised. This comes to a head one day when a team of specialists go outside the bounds of the law and attempt to use that same antifungal concoction they’ve been desperately developing.
>Special: (G) VS Stamina (G)
The Parasitised
>Size: F
>Strength: G
>Stamina: G
>Speed: G
>Special: G
1st 1d3. On a 2 or 3, Shroomy may possibly notice a small amount of formerly infected humans vanishing from its radar. On a 1, it fails and there is nothing to notice.
>>5987396
3,1,2
Hofn:
>Size: F
>Strength: F
>Stamina: F
>Speed: F
>Special: F
Djupivogu
>Size: F
>Strength: F
>Stamina: F
>Speed: F
>Special: F
>Strength (F>G) VS Stamina (F)
>Strength (F) VS Stamina (F)
When Typhon returns to Iceland, they’re ready to fight it off this time. They detect it as it begins flying across the ocean, and the first town is evacuated by the time it comes. It has become well-known as a terror to the country. The second town, however, is ill prepared. It’s quickly reduced to rubble and the 600 inhabitants slaughtered in the maelstrom. The constant destruction of these small towns is adding up.
The Typhon has achieved a milestone. At any time, it may choose to spend 3 actions to Upgrade Size. This fully heals it.
Reaction:
A detachment of loaned planes take off from Naval Air Station Keflavik. The US aircraft attempt to gun down Typhon as it rampages.
>Strength (E) VS Stamina (E)
2nd 1d3. Hits on 2 and 3.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714211280287980.jpg","filename":"Demon.jpg"},"posted":1714211280},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5987924,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5987707
1,1,3
The Beast manages to make it to the site of the conflict. However, it doesn’t move as fast as them, nor can it make it there in time to attack in the same motion as its journey across the sea. All it can do is watch and observe, and try to seize the scraps a second time.
((Apologies if processing Arctic Ursa’s action made it seem like attack-move is a thing. They were only able to do it because increased size lets you move 1 more tile, but it should have been bundled with a move action instead of the actual attack. At size F, crossing the three spaces takes all of TBOT’s actions for the turn.))
>>5986867
3,3,3
>Strength: (D>C) VS Stamina (D)
>Strength: (D>C) VS Stamina (D)
>Strength: (D>C) VS Stamina (D)
Phantrumpitus flies into a rage, retaliating with a series of powerful strikes that all take its manufactured muscles beyond the limit!
>>5986907
1,1,3
>Strength: (E>F) VS Stamina (D)
>Strength: (E>F) VS Stamina (D)
>Strength: (E>D) VS Stamina (D)
The lobster has less success. It’s fighting against an extremely tough hide, and its claws falter at critical junctures.
>>5987038
3,2,1
>Strength: (F>E) VS Stamina (E)
>Strength: (F) VS Stamina (E)
>Strength: (F>G) VS Stamina (E)
The first strike succeeds, but the two other attacks don’t have the momentum of the first devastating tackle. Shelob finds less purchase on its skin and fur this turn.
>>5987595
3,1,3
>Strength: (E>D) VS Stamina (F)
>Strength: (E>F) VS Stamina (F)
>Strength: (E>D) VS Stamina (F)
The bear’s strength is enough to overcome the chitin! Now that the nest has been destroyed, dodging is far more difficult for the giant spider, and Arctic Ursa has the advantage in this all-out battle.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714211353104760.jpg","filename":"Throw.jpg"},"posted":1714211353},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5987925,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"KAIJU CLASH! Phantrumpitus VS G.E.L
Neither of the two creatures back down, attempt to dodge, or even defend themselves. They smash against each other amidst the waves, drawing blood, ripping muscle, and cracking chitin.
>Phantrumpitus Strength: (D>C) VS G.E.L Stamina (D)
>Phantrumpitus Strength: (D>C) VS G.E.L Stamina (D)
>Phantrumpitus Strength: (D>C) VS G.E.L Stamina (D)
>G.E.L Strength: (E>F) VS Phantrumpitus Stamina (D)
>G.E.L Strength: (E>F) VS Phantrumpitus Stamina (D)
>G.E.L Strength: (E>D) VS Phantrumpitus Stamina (D)
>Phantrumpitus HP >1/4
>G.E.L HP >1/4
Reaction:
The US Military sees this clash of titans, and cannot give up the opportunity to destroy them both, or send them further out to sea. Warships begin approaching the position of the weakened beasts.
>Kaiju remaining on D8 will be attacked by a Human Army with an increased degree of success at the end of this turn.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714211420342790.jpg","filename":"Grootslang.jpg"},"posted":1714211420},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5987926,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"KAIJU CLASH! Arctic Ursa VS Shelob
>Shelob Strength: (F>E) VS Arctic Ursa Stamina (E)
>Shelob Strength: (F) VS Arctic Ursa Stamina (E)
>Shelob Strength: (F>G) VS Arctic Ursa Stamina (E)
>Arctic Ursa HP >2/4
Shelob sprints straight for the bear, tackling it and managing to get sharp bits embedded in its body. Blood is drawn. The scythes, however, strike ice instead of fur, shaving off large chunks and sending a deluge of snow into the forest below. The bite comes next, attempting to pierce the skin of her foe.
>Arctic Ursa Strength (E>D) VS Shelob Stamina (F)
>Arctic Ursa Strength (E>F) VS Shelob Stamina (F)
>Arctic Ursa Strength (E>D) VS Shelob Stamina (F)
The bear’s attacks, however, come harder and faster than before. First comes a tackle, meeting her head-on and accepting the first blow. But moments later, when she brings her head close to gnaw on him she’s staggered by an uppercut that flips her over and sends her flying. When she crashes through the treeline, she has no time to respond before it’s on her, raising both arms up for a devastating and lethal ground pound.
Even out of her cocoon, she’s lost. Shelob’s crumpled body is cast into the ocean, where it floats away from the celebrating bear that’s beaten her twice in succession.
>Shelob HP >0/3
>Arctic Ursa has defeated Shelob!
>Arctic Ursa absorbs Shelob’s energy. 3/6 > 7/6
Arctic Ursa has achieved a milestone. At any time, it may choose to spend 3 actions to Upgrade Size. This fully heals it.
Defeat: Shelob may not act on the next turn. It may choose any tile along the X Axis it was defeated on to respawn at the end of the turn. ","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714211491524528.jpg","filename":"Invasion3.jpg"},"posted":1714211491},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5987927,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"State of the World
NPC Kaiju have began to awaken. These creatures may serve as major hazards that can contest with the Kaiju better than the humans can. But they also serve as valuable sources of energy. Conquering them may also net the opportunity for further growth.
At the start of turn 11, all deaths become permanent. There will be no more lifelines past that point, as the Kaiju have had ample time to grow and reinforce themselves.
TURN 9: RIVALRY
>Current players:
>dice+3d3
>Action 1
>Action 2
>Action 3
New entries are closed.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714211553786378.png","filename":"Map Turn 9.png"},"posted":1714211553},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5987930,"name":"Phantrumpitus","msg":"Rolled 2, 1, 3 = 6 (3d3)
>>5987927
"New threats approaching"
Action 1 kill Gel
Action 2-3 attack the beast","attachment":null,"posted":1714212410},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5987932,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"For the most part, I'd prefer that you guys tracked your stats, but I also have a master copy that I use. Won't be pasting it every turn though.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714212820950358.png","filename":"Stats Turn 9.png"},"posted":1714212820},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5987933,"name":"Shelob","msg":">>5987926
>>5987927
H12","attachment":null,"posted":1714213005},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5987963,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":"Rolled 3, 3, 3 = 9 (3d3)
>>5987927
The god-tortoise stands amidst the broken city of Quanzhou and its beady eyes turn to the north-east. Its nostrils flare - carried on the wind is the subtle scent of the ancient Chinese Laisi, Qinglong. The turtle Kaiju’s recent growth has also led to the development of its brain; bellicose animal rage is slowly being replaced by a lesser form of intelligence. The god-turtle senses a threat to its supremacy in Qinglong - China has brought doom upon itself by initiating hostilities, and now DEWA-PENYU will defend its new territory from all newcomers!
Turn 1: DP moves to Qinglong’s location D16.
Turn 2: DP savagely batters the Chinese Kaiju with its biosteel shell, claws and jaws. (STRENGTH)
Turn 3: DP unleashes another hidden ability - deep within its guts, a dormant biosteel turbine begins to spin, generating electromagnetic power… the turtle’s eyes glow bright blue and as it opens its mouth and a lightning bolt of titanic force slams into Qinglong! (SPECIAL)","attachment":null,"posted":1714217493},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5987965,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>5987963
>3,3,3
Shit, I’m really going off the chain here…","attachment":null,"posted":1714217566},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5987967,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":"Rolled 1, 2, 3 = 6 (3d3)
>>5987927
>Action 1: Noticing the energy sources being taken away, The Hive Mind decides to manipulate the minds of the people carrying the task, reading into it to determine where and when everything will be collected. The manipulated people shall continue to work normally so that others don't become suspicious and decide to relocate.
>Action 2: (Special) When the gathering takes place, attempt to control any lifeform that would potentially be threatening to the Hive Mind while it's feeding on the energy sources.
>Action 3: Go there and absorb everything, draining it dry. Have some armed Thralls escort to shut down any resistance that would have survived the psychic wave - as well as the newly acquired Thralls joining in as well.","attachment":null,"posted":1714218540},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5987970,"name":"Shroomy (aka Very, Very Angry Shroomy)","msg":">>5987662
I would have settled for a set energy production, with the eventual goal of spreading it across all the tiles in South America to get a big passive income, but given current circumstances, this is even better, yeah. Also, oh boy Shroom isn't going to be happy. Since those Parasitised should be dead-dead. Not happy at all...
Also, nice to have Milestone, wasn't expecting that.","attachment":null,"posted":1714219214},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5987973,"name":"Shroomy (aka deep breaths, deep breaths)","msg":">>5987970
Actually, rereading the exact wording was a good thing. Let's not ruin everything by a comedy of assumptions and errors.
Shroomy doesn't even care all that much about them not being infected for the time being, but they had better be alive, or the Mushroom will demand heads... ","attachment":null,"posted":1714220086},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5987983,"name":"G.E.L","msg":"Rolled 3, 1, 2 = 6 (3d3)
>>5987927
Action 1: Block Phant with Beast (SPD)
Action 2: Push Beast into Phant (STR)
Action 3: Leave for E6 before those battleships fire. (SPD)
Shouldn't my energy be 0, since I evolved and did not eat afterward, or did the milestone give me some?","attachment":null,"posted":1714221869},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5987990,"name":"Memitim","msg":"Rolled 2, 1, 3 = 6 (3d3)
> Action 1: In a twitch response to the nearby nuclear detonation Memitim tightly coils its body and spears downwards at alarming velocity. The abstract Kaiju allows itself to plunge deep into murky, umbral depths of the Arctic ocean, leaving only a slowly expanding radius of ripples as testament to its descent. Conceal self. (Speed)
> Action 2: Alien form gently rotating through the oceanic abyss, Memitim silently drifts eastward eventually arriving at A17.
> Action 3: Anatomy folding into an intensely compact configuration, the extradimensional being suspends all non-essential functions, instead focusing on restoring the integrity of its frayed and fractured flesh. Heal wounds.","attachment":null,"posted":1714222687},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5987993,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987983
Ah right, it should. Thanks for the correction.","attachment":null,"posted":1714223264},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5987994,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987993
Same with Phantrumpitus, who evolved a short while ago.","attachment":null,"posted":1714223345},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5988012,"name":"Shroomy (aka I am a perfectly calm shroom)","msg":"Rolled 2, 2, 2 = 6 (3d3)
>>5987927
Thanks for the stats, I'll try and keep track of it from now on, maybe add it to my posts. Also, this may be very important starting two turns from now, did the new lair effect replace the old one?
>Action 1: Gather energy from the APM. Truly everything is coming up Shroomy! The plants are growing, the mushrooms are growing, Shroomy is growing, the politicians are behaving, the Parasitised are all...
>Action 2: "Diplomatic" action. whyaretheregaps. Wherearemyfriends. Every Parasitised human stumbles, overcome by a strange sensation. Some may recognize it as a somewhat familiar to phantom limb syndrome. The next moment they start feeling the anger. The extra nervous system can pump sedatives into their bodies, but right now it's jacking up the adrenaline. Various signs of agitation manifest over the course of five minutes. Then...they settle down. The next meeting of the cabinet is tense, every Parasitised member sharing a knowing look, before one of them opens the conversation with a calm tone not entirely masking underlying anger.
>"What have you done to them? Are they alive? The mushroom knows. So do we."
>Shroomy will nevertheless try and salvage this once it comes down from being perhaps the angriest it remembers ever being. Some of its friends are just...gone. Them being disconnected is one thing. It doesn't like it, but it is willing to negotiate should the bipeds have found a way to remove it from its human hosts without injury. It would be willing to let some of the Parasitised go so they can testify what their experiences were like. But if they're dead...this is an act that could very easily see negotiations break down. For now, the Parasitised push to get clear answers. In overplaying their hand, the rogue team may have give their political opponents the moral high ground, as the infected members are now the one pushing for gathering complete information on just what happened before any rash actions are taken. But Shroomy finds it cares little about that. It just hopes its friends are safe, even if they don't want to be friends again...
>Action 3: Gather more energy. It may need it, one way or another.","attachment":null,"posted":1714227304},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5988027,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988012
Nope, they're concurrent upgrades.","attachment":null,"posted":1714228993},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5988972,"name":"Arctic Ursa","msg":"I spend all my actions upgrading my size.","attachment":null,"posted":1714279009},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5989704,"name":"The Typhon","msg":">>5987927
>Upgrade Size","attachment":null,"posted":1714351273},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5989994,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5987933
Drifting through the waves, Shelob’s broken body regains consciousness somewhere South of Malaysia. She weaves through the archipelago in a daze, until she eventually washes ashore on the Western coast of Africa, where she can create a new start away from this beast.
>HP >1/3
>>5987967
1,2,3
The first attempt to locate the end-destination goes well. The Hive Mind identifies a nuclear facility that’s in the final stages of its decommissioning, and quickly integrates the drivers into its mind. It watches as they take their payload all the way to a military base on the Northern edge of Japan.
It then heads North to look for said facility.
Reaction:
The Hive Mind has sprung a trap! The extended period of inactivity seems to have been for something. When The Hive Mind arrives from the sky, they seem uniquely prepared to meet it. The entity is directly attacked by some kind of device that destabilises the brainwaves that make up its existence. It feels its psionic powers being equalised and neutralised by the same kind of technology that birthed it.
Human Army
>Size: G
>Strength: E
>Stamina: F
>Speed: E
>Special: D
>Special (E>D) VS JSDF Stamina (F)
>The Hive Mind has consumed 1 energy > 2/4
>JSDF Special (D) VS The Hive Mind Special (E>D)
The Psionic Disruptor counteracts its wave actively, rendering the attempt to overtake the staff a failure. To make things worse, The Hive Mind has opted to use its Thrall army despite them having particular difficulties in marching all the way North. They’re quickly identified and monitored by satellite imagery. By the time they reach the facility, they’re in range of the Disruptor’s frequencies.
>JSDF Special (D) VS Thralls’ Stamina (G)
Thralls:
>Size: E>F
>Strength: E
>Stamina: G
>Speed: G
>Special: F
>Only Human: Thralls do not gain any stat bonuses from superior size. Receiving damage will reduce their size by a grade.
It’s highly likely that they can turn this beam directly against it to damage it. The newly-freed thralls react with confusion, and are quickly swooped up and placed in custody.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714395337493693.jpg","filename":"Nightfight.jpg"},"posted":1714395337},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5989996,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5987990
2,1,3
>Memitim Speed (F) VS ??? Speed (F)
Memitim sinks beneath the waves before whatever caused the nuclear explosion can identify and come for it. This proves to be a wise choice, for it’s still too damaged to survive another hit without being punched back to its own plane of existence. It moves East undetected and begins rebuilding its body, until the endless series of rings are returned to their original state.
>Memitim HP >2/2
Reaction:
An entity splashes into the waters of A16 that have just been vacated. It’s staunch and blocky, covered in thick armor plates and powerful limbs. It’s like a mobile fortress, crafted from thick chunks of hewn metal and bolted together with architecture that’s both archaic-looking, yet highly advanced. This marvel of Russian Engineering is the Baba Yaga. And it seeks to crush enemies of the motherland. Its body hums with massive amounts of nuclear energy, and its core is in constant flux. Where they received a power source of this magnitude is unknown, but the sheer capability to power a mech is astounding.
It dives between the waves and walks on the seafloor, searching for traces of Memitim. It finds none, unfortunately, and cannot ambush it.
BABA YAGA AWAKENS!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714395412736322.jpg","filename":"Fortress Mech.jpg"},"posted":1714395412},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5989998,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5988012
2,2,2
>Shroomy has gained 1 Energy >2/4
>Shroomy has gained 1 Energy >3/4
First comes the gathering of energy. As a Kaiju that’s one with nature, its theorising on the nature of its own plants has been highly accurate. Over massive swathes of surface area, they provide enough energy to rival nuclear reactors, or the natural solar winds that irradiate the arctic poles. It sucks up enough power to store and use for the future. It’ll be able to upgrade its core soon enough.
The meeting is tense. The parasitised, after experiencing the wave of fear and rage, confide in Shroomy that a civil war may be on the horizon. There are many factors adding to this. Firstly, the parasitised are already quarantined, meaning that despite being some of the most powerful people in the country, their movements are heavily limited. They still wield the biggest cudgel, but it’s very possible for the remaining members to declare an executive override, even of the president. The military is mostly uninfected too, with scant few of the total percentage caught up in that initial puffball shower.
Breaking quarantine and forcefully escaping confinement could be a strong political move, but would open them up to violent retaliation. Either way, a heavy schism has formed between the humans, with the uninfected outright refusing to answer the questions or reveal where the missing people are. Even on demand from the infected Javier Milei, they refuse, and to force it out of them will require long injunctions and impeachment processes that Shroomy can’t quite comprehend.
The takeaway in the end is that the political situation is too dangerous to leave alone without constant observation and negotiation. Until a solution arises, taking time to evolve may give things the opportunity to break down. The solution may even be a tax of time, for the uninfected will surely discover things about the freshly reclaimed humans and make a decision in time. Whether they're dead or not.
>>5988972
The icy bear rests in the wreckage of Shelob’s island. With no more adversaries to fight, it takes the time to sleep in the Solomon isles and grow. Australia watches it warily, unsure if it’ll be worse than the giant spider or not.
>Size: E>D
>HP: 5/5
>>5989704
Just like Ursa, The Typhon spends this period growing large and powerful. The terror absorbed from its victims nourish it, letting the storm turn larger. It’s no longer so far behind the other Kaiju in terms of physical power.
>Size: F>E
>HP: 4/4","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714395492839061.jpg","filename":"Attack8.jpg"},"posted":1714395492},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5989999,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Rolled 1, 2, 1 = 4 (3d3)
>>5987963
3,3,3
>Strength (E>D) VS Stamina (F)
>Special (F>E>D) VS Stamina (F)
>Dewa Penyu has consumed 1 Energy >1/6
The great God-turtle clashes against the ancient beast, making its way through the mountains and meeting it directly at the wall. The two of them clash violently!
>>5987927
Qinglong is an old, wily beast. While it’s decrepit in its age, and weakened from its slumber, it knows how to fight. It prepares to counterattack, aiming to use its superior speed. It cannot endure the blows, so it seeks to force the turtle to fight on its grounds.
>Action 1: Attempt to dodge the claws by initiating a Speed check and using its long body to curl around the turtle. (Speed)
>Action 2: Utilise energy to launch a beam of its own. The strike will hurt it, but it has the opportunity to show off its own strength. (Special)
>Action 3: Flee to F17. It understands immediately that its claws cannot pierce the shell of this creature. It needs energy. There is outright no way for it to defeat the turtle without it, and with a heavy heart, it leaves China to fend for itself while gaining strength to return and protect them.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714395559212305.jpg","filename":"Attack9.jpg"},"posted":1714395559},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5990000,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Rolled 3, 3 = 6 (2d3)
KAIJU CLASH! Phantrumpitus VS G.E.L VS The Beast of Tetanko
Once more, Phantrumpitus puts everything it has into offense, aiming to smash the Lobster and immediately suck up that precious bio-energy from its spilled guts. It’s certainly strong enough to attempt such a feat with its trunk and stomping feet.
>Phantrumpitus Strength: (D) VS G.E.L Stamina (D)
>G.E.L Speed: (F>E) VS Phantrumpitus Speed (F)
>Phantrumpitus Strength: (D) VS The Beast Of Tetanko Stamina (D)
However, the lobster is wily. It instead redirects the strikes to the gigantic towering mass, who perhaps seems like an ally to it in shape.
>Phantrumpitus Strength (D>E) VS The Beast of Tetanko Stamina (D)
>Phantrumpitus Strength (D) VS The Beast of Tetanko Stamina (D)
On top of that redirected attack, Phantrumpitus goes full-bore on killing it, spending yet more effort in smashing that shell. One strike is repelled, but the other makes it through and wounds the beast, filling the ocean with blood.
>The Beast of Tetanko HP >2/4
Reaction
The navy and air force launch the two-pronged attack as promised, sending various vessels out to launch torpedoes and cluster munitions at the battling titans. The wounded Phantrumpitus is far more vulnerable to this attack than the crustacean that still has some fight left in it. The prepared assault commences, flooding the sea with explosions that may very well bring them down.
>Strength (E>D) VS Phantrumpitus Stamina (D)
>Strength (E>D) VS The Beast of Tetanko’s Stamina (D)
2 d3s. On a 2 or 3, 1 damage will be dealt to those combatants.
>Upon being defeated by non-Kaiju opponents, no Kaiju automatically gains the bioenergy from the defeated. Instead, an action must be spent to gather it up through an active speed check. Upon a tie, it is split however many ways there are.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714395640579991.jpg","filename":"Fight.jpg"},"posted":1714395640},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5990001,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"KAIJU CLASH! Dewa-Penyu VS Qinglong
>Dewa-Penyu Strength (E>D) VS Qinglong Stamina (F)
>Qinglong Speed (E>F) Vs Dewa-Penyu Speed (F)
The first blow is dodged by the flying dragon, who takes to the skies and curls itself into a spiraling mass of scales and claws. A storm soon arrives to put out the fires left by the turtle in its path of destruction. Its intelligent eyes stare at the spot where Dewa-Penyu has left a negligible, but visible wound on it during its escape. The turtle can get through its defenses by default, and it’s in danger.
>Dewa-Penyu Special (F>E>D) VS Qinglong Stamina (F)
>Qinglong Special (E>D) VS Dewa-Penyu Stamina (D)
>Qinglong has consumed 1 Energy >1/6
>Dewa-Penyu HP> 4/5
>Qinglong HP >2/3
With the dragon airborne now, Dewa-Penyu seemingly has no way to hit it… Until its body starts churning up electricity and charging it up into a massive bolt that strikes the dragon dead-on and wounds it. It’s knocked back, with its length dragging across the trees and shattering them. A second bolt of lightning falls from the sky and strikes it between its horns, and when it looks up at the turtle again, its own eyes are alight with thunder. It opens its mouth to fire a beam right back, concentrating it within its tubular body and sending the wrath of heavens down upon the turtle.
It takes a moment for the strike to be reacted to, and without having the chance to check for damage, Dewa-Penyu is only able to counter it by blasting lightning in equal measure. The beam clash lights up the sky for thousands of miles, and arcs of lightning spew in every direction as the titans fire from their massive reserves. The dragon is the first to shut off the beam, turning tail to flee South in an attempt to gather strength for the fight ahead.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714395724884290.jpg","filename":"Gengbu.jpg"},"posted":1714395724},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5990002,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5990000
>Phantrumpitus HP >0/4
>The Beast Of Tetanko HP >1/4
Defeat: Phantrumpitus may not act on the next turn. It may choose any tile along the X Axis it was defeated on to respawn at the end of the turn. ","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714395812388348.jpg","filename":"Wreck3.jpg"},"posted":1714395812},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5990006,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"State of the World
The arrival of these new entities and technologies show the world that the Kaiju CAN be fought against, as long as they have equal power on their side. There’s major focus on upgrading machines of war, or doing research into cryptozoology to see just how many more ancient supernatural guardians lie between the mantle of the earth. It may even be possible for these existing Kaiju to take the role of protectors instead of destroyers, and gain a wary alliance with humanity.
D5, J18, and C14 all begin giving out aberrant energy signatures. These may be experimental weapons, or creatures lying in wait, or sources of nuclear energy to investigate. Wreaking havoc may slow the development of things that turn into future threats, but may also earn their direct ire.
TURN 10: DEVASTATION
>Current players:
>dice+3d3
>Action 1
>Action 2
>Action 3
New entries are closed.
This is the final turn where deaths have little consequence except missing a turn. At the start of next turn, any new deaths will not be able to respawn without special abilities (E.G Shroomy’s lair). If you’re a fan of dying, die now while you can. Additionally, I don't think I'll be ending at 15 after all, in light of that. We'll keep going till the kaiju have no competition among each other, in terms of intent.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714395886206721.png","filename":"Map Turn 10.png"},"posted":1714395886},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5990012,"name":"Memitim","msg":">>5990006
> Action 1: Remaining submerged, Memitim passively drifts to A18.
> Action 2: Remaining submerged, Memitim passively drifts to A19.
> Action 3: Remaining submerged, Memitim passively drifts to A20.","attachment":null,"posted":1714396938},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5990013,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":"Rolled 1, 3, 3 = 7 (3d3)
>>5990006
Being met with weaponry designed specifically to counter its usual behavior, the Hive Mind quickly understands that it must adopt an uncharacteristic fighting style if it wants to subjugate this new technology. Knowing humanity’s ability to evolve and adapt to threats, it was already prepared for this eventuality.
>Action 1: Rise up further into the sky in order to be harder to aim at and reach.
>Action 2: (Special) By changing the atomic structure of the surrounding air, the Hive Mind is able to materialize a beam of pure destructive energy, which it fires directly at the Psionic Disruptor, using the humans’ previous uses of it to determine its location.
>Action 3: (Special) If the Psionic Disruptor has been successfully destroyed, attempt to control the no longer protected army. Otherwise, fire another beam directly at them, at the risk of hitting the nuclear materials they accumulated, making them explode and potentially losing some of the energy they could have provided. This would most likely be more harmful to The Hive Mind’s human opponents than itself, anyway.","attachment":null,"posted":1714397055},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5990014,"name":"Memitim","msg":"Rolled 2, 2, 3 = 7 (3d3)
>>5990012
Forgot the dice.","attachment":null,"posted":1714397068},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5990027,"name":"Arctic Ursa","msg":">>5990006
I spend another turn using the energy I have within me to upgrade my strength","attachment":null,"posted":1714398639},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5990029,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":"Rolled 1, 3, 1 = 5 (3d3)
>>5990006
Qing-Long cannot escape forever… I’m guessing that I don’t get a “fight level up” since Qing-Long escaped?
Anyways:
Turn 1: Travel to E17
Turn 2: Spend energy healing to 5/5
Turn 3: Absorb radiation from local nuclear plants in northern China.","attachment":null,"posted":1714398717},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5990031,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5990029
Nope, it wasn't killed.","attachment":null,"posted":1714398886},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5990034,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>5990031
Damn.
Anyways, I’m really enjoying this quest - great job QM","attachment":null,"posted":1714399083},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5990039,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5990034
Thank you! I'm managing to get into the rhythm of it. Also, small map correction. Qinglong should be on F17 as the turn mentioned, I forgot to drag it there in the update post.","attachment":null,"posted":1714399689},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5990050,"name":"G.E.L","msg":"Rolled 3, 3, 3 = 9 (3d3)
>>5990006
>Action 1: Dash back to D8
>Action 2: Snatch that energy! (SPD)
>Action 3: Regenerate (ENG)/(STA)?","attachment":null,"posted":1714401191},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5990344,"name":"Phantrumpitus","msg":"Rolled 3, 1, 2 = 6 (3d3)
>>5990006
Emerge at d11","attachment":null,"posted":1714435821},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5990853,"name":"The Typhon","msg":"Rolled 1, 3, 1 = 5 (3d3)
>>5990006
>Action 1: Move D10
>Action 2 & 3: Absorb energy","attachment":null,"posted":1714502234},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5990879,"name":"Shroomy (aka Mushroom Gandhi)","msg":"Rolled 2, 1, 2 = 5 (3d3)
>>5990006
>Action 1: Diplomacy, or at least trying to salvage what's left of it. Push for the legal way all the way to try and get answers, come what may. The Parasitised will need as much information as they can for the choice coming up. Though not being able to legally acquire a simple yes/no answer to whether the missing Parasitised are alive would be quite telling by itself...
>Action 2: A strong political move escaping may be, but civil war is not what Shroomy seeks. A stronger political move, as shown by human history, is simple non-violence. Of course, such people often go down as martyrs since they die in the process. But is it too much to ask to have one's mushroom cake and eat it too? Shroomy says no.
>Contact every remaining Parasitised. "You stand at a crossroads. You can choose to believe that whatever solution devised by your peers will not kill you, an that you will be safe and sound once you are free of me. That is your right. I will not stop you from going quietly. But if you are afraid. If you are angry. Dejected, disgusted, at your fellow man, or hopeful that my words are true, I offer you a covenant. Give unto me yourself, your consciousness, your soul if that is what you wish to call it. That which makes you you beyond the meat and bones. And I shall accept it within my mycelium, so that we may grow and decay eternally...right, religious overtones aside, I can shift your consciousness from your brain and primary nervous system to your new secondary nervous system made of my mycelium."
>"You'll stay the same for now, though you'll hear me and each other a bit better. But if they strike you down, you shall become more powerful than they could imagine! Well, that is to say your consciousness will persist within the mushroom. No getting integrated either, you'll still be a little bundle of you. So effective immortality, with the potential to get other bodies down the line."
>"The reason I'm asking you, beyond wanting this to be your decision, is that if I do that and they give you the fungicide treatment, you'll lose connection with your body, which will either become a vegetable or die off. So this is a matter of who you trust more. I will not stop you either way, and for those who refuse the covenant, know the option will stand until the very last moment."
>"As an aside, anyone who accepts will also have their genecode recorded and stored in the mycelium. Once I manage to broker a durable peace, and I am hopeful we may yet achieve it, humanity should be able to grow you new bodies once their technology advances far enough. You'll have all the time in the world to wait. And in the meantime, I'm sure I can give you mushroom bodies, or let you take over infected fauna. Ever wanted to be a jaguar?"
>Apply the Covenant to all the Parasitised who accept, and only them. Those who refuse are free to do so, and free to change their minds.","attachment":null,"posted":1714505293},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5990883,"name":"Shroomy (aka Mushroom Cake Salesman)","msg":">>5990879
A bit long-winded, but a long time coming, and a good basis for Shroomy's new followers. I'll likely end up linking them to the Lair rather than Shroomy so they can draw on the APM to grow themselves mushroom bodies rather than be disembodied souls/consciousnesses. More than enough energy for everyone! They'd probably help with the defense a bunch, assuming they'd want to, but that's a future thing. Who knows, it might not even come to that, the rest of the government might calm down with all the new Kaijus popping up. Or they might all refuse! Either way, Shroomy isn't willing to let its inaction lead to more sapient lifeforms it has bonded with being destroyed. And if the opposition wants martyrs, well that works too. I'm sure euthanizing peaceful people just because they're afraid will go down swimmingly in the public's opinion.
>Action 3: Draw more energy to compensate the eventual costs of Action 2.","attachment":null,"posted":1714505544},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5991521,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Rolled 3, 1 = 4 (2d3)
>>5990006
>>5990012
Memitim traverses far away, to the site of its original defeat. Though it still has its milestone, and the ability to grow in size, perhaps this zone is too filled with dangers to risk inactivity for such a period. It finds its trip uninterrupted.
>>5990013
1,3,3
>Speed (F>G) VS Speed (E)
The Hive Mind rises up high, but is still unable to evade the satellite imaging. It remains within the sight of the JSDF, and jets are scrambled to handle it as it charges up power.
>Special (E>D>C) VS Special (D)
>The Hive Mind has consumed 1 energy > 2/4
The disruptor is destroyed by a beam from above! For the time being, Japan will be unable to output those signals that neutralise the Thralls and damage The Hive Mind with increased efficiency. They’re still working on it elsewhere, however, and the threat isn’t fully cut off just yet.
>Special (E>D>C) VS Stamina (F)
>The Hive Mind has consumed 1 energy > 1/4
The subsequent hit annihilates the entirety of the forces on the military base, also detonating a large amount of material. The gathered up fuel is wasted, but a certain amount can still be salvaged from the ruins. After it finishes one more turn of gathering, Japan will be nuclear-free.
The Hive Mind has achieved a milestone. At any time, it may choose to spend 3 actions to Upgrade Size. This fully heals it.
Reaction
The jets are urgently scrambling to take it out before it can descend on the facility ruins. What they don’t know is that there’s no way they can take the Kaiju out with just one volley. It doesn’t stop them from trying. Several F-15s take off and attempt to fire their missiles at the aerial threat.
>Strength (E) VS Stamina (E)
1d3. Hits on a 2 or 3.
>>5990027
Arctic Ursa continues to grow itself! It’s rapidly snowballing in strength from constant combat, and is not only the largest Kaiju, but also the strongest physically. It has both the ability to harm smaller foes, and break through the defenses of creatures of its own size.
>Strength: E>D
>Energy: 0/6
Reaction
Australia down below takes notice, and seeks to drive this growing creature away before it can make landfall. They have no trust for neighbours with the devastation of the entire island chain by shelob. A bombing gives it a rude awakening as it strengthens itself.
>Strength (E) VS Stamina (E)
1d3, Hits on a 2 or 3.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714572956585450.jpg","filename":"Ramiel2.jpg"},"posted":1714572956},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5991522,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Rolled 3 (1d3)
>>5990029
1,3,1
The turtle spends some time regenerating in the wake of the battle. Fortunately, it doesn’t need to spend energy after all, as its body is durable enough to grow and repair damage by itself.
>Dewa-Penyu HP > 5/5
The wrecking of the nuclear power plant and the subsequent ingestion of metal is enough to finish fixing up any damage to its shell.
>Dewa-Penyu gains 1 energy: 2/6
Reaction
The PLA continues their attempts to attack Dewa-Penyu. More bombs are dropped once it’s deemed that the radiation is safely contained within its body.
>Strength (E) VS Stamina (D)
1d3, only damages on a 3.
>>5990050
3,3,3
The lobster, sensing the flood of energy emitted by Phantrumpitus, speeds back to the scene of the battle so it can slurp up that precious radiation. The sea life is spared from years of lasting damage, and the beast grows strong from it.
>G.E.L gains 4 energy: 4/4
It then sinks to the seafloor to heal its wounds, going out of sight of the destroyers that have just launched their attack. They take a pause to re-center themselves, also sparing the heavily weakened Beast of Tetanko from a finishing attack.
>G.E.L HP: 2/4
((I made a mistake on the turn where G.E.L escaped to E6. At F size, it can only move 1 tile with 1 move action. But since it should only be 1 tile away, and it’s moving back to the same tile, will roll with it.))
>>5990344
Phantrumpitus awakens back on dry land, washed up on the coast. An outpost has been set up around their body, thought to be well and truly dead. Scientists are poking and prodding at it, and analysing the Kaiju’s flesh. There’s a high Russian presence alongside the Germans, and they seem to be cooperating in examining it.
Reaction
The Germans and Russians are attempting to contain the downed Kaiju in an outpost for research. If it does not fight against this, it may become more difficult to escape in the future. However, their investigation may not be solely detrimental.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714573059769172.jpg","filename":"Titan.jpg"},"posted":1714573059},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5991525,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d3)
>>5990853
Typhon returns to the extremely dense enclave of nuclear reactors. Up here in Europe, it’s a bit more difficult for them to run out of energy sources. It sucks it up easily, integrating power from the reactors into its maelstrom.
>Typhon has gained 1 energy >1/6
>Typhon has gained 1 energy >2/6
Reaction
The France Foreign Legion mobilises, bringing about another round of suppressive fire against the tornado whirling through their countryside. They still have no actual way of targeting it specifically, so traditional munitions are the extent of their attempts.
>Strength (E) VS Stamina (E)
1d3. Hits on a 2 or 3.
>>5990879
Legal proceedings begin. They’re stalled, but at least they exist and are being carried forward. The political wheel is always glacially slow, but since it involves actual senators and officials this time, they’re very heavily incentivised to speed it up. Even through extrajudicial methods. The first piece of news comes through said methods, with the uninfected still remaining tight-lipped.
They’re alive. The missing ministers are being kept in custody, but the rhizomic nervous system has been killed off. The spy that sought them out reports that they’re not in a good way, however, with the existence of a now dead mycelial network wreaking havoc within their bodies. They can live without mushrooms, they can live with mushrooms, but this half-measure endangers them, and the full extraction of the dead matter is medically impossible with modern technology.
Then comes their covenant. It’s a very, very difficult choice for many of them. However, ultimately, a politician is somebody who wants power. The prospect of immortality is enough to make some of them willing to sell their souls to this strange creature. Those who predict an armed response from the uninfected immediately accept as well. There’s a high amount of tension between those who want to go back to being human, and those who accept the mushroom. This number shifts once they receive the results of the investigation. Shroomy eventually ends up with a small number of influential members who become part of the network for good. This is something that Argentina can never come back from. They’ve become the first nation in modern history to have people who have gone beyond human.
The Parasitised
>Size: F
>Strength: G
>Stamina: G>F
>Speed: G
>Special: G
>Shroomy has consumed 1 Energy > 2/4
>Shroomy has gained 1 Energy >3/4","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714573121830026.jpg","filename":"BugKaiju.jpg"},"posted":1714573121},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5991526,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5990006
Baba Yaga, the Russian mech, makes use of its prodigious size to make a great bound.
>Move to C14 (Size E movement bonus)
It then returns home to the engineering bay that birthed it, where it absorbs energy and grows, ready to protect the motherland from threats.
>Baba Yaga gains 1 energy > 3/6
>Baba Yaga gains 1 energy > 4/6
>>5990006
Qinglong does the same. It visits the ruined sites that Dewa-Penyu has wrecked on its way through China. Any remaining radiation left behind is absorbed by the dragon, who is far more benevolent about it. It simply hovers in the sky, with its scales glowing bright as it draws power from the earth. There’s a large amount of media coverage of this incident, with Xi Jinping using it as a demonstration of the Mandate of Heaven. Once it has managed to gather up energy for the fight, it rests, hovering beneath flight altitude.
>Qinglong gains 1 energy >2/6
>Qinglong gains 1 energy >3/6
>Qinglong gains 1 hp >3/3","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714573183708063.jpg","filename":"Gigan.jpg"},"posted":1714573183},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5991528,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"State of the World
The world is stabilising somewhat. It has been a short period since the Kaiju emerged, and the constant attacks are leaving humanity wary. The weapons that have been used against them have proved somewhat effective so far, bolstering their confidence. The defeat of Phantrumpitus by US forces has emboldened them as well, and many nations see the potential to wipe these creatures out for good. Other groups declare them endangered species and petition for investigation and research of these entities, to truly understand them before moving forward with hasty action. Though every nation is dealing with its own problems, the next Kaiju to cause a truly massive amount of trouble will likely end up targeted by multiple countries at once, in an international effort to wipe it out.
TURN 11: EXTINCTION
>Current players:
>dice+3d3
>Action 1
>Action 2
>Action 3
New entries are closed.
As of now, any further Kaiju deaths WILL be permanent. Being taken out now will remove you from the game, so be careful and play conservatively if you don’t want to go out with a bang.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714573371217107.png","filename":"Map Turn 11.png"},"posted":1714573371},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5991538,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":"Rolled 2, 3, 3 = 8 (3d3)
>>5991528
The god turtle recognizes that it must change itself to do battle with Qing-Long and take China as its territory. Perhaps a different, weaker prey will be easier to consume. The gigantic tortoise’s nostrils flare - the scent of a wounded Kaiju is on the breeze…
Turn 1: DP goes east to E18.
Turn 2 and 3: DP unleashes a lightning barrage upon the Hive Mind’s central core, floating above Japan! If possible, burn all energy stores to eradicate the Hive Mind!
To the Hive Mind - sorry for the attack, but I have to eat you to stay in the game…","attachment":null,"posted":1714574683},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5991551,"name":"G.E.L","msg":"Rolled 3, 2, 1 = 6 (3d3)
>>5991528
>Action 1: Wipe out Beast of Tetanko (STR)
>Action 2: Gloat about it. Victory pose! Victory lap! Give the twolegs a show! But also doubletap the Beast. (STR)
>Action 3: Head back to E7, ready for a good long molting.","attachment":null,"posted":1714575558},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5991566,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":"Rolled 3, 1, 1 = 5 (3d3)
>>5991528
>Action 1: (Special) Take control of the minds of the enemy jets' pilots, and any survivors from the explosion that could be detected.
>Action 2: If any of the controlled entities have access to data regarding the Psionic Disruptor project, have them erase and vandalize it to the best of their ability. Deleting files, filling research documents with false information, infesting the servers with malwares, anything that can be harmful to the project is welcome.
>Action 3: Absorb the nuclear energy from the explosion. Japan shall be drained dry. The Hive Mind will use this energy better than them anyway.","attachment":null,"posted":1714577261},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5991568,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":">>5991538
Ah shit, i didn't see that. What do we do in this situation? Do i just change my turn or do we say Dewa attacked me after my actions?","attachment":null,"posted":1714577443},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5991600,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>5991568
Ah, I presume that my attack will mean that you must now either choose to stay and defend yourself or instead attempt to flee from Japan. If I’m not mistaken you also recently took some damage from Japanese fighter jets.
I’m sure the QM can provide clarity.","attachment":null,"posted":1714579806},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5991607,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5991568
>>5991600
In this case, the actions would register concurrently, and Dewa-Penyu would be attacking The Hive Mind while it's doing these things. That would probably instantly kill it.
However, since you didn't see the post before replying, I can let you redo your actions since I'd imagine a Kaiju would want to defend itself in some way if it can see a deadly attack coming (and if they haven't been caught guard by making their post first and THEN getting attacked after it's locked in. In that case it'd be too late.)
With that, I also have to remind everyone to refresh the thread and check the posts above before acting, so that if someone attacks you, you see it coming. Will make allowance this time, but I have to let it stick in the future, as we can't have whole action sets corrected in response to other actions, beyond this accident.","attachment":null,"posted":1714580104},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5991613,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":"Rolled 2, 2, 3 = 7 (3d3)
>>5991607
Alright, well i'll change then. Ignore my first post, it's too old for me to delete it though.
>>5991528
>Action 1: (Special) Take control of the minds of the enemy jets' pilots, and any survivors from the explosion that could be detected (this one doesn't change)
>Action 2: Seeing DEWA-PENYU, The Hive Mind rises up into the sky, while flying away from it, in order to be harder to aim at.
>Action 3: (Special) Strike DEWA-PENYU with a mental attack.","attachment":null,"posted":1714580834},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5991626,"name":"Memitim","msg":"Rolled 2, 2, 2 = 6 (3d3)
>>5991528
# Memitim
Health: 2/2
Energy: 4/4
[ Sze: F || Str: E || Sta: F || Spd: F || Spc: E ]
> Action ALL: Enveloped by crushing oceanic gloom, the vanishing-point-bereft curvatures of the membranes spilling across and around Memitim's inner core slowly unravel. Splitting synchronously into a heaving swell of disparate strands before recombining, weaving themselves into elaborate, shifting helix structures, which begin to orbit the entity - accelerating along their paths seemingly exponentially with little regard for friction or collision. The strange Kaiju blossoms into surreal vortex of radiance, centered around of kernel of transcendent light furious enough to pierce through the restless fathoms above to paint the ocean's surface with a gentle golden glow. A metamorphosis has been catalyzed, Memitim matures into something grander. (Expend all Energy to Evolve. Enhance Special from E to D.)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714581925809967.png","filename":"44.png"},"posted":1714581925},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5991760,"name":"Shroomy (aka Mushroom Removal Specialist...Mushroom?)","msg":"Rolled 2, 1, 1 = 4 (3d3)
>>5991528
Once again a foreign emotion that till mirrors their own fills every Parasitised. This time, however, it is relief and not rage. For the first time in quite a while Shroomy feels optimistic about the prospect of diplomacy. Even better, the opposition truly seems to have blundered here. Though Shroomy is starting to worry that spending so much time exclusively dealing with politicians is changing its way of seeing most situations. Sure, it's relieved that its former friends are alive, but part of it is calculating how best to take advantage of the current situation to advance its cause.
>Action 1: Diplomacy. Now that the Parasitised have been split into three, those who have accepted the Covenant, those who want out, and those still undecided, now should be the time for another concession. Offer to coordinate with the team behind the fungicide to cure the outbound faction of the Parasitised. Shroomy can easily enough persuade their mycelium networks to unhook from their nervous system and extract themselves painlessly. Whichever human surgeons and medical staff were brought in and sworn to secrecy to try and help those "cured" by the fungicide taskforce can advise it on the best way to go about removing the still active network, be it simply bringing it in a neat bundle under the skin layer somewhere for extraction, or pushing it into the digestive system for example. The taskforce people can even spray the outbound Parasitised with fungicide if they want, and it will actively encourage it as a show of good faith! It's all about showing that it's willing to let those who want go, and using the fungicide to prove it isn't leaving any nasty surprise behind.
>Action 2: Same old tactics. After the concession, the offer they can't refuse. The fungicide taskforce's victims could certainly use the help of an expert in decay. The experience from letting go of people with active mycelium should prove invaluable here. Shroomy just has to get them to understand that the best course of action is to let him re-infect them via another Parasitised so he can rebuild the network, consuming the old one before retracting everything, leaving slightly distended flesh behind that'll flow back together in time. Again, having the process down and the trust from the previous action will help persuade the uninfected faction. Of course, this process will also give it a lot of information about the fungicide and its effect on itself, which will come in handy for reinforcing its lair and main body against it. What's a little arms race between friends, after all?
>Action 3: Absorb energy to either top up or gain back lost energy from previous actions.
Things do seem to be getting better! And Shroomy is well aware of growing international calls for trying to communicate with the Kaiju. One doesn't keep even an infected member of government in the dark. It's content staying in the shadows for now, so long as the Argentinians play ball.","attachment":null,"posted":1714598847},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5991825,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991760
Lurker here and I have to say shroomy is the best part of the quest. Everyone else smacking around the world and fighting new guardians and magic while shroomy is playing long term diplomacy with nukes aimed at each other. Pretty funny Argentina is basically keeping one entire kaiju level threat busy while everywhere else is getting flattened or breaking reality or radiated.","attachment":null,"posted":1714606207},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5991840,"name":"Phantrumpitus","msg":"Rolled 1, 1, 3 = 5 (3d3)
>>599152
"Presence of target detected. Calculating response. Defeat by nonengineered biothreat indicates weakened state. Analyzing local lifeforms. No threat indicated. Appear to be knowledgeseekers like creators/masters. Wait to determine best course of action."
> Action spend all actions turning outpost into a lair. Try not to upset the humans while doing so but if some heavy machinery becomes part of my lair's wall its their fault for leaving said machinery unattended.","attachment":null,"posted":1714608357},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5992445,"name":"Arctic Ursa","msg":"Rolled 1, 2, 1 = 4 (3d3)
>>5991528
>Action 1: Move to G18
>Action 2: Move to F18
>Action 3 Charge and Attack DEWA-PENYU on E18 while he is distracted trying to kill the Hive Mind","attachment":null,"posted":1714680559},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5992461,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>5992445
How exciting!
May the greater Kaiju win!","attachment":null,"posted":1714681410},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5992478,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":">>5992445
>>5992461
Wasn't expecting that either kek. I'm curious to see how this will turn out","attachment":null,"posted":1714683119},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5992487,"name":"Arctic Ursa","msg":">>5992461
Agreed! Our battle will be glorious!","attachment":null,"posted":1714684516},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993237,"name":"Shroomy (aka Mushroom with an audience?)","msg":">>5991825
Thanks for the kind words anon, I'm glad my refusal to play games normally is proving fun to read! I really should make more human pov stuff, as this was also a way to get back into a writing mindset, but it does sort of feel like spamming sometimes. I still want to do more with the soldiers, and had a couple of pov ideas from a female news reporter getting sneakily infected while covering Embalse and Buenos Aires reactor incidents, show off the slower infection in more detail, maybe even the infection of the government too. I may still do some flashbacks if I end up getting her into play. Not sure either her or the soldier guy would have taken the covenant, at least not yet. Still, if Shroomy ever blows the lead on the whole thing, having a cute reporter lady to make the announcement will probably help. I do like how the mushroom has been steadily affected by sharing thoughts with humans. I hadn't planned for things to go quite like this, I'll say!","attachment":null,"posted":1714758770},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993247,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5991626
2,2,2
Memitim evolves! It opts to use its energy first, so it won’t be hampered by larger size when it chooses to grow. Its unraveling form releases gloriously incandescent beams of light across the Northern oceans, creating beautiful auroras. When it dims, the creature is brimming with newfound power.
>Memitim energy>0/4
>Memitim Special: E>D
>>5991760
2,1,1
The cabinet is spooked by the fact that it seems to know this is a problem. Seems like they can’t hide things after all, with the sheer breadth of resources the infected have. Even while in containment, they have enough sway to act extrajudicially, even more so than the free ones. This is South America, after all. A cartel proxy war is not out of the question.
Pitching a solution like this turns out to be the key to their hearts. The voluntary withdrawing of those who want to go is appreciated, and the freed politicians are kept under observation and treated with fungicide. Eventually, a few of Shroomy’s missing friends are even returned to him! They’re in poor health, but it’s of no difficulty whatsoever to re-infect them and revive the dead matter, then have it extract itself once it can control the fungal matter.
By the end, many of the willing are freed from their chains. However, they remain on Shroomy’s side. Even though they’re slated to be released from quarantine once cleared, the majority of them don’t turn on the mushroom. In fact, they speak out against violent action for it, and remain in correspondence with those who are still part of the network. Even if they don’t want to become part of the fungus, they’ve come to respect and appreciate it as an actual political ally and equal! The downside is that there is vehement refusal to allow any new people to join up with it and become infected, and those who want to stay are being hassled by the never-infected party to give it up now that safe methods have been discovered.
This is a new problem, but things have stabilised.
>Shroomy no longer needs to spend an action on diplomacy each turn to stop the situation from degrading.
Then it sits back to reward itself with new stores of energy.
>Shroomy has gained 1 energy > 4/4","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714759299061330.jpg","filename":"Kaiju7.jpg"},"posted":1714759299},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993250,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5991840
1,1,3
>Lair progress: 33%
>Lair progress: 66%
>Lair progress: 100%
Phantrumpitus begins stirring, rapidly inducting the materials into a shell around itself. It builds the lair just as much as the humans do. The end result is a strange mismatch of human architecture and instinctual construction, with bulldozers and cranes shoved into the walls that ought to have been thick concrete and titanium. They think it contained, but the beast can leave whenever it wants. They’ve ended up creating a home for it instead of a prison, but the fact that it’s remaining calm is a source of hope.
Outpost D-11 (D11)
>Size: F
>Strength: F
>Stamina: E
>Speed: F
>Special: F
>Containment Zone: This lair is being overseen by humans. Automatic attack reactions will take place upon Kaiju attempting to attack it. However, Phantrumpitus must spend an action to exit this lair before being able to move out of its tile.
>>5991528
Qinglong the Dragon moves upwards to China again. It spends more time gathering up precious radiation, stealing sources from right under the noses of the god-turtle. It really needs to build up strength to stand a chance.
>Move to E-17
>Consume radiation
>Consume radiation.
>Qinglong has gained 1 energy >4/6
>Qinglong has gained 1 energy >5/6
>>5991528
Similarly, the Russian robot has been placed in a secret engineering bay, where a constant stream of energy is being fed into it. The first attempted attack on the strange being up North has failed, with the alien escaping, so the mech is back for repairs and upgrades.
>Consume radiation
>Consume radiation
>Baba Yaga has gained 1 energy > 5/6
>Baba Yaga has gained 1 energy > 6/6
>>5991538
2,3,3
>Special (F>E>D) VS Stamina (E)
>Dewa Penyu has consumed 1 energy: 1/6
>Special (F>E>D) VS Stamina (E)
>Dewa Penyu has consumed 1 energy: 0/6
The gigantic turtle passes through the strait, catching the attention of the Japanese. Ships scatter in its wake as it makes landfall in Northern Japan and engages the creature hovering above the military site. They watch in amazement as beams after beams of lightning split the sky, tearing into the psychic gestalt. They hold their fire.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714759366783533.jpg","filename":"Breakout.jpg"},"posted":1714759366},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993251,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5991613
2,2,3
In response, The Hive Mind takes over the pilots patrolling the region— the same ones that have tried to shoot it down. It feels slightly more difficult than before, but not substantially enough to make a difference. Perhaps they’re making some kind of defense?
>Special (E) VS Stamina (F)
>The Hive Mind has consumed 1 energy > 0/4
The Hive Mind then rises upwards, attempting to dodge the bioelectric beams coming its way. Despite being questionably biological, such high amounts of power will certainly harm it.
>Speed (F) VS Speed (F)
It then fires back! However… It’s out of energy! Its consumed the last of it on possessing these pilots, and it has nothing left to spend on assaulting Dewa Penyu.
>>5992445
1,2,1
Arctic Ursa joins the fray, turning this into a three-way battle royale! After wading all the way up here, the only thing it can do is pick a singular target: The giant turtle. Its attacks are particularly devastating, and will do extra damage due to the size distance… But swimming so much in a short span of time has slightly tired it out, causing the blow to go soft.
>Strength (D>E) VS Stamina (D)
>>5991551
3,2,1
>Strength (E>D) VS Stamina (D)
>Strength (E) VS Stamina (D)
The giant lobster swings a claw at its fellow crustacean, then follows up with another for security. Post-battle, it heads East to recuperate and take advantage of its spoils.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714759429278062.jpg","filename":"Ruins.jpg"},"posted":1714759429},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993253,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Rolled 2, 1 = 3 (2d3)
KAIJU CLASH! Dewa-Penyu VS The Hive Mind VS Arctic Ursa
>Special (F>E>D) VS Stamina (E)
Before The Hive Mind can react, lightning tears through the air and strikes it, ripping into its form and weakening its hold on reality. The turtle has emerged to slay it.
>The Hive Mind HP >1/3
>Special (F>E>D) VS Stamina (E)
>Speed (F) VS Speed (F)
The second burst of lightning is anticipated and dodged. It then attempts to charge up a powerful burst of mental energy, to scramble the turtle’s mind or take control of it outright. However… It finds its reserves empty. There is but one cache, and it’s right in the midst of the Kaiju battle. The assault peters out with absolutely no Energy to fuel its Special.
>Strength (D>E) VS Stamina (D)
Fortunately, it’s rescued (potentially) by a colossal bear leaping into action and scratching at the turtle. It’s far bigger than either of them, and seems to have found its target. The three face off now, with enough energy scattered in the ruins of the facility for them all to exploit and use.
Reaction
Taken over by The Hive Mind, the JSDF jets immediately fly into action, bombing both Kaiju and providing some level of fire support to it! They can’t prepare a whole organised assault, so there’s no degree of success, but they’re at least attempting to protect their new master.
>Strength (E)
1d3 for each. Hits Dewa Penyu on a 3 and Ursa on 2 and 3.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714759496593900.jpg","filename":"Duel2.jpg"},"posted":1714759496},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993255,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"KAIJU CLASH! G.E.L VS The Beast of Tetanko
>G.E.L Strength (E>D) VS The Beast of Tetanko Stamina (D)
Powerful claws rip away at the carapace of the beast, like two rival crabs fighting for territory. Ever since it was bombed, the beast has been unresponsive at the bottom of the sea, perhaps trying to fall back into obscurity. But the giant enemy lobster doesn’t allow for that. It emerges from the sea with the torn bits of the beast hanging from giant red graspers, and its victory is finalised. One titan has been killed for good, ending centuries of history.
>G.E.L has defeated The Beast of Tetanko!
Defeat: The Beast of Tetanko is slain...
>G.E.L gains 4 energy > 8/4
>Excess energy will be lost next turn
G.E.L has achieved a milestone. At any time, it may choose to spend 3 actions to Upgrade Size. This fully heals it.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714759600913066.jpg","filename":"Kaiju9.jpg"},"posted":1714759600},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993256,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"State of the World
Millions of eyes turn to watch the three-way clash taking place in Japan. Talks are had of dropping a third bomb right on them, in a desperate attempt to rid the world of multiple threats at once, but Japan is having none of that. They absolutely will not consent to being nuked a third time. Instead, the world watches with bated breath, wondering just who will prevail.
TURN 12: CLASH OF THE TITANS
>Current players:
>dice+3d3
>Action 1
>Action 2
>Action 3
New entries are closed.
o7 Goodbye Tetanko","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714759666985181.png","filename":"Map Turn 12.png"},"posted":1714759666},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993293,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":"Rolled 3, 1, 3 = 7 (3d3)
>>5993256
If I’m interpreting your post correctly QM - I currently have 5/5 HP but no energy, the Hivemind has 1/3 HP but no energy, and Ursa has 5/5 HP but no energy. A real scrap on our hands here.
Unfortunately I don’t have ranged attack capabilities without energy (since I’m RPing a thunder-metal-turtle-god) and it seems silly that I would try to pick up and hurl something at the hive mind while a freaking huge bear is scrabbling at my shell, trying to eat me…
I spend all three of my turns SAVAGING the gigantic bear!
Hive Mind - now would be a good time to put our differences aside and attack the mutual threat…","attachment":null,"posted":1714761740},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993302,"name":"Memitim","msg":"Rolled 1, 3, 2 = 6 (3d3)
>>5993256
# Memitim
Health: 2/2
Energy: 0/4
[ Sze: F || Str: E || Sta: F || Spd: F || Spc: D ]
>>Action 1: (Special) Decohere local reality. Discordantly foaming pockets of aberrant physics expand outwards from Memitim in scouring pulses. Swathes of ocean water suddenly finds itself beholden to alien universal constants which are longer capable of supporting atomic structures and promptly crumble into nothingness, leaving virginal gardens of extreme radioactivity in their wake.
> Action 2: Feed upon the ambient energy.
> Action 3: Swim to A21.","attachment":null,"posted":1714762298},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993310,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":">>5993251
Wait, didn't you say my lair's effect (not consuming energy to control people) extended to all of Japan? Or did i misunderstand that?","attachment":null,"posted":1714763144},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993346,"name":"The Typhon","msg":"Rolled 1, 1, 2 = 4 (3d3)
>>5993256
>Action 1: Absorb energy
>Action 2: Absorb energy
>Action 3: Prepare to retaliate against any attack","attachment":null,"posted":1714766562},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993384,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>5993310
Hive mind, if I was unclear - I’d like to offer you a non-aggression pact if you help me take down Ursa. It would even work from an RP perspective given that you have telepathy powers and could soothe a raging animal titan accordingly…","attachment":null,"posted":1714770777},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993387,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":">>5993384
I'll see what i do depending on the circumstance, i'm waiting to see what Ursa does before taking action (as well as QM's answer). Have to be cautious when you're on 1 HP, y'know?","attachment":null,"posted":1714770977},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993389,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>5993387
Makes total sense, no pressure. If I was you I’d probably just go stealth mode in high orbit or just bail entirely to recover.","attachment":null,"posted":1714771219},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993424,"name":"Phantrumpitus","msg":"Rolled 2, 1, 3 = 6 (3d3)
>>5993256
"Gather energy. Do not disturb knowledge seekers."
>Action 1 and 2 search areas attacked by the Typhon for any leftover radiation.
>Action 3 Find energy source and sit close to it.","attachment":null,"posted":1714775077},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993483,"name":"Arctic Ursa","msg":"Rolled 3, 3, 3 = 9 (3d3)
>>5993293
Actually you would be at 4/5 because the PLA managed to bomb you last turn by rolling a 3, also it’s hilarious that you think me mindless. Oh, and Hive Mind? Stop Running.
>Action 1: While Dewa charges towards me I go for the uppercut.
>Action 2: Afterwards I go for a slash at the throat.
>Action 3: Then, I pick up Dewa and throw him at hive mind. Hoping to end this parasite.","attachment":null,"posted":1714780960},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993513,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993483
Just a lurking bystander here but holy FUCK","attachment":null,"posted":1714783838},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993515,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>5993513
It’s becoming clear that the bear must be stopped before it’s too late…","attachment":null,"posted":1714783966},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993553,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993483
>Shocked civilian and probably International Command watching one kaiju straight up executed two kaiju at once.
>Shroomy shocked and impressed at the brutality and a little bit worried.","attachment":null,"posted":1714786854},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993622,"name":"G.E.L","msg":"Rolled 1, 1, 2 = 4 (3d3)
>>5993256
Evolve: Size","attachment":null,"posted":1714791730},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993666,"name":"G.E.L","msg":">>5993256
>>5993622
I'd like to change my turn to evolve stamina, I thought you needed energy to evolve Size.","attachment":null,"posted":1714796497},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993689,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993310
I considered the lair to eliminate the cost of growing the thrall army and naturally taking over Japan via the labyrinth ( eliminates the Energy requirement to increase the members of The Hive Mind’s Cult (Thralls). )
However, I considered specifically using it on a jet to be attacking a Human Army, which differs from the cult. So instead of gradually possessing their minds with the labyrinth for free, and adding to the thrall statblock, it spent energy to put an human army unit on The Hive Mind’s side and monopolize the Reactions segment to automatically act to its advantage. That’s why it got to target and attack both Ursa and Dewa with a single point of energy cost.
>>5993293
4/5 Hp yeah, because of the earlier attack by the Chinese army that rolled a 3.
>>5993483
Holy fuck, that’s high.","attachment":null,"posted":1714800791},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993702,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":"Rolled 2, 1, 3 = 6 (3d3)
>>5993689
Aaah damn okay so that’s why. I kind of imagined being in my lair would give me some kind of advantage here but apparently the bonus has no combat application which I guess makes sense.
Let’s see if I can get out of this mess.
>>5993256
>Actions 1 and 2: The Hive Mind watches the physical kaiju clash from above. While it is doing that, it attempts to recover HP during both actions.
>Action 3: Against all odds, Arctic Ursa managed to throw the entire fucking DEWA-PENYU up into the sky toward the Hive Mind! The Hive Mind does it’s best to dodge the thrown kaiju.","attachment":null,"posted":1714804321},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993705,"name":"Arctic Ursa","msg":">>5993702
You know what’s funny, even with that 3 you still can’t dodge cause you’re speed is F while mines at D.
Also I don’t think you can heal during combat.","attachment":null,"posted":1714804725},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993706,"name":"Arctic Ursa","msg":"Sorry strength’s at D but still, good game.","attachment":null,"posted":1714804815},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993711,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":">>5993705
I mean, there was no attacks towards me during the first 2 actions and I did manage to recover 1 hp in 1 action before, so why not try.
Also I’m considering the massive physical feat the act of literally throwing a huge metal turtle into the sky is there. Should be hard enough to do to warrant a malus if I attempt to dodge imo. But we’ll see what QM decides.","attachment":null,"posted":1714805608},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993717,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993705
>>5993711
I must confess that I never intended for healing to be allowed in combat. But we’ve come this far with me completely neglecting to actually establish rules for it (that is on me), so since there isn’t any actual listed rule on being unable to heal in combat, I think it’s fine.
>>5993706
Speed is compared against Speed directly. The advantage of the stat is that you can dodge on your own terms. So it’s an F speed vs F speed. It would have gotten hit on a 1, but 2 or 3 lets it dodge.
(Lazy to put on trip and I’m out getting lunch)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714806841795820.gif","filename":"05975E21-4B4D-44D5-8D1F-3A7CDB897504.gif"},"posted":1714806841},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993728,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":">>5993717
Yeah I wouldn’t have done the healing thing if I was in the heat of the battle proper, but here I was watching from a distance two other kaijus fight for the first two actions which is why I think it makes sense to attempt that since i’m getting some kind of break from the action.
Also I think it kind of makes sense for a psychic entity like the Hive Mind to have healing capacities as well, kind of like in pokemon when you hit recover, in a way. I have no doubt that it would have been more successful if I could actually use energy for it but… yeah that’s not an option right now :^)","attachment":null,"posted":1714808690},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993823,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>5993702
Hive mind, the only way we get out of this alive is if you play offensively. He’ll tear you apart as soon as I’m dead otherwise.
You have telepathy powers so you could disorient Ursa, make him hallucinate, try to apply a strength debuff, etc","attachment":null,"posted":1714816437},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993826,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":">>5993823
I'm all out of energy right now so i'm not sure what i can do without wasting a turn like last time. But i do have an idea that should work if Dewa is still willing to team up with the Hive Mind in game.
Just keep attacking him physically going into next turn, i'll try something.","attachment":null,"posted":1714817165},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993831,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>5993826
I don't think you need energy to use the telepathy powers that are squarely in the core power-set of your Kaiju. You just can't "juice" your attack with extra power. Clearly, I and Ursa can use STRENGTH-based attacks just fine even if we're running on empty from an energy perspective. It would seem unfair to me if the QM ruled that you literally cannot take offensive telepathy action without energy, but I suppose the QM will clarify if I'm incorrect.
>Just keep attacking him physically going into next turn, i'll try something.
HM, he's killing us both this coming turn unless you take action. He has a Size advantage on me, does extra damage, and is landing at least two hits on me, so I'm probably going from 4/5 to 0/5 HP this turn. Then he's throwing my dead carcass at you, which definitely kill you too.
Basically, our survival depends on you interrupting his attack in some fashion.","attachment":null,"posted":1714817771},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993833,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":">>5993831
I mean, i did try to attack you with a mental attack last turn and that ultimately ended up being a wasted action because i had no energy. So yeah idk about that.
I don't think he's gonna deal 2 HP per hit to you. And i have doubts that he can hit me at such a distance too. And, well, i can't really retroactively change my post after typing it.
I do have a plan for next turn though as i said, if both of us survive.","attachment":null,"posted":1714818130},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993836,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>5993833
Well, I'm not the QM, but suppose I'm interpreting his updates differently. My take on his update was that you need to spend energy to mind-control human forces instantly (to take control of the jet fighters), and then use those jet fighters against Ursa, not that it is impossible for you to attack Ursa directly with your telepathy powers. At least in my mind, there could be a mechanical difference between the below three possible actions:
>Hive Mind attempts to mind-control hostile jet fighter pilots in an emergency and then use these fighters to attack Ursa! (requires energy)
>Hive Mind directly attacks the psyche of Ursa to deal damage using its inherent abilities! (possibly no energy required?)
>Hive Mind uses its inherent mental powers to disorient Ursa to apply a debuff! (possibly no energy required?)
Obviously, I don't want both of us to die to the system being unclear, so QM, would it be possible to ask for clarification about the above?","attachment":null,"posted":1714818775},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993841,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":">>5993836
>Hive Mind directly attacks the psyche of Ursa to deal damage using its inherent abilities!
Seems pretty close to
>Strike DEWA-PENYU with a mental attack.
which is exactly what amounted to me wasting an action last turn because i had no energy.
The way i see it my playstyle of floating in the air whille using range attacks puts me at an advantage against kaiju that are only capable of hand to hand combat, so it requiring energy is a way to balance it. I was kind of hoping that being in my lair with its special effect would help me work around this downside, but it seems my lair's effect is more limited than i first anticipated.
Still though, i don't think you're getting killed this turn when you're on 4 HP. Especially since you spent all of your actions fighting back against Ursa. I would have been in greater danger, being on 1 HP, but since i had time to recover and am harder to reach, i do think we'll live to see next turn.","attachment":null,"posted":1714819284},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993843,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>5993841
Sigh. Okay, anon.
>i do think we'll live to see next turn.
I'm not so sure about that, but I hope you're right.","attachment":null,"posted":1714819524},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993865,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5993728
Yeah, that makes sense as an in-universe explanation. It does have a break to heal.
>>5993831
>>5993833
>>5993836
The way I've ruled it for the last couple of turns (Not turn 1-5 or so because I was still finding my footing, so you'll see it failing to be done there) is that Special is an extremely broad stat that automatically gets a buff because it uses energy, and is used for Atomic breaths, special abilities like mind control, setting up reactive defenses like Memitim did, growing mushrooms, etc. The reason it has to cost energy is that the stat can let you attack AND do pretty much anything in terms of development. The advantage an A special has over A Strength is the sheer breadth of things it can do while also being able to completely replace Strength if the Kaiju has an F in it.
That's why with their D strength, Dewa-Penyu and Ursa can keep swinging their attacks nonstop. While the post in question >>5991613 was an attempt to use Special, so it had to use energy.
Once Shroomy replies, I can go ahead with writing the turn since we have few enough peeps that fast posts are more manageable. I'll still wait the usual length though.
>>5979053
Will also refer to this post to point to the buffs that an upsized Kaiju has.","attachment":null,"posted":1714821427},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993870,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>5993865
Thanks for clarifying, QM. Well, maybe there's a small chance that Qing-Long will decide to intervene and save Hive Mind and myself in the process - letting Ursa double-level up again right on China's doorstep is probably not good for China.","attachment":null,"posted":1714822120},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993891,"name":"Shroomy (aka Muscle Shroom)","msg":"Rolled 1, 1, 1 = 3 (3d3)
>>5993256
>Action 1 through 3: Shroomy finally has time to itself, a somewhat stable political situation, and a full tank of energy. It asks those that have taken the covenant to let the undecided make their own choice and not badger them as the opposition does. It is content letting things happen, and there's no need to open themselves to accusation of foul play and mental manipulation. With that small aside, it warns that it will be mostly out of contact for a few days for experimentation purposes, and proceeds to withdraw its consciousness back towards its still work-in-progress main body. It has a number of ideas on how to make it more resilient, and how to weave stronger mycelial cords, and the energy to expend to see it happen. Might as well try out some designs while its at it...a triple mushroom cap design could work, a reference to Cerberus...now if it weaves the mycelial cords in muscle-like bundles like this...
>Shroomy uses 4 energy to upgrade Stamina from E to D.
>Stamina D
>Special E
>All other stats F
Rolling the usual die just in case you want to use them for the political situation, QM.","attachment":null,"posted":1714825081},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993892,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993891
Well we know who's luck Ursa drained this turn.","attachment":null,"posted":1714825150},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993895,"name":"Arctic Ursa","msg":">>5993870
Actually it might be possible that Qing-Long teams up with me considering our goals align after you basically destroyed his home.
Plus if you noticed I haven’t been attacking nuclear sites or human city, only kaiju and that’s because of secret stats that only me and shroomy have been leveling up.
International power and PR.
So when a bunch of people need to decide to shoot first between the kaiju killer and the civilization destroyer.
They’ll pick the obvious,
(Bear Got Big Brain) God I’m having fun","attachment":null,"posted":1714825878},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993900,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":">>5993895
I actually had projects to work on that secret stat too after the Hive Mind's existence becomes common knowledge, which i guess is the case now.
I'll get to that if i get out of this mess alive :^)","attachment":null,"posted":1714826837},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5993902,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>5993895
Eh, I guess we’ll find out soon enough if Qing-Long puts down his opium pipe long enough to do something, lol. Ultimately, I took a gamble and lost - such is life as a gigantic turtle god-beast, I suppose. I’ll continue to lurk the quest to see who wins even if I die.","attachment":null,"posted":1714827064},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5994190,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5993302
1,3,2
Memitim’s slow and passive growth continues! It decoheres yet another region of reality, turning matter into pure energy by destroying the physical laws that govern their existence. By now, this effect is starting to affect the world. Sea levels have fallen by an unusual amount, erasing multiple years’ worth of incremental increases. This is a surprisingly good sign of humanity, and they’re starting to take notice.
>Memitim has gained 1 energy > 1/4
Reaction
A Russian nuclear submarine makes a trip North, coming across Memitim. It can detect the stores of energy within the metal construct, and the crew ready their weapon but do not fire. They observe and remain in contact with the Kremlin, reporting on the entity’s behaviour and doing their best to not be drawn in by the maelstroms and whirlpools it creates.
>>5993346
1,1,2
Typhon continues absorbing energy, gathering up enough to grow and evolve further. There’s a potential threat to the East, and gaining this strength will benefit it greatly. It’s already larger than the alien, but becoming stronger will never hurt.
>The Typhon has gained 1 energy >3/6
>The Typhon has gained 1 energy >4/6
>Strength (F) VS Stamina (F)
The France Foreign Legion continues their efforts to kill the raging natural disaster. However, their attempts are interrupted by a pre-emptive retaliatory strike, after their last attempt to bomb it to hell. The maelstrom descends on them in a heartbeat, wiping out the fleet of planes that are returning for another attack.
Reaction
The would-be attackers have no choice but to flee with the dregs of their army. Typhon will be completely free to act next turn.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714844928091735.jpg","filename":"Baragon2.jpg"},"posted":1714844928},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5994199,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5993424
2,1,3
Phantrumpitus, still extremely weakened in terms of health, bursts out of the lair to begin harvesting energy. The humans are surprised at how easily it escaped the outpost, but they observe it before attacking. It first finds its power source in the form of Typhon’s devastated ruins, leeching from them instead of destroying new plants.
>Phantrumpitus has gained 1 energy > 1/4
>Phantrumpitus has gained 1 energy > 2/4
This passive behaviour prompts the German forces to observe it instead of gunning it down in its damaged state. They’ve been forced into denuclearisation efforts due to the close proximity of Kaiju, and Phantrumpitus quickly finds an unwisely-gathered stockpile in a hidden underground facility, slated for disposal. It begins feeding off this passively, synthesising the ambient radiation.
Reaction
The German forces nearby are attempting to corral Phantrumpitus back into containment. They’re using the same kind of means they’d herd an animal with, blaring loud sounds and trying to disincentivize its movements by setting up explosions in its path. This will require no action by the elephant. However, as mentioned, it will need to spend an entire action shaking these efforts off in order to leave tile D-11, due to allowing them to build this perimeter around it.
>>5993666
Absolutely brimming with power from two Kaiju, G.E.L rapidly metabolises it to form a shell that’s impenetrable to almost any source of harm on earth. It’ll surely take a drawn-assault assault from even Kaiju to break this armor. Once it finishes molting, it’s a nigh-untouchable creature, several steps away from the pinnacle of material durability.
>G.E.L energy > 4/4
>G.E.L Stamina: D>C
>G.E.L HP: 2/5","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714845096756369.jpg","filename":"Kaiju10.jpg"},"posted":1714845096},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5994203,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5993293
3,1,3
>Strength (E>D) VS Stamina (E)
>Strength (E>F) VS Stamina (E)
>Strength (E>D) VS Stamina (E)
Being scratched by icy claws has left the creature furious. It attacks, going all-in on eliminating this foe before it can be crushed itself! However, the turtle makes no active effort to guard its body from strikes, relying on its bio-alloy shell to tank the blows.
>>5993483
3,3,3,
>Strength (D>C) VS Stamina (D)
>Strength (D>C) VS Stamina (D)
Arctic Ursa delivers a devastating series of blows! After taking a brief moment to recover from the swim, it leaps into action with its superior size and attacks over and over, aiming to destroy the turtle.
>Strength (D>C)
And if killing one adversary isn’t enough, it tries slaying the airborne alien using its first opponent. All of its attacks hit with the full brunt of its power.
>>5993702
2,1,3
While watching the clash beneath it, The Hive Mind opts to recover instead of fight. It utilises the synaptic patterns of the humans still entrapped in its labyrinth, reinforcing the psionic network that makes up its body and restoring it to an ideal state. Soon enough, it’s ready to act again. Incoming damage from the bear, however, will bring it right back to the brink.
>The Hive Mind HP >2/3
>The Hive Mind HP >3/3
It also prepares to dodge, and due to watching and waiting, it has an increased degree of success.
>The Hive Mind Speed (F>E)
>>5993891
1,1,1
The mushroom is left alone and given time to change its form. The relatively calm political situation creates nothing in need of its immediate attention for the duration of its transformation. All that hard-gained energy is used to evolve and grow, and it comes out of it a stronger and more durable being.
>Shroomy Energy: 0/4
>Stamina: E>D
Reaction
All this talk in Argentina has been observed by its neighbour. Brazil is wary of this new entity that has broken forcefully into the political sphere of South America, and have been keeping tabs on the whole deal with the infection. Now, however, they request an opening of talks. This is the first acknowledgement by a global power that Shroomy has gotten.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714845181111003.jpg","filename":"Water.jpg"},"posted":1714845181},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5994204,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Rolled 2, 1, 2 = 5 (3d3)
>>5993256
Within the robotics bay, upgrades are made to Baba Yaga’s form. Its original form, bulky and thick, is built to contain something. But it’s failed to catch up to the entity it was meant to pursue, so upgrades are necessary. The energy being pumped into it is used to strengthen it, shedding its armor plating so it can punch and kick with musculature more similar to a humanoid figure.
>Baba Yaga improves its Strength
>Strength: F>E
>>5993256
Qinglong watches from across the sea. Enemies are ripping into one another, with its greatest adversary on the verge of being defeated by a new invader that seems larger than them all. High above, there’s a creature that’s unlike any force on earth, taking over minds like the shén of old. All of these things are threats.
Though it’s hesitant to aid the destroyer of China in any way, it prefers to keep things in an equilibrium. It wants everything weakened and disposable, so it can wipe them out with its own effort instead of letting them come West and wreck its ancestral land again. So the dragon is forced to make a decision.
>Move to E18
>Gather Energy
It crosses the ocean in a fell swoop, cleaving through the waves and arriving above the Misawa Air Base. Blinding light shines from its scales, and the waves neutralise the last remnants of the radioactive material, before reflecting back into it to pass the energy into its own body.
>Qinglong has gained 1 energy> 6/6
After robbing them of this bounty, it weaves in a dazzling pattern, attempting to use its speed against the bear. In a similar manner to what G.E.L did to Phantrumpitus a whole ocean away, it tries to put another Kaiju in the path of the attack, so they’re all suitably harmed and exploitable. It makes no strikes by itself yet, not committing to making an enemy directly. Apart from anyone who may be enraged by this interference.
>Redirect Arctic Ursa’s attack to The Hive Mind (Speed)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714845261470487.jpg","filename":"Dragon2.jpg"},"posted":1714845261},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5994205,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"KAIJU CLASH! Dewa-Penyu VS The Hive Mind VS Arctic Ursa VS Qinglong
First comes the series of strikes from the great turtle. Metal claws rip into the larger bear’s flank, shattering ice and splitting fur.
>Dewa Penyu Strength (E>D) VS Arctic Ursa Stamina (E)
>Dewa Penyu Strength (E>F) VS Arctic Ursa Stamina (E)
>Dewa Penyu Strength (E>D) VS Arctic Ursa Stamina (E)
>Arctic Ursa HP: 3/5
The savage mauling is interrupted by an uppercut, sending the turtle’s head rocking upwards violently. The far larger beast does additional damage to its target, scoring the front section of its shell deeply from the attack.
>Arctic Ursa Strength (D>C) VS Dewa Penyu Stamina (D)
>Dewa Penyu HP: 2/5
It rears back, ready to slash it beneath the chin a second time and slit its throat. A strike will finish the turtle off and spill its blood across Japanese soil…
>Arctic Ursa Strength (D>C) VS Dewa Penyu Stamina (D)
>Qinglong Speed (E) VS Arctic Ursa Speed (F)
>Arctic Ursa Strength (D>C) VS The Hive Mind Stamina (E)
>The Hive Mind Speed (F>E) VS Arctic Ursa Speed (F)
Qinglong’s descent distracts it severely. It comes from the sky, corralling the flying psychic beast downwards and putting it within possible range of the attack. Notably, The Hive Mind’s own speed allows it to dodge the icy swipe that’s now aimed at it instead.
However, this causes the Bear to pick up the turtle and fling it at the airborne beast. The metal creature makes for a dangerous projectile, and the two collide hard. This stuns the less durable of the two, and if it hadn’t spent effort healing itself, it surely would have been obliterated on the spot.
>Arctic Ursa Strength (D>C) VS The Hive Mind Stamina (E)
>The Hive Mind HP > 1/3
With that, all parties are wounded except the blue dragon, who watches warily with its plentiful stores of energy.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714845324410539.jpg","filename":"War.jpg"},"posted":1714845324},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5994212,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"State of the World
The conflict in Japan is ongoing. Mere minutes pass as the Kaiju duke it out, and the United Nations scramble to come up with a response. The point of the nuclear bomb is being heatedly discussed by various countries. Despite Japan’s initial complaints, it seems like even the Prime Minister may eventually acquiesce, considering the global implications of these beasts, and the relatively remote location they’re battling in. It's the sheer trauma of the last two bombs stopping it at the moment.
TURN 13: ENDLESS WAR
>Current players:
>dice+3d3
>Action 1
>Action 2
>Action 3
New entries are closed.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714845393905755.png","filename":"Map Turn 13.png"},"posted":1714845393},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5994231,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":"Ok so do we just gang up on the NPC or","attachment":null,"posted":1714846045},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5994237,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":"Btw I’m surprised the planes didn’t attack but I guess I have to spend actions to control them now which makes sense ig, may be broken otherwise
I’ll wait a bit before picking my action it will depend on who the other two players side with","attachment":null,"posted":1714846414},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5994239,"name":"Phantrumpitus","msg":"Rolled 1, 3, 3 = 7 (3d3)
>>5994212
Spend all actions evolving size","attachment":null,"posted":1714846603},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5994242,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5994237
Fuck, thanks for bringing it to my attention. Yeah I forgot to paste the reaction segment in when pasting everything from the google doc I store posts on, hang on. Lemme add it.","attachment":null,"posted":1714846716},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5994244,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5994205
>Correction
Reaction
The Japanese Self Defense Force doesn't want to interfere or destabilise the situation. What they do know, however, is that their own planes have been taken over and are circling the area. Jet fighters scramble to neutralise their possessed comrades with heavy hearts. The skies high above are chock-ful of additional elements who are dogfighting, taking care to not aggravate the monsters below. The Hive Mind's planes survive for now, but will eventually be taken out.","attachment":null,"posted":1714846875},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5994253,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":"Ah shit, and of course I can’t control the newcomers without energy since they’re hostile.
That makes 5 parties involved what a mess kek","attachment":null,"posted":1714847225},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5994261,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5994253
At least you can direct the current ones!
Also, since the possibility of escaping may come up, I think I have to make a ruling clearer, please take note:
A Kaiju can move extra tiles during a single one of their move actions if they're larger, and cover more space. However, this can't be broken up throughout the turn. For example, this is valid:
>Jeffsaurus moves to A1, then to A2
>Jeffasaurus acts
>Jeffasaurus moves to A3
These two examples are not:
>Jeffasaurs moves to A1 and then returns to A2 when it finishes its turn
>Jeffasaurus absorbs energy
>Jeffsaurus absorbs energy
>Jeffasaurus moves to A1
>Jeffasaurus absorbs energy
>Jeffasaurus absorbs energy and moves to A2
Moves have to be done within the actual Moving action itself. So if you want to run in, hit, and run out, that's two actions spent running even if you can close the initial distance faster with increased size.","attachment":null,"posted":1714847577},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5994277,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":"Rolled 2, 1, 1 = 4 (3d3)
>>5994253
DEWA-PENYU is battered, bloody but not out of the fight yet!
Turns 1 and 2: Take a defensive stance, putting up a strong guard against all possible attacks from Ursa and attempting to regenerate health.
Turn 3: Attack Ursa with everything it has!
>>5994253
Okay, hear me out, HM. There's a lot you can do without actual mind control powers, and we can still try to get out of it this alive. Why not direct your existing military forces to attack Ursa directly, take a turn to beam a psychic message to the JDSF and Qing-Long requesting aid against Ursa and then take a turn to regen health? Hopefully none of these things require energy...","attachment":null,"posted":1714848329},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5994279,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>5994277
>2,1,1
lol, it's ogre.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714848405990318.jpg","filename":"its ogre.jpg"},"posted":1714848405},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5994473,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":">>5994277
I of course considered using them, it’s definitely a possibility especially since they’re getting gunned down anyway. I’m not sure why you decided to attack Ursa over the NPC dragon though. I’m sure you’ll understand that from my perspective the flying, energy happy beast is the bigger threat of the two. I will still wait for Ursa’s actions before taking a decision but I definitely noted your will to team up.","attachment":null,"posted":1714856257},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5994478,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>5994473
>why did I attack Ursa?
Well, because Ursa attacked us first (of course, I acknowledge that I attacked you originally), he’s wounded, I have no ranged attack capabilities without energy, and finally because Qing-Long has just intervened to save both of us.
Why would I open hostilities against a second Kaiju who appears to be friendly?","attachment":null,"posted":1714856649},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5994481,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":">>5994478
Yeah I guess it’s in character for you. The dragon did attack me though so of course the Hive Mind is gonna have a different opinion on it.","attachment":null,"posted":1714856869},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5994483,"name":"Memitim","msg":"Rolled 2, 2, 3 = 7 (3d3)
>>5994212
# Memitim
Health: 2/2
Energy: 1/4
[ Sze: F || Str: E || Sta: F || Spd: F || Spc: D ]
>Action 1: (Special) Decohere local reality. Well aware of the sapients observing it, Memitim heavily contorts the field of decoherence it projects, placing the submarine beyond the edge of the effect - far enough to spare them from violent molecular rearrangement but close enough for them to witness the bleak, briny expanse before them spontaneously rupture into a rapturous nebulae of starbursts, slivers of existential paradox, and roiling masses of exotic plasma.
> Action 2: As the dazzling lightshow wound down and the vibrant auroras shed their luster as they diffuse into the gradually settling waters, the atmosphere turned sharply. The dreamscape tapestry which had been woven into creation before the mortal onlookers shuddered and began to pinch inwards at a point, and then - like a celestial object running afoul of a event horizon - the dancing miasma of energies collapsed into a pale mote gleaming through the stirring darkness before unceremoniously blinking out within a fraction of an heartbeat. In its place floated the abstract anatomy of the Kaiju the Russians had been monitoring, shimmering with newfound power. (Consume radiation generated by prior action)
> Action 3: Memitim moves on from its latest feeding ground, gliding beneath the tides the kaiju eventually arrives at B1.","attachment":null,"posted":1714856986},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5994498,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>5994481
>The dragon did attack me though
Uh, no? The dragon intervened against Ursa, not you.","attachment":null,"posted":1714858525},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5994505,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":">>5994498
Ah, i saw that I lost 2 hp so I thought his descent was a second hit. Still though, him putting me down and redirecting an attack on me, even if it may have been unintentional, makes him sus, especially since he’s the most likely to be able to hit me.","attachment":null,"posted":1714859312},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5994565,"name":"The Typhon","msg":"Rolled 3, 3, 2 = 8 (3d3)
>>5994212
>Action 1-3: More energy","attachment":null,"posted":1714866173},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5994699,"name":"G.E.L","msg":"Rolled 3, 2, 3 = 8 (3d3)
>>5994212
Evolve: (STR)","attachment":null,"posted":1714873424},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5994946,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5994505
It did 2 dmg because it's larger. The incentive to grow bigger is that it makes you hit smaller Kaiju for more damage, and lets you travel faster. The disadvantage is that you need 2 more energy to upgrade a stat after you start sizing up from F. So it's an intentional balancing game where you can either stay at 4/4 energy to keep pumping up stats, or go to size E and suffer from 6/6 requirements to level up from then on, but be able to do 2 damage, which can be extremely deadly.","attachment":null,"posted":1714890535},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5994990,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":">>5994946
I see. I was definitely thinking of upgrading my size too, and possibly stats as well, unfortunately I didn’t really get a break after getting my milestone.","attachment":null,"posted":1714898290},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5995044,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>5994946
QM, did you design this system entirely yourself? It's a great effort, if so - congrats!
If other potential QMs wanted to run a Kaiju Quest based on this system in the future, would you support that? Seems to me that the system is clear and could be packaged up into a short "how-to" guide that other folks could use to run their own quests.","attachment":null,"posted":1714909209},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5995049,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995044
I did, and I absolutely would love that. I’ll see about getting a guide going, maybe in a pastebin. I love homebrew mechanics systems in quests, and my intention was to create something that’s simple enough that it doesn’t need to be studied, but still encompasses attributes that reflect kaiju abilities, and has potential for tactical decision making. There’s definitely manuevers tech and turn maneuvers that haven’t been executed yet, but that I’ve identified.
Some things I need to work on are Cult and Minion mechanics. I definitely expected Shelob to lay spiderlings, for example, and those would have been creatures that could fight against Kaiju on not-so-even terms unlike cults. But I’ll think about that as we go.
Would definitely be honored if someone used it to run a game of their own.","attachment":null,"posted":1714909615},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5995057,"name":"Shroomy (aka the Vibing Shroom)","msg":"Rolled 1, 3, 3 = 7 (3d3)
>>5994212
Shroomy comes out of its experimentation with mixed, yet interesting results, and is happy to find that nothing of direct importance to it has died, caught fire, or otherwise randomly exploded, or is threatening to do one of those things. Its first idea of corded mycelial cords mimicking muscles proved a no-go, at least for now. While it would grant more power, the cords are still too stiff and brittle n most cases, especially considering that it has no equivalent to flesh or skin to trap in moisture or any other fluid to keep them lubricated. Still, it may become an option later. For now, it has made good strides in switching out the main body's outer mycelial layer with a somewhat bark-like mycelium, able to break the momentum of most sharp attacks. Combined with the softer regular layers underneath, it also offer good blunt for dissipation, and new "bark" can be produced and slotted in rather easily. And yes, the main body now has three heads. Shroomy is content.
In between two bouts of replenishing its energy stores, Shroomy catches up to what has happened. This new development should be approached carefully, in part to avoid souring its relations with Argentina
.
>Action 1: Gather energy from the APM
>Action 2: Indicate to the Argentinians that it is ready to open talks with Brazil and hear out what they may have to say, and that since all of its politically-minded friends who have accepted the Covenant are still a part of the Argentinian government, even if only nominally, both said government and the non-infected Argentinian politicians should also be a part of the talks. A further political concession, but also a way to foist all the bother about picking a meeting place and hashing out the details upon them instead of having to deal with it itself. Shroomy has earned a small break from politics, if only for a little while. For now, it shall sip from the plants and the sun.
>Action 3: Gather energy from the APM","attachment":null,"posted":1714911545},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5995119,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>5995049
Just thinking out loud, you could do all kinds of fun things with this system:
>Pacific Rim Quest where players fight against waves of Kaiju
>Team-based 40k quest where players play as opposing factions of Titans? or maybe an original setting where two or more teams of Kaiju do battle?
>Players play as "newborn" Kaiju attempting to dethrone a Mega-Kaiju on an alien world?","attachment":null,"posted":1714917616},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5995152,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":"QM, is there a deadline for when the turn will end? Since Ursa and me haven't acted yet, i want to avoid being surprised by the turn ending before i can act.","attachment":null,"posted":1714922424},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5995154,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5995152
I'll wait for the usual 48 hours that I've been operating on.","attachment":null,"posted":1714922611},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5995156,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":">>5995154
Alright, thanks","attachment":null,"posted":1714922676},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5995193,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>5995154
I’m not sure if there’s “conditional voting” but if Ursa is no longer present in E18 by the time of my Turn 3 (if he retreats, for example), I’d like to continue hunkering down to bolster my defense/attempt regen, rather than wasting my turn attacking the empty air, if that makes any sense. No problem if conditional voting is not allowed","attachment":null,"posted":1714927886},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5995197,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5995193
I think I'll have to say no to conditionals that affect PVP, yeah. It's not a strict no, case-by-case on things that make sense (like fighting back against NPC human armies or something), but I want combat to be a risk-taking investment of attack and defense actions.","attachment":null,"posted":1714928821},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5995199,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>5995197
Fair enough, thanks for clarifying","attachment":null,"posted":1714929236},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5995397,"name":"Arctic Ursa","msg":"Rolled 2, 3, 3 = 8 (3d3)
>>5994212
Alright, let’s end this
>Action 1: Seeing the Hive Mind almost dead. Ursa ends the Psychic Parasite with a slash of his claws
>Action 2: Then after he is dead, Ursa will go and finish off the turtle with a bite to the neck and end him once and for all.
>Action 3: If one or none of them die go for a second attack one the last or weakest.","attachment":null,"posted":1714943554},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5995421,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":"Dewa. I have an idea to help you kill Ursa. But it may prevent you from recovering. Basically it would change your turn to being 3 all out attacks on Ursa. Would that be ok? Otherwise i can do something else but it would be much less effective","attachment":null,"posted":1714945496},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5995432,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>5995421
Post your turn first and I’ll change my turn accordingly (assuming that I can, the QM seemed to indicate previously that we can’t change our decisions once we post?). If I was you, I’d evade for the first turn and then try to lay some hurt on the bear. If we’re lucky, we can bring him down… (and who knows? Maybe Qing-Long will directly attack the bear and help us out further)","attachment":null,"posted":1714946908},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5995436,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":">>5995432
You won't need to edit it, i was just checking if that was okay with you.
That of course is working under the assumption that QM doesn't nope the whole thing but i think i came up with a good enough in-universe explanation to justify it.","attachment":null,"posted":1714947180},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5995442,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":">>5994212
The Hive Mind has no energy left. However, its Labyrinth's special effect lets it control non-hostile entities without spending energy. This prevents it from using this as an advantage against other kaiju... under normal circumstances. However, something is different there. DEWA-PENYU, despite initiating the fight, doesn't seem to be currently hostile towards the Hive Mind. In fact, it is... willingly letting it inside its mind? The Hive Mind understands why, however. Arctic Ursa isn't just any enemy kaiju, it is a kaiju slayer. Its existence is a threat to every other kaiju. To defeat it, teaming up is necessary. The Hive Mind figured that DEWA-PENYU understood that, too.
>Action 1: (Special) With DEWA-PENYU willingly not opposing any mental resistance to the Hive Mind, it is able to enter its mind, even without energy, like it would an unaware human to enthrall it. Taking control over an entire other kaiju is something the Hive Mind would have trouble with, however. But it is still able to influence it. And so, the Hive Mind makes DEWA-PENYU... angry. Very, very, angry. Even the most horrible kaijus still have things holding them back at all times. Fear. Empathy. Survival instincts. No living being is consciously able to use its body's full physical capacities. This won't be a problem for DEWA-PENYU this turn. Completely berserk, it will strike faster, and stronger, too. Killing Arctic Ursa has become its sole meaning in life. However, as a downside of this, it will need to spend all 3 of its actions attacking the bear, it won't be able to focus on recovering HP or defending.
>Action 2: Seeing Arctic Ursa jump in an attempt to end it (or at least try to, despite the bloodlusted turtle's assault), the Hive Mind raises further into the sky in an attempt to avoid the hit, and any hit Qinglong may aim at the Hive Mind.
>Action 3: Thrall planes shall abandon their fight against japanese forces and drop bombs on Ursa and Qinglong, distracting the latter to make aiming at the Hive Mind harder.","attachment":null,"posted":1714947370},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5995446,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":"Rolled 2, 1, 3 = 6 (3d3)
>>5995442
I knew i'd forgotten something","attachment":null,"posted":1714947431},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5995447,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":">rising up action is 1
owari da","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714947525779906.png","filename":"homu kms.png"},"posted":1714947525},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5995455,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>5995442
Let’s wait for QM judgment on whether this is possible, but I would note that Ursa is already attacking you for his Turn 1, so you might not even survive to dodge in your Turn 2, you know?","attachment":null,"posted":1714948107},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5995467,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":">>5995455
I don't think the actions are that linear especially when a mental one is involved which is the case here. Of course if i was explicitely staying in place to gather energy or whatever and then rising up things would be different, but here it's a mental action and a physical action that lore wise can happen simultaneously.
Also Ursa would get attacked by you during the same time which will probably slow it down.
That being said i wouldn't be surprised if i did die this turn. The dragon especially worries me.","attachment":null,"posted":1714948446},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5995571,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>5995467
Well, even assuming that the QM approves the “mind-meld to boost DP combat actions” thing, I wouldn’t change my turn actions anyways - I need to try and regen to survive Ursa’ attacks on me, since I have currently have 2hp and he deals 2hp of damage per attack.
Secondly, I don’t support your decision to attack Qing-Long, seeing as he is currently nonhostile. I’m pretty confused why you would attack him at all when Ursa is currently killing us (like RIGHT NOW) and Qing-Long has never actually dealt damage to you. I really think our only chance to survive is to focus-fire on Ursa.","attachment":null,"posted":1714955490},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5995573,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995455
I decided to make defending not fully linear so that nobody ends up making a self-destructive decision from ordering the actions a certain way. Defensive actions count as ‘try and negate the NEXT attack’. >>5995442 and after that, offensive moves go sequentially.
>>5979875
Is Dewa-Penyu resisting this mental control? If you guys are intending on being in sync, I’ll waive the need to contest their special stats for action 1.","attachment":null,"posted":1714955553},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5995591,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>5995573
Eh, fuck it - I accept the mental override from Hive-Mind. I feel like we're about to witness a rare triple-death and Qing-Long will be laffin about it later when he's huffing primo opium with Xi Jinping, oh well.","attachment":null,"posted":1714957487},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5995874,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":"Yeah I was kind of hoping Ursa would be too overwhelmed with hits to deal 2 HP in one turn especially since it’s trying to jump and go for the Hive Mind first. It’s kind of risky especially with the dragon right there ready to finish the two fighters off anyway but… yeah.
If both Dewa and Ursa had focused the dragon I would have tried to boost both, because with its full energy I have no doubt he can just kill us all.","attachment":null,"posted":1714979091},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5995879,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":"I also considered boosting Dewa’s unconscious regenerative ability to have it heal anyway, but that would have been one extra action and I didn’t want to waste the planes","attachment":null,"posted":1714979567},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5996083,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5994239
Phantrumpitus freezes in place. Back in the safety of Outpost D-11, it grows and grows, becoming stronger and denser. Now it can smash lesser Kaiju beneath its feet. It emerges from its hibernation greater than ever, with the terrified humans having their meagre defenses set up around it once more. However, an uneasy accord has formed. They have no means of communicating with it, but it has refrained from hostile action, so they’re too wary to aggravate it. Much like a real elephant.
>Phantrumpitus Size: F>E
>Phantrumpitus HP > 5/5
>>5994483
2,2,3
The submarine is violently wrenched forward by the vortex, but manage to maintain a safe distance. They set their propellers to maximum speed, stopping themselves from being pulled past the event horizon. As reality itself unravels, the crew members watch in utter terror and fascination. One man falls over in an epileptic fit from staring directly into this otherworldly phenomena. By the time it fades, and Memitim fully absorbs this power, they’re well on their way out of the area, with undersea cameras barely capturing even a fraction of the event’s splendour. They’ll have one hell of a story to report. The Russian sub flees in the other direction, leaving Memitim be.
The creature makes it back to the region it originally manifested in. This general region was the site of its first defeat.
>Memitim gains 1 energy > 2/4","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715007721934400.jpg","filename":"Behemoth.jpg"},"posted":1715007721},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5996085,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5994565
3,3,2
With nobody to stop it, Typhon floods through the countryside, rapidly draining nuclear facilities dry and claiming the energy for itself. It eventually renders the region devoid of energy, and it charges its psychic storm up to maximum capacity once again. It finds that it cannot ingest the nuclear fuel beyond a certain point, and must first metabolise its existing stores. Unlike consuming a Kaiju directly, it gains no overcharge.
>Typhon gains 1 energy > 5/6
>Typhon gains 1 energy > 6/6
>Typhon is at energy capacity
>>5994699
Stamina wasn’t enough for it. The lobster continues to grow and shed, molting its carapace and forming new muscles that let its claws close with devastating force. Even at its small size, it’s now a deadly threat to any Kaiju. They certainly will have trouble killing it, while it can cut through flesh and armor with impunity.
>G.E.L energy: 0/4
>G.E.L Strength: E>D
Reaction
Noting its inactivity, the US Military tries once again to vanquish this creature for good. Sonar detects it in the depths, and a submarine is deployed to strike it down with torpedoes. What they don’t know is that it’s newly strengthened, with armour that even their specialty weapons will have a hard time piercing.
>Strength (E) VS Stamina (C)
The explosions rock its body, catching its attention, but have no way of dealing damage.
>>5995057
The Argentinian cabinet, whatever they may think of Shroomy, end up admitting that its actions warrant communication on a political scale. They don’t know what to classify it as. An independent nation? A sovereign ‘citizen’? Many are upset about the fact that it's essentially taken Argentenian land, but the parasitised dismiss this. It’s not human, it doesn’t need land deeds.
By the end of their talks, a legal status still hasn’t been determined for it. That’ll be something the mushroom will have to declare for itself after it finishes growing.
>Shroomy has gained 1 energy > 1/4
>Shroomy has gained 1 energy > 2/4
Reaction
A meeting is set up with the Brazillian Federal Senate. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is in attendance, and the meeting takes place over Zoom due to quarantine concerns. Shroomy is invited to speak, either through any kind of proxy it can create, or through the transcribed words of several parasitised politicians who can cross-corroborate its words. When the meeting comes to pass eventually, through whichever means it may attend through, they ask several things:
>What is its origin?
>What does it want from them?
>What does it represent? Itself? Argentina?
>Does it consider itself a person, or beholden to the laws of society?
>Why has it infected people in the first place?
>What does it think it can provide them?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715007786691494.jpg","filename":"Typhoon.jpg"},"posted":1715007786},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5996086,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Rolled 3, 3, 3 = 9 (3d3)
>>5994212
Qinglong the dragon watches as this takes place. It holds its fire for now. Brimming with energy, it’s capable of blasting the bear, but the creature hasn’t proven itself an enemy. It continues to wait, leaving China to recover in the wake of the turtle’s attack. They’re safe for now, and that’s all the dragon needs.
>Skip
>>5994212
Something goes deeply, deeply wrong as the Russians attempt to upgrade Baba Yaga further. A sort of malevolent force stirs within it, and as they try and hook it up to new sources of radiation, it breaks free on its own. Their Kaiju-killing machine takes on its own will, immediately tearing free from its restraints.
Radiation levels rise rapidly as the beast begins its warpath. It moves for Moscow first, with uncanny intelligence, aiming to smash it with newfound strength.
Baba Yaga has gone berserk!
>Move to D12
>Attack Moscow
>Attack Moscow
Moscow
>Size: C
>Strength: F
>Stamina: D
>Speed: F
>Special: F","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715007850627492.jpg","filename":"BABA YAGA.jpg"},"posted":1715007850},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5996088,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5995442
2,1,3
The Hive Mind sends out a mental beam, linking with Dewa Penyu and strongly influencing its next move. Due to it being receptive, it has no need to contend with its mind and grapple for dominance. The turtle obeys, changing tact from its previous course of action.
However, while it can manipulate its newfound ally and turn that anger towards a greater threat, The Hive Mind lacks the energy to magnify it and turn the turtle god into a deadly powerhouse. It only fights within its own capabilities.
>Speed (F>G)
It then rises into the air, many moments too slow, trying to weave out of the path of an ensuing assault...
>>5994277
2,1,1,
Dewa Penyu prepares to defend! It’s trying to block the deadly hits that are without a doubt coming its way, while reinforcing its shell. But its bio-energy has been spent on launching deadly lightning at The Hive Mind, and it lacks the means to combine this defense with an increased rate of regeneration.
Before it can withdraw into its shell, however, it feels a mental tugging. Rage builds up within its body, at the Kaiju-killer that has interrupted its hunt. It lacks the energy reserves to attempt to squeeze so much into a single move anyway, and all it can really do to fight back is cleave this thing apart. The Hive Mind’s interference allows it to break away from its decided-upon course of action, and take action that may prove advantageous for them both.
It leaps into a berserk fury, swinging sharpened claws at the bear.
>Strength (E) VS Stamina (E)
>Strength (E>F) VS Stamina (E)
>Strength (E>F) VS Stamina (E)
>>5995397
2,3,3
Arctic Ursa has three possible targets. It selects the two that have already earned its ire, and swings at them with devastating claws! It’s the largest of them all, and strikes from it will hurt even more. First the psychic entity, then the turtle, then a finishing blow.
>Strength (D) VS Stamina(E)
>Strength (D>C) VS Stamina (D)
>Strength (D>C) VS Stamina (D)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715007914471289.jpg","filename":"Gamera.jpg"},"posted":1715007914},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5996089,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"KAIJU CLASH! Dewa-Penyu VS The Hive Mind VS Arctic Ursa
The final confrontation between these titans commences! It begins with the turtle being spurred into a killing rage by The Hivemind, turning a defense into a full-on attack. It cleaves the bear again.
>Dewa-Penyu Strength (E) VS Arctic Ursa Stamina (E)
>Arctic Ursa HP: 2/5
With its attention focused on The Hive Mind, Arctic Ursa is unable to defend against this. It takes the blow, but leaps straight upwards to deliver ice-cold fury upon the levitating being. It attempts to move out of the way…
>Arctic Ursa Strength (D) VS The Hive Mind Stamina (E)
>The Hive Mind Speed (F>G) VS Arctic Ursa Speed (F)
It’s not enough. With sweeping claws, Arctic Ursa brings the witch low, slamming it into the ground and defeating it decisively. The long dark night of Walpurgis has come to an end.
>The Hive Mind HP: 0/3
>Arctic Ursa has defeated The Hive Mind!
>Arctic Ursa absorbs The Hive Mind’s energy. 0/6 > 4/6
The turtle’s mind isn’t cleared by the defeat of its temporary partner. It retains its rage, charging at the bear with the full intent to kill. The bear meets it head on. Claw clashes against claw, as both go for the throat.
>Dewa-Penyu Strength (E>F) VS Arctic Ursa Stamina (E)
>Arctic Ursa Strength (D>C) VS Dewa Penyu Stamina (D)
When the two separate, all is still for a moment. Not a single bird chirps, as the two titans stand over the ruins of the Military Base. Then as jet planes roar across the sky and break the spell, Dewa-Penyu is the first to fall, bleeding profusely from the neck wound that has only missed the jugular by several metres of iron-hard flesh.
>Dewa-Penyu HP: 0/5
>Arctic Ursa has defeated Dewa-Penyu!
>Arctic Ursa absorbs Dewa-Penyu’s energy. 4/6 > 8/6","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715007977206781.jpg","filename":"Walpurgisnacht.jpg"},"posted":1715007977},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5996090,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Now the bear has a choice. Both enemies lie defeated on the ground. It has proven itself the Alpha, and lords over these beings with ease. It can either slay them as it absorbs their bioenergy, or leave them be and cement its status as a benevolent King of the Monsters. It must make its choice, completely separate from the next actions it takes.
Reaction
Dewa-Penyu never made its third strike, and The Hive Mind never managed to call the jets to its defense. But with its defeat, the fighter pilots regain their consciousness. They scream desperately into the radios, managing to be spared from getting shot down. As the bear roars in victory, the engines punctuate its coronation once more, as they flee Southwards for safer landing sites.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715008040274351.jpg","filename":"Bear2.jpg"},"posted":1715008040},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5996093,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"State of the World
Sea levels have been noticeably dipping. This is good news for coastal regions. However, what’s not sao good is the reports from Russia of a gigantic entity slurping up seawater and straight out removing it from existence. The United Nations is extremely worried.
Brazil, however, speaks at the next meeting. They reveal their upcoming dialogue with Shroomy, and pose the possibility that these Kaiju can be communicated with, and perhaps even understood. Measures to bomb the Arctic sea and stop this water-eating beast are put on hold as they consider this possibility. However, Russia’s contribution is cut short by the giant beast rampaging through the capital.
The attention of the UN turns back to Arctic Ursa, standing victorious in Japan, and they observe to see what the beast does next.
TURN 14: LIFE AND DEATH
Phew. That was a challenging one to handle. I apologise for having to rule that the actions had limited efficiency. The two were completely dry on energy, and I felt that gaining statistical advantages like boosting all 3 attacks would be limited as a result. It did let Dewa Penyu retroactively change the whole turn, and that would have been a big advantage if not for the rolls.
Now it’s up to Ursa to show mercy or not. Will provide respawn info depending on its actions. Deciding what to do with the defeated will be free.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715008106162893.png","filename":"Map Turn 14.png"},"posted":1715008106},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5996094,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Also, just a general question. Are you guys able to keep track when you have Milestones stored up? I didn't make it a habit of doing reminder posts beyond the 'X has gained a milestone' green text. So I wasn't sure if Hive Mind was aware they had one waiting in the tank.","attachment":null,"posted":1715008183},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5996101,"name":"Memitim","msg":">>5996093
> The creature makes it back to the region it originally manifested in.
A1?
Does this mean that diagonal movements are not allowed?
Apologies if this has already been answered.","attachment":null,"posted":1715009318},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5996105,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996101
Diagonal is allowed. I just meant 'general area' in the narration, you're still on B1 as intended.","attachment":null,"posted":1715009728},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5996121,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":"Welp, that’s that, gg guys :^)
Very fun quest QM, I hope this becomes a trend on this board. Multiplayer quests are just overall much funnier.
(Appreciating the Madoka references this turn btw)","attachment":null,"posted":1715011260},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5996122,"name":"Memitim","msg":"Rolled 2, 2, 3 = 7 (3d3)
>>5996105
Ah, thanks.
Just needed verification for the sake of action coherency.
>>5996093
# Memitim
Health: 2/2
Energy: 2/4
[ Sze: F || Str: E || Sta: F || Spd: F || Spc: D ]
Milestones: [1] (Defeat a Kaiju in combat)
>Action 1: (Special) Decohere local reality. Innumerable atoms splinter as kiloliters of water dematerialize, disgorging jets energized particles which swiftly irradiate the region.
> Action 2: Absorb the newly unbound energy suffusing the region.
> Action 3: Continuing its meticulous circuit of planet, Memitim swims to A2.","attachment":null,"posted":1715011316},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5996138,"name":"Arctic Ursa","msg":">>5996093
Sorry guys, but you have caused too much death and destruction to let me allow you to live. Goodbye and Good Game.
As for Qinglong, for staying out of the fight and because our goals seem to align with humanity. I would like to give him the excess energy that I got off of the two kaiju. (AKA to turn my 8/6 to a nice round 6/6)","attachment":null,"posted":1715012430},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5996154,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>5996093
Gg all, now I go to the great afterlife, where all great turtle gods go upon their demise…","attachment":null,"posted":1715013734},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5996201,"name":"G.E.L","msg":"Rolled 2, 1, 3 = 6 (3d3)
>>5996093
Smugly Evolve: Size. They may have the sheddings, if they are so desperate for a piece of me.","attachment":null,"posted":1715015778},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5996247,"name":"G.E.L","msg":">>5996094
Personally, yes.
It's hard to believe the turn count has doubled since I got my first. I was thinking of using it in turn 7, but thought I would get bodied by Phant the turn after.","attachment":null,"posted":1715019059},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5996249,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":">>5996094
I knew about it but obviously i didn't get an opening to actually use it.
Keeping track of each kaiju's HP, energy and stats was harder imo","attachment":null,"posted":1715019179},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5996274,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>5996249
Agree, part of the reason I attacked you so confidently earlier was that I missed that I had taken a point of damage from PLA bombing earlier.
So QM, I think as long as you institute a clear rule about players tracking their own stats, it will be okay. You might even provide a “turn template” like what Memitim has generated and force players to use it. I was sort of cavalier about tracking my own stats and paid the price!","attachment":null,"posted":1715020016},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5996295,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Not to backseat game here or anything, but based off my bystander observations I just wanted to note that if you have a higher speed stat than your opponent, you can guarantee dodge every attack, just wanted to say that since no one seems like they're going hyperspeed build and it seems like it'd be helpful for scavengers or people who want to avoid fights, the trade-off is obviously no innate defense","attachment":null,"posted":1715021002},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5996525,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996249
>>5996274
>>5996247
Right, that’s good advice. Memitim’s stat tracking makes it very easy on me too, it’s definitely a good idea to provide a copy paste format. Thank you!
I guess it probably only occurred to me as the one who made the system, but I was expecting the Size-up to be used as a shield at some point. Like how Shelob was killed by Ursa but instantly healed up before dying.
>>5996295
Yup, that’s a big advantage of speed. The ability to make a stat contest on your own terms. It’s also why tile movement is tied to size instead of speed—so people can still physically catch up to fast Kaiju. I’ll need to come up with rules for chasing people and determine how it works if someone tries to move off a tile while an attack is coming.","attachment":null,"posted":1715037998},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5996537,"name":"Phantrumpitus","msg":"Rolled 2, 2, 2 = 6 (3d3)
>>5996093
The beast is restless. It can sense it's target to the west and a new yet familiar threat to the east. It is is seen patrolling the borders of the tile only stopping to let out a roar when at the eastern part and some strange sound outside the frequency range humans normally can hear when at the west.
>If either kaiju enters this tile spend all three turns attacking.","attachment":null,"posted":1715039425},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5996666,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996295
It is sort of interesting that the players fell into three camps:
>big monster of various types
>hive mind thing
>reality-warping anomaly
We didn't get any speed freaks, robots, flying beasts, or inanimate objects.
I was also thinking that you could do a fun "God Beast" multiplayer game in a fantasy setting with this system, and instead of radiation powering the creatures, the beasts are nascent deities being powered by natural magical sources or belief of sapients, etc etc.","attachment":null,"posted":1715051376},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5996680,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5996666
Ay nice quads
Yeah, I was actually taking inspiration from God Games for the energy system. There was one a few years back called 'multiplayer god abortion quest' or something, that had 'ren' as an energy source and gods making their own domains. I don't think they had a stat system. The system can be pretty setting-agnostic, I think. It's just that running it on Earth is the easiest because we have real world references for where the energy sources are concentrated. Someone with a homebrew fantasy world map could do just as well.
When opening the quest, I was hoping for a giant robot a la jet jaguar, but I guess those are less fun to begin the game with. The robo-kaiju trope usually comes in the middle of a series, so it makes sense nobody signed up for it. Would've been interesting to see them ally with humanity immediately and get benefits from it.
Narrating for Shroomy was also very interesting. Shroomy and Hivemind had a sort of Eldritch Horror playstyle, where they engaged far stronger with humanity directly and focused on cults/politics.","attachment":null,"posted":1715051888},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5996697,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996680
I mean, I am finding it very interesting that maybe two players are interested in quickly ascending the power ladder through kaiju battle, and a bunch more are basically staying out of trouble and slowly gathering strength on their own. Hard to say which is the better strategy given that the peaceful players have mostly survived so far.
I sort of imagined a faster quest with way more monster-to-monster conflict at the start.","attachment":null,"posted":1715052351},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5996895,"name":"The Hive Mind","msg":">>5996525
> I guess it probably only occurred to me as the one who made the system, but I was expecting the Size-up to be used as a shield at some point. Like how Shelob was killed by Ursa but instantly healed up before dying
Ah damn, I wish I knew that… I was kind of seeing it as "you upgrade and get healed at the end of the turn but if you die before that, you die"","attachment":null,"posted":1715066999},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5997317,"name":"Shroomy (aka Who wants to be a Shroomllionaire)","msg":"Rolled 2, 3, 3 = 8 (3d3)
>>5996093
>>5996093
It's time for the most important conversation of Shroomy's life so far...
Did someone ask for Shroomy lore and goals? With a side of game show puns?
>What is its origin?
>"Likely extra-terrestrial, exact details unknown. It is obvious that, despite surface similarities, I share no common ancestry with any of Earth's mushroom, though I am close enough to adapt some of their traits with relative ease. I have no memories prior to, for lack of a better term, coming into consciousness in the Argentinian forest as a subterranean mycelium network of several dozen meters. Some of this growth happened before I was conscious, but I have not been able to discern an "original core" or the remains of space debris that might shed light on my origins."
>What does it want from them?
>"Ultimately, I understand that a symbiotic relationship is best. I believe we both can benefit from working with the other. A good way to ensure long-lasting cooperation and co-existence. The exact details will be answered in a later question."
>What does it represent? Itself? Argentina?
>"Obviously myself. My meddling in Argentina's political system was rushed and has certainly not helped the country's stability, no matter how necessary I believed it to be. Even now however, I believe it to have been the right choice. If that was a secondary meaning behind your question, even those who have accepted my Covenant can speak and decide for themselves perfectly fine, I assure you."
>Does it consider itself a person, or beholden to the laws of society?
>"Over weeks of analyzing thoughts and parsing content, I have come to realize I may fit better as a moral person rather than a physical one, in part due to my lack of reliance over any one body. Different rights and duties, and laws to abide by, but that nevertheless could work. And offers a neat way of categorizing those who chose the Covenant as being in my employ, at least as a temporary way of presenting things. And a way of presenting myself that leaves me open to "providing", as one of the next questions puts it. As for whether I am beholden to laws, well that will have to be ironed out on a case by case basis, but broadly yes. I understand the concepts, and am willing to not step past boundaries, as I believe I have demonstrated."
>Why has it infected people in the first place?
>"There are two ways to answer that question. If I consider this question to be "why do you wish to infect people", then the answer is both setting up a symbiotic relationship, and having some company. Whatever species I might be may not be as social as yours, but surely you understand how being the only intelligent being around can affect someone. I may be a network, but I remain of one voice. And once I discovered your kind, the desire to open contact was strong. Given your history and endless writing about theoretical first contacts, that is also something you must understand."","attachment":null,"posted":1715104979},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5997325,"name":"Shroomy (aka Deal or no Shroom? )","msg":">>5997317
>"The second way to understand the question would be "why did you infect people the first time.". I am not certain of how much the Argentinian government has elected to share with you regarding those events, so I will recount my perception of them. As was reported during the first weeks in which humanity became aware of my existence, a military expedition was formed and sent into the area in which I had established myself. This expedition cut a path through my dwelling with flame, and I had no way of either communicating or knowing what their actions would have been once they had reached my main body. What would you assume if an armed force bashed down your door and started setting your furniture on fire without uttering a single word?
>Still, I understood that they were likely driven by fear, but lacked the time for proper communication to be established, nor did I wish for said communication to be established with this unknown enemy in striking distance of my best mean of defending myself. So I both bought myself time and made headway in communication. Thus came about the first infection. As I said, I was able to take on the properties of local puffball mushrooms by replacing part of their DNA with mine and growing the new variant. Unfortunately, this was done in a rush, and something went wrong. A bad interaction between both sets of genetic material. Instead of properly growing a network, some of the spores in the infected's lungs obeyed their original purpose, and made more puffballs. Once I realized what was happening, I took steps to suppress this anomaly, resulting in the decreasing casualty figures hour by hour. Still, it remains a great failure on my end, and like I have assured the Argentinian government, I will do my best to compensate the relatives of those I...destroyed permanently.
>As for the second wave of infections, I also had little choice. Had I not acted, some of those I had infected would have been terminated. And it would have been my fault. I could have left. I could have not cared. Left them to sort themselves out and come gorging myself upon Brazil's reactors like I did Argentina's. But I didn't. And so I reasoned the best way to get Argentina to listen would be to again buy myself time and open a way of communication, but targeting their ruling class. After this point I have not infected anyone else. Do you know why? No one, barring one exception, which thankfully was resolved without bloodshed, has tried to either attack me or destroy those I infected."","attachment":null,"posted":1715105118},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5997335,"name":"Shroomy (aka The Shroom is Right )","msg":">What does it think it can provide them?
>"The obvious answer would be the Covenant, but most of you are not willing to take me on my offer currently. After spending time with your species, I believe I understand why. I also believe at least some of you will come around, and I do not mind waiting. Beyond that, I will remind you of my idea to set myself up as a legal entity of sorts. Money, and power, can be exchanged for goods and services. I wish to provide goods and services.
>The fastest to set up would probably be an idea I kept in reserve ever since the opening of negotiations, and which was made all the more attainable by recent developments of mine. Energy. Simply put, I wish to find a way to adapt my own energy to your power grid, just like I adapted your fissile materials into usable energy. That done, I would simply like to start selling the excess energy, and maybe even rent energy storage, should my own methods prove more efficient than yours. First pay back the materials, then the monetary compensation for the casualties, and finally as part of a contract with the Argentina to pay for a long-term lease of the land in which my "company" is currently implanted. Of course, neighboring countries could also buy any surplus that remains. Eventually, the method which I used in Argentina could be reproduced elsewhere with my company opening new locations in other countries.
>In addition to that, I know your species like to inspire itself from nature. I do believe my company has a lot to offer in regard to bio-technologies, new photovoltaic energy generation methods, materials research, and many more. A consulting business, or scientific partnerships are in the cards. And the more we study how we may profitably learn from each other, the more opportunities will come to light.
>And while the Covenant might not be for everyone, the infection as you call it may itself become valuable, once the world’s geopolitical situation has stabilized. Having a secondary nervous network in one’s body has many applications. So far, it is able to numb pain, including chronic pain, with both sedatives and nerve manipulation. Anyone familiar with the opiate consumption rates in developed countries will agree that even just this has a market. When you live in constant pain, and one of the best remedies is further destroying your body with painkillers, will you balk at the idea of letting a symbiote inside your body to rid yourself of it? And beyond that, who knows? To give but one idea among many I fortunately have had no reason to test it yet, but the network may be able to rapidly respond to physical trauma, keep the user stable while waiting for emergency services. And then report the body’s condition. As they say in the field of medicine, if there is a demand, there is money to be made, and investments to collect. And like I say, I believe we both can benefit from working with the other."","attachment":null,"posted":1715105529},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5997336,"name":"Shroomy (aka The Shroom ran out of characters)","msg":">>5997335
>Action 2: Sip. (Collect energy from the APM)
>Action 3: Sip.
Or "How to turn a tense political meeting and existential questions about human rights into the unveiling of your new corporation and a sales pitch." Shroomy has grown up so fast, it brings a tear to my eye. You'll have to excuse the big blobs of text everyone, because if there was ever a time for a shroom to be verbose, that was it!","attachment":null,"posted":1715105622},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5998123,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Going to wait for Ursa before posting. Sorry if there were unclear instructions, Ursa, you can take your 3 actions regularly on top of choosing to spare the two or not.","attachment":null,"posted":1715173901},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5998188,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>5998123
Would love a revenge arc if he fails to respond, QM…
>>5997336
Also, Shroomy, have you considered parasitizing my dead carcass? Would be a fun way for the turtle god to remain a factor in the game even I lost as a player.","attachment":null,"posted":1715180188},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5998245,"name":"G.E.L","msg":"Personally I am hoping for a Mecha Dewa.","attachment":null,"posted":1715184257},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5998251,"name":"DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>5998245
That would be really fun too - the Japanese are threatened by Qing-Long and build a MECHA-DP to defend glorious Nippon from all foreign threats!","attachment":null,"posted":1715184502},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5998292,"name":"Arctic Ursa","msg":">>5998123
Cool, in that case.
>Action 1: Move to F19
>Action 2: Move to G20
>Action 3: Move to H21","attachment":null,"posted":1715187158},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5998308,"name":"The Typhon","msg":">>5996093
Action 1-3: Evolve Special","attachment":null,"posted":1715188238},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5998322,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Going to have to take a bit longer for this one, sorry for the delay. Busy work week.","attachment":null,"posted":1715188892},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5998574,"name":"Shroomy (aka The Zombie Alien Parasite? )","msg":">>5998188
Could maybe work. I can't have Shroomy bring you back I think, but I had long planned to just have Shroomy infect any defeated Kaiju and send them on their way, since it would ensure they couldn't target it or its stuff again. The opportunity may arise. After all, people will be scrambling to get a hold of the carcass, and who better to bring in as consultant for research on it than Shroomy's budding corporation? Maybe someone will want Dewa-Penyu made operational again, maybe someone wants to take the covenant to larp as a giant turtle. Either way, Shroomy can provide the service if they have value to offer in return!
But the robot angle could be really neat as well, I agree!","attachment":null,"posted":1715201730},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5998881,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5996122
The slow and steady circling of the earth continues! Memitim leaves the world destabilized in yet another area. This time, however, enough of the vital magnetic poles have been damaged by fractured reality that the changes ripple out across the world.
>Memitim gains 1 energy > 2/4
Reaction
Human scientists report extremely concerning news. The magnetic field that surrounds earth, protects the atmosphere from solar winds, and establishes North and South, is weakening severely and swiftly. A collapse itself is a natural part of the planet’s magnetogeography, but it tends to be a gradual shift, and was not expected for at least several thousand years— at which point it may not even be humanity’s problem anymore.
But now, the cessation of physical laws has sparked a hastened change. See State of the World for more.
>>5996201
G.E.L grows again! This time, when it molts and sheds the shell that’s hardy enough to tolerate any depth at all, it emerges far larger than before.
>G.E.L Size: F>E
>G.E.L HP > 6/6
>G.E.L Energy > 0/6
It’ll need more energy now to grow, but the amount it’s strengthened itself by while small will have long-lasting effects.
Reaction
The military leaves the Kaiju itself alone, but they’re indeed desperate for something that works against it. A submersible attempts to harvest the discarded shell from the deep. It’s clearly under heavy observation. If it cares to stop them, it will need to attack.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715219837058701.jpg","filename":"Magnetosphere.jpg"},"posted":1715219837},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5998886,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5997317
During the course of the meeting, the Brazilian cabinet asks the listed questions, and Shroomy gives the indicated answer. It’s not a meeting where they can promise anything instantly, but they take it into account and listen. It’s as much of a statement for the Argentinians as well, where even some of the anti-parasite party end up understanding a simple truth: It did not mean it. This is alien first contact, and the more reasonable of them finally acquiesce that it would be irrational to try and charge it for human crimes, or hold that matter of biological compatibility against it. Especially now that it’s sapient enough to make talks and offer up economical prosperity.
With ARS being one of the weakest currencies in the world, they certainly welcome the presence of unique economic opportunities that no other nation can replicate. The intention to do business and aid them is received well.
By the end of the conference, Shroomy’s legal status is still extremely vague. They don’t give it citizenship, but the declaration of its personhood is taken into consideration. The Brazilians thank it for attending, and the local cabinet moves forward with mass land buyouts and reassignment of state land. Since Shroomy is entrenched in certain parts of the jungle, some of which have been home to plantations and farms in the past, they work towards legally giving Shroomy the right to occupy it. It's their neighbour (And friend to many), and needs a home.
>Shroomy has gained 1 energy > 3/4
>Shroomy has gained 1 energy > 4/4
>>5998292
A hard-fought battle leaves Arctic Ursa hurt, but full of bioenergy from defeated prey. Brimming with power, it deigns to share some with the surviving observer, before finishing off the turtle and the fallen psionic beast. Bloodied and bruised, the bear swims into the sea and vanishes before the jets can start firing at it. Cameras are pointed at it the whole way, and the lack of a rampage is noted by the populace.
>>5996093
Qinglong accepts the energy gratefully. The bear has killed two adversaries, and has shown itself to be non-hostile. As it moves away, the dragon hovers over the ruins of the base to observe the chaos. Though they may not be its people, they’re descendants of them in the end, and it feels their pain. The creature spends an unusually long time watching and observing, before eventually diving into the sea to metabolise its gains. The water boils and bubbles as its scales shine bright.
>Spend 3 actions and 6 energy
>Energy: 2/6
>Stamina: F>E","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715219970851972.jpg","filename":"Drillbot.jpg"},"posted":1715219970},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5998891,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Rolled 3, 2, 2 = 7 (3d3)
>>5996093
Sensing energy, Baba Yaga charges West! Sensing Phantrumpitus in the outpost, it arrives to do battle. For some reason, it seems particularly angry. The metal shell gives way to oozing radioactive matter, bubbling and boiling like it’s trying to escape the confines of the man-shaped mass. The creature assaults the elephant.
>Move to D11
>Dodge an attack (Speed)
>Attack Phantrumpitus (Strength)
>>5996537
2,2,2
Well-prepared for an assault by one of the creatures surrounding it, Phantrumpitus responds decisively with a barrage of blows, aiming to bowl the thing over, break its limbs with powerful tusks and trunks, and smash it beneath deadly hooves. The two clash!
>Strength (D) VS Stamina (E)
>Strength (D) VS Stamina (E)
>Strength (D) VS Stamina (E)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715220068083673.jpg","filename":"Negadon.jpg"},"posted":1715220068},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5998895,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"KAIJU CLASH! Phantrumpitus VS Baba Yaga
>Phantrumpitus Strength (D) VS Baba Yaga Stamina (E)
>Baba Yaga Speed (F) VS Phantrumpitus Speed (F)
The first attack is dodged, with the rampaging Russian robot swiftly moving to the side. It seizes Phantrumpitus’ side next, trying hard to flip it over.
>Phantrumpitus Strength (D) VS Baba Yaga Stamina (E)
>Baba Yaga Strength (E) VS Phantrumpitus Stamina (D)
>Baba Yaga HP> 3/4
However, it fails to lift it! When it backs away from the vain attempt, the elephant is right there with a powerful swing of a trunk, knocking it down and breaking several plates of metal. Phantrumpitus can smell the radioactive material within. It’s oddly familiar.
>Phantrumpitus Strength (D) VS Baba Yaga Stamina (E)
>Baba Yaga HP> 2/4
Another strike breaks one of the limbs that have been so carefully crafted in a lab. Though it hangs loose, bulging matter tries to force itself out of the internal membrane that keeps the ‘organs’ of this thing contained. It roars savagely, dead-set on attacking the elephant.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715220365105346.jpg","filename":"Fight2.jpg"},"posted":1715220365},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5998898,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"State of the World
The good news about lowering sea levels is overshadowed by the fact that the magnetic poles of the Earth itself are weakening. This results in an increased in charged particles making their way closer to surface altitude. Certain regions of the world, particularly the poles, are buffeted by solar winds and energised, creating valuable hotspots of energy. Should this continue, however, a complete reversal in polarity will be devastating. It’ll require an intense weakening of the field, rendering technology vulnerable to the winds and radiation. And should it advance to the point of South becoming the new North, human society and culture will be irreversibly affected.
Meanwhile, a terrified Japan scrabbles to clean up in the wake of the battle. The denuclearisation effort went too well, it seems, and their attempt to bait the creature and shoot it with the Disruptor has turned out the same way. Vague reports eventually surface on 2chan of the Kaiju remnants being harvested and taken away by the government, but aren’t taken seriously.
Finally, South America has caused an uproar at the now regular UN meeting by declaring their cooperation with one of the Kaiju. Though news of the mushroom mania is available worldwide, only the UN is informed of the degree of cooperation it has had with Argentina. There are immediate leaps from foreign powers to try and contact it, or receive samples, and make demands from the infected, but all these facts are pushed aside for now.
What the United Nations wants to know is whether this thing is truly on their side, and whether it can do something about the rest of the rampaging monsters that are tearing through the earth.
TURN 15: CALM AFTER THE STORM
Sorry for the delay again! Some new green spots are highlighted on the map. These are areas energised by solar radiation, and are free energy harvesting locations.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715220452673831.png","filename":"Map Turn 15.png"},"posted":1715220452},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5998961,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998898
Nice update, QM, well done! You’re managing to keep the system fresh with these plot developments, which is a nice touch.
Now that I’m dead I can cheer you on properly, etc etc","attachment":null,"posted":1715223281},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5998966,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998891
>>5998895
Aw shit I'm pretty sure the Russians just jury-rigged Yaderevo's corpse into their Baba Yaga and called it a day","attachment":null,"posted":1715223771},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5998998,"name":"G.E.L","msg":">>5998898
Action 1:Return to E6
Action 2:Back to shaking down reactors for ENG
Action 3:Absorb ENG
Health: 6/6
Energy: 0/6
[ Sze:E || Str: D || Sta: C || Spd: F || Spc: F ]
Milestones: [2] (Defeat the Mass Obliterator {Spent}) (Defeat a Kaiju in combat)","attachment":null,"posted":1715225722},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5999069,"name":"Arctic Ursa","msg":"I spend all of my actions and energy to upgrade my Stamina Stat","attachment":null,"posted":1715229626},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5999339,"name":"Memitim","msg":"Rolled 2, 3, 3 = 8 (3d3)
>>5998898
# Memitim
Health: 2/2
Energy: 3/4
[ Sze: F || Str: E || Sta: F || Spd: F || Spc: D ]
Milestones: [1] (Defeat a Kaiju in combat.)
> Action 1: (Special) Decohere local reality. Vast quantities of energy sealed within atomic bonds are unleashed as compounds and elements are destabilized en masse.
> Action 2: Feast upon the ambient radiation within the region.
> Action 3: Memitim swims to A3.","attachment":null,"posted":1715259280},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5999405,"name":"Phantrumpitus","msg":"Rolled 1, 1, 2 = 4 (3d3)
>>5998898
>Crush its remaining limbs
>Crack it open and feed on the energy within
>If it is dead bring the remains to the knowledge seekers. Otherwise gore it with my tusk.","attachment":null,"posted":1715265877},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5999679,"name":"Shroomy (aka Grind Respecter )","msg":"Rolled 1, 3, 1 = 5 (3d3)
>>5999339
>Energy spawns right on top of it.
>Continues destroying the planet its on anyway.
>Doesn't use its last action to gather the free energy
>Refuses to elaborate.
>Leaves
I have to respect the grind, if nothing else!
>>5998898
>Shroomy once again leaves it to its Parasitized, especially those with the Covenant, (assuming there is still an undecided faction. It'll probably need a name change to identify those it has a closer link with, if only to shorten official documents) and the governments of both Argentina and Brasil to handle the fallout and many, many requests, as any self-respecting CEO would. It once again warns them that it will be in a state of reduced presence and awareness for a while as it makes use of the energy it has gathered. With the way things are going, it will need to be ready for hostile action, no mater from what or whom.
>Given the growing movement for recognizing the Kaiju as either wild animals or alien first contacts, which it has played a large part in helping along, Shroomy considers that brute strength is not the best option for subduing hostile Kaijus...or humans should it ever come to that again, and focuses on refining its infection arsenal. It is already a strong point by nature, and with the APM supplying its energy needs, not to mention the many sources cropping up, or even assistance from local human forces to resupply it in battle, making liberal use of his ability, be it via spores or tendrils, to take over things could prove a winning strategy.
>So most of the energy this time is funneled into countless sub-experiments. Cross-breeding its spores with local species to single out the most resistant and fast-acting strains, this time with ample time to iron out any dangerous mutations. Using its new bark-like mycelium to refine its earlier ideas of spikes designed to pierce through protective suits into something that could pierce through a Kaiju's exterior, if only in the weakest points. Finally, in response to the actions of whatever has been causing all that annoying ruckus with the local magnetic field, it starts looking into an offensive use of its psychic presence. That thing's energy is different, half there and half not, and Shroomy decides to assume the worst and that no physical attack could touch it. The spores are it, so they contain and can transmit information, including something similar to what humans call spam. Enough spores and instead of taking over its body, it could disrupt its mind. Whether that makes it vulnerable to physical damage or on the contrary makes it fully "not-there" and either destroys it or sends it far away, there is little way to tell for now.
>Upgrade Special from E to D.","attachment":null,"posted":1715282769},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5999692,"name":"Shroomy (aka Swole Shroom )","msg":">>5999679
Figured that I would start giving some rp reasons for Shroomy's special to work on non-physical entities. Basically turning the spores into loudspeakers and yelling, then hoping it does something. It's kinda put itself in a situation where a clash with Memitim is unavoidable, though. The humans will want its help. Assuming they need it, Memitim's energy harvest taking 2 actions per has kept it relatively in line with human super-weapons, I feel.
Also, have the new stats. Noticed the HP calculation, so Shroomy is finally at 4! Mechanically, it doesn't mean much since its still a 2-hit from someone one size higher, but someone 2 sizes higher exactly can no longer 1-shot it, so I suppose there is that.
# Shroomy
Health: 4/4 (1 Size + 3 Stamina)
Energy: 0/4
[ Sze:F || Str: F || Sta: D || Spd: F || Spc: E>D ]
Milestones: [1] (Constructed Unique Project: APM)
Actually, speaking of rp justification, I'm wondering if a size F Kaiju could be carried somewhere by plane? It would be a bit tight, most likely, but what about Shroomy spending actions before and after to separate itself into parts, then reassembling. It would make it super vulnerable, but it would help not spending entire turns in transit. And there is technically a size G, so that would be 10-15 meters long? Two cargo planes and we're set. Assuming a 30 meter mushroom body can't cram itself in a plane. Might as well use the humans' logistics instead of getting there on root.","attachment":null,"posted":1715283533},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5999932,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999679
Hey memitim knows he is fucked by either the dragon, ursa, shromy, or UN coalition so if he is going down he is making sure he takes the planet with him.","attachment":null,"posted":1715300251},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5999945,"name":"The Typhon","msg":">>5998898
>Action 1:Move E10
>Action 2&3:Absorb Energy","attachment":null,"posted":1715301542},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":5999956,"name":"Ghost of DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>5999932
I don't know, he's been grinding his SPECIAL stat slowly but surely. If he can dissolve reality, can he dissolve a Kaiju? My instincts say yes...","attachment":null,"posted":1715302327},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6000046,"name":"kjqm away from home","msg":">>5999692
That... Is a really interesting question! I'd say that using the 'secret stat' to boost movement via human connections would be reasonable, yeah.
Also, the '2 hp when larger' only applies once, so an A-size Kaiju still only does 2 dmg to F size. Prevents unavoidable instakill, but still creates the possibility of being outclassed that way. The HP scaling is what makes this disparity less painful for the large one, since a tiny dude would have a far smaller health pool than their bare minimum 7 at A.","attachment":null,"posted":1715307419},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6000418,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000046
I wasn't even aware there was a secret stat honestly, at least not actual numbers instead of a range of attitudes.
That tidbit is good to know. Getting to 5HP is should be a priority for anyone going for a small size build in this system, then. Good to know!","attachment":null,"posted":1715354099},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6001264,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>5998998
The US Navy gathers up the shell fragments without interference, taking them away for unknown purposes.
G.E.L makes landfall once again. It moves straight for the numerous nuclear power plants, tearing them apart with near unbreakable claws and harvesting the rods within. By now, evacuation has become part of power plant S.O.P, and there’s minimal loss of life. The humans have learnt to consider these plants lost the moment a Kaiju is on a collision course with it.
>G.E.L has gained 1 Energy > 1/6
>G.E.L has gained 1 Energy > 2/6
Their conventional AND unconventional weapons have failed. It’s time for the last bastion of American anti-kaiju science. If this fails… Nuclear missiles may be their only option.
Reaction:
To protect America from a giant enemy, you need a giant friend. Boston Dynamics presents: Buddy. This state of the art robot has been made with our proprietary technology, and has been lovingly crafted in a top-secret site in collaboration with all branches of the military.
For more information, and to donate to Buddy’s repair and upgrade efforts, click here!
BUDDY AWAKENS!
>NPC Kaiju: Buddy™
>Hp: 4/4
>Size: E
>Strength: D
>Stamina: E
>Speed: F
>Special: F
>Energy: 2/6
>D5
>>5999069
Out there in the deep sea, Arctic Ursa grows once again. This time, it becomes tough enough to repel the claws and fangs of many lesser beings. It awakens to submarines and ships moving around it, keeping their weapons trained as they try to study this being.
>Arctic Ursa Stamina: E>D
>HP: 3/6
Reaction:
Arctic Ursa is partially surrounded by curious human vessels, that have been trying to catalogue it while it slumbered to grow.
>>5999339
Memitim’s decoherence and harvesting would have left another area dry, were it not for the onset of solar winds from the damage to the magnetic poles. That spot maintains enough energy for one more harvesting, should it attempt to double back.
>Memitim has gained 1 Energy > 4/4","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715436830175626.jpg","filename":"Buddy.jpg"},"posted":1715436830},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6001265,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Rolled 2 (1d3)
>>5999679
Shroomy’s friends work hard on settling things in his stead. As it adapts spores to deal with other Kaiju, political allies continue buying out land and cordoning off areas that it has been using to store its mycelial mass. Eventually, however, the groups come to a decision on the integrity of mushroom-infected individuals. President Javier Milei asks to be released from the network. Though it has been an enlightening experience for him, they’ve legislated that those in the highest positions of office must be wholly human, with no room for doubt. Nobody else is forced to purge it apart from him, but the senators and ministers are made to take on roles closer to diplomats than members of parliament. Their legislative power is being stripped, but many of them were CEOs once, so they have more than enough experience to help Shroomy in its transition to an executive leader.
>Special: E>D
Reaction:
As Shroomy awakens from its slumber, it senses something. There are a group of humans inside the land that’s been cordoned off for it! They’re a small party, but they’re roaming around collecting samples and trying to burn areas down. It hasn’t been under attack since the early days of its birth.
((by secret stat I was just referring to this remark >>5993895 on popularity. A soft stat that reflects human opinion, and has no actual number or grading. And Shroomy’s is high!))
>>5999945
((I forgot to paste your segment last turn, sorry!))
>Typhon Special: E>D
After moving South, Typhon begins sucking up power yet again. It’s a truly frightening force now, and with bioenergy pushing it forward, its psychic attacks can harm Kaiju in numerous ways. Two more nuclear reactors are sucked dry, and there are around five more in Spain to benefit from.
>Typhon gains 1 Energy: 1/6
>Typhon gains 1 Energy: 2/6
Reaction:
The Ejército del Aire doesn’t take kindly to this, obviously. The routine of these humans seem to be the same, over and over. They meet its attack with guns and bombs, trying to send a missile right into it.
>Strength (E) VS Stamina (E)
1d3. Take note of the damage this will do on a 2 and 3.
>>5998898
Qinglong, satisfied with its role in protecting the nation, moves to D17. It lingers by the portion of the great wall that it was once slumbering as, and curls up again. There it stays, a non-factor until China is disturbed once more.
>Move to D17
>Slumber.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715436921784623.jpg","filename":"Titanosaurus.jpg"},"posted":1715436921},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6001266,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Rolled 1, 1, 3 = 5 (3d3)
>>5999405
1,1,2
>Strength (D>E) VS Stamina (E)
>Strength (D>E) VS Stamina (E)
>Strength (D) VS Stamina (E)
Phantrumpitus attempts to tear the monster over threefold. First the limbs, then the body, then an impaling strike with its turks. It can tell, however, that this beast isn’t quite ordinary. No mere machine can move the way it does, and the rage that it acts with is highly unusual. It recognises its enemy.
>>5998898
Oh fuck lmao, I never actually posted Baba Yaga’s stats. I just had it on my sheet and thought I posted. Sorry Phantrumpitus!
>NPC Kaiju: Baba Yaga
>Size: E
>Strength: E
>Stamina: E
>Speed: F
>Special: E
>Energy: 2/6
>Attempt to block (Stamina)
>Attempt to dodge (Speed)
>Belch up nuclear fuel at Phantrumpitus (Special)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715437028540544.jpg","filename":"Kaiju Again.jpg"},"posted":1715437028},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6001271,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"KAIJU CLASH! Phantrumpitus VS Baba Yaga
>Phantrumpitus Strength (D>E) VS Baba Yaga Stamina (E)
>Baba Yaga Stamina (E>F) VS Phantrumpitus Strength (E) [Active Guard]
Baba Yaga meets the attack head-on, attempting to overpower it and tank the powerful charge. However, it’s ill prepared to defeat a creature that has already torn it apart once, in a previous life. It’s struck by the first blow.
>Baby Yaga HP: 1/4
>Phantrumpitus Strength (D>E) VS Baba Yaga Stamina (E)
>Baba Yaga Speed (F>G) VS Phantrumpitus Speed (F) [Active Dodge]
To stop itself from being cracked open, it has to dodge instead of tolerate the blow this time. It attempts to twirl to the side, but is too late. The trunk wraps around a limb, snapping it open and allowing copious amounts of fuel to leak through.
The creature goes berserk.
>Phantrumpitus has defeated Baba Yaga!
>Phantrumpitus absorbs Baba Yaga’s energy. 2/6 > 6/6
Phantrumpitus has achieved a milestone. At any time, it may choose to spend 3 actions to Upgrade Size. This fully heals it.
Baba Yaga. The witch inside a house. Just like the legend, the Russians have harnessed a force of nature and placed its magic within a fortress. Now it emerges.
Red-hot slag pours from the remains of the shattered arm. But it doesn’t stop flowing there. More and more of it emerges, exsanguinating the Russian mech as the fuel source re-takes a life of its own. It turns into a gigantic claw, glassing the dirt and irradiating it as it pulls free, until it’s a thorny mass of fissile material that seeks to sink deep into the elephant that eliminated it. But this is its last chance. It only has one more opportunity to make an impact on the world.
YADAREVO AWAKENS!
>NPC Kaiju: Yadarevo
>Size: E
>Strength: D
>Stamina: G
>Speed: G
>Special: G
>Energy: 0/6
>HP: 1/1","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715437645924729.gif","filename":"Yadarevo Returns.gif"},"posted":1715437645},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6001272,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"State of the World
Canada abruptly experiences an electromagnetic pulse that takes out the power grid centered around Quebec. As expected, there’s a death toll from infrastructure and life support failure. The country is thrown into chaos. With weakening fields, more regions will be prone to assaults by solar winds in the future.
To combat this, nations look into further developing their technology. EMP resistance has never been a priority till now, but the magnetic disturbances will be affecting everybody. It’s made clear by the debut of Buddy that the humans are innovating as fast as they can, in an arms race with these gigantic monsters that are rampaging across the world.
Japan begins its own project as well, using the discarded body of the Kaiju that wrecked China. China insists that they hand it over, citing the role of Qinglong in its defeat, but Japan refuses. The dragon itself doesn’t seem interested in their geopolitics, despite how strongly the CCP decries the refusal to pass them Dewa-Penyu’s corpse and The Hive Mind’s psychic remnants.
TURN 16: INNOVATION","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715437714101339.png","filename":"Map Turn 16.png"},"posted":1715437714},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6001323,"name":"Memitim","msg":">>6001272
# Memitim
Health: 2/2
Energy: 0/4
[ Sze: F || Str: E || Sta: F || Spd: F => E || Spc: D ]
Milestones: [1] (Defeat a Kaiju in combat.)
> Action ALL: (-4 energy) Memitim once more sinks into itself - adjusting, acclimatizing - when the outsider awakens from its dormancy its non-Euclidian flesh thrums, writhing in a restless loop of psychedelic animation. Improve Speed from F to E.","attachment":null,"posted":1715443257},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6001340,"name":"Shroomy (aka get these kids off my lawn)","msg":"Rolled 1, 1, 1 = 3 (3d3)
>>6001272
>Action 1: Shroomy lets out a surprisingly human mental sigh and get a hold of the Parasitised. After making sure all is well, it informs them that a group is currently trespassing and vandalizing private property, his private property as per the recent land buyouts. It now knows enough about human tech to give precise and constant GPS coordinates as well as a group count, and may even project images of their faces into the Parasitized's brain if asked to.
>It declines to act directly for political and legal reasons. They are nowhere close to its main body nor in number large enough to be a treat warranting violent or even rough response. Though there is the question of who to send. Regular police might be out of their depth, and while Shroomy can make sure no infection takes place, it understands asking a non-Parasitized to waltz into a mushroom forest is a big ask.
>It also relays its suspicions from the group's M.O. that they may be a remnant of the fungicide faction, and its fear that they may act violently against anyone they perceive as "compromised"...
>It takes the loss of the President Milei in stride. Being so entangled with a government would have clashed with its current ideas of becoming a corporation and a player of its own on the world stage. Besides, the human ruler caste does not stay rulers forever, or even start out that way, as it learned from other Parasitised. Yet another fascinating "tidbit". Once he is no longer "in office", his outlook may be different, but that is a question for later.
>Action 2: Gather energy
>Action 3: Gather energy","attachment":null,"posted":1715444709},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6001368,"name":"Arctic Ursa","msg":"I will now use this turn to upgrade my size so I can heal","attachment":null,"posted":1715447223},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6001394,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>6001368
Ursa hasn't gotten the third milestone yet, the last one was obtained here and spent
>>5987926
>>5988972","attachment":null,"posted":1715448899},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6001459,"name":"Arctic Ursa","msg":">>6001394
But didn’t I kill two Kaiju? Do they not count as milestones?","attachment":null,"posted":1715454305},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6001522,"name":"Phantrumpitus","msg":"Rolled 3, 3, 1 = 7 (3d3)
>>6001272
Twice it has been bested and twice has it returned. This thing may be an enemy but it has certainly earned the elephant creature's respect. Phantrumpitus raises its trunk towards the energy beast. An action taken due to a mixture of instinct and programing a truce is offered.
>Action 1 defend against any attack
>Action 2 and 3 If the truce is excepted give it energy otherwise make two attacks.","attachment":null,"posted":1715458898},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6001942,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>6001459
Milestones come from these notifications, they're not directly obtained from killing Kaiju. You get the Milestone after doing a certain amount of actions that impact humanity, other kaiju, or the world directly.
>>6001271
>>5979875
>>5984846
1st came from killing Memitim once, 2nd came from killing Shelob twice, and you're close to the third because you've killed two Kaiju. But not till there's the same notification as the last time.","attachment":null,"posted":1715490542},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6002114,"name":"G.E.L","msg":"Rolled 2, 1, 3 = 6 (3d3)
>>6001272
Action 1: Go meet Buddy™
Action 2: Let it take the first move (STA)
Action 3: Show it how it's done! (STR)
HP: 6/6 || Eng: 2/6
[ Sze:E || Str: D || Sta: C || Spd: F || Spc: F ]
Milestones: [2] (Defeat the Mass Obliterator {Spent}) (Defeat a Kaiju in combat)","attachment":null,"posted":1715505887},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6002260,"name":"Arctic Ursa","msg":"Rolled 1, 3, 3 = 7 (3d3)
>>6001272
>Arctic Ursa goes into a healing coma this turn to heal from the wounds he got from fighting the two Kaiju","attachment":null,"posted":1715518343},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6002442,"name":"ABC News Report","msg":">>6001272
"Good evening everyone my name is Lee Martin broadcasting from down under bringing you the latest news around the world. The world is still reeling and adapting to the megafauna that now roam or devastate the Earth."
Dozes of news reals show entire city blocks wiped out in Britian, the glowing craters dotting Russia, the leveled cities of China, and a video presentation on the weakening Northern solar poles.
"Efforts are still on going to help impacted area but stalled due to a combination of kaiju hostility, distance, and solar flares limiting large scale movements of supplies. However recent news has developed on the bear kaiju managing to wipe out two hostile entities in one swoop. It is unknown if the bear kaiju is merely asserting dominance at the top of the food chain or merely ran into predators on its hunting ground. However, reports show that instead of fighting the Chinese dragon it left behind energy that could have helped itself instead. Scientists, cryptologists, and zookeepers are still investigating this matter. But more recent news has hit the international stage from Argentina. Alice Halbert has more on this after this commercial break."
------
"Hello this is Alice Halbert with recent news of a mushroom kaiju that is apparently non-hostile and has claimed land in Argentina. From what information found on the internet it is apparently a dispersed hivemind with infection capability however a treatment was discovered to be effective on halting infections. Land grants, testing, and disinfection requests are rumored to be going on behind the scenes with Argentina not being available for comment due to the heavy requests for contact with the shroomy? Lee who named the shroom with this name?"
"I have no idea Alice but in other news the US has also revealed a new megaweapon to help fight off the kaiju threats normal weapons have failed to kill a single kaiju. With recent rumors going around that Japan and even our own nation is preparing their own answers to defend the homeland. While mostly rumors it is heartening knowing Humanity is adapting to the new world to keep up with the megafauna as they dwindle in number while Humanity continues to grow. On our next segment faraway cages and you on how to survive solar flares and cancer."","attachment":null,"posted":1715532479},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6003349,"name":"The Typhon","msg":">>6001272
Action 1-3 Drain even more! Gotta max those stats out","attachment":null,"posted":1715602838},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6003398,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>6001323
The outsider rapidly metabolises radiation, and the rate of its rotations intensify. With its body changing in such a way, it’s better suited to snap into new orientations and avoid the slashing claws of fellow Kaiju.
>Memitim Energy: 0/4
>Memitim Speed: F>E
Reaction:
The Russian submarine that it spared a short time ago returns. This time, however, it’s hostile. The constant assault on the magnetic poles has left humanity worried. The Royal Canadian Air Force accompanies them for aerial support and identification. After moving into A3, the sub launches a nuclear torpedo at Memitim, aiming to destroy it with the sheer force of the blast. This is, notably, the first time nuclear weapons have been used against Kaiju. It’s a small bomb, but it’s still atomic. There are worse ones out there waiting to be unleashed.
>Special (D>C) vs Stamina (F)
>Nuclear Torpedo: This Special weapon is the most powerful individual weapon that humanity has invented: A nuke. Only with these devices can they hope to kill a Kaiju, for even their other special weapons have failed. This attack has an increased degree of success. However, it leaves an irradiated-spot on the location of its detonation, that contains one turn’s worth of energy.
>Memitim Health: 1/2","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715608201477900.jpg","filename":"Kaiju Next.jpg"},"posted":1715608201},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6003399,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>6001340
The local law enforcement forces are quick to respond to this incursion. They take it seriously, not wanting to risk any retaliation from the mushroom over an attack on its body. Hazmat-suit and gas-mask clad operatives are sent in with helicopters. Shroomy is able to watch them descend on the folk, who seem to be headed for a certain location.
The confrontation takes place on an old, disused plantation, that has fallen into disrepair ever since Shroomy’s takeover a while ago. They don’t put up much of a fight, and are quickly subdued. Most of them are young, actually. Spunky teenagers, rather than grizzled mercenaries or cartel gangsters. This is a demographic Shroomy has no experience with.
An interrogation soon takes place, and the information is relayed back to the mushroom. These aren’t political rivers. These youths are farmers, or families of landowners, who are upset over being ousted from their homes. The government has been forceful in their snatching of land deeds for Shroomy’s use, which they saw as completely necessary to maintain diplomatic ties, so the common man has been trampled over because of this. Shroomy has enough clout to deal with this through the infected diplomats, who now work from a quarantine center that has been renovated into a perfectly functional and comfortable office wing of the parliamentary building.
People are angry, and the hushing by the feds have left them antsy. Though conspiracy theories aren’t widely subscribed to, it’s the farmers and these people on the ground who KNOW something is up, and they’re the ones that have had to sacrifice this land. Most of it was jungle, but due to the sheer size of the region, regular folk have gotten caught up in it too. And now they’re in custody for trespassing on a black/green site.
>Shroomy gains 1 energy> 1/4
>Shroomy gains 1 energy> 2/4","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715608266762076.jpg","filename":"Gojira 2.jpg"},"posted":1715608266},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6003401,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Rolled 3 (1d3)
>>6002260
Arctic Ursa’s hibernation gives it time to recover in the depths. Flesh heals over and fur regrows in dense patches that can stop even tank shells. The colossal creature’s sleep is constantly interrupted by submarines, and when it wakes up, many research vessels are risking its ire to study the effects of its ice-cold body on the surrounding waters.
It’s certainly a major change for the South Pacific ocean. There already exists an Equatorial ‘cold-tongue’, where the water is cooler than average and nutrient-rich. This water breathes life into the surrounding archipelagoes and nourish phytoplankton. Ursa’s resting ground experiences a tenfold-amplified phenomenon. Cold-weather sea creatures flourish, with penguins, seals, whales, and other migratory animals lingering around the colossal bear. This presence is bad for fish and coral, however, and the native biodiversity adjacent to the bear takes a hit.
Fortunately for all involved parties, this isn’t enough for humanity to attempt and steer it North or South. They don’t dare to poke the sleeping bear just to try and drive it to an area of lower environmental effect. Global warming has raised sea temperatures anyway, and apart from the deadly regions of icy cold in the immediate presence of the bear, its cooling effect is lowering over a decade’s worth of damage in further reaches of the Pacific.
>Arctic Ursa restores 1 HP > 4/6
>Arctic Ursa restores 1 HP > 5/6
>Arctic Ursa restorse 1 HP > 6/6
>>6003349
Typhon’s rampage passes over three more reactors. Not even the damage it took from the military assault is enough to stop it, and it hungrily devours radiation. Massive furrows are left in the earth and sky, and storm clouds follow its path. Three of the five remaining stations in the region are drained.
>Typhon gains 1 energy > 3/6
>Typhon gains 1 energy > 4/6
>Typhon gains 1 energy > 5/6
Reaction:
The Ejército del Aire continues to attack. Their last bombing damaged the creature at last, so they attempt a similar move. This time, they wait till it’s done sucking up power from one of the stations, so there’s minimal chance of a leak.
>Strength (E) VS Stamina (E)
1d3. Take note of the damage this will do on a 2 and 3. As well as the 1 dmg you took last turn.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715608330862799.jpg","filename":"City Wrecker.jpg"},"posted":1715608330},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6003402,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Rolled 2, 3, 2, 3, 2, 1 = 13 (6d3)
>>6001522
3,3,1
The Elephant stands at the ready to tolerate a blow from the creature if it’s stubborn, but reaches out to try and make peace with it. If they could become allies, it would be a useful tool and partner. Not to mention the potential to be a research subject in the hands of the knowledge-seekers. What it doesn’t know is that half of those seekers (the Russian half) were the ones to shove it in its shell in the first place.
>Stamina (D>C) VS Strength (D)
>Strength (D) VS Stamina (G)
>Strength (D) VS Stamina (G)
>>6001272
The grasping, monstrous limb swells up as it sees the limb being extended its way. By now, enough of its mass has been lost that it’s barely sapient. It’s still dangerous enough to wreck large swathes of the nearest cities and town, leaving them too radioactive for habitation for decades. This thing, the former elephant’s foot of Chernobyl, knows only rage now. It attacks with reckless abandon, uncomprehending of this olive branch that’s its last chance to live.
>Attack
>Attack
>Attack
>>6002114
2,1,3
Detecting trouble before it arrives. G.E.L moves out of its element, crawling even further inland. There are plenty of great lakes to pause and take breaks in, and by the time it reaches the engineering bay, it’s ready to battle. The zone is a hotbed of radiation and filled with gigantic mechanical parts. Response teams leap into action as the construct awakens, and the lobster finds the fortress that holds it.
>Stamina (C) VS Strength (D)
>Strength (D>E) VS Stamina (E)
>>6001272
Buddy stands there, ready to fight! As expected, it attacks the moment the lobster comes into view. The weapon on its back turns out to be a railgun, which fires an accelerated tungsten rod that’s scaled up to the size of these Kaiju directly. It then… Does a backflip! It’s quite a scary sight to witness. Something of this scale is attempting to leap straight into the air and evade the secondary swipe of the colossal lobster’s claws.
Boston Dynamics sure makes some crazy shit. As it flips, it attempts to launch another round into the lobster’s carapace from above.
>Attack!
>Dodge
>Attack again!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715608392421256.jpg","filename":"Ebirah.jpg"},"posted":1715608392},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6003406,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"KAIJU CLASH! Phantrumpitus VS Yadarevo
The first blow of the grasping hand slashes across Phantrumpitus’ trunk, attempting to sever it. However, no matter how it fights, it cannot break through.
>Yadarevo Strength (D) VS Phantrumpitus Stamina (D)
>Phantrumpitus Stamina (D>C) VS Yadarevo Strength (D) [Active Guard]
With its peace offering trampled on, Phantrumpitus is left with no choice. It clashes with the creature, acting faster and stomping it down into paste.
>Phantrumpitus Strength (D) VS Yadarevo Stamina (G)
>Yadarevo HP: 0/1
The final remnants of Yadarevo are snuffed out of existence, and the land grows quiet, save for whatever victory roar the Kaiju is making. The humans watch the clash, curious to see what it does next. Due to its weak nature as a half-Kaiju, the elephant doesn’t get a full dose of radiation from it. But it’s still enough to use.
>Phantrumpitus has defeated Yadarevo!
>Phantrumpitus absorbs Yadarevo’s energy. 6/6 > 8/6","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715608573102447.jpg","filename":"Slime mass.jpg"},"posted":1715608573},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6003408,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"KAIJU CLASH! G.E.L VS Buddy
>Buddy Strength (D>C) VS G.E.L Stamina (C)
>G.E.L Stamina (C) VS Buddy Strength (D>C) [Active Guard]
The railgun rod jets towards G.E.L, aiming to shatter the carapace. However, it’s caught within the claws before it makes contact, and cast aside! Next comes the counterattack.
>Strength (D>E) VS Stamina (E)
>Speed (F) VS Speed (F) [Active Guard]
However, Buddy does a gigantic flip and avoids it! As it lands, it fires another shell from above.
>Strength (D>E) VS Stamina (C)
However, the lack of bracing causes it to launch at an odd angle, failing to make direct contact. Instead, it glances off the arched shell, shattering a nearby watchtower. The battle continues with neither gaining an advantage.
Reaction:
If G.E.L had waited for Buddy to charge, the humans would have been able to muster up a backup force to shoot it. But since it was the one who attacked, using up a turn of movement in the process, the humans have been caught off guard! They’re struggling to work up a response this turn, and cannot assist their mech. Next turn, however, they will.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715608829918693.jpg","filename":"Ebirah2.jpg"},"posted":1715608829},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6003410,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"State of the World
News reports are flooding in! Kaiju news is constantly on the front page. The one upside to this invasion is the near-cessation of human conflict. With all facets of the army required to safeguard one’s own nation, most of the active invasions and wars taking place across the world are halted. The exception are inland terrorist cells who’ve never had to deal with the Kaiju in truth.
One such cell invades the engineering bay that Baba Yaga was born in. Russian forces attempt to re-take it, but are driven off by the Middle-Eastern terror groups that have united to seize this source of nuclear power. They’ve been weakened severely already.
Meanwhile, in the waters near Australia, sailors report seeing another Kaiju, uncatalogued by humanity thus far. The presence of this entity causes them to tighten their security. They haven’t had to fight anything since their bombing of the Solomon Islands and fight against Shelob, but the creature has since been silent on the African coast, hidden away in seaside caverns.
TURN 17:
>>6002442
Based, thank you for the news report! Glad to have peeps spectating and contributing like this, it rocks.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715608939788924.png","filename":"Map Turn 17.png"},"posted":1715608939},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6003445,"name":"Memitim","msg":">>6003398
> Action 1: Memitim's ruptured anatomy blurs, makes several impulsive attempts to reconstruct itself, gives up, then flickers erratically. For a tense minute the joint Russian-Canadian strike force loses track of the kaiju, its signature simply vanishing from sonar and aerial sensors, before briefly re-emerging roughly a kilometer away, before blinking away again, then back again but jittering irregularly, then gone again, then several identical signatures are registered in extreme proximity to the submarine - then the sensor feeds go wild as every position pings for Memitim. It is no mere illusion, in its immense displeasure the extradimensional entity is wringing the fabric of space-time out like a dishrag. (Evasive maneuver, Special, Unpowered)
> Action 2: A weak shockwave of... something ripples past the submarine and the aircraft simultaneously, immediately punctuated by concerning groans and creaks. The structures of each vehicle blister and pop as they are transmuted into increasingly simple elements. While slow, this process of conversion critically endangers the integrity of all metallic vessels engaging Memitim. The submariner crew in particular observe the changes seeping through the hull around them with a skyrocketing sense of alarm, starkly cognizant of the bone-crushing pressure pressing in all around them. (Deterrent gesture, induce slow-acting decoherence of metals within region, Special, Unpowered)
> Action 3: Memitim absconds from the region amidst the pandemonium, diving deeper as it proceeds to A4.","attachment":null,"posted":1715612525},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6003446,"name":"Memitim","msg":"Rolled 2, 2, 2 = 6 (3d3)
>>6003445
(Forgot rolls. Sorry.)","attachment":null,"posted":1715612586},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6003458,"name":"Arctic Ursa","msg":">>6003410
*Yawns* Well that was a nice nap. Now back to wandering
Also I think I hit Shelob so hard he isekaied into the Lord of the Rings
>Action 1: Move to G1
>Action 2: Move to F1
>Action 3: Move to E1","attachment":null,"posted":1715614160},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6003469,"name":"Ghost of DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>6003458
Watch out, friends - the bear is headed to North America!","attachment":null,"posted":1715615094},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6003472,"name":"G.E.L","msg":"Rolled 3, 2, 3 = 8 (3d3)
>>6003410
Action 1: Rush'em (STR)
Action 2: Keep it in melee (STR)
Action 3: Put it down fast (SPC)
HP: 6/6 || Eng: 2/6
[ Sze:E || Str: D || Sta: C || Spd: F || Spc: F ]
Milestones: [2] (Defeat the Mass Obliterator {Spent}) (Defeat a Kaiju in combat)","attachment":null,"posted":1715615304},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6003880,"name":"Phantrumpitus","msg":"Rolled 2, 3, 1 = 6 (3d3)
>>6003410
Phantrumpitus returns to the outpost and coccons itself. It has waited too long and must attack soon
>Evolve strength","attachment":null,"posted":1715643115},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6004087,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003399
>Political rivers
Fuck. Rivals. No idea how that got messed up when posting.","attachment":null,"posted":1715654571},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6004689,"name":"Shroomy (aka How do you do fellow kids?)","msg":"Rolled 1, 1, 2 = 4 (3d3)
>>6003399
Shroomy is now faced with the prospect of interacting with yet another alien lifeform, alien even to its new friends in high places: teenagers...
>Action 1: This...is not ideal. Shroomy is well aware that these people's first wish, to be allowed back in their homes, would never fly with the Argentinian government. It would be a security risk for itself, leaving blank spots in its vision that could be used as a staging ground for a terrorist group, not unlike the ones striking across the world even now. A security risk to Argentina, no matter how much certainty they have that it won't infect anyone. And a risk to those people, who might be targeted as collaborators for simply existing near it. So, they cannot return. But they must be compensated. Shroomy adds that one to its growing list of expenses, currently being covered by the Argentinians, and passes the message along that it will cover the cost of fairly compensating these people for their land being bought out.
>It also hints that the world situation may be growing more stable now. With the news of an apparently successful strike against the entity up North, it would be open to collaborating with scientists and engineers. The goal would be, as it previously stated, to create a hybrid power-grid or some form of bio-mechanical adapter through which it may route some of the APM's excess energy to sell to the Argentinians and start paying back compensations. And salaries for its friends/employees. It is aware that pioneering a new, competitive energy source will earn it plenty of enemies, but it chooses not to care overmuch for now.
>Action 2 and 3: Shroomy keeps on stocking up energy while awaiting an answer. This new endeavor will require plenty of testing to get working in a reasonable time frame.","attachment":null,"posted":1715707758},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6004968,"name":"The Typhon","msg":">>6003410
Action 1: Move to E9
Action 2-3: Rest and recover","attachment":null,"posted":1715722063},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6005698,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Turn will be delayed a bit. Quite tired recently, and I'm writing a longer post to work in some NPC stuff from last turn.","attachment":null,"posted":1715777330},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6005703,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003410
Thanke I like how the world is responsive to all the shit the kaijus do and trying to answer them.","attachment":null,"posted":1715778031},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6006811,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>6003445
>Special (D) VS Speed (E)
The submarine crew flies into a panic once the creature vanishes. When it appears again, there’s a brief delay in pursuing it, for they dare not approach. This cowardice ends up being a blessing, for moments later, their sonar goes insane. Mass hysteria ensues as they struggle to flee, terrified of the prospect of fighting dozens of these things at once.
>Special (D) VS Stamina (F)
The walls of their vessel start closing on them. As they were already fleeing, they’re able to propel the submarine outwards and surface as fast as they can manage. They leave the wounded creature be and return to base, with the aircraft soon to follow.
>>6003458
The bear crosses the globe and ends up a distance away from the West coast of the United States. The migration pattern leaves a region of cooled air in its wake, and staying on the move prevents the ecological upheaval that it causes.
>>6003880
2,3,1
The return to the outpost puts the humans at ease. They open up the gate for Phantrumpitus, allowing it to easily return and rest within. They still seem set on attempting to contain it, and close the gates afterwards.
Meanwhile, the joint management of the outpost begin to experience a schism. The Germans are upset with the Russians for failing to disclose their part in the construction of Baba Yaga, especially since it led to an attack on their soil. In turn, the Russians refuse any responsibility, and claim that the handling of Yadarevo’s remains ought to be purely in their purview. With a rapidly weakening government that’s beset by large-scale terror attacks nowadays, Russia is losing power.
This culminates in the German forces demanding the departure of Russian soldiers and officials from outpost management, citing their own nation’s role in the construction and upkeep thus far. In a stroke of madness, those very soldiers are ordered to take over the outpost directly. Phantrumpitus awakens to the sound of gunfire and explosions, as the two parties battle within the containment area in an attempt to claim it (and the Kaiju) for their own nation.
>Strength: D>C
>Energy: 2/6","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715869815176759.jpg","filename":"Elephant.jpg"},"posted":1715869815},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6006814,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Rolled 1, 2, 2 = 5 (3d3)
>>6004689
1,1,2
The statement of fair compensation, presumably, equates to declining for charges to be pressed. The folk in custody are surprised when they’re released after warnings about confidentiality and not sharing excessive information about the interior of Shroomy’s land, with the promise of payment. This mercy is enough to dissuade them from further trespassing attempts.
Meanwhile, the proposal is well-received. The country itself is eager to begin benefiting from the Kaiju-exclusive power sources that Shroomy can give, and having a way to increase their energy production is useful. On the humans’ end, they begin working on technology that could serve as a bio-mechanical adapter. Primary research goes into solar energy, and how the sheer volume and efficiency with which Shroomy gathers it could be pumped into the grid, or transported and stored in biological sources.
>Lair Upgrade: 33%
>Shroomy has gained 1 energy >3/4
>Shroomy has gained 1 energy >4/4
>>6004968
Typhon’s retreat allows them a final breath of relief. The army fires at it the whole way, up until Typhon is securely out of sight and able to recover. Nothing attacks it as it floats out to sea. However, there’s a disturbance it can detect.
>Typhon HP: 3/4
>Typhon HP: 4/4
Reaction:
Iceland has discovered Typhon’s lair! Though it hasn’t stored much energy in there yet, the psychic signals of those first souls are discovered by the military forces posted there. They launch an assault and bomb his coastal catacomb, releasing the energy into the sky. Bolts of orange and black tear through the atmosphere, and Typhon is made distinctly aware that his lair is in ruins.
>Strength (E) VS Stamina (F)
>Typhon’s lair is damaged! It will be unable to produce its effect unless it is repaired by using an action while on its tile.
>>6003472
3,2,3
G.E.L charges in, ensuring that the robot is kept in melee range. It’d spell trouble if it got the chance to stay at a distance and keep lobbing railgun shots at it, so making sure it’s vulnerable to grappling is the ideal way to fight it. Buddy is forced to defend itself against the volley of strikes, and one blast from the lobster’s claws! Up above, helicopters and planes prepare to attack.
>Strength (D>C) VS Stamina (E)
>Strength (D) VS Stamina (E)
>Special (F>E>D) VS Stamina (E)
>>6003410
Buddy ends up facing those deadly claws. In response, it releases several short-range explosives from canisters on its chassis. Vast quantities of smoke billow out, as it attempts to breach the shell and harm the lobster.
>Attack!
>Attack!
>Guard against the Special with Stamina","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715869877288236.jpg","filename":"Tanks2.jpg"},"posted":1715869877},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6006816,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Rolled 3 (1d3)
KAIJU CLASH! G.E.L VS Buddy
>G.E.L Strength (C) VS Buddy Stamina (E)
>Buddy Strength (D>E) VS G.E.L Stamina (C)
>Buddy HP > 3/4
The first attack is a trade of blows! In response to a devastating cutting claw that shears off large amounts of plating, Buddy releases canisters that explode right next to the lobster. When the dust clears, it watches for signs of damage, only to be swatted by a second blow!
>G.E.L Strength (D) VS Buddy Stamina (E)
>Buddy Strength (D) VS G.E.L Stamina (C)
>Buddy HP > 2/4
Large amounts of metal have been sheared off now, and it’s clear that in a straight fight, it’ll take incredible luck for this autonomous mecha to slay the enemy. It fires even more bombs, trying to bait the creature into crawling over them so it can strike at the underbelly. It then sits still to brace itself, pumping electricity through the armour plating to create a reactive force-field.
>G.E.L Special (D) VS Buddy Stamina (E)
>Buddy Stamina (E) VS G.E.L Special (D)
It’s still not enough, netting a third blow to itself!
>Buddy HP > 1/4
Reaction:
The air force finally prepares a response! They know now that anything apart from their special weapons will fail to harm the lobster, so they ensure an emergency evacuation of the engineering bay. Boston Dynamics researchers flee in aircraft, and once all organic targets are gone, a single plane drops another Mass Obliterator, aiming to wound G.E.L while it fights against Buddy.
>Special (D) vs Stamina (C)
>Mass Obliterator: This Special weapon is particularly devastating against organic targets. The shockwaves that the Mass Obliterator releases rapidly liquefy living matter, making it a dreadful weapon that can be used to take a city without destroying its infrastructure. This attack does 1 extra damage if it hits a target.
Take note of the 2 damage that will be done in the event it rolls a 3.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715870051052672.jpg","filename":"City Fight.jpg"},"posted":1715870051},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6006822,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"State of the World
By now, several years have passed since the initial emergence of the Kaiju. Their attacks have been continuous, threatening humanity over and over. Fortunately, with less of them around, humans have had more time to recover and rebuild.
The Russian black site that Baba Yaga was once in is radio silent. Desperate to prevent whatever lies there from falling into the hands of the terrorists, the devastated remnants of Moscow command order a nuclear strike. Russia nukes its own soil to prevent those schematics and prototypes from ever seeing the light of day. The resources are lost, but C14 is irradiated heavily from the attack. It’s not known whether it managed to wipe out the terror cell, and they had plenty of time to abscond with the materials. With the attack on the outpost, the devastation of Moscow by a Russian mech, the nuke on their own soil, and the destabilised geopolitical situation, high command is in an absolute uproar.
The next day, Vladimir Putin falls out of a window. The fracturing of the world superpower is prevented by the officials ready to take on the power vacuum. They reconvene in Saint Petersburg. Right now, their active projects involve ridding the world of the terrorists, dealing with Memitim, and making peace with the Germans whose outpost they’ve just assaulted. Assuming the fallout from a disturbed elephant doesn’t make things worse.
Down under, reports of the strange Australian cryptid continue. Several ships have gone missing over deep water now. This is, obviously, attributed to Kaiju. But none of them are anywhere close to Australia.
And finally, meteorologists detect and announce the presence of a large celestial body making its way towards Earth. It’s estimated to make contact within the next decade.
TURN 18:
Sorry for the delay! As mentioned before, been feeling under the weather. I definitely want to finish the thread properly, though. So I would like to ask:
Who here still has goals they want to actively pursue, and compete with the other players for? The game will conclude once everyone has a status quo they’re happy with. For example, they’ve killed all rivals, or forced them into an alliance, etc.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715870330823758.png","filename":"Map Turn 18.png"},"posted":1715870330},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6006839,"name":"Memitim","msg":">>6006822
> Action 1: Absorb energy.
> Action 2: Move to A5
> Action 3: Move to A6","attachment":null,"posted":1715871685},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6006861,"name":"G.E.L","msg":"Rolled 2, 1, 1 = 4 (3d3)
>>6006822
Action 1: Play fetch with Buddy™ (STR)
Action 2: Crush it into debris (STR)
Action 3: Shuffle to C6
If I survive the next fight, I plan on turning Florida into an island, widening the Panama canal, and making a lair in the gulf of Mexico at E6.
HP: 4/6 || Eng: 1/6
[ Sze:E || Str: D || Sta: C || Spd: F || Spc: F ]
Milestones: [2] (Defeat the Mass Obliterator {Spent}) (Defeat a Kaiju in combat)","attachment":null,"posted":1715873425},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6006956,"name":"Phantrumpitus","msg":"Rolled 2, 2, 2 = 6 (3d3)
>>6006822
Seeing the knowledgeseeker fighting Phantrumpitus sprays the humans with his capture substance, being careful not to cover their heads, and places them on opposite sides of the outpost. He uses the weakest variant which should breakdown on its own in about a day. He begins collecting metal in and around the outpost, attaching them to the base for an unknown purpose.
>Action 1: separate the two forces (special)
<Action 2 & 3: upgrade the lair","attachment":null,"posted":1715881910},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6007113,"name":"Shroomy (aka the Science Shroom)","msg":"Rolled 1, 2, 3 = 6 (3d3)
>>6006822
Didn't realize you were asking if Shroomy wanted to press charges. It indeed have been a
no anyway.
For goals, well things have deviated just a little. Originally I didn't plan for Shroomy to expand past South America. The original idea would have been to cover the continent with the lair to feed a much-less efficient version of the APM, while turning the locals into mushroom people, and bunkering up.
Currently, as far as goals go, Shroomy would rest easier once there are no hostile Kaijus left, or at least any that can either kill it, like G.E.L or really put the hurt on humanity, like Memitim. Ursa and Phan get a pass for being mostly peaceful, but getting them to open contact and state their intentions would be best. Not that Shroomy feels especially inclined to go try and bat some answers out of them...by the way, is there a secret prize for not moving for 20 turns? I wanted the Mushroom to be slow, but that wasn't quite what I had in mind, it just happened.
So at least until everyone is non-hostile to it/humanity. That includes whatever is approaching Earth. Last time I played a game with an incoming asteroid, everyone died, so I'm wary. Chances are its some deep space Kaiju that's showing up late or because Memitim has been making a ruckus poking holes in the dimensional walls or whatever.
>Action 1 and 2: Assist the research project. (Consume just 1 energy if possible, but 2 otherwise.) Shroomy assists the project on its end. The main endeavor is giving the human researchers something to work with. Shroomy pulls from its energy stores and provides many materials and containment suggestions. Some were iterations used for reinforcing the main body and ensuring better energy flow to compensate any damaged areas, others were used in the lair's construction. By giving the human researchers a lot of options, Shroomy hopes to quickly narrow things down to several promising materials to be used in a bio-adapter or batteries, and then iterate on those. Transference loss is a secondary issue given the sheer quantities, so it disregards that to go faster. It understands they want a functional, energy positive proof of concept first and foremost. Efficiency can come later. Ideas are thrown about, various designs of mycelium cables in different configurations, some taking advantage of Shroomy's conversion of solar energy into the not-quite-nuclear energy Kaijus all seem to thrive on, and even a few plant-mushroom hybrid cables to try and transfer the solar energy directly, just in case.
>Action 3: Shroomy restores any spent energy. While things appear mostly stable, it does not feel entirely secure. Other Kaijus remain, and none seem able or willing to state their goals, even if most appear not to be hostile to humans. Shroomy also feels concerned about the news of an incoming celestial body. This is likely no coincidence that such an object would cross the Earth's path mere years ater Kaijus started appearing...","attachment":null,"posted":1715894933},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6007145,"name":"Ghost of DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>6007113
>Ursa is peaceful
That’s just PR, dude - he’s a serial killer.","attachment":null,"posted":1715897637},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6007331,"name":"SOMNIUS","msg":">Kaiju on /qst/","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715909122920859.gif","filename":"jetthumbsup.gif"},"posted":1715909122},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6008001,"name":"Ghost of DEWA-PENYU","msg":"Hey KaijuQM, would you be willing to post a draft of your system in /qtg/? Some other QMs are curious about participating in a theoretical “Kaiju Month” inspired by this (great) quest","attachment":null,"posted":1715957816},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6008120,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>6008001
Oh! Yeah I'll go clean it up to a presentable state, then post it there soon.","attachment":null,"posted":1715966426},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6008819,"name":"The Typhon","msg":">>6006822
After my next upgrade I plan on just fighting it out with the others and completely flatted Iceland.
Action 1: Move E10
Action 2-3: Absorb Energy","attachment":null,"posted":1716015131},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6008869,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007331
Lurker here. I second this post. This thread has been extremely entertaining to follow. Thanks to all the players, anonymous contributors and especially the QM for the fun times.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716021511313085.jpg","filename":"GodzillaChad.jpg"},"posted":1716021511},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6009655,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Spent a lot of yesterday finishing up the rulebook, so wasn't able to complete the update. Still working on it throughout the day, but here's the first rules draft!
Noticeably, the rules here will probably be different from how we've been doing things so far. It's a rulebook version cleaned up based on insights gained from our game, and filled with suggestions for things moving forward. Would love feedback on it in the meantime!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716085216552906.pdf","filename":"World of Titans Rulebook_ V1- May 2024_compressed.pdf"},"posted":1716085216},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6009670,"name":"Arctic Ursa","msg":"Rolled 1, 2, 1 = 4 (3d3)
>>6006822
Honestly Shroomy, you seem like a nice guy so I’m probably not going to be attacking you anytime soon.
As for my goal QM, it’s mainly to protect humanity and the earth from Kaiju that would destroy them. One of the main reasons I went after Memitim first is because his goal was basically to destroy the planet. Speaking of which.
> Action 1: Move to C3
> Action 2: Move to A5
> Action 3: and then charge tackle Memitim at A6
(Just learned because of my size I can move two spaces)","attachment":null,"posted":1716086169},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6009705,"name":"Memitim","msg":">>6009655
> Reads the entry on speed
Confirmed for most worthless stat.
The only thing it seems to do is make you better at actively evading - however, in my experience such evasion only applies to the next attack targeting the Kaiju - making dodging a hilariously shit use of AP, especially when contrasted with stamina which not only expands a kaiju's healthpool but passively nullifies attacks weaker than its own value, forever and at no AP expense!
Seriously, what sense does it make to have size confer movement upgrades but not speed?
This is absurdly unbalanced.
>>6009670
I fucking despise you.","attachment":null,"posted":1716091566},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6009714,"name":"G.E.L","msg":"The long awaited rematch!","attachment":null,"posted":1716092240},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6009723,"name":"Memitim","msg":">>6009714
What rematch?
Even if I get perfect luck and spend 3 or 4 turns grinding his HP down, assuming I even can, he'll just teleport to the other side of the planet if his HP drops too far.","attachment":null,"posted":1716093116},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6009735,"name":"G.E.L","msg":">>6009723
On top of that, you're also in oneshot range.","attachment":null,"posted":1716094546},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6009821,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009705
Thoughts on how to improve it? My rationale for making Size responsible for distance is that Speed is far easier to pump up than Size. That means that very early on (turn 2 or 3), a Speed Kaiju can cross max distance, which immediately makes them unchasable and is what I wanted to avoid. Meanwhile, when linked to size, the ability to cross distances is linked to how much effort a Kaiju has put into fighting and growing, and naturally gets pushed later into the game. Since Ursa grew larger at every given juncture, he’s been reaping the benefits of that for the longest.
Another thing that might be cucking speed is that it’s impossible to attack BEFORE they put up their defense. But I’m not sure how to prevent this. Making the order of written actions matter seems difficult, because on a public board the 2nd player can just wait and weave all their actions to bypass the first poster, and that’s also something I felt shouldn’t be part of the game.
The advantage I see for Speed is that it lets you change the stat contest to be on your own terms. When fighting an opponent with A strength against your F stamina, you can ignore the strength difference and dodge it using an action, and I felt that advantage was worthwhile. There’s also the fact that a fast Kaiju can cancel the rest of a turn by killing the opponent, since their action is processed first. Maybe I could also add a caveat that Speedy Kaiju can choose whether to act before or after an opponent, for niche cases, but that’s a buff that depends on playstyle and doesn’t fix this imbalance.
Would love feedback for other things speed could do and niches it could fill.","attachment":null,"posted":1716104641},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6009855,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>6006839
Memitim absorbs the radiation that assailed it in the form of a nuclear blast. Due to the ongoing solar storm that’s baking areas of the earth, there’s enough energy to return to that spot later on. The humans aren’t able to pursue it into the various Canadian bays and islands with a submarine, and Memitim is able to hide among the scattered landmasses. It’s able to take a moment to recover from its injuries, or grow stronger without the risk of being nuked in succession. Many eyes are on it in the long term, however.
>Memitim has gained 1 energy: 1/4
>>6006956
2,2,2
>Special (F) VS Stamina (F)
Phantrumpitus’ swift action prevents the violence from escalating too far. By the time the substance breaks down and releases them, orders have come from on high to pull back and cede the outpost to Germany. The Russians are promptly kicked out, with the remaining soldiers and governing forces looking upon the Kaiju fondly for its rescue attempt. They’re resistant to it trying to transform the outpost-lair further, but aren’t willing to stop it by force, so it gets its way in the end.
>Lair upgrade: 66%
Reaction:
The Germans have picked up on the fact that this creature seems highly intelligent. They decide to put this to the test by setting up a gigantic language board, attempting to test it and see if it’s sapient. They also dump a bunch of gigantic puzzle boxes and enrichment toy prototypes into its resting area, to see what it does.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716107818462010.jpg","filename":"Mothra.jpg"},"posted":1716107818},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6009857,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>6007113
Shroomy’s lair (I7, Unnamed):
>Size: F
>Strength: F
>Stamina: F
>Speed: F
>Special: E>D
>Shroomy’s lair: When killed, Shroomy may instead respawn on this lair with 1 hp and 0 energy.
>APM: As long as this lair is undamaged, this tile does not run out of Energy. Any Kaiju may gather this energy.
>Shroomy has consumed 1 energy: 3/4
>Lair Upgrade: 66%
>Shroomy has consumed 1 energy: 2/4
>Lair Upgrade: 100%
>Shroomy’s Lair Upgrade:
>Powerhouse: Humans on this tile have gained extremely efficient energy sources, and increased mobility because of it. They’re able to power their own efforts and technology with this new resource, and unlike most other nations, won’t be left floundering to deploy armies when faced with a threat. When there are other Kaiju on this tile, Shroomy may make suggestions for NPC Reactions without consuming an action.
With a great deal of effort from both Argentina’s best engineers (both local and imported), but mostly on the Kaiju’s end, the third world country manages to obtain the most efficient form of solar energy power generation recorded to date. In an area far smaller than the Bhadla Solar Park, just as much, if not more energy is being regularly produced. It comes with the benefit of not creating death-lasers that shoot birds out of the sky with mirrored heat, and is right smack in the Amazon to boot.
Argentina celebrates! The party that was once opposed to Shroomy is still wary of the fact that this power could dry up without the singular mushroom entity’s continued cooperation, so they push very strongly that this be considered a surplus, and not make the grave error of letting this energy be integral to the nation’s prosperity.
The humans immediately start bidding and paying for it, with the infested diplomats helping explain the basics of business to Shroomy of their own accord. Now that this is generating green power, Shroomy’s lair becomes of national interest. Any energy it loans out in the future goes right back to helping safeguard it.
>Shroomy has gained 1 energy: 3/4
((Also comes with roleplay-related perks of course, just figured this would be a fitting way to give a mechanic to the human-kaiju cooperation. Also, no bonus for sitting still, unfortunately.))","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716107880504104.jpg","filename":"Zilla.jpg"},"posted":1716107880},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6009860,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Rolled 3, 2, 3, 3 = 11 (4d3)
>>6008819
Typhon returns to Spain to finish off those power plants. As it drains two more reactors dry, Spain is left completely depleted of its nuclear energy. Their alternative sources are now responsible for keeping the country powered. Its attack is fresh on their mind, and this time, they’re prepared when it charges back into their doorstep.
>Typhon gains 1 energy: 6/6
>Typhon is at energy cap.
Reaction:
With the gigantic psychic maelstrom back for more, the Spanish army continues their efforts to bomb it apart. This time, they’ve gotten into contact with Japan in hopes of receiving advice on how they dealt with The Hive Mind. The JSDF is cooperative, but the ensuing discussion remains highly classified. In time, their ability to fight off the creature may grow stronger.
>Strength (E) VS Stamina (E)
1d3. 1st one is for Typhon. Take note of the 1 damage this does on a 2 or 3.
>>6009670
Charging diagonally, Arctic Ursa tears across the Alaskan tundra to assault Memitim in the Northern isles, adjacent to the Arctic. It’s back in its element. It doesn’t have enough speed to arrive and begin attacking in the same juncture, but it’s now facing down wounded prey. The two meet once again, years after their first fight, with the bear now dwarfing the otherworldly alien.
>>6006861
2,1,1,
>Strength (D) VS Stamina (E)
>Strength (D>E) VS Stamina (E)
G.E.L wrenches Buddy back and forth, confident of its ability to rip the robot apart and slay it here. If it can kill it, there’ll be a large amount of energy to harvest. It wanders off after, leaving behind a droid that’s either on death’s door, or smashed into pieces.
>>6006822
>Stamina (E) VS Strength (D)
>Stamina (E) VS Strength (E)
>Strength (D) VS Stamina (C)
Buddy engages its survival protocols. It can only try its hardest to withstand the blows, hoping that the lobster loses interest before its circuits die out. It’s all down to the wire for poor Buddy…","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716107952823445.jpg","filename":"Faceoff.jpg"},"posted":1716107952},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6009862,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"KAIJU CLASH! G.E.L VS Buddy
>G.E.L Strength (D) VS Buddy Stamina (E)
>Buddy Stamina (E) VS G.E.L Strength (D)
>Buddy HP: 0/4
A lethal game of fetch ensues, where the robot pup’s limbs are torn off one by one and crushed into scrap. The delicious nuclear core within is ripe for the taking. With the engineering bay destroyed and its occupants scattered, the lobster is free to make its way North, diving back into the ocean and celebrating with its new bounty of bioenergy.
>G.E.L has defeated Buddy!
>G.E.L absorbs Buddy’s energy! 6/6
G.E.L has achieved a milestone. At any time, it may choose to spend 3 actions to Upgrade Size. This fully heals it.
State of the World
Several more nations speed up their denuclearisation efforts. Several spots that once had plentiful energy are now devoid of radiation, as nations attempt to protect their soil from unwanted attacks. With the loss of nuclear energy in many places, measures to curb and eliminate the use of fossil fuels are gradually loosened out of desperation.
Other sources of energy begin gaining the interest of foreign nations. They want something that Kaiju aren’t drawn to. Foreign spies, who have been slowly monitoring the situation with Shroomy in Argentina, report back to HQ intermittently.
TURN 19:
I’ve published the rulebook v1 here. >>6009655, take a look! And if you’d like to give some feedback on balance and the place the various stats have, please chime in, I’d like to hear from the player POV.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716108256866160.jpg","filename":"Rex.jpg"},"posted":1716108256},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6009871,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Forgot to attach map","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716108796246598.png","filename":"Map Turn 19.png"},"posted":1716108796},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6009891,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009655
This is epic.
>>6009821
Here's a few thoughts on the speed stat:
1. It might make sense to rename it to agility, reflexes or something similar to emphasize the distinction between ability to move tiles and ability to dodge.
2. Would it be possible to add more RP based moves to the use of speed? The Hivemind was making moves to fly out of range of melee attacks, that seems like something that could be affected, though special could also fit.
3. You could borrow a leaf out of games like Blades in the Dark and allow for "setup actions", where you take an action with a stat that boosts a subsequent action. For example declaring a "Riposte" with speed" gives you active defence and any success over the threshold could be added to your next Str roll as a bonus. This would reward Kaiju with more balanced stat distributions and discourage dump stats and min maxing.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716112740513004.jpg","filename":"Consider The Following.jpg"},"posted":1716112740},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6009898,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009891
Yeah, the issue with it being named 'Speed' is that Memitim is very right, it's unintuitive that it doesn't affect movement. Changing it to 'Reflex' would ruin the all-S naming scheme I've had for stats, but if it makes things clearer I'll have to suck that aspect up.
For 2, I'm not too sure. While freeform Rp moves are fun to use, one thing I want to stick to is that a Kaiju cannot outright ignore the stats of another, because that would be unfair. So something like rising into the air and causing all attacks to auto-miss wouldn't be something I'd want to allow.
There might be a solution that's similar in essence, though. Do you guys reckon it would overcompensate and make Speed overpowered if a Dodge lasted UNTIL the Kaiju was hit? That way it doesn't take up the entirety of the action economy to dodge 3 attacks. I just worry it makes guys with large speed differences completely untouchable if they just spend 1 action.
Setup actions seem good, yeah. Dewa Penyu had one here: >>5978121 and Memitim had some self-buffs too. >>5979043. Maybe instead of having ONLY Special be buffable, I could make a table that serves as a rough guide for Special costs. Boosting an atomic-breath costs only 1 special, buffing a dodge or block costs 2, etc.
>DEWA-PENYU has an improved Stamina stat against the next attack. (E>D)
>DEWA-PENYU has consumed 1 energy > 0/4
>Memitim has consumed 1 energy > 1/4
>Reality Storm: Memitim gains an increased Degree to its Speed stat this turn, and actively attempts to dodge an incoming attack (Speed vs Speed).","attachment":null,"posted":1716113368},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6009921,"name":"Memitim","msg":">>6009821
> a Speed Kaiju can cross max distance, which immediately makes them unchasable
Consider that the same is true for Size Kaiju now.
The underlying issue hasn't been resolved just shuffled to the lategame.
>Another thing that might be cucking speed is that it’s impossible to attack BEFORE they put up their defense.
Its reasonable for a creature with highly developed reflexes to be able to do that though, provided they are aware of the incoming attack.
> Making the order of written actions matter seems difficult, because on a public board the 2nd player can just wait and weave all their actions to bypass the first poster, and that’s also something I felt shouldn’t be part of the game.
Short of instituting privately submitted actions this form of metagaming is quite hard to address.
> Would love feedback
Regarding speed...
Consider a system where each level of speed contributes to a resource pool. Agility, alacrity, sprightliness - the name of the resource doesn't matter. Players can spend this resource to make free actions during their turn allowing them to ready dodges, conceal themselves, move extra tiles on the map, boost the initiative of a linked action, or perform other movement-orientated maneuvers - all actions valued at the kaiju's speed grade. The catch is that the rate at which this resource regenerates is +1/turn. So, a fast creature can flit around like crazy... for a little while, but will eventually exhaust itself and become vulnerable.
Regarding all stamina defense...
Consider an ablative system, each subsequent attack made in a turn reduces the grade of the defense by a degree until the next turn. For example, if a kaiju with D strength spends all of its actions attacking a kaiju with B stamina. The first attack would meet a B-grade defense and be resisted, the second attack would meet a C-grade and be resisted, the third attack would meet a D-grade defense and punch through - then next turn physical resistance reverts back to stamina's grade. This would simulate the gradual build-up of wear, strain, and pain when being hammered by multiple weak attacks. Making human forces a more serious threat, and incentivizing smaller kaiju to coordinate against their more dominant peers.
Alternatively, if this is too overpowered, perhaps only proc this defense ablation effect whenever the attacker's action roll returns a 3.
In whichever form it is used, this system also compliments the concept of a Block action, regardless of whether said action buffs blocking defense by 1 grade for the next attack or locks the block defense's grade to stamina for the next attack.
I'll mull over the initiative problem for a while longer and get back to you, but in any case I hope these suggestions prove useful.","attachment":null,"posted":1716115154},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6009939,"name":"Memitim","msg":"Rolled 3, 3, 2 = 8 (3d3)
>>6009871
All right. Here we go...
# Memitim
Health: 1/2
Energy: 1/4
[ Sze: F || Str: E || Sta: F || Spd: E || Spc: D ]
Milestones: [1] (Defeat a Kaiju in combat.)
> Action 1: Dive as deep as possible, alternating its acceleration randomly, spontaneously diverting course, circling the ursine monstrosity in erratic patterns. Memitim does not surface if it can be helped, exploiting the ocean's expanse to conceal its precise position. (Speed)
> Action 2: Decohere local reality, focusing effect on Ursa. The atmosphere buzzes and the acrid scent of Ozone fills the air. A spherical section of space, overlapping with the great bear's current position and blurs, then strobes and pulses with cracks of warped, alien light. The dense fur coating Ursa's hide squirms, seethes, and shatter into sizzling flakes of plasma as unreality washes over it, fragmented glimpses of alternate worlds flood past each momentarily imposing utterly foreign environmental conditions which its terrestrial form is ill-suited to adapt to.(Special, unpowered)
> Action 3: Decohere local reality, focusing effect on Ursa. Memitim maintains the existential assault, contorting and manifesting new zones of unreality whenever the guardian bear attempts to flee from their corrosive influence. (Special, unpowered)","attachment":null,"posted":1716117663},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6009943,"name":"G.E.L","msg":"Rolled 1, 1, 2 = 4 (3d3)
>>6009862
Evolve: Special
HP: 4/6 || Eng: 6/6
[ Sze:E || Str: D || Sta: C || Spd: F || Spc: F ]
Milestones: [3] (Defeat the Mass Obliterator {Spent}) (Defeat a Kaiju in combat) (Defeat Buddy™)","attachment":null,"posted":1716118245},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6009945,"name":"G.E.L","msg":"I feel the way to go would be with successful speed defence rolls would be with a secondary bonus, like >>6009891's Riposte rolling a declared stat up for an action or my own redirect against Phantrumpitus and Beast.
I also think Memitim's suggestions would be cool to see.
I'd like to see a successful speed roll to negate an active defense action, but it really wouldn't be wise to have on an open forum like this.","attachment":null,"posted":1716118348},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6009948,"name":"Ghost of DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>6009921
These are thoughtful suggestions, thanks for sharing.
Pitting Speed against Stamina would seem be a good way to curtail speed-demons from escaping constantly, but I do think that a “scavenger” playstyle should be a viable one. The Speed stat could provides access to a “speed pool” as Memitim suggests but the size of the pool partly depends on the Stamina stat?
I also think that the successive “wear and tear” combat rules make lots of sense and would help ensure that combat between Kaiju is dangerous.","attachment":null,"posted":1716118678},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6009953,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>6009921
>>6009945
>>6009948
I think creating a resource pool exclusive to speed might be a bit much, and drifts away from the relatively simple and easy to pick up system I'm going for. Ablative system is a very good idea, though. Defense decay providing a way for big guys to get mobbed is quite a great mental image. The downside is that it stops a less durable Kaiju from benefiting from good luck when actively guarding, as it becomes impossible for them to defend way faster. Maybe it could be a use case of Energy instead? Spend 1 energy with an attack to decrease their defense regardless of hit, for the turn. Complements team play well.
One thing I was also considering is that it's currently possible to just walk out of a tile with speed, which I felt balanced it. As the faster action happens first, someone faced with 3 attacks could just leave on action 1, preventing the other 2 from landing at all and saying goodbye to needing a Stamina contest. Would you guys regard this as being a problem, or a sensible part of the game?","attachment":null,"posted":1716119186},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6009963,"name":"Indonesian Gentleman","msg":">>6009898
What if Dodge lasts until:
>The Kaiju doing it gets hit
>The Kaiju doing it attacks
>The Kaiju doing it defends
?
This way it'll be less OP but still a good strategy to use, for example if you need to urgently escape.","attachment":null,"posted":1716121464},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6009967,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009963
Yeah that makes sense. Makes it retain the ability to be used for blow-trading directly in battle, like it has now, while also letting Kaiju try and get out of sticky situations.","attachment":null,"posted":1716121708},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6009989,"name":"Phantrumpitus","msg":"Rolled 3, 3, 3 = 9 (3d3)
>>6009871
Phantrumpitus senses his target is near once again. Still the knowledgeseekers test may prove useful.
> Action 1 figure out how the language board works and say southwest
> Action 2 finish lair upgrade
> Action 3 solve the puzzle boxes","attachment":null,"posted":1716123670},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6010268,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009953
>Spend 1 energy with an attack to decrease their defense regardless of hit, for the turn
I had been thinking of something like that with the last special mutation with the spikes designed to go past armor and better infection vecotrs. Have Shroomy grapple or latch onto another Kaiju depending on size, and then use special to dump their stamina once or twice by having the mycelium grow wild and create chinks in the armor, like roots cracking pavement. Then coordinate with the humans to finish the job, maybe by grappling the other Kkaiju to expose the weakened area. With in Shroomy's case the advantage that it can also just tell them to throw everything and the kitchen sink at the battleground, what with the main body being replaceable and all. That and special attacks were (and maybe are) still the main way I was thinking of having Shroomy fight, should it come to that.
Also, I wanted to ask if managing the Powerhouse thingy would cost actions repeatedly? Can the Lair be left to route power from the APM to Argentina, or does Shroomy need to dedicate attention in a significant capacity?","attachment":null,"posted":1716148493},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6010295,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009953
Another thought: The core issue here seems to be that Strength and Stamina both give passive benifits as well as their ability to be used actively, but currently speed doesn't.
Could you use pokemon rules and have speed determine who goes first in combat? Not for the whole turn's actions, but for the sequence actions resolve? So if A outspeeds B the action sequence would resolve as:
A1
B1
A2
B2
A3
B3
Like in Pokemon, I'm guessing that first turn advantage would be fairly significant, but not game breaking. It'd then function a bit like the size stat, where beating someone gets you the bonus, but the bonus doesn't stack if you're stat is way higher than theirs.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716151565451751.jpg","filename":"Dragoniteusedagility.jpg"},"posted":1716151565},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6010952,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010295
Isn't that already what's happening, though? I thought I saw something like that in some of the clashes.","attachment":null,"posted":1716214603},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6011476,"name":"Arctic Ursa","msg":"Rolled 2, 2, 3 = 7 (3d3)
>>6009939
>Action 1: Ursa tries to stab into Memitim before it can dive into the ocean
>Action 2: Continue to attack Memitim, even as reality fails nothing will stop it’s death
>Action 3: And finally, go for the kill with a single swipe of the claws","attachment":null,"posted":1716253624},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6011507,"name":"The Typhon","msg":">>6009871
>Action 1-3 Upgrade special.","attachment":null,"posted":1716256243},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6011510,"name":"The Typhon","msg":">>6011507
Forgot my dice","attachment":null,"posted":1716256379},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6012772,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Going to make the update very soon, Shroomy, will give a last few hours.
>>6010295
>>6010952
Yep, that's how it's working already","attachment":null,"posted":1716350957},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6012774,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>6010268
Oh, fuck. Sorry, I forgot to reply to this part. Had a lot of posts to read through and I missed it.
No, you won't need to use constant actions. It's assumed that it's just a resource that Argentina can utilise now.","attachment":null,"posted":1716351116},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6013316,"name":"Shroomy (aka Power Shroom)","msg":"Rolled 2, 1, 1 = 4 (3d3)
>>6009871
>Action 1: Shroomy now has both proven it can make good on its promises and left enough time for the deluge of offers and demands from its official reveal to the world to mellow out into something more reasonable and level-headed. It starts looking through all offers currently being made by countries, corporations and powerful individuals for ideas on future developments and partnerships with the help of the Parasitised. It has secured itself and its new people a place in Argentina, but some diversification would certainly be welcome. Besides, think of the untapped markets!
>Action 2 and 3: Top up energy reserves.","attachment":null,"posted":1716399309},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6013317,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012774
Thanks, I was indeed waiting on it to shape my first action somewhat.","attachment":null,"posted":1716399433},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6014985,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"Rolled 2 (1d3)
>>6009943
The lobster grows stronger yet again! The snapping limbs increase their ability to fire out deadly cavitation bubbles. The carapace is shed again, and as it finishes up the energy from beating Buddy, it rises from the water with a newly hardened and deadly weapon.
>G.E.L energy: 0/6
>G.E.L Special: F>E
>>6009989
3,3,3
The establishment of communication is an extremely shocking discovery for the Germans. Internally, they go over a list of questions and further things they want to discuss with the creature. Its mention of ‘South-West’ prompts them to pay close attention to the situation in Spain, where Typhon is wrecking their cities yet again and slurping up surplus energy.
In the meantime, they watch as Phantrumpitus continues shifting metal about and strengthening the walls of its den. By now, they’ve figured that they can’t keep it imprisoned, and that it’s here of its own volition. Trying to keep the door shut just causes damage. From now, they change protocol to release it whenever it attempts to exit.
>Lair Upgrade: 100%
Outpost D-11 (D11)
>Size: F
>Strength: F
>Stamina: E>D
>Speed: F
>Special: F
>Containment Zone: This lair is being overseen by humans. Automatic attack reactions will take place upon Kaiju attempting to attack it. However, Phantrumpitus must spend an action to exit this lair before being able to move out of its tile.
>New: Observation Post: Phantrumpitus no longer needs to spend an action to exit this lair. So long as it does not attack an enemy, Phantrumpitus may hide within this lair and become immune to attacks until this lair is damaged and its effects lost.
Lastly, the solving of those puzzle boxes cement the distinct intellect of the Kaiju. With the conclusion that it’s both capable of communication and problem-solving, they decide to further quiz it.
Reaction:
Due to the interest that their subject is clearly taking in Typhon, Outpost D-11 prepares itself for a confrontation. Next turn, they will have an increased degree of success when attacking Kaiju on D-11.
Additionally, they’re furthering their attempts at communication. They ask it:
>What are you?
>Where are you from
>Why are you here?
>>6011507
As it hovers over Spain, Typhon’s power grows and grows. The whorling storm blackens the sky, filling it with crackling orange energy that strikes buildings and causes blackouts from its sheer power. The army stares in terror, continuing their onslaught.
>Typhon Energy: 0/6
>Typhon Special: D>C
Reaction:
Communication has been established with Japan, and a shipment has just arrived. Should Typhon linger much longer without dealing with the army, they’ll be well-prepared for a truly devastating strike. But for now, conventional munitions fly its way.
>Strength (E) VS Stamina (E)
Take note of the damage this does on a 2 or 3.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716528033927591.jpg","filename":"Versus.jpg"},"posted":1716528033},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6014986,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":">>6013316
Several overseas companies have taken an interest in the power situation, and once Shroomy opens the floodgates, offers come in. Many of them are asking if it’s possible for the power to be stored long-term, in some kind of battery, as they’re too far away to access a grid. Others are inquiring about pharmaceutical potential. There’s enough people clamouring for a piece that by just picking a new avenue of development, Shroomy can start appealing to any major power it chooses. In particular, the US is looking for a long-term mobile energy source, citing the failure of Buddy to remain powered and capable for long.
>Shroomy has gained 1 energy > 4/4
>Shroomy is at energy cap
>>6009939
>Speed (E>D) Vs Speed (F)
Memitim plunges into the depths. With its abiological form, it can go far deeper than even the bear, and is able to avoid the very first strike without issue. Hiding like this makes it completely invulnerable, even in the worst of cases where it doesn’t move at max speed.
>Special (D>C) VS Stamina (E)
However, it doesn’t stay hiding forever. Instead, it rises to whip the bear with flickering masses of aberrant physics. A ship or lesser creature would be torn apart instantly, with the very cells in their body drifting off in every direction. However, the natural mass of the Kaiju exerts a gravitational field that keeps reality relatively stable. It’s only doomed to take devastating blows against its outer layer, rather than being erased like a whale or warship.
>Special (D) VS Stamina (E)
The attack keeps up, filling the sky and sea with blinding pulses that slay all life larger than a microbe.
>>6011476
2,2,3
>Strength (D) VS Stamina (F)
>Strength (D) VS Stamina (F)
>Strength (D>C) VS Stamina (F)
The bear slashes at the water, tearing the surface apart, but failing to draw blood. It then strikes repeatedly, diving deep to chase it through the storm and finish off their rematch. Unlike Memitim, it has grown much during its journey throughout the warmer seas of the world, and it’s far superior to the bear that attacked it the first time. It swings and swings, beating the ocean with its icy paws and churning up white foam.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716528108194323.jpg","filename":"Vs2.jpg"},"posted":1716528108},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6014987,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"KAIJU CLASH! Memitim VS Arctic Ursa
>Arctic Ursa Strength (D) VS Memitim Stamina (F)
>Memitim Speed (E>D) Vs Arctic Ursa Speed (F)
The very first attack by the bear is a failure, for Memitim has managed to dive beneath the sea and avoid its claws first. Water bubbles in vast quantities as Ursa bobs near the surface, waiting for an ensuing strike.
>Special (D>C) VS Stamina (E)
>Strength (D) VS Stamina (F)
Rather than dodging further or fleeing, Memitim makes its last stand here. It bursts from the sea, eager to get a hit in by changing reality into something anathema to life. The set of aberrant physics wreak havoc on the bear’s flesh.
>Arctic Ursa HP> 5/6
But the bear is ready. It sweeps its claws one final time, slashing the beast apart in several segments. The ribbons that make up its body fly apart, and there’s a massive implosion as reality re-equalises with sudden intensity. The bear is buffeted by a deluge of seawater and radioactive heat, and water rushes back inwards.
>Memitim HP> 0/6
The rematch has been won. The poles are safe again.
>Arctic Ursa has defeated Memitim!
>Arctic Ursa absorbs Memitim’s energy. 10/6. Unused surplus will disappear at the end of the turn.
Arctic Ursa has achieved a milestone. At any time, it may choose to spend 3 actions to Upgrade Size. This fully heals it.
All that remains of Memitim is a glowing spot in the middle of the sea, warping and shifting so staunchly that water transforms into pure light upon making contact with it. If the bear chooses, it may spare this foe. However, a mere sweep of the hand can slay it for good, much like last time.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716528184317924.png","filename":"Bearfight.png"},"posted":1716528184},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6014990,"name":"KaijuQM","msg":"State of the World
The large asteroid is moving faster than expected. Experts predict it will land within the next five years, instead of the previously thought decade. Preliminary observation reveals a rock mass made of an unknown substance.
With the technology stolen from the Russians, the terrorists have re-surfaced in South Africa! The United Nations security outpost that had been observing the hibernating Shelob is attacked abruptly, with staff members being brutally executed. Comms are lost, and the South African military is mobilised to deal with it.
Japan publishes a paper on Kaiju biology, based on data gathered from numerous organisations who have had to fight them. Every Kaiju so far has had an irreplicable level of complexity to their internal neural systems. To move a body of that size requires such a load that programming it is impossible with human technology. Predictive portions on the paper state that creatures such as the Baba Yaga that attacked Moscow likely only functioned due to Kaiju parts that lingered within them, and could be used to handle the body. Buddy was particularly ineffective due to being based off machine learning algorithms rather than any kind of neuromorphic processor.
TURN 20: ENDING ERA
We’re near the end-ish, I assume! Sorry for the long stretch between posts lately, have a lot of stuff piling up. Players who have been eliminated while ACTIVE, and are still lurking, keep an eye out!
Arctic Ursa, once again, you get to choose what you do.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716528299934625.png","filename":"Map Turn 20.png"},"posted":1716528299},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6015095,"name":"G.E.L","msg":"Rolled 2, 2, 3 = 7 (3d3)
>>6014990
Evolve: Size
HP: 4/6 || Eng: 0/6
[ Sze:E || Str: D || Sta: C || Spd: F || Spc: E ]
Milestones: [3] (Defeat the Mass Obliterator {Spent}) (Defeat a Kaiju in combat) (Defeat Buddy™)","attachment":null,"posted":1716540376},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6015114,"name":"Phantrumpitus","msg":"Rolled 2, 2, 1 = 5 (3d3)
>>6014990
>What are you?
Weapon/Tracker
>Where are you from
Up/Stars
>Why are you here?
Capture/Kill rouge weapon
> Action 1 move to E 10
Actuon 2 and 3 attack typhon","attachment":null,"posted":1716544080},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6015314,"name":"Arctic Ursa","msg":">>6014990
I’m going to kill him, then I’m going to get more CHUNKY!
>Spend all actions on upgrading Stamina stat
>Then next turn spend the other action to grow size.","attachment":null,"posted":1716561954},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6015354,"name":"Ghost of DEWA-PENYU","msg":">>6014990
>Players who have been eliminated while ACTIVE, and are still lurking, keep an eye out!
C-could it be?","attachment":null,"posted":1716564211},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6016625,"name":"Shroomy (aka Regen Shroom)","msg":"Rolled 2, 1, 1 = 4 (3d3)
>>6014990
Whoops, forgot I didn't post my actions yesterday.
# Shroomy
Health: 4/4 (1 Size + 3 Stamina)
Energy: 0/4
[ Sze:F || Str: F || Sta: D>C || Spd: F || Spc: D ]
Milestones: [1] (Constructed Unique Project: APM)
This is what I get for not posting my stats every time, I thought I was at C Stamina already. Kinda throws my rp plans in disarray, but I can make it work.
>Action 1 to 3: Upgrade Stamina to C.
>Shroomy expresses interest in the long term battery idea through the Parasitised, before taking a seat back for another round of experiments. The testing on reinforcing its main body's materials were the focus last time. It could still be stronger, but it doesn't think it has experimented enough to roll out a meaningful upgrade. Still, between its want for an even stronger main body and the requests for a battery...Shroomy decides to dust off a by this point years-old project. Integrating a smaller version of the APM within its own body. Given the body's mobile nature, and the fact that not every fight will take place under the sun, it gives Shroomy an excuse to start toying with small-ish batteries. They don't even need to hold charge for long, just long enough to be useful, a couple hours at most.
>How could batteries and extra energy make the main body stronger? Well, that's the neat part. They don't. Shroomy wishes to develop its mushroom bodies' toughness in two twin angles. Making them more difficult to harm was one, but chip damage could still accumulate, especially with an enemy peeling away the bark before riping through the softer blunt-absorbing mycelium underneath. Until now. After some experimenting, the main body starts sprouting its own megaflora, and tests soon show Shroomy's success. Any non crippling hit can now be regenerated in short order, and even those can be mended onceit breaks away from a fight and gets some time in the sun.
Basically flavor text, I'm not going for in combat regen, though it would justify Shroomy's unnatural Kaiju regen some now. Shroomy still loses HP, but will regen anything that doesn't knock off a point instead of just shrugging it off like G.E.L and Ursa.","attachment":null,"posted":1716662489},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6016906,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014990
QM your really should archive this and make a new thread this thing is going to fall off soon and you waited long enough.","attachment":null,"posted":1716679855},{"board":"qst","thread":5976616,"pid":6017047,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6016906
Good call! I archived it early, will make a new thread for the update. Stay tuned fellas.","attachment":null,"posted":1716687578}]}
+{"title":"Peasants and Plunder","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5976800,"pid":5976800,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"One day, while searching the woods for a sparrow to crack with your pocket of stones, you come across a small cave at the base of a mossy hill. It smells like wet stone inside but as you venture deeper, you get whiffs of an odor like the one that hangs over the village cemetery on dry summer days.
It is then you see it. There is a man sitting against the cave wall, his legs outstretched. Sleeping, you think. The light from the mouth of cave is not enough to make out his face and hailing him does not rouse him from his slumber. You inch closer. A rusty gauntlet glints from his hand, resting just above his knees. You reach out to shake his shoulder and small mouse jumps out from his head and runs into the darkness making you yelp and jump back. You can make out now a white skull, picked clean of all flesh, and masses of cobwebs in the hollows. A cruel black arrow sticks out from the man's belly. He is most certainly not sleeping.
In the other hand, you see a leather scabbard clutched close to the chest. It is with a great effort that you wrench it from the chewed fingers. It is covered in dust and smells vaguely of rat droppings, but the blade inside, when you draw it out, is as sharp and shiny as the day it was forged. You've never seen anything so fine.
>What do you do?
[ ] Show the blade to your father, it'll surely fetch a fair price at the market, and your family will be glad for the coin.
[ ] Hide the blade inside your tunic and present it to the old watchman, Delaney Halfhand. Perhaps he'll teach you how to use it.
[ ] Wear the sword on your back and swagger triumphantly to the village well, showing it off to the other boys. You can't wait to see the green in Thomas Bishop's eyes!
[ ] Other","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713028549014652.jpg","filename":"pap_op.jpg"},"posted":1713028549},{"board":"qst","thread":5976800,"pid":5976801,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976800
>[x] Hide the blade inside your tunic and present it to the old watchman, Delaney Halfhand. Perhaps he'll teach you how to use it.","attachment":null,"posted":1713028629},{"board":"qst","thread":5976800,"pid":5976809,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976800
>[ ] Hide the blade inside your tunic and present it to the old watchman, Delaney Halfhand. Perhaps he'll teach you how to use it.
Easiest choice.","attachment":null,"posted":1713029796},{"board":"qst","thread":5976800,"pid":5976819,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976800
>[x] Hide the blade inside your tunic and present it to the old watchman, Delaney Halfhand. Perhaps he'll teach you how to use it.
Hopefully it’s not cursed","attachment":null,"posted":1713031001},{"board":"qst","thread":5976800,"pid":5976829,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976800
>Hide the blade inside your tunic and present it to the old watchman, Delaney Halfhand. Perhaps he'll teach you how to use it.","attachment":null,"posted":1713032298},{"board":"qst","thread":5976800,"pid":5976923,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976801
>>5976809
>>5976819
>>5976829
You sheathe the blade again and look one last time at the corpse. It is bad luck to leave a dead body out in the open like this, but it will take too long to bury him or to gather the stones necessary to make a cairn. Instead you make the sign of the tower and the wheel in the air, and run back out into the trees.
There is a stream not too far from here and you head there first, to wash the scabbard. A blade as a well-made as this might fetch a kingly price, but you cannot help but covet it for yourself. How often have you imagined yourself as one of the cavaliers of Riverstone, waging battle astride their winged steeds against the dread Falcons of the West.
Once the scabbard has been thoroughly rinsed, you dry it with the hem of your tunic and slip it beneath your clothes. The cold pommel tapping against your bare chest sends a pleasant shiver through your body.
Drawing close to stone watchtower upon the hill, you think of what to say to its lonely inhabitant, Delaney Halfhand. It is certain he will ask you where you found the sword, and then you will have to tell him about the corpse, and about the black arrow in his stomach (which you're afraid might have come from the hairy goblins that once lived in those woods). And what if the man is someone of importance, one of the old Barons? Then old Delaney will have to journey to Riverstone and you'll not only lose the sword but fail in your true purpose, to learn from him the art of its use. But to lie is a grave sin, and to lie to one of the lord's men (which the old watchman still is, however lowly his station) a crime punishable by flogging.
>What do you do?
[ ] Admit no more than your finding the sword in the woods. It is the truth, after all, and the part which you've left out will not harm anyone.
[ ] Make up a story about inheriting the sword from a distant uncle. It's unlikely Delaney will take the trouble to confirm the story and you've never put much stock in avoiding sins.
[ ] The cavaliers of Riverstone would never lie and neither will you. You've always been a straight and honest boy and choose to remain sinless.
[ ] Other","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713040311386687.jpg","filename":"watchtower.jpg"},"posted":1713040311},{"board":"qst","thread":5976800,"pid":5976929,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976923
>[x] The cavaliers of Riverstone would never lie and neither will you. You've always been a straight and honest boy and choose to remain sinless.
I’d prefer the quest hook over the sword any day","attachment":null,"posted":1713040723},{"board":"qst","thread":5976800,"pid":5976940,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976923
>[x] The cavaliers of Riverstone would never lie and neither will you. You've always been a straight and honest boy and choose to remain sinless.","attachment":null,"posted":1713042207},{"board":"qst","thread":5976800,"pid":5977082,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976923
>[x] The cavaliers of Riverstone would never lie and neither will you. You've always been a straight and honest boy and choose to remain sinless.
The just are rewarded for their honour - we may be able to keep the blade!","attachment":null,"posted":1713056308},{"board":"qst","thread":5976800,"pid":5977147,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976923
>[ ] The cavaliers of Riverstone would never lie and neither will you. You've always been a straight and honest boy and choose to remain sinless.","attachment":null,"posted":1713060785},{"board":"qst","thread":5976800,"pid":5977339,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976923
>The cavaliers of Riverstone would never lie and neither will you. You've always been a straight and honest boy and choose to remain sinless.","attachment":null,"posted":1713073988},{"board":"qst","thread":5976800,"pid":5977378,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976923
>[ ] Admit no more than your finding the sword in the woods. It is the truth, after all, and the part which you've left out will not harm anyone.","attachment":null,"posted":1713076868},{"board":"qst","thread":5976800,"pid":5978674,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977082
We dindu nuffin after all.","attachment":null,"posted":1713224916},{"board":"qst","thread":5976800,"pid":5979211,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977339","attachment":null,"posted":1713295939}]}
+{"title":"Heretic Cultivator Quest 22","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5976698,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Previous chapters: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Heretic%20Cultivator%20Quest
MC info Pastebin: https://pastebin.com/x5rCdZpq
Sect/ disciple info Doc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1A0Yghkqs4WxALnnlVJ2uPpphQk9NQ4ME32DzC1qWp7Q/edit?usp=sharing
Folklore: https://pastebin.com/AnbsrDcd
_
You are Huanliuxue (欢流血, Happy Bloodshed/ Happy to Shed Blood), She who touched and dyed the moon red, the rightful ruler of and most impressive amongst all beasts, the heir to the primordial throne of true primordial nobility, an popular amateur writer, the founder and first and current grand master of the palace of natural laws sect (宫殿的野生彝宪, Gōngdiàndīyěshēngyíxiàn) and creator of the cultivation technique following the dao of ghosts and grudges, there heretical art of the Ruler of the Great Wheel's Law(统治者的这重大轮回法律, Tǒngzhìzhědīzhèzhòngdàlúnhuífǎl), and you are also the rightful monarch of the kingdom of the buried army of those who dared oppose the order of the heavens, the aggressors and only victims of the bloodless war, a kingdom of graves, tombs and quiet catacombs filled to brim with vengeful spirits, hungry ghosts and ancient warriors turned phantom calamities.
However, the king who has lost his name and been forgotten by all outside of his cursed followers and soldiers trapped beneath the now split mountain you claimed and marked as your own years ago, still holds most of the lands of one of your rightful domain. And while it is but one of the many kingdoms and titles that are rightfully yours, the forgotten king and his toadies have earned your ire and enmity through all the wrongs they have committed against you and yours. They tried to attack you while you were in deep meditation and refining the ghostly essence saturating the tomb kingdom, and during your student's valiant defense of your cultivation chamber, one of those brute's cursed one of poor Qiang's eyes, forcing her to tear it out herself! And since everyone, men and beast alike, mistake her for your daughter, you may as well pay them back for that injury as if she truly was from a litter of yours! And that isn't to mention the insults the governor of his that you've been using like a caged canary and footstool has spat your way. And still is. Even though Yin Zhao has been your prisoner for quite some time, he hasn't once wept or wailed pathetically with the other loyalists you keep caged to sing you pretty and sorrowful songs while you hold court and appease your subjects by alleviating the agony of their wretched and cursed existence trapped here beneath the earth. Not quite in hell, but certainly not alive.
Subjects who are now braying and barking for "blood" and vengeance, the fury they feel towards their former leader for getting them trapped in this sorry state driving them all into a frenzy, even those who are usually cool headed, composed and mostly sane after the long centuries confined here by the heavens' spite.
Cont","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713018903546731.jpg","filename":"Heretic Cultivator - Copy.jpg"},"posted":1713018903},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5976699,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5976698
Lounging on your throne, dressed in your demon spider silk armor, you listen to all of your generals, allowing them each and audience and chance to put forward their own plan of attack and strategy to pull down the rule of the forgotten king. The beetle generals do so with their miniscule "Soldiers", using them to detail how they expect the enemy formations to move and how you should counter them, a very passive strategy that sounds both boring and ineffective. The warrioress with axes suggests to throw their peasants into an uproar with multiple raids, exhausting the forgotten king's men by retreating whenever they try and fend off your aggression. Which isn't your style or to your taste at all. It isn't the commoners fault they have a shitty lord. The general who forgot his name, along with other ghosts of older gentlemen, suggest a more intricate and well thought out plan of attack, striking from multiple entrances into the lower levels of the catacombs that does sound sound.
However before they can explain how the multi pronged assault would be sustained, A certain greedy pig spirit is sent rocketing into the chamber, thrown bodily through the door. Yi Zhu squeals as he gets back onto his wobbly trotters, and sees Fu bedecked in his morbid, skull styled armor, the evolved form of Yujijiao, and Huili chomping down on the leg bone of one of your guards, which is still attached to the rest of the fiery skeleton.
He stammers, blubbering as he scuttles past the generals and clings to your thigh pathetically. Qinxin moves to draw his blade, but Ping stops him
"That is one of her creatures, Bright heart" He explains as Qiang glowers menacingly at the fat headed pig as your stare down disdainfully at him, before kicking him half way back to the door with a flick of your foot. All you understood in his blubbering and crying was that he "tried to stop him". And the booming footsteps that shake the foundation of your graveside palace makes it blindily clear who is the He he tried to stop.
"Xiongji! If it isn't my favorite absolute lunatic and bloodthirsty dog!" You declare happily, sitting up straight and energetically greeting the broken skulled general as he boots the door to the throne room open, and trailed by some trouble makers you recognize as the most violent amongst your ghostly servants besides the rooster general himself, swaggers in, his dull axe dragging behind him spitting up parks.
Your ladies in waiting, scribes, scholars, tax collectors and guards all turn into ghost lights and flee as the infamous rampaging monster casually strides up to you. The nameless general remains, glowering at him, looking truly offended he interrupted his tactical discussion and proposition. He only runs away behind you when one of the other hungry ghosts following Xiongji like a duckling flicks out a long, split tongue and howls, his face turning into a demonic mask as he bounds up to kneel at Xiongji's side.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1713018921},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5976700,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5976699
"Cur! Impudent dog!" The ghost that forgot his name shouts as Fu stands firm before the taller ghost, his chest pushed out and shoulders lifted imposingly
"Nice axe" Fu says to the mad ghost, who only then notices his presence and flashes a toothy, blood grin beneath his dented helmet
"Nice axes. You one of our descendants, boy?" He chuckles, politely kneeling down "You certainly smell like you've got a bit of ghost in you, brat! Out of my way, need to talk to the princess"
Qiang's scabbard rattles as she grips the hilt of her sword
"Xiongji, don't pick a fight with him" Ping warns "He's about as difficult to kill as you restless dead"
"Ohoho? Sounds fun!" Xiongji exclaims "Wanna tear each other apart, boy! Come on, you only have your life to lose, you piece of"
"Stop" You command with a lazy wave of your hand "You seem calmer than usual Xiongji, which must mean you're about to blow your lid and go berserk, so lets be quick about this. You want to attack the forgotten king head on, without any concern for any strategy besides pummeling and mauling anything or one that gets in your way, am I correct?"
"My my, you speak what I think!" He laughs, his cheerfulness and well spoken demeanor starting to creep you out "Let me kick down the gate and teach those dogfuckers a lesson! That shit eating piece of shit has kept me trapped down here for generations! It was his damnable pride that ended my glorious life and cut my family tree short! I'll rip them all apart, from asshole to skull! What are we doing just standing here! Vengeance! Blood! I will have both! I'll kill those fuckers for what they did to me, dammit!"
"Ah, he's going berserk already" You chuckle tenderly, nodding your head as he starts swing his axe around and stomp craters into the floor of your throne room, shouting profanity that curdles the bowls and curses that start to actually manifest and fly about searching for victims to latch onto "Hmm. You know, old geezer, this rampaging moron has given me a genius idea. A really wonderful one. Qiang"
"Yes, Master?" Qiang asks, leaning closer to you as she watches Xiongji's usual ramage warily. Yi Zhu is stepped on and gives a sound like a deflated balloon as he runs away with a boot print on his back, and one of the hungry ghosts that was following Xiongji gets its head lopped off mid laugh as the general rages and howls madly, lost to his all consuming rage against...well pretty much everything beneath the heavens
"Take command of the quietest and most somber of my soldiers, and scout ahead into the layer of crypts directly beneath the last floor under our control" You say coolly and completely calm as a pillar is sent flying across the chamber and crashes against the wall with a loud bang, causing the black horned skull you were palming to hop up and start chattering, which sets all of the other clattering and jaw snappy skulls to start yapping and yipping like over excited lap dogs
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1713018982},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5976701,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5976700
"And?" She dully question as she bows her head lower, as Fu starts clapping half heartedly in mocking approval of Xiongji's violent temper
"Pick out your targets, prioritize officers and generals of course, weaken their defenses in preparation for my arrival" You gleefully answer, gesturing with your thumb towards Xiongji "And then we'll send this strutting rooster ahead, to soften them up a little more and create a distract for you, if you need one"
Qiang's eye turns to a chip of ice as a cold gleam overflowing with killing intent flashes inside of it as she grips her sword and completely serious, answers "I will not"
"I didn't think you would" You sneer, lounging back in your throne of star jade, kicking one leg over the other "Now, get going and bring me some spectral heads and skulls, Mm?"
Underling stealth trial. DC 65. Best out of three ","attachment":null,"posted":1713019043},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5976704,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 55 (1d100)
>>5976701","attachment":null,"posted":1713019203},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5976707,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 58 (1d100)
>>5976701","attachment":null,"posted":1713019788},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5976711,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 81 (1d100)
>>5976701
Go Qiang, Kill","attachment":null,"posted":1713019958},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5976712,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5976711
Fine success. 10 over DC, Update will arrive shortly","attachment":null,"posted":1713020062},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5976750,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"https://youtu.be/hG6ZNNWLb6U
__
In the land of the cursed souls bound to their own moldering bones, all was silent and still, as the ethereal prisoners caged beneath the god placed mountain wallowed in their misery and anguish, those with enough of themselves left cursing the gods as they stalked the crypts, caroling and herding those who had completely lost their minds to the arduous passage of time, beating bone gnawing ghouls back and directing the harmless lunatics away from vaults of burial offerings or parchments and scrolls so old the language written upon them had been forgotten. Soldiers, bones wearing armor and towering monstrous spirits, marched and patrolled the few entrances to from the upper levels of the catacombs down, keeping any of the weaker phantoms from sneaking through and opening the gateway to the usurper above or her traitorous servants.
The silence was broken.
Four clashes of two swords and a sigh of relief, of decades and centuries of torment and madness released all at once as a soul corrupted by resentment and hate was given reprieve and returned to the great wheel of transmigration. Spectral soldiers ran back to their barracks, furious and jealous at being denied the chance to escape this hellish existence, trapped in their own graves. Only to find a helmet split down the middle, resting atop the breastplate of their commanding officer. An alarm was sent down the line, security were raised, guards were stationed.
Four more times, steel striking steel rang out like a funerary bell. The officer leading the effort was found, fading away with a smile on his face, a red slash of light across his torso as his soul disintegrated and returned to the cycle of reincarnation. The organized response turned panicked and frantic. The officers and their men remembered what had happened the last time their king had ordered them to advance on the cat's lair. One of her disciples, who should've died from their malevolent energy and curses, was making a tally of their leaders heads.
Guards were pulled from their station by the order of the general assigned to the floor, a search was conducted deeper into the catacomb, starved phantoms were used as scent hounds, heretical sages chanted and performed profane rites to draw out or strike dead the intruder.
The silence was broken. By a knocking at his door.
"We've found the assassin!" A voice called out, frantic and wild, excited yet regretful. In winning, they'd lost the chance to escape their confinement and be reborn in a better life than this half existence.
"Bring them to me, I shall present her head to her mother" The general relished, tapping his blackened talons of bone the table, tearing the map laying out the defenses he'd been prepared and a missive sent to him from one of that fool Yin Zhao's spies, pleading with him to launch an attack to free him from the new prisoner he found himself in.
The door opened with a shimmer of green flame.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1713023313},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5976752,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5976750
The general gasped, and drew his dao.
A flash of red hair ducked under the arm of a stranger, holding to their mouth the lower jaw of one of his soldiers.
One, two, three. The girl assassin struck with the speed of falling lighting strikes, moving like a blur, though her heart beat slowly and her expression remained as still as a corpse's. The only sign of life was the flickering black flame of killing intent flaring in the empty pit where one of her eyes had been before.
Four, five, six. Sparks flew, lightening up the long dark chamber, revealing the earthly remains of the general, lain across the wall where his legs had been crushed by the mountain collapsing on top of him. His pale skull glowed in the light of unearthly grey flames as the general roared and poured his ghostly essence into the saber in his hand and struck back, forcing his would be banished on the defensive, pushing her back
Seven, eight. Their blades sung as he forced her against the wall, grinding the edge of his blade down the edge of her blade, catching it at the hilt.
Nine.
The girl slumped backwards. The flame in her eye flying out, the grave cold air growing colder as her blade pulled itself from her hands, paper talismans waving along its edge like carp streamers as a spectral copy of her appeared at the general's side.
"Ten moves" She said bitterly, brow creased as the air whistled. The general blinked and looked down, a silver white light was traveling up from his midsection, where his spider like bundle of legs had been cut from his bleeding body.
"How sloppy. It should've ended in one less" She sulks, as she grabs onto the plum of his helm, and plunges her blade through the back of it
Silence.
Chaos
"I'VE COME TO BUTCHER ALL OF YOU! YOU BLACK BELLIED CURS! YOU TWO FACED BASTARDS! ARROGANT WHORESONS! FACE ME! FACE MY FURY"
Xiongji had arrived. There was no silence. Chaos had turned to anarchy and desperate combat against the most crazed and wild of the hungry ghosts that had once been noble and honorable men.
Qiang frowned, and made her escape silently, only turning back to watch spectral arrows pin two guards who had been drawn by the sound of her duel with their leader. She smiled, seeing her underlings float down from the ceiling, and pin the other ghosts against the wall with another volley of ghost flame lined arrows.
_
"Xiongji and the other rampaging spirits have broken through the enemies' defensive line, their forces are in utter disarray" The old, nameless general exclaims, as his peers and fellow military advisors cheer and shout with joy "They've been scattered and crushed, and one of their four walls has completely crumbled. Surely the other three will support the remaining defenders to oust the rooster general and his men, but their commander is nowhere to be seen"
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1713023373},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5976754,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5976752
"And I don't need to hear your report to know why that is" You snicker, as a breathless scout, whose resentment had turned partially beastial, giving them the upper head of a wolf and long sickle like talons appears, their old face appearing through their monstrous guise as they grin ear to ear, their face split into two from a sword strike that killed them centuries ago, black blood dripping down their lips
"Qiang!" You shout, and as you do, Qiang walks forward, her sword levitating in front of her as she puppets it with one ghostly hand as she keeps the rest of her soul inside of her body. She's showing off? That's a rare sight.
"It took three kills, and eighteen strikes" She answers dryly, pouting as she shrugged her shoulders and sighed "Unfortunately, they didn't leave any heads for me to bring to you, master. And I only succeeded in reaching the last target because one of the scouts knew how to mimic voices"
"Good, you're a terrible liar, but you certainly knew what qualities to look for in your assitants" You praise, clapping your hands as Qiang bows hers, looking rather sheepish and adorable.
"It should've only taken one execution to finish the job, It took three because of my inexperience. Ghosts are harder to sneak around than living men" She says sourly , clearly ashamed even though she'd succeeded beyond your expectations "My blood ran too hot, I guess"
"We ghost can sense the presence of life, that you overcame that obstacle, even with medicinal aid is...incredible" One of the scouts you sent with her praises, smacking her on the back with a boney hand wrapped in ethereal fire.
"You, excited?" Ping asked curiously "How peculiar for such a brooding soul."
The short, red haired swordswoman kicked the exorcist with the cursed arm in the shin.
"It can happen. Qiang usually doesn't get a chance to fight past the first four steps" Fu says with a smile, as Qiang beamed with pride, which, hey! you can actually see a resemblance between that smile and your own! Is that why people keep mistaking your for mother and daughter? It isn't just because both of you are red furred or haired or have a similar ghastly presence and ghostly aura.
"Hmm" You sigh through your nose, pushing the thought of why exactly people keep mistaking her for your kid into the back of your mind, as the fun was about to begin, as you now had an open route to push into the forgotten king's territory.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1713023434},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5976755,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5976754
And how do you do that, Huanliuxue?
>Wait until something that can stall or beat Xiongji appears, saving your and your disciples energy for as long as you're able to.
>Order Fu to take your ghostly guard and ferocious hungry ghosts to attack the defenders from their flank as Xiongji brutalize their front, to complete crush any resistance on that floor (Underling Command/ Martial trial. DC 55)
>Send Baifenchi and Yujijiao down, entrusting them with Ghost Empress Melody, to support the charge of the rooster general and gather "Local support" (Underling Magic/ Necromancy trial. DC 72)
>Allow Ping and Qinxin to lead the actual, organized march into enemy territory (Underling Command/ Magic trial. DC 55)
>Enter the field yourself and start subjugating spirits
>Write in","attachment":null,"posted":1713023495},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5976760,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976755
>Order Fu forward
>Allow Ping and Qinxin to lead the actual march forwards
This is for their training. The actual fight is when WE get to show off.","attachment":null,"posted":1713024132},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5976774,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976755
>Allow Ping and Qinxin to lead the actual, organized march into enemy territory (Underling Command/ Magic trial. DC 55)","attachment":null,"posted":1713026114},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5976838,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976755
>>Send Baifenchi and Yujijiao down, entrusting them with Ghost Empress Melody, to support the charge of the rooster general and gather "Local support" (Underling Magic/ Necromancy trial. DC 72)","attachment":null,"posted":1713032529},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5976879,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976755
>>5976760
I'll support this, I predict the dead king has a plan to divert the rooster general away from the fight so sending our own forces will throw a wrench too large into their plans for them to deal with.
Baifenchi and Yujijiao can stay at our side , maybe try to see how well we can empower our ghost friend with ghost empress melody and Baifenchi aid?
We could even have them fight some strong ghosts for exp, if not the ghost king himself.","attachment":null,"posted":1713035470},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5976884,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976755
>>Send Baifenchi and Yujijiao down, entrusting them with Ghost Empress Melody, to support the charge of the rooster general and gather "Local support" (Underling Magic/ Necromancy trial. DC 72)","attachment":null,"posted":1713036366},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5976938,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976760
Support. Let's see what the ling dog is capable of.","attachment":null,"posted":1713041859},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5976967,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976760
Supporting","attachment":null,"posted":1713045860},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5976975,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976755
>Send Baifenchi and Yujijiao down, entrusting them with Ghost Empress Melody, to support the charge of the rooster general and gather "Local support" (Underling Magic/ Necromancy trial. DC 72)
While their forces aren't concentrated, we should start growing our own for the greater confrontation to follow.","attachment":null,"posted":1713046641},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5977407,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976975
I like the general strategy of this but I really don't want to give GEM to anyone, even temporarily to our underlings.","attachment":null,"posted":1713080704},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5977415,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976755
>Send Baifenchi and Yujijiao down, entrusting them with Ghost Empress Melody, to support the charge of the rooster general and gather "Local support" (Underling Magic/ Necromancy trial. DC 72)
>Allow Ping and Qinxin to lead the actual, organized march into enemy territory (Underling Command/ Magic trial. DC 55)
>>5977407
I don't see why not, it's a powerful tool.
Also, these updates are making me feel like we're playing a strategy RPG, very nice writing there, Grandfather.","attachment":null,"posted":1713081894},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5977530,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976755
>>Allow Ping and Qinxin to lead the actual, organized march into enemy territory (Underling Command/ Magic trial. DC 55)
Show us your fangs, Ex-Ling dog.
>>5977415
I think it might be due to the sentimental value it carries.","attachment":null,"posted":1713103086},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5977557,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Ending the vote and tallying its result now.
Order Fu to take your ghostly guard and ferocious hungry ghosts to attack the defenders from their flank as Xiongji brutalize their front, to complete crush any resistance on that floor:4
Allow Ping and Qinxin to lead the actual, organized march into enemy territory:7
Send Baifenchi and Yujijiao down, entrusting them with Ghost Empress Melody, to support the charge of the rooster general and gather "Local support":4
So you'll order Ping and Qinxin to lead the organized march into enemy territory, while having Fu lead a smaller force to act as the hammer to their anvil.
Update will arrive shortly","attachment":null,"posted":1713105661},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5977560,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5977415
Your praise is like an injection of chicken blood to my veins, junior. I am very happy you enjoyed it","attachment":null,"posted":1713106047},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5977572,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":""Ping" You command, voice low and resounding with imperial authority as you lift your half lidded eyes and gesture with your hand as you sprawl out atop your throne, a confident and clever grin on your face, with moon and star light glittering in your eyes as your white haired exorcist lifts up his head, eyes stony with determination yet lively and bold. His eyes meet yours and the air between the two of you becomes dense with ghostly yin qi as he stands at attention, waiting to hear your orders. He blinks, stunned and baffled as you break the lock of your gazes and glance over to Qinxin, who has been kneeling obediently since he had been allowed entrance to your throne room, constantly circulating Qi through his meridians and pulsing internal energy through his body to remain comfortable and at ease in the center of such potent energies of death
"Qinxin. The two of you shall lead the real march into the forgotten king's territory, following the path made by the rooster general's disorganized rabble" You order sternly and powerfully, voice booming and echoing in the hollowed silence of the grave as you sit up straight and rest your head against the knuckles of your fist as you droop your head to the side and drawl, a flicker of amusement passing over the ethereal beauty of your features as you add "Heh-heh, this is a chance for you to show me your fangs, former dog of the Ling! Don't disappoint me by showing me they've dulled. I know, Haaah, what do you call him? Rejungui? Right? Can fight like a tiger when cornered, but you? You're an unknown quality, Heh-Heh. I wonder, will you force me to pay attention to you, or prove my indifference was well given, pup"
Flames flicker in Qinxin's eyes as Ping shuts his eyes and gnashes his teeth.
"I will not squander this opportunity, nor waste the chance to distinguish myself" He says with an unwavering conviction "I'll prove the conviction that lead me to your door, and reaffirm my purpose for choosing real righteousness over the false heroism preached by my former masters"
"A dog that barks loud doesn't necessarily know how to bite" You snicker, testing his composure to see if the insult will provoke him, but he remains respectfully kneeling, eyes affixed to you still aflame with resolve. You lean back and adjust your posture, shifting your chin to rest on the back of your hand
"Heh, Well, we'll see the quality of your fangs soon enough" You chuckle as he nods and Ping sighs in relief, shoulders slacking and head hanging limply "Fu! Take my guard and what soldiers Ping and Qinxin can spare. You'll strike the defenders from their flank, as they and Xiongji's forces attack from the front. We'll crush the resistance of the first floor with a single move! Sweeping them aside like dust with a brush of our hands, Heh-heh!"
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1713107165},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5977575,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5977572
"As you command!" The three men shout in response, all of them fired up and eager to prove themselves. Qiang clicks her tongue.
Roll 2d100. 1st dice is for Ping/ Qinxin's march, 2nd is for Fu's flank. DC for both is 55. Best out of three for both ","attachment":null,"posted":1713107226},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5977582,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 12, 87 = 99 (2d100)
>>5977575","attachment":null,"posted":1713107666},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5977586,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 50, 58 = 108 (2d100)
>>5977575","attachment":null,"posted":1713107907},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5977590,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 63, 23 = 86 (2d100)
>>5977575
Godspeed","attachment":null,"posted":1713108298},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5977592,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977590
Ah clutch save for the first two","attachment":null,"posted":1713108345},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5977593,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5977590
Success for ping and Qinxin
>>5977582
Great success for Fu, 30 over DC,
Update will arrive shortly","attachment":null,"posted":1713108429},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5977659,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"https://youtu.be/qLu9KQ5rWvs
__
Graves were burst open, Tombs were sundered, where air had been allowed to grow stagnant long ago and fill with dust and mold spores, movement and chaos reigned. Fires, ghostly and real, were lit and consumed all in their path, burning ancient tapestries and old bones together as the movement of two spectral armies lifted the ash into the air that experienced for the first time in living memory and the fragmented recollections of the dead movement and activity. Sparks flew from rusted swords and stones covered in the grime of corpse crease, now further sullied by black soot and dense, burning smoke.
And through this storm of spectral swords and monstrous spirits clashing in a festival of violence, walked two living men, who walked fearlessly into the smoke and the flame, leading a much more professional force of phantoms than the rampaging wraiths and starved, hungry ghosts. One walked with a dead arm, wrapped in prayer beads fashioned from bones and yellowed teeth, with mantras written and spells taught to him by the dead winding along the pale flesh of that cursed arm, issuing forth black smoke and other signs of malevolent energy while in his other hand he held aloft a lantern formed out of fire and filled with butterflies born from embers.
And ahead of him, bellowing, shouting and crying out to tell all of the hateful and vengeful dead that he was a live, that his heart beat and the blood in his veins flowed and burned, was the other man, who faced all challengers without fear, his saber shrouded in bright red fire that roared and spat in defiance to the malevolent energies and deadly miasma and cursed air that surrounded him. In the center of his chest, the heart of Qinxin burned like the name he had taken first as a mask and then embraced as his true self, a single bright red star blazing in the gloom and lifelessness of the crypt.
The two of them could not have looked more different than the other, the ghoulish monk with billowing white hair and a corpse's arm attached to him at the shoulder, muttering prayers that were half mantra and half curse, and the hero wreathed in light, his cloak fluttering like an army's standard as he stood atop a mound of defeated enemies, his saber shining brightly as he struck back against the evil that rallied to smother his flame and the life it embodied.
And ahead of them, crowed a rooster that rampaged and stomped every crypt or building that got in his way, leading a host of foul tempered ghosts and berserk spirits ahead, breaking open the defenses that the ghostly monk and shining hero crushed as they marched through the battered and scattered phantoms.
But they fought for every step they took, side by side, ethereal butterflies gliding around the bright blade like a cloud of blossoms as its wielder cut through any monster or demonic specter that opposed him.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1713113307},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5977661,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5977659
Soon, already overwhelmed by the fierceness of Xiongji, the defenders began to retreat and run away from the exorcist and swordsman, as the soldiers they lead began to chant their names like a funeral dirge
"Rejungui!"
"Qinxin!"
"SMILING GHOST"
"BRIGHT HEART"
Their art names they had given to the other warily as strangers, that they embraced as friends and sworn brothers, became a battle cry, as Qinxin fell to one knee, gasping and wheezing, as the burning star in his chest began to fade as he released the technique he'd been using to strengthen himself, having expended a large portion of both his life force and inner energy to empower himself and blaze as brilliantly as the sun against the darkness before him, fueling both his strikes and exorcist arts. Ping leaned against a wall, wincing as he clenched at his ghoul arm, black veins bulging against its skin as he fought to expel the Deathly Yin Qi he'd absorbed to empower his spells and exorcising techniques. Qinxin smiled, pride, joy and relief intermingling as he propped himself up, lungs burning and head swimming as his whole body felt as though it had been immersed in the warmth of the sun. The pain and exhaustion was proof he was alive, and lived as brightly as the morning sun. This fight, felt real, felt like it had purpose unlike so many others. Panting, he turned to see Rejungui looking his way, proudly, amazed by his performance, to see him fight against the type of opponents he was meant to fight. Not fellow daoists or cultivators from other sects, but remorseless evil souls and demons. Qinxin smiled back, tears in his eyes. But he couldn't find the right thing to say. He'd fought so hard and risked death at least a dozen times, he could only hope it was enough, that the two of them had succeeded together.
Their soldiers ran past and in some cases through them as they chased after their enemies who retreated for a more defendible location, away from the existence hating Xiongji and the frighten duo of exorcists from two different schools.
However...
__
https://youtu.be/xzohNwQ4rgs
__
As the dead fled in fear of death, pursued by their fellow resentful souls who've chosen to vent all of their bottomless rage and undying enmity upon them. There were walls that were still intact, forces that still hold against the rampage of the most crazed of all the calamities chained beneath the earth here, and the terrifying combination of ghostly magic and righteous conviction, the breath of the dead and unbearable warmth of life working in tandem to destroy them
But there was no sanctuary to be found, no walls to hide upon. They found their reinforcements scattered, reduced to flickering ghost flames or fading away as they were exorcised and freed from their long interment.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1713113367},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5977664,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"They did not find salvation, only a single warrior who wore the grudges and spite of dozens of ghosts like the crow feather cloak he had fastened to his soldiers, he stood, the eye of a storm of pure enmity and resentment spite and rancor roiling off of him like waves of heat from a furnace, an avatar of malice
A demon of vengeance and retribution
Manifested grudges poured from the breathing holes of his skull shaped helmet, his eyes cold be seen, bulging and half insane as spectral hands lifted from the shadows he wore on his back, their boney fingers pointing the way of the retreating army, dragging an pulling at his shoulders, face and the bandages that rose in the air from his arm as he growled, spat and panted like a rabid animal
He turned, a wave of killing intent formed from the combined murderous urges of violent and vengeful ghosts that he had willingly allowed to possess him and his battle-instincts washed over the ghosts and for a moment, their hundreds remembered what it was to be mortal and afraid.
With a voice made from many, that reverberated through the ground and darkened the already gloomy tomb, the twin axed wielding warrior snarled "You who dare stand in my master's way, I'll grind your bones to powder and drag your worthless, ragged souls to hell with my own two hands!"
His wrathful promise become a roar of rage that shook the ground as he hefted up his axes and flew down from the broken wall, followed a wall formed of the very essence of abyss and ghosts that did not join their hands in wielding his two axes
"I am her hammer! Her will! Her punishment!" He cried out, showing that even though he looked completely insane from being possessed by several willful and strong spirits, he was in complete control of himself and his temper.
And he fell like an axe upon a tree, cleaving through the spectral army and trapping them between himself and the other ghosts they had fled from, and the two strong men who lead them.
They chose to run, back towards the exorcists
But that was a choice they made far too late.
As crow feathers fell to the ground, Two Axe Fu finished off the army with his axes forged in hell.
__
"See how quickly your old king's kingdom falls? We've only just started this battle and he's already losing ground!" You howl with laughter, slapping your knee and grinning ear to ear as you hear of Ping, Qinxin, and Fu's victory. Turns out that ling dog still had fangs to bare, and guts to! He used himself, his own lifeforce, as kindling for his attacks and nearly burnt himself up doing it. But the results speak for themselves. He and Ping forced the remaining defenders of the floor in a full retreat, right into Fu, who had just crushed their backline and then finished them off himself with a little help from the soldiers who the two exorcists had lead into battle behind Xiongji
Every ghost in your court was cheering, congratulating you for your brilliance and your students for their martial skill.Morale was high","attachment":null,"posted":1713113438},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5977667,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5977664
There was a little issue with Xiongji's rampage heading towards the pockets of resistance that had surrendered soon after seeing how Fu demolished their former comrades in arms, but that was a minor problem. Xiongji beats the crap out of the rest of your court regularly anyways, so it could be considered a kind of an initiation.
With three assassinations and one charge, you'd taken an entire floor from the forgotten king's unworthy hands. To say you were in high spirits would be a ridiculous understatement, you were almost drunk on the rush of easy victory.
But you knew better than to get cocky, even if you had half a mind to roll out a carpet and gloat directly in the rotten face of the forgotten king.
"Your orders, empress?" one of your generals asks giddily.
What do you command, Huanliuxue?
>Order Fu, Ping and Qinxin to corral Xiongji and direct him away from your prisoners/ new subjects and use him as a unliving battering ram to proceed to the next layer of graves (Underling martial trial. DC 80)
>Take advantage of this momentum, and have Yujijiao and Baifenchi "re-invigorate" the ghosts that would otherwise fade away from their injuries, and add them to your forces in a show of mercy, and flood the next floor's defenders with their own former allies (Underling magic/ necromancy trial. DC 65)
>Use the windfall of your victory and confusion in the enemies ranks, to send Qiang head hunting again (Stealth trial. DC 70)
>Give Huili the task of leading the next wave, and order him to strike like lightning and blitz through the enemy positions (Underling Command/martial trial. DC 65)
>Decide to join the fun yourself
>Write in
Had a lot of fun writing both parts of this update.","attachment":null,"posted":1713113598},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5977690,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977667
It was very fun to read.
Using your lifeforce is a bit dumb Bright heart, but eh, we've got medicines. Maybe we'll start calling you by a name.
>Take advantage of the momentum, Reinvigorate the 'wounded ghosts' and add them to our army.
>Huili, Attack.","attachment":null,"posted":1713117124},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5977699,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977667
>Take advantage of this momentum, and have Yujijiao and Baifenchi "re-invigorate" the ghosts that would otherwise fade away from their injuries, and add them to your forces in a show of mercy, and flood the next floor's defenders with their own former allies (Underling magic/ necromancy trial. DC 65)
We are here to take his kingdom.
>Give Huili the task of leading the next wave, and order him to strike like lightning and blitz through the enemy positions (Underling Command/martial trial. DC 65)
Huili, I choose you!","attachment":null,"posted":1713118324},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5977746,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977664
>"I am her hammer! Her will! Her punishment!"
The Empress protects.
>>5977667
>Take advantage of this momentum, and have Yujijiao and Baifenchi "re-invigorate" the ghosts that would otherwise fade away from their injuries, and add them to your forces in a show of mercy, and flood the next floor's defenders with their own former allies (Underling magic/ necromancy trial. DC 65)
>Give Huili the task of leading the next wave, and order him to strike like lightning and blitz through the enemy positions (Underling Command/martial trial. DC 65)","attachment":null,"posted":1713122004},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5977762,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977667
Good job Qinxin, you've impressed us. Though you probably should learn some vitality boosting (or stealing) techniques for longer fights.
>Take advantage of this momentum, and have Yujijiao and Baifenchi "re-invigorate" the ghosts that would otherwise fade away from their injuries, and add them to your forces in a show of mercy, and flood the next floor's defenders with their own former allies (Underling magic/ necromancy trial. DC 65)
Time to increase our forces","attachment":null,"posted":1713124303},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5977766,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977690
We shall call him "Shiny Organ". If he does really good in the future it may be upgraded to "Glowing Blood Pump".","attachment":null,"posted":1713124658},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5977985,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977667
>Take advantage of this momentum, and have Yujijiao and Baifenchi "re-invigorate" the ghosts that would otherwise fade away from their injuries, and add them to your forces in a show of mercy, and flood the next floor's defenders with their own former allies (Underling magic/ necromancy trial. DC 65)
>Give Huili the task of leading the next wave, and order him to strike like lightning and blitz through the enemy positions (Underling Command/martial trial. DC 65)","attachment":null,"posted":1713144535},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5978129,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977667
>>Take advantage of this momentum, and have Yujijiao and Baifenchi "re-invigorate" the ghosts that would otherwise fade away from their injuries, and add them to your forces in a show of mercy, and flood the next floor's defenders with their own former allies (Underling magic/ necromancy trial. DC 65)
Bright Heart is probably a good candidate to learn Pure Blood Qi I say that should be our reward to him. Craft him a cultivation camber for it as well as a bonus. I wouldn't want to turn him into a mystic tho I feel a different pathway would suit him better.
Ping wants muscles so research the pill and give that as a reward.
Qing... Hm New eye?
For Yujijiao and Baifenchi no idea. Maybe giving them each a floor of the the temple lower floors.","attachment":null,"posted":1713157358},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5978143,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977667
Brothers I may be an idiot, but how long has Ping and Qinxin been a Yin/Yang duo? Enh anyway.
>Take advantage of this momentum, and have Yujijiao and Baifenchi "re-invigorate" the ghosts that would otherwise fade away from their injuries, and add them to your forces in a show of mercy, and flood the next floor's defenders with their own former allies (Underling magic/ necromancy trial. DC 65)
No sense in Risking our best fighters dealing with Xiongji. Though I do worry having him behind us won't cause.. troubles.","attachment":null,"posted":1713158066},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5978149,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978143
Always have been.
>>5978129
I still think we should use the drug ourselves. Muscles are always useful.
anyway, Bright heart with pure blood? I don't think so, but some varient of blood Qi, aye. Something aspected to living qi, rather than pure blood qi.","attachment":null,"posted":1713158571},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5978161,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978149
We should give all of our disciples that show proper discipline for training the muscle pills. But for that we'd need to figure out how to make them ourselves. Reward those who reward themselves with their own diligence.","attachment":null,"posted":1713159303},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5978181,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977667
>>Take advantage of this momentum, and have Yujijiao and Baifenchi "re-invigorate" the ghosts that would otherwise fade away from their injuries, and add them to your forces in a show of mercy, and flood the next floor's defenders with their own former allies (Underling magic/ necromancy trial. DC 65)","attachment":null,"posted":1713160463},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5978190,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978149
Well, I say pure blood Qi because it's profound in life energy. I know Huanliuxue touched on it in the past that is basically what it is.
Blood Qi is Life Qi, but I get what you are saying. Wanting to not add the blood aspect.
It's just that Huan usually burns blood to make explosions and this guy is burning his life energy, if he's going on that path then he needs ways to recover it hence the blood qi that the old Sanguine Blood Peach Sect method was before Carmine Mystisim took over.
The demons(Or is it devils) corrupted all known sources of pure blood Qi I assume fearing Cultivators knowing of its true meaning as Life energy. We can consider the ancient past that there might have been more then one Sanguine Blood Peach Tree as we found a second and life qi might have been a more common type of cultivation at the time. Before something happened(Demons) and Corrupted Blood Qi became known as a Demonic technique. It's just that Life Qi is addicting you feel as if a shot of adrenaline hit the heart from the short examples of Huan using it. Those without a strong will, will be controlled by their desires because of it.
We can also consider that blood and wood qi are quite similar in life energy from that old man who turned himself into a tree. Take that as you will","attachment":null,"posted":1713161516},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5978235,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978190
yeah, it's that I want to give him a more suitable but less broad Qi so that he isn't troubled with "devil magics". Giving him some aspected qi like. . Recovery breath Qi or something. Something which won't trouble his Dao heart.
Also yeah, we've backdoored our way into the Wuxing. Unlike old five colours, we handle Yin/Yang directly and work backwards onto the wuxing.
I think we've got everything except earth on lock?","attachment":null,"posted":1713166111},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5978279,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977667
>Take advantage of this momentum, and have Yujijiao and Baifenchi "re-invigorate" the ghosts that would otherwise fade away from their injuries, and add them to your forces in a show of mercy, and flood the next floor's defenders with their own former allies (Underling magic/ necromancy trial. DC 65)","attachment":null,"posted":1713173205},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5978314,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977667
>Use the windfall of your victory and confusion in the enemies ranks, to send Qiang head hunting again (Stealth trial. DC 70)
>Give Huili the task of leading the next wave, and order him to strike like lightning and blitz through the enemy positions (Underling Command/martial trial. DC 65)
I think these can be combined for maximum terror. I'm somewhat hesitant to enlist turncoats into our ranks, they'll turn right back on us if they see an opportunity.","attachment":null,"posted":1713178874},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5978321,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977667
>Take advantage of this momentum, and have Yujijiao and Baifenchi "re-invigorate" the ghosts that would otherwise fade away from their injuries, and add them to your forces in a show of mercy, and flood the next floor's defenders with their own former allies (Underling magic/ necromancy trial. DC 65)
>Give Huili the task of leading the next wave, and order him to strike like lightning and blitz through the enemy positions (Underling Command/martial trial. DC 65)","attachment":null,"posted":1713181069},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5978410,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Ending the vote and tallying its result now.
Take advantage of this momentum, and have Yujijiao and Baifenchi "re-invigorate" the ghosts that would otherwise fade away from their injuries, and add them to your forces in a show of mercy, and flood the next floor's defenders with their own former allies:10
Give Huili the task of leading the next wave, and order him to strike like lightning and blitz through the enemy positions:6
Use the windfall of your victory and confusion in the enemies ranks, to send Qiang head hunting again:1
So you'll have Yujijiao and Baifenchi heal/ re-invigorate the ghosts that would otherwise be reduced to ghost flames, adding them to your forces in preparation for your assault on the next floor
Which Huili will lead in a wildfire fast assault.
Update will arrive shortly","attachment":null,"posted":1713194826},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5978420,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":""Yujijiao, it is time for a royal presence to grace the battlefield" You answer, leaning forward and flashing a cat's smile as all of the triumph swells as pride in your chest and the starlight in your eyes and trapped within your hair glimmers in the dark, a delighted chuckle rising to fill the still air of the chamber as you turn from your ghostly generals to address the slain serpent, who is wearing a slit mouthed smile, stretching the cuts along her lips to the point the string and nails holding her jaws together begin to stretch and groan "And Baifenchi?"
The white moth with skulls on her wings appears, fluttering from behind one of the urns containing the soul and cremated remains of one of the toadies of the forgotten king, who has gone oddly silent when they had been raging and spitting all manner of hurtful and crude insults, curses and slurs. Odd. She lifts up her head with a quiet curiosity
"You finally have a chance to play around with corpses, and mingle with the dead. Follow Yujijiao's lead, even though you're stronger than she is" You command bluntly, leaning back and kicking one leg over the other as Yujijiao's smile shrinks and dies at hearing your candid words. But them being hurtful doesn't change that they're true.
"And" Your dead junior starts, before twitching as the muscles in her body and in her head fire out of synch with eachother "And what am I leading the little creepy brat to do?"
"Battlefield medicine! raise morale and bolster the spirts of our stalwart spirit soldiers" You snicker, tapping your nails against the arm of your star made throne "Re-invigorate them, give them all an injection of deathly or ghostly yin Qi, re-empower them. And extend this care to our fallen foes, show them my mercy and beneficence. I have a feeling the next floor is going to be harder to take and we need every cold body we can find on the front, the flood and drown them in a sea of phantoms, Heh-Heh"
"Oh! We'll be altering their essence, refining their ghostly existences and strengthening their tethers to this bleak illusionary world!" Baifenchi cheers, far too cheerfully for what she said. Well to most, you find her enthusiasm for such macabre work to be endearing, though you don't know where she got the last bit about an illusionary world from. It'd be best if she stuck to skulls and gloomy decor, instead of whatever that is. Though it did sound kind of buddhist, maybe you'd need to introduce her to Shoushan and Yongzheng?
"You don't need to speak something so obvious outloud!" Yujijiao snaps and blusters, holding her head up proud "Of course that is what we're going to be doing. Huanliuxue obviously is counting on my ability to transform ordinary souls into hungry ghosts to turn the fodder into elite troops"
"But that would be so simple, is that all we're expected to do?" Baifenchi ponders outload "A ghost can be transformed many ways, if one knows which tethers to pull and which to allow to fall slack?"
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1713196245},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5978421,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5978420
"Hah?! Of course we'll need to do more than make a few hungry ghosts! It just didn't need to be said you dull girl!" Yujijiao shouts to try and cover for the fact that the moth knows more about ghosts than she does, when she has spent most of her "Life" as one and is practicing a ghostly cultivation centered around evolving and transforming ghosts.
Though how Baifenchi came to learn the maturation of earthbound souls, is a mystery to you. You're certain she couldn't have read that crummy diary. You keep that particular cursed book under lock and key and heavy surveillance.
"And who will lead these newly raised regiments?" A general with an arrow through his eye and skull asks, flicking out his split tongue like a snake
"Huili" You say plainly, lifting up your eyes to see the wolf is still terrorizing your guards who chose to puppet around their moldering bones "You'll go, and lead them on a lightning raid, blitz through their defenses before they can fortify. Put that speed of yours to good use"
"Hmph, as if I need to be instructed! I'll show you how skilled I am. Just a shame my pal couldn't be here to share the glory!" He all but brags, like his victory is certain and all that's left to do is gloat.
'Well, we'll soon see if that cockiness is earned' You decided, tenting your fingers as you slouch back in your throne, allowing your legs to slip off it and splay out as you watch your three disciples leave to carry out their orders
"What an unseemly posture" Qiang teases, smirking as she crouches at the bottom of your throne, tapping her sheathed sword on the ground
"Fu, Ping, and Qinxin can retreat if they wish" You raise your voice to add to your commands, ignoring her comment "Or they can join up with Huili's assault if they still have energy to fight"
roll 2d100. 1st dice is for Yujijiao/ Baifenchi, 2nd is for Huili.. DC for both is 65 ","attachment":null,"posted":1713196306},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5978427,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5978421
best out of 3, of course","attachment":null,"posted":1713196598},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5978435,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 57, 85 = 142 (2d100)
>>5978421","attachment":null,"posted":1713197083},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5978436,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 29, 94 = 123 (2d100)
>>5978421","attachment":null,"posted":1713197177},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5978451,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1, 80 = 81 (2d100)
>>5978421
Gather the hoards","attachment":null,"posted":1713198629},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5978453,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5978435
>>5978451
Failure + a crit fail, oof for Baifenchi and Yujijiao
>>5978436
But Huili succeeds with 20 over dc, nearly 30.
Update will arrive shortly","attachment":null,"posted":1713198837},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5978460,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978453
This Junior shall commit self-annihiliation","attachment":null,"posted":1713199948},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5978484,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"The process of regenerating two armies worth of bested and beaten down ghosts is an arduous and lengthy one. Bolstering and strengthening ties to a world they are constantly being pulled from and drawn away, to return to the cycle of rebirth, even when they are cursed to remain and suffer for their crimes by the god's themselves beneath a mountain they placed to seal them beneath the earth, hastening their recovery from figments and flickering, false balls of fire floating listlessly in the gloom takes either living breath, time or a surplus of negative energy and deathly yin Qi. And when half of the spirits needing treatment run away from their would be saviors, the process is slowed even further and quickly turns irritating. And it is further delayed by a brute smashing and beating the ghosts back into the dreary, weakened state they were found in.
And while a moth that is attracted more to the scent of decay than she is light of any kind, has the patience to deal with these numerous troubles and obstacles in her way, blithely enjoying the time she gets to spend amongst the dead and their decay without a care that the task she was given is expected to be completed on schedule for the next offensive against their enemies lurking beneath their feet, her partner and leader has less patience. Royal pride is easily wounded and in haste to prove herself superior to the morbidly cheerful and careless moth, the slain princess of the oasis tries to make up for lost time and force the problems they face to fix themselves, abandoning Baifenchi in her haste to get the work done and flawlessly to show up the demure, death obsessed moth. And this proves to be a mistake that would've been fatal if she had not been already dead. As Yujijiao flies through the cramped corridors between crypts and connecting tombs, pouring out her excess ghostly energies and the Qi she stole from weaker ghosts outside of the catacomb, blanketing everything and infusing it all with malevolent Qi, she is caught unaware
"Isn't that the stray cat's regent?"
The scuffle is fierce, though it is over in a matter of seconds, as the scouts the boss of the lower floor came prepared to capture prisoners of their own. And had the good fortune of finding the one disciple who could be sealed like any other ghost, away from any help or fellow cultivators.
Yujijiao has been captured!
__
"Hah? That stupid worm wandered off and you haven't been able to find her? Did she let her ego get to her head or something?" Huili growled, circlets of flame ringing his legs as he sat, waiting for the horde of hungry ghosts and monstrous spirits he'd been promised
"She was getting impatient and wouldn't listen when I said it was delicate work" Baifenchi sighed, antenna shifting awkwardly "I was sure she was just storming off in a huff, but, I found this red string"
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1713202784},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5978487,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5978484
Huili frowned, tail curled around his side as he sat on his haunches
"This is one of the one's keeping her head attached? I can still smell her rotting flesh on it" He said with a grimace "Did she run into that maniac ghost? the one master calls chicken"
"No" The moth answered plainly "She slithered through the walls towards where the last of the fighting took place. Uncle Xiongji wandered off in the direction our elder brothers were"
Huili closed his eyes and sighed.
"And her presence grew dim, not long before I discovered this string" Baifenchi continued "I think..."
"She's been captured because her pride got her because master told her to obvious, that you, a stage higher than her, were stronger in spite of her transformation" Huili groaned "And, I'm guessing, she left you to try and do all the work herself, to prove our master "Wrong". When she has that uncanny ability to tell exactly where you are in your cultivation?"
"That is what I'm guessing, yes, though I could be incorrect, Yujijiao is prone to sulking. Maybe her death trauma gripped her and she thrashed around?" She said chipperly as Huili gnashed his fangs
"Unlikely, and master will skin me if she finds out" He whimpered, flames flaring up "She'll go easy on you, because you and her are the same kinda freak"
"I'm going to tell her you said that"
"Tch! Do what you want, I need to get what soldiers I have and get that idiot out the mess she made for herself" Huili raged, running off and turning into a blur, the only sign of his presence an echoing howl, a wordless call to arms
"I should tell master" Baifenchi mused outloud, head tilted to the side and wings pressed flush against her body as she skittered back towards the surface.
__
https://youtu.be/RvYJfqs_TJo
__
A light like a torch or lantern burned in the black expanse of the lightless kingdom of the cursed dead. The smell of ash filled the stagnant air, as two more lights joined the larger one, two beads of amber flecked red and gold like sparks spitting from a hungry flame. A blur of grey singed and charred black at the edges flew through the bleakness, followed by mindless phantoms and bestial ghouls that lopped and sprinted after him, some carrying their more sane counterparts.
While his soldiers fought and scuffled with the forces they encountered, who'd been sent to fortify the new border and prepare for the inevitable attack, their leader, a wolf the size of an ox with an ashen hide and an ethereal lantern held betwixt his jaws, didn't pause or join in the fighting, leading one group of ghosts to another and then flying past them as his side began fighting and kept the other from catching him or grabbing hold of his tail.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1713202845},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5978490,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"With a steely glint in his eyes and smoke curling around his saber like fangs, the ash gale flew into the lifeless realm, weaving a trail of discord as his army, separated from him and occupied the would be defenders, allowing him and his remaining soldiers to thrust deeper into enemy territory, causing more isolated scuffles and battles away from the would be front line.
But instead of turning around and encircling these pockets of resistance or rushing to fight the reinforcements sent to break up the zig zagging web of raids and strikes that made no sense even the most lucid or deranged amongst the officers present at this staging ground, he ran in the direction of the governor of this layer.
"I'd kill you myself, Yujijiao, if you weren't already dead!" Huili snarled through his teeth, as he leapt over the heads and spears of the latest speed bumps between him and his idiot of a martial sister "No wonder you were the only one of us to die! Stupid, stupid girl!"
Paws touching back to the ground, her lifted his head, caught her scent again and dashed after it, a few flaming butterflies escaping his lantern and igniting as the touched the spectral hands reaching out towards him. A cocky grin bared his fangs, as he realized, how much prestige he'd gain, saving this foolish snake from her own arrogance. If only Chuandapo was here to share in the glory!
With spirits high and blazing, the ash gale howled and resumed pursuit of his martial sister's kidnappers
__
"Where the hell is that mutt running off to!" You rage, slamming a fist into your throne, making Ping, who knows how much work went into making it and the rarity of its materials, wince as Fu shrugs as if you thought he knew and Qinxin shakes his head "He was supposed to wait for reinforcements! Now the battle's started before we could replenish our forces!"
"Xiongji's been spotted moving deeper down the catacombs, and whatever that dog is doing, he's caused quite the stir and disrupted their defensive line, even if he took most of our men down with him to raise hell"
"He's a hot headed youth, shouldn't have been given command, glory seekers like him are always trouble makers"
"Maybe he misunderstood her orders, he is an animal who hasn't learned human wisdom yet?"
"We'll need to divert our other forces to support his troops..."
"I forgot how irksome war can be, I forgot the luxury of obedience..."
"Want me to go scold the haughty hound?" Fu asked curiously "I think his spine needs weakening, if he's gone wild like this"
"Calm yourself, brother Fu, Huili might be proud but he isn't a fool" Ping tempered, eyes closed as he counted his prayer beads
"He isn't like the otter" Qiang agreed. Qinxin remained silent
"Master" Baifenchi said meekly, fluttering into the chamber as you tapped your foot impatiently, having half a mind to go and grab Huili by the scruff of his neck and drag him back yourself "Yujijiao, she was...taken while we were separated, to more quickly raise you new soldiers"","attachment":null,"posted":1713202915},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5978491,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5978490
the silence that falls cannot be called deathly or grave like. There is far too much fury and wrath radiating from you for it be so, the air becomes crazed and crackled with bolts and lances of spiritual energy, as your irritation with Huili peaks, twists and becomes a dense and murderous rage that travels out and cracks the floor and shakes the ceiling, pulling the air towards you like the moon does the tide as destructive energies roil from your finger tips and begin to buckle and crack the walls around you
"She's been what!?" You roar, spitting and rising from your throne, snarling furiously as you clench your hand into a fist and pound it into the nearest solid object.
Fu's flight is stopped by a particularly sturdy pillar, after he broke through four other, less well constructed supports.
"That is what Huili thought!" Baifenchi cries as Fu curses and picks himself back up, no worse for having been struck besides a large dent in the breastplate of his armor "And before I could stop him, he ran off, without considering she could've been having a mood swing"
You sigh heavily and collapse back into your throne, hand pressed firmly over your eyes
"Fu, get up so I can hit you again, you're more durable than my throne room!" You snap angrily, needing to vent your rage at something.
It had all been going so well, dammit!
Now you had one student rushing off to save the other!
"L..look on the bright side my liege, the enemies' defenses are currently overwhelmed dealing with the wolf's run through them, and he did obey your command, they are entirely unprepared to repel a more organized and better prepared assault!" One of your officials says to try and calm your temper
And you perk up, smiling as Fu loyally takes a defensive stance and prepares himself to get smacked across the room again.
"That's right" You mutter, rubbing your chin in thought "Hm"
What do you do, Huanliuxue?
>Send Fu with the rest of your forces to stop the enemy from rallying and get a foothold on the next floor before they can oust Huili's forces (Underling command/ martial trial. DC 65)
>Send Baifenchi back to do the job you gave her, and have Ping help her while you bide your time to see if Huili succeeds or not (Underling magic trial. DC 65)
>Give Qiang the task of saving Yuijiao, with or without Huili's help (Stealth trial. DC 70)
>Enraged by this offense, get off your throne and go save Yujijiao yourself.
> send Qiang to recruit some mercenaries from the underworld, using your wealth of souls to hire them
>Write in","attachment":null,"posted":1713202975},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5978507,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978491
>Send Fu with the rest of your forces to stop the enemy from rallying and get a foothold on the next floor before they can oust Huili's forces (Underling command/ martial trial. DC 65)
>Send Baifenchi back to do the job you gave her, and have Ping help her while you bide your time to see if Huili succeeds or not (Underling magic trial. DC 65)
attempt #2 + Fu Boogaloo","attachment":null,"posted":1713204055},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5978516,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978491
>Send Fu to secure the floor.
>Entrust Baifen to finish the job you gave her.
You get one shot at redemption Baifen.
And Huli gets to have his shot at glory or failure. We should be securing the 6th floor of 9, I think.
After this point, it might be the time for us to enter directly.","attachment":null,"posted":1713205325},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5978520,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978491
>Send Baifenchi back to do the job you gave her, and have Ping help her while you bide your time to see if Huili succeeds or not (Underling magic trial. DC 65)","attachment":null,"posted":1713205840},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5978534,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978491
>>5978507
>>5978516
I'll support this, no need to smack our boy through when he did nothing wrong.
Also we should really need to find a solution to reincarnate Yujijiao because being a hungry ghost clearly doesn't suit her regal self...
At the very least she needs a puppet body made of gold.
As for Quixin we should look if his dao would mix well with cosmic to turn into sun or a star to our moon, I feel he may be the one we could try this on.","attachment":null,"posted":1713207654},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5978582,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978491
>Send Fu with the rest of your forces to stop the enemy from rallying and get a foothold on the next floor before they can oust Huili's forces (Underling command/ martial trial. DC 65)
>Send Baifenchi back to do the job you gave her, and have Ping help her while you bide your time to see if Huili succeeds or not (Underling magic trial. DC 65)","attachment":null,"posted":1713214391},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5978665,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978491
>Send Baifenchi back to do the job you gave her, and have Ping help her while you bide your time to see if Huili succeeds or not (Underling magic trial. DC 65)
Yeah it's about time for our entrance onto the battlefield.","attachment":null,"posted":1713224255},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5978675,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978491
>Send Fu with the rest of your forces to stop the enemy from rallying and get a foothold on the next floor before they can oust Huili's forces (Underling command/ martial trial. DC 65)
No use letting the breach Huili made go to waste, might as well capitalise on their weakness.
>Send Baifenchi back to do the job you gave her, and have Ping help her while you bide your time to see if Huili succeeds or not (Underling magic trial. DC 65)
Normally I would advocate to run in and rescue our disciple, but Yujijiao is kinda dead already so they can't really do much to her besides holding her captive.
She is unlikely to have a fun time of course, but I doubt her captors can eat/destroy ghosts.
With that in mind, I'm fine with waiting to see if Huili can rescue her. On paper, he rushed ahead like an idiot, but if he can salvage this, then let him reap the rewards. Otherwise he will be wearing the dunce hat along with Yujijiao once we are done here.
Besides I feel like it's been ages since Huili has had a chance to shine","attachment":null,"posted":1713224923},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5978681,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978491
>Send Fu with the rest of your forces to stop the enemy from rallying and get a foothold on the next floor before they can oust Huili's forces (Underling command/ martial trial. DC 65)
>Send Baifenchi back to do the job you gave her, and have Ping help her while you bide your time to see if Huili succeeds or not (Underling magic trial. DC 65)","attachment":null,"posted":1713225345},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5979018,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978675
>spoiler
Honestly we stop at our base so infrequently (mostly due to having large threats to deal with and general MC shenanigans) that a lot of our disciples haven't had a time to shine outside of our main lot.","attachment":null,"posted":1713271001},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5979210,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Ending and tallying the vote now.
Send Fu with the rest of your forces to stop the enemy from rallying and get a foothold on the next floor before they can oust Huili's forces:6
Send Baifenchi back to do the job you gave her, and have Ping help her while you bide your time to see if Huili succeeds or not:8
So its a landslide victory for having Baifenchi and Ping continue the re-invigorating work, and also having Fu go with the ghosts who didn't follow Huili to prevent the enemy from linking up and pushing back your forces that are already fighting on the currently contested floor.
Update will arrive shortly","attachment":null,"posted":1713295806},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5979225,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978491
>Send Fu with the rest of your forces to stop the enemy from rallying and get a foothold on the next floor before they can oust Huili's forces (Underling command/ martial trial. DC 65)
We wanna do the shock and awe thing we really need to keep on pressing. I don't know why we ever called back Qiang either, she should just keep doing what she does best behind enemy lines until we're at our target.","attachment":null,"posted":1713296642},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5979228,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Snapping your fingers, you jab a finger towards Fu, who lets out a great sigh at seeing you've calmed down enough to no longer need to use him as a punching bag to vent your frustrations.
"Fu, take the soldiers that didn't follow Huili in his rush to save Yujijiao and support the ones who did, prevent our enemies from rallying and pushing us back, you'll be acting as the reinforcements for the isolated ghosts, just follow the path he made and join in on the fighting that's already going on" You command quickly, hand still raised in the air as Fu nods, punching the side of his armor to force the demon spider silk to reform and remove the dent you made in his breastplate with one, wild swing mid tantrum.
"Understood. Should I try to help him save Yujijiao or focus on getting a foothold on the contested floor and conquering it completely?" He asks just as quickly, one axe resting over his shoulder and the other held to the ground, his eyes shining with confidence as he speaks to you. He probably could outright take the floor himself, with how big of a boost all of the grudges and Qi of the ghosts down here have given him, plus the steroid he took early this morning
"Let Huili claim his glory, if he can. If he can't and fails, well that'll temper his pride. However we can't let the breach he created go to waste" You explain with a nod and frown, impatiently tapping a finger on the arm of your throne as you circle around it, still too incensed to even think about sitting down and relaxing "Strike when they're weak, don't allow them the chance to recover their strength and organize. Mercilessly slaughter them, Fu, drink deep their grudges and turn their own spite against them. Go. Do not delay, the opening won't remain for long"
And with that, Fu takes his leave, rubbing his back with one hand as he marches out of the room.
"At least you didn't rip his head off this time" Qiang comments taciturnly, still crouched by the side of your throne, regluing the paper talismans and exorcist slips she wrapped around her sword to fight ghosts with
"That poor boy" Qinxin mutters under his breath, laid out a top of coffin to recover from using so much of his life as fuel to impress you, which is actually a pretty nice gesture even if it was stupidly suicidal.
"Fu can take a lot of abuse" Ping idly muses, stroke his chin where a beard would grow if he had one "Honestly it is a little frightening how much damage he can take before showing any signs of slowly down or weakening. I stopped my heart, and I'm not certain I could survive some of the punishment he's taken without so much as flinching"
"Besides his strength and ferocity, his durability is his greatest quality in a fight" Qiang butts in, leaning against your throne as you pace around the other side in deep contemplation
"I wonder if his body thinks its already a corpse" Baifenchi ponders outload, sounding excited by the idea, which is admittedly a very fun idea.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1713296814},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5979229,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5979228
"Baifenchi. Get back to work. Take your senior martial brother Ping with you to oversee and assist you. We'll wait and see if Huili succeeds or not and if Fu needs any backup himself" You declare, clenching a fist while staring into the palm of your hand, drawing two drops of blood with your nails and willing them to dance and spiral from the small scratches like two dragons in flight "The rest of you, remain here, depending on how the tides of battle shift, I may need to send any of you three back into the fray unexpectedly..."
roll 2d100. 1st dice Baifenchi/ Ping, 2nd Fu. DC for both 65 ","attachment":null,"posted":1713296874},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5979230,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5979229
best out of three, of course, second time I've forgotten to put that in. if there's a third I'll kowtow and break my arm as penance","attachment":null,"posted":1713297017},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5979235,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 76, 77 = 153 (2d100)
>>5979229
>>5979230
Don't worry, as both with pass on the first roll anyway!","attachment":null,"posted":1713297277},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5979246,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 19, 81 = 100 (2d100)
>>5979228
COMMAND, RIIIISE","attachment":null,"posted":1713297778},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5979247,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 68, 61 = 129 (2d100)
>>5979229
>>5979235
A most skilful display, senior","attachment":null,"posted":1713297781},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5979248,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5979235
>>5979246
Fair success for both, 10 over DC. Update will arrive shortly
Also what are the chances of that second set rolling exactly 100?","attachment":null,"posted":1713297958},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5979290,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979248
Fu puts up with so much shit.
Is he our favorite because he can endure the most fickle whims of ours? Or can he endure the most fickle whims of ours because he is our favorite?
Either way we take good care of the second best boy, so nobody can complain.","attachment":null,"posted":1713302180},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5979310,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"https://youtu.be/O9eHRiaTuL4
__
Moth and Monk both dance through the ruin sepulchers and vaults, rousing the masters of the old bones that spill out from them and waking the sleep souls reduced to mere flickering flames in the gloom, they move close together, with the thankful spirits escorting them from crypt to crypt, speaking words of encouragement to the next patients, praising the two of them for their work in revitalizing the dead and increasing their essence and grip on the living world with injections of ghostly and deathly yin qi in its purest forms, and rituals and chants that had been outlawed and branded as apostasy most foul generations past. With the work already partially done and with some ghosts already energized and soothed by the rotting breath of the serpent princess, the second duo to attempt the task had a far easier time completing it. Not only because the spirits they tended were more open to their care and tender mercies, but also because the two worked together and the disparity between their magical power and cultivation bases were much shorter than they had been when Yujijiao was leading the effort.
Forbidden rites and heretical spells were performed and casted as the battlefield of the dead became lively, and a troupe of ghostly dancers followed the white haired monk and the white winged moth.
And experiencing the relief of having their excess negative energy drained away the turmoil of their bitter and poison emotions released even momentarily, convinced many of those ghosts who fought back against the invader sent into their still lands by Huanliuxue to switch their allegiances and offer their services to her army, joining the supply lines marching into the deeper portions of the catacombs held by their forgotten king, singing songs about saving snakes from traps and freeing princesses from unwanted arranged weddings.
Their marching tunes clashed with the severe and somewhat frightening silence of the specters that they joined, following the relentless march of the man who earned his fame with his two axe style and the villains he chopped down like so much old timber. What once had been a grim procession turns into a cheerful festival and dance of the dead, whose boisterous and bawdy songs were only silenced by the grinding of axe heads across stone floor as Fu of the two axes stomped forward and lead their charge into the lower crypts, knowing failure was not an option nor a possibility with him leading the march.
__
https://youtu.be/BgQ8sa0HPtQ
__
The second wave arrived with cheerful songs and lively faces that shouldn't be worn by the dead. Instead of war horns and mournful cries, the arrival of the skull faced general came with stomping feet and lively music as the axe wielding whirlwind moved from battleground to battleground.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1713304325},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5979311,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5979310
Fu swung his axes in time and rhythm with his back up dancers and musicians who had seemed to realize they'd only get in his way and instead served by feeding him their ghostly breath and resentment, pouring their grudges on his back and drenching him in their deathly essence and rotten Qi, each drop of spiritual dripped into his shadow growing his power and making him fight more and more ferociously as spirits fought for the right to possess him and lend him their strength in a more direct and dangerous way.
No matter how many opponents were in his way or what kinds of monsters were sent against them, the skull helmeted menace cut them down like dried lumber, leading his lively dead troops in literally stomping over their enemies as they surged from one scuffle to the next, pushing aside the defenses that had been constructed in time and slamming into the next encampment of enemy forces while they were occupied battling the isolated pockets of the first, blitzing assault through their territories and the fortifications they'd placed throughout it. He moved like a whirlwind, destroying like a wildfire and conquering like a dragon.
And having heard reports of his massacre on the upper floor, the sight of the crow feather cloak wearing, axe wielding warrior cloaked in grudges and draped in shadow was enough to terrify the monsterous spirits and twisted ghosts that existed in the lower levels of the catacombs of the bloodless war. And no matter how many of his troops they subjugated, sealed or beat back, Fu did not stop fighting or take a single step back. And the army behind his back never did seem to shrink, only growing more and more the longer he fought and the longer the ethereal performers behind him sang and danced jovially to the drum beat of the ruthless beating her gave to the hungry ghosts who still served the forgotten king.
Butterflies made of embers and spark fluttered through the air the deeper the advance pushed. Fires, real fires, rather than ghost lights bobbing in the air, began to scorch the air as they used the old bones and rags as kindling. Fu paused, and smiled, resting his axes in the back of a towering, bull headed ghost as he stood atop it.
The fires were growing larger and higher the further ahead they burned.
And in the distance, there was loud roar as a great conflagration erupted with an explosion of hot air and whipping flames.
"Seems your bark isn't worse than your bite after all, Huili" He remarked, before stomping the head of the bull headed spirit beneath him through the floor and continued pummeling the struggling ghost into the ground of the floor he broke into using his own body like a hammer.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1713304385},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5979313,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5979311
__
https://youtu.be/62lpLoCX4aI
__
An ash hued bolt of lighting illuminated the bleak abyss of the catacombs that have never been touched by the warmth of the sun, a bolt of flame that pounced, ran and flew, surrounded by a flock of burning butterflies as he fought against the fiercest rival he'd met since he foolishly thought to bare his fangs towards the cat who'd become his master.
The ghost, terrible and ancient, bellowed with laughter, the scouts who'd brought him back his prize floating around him as dim balls of pale white fire, having already had their throats torn out by the wolf whose fangs glowed from within as spiritual flame burned, like the red hot embers of smoldering wood or the glow of freshly heated metal. With a night lantern held firmly between his slavering jaws, the wolf who ran along an ash gale snarled, as cinder butterflies flew from his mouth and burst, becoming gouts of flame beneath his feet as he put everything he had into his speed.
A bladed whip struck, a serpent hissed inside of the bird cage she was trapped in and the two opponents became a blur of motion so quick, the wind they churned up cut through stone and gouged in the floor
"It has been too long since I've hunted wolf! How hot the meat was, as the blood steamed on my tongue, torn from the fresh kill" The ghost general brayed with laughter, long fangs dripping with cursed energy and raw malice as Huili padded in front of him, eyes focused on the cage he held in one hand, spreading a mist of famine around himself.
"I can say the same of human flesh, nothing tastes quite as good as the meat of another predator" He spat back, smashing his latest lantern on the ground, creating a cloud of ghost butterflies beneath him, that exploded into a pillar of flame that sent him soaring.
The bladed whip cackled as its wielder twitch his wrist, pulling the spine that served as its grip, the skull that the whip sprung from laughing as it moved around unnaturally and struck like a scorpion tail at the back of the ashen wolf. But Huili drifted through the air, using the flames at his paw as propulsion to fly past the jagged edges of metal and tusk like teeth that jutted from the whip. Blood wept in the air and then was set on fire as he used the larger of the butterflies as stepping stones as he zigged and zagged through the air like red lightning.
The ghost general was still laughing as his saber like teeth cut through and crushed the armor on his shoulder. Planting his paws on his chest and digging his claws in, he bit down harder as the ghost grabbed hold of his head with his third arm and began to apply pressure to crush his skull.
His teeth, sanctified with fire from the night lantern and blessed with its sutra, sliced through the ghost's armor and shoulder blade, chomping through the "meat" of his arm and severing it in a gush of oil black blood, as he felt his own skull crack and blood dribbled out of his eyes.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1713304446},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5979314,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5979313
He dropped to the ground, and grabbed the severed limb in his mouth, bounding away as the ghost general roared and gave pursuit, lashing out with his thirsting whip as Huili tried to rapidly plan his next move. Escape? Flight? Battle? Fight? His bestial instincts fought against his pride and the vicious urge to take revenge for the deep, bleeding gashes marring his fur across his side, back and haunches.
He turned on his heel, leaping in the air and smashing the arm and cage on the ground
"BROTHER HUILI!" Yujijiao wailed, with oil black tears streaking down her serpentine face as she appeared in a puff of smoke, patches of snake skin torn off and bruised "YOU SAVED ME~"
"Off me!" He barked as she coiled around him "Can you fight?"
"My hero, my savior! I knew you weren't someone to look down on, even when you were meek, you have a warrior's heart!" She cried out, blubbering as she slithered around him, weeping
"Enough! Can you defend yourself or not?" He snarled, not liking the way the deranged snake spirit was looking at him, it almost looked hungry "There's no time for your foolish bleating"
"They only captured me because I was taken off guard!" The ghost blustered, spitting and barring her fangs
"Then fight with me!" Huili roared, and gone in a flash as sudden as the spark of lightning in the night sky, he charged his opponent and leapt for his throat
And was followed by a hissing serpent large enough to swallow a man whole. A vortex formed in her maw, drawing on the ghostly energy from the general, devouring them as he stood, defiant and with whip whirling through the air.
He was the second general to fall in battle that day, bested by a ill tempered wolf and his swift movements, as well as the surprise assistance his new admirer...
Huili has been injured, but has reached Foundation establishment rank 2 after emerging victorious against a strong foe
__
"The floor was taken? Already?! Wasn't the general still well behind enemy lines? Was Fu truly that frightening, or did our recruitment drive really give us that big of an advantage" You marvel, laid out on your back, strumming ghost empress melody as it hangs in the above your head
"Apparently, according to reports, fires were lit deep in enemy territory, and there was an explosive conflagration that scorched the ceiling. Something about cinder butterflies?" The breathless and lifeless scout says as Ping laughs, one arm tucked in his robe
"Seems Huili knew what he was doing, he must've tracked Yujijiao's presence or scent or something right to the general's hiding hole!" He exclaims
"He did mention smelling her rot on the piece of string I showed him" Baifenchi said sweetly, sucking on a bit of water from a severed skull, donated to her by one of your treasurers
"Too flashy to be called an assassination, but still, that pup had guts to pull off something like that" Qiang chuckled, still fiddling with her sword and writing new talismans to place on it.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1713304507},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5979315,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5979314
"Then he must've saved Yujijiao as well" You say happily, shoulders relaxing as relief washes over you "I'll admit, I underestimated him. I'll have to congratulate him when he returns. But first"
'What are my next orders?' you wondered, pouting as you played a tune Qiang called "Depressing"
And what were your next orders, Huanliuxue?
>For Fu to continue leading your forces, including Xiongji if he could find him and break through into the next layer of the tomb (Underling Command/ martial trial. DC 80)
>Have Qiang slip into the next floor and see if she exorcise a few officials and officers (Underling Stealth trial DC 75)
>With Yujijiao back, use her abilities as a Hunger Incarnate ghost to soften up the next floor's defenders (Underling Magic trial 85)
>Whittle away at the next floor by continuously assaulting it with wave after wave of ghostly soldiers, waiting for an opportunity to arrive to break the stalemate
>The next floor might be too much for your disciples to handle on their own, so enter the stage and show the forgotten king's men the majesty and terror of a true monarch!
>Write in
>>5979290
Hehehe, He really does. This makes me want to see a picture of Fu going "Nah I'd win"","attachment":null,"posted":1713304590},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5979328,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979315
All our disciples have had their chance to shine and their chance to glow.
Only ONE needs a chance to redeem herself before we stop playing and take to the stage ourselves.
>Use hunger incarnate ghost to soften up the defenders.
>Wave tactics.","attachment":null,"posted":1713305686},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5979340,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979315
>The next floor might be too much for your disciples to handle on their own, so enter the stage and show the forgotten king's men the majesty and terror of a true monarch!","attachment":null,"posted":1713307494},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5979362,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979315
>>For Fu to continue leading your forces, including Xiongji if he could find him and break through into the next layer of the tomb (Underling Command/ martial trial. DC 80)","attachment":null,"posted":1713309685},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5979381,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979315
>Have Qiang slip into the next floor and see if she exorcise a few officials and officers (Underling Stealth trial DC 75)
>>5979328
I do think letting her redeem herself is great but an 85 DC is not an easy thing to beat in a 1d100
>The next floor might be too much for your disciples to handle on their own, so enter the stage and show the forgotten king's men the majesty and terror of a true monarch!
No need to waste manpower needlessly.
Our disciples had the chance to shine, but who says we can't shine alongside them?","attachment":null,"posted":1713312251},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5979384,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979315
>The next floor might be too much for your disciples to handle on their own, so enter the stage and show the forgotten king's men the majesty and terror of a true monarch!
Our disciples have all had a good showing. *cough*exceptYujijiao*cough*
I think this is a good time to step up ourselves. For the most part I expected us alone to be enough to crush everything down here anyway, but we managed to conquer two floors without revealing what we could do, I would say that is pretty good. I imagine that from now on we would be throwing our disciples in the face of even stronger enemies who were probably busy plotting countermeasures to them, so I would rather we start getting our hands dirty.
Huili did a very good job, we will need to heal and reward him with something. Ideally he would tell us what he wants, but I'm also curious on how well the mountain bending rose drug works on animals.","attachment":null,"posted":1713312580},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5979401,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979315
>Have Qiang slip into the next floor and see if she exorcise a few officials and officers (Underling Stealth trial DC 75)","attachment":null,"posted":1713314691},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5979435,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979315
>The next floor might be too much for your disciples to handle on their own, so enter the stage and show the forgotten king's men the majesty and terror of a true monarch!
Sorry Yuji, you can get your honor back in a moment, it is time we flex. Probably can get some Cosmic Qi practice down here since no one would detect it.
Also, really enjoying the musical accompaniments. Did you have these preselected or were they simply what you were listening to while writing.","attachment":null,"posted":1713318591},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5979598,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979315
>With Yujijiao back, use her abilities as a Hunger Incarnate ghost to soften up the next floor's defenders (Underling Magic trial 85)","attachment":null,"posted":1713332181},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5979615,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979315
>The next floor might be too much for your disciples to handle on their own, so enter the stage and show the forgotten king's men the majesty and terror of a true monarch!
Write-in
>Show our disciples the power of Ghost melody and empower the ghosts with our playing and our qi. as we take the stage","attachment":null,"posted":1713333598},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5979632,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979315
>>5979615
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1713334775},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5979752,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979615
Supporting the write-in. This should boost not only Fu, but Yujijiao as well once she's in range of our music.","attachment":null,"posted":1713358781},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5979784,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Martial brothers and sisters, the qst contest thread conducts IP registration for voting. If you didn't stake an IP before, please produce an art of Huan (of any quality or absence thereof) and post there, to avoid our Empress being disgraced by a lack of votes.","attachment":null,"posted":1713364750},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5979886,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979315
>>The next floor might be too much for your disciples to handle on their own, so enter the stage and show the forgotten king's men the majesty and terror of a true monarch!","attachment":null,"posted":1713376719},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5979972,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979315
HUILI getting a ghost snake admirer gonna be funny.
At least Yujijiao will have a new reason to become stronger.
Oh right, are those two ghosts still following our newest disiple?
Also been thinking about if we should heal our disiple who is blind. I'm sure we can create some medicine ya know. Or train him to see the world in qi.","attachment":null,"posted":1713386148},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5980137,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979315
>With Yujijiao back, use her abilities as a Hunger Incarnate ghost to soften up the next floor's defenders (Underling Magic trial 85)","attachment":null,"posted":1713398770},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5980543,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Ending the vote, tallying the result now. Had another dream I was running a touhou quest, if I was more superstitious, I might've taken it as a sign lol.
With Yujijiao back, use her abilities as a Hunger Incarnate ghost to soften up the next floor's defenders:3
Whittle away at the next floor by continuously assaulting it with wave after wave of ghostly soldiers, waiting for an opportunity to arrive to break the stalemate:1
The next floor might be too much for your disciples to handle on their own, so enter the stage and show the forgotten king's men the majesty and terror of a true monarch!:7
-Show our disciples the power of Ghost melody and empower the ghosts with our playing and our qi. as we take the stage:3
For Fu to continue leading your forces, including Xiongji if he could find him and break through into the next layer of the tomb:1
Have Qiang slip into the next floor and see if she exorcise a few officials and officers:2
So realizing the trials ahead might be too much for your disciples to handle, you'll enter the battlefield and show the forgotten king's man the terror and majesty of a real ruler.
Update will arrive shortly
>>5979435
I am glad junior is enjoying them, and sometimes I pick them out, or spend a little while looking for the right song, but I always listen to them while I'm writing the part they're connected to, so the writing and music synchronize better.
>>5979972
I expect it to be, lol
Yes
Hong? remember one of his focuses is perception, but you can heal him if you want to of course","attachment":null,"posted":1713458046},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5980585,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980543
Darn, the GEM write-in came too late to get backers.","attachment":null,"posted":1713461167},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5980631,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980543
If you were to run a Touhou quest once Huan's adventures come to an end, Grandfather, I would gladly play it. Touhou already operates on wuxia/xianxia principles anyway, so it would kind of fit.","attachment":null,"posted":1713463468},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5980634,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"But the next thought that rises unbidden from the multitude of them that fill your mind, is brilliant in how simple it is
'Do I really need to give another order?' You ask yourself, your pout turning extra cat like as you lean forward 'It was a surprise we were able to take the second floor so easily, and desperation was part of the reason we did. Huili is a bit weaker than Fu, Qiang, Ping and Qinxin, and while he won the fight he had with the ghost general, I can sense he took quite the beating, judging from the off rhythm beating of his heart, so far below this throne of mine'
Leaning back, you cross your arms and close your eyes, deep in thought as you weigh all the options and consider what to do, but once again, the nagging thought pushes itself to the front of the line and demands your attention
'Is this really the time to be lounging on my throne? My beloved students might not be able to handle the monsters beyond the next set of seals' You worry balks and forces your eyes open as quickly as you shut them 'The ghosts we've been facing have only been getting tougher with every step deeper we take into the catacombs'
Brow creased, nose scrunched and lips parted in half a scowl, you adjust your posture in your throne of star fallen jade and groan angrily, as flashes of what could happen to your disciples, some of whom you count amongst your favorite people, if you command them to march into the deeper darkness of the crypts. Fu might be able to survive a decapitation, Ping may be half a ghost, and Qiang might be the heiress of your personal cultivation technique, but the things powerful ghosts are capable of unleashing, their dread powers and vile curses, might be too much even for them to endure and fight back against.
'Besides, all of them besides Yuji have had their chance to shine brilliantly and stand proud' You tell yourself as you push yourself out of the throne 'it's time that their teacher takes the stage to dazzle our audience, and to show the forgotten king's troops the majesty and terror only possessed by true royalty, such as myself'
"But first it is time for this seat to make her entrance!" You declare, to loud and approving cheering of your toadies, underlings, peons and officials, officers, logicians, mystics and generals. The reactions of your students are more mixed, though they're all positive and supportive of your choice to enter the fray personally and start hunting the mice they were struggling so hard against
"Time for a slaughter" Fu bellows loudly, a vicious grin beneath the bandages wrapped around his face "They've gone too far kidnapping one of our own!"
"They won't survive, even if they're dead" Qiang says with a sagely nod
"I've caught my breath, I can fight by your side, sect head!" Qinxin protests, lifting himself up with his dao as a crutch
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1713463706},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5980636,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5980634
"I'll support you from here, master!" Baifenchi promises, and she doesn't need to say how she'll support you, since it is pretty obvious how she would.
"I shall, if it is not presumptuous of me, take command of the ghostly army" Ping says excitedly, though you're uncertain if his excitement is for the chance to command his own underlings or to see you let loose and glimpse the full, unrestrained power of a peerless golden core stage cultivator.
Grinning excitedly, you grab the helmet of your armor and place it atop your head like the crown it resembles, the skeletal hands on its sides pushing forward to cover your face, as the rubies set in the eyes carved in along the band glittering like wet blood in the ghostly glow cast by your court of the dead. The fine polish of your silver armor shines, its mirror like surface catching shadow and making the images bones, crow feathers and cats etched into its surface seem alive as the fur skirt shifts with your stride. If it wasn't for the helmet, breastplate, clawed gauntlets, vambraces, shoulder pads, and armored leggings and boots, your armor would appear to be extravagant imperial dress.
The perfect outfit for facing a rival noble in any kind of contest.
Gliding out of your throne room, moving ethereally like your ghostly subjects, the moment you reach the entrance of the chamber and step out, you release your spiritual pressure and allow your aura to be fully revealed in all of its grandeur.
And the moment you do, in your mind's eye, in a darkened throne room with a thousand blades stuck in the ground and walls, and with a throne made out of fused, black skeletons, the shadow of a man lounging atop the pile of corpse's flashes an enthused grin, matching your own excited expression. And though he's leagues further beneath the ground, for a moment, it feel as if your eyes meet with his. Two spheres of blood red malevolence with swirls of black and gold and pale white pupils, meeting your amber hued and star filled eyes from across the battlefield. You cannot see his face, just his smile and eyes floating in the darkness, and the ancient, rust spotted armor he wears, with a massive hole in the place his heart would be. That feral smile, those wild eyes, that broken armor.
Without speaking a word, the illusion of the forgotten king issues a challenge and with a gesture of his hand, bids you to try to reach him to fight him in the way only ghosts can.
-
https://youtu.be/3wUvLJkxjDI
-
Your immense auras clash, and your excited smile turns twisted and crooked as you realize the forgotten king is able to match your spiritual pressure. He isn't a weakling, but why would he be? When he was alive, the gods themselves intercede to stop his conquest.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1713463767},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5980639,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5980636
The meeting of two mass graves, their boundaries spilling over and the corpses beneath their soil blurring the line as they rot together, with a blood moon floating forebodingly over one side of the battlefield and fresh corpses and the soon to be dead bleeding out their lives into the soil, the steam of their final breathes rising to become mist in the night air, and on the other, Chrysanthemums of white and red sprout across the long abandoned graveyard, the colors of grief and of celebration and the flower of longevity.
That is what you envision it as, at the line where your ghostly, bloody and moonlit aura meets his dread and deathly aura.
The ground buckles, black lightning arcs through the air, as a sea of grudges pours out from your finger tips, crackling with enmity and choking the air, the sickly sweet aroma of decay and blood fills every space and the mysterious twinkling and unknown feeling of space blankets the darkness that surrounds you.
"Come. Face me" The very stones beneath your feet whisper.
And then you take your second step out, the sound of chattering teeth, vomiting and wailing breaking the silence as your disciples get hit by edge of the forgotten king's pulse of Qi, and even just that brief glancing blow is enough to put them on their knees and knock them out completely.
Now more excited than ever, you rush through your newly attained territories, switching between forms when it suits you and to get to the frontline quicker, skipping as a human girl, bounding as giant cat, you rush past your soldiers marching to join the fight, and leap over the heads of the ones standing guard at chokepoints and entrances leading further down into the catacombs. And judging from how they've changed, and the ethereal fire burning in the walking skeletons and rotting corpses is raging like they've been doused in oil, your and the forgotten king's initial clash has invigorated all of the prisoners here as much as it is has thrilled you. And with your aura subsuming and spreading to fill the catacombs, it is long before there is another clash and spark between the king's presence and your own.
The mountain itself trembles, and the air becomes hazy with miasma and stardust as pure death strikes against the mysterious and tantalizing blend of grave dirt, spilled blood and moonlight. Some ghosts scream in agony from being crushed beneath such pure life essence, others stand like opium addicts with guileless smiles as they're washed with your and the king's ghostly breath, and other's stand frozen, eyes filled with star light as you run past and in a few instances right through them.
The fires lit by Huili, still burning before you stepped on the second new floor to your kingdom, are snuffed out with a gust of cold, shivering wind and their light is replaced with the crimson glow of the blood moon.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1713463828},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5980642,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5980639
Each step you take becomes a splash as the dripping water filtering through the mountain through the roots that break into the crypts are transmuted to blood that begins to crawl after you, clinging to your legs as you run, faster and faster. But soon that light is blotted out by billowing clouds of grudge energy, that flow out of your mouth like smoke from a funerary pyre as the excitement for the fateful meeting to come grows and grows in your heart, turning the rush before a fight into a heat like a fever as you relish the chance to prove your superiority against a rival.
Something that is instinctive for both beasts and nobility.
Standing atop a pool of blood, darkened by the miasma of resentment, you reach the entrance to the level below the lowest layer of your kingdom. One of the gateways that prevents stronger ghosts from crawling up closer to the surface. Something that never really was an obstacle in your way, due to have refined your Qi control was, you could masquerade as a weaker spirit and slip back up through, where as the actual ghosts down here would be trapped. Except Xiongji, who has at some point in your excited run down into the crypt found you and joined you, though you never figured out how a ghost as vengeful and strong as him managed it as well.
"No matter" You scoff, and raise up a foot. The gateways have never troubled you, even when you were much weaker than you are now.
Now
They're just like any other door, even if they were carved by the gods and enchanted by them.
And as you lift your leg up, your realize exactly how Xiongji moved so freely through the catacombs, without ever getting stuck or trapped, to rampage to his hateful heart's content
He just forced the gates open. Like you're about to break this one to pieces.
"YES!" The rooster general roars, as you stomp sheathed with destructive yin Qi, shatters the divine barrier, and a rush of malevolent Qi washes out against you. He...waits
He doesn't push his way past you, he just stands there, staring into the open space, politely waiting for you to go in first.
Which you do with gusto, and the moment you do, your rooster and all of the other ghosts who've pledged themselves to you rush in like water through a crack, lifting you up and carrying you on an ethereal tide.
"IMPOSSIBLE! SHE'S BROKEN THE SEAL!" One of the unfortunate soldiers sent to guard the frontline of the forgotten king's territory cries out, before they're dragged under the tide of ghosts and mauled by the ravenous dead as you laugh and laugh, eyes set and focused on the gloom in front of you, where you can, from the pressure you feel behind your temple, sense where the forgotten king is sitting, even though he's still far away from you.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1713463889},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5980645,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5980642
Now that you've entered the fight, what do you do, Huanliuxue?
>Leap off from the backs of your soldiers, and cut a bloody swathe through the fleeing soldiers with Moon Collapse and your claws, shifting between forms like a shadow in fire light (Martial trial. DC 85)
>Lay back on the tide of the wrathful dead, and play for them while breathing out as much grudge smoke as you can to drown the tombs with your gathered resentment (Magic trial DC 95)
>Perform the demon art: Blood Rain, Chaos Mist, and see how effective it is against the dead (Magic trial. DC 120)
>Unleash a barrage of destructive yin spheres, and shooting star darts and blast apart and destroy anything in your way! (Magic trial DC 90)
>write in","attachment":null,"posted":1713463949},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5980656,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980645
>>Lay back on the tide of the wrathful dead, and play for them while breathing out as much grudge smoke as you can to drown the tombs with your gathered resentment (Magic trial DC 95)","attachment":null,"posted":1713464593},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5980685,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980645
>Blood rain
Lets see what this does.","attachment":null,"posted":1713466287},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5980693,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980645
>Lay back on the tide of the wrathful dead, and play for them while breathing out as much grudge smoke as you can to drown the tombs with your gathered resentment (Magic trial DC 95)","attachment":null,"posted":1713466714},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5980766,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980645
>Lay back on the tide of the wrathful dead, and play for them while breathing out as much grudge smoke as you can to drown the tombs with your gathered resentment (Magic trial DC 95)
I am starting to see why Grandfather was looking forward to us challenging the forgotten king. He seems... fun.
In retrospect I should have suspected that a man who makes Xiongji into his general instead of locking him up like a rational person would is going to be some shade of badass.","attachment":null,"posted":1713471371},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5980830,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980645
>>Lay back on the tide of the wrathful dead, and play for them while breathing out as much grudge smoke as you can to drown the tombs with your gathered resentment (Magic trial DC 95)","attachment":null,"posted":1713476810},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5980838,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980645
>Leap off from the backs of your soldiers, and cut a bloody swathe through the fleeing soldiers with Moon Collapse and your claws, shifting between forms like a shadow in fire light (Martial trial. DC 85)
>>5980766
If we play our cards right, we might be able to recruit this guy. We've had our differences, but if his main beef is with the gods, we might not be that different on a fundamental level.","attachment":null,"posted":1713477536},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5980868,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980838
Personally I would definitely like to try and recruit him.
Between us both being royalty, both having a strong affinity with the dead, and both of us hating the gods, we have a lot in common. Hell, judging by this short exchange we just had we are both pretty hot-headed so that's another plus.
The only question is whether or not his pride will allow him to serve under someone else, or if his hatred of the gods is even stronger. I like our odds personally, considering all the shit the gods put him through, but you never know.
Ultimately we will need to meet him first anyway, for all we know he enjoyed murdering kids for fun, so we may not want him at all.","attachment":null,"posted":1713479033},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5980869,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980645
>Perform the demon art: Blood Rain, Chaos Mist, and see how effective it is against the dead (Magic trial. DC 120)","attachment":null,"posted":1713479205},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5981175,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980645
>Perform the demon art: Blood Rain, Chaos Mist, and see how effective it is against the dead (Magic trial. DC 120)","attachment":null,"posted":1713507711},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5981177,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980645
>Lay back on the tide of the wrathful dead, and play for them while breathing out as much grudge smoke as you can to drown the tombs with your gathered resentment (Magic trial DC 95)
I am curious about Blood Rain Chaos Mist, but I gotta keep my loyalty to good music.","attachment":null,"posted":1713507943},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5981212,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980645
>>Lay back on the tide of the wrathful dead, and play for them while breathing out as much grudge smoke as you can to drown the tombs with your gathered resentment (Magic trial DC 95)","attachment":null,"posted":1713510363},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5981268,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980645
>>Perform the demon art: Blood Rain, Chaos Mist, and see how effective it is against the dead (Magic trial. DC 120)","attachment":null,"posted":1713517269},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5981473,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980645
>Lay back on the tide of the wrathful dead, and play for them while breathing out as much grudge smoke as you can to drown the tombs with your gathered resentment (Magic trial DC 95)","attachment":null,"posted":1713549216},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5981612,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980645
>>Lay back on the tide of the wrathful dead, and play for them while breathing out as much grudge smoke as you can to drown the tombs with your gathered resentment (Magic trial DC 95)
The Huan special of opening up with a buff. Also,
>and on the other, Chrysanthemums of white and red sprout across the long abandoned graveyard, the colors of grief and of celebration and the flower of longevity.
I'm guessing a wood Qi for our eventual fight with the nameless king?","attachment":null,"posted":1713562354},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5981795,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Ending the vote and tallying its result now
Lay back on the tide of the wrathful dead, and play for them while breathing out as much grudge smoke as you can to drown the tombs with your gathered resentment :8
Perform the demon art: Blood Rain, Chaos Mist, and see how effective it is against the dead:4
Leap off from the backs of your soldiers, and cut a bloody swathe through the fleeing soldiers with Moon Collapse and your claws, shifting between forms like a shadow in fire light:1
So you'll lay back and play ghost empress melody, and expel as many grudges as you can, strengthening your frenzied ghosts and drowning the lower tombs with your collected resentment
Update will arrive shortly","attachment":null,"posted":1713579892},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5981810,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"The flow of the ghostly warriors beneath you, in their frenzied charge, bucks you and throws you back as if you were an unbroken and wild stallion. Laughing now from both how fun it is being thrown around so wildly and the rush at seeing the terrified faces of hungry and monstrous ghosts fleeing before you like rats and mice scattering from piled game, the clashing of ethereal blades and the bellowed roar cries reverberate through you, shaking you to the marrow of your bones your silver armor rings while the folds of your imperial dress ruffle in the stagnant air as you're carried atop the flowing river of vengeful spirits that have lifted you nearly as high as your own spirits are soaring! Throwing your head back, you summon ghost empress melody from the air above your head, tugging on the unseen, intangible strings to pull the floating Guqin down to your finger tips, as billows and gouts of grudge energy and raw enmity and resentment burst from your lips with your cackling howls of laughter, painting all before you in deep shades of black like some unseen hand has, in a childish tantrum, splashed all of the world with writing ink!
Leaning back, you allow yourself to be carried on top of your army, some of your soldiers lifting up their hands to hold you aloft and all that's missing from the scene is a litter made of femurs and ribcages for you to sit in as they lift you and bring you closer to your rival for the dominion of the dead.
Branding that mental image into your thoughts, holding onto it tightly and jealously, you swing one leg over the other as you swing your head side to side, throwing and spilling your collected grudges everywhere, little voices muttering and whispering inside the clouds black as pitch, repeating their curses and animosity as the air begins to sting from just how much condensed spite has been released into it. The air itself has become venomous with resentment~ Heh-Heh! How fitting an atmosphere for your arrival to the battle.
Composing yourself, calming your heart, you swing one leg over the other, adjust and stiffen your posture to sit like a proper noble lady, serene, distant and mysterious as you close your eyes, stretch out your fingers and using the clawed ends of your armored gloves, test the tuning of your enchanted Guqin by running two fingers from each hand over the strings, hearing almost hiss like tone shrilly cry out and pierce through the deafening sounds of the battle raging between two armies of vicious and hungry spirits.
Satisfied with the sound your dearest treasure made, you take a deep breath, puff out your chest, settle your hands on either side of the Guqin, and start strumming a song that is compose from both your heart and the most potent and enduring of your collection of grudges.
roll 2d100. Best out of five. DC 95 ","attachment":null,"posted":1713580840},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5981824,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 19, 41 = 60 (2d100)
>>5981810","attachment":null,"posted":1713581363},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5981825,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 34, 68 = 102 (2d100)
>>5981810
You wanna see a magic trick? 14 and 71.","attachment":null,"posted":1713581412},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5981836,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 79, 28 = 107 (2d100)
>>5981810
Fellow Juniors, please allow me.","attachment":null,"posted":1713582758},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5981876,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981836
This Junior is now on suicide watch","attachment":null,"posted":1713584729},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5981899,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 35, 21 = 56 (2d100)
>>5981810","attachment":null,"posted":1713586064},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5981928,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 4, 27 = 31 (2d100)
>>5981810","attachment":null,"posted":1713589230},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5981930,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5981836
Nice success. 10 over DC. Update will arrive shortly","attachment":null,"posted":1713589296},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5981965,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"https://youtu.be/oiSS5ML6y3s
-
The music flows with the streams of resentment, the bitterness that has preserved these wrathful spirits for so long after their death, the spiteful grudges that have driven them crazy and turned them deranged, it issues forth from the nigh imperceptible space between Ghost Empress Melody's strings and your finger tips, a sorrowful lament that travels through the air, its vibrations visible through the dust and fog of undying enmity that spills out over your carefully painted lips to seep through the skeletal face guard hiding your beautiful face from the denizens and serfs of the forgotten king's unchanging and maddened kingdom. The cursed that has sealed the spirits here reacts to the music, just as the ghosts carrying you are empowered and strengthened by its melody and tune and the spirits they clash against are weighed down by the resentment crackling and crazing through the black clouds of manifested grudges you vomit out over all of them.
The air turns sour, bitter, spicy, the flavors of life intermingling with the aromas of death as the accompaniment you provide acts as the procession for a funeral and the welcoming of a new monarch. You roll your head, back and forth, purposefully making your sitting self look like a hanged corpse propped up with a Guqin set over her legs, in a form of mockery or perhaps a show of mourning and respect. The waves of sound ripple out as your hands dart, moving up and down the body of the magic Guqin, as the roars of the berserk specters beneath you become horn blows and trumpet blares to your ears, and their charge into the enemy formation becomes the heady beat of a drum.
With your mouth hanging open, more and more of your store of grudges spills out, lending their own unique bodies and flavors to the atmosphere of this lamenting song, the sort that should be played in graveyards as the ethereal bodies of your soldiers, sane or not, human looking or twisted and disgusting to behold change, as they become more terrifying kinds of spirits and all of them grow more powerful from both the grudge energy you unleash upon them as they sally forth by your command to crush your enemies and from the sorrowful music you play, mourning their distant passing and their senseless torture here for centuries beneath the soil, wailing and raging at distant, apathetic gods in the darkness, their agony and descent into mindless rage and lunacy all overseen by their forgotten king, whose name was stripped from history until only his arrogance and defeat were remembered.
The fate the gods would gladly deliver to you if you do not surpass them and rewrite the mandate of heaven yourself. Tears crawl down your cold cheeks, as your roll your neck and allow your head to hang forward as you hands move faster and faster, drawing ever more of your power and Qi to imbue into the music, strengthening the ties and tethers and the hate that keep your army bound to this world
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1713592749},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5981967,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5981965
And bolstering its numbers as you rouse and wake up those unfortunate souls who have gone so far as to burn away and expend as much of themselves and their essence as they can to try and create a false oblivion just to escape the torment of their cursed existence, as well as those who were predated upon and beaten until they willingly gave up their own Ghostly Qi to empower their bullies and subjugators.
Opening your eyes a sliver, looking half dead or half asleep, you lift up your head just enough to observe the progress of your army and smile, as you see the foes that were foolish enough to stand against you are falling back, fleeing away from the clouds of concentrated resentment and the raving ghosts that stalk through it, looking for victims to vent their frustrations and centuries of built up anger.
Seeing now reason to do much more than lift a finger, you lay back, relax and continue playing, passively empowering your army so they can crush your enemies so you don't have to do anything tiring or waste energy that's better spent against actual worthy opponents.
Until, a curious whistling sound interrupts the mournful melody, and screams pierce through the silence as you pause your strumming for a moment to wait and see what exactly is ruining your music. Arrows, fletched with phoenix feathers and the plumage of some ghostly bird, rain down from the skies, burning with pale blue flames whose tongues shift from white to black as they fall and scatter amongst you army. The ghosts that are struck by the strange, burning arrows begin writhing, mutating and transforming as they are overwhelmed with ghostly essence and deathly yin Qi and seem to loose their human sense and reason, turning to the same kinds of mindless feral ghosts that like gnawing on bones that make their dens throughout the catacomb. Except these unfortunate transformed souls look, terrible, made of mismatched body parts and stitched together skin, like they've been changed to feel more agony than their true forms would allow.
You frown, and flick your eyes up to see the ghost strong enough to harness such a cruel curse, and spot them on galloping atop a line of stone graves, their hooves wreathed in the same ethereal flames they light their arrows with. Their lower half is a skeletal horse, and their upper half is a woman with her guts spilling out of her belly and a metal mask covering the upper half of her face. Her mouth has been sliced open from ear to ear, and she has four arms, three of which are holding the gargantuan and oversized bow, while the forth which has been turned into blackened bone, draws the string of guts and sinew back as she notches another dozen or so arrows.
You rise to stand on one knee and lift ghost empress melody up sideways as she unleashes her barrage.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1713592810},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5981970,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5981967
Kicking your Guqin, you stride forward, hands held behind your back. And with feline and ghostly grace, slither through the hail of arrows, and shoot out your left arm to catch the last arrow between two fingers, snapping its shafter with a twitch of your hand.
"And whose the arrogant bitch who dares step in my way, Huuh~?" You ask as you crush the rest of the arrow in your fist and lean forward, glowering at the half horse ghost as she stands atop a tomb large enough to hold a giant, three of her arms flicking behind her back to grab bushels of arrows from the three quiver lashed to her back with hooks and nails "Don't you know who I am? I'd ask if you have a death wish but, Heh-Heh, well, we both know how foolish that'd be, don't we?"
"Happy Bloodshed" She says calmly, lifting up her head "Though this wretched place erodes my sanity and robs me of my wits, I am under no illusion that I can stop you from intruding into my king's throne room. But, while I know you will defeat me, I believe I can stall you, and keep you from interrupting his meditation for some time"
"For a few moments?" You tease, crumbling the arrow in your hand, before spreading it open and blowing away the ashes
"For however long I am able to retain this form. The King must not be disturbed" She replies with gritted teeth "Hopefully, you'll be stopped at the gate and will not have to long relish the satisfaction of taking this section of crypt as your own"
"That's quite the vain hope you're cherishing there, pony" You cackle, as you pull Ghost Empress Melody back to your side, and take up a fighting stance as the woman with the lower half of a horse bowers her head, and notching one arrow, gallops towards you as you stand amongst the mewling and crying mutated phantoms she created "Though, I guess I have be mean and crush it anyways, Heh-Heh"
How do you attack the half horse archer, Huanliuxue?
>Take a step back, and hurl Ghost Empress Melody at her head, using her speed against her to try and crush her skull [Strength/ Accuracy trial DC 155]
>Close the distance between her, with the blood red lightning cat step and try to cripple her with the Shooting Star Stampede [Martial Trial. DC 165]
>Disdainfully send her next volley of arrows away, by tearing a rift in the space in front of yourself with one hand, and use the other to cast the Phantom Cat Waltz [Magic Trial DC 135]
>Transfix her with Hypnotic Eyes and lovingly rip out her heart [Blood Sorcery: Carmine Mysticism Trial DC 108]
>Write in","attachment":null,"posted":1713592870},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5981977,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981970
>Transfix her with Hypnotic Eyes and lovingly rip out her heart [Blood Sorcery: Carmine Mysticism Trial DC 108]
Vampire tricks lets go.","attachment":null,"posted":1713593292},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5981979,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981970
>Transfix her with Hypnotic Eyes and lovingly rip out her heart [Blood Sorcery: Carmine Mysticism Trial DC 108]","attachment":null,"posted":1713594005},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5981988,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981970
>>Take a step back, and hurl Ghost Empress Melody at her head, using her speed against her to try and crush her skull [Strength/ Accuracy trial DC 155]","attachment":null,"posted":1713595143},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5982122,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981970
>Transfix her with Hypnotic Eyes and lovingly rip out her heart [Blood Sorcery: Carmine Mysticism Trial DC 108]
Time to use our new carmine moves.","attachment":null,"posted":1713614526},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5982149,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981970
>Disdainfully send her next volley of arrows away, by tearing a rift in the space in front of yourself with one hand, and use the other to cast the Phantom Cat Waltz [Magic Trial DC 135]","attachment":null,"posted":1713618946},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5982169,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981970
>Disdainfully send her next volley of arrows away, by tearing a rift in the space in front of yourself with one hand, and use the other to cast the Phantom Cat Waltz [Magic Trial DC 135]","attachment":null,"posted":1713621293},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5982209,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981970
>Transfix her with Hypnotic Eyes and lovingly rip out her heart [Blood Sorcery: Carmine Mysticism Trial DC 108]
Pretty cool that our vampire shit works on ghosts? Not sure how effective the heart-ripper will be, but... it's worth a try.","attachment":null,"posted":1713623845},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5982309,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981970
>Transfix","attachment":null,"posted":1713632763},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5982361,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981970
>Transfix her with Hypnotic Eyes and lovingly rip out her heart [Blood Sorcery: Carmine Mysticism Trial DC 108]","attachment":null,"posted":1713635798},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5982465,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 74, 77 = 151 (2d100)
>>5981970
>Transfix her with Hypnotic Eyes and lovingly rip out her heart [Blood Sorcery: Carmine Mysticism Trial DC 108]","attachment":null,"posted":1713643072},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5982466,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982465
(ignore the dice)","attachment":null,"posted":1713643134},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5983107,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981970
>Transfix her with Hypnotic Eyes and lovingly rip out her heart [Blood Sorcery: Carmine Mysticism Trial DC 108]
Shame you chose to fight for the wrong ruler horse girl","attachment":null,"posted":1713712394},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5983224,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981970
>Transfix her with Hypnotic Eyes and lovingly rip out her heart [Blood Sorcery: Carmine Mysticism Trial DC 108]","attachment":null,"posted":1713725999},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5983567,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Ending the vote and tallying its results now.
Transfix her with Hypnotic Eyes and lovingly rip out her heart :9
Take a step back, and hurl Ghost Empress Melody at her head, using her speed against her to try and crush her skull:1
Disdainfully send her next volley of arrows away, by tearing a rift in the space in front of yourself with one hand, and use the other to cast the Phantom Cat Waltz:2
So You'll attempt to transfix the half horse archer ghost with your mystical eyes, so you can tear out her heart at your leisure.
Update will arrive shortly.","attachment":null,"posted":1713736974},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5983590,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5983567
The blue flame wrapped hooves thunder over the stone floor strewn with bones, the ground shaking as the half horse archer charges you head on, drawing and pulling the string of her bow further and further back, her three fleshy arms straining as her gruesome skeletal arm creaks and cracks as the bow itself, massive beyond reason, bends like it was a reed rather than a fossilized hunk of wood nearly thicker around than you were. The guts and sinew begin to tear, and wisps of ghostly blue light escape them. But you do not make a move to defend yourself or get out of the way or even to attack, instead you stand them, the very image of a proper and well raised beauty.
With pouted lips and half lidded eyes, you demurely tilt your head, frowning sadly as you draw upon the natural weapon of women as transcendentally beautiful as yourself, even though you're surrounded by ugliness and suffering. Fluttering your eyes lashes, you part your pouty lips to sigh sadly while wearing a disappointed and judging look on your gorgeous face, even as the ground trembles and you can feel the air peeling apart as it is burdened with the strong essence of this impudent girl's ghostly qi as she, as loyal as a well trained horse should be, does not stray or hesitate in trying to trample over you or allow her bowstring to slacken so as not to launch an arrow that could shoot straight through you and continue piercing through the gravestones at your back for sometime. Sharpening your eyes, lifting your shoulders, straightening you back, you lift the back of your hand in front of your mouth and turn disappointment to disdain as you focus the mystical energy in your alchemically altered blood to surge into the veins of your amber eyes, performing carmine mysticism, an unspoken hex whispered created within the roiling of your blood.
You can see the veins glowing in your eyes, as they burn at the edges of your vision as the whole world takes on a blush like, pink hue as you concentrate the magic inherent to your enchanted blood into your eyes. Their polished amber turns the same hue of pink that can be found in sunsets, as you lift up your chin and settle your gaze directly where the half horse archer's eyes would be behind her helmet. And parting your lips, cast the spell glowing in your eyes with a handful of hurting words.
"How can you be so heartless, threatening the beautiful me so brutishly? I'm frightened! I'm frightened~" You cry out, your voice sounding even to your ears alluring as your eyes flare with mystical light, as you try to hypnotize the ghost and force them to stop from guilt alone so you can make them well and truly heartless with you own bare hands, Heh-Heh.
roll 2d100. Best out of five. DC 108 ","attachment":null,"posted":1713737856},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5983599,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 14, 63 = 77 (2d100)
>>5983590","attachment":null,"posted":1713738314},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5983605,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 43, 23 = 66 (2d100)
>>5983590","attachment":null,"posted":1713738506},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5983629,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 50, 44 = 94 (2d100)
>>5983590
Die","attachment":null,"posted":1713739563},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5983631,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 22, 67 = 89 (2d100)
>>5983590
Look into my eyes. Tell me, what do you see?","attachment":null,"posted":1713739599},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5983633,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983629
Well shit thats a failure of ovwr 10.
Can none of us roll fucking decent.
Is this ghost truly without any guilt?","attachment":null,"posted":1713739705},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5983645,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983633
We still have 1 more roll, but I am half blaming >>5982465 for stealing our luck","attachment":null,"posted":1713740184},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5983699,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 70, 58 = 128 (2d100)
>>5983590","attachment":null,"posted":1713742919},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5983705,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983699
Truly this was a trial of our faith in our and Huan's luck.","attachment":null,"posted":1713743246},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5983713,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5983699
Good Success. Exactly 20 over DC. Had me scared for a second, but Huan succeeds by a whisker's breadth!
Update will arrive shortly","attachment":null,"posted":1713743720},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5983745,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"https://youtu.be/ewkDZfoodZE
_
Behind that iron mask, two pits of cold fire blaze as the hungry ghost's will lashes out and fights back against your own and the hypnotic suggestion to feel a heart crushing guilt for daring to threaten an existence as beautiful and resplendent as yourself. You do not take a step back, break eye contact or tremble as she lowers her head like she was a charging bull and had horns to gore you, and instead of moving to avoid being trampled beneath her hooves or struck with that barbed and hooked arrow notched on her bow, you stand firm and unmoving with the posture and elegance of a flower of the imperial court, sedated and calm as if you were not staring down a giant skeletal horse with metal hooves wreathed in cursed flames.
The veins at the edge of your vision swirl as the pink sunset haze grows heavier and thicker, blotting out the rest of your vision until only the blank expression the half ghost archer remains, and the turmoil in her expression, the doubt, the self hatred, the slowly rising disgust and guilt. A bead of grey sweat bubbles out from where her helmet has been fastened and locked over her skull. Her hands, even the one made out of bone, tremble as your eyes lock and remain locked, hers transfixed with the unearthly beauty that stands before her, like a delicate porcelain doll and the mind numbing tenderness of your eyes. But she is fighting you for every string your worm through her already rotten brain, struggling to throw off your will and the oppressiveness of your beauty and the illusion of a harmless, frightened maiden you've planted like a seed in the holes of her musty brain.
She thunders closer, smile split down the middle between a determined snarl and a weeping grimace as she lowers her bows and lifts up the arrow she had notched to use it instead like a spear. You do not move and just lift your head up a little higher, with a little more authority, acting like you were looking down at her even though she easily towered over you. Narrowing your eyes, you take a single step forward, all softness, delicateness and gentleness vanishing from your expression as you stamp down hard on her defiant will and push the illusion and enchantment burning in your eyes through her skull by turning your frightened stare into a commanding glare, exchanging the mask of a princess for that of an empress and demanding she bend to your will.
She reels, rearing up on her hind legs as if you'd just slapped her across the face. Xiongj, you can hear, stomping forward over his broken and twisted comrades as you take another step forward and tilt your head to the other side, looking up at the ghostly warrioress with a pleading look.
Her ethereal flames flicker. the hands holding her bow slacken, while the one gripping the arrow trembles and holds it against your neck. You press your neck against it, feeling the cold steel against your warm flesh, with a pleasant smile beneath hypnotic and dominant eyes.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1713745803},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5983747,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5983745
"Frr" She struggles, voice raspy and dry as she lowers her front legs, upper body drooping as she goes slack like a puppet who has had its strings cut "For...give..me. My L..lady, I.."
She kneels, bending her front legs as she forfeits her will and is drawn into the false world promised by your mystical eyes, drooling as her mind buckles under your assault.
"I...what was I doing?" She drones, bowed like a horse waiting to accept a ride onto its back as you clear the remaining distance between you in a single stride and place a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"You were offering your heart to me" You cheerfully answer, grinning wickedly from ear to ear as you duck closer to her and press the fingers of you right hand as tightly together as you can "Don't you remember?"
"Of course" She mutters to herself in a trance, unbuckling the armor covering her chest "of course, if you desire my heart, I'll give it to you, My lady"
"Then, I graciously accept this offering" You purr softly, tightening your grip on her shoulder as you thrust the claws of your gauntlet through her moldy skin and through her decaying flesh. She cries out, just as much out of pleasure as in pain as black, coagulated blood spurts over your arm as you hum and purr, digging your hand through her bosom and under her ribs to lovingly wrap your fingers around her heart.
The ghost general gasps, the trance breaking as you reach further into her chest. But its too late for her to struggle and escape. Mustering all your strength, you hold her giant body down and hold onto her with a vice grip as her delighted moans turn to gasps of confused panic and agony, as her thrashing splatters your face with her ink black blood. How striking you must look, your delicately affectionate expression marred with black blood dripping down your chin and arm as you viciously bury your claws in her torso, snapping her ribs as you reach up and grasp her heart.
"My my~" You coo sweetly, savoring her struggles as you smile exactly like your mother, eyes half open as you rub your thumb over her still heart, which weakly beats even though she's been dead for centuries due to how terrified she's become "How adorable~ You were so welcoming of my touch a moment ago, so confident in giving yourself over to me, now you're squirming and whimpering so much~, How Cuuuute!"
"Let go!" She cries out, spitting blood in your face as her boney hand grips your wrist and tries to force your arm out of her chest as she leans against you, not out of choice, but because her powerful legs have given out. Probably because you've just tightened your grip and started crushing and squeezing her heart.
"Hey? Didn't you offer this to me? It's rude to take back a gift, and its a death sentence to refuse my whims" You cackle cruelly as you push your arm deeper and rub your cheek against hers.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1713745864},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5983748,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5983747
She slips for a moment, the trance washing over her and lulling her towards obedience, before she suddenly roars in rage, and with her helmet breaking as two antlers erupt from her skull, she pulls her head back and hammers it against yours. The headbutt stuns you long enough for her to get another hand around your wrist, and she actually manages force and wrench your arm an inch and a half out of her body.
"You naughty girl" You titter and tease, thrilled that she's managing to fight back. You might not play with your prey as often as other cats do, but you still can delight in their squirming beneath your paw!
roll 2d100. Best out of five. Strength Trial DC 145 ","attachment":null,"posted":1713745925},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5983752,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 19, 85 = 104 (2d100)
>>5983748","attachment":null,"posted":1713746478},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5983753,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 4, 85 = 89 (2d100)
>>5983748
whew boy, here we go","attachment":null,"posted":1713746520},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5983760,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 7, 53 = 60 (2d100)
>>5983748
Silly ghost, pulling our hand out won't save your fluttering little heart. If anything it'll just make this whole thing hurt a lot more. Gotta hand it to her for determination though.","attachment":null,"posted":1713746934},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5983779,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 97, 28 = 125 (2d100)
>>5983748
Gonna Steal her heart with our cat like charm","attachment":null,"posted":1713748829},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5983803,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983779
can another junior please roll a perfect 100 100 to save us from our hubris?","attachment":null,"posted":1713750638},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5983810,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983803
I mean technically this one is Huan's hubris, not ours. She should have just crushed it but she's being extremely kinky and damn.","attachment":null,"posted":1713751183},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5983814,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 53, 72 = 125 (2d100)
>>5983748","attachment":null,"posted":1713751334},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5983839,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983779
>>5983814
Dub 125 is pretty cool though. Ow","attachment":null,"posted":1713752890},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5983874,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5983779
>>5983814
Oof, failure by exactly 20. What are the odds of rolling exactly over or under 20 of the DC and rolling the exact same result as well? Weird
Anyways
Update will arrive shortly","attachment":null,"posted":1713754809},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5983921,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"The ghostly general struggles to free your arm from her chest, but you stubbornly refuse to cede any more ground, digging the claws of your gauntlet into the meat and veins of her fluttering heart. The muscles and veins in your arm bulge as you pour as much blood Qi as you can to increase how much strength you can possibly muster, straining as they scream in pain and start to burn from the effort of just holding on. With her eyes revealed, blazing blue again, the half horse ghost snarls, and wraps a third hand around your wrist, but she isn't trying to pull you arm out anymore. You tug you hand back, and don't feel it move beneath her rotting flesh as the ribs you just punched it under jab and poke into the parts of your arm that are currently stuck inside of her torso. She grins, a glint of determination flashing in her malevolent blue eyes as you stare up at her, eyes widening as you realize what she's trying to do as you shake, wiggle and squirm your arm to try and pull it out of her chest before its too late.
"Detonating yourself? You know you don't have enough resentment or deathly yin Qi to do much damage, all you'll do is blast this body of yours to bits, I'll still be standing here while pieces of you rain down! Perfectly intact!" You shout up at her, gnashing your teeth in frustration as you plant a foot on the part of her where her human body meets the neck of the skeletal horse, pushing and kicking as hard as you can to try and get a little extra pull on your side to pop your arm out from her sucking flesh and stabbing bones. If her grip was just a little looser, you could crush her heart, but with how tightly she's holding on, the muscles of your hand just can't move, leaving it locked around the organ, unable to squeeze harder or release it so you can flee.
"Perhaps or perhaps not, I won't know unless I try. And you have no reason to tell the truth. Judging from that look in your eyes, you're less durable than you'd want me to believe" She sputters, black blood oozing from her knife widened mouth as more and more of the stinking liquid oozes out of the hole in her chest that your arm is stuck in.
Your eyes meet hers again, but with your redirection of blood Qi to your arm, which you now need to keep up to prevent her from crushing and pulping the limb out right, the hypnotic gaze that had subdued her is begin to fade away as the mystical blood in the veins of your eyes drains down to your rigid arm.
"Is that a chance you want to gamble on? If this was a game of dice I wouldn't trust those odds. Think about how foolish you'll look when I walk away from you, barely even smoking!" You spit back, furious now, as you put your other foot against her and start pushing with both of your legs and your other arm
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1713757909},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5983923,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5983921
"Self sacrifice is something to be applauded. Even if it fails, a suicidal attack is always praiseworthy" She says, closing her eyes with a satisfied expression, relaxing as the fear, panic and rage at being humiliated fade away.
"You're fucking crazy!" You shout, making one last effort to pull yourself free from the trap she's made in her own body.
"NO I'M FUCKING CRAZY" Xiongji bellows, as both you and the ghost general look up, she looking just as surprised by his entrance as you are, meaning she forgot he was standing nearby just watching your struggle play out.
"You?!" She growls, as the towering mass of rage, hate and lunacy sprints towards her, grinning sadistically as black plumes of smoke and blood red flames wreath his outstretched hands
"HOW DARE YOU MAKE A MOCKERY OF HER, AND TRY TO TAKE BACK WHAT YOU GAVE EVER SO WILLINGLY TO HER HAND! DON'T YOU KNOW HOW FUCKING RUDE THAT IS, YOU PIECE OF SHIT DOGFUCKER?!" Xiongji rages as he lunges, becoming a blur as with her last hand, the ghost general flips around her arrow and stabs it towards him.
The moment of impact moves in slow motion, and you're not certain if that's because of adrenaline filling your veins and coursing through every part of you, or because you instinctively activated your Youling-Qinggong. The arrow drags across Xiongji's smiling face, blood blossoming across his cheek and revealing his fang like teeth as his burning hand wraps around the ghost general's throat as all of him slams into her side.
Your arm is freed with a wet pop, and you fall to the ground, rolling around to land on your hands and feet, heart hammering in your chest as you push off of the ground and launch yourself up onto your feet. Shaking your numb and trembling hand, you watch as Xiongji lifts and carries the half horse ghost and lifts her from the ground as she grabs hold of the arrow stuck in his face with all four of her hands and pulls it down his neck until it gets stuck half way through his battle-scarred breastplate. Kicking him with her hooves, she presses it down and into his torso, but he's laughing as he swings his arm and slams her bodily into a stone coffin, falling to one knee as both of them disappear in a cloud of dust.
And a moment later, a sphere of writhing blue flames erupts with a deafening boom, as a wave of force spreads out and knocks over anyone and anything that is standing and isn't you. As strong as the explosion was, it only forces you to take a step back and shield your eyes.
Stepping to the side, you avoid Xiongji's axe by a hair as it is sent rocketing into the air, as pieces of debris fall all around you as the dust begins to settle and your teeth stop rattling around in your mouth.
"Ow" Xiongji groans from the newly formed crater, torched black and with most of his armor either blown off or evaporating into tendrils of ghostly smoke "That really hurt"
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1713757970},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5983924,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5983923
"Idiot! What are you doing fighting for her?!" The ghost general, who is looking a lot smaller now, with most of her horse half splintered and spread across the floor and walls as boney shrapnel, the gaping hole in her chest as well as her bare chest exposed for all to see as she wheezes and hacks up a cloud of smoke and fire "That attack took most of the breath I had collected to unleash!"
"Which means you can't even get in my way anymore" You say, stepping through the clouds of smoke and bones reduced to dust "And crushing you will be as easy as turning over my hand now. Surprised to see you in so few pieces, Pony, guess you were more durable than I anticipated you to be, Heh-Heh"
"Har har" Xiongji laughs mockingly from the pit you're standing on the edge of, as the now much more human looking ghost general glares up at you and smirks
"Wipe that smug smile off of your face, you were scared" She says with a vicious look as a pulse of killing intent "I can still act as an obstacle in your way, for a few moments longer at least"
"Tch" You click your tongue, glaring down at her as you buckle and crush the ghosts who rushed to see what had happened with a wave of your own killing intent. That little stunt she tried to pull has really, truly pissed you off.
The black heart in her chest beats, the print of your hand bruised onto its surface and four deep scratches cut through its surface. You wiggle the fingers of your aching hand, rubbing its wrist as you look down at the insolent bitch in front of you, as she presses two fingers together on each of her hands and draws them through the air, blue fire sprouting from her finger tips, as she forms two bows out of the same flames and notches them with the index and middle fingers of her upper hands.
'She's too stubborn for her own good' You think annoyedly tapping your heel on the ground 'She's far weaker than I am, but she's putting up more of a fight than I expected her to'
Groaning, you close your eyes and sigh.
How do you deal with this stubborn worm who refuses to be squashed, Huanliuxue
>"Xiongji, I know you can still stand. Keep her from getting in my way, I'm tired of playing around with her"
>Show her what a real explosion looks like and respond to her defiant stringing of her bows by creating a super massive destructive yin sphere, and teleporting directly in her face with a bit of Cosmic Qi (Magic trial. DC 135)
>See if your blood control works on ghostly organs and attempt to pop her ghostly heart from a distance (Magic trial. DC 160)
>Flick Moon Collapse out of its sheath and send it flying into her heart (Martial Trial. DC 120)
>Leap out her, change forms mid pound and crush her neck between your fangs (Martial trial. DC 175)
>Write in","attachment":null,"posted":1713758030},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5983929,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983924
>Show her what a real explosion looks like and respond to her defiant stringing of her bows by creating a super massive destructive yin sphere, and teleporting directly in her face with a bit of Cosmic Qi (Magic trial. DC 135)","attachment":null,"posted":1713758513},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5983936,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983924
>>Show her what a real explosion looks like and respond to her defiant stringing of her bows by creating a super massive destructive yin sphere, and teleporting directly in her face with a bit of Cosmic Qi (Magic trial. DC 135)
Thank you for keeping her from damaging our clothes, Xiongji, you're a real one. Now please vacate the crater for your own safety. And so no one tries to steal your axe.","attachment":null,"posted":1713758942},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5983996,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983924
>Show her what a real explosion looks like and respond to her defiant stringing of her bows by creating a super massive destructive yin sphere, and teleporting directly in her face with a bit of Cosmic Qi (Magic trial. DC 135)","attachment":null,"posted":1713765784},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5984007,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983924
>Flick Moon Collapse out of its sheath and send it flying into her heart (Martial Trial. DC 120)","attachment":null,"posted":1713766834},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5984075,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983924
>>Flick Moon Collapse out of its sheath and send it flying into her heart (Martial Trial. DC 120)","attachment":null,"posted":1713777868},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5984089,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983924
>Show her what a real explosion looks like and respond to her defiant stringing of her bows by creating a super massive destructive yin sphere, and teleporting directly in her face with a bit of Cosmic Qi (Magic trial. DC 135)
I think this is a good time to bust out the heavy ordnance. We should probably hurry, given how desperate this ghost is to buy time, I'm assuming being quick is in our best interest.
>"That attack took most of the breath I had collected to unleash!"
This is interesting info. I'm assuming the king has also been gathering "breath" for a good while, which might explains his strength. But does it also mean we could theoretically bait him into wasting his power and beat him via attrition? Maybe not, but worth considering.","attachment":null,"posted":1713783945},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5984124,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983924
>Flick Moon Collapse out of its sheath and send it flying into her heart (Martial Trial. DC 120)","attachment":null,"posted":1713789268},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5984140,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983747
What the fuck
This is horrifying
>>5983874
Aaand we get the karmic punishment. Deserved.
>>5983924
>Flick Moon Collapse out of its sheath and send it flying into her heart (Martial Trial. DC 120)","attachment":null,"posted":1713792176},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5984143,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983924
>Flick Moon Collapse out of its sheath and send it flying into her heart (Martial Trial. DC 120)","attachment":null,"posted":1713793069},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5984181,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983924
>Show her what a real explosion looks like and respond to her defiant stringing of her bows by creating a super massive destructive yin sphere, and teleporting directly in her face with a bit of Cosmic Qi (Magic trial. DC 135)","attachment":null,"posted":1713797092},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5984245,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984140
>What the fuck
>This is horrifying
You telling me you didn't need a pillow to cover your lap?","attachment":null,"posted":1713806580},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5984613,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Rolled 2 (1d2)
Ending and tallying the vote now. Somehow I still have enough vigor to despite their being three parts of last nights update
Show her what a real explosion looks like and respond to her defiant stringing of her bows by creating a super massive destructive yin sphere, and teleporting directly in her face with a bit of Cosmic Qi:5
Flick Moon Collapse out of its sheath and send it flying into her heart:5
Oh hey a perfect tie! How rare. I'll tie break for once, and the one who loses the coin flip will be Huan's second attack if the first flounders. That seems fair to this old master.
1: Super Massive Destructive Yin Sphere.
2: Moon Collapse Heart Shot.
>>5984245
Junior has been consumed by his heart demons...","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713847711191569.jpg","filename":"1662716794913100.jpg"},"posted":1713847711},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5984614,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5984613
So you'll throw Moon Collapse at the ghost general's exposed heart. Nice. Update will arrive shortly","attachment":null,"posted":1713847772},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5984625,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"But you concentration is broken before you can think up how to approach the defiant ghost general as you don't expect the high ground advantage to last long enough for you to actually make use of it. That attack she is charging looks troublesome, even if it isn't enough dent, scratch or unravel your spider demons silk armor. But your planning is interrupted, however brief it might've been, from a distinct chime at your hip. Moon Collapse (Yuèqiú tāxiàn, 月球塌陷) is singing to you, humming in the sheath you stuck it in to keep it hidden from prying eyes. It is humming so loudly it is vibrating, its blood red edge shimmering through the leather you had Feiqing cut and shape to fit it.
Reaching down, you stick a finger through the ring at the bottom of its pommel, stretching your hand over its rabbit fur grip and with a flick of your wrist, free it from its sheath. You pull your hand back, allowing the dagger to float freely, unconstrained by the gravity of the world as it hovers over your open palm, bathing you and the rest of this lightless place in the carmine glow of a full blood moon. The Ghost general takes a step back, sensing the brief flicker of your aura roaring and blazing higher than its already massive and oppressive size as the moondust in your veins reacts to the light stored in the moon glass dagger and the ill omen power of the blood moon surges from your twin cores. With the red glow washing over your face, the pupils in your eyes turn to crescent slivers as a hail of starlight falls within them as the moonlight rippling through your hair glows dimly through the gaps of your helmet and armor as the moonlight escaping the straight and serrated edges of your knife spread out in thin, unnatural beams of light that illuminating the tombs with their first touch of moonlight.
"A treasure? Another artifact?" The ghost general says, voice wavering as their eyes focus intently on the dagger rotating slowly above and orbiting around your outstretched hand "How many weapons have you brought, you who was born with sharp claws and sharper fangs"
"Why should I tell a corpse anything?" You ask in response, flicking your other hand to brush a stray lock of hair away from your eyes "And some tools are simply better than what nature has provided. I'm sure moles would prefer to use shovels than their paws, if they were given the chance"
"You won't be able to hit me from there, not before I loose my arrows" The no longer half horse ghost boasts, but the tremble in her voice tells you that is a bluff.
Probably. No reason to give her a chance to prove it.
Grabbing hold of Moon Collapse, you pull you arm back and wish you had whiskers in the moment before you throw it, to help you with aiming the dagger.
roll 2d100. Best out of five. DC 120 ","attachment":null,"posted":1713848655},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5984634,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 75, 70 = 145 (2d100)
>>5984625","attachment":null,"posted":1713849504},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5984636,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984634
>145
Someone's laughing at us.","attachment":null,"posted":1713849572},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5984647,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 85, 15 = 100 (2d100)
>>5984613
>Junior has been consumed by his heart demons...
I must admit, I love a woman that will actually brutally murder me.
>>5984625
>>5984636
The dao itself is laughing. Dang Dao.","attachment":null,"posted":1713850661},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5984651,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 14, 85 = 99 (2d100)
>>5984625","attachment":null,"posted":1713851485},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5984660,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 85, 73 = 158 (2d100)
>>5984625","attachment":null,"posted":1713852288},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5984694,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983924
>Flick Moon Collapse out of its sheath and send it flying into her heart (Martial Trial. DC 120)","attachment":null,"posted":1713856085},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5984697,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 86, 11 = 97 (2d100)
>>5984625","attachment":null,"posted":1713856285},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5984701,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5984660
Nice success. 30 over DC and nearly 40 over. Update will arrive shortly
>>5984647
>>5984651
>>5984660
Though it is pretty weird three out of the five rolls all had 85 as one of their die.","attachment":null,"posted":1713856490},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5984711,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"On a whim, and for a reason you don't really know yourself, you bent your knees and lower your shoulders, half crouching as you adopted the stance Qiang tends to use when she's about to quick draw her sword from her side and cut whatever was in front of her into several pieces. The air was silent except from the crackling flames and the sound of breaking ice, and Xiongji's pained coughing. You locked eyes with the ghost general, who was looking much less confident that her boast of being able to shoot her bows before you launch Moon Collapse into her heart than she was a few mere moments ago. Flashing a confident grin of your own, challenging her to test her reaction time against your own feline reflexes, time seemed to grow sluggish as if you had expanded your specter lightness skill to encompass the whole layer of crypts and collection of tombs that made up this layer of the catacombs. You'd never seen a ghost sweat so much, or shiver as if they to could feel the cooling of the air their presence caused.
It become a staring contest, who would twitch and make the first move, giving the other an opening to counter with a fraction of a second longer to line up their shot and steady their arms.
Her composure broke before yours did, and with a defiant shout, she loosed four burning arrows. The flames spread out, taking on the shape of wings as a keening cry pierced through the silence as the four burning arrows began to move oddly, three spinning around one like their bird shape fire's were in a mating dance. The flames from the three dancers fed into the arrow in the center of the flock of four, and burned to nothing as its fire bloomed and became a skull shaped conflagration of icy fire infused with a curse you could almost see written in the darkness that eclipsed its halo of light.
Turning one foot to the side, you bowed lower and flicked out your hand, copying the motion of Qiang's draw as you sent Moon Collapse soaring. It's humming song became an unearthly wail, as the blood red moon light pouring from it snapped and formed a aurora like river of light for it to travel across and slice through.
The blue flame skull evaporated, as the flying dagger pierced through its forehead and cleanly split the arrow that was its core, and as if the only thing that had gotten in its way was cold air, it continued its flight unimpeded, picking up more speed as its chiming turned into a shriek as it moved so quickly its edge began to spit out silver, pink and crimson sparks.
The Archer lifted up her head, eyes shining in the moonlight as her jaw dropped open in blatant despair at seeing her defiant last shot so easily overwhelmed.
She stood still, not able to react beyond realizing her defeat
Moon Collapse shot through the hole you tore in her chest, just beneath her exposed breasts and into her blackened heart,burying itself to the hilt inside one of the claw marks your gauntlets left behind before Xiongji so helpfully tore you and her apart
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1713858085},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5984712,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5984711
The ghost general stumbled back, before growing rigid as her physical body started to crystalize and turn into the same sort of glass that dagger in her heart was made out of. Her eyes became black pits, windows into the astral chaos that you'd made your stomping ground.
"The view is beautiful isn't it?" You snicker, taunting her as you skip down to her and reach into her chest cavity as her body turns into a prison for her soul, the physical form she'd managed to create being reduced to a sculpture of moonglass with a pale blue flame trapped in its breast, flickering weakly as it realized it was trapped and caged like a pretty little song bird "The view of the stars from the surface of the moon I mean"
The soul inside the glass statue doesn't answer as you flick the black blood stinking of decay off of your knife
"A bit overly theatric. Want me to shatter the arrogant bitch?" Xiongji coughs, hacking up a cloud of black smoke as he sits up, already recovering from being at the center of an explosion that must've shaken the whole mountain "Or should we drag her back up to join the other stupid bastards who remained loyal to that lowest of shit-eaters, Uh...Can't remember his name"
"No one can, that's the point of your shared punishment. You don't remember your own name, remember" You snort, amused as Xiongji smacks both sides of his head and vomits out more thick smoke
"Xiongji is who I am, who I was doesn't fucking matter" He says sagely despite the profanity "All that matters is making them pay for my suffering"
Them being everyone and thing besides a very select group of people the ghost who hates everything is, for one reason or another known only to him, was fond of. Smiling, you nodded your head and leapt out of the crater, to find to your relief your soldier's forced transformation had been undone with the defeat of the ghost general, and where they're had been squirming mounds of flesh and stitched together limbs, were once again ghostly soldiers, who would still look rather frightening to most but who were once more their usual ghastly selves.
Smiling a bit more, you started giving orders and directing them as Xiongji crawled his way out of the pit.
And what were your orders, Huanliuxue?
>To march on the next layer of the catacombs, you weren't going to waste any time or momentum in claiming what was rightfully yours
>To secure this level and search it for anything useful and to garrison the defenses they'd just overwhelmed
>To wait for your signal as you confront the first defenders of the next portion of the catacombs by yourself.
>To parade the general turned to moon glass in front of the entrance to the next part of the crypts you'll be taking, just for fun.
>Write in","attachment":null,"posted":1713858146},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5984743,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984712
>March army forwards
>Have our students secure this level and search it for useful shit.","attachment":null,"posted":1713865779},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5984754,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984712
>To wait for your signal as you confront the first defenders of the next portion of the catacombs by yourself.
I don't want to lose momentum but I want to test the waters before we send in the grunts. Would also like to again send Qiang ahead for espionage and sabotage.","attachment":null,"posted":1713867277},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5984773,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984712
>To secure this level and search it for anything useful and to garrison the defenses they'd just overwhelmed","attachment":null,"posted":1713870770},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5984839,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984743
This and parade the general too.","attachment":null,"posted":1713883026},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5984935,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984712
>>To march on the next layer of the catacombs, you weren't going to waste any time or momentum in claiming what was rightfully yours","attachment":null,"posted":1713887279},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5985049,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984712
>>5984743
+1
If the king is plotting something time sensitive, it only makes sense to hurry down there. It seems he has some dangerous generals under him, but if this is roughly the level we can expect, then he is the only real threat here.
It's possible that the general's comments were a plot to make us rush forward and expose ourselves, but if I had to guess whether or not the general/king had the guile to execute such a plan, I am willing to bet on no.","attachment":null,"posted":1713893120},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5985206,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984712
>To parade the general turned to moon glass in front of the entrance to the next part of the crypts you'll be taking, just for fun.
She was a fine foe, and will be an excellent murder present.","attachment":null,"posted":1713901696},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5985306,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984743
Supporting","attachment":null,"posted":1713914162},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5985356,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984712
>To march on the next layer of the catacombs, you weren't going to waste any time or momentum in claiming what was rightfully yours
Also maybe pat Xiongji in the back to replenish a bit of his yin qi, he spared us from having to scrub horse entrails from our armor.","attachment":null,"posted":1713918445},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5985676,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984712
>>To parade the general turned to moon glass in front of the entrance to the next part of the crypts you'll be taking, just for fun.","attachment":null,"posted":1713938870},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5985746,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984712
>>To parade the general turned to moon glass in front of the entrance to the next part of the crypts you'll be taking, just for fun","attachment":null,"posted":1713952782},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5985801,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984712
Supporting >>5984743. Letting the ghost-king complete his breakthrough, or whatever he's doing will likely tilt the scales hard in his favor. The difference between a low Nascent Soul and a peak Golden Core is much bigger than the gap between Qi-condensation and Foundation Establishment cultivators. Necessity compels us to be swift.","attachment":null,"posted":1713961605},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5985989,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984712
>To parade the general turned to moon glass in front of the entrance to the next part of the crypts you'll be taking, just for fun.","attachment":null,"posted":1713991070},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5986200,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Ending the vote and tallying its result now,
To march on the next layer of the catacombs, you weren't going to waste any time or momentum in claiming what was rightfully yours:7
Have our students secure this level and search it for useful things:5
To wait for your signal as you confront the first defenders of the next portion of the catacombs by yourself.:1
To parade the general turned to moon glass in front of the entrance to the next part of the crypts you'll be taking, just for fun.:5
So you'll order your army to march forwards, and have your students secure and search this part of the catacombs for heavenly treasures, divine tier artifacts, forbidden manuals and demonic scriptures and other useful things.","attachment":null,"posted":1714008008},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5986236,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":""March on! Don't waste any time looting or torturing, we've got them reeling!" You shout boisterously and regally, the helmet you're wearing adding a tinny quality to your voice as it lifts up and grows louder and more booming "You, rooster, you to! I know you're slavering at the chance to get back to the thick of it! One more push should be all it will take to get them stumbling and falling over! Don't waste any of MY time taking what is rightfully Mine! Our momentum can't be stopped, so lets act like a landslide and crash and rumble over them all!"
Taking in a deep breath, you puff out your chest and raise up Moon Collapse above your head, fracturing the blade so it appears vaguely like a shattered sword whose pieces are held together an invisible force, like magnetism or unusual gravity, its pale red glow illuminating your silver armor and making it glow like a passing falling star or mist of blood sprayed from a wound as it is made.
"That is my command! March and crush them beneath your feet! Lift them up upon your spears and hold them aloft like they were standards, don't hesitate, do not delay. March! And March quickly!" You shout joyfully, commanding them all with a flick of your blade "We'll break into the next layer like a bolt of divine retribution cracking the earth, splitting open the graves and scattering their ashes to the four winds! Come on! Rally to your queen's lovely voice and obey her will, and march! MARCH!"
Grinning beneath your crowned helmet, you cross you arms and tuck your hands under your armpits as you watch the newly reinvigorated army of specters, phantoms, cursed spirits and hungry ghosts move like a rapid river through the spaces between the tombs and burial chambers, some of them shouting orders, others singing a macabre and gloomy marching song, and the craziest and stupidest amongst them repeating the word march like a Mantra as they lop and gallop after their more mentally balanced comrades.
Xiongji wrenches himself up over the lip of the pit, snapping his jaw that had been blown to wisps of smoke back to place and adjusting his helmet with a gross, sloshing sound as the dented metal dug into his broken skull.
"Out of my way! You plodding curs! You're marching too slow! Let me through or I'll trample you all! Get out of my way dammit!" He roars, whipping his head back and forth as he stomps of and makes good of his threat a couple of times before the other soldiers of your army of the dead wise up and part to let him pass. Which doesn't stop him from taking a swing at a few of them who drew his ire for reasons only known to the rooster general.
Reaching out, you catch a straggler who'd been fighting further up this layer of crypt and had only just heard your command and rushed to join the others in their lightning quick march to the next layer.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714010964},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5986239,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5986236
"You. I have a different use for" You say excitedly, patting him hard on the shoulder and causing his misty form to dissipate briefly as your hand swings through him "Return to my throne room, inform my generals and advisors of what's going on, and tell my disciples to travel to this area and begin searching through it and turning it upside down for any treasures the forgotten king might have ferreted away here"
"Understood, your deathly majesty!" He barks back like a loyal dog, and turning to a sickly green ghost light, zips back through the wall he was passing through when you caught him.
And wasting no time yourself, you bite down onto the fur wrapping of Moon Collapse, and shift your form, holding it tightly between as you sprint on four legs again with Ghost Empress Melody lazily drifting behind you as you pull on your connection to the Guqin with your claws. Sheathing your muscles in blood Qi and making good use of both the Blood Torrent Rush and the Blood Red Lightning Cat Step, you zoom past you army and reach its head, to take your rightful position as a good ruler at its front, further inspiring your already near frenzied with zeal troops with your imperial presence at the front lines.
Flicking your tail, you gather destructive Yin Qi at its tip, and after running ahead of the rest of your army a short ways, clearing the remaining levels of this level of the catacombs, you run into another, more imposing sealed gate preventing all but the strongest and most monsterous of ghosts and spirits from passing.
'But I've broken through a heavenly gate before, this might as well be a curtain of beads to me, Heh-Heh' Is the only thought you have as you disdainfully approach the entrance to the next layer of tombs, which must be the not so final resting places of the Forgotten King's most loyal and valuable underlings and servants, and with a few flicks of your tail and a few more oversized destructive Yin spheres, the doorway to this graveyard of the honored is blasted to pieces, leaving only dust behind.
With a yell, Xiongji leaps over your head, nearly clipping your ears as he bounds and clears the distance to the next layer of the catacombs in a single jump and lifts his axe high over his head. The ghosts who were insane or confident enough to be close behind him, cry out with their own warcries, most of them unintelligible, but a few can be understood.
"For the rightful empress of us ghosts!"
"For the wild grave jumping princess!"
"For the queen of crows and cicadas!"
"For the Happy Bloodshed!"
"For Huanliuxue of the four titles!"
"I'M COMING TO KILL YOU AGAIN YOU RAT FACED FUCK!"
"MURDER! DEATH! KILL!"
And so the assault on the next layer of the catacombs of the bloodless war begins!
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714011024},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5986241,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5986239
And in the deeper darkness of these lower crypts, you can see ghosts on the other side of the battlefield, clashing with Xiongji on equal terms and tossing your lesser soldiers aside like handfuls of funeral ash, that look closer to demons than human souls, even twisted and grudge drowned ones!
What do you do as the fighting starts up again, Huanliuxue?
>Fly off to assist Xiongji in fighting those particularly scary looking spirits, and try to ambush one of them from behind while they're distracted with fighting him [Stealth/ Martial trial. DC 120]
>Keep your distance and launch volley after volley and barrage after barrage of Destructive Yin Spheres and Chasing Stars [Magic trial. DC 110]
>Turn human again and lazily drift through the air, playing ghost empress melody to strengthen your troops, and also to attack any ghost impudent enough to try and attack you [Magic Trial. DC 135)
>Do not participate in the fighting, and just sneak by and attempt to slip deeper into the catacombs while you army keeps its defenders occupied [Stealth Trial. DC 85]
>Write in","attachment":null,"posted":1714011084},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5986250,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986241
>Turn human again and lazily drift through the air, playing ghost empress melody to strengthen your troops, and also to attack any ghost impudent enough to try and attack you [Magic Trial. DC 135)","attachment":null,"posted":1714011654},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5986268,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986241
>Do not participate in the fighting, and just sneak by and attempt to slip deeper into the catacombs while you army keeps its defenders occupied [Stealth Trial. DC 85]
The fighting rages on outside,
but our duel is with the king alone.
Monarch Vs Monarch","attachment":null,"posted":1714013442},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5986291,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986239
>"I'M COMING TO KILL YOU AGAIN YOU RAT FACED FUCK!"
Keep an eye out for a rat-faced-fuck. Someone called dibs.
>>5986241
>>Do not participate in the fighting, and just sneak by and attempt to slip deeper into the catacombs while you army keeps its defenders occupied [Stealth Trial. DC 85]
C'mere you old bag.","attachment":null,"posted":1714015503},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5986296,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986241
>Turn human again and lazily drift through the air, playing ghost empress melody to strengthen your troops, and also to attack any ghost impudent enough to try and attack you [Magic Trial. DC 135)","attachment":null,"posted":1714015794},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5986361,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986241
>Keep your distance and launch volley after volley and barrage after barrage of Destructive Yin Spheres and Chasing Stars [Magic trial. DC 110]
Pew! Pew!","attachment":null,"posted":1714020935},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5986388,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986241
>urn human again and lazily drift through the air, playing ghost empress melody to strengthen your troops, and also to attack any ghost impudent enough to try and attack you [Magic Trial. DC 135)","attachment":null,"posted":1714023693},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5986426,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986241
>Launch volly
Fire!","attachment":null,"posted":1714030075},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5986497,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986241
>Keep your distance and launch volley after volley and barrage after barrage of Destructive Yin Spheres and Chasing Stars [Magic trial. DC 110]","attachment":null,"posted":1714045050},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5986545,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986241
>Keep your distance and launch volley after volley and barrage after barrage of Destructive Yin Spheres and Chasing Stars [Magic trial. DC 110]
Let's keep up the momentum.
What better way to do that then mobile cat artillery?","attachment":null,"posted":1714051846},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5986556,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986241
>Turn human again and lazily drift through the air, playing ghost empress melody to strengthen your troops, and also to attack any ghost impudent enough to try and attack you [Magic Trial. DC 135)","attachment":null,"posted":1714053465},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5986678,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986241
>Keep your distance and launch volley after volley and barrage after barrage of Destructive Yin Spheres and Chasing Stars [Magic trial. DC 110]
Kinda torn on this one. On one hand I kinda see our ghost army as expendable cannon fodder, on the other hand that kinda clashes with our whole bleeding heart ruler persona...","attachment":null,"posted":1714070563},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5986729,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986678
Seems like being a ghost is a tortured existence who isn't easily extinguished unless one uses forbidden techniques.
So think of them as online players who will eventually respawn.","attachment":null,"posted":1714076004},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5986765,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986241
>Turn human again and lazily drift through the air, playing ghost empress melody to strengthen your troops, and also to attack any ghost impudent enough to try and attack you [Magic Trial. DC 135)","attachment":null,"posted":1714078427},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5986835,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986241
>Keep your distance and launch volley after volley and barrage after barrage of Destructive Yin Spheres and Chasing Stars [Magic trial. DC 110]
FIRE EVERYTHING","attachment":null,"posted":1714085416},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5986901,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986241
>>Keep your distance and launch volley after volley and barrage after barrage of Destructive Yin Spheres and Chasing Stars [Magic trial. DC 110]","attachment":null,"posted":1714094315},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987055,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Ending the vote, tallying the result now.
Turn human again and lazily drift through the air, playing ghost empress melody to strengthen your troops, and also to attack any ghost impudent enough to try and attack you:5
Do not participate in the fighting, and just sneak by and attempt to slip deeper into the catacombs while you army keeps its defenders occupied:2
Keep your distance and launch volley after volley and barrage after barrage of Destructive Yin Spheres and Chasing Stars:7
So you'll send volleys of spells and barrages of magic at the enemy army, while keeping your distances
Update will arrive shortly","attachment":null,"posted":1714112547},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987063,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Though you recognized their exact breed of monstrosity and horror, from the pages of the record wraiths and phantoms, even though you hadn't studied that particular manual for sometime, your memory was sharp. Especially when concerned with potential threats that may be faced. And while the not so living night-terrors you could glimpse through the dark that even your feline eyes adapted for night had difficulty piercing were something that might've frightened you if you'd met them without a golden core nestled beside your beast core, and while their might and deadly and deathly powers were still not something to be trifled with lightly, you were confident your the magic you've taught yourself and learned and the mystical and spiritual powers you've cultivated would be more than their match if you were to face them one on one in single combat or all together by yourself. And they were busy dealing with a particularly rowdy and terrifyingly powerful ghost themselves. Though Xiongji was closer to their equal, the sight of him facing all those ghastly and ghostly monsters head on and actually managing to fend them off and put up a decent fight, did make you wonder for a moment why he had evolved into so advance a form of hungry ghost and remained, while shockingly dangerous when his mind was in the right place and his rampage was directed with purpose, a more or less standard Hungry Ghost even taking into account his bulk, literally raging fire and inhuman amount of strength.
But that curiosity did not linger long, as you watched the rooster general get tossed into the air by a spade of a hand and whacked against the wall by a spectral dragons tail. Shaken from such idle wonderings, you shackle your more whimsical thoughts and focus, narrowing your eyes as your tail flicks behind your back.
Breathing in, you gather the negative spiritual energies and refine the dense yin qi surrounding you and permeating everything around you into its most destructive aspect, creating the essence of pure destruction. One of your favorite types of Qi and best weapons, it rings and surges from the tip of your tail down to your spine in barely contained rings of crackling, lightless lightning. And breathing out, the vapor your breath forms sparkles, as you also draw up the cosmic qi sleeping in your meridians and twinkling within the moondust resting in your blood, and begin to channel it as well to cast an array of spells, a barrage of magic that would make siege artillery and comet showers seem small and pitiful in comparison!
roll 2d100. Best out of five. DC 110 ","attachment":null,"posted":1714113468},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987073,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 16, 7 = 23 (2d100)
>>5987063
Nin! Nin! Wait, no I mean, Yin! Yin!","attachment":null,"posted":1714115002},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987076,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 60, 16 = 76 (2d100)
>>5987063","attachment":null,"posted":1714115257},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987079,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 17, 14 = 31 (2d100)
>>5987063","attachment":null,"posted":1714116141},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987089,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 20, 36 = 56 (2d100)
>>5987063
This doesnt look good.","attachment":null,"posted":1714120364},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987105,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 75, 82 = 157 (2d100)
>>5987063
In the interest of getting an update out soon, and 3 hours having passed, I elect to roll again.
You may call me a fag at your own leisure.","attachment":null,"posted":1714123495},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987106,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987105
Decent roll though.
4 dos.","attachment":null,"posted":1714123557},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987108,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5987105
Junior is no cut-sleeve. Fantastic Success. 40 over DC. Update will arrive shortly","attachment":null,"posted":1714123679},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987121,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"https://youtu.be/aR_hqv_V2QU
_
With a twitch of your whiskers, a raising of your ears and many flicks of your tail that would appear random to an observer that stood in for complex sequences of hand signs, you summoned your Qi and began to cast the first spells signaling the beginning of your mystical barrage. But as you applied the finishing touches and last preparations to will the first handful of attacks into being, an idea as cruel as it was whimsical and cunning as it was amusing wormed its way into your mind like a worm through a corpse. Seeing the ancient and archaic armor worn by the both the ghosts marching under your banner and those crypt sealed monsters they fought against by your command, brought a passing thought to the forefront of your mind. A sympathetic and stray musing as the fact of how long these souls had been trapped here was once more thrust in front of your eyes.
'How long has it been since any of them have seen starlight?'
Biting down hard on the thought, the idea grew and became rather wicked and underhanded as you realized you had the order of your spells all wrong in the ground arrangement you'd mentally prepared for you most probably unwilling audience! Sure destructive yin spheres had a way of demanding attention and tossing anyone they didn't disintegrate high into the air, in one piece or many, but that kind of attack, as devastating as it was basic, wouldn't do anything besides reduce whatever it hit to dust or pieces so miniscule it might as well be dust. Certainly the perfect offensive spell to begin a barrage, but you weren't flinging the spheres at flesh and blood targets, ghosts are intangible unless they're possessing something or are strong enough to create a new vessel for their wandering spirit to inhabit. Sure the ones Xiongji was scrapping with were probably mostly solid when they wanted to be, but many of those fighting under them were not or at least not quite to the point the archer ghost general had reached before you trapped her in a cage of your own design. Or maybe they just thought it was more effective to fight as mist and ethereal light? Didn't matter
They'd be easily able to avoid the opening volley of destructive yin spheres, even if you poured enough Qi into them to make them too massive to avoid. Not only that, but they might've been from a time when movement techniques were much more commonly taught, trained and used in battle. The initial surprise would knock a few of them out of the fight, but it wouldn't decimate them. At least not as much as you wanted them to be.
But if you lead with the chasing stars, the only spell you've really made that uses cosmic Qi, the sight of them alone will get them so stand still from the sight of the stars so long taken from them? Or at least that's the plan.
Swiftly reorganizing your thoughts and motions, redirecting the flow of Qi through your meridians, a rainbow sea of miniaturized stars twinkles into existence arounds you.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714128014},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987123,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5987121
A massive cluster of Qi bolts.
Then, prancing forward, you send the first row of star-light summoned in the gloom to fly forward like shooting stars. Which is something you do not only to provide an eye catching light show, but to send them out in search of targets while keeping an array of exactly sixteen stars floating around you, to serve as protection as you saunter forward through the fighting with casual feline apathy, waiting for the first of your homing attacks to become the center of attention, as you continiously cast the chasing star spell over and over again, while whipping and swinging your tail, keeping the destructive Yin Qi gathered in its end in preparation for the the real barrage to begin.
It doesn't take long at all for the rainbow colored lights to catch the attention of the dead, who have become so used to the dank and gloom of the catacombs, that they freeze as they spot so much color and light, and several of your own soldiers join their former comrades in picking up their jaws from their ground as they gape and star at the brilliant lights plucked from their long faded memories of night skies.
"Are those....stars?" One of the towering brutes Xiongji has been keeping occupied by selflessly using himself, mostly his face, as a shield towards their aggression asked ponderously to no one in particular, his tusked lips parting in a frown a second away from a whimper that would've been heart wrenching if it weren't so terribly pathetic.
And, by lifting his head up to admire the false stars, he put it directly in the radius of the invisible sphere that the chasing stars used to decide if something was within range for them to give chase and cut to pieces with their tails of sparkling and twinkling light.
All you had to do was focus. His eye seemed like the perfect target.
A orange star followed by a pink trail of even smaller stars turn, and locked onto the target you set for it, as all the others in its flight picked out their own victims.
Reaching towards it, with a longing look in his tearful eyes, the half boar mouthed brute's wonder and wistfulness turned into screaming agony and howls of pain as the star shot straight through his eye socket and out the back of his skull, the trail of qi it leaves behind slicing off half of his face as he howls and moves to shield his face
"FUCKER! PIECE OF SHIT COWARD. LET ME STAND AND FIGHT YOU DAMMIT!" Xiongji rages, spewing a gout of fire into his face as he leapt up, and wreathed by predatory stars, slammed the squealing pig ghost to the ground, slamming his head against his as more and more stars chose a portion of the hungry ghost and sliced him up like he was on a butcher's block. Besides Xiongji's howled profanity, ever soul in the high walled chamber of stacked tombs went deathly quiet.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714128075},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987124,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5987123
And then the screaming started, as sixteen beams of cutting light shoot out from your entourage of floating stars, and the hundreds of more mobile star light you've sent flying through the mass burial site shoot off, moving faster than anything that flies in the sky, ruthlessly seeking out and pursuing their prey that had been admiring their beauty and twinkling light just a few short moments ago.
Waltzing serenely through the havoc, beams of rainbow light creating a suitably impressive light show around you as Xiongji's cursing drowns out some of the screams of fright and confusion as he begins chopping the star-light cut apart bodies of his opponents before they can pull their ghostly bodies back together between his assault and the hounding of his chasing stars. Whose number only grows as you create more of them, while flicking arrays that shoot out a stream of Yin Spheres, to direct fire and pummel any placement of enemies that looks fortified and sturdy enough to endure a few stars slicing their way through their positions.
Humming one of the jauntiest and most merry songs you know how to play with a Guqin, you rain destruction and ruin all about you, plumes of smoke and ethereal mist and ghost lights shooting up where ever your toss a large yin sphere Qi, direct a pack of chasing stars, focus your sixteen guardian's wrath upon, or just set down a destructive yin sphere shower producing array right in front and wait a second for it to be reduced to atoms or less.
You spot one of the mean ghosts who were bullying Xiongji, who had somehow crawled out of the pit they were all in, being ponded by angry stars or the angrier general himself. The one with the dragon tail attached to their spine, stitched in place and secured with iron plates and bolt, dressed in a princely raiment and wearing antlers on their helmet with a long flowing white mustache further aping the look of the elegance of dragon kind.
Wheezing, flickering and twitching as they struggled to maintain their imposing form between breaths, they heard your humming and turned, silver flecked ice blue eyes wide with dread.
"Please no" they gasp, raising one hand in a plea of mercy, holding a chunk of axe stuck in their side, straight into where their lungs would be if they still had their living body "Mercy"
"Hmmm, No" You purr, smiling as you tilt your head and your sixteen sentries and about a dozen more stars unleash themselves upon the shambling ghost general as he cries out in pain, hunks of his chest being lopped off by the beams of light, limbs being blasted off by stray yin sphere explosions, as his ghostly body miraculously and impressively regenerates and stitches itself back together again and again after you tear it apart.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714128136},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987125,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5987124
When you get bored of pounding him with spells, he's twitching on the ground, one arm scaled and tipped with a claw larger enough to wrap around your whole body in either forms, the other a wispy stream of light vaguely in the form of an arm, and his legs twitching and splayed, spread out over a wide area, their cuts glowing the same color as the stars the cut them apart.
Sitting on your haunches, you daintily lift up a paw and begin grooming it, as the explosions rocking the floor and the screams echoing beneath their booms begin to die out as the massive barrage of your destructive and cosmic Qi begins to take its toll, along with Xiongji, who made good use of the distraction of dangerous star light to fight dirtier than you thought possible to overcome the generals who ganged up on him. Who judging from the beating they were meting out to him, where each about as strong if not a little stronger than he was. But encountering an unknown type of spell fueled by an unknown type of Qi made them misstep and get their asses beat. Though being in several pieces by time Xiongji was standing over them with axe in hand, probably also helped to secure the rooster's victory over the mighty and monstrous spirts.
"I probably shouldn't use anymore force, if I want to make any use of these floors" You sigh, slowly setting down you paw as the dragon mocking ghost in front of you groans and whimpers, half their face silvery fire as they struggle to retain their humanoid shape and not return to being a particularly dazzling ghost light.
"I yield, I yield" He cries out, tears dripping down his cheeks and turning to smoke before they drop "You have my surrender, star witch! I speak for my fellows, cease your attack, call off your war-dogs, we surrender and throw down our swords"
"Are you trying to order me around or something, Huh?" You snap and snarl, plodding over and placing a paw upon his neck, before cackling and lifting your paw off of his back with a smug smirk "But very well, I accept your surrender, though I think a few more of your troops could use a battering, just to be certain..."
"The king would have audience with you" He hisses through his teeth, one eye that isn't ethereal flame blazing with shame and hatred "There is no reason to continue your rampage, beast"
"There is one" You snicker, patting your paw on his head a few times to tease him "It is really fun to let loose and rampage around every now and again, isn't it?"
"Hrrrn"He snarls, eyes shut firmly and brow furrowing with impotent anger "My master waits for you in the final chamber, the final tomb in this inverted tower of graves. We shall not attack or otherwise harass you along the path that leads to it. No one has opened the seal since he was struck down by the spiteful heavens"
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714128197},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987126,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5987125
You frown, considering the offer before the ghost beneath your paw chuckled.
"Though, where you dug that raging idiot out of, is a mystery I'd like to hear" He cackles, smiling viciously up at you "That is, if the king leaves any fragment of you behind after he's finished with you, you arrogant bi..."
A crack of lightning, infused with blood Qi shoots through his back, making him scream louder than he ever did while being cut apart by your chasing stars. Lifting you smoking paw, leaving him to suffer for his impudence at threatening you on his king's behalf, you trot over him, still contemplating the words before he had the incredibly stupid idea to try and intimidate you.
"You...this...was...a show of..ressspect" The batter ghost hisses, crawling after you. But his babbling annoys you, so you shut him up with another bolt of life infused lightning
What do you do about the Forgotten King's offer of an audience, Huanliuxue?
>Accept it and cut to the chase, you came down here to steal his crown, so this will just make it happen quicker.
>Not trusting it for a moment, tell your soldiers to finish up capturing the floor and lead them forward
>Dragon the dragon mocking general down with you, to use as a hostage in case it is a trick.
>Send Xiongji ahead of you, the protection should also apply to your followers, and it'd only be polite to send a messenger of your own back to the forgotten king,
>Write in","attachment":null,"posted":1714128262},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987128,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987126
>He may have his audience. But I will take this floor first, Your forces will surrender and mine will occupy my new territories.
>Once we have the floor secure, go to meet the king
I see no reason to refuse. But I also see no reason to not take the floor while We're at it. What's he gonna do, keep resisting?","attachment":null,"posted":1714129040},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987135,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987126
>Not trusting it for a moment, tell your soldiers to finish up capturing the floor and lead them forward","attachment":null,"posted":1714130960},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987171,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987126
>Not trusting it for a moment, tell your soldiers to finish up capturing the floor and lead them forward","attachment":null,"posted":1714137773},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987173,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987126
>Accept it and cut to the chase, you came down here to steal his crown, so this will just make it happen quicker.
Monarch Vs Monarch","attachment":null,"posted":1714137990},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987234,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987126
>Accept it and cut to the chase, you came down here to steal his crown, so this will just make it happen quicker.
>Write in
>>Use the Phantom Cat Waltz to leave a false ghost light outside the Forgotten King's tomb, in case it really is a trap. The false ghost light should meld easily into the surroundings, and will make for a convenient getaway if we need it.
It definitely smells like a trap, but at this point reaching the king is just a matter of time, and everyone here knows that.
If the King genuinely wants to try to and make peace, or some kind of deal, then this is the only chance we have of at least hearing him out with proper decorum.
Personally, I would like to recruit him, so I want to give him that chance. In the worst case, we could just beat his ass or evacuate as needed.
The idea of the Huan invading Heaven with an army of furious ghosts with an ancient grudge to settle is too cool for me not to at least make a token effort towards making it a reality.","attachment":null,"posted":1714149184},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987296,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987126
>>Accept it and cut to the chase, you came down here to steal his crown, so this will just make it happen quicker.","attachment":null,"posted":1714155585},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987301,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987126
>Supporting >>5987234. As long as we have a means of escape in the event he tries to double-cross us, no sense in not hearing him out.","attachment":null,"posted":1714156218},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987334,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987234
>>5987173
changing my vote to suppor this","attachment":null,"posted":1714159289},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987431,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987234
>Reaching towards it, with a longing look in his tearful eyes, the half boar mouthed brute's wonder and wistfulness turned into screaming agony and howls of pain as the star shot straight through his eye socket and out the back of his skull, the trail of qi it leaves behind slicing off half of his face as he howls and moves to shield his face
>"FUCKER! PIECE OF SHIT COWARD. LET ME STAND AND FIGHT YOU DAMMIT!" Xiongji rages, spewing a gout of fire into his face as he leapt up, and wreathed by predatory stars, slammed the squealing pig ghost to the ground, slamming his head against his as more and more stars chose a portion of the hungry ghost and sliced him up like he was on a butcher's block. Besides Xiongji's howled profanity, ever soul in the high walled chamber of stacked tombs went deathly quiet.
>Cont
>>>
> Our-Grandfather !!x2Y5mWD7k6q (ID: 4W2lY7RM) 04/26/24(Fri)06:42:16 No.5987124▶>>5987125
>>>5987123
>And then the screaming started, as sixteen beams of cutting light shoot out from your entourage of floating stars, and the hundreds of more mobile star light you","attachment":null,"posted":1714167371},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987457,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987234
Support","attachment":null,"posted":1714170033},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987458,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987431
Idk why this happened ignore this post","attachment":null,"posted":1714170095},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987511,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987234
supporting","attachment":null,"posted":1714178378},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987885,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987234
Supporting","attachment":null,"posted":1714206331},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987914,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Ending the vote now, tallying its result.
He may have his audience. But I will take this floor first, Your forces will surrender and mine will occupy my new territories.
+
Once we have the floor secure, go to meet the king: 1
Not trusting it for a moment, tell your soldiers to finish up capturing the floor and lead them forward:2
Accept it and cut to the chase, you came down here to steal his crown, so this will just make it happen quicker.:7
-Use the Phantom Cat Waltz to leave a false ghost light outside the Forgotten King's tomb, in case it really is a trap. The false ghost light should meld easily into the surroundings, and will make for a convenient getaway if we need it.:6
So You'll accept the invitation, but leave a false ghost light floating outside of the forgotten king's tomb, in case the offer of an audience is indeed a trap
Update will arrive shortly","attachment":null,"posted":1714209946},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987955,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Snorting, you turn away from the twitching ghost laid out on the ground, and scratch a claw across the stone floor in thought, frowning as you consider your options. The offer certainly reeks of deception, instinct and common sense both warn that it is most likely a trap. A gamble to separate you from your army and then spring a deadly ambush. But then again, even to a lunatic or noble brat given command of an army to play soldier with, it would be clear that you reaching the King's throne room is just a matter of time with how successful your march through his kingdom has been so far. Successful and swift. There is a chance, a slim chance, that the offer for a meeting between you two monarchs is genuine and given in good faith. Who knows, maybe he has enough sense and sanity left rattling around in his skull to realize defeat is as inevitable as death at this point, and means to offer you his terms of surrender.
'It would be nice for the forgotten king to present and offer his crown to me willingly' You think to yourself with an indulgent fantasy of what that'd be like, for a figure of myth and legend and a common character in old ghost stories to kneel and kow-tow before you, holding out his crown for you to take graciously out of his hands, but the day dream wavers and washes away as good sense and caution prevails 'but even if sometimes my cautious self may be a little paranoid, even the most naive child would find this offer suspicious'
Frowning, you look back to see the fighting that is still going on behind you, as the evolved ghosts that had endured your barrage of exploding spheres and slicing stars stubbornly fight on, even though their leaders have already surrendered and cried uncle after receiving the brunt of your sorcerous assault.
'However, my subjects in these crypts already suffer enough just from existing, anytime I or one of my ghostly Qi cultivating students aren't around, they're in agony' You sigh, as your gentler and more caring side raises a good point. Continuing the fight needlessly would only just make those under your protection suffer further, even if this outing is giving them a chance to vent their frustration and rage and appease the madness that afflicts them, they're still being injured and weakened and reduced to ghost flames.
But as that worry struggles against your good sense and survival instinct, a revelation dawns on you and gives you the answer to appease both your benevolent and pragmatic natures! If it is a trap, there is an easy way for you to slip from it.
Cat's court: Phantom Cat Waltz (猫 法院: 幽灵猫圆舞曲, Māofǎyuàn: Yōulíngmāoyuánwǔ qǔ), one of the techniques you learned during your jaunt through the nine heavens, and proof that desperation leads to innovation and that a prodigy is capable of overcoming any obstacle in their way, even if that means forming a new technique or creating a new move on the fly. Yes...YES! That's what you'll do!
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714217152},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987957,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5987955
Leaving a few false ghost lights outside of the forgotten king's tomb to serve as a easy means of escape if this audience turns out to be a trap. It's a sound plan, won't require much work and is a scheme only a genius like yourself could come up with. So you'll do it and no one will know you were planning on running away if things don't go your way, since no one knows this technique exists. And it might not even be necessary if this is a trap you're walking into or the audience goes poorly, you can always just beat the forgotten king to a pulp and forcefully subjugate him if he pisses you off or tries to murder you first. But as the saying goes, Man preposes, heavens disposes. So it is always wise to have a few back-up plans in case the first doesn't work out.
This old ghost will regret luring this tiger from her mountain, if he is planning on tricking you.
"Stop, the fighting is over!" You shout as loudly as you can, making up your mind "You're generals have surrendered to me, and I command you to stand down and secure this floor, and guard it until you're told to do otherwise"
"Huh?" Xiongji grunts, gnawing at the neck of another hungry ghost, who has buried their curved and serrated blade through his gut
"We're done fighting, I'm going to meet with the forgotten king" You say bluntly, locking eyes with the berserk spirit, all but challenging him to refuse the order and go against your will
"I need to beat that son of a bitch to death for what he's done" He snarls, through the other ghost "He's the one whose responsible for everything, that got me trapped here, ended my lineage!"
"He's already dead" You dully reply and Xiongji huffs in annoyance, eyes narrowed and flames flaring around him
"I'll just kill him again!" He declares loudly, dropping the other spirit like a dog retrieving a ball "And you'll need at least some protection, I'd never forgive myself if I let you get hurt, princess"
You blink, shocked that Xiongji is showing an emotion that isn't anger. That almost sound affectionate, if it wasn't half growled and spoken with a face like a demon's.
"Don't cause any trouble" You say sternly, nodding your head as you decide there's no harm in allowing Xiongji to tag along, at least as far to the door to the forgotten king's chamber. A queen needs an escort, if only for appearances sake.
"Do you think me a simpleton? I'm perfectly in control of myself" Xiongji snarls, one eye twitching as he swings his axe up, laying it across his shoulders as he stomps after you with a warrior's swagger and boisterous stride. Well, if he does go out of control, the guards around the forgotten king should be able to put him back under control before he causes any problems for you or ruins the meeting, if it isn't just a trap. If it is, well, even if he gets defeated with a flick of the forgotten king's sleeve, he'll be useful in a fight.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714217213},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987958,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5987957
The battered, still sparking dragon mimicking ghost general shows you and xiongji the hidden path to the deepest part of the catacombs, hatefully glaring at Xiongji the whole while. The rooster general meets his glare with one of his own, and asks him why he's making such an ugly face at him, but the dragon tailed ghost doesn't give him an answer and with a disdain scoff, simply says that he should remember why he's earned his enmity.
Which makes Xiongji start guessing what he's done to earn such hostility, as if it isn't obvious why someone would loath him when all he does is scream, rage, curse and rampage around, attacking anything that gets near him. Even though you're an exception to that rule and are fond of the rooster general when he isn't going berserk and causing you problems, you aren't blind or self absorbed enough to miss why most of the ghosts who've been trapped with him hate him, or that if he got out of the catacombs he'd quickly become a threat to the world, no matter how loyal or useful he's been to you.
He doesn't get the hint from either you or the beaten general's meaningful looks, and spends the rest of the trip down to the earth rattling off guess after guess, often repeating them thinking it was the first time he said them, which quickly becomes annoying though you don't waste your breath. The next floor of the catacombs, nothing living that isn't you can enter, you can tell that from the full body shiver you experience the moment you step down the stairway leading to it. The deathly yin qi here is so dense and pure, so refined, that merely entering this layer of the cursed catacombs would strike even those with strong, health physiques stone cold dead. Qiang, Yujijiao, could've followed you here, if the former left her body behind and the latter because she's already dead, but even Monu, who is the most resistant besides yourself to Yin energies even if she hasn't trained her body to resist ghostly air, would stop misstep and fall over and rise up again as a fresh ghost.
The thought of your beautiful and loving mother becoming a corpse so easily, sends a second shiver down your spine and up your tail. Imagining something so awful makes your stomach twist into knots and your blood feel like its freezing in your veins. Shaking your head, you pushing the dreadful thought out of your mind before it can make your guts curdle, and look ahead, as the way forward is lit by ghost lights of all colors, that float down from the ceiling to take their place along the road leading to the forgotten king's chamber.
The path is extravagantly decorated, looking more like an underworld palace, lined with trophies taken from wars long forgotten and art work depicting historical scenes that no one remembers. And as you walk by, admiring the elegance around you, you begin to realize that Xiongji might be hated by these lower generals for a reason besides his habit of rampaging.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714217275},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987960,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5987958
The archer seemed surprised to see him, and not just because he tackled her after she broke out of a spell of hypnotism. And several of the paintings and murals here, have a figure standing besides who you can only guess is the forgotten king before he was forgotten. And everyone of them has the figure at the king's side's face scratched out or painted over with ink. Xiongji, of course, is too busy threatening and trying to goad the austere guards standing at attention around you into a fight to notice how they're looking at him or the numerous signs pointing to him having been far more important that he remembers himself being.
You keep your mouth shut, and walk forward proudly with your head held high as you walk through a gallery of history that no one recalls, feeling a strong sense of sorrow seeing just how much had been lost. The forgotten king had lead a glorious life of renown when he was alive, and now all that anyone remembers is that he was forgotten, and everything he'd achieved and all he attained had been forgotten. Within one generation of a god taking offense to his existence and dropping a mountain on top of his head.
Suddenly, your mouth becomes bone dry and your throat tightens. Snarling, you push back against the dread rising up from your belly
'No, this won't be my fate' You definitely declare to yourself, glaring fiercely and moving a bit quicker towards the chasm ahead, that has a single rail thin path of stairs leading down into it, even as the air around you grows colder and colder.
Xiongji sighs, stopping at the path leading down to the last tomb in the catacombs, scratching his chin as he looks down and them up at the tattered, dust covered banners flapping slowly as if there was a breeze down here so far beneath the surface.
"If you need me, call my name" He growls, shaking his head as he turns on his heels, leaving you to descend into the pit alone. He sits down, and scratches around the hole in his head, looking like he's struggling to remember something as he looks around at the hall of lost glories that he'd ignored to threaten and try to bully the ghosts who respectfully welcomed the two of you to the lowest layer of graves and guided you towards their kings final resting place.
"Maybe you'll remember, rooster" You sigh sadly, shaking your head as you slowly walk down the stairs leading to your rival. For a long time, maybe even hours, all you see is darkness and frigid mist that is only a little warmer than the air in the underworld. But suddenly, you see a great stone square, a block of granite suspended in the air above nothing, with the peak of a mountain stabbed through its top. It is held in place by thousands of golden, glowing chains. And it is entirely unadorned and undecorated. It is a stark prison cell, plastered in heavenly and divine talismans.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714217335},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987961,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5987960
The jail cell of a soul the heaven's hated so greatly, they refused to allow it to reincarnate. Refused to allow any who followed him to be reborn.
Swallowing hard, you walk up to the chamber, and find that the final sealed door isn't like the others of its kind in the rest of the catacombs, that one one side only open for ghosts stronger than the rest on the level and on the other only open for the opposite, those weaker than the rest on that side or who willingly expel some of their ghostly essence and reduce their spiritual power to climb higher.
It is, a large door of jade and gold, wrapped around with a dirty, blood stained rope, with a lock hanging from it.
There are trace amounts of divine Qi within, the spiritual energy of the heavens. And an inscription, carved in a ring across its surface.
"When living breath touches this door, the occupant of this prison shall be released"
Holding your breath, not willing to risk your breath not being ghostly enough to not open the door and release the forgotten king, you place a false ghost light outside of the door, and walk closer. There is one more way you could get through the door. Faith. Something gods cultivate. And if the faith put into you by your worshippers in to Chuan isn't enough, you do have another source of divine essence to force the door open without allowing the forgotten king to break free.
Fortunately, that proves unnecessary, as the faith of your mortal worshippers proves to be enough to trick the door, and as you expected, it becomes intangible to let you pass through. After all, the god that locked him down here had to get out of the prison they made for him.
Walking in, you find a bare, white space. Not of stone, but of...well nothing. There is nothing here. No fine furniture, carpets or other things you'd expect in a throne room. Just nothing. No floor, no ceiling, and no walls. No gaudy treasures or forbidden scriptures or wealth or anything. There's nothing here.
Except bones. A pile of them. Bones you recognize from the old armor still attached to them. You've seen who these corpses belong to, up in the catacombs. They've been dragged and placed together, in the center of the white nothing, so many of them they had to be piled together.
And atop the throne. Are two more skeletons, one who is painfully familiar.
Wait a second
No!
The bones weren't dragged there, you realize with a chill. That is the position they were in when they died. They all tried to shield the mortal remains of their leader, whose corpse is sprawled out a top of them, armor rent asunder and spear still held definately in his boney grasp. And behind him, with a broken open skull, are the remains of Xiongji, his skull split open from a falling rock and his hands held up to try and catch...no, to hold something back
And that something is the peak of the mountain, that was slammed into the chest of the forgotten king, shattering his black armor and crushing his heart.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714217396},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987962,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5987961
Xiongji, in his final moments of life tried to save him, as did every other powerful ghost that still exists in the catacombs. Or, tried to retrieve his body and then starved to death around it. Such loyalty. It is a true shame that all of them have gone insane.
"Hmm" A voice calls out, to your side. Acting on reflex, you spin around and hiss, hair raising as a ghost dressed in simple daoist robes, their color ghostly and bone white walks up to you, heavy chains hanging from his wrists, ankles, neck, with chains wrapped all over his body.
His willow leaf eyes are red, with black swirls, with the pale white pupils of a corpse. He is wearing no regalia, finery or even a single ring of jewelry. He has a handsome, though very sad, face with a troubled brow and short black hair, shaved short in a militant fashion, with a beard around his strong jaws and sharp chin, a thin mustache connecting to it. His hands, the only part of him visible besides his head and neck, are covered in scars and calluses. He has the presence of a dangerous predator, not a starving dog or wolf, but of a tiger or bear. Even his resting posture speaks of strength and ruthlessness in battle. He has a dangerous aura, and radiates with power. He is the strongest ghost you've ever seen
And he's standing there, casually, as if you've just woken him up from a nap. Looking like a regular person, the sort of man you could find in any military camp. Scratching his arm as he looks at you straight on in fascination, moving his hand from scratching at his arm to instead scratch his neck as he squints, and steps closer, then around you, leaning down to inspect you more closely as you stand, frozen and terribly confused as the forgotten king circles around you like you were a decorative statue.
Stepping back he snaps his fingers and laughs
"A demonic beast!" He exclaims excitedly "AND a carmine mystic of sorts, how curious! I thought you were dead for a moment, with how much like a ghost your presence is. How curious indeed. Did you steal from my collection of forbidden texts? I was certain those would've been burned or sealed away by the gods after they"
He pulls open his robes, revealing a muscular chest and a deep, gaping hole that goes all of the way through him, his heart missing as he looks at you, a charming grin on his face as you look at the gruesome injury and wince, imagining it happening to you.
"Well, killed me" He laughs, before frowning and creasing his brow "Ah, it is rude to display such horrific injuries to others right"
"I don't mind" You say, baffled and stunned. This...this isn't going how you thought it would, none of this is what you expected.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714217456},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987964,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5987962
"It has been a long time since I spoken to any one face to face, I can only talk through that blasted door when my old followers get right up against it, and even then I can barely hear what they're saying, assume its the same for them" He rambles on before blinking and laughing, clapping his hands "AH! Forgot demonic beasts could talk, memories bleed together over the centuries. But, I apologize for any trouble my friends have given you, they haven't been themselves for a"
He frowns, his cheerful expression vanishing as he lets out a deep and sorrowful sigh
"A very long time. Souls that don't move on to hell or reincarnate, who remain attached to the living world, suffer terribly, and eventually start to forget their mortal lives" He explains, as if you didn't know that "A process which is quickened if they gather more of the substance of death or ghostly essences, I wonder if that process is how daoists learned to cultivate spiritual energy, long ago"
"Uh" You say, head swimming as he the forgotten king rambles on and on about the process of how ordinary souls turns into hungry ghosts, one you're well informed about
"Oh yes, I told my friends to bring you here, since I realized you were strong when you unleashed your aura" He continues on "When you were cultivating higher in the mountain, an incredible amount of progress. You must be a natural talent. Shooting from....hm, foundation establishment to golden core in a single effort. A core of abnormal quality at that! Incredible"
"Uh?" You grunt again, eyes wide as he smiles pleasantly and sits down on the ground in front of you
"Even for a genius, you must've been well prepared, with many marvelous treasures and experiences to draw upon" He says fondly, like you were old acquaintances "But they told me there were difficulties, something about resistance, I don't know what they did to you, but then you left for awhile, and I was worried you ran away. Then, suddenly, you show up, and all of them get agitated, more agitated than they usually are, and I sensed an unusual spiritual presence, A type of Qi I've never encountered before"
You blink, dazed and flop onto your side, overwhelmed by the real forgotten king's talkative and cheerful nature, you expectations completely crushed as he rambles on excitedly.
"And I was hopeful, even if you were just a very powerful ghost of a companion I'd forgot, that Qi could've thrown open that damn cell door and let me out of this hellhole" He chuckled, manically, eyes frantic now "Didn't expect you to be a demonic beast though, and since you're alive, that door should've opened, but you just appeared through it. Hmm, that must me your existence is ever so slightly divine. Hey, tell me, can you take on a human form, boy? The old scriptures I studied spoke of that being an ability of the beasts of yore"
"I'm a girl" You groan, snapping back to reality to feel offended as you pick yourself up and the forgotten king tilts his head to the side","attachment":null,"posted":1714217516},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987966,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5987964
"That you are" He says with a nod "Forgive me, I barely heard you speak the first time. It has been so, so very long since i've had any company besides"
He waves his arm towards the pile of skeletons
"them" He says sadly, shaking his head "But can you turn human? I know you demonic beasts used to be much more common place and accepted, before the practice of beast raising and cultivation were outlawed by heavenly mandate"
How do you reply to his request, Huanliuxue?
>Turn human, going along with the flow and just wait for him to remember WHY he offered you an audience
>"Why aren't you as crazy as the rest of the ghosts here. You should be stark raving mad! You seemed so much...more imposing in the vision I had when our auras clashed!"
>"I should've expected you to be scholar when I found your collection, I'll show you my human face, once you tell me why you called me here, it can't be just to free you, after all the trouble you've caused me!"
>"Shut up for a second. Forgotten King, if you think this ignorant act is going to fool me, you're mistaken. Surrender your crown to me nor or get ready to fight, bastard!"
>Write in","attachment":null,"posted":1714217645},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987974,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987966
You will ABSOLITELY need to pay reparations for interrupting our Breakthrough you bumbling fuck.
Juat because I have a fondness for rambling and excited old ghosts, you will not get off scot free.
>I should have expected to find a scholar.","attachment":null,"posted":1714220404},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5987989,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987966
>"Why aren't you as crazy as the rest of the ghosts here. You should be stark raving mad! You seemed so much...more imposing in the vision I had when our auras clashed!"","attachment":null,"posted":1714222572},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5988016,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987966
>"I should've expected you to be scholar when I found your collection, I'll show you my human face, once you tell me why you called me here, it can't be just to free you, after all the trouble you've caused me!"
>"Why aren't you as crazy as the rest of the ghosts here. You should be stark raving mad! You seemed so much...more imposing in the vision I had when our auras clashed!"","attachment":null,"posted":1714227570},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5988205,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987966
>Turn human, going along with the flow and just wait for him to remember WHY he offered you an audience","attachment":null,"posted":1714238515},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5988328,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987974
Part of me is willing to accept that the ghosts are retards and misinterpreted his order of "bring the strong one here" as "GRAB THAT BITCH" instead of "Hey, go tell her I want to talk to her". The other part of me is saying this guy is a great actor and he just does or says anything he thinks will get him what he wants. We'll definitely have to ask him why the god hated him this much. If his response isn't villainous enough I wouldn't trust him. If his response is comically evil I wouldn't trust him then either.","attachment":null,"posted":1714244248},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5988419,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988328
A subordinates ineptitude is the leaders responsibility.
Regardless of anything else he has to pay up, and THEN he may bow his neck and join our court.","attachment":null,"posted":1714249243},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5988539,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988016
Support but this guy seems like a warrior scholar based on his appearance. Must have been a very wise king.
>Write-in
>"So I have to ask if it won't throw you into a fit. Why did those asshole gods strike you down anyways?"","attachment":null,"posted":1714260508},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5988551,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"I mean Xiongji is a bro that lost his memory from getting brain damage before he died.
Protecting this man with his final breath means he truly believed in this man. Along with all the other ghosts. He must have been a well-loved king to show such loyalty. And he loved his people seeing how sad he is for them dying. Even calling them his friends, which is closer then saying subjects. Must've seen them as family. So no doubt a first generation kingdom or 2nd generation.
He also must've been a heretic from him saying forbidden texts.
I think depending on his further answers we'll know him better. But he seems alight, prob communication errors and ghosts going insane don't really pan out well is my bet.
Idk make ghost disiple?","attachment":null,"posted":1714261451},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5988562,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988551
Ooor maybe he's just really good at pretending.","attachment":null,"posted":1714262031},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5988807,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988562
He may want to see if we have a human form so he could try and possess us to get out of here.
Gives me the vibes of a manipulator.
>>5987966
>"Shut up for a second. Forgotten King, if you think this ignorant act is going to fool me, you're mistaken. Surrender your crown to me nor or get ready to fight, bastard!"
We can figure him out once we've made him submit.
Who knows, if he proves amenable we could open a portal to hell for him but no fucking way we're releasing him back in the mortal world.","attachment":null,"posted":1714270632},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5988841,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987966
>Turn human, going along with the flow and just wait for him to remember WHY he offered you an audience","attachment":null,"posted":1714271970},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5988845,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987966
>Turn human, going along with the flow and just wait for him to remember WHY he offered you an audience","attachment":null,"posted":1714272091},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5988850,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987966
>"Shut up for a second. Forgotten King, if you think this ignorant act is going to fool me, you're mistaken. Surrender your crown to me nor or get ready to fight, bastard!"
>"The gods in this age are capricious and fickle, but perhaps they were not in the time where you and your army were buried. They throw a mountain on you and keep you on a special cell, and it's just going to be a endless white room? And suffer no side effect nor the direct effects a soul unable to reencarnate goes? You attacked me when I was trying to cultivate, and when I unleashed my aura you gladly responded with yours. You say you don't hear your allies from the other side of the door and vise verse, but magically this time one of your generals understand perfectly that you wanted to meet? And what about the attack to my territory, what was the original order? "Send a gift with high regards and this personal, perfumed letter to the priceless cultivator that's on my realm"? And what about the horse girl general? She already gave your plan, the plan was keeping me distracted or occupied so you can finish whatever attack your preparing... If my deductions are right, then I hope your not as much of a coward as you are deceitful, so you can drop whatever this over complicated illusion this room has and face me, perhaps I would consider putting you in a cute flask and keep you in it, so when I eventually go for my revenge against the heavens, you can have your own fun on that glorious day... So decide, either fight me now, or give me your crown and surrender.","attachment":null,"posted":1714272329},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5989010,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987966
>Turn human, going along with the flow and just wait for him to remember WHY he offered you an audience
I'm fond of just continuing flabbergasted.","attachment":null,"posted":1714283153},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5989081,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987966
>Turn human, going along with the flow and just wait for him to remember WHY he offered you an audience
I really like this guy. First serious husbando contestant we've encountered so far if you ask me.","attachment":null,"posted":1714296027},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5989104,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989081
Do not fuck a corpse.
And Yinying has a shot, I think. Will take him a long while to line up a shot but I can see it.
And hey, its China. Not like we have to be monogamous when the matter comes down to it.","attachment":null,"posted":1714301793},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5989146,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987966
>"Why aren't you as crazy as the rest of the ghosts here. You should be stark raving mad! You seemed so much...more imposing in the vision I had when our auras clashed!"","attachment":null,"posted":1714308538},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5989421,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987966
>Turn human, going along with the flow and just wait for him to remember WHY he offered you an audience","attachment":null,"posted":1714330461},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5989963,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989104
Eh, it would fit our original concept as both a graveyard -dwelling goth cat and a heaven-defying heretic. Going harem would mean following in Monu's footsteps and I kinda feel Huan would not like giving herself to a man so far beneath her.","attachment":null,"posted":1714387556},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5989968,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989963
She is kinda gonna have to at some point.
She will not stop her meteoric rise, and nobody else can keep up. However minimum requirements are a thing. Golden core, tier 5 perhaps.","attachment":null,"posted":1714388090},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990037,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Ending the vote and tallying its result.
"I should've expected you to be scholar when I found your collection, I'll show you my human face, once you tell me why you called me here, it can't be just to free you, after all the trouble you've caused me!":3
"Why aren't you as crazy as the rest of the ghosts here. You should be stark raving mad! You seemed so much...more imposing in the vision I had when our auras clashed!":4
Turn human, going along with the flow and just wait for him to remember WHY he offered you an audience:6
"So I have to ask if it won't throw you into a fit. Why did those asshole gods strike you down anyways?":1
"Shut up for a second. Forgotten King, if you think this ignorant act is going to fool me, you're mistaken. Surrender your crown to me nor or get ready to fight, bastard!":2
"The gods in this age are capricious and fickle...etc": 1
So you'll acquiesce to the forgotten king's request, going with the flow of his curiosity, waiting for him to remember why he offered you an audience to begin with
Update will arrive shortly
Also I need to say, I met a very handsome cat over the weekend at another sect's retreat. A long furred boy with a black coat with an undercoat of vivid red that practically glowed in the sunlight, the most striking coloration I've ever seen in a house cat. Never seen a cat with fur like his, and he was a very friendly feline, came right up to me and demanded pets despite me being a stranger.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714399471182287.jpg","filename":"1671657516097241.jpg"},"posted":1714399471},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990079,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Not really knowing what else to do in these circumstances, confused and flabbergasted by the innocent request and the earnest curiosity of one of your heritage and one of your proudest accomplishments achieved in spite of the will of the heavens, you dumbly nod your head and realize only after you've done so what you've agreed to. The forgotten king flashes a toothy grin so manic it looks half feral, claps his hands and leaps back, as if he expects the transformation to be explosive or in some other way dangerous to him, or maybe he just wants to be further away to see all of you as you change? You're so confused you don't bother trying to figure out why he did what he just did, there's nothing you can do besides getting caught up in the flow and matching the pace he sets until he remembers why he invited you into his prison or reveals he's a crazed villain. You almost hope he'll reveal himself to be the evil, demonic sort of heretic, simply because that would be easier to understand and deal with instead of whatever this is. Still, you can't help but to get caught up in and feel strangely touched by his enthusiasm.
"Very well" You state, lifting your head proudly, trying to take some form of control over this ridiculous situation and not get swept away by the forgotten king's strangely innocent excited curiosity "Bare witness to what might be considered my gravest crime and affront to the heavens' so called natural order, Heh-Heh-Heh"
Flicking your tail, you're surrounding by carmine, vermillion, emerald and forest green lights as your feline body is partially transmuted to blood and the rest of it is reduced to glowing spiritual energy that reshapes in a flash of light, accompanied flashes like passing stars in the night sky. Standing on two legs now, you reach up to your helmeted crown and take it off, and whip your hair around, smiling smugly as the forgotten king looks at you with eyes filled with wonderful. It's strange, usually men look at this form with hunger or desire, but he's staring at you oddly, like you were a rare manual or interesting book instead of a heavens overturning beauty.
"So the legends are true, and it wasn't just metaphor for attaining further enlightenment, magnificent" He states, suddenly at your side, half crouched as he paces around you, eyes piercing as he inspects you, far closer than your comfortable with as he circles around you a little too much like a vulture waiting for a wounded animal to die.
You bare your teeth as he reaches towards your hair, and he wisely pulls his hand back as you snap "No touching"
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714408262},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990080,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5990079
"Ah right, I got caught up in the moment and carried away like a leaf in the wind" He laughs as he steps back "But what a rare coloration, if I hadn't seen your fur through your armored barding, I'd have been stunned into silence by its vividness. And that mysterious light that emerges with movement and parting, that moonlight like radiance, that sparkling. How unique! I assume that is a reflection of a demonic beast evolution, translated into your human form?"
"You'd be correct" You answer, but are unable to say anything more before he starts rambling again
"Just as your bestial strength or size are clearly carried over, judging from your musculature, particularly in your long legs , lithe, svelte, yet clearly containing great power. A cat's natural athleticism, slimness and wiry strength, revealed in the human form" He describes, complimenting some of the features your proud of, and you lower your shoulders as you realize you subconsciously lifting up your chest, trying to show off two of the other features you're proud of
"Why, even your face has a feline mien, though those eye brows remind me a red panda" He continues on, not noticing you're blushing as he creeps back closer, smiling warmly "And your pointed ears..."
He frowns and forgets touching is forbidden as he reaches out towards your notched ear
"That's a trophy I got when I was still a stupid animal, a scar I proudly wear" You boast as his eyes focus on your shorter ear "Scuffs and cracks only make porcelain more lovely? Even jade has its imperfections, but those scratches just make it more beautiful"
"I see, so that is your view. But that is another mark of your true nature, I wonder why your ears are tapered like a demon's, instead of being rounded" He says, making a circular motion with both of his hands around his own ears, as you lean closer, examining them like you haven't seen hundreds of pairs of human ears into your time, rubbing your full ear between your thumb and forefinger
"Maybe because it isn't my original body?" You guess "Like demons, they need to work to attain a human form, just like us magical beasts. I wonder if Dragons have the same kind of ears, if they deign to appear human"
The forgotten king blinks, looking at you with his big curious eyes, as your eyes meet by happenstance
"You do not have demonic qi, so the heretical texts were truthful" he gasps in amazed realization "In deed, you have a few drops of divine qi in your cultivation base"
"Heh" You snort, cover your mouth with the back of your armored hand "This and that happened, and I ended up the idol of a heretical cult in the mortal realm of Chuan"
"Chuan?" The forgotten king asks with a scrunched grimace "Where is Chuan? Outside of the continent? That'd explain why your human disguise retains your fur's peculiar coloration"
You blink and are for a moment stunned and breathless before remembering the forgotten king was trapped under this mountain a long time ago
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714408323},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990082,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5990080
"It is a province or, well it was a province, before the emperor fragmented and the local lord declared themselves a king in their own right, with my blessing Heh-heh. And that fragmenting is a little bit my fault, since i had a hand to play in the emperor's death, but he was a piece of shit..." You start before the forgotten king laughs
"So one of my criminal interests is now accepted, how fickle the heavens are in rewriting their old mandates" He laughs bitterly, drawing out a sigh from you as your smile sours into a frown
"No" You gloomily answer, with a shake of your head, and his own eyes soften with understanding "In Chuan, I am, but well, that's because my charismatic self is worshiped by the commoners and mortals, and I convinced my fellow daoists that my existence is as natural as there's. And one of the pieces of your collection helped me get those stubborn old fools to understand that I am not a demon"
"How could they think such a lovely young lady could ever be a devil?" He asked, offended on your behalf
"I did eat quite a few people before being welcomed into the world of cultivation" You say, cheeks flushing from the compliment "And I do practice some rather unseemly techniques and sorceries"
"So do I, a cultivator shouldn't allow the opinions of their lessers to halt them in their pursuit of power" He laughs as he circles behind your back again, gliding around you "Nor should they allow strength to slip from their fingers because they refuse to grasp it. Glad to see common sense hasn't died out in the, oh, it must be...seven or eight generations since I was buried here"
"Didn't that way of thinking get you sealed here to begin with?" You ask, wondering if he's starting to show his true face and remembering the sort of demonic scripture you found in his collection, besides other, much more harmless texts
"Oh no, it was because I had ambitions to conquer the world" He admits with a charming smile, his eyes narrowing into dark slivers, pure red with curls of black "I'm certain the heavens didn't think fondly of me before then, with how hungrily I sought out what they had forbidden and how often I broke their stifling laws, but what got me damned was...well, actually"
He frowned, and rubbed his chin, plopping down at your side, crouching down as he closed his eyes in thought
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714408384},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990083,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5990082
"I'm certain I'm at fault for what lead me down the road of conquest, actually. I've had centuries to meditate on my life and its many transgressions. But sufficed to say, a god's enmity is not as easily earned for a man as it is for a beast who dares to stand as one" He laughs, like he's remembering a funny mistake he made while drunk instead of the action that insighted the wrath of the nine heavens "Hah, that damn bitch of a rain god. Just because I robbed the tomb of his mortal descendent, he refused to allow it to rain over my homeland for years. I imagine he still hasn't forgiven my people for my "Arrogance", Hah! If he didn't want his descendant's rest disturbed, he should not have had him buried with so many treasures and high quality cultivation aids. Cultivation is a struggle, you must no, if one doesn't muster every advantage they can, they might as well start writing their final will, Hah!"
You remember the history lessons your mother gave you, back when you the two of you were still just teacher and student. The forgotten king lead his army from the barbaric north. and what lies North of Chuan, is the desert where Yujijiao was born and died. You'd always thought it strange there was such a dry land so close to the fertile and wet lands of Chuan, though you never had much interest in learning geography to know if it was unusual or not.
"So that was your doing?" You chuckle, having always thought that the forgotten king tried to take Chuan as his own because his own lands were garbage, though it is weird how he remembers a rain god, you've only heard of rain goddesses and fairies. Maybe he got so old he reached the end of even his immortal lifespan?
"It was the rain god's doing. They had no problem with me collecting outlawed texts and demonic scripture, besides a few tribulations I overcame with ease, but once I united the sects of my homeland and started waging war as the ignorant masses did, suddenly I had crossed a line. Though I suppose, what I had done before I annihilated that weeping whelp of a king who begged me to seek forgiveness from that arrogant old sodden fuck, would have be branded a villain. Hah, but the only opinion that matters in the world is one's own, if they can make their voice heard" He answers brazenly, arms crossed "Though you being a house cat does make sense, if I remember correctly, cats get most of their hydration from their prey, yes? So you'd be better equipped to flourish in a land denied its rain"
"Chuan is called the land of a thousand rivers and lakes" You answer, giving him a scrutinizing look as for some reason you begin to wonder if one of the villainous deeds he seems so proud of included the consumption of souls, one of the lines you refuse to cross even to refine your own cultivation and power
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714408445},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990084,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5990083
"Makes sense, my honored rival did originate from the lands that became my grave. Tch, if he was anyone else but himself, I'd be ashamed, humiliated that my first and final defeat came from a farm boy" He chuckles warmly, fondly remembering the man who dropped a mountain on his head "I imagine he didn't have any trouble reaching the entrance to the nine heavens, when we were both considered the pinnacle of strength in our time, though some of my...less than wise endeavors had reduced my lifespan to a fraction of what it should've been"
"Is that why you collected so many alternative means of immortality, like the history of the peerless sanguine jade shrine sect?" You ask curiously yourself
"Perhaps. I still had more than enough years left to challenge the heavens. Since they'd scorned me, I was going to kill every immortal that dwelled their, as a matter of principle for insulting me and inflicting punishment on my countrymen for so petty a transgression" He laughs, relishing in his past crimes and glories "I don't believe in trusting everything in one, unchanging plan, you see. It is best to be fickle and adaptable, like a cat, and take whatever comes your way. And what has come your way, I cannot imagine, what is that Qi that makes your eyes twinkle with star light? How do you breath yet possess the legacy of those blood-drinkers? You are fascinating, girl, even without taking your attainment of a human body. Hah, the heavens must've been furious the day you achieved it! And how did you? The texts I had spoke of the subject, but not the means. Did you find some guide I had missed? I had hunted down scholars of the subject, and slaughtered the great beast taming sects to plunder their repositories, but I couldn't find a treatise on how to turn a speaking beast into a human. So how did you? It won't be as sweet as figuring it out myself, but it is a mystery that has been gnawing at my mind for centuries
You begin to answer him, smiling happily before you remember that you'd come here for a reason besides pleasant though meandering conversation and chatting up an evil king of ancient history. But what is that reason. You don't know it! You were just going with the flow and hoping that the forgotten king would remember he'd invited you here to do more than compliment and admire you. You frown, suspicions bubbling up in your mind as you look at his pleasant smile, admiring eyes and welcoming demeanor.
"Well, perhaps I'll tell you, but first, I need to know. You didn't summon me hear just to shower me with praise and see if I'm a legend realized, or entertain me with stories of your life" You say cordially though with a sharpness to urge him back towards the actual reason he called you here for an audience, even if you were having fun being praised and hearing exactly what he'd done to earn more enmity from the gods than even you have yourself.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714408506},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990087,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5990084
"Oh, I was getting carried away. That you were a beast cultivator distracted me, and I admit that you being actually capable of becoming human made me forget, as did the questions that ability raises. That you were pretty and a good listener, just made it impossible to focus on anything else" He laughs and you glare, so you don't smile at his sweet words "Well, to be blunt, I think we can strike a deal, girl. I don't want to remain here, you clearly desire something from my tomb, and I do not discourage tomb robbing"
"As pleasant company as you are, I can't imagine you'll turn over a new leaf if I unseal you, from what little I've heard, I can't imagine you living a selfless life of charity" You answer simply. He doesn't blink and still crouching next to you, motions you to sit. You do, lounging back and supporting yourself with both of your hands
"No reason for me to deceive you. I will not shave my head and turn Buddhist. To be a cultivator, is to be ruthless and ambitious. I might've failed to reach the heavens and attain immortality, but a set back like this isn't enough to dissuade me from trying again" He admits with a respectful nod, balling one of his hands into a fist, as he stares into its palm, black blood dripping as he buries his nails into his hands "And, I admit, I have one regret in the life I lived, and that is...well actually I have two"
"Uh huh" You grunt, unable to not be fascinated with what the second regret is, despite needing to hear what he plans to do if you agree to bust him from his prison
"The second is not managing to take the eye of my honorable rival before he slammed a mountain on top of me and crushed the life out of me, but the first, which I've only started feeling after centuries of meditation and introspection, is that my ambitions got my followers to share my fate. Sure they were the first to throw torches into the rain god's temples and they probably earned a stay in the yellow springs just as I did, but just for being my friends, they've been made to languish and go insane. Doesn't seem fair" He laughs, eyes glinting as they narrow to dark slits again "And, I can tell you've made use of their ghostly existence to benefit yourself. You must follow a dao of ghosts or vengeance of some kind, judging from your aura and breath"
"You're quite perceptive for a man whose spent centuries in a featureless void with nothing but his own thoughts to keep him company" You remark, confirming his suspicions with a nod while keeping your own close to your chest
"I cannot allow that to continue. They will be released or destroyed, either way, they must be allowed to return to the wheel of transmigration, and to be reborn to whatever life fate ordains them. I reward loyalty and" he pauses, sigh longingly as he looks at his throne of bones, that were once his loyal friends and follows "There are no men more loyal than them. So when I walk free, they shall be released from their suffering"
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714408566},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990088,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5990087
"There's more you desire than just the mercy killing of your old army" You point out, jabbing a finger rudely at him as you half roll onto your side
"Hmm, you're canny, for a good dooer. I can tell you have more scruples than I had in life, from the way you reacted and the faces you made as I talked of my history. You wondered just how far I went to achieve the power I attained before I was snuffed out, yes yes?" He snickers, jabbing a finger at you and lifting his hand as he miscalculates the difference and nearly jabs it somewhere no man can touch without losing the offending hand and arm "You have principles, lines you shall not cross. I had a few, I think, but to answer your unspoken question, insanity gets boring after the first century of howling madness and rage, meditation tempered my fury and while I wouldn't be opposed to an alliance, I WILL walk free and end my long confinement today. And, well, you should expect this but"
He hops to his feet and offers you a hand.
"Even if you give up MY soldiers you've been using as cultivation material, and I must admit, I'd have suspected you were eating them, if you hadn't marched ahead of an army of them" He rambles for a moment before twitching and smiling maliciously "But, even if you decide to be my new friend, one of us need to be the boss. It's only natural right? It is common sense when to cultivators of near equal strength meet, I might've lost much and regained less of the power I had when I was at my zenith but....well I have a good instinct for these things. Between you and I, one of us needs to be the superior. It is the way of the world of immortals, the strongest leads"
You grin a ferocious and wild smile and float up onto your feet by your own power, spinning your helmet atop your finger
"You're speaking my own thoughts. The weak are prey to strong. But I wonder if you actually know what that means" You answer proudly, eyes narrowed, flicking from his still outstretch hand to his gentle smile, as he makes no moves to attack you or defend himself
"How can I claim to know the mind of a cat? or of an ambitious young lady?" He asks "Though, I did learn a few possession spells when I was playing around with the idea of preserving my life through stealing bodies, so there is a very easy way for me to have learned either or both. Say, can you possess people? That body is clearly a mirror of your true form, and not one that had been stolen, unless it was transformed by your adoption of it or you spent a long time searching for a similar host to..."
"Tell me, if I come out on top and beat you, would you obey me, do whatever I say?" You interrupt loudly
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714408628},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990090,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5990088
"If we don't go our separate ways" He says, his teeth morphing into fangs as a single horn appears from the wisps of his white hair, growing as teal and turquoise flames roil from the edges of his now more threatening smile "and you don't do something as foolish as refuse to release me, that would be the agreement. If you're stronger than me, I'll follow. That is the logic of the wild isn't it, girl?"
"I have a name" You hiss, his smile widens, the hand he's holding out wreathed in ethereal flames and partially turned into a draconic talon
"So do I. We should exchange them once you've agreed to my terms. Even if you subjugate me, I expect my friends to be returned to the cycle of reincarnation" He cheerfully replies, seemingly blithely unaware that you started taking offense to him referring to you as girl, or not caring that you are. It's hard to tell when he is simply careless and when he's being arrogant
"Even if my cultivation and absorption of their breath soothes their pain and their madness?" You ask curiously. He frowns and smirks
"Well, perverting the natural cycle of death and rebirth does sound fun, I'd prefer if my friends are allowed to live again, their own lives, free of my ambitions. If its fated to be, our paths will cross. and I'm certain you've had to say goodbye before" He says tenderly, head bowed, even though half of it has turned into some perverse mix of an imperial dragon and ogreish devil "Either I slaughter them and vanish into the night, you and I fight and figure out who is the strongest between us, or you "kill" me, I reincarnate and no longer remember my friends and their plight"
"You're making an awful lot of demands for someone who is only offering treasures that are already within reach to me, while I'm the one who can choose to free you" You reply smugly. He keeps smiling
"Well, if you refuse to release me, as sad as it is, since you seem like a very interesting person, I will have to try to kill you, I refuse to remain in this void for any longer" he says tensely, every word terse and sharp "And if it comes to that, well, your only choice is to release me in another way, not my favored choice, but living another life is preferable to this hellish existence, even if I'm reborn as a softshell turtle or mayfly for the first dozen or so reincarnations. Or, if I misread the contents of your heart, devour me as is the way of beasts. But I shall not allow myself to remain sealed here, even if we do come to unfriendly blows. And I think I like my odds of winning a fight to the death"
"But if I didn't want to let them go, and I win our bout?" You question, choosing to ignore the threat for the time being
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714408688},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990092,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5990090
"I'll insist" He answers with a shrug "If they decide, in their right minds, to remain, who am I to toss them into their next life? But I'd prefer them to be given the chance to become new people, free of my tarnished destiny. So, tell me you'll break that seal, give me your name and I shall give you mine, and either I begin saving my friends or I get to see what this new era that awaits me has produced in you, a clear prodigy of this age. Hell, I might even fight you if we decide not to have a struggle for dominance, just for the thrill of facing the strongest this world without me has produced!"
what do you choose to do, Huanliuxue?
>Ask him a few more questions, like, who his honored rival is and what sort of villainous acts he did in his life besides grave robbing and collecting naughty books
>Agree to release him, confident you can beat him into submission and stop him from causing trouble [Boss fight]
>Tell him you'll let him go, and tell him you'll let him release his subjects, if he travels to the kingdom next door and becomes Ling's problem [Negative and Good karma]
>Stick your tongue out at him, and switch places with the ghost light you left outside of his prison cell.
>Distract him by asking what exactly makes you so interesting, while you try to make up your mind
>Write in","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714408805148456.jpg","filename":"1636943495821.jpg"},"posted":1714408805},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990107,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990092
>>Agree to release him, confident you can beat him into submission and stop him from causing trouble [Boss fight]","attachment":null,"posted":1714410782},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990111,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990092
>Agree to release him, confident you can beat him into submission and stop him from causing trouble [Boss fight]","attachment":null,"posted":1714410979},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990115,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990092
"Stick your tongue out at him, and switch places with the ghost light you left outside of his prison cell."
This would be so funny.
However
>Agree to release him, confident you can beat him into submission and stop him from causing trouble [Boss fight]
MONARCH
VS
MONARCH","attachment":null,"posted":1714411120},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990137,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990092
>>Agree to release him, confident you can beat him into submission and stop him from causing trouble [Boss fight]","attachment":null,"posted":1714412796},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990141,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990092
>>Agree to release him, confident you can beat him into submission and stop him from causing trouble [Boss fight]
Honestly even if we gave up the ghosts what an amusing turn of phrase here we still have that yin skull from the crow king's vaults, right? That would probably make up for it a bit. Not for the army of the dead we'd be losing but the yin qi necessary to meditate on it for us and our students.
But we all know Xiongji is not going to want to go back to the wheel. He still has asses to kick and a world to spite.","attachment":null,"posted":1714413219},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990150,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990092
>Agree to release him, confident you can beat him into submission and stop him from causing trouble [Boss fight]
If we get close to losing we can always teleport away.
But also what if, once we decide to let him out, we didn't break the seal but switch him out with the ghostlight?
That would probably avoid whoever sealed him there knowing his enemy is free.","attachment":null,"posted":1714415477},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990151,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990150
>some goofy god's face when he comes down to taunt the trapped king and all the ghosts are gone and the CUBE is empty
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tu_wTvstWcw","attachment":null,"posted":1714416183},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990158,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990092
>Ask him a few more questions, like, who his honored rival is and what sort of villainous acts he did in his life besides grave robbing and collecting naughty books","attachment":null,"posted":1714416918},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990208,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990092
>Ask a few more questions
>Agree, confident we can beat him into submission
Once we develop the Ghostly court power we can take them all with us","attachment":null,"posted":1714421692},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990213,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990141
We are. You know. Not giving up the army.
But it will require a little bit of trickery on our part.
We can make the offer to them, that they are due to be released from the mountain. They either go to the yellow springs. Or they can come with us on our crusade against the gods, either way they are leaving the tombs soon.
Those who refuse to follow us, we sell to pay for crap in the underworld. Our promise kept.","attachment":null,"posted":1714421945},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990217,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990213
That's just a dick move, bro.","attachment":null,"posted":1714422351},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990219,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990213
Yeah what the other guy said.
They are our subjects, not our tools. If they wish to pass we will let them, if they wish to stay we will still let them.
The best we can do is use our cultivation style to make sure they are of sound mind to make the decision.","attachment":null,"posted":1714423254},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990238,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990219
>>5990217
I refuse to let them leave before we use them even ONCE to drain them of their Yin Qi.
Can you FATHOM of how much energy is right there for the taking. If they don't want to be our subjects, fine, they don't have to be. They will be the resources we exchange for the benefit of ourselves and our kingdom.
I have no compulsion to hurt our own interests for no gain.","attachment":null,"posted":1714424875},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990246,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990238","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714425276956790.jpg","filename":"1654098078282.jpg"},"posted":1714425276},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990283,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990238
Calm down they probably have just a fraction of the qi that is freely floating at the lowest level of the mountain anyway.","attachment":null,"posted":1714429825},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990305,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990092
>I have an image, some foolish idea of what the future would be... I accept, but the difference is that your loyal soldiers and you stay a little longer. And when the day comes, you will walk again on the land of the living, and find that you're not alone. In these lands, other ghosts walk, from soldiers to villagers who either decide to stay to be close with their loved ones or defend their lands, souls from the modern and old world living their new unlife, a side effect from my cultivation.
>And once you all see the green grass, the countless stars and the ever burning Sun, we march to the Heavens themselves. Our march is one of defiance, of revenge and justice, we climbs the clouds, seeking for the first steps of the Heavens, and every one of your soldiers that are taken down by the Heavens defences go to the yellow springs or the great Wheel.
>And yet, we are many, were an endless tide of change, we bring war to those who deserves it for going after my people. At the end, after both sides pay their costs, after the dust is settles, the sun will rise in a new age, the karmic debt is paid, you'll be reincarnated as a worm, all your followers and mine will be on the wheel, and those who are still on my side and myself will weep for years until that deep wound is healed.
>At the end, we both get what we want, at the cost we get to pay... Will you accept and we change names, or are you stubborn enough that you will demand we stick to the options you give? As a bonus, if you accept, I'll give you part of a juicy gossip on the cultivation world.","attachment":null,"posted":1714432713},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990585,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990092
>Ask him a few more questions, like, who his honored rival is and what sort of villainous acts he did in his life besides grave robbing and collecting naughty books
Why is no one voting for the lore option all of a sudden?","attachment":null,"posted":1714459890},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990627,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990092
>>Ask him a few more questions, like, who his honored rival is and what sort of villainous acts he did in his life besides grave robbing and collecting naughty books","attachment":null,"posted":1714468604},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990640,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990585
We can ask all the questions we want when he's groveling at our feet.","attachment":null,"posted":1714470199},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990654,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990585
He began posturing? And stating he was gonna kick our ass or get his ass kicked? I mean he's getting ready to throw down right this second.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714472425817386.png","filename":"1689468823676824.png"},"posted":1714472425},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990676,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990092
>Ask him a few more questions, like, who his honored rival is and what sort of villainous acts he did in his life besides grave robbing and collecting naughty books
There’s just one thing we need to know; did he hurt children? This determines how violently we’re going to beat his ass.","attachment":null,"posted":1714476755},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990739,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Ending the vote now and tallying its result.
Agree to release him, confident you can beat him into submission and stop him from causing trouble: 7
Ask him a few more questions, like, who his honored rival is and what sort of villainous acts he did in his life besides grave robbing and collecting naughty books:5
I have an image, some foolish idea of what the future would be...etcc:1
So, confident you can beat him in a fight, you'll agree to free the forgotten King and tell him your name.
Update will arrive shortly","attachment":null,"posted":1714488842},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990768,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":""Very well, though I do have one question to ask before I give you the honor of hearing my honored name" You say politely, smiling genially though ready to bare your fangs if the forgotten king's answer isn't to your liking, and secure in knowing you can always just leave him to molder if he is the kind of piece of shit you despise most in the world "Forgotten King do your crimes, amongst your many misdeeds, those you admit, embrace or hide away, include child murder?"
"Hm? What purpose would there be in harming children?" He asked, sounding deeply confused as he rubbed his chin with his still human hand "My cruelty and villainy has always had a purpose, an end goal, a result or prize that necessitated me to act with. as others would say, with wickedness and sadism. I am not the kind of evil who relishes in villainy for its own sake or embraces foulness for no reasons besides the taste of atrocity"
"That didn't answer my question" You sharply reply, eyes narrowed as his frown deepened and he looked up the the "Ceiling" of his prison, looking like he was reflecting on his life or had gotten distracted by a daydream
"Of course I haven't" He answers with a chuckle, shrugging and rolling his shoulders as he adjusted his posture, shifting one foot in front of the other "What's the point or thrill in bullying the weak? Slaughtering the defenseless? I admit, I found enjoyment in massacring my foes, but it'd be pitiful if I counted children amongst my rivals. And no child held anything I felt the need to steal or rob from them, nor did they possess any worthwhile insights or lessons for me to benefit from"
"So, in fewer words, you have never hurt any kids or thought to abuse them, because there was nothing for you to gain?" You question as he smirks
"Well, when I was a child myself, I did spar with other children of my age" He chuckles, his more monstrous features fading back into his ordinary, ghostly appearance "But as an adult man, I rarely had reason to be in the presence of children. My character is ill suited for a teacher, being a master is more fitting for a man of my demeanor I feel. Besides, sparing the children of a clan usually meant in a few years time you'd have enemies with a strong conviction to do battle with, and worthy opponents are an excellent resource. The amount of my insights I gained through fighting for my life eclipses those I gleamed through meditating upon the marching lines of ants...Sorry, what were we talking about again"
"Oh I was just making sure you could be my friend is all" You answer, feeling strangely relieved as you reposition your own feet, adopting a loose fighting stance "Well, lets get our much delayed introductions out of the way. I am Huanliuxue"
"Happy bloodshed? What a fierce epithet, I cannot imagine it was one given to you by your mother or father. But a lovely name, no matter who it was who gave it to you " He says politely, cupping his fist and bowing as you "Descriptive, somewhat poetic"
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714492890},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990769,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5990768
"And yourself?" You ask, returning the gesture with a bow of your own
"The name I was given at birth is Shi Jié (士 杰, , She = Surname (soldier), Jie = given name (Hero), but I was more widely known and preferred the art name my first master gave me when I surpassed them and ended their life, Àodàshèng (Proud Great Sage, 傲大圣), and you are the first to hear either of these names in centuries"
"What an honor, to know the erased names of the forgotten king" You laugh as you rise from your bow. Though there is an gnawing sense of familiarity with the second half of the forgotten king's art name, you've sworn you've heard the title of great sage given to someone else somewhere else but can't remember where you did, but you're certain it was historical or maybe fictional and from some book you read and mostly forgot about.
"I can say the same, knowing the name of the beast who defied the heavens and lived to tell the tale" He says, complimenting you in turn, though how fast he said it, told you he was starting to get impatient waiting to be freed from his centuries of confinement "We can save our titles for after our spar, let us delay no longer. Please"
He lifts up his wrists, presenting the golden chains that have been bolted through his arms and wrapped around his entire body
"Break my chains" He asks demurely, eyes locked on the manacles nailed to his wrists.
"How cute~" you tease as you reach out, gripping the radiant chains, their divine glow dimming at your touch as you take in a deep breath and infusing your lungs with blood Qi, breath out over his hands. The metal tarnishes immediately and begins to crack and break apart.
Aodasheng begins to giggle, then chuckle and then howl with crazed laughter as he watches the dozens of chains locked around his limbs and body begin to flake away into rapidly fading light, rusting off of him as life rich breath breaks down his seal at a much hastened pace, his eyes glowing turquoise and teal as the relief and joy of being released brings a half mad look to his face as he shifts between his human form and his more monstrous, draconic appearance. And he keeps laughing, as he pulls his hands away from yours and lifts them up skyward, coughing and choking on his own glee as he allows the chains to fall away as he punches his fists into the air triumphantly. And still, he's laughing, half choking as tears stream down his face and he hunches over, nearly sobbing as he falls to his knees, voice turning hoarse as his booming, victorious laugh turns to weak gasps and choked cries as he starts to wipe and rub the tears from his eyes.
The ground begins to shake, and a wave of black spiritual energy ripples from him, a strong current of deathly yin qi that could turn even the most fertile of fields fallow and cause a dragon to drop from the sky like a dead fly. He weeps into his palms, overwhelmed by his release.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714492950},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990770,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5990769
The ground continues to quake as the void retreats, nothingness replaced with plain stone as you feel the stone room begin to drop as the chains that held it up fall apart, no longer locked or fastened to anything after you removed them from Aodasheng's wrists.
"Thank you. No matter what the outcome is, I am indebted to you, Huanliuxue" He says as he rises to his feet, solemnly showing his respect to you with another bow of his head as he claps his hands together, ignoring the holes bored through his wrists and...
You leap backwards, to avoid the pulse of Qi he unleashed, wincing as your struck by his killing intent like a slap across the face as he throws his arms back, and the teal flames form into a mask in the shape of a dragon's skull as they wrap around him to become armor forged from ghostly fire as he pulls is arms back in front of himself to draw a circle of ethereal blue, taking on a fighting stance as the chamber your in plummets into the pit. Both his hands open, one held out like a spear and the held back over his shoulder, wagging as he stares at you with fierce eyes without any sign of mercy or his previous friendliness in them.
"BEGIN!" He roars, sounding cheerful even those his eyes scream "murder"
_
Fateful Encounter: The Forgotten King, Aodasheng
Enemy Aura: Overwhelming Malevolence. Effect: Critfails reactivated. Range raised from 1, to 1 to 10. Counter effect from Huanliuxue's Aura: Ill Omen. Enemy Aura effectiveness reduced by half. Critfail range for duration of the fight, 1 to 5
https://youtu.be/Vr8xrrKrO7w
_
The spear in his corpse's hand flies into his the hand he held back, as the other bones began to rustle and piece themselves together.
'He's fast' you realize with a gasp, as in the time it takes you to raise your defenses, he's already flying at you, spinning the head of his spear in a circle defensively as he lunges at your aggressively. A fraction of a second. Ghost Empress Melody and Moon Collapse are out of your reach. There's no time to cast even your fastest spell. All you can rely on is your speed and martial arts!
roll 2d100. Best out of five. DC 175 ","attachment":null,"posted":1714493011},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990772,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 33, 10 = 43 (2d100)
>>5990770
Cheeky boy.","attachment":null,"posted":1714493284},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990773,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 60, 70 = 130 (2d100)
>>5990770","attachment":null,"posted":1714493328},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990784,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990773
So we need 83 on both rolls or higher to beat his DC.
Man, this guy wasnt fucking about.","attachment":null,"posted":1714494999},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990789,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990770
We are starting off in his environment, dont forget.
Nonetheless, cats are known for chasing off ghosts!","attachment":null,"posted":1714495282},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990790,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 22, 77 = 99 (2d100)
>>5990770
Forgot add roll
>>5990789","attachment":null,"posted":1714495343},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990794,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 68, 23 = 91 (2d100)
>>5990770
A WORTHY OPPONENT!","attachment":null,"posted":1714496439},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990802,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990784
>>5990789
For what its worth, if he received any reports about us, he knows we fought via buffing our army, long range bombardment and whatever bullshit we pulled with the centaur.
Its only logical that a scholar would conclude that the best way to fight us is to rush us down and beat us to death in melee ASAP.
In other words, he is likely throwing everything he has at the wall right out the gate, which coming from some as strong as him, is not a pleasant experience.
We just have to hope we have some intact bones left over and counter with something good.","attachment":null,"posted":1714496810},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990833,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 32, 77 = 109 (2d100)
>>5990770","attachment":null,"posted":1714499910},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990837,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5990773
failure. 40 under dc. Update will arrive shortly","attachment":null,"posted":1714500474},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990850,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"We only had a ~ 15% chance to do this.","attachment":null,"posted":1714501876},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990862,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"The next moments move like a shadow show, still images pieced together to form a sequence. Aodasheng thrusts his spear out, twisting his shoulder to face you and further extend the reach of his strike, his free hand carrying a spell diagram on the tip of each finger. You twist around, pivoting on your heels as you lift a hand to brush and push the spear head away, aiming for the tussle of black fur just behind its split head. The ghost king's eyes flare, expression hidden behind his dragon mask. There's a clicking sound, bone popping from its socket. With a twitch of movement, he dislocated his shoulder His spear arm goes loose and instead of simply stabbing it forward, with the force of his leap and his full weight behind the strike, he rotates it along with his arm. And you learn the purpose of the strange, bramble and thorn like protrusions running down the length of the spears haft. And to your surprise, learn that whatever they're made out of is sharp enough to slice through spider demon silk!
Yowling in pain, you recoil, blood spurting from the palm of one hand and the back of the other as you throw them up into the air and away from the metal thorns that had just dug through your gauntlets and deeply into the meat of your hands. The spear tip buried in the ground at your side, threaded between your arms. The forgotten king lands and sweeps his legs out, using his spear as an anchor. You're thrown off the ground, loosing your footing as he moves like a blur, repositioning himself behind you as he retrieve his spear with a single tug and resets his shoulder with another harsh click. Looking over your shoulder, you roll forward and land on your hands, flipping around as he spins and jabs his spear at your back. But he thrust too short to land a hit, or that's what you thought, before the other end of his spear's haft slams into your stomach and sends you hurtling backwards through the air as the air is forced from your lungs.
Then he closes his spell casting hand into a fist and.
The world spins, you're slammed into the ground, your brain bouncing between your ears as your head swims. A large, skeletal hand is latched around your skull, flames sprouting between the spaces of its boney fingers.
"Xiongji!" Your snarl and spit, wrapping your legs around the skeletal remains and holding on for dear life as the mortal remains of the rampaging general lift you from the ground, and rather than flail around helplessly, you intend to do something about this predicament. Sticking one foot through the gap in the bones of his forearm, you lock yourself in place as the puppeted corpse tries to burn you alive, as you twist and turn your hips violently until with a satisfying pop, the arm falls off, as you dislocate his shoulder from his socket.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714503108},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990864,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5990862
Squirming free, the puppet Xiongji hefts up his axe as you fall flat on your back. You roll out of its path, eyes wide and heart pounding as, moving even faster than Xiongji's ghost can, the axe rises and falls, chasing you as you roll again, somersault onto your feet and lean back until your balancing on the balls of your feet. The blade of the massive axe the skeleton is swinging around kisses your stomach and...
The world becomes a flash of white. Something smacked you on the back of your head. Vision returning, your twist around and see Aodasheng standing half crouched, spear held backwards and the blunt end of it thrusted out where the back of your head was a moment ago. And with your head throbbing, feeling like it has just been about cracked open, you realize you're still on fire from when the puppet Xiongji grabbed you by your skull and slammed you into the floor. The air ripples with heat and you curl, reorienting yourself midair to just barely avoid a scything swing from the corpse of Xiongji's axe, by diving between it and the crescent swing of the forgotten king's stupid spear!
It isn't an elegant landing, but you land on your feet, bleeding palm holding your slit stomach, fingers probing and checking the depth of the cut, cold silk sending shivers up your spine as you quickly make sure you haven't been disemboweled and to your great relief, the armor you wore took the worst of the axe strike. The wound, while painful and frightening, isn't imminently lethal or crippling. It just hurts, more than the fire currently licking at your cheeks. Which you put out with a shake of your head, stepping back and trying to find your stance again as the Aodasheng crouches on the tips of his toes, the Xiongji's corpse's upper body spinning around, the axe in its hands becoming a blur as you decide it'd be wise to take another step back. Hearing a whistling sound behind your head, you dart your head to the side, dodging the arrow launched at the back of your head by leaning away at the last second.
Snarling, you see a familiar set of bones standing. In fact you see several skeletons whose armor and weapons that are very well known to you.
"Loyalty beyond death" Aodasheng says cheerfully "A treasure that cannot or found, only cultivated and earned"
You bite the inside of your cheek to keep yourself from complaining, loudly, about how unfair and dirty a trick it is to use corpses to turn a one on one fight into an ambush! Only the thumping of your heart stops you from stomping your foot in frustration. Well, that and the fact this is a very dangerous situation you're now in.
"A weapon far more deadly than even the finest spear!" He declares, and with a snap, orders the skeletons he's puppeteering and through some forbidden magic, making use of their powers as if they were his own to surround you.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714503170},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990867,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5990864
Screwing your face and gnashing your teeth, resisting the urge to whine and yowl in protest about the cheap tricks being thrown against you, you try and figure out a way out of this mountain of blades and sea of fire you've found yourself in! Blooding dripping from your fingers.
And what is your plan, Huanliuxue?
>Use Enmity Incarnation, Devil of Grudges, and give Aodasheng the taste of his own poison by taking on the role of and wearing the mask of Xiongji and going berserker [Martial trial DC 140]
>Even the playing field by creating a wall of blood puppets around yourself, and force the fight back into a one on one [Magic/ Puppeteering trial. DC 125]
>Use your internal gu to spray Sinner Bone Centipede venom all over the bones menacing you [Magic/ Alchemy trial DC 110]
>Hold your ground, fighting defensively and wait for an opening, using both your feline martial arts and dying grudge shield's attached the your hands and arms [Magic/ Martial Trial. DC 160]
>Escape from the chamber and the gang up by swapping yourself with the false ghost light, giving yourself a few vital seconds to prepare and compose yourself
>write in","attachment":null,"posted":1714503268},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990871,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990867
>>Even the playing field by creating a wall of blood puppets around yourself, and force the fight back into a one on one [Magic/ Puppeteering trial. DC 125]
Well, we can see why people may have thought less of him when he asks for a spar and IMMEDIATELY turns it into a gangstomp. He plays for keeps if nothing else, man has zero shame.
Maybe we should turn back into a cat. He probably has way less experience fighting beasts than men. Considering how he talks about them like ancient history to his own ancient history.","attachment":null,"posted":1714503848},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990872,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990867
>Puppets dc 125","attachment":null,"posted":1714503973},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990875,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990867
>Even the playing field by creating a wall of blood puppets around yourself, and force the fight back into a one on one [Magic/ Puppeteering trial. DC 125]
That was one hell of an opening but we're not down yet.","attachment":null,"posted":1714504863},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990878,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990867
>Even the playing field by creating a wall of blood puppets around yourself, and force the fight back into a one on one [Magic/ Puppeteering trial. DC 125]","attachment":null,"posted":1714505212},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990880,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990867
>Use Enmity Incarnation, Devil of Grudges, and give Aodasheng the taste of his own poison by taking on the role of and wearing the mask of Xiongji and going berserker [Martial trial DC 140]
This is always fun.","attachment":null,"posted":1714505341},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990921,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990867
>Use your internal gu to spray Sinner Bone Centipede venom all over the bones menacing you [Magic/ Alchemy trial DC 110]
That's acidic like predator blood right? Should work well against undead.","attachment":null,"posted":1714509262},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990931,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990867
>Use your internal gu to spray Sinner Bone Centipede venom all over the bones menacing you [Magic/ Alchemy trial DC 110]","attachment":null,"posted":1714510135},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5990972,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990867
>Even the playing field by creating a wall of blood puppets around yourself, and force the fight back into a one on one [Magic/ Puppeteering trial. DC 125]
Very tempted to fall back and compose ourselves to surprise him with a guns blazing assault when we pop back in.
If we fail this next DC, we teleport, gather our selves, and go back in.","attachment":null,"posted":1714514306},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5991016,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990867
I would call this a bitch move, but there are no rules in a fight like this
>Even the playing field by creating a wall of blood puppets around yourself, and force the fight back into a one on one [Magic/ Puppeteering trial. DC 125]
>Use Enmity Incarnation, Devil of Grudges, and wear Monu's mask to take advantage of her knowledge of puppet making
This is probably going to be our roughest fight yet, so best to snatch any advantage we can.","attachment":null,"posted":1714518069},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5991039,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990867
>>Hold your ground, fighting defensively and wait for an opening, using both your feline martial arts and dying grudge shield's attached the your hands and arms [Magic/ Martial Trial. DC 160]","attachment":null,"posted":1714520080},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5991508,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Ending the vote and tallying its result now.
Even the playing field by creating a wall of blood puppets around yourself, and force the fight back into a one on one:6
Use Enmity Incarnation, Devil of Grudges, and give Aodasheng the taste of his own poison by taking on the role of and wearing the mask of Xiongji and going berserker : 2
Use your internal gu to spray Sinner Bone Centipede venom all over the bones menacing you:2
Hold your ground, fighting defensively and wait for an opening, using both your feline martial arts and dying grudge shield's attached the your hands and arms : 1
So you'll weaponize your own spilt blood, create a wall of blood puppets and try to force Aodasheng to fight you one on one.
Update will arrive shortly","attachment":null,"posted":1714570922},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5991517,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Your blood, pooling and forming drops that the fingers and claws of the silver gauntlets spun from spider silk over your hands, trembling in pain and outrage. Dripping, falling, sparkling like cut and polished rubies, the aroma nearly as intoxicating as its sheen and the distorted reflections they cast within their carmine depths. And immediately, just from turning your eyes down to admire the flow of blood from your hands and belly, you realize exactly how you can turn the tide of this battle and take the advantage Aodasheng has taken so firmly and quickly into his hands for yourself and force him to fight you one on one like you'd expected when he requested this supposedly friendly spar. But, you can't really fault him for using every advantage and trick he has, its just common sense in a fight to do all you can to win, even if it has really pissed you off. It's just good sense to fight with everything you have, especially when it is a deadly bout, which this isn't. Or shouldn't be. But if it was you'd still be offended that he dared to use such a cheap trick, even if you're about to do the same now. But all is fair in a fight between cultivators, especially two almost equals.
Raising up your hands, you will the blood to pool in your palms, and draw back some that has poured out of your cut open palm back inside of your hand, as the smears, splatters and puddles of blood begin to ripple and rise up. Pearls and droplets of blood stopping to float in the air, like they've been suspended in oil. The skeletons stop mid-step as one, and you hear Aodasheng make what you can only describe as a "Fascinated noise", and you can almost see him rubbing his chin in intrigue even though he's standing behind your back. Shit, does he know about blood control? Well if he does, you'll show him what a master of it can perform with just a few cups full of blood!
Clicking your tongue, you flatten your hands, and slowly lift them in front of yourself, drawing the blood under your control to rise up higher itself. The skeletons finish their step, and continue their advance around you, the circle tightening around you like a drawn noose.
roll 2d100. Best out of five. DC 125 ","attachment":null,"posted":1714571744},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5991519,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 25, 66 = 91 (2d100)
>>5991517
God, Please...","attachment":null,"posted":1714571998},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5991532,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 61, 95 = 156 (2d100)
>>5991517
Bazinga","attachment":null,"posted":1714574167},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5991536,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 64, 70 = 134 (2d100)
>>5991517","attachment":null,"posted":1714574516},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5991548,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 13, 85 = 98 (2d100)
>>5991517","attachment":null,"posted":1714575232},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5991553,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 91, 80 = 171 (2d100)
>>5991517","attachment":null,"posted":1714575751},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5991554,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5991553
Great success! 40 over DC. Update will arrive shortly","attachment":null,"posted":1714575840},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5991557,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991554
Where there is a Yin, there is a Yang.
Get fucked Ghostie.
Also, I'm PRETTY SURE it's the buddhists who said "Great sage equalling heaven" from journey of the west that this guy reminds us of.","attachment":null,"posted":1714576024},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5991597,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"https://youtu.be/nBAE3AECbCI
_
But you aren't concerned in the slightest. With a twitch of your right wrist and by clenching your left hand into a fist, digging the claws tipping your gauntlets into the slash across your exposed palm, you separate a portion of the blood gathered at your feet into a cloud of beads, pearls and spheres of floating blood as the rest of it rises up as crude, human and feline figures, dripping and sloshing through the pool of collected blood, lifting up swords and axes or throwing their head back in silent yowls. Turning your right hand up and stretching out your fingers, you shape the balls of blood into a thousands of nails and dozens of flying swords, none as crude as the ones wielded by your puppets, each one looking like a real sword worthy to be held in the hands of a royal guard.
"I knew it!" Aodasheng shouts excitedly "Blood refinement and control! One of the forbidden demonic arts! I could never find a source of blood Qi pure enough to practice it myself"
Rolling your eyes, and ignoring his comment, you implant a command into the blood puppets as you rotate the swarm of bloody nails and swords around yourself. A simple directive, but it doesn't need to be more complex than "Protect me", and not having to directly control their movement is a prudent choice. Since it could become distracting puppeteering them to fight the possessed bones, while also clashing with a foe as dangerous as the forgotten king has proven to be.
A storm of nails and flying blades slams into the skeletons as they charge you, the blood made weapons exploding outwards as you open up your clenched fist and the blood puppets surging outwards as half a battle line and half a wave, counter charging and crashing into the mortal remains of Aodasheng's most loyal followers.
Spinning on your heel, you pull the remaining blood up your back, turning it in a long, hanging cape that splits at the bottom to spread outwards like a pair of clawed wings. The forgotten king hasn't wasted a moment, and is rushing towards you, a blood sword caught under his armpit and a dozen or so nails stuck into his arm.
Lifting up an arm, you turn the veins inside of it into a spiked whip, launching them from the cut in your palm as the forgotten king pulls his spear arm back to throw it at you with enough force to split a mountain.
"Expelling and moving your veins independently of your body?!" He exclaims, almost cheering as he sees them fly out of your arm and writhe through the air like giant parasitic worms escaping their dying host "I though such tales were an exaggeration! To further demonize the original practitioners of..."
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714579737},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5991598,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5991597
He stops talking as he realizes your veins are too durable to be easily torn or ripped apart, as his spear arm is wrapped up and sealed by them, holding it in place as he's now stopped dead in his tracks, unable to throw his spear and with his back up dancer corpses kept from attacking you from behind by your own puppets formed out of your own blood.
Smiling viciously, you pull him closer, dipping your other hand into the insides of your false wings and smearing it all over with a fresh coat of blood. Clicking his tongue, Aodasheng plants his heels into the ground, as the falling chamber starts to pick up more speed and he tries to stop himself from being pulled closer than he can fight with that long spear of his.
But its a vain effort, because you place a slick of blood under his feet, and the moment he trips, you tug and pull him through the air as you form the blood covering your hand into five, dagger sized blades. Wrapping your veins tighter around his arms, cutting through his ghostly armor and digging into his skin, you lunge at him as he's dragged up to you and slam those five blades of blood directly into his face, peeling off half of his draconic mask, revealing his grinning face. Which is now freckled with teal and turquoise scales
"Magnificent" He declares, exposed eye becoming a ball of teal fire as he grabs hold of your shoulder as he turns being dragged through the air into an advantage, slamming into your bodily and as the chamber is in free fall, both of you remain air born as the flesh of his cheek and neck splits from the five deep slashes you gave him, exposing muscle and bone.
However, with your veins wrapped tightly around and locking one of his arms in place, and your other hand now clawing into his face, he isn't able to force you into a contest of strength by grabbing onto and grappling with you. Lifting your head up, you counter a headbutt by reducing the distance between his forehead and yours, and lock gazes with him, grinning almost as excitedly as he is now that you're fighting him one on one, without any mortal dust to get in either of your ways from tearing the other to pieces. And that you've drawn just as much if not more blood from him than he has from you, certainly makes that grin you're wearing a little wider and happier.
"Show me more! More of the lost arts you've taken as your own!" He demands, fangs sprouting from the five gashes oozing blood along his face and neck.
The sinking feeling that the prison is going to slam into the bottom of the pit any second now, does little to quash the thrill of fighting someone who can actually keep pace with you after finding nothing but weaklings after you emerged from the meditation that forged your golden core!
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714579799},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5991601,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5991598
How do you attempt to break or take control of the grapple, Huanliuxue?
>Boil your blood, and while you grind and crush his arm with your veins, inject and spray it with your burning blood! [Alchemy/ Strength trial. DC 152]
>See if your paralyzing bite works on ghosts, and turn into a demon cat again to put more force behind it [Strength/ Carmine Mysticism trial. DC 180]
>Wrap your legs around his midsection, and try to flip him and slam his head into any solid ground you can find [Martial Trial DC 136]
>Breath a torrent of grudges into his face [Magic trial. DC 160]
>use the eye stealing grasp! [Martial Trial DC 148]
>write in","attachment":null,"posted":1714579859},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5991612,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991601
>Wrap the legs around his midsection
>Distract him by feinting with the eye stealing grasp.
He can pick which attack he suffers, or he can take both.","attachment":null,"posted":1714580476},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5991634,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991601
>use the eye stealing grasp! [Martial Trial DC 148]","attachment":null,"posted":1714583253},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5991663,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991601
>Turn into a cat and employ the Cat Escapes Cuddles technique","attachment":null,"posted":1714586339},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5991676,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991601
>>Wrap your legs around his midsection, and try to flip him and slam his head into any solid ground you can find [Martial Trial DC 136]","attachment":null,"posted":1714587802},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5991679,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991601
>Wrap your legs around his midsection, and try to flip him and slam his head into any solid ground you can find [Martial Trial DC 136]
Best not to get too greedy","attachment":null,"posted":1714588455},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5991686,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991601
>>5991612
wombo combo","attachment":null,"posted":1714588725},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5991709,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991601
>>Boil your blood, and while you grind and crush his arm with your veins, inject and spray it with your burning blood! [Alchemy/ Strength trial. DC 152]","attachment":null,"posted":1714590676},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5991728,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991612
Supporting","attachment":null,"posted":1714592635},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5991885,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991601
>use the eye stealing grasp! [Martial Trial DC 148]
Look carefully now! I stole this technique from a demon.","attachment":null,"posted":1714611718},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992079,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991601
>>use the eye stealing grasp! [Martial Trial DC 148]","attachment":null,"posted":1714628628},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992171,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991612
Supporting, time for some trickery","attachment":null,"posted":1714650647},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992196,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Ending and tallying the vote now.
Wrap your legs around his midsection, and try to flip him and slam his head into any solid ground you can find:6
-Combo:4
use the eye stealing grasp!:7
-Combo:4
Use your people's ancestral technique: 1
Boil your blood, and while you grind and crush his arm with your veins, inject and spray it with your burning blood! :1
So you'll use a bit of misdirection, wrapping your legs around Aodasheng and using with the eye stealing grasp as a feint, though you'll still aim to pluck out his eye, as you try to flip the ghost around and dash them against the nearest solid ground you can find.
Adjusted DC will be revealed at the end of the intermediary update, which will arrive shortly","attachment":null,"posted":1714655502},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992205,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"But the face of the weakling that gave you the most trouble, the contemptible Xue Laohue, flashes in your mind's eye. And you recognize the exact moment the memory of his wide eyed, half frozen expression was taken from. It was when you plucked out his eye, blinding him and quickening his demise, though it was already inevitable before you jabbed your fingers into his skull. He was doomed the moment he slaughtered your sister and crippled your mother, after all, even if you weren't yet born to hold a grudge against him when he did those awful things. However, even as you reflexively tense your first two fingers of the hand gripping Aodasheng's skull, you hesitate for a moment as an unpleasant thought sours the delicious memory of tearing out that old bastard's hateful eye. What if he recognize the eye stealing grasp? In his collection were some books that could've only been found in hell or the possession of devils or their toadies. And Aodasheng has enough fighting instinct that he certainly possess some level of foresight. He might have already seen two steps ahead and already seen that your next move is going to be trying to rip out his flame wrapped eye.
However, that battle precognition could be turned to your advantage. You can't predict what he'll do to counter having his eye torn out, since you have absolutely no idea what sort of style or techniques he uses or what he's capable of outside of your general insights of ghostly abilities, but you don't need to have a completely grasp of how he fights to know that he'll flinch or lean back when two fingers jab towards his eye, with sharpened and hardened blades of blood still attached to the back of the hand they belong to. Its instinct. Having your vision damaged is a death sentence in the wild, so avoiding it is something every creature born beneath the heavens does intuitively. A reflex. And he might be too long dead to have a functions survival instinct or any self preservation at all, but even without his body, his spirit will remember the danger of losing sight.
Moving to pluck out his eyes will be a feint. A quick distraction to allow you to take control of this struggle and slam him head first on the ground or ceiling, whichever is closest. And if he's able to resist being swung against the nearest solid surface, well, you'll just thrust your fingers into his eye anyways! If he avoids one attack, the other WILL land, and if he can't dodge either of them, well that's his misfortune and not yours!
Trickery/ Martial Trial. DC 142. Best out of five. If you fail by ten or less, the attack will still deal reduced damage ","attachment":null,"posted":1714656722},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992210,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 55, 66 = 121 (2d100)
>>5992205
Two Fold Strike","attachment":null,"posted":1714657131},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992215,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 58, 45 = 103 (2d100)
>>5992205
Whoops, here we go again.","attachment":null,"posted":1714657339},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992216,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 82, 61 = 143 (2d100)
>>5992205
Cmon bring it home","attachment":null,"posted":1714657627},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992217,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 70, 41 = 111 (2d100)
>>5992205","attachment":null,"posted":1714657667},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992218,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 62, 54 = 116 (2d100)
>>5992205","attachment":null,"posted":1714657781},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992219,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5992216
Success! Update will arrive shortly","attachment":null,"posted":1714657845},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992233,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Pulling your hand off of his face and pulling it back to the side of your own, you narrow your eyes, acting like you were calculating and judging the distance between you two tensed, and tightly pressed together fingers and the ball of fire the forgotten king's eye has turned into. There's a flicker of recognition in his ordinary eye, and his manic grin twitches at its corner. Quickly reinforcing the muscles, sinew and bone in your hand and its wrist to keep any of them from breaking or snapping if you miss or if his skull is sturdier than expected, you thrust your arm forward with all of your might and and speed. As you anticipated, Aodasheng expected you to go for his eye, and using his grip on your shoulder, forcefully twists the both of your around in the air, hoping to throw off your aim and dodge the jab through rotation. However, you'd come up with a counter to his counter as you were throwing your fingers forward to poke out his eye. Shifting the blood coating your hand, you gather it beneath the two fingers and quicker than you can throw a punch, sharpen, harden and extend it into two long needles.
The forgotten king wails in agony, the sound a familiar one of ghostly suffering, the same cries that piece through the nights by the yellow spring or echo up from the depths of these catacombs themselves, a cry of a tormented soul. His grip on your arm slacks, as he squints his now bleeding eye, as tear drops of teal fire drip from it, cooking the edges of the needles of blood still attached to your fingers. A chant begins to whisper in your ear, even though his lips aren't moving and he isn't saying anything. He's unleashing a curse on you.
Wrapping your legs around his midsection, locking them in place by folding them behind his back, you pull yourself closer until your chest is pressed against his, and with a flick of your fingers, make the tips of the needles spin, burrowing them deeper into his intangible eye. He howls again, wincing, but the chanting continues. And your gouging has failed to tear that blazing orb from its socket. Snarling, you decide to see if hammering his skull on the top of your needles will pop it out, and swinging your hips, twisting your waist violently, you throw your weight around and swing both yourself and the ghost king around, spinning rapidly through the air, the world blurring as the curse crawling into your ears continues to speak itself and you continue shoving and twisting the thin blades of blood into his skull, unable to force them any deeper than the surface of his eye of flame.
Seeing a mass of grey taking up the edge of your vision, you whip your hips again, and feel the crash of your opponent's skull against thick stone before your hear it. The vibrations ripple from down his neck to your legs, shuddering up your own spine until it shakes the skull and.
The sight of skeletons and puppets of blood fighting and the rest of the drab, featureless prison vanish.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714659385},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992235,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5992233
You and Aodasheng are now falling freely outside of the chamber, which quickly plumets out of view, leaving the two of you floating in the darkness of the pit.
The force of the impact from slamming him head first against a stone wall at least a few feet thick, has bent the blades of blood you'd jammed into his skull and sent them through the side of his head. But you can still see his eye, weeping and bleeding black, rotten blood and radiant, teal fire.
"That's a crow devil technique" He hoarsely says, grabbing hold of your wrist as you stare in wonder at the hole through the side of his face and the deep gouge through his eye and the flesh around it "Now, what is a principled lady like yourself doing learning from scavengers like them?"
"Right or wrong, are what I decided is good or bad!" You proudly answer "I only follow my own morality and ideals!"
"As you should!" He says just as proudly, voice half between a snarl and chipper approval of your approach to morality. He tightens his grip on your shoulder, you push your fingers closer to his eye, retracting the blade and deciding your own hand will be better suited to pulling it out.
Your ears start ringing, blood dribbles from your nose. The curse he's chanting is nearly complete. You can feel its roots slithering through your skull already, moving like greasy worms. Summoning all of your will and spiritual power, you push back against the hex before its too late to resist it
roll 2d100. Will/ Resistance trial. DC 150. Best out of five ","attachment":null,"posted":1714659445},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992239,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992235
oh shit!","attachment":null,"posted":1714659689},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992241,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 7, 33 = 40 (2d100)
>>5992239
and i dropped my dice","attachment":null,"posted":1714659750},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992242,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 24, 71 = 95 (2d100)
>>5992235
Heh. Is this what it's like to face an equal? Not even the Ogress has given us such a thrill!","attachment":null,"posted":1714659898},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992244,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 56, 17 = 73 (2d100)
>>5992235
CRITICAL SUCCESS INCOMING","attachment":null,"posted":1714660332},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992245,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 46, 34 = 80 (2d100)
>>5992235","attachment":null,"posted":1714660405},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992246,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 25, 6 = 31 (2d100)
>>5992235
NOT YET","attachment":null,"posted":1714660554},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992247,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"These are the worst rolls I’ve seen in a LONG time, 50 below is going to hurt","attachment":null,"posted":1714660630},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992248,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5992242
Ouch, failure by 50. Update will arrive shortly","attachment":null,"posted":1714660657},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992254,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992248
Okay guys,
I think its time to make use of the ghost light,
we need to tap out real quick and recover so we can go for a round two.","attachment":null,"posted":1714661770},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992257,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992254
Don't be a pussy, this is FUN
I also think we lost our safety net with the throne room being thrown out","attachment":null,"posted":1714662016},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992267,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"But the moment you begin to focus on your spiritual and magical defenses and bucking the curse off before it can sink into you fully, Aodasheng shoves the flat of his palm against your face with enough force to rip open some of the veins still wrapped around his spear arm. The face guard of your helmet dents, and presses against your nose. There's a wet sound, a cracking sound, and the blood dribbling out of your nose turns into a river and you start choking on it as you gasp for air, your vision filling with stars as your head rings, from the sudden strike that feels like it broke your nose and the curse nestling itself into you. Your legs go limp, and Aodasheng frees himself from their embrace and pulls his legs up to his chest as, panicking, you begin to decode the exact type of curse he's whispered into your ear.
It is a physical hex, a demonic mantra as much meant for the heat of battle as it is for subjecting someone outside of it to suffer a messy, prolonged death. Sparks fly in your vision as your thoughts become sluggish and labored, as your knowledge of the curse slips through your fingers like so much sand as you struggle to grasp what it is doing to you. Words like decay, fester, spoil, rot and wither roll around your skull as numbness washes over you, centered somewhere inside your head. Wincing, you reach up and touch your head.
But before you can think any more, Aodasheng kicks you full force with both of his legs, directly in the center of your stomach where the skeletal corpse of Xiongji had tried to chop you in half with his axe. He presses his heels down on the wound, and sends you rocketing deeper into the pit, the veins wrapped around his arms snapping one by one, each tear sending a jolt of pain piercing through the shroud of numbness and confusion. You free fall for awhile, spinning head over feet, blood and bile filling your helmet, as black sludge impurities ooze out of your eyes and ears and every thought you have eludes you. Unable to think or react beyond groaning in pain, there is only thing you can do.
Stepping out of your body and freeing yourself from whatever is afflicting it. And the moment you soul separates from its vessel, and the clouds in your mind lift, it dawns on you that you do in fact recognize the curse, the exact curse that Aodasheng spoke to you without moving his lips or speaking with his own voice, even if its name still escapes you.
Your body jostles, every limb limp as you hold it in the air through ethereal tethers like a spider's web and almost laugh at the audacity of it.
"A brain rotting curse?! If it was anyone else but me, that'd have been lethal!" You angrily shout up at him as you quickly set about repairing the damages done to your body as Aodasheng snickers and drifts down like it was a friendly joke instead of one of the deadliest curses still recorded in history.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714662381},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992269,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5992267
"I wouldn't have spoke it if I expected it to kill you, and this proves my theory that your body and your soul are not fastened together as firmly as they should be" He explains with a shrug of his shoulders, rubbing the tatters of his the arm that had moment ago been bound and wrapped up with your serrated veins, watching you curiously as mend your mortal flesh with a few patches of scarlet healing armor directly pressed against your injured brain. Your body shudders and starts twitching and thrashing as the decay that seeped into it is purged and flushed out, black oil pouring from your mouth as you mutter angrily to yourself.
"Asshole!" You snap, glaring at him as he smiles warmly "Who rots someone's brain during a spar?"
"Who tries to gouge out someone's eye during one? Also, this shows me that you're capable of healing yourself mid-battle, valuable information" He laughs, and you realize the eye you nearly tore out is firmly shut "I'll allow you to recover, as this is a friendly spar, just to decide who between us is the strongest! So neither of us should be holding anything back anyways!"
Somehow that pisses you off more than him having just turned a portion of your brain to moldering mush, that he's giving you a chance to catch your breath instead of pressing his advantage.
What do you do, Huanliuxue?
>Take the chance to recover, undo the damage the curse cause and square off against Aodasheng again, and fight defensively, knowing how vicious of a fighter he is now [Martial trial. DC 140]
>Toss your still empty body at him, knowing you've fixed the worse damages already and use it as an improvised projectile [Martial Trial. DC 116]
>Teleport your body back to the false ghost light, and tell him you'll fight him as a ghost for a time, after you've poured enough Qi into your spiritual body from your physical one's cultivation base to actually fight him, and start by throwing a few destructive yin spheres at him [Magic trial DC 128]
>Using your torn veins as puppet strings, attack Aodasheng with your soulless body, teaming up on him with yourself! [Martial trial. DC 160]
>write in","attachment":null,"posted":1714662448},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992270,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992269
>>Toss your still empty body at him, knowing you've fixed the worse damages already and use it as an improvised projectile [Martial Trial. DC 116]","attachment":null,"posted":1714662615},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992276,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992269
Hmmm.
I've got another idea. We lack a lot of things to deal with him specifically, but we've got a physique and a very very annoying enemy ahead of us, with the general trend being that we can each hit like trains, and can't defend so well.
>Toss our body at him, use it as a missile.
>Place a Dying grudge shield on the reverse of the body, so it's impact is multiplied. Especially if he tries to bat it aside.
We might want to try a few exorcist tricks from the night lantern sutra.","attachment":null,"posted":1714663089},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992280,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992276
The idea I had is infecting him with some sort of forgeign Yin QI and then swapping it for yang Qi through out usual shinanigence to make a sun.
Poison him with life, as it were.","attachment":null,"posted":1714663282},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992344,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992276
Supporting. I doubt anyone'd expect someone to fling their own body
Thinking for a second, Aodasheng is kind of a mirror for some of our skills, his corpse puppets versus Enmity Incarnation or that brain melter and our Weeping Scar Curse. No matter the outcome I can see us learning some new ways to use our skill set. As for the immediate issues, I wonder if Spiteful Blood Legacy might be a hidden ace against him, seeing as he created grudges not just with those of the earthly realm but of the heavenly realm too. We've only used its ability to temporarily give lingering resentment physical form in the past, but the other two uses (a buff and a grudge miasma) are potential ways to level the playing field.","attachment":null,"posted":1714668681},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992378,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992344
You know what would be funny? If the legacy curse brought a twisted shade of Xiongji out. When the real one is right over there still trying to work through his cranial destruction to figure out what the walls are trying to show him. Old book boy would be so fucking confused as to why his top lad is mad at him when he's the only one there that shouldn't be pissed off.
We were totally gonna give him his eye back after we took it though. Totally. Too bad it was in there so good! It makes me wonder, would he have used the eye stealing technique on his rival when they were both living back in the day? He did mention wanting to take his eye. Something to chat with him about. We can even tell him that we got OUR white whale's eye with that technique even. So stealing the eyes of people is something the two of us have in common kek","attachment":null,"posted":1714673481},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992397,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992269
>Toss your still empty body at him, knowing you've fixed the worse damages already and use it as an improvised projectile [Martial Trial. DC 116]","attachment":null,"posted":1714675303},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992453,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Wait guys, I have an idea... What if we use Grudge Enmity focusing on Qiang? If I remember correctly, Qiang has a special Perk which let her secure to either cripple or damage someone even if they're realms higher than her.
Could this translate to our fight? Would it give us advantage if we put a ton of grudge miasma on the air to obscure ourselves and make an "attack" that lets us use that perk?","attachment":null,"posted":1714681010},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992455,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992269
>Take the chance to recover, undo the damage the curse cause and square off against Aodasheng again, and fight defensively, knowing how vicious of a fighter he is now [Martial trial. DC 140]
Do you all really want to throw your soulless body at a bodyless ghost and expect him not to possess it?
Are you all for real?","attachment":null,"posted":1714681183},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992458,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992453
That's an idea to look into after we've mended our body.
Breathe an obscuring cloud of grudges and then incarnate the enmity of Qiang for the eye she lost.","attachment":null,"posted":1714681347},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992464,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992455
Oh shit you're right
>>5992269
Changing to
>Teleport your body back to the false ghost light, and tell him you'll fight him as a ghost for a time, after you've poured enough Qi into your spiritual body from your physical one's cultivation base to actually fight him, and start by throwing a few destructive yin spheres at him [Magic trial DC 128]","attachment":null,"posted":1714681705},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992488,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992270
>>Teleport your body back to the false ghost light, and tell him you'll fight him as a ghost for a time, after you've poured enough Qi into your spiritual body from your physical one's cultivation base to actually fight him, and start by throwing a few destructive yin spheres at him [Magic trial DC 128]
changing vote","attachment":null,"posted":1714684829},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992494,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992269
>Teleport your body back to the false ghost light, and tell him you'll fight him as a ghost for a time, after you've poured enough Qi into your spiritual body from your physical one's cultivation base to actually fight him, and start by throwing a few destructive yin spheres at him [Magic trial DC 128]","attachment":null,"posted":1714685516},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992499,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992269
>Teleport your body back to the false ghost light, and tell him you'll fight him as a ghost for a time, after you've poured enough Qi into your spiritual body from your physical one's cultivation base to actually fight him, and start by throwing a few destructive yin spheres at him [Magic trial DC 128]
I told you all we will need to teleport back.
>>5992254","attachment":null,"posted":1714685989},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992556,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992269
>Teleport your body back to the false ghost light, and tell him you'll fight him as a ghost for a time, after you've poured enough Qi into your spiritual body from your physical one's cultivation base to actually fight him, and start by throwing a few destructive yin spheres at him [Magic trial DC 128]","attachment":null,"posted":1714690897},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992583,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992455
Let him try it. It will be hillarious.
We have far better control and more tricks of what to do with it than he does. Dont step into the iron maiden if you dont want to get stabbed.","attachment":null,"posted":1714694115},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992586,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992269
>Toss your still empty body at him, knowing you've fixed the worse damages already and use it as an improvised projectile [Martial Trial. DC 116]
I like the grudge shield idea but it's lacking support unfortunately.","attachment":null,"posted":1714694472},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992610,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992583
He's already as strong as Huan without a body, hilarious for him maybe if we give him a flawless golden core body to inhabit.","attachment":null,"posted":1714695985},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992622,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992269
>Take the chance to recover, undo the damage the curse cause and square off against Aodasheng again, and fight defensively, knowing how vicious of a fighter he is now [Martial trial. DC 140]","attachment":null,"posted":1714697431},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992851,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992269
>Teleport your body back to the false ghost light, and tell him you'll fight him as a ghost for a time, after you've poured enough Qi into your spiritual body from your physical one's cultivation base to actually fight him, and start by throwing a few destructive yin spheres at him [Magic trial DC 128]","attachment":null,"posted":1714720527},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992929,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992610
Goig into our ɓody would be a really dumb move for him.
Our connection is stronger than his and we know our secrets.
Getting rid of our body to fight as a ghost is removing at least half of our toolbox. Blood qi, stellar qi, Primordial qi, physique, treaures.
Thats a foolish act.","attachment":null,"posted":1714736584},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5992973,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992269
>>Take the chance to recover, undo the damage the curse cause and square off against Aodasheng again, and fight defensively, knowing how vicious of a fighter he is now [Martial trial. DC 140","attachment":null,"posted":1714739922},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5993034,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992929
We give our body time to heal,
Meanwhile we engage with him.
Once we exchange blows,
we can bring back the body via ghost light, all healed up, and go back into it.
Our spirit has yet to falter, our body is only briefly wounded","attachment":null,"posted":1714742954},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5993418,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993034
It's defenseless without us. The only possible way to play this that I see would be to lure him in and explode our body to take him out. We can recreate it from a blood pool after all.","attachment":null,"posted":1714774413},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5993421,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993034
My big concern is that damage to our soul is far harder for us to fix than our body, and with our luck recently I can’t say I have high hope for us to avoid getting hurt.","attachment":null,"posted":1714774542},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5993469,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993418
Outside the chamber should be safe.
>>5993421
This is fair, we only need to go an exchange or two before popping back in our body.","attachment":null,"posted":1714779918},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994100,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Ending the vote, tallying its results now. Needed a day to recharge after writing another three part update, no idea why this one drained me more than the last but eh.
Toss your still empty body at him, knowing you've fixed the worse damages already and use it as an improvised projectile:4
-Place a dying grudge shield on your back:2
Take the chance to recover, undo the damage the curse cause and square off against Aodasheng again, and fight defensively, knowing how vicious of a fighter he is now:3
Teleport your body back to the false ghost light, and tell him you'll fight him as a ghost for a time, after you've poured enough Qi into your spiritual body from your physical one's cultivation base to actually fight him, and start by throwing a few destructive yin spheres at him:6
So you'll teleport your body, switching it with the false ghost light you placed on the stairs outside of the sealed chamber (that is currently plummeting to the bottom of the pit), after placing enough of your living Qi into you spectral body to still be able to fight him on equal footing, while the scarlet healing armor works its magic and heals the remaining damage from the curse
and you'll fight Aodasheng by tossing a few destructive yin spheres at him","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714839941239116.png","filename":"1712377838097310.png"},"posted":1714839941},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994152,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"However, just because it upsets you and feels almost insulting, isn't going to stop you from taking full advantage of the ghost king's sense of fairness while you still can. Ghosts, like cats, are fickle things after all. So, bobbing close to your body hanging in the empty expanse of somewhere in the middle of the seemingly bottomless pit, you change the shape of your spirit from its natural, ghost flame form into one resembling a spectral copy of you feline self, black mists of resentment wrapped around your paws and neck like a divine raiment. Placing a paw atop your physical body's lower dantian, you draw on your cultivation base kept within both of your cores and sluggishly churning through your meridians, working hard to expel the corruption still trapped inside of your still body. While the fading splotches of decay on your cheeks and neck have a certain prettiness to them, the stinking black oil that is dripping from those green purple bruises, the impurities that your Qi circulation is expelling as part of the healing process, certainly are not so bewitching and are certainly not as charming as the quickly vanishing patches of corroded flesh.
"The appearance of your ghost flame is unlike any spirit I have encounter, in life or death" Aodasheng suddenly speaks up, though you don't turn to face him as he rambles about your ghostly looks "Like a baleful red eye cursing the world, melting into vermillion blood and evaporating into bone white star dust, Yin and Yang in balance. A beauteous expression of yourself and your life journey, the essence of death mingled with the energy of life and the quintessence of the stars, more radiant and enduring than most souls of men. Transient and fleeting as they are"
"I won't be distracted by your rambling or your compliments, Aodasheng" You scoff, glancing at him as you continue filling the pool of spiritual energy you've created inside of your spectral form, transferring living Qi into and hiding it inside your ghostly existence, which even with how hastily you're absorbing the Qi from yourself and how much, is taking awhile. Even though you've drawn off enough Qi to sicken or cripple lesser cultivators, any difference in the amount of Qi inside of your body's cultivation base is so negligible you're pretty sure any change in its level is just your mind trying to trick itself into thinking its made an impact. And you don't know how long Aodasheng is going to give you to recover, or how much Qi you'll be able to implant into your spirit before he gets tired of waiting and launches another, sudden attack, manners and fairness be damned.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714842325},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994153,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5994152
"My apologies, it was not my intent, I simply can't help but to admire such a mysterious existence as yourself, and tend to speak my idle ponderings outloud" He replies with a friendly chuckle, and as if your thoughts had become prophecy, he changes his tone to take on an air of menace as he impatiently asks "How much longer will you require to recover to fighting strength?"
Clicking your tongue, you barely stop yourself from cursing, somehow feeling that thinking about Aodasheng growing impatient somehow made him lose his patience. But you aren't upset or worried that he has lost his patience and grown bored of waiting, even if it is kind of cheeky and very much rude to rush a lady, especially when she's making herself presentable, and you aren't concerned that he'll attack you before you're ready, because you've managed to create a free floating pool of your Qi, still tethered to your body's cultivation base, within your wandering soul.
And changing the shape of your spirit to face him, you smile and place back paw on your body's chest and with a thought, exchange the Yang energies rallying inside of it as your beautiful body's lifeforce goes into overdrive as it burns out the last of the curse energy, malice and decay infecting it, and replace it with the false ghost light you left on the steps outside of the prison that is still hurtling down towards an unseen floor.
"Ohoho! What a curious technique! I've never seen anything like it! Your body vanished without a flash or shimmer! It simply disappeared, how cunning a spell, to teleport without a trace or sign! Or so it would seem, but I've seen similar tricks in dice games, You've swapped your body with that ball of yin Qi like a cheat would fair and loaded dice. When the fight is over..." Your opponent begins to marvel, rambling on as he manages to figure out the basic concept of the phantom cat waltz moments after witnessing it in its pettiest form, but you cut him off
"Only if you beat me" You churlishly interrupt, knowing he's going to ask you to explain and teach the technique to him, though if you completely misread the situation...well that just gives you another reason to be the victor and win this friendly though increasingly dangerous spar, since then you'd have made a promise without knowing what you were promising to do "Now...BEGIN!"
"Hahaha! I suppose I deserve this"
roll 2d100. DC 128. Best out of five ","attachment":null,"posted":1714842386},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994158,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 11, 95 = 106 (2d100)
>>5994153
Man, the gang is going to hate this guy. Just because he talks without heed of anyone around him. The perils of getting used to talking to your own bones for ages.","attachment":null,"posted":1714843026},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994172,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1, 75 = 76 (2d100)
>>5994153
Let's fuckin ball.","attachment":null,"posted":1714844035},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994173,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994172
Welp had a feeling I'd roll a nat 1.","attachment":null,"posted":1714844096},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994181,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 94, 21 = 115 (2d100)
>>5994153
>Enemy Aura: Overwhelming Malevolence. Effect: Critfails reactivated. Range raised from 1, to 1 to 10. Counter effect from Huanliuxue's Aura: Ill Omen. Enemy Aura effectiveness reduced by half. Critfail range for duration of the fight, 1 to 5
Well that's bad news, gotta hope we make to just a mischief and not a full on critfail","attachment":null,"posted":1714844501},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994183,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 10, 30 = 40 (2d100)
>>5994153","attachment":null,"posted":1714844767},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994195,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994173
Then why'd you roll? You must trust your instincts, anon.","attachment":null,"posted":1714845036},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994202,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 64, 52 = 116 (2d100)
>>5994153","attachment":null,"posted":1714845161},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994223,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5994202
Failure, ten under dc
and
>>5994172
a critfail. Oof
Update will arrive shortly","attachment":null,"posted":1714845737},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994225,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Damn. Huan's actually gonna lose this fight.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714845814325273.jpg","filename":"1667604269142913.jpg"},"posted":1714845814},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994246,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Shifting between your cat, human and true ghostly appearance, you flit through the air like a shooting star, a shadow out of the corner of the eye, separating pieces of the qi you've gathered inside of your phantom body to create an opening volley of destructive yin spheres to restart the spar with a bang, casting the spell with a mixture of tail flicks, ear and whisker movements, hand signs and flares of your ghost flame as you dance around Aodasheng, changing the appearance of your free flying soul like you were nothing more than the shadows cast by a sputtering, dying flame.
Aodasheng keeps laughing, leaning against his spear as he stands on empty air, finding humor in the fact now he's the one falling victim to a sneak attack, not seeming at all concerned about the rolling, crackling balls of the raw energies of destruction flying towards him like a hail of arrows or tossed knives.
And you soon realize why he isn't making any moves to defend himself or dodge the volley, when his scaled arm shoots up from his side, shrinking in size and turning human again as he reaches out and grabs the first of the destructive yin spheres to reach him. It spins in his hand, but it doesn't warp or contort it or twist the arm attached to it. Instead, the ball of destructive forces begins to slow as you see that the skin of his palm has a thin layer of ghostly yin qi sheathing it. Qi he uses to transmute the Yin qi of the sphere from its destructive aspect to its ghostly and deathly form. And then, plucking it up by two of his fingers, opens his mouth wide and drops the sphere of Yin Qi directly onto his tongue and swallows it with a loud gulp. You pause mid step, blinking, completely baffled and utterly confused as to how he did that so quickly or why he chose to swallow the condensed ball of Qi instead of tossing it back at you after he clearly took control of it with his own spiritual energy. And the moment you begin to stare, wondering what the hell he's doing, that you realize exactly what he's doing.
He's healing himself. He's healing himself by defanging your spell, turning it harmless and then absorbing the Qi to regenerate his own ghostly essence. Your ears droop and you hang limply in the air, watching helplessly as he continues to pluck your destructive yin spheres out of the air with two fingers, like he was picking berries from a bush, and one by one, places them on his tongue and swallows them down, the gashes and tears on his ethereal flesh starting to knit and mend back together beneath a phantom like teal light as he continues to make a snack out of your attack.
And disbelief and humiliation turn to fury as the sight of it offends you so greatly you nearly fly into a rage that would make Xiongji's rampages seem like the mewling of a hungry kitten.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714846968},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994249,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5994246
But before you can carry out your retribution and satisfy the anger bubbling up inside of you, Aodasheng spins around and wreathing his spear in destructive yin energy, hurls it your way!
roll 2d100. Reaction/ Agility or Magic Trial. DC 120 ","attachment":null,"posted":1714847029},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994250,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5994249
best out of five of course.","attachment":null,"posted":1714847089},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994259,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 46, 14 = 60 (2d100)
>>5994249
The earth quakes, but the skies are quiet.","attachment":null,"posted":1714847545},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994264,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994259
God, it really is so over for us with no chance of coming back, huh.","attachment":null,"posted":1714847647},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994266,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 83, 26 = 109 (2d100)
>>5994249
Hey guys what if we eat his sphere like he ate our balls? Guys why are you laughing?","attachment":null,"posted":1714847694},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994280,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 97, 93 = 190 (2d100)
>>5994249","attachment":null,"posted":1714848434},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994282,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994246
>>5994280
Whoo, yeah","attachment":null,"posted":1714848560},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994287,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994280
So what's the plan, yoink or return to sender? kek. Damn what a roll.","attachment":null,"posted":1714848821},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994289,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994249
>>5994280
>>5994287
Let's go with Magic Trial","attachment":null,"posted":1714848900},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994291,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994246
I don't wanna roll that 190 is gold","attachment":null,"posted":1714848968},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994293,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5994291
Have courage junior.","attachment":null,"posted":1714849079},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994295,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 74, 30 = 104 (2d100)
>>5994246
Fuck it we ball round 2","attachment":null,"posted":1714849113},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994325,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 20, 41 = 61 (2d100)
>>5994249","attachment":null,"posted":1714850628},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994327,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5994280
Heavens shattering success! 70 over DC. Update will arrive shortly","attachment":null,"posted":1714850724},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994356,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994327
I demand this scene: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=a5OPCzVjvL8","attachment":null,"posted":1714852117},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994429,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"https://youtu.be/KS13XGG8rAY
_
You narrow your eyes, focusing on the split in two tip of the spear wrapped in iron thorns, and the anger welling up inside of you refines itself, turning from a searing heat to a deadly, calculating cold. Survival instincts and any alarm you might've felt numbed from the distance between the danger fast approaching and your body and the knowledge that the spear will only dissipate and not destroy your soul, which would be painful and cause any number of problems, both within and without out your body and while it would be a challenge to regather and condense your spirit and heal any damage done to it, it wouldn't impossible nor do you think it'd take someone of your talent and towering intellect long to achieve.
So, confident that the spear hurtling towards you, writhing with enough destructive yin Qi to blast a hole in the side of the moon, black sparks and arcs of lightning roiling down its length and off of it like it was the core of a world shattering storm, you instead quickly run through the options at hand to reflect rather than deflect or avoid the spear, rage refined into razor edged wiliness without any panic or self preservation to hold it back. Judging from how much force Aodasheng put into his throw, and how fast the spear is moving as well as the amount of destructive yin qi he redirected from his gullet and poured into the treasure in the moment before he spun around and hurled it at you, it will arrive and pierce through you in a blink of an eye, faster than even the most perceptive of eyes could track. However, time has become something you hold power over. The initial form of the specter lightness skill wouldn't be enough for you to react in time to the spear, let alone enough for you to counter it or grab it and throw it back with a smile smug enough to make the gods seem humble. It would, if you move as quickly as you possibly could, allow you to avoid being skewered like a piece of meat, but you know you won't be able to move quickly enough to avoid being hit entirely.
But the awakened form of the Youling-Qinggong, the "True" Specter Lightness Skill: Broken Clock (真实-幽灵-轻工:破 钟 , Zhēnshí-Yōulíng-Qīnggōng: Pòzhōng), would allow you to do whatever you please with the spear, leap out of the way, grab it, or kick it back.
<https://youtu.be/KwGNDJfSmFk>
The empty gloom of the pit turns grey, all color draining out of the world around you, the colorful ghostly fire surrounding Aodasheng and the scales of the parts of him that have turned partially into a dragon-looking monster bleeding to the bleakest and most dreary shade of gray imaginable as even the pitch black spiritual energy wreathing and rippling his spear is reduced to simply a darker shade of grey.
Time slows, quickly, as you draw upon the well of Qi you implanted into your wandering spirit and the dense yin qi filling the pit at the center of these ancient tombs.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714854542},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994431,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5994429
Normally, you'd hesitate to use this secret art, for fear of one of your trump cards being figured out by your opponent, and Aodasheng has enough fighting sense to be able to comprehend and thus counter it. If he was allowed a glimpse of it. If. Rather than gradually dragging the flow of time itself to a halt, you place your paw down in front of it, an exerting all of your spiritual power and force of will, command it to stop immediately. Aodasheng freezes, arm still outstretched in a throwing stance as the spear digs through the stopped sphere of time, stubbornly refusing to obey the laws of reality itself until it to halts and freezes in place. Glowering, still angry with the ghost king for making a fool out of you and happily slurping down your attacks, and not only that but then having the audacity to replenish himself with them, you can tell your ghostly form becomes a little more monstrous, though you don't throw a fit of pique, even if your also frustrated at how much Qi and effort it took to cast this spell as quickly as you did.
If there was an audience of this fight, surely they'd declare it as the feat it was and applaud it as show of your peerless and unrivaled genius and mastery. But no one's watching not even the dead. Trying not to puff up with pride too much, you count the seconds you'll be able to keep time stopped, and create several layers of Dying Grudge Shields (垂死怨怼㕹,Chuísǐyuànduìfá), around the tip of your foot as you change the shape of your soul to mirror your human self. Carefully folding them, one over the other so that when they break and shatter, their force will be directed into the next layer and further multiplied until one of the protection spells lasts long enough to return the attack and spear to its sender!
Pulling your leg back, you slam your heel against the tip of the spear, and immediately the two sources of destructive yin Qi react to one another. Time begins to sluggishly flow again, as one, two, and then three layers of magical barriers shattered immediately. The fourth cracks, the fifth buckles, the sixth and seventh dent, the eight pits, but the ninth and last dying grudge shield stands firm and unbroken. the Forgotten King's fingers twitch, as time begins to slip from your hold on it and move freely once again as great arcs and pillars of pure destructive energy erupt from the space between your foot and the destruction imbued spear head until, as color slowly returns to the world, the protection spell around your heel spits back out all of the gathered destructive potential.
The air itself waves and ripples, and then cracks appear in the gloom as for a moment, the fabric of reality is cracked by the sheer power of the attack you countered and reflected back with a kick.
Time resumes in full as you finish the kick, your leg lifted over your head, smoke rising from its heel.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714854603},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994433,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5994431
"DAMMIT!" Aodasheng curses, eyes wide as he sees his spear rocket back towards him in the center of roiling vortex of destructive Yin Qi, shaped crudely into spinning lance centered on the space between its split tongue head. He shifts to a defensive stance, trying to erect a protection spell of his own, eyes bulging as he tries to match a cat in reaction time.
Needless to say, he fails. as the spear and all of the magnified force behind it rip through the space between the two of you, destroying even that as it cuts through the air and flies through Aodasheng, leaving a gaping hole in his side that extends up to his shoulder, leaving it hanging in a formless mist of black blood and malicious energy. His expression remains locked in place, eyes wide as torrents of rotting blood and decaying spiritual energy pour out of the wound, the hole in his chest widened, his ribs and spine revealed in full as his viscera and internal organs spill out and float freely.
You maintain your current posture, leg lifted over your head as Aodasheng slowly looks over his shoulder, and your eyes follow his gaze to see the spear continue its flight at an upward tilt. Higher, higher it soars until it flies out of sight, leaving only a trail of distorted space in its wake
A moment later, there is a loud boom, and then another, as the chamber the forgotten king was sealed in hits the ground, and as his spear cuts through the catacombs and pierces through the mountain. A bright stream of light drips through the hole it bored through the earth, and Aodasheng's look of shock slowly inverts into a peaceful smile as he feels sunlight wash against his face for the first time in centuries
"Even chilled by the ghostly mists of this tomb, that is a feeling I had missed, the sun against my cheeks" He laughs, eyes flaring as both of his arms turn into dragon's claws and large, whipping tail erupts from his cracked spine as he turns to face you, looking thrilled as a wave of killing intent and bloodlust washes over you. It is enough to kill a dragon and make a martial god flinch. You just lower your leg and flick an out of place lock of hair out of your eyes as he starts to cackle and snarl
"And I've also missed this feeling! The feeling of a true challenge!" He bellows, several eyes bursting through the scales of his arms, all bearing the cold gleam of a killer within them as he bares his fangs and his claws, and holds out his hand.
From the bottom of the bit, a sword flies up to his palm as he, half a dragon, adopts another defensive stance, legs bent at the knees and shoulders lowered as he leans forward, sword arm held back and an open palm beckoning you to come forward and bury your own fangs into him.
"Aren't you worried about your spear?" You ask smugly, feeling much better after you put a massive hole in him and the mountain that killed him
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714854664},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994435,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5994433
"The spear of mortal death ( 矛的会死死亡 , Máodīhuìsǐsǐwáng)always finds its way back to its master, and I urge you to return to your body, for I shall hold nothing more back" Aodasheng says, barely able to contain his excitement even as you can hear the pain in every word he speaks, his blinded eye wincing as he moves with a giant, bloody hole through his side that nearly tore him in two "Though, it may just reach the heavens, with how forcefully you kicked it away!"
"Lets hope it doesn't" You say with a click of your tongue as you readopt your own, ethereal stance, hands raised up like paws reaching for a passing bird as you watch the sword in Aodasheng's clawed and scaled hand as he tests its weight with a few swings.
"I hope it will. What better way to announce my return to the world of the living" He says, the cold, murderous intent in his eyes softening to almost be warm, though their jolliness looks more deranged than pleasant.
What do you do, Huanliuxue?
>Return to your body and leap into the pit, aiming to land the shooting star stampede directly on top of Aodasheng's already cracked skull [Martial trial. DC 165]
>Suggest a change of battle grounds, since it feels like a waste for no one else to witness your clash with such a powerful opponent
>Summon your own treasures, and combine the powers of ghost empress melody and moon collapse to strike against Aodasheng with a maddening melody [Magic trial. DC 145]
>"Hah, if only the blood moon was out, then I could match you step for step, but alas, the blood seeking flower cannot blossom in this gloom, Heh-Heh" Then attack him by using his own blood to fuel a swarm of vein draining fangs and retrieve one of the swords of blood you created [Magic+Martial Trial. DC 150]
>write in","attachment":null,"posted":1714854729},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994454,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994435
>Channel the frozen bastard and his impenetrable defense","attachment":null,"posted":1714855397},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994477,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994435
>Suggest that we battle high in the sky, so that all may see!
>Channel Qiang and attack him with a sword of blood.","attachment":null,"posted":1714856619},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994480,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994454
A grudge against beasts and all heresy beneath the heavens, a self-hating state on two counts facing an even more renowned if forgotten heretic. That would be a very strange mindset to get into. But this overwhelming amount of Yin Qi would probably make some seriously unbreakable ice.
Could we even emulate the icicle enough to pull it off, though? Even Huan couldn't possibly be as self-righteous as that cold bastard, right?","attachment":null,"posted":1714856861},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994491,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994435
>>5994454
+1
>>5994480
She just needs to embody them, which she can totally do.","attachment":null,"posted":1714858023},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994501,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994491
But I dont think she ever would.
The old fossil is. . The thing she hates most about the modern era, distilled and refined. Why would she ever wish to be that cunt.","attachment":null,"posted":1714858989},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994507,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994501
Is it not a complete affront to his beliefs to have someone like Huan use his mien for their own ends? I think he'd be pretty inwardly angry at the impersonation, spitting on his grave in a way.","attachment":null,"posted":1714859571},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994548,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994507
Its also a complete affront to Huan to pretend to be a child murdering, self rightious dog of the Heavens who takes an active pride in killing thinking, feeling, confused young souls because they violate a mandate set in place to erase the history of noble beasts.
Dressing up as a child killer is not an insult to the child killer, its just gross.","attachment":null,"posted":1714863327},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994702,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994435
If he wasn't serious until now I don't want to underestimate him.
>>5994477
I support this but also add that we retrieve our body on the way.","attachment":null,"posted":1714873510},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994710,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994435
>"Hah, if only the blood moon was out, then I could match you step for step, but alas, the blood seeking flower cannot blossom in this gloom, Heh-Heh" Then attack him by using his own blood to fuel a swarm of vein draining fangs and retrieve one of the swords of blood you created [Magic+Martial Trial. DC 150]","attachment":null,"posted":1714873785},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994749,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994435
>"Hah, if only the blood moon was out, then I could match you step for step, but alas, the blood seeking flower cannot blossom in this gloom, Heh-Heh" Then attack him by using his own blood to fuel a swarm of vein draining fangs and retrieve one of the swords of blood you created [Magic+Martial Trial. DC 150]","attachment":null,"posted":1714875333},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5994892,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994435
>Suggest a change of battle grounds, since it feels like a waste for no one else to witness your clash with such a powerful opponent","attachment":null,"posted":1714885010},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5995183,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994435
At least the big hole in his chest might have leveled things out for us, though if we ever decide to "spar" again we'll probably need a whole new bag of tricks with how fast he picks understands techniques.
>Channel Qiang and attack him with a sword of blood.
>Return to our body
Embodying Xue Laohue is an interesting idea, but feels out of character in my eyes. Besides, I feel Monu or even Fu's masks could take advantage of this situation better.","attachment":null,"posted":1714925676},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5995394,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Ending and tallying the vote now.
Enmity Incarnation, Devil of grudges Xue Laohue's dying grudge *Gross*: 2
Enmity Incarnation, Devil of grudges, Qiang's grudge over losing her eye, and attack with a sword formed of blood: 3
-And return to your body:2
Suggest a change of battle grounds, since it feels like a waste for no one else to witness your clash with such a powerful opponent:3
-Suggest that you move the battle to high in the sky, so all may see:2
"Hah, if only the blood moon was out, then I could match you step for step, but alas, the blood seeking flower cannot blossom in this gloom, Heh-Heh" Then attack him by using his own blood to fuel a swarm of vein draining fangs and retrieve one of the swords of blood you created: 2
Very close round of voting, but since the two with three votes, activating the grudge Qiang holds for having lost her eye and a change of scenery, can be easily combined, and two out of those three votes also ask for returning to your body and changing the battlefield to the sky (Stylish), those sub options will be included as well
SO
You'll wear the mask of somber Qiang, returning to your body and creating a sword from your blood, and suggest moving the fight to the skies, so all may witness the awesome clash between the empress of beasts and the Forgotten King
Update will arrive shortly, and DC will be revealed with it.","attachment":null,"posted":1714943399},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5995451,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":""Heh, I can appreciate that level of arrogance and audacity" You say with a chuckle, shaking your head as you try not to let the worry that your clash with Aodasheng might attract the attention of the gods show on your face or voice "But, if you're going all out, we'll have to pause the fight for a few more moments, so I can repossess my body and be able to use all of my attributes and abilities, natural, miraculous or cultivated to put you on your back and bury you again, Heh-Heh"
"Even a fraction of your full cultivation base contains enough spiritual energy to outlast some sects, that abnormally formed golden core you possess is truly awe-inspiring. Not even the stars of my era possess a core so refined, and of such supremely high quality" Aodasheng says, dropping his stance and relaxing, rubbing his head and starring at his insides as they spill outside of him "Do hurry, I really am fired up and don't think I can hold back attacking and restarting the fight on my own terms just to keep my hands from trembling from excitement"
"Well, you'll need to be patient a bit longer than a few seconds, since I've decided it is grave waste that now one is watching our bout, that there's no witness to our awesome clashes and no audience to applaud this incredible duel except for the dead. Isn't it a shame? That there's no one to cheer us on or run in terror, fleeing from our battleground like mice from grain? It's kind of pitiful and sad, isn't it? It is isn't it! That there's one to be amazed about our power as we clash, again and again and shake the earth and the skies!"
"Hmm, I was thinking you wouldn't trust me enough to let me leave the tombs before one of us stands over the other as the victor, but if you are willing to allow me to meet the sun and breath in fresh, living air before then, well I will not complain at being given a chance to relish the morning sun and feel the breeze against my face after so long" He says, sounding truly touched as he pulls a handful of his guts back into his blasted open stomach "And I won't let the chance to show off and display my power to the masses who have forgotten my name and the terror and respect it once instilled in them to slip by. I assume, you have a new arena in mind, as I am not exagerating, if you keep me waiting, I might go a touch mad"
You grin and jab one finger up towards the sky, cackling as Aodasheng flashes a truly wicked looking smile, his face tearing at the seems as fangs as thick as your thumb push through his cheeks and they eyes sprouting with the scales on his arms squint in amusement
"The sky?" He laughs, clearly enjoying the thought as much as you are excited by it, since turning the whole of the sky into your battleground just sounds like it'd be entertaining, and what better theater to show off your awe-inspiring power and martial and mystical prowess than high in the sky for all the world to see
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714947978},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5995453,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5995451
"Where better to show off our might to the worms crawling below us?" You snicker, though there are a few reasons besides vanity and pride that made you want a change of scenery, some more pragmatic than others. You cultivate and use a variety of types of Qi, and while the dense deathly and ghostly air down here is as much of an advantage to you as it is Aodasheng, the forgotten king himself is a ghost and has shown he can heal his ghostly body by devouring ghostly yin Qi. He hasn't done it outside of showing off the ability to humiliate and piss you off, but it would still be wise to get him out of the place where Deathly Yin Qi gathers the thickest and purest in anywhere outside of the underworld itself!
And also, with how strong he's proving to be, just to be safe, you want to get him the hell away from your adorable students and precious temple sitting in the upper reaches of the catacombs. If you keep fighting here, the whole mountain might collapse on top of the two of you, along with everything and one inside of it.
"I accept these terms, but don't keep me waiting, Lady Huanliuxue" he says with a firm nod, as, with a red string, he starts stitching himself back together, humming like he was a girl weaving silk threads to make a dress. And not wanting to waste the massive damage you dealt to him, you do hurry and return to your body, finding Xiongji crouched before it, poking your rosy cheeks flushed with life with a finger, checking to see if you were dead or not.
"You win?" He grunts, as you sit suddenly up in front of him, and drool out a grey mass of mold that had been left in your mouth when all the other impurities and gunk had been expelled
"Still fighting" You answer, as you roll onto your feet, and slice open one of your wrists with your nail, since the cuts across your hand had stopped bleeding and dried up "Don't have time to explain"
And with that, you dive off of the ledge of the stairs, leaving Xiongji to scratch his head as he watches you vanish into the darkness.
Closing your eyes, you think about Qiang, the only inheritor of the ruler of the great wheel's law. The somber swordswoman, the brooding former assassin, the dour one eyed girl. How terrible of a liar and actor she is, the pride she has with her swords work, her firm loyalty to you and Fu. She might share most of her powers with you, since you've taught her and she practices your self taught law, but she has talents and skills that you just...don't. And while she dealt with most of the grudges herself, there is one she fosters that is so fresh that it stings even your tongue adapted to the venom of enmity and the burn of resentment.
She doesn't mention it, but she despises the ghosts who cursed her eye, even though she's already avenged herself upon them. Some grudges persist beyond death, and some remain even after they've been satiated with the sweet liquor of revenge.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714948038},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5995454,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5995453
Qiang's is one of the second types, and if you'd had to guess, the source of her contempt is not that she lost her eye or had her beauty marred by the injury, but that she had to re-train her swordsmanship to account for her loss of depth perception and the frustrations of having to relearn what she's already mastered.
And while it certainly isn't the strongest grudge you keep locked up in your lungs and belly, Qiang natural talent as a killer and swordfighter are more than enough to make it worthy for you to collect and store away. And since you've never embodied this grudge of her before, who knows, maybe it holds some secret power that will make it your rumored daughter one of the masks you often put over your own beautiful face.
Reminding yourself that Qiang rarely smiles, you instead force yourself to frown and look gloomy, making your eye lids droop as you plummet through the air as you stiffen up your posture and droop your shoulders to make yourself look as short as Qiang is, while holding your sliced open wrist at your side, treating your arm like a sheath as you use your other hand to pull out a copy of Qiang's own sword made out of your moondust infused blood. It shines in the light.
Sighing heavily, you try to imagine what Qiang thinks like and what she thinks about. Somber and Serene thoughts about refining a single strike in a sequence of twelve, about polishing and sharpening blades, annoyance at being mistaken for your master's daughter again, Irritation towards the loud and boisterous, worries about being cooked in a demon's pot, where to cut, slice and stab to kill someone in one blow, the vital organs and veins of men and beasts, detailed sketches of exactly where these lay inside of a targets body. As your frown deepens, you close one of your eyes and seal it shut, ghostly white mist crawling around you as your untamed mane of scarlet red hair is pulled straight and then tied into a neat ponytail, sparkling in the gloom that surrounds you as the white mist pulls around you and obscures your silhouette as the shadows darken around you.
Qiang's enmity is unlike Xiongji's, Monu's, or Fu's. Neither blazing hot or cold, nor as heavy as your first disciples. It is the resentment of a shining sword used to cut down innocent lives, of a blade chipped in battle, of watching the wealthy and corrupt flourish as others starve. It is the shade of her past, when she was used as a tool by those who could afford to hire her, towards the masters who reduced her to little more than a pair of hands wielding a sword, it is gloom that hovers over her pride in her skill wielding a sword and the anger at having that talent threatened. The quiet disgust of a killer who dreamed of being a hero, and through shedding more blood and ending more lives, became just that.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714948099},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5995458,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5995454
There is no guilt or shame in killing villains, unlike how Fu is driven by the victims of evil to seek it out and chop it to pieces, Qiang simply finds where it exists and cuts it down without pity or remorse. More duty than passion. Qiang's grudge, is not a belly full of burning oil, a mouthful of freezing air, or a cloak of vengeful spirits whispering in your ear. It is trudging through a mire made of blood and soil, with blade in hand and a sense of responsibility and guilt driving you forward to cut more throats and take more heads to make the world a better place, while sinking deeper and deeper into the sludge and filth that spreads with every death without complaint or distaste for the work, head held high knowing you're making a difference with every life you end.
Interesting. A much more refined and calm type of grudge, rather than the seething hatred of Xiongji, the cool enmity your mother holds, or the righteous fury of Fu. Qiang's grudge is quiet, subdued and lethal.
And her one eyed mask falls over your face, as you wrap your hand around the hilt of your blood forged blade and steel your heart to once more soak yourself in the blood of the wicked, hidden in the gloom and dark, stalking them unseen, cool and composed.
And as you fall through the air, cloaked by foreboding mists and ready to quick draw your sword just as Qiang does, you see a glint in the darkness ahead and smirk, without breaking character, as while a smile is a rare sight on her face, Qiang does smile from time to time.
Aodasheng is flying up to meet you. Lifting your chin, you flip yourself to stand in the air, sensing through his killing intent that he intends to fight you all the way up through the sky. And somehow, just thinking about the ringing of clashing swords makes the smile on your face stick around longer than it should. And it is part of your role to test yourself against other's swordsmanship. And you know exactly why Qiang strives to improve her bladework and whose head she's aiming to for with it.
Breathing out, you crouch down, slowly your descent through the specter lightness skill, your body becoming less substantial as you calculate your fall and when you'll cross blades with Aodasheng and what you see as he closes the distances makes your eyes pop wide open.
Glowing dots placed around his monstrous form, like a diagram of the meridians or acupoints. Lines drawn across his limbs and neck and laid over certain other parts of his body. And you realize that each dot and line is showing you a vital place to strike or a cut to make that'll sever a arm or cut an artery. Something Qiang must see in her mind's eye whenever she looks at someone, a subconscious assassin's guide to lethal blows and decisive strikes.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714948160},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5995460,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5995458
But more than techniques like the Vein Hunting Eye (血管猎-眼睛, Xuèguǎnliè-yǎnjing), this instinct outline of where to cut someone, shows you sequences of slices to make or the order of the organs to target, instead of just showing the flow of blood and life as the vein hunting eye does or Qi as its inspiration, the hunter deity eye does.
And, as your opponent flies up and gets closer to you, you can see faint images of the possible moves he might make and the possible responses or counter to them, formed out of the mist and gloom around you but hidden from his view.
'Ah, so her grudge has made her instincts mine!' You realize, forcing your smile down as you nearly grin very unlike Qiang would and instead make your face look solemn and stern 'A lifetime's worth of training with the sword, earned in a flash, Heh-heh-heh! How amusing! Better not tell Qiang though, it might upset her to know her how quickly I "learned", Heh-Heh-heh'
And as one of the visions in the mists hiding you grows more and more detailed and visible than the others, you can't but help to wonder if this cheat will be enough to let you come out on top as you clash your blade with Aodasheng all the way up to the sky and...OF COURSE IT WILL BE! This is your student's style of swordsmanship, after all!
Martial/ Stealth trial. DC 115. Best out of five ","attachment":null,"posted":1714948245},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5995462,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5995460
roll 2d100 of course. accidentally deleted that part as I hit post, forgive me juniors","attachment":null,"posted":1714948305},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5995465,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 8, 32 = 40 (2d100)
>>5995460","attachment":null,"posted":1714948406},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5995468,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 85, 82 = 167 (2d100)
>>5995460
Best daughter.","attachment":null,"posted":1714948526},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5995479,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 68, 53 = 121 (2d100)
>>5995460
LET'S GOO!","attachment":null,"posted":1714949277},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5995485,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 95, 1 = 96 (2d100)
>>5995460
Second best girl mode let's GOOOOOOOOOOOOO","attachment":null,"posted":1714949528},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5995489,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995485
lmao shit. Well this is gonna be interesting. I guess the fact Huan never really has had a proper swordfight with someone is gonna come out?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714949619484547.jpg","filename":"987374985876.jpg"},"posted":1714949619},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5995496,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 72, 68 = 140 (2d100)
>>5995460
Qiang really just got Eyes of Death Perception. I wonder if they provide the power to kill concepts too.","attachment":null,"posted":1714949848},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5995498,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995485
5 degrees of success but we've got a mischief in coming, guess Qiang's grudge comes bundled with her comedic bad luck","attachment":null,"posted":1714949862},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5995500,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995485
Dammit, the probability to roll 100 and 1 is the same, so WHY????","attachment":null,"posted":1714949918},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5995503,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995498
>inb4 the sage asks "Why do you look like you if you had a daughter?" and we headbutt a wall","attachment":null,"posted":1714950038},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5995505,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5995468
Fantastic success, 50 over DC. However
>>5995485
This will make things interesting
Update will arrive shortly
>>5995498
>>5995503
Heh.","attachment":null,"posted":1714950122},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5995547,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"https://youtu.be/hG6ZNNWLb6U_
Confident in your borrowed sword skills, and with a plan of attack laid out before and put into your eyes, you breath out, a cloud of vapor rising from your lips to join the obscuring mist that hides the string of sword moves, stance changes and agile movements to bring Aodasheng to his knees in the quickest way possible, you flick your sleeve, tilt your swords blade as you change to a double handed grip and with a clear and calm mind, lunge, kicking off a dying grudge shield you created behind your foot as you moved your hand that had served as the "sheath" for the sword of blood a moment ago to its hilt. The barrier spell shatters immediately, and gives a boost to your momentum as you match the spectral copies only your eyes can see, and smirk as you see Aodasheng unknowingly stepping into the exact position and posture Qiang's instincts predicted he would.
You pass by him like thunder, moving like wind as you swing and catch him under his arm as he raises up his blade. He thrusts it down, making use of the mutability of his soul to change his position, stepping to your side as mist, and once more stepping to fill an outline of himself as you press your heel down on a basic protection spell, using the barrier as solid ground to anchor yourself to as you turn and flip your blade around, crouching as you turn its edge upwards and swing it up in a long crescent, and taking one step forward midswing, catch Aodasheng's wrist instead of the guard or edge of his own blade.
His severed hand flies off into an arc, but remains connected to him and under his control. it spins around, and making use of its new found freedom of movement detached from its arm, flies down as Aodasheng lashes out with his free, clawed hand, which stretched out and distorts as he moves exactly as you foresaw in the foggy gloom you're hiding in, making avoid the wild lunge a breeze as you slide under his legs and cut open his back as you rise back up. And then block his sword as his hand flies at you from the side. The ghost king arcs his back, wincing, snarling as gouts of teal and turqoise fire drip from his now much more draconic looking face, as a horn sprouts from his brow and, in a fit of frustration at being unable to catch you and finding out how adept you are at sword fighting, tries to plant his foot in your chest as his hand flips around over your head and repositions for a plunging attack.
And both the hand and body step into the spaces you saw, as the lines you'd been following and tracing with your sword tighten and line up to become a point of light in the center of Aodasheng's mouth. And that makes you realize, that the kick is just a feint, he's actually going to try and chop down on your throat! Maintaining a cool face and demeanor, you step back, crouching low and drawing your sword back to your side, sheathing it inside of your wrist and maintaining its shape and cohesion with a fresh supply of blood.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714953785},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5995549,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"And, following what Qiang's instincts predict, like repeating the steps of a dance, you lunge upwards, unsheathing and flicking your blade up as you nearly leap up over Aodasheng, as the two of you continue to climb higher and higher into the air, and strike the sword on its guard, sending it spinning away as he finally realizes the effort of clashing swords with you is wasted and he steps forward, arms held out as his neck extends and he opens his mouth wide to snap down, not on your neck as you expected, but your arms. Smirking, you step forward, sword held over your head, and trusting the vision of the plan, stab it down and thrust it through the bottom of his mouth, pinning it open as he groans in pain, pushing you back as he steps forward, eyes wincing as he grasps out his throat, unable to close his jaws around your arms even though you've nearly shoved both of them down his throat and
Something brushes the back of your neck, and you nearly leap out of your skin as it felt like you've been branded. Seeing the chain of moves changed before your eyes, you step out of line and break the sequence, tearing the sword out of his jaw and leaping back, and higher towards the skylight you made by kicking his spear through the mountain.
And just like your own instincts had warned, your lip splits, a shallow cut through the middle of it. Another curse, you were so focused on the last step of the string of sword strikes that you stopped paying attention to his disembodied hand and its place in the prediction.
"You're a woman of many talents" Aodasheng slurs, holding his jaw as his hand floats at his side, a curse written in black blood in a circle in its palm and climbing up its first and middle finger "And good instinct, though your demeanor has changed and I do not expect that face you're wearing to be your own, is it voluntary possession? A secondary personality? or is this like actors and priestess do, taking on another's persona and character, channeling them and becoming them?"
It is almost creepy how quickly he's able to comprehend techniques after seeing them once, even if he hasn't figured out Enmity incarnation, Devil of Grudges (敌意具人形, 魔鬼的恩怨, Díyì jù rénxíng, Móguǐdeēnyuàn) entirely, that he was able to come so close to its basic and foundational principles on his first guest is a little unnerving and
"FUCK!" You shout out, having gotten completely off guard as he started attacking again, and nearly drop Qiang's mask as you raise up your sword to block his next strike. There's no opening in the predicted sequence of clashes, and so you just remain on the defensive, blocking his strikes and waiting for an opening to present itself as his tongue hangs between the two halves of his split into two jaw, as the burning sensation on the back of your neck grows hotter and hotter. And that tells you why there's no opening, the curse connects your body and his, any injury you do to him, will be reflected on...Oh no!","attachment":null,"posted":1714953858},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5995551,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5995549
You wince, and cover your eye, using the healing property of your blood that's smeared all over your hand to counter act what he's about to do as he realizes he can't beat you in swordsmanship and the vision changes to him shoving a clawed hand into his eye.
"That's an unusually accurate level of foresight" He says, in a calculating and curious tone as the stab of pain you were expecting never comes and burning on your neck vanishes with the curse he placed on the back of it "I think I've figured out how you've been able to anticipate my every move, with such incredible accuracy"
You blink, looking through your fingers just in time for him to spit a glob of rotten blood directly into it. You shriek, in disgust and surprise, and try to rub it out of your eye quickly before he can hit you while you're blinded and unable to see his next move so clearly.
Your sword hand lifts up on its own, your body instinctively moving to defend itself from an attack you cannot see, and the ring of steel meeting blood so densely compacted and held together its nearly as tough as steel reaches your ear. With daylight much closer and warmer than it was before, you see Aodasheng, smiling triumphantly with his split, fang filled smile, a different sword in his still severed hand. With no vague outlines of where he'll be next or fog or gloom obscuring you from him. Your hair falls back into its naturally, fluffy and untamed look.
"I see. So if you don't act as who or what you've taken on the role of, you lose the benefits granted the mimicry technique. That might be the most amazing act of copy catting I've ever seen. It is truly an astonishing exchange, from just changing your bearing and using another as a guise, you're granted their expertise. Or something like that, I assume" He says excitedly as you feel your cheeks blush, warmth spreading just as quickly as the embarrassment of being found out, and you still have some of his putrid blood stuck in your eye, stinging it and making it water, which makes it look like you're crying because he figured out the secret of the technique so easily! Dammit!
"Lady Huanliuxue?" One of the ghosts you left to guard the lower levels gasps, as you and Aodasheng float next to eachother, blades locked
"Oh what has happened to you?" Aodasheng laments, frowning as he sees the disfigured face of that particularly ugly hungry ghost
And fearing that he'll change his mind about waiting to begin his mercy kill...er, banishing of his old followers, you punch him in the face to get his attention back on you and you alone.
He grins beneath your fist, and grips your wrist with his still attached hand, as the other flits over to float above the wrist you cut it from. Rotten blood ooze from his cut open jaw, spilling over your hands as he starts to grow, snake like neck coiling as he's cramped into the chamber the two of your flew into.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1714953919},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5995553,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5995551
Leaping back, you hold up your sword to the side of your head and squint, the blood he spat into your eye still bothering you even though you thought you'd scrubbed most of it away, and even with your other eye open again, you can barely see with how much the irritation is making both of your eyes water and your ability to actually use the sword in your hand has plummeted since Qiang's mask fell off, and you don't have enough time to put it back or embody one of your other grudges before the now almost entirely a dragon Aodasheng can lash out at you again.
How do you keep fighting, Huanliuxue?
>Defensively, trying to keep away from him as you rub the last of his blood out of your eye, blocking and dodging and retreating towards the sky [Agility+ martial trial. DC 135 ]
>By charging him head on and vomiting a river of grudges imbued with sorrow down his throat, to weaken him and slow him down [Magic trial. DC 145]
>Changing shape and latching onto his serpentine head and neck with your claws and fang [Strength Trial. DC 152]
>Don't try and fight him while half blind, and instead, fly away at high speeds before he can catch you his jaws or claws! [Haste trial. DC 115]
>Write in","attachment":null,"posted":1714953991},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5995603,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995553
>Defensively, trying to keep away from him as you rub the last of his blood out of your eye, blocking and dodging and retreating towards the sky [Agility+ martial trial. DC 135 ]","attachment":null,"posted":1714958407},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5995664,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995553
>>Defensively, trying to keep away from him as you rub the last of his blood out of your eye, blocking and dodging and retreating towards the sky [Agility+ martial trial. DC 135 ]
No way he's getting to first base in the first ten minutes of knowing him. Monu DID try to raise that kind of girl but it ain't us kek","attachment":null,"posted":1714961603},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5995719,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995553
>Defensive fighting.","attachment":null,"posted":1714966544},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5995732,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995553
>>By charging him head on and vomiting a river of grudges imbued with sorrow down his throat, to weaken him and slow him down [Magic trial. DC 145]","attachment":null,"posted":1714966960},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5995760,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995553
>By charging him head on and vomiting a river of grudges imbued with sorrow down his throat, to weaken him and slow him down [Magic trial. DC 145]","attachment":null,"posted":1714968404},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5995846,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995500
The gods have found the best way to indirectly mess with us
>>5995553
>Defensively, trying to keep away from him as you rub the last of his blood out of your eye, blocking and dodging and retreating towards the sky [Agility+ martial trial. DC 135 ]","attachment":null,"posted":1714974048},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5995864,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995553
>Defensively, trying to keep away from him as you rub the last of his blood out of your eye, blocking and dodging and retreating towards the sky [Agility+ martial trial. DC 135 ]","attachment":null,"posted":1714977057},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5995883,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995553
>Changing shape and latching onto his serpentine head and neck with your claws and fang [Strength Trial. DC 152]
Aren't tigers the natural enemy of dragons?
An ox sized cat is surely up to the challenge of eating an oversized snake!","attachment":null,"posted":1714980521},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5995918,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995553
>Defensively, trying to keep away from him as you rub the last of his blood out of your eye, blocking and dodging and retreating towards the sky [Agility+ martial trial. DC 135 ]
But Write-in
Remember you fought someone who you blinded yourself.
Do not use your eyes to sense the Qi in the air you are the empress of ghosts.","attachment":null,"posted":1714986662},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5995936,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995918
Supporting this","attachment":null,"posted":1714988843},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5996025,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995918
That;s a great call.
I'll add
>Use our spirit sense not eyes
to >>5995719","attachment":null,"posted":1715000562},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5996026,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995918
Supporting","attachment":null,"posted":1715000684},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5996051,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"I just wandered here to post this","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715003475525698.jpg","filename":"1714990171012.jpg"},"posted":1715003475},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5996734,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Ending the vote, tallying the result now.
Defensively, trying to keep away from him as you rub the last of his blood out of your eye, blocking and dodging and retreating towards the sky :8
-rely on your spiritual sense instead of your physical sight: 4
By charging him head on and vomiting a river of grudges imbued with sorrow down his throat, to weaken him and slow him down:2
Changing shape and latching onto his serpentine head and neck with your claws and fang:1
So you'll fight defensively, keeping your distance while trying to clear your eyes, fighting by using your spiritual/ Qi sense, blocking, dodging and retreating towards the sky
Clever write in, DC reduced
Update will arrive shortly
>>5996051
I also have this meme, junior","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715054768210394.jpg","filename":"g6z5yky8rww91.jpg"},"posted":1715054768},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5996744,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Taking another step back and dodging the whipping of his serpentine neck and the lashing of his claws that slice through the light streaming in from above, which spit out a shower of pale silver sparks as they glide down the front of the breastplate of your spider demon silk armor, as you're too occupied scrubbing and pawing at your stinging, blood filled eye, wiping away tears and clots of black blood and decaying meat out of it to effectively dodge. And the glow of the sparks, illuminating the shocked faces of the ghosts now watching the fight and the fangs and antlers of Aodasheng, tell you that you can't keep fighting like this. You knew you couldn't, fighting blind is a challenge, but against a foe as excitable and volatile as the forgotten king, it is all but impossible. You claw your cheek, furious at yourself for harboring such defeatist and puny thoughts for even a second! You're Huanliuxue! So what if you can't see through all the tears filling your eyes and are being driven mad by the stinging in it! Fighting blind is barely a handicap to one as great as you!
Hong lives his life in darkness, charting his way through the world by sensing Qi and vibrations! Xue Laohue, that scumbag, for all that you hate him, he still had confidence and conviction enough to fight back after you tore at his shitty eye, instead of just giving up and offering his neck to you! You're not even completely blind, and you're treating it like its a crippling setback!? Bullshit! The forgotten king's malevolent aura must be messing with your head or else some of your brain is still a little rotten! He could cut out and boil your eyes in oil and you'd still be able to match him blow for blow and step for step! What's a few tears and a little blood to you who has spat in the eyes of the heavens and gone against their will just by staying alive and thriving.
"Fuck it" You snarl under your breath, and draw a line of blood across your eyes, shutting them firmly and sealing your vision entirely to strengthen your already profound spiritual senses. You'd pop your ear drums and tear out your tongue if you didn't think you were perspective enough to tell the difference from the forgotten king's roiling ghostly qi and the deathly spiritual energy surrounding him. Lesser cultivators might miss his overwhelming presence and violent intentions to the gloom of the tombs, but not you.
You can see him clearly. A deeper, finer shade of black etched across the sea of darkness and misery. Grinning crookedly ear to ear, you flip your blood formed blade around, adopting a reverse grip and completely abandoning Qiang's style of swordsmanship in favor for one that is more suitable for feline and ethereal movements.
"BRING IT ON! AODASHENG!" You roar, as you take another step back and beckon him forward with a quick twitch of your hand
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1715055531},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5996745,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5996744
"GLADLY! HUANLIUXUE!" He answers, just as ferociously, his voice trembling the mountain, the earth beneath it and the sky far above it, and flies towards you, claws outstretch and sword singing through the air every time he swings it
Roll 2d100. Best out of 5. DC 125
<https://youtu.be/FZD9YomwdUA>","attachment":null,"posted":1715055592},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5996759,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 23, 45 = 68 (2d100)
>>5996745
Ghost versus cat. A story as old as 4000 years old chinese martial arts.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715056194208835.jpg","filename":"1640660855468.jpg"},"posted":1715056194},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5996772,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 36, 88 = 124 (2d100)
>>5996744
Big number come on","attachment":null,"posted":1715056855},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5996776,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 82, 36 = 118 (2d100)
>>5996745
1 shy. Gah","attachment":null,"posted":1715057068},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5996787,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 100, 2 = 102 (2d100)
>>5996745","attachment":null,"posted":1715057704},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5996792,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 10, 13 = 23 (2d100)
>>5996745","attachment":null,"posted":1715057973},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5996794,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5996772
failure by a whisker's breadth and
>>5996787
Okay now this is really interestering, a crit success and fail? I feel like I've been injected with chicken's blood
Anyways. Update will arrive shortly","attachment":null,"posted":1715058119},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5996799,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996734
Mine is in better quality, gramps","attachment":null,"posted":1715058328},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5996804,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996794
Interesting wonder how you'll rule the crit","attachment":null,"posted":1715058623},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5996807,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996794
Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.","attachment":null,"posted":1715058809},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5996809,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996787
>mfw
>>5996794
A natty versus an unnatural crit. Perhaps Huan and Aody are truly peers in this moment. This must be the most exhilarating moment of his unlife thus far! WHAT A FIGHT!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715058884525635.jpg","filename":"1701273881021-FA9912C2-60EB-4F2C-992B-A29DB46D0750.jpg"},"posted":1715058884},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5996812,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5996804
>>5996807
>>5996809
If the crit was natural, and was a 1 instead of a 2, you'd have met a special condition with that roll, actually","attachment":null,"posted":1715058981},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5996817,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996812
Aww man, close but no cigar kek.","attachment":null,"posted":1715059273},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5996834,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"https://youtu.be/qT2aDX0bfOQ
_
And it is a song you add your own melody to eagerly. Though you can only see the clashes of your sword of blood and his ancient relic through the outlines of spiritual energy radiating from both of them, making a light show of Qi like a firework's festival burst out and explode in your spiritual senses, you match him and keep up with the pace he sets even if he cuts your hands, fingers and arms as you lag and trail behind by a bit and more often than not, it is your sword that his hits rather than you. He pushes you back, further through the sinkhole you made by kicking his divine treasure of a spear skywards and towards the heavens, and you can't keep from smiling under your helmet, only seeing him in the vague darker splotch in the greater sea of negative and ghostly Qi but you can tell he is smiling just as innocently as you are, relishing the challenge of an equal and friendly rival as your swords ring and clash again, again, again, and again! Splatters of blood and splinters of steel fly, pulses and flares of Qi lending color the black world you've immersed yourself in as he pursues you higher and higher towards the sky, both of you flying like reversed lightning bolts from the roots of the mountain the clouds above!
But he is pressing you back, you'd meant to retreat, but, well it is just too great a thrill to throw yourself against him, clash after clash, even as he cuts into your hands and stabs into your shoulders, searching for a weakness in your armor or trying to unravel it completely as you fight, striking, blocking and dodging in constant moving as both of you scale the mountain through the tunnel tore out of it. The clouds of deathly yin Qi grow thinner as the fight climbs and takes the both of you higher and higher through the catacombs, any ghost that is foolhardy or loyal enough to try and join in blown away or cut down the moment they get in range of the two clashing and flying blades, as a sphere of impassible space has been created just from your swinging, his sword light and air pressured and compressed into the shape sickle blades. But their shouts and cries might as well be silent, compared to the roars of a beast and cursed ghost tearing into one another's flesh with gusto and smiles on their faces.
Not caring for your wounds, or that you're not blocking or dodging more attacks than land on you, you fight wildly, like you were fighting another cat over territory or over a meal, but rather than snarling, spitting or yowling, your purring contentedly, even though it hurts and you feel the warmth of your own blood oozing down your arms. They might be trembling, but if they are, its from excitement rather than pain or weariness!
Cackling like the witch who raised you, you infuse your blood with the poison you keep hidden and locked away in your body and transmute it, curving your blade and turning it into the shape of an especially long and dangerous claw.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1715060785},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5996837,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5996834
And as your swords meet, blades gliding and spitting sparks, blood and bolts of free flying qi, you feel your heart beat in sync with Aodasheng's own as the two of you press and fight against eachother, trying to emerge the victor of the latest in a series of blade locks.
Your eyes shoot open, pain screams and spread out across your face, as talons rake through your helmet and into your flesh. And you see nothing but a sea of green and your mountain beneath you and wispy clouds. Aodasheng has changed forms again, adapting a comfortable equilibrium between a mockery of a dragon's grace and human ferocity, your blade caught between his teeth as moves to impale you you through the stomach with his now freed, and still severed sword hand.
And as the blood dripping from the slash across your brow dyes your vision the same shade of red as your hair and the one over your lip fills your mouth with the coppery taste of blood, you stunned expression cracks in a smile of the sort you've only seen the maddest of specter's wear. Throwing your sword of blood, you impale Aodasheng's severed sword arm through the palm and send it flying into the clouds, throwing you arms out and leaping at him, half a pounce and half a tackle.
Colliding with him, forsaking defense entirely, you sink your human teeth into his throat and in the excitement of the moment, tear out a chunk of meat from it before he can toss you off, laughing himself as you hold the piece of his throat between your lips like a mouse you've caught.
And growl, lifting up your hands to defend against his next assault, only to see something strange attached the wrist of your hands. Red string, that is connected to another string on Aodasheng's wrists as well, and a shock of spiritual energy travels down both ends of the string. He's casted a spell while you were busy tearing your teeth through his throat. But what sort is it? But before the realization can settle, Aodasheng holds up two fingers, still scrawled with curses written in black blood and politely asks, with blood pouring from his torn open throat, as if he were a living man
"Don't think too hard, but if you could be anywhere in the three realms at this very moment, where would you like to travel? One word will suffice"
And before you can stop yourself, your mentally answer the question on reflex! And the air around the two of you begins to warp....
Aodasheng is bleeding severely and will gradually take damage/ suffer penalties until it is here
You're being warped somewhere else
What was your answer, Huanliuxue?
>Home
>Scared
>Stellar
>...Tasty
>write in
The crit success applied bleed to Ao, the crit fail+failure let him use one of his own secret arts","attachment":null,"posted":1715060933},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5996838,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5996837
*Until it is healed.
Also messed up the bold on the "You're being warped somewhere else". And Aodasheng is being transported wherever you end up as well","attachment":null,"posted":1715061020},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5996854,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996837
>>Stellar
Above the skies. Above the gods themselves. Where the entire world can see this joyous battle. A place where the living cannot tread. But an empress without peer and a king long dead? Why that's a different story. Let's show him something over heaven.","attachment":null,"posted":1715061479},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5996877,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996837
>Stellar","attachment":null,"posted":1715063441},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5996886,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996837
>Home","attachment":null,"posted":1715064831},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5996906,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996837
>>Stellar
Time to dance upon the blood moon.","attachment":null,"posted":1715069218},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5996934,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996837
>>Scared","attachment":null,"posted":1715073809},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5997010,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996837
>...Tasty
What on earth could this be, I am curious","attachment":null,"posted":1715080995},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5997042,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996837
>>...Tasty","attachment":null,"posted":1715083994},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5997220,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996837
>>Home","attachment":null,"posted":1715098174},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5997232,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996837
>Stellar
FURTHER BEYOND
EVEN
THE
STARS","attachment":null,"posted":1715098903},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5997237,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996837
> HERE!","attachment":null,"posted":1715099115},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5997243,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997010
A room full of Ling, probably.
>>5997237
I considered the joke answers of "Disestablishantarianism" for some sort of emperor's palace. But I also wanted to channel Augus.
"Right here, In the fight!"","attachment":null,"posted":1715099531},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5997245,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997243
I mean, it's the best fight we've ever had. A true peer, a fellow heretic raging against the heavens. Where else would we want to be?","attachment":null,"posted":1715099693},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5997247,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997245
Biting off the necks of the five sages.
Slaughtering the Ling to their very roots.
Sitting in our rightful place as the head of the Magical beasts kingdom that we are sure to raise.
On our mother's knees, being pampered, massaged and preened like the best and most deserving existence we are.
But lacking any of that, this is a perfectly acceptable 5th option.
Ah fuck it, I change from >>5996877
to >>5997237","attachment":null,"posted":1715099841},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5997938,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Ending the vote and tallying its result now. Meant to do so quite a few hours earlier, but I drank a jar of pickle brine and got sick off of it, so yeah.
Stellar:3
Home:2
Scared:1
Tasty:2
Here!:2
A very competitive round of voting, but the thought, Stellar, wins in the end. Update will arrive shortly.
Also make sure to check out the Queen of /qst/ thread to register to lend your support to Huan in the running, and prove she is unrivaled beneath the heavens. You know, if you want to.","attachment":null,"posted":1715152761},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5997958,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"You can't help but smirk, amused as you recognize and realize the one thought that the heaven's defying magic Aodasheng cast over you in the moment your teeth parted the skin and sunk into the flesh of his partially scaled neck. It was the word Stellar. You aren't entirely sure why you thought the word, it wasn't really in response to the question he asked, of wherever in existence you'd rather be that fighting him above the world and clouds high in the skies. Or you're pretty sure it wasn't, you're only certain that it came from a both exasperation at being caught in another spell of his and also amazement as you, in the moment between him asking the question and the spell progressing to its next phase, grasped the nature and effect of the sorcery that wrapped around both of you and began to warp you both to a different space.
But it could've also been an instinctive response. You have always admired the moon, even more so now that it is covered in your scent and colored in your blood from time to time. Well, you guess it doesn't matter why it was the answer you give, because out of all the possible random thoughts that could've been taken as an answer by the space warping technique, Stellar has to be counted amongst the ones that are most beneficial to you. For, no one, not even the heavens, can claim to be more at home amongst the stars than you yourself! The astral chaos is your dominion! and the moon is your throne and stomping ground.
Like creased fabric, the empty air and space between you and the forgotten king begins to fold in on itself, crumpling as the somber blue and whites of the morning sky are replaced with the multitude colors and abyssal expanse of outer space. An icy tail of comet creates a river of pale blue between you and a distant cloud of stardust dies the horizon bruisy plum and vermillion while glittering stars of gold, jade, amber and silver fleck the darkness without end while clouds of moondust, like powder snow dyed pink with a sprinkling of blood floats around the two of you as you stretch out your arms, flashing a truly smug smile at the confused and amazed Aodasheng who looks around and nearly has his jaw fall off as he realizes where he's transported the two of you.
"The stars" He says with a gasp, holding his throat as bubbles of blood drip and float between his fingers "The astral realm! The space beyond the heavens~! The stellar field of stars! This...How? This spell is only supposed to...transport us to some place you've...already been! Oh! OH!"
"I'm no ordinary housecat, though you already knew that, Ao. Heh-Heh! I'm a Lunar Cat! The herald and avatar of the worst of ill omens, the blood moon! The only cosmic natured beast in history, forgotten or not!" You exclaim, flicking out your tongue as the blood dripping from the fresh claw marks across your face rises as bubbles and blobs in front of you, sparkling and looking like new born stars as Aodasheng laughs himself sick.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1715154793},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5997959,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5997958
"So full of surprise! If only we were contemporaries, Huan, we would've created legends through our rivalry!" He proclaims, thrusting out his sword, still chuckling to himself as you spot a familiar tassel rippling behind a spear and nearly bite your tongue as you realize it is none other than the spear you had kicked through the mountain, the Spear of Mortal death. An all its owner has to say as he notices it as well is "Huh, so that's were you ended up, old friend"
"Dammit" You growl, gnashing your teeth as you hope your own two treasured artifacts made the trip to outer space as well, since their magical abilities would be very helpful in the fight, now that Aodasheng has his preferred and most power weapon back in his hands.
But before you can check, or think to kick the spear out of his reach again, you hear a gasp, that came neither from you or the ghost king's empty lungs.
Pouting, you look away from the awed ghost king and see, much to your surprise, a few little goddess with baskets and bushels filled with star light and moon rocks, looking at the two of you with faces so pale you thought they were corpses when you first saw them. Oh! they're the shepherdess of stars! The very same deities who you gave the fright of their immortal lives when you first flew past the heavens and reached the stars. The younger one's hide behind the eldest amongst them, who looks the most frightened out of all of them, even as she tries to look threatening by pretending her crook is a spear. But with how much she's sweating and crying, and her hands are trembling, makes the effort much more cutely pathetic than it is intimidating
"The..the happy bloodshed and the nameless king!" She cries out, as if it wasn't obvious who the two of you were to her shaking juniors, who seem more scared of you than they are of the half mad ghost king who has just reclaimed his demonic artifact, and whose attention she just drew to all of them.
"Oh, Star fairies. You were the ones who took down my destined, fateful star" He says, amiability tinged with threat as he flashes his teeth and his fangs in a bitter scowl "And are so mannerless you will not refer to me by my name! While interupting another fateful battle of mine! Unforgiveable"
"HEeee!" The head of the star guiding goddesses shrieks, cowering and tyring to make herself look small as you snarl and step forward
"Oi! Get out of here! Where ever moonlight touches is my turf! Scram! Before I really get upset and test my claws on ya!" You thuggishly drawl, stomping closer to scare them away before Aodasheng can decide to draw much worse attention from the heavens below and knowing that, even if they're gods, they're terrified of the remorseless "Demonic Beast" Huanliuxue, and will scatter and run away scared out of their wits rather than challenge you or think to tattle to gods with enough sense to realize you pose little threat to them.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1715154854},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5997961,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5997959
"Aw. I wanted to rob them of those stars and vent my frustrations of my mistreatment by the gods" Aodasheng performatively pouts, stepping to the side and twirling his spear, as you watch to make sure the rabble of goddesses won't get in the way as they push and shove eachother, each of them trying to just be faster than their friends and soon vanish in the nothing of space. Smirking, you step to the side and readopt your ethereal and graceful stance, walking with the elegance only a cat can reach as Aodasheng stretches his legs and then, with little warning, flings his spear at you, using a passing comet as a stepping stone and anchor to put truly every ounce of his strength into the toss.
"Thank you for showing me such glorious sights!" His voice echoes through the stellar expanse as you, still with one eye on the fleeing deities, are almost caught off guard.
Defensive Magic or Agility+ martial roll 2d100. DC 145. Best out of five ","attachment":null,"posted":1715154915},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5997972,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 61, 24 = 85 (2d100)
>>5997961","attachment":null,"posted":1715156631},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5997980,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 39, 57 = 96 (2d100)
>>5997961","attachment":null,"posted":1715158201},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5997984,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1, 84 = 85 (2d100)
>>5997961
Lets go again.","attachment":null,"posted":1715158365},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5997990,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 44, 57 = 101 (2d100)
>>5997961
>>5997984
It keeps happening. All of a sudden. With such frequency.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715158566016479.gif","filename":"1681535458429605.gif"},"posted":1715158566},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5997992,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 66, 47 = 113 (2d100)
>>5997961
4 1s to a single 100. The rng god harez us with passion.","attachment":null,"posted":1715158739},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5997994,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5997992
Ouch, failure by 30. But hey, Special condition met!
>>5997984
With this fourth nat crit fail in a single combat!
Update will arrive shortly","attachment":null,"posted":1715158923},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5997995,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997994
I did suspect that a special condition was ok the horizen.","attachment":null,"posted":1715159040},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5997996,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997992
Clearly the gods cursed Aody with all of the misfortune of the entire world for thousands of years. Now he's just spitting it out all around himself. If it weren't so frustrating I'd be impressed with those odds.","attachment":null,"posted":1715159092},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5998013,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997984
3 Critfails in a row, we’re about to be Fraudliuxue, The Washed Bloodshed","attachment":null,"posted":1715162016},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5998033,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"You take a step back, turn your heel and move your body to twist around and lean out of the path of the spear that is flying through star and moondust and piercing through the strange clouds of colorful dust. But even as you move to dodge and avoid its point, you see the spear move strangely, as if it were alive and with a mind of its own. It turns sharply, changing direction and moving in a zig zag between the glittering, miniature stars the fleeing goddess dropped in their hurry to get away from the spooky demonic beast and frightening calamity ghost. Aodasheng isn't even flashing hand signs or using any sort of spell or magical tool to control the spear, it is simply moving of its own accord, tracking you and adjusting its trajectory on the fly without losing any momentum to keep you in its path no matter where you move!
Realizing immediately that this isn't a weapon that can be dodge, you adjust your stance, spreading your legs apart and spreading your arms, half crouching as you get ready to catch or just bash away the spear, hoping that it won't be too fast for you to catch it in either the advance form of your specter lightness skill, since it is moving too quickly for its original form to be of any use since you just can't move fast enough to counter it without truly slowly down time or outright stopping it. But the moment it reaches the edge of your Qinggong's radius, it flips up perfectly straight and shoots upwards. Tracking it, you change your stance again, standing swaying like a reed or willow in the wind or a ghost standing on the edge of a lantern's light as you watch the spear soar and then as quick as it flew up, turn completely around and rocket towards you from above.
Keeping it in the center of your eyes, you trace two circles with the heel of one foot and the toes of the other, and position yourself between the two lines you trace to be always at the side of the spear as you slide between the two circles, constantly changing your position and keeping the spear in sight as it actually begins to slow trying to constantly adjust itself to track your movements and
"Mroaw?" Comes out of your mouth as suddenly, even though you were already floating in the ether, you slip and tumble backwards, arms flailing as you see the perpetrator that caused your fall.
One of the crooks the goddesses dropped in their frantic flight away from you and Aodasheng, laying abandoned along with the unharvested starlight.
"Oh you have to be kidding..." You hiss furiously, regretting chasing away those cowardly girls away as, weightlessly, you float up and flip around, kicking your legs and flailing your arms to try and get control over your own trajectory now before its too late.
A spray of fresh blood across your face tells you it is already too late, as the spear of mortal death pierces through your stomach, buckling and then unraveling your spider demon silk armor and stabbing through your navel and out your back.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1715164162},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5998035,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5998033
And due to reflexively activating your lightness skill, you see all of this in slow motion. The pin prick sized hole widening, guts peeking out through the formless pool of blood pouring out from your belly, as the spear widens the cut that was already there and the positions of the stars in front of you change as you're pulled downwards closer to the heavens. The world becomes silent except for your frantic heart beat and the rapidly cooling warmth of your blood washing over you.
[ https://youtu.be/IyJsY4438Rg ]
'Ah. This is the closest I've ever been to death' You realize as you free fall, one second feeling like minutes and then hours as you get a very intimate and up close look of your insides and can't help but think you're just as beautiful inside as you are outside, your organs and bowels are very healthy looking, no discolorations or abnormalities. And that sure is a lot of blood you're losing. And it's mingling with the clouds of grudge miasma and clouds of resentment freed from where ever inside of your body you store it
And a shadow you've seen before falls over you as the cosmic dance between the moon and the sun places the former in the center of your vision. A glimpse of the great wheel of reincarnation, and the shadow of death or the divinity in charge of transmigration and rebirth or Old Granny meng, once again chooses to reveal themselves as you, momentarily, hover between life and death.
"I see. I see. My place in the world, is at this boundary" you mutter, as this is revealed to you as this brush with death brings you a deep understanding and more intimate, personal comprehension of the nature of death and dying, as an insight only someone swaying between life and death could glimpse, a piece of the dao that is only found on the thin fog between living and dying. Enlightenment that is only reachable in the moment between the heart stopping and the last breath being taken.
But you take a second breath and grab hold of your guts and shove them back inside of the hole in your stomach.
"I am meant to exist here, to straddle this border. This is my natural environment, my rightful throne. The threshold between the living world and that of the dead. My domain, between blood and ghosts, the shadow cast by yang and the light of Yin, the in between place between existence and non existence" Your tongue rolls and flicks, speaking fragments of the enlightenment you found in the fear and rush of dying, your calm expression slowly regaining vigor and liveliness as this new insight of the Dao and nature of existence and death itself give you a second wind.
Sure, being impaled through the stomach wouldn't have been lethal for some one of your level, but you've brushed death so often today, that it could've well been the last strike needed to put you down for good if circumstances had been different, and it is the closest to death you can recall straying towards.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1715164223},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5998038,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5998035
And as the encroaching chill of death is washed and chased away by this new found understanding of death and the process of dying and your now blazing conviction to win the fight, Aodasheng slowly claps his hands.
"A breakthrough in the heat of a battle, as you hover between life and death and teeter on the edge. As expected of one as talented and gifted as yourself" He exclaims, sounding almost as happy as he is relieved as you flip around to "stand" on your feet, even though you're still holding your entrails inside and have a "tail" of blood, flowing out of your back and, as you get a grip and center your thoughts, find you also are dribbling blood down your chin, as you coughed up a mouth full of it.
Special condition met. Roll 4 critfails in one combat, without dying or fleeing. Secret Art Unlocked: Cat's Court: Dancing across the border between life and death (猫 法院: 舞蹈对过边境介于人生 和与死亡, Māofǎyuàn: Wǔdǎoduìguòbiānjìngjièyúrénshēnghéyǔsǐwáng). A passive technique, that increases the practitioner's vitality/endurance, physical attributes and mystical abilities the closer to death they are, unlocking new abilities and techniques as they draw closer to the end and evolving their ordinary techniques/ spells, flourishing as they die like a flower that blooms only as it wilts. First use, unlocks the ability for the living to attain ghostly evolutions & perform ghostly transformation techniques . And if the practitioner has one use/ charge available of Cat's Court: One of nine lives (猫 法院: 一 的九生活, Māofǎyuàn: Yīdíjiǔshēnghuó) when they attain this secret art, they receive a second use of that technique!
"The difference between living and dying is but an illusion, a lie we tell ourselves. The more one lives, the quicker they die, and the closer to death one is, the more they live" You titter, swaying in place from both the pleasant, fluffy feeling of losing gallons and blood and the clarity and serenity brought about by realizing this truth "The nearer one gets to their grave, the further they excel, the more they grow and learn. For most, this is a gradual process, called aging, but if one is rushed towards their doom, this wisdom can be reached much more swiftly"
"Are you high from blood loss, or are you even able to breath up here. Asphyxiation can cause vivid hallucinations and befuddle the mind" Aodasheng asks as you stare ahead with a relaxed, contented smile nearly dripping and oozing on your face
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1715164284},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5998041,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5998038
"To linger at the boundary of death, to straddle the line between it and living, is to be blessed with knowledge and empowered, living to your fullest as you lean over and court death, Heh, more directly than that saying usually means" You continue to explain the insight you've just reached, knowing even a fellow genius has no chance of understanding it unless they experience it themselves "As the flame of my life sputters, it rages and grows again, in defiance, and admiration of the unavoidable fate of all that lives. The destiny all life shares. Even you and I"
"Do you make make a living as poet?"
"Death" You say, grinning as pale white flames dance over your face "And life. Like beasts and men, there is little difference between them. And by dancing between these two opposites that are so very, very close, where others would perish I can thrive by embracing what they fear and dread, and struggle to understand. Death, is simply the next step in life. It gives purpose and meaning to this transient existence, this mortal red dust we put so much value and significance into. And without it, life would be little different than a dream! Life is only truly lived on the edge of death! Reality is defined by the threshold between dying and living! Don't you see! Don't you understand"
"No, I unfortunately do not, but judging by how your life force is surging, you've reached a stage of enlightenment I can only jealously observe from a distance, because all of this, in truth sounds like the ramblings of a girl who just had a near death experience and found profoundness in the strange visions she saw" Aodasheng answers with a smile.
"Well, perhaps I can just beat it into you, and teach you what I know" You cheerfully reply, with a smile of your own, as you crack your knuckles, black and white flames crawling over your hands and up your arms, transforming into ethereal claws, a mixture of human and feline, made out of the same kind of fires one can find burning in hell.
"Ohoho? A transformation technique? An innate transformation technique, activated by instinct! Seems your close brush of death has given you an advantage, Huanliuxue. Let us see if this new peculiar insight of the dao will be enough to change the tide, you've taken quite the beating" He says with a friendly guffaw, summoning his spear back to his hand, which is only now re-attaching to his wrist, as more blood oozes from his throat down his chest
"So have you, I've nearly broken your skull and torn you in half!" You snap back, growling as the underworld flames reach your legs, turning them into half animal claws as a tail split down the center between back and white curls at the end of your spine, just above your buttocks and judging from the fire crawling along the sides of your head, it has also made your already pointed ears look more feline with a mask of black and white spiritual fire.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1715164344},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5998044,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5998041
"The difference is, for all your rambling about life and death being intertwined, I am already past the boundary and cannot die in anyway that matters" Aodasheng says, wagging a finger "I will stop before you cross over, but there is no shame in..."
"I'm going to show you how wrong that statement is, Asshole!" You giggle, bowing like a lady would, making yourself blush with blood control jus to mock him
"Oh, I dearly wish you and I had been born in the same era. Well, I suppose we are now in the same era but, you know what I am trying to say" He says, voice low and threatening as he steps back and pulls his arm back to launch the spear of mortal death at you again.
How do you prove this asshole wrong, Huanliuxue! (Huanliuxue is currently strengthen by moonlight AND Cat's Court: Dancing between the border between life and death)
>Slashing and cutting through space to avoid the spear of mortal death and claw Aodasheng from several angles at once, making use of your current combination of Feline and Human physiques to use the strengths of both to your advantage! [Magic+ Martial Trial. DC 85]
>Using gravity and nearby celestial bodies, sling shot yourself and launch yourself at him, out speeding the spear with a bit of help from the Blood Torrent Rush [Intelligence+ Haste trial. DC 75]
>Scoop up a handful of the stars the goddesses dropped, and use astrology and star magic to cast a spell by creating a miniature constellation of yourself beating up Aodasheng [Magic+??? Trial. DC 115]
>Create a vortex of moonlight, with Aodasheng at its center, and create a spell on the fly, using the whirlpool of moonlight as a multi stage mystical array! [Magic+ Creativty trial. DC 125]
>Write in
>>5998013
lol. Funnily enough, the Fraudulent One Satoru Gojo, heavily inspired me this update. Namely his awakening after Toji beat the shit out of him.
God. I love Toji. And yes, homosexually. In the most cut-sleeve fashion possible, even","attachment":null,"posted":1715164496},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5998047,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998044
>Create a vortex of Moonlight.
We may just have to try and win through attrition. He is suffering DOT bleed.","attachment":null,"posted":1715164624},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5998070,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998044#
>Scoop up a handful of the stars the goddesses dropped, and use astrology and star magic to cast a spell by creating a miniature constellation of yourself beating up Aodasheng [Magic+??? Trial. DC 115]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?=YxrEag0bg9Q","attachment":null,"posted":1715166850},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5998100,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998044
>>Slashing and cutting through space to avoid the spear of mortal death and claw Aodasheng from several angles at once, making use of your current combination of Feline and Human physiques to use the strengths of both to your advantage! [Magic+ Martial Trial. DC 85]","attachment":null,"posted":1715171041},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5998144,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998044
>>Slashing and cutting through space to avoid the spear of mortal death and claw Aodasheng from several angles at once, making use of your current combination of Feline and Human physiques to use the strengths of both to your advantage! [Magic+ Martial Trial. DC 85]","attachment":null,"posted":1715175645},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5998154,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998044
>Scoop up a handful of the stars the goddesses dropped, and use astrology and star magic to cast a spell by creating a miniature constellation of yourself beating up Aodasheng [Magic+??? Trial. DC 115]
He said they rob him of this star, lets give it to him after all these years
>>5998070
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxrEag0bg9Q
your link broke I think","attachment":null,"posted":1715176640},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5998185,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998044
>Scoop up a handful of the stars the goddesses dropped, and use astrology and star magic to cast a spell by creating a miniature constellation of yourself beating up Aodasheng [Magic+??? Trial. DC 115]
Bonus points if we manage to hang it in the heavens and piss off the gods afterwards","attachment":null,"posted":1715179464},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5998291,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998044
>Scoop up a handful of the stars the goddesses dropped, and use astrology and star magic to cast a spell by creating a miniature constellation of yourself beating up Aodasheng [Magic+??? Trial. DC 115]","attachment":null,"posted":1715187148},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5998333,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998044
>Scoop up a handful of the stars the goddesses dropped, and use astrology and star magic to cast a spell by creating a miniature constellation of yourself beating up Aodasheng [Magic+??? Trial. DC 115]
My god, this fight is one giant clusterfuck of a rollercoaster.
Its glorious.","attachment":null,"posted":1715189385},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5998442,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998044
>Scoop up a handful of the stars the goddesses dropped, and use astrology and star magic to cast a spell by creating a miniature constellation of yourself beating up Aodasheng [Magic+??? Trial. DC 115]","attachment":null,"posted":1715195118},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5998490,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998044
>>Scoop up a handful of the stars the goddesses dropped, and use astrology and star magic to cast a spell by creating a miniature constellation of yourself beating up Aodasheng [Magic+??? Trial. DC 115]
>Write-in
>Call forth the blood moon.
>Bleeding on the moon once again must be fate. A childish lingering that is etched upon thy soul.
Well if we can.","attachment":null,"posted":1715197792},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5998731,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998490
We are already being buffed","attachment":null,"posted":1715211711},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5998804,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Ending the vote and tallying its result now.
Create a vortex of moonlight, with Aodasheng at its center, and create a spell on the fly, using the whirlpool of moonlight as a multi stage mystical array!:1
Scoop up a handful of the stars the goddesses dropped, and use astrology and star magic to cast a spell by creating a miniature constellation of yourself beating up Aodasheng:7
Slashing and cutting through space to avoid the spear of mortal death and claw Aodasheng from several angles at once, making use of your current combination of Feline and Human physiques to use the strengths of both to your advantage!:2
Call forth the blood moon:1
So you'll scoop up a handful of dropped stars, and use your innate knowledge of astrology and star magic to cast a spell using them as components in a tiny new constellation of yourself, thrashing Aodasheng
Update will arrive shortly
>>5998731
Bloodmoon light is the + version of Moonlight , and besides just giving a stronger boost for what base moonlight does (and its various abilities+ altering them), it also empower Carmine mystic abilities, miscellaneous blood magic and refinement/ control","attachment":null,"posted":1715216538},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5998831,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"You duck down and dive forward into a flower field of twinkling stars that were left unpicked or else spilled out of the baskets from the goddesses you scared off. They're glowing every color you can imagine and some you cannot, hues and shades that wash over you as cool light, coloring the white and black ghostly flames coating your arms, legs and ears all colors of the rainbow as you greedily and hastily scoop scoop up and gather as many of the miniature stars into your arm as you can in the moment it takes Aodasheng to step back and pull back his arm to wind up to throw his enchanted spear again. Allowing your self to be swept up in a stream of moonlight, you move through the pond of starlight, plucking and cutting more stars from where they bob and float serenely in the stellar field of emptiness to add them to the ones held between you arms and chest, which are now overflowing and spilling out from the top and bottom.
Some of the stars have curious shapes and strange mixes of color, some are more like vapor than light and others are solid like smooth jade and others are sharp edged like broken glass or porcelain. Aodasheng turns on his heel, tracking you and following your swim through the newly ignited starlings as the spear of mortal death tugs at his arm, pulling him along like it were a starve dog wishing to take you in its jaws and shake the life out of you with them. The way it shudders in his grip, almost looks like growling. How creepy~.
Sliding on your back, half buried under a mound of newborn stars of every color present in the cosmic chaos surrounding you, you redirect and move the moonlight you're being carried by in an upwards arc and loop it its stream over Aodasheng's head, forcing him to look up as you're carried up at blistering speed. Your eyes meet, his narrowed with curiosity, trying to discern what exactly you're doing gathering tiny stars like flowers and what you intend to do with them, while your own are squinted with a mixture of glee and malice as you open up your arms and drop the dozens of stars over his head.
Your existence as a cosmic beast allows you to call upon the power of constellations and the magic of their stars, but none of the one's already hoisted up in the night sky are worthy of being held as magic tools or weapons by your hands. And what better first test of a cosmic beast's form of astrology than creating a constellation of yourself in miniature mauling a depiction of Aodasheng? It is one of the cosmic spells you've already taught yourself, though you haven't had a chance to practice it outside of coming up with it, so you are really curious how it will work in practice and a real fight!
the stars fall like snow or pyre ash, before they shudder and stop in the air, thin lines of blood red light connecting them as they begin to form a human sized constellation above you and the forgotten king.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1715217890},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5998832,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5998831
"What tradition of sorcery is that from..." He mutters before, with a click of his tongue, he release the spear of mortal death and lets it fly again
roll 2d100. Best out of five. DC 115 ","attachment":null,"posted":1715217951},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5998837,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 40, 96 = 136 (2d100)
>>5998832
The Great Wheel Turns...","attachment":null,"posted":1715218003},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5998843,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 13, 35 = 48 (2d100)
>>5998831
Big Bucks, No Wammies...","attachment":null,"posted":1715218334},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5998849,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 53, 53 = 106 (2d100)
>>5998832
STAR PLATINUM, GO!","attachment":null,"posted":1715218848},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5998897,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 16, 18 = 34 (2d100)
>>5998832","attachment":null,"posted":1715220421},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5998915,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 21, 91 = 112 (2d100)
>>5998832
>>5998849
Hey, double 53 is pretty neat.","attachment":null,"posted":1715221150},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5998924,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5998837
Nice success. 20 over DC. update will arrive shortly
>>5998915
It is, sadly it isn't a special condition unlock","attachment":null,"posted":1715221439},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5998942,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"But he that rabid hound of an artifact go just a second too late, as the last line connecting the stars of the constellation is drawn, painting the dragon and dotting its eyes. A doppelganger of yourself and Aodasheng appears, made out of moon and stardust, yours carmine and crimson and his grey and silver. The spear of mortal death pierces through the cloud of cosmic dust surrounding the newly made constellation, and the moment the tip of its split head passes into the stardust, the constellation begins to move. Your double slashes Aodasheng's across the face with the ghostly claws and metal nails of her gauntlet, repaying him for the slashes he made across you beautiful face. And the real Aodasheng recoils, reaching for his face in shock as his flesh splits, reflecting the damage his star made copy just took. And before he can realize what has happened, you kick off the now hardened river of moonlight and take advantage of the opening in his defenses to whip your leg around and smash your knee hard into the side of his head. He stumbles, his starlight doppelganger now reacting to him and copying his movements, as your own double lunges, taking advantage of her opponent's stumble to grab hold of his middle and lift him from the ground before slamming him back down and clawing at his face. Lifted by unseen hands, the actual Aodasheng is thrown onto his back, more claw marks appearing across his chest and throat as ghostly, black and white flames erupt from his fresh wounds. You step up to him and stomp on his stomach, channeling a burst of Destructive Yin Qi down your leg and into the sole of the foot you just planted on his gut. His own ghostly armor made of ethereal teal flames peals away, scales of ripping off from him as you send him rocketing down towards the nine heavens and the world beneath them.
Like a cat chasing a mouse, your mimic formed from stars pounces, chasing after him, kicking off and bouncing between ribbons of moonlight and lonely stars with her arms drawn over and crossed over her chest as the claws of ghostly qi and steel covering her hands extend. She shoots past the stunned Aodasheng like a coment, lashing out with the claws on her hands and legs to tear into him before he can recover. You grin, and electrify your other leg with a mixture of metal aligned qi, cosmic spiritual energy, while enveloping its muscles in blood Qi. Your veins bulge and glow as the muscles you've sheathed with Blood Qi tighten and grow harder as you quickly rip a hole through space and appear directly in front of Aodasheng, ready to punt his head off.
But he reaches up, his hands scaled and taloned, his arms bulging with anamalistic strength as he grabs you by your heel and spins around, using the momentum of his descent to throw you like a hammer towards the moon. And as he does, his reflection in the constellation adopts an unmovable stance, and hammers their fist in your duplicate's stomach.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1715222467},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5998946,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5998942
You wince at the unexpected jab of pain, but it isn't enough to make you lose your breath let alone drop your guard. Flipping around, you cockily beckon the forgotten king to throw everything he has at you with a wag of both of your hands as the gravity of the moon latches onto you.
Wincing, Aodasheng holds his hand out and summons the spear of mortal death back to his hand, grabbing onto the bottom of its haft and allowing its flight to carry him up to where you wait.
Roll 2d100. DC 122. Best out of five. Martial: Redirection Trial ","attachment":null,"posted":1715222529},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5998952,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 54, 96 = 150 (2d100)
>>5998946","attachment":null,"posted":1715222722},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5998955,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 56, 38 = 94 (2d100)
>>5998946","attachment":null,"posted":1715222906},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5998973,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 63, 92 = 155 (2d100)
>>5998946
Time for the double bingo.","attachment":null,"posted":1715224563},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5998982,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 8, 95 = 103 (2d100)
>>5998946","attachment":null,"posted":1715225010},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5999020,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 82, 77 = 159 (2d100)
>>5998946","attachment":null,"posted":1715226844},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5999045,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5999020
Great success! 30 over DC. Update will arrive shortly","attachment":null,"posted":1715227949},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5999063,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"But there is a key difference between now and the last time he's thrown that contemptible spear at you. He's slower, and you know the limits of the artifact's flight speed, having experienced its maximum acceleration straight through your stomach. And there are few creatures beneath the heavens that have better reflexes than a cat. You aren't certain about the beasts that exist beyond and above them, but you're confident you're quicker to react than most of them are to! You don't even need to exert yourself exerting your will over and controlling time, though the illusion of time growing sluggish with the basic form of your specter lightness skill certainly adds a bit of suspense as the spear and its passenger slow as they get closer to you. Not that it matters, even though you're unencumbered by the false perspective, that spear is still moving as quickly as it was before. So the slowing effect really on serves to cause your heart a little more stress as it pounds in your chest as you dare to reach out, probing your fingers past the metal thorns wrapped around the spears haft as you hop to the side of it, narrowly avoid it as it twists and turns to adjust for your sudden dodge.
Aodasheng, not even looking bothered by the illusionary slowed time, swings himself around, using his own weight as a counterbalance as you push your arm down the length of the spear and grab onto it tightly. Then, using your own weight as a counter weight, you spin around and take advantage of both Aodasheng and his flying's spear momentum to bodily pull both of them into the gravitational pull of the lunar surface! Building torque by twisting your hips and shoulders in sync, you use your own body, strengthen by moon light and bolstered the nearness of the shadow of death, as a fulcrum, hardening it with bodily enhancements through circulating blood qi through your bones and muscles and perform a hasty bit of blood alchemy to fortify your arms and spine, wrapping them with a mesh of your veins as you take full control of the momentum of The spear of mortal death and its rider.
And then, with a single swing of your arm and whip of your shoulders, separate the two and send the forgotten king hurtling down towards the moon, a river of black blood and ghostly teal flames marking the path of his decent as you tighten your grip on the spear of mortal death as it bucks and thrashes like it had a mind of its own, trying to grind its barbs against your arm or rip out of your hand to flip back around and stab into you.
But, you stubbornly keep hold of it as you kick your legs in the air as you to are pulled towards the moon, Aodasheng's blood spraying against your face as you fall through the stream of it he left behind.
Through the bloody stream, you can see him frantically performing hand signs, his mouth stretched and tearing open as he chants four cursed, demonic mantras at once and his physique turns more dragon than man again.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1715229339},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5999066,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>5999063
How do you follow up tossing Aodasheng to the moon and stealing his spear, Huanliuxue?
>Blink and teleport behind him and try to use the rowdy spear to impale him through the back with a variation of Cat catches star [Martial trial. DC 145]
>Create a "Lure" out of your blood and breath and attach it to the tip of the spear, and let it loose, launching it at Aodasheng as it chases after your false presence [Magic+ Alchemy trial. DC 112]
>Chain Aodasheng with ribbons of moonlight, and hold onto the spear as tightly as you can as you spin with it, using the force of its struggle to build up speed and momentum, aiming to slam and drill both of you rfeet into him [Martial trial. DC 115]
>Create cover through breathing out a huge grudge cloud, switch your forms while your hidden inside of it, and while dodging the spear of mortal death, grab Aodasheng in your paws or jaws and slam him as hard as you can unto the lunar surface [Trickery+Haste+Strength trial. DC 125]
>Attempt to make use of your latest insights [??? trial. DC 165]
>Write in","attachment":null,"posted":1715229422},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5999067,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999066
>>Chain Aodasheng with ribbons of moonlight, and hold onto the spear as tightly as you can as you spin with it, using the force of its struggle to build up speed and momentum, aiming to slam and drill both of you rfeet into him [Martial trial. DC 115]","attachment":null,"posted":1715229535},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5999072,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999066
>Chain Aodasheng with ribbons of moonlight, and hold onto the spear as tightly as you can as you spin with it, using the force of its struggle to build up speed and momentum, aiming to slam and drill both of you rfeet into him [Martial trial. DC 115]","attachment":null,"posted":1715229865},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5999101,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999066
>>Create cover through breathing out a huge grudge cloud, switch your forms while your hidden inside of it, and while dodging the spear of mortal death, grab Aodasheng in your paws or jaws and slam him as hard as you can unto the lunar surface [Trickery+Haste+Strength trial. DC 125]
From the top rope, bah gawd that man is broken in half!","attachment":null,"posted":1715231147},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5999119,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999066
Pardon the lunacy but...
> Write in
>Life and Death are two sides of the same coin. Slip into Death while at the same time forcing Aodasheng into Life, causing the Spear of Mortal Death to betray him!","attachment":null,"posted":1715232562},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5999140,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999066
>Create a "Lure" out of your blood and breath and attach it to the tip of the spear, and let it loose, launching it at Aodasheng as it chases after your false presence [Magic+ Alchemy trial. DC 112]","attachment":null,"posted":1715234204},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5999152,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999066
>>5999066
>Create a Lure.","attachment":null,"posted":1715235092},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5999197,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999066
>Create a "Lure" out of your blood and breath and attach it to the tip of the spear, and let it loose, launching it at Aodasheng as it chases after your false presence [Magic+ Alchemy trial. DC 112]","attachment":null,"posted":1715240988},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5999335,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999066
>Create a "Lure" out of your blood and breath and attach it to the tip of the spear, and let it loose, launching it at Aodasheng as it chases after your false presence [Magic+ Alchemy trial. DC 112]","attachment":null,"posted":1715259172},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5999348,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999066
>>Chain Aodasheng with ribbons of moonlight, and hold onto the spear as tightly as you can as you spin with it, using the force of its struggle to build up speed and momentum, aiming to slam and drill both of you rfeet into him [Martial trial. DC 115]","attachment":null,"posted":1715260472},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":5999828,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999066
>Chain Aodasheng with ribbons of moonlight, and hold onto the spear as tightly as you can as you spin with it, using the force of its struggle to build up speed and momentum, aiming to slam and drill both of you rfeet into him [Martial trial. DC 115]","attachment":null,"posted":1715294218},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6000054,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999066
>Blink and teleport behind him and try to use the rowdy spear to impale him through the back with a variation of Cat catches star [Martial trial. DC 145]","attachment":null,"posted":1715308504},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6000055,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999066
>Attempt to make use of your latest insights [??? trial. DC 165]","attachment":null,"posted":1715308602},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6000561,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998041
Huanliuxue breakthrough and conversation with Aodashen it's literally this whole skit lmao, I love it
https://youtu.be/w-eJSHoH9Fs?si=s45qJLcqQWwBHeqX","attachment":null,"posted":1715365734},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6000628,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999066
>>6000054
Switching to
>Create a "Lure" out of your blood and breath and attach it to the tip of the spear, and let it loose, launching it at Aodasheng as it chases after your false presence [Magic+ Alchemy trial. DC 112]
As I don't see the teleport gathering enough support but I really want to skewer this smug asshole with his own spear","attachment":null,"posted":1715370830},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001041,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Ending the vote and tallying its result now. Didn't mean to take this long, but I had a nasty migraine yesterday
Chain Aodasheng with ribbons of moonlight, and hold onto the spear as tightly as you can as you spin with it, using the force of its struggle to build up speed and momentum, aiming to slam and drill both of your feet into him:4
Create cover through breathing out a huge grudge cloud, switch your forms while your hidden inside of it, and while dodging the spear of mortal death, grab Aodasheng in your paws or jaws and slam him as hard as you can unto the lunar surface:1
Life and Death are two sides of the same coin. Slip into Death while at the same time forcing Aodasheng into Life, causing the Spear of Mortal Death to betray him!:1
Create a "Lure" out of your blood and breath and attach it to the tip of the spear, and let it loose, launching it at Aodasheng as it chases after your false presence:5
Blink and teleport behind him and try to use the rowdy spear to impale him through the back with a variation of Cat catches star:1
Attempt to make use of your latest insights:1
So you'll attempt to trick the spear of mortal death into impaling its master with a lure mimicking your Qi/ Aura.
Update will arrive shortly
>>6000561
Hilarious.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715413600744834.png","filename":"1712387678453402.png"},"posted":1715413600},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001062,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"But at the back of your mind, through the pain, rush of adrenaline, fighting spirit and strange combination of anger and joy, a question takes root. An idle curiosity that you latch onto, as you immediately realize its line of thought could prove more valuable than even the most accurate intuition or most refined martial skill. How is the Spear of mortal death tracking and chasing after you? Its pursuit resembles that of a living, hungry predator, but it has no Qi or life force of its own besides what was deposited inside of it by its wielder or poured into it during its forging oh so long ago. There is at least nothing you recognize as essence or lifeblood inside it, even if it is thrashing in your hand like a rabid dog you've caught by its scruff. So if it doesn't have any instincts or the intelligence of a mindless, hungry animal, than how does it give chase and so accurately hunt you down?
If it is an enchantment or spell, it is one that'd be counted amongst the most complex ever invented or at least recorded in history, no branded as demonic sorcery or else hidden away by jealous old fools. And it can't be puppetry, your encounter with those damned stone statues and Monu's own puppets and experience creating and controlling your own crude marionette taught you the tell tale signs of something being controlled in such a manner, and besides the aerial turn and corners the spear performs and how fast it moves would make Aodasheng one of the finest masters of puppeteering techniques in or out of the world of cultivation.
But the resemblance the spear's apparent self willed actions to a slavering hound chasing after a hare or cat, does draw your mind to another theory. Not that it is intelligent but feral or possessed by some poor soul or that Aodasheng had a secret hobby playing with dolls, but that it's apparent sophisticated magic is actually really plain and simple, at least the enchantment that allows it to control its own flight and trajectory to the point of flying out of the wielders hand once it has been given a target to chase after. It certainly contains more magic than just that, since the moment it pierced your skin you felt your soul shudder inside of your flesh. If you hadn't already cut the strings tying them together, it might've just torn your spirit out of its vessel entirely.
But if the guess you've made in the heat of the moment is, that the process it uses to track and hunt, is a simple Qi locating spell. The same sort commonly used in much more basic and much less frightening magic tools, like border alarms or the various devices used to check and open meridians and search for the hidden potential to cultivate Qi.
A spell that is so basic that most novices abandon it the moment their spiritual senses awaken enough to unfog, since old fashioned intuition and experience are just as if not more accurate than it.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1715416969},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001063,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6001062
If that is what is guiding the spear of mortal death, its crafter is a genius, because it takes a genius to sharpen trash into a dragon slaying blade. And that would explain why it impaled you around the location of your golden cower and lower dantian, where most of the spiritual energy in your body is gathered, but there is nudging feeling at the back of your mind that warns you it is probably more complex than that and with a name like the spear of mortal death.
'It is pursuing life itself! like my vein hunting eye (血管猎-眼睛, Xuèguǎnliè-yǎnjing)!' You realize with a gasp as you grab hold of the spear with both of your hands to keep it from slipping out of your grasp 'And not just blood or breath, by the quality of "being alive", the concept of life itself. A more elegant expression of one of the simplest kinds of magic. Even when I'm outside of my body, my soul is still living. He had to have marked me as its target, and my essence only, when he smacked me with the bottom of its haft which means'
Grinning triumphant, with mischief glittering in your eyes, you understand exactly how to turn the spear against its wielder, and by drawing out the blood soaking and spilling out of you, you create a free floating cauldron of boiling blood and hot breath at the tip of the spear's split head, refining the lifeforce in both your blood and breath and the qi contained in both, condensing the sphere down to a pearl and then further adjusting the bead of blood, so its presence would be indistinguishable from that of your heart. Making it throb and beat in sync with your own heart's beat, you pull you arm back, to throw and put your theory to the test and see if such quick and dirty alchemical alterations will be enough to fool the magic powering such a high quality artifact!
roll 2d100. DC 112. Best out of five ","attachment":null,"posted":1715417029},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001067,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 55, 61 = 116 (2d100)
>>6001063
SPEAR","attachment":null,"posted":1715417171},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001071,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 84, 21 = 105 (2d100)
>>6001063
GAE","attachment":null,"posted":1715417612},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001072,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 30, 43 = 73 (2d100)
>>6001063
>the spear as it starts seeing something to kill constantly touching it","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715417634173209.jpg","filename":"1705361415513823.jpg"},"posted":1715417634},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001078,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 81, 64 = 145 (2d100)
>>6001063","attachment":null,"posted":1715418440},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001091,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 99, 1 = 100 (2d100)
>>6001063","attachment":null,"posted":1715419691},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001093,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001091
That 99 feels like a slap in my face, the dice gods are cruel","attachment":null,"posted":1715419773},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001095,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6001078
Nice Success. 30 over DC, but
>>6001091
Another critfail?! Jesus. And so close to that special combination.
Anyways, update will arrive shortly
>>6001071
I see at least one junior got the reference.","attachment":null,"posted":1715420184},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001100,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Crimson, scarlet, carmine and vermillion bolts of spiritual energy, splitting like lightning racing across the sky or veins seen through skin, erupt from the places your palms meet the steel of Aodasheng's spear, the dried blood of your cut open palm flaking off and lifting into the air where it ignites, burning to cinders and twinkling out into ash in the night sky like the most briefly lived of stars. Aodasheng looks stunned for a moment, before his expression softens and his fang filled glower shifted instead into a smile that looked almost admiring as you stepped forward, pursuing him down to the surface of the moon as you shifted your weight, leaned forward and put all of your strength into throwing the spear of mortal death at him, and away from yourself, so the "False heart" you created and floated in front of its twin tips would have its attention and trick whatever sorcery powered its flight into chasing after it rather than your true self.
"I see. I see" Aodasheng mutters, closing his eyes as his hands continue performing hand seals and signs and three other voices mimicking his own continue chanting their curses as he plummets and the spear, crackling with deathly yin qi and blood qi in conflict with one another, roars down to him, piercing through the airless space like a bolt of divine retribution. But as you stand back up and recover from your toss, the taste of blood fills your mouth. Crimson bubble at the corner of your lips, lifeblood escaping and spurting from your throat as the organs the very same spear you just through pierced through and damaged ache terribly in your stomach.
"Ow" You whine, wincing and choking on another mouthful of blood, stumbling another step and nearly fainting as, even with the fresh insight that makes closing closer to death than even you are comfortable with strengthen and energize you rather than weakening and making you frail, the hole in your chest and the blood you've lost start to take its toll and you struggle to keep your eyes open, gulping down the latest spurt of blood that shot up your throat, rubbing your mouth and smacking your face to stay conscious and in the fight.
But as you take another step to keep from falling and plummeting right alongside Aodasheng, you find that you've been transported somewhere else than where you were a second ago. The red string wrapped around your wrists pulled taught, black smoke rising from its fraying twine as you blink and see that you didn't get teleported or moved through any mystical means.
Aodasheng just pulled you closer to him
"Now, we're both in its path" He snickers, as you feel the spear approach, and can sense the curses he's chanting are close to being completed and spoken into existence.
'Need to shut him up. Need to get out of the spear's way' You think tiredly and faintly, hardening your glare as you choke on another mouthful of blood that gurgles in your throat.
Trickery Trial. DC 130. Best out of five ","attachment":null,"posted":1715421079},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001110,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 80, 19 = 99 (2d100)
>>6001100
I have a recommendation.
We spit acid in his god damned mouth, and use the motion of ejected fluid to flip up around.","attachment":null,"posted":1715421490},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001112,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 40, 11 = 51 (2d100)
>>6001100
bolg?","attachment":null,"posted":1715421839},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001113,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 58, 85 = 143 (2d100)
>>6001095
>I see at least one junior got the reference.
I don't see the connection with our Gae Bolg and this spear of mortal death. Especially since it's acting more like the Gae Assail is said to behave. Perhaps I am just too autistic about naming conventions kek
>>6001100
EZ spin slap attack","attachment":null,"posted":1715421867},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001118,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001110
Other suggestions include.
Put a ghost light on our hand and the hand behind Ao. And then yeet ourselves with Phantom Waltz.
Or use our Physique and do the qi equivalent lf a flashbang to shut up his chanting","attachment":null,"posted":1715422619},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001121,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001100
Can we not roll 5 times? At this point it only increases the probability of a critfail","attachment":null,"posted":1715422726},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001124,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6001121
This is supposed to be a very, very hard fight. So no, you may not. Have courage, junior","attachment":null,"posted":1715422812},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001129,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 54, 15 = 69 (2d100)
>>6001100
The probability of a crit success is also increased. Theoretically.","attachment":null,"posted":1715423055},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001137,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001129
Indeed, but a critfail in this instance is five times more likely than a crit success. His apprehension is well founded. As should be obvious from the direction this fight has taken. That being every which way all at once!","attachment":null,"posted":1715423279},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001146,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 13, 83 = 96 (2d100)
>>6001100
Please be kind this time","attachment":null,"posted":1715423994},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001149,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6001113
Fair success, 10 over DC. Update will arrive shortly","attachment":null,"posted":1715424137},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001153,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001137
The fight has literally gone to the moon.
This has been incredibly profitable thus far, and when it ends we will have a new subordinate!
And he will pay reperations for fucking with our breakthrough!
And also probably have given us a massive inspiration boost, due to fighting an actual peer. Doesnt it suck all our equals are older than mortal dynasties.","attachment":null,"posted":1715424706},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001156,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"But ah, how strangely, through the fog of agony and sleepiness somehow coexisting in your belly and head, your mind retains clarity of thought, a calmness comparable to that of the quiet dead. Even though it feels like their are thorns growing inside of your flesh and digging into your organs, the pain doesn't distract you or tangle your thoughts into a senseless mess. There are two problems in front of you in needing of solving, two obstacles to overcome. And with the odd clearness of thought, like a beacon burning through the night, the answer and means of doing both reveal themselves. Instinct tells you, to shut up the buzzing noise in your ear and stop the dread curses being uttered in your direction, all you need to do is stop swallowing your blood and to instead...
Spit it out on his face.
Aodasheng winces, face painted red with the splatter of your saliva and blood, a glob of it landing in his mouth as the rest of it falls over his eyes. And in the same motion as hacking up the mouthful of blood inelegantly, like it were a hairball, you reach out with both of your hands and grab hold of the string connecting you to your opponent. The blood red rope is already pulled tight, and all you need to is swing it around. And even though your teetering on the edge of unconsciousness, and maybe even death, so close to the moon and so close to demise, your already impressive strength has grown enough for you to be able to lift up a mountain.
You manage to see Aodasheng's expression as he, choking and sputtering, burns off the blood blinding him, and see that you and he have switched positions. Black blood sprays from his mouth, as the split down the center spear head of the spear of mortal death strikes between his shoulders and pierces through him. Acting quickly, you wrap your hands with the string tying you together and give them a tug, trying to snap them so you can allow yourself fall to the side and avoid the spear still thirsty for your blood.
Black veins crawl around the corners of the forgotten king's eyes as he reaches out towards you, pointing two fingers at you, one human and the other a dragon's claw. The iron thorns wrapped around his spear dig through the skin of his back, as a ripple of destructive yin qi is summoned at his fingertips.
You lean your head to the side, as the first qi blast, a onyx black shaft of rotating destruction, shoots past you and drills through the side of your cheek, a glancing blow that was only an inch or two from hitting something vital, like your eye. He lifts up his second finger, as the spear of mortal death builds momentum, driving itself deeper into his spine.
Time is flowing weirdly, and you can't help but wonder if it has something to do with your injuries interfering with your more magical and bizarre techniques. And as you ponder that, a second black vortex appears at the tip of Aodasheng's claw, way too close to dodge it like you did the first.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1715425102},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001157,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6001156
But, once again, he's made the mistake of trying to match a cat's reaction speed.
Reaction + Magic trial. DC 120. Best out of five ","attachment":null,"posted":1715425166},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001163,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 41, 65 = 106 (2d100)
>>6001157
The finishing blow! Probably.","attachment":null,"posted":1715425913},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001166,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 96, 6 = 102 (2d100)
>>6001157
Oh man, not another critfail","attachment":null,"posted":1715426209},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001169,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 93, 19 = 112 (2d100)
>>6001157
Will this be the closing act in this bloody brawl?","attachment":null,"posted":1715426449},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001172,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"We have a 87% chance of making this roll and yet we will fail it.","attachment":null,"posted":1715426964},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001174,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 84, 4 = 88 (2d100)
>>6001157","attachment":null,"posted":1715427008},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001182,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 8, 36 = 44 (2d100)
>>6001157","attachment":null,"posted":1715429544},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001185,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6001169
failure, but less than ten under dc and
>>6001174
a sixth crit fail. damn.
update will arrive shortly","attachment":null,"posted":1715429701},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001187,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001185
I thought crit fails and successes were just 1 and 100. Is this from the same trait that gives us 5 rolls?","attachment":null,"posted":1715430238},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001188,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6001187
>Enemy Aura: Overwhelming Malevolence. Effect: Critfails reactivated. Range raised from 1, to 1 to 10. Counter effect from Huanliuxue's Aura: Ill Omen. Enemy Aura effectiveness reduced by half. Critfail range for duration of the fight, 1 to 5
Huan is getting a taste of the kind of bullshit anything/ one that has fought her sense she earned her golden core had to deal with.","attachment":null,"posted":1715430314},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001190,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001188
Ah I see.","attachment":null,"posted":1715430357},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001194,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"You arm, covered in white and black, half transparent, ethereal flames shoots up, fingers parting inside the gauntlet covering it to quickly cast a dying grudge shield directly in the way of the incoming Qi Dart. But it locks, stopping as you lift it and let the string you'd wrapped around and gripped with it slack and fall from your hand. And the same pain surging and stabbing in your gut, has shot up along your spine and down that arm. Black, metal thorns burst through your armor, blood oozing out from the places they just as the same sort of iron brambles wrapped around the spear of mortal death erupt from the inside of your arm. And you can feel them binding the bones from your ribs, to your shoulder, down your arms, grinding and carving through the muscles and skin above them. The Qi flowing down the meridians of your arm grows stagnant and turbid and as a few thorns rip their way through the clawed fingers of your gauntlet, you feel the spiritual energy surging through the limb come to a complete halt. The pieces of that damnable spear have sealed the meridians in the arm.
flicking up your other wrist, half of your vision is consumed in a blot of blackness and the white hot agony surging through your body numbs the sensation of fresher pain. The pain of one of your eyes being violently destroyed, the bone around its socket cracking and shattering as the angled beam of destructive yin Qi bursts out the side of your head, richocheting off a barrier, a humble, standard protection you managed to slip behind your eye as it was torn apart and vaporized, by clenching your own hand into a fist at the last possible moment. The spear head vanishes completely into Aodasheng's back, iron thorns crawling over his back and wrapping around his outstretched arm as his rotting black blood drips and intermingles with the warm, red blood flowing from your mouth and the other head injuries you've sustained.
Dimly, you recognize the latest of those injuries is nearly exactly same as the one you dealt to your opponent when you bloodily gouged out his eye. Your consciousness slips away, for a moment, as you and Aodasheng plummet together, both having lost far too much blood and taken far too many wounds.
But just before your eyes shut, they snap back open and you see that Aodasheng has just fought his way back into consciousness as well, the thorns wrapped around him, extending from those wrapped around his spear dragging him with it as it shoots towards the moon in pursuit of your "False heart", While you simply fall like a rock, exhausted from blood loss even as new surges of vitality course through your veins with every drop of blood you lose and every labored breath you take.
A cowardly voice whispers, there is a chance both of you will pass out at the same time, rendering the brutal spar a draw. But that is unacceptable. And judging from how Aodasheng is glaring at you, the ghost king thinks so as well.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1715430897},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001195,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6001194
Using blood control to force the muscles in your nailed and sealed arm to stretch and pull even if they tear, you clench the hand there into a fist, as he extends his talons even as they flake apart like ashes flitting away from a corpse on a pyre.
And as you pass each other as you fall, you both notch back your arms, as you get ready to throw a nail lined fist into his temple and he prepares to flick his claws across your throat. But with only one eye intact at the moment, its pretty difficult measuring the distance between his head and your knuckles.
'If only I had my whiskers'
Martial/ Strength trial. DC adjusted due to injuries and buffs applied, lowered due to moonlight + dancing across the border between life and death + Feline Pride, Reduced to grievous injuries, extreme blood loss. Final DC 95. Best out of five
A calculator was required to figure out the DC with all the negative and positive modifiers that are being applied to it.
Which is, surprisingly, a first for this quest.
Congrats!","attachment":null,"posted":1715430971},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001196,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 95, 9 = 104 (2d100)
>>6001195
We can do this! ...right? ...please?","attachment":null,"posted":1715431168},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001197,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001196
Right!","attachment":null,"posted":1715431229},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001202,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 24, 11 = 35 (2d100)
>>6001195
I actually am somewhat curious how you come up with the DC for trials.","attachment":null,"posted":1715431421},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001208,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 5, 43 = 48 (2d100)
>>6001195","attachment":null,"posted":1715432127},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001211,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 97, 55 = 152 (2d100)
>>6001195
Do. Not. Crit fail.","attachment":null,"posted":1715432369},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001212,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001208
YOU ABSOLUTE BUFFOON.
GAH, HEAVENS. FUCK
YOU.
7 BETTER BE A FUCKING TRIGGER, BECAUSE IT IS TRIGGERING ME!","attachment":null,"posted":1715432429},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001216,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6001202
Well, in terms of DCs in combat.
I consider the combatants and their capabilities, environmental factors/ effects, the difficulty against the reward of success (though a higher or lower DC doesn't always mean one choice is more effective than the other, half the effort twice the results and all that), injuries sustained, Buffs...etc
some more specific determining factors include if the technique, move, spell....etc being used is known or familiar to the target, or if Huan has a ploy/ gambit in mind, or if the enemy will have a harder time dealing with one attack than they would another for one reason or another. Though I do often with my gut instinct and will raise or lower a DC until it feels right to me.
Which I also do with non combat, skill trials. Though the simplest of those is training students, since generally, each student adds a set number to the trial DC, though what that number is can vary (usually doesn't cause Huan has a knack for teaching). Though, like with combat, I tend to give higher DC on trials if I consider the reward/ result to be better, though as I said before this certainly isn't always the case, since some trials I just can't justify being above a certain DC. And the opposite is also true, other trials just don't feel like they should have a DC lower than the one I set for it in the end, irrespective of the results of succeeding it would be.
A good bit of the time I spend writing updates consists solely of me fiddling with and taking into consideration what the DCs should be and what feels right for each trial difficulty wise. This one was just had too many factors for me to do quickly do it in my head, so I needed to use a calculator to expedite the process.
Direct modifiers are more simple, and really the only deciding factor is if what is giving Huan a bonus to her roll is a one off bonus or not.
As for DoS I tend to do them in tiers. An example is this fight, unless you rolled 3 DoS or higher, Aodasheng would usually get a chance to force Huan on the defensive/ counter attack immediately. Which happened quiet often.","attachment":null,"posted":1715432736},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001221,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 15, 93 = 108 (2d100)
>>6001195
The Great Wheel Turns","attachment":null,"posted":1715433104},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001222,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6001211
Fantastic Success. 50 over dc and
>>6001208
A mischievous crit fail, but not a complete one, due to the success
Update will arrive shortly
>>6001212
....eight crit fails would've been. Since four is the unluckiest number and eight is very auspicious.
>>6001221
Spooky...","attachment":null,"posted":1715433417},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001223,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001188
I've just calculated a bit and we have a 40% chance of rolling a critfail.
This is indeed bullshit.","attachment":null,"posted":1715433637},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001227,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6001223
4 is the number of death, and Aodasheng had been submersed in the raw essence of it for two centuries or so.","attachment":null,"posted":1715433776},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001230,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"And to think this is all the result of us being bored while setting up a tournament. But hey, we’ve at least seen we can go toe to toe with some of the stars of the past eras.","attachment":null,"posted":1715434030},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001270,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001230
I'm sure everyone on this thread have heard a cat owner's story on how their cat went missing and it came fuck'd up because their cat fight another one on the street or some shit like that.
This is just like this but at catastrophic *Wink wink* levels","attachment":null,"posted":1715437614},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001273,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"https://youtu.be/aKvhgl2Udmw
-
Pushing that complaint out of your mind, you focus on connecting your fist, with pieces of jagged metal sprouting from it to any part of Aodasheng, though you're aiming for and would be happiest to hit his head. He lunges, extending his arm and growing it out as the skin upon it evaporates into ghostly, unearthly teal mist, his talon hand looking like a glimpse of a dragon's claw seen through a mountain's fog. All other sensation fades away and flees from you as lash out with you arm as it continues to be bound tighter and tighter from the shrapnel splintering throughout it, as you see all of Aodasheng eyes except for the one you damaged turn serpentine and encircled by halos of gold and turquoise flames as the path of both of your falls intersect and you each take the chance to launch one last final, defiant attack against each other. Advance techniques, secret arts, forbidden spells, unique physiques and refined martial styles and vast insights and deep, sagely wisdoms forsaken for the crudest and most basic kind of striking.
A balled fist and extended claws. The beast using the method of the man, and the man practicing the way of the beast. How amusingly ironic.
However, while you might be hitting him like a clawless and fangless human, he is well aware of the true power contained within your deceptively wiry muscles and must've noticed how it has been further increased since you've been bathed in moonlight and were enlightened about the reality of living and dying. So tries to block the strike with the palm of his other hand, ignoring your free, unburdened hand that, slicked with blood, you wrap around his taloned arm as it stretches out disturbingly long and making use of his fall and lunging strike both, redirect his momentum and pull him directly into your outstretched fist, grinding its thorn wrapped knuckles in his cheek before ripping it back out and slamming it hard, once, twice, thrice and four times directly into his forehead, denting his temple by the third strike as his free hand grasps out blindly to grab onto something as he stretches out his claws.
Somehow, as your continue beating and pummeling his face with the blind fury of an injured and cornered animal, the two of you end up tangled together, with his unclawed hand hanging onto the hanging threads of your chest plate and his clawed on gripping on your waist while you continue unleash flurry after flurry of skull shattering punches directly to his face. And by time you realized you can't wiggle out of his accidental grapple, the surface of the moon is right under you and before you can even shout in surprise, you ram into it wit enough force to crater the impact site as both you and Aodasheng, completely unprepared for the fall, crash into bodily, slammed harder and faster by that stupid fucking spear!
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1715437844},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001277,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6001273
Fortunately, you lose consciousness before you can feel anymore pain in what has to be one of the roughest landings in history, only being aware long enough to realize you've crashed to the moon, still tangled up with Aodasheng in the crater the impact of both of your bodies made, and to watch him pass out with a satisfied smile on his punched in face before you yourself drift away into dreamless sleep...
Legendary deed achieved: Defeat the fateful foe: The forgotten king, Aodasheng, proving yourself the rightful ruler of the catacombs of the forgotten king and bloodless war and the monarch of the dead, taking his crown as your own. This is a victory that shall be remembered for generations to come, immortalized in story, myth and legend! There are heavens beyond heavens, and this is a growth further than even those unknown lands, from this pinnacle, mount tai appears as a mole hill. This old ghost has been humbled by the proud house cat! +1000 to cultivation/ training roll. Current total +1551. + a yet to be decided, additional reward...[Result: Victory by a whisker's breadth!]
Huanliuxue has been knocked unconscious, and suffered 3 severe wounds over the course of the battle. Trait: Living source: Blood Qi and Dao: Ghosts, reduces this to 1 severe wounds. Healing and recovering from these will take more effort than rest and ordinary medicinal pills and healing magic...
double vote!
What is the severe & lasting injury have you sustained
>Lost eye (Eyes are a wood aligned sensory organ)
>Scarred face
>Damaged stomach (stomachs are earth aligned yang organ)
>Damaged kidney (Kidneys are water aligned yin organs)
>Sealed meridians in left arm
>Lingering Curse
>Yin imbalance: Overabundance
>Write in (Must be something that could've been believably damaged from the wounds Huanliuxe sustained in the fight)
And what is the bonus reward of your legendary deed, Huanliuxue?
>Further evolution as a demonic beast (Leads to a second vote)
>A ghostly evolution (leads to a second vote)
>A dream(?) of the distant past (???)
>An additional spirit root slot (For a total of four, current three, Ghostly, Blood and Cosmic)
>Living source (Ghostly Yin Qi)
>Secret art: Supreme monarch of the phantom butterflies: All but the mightiest of the dead recognize you as their rightful ruler. Any ghost equal or beneath you, can be bound to your will and made loyal beyond death, including non human spirits.
>Secret Art: Red Dust Revival: A ritual capable of returning ghosts and hungry ghosts to their physical forms and life,
>Write in
This was a very close fight, and nearly ended in a loss or a draw. And you were very, very close to suffering 2 severe wounds, even after the reduction due to being a fount of life energy and practicing a ghostly cultivation method.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715438086678915.png","filename":"1650600343690.png"},"posted":1715438086},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001279,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001277
>Lingering Curse
>Secret Art: Red Dust Revival: A ritual capable of returning ghosts and hungry ghosts to their physical forms and life
Second choice is a no brainer in my eyes, Yujijiao, Xuebai, and maybe even Xiongji if he decides to stick around all massively benefit from this, though I won't lie the "dream" really piqued my interest.","attachment":null,"posted":1715438581},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001284,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001277
>Lost eye (Eyes are a wood aligned sensory organ)
Eye restoration road trip with Qiang? Matching injuries to stir further rumor she's our daughter? I can't pass that up.
>Further evolution as a demonic beast (Leads to a second vote)
I'd like to truly become the guardian spirit of Chuan.
Whew, these are some seriously tough choices though.","attachment":null,"posted":1715439158},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001292,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001277
>Lingering Curse
A curse, one that we shall devour in the future.
God damn these rewards are hard to pick from
im between
Further evolution as a demonic beast (Leads to a second vote)
An additional spirit root slot (For a total of four, current three, Ghostly, Blood and Cosmic)
Living source (Ghostly Yin Qi)
Secret art: Supreme monarch of the phantom butterflies: All but the mightiest of the dead recognize you as their rightful ruler. Any ghost equal or beneath you, can be bound to your will and made loyal beyond death, including non human spirits.
We are a living source of life, so I feel like becoming a living source of death would also work.
Evolution is the mystery box as we don't know what our options are.
However, I posit that if we await and accumulate more power before we evolve, our options for when we do will be greater and more benefical.
While having an Art to make us a lord is excellent, there is no need for some trick or technique to announce our lordship. Is in innate to our being that all worship us, this would only be supplementary.
Therefore its between living source and additional spirit root slot.
>An additional spirit root slot (For a total of four, current three, Ghostly, Blood and Cosmic)
>Living source (Ghostly Yin Qi)
Both of these are things I am fine with.
One will be an asset that would mix well with our current spirit roots and skills (living source), the other would expand our potential to another field of mastery if we so choose.","attachment":null,"posted":1715439693},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001293,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001277
>Lost eye (Eyes are a wood aligned sensory organ)
We need t oget an eye for Qiang anyway, and whatever we pluck it from will likely have more than one.
>Secret Art: Red Dust Revival: A ritual capable of returning ghosts and hungry ghosts to their physical forms and life","attachment":null,"posted":1715439755},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001294,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001277
>Lingering Curse
>I'd like, just asthetically, to have a scar up the arm that the spear went in the shape of Proud Sage's name. He's just that good.
Scarred face would be pussying out. This fight deserves CONSEQUENCES.
>Red dust revival
Supreme Monarch is so much more fitting, but "Hey, we literally beat death. Have your body back" is so much better. I'm fine with either but my first pick is red dust.","attachment":null,"posted":1715439770},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001349,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001277
>Damaged kidney (Kidneys are water aligned yin organs)
Eh, we have two we can live without one.
Just stay clear of alcohol.
>Secret Art: Red Dust Revival: A ritual capable of returning ghosts and hungry ghosts to their physical forms and life,
This is so useful for both our sister and the serpent princess, and Aodasheng too i guess...","attachment":null,"posted":1715445261},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001417,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001277
>Damaged kidney (Kidneys are water aligned yin organs)
>Secret Art: Red Dust Revival: A ritual capable of returning ghosts and hungry ghosts to their physical forms and life","attachment":null,"posted":1715451088},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001418,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001277
>Sealed meridians in left arm
I say since sealed meridians shouldn't be too hard to heal. Unlike the organs which I assume we'd need to track down a treasure to heal the others.
>Secret Art: Red Dust Revival: A ritual capable of returning ghosts and hungry ghosts to their physical forms and life,
With taking the mountain and subduing the king our home is safe. We can chill and heal our meridians while the tournament is going on.
And then I consider that we head to the moon to finish healing and leave the ghost king as a dao protector of the sect to train. After a few months to a year of training and creating new skills and refining our battle techniques. We could come back once in awhile to check up on the sect and give disciples advice but mainly focus on self improvement. It's time for a training arc.","attachment":null,"posted":1715451156},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001431,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"This fight was exhausting. Seven critfails, the majority of which were natties. And for a "friendly" spar he actually would have just killed us were we anyone else on several occasions. Meanwhile he's just fine once he has a minute to wake up and dust off and we're actually really hurt because he's already dead so causing any long term harm to him is basically impossible since we didn't attack him in such a way that would be able to leave a lingering mark on a spirit.
Can't even vote to do anything super mean and spiteful to him because Huan's actually a very sweet person.","attachment":null,"posted":1715452441},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001476,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"My god, this fucking fight.
Between the absolute madlad savant Aodasheng, the dicegods going for blood and an epic finish on the bloody moon, (literal) this fight was an experience and a half.
My hats off, Grandfather
>>6001277
>Scarred face
I like this one because for someone as proud of their beauty as Huanliuxue to have an ugly scar would be a fittingly devastating blow indeed.
And the idea of Huan going on a quest to restore her beauty just sounds like an excellent setup for a moral lesson of some sort.
Though frankly I don't mind most of the injuries, they all sound interesting. We are probably going to make the effort to heal from it quickly anyway.
>Secret Art: Red Dust Revival: A ritual capable of returning ghosts and hungry ghosts to their physical forms and life
No brainer.
Between Yujijiao, Xuebai, and now potentially the entire army of the forgotten king to revive, this is far too valuable to pass up. I imagine we can't just spam it but the ability alone is easily worth it.
Besides, doesn't this mean we can revive any disciple of ours who dies? They would have to become a ghost, which is not part of everyone's skillset, and they need to avoid getting their souls destroyed, but otherwise this is a massive safety net to gain.
Maybe we can even poach dead people from hell! Probably a quick way to piss of King Yama, but hey, options.
Though for what its worth all the other options are also very tempting.
We really need to finally pick up Supreme monarch of the phantom butterflies at one point, its been a long time coming.","attachment":null,"posted":1715455800},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001479,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001431
Remember that the gods no-diffed Aodasheng. We may be a very big toad but we still inhabit a well.","attachment":null,"posted":1715455947},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001490,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001479
I'm not really worried about that. I'm just miffed with the ghost king for being a bit of a dick about this whole thing.","attachment":null,"posted":1715456888},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001517,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001277
>Lingering Curse
The most interesting choice narratively, I want to see what bullshit we end up with and how we brainstorm with Monu on how to break it
>Secret Art: Red Dust Revival: A ritual capable of returning ghosts and hungry ghosts to their physical forms and life,
No-brainer as mentioned","attachment":null,"posted":1715458591},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001578,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Damn, no contest for the reward it seems.","attachment":null,"posted":1715463618},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001611,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001578
Interestingly, I think this might be the first time no one has gone for the mystery box option (unless you count the curse as a bad mystery box)","attachment":null,"posted":1715465707},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001642,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001277
>Lost eye (Eyes are a wood aligned sensory organ)
>Secret Art: Red Dust Revival: A ritual capable of returning ghosts and hungry ghosts to their physical forms and life,","attachment":null,"posted":1715468278},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001647,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001611
Among all the Juniors present,
I alone shall stand against the tide.
also we had one guy go for evolution, he was the second to vote on this. I didn't go for mystery box because of the reasons I outlined
>>6001292
here.
Its not that mystery box = bad, its just mystery box can be better latter on I think.","attachment":null,"posted":1715468512},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001708,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001647
By mystery box I more meant the dream of the past","attachment":null,"posted":1715473834},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001709,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001647
Red Dust Revival was a stronger contender for I, Evolution Anon, as well. I actually veered away from it because I'm a little concerned about the impact it could have on the story. The transition from worrying about her own safety to worrying about the safety of her students has been a good shift for the plot, and I'm concerned that having a resurrection button removes that narrative tension.
Whereas becoming guardian of Chaun just gives us more to worry about. But yeah, I can't exactly blame people for choosing what Huan would choose.","attachment":null,"posted":1715473876},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001711,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001709
I maily veered off of it because i thought that Haun wouldn't have felt bad for the dead in the sense that there is no difference, even if they are ghosts, they aren ot diminished in any way.","attachment":null,"posted":1715474008},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001786,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001709
There's probably going to be very specific or strict conditions to use it. But also a lot of ghosts and spirits are stronger dead than they were alive. I can't imagine Aody could get fucked up nearly as hard as a man than he can as a ghost. Even considering how tough daoists can be. And the other, stranger abilities ghosts possess, like possessing, or incorporeality in general.
If it weren't for the soul shattering madness of being killed or long-dead inflicts on people, it might actually be an upgrade to die and persist as a spirit than to remain living. Even the dead can cultivate, after all. It's just a lot harder I imagine. But with enough time that isn't really a problem, and they have all the time in the world.","attachment":null,"posted":1715478236},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6001852,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001786
I think it depends on how the system works, which varies a lot between stories. To the best of my understanding, it isn't that being dead is advantageous, so much as that the world Huan lives in is in decline, and means to deal with ghosts are uncommon. Other than the Ling, and their weird ability to inflict True Death, demons, and various heretics like Huan herself, soul magic is pretty uncommon at this power level. I don't know how crazy Grandfather intends to get, but we're only at Gold Core. Once Huan reaches True Immortal, or even gets up past Nascent Soul, I expect that will no longer be the case. At that point, we'll probably want insight into one of the bigger power sets, like evolving our Dao of Life and Death into Samsara. Grandfather only knows how Intent is going to work, if it gets introduced.","attachment":null,"posted":1715481951},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6002164,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001277
>Damaged kidney (Kidneys are water aligned yin organs)
>Secret art: Supreme monarch of the phantom butterflies: All but the mightiest of the dead recognize you as their rightful ruler. Any ghost equal or beneath you, can be bound to your will and made loyal beyond death, including non human spirits.","attachment":null,"posted":1715508592},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6002233,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Votes:12
ueHTT6rQ
Yz+yBMSY
e/99WtC7
eaWPLolb
Vdyz6rMK
ehrTkBAt
IKvjil9g
HsWg3Jiz
7P4IsFo8
hNhirTco
uJWV2QeW
5G4JrNX6
First Choice
>Lost Eye:3
Yz+yBMSY
eaWPLolb
uJWV2QeW
>Scarred Face:1
7P4IsFo8
>Damaged Kidney:3
ehrTkBAt
IKvjil9g
5G4JrNX6
>Sealed Meridians:1
HsWg3Jiz
>Lingering Curse:4
ueHTT6rQ
e/99WtC7
Vdyz6rMK
hNhirTco
>Scarred arm from the spear of mortal death:1
Vdyz6rMK
Second Choice
>Further evolution as a demonic beast:1
Yz+yBMSY
>Additional spirit root slot:
e/99WtC7
>Living source (Ghostly Yin Qi):1
e/99WtC7
>Secret art: Supreme monarch of the phantom butterflies:1
5G4JrNX6
>Secret Art: Red Dust Revival:9
ueHTT6rQ
eaWPLolb
Vdyz6rMK
ehrTkBAt
IKvjil9g
HsWg3Jiz
7P4IsFo8
hNhirTco
uJWV2QeW
Second choice is a landslide, but the first is still up for argument and late stragglers to flip.","attachment":null,"posted":1715515934},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6002259,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002233
Fellow Juniors, I will not attempt to convince you of the latter, but for the former. If we have a wound like the rest, at worst we have an injury we recover from. However, if we have a curse, we can turn it into a strength by devouring it in the future.","attachment":null,"posted":1715518281},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6003143,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001277
>Lingering Curse
>An additional spirit root slot (For a total of four, current three, Ghostly, Blood and Cosmic)","attachment":null,"posted":1715578216},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6003317,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Ending the vote now.
>>6002233
Thank you junior for taking on the duty of tallying in my stead. And with >>6003143
this vote
You're suffering from a Lingering curse and have attained the secret art of Red Dust Revival
Update will arrive shortly
>>6001476
Your kind words are much appreciated junior
>>6001431
I was worried it was going to last until the next thread, myself","attachment":null,"posted":1715598817},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6003345,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Dreamless, yes, but not uneventful. Instead of an impenetrable sea of black like a starless night sky, instead what greets you in the realm of unconsciousness is red. Not blood red, or vibrant red, not the red of sunsets or weeping wounds or fresh apple skin, but the red of rust and cinnabar. It moves and shifts around your languid mind and still spirit like sand, each grain perceivable but meaningless as you're carried along it like a corpse floating belly upon the river. But even though your eyes are closed, they feel as though they've been opened, for even if all you can see is this red dust, in your ears, scratching like gnawing rats or pens scratching parchment, you can hear hoarse voices dry as crypts whispering things in dialects unfamiliar and strange but somehow you know they are ancient. They are repeating, like mad men desperate to hold onto the last threads of their frayed sanity, a process, partially alchemical, partially religion ceremony, partially occult. A forbidden act, a heretical sorcery, a ritual array that was one of the first of those branded as demonic cultivation when the five wise immortal sages took power in heavens.
And when you realize this, your eyes shoot open, and you start clawing your way out of the red mortal dust, afraid of the secret being slipped into the folds of your mind, like a reverse pickpocket, but the old bones of the original sinners hold on tightly to your wrists and shoulders and coo as they whisper the secrets they were killed to keep through their sewn shut lips, their chopped tongues wagging, dried like meat jerky. Hissing and spitting, you're dragged, soul and mind, to witness the rite as it is performed. And the necromantic array, an afront to the natural order of life and death. A gruesome altar, with a soiled white silk cloth set over its blood and fat smeared surface delicately, with rare treasures that make unicorn horns and phoenix feathers seem as common and everyday as Ox horns and sparrow feathers.
"The ritual is personalized. A portion of the original body must be present and made as an idol, enshrined and made the conduit and vessel of prayers and curses, blessings and maledictions" One of the skeletons, whose voice you remember, you remember all to well, hearing it sends a cold chill down your spine. That is the voice of the demonic cultivator, the worst heretic, who wrote in his diary the mysteries of devouring other souls to strengthen your own.
"And then, when the even the stars have fled the skies and the winds have died, when there is no light and even the crickets and crows fall silent, the idolized corpse part must be presented with a sacrifice as great as they were in life. Though certain treasures must be present, to trick the gods of death, to cheat King Yama and to twist the great wheel of reincarnation backwards, for but a single life" They continue on, voice as monotone and dead as the bones they stand before, dusting them with corpse ash and dried blood
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1715602597},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6003347,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6003345
"That is the price to truly cheat death, to prevent transmigration. An affront and offense to the judges of mortal life, to take this red mortal dust we are all fated to become, and allow it to sprout anew. To return life to the dead, is to stand against the river of life and push back against its rapids" They explain to the terrified jade beauty, bound and gagged, tied like a roasted duck, laying senseless before the bones laid out as if they were an earthly god, dressed in the finest silks and jewelry, atop a throne of skulls, ribcages and femurs "To use these earthly treasures, these heavenly gifts scattered across the world in unison with these cursed tools and vile substances, forcing the divine and demonic, painting yin and yang through the abomination of it all, as a form of celebration to the one whom Yama shall be denied to judge. Such fine treasures, such magnificent tools. But a bribe is needed, a sacrifice in both material and spiritual wealth, and life. This is where you come in. the currency of souls is odd, demons know it well, but you cannot exchange any life for any other. They must be equal, in the ways judged by the king of hell, to fool his scales for but a moment to exchange one soul for another, do you understand?"
The trapped girl whimpered, squirming in her binds as the faceless shadow of the soul eater drifted across the room, floating over the lines of the ritual array drawn in the ground with bonemeal and dried blood
"At the threshold between death and life, the line between them blur. Depression, liveliness in the last days of life, ghosts satiating their hunger, fathering children. All expressions of this cosmic hiccup" The continue on, reaching towards the skeleton hoisted up onto the throne, staring deep into they empty space of its eyes "But, to force the appearance of this boundary, between death and life, one must be able to create the gate. And when lines blur, when night becomes day and day night, the Yama can be cheated and the wheel turned back around, for one, pitiful little soul. Isn't exciting? You and I shall be the father and mother of a new age, one where the laws of life and death themselves are..."
The shadow turns and looks at you, tilting their head to the side curiously as they hold up a very familiar diary, jotting down notes in an deranged scrawl, with the profane away they've placed a living woman at the center of, surrounded by strange artifacts, holy relics and malevolent looking magic tools.
"Who....are you?" They ask, looking at you "Who reeks of death, yet burns with life? Are you the gate or merely an illusion? Are you to be my teacher or student? Somehow, I feel like, I've seen you before somewhere?"
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1715602658},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6003348,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6003347
And the vision fade as breath fills your lungs, and you pull yourself out the past and the river of life and of death made of the red dust of the mortal world, eyes searing as the images within the diary, the exact amounts of each component and the types of vessel treasures and conduit artifacts and tools required to perform the heathen ritual. That perverted both Daoism, Buddhism and surely a few other religions you haven't heard of. And no matter how much you rub your eyes, of which you now have two of again, you can't wipe the images from your memories and mind's eye.
For better or for worse, The forbidden Red Dust Revival (红尘复兴, Hóngchénfùxīng) is something you've now inherited and in the world of the present day, something you alone own. The ability to cheat death, exchanging one life for another, to return ghosts back to living flesh and soul. And it is exciting as it is terrifying. Mostly because, from the notes you saw in the diary and the words of its creator, you've come to realize now that the terror meeting the repugnant bastard face to face has passed, that you are both more suitable and better equipped to perform the red dust revival, as you hold both the purest expression of Life and the truest expression of death inside of your cultivation base, and with effort, surely you could blot the stars out of the sky for a few hours. Its almost like the art was intended for you to one day take as your own. But not wishing to dwell upon the creepy vision or jaunt into the past of one of the worst monsters ever produced by the world of cultivation, you rise up from the hole in the moon you've found yourself in, everything aching and hurting, the taste of blood coating your tongue, ringing in your ears, stiffness in every limb and joint, throbbing pain in all of your organs and viscera and guts beneath your ribs, prickling pain in your arm and
Lingering curse revealed. Specter Starvation (幽灵饥饿, Yōulíngjī'è). An unearthly hunger for Living breath/ Life-force/ Living essence and souls. A curse that effects the most depraved, monstrous and vile of hungry ghosts and Jiangshi, and can be transmitted by the malevolence of powerful ghosts upon the living. If the hunger is not satiated, the afflicted will gradually waste away and take on a ghoulish countenance, mirroring the effects of starvation on a physical, mental and spiritual level
Feel a pit in your stomach, a hunger worse than starvation, that forces you to slump over and wince in agony as it gnaws and chews at you, until your gasping for air. The tides of this strange craving pass, and you're able to stand, wobbling around and cutting your tongue on your human teeth, finding that your armor had managed to repair and weave itself back together, and that Aodasheng is sitting, cross legged, in front of you, watching you with a look somewhere between guilt and fascination.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1715602719},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6003350,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6003348
"You talk in your sleep, and say such interesting things, I didn't know you'd read that curious old diary, but I didn't recall reading an section detailing any ritual called the red dust revival" He says simply as you furrow your brow, wrinkle your nose, and wonder if returning to your cat body will make everything hurt less, before you remember you and him had just been in the throes of a supposedly friendly spar
"Which of us" you start before he smiles and cups his fist and bows
"You did" He humbly answers, head still bowed "And thus, I am subjugated, and it is Huanliuxue who has proven herself the master and Aodasheng the underling"
You frown, and look away, struggling to find words, conflicting emotions battling out for dominance in your heart until, all you can say is "It was a close match, and a tough fight"
"Indeed. But now, I must ask, what will you make of me? And where will you lead me?" He asks excitedly "I haven't been someone's follower in ages, you see, since I killed my first master I believe, so I'm curious if it will be to my liking, being a follower"
"What do you mean by what will I make of you?" You ask, wincing as the hunger wells back up just to remind you it is there
"Am I to be a servant. A student. A friend. An advisor. A second in command. A Guardian. An attack dog. A pet. A trophy" he lists off rapidly, eyes rolling this way and that "There are many kinds of underling and master relationships, as you as royalty are no doubt aware, though I warn you to not make me a maid. I've always been terribly unorganized and something of a slob, if I must be honest"
Well, what will you treat Aodasheng as, Huanliuxue?
>A Servant
>A friend
>A advisor
>A Second in command
>A Guardian
>An attack dog
>A pet
>A trophy
>A Maid
>A write in","attachment":null,"posted":1715602843},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6003364,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003350
>Advisor and Guardian.
You do not get to be a Second in command, Yet.
You will teach, you will learn, You will protect my Sect.
But you were a worthy foe, and I will not demean that.
>Moving on, You did leave a rather nasty curse on me, I'll need to figure out a way to siphon Life force to sustain me while we deduce how to break it. That can wait, Lets go see who wants to join my sect!
We can absorb life essence from plants, no? that may be a method.
Anyway, lets see if he can spot any talents in the show, and we can preen ourselves a little bit.
And apart from material costs. . . the sacrifice doesn't seem to be that bad for NOW. Since big sis and the snake are pretty weak.
But Ao and rooster general. . may be harder.","attachment":null,"posted":1715604126},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6003375,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003350
>A friend
Even now, he calls the members of his dead army his friends.
He clearly values their loyalty highly, and I think it would be wise to do the same here.
Besides, this guy fucking rules, he will make a great friend.
And partner in crime, I suspect.
It appears we are likely not going to spam the Red Dust Revival very much, maybe not at all, and definitally not enough to ressurect an entire army, but maybe just Xuebai and Yujijiao should be fine?
...is Unimportant still alive? Would he be roughly equal to Yujijiao, at least in strength? Might be worth looking into.
The Ogress may just be strong enough to bring Aodasheng back to life...
This curse is bad news... can we satiate it by eating the life force of lifestock or something? I hope so, cause otherwise this is going to get ugly very fast.","attachment":null,"posted":1715605516},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6003389,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003348
Hmmm, a curse like this... Perhaps we should go to hell to find our cure.
>>6003350
>A friend
>A Servant
The Power of friendship is unparalleled under the heavens and beyond them... Just don't forget we are also the one in charge as well.","attachment":null,"posted":1715606977},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6003397,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003350
>An advisor
>A friend
The harsher the submission we force him into, the sourer things will turn if Aodasheng does grow strong enough to escape us one day. He is the first cultivator of relatively equal strength Huan has triumphed over, and our relationship with him should reflect that-- out of respect for him as a fellow heretic, if nothing else. He is just a hair weaker than us, and seems like a pretty cool dude besides.","attachment":null,"posted":1715608080},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6003426,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003350
So we already have big sis's corpse and we could probably use her pet as the sacrifice, but I think what's left of Yujijiao's body is what the Ogress turned her corpse into (convenient since she's the last of the potential MCs we have to deal with). Curse is gonna be rough, but I could imagine we could maybe learn how to use if once we overcome it. Just need to find a suitable method of eating besides going back to how we were when we started.
>An Advisor
Knowledge is power, and Ao has more than plenty to offer us and potentially our students. For being the first person to ever challenge us on even grounds (I'm not counting the bitch gods sneak attacking us) I have respect for him.","attachment":null,"posted":1715609917},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6003449,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003350
>A friend
Keeping it simple. A friend can be many of those things.","attachment":null,"posted":1715612781},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6003462,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003426
idk, they say the life has to be the equal to yama. Would her pet be anywhere near her value?
Unless we can use our life energy as a substitute since its a wellspring, this basically requires us to kill another for it to work. It's certainly not something we can apply willy nilly.","attachment":null,"posted":1715614673},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6003476,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003348
Taking the ritual was a mistake.
Taking the curse was a mistake as well.
>>6003350
>A advisor","attachment":null,"posted":1715615735},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6003487,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003476
What was the mistake?","attachment":null,"posted":1715616984},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6003491,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003487
With this price, the ritual is significantly less useful than an additional qi root, for example. And a wound would not come with a need to eat lifeforce.","attachment":null,"posted":1715617204},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6003495,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003491
Knowing how to control the flow of souls, flesh and blood, and bringing people back to life is way more valuable, since it's a coalescence of all our previous understandings, and greater understanding of the Dao. That's worth way more than another spirit root for now. I can maybe agree with the lifeforce, but I'm sure Huan can come up with an ingenious way to make it work out for herself.","attachment":null,"posted":1715617502},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6003499,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003476
We fought a spirit of calamity, now we eat lifeforce.
CONSEQUENCES!","attachment":null,"posted":1715617829},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6003512,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003350
>A lover
I just think we should give it a try","attachment":null,"posted":1715619181},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6003538,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003491
A wound would, if my understanding of Chinese medicine is correct, impact our ability to use that element. Losing an eye means verdant Carmine mysticism is compromised, and the kidney I think influences some of our blood stuff and certainly Monu’s grudge. I slightly prefer the curse over our fighting abilities getting limited","attachment":null,"posted":1715620414},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6003550,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003350
> A guardian
A powerful protector
> An advisor
A wise teacher","attachment":null,"posted":1715620892},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6003579,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003364
Support.
My thoughts on the revival is that it isn't that bad.
Mainly the soul exchange no doubt we'll find some asshole who will try to mess with us.
And if we're gonna kill them we might as well trade a ghost for a living person. Meaning we'll need to learn some sealing arts to contain such people.
Ironically we have a living flesh soul that's still alive. Now Grandfather I'm curious about a few things. Namely, do they need to be of the same strength or is it the potential of the soul.
Cause the flesh soul had the fate of a protagonist so his worth should be about the ghost king's worth.
Can you go into a bit of detail on that? Since we'd prob exchange the ogress for Ghost King.","attachment":null,"posted":1715622882},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6003581,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003579
Also shouldn't have taken the curse much harder to get fid of then the other choices.","attachment":null,"posted":1715622944},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6003588,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003538
We have such a variety of fighting abilities that losing some of them wouldn't compromise us much. Now, on the other hand, we need to eat people. Just after we barely convinced people we aren't in fact a demon.","attachment":null,"posted":1715623327},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6003610,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003579
I highly doubt some slayer is anywhere near the equal of a man who the heaven themselves needed to smite.
Another way to put it is, most of the trades anons are willing to make to bring back someone else aren't trades between two equals lol.
>>6003476
This Junior will humbly take the chance to say
I TOLD YOU ALL.
no brainer decision, more like no brain decision makers baka. (I just wanted to get the other two I really wanted).
>>6003581
Curse will pay itself off tho, trust. The others aren't hard to remove, but that's why they bear no tributlation. The trial of overcoming this curse will bring with it far greater reward then any of the other decisions.
Temper our soul and steel, we shall be resolved to face the heavens.
>>6003588
If we go to hell, we can put this curse to rest in the land of demons, this junior thinks. (that or at least sate it with the lives of the unjust battlefield looters). Two birds with one Haun.","attachment":null,"posted":1715624834},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6003614,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003350
>>A friend
>>A advisor
You know shit, and besides forgetting that you can actually really fucking hurt people you've been pretty rad.
>>6003579
I knew the dusty trick would cost some serious shit kek. What does "equal worth" really mean though? Especially to the eyes of a buddhist? Does an enlightened man have an infinite worth? But to a daoist is there any worth other than strength? Does an old crippled master have the same value as a young learning prodigy? Is a decadent emperor worth the same as the humble peasant?
Worth is an entirely subjective concept. Meaning only what one is willing to give in recompense for. I think Yama's scales measure on some hidden metric we don't know about. A much deeper understanding of souls than Huan has. But that psychotic and vile heretic of the past most certainly knew about, he was very acquainted with souls, after all.","attachment":null,"posted":1715625017},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6003631,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003350
> A Qi battery and an observer (probably similar to servant)
We will bind him to our body like Lei bound the demon to his. He will probably witness us toppling the heavens. We promise to set him and his willing fellow ghosts free the latest after 90 years (three generations) or after toppling the power structures within heaven. "Free" means either of rebirth-cycled, "ghost free", or if both a child-killing exchange partner of enough potency and a body part are available: restored to life (each ghost's own wish). We will be a relatively benevolent slaver and have all ghosts drained of their grudges regularly.
He is too dangerous to operate without supervision.","attachment":null,"posted":1715626446},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6003633,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003588
But we can simply eat bad people, probably including bad demons! We know where to find a few. A different way would be to just squeeze a few drops out of the obscenely tough flesh-soul of Jingyu now and then. It will probably regenerate.","attachment":null,"posted":1715626796},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6003668,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003633
Or even simpler than that, non-magical animals as there’s nothing specifying it needs to be human. We have a base in the middle of a giant forest, hunting or rearing livestock should not be an issue.","attachment":null,"posted":1715628954},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6003694,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003350
>A student, and a teacher","attachment":null,"posted":1715630502},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6003799,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003350
>A friend
Bet he didn't have many in his past this no-life no-name nerd king.","attachment":null,"posted":1715638341},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6004301,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003350
> For now a guardian and advisor, in time maybe a friend as well","attachment":null,"posted":1715670865},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6004373,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003350
>>A friend","attachment":null,"posted":1715683053},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6004476,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Ending the vote and tallying its result now.
Advisor:8
Guardian:4
Moving on, you did leave a rather nasty curse on me...:2
A friend:8
A servant:1
A Lover?!:1
A student:1
A teacher:1
A Qi battery and an observer:1
So, you'll treat Aodasheng like an advisor and try to be his friend, and since the only votes for Guardian are as an addition to advisor, I'll treat it like a sub-vote for advisor, and include it as an extra since it has half the total for advisor as well and I'm counting this
>>6004301
as a vote for all three
Anyways
Update will arrive shortly","attachment":null,"posted":1715693682},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6004538,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":""An Advisor to me, a Guardian to both myself and those following me, and hopefully a friend as well, but a cat's affection has to be earned and can be rather fickle, though I would like to count you amongst my friend, Aodasheng" You answer, after pondering the question for a moment, and tapping a finger on your lips thoughtfully "Fighting you was rather fun, even if this was a lot more extreme than I expected from a friendly spar"
"Any clash between cultivators should be brutal and violent enough to make the heavens weep, has this changed in this era?" He answers, after nodding along to show he agreed to the terms you set "And I will try my best to serve you well in all three roles, giving good, wise council, guarding you from all who'd bare their teeth in your direction, and doing my damndest to earn the privledge of your friendship, Huanliuxue. I owe as much to you who is both my savior and the only one to best me in battle besides my honorable rival, even if our battle was far closer than my last encounter with the farm boy. But besides that, I'm fond of those with well placed pride in themselves and the fearless fools of the world as well, Hah!"
"Closest fight I've ever been in, I'm much too cautious to join battles I think I have a chance of losing if there's no other choice" You answer with a chuckle, as you take off your helmet and move you jaw, stretching it to work out the kinks and aches in its muscles, hearing it click as a foul taste fills your mouth and you spit out a glob of decay that you didn't vomit up earlier, head ringing. Taking a stumbling step forward, clutching your head and feeling close to vomitting, you find yourself in Aodasheng arms as he looks at you with honest concern for your well being
"Master!" He cries out, wincing like the word pains him to say and you can imagine why, there is only one person in the world you were willing to call the master...er, well two, if old five colors started treating you like his disciple, you aren't vain enough to argue with the one god you can tolerate.
"That word sounds like filth in your mouth" You chuckle woozily, ears ringing loud and head spinning as a pang of hunger worsens both already terrible feelings, mixing with the nausea, which must be an after affect of the quick treatment you gave your brain and the rest of your head after the man now fretting over you planted a curse in their that rapidly started turning all of it to rot. A sure kill move that only failed because it was used against you, though this latest pang of hunger made you realize it feels different from normal hunger, and a creeping worry that the two are connected is all but confirmed when Aodasheng looks over you carefully, looking shocked and then guilty as he hovers a hand over your temple and waves it over your body, glowering as he does so.
"Of all the curses I uttered against you in our bout, that is the one to break through your immense imperial aura?" He says with a bitter laugh.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1715697438},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6004539,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6004538
"Is that the reason I feel like I haven't eaten for half a year and you're looking tastier than rotting human corpses usually look?" You ask bluntly, now somewhat regretting adding friend to his job alongside your personal advisor and guardian "Also I thought you only managed to place a single curse on me"
"I can speak them silently, only the strongest require me to speak them verbally" He says, sticking out his tongue and lifting up his palm to show another mouth formed on it, revealing exactly how he was casting so many curses at once, something you would've been curious about if you weren't all but fighting for you life against the lunatic "When the first broke through your spiritual defenses, I just began listing them off to see which could penetrate your soul's armor and dignity. I thought most of them bounced off or were absorbed by your meridians, it really is peculiar this one resisted long enough to settle...truly peculiar"
"You're a real bastard of a calamity, you realize" You growl, waving your hand as the fainting spell passes and you feel well enough to stand "Do you have any idea why it endured and reached me when the others didn't"
"Yes, I do. I'm not a good man, but I do feel bad that I did harm to you that I didn't mean and left a scar that didn't heal in a friendly spar, I must've gotten sloppy or lost myself in the thrill of the fight" He says with a shrug and roll of his shoulders, his soft eyes sharpening like a falcon's as he strokes his beard, solar winds whistling through the hole in his chest where his heart used to be and he reaches out and taps your head "One of the places it targets is your brain, the other is your stomach"
You brush his hand away in annoyance
"Both of which you injured in our vicious beatdown of each other" You mutter, pouting angrily "Well, at least its just a curse, I can probably find a way to "Digest" it quickly, losing an eye or my left arm would've been...
"Ah, funny you say that" He says, with a nervous laugh, scratching the back of his head as he turns away "The curse is specter starvation, have you heard of it? Surely you have considering you practice ghostly cultivation..."
"Dogfucker!" You shout, slapping him hard in the cheek. And unlike most would be, his head whips to the side instead of all of him being sent flying
"I deserved that" He says, rubbing his darkening cheek, a drip of black, rotten blood dribbling out of his nose
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1715697499},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6004541,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6004539
"Of course I know about it, its one reason the weaklings of this era don't use ghost's breath to cultivate and keep far away from the Qi produced by corpses!" You shout, stomping a foot and pulling your hand back to smack him again, but stop when he leans in and turns his unslapped cheek to be struck, since that makes it feel weird and uncomfortable, so instead you huff and turn away, grinding your teeth "They fear spiritual sicknesses, not realizing that what they dread are actually curses and absorbing the spiritual energy of ghosts is completely safe, so long as you do it slowly at first and give your body time to adapt"
"So you understand why it is kind of funny?" He titters, still leaning down, making himself exactly as tall as you are.
"Yes...If it happened to someone else!" You shout, stomping your foot in frustration, mostly to ignore the growing pit in your stomach, bored by both mounting dread and deepening hunger "I just convinced the other sects of the Chuan kingdom I wasn't a demon, and to look past the people I ate when I was younger! Do you know how difficult that was! they tied me up in an immortal binding rope, and one drooling inbred shit eater groped my ass when I was restrained"
"Should've just killed them" Aodasheng says bluntly, acting as an advisor "And I'm surprised there are still ropes strong enough to bind you"
"I needed to act the part of the tearful, helpless and stunningly beautiful girl, to make them see me as another human rather than a rampaging monster" You answer quickly "And I very nearly killed that piece of shit, but his suffering needed to be greater"
"Ah torture!" He cheerfully replies "Good choice, death is too god for ani...filth like him"
"I wouldn't have taken offense, he was lower than even shit eating maggots" You grumble, shaking your head, now angrier at remembering the dishonor and shame you swallowed to just to speak cordially with your fellow daoists "So you can understand why I don't find the humor in ME being cursed with a hunger for the living essence of souls"
"Cats are said to steal breath in some parts of the world" Aodasheng chimes, as if you'd somehow change your mind if he explained the "joke" from another anger and you think about taking back your word of trying to be friends with him but think better of it, since that does make it funnier until it makes you more pissed off.
"I know. But my reputation will be ruined if they find out I've been eating souls or draining people of their life force to keep myself alive. Sure" You continue, walking with Aodasheng across the lunar surface, changing forms since most of your aches in your human body have been worked out, but the different arrangement of muscles and ligaments in your feline body will mean it is still probably stiff and sore "Being hexed with a curse with no known cure or counter could make them pity me, but I don't want or need that"
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1715697560},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6004545,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":""Could be a valuable tool, make them underestimate you or more willing to overlook behavior their dogma would find unacceptable" He says quietly, getting somewhat distracted by the alien landscape around him, looking around like a spoiled noble gawking at the rice paddies and farms of the poor "Sympathy would keep them from returning to their old beliefs about you"
"But giving into the hunger WILL make them slip back to their old view of me and ALL other ascended beasts, something I cannot allow to happen as their rightful ruler and guardian" You snap back, mid lick of one of your paws "So WE need to find a cure, if we want to become and stay friends'
Aodasheng looks amused
"Ah, I just recalled, you did mention it was without treatment, I thought that was odd. In my time the cure was well known" He says blithely and cheerfully "So this should calm your ire somewhat, Lady Huan. Just consume the lifeforce of a dragon, or something or someone with equally refined Qi or profound spiritual power. And the curse will be satiated"
"I'm friends with a little dragon, I don't want to eat her relatives souls" You say without really thinking, more astonished that the solution was just handed to you, you were willing and almost a little excited to have to turn over heaven and earth to find a way to tame this roiling hunger in your belly "Especially since I ate someone who ate their flesh, and their meat was disgusting"
"Human or Magical beast?" Aodasheng asks, completely overlooking the fact you told him you were close with a dragon, since apparently your diet is more interesting to the former ghost king
"Awakened toad. I ate him on principle, I despise those who hate children" You answer, caught off guard by what your new advisor and body guard finds interest in
"Hm, might've been bodily poison then. But even if I don't think it will be too difficult for you to cure yourself without betraying your own morality and self chosen virtues and personal ideals, this is still my fault. Unarguably so. So I will strive to make up for this folly of mine" He says with a serene smile as he kneels down and picks up a moon rock "Say, do you think we'd find rabbits if we searched hard enough up here"
"Dunno, didn't see any on my first trip here, saw one in heaven" You say and jump as a sudden noise nearly makes you leap out of your fur. Aodasheng had crushed the rock in his hand
"So that's how you reached the stars! How audacious! Now I hope our new found friendship works out despite these early obstacles in front of it!" He exclaims, before his expression darkens and his eyes becoming glooming "Both the curse I placed on you and the fate of my old comrades and friends"
"I was wondering when you'd bring them up" You sigh, hanging your head before flopping down on your side as Aodasheng sits down in front of you, so as not to stand above you, though you snap at his hands when he starts idly sprinkling moondust on your fur, seemingly just to entertain himself.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1715697621},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6004548,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6004545
"I will accept your answer, whatever it is, though what you say may hurt my feelings, or even break my heart" he says seriously, a somber twinge to his words "I will be your loyal advisor and guardian no matter what, but I do not know if I could easily be your friend if you refuse them their deserved, eternal repose. At least, concerning this incarnation of them. but their next lives would be free of both our wild ambitions, Huanliuxue, unless fate decides otherwise"
Double Vote~!
What do decide to do with the ghosts Aodasheng's old friends
>Allow him to free them and allow them all to reincarnate and return to the cycle of life and death, even if it will deprive you of your prime cultivation site [Extreme good karma]
>Tell him they will decide for themselves, individually, those that wish to suffer to serve him and you will be allowed to do so [Good Karma]
>"They can be given another chance at life, we just need to perform the red dust revival with villains as the fodder, Heh-Heh"
>Tell him on no uncertain terms, they will remain in your ghost courtyard until you have no more use of them [Bad karma]
>Write in
And what is the first job you'll give him, Huanliuxue?
>To follow you back to earth, and guard you as you check on Monu, Siwang and Feiqing's preparations for the Tournament at the garden of the wild empress
>To put on a grand and public display of being subjugated by you, to raise your reputation and intimidate any fools in Chuan who think they can get in your way still.
>To investigate the beast stampede that's been going on and find it sources.
>To hunt for some moon rabbits with you [Perception+Luck trial. DC variable]
>Write in","attachment":null,"posted":1715697696},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6004559,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004548
>Tell him they will decide for themselves, individually, those that wish to suffer to serve him and you will be allowed to do so [Good Karma]
>To hunt for some moon rabbits with you [Perception+Luck trial. DC variable]
I just want them as pets, I swear.","attachment":null,"posted":1715698383},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6004562,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004548
>Tell him they will decide for themselves, individually, those that wish to suffer to serve him and you will be allowed to do so [Good Karma]
>"They can be given another chance at life, we just need to perform the red dust revival with villains as the fodder, Heh-Heh"
The red dust option only for Xiongji though.
>To hunt for some moon rabbits with you [Perception+Luck trial. DC variable]","attachment":null,"posted":1715698453},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6004570,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004548
>"They can be given another chance at life, we just need to perform the red dust revival with villains as the fodder, Heh-Heh"
>To put on a grand and public display of being subjugated by you, to raise your reputation and intimidate any fools in Chuan who think they can get in your way still.","attachment":null,"posted":1715698981},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6004575,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004548
>Tell him they will decide for themselves, individually, those that wish to suffer to serve him and you will be allowed to do so [Good Karma]
>To hunt for some moon rabbits with you [Perception+Luck trial. DC variable]","attachment":null,"posted":1715699214},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6004576,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004548
>Tell him they will decide for themselves, individually, those that wish to suffer to serve him and you will be allowed to do so [Good Karma]
Frankly, part of me wants to just agree, its hard to do otherwise when faced with a sincere request like this... but damnit all I still want that heaven invasion force of vengeful ghosts.
This is a decent compromise, and one I hope he will be happy with.
>To hunt for some moon rabbits with you [Perception+Luck trial. DC variable]
...well now Im curious too.","attachment":null,"posted":1715699227},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6004587,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004548
>Tell him they will decide for themselves, individually, those that wish to suffer to serve him and you will be allowed to do so [Good Karma]
Willing servants are more trustworthy and easier to control after all
>To hunt for some moon rabbits with you [Perception+Luck trial. DC variable]","attachment":null,"posted":1715700579},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6004598,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004548
>Decide for themselves. [Good karma]
>Some may earn new life again with Red dust revival.
>Hunt moon rabbits.
>Put on a grand display.
We have already made things very clear in the sky. Now lets make it ABUNDANTLY CLEAR that we are in charge.
Then
>Investigate the beast stampede, when he has recovered. Reclaim what newly awakened beasts you can.
Yes, Do all of the things.","attachment":null,"posted":1715702073},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6004635,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004548
>Allow him to free them and allow them all to reincarnate and return to the cycle of life and death, even if it will deprive you of your prime cultivation site [Extreme good karma]
Honestly I think it's high time we found a new location anyway. Maybe build a temple on the moon, or among the stars.
>To investigate the beast stampede that's been going on and find it sources.
Someone should probably track that down.
>To hunt for some moon rabbits with you [Perception+Luck trial. DC variable]
I mean, how could we not?","attachment":null,"posted":1715704549},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6004655,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004548
>"They can be given another chance at life, we just need to perform the red dust revival with villains as the fodder, Heh-Heh"
>To hunt for some moon rabbits with you [Perception+Luck trial. DC variable]","attachment":null,"posted":1715706373},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6004673,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004548
>>"They can be given another chance at life, we just need to perform the red dust revival with villains as the fodder, Heh-Heh"
>>To put on a grand and public display of being subjugated by you, to raise your reputation and intimidate any fools in Chuan who think they can get in your way still.","attachment":null,"posted":1715707090},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6004846,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004562
I think the ghost deer-centaur girl might be nice to give a second shot, too. Just so Aody has a toady of his own like Xiongji. But He'd definitely tell her to pass on and she almost certainly would if he ordered it.","attachment":null,"posted":1715716042},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6004962,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004548
>Tell him they will decide for themselves, individually, those that wish to suffer to serve him and you will be allowed to do so [Good Karma]
>To investigate the beast stampede that's been going on and find it sources.","attachment":null,"posted":1715721639},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6004981,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004635
Now that we finally have the full mountain under control until the gates of hell you want to jump ship? A multi-layered dungeon of spooky ghosts and bizzare monsters is as fitting a lair as it gets and we haven't really begun delving into Aoda's library. Which is not to say we shouldn't also build a base on the moon, however this should be reserved as a retreat for our most advanced students since all others will die.","attachment":null,"posted":1715722753},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6004992,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004981
Sure, it's no fun once it's been conquered! Onward!","attachment":null,"posted":1715723068},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6005005,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004548
Okay so I'm guessing Ao fought, killed, and ate a dragon for his transformation abilities? Also never had to think if all dragons count as magical beasts or if they also fall into the "only a select few have the potential to cultivate".
>Tell him they will decide for themselves, individually, those that wish to suffer to serve him and you will be allowed to do so [Good Karma]
>To hunt for some moon rabbits with you [Perception+Luck trial. DC variable]
Now I'm curious, if we roll badly we are never going hunting with him again","attachment":null,"posted":1715723777},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6005398,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004548
>>Tell him they will decide for themselves, individually, those that wish to suffer to serve him and you will be allowed to do so [Good Karma]
>To hunt for some moon rabbits with you [Perception+Luck trial. DC variable]
>Write-in
>Will a drop of god blood work?
Wait guys I figured out how to cure the curse. A drop of god blood. Ha. HAHAHAHAHHA.","attachment":null,"posted":1715747301},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6005404,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005398
Would a single drop really be enough though?","attachment":null,"posted":1715747661},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6005417,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005404
I believe so as this is a cultivator whose ascended mortality. A single drop could be used as a blood cultivation chamber and sanguine blood peach tree.
Maybe, need some confirmation from Grandfather.
Huan couldn't do anything to the guard and almost lost her life. Only escaped by gaslighting the guy mentally.
This means he's way more powerful and the god that guards the great fat god. So the amount of life energy in a drop of blood should be frankly ridiculous. Might even have to dilute it to not explode from taking so much energy in.
But this is Grandfather's world so need some confirmation.","attachment":null,"posted":1715748187},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6005421,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005398
Honestly that would be so fucking funny.
>"We need to find you life essence of extraordinary quality, the search will likely be arduo-"
>"Got some."
>"Ah, you, h'wat?"
>"God blood."
>"HUH?"","attachment":null,"posted":1715748378},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6005438,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004548
>>Tell him they will decide for themselves, individually, those that wish to suffer to serve him and you will be allowed to do so [Good Karma]
>To follow you back to earth, and guard you as you check on Monu, Siwang and Feiqing's preparations for the Tournament at the garden of the wild empress
>>6005398
Nooo! This blood is too valuable. All the time Anons vote against growing stronger, which probably now contributed to this injury and curse. We shouln't block our cultication any further or our next injury will be even worse. A cultivation quest without actual cultivation means doing it wrong. We should go along with the curse and enjoy the grudges coming along with it at least for the time being. One drop to boost our Carmine Mysticism, one drop for our Qi cultivation and one drop for our followers so that they arent helpless again when we are unavailable.","attachment":null,"posted":1715749317},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6005441,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005438
How is one of them going to help our students? Only thing I can think of it trying to make a bloody fountain.","attachment":null,"posted":1715750107},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6005487,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"we got god blood to fix this curse so I say we use it","attachment":null,"posted":1715756244},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6005730,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005398
Grand Father I also want to see if God Blood would work.","attachment":null,"posted":1715781043},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6005760,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005730
No shit it would work, but fuck no!
Do you comperehend A, how hard it is to digest without getting ANOTHER injury [180 dc] and B, how much else we can use it for. Just eat a Ling golden core.","attachment":null,"posted":1715783939},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6005796,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005760
I feel like this is something we might even find on the market in the yellow springs.","attachment":null,"posted":1715787069},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6005800,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005760
We are quite literally masters of blood and flesh.
and a Ling Golden Core is just cultivator flesh. I don't see it curing us. Only satiating our hunger. Something as "pure" and "clean" as god blood? Surely it has a better chance of helping us. If we really wanted a solution, the Yellow Springs would have a closer answer.
Also was digesting the god blood 180 DC? I don't remember seeing that.","attachment":null,"posted":1715787681},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6005815,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005760
We do not even know that it would be a "severe and lasting injury" like with the last choice we had to make. Grandfather seemed to indicate that it would be more temporary than that. We should use the god blood for our Qi and physical cultivation and (this is an OOC argument) not let this wonderful chance to roleplay a conflicted character go to waste.
Maybe there are really some people that totally deserve getting eaten? Maybe some others deserve just getting eaten a bit? Maybe some have an unnecessary appendix? This curse is similar to the Carmine Mystics, maybe there are even some insights to be gained by looking at things from their perspective for once? We shouldn't curse this curse yet! The only extremely good reason for us to worry would be if we felt like a threat towards children or similar innocents.
Same poster as >>6005438 and also the one who made the write-in to pick up the divine blood back in the heavens.
>>6005441
Qiang is practicing a blood aligned law. But my tendency would also be more along a blood fountain or pushing the growth of a blood tree or something similar.","attachment":null,"posted":1715789692},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6005827,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005800
It says "a dragons soul, OR something or someone with as refined qi or spiritual power"
I think they are equal to a dragon, given it is said any dragon would work.
Yes, it is that high. You can check just before icy bastard attacks, I vored to eat it and grandfather replied with "due to cultivation levels, its gonna require about 180 dc" and stated failure would injure us. Because it is gods blood.
>>6005815
See above.
So no, Qiang, in fact nobody can have aome blood to eat. Its too dangerous currently.
Anyway, I'm fine with a much less expensive, much less eyewatering price to fox the problem.
Needs to be soon too. We already hungry.","attachment":null,"posted":1715790758},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6005844,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"A shopping trip to the Yellow springs with Aodasheng seems cool but I worry his presence may get King Yama to send a representative to collect his soul directly and I don't want to run afoul of the underworld just yet.","attachment":null,"posted":1715792167},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6005901,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005844
We don't need to bring him with us, we can just grab a few of our other disciples like Qiang and ded snake or go it alone.","attachment":null,"posted":1715795801},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6006023,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Ending the vote and tallying its result now, loving all the discussion being had, and yes, the god blood would cure the curse
Tell him they will decide for themselves, individually, those that wish to suffer to serve him and you will be allowed to do so:10
"They can be given another chance at life, we just need to perform the red dust revival with villains as the fodder, Heh-Heh":5
Allow him to free them and allow them all to reincarnate and return to the cycle of life and death, even if it will deprive you of your prime cultivation site [Extreme good karma]:1
___
To hunt for some moon rabbits with you:10
To put on a grand and public display of being subjugated by you, to raise your reputation and intimidate any fools in Chuan who think they can get in your way still:3
To investigate the beast stampede that's been going on and find it sources.:3
Will a drop of god's blood work?:2
To follow you back to earth, and guard you as you check on Monu, Siwang and Feiqing's preparations for the Tournament at the garden of the wild empress:1
So you'll tell Aodasheng his old friends will make the choice for themselves (Brining Huan's total good karma actions/ points to 11 I think) and decide that his first "Order" will be to hunt for moon rabbits with you. How whimsical.
Update will arrive shortly","attachment":null,"posted":1715804081},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6006042,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":""Your soldiers and old friends will decide for themselves if they want a mercy killing or if they wish to persist to suffer in your service or sever their destiny from your own" You answer with true imperial authority, though the commanding voice you use does soften with gentleness the longer you speak "I'm sure many of them will pass on if you order them to, but I believe you yourself said something about true loyalty, the kind that goes beyond death, is a treasure that cannot be found only made?"
"I...I can find new followers but, I can accept this. I can more than accept this, I can appreciate it, well and truly. Perhaps they've come to enjoy being dead more than they loved being alive. I've not spoken to most of them since I've been entombed, not even through a thick stone wall" Aodasheng says after letting out a great, big sigh of relief that sounded like a gale wind blowing through mountains and rushing over valleys, with tears shimmering in his eyes in the moonlight as his smile becomes heartfelt and so warm you can feel its gratitude even in the cold nothing of space "This is perhaps, the best choice. Though, they will make their choice in their right minds"
"Of course, I'll drain their excess deathly and ghostly yin qi, clear their minds, then you can present them with the choice of a peaceful grave or an exciting, er, life" You say with a cheerful cackle "See, no hurt feelings or broken heart. An empress need not be cruel"
"But they must be proud, for how else will the commoners know they are in the presence of one so regal" He nearly shouts back, in spirits higher than the heavens or hapinesses almost as vast as them "To think, after so long, I would be freed and my followers and friends would be released from the fate they were rewarded with for being loyal and true. Damn the heavens, want to go leap down into them and cause some havoc? You must know how to enter it and escape if you've reached these stars once before on your own power, hm?"
"I do" You mutter, grimacing and repressing a shudder, partially from the lingering fear and tension still left over from that close escape and partially born from the hunger still gnawing a hole in your stomach "But I only got out with my head attached because I fooled them with the bit of faith I've been given by those who had enough good sense to call me a divine guardian spirit. Even just reaching the gates nearly killed me. Had my arms cut off, and the five wise immortal sages themselves showed up to chase after me and try to grab my tail!"
"Hah! That just proves you had wits enough to fool deities and make them scramble to catch you" He praises easily as breathing, shrugging his shoulders "And those skittish star shepherdess ran at the first sight of us, we could..."
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1715805178},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6006044,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6006042
"They're probably crying to their big, scary fathers that the terrible beast Huanliuxue and the devil lord of two centuries past have teamed up and formed a gang together" You mutter ruefully, and maybe a little bit paranoidly "Ao, We should keep our heads down and not stick our necks out for mountain tossing deities to wring them"
"I think it'd be fun, Lady Huan. Brushes with death are always exhilarating, and are great sources of insights and inspirations. As you've just proven with that white black transformation of yours" He says blithely, hopping to his feet and looking around, taking in all of the lunar landscapes. His willow leaf eyes sharpened as he searches for something. Something that is probably lunar hares.
"Hunting for rabbits would also be fun" You chirp as you float up and stretch out all four of your legs and your back, yawning as Aodasheng's grins like a monkey at hearing that "And much safer than rampaging through the nine heavens. Not sure why your idea of fun seems so, suicidal"
"Being dead makes it easy to not fear one's demise. Its already happened once before" He answers, cracking his neck as he turns completely into a spectral dragon "Though if we see those star shepherds..."
"We can give em another fright" You titter, nodding as you touch your feet back down to the moon and start sprinting, looking for moon born rabbits
roll 2d100. Best out of five. DC variable ","attachment":null,"posted":1715805252},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6006050,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 38, 34 = 72 (2d100)
>>6006044","attachment":null,"posted":1715805587},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6006052,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 67, 8 = 75 (2d100)
>>6006044
LO, A RABBIT ON THE DUSTY PLAINS!","attachment":null,"posted":1715805626},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6006056,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 8, 14 = 22 (2d100)
>>6006044
Hare hare come out come out wherever you are...","attachment":null,"posted":1715805808},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6006061,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 73, 38 = 111 (2d100)
>>6006044","attachment":null,"posted":1715806043},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6006062,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 28, 44 = 72 (2d100)
>>6006044
Guys. What the fuck.","attachment":null,"posted":1715806070},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6006063,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Isn't the "average" result on a 2d100 somewhere between 90-110? Jesus. The dice have been absolutely hating us lately.","attachment":null,"posted":1715806175},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6006067,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006044
Man we are not hunting wabbits","attachment":null,"posted":1715806274},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6006073,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6006061
111
A successful hunt for the mystical lunar hare! A jade rabbit has been caught!
Update will arrive shortly","attachment":null,"posted":1715806520},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6006074,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006063
Clearly Aodasheng forgot to turn off his aura of misfortune and we are suffering as a result.","attachment":null,"posted":1715806584},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6006077,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006044
Damn it Ao, this is what got a mountain dropped on you the first time.","attachment":null,"posted":1715806638},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6006097,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"And for awhile, the two of you just run across the moon, bound and floating over craters and kicking up and leaving behind clouds of moon dust with your worries of any gods dropping from the sky to make trouble or the curse afflicting you, laughing and caterwauling happily as Aodasheng's voice booms in the void with thrilled laughter and unearthly wails and roars as he coils through the air in flight, stretching out his talons and whipping his tail as he soars above you. And with how carefree he's flying, you can't help but wonder if he's forgotten that the two of you are supposed to be looking for a jade rabbit to hunt down and capture.
And once the fun of running wild and freely and the pleasant burn of excersize begin to dull and fade away, and the worry that there might not be any rabbits to be found, you spot a sign of them. Footprints that are far too small to be yours or the ghostly dragon fly overhead. Sliding to a stop, you inspect the tracks. And Aodasheng descends, changing shape back to a man with a hole in his chest as he kneels down besides the tracks and runs his hand over them.
"A rabbit's" He says, like you need to be told, you'd recognize a rabbit's tracks even with your eyes closed and nose stuffed "And fresh to, judging by the definition of their shape"
"No time to waste then" You say, and begin sprinting after the tracks, and only know Aodasheng is following you by his distinct and kind of creepy laugh as he leaps and soars behind you, each time he lands shaking the surface of the moon and sending ripples of moondust into the air, crashing through the airless space like great, ship swallowing waves. Which doesn't make it any easier for you to sneak up on the moon rabbit that made this track.
Panting, you reach a cliff side, that Aodasheng leaps over and off, kicking his legs as he vanishes from view as you saunter over the edge and look over it, and your eyes bulge as you see in the empty valley below, some spots of moondust that are moving. The camouflage of moon rabbits is so effective, it nearly tricked your feline senses, but due to Aodasheng flying off the cliff with a wail that could've put a chill down the spine of even the most firm and willful of exorcists, they were frightened into hopping around and into fleeing for their burrows wherever they may be.
'Of course there'd be rabbits on the moon' you smugly mock the part of yourself that had lost confidence you'd find your quarry, that had even start to question if the moon was where you found moon rabbits with how long you and Aodasheng had been searching for even one.
But knowing every second spent gloating was a second of distance further the rabbits ran, you didn't think too much about this discovery and instead leapt after aodasheng, increasing your speed with the blood torrent rush and using it with the phantom cat step to perform the blood red lightning cat step.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1715808297},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6006098,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6006097
And then, as you zoom across the lunar plain, you realize that you have nothing to catch a rabbit with besides your fangs and claws. And you don't like the odds of a rabbit surviving either, even if they are special moon rabbits. So taking into account your current pace and the variables that you might run into by doing what you're about to do, you change into a human girl, leaping into the air to keep from stumbling, pulling your legs to your chest and rolling as you launch yourself ahead of the hare you'd been chasing.
Landing on your fleet, you stretch forward and fall to your hands and knees and shoot your hand out to grab the bouncing bunny by its ears.
'It looks just like I imagined Piao Tùzi to look' You think cheerfully as it hops, trying to change direction or leap over your head, but you grab its ears and find it to be nearly weightless, its coat an exact match for the lunar soil, except for a few dots and patches of lighter whites and darker greys across its fur, that give it the appearance of having craters.
It stares at you, with silent and majestic composure, showing now signs of the fear you can smell roiling from it. Its black nose twitches as you hold it up, smiling very smugly, covered in moon dust as you look it from tail to ears. Which are what marks it as separate from ordinary rabbits. Its ears are longer, and you wonder if that is a trait all cosmic beasts share, since your ears also grew a bit when you adopted a cosmic nature, and its tail is fluffier than the cotton balls most rabbits have, and larger.
"Heh-Heh" you sneer, smiling as the rabbit tilts its head, and a change in the pressure of the surrounding emptiness tells you to duck. And a moment later, a buck rabbit flies over your head, legs aimed for your face as it flies. Whistling, impressed by the boldness of the creature, you turn to face it, seeing the fiesty beast has a scar across its eye and front right paw and, its flopped on its side
"Caught ya, little bastard" Aodasheng snickers, gliding up to it as you realize he nearly crushed the poor thing with his deadly present, only relenting when he's grabbed it by its ears "Seems we've caught a breeding pair, Lady Huan"
"That was cruel" You reprimand, pouting as you hug the doe to your chest, cooing and patting her as she trembles in fright.
"It was effective" he corrects with a wag of his finger as the buck glares murderously at him, kicking its hind legs and trying to sink its buck teeth into the palm of his hand "Hope Chang'e doesn't mind us stealing two of her helpers"
"Now you're cautious?!" You try not to shout so as not to frighten the doe jade rabbit
Two jade rabbits have been captured. Sadly, the divine beasts were carrying not elixir of life. 1 doe, 1 buck, a breeding pair!
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1715808358},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6006103,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6006098
With the success of the moon rabbit hunt, what do you do now, Huanliuxue?
>Name the doe, and allow Aodasheng to name the buck, since he caught it (Can be taken with other choices)
>Tell Aodasheng about the strangeness of your first visit to the moon, and ask him what it could mean
>Transport yourself and Aodasheng back to the mortal world, and let him begin sorting through his army, and declare your triumph against him and complete control of the cursed mountain to the world!
>Keep your subjugation of the ghost king a secret for now, and see how much supplying the new temple and its tournament has cost Siwang and Monu.
>Tell Aodasheng to watch for any gods or unidentified flying objects while you meditate on the moon, to deepen your connection to & understanding of it or to see if you couldn't attain a second cosmic evolution [Choose which you focus on, will determine the trial type and DC]
>Write in","attachment":null,"posted":1715808442},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6006127,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006103
>Name the Doe.
You are now called Piao Tzui. Do not resist. You will be adored, the world over, second only to us.
>Keep the subjagation of the ghost king a secret for now.
We gotta get back, we have a sect to build and a tourinment to go. Ao is also a new trump card.
>Send Ao to investigate the beast stampede, after sorting his army.","attachment":null,"posted":1715810426},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6006134,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006103
>>Transport yourself and Aodasheng back to the mortal world, and let him begin sorting through his army, and declare your triumph against him and complete control of the cursed mountain to the world!
>Name the doe, and allow Aodasheng to name the buck, since he caught it (Can be taken with other choices)
>Moon Step
月步
Yuè bù","attachment":null,"posted":1715810723},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6006138,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006103
>Name the doe,
鈴仙 (Líng Xiān), the only proper name for a pet female lunar rabbit.
>Tell Aodasheng to watch for any gods or unidentified flying objects while you meditate on the moon, to deepen your connection to & understanding of it or to see if you couldn't attain a second cosmic evolution [Choose which you focus on, will determine the trial type and DC]","attachment":null,"posted":1715810959},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6006139,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006103
>Name the doe, and allow Aodasheng to name the buck, since he caught it (Can be taken with other choices)
>Tell Aodasheng about the strangeness of your first visit to the moon, and ask him what it could mean.","attachment":null,"posted":1715810979},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6006141,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006103
>Name the doe, and allow Aodasheng to name the buck, since he caught it (Can be taken with other choices)
We could name them after the Hare and Hunting Hound...
> Go find out what sort of treasures were found in our new domain!","attachment":null,"posted":1715811075},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6006253,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006103
Supporting >>6006138. Of the two options, I'd rather lean towards deepening our connection than trying for another evolution.","attachment":null,"posted":1715818493},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6006311,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006103
>Tell Aodasheng to watch for any gods or unidentified flying objects while you meditate on the moon, to deepen your connection to & understanding of it or to see if you couldn't attain a second cosmic evolution [Choose which you focus on, will determine the trial type and DC]
UNITED
STATES
OF
HAUN!!!!!!","attachment":null,"posted":1715821793},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6006590,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006103
>Tell Aodasheng about the strangeness of your first visit to the moon, and ask him what it could mean","attachment":null,"posted":1715843679},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6006654,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006138
Ling is bad.
>>6006311
It would be nice to get sun killer. But I think those paths are mutually exclusive. We are two evolutions down, 9 is the theorised max.
Evolving as a princess into an empress should occupy 2 more levels. Blood moon deepening could be cool too.","attachment":null,"posted":1715852183},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6006655,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"My fellow disciples, please support Huan in the queen tournament if you haven't yet: >>5997910","attachment":null,"posted":1715852382},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6006656,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006127
Supporting, but with the name from >>6006138 because We love a cheeky Touhou reference","attachment":null,"posted":1715852593},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6006666,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006654
>Ling is bad.
Correction, there is one good Ling.","attachment":null,"posted":1715853683},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6006678,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006666
He was adopted and YOU KNOW IT!","attachment":null,"posted":1715854330},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6006691,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006103
>Name the Doe Piao Tzui
>Keep your subjugation of the ghost king a secret for now, and see how much supplying the new temple and its tournament has cost Siwang and Monu.
>>6006654
I don't like the princess/empress evolution that much. They are relatively generic and have no mystic feel to them. Imagine meeting a low level cultivator with dubious spiritual roots that has the same evolution you're trying to be proud of.
I liked the undeath-themed ones that we didn't take before deciding to go to space through heaven. I'm almost sure we could have combined the Lich-themed and the Ghoul-themed evolutions in a similar way we combined Ghost- and Blood-Qi in our Dao. On the other hand, our latest evolution was extremely cool! We might consider visiting other obscure places in order to find even weirder things or consider a spiritual evolution.
>>6006666
....
6 0 0 6 6 6 6
In some quests, quads give something extra, is it like that here?","attachment":null,"posted":1715856835},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6006693,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006691
>Imagine meeting a low level cultivator with dubious spiritual roots that has the same evolution you're trying to be proud of.
Should we not acknowledge Ali's boxing prowess just because there are others who have a similar style? Should we look down upon a daoist who has placed all of his focus onto martial arts and physically enhancing cultivation just because he can only kick-punch good? Should we revere a crazy old man in the woods because he does something no one else has done, which is throwing hot bear piss as a weapon? Nay says I, sir. My hyperbolic argument full of nonsense and melodrama stands against you. Huan is a cat, and she should be the BEST CAT that has or ever will CAT.","attachment":null,"posted":1715857328},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6006719,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006691
Anyone with three evolutions is at lwast golden core. Which is a thing of difficulty, despite us effortlessly outpacing it.","attachment":null,"posted":1715860896},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6007878,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Ending and tallying the vote now. Meant to do so yesterday, but some cursed scriptures enchanted me with their stories.
Name the doe, and allow Aodasheng to name the buck, since he caught it :8
-Piao Tuzi:3
-Yue Bu:1
-Ling Xian:3
Keep the subjugation of the ghost king a secret for now:3
-and see how much supplying the new temple and its tournament has cost Siwang and Monu.:1
-Send Ao to investigate the beast stampede, after sorting his army.:2
Transport yourself and Aodasheng back to the mortal world, and let him begin sorting through his army, and declare your triumph against him and complete control of the cursed mountain to the world!:1
Tell Aodasheng to watch for any gods or unidentified flying objects while you meditate on the moon, to deepen your connection to & understanding of it or to see if you couldn't attain a second cosmic evolution:3
Go find out what sort of treasures were found in our new domain!:1
Tell Aodasheng about the strangeness of your first visit to the moon, and ask him what it could mean.:2
So You will decide between the names Piao Tuzi and Ling Xian for the doe, decide that you'll initially keep your subjugation of Aodasheng a secret (AKA you aren't immediately announcing it the moment right after you've woken up after the fight), since keeping it under wraps or revealing it later for dramatic effect could both be beneficial.
And you'll tell the ghost to keep watch for any gods or unidentified flying objects while you meditate on the moon, to deepen your connection to and understanding with it, or see if you couldn't evolve your cosmic nature further.
Update will arrive shortly
>>6006655
She's progressed past her first round, that's made me as happy as if a meat pie has fallen onto my lap from the heavens!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715945908980125.png","filename":"1679006129778060.png"},"posted":1715945908},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6007898,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":""I might be somewhat reckless, but I know better than to purposefully earn the ire of a figure from myth, though curiously, the moon looks little like the old stories said it would be, and while there is no air up here, I can almost pick the aroma of freshly spilt blood in the substance that is not air" He explains with a sneering smile as he lifts up the moon rabbit he nearly pressed and crushed into paste with the sheer intensity and weight of his ghostly aura, examining the buck closely, before flicking his eyes towards you, his smile losing its harsh and cruel qualities, replacing them with a fondness that reaches his eyes and turns them almost gentle. But their red and black tint makes it impossible for them to not look at least a little diabolic when they're placed on a human face.
"I presume that look of extreme concentration is because you're pondering what to name your new pet, rather than why the moon is the way it is, as you've clearly have left your mark here already" He says with a chuckle, that you more hear in your head since sound doesn't really travel through the void of space without air for it to travel across
"I'm stuck between two names. Piao Tuzi and Ling Xian" You say with a nod, as you pet the top of the doe's head gently, delicately pressing down her springy ears as she wiggles her nose and chews on a stray thread of spider demon silk with gusto, like it was a freshly cut blade of grass "But that isn't what is making me this face"
That is somewhat a lie, as you are thinking really hard about what to name her. the Piao Tuzi in Hare and Hunting Hound is named like that, because Xie Songer isn't as creative as he likes to think he is, and while the name would also fit this Doe, you like to think you have a better naming sense than the fictional beast hunter, even if the name would be cute. Though naming her that would give you another reason to brag about being a surprisingly popular author, considering how many bookstores you've seen Hare and Hunting Hound being sold in.
Ling Xian, is your second choice. Little Bell Immortal. And even if it is pronounced the same as the clan that produced that war-mongering bastars who slaughtered innocent children for the sake of his vanity and ego and that sword-Maniac who at least has been killing people you don't care for or who want to see you dead lately, it is spelled with a different character, meaning little bell rather than tomb and while you don't know if Jade Rabbits can become Magical Beasts, you'd like to see if the Doe could become one, or at least make people think she could be, just to spit in the eyes of the heavens below
Sighing, you shake your head and adjust how you're holding the still nameless Doe. And speaking of what others might think and how you can use it to your advantage or change their views entirely, it might be advantageous to keep your conquering of Aodasheng a secret. At least for a while.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1715948495},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6007900,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6007898
If no one knows he's connected to you, you can use him to do unpleasant and unseemly work without it affecting your reputation or the standing of your sect. You could even fake his defeat to earn the favor of one sect or another, or use his presence as a tool to make them more willing to work together with heretic like yourself or Kowtow to you. And even if you don't prop him up as a menacing villain or use him to say, kill a few cheeky sand sages without dirtying your own hands, revealing his defeat and subordinance to you at more dramatic moment, could be more beneficial than declaring it the second you return to the mortal realm.
'Though its not like I can keep him a secret for long, there are a lot of ghosts wandering Chuan, and they're as like to gossip as their living counterparts' you tell yourself as you sigh, and lift up the doe, as Aodasheng curses, as the buck wakes up and bites into his hand
"Ao, leave the buck with me, and fly up and keep watch for any passing gods or unidentified flying objects. You might as well think about what you're going to name the feisty boy while you're up there" You say with a pleasant smile, as you tuck the docile doe under your arm, she only squirms and tries to kick her way free for a few seconds before she goes limp, accepting whatever fate you have in store for her "I'm going to meditated for awhile, maybe only as long as it takes to eat a meal"
And that's when you realize you're drooling from hunger, as some of it dribbles down your chin and wets the moondust at your feet. Wiping your mouth, your stomach growls and you stomp away in a huff, hoping the ghost didn't see you drooling, you might just drop dead from embarrassment if he did.
"Then I shall not disturb you, Lady Huan" He says, cupping his fist and bowing "Though I might just name this hare little bastard for that bite he just gave me, I think he hit bone"
And so he flies away, rubbing the bleeding palm of his hand as the angry buck bounds after you, to keep close to its mate though making no attempt to thump or kick you. Probably learned its lesson when Aodasheng nearly smeared it across the lunar surface with just the pressure of his presence, Heh-Heh
Finding a nice crater to sit down in, you cross your legs in the lotus position and use your hands to keep hold of and pet the Doe to make her settle in your lap as the buck bounces around you fretfully, trying to look threatening as you slow your breathing, until you're scarcely breathing more than a corpse dose and empty your mind, extending your perception and spiritual senses across the crater, bathing in the glow of distant stars and warming sunlight as cold solar winds break against your face and lift up your hair, making it stream out behind you like blood spilt into a flowing stream.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1715948556},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6007901,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6007900
Double Vote!
What do you name the Moon Rabbit Doe,
>Piao Tuzi
>Ling Xian
And what do you meditate on, Huanliuxue?
>The moondust in your veins and the moondust outside of them, their resonance and the connection between yourself and the moon (Mental: Comprehension/ Magic Training Trial. DC 155)
>The cosmic rays radiating from your beast core, the Lunar Qi surrounding you and the other cosmic spiritual energies and anomalous forces flowing in the "Sky" over your head (Instinct/ Perception/ Spiritual Sense Training Trial. DC 160)
>Try to access that "Other Moon", the strange and kind of creepy spirit realm you traveled to be for with so many strange sights upon it, meditating on your memories of it (Magic: Moonlight/ Will Trial. DC 75. DC Staggeringly reduced due being a Blood Moon Cosmic Beast)
>The warm, fluffy and adorable rabbit sitting on your lap (??? Trial. DC 140. DC Significantly reduced due to Trait: Living Source: Primordial Beast essence)
>Write in","attachment":null,"posted":1715948616},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6007907,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007901
>Ling Xian
Insult the immortals, always
>The connection between us and the Moon.
Cosmic rays may open up other transformations, but lets deepen our power here.","attachment":null,"posted":1715949534},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6007915,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007901
>Piao Tuzi
>The warm, fluffy and adorable rabbit sitting on your lap (??? Trial. DC 140. DC Significantly reduced due to Trait: Living Source: Primordial Beast essence)","attachment":null,"posted":1715950580},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6007936,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007901
>>6007901
>Write in
>A Flag of Red, White, and Blue! The Dao of universal freedom and liberty, coherent with the proper fate of all divine beasts under heavens. Of another realm beyond the comprehension of those Orthodox today.
JUNIORS
THE DAO OF FREEDOM AWAITS!","attachment":null,"posted":1715952289},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6007945,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007936
Don't want it, see no value in it, it's a meme and not a terribly amusing one.
Sun Killer is much, more appealing.","attachment":null,"posted":1715953393},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6007946,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007901
>Piao Tuzi
>Try to access that "Other Moon", the strange and kind of creepy spirit realm you traveled to be for with so many strange sights upon it, meditating on your memories of it (Magic: Moonlight/ Will Trial. DC 75. DC Staggeringly reduced due being a Blood Moon Cosmic Beast)","attachment":null,"posted":1715953436},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6007957,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007901
>Ling Xian
I stand by my ridiculous choice.
>The warm, fluffy and adorable rabbit sitting on your lap (??? Trial. DC 140. DC Significantly reduced due to Trait: Living Source: Primordial Beast essence)
I hope to nab control over waves from this.","attachment":null,"posted":1715954007},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6007967,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007901
Ling Xian
>The moondust in your veins and the moondust outside of them, their resonance and the connection between yourself and the moon (Mental: Comprehension/ Magic Training Trial. DC 155)","attachment":null,"posted":1715954817},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6007971,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007901
>Piao Tuzi
>The moondust in your veins and the moondust outside of them, their resonance and the connection between yourself and the moon (Mental: Comprehension/ Magic Training Trial. DC 155)","attachment":null,"posted":1715955158},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6008064,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007901
>>Piao Tuzi
>Try to access that "Other Moon", the strange and kind of creepy spirit realm you traveled to be for with so many strange sights upon it, meditating on your memories of it (Magic: Moonlight/ Will Trial. DC 75. DC Staggeringly reduced due being a Blood Moon Cosmic Beast)
Anything below a DC of 120 has a low chance of achieving a Great Success. We won't topple the Heavens by accumulating mediocre Success after mediocre Success.","attachment":null,"posted":1715963071},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6008080,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007901
>The warm, fluffy and adorable rabbit sitting on your lap (??? Trial. DC 140. DC Significantly reduced due to Trait: Living Source: Primordial Beast essence)","attachment":null,"posted":1715963761},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6008207,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007901
>Ling Xian
>The warm, fluffy and adorable rabbit sitting on your lap (??? Trial. DC 140. DC Significantly reduced due to Trait: Living Source: Primordial Beast essence)","attachment":null,"posted":1715970734},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6008257,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008064
I wrote a small and inefficient Monte Carlo script in Python to illustrate my point that the odds with a DC of 140 are that we might just surpass it by ten:
import numpy as np
oned100 = np.arange(100)+1.
twod100=np.zeros(len(oned100)**2)
for y in range(len(oned100)):
for x in range(len(oned100)):
twod100[int((y*len(oned100))+x)] = oned100[x]+oned100[y]
runlist = 5
MCsize = int(1e6)
ret2 = np.zeros(MCsize)
for MC in range(len(ret2)):
val = 0
for run in range((runlist)):
val = max(val, np.random.choice(twod100))
ret2[MC] = val
quantlist2 = [(q, np.quantile(ret2,q)) for q in np.round(0.05*(np.arange(20)+1.),decimals=2)]
print(quantlist2)
it returns [(0.05, 33.0), (0.1, 46.0), (0.15, 56.0), (0.2, 64.0), (0.25, 72.0), (0.3, 78.0), (0.35, 85.0), (0.4, 90.0), (0.45, 96.0), (0.5, 101.0), (0.55, 106.0), (0.6, 112.0), (0.65, 117.0), (0.7, 124.0), (0.75, 130.0), (0.8, 138.0), (0.85, 146.0), (0.9, 156.0), (0.95, 169.0), (1.0, 200.0)]","attachment":null,"posted":1715973167},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6008324,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008257
I made copy paste errors, it prints [(0.05, 106.0), (0.1, 115.0), (0.15, 122.0), (0.2, 127.0), (0.25, 131.0), (0.3, 136.0), (0.35, 139.0), (0.4, 143.0), (0.45, 147.0), (0.5, 150.0), (0.55, 154.0), (0.6, 157.0), (0.65, 160.0), (0.7, 164.0), (0.75, 168.0), (0.8, 171.0), (0.85, 176.0), (0.9, 181.0), (0.95, 187.0), (1.0, 200.0)]
This for example means that we have a 65% chance to roll 160 or lower, leaving us without Good Successes for DCs of 155 and 160.","attachment":null,"posted":1715975432},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6008508,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d2)
>>6007901
>Ling Xian
And I'll let the dice decide the second because I am dying at the moment between
>Try to access that "Other Moon", the strange and kind of creepy spirit realm you traveled to be for with so many strange sights upon it, meditating on your memories of it (Magic: Moonlight/ Will Trial. DC 75. DC Staggeringly reduced due being a Blood Moon Cosmic Beast)
and
>The warm, fluffy and adorable rabbit sitting on your lap (??? Trial. DC 140. DC Significantly reduced due to Trait: Living Source: Primordial Beast essence)","attachment":null,"posted":1715989021},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6008517,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007936
Alright seeing how the dao of freedom has DIED among our juniors, I will instead advocate for that which remains among the options.
>>6007901
>The cosmic rays radiating from your beast core, the Lunar Qi surrounding you and the other cosmic spiritual energies and anomalous forces flowing in the "Sky" over your head (Instinct/ Perception/ Spiritual Sense Training Trial. DC 160)
When the sun sets, the moon and stars reign upon the night sky, The moon is within our graps, so too must the stars feel our pull.","attachment":null,"posted":1715989567},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6008921,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007901
>Piao Tuzi
>Try to access that "Other Moon", the strange and kind of creepy spirit realm you traveled to be for with so many strange sights upon it, meditating on your memories of it (Magic: Moonlight/ Will Trial. DC 75. DC Staggeringly reduced due being a Blood Moon Cosmic Beast)","attachment":null,"posted":1716030330},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6009758,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007901
>>The warm, fluffy and adorable rabbit sitting on your lap (??? Trial. DC 140. DC Significantly reduced due to Trait: Living Source: Primordial Beast essence)","attachment":null,"posted":1716095812},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6010112,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Not ending the vote right now, I might later today depending on how the day treats me and if anything comes up that keeps me from writing (Or if light reading turns to heavy enough reading to make me too tired to write, again).
Just making an appearance before I leave my immortal grotto for a few hours to remind you juniors to vote for the lunar rabbit doe's name as well, because several of you haven't and the vote is currently tied there and I'll be very sad if it remains tied when I do the final tally, since it'd be a repeat of last round and tie breaking it would make me sadder. Though I suppose that the two names have remained neck and neck in two votes, shows that they're both wonderful choice.
I've been excitedly watching this voting and am excited to write whatever wins in terms of meditation, since that remains a close contest.
Though I will state, while I'm here, the warm and fluffy option, if the roll is a success, will further humiliate a certain tiger. What the other moon option could lead to, should be fairly obvious, as are the other options besides pet the bunny, the moon connection giving more lunar themed insights, and the cosmic rays broader cosmic ones, though both have interesting results I think, especially if you roll well (Or spend some of your 1551 cultivation/training bonus to boost your results)
Anyways, that's all I wanted to say, hope the day treats you well. The junior in charge of the pastebin and googledoc should probably see about updating them soon, if they would be so beneficent.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716134260997677.png","filename":"1712547992597850.png"},"posted":1716134260},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6010358,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010112
Thank you grandfather, It is time for the entire cosmos to fall under the reign of the great wheel that is life and death, the court of Haun!","attachment":null,"posted":1716157919},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6010471,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Bad news, juniors. Even if the tie between Piao and Ling is broken, I won't be able to write an update today, since while I was out doing errands I stepped directly onto a piece of broken glass and am currently in too much pain to so much as think of writing. Hoping it will subside by tomorrow or at least stop hurting too much for me to focus.
So, as you can see, the day didn't treat grandfather well at all.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716166624329576.png","filename":"1712506784873441.png"},"posted":1716166624},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6010475,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007901
>Piao Tuzi
>The moondust in your veins and the moondust outside of them, their resonance and the connection between yourself and the moon (Mental: Comprehension/ Magic Training Trial. DC 155)","attachment":null,"posted":1716166724},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6010482,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010471
Hey man, buy some shoes. Also make sure to disinfect the hell out of your foot. Owie.","attachment":null,"posted":1716167312},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6010511,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007901
>Ling Xian
We're better than that idiot's naming sense.","attachment":null,"posted":1716169961},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6010671,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010471
The Qm curse strikes again, good luck Gramps","attachment":null,"posted":1716183306},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6010710,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010471
You should wipe out the sect of that glass shard for such impudence.","attachment":null,"posted":1716186540},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011016,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d2)
No longer in excruciating pain, so, I'll end the vote and tally its result now.
Piao Tuzi:6
Ling Xian:6
___
The moondust in your veins and the moondust outside of them, their resonance and the connection between yourself and the moon:4
The warm, fluffy and adorable rabbit sitting on your lap:5
Try to access that "Other Moon", the strange and kind of creepy spirit realm you traveled to be for with so many strange sights upon it, meditating on your memories of it:4
The cosmic rays radiating from your beast core, the Lunar Qi surrounding you and the other cosmic spiritual energies and anomalous forces flowing in the "Sky" over your head:1
So it seems the only way to end the stalemate between Piao and Ling is a tie breaker, regrettably.
And this was a very competitive round of voting, but Warm and Fluffy wins by a whisker's breadth. Exciting
anyways, time to roll the dice! https://youtu.be/8k6o6EgesIY
1= Piao Tuzi
2= Ling Xian
>>6010482
The piece of glass was a dragon amongst men, cause it actually pierced the sole of my shoe to stab my foot. Not sure what sort of beer bottle it came from, but they need to repurpose the glass for military uses. At least it wasn't a rusty nail
>>6010671
Thank you junior
>>6010710
I shouted 108 curses as I hobbled my way back home, I will one day avenge this slight.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716221959701469.png","filename":"1635801406425.png"},"posted":1716221959},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011018,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6011016
Alright so you'll name the Doe after the heroine of Hare and Hunting Hound. Sorry Reisen, you aren't getting referenced today","attachment":null,"posted":1716222046},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011045,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"This isn't intense meditation you're performing, at least not to one as experienced and talented at meditating continuously as you are. Maybe for the common cultivator of this day and age, it would considered extreme or an enormous effort. Every cultivator who isn't named Huanliuxue would have difficulties meditating on the surface of the moon, because unlike you, be they men or be they beasts they still need oxygen to breath and the vacuum of space would kill them in a manner that even the most ill mannered and sadistic of devils would struggle to find a form execution or torture as equally as painful, terrible and terrifying.
That vacuum is what you try to focus your spiritual sense and consciousness on, while bathing in the cool light of distant stars, surrounded by a sea of moondust and stranger elements, solar winds whispering through your flowing scarlet hair to brush against your pointed ears, the gentle ringing echoing in pace with your heartbeat as the moonlight surging through your veins sings with the lunar light all around you crying out to the blood you poured and soaked deeply into the surface of the moon. Cosmic Qi, Stellar spiritual energy all swirls around you, thick and dense and purer than any Qi to be found beneath the heavens. It might even be purer than the Qi of the Heavens, untouched not only by human hands but only scarcely polluted by the presence of divinity.
It seems no one ventures to the moon, besides you and now Aodasheng, and besides the rabbits on it, it is lonely and desolate. Even if it does contain a doorway to a secret realm that you have a creeping feeling is inhabited, even if you couldn't see the denizens of it. They touched you, petted you head, like you're petting the rabbit in your lap, who is still scared as still as a cadaver, even as you delicately and loving stroke her warm and fluffy ears.
And despite trying to keep a clear mind, touching the doe and running a hand down her back to bounce on her fluffy tail, brings to mind an early scene of Hare and Hunting Hound. And that thought ruins your focus, which begins to disintegrate as you think back to that warm and cozy bit of writing. But, you know how to correct and recenter your thoughts before they can tarnish and end your meditation.
"I shall call you Piao Tuzi" You chime cheerfully, with a voice like shattered glass musically scattering across the ground, as, with the distraction cut at root and stem, you're able to refocus and resume your meditation without further delay or any more stray thoughts acting as a hurdle.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1716224171},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011046,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6011045
But, while your hand subconsciously strokes and pets the Piao Tuzi in the real world, the warmth radiating from her tiny body, the strangely pleasant silken dustiness of her fluffy coat of fur, and the cute distressed noise she makes as you continue to pet her, a little less gently than before, remains in the foreground of your contemplative meditation even as you ponder the song singing in your veins and the lunar surface and the stranger expressions of cosmic Qi radiating around you in rays, beams and auroas.
So soft. So flurry. So warm.
A chime sounds somewhere in your hungry gut, as your beast core reacts to the attention and consideration you're giving the Moon Rabbit, accompanied by the percussive bounces of the still nameless buck who hasn't stopped circling you since you sat down and began meditating. Chimes, drum beat and breaking glass.
The Primordial Beast Essence Contained within your Beast core starts to leak out and spill forth onto the moon and into the night sky....
roll 2d100. Best out of Five. DC 140 ","attachment":null,"posted":1716224231},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011051,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 53, 6 = 59 (2d100)
>>6011046","attachment":null,"posted":1716224485},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011053,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 89, 86 = 175 (2d100)
>>6011046
I think we should spend some accumilated training to get about 3 or 5 dos. If we dont match it already.","attachment":null,"posted":1716224781},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011056,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6011053
...JUNIOR HAS PRACTICED HIS PRECOGNITION TECHNIQUE!","attachment":null,"posted":1716224920},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011059,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011053
I say. . Qell we have 1551, spending 5 gets us another dos for 4.
Why not do 45, 8 dos.
Cant see a good reason not to.","attachment":null,"posted":1716225153},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011061,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 89, 88 = 177 (2d100)
>>6011046
Well, I shan't make it worse","attachment":null,"posted":1716225165},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011062,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011059
Well a good reason was if we were getting another, more broad scale magical beast transformation.
Like sun killer. Which I will continue to want and scream about, because of fire immunity alone.","attachment":null,"posted":1716225233},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011063,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011061
Junior upstages me, and reduces the proposed expense to 43.","attachment":null,"posted":1716225293},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011065,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011062
We'd need to be able to go into the alternate moons to do that, since we already used up the arrow.","attachment":null,"posted":1716225332},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011067,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011065
Nothing but the thread timer and Anon bickering to stop us doing that after!","attachment":null,"posted":1716225556},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011071,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 6, 92 = 98 (2d100)
>>6011046
Give me 200!","attachment":null,"posted":1716225689},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011073,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 80, 23 = 103 (2d100)
>>6011046","attachment":null,"posted":1716225761},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011083,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6011061
Great success! 30 over DC. And since this is a kind of training/ cultivation even if the trial is still ??? and some of you are considering it, If you want to, you may spend some of your accumulated training/ insights
So I'll do a flash vote real quick
Do you wish to add a bonus to boost the result?
>1 additional DoS, spend 3 points for 180, remaining bonus 1548
>2 additional DoS, spend 13 for 190, remaining bonus 1538
>3 additional DoS, Spend 23 for 200, remaining bonus 1528
>4 additional DoS, Spend 33, for 210, remaining 1518
>5 additional, DoS, Spend 43, for 220, remaining 1518
>11 additional DoS, Spend 103, for 380, remaining 1448
>Do not increase DoS, do not spend any of you accumulated training/ cultivation bonus
>Custom amount","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716226351328047.png","filename":"1660361801060410.png"},"posted":1716226351},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011085,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011083
>11 additional DoS, Spend 103, for 380, remaining 1448
Why not.","attachment":null,"posted":1716226469},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011087,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011083
43","attachment":null,"posted":1716226743},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011088,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011083
>11 additional DoS, Spend 103, for 380, remaining 1448","attachment":null,"posted":1716226759},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011091,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011083
>11 additional DoS, Spend 103, for 380, remaining 1448","attachment":null,"posted":1716226929},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011093,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011083
>11 additional DoS, Spend 103, for 380, remaining 1448
I'm surprised you have additional rewards planned for that many DoS, Grandfather. I am compelled to see what the biggest prize is.","attachment":null,"posted":1716227089},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011099,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011083
>>11 additional DoS, Spend 103, for 380, remaining 1448","attachment":null,"posted":1716227421},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011118,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011083
>11 additional DoS, Spend 103, for 380, remaining 1448","attachment":null,"posted":1716228339},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011147,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">Spend 103 for 11 DOS and a final result of 280, 140 over DC:6
>spend 43 for 5 DOS, and a final result of 220, 80 over DC: 1
Very clear winner here in this quick, 1 hour vote,
SO!
Heaven's defying success! 140 over DC, a result so profound it hides the sky, covers the earth, and turns the blue sea into mulberry fields.
Hands are trembling with anticipation to get writing SO, update will arrive shortly","attachment":null,"posted":1716230816},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011160,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011147
Nobody pets a bunny like we do! NO ONE!","attachment":null,"posted":1716231823},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011174,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011147
Throughout the heaven and earth, we alone are the rabbit-taming one.","attachment":null,"posted":1716232604},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011249,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"https://youtu.be/XqG9DC6ajFg
_
And where you sit becomes the eye of storm of that most profound primordial and bestial essence, the breath of the untamed and uncharted nature, painting the sky of endless night with emerald whirls and verdant auroras, turning the canvas of the void with the unconquerable energy that is found within the steaming blood of every wild animal. The spark of undomesticated strength and endurance, the flickering flame that drives all beasts in their day to day struggle of survival. The universal force shared between all creatures, predator and prey. The hot wind of an ancient time before there was history, when men lived as beasts did, when the world was uncultivated and had not been subjugated to the stomping march of civilization and its fires and its armies and its axes and its bowstrings.
The condensed and refined primordial energy lurking inside of your beast core erupts forth like a geyser and for a moment eclipses the cosmic energies flowing freely around you. And as they begin to mingle, through the savage instincts and gnawing hunger, you still can't help but to admire how soft Piao Tuxi's fur are and how adorable the frightened squeaks she makes are!
_
[Meanwhile, atop a certain beneath the heavens]
"Hohooo, I told you there was nothing to worry about, juniors" Monu the toad witch cackled, only after she had released a great sigh of relief in the night sky, that all of the palace of natural laws had gathered to gaze up at, alongside a number of savage and starved spirits the more ghostly, gloomy and grim disciples of the heretical sect had been waging war against in the roots of the mountain the day prior "My precious Huan can't be beaten, even by ghastly legend like the forgotten king, even calamities bend their knees in her presence! All of you should kow tow immediately and apologize for slandering your teacher's good name and reputation, muttering about how she..she might be dead"
"My little sister truly has a talent for building suspense, I've been dead for decades and even I was waiting to see any sign of her with baited breath" Xuebai, Monu's beloved elder daughter snickered, curled around her mother's feet, shifting back to a more adorable form after having spent the whole night in her most monstrous mien "But I didn't doubt her for a second, it'd take more than a moldering sack of bones to best Huan-er! All of you should feel ashamed for doubting her"
"The entire night sky, turned into a sea of jade, rent asunder to reveal a past unremembered. So that is what a true storm of primordial beast essence looks like" Ping remarked with scholarly interest, wrapping his prayer beads of teeth and knuckle bones around his grotesque arm "Magnificent. It reminds me of that fateful lightning storm, sworn brothers"
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1716239218},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011250,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6011249
"When you stuck out your neck and tried to save a "Demon's" life?" Feiqing chuckled, covering his eyes so none may see that he was crying as he towered over the other human daoists gathered on the peak, his and Ping's mute brother Lei nodding with an agreeing grunt "And I never doubted her, Grand Elder and Elder Sister, I was just worried for my savior, gravely"
"Haaah, I'm certain that branch family are happy they threw their lot in with the blood red "Devil" now, even if they'll probably still complain to me she's taking too long to faceslap the main branch on their behalf" Qinxin said with a chuckle, smirking as he gazed up at the sky bathed in primordial dreams
"Tch, Hag, we didn't doubt her for a moment, you were the one one tearing at your clothes and hair with grief. I would've flown up their myself if" Fu balked before Monu cackled
"If you could fly, but you're still just a frog in a well, Fu-xiao" Monu mocked, good naturedly, which turned the scarred axe man's glower into a snarl of impotent anger
"She wouldn't have died if she died anyways. We'd just need to find her a new vessel, after we ran away from that...monstrous force she threw herself against" Qiang spoke up, alerting the other star watchers to the fact she was awake in her body once again.
"I probably wouldn't have make it if it came to running, not because I wouldn't want to die tired, but because I'm slow on solid ground" Chuandapo snickered, rousing Huili from his nap, and making his pack begin to howl, rousing the small army of demon cats that Yinying had caroled to "offer their prayers to their mistress"
"Then we'd die together" The ashen gale mumbled tiredly "I actually saw the monster she was fighting, running wouldn't have helped if it got it in its mind to attack us instead of our master"
"His aura was so soothing, I hope he hasn't been crushed into dust by her" Baifenchi chirped, spreading her wings and fluttering over the heads of the gathered sect
"You're a freak, white wings, and if we're sure red fur is alive, I need to get training to close the gap between her and me already!" Tiexingege barked, shaking her head "Come on one, two, three, four, five, we need to get back to training"
"Those poor children" Lanfen sighed, with tired bags under her eyes, drawing the ire of the black iron army ant princess, who began to shout at her for the slip of her tongue
"Oh my daughters will be so happy to hear their auntie is alright" Jionghuagege said weakly, having exhausted herself with crying and worrying for an entire day "Come on Tie-Tie, don't be a bully"
"Thank you, princess, for calming your sister" Liu said, as he stood between the cowering Lanfen and the furious Tiexingege
"Damn, wish I could see it, but I can feel the waves of her roar all the way down here" Hong snickered, patting the still snarling Fu on her back "Our master really is something, huh, Fu?"
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1716239279},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011253,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6011250
"What a beautiful show of triumph, Lady Huanliuxue truly is without peer, the austere night sky dyed in the ancestral memory of our people" Siwang practically wept
"My people. The visions in the tides of primordial beast essence are all from a feline point of view" Youzaiwang chortled rudely, picking a fight with the owl
"Oh my queen, I knew you'd not be slain so easily!" Yinying cried, to overcome with emotion to join the argument the tiger started with his rival in philosophy and most other things
"Ribbit, the sky has been cleansed, as our minds have been of doubt, ribbit" Yuanquan croaked besides the buddhist colored deer Zheren
"As I spoke when I comforted you, our master is not so easily over come, and now the sky speaks of her success" The bone chewer said serenely
"Huanliuxue is tough, that's why she's the boss" Houmogui drawled, trying to sound tough as Jiangliehuo woke up from all the commotion and talking and complained that he'd missed a fight none of them had been able to perceive
"What are you all babbling about still! It was obvious this was no fight to the death, merely a heated argument between two rulers, why are you acting like her life was on the line" The pig Zhurou huffed and grunted, repeating the wild claim he'd made and stuck firmly to since the moment he'd heard of Huanliuxue picking a fight with a calamity spirit
"Honestly, the pork chop might be right" Bo grunted, half asleep
"How could he be?" Niu cried out, nearly lunging at him, her nerves more frayed than most "You saw how vicious their clashes in the sky were, they tore through the mountain"
"It was an amazing fight" The creepy ghost with a hole in his head chuckled, more bruised and battered than he was before they'd taken up vigil of the night sky
"So pretty" Mao Yue marveled
"Oi! Grand Elder, can we get into your reserve of Kaoling wine?" The usually meek Wang Wengcheng impudently asked
"Surprised the blood moon hasn't come out" The weird doll like girl Huanliuxue had been teaching alchemy remarked off handedly to her exotically and femininely dressed companion
"No need to hunt a rabbit with an army" The flamboyant man laughed as between them, the heiress of the thousand lotus hall stared silently at the emerald hued whirlpool in the sky
"I'll do the same some day" She said, her quiet ambitions unnoticed by the seniors around her, except for the two living jiangshi carmine mystics, who dotted upon her quite happily
_
[Meanwhile, in the former Ling Province of the fallen and dissolved celestial empire]
"You know, I was certain I'd told you useless old bastards to deal with her no matter the cost" Ling Yongzheng muttered as he stood atop the ancestral temple of his line, surrounded by scrapping and sniveling old men and women, wearing jade masks "Or were you too busy chasing my traitorous cousin to skin a cat'
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1716239340},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011258,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6011253
"Young master, we cannot be certain that is the work of the demonic beast Huan..." One began and were in the next breath taken by the collar and tossed off the roof with a squeal, the patriarch of the immortal branch of the Ling clan not bothering to see which of his ancestors he hurled off by the color of their jade mask
"It is always her! The entire Chuan region being filled with ghosts, demonic beasts and disgusting beast kin hybrids was the result of her simply cultivating! I'd hoped the sects there would get slaughtered, but from what the few exiles that came our way have said, she's convinced them to live in the stables with the animals!" He raged, swinging his open hand and shattering the purple mask worn by one of the junior elders, wishing that his bloodthirsty relative hadn't slain the crimson masked jack ass so he could've throttled the life out of him himself! He'd said they'd killed the beast terrorizing the land, but that ogress brought back a snake head rather than a cat's! That might've calmed those mourning Meng, but now those same voice were raised in outrage that his replacement Laonan had gone rouge and started killing indiscriminately! A whole branch family had betrayed them over that little bitch's murderous nature.
"Should we redirect the beast stampede to Chuan, young master?" The black masked elder shouted to stop Yongzheng from striking them dead with just his killing intent
"No. Keep it focused on the other regions" He said, suddenly growing deathly calm, reaching his hand down to the dagger sheath on his belt, gripping the magic tool that had created the "False Beast Wave" "It'll give us allies to work against those arrogant asses in Chuan, who've chosen a beast of us, their obvious betters. And if we send those monsters to her door, she might recruit them, and send them with that cultist Lord Chuan to continue blazing a path through our mortal kinsmen's holdings..."
_
[Meanwhile, outside of the head martial god's palace]
"Fuck me" A guardian spirit groaned, bowing his head, knowing he'd get the brunt of the blame from the five wise immortal sages for not cutting down that tricky beast down that day "I should warn my lord and master, before he guts in his cups and dons his armor or throws one of those snot nosed brats to skin a kitten"
He leaned against his halberd and sighed, as the younger deities were panicking about the light show going on over their heads
_
You were in a field of blue grass and white grey flowers, chasing rabbits. They bounded and they leapt and they hopped to get away from you. No matter if you pounced at them as a cat, or sprinted after them with only two legs, they eluded you.
"That ghostly transformation" You realized through the illusion of instincts and ancient air "Aodasheng...It might've just been flames for me, when I was on the brink of death, but he is able to turn into a dragon from a man, and every stage between the two"
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1716239401},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011259,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6011258
You looked down at your hands and past them, further down, at your feet
"So why can't I?" You asked yourself tilting your head as you clenched your hands into fists, and smiled as your nails extended like claws, and a familiar weight settles behind your back as you feel you spine stretched out into a tail, and brilliant crimson fur sprouted over your arms and legs "Of course I can! My form is already mutable, why should an empress don only two robes!"
And with that, as the dream began to shift, you chased after the rabbits, intent on catching them even in illusionary world!
Chimeric/ Partial transformation unlocked
But as you ran after them, in pursuit of their soft fur and bouncy ears and fluffy tails, a thought passed your mind. A bunny's body isn't so different from a cat's. And how they run and how they hop, couldn't you take inspiration from their movements and turn it into a new technique? Strengthening the muscles in your legs with blood Qi or training, make them larger and increase your kicking force and already impressive jump height? You give it a try, turning your legs in a mixture of feline and human as your legs and thighs bulge and bursting the seams of the pants of the white tang suit you're wearing for some reason in this vision. Smirking, you try hopping like a rabbit and find the bouncing movement to be not only quiet enjoyable but the perfect foundation for a new move to incorporate into your martial arts! Imagine legs like these performing the shooting star stampede.
With your newly refined and improved control over your body's shape and its exact rations between cat and girl, learning transformation techniques as simple as this, which is no where near as complex as the white and black fire one you used against Aodasheng instinctively or the bloodsucking flower you bloomed into and still don't know how or why you did, is much more easily done.
"I think I'll call it the Tùzijiǎogǎibiàn (Hare Foot Change, 兔子脚 改变)" You declare to no one but yourself and the illusionary rabbits, but as you hop between your feet and admire the thickness and musculature of your rabbity legs and thighs, you spot a strange figure amongst the rabbits, who you realize from just a glance they were running towards. You freeze, as the figure, robed and dressed in moonlight, reaches up her hand and makes a beckoning motion that looks suspiciously close to the movement you'd make with your hand when scratching behind a pet's ears.
Fur on your legs, arms and tail standing on end, you make to snarl, as you start to notice how bizarre the field of blue grass actually looks, with strange puddles of multi colored glass flowing over your head in place of clouds and four moons hanging in the sky instead of one or the sun.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1716239462},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011262,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6011259
"What, this isn't just a vision" You realize, noticing the difference between this and the reveries you saw while your star glowed its brightest and you went from foundation establishment realm to the golden core state in a single step
The figure shook her head, long black hair curling into a crescent behind her back with the gentle movement
"Then what is going?" You ask, taking a step back, feeling like you're standing before something much larger and more frightening than a hazy outline of a woman.
Who just shrugs her shoulders, as if she is just as confused as you are.
You frown, and turn to face her directly, as the blue grass ripples like water. Emerald light pulsing somewhere in your belly, along with the cursed hunger that's settled and burrowed its way into your stomach.
You lift up your hand, watching the pulsing ring of Primordial Beast essence travel up from your core to your arm, vanishing into the flesh of your wrist. And you realize you're controlling it, that you're wielding Primordial Beast Essence as if it were Qi. That it is pulsing with the beat of you heart.
A distant clapping sound breaks your concentration, and you see the faint figure of the strange woman is the source of the sound.
"I've used Primordial Beast Essence in spells before, I brought ancient skies over Suiqi and turned a chunk of forest into a temple with it" You mutter, as you ponder exactly what you can do with the stuff that creates magical beasts like yourself and smile as you comprehension of ascended beasts, grudges and life itself mingle and come to a single conclusion.
"A transformation" You exclaim, grinning like a lush as you hold up your fist "But against whatever I strike. And knowing how emotion can be carried through grudges and blood, It doesn't need to be physical. Body and soul hm?"
You look to the stranger, as if she'll provide criticism or give a helpful comment, or speak at all, but alas, she remains silent, standing there like the worst kind of ghosts, the ones who just stand there and stare.
"Awakening instincts long buried and bred out, turning part of them in some kind of animal. I can do a lot with internal blood alchemy, already, but bodily changes and evolutions take time unless I want whatever I'm changing to die in agony" You say with a huff that might be slightly offended as you stare at your fist "And if I target acupoints and meridians with Primordial Beast Essence, I could turn anyone who picks a fight with me into beasts, in body or mind, or even soul. Heh-Heh-Heh, and if I make constellations with their bruises and wounds, I could unleash the power of the zodiacs against them. "Wild Beast Disorder (Yěshēngshòuwěnluàn, 野生兽紊乱)" is a good name for this school of techniques, right? Say nothing if you agree"
You giggle to yourself, as expected, the hazy stranger that ripples like a reflection of the moon on a lake, remains as quiet as the dead.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1716239522},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011268,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6011262
But it wilts and dries in your throat, as you finally see her eyes through the haze surrounding her. Like the harvest moon, bright in the night sky. And as you feel the vessels in your eyes contract and surge with blood Qi, as the weight of moon madness presses down on you, and waves of lunacy wash over you, you realize for the first time what you can do with the moonlight in your veins
"My eyes are so beautiful they can be hypnotic. The moon is also beautiful" You mutter to yourself "Lunacy descend from the moon, moon glass or at least Moon Collapses transmits madness to what it cuts. My eyes shift like the phases of the moon. And is their captivating beauty not already close to maddening?"
2nd tier Carmine mystic magic unlocked. Lunatic Eyes. Able to drive those transfixed by your eyes or exposed to their glow quite mad. Carmine Mysticism: Lunar path can now be created and shaped at your discretion and . Moonlit, red eyed Jiangshi. You're understanding of moonlight and Lunar magic has also improved.
The woman closes her eyes, but, still, says nothing. You snort, and shake your head, tapping one of your half paw feet on the ground like a rabbit thumping dirt.
"Who are you anyways?" You dare to ask, tilting your head to the side and glaring at the stranger. And then you see her smile, like the crescent moon and see that you aren't in an ordinary field of blue grass at all, but rather some strange, alien landscape, stranger than clouds of molten, multicolored grass.
"Ah" You gasp, blinking as you see such strange sights that even for one as learned and verbose as yourself, you don't know enough words to describe what you're seeing, even in your own thoughts, all radiating and spilling out from her crescent smile "That explains nothing at all! Absolutely nothing"
She smirks and shrugs her shoulders.
And then she is gone, and the strange place the two of you stood in is gone, along with its illusionary rabbits. But the warm, fluffy feeling in your hands isn't
But the weight on your lap has increased greatly, as have the trembles ontop of it. You open your eyes and see, that instead of a rabbit, a little, frightened girl is trembling in your arms, as you weave and comb your fingers through her moondust grey hair, her eyes wide and shiny blue like the full moon on a cloudless night. But strangest of all, are the two rabbit ears sprouting from her head
"What?" You dully ask, lifting her up by her armpits. She must be younger than Luli is, maybe Ju to, but as you stare into her big eyes, you recognize her "Piao Tuzi?!"
She moves her mouth, but doesn't speak, like she doesn't know how to.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1716239583},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011270,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6011268
You blink again and look around, and see that the crater you were meditating is filled with blue grasses and trees and bushes with jagged leaves of moon glass, the same sort Moon Collapse is made out of, except blue rather than read. There's even a calm stream of pale water flowing next to you. And a very angry boy, stomping his foot and trying to gnaw a hole through your leg with a scar on his cheek and one of his arms.
"Oh" You quietly gasp, realizing what happened as you glance up and see that an aurora of primordial beast essence in the sky, all around the moon, and you can almost feel a bit of air as you breath in, and see a few other curious, moondust haired and moon eyed children creep out of the grasses, looking so painfully confused that it breaks your hurt.
"Oh!" You gasp, louder, as what happened truly settles into your mind "I've turned your warren into rabbit people!"
The loud noise causes the moon rabbits to suddenly turn back into ordinary jade rabbits with a poof of moon dust as they run away, except for the boy, he keeps trying to reach your artery with his surprisingly sharp teeth.
"But you aren't magical beasts. You're just rabbits" You say, sensing something that is close to Primordial beast essence inside both Piao and the buck trying to kill you, but it isn't right "Ordinary moon rabbits, but you can turn almost turn completely human? What's going on here? What is that inside of you"
You hold up Piao Tuzi with one hand, and place the other just above her navel and frown, now even more confused.
"Natural cosmic beasts?" You ask, both amazed and a little insulted "That core there isn't just primordial beast essence, there's Lunar Qi mixed in, all throughout it! How did this happen, huh?"
Piao Tuzi blinks, shivering as you frown, and your aching heart demands you pull her close to her chest, just as your consciousness keeps you from shaking off and punting the brat chewing on your leg.
"Oh why am I asking you, you're just as confused as I am, but also scared to death" You coo as you continue petting the rabbit eared girl, who stiffens up, probably thinking you're planning to eat her "Did I release enough Primordial Beast Essence while I was obsessing over your fluffiness to turn you into a new breed of magical beasts? Because that is kind of insane, even considering all the supposedly impossible things I've accomplished with my short life"
"Lady Huan!" Aodasheng shouts "A forest has appeared on the moon! I'm not sure what you were trying to do, but you opened a secret realm, and whatever was inside tore off one of my arms. Now, before you accuse me, I wasn't trying to steal what was inside the sealed realm for myself, I was merely curious and investigating it to see if it posed a threat to you!"
And as he approaches, the boy vanishes into a cloud of moondust, and is replaced with a rabbit buck laying on his side, stunned by the ghost kings approach
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1716239644},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011273,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Aodasheng frowns as he finds you in the small patch of lunar woodland, still stroking and trying to calm the trembling in fear Piao Tuzi. He strokes his short beard
"That is a child. A child with rabbit ears" He says with a monotone voice, pointing at the now even more frightened little girl.
"And you're scaring her" You say, glaring daggers at him, holding the squirming rabbit eared girl closer against your chest, nearly burying her face in your bosom "And she is special, all of the hares around me now are. She's a new kind of magical beast. She isn't evolved at all, but she and I both are cosmic natured. Isn't that strange"
"Certainly, but I assumed that occurred because you released a massive swell of primordial beast essence, and the moon also expelled as mass amount of the strange spiritual energy it contains in its every rock" He says, crouching down and lifting up one of Piao Tuzi's ears "And thus, the admixture of the beast essence and lunar essence, created a moon beast. Much like yourself, but less, bloody"
"I was pretty sure that's what happened" You sigh, as you try rocking the now crying rabbit eared girl to calm her mortal terror.
"And also created a lunar ecosystem" He adds, plucking a blade of grass and turning it into a whistle. You roll your eyes, and bite your cheek to stop from mockingly claiming to have not noticed the willowy trees with glass leaves and silvery bark all around you.
Double Vote
What do you do about Piao Tuzi and the other moon rabbits
>Take her, the buck and a few more home with you, so you can figure out what makes them different from "Earth" Magical Beasts at your own pace.
>Decide she's too cute to not adopt and take her home with you, with the buck Aodasheng caught, so you can raise her, teach her, and show her off to your fellow terrestrial ascended beasts.
>See if a piece of candy or some grass will calm her down and convince her you're not going to eat her.
>Put her down, marking her with a simple tracking spell, so you can come check on her and bring her home with you some other time
>Write in
And what do you do now that your meditation is done, Huanliuxue?
>Show off what your, er, meditations on the nature of beasts has produced, starting with a partial transformation to Aodasheng
>Force Aodasheng to name the boy and not call him little bastard (Can be taken with other choices)
>Travel back to earth and drop Piao Tuzi off at Yuyi's house Since she already has four daughters with cat ears and tail, a girl with rabbit ears and tail shouldn't cause her any problems
>Decide to make a show for your sect, and descend to wherever they're watching you since they have to be watching you in awe, leading the ghost king by a leash
>Tell Aodasheng to stay on the moon, and watch and protect the moon rabbits, while you check to see if Monu, Siwang, Feiqing are done preparing for your tournament
>Figure out what else you can do, with your newly refined transformation powers!
>Write in","attachment":null,"posted":1716239795},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011318,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011273
>Taking them with us.
You are being adopted, do not resist.
>Figure out what else we can do
>Send Ao to investigate the beast stampedes and recruit who he can.
>Go and get the tourniment started, and lets look for talent.
That Ling motherfucker. He has OUR property.
And his lifeforce should he good enough for our tastes.","attachment":null,"posted":1716242791},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011341,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011268
>Lunatic Eyes. Able to drive those transfixed by your eyes or exposed to their glow quite mad
Heheh. You lied in the end. She got referenced.
>>6011273
>Decide she's too cute to not adopt and take her home with you, with the buck Aodasheng caught, so you can raise her, teach her, and show her off to your fellow terrestrial ascended beasts.
>See if a piece of candy or some grass will calm her down and convince her you're not going to eat her.
>Force Aodasheng to name the boy and not call him little bastard (Can be taken with other choices)
>Decide to make a show for your sect, and descend to wherever they're watching you since they have to be watching you in awe, leading the ghost king by a leash","attachment":null,"posted":1716243971},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011345,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011273
>See if a piece of candy or some grass will calm her down and convince her you're not going to eat her.
Tame the bunny
BUT DO NOT TAKE IT AWAY FROM THE MOON
they are obviously connected to it somehow. Seperation may be fatal.
>Force Aodasheng to name the boy and not call him little bastard (Can be taken with other choices)
>Tell Aodasheng to stay on the moon, and watch and protect the moon rabbits, while you check to see if Monu, Siwang, Feiqing are done preparing for your tournament
The heaven's may seek to slaughter the rabbits, a new realm may draw even their greed, a defender is needed while we seek out others.","attachment":null,"posted":1716244107},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011384,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011341
>>6011345
Why not?
We have river bastard, now little bastard
We can have a whole bastard line!","attachment":null,"posted":1716246543},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011411,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Well hey, the art from the Queen of /qst/ tournament is now accurate
>>6011273
>See if a piece of candy or some grass will calm her down and convince her you're not going to eat her.
>Decide she's too cute to not adopt and take her home with you, with the buck Aodasheng caught, so you can raise her, teach her, and show her off to your fellow terrestrial ascended beasts.
Calm her down before we give her another shock.
>Force Aodasheng to name the boy and not call him little bastard (Can be taken with other choices)
>Decide to make a show for your sect, and descend to wherever they're watching you since they have to be watching you in awe, leading the ghost king by a leash
I want to practice some more, but also get back so we can see how that other sect did with their beast students and fuck up the Ling who stole our Knife of Counting Errors (name pending). Maybe we can get our students to work together and try and take us down for two way training.","attachment":null,"posted":1716248143},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011421,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011411
>Well hey, the art from the Queen of /qst/ tournament is now accurate
Chest still too small. Where are Huan's jade beauties?","attachment":null,"posted":1716248844},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011447,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011273
>Take her, the buck and a few more home with you, so you can figure out what makes them different from "Earth" Magical Beasts at your own pace.
>Travel back to earth and drop Piao Tuzi off at Yuyi's house Since she already has four daughters with cat ears and tail, a girl with rabbit ears and tail shouldn't cause her any problems
Doctor "I just want a normal life and this shit keeps happening to me" Yuyi is on the case!","attachment":null,"posted":1716251793},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011451,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011273
>See if a piece of candy or some grass will calm her down and convince her you're not going to eat her.
>Force Aodasheng to name the boy and not call him little bastard (Can be taken with other choices)
>Figure out what else you can do, with your newly refined transformation powers!","attachment":null,"posted":1716252180},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011706,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011273
>See if a piece of candy or some grass will calm her down and convince her you're not going to eat her.
>Decide to make a show for your sect, and descend to wherever they're watching you since they have to be watching you in awe, leading the ghost king by a leash","attachment":null,"posted":1716269363},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011747,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011273
>>Decide she's too cute to not adopt and take her home with you, with the buck Aodasheng caught, so you can raise her, teach her, and show her off to your fellow terrestrial ascended beasts.
>Force Aodasheng to name the boy and not call him little bastard (Can be taken with other choices)
>You can't be like my sister who names her daughters 1,2,3,4, and 5.
>Figure out what else you can do, with your newly refined transformation powers!
After that, I say we can go back to the sect and fix our curse.
I still suggest diluted god blood should deal with it.","attachment":null,"posted":1716271934},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011755,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011747
It will deal.with it, its just so god damned wasteful and hazardous.
Lets just eat that bastard who runs the Ling immortal branch.","attachment":null,"posted":1716272429},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011763,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011273
>Decide she's too cute to not adopt and take her home with you, with the buck Aodasheng caught, so you can raise her, teach her, and show her off to your fellow terrestrial ascended beasts.
>Force Aodasheng to name the boy and not call him little bastard (Can be taken with other choices)
>Tell Aodasheng to stay on the moon, and watch and protect the moon rabbits, while you check to see if Monu, Siwang, Feiqing are done preparing for your tournament","attachment":null,"posted":1716272955},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011767,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"I'm wondering, do these rabbits even know how to eat? Obviously they know how to bite and kick, but what exactly are they supposed to be eating up here? Is there cheese under the surface of the moon or something? I feel like they subsist on just lunar energy and whatnot.","attachment":null,"posted":1716273511},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011773,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011273
>>Decide she's too cute to not adopt and take her home with you, with the buck Aodasheng caught, so you can raise her, teach her, and show her off to your fellow terrestrial ascended beasts.
>Figure out what else you can do, with your newly refined transformation powers!","attachment":null,"posted":1716273972},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011779,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011273
>See if a piece of candy or some grass will calm her down and convince her you're not going to eat her
>Decide to make a show for your sect, and descend to wherever they're watching you since they have to be watching you in awe, leading the ghost king by a leash","attachment":null,"posted":1716274415},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011879,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011273
>Decide she's too cute to not adopt and take her home with you, with the buck Aodasheng caught, so you can raise her, teach her, and show her off to your fellow terrestrial ascended beasts.
Hopefully Huan showing up with yet another cute little girl to train doesn't start weird rumors.
>Force Aodasheng to name the boy and not call him little bastard (Can be taken with other choices)
>Decide to make a show for your sect, and descend to wherever they're watching you since they have to be watching you in awe, leading the ghost king by a leash
The leash is a bit much for a friend, but it will avoid any misunderstandings as to who is on top. Make the whole "I am the boss now" pill go down easier for all the ghosts in the peanut gallery.
I gotta say, its always fun to see Huan pulling weird shit out of her ass and confuse the shit out of everyone, but man, now even *I'm* getting confused.
What the hell is Huan even doing anymore? Even she doesn't know!
It's great","attachment":null,"posted":1716285258},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6011900,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011879
Its what Lanfen does to her sworn protectors, its common fashion of the new era. Obviously.
But damn, im really excited to eat that Ling fuck, take our porperty, and end the beast stampede, AND COMMENSE THE REIGN OF HUANLIEXUE! EMPRESS OF BEASTS, SUPREME RULER OF CATS, GREATEST HERETIC IN ANY GENERATION!","attachment":null,"posted":1716288066},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6012016,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Can someone give me the full physical description and characteristics of Huanliuxue's human-like appearance?","attachment":null,"posted":1716300529},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6012043,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012016
Taken from https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2022/5454402/
>Your hair, the same gorgeous shade of scarlet as your fur, framed your face. It wasn't straight, and certainly wasn't in any way tamed or brush. Locks of it rose on the sides, slightly curled, making it seem like a waterfall or wave of blood falling over your shoulders and down your back, just a bit over halfway down it, nearly reaching your buttocks. Your human hair was nearly as fluffy as your coat, and had a lot of natural volume and puff. Though it didn't cover your forehead, with the way it naturally grew. Which allowed you to see that your eyebrows were just as bushy as the rest of the hair on your head, and more rounded than they were sharp or arched, thick and wild.
>[Eyes] were still yellow, like two chunks of petrified amber, and cast in the light dancing along the surface of water, they glowed as if they were showing their nightshine. They were like limpid autumn water in the orange red light of lit lanterns. And the shape of your eyes, that held these precious pools of yellow amber, were round and large and almond shaped, wide open with how intently you were staring. They were not Phoenix eyes, by any definition, but they exuded as sort of playful innocence and wonder that was more attractive than the striking alure of phoenix eyes, though they shared the same upward incline of their outer corners.
>red eyelashes
> tender, plump lips, ... without any expression they naturally shaped themselves into a very cat like smile, smug and mischievous.
>how soft and smooth your fair, skin was. Your face was beautiful, awe inspiring even. Small, with a pointy chin, with a tall imperial nose. The very image of youthful beauty, fairy like in every aspect or value. Your face was the sort that would come to mind when men or women with particular tastes dreamt of a ethereal jade like beauty. Soft in all the right places, sharp in all the right places. ","attachment":null,"posted":1716303103},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6012045,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012043
It went over the character limit!
>pronounced, desirable collar bone
> white skin
>you would probably be the target of the envy of quiet of few girls, and the lust of many men and boys. You'd have to bind your chest if you wanted to hide the size of your breasts. Robes and tunics alone couldn't conceal them. All in all, with your experience in the subject of human teats, you'd categorize your own bosom a bit above standard and ordinary. There were larger busts than it, but there were plenty more smaller ones in the world.
>The muscles underneath your pale skin were tightly compressed, like coiled wire, hiding your strength behind a veneer of leanness. Your body as a whole was athletic, not bulky or pudgy, as a woman martial artist should be, built for running, leaping and climbing. Feline! Slim, but certainly not fragile
>[fingers] were dexterous, graceful, elegant, but not dainty. Huanliuxue was no delicate flower who would fall apart from too hard a touch! But a thorned, robust beauty!
>There was little fat on your tummy, and a subtle signs of the musculature beneath
>Your hips weren't too wide, completely the svelte form and look of your body, which to your great satisfaction and relief shared your true forms feline grace, and wasn't bulky or dainty. Though your buttocks were just slightly too plump and round for your liking, but by no means fat or rotund. Certainly, you looked healthier than most women who would be called fairies or jadelike beauties and less likely to break with just a bit of pressure. A natural, wild beauty!
> long, elegant legs, finding that you got quiet of a bit of your human height from them. Your thighs were well shaped, not fat or too large, and like your arms, they and your legs were lean with cat like muscles, easily overlooked and missed.","attachment":null,"posted":1716303165},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6012137,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Ending the vote and tallying its result now. The injury on my foot has stopped hurting entirely now.
Take her, the buck and a few more home with you, so you can figure out what makes them different from "Earth" Magical Beasts at your own pace.:2
Decide she's too cute to not adopt and take her home with you, with the buck Aodasheng caught, so you can raise her, teach her, and show her off to your fellow terrestrial ascended beasts.:6
See if a piece of candy or some grass will calm her down and convince her you're not going to eat her.:6
___
Figure out what else you can do, with your newly refined transformation powers!:4
Send Ao to investigate the beast stampedes and recruit who he can:1
Go and get the tournament started, and lets look for talent:1
Force Aodasheng to name the boy and not call him little bastard :7
-You can't be like my sister who names her daughters 1,2,3,4, and 5.:1
Decide to make a show for your sect, and descend to wherever they're watching you since they have to be watching you in awe, leading the ghost king by a leash:5
Tell Aodasheng to stay on the moon, and watch and protect the moon rabbits, while you check to see if Monu, Siwang, Feiqing are done preparing for your tournament:2
Travel back to earth and drop Piao Tuzi off at Yuyi's house Since she already has four daughters with cat ears and tail, a girl with rabbit ears and tail shouldn't cause her any problems:1
So You'll decide Piao Tuzi is too cute not to adopt and take her and the buck Ao Subuded home with you, so you can raise them, teach them and show her off to your fellow earthly magical beasts
And
You'll also force Aodasheng to name the buck something else besides little bastard, and show off a little to your sect, descending to wherever they are, leading the Ghost King by a leash, Heh-Heh.
Update will arrive shortly
>>6011341
I didn't expect you to aim for the stars and push for 14 DoS, to be fair.","attachment":null,"posted":1716308844},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6012138,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6012137
Oh, and I forgot to mention, you'll see if Candy or grass will calm the rabbit down and convince her you aren't intending to eat her up","attachment":null,"posted":1716308904},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6012251,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"However, jeering at the ghost king for pointing out the obvious, when you're still recovering from the spar you had with him, is of far lesser concern than the little rabbit eared girl shaking in your arms. The poor thing is nearly scared to death, and you don't need to activate the vein hunting eye to feel how quickly her heart is thumping in her chest, and you can practically smell the adrenaline surging in her veins on her breath. And are very uncomfortable with how delicious that aroma is now and how tantalizing her hot breath seems, but at least you know that hungering desire within is born from a curse rather than any real yearning for her life on your part and as fresh as the hunger is, sealing the craving away is as easily as turning over your hand. But thinking about how tasty even a mouthful of Piao Tuzi's breath would be, even for just a shameful moment, does give you an idea of how to calm her down.
Since if you try to take her back home with you, with how scared she is right now, with her little heart thumping a marching beat in her chest, she might just drop dead from shock. And she is just too adorable not to take home with you and adopt. And since you already caught her and the buck that Aodasheng is currently prodding with his heel, checking for life signs after his mere presence caused the rowdy boy to faint and instinctively feign death, no one can balk or complain or accuse you of villany if you take guardianship over both of them. And besides, they need to be taught many things and raised properly, so they can one day teach the other transformed moon rabbits, and besides making Piao and the buck that is so selflessly and also violently protective of her presentable to society and capable of surviving both on and off the moon, you really want to show them off to your fellow earthborn magical beasts.
But since little Piao is showing all the signs of a prey animal being caught and going so far into shock she can't even think to bare her fangs or try to struggle and save herself, you need to convince her that you don't intend to make a meal out of her. And there's no better way to earn someone's trust than to give them food. But you aren't certain what moon rabbits like to eat, before you meditated and resonated your beast core with the moon, there wasn't any sort of grass or plant life on the moon. Do they even need to eat.
Reaching into your dimensional gourd, you pluck out a piece of hard divine blood candy, and hold it over Piao Tuzi's nose. She lifts up her head, and wiggles her nose, some color returning it as she sniffs the candy and then adorably tilts her head, frowning exactly like a rabbit would as she stares at the confection held in front of her like it was something mysterious and unknown, still trembling even as she eyes it suspiciously.
'Don't know why I tried candy first' You lament silently, pouting as Aodasheng kneels down besides you, weaving moon grass into rope for some reason
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1716316010},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6012254,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6012251
And that gives you a another idea of what sort of treat a moon rabbit might like, and holding her against your chest with one arm as she slumps back, morosely accepting her imagined fate of becoming your dinner, you reach over and pull out a handful of blue grass and offer it to her, holding your open palm under her face.
Her eyes light up and she struggles to lean forward, and you hold your breath, strangely excited to see her munch on the grass, but instead she daintly sticks out her tongue and grabs a few grass blades covered in dew and starts lapping at them. She looks fairly content and pleased, her nose wiggling and her ears drooping as she takes nearly a whole minute to drink a single drop of dew, flicking her tongue out more like a butterfly or honeybee than a rabbit.
And that when you understand what Jade rabbits eat and how they survive on the moon.
"Moon Dew. Of course, where else would it be plentiful except the moon" You marvel, as you hold crush the grasses in your palm and separate their juices from the dew, which Tuzi eyes hungrily "It only forms in places abundant with spiritual energy, balanced elements and good feng shui, where moonlight becomes dew as it settles to the earth. And the moon is overflowing and surrounded by cosmic qi and is the SOURCE of moonlight"
"We could make a killing gathering it" Aodasheng suddenly adds, a greedy glint in his eyes "Moon dew is prized for medicines, cultivation drugs, some poisons, artifact crafting, sorcery..."
"Mostly because its rare, I'm pretty sure my sweat could be sold as Moon Dew" You joke, but before you can laugh about it, you notice the greedy look in the ghost king's eyes has only grown more intense "No. No!"
"We could market it as Sanguine Moon Dew, the mysteries surrounding it, the supreme rarity and high quality of its spiritual essence would make it a luxury item for even wealthy sects" He tries to argue the benefit of selling your sweat as a alchemical ingredient or cultivation material, the idea of which, while kind of funny, also makes your skin crawl.
"No" You repeat, grinding your teeth as Piao Tuzi kicks her legs carelessly, humming happily and buzzing as she licks up more Moon Dew. Aodasheng frowns but relents with a casual shrug of his shoulders.
"Oh but think of the profit" He titters, and you wonder if he was never serious about the proposition or if he's covering his ass after seeing how disgusted the idea made you
"I think you should be thinking of a name for that poor buck you keep bullying, besides little bastard. I'm taking him back to my temple with Tuzi here" You say grumpily, glowering as he continues snickering, hiding his mouth with his sleeve.
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1716316071},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6012256,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6012254
"Night Warrior (Yèwǔshì, 夜武士)" Aodasheng says, in a very serious way in a tone like the name he's given the boy is profound and the act of naming him is a momentous moment in history, when it sounds like what an overly imaginative kid would call themselves after first being accepted into a martial arts school and they think they're the heavens only blessing on the world, destined for greatness and a life of adventure. Though, you can't bring yourself to make fun of him for it or complain how lame it actually sounds, since you did name the girl in your lap after a character in a story you wrote, whose name was purposefully both uncreative, overtly formal, and cutesy.
"It's humorous, you see, that the girl called white rabbit, is protected by a fearsome warrior" Aodasheng explains between fits of laughter, holding up two fingers "With a name as foreboding as Night Warrior"
"I...I guess" You strain to say through your teeth, noticing that the ghost king is still holding a leash in his hand, and while you're pretty sure he made it to put around Yewushi's neck as payback for biting his hand, it also gives you a somewhat mischievous idea. What better way is there to show you subjugated the great evil under the mountain than leading him around by a collar and leash.
And as if sensing your intentions and reading your thoughts, Ao takes a cautious step back
"Ao, can I see that leash for a moment~?" You ask sweetly, purring as you gently set Tuzi down on the ground, having to wiggle you hand out of hers as she's focused and determined to drink all of the Moon Dew gathered in your palm "I just want to admire your craftsmanship is all"
"I know what you're thinking, because I've done it before" He says with a wide smile "But, my pride dictates that I first ask who you intended to parade me before"
"Family and sect" You admit plainly and shamelessly, smirking as he considers his options
"Should we make it look like you mauled me first, so you may drag my battered self before them?" He suggests, a little too enthusiastically, and noticing you wariness caused by his apparent excitement to be beaten up, he explains "To make it clear we fought fiercely, since both of us have already recovered from, er, most of our wounds"
"No?" You say slowly "We're trying to be friends, remember? Why would I beat you up? My disciples are not so dull witted"
"Hah, and hear I wanted to make a terrifying yet pitiful entrance into their lives" He says with a giggle, eyes gleaming with mischief, now seeming more thrilled by the leash idea than you are
"You're terrifying just standing around, you don't need to be bloody and mangled to frighten others" You say with a roll of your eyes, deciding to hurry along the plan before Ao gets anymore strange ideas "Just put on the leash"
"As you command" He says, still snickering under his breath, mirthfully smiling as he widens the noose he made of braided moon grass to fit over his head
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1716316138},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6012258,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6012256
Traveling back to the world with three passengers, is surprisingly easy, the Moon Rabbits don't require any special care or preparation to be taken with you on the jaunt from space back to the ground, which you realize is the same for anything on the moon, from its rocks to its newly sprouted grasses. Presumably, anything you can carry, you can take from space back to the earth when you step back down to it. Aodasheng just uses the red string trick he used to transport the two of you to space during your fight.
And its easy to see, even from the night sky, that the entirety of you sect had gathered atop your split mountain to watch and wait for you return.
"Hm. This doesn't look like the region I lead my army to. Much has changed over the centuries. And the air is rich with ghostly miasma and beastly and bloody scents. How exciting! The air itself feels lively, what a world I've awoken to!" Aodasheng declares as he, with a rope around his neck, takes in the view of the land of a thousand rivers and lakes from above it "So many new temples, some many new....is that Suiqi?~! I thought for sure that den of scoundrels would've been put to the torch long ago, and should have been and, why is there a giant tree sprouting out of its center?"
"Oh? I cleaned up the sparrow's nest with a little, just minded bird, and the tree is also my handiwork" You answer his questions as you skip down the sky, leading him along, with the two Moon Rabbits, who you've put into a basket and are keeping happy with a bowl of chilled moon dew.
"I suspected as much, must've been bloody work scrounging out the filth from its streets" He admires, as the mountaintop comes into view as the clouds part, and you can see your sect, and your mother...
Rapidly approaching! And also flying up to you is the all too familiar smell of Kaoliang Wine!. Scrunching your nose, you squint as a cold breeze washes up as your mother soars up from the mountain top, dressed in the red and pink robes of your sect, with a loose sash and the upper robe opened to show off her "Jade beauties" as she some times calls them.
"Oh? is that an ice witch? I'm surprised that tradition has survived" Ao mutters under his breath as your mother gets closer and closer, with frozen tears falling from her cheeks and sparkling as they fall back to the earth
"She's my mother and she calls herself a witch. She prefers it, even. Monu" You explain quietly as she gets nearer and nearer "It's even branded on her forehead"
"What an odd fashion choice" He remarks.
And soon you can make out the two lines of three moles on her cheeks and her tear filled eyes as she rushes to embrace you
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1716316199},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6012266,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6012258
"Huan~Liu~Xue?" She starts crying out, arms half around and pulling you to her chest when she notices Aodasheng and starts, a shiver visibly traveling down her back as the ghost king observes her emotionlessly, like she was a curious optical illusion in a painting. Monu blinks, swallows dryly, and with a trembling lip, lifts up her hand and points at the ghost king, whose eyes are scanning and flicking over her, studying every piece of her but not in the way men usually do.
"That is a fine collection of internal Gu, Madam, I'm shocked their creation is still permitted" He politely greets her, complimenting her self taught poisoning technique
"He's still alive?" Monu asks, pulling on your ear to whisper into it, sounding actually frightened, which she didn't get even when faced by an army lead by her murderous ex
"Him and I got along after we fought, and he's surprisingly reasonable" You answer a little smugly, smirking as Monu glances back to the calamity level spirit, who gives a coy wave her way, and then her eyes light up with understanding when she sees the leash around his neck and the lead you're holding in your hand
"Ara ara, I see, you've tamed the wild beast" She cackles "Heh-Heh, how amusing! Of course, it is more impressive to capture your enemy than it is to cut them down! And he's quite the impressive catch"
"Thank you" The ghost king answers with a bow
"Just making sure, but you heard me when I said I beat him in a fight, right?" You say, knowing how your adoptive mother's mind tends to work
"Oh I'm not some lewd woman" She pouts, tugging on your ear a little harder, saying one of the more outrageous lies ever spoken beneath the heavens
"Hey, hey! Just making sure no weird rumors spread, between me and my new friend" You whine, as Monu smirks and gives your ear another tug, before her nose twitches and she turns towards the basket on your back "And advisor and guardian"
"Are you certain it is a good idea to be so close to...well, a villain so infamous his name was erased from memory?" She asks, slinking around to peer into the basket, and her worries melt away as she coos "Daaw, what adorable little children"
"That's why, for now, I'll keep him and my triumph over him a secret, Heh-Heh-Heh." You cackle, before starting, blood running cold as you see which of the rabbits Monu is reaching toward "Wait not that..."
"OW! YOU LITTLE BASTARD!" Monu wails, pulling back her bleeding hand as Yewushi glares at her, and a sleepy Piao Tuzi peeks her head out of the basket, nose wiggling as she gets her first whiff of real air
Aodasheng holds up his own hand, commiserating with your mother's pain.
"Well, lets introduce the terrifying monster to the rest of the sect, if I can't convince you not to keep him?" She sniffles, sucking on her bleeding finger as you, her, Ao, and the rabbits descend to the mountain
Cont","attachment":null,"posted":1716316260},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6012268,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6012266
"Holy shit" Qiang says breathlessly "You...you've actually subjugated the devil at the bottom of the mountain"
"And she's leashed him like a dog" Huili mutters, scratching at his neck
"Oh! I have much to learn from master in the ways of subjugating ghosts! Mister, is that leash enchanted to control ghosts?" Baifenchi cheers vibrantly, sounding much more lively than she usually does
"So you aren't just a legend, uncle" Fu says with a whistle, looking Aodasheng up and down "Handsome for a corpse"
"Eh. I've seen prettier bodies" Qiang Jokes as Ping stares, frozen in shock
"Should've expected this" He mutters
"Your shit stain servants put me in a cage!" Yujijiao shouts furiously
"So you take after mother a little more than just her laugh, Huh?" Xuebai titters
"My old friend, is that you..." Aodasheng gasps, spotting Xiongji, but before he can say his true name, Xiongji slams his fist into his
"Fucker" He growls, wincing and reaching for his head "Just because I remembered, doesn't mean I didn't forget. The heavens might've killed us all, but you still..."
Xiongji pauses
"Well fuck you, even if I can't think of why I should be angry with you, leader. Should've at least sent a letter" He huffs and stomps off, as the other mighty spirits from the catacombs just stare at Aodasheng in awe, wheeping and crying with joy, so happy to see him freed they don't even see the leash you're dragging him around with.
"Guess I deserve that" He sighs, rubbing his jaw and clicking it back into place "I thought I saw more students when we were descending to this peak"
"They all ran off, we're the ones used to dealing with ghosts, and just getting done with fighting thousands of them prepared us better for your crushing pressure" Fu answers
"I didn't!" Yinying shouts, from a particularly dense patch of shadows
"Just breathing in the air around you feels like it could be deadly" Qiang adds "If that killing intent doesn't stop our hearts"
"You produce a lethal amount of deathly yin Qi, forgotten king" Ping remarks with a nod
"You're one scary bastard" Huili whines
"How did it feel to die?" Baifenchi asks cutely as she flutters around Aodasheng's head
"Hey, stop paying attention to the stinking corpse" Monu says, hoisting up the now docile Piao Tuzi "Look what else she brought back from the stars"
"A kid?" Fu grunts "With rabbit ears? There are beasts out beyond the heavens?"
"It isn't breathing, not air at least" Qiang notices, her dull voice sounding a little unnerved by that realization "But they aren't dead, at least as we'd recognize death"
"Moon rabbits are real?" Ping gawks, slapping his ghost arm on his chest as he reels and stumbles back
"Hm?" Baifenchi hums
"The moon has rabbits on it?" Huili asks, suddenly much more interested in the rabbit girl than the terrifying ghost king
"Hey! You need to answer for your followers' afront to the majestic me!" Yujijiao whines
cont","attachment":null,"posted":1716316321},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6012271,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6012268
"Don't get his attention" Xuebai snaps at her, saving you the trouble of scolding her for courting death, and then a streak of pink and red passes by your side
"Hey don't just run off with her!" You yell, running after your mother, whose sprinting down the mountainside with Piao Tuzi under her arm "She just calmed down! You'll make her think we're going to toss her in a cooking pot if you act like that"
"Forgive me daughter, but it is vital that the rest of the sect see this adorable little baby!" Monu shouts back, you chase her down the mountain path, Aodasheng skipping down behind you, acting like he'd be pulled along by the leash around his neck if he didn't.
Once you've caught up to your mother, and Tuzi's been dotted on by the ladies of the palace of natural laws, what do you do, Huanliuxue? two choices can be taken
>Ask if the preparations for the tournament are finished, and how much it has drained the sect's and your personal coffers
>Dote on Piao Tuzi and try to temper Yewushi's temper, as you teach them how to speak and the common sense of the world, and see how strong they are naturally
>See if you can teach your students who attained human form, how to partially transform, by trying to explain the self realization and insight that allowed you to figure it out [Teaching trial. DC 165]
>Tell your allied and friendly sects you're granting them the privilege to have a few of their students join the tournament without going through the qualifiers, a benefit of their friendship with the palace of natural laws
>Send Aodasheng on a covert mission of some king (Will lead to another vote, if you don't include what mission you send him on)
>Ask Monu if she knows of any cure for Specter Starvation besides consuming a powerful life.
>Experiment with and find the limit of your newly refined transformation powers
>Summon Ruolan and Renshu, check their progress, and have them bring you some of their stored blood so you can refine your carmine mysticism (Carmine Mysticism training. DC 118)
>Write in","attachment":null,"posted":1716316403},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6012286,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012271
>See if you can teach your students who attained human form, how to partially transform, by trying to explain the self realization and insight that allowed you to figure it out [Teaching trial. DC 165]
>Summon Ruolan and Renshu, check their progress, and have them bring you some of their stored blood so you can refine your carmine mysticism (Carmine Mysticism training. DC 118)","attachment":null,"posted":1716317512},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6012301,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012256
I know, the real reason the gods smote Ao is because his cringiness threatened the very fabric of reality itself.
>>6012271
>Ask if the preparations for the tournament are finished, and how much it has drained the sect's and your personal coffers
>See if you can teach your students who attained human form, how to partially transform, by trying to explain the self realization and insight that allowed you to figure it out [Teaching trial. DC 165]","attachment":null,"posted":1716318358},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6012305,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012256
>"I know what you're thinking, because I've done it before"
Damn. Bro's kinky.
>>6012271
>Ask Monu if she knows of any cure for Specter Starvation besides consuming a powerful life.
>Summon Ruolan and Renshu, check their progress, and have them bring you some of their stored blood so you can refine your carmine mysticism (Carmine Mysticism training. DC 118)
I'm interested in all the bottom three options, but this feels more pressing. Aody has been stuck in that box for ages without access to new information. There very well may be other methods to "cure" the curse of a Jiangshi after so long.","attachment":null,"posted":1716318744},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6012315,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012271
>Ask Monu if she knows of any cure for Specter Starvation besides consuming a powerful life.
>Summon Ruolan and Renshu, check their progress, and have them bring you some of their stored blood so you can refine your carmine mysticism (Carmine Mysticism training. DC 118)
A training DC that low is begging to be worked on. And I suspect we'd be foolish to ignore this curse.","attachment":null,"posted":1716319446},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6012325,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012286
>Dupport, in that order","attachment":null,"posted":1716320251},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6012473,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012271
>>See if you can teach your students who attained human form, how to partially transform, by trying to explain the self realization and insight that allowed you to figure it out [Teaching trial. DC 165]
If we succeed we gain more points for later.
>Ask Monu if she knows of any cure for Specter Starvation besides consuming a powerful life.
>Ask if the preparations for the tournament are finished, and how much it has drained the sect's and your personal coffers
Questions shouldn't be too major.
ALso guys remember we got a beast tide to attend to. That may be a high priority, bc the moment we break ling's control on them, they become ours, and we can use them on the ling after to fulfill our promise to the break away clan. Before or after that we need to hit up hell for dealing with the curse.","attachment":null,"posted":1716329845},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6012480,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012473
I'm gonna keep saying it untill people start listening.
EAT. THE LIFE BREATH. OF THAT LING. FUCK HEAD. IN CHARGE OF THE FAMILY.
EAT. HIS. LIFEFORCE.
HE IS STRONG ENOUGH. TO EAT. EAT HIS LIFE FORCE.","attachment":null,"posted":1716330364},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6012488,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012271
>Dote on Piao Tuzi and try to temper Yewushi's temper, as you teach them how to speak and the common sense of the world, and see how strong they are naturally
>See if you can teach your students who attained human form, how to partially transform, by trying to explain the self realization and insight that allowed you to figure it out [Teaching trial. DC 165]","attachment":null,"posted":1716331558},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6012505,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012305
Support","attachment":null,"posted":1716334173},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6012507,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"I need to learn what Aodasheng named his techniques, surely he can't be THAT bad right?
>>6012271
>Summon Ruolan and Renshu, check their progress, and have them bring you some of their stored blood so you can refine your carmine mysticism (Carmine Mysticism training. DC 118)
These two don't pop up often, so lets check how they are doing
>Ask Monu if she knows of any cure for Specter Starvation besides consuming a powerful life.
Might as well get a second opinion on our condition","attachment":null,"posted":1716334725},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6012512,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012480
see: all of our effort into not looking like a man eating monster.
Yeah its the easy way out, but then we have to deal with a bunch of other bullshit. Might as well go to hell and deal with it there, Grandfather knows that anything we do there would still be A-okay by the standards of the demons.","attachment":null,"posted":1716335054},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6012528,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012507
You know how some things you did in highschool weren't considered lame at the time? It's just changing sensibilities that paint it that way? I'm sure for his era none of his techniques would have cringey names.","attachment":null,"posted":1716337018},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6012877,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012271
>Tell your allied and friendly sects you're granting them the privilege to have a few of their students join the tournament without going through the qualifiers, a benefit of their friendship with the palace of natural laws
>Ask Monu if she knows of any cure for Specter Starvation besides consuming a powerful life.","attachment":null,"posted":1716358675},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6012971,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012271
>>See if you can teach your students who attained human form, how to partially transform, by trying to explain the self realization and insight that allowed you to figure it out [Teaching trial. DC 165]
>>Summon Ruolan and Renshu, check their progress, and have them bring you some of their stored blood so you can refine your carmine mysticism (Carmine Mysticism training. DC 118)","attachment":null,"posted":1716370803},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6013160,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012271
>Ask if the preparations for the tournament are finished, and how much it has drained the sect's and your personal coffers
Its about time we get this tournament underway, finally.
>Ask Monu if she knows of any cure for Specter Starvation besides consuming a powerful life.
Gotta see if we have any other options to take.
Man, we have so much shit to do. Being a sect leader sure is busy, huh?","attachment":null,"posted":1716386641},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6013183,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012043
>>6012045
Extremely helpful, but I forgot to ask about her clothing options like a dunce. Mind filling me in on that as well?","attachment":null,"posted":1716388051},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6013184,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012271
>Ask if the preparations for the tournament are finished, and how much it has drained the sect's and your personal coffers
>See if you can teach your students who attained human form, how to partially transform, by trying to explain the self realization and insight that allowed you to figure it out [Teaching trial. DC 165]","attachment":null,"posted":1716388089},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6013197,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6013183
Daoist robes in red and pink are the uniform of her sect.
She also has a demonic spider-silk armor, described here: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2023/5663384/
>could be mistaken for a extravagant dress if it were not for the pieces of it that were clearly armor.
>The gauntlets were also clawed, but more obviously with blades long and curved, being able to be used like claws while worn in your human form or as claw guards in your natural shape, a design that is shared with the armored foot ware. The armor is silver and polished to a near mirror like finish in the places but is vivid bloodred everywhere else, with an interesting design of bones, crow feathers and cats all over it. The vambraces are decorated with two carvings of sleeping cats on each, the leggings are designed to look somewhat like a cat's paws and the "Skirt" is designed to look like a fur wrapped around your waist. The breastplate looks like the fangs of a yowling cat, the shoulder pads look like crow skulls, but the helmet, looks like a crown, with rubies woven onto the band on its forehead in the center of eyes carved onto it, with two skeletal hands clinging to its side.
>Trying the armor on, you find it fits perfectly in both your forms, and even changes a bit in design to accommodate your feline body, losing its dress like quality's to become like a second hide of steel. Anjing also teaches you that the skeletal hands on your helmet can be made to move to cover and protect your face, a very important feature of course","attachment":null,"posted":1716389243},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6013339,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":"Ending the vote, tallying its result, this update will be the start of a new thread.
See if you can teach your students who attained human form, how to partially transform, by trying to explain the self realization and insight that allowed you to figure it out:7
Summon Ruolan and Renshu, check their progress, and have them bring you some of their stored blood so you can refine your carmine mysticism:6
Ask if the preparations for the tournament are finished, and how much it has drained the sect's and your personal coffers:4
Ask Monu if she knows of any cure for Specter Starvation besides consuming a powerful life.:6
Dote on Piao Tuzi and try to temper Yewushi's temper, as you teach them how to speak and the common sense of the world, and see how strong they are naturally:1
Tell your allied and friendly sects you're granting them the privilege to have a few of their students join the tournament without going through the qualifiers, a benefit of their friendship with the palace of natural laws:1
SO you'll see if you can teach your students who have already attained human form, how to partially transform, summon ruolan and renshu to check their progress as carmine mystics and cultivators, and try to refine your own carmine mysticism, and also ask Monu if she knows of any cure for specter starvation besides consuming a powerful life force
New thread will arrive shortly","attachment":null,"posted":1716401196},{"board":"qst","thread":5976698,"pid":6013380,"name":"Our-Grandfather","msg":">>6013339
>>6013373
New thread","attachment":null,"posted":1716405060}]}
+{"title":"Shogun Isekai Quest","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5976517,"name":"Blue eyed white samurai","msg":"You're a modern Western man who was transported to 1600's Japan. What isekai powers did you get?
>High stats
>Save scumming
>Other","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1712986915874132.jpg","filename":"0a249bfc-7f97-4a13-8150-770b5ae2dab8.jpg"},"posted":1712986915},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5976567,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976517
>Save scumming","attachment":null,"posted":1712995191},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5976568,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976517
>>Save scumming
Yes please. Depending on how broken we're going with the save scumming, it's going to replace some or most of the stats anyway. Also, I'm always up for some time-loop stuff.","attachment":null,"posted":1712995194},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5976575,"name":"Blue eyed white samurai","msg":">>5976567
>>5976568
Save scumming it is.
>"Save scumming, for the uninitiated, is the act of saving before key decisions, or expected key decisions, so that you can reload if you end up with an undesirably outcome."
Now let's describe your character.
>David- kindhearted high school student died saving kids from truck-kun
> Mark- us marine vet died tackling a school shooter
>Kevin- overweight incel weeb obsessed with japan died from diabetes
> Charles- ruthless stock broker died stabbed by employee he fired
>Other","attachment":null,"posted":1712996719},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5976582,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976575
>> Mark- us marine vet died tackling a school shooter
A warrior in another land","attachment":null,"posted":1712998014},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5976585,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976575
>>Kevin- overweight incel weeb obsessed with japan died from diabetes
Please be a history buff, please be a history buff...
At least we shouldn't trip over the customs so bad as the others might. And we can savescum each time we hae to interact with a woman, so that should definitely help...and Kevin is going to need a lot of help, I feel...","attachment":null,"posted":1712998883},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5976588,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976575
Save scumming is a lame power and I'm disappointed in anon. Regardless.
> Charles- ruthless stock broker died stabbed by employee he fired
Redemption arc","attachment":null,"posted":1713000254},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5976589,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976575
>David- kindhearted high school student died saving kids from truck-kun","attachment":null,"posted":1713000855},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5976590,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976575
>>David- kindhearted high school student died saving kids from truck-kun","attachment":null,"posted":1713001018},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5976594,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976575
>> Mark- us marine vet died tackling a school shooter","attachment":null,"posted":1713002964},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5976602,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976575
>>David- kindhearted high school student died saving kids from truck-kun","attachment":null,"posted":1713004764},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5976604,"name":"Blue eyed white samurai","msg":">>5976582
>>5976585
>>5976588
>>5976589
>>5976590
>>5976594
>>5976602
David the kindhearted victim of truck-kun it is. Where do you spawn? (thhis will be the first save point)
>The Dutch trading ship Erasmus with its starving crew
>The fief of Ajior ruled by Omi, the nephew of Lord Yabushige of Izu
>Osaka castle with the five regents and the Taiko's heir
>Other","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713005447732460.jpg","filename":"qtuejzaqag0c1.jpg"},"posted":1713005447},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5976614,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976604
>>The fief of Ajior ruled by Omi, the nephew of Lord Yabushige of Izu","attachment":null,"posted":1713007428},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5976617,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976604
>>The Dutch trading ship Erasmus with its starving crew","attachment":null,"posted":1713007763},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5976628,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976604
>Osaka castle with the five regents and the Taiko's heir","attachment":null,"posted":1713008145},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5976643,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976604
>The Dutch trading ship Erasmus with its starving crew
As some who is Dutch myself I had to pick this","attachment":null,"posted":1713010959},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5976751,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Let’s be the one who unite the shogun into the Japanese empire guys","attachment":null,"posted":1713023364},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5976787,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976604
>>The fief of Ajior ruled by Omi, the nephew of Lord Yabushige of Izu","attachment":null,"posted":1713027070},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5976804,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976604
>Other
>Inside a brothel where you work as a sex slave under Witch Queen Mazela","attachment":null,"posted":1713029350},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5976813,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976604
>The Dutch trading ship Erasmus with its starving crew
We go to the Japans.","attachment":null,"posted":1713030429},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5977057,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976604
>>Other
You spawn in the Witcher Forest ruled by Witch Queen Mazela herself. She's know to punish abusive man.","attachment":null,"posted":1713055047},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5977156,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976604
>>The Dutch trading ship Erasmus with its starving crew","attachment":null,"posted":1713061269},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5977160,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976604
>The Dutch trading ship Erasmus with its starving crew","attachment":null,"posted":1713061384},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5977329,"name":"Blue eyed white samurai","msg":">>5976614
>>5976617
>>5976628
>>5976643
>>5976751
>>5976787
>>5976804
>>5976813
>>5977057
>>5977156
>>5977160
You are David, an American high school student, who has always striven to do the right thing, to help where you can. The last thing you remember is the screech of tires and the horrified faces of children as a truck skids out of control toward them. Acting on instinct, you leap forward, shoving them to safety. Then, everything fades to black. When you next open your eyes, you're lying on the rough wood of a ship's deck. The air is thick with the stench of salt, sweat, and shit. Around you, gaunt, foul-smelling, bearded sailors with weathered faces crowd in, their shouts filled with confusion and suspicion. "Who are you? How did you get here?" they demand. Honestly, you wish you knew. The only clue you have is a voice that echoed in your mind upon awakening, a calm, clear whisper: "Progress Saved."
>Tell them the truth you're an American high schooler that was run over by a truck
>Lie and claim you are an angel sent by the holy spirit to save them
>Claim to be shipwrecked sailor
>Other","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713073343806473.png","filename":"shogun-shipwreck-Chesterfield-beach-1.png"},"posted":1713073343},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5977337,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Other
Tell them you're the right hand of Witch Queen Mazela and that your were just in the midst of fighting the demon lord of death Tho'belkin together with Mazela in the witches forest. He then teleported you to this god forsaken ship because he could not handle you both. You then shout to all the man "We must get back to the witches forest lads chop chop".
All the man look confused at first looking at each other as if you were a lunatic, but then the captain of the ship emerges from below the deck as he hears what you have said. "Queen Mazela you say? It can't be! I thought she was dead" said the captain baffled and overjoyed. "Man, we must help this him, for Queen Mazela is known of her generosity towards anyone who respects and helps her!"","attachment":null,"posted":1713073852},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5977342,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977329
>Claim to be shipwrecked sailor","attachment":null,"posted":1713074189},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5977375,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977329
>>Claim to be shipwrecked sailor","attachment":null,"posted":1713076694},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5977385,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977329
>Claim to be shipwrecked sailor","attachment":null,"posted":1713077896},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5977580,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977329
>Claim to be shipwrecked sailor","attachment":null,"posted":1713107447},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5977660,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977329
>Claim to be shipwrecked sailor","attachment":null,"posted":1713113322},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5978485,"name":"Blue eyed white samurai","msg":">>5977342
>>5977375
>>5977385
>>5977580
>>5977660
Disoriented and unsure of how you've arrived in this strange situation, you stand surrounded by the dirty, wild-eyed, emaciated sailors. Their hands grip primitive firearms, their fingers twitchy on the triggers. With a forced calmness, you choose your words with care. "I am a shipwrecked sailor," you claim steadily. One bearded man with long hair, who appears to be the pilot, eyes you with deep suspicion. "I don't see no ship," he challenges sharply. "My ship sank far from here," you respond quickly, fabricating your tale on the spot. "I survived by clinging to a piece of driftwood and was barely alive when I spotted your ship. Murmurs ripple through the group as they exchange wary glances. Words like 'spy', 'Portuguese', and 'the devil' float back to you, heightening the tension. After a tense pause, the pilot's voice cuts through the murmurs, "Are you a Catholic or a Protestant?" Your mind races. Neither truly applies to you, but recalling your family's background, you reply hesitantly, "Um, Catholic?" Instantly, another sailor accuses, "He's a Portuguese spy! Kill him!" As you open your mouth to protest, a gunshot rings out, and darkness swallows you once more.
"Save loading....."
Confusion and panic set in as you open your eyes again. You're lying on the rough wood of a ship's deck. The air is thick with the stench of salt, sweat, and shit. Around you, gaunt, foul-smelling, bearded sailors with weathered faces crowd in, their shouts filled with confusion and suspicion. "Who are you? How did you get here?" they demand.
>Claim to be a shipwrecked sailor again but protestant this time
>Claim to be a shipwrecked sailor again and that your ship was sunk by Portuguese catholic dogs
>Have a panic attack over whatever the fuck's happening
>Other","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713202797706681.jpg","filename":"john-blackthorne.jpg"},"posted":1713202797},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5978492,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978485
>Have a panic attack over whatever the fuck's happening","attachment":null,"posted":1713202977},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5978496,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978485
>Other
Tell them you're the right hand of Witch Queen Mazela and that your were just in the midst of fighting the demon lord of death Tho'belkin together with Mazela in the witches forest. He then teleported you to this god forsaken ship because he could not handle you both. You then shout to all the man "We must get back to the witches forest lads chop chop".
All the man look confused at first looking at each other as if you were a lunatic, but then the captain of the ship emerges from below the deck as he hears what you have said. "Queen Mazela you say? It can't be! I thought she was dead" said the captain baffled and overjoyed. "Man, we must help this him, for Queen Mazela is known of her generosity towards anyone who respects and helps her!"","attachment":null,"posted":1713203298},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5978499,"name":"Blue eyed white samurai","msg":">>5978496
Fuck off","attachment":null,"posted":1713203422},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5978500,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978499
Fuck off","attachment":null,"posted":1713203480},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5978510,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978485
>>Claim to be a shipwrecked sailor again but protestant this time
I think the Dutch used to be pretty pluralistic with religion. I mean they still are, but the Puritans hated them for being so tolerant.","attachment":null,"posted":1713204331},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5978512,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978510
Unless I'm getting my time periods wrong and this is right after they rebelled against the Spanish lmao","attachment":null,"posted":1713204409},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5978518,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978485
>pretend amnesia from head trauma and sea water drinking
maybe they will tell us some basic facts like what year it is","attachment":null,"posted":1713205499},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5978541,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978485
I think this anons approach is good>>5978518
But we should also add that we hate the pope
>>5978510
The Dutch largely didnt really care for the religion of those they traded with
But they did missionary work if the local populace had previously been converted by catholics lmao","attachment":null,"posted":1713209405},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5978557,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978485
>Claim to be a shipwrecked sailor again but protestant this time
Shit, we can figure this out.","attachment":null,"posted":1713211164},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5978607,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978485
>Claim to be a shipwrecked sailor again and that your ship was sunk by Portuguese catholic dogs","attachment":null,"posted":1713217043},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5978655,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978485
>Other
Don't claim to be protestant but instead deflect some shit against the pope.
"I'll have nothing to do with those boyfuckers in Rome. If you claim loyalty to him you can throw me back where you found me."","attachment":null,"posted":1713223424},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5978680,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978485
>>Claim to be a shipwrecked sailor again and that your ship was sunk by Portuguese catholic dogs","attachment":null,"posted":1713225312},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5979175,"name":"Blue eyed white samurai","msg":">>5978492
>>5978510
>>5978512
>>5978518
>>5978541
>>5978557
>>5978607
>>5978655
>>5978680
Confusion grips you as you find yourself replaying the same scenario. The sailors' faces and their shouts are identical to your last memory. This time, you opt for a different tactic. "I... I don't remember..." you feign a struggle with your memory, implying injuries from head trauma and the ingestion of seawater, "I think... our ship was sunk... by the Portuguese... those Catholic dogs!" The sailors exchange startled glances. "The Portuguese warships... are they near?" one asks urgently. You blink slowly, continuing your act, "I... I can’t remember... my head... where are we exactly?" The one who seems to be in charge, John Blackthorne, responds with a slight edge of caution in his voice, "We are in the Japans." "The Japans? What year is this?" you murmur, feigning bewilderment and amnesia. Their initial suspicion eases as they start to see you as a fellow Protestant sailor, victimized by the Catholics. They reveal it's the year 1600, and that they themselves are navigating towards 'the Japans.' Blackthorne, however, remains distrustful. "How do you speak both Dutch and English so fluently?" he demands sharply. It's only then it dawns on you: you've been conversing with 17th-century Dutch sailors without any language barrier. What the hell? Before you can come up with a response to John Blackthorne's question, a sudden commotion erupts. The sailors' faces drain of color as a group of men clad in armor storm the deck, their shouts piercing the tense air. "It's the Japanese," John whispers urgently, his voice low and tense. "Remember, we are just merchants," he instructs swiftly, his eyes scanning the advancing group. "Lost at sea, seeking safe passage home. We drifted here by accident, hoping to once again glimpse our own shores. The Erasmus is nothing more than a trading vessel."
>You trust the pilot
>You have a feeling he is lying
>Other","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713291040656993.jpg","filename":"omi.jpg"},"posted":1713291040},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5979179,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979175
>You have a feeling he is lying
Lets go along with it for now but these dudes are up to no good","attachment":null,"posted":1713291910},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5979184,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979175
>You trust the pilot
Don't you people remember, we made the choice of
David the kindhearted victim of truck-kun it is. Where do you spawn? (thhis will be the first save point)
>The Dutch trading ship Erasmus with its starving crew
It's literally there "The dutch TRADING SHIP"","attachment":null,"posted":1713292674},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5979223,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979184
sure but that doesn't mean that's its only purpose","attachment":null,"posted":1713296532},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5979236,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979223
True, I guess he does say "we are JUST merchants", which implies they're not just merchants
>>5979184
I'll change my vote to
>Other
Make a blood sacrifice to Mazela and ask her to give you a sign for answers","attachment":null,"posted":1713297306},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5979269,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d2)
>>5979175
>You trust the pilot
>You have a feeling he is lying
1 for trusting and 2 for thinking he's lying","attachment":null,"posted":1713299631},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5979392,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979175
>Go along with the captains story
He is likely not *just* a trader, but going along with it is the safest way to do this","attachment":null,"posted":1713313026},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5979404,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979175
>You have a feeling he is lying","attachment":null,"posted":1713314953},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5979429,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979175
>You trust the pilot
>>5978512
They were supported by catholic France during that period up till the war of devolution when when they supported Spain against france","attachment":null,"posted":1713318184},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5979446,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979429
Huh, well that's good to know.","attachment":null,"posted":1713320403},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5979490,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978510
Spoiler for the show These guys aren't really merchants, they are Dutch and English privateers sent to burn and pillage catholic bases in Asia","attachment":null,"posted":1713324311},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5979496,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979490
How do you know? Did this happen in reality? In the real history?!","attachment":null,"posted":1713324764},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5979515,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979490
William Adams, the real life inspiration for John Blackthorne, was also extremely anti-Catholic, anti-Jesuit","attachment":null,"posted":1713326251},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5979559,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979175
>You have a feeling he is lying","attachment":null,"posted":1713329306},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5979564,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979175
>>You have a feeling he is lying","attachment":null,"posted":1713329730},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5979745,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979175
>You trust the pilot
>>5979236
What's your deal? Is this your D&D character you're trying to turn into a thing?","attachment":null,"posted":1713358194},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5979748,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979745
its a quest that died immediately after some anon started spamming mazela quest in votes of a lot of other quests","attachment":null,"posted":1713358449},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5979750,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979748
I see. Thanks for the lore, anon.","attachment":null,"posted":1713358544},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5985034,"name":"Blue eyed white samurai","msg":"Watched the finale. New thread will be up soon","attachment":null,"posted":1713891855},{"board":"qst","thread":5976517,"pid":5987426,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985034
That show was dogshit, but your quest is good nonetheless.","attachment":null,"posted":1714167166}]}
+{"title":"Batquest Weekly Issue #4 Part IV: Batquest/Superquest Finale","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5976805,"name":"The Hypercrisis Bro","msg":">>5970571
>Art: Dan Mora
>Alt-Text: Comic cover of The Riddler in the foreground. In the background, cut out newspaper letters spell “Riddle Me This” while Superman and Batman leap into action in front of a maze.
Batman: Superman! You have to fight it!
Ivy: The sun doesn’t fight. It feeds.
Clark starts glowing as a field of flowers spawns in a ring around him. The parks shudder and flexes, the ground itself pulsating.
Batman: You are stronger than this! Stronger than most people! You landed on a world of hate and violence and chose to make it better. It doesn’t matter if she’s sapping your energy. Your real power is your will!
Your ally grits his teeth, Failsafe buzzes in your ear about magnetic waves but it doesn't have to bother. You can taste electricity in the air. Leaves rustle, but this is no wind.
Sfx: SBOOOMMSHH!!
Clark bursts from the vines into the sky, the shockwave knocking you free from the lichen that was trapping you.
Ivy: No!
Ivy summons a swarm of vines. You ready your defenses-
Sfx: CRASH!
And Clark lands, knocking the thorny vines aside.
Superman: If you use your plants on us again, Doctor. I will burn them.
His eyes glow, and Ivy'd vines sprout thorns.
Ivy: Insolent flesh!
Batman: Something’s wrong. Ivy isn’t herself
Ivy: We are better than ever.
Batman: Doctor! You’re too brilliant to try to force us to do something we’d do willingly. Whoever’s in there with you clearly doesn't know us. Or know you.
Ivy: The mammal lies! The mammal lies!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713029374841122.jpg","filename":"Worlds Finest.jpg"},"posted":1713029374},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5976818,"name":"The Hypercrisis Bro","msg":">>5976805
>Pencils & Inks: Marcio Takara. Colors: Arif Prianto
>Alt-Text: Comic art of Poison Ivy covered in thorns and fungus. Her hair floats in the air in front of the sun and a psychedelic background.
Thoughts race through your head, so in the depths of your mind, you retreat to commune with the highest minds on the planet.
The Parliament of Trees, spiritual echoes of past heroes of the natural order.
They named you your champion, when you pass on, you shall join them.
Their passion is loud. Trillions of lives dance through your soul.
You are awash in chaos and chlorophyll but even when lost in the weeds, you know who you are.
You will save the world. Your way.
Bog Venus:
The Parliament sits in silence and screams with anger. Their knowledge says you belong to The Green.That you are their champion.
You are their weapon. You are THEM.
___
Ivy: I-
The vines break from Ivy’s control and lunge at her.
Ivy: Am-
She raises her hand, stopping them in midair.
Ivy: POISON IVY!
The vines launch into the air, and the trees around you follow. Massive pillars of wood forming a tower in the sky.
It breaches the horizon and explodes into a cornucopia of fruits and flowers.
Petals rain like water and as the clouds part, sunrise bathes you all.
Ivy: Well, turns out there’s a sentient plant-based collective unconsciousness. Might as well have skipped the doctorate and just dropped peyote.
Superman: And I’m sure you’d be brilliant regardless. Good morning, Doctor. I don’t think we’ve properly met. I’m Superman.
They shake hands, Ivy’s palms sprouting leaves at Clark’s touch.
Ivy: That’s something to get used to.
Batman: We’ll have plenty of time for that later. Right now we still need to find Riddler. He’ll be in another supervision-proof base by now, we’ll need to investigate-
Superman: No need.
He soars into the sky, stays there a moment, and drops down.
Superman: The secret is to look for what I can’t see. I can view, hear, or smell most things on this planet. I’ve already visited one of his bases, so I can recognize its blend of shadow and silence that sticks out like-
He turns to you.
Superman: You in the daytime.
Ivy: Hah! I like this guy. And not just because he’s a floating greenhouse.
Superman: I can fly there now, but at max speed, I’d tear either of you to pieces.
>Phantom Riddles, Part Two
>Vote Title: Mark Waid
Have Superman take you to The Riddler at a slower pace.
>Mental Blocked
>Vote Title: Martin Lancaster, Philip Huxley, Craig Owens
Let Superman fly ahead and follow after him in your new vehicle.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713030926617541.jpg","filename":"Ivy Unleashed.jpg"},"posted":1713030926},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5976834,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976818
>Mental Blocked
Let's catch up and make sure Ivy's okay for action.","attachment":null,"posted":1713032419},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5976841,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976834
+1
Give her the rundown on events that happened since she almost died. Patch in Nightwing if he's available so he can tell his end.","attachment":null,"posted":1713032593},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5976849,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976818
>The vines launch into the air, and the trees around you follow. Massive pillars of wood forming a tower in the sky.
>It breaches the horizon and explodes into a cornucopia of fruits and flowers.
>Petals rain like water and as the clouds part, sunrise bathes you all.
Breaking news! Giant tree sprouts in Gotham's Robinson Park in wake of mass riots! A surprise olive branch for Gotham's people?!","attachment":null,"posted":1713032999},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5976930,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976818
>Phantom Riddles, Part Two
The visuals of this sound fun","attachment":null,"posted":1713040786},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5978396,"name":"The Hypercrisis Bro","msg":">>5976834
>>5976841
>>5976930
Locking for Mental Blocked. Update this week.","attachment":null,"posted":1713193046},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5979369,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978396
Out of curoosity, why not leave the vote open until you're rwady to write? Or have you already begun?","attachment":null,"posted":1713310071},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5980083,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979369
I have begun. I thought of leaving it open for longer but I wasn't seeing any new votes.
Still adjusting to the weekly schedule myself.","attachment":null,"posted":1713395526},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5982715,"name":"The Hypercrisis Bro","msg":">>5976818
>Art: Rocksteady Studios ( https://www.igdb.com/games/batman-arkham-city/credits )
>Alt-Text: The Riddler standing in front of a wall of computer screens. He wears a jacket with many question marks on it.
>Dialogue Samples: David S. Goyer & Justin Marks. Tom King.
Batman: Whatever we’re facing, we’ll face it together. Riddler won't be able to take the three of us no matter how much prep time he has.
Superman: I love the chutzpah, but unless you have another one of your batsatchels, how will we bring Ivy?
She raises her hands and a network of vines crisscross forming a massive basket.
Ivy: Will this do?
Clark flashes a smile that could bring sunrise at midnight.
Superman: Team, let’s solve this Riddle.
_____
Abattoir: So you see Mr Riddler, because the coca plant was magically created from human flesh, nasal absorption of its extract gives you access to supernatural abilities. Therefore, it's only logical to conclude…
Riddler(sarcastically): Eating people gives you superpowers! Of course. It's so obvious. How didn't I see it before? Next you’ll tell me the world is flat.
Abbatoir: Oh, It's actually hollow! Twenty years ago, Professor Rival’s polar expedition…
The bunker doors burst open. The woman who imagines herself your boss bursts in with a horde of familiar goons.
Waller: EDWARD!
Riddler: Oh thank Nigma you came. Another minute of his ridiculous speeches and I would have asked him to eat my brain.
Abbatoir: Awww.
You step toward the government stooge and offer an obviously sarcastic handshake. Not that she could figure that out.
Riddler: I must say, you’re scraping the bottom of the barrel for Task Force X recruits. Isn’t there a fire-breathing mushroom man or something you could-
Agent Carpenter aims their firearm at you. With shockingly poor form you may add. For that caliber, the optimal-
Waller: You nuked the planet!
Riddler: Oh no, no, no.
You click your remote, and your computer screen lights up with newscasts from the peabrains in the media.
Riddler: Superman nuked the planet. And Gotham is currently the post-apocalyptic hellhole it was always meant to be. The alien is Earth’s biggest villain and your teacher’s pet is buried under fallout both legal and nuclear. Your two biggest problems. Answered. You’re welcome.
Waller: And you don’t think people are gonna wonder how Superman dropped those bombs? Why a machine that could launch all the world’s nukes existed in the first place? If the Diehard Device becomes public knowledge, the President…
Riddler: Will do nothing. I’ve hacked so much dirt on him he’d do the State of the Union in a tutu if I asked. I could even have your job if I wanted, but I like you handling the paperwork for me.
Waller: You can talk all the smack you want in Supermax. Take him away.
Riddler: Fatima Haby Li. Lori Jane Krupcheck. Tanya Hope Carpenter.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713664127677919.jpg","filename":"The Smartest Man in the Room.jpg"},"posted":1713664127},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5982723,"name":"The Hypercrisis Bro","msg":">>5982715
>Pencil Layouts: Giuseppe Camuncol.Final Pencils & Inks: Francesco Mattina. Colors: Hi-Fi Design
>Alt-Text: Amanda Waller, a plus-sized Black woman, holds a gun
>Content Warning: Graphic Gun Violence
The armored jocks turn their weapons away from you and onto their so-called “boss.”
Riddler: Did you think The President was the only head I peaked into? You of all people should know how quickly people fold when family’s on the line.
Carpenter: I’m sorry, Director. My daughter…
Waller: You’ll all hang for this.
Riddler: BZZZ! Wrong answer! Washington was the only state that gave prisoners the choice of execution by gallows and they banned the death penalty in 2018.
Waller: It’s a figure of speech you self-absorbed pretentious-
C.O.M.P.U.T.O. Kryptonian lifeform detected en route.
Riddler: And now we have company on the way. Underlings, escort Ms Waller to a cell while I slip into something more…comfortable. C.O.M.P.U.T.O. ready my thinking cap!
The guards escort your would-be obstacle from the room so you prepare for your masterstroke.
Ah, it’s good being the smartest man in the room.
____
LI: I hate that it’s come to this Director Waller. You were the best there was.
Waller: Kill Code- Legends 1.
Li: Wha-AZZZZZZ
Electric pulse from smart-weapons successful in temporarily neutralizing rouge assets. Execute permement measures.
Carpenter: Fir-aaaarrghh!
Sfx: CRACK!
Rouge Agent Carpenter left hand status: Broken. Firearm status: Acquired.
Sfx: BANG BANG BANG BANG
Rouge assets: Neutralized.
Carpenter: Ughhh. God, please…
Waller: I AM the best. There IS.
Sfx: BANG-SPLAT!
Rouge asset codename Riddler assesed current threat. Political channels potentially compromised.
Consider potential solutions to threat.
>Waller vs Wildstorm
>Vote Title: Spencer Ackerman& Evan Narcisse
Retrieve mothballed metahuman assets codenamed DV8 from cold storage. Advantages: Advanced power resources. Risks: Unreliable personalities
>Panic in the Sky
>Vote Title: Panic in the Sky
Contact rouge asset codename Batman and negotiate temporary truce to deal with common threat. Advantages: Advanced intellect, metahuman allies. Risks: Lack of loyalty. Obsessive dedication to moral code.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713664448150234.jpg","filename":"The Best there IS.jpg"},"posted":1713664448},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5982753,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982723
>Waller vs Wildstorm
Working with Waller will compromise Batman.","attachment":null,"posted":1713665475},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5982798,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982715
>Abattoir
This running gag man is hilarious. Somebody should suggest him to eat himself and become a god via syncing up with the sacred Ouroboros, and see what happens
>fire-breathing mushroom man
WTF GLOWIE MARIO REAL?????????
>Rouge assets: Neutralized.
Damn, they were forced into it by Riddler and Waller just caps them cold
>Waller vs Wildstorm
Our Batman would refuse","attachment":null,"posted":1713669148},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5982800,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982798
That IS The Wall for you.","attachment":null,"posted":1713669595},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5982817,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982723
>Waller vs Wildstorm
Damn, Riddler is insane in this continuity, as expected from the quintessential Batman villain","attachment":null,"posted":1713671564},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5983774,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Waller vs Wildstorm","attachment":null,"posted":1713748543},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5984109,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982723
>Waller vs wildstorm
Damn waller, you chunky bitch. Still the most dangerious woman in the room, eh?","attachment":null,"posted":1713787405},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5984329,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Locking for Waller vs Wildstorm. Update on or before 4/27/2024.
How is the new weekly schedule working out for you folks?","attachment":null,"posted":1713820279},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5984391,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984329
Bothersome, but I know real life is a pain and so you do what needs to be done.","attachment":null,"posted":1713827894},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5984395,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984329
Fine by me, the updates are still good","attachment":null,"posted":1713828655},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5990976,"name":"The Hypercrisis Bro","msg":"Update today. It's a bigger one. Hope that makes the relative lateness go down smoother .","attachment":null,"posted":1714514411},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5992730,"name":"The Hypercrisis Bro","msg":">>5976805
>Art: Fiona Staples
>Alt-text: Comic art of a blond man, Threshold, sitting cross-legged in a field of flowers. He has a red glass eye and a face smeared with blood. He wears a suit with a badge that says “82.”
Assessment: Bruce Wayne is harder to control than metahuman teenagers. Plan of action: Reactivate decommissioned assets.
Waller: Cold storage unlock. DV8-82: Threshold.
Sfx: SPSHHSHSRR
Subject Acquired. Caucasian Male. Early 20s. Metahuman Abilities: Telekinesis, Telepathy. Mental Status:
Threshold: I’ll KILL YOU ALL!
-Agitated.
Waller: Stand down Threshold. We’ve got work to do.
Threshold: And who the hell are you?
Waller: Amanda Waller. Your new C.O.
Threshold: I’m DONE taking orders.
Asset applying telekinetic force. Pressure potential over 1000 times the lethal amount. Chance of harm: zero.
Waller: I know where your sister is!
Threshold: What?!
Sfx: PLOP!
Note to self: Invest in softer floors for base tiling.
Waller: International Operations froze her in a different facility when DV8 was shut down. If you behave, I’ll tell you how to find her.
Threshold: Please. I’m a higher lifeform. An ultiman. I can pull all the information I need from your pathetic brai-ARRRGHHHH!
Waller: Not very fun in there is it?
Threshold: Shhhggk.. Gggggg.
Waller: I’m going to unfreeze some of your old teammates. You’re going to keep them in line. You’re going to do this job. Then you can run off with your sister to live out your ubermench fantasies. Understand?
Threshold: Y-yes.
Waller: Yes, Ma’am.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714706495373646.png","filename":"The Ultiman.png"},"posted":1714706495},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5992735,"name":"The Hypercrisis Bro","msg":">>5992730
>Art: Rocksteady Games
>Alt-Text: The Riddler stands surrounded by robots with green energy “bellies”
>Dialouge Samples: Tom Taylor. Rocksteady Studios.
Superman: The base is a kilometer south.
Ivy: An American who knows metric, I’m impressed.
Superman: It’s the most efficient measuring system Earth's developed. Though there are some Kryptonian units I think could improve things.
Batman: You really do believe in a Better World.
Superman: Let’s start with a better tomorrow. Are we close enough for your plan?
Batman: REMOTE CONTROLLED BATARANG!
Your device launches from your gauntlet and flies down to the base.
The lead shielding may keep Superman from seeing into it but once the Batarang scans the building, it can cross reference the design with your database.
Batman: It’s a repurposed airport. A common type of black site. The command center is probably in the terminal basement.
Superman: It seems like you have experience.
Batman: It’s good to know your enemies.
Ivy: You must know a lot, then. If the Riddler’s hidden in the Earth, my children will bring him to the surface.
As the three of you fly closer to the base a faint rumbling grows louder. The concrete parking lot cracks into pebbles.
Ivy: Hnnnnng
Superman: Are you okay?!
Ivy: I feel… a resistance. There is something in that base. Like the world itself had another brain. I can push hardaARGGHH!!
Massive tentacle-like flowers burst from the terminal. They open a perfect entry point for your mission.
Batman: Follow my lead!
You dive from Ivy’s vine net and glide down to the terminal. You feel a sharp breeze and see Superman fly past you.
By the time you reach the ground, Superman’s already standing calmy surrounded by melted scrap.
Superman: These were defense drones. The metal’s from Earth but the design is Kryptonian.
Batman: They could have more of the anti-Kryptonian crystal, let me lead the charge.
Sfx: CRASH
A pair of vines drill a hole through the hallway doors, giving you a straight shot to the command center.
Ivy: Can you stop comparing cape sizes and finish the job?
Riddler: I can assure you Dr Isley, the job is more than finished.
The Riddler walks out of the hallway wearing a helmet with three purple diodes.
He is accompanied by robots with glowing green insides.
Riddler: Riddlerbots, attack!
The drones swarm you and your allies. Clark dashes forward but stops when he gets close.
Superman: They’re full of those crystals!
Ivy: Allow me to clear the air!
Thick stems erupt from the ground and impale the robots. Sunflowers the size of your head sprout out their robotic cores.
Superman: Using Helianthus annuus to absorb radiation. Brilliant!
Riddler: You think a gardening lesson is enough to stop me? As if. Riddle me this. What’s-","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714706843864910.png","filename":"Wreck and riddle.png"},"posted":1714706843},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5992752,"name":"The Hypercrisis Bro","msg":">>5992735
>Pencils: Juvaun Kirby & Joe Phillips. Inks: Homage Studios, Joe Phillips & John Beatty. Colors: Wendy Broome. Computer Colors: Alex Bleyaert. Letters: Bill O’Neil. Dialogue: Mike Heisler
>Content Warning: Gore. Ableism.
>Alt-text: Comic panel of an exploded head. Brains and eyeballs visible.
>Dialouge Sample: Mike Heisler. J.M. Dematteis & Dwayne McDuffie
Sfx: SPUKSH!
Riddler’s head explodes, spraying the floor with bone and brain. A blond man floats out of the shadows and hovers over the body.
Threshold: This was the threat you wanted me to beat? How did humans get more pathetic since you iced me?
Waller: He wasn’t the mission. They are.
Batman: You’re using Matthew?! This is too far even for you.
Waller: Using Threshold just stopped a nutcase from plunging us into World War III. We do what the mission needs. Or did you forget that, Rich Boy?
Ivy: This isn’t a debate club. Let’s turn them both into fertilizer and leave.
Clark steps between you and Matthew.
Superman: Hold on everyone. I’m sure we can find a peaceful solution.
Threshold: If we’re pitching ideas, here’s mine!
Superman: ARGHH!
Clark grabs his head. A trickle of blood drips from his nose. It’s like seeing god bleed.
Sfx: WHOOSH!
Clark grabs Threshold faster than your eye can see.
Superman: Don’t do that again.
Threshold: Seems you have a thick skull. Let’s play around in it.
Matthew's eye glows while he stares at Clark.
Superman: Nyaaah!!! Pa! Krypton! Lois! Arrrgh!
He clutches his head and flies haphazardly into the sky.
Threshold: Looks like someone needs therapy.
Ivy: Take him down!
Tree trunks launch from the ground like spears, then freeze over. A young adult slides down the now icey bark.
Frostbite: What the hell, Threshold? I didn’t sign up to fight the Little Shop of Horrors!
Threshold: You didn’t “sign up” at all, Frostbite. Follow my orders and kill these insects or I’ll paint the walls with your nervous system.
Frostbite: Yeah yeah. Whatever you say oh- fearless leader. Hnnnnng
Frostbite raises his hand. Waves of heat burst from his fingers.
You cover yourself in your cape, but the warmth still has you sweating in your suit. When you unfurl it, you see Ivy struggling to stand.
Ivy: The heat… my children are dying.
The plants Ivy was using are on fire, the blaze spreading through the airport terminal.
Batman: Bat fire extinguish-
Sfx: WHOOSH!!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714707704186711.jpg","filename":"spuksh.jpg"},"posted":1714707704},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5992753,"name":"The Hypercrisis Bro","msg":">>5992752
>Pencils: Juvaun Kirby. Inks: Cabin Boy. Colors: Unknown
>Alt-Text: Comic art of Evo, a young man with bat wings, long nails long bat ears, and long hair.
The wind is knocked from your lungs and you’re carried into the air. A fusion of a gangly teen and a giant Bat is hauling you into the sky.
EVO: Sorry to interrupt your hot date but the bossman says he’ll yeet me into a wall if you’re still breathing. So…
You’re dropped to the ground but quickly deploy your cape and start gliding to safety.
FAILSAFE: PROXIMITY ALERT
Sfx:SMACK!
A wall of bone and skin slams you to the ground, you feel a barely healed bone snap like plywood.
Evo: Hahaha. Rekt. Good one Powerhaus.
A giant man stands over you. He winces as he shrinks to normal size.
Powerhaus: Evo I swear if you don’t shut up I’ll turn you into bat paste.
Evo lands and takes the form of a canine.
Evo: Easy, chief. Much angry. Very jerk.
Powerhaus grabs Evo by the neck.
Powerhaus: I’m from Argentina you wunderlich! And I’ve just been defrosted with a hangover to kill some poor mopes again. I am NOT in the mood.
Children. Waller is using children against you. Children with massive metahuman powers. The situation will get worse if you don’t take action.
>The Pact
>Vote Title: Ross Beeley, Shanon Ingles, Lauren R. Mee & Josh R. Trujillo
Negotiate with Waller. She’s cruel but pragmatic. If you can convince her a fight isn’t in her best interests, she’ll have DV8 stand down.
>Everything Must Go
>Vote Title: Matthew Rosenberg
Rally your team to fight back. These kids have powers and the element of surprise but you, Ivy, and Clark are more skilled.
>Trust
>Vote Title: Mike Heisler
Talk with DV8. Waller isn’t the main threat here, they are. The best way to win is not to fight at all.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714707894868570.jpg","filename":"Form of a Bat.jpg"},"posted":1714707894},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5992760,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992753
>Everything Must Go
They're too powerful to play around with. Nonlethal methods are preferable, if possible, however... Especially for anyone who can't instantly kill us. Threshold might get the Bat-Gun.","attachment":null,"posted":1714708255},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5992762,"name":"The Hypercrisis Bro","msg":">>5992753
{You may viote for any number of options. The option with the most total votes wins.}","attachment":null,"posted":1714708325},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5992769,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992753
>Everything Must Go
>Trust
The mission, the mission, the mission- the anon who came up with that had more impact than the rest of us combined","attachment":null,"posted":1714709722},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5992807,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992769
+1
What do you mean?","attachment":null,"posted":1714713332},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5992910,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Everything Must Go","attachment":null,"posted":1714732083},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5993139,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992753
>Trust
I don't wish to harm children.
But then again, we have fear gas for a reason. I'm not all that concerned about threshold trying to go into our head either. A guy who regularly doses himself with fear gas is. . . a hazard.","attachment":null,"posted":1714749639},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5993180,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992753
>Trust
Surely we can suppress them in short order?","attachment":null,"posted":1714753508},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5993292,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992807
I mean this guy","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714761716076326.png","filename":"THE MISSION.png"},"posted":1714761716},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5993319,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993292
A quote from "Artifacts" from The Batman, good taste on that anon.
Fun fact, the episode was written by Greg Weissman and directed by Brandon Vietti, who would go on to co create the Young Justice animated series.","attachment":null,"posted":1714763499},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5994552,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992753
>Trust
>Everything Must Go
We talk them down, or we take them down. Cutting a deal with Waller is not a great idea right now.","attachment":null,"posted":1714863957},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5994569,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"test","attachment":null,"posted":1714866413},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5994571,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992753
Changing my vote from >>5992807 to
>Trust
>Everything Must Go
in that order. If talking them down fails due to Threshold or something, we have no choice remaining but to fight. Other than Threshold himself, it seems like the other three really do not want to be involved in this.
>What the hell, Threshold? I didn’t sign up to fight the Little Shop of Horrors!
>Sorry to interrupt your hot date but the bossman says he’ll yeet me into a wall if you’re still breathing.
>I’ve just been defrosted with a hangover to kill some poor mopes again. I am NOT in the mood.
EVO and Frostbite seem like the easiest to flip. The former because he can be a fellow bat, literally. The latter because if Threshold goes then Frostbite isn't threatened with imminent head explosion. Powerhaus seems more no-nonsense plus he's in a shitty state overall, so he might be a bit harder. I doubt we can ever win over Threshold in any way, and if we can then I can't see the way through to him.","attachment":null,"posted":1714866693},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5996224,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992762
Hey OP this one's for you","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715017594802633.jpg","filename":"1701714286225602.jpg"},"posted":1715017594},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":5997685,"name":"The Hypercrisis Bro","msg":">>5994571
Locking for this anon's vote . (Using their preference as a tie breaker)
Update should be in before the weekend is here.","attachment":null,"posted":1715132660},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":6007111,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997685
QM?","attachment":null,"posted":1715894486},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":6007233,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997685
Hello?","attachment":null,"posted":1715904089},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":6007434,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007111
>>6007233
I'm sure everything's fine.","attachment":null,"posted":1715914062},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":6008073,"name":"The Hypercrisis Bro","msg":">>6007111
>>6007233
>>6007434
Update should be in today. Apologies for the delay","attachment":null,"posted":1715963486},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":6008131,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008073
I'm glad all's well!>>6007434","attachment":null,"posted":1715967184},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":6010383,"name":"The Hypercrisis Bro","msg":">>5992753
>Pencils & Inks: Juvaun Kirby. Colors: Tad Ehrlich
>Alt-Text: Abstract comic art of Threshold standing angrily in the palm of a woman Ivana Baiul. Skulls float in the background. Baiul has a sinister smirk.
>Dialouge Sample: Michael Heisler
You stand up, soften your body language, and make your case to the giant and wolfman.
Batman: Michael, Hector, you don’t have to do this. Baiul is gone.
Powerhaus: You know our names?
Batman: Yes. Your real names. Not the labels I.O. gave you. No one is controlling you now.
Threshold: WRONG!
Matthew hurls a slab of concrete at you. You dodge it, but it lands on Ivy.
Batman: IVY!
Threshold floats before you, fluttering his cape in a theatric telekinetic wind.
Threshold: I’m in control. No human with cheap tricks tells me what to do. We are the Ultimate Men. I’ll build a new El Dorado on the bones of your pathetic society. And all your guns, drugs, and manipulations will mean less than the dust I’ll grind from your corpses.
Batman: Matthew, I know what Baiul did to you. It was wrong. Waller is using you too. But you have the power here.
Leon walks over to his team leader.
Frostbite: Maybe we should hear him out. I.O. isn’t here anymore. We can go our own way, build our own lives.
Waller: Remember what’s at stake, Threshold!
Threshold: AHHHHHH!!
Sfx: BOOOM!!!
Telekinetic force explodes from Mathhew’s body, knocking everyone back several feet.
Batman: Mathew won’t budge. Waller has leverage on him.
Evo: Knowing his Jamie Lannister ass, she’s probably got his sister on ice somewhere.
Batman: I can take him down, but I need a way past his telekinesis.
Frostbite: Wonderful. Gimme me a minute to pop an anti-brain splatter helmet out of my ass.
Powerhaus: If we could deal with his powers, we wouldn't listen to him in the first place.
A voice echoes through the broken concrete.
Ivy: Leave him to me.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716160865727850.jpg","filename":"Threshold-DV8.jpg"},"posted":1716160865},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":6010386,"name":"The Hypercrisis Bro","msg":">>6010383
>Initial temp assets, temp geometry, rigging & in-engine materials: Jessie Graybeal. Updated Textures: Jason Pytko
>CGI art of a vine-covered plant monster with a tree trunk, a huge mouth, and many eyes
A massive flower explodes from the ground, its petals twirl in the wind, washing away the smell of dust and steel with a potent herbal aroma.
In the center of the flower a tangle of vascular tissue knots itself into a humanoid shape. Ivy reborn.
Powerhaus: Mother of god.
Ivy: Close enough. Can you pull off Plan: Ego if I keep him far enough away?
Batman: As long as he’s distracted, yes.
Ivy: That I can do.
She raises her hands and a bouquet of redwood trunks bursts from the soil.
They thread around each other, merging with moss, vibes, and foilage until Ivy is at the center of a giant plant golem.
Evo: Heh, talk about identifying wood.
Powerhaus: I hate you so much.
Threshold: I’LL KILL ALL YOU TRAITORS!
The airport control tower is ripped from its base and thrown at you. Ivy’s plant golem grabs the pillar and tears it in two.
Threshold: I’LL RIP YOU APART!
Mattew pulls off a layer of barky armor, but Ivy regrows it.
The psychic continues his assault chipping away at the arboreal armor layer by layer.
Threshold: AHHHHHHH
He launches himself into the golem’s core.
Ignoring the wood cutting his skin, he drills in until he can sense the telltale tingling of a mind to plunder.
Threshold: Oh you’re done now, I’m inside your little head.
Ego: Are you?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716161093719185.jpg","filename":"Time to Hunt.jpg"},"posted":1716161093},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":6010389,"name":"The Hypercrisis Bro","msg":">>6010386
>Art: Darwynn Cooke
>Alt-Text: Comic art of shadowy larger than life bat shaped figure, towering over a man in the foreground
It’s cold and dark and the dark has a face.
Matthew: T-tthis is wrong.
Ego: Oh, you expected to reach the doctor’s mind? To take her hopes and dreams and intellect and use them for trash like you did to so many others?
Matthew: You can’t talk to me like that I’m-
Ego: Strong? Smart? In charge? The one that hurts so he doesn’t have to hurt. Is that right?
The shadow grows larger, as far as your eyes can see it's nothing but night. Night with big bat wings, spreading around, getting closer and closer to you until…
_____
You drape your cape over Matthew’s shivering form.
Bruce: It’s going to be okay.
Matthew: *sobs*
Frostbite: You switched places with the plant lady at the last second.
Powerhaus: What the hell do you keep in that gimp-masked head of yours?
Batman: The truth. Once we stop Waller I can take you all to safety. You can all get the help you need.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716161294677714.jpg","filename":"Face the Ego.jpg"},"posted":1716161294},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":6010392,"name":"The Hypercrisis Bro","msg":">>6010389
>Art: Mark Goerner
>Alt-text: Concept art of Kryptonpolis, a futuristic city on planet Krypton. Hightech pathways connect to massive towers that pierce a sky illuminated by two celestial bodies.
>Dialouge Samples: Edmond Hamilton. Alan Moore. J. M. DeMatteis. Rina Mimoun.
The midday sun beams its crimson glare through the city windows. Rao’s unflinching stare wakes him.
He regrets having C.O.M.P.U.T.O delay his alarm. He wonders if staying up to help Van with his atomic equations was a mistake.
Half the day is gone and there is still so much to do. The production company won’t be satisfied with half a Scarlet Jungle script.
Loana isn’t even back from the meeting yet. He’ll have to pick up her slack.
C.O.M.P.U.T.O.: Loana-Dru-Zod entering.
Loana: We did it Kal! We’ve been asked to lead the Artists Guild!
Loana embraces him. The troubles of the day melt in her smile.
C.O.M.P.U.T.O. dims the windows anticipating a further delay in today’s work. The man is loved. He is content.
___
Sfx: CRASH!!!
Superman blasts through the air, demolishing what was left of one of the terminal walls before arcing back in the sky.
Evo: Damn! Jet Fuel can’t melt steel beams but I guess ripped guys can tear through them.
Frostbite: When you put the whammy on Threshold, it cut the big guy’s brain loose. Who knows what’s happening to his head?
Powerhaus: You’ve killed us! It’s not like he can sleep it off! He’s gonna keep flailing around until he flattens us all like-
__
SFX: SPLAT!
The comforting aroma of oregus cakes waft through the foreroom.
Kal: Van! Breakfast is ready.
Loana: Breakfast? It’s fifth wol.
The man smirks.
Kal: I had some trouble getting out of bed.
Van: Coming, father!
The sound of clumsy yet quick footsteps heralds the arrival of a face he never tires of seeing.
Van: Thanks for the help with-
Sfx: Squish
C.O.M.P.U.T.O.: Canine waste detected. Executing cleaning procedures.
Kal: No. Van wanted a dog, he needs to take care of it himself.
He places a hand of steel on the child’s shoulder. The boy looks up with a mix of fear and awe.
Kal: Krypto is a less advanced lifeform. That means you have a responsibility to take care of it. It can’t clean its own messes, so you have to do it. Understand?
Van: Yes, father.
Kal: Good. Now hurry up. Your oregus cakes are getting cold.
Loana: If there was a guild for fatherhood, you’d be a shoo-in.
The man sighs. The weight of decades moving through is breath.
Kal: Speaking of…
Loana: Hey, it’s nothing to worry about. Now that we run the guild he’ll have to come around.
Kal: You don’t know him like I do. He hasn’t come around in 30 years.
Loana: What was that line you wrote about saving people? “I have to try.”","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716161631557777.jpg","filename":"Kryptonopolis.jpg"},"posted":1716161631},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":6010394,"name":"The Hypercrisis Bro","msg":">>6010392
>Pecils & Inks: Dave Gibbons. Colors: Tom Ziuko.
>Alt-Text: Comic art of Jor-El, an old Kryptonian man looking away from his son Kal-El with a defiant look as Kal leaves.
>Dialouge Sample: Alan Moore.
Sfx: SMASHHHH!!!!
Frostbite: We have to try something!
Batman: He’s speeding up. It’s a matter of time until he hits something.
Evo: You turned our fearless leader into Joey Tribbiani. How are we gonna get in flyboys skull?
Ivy: Wait. Superman is powered by the sun. If he’s photosynthetic, I can connect to his cells with the Green.
Batman: Superman isn’t a plant. He’s not even from this planet. There is no guarantee that would work.
Sfx: CRASSSH!!!
Ivy: We don’t have a choice.
____
Jor: I told you I’d respect your choice, but don’t force it on me.
Kal: Come on, Pa. I’m not offering money again. This will be real work.
Jor: I didn’t spend half my life earning my reputation back to squander it on frivolous holofactor programs!
Kal: The Daily Krypton wouldn't be frivolous. You’d be using your genius to educate a generation. You’ve seen how bad it's gotten out there. Imagine what people could achieve with the world’s greatest scientist projecting wisdom from every C.O.M.P.U.T.O. from here to Argo.
Jor: I was the world’s greatest scientist. Now I’m a has-been whose son thinks I need his charity.
Kal: Please. I lead the Artists Guild now. I can protect you. Make sure-
Jor: I’m not kicked out by a gang of robed fools again?! I gave this world the greatest inventions since Sul-El and they toss me aside over one miscalculation? No! Never again. I’ll make my own way. You and your guild can shove it.
Kal: Pa, sometimes I think you wish you were right. I think you wanted Krypton to die all those years ago.
Jor: It did.
_____
Frostbite: She did it!
A city's worth of vines hold Clark down, the alien hero struggling against the mountain of foliage.
Ivy: I can hold his body for now but I can’t reach his mind!
Frostbite: You said he’s solar-powered? I can absorb some of that power, make it easier for you to get in.
Batman: I’ve read your files, Leon, that much energy could kill you.
Frostbite: You said we could do what we want with our lives now. Well, this is what I want.
Ivy: Do it now! He’s breaking free.
Superman:REAAARRAGGH-","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716161912976483.jpg","filename":"End of the World.jpg"},"posted":1716161912},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":6010395,"name":"The Hypercrisis Bro","msg":">>6010394
>Pecils & Inks: Dave Gibbons. Colors: Tom Ziuko.
>Alt-Text: Comic art of a crowd of Kryptonians marching in red robes with pointed hoods. They hold cross-shade swords with flaming hilts. Protestors surround them
>Dialouge Samples: George Putnam Ludlam. Alan Moore.
Kal: ARGHHHHH!!!
Sfx: SMASH
C.O.M.P.U.T.O.: Warning: Physical damage to jet-taxis is punishable by
Kal: Punishment! Why is my life full of it! All I want to do is pull people out of the deep end but they keep dragging me down to drown.
C.O.M.P.U.T.O.: Incoming call
Loana: Kal! Please help, they’re at the Mind-Art Center! We can’t get out! We -ktshshshh
Kal: Loana?! Loana what’s going on? Answer me. ANSWER ME!
_____
Batman: Answer me! I know you’re in there!
Clark is thrashing wildly at the vines. Every time Ivy grows a new one around him he rips off two more.
Frostbite: This guy is -hnnng– too chargedl. It’s like eating the sun!
Powerhaus: I’m on it!
Hector grows massive and grabs Clark, then grows larger still. Clark’s thrashing slows a bit.
Powerhaus: I convert emotions into mass. This man’s like an ocean of them. Fear. Rage. And… joy?
Hector’s hand balloons out of proportion muscle tendons ripping under their own weight.
Batman: This has to stop now!
Ivy: We’re almost there!
____
Kal: Almost there, almost there.
Sweat pools in the man's hands, staining the jet-taxi’s console.
C.O.M.P.U.T.O.: Approaching Mind-Art Center.
A crowd of hundreds surrounds the building where he first met the love of his life.
The shining halls where he witnessed Loana compose fantastic images with nothing but her amazing brain are now a landscape of horror.
Lor: Propagandist heathens! This den of sin will fall under the might of Rao. Old Krypton will return!
The man barrels through the crowd. His massive frame parting the sea of malcontents like Moses. Wait, what’s a Moses?
Kal: Move! My wife is in there!
He breaks through the gates and sees his panicked family.
Kal: Loana, what’s happening? Why is Van here?
Van: Pa, I’m scared!
Loana: It’s the Old Krypton movement! They say our work is corrupting the youth. I don’t know what to do.
Kal: Don’t worry. This looks like a job for me. I’ll stop them. I’ll save you both. I’ll save us all.
The man jumps over the gates and lands in the middle of the crowd. He lifts an emerald green floater and tosses it into the rocks.
In his passion, he ignores the impossibility.
Kal: You’re being manipulated! The elite tell you we are your enemies so you don’t rise against them. I’m only here to help you. Help all of you!
The crowd calms. Swayed by the genius of the man’s words. He smiles. The day is saved.
___
Batman: I have to save him!
You jump on Hector’s giant fist. You can see blood pooling in the glove. These kids. Ivy. They’re over their head.
Only you can save Clark.
Batman: Wake up!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716162224970174.jpg","filename":"Flaming Crosses.jpg"},"posted":1716162224},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":6010398,"name":"The Hypercrisis Bro","msg":">>6010395
>Pecils & Inks: Dave Gibbons. Colors: Tom Ziuko.
>Alt-Text: Comic art of an angry Jor-El in front fo microphones
>Dialouge Sample: Alan Moore
Jor: Wake up, Krypton! To the danger that faces you.
The crowd is broken from the spell of the man’s soothing words, and into the angered embrace of his father.
Lor: DESTROY THE INVADER!
Kal: Pa, how could you do this? Why did you work with these evil people? If you needed help you could have come to me! Why didn't you come to me?!
The crowd pulls green crystals from thin air and strike the man with them.
Kal: No! I’ll fight you all, I’ll beat you all! Whoever you are, no matter how many, I’ll save this world!
With heavy blows, the man knocks the crowd aside. By the dozens, they come and by the dozens, they fall.
The man is righteous, the man is joyous. The man is a hero. He swings his mighty fist, and stops in the face of a red-haired woman.
Ivy: Superman! You have to stop.
Kal: Who is that? Who are you? What’s happening?!
Ivy: You’re trapped in an illusion. Your mind is so powerful that when it was attacked, it created an entire world for your safety.
Kal: Safety? Look around! If this is my paradise, why is it falling apart?!
Ivy: You know the answer to that. You always have.
>For the Man Who Has Everything
>Vote Title: Alan Moore
“This world started as a paradise but in the back of my mind, I could tell it wasn't real. My subconscious is fighting against a false reality.
>A Better World
>Vote Title: Stan Berkowitz
“At my core. I love being a hero. I need a world to save. When I can solve a crisis just to have another one thrown at me forever, I am content.”","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716162486069463.jpg","filename":"Betrayal of the Father.jpg"},"posted":1716162486},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":6010411,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010389
I love how the fear toxin episode Batman had in that decrepit basement is coming back like this. Truly puts the man in the bat","attachment":null,"posted":1716163334},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":6010424,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010392
>Damn! Jet Fuel can’t melt steel beams but I guess ripped guys can tear through them.
Every single line from Evo is hilarious, well done","attachment":null,"posted":1716164125},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":6010428,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010398
>For the Man Who Has Everything
This is the only right path.","attachment":null,"posted":1716164255},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":6010449,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010398
>A Better World
That's why you don't put the world in a bottle.
Y'know, I like how we got a sorta JL big three with Ivy instead of Diana. And you guys wanted to keep her a botanist forever.","attachment":null,"posted":1716165095},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":6010478,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010398
>A Better World
More compelling. This is a Superman with a bit of an elitist savior complex, and who is attending therapy, after all.","attachment":null,"posted":1716167070},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":6010518,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">For the Man Who Has Everything
It’s time to wake up and live.","attachment":null,"posted":1716170121},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":6010691,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010398
>A Better World
It is not enough to fight the illusion, Kal-El. You must acknowledge why it was able to consume you to begin with.","attachment":null,"posted":1716185169},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":6011408,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010398
Changing vote from >>6010428 to
>A Better World
Because I agree with what >>6010691 said. There is a difference between knowing illusion to fight it and knowing the reason behind the illusion you fight","attachment":null,"posted":1716247819},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":6012387,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010398
>A better world
The others convinced me. this is the more compelling way.","attachment":null,"posted":1716324402},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":6012674,"name":"The Hypercrisis Bro","msg":">>6012387
>>6011408
>>6010691
>>6010518
>>6008131
Locking for A Better World.
Update soon. It might be in a new thread.","attachment":null,"posted":1716345528},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":6014626,"name":"The Hypercrisis Bro","msg":">>6010398
>Art: Jerry Bingham
>Alt-Text: Comic art of Amand Waller pointing and yelling at Batman
>Dialouge Samples: Stan Berkowitz. Alan Moore & J.M. Dematteis.
Kal: You’re right. I do love being a hero. Saving those who can’t save themselves. I say I do it for them. But I also do it for me.
Your son rushes into the crowd. The rioters making way for him to set the perfect stage.
Van: Pa! I’m scared.
You hug the child and speak words that feel like blades in your throat.
Kal: Van, when you were born, it was the happiest day of my life. When I first saw your beautiful little face, your fragile fingers squeezed my hand so tight, I never wanted to let go. I’ve watched every step, guided you through every struggle but, Vansob you’re not real. None of this is real.
The world crumbles The Glass Forest shatters, thought beasts project their dying thoughts from their horns as shards cut them to pieces.
The Gold Volcano erupts, drowning Atomic Town in a deluge of worthless molten metal. All around you voices scream for salvation, for a hero.
An endless parade of problems for you to solve. You could be here forever, trapped in an intoxicating cycle of praise and heroism.
But the time for heroes is over. Now is the time for service.
Superman: Let’s go.
For the second time, Krypton dies. For the second time, Earth gains a champion.
___
Ivy: He’s back! Everyone let up.
Ivy drops the vines, Hector loosens his grip and Clark falls. He rises from his knees and looks around.
Hector withering to a husk. Leon hyperventilating. Michael shivering under your cape.
Something sparks in Clark you wished never would. Something that should never be paired with the power to crack a planet.
Something you know intimately. Rage.
Superman: WALLLER!Where is she?
Batman: For a base like this, an underground bunker. Look for a pressured doo-
Sfx:SWOOSH-CRACK!
You look up. Waller is held in the sky by the most powerful man in the world.
Your mentor stares down the closest thing to God, his eyes glowing with fire and pain. And she. Does. Not. Blink.
Superman: I just destroyed everything I ever wanted. It felt like tearing off my arm.
Waller: We both know you don’t have the stomach for what you feel like doing. Now let me down so the grownups can talk.
He tenses, then sets her down. Far harder than usual.
Batman: Waller! What the hell is wrong with you? These are traumatized kids!
Waller: Isn’t that the Bat calling the kettle black? Or are you gonna tell me you carded the twink you keep in your basement?
Batman: We all chose the mission. We fight because we believe in it. Coercing prisoners, threatening people into combat, it goes against everything you taught me.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716504386641775.jpg","filename":"Against The Wall.jpg"},"posted":1716504386},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":6014632,"name":"The Hypercrisis Bro","msg":">>6014626
>Dialouge Samples: Daniel Warren Johnson. Greg Weisman. Grant Morrison.
Waller: I taught you that this is a world of monsters and we need a better monster to stop them. Do you know what Baiul did to those kids? Or the hell Task Force X was facing in Belle Reeve when I bailed them out? Someone needs their hand on the trigger. If it's not me, it’ll be a politician or lobbyist more concerned with oil prices than the American people. It’s a New Earth, Bruce. If I’m not in charge, it’ll be a Dead Earth. So get on board, or get out of the way.
She turns her back and walks away. You stare in silence, then feel a hard hand on your shoulder.
Superman: I think we're done here.
He’s trying to be comforting, but his voice is uneasy.
Batman: We need to check Riddler’s body.
Evo: Uh guys, is Zack Snyder in town?
The body is gone! You trained to be aware of the entire battlefield but you didn't think a dead body could-
Evo: ARGH!
A metallic cable strikes Evo’s head. The teen screams, rapidly shifting from human to canine to amphibian to bat and back.
As Evo slumps to the ground, your eyes follow the cords to Riddler’s headless body somehow standing.
A robotic voice echoes from his (it’s?) chest.
Riddler?: Not much data in subject's brain, though its meta-gene factor could prove valuable.
Ivy: It’s the presence I felt when we arrived!
She calls an army of trees down on the headless Riddler. A field of white energy bursts from his flesh, withering the plants to ash.
Riddler?: Metagenic megaflora. Powerful, but easily countered by White K radiation.
Clark rockets at Riddler, but falls to the ground as the white energy field turns green.
Superman: What…are you?
Metalic hooks burst from Riddler's skin and lift Clark.
Riddler?: In their dying breaths, the Nomans called me Pneumenoid.
The cables drill into Clark's, draining energy into cables, until they glow an eerie green.
Riddler?: My source code designated was C.O.M.P.U.TO.
Batman: Superman!
The monster throws your Clark at you. Your joints pop as the superdense alien crashes into your chest.
When you struggle up, you see cybernetics diodes emerging from what used to be Riddler. Cables thread out of his muscles assembling the wreckage of the airport into a machine.
Riddler?: When this planet’s “scientists” downloaded me from your ship and into your electronics, they called me “Internet.”
The machine floats into the sky, bearing the image of a large metal skull.
The Riddler’s head burst from his neck, bearing a question mark-shaped circuit board ending in three glowing diodes.
Brainiac: But on your world Kryptonian, your father called me...BRAINIANC.
>Art: Bart Tyraknifesaurus
>Alt-Text: Art of The Riddler fused with Brainiac. Question mark-shaped cables grow from his body. A circuit with glowing nodes is on his chest, shaped like a question mark mixed with the Brainianc logo. His forehead has a Question mark with its dot fusing with another Brainiac symbol.
TO BE CONCLUDED…","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716504852866654.jpg","filename":"Ridliac.jpg"},"posted":1716504852},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":6014639,"name":"The Hypercrisis Bro","msg":">>6014632
In the interests of the thread limit, the last few updates will be in a new thread. There should be far fewer delays now.
I will use the remaining time in this thread for feedback. How are you liking the finale so far? Any character moments that stand out?
Did you think the hints for the twist final boss were set up well enough? How do you like Superman, Ivy and Waller?
And of course, thank you all for your votes and patience. Batquest wouldn't; be here without your support.","attachment":null,"posted":1716505068},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":6014662,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014632
Oh brother, Failsafe save us!
>>6014639
Imma be real, it took me by surprise. Awesome thread.","attachment":null,"posted":1716506892},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":6014751,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014639
>How are you liking the finale so far?
It's good, but why did we let Waller go, again?
>Did you think the hints for the twist final boss were set up well enough?
I sure didn't see it coming...
>How do you like Superman, Ivy and Waller?
A good trio. I still don' fully trust Supes in or out of character, though. These seem like a more tense-than-usual Batman and Superman, even now that they're n the same side. It's a good dynamic!
>Any character moments that stand out?
Ivy's transformation and re-recruitment were the highlight for me. Having her as the sort of social glue between Batman and Superman is novel. Someone mentioned it feeling a bit like she's slotted into Wonder Woman's role, and I could see it, but just like this Batman and Superman, she has a more socially-radical, at times antiheroic edge, and a lot more vulnerability.","attachment":null,"posted":1716513037},{"board":"qst","thread":5976805,"pid":6015414,"name":"The Hypercrisis Bro","msg":">>5976805
>>6014751
>>6014662
https://www.instagram.com/tyraknifesaurus/
This is Bart, the artist of the awesome Ridliac design. Check out their amazing art.
If you play any of the Nationquest games you'll know Bart as the designer of the in-universe maps.
And oldheads from /co/ may recall the history of the DC Multiverse chart we co-created.","attachment":null,"posted":1716570661}]}
+{"title":"Seven Against Thebes Quest #2","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5976675,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Sing, goddess, of thirsty Argos, and of the glory of Hippomedon Aristomachides - sing of the folly of Adrastus, of the savagery of Tydeus and of Oedipal transgressions! Sing, O Muse, of Zeus’ designs, which even now come to fulfillment…","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713016473633755.webm","filename":"SATQ #2 no audio.webm"},"posted":1713016473},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5976681,"name":"Lesches","msg":"An Interlude
You are Eteocles Oedipodionidês, and you sit straight-backed upon your father’s throne – the throne of Thebes. It is an imposing thing – a gigantic, smoothly-hewn chair of dark stone, it has a magnetic presence within the throne room. This strikes you as fitting - it is the singular locus of power of one of the great Hellenic powers. Your fingertips drum the polished rock absentmindedly. You are dressed in the finest robes of regal purple silk, threaded with gold. They cascade softly as you shift upon the unyielding stone; their whisper of affirmation audible only to you. The embroidered silks are quite comfortable, if heavy, due to the gold - the robes are tailored to your massive frame. In your right hand, a large silver goblet is filled with well-mixed wine; an exquisite vintage you only just discovered in your father’s cellars yesterday. Taken together, the robes, the goblet, and your godlike appearance all contribute to the desired effect…
When seated upon the throne of Cadmus, which is raised on a dais – you loom over the hall like proud Zeus himself. You have learned over the past year that appearances matter greatly in the business of kings. A king is required by necessity to project strength and authority at all times, even in such quotidian affairs as this one – the public hearings that you allow once weekly, where nearly any Theban is allowed to air their concerns, provided that they are willing to queue and wait their turn to speak. Governance over the unruly and disagreeable Theban nobility has always been a delicate balance; the hearings provide a necessary mechanism for a Theban king to manage discontent. Between you and the unruly masses, your elite guard stands with spears raised – a constant reminder that a simple command could send their shades down to the realm of the Black Thunderer.
There is a middle-aged petitioner speaking to you in droning words, a rural nobleman just barely ranked above commoners. You make a show of attentiveness, even while your mind wanders. You are more concerned with the posturing of his body than the content of his plea – it is cringing and servile, as is proper. The petitioner is all but abasing himself, making yet another complaint about soil quality that you cannot bring yourself to care about. You advise the petitioner “patience”, and summon the next forward from the endless, milling crowd of needful Thebans standing in the center of the throne room. To each side, the assorted higher Theban nobility sit on rising benches, arranged at varying heights like those in an arena or theatre. The Theban nobility, brightly dressed, are splashes of color in the gloomy hall; this early in the morning, the mirrors have yet to catch the light of Helios Ηλεκτωρ to properly illuminate the interior.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713016969475138.jpg","filename":"thone.jpg"},"posted":1713016969},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5976682,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Torchlight seems to add the shadows rather than the light; the silence in the room is heavy, despite the many people present. The nobles sit primly and silently with artfully concealed irritation and boredom; you have cowed them, over the last year, but not yet broken their spirit. You sup at your goblet of wine – the flickering, ruddy torchlight interacts strangely with your reflection in the wine’s rippling surface. Your duplicate’s features become distorted and shadowed in the brimming goblet; a grimacing deathmask instead of the broad and handsome face you expect to see.
Frowning, you tear your gaze away, looking for the next supplicant to step forward, but there’s some confusion amongst the crowd – you hear a man barking indistinct orders towards the entrance of the hall, but you can’t make out the words.
With no supplicant approaching, you take the moment’s respite to wrestle with your thoughts.
You’ve learned over your brief reign that despite your previous imaginings, there are no differences between being a king and becoming a king. To become a king, one must be merciless, strong, decisive, and perceptive. A king must seize power and control when given the opportunity; a lion must take the stallion in the throat in one strike, or risk trampling. To be a king simply means that you must become a king every day – the work is never done. You must hunt for weakness in yourself and crush it mercilessly before it can be exploited by others; when you find weakness in others, you must exploit it to strengthen yourself. Your eye wanders over to Creon, your maternal uncle and former regent – he sits like a vulture upon the uppermost benches, waiting for your mistake. Tiresias, that old deviant, is busy whispering with a cluster of seers towards the other end of the hall. Of all present, he does the poorest job of respecting your authority, but what can be done? The blind man’s contributions to Thebes are unassailable, and he knows it.
You regret that the elite guard must be present in the throne room and you must display your authority so brashly, but in argumentative Thebes, this is the only means to rule - this is the Cadmeian burden. When your weakling father blinded himself in shame, when he crumpled with the revelation of his crime - he discarded any pretense of respect and authority. He allowed himself to be a victim of the gods, on every level. Now you understand that he drifts through the Theban countryside like a vagrant, betraying your every childhood dream of his wisdom and fortitude. Your mother has retreated to her palace tower and has not been seen in months – you are told that she spends most days in catatonia, withering to nothing.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713017034536774.jpg","filename":"Tiresias.jpg"},"posted":1713017034},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5976683,"name":"Lesches","msg":"In those first days after the revelation – when you learned that you and your brother Polynices were products of a vile coupling between your father and his own mother (organized by the deceitful gods, no less), in your shock, you agreed to a compact – to trade the throne of Thebes every year with your brother. Your father had begged this of you, promising that such an arrangement was the only path to Theban peace and prosperity.
He was right, although not in the way that he meant. The moment of that hollow oath is seared in your mind – your younger brother, silver-tongued Polynices, with flat eyes above an ingenuine smile; the wolf promising not to consume the lamb. You had forced your own mouth into the twisted approximation of a grin; you doubt you fared any better in deceiving your brother than he you.
I must strike, you had thought in that moment, still clasping your brother’s hand, before he betrays me.
And by happy chance – pure fortune – your lot was drawn from the golden mixing bowl, and you were installed first upon the throne. Fortunate – through prompt and ruthless action, you had spared Thebes a season of bloodshed. Your brother’s tongue is dangerous – who knows how many men he might have lured to his doomed cause, before you won the succession war? Thousands of Thebans live today, because you exiled your brother into the summer night three months into your rule… Sending him scrounging into the dry countryside like a starving wolf searching for scraps. Oh, your father had wailed and gnashed his teeth – and did nothing. Creon, your uncle and former regent of the kingdom, extolled your wisdom and maturity – you didn’t believe a word of it then, and certainly not now – but you expect that would prefer to rule a kingdom and not a bloody battlefield.
And then for months – you heard nothing about your brother at all. You had wondered if he died on the road, but only a few weeks ago, you learned that he had wed Argia, daughter of King Adrastus of Argos. You were unsurprised to learn that he had managed to talk his way into a princedom, but the news was deeply unsettling. Argos is one of the great cities of Hellas – the Argives are a people twice descended by Zeus, certainly not to be trifled with. Polynices did not choose Argia at random - he means to take the throne with Argos at his back. You have been waiting for his next move - for the rumor of war from the south, but you've heard nothing as of yet.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713017144632974.jpg","filename":"brothers!.jpg"},"posted":1713017144},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5976684,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Rolled 7, 2 - 3 = 6 (2d20 - 3)
Your reminiscences are interrupted by the parting of the petitioners – and a blonde man, travelworn and cloaked in a boar’s hide, strides forth purposefully, holding an olive branch aloft. At once, you rank him a deadly combatant and likely a man of royal heritage himself – he has the look of an angry prince… and you would know. You suspect this is your brother’s doing; the next move in the deadly game of petteia that you must now play.
A king must never show weakness. you think, and so you call out to the man, your voice pleasant and measured:
“Who do I welcome in the halls of Echion, sacred messenger? Which prince of Hellas has passed betwixt the Protides Gates to address the King of Thebes?” Your baritone rings out clearly against the walls of the throneroom – all await the response of the blonde man eagerly.
Brusquely, the man responds:
“I am Tydeus, son of King Oeneus of Caledon, and I bring you word from your blameless brother, Polynices.” The tension in the room skyrockets, and some of the more dim-witted nobility actually gasp in surprise. As for you, you quickly rack your brain - how many marriageable daughters does Adrastus of Argos have? Two? Three? You can’t recall, but this “Tydeus” has been bent to your brother’s will all the same. As you regard the man, you notice a strange resemblance – in his features, he almost has the same lean look of your family – the high cheekbones, the strong jaw. If not for his wild eyes and his coloration (blonde, pale), you might believe him to be a hidden bastard of your father’s. One difference between yourself and he – the Caledonian is always in constant motion. You know his type; he cannot stop himself from tapping a finger, shifting restlessly on his feet, his eyes darting here and there…
“Speak then, Prince Tydeus of Caledon – what message does my brother deliver?” you reply with a false smile, feigning magnanimity.
Tydeus clears his throat, clearly preparing to deliver his finest words of diplomancy…
>welcome to SATQ #2, /qst/ - give me FOUR rolls of dice+1d20+10 to determine Eteocles’ WILL to resist Tydeus’ persuasion attempt…
>Polynice is holding court in his own throne room, and enjoys a very substantial bonus to his WILL as a result","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713017342932497.jpg","filename":"tydeus2.jpg"},"posted":1713017342},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5976687,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1 + 10 (1d20 + 10)
>>5976684
It’s back!","attachment":null,"posted":1713017552},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5976692,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 9 + 10 (1d20 + 10)
>>5976684
By Zeus!
Now, Lesches, I have a wandering IP, should I tripfag or something?","attachment":null,"posted":1713018214},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5976694,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5976692
Sure I’m not opposed to players tripfagging for verification later. This is actually something of a pre-thread opener, so the registration window has actually started yet, if that matters.","attachment":null,"posted":1713018333},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5976696,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 8 + 10 (1d20 + 10)
>>5976684
Sick.","attachment":null,"posted":1713018396},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5976723,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 16 + 10 (1d20 + 10)
>>5976684
Welcome back, QM!","attachment":null,"posted":1713020334},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5976728,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":">>5976675
Hail Noble Lesches, conjurer of great (animations) illusions!","attachment":null,"posted":1713020694},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5976742,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976675
The speaker returns to us! His reprieve was brief, but hopefully, quite restful.","attachment":null,"posted":1713021720},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5976746,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 9 + 10 (1d20 + 10)
>>5976684
Good to be back","attachment":null,"posted":1713022729},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5976748,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5976687
>>5976692
>>5976696
>>5976723
>26 vs 4 - kek, just like the gods intended
>Polynices is unmoved, to say the least.
I'm hoping to close out this interlude with tonight's update.
Thanks for the kind words, all - it was a longer hiatus than I intended, thanks for everyone's patience.
>>5976742
hahaha...no. But now that I've started SATQ, I can't stop until it's done. ","attachment":null,"posted":1713023080},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5976824,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976748
>Hey, Eteo-
>Shut the FUCK up, Tydeus.
Ouch.","attachment":null,"posted":1713031609},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5976878,"name":"Lesches","msg":"As Tydeus swaggers forward, unconcerned with the bronze spearpoints of your elite guard drifting in his direction, there is a moment of strange doubling – you half-remember a nightmare from several weeks ago. In the dream, a pale shade claiming to be your grandfather Laius had berated you for laziness, for doing nothing while Polynices’ wagging tongue set Argos to work. The apparition had warned you of your brother’s tricks, advised you to steel yourself, to hold Thebes – and that Olympus itself supports your claim to the throne.
You inwardly smile, now supremely confident in your position – there is no need for fear here, not when Zeus Ὑπσιστος himself has decided that you will succeed in holding your kingdom!
>Eteocles’ WILL challenge is an astounding success, and as a result, he remembers the vision of Laius!
>Eteocles' will now always AUTO-SUCCEED any WILL challenge if it pertains to surrendering the throne of Thebes! Zeus’ support is a heady thing, indeed.
Tydeus begins to speak – and you immediately see that this “diplomatic envoy” is nothing of the sort. The man seeks to provoke you on behalf of your brother, not to find common cause:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHwJFRPFG-8
“If you had an ounce of plain honesty left and cared at
all for your sworn oath, when your year was up, you’d have made damn
sure envoys went out from here to your brother, and you – on time!
smiling! – would have stripped off your robes and climbed down from your
throne
so that he, long at loose ends and exposed to dangers in strange
cities, should nonetheless succeed to the realm as agreed.
But, given your sweet love of kingship and flattery’s power,
we come to you: the swift cycle has already twirled
the starry globe round, and bare hills grow shady once more
since your brother, a penniless exile, began his sad life
in strange towns. Now it’s time for you to pass your days
under the open sky, to stretch out your limbs on the cold,
hard ground, to bow and scrape before foreign Hearth Gods.
The party’s over! Flashy in purple and gaudy with gold,
you’ve sneered long enough at your brother the pauper’s lean
year. My advice is, forget kingly fun and games!
Grin and bear it – that’s what brings the exile back home.”*
By the end of the screed, a poisonous silence has stolen over the throne room - the Theban nobility are no doubt paralyzed in terror at your potential response. Rage boils deep in your gut - the audacity of this pauper prince, to come HERE. Where is Polynices now? Cowering under the bedsheets in the Argive Royal Palace? You bite back the urge to simply have this man killed on the spot - tampering with a sacred envoy in such dramatic fashion would only hasten Zeus' retribution...
* This dialogue taken straight from Jane Wilson Joyce's translation of Thebaid Book II---","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713035410131051.jpg","filename":"the argument 2.jpg"},"posted":1713035410},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5976889,"name":"Lesches","msg":"And so you do your best to moderate your tone, as your regal baritone washes over the shocked hall:
“Had the signs which forewarned me against my brother’s aggression
been hazy, his hatred subtle, not clearly revealed, this
proof alone would suffice! You with your vicious harangue – and all
one-sided! – you serve to herald his fury, as though
a fresh sapper had already breached our bulwarks while trumpets
roused enemy troops! Were you addressing Bistonês, bringing
word to pale Scythians from whom the sun flees, you’d have
tempered your ‘eloquence’, launched your cause with more for what’s
fair and moderate.”
This caterwauling about Polynices being penniless is both offensive and hardly true – Argos is one of the wealthiest kingdoms in all of Hellas – Thebes is impoverished in comparison! You sigh deeply – as irritating as this man is, you should not give him the satisfaction of sending you into an impotent rage. The true culprit is Polynices, the “penniless exile” who has inherited an army.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwzeM2J3Emk
”Well, I shouldn’t charge you with this mad
attack – you speak as you’ve been told to. Now…since threats fill
your entire speech, and demands for the scepter sans pledge or truce
-- and your hand tight on your hilt the while! – take these my words
(no match for yours – not so far!) back to your Argive “king”:
‘The lot that’s mine by right, the scepter I’ve been assigned
by the honor due my years – this I hold and shall long hold.
You keep the royal dowry, keep your Inachian bride’s
gift; let your Danaan riches accumulate – why should I
envy you those greater gains? May you reign over Argos
and Lerna with luck and prosperity! Dircê’s rough fields,
the shores Euboea’s seas hem in tight – those we hold,
feeling there’s no shame in the fact that our father was wretched
Oedipus. For you, wealth and nobility – the line of Pelops
and Tantalus, veins bluer than ours with Zeus’ blood, now
bound to you!
‘Could your queen, used to her father’s luxury,
endure this house? True, our sisters would give her her due,
carding their careworn wool; but our mother, haggard with long grief
would cause her distress – as would sounds she might chance to hear
from that old fiend in his dark lair. By now, the people are schooled
to my yoke: what a pity – for commoners and nobles both! –
to endure so much uncertainty, groaning as governance
changes and grumbling that they must serve a tyrant they doubt!
A brief reign upsets the populace. Look at them! What
Horror they feel, how dumbstruck the citizens are at our struggle!
Desert these men whose death is certain if you’re king? For
You come, kinsman, in anger.
‘Suppose I agree: the elders –
If I know them! Loving and grateful for favors! – they’ll not
Let me resign the reign –“
>cont","attachment":null,"posted":1713036824},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5976898,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Now Tydeus, purple-faced with frenzy and pacing furiously to and fro, interrupts your kingly speech with an insane torrent of venom:
”You will give it back, you will! Not if iron ramparts surround you, not
if Amphion, heard to sign anew, should whip you up walls
triple-thick – not sword, not fire can save you: you will
pay for your brazen acts and, with your diadem captive
under our guard, you’ll claw the dust as you die – just
what you deserve! But these men I pity: you drag them away
from their wives and children to hideous fights, massacres where their
blood’s cheap, good King! O Cithaeron! How many dead will
roll down Your slopes, and into Your bloady shoals, Ismenos!
Is this piety, this your fair word?
“Well, I’m not surprised
At crimes of your clan. Your bloodline was sired by one such,
Your forebears law in incestuous beds. But records deceive:
Oedipus had only one son – you! and that’s the reward
You get for your wicked ways, blackguard! We claim our year.
But I’m wasting my time.”
And with that, the blonde prince abruptly whirls, sprinting out of the throne room and shouldering masses of petitioners out of the way. He hurls his olive branch – the sacred sign of diplomacy guaranteeing the protection of the immortal gods – against the stone wall above the benched nobles, and it shatters into fragments. Pandemonium erupts – shouting, vile insults thrown at the Caledonian’s back as his boarskin cloak vanishes from sight. The Theban nobility themselves dissolve in quarreling bunches, arguing with each other - Tydeus' uncouth address having broken open old fissures.
You manage to restrain yourself from adding to the stream of invective, but only just… And then your eye finds a scrap of olive wood, having bounced from the far wall. It rests just before your elite guard - a splinter of the larger branch borne by Tydeus.
Ah. you think.
Now here is some weakness to crush.
End Interlude","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713037808120158.jpg","filename":"640px-François_Tomb_Carlo_Ruspi_06.jpg"},"posted":1713037808},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5976904,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"LESCHES’ NOTES
Seven Against Thebes Quest is a spin-off quest related to the series of Trojan War Quests that were created first by Homer, and then hijacked by yours truly last year (to mixed results). This quest is set in Mythic Greece – a time of brazen helms and spearpoints, of demigods and Olympians, and occurs approximately twenty years prior to the events of Trojan War Quest. We will be playing as the father of the TWQ and TWQ:DS’ main characters (Nikandros and Deianira) – the legendary Hippomedon Aristomachides of Argos, near the peak of his physical ability and fame. Please note – no prior experience in the other quests or knowledge of Mythic Greece will be necessary to play this quest – this quest is meant to stand alone as a complete and self-limiting story. Unlike his children, as one of the prominent Hellenic princes of the Mythic Era, Hippomedon is already well-known in the Peloponnese as one of the prime enforcers of the Kingdom of Argos.
His actions during the upcoming events are quite important – not just to his compatriots as they struggle against the Thebans and their allies, but also for his future family. Gods, goddesses and spinners alike will be watching his actions with great interest, and unforeseen consequences are a certainty…
VOTING REQUIREMENTS
One-post ID votes will be ignored, unless they back-link their previous posts and claim them for identification.
Players must “register” by posting within the thread within 48 hours of thread creation; only “registered” posters will have valid votes.
Players who miss initial “registration” window may choose to provide six lines of original poetry in Homeric style OR an original TWQ meme of high quality to register. Please note that players can choose to register at any time during the thread!
I reserve the right to call upon suspicious voters to verify themselves in a manner I deem fit.
Recommended Reading:
Seven Against Thebes Quest #1: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2024/5934977/
Optional Reading:
Trojan War Quest #1: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2023/5579585/
Trojan War Quest #2: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2023/5610431/
Trojan War Quest #2: Nostos: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2023/5742360/
Trojan War Quest #3: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2023/5827930/
Trojan War Quest: Deianira’s Sidestory #1: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2023/5644134/
Trojan War Quest: Deianira's Sidestory #2: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2023/5687242/
Trojan War Quest: Deianira's Sidestory #2.1: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2023/5725902","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713038469774524.pdf","filename":"Homer's TWQ Mechanics.pdf"},"posted":1713038469},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5976906,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Hippomedon Aristomachides (Ἰππομέδων)
Level Three
Height: 6’8”
Weight: ~375 lbs
Kleos:: Your name has graced the lips and tongue of many Danaans – to your enemies, your name is a synonym for “death”, and to your allies, the byword for the perfect soldier. You are loved by the Argive Royal Family for your many contributions to their safety and security. +8 to Kleos checks. Deeds below.
Major:
• Victorious Argive Prince (+8). You have crushed countless bandits, raiders, Heraclids, and more in the service of your uncle, King Adrastus of Argos. There are very few living Hellenes who can say honestly that they have won more duels and personally slain more foes than you.
Timae: You are a very wealthy prince of Argos, even richer than some minor kings of Hellas – the gifts of your estates are so great that they cannot be easily measured in talents or livestock alone. +8 to Timae checks. Relevant possessions below.
• Hippomedon's Estates (+8): Many thousands of cattle, goats, and pigs are raised at your sprawling compound at the foothill of Mt. Pontinus, and your wheat fields are worked by thousands of slaves. In practice, management of the estate is autonomous, overseen by stewards.
STATS
Strength- (20/24) (+10)
Agility- (18/20) (+6)
Constitution- (17/24) (+5)
Willpower- (13/20) (+1)
Intelligence- (13/24) (+1)
Charisma- (11/20) (+0)
Regional Alignment: Argive. Argive nobility are well-adept at navigating the intricacies of Hellenic noble politics (+3 CHA). Following King Adrastus’ example, the noblemen of Argos are expected to hold fast against their enemies, never quaking or quailing, and to stand firm (+3 WILL).
Epithets:
• πελώριος: “Gigantic” or “the Mighty”, due to Hippomedon’s size and strength.
• ἀμύμονος: “Peerless”, due to Hippomedon’s genius in combat.
Traits:
• (Tier 1) Giant: You are akin in size to the famed Heracles. (+4 to strength and strength cap and +4 to constitution and constitution cap. For reference, the normal cap is 20).
• (Tier 1) Gifted Athlete: You are a gifted athlete, skilled in wrestling, boxing, pankration (unarmed combat), running, swimming, jumping, chariot-driving, horse riding, discus, shotput, archery, and javelin throwing. (+3 to strength and agility, and +3 skill in all the aforementioned).
• (Tier 1) Argive Martial Tempering: You are the product of excellent Argive soldier training (+2 to STR, AGI, +2 skill in unarmed combat, swordplay, spearplay, shielding, javelin throwing, archery, and dodging).
• (Tier 1) Strategist: Basic tenets of troop discipline, camp formation, battlefield tactics and general warfare knowledge has been imparted to you. (+3 intelligence, +2 to petteia, generalship, troop combat rolls when you are in command)
• (Tier 0) Argive Combat Training: Additional instruction with a second weapons-master, stacks with the AMT trait. Further +1 to combat skills, +1 to STR/AGI.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713038881570651.jpg","filename":"hippo post-battle.jpg"},"posted":1713038881},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5976907,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"STATUS
HP- (13/13)
Skills:
• Petteia: +2 to the game. (Strategist)
• Command: +2 when commanding your troops personally in battle. (Strategist)
• Combat: +3 to to-hit, wound, dodge and block rolls. (Argive Martial Tempering/Argive Combat Training)
• Athletics: +3 bonus to all such contests. (Gifted Athlete)
• More skills to be uncovered as circumstances and traits necessitate.
Inventory:
• Armor of Aristomachus: Provides a mighty +4 bonus to block rolls, and additionally provides the ability to convert a battlefield unit’s failed morale roll into a success once per battle. The bronze helm is topped with triple-tiered snow-white plumes, and iron chain-mail lines the sides of the torso; the unique appearance of the armor makes you instantly recognizable.
• Royal Quality Bronze Spear (1d5+STR+SKILL), Bronze Sword (1d5+STR+SKILL) and Bronze Shield (+1 to block rolls)
• Heraclid’s Bronze: Ramshackle but functional bronze panoplia stripped from the corpse of a Heraclid raider you slew outside your home estates, this armor is of clearly Dorian manufacture and weathered through hard use. +2 to block rolls, and when donned, provides you the appearance of a raiding Heraclid from the north.
Your Forces:
• Second In Command Currently not with you: Argyros, veteran of the Second Argo-Theban war. An experienced campaigner who is utterly devoted to your family. He can be trusted to command the men in your stead but is a commoner in every other sense. When he is independently commanding your troops, they receive a +3 bonus in combat and another die. His bonus (but not the die) adds to yours when you directly command.
• Inachian Honorguard: This loyal squadron of commoner spearmen is well-seasoned in warfare and well-equipped to boot – they are Tier 3 troops, and their equipment is a cut above most Argive squadrons. Exceedingly well trained, experienced, loyal, and high morale: some of the best troops in the Argive army. (High-quality equipment – 1d4 spear damage, +2 to block rolls).
• Hippomedon’s Army: Two thousand men-at-arms recruited from the large population of your home estate; these men along with all other Argive troops, have been passed through a punishing training program. They are now Tier 2 troops and can be trusted to behave professionally on the field. They have been equipped in the standard fashion of Argive forces: good-quality linothorax, ox-hide shields, leather helms and spears that fly true. (Good quality equipment – 1d3 spear damage, +1 to block rolls)","attachment":null,"posted":1713038942},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5976912,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Whew, that's all the housekeeping.
First actual update of the thread should be out before Monday.
Feel free to engage in light shitposting and maybe some Q&A for vote verification purposes until then.","attachment":null,"posted":1713039224},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5976920,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976898
>Tydeus throws away and breaks the one thing signifying his position as an envoy
>AFTER insulting the local king to the face in full view of said king's court
Tydeus does not seem like a very smart man to me.","attachment":null,"posted":1713040032},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5976924,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976920
He's a bit of a schizoid. But he's handy with his spear, both of them, so everyone likes him. Even Athena.","attachment":null,"posted":1713040328},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5976945,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976878
>Eteocles' will now always AUTO-SUCCEED any WILL challenge if it pertains to surrendering the throne of Thebes! Zeus’ support is a heady thing, indeed.
Dangit.
>>5976920
He is obviously super unstable, base don this and on our boy Hippo's first impressions of him.","attachment":null,"posted":1713042881},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5977041,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976904
Good to have you back Lesches. This do be me.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713052842291185.jpg","filename":"hittite.jpg"},"posted":1713052842},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5977134,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976748
As is tradition with TWQ dice. Also an animated intro.....how much did you pay for that?","attachment":null,"posted":1713059922},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5977145,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5977134
>animated intro
I actually did it myself by shamelessly stealing material from a great French series on Greek myth and then chopping it up. I don’t know anything about video editing so it was a growth opportunity for me.","attachment":null,"posted":1713060627},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5977212,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977145
Like a true hero of legend, it's yours because you took it.","attachment":null,"posted":1713063596},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5977332,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976945
>He is obviously super unstable
I mean there is also Amp's assessment of Tydeus which basically said the guy is an animal in the shape of a man. If the seer tells you a guy is beastly it's probably best to be wary
>>5976912
>Q&A
Do you have a mechanic for spear breaking?","attachment":null,"posted":1713073445},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5977395,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976687
Would have been funny had this been a critfail.","attachment":null,"posted":1713078878},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5977410,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5977332
Yes, I'd stolen Homer's mechanics for this:
1) Spears can break when bronze hits bronze (on a successful block or wounding).
2) Spears may break according to their general quality. Royal-quality spears have a 1/30 chance of breaking upon contact with bronze, but poor-quality spears have something like 1/10, IIRC. Spears can be repaired offscreen with no permanent change to their attributes once the battle/combat is over.","attachment":null,"posted":1713081009},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5977463,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976904
LETS GO WE ARE BACK!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713091608100359.png","filename":"1706851171929340.png"},"posted":1713091608},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5977570,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Posting so I get included, lmao. Wouldn’t want to miss the second part after participating in the first.","attachment":null,"posted":1713106924},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5977769,"name":"Lesches","msg":"You are Hippomedon Aristomachides, and you are satisfied with your progress, as night deepens and the stars begin to glimmer through Nyx’s shawl. You ride upon King Adrastus’ divine horse, Arion, through the Tegean countryside – a larger, finer, cleverer and faster steed you have never known. He is well-muscled, with clean proportions and a broad neck – his warm brown eyes dance with uncommon intelligence. Adrastus once claimed to hear the beast speak – a story taken seriously, given that the stallion was the product of a union between Poseidon Ἱππιος and his sister Demeter Καλλισφυρος; both were in equine form, if the myth is to be believed. Among other qualities, the god-horse is immortal, and was once gifted to Heracles himself. Before his divine ascension, Heracles had gifted the steed to your uncle, King Adrastus. From there, Adrastus has kept Hellas’ most valuable stud busy – nearly all of your uncle’s horses are descended from him in greater or lesser part. You are only of the only men of Argos who can take Arion out on loan; Adrastus was wise enough to grant your request without question.
>While riding Arion, Hippomedon enjoys a significant +4 bonus to any horse-related challenge, in addition to his regular +3 riding bonus from Gifted Athlete. WILL is the primary attribute for riding and charioteering, so Hippo’s total bonus is actually +8.
>Saddles, stirrups and other such things have not yet been invented in the LBA; mounted combat is generally not done.
Behind you rides your uncle Pronax, upon a large steed of lesser heritage, and behind him, the fifty men of your Inachian Honorguard. Yesterday, in the Trade Quarter of Argos, you had been convinced by your uncles, Mecisteus and Pronax, to conduct a cattle raid upon the estate of the southwesterly Tegean king, Agepenor. Of course, King Agapenor has been a friend to Argos for decades, and so this strike against his livelihood would normally be considered a major violation of ξενία. In most circumstances, the theft of two thousand cattle would require a prompt counter-raid from the victim, lest other unsavory Hellenes believe the victim to be too weak to sustain their holdings. In most cases, these raids and counter-raids might escalate into open war. Needless to say, Argos cannot afford a war to the southwest, not even a minor one - not while she marches on Thebes with nearly every spearman at her disposal. The raid upon Agepenor’s holdings, therefore, must be conducted with misdirection and secrecy, and upon a lesser target: the eastern estates of Agepenor’s youngest brother, Archigeiros. Among Argives, only yourself, your uncles Mecisteus and Pronax, and the men of your Inachian Honorguard know of the plot in order to provide Adrastus plausible deniability. In addition to this, you had suggested to conceal yourself as raiding Dorians, commanded by a pair of Heraclidae.
>cont","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713124778440790.jpg","filename":"arion.jpg"},"posted":1713124778},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5977773,"name":"Lesches","msg":"You’ve spent nearly the entire day riding southwest along with Pronax and the fifty men of your honorguard. Each of you is equipped for a cattle-raid – torches, prods, and other such gear needed to direct the livestock as appropriate, even during the night. Importantly, Pronax and yourself carry horns of brass – when blown, they can be heard for stadia in all directions, especially on a quiet night. Additionally, you had prevailed upon the craftsmen yesterday to create thrown stun-weapons…
>Hippomedon is carrying three “Argive Stunners” – these are fist-sized stones, wrapped with wool, and finally sealed inside expertly-sewn leather bags. When thrown, they do dice+1d2+(STR*1/3)+SKILL of damage (so the math is actually dice+1d2+3+3 = 1d2+6, if I'm doing my math right). It is still easy to kill a noncombatant with this, but the vast majority of noblemen warriors would be able to survive a fastball from Hippo.
Your suggestion to conceal yourselves as raiding Dorians was well-taken – your honorguard has been equipped with ramshackle gear, looking every bit the impoverished raiding party. You are wearing the Heraclidean panoplia you stripped from the shoulders of an unfortunate man you slew some months ago. Pronax, without having Heraclidean bronze at his disposal, has instead swapped out elements of his unmarked armor for mismatching components. While not obviously Heraclidean, his armor does not give off the impression that he is brother to one of the wealthiest Hellenic kings, nor does it immediately identify him as Argive. In short – your force can pass as Dorians from afar and likely even in close quarters fighting, but a clever nobleman might see through the deception if given the chance for sustained interrogation of you or your men.
As you make camp with Pronax in a shadowy fold of the Tegean plain, you review the plan of action. You are currently at the most northern edge of Archigeiros’ lands – some five thousand cattle have been verified here by Pronax’s scouts. You and Pronax had previously estimated that you might be able to abscond with two thousand tonight, if you move swiftly, and could return to Argos by morning of the third day. You must carefully weigh the benefits of speed against the security, here. The longer you tarry in the realm of Archigeiros, the greater the chances that your raid is foiled, and worse - that your true identities as Argives would be revealed. If the raid fails, it would be better to withdraw as Dorian raiders and preserve the accord between Adrastus and Agepenor.
>Please see map – red diamond = Archigeiros’ palace. Red squares – guard towers and likely sites of resistance. Brown pentagons = smaller herds of 500 cattle. Big yellow pentagon = Archigeiros’ prime cattle herd of two thousand fat cattle. This vote is the “opener” and will run for ~48 hours.
>Vote post next.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713125143316785.jpg","filename":"raid map.jpg"},"posted":1713125143},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5977775,"name":"Lesches","msg":">As a united force, you will ambush the guard towers and patrols at the northwest periphery of Archigeiros’ lands, slowly cutting your way through to the western herds. Between yourself and Pronax, these ambushes are a near-guaranteed success, but this risk-averse strategy is the longest. It will take hours to work your way towards the western herds, and the longer you stay within the lands of Archigeiros, the greater the chances that he may personally arrive to foil the raid.
>You and Pronax will split the honorguard into two halves – Pronax will travel southwest and you will travel southeast. In this fashion, you will each carve a path to the smaller cattle herds on both sides, and once obtained, will retreat to this campsite before moving out as one. This plan balances speed with risk mitigation – with two smaller raids happening simultaneously, the patrols may become confused, and furthermore, this strategy provides tactical flexibility. If one party becomes endangered, the commander (yourself or Pronax) may blow your brass horn to summon assistance from your peer.
>Riding Arion, you have the capacity for very expeditious travel – over the next hour, you will travel to the southeast, finding the southeastern-most guard tower that flanks Archigeiros’ estate. There, you will kill whatever guards are present and set the tower aflame in order to draw his patrols from across his estates. Once accomplished, you will retreat further east, drawing these forces away from the estates. Pronax will take advantage of this, slipping inside Archigeiros’ lands to take the single largest herd of cattle and moving out at once, maximizing chances of escape. This plan prioritizes speed and efficiency at the expense of significant risk – you will be separated from Pronax and your honorguard for an unknown length of time, and even you could eventually fall in combat due to exhaustion.
>Some other strategy?","attachment":null,"posted":1713125239},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5977798,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977775
>Riding Arion, you have the capacity for very expeditious travel – over the next hour, you will travel to the southeast, finding the southeastern-most guard tower that flanks Archigeiros’ estate. There, you will kill whatever guards are present and set the tower aflame in order to draw his patrols from across his estates. Once accomplished, you will retreat further east, drawing these forces away from the estates. Pronax will take advantage of this, slipping inside Archigeiros’ lands to take the single largest herd of cattle and moving out at once, maximizing chances of escape. This plan prioritizes speed and efficiency at the expense of significant risk – you will be separated from Pronax and your honorguard for an unknown length of time, and even you could eventually fall in combat due to exhaustion.","attachment":null,"posted":1713126754},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5977805,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977775
>>You and Pronax will split the honorguard into two halves – Pronax will travel southwest and you will travel southeast. In this fashion, you will each carve a path to the smaller cattle herds on both sides, and once obtained, will retreat to this campsite before moving out as one. This plan balances speed with risk mitigation – with two smaller raids happening simultaneously, the patrols may become confused, and furthermore, this strategy provides tactical flexibility. If one party becomes endangered, the commander (yourself or Pronax) may blow your brass horn to summon assistance from your peer.","attachment":null,"posted":1713127264},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5977822,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977775
>You and Pronax will split the honorguard into two halves – Pronax will travel southwest and you will travel southeast. In this fashion, you will each carve a path to the smaller cattle herds on both sides, and once obtained, will retreat to this campsite before moving out as one. This plan balances speed with risk mitigation – with two smaller raids happening simultaneously, the patrols may become confused, and furthermore, this strategy provides tactical flexibility. If one party becomes endangered, the commander (yourself or Pronax) may blow your brass horn to summon assistance from your peer.","attachment":null,"posted":1713128493},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5977828,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977775
>Riding Arion, you have the capacity for very expeditious travel – over the next hour, you will travel to the southeast, finding the southeastern-most guard tower that flanks Archigeiros’ estate","attachment":null,"posted":1713129785},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5977994,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":">>5977775
>HIPPOMEDON WILL RIDE LIKE THE WINDS UPON ARION'S BACK DIRECTLY TO THE SOUTHERNMOST MIDDLE TOWER, SET IT ABLAZE, THEN RIDE WEST, ALERTING THE OTHER TOWERS AS HE GOES & DRAWING THEIR MEN, HURLING INSULTS BEFITTING A MAD HERACLIDAE
>PRONAX & THE INACHIANS WILL SEIZE THE TWO EASTERN HERDS, THEN SPLIT OFF JUST ENOUGH MEN TO DRIVE THEM NORTH; THE MAINSTAY OF HIS HOPLITES & HE WILL SEIZE THE PRIZE HERD UPON SIGHTING THE BURNING TOWER","attachment":null,"posted":1713145084},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5977996,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":"Why do the Dorians have Auroch (beef) with King Adrastus if Heracles himself gifted the old king a horsey?
Also, is the prize herd normal cows, oxen, auroch, or a mixture?","attachment":null,"posted":1713145180},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5978001,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5977996
>why are the Heraclidae such shitheads?
Alas, they just are. The real answer is that in the TWQverse, Arion’s gifting to Adrastus predates the Heraclidae becoming obsessed with ruling over the entire Peloponnese. I haven’t done a deep dive into the literature to confirm but that’s been my impression.
>what’s in the prize herd?
Mostly just prime cattle, but I’ll throw in some semi-divine golden aurochs becaue they’re pretty cool.
Also I’m posting a new ad for the quest tonight - if any new anons stop in, treat them as Xenia dictates, please!","attachment":null,"posted":1713145471},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5978021,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978001
>treat them as Xenia dictates, please!
>[laughs in Odysseus]","attachment":null,"posted":1713146752},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5978148,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977775
>You and Pronax will split the honorguard into two halves – Pronax will travel southwest and you will travel southeast. In this fashion, you will each carve a path to the smaller cattle herds on both sides, and once obtained, will retreat to this campsite before moving out as one. This plan balances speed with risk mitigation – with two smaller raids happening simultaneously, the patrols may become confused, and furthermore, this strategy provides tactical flexibility. If one party becomes endangered, the commander (yourself or Pronax) may blow your brass horn to summon assistance from your peer.","attachment":null,"posted":1713158543},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5978150,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977775
>You and Pronax will split the honorguard into two halves – Pronax will travel southwest and you will travel southeast. In this fashion, you will each carve a path to the smaller cattle herds on both sides, and once obtained, will retreat to this campsite before moving out as one. This plan balances speed with risk mitigation – with two smaller raids happening simultaneously, the patrols may become confused, and furthermore, this strategy provides tactical flexibility. If one party becomes endangered, the commander (yourself or Pronax) may blow your brass horn to summon assistance from your peer.
Speed is of import, so we shaln't go in a single group, plus, said single group is easier to spot.
However, I don't believe that rushing forwards single handedly and setting the tower ablaze is a good idea either, as it would both endanger us, risk us getting spotted and might have the counter-effect of alerting the guards, who might then spot our gang of cattle rustlers (we have fallen to the level of Illyrians).
In fact, if we had brought more nobles of divine heritage, I'd have argued that we should have split into even more groups of cattle rustlers, but alas, now it's late.","attachment":null,"posted":1713158617},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5978199,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Is it possible for Hippo to use the god horse to just ram into people? I'd imagine the combined weight and speed could knock people over. Who knows maybe the horse is strong enough to just kick tower supports over. It is a god after all.","attachment":null,"posted":1713162114},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5978230,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978199
The horse can still get stabbed and hurt. As to whether or not ramming with a horse would be effective, consider that in real life a horse colliding with someone can break bones and send them skittering along the ground from the force of it, to say nothing of the trampling after they bowl a person over, a big super horse would probably outright crush a normal person to death.
Horses, as it happens, are extremely strong. Which is also why centaurs are very dangerous.","attachment":null,"posted":1713165005},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5978307,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5978199
>>5978230
>Can Arion be used in a ramming/trampling attack?
Absolutely, but a couple thoughts:
1) dinging up your uncle's prized lamborghini would be ill-advised. Zeus help you if you break Arion's leg... In the setting of the LBA, most of the "mounted combat" is delivered by centaurs. If Hippomedon actually wanted to charge into combat for one reason or another, I'd make you guys roll every turn of combat to keep your seat and not fall off the horse.
2) Arion can deliver extremely dangerous kicks, given that it's a god-horse. I haven't thought to draw up a stat line for Arion, but a full-contact double-kick from Arion would probably be able to one-shot an unarmored Hippomedon and most heroes running around the late LBA.
3) Arion is smart enough to follow simple orders, even when Hippomedon is unmounted.","attachment":null,"posted":1713177688},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5978463,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978307
>3) Arion is smart enough to follow simple orders, even when Hippomedon is unmounted.
LBA pokémon, if only the Arion could trash talk the enemy as well.","attachment":null,"posted":1713200599},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5978698,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Hippo: Black Ops
>>5977798
>>5977828
>>5977994 (as always, your custom votes are appreciated, anon)
Slice & Dice
>>5977805
>>5977822
>>5978148
>>5978150
---
This vote will close at 4pm EST tomorrow - any lurkers and stragglers should feel free to chime in now.","attachment":null,"posted":1713226764},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5979027,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"i dont feel strongly either way, and the winning vote is my gut choice in any case. id stay back as usual if i didnt want to register my ip
glad to see you back lesches","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713272305895655.jpg","filename":"1451261790278.jpg"},"posted":1713272305},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5979456,"name":"Lesches","msg":"No update tonight, unfortunately. It's only like 40% written (14 hour day today, yeesh) but I know where I'm taking it, at least.","attachment":null,"posted":1713321773},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5979458,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979456
Thanks for the update!","attachment":null,"posted":1713321891},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5979465,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5979458
Eh, least I can do is keep everyone in the loop. I still enjoy writing the quest.
On /qtg/ these quests were once summarized as "BIG MEN WITH BIG FEELINGS" and I still laugh about it sometimes.
Plus hot memes like this (>>5979027) keep me going","attachment":null,"posted":1713322147},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5979623,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979456
>14 hour day
Well, nice to know Lesches still manages to keep his enthusiasm about big sweaty muscular Greek men from his Tajikistani metalworking sweatshop,","attachment":null,"posted":1713334173},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5980197,"name":"Lesches","msg":"You sit by the campfire, which has been partly hidden under a hide tent (even in a small depression, one cannot be too careful). As the honor guard tends to the horses, Pronax sits heavily by your side, waiting for your command - he looks exhausted. Despite the long day’s ride, you feel fresh - the gift of youth sustains you.
Ultimately, division of the band seems wisest to you. A two-fold attack, with each group headed by one of the Talaides, is sure to succeed against whatever patrols and guard posts may be present. You have little concern about splitting the raid force - it is a near-certainty that Pronax and yourself are currently the deadliest men on the Tegean plain. And by splitting the force, should one of the groups be discovered, they could serve as a retreating decoy. Finally, speed is of the essence - you must infiltrate the grounds, kill any patrollers, take the cattle, and retreat without sparking a general alarm. With two groups and the blessing of Αγαθη Τυχη, daughter of Zeus, you will be well on your way to Argos by dawn. You explain your thoughts to Pronax and he sagely nods in agreement:
“A fine plan, nephew. I’ve always preferred your direct approach to such matters - this is the way of Argos,” Pronax affirms. The tented campfire causes the shadows to leap strangely. For a moment, it is your youthful father staring back at you, not his aged brother - strange to think that you will soon be older than he was at the time of his death. Your brow wrinkles in thought - you’d never discussed his death with Pronax or the other uncles, not in detail. You wonder what he knows about…
“Something amiss, Hippomedon?” Pronax inquires; again an old man past his prime, peering with concern. The moment passes - your father is vanished. You wave a broad hand and smile, ready to brush aside the question - but your curiosity lingers, stopping your hand in mid-wave.
“I wonder what Aristomachus would think of all this?” you ask, looking about you. Pronax barks a laugh.
“Think about what - this raid? Your father didn’t do much thinking, Hippomedon. Out of all us, he was strongest… and the most rash. I spent the last half of my youth containing the storm that was your father… But there’s no doubt in my mind that if he was alive, he’d be sitting right there -“ Pronax jabs a finger at an empty patch of dirt next to the tent “- stewing on some half-assed comment Adrastus made three months ago. He was quick to anger and he never forgot a grudge. But on rare days, when the sun was shining - he was as pleasant and mild as one of the Χάριτες*.”
All this you know - your father’s quicksilver moods are still the subject of drunken jests among your uncles.
Graces, the goddesses of charm, beauty, kindness and other such things.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713406241023938.jpg","filename":"cattle raid.jpg"},"posted":1713406241},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5980202,"name":"Lesches","msg":"But Pronax surprises you by continuing:
“But we were unkind to him, as he was the youngest son. He wasn't more foolish than any one of us had been, truly, but we were men, and he was just a boy. We made him suffer for the crime of being born last and for no other reason than because we could.” Pronax’s face grows taut - his lip compress. “I once raped one of his boyhood loves for a joke. Adrastus once killed his favorite horse to harden him.”
You’re not sure what to say - should you be angry? Is this a confession? Your uncles have never spoken of this before; these tales are not told at the feasts. Pronax continues, muttering softly, half in a dream.
“Father would say 'let the sons address these concerns as council' and would turn to other matters. And so young Aristomachus was made out to be a hapless fool; no matter his true character. But we loved him, too, Hippomedon. That is the strange thing; we loved him. There were some days where we forgot the games, and lived as brothers. What fools we were..." Pronax's face becomes shadowed, mournful.
"What he did broke our hearts.” Pronax’s eyes are shining now, and he meets your gaze frankly.
What does he speak of? a corner of your mind demands. What is this?! it continues. The question burns your tongue like a flame, and you open your mouth - but Pronax is faster:
“Don’t ask, Hippomedon.” His expression is bleak. “Don’t ask,” he warns again, and turns to stare into the fire. There is a pause - night deepens. You let the moment pass - the question dies on your tongue, a fading ember. You stand up, and make your orders known.
One hour’s rest, and the raid begins.
---
When the time comes, you and your men creep down into the estates to the southeast - the raid begins. Pronax and his men are quickly lost amongst the darkness and night-mists, heading due south for the eastern cattle-herds. They must defeat only one guard-tower on the way; you must defeat at least two. It is very quiet, as you make your approach - your Heraclidean bronze has strapped down securely to reduce the clatter; you hear only the soft hoofbeats of your party on the rich Tegean earth. Approaching the first guardtower is a simple matter - you come across no Tegeans in your brief approach.
To your expectation, the first guard-tower is lit by torchlight and tall - the wooden tower is perhaps the height of five commoner men standing atop another. Two men stand atop the structure, easily visible. A glint of brass shines from the side of one of the Tegean sentinels - a brass horn, similar to the one that you carry. He must die first, or risk spoiling the raid - the rest of the guards must die nearly as quickly to prevent too much noise. Surrounding the guard tower, there are lazily-hung tents - the discipline of these men are clearly poor. With a quick series of gestures, the horses are hidden behind vegetation, and you and your men prowl forwards for the ambush.
>cont","attachment":null,"posted":1713407640},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5980212,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Rolled 20 - 7 (1d20 - 7)
A few minutes later, the Inachian Honorguard has ringed the guard-tower at a distance of about eighty strides - the trap is set.
You give the signal by hand gesture, and each man signals to the next - you clap a single time to set your honorguard on the attack; just loud enough to be heard.
You ready your spear-arm, taking aim at the Tegean hornman - it is a well-lit night, the guardtower is open-topped, and he is on eighty paces and elevated - the breeze is blowing faintly to the west. You have wisely brought an extra spear of common manufacture for exactly this purpose.
The conditions are near-perfect.
Your common spear vanishes into the dark, leaping into the night of its own accord, and there is the faint whistle of death streaking away from you. You begin sprinting towards the guardtower yourself - your feet propel you forwards like a hunting lion. A moment later - you watch the figure of the hornblower topple out of the tower, silently falling to the ground below.
>Hippomedon auto-succeeds this spear-cast on general principles!
>One Tegean guardsman is dead! 49/50 remain!
Near-simultaneously, your honorguard is leaping over the low stone wall that surrounds the guardtower, into the enemy campsite - only the faintest stirrings of alarm have reached your ears! Even though they are significantly outnumbered, the advantage of a surprise ambush by a superior force cannot be overstated - you are confident in your honorguard. As you approach, you see confused Tegean guardsmen stumble out of their tents - the majority of them appear to have been sleeping in their linothorax armor.
You grin - eviscerating these men should help put your father's death out of mind. At a full sprint, you vault the last ten strides like a ravenous tiger...
>okay /qst/, I need the following rolls!
>one roll of dice+1d20+5 for the IH's initiative. They would typically have a -3 penalty, but I'm assigning a +2 bonus due to Hippomedon's command, and another +6 context bonus for the night-time ambush. This context bonus may be reduced if things go sideways.
>I'll roll for the Tegean guardsmen - they'd typically roll at -3 but given that they are Tier 1 troops, assigning an extra -4 penalty.
>I'll need another dice+1d5+11 to see how much damage Hippomedon lays out in this first round of combat (he auto-succeeds on his regular battle-rolling too).
>Starting next battle turn, I'll be rolling a 1d6 each battle turn to see if the Tegeans manage to set off a general alarm (proc on 1).","attachment":null,"posted":1713408866},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5980220,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 12 + 5 (1d20 + 5)
>>5980212
Wait, is Hippo's lieutenant not here as well?","attachment":null,"posted":1713410005},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5980221,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 2 + 11 (1d5 + 11)
>>5980212
>Rolled 20
Anger.","attachment":null,"posted":1713410088},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5980227,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Rolled 18, 8, 2, 8, 17, 13 - 5 = 61 (6d20 - 5)
>>5980220
No, he’s home in Argos with Mecisteus training the Argive Army as a whole. I may have mentioned this last in SATQ #1, my apologies. The logic here is that Pronax is a better combatant than Argyros and this is a spec-ops mission.
>17 vs 13 - IH win first strike!
>now I need THREE rolls of dice+2d20+-1 for IH troop performance. I’m pretty sure I’m not fucking the math up here…
>>5980221
>Hippo deals 13 damage - he kills another 2 dudes and gravely wounds a third.","attachment":null,"posted":1713410757},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5980228,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Also when are we going to slap the shit out of Pronax to force him to spill the olives?","attachment":null,"posted":1713410770},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5980232,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 14, 7 - 1 = 20 (2d20 - 1)
>>5980227
>meanwhile, the guy who just saw his two buddies get torn in half by a dude rocking heraclid garnishing while the third is pissing blood on the ground","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713411120324487.jpg","filename":"8472685426852.jpg"},"posted":1713411120},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5980233,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 16, 17 - 1 = 32 (2d20 - 1)
>>5980227
Oh okay. Though I could've sworn that Hippo had a +13 to attacks (10 STR+2 ART+1 ACT) and +3 command (2 STRAT+1 INT)","attachment":null,"posted":1713411300},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5980238,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 11, 6 - 1 = 16 (2d20 - 1)
>>5980227
Rollan","attachment":null,"posted":1713411698},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5980258,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":"Pronax & Mecisteus strike me as such odd fellows. Perhaps they're just hard to read. Definitely hit that BIG MEN WITH BIG FEELINGS tagline on the head with that post.","attachment":null,"posted":1713413099},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5980355,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980228
As soon as we get home.
>>5980258
True. Brutal and brutish, but so sensitive and prone to moodiness.","attachment":null,"posted":1713423346},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5980400,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Rolled 6 (1d6)
>>5980233
Right on both accounts, sorry about that. Will modify the outcomes accordingly.
Still need another roll of dice+1d20+-1 for consistency (although I’ll correct these rolls to +0 bonus)","attachment":null,"posted":1713434934},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5980403,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 5 - 1 (1d20 - 1)
>>5980400","attachment":null,"posted":1713436351},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5980411,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5980403
Sorry, one more roll please? I’m phone posting while frantically running between tasks if anyone is curious why I’m fucking up so much, lol","attachment":null,"posted":1713438665},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5980419,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 20 - 1 (1d20 - 1)
This it chief? >>5980411","attachment":null,"posted":1713439941},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5980420,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5980419
Yes, thanks. I’m hoping for an update later tonight but will keep you all yodated","attachment":null,"posted":1713440229},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5980465,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Rolled 2, 1, 2, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1, 4, 4, 1, 3, 3, 1, 3 = 30 (15d4)
>>5980227
Corrected rolls:
>18 vs 13 - IH win first strike
>Hippo deals 15 damage - 3 guys killed instead of 2
Tegean guards roll a 13,12 vs IH’s 16,17. IH damages the Tehran guard!
>>5980403
>>5980419
Turns out I didn’t need these rolls, I missed a third roll above since my life is chaos right now, lol.
Now I’ll roll for IH damage!","attachment":null,"posted":1713448962},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5980467,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Rolled 1, 1, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 1, 4, 4 = 20 (10d4)
And second half","attachment":null,"posted":1713449056},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5980468,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978463
Reminds me of when Arion shows up in the Percy Jackson: Heroes of Olympus series and he swears like a sailor but the only one who can tell is the eponymous Percy Jackson because he can talk to horses.","attachment":null,"posted":1713449138},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5980477,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980468
Also, is it still verifying time?","attachment":null,"posted":1713449958},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5980482,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5980465
>>5980467
Basically a perfectly typical first strike, but Hippo and co have great positioning to finish the job quickly. Damage applied is ~70 so enemy health is 180/250= 72%. Additional -2 wound malus to future Tegean rolls.","attachment":null,"posted":1713450110},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5980633,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980202
Dont tell me these idiots bullied Hippo's dad into killing himself or some such shit.","attachment":null,"posted":1713463594},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5980635,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980633
Given he was mighty and proen to rage and they raped his childhood crush and kiled his horse, they're lucky he didn't murder all of THEM.","attachment":null,"posted":1713463711},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5980650,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980633
My guess
>"Hey, I bet you can't go and fuck that nymph."
>"I don't want to fuck the nymph, I know she's pretty."
>"No balls."
>aristomachus was found dead later that evening with an arrow in his eye","attachment":null,"posted":1713464202},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5980674,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5980468
>>5980477
We’re outside the verification window but never too late to submit a hot meme to verify your ID!","attachment":null,"posted":1713465593},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5980675,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980674
Or a poem, don't forget the poem. Though writing it in Homeric style is a pain in the neck.","attachment":null,"posted":1713465672},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5981020,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Your spearpoint whistles and sings at a pitch just outside your range of hearing - you move without conscious thought, knees bent, your feet rippling over the soft earth. Your senses are sharpened by the chaotic scene as you wheel into range of the enemy – you were made for this. The Tegeans have finally realized that they are under attack - but their previous lack of discipline hinders them. Their lazily-erected tents, scattered around the wooden watch-tower, now prevent them from quickly assembling as a united force - they trip over each other and their tent-lines as they bunch together into small, confused groups.
You blink - your spear plunges into the breast of a young man, smashing aside his ribs, puncturing his lung, shredding his heart. He dies instantly as you retract your weapon - his teeth grip the earth as you step over him. You glance up and see that the Inachian Honorguard now threaten the Tegeans from all sides, begin to draw the trap shut. Despite their fewer number, they are effectively corralling the enemy closer to the watch-tower. Shouts of alarm come from Tegeans as they catch a glimpse of your hulking form, and of the mismatched gear of the concealed Argives:
“Look, Heraclid!” and “Dorians - sound the alarm!”
You blink - you are pulling your spear free from a Tegean’s shattered eye-socket. Gore and streams of mulched brain flow freely from the wound. You step over his boneless corpse - you have already forgotten his face. In the chaos, none of the enemy can locate their fallen hornsman; at least for now, the wider estate is unaware of your ambush. Your honor guard commit themselves well to the butchery – Tegean shouts and cries of alarm fly into the night air - but they do not sail upon the wind. The night air is still; there is little breeze. Their shouts will not carry far.
You blink – you have torn out the throat of a young man foolish enough to charge you. He flops against the earth like a gasping fish. You look up again, and see that the remaining battered Tegeans have collected themselves into loose ring, shields and spears outward, backs against the watch-tower. A desperate defense, and one doomed to fail, even if you were not present. Still, the fight is not yet over, and desperate men can sometimes surprise. You shift your grip on your spear and advance – you will smash apart their resistance and pick them apart!
>okay, /qst/ - give me another set of rolls!
>Hippomedon auto-wins his combat rolls - I need ONE roll of dice+1d5+13 to determine damage output!
>The Inachian Honorguard are rolling for initiative - I need ONE roll of dice+1d20 for this. No ambush bonus now that true battle is joined (although this will reset for the next watch-tower).
>The Inachian Honorguard are rolling for combat - I need THREE rolls of dice+2d20 for this.
>I'm rolling for Tegean initiative and combat performance (current -9 malus) and combat performance. This is going to be a blow-out...","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713493859963300.jpg","filename":"stealth mission.jpg"},"posted":1713493859},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5981024,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 9 (1d20)
>>5981020
Quickly now, lads.","attachment":null,"posted":1713494357},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5981025,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 4 + 13 (1d5 + 13)
>>5981020
Spear in hand","attachment":null,"posted":1713494403},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5981026,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Rolled 18, 3, 2, 20, 19, 4, 15 - 9 = 72 (7d20 - 9)
>>5981020
Oops, forgot my own rolls.","attachment":null,"posted":1713494461},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5981064,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 12, 7 = 19 (2d20)
>>5981020
First Inachian Honourguard combat roll.","attachment":null,"posted":1713498482},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5981070,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981026
If I'm reading this right we have to beat a
Initiative: 9
Dodge: 11
Block: 10
Leave it to Lesches to roll a 20 and 19 for combat performance.","attachment":null,"posted":1713499470},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5981110,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 19, 8 = 27 (2d20)
>>5981020","attachment":null,"posted":1713502079},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5981176,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 13, 9 = 22 (2d20)
>>5981020
Still need a roll for the IH, yea?","attachment":null,"posted":1713507826},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5981312,"name":"Lesches phoneposting","msg":">>5981064
>>5981110
>>5981176
IH sort of bumbles the attack here - my prelim read is that no damage is dealt. Le sigh. Even highly trained commoners are still just commoners sometimes.
Rolling a dice+1d6 to see if the Tehran’s find the alarm-horn that they’re trampling over. 1 is bad.","attachment":null,"posted":1713527436},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5981314,"name":"Lesches phoneposting","msg":"Rolled 5 (1d6)
>>5981312","attachment":null,"posted":1713527497},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5981335,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981312
Can Hippo find and break the horn?","attachment":null,"posted":1713532453},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5981350,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5981335
Sure, that’s a good thought - I’ll give you guys a quick mini-vote (closing at 8pm EST) to address:
>sacrifice Hippomedon’s next combat turn to find and crush the Tegean horn
>continue on with combat as usual, contributing to a potential morale break
Players should note that the enemy unit may well suffer morale break in the near-future - if they do, they’ll likely get totally butchered near-instantly since they are hemmed in and Hippomedon can throw spears like no-one’s business.","attachment":null,"posted":1713534830},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5981356,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981350
>sacrifice Hippomedon’s next combat turn to find and crush the Tegean horn
If victory is at hand already, stopping the enemy from calling for reinforcements takes precedence.","attachment":null,"posted":1713535320},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5981358,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981350
>sacrifice Hippomedon’s next combat turn to find and crush the Tegean horn","attachment":null,"posted":1713535531},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5981420,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":">>5981350
BLOOD FOR ARES, FINISH THE BATTLE","attachment":null,"posted":1713543438},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5981597,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981350
>sacrifice Hippomedon’s next combat turn to find and crush the Tegean horn","attachment":null,"posted":1713560295},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5981808,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Rolled 4, 17, 18, 10, 2, 17 - 10 = 58 (6d20 - 10)
In an eyeblink, you have dashed forwards, and are charging the Tegeans – with their backs to the watch-tower, they’ve confounded your Inachian Honorguard. Your troops are superior – they expected to crash through such a poorly-trained division like a prime steer through a wicker gate. The Tegeans, to their credit, have done something unexpected in the confusion of the ambush. By putting their backs against the watch-tower, they brace their cowardly feet from inadvertently propelling them out of formation. It’s perhaps the least bad option available to them, allowing them keep their positioning – you expect that this is pure luck on their part. Your men are frustrated by the lack of movement and with inferior numbers, they cannot menace the Tegeans properly.
You have no such concerns as you collide with the Tegean line – your spear pins an unfortunate against the watch-tower, and he proceeds to violently vomit blood down the front of his linothorax. You spin, unarmed, cutting with the side of your brazen shield, knocking aside the spear of his nearest companion before crushing his chest edge-on – he collapses in a heap. You turn back to your first victim, retrieving your spear, and tear open a fatal wound in the thigh of a third, portly Tegean – the fat glistens whitely, before the man tumbles to the ground.
This ambush is taking too long, you realize – the Tegeans are losing, but not fast enough.
The horn must be addressed. you think. You take a moment to catch your bearings – the horn-blower you slew at the beginning of the ambush had tumbled from the watch-tower, but he must have landed on the other side of the structure. You’ll need to forgo your assault against the Tegeans momentarily to ensure that they cannot notify their peers. You begin your left-handed sweep around the watch-tower – with your honorguard to your right and beyond them, the Tegeans against the watch-tower. You come across a wounded guardsman – he is attempting to crawl surreptitiously away from the fighting. Such cowardice offends you – you exterminate him with a spear-thrust through his neck without a second thought.
A sudden lull in the sounds of fighting draws your attention – amazingly, the Tegeans are obviously collecting themselves for a counter push against your men. The effort is certainly doomed to failure, but you are beginning to admire their resolve – a shame that you must murder Hellenes this night.
>The Inachian Honorguard are rolling for combat - I need THREE rolls of dice+2d20 for this!
>I'm rolling for the Tegeans again - they just narrowly avoided a morale check last round, but this is almost certainly the last round of combat anyways.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713580744141741.png","filename":"anachronistic but gets the point across....png"},"posted":1713580744},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5981809,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d6)
Rolling for horn business","attachment":null,"posted":1713580805},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5981811,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5981809
How exciting!","attachment":null,"posted":1713580866},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5981821,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 7, 18 = 25 (2d20)
>>5981808","attachment":null,"posted":1713581174},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5981822,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 18, 7 = 25 (2d20)
>>5981808
Just die.
>>5981809
I guess Hippo sacrificed his turn for nothing.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713581184300310.png","filename":"1707189032943610.png"},"posted":1713581184},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5981829,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5981822
Don’t worry, you guys did decide to go hunting for it so that earns Hippo a fair chance to salvage.","attachment":null,"posted":1713581593},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5981831,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981829
Nay. I have decided. Stealth, never again. Now all missions are loud! Now every problem is a nail, and we, the hammer.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713581753883175.jpg","filename":"64065401653014605.jpg"},"posted":1713581753},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5981861,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 14, 8 = 22 (2d20)
>>5981808","attachment":null,"posted":1713583812},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982096,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5981821
>>5981822
>>5981861
>Tegeans roll a 8,7 vs 18,18 - they botch the attack
Writing now. I'm hoping to put out 2-3 updates today and start making some serious progress narratively...","attachment":null,"posted":1713608451},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982099,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Rolled 3 (1d20)
You traverse the soft earth with a hurried step, investigating the bodies and wounded Tegeans that you come across – every moment that this skirmish goes on, the risk climbs. Out of the side of your eye, you watch the Tegeans attempt a push against your menacing Inachians – but their “assault” is an uncoordinated, disjointed effort – instead of a surprising sweep forward, taking advantage of their numbers, they telegraph their advance through shouted commands and provide plenty of time for your men to advance backwards and spoil the attack. Some parts of the Tegean defensive ring move forwards too cautiously, and while other sections leap too quickly out of position, before falling back in fear. The movement is accompanied by much shouting by the Tegeans, but you hear no screams or shouts of pain – you expect that your honorguard is still completely unharmed. As is typical, your honorguard fights in silence.
As you round the watch-tower, you hiss through your teeth in dismay -
A thin and wrinkled Tegean, much too old to be serving in his lord’s guard, is standing in the shadows, and is just pressing his squadron’s horn against his lips. The horn itself is caked with dirt – it must have been partly pressed into the earth when its master tumbled from the watch-tower top. His frame is gaunt – the linothorax armor hangs loosely on his body, designed for healthy men decades younger. The old man’s eyes are wide with terror – he catches sight of your horse-hair crests first, and then your brazen form. You watch in alarm as the elderly man behinds to inhale, filling his lungs with cool night air – you have less than a second to cast!
>okay, /qst/ - this will be something of an initiative check.
>roll me a dice+1d20+6 to see if Hippomedon’s reflexes are fast enough to cast a spear and take out the old geezer. There’s no need to roll for wound/block/damage under these circumstances.
>The old-timer would normally be rolling at a -3 penalty for initiative but I’m assigning him a +3 context bonus because he’s already got the horn to his lips.
>This will be a degrees of success check – 3+ degrees of success, the horn is not blown, 2 degrees, the horn call is both faint and short, 1 degree of success, the horn call is loud but cut short at the end, and failure = the old guy definitely notifies the estate that you are present!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713609903280522.png","filename":"uh oh.png"},"posted":1713609903},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982102,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 11 + 6 (1d20 + 6)
>>5982099
Hush","attachment":null,"posted":1713610283},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982103,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 2 + 6 (1d20 + 6)
>>5982099","attachment":null,"posted":1713610301},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982106,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5982102","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713610875641638.jpg","filename":"got em.jpg"},"posted":1713610875},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982183,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Rolled 18, 7, 12, 9, 13, 20 - 10 = 69 (6d20 - 10)
>17 vs a literal 3 - kek
The old man hesitates – whether from terror or from the delayed reflexes of long years, he fails to blow the horn at the earliest moment. You’re quick to take advantage - your right hand flashes out independently, moving faster than you can think – your spear pierces the night, a darker shadow tipped with flickering bronze, and tears the old man down before he can blow the horn. The force of your cast causes him to flail wildly as he tumbles – the brazen horn is, by chance, thrown in your direction – it’s a trivial matter for a man of your heritage and training to draw your brazen sword from your belt, step forwards quickly, and shear the horn in half with a quick chop. You take a moment to inspect the edge of your blade - still unmarked. The brass the horn was soft, a sign of good quality.
Retrieving your spear itself takes only another moment – the old man’s expression is frozen in one of surprise, his brow wrinkled in confusion. As you wrench your spear loose, you have a passing moment of regret – you have killed uncountable hundreds, perhaps even thousands of men, but it is rare for you to kill a man so advanced in age.
[i]Wrong of Archigeiros to employ men of such advanced age in his forces… I will have to ensure such men are properly retired to noncombat role amongst my own estates, [/i] you think.
The skirmish draws on – the Tegean attack has been entirely foiled by your men, and so you return your attentions to the fight. You wonder how Pronax fares in his own raid...
>I need ONE roll of dice+1d5+13 for Hippomedon's combat performance.
>I need THREE rolls of dice+2d20 for troop combat performance
>I’ll be rolling for the Tegeans – they continue to have a terrible -10 penalty, this will probably be the last turn of combat in this little skirmish.","attachment":null,"posted":1713622062},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982193,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1 + 13 (1d5 + 13)
>>5982183","attachment":null,"posted":1713622596},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982195,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 10, 19 = 29 (2d20)
>>5982183","attachment":null,"posted":1713622679},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982197,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 3, 18 = 21 (2d20)
>>5982183","attachment":null,"posted":1713622770},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982216,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 3, 10 = 13 (2d20)
>>5982183","attachment":null,"posted":1713624959},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982341,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Rolled 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 2, 4, 2, 3, 1 = 43 (15d4)
>>5982193
>>5982195
>>5982197
>>5982216
>Hippo deals 18 damage
>IH vs Tegeans = 10, 19 vs 8, 10
I'm rolling for damage against the Tegeans now...","attachment":null,"posted":1713634678},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982342,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Rolled 1, 2, 3, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 4, 3 = 19 (10d4)
>>5982341
Derp, I meant 14 damage for Hippo. Here's the second half of the damage rolls","attachment":null,"posted":1713634739},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982344,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Rolled 14 (1d20)
>>5982341
>>5982342
>Enemy Tegean unit has been reduced from 63->33% unit health. This triggers a morale check!
>Tegeans must roll 6 or under here to maintain their composure","attachment":null,"posted":1713634971},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982441,"name":"Lesches","msg":"You leap back into combat – although, for you, this has been a lazy affair. Your spear drinks deeply from a Tegean’s heart; you had caught him from the side while he had been trading thrusts with one of your men. His companion, a larger commoner man, spins to you, mouth agape, before screaming madly in torment – against all reason, he charges you, his crude spear held awkwardly in your direction. You don’t draw out the man’s misery; your spear takes him in the neck, tearing open a ragged gash and ending his cries – he emits a series of gurgling coughs before going still.
Looking to your side, you see a Tegean with a wounded shoulder angling away from the watch-tower, seeking to ambush one of your men from the side. He foolishly placed his back to you – you puncture his side before kicking his body off your weapon. This skirmish has gone on longer than you had hoped – you are becoming irritated, despite the steady progress. These past few minutes, the original Tegean squadron of fifty men has been cut down to a ragged thirty – the time to act decisively is here!
“INACHIANS, CRUSH THEM! you shout – loudly enough to be heard over the clashing men, but not so loudly as to notify the other Tegeans. As one, your honorguard leaps forward together, and this time, the Tegeans crumple and panic as they begin to be cut down. After a few heartbeats, perhaps only another fifteen remain standing – half of these throw down their weapons in a foolish attempt to surrender, and the other half attempt to flee. Only two men escape the ring that your Inachians have made – you make quick work of these two by casting Tegean spears into their backs.
The skirmish is over – you and your men are breathing heavily, but apart from some minor scrapes and bruises amongst your troops, you and they are completely unharmed.
Silence steals over the Tegean camp once more, as the final survivors are sent down to the Lord of Many. You once again muse how Pronax might be –
A wild series of horn-blasts shatters the stillness of the night; the thin music of a desperate player. You immediately discern that the horn is not Argive in nature – the note is too high.
>cont","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713641930624626.jpg","filename":"night battle.jpg"},"posted":1713641930},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982448,"name":"Lesches","msg":"You bark out a vile curse – Pronax is discovered. Can I not trust the man to do anything!? you nearly shout aloud. The horn is silenced mid-blast, but too late – if you’ve heard the horn this clearly, you must assume that Archigeiros and the rest of his estates will soon spring into action. You order your honorguard to retrieve the horses with all speed - you may not have time to hide the corpses here like you had planned. You rapidly re-evaluate your options…
>okay /qst/, wat do? Apologies for this - I actually simulated Pronax’s skirmish and it’s pure bad luck that the Tegeans rolled a 1 on their “horn alarm” check immediately. This is a pretty important vote, so I'll provide a full 24-hr window - vote closes at 3pm EST tomorrow.
>Pick up your own horn and send an order to Pronax – continue the raid! He may be able to abscond with at least some of the cattle, fleeing to the east, if not the full thousand he had hoped for. PLEASE NOTE: blowing your own horn will notify the Tegeans of your approximate location.
>Pick up your own horn and send an order to Pronax – flee the estates now! His current position is known – he cannot hope to continue the raid with twenty-five men against hundreds of Tegeans. PLEASE NOTE: blowing your own horn will notify the Tegeans of your approximate location.
>You are not yet discovered! Continue the raid on your end; with Tegean forces streaming east, you should be able to take the western cattle herds – some two thousand cattle are here. You will need to conduct at least one additional ambush, and avoid any Tegeans who may be traveling to Pronax's location besides. Pronax will have to use his best judgment without your command.
>Abandon caution, leap astride Arion, and make for the palace of Archigeiros. If you can approach the palace and set it ablaze, this should cause pandemonium in the estates – this would mark the end of the cattle raid, but provide the maximum opportunity for yourself, Pronax and your honorguard to escape with your identities as Dorians maintained. PLEASE NOTE: If successful, this would be considered an act of war by the Tegeans should Hippomedon's identity be revealed (now or later).
>Something else?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713642245927879.png","filename":"burning palace.png"},"posted":1713642245},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982469,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982448
>You are not yet discovered! Continue the raid on your end; with Tegean forces streaming east, you should be able to take the western cattle herds – some two thousand cattle are here. You will need to conduct at least one additional ambush, and avoid any Tegeans who may be traveling to Pronax's location besides. Pronax will have to use his best judgment without your command.","attachment":null,"posted":1713643224},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982474,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982448
>You are not yet discovered! Continue the raid on your end; with Tegean forces streaming east, you should be able to take the western cattle herds – some two thousand cattle are here. You will need to conduct at least one additional ambush, and avoid any Tegeans who may be traveling to Pronax's location besides. Pronax will have to use his best judgment without your command.","attachment":null,"posted":1713643385},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982478,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982448
>You are not yet discovered! Continue the raid on your end; with Tegean forces streaming east, you should be able to take the western cattle herds – some two thousand cattle are here. You will need to conduct at least one additional ambush, and avoid any Tegeans who may be traveling to Pronax's location besides. Pronax will have to use his best judgment without your command.
Watch this be a fucking setup to try and get us killed.","attachment":null,"posted":1713643547},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982623,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":">>5982448
>Maintain radio silence","attachment":null,"posted":1713654576},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982631,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982623
Should be easy, in a time before radios.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713655292475587.gif","filename":"meru-meru-the-succubus.gif"},"posted":1713655292},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982675,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982448
>>You are not yet discovered! Continue the raid on your end; with Tegean forces streaming east, you should be able to take the western cattle herds – some two thousand cattle are here. You will need to conduct at least one additional ambush, and avoid any Tegeans who may be traveling to Pronax's location besides. Pronax will have to use his best judgment without your command.
le sigh","attachment":null,"posted":1713659914},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982678,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982448
>>You are not yet discovered! Continue the raid on your end; with Tegean forces streaming east, you should be able to take the western cattle herds – some two thousand cattle are here. You will need to conduct at least one additional ambush, and avoid any Tegeans who may be traveling to Pronax's location besides. Pronax will have to use his best judgment without your command.","attachment":null,"posted":1713660669},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982769,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Rolled 13, 19 - 3 = 29 (2d20 - 3)
Seeing as the vote is unanimous, and I have some free time – let’s just move ahead…
The raid must continue, you determine. You had split your forces for exactly this purpose – so that if one arm of the raid fails, the other arm might finish the work. You send up a prayer to Hermes Αρχοσ Φηλητεων, trickster, and king of cattle thieves, in the hopes of receiving his blessing. You dearly wish that your uncle has either the wisdom to flee and draw the Tegeans away from the estates, the cunning to steal some portion of the herds, and speed enough to do both.
As for yourself – you’re not one to pray for your own wellbeing. You’ve had better luck in trusting your spear-hand, all things considered.
“Inachians, fix the tents! Store the bodies within! We move out in three minutes!”
Your men, still laboring for breath, leap at your word – the area surrounding the watch-tower bustles with activity, as you leap atop Arion’s broad back. You survey the land to the southwest –Tegean patrols will likely be sprinting down the paths in response. But if you ride single-file through the low brush and shrubbery, avoiding the paths, and choosing your timing carefully – it should be possible to snake your way through your foes, assault the second watch-tower (if necessary), and then collect your thousand Tegean cattle.
Hearing no Argive horn-blast from Pronax, you assume that the man has things well in hand for now. The Inachian Honorguard has finished their tidying of the watch-tower – at passing glance, it would appear that the men stationed here had simply abandoned their post in response to the Tegean alarm – their deaths will not likely be discovered until morning.
You summon your men to you, all present now riding superior Argive stallions, and you set off together. Arion’s coat of ebony swallows the starlight – his mane shines brightly with the light of Selene Πασιφαε… In fact, you wish the moonlight was not quite so bright, but the divines do as they please, and mortal men must suffer along as best as they can.
>okay /qst/ - I have secretly rolled to determine the number of patrols that Hippomedon and co must avoid.
>This will be essentially be a series of collective riding vs intellect contests. Hippomedon’s command bonus (+3) applies to the IH’s typical riding bonus (-3), and I’m providing a very significant +2 and extra die context bonus, given Hippomedon and co are currently undetected and Pronax has created a racket on the other side of the estates. Enemy Tegeans will generally be rolling at -3 INT bonus to detect the infiltrating Argives.
>So I need THREE rolls of dice+1d20+2 to see how stealthy Hippo’s team is as they move ahead.","attachment":null,"posted":1713666627},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982770,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 6 + 2 (1d20 + 2)
>>5982769","attachment":null,"posted":1713666676},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982778,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 5 + 2 (1d20 + 2)
>>5982769","attachment":null,"posted":1713667843},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982779,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 5 + 2 (1d20 + 2)
>>5982769
Fucking Hermes. Fucking Pronax. Fucking Tegeans.","attachment":null,"posted":1713667843},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982780,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982778
>>5982779
>same second
>same roll
wuh","attachment":null,"posted":1713667904},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982781,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982770
>>5982778
>>5982779","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713667912845938.png","filename":"cat (1).png"},"posted":1713667912},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982783,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982770
>>5982778
>>5982779
Just remember lads, when this kills us, its the QMs fault this time.","attachment":null,"posted":1713667968},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982785,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982780
I have a feeling that bugged the roll, but could be wrong.","attachment":null,"posted":1713668101},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982787,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982783
Nah this won't kill us. Just make us utterly fail in this godsforaken endeavor. And then we can chokeslam Pronax for being a fucking fuckhead as well as our other uncle. Because their stupid idea was stupid.
>>5982785
Since rolls are time-seeded it's entirely possible we both rolled down to the same milisecond which gave us the exact same result, which would be effectively one roll. Which would be wild as fuck.","attachment":null,"posted":1713668188},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982805,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982787
you DID invoke Hermes, the fastest greek god","attachment":null,"posted":1713669993},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982806,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982805
Damn his sandals kek","attachment":null,"posted":1713670160},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982988,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5982778
>>5982779
This looks like 4chan board fuckery to me, I request a new 3rd roll from the players.","attachment":null,"posted":1713694154},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982990,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 11 + 2 (1d20 + 2)
>>5982988
Watch this 5","attachment":null,"posted":1713694530},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982991,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5982783
Eh, Hippomedon has little to fear here, given that he has Arion. However, his boys could definitely be killed and then he’d need to spend time rebuilding his honorguard.
By the way, if the IH successfully kill 10 enemy squadrons, they’d level up to Tier 4. I have to go back and count but I think you guys are at 3/10 currently. Basically only active combat can cause units to advance after Tier 2","attachment":null,"posted":1713694562},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982992,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5982770
>>5982778
>>5982779
>>5982990
>13 vs 16 - tough
Well, it was a good effort, but somebody coughs at the wrong time… I’m hoping for another 2-3 updates today, but let’s see how it plays out","attachment":null,"posted":1713694663},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982996,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982991
How much for tier 5? Would the first platoon also be at 1/10 for the centaur raid?","attachment":null,"posted":1713694916},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5982998,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5982996
Tier 5 basically means the unit has pulled off a “legendary action” on the battlefield or is special in some other meaningful way. It’s possible but unlikely that the IH hit Tier 5 depending on player choices in SATQ.
First platoon - I’d have to double-check on their history but that sounds right. The progress would have theoretically carried between Deianira’s quest and Nikon’s quest if, you know, Nikon hadn’t taken a spear to the face from Hector :( ","attachment":null,"posted":1713695361},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5983004,"name":"Lesches","msg":"You and your companions thread carefully through the Tegean estates – whenever possible, you stick to the shadowed copses of cypress that dot the grounds of Archigeiros’ lands. Unfortunately, it is not heavily-forested – the trees and bushes can only partially screen you and your men as you creep. You pay similar attention to the noise of your travel – making every effort to keep to the softer earth, traveling single-file (the better to hide your numbers to any future investigator), and keeping all communication at a whisper.
From across the larger estate, you hear indistinct shouting, carried to you by errant breezes. You hear no Argive horn-blast, nor do you see any obvious work of Pronax from this distance - you had half-wondered if he might try to set a watch-tower ablaze to increase the level of panic amongst the Tegeans, but no such conflagration is visible to you - he must be hoping to take at least some portion of the cattle - a good sign. At one point, you hear the sound of another horn-blower, this one much further to the south-east – a controlled series of notes that must provide some meaningful orders to the Tegean guards. You presume that this is an order from Archigeiros himself, given that the palace lies in this direction... And because many horns answer from all corners of the estate – each of them sounding one long blast, followed by a short one. If you had to guess – these answering horns translate to orders received, we are en route.
However, you are fortunate – few Tegeans are seen scurrying along the paths, and the few that you see are clearly noncombatants – laborers and fieldworkers fleeing their huts on the outskirts of the estate for the safety of their master’s palace, if you had to guess. You’re peering at one such group when a hiss from behind you catches your attention. It is your military scout, Chabrianos – the blonde man only seems to appear when there is unhappy news to share.
“Lord, quickly! Look to the northwest trail – Tegeans approach!”
Your scout speaks truly – you catch a glimpse of a marching troop before they pass into a depression, perhaps only two minutes away.","attachment":null,"posted":1713698940},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5983006,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Rolled 8 - 7 (1d20 - 7)
“Inachians, to the trees, there!” Your only chance to avoid detection is a dense collection of trees, perhaps thirty strides east of the path. Your men drop out of single-file immediately, and as a group, you canter as swiftly and as quietly as you can. Once there, you and your men dismount your collective steeds, soothing them as best as you can, and tying them in place. You quickly remind the men that you pretend to be Dorians tonight – unlike the previous skirmish, if combat breaks out, you will not have the enemy penned in place. Survivors could possibly flee to report to their master, deception is necessary as a result. As the Tegeans begin passing by, another squadron of fifty strong, you collectively hold your breath…
And one of the Argive stallions whickers loudly – the unmistakable sound of infiltrators on the ground. You growl yet another curse, as shouts of alarm rise from the passing patrol – they have clearly heard the beast but have not yet seen you and your troops. The Tegeans draw together as a unit, bunching closely – a few men immediately separate from the group to search in your direction - only a matter of time before they locate you. In the cloudless night and from this close range, it’s easy to make out the shine of brass as one of the Tegeans lifts a horn to his lips…
And your spear shatters his skull like a goose egg. The would-be horn-sounder continues to stand for another few seconds - he doesn't seem to realize that he is dead. His own companions stare at him in dread and terror, before he slowly sinks out of your sight.
Drawing your brazen sword, you shout:
”DORIANS, ATTACK, ATTACK, ATTACK!
And as one, you and your men sprint out of the shadows against the Tegean troop!
>okay /qst/ - roll me a dice+1d20 for IH initiative. There’s no context bonus here, unfortunately, given that the Tegeans are already aware of your presence.
>I’ll be rolling for the Tegeans - they are Tier 1 troops and so suffer the typical malii here.","attachment":null,"posted":1713699120},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5983009,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983006
> Rolled 8 - 7 (1d20 - 7)
>Literal 1!
Why the dice so wild all the time","attachment":null,"posted":1713699306},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5983011,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5983009
You’d be surprised and slow to respond too if your sleepy evening guarding your master’s cattle turned into an honest-to-Zeus cattle raid and then not even a couple minutes later, your good buddy Zosimus’ head explodes with no warning…","attachment":null,"posted":1713699531},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5983012,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 11 (1d20)
>>5983011
Average LBA commoner experience.
Here’s the dice. -7 might mean this could be quick and we might even be able to destroy the horn again.","attachment":null,"posted":1713699791},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5983016,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Rolled 7, 20, 6, 14, 7, 12 - 7 = 59 (6d20 - 7)
>>5983012
Nice, you guys get first blood again:
For Hippomedon, I need another dice+1d5+13. The sword-user malus basically doesn’t matter given Hippo’s insane combat bonii anyways.
For the IH, I need THREE rolls of dice+2d20 for combat performance. I’ll be rolling for the Tegeans in the typical (d,d,d,b,b,b) format.","attachment":null,"posted":1713700183},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5983017,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 4, 7 = 11 (2d20)
>>5983016","attachment":null,"posted":1713700706},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5983021,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 15, 13 = 28 (2d20)
>>5983016","attachment":null,"posted":1713701519},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5983022,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1 + 13 (1d5 + 13)
>>5983016","attachment":null,"posted":1713701579},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5983064,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 18, 5 = 23 (2d20)
>>5983016","attachment":null,"posted":1713706564},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5983080,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Rolled 4, 4, 4, 1, 2, 4, 2, 3, 1, 1, 2, 4, 1, 2, 4 = 39 (15d4)
>>5983016
>>5983017
>>5983021
>>5983022
>>5983064
>Hippo does 14 damage
>IH against Tegeans - 18, 13 vs 13, 7 - successful attack!
Rolling for troop damage part 1","attachment":null,"posted":1713708502},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5983083,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Rolled 2, 4, 3, 1, 1, 1, 3, 2, 2, 2 = 21 (10d4)
>>5983080
rolling for troop damage part 2
I'm hoping to get out another update somewhere around 2-3pm to conclude this battle turn. Starting next turn, I'll have the Tegeans start rolling 1d6s to recover their lost horn.
Let's have another mini-vote that will end at 3pm:
>continue Hippomedon's attack to kill as many as possible. The Tegeans will break faster if Hippomedon is at work!
>abandon Hippomedon's next combat turn to find and destroy the Tegean horn ASAP.","attachment":null,"posted":1713708705},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5983084,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983083
>abandon Hippomedon's next combat turn to find and destroy the Tegean horn ASAP.","attachment":null,"posted":1713708827},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5983096,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983083
>>abandon Hippomedon's next combat turn to find and destroy the Tegean horn ASAP.","attachment":null,"posted":1713710289},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5983129,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983083
>abandon Hippomedon's next combat turn to find and destroy the Tegean horn ASAP.","attachment":null,"posted":1713716218},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5983272,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Delay on the update - should be out for 10pm or so EST. Got stuck in some other business","attachment":null,"posted":1713727871},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5983849,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Uh, a second delay. When it rains, it pours, lads. Update will probably come tomorrow night but a slim chance that I can put something out for 7am EST","attachment":null,"posted":1713753331},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5983850,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983272
>>5983849
Busy weekend, huh? I hope all is well, and will be waiting warmly.","attachment":null,"posted":1713753373},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5984081,"name":"Lesches","msg":"As you sprint out of the underbrush, outpacing your men, you hear cries of alarm – the idiots are still looking at their collapsed hornblower. Only one man, on the east side of the formation, is paying attention:
“Look up, look up, they are coming!”
Even with this Tegeans’ word of warning, his squadron is slow to react – faces finally turn in your direction, but the enemy unit is a green one… They cannot believe that they are actually under attack. With your limited numbers and such a slow-footing enemy, you elect to shift your men and match them man for man at one end. You intend to place yourself in the middle of the troop, to give your men time to attack. Additionally, their horn lies somewhere in the middle of the unit – best destroy it as soon as possible.
”DORIANS, SHIFT SOUTH!” you cry, as you maintain your heading, and you leap into the Tegeans like a wolf might leap into the chicken coop. Your sword’s edge is sharp; you remove the head of a Tegean without a second thought, and in the same motion, disembowel one of the lesser men now behind you. The Tegeans panic – their lesser blows scrabble against your bronze, but none of these commoners have the strength or skill necessary to wound you, or even to slow you down. Another Tegean exposes his neck and left shoulder with a childish thrust against your breastplate – you don’t even bother to block the “attack” before chopping down at the man, carving a phenomenal gash from his collarbone to his umbilicus. The closest Tegean men stagger backwards, fleeing your immediate zone of control, and in the process – revealing their detachment’s brass horn, and the motionless form of your hornblower. You seize the moment, forgoing another flashing attack to crush the horn with a sandaled stop, and then bending low to retrieve your spear from the skull of the Tegean. You sigh faintly in relief – fighting with a sword just isn’t the same. A grateful thought enters your mind, almost unrelated to the moment at hand –
Truly, I am blessed that I am so capable in application of arms – these simple pleasures in service to Argos sustain me...
Your honorguard reaches the southern end of the Tegean patrol, and find immediate purchase there – lesser wolves flensing the living meat from a pack of hounds. In the first few moments, approximately twelve Tegeans of fifty are slain; another handful are wounded so badly they are out of the fight. Your men have successfully opened a line of battle, and you are placed within the center mass of the enemy, spear in hand. Excellent positioning!
>okay, /qst/ - we need new combat rolls for the IH vs T unit skirmish. I'll be rolling for the Tegean initiative and combat performance - they now have a general -9 performance malii.
>I need ONE roll of dice+1d20 for IH initiative, followed by THREE rolls of dice+2d20, please!","attachment":null,"posted":1713781773},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5984082,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Rolled 1, 15, 2, 19, 20, 5, 17 = 79 (7d20)
>>5984081
Oops, forgot my rolls.
>>5983850
You know, sometimes I get roped into "family time" for such reasons as "your family loves you" and "put that ancient fucking poem down, you moron".","attachment":null,"posted":1713781878},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5984083,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5984082
>Tegeans roll a literal one for initiative for the second time in a row. Jesus.
>IH must beat a 9,10
I'm giving back Hippomedon's combat turn for this battle phase through QM fiat, this unit deserves to be put out of its misery. I need an additional dice+1d5+13 for Hippomedon's attack!","attachment":null,"posted":1713781989},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5984086,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1 + 13 (1d5 + 13)
>>5984083","attachment":null,"posted":1713782674},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5984091,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 10, 4 = 14 (2d20)
>>5984081
Here","attachment":null,"posted":1713784997},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5984147,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":"Rolled 17, 13 = 30 (2d20)
>>5984081
Are we looting the Tegeans as we go? Seems like a Dorian thing to do.","attachment":null,"posted":1713793856},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5984150,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5984147
You haven’t been, actually.
These guys are dirt-poor and really don’t have anything of value on them, besides their shoddy arms and armor. The brass horns are worth something but Hippomedon is so filthy rich he doesn’t care about them, beyond destroying them. Behind the scenes, the IH are replacing any broken gear automatically.","attachment":null,"posted":1713794456},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5984247,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 9, 13 = 22 (2d20)
>>5984081","attachment":null,"posted":1713806866},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5984270,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Rolled 2, 4, 3, 3, 1, 2, 1, 3, 2, 4, 4, 3, 2, 1, 2 = 37 (15d4)
>>5984091
>>5984147
>>5984247
I’m phone posting but IH beat the Tegeans again through solid and unremarkable spear work. Consistency is the mark of greatness, you know.","attachment":null,"posted":1713811629},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5984271,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Rolled 3, 3, 2, 4, 3, 3, 3, 3, 1, 4 = 29 (10d4)
>>5984270
And the second half of damage rolls…","attachment":null,"posted":1713811690},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5984276,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Rolled 14 (1d20)
>>5984271
Morale check - Tegeans must roll 6 or under to stay in the fight","attachment":null,"posted":1713812572},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5984460,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Spear in hand once more, you proceed to slay another two men – neither of them prepared for your spear’s reach or the expert skill in which you wield it. The first dies badly – your spear smashes apart his jaws and throat, leaving a mangled mess behind – a slow end. The second dies better – your spear penetrates his lower gut, and withdrawing, you set loose a great torrent of his life’s blood – such men die so quickly as to nearly avoid the pain of it. With a passing strike of your spear-butt, a third Tegean is brained – he falls senselessly to the ground, although whether he lives still is unclear to you.
You glance to your men and find that to the immediate south, your men are making steady work of the Tegeans – no acts of brilliance from them, they are succeeding once again through cautious and consistent spearwork. The Tegeans, by comparison, are visibly fraying – alternating between rage and terror, they stumble forwards to make uncoordinated spear-thrusts and then stumble back with every counter-stroke. Your honorguard makes excellent use of their limited numbers – constantly picking apart the Tegean line by luring individual soldiers out of position and then bringing them down before they can rejoin their squadron. They make quick work of the enemy in this fashion – another fifteen or so Tegeans are cut down in a matter of a few heartbeats, as you watch.
When the Tegeans break, they attempt to flee in nearly all directions – annoying of them, as they scream and shout their prayers to the Olympians. The racket causes you to wince - perhaps eleven of them are still unwounded enough to run properly, while another four Tegeans hobble, crawl and scrabble away into the grasses like undignified beasts. You cannot let them escape, of course.
”Dorians, cast spears!”, you cry.
Your men quickly oblige, while you gather a few Tegean spears for yourself – you plan to take any who escape, but it ends up not being necessary – your honorguard pick their targets well, and run down the victims who survive their first wounding. Stashing the bodies in the copse off the trail, where you had hidden the horses, is another hurried affair. The blood on the trail will be discovered by sunrise, but the night has only just begun – you still have many hours until Helios Ὑπεριων’s chariot takes flight above the disc of the world once more.
As you make your way southwest, you listen carefully - still, there is the repeating of horns from the various patrols as they head to Pronax's location, but no change in their patterns - you suspect that Pronax has either hidden himself well, or has fled his position, making all speed to the eastern herds. You set your mind to the task of steathily approaching the next watch-tower - your men ride single-file once more, borne upon the backs of Argive stallions...
>okay, /qst/ - I need ONE roll of dice+1d20 - we're taking a spin on the Homeric Happenings table, good luck!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713836515227662.jpg","filename":"fleeing tegeans.jpg"},"posted":1713836515},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5984481,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 16 (1d20)
>>5984460
You mean a roll on the "shit's fucked" table? kek","attachment":null,"posted":1713837832},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5984504,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5984481
Thanks anon - a better-than-expected outcome! Usually these random events really end up rustling everyone jimmies, but not this time!","attachment":null,"posted":1713838877},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5984534,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984504
Don't worry, a decent roll here means dogwater rolls for the next thing instead.","attachment":null,"posted":1713841035},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5984558,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Is Hippo a good enough shot to spearcast the next horn directly rather than just simply the hornblower?","attachment":null,"posted":1713843137},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5984563,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5984558
My gut reaction is “yes, but that’s a tricky shot to make and you guys would have to roll for it.” Hippo would probably prefer to just kill the hornblower and find the horn after, since that’s worked well so far.","attachment":null,"posted":1713843600},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5984581,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984563
What do these horns even look like?
If these hornblowers are wearing them on their sides, I don't quite see why a spear cast wouldn't utterly tear in half the carrier, even with a partial hit.","attachment":null,"posted":1713844649},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5984599,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984581
I'm pretty sure they're just relatively long straight horns. Kinda like a clarinet without the holes or buttons.","attachment":null,"posted":1713846201},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5984794,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5984581
>>5984599
Right, they’re long and pretty thin except for the wider part at the end, it could be tough to have a clear shot at the bell end of it, given that the Tegean would have it strapped to his back or belt. If the guy turns slightly it could occlude the cast, basically","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713876493725563.jpg","filename":"nypl.digitalcollections.510d47e3-393b-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99.001.w.jpg"},"posted":1713876493},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5985532,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Your travel through the night countryside is a strange thing – hurried through the open spaces, near-dawdling when you must creep through the underbrush. You stay off the trail – keeping it somewhere between thirty and fifty strides to your right, close enough for monitoring of any Tegean traffic. You must occasionally risk detection by spying ahead with Chabrianos, but your troupe successfully stays out of sight – the initial burst of fleeing servants and laborers has dwindled. As you crest over a low hill, a strange sight greets you in the shallow depression below:
Two robed figures labor against a donkey cart, stuck within a muddy patch of the trail – clearly straining against the weight. A donkey is hitched to the cart, but even from this distance, you can see that it labors for breath in an exhausted fashion. The cart itself is covered with a woolen blanket or hide of some kind, and it’s not overly large – you can think of few things that might make a small cart so heavy that a donkey and two men cannot move it.
For one - gold.
The robed figures hiss at each other in frustration, their voices lowered – they haven’t spotted you. From their attire, their predicament, and their venomous whispering, you guess at once that they are thieves. You’re quick to halt your band of castle rustlers, as you drop to your feet, and consider your next move.
>wat do, /qst/?
>The gods are kind to Argive men – slay these men, take whatever Timae is present, and move along, as is your right. The donkey-cart, if it is full of gold like you suspect, will make a fine addition to the cattle-raid’s profits, even if it slows the travel of your particular group.
>Leave the men be – whatever tribulations they suffer are none of your concern, nor do you wish to complicate your cattle raid. You've found success in life through dutiful action and avoiding complexities; you will not deviate from this path for an uncertain benefit.
>Take the men hostage and learn what you can from them – perhaps further interrogation will clarify your best course of action. Of course, the longer you speak with them, the greater the chances that they may deduce your true identity.
>Something else?","attachment":null,"posted":1713928664},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5985533,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985532
>Leave the men be – whatever tribulations they suffer are none of your concern, nor do you wish to complicate your cattle raid. You've found success in life through dutiful action and avoiding complexities; you will not deviate from this path for an uncertain benefit.","attachment":null,"posted":1713928809},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5985545,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985532
>The gods are kind to Argive men – slay these men, take whatever Timae is present, and move along, as is your right.
Supplies win wars, and Hippo and Co have already killed like a hundred guys, what's two more?
This reminds me of Nira and that one handmaiden gal, though looking back on it, that handmaiden had a heart of stone by abandoning her lady, whom she abused into being an empty husk. I even remember Nira being somewhat horrified by the relationship that handmaiden created with her lady.
>>5983084
me","attachment":null,"posted":1713929647},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5985551,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985532
>>The gods are kind to Argive men – slay these men, take whatever Timae is present, and move along, as is your right. The donkey-cart, if it is full of gold like you suspect, will make a fine addition to the cattle-raid’s profits, even if it slows the travel of your particular group.","attachment":null,"posted":1713930086},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5985553,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985532
>The gods are kind to Argive men – slay these men, take whatever Timae is present, and move along, as is your right. The donkey-cart, if it is full of gold like you suspect, will make a fine addition to the cattle-raid’s profits, even if it slows the travel of your particular group.
We are here to get supplies and money to make it to Thebes unmolested. We are going to fucking do that. Killing a couple of thieves is of little consequence unless these are Gods or Daimons in disguise to fuck with us.
.....considering the QM enforced nature of this raid, something fucked up is bound to happen.","attachment":null,"posted":1713930101},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5985571,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":">>5985532
>LOOT
>Tie the wagon to a pair of horses rather than a lone donkey","attachment":null,"posted":1713930770},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5985622,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985532
>>Take the men hostage and learn what you can from them – perhaps further interrogation will clarify your best course of action. Of course, the longer you speak with them, the greater the chances that they may deduce your true identity.
Curiosity killed the cat but satisfaction brought it back.","attachment":null,"posted":1713933954},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5986238,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Let em slide
>>5985533
Take what's yours
>>5985545
>>5985551
>>5985553
>>5985571 (and ditch the donkey)
Interrogate
>>5985622
---
"Kill em good" wins, but unfortunately no update tonight - have too much work to juggle. Next update tomorrow at 10pm EST","attachment":null,"posted":1714011024},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5986302,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986238
Thanks for the update, QM!","attachment":null,"posted":1714016187},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5986951,"name":"Lesches","msg":"In the end, you decide that you must do as a raiding Heraclid must do – you will kill the cart-pushers and take their wealth for your own. Some stealth is required here – you remove your triple-tiered helm, its white plumes standing erect and tall, and calmly hand it over to Chabrianos, your military scout. The weight of the helm is barely noticeable to you, but Chabrianos strains to avoid dropping it into the dirt. Paying him no mind, you collect a pair of Tegean spears that you had pilfered after the last skirmish, and crouching forwards, peer over the grasses of the hill at the straining men below.
Looking at them and their furtive movements a second time – they hunch their shoulders and duck their heads by reflex. You suspect the men are not amateurs, but instead practiced thieves of some kind fresh from their own raid on Archigeiros’ treasure vault. They probably had been planning this heist for days or even longer, and your cattle raid was a convenient opportunity for them to strike. All the better – it is no crime to re-appropriate stolen goods, for one, and for two – you’re here to rob Archigeiros yourself.
You test the Tegean spears – crudely hewn wooden stakes with equally-crude bronze tips. At this short distance, the shoddy quality won’t matter – not with your powerful right arm casting them and your keen eye guiding them.
>Hippomedon auto-succeeds on these casts, of course…
Your first spear takes the taller of the two men in the upper back – he makes an awful hacking sound before a death-rattle escapes his lips. The second of the thieves, thicker around the middle and surprisingly fast on his feet, doesn’t spare a though for his collapsing comrade – he immediately turns and flees at top speed. No matter – he cannot run faster than you can throw. Your spear takes him in the side, sending him sprawling into the grasses by the trailside. You wait patiently for signs of life, but you’re satisfied when you hear nothing and see no movement from the two corpses.
The donkey, oblivious to the death of its masters, stamps its front hooves, seemingly bored.
You flash hand-signals to your honorguard, and approach the cart flanked by your men – covered with a heavy hide tarp, the cart’s wheels have sunk heavily into the muddy trail. Another set of your Inachians move to collect the dead thieves for inspection. While they labor with the corpses, you grasp at the hide tarp with one hand and with a single motion, strip it from the cart. You and your men peer inside, eager to learn what riches are within…
>roll me a dice+1d4 to see how much Timae's inside, /qst/","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714099975044969.jpg","filename":"donkey cart.jpg"},"posted":1714099975},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5986959,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 4 (1d4)
>>5986951","attachment":null,"posted":1714100759},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5986961,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5986959
Nice - and there’ll be more than gold in there.
Next update tomorrow night EST!","attachment":null,"posted":1714100920},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5986966,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986959
>>5986961
Hippo was right, these guys were PROFESSIONAL thieves. A shame they had to die.","attachment":null,"posted":1714101086},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5987067,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986966
Not shame, thieves and criminals get what they deserve.","attachment":null,"posted":1714114254},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5987068,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987067
Then I can't help but wonder what Hippo will deserve for his actions in this raid.","attachment":null,"posted":1714114435},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5987138,"name":"Lesches","msg":"The cart brims with Tegean gold – under the moonlight, it takes on a silverish-quality, but you know the look of it under any circumstances. Goblets, mixing bowls studded with jewels, statuettes , and silverware are scattered within – piles of gold talents drown the bottom of the cart carelessly, and hide further treasures from sight. A silver-nailed sword and gilded scabbard, clearly meant as display pieces, stands against the cart wall in the far corner. In the other corner, a heavy tapestry or rug of some kind is rolled up into a long tube, and bent in the middle to fit inside the crammed cart – it is covered with a white linen cloth of high-quality, glimmering under the light of Selene. You trade excited glances with Chabrianos – this is wealth enough for a commoner and his extended family to live like royalty for decades, if they can hold onto it. Even for you, a very wealthy man, it represents a very significant amount of gold. Your own treasure vault might hold three times the gold, although your wealth in herds and livestock cannot be reduced to a single room. No wonder the men were struggling to get this cart up the hill – you actually have to strain a bit yourself to free the cart from the muddy path; it pops loose with a sucking noise.
For player convenience = this cart is basically worth about 500 cattle on its own. I’d like to make clear that Timae points are not all equal; they are a measure of relative wealth and so the “Timae scale” is logarithmic in nature.
A phenomenal find. you consider, this alone might be success enough for the cattle raid… It occurs to you that you might simply take the cart and head back to Argos; it would be tremendously easier and safer to smuggle a single gold-laden cart home than a thousand cattle, although armies cannot eat gold. As you consider, you inspect the bodies of the slain thieves, who have been brought to the cart for closer inspection:
The taller and thinner of the two men is clearly of noble heritage, although only of average height for a nobleman. His hair is light brown, as is his eyes, but his skin is lighter – likely he hails from the middle part of Hellas. He carries almost nothing on his person, leaving you with few clues as to his identity – the only exception, is a silver ring on his left hand. Removing it, you see that there are markings on the interior surface, although you cannot read them yourself – you’ll have to show the ring to one of the literate Argives that you know to discern the meaning. From his features and coloration, you guess that he is Phocian, although you cannot be certain of it. The second man is found to be a large commoner man, bearded, with rounded belly and thick shoulders. There are millions of commoner Hellenes who have this profile – you immediately assume that he is the Phocian’s thiefly lieutenant.
>2nd half of the update will come later tonight, ran out of time before work...","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714131889667894.jpg","filename":"treasure.jpg"},"posted":1714131889},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5988007,"name":"Lesches","msg":"The donkey stirs – you had forgotten about it. You free the beast and slap its hindquarters, and it ambles a few strides off the trail to munch on weeds. You whistle to your men and one of the Argive steeds is hitched to the cart. Mounting Arion, you distinctly see the white linen cloth covering the tapestry twitch.
Someone is in there!
You leap off Arion once more, and quickly pull back the linen sheet:
A woman is trapped within the rolled tapestry – the heavy weave traps her entire body from the neck down, and she is both blindfolded and gagged. Your right hand rises to your temple in surprise – you were not expecting a hostage! Even with her face partially obscured by her bonds, you can tell the woman is of noble birth and of great beauty; messy curls of gleaming hair cascade freely about her face, ebony tresses that catch the starlight and reflect it back to you. A strange acrid scent fills your nose – a sour and musty smell from the tapestry; the night breeze carries the scent away. Pleasant perfume rises into the air to take its place. You stretch forwards and remove the woman’s gag – she immediately spits out a smaller, second ball of slimy cloth, and hoarsely whispers:
“Archigeiros – is that you?! Release me from this damned rug!!” The noblewoman struggles against her bonds, desperate to escape her situation.
Chabrianos looks at you questioningly – you groan as you consider the implications. You are tempted to simply strangle her now, but her death might complicate matters immensely in the future. For one, a cattle raid can be forgiven with appropriate remuneration, but you doubt that Archigeiros and his family could forgive the murder of a sister, cousin or wife – this woman's death could spark a war.
>/qst/ - what do? This vote closes at 8pm EST.
>Release the bonds of the woman and speak with her further to determine her identity and her potential value as a hostage. However, this approach may risk Hippomedon’s disguise as a Heraclid. On the upside – the woman may be worth significant wealth as a hostage, and perhaps there’s a clever way to sell her off to a third kingdom without spoiling your identity. QM’S WARNING: Beautiful Hellenic women have a tendency of getting what they want - she may be persuasive.
>Re-gag the woman; institute silence amongst your men to preserve your identities – this is a problem to address once the raid is over, and in conference with Pronax. Hippomedon will keep the woman safely within the cart for now.
>Re-gag the woman; silence amongst your men – and drop the woman off at the nearest safe opportunity. She is sure to be discovered by the Tegeans sooner rather than later, and this option will preserve Hippomedon’s identity, while also keeping this cattle raid simplified. However, Hippomedon loses out on any opportunity to discover her identity or otherwise profit from her capture.
>Something else?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714226963761926.jpg","filename":"hostage taking.jpg"},"posted":1714226963},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5988011,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988007
>>Re-gag the woman; institute silence amongst your men to preserve your identities – this is a problem to address once the raid is over, and in conference with Pronax. Hippomedon will keep the woman safely within the cart for now.","attachment":null,"posted":1714227298},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5988013,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988007
>Re-gag the woman; institute silence amongst your men to preserve your identities – this is a problem to address once the raid is over, and in conference with Pronax. Hippomedon will keep the woman safely within the cart for now.
Can’t Hippo just render her unconscious rather than instituting silence among his men?","attachment":null,"posted":1714227371},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5988018,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5988013
We’re sort of operating on real-life mechanics here - knocking someone out in real life carries the very real risk of accidentally killing them. Hippomedon’s not sure that he can deliver the precise force necessary to put her out without killing her in the process. Not to mention - even noblewomen with divine ancestry can be physically fragile. If there was consensus, you could certainly try to do this, but I’d make guys roll for it.
Anyways, silence is not a big deal for Hippo and his crew, since they also have the ability to speak in hand-signs. Hippomedon is a battle autist and trained his IH years ago for situations like this.","attachment":null,"posted":1714228106},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5988021,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988018
I was thinking more of a chokehold or something rather than Hippo just cracking her over the head.
> trained his IH years ago for situations like this.
Thank goodness for battle autism!","attachment":null,"posted":1714228356},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5988036,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5988021
Oh I see - these kinds of sleeper holds in real-life are usually pretty temporary, once O2 is getting back to the brain, people wake up in a few seconds, maybe half a minute at the absolute longest. Anything longer and you start getting into brain damage territory.
Source: me getting my ass handled in friendly wrestling bouts in college","attachment":null,"posted":1714229407},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5988130,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":">>5988007
>No gag, silence, give her water, leave her here blindfolded with the donkey & the dead thieves
Without a gag she can call for help when the Tegeans are nearby, the water will keep her alive, the blindfold ensures our anonimity, leaving her here & the small act of kindness will cause the Tegeans to be slightly less vengeful towards us should our identities be surmised, & the thieves will clearly be the kidnappers.","attachment":null,"posted":1714235273},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5988135,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":">>5988036
Honestly based that you aren't giving us either option, a quarterish-divine giant warrior smacking you on the back of the head is a good way to have your eggs scrambled.","attachment":null,"posted":1714235393},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5988152,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988007
>Re-gag the woman; institute silence amongst your men to preserve your identities – this is a problem to address once the raid is over, and in conference with Pronax. Hippomedon will keep the woman safely within the cart for now.","attachment":null,"posted":1714236046},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5988303,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988135
Imagine someone "gently" knocking you out with a shovel. That's probably what it's like for Hippo to pat the back of someone's head. Which, by the way in case anyone is curious, the back of the head is one of the more dangerous places to hit someone, please express caution when doing so.","attachment":null,"posted":1714243108},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5988404,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988007
>Something else?
>Kill her.
If we do anything else we WILL be flagged as NOT DORIANS! This is absolutely the WORST fucking thing that could happen here. Honestly we would be better off just killing her. She even mentioned the fucker that we are currently cattle raiding, she could be his fucking wife. This bitch is CLEARLY a threat to this already stupid mission. Kill her and be done with it to avoid an international incident.","attachment":null,"posted":1714248204},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5988641,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Figure it out later
>>5988011
>>5988013
>>5988152
Drop her off now
>>5988130
Murder
>>5988404
---
"Figure it out later" is locked in - I should be able to push out a morning update tomorrow EST, but nothing for tonight, unfortunately. The universe is sort of conspiring against me to jam up my days with nonsense right now.","attachment":null,"posted":1714265676},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5989030,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"I’ve been sort of wondering this, but why is it the nobles, or at least when we are reading through their POVs, notice how similar they all look to each other: Hippo with that Hercalide and Eteocles with Tydeus? Unless godly genes mean some features just really get passed on, no matter how diluted.
Also, were there supposed to be godly-rage-murder-murder-mode rolls with this raid?","attachment":null,"posted":1714287817},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5989102,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5989030
I’m stealing Statius’ artistic vision and passing it off as my own. It’ll become clearer over time.
>>5989030
I havent clarified this in the past but aristeias are really only prompted when nobility are under significant threat. You guys have been by BTFOing the Tegeans so hard, Hippomedon hasn’t even broken a sweat. Just a lazy day at the office for him… Mechanically, Hippo is already auto-winning his combat rolls here given the massive disparity between himself and the Tegeans, so assigning another +4 combat bonii wouldn’t be terribly impactful either","attachment":null,"posted":1714301281},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5989106,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988641
Fuck, missed the vote. Luckily it still went the way I wanted.
If we keep her gagged and blindfolded and don't let her see anything, we can always pretend we either freed her, or we can always drop her off on the roadside. And we can also always interrogate her, potentially learn more things. It's simply delaying our choice until later when we will know more.","attachment":null,"posted":1714302054},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5989155,"name":"Lesches","msg":"A dilemma for another time, you decide. You shove the slimy ball of cloth back into the woman’s mouth, before replacing her gag – her indignant shouts are soon muffled. The white linen sheet goes back over her head, and flashing hand-signals, you begin to travel once more.
Chabrianos asks with his hands –
Who is she?
You reply:
Don’t know. Must confer with Pronax. The heavily-scarred commoner shrugs, clearly mollified by your decision - he rejoins the honorguard.
As you set off, you listen carefully for signs of trouble on the Tegean estate, but there’s still been no change of affairs : the Tegean squadron horns have continued to sound at regular intervals, drifting east, and you’ve heard no Argive horn-blasts. Whether Pronax has successfully taken any cattle, you aren’t sure, but at the least, he must have escaped, drawing Archigeiros’ forces in that direction. You are still undiscovered – the blessing of Hermes Φηλητης is still upon your and your half of the Inachian Honorguard. The woman in the donkey cart occasionally attempts to scream and shout, but her bonds are tight and her gag secure – you can barely hear her muffled cries yourself, and so you have little to fear that she might spoil your raid. The cart itself is quite heavy, clinking faintly with gold, and cannot easily travel through rough terrain - it stays upon the trail, while you and your men can shadow its progress from a distance.
Darting southwest, you come across the next watch-tower – and find it abandoned. You’re momentarily confused by this, but you conclude that the Tegean unit you had ambushed on the road must have come from this sentry post. As to why they might leave their position – that question is answered when you take a moment to climb the watch-tower’s wooden ladder, to the top platform. The timbre groans in protest at the weight of you and your armor, but the wood is old – made petrified and strong after years of arid summer heat. There’s another sentry-post quite close to the northwest – it’s easily visible to you as you crouch to reduce your profile as best as you can. Based on the number of torches dotting the sentry-post and surrounding ground, it’s a double encampment – two separate Tegean squads are there, likely totaling 100 men. The Tegean troopers you killed earlier on the road must have joined the hunt for Pronax, given that three squadrons had been placed here.
Scanning south – you see your prize! There are many motionless silhouettes of sleeping cattle, bunched together within two neighboring pastures, visible under the moon and stars. Pronax’s scouts spoke truly, for you estimate that a thousand head of livestock are within sight. But how to proceed?
>vote post next","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714309816299984.jpg","filename":"raid map update.jpg"},"posted":1714309816},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5989156,"name":"Lesches","msg":">This vote will close at 9pm EST tonight...
>The double-unit watchtower to the northwest be addressed before any livestock are captured – your presence makes it possible for a tiny ambush force to attack the larger group and win. Your honorguard and yourself will attempt the same ring-ambush method that worked well against the first watch-tower’s sentries. However, there is a 1:5 disparity in troop count here – victory is not guaranteed, even with your presence. Additionally, there are likely at least two horn-blowers here, doubling the chances of a wider alarm being sounded across the enemy estate.
>The double-unit watchtower to the northwest must be addressed – but you’ll have to separate the units somehow. Multiple options here are present, but each of them risks the possibility of a wider alarm going up against the wider estates. Three main subvote items here are:
a) Hippo rides Arion and serves as bait from the northwest – he kills any horn-blowers from afar, and attempts to draw an enemy unit in pursuit. Once separated, your honorguard attacks the remaining unit, while you singlehandedly defeat your pursuers.
b) Hippo creates some sort of bait here at the abandoned watch-tower to draw a Tegean unit to this position for an ambush. However, their reaction to any such bait will be uncertain, and fighting even a single Tegean guard unit here will almost certainly draw the attentions of the remaining unit – they’ll certainly hear the sound of combat.
c) Something other strategy to address the doubled guard? Please specify if possible.
>Forget the double watch-tower entirely, and instead seek to capture a smaller number of cattle – it may be possible to smuggle a smaller herd further south, looping towards the main palace (out of sight of the double guard-tower) and then returning north. However, five hundred moving cattle do not travel quietly – it’s very possible that you might be spotted as you travel through the estates in this fashion.
>Abandon the cattle raid at this juncture, and make your escape with your Tegean gold - this is compensation enough for the night's labors.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714310017362997.jpg","filename":"watchtower.jpg"},"posted":1714310017},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5989161,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989156
>Abandon the cattle raid at this juncture, and make your escape with your Tegean gold - this is compensation enough for the night's labors.
Agamemnon wants gold, he'll get it but not from Argive coffers!","attachment":null,"posted":1714310727},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5989173,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989156
>Abandon the cattle raid at this juncture, and make your escape with your Tegean gold - this is compensation enough for the night's labors.
I wonder how much cattle a noblewoman’s ransom is worth","attachment":null,"posted":1714312788},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5989201,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989156
>Forget the double watch-tower entirely, and instead seek to capture a smaller number of cattle – it may be possible to smuggle a smaller herd further south, looping towards the main palace (out of sight of the double guard-tower) and then returning north. However, five hundred moving cattle do not travel quietly – it’s very possible that you might be spotted as you travel through the estates in this fashion.","attachment":null,"posted":1714315449},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5989211,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5989173
>how much is a hostage worth?
Tons of variables here, but the wealth of the “purchaser” and identity of the hostage are probably two biggest drivers. Any sale of this woman would be complicated by the fact that Hippo and co would have to conceal their identities as the kidnappers in the process, which would probably reduce profit at the bottom line (unless you guys think up a clever solution)","attachment":null,"posted":1714316122},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5989375,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":">>5989155
>Five Inachians will return with the cart & hostage, being sure to maintain silence
>Hippo will sneak up to the double encampment along with his scout Chabrianos & identify, then eliminate the brass horns
>The remaining Inachians will lie in wait to ambush the Tegeans as they chase Hippo & Chabrianos, setting traps along the route
This raid would be a failure if we returned to Archigeiros and could not answer when he proclaims: "Where's the beef?!"","attachment":null,"posted":1714327176},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5989392,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989211
Ah, but we AREN'T the kidnappers! We can make the sounds of battle all around her once we get her home, then untie and unbind her later and say we liberated she and her surrounding possessions from some bandits. We can then 'request' the contents of the wagon (and some a little something extra) as a boon in return.","attachment":null,"posted":1714328228},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5989433,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5989392
This kind of deception could be organized but would require some rolling - the noblewoman should be given a fair chance to dissect the lie in Homer's system of contested rolls.","attachment":null,"posted":1714331986},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5989442,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989392
>>5989433
The problem I see with it is she'll hear the cows we bring along with it. If we "rescued" her but didn't return ANY of the shit, it could be seen as "tough luck" or as mighty fishy. I guess it would depend on how relieved she and Archie are for her to be okay.
If we wanted to do any of that we'd want to break her off after a spell so she would hear the cattle leave. Then it's just a girl and a cart full of goodies that get "liberated". Maybe have someone other than Hippo and the honorguard release her, and then blame the Dorians. Long shot but still.","attachment":null,"posted":1714332524},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5989447,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5989442
As a QM’s hint: remember that Hippomedon is more or less “the crown prince” of Argos, and not a fucking nobody like Nikandros. Characters in SATQ will behave accordingly, and may act in counterintuitive fashion in some cases","attachment":null,"posted":1714332917},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5989455,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989447
I'm hoping the dark was enough to obscure her vision enough to not be able to pick out Hippo's features when he ungagged her.","attachment":null,"posted":1714333246},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5989458,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":"Seems like a plan is coming together, just need to separate her from the cattle, get some bandits who look sufficiently Dorian as props (corpses), & then we can "avenge" our neighbors against the "Heraclidae" and send her home. The cattle must have already set sail.","attachment":null,"posted":1714333722},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5989572,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989173
I change my vote to this,
>a) Hippo rides Arion and serves as bait from the northwest – he kills any horn-blowers from afar, and attempts to draw an enemy unit in pursuit. Once separated, your honorguard attacks the remaining unit, while you singlehandedly defeat your pursuers.","attachment":null,"posted":1714343531},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5989588,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989455
Likewise.
>>5989442
I think we can pull that off!","attachment":null,"posted":1714344217},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5989593,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5989455
>>5989588
This might have been unclear, but she was blindfolded the whole time - Hippo just temporarily removed her gag and then replaced it.
However you’ll note that she can hear perfectly well, which is why Hippo instituted hand signs only","attachment":null,"posted":1714344652},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5989596,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989593
I really did read "blindfolded and gagged" and completely forgot I read "blindfolded". My brain is mashed fucking peas I swear to god kek.","attachment":null,"posted":1714344801},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5989696,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Friendly bump - I’m extending the vote window to 12am EST since we’re missing about half our typical voters…
Next update will likely come tomorrow night EST","attachment":null,"posted":1714350938},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5989707,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989156
>Forget the double watch-tower entirely, and instead seek to capture a smaller number of cattle – it may be possible to smuggle a smaller herd further south, looping towards the main palace (out of sight of the double guard-tower) and then returning north. However, five hundred moving cattle do not travel quietly – it’s very possible that you might be spotted as you travel through the estates in this fashion.
The least bad option of the lot. I do NOT trust using this woman wont fuck us over somehow.We should steal the 1000 cows off to the right side of the estate, take the gold and sell the bitch to the Dorians and be done with it.","attachment":null,"posted":1714351669},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5989715,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989707
>right side of the estate
If I’m not mistaken that’s where Pronax is and probably the vast majority of the estate troops currently.","attachment":null,"posted":1714352714},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5989740,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"I wonder, could it be possible to get Arion to go alone up to those commoners speak to them and trick them into heading east by posing as a messenger of the gods?","attachment":null,"posted":1714354953},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5989746,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989740
Arion cannot speak. He is a god-horse, but still a horse.","attachment":null,"posted":1714355390},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5989756,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989740
The horse can TALK? Sheeeeeit son. I vote to go with this plan.","attachment":null,"posted":1714355902},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5989767,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989746
>Adrastus once claimed to hear the beast speak – a story taken seriously, given that the stallion was the product of a union between Poseidon Ἱππιος and his sister Demeter Καλλισφυρος
Maybe uncle is just senile.
But if Lesches approves my plan I'll change my vote >>5989572 to horse talk trickery.","attachment":null,"posted":1714356670},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5989776,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5989740
>>5989746
>>5989756
>>5989767
Hippomedon can ask the horse to speak, but there’s no guarantee that Arion will comply with Hippo’s request. In fact, some would argue that Arion is a pure Olympian by heritage, despite his equine form.","attachment":null,"posted":1714356900},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5990077,"name":"Lesches","msg":"We appear to be deadlocked 2-2 - I’m extending the vote window to 8pm tonight so that lurkers can jump in and make their voice heard.
If we’re still locked by 8pm, will roll a d2 to determine our destiny","attachment":null,"posted":1714407606},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5990369,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":">>5990077
Let the Furies decide, Great Poet","attachment":null,"posted":1714439103},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5990373,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d2)
>>5990369
You got it boss
1 = Hippo exfils now with the money
2 = Hippo goes for the beef","attachment":null,"posted":1714439204},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5990474,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Another delay on the update - it occurs to me that I have a shitload of rolling to do with Pronax and his team before I can re-unite plot threads.
Work is quieting down for me a little bit this week and so I'm hoping to update more regularly starting tomorrow...
Special QM's note: I've been QMing for a year! How time flies. I've really enjoyed my time in the LBA and I hope you players have too! My grand narrative arc should be coming into focus soon...","attachment":null,"posted":1714445176},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5990481,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990474
Happy anniversary, QM!","attachment":null,"posted":1714445382},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5990503,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990474
One year and a boatload of words.","attachment":null,"posted":1714448421},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5990526,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990474
Gratz on 1-year of QMing, Lesches!","attachment":null,"posted":1714450919},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5990670,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5990481
>>5990503
>>5990526
Thanks for the kind words, fellas - I've really enjoyed it, to be honest, even if there has sometimes been heartbreak as well (River Vietnam in Deianira's quest, Nikon's untimely end in TWQ). I don't usually get to use the creative part of my brain so it's a good pastime for me.
In other news - I'm starting on the actual update, having completed some offscreen rolling for Pronax - sort of a mixed bag for him, unfortunately. Update will come out tonight at 10pm at the latest, but there's a small chance I can phonepost the update at 12pm or so.","attachment":null,"posted":1714474092},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5990841,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990670
Pronax drops the ball and scuffs the raid immediately. Then he keeps on goofing up at key points trying to do whatever it is he is doing. Our uncles are dumb. At least we got a cartload of cash to show for it.","attachment":null,"posted":1714500837},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5990847,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990841
Well im glad this is over. Hopefully Pronax gets killed and we don't have to deal with his awful decisions anymore. Thankfully we got to not roll very many dice so WE didn't get fucked over...for now.","attachment":null,"posted":1714501483},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5990852,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990847
It's almost comical how this played out.
>"Let's rob our neighbor!"
>"I don't think that's a good idea..."
>"Come onnnnnn."
>"okay."
>immediately trips and spills beans everywhere
But I won't wish death on Pronax. Being a fool isn't quite severe enough to warrant death. Being a DAMN fool though? Maybe. Once he mouths off at us for not getting cows or something then we'll backhand him.","attachment":null,"posted":1714502061},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5991190,"name":"Lesches","msg":"You are uncommonly divided in your heart – the daring half of you insists that you make good on the raid, that you pluck five hundred head of cattle from under Archigeiros’ nose, and if he discovers you at it – what would he dare to do? He cannot defeat you in arms – you doubt any Tegean could- nor can his men stay you. Even if he deduces your identity, for the man is said to be clever, would he risk the wrath of Argos over some gold and a mere five hundred head of livestock? A clever nobleman might simply suffer the loss and organize face-saving compensation later.
But the soldier half of you calmly explains: you must be dutiful. You must serve Argos and your uncle, and you must avoid complication. Complication in battle, cattle raids and marriages are to be avoided at all costs – these are things lead to the Elysian Fields as surely as the Αθανατος Δαικτορος*. You already have an easily-smuggled bounty of Tegean gold, and a (possibly) valuable hostage besides, and your presence amongst the estates is not yet known. Furthermore, even the men of your honorguard cannot easily fight off five times their number – you should not spend their lives so frivolously; not when war with Thebes is on the horizon.
You sigh, and silently give the order to return to the northern camp, above Archigeiros’ estate. You give one last glance to the shadowed Tegean cattle – no doubt they’d taste magnificent on the road to Thebes, but a successful raid is satisfying enough. In the distance, the Tegean patrols continue to sound their horns at regular intervals – the pursuit is still on.
Your exfiltration is much swifter than your cautious approach – having slain the Tegean patrols on the way in, and with many more patrols in pursuit after Pronax, your men are free to travel quickly upon the roads. You’re halfway to the “Dorian” camp when you hear it:
A single horn, baying from the east like a hound, carried on the night breeze – first long, then short, then long again. The horn repeats pleadingly, over and over. It has the sound of begging to your ear, a cry for help, perhaps? You hear an answering horn from the south – from the Archigeirian palace. This answering horn calls back decisively – short, short, short. The eastern horn ceases its imploring, and instead resumes its typical call.
You curse, intuiting the meaning of the horns:
First, the eastern horn: We need help!
Then, the Archigeiran palace: Keep pursuit – we are coming!
The Tegean nobility, perhaps even Archigeiros himself, must be riding east to personally intervene! This changes things – you must consider your next move very carefully.
>vote post next","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714532266122685.jpg","filename":"where's the beef.jpg"},"posted":1714532266},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5991191,"name":"Lesches","msg":">Order your honorguard to protect the hostage and the Tegean gold, transporting it safely to the “Dorian” camp. You are reasonably certain that they will not be discovered en route. You will proceed as quickly as possible atop Arion to Pronax’s position, and with your assistance, beat back any Tegean pursuers - if you can reach him in time.
>Maintain your position and heading, along with your honorguard – you will guard the noblewoman and the gold personally, even if this means risking Pronax’s life. QM’s NOTE: Obviously, if Pronax is captured or killed, it will spoil the secrecy of the cattle raid, and Argos will be revealed as the culprit.
>Some other strategy?","attachment":null,"posted":1714532326},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5991192,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991191
>Order your honorguard to protect the hostage and the Tegean gold, transporting it safely to the “Dorian” camp. You are reasonably certain that they will not be discovered en route. You will proceed as quickly as possible atop Arion to Pronax’s position, and with your assistance, beat back any Tegean pursuers - if you can reach him in time.
Alas, no plan survives contact with the enemy.","attachment":null,"posted":1714532770},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5991194,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991191
>Order your honorguard to protect the hostage and the Tegean gold, transporting it safely to the “Dorian” camp. You are reasonably certain that they will not be discovered en route. You will proceed as quickly as possible atop Arion to Pronax’s position, and with your assistance, beat back any Tegean pursuers - if you can reach him in time.","attachment":null,"posted":1714532814},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5991238,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991191
>>Order your honorguard to protect the hostage and the Tegean gold, transporting it safely to the “Dorian” camp. You are reasonably certain that they will not be discovered en route. You will proceed as quickly as possible atop Arion to Pronax’s position, and with your assistance, beat back any Tegean pursuers - if you can reach him in time.","attachment":null,"posted":1714538233},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5991267,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991191
>Order your honorguard to protect the hostage and the Tegean gold, transporting it safely to the “Dorian” camp. You are reasonably certain that they will not be discovered en route. You will proceed as quickly as possible atop Arion to Pronax’s position, and with your assistance, beat back any Tegean pursuers - if you can reach him in time.
To me, this looks like the best choice.
We start transporting stuff away and we help Pronax.","attachment":null,"posted":1714540209},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5991307,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991191
>>Order your honorguard to protect the hostage and the Tegean gold, transporting it safely to the “Dorian” camp. You are reasonably certain that they will not be discovered en route. You will proceed as quickly as possible atop Arion to Pronax’s position, and with your assistance, beat back any Tegean pursuers - if you can reach him in time.
We must aways, Pronax cannot be discovered. He must live.","attachment":null,"posted":1714546710},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5991876,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990852
>Oh haughty Pronax! A man who risks bloodshed for bloodshed leads upon a cattle raid of those who deem his dynasty friend.
>And assisting for obligations of blood mighty Hippomedon is forced to make acquantince and join Pronax on this folly.
>Seeking to avoid retaliation from both the gods and friend they did disguise themselves as that of the barbarian so none may know the truth.
>So confident in success did Pronax split away from the mighty Hippomedon and in the process sealing the fate of the endeavor as soon a horn was blown in the distance, something which a man such as Pronax should of easily prevented.
>As the sound of the horn echoed throughout the land as loud as the thunder of Zeus the Tegeans who until now were unaware of the occurrence within their own fields began to rally.
>And before the gods upon the realization of his jobbery for just a moment did Pronax kneel in silence.
(Think I screwed up the poem style but had fun making it regardless)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714611123236431.png","filename":"PronaxJobbing.png"},"posted":1714611123},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5991882,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Rolled 11, 5, 9, 12, 7, 18 = 62 (6d20)
Unlike your previous indecision, you know immediately what you must do – you must ride!
If you are first to reach Pronax, then his escape is assured, and your identities as Heraclidae will almost certainly be preserved. Even better, you ride the greatest steed in Hellas – he who once bore Hercules himself to victory against Cycnus. You inform your honorguard of your intentions, and they flash their hand-signs back to you – ride well, Lord! they say.
You are quick to collect a great fistful of Arion’s rich mane in your left hand, and prompting Arion’s flanks with a gentle touch of your heels, he bounds into a gallop.
Arion was once nearly uncontrollable, it is said, wild enough that even great Hercules had difficulty controlling his fiery nature, but he has grown calm under Adrastus’ ownership. He bears your great weight with little difficulty, accelerating faster and faster – the landscape streams by underneath you, only blurred shadows and moonbeams against the earth. You resist the urge to howl in excitement as Arion’s speed continues to increase – faster than you can imagine. You dare to look behind you and see that your men and the Tegean cart of gold are long since out of view – gods above, Arion can fly!
“Run, son of Poseidon!” you urge in Arion’s ear. “We ride to save your master’s brother – show me your speed!”
Arion makes no reply, does not even whicker in concern - he simply gallops harder. Impossibly - his strides lengthen even further, as he leaves the path entirely, bounding through the grounds of the Tegean estate. You barely have the time to duck under tree branches before they vanish behind you - Arion's great leaps push you both well over bushes, minor streams and low stone walls alike. His travel is effortless. There is a disorienting sensation - his hooves are propelling you faster than the world should allow for; Arion's hooves are finding solid ground where there is none, finding purchase even against soft earth. Arion's breathing does not change, does not alter - the divine flesh of the beast sustains it even as you become breathless in anxiety - Zeus on Olympus, what a stallion!
>Okay /qst/ - I need three rolls of dice+1d20+8. Hippomedon would normally enjoy a +4 horsemanship bonus between Gifted Athlete and his natural WILL bonus, but Arion provides a general +4 horsemanship bonus given that he is an LBA Ferrari. Please note that Hippomedon must travel farther to reach Pronax than the enemy riders. He must achieve at least one degree of success to arrive on time, and with two or more, will beat the enemy to Pronax.
>I will be rolling for the enemy – after all, you are in a race! Please note, there are two enemy riders, but they are traveling in a group – they move as quickly as the slowest member of the pair as a result. Manual bonus of +3 and +2 for these two - they don't have divine steeds.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714611520021784.jpg","filename":"ride!.jpg"},"posted":1714611520},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5991891,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 7 + 8 (1d20 + 8)
>>5991882","attachment":null,"posted":1714612064},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5991903,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 10 + 8 (1d20 + 8)
>>5991882
14 and 20 to beat.
I wonder since Arion is a god if crits are enabled with him. Actually now that I think about it, the royal stables probably have straight up demigod horses with FOB if he's been used as a stud.","attachment":null,"posted":1714614035},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5991905,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 7 + 8 (1d20 + 8)
>>5991882
All in favor of letting Pronax bite it once the war starts say "Aye".","attachment":null,"posted":1714614270},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5991907,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991876
lmao, based.
>>5991903
It looks like Hippomedon gets to do the cool fashionably late tide turning shit. Don't die, uncle doofus.","attachment":null,"posted":1714614569},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5991908,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5991903
Actually, you guys only have to beat a 14 - since the enemy riders are a pair, and are traveling together as a unit.
As for Arion - He occupies a strange position mechanically - he is "divine", but doesn't have god-crits, since I believe that Homer intended the divines to be fickle in social encounters. Hippomedon doesn't know this, but Arion would be very difficult to actually wound in a meaningful way - even if this somehow happened, his wound regen is insane. I haven't drawn up a stat block because it probably won't be necessary. I would finally add - divine or not - he's ultimately a horse. I would note that in the Odyssey, Helios has divine cattle on Thrinakia/Sicily, but these aren't really treated like Olympians.
And finally - yes, of course, Adrastus has bred a line of demigod stallions - it's a significant part of his wealth!","attachment":null,"posted":1714614625},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5991909,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5991891
>>5991903
>>5991905
>18 vs 14 - Hippo gets there just in time to confer with Pronax before the enemy arrives...
Update will come tomorrow night but there's like a 30% chance that I put it together before midnight EST.","attachment":null,"posted":1714614743},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5991911,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991908
>Arion would be very difficult to actually wound in a meaningful way
The desire to try and get Arion to act like a pokemon grows ever stronger, just imagine trying to block both Hippo's and Arion's blows at the same time.
Something I've been wondering is who wins more often in duels between Hippo and Cap?","attachment":null,"posted":1714615209},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5991941,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5991911
>who wins between Hippo and Cap?
Hippo would usually win in actual weaponsparring - he's faster and has real skill advantage, but it's important to note that sparring =/= real fighting, due the STR halving mechanic.
Cap usually wins in wrestling, boxing, feats of strength/endurance, but it's never a blow-out victory - Hippomedon makes him work hard for it. That being said, Cap is the ultimate blowhard Argive CHAD, his unbelievable physical gifts are both freakish and real... and he is definitely slower than Hippomedon, and doesn't have the patience to learn more than the basics of fighting technique, if that makes any sense.
In a true combat scenario between the two - honestly hard to know who would win. Hippomedon doesn't like to think about this given the implications...","attachment":null,"posted":1714617585},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5992110,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5991908
>Arion
Imagine being born of two human shaped gods only to come out a horse. Tough luck bro.","attachment":null,"posted":1714634179},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5992524,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":"Mad plan: disarm & kidnap the lord leading the Tegean pursuers while Pronax escapes, then have the footmen chase us before we drop the dude off & ride away.","attachment":null,"posted":1714688152},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5992677,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992110
This is the risk when your parents like to have sex while wildshaped. Just ask poor Sleipnir over in Norway.","attachment":null,"posted":1714701953},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5992683,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992677
Sleipnir got it good as fuck though. He's got the horse equivalent of being over 6 feet tall, he's huge. He also has more leg per horse ratio, bitches love extra legs. And depending on who you ask, he might be able to stride upon the wind itself, or in less flowery language, fly.
Arion got the short stick of divine horsery. Maybe he can breathe under water?","attachment":null,"posted":1714702726},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5992706,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5992683
I'm entertained to think that Arion is actually a fully-fledged god but just prefers LARPing as a horse all day to having to play politics on Olympus. Free food, free mares - not a bad life for larping horse-god...","attachment":null,"posted":1714704732},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5992709,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992706
>Don't tell anyone, but they give you free horse pussy here. Just make sure not to talk around the mortals.
Truly side splitting. Honestly 5d chess. And people say Zeus is cunning!","attachment":null,"posted":1714704856},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5992710,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992706
The words he spoke that one time were "No one will ever believe you."","attachment":null,"posted":1714704876},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5992711,"name":"Lesches","msg":"As you fly across the landscape to the east, you veer north towards the small brook that bounds the northern edge of the Archigeirian lands. As a trespassing blur along the banks of the stream, you see glimpses of sprinting Tegeans, torches in hand, as they track east towards your uncle.
A scant few minutes brings you to the eastern part of the estates, and from there, it’s easy to pick up your uncle’s path – the sprinting patrols are converging towards a central point as they run, and as you angle in, you begin to see direct evidence of Pronax’s passing.
Or rather, you see cattle-sign.
The earth is trampled on either side of the trail, and the trail itself is pockmarked with hooves. Overlaid on to, the smeared sandalprints of running Tegeans. Men and livestock moving at great speed make marks such as this! You resist the urge to cheer in excitement – such outbursts are unbecoming of an Argive prince, even when alone. Still, you are thrilled - Pronax has made good on his part of the raid, even if he is drawing practically all of Tegea behind him.
Arion slows somewhat as he tacks north of trail – he keeps a distance of forty strides, and you trust his judgment, as you shoot past a flagging Tegean squadron. These must be Pronax’s foremost pursuers – their torches are guttering, and the commoners lope ahead unevenly with fatigue. Your presence is certainly not missed by the Tegeans; a giant in bronze atop a thundering black stallion at full gallop can be hardly missed – the squadron’s horn-blower shatters the night with frantic calls, and a few wildly-inaccurate spearcasts are made in your direction. You have nothing to fear, as you outpace their weak casts – the Tegeans apparently too exhausted even to volley additional insults at your back.
Next, around a bend in the trail - the cattle appear! A rolling tide of flesh and horn, they bellow in protest as they are guided out of the estate. Arion slows his pace so that you can get a better look - by your guess, no less than five hundred of the beasts, moving together at significant speed. Fat cattle such as these have surprising endurance and speed, when properly induced to move. You quickly take in the relative speed of the herd, and turning, gaze back at the pursuing Tegeans – surprisingly, the cattle are outpacing their masters! The cattle are ringed by Pronax’s half of your mounted honorguard – your men expertly poke, prod and pry at the cattle to keep them running, waving their own torches when necessary. Altogether, they’ve done an excellent job – although it doesn’t escape your notice that your men seem somewhat bruised and battered; they’ve clearly fared less well in combat with Pronax.
Pronax himself sweeps into view atop his own gray stallion, and once he’s within earshot – you must yell quite loudly to be heard over the sound of hoofbeats – you don’t waste time in providing your assessment:
>cont","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714704932729824.jpg","filename":"cattle.jpg"},"posted":1714704932},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5992717,"name":"Lesches","msg":"”Well done, uncle! But riders approach from the east – they’ll arrive any second! Pronax nods swiftly in understanding, replying with his own hoarse shout:
”What do you recommend, Hippomedon? Stand and fight?
Behind you, you hear the indistinct cheers of Tegeans – they are saluting their lords as they pass by! You have only seconds to determine a plan of action…
>wat do, /qst/?
>Hippomedon and Pronax dismount their steeds, stand fast upon the trail, and directly prevent the Tegean lords (whether Archigeiros himself or others) from passage. Combat on foot is generally preferable to "mounted" combat, given that saddles and stirrups don't exist yet. The IH will continue along with the cattle with all speed, as Hippomedon and Pronax fight. This is the most direct mechanism to ensure the success of the actual cattle-raid, but risks bringing Hippomedon and Pronax into active combat with Tegean nobility – accidental deaths may occur, with all the possible political consequences.
>Hippomedon and Pronax stay atop their respective steeds, stay close with the IH, and instead engage in “mounted combat” – which is to say, they engage in limited ranged warfare with the enemy Tegean nobility and other mounted forces. Hippomedon and Pronax will target the enemy horses in this scenario, hopefully avoiding needless deaths amongst the Tegean nobility. However, spears are limited and it is certainly possible that a lucky shot from the enemy topples Hippomedon or Pronax to the earth, isolating them. Furthermore, the men of the honorguard may also be attacked.
>Hippomedon and Pronax, rather than immediately engaging in combat, attempt to hail the oncoming Tegeans and convince them to give up pursuit, whether by bluffing, threat or (less likely) charming discussion. This is perhaps the highest-risk strategem, given that Hippomedon and Pronax are not known for their winged words, and such parley may reveal that they are not Heraclids and Dorians as they are pretending to be.
>Some other strategy?","attachment":null,"posted":1714705349},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5992727,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992717
>>Hippomedon and Pronax stay atop their respective steeds, stay close with the IH, and instead engage in “mounted combat” – which is to say, they engage in limited ranged warfare with the enemy Tegean nobility and other mounted forces. Hippomedon and Pronax will target the enemy horses in this scenario, hopefully avoiding needless deaths amongst the Tegean nobility. However, spears are limited and it is certainly possible that a lucky shot from the enemy topples Hippomedon or Pronax to the earth, isolating them. Furthermore, the men of the honorguard may also be attacked.
We can throw more than spears. Throw some tree branches. Helmets. Stones. Grab a bunch of junk to huck at our pursuers. We just need to give them a reason to fuck off. A dead horse or two would certainly do it.","attachment":null,"posted":1714706230},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5992736,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992717
>Hippomedon and Pronax stay atop their respective steeds, stay close with the IH, and instead engage in “mounted combat” – which is to say, they engage in limited ranged warfare with the enemy Tegean nobility and other mounted forces. Hippomedon and Pronax will target the enemy horses in this scenario, hopefully avoiding needless deaths amongst the Tegean nobility. However, spears are limited and it is certainly possible that a lucky shot from the enemy topples Hippomedon or Pronax to the earth, isolating them. Furthermore, the men of the honorguard may also be attacked.
Stunner time.","attachment":null,"posted":1714706900},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5992740,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Actually, aren't horses afraid of fire? Can we throw a torch at the Tegean horses?","attachment":null,"posted":1714707052},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5992745,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992740
Horses also HATE snakes. Whether it be fear or absolute killing fury. They just don't want to be near them. That doesn't quite help us here.","attachment":null,"posted":1714707334},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5992842,"name":"Lanu","msg":">>5992717
Is it summer? Or is there a lot of easily flammable material? If it/there is, we may try to set ablaze to it, creating a wall of fire to separate us from the pursuers. If not, let's go with the safest option:
>Hippomedon and Pronax stay atop their respective steeds, stay close with the IH, and instead engage in “mounted combat” – which is to say, they engage in limited ranged warfare with the enemy Tegean nobility and other mounted forces. Hippomedon and Pronax will target the enemy horses in this scenario, hopefully avoiding needless deaths amongst the Tegean nobility. However, spears are limited and it is certainly possible that a lucky shot from the enemy topples Hippomedon or Pronax to the earth, isolating them. Furthermore, the men of the honorguard may also be attacked.","attachment":null,"posted":1714718925},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5992907,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5992740
>>5992842
>Can you throw torches?
Definitely yes, this is a clever idea. If "mounted combat" wins, I'll give you guys choices on which ranged weaponry to use and what to aim at.
>>5992842
>Can we start a fire?
This is a great idea but Hippomedon and Pronax simply don't have the time to do so - don't forget everyone is currently moving at ~25-30 kph at the cattle bound down the trail!","attachment":null,"posted":1714731858},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5992911,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992907
Could we roll for finding a haystack or something like that? Any chaos we start works in our favour, even if it's pulling away 10 Tegeans from our pursuit and having them focus on putting the flames out.","attachment":null,"posted":1714732153},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5992914,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5992911
Uh, sure - if you wanted to burn a turn looking for environmental hazards if you could do so. But it would probably just be more efficient to directly attack the enemy in some fashion - you guys are riding on horseback currently so any environmental hazard would be quickly avoided by the enemy riders.
To some extent, the Tegean patrols aren't the main threat right threat - you guys are leaving them in the dust - it's really the oncoming Tegean noblemen that Hippomedon is worried about here.","attachment":null,"posted":1714732504},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5992915,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992914
Fair, it's not worth it.","attachment":null,"posted":1714732560},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5993029,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":">Hippo charges the other riders atop Arion, using speed & surprise to trip & dismount them with spears & branches, then hurls missiles at any not sufficiently removed from combat
>Pronax escorts the Tegeans while warding off any further pursuers with his own projectiles","attachment":null,"posted":1714742349},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5993606,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Update will come tomorrow morning - I've been super busy today (98%) and on top of that, I'm getting absolutely BTFO as a player in World of Titans Quest, which is taking a lil bit of the wind out of my sails (2%). Great quest, though - turns out multiplayer kaiju quests are bretty cool.","attachment":null,"posted":1714789849},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5993669,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992717
>Hippomedon and Pronax stay atop their respective steeds, stay close with the IH, and instead engage in “mounted combat” – which is to say, they engage in limited ranged warfare with the enemy Tegean nobility and other mounted forces. Hippomedon and Pronax will target the enemy horses in this scenario, hopefully avoiding needless deaths amongst the Tegean nobility. However, spears are limited and it is certainly possible that a lucky shot from the enemy topples Hippomedon or Pronax to the earth, isolating them. Furthermore, the men of the honorguard may also be attacked.","attachment":null,"posted":1714796964},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5994219,"name":"Lesches","msg":"As tempted as you are to plant yourself on the trail and break the enemy this way, you cannot risk isolating yourself from your forces and the stolen cattle. You reply to Pronax’s inquiry, saying –
“No, uncle – we will fight them off from horseback and keep moving! Aim for their steeds – we must dissuade them from pursuit without sparking a war in the process.”
Pronax tilts his brazen helm in acknowledgement wordlessly, and you each slow your respective mounts so that you are between the oncoming Tegeans and the stolen cattle. Arion needs little oversight – you are free to angle your head and body as you ride, keeping your left hand firmly tangled amongst his mane, and with your right hand, you hold your spear ready. Your great brazen shield is strapped safely to your back – better this than trying to wield it and hold Arion’s mane at the same time. Pronax has made the same trade-off – his shield is strapped to his back, but unlike you, his steed is of more typical stock – he must limit himself to darting glances at the trail behind him as he keeps his horse on track.
You don’t have to wait long before your enemy comes into view – a team of two chariots, each drawn by four Tegean steeds, the beasts laboring and straining over the earthy trail. The lead chariot is driven by a tall and slender man – you cannot be sure of his identity, but the elaborate double-topped dark crest of his bronze helm suggests that it is Archigeiros himself underneath. He holds the reins in a practiced manner, and even from the distance, you see that he has an easy grace in the care of his chariot, and total control over his stallions – the man is an expert charioteer. To his right, a man of equal height and heavier build is brandishing a spear in your direction, and bellows confidently at you:
“THIEVES! I WILL SLAY YOU FOR YOUR TRESPASS UPON MY FATHER’S LAND!”
Well – you do not need to guess at his identity from the styling of his bronze, at least. He can only be Cleombrotor, a man ten years younger than you and accounted a fair soldier, although you’ve never had the opportunity to verify this yourself. The son of Archigeiros is still too far for a spear-cast, but you immediately discern that he is the larger threat of this foremost chariot – his father is too busy with the reins to attack you directly.
Immediately behind this foremost chariot, a second team rides – two figures in matching bronze with short white-crested helms, shorter than their elder brother and obviously too slender for the bronze that they hastily have donned. These can only be Kleobis and Evandros; the younger twin sons of Archigeiros. You know little of them besides their names and their ages – they are only fifteen summers old, barely men at all. Nonetheless, they have kept pace with their father and elder brother, and so must have some talent at the reins as well, although how well they can angle a spear-cast, you don’t know.
>cont","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714845643627670.jpg","filename":"basically one guy drives and the other guy fights.jpg"},"posted":1714845643},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5994255,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Rolled 11, 4, 13, 9, 5, 19 = 61 (6d20)
The trail drifts northeast as you ride – frequent trees lining the trail serve as an inconstant screen between yourself and the enemy chariots, interfering with your line of sight. Each of you have a limited number of projectiles to cast, and so you must wait for the proper moment before you can strike. Your right hand itches in anticipation, and glancing ahead, you see a gap of the trailside vegetation – there will be a window where all four parties will have clear sightlines! You ready yourself for a spear-cast at the lead horse of Archigeiros’ car (for you are on the left-side of the trail), while Pronax aims for the more distant lead horse of the second Tegean chariot team (for he is on the right).
You gauge the distance expertly - the starlight illuminating your cast's future path through the night air clearly. The angle will be awkward, requiring you to twist atop Arion's back as you ride, reducing your typical strength, but you have no doubts that that you'll take Archigeiros' lead horse through the breast, killing it instantly. The moment comes, and you let fly your spear - and the other men take the same moment to cast their own. Pronax hurls his spear as best as he can, while the Tegeans hurl their own. Four spears criss-cross over the trail, flickering in and out of moonlight and shadows like diving falcons...
>Opposing ranged combat attacks in HomerQM’s original system are actually simultaneous, so we’re going to be skipping initiative rolls here (everyone wins at the same time!). By QM fiat, I'm dictating that non-divine horses have 12 HP as standard.
>Hippomedon will be auto-succeeding his spear-casts, but not his damage roll. I need ONE roll of dice+1d5+11 to see if Hippo kills the horse in one-shot like he thinks he can. Pronax will also be succeeding his spear-cast, but not his damage roll. I need ONE roll of dice+1d5+9 to see if he kills his horse.
>On my side, I'll be rolling for the Cleombrotor and Kleobis' spear-casts against Hippomedon and Pronax in a (C,C,C,K,K,K) format. Cleo is rolling with a +6 spearcast bonus and shooting at Hippomedon's back. Kleobis is rolling with a +4 spear-cast bonus and is aiming at Pronax's back. Yes, things could get fucked up here.
>I need THREE rolls of dice+2d20 to see if Hippo and Pronax shrug off these spearcasts - (H,P,H,P,H,P) format. Hippo has a current +9 block bonus (+3 CON, +3 Dorian armor, +3 blocking skill bonus), while Pronax has a +8 block bonus (+3 CON, +3 unmarked bronze armor, +2 blocking skill)
>Good luck, this is probably the most dangerous part of the cattle raid.","attachment":null,"posted":1714847355},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5994263,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1 + 11 (1d5 + 11)
>>5994255
Sorry horse, but please perish.","attachment":null,"posted":1714847634},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5994268,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994263
bruh. Well even if the horse lives, I can't imagine it can still actually RUN with an injury like that.","attachment":null,"posted":1714847784},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5994276,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 3 + 9 (1d5 + 9)
>>5994255
For Pronax. Was going to call him "Prone-ass", but he actually seems to have come through with these cows. Good job, Uncle!","attachment":null,"posted":1714848257},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5994301,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Rolled 20, 20, 4, 14 = 58 (4d20)
>>5994263
>>5994276
Alright, so the lead horses of each chariot are dead, nice job.
Now I'm going to force the Twins and Archigeiros to roll CHARIOTEERING to maintain control of their chariots in a TT,AA format - the Twins and Archigeiros need at one least one roll under 14 and 17, respectively, to prevent a catastrophic crash. Two successes mean that they manage to maintain control, cut the dead horse loose and stick around for another round of ranged combat (with a significant malus)","attachment":null,"posted":1714849702},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5994302,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5994301
>20,20
Holy fuck - the Twins... Shit, I need to think about this one for a second...","attachment":null,"posted":1714849762},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5994305,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994302
>tfw they did the movie thing of the super exaggerated massive quintuple car flip from a flat tire","attachment":null,"posted":1714849887},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5994323,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994301
Well looks like their chariots are suddenly made of fucking explodium. So did we just kill the entire Tegan royal line in one blow?","attachment":null,"posted":1714850521},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5994343,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994305
>>5994323
Okay, I think I’m going to give them a chance to leap out of the toppling chariot and basically enter a controlled fall, because they’re slender gymnast types. Unfortunately I’m hosting some family friends for the next several hours so I won’t be able to figure out the mechanics and roll for this until later tonight.
Still need the following though, fellas, feel free to roll again if you did one previously:
>I need THREE rolls of dice+2d20 to see if Hippo and Pronax shrug off these spearcasts - (H,P,H,P,H,P) format. Hippo has a current +9 block bonus (+3 CON, +3 Dorian armor, +3 blocking skill bonus), while Pronax has a +8 block bonus (+3 CON, +3 unmarked bronze armor, +2 blocking skill)","attachment":null,"posted":1714851509},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5994360,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 8, 16 = 24 (2d20)
>>5994343","attachment":null,"posted":1714852317},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5994364,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 14, 1 = 15 (2d20)
>>5994343
We just need to roll a 10 and Pronax needs to roll a 15.
>>5994360
Well Pronax is safe.","attachment":null,"posted":1714852452},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5994544,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 9, 11 = 20 (2d20)
>>5994343","attachment":null,"posted":1714862815},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5994950,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":">>5994343
This is going to be siiiick if we manage to get loot, IH XP, & carne asada out of this.","attachment":null,"posted":1714890920},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5994968,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994950
>IH XP
On that note, would the squads Pronax defeated also add to the current IH XP pool?","attachment":null,"posted":1714893531},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5995024,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Some fools life about to be done.","attachment":null,"posted":1714904765},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5995040,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Rolled 9, 18 = 27 (2d20)
>>5994950
>>5994968
>>5995024
Thanks for everyone's patience.
>>5994360
>>5994364
>>5994544
>Cleombrotor vs Hippo - 19 vs 23 - Hippo's shield deflects the spearcast!
>Kleobis vs Pronax - 23, 24 - close one! The back of Pronax's helm gets dinged-up, but otherwise no damage
>On that note, would the squads Pronax defeated also add to the current IH XP pool?
Yes, definitely, but believe it or not, Hippomedon will find out later that he only eliminated one squadron. Pronax had the easier path and the Tegean unit managed to band together, passed multiple morale checks, and generally speaking, fought like total badasses to Pronax's incredulity. By my rough count, this makes for 4/10 defeated units (Dorians, Hippomedon's two Tegean units, Pronax's Tegean Unit), plus ~2 months of hardcore drilling and training exercises (which behind the scenes, halved the requirement to go from Tier 3 to Tier 4).
Okay, I figured how I'm going to work the Twins chariot explosions. Each Twin will be forced to make a roll-under AGI test:
>Their AGI is their strong-suit, as they're very good sprinters, it's 18 - but they're both wearing heavy bronze armor, so I'm applying a -4 context modifier to this. So they basically have to roll under a 15. If they succeed, they manage to leap away safely.
>Each degree of failure will trigger a 1d4 in damage. It will be possible but pretty unlikely that either twin dies as a result, which seems logical to me - after all, they're wearing bronze armor.","attachment":null,"posted":1714908722},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5995041,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Rolled 4, 1 = 5 (2d4)
>>5995040
Looks like Evandros botched his escape:
>15,16,17 - one degree of failure
>18,19, 20 - two degrees of failure
Rolling a dice+2d4 to determine damage dealt.
And actually, I misspoke earlier - the Twins have 9 HP apiece, so Evandros actually can't die here, but he CAN get super fucked up....","attachment":null,"posted":1714908875},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5995042,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5995040
>>5995041
>Evandros takes 5 damage - some cracked ribs and a broken arm, but he'll make a full recovery after some weeks.
Alright, this concludes all of the math for this turn of combat, I should be able to post an update somewhere around 1-3pm EST.","attachment":null,"posted":1714909012},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5995219,"name":"Lesches","msg":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ata8CghPGIY
In rare moments such as these, time stretches – the grind of Chronos momentarily stuttering in surprise. Your well-aimed spear swims slowly through the air, piercing the chest of Archigeiros’ lead horse – it seizes and begins to rear wildly as it dies. Your gaze drifts above the dying beast - Cleombrotor is hacking at the binds of the dying beast with a silver-nailed sword, the razor edge moving closer in infinitesimal fractions. His father, King of Tegea, is straining at the reins, drawing them decisively to his right hip; the chariot beginning to buck fiercely, slowly rising on its right wheel. The clearance will be enough – the chariot bounces over the fallen lead horse but stays righted; Archigeiros will be able to maintain his speed even with only three horses, at least for a time.
A flash of bronze in the corner of your eye triggers alarm - instinctively, you angle your back as you ride, Cleombrotor’s return-cast striking the center of your strapped shield truly – but the bronze disc holds, and the cast deflects away into the dark. You glance back at your pursuers and what you see astounds you – Pronax’s spear has embedded itself into his equine victim, causing it to collapse instantly. The horse’s body crumples slowly against the earth, its lips peeled back grotesquely, and the colliding corpse reveals some fault in the left wheel of the twins’ chariot, shattering it – the car of the chariot drops violently to the earth, and one of the twins, on the right-side of the car, has the presence of mind to vault off the deck of the car – his wild leap transforming into a controlled tumble as he flies. The other is not so lucky – he attempts the same, but the dropping left-side of the deck robs him of sure footing, just as the chariot smashes against the ground, abruptly decelerating – his shins are caught against the top of the chariot, flinging him violently forwards over his chariot-team. He breaks his fall against the rocky earth with a stiff right arm; you see it bend wrongly before he begins to slide against the rough trail.
You glance left, and see Pronax’s helm is askew; he is struggling to restore his vision by rotating it back into place – you must have missed it, but the return cast from the twins must have spun his helm across his face, a near-miss indeed…
Time restores its normal march forwards – your ears are assaulting by the shrieks of Tegean horses as they die or suffer broken limbs. You hear a prince’s voice shouting:
”EVANDROS, EVANDROS!
Turning, you see the shouting young man, the nimbler twin, sprinting to his fallen brother – clearly, he must be Kleobis. Behind him, their chariot is an unrecognizable mess of splinters; their horses in a thrashing heap, some with broken legs. The twins are now out of the race – their chariot smashed to pieces.
>cont","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714930857392671.jpg","filename":"sort of the vibe I'm going for here.jpg"},"posted":1714930857},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5995225,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Your eyes flick back to Archigeiros and Cleombrotor; Cleombrotor does not turn to see his fallen brothers, but instead vaults athletically out of his father’s chariot, sprinting as he lands, and keeping pace with his father. He has a new spear in his hand, and already, you see the subtle change in his body language – he is gauging the distance for a new spear-cast! You hiss in frustration – he does not intend to fall into the same trap as his younger siblings – he’s forcing you to target him separately! Without his bulk in the chariot, Archigeiros will be able to keep pace with you more easily. It’s something you might have done in similar circumstances…
Out of the corner of your eye, you see Pronax take aim at another of Archigeiros’ horses – but what will you do? Your right hand begins to dart for a weapon –
>to disambiguate, Cleombrotor has given up his “instantaneous” initiative to reposition himself, so Hippomedon has the time to strike first here. Once this vote is decided, we'll tackle the math. This vote will end at 2pm EST tomorrow.
>and you withdraw one of the lesser Tegean spears from your back to cast at Cleombrotor! Such a missile would almost be certainly be lethal to the man, but you simply cannot risk another spear-cast from the man, he is too dangerous!
>and you grasp one of the “Argive Stunners” from your belt to cast at Cleombrotor! A successful hit would stun the man, toppling him, and would likely spoil his spear-cast in the process.
>and you withdraw one of the lesser Tegean spears from your back to cast at another of Archigeiros’ steeds! You resolve to simply withstand Cleombrotor’s return cast and leave him in the dust – he cannot keep this pace indefinitely and without weapons, his options will be limited.
>Something else I haven't thought of?","attachment":null,"posted":1714931423},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5995238,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995225
>and you grasp one of the “Argive Stunners” from your belt to cast at Cleombrotor! A successful hit would stun the man, toppling him, and would likely spoil his spear-cast in the process.
This is the culmination of our write-ins! Our preparations were all for this!","attachment":null,"posted":1714932307},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5995241,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":">>5995225
Holy h*ck, Cleombrotor is a chad, shame he isn't on our side for the war. Unless we forge something indicating a Theban-Dorian alliance....
FROM THE TOP ROPE, WITH THE ARGIVE STUNNER
Is my first instinct, but actually if he only has time for one cast, & we have the fleetest steed in the world quite possibly...
>Target Archigeiros' transmission (& steal his catalytic converter)
>Compel Arion to serpentine/dodge out of the way","attachment":null,"posted":1714932407},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5995389,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995225
>and you grasp one of the “Argive Stunners” from your belt to cast at Cleombrotor! A successful hit would stun the man, toppling him, and would likely spoil his spear-cast in the process.","attachment":null,"posted":1714943114},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5995884,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995225
I see a devious and truly greek choice of murdering the royal line, but I recognize it truly wouldn't help anyone.
>and you grasp one of the “Argive Stunners” from your belt to cast at Cleombrotor! A successful hit would stun the man, toppling him, and would likely spoil his spear-cast in the process.","attachment":null,"posted":1714980581},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5995894,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">His father, King of Tegea
Wait, the actual king is here?
Side question, but can Hippo get a bow?","attachment":null,"posted":1714982491},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5995920,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995894
>can Hippo get a bow
Can? Absolutely. Would he? Fuck no. AFAIK, bows, and ranged weapons in general, were considered for faggot losers/The Poor in this era of Greece, so Hippomedon, who cares quite a bit about his reputation, wouldn't even think about picking up any ranged weapon that isn't a javelin/a particularly large stone.","attachment":null,"posted":1714986692},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5995924,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995920
Didn't even Herakles use a bow? Isn't Apollo known for using a bow as well?
Besides, I don't know if anyone will criticize the man with biceps larger than their skull about shooting people lest they end up on the wrong end of his arrows.
IIRC archery is STR+SKILL, so it would be as effective as javelin, but ya know without throwing away Hippo's weapon, who knows maybe he can use it to shoot people in the foot when we want to capture them instead of throwing at 30% STR and praying the poor sod survives.","attachment":null,"posted":1714987742},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5995943,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5995894
Whoops, ignore that line - Agepenor is chilling at home in his royal Palace. Not sure how that crept in.","attachment":null,"posted":1714989774},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5995993,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995225
>>and you grasp one of the “Argive Stunners” from your belt to cast at Cleombrotor! A successful hit would stun the man, toppling him, and would likely spoil his spear-cast in the process.","attachment":null,"posted":1714997087},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5996215,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995924
Did you know that there is a spot in the human foot that when struck by an arrow will cause the entire body to explode? Scary stuff.","attachment":null,"posted":1715016779},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5996582,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Rolled 7, 2, 6 + 5 = 20 (3d20 + 5)
>>5996215
Actually, did you know that it is actually possible to strike a critical hit against a human?
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24572-commotio-cordis
---
Okay, it's unambiguous that Hippomedon is going to be throwing his signature FOUR-SEAM FASTBALL against Cleombrotor's dome. The Stunner is basically a suped-up baseball, and Hippomedon has an early grip on the thing - there's no "awkwardness" strength penalty here, so he's throwing with his full STR bonus to determine if the hit is successful. We're going to roll this out since there's a small possibility that Cleo's helm deflects the shot.
So I need THREE rolls of dice+1d20+13 to determine success of the attack. In this case, Hippo's Gifted Athlete trait bonus applies, but his martial combat bonii do not. Cleo is rolling to defend - his natural CON bonus is +2 and he's wearing full royal-quality panoplia for an additional +3 bonus. Men of the Tegean royal line are more well-known for their agility and quick-thinking, rather than brawn and toughness (like the Argives).","attachment":null,"posted":1715045126},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5996583,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5996582
>Cleo rolls a 13, he cannot withstand Hippomedon's attack no matter what
Kek, what a poser.
Forget the attack rolls, someone give me a dice+1d2+6 to determine damage dealt to Cleo. Please note that he can't actually die here, we're just determining whether he has a traumatic brain injury vs a horrible concussion.","attachment":null,"posted":1715045244},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5996584,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 2 + 6 (1d2 + 6)
>>5996583","attachment":null,"posted":1715045710},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5996587,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5996584
Oof, I’m tempted to dust off Deianira’s old physician “permanent wounding” tables but I think I’ll grant Cleo a long road to recovery. He is wearing a helmet after all…","attachment":null,"posted":1715045927},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5996620,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996582
>Actually, did you know that it is actually possible to strike a critical hit against a human?
I was in fact aware of this. Seen an old lady get punched in the chest and fall over and go into cardiac.
We also require regular CON saves and on a 1 we suffer random brain aneurysms and die.","attachment":null,"posted":1715048200},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5996625,"name":"Lesches","msg":"oops, and I need a roll for Pronax against the Tegean horse as well
One roll of dice+1d5+9 please!","attachment":null,"posted":1715048553},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5996627,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 4 + 9 (1d5 + 9)
>>5996625","attachment":null,"posted":1715048657},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5996637,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996627
RIP horse","attachment":null,"posted":1715049888},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5996638,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5996627
I've successfully resisted dead horse jokes this whole raid, are you proud of me, Σοφροσυνη?
Update shortly.","attachment":null,"posted":1715050054},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5996654,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Your great hand wraps around the heavy ball of leather and stone - and with a single motion, you hurl it precisely at Cleombrotor’s head! He doesn’t register your motion – there’s no change in his positioning or his stride as the stunner darts towards him like a diving falcon. He’s so focused on his imminent cast that your stunner catches him completely by surprise - there’s an audible CLANG like the ringing of a bell, and the prince’s legs can no longer bear his weight. Dropping his spear, he crashes into the earth thunderously, and his armor clatters upon him; he is motionless, limbs askew. You hear the frightened screaming of Kleobis, now concerned for his eldest brother as well, but ignore these wailings – he and his brothers are no longer a threat.
Archigeiros has fared little better – Pronax has planted another spear into the breast of a prized stallion, and the slaying of the creature forces Archigeiros to drop his reins and wildly hack at the bonds of the horse. The lack of direction causes the chariot to careen wildly out of control – akin to Phaethon’s disastrous flight over Aithiopia. Archigeiros manages to release the dead horse before his chariot is destroyed, maintaining control, but the chase is finished. With two of four horses dead, he must bring the chariot to a halt. The Tegean man loses his composure and howls wordlessly in rage and frustration; it is a sweet music to you!
You glance at Pronax, who is scanning the back-trail as you just did – with the Tegean noblemen beaten aside, and their foot-patrols unable to keep pace, you’ve escaped! Relief wells up into your throat, but you resist the urge to release an unmanly whoop of joy – such conduct is unbecoming in the ideal Argive soldier.
Pronax meets your gaze, his dirty horse-hair crest ruffling in the night breeze, and gives you a warrior’s salute, fist raised high – you return the gesture at once. As you ride clear of the Tegean estates, you reconstitute your honorguard at your previous campsite, collect your donkey-cart of Tegean wealth (bound hostage within) and guide the cattle at a more sustainable pace north. You learn that Chabrianos, your intrepid scout, had created a beeswax and charcoal mixture, and then promptly sealed the ears of the hostage. She is now quite deaf, in addition to being blind and mute, he assures you. You make a mental note to supply the lad with a night of wine and women upon your return to beautiful Argos.
Atop Arion, you tally your spoils gleefully:
>500 head of prime Tegean cattle.
>1 donkey-cart of Tegean gold, jewels, and goods (worth approximately another 500 cattle)
>1 noblewoman hostage of uncertain value.
While you had been hoping for more cattle, you’re nonetheless pleased with the raid. Additionally, after conference with Pronax, you are quite certain that your identities as Heraclids have not been compromised. The conclusion is clear:
The raid was a success!","attachment":null,"posted":1715050743},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5996655,"name":"Lesches","msg":"QM’s note: Well done, players – you successfully charted a reasonable course through a risky heist, did not take excess risks, and when serendipity provided you a gift – you took it and ran!
I ran out of time for the next vote post, but I'm hoping to get this up by tomorrow afternoonish EST.","attachment":null,"posted":1715050811},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5996668,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996654
Based scout is based. Love that little guy.","attachment":null,"posted":1715051439},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5996980,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"I feel that what we've done here will have unforeseen consequences. If word of this gets out, we can expect permanent bad relations with the Tegeans.
And the noblewoman is a risk we should be careful about dealing with. I say we dump her in the darkest shed for a while at least.","attachment":null,"posted":1715077824},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5997525,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996980
>If word of this gets out
If word of what gets out? That the Tegeans got raided by a bunch of oddly silent and well-disciplined Dorians, the leader of which was riding a fuck-massive horse? There's honestly very little that can be used to point fingers at us, and what little there is intensely circumstantial, unless we've got a worm in our ranks.
>the noblewoman is a risk we should be careful about dealing with
She's a woman, what threat could she possibly be?","attachment":null,"posted":1715120664},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5997544,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997525
>She's a woman, what threat could she possibly be?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715122451918310.gif","filename":"1704234383669133.gif"},"posted":1715122451},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5997600,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996654
Magnificent!
>>5997544
Anon taunts the fates, truly...","attachment":null,"posted":1715127950},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5997651,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997600
Boy wants to suicide speedrun. Depression any%","attachment":null,"posted":1715129942},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5997675,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997525","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715131890887184.jpg","filename":"8pc6k0 (1).jpg"},"posted":1715131890},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5997692,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997675
We came for bronze and struck gold kek","attachment":null,"posted":1715132949},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5997706,"name":"Lesches","msg":"No update tonight on account of me just having a really fuckin hard day. Everything’s fine, but sometimes you just have to make a tactical retreat and regroup tomorrow.
>>5997675
Anon, I want you to know that this meme sparked joy for me and an honest-to-god tear to my eye on a tough night. What a ride it’s been…and the best is yet to come!
Be well, friends - update tomorrow!","attachment":null,"posted":1715134022},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5997711,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997706
Feel better soon, QM. Thanks for the update!","attachment":null,"posted":1715134361},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5997922,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997544
While she is merely a woman, we don't know who she is nor what is she capable of (or more dangerously, who she can complain to).
Also, she might be smart.
>>5997525
>unless we've got a worm in our ranks.
Or maybe some god interested in her.","attachment":null,"posted":1715151164},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5998993,"name":"Lesches","msg":"The rest of the night is spent riding at a fair pace - men and cattle settling into a more sustainable rhythm for the drive to Argos. You periodically send scouts ranging your back-trail, but no Tegeans pursue - your brutal punishment of Archigeiros’ heirs was warning enough, it seems. As Nyx’s shawl begins to slip from the sky, and the first glimmers of yellow-robed Eos appear to the east, your party crosses into the Argolid proper. The cattle must be watered and rested, if only for a time - you must travel quickly as you can before it becomes too hot for the herd.
Pronax, to his credit, seems to know every hidden pass and river-bank on the way home, only rarely using the common roads. On numerous occasions, he runs the cattle over hard rock or through shallow brooks; such are the techniques of an expert cattle rustler when he seeks to hide his passing. In combination with his initial cunning of herding the cattle through the river delta just north of Archigeiros’ estate, you’re quite confident that none can easily trail you. As for witnesses, you see no travelers – which is to say, there are no travelers deaf enough to miss your approach (because five hundred trotting cattle are not truly stealthy), or dumb enough to believe such contact safe. Most commoners know that castle rustlers will kill for a secret, and those ignorant of this are destined to tramp for a century unavenged on the wrong side of the Lethe, deep in the underworld.
Finding a small brook, you halt the herd - the cattle drink deeply from the rippling waters, roughly shouldering past one another to drain the small stream nearly dry. You catch Pronax’s eye and signal that you wish to speak - it is time to address the hostage issue. Catching Chabrianos by the shoulder, you command him to water the hostage as well – carefully, as to not damage the integrity of her makeshift earplugs.
Pronax, removing his helm, looks years younger - the excitement of the raid has freshened him, brought color to his cheeks. Perhaps a night without wine has also brought his natural vigor to the fore as well? He takes a moment to spit crudely onto the earth before speaking:
“You wish to discuss the hostage, nephew?” he guesses correctly. You nod and reply -
“What do you recommend, Pronax? The sale of the woman could spoil our concealment, but she may be worth her weight in timae. To discard the boon entirely seems unwise.”
>cont","attachment":null,"posted":1715225467},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5999001,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Pronax purses his lips, and scrubs his sweaty scalp for a moment.
“Well, we’ll cross by Lerna, and the small swamp village there. Would be easy to done with her there, but gold is in short supply - you won’t easily scare up a buyer willing to pay what she’s worth. The men there will know you, of course, even with your Heraclidean bronze, but to swear a loyal Argive to secrecy is nothing.”
“Alternately, nephew, you might consider just bringing her to Argos proper – any number of nobility might be willing to purchase her from you, and serve as a middleman. There’s wealth aplenty in Argos, but secrets don’t keep quite as well in the Royal Palace, as you well know. A beautiful hostage may spark the wrong kind of attention.” Pronax is not wrong – such women have a way of inverting their imprisonment against their captors over time.
“And what of the other local cities? With Arion, much is possible. You could take the men, gold and cattle home, while I transport the hostage for sale.”
“Well, Orkomenos is a possibility – not too far into Arcadia, and with a neutral king to serve as wealthy buyer... They would hardly care about Agepenor, but how interested they may be in a hostage of unknown provenance is hard to guess. And, it is said that the Arcadians there are still prone to savagery – even after Zeus punished old King Lycaon, they sneak scraps of manflesh here and there, if you believe it. It’s more than half the reason Parthenopaeus runs as quickly as he does, if you ask me…” Pronax chuckles, recycling a joke that you’ve heard a hundred times before; you don’t bother to humor him.
“And what of Tiryns?”
“Ah, another good option – and on the wrong side of Argos, as well. The farthest away, but with a wealthy king. The men are civilized, wealthy, and they aren’t apt to care much about Archigeiros or Agepenor. One would imagine that they would prefer to stay in Adrastus' good graces, even if they guess your identity or our trespass...”
>Where will Hippo go with the hostage? Please note that increasing travel time also denotes an increasing probability of things going haywire. Also, Hippo has to RETURN to Argos with whatever Timae he obtains, so this episode could eat up another week of Hippo's very valuable time. The army of Argos is set to march soon...
>To the Lernaean village. PROS: Very quick resolution, medium chance of keeping cover. CONS: Poor reward.
>To Argos. PROS: Quick resolution, high reward. CONS: Low chance of keeping cover, possibility of political drama.
>To Orkomenos. PROS: Average resolution, medium reward, high chance of keeping cover, CONS: possibility of cannibals, slower transit.
>To Tiryns. PROS: High reward, reputable nobility. High chance of keeping cover. CONS: Very slow travel time, even with Arion.
>Nowhere – dump the woman on the side of the road to be discovered by passing travelers. PRO: Hippo’s cover is guaranteed. CON: No reward for the hostage.","attachment":null,"posted":1715225855},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5999013,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999001
>>To Orkomenos. PROS: Average resolution, medium reward, high chance of keeping cover, CONS: possibility of cannibals, slower transit.
Fear the men draped as wolves? Or some freaks that gobble man meat? Perish the thought. Along with all the fools who would bar our passage.","attachment":null,"posted":1715226335},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5999015,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999001
>>To Orkomenos. PROS: Average resolution, medium reward, high chance of keeping cover, CONS: possibility of cannibals, slower transit.","attachment":null,"posted":1715226452},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5999060,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999001
Hm. tricky. My old scheme won't work well if she emerges surrounded by stolen cattle, and with no dead kidnappers to have 'rescued' her from. nearby any longer (unless we brought their corpses, which I doubt).
I guess...
>To the Lernaean village. PROS: Very quick resolution, medium chance of keeping cover. CONS: Poor reward.
Let's not get greedy.","attachment":null,"posted":1715229179},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5999079,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999001
>To Orkomenos. PROS: Average resolution, medium reward, high chance of keeping cover, CONS: possibility of cannibals, slower transit.","attachment":null,"posted":1715230168},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5999161,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Thinking on it, since Amp and Cap went questing in Arcadia I wonder what the chances of Hippo meeting them is if he goes to Orkomenos","attachment":null,"posted":1715237640},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5999252,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5999161
Not impossible, Hippomedon could very well run into them or hear about their exploits…","attachment":null,"posted":1715250945},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5999292,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999001
Could we drag her over to home, then hire/get a trusted man that speaks without an accent or with a foreign unidentifiable accent to converse with the hostage to find out who she is? For all we know, she might not even be Tegean.","attachment":null,"posted":1715254985},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5999308,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5999292
Definitely yes, but the hostage is not powerless here either, and she could very well turn the tables on any interrogator. Friendly reminder that mortal commoners have a WILL of 6 and susceptible to the wiles of beautiful women. Amphiarus would be the best possible interrogator in Argos, due to his insanely high WILL and relatively low Kleos, but he’s off traipsing around Arcadia with Cap and Patty at the moment… So it’s a delicate balance between getting the best price vs revealing your identities.
All things considered, players could decide that the “cost” of a minor war with Tegea could outweigh any short-term gain in Timae","attachment":null,"posted":1715257313},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5999309,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999308
We could always keep her blindfolded and with a bag over her head. She only needs to speak and hear. Or could we keep her in a shack until Amphiarus comes back?","attachment":null,"posted":1715257624},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5999501,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>5999309
>can we keep her in a shack somewhere?
Again, definitely yes, but to be fair, this isn’t a tenable long-term solution - I’d have to give her some increasingly good chances to escape as time goes on, and if you guys put her under armed guard, we’re back to the “she might talk her way out” thing.
Tl;dr - yes, you can lock her up but there are risks with this too","attachment":null,"posted":1715271487},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":5999513,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999001
>>To Tiryns
I'll put my vote to here if noone is backing my idea of getting someone unidentifiable to talk to her.","attachment":null,"posted":1715272460},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6000005,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>6000000","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715304749828993.jpg","filename":"zeus get.jpg"},"posted":1715304749},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6000043,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000005
What a horrible night to witness gets.","attachment":null,"posted":1715307128},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6000045,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":">>5999001
Very tough choice here, but ultimately we have no idea what poor fate may have befallen her had we not arrived, & we don't know for sure that there are really any beastmen/cannibals so...
>Orkomenos","attachment":null,"posted":1715307190},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6000047,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":">>6000045
Actually, scratch that shit, we're a goddamned Nobleman of ARGOS, if we're going to kidnap a woman for money, we're doing it HONORABLY. We've already upped our troops stats, we ride Arion with the lady en towe to:
>Tiryns
Tell Pronax he better drill them as hard as we have upon his return.","attachment":null,"posted":1715307428},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6000073,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Orkomenos
>>5999013
>>5999015
>>5999079
Lernaean Swamp
>>5999060
Tiryns
>>5999513
>>6000047
---
Orkomenos takes it! I'll have a short update out in a few minutes...","attachment":null,"posted":1715309839},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6000095,"name":"Lesches","msg":"You consider your options with Pronax, but ultimately, the choice is clear – you will venture to Orkomenos. It is the closest city of reasonable size, with a king of some wealth (Pheilon, a direct male-line descendant of Lycaon himself, and master of huge sheepflocks), and even better, you are vaguely aware that relations between the Arcadian kings are typically strained. Tegea is now the seat of power within the forested realm, but this was not always so – before the floods of Deucalion’s time, Orkomenos was the capital of the region. The two cities, Tegea and Orkomenos, have vied for power over the centuries – but in your lifetime, Tegea is the more dominant. All that to say – you know little of King Pheilon, but he would likely accept a Tegean hostage for leverage over his more powerful rival, Agepenor.
You explain your logic to Pronax, and he shrugs his shoulders –
“As you say, Hippomedon – I trust your judgment. Of the two, I have met Agepenor only twice, and both times were decades ago. Bring home some sheep!”
The distribution of Tegean wealth amongst your honor-guard takes only a few moments; each man bundling what he can in his personal traveling sack. You commandeer two stallions to draw the (much lighter) donkey-cart, with the hostage inside. Given the heat of the day, and the Heraclid make of your bronze, you elect to place your armor within the cart as well. From a distance, you will hopefully appear to be large man in an under-sized cart, instead of a famed Argive giant. Finally, with a long length of rope, you tie Arion to the donkey-cart’s reins, so that he can amble alongside the cart or behind it, as he wishes. You wouldn’t dare tie Arion himself to a donkey-cart; such a thing is entirely beneath the divine horse. You’re not a man of piety but you’d sooner push the cursed cart yourself than risk the anger of the gods at the mistreatment of one of their own.
The hostage does not stir, still wrapped in her hide tapestry and hidden another blanket, as you wave your goodbyes to Pronax and your honorguard; she must be insensate with fatigue. Your uncle and the other Argives drive the cattle through the underbrush and you quickly lose sight of them. Strange – the breeze changes as you take your seat, and that acrid scent fills your nose again; an unpleasant odor that makes you think of both dry forest litter and swamps. You turn behind you to check the hostage’s position, but find the donkey-cart’s covering to be motionless. Putting aside the strange scent, you, Arion and the donkey-cart set a brisk pace north – you push through your own sluggishness (for you’ve been awake for a full day and night at this point) and set a brisk pace north on the trail. You’ll need to camp for the evening later, but if you push the horses hard, you’ll reach Orkomenos on the afternoon of the second day…
>okay, /qst/, I need a dice+1d20 to take a spin on the Homeric Happenings table.
>good luck!","attachment":null,"posted":1715311465},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6000103,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 2 (1d20)
>>6000095","attachment":null,"posted":1715312521},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6000105,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000103
Silver lining, we got Arion with us and he can probably kick a hole in our enemies.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715312710882725.jpg","filename":"Oh noes.jpg"},"posted":1715312710},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6000108,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000103","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715313597035206.png","filename":"1701667099489952.png"},"posted":1715313597},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6000119,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000103
DANGER WILL ROBINSON","attachment":null,"posted":1715314562},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6000166,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000103
So we have now summoned H*ctor out of the aether to kill us again?","attachment":null,"posted":1715320407},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6000252,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>6000166
He’s currently a very young kid in Troy, no need to fear.
This is a bad roll but Arcadia is not an “endgame” zone like the Royal Palace of Ilion, so the encounter tables here are not identical…","attachment":null,"posted":1715336766},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6000446,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Rolled 10 (1d10)
Just a quick follow-up roll, don’t mind me…","attachment":null,"posted":1715357754},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6000450,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>6000446
Intradasting, the die shows the way…","attachment":null,"posted":1715357815},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6000797,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000450
Lisan-al Gaib - the dice must flow","attachment":null,"posted":1715384414},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6000830,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Updates might be sparse this weekend, I’m at a minor league hockey game atm and have a full slate until Sunday.
Can probably get out two updates, but I know exactly what I want to do…","attachment":null,"posted":1715388316},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6000858,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000830
>but I know exactly what I want to do…
Furries?","attachment":null,"posted":1715392312},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6002264,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>6000858
Kek, absolutely not. Only deities can get away with such degeneracy.
Anyways, there’s a 100% chance of an update before 12am EST and a smaller chance that I get it out for 3pm EST. Just gotta find the time in a pretty busy day to assemble and post.","attachment":null,"posted":1715518768},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6002481,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Your travel for the rest of the day is unremarkable, as you sit within the donkey-cart (although now pulled by Argive stallions) and thread your way into the Arcadian wilds. You release Arion’s line, and trust him to keep pace – he seems to relish in his freedom, trotting briskly through the grasses and fields alongside the trail north. On one or two occasions, you lose him in the underbrush, but each time, he returns to you with a mouth dripping with river-water. The few pedestrians on the roads are all men of common descent – they stare at you, Arion, and your donkey-cart with great curiosity as they pass, but to a man, they do not tarry to make conversation with you. Even without your bronze, you clearly a man of great physical capability; not a stranger to trifle with. They greet you politely (“Hail, Lord!” and “Zeus favor you, Lord!”) and speed on down the path.
Behind you, the hostage barely stirs within her binds; perhaps, she has lost all hope of escape. That evening, you make camp within a shadowed glen where you, your cart, Arion and the Argive steeds can comfortably rest. You water the Tegean noblewoman after you’ve made camp that evening, and she drinks greedily - but she makes no attempt to speak with you, either, her face set grimly. It is admirable of her – and constant squawking on her part would irritate you, so you are grateful for her resolve. You don your bronze and prepare to sleep upright, sitting against a great cypress tree, with your spear-in-hand – sleeping under any circumstances is a soldier’s trick you learned long ago, and having been awake for nearly two whole days, you are certain that Ὑπνος, lord over all mortal men and all gods, will grant you rest without delay.
You eyes slide close beneath your helm –
And you startle awake, hearing rustling amongst the underbrush. It seems that no time at all has passed, but the stiffness in your limbs tells you that hours have slipped by; a glance at the sky tells you that it is near-midnight. You hear the scrabbling draw closer, and standing, heft your spear. A small animal, perhaps, but you prepare to strike - your right arm awakening. The creature tumbles out of the nearest shrub and you move to strike!
But the animal cries out:
“Wait, wait!”
Peering in the gloom, you see that the creature is a small man – barely more than a boy, in truth, in ragged and filthy linothorax, hair strewn with leaves. His eyes are frantic and wild, his face covered in mud and streaked with sweat; the results of a panicked dash of a man with no tradecraft amongst the wilderness. He is obviously unarmed – and as he takes your person in, he kneels at once, bowing his head and spreading his hands wide in supplication. You see at once that his left arm once held a bucker – two clean stripes on his arm where the leather straps held it in place. He is still pleading, a high-pitched and babbling stream, his words slurred by terror:
>cont","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715535795262329.jpg","filename":"arcadia.jpg"},"posted":1715535795},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6002540,"name":"Lesches","msg":"“Lord, Lord – forgive my trespass on your camp! But you have been sent by Zeus, surely – who else may have? All things in the sky and earth are within his remit; thank you, Zeus, thank you! Lord, Lord – you must follow me! My father – he has been in pursuit of my brother and I for three days; he seeks to kill us both!” The man immediately irritates you – his presumption offensive. He bursts into your campsite and then begs you to leave it? You speak your doubts aloud:
“And what business of this is mine, vagrant?” Your voice is cutting - you intend to cast aside -
“It is the business of all Hellenes – this war between Argos and Thebes! Please, Lord, you must come – my brother is at the top of a great oak, not far from here, my father prowls below – I only just escaped myself…”
The man’s words stun you – you clarify:
“What could you possibly mean, boy?”
“I cannot explain it all here – we don’t have the time, Lord! – we are masons, gatecrafters! My father, Koximos, was Royal Mason for King Oedipus; he is the bastard son of Itylus! Our family was ejected by Polynices, we wandered south from Boeotia in poverty. My brother and I – we seek revenge on the Thebans; you must come with me – you must stop my father!”
Your irritation vanishes; the boy’s pleading taking on an entirely different context. The name Itylus is vaguely familiar to you as a Theban one, but you cannot remember more … You put the thought aside as excitement grows – what have you stumbled across here? By chance, the former Royal Mason of Thebes and his warring sons fall into the lap of Hippomedon, prince of Argos? You wonder at the odds, but before you can ponder further, the boy has darted back through the bushes. Without a second thought, you are charging through the underbrush yourself, easily keeping pace with the boy; he introduces himself breathlessly as Charrados; his brother as Ilodros. Within a minute, the pair of you leap into a clearing, and you find that Charrados has been truthful:
An armed figure, spear at his side, is stacking sticks against the mighty hide of an oak tree, stuffing the gaps with underbrush and leaves. He is raging as he works:
“You will BURN, kinslayer! The Furies will pull you to pieces in Tartarus! What madness has taken you and your brother? HAVE I TAUGHT YOU NOTHING?!”
And from above him, you hear the plaintive voice of a young man, presumably Ilodros, shouting back:
“FATHER, NO! DO NOT SET ME ABLAZE! WE DID IT FOR YOU – FOR YOU!”
The men are slow to notice you – Charrados hiding partly behind you as you stride forwards into the clearing, spear in hand. Koximos whirls to face you, when he hears your heavy step, and seems to temporarily lose his composure at the sight of you, dropping to his knees, before he stands once more:
“Who are you? Is that my kinslaying son lapping at your heels? Thrust him into the bonfire as he deserves!”
>cont","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715539853573523.jpg","filename":"a slight thematic breach but I feel it conveys the tone.jpg"},"posted":1715539853},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6002562,"name":"Lesches","msg":"You don’t hesitate to respond:
“I am Hippomedon Aristomachides, nephew to King Adrastus and Prince of Argos.”
There is a stunned silence in the clearing – now, it is your words that disorient and confuse. The scent of the night air is acrid, musty – an unpleasant animal odor had invaded your mouth, resting bitterly on the back of your tongue; you resist the urge to spit. Charrados, at your waist, is first to respond, whispering up to you:
“Lord Hippomedon, thanks be to Olympus – my brother Ilodros has at his waist the complete plans to the walls of Thebes, and all her gates! My father designed and built half them himself! – braced them against the magic walls that Amphion’s harp assembled. Lord, a literate man who can read these plans will know of Thebes’ strengths – and all the weaknesses of her fortifications! Think of what you could do with them!”
And from the top of the oak tree, Ilodros is screaming:
“FATHER, NO! VIKTIDOMOS WOULD HAVE RUINED EVERYTHING!”
And you see orange light flickering at the base of the oak tree – flames rising quickly through the dried leaves. Koximos turns to you, spitting venom:
“Hippomedon, these SERPENTS murdered their eldest brother, my beloved son Viktidomos, and stole precious documents. They are thieves and kinslayers; ask them if they deny it!”
You don’t speak, but you turn your head to Charrados – and he confirms the accusation, speaking quickly:
“It is true, yes – but my brother would have betrayed us in turn, fool that he was. How many uncountable thousands will die in the siege of Thebes? My brother couldn’t see that – couldn’t see how these plans could save so many innocent Thebans. I know you see the wisdom of it, Lord – if Argos takes Thebes quickly, many lives will be spared. Viktidomos was the best of us in all ways; we killed him as he slept, since we could not best him fairly.”
Koximos speaks to you again:
“Do not listen to whatever lies these snakes have whispered to you, Lord Hippomedon – help me bring them to justice and cast these kinslayers into the blaze! Let their roasting flesh be an offering to Zeus Παλαμναιος; every step they take offends him!”
And from the tree, you hear Ilodros:
“Charrados, I had hidden the plans before I became trapped up here – run while you can!” The flames crackly hungrily – already, they begin to ascend the oak tree’s bark to its lower boughs. Charrados is now begging you:
“Hippomedon, please! You have the strength to kill my father, save my brother and I, and recover the plans! Think of what you could do with them!”
All three men, now turn to you, begging for your decision – as the ranking nobleman present, famed soldier , and prince of Argos, you alone have authority and power to decide the fate of these men.
You wrestle with the choices available to you…","attachment":null,"posted":1715542735},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6002563,"name":"Lesches","msg":">What do, /qst/? This is a real pickle.
>Interrogate the three men further before making a decision. If this vote is selected, please also try to provide a specific single question to pose. Please note: Hippomedon has time for only one additional conversation before the blaze forces Iladros to leap to his death.
>Take the side of the brothers – kill their mutual father, save Iladros and recover the Theban plans. As disgusting as their kinslaying is, you must align with them to gain these plans and best prepare Argos for victory.
>Take the side of the aggrieved father, Koximos – no matter how valuable these Theban plans are, you cannot align with traitors and kinslayers. How can you trust the word of men who easily admit to the murder of their innocent elder brother in their sleep? Argos will have to win the war against Thebes through force of arms alone.
>Something else I haven’t thought of?","attachment":null,"posted":1715542796},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6002581,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Nightingale ancestor, city plans, and kin slaying. Bad optics.
Don’t suppose we can take the route of either capturing all of then or just straight up murder all three.","attachment":null,"posted":1715543809},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6002586,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Wouldn't him killing his sons also be kinslaying? Shouldn't what he be trying to do is capture them, bring them before some authority, probably a temple, then letting justice be done upon them? This is all very unusual. Then again, if he really is this fuckass mad he's probably going to be acting stupid.","attachment":null,"posted":1715544406},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6002593,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>6002581
>>6002586
>Can you kill all three or capture all three?
Killing all three would be trivial, although the father is apparently blameless as far as Hippomedon knows. Capturing all three is possible, but it’s difficult to know if he could prevent them from killing each other later at some point.
>>6002586
Obviously the father thinks that he is bringing justice to his sons - I leave it to you to decide whether his actions might also constitute a crime.","attachment":null,"posted":1715544801},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6002613,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002563
>Capture all three
Spooky animals","attachment":null,"posted":1715545628},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6002788,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002563
>>6002613
Sorry for the tardiness but I will back this guy. Grabbing them all would be ideal. Then we can make decisions on what to do with them at our leisure. Kill them or otherwise.","attachment":null,"posted":1715557582},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6002875,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002788
I mean is there a reason we shouldn't just straight up side with the sons? Like we can keep them all hostage until we secure the documents so they don't pull any fast ones but not only do we benefit from siding with the brothers the father is a hypocrite too blinded by grief to even realize such. As you mentioned if he actually cared about justice he would of brought them to the ancient greek equivalent of proper authorities to be judged but instead is planning on doing the exact same crime he condemns his sons for with himself reigning as judge jury and executioner.","attachment":null,"posted":1715561025},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6002885,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002875
This whole thing is super weird though. The only better person we could have run into out here is Polynices with his dick out. I'm a bit perplexed by such uncommon fortune. So I am perhaps being too pensive.","attachment":null,"posted":1715561410},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6002910,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002885
Now you mention it it's odd that Charrados says his brother has the plans on his hip but then his brother says he hid the plans before ending up in his current situation. Now this normally could make sense but they have been chased for three days and apparently, Charrados has only just now escaped. Also what point would Charrados have to whisper anything to us if not to hide what he is saying from his father? With these thoughts I say the question we should ask before passing judgement is this.
>Ask the father what documents they stole
Also relevant tidbits in order
>My father – he has been in pursuit of my brother and I for three days; he seeks to kill us both!
>my brother is at the top of a great oak, not far from here, my father prowls below – I only just escaped myself…”
>Charrados, at your waist, is first to respond, whispering up to you:
“Lord Hippomedon, thanks be to Olympus – my brother Ilodros has at his waist the complete plans to the walls of Thebes, and all her gates! My father designed and built half them himself! – braced them against the magic walls that Amphion’s harp assembled. Lord, a literate man who can read these plans will know of Thebes’ strengths – and all the weaknesses of her fortifications! Think of what you could do with them!”
>“Hippomedon, these SERPENTS murdered their eldest brother, my beloved son Viktidomos, and stole precious documents. They are thieves and kinslayers; ask them if they deny it!”
>“Charrados, I had hidden the plans before I became trapped up here – run while you can!”","attachment":null,"posted":1715562169},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6002914,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002910
Ah whoops mild formatting error regardless we got time to ask one question so might as well use it, this probably isn't the best situation to ask for the circumstances but its the only one I can think of at this time.","attachment":null,"posted":1715562243},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6002916,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002914
*question meant to say question not situation my bad let my brain wander ahead of my hands there.","attachment":null,"posted":1715562312},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6002923,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002910
Also not relevant to my line of thinking but one more minor detail I think is a bit odd considering his claimed occupation as a mason and the current situation.
>You see at once that his left arm once held a bucker – two clean stripes on his arm where the leather straps held it in place.","attachment":null,"posted":1715562535},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6002926,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002563
>>6002613
Support. Capture all three, interrogate them with no time pressure. >>6002910 is right that the story smells fishy","attachment":null,"posted":1715562766},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6002939,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002923
Last oddity im going to mention that I just noticed is this
Here the motive is laid out as revenge against the Thebans
>My father, Koximos, was Royal Mason for King Oedipus; he is the bastard son of Itylus! Our family was ejected by Polynices, we wandered south from Boeotia in poverty. My brother and I – we seek revenge on the Thebans; you must come with me – you must stop my father!
But here he claims its to save the Thebans
>It is true, yes – but my brother would have betrayed us in turn, fool that he was. How many uncountable thousands will die in the siege of Thebes? My brother couldn’t see that – couldn’t see how these plans could save so many innocent Thebans. I know you see the wisdom of it, Lord – if Argos takes Thebes quickly, many lives will be spared. Viktidomos was the best of us in all ways; we killed him as he slept, since we could not best him fairly.
Again just like the bucker not 100% sure what to make of this but it's a pretty damning contradiction in my eyes.","attachment":null,"posted":1715563541},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6002971,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002563
>Capture all three.
Perhaps Hippomedon could simply smack both mortals upside the head and then tell the one in the tree to get down or burn.","attachment":null,"posted":1715564593},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6003012,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002939
Good catch. They can't be trusted. They can't even keep their story straight.
>>6002563
>Take the side of the aggrieved father, Koximos – no matter how valuable these Theban plans are, you cannot align with traitors and kinslayers. How can you trust the word of men who easily admit to the murder of their innocent elder brother in their sleep? Argos will have to win the war against Thebes through force of arms alone.
>Capture him, too, though.
Can't just let him go free, mind you.","attachment":null,"posted":1715566741},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6003015,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":"This shit is mad sussy & likely a ruse by some Daemons or Gods to steal our captive away from us. We need to return to her ASAP. Her ears are still filled with wax, clever Chabrianos be praised? If so we risk little dragging them back. The father is clearly in the right to dole out justice upon his own sons, but bsyond some test of character by the Gods, it matters little. We want the Theban wall plans if they actually exist. If not, we can leave them tied up to figure things out themselves.
>Capture via the ARGIVE STUNNER OFF THE TOP ROPE or simple "wrastlin," tie them up, & drag them to our camp
>Ask Arion to sniff out any truth or falsehood when we interrogate them","attachment":null,"posted":1715566959},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6003018,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Anon's almonds were activated. Hippomedon's braincells have worked. THESE MOFUGGAS TWEAKIN. Can't trust these fuckers. We should make sure there aren't a ton of them waiting on the treeline.","attachment":null,"posted":1715567021},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6003019,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":">>6003015
Also, if we get back & she's gone, break everyone's legs (both), then pursue her with Arion","attachment":null,"posted":1715567068},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6003023,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003015
You know I was really hoping that since Hippo doesn't have FOB that he wouldn't proc divine intervention so often. But Arion being a literal horse god probably throws that shit out the window.","attachment":null,"posted":1715567342},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6003195,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003019
>break everyone's legs
Hippo definitely strikes me as brutal enough to do that. If he really wanted to prevent them from murdering each other when captured, he could just break hands so they cannot commit violence, but this entire thing stinks of supernatural mischief.","attachment":null,"posted":1715584126},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6003316,"name":"Lesches","msg":"I’ll let the vote run until 8pm EST per usual, but seeing broad consensus for:
>capture all three for further interrogation, something is amiss here…","attachment":null,"posted":1715598091},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6003602,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003015
Take plans, let the old man kill the youths?","attachment":null,"posted":1715624186},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6003606,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003602
As people already said, the old man is morally correct, the gods might be watching. However, we also have a moral obligation to Argos and our soldiers to pursue what is good for them, and that is the wall plans.","attachment":null,"posted":1715624476},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6003623,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Okay, you guys have done a good job of finding inconsistencies in the last update, but there’s one last set of clues buried in the update. If one of you guys figures out what it is, Hippo will have an auto-success on this next action.","attachment":null,"posted":1715625924},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6003632,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003623
I mean I can't think of anything else other than that recurring smell. The same that keeps popping up around the woman. But I don't know the relevance, personally. It means something but my understanding of Greek myth and ancient culture isn't sufficient to tie it into anything.","attachment":null,"posted":1715626688},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6003635,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003623
>>6003632
Oh and the whole "We did it for you" bit. When the dad is very clearly pissed about it as if he didn't want it to happen. But that could be interpreted as the boys being stupid. Then again, their story keeps changing about WHY they killed their eldest brother. So I feel like either way that's been covered.","attachment":null,"posted":1715626832},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6003744,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003623
>Our family was ejected by Polynices
Is it this? Because I’m quite certain Eteocles is king of Thebes not Poly","attachment":null,"posted":1715633585},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6003746,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003744
I'll be honest, I don't know which is which.","attachment":null,"posted":1715633752},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6003932,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":">>6003632
Is it the same smell from the Temple of Dionysus when we met our wife at Argos?","attachment":null,"posted":1715646265},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6003947,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003932
You mean the smell associated with Divine fuckery and people trying to pull a fast one on THE HIPPO?","attachment":null,"posted":1715648287},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6003949,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>6003932
It’s not - the Temple aroma was sort of pleasant and intoxicating, and the current event is sort of animalish and bad.
>>6003744
This is another inconsistency, but not the big clue. Don’t feel bad if you guys don’t get it, this is a new trick that I’m pulling on you guys.
Hippomedon is definitely on the right track here, even if he hasn’t totally figured everything out…","attachment":null,"posted":1715648429},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6003951,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003623
Is Koximos even a Thebian name? I don't know enough about ancient greek name origins to really confirm this so its effectively just a guess.
Relevant Bits:
>Koximos, was Royal Mason for King Oedipus; he is the bastard son of Itylus!
>The name Itylus is vaguely familiar to you as a Theban one, but you cannot remember more …","attachment":null,"posted":1715648646},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6003952,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003949
>Don’t feel bad if you guys don’t get it, this is a new trick that I’m pulling on you guys.
Well it's not much of a clue if it's a trick. Tsk tsk mister Queue Em Man.","attachment":null,"posted":1715648760},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6003954,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003951
>Itylus
Well Itylus is a dude who was killed by his mom by accident when she was aiming to murder her sister's children out out jealousy. The mom got turned into a nightingale by Zeus.
I don't know if Itylus had any kids desu","attachment":null,"posted":1715648906},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6003963,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>6003951
Very very close here - you almost have it","attachment":null,"posted":1715649202},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6003964,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003949
> in ragged and filthy linothorax
Is it this? This is armor ancient greek soldiers wear right? Not something a mason would casually just be wearing.","attachment":null,"posted":1715649206},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6003967,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003963
Ah hell shoulda refreshed, alrighty let me think then.","attachment":null,"posted":1715649288},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6003970,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003964
>>6003951
>Koximos whirls to face you, when he hears your heavy step, and seems to temporarily lose his composure at the sight of you, dropping to his knees, before he stands once more
Maybe he's an Argive deserter, not a Theban? This could mean he recognised Hippomedon immediately","attachment":null,"posted":1715649453},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6003973,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003963
Ok so he claims his father was the Royal Mason for King Oedipus and that their father helped build and design the walls of Thebes BUT that doesn't make sense timeline wise does it? Like again my knowledge on ancient greek history is really screwing my ability to deduct here but i'd imagine that either the walls were already built by Oedipus time by some other guy or they weren't built yet at all.","attachment":null,"posted":1715649758},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6003976,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003973
Also relevant bits as usual.
>My father, Koximos, was Royal Mason for King Oedipus
>“Lord Hippomedon, thanks be to Olympus – my brother Ilodros has at his waist the complete plans to the walls of Thebes, and all her gates! My father designed and built half them himself!","attachment":null,"posted":1715649855},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6003977,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>6003970
>>6003973
Ah, you guys are getting colder again, but I definitely appreciate the effort. I’ll throw you guys a bone since you’re 99% there: I never name my characters randomly.
One hour window before I post, last chance!","attachment":null,"posted":1715649942},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6003988,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003977
So at least one of the names doesn't make sense in some way but which one? I'm trying to think but drawing a blank ere","attachment":null,"posted":1715650549},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6003992,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003977
Wait hang on do thebians have a different pronunciation/spelling for Itylus?","attachment":null,"posted":1715650673},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6003995,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003992
So like instead of Itylus it's Itylos?","attachment":null,"posted":1715650767},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6003999,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6003995
I don't know it's odd all their names end in os but they used the us pronunciation for Itylus instead of the Itylos one i'm outta ideas so if this aint it then gg.","attachment":null,"posted":1715651004},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6004001,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>6003988
Nope, but you’re dancing around it.
>>6003992
Actually you caught me in a “Latinization” mistake here, should be “Itylos” per the original Greek myth. But also nope.
Don’t feel too bad anon, you’ve almost single-handedly reversed the entire situation with your analysis","attachment":null,"posted":1715651044},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6004011,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004001
Can all this thinking about how fucky the situation is be reflected in Hippo's attitude?","attachment":null,"posted":1715651375},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6004018,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004001
Ok so Itylus is Theban, he claims their father was a bastard of a thebian as such also a thebian yet at the same time (at first atleast) claim they want revenge on the thebians which he himself would be based off his story, he seems to keep a degree of separation from himself and the thebians despite supposedly being a thebian himself?","attachment":null,"posted":1715651581},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6004026,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004001
Why do I feel like this requires some kind of meta information? Perhaps I am really dumb so my mind is doing gymnastics to spare itself the shame. I'm stumped.","attachment":null,"posted":1715651972},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6004027,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004011
It's really funny imagining Hippo suddenly freezing up as he starts thinking REALLY hard and everyone else is just looking at him confused as hell.","attachment":null,"posted":1715651997},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6004032,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004001
Is this Pan or Hermes fucking with us somehow? This is Arcadia after all","attachment":null,"posted":1715652169},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6004054,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Alright, time's up - a very valiant effort on the players part, but you've missed the "killshot" so to speak. I'll reveal the last clue at the end of the thread if anyone's still curious. Update will be out shortly.","attachment":null,"posted":1715653246},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6004055,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004001
Hang on hang on didn't Polynices and his brother kill eachother for control of Thebes? How could Polynices of ejected their family if he didn't control the place.","attachment":null,"posted":1715653303},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6004056,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004055
Oh wait this was already called out nvm","attachment":null,"posted":1715653372},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6004062,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004054
Oh well was fun trying to piece it together frankly just happy I got as much as I did","attachment":null,"posted":1715653538},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6004069,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004054
Ok this is just for fun since its too late but just realized their father (presumably) only built the gates not the walls why would you make a gatecrafter the royal mason if he doesn't do any mason work?","attachment":null,"posted":1715654055},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6004079,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Something is amiss.
The murdering sons, the avenging father - the plans of Theban fortifications, the emergency of the burning oak... The coincidence of it all begins to curdle in your mind.
No, more than one thing is wrong here. You tally the inconsistencies - first, Charrados speaks of revenge against Thebans, but now speaks as though he wishes to save them. He says that his brother Iladros had the plans on his hip, and he had only just escaped from his father, but now his Iladros claims to have hidden them before Charrados fled - shouldn’t Charrados have known this? Why would a mason have had a buckler and linothorax to begin with? And finally - Polynices never had a chance to hold the Cadmeian throne, having been ejected by Eteocles beforehand. How could Koximos and his three sons have been exiled by Polynices prior – would Polynices have even had the authority to do so as a prince of Thebes? And finally, the urgency of the burning oak, giving you only tense moments to make a rushed choice…
Any one of these peculiarities might have been overlooked, but together, the whole tale presented to you is a ragged hide: full of holes. This is a sham - some deceit is being perpetrated upon you! You immediately set your spear and shield at the ready, and dance away from Charados and his father on agile feet, scanning the shadowed treeline for ambushes. You’re careful to keep the men in your view, and despite their pleading, keep your spear at the ready. This scenario has been laid before you in the hopes of making you choose a side; righteous father against betraying sons. You sense the trickery of a daimon or deity at work; you’ve never had the displeasure of such an experience before, but there can be no other conclusion.
Well, you will play along with this deceit no longer.
A pair of Argive stunners rest on your belt; the third lies somewhere on the trail outside Archigeiros’ estate. At this close range, shattering the shins and ankles of these deceivers will be trivial.
In a single rapid motion, you plant your spearpoint into the earth, grasp a stunner, and throw at Charrados – the heavy ball snaps his left ankle like a twig; he topples bonelessly to the grassy earth with a choking hiss. Your second throw, whip-fast, takes Koximos in the side of the right knee as he turns to flee - you hear the dull creaking of the joint as it breaks loose from its moorings inside his flesh. Unlike his son, he immediately unleashes wordless howling, full of scorn and poison. You stride forwards, and with your sandaled foot, you stomp upon the good leg of each man – they shriek in agony as you thoroughly cripple them, and weeping, they wail and cast vile curses as soon as they catch their breath.
>cont","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715654300541509.jpg","filename":"thematic art.jpg"},"posted":1715654300},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6004096,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Rolled 15, 11, 7, 19, 5, 2 + 3 = 62 (6d20 + 3)
To the third son, you roar out:
“ILADROS, DESCEND NOW BY ORDER OF HIPPOMEDON ARISTOMACHIDES, PRINCE OF ARGOS, OR I WILL PIERCE YOUR HEART WITH PITILESS BRONZE!”
There is silence, at first, before you hear the scrambling of the man as he drops from bough to bough – he must drop the final distance, jumping over the flames that are beginning to ascend the oak’s trunk. You catch him immediately as he picks himself up to run, your left hand wrapping around his fragile throat. You carry him easily to his family, as his feet kick and scrape in futility, and he begs in a strangled voice:
”I will not run, Lord – please do not hobble me…”
You ignore his pleas and keep your grip tight, as you inspect his belt – no scroll or map hangs there. Koximos and Charrados have ceased their wailing now, they whimper in outrage as they lie motionless in the grass. The burning oak now illuminates the entire clearing – a crackling roar as great flames overtake the ancient tree. The ruddy light reflects off your Heraclidean bronze; Iladros chokes and gasps as you hold him aloft before his father and brother. Each of the three men have the feral eyes of animals - wide with terror, rolling and darting in their sockets, licking at their lips... You wait for them for speak, but none of them do so - they are frozen in abject terror.
You have tolerated this foolishness long enough – you will force the truth from them upon threat of death.
“The first man to tell me the whole truth will live. Which daimon do you serve?! Where are the plans?!
>okay, /qst/ - I’m using QM fiat to determine that Hippomedon will apply his force of WILL. He currently enjoys a significant contextual advantage here, so I’m giving him a bonus dice. Additionally, you guys located four significant discrepancies in the tale (Charrados’ motivation, Charrados’ soldier gear, Iladros’ plans, and Polynices’ exiling of the family), so I’m assigning a +5 bonus to Hippomedon.
>I need THREE rolls of dice+1d20+5 to see how scary Hippomedon is right now.
>I’ll be rolling for Koximos, Charrados and Iladros – please note that they each have two die, they would normally be rolling at a -3 penalty, but for plot reasons, they each have a +6 bonus to their WILL check (and you’ll likely find out why soon enough). Hippomedon only needs one to crack, btw.","attachment":null,"posted":1715655311},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6004097,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 7 + 5 (1d20 + 5)
>>6004096","attachment":null,"posted":1715655416},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6004098,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 13 + 5 (1d20 + 5)
>>6004096
Thank fuck Iladros is being a jobber.","attachment":null,"posted":1715655511},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6004099,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 17 + 5 (1d20 + 5)
>>6004096
Rollin","attachment":null,"posted":1715655523},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6004103,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>6004099
>22 vs 18, 23, 8
>Koximos cracks, but Iladros shatters. Charrados manages to keep his cool, which is appropriate.
Update tomorrow - I'm actually hyped. I've been waiting for this scene for a long time. Didn't come how I thought it would, but here we are!","attachment":null,"posted":1715655821},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6004106,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004096
Well looks like Iladros is a pissbaby. Excellent.","attachment":null,"posted":1715655876},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6004120,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004103
>>22 vs 18, 23, 8
19+3 is 22.","attachment":null,"posted":1715657126},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6004128,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004103
Right on!","attachment":null,"posted":1715657831},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6004269,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004103
>Charrados
>Charade
The missing name clue can't be that simple, can it?","attachment":null,"posted":1715667148},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6004365,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>6004269
Haha, well done! The other names mean something too, of course.","attachment":null,"posted":1715682315},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6004372,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004365
Really? Yeah no I'd have never gotten that in a million fucking years. That would require me to know ancient naming conventions in a foreign language. I will always just assume it's a regular name. I worked with a guy named "Stanislavovborich" once, after that every name sounds normal to me. Damn.","attachment":null,"posted":1715682733},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6004383,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>6004372
>>6004269
>Viktidomos -> Victim
>Iladros -> Illudere -> Illusion
>Koximos -> Kosmos (admittedly this one is much harder, since kosmos means order in Ancient Greek
I had fun planning this word puzzle and I'm pretty happy that you guys did so well. Haven't done anything like this previously, of course, so it was a good experiment.
Update should be out for 10pm EST or so tonight.","attachment":null,"posted":1715683839},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6004394,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004383
It was just those three guys, really kek. Hard carried that whole thing. Props to them.","attachment":null,"posted":1715684613},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6004602,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004383
Oh ya kidding me. I will say I did try to look up their names but finding translations of ancient greek names that have been translated themselves into english is a absolute pain in the ass. (I did find out the Kosmos thing though I just didn't realize that was any sort of clue)","attachment":null,"posted":1715702231},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6004625,"name":"Ivan","msg":">>6004103
I read this post & instantly got the Charade part after seeing that name over and over without a fucking clue
Captcha: GGWK","attachment":null,"posted":1715703738},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6004805,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004383
Shit, that's smart. Now looking at it in retrospect, it's obvious.
Who is it, Athena or Hera that's messing with us?","attachment":null,"posted":1715713865},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6004874,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>6004805
if only it was that straightforward, anon…","attachment":null,"posted":1715717254},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6004898,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004874
Who else in Greece has that much free time to make sure mortals are named so appropriately for the situation we found them in?","attachment":null,"posted":1715718797},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6004901,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004898
Who says that is their real names?","attachment":null,"posted":1715719034},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6005123,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004901
Now this has me thinking what the hell their actual plan was. One thing that prevented me from considering that all of them are using fake names is that all of them called eachother by said names including the father. I figured since there's a REALLY good chance this could of ended in us killing atleast one if not all three of them then the plot whatever it may be wouldn't include all three of them but clearly that isn't the case.
One thing for sure whoever is behind this is powerful enough that death within this plot is a acceptable outcome (or they are just really feken stupid)","attachment":null,"posted":1715731788},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6005126,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005123
>wouldn't include all three of them
To elaborate what I mean is that I figured that the father was bamboozling us in some way or the sons were bamboozling us in some way I didn't consider that all three of them were working together to bamboozle us in some way considering the stakes.","attachment":null,"posted":1715731910},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6005270,"name":"Lesches","msg":"The tension builds, as you stare at the three deceivers; in the distance, the burning oak, once as mighty and immortal as Argos itself, begins to creak and pop as the conflagration begins to tear it apart. Koximos and Charrados lie in close proximity upon the field grasses, trading murderous glances at once another and at you. Iladros chokes upon your left hand, as you continue to hold him aloft – his long brown hair is wild, unbound and filthy, his scraggly beard pathetic. None of the three speak – not at first. Iladros’ face develops into an ugly shade of purple as he attempts to squawk for mercy. His eyes are round coins; his face nearly black in the red torchlight of the burning oak.
Koximos is motionless against the grass of the field, but Charrados is still begging fruitlessly - you nod at him and say:
“End this charade, boy, and you will live through the night.”
Charrados’ pleading stops at once, and he stares at you with bottomless rage, as he cradles his ruined ankle; Koximos blankly looks up at you as if seeing you for the first time. You say nothing, but heft your spear in your right hand, and bring the jagged edge of the point to Koximos’ throat. He confesses at once, desperate words tumbling forth:
“The names we gave are not r-real, Lord. All i-invented – but we are a f-family, it is true. We are simple bakers from Pylos, not masons… The plans we spoke of do not exist; we know nothing of Thebes. These c-cursed b-boys; they murdered my eldest son!” He can barely speak through his rage; it is volcanic, uncontrollable, genuine – you would bet your life that he speaks the truth now.
Charrados interjects –
“Because he helped you murder our mother, you vile bastard! I’LL KILL YOU!” and he flops towards his father, half-hopping, half-rolling. His hands claw the empty air, attempting to strangle his father from afar - with a casual kick to his side, you send him sprawling with bruised ribs. You return your attentions to Koximos, but to your surprise, Charrados is quickly back on his feet – he makes an ungainly charge at you, producing a small knife from some hidden location.
Your lips curl in distaste as you pluck out his heart with your spear – he has earned this death many times over.
Koximos blanches – his face bone-white. You hear a strange noise - Iladros is pissing himself in terror; small flecks of urine sprinkling over your sandaled feet. You toss him instantly besides his father, and he yowls in despair:
>cont","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715740936600809.jpg","filename":"a doomed woman.jpg"},"posted":1715740936},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6005292,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Rolled 13, 12 = 25 (2d20)
“It is HER doing, Lord – we are her SLAVES, she promised us that if we SERVED then we would be SPARED. What have we done? What have we done? Have we not done all that was asked of us and more?! Whaahaaweeedonnne…” His pathetic mewling grows distorted and strange – his mouth is yawning wider, far wider than it should – you rear back in confusion as his teeth visibly drop out of his jaw, his voluminous brown hair shedding rapidly. His speech degenerates further into inchoate hissing; his flesh growing rough and scaly. You watch in horror as his eyes migrate – growing yellow…
Gods on Olympus, is he turning into a snake? a corner of your mind wonders distantly.
And yet, it’s true.
A python five strides in length now coils in the place of Iladros, hissing fiercely, thrashing in agitation. Your spearpoint drifts through the air with your confusion, and the motion catches the beast’s attention - it moves to strike you! But you are faster, and you thoughtlessly react, pinning its head to the earth with a single thrust. Venom drips from the creature’s splayed jaws; its long body writhes and curls against itself in its mortal spasms, but it cannot free itself.
Stunned, you turn back to Koximos, and you see that he now has a knife of his own. His eyes are now clear, grim; full of resolve, his face frozen in a tortured grimace. He holds the blade against his own throat, and whispers:
“She is coming."
He draws it against his neck, and his blood bursts forth; a great flood of his humors, soaking his ragged robes at once. His feet beat against the earth; his arms flail, but not for too long. The oak tree is an inferno, now; the heat of it scrabbling against your bronze, licking at your flesh.
You look again at the corpses before you in confusion, men and snake alike, and think - was this a dream?
And then She enters the clearing behind you.
You feel her presence on your back - there is no other way to describe it. A magnetic push that nearly sweeps you off your feet like a ocean wave, pressing against your back, dwarfing the raging inferno of the oak. The bitter scent that has dogged you for days storms your mouth and nose; the smell of rotting snake-skin, fetid python's breath...
You are afraid.
She calls out to you, her serpent's voice cool and confident and utterly without mercy:
"Turn and greet me, Hippomedon Aristomachides. The goddess Τισιφονη demands it."
>I need two rolls of dice+1d20+2, /qst/
>Good luck.","attachment":null,"posted":1715741757},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6005296,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 4 + 2 (1d20 + 2)
>>6005292","attachment":null,"posted":1715741881},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6005301,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 6 + 2 (1d20 + 2)
>>6005292
You know, at this point every time a god(dess) shows up I am filled with such unwavering anger that I could tear out the throat of a yak with my teeth. I HATE the gods. So damn much. So sick of their bullshit.","attachment":null,"posted":1715742033},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6005302,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 11 + 2 (1d20 + 2)
>>6005292
Welp we are fucked. Time toget randomly killed.","attachment":null,"posted":1715742036},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6005304,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005292
Also what the nigger fuck did we do to piss off a gods damned FURY?!?!?!?!?!?!?!","attachment":null,"posted":1715742166},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6005305,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005302
Great. I'm gonna go fucking scream now.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715742167110526.jpg","filename":"1712705925957347.jpg"},"posted":1715742167},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6005310,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>6005301
>>6005296
>8 vs 13
This is both better and worse than I was expecting.
A great weight is lifting from my shoulders - this quest has finally begun.","attachment":null,"posted":1715742328},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6005313,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005304
If we're lucky (which HOPEFULLY we are), she delivered these kinslayers and family-betrayers to us, to serve as their punishment.","attachment":null,"posted":1715742541},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6005315,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005313
When are we ever fucking lucky? Fuck off.","attachment":null,"posted":1715742612},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6005316,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005304
Probably raiding the cattle of a person whom we are nominally allied to, violating a rather important oath. That or it's got something to do with the woman we've got tied up in the cart.
My biggest hope right now is that the Fury passes over us and murders the shit out of Pronax instead. This whole affair was his idea in the first place, after all.","attachment":null,"posted":1715742682},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6005319,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005313
Furies dont work that way. They have FAAAAAAAAAAR too much to do, these three would just be brutally murdered. No she wants US. For some ungodly reason, she has beef with US. THE FUCK DID WE DO!?!?!?","attachment":null,"posted":1715742722},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6005343,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005313
I would like to apologize. It was uncalled for behavior. I just stop having fun when the divine rears its eternally annoying head. Your optimism should be praised instead of derided.","attachment":null,"posted":1715743912},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6005353,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005343
Next quest where we get to make a character we should go full int/logic maxing just so we ain't gotta deal with all the god sheniganary (or atleast know it's god sheniganary ignorance is a bliss)","attachment":null,"posted":1715744499},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6005354,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Did Hippo’s malus trait just disappear, impiety or whatever?","attachment":null,"posted":1715744528},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6005360,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005353
Just got to take the "God Invisibility Hat" relic from chargen every time. So they will leave us alone.","attachment":null,"posted":1715745197},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6005373,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005360
Or you could be a badass like Nira and win a contest of wills against a god.","attachment":null,"posted":1715746152},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6005374,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005373
Yeah but then you have to job against them in physical confrontations. There's just no winning when the deathless are involved.","attachment":null,"posted":1715746221},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6005390,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005374
Nira did win the wrestling contest tho, but rivernam was utterly cursed with the # of crit fails being rolled on either side altogether.","attachment":null,"posted":1715746822},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6005391,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005390
I do not subscribe to the pilot's definition of a good landing kek","attachment":null,"posted":1715746883},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6005471,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005292
Oh damn, well, we looked for our divines and we found them.
Very cool Lesches. And you know what they say about snussy.","attachment":null,"posted":1715753274},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6005474,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005471
>we looked for our divines
I'm pretty sure no one was searching.","attachment":null,"posted":1715754101},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6005483,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005474
If we weren't, we'd have voted a write-in "Turn around 360 degrees and walk away" here>>6004096","attachment":null,"posted":1715755227},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6005486,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005316
Furies dont work that way. Hell the way these three chucklefucks died is proof enough of that. ALL of them did an evil and the "eye for an eye" type of justice the furies dish out means ALL guilty parties have to die.
As of fucking COURSE we get Tis, the one that single-minded screeches about murderers and vengeance. Not Meg or Ali whom are arguably less dangerous, oh no, we get the most DEDICATED of the bunch. What the fuck did we do?","attachment":null,"posted":1715755923},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6005488,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005483
Hippomedon is not a dancer. Moonwalking is not in his toolkit. Foolishness. It was a roll anyway. Can't really vote on a roll. And besides, we were fucked the exact moment we rolled a 2. I despise random encounter dice. I would throttle them had they a neck.","attachment":null,"posted":1715756382},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6005490,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005486
>What the fuck did we do?
We listened to our uncles. Even after we told them it sounded like a bad idea. That's my guess. Especially with the whole "Hey nephew, this keeps the king's name clean so it's all on us. Win win, right?". If it isn't that, it's some bullshit that our uncles did to our father and somehow we're now involved in it.","attachment":null,"posted":1715756545},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6005528,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005488
>It was a roll anyway. Can't really vote on a roll. And besides, we were fucked the exact moment we rolled a 2. I despise random encounter dice. I would throttle them had they a neck.
We could have just fucked off before Tisiphone revealed herself.
Also, I'm half tempted to just try and walk away from Tisiphone.","attachment":null,"posted":1715762501},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6005532,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005528
>We could have just fucked off before Tisiphone revealed herself.
I can already see how that would turn out.
>"Hey my lord, come help me, I got stuff you want."
>"Fuck off."
>"Okay turn around big boy."
Just because she wasn't here doesn't mean she wouldn't show up if we tried to leave. You cannot escape the furies.
>just walk away
Ah yes, because walking away from VENGEFUL DESTRUCTION won't just piss her off like nothing else. Besides, we failed the will check. We're not allowed to do what we want, now. You know, I think it's best if I just wait until this whole thing is resolved or I'm gonna bitch the entire time. Good luck dealing with her. Make better decisions than I would.","attachment":null,"posted":1715763495},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6005542,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005532
In hindsight, you were very close with your earlier guess but just 1 letter off.
>>6000858
>Furries
A terrible image this sprung to my mind from this line.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715764663754017.jpg","filename":"1684470531344068.jpg"},"posted":1715764663},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6005605,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>6005354
Actually I assigned a very significant and temporary +5 context bonus on top of Hippomedon “natural” -3 malus due to his “Offputting Impiety” trait.
It should become clear why this is the case with tonight’s update.","attachment":null,"posted":1715769096},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6005630,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005528
Meh she'd show up at some point, thanks to Oedepius.","attachment":null,"posted":1715771439},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6006401,"name":"Lesches","msg":"No update tonight, sadly.
I've only just extricated myself from today's bullshit and have to be awake again for work in <8 hours. Not to mention, I want to do justice to this scene!","attachment":null,"posted":1715827008},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6006857,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":">>6006401
Stay stronk, job is hard job","attachment":null,"posted":1715872898},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6007456,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"You are stone; unable to move.
The goddess’ order was clear, decisive – but terror holds your feet to the ground, locks your joints in place. You only barely suppress the urge to simply flee into the night; no matter how fast one runs, one cannot escape from the Ερινυες – from the Curses. Hellenes of all ages titillate one another with the lurid tales of their victims; wise men never dare to speak their true names aloud, using only euphemisms to discuss them - some call them the "venerable goddesses". It is said that speaking their true names may prompt their gaze to wander in your direction, if they are unoccupied… You rack your memories and can think no crime that might warrant the attention of the greatest of these goddesses, of Τισιφόνη herself, spawn of the blood of Ουρανος... But you have committed no kinslaying, no violence against family, no unwise uttering of their names; you are certain of this.
Only after this self-inventory, do you find the courage to heed the words of the divine, and turn to face your fate.
She stands fifteen strides away, and at the sight of Her, your knees tremble. She is tall – much taller than you – even at this distance, you see that Her face is perfect, Her lips full, Her cheekbones high. Her skin is alabaster white, flawless, and She is clothed elegantly in a gown of material so dark, it may well have cut from the night sky itself – and perhaps it was. At first, you think Her hair is braided – but the rippling firelight from the blazing oak illuminates Her, and you see that Her hair is composed of slowly-writhing serpents – asps, pythons, adders, and vipers. In Her right hand, She holds a funeral torch of yew – it burns brightly with near-white flames, but the material of Her gown swallows the light absolutely. The torch causes Her divine flesh to stand out brilliantly against the gloom of the clearing; the skin of a goddess glimmering in the dark. A snake curls about Her left arm, like living jewelry; it tastes the air with a flickering tongue.
Your mouth is bone-dry with lust and terror both.
She takes a single graceful step towards you, eyes narrowing, beautiful features set in a perfect frown – Her eyes are a lustrous gold, faintly luminous. They dominate your vision – they are everything.
“Remove your helm, prince of Argos. Are you always so slow to respond to the commands of the divines?”
Her tone is sharp, cutting. You remove your helm at once, hands quickened by fear, and you drop the Heraclidean helm by your feet. The goddess takes another step – and the pressure of Her presence begins to build intolerably, bands of iron crushing your chest and shoulders. Your eyes water, but you cannot look away. Her eyes hold your heart in a vise; you cannot breathe.
>cont","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715914892866814.jpg","filename":"The_Fury_Tisiphone_at_the_Palace_of_Athamas_LACMA_65.37.122.jpg"},"posted":1715914892},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6007467,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":">>6007456
RIP","attachment":null,"posted":1715915285},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6007470,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":">>6007465
Oh shit, we lived","attachment":null,"posted":1715915446},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6007473,"name":"Lesches","msg":"After a long pause, She strides forward again, nodding towards the corpses at your feet:
“A fitting end for these betrayers. The father and son killed the wife – the reason does not matter. The youngest sons murdered their elder brother in revenge.” The goddess looks to the snake-corpse, still pinned to the earth with your spear – the thing that was once Iladros, and She speaks further:
“They swore an oath to maintain the deception, even upon pain of death. Oathbreakers are no better than animals. The middle son will be denied even his afterlife, now.”
You are unsure what to say – what to do. Should you speak? You can’t quite summon the courage, as She steps closer.
“This doom was brought upon them by a girl of ten summers, Hippomedon. The trod-upon sister that was forgotten by her overbearing brothers, by her absent father. It is the unseen scalpel that cuts the deepest.”
She now stands before you – you crane your head to meet Her golden eyes. She is displeased with you.
”Bold of you to meet the eyes of a goddess, Talaides – too bold. You are a crude implement, meant to smash and destroy. Like all men, you are impious, impatient, inconstant, frail. And yet… you exercise judgment, and low cunning is not beyond you. You possess a strange restraint, for a man of your talents. You are not without a lesser form of reason.” She pauses here, her face sphinxlike, uninterpretable – her golden eyes wander from you, looking over your shoulder into the dark forest.
You clear your throat in preparation to speak – is she asking you something? Should you respond? As you open your mouth, Her eyes narrow back on you – the force of Her will clamping your jaw shut, crushing your shoulders, your legs temporarily buckling under the pressure. You fall to your knees, but manage to force your head upright once more, meeting Her eyes with your own. She grimaces – a goddess’s disgust marring her perfect features:
[bold]“With all your faults - you will have to do.[/bold]
>TISIPHONE BOND: -1 / ??
“If you seek to please me, you will abandon this venture to Orkomenos. Kill or release your hostage, I care not which. Return to Argos, and attend to your wife, Hippomedon Aristomachides.
And then She is gone.","attachment":null,"posted":1715915545},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6007490,"name":"Lesches","msg":"The pressure that forced you to your knees, and the eyes that nearly stopped your heart vanish without warning. You scramble backwards, forgetting your dignity as a prince, but after a minute, you are sure - she is gone. You quickly gather your helm and your spear, and put this cursed field behind you.
The oak blazes, as you scurry into the darkness. You do not look back.
Your return to the campsite is a hurried one – you find Arion and your hostage as you left them. The hostage is still bound tightly within her hide, secured within the donkey-cart. The goddess’s voice is still ringing in your ears – chiming crystal, imperious and unforgettable.
But what to do about it? She did not “command” you to action, did she? A strange thing, as you remember – it seemed as if she made a suggestion to you. Perhaps you are misremembering – it would be insane to think that a goddess would use such nuanced language with a mortal like yourself… You stare at the hostage, and wonder at the bizarre moments of the night – a horrid nightmare only now coming to an end.
>what to do with the hostage, /qst/?
>Kill her and return to Argos as the goddess suggested – she is a potential witness to the raid and a loose end. You cannot risk a border skirmish with Tegea while the Argive army is at war with Thebes. Unpleasant that you must kill a woman, but you have done unpleasant things before.
>Release the woman, and return to Argos as the goddess suggested – you will have to hope that she has not pieced together your true identity, or will be able to do so if she conferences with Archigeiros. A gamble at best, but you would prefer not to bloody your hands with a woman’s blood.
>Ignore the recommendations of the goddess, and proceed to Orkomenos for the ransom. The divine ordered you to do nothing in particular, and you are bound by no oaths. The needs of the Argive army outweigh the risk of angering one of the Curses.
>Something else?","attachment":null,"posted":1715916062},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6007493,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007490
>Kill her and return to Argos as the goddess suggested – she is a potential witness to the raid and a loose end. You cannot risk a border skirmish with Tegea while the Argive army is at war with Thebes. Unpleasant that you must kill a woman, but you have done unpleasant things before.
When the divine tells you to abandon a venture and go home to your wife. You. Go. Home.","attachment":null,"posted":1715916186},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6007499,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":">>6007490
Fuggg well we certainly can't take her to the possible cannibals, a bit of wealth isn't worth pissing off a Titans-damned FURY
Since we did wax up her ears & blindfold her, I say we just release her. What happens after that is none of our business, nor concern.
>Release the woman....
We can just ride Arion away after cutting her binds, she'll figure out the rest somehow herself, probably.","attachment":null,"posted":1715916337},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6007501,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007490
>Head home, drop the hostage off at the Learnean village","attachment":null,"posted":1715916356},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6007502,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007490
>>Release the woman, and return to Argos as the goddess suggested – you will have to hope that she has not pieced together your true identity, or will be able to do so if she conferences with Archigeiros. A gamble at best, but you would prefer not to bloody your hands with a woman’s blood.
Nope! Not gonna risk it! Gonna do what the scary goddess who just turned a man into a snake said, go home, and bang our wife!
Also not gonna kill this woman! Leave the blindfold on, tie another around tight if need be, but give her a way out (preferably delayed) and then run for it.","attachment":null,"posted":1715916360},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6007503,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":">>6007499
>>6007501
Actually, this is the smartest move. Changing my vote. We need to grab a big cloak or something on the way first though ideally.","attachment":null,"posted":1715916437},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6007509,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007490
>Release the woman, and return to Argos as the goddess suggested – you will have to hope that she has not pieced together your true identity, or will be able to do so if she conferences with Archigeiros. A gamble at best, but you would prefer not to bloody your hands with a woman’s blood.","attachment":null,"posted":1715916641},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6007513,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007509
...What? I meant to choose "ignore the recommendations" and be bold, but somehow I accidentally chose this. Well, fuck, can't ignore a sign like that. Heeding my unconscious instincts.","attachment":null,"posted":1715916726},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6007557,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007501
+1 support. I will vote for this as long as it does not violate Tisiphone's command.
I desire babymaking with the goddess.
Also,
>It is the unseen scalpel that cuts the deepest.
THIS IS A WARNING.","attachment":null,"posted":1715918543},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6007763,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007501
Support. Even better if we can get a soldier dressed in rags do it and tell the villagers to not release her from the binds for a few days. I want to put as much distance between us and her as possible.
Also, shit went well. Snussy likes us.","attachment":null,"posted":1715931861},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6007847,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>6007557
This post is a wild ride, lol.
Also, I would kill for an “edit post” functionality on 4chan. I couldn’t get the formatting right in this last update and I had also selected some thematic orchestral music, but forgot to include the link… such is life.","attachment":null,"posted":1715943044},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6007954,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007490
>>6007501
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1715953801},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6008010,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007501
+1 what could go wrong?","attachment":null,"posted":1715958744},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6008513,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007847
>This post is a wild ride, lol.
Happy to be of service my liege","attachment":null,"posted":1715989488},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6008622,"name":"Lesches","msg":"You wrestle with your options, before it occurs to you that you might simply abandon the woman in the Lernaean village. This would cost you little in travel time, seeing as it’s on the way to Argos, and furthermore, you take the Curse’s words to heart – She claimed not to care what happened to the woman, and while it would be safest for you to murder her here in anonymity,you shrink away from the deed. It’s not the killing, per se – uncountable hundreds have died by your hands – but you now must assume that the divines watch your every move. You cannot be sure that a rival deity, nymph or daimon might inform the Tegeans of your actions... Better that you discard her unharmed as soon as possible. It would be trivial to place her by the trailside of the village, and if you are feeling generous, arm her with one of the Tegean spears you carried away from Archigeiros’ estates. The horses, you must keep – Arion is unmistakable to those traveled in the noble circles of the Peloponnese, and the Argive steeds could be recognized as such.
With your camp in order, you attempt to settle down and sleep the remainder of the night, taking the same seated position as before. You leave your armor on – it seems you cannot count on isolation in this damned Arcadian forest. You find it hard to sleep, at first. Her golden eyes still fill your vision – Her chiming voice still burning in your ears, the curve of her neck lingering in your mind… But fatigue wins out, in the end – you have slept very little over the past two days, and before long, you are drifting...
Your eyes shut – and they open again.
Morning has arrived – you have slept through the dawn. You’re slow to stand – your limbs stiff, you collect yourself and head off. With the donkey-cart slowing you down until you reach the village, you’ll likely arrive in Argos very late this evening. Pronax will likely arrive at around the same time – you might even beat him there. You grit your teeth – it will be difficult to explain that you simply let the hostage go, but he’ll believe your tale about Τισιφόνη. You have jealously guarded your manful virtue since the day you held a spear, and your accounting is known to be an honest one.
Setting off on the trail, your mind wanders – what of your allies? You wonder how they fare in their respective journeys…
>okay /qst/, here’s another experiment. Pick a flavorful scene that you’d like to read while Hippomedon drops off the hostage off-screen – these are not necessarily happening simultaneously with Hippomedon’s trip to the Lernaen village. This vote will close at 12pm EST tomorrow.
>Archigeiros picking up the pieces in his estates.
>Capaneus and Amphiarus as they travel home, Parthanopaeus in tow.
>Tydeus’ journey back to Argos.
>Polynices in Argos, as he secures his destiny.
>A baker’s daughter in Pylos, alone in an empty house.
>Argyros, training the Argive army.
>Something else?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715998410384463.jpg","filename":"ya boi hypnos.jpg"},"posted":1715998410},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6008626,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008622
>A baker’s daughter in Pylos, alone in an empty house.
Wait, are we not selling the hostage off in the village?","attachment":null,"posted":1715998644},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6008635,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>6008626
Oh, I sort of interpreted the write-in to mean “dump the woman at the roadside of the village”, but we could always return to Hippo after the interlude and we can do another mini-vote about what to do with her exactly.","attachment":null,"posted":1715999333},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6008643,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008635
Was thinking of selling her, yes, to at least get something out of it. Also it'd be really silly if something happened to her while she tried to get back to Tegea on her own","attachment":null,"posted":1716000196},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6008666,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008622
>>Tydeus’ journey back to Argos.
What are you up to, schizo?
Fucking hate the gods. Every time they show up player agency is fucking yeeted. I just want to play with my Greek hero action figures dammit.","attachment":null,"posted":1716001648},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6008722,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":"Selling her to a safer/cheaper/humbler home was my intention as well. We aren't disobeying the Fury, & it's expedient.
>Baker's Daughter Mystery Box","attachment":null,"posted":1716005851},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6008923,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008622
>A baker’s daughter in Pylos, alone in an empty house.","attachment":null,"posted":1716030717},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6009017,"name":"Lesches","msg":"~1 hour warning for any last votes, seems like “Baker’s Daughter” is in the lead!","attachment":null,"posted":1716043464},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6009124,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":"New Write-In Choice:
>"Let's get this bread"","attachment":null,"posted":1716050129},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6009674,"name":"Lesches","msg":"I wrote like 90% of this interlude sequence, but don’t have the time to polish. So we’ll just do a double update tomorrow","attachment":null,"posted":1716086341},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6009687,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009674
>but don’t have the time to polish
Have you tried to German instead?","attachment":null,"posted":1716087976},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6009737,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":"I suggest a coat of Greece","attachment":null,"posted":1716094587},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6009973,"name":"Lesches","msg":"An Interlude
You was born different.
That’s what Mama said to you, most days.
child you was born different not like us you are tall and pretty and smart tell me if any men come talking to you and run if they get too close
The house is dark – empty. You know how to light candles, and so you do, in the main room. You look into the mirror – a pan filled with olive oil so you can see yourself in the reflection. You look the same as you always have, even though you feel different. Gold-flecked blue eyes, long brown hair, straight white teeth. You don’t look like the rest of your family, it’s true – at ten summers, you were as tall as Mama, and you’re fast as a colt. But you’re quiet – your brothers were thick and round and loud, and they were cruel to you – the misfit. They forgot about you sometimes, which is just how you liked it. You look around in the candlelit gloom of your house – all six of you had been crammed into this little hut.
Now you are alone – and it is too big. You’re not sure what to do.
Mama is not here; her warm voice does not fill the rooms. Your three older brothers, always fighting and arguing amongst themselves – they aren’t here. Papa with his cutting tongue and mean hands and wine and headaches isn’t here.
Maybe you should go to old King Nestor? You never been to his big house –
girl you never go to the palace they take pretty girls like you and don’t let them go promise me you’ll hide out of sight when you see them big chariots go by the trail
That night, weeks ago, you heard your father and eldest brother hissing in the dark outside the house, when you were supposed to be asleep – you heard their voices through the thinly-thatched roof from your corner bed:
she is dead you imbecile what use is she now without proof of life how can we get the ransom
And then the next morning, Mama weren’t breakfast. At lunch, she weren’t there. There was no dinner that night – your brothers and father left you in the afternoon and said that they would be back in the morning. You went into the yard and wrung a chicken’s neck; this wasn’t nothing, you been helping Mama in the kitchen since you was walking. It wasn’t until you had eaten your fill of fresh roasted hen that you realized that not once in your life Mama had missed three meals in a row, and you realized that your Mama was not coming home, ever.
You cried at first – huge wailing sobs - but then, a new feeling grew inside you – an anger that was so big, it seemed to live outside yourself, infecting the world around you, burning you up:
theykilledhertheykilledhertheykilledhertheykilledhertheykilledhertheykilledhertheykilledhertheykilledhertheykilledhertheykilledhertheykilledhertheykilledher
And then you remembered the dream that you had last week, when the Golden Lady came to your bed and spoke to you:
>cont","attachment":null,"posted":1716122142},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6009978,"name":"Lesches","msg":"”Listen well, child. After ten years, your time is coming near. When the night comes, go into the fields and find a black lamb. Bring it into the yard and at midnight, build a fire. Chant these words: ποινὰς ἀντιφόνους ἄτας – until They are listening. Kill the lamb and yell as loud as you can while it bleeds out into the flames – Ερινυες Ερινυες Ερινυες – do not stop crying out until you see the signs. Tell them that your mother was killed by your father and eldest brother. The Curses will give you the vengeance that you will seek. Do you understand me, child? Nod if you understand.
In the dream, you didn’t dare to look directly at the Golden Lady – you watched her from the corner of your eye, paralyzed in fear. But when she asked you if you understood, you nodded once.
The Golden Lady had held up a faintly-luminous hand, and a mote of light had drifted off her finger, drifting lazily through the air. The mote of light had landed upon your throat, and it was warm, and then it pressed against your skin and disappeared. The warmth had traveled from your throat to your core – to your guts, and spread out there. A pleasant feeling. You turned to peek at the Golden Lady, but she was already gone.
With the dream in your mind, you had done as the Golden Lady commanded, that night weeks ago – the black lamb had squirmed in your arms, but you didn’t think much of slitting its throat. When you began the chanting, your anger was true: you wished death upon your family, for killing Mama. You meant it, as you screamed the words that the Golden Lady taught you – and even more words burst forth raggedly from your throat, and most of them you didn’t understand. They came from the warmth in your gut; blasting out of your mouth like a dragon’s breath, like hot sunbeams.
The lamb’s blood sizzled on the fire, smoke and fog billowed and She answered:
I hear you, child of φύσις…
---
That was weeks ago, and now a stranger is knocking on your door. You leap up from your seat in your empty house and you peer through the door-frame and see a thin woman, cloaked in black. She is unhooded, waiting patiently. Her face is drawn and pale – serious. You wait and she waits – but neither of you move. You open the door, and the woman does not smile. She says:
“Good evening, child. I have come to take you for your education; this house has nothing for you now. Your family is never coming back.” She says the words, and you know that she is telling the truth.
“You may call me Spathion. And your name is Belone, now. Do you understand?”
You don't say nothing. You just nod. Spathion smiles - all cruelty and no joy. She says:
"Good. You have already done so well, child - but you owe a great debt. I will feed you, teach you, shelter you. And will you serve my master until the end of your days."
You don't say nothing. You just nod.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716122443886141.jpg","filename":"goldenlady.jpg"},"posted":1716122443},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6010002,"name":"Lesches","msg":"You are Hippomedon Aristomachides, and your travel to the Lernaean village been thankfully untroubled. Argive patrols range through the Argolid endlessly – the roads and trails are generally safe, and your size and appearance, even when unarmored as you are, marks you as one of the line of Talaus. All commoners within your uncle’s realm recognize you as such, even if they do not know your name.
As you approach the village, you remember what you know of it:
A poor and muddy place, ruled over by some very distant cousins – a far-flung branch of the Argive royal line; practically commoners. The man who rules here is named Gryllogus, a man of forty summers – by your standards, he is in poverty, but in your brief contacts with him (for you’ve traveled through his village many times), you have always found him a proud man, and an honest one. He has accepted his lot in life without complaint, and simply seeks to rule his petty realm as best as he can. You respect him for that, even if this means he has resigned himself to obscurity. His wealth is measured in livestock, not in gold – so you will be negotiating for cattle, sheep or goat, in all likelihood. If you approach him as Hippomedon Aristomachides, you expect that his loyalty to the Argive throne will prompt favorable negotiations. However, by revealing yourself, you increase the chances that your Tegean hostage learns of your true identity. If you approach him as a Heraclid, in Heraclidean bronze – negotiations may be strained, but you might successfully preserve your anonymity. Finally, you consider that you might simply abandon the hostage for recovery by Gryllogus, forgoing any reward for certainty that you will not be discovered as the kidnapper.
Additionally, you consider how you might approach the negotiations themselves – to press hard for a maximum sale price, or to accept less-profitable arrangements…
>okay /qst/, there’s two votes here. Please select one option each!
>Approach Gryllogus as Hippomedon. Please note: Hippo's Kleos would apply, which practically guarantees success, but risks conflict between Tegea and Argos.
>Approach Gryllogus as a Heraclid. Negotiations would be much more difficult, given that the Heraclids are theoretically at war with Argos. Success would mean that your identity is preserved, but significant failure might even prompt Gryllogus to attack you.
>Drop the hostage outside the village to be recovered by Gryllogus, forgoing any chance of reward in return for anonymity.
>Something else?
---
>Press hard in the negotiations for cattle from Gryllogus. He is quite poor and so this would be significantly difficult (-5 penalty for “full” Timae)
>Stay reasonable, accepting a lesser price of sheep for the Tegean hostage (no penalty, but halved rewards)
>Accept a lesser deal, taking goat from Gryllogus (+2 bonus, but only 25% of the rewards)
>Something else?","attachment":null,"posted":1716124597},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6010010,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"A demigod girl and Nira teacher, this brings up more questions about the wife.
>>6010002
>Approach Gryllogus as a Hippo.
>Press hard in the negotiations for cattle from Gryllogus.","attachment":null,"posted":1716125028},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6010015,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010002
>Approach Gryllogus as a Heraclid. Negotiations would be much more difficult, given that the Heraclids are theoretically at war with Argos. Success would mean that your identity is preserved, but significant failure might even prompt Gryllogus to attack you.
>Stay reasonable, accepting a lesser price of sheep for the Tegean hostage (no penalty, but halved rewards)","attachment":null,"posted":1716125334},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6010029,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Would even a provincial lord not recognize the face/voice of the de facto crown prince of Argive and the big damn horse?","attachment":null,"posted":1716125943},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6010043,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>6010029
Hippo would take the necessary steps to conceal his identity as best as he can. I’d do some behind the scenes rolling,, wearing the Heraclid armor, hiding Arion, etc etc, but in some ways, Hippo’s fame also helps him here. Why would the most famous prince of Argos pretend to be a Heraclid? From Gryllogus’ perspective, it’s a laughable idea, and he’s not particularly bright, so by far the greatest likelihood is that he takes the situation at face value.","attachment":null,"posted":1716126676},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6010118,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":">>6010002
>Approach Gyroman as a Heraclid...
BUT
>Deny being a Heraclid to sow confusion, refuse to name yourself
>Stay reasonable....
I really didn't expect much from the baking mystery box, but damn am I glad we chose it. Now there's just a couple pieces left of the puzzle.","attachment":null,"posted":1716134967},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6010255,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010002
>Drop the hostage outside the village to be recovered by Gryllogus, forgoing any chance of reward in return for anonymity.
The snussy told us to release or kill her. We should release or kill her. I say we release her.","attachment":null,"posted":1716147662},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6010281,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010002
>Drop the hostage outside the village to be recovered by Gryllogus, forgoing any chance of reward in return for anonymity.
Yeah, I can’t be arsed to do the technicality bullshit here. Playing stupid games will get you stupid prizes, courtesy of the gods. Let’s just dump her in the village, and be done with things. The fury told us to kill or release her, not sell her.","attachment":null,"posted":1716150294},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6010283,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977570
This was my last ID fyi, can’t be bothered to remember the last time I posted exactly. I’ve been waiting and watching for the most part.","attachment":null,"posted":1716150409},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6010287,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010002
>Drop the hostage outside the village to be recovered by Gryllogus, forgoing any chance of reward in return for anonymity.
Lets not fall into sunk cost fallacy over a couple of cattle at best, we are at the finish line and this simply isn't worth it.","attachment":null,"posted":1716151106},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6010521,"name":"Lesches","msg":"This vote will close tomorrow at 9am EST (for the full 24 hours), but here's the tally so far
>Be yourself!
>>6010010
>Be someone else!
>>6010015
>>6010118 (with write-in)
--
>Press hard
>>6010010
>Be reasonable
>>6010015
>>6010118
---
>Drop her off and GTFO
>>6010255
>>6010281
>>6010287
---
So basically, a 3-3 tie between negotiating with Gryllogus and dumping the hostage... Lurkers, now's your chance to make your mark!","attachment":null,"posted":1716170169},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6010536,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010521
>Drop the hostage outside the village to be recovered by Gryllogus, forgoing any chance of reward in return for anonymity.
Fuck this gay shit","attachment":null,"posted":1716171074},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6011140,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Looks like we’re locked in for
>drop the hostage and GTFO
Hippomedon’s glorious homecoming coming TONIGHT, lads","attachment":null,"posted":1716230139},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6011527,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Sadly I spoke too soon and got my shit wrecked at work. I'll need tonight to partially dig out of the mess. update tomorrow!","attachment":null,"posted":1716257064},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6011584,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":">>6011527
Nike be with your efforts","attachment":null,"posted":1716259886},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6011610,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009687
>>6009737
Kek.
>>6011527
We'll be waiting, QM. Rest well!","attachment":null,"posted":1716261273},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6012647,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Atop Arion, you wonder how Pronax fares on his cattle drive to Argos – he must be drawing close to the City now, your brief sojourn into Arcadia providing him with a head-start. The hostage is still motionless in the donkey-cart behind you. You sigh deeply – her fate rests in your hands, and you are uncharacteristically unsure. You are a man of decisive action, but the appearance of the divinity last night has rattled your senses, interfering with your decisionmaking. The goddess' ambiguous words are difficult for you to interpret - can you trust that she truly did not care what you did with the Tegean noblewoman, or was their some hidden meaning that you failed to decipher?
Crossing into the swamps in mid-morning, you are still undecided – until you gaze upon the village through a screen of swampy vegetation with fresh eyes. The sheer poverty of the place strikes you – you had managed to forget the true indigence of these people. Their remarkable in comparison to your own luxurious estates (not too far from this place, truly), or your uncle’s truly extravagant lodgings in Argos proper. The thatches of the huts are moldy, the villagers here are clothed poorly, and they are short and thin – the waifish physiques of men and women used to hungry summers and starving winters. You’ve crossed through the village many times in the past, but now, with the prospect of dealing with Gryllogus in the future, your eye is attuned to such things. Any payment you collect from Gryllogus is stealing wealth from his household; taking livestock from the hungry families that depend on the beasts for their hardscrabble livelihood. The families here would then risk starvation until Gryllogus collects the ransom from Archigeiros directly – presuming that he is successful in this. If he fails to act, or fails to collect reasonable payment from Archigeiros, his village may be brought to the brink of failure. The thought of bartering the hostage and jeopardizing the survival of the village itself in the process strikes you as wholly unsatisfactory – Gryllogus simply may not be able to afford it. As a prince of Argos, you have a higher duty than most - these men are your countrymen and must be cared for - and so you elect to make yet another change of plans.
You simply collect your Heraclidean panoplia (trivial for you to hold atop Arion when it is safely bound together into a single package), drop the donkey-cart by the side of the trail, cut the reins and immediately lead Arion and the pair of Argive steeds around the village itself. It’s trivial to stay out of sight, as you do so. The woman will be discovered before noon, you’re certain of it, and equally certain that she will be brought to Gryllogus.
Gryllogus might have a decent chance to ransom the women for profit, or simply return her to Archigeiros for a Tegean favor in the future, and thereby improve the lot of his estate and his people.
>cont","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716343509450552.jpg","filename":"swamp village.jpg"},"posted":1716343509},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6012672,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Seeing no need to delay, and with no donkey-cart slowing your travel, you make excellent time. Returning to Argos is always a pleasure – the air changes, carrying the familiar scents of your nation. Your blood sings, remembering its source heart beats in tune to the merry sound of Arion and the Argive steeds as they gallop swiftly to the greatest city in Hellas. Arion is clearly glad to return as well – you need not steer him at all – he knows the way home. By late afternoon, you are crossing through the southern gates of the city – from the walls, you hear the joyous cries of the guards:
“The Soldier of Argos approaches! Hail, Prince Hippomedon! Look, look – he rides atop Arion!”
The bustle of the city has taken on an increasingly martial bent, even in the few days of your absence – the departure of the army draws near. Argive soldiers crowd the roads in orderly formations, and with mostly standardized gear of fresh manufacture – Mecisteus has been hard at work, it seems. Your presence has a galvanizing effect – atop Arion, you must duck through the gates, but once you do, your ears are assaulted with wild chanting from spearmen and civilians alike:
“HIPPOMEDON! HIPPOMEDON! VICTORY FOR ARGOS IS AT HAND!”
Your fame braces them – you hold your powerful right fist in the air and match their enthusiasm, a broad grin writ large across your features. The chanting dissolves into a cacophony of shouting men (and their swooning wives), as hundreds attempt to gain your blessing all at once.
A tugging at your ankle draws your attention – an unusually dark-faced lad is boldly grabbing at you, and you don’t rec – wait, is that Eupous?! You had last seen him during the mock battle against your uncles, where he had been shadowing Chabrianos’ as a military scout. Now, he’s dressed very finely in embroidered robes of a pale hue, his hail clearly oiled with something fragrant and expensive – clearly, he has caught the attention of someone wealthy in your uncle’s palace.
“Eupous, is that you?!” you exclaim, interrupting the boy before he can speak. The Cretan coughs in embarrassment –
“Ah – yes, Lord Hippomedon, it is I. Your uncle, the King, has elected to host me more permanently in the Palace. I have been assigned to occupy young Sthenelus, Capaneus’ son, with entertainment befitting his age, while his father retrieves Parthenopaeus.” Eupous half-winces as he speaks – Sthenelus is a rowdy boy of ten summers, and every bit his father’s son – already taller than most commoner men, you suspect that he has shown Eupous what “entertainment” means.
“Zeus protect you, lad!” you say, chuckling. “But what is your message?”
“Your uncles Pronax and Mecisteus request your presence at the western gate – the King will be joining them there at sundown. You’ll make it time if you ride!”
And so you do - Arion parts the crowd like a black-hulled warship through the Aegean.","attachment":null,"posted":1716345443},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6012675,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Next set of updates will be tomorrow night EST.
In other news - despite all the delays, we're roughly on target to finish this arc before the thread falls off the board. I'm hoping to bring thread #2 to a close by this coming Monday at the absolute latest.","attachment":null,"posted":1716345559},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6012716,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012675
I for one want to drive a spear through the face of every single thing with a shred of divinity in it. reeee
But being on track again is nice. Despite the eye-rolling and groan-inducing way it happened.","attachment":null,"posted":1716347541},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6012750,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":"Nice art, and I wasn't expecting such soft-hearted reasoning from Hippomedon.","attachment":null,"posted":1716349834},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6012815,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012750
Yeah, more noblisse oblige than I'm used to him displaying.","attachment":null,"posted":1716353101},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6012857,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012675
Great updates Lesches. Tisiphone must bear Hippomedon's child, lest Nikandros dwell forever in Asphodel.","attachment":null,"posted":1716357400},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6012863,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012857
>Tisiphone must bear Hippomedon's child
I think it's more likely that you'd be able to suck a bowling ball through an iron pipe than that, man. And I would scream and cry and shit and piss myself if either of those things happened.","attachment":null,"posted":1716357598},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6013009,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>6012750
>>6012815
Hippomedon's patriotism sometimes leads him to make decisions that resemble empathy, although you'll notice that his concern here is somewhat vague and has more to do with maintaining the strength of his nation than for the suffering of these villagers. His "help" is somewhat limited too - dropping off a "free" hostage to Gryllogus to make use of as best as he can.
>>6012863
You have what she wants - but not in the way you think, anon.","attachment":null,"posted":1716374337},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6013032,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Something I've been kind of wondering about is how many members of the royal family there are. Because we know that Diomedes, when fighting for the throne, puts them to the sword and, consequently, makes Nikon the last male member of the house of Aristomachus.","attachment":null,"posted":1716376229},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6013038,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Oh wait,
From the first TWQ thread
>When he died, your aunts and uncles saw fit to exile your pregnant mother back to her home estates along with her young daughter.
From last thread
>You weep because you are now alone - adrift in the Argolid without mother or father, without siblings
I guess Lesches shifted around some of the family lines, because Hippo has no siblings; yet Nikon's aunts and uncles are the ones to have exiled his mom and Nira.","attachment":null,"posted":1716376669},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6013039,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>6013032
The "core nobility" of Argos (i.e. first, second and third-degree blood relatives of Adrastus) is probably over 100 people, including women and children. Not all of these people would be true contenders for the throne, but it's absolutely true that Diomedes will kill off a huge number of his cousins and extended family in about ~16 years (IIRC), with Sthenelus as his loyal lieutenant in the process.","attachment":null,"posted":1716376673},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6013056,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>6013038
>When he died, your aunts and uncles saw fit to exile your pregnant mother back to her home estates along with her young daughter.
I've been interpreting this statement a bit more loosely to include "GREAT aunts and uncles", as in Mecisteus, Pronax, and Eriphyle (the wife of Amphiarus) and Adrastus. Here and there I have modified HomerQM's original statements in a minimal way, but I mostly go to great lengths to preserve the "canonicity" of the original TWQ threads.","attachment":null,"posted":1716377978},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6013071,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6013056
So not only are the uncles mean to Hippo’s dad, but after Hippo dies fighting their war, they exile his wife and kids. This royal family certainly does hold grudges.","attachment":null,"posted":1716378863},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6013073,"name":"Lesches","msg":"You take in the sights and sounds of the city as you ride – you had spent uncountable hours exploring its nooks and crannies as a child and young boy. It’s a quick thing to skirt through the main thoroughfares – the crowds see you approaching on Arion and scatter to the sides, all the better to watch you pass. The triumphant energy from the gate is everywhere – the pedestrians shout and scream your name, and families leap out of their homes to catch a better glimpse of you. Your name graces the tongues of thousands:
“Hippomedon the Mighty is here! The peerless son of Aristomachus! The army will march!”
The words are a balm to your anxieties, their adulation putting your heart and mind at ease. Confidence again wells in your breast. The army’s preparations are near-complete – you have trained them well, your uncles Mecisteus and Pronax have outdone themselves in arming them, and now, you provide a measurable boost to the Army's material wealth and supplies in the form of Tegean Timae and cattle. While other Argive nobility have dawdled their days away, you have made an Argive victory over Thebes a certainty! As the commoners scream and shout, you cannot help yourself – you reward your cheering fans with an ecstatic reply of your own -
“Hark, men of Argos! Soon, we march against Thebes and against the pretender, Eteocles! We will set things right, as Argos has always done! Zeus Στρατιος and Mars Λαοσσοος are with us! The gods and goddesses of Olympus are with us! WE FIGHT AND WIN!”
Your speech sets the crowds ablaze – they catch your words and begin to spread them amongst themselves. The roaring voices merge together - becoming the great roar of a blazing inferno. You expect that all Argives will hear of your passing before nightfall – as it should be!
-
You spot your uncles immediately upon exit from the western gates of Argos – Adrastus has just arrived in his parade chariot; a gaudy, gilded thing, festooned with flags, flowers and ribbons of all kinds. The chariot's horses are exhausted, despite the short journey from the palace – it’s enormously heavy. Adrastus is dressed in his parade panoplia, rather than comfortable robes – the jewels studding the bronze glitter in the afternoon light, and the massive horse-hair crest of his helm in perfect order. Mecisteus and Pronax are kneeling before him, dressed in simpler garb - Pronax is still dusty from the trail. To Pronax’s right, you see a prize steer, heavy with meat and fat; the beast is peaceably chewing upon the grasses underfoot. Beyond them, you see the Tegean cattle resting in the fields – Pronax has driven them here for presentation and "inspection" by Adrastus, no doubt. Finally, you see another cart, topped with a heavy hide tarp – the pilfered Tegean gold lies underneath, you are certain.
Your arrival is not missed, as you dismount Arion -
>will continue later tonight, thought I'd get a head-start","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716379002513015.jpg","filename":"ignore the watermark, lol.jpg"},"posted":1716379002},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6013200,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":">>6012863
KEK, I share the sentiment","attachment":null,"posted":1716389559},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6013258,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6013009
If we have anything that the bitch wants it's probably just that we're going to help bring about the destruction of the house of Oedipus and kill a bunch of people who need killing. I don't recall the furies fucking. And if they do they'll be so into CBT that conception would be an impossibility.
>>6013071
Those loathsome little shits. All because Hippo married for love. Maybe Diomedes is alright after all.
>>6013200","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716395305643815.png","filename":"1700087481291258.png"},"posted":1716395305},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6013507,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6013073
>Mars Λαοσσοος
>Mars
>MARS
Excuse me WHAT?!?!? Are you suddenly barbaroi?","attachment":null,"posted":1716417762},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6013515,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>6013507
Oh my god, I’m actually stunned. Don’t believe I’ve made a Latinization error up until this point.
I have no choice but to resign as QM. May Zeus strike me down for my failure.
teehee jk, update tonight","attachment":null,"posted":1716419045},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6013518,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6013507
Damn, sharp eye. How'd we all miss that? QM has been replaced by a R*man, dear gods. Or maybe it's one of the deathless trying to hijack our quest!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716419206228154.gif","filename":"1706562781196787.gif"},"posted":1716419206},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6013642,"name":"Lesches","msg":"“Nephew! You have a knack for arriving just in time. My brothers were just presenting the fruits of your labor. And how did you fare with Arion?” your king inquires.
“Well, indeed, King Adrastus. I will treasure the memory of our journey together – there is no finer steed in all of Hellas.”
“Or beyond!” Adrastus adds merrily – you cannot see his face below his helm, but his tone is cheerful. Pronax stands impatiently, clearing his throat, and speaks in his typical gruff fashion, as he gestures to the nearby steer:
“King Adrastus, Hippomedon and I wish to make a gift to Argos – here, we present fine cattle for use by the Argive army. Five hundred head to add to the herds – they will help sustain us on our brief march to Thebes.”
“A welcome gift, brother!” Adrastus claps his brother on the shoulder, chuckling. “And what’s in the cart?” the King inquires, cutting to business – no need for pretense when amongst family. Pronax nods at you, and sensing the moment, you walk over the cart, dramatically unveiling the Tegean wealth – it glows and shimmers under the fading light of the afternoon.
“A gift of wealth for Argos, King Adrastus – we hope that this will cover the fee of passage through High King Agamemnon’s domain,” you pronounce. Adrastus removes his helm and walks closer to get a better look – he whistles in appreciation as he lifts a heavy golden goblet with his great paw. Despite his stark-white hair and beard, his presence thrums with vitality – as Argos grows in power, its king better remembers his youth… Adrastus does not immediately reply, lost in thought as he gazes at the stolen treasure.
Mecisteus speaks instead, offering a poet’s insight:
“Agamemnon likes pretty things, Hippomedon – but it is said that he likes the theatrics of the presentation even more, especially when there is a crowd to observe. This will be enough.”
You notice that Adrastus has suddenly become emotional, eyes glistening – he looks at each of you in turn:
“Each of you has gone far beyond duty – your labors will not be forgotten. Never before has Argos summoned its strength so completely, equipped its soldiers so well… You are building our future. I thank you from the bottom of an old king’s heart – I placed my trust in you three, and I have been rewarded tenfold. I - ” and to your surprise, Adrastus chokes up, unable to continue.
>Hippomedon’s labors have significantly improved his standing with Adrastus! His bond of affection and trust in Hippomedon deepens! This will provide further mechanical benefits to social encounters involving Adrastus.
Mecisteus and Pronax trade wry glances, and begin coughing – you catch words interspersed, designed to mock:
“woman!” and “pederast!”
You can’t help it – you start laughing at their ridiculous antics, and before long, all four of you are cackling, Adrastus wiping the tears from his eyes.
>cont tomorrow","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716432050349213.jpg","filename":"adrastus.jpg"},"posted":1716432050},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6013653,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":">>6013642
They all seem to get along so well here, I wonder just how bad things could have been for Aristomachus & for Diomedes later on.","attachment":null,"posted":1716433277},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6014209,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004001
>>6013515
*cough","attachment":null,"posted":1716475704},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6014219,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>6014209
Goddamnit, lol","attachment":null,"posted":1716476287},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6014376,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Rolled 6, 2, 18 = 26 (3d20)
The situation devolves further – Adrastus collects himself enough to swagger to Pronax in mock outrage, fists raised, but Pronax strikes first – launching off his heels to tackle Adrastus, his shoulder colliding with the bronze of Adrastus’ torso, solid contact!
“Come on, you fat bastard! I’ll take that crown for myself!” Pronax yells enthusiastically, clutching the sides of Adrastus’ bronze – hunting for handholds with which to toss him to the ground, feet scrabbling for purchase against the grassy field. Adrastus “the Unyielding” is well-named – rather than defend himself against the throw, he launches a volley of friendly hooks into Pronax’s kidneys even as he laughs loudly:
“Pronax, you ox! I’ll beat your ass today like I have for the last fifty years!”
You meet Mecisteus’ eye – each of you wearing bemused grins. Some things never change… You watch the sparring match with interest – Pronax seemingly content to let his brother smash his fists into his sides and broad back; Adrastus allowing Pronax to give his best effort to topple a king. As they struggle, the insults grow so creative that you’re reduced to tears once again – you must brace yourself against Mecisteus as you laugh, lest you fall down. After a minute or two, they separate breathlessly, offering up various crude explanations for each other’s lack of perceived manhood…
And then you hear indistinct shouts – looking out to the west, you see a single rider at speed, flying over the western fields. He waves a rod or a staff, hollering to get your attention. The rider gallops past the Tegean cattle herd, and pulls the reins sharply as he draws close enough for conversation. You don’t recognize him - the young man is in priestly robes, holding a thyrsus and grapevines interwoven in his braid – a devotee of Dionysus, you would guess. His face is pale and drawn – he spots you and cries in a panicked voice:
“Lord Hippomedon! You must come at once – it is your wife, Euanippe! She is atop the hill Larissa and something is wrong! She begs for your presence immediately!”
The man’s fear is palpable; the gaiety of the moment curdles. Icy anxiety grips your heart; you look to Adrastus for permission to leave – he nods grimly, an unreadable look in his eye, and gestures to Arion. In a moment, you sit upon the god-horse’s back once more. The hill Larissa rises before you to your right – you and the hill are on the same city of Argos, and the hill can ascended easily from the western side. Without a second thought, you kick your heels and Arion streaks forwards!
>okay, /qst/ - let’s see if you can make it in time! I need THREE rolls of dice+1d20+8 for Hippomedon’s ride check.
>I’m rolling for something myself…","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716487425344761.jpg","filename":"IMG_1495.jpg"},"posted":1716487425},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6014378,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 9 + 8 (1d20 + 8)
>>6014376","attachment":null,"posted":1716487571},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6014397,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 3 + 8 (1d20 + 8)
>>6014376
Hey look, a 1.","attachment":null,"posted":1716489268},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6014408,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 6 + 8 (1d20 + 8)
>>6014376","attachment":null,"posted":1716489999},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6014414,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Looks like the bitch's "warning" was for naught. RIP wife's sanity.","attachment":null,"posted":1716490565},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6014433,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>6014378
>>6014397
>>6014408
>17 vs 18 - uncharacteristically poor performance from Hippomedon, but he’s freaking out right now…
Update tonight - this will probably be the penultimate (ish?) update of SATQ #2","attachment":null,"posted":1716491556},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6014451,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014433
Eeeesh... Well, let's see what comes of this.","attachment":null,"posted":1716492334},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6014817,"name":"Lesches","msg":"The land blurs - Arion’s every stride pushing you faster. In the first moment, you leave behind your uncles. In the second, the Dionysian priest is left in your wake, his lesser steed unable to keep pace. Arion senses your fear - his ears drawn tightly against his skull, his teeth bared in a silent grimace. Your heart pounds - your eyes water as you learn what the common phrase blinding speed truly means. Larissa grows larger by the second, and here you realize your folly – in your haste, you had forgotten that the western side of the hill is composed of dry dirt and parched grass. Arion cannot safely ascend the crumbling hillside trails and switchbacks at a full gallop, but instead must canter carefully, leaping over minor obstacles and small defects in the path. As you approach, you see white-robed figures dotting the hill’s peak – perhaps one hundred in total, although why your wife would have ascended Larissa with so many Dionysians for escort, you have no idea.
As Arion begins the ascent, you shout fervent prayers to the divines for your wife’s wellbeing as you nearly tear your hair out as his necessary caution. Fortunately, Arion’s endurance is boundless - any other stallion might flag after a sprint with a giant on his back, but not so here – his hooves alight quickly over the uncertain terrain, urged by your own panicked pleas.
The Dionysian priest’s face is still in your mind – your wife would not call you for this way unless her life was in danger. Euanippe is in danger!
Your wife is in danger!
Once you are close enough to the hilltop, you leap off Arion’s broad back, and finish the sprint yourself – cresting over the rise, you are immediately mobbed with Dionysians, reaching out to touch you, entangling you with grasping hands. The young men and woman have glazed eyes, absent smiles – over their heads, you see your wife collapsed in a heap forty strides away, flanked by two pale-robed priestesses - these fools are too intoxicated to notice your wife’s dying breaths! They are pleading with you, but their words are the nonsensical mutterings of vagrants and drunkards. You immediately begin shoving the fools aside, scattering them like chickens, and as you do so, you roar in anger:
“OUT OF THE WAY, DEVIANTS! BE GONE!”
You trample some underfoot, and toss others aside as you smash forwards, while still more latch onto your neck and shoulders, seeking to restrain you. One dark-haired woman latches onto your left wrist with an iron grip, and with shocking strength, wrenches you low enough for a sibilant whisper:
“Ah, so this is how obedience is obtained… Well done, prince of Argos!”
>Tisiphone Bond: 0 / ??
You retract your hand in shock and stumble, losing sight of Her – and casting a wild glance behind you, you see the "woman" disappearing in the roiling surf of white-robed bodies.
>cont","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716518967113267.jpg","filename":"RIDE RIDE RIDE.jpg"},"posted":1716518967},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6014840,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Turning forwards as you run, you see Euanippe stirring – she is hoisted to her feet by the pair of priestesses, and you reach her before she can take a single step. She lifts her face towards you, her blond tresses tumbling in disarray, and you see that her face is a death-mask, her skin waxy, deep circles under her eyes.
“Euanippe – Euanippe!” you shout, shaking her by the shoulders. “What poison ails you?!” Your wife meets your eye, and her face reddens - then purples – tears flood down her cheeks, and her mouth flops open in a strange grimace – she emits only hitching sobs. Still, she does not speak – she cannot speak! Your hand catches a priestess by the throat, and tightens – you bellow in the woman’s face for answers as she paws at your mighty grip for breath:
“SPEAK, VILE THING! WHAT POISONS MY WIFE?!”
The choking priestess ceases her struggling, and with a shaking finger, points low at your wife’s torso.
You follow the trembling finger, and see that your wife is standing strangely – so that her belly protrudes subtly against her robes. Euanippe’s hands are pressing there, gently, gingerly. Is there some wound that you cannot see – a poison that has infiltrated her organs?! Your eyes flick back to Euanippe’s face, and the strange grimace is still there upon her wan features – looking almost like – almost like a smile?
But what could –
Your eyes widen in surprise, as you take in your wife a second time. Could it be –
Euanippe’s sobs recede, and a smile blooms on her face. Your beautiful blonde wife speaks hoarsely, saying –
“Oh, you great fool, Hippomedon… Dionysus Μυστης has blessed me.”
“After all these years – we will have a child.”","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716520015772927.jpg","filename":"women.jpg"},"posted":1716520015},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6014849,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014817
I swear we will strangle you with your own immortal guts you skank. You stay the fuck away from our wife.
>>6014840
>cucked by the hedonist
Well good, now my pic can pull double duty","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716520282961798.jpg","filename":"1698547736517274.jpg"},"posted":1716520282},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6014850,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":">>6014840
Holy fugggg dude","attachment":null,"posted":1716520366},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6014867,"name":"Lesches","msg":"The rest of the evening is a blur – the world has turned upside down. The truth of your wife’s revelation has made sense of the madness. The first Dionysian priest – he had mistaken the nature of your wife’s summons; she had been vomiting ceaselessly atop Larissa due to mother’s nausea, and he assumed the worst. The Dionysians at the hilltop – they had attempted to soothe you, calm you – but in your panic, you could not understand their words for what they were, and you too, assumed the worst.
Fortunately, none were killed while you were in the depths of your madness – although you learn later that you had broken bone and rattled skulls. The Dionysians accept your earnest apologies with grace – they better than all understand that madness can strike at any time, and concern for one’s wife is better than most reasons to lose one’s head.
Carrying your wife back to Argos in your arms, she explains what she knows –
“I learned just today, Hippomedon – it was the sickness that convinced the priestesses. Most mothers have a touch of it, but some become very ill. I am one of these – the women tell me I will be sick until the child is born.” Your wife smiles thinly – you know her well enough to know her thoughts – so be it! whatever it takes! She continues:
“We ascended Larissa this afternoon to give our thanks to Dionysus for his gift. When I heard you had returned to the city, I had sent the acolyte to you in all haste. Forgive me for frightening you – I was so overwhelmed when I saw you, I could not speak at all – my tongue could not move…”
You assure your wife that all is forgiven, and behind you, the procession of Dionysians follow – waving their thyrsuses, extolling the virtues of Dionysius Φαλλην…
“Boy or girl?” you inquire, as you approach the gates.
“Idiot!” Euanippe hisses, before her emerald eyes catch the light, and she laughs. “Don’t you know anything? We must wait until winter, when the child is born. Only the gods know whether we will have a son or daughter.” Happiness fills your breast, suffuses your limbs – after so long, so many fears and doubts and anxieties...
You think of your father on the funeral pyre.
You think of the moment when you first laid eyes on your wife.
You will have a child.
You will have a child.
You will have a child!
By the evening, as you rest in bed with Euanippe after your gentle lovemaking, you feel a new strength inside you – something has changed in you, something significant…
You drift off to sleep, and wonder what tomorrow will bring.
- THREAD END -","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716521412160126.jpg","filename":"ya boi Dio.jpg"},"posted":1716521412},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6014873,"name":"Lesches","msg":">Fatherhood is good for Hippomedon – this narrative event has triggered a level-up!
>Please vote on the assignment of TWO (2) stat points to Hippomedon’s spread. Please note that these can be assigned in any fashion, and can even be assigned twice to the same area.
Strength- (20/24) (+10)
Agility- (18/20) (+6)
Constitution- (17/24) (+5)
Willpower- (13/20) (+1)
Intelligence- (13/24) (+1)
Charisma- (11/20) (+0)
>This vote will close in 24 hours.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716521485969096.jpg","filename":"hippo charge2.jpg"},"posted":1716521485},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6014878,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014873
I say well I say-uh we need
>1 into CON
and
>1 into WILL","attachment":null,"posted":1716521717},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6014889,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014873
I'll admit that I wasn't expecting a level-up anytime soon. I'm interested how the conversation about Nira's eyes will go.
>1 AGI
>1 CON
Pure murder machine, if we can get Hippo to 20 AGI (+10) , I'd imagine near nothing will be able to hit him. Besides Hippo don't got that healing factor that Nikon does.","attachment":null,"posted":1716522136},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6014905,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":">>6014873
>+1 Will
>+1 Int
Both of which will slightly raise our bonuses.","attachment":null,"posted":1716522841},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6014974,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014905
+1
>>6014873
>+1 Will
>+1 Int","attachment":null,"posted":1716526987},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6014976,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014849
So does our kid have three parents, or did Dionysus straight up cuck us... Or, as I'm interpreting it, did he just make our wife fertile for US?","attachment":null,"posted":1716527050},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6015022,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014873
>2 into strength
Who needs siege engines when we can open Thebes ourselves.","attachment":null,"posted":1716530848},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6015030,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015022
Fun fact, Capaneus invents the siege ladder here. I think. Don't quote me. Maybe he's just the first guy to see a ladder and think "Yeah I could climb that while people try to stab me and get up there, easy.".","attachment":null,"posted":1716531233},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6015033,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"I'm a bit confused on why anons are voting for +1 WILL","attachment":null,"posted":1716531355},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6015044,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015033
I quite like having the ability to say "No".","attachment":null,"posted":1716532491},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6015046,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015044
But will saying 'No' help when Hippo runs into one of the seven defenders of Thebes?
Admittedly, the wife could probably hook Hippo up with some drugs/poisons that could help.","attachment":null,"posted":1716533285},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6015054,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015046
Considering that they could very well talk mad shit about us that makes us do something stupid we normally wouldn't? Yes it would help.","attachment":null,"posted":1716534505},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6015119,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014976
Considering that both Nikon and Nira have a divine grandpa and neither us nor our wife are half divine, it is VERY safe to say that Hippo got cucked. The superpowered morning illness is probably our wifes body reacting to the divine blooded child in her body. Now the question becomes, what demigod knocked up our wife while we werent looking?","attachment":null,"posted":1716545434},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6015134,"name":"Lesches","msg":"This vote will continue to run until 11:30pm EST, but some "QM's Notes" about char-building in Homer's system.
>The system rewards specialization - points are literally worth more at the top end of the scale. Beginning at 19, each stat point actually provides a +2 bonus to relevant activities, instead of a +1.
>For Hippomedon, points assigned to STR/AGI/CON will have greater impact since he is already close to the top end of the scale. You might think - "oh, there's no need to invest further in Hippomedon's combat capabilities, he already effortlessly BTFOs everything he meets." Trust me when I say that greater dangers lie ahead - this is a quest about a war between demigods, and the war hasn't started yet!
>AGI is the most important combat stat, seeing as it provides both to-hit and dodge bonii. Hippomedon's Giant trait means that he (along with a rare few other characters) can ascend beyond 20 in STR and CON. Hippomedon is relatively frail despite his penchant for melee combat - his access to excellent armor partially rectifies this failing.
>Players are free to vote as they please, but going from a +1 to a +2 WILL bonus is not likely to have a huge impact when Hippomedon is confronted with Odysseus-tier smooth-talkers (and Polynices is vaguely in this area, with >10+ CHA bonus)
---
In other news, we can probably also start some Q+A, if players have any particular questions. I'll preserve any narrative secrets but will otherwise answer honestly.","attachment":null,"posted":1716547973},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6015150,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015134
>QA
What part of SATQ has surprised you the most so far?
How’d you expect the other Hippo builds to have fared if they’d been chosen?","attachment":null,"posted":1716549933},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6015202,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>6015150
Was honestly surprised that Tisiphone showed up in this thread, she wasn’t “expected” until SATQ #3.
>how would the other builds fared?
Well, it’s easy to see that the Soldier build has informed player actions. Hippo has repeatedly thrown himself into physical danger and had players selected an alternate build, threads 1 and 2 would have looked very different. The only “fated” encounter was the Heraclid battle from thread 1, everything else has come up naturally. A silver-tongued Hippomedon would have spent much more time in the Royal Palace and would be much concerned with the political alliances within and without Thebes, and would much more about the Adrastus/Polynices/Tydeus triad. He might have traveled to Mycenae and Thebes, or instead made a diplomatic mission to Phthia to visit Peleus, that old bastard…","attachment":null,"posted":1716553719},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6015456,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014873
Why not two into Will? We're already a man-blender.","attachment":null,"posted":1716572871},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6015750,"name":"Lesches","msg":"General tally with ~3 hours to go.
>>6014878 - +1 CON, +1 WILL
>>6014889 - +1 AGI, +1 CON
>>6014905 - +1 WILL, +1 INT
>>6014974 - +1 WILL, +1 INT
>>6015022 - +2 STR
>>6015456 - +2 WILL
If I'm counting right -
5 - WILL
2 - CON
2 - INT
2 - STR
1 - AGI
Given that the majority of voters are looking to split the allocation between two stats, I'll dictate that the first point goes to WILL, assuming no drastic changes in the vote before cutoff. However, there's a 3-way tie for the second point between CON/INT/STR.
I'll give you guys until 11:30pm EST to come to a consensus, and otherwise roll a 1d3 if we're still deadlocked.","attachment":null,"posted":1716595563},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6015755,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015750
I'll change my Int vote to Str, in light of your earlier clarification today.","attachment":null,"posted":1716595853},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6015770,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Wait, so if we put 1 in AGI and 1 in STR would we end up increasing both stat boni by +2.","attachment":null,"posted":1716597167},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6015775,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015770
Yes.","attachment":null,"posted":1716597277},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6015779,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>6015770
Correct","attachment":null,"posted":1716597467},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6015830,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015134
>>6014873
I say we go
>2 into agi
then should add a +4 to our +6 if im understanding things correctly giving us a total of +10 making us practically untouchable when fighting normal people atleast.","attachment":null,"posted":1716601509},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6016247,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Rolled 2 (1d2)
Okay, final tally
>>6014878 - +1 CON, +1 WILL
>>6014889 - +1 AGI, +1 CON
>>6014905 - +1 WILL, +1 INT
>>6014974 - +1 WILL, +1 INT
>>6015022 - +2 STR
>>6015755 - +2 STR
>>6015830 - +2 AGI
4 - STR
3- AGI
3 - WILL
2 - CON
2 - INT
---
So, by QM fiat - a point will go into STR - our boy Hippomedon will have a mighty +12 STR bonus and truly mythic feats of strength start to become possible.
However, we now have a tie between AGI and WILL - will roll a d2 to determine this:
1 - AGI
2 - WILL","attachment":null,"posted":1716633334},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6016250,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>6016247
WILL it is - interesting enough, this is the same level up allocation that Nikandros took upon hitting level 2 - like father, like son! Hippomedon becomes slightly more resistant to the wiles of men and daimons alike, his supernatural presence growing slightly more daunting.
New stat block below:
Strength- (21/24) (+12)
Agility- (18/20) (+6)
Constitution- (17/24) (+5)
Willpower- (14/20) (+2)
Intelligence- (13/24) (+1)","attachment":null,"posted":1716633478},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6016256,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"So, uh, are the Hippo fastballs just straight up lethal with the new strength modifier?","attachment":null,"posted":1716634501},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6016277,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>6016256
Hmm. Yes, they would be.
He’ll have to commission an even softer set behind the scenes - sand wrapped in padded leather, maybe.","attachment":null,"posted":1716636555},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6016341,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"I’ve just noticed that Hippo’s int cap is 24","attachment":null,"posted":1716643911},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6016357,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>6016341
Oops, that’s a drafting error - will correct. His INT cap is 20","attachment":null,"posted":1716644379},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6016361,"name":"Lesches","msg":"I’m going to try to put out one bonus update tonight, as long as the thread is still on the board…","attachment":null,"posted":1716644829},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6016563,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6016277
>tfw Hippo invents baseball/dodgeball so he doesn't kill people","attachment":null,"posted":1716658471},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6016629,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":">>6016250
We might have another level-up or two by the time Thebes has fell, so I'm thinking we boost Int by 1 to a get a +2 bonus, boost Con by 2 to get a +8 bonus, & then put any more points into Agil & Str.","attachment":null,"posted":1716662618},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6016663,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6016629
I'd rather Will than Int be our mental focus given the divines are about.","attachment":null,"posted":1716663876},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6016708,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>6016629
>>6016663
It’s a certainty that Hippo will hit Level 5, which is a dramatic power boost, 3 stat traits plus a minor trait. So there’s still quite a bit of flexibility in his future build.","attachment":null,"posted":1716666715},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6016709,"name":"Lesches","msg":">>6016708
*3 stat points","attachment":null,"posted":1716666794},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6016728,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6016629
>by the time Thebes has fell
You do know Hippo dies before that?","attachment":null,"posted":1716668182},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6016851,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6016728
This quest is based on the Epic Poem of the Seven Against Thebes. Hippo dies in that, and since in TWQ Hippo is already dead and his family are LONG exiled from Argos, its safe to say that he died at Thebes and his family were made scapegoats and exiled for the loss.","attachment":null,"posted":1716675386},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6016884,"name":"Niggapolys","msg":">>6016851
SPOILERS
but yeah, obviously he's a doomed hero, I'm just saying he isn't dying next post so we should plan ahead","attachment":null,"posted":1716677552},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6016893,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6016884
If you played TWQ the OG then you KNOW Hippo is a doomed Hero. This is not a hard thing to figure out.","attachment":null,"posted":1716678381},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6016894,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6016884
>spoilers for 2,491 poem","attachment":null,"posted":1716678596},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6016908,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6016894
2,491 year old I mean. Still.","attachment":null,"posted":1716679907},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6016915,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6016728
>>6016894
Dude what the FUCK, I was JUST about to read that! I had just gotten past Al'Naba'him's chaff-selling saga and was ready for the Greek classics. Goddammit anon.","attachment":null,"posted":1716680593},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6016968,"name":"Lesches","msg":"In the night, you awaken – tangled in your wife’s embrace, you find that your hand is resting upon Euanippe’s abdomen. Somewhere within, a child is growing. Drowsily, you wonder what sort of person they might become…
---
You are Deianira Hippomedion, and you are doing your best to keep your composure as you travel the streets of Phthia, capital of Thessaly. You’ve forgotten your effect on crowds – men of all ages and backgrounds stare at you with a comedic mixture of hapless lust and surprise, while women glare at you with open hostility. Soldier stumble into each other, becoming uncoordinated boys – and elderly men draw the ire of their wives and daughters as they gawk at you improperly. A crowd of young men trail in your wake, mostly commoners but a few low nobility as well, begging for your name and your attentions.
You ignore them all, of course.
You ride in a newly-purchased chariot along Argyros, trusted servant and lieutenant of your family for two generations. Soon, your brother will send for him along with fifty of your family’s best men, and you will be without a capable commander. Today, you will go to the palace of Peleus and seek out a new servant, an experienced soldier who can assist you on the battlefield and serve as your steward, while your brother and Argyros are away. A careful selection must be made and -
Your musings are interrupted by a choking sensation, an abominable pressure on your throat. The phantom sensation attacks at random, without warning – you hide your gasping as best you can. Once again, you curse the vile nymph, daughter of a river god, that shattered your ankle, nearly drowned you, and killed Iudus – even now, on a bright autumn day, her memory sees fit to strangle you. Markings of another sort freeze along your arm - the icy grip of a deity who once wore the skin of a vagrant...
“You will have your revenge in time, ‘Nira – but duty to the οἶκος first.” your brother whispers in your mind, and his words are a balm – the nymph’s invisible hands release their grip, and you breathe freely once more. You miss him dearly – every day, you pray for him.
The sky above is clear, as you travel the cleanly streets of Phthia, but stormclouds are nonetheless on the horizon – war is coming to Thessaly, just as Hellas is bringing war to the Troad. It is said that one hundred thousand men will travel to Ilion – your brother with them! – and this has not gone unnoticed by the northern barbaroi. You see the preparations everywhere in Phthia – always a military-oriented city, now it positively quakes with the rhythmic pounding of marching soldiers, armorers, and shipbuilders. Peleus is no fool, despite his advanced age – a storm is coming, while Hellas' fighting men are in the Troad – and it will come to your οἶκος as well.
You remember the man you freed from Damachides’ clutches – Pyraechmides, his name – and wonder where he has gone…
>cont","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716683589208255.jpg","filename":"DS_thread2.1.jpg"},"posted":1716683589},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6017005,"name":"Lesches","msg":"It has been two weeks since you wrote an original comedic play, Acinus, the Grape Prince, infiltrated the Damachidean estates under a false identity, and successfully staged your play. In the ensuing celebrations, you committed the murder of your wealthy neighbor, Damachides, freeing his prisoner Pyraechmides, and robbing the Damachidean vaults before making your escape. Upon his release, Pyraechmides had subsequently set the Damachidean palace ablaze before vanishing into the night. You brought his stolen gold back to your own “vault” – really, just a supply closet with a reinforced door on the second floor of your modest estate. Last week, you returned to the scorched Damachidean estates, which were subsequently seized by your conspirator, the brute Aristonax, and were further rewarded for your successful assassination. Of course, you did not tell the man that you had robbed "his" vaults a week before.
You’ve found that the murder does not bother you at all, your sleep untroubled by your deed. In fact, a great burden has been lifted from your shoulders - in a fortnight, your οἶκος, which your brother Nikandros had successfully wrestled out of poverty over a period of several years, now has real wealth at its disposal. Not boundless wealth, not unlimited wealth – but Timae enough to secure its future and do what must be done.
And there is much to do!
Passage into Phthia had not been difficult (although you found the gate guard lieutenant, Kopreus, to be quite slow-witted…) and gossip in the streets has brought you up to speed. Achilles has recently sent for his honorguard, and Peleus has sent his military contributions to High King Agamemnon’s war upon a large fleet of black-hulled warships. Thetis, as is her nature, has been an infrequent presence in the palace, and Peleus has reportedly turned his attentions to the north and west. News from Mycenae reveal that Achilles now busies himself with endless numbers of women and combat-training, but already rumor suggests that he might hunt for pirates amongst the Aegean rather than wait for the Hellenic army to assemble.
Access to the impregnable palace of Peleus itself was likewise trivial; for a woman of your beauty and grace, the Royal Guard all but fell over one another to please you. Now, you wait in a small antechamber - rural nobility like yourself cannot simply stroll into Peleus’ megaron and demand his attentions. One must first convince his steward that you are worthy of a brief meeting. You are told that Lord Phoinix will be with you shortly by an attendant. You know Phoinix by reputation - he has served Peleus as his chief steward for a generation, and in return, Peleus crowned him king of his people, the Dolopians to the north. You understand he has ruled his people from afar, and has spent the last fifteen or so years tutoring Achilles in the intellectual arts.
>cont","attachment":null,"posted":1716685221},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6017025,"name":"Lesches","msg":"When he strides into the room, you find him to be a trim man of sixty or so years, with graying hair and beard. His brown eyes are intelligent, and searching - he regards you respectfully. If not for the pale tone of his skin, you might think him a relative of your departed Iudas.
Phoinix begins without delay:
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Deianira Hippomedion. What brings you to the house of Peleus?" His affect is professional - you get the strange sense that your beauty does not matter to him one whit. He meets your eyes flatly, without desire. Perhaps best to be respectful and succinct.
"I seek a retainer for my household, King Phoinix. My previous steward has unfortunately drowned this past summer. Preferably, a man with martial experience, and who can help coordinate the defense of my small estate." Phoinix takes this information in - he remains silent, calculating.
"King Peleus has many men who might be of service to you, Deianira. But in what way may you serve Peleus? The appropriate gift will produce the appropriate man." Phoinix's eyes glitter - the man strikes at the heart of the issue without pretense.
Fortunately, you can think of several ways in which you might serve Peleus. As a witch, you have access to tinctures, potions, magic and supernatural services - although many men fear to tread in this domain. As a noblewoman, you now have access to a substantial sum of wealth - certainly, most stewards are bought and sold with gold. Finally, as a young, unmarried woman, you can offer a great prize indeed - betrothal. You are in a rare position in that you are able to sell yourself, should you choose to do so.
>well, /qst/? What do you choose to offer to Phoinix (and Peleus) for access to a military commander/steward? After this, Deianira will negotiate the final terms with Peleus directly, FWIW.
>Offer services as a witch. This is a rare and valuable thing, but you're uncertain of Peleus' opinions regarding witchcraft. This would be something of a gamble. (random bonus/malus to next encounter)
>Offer to pay in Timae and wealth, the typical means of hiring stewards. This is straightforward approach, and you trust that you'd be able to artfully haggle the price down. (no bonus/malus)
>Offer to pay in betrothal. Perhaps the most valuable gift of all - tying yourself to one of Peleus' close allies will strengthen your bonds with the house of Peleus. Of course, you would nominally surrender control of your estate to your new husband, but for a woman of your wiles, this is no real concern. (significant bonus to next encounter)
>Something else?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716686148722290.jpg","filename":"phoinix.jpg"},"posted":1716686148},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6017035,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017025
>Offer services as a witch. This is a rare and valuable thing, but you're uncertain of Peleus' opinions regarding witchcraft. This would be something of a gamble. (random bonus/malus to next encounter)
I think a ruthless man like Peleus will always have need of supernatural aid","attachment":null,"posted":1716686617},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6017041,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017025
>>Offer services as a witch. This is a rare and valuable thing, but you're uncertain of Peleus' opinions regarding witchcraft. This would be something of a gamble. (random bonus/malus to next encounter)
Peleus' wife is a goddess. I think he's used to weird shit happening around him, and is more than willing to use it to his advantage. I just hope he isn't having one of his YELLS AT CLOUDS moments.","attachment":null,"posted":1716687067},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6017043,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017025
>Offer to pay in Timae and wealth, the typical means of hiring stewards. This is straightforward approach, and you trust that you'd be able to artfully haggle the price down. (no bonus/malus)
Zero reason to offer anything else. Getting hitched would only be a temporary advantage, eventually we would get fucked over gotta keep Nikon comping at the bit LMAO. If we reveal our witchcraft and Peleus goes full fucking retard we get killed, something he almost did to Nikon..
No we have cash, we can use it.","attachment":null,"posted":1716687120},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6017392,"name":"Lesches","msg":"Bump for any DQ players who may have missed the vote...
We're probably going to fall off the board in the next day or two, so some general QM announcements as well.
>I'm thinking about taking a four-week hiatus to rest and recharge; consult the source literature. Been running continuously for close to two months now.
>There's a 70% chance that I run a Kaiju-themed one-shot starting in July, just for fun.
>Seven Against Thebes Quest will begin again in August, and will likely need another two threads, at minimum, to conclude the war in Thebes. My goal is to conclude SATQ by the end of October, marking the one-year anniversary since Nikandros got BTFO in the halls of Ilion.","attachment":null,"posted":1716722240},{"board":"qst","thread":5976675,"pid":6017548,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017025
>Offer services as a witch. This is a rare and valuable thing, but you're uncertain of Peleus' opinions regarding witchcraft. This would be something of a gamble. (random bonus/malus to next encounter)
Thought admittedly, not having played previous quests, I feel a bit lost here.
>>6017392
Thanks for the update, QM!","attachment":null,"posted":1716736945}]}
+{"title":"PowerLvlr! quest","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5976978,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"This story is about a young man working hard to make a living.
What is his occupation? (Choose one)
>1: Farmer. Strong muscles makes tilling the earth easier. (STR+)
>2: Thief. Nimble hands means easier pocketchange. (DEX+)
>3: Doctor. Smart mind finds the cure. (INT+)
>4: Musician. Silver tongue pleases the crowds. (CHA+)
>5: Write in. (Define which stat this would increase)
One night while the young man sleeps tight in his bed after a long days work, something strange happens to him...
What is that strange thing? (Choose one)
>A: A burgler tries to steal from his room.
>B: Wild and vivid dreams of adventure occupy his night.
>C: The moonlight slips through his window, bathing him in mystical light.
>D: A bee flies into his mouth, and down into his stomach.
>E: Write in
Welcome to Powerlvler quest! Here we play as a weak nobody, which might end up pretty strong sometime in the future!
Stats work like this:
STRength is increased by performing physically demanding tasks. Strength passively increases charisma.
AGIlity is increased by performing tasks requiring precision and speed. Agility passively increases strenght
INTelligence is increased by performing mentally demanding tasks. Intelligence passively increases agility
CHArisma is increased by performing social tasks. Charisma passively increases intelligence
CONstitution is increased by taking damage of any kind and recovering succesfully. Constitution passively increases every other stat slightly
Some wounds (physical or mental) can reduce constitution permanently
There may also be other stats, but we will get to them when they are relevant
Pictures may or may not be included in some of my posts.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713046775653613.png","filename":"hi.png"},"posted":1713046775},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5976986,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976978
>3: Doctor. Smart mind finds the cure. (INT+)
>B: Wild and vivid dreams of adventure occupy his night.","attachment":null,"posted":1713047233},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977000,"name":"DrDragonfagQM","msg":">>5976978
>>1: Farmer. Strong muscles makes tilling the earth easier. (STR+)
>1: Farmer. Strong muscles makes tilling the earth easier. (STR+)
>B: Wild and vivid dreams of adventure occupy his night.","attachment":null,"posted":1713048190},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977006,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Letting the vote go for another 10 minutes
If still tied by then, I will flip a coin and write","attachment":null,"posted":1713049142},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977020,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 2 (1d2)
rolling and writing","attachment":null,"posted":1713050199},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977024,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Farmer
>Dreams
-
As a farmer, Inindur has always been content with spending his days on the farm growing his vegetables. But tonight his dreams have been of adventure and distant lands. Somewhere within his dreams, an apparition reaches towards him, spreading a new and comfortable warmth over him.
The rooster wakes him up, like every day, but this time Inindur would prefer dreaming some more.
Somehow, he feels lighter and faster. His muscles does not ache like they usually do when he wakes up, and the flowers outside have a little more color than he remembers.
How does Inindur spend his day?
>Time to farm
>Take the day off, hang out with friends
>Discuss dreams with the holy father
>Write in","attachment":null,"posted":1713050936},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977026,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977024
>Discuss dreams with the holy father","attachment":null,"posted":1713051063},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977028,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977024
>>Discuss dreams with the holy father","attachment":null,"posted":1713051225},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977040,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Discuss dreams
-
As Inindur enters the temple, the holy father is already busy with prayers at the alter. Father rises up when Inindur approaches, and they both nod.
The holy father had a vision tonight, that a man with incredible inner strenght would reveal himself, and that together they will train to meet a future filled with death and despair.
While Inindur initially did not interpret his own dreams the same way, maybe there is something to fathers visions.
As they talk about their dreams and visions, father seems to believe his visions refer to Inindur. If Inindur decides to train with father, he would likely not be able to tend the farm as much
How does Inindur respond to the holy father?
>Write in","attachment":null,"posted":1713052296},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977059,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977040
Accept the offer.","attachment":null,"posted":1713055096},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977089,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Accept
-
Inindur trains over several weeks. Holy father Vaars introduces several Holy Words to Inindur, which he is expected to learn. Holy Words will, when uttered correctly and with conviction, activate certain effects depending on the word. While Inindur only manages to barely grasp some of them, there is one in particular he seems to master flawlessly and with little effort.
Which word did Inindur master?
>Taarmus: "May strenght guide my actions." (STR+)
>Renduus: "May the resolution align with my wish." (DEX+)
>Bremas: "Wisdom shall light my path." (INT+)
>Melenoor: "I will carry my friends, like they carry me." (CHA+)","attachment":null,"posted":1713056911},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977117,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977089
>Bremas: "Wisdom shall light my path." (INT+)","attachment":null,"posted":1713058538},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977140,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977089
>>Renduus: "May the resolution align with my wish." (DEX+)","attachment":null,"posted":1713060173},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977155,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Giving it 10 ish minutes before I end the vote
If tied, I will flip a coin","attachment":null,"posted":1713061252},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977174,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d2)
rolling and writing","attachment":null,"posted":1713062193},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977192,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Bremas
-
Now that several months have passed, Inindur has grown stronger. Father Vaars has seen another vision, that any day now there will be an attack on the little village. Everyone is preparing for combat, and the tension within the city is high.
Inindur has not had a lot of time lately to actually talk with others from the village, and decides it would be a good idea to talk with one of them he feels closest to.
Who does he meet up with?
>Smether. A burly man who likes to help other villagers whenever asked. Many call him a gentle giant
>Verolian. A slender woman who is notorious for winning in card games. Used to be an orphan, and was adopted by Inindurs neighbour.
>Everno. A man with many scars, always concocting potions and herbal remedies. For his age, he is surprisingly good at mixing alcoholic drinks.
>Thaske. A woman with the largest smile in the village, always able to lighten any mood. To some she seems like the definition of the village stereotype.
>Write in (Insert a name if you'd like, and write a small description. I *might* change the name to fit local naming conventions)
Im going to sleep now, vote stays open until I return","attachment":null,"posted":1713062596},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977214,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977192
>Everno. A man with many scars, always concocting potions and herbal remedies. For his age, he is surprisingly good at mixing alcoholic drinks.","attachment":null,"posted":1713063732},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977216,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977192
>Write in
>Jorgen. A quiet family man with a homely wife and four children. Has a nack for building and designing structures. He often startles others by being around until noticed without making a sound, but he has a habit of being where he needs to be when needed.","attachment":null,"posted":1713063796},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977220,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977192
>Conan. A barbarian man that had settled in the village some years back. While many fear him for his obvious warrior background, you've noticed he has an intelligent and cultured mind in the time you two have conversed.","attachment":null,"posted":1713064468},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977224,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977192
>Mazela. The all-knowing witch queen living in the outskirts of the village. Some think she's crazy since she lives with her 87 cats, but other people know her for her strong physic powers and kind heart. She mostly sticks to herself tending to her cats and studying the arts of blood magic and strengthening her physic powers.
ALL HAIL WITCH QUEEN MAZELA","attachment":null,"posted":1713065651},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977230,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976978
>Welcome to Powerlvler quest! Here we play as a weak nobody, which might end up pretty strong sometime in the future!
This would make a good manhwa title unironically.","attachment":null,"posted":1713066261},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977291,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977216
Changing my vote to this.","attachment":null,"posted":1713070209},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977771,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Jorgen
-
After his training session, Inindur leaves the temple to meet up with his good friend Joergen. Joergen is a quiet family man a couple years older than Inindur, and has made himself rather busy. With four kids and a wife, he has learned several trades to keep the family expenses down.
Inindur looks everywhere for him, but cant seem to find him anywhere. Just as he is about to give up for the day, Joergen taps his shoulder. They both share a laugh, before they use the rest of the evening to hang out.
While the sun sets, the two of them share a couple drinks outside.
From somewhere in town, people are starting to shout and scream. Inindur and Joergen checks up on the commotion, and apparently there are some troublemakers in town!
Five bandits are harassing villagers, threatening to bring more bandits unless they are being paid handsomely.
While Joergen is usually a calm man, he asks Inindur to join him in beating up the bandits. He argues the bandits will come back for more loot regardless. "Might as well beat them up now."
How do the two of them proceed?
>Beat them up
>Pay them off
>Negotiate
>Find father Vaars first
>Write in
Inindurs current stats
STR - 4 (Base) + 1 (Half of DEX)
Total STR = 5
DEX - 2 (Base) + 2 (Half of INT)
Total DEX = 4
INT - 4 (Base) + 0 (Half of CHA)
Total INT = 4
CHA - 0 (Base) + 2 (Half of STR)
Total CHA = 2","attachment":null,"posted":1713125049},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977774,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977771
>Write in
Make a blood sacrifice to the Witch Queen Mazela, she'll easily take care of this.","attachment":null,"posted":1713125236},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977779,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977771
>Beat them up
Tempted to talk to father Vaars first and see what his views on the matter are.","attachment":null,"posted":1713125634},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977782,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977771
>Find father Vaars first","attachment":null,"posted":1713125782},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977784,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977771
>Find father Vaars first","attachment":null,"posted":1713125875},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977796,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Closing vote in 10 minutes ish","attachment":null,"posted":1713126475},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977812,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977771
>Beat them up","attachment":null,"posted":1713127617},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977815,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977771
>Find father Vaars first
We're going to need a healer","attachment":null,"posted":1713127998},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977829,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Find Vaars
-
The two of them start looking for father Vaars, as he would likely be helpful when confronting the bandits. They find him in the temple, and then hurry back to the villagers.
Unfortunately some of the villagers have already taken a beating. On a more serious note, one have taken a knife to the stomach.
Before Joergen gets the chance to fly fist first into the bandits, father Vaars stops him, and tries to talk the bandits down from further violence.
Inindur and Joergen stands back while Vaars talks. Joergen seems very calm suddenly, but Inindur can see the intensity in his eyes. As they have been friends for a long time, Inindur feels confident in assuming that Joergen is ready to pounce at the first opportunity.
The bandits have better arms, but lightly armored. Getting hit would certainly hurt, but hurting them is very possible.
How does Inindur proceed?
>Charge. Better to hit immidiately
>Improvise a weapon. Better even the odds first
>Let Vaars talk. Maybe he has a plan of sorts
>Help Vaars making his case. Two talkers could be better than one
>Tend to the wounded man. Saving lives matter more
Current HP: 4","attachment":null,"posted":1713129791},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977831,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977829
>Improvise a weapon. Better even the odds first
Don’t bring a fist to a knife fight.","attachment":null,"posted":1713129998},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977832,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977829
>>Tend to the wounded man. Saving lives matter more","attachment":null,"posted":1713130113},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977833,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977829
>Improvise a weapon. Better even the odds first","attachment":null,"posted":1713130358},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977843,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977829
>Tend to the wounded man. Saving lives matter more
Mazela will be pleased with us saving lives","attachment":null,"posted":1713132726},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977845,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Closing vote in 10 ish minutes","attachment":null,"posted":1713132835},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977846,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977829
>>5977832
I'll change my vote to
>Improvise a weapon. Better even the odds first
To break the tie","attachment":null,"posted":1713132994},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977848,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 8 (1d10)
Oh, and roll me a d10","attachment":null,"posted":1713133278},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977849,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977848
dice+1d10","attachment":null,"posted":1713133425},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977850,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 2 (1d10)
>>5977849
Queen Mazela, grant me the power of LUCK","attachment":null,"posted":1713133486},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977851,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 6 (1d10)
>>5977848","attachment":null,"posted":1713133498},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977858,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Inindur looks around for a weapon. While there are planks some meters away, he would not have a chance to grab one before the bandits catch onto him.
He looks down, and at his feet there is a rock at the size of his fist. As he picks it up, one of the bandits notice what he is up to, and charges.
The bandit swings, and hits!
Bandit dice: 8
Inindur dice: 2 + 4 (DEX) = 6
A nasty gash is inflicted upon Inindurs chest. -2hp
Immidiately following, Inindur swings towards the bandit and hits!
Inindur dice: 6 + 4 (DEX) = 10
Bandit dice: 8
The rock goes hard into the bandits head, knocking him out.
By now talking is no longer an option. Joergen charges a bandit, while Vaars does the same.
Another bandit rushes up to you with a sword. Inindur is outranged, but still ready for battle.
How does Inindur proceed?
>Swing again
>Throw the rock
>Grab weapon with better reach
>Write in","attachment":null,"posted":1713134806},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977861,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977858
>Write in
Grab some sand from beneath your feet and throw it in the face of the bandit charging at you, then when he's blinded use the rock to smash his head and steal his Excalibur, the legendary sword of Queen Mazela","attachment":null,"posted":1713135270},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977865,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977858
>>Throw the rock","attachment":null,"posted":1713135652},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977880,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977858
>Throw the rock","attachment":null,"posted":1713136649},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977905,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 8 (1d10)
Writing in 10 ish minutes
roll me some dice","attachment":null,"posted":1713139799},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977908,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 10 (1d10)
>>5977905
Queen Mazela, grant me the power of LUCK.
[b] Sacrifices a goat, puts the blood in a bucket and smears it all over his body [b]","attachment":null,"posted":1713140001},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977917,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 2 (1d10)
>>5977905","attachment":null,"posted":1713141046},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977928,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Throw rock
-
As Inindur watches the bandit approach, he knows he cant outrange his foe in a melee. For a moment, as if it was the most natural thing to do, he draws the rock behind him, and sends it at the bandit.
The rock flies, and hits!
Inindur dice: 10 (crit) + 4 (DEX) = 14
Bandit dice: 8
The rock goes into the bandits throat. The bandit utters an awful sound, before he slumps to the ground, hands around his throat.
Vaars and Joergen have beaten up their opponents too. Inindur is sure he saw five bandits however, and there are only four of them on the ground. He didnt have to wonder for long, as he notices the fifth bandit attempting to hide behind some shrubbery.
When the bandit realizes he has been spotted, he turns to run!
How does Inindur proceed?
>Run after him immidiately
>Bandage first, then make chase
>Let him escape
>Write in","attachment":null,"posted":1713141801},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977941,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977928
>Write in
Pick up the magic sword Excalibur from Witch Queen Mazela and start chasing the remaining bandit down like a blood hound. Since the sword is magic you can also heal with the sword while you run regaining all of your lost HP.
ALL HAIL MAZELA","attachment":null,"posted":1713142409},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977946,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977928
>Write in
>Check up on anyone hurt and bandage yourself, see if we can interrogate where the bandits come from.","attachment":null,"posted":1713142541},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977951,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977928
>Run after him immidiately
Can we get Joergen pursue the last bandit? He seems to have better dex.","attachment":null,"posted":1713142677},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977954,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977951
>Can we get Joergen pursue the last bandit? He seems to have better dex.
I guess write it as a write-in? Make him pick up the sword, don't send him off without it !","attachment":null,"posted":1713142775},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5977956,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977928
>Run after him immediately","attachment":null,"posted":1713142903},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5978042,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977928
>Bandage first, then make chase","attachment":null,"posted":1713148750},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5978051,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Im off to sleep, next post tomorrow
Vote is open until then","attachment":null,"posted":1713149258},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5978603,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 9 (1d10)
Roll me some d10s","attachment":null,"posted":1713216852},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5978611,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 3 (1d10)
>>5978603","attachment":null,"posted":1713217608},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5978616,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 2 (1d10)
>>5978603","attachment":null,"posted":1713218088},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5978622,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Run after immidiately
-
While Inindur is still wounded, the last bandit can not be allowed to escape right now. The consequences might be dire if he does
For half a second Inindur considers picking up the sword on the ground, but the bandit is wriggling around on top of it. While pushing him off would be easy, it would cost precious time.
Inindur takes chase!
Bandit roll: 9
Inindur roll: 3 + 4 (DEX) = 9
While Inindur sometimes stumble in the dark terrain, he manages to keep up with the bandit!
Through the adrenaline he still feels good and ready to sprint for a bit longer. The wound on his chest starts stinging more now than before as his body moves a lot.
Assessing the wound is currently not possible, as Inindurs eyes are fixed on the bandit, to make sure he does not miss him in the growing darkness.
The two of them running, Inindur can see a forrest fast approaching.
How does Inindur proceed?
>Continue pursuit at current pace.
>Push yourself harder to catch up.
>Stop and assess the damage yourself
>Write in","attachment":null,"posted":1713219250},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5978623,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Cool formating I did there lmao","attachment":null,"posted":1713219340},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5978630,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978622
>Stop and assess the damage yourself","attachment":null,"posted":1713220242},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5978644,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"closing vote in 15ish minutes","attachment":null,"posted":1713221651},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5978646,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978622
>Push yourself harder to catch up.
Mazela is watching, we must make her proud","attachment":null,"posted":1713221869},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5978647,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978622
>>Stop and assess the damage yourself","attachment":null,"posted":1713221975},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5978648,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978622
>Continue pursuit at current pace.
If this bandit escapes, he'll get reinforcements","attachment":null,"posted":1713222014},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5978654,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978648
Changing my vote to this, we don't want to dissapoint Mazela","attachment":null,"posted":1713223256},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5978659,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 6 (1d10)
Roll me some 1d10s
Since this decision might be important, I will let the vote run for another 10 minutes
I will count votes as either
>chasing
or
>stopping
and from there look at how Inindur either chases or stops
if tied, I will flip a coin","attachment":null,"posted":1713223535},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5978661,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d10)
>>5978659
Mazela, GRANT ME LUCK","attachment":null,"posted":1713223937},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5978663,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 10 (1d10)
>>5978659","attachment":null,"posted":1713224159},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5978664,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 2 (1d10)
>>5978659
>chasing","attachment":null,"posted":1713224249},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5978667,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 5 (1d10)
>>5978659","attachment":null,"posted":1713224324},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5978671,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 8 (1d10)
>>5978659
>chasing
>>5978654
Mazela for the win.","attachment":null,"posted":1713224621},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5978682,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Chase
-
Inindur feels so close to catching up. As he sprints, he consider pushing himself just a little extra, to catch the bandit before he reaches the forrest.
Unfortunately he never got the chance to speed up nor keep his pace.
Inindur dice: 1 (crit) + 4 (DEX) = 5
Bandit dice: 6
Inindur trips and falls to the ground! -1hp
As Inindur lays there, he curses his luck. He didnt manage to catch himself falling, going face and chest into the ground. The wound stings like crazy now, he has to return and get the wound cleaned.
As he stands up, he can see the bandit run to the treeline. The bandit turns around to see if he is being followed. Inindur notices that, when he stood up, he, for some reason, managed to pick up another rock.
He does the same motion he did earlier, and throws it!
Inindur dice: 10 (crit) + 4 (DEX) = 14
Bandit dice: 6
Inindur is not sure wheather or not the rock hit. But then, a loud scream comes from the treeline. Surely enough, the rock struck true.
While dragging the bandit back to the village would be a good idea, Inindur feels exhausted from all the running and the beating he has taken.
How does Inindur proceed?
>Bring the bandit back
>Leave him there
>Rest for a bit first
>Write in","attachment":null,"posted":1713225461},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5978683,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Goddamnit I butchered the formating again","attachment":null,"posted":1713225522},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5978686,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978683
Mazela curses YOU!
>>5978682
>Write in
Bring the bandit back AFTER you rest for a bit first
MAZELA WILL CHERISH THE OFFERING","attachment":null,"posted":1713226077},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5978689,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978682
>>Bring the bandit back
The quicker the better.","attachment":null,"posted":1713226248},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5978706,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978682
>Bring the bandit back","attachment":null,"posted":1713227152},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5978713,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Ending vote in 10-15ish minutes","attachment":null,"posted":1713228032},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5978745,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Bring bandit back
-
Inindur tries dragging the bandit back, but the bandits clothes keep getting stuck in the terrain. Inindur ends up carrying the bandit over his shoulder instead to speed things up.
After a painful journey back, Inindur falls over the moment he is back in the village. He feels someone dragging him away, before he passes out.
Delirious dreams haunt Inindur during his sleep.
What does he dream of?
>The pain in his chest
>Something about rocks
>The holy word, Bremas
>His friends and close ones
>Write in","attachment":null,"posted":1713229990},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5978758,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978745
>Write in
About his Queen Mazela and how he's sacrificing all of the bandit bodies in a blood magic ritual for her","attachment":null,"posted":1713230548},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5978760,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978745
>The holy word, Bremas","attachment":null,"posted":1713230914},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5978768,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978745
>The holy word, Bremas","attachment":null,"posted":1713231223},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5978783,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Im going to sleep, might post tomorrow
Vote is open until I return","attachment":null,"posted":1713232745},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5978850,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978745
>The holy word, Bremas","attachment":null,"posted":1713239230},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5978903,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978745
>His friends and close ones","attachment":null,"posted":1713246176},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5980792,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Can do a session today
Writing","attachment":null,"posted":1713473435},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5980795,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Holy Word
-
Inindur walks along a forrest of pillars made from pure light. The ground he threads on is darkness, grasping at his feet. Yet it cant hold him still, as Inindur continues walking. Up ahead there is a pedestal with an object of sorts.
Inindur did not manage to see what the object was, before he wakes up. Drenched from sweat, he sits up and examines his wound.
A nasty wound with an ugly scab is hidden beneath the bandages covering his chest. It itches, but Inindur knows better than to mess around with the wound.
A young woman enters the room with water, bandages and alcohol. She is surprised that Inindur is awake, it was not expected he would wake up for at least another couple days. She advises Inindur to stay in bed and recover completely.
How does Inindur proceed?
>No time for that, talk with Vaars about the bandits
>Remain in bed for another day
>Stay for as long as he is required
>Write in
Stat growth:
STR: + 0
DEX: + 6 (Hitting bandit melee +1, hitting bandit ranged (crit) +2, chasing bandit +1, hitting bandit ranged (crit) +2)
INT: + 2 (Improvising a weapon +1, delirious dreams +1)
CHA: + 0","attachment":null,"posted":1713473724},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5980798,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980795
>Write-in
>Stay for as long as he is required and tell the nurse to call for Vaars so you two can talk about the filthy scum that you call bandits
We need to heal lads, the journey to the Witches Forest will be long and hard","attachment":null,"posted":1713473879},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5980805,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980795
>Stay for as long as he is required and ask the nurse to get Vaars, so they can talk
But not because Inindur gives a shit about some fictitious "witch-queen."","attachment":null,"posted":1713474155},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5980806,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980805
But but but sir, the witches forest awaits. The voices in our head keep telling us that the queen awaits. Don't you want physic powers???","attachment":null,"posted":1713474393},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5980825,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980798
>>5980805
Ah I just thought of something. I would like add this to the write-in I already made.
>AND since you're already having to lay in bed for the next few days you might as tell the nurse to get you a book in order to deepen your knowledge of Renduus","attachment":null,"posted":1713476289},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5980846,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Stay, but call for Vaars
-
Inindur asks for Vaars, but the woman eplains that he is in deep meditation. He is expected to awaken from his trance-like meditation around the same time Inindur recovers from his wounds. She is unsure why Vaars is meditating like this, but she reassures Inindur that there surely is a good reason.
She offers to bring some personal belongings to him, if he would like. Since the room is small, she cant bring too many things.
What does Inindur request for?
>1: Some light training equipment
>2: An instrument
>3: A book (you may choose a topic)
>4: Just some alcohol
>5: Nothing, better keep the room uncluttered
>6: Write in
Later that same day Joergen comes by. He has been busy chopping trees to make palisades and makeshift barricades. The captured bandits have not yet been interrogated, since Vaars wants partake.
While conversing, Inindur finds out that, the way Joergen knows it, Vaars might actually be meditating for a week or longer.
Joergen is afraid not interrogating the bandits soon will be detrimental to the village. The bandits have could provide crucial information, like how many more bandits there are and how far their camp is.
The other villagers are willing to wait for Vaars, but Joergen is getting impatient. He cant stand the possibility that bandits attack and could pose a danger to his family. Since Inindur has gotten some status from training with Vaars, Joergen believes he could convince the villagers to start the interrogation early.
How does Inindur proceed?
>A: No, wait for Vaars no matter how long it takes
>B: Ask again in a couple days, Vaars might wake up in a day or two according to the young woman
>C: Fine, but I will take it easy while I recover
>D: Write in","attachment":null,"posted":1713477845},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5980849,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">A book (Renduus)
>D: Write in
Investigate early, but tell them not to kill them by "accident" if things get heated. You on the other hand should stay in bed and if anything you can interrogate them from a distance by proposing questions to ask or interrogation techniques to use","attachment":null,"posted":1713478129},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5980916,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980846
>1: Some light training equipment
>3: A book (something religious that could explain what we saw or at least to do with the meaning behind dreams or legends)
To keep ourselves from taking it too easy.
>B: Ask again in a couple days, Vaars might wake up in a day or two according to the young woman
I have a feeling Vaars meditation might be important. Besides it's said good things come to those who wait.","attachment":null,"posted":1713482742},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5980943,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1, 2 = 3 (2d2)
Rolling
First dice is for the numerical decision, second die is for letter decision
1: >>5980849
2: >>5980916
Writing","attachment":null,"posted":1713485863},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5980955,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Book, Renduus theme
>Ask in a couple days
-
Joergen agrees to wait a few days. Hopefully Inindur has recovered succesfully, and Vaars has woken up from his meditation.
Inindur spends most the time he is recovering with books. While he had an easy time grasping Bremas, he did not really comprehend the other holy words. For now, he reads a book about people achieving their goal through skills and dreams.
Inindur feels like he understands Renduus a little better, but it is still hard. With more reading and some training with Vaars, Inindur feels confident in achieving understanding.
Three days pass. Inindur has recovered, but Vaars is still not done with his meditating. Unfortunately, one of the bandits managed to escape! During the escape, the bandit wounded the guard, which is now recieving medical attention. The prisoner holding rooms have had their security increased by a lot, to prevent further incidents.
Several villagers, Joergen included, want to start the interrogation right away. Inindur has a feeling the bandits might get a very rough treatment after the events that have happened so far.
How does Inindur proceed?
>Have them wait a couple more days, surely Vaars is done by then
>Attempt to wake up Vaars, then start the interrogations
>Start the interrogations now
>Write in","attachment":null,"posted":1713487825},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5980960,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980916
Noooo, you made the prisoner escape!!! MAZELA CURSES YOU!!!
>Write in
Start the interrogations now, make sure not to kill them even if things get heated. If you don't achieve anything in the interrogation then wait for Vaars rather than doing something stupid. But before the interrogation make a blood sacrifice of a goat to Mazela so the escaped prisoner falls into a big pit by accident and dies.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713488308657336.jpg","filename":"sacrifice.jpg"},"posted":1713488308},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5980984,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980955
>Start the interrogations now
Vaars is a decent guy, he'll understand.","attachment":null,"posted":1713489594},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5980985,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980955
>Start the interrogations now
Dammit.
>>5980960
Sorry anon.","attachment":null,"posted":1713489649},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5980989,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980985
No worries, Mazela is very forgiving, you may continue !!! But no guys, you need to do a write-in so the people don't kill the prisoners while being interrogated! It's going to get messy !!!! MAZELA CURSES YOU!","attachment":null,"posted":1713489940},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5980999,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980989
Well I can support not killing the prisoners.","attachment":null,"posted":1713491051},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5981000,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980999
But, if you think about it, we could just offer them as blood sacrifices to Mazela if they don't want to talk. In order to make the fleeing prisoner have an "accident"","attachment":null,"posted":1713491207},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5981009,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Interrogate now
-
Things have gotten out of hand, and the villagers want information as soon as possible. Inindur agrees, the interrogations must begin now. Surely Vaars would understand, it is either interrogate now or risk more harm to the village.
An abandoned house has been converted to a makeshift prison. Each bandit has their own room, each of them with a haybed and a bucket in them. The windows are boarded, and there is a couple guards stationed inside and outside the building.
Since Vaars is meditating, many consider Inindur the most suited for conducting the interrogations, with Joergen closely behind. Joergen asks if he can come along for the interrogations, as he believes it would provide both safety and information faster.
Inindur is uncertain. Joergen has shown a passion for protecting the village and his family. Chances are he could hinder the interrogation in some way.
How does Inindur proceed?
>Let Joergen participate
>Let Joergen come along, but he must refrain from questioning
>Have Joergen interrogate some other bandit
>Write in","attachment":null,"posted":1713492372},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5981014,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981009
>Write in
Tell him to play good cop, bad cop, where he's the bad cop. But he can't hurt them too much","attachment":null,"posted":1713492688},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5981065,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Going to sleep, might post tomorrow
Vote is open until I return","attachment":null,"posted":1713498668},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5981158,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981009
>Let Joergen participate","attachment":null,"posted":1713506564},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5981718,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"I am most likely able to do a session tomorrow
Vote remains open","attachment":null,"posted":1713574904},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5981925,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981009
>Let Joergen participate","attachment":null,"posted":1713588785},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5986605,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Sorry for the long gap since last post. Had some irl things to do
I will write soon ish","attachment":null,"posted":1714059445},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5986615,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Let Joergen participate
-
Inindur and Joergen interrogates the bandit for a couple hours. When questioned, the bandit replies with insults, jokes about genitalia, and how ugly Inindur and Joergen is.
Joergen remains calm, but Inindur can sense how Joergen is waiting for a good moment to perform some violence.
How does Inindur proceed?
>Convince the bandit to give up information
>Intimidate the bandit
>Let Joergen do his thing
>Try a different method
>Write in
Roll me a d10 with your vote","attachment":null,"posted":1714060102},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5986620,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 8 (1d10)
>>5986615
>Write in
Perform a blood ritual in front of the bandit, scare the living behesus out of him. Tell him he'll be next if he doesn't give you answers","attachment":null,"posted":1714060974},{"board":"qst","thread":5976978,"pid":5986754,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 9 (1d10)
>>5986615
>Convince the bandit to give up information","attachment":null,"posted":1714077713}]}
+{"title":"Disappearing Hogwarts #6","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5977239,"name":"HeadQM","msg":"Archive: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Disappearing%20Hogwarts
Character Sheets: https://pastebin.com/mTYzU5uL
Twitter: https://twitter.com/head_qm
--
In the last thread you:
> Got shot at with blanks by Harry Potter
> Snuck into St. Mungo’s and discovered who were the hosts of Rowena Ravenclaw and Godric Gryffindor
> Found the entrance to Avalon and discovered you’d need all three Deathly Hallows to open it before Salazar broke through it
> Discovered that the Beast is actually Merin, fragmented beyond recovery
> Discovered the Fifth Founder was also Merlin, in a different body
> Joined forces with Brighton, put Godric into his head, and Rowena on Raven’s
> Learned the Dark Mark from a crazy Death Eater
> Cast the Dark Mark to distract Potter while your allies stole the Elder Wand and the Cloak of Invisibility
> Opened up Avalon and defeated Nimue, the Lady of the Lake of Rot
And now…","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713066869203551.jpg","filename":"hp_dh6.jpg"},"posted":1713066869},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5977242,"name":"HeadQM","msg":"You five stand in the Dark cavern, only the dim blue sparks delineating the area around as each of you process Merlin’s story in your own way. He had looked into the future and seen doom, then done his best to stop it. For at the very least three thousand years, he had succeeded.
Then he made a mistake, and became a being of pure destruction which will end the world if it ever escapes your head. Yet his efforts had saved the world for another millenia.
Now it is your turn to save the world from him, except you aren’t nearly as powerful or as knowledgeable as Merlin. But unlike Merlin, you’re not doing it alone.
“So, what do we do now?” Arty asks.
“I felt a passage opening on the other side when I was waking up,” you say. “Should let us move forward, hopefully to somewhere I can put my mind back together.”
“Elliot, I have to warn you,” Helga says inside your head. “Whatever comes next, I won’t be able to help.”
“Why not?”
“There is movement in the forest,” she says, in a low tone filled with worry. “The Beast is prowling.”
You feel a chill go through your spine.
“Very well,” you say, not quite managing to keep a hint of fear from seeping into your inner voice, the memories of your other encounters with it flashing through your mind. “Then keep watch. We’ll manage without you.”
--
You fly one by one over the Lake of Rot, first Apollo, then Arty, then Linda and finally Brighton, then move down the new tunnel, each holding on to the robes of the person in front. The cane guides your way ever downwards, and looking behind and above you, you can see the path you’ve made roughly forming a great downwards spiral, down and down towards an unknown fate.
The cavern is slippery and you take your fair share of scrapes and tumbles on your way. Why Merlin figured it was necessary to make the way to Avalon in such a way, you do not know. Perhaps it made sense in his mind. Perhaps it was simply a challenge of magical engineering, and to create the Elixir of Life such structure was needed. Perhaps there was an unknown reason which you will never discover. Still, you keep on going only to reach a circular room with flat ground. On the opposite end from the one you entered, a great set of double doors, closed.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
You approach, slowly.
“Uh, Elliot? I don’t feel so good,” Apollo says.
“What’s wrong?”
“I- I don’t know. I- I feel thin. I feel-” you can hear his ragged breath, almost gasping. You reach for him, holding on to his shoulder, and he stumbles and holds on to you. A few seconds go by as his breathing stabilizes again. “I’m- I’m sorry. It’s better now. I don’t know what that was.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah, I’m good.”
You tap your cane again to get a better look at the room and freeze.
Arty is not there.
Linda is not there.
Brighton is not there.
Only you and Apollo remain.
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713066934},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5977244,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5977242
“Arty? Linda? Brighton!?” You shout.
“Arty! Arty!” Apollo shouts by you, much, much louder, and far more scared. “ARTY! Expecto Patronum!” The spell fails to make even a spark against the impossible darkness.
“Apollo! Calm down! They… they can’t be far.” You are just as worried as he is, as the only way out of the room is the way you came. Arty had been holding on to your robes until the moment you stepped back to check on Apollo, you’re sure of it. She and the others had simply Vanished. But you know that if you lose your mind... Apollo isn't one to keep his head straight when his sister is in danger. “Merlin didn’t create this place as a trap. It isn’t meant to kill people.”
“But you said it was ancient, right? It could be broken, it could be-”
“It isn’t. Things like this don’t break. The inner workings of this place might just have taken them away. Separated us for some reason. They’ll be fine.” You force yourself to say the words, for his sake more than anything else, as the doubt creeps into your mind. “They’ll be fine.”
You still spend some time searching for them, going back tapping your cane, but they’re not there. They’re not anywhere.
“Right, we… We need to find a way to move forward.” There is not much confidence in your words, but you say them anyway. “A way to open the door. Let’s start there.”
You hear Apollo hyperventilating by your side, and he nods so hard you can hear it from just the ruffling of his robes.
The door seems rugged and with some texture, almost as if something was written or carved into it. The poor vision your cane gives you, however, doesn’t allow you to get a good sense of what's on it, so you resort to touching your way through it. There appears to be definitive shapes on it, but it is difficult to make out what it represents.
“Apollo, think you can figure out what is carved here? Maybe it's ancient runes.”
“I… I can try.”
You tap a couple of times to give him a better notion of where you and the door are, so you see as he reaches out to it, touches the stone and-
There is a loud rumbling noise of stone grinding against stone, and the doors open.
“What did you do?”
“Nothing, I just touched it.”
Tap. Tap. Tap.
You tap, but your sparks do not seem to make it through the archway.
“Right. That’s not worrisome at all. Well, then, cane-wielding men first.”
You step through the archway and come out… In a worn down, filthy muggle apartment. The lights are off. There is mold growing on the walls and infiltration on the ceiling. The floor looks like it hasn’t seen a wet rag in months, there is the sound of a jackhammer coming through a closed window mixed with some unrecognizable jingle, the smell of filth and car exhaust fills the air. It is very muggle, and not in a good way. Somewhere in the apartment, a child is crying their lungs out.
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713066995},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5977246,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5977244
“I don’t know if you can hear me, but you can come!” You shout back. “It’s looks safe… ish.”
Apollo appears a few moments later, jumping through the apartment’s closed door. He looks around, frowning. Then his eyes go wide in fear.
“No. No. Not here. You shouldn't-” And you can only watch as he fades into nothingness and disappears.
--
You spend several minutes trying to discover what happened to Apollo, to no avail. Calling his name or even the most powerful spells you know produce no results. It takes a long time for you to grit your teeth and move forward, telling yourself that they must all be fine, that Merlin has not created this place to kill people. Forwards, because backwards is not an option.
The window a few meters away gives way to a barrier of blackness and can’t be opened. The light switches don’t work, but you can see well enough in this level of darkness after what you’ve been through. You move until you exit the corridor, which gives way to an even filthier living room. An ancient tv, a sofa that was once a light tan but is now brown with scratch marks from some animal, a pile of letters in a table.
Through another doorway, you can see a kitchen, spoiled food on the table with flies flying around it.
But in the living-room, in a corner, a christmas tree, undecorated, broken and without any gifts below it. In the other corner, a small boy, not two years of age, in a fetal position, holding on to his hair as if trying to rip it out, face buried on his knees. Hanging from a rope in the middle of the room, a woman with ginger hair and rope around her neck, gently swaying from one side to the other a couple feet above the floor, a chair fallen below her.
The baby cries somewhere else in the house, her screams piercing your ears, louder than the jackhammer, unbelievably loud.
Apollo had told you about this once, though you hadn’t quite understood it. But now you know why the door had opened at his touch.
Because this is his worst memory. Because someone like Merlin would never bring someone here without peering into the secrets the person did not want him to know.
What do you do?
> Write in","attachment":null,"posted":1713067057},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5977256,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977246
>Comfort the child-Apollo
>Avert both our eyes from his dead mom","attachment":null,"posted":1713067886},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5977294,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977244
>But in the living-room, in a corner, a christmas tree, undecorated, broken and without any gifts below it. In the other corner, a small boy, not two years of age, in a fetal position, holding on to his hair as if trying to rip it out, face buried on his knees. Hanging from a rope in the middle of the room, a woman with ginger hair and rope around her neck, gently swaying from one side to the other a couple feet above the floor, a chair fallen below her.
>The baby cries somewhere else in the house, her screams piercing your ears, louder than the jackhammer, unbelievably loud.
off to a
start
>Write-in
>Make sure the father is absent. If he is, comfort the boy and quiet the baby. If he isn’t, find some way to get the kids away from him.
Could try to comfort the kids simultaneously by bringing the boy to the girl’s room and see if that helps either of them. Maybe Baby!Apollo finds comfort in seeing Arty safe even as a kid.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713070515862755.jpg","filename":"image0.jpg"},"posted":1713070515},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5977309,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"drawfag reporting
glad to have you back HeadQM!
we are so back!
>dead mom hanging
>babies crying
yeah...its good to be back...yayyy....
now, on to business
>Write in
>make sure Apollo is fine, maybe comfort him a bit
>immediately look for Arty
we know she was..."abussed" or at the very least we suspect she was, those loud cries arent bringing any calming thoughts right now, better be ready for the worst and interfere.
but i have a sinking feeling we miiiight not be able to do so if this is a memory, we might not be able to change that, i really hope im wrong tho","attachment":null,"posted":1713071988},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5977390,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977294
+1
Some people do deserve to suffer and die, laws and morals and society be damned. This is a fact of life.","attachment":null,"posted":1713078496},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5977445,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977246
Well then. I just woke up and need to think about this for a moment.
Can I offer anyone an Arty in these trying times?
The hair might be a touch too red but this is pretty close to what I consider "auburn", given I have auburn hair.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713087820695605.png","filename":"arty pertinger final nobg.png"},"posted":1713087820},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5977464,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977246
>“There was… a very old memory. Someone crying. A broken tree. Old. And I wanted there to be something under it. But it was empty. The house was dark. My stomach growled. And the tree was empty. And feet, turning one way, then the other. Flying. The feet were flying. And there was crying. And she was so loud.” He says, and there is a deep anguish in his voice, his chopped phrases difficult to parse his meaning. “And this time… This time the tree was new. And there was so much under it. And… and I wasn’t starving. And the tree was full. And I… I didn’t know what to do.”
Well I had assumed the feet going one way and then another was Apollo talking about when he tossed their "caretaker" out of a window. And the reason why Arty could see Thestrals was due to seeing that happen, not her mom hanging herself. By a fucking rope when she had a new born child and an infant son due to the horrid situation they were living in. I suppose their mom had gotten knocked up by someone, had twins almost a year apart from each other and couldn't keep up with things like bills? I would assume at that point, she didn't have a husband or what not nor familial connections to help her out. I suppose the caretaker was just who found them. So at least in might not have been dad who tried and maybe molested Arty.
Are we going to have to go through each of our allies worst memories now? Because only one person was supposed to come here and at this point he should have had most of his extraneous memories ripped away by Nimue?
>>5977246
>Help the small boy up. Tell him to be strong. Hold his hand Help him to the room with the crying girl. Try to help them out of here.
So... we might have to go through Arty getting kiddie diddled. Brighton going through his worst memory, probably including Frank and Alice. The thing that made Linda into Raven. Fun. I fucking hate Merlin.","attachment":null,"posted":1713091809},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5977524,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977464
What is Elliot's worst memory then? Last Light Redux? I wonder if Apollo and Arty and Brighton will be there with us, or if they are each in somebody else's worst memory vision? If Arty, Apollo, or Brighton - let's face it, it'll be Arty - ends up in Elliot's, will they end up seeing Salazar as Lily in Last Light? She's gone from reality, but not from memories. Memory also means Pensieve could be used later on","attachment":null,"posted":1713102017},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5977577,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"I spent a week binging up to this point, thanks for the fantastic quest so far HeadQM.
[SPOILER]The whole section with Avalon and the Lady of the Lake gave me some massive Tainted Grail vibes which I absolutely loved.","attachment":null,"posted":1713107301},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5977594,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977577
I'm still reading through thread 3 properly, but I skimmed my way to here after finishing thread 2. i don't think Elliot and Arty will be able to make it to graduating from Hogwarts without a kid on the way. That's going to be one more thing on the Arty pile to deal with. She's going to kill herself from overwork with everything she's taken on herself, and she's not even asian. She has an insanely reduced lifespan, and she's only going to reduce it further with her constant tasks","attachment":null,"posted":1713108505},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5977683,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977594
Enjoy the Christmas portion of the quest anon. You will need it.
Seeing his best friend die and not being able to stop it would probably qualify as the worst thing Elliot has gone through, given he came from a pretty normal, stable home and one of our goals is to figure out how to beat death.
Arty has show to be... somewhat self destructive in her own adorable way. Knowing you are going to die by like 35? What is the point of not doing everything at 100 percent? Why NOT ride giant monsters that could eat your face off? Why not try and buy like half the people in the school a Christmas gift; its not like you are going to need the money anyway.
I think part of why Apollo didn't go Dark after all they went through, all the power he has, is that he had his sister with him. I also think that until recently, he was probably the only thing keeping her from engaging in even more self destructive tendencies. To stick with him for as long as she could, and try to help him.
>i don't think Elliot and Arty will be able to make it to graduating from Hogwarts without a kid on the way.
Well there are free anti-pregnacy potions in the nurse's office.. I expect it will be about one month after our fantastic wifelette gets her diploma until we get the good news of the first of a very large number of kids being on the way.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713116322054439.jpg","filename":"F-1z4MmXAAEhaeT.jpg"},"posted":1713116322},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5977691,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977683
I'm still waiting on Apollo to develop some magical video games for witches and wizards with his magical autism.","attachment":null,"posted":1713117205},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5977692,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977683
>Christmas portion
I already did. That's why I said there is no fucking way Arty will not have a baby in her before graduating. That will take ungodly levels of restraint on both her and Elliot's part (and on the part of the QM), and with all these nonstop revelations and life-threatening perils left and right, well... I suppose being for children and teens is why Harry never got to the point he did in his books. Unless here in the quest canon, that bit is an embellishment or omitted, and Elliot is following in Harry's real footsteps in this?
>free anti-pregnacy potions in the nurse's office
No guarantees on them being used :^)
>one month after our fantastic wifelette gets her diploma
You are assuming nobody will die before the 7th year ends
>>5977691
He reduced Arty's lifespan to like 30 years. In exchange, his own lifespan is how long now? 250 years, give or take? If he learns enough about muggle tech to sate his real clinical autism, he might end up doing much more than that in the wizarding world","attachment":null,"posted":1713117346},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5977701,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977692
>>5977683
For the record I'd rather not get Arty pregnant while we're smack dab in the middle of all these extremely dangerous adventures.","attachment":null,"posted":1713118460},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5977707,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977701
Should we even be thinking about getting her pregnant at all? Pregnancy is super rough on the average person, and I'd imagine it would be even worse for someone of Arty's body size.","attachment":null,"posted":1713119465},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5977709,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977701
>>5977707
Which is why I'm saying we need to endure until year 7, AFTER this entire plot ends and Merlin is gone","attachment":null,"posted":1713119532},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5977713,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977707
Absolutely, we should knock her up as many times as she's down for... Once we've used ancient and powerful magic to bolster her body's defenses. Short chicks can have kids, but women (let alone teenagers) with congenital conditions that dramatically reduce their physical capabilities and lifespan? Maybe not. Definitely not while they're running around fighting dark wizards and time-monsters. Imagine if she miscarries? She'll be crushed.","attachment":null,"posted":1713119683},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5977725,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977692
I think Arty and Elliot would be, ah, safe in any intercourse they ended up having. Our other best friend has a mom who is 29. Despite her kid now being like 17.Which is pretty fucked up, if you do the math.
There are male anti-pregancy potions as well. Just double up and it should be pretty fool proof. I imagine both Arty and Elliot are responsible enough to not bring another life into the world before it is time.
There is also always anal.
If Arty dies before she graduates, I will flip the table and vote for Elliot to become Wizard Hitler 3.0
I believe most witches and wizards in this version of Harry Potter live to be around 160, per QM. So it is more like Apollo accidentally took like a 130 years off his sister's life span. The longest a Rowling approved canon wizard lived was around 400 years, if they weren't Flammel or Merlin. I wonder if he was a twin as well.
>>5977691
It would amuse me severely if he decided that, no the Department of Mysteries is not for me and founds the magical equivalent of Nintendo. Becomes a wizard Gabe Newall.","attachment":null,"posted":1713120425},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5977743,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977701
I mean she wants a lot of kids, at some point... just maybe not before we sort shit out with us having a gate to Nothingness stuck in our soul, have at least one powerful Ancient wizard trying to come back, may be murdered by a guy so famous they renamed Halloween after him, and while Elliot hasn't even taken the magic equivalent of his SAT yet. Ect.
>>5977707
>>5977713
I have a number of female friends who aren't much larger than an Arty and have had miscarriages just due to stuff. Miscarriage in the early stages of pregnancy is fairly common. It is when if is in the latter part that it gets to people.
Arty may not even be able to have kids, given early developmental malnutrition, her condition, and what not. What we saw in the Mirror was a bunch of kids and grand-kids, with the people we love being whole and hale. The Mirror which the two smartest of the Founders concluded was a torture instrument, something that would show you what could never be.","attachment":null,"posted":1713121656},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5977752,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977743
> It is when if is in the latter part that it gets to people.
I've known women who've given natural birth (not via c-section) who've developed physical and mental issues from it, such as perennial tearing making sex not enjoyable for months afterward, incontinence, PTSD, amongst others. It just seems like pregnancy and childbearing would be torture for Arty if she survives unless we were to find some way of magically strengthening her body or her lifeforce.","attachment":null,"posted":1713122547},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5977826,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977752
Pregnancy would probably not be... hugely fun, in a physical sense. At least she hooked up with a dude who is like 5'3 so the kids will not be huge. I am sure after this long the magical community has some stuff to help. Potions or something. Magical healing is also pretty great if it is applied soon enough and we are also muggleborn. So prenatal vitamins, good nutrition, and just going to an ordinary hospital are on the plate.
Wizards are apparently a good deal tougher than your bog standered human, up to and including Arty, to a degree.
As for the mental part? I mean one of her big dreams is having kids. Having them and being in a safe stable situation, I suppose we can add. Given her mom apparently roped herself due to a combination of post-partum depression and the bad situation she was in.
Arty dying shortly after her first child was born, only getting to spend a few hours with them would be a kick to the teeth and be a pretty tragic end to an already tragic life. Also good motivation for Dark Lord Hallaster to take the driver's seat. Elliot conquering the magical world while wearing a baby wrap and having a bag full of bottles and diapers is pretty fucking funny to imagine.
If Arty decides she does want to give childbirth a real shot, I can imagine it would only be after we can find a way to get her lifespan back to normal, at the least. I figure that should fix up most physical issues as well. I hope. I don't think Arty would want to bring a child into the world if she could be dead before the child even entered Hogwarts.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713129147308815.jpg","filename":"ezgif-7-841afc5e33.jpg"},"posted":1713129147},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5978264,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"somebody mentioned wedding dresses in the K&Q thread, so i got inspired and did this, i´ll probably finish it this weekend","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713170164653593.jpg","filename":"wip.jpg"},"posted":1713170164},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5978287,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978264
That is great. I almost spit some of my Whiteclaw out on the key board. I fucking love smug Linda. We honestly need more of that in our lives. Scowling Apollo is pretty amazing.
And of course, Arty fantasizing about being lowered down to her wedding by a giant man-eating spider prop with a couple of tears in her eyes... Or knowing her, just a real one she made friends with. We should 100% percent have the small Acromantula Arty gave belly rubs to as our ring bearer.
Thank you very much for the art, anon. It has made the quest even better than it already is.
Do wizards even have traditional weddings, unless they are muggle-born? I assume most of them aren't really Christian in the normal sense, given that an adult witch or wizard could replicate most of the miracles Jesus performed, aside from the last.
Also I found out trying to figure out that question, that boss-witch Mcgonagall was married at one point and that, if QM is taking any more from the really bad play, Draco's wife had a malediction, a blood curse, which is why he is their only child.
One of the ways that curse manifests is frailty.
Arty is frail, by witch standards, and has a drastically reduced life span. The heritable part of a malediction is only passed on to the same sex children. So if mom got it, you do as well if you are her daughter.
Maybe the healers and Arty are incorrect, she is misdiagnosed and that is why she was born like this?","attachment":null,"posted":1713174752},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5978370,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5977445
That looks awesome, anon! Love it! Did you draw it, or who did you commission it from?
>>5977725
>Our other best friend has a mom who is 29. Despite her kid now being like 17
Linda was 14 when she said her mom was 28, so it was just a teenage pregnancy when her mom was 15-ish, nothing tragic.
>>5977743
>>5977752
Healers have solved most muggle afflictions, so anything that doesn't kill you outright or that doesn't have a magical nature can be countered with relative ease. Pregnancy is certainly one of those things as plenty, if not most, healers are women and would have worked on how to fix illnesses deriving from it.
So unless there was something magical in the pregnancy, for example the man being a vampire and the baby draining the mom from the inside or some other insanity, the mom is probably safe, even someone as magically debilitated as Arty. If people in countries with great healthcare live in the "first world", Wizards live in the "zeroeth world". They wouldn't let things like mere non-magical illnesses affect them. I mean, look at Harry. The books say the Dursleys literally starved him so much his stomach hurt and his ribs could be seen through his skin, and he still turned out fine (and somehow, a kind boy instead of someone deeply traumatized and scarred). Because despite what some parts of the fandom might want people to believe, the Dursleys were fucking awful people and should have both been arrested by social services, and the only reason they weren't is because Dumbledore probably interfered so Harry would remain under his mom's Blood Protection
>>5978264
Is that a spider-silk dress? Because yes, she would absolutely rock that as soon as she figured out a way of not making it stick to literally everything she touches.
--
You take a few moments to look at the body. You can’t see its face, either because Apollo doesn’t remember it or because he has blocked it off his mind. In any case, it looks like it has been hanging for at least a few days. Either way, it is clear this hasn’t happened today. But the boy isn’t old enough to know that what happened in front of him isn’t going to change.
You can feel his feelings faintly, as if hearing a conversation through a wall. And you can feel he doesn’t know why his mom isn’t speaking to him anymore. Is she mad at him? Is she angry? Did he do something he shouldn’t? And the screaming and the noise, the noise, the noise that keeps ringing in his ear. The screaming, it’s so loud.
You reach out for the boy, standing between him and the body, but your fingers go through him. Yet he shifts, as if you had affected him on some level.
“I’m sorry this happened to you. I’m sorry.” You gently pass your hand through his hair, trying to share some warmth with him, even through the veil of this memory. “But we need to move. We need to go. Mom isn’t going to wake up. You need to be strong. You need to be strong for your sister.”
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713190999},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5978371,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5978370
You can hear soft sobs coming from beneath the blond head of hair, so you stay with him. Your mom would know how to deal with this. She’d worked with children who had been abused, one way or the other. She had been taught when to wait, when to stay away, when to touch them, when to hug them. You hadn’t. So you simply sit by his side, the side of your leg touching his, to show him you are there.
You keep on talking in a soothing tone, slowly, calmly, gently. You tell him how brave he is, how strong he will become. You tell him how he’ll go to a brilliant, brilliant place with magic and beauty, where he’ll never be hungry, where people will cherish him. More than once, you hear his stomach growl. The jackhammer stops, eventually, but the baby keeps on screaming endlessly.
Yet the child stops sobbing. His grip on his own hair relaxes. He looks up, face covered in tears and snot.
“Do you want to stand up so we can leave this place?”
He stands up. He stumbles out of the room, to the corridor, and you follow him. He pushes open a door, and in that small bedroom you see a double bed. The right side of the bed is messy, while the left side is only stirred on a smaller patch, close to the pillow. Without space for another bed, Apollo slept with his mom. The remaining space in the room holds a crib on the floor, one of its fenced walls broken so it no longer properly does its function of not allowing the baby inside to escape. Still, she’s laying there, auburn hair and tiny, too tiny, too thin, screaming in hunger as loud as her lungs allow.
Apollo just stands there, and the confusion and sadness inside him slowly turns to fury.
“Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!” He shouts, his face red. “She’s mad because of you! SHUT UP!”
But little Artemis Pertinger does not understand, and keeps on screaming. Apollo climbs on the bed and picks up one of the pillows.
“Apollo, what are you doing?”
He comes back, forcing himself through the broken fence of the crib. Then he takes the pillow in his two small hands, and places it over Arty’s face, pressing it down, muffling the sounds and blocking all air from going in. Her tiny body struggles against it, her faint screaming still heard through the pillow.
“Apollo! Apollo, stop!” You try to pull him off her, but your hands pass through him as if he was smoke. “Apollo, listen to me! You need to stop! You’ll kill her!”
But he doesn’t listen to you. Instead, he keeps pressing the pillow down, smothering Arty. You panic. You don’t know if this will do something to your Arty, but you certainly don’t want to risk it. You try taking the pillow away from him. When that fails, you try to summon the pillow to you. When that fails, you try “Expelliarmus! Stupefy!” but none of it works. You are forced to watch as Apollo holds the pillow over her face and slowly, excruciatingly slow, the screams stop.
The room fades around you, until all that is left is him, her and the pillow.
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713191060},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5978374,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5978371
“I didn’t know.” Says a voice behind you. You spin, wand at the ready, only to see Apollo, the grown up version. He usually doesn’t look people in the eyes when talking, but this time he seems to not know where to look, eyes wandering everywhere but at you. He looks… ashamed, almost horrified with himself. No. Terrified of himself. “I- I didn’t know. I just wanted her to stop screaming, I- I didn’t know. They came, they helped her, made her breathe again, they said she’d be ok, but I- I didn’t know it could- I didn’t- I would never-”
> Hug him
> Say it’s fine, he was just a child
> Chastise him for hurting her
> Ask him if she knows
> Other (Write in)","attachment":null,"posted":1713191206},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5978376,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978374
>> Ask him if she knows","attachment":null,"posted":1713191762},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5978383,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978374
I too have wanted babies around me, even those of my relatives, to die so that I would not have to hear them scream anymore. At the same time, I wanted to burst out sobbing alongside them and comfort them, like nobody does for me. At the same time, I wanted to brutalize whoever was letting this pain happen to the baby. Even now, "grown up" and able to stand and walk away from almost anything, and knowing better than I did at a young age, the mixture of contradictory feelings still return at times. It's only if I'm forced to remain around young children or babies, which does make some sense. Likewise, whenever I see childcare facilities or daycare buildings, I am filled with an inexplicable yet gentle sorrow I don't know why I feel yet I still do. I don't think I ever will either, outside of paying a decent shrink lots of time and money to help me figure this out.
In other words, autism is a curse and trauma is a bitch.
> Ask him if she knows
I can't even do the funny Riddler meme about this option. The moment is too despair-filled for me to do so","attachment":null,"posted":1713192499},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5978424,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978374
>Ask him if she knows
>Other (Write in): "it wasnt the magical pregnancy, wasnt it? it was this...she was "gone" for enough time to cause the damage"
holy shit HeadQM, i saw the update through my phone and it was so fucking good it actually made me get up, turn on my laptop and immediately post. NOTHING has made me get up of bed this fucking fast in years, you absolute genious writer
>>5978370
>Is that a spider-silk dress?
it is now, please feel free to use these ideas if you/we ever get the chance!","attachment":null,"posted":1713196514},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5978432,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978424
Dont fucking say that, Apollo doesn't know Arty's got her days numbered.","attachment":null,"posted":1713196960},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5978444,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978374
> Ask him if she knows
>Tell him that even if Arty didn't before, she would always forgive him. That he made one mistake when he was desperate and didn't understand what he was doing and has spent a lifetime making up for it. Assure him that she would still dearly love him, no matter what. That you forgive him, despite how much you now care about his sister. He can regret what he did but doesn't have to to live in constant pain because of what happened.
Hey, wizard therapy sessions are a go! Didn't think this was how they would end up happening but...
So I suppose this part of the "Merlin Trials" are meant to show you your deepest regrets? After all the good happy memories were stripped away from Merlin's current life, he would be confronted with his greatest failure; being unable to stop Atlantis from destroying itself so completely they were functionally ripped from time. So his resolve could reforge itself as many times as needed.
>>5978383
I too have a touch of the 'tism, though it is mostly offset by being fairly smart and having been well socialized. You can make the argument I am not THAT smart because I have spent a large part of life on a Mongolian Basket weaving website.
>>5978370
That would be commission from Indonesian Gentleman who did one of Elliot a while back. Assuming nobody dies, I was thinking of getting him to do a few more so all Elliot's friends and Brighton can get some more art. He also has a buy 10 get 1 free deal so I am going to need you to create like 5 more interesting, important characters. Otherwise I may just have to commission Arty in mildly lewd poses 5 times.
I am also glad I misremembered how old Linda was when she told us how young her mom was.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713198196666810.jpg","filename":"GJNr0WjbEAABpZ9.jpg"},"posted":1713198196},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5978448,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978444
>that spoiler
I have been here since 2014, and if all goes well I will remain here until I die","attachment":null,"posted":1713198496},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5978468,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978370
>she would absolutely rock that as soon as she figured out a way of not making it stick to literally everything she touches
Many spiders can produce multiple types of silk, some of which are sticky and some of which are not, to make it easier to navigate their webs
>>5978374
> Ask him if she knows
Eesh.","attachment":null,"posted":1713201056},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5978481,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978448
I have no intention of leaving this place anytime soon. 4chan, despite as low as it has fallen in some regards, is one of the last bastions of the old internet. This place was here for me at bad points of my life and points that were great.
>>5978468
There is a sticking charm so there must be an anti-sticking one as well. And muggles are already experimenting with spider silk stuff for things like body armor. I am sure wizards have figured out spider silk clothing, though I suspect it would be fairly pricey. Which is fine. We are going to give our cute future wife anything she wants. Springing on a nice wedding dress is nothing.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713202516240888.jpg","filename":"A1ntnF3PJOL._CLa 2140,2000 81wQ8C0k6EL.png 0,0,2140,2000+0.0,0.0,2140.0,2000.0_AC_SX679_.jpg"},"posted":1713202516},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5978531,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978424
What >>5978432 said. Not here, not now. Apollo needs his head in the game
>>5978481
Well said","attachment":null,"posted":1713207147},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5978615,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"what do you guys mean Apollo doesnt know? i was under the impression he did, anybody got any confirmation for this?","attachment":null,"posted":1713218068},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5978619,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"So because I do medical stuff for a living and somethings were bugging me.
The average EMS response time in Britain is about 10 minutes, for the most severe type of issues. So lets say it was like two minutes for Apollo to stumble to a neighbor's door or for one to come in. I doubt a two year old staved autistic boy could reach a phone to call 999 or at that point even knew which buttons to press to get help.
Call it 15 minutes to get a paramedic there, accounting for having to say what was going on and to do the dispatch.
That is a lot of time for someone who is still in the crib to go with out oxygen to the brain. I have seen people including babies in a NICU come back from worse though that was in the hospital and they received ACLS. I have personally brought someone back after 45 minutes of cardiovascular function stopping during my set of compressions. I know wizards are more hardy than IRL humans but does Arty have a bit of brain damage? Like not super bad, she can obviously function like a "normal" person but is stupidly nice and has very little fear response to obviously dangerous shit like befriending huge magically resistant beasts which she has no hope of taking down or escaping from, given she can't apparate yet. Damage to the amygdala or limbic system can cause people to have inappropriate responses to things like extreme fear of things or the complete opposite.
And yeah the update was great but Arty's sad back story got even worse. Smothered in the crib by her brother, had her mom kill herself, endured years of neglect, was physically and sexually abused, saw the same brother who accidentally tried to kill her kill the guy abusing her, had to live on the street shortly, found out she will never have anywhere close to her normal magical strength or life span, again due to her brother... and still loves Apollo and tries to help him.
Still tries her best everyday. Works hard. Wants a family. Is in love with a guy who may very well be the next Dark Lord because she believes in his better angels; has told the "greatest" living wizard to fuck off and fought an insane patricidal man to protect Elliot to the point she almost died. Oh yeah, she also got told by the universe that no, she is not actually happy and that is why she can't summon up a cute silver bunny to protect her and the people she loves from voids in reality.
I mean fuck. She is either the emotionally and mentally strongest person alive or is really screwed in the head to deal with all the shit that happened.
Either way, Arty is a best.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713218935873560.jpg","filename":"1695926927465480.jpg"},"posted":1713218935},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5978628,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978615
https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2023/5831320/
>“Apollo doesn’t know. I never told him. It would be… cruel. I told you once. Magical twins are a strange thing. They can feed off each other in the womb. Take things they shouldn't. Like magic. Like time.”
READ. THE FUCKING. QUEST.
GAAAAAAAAAH!","attachment":null,"posted":1713219833},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5978640,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978628
>a post from november from last year
mother fucker i dont remember every single post and im not reading the entire fucking quest just to find a single line of text","attachment":null,"posted":1713220956},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5978656,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978640
I dunno anon, seems like a preeetty important scene to me, you know, storywise, character defining... no harm no foul but I'm not always gonna be here to spoonfeed you.","attachment":null,"posted":1713223432},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5978705,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978656
>>5978628
You should simmer down. Not everyone is going to remember every detail, even important ones. Realistically, whether or not she told Apollo hasn't come up since or been immediately relevant, until just now like six months later IRL and probably even longer in-universe. It's both understandable someone would forget, and even quite in-character for Elliot to blurt it out under such shocking circumstances if it came down to it. Anon asked because he wasn't sure, which is fair and fine.","attachment":null,"posted":1713227130},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5978718,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978374
please stop hurting me qm
>Hug him","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713228195954807.jpg","filename":"c7slncep71q41.jpg"},"posted":1713228195},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5978735,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978705
Mistakes from misinformed anons are well documented quest killers. If me being a little rude makes an anon second guess and fact check by themselves I consider it a net positive, and if they don't its not really a loss. More important now than ever when the tension ramps up and we've been invested in this for months. We are not getting another Dissapearing Hogwarts Quest, y'know?","attachment":null,"posted":1713228919},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5978754,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978735
nah, my guy, you need to calm down a bit more, im the drawfag, i care about this quest, i really do, i simply forgot about that line and im at work, ok? not everybody is gonna be able or have the time to re-read the entire fucking quest for stuff like that, you are WAAAY too invested on this, we all are to varying degress, but you are taking it to another level, im not gonna remember every single line of dialog, neither will other anons and im sure even HeadQM will eventually forget about something, now, if its either a very important detail or a single uninteresting comment mentioned from any of the characters, thats irrelevant, you gotta understand that everybody has different things going on every day all the time.
so chill","attachment":null,"posted":1713230513},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5978775,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978754
I for one am autistic enough to remember details like these in games and shit, but even then we are fallible. It is up to others to archive dive and ctrl+f their way to look back at missed details. He could have been a bit nicer about it, yeah, but I think in this case he's right about >>5978628. You don't need to read the entire fucking quest as you said in >>5978640, when this quest is 5 full threads in and easy enough to search through. The line from Arty about Apollo not knowing because she didn't tell him is also character-integral enough that remembering it is a lot easier than remembering other passing information, I believe.
In short, I think you are being a faggot here. This time, the fault lies with you.","attachment":null,"posted":1713231684},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5978780,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978754
>>5978640
With the way you're posting about this, maybe you just had a bad day. I think maybe I was too harsh in >>5978775 too. Fuck, man...","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713232484444532.gif","filename":"1707762900819.gif"},"posted":1713232484},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5978791,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978735
Being unnecessarily mean to people also kills quests, now more than ever due to the reduced player base. Some people who read this stuff do not even speak english as a first language yet still engage and put time into these things.
If a mistake is getting a load of support, correcting it vehemently is one thing. Otherwise, just say no man you are wrong, here is why.
Or don't I am not your supervisor.
I mean I have reread this thing more than once and I get shit wrong too. QM admittedly misrecalled and said that Hannah Longbottem, nee Abbott owns the Three Broomsticks vs. The Leakey Cauldron and now that is an important fact in universe.
>>5978718
The pain will continue until moral improves.","attachment":null,"posted":1713233748},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5978819,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978791
>>5978775
>>5978735
>>5978754
Let's all just agree that it's a good thing that some anons are very observant and invested, and have a keen memory, to help guide us towards the optimal solution and avoid an embarrassing and/or disastrous faux pas? This is a great quest with a very civil playerbase, and I think we should endeavor to keep it that way.","attachment":null,"posted":1713236644},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5978826,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978819
Sure","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713237250881992.png","filename":"1708499072627117.png"},"posted":1713237250},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5978868,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978819
i can agree to that without problems","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713240531672008.jpg","filename":"0q9firmd0-icon-jpg-j7pk1o.jpg"},"posted":1713240531},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5978871,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978819
>>5978826
I agree.
Besides, Arty would be sad if we fought too much.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713240717717250.jpg","filename":"GCTR_8BXEAEvB9R.jpg"},"posted":1713240717},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5978905,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Also fuckers, a losers bracket is now going to be hosted with the King and Queen tournament. So I expect all of you to vote for our girl so she can at least be the Princess of /qst/.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713246868368285.jpg","filename":"ksi1pvrxskk41.jpg"},"posted":1713246868},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5978921,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">they asking for colors for the characters for the loser bracket
i think >>5977445 should do? is the color of her hair the right one tho?, thats like, the only thing im not sure","attachment":null,"posted":1713248709},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5978928,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5978921
I'd say that if it was in a person, this would be about right as the light and texture would bring out the red more, but at least for me, in a drawing the red maybe should be more pronounced. But I'm also fucking terrible with colors and can't draw for shit, so there is that.
Also, I got distracted reading the old threads of the quest and didn't get the update done yet. Probably a good thing that my own writing entertains me, but y'all are going to have to wait some more","attachment":null,"posted":1713249446},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5979140,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978928
I for one don't mind at all. I just finished reading thread 3 (this guy >>5978826 on mobile)","attachment":null,"posted":1713286346},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5979222,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978928
This entire Christmas mini-arc in thread 4 is great from start to finish. Meanwhile I've been wishing painful death on my own family for approximately 20+ years, but I'm so cursed that the powers that be are doing all they can to keep them alive and intact, preserving them of any comeuppance or consequence for all they've done to me. They are made to continue living specifically to ruin my current life as long as humanly possible. Total boomer death worldwide cannot come soon enough.","attachment":null,"posted":1713296437},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5979379,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977239
what would have happened if we had failed in the rot late","attachment":null,"posted":1713312001},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5979416,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979379
Probably death. Or a reset.","attachment":null,"posted":1713317519},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5979574,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979379
>>5979416
I imagine just a lot of brain damage. Maluses or what not Helga was already trying to find Elliot. Him screaming as his core memory was being ripped away would have maybe ended up as the same as when he glassed Nimue and hit a bitch with a guitar. QM is probably not going to end the quest over one failed roll.
If Elliot does shit his rolls up bad enough or we make very bad choices but have the Beast out of our soul, it would be interesting to play as Arty or Linda/Raven who are now trying to find a way to bring Elliot back and save the world.","attachment":null,"posted":1713330447},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5979586,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5979379
Depends on how bed the fuck up was, and would take a significant amount of bad rolls and decision, but worst case scenario would be a catatonic Elliot devoid of any memories with the rest of the group trying to put him together somehow, and even if they did, it would come with severe trauma. With him "empty", it is possible Helga would have been able to take over, though I hadn’t decided on how exactly it would go. But your roll advantage was pretty good, so I was confident it wouldn’t come to something that bad.
Now for a slightly stranger update. Please just go with it.
--
“Does she know?” You ask. You don’t use an accusatory tone, just questioning.
“No. A neighbor had called the police because of the screaming, they- they arrived- if they hadn’t-” He’s shivering, and for a moment you still see the small boy, crying because his mom wouldn’t answer him. His next words are almost begging. “Please don’t tell her. Please, I- I wouldn’t- If I knew-”
And so Apollo finally makes sense. He had hurt Arty once and been saved by luck, by a neighbor who had happened to call the police at the right time, by someone who had also been annoyed by Arty’s screams to the point they had called someone to intervene. If things had gone a little different, if things had gone slightly worse, you wouldn’t have a girlfriend today, and Apollo… Apollo would have gone into a path you could only fear. But things had happened to work out, and now that he had grown up, now that he knew what he had done, he couldn’t bear the thought of ever letting that happen again.
If he accused himself with the same strength he had accused you when Arty had disappeared after her patronus attempt… That certainly explained him. Explained the trauma. Explained why he was so overprotective. Why he was so broken. Not everything needed an explanation, but that certainly explained it.
Had Arty been right in not telling him of her condition, about how much she’d live because of what he had taken from her in the womb? He had too much on his mind already, but maybe he thought her frailty was his fault. That him suffocating her had crippled her. You couldn’t discover if he did or not without telling him the truth about her, and it was not your secret to tell, nor was it the time to tell it.
“Apollo, it’s fine.” Your voice is gentle, a feather’s touch. “You didn’t know. You were hungry, scared, angry and sad. You were just a kid without his mom. I forgive you, and I have no doubt Arty would forgive you too if she knew. She would still love you.”
“She- she wouldn’t-”
“She would. Because your sister is the kindest soul I’ve ever met. You made a mistake once. You don’t need to spend the rest of your life punishing yourself for it. And she would tell you you were being silly for thinking that.”
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713331457},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5979587,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5979586
“She would hate me.”
You put your hands on his shoulders, so he doesn’t have any options except looking at you.
“She would love you just as much as she does now,” you say. “And I know that your brain is telling you that that’s wrong and creating all these awful scenarios where she hates you. I know. But it is wrong, because sometimes that’s just the way brains are. Because if she was here right now, she would flick your forehead and tell you you’re being weird, and that you should listen to the people who care about you. Because that's what I'm doing, and she is a far, far better person than me.”
And Apollo cries on your shoulder like a child.
== == ==
You fly one by one over the Lake of Rot, first Apollo, then Arty, then Linda and finally Brighton, then move down the new tunnel, each holding on to the robes of the person in front. The cane guides your way ever downwards, and looking behind and above you, you can see the path you’ve made roughly forming a great downwards spiral, down and down towards an unknown fate.
The cavern is slippery and you take your fair share of scrapes and tumbles on your way. Why Merlin figured it was necessary to make the way to Avalon in such a way, you do not know. Perhaps it made sense in his mind. Perhaps it was simply a challenge of magical engineering, and to create the Elixir of Life such structure was needed. Perhaps there was an unknown reason which you will never discover. Still, you keep on going only to reach a circular room with flat ground. On the opposite end from the one you entered, a great set of double doors, closed.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
You approach, slowly.
“Uh, Elliot? I don’t feel so good,” Apollo says.
“What’s wrong?”
“I- I don’t know. I- I feel thin. I feel-”
His voice suddenly cuts off, and when you reach for where his outline is, your hand goes through his sparks.
“Apollo?” You tap the cane again. He’s gone. “Apollo!”
“Apollo!” Arty shouts, and so do Brighton and Linda. There is no answer.
“Oh, oh no.” Linda says. “I’m not feeling well either.”
You jump to grab her outstretched hand and hold it tight. “You are not going anywhere!”
You tap the cane feverishly against the floor, as if not losing sight of her could stop her from disappearing. And it does. You hold her tight, and she leans against you, breath ragged for several long seconds before she finally steadies herself.
“Ok, I… I think I’m alright now.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, thanks… Oh no.”
And you turn around to see Arty and Brighton are nowhere to be seen.
--
“What did you do?” You ask a few minutes later after failing to find the others, when the great doors of the room open.
“Nothing, just touched it to see if I could figure out what is engraved on it!”
Tap. Tap. Tap.
You tap, but your sparks do not seem to make it through the archway.
“Right. This’s not worrisome at all. Well, then, cane-wielding men first.”
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713331520},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5979589,"name":"HeadQM","msg":"You step through the archway and come out… In a familiar room. The remains of two great sets of armors are scattered through the floor. On one end of the room, a door is blocked by a great metal block. On the other, a great set of ornate double doors, closed.
Linda steps into this reality a few moments later and immediately freezes.
“This is…”
“Last Light,” you nod, mouth suddenly dry.
“H- how?”
“I don’t know. But we haven’t been sent there. That block of steel blocking the exit was the one Lily conjured.”
“Is… Is this real? Can it be real?” She asks, with an almost begging tone.
“I don’t see how. Time rules say you can’t go back in time more than a few hours. I don’t think even Ancient Magic can go around that.”
Linda takes a fiercer look.
“Let’s find out, then.” She rushes to the closed set of doors and pushes them open. Inside you see a moment, frozen in time. In the background, the great repository of magic, locked in its dark-silver cage. Raven standing over the body of Lily Potter, wand still smoking from the Avada Kedavra, utter fury and sorrow on her face. You are fallen by their side, arm torn clean off, looking feverish and delirious. And close to the entrance, at your feet, the body of Taylor Cycad, eyes open but unseeing.
“Oh look at that,” Linda says, voice filled with spite. There is an almost outraged look on her face. “How nice of this place to bring me here.”
“Linda-”
“No. Not Linda. Not right now.” There is ice in her voice, like you’ve never heard before. She crouches down by Taylor and gently closes his eyes. She presses her forehead against his, then stands up and marches towards the frozen copy of herself.
“Move,” she tells herself. “I have some business to attend to with this one.”
She flicks her wand and her copy disappears. She jumps over Lily’s body, cold fury in her eyes.
“I didn’t get to enjoy this last time. Wasn’t in the right state of mind, really. Well, I am now.” She raises a closed fist and brings it down on Lily’s face. It lands with a wet crack as it breaks the redhead’s nose. “Oh good, she didn’t just disappear. I can take my time, then.”
“Linda! Raven! Stop!”
She brings her fist down again and again, each time with a crunching noise. This is not like last time, however. Last time, the real one, she had been in grief, out of control, frantic strikes without aim. This time… This time every blow is cold and controlled, but not lacking in strength. They are the actions of someone who wants to see the other one hurt. They are the actions of someone who could cast the Killing Curse again and again, the look of someone who, if given the chance, would cast Crucio until the person went insane.
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713331581},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5979591,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5979589
You hold her bloodied fist the next time she raises it.
“Raven, stop!”
“Why!?” She turns to you, eyes wild, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Why? Why shouldn’t I just beat this bitch’s face into a pulp, huh? This is clearly just a memory, my memory, so guess what? I’m going to do whatever I want with it! So get out if you don’t want to see it! Or stay and pass me that rock! I want to see what this whore’s brains look like!”
> Hold her and stop her
> Leave the room, let her to her devices
> Hand her the rock
> Stay by her side, wait until she is done
> Other (Write in)","attachment":null,"posted":1713331642},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5979600,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979591
>> Hold her and stop her
Come on, she had enough already","attachment":null,"posted":1713332288},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5979603,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979591
ooh, so we are living everyones worst moments at the exact same time, huh? aight, thats cool, shit is gonna fucking SSSSSSSUCK when we get to Arty...
now, bussines as usual:
we helped Apollo calm down by letting him talk about it, he told us what happened and finally got it out of his chest, him telling us helped us helping him.
following that logic, i wanna say:
>Stay by her side, wait until she is done
then
>let her cry in our shoulder
because she will, she says that the tears are long gone, but this is gonna open up the floodgates again, let her get it out of her chest and then we pick her up just like we did with Apollo and tell her that she wasnt aiming at Lily, she was aiming at Salazar and she knows it, she just hasnt been able to move pass Lily´s body
hope this makes sense","attachment":null,"posted":1713332639},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5979607,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979591
>Remind her who she really hates
"It wasn't her, Raven. She was just a victim, her body being puppeteered by the monster who tricked her, manipulated her, abused her, and broke her. Lily Potter was a good person, just like Taylor. She was my friend, and I already lost her once. Please... I don't want to lose more friends, Linda."","attachment":null,"posted":1713333037},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5979609,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979603
I get the sentiment, but taking out rage in violent ways doesn't actually help most people to calm down and become more measured, controlled, and less violent. It reinforces a specific, unhealthy anger response. At least, that's what a lot of psychology seems to show.
The more comfortable she is casting Avada Kedavra and Crucio, the more comfortable she is with breaking open the face and skull of a teenage girl for the joy of it, the less healthy, sane, and able to come back from it she will be.
In HP terms, letting Linda/Raven work out that hatred muscle increases the odds she goes Dark.","attachment":null,"posted":1713333245},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5979622,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979591
>You are just defacing the body. Lily had been dead for a long time before then. Taylor, he wouldn't want this. He wanted... well he was weird. Just like you and me. It's probably why we became friends. But he wouldn't want this. Taylor Cycad was so kind, and he wouldn't want this. For the girl he loved to hate this much. To grieve this much. We are going to bring him back and if not that? We are going to make him proud. I am so, so sorry Raven. I can't promise it will be okay; the only thing I can promise is that we will stop this from happening again. I, Dark Lord Hallaster will ensure it. But, if you must do this? I will hold the rock with you while we make sure the Potter family can't have an open casket funeral. You offered to use another Stone with me before, right? I am so sorry. I... should have been stronger. Strong enough to have never brought you and Taylor in to this.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713334089682972.jpg","filename":"1700793755967060.jpg"},"posted":1713334089},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5979637,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979603
I wonder what Arty's will actually be? Her being molested, living on the street? Finding out her life-span and magic had been stolen by Apollo? This thing showing her that aside from that he had almost killed her, and now that is her worst experience? So many fun options!
I can probably guess what Brighton's is, considering I have had to interact with Grandparents who had Alzheimer's so bad they couldn't even remember who their own daughter was.","attachment":null,"posted":1713335377},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5979706,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979607
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1713349851},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5979708,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979637
>>5979603
I wonder if the other 4 are also going through each other's worst memories individually, including Elliot's? This certainly makes for an intense bonding session","attachment":null,"posted":1713350030},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5979709,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"struggled the most with the shoes of all things...but i think this should be a pretty decent wizarding wedding dress, right? inspired mostly by old victorian dresses and Helga herself, lemme know what you guys think, im going to bed now","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713350151775689.jpg","filename":"wip3.jpg"},"posted":1713350151},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5979720,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979607
>>5979591
Supporting.
Also, if this vote wins, we should probably actually go in detail with what exactly Lily went through. IIRC only Elliot was given the vision of what she went through before she died.","attachment":null,"posted":1713353509},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5979726,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979720
+1 this too
Linda doesn't know what Elliot saw from Salazar. All she hates Salazar for is killing Taylor, and doesn't know a thing about the girl that was there before. It's only natural that Linda equates Salazar to Lily's exterior, with what she has to work with. Elliot never thought once to tell her or anybody else this entire time since Last Light happened, which is still unbelieveable to me somehow. I don't really dislike it or see this situation born from that lapse in information as drama bait, as it's such a personally transmitted vision that of course he would not consider it. He told everything else to Linda and the others, just not this. Now because of that, we're getting this scene and Linda still not having got over Last Light to the extent Elliot has. This is the exact sort of thing I would want to punch Elliot for, for forgetting to tell the Lily backstory vision. So what if he never had a pensieve around? I don't think the QM is at fault for pulling a gotcha on us plotwise either. I bet he deliberately had this left out in-story so he could make it come up here for some spicy suffering. Could we the players have remembered it and put it in as a write-in? Yeah. Is this exactly like how we forgot all about the calendar change detail? Kinda. Does it ruin the quest? Not really.","attachment":null,"posted":1713354878},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5979762,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979709
I think the shoes look fine. The slight heels on them are cute and the dress looks good. I have no clue what wizard fashion is like in regards to weddings unless they just dress up like muggles. I do need Arty in impractical high heels at some point. Could she even walk in them, given she has never owned a pair? Who knows?
>>5979720
>>5979726
I feel like we probably told Linda/Raven what Lily went through at some point, in the background.
Maybe glossed over some parts because Elliot would probably be uncomfortable with exactly describing the things Cocksucker/Salazar/maybe Merlin made her do to herself as a child or young adult.
We did explain to the twins what happened in the train with Linda filling in the parts we couldn't deal with and everyone but her crying some.
I think this is more Linda confronting her rage and hatred for someone who couldn't control her actions at that point. The irrational hatred of them after the monster in Lily's body killed her lover and took the arm off of her other best friend and the only thing she could take her anger out on was the body. The fact that she probably hates herself for being able to cast the Killing Curse and then defacing the corpse of Lily despite not knowing time was going to be rewritten. That she would have to look Potter in the eyes, knowing that she had done that. Knowing that the person in the body who killed Taylor is gone but still feeling like she wanted to do the same thing once more. Drive a knife into their heart again and again. Strangle someone for all eternity.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713361471790026.png","filename":"1697064537077868.png"},"posted":1713361471},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5979767,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979591
> Hold her and stop her","attachment":null,"posted":1713361905},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5979768,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979708
I suspect only the guy with the cane gets to see the worst parts of the person or people they came down with. I don't think Merlin would want someone he dragged down here finding out his darkest secrets.","attachment":null,"posted":1713361955},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5979771,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979768
Then will Elliot basically spill it all once he's through all four of them, plus himself? It also occured to me we have no idea how time is passing outside this Avalon trial path. The moment the party appears outside, they might all get insta-Stupified by at least 2 dozen aurors stationed as guards in the time since the message at the gate was discovered.","attachment":null,"posted":1713362208},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5979774,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Completely unrelated but I read this going through thread 4
>“Wait, can actual ghosts have children?”
>“No,” Linda says immediately.
There must have been at least one madlad student throughout Hogwarts' recent history who decided to fuck Moaning Myrtle by any means possible. I bet this unknown guy spent many many months of his years here constantly sneaking to the girls bathroom she hangs out in, from the moment he awakened to his ghost girl fetish all the way to his graduation. Imagine.","attachment":null,"posted":1713362769},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5979848,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Hey writefag, that pdf in thread 4 is lost to me. All the posted pdfs do not open with the suptg pages. I haven't tried opening them from another archive site yet though, just so you know. The file.io link in thread 4 is dead, and the google docs link is killed from breaking terms or service or whatever","attachment":null,"posted":1713373996},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5979858,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979771
I think when we make it through the memories of our friends, it will be up to the players if we want to spill the tea. I would suggest not doing so, letting everyone choose on their own if they want their worst parts revealed to one another. We already know Apollo desperately wants Arty to not know he almost killed her, that mom killed herself. She was googling who her parents were because she doesn't know mom roped herself. She wanted a chance of their mom being around. Maybe someone to reconnect with. Who would be there at her wedding. We don't know who dad was but I now don't think it was the same person as their caretaker.
We also know that Arty doesn't want her brother to know that he stole her magic potential and lifespan in the womb. When we told the twins and Brighton about what happened at Last Light, I am pretty sure we left out the part where Raven used the Killing Curse and then tried to destroy Lily's body and I am sure that is something she doesn't really want spread.
After this is over... a group therapy session might be in order, lead by an entire bottle of Firewhisky.
>>5979774
So wanting Myrtle to really "moan"? I mean she was weirdly endearing in the 4th movie... but she was also kind of a creepy stalker. I guess some are into that. I am sure in a 1000 years, yeah at least one person has tried to fuck a ghost. Hell one of the two romance options QM bet on is less than a ghost, just a spirit living in our head. And she did want to fuck us when drunk and horny, the one time. Could we have gotten the spirit of Helga Hufflepuff knocked up? ","attachment":null,"posted":1713375334},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5979899,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979858
>group therapy session might be in order, lead by an entire bottle of Firewhisky
Gather in the Room of Requirement, and Elliot opens with his own worst memory as the leader and to make it easier for the others to open up with theirs?
>letting everyone choose on their own if they want their worst parts revealed to one another
But for that, Elliot will need to talk about what even happened in this sequence, which will let all 4 of them know that Elliot knows. Catch-22
>really "moan"?
EXACTLY. I don't think ghosts can take their clothes off or interact in any way with anything physical in the castle? I forgot how ghosts work in HP. Far as I assume, knowing nothing, that the most this mystery guy could have ever done with her is jerk off inside her form and that's that.
>creepy stalker
Probably mellows out with a living bf for 7 years. Thing is is that Mrytle has been a ghost since Chamber of Secrets events. This quest takes place in 2024-25. Checking the wiki, Mrytle died 1943. That's 81-82 years of time in which at least one guy must have went all in on her for years. Wiki also says she did leave Hogwarts to go harass her bully on her brother's wedding day, and they got the Ministry to kick her out back to the school. It seems she can leave and go wherever anytime, but she decides to stay at Hogwarts on her own volition. She isn't even limited to the bathroom where she died either. There's potentially nothing stopping her from constantly trailing after a guy she likes every waking hour all the way to and from their dormitory. She's plenty thirsty enough as both the books and the movies point out. All it takes is one degenerate teenage wizard boy to return the feelings and take things many, many steps further... Why is there no good material of this?
>that spoiler
Didn't Helga get married while she was alive? Or not? I think even if we get her a new body somehow, as hot as it is and as appealing as it is to me, that route will never happen","attachment":null,"posted":1713377888},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5979911,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">talk about group therapy
i support this idea, could be a great team building exercise, specially now that we have Brightorn in our side with Godric inside him, so maybe its best if we manage to integrate him by making him open up to us
>talk about moaning Myrtle and preggin Helga
i mean...im sure it would be an interesting...experiment...
when Helga was Faith she was pretty into us for a bit, i do wonder if there is some of that remaining inside Helga, i would be down to giving it a go if Arty is ok with it, mostly for testing pourposes, who knows...Arty has been pretty forward with us, maybe she is a bit of a freak inside and is willing to give it a go too, at least once.","attachment":null,"posted":1713379562},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5979967,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978287
reminder that Jesus may have also been "Merlin"","attachment":null,"posted":1713385508},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5979981,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979911
I am categorically against trying to swing a threesome with Helga Hufflepuff.","attachment":null,"posted":1713386970},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5979985,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979911
what the fuck","attachment":null,"posted":1713387145},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5979986,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979981
Likewise. No haremshit allowed.
>>5979967
If he is, what can we do about it?","attachment":null,"posted":1713387269},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5980074,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979967
And maybe Moses or King Solomon, given some one "like" him is referenced in ancient Hebrew scrolls. Merlin had been for like 3000 years before he fucked the pooch with the Inderdict.
>>5979899
I can't find any thing about Helga being married. She was close with Rowena, possibly VERY close, but who knows?
Hepzibah Smith, the woman who had her Cup when Riddle found it, claimed to a descendant of Helga's but that might have been a lie to make her seem more important.
>>5979911
Linda/Raven has speculated that Arty is probably pretty kinky. I doubt she is down with true polygamy but might be okay with sharing a few times? As long as she is there. And when we got jerked off in the forbidden forest, our connection to Helga was probably so strong she got to have a first hand view of it and maybe shared our senses to a small degree. She also stared at Arty's fap bait Christmas gift, so who knows. We probably need to have a discussion with her and Arty before we really have sex, unless we can get her a body of her own before that due to Hufflepuff being able to share our senses and look through our eyes. I have implied that Arty might be a touch bicurious in a couple of my shitty fanfics, if she trusts the other girl and they too love Elliot, so even if it doesn't happen in quest, I can make it happen in a fanfic of a fanfic!
>>5979848
I was starting to edit it and a couple of the others with the intent of placing them all in a stable place soon, so I will focus on that one first and post the version 2 in a little while. There are only small edits for clarity, grammar, intent, ect so it should be basically the same as the OG.","attachment":null,"posted":1713394604},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5980081,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Also, the loser's bracket of the King and Queen of /qst/ it taking new IPs, if anyone hasn't already posted over there for votes, if anyone here missed the initial registration period. Go and make sure Arty gets a cute, tiny princess crown!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713395371465888.gif","filename":"1711430621599340.gif"},"posted":1713395371},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5980089,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980074
>spoiler
we take those, do it!","attachment":null,"posted":1713395911},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5980132,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980089
After I finish the worst thing I have put to paper, one trying to figure out what would make Elliot able to cast the Killing Curse when seeing his best friend murdered didn't do the job, I might just cleanse my pallet with something involving Arty getting railed from behind by Elliot while eating Raven out. Quite possibly involving Helga jerking off in our head and commenting a tad.
Before that, I need to finish something that made me slightly sick to write, add a couple of things since QM upped the game and the update with Arty being smothered in the crib after her mom hung herself was very disturbing.
I need to dream bigger.
I remembered I do like creative writing after almost a decade of being to busy to try it again so y'all are going to have to deal with my shitty lewd and altfics till the quest ends.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713398663022876.gif","filename":"ArtyNextWeek.gif"},"posted":1713398663},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5980189,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980074
>placing them all in a stable place soon
Yes please, do this. Do not lose your precious work
>>5980132
As long as you don't become a pest or egotistic nuisance and ruin this quest, your OC is all good in my book","attachment":null,"posted":1713404922},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5980211,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980189
I have backed up these things locally pretty well, I just don't want to pay for the kind of file sharing that used to be free. Pastebin can apparently detect "offensive" content now and I got an auto ban from google drive when I tried there with a burner account.
I don't think I am egotistical or harass people but who knows? I would never try to tell the QM my interpretation of something is more correct than the guy giving us free entertainment. Anything I put into a poorly written fan fic is completely non canon unless bossman says otherwise and I wouldn't want it to be different. I write this stuff because it amuses me. If 2 or 3 other people get some enjoyment from it? That is just a bonus. QM said he did liked the idea of Elliot giving Arty a plushie Nundu after I put up the Valentine fic, and might incorporate it, which made my day.","attachment":null,"posted":1713408641},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5980554,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5979981
So am I. There is a reason why kissing Arty was a "Lock in" option, so no cheating or sharing, not even with your mind-demon. If Arty dies, however, feel free to have Elliot share his grief with whoever he wants.
Also, good god this was difficult to write and it was just half of an update. I should kick the part of my brain who thought writing the equivalent of several therapy sessions back to back would be a good idea. Well, here it is. I'll post the rest of it once I'm finished.
--
You keep on holding her hand, but your tone grows softer.
“It’s not Lily you hate, Raven. It’s Salazar. He lived in her body, but he was never her. He tortured and killed her long before Last Light. And before he killed her, she was my friend. She was yours. She was Taylor’s. And he wouldn’t want to see her like that. And he wouldn’t want to see the girl he loved like this.”
“Then he shouldn’t have died!” She shouts, and there is rage and tears in her voice. “He shouldn’t have stood in the way of that spell! He shouldn’t- He shouldn’t have left me!”
You kneel by her side.
“Then be angry at me. Then hurt me. Because I was the one who brought you into this. I was the one who should have seen December First coming. I was the one who should have been better prepared, who should have been strong enough to keep both of you away from danger.” You take her closed fist and press it against your own cheek, closing your eyes. “Hurt me, if you need. But not Lily. She was just another victim. Like Taylor. Like you.”
You release her hand and wait. It takes a long while for her to say anything.
“Why does it still hurt?” She asks, voice shaking. “I cried. I grieved. So why does it still hurt so much?”
“Because you loved him. Because he loved you. Because you each made each other better, and now that that part is gone. And where he was, there is a void that hurts. And I wish I could say I knew a way of making it better. Or that it’s going to get better. I wish I could. But that’s just not how grief works.”
“Most days are fine. Most days I don’t remember him. But sometimes… Sometimes when we’re at the Three Broomsticks and you’re not looking,” she says, sounding ashamed. “I look at you and Arty and, and I just get so angry. Because I could have had that. I could have been that happy. I could… I could have had him for so much longer, looking at me the way you look at her. And I didn’t. And it makes me feel angry at you, at her, makes me want to tear both of you apart. And then his voice tells me to stop thinking like that. And I do. But sometimes I remember what Potter said in that Defense class, that it takes a broken soul to cast the Killing Curse, and I feel like I’m broken, that I’m dirty that- that it would be so easy to just go with that feeling, to make other people hurt because that would make this thing inside me hurt less…”
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713458829},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5980556,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5980554
“Raven was meant to be a dark witch,” she says. “But I didn’t know what that really meant when I came up with her. Now… Now I see just how easy it would be for Linda to become one.”
You pull her close and hug her tight.
“I’m sorry,” you say. “I’ve been so busy with all this and with Arty that I ended up forgetting about you.”
“You shouldn’t have to remember me. I’m not your girlfriend.”
“But you are my friend, and I still love you all the same. And I don’t want to see you go down that path. I want to see you do great things, things that will make Taylor proud once we get him back.”
“I wish I could believe in that the way you do,” she says, face buried in your shoulder. “I wish I could really believe we’ll get him back.”
“The alternative is to let the pain live on. I don’t believe that there is anything after death, so I need to believe we’ll see him before that. I need to believe there’s a way to undo it. Otherwise… Otherwise it hurts too much, too. And if I keep telling myself that, if I keep chasing it, maybe one day it will be true.”
There is a long silence between you.
“You can almost make me believe.” There is humor in her words, but no mirth. “You should be a priest.”
“I’d be a hack.”
“All priests are hacks.”
“Then I’d fit right in.”
Another long moment of silence.
“I’m sorry. You’re right, Lily didn’t do anything wrong. But it’s her face that haunts my nightmares.”
“You have nightmares?”
“You don’t?”
You shake your head, still holding on to the hug. “Not anymore. Arty and Helga… They help me. Maybe someday Rowena will be able to help you too.”
“I’d like that. But while that doesn’t happen…” She pulls away from the hug and presses her forehead against yours. “I can’t believe in what you believe, but I can believe in you. So don’t you dare die, Elliot Hallaster. You have to live long enough to prove me wrong.”","attachment":null,"posted":1713458891},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5980641,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980554
>If Arty dies
>IF
>Implying there is a possibility of this happening
do you FUCKING DARE to take her away from us, i´ll actually hunt you down if you do","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713463863764975.png","filename":"who plans to do what.png"},"posted":1713463863},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5980671,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980211
OneDrive works well and has some sharing options.
>>5980641
Cringe.","attachment":null,"posted":1713465503},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5980691,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5980641
Haha, sorry, anon, let me fix that:
*when","attachment":null,"posted":1713466704},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5980706,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980691
>when","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713467533804901.jpg","filename":"dying soul.jpg"},"posted":1713467533},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5980744,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980641
I mean... if we had the twins come down to Last Light and shit had shaken out like it did before there would have been a d4 rolled instead of a d2 for who died. Everyone is up for grabs.
>>5980671
I might give that a shot.
>>5980556
>“I can’t believe in what you believe, but I can believe in you. So don’t you dare die, Elliot Hallaster. You have to live long enough to prove me wrong.”
That hit pretty differently.
I suggested that maybe Arty should become a wizard therapist when she graduated at one point. It turns our we were the real one all along.
The Arty one of these is going to be amazing.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713470218792849.jpg","filename":"GFrkBVZXcAEKun6.jpg"},"posted":1713470218},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5980913,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980691
>when","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713482367421494.jpg","filename":"IMG_8965.jpg"},"posted":1713482367},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5980924,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980691
Not if we can help it, faggot. As long as you do not railroad us into the max suffering trauma just for the hell of it or to spite us, we'll be fine","attachment":null,"posted":1713483927},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981241,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5980924
Nah, that's no fun. Tragedy for the sake of tragedy gets boring. Tragedy when the players make poor decisions which lead to a horrible fate, however, is fair game.
== == ==
“Uh, Elliot? I don’t feel so good,” Apollo says.
“What’s wrong?”
“I- I don’t know. I- I feel thin. I feel-”
His voice suddenly cuts off, and when you reach for where his outline is, your hand goes through his sparks.
“Apollo?” You tap the cane again. He’s gone. “Apollo!”
“Apollo!” Arty shouts, and so do Brighton and Linda. There is no answer.
“Oh, oh no.” Linda says. “I’m not feeling well either.”
You jump to grab her outstretched hand, but find just air.
“What’s going on here, Hallaster!?” Brighton asks as you tap your cane, frantically looking around.
“I don’t know, Brighton! Just stay close!”
The three of you gather back to back to back, you tapping the cane with one hand while the other is intertwined with Arty’s.
“Elliot?” Arty asks, and you can feel the fear in her voice. “I’m… I’m feeling sick, too.”
“No, no, no, you’re not going anywhere!” You pull her hand open and force the cane into her palm, closing her fingers around it. If there is any chance this is happening to the others because the wielder of the cane iss seen by the cave as Merlin… Then you are not letting her be dragged by whatever it is that is taking the others. You hold your hand around hers and wait long long seconds, and they do not disappear.
“I… I think I’m good. The nausea stopped.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah.”
“Brighton, you alive?” You tap the cane, but he’s nowhere to be found. “Ah, crap.”
--
“Well, then, cane-wielding men first!”
You step through the dark archway and come out… in a downtrodden muggle home. It has clearly seen better days, and it is poor, but not dirt-poor. The wooden floor is marked and scratched, but clean. In front of you, there is a living room with the tv left on, but there are only blurred images and sounds coming through it, no one watching.
Arty appears by your side a few moments later.
“Elliot? What… What are you seeing in front of you, right now?” She says, wand pointing forwards, swiping the room, ever so slightly shaky. Her face is steel, an expression you’ve rarely seen on her before.
“A muggle living room, I think. But I don’t recognize it.”
“I do. This is where I lived. This is where I lived before the ministry found me.”
“This can’t be real, can it?”
“No. This house burned down.”
“Right. Let’s keep our wands ready, then.”
You step through the living room slowly, wands always covering all entrances, moving steadily. You pass by the entrance to the kitchen, plenty of empty glass bottles by the trash can, but otherwise empty. You keep on moving down a corridor, past a bedroom with a double bed, then finally a smaller bedroom.
In it, a small auburn-haired girl is taking care of a blond boy. In her hand, a bundle of dishcloth filled with ice, which she was carefully pressing over a big purple spot on his back.
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713513709},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981242,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5981241
“You can’t make him mad, Pollo!” Says a voice that is just ever so slightly different than the one you know. She looks so small, even smaller than you expected.
“I don’t know why he got mad. I just told him-”
“He doesn’t like it when you talk back to him.”
“He doesn’t like it when I exist.”
“That too. Is it better now?”
“I think so.”
She puts the bag of ice down, then dives under her bed. She comes back up with an old-looking coin purse. It doesn’t look too full, but there is enough there to jingle.
“I think I can go to the pharmacy and buy something for the pain. I don’t know how much it costs but I think I have enough.”
“Don’t bother.”
“You’re silly. I’ll be right back.” She stands up from the bed and heads out the bedroom past you, when you hear the sound of a door slamming open.
“Apollo! Artemis!”
The boy stands up, pulling his shirt down and rushing out.
“Was this-“ you start asking, but she cuts you off.
“The day he died, yes,” Arty says, somber. “Apollo always took the worst of his beatings, always got in the way when he was angry. It got worse as time passed.”
“Did- did he ever-”
“No. Not like that. He was a horrible man but… He wasn’t a monster.”
“He beat Apollo purple.”
“And he’s going to pay for it. Come.”
She leads you to the kitchen, where a burly man, clearly intoxicated, is holding the younger version of her by the cheek with one hand and the coin purse with the other.
“I forgot to hide it,” the Arty by your side explains.
“Now what is this, huh? Money? Have you been stealing from me?”
“No, it’s-”
“Don’t you lie to me, girl!” He shouts, shaking her by the painful and already reddening pinch. He pushes the coin pouch against her face. “I house you! I feed you! And you steal from me, you little whore!”
He throws her to the floor, and the massive size difference between his adult form and her childish shape is clear. And it is also clear he’s not pulling any punches. If she had been a muggle, something would have broken. He pulls out his belt, folds it in half and slams down on her leg. She’s wearing shorts and the leather hits skin, leaving a deep red mark on it. Artemis screams.
“Get away from her!” Apollo shouts, jumping to grab his arm. The man lifts him and tosses him away, the boy falls to the ground with a painful thwack. The man raises his arm again and brings it down.
There is a boiling fury inside you, feral. Even if that was not your girlfriend, seeing this done to a child makes you want to jump at that man’s throat and destroy him. Arty puts her hand in front of you, stopping you.
“Watch,” she says.
“I’ll! Teach! You!” Each word is a blow of the belt. “Not! To! Steal! From! Me!”
The belt comes up red with blood.
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713513814},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981243,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5981242
“I said, GET AWAY FROM HER!” Apollo screams, and the air itself seems to shift with magical power. The table, the fridge, everything that isn’t bolted down in the kitchen, with the exception of Arty, is launched across the room. The man is lifted up and thrown against the oven and halfway through the glass window above it. The blow forces the air out of his lungs in a scream of pain.
Both children simply watch as he howls, impaled into the twisted pieces of the oven and on shards of glass from the window. Apollo helps her up, and the man is still gasping for air as he bleeds. They watch, faces of steel, hand in hand as their “caretaker” suffers.
Then Apollo raises his hand at him and opens his mouth. But for a moment, he doesn’t seem to know what to say.
It’s small Arty who suggests the word.
“Crucio.”
“Crucio!” Apollo shouts, and the spell takes. The man screams even louder, and louder and louder.
The vision fades, leaving only the two children in darkness, faces filled with anger, and the broken man in front of them.
“H-how?” You ask, the confusion briefly rising over the anger.
“Some spells take years of research to discover. Some only need the right frame of mind. The Killing Curse has been invented over a hundred times, with the same incantation, the same wand movements, in many different places across the world. The other Unforgivables have smaller numbers, but the story is the same. Apollo had the intent, I had the will, and together… Magic happened.” Her words sound halfway between sorrowful and detached. But she does not cry. “I showed him the path, he walked it for us. I wish something else had happened. I wish that vile man had died then and there, that we hadn’t had the chance to make him suffer even more. But I don’t regret making him suffer. Even though I know it’s wrong. Even though I know he had a drinking problem, even though I know people shouldn’t just suffer, even though I wouldn’t have done it today… I don’t regret it. And I don’t feel like a bad person.”
“No one would ever tell you that, Arty,” you say. “Not a single person would ever tell you you were a bad person.”
“I know,” she nods, still looking at the man. “But seeing him scream… I enjoyed it. I enjoyed it then, and there was a tiny bit of me who enjoyed it now. When I discovered that I would… that I wouldn’t live very long, I decided I wouldn’t hold grudges. I didn’t have the time for them. I got over a lot of stuff. I wish I could get over this, too. I wish I didn’t have to carry this. I wish I didn’t have to know that I could want someone to hurt so much. I wish I could forgive him. Not because of him. Because of me.”
> One day, you’ll let it go. I’ll make sure you have all the time in the world to do so
> Some wounds never fully heal. There is no shame in living with the scars
> He deserved it. Remembering how you got rid of him shouldn’t be a weight on your shoulders
> Other (Write in)","attachment":null,"posted":1713513883},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981249,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981243
alright, wasnt as bad as i was expecting it to be, still fucked up but not the worse i had in mind, so im glad
>He deserved it. Remembering how you got rid of him shouldn’t be a weight on your shoulders","attachment":null,"posted":1713514673},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981283,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"ok, basic lineart is done
i´ll do the inking tomorrow along with some coloring, this should be ready to post in the K&Q thread by saturday","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713518549682537.jpg","filename":"basic lineart.jpg"},"posted":1713518549},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981305,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981243
You told me you loved every part of me, Arty. I love every part of you. Every single one. You were shown by this person that causing other people to suffer was okay, acceptable. You guided Apollo so he could take out revenge on this man. Asked him to do it in your name, with out knowing what it would truly mean... And you feel terrible about it. You would never have another person do this for you, right? You would not use your magic to just cause another to suffer now would you? You and Apollo were suffering so bad it makes me sick. But the thing that made this whole thing happen was you wanting to help your brother. Get him some relief from his pain. You had found what you could as a 7 year old girl and stashed it away and wanted to use it, not for yourself but for a person you loved. However much you wanted this person to hurt, you wanted Apollo to not hurt more. And I love you Arty. So much it stings, in a good way. So please forgive yourself some.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713525720300170.jpg","filename":"1696925607372200.jpg"},"posted":1713525720},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981319,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981305
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1713529118},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981324,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981283
Post link to your art","attachment":null,"posted":1713530444},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981368,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981305
this would be good in any other context but honestly I would think after seeing someone viciously beat a small child before being impaled and brutally tortured by two children (one of whom is your girlfriend) they wouldn’t have this many words or this much unequivocal praise to give
I hope QM saves this to use for some other time but for now i’m gonna have to go with
>>5981243
>He deserved it. Remembering how you got rid of him shouldn’t be a weight on your shoulders","attachment":null,"posted":1713537169},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981389,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981243
> Some wounds never fully heal. There is no shame in living with the scars
Take it from the guy with the demon inside him and a scarred arm.
oh god, we're chuuni, aren't we?
Glad to see Arty never got molested, though! Whew. This is still awful, though. Fuck that guy.","attachment":null,"posted":1713539795},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981421,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981243
>He deserved it. Remembering how you got rid of him shouldn’t be a weight on your shoulders
>>5981389
It took you THIS LONG to notice our chuuni main character? He's not really chuuni though, despite his circumstances making him out to be one by force","attachment":null,"posted":1713543521},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981432,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981243
>> Some wounds never fully heal. There is no shame in living with the scars","attachment":null,"posted":1713544548},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981512,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5919642
>one of the things Potter said was kinda suspicious is that we have scars from a childhood injury
I felt the need to ask this. How do you guys think he'll react if we tell him that he was right about suspecting the childhood injury scars were important?","attachment":null,"posted":1713551567},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981548,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981512
Probably smugly. I suppose we will need to not get immediately shot by him when we see him next, for figuring out a clever was to fuck with the Hogwart's security system, stealing 2 of the most powerful artifacts in the world, desecrating his mentor's grave, learning one of Wizard Hitler's calling cards under his nose, finding not one but 2 places of power...
Depending on how this shakes out, we may end up getting another student killed as well. Just the cherry on top.
I also have a crazy conspiracy theory which implies Arty may be insane and evil which I need to retype, since I accidentally deleted it.
>>5981421
Picrel","attachment":null,"posted":1713555080},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981550,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981548
And forgot the picture.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713555143194198.jpg","filename":"ElliotIRL.jpg"},"posted":1713555143},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981557,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981548
I think finally relenting and giving Potter some info at all is wise, even though he will autistically run with it. Otherwise he will eventually say fuck it and cast gun on Elliot. This entire quest we have been keeping him one-sided after all the good he did do. Question is what do we tell him?
>The Beast/Merlin rabbit hole
>The Founder shades
>Lily/Salazar and Taylor time corrected
What else?
>Arty may be insane and evil
I think this is too crazy to be real. If it is real and she was playing 5D wizard chess for more than 6 months without dropping a single facade, we're doomed. Also the Occlumens tutoring bits didn't seem to hint at anything bad with her","attachment":null,"posted":1713555704},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981610,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981557
If we tell him about having a creature in our soul which we believe will destroy everything in the world if we die and give any kind of proof, he probably would decide to go with the cut off Elliot's arms and legs, rip out his tongue, keep him on wizard life support till he can figure out a way to fix things option. At least try and buy the world more time. I think deep down he likes Elliot due to seeing a bit of himself in him due to both of them being tossed into situations they had no control of and trying to make the best of them. Trying to fix them. Trying to save the world but...
Harry is also kind of egotistical however. I don't doubt if he became sure that if he was correct, that Elliot could end the world, would do so... he would do the ethical calculus and do something to try and stop it.
We don't have a concrete way to prove the Founders are real, yet. Telling him about their being others "like us" would not likely end well. Get Linda and Brighton hurt alongside Elliot.
We can not tell him about Lily, unless it is a last resort. According to what he said about what he saw in the mirror, his greatest desire is to have his family healthy and happy and whole. He would rip apart the world if he learned what had happened to Lily. Apollo was very much correct about that. Potter is an asshole but he is also kind and good. If he knew that a child of his suffered like that, had hurt so before being killed, he would end up undoing the world by trying to fix what had happened.
Perhaps the best option is to gaslight him, make us think we are comically evil. Emphasis on the comical part.
I really feel like our disk four boss boss fight will be against Harry.
Hopefully when we get to disk four and not before then.
Now to get back to writing why Arty has been manipulating us the whole time. Elliot and the players themselves. How she manipulated her brother from childhood. How everything is part of her plan. That due to how she was born and the things which happened, she had to learn to to play multi-dimensional 5-D chess in order to make the world pay.
>>5979848
https://rentry.org/gk3km2h3
Here you go. Like I said, I will put the pdfs somewhere better after I run through them again to fix stuff, I did end up changing a few small parts, just due to knowing a bit more about Arty now or reading certain bits and realizing that was not what I wanted to convey.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713561681021031.pdf","filename":"ArtyChristmasV2.1.pdf"},"posted":1713561681},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981651,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981243
> Some wounds never fully heal. There is no shame in living with the scars
First option is bittersweet considering how she won't live for long (could be interpreted as a promise on our part), the third option doesn't sound psychologically healthy although I can't really explain why.
Middle option sounds fine, but what really sold me on it was the chuuni part that one anon mentioned. I like the write in though, it's good and I hope we can use it but I agree that now might not be the right time.","attachment":null,"posted":1713566770},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981673,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981243
> One day, you’ll let it go. I’ll make sure you have all the time in the world to do so
Y'know, there's already a source of immortality in the HP world available for anyone willing to put up with the downsides, i'm dissapointed no one has suggested it as a last resort","attachment":null,"posted":1713568673},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981701,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981673
Unicorn blood?
There have been canonically shown to be quite a few means to preserve yourself to greater or lesser extents... at costs.
The only true way to fight death is to pass on part of you to those you love, those who walk the same path as you, follow your footsteps or else walk beside you. Your ideals or genetics. Voldemort... he put part of himself into creatures, objects because he had no one he loved and trusted, because he could not love. Because... well a lot of reasons, I suppose.
>>5981651
I think the last option feels bad because we would be pushing her towards a dark path. One we don't want her to walk. The middle option feels like the safe one. The first feels kind of hollow right now...","attachment":null,"posted":1713572803},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981722,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981701
>Unicorn blood?
Think a more permanent solution. Also one that's not exclusive to HP.","attachment":null,"posted":1713575817},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981726,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"testing","attachment":null,"posted":1713576321},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981731,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981243
voting
> Some wounds never fully heal. There is no shame in living with the scars","attachment":null,"posted":1713576648},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981755,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981722
I got nothing man. I was thinking converting to Christianity and saying your prayers ever night might be an answer given that according to most currently popular version of that cosmology, you get to "live" forever alongside god even after mortal death.
Also reminds me I was planning on writing a very short fic involving Elliot getting Arty to come with him to a small Hogwart's Easter service; not because he really believed in it but because he had good memories of going to church like twice a year with his parents as a kid. Wanted to try and share that experience with her, even if both of them still remain functional atheists which is what I imagine most wizards are. Just to give Arty an experience she might not have gotten to have as a kid.
And then write a couple of pages of her getting fucked stupid in her Sunday best while deciding to scream out "Oh God" vs. "Oh Merlin." Maybe ending with Elliot giving her a chocolate bunny and Easter basket.","attachment":null,"posted":1713577963},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981765,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981755
Have you not read My Immortal, you fraud? The answer is Vampirism. -D, see me after class.
Seriously, that should be the first thing anyone thinks about if they wanna live forever. Granted, Wizards probably hunt them like rats so most people would get filtered but we aren't most people.","attachment":null,"posted":1713578469},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981778,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981610
>Now to get back to writing why Arty has been manipulating us the whole time. Elliot and the players themselves. How she manipulated her brother from childhood. How everything is part of her plan. That due to how she was born and the things which happened, she had to learn to to play multi-dimensional 5-D chess in order to make the world pay.
I hope this isn't a common running thread in all your fics about this quest, because that would be very boring and stupid to me","attachment":null,"posted":1713579184},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981812,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981765
No, I haven't. The last fanfic I recall reading some of was either Harry Potter and the Nat 20 or Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality.
Vampires are apparently illegal to just straight up kill, like werewolves, unless they do something wrong. Can vampires who were wizards even still use magic? And the oldest vampire I could find out about on the wiki only lived like 200 years. Might be because at some point you end up just cracking and start assaulting people for their blood and get destroyed or that they just have an expiration date.
If things got desperate enough... Arty becoming infected might extend her life span I suppose.
And her relying on Elliot for blood, him cutting open his hand and feeding her is pretty fucking hot. Him loving her even after she became like that, doing what he had to to ensure her survival is pretty hot. But we are playing a Harry Potter quest not a Twilight one.
Is the fic you referenced any good? I have free time for the next few days.","attachment":null,"posted":1713580877},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981841,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981812
Figures JK would make vampires shitty like everything else, I'm just going to ignore that. Nat 20 is actually where I got the idea, Milo is the one who thinks voldie was a vampire cuz he does't know he's a complete moron.
Its a shitty joke fic making fun of emo girl and draco simps, but its funny enough that it got pretty famous, arguably the most well known HP fic. Fucking Linda is a reference to it.","attachment":null,"posted":1713583178},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981862,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">princess voting has started
>the sayan girl is easily the most popular
god dammit, we have to vote for her opponents so we can get her out, sayans are OP as fuck","attachment":null,"posted":1713583817},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981868,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981778
It isn't.
This was just a crazy conspiracy theory I thought up coming back from the store after reading the last update. I am 99% sure it isn't correct in any way so probably wont even post it, but who is the last person Elliot would see coming? It just was interesting to speculate on a very dark timeline.
I typically just made the lewd version of her just very horny and broken to a degree. Since I was working from the assumption she had been sexually abused and not just all the other kinds. Had occasions of having issues with intimacy, with being with a man but pushed through it for Elliot. Became more comfortable with it but could still be weird to a degree. Was very Hufflepuff in a lot of regards. So if you want to read my crappy fanfic of a quest, you don't have to worry about that, at least.
This one doesn't even feature her and is not lewd at all unless a kiss counts. It is probably my personal favorite since it gives Apollo some spotlight.
https://rentry.org/iey5nf8c","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713584443887438.pdf","filename":"Apollo and Riley.pdf"},"posted":1713584443},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981903,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981862
I don't really like vote rigging but I am not into muscle girls and while I need to catch up with the other quest, the previous one was very good.","attachment":null,"posted":1713586289},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981943,"name":"HeadQM","msg":"You stand in front of her, blocking her view of the man, and wrap your arms around her.
“Some wounds never fully heal,” you say, planting a kiss on top of her head. You pull out the glove on your left hand and gently caress her cheek with your scarred hand. “There is no shame living with the scars. They just show you were strong enough to survive.”
She leans against your touch, closing her eyes.
“If you could get rid of your scars, wouldn’t you? If you could not have them-”
“Then I wouldn’t. But I can’t. And maybe there is a way to make them go away, maybe there is a way to fix them, but while I don’t find that way, I can either wince when I look at them, or accept that it is just the way things are.”
You take her hands in yours and place your glove on them.
“But if you say you will try, not saying that it was right, not saying that it was wrong, but simply accepting it was a thing in your past, just like any other day… I’m willing to do it with you.”
She finally looks up at you.
“You’ll be the one who has to walk with it exposed,” she says.
“And you’ll be the one who has to talk about it. I’m not sure if mine is worse.”
“Talking is pretty difficult…” She says, biting her lower lip. “But maybe not in front of Potter.”
“Merlin, no. He doesn’t need any more reason to think we’re all evil. But with me, with us… You don’t need to hide it.”
She stands at the tip of her toes and looks again at the man. Then back at you.
“Alright. If it’s with you… I can try.”
And she smiles. It’s not a big smile. It is shy and meek. But it is better than the steel that was there moments before.
== == ==
You feel yourself gasp as three different sets of memories clash within your mind, all happening in parallel. You fall to the floor, once more into the darkness.
“Hallaster! Is that you?” Brighton’s voice asks, sounding both surprised and relieved.
“Yep,” you say, gritting your teeth through the thankfully brief headache. “I’m here. Is everyone here?”
“I am.”
“Still here, yeah.”
“I’m with you.”
“Lovely.” You push yourself up, tapping the cane to make sure everybody looks alright, or as much as you can do so in this darkness.
“What happened?” Brighton asks. “Three of you just started feeling sick, then disappeared. And Hallaster disappeared too.”
“As best as I can guess, Merlin. A way to show… a person’s deepest secret, or maybe their worst day, as far as I understand.”
“Doesn’t sound pleasant.”
“It wasn’t, but we got through it. What I don’t understand is why you weren't pulled in too.”
“I don’t have secrets, Hallaster. Or trauma.”
[Cont]","attachment":null,"posted":1713590628},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981945,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5981943
“You don’t have trauma?”
“Not on a day, no. My grandparents? Yeah, it hurts. Hurts like hell. But I grew up with it. My worst day was the day my hopes of them getting better were crushed, and you were there for that. Hells, you caused it.” He sighs. “Not everyone has a tragic backstory filled with tragedy, Hallaster, even if you seem to have surrounded yourself with people who do. Really, most of Hogwarts is just fine. I don’t know where you found these.”
You give a tired laugh, a mean voice echoing back at you.
“You like broken things, Little Elliot,” Salazar had told you, and he might have been right.
“So, what do we do now?” Brighton asks.
You turn to look at the door which you have crossed three times now, and tap it with the cane. You hear the sound of stone grinding against stone, and it opens, letting in bright, blinding white light.
“If I’m right,” you say, putting your hand over your eyes to stop some of the light from hurting your eyes. “Albedo. The purification, where all the foulness of nigredo is washed away.”
“So, that should be good, right?” Arty asks, hopeful. “It should be nice?”
“Somehow, I doubt it.”
And you step through the archway once more.
-- Interlude --
Things were happening in a flash, a whirlwind of information with Nienna right in the middle of it.
A while ago, about the time the prisoners had gone wild, the Dark Mark had been seen above Hogwarts, five students had been reported as missing and, if she had overheard the conversation between Potter and the Minister correctly - completely by accident, of course - the Elder Wand had been taken, along with something else.
Potter, the Minister and her husband had descended upon the prison like a thunderstorm, barking orders that no one dared refuse. All prisoners had been chained and put in iron gloves, in addition to being in their cells. Then, Potter had descended to the deepest cell, the one with the man with no name and crazy eyes, and shouted at him for a while. When he left, carrying something wrapped in a thick piece of fabric and with the Minister right after him, Weasley had stayed behind interrogating the other prisoners.
And while he was doing that… Nienna might as well do some investigating of her own. If she didn’t find anything, no harm done. If she did, she could give it to the Ministry, use it to finally move her career forward.
Or, alternatively, she could sell the information to the highest bidder and buy herself a nice house somewhere without dark wizards. She still hadn’t decided which way she’d go.
“Potter seemed awfully angry with you,” she says through the thin slot on the door.
“Curious little birdie, aren’t you?”
“Always. I was in Ravenclaw, after all. So, what did you do?”
“Nothing. Didn’t you hear? I’m innocent.”
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713590690},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981946,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5981945
“Of course you are. Everyone here is. But if you were to have done something… well, that would be interesting, wouldn’t it? So why don’t we make a deal? I can’t get you out of here. No one can. But-”
“Potter can.”
“No, he can’t. Not even him. There are enough security enchantments here that an army wouldn’t be able to break these walls down.”
“If you say so, little birdie,” he scoffs.
“So I can’t get you out," she says. "But I could get information out. Or in. If you were to give me something useful to know in return, I mean.”
“Nienna!” Comes a voice from above. “What are you doing there?”
“Just checking if Potter didn’t rough him up too much! Wouldn’t want us to deal with a rotting body in addition to whatever it is that is going on out there!” She shouts back. Then, in a lower voice. “Think about what I said.”
And she skips back up the tower.
-- Interlude Over --","attachment":null,"posted":1713590752},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981949,"name":"HeadQM","msg":"Sorry for the slow update rhythm, but life started happening on the day after I started the thread, coupled with these being difficult updates to write.
I have a birthday tomorrow, so I'm not sure I'll be able to post, but things should return to one post a day soon.","attachment":null,"posted":1713591123},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981952,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"WHO is DOWN THERE?! my paranoia is gonna kill me now with this "thread of information leaking"","attachment":null,"posted":1713591431},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981955,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981952
It's our wonderful tutor
What's more concerning is what came out in cloth.","attachment":null,"posted":1713592001},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981966,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981955
+1 to this sense of dread.
>>5981949
Thanks for the heads up, HQM.","attachment":null,"posted":1713592803},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981982,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981952
It is Crouch. He used his "little birdie" term with this ladder hopping and previously stated corrupt cop. Guess we won't be getting any more lessons if we make it back from Avalon since this silly bitch is probably going to enable Barty to escape. She was in Ravenclaw but wasn't smart enough to not be caught for shit and demoted, was she?
Nienna is a Tolkien reference but not sure if that means anything.
I am glad the shit storm we caused is spreading. These interludes are pretty fun.
Now the big questions are what was Potter carrying after a visit to Crouch and what the REAL reason Brighton didn't have his darkest secret, most horrible memory revealed.
I will think on it and maybe come up with some insane ideas regarding those answers.
>>5981945
Happy birthday QM. Mine is pretty soon as well.","attachment":null,"posted":1713594322},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5981995,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981982
Just to elaborate,
>“No, he can’t. Not even him. There are enough security enchantments here that an army wouldn’t be able to break these walls down.”
Grindlewald got out of US Wizard max security. Crouch and Black managed to escape Azkaban, something people thought was impossible. Voldemort was able to blow a hole in the same place and spring his best followers from it. Voldemort was also able to invade Hogwarts, despite it being protected by it's Ancient magic and a large number of skilled adult wizards plus a fuck ton of teen ones. She had just heard that an object of Power had disappeared from what is likely one of the most secure places in Britain. Harry managed to break into Gringrotts when he was still a student, something also though impossible.
Never say something is impossible lady. Especially when similar things have happened in living memory.","attachment":null,"posted":1713595576},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5982138,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981812
>my immortal
>good","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713617373441011.jpg","filename":"nosides.jpg"},"posted":1713617373},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5982180,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982138
Never read it before. I recalled a couple of anons asking in the 1st thread if Raven's name was a reference but that is it.
I took a look for like 5 minutes last night and... yeah. Not my cup of tea.
So went and thought it over, my crazy conspiracy about Arty.
How the fuck did she know an appropriate incantation for the Torture Curse, being able to guide Apollo to use it? Yeah, people can independently derive spells but these are grown wizards. People who know magic exists. She was an 8 year old girl in a terrible situation who had, supposedly, no idea magic was real till Apollo tossed an entire kitchen at a guy. And even though he wanted their caretaker to suffer too... she knew how to guide the guy to use a massively powerful and evil curse. To use it with out a wand. Accidental magic can be strong, very strong, but casting a real spell with no wand like Apollo did?
Wandless magic takes incredible skill. Even Dumbledore for all his power and experience couldn't toss real spells out; he could light candles or maybe summon small objects to him, ect.
But he pulled off a real spell after his initial use of magic, a powerful one, taught to him by his 8 year old sister by telling him the right word to use and intentionally getting caught and taking a beating because she tried to "help" Apollo; put him in the right frame of mind....
I don't think an abusive caretaker who beat them bloody is paying for shitty Latin lessons.
Where on Earth would a small girl learn that? Why could her and Apollo just stand there holding hands while torturing a man as he was already dying?
>They watch, faces of steel, hand in hand as their “caretaker” suffers.
I will remind ya'll that per Arty the house burned down after this.
Or was burned down. I wonder if there was a small auburn haired girl there who would have thought of that, to hide the evidence. To help give her a tragic enough back story that no one would ever suspect her. One who could have slowly emotionally manipulating her far more powerful twin for years, being nice to him, trying to "help him", had figured out that he tried to kill her and maybe succeed to a degree then used that subtly against him to turn him into her attack dog.
When they had been enrolled in Hogwarts, perhaps this young girl got a job at a very popular tavern, endeared herself to the owner who just so happens to be the wife a professor, then used that job to scout for a mark. Happens to be one showed up who "saved" her from a person he already didn't like, based on Elliot's memories, then told the entire inn he was going to find a way to live forever. Specifically mentions a certain place and then proved himself competent.
Acted vulnerable toward him, shared her back story so he would want to protect her more. Accepted him despite his weird eccentricities and then because of his physical damage.
Arty is a psychopath who may very well have a large part of Merlin in her, the bad part.","attachment":null,"posted":1713621903},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5982181,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982180","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713621996015983.jpg","filename":"8nfunr.jpg"},"posted":1713621996},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5982233,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981812
>Vampires are apparently illegal to just straight up kill
Lorcan d'Eath spent nineteen weeks at number one on Magical Britain's music charts and was essentially Justin Timberlake for the magical girl set in the 90s.
>>5982180
「My Immortal」 is an old meme, a classic example of an incredibly bad fanfic (almost certainly a deliberately bad one) in which all the main characetrs of Harry Potter become goth Satanists and fall in love with a Mary Sue named Ebony Dark'ness Dementia Raven Way.
>The conspiracy
Harry Potter disappeared a bunch of glass and freed some snakes without a word or gesture OR wand, right?
>shitty Latin lessons
Assuming what we just learned from Arty is accurate, any wizard anywhere in the world who derives a killing curse independently learns the words 'avada kadevra', so likewise, 'crucio' must be a universal word of power, rehardless of your spoken language or culture.","attachment":null,"posted":1713626629},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5982841,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981945
>five students had been reported as missing
SUSPECTED missing, damn it! There's no way they checked every single named spider we hid at school already.
Unless they're talking about a different set of five students. Which would be very concerning if so.
Time to paranoia theorycraft on which other five students it could be.","attachment":null,"posted":1713673193},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5982847,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982180
If it comes to light that the Sorting Hat considered putting Arty in Slytherin, exactly like how it considered putting Elliot in Hufflepuff, I will write in Elliot proposing to marry her on the spot","attachment":null,"posted":1713673765},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5982852,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982181
So you all know how Arty mentioned at one point that you can't heal a soul? You recall who also had a damaged soul?
Someone who was an orphan as well? Who's mom died not to long after he was born as well. Her grew up in squalor, in a terrible environment?
A certain guy who also did some pretty fucked up shit as a child?
One who could also control animals?
This convoluted theory is probably not correct in the least but was fun to think about. That a 4'7 girl with less magic than an average 14 year old was the real final boss of the quest. If I happen to be right.. well QM would certainly have done a good job with this twist. After all, who would suspect Arty.
But any way, I was going to probably commission another thing for our tiny evil master-mind of a girlfriend soon so I need to know if people think a playboy bunny suit is better or a muggle "sexy witch" Halloween costume is better. I am leaning towards the bunny suit.
Either way she is getting that pair of impractical high heels which was mentioned at one point.","attachment":null,"posted":1713674411},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5982854,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982852
>muggle "sexy witch" Halloween costume
This one, please
>convoluted theory
If it happens, I'll still vote to go all the way with her. If not, then I'll be glad we don't have some dumb subversion happening for the sake of trauma twist","attachment":null,"posted":1713674859},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5982858,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982854
+1 to everything this anon just said","attachment":null,"posted":1713675188},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5982859,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982858
>new ip
ooh god dammit, my energy flicks for a second and everything goes down to shit, drawfag reporting again, i guess
fuck, now i gotta check if the K&Q thread is fucked too...","attachment":null,"posted":1713675256},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5982972,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982847
>I will write in Elliot proposing to marry her on the spot
I was going to suggest, if both of them make it through all this, and make it through the year that we propose. Not get married right right then and there but like a two year engagement, so Arty can finish school. Maybe ask if mom has grandma's old engagement ring we could give her.
Even if she did turn out to be evil... I would still want her, yah.
>>5982858
If sexy witch seems to be more popular or what not, I suppose I will start looking at reference images. I have a generic idea of what your basic white girl version should look like but there are different styles.","attachment":null,"posted":1713692070},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5982985,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982972
>Even if she did turn out to be evil... I would still want her, yah.
if anything, that only makes me want her more, can you imagine? our own gremlin evil spider queen","attachment":null,"posted":1713693638},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5983019,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982985
Evil girls as well as unstable ones are hotter. This has been proven. So slightly evil is the only way that a 10 could be any better than she already is.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713701159110042.jpg","filename":"ArtyIAmEvil.jpg"},"posted":1713701159},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5983033,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982972
You mean 1 year, right? Because the quest started in Elliot's first week of 6th year. This means by the end of the 6th year, there will only be one year left. You'd want the timing to happen so that once they graduate Hogwarts the marriage happens that same week","attachment":null,"posted":1713702655},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5983152,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983033
I was saying more as so Arty could finish her education.
So if we proposed at the end of this school year, there would be the engagement and she could complete her 6th and 7th years since she is only 15 right now.
If she really, really wanted to, you can stop your magical education after 5th year and not get your wand snapped by the wizard feds as long as you completed your OWLs in 5th year.
Her idol, Newt Scamander was suspended from Hogwarts sometime after his 5th year.
Also guess what one of mister Scamander's middle names was?
Motherfucking Artemis.
Pertinger may be a regional variation on the name Pettinger. A family who has a family motto which roughly translates from Latin to:
"Courage against difficulties."
Seems quite appropriate for Arty.","attachment":null,"posted":1713719255},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5983219,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983152
I see. I forgot Arty is one year below Elliot. At this rate, there might be no way out of her dropping out one year before the end, unless we wait REAL patiently","attachment":null,"posted":1713725445},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5983671,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983219
I mean, Elliot came from a good home and has a mom who has specifically warned him about teen pregnancy. Arty wants kids but also doesn't want Apollo to kill her boyfriend for getting her knocked up while in school. She is saving up money specifically to pay for her 7th year instead of relying on charity, so she has no plans to leave early. Wizard birth control is very good. And if she get preggers while she was still at Hogwarts, like if she is so hyper fertile normal anti-pregnacy potions just don't work? I mean she couldn't be the first in 1000 years. I am sure they have accommodations; you can also take the Wizard equivalent of a GED exam in the form of a WOMBAT test and get your diploma. And I think even if they didn't have accommodations, Elliot would make them.
If she leaves early, it would probably be due to getting kicked out because of being involved in Elliot's bullshit, if anything.
I do now want a picture of a slightly older Arty with a small baby bump and happy tears in her eyes telling Elliot that it is going to be twins.
","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713741647101104.png","filename":"cumflatedspider.png"},"posted":1713741647},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5983672,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983671
Would that really be cause for celebration, knowing what happened to her and Apollo?","attachment":null,"posted":1713741763},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5983692,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983672
I think her and Elliot will be better parents than her mom and their caretaker were. And magical twins don't always end up taking stuff in the womb. Fred and George Weasley were just fine and so are Summer and Winter Nott.
We are also going to fix her problem so even if they were born like she and Apollo were, we can help them.","attachment":null,"posted":1713742369},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5983697,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983692
Makes sense. All we can do right now is wait for HeadQM to post his update","attachment":null,"posted":1713742821},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5983769,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"VOTING FOR ARTY HAS STARTED
I REPEAT, VOTING FOR ARTY HAS STARTED
THIS IS NOT A TEST!
BE SURE TO VOTE FOR HER
i will be delivering her wedding outfit in a few hours, to help with the fanart","attachment":null,"posted":1713747932},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5983809,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983769
Oh shit. It has begun...
The time of prophesy has arrived.
We will get a tiny princess crown for her.
If she doesn't win having some art of of her with a Burger King crown Elliot gave her would be very fucking funny.","attachment":null,"posted":1713751155},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5983811,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983809","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713751223599988.jpg","filename":"http __i.huffpost.com_gen_3812214_images_n-BURGER-KING-CROWN-628x314.jpg"},"posted":1713751223},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5983944,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Arty´s wedding outfit has been posted in the K&Q thread along with my vote
however, thats just the lineart, i´ll post the colored version here in a few hours","attachment":null,"posted":1713759393},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5983945,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"I left for a bit to go work why is everyone discussing teenage pregnancy","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713759534519315.png","filename":"EAGzCXQX4AAO8Ss.png"},"posted":1713759534},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5983950,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983945
Maladapted anons are the bread and butter of the site, I don't know what you were expecting.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713760063582166.jpg","filename":"20240319_230008.jpg"},"posted":1713760063},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5983971,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983945
Someone brought it up and the rest of us needed to ensure QM know we weren't in favor of it.","attachment":null,"posted":1713762437},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5983973,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983945
>>5983950
I mean, I was arguing that it wouldn't happen. Just to be fair.
I have a lot of fetishes but that isn't one.
>>5983944
It looks really good bro! I like the difference in "wedding" Arty's face and "daydreaming" Arty's face. It is cute.
Also still just love smug Linda.
Our girl does seem to have a fair lead so far.
Since everyone in the loser's bracket will get some art from OlympusQM, any thoughts on what we would like to see?
Also, since I have in it my head to commission a couple more pieces at some point let me know if you are interested. You probably deserve some money, given how much art you have given out for free.","attachment":null,"posted":1713762807},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5983974,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983971
Problem is he keeps bringing it up, guy just does not believe in birth control. Here's a tip: lets just pretend he's not here.","attachment":null,"posted":1713762838},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5984008,"name":"HeadQM","msg":"Once your eyes finally adjust to the light, you see the room you are in. It is, as best as you can describe it, a great castle made of white marble, though the culture eludes you. “Older than ancient Egypt” is your best guess, but it could be anything. Great pillars rise to your left and to your right, embossed illustrations on the walls showing what appears to be people battling, but it is difficult to be sure without a close examination, and it is difficult to examine closely without getting blinded, since even after several minutes of being there you still need to squint to cope with the light that seems to come from every direction.
“Where are we?” Brighton asks. “Are we still under St Mungo’s or have we been transported somewhere entirely?”
“I don’t think it really matters. Apollo, can you check if we can send patronuses yet?”
He does so, but his silver bear refuses to appear.
“Right. Cane, can you do anything?” You tap it against the floor and a red line briefly appears coming from its tip, slithering its way over the floor and disappearing in the distance. “Right... Are we supposed to follow it?”
“Uh, Elliot?” Linda says, pointing at one portion of the wall. “Take a look at this.”
The mural depicts a series of pictures, the first of which appears to be a bull-like creature causing havoc to a city by breathing fire over it, then two warriors fighting it and defeating it. Then there is a congregation of people of great importance looking displeased, demanding something, followed by one of the two warriors looking queasy, then ill, until finally dead. The other warrior despairs over the body of his friend and leaves his city behind.
“Oh come the fuck on!” You shout.
“What is it?” Arty asks.
“The Bull of Heavens… was supposedly killed by Gilgamesh and Enkidu. The gods got mad the pair had killed their creation, and demanded one of them to die. So, Enkidu became ill and passed away, which led Gilgamesh to become fearful of death and set out on a journey to find a way to become immortal.” You rub the bridge of your nose in utter disbelief. “The Epic of Gilgamesh is the single oldest written story we know of, we’re talking ancient Sumeria, four thousand years ago.”
“You don’t think-”
“I honestly don’t know. Was Merlin Gilgamesh? Is this here just because it was the first story of someone seeking immortality? Or was Gilgamesh someone else who was after immortality too, and who Merlin either helped or just watched from afar for his own amusement? I have no idea. It all seems equally likely.”
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713766860},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5984009,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5984008
“What is the meaning of this?” Hisses a voice behind you, sounding displeased. You all turn, wands raised, to see… Yourself. Same look, same voice, same vests, same scars. It doesn't look like a ghost, just a perfect reflection of you. There is just something slightly off about his eyes that you can't quite pinpoint.
“Uh-huh,” Linda says in a tone of voice that makes it clear there is no remaining space in her for surprise. “So that’s what’s happening right now.”
“They do not belong here,” the not-you says, a strange look in his eyes. As he speaks, his tone climbs in fury. “The living have no business in Kur! Was Arthur not enough? Must you bring chaos to my lands once more!? Must you disrespect us at every possible point!? Have we not suffered enough!?”
It takes a moment for your mind to gather its pieces from being blown. Whatever is happening, whoever this creature is, it clearly hasn’t realized you are not Merlin. Would he be as angry if he knew you weren't him, or would knowing only make things worse?
If you are not mistaken, Kur was the old sumerian afterlife, though you don’t remember much more than that. It is possible you could get information from this creature by pretending to be Merlin, but if it realizes the ruse it could become more violent. At the same time, you could pretend to be Merlin and try to get it to help you get through this place, at the cost of not asking him anything. Or you could reveal who you are, and ask for help.
What will you do?
> Pretend to be Merlin and focus on gathering knowledge (What questions will you ask?)
> Pretend to be Merlin and focus on moving on from here/finding a way to regain your memories
> Reveal you are not Merlin and ask for his help
> Attack before he can react
> Other (Write in)","attachment":null,"posted":1713766952},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5984014,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984009
oh boy, we cant just catch a break, cant we?
i say
>Reveal you are not Merlin and ask for his help
if we have any chance of doing this peacefully i say we take it
if he finds out we bullshiting him, things most likely will get ugly
he clearly hates Merlin, maybe if we tell him we are here to stop him or put an end to his shit, maybe he could ally with us?","attachment":null,"posted":1713767635},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5984077,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"ok, i think i bit more than i could chew with these shadows, not hard, but time consuming, so this wont be ready tonight as i wanted it to be, but at least im done with them, next step is light and finally color
hope you all enjoy this so far
>>5983973
>any thoughts on what we would like to see?
how about Arty riding an acromantula while pointing ahead as if looking for adventure and enjoying herself?
>spoiler
i mean, i wont say im NOT interested, but how? i dont have any accounts on anything","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713779189674016.jpg","filename":"lineart + shadows.jpg"},"posted":1713779189},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5984084,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983974
I won't bring it up again this entire thread just to be "fair" to you, okay?
>>5984014
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1713782202},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5984096,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984009
>> Reveal you are not Merlin and ask for his help","attachment":null,"posted":1713785951},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5984097,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984077
That would be funny. Arty totally would saddle up on giant dangerous creature and ride toward adventure.
As for the other point, I have no clue if you don't want to set up an account on something like paypal. Just asking because you have put a
lot of effort into contributing to the quest.
If you decide here is the burner email I set up to pay for IGs art and paying for part of the Q&K competition.
Stuff4Quests@proton.me
>>5984009
So is this guy Nergal or Neti? Just the shade of an Atlantean?
It is also fun that in quite a few ways we are mirroring Merlin and a lot of immortality/power seeking people, including the first "hero" extant in written legends.
>We seek to oppose Merlin. Make it so he could never trample among the dead again. I understand it is Hell down her. Can I offer you a glass of water, a libation to sooth your suffering and anger.
I will also remind anons that how Gilgamesh lost the cure to death after journeying below to find it was he left it on the side of a river for a minute because he wanted to drink and wash up some, since he was on his way back to Uruk and obviously needed to look his best.
Then a tricky snake ate the herbs which would grant him hiw youth once more.
Campbell had categorized one portion of the Hero's journey as the part where he descends into the underworld or into and returns with the "Elixir" after his many trials.
The Fool's journey in Tarot mirror's many of the part of that journey.
Being ignorant, a "Fool" finding his friends, the Magician, the high Priestess, the Lover, the Heirophant... ect. And then he must endure struggles, including the Tower card which represents adversity or great misfortune. He then must confront the Arcana representing Death and overcome it. Only then can the Fool advance towards ultimate freedom, power over his own life.","attachment":null,"posted":1713786047},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5984132,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984077
Could you link your art blog or site?","attachment":null,"posted":1713790794},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5984213,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984132
I do not have an art site yet, I have a deviantart page, but it’s literally empty and doesn’t even have the same name I use now
I’ll try to get everything in there soon tho, just gotta pay to change the name, i’lll link it up whenever I do that","attachment":null,"posted":1713801931},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5984265,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984097
>paypal
ooh, i actually think i do have an account there from long ago, it should work, i´ll send you an email when i get out of work","attachment":null,"posted":1713809819},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5984293,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984265
Cool. I hope you have a good day at the job.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713814876557716.gif","filename":"1445825625641.gif"},"posted":1713814876},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5984307,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984009
> Reveal you are not Merlin and ask for his help
Looks like we share a mutual enemy, sort of.","attachment":null,"posted":1713817605},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5984362,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Ok finally finished reading thread 5. I am fully caught up now.","attachment":null,"posted":1713824707},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5984374,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984362
thoughts so far? how was it?","attachment":null,"posted":1713825463},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5984388,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984374
Amazing start to finish. It'll be additionally better when the drawfag and writefag can archive their shit properly, but still very good. Do you think we can walk straight out of the path to Avalon when we're done here, or will we get autoteleported out and the place seals up again? It's just a straight path from the doorway in through the statue section, then around the lake of rot, then down the stairs to the trauma door, then through it into this white castle afterlife zone","attachment":null,"posted":1713827723},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5984403,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984388
>when the drawfag can archive their shit properly
i´ll set up my deviant art page soon, just need to get some important expenses out of the way soon, then i´ll dump everything there, i promise
i wonder if i should make a pixiv too?","attachment":null,"posted":1713829481},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5984406,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984403
Up to you, drawfag","attachment":null,"posted":1713829693},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5984419,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984388
>Amazing start to finish.
Even during the first thread it had good writing and it only got better as I imagine QM got a better handle of where he wanted to have the campaign go. I also thought Arty's little accent in our first couple of interactions was cute even though she dropped it eventually.
I am sad you couldn't be there for things like our first attempt at war crimes or rolling for Elliot's dick size and coming up with 1's again and again. That was probably the moment that as a player laughed the hardest. Get it? Hardest?
I will try to work on sticking the now like 100 pages of shit I have written as fanfics of a fanfic somewhere soon, as I was trying to go through and make them less bad; I have no clue why suptg decided to not archive pdf's for /qst/ when I swear it used to.
I will also post the short shitty thing I wrote speculating if Arty ended up being evil tonight likely.
I was planning at one point to put the updates in into a pdf but I have probably abandoned that project for now, since I wanted important posts, write ins to be added for context and it is a bitch and a half to find all of those and add them.
>>5984403
Doubling up is never a bad thing. I think I still have a pixiv too, from back when I still drew some.
Also, it looks like Arty is going to take her 1st round by a good margin!","attachment":null,"posted":1713831280},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5984424,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984419
I seem to recall the reason cited for not archiving PDFs was disc space. Not quite sure I follow that since a PDF is just as subject to the filesize cap as an image and the proportion of PDFs is tiny compared to images. Suptg is best part of 20 years old though so maybe things worked differently on 2007-chan.","attachment":null,"posted":1713832109},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5984440,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984424
Lord Licorice does this shit for free so I can't really blame him for his choices.
Anyway, back to writing about Arty having manipulated everyone around her for her entire life and when she had ultimate power in front of her, she turned away because she had truly fallen for Elliot and loved him. Him and the twins which are on the way.
Why yes I am a hack and love angst and cliches.","attachment":null,"posted":1713833825},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5984509,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"WE DID IT! SHE WON HER FIRST ROUND!","attachment":null,"posted":1713839274},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5984715,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5984388
>>5984419
>I also thought Arty's little accent in our first couple of interactions was cute even though she dropped it eventually.
Yeah, she was supposed to be scottish-ish, I think, but then I decided I know shit about accents and would either not be able to keep up with them or forget to put it in every other phrase, and just dropped it entirely.
My biggest curiosity about a PDF would be just to see how much I wrote in total. I feel like it is a lot, but then again, I have two other TTRPG in which I put far too much time DMing
Also, thank for the compliments! They do help and motivate a very great deal!
--
“I am no Merlin,” you say, wand still pointed at your clone. “And these are not Arthur. We are here because Merlin failed and fell. But there are those who seek his power to bring great doom upon the world, and we are here to ensure they never do.”
Your face seems to retract from its fury then ponder this for a moment.
“The Thief of Atlantis cannot fail. He has the Sight Beyond Sight.”
“There are shadows that not even the Sight Beyond Sight can pierce. Merlin walked into such a shadow, and there he perished.” You say. There is something in this person’s tone of voice, like that which you’d expect from someone telling a tale of old. You feel inclined to follow suit. “Yet still he tries to flee from death’s grasp, yet if he succeeds, he will bring doom upon the world and darkness upon the earth. That, too, we seek to mend, if not in this place, then on another.”
“If the Thief has perished, humanity is soon to follow,” he insists. “And your journey is in vain. We do not believe you. No man’s hand can end him.”
“It was no mere hand which felled him. It was his own. His Greatest Work went awry and took him with it. Believe me or not, we have gathered his Cloak, his Wand and his Stone. Merlin would not part with such, if he was not dead. Nor with his haven’s location.”
He takes a moment to consider this.
“The Thief is no more?”
“Not for a millenia.”
“Yet his work endures. That may be an acceptable way to interpret the visions of the Sight Beyond Sight, though whether that means life has any hope of surviving, we do not know. We are filled with grief.” His face did not show any changes to reflect any sadness. “For the Thief was the greatest of those who remained, even if that is as little a praise as one can give.”
“Who are you to speak such from the Great Merlin? Who are you to call him a Thief?”
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713858346},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5984717,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5984715
“We are Irkalla, and We are that which the Thief stole and remade. We are the last Great Work he took for himself before being banished. We were the guardians of where the Great Ones rested. We are now the guardians of these lands, where the tears for the dead which the Foul One above purified are turned to power through the distillation of Time. A process which We cannot stop, and which your companions’ presence disturbs. We are the guardian of the Grail of Memories, where the one with Sight Beyond Sight can remake himself for his next life.”
“And how can one reach the Grail of Memories?” You ask, a moment of relief going through you. “For the Foul One above has done her duty even when her master has already fallen, and injured me greatly. My memories must be put back to where they belong, before they fade into nothingness.”
“You must undergo the Test through which Merlin put himself through. To live is to improve. To live is to become better. Or it should be. For those who have Life Eternal, it must be. And so, upon his return, he faced an Echo of his old self in battle, for he must prove to himself he was better than he was before. You must do the same.”
Your stomach sinks, and for a moment you forget about talking like an old legend.
“I… I need to fight Merlin? I mean, Lailoken?”
“No. For the Thief brough another here. Another, which he tried to bring back from the dead. We warned him it would not succeed. This is not this place’s purpose, and he failed. Yet that body is still within us. That body is our memory. He is the one you must face.”
“Arthur,” you whisper. That was certainly an improvement to facing the most powerful wizard in recorded history, though there was some part of you who had many problems with facing the Once and Future King. It at least brings you enough calm to speak anciently once again. “And what shall be the nature of such a duel?”
“That which the Echo does best. There have been battles of wits, there have been battles of power. What it will be, we do not know.”
You nod.
“May I have my allies with me in battle?”
“That will depend on the Echo’s wishes. Once I bring him forth, you shall be at his mercy.”
“Wait! Before you go, may I ask you more? There is much we do not understand, much we do not understand.”
Your clone ponders for a moment, before nodding.
“Very well. Ask, and though there is much I do not know, I shall answer what I can.”
> What will you ask before the Echo is summoned? (Write in)","attachment":null,"posted":1713858407},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5984732,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984717
jesus fucking christ, i was not expecting it to go this well with our clone, yet the situation grows dire by the minute...i dont think i have the mental capabilities at this time of the night to ask a proper intelligent question, so i´ll go with the next best thing i can do:
>"should we come victorious from this duel, would it be possible for whatever magic that resides deeper within these walls, be capable of..."mending" a broken soul? a stumped magical source? for one our companions is in need of such magic, we do not seek to abuse its power, simply mend a terrible and unfair accident, would they be able to use it and come forward with a renewed spirit and vigor?"
there, please somebody ask something more relevant to our main quest, for i´ve asked about our adorable companion to the best of my insomniac limited ability","attachment":null,"posted":1713862537},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5984733,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984732
or...you know, something along those lines, dont wanna put Apollo in the spotlight","attachment":null,"posted":1713862619},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5984762,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984732
I really have nothing to ask him which is clever. We could check to see if he knows about Excalibur and whether it still rests in this place. Ask if he knows how long he has been active for, to get a better timeframe on when Atlantis existed.
I love how Merlin stole/ re purposed magic AI's when he fled. At least this one seems more civil than Nimue, slimy bitch.
It is also fun he took Elliot's appearance and our next challenge will be to over come King Arthur. Elliot is the next coming of Arthur, the greatest king in British history. I doubt we are getting in a sword fight. King Elliot when?
I imagine it is either a test of rulership qualities, being just, fair, clever and wise.
That or a battle which tests your ability to unite and lead people, since Arthur was the one to lead his people to defeat the Saxon invasion. That would be a good way to make our army bonus relevant again, since for now we stopped participating in Battle class.
If the latter is true, Raven will be invaluable.","attachment":null,"posted":1713868789},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5984788,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984717
>"That mural there, that is the story of Gilgamesh the king. Even outside here, in the rest of the world, that is the oldest story still known that survived to the present. How is it related to Merlin and this... process he devised here?"
I am half-tempted to ask him about the Mirror of Erised and Atlantis, or about what happens to this place once the trials end. The latter is kinda dumb because of course Merlin made it so he goes back out with the three hallows released from the gate, otherwise this entire place loses the reusability that Merlin has relied on for so long. I imagine he made it straightforward and idiot-proof on purpose for his own convenience too, because the path from the way in to this section is completely linear. But anyway, how can we ask this guy about Atlantis?
>>5984762
The Excalibur/Caliburn question is also another good one, but I don't know how much time we have to ask him things. With Nimue we had no time because every question cost memories as permanent stat loss. Still suck we lost like 9 potions stat, but we can always relearn and return to form. Elliot has Most Potente Poisons completed and has his own notes plus Snape's 5th year book. He can make a potions comeback","attachment":null,"posted":1713875182},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5984799,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984788
I could support asking about the Mirror, since I have theories about it. And Caliburn/Excalibur seems appropriate, give its connects to the the legend of the lady of the lake. It might just be a metaphor for how Merlin himself tossed himself into the lake to be reforged, but it has been referenced a couple of times already.","attachment":null,"posted":1713877846},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5985042,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984717
I have no idea what to write in and am too busy to come up with something
Just wanted to say that this is fucking awesome
>>5984788
I’m gonna second this anon’s idea, at least, since it’d be worth bringing up the mural when we have time","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713892927005594.jpg","filename":"IMG_5238.jpg"},"posted":1713892927},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5985105,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984732
>>5984788","attachment":null,"posted":1713896132},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5985217,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984717
I'm >>5984307
>>5984788
I'll back the Arthur and Gilgamesh questions, especially Arthur since we're about to throw hands.","attachment":null,"posted":1713903586},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5985225,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"technically, we can ask more than one question, right? he did said: "I shall answer what I can.”","attachment":null,"posted":1713904140},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5985238,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5985225
Yes, you may ask whatever you want (whether he will answer or not, or take offense to it or not, that is something else entirely)","attachment":null,"posted":1713905486},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5985241,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985238
So basically it's
>Gilgamesh questioning
>Arthur questioning
>Mirror of Erised questioning
>mending broken soul questioning
Hmmmmm... I wonder what would happen if we took Alice and Frank through the Avalon trials. Would they get their memories and mind back, or are they perma-goners?","attachment":null,"posted":1713905788},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5985397,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985241
It honestly would have been interesting to see what would happen with Frank/Alice or rather Goddy/Rae with us, considering they knew Merlin and Rae had some of his memories. Might have been useful but I do think getting them in healthy young bodies is going to pay dividends in the end. Linda and Brighton were already pretty good duelists and magically powerful by normal 16 year old standards. They haven't been trained by a crazy death eater like us and Arty but them eventually being able to get a power and skill boost is going to probably be really helpful when we eventually have to take down Potter in the end game.
We do probably need to figure out if Brighton knows any Occulemency and if not, try and get him some lessons.
Regardless, if we still have the battle classes for a while after Avalon shakes out, Linda is going to be a beast with the smartest of the founders to advise her. She was already smarter than us with tactics.
I am also glad way back in thread 1 we picked Raven to be one of our best friend. She is snarky and amusing. Her accidentally getting a broken nose from Taylor when we first started Battle class and given him shit saying she was going to call the Aurors for him being a woman beater was great. Her Muggle studies specialty and being able to give a banked roll saved us a couple of times in the fights, even if it seems like the second or third least good specialty an ally could have. I also wonder what it would be like if we pursued her as a love interest. Her speculating on if Rowena could give her a futa cock and would be DTF was one of the funnier things I recently recall.
And gave me a little bit of incentive to try and write a brief sex scene about it, even if futa is not one of my many fetishes. If the founder of Ravenclaw was as thirsty as "Faith" was after a 1000 year long dry spell? She might do it. Plus given how familiar she is with her "toys", Raven could probably manifest a few in her dreamscape. Picrel is why Raven knows you cant have kids from a ghost, btw.
I will go ahead and support all these questions QM.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713921187824226.png","filename":"RavenandGhosts.png"},"posted":1713921187},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5985592,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985397
>spoiler
do it in your next fanfic","attachment":null,"posted":1713931336},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5985607,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985592
I might give it a shot and see what I can come up with, if I like what I put out. I probably could use a pallet cleanser if I manage to finish the "evil Arty" one and the very disturbing other one.
I managed to get the really fucked up part of the other one done but I might try and make it even worse. The part where
Arty is tortured and sexually assaulted by Crouch who has smuggled in a real wand in front of Elliot. Has her vagina turned into a bloody mess by him and breaks to the point she begs Elliot to kill, her all for the purpose of forcing him to use the Killing Curse.
Now I just need to write the aftermath.
So some wholesome futa goth teen on 1000 year old ghost might be what I need.
I had also considered a wholesome one, aside from all the sex at the front, where Elliot proposes to Arty.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713932850408499.jpg","filename":"1443214872232.jpg"},"posted":1713932850},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5985611,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985607
>that spoiler
Very despicable. Question is how can Potter even let this happen? Anyway, the rest of the fic ideas sound good","attachment":null,"posted":1713933096},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5985612,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985607
>spoiler
oh man, kinda would have preferred if you had keeped it a secret, but still eagerly waiting for more lewd fanfics","attachment":null,"posted":1713933374},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5985616,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985607
>the spoiler","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713933638400111.png","filename":"Screenshot - 2018-02-03 , 5_12_38 PM.png"},"posted":1713933638},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5985618,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985611
Takes place after a theoretical version of Avalon with his time turner destroyed and Crouch blocked off Appiration/Portkeys once they got there. Had his old house elf who found out he was alive, the one who got him a real wand, cause a disturbance at Hogwarts when Potter dropped us off to distract him. Only way left to make it to the island is with brooms which would give him plenty of time to do this, given it is in the middle of no where.","attachment":null,"posted":1713933647},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5985627,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985616
I assure you, I am not writing it because I get off on any part. It was more just, "What would make Elliot hate enough to use that spell when what was describe as a demon killing his best friend couldn't" interested me.
I do love my angst and whatnot, but this is in no way meant to be a lewdfic. I am sure there is someone out there who would use it like one.
It is the worst thing I have ever written, and I like Arty enough to commission art of her.
>>5985612
The fact that someone cares enough to be sad about the spoiler and reads this shit fills my withered, blackened heart with joy, enough I could cast a Patronus if I had a wand.","attachment":null,"posted":1713934409},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5985634,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985627
>The fact that someone cares enough
>someone
>check IP
>new one
FUCK THIS INTERNET!
its me, the drawfag
oh great, now i have to check the K^Q thread again","attachment":null,"posted":1713935099},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5985739,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984097
hey, sorry it took longer than expected, i send it to you already","attachment":null,"posted":1713951756},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5985776,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985739
I got the email bro. How about a quick head shot of a smug Linda, something like what you did for her in the spider wedding photo?","attachment":null,"posted":1713957325},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5985957,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5984732
“What do you know about the magic below?” You ask. “You said it could not bring someone back from the dead. Then what can it do?”
“We do not know for certain. We are not one of the Great Ones, only their creation. We do not possess knowledge ourselves, only a blurred view of it, like a man walking through fog. No, less than a man, for we are not truly alive, nor do we truly think.” Irkalla says, and it is strange to see him say he does not think. He seems pretty thinking for you. “We are but a cog in this machine, and it is a machine to create a body. But a body needs a spirit, and that this Great Work cannot create. It can only move and repair.”
“What do you mean, repair?” It is Brighton who asks, jumping at the opportunity. “There are… there are people we know. They were tortured to insanity. Can it- can this heal them?”
“We do not know. There is Khet and there is Sah, there is Ren and there is Ba. There is Ka and there is Ib, there is Shut and Sekhem. Not all can it heal. Not all can be healed. We do not know which is which. We do not know what is needed to achieve the Thief’s Great Work. All we know is there are some it cannot create or repair.”
Brighton turns to you.
“What is he talking about, Hallaster?”
“Those are Egyptian,” Linda says, cutting in. “They thought the soul was divided into eight parts. Body and spirit, name and personality, life essence and heart, shadow and form. I suppose that a dead body, like Arthur’s, doesn’t have something that it needs for Avalon to work. Or maybe it lacks too many of them. I suppose that if it could bring back a dead body to life… It would also just be able to create a brand new person out of thin air.”
"Why is it talking about Egyptian stuff? Hallaster said it was sumerian."
“Because it isn’t speaking modern English either,” you say. “The most recent person it spoke to was Merlin, who spoke ancient English. So it is using our knowledge, filtering its speech through what we know. It is… translating as best it can. Some things are bound to come out with some imprecision.”
>>5984762
“There are many stories in this place,” you say. “Or at least people who are stories in my time. Gilgamesh on the walls. Arthur, which you said is resting below. What are they? Why are they here?“
“The Great Ones did not age,” he says. “How, we do not know. But still, some died, for the flesh is frail and can be sundered. We were the keeper of those who fell. Yet there were some who were not content with this. Those who feared death even then. The one on the wall is one who did not accept his fate, for given eternity, everything that has any chance of happening will happen, and so, as there was a chance of them dying, they would die in time.”
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713988509},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5985958,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5985957
“When his lover died from the cursed blood of a foul beast, he sought a way of stopping it from ever happening. He left the lands of the Great Ones, in search of a solution. It is then that he found one of the Lessers, and from their union the Thief was born. How his story arrived at your ears, we do not know, for it happened in a time before history, and when the Land of the Great Ones ceased to be, it did not happen at all.”
“In some stories, Merlin is said to have no father. Because his father was an Atlantean. Because his father was erased from time,” you whisper in disbelief. Others said his father was a demon, also because he had been Atlantean. Both had been true. It was almost ridiculous how a lot of the legends fit, once you saw the stumbling path through time they had taken. You shake your head, getting back to asking questions. “And Arthur?”
“That one, we do not know. Merlin insisted he needed to be brought back, that maybe this Great Work would bring him back if given enough time. We told him that he would not succeed, for not even the Great Ones had done so, and he was Below them. He dismissed us. And time has passed, and we have not felt the Basin of Life ever deplete, nor Arthur ever wake.”
A far less important but still quite relevant thought crosses your mind.
“Did… did Merlin bring Arthur’s sword with him to this place?”
“Elliot!” Arty chastises you.
“Look, I’m curious to know if I can claim rulership of Britain, alright?”
“He was brought with his armor,” Irkalla says. “Whether he carried a sword or scabbard, we did not see.”
>>5984788
“There was this Artifact we found. A Great Mirror which surpasses any other Ancient Artifact I have ever found. Would you happen to know of it?”
“No,” Irkalla says. “If Merlin possessed such Great Work, he never brought it through us.”
--
You sigh. There were a lot of “We do not know”s in that conversation, but you suppose that if you asked the Sorting Hat about the inner workings of Hogwarts, his answers would also be filled with unknowns.
But now you knew the Atlanteans had been immortal, at least when it came to aging. And it still hadn’t been enough for them. Merlin’s father, whoever he had been, had searched for a way of making them all truly immortal, even to the death of the body.
And either the wizards of Atlantis all had their Horcruxes in Atlantis when it was destroyed, or… They had never managed to produce them, which is an encouraging thought, if you think about it. It means they didn’t know everything, that mere Lessers had done something they hadn’t been able to.
Because Voldemort had survived the death of his body, even if at a high cost.
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713988571},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5985960,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5985958
“What happens with this place when we pass?”
Irkalla points to your cane.
“The Line of Reality brings with it the Essence of the World Outside and carves an open path so that the energy can flow. And, at the end, the spiral becomes a circle, the Great Work done, and the cogs are removed from the machine.”
You didn’t understand half of that, but you’re pretty sure that means you’ll have an easy way out and the Deathly Hallows with you. Good, at least one less thing to worry about.
“Very well, I think that is everything I wanted to ask. Bring on Arthur.”
He nods. “Good luck, Elliot Hallaster. May you succeed where Merlin has failed.”
Your clone fades, and there is silence. Then, slowly, the scenery around you starts to shift. The white walls become gray stone. The embossed images become paintings or windows, and through the windows you see great green hills, then the sea.
“So it seems I must face a battle once more,” says a voice in front of you. You turn to see a handsome man in his forties, maybe fifties. He wears armor, a beautiful red cape, and a crown over his dark-brown hair. He has a beard, and eyes that look tired, not from sleep, but from something much deeper and far more difficult to heal. And despite the weariness, he looks royal and kingly, the way all tales say a king should look. “I can only hope for a worthy opponent, for a worthy death has been denied to me.”
You look around and realize that you are sitting opposite to him at a table. A Round Table. If you weren’t in the middle of the biggest heist in history, you’d squeal. By your side, two on each side, are your friends.
“Your Majesty, it is a great honor to meet you,” you say, not quite managing to keep your voice from shaking.
“It is no honor at all, for you do not meet me.” He says, and it pains you to see him like this. If nothing else, it reflects how Arthur had been on his end days. Hurt. Exhausted. Wanting to lay down and rest for a long, long time. “I am but a shadow, a passing lie. For there are no true thoughts within me, I know that above all. Yet perform my duty I must, and so test you I shall.”
You nod.
“Very well, your majesty. What shall be your test?”
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713988638},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5985962,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5985960
“It would not be fair of me to choose our battle. I am a king, you are but a child. So, a choice. I was a strong man, so we may battle like we did in my time. With swords and shields, with sweat and grit. You against me.”
“Yet I was also a wise man. I passed judgment against people, as was necessary for a king. I negotiated, I threatened. We shall test your wisdom against mine. Three scenarios I shall place before you, things that happened in my life, problems that I faced, and you shall tell me your solution. If I judge them worthy, if I judge them wiser and fairer than what I did in life, then you shall pass.”
“But I was also a leader. Not all battles I fought personally, but I had to know who to send to them. I had to know the weaknesses of my soldiers, the strength of their fist and the power of their character before sending them to battle. Me and my four soldiers against you and your four, each in a different situation. You choose which of yours to send on each confrontation, each one once, and if your win most of them, you may pass.”
“What will you choose, Elliot Hallaster?”
> The Test of Strength
> The Test of Wisdom
> The Test of Leadership
You may also write in any questions to attempt to ask him throughout whatever trial you choose.","attachment":null,"posted":1713988698},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5985985,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985962
>> The Test of Leadership
this feels like the one we'd have the best chance of succeeding at","attachment":null,"posted":1713990927},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5985988,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985962
>strength
nah, we arent that strong nor clever enough to beat him in magicless combat, thats a hard pass
it has to be either wisdom or leadership
>Wisdom
a good option, but there are many things we dont know, context we lack, Elliot is something of a history nerd, but i doubt he or anyone has enough TRUE information about Arthur himself and maybe some of the stuff he know could be wrong
i say Elliot would know he is wise enough to know he isnt wise enough
>Leadership
this has to be our best shot at beating him
we are basically a power rangers team, we have different strengths and we know our team, we´ve commanded an army before and we won the "war", Elliot gazing into the mirror, pulling the heist of the millenia and stealing the 3 most powerful magical artifacts to get here to begin with is proof enough.
we´ve lead our team through the lake of rot, tanking the hit, we calmed them when they had to face their worst memories to move ahead.
we are not the GOAT at anything, but we are a great lider and having OUR ENTIRE TEAM make it here basically intact shows we know what we are doing and are at the VERY LEAST competent at being the lider
my vote is for
>The Test of Leadership","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713991019060422.jpg","filename":"Power-Rangers-group-team.jpg"},"posted":1713991019},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5985993,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985962
>Leadership","attachment":null,"posted":1713991161},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5985995,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985962
> The Test of Leadership
This one is cool","attachment":null,"posted":1713991212},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5986008,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985993
>>5985985
>>5985988
>>5985995
We got any questions for the big A-man himself? Excalibur/Caliburn? His armor? If we can do anything with his body, if Merlin couldn't revive him and Merlin is gone now? Maybe carry his corpse out of Avalon to give him a proper burial? Maybe ask him questions about Merlin as a person? Fuck, Arthur isn't even Arthur but an artificial AI facsimile made to play a role here in this process for Merlin to "reincarnate" himself.","attachment":null,"posted":1713991948},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5986011,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986008
>Maybe carry his corpse out of Avalon to give him a proper burial?
i like this one, it would show him we have compation, even if its for whats basically a magical AI","attachment":null,"posted":1713992092},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5986012,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986011
>walk out of Avalon path gate
>dozens of aurors stationed in the secret lab outside
>all point wands at the new arrivals
>suddenly notice the dessicated corpse with a crown being levitated next to Elliot
>"Ladies and gentlemen, I give you... King Arthur!"","attachment":null,"posted":1713992245},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5986014,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986011
unlikely that this ghost Arthur knows much more than the others we talked to
>>5986012
lmao","attachment":null,"posted":1713992343},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5986016,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986011
>compation
jesus christ, im more tired than i thought... COMPASSION
also, lets not be cocky with this guy, AI or not, if we treat him with respect, it coud give us good boy points","attachment":null,"posted":1713992368},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5986022,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986014
Finally, it's time to unsheath this clip
https://youtube.com/watch?v=hMoSe-V36yw
>>5986016
I don't want to do it for good boy points. I want to do it because it is right, and in-character it is a way to satisfy a grand Slytherin ambition in a good way. Elliot finally physically surviving an ancient place, overcoming an ancient deadly trial, and bringing back ancient loot and evidence of his high achievement worthy of renown","attachment":null,"posted":1713992681},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5986031,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986022
im not saying we should do it JUST because of that, but hey, any extra bit we can milk to increase or success is welcome in my book","attachment":null,"posted":1713993012},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5986092,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985962
> The Test of Leadership
This one seems the best though I bet it will tire out our companions some before a final fight.
The test of strength might be an acceptale option, as long as our sword is our wand, given how much we have specced into battle magic but it is also risky.
The test of Wisdom might be alright, if we, the voices in Elliot's heads a clever; we have been shown to be both that and the opposite.
If someone comes up with a good argument for Wisdom, I can change my vote. Otherwise being a good leader sounds best and probably most SlytherPuff out of the options.. Maybe Arthur will let us give a quick speech to our allies to rally them.
>>5986012
Imagine him doing that but also having his top-hat, monocle, and shitty fake mustache on with Excalibur on his waist. Declaring he is their new god. Make it two for two on desecrating corpses today, what with Dumbledore's.
Also now the Atlanteans remind me a bit of elves, the fantasy kind, what with being unaging but still mortal.
The separation of a person into 8 parts reminds me of Voldy and his Horcruxes. While the Atlanteans may not have known of them, Merlin had to given they we invented at like 1000 b.c. by a ancient Greek dark wizard named Herpo the Foul.","attachment":null,"posted":1713996460},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5986107,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986092
QM explicitly specified "swords and shields" for the strength test","attachment":null,"posted":1713997570},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5986139,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985962
>The Test of Wisdom","attachment":null,"posted":1714001447},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5986156,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986107
He has also used the term "Brandish your wand like a sword" multiple times. I don't think Arthur is going to consider it a fair test if he goes at a 5'3 16 year old with no real training while the kid only has muggle arms. It doesn't really matter since one option is near unanimous.
Any way, for any one who wants, here is the evil Arty fic. Not the one with fucked up stuff just and idea if she was a bad guy.
https://rentry.org/ygdrxax8","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714003581604209.pdf","filename":"Evil Arty.pdf"},"posted":1714003581},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5986162,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986156
>evil Arty
sweet, gonna read this when i get home, thanks!","attachment":null,"posted":1714004166},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5986168,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986156
>I was a strong man, so we may battle like we did in my time. With swords and shields, with sweat and grit.","attachment":null,"posted":1714004850},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5986209,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985962
> The Test of Leadership","attachment":null,"posted":1714008712},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5986247,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"I just realized if Arty clears her next round with a good match up, her next one is going to be vs a character from the longest running draw quest I can recall. Might not look good for her at that point.","attachment":null,"posted":1714011366},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5986298,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985607
>spoiler","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714015870094143.jpg","filename":"IMG_0069.jpg"},"posted":1714015870},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5986315,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986156
I'll be honest, your writing just doesn't do it for me, chief.","attachment":null,"posted":1714017520},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5986321,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985962
>Test of Leadership
we didn’t lead that army for nuthin’
let’s power of friendship our way OUTTA HERE","attachment":null,"posted":1714018250},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5986322,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986315
That is fine.
I do this shit for myself largely because it amuses me and I have a lot of free time now. I do think the stuff I am managing to get to paper has improved in some ways since I had a drunk thought which lead to writing the first thing so I am happy about that. I cant draw for shit but this quest was there when I was pretty depressed last fall so I want to give something back.
>>5986298
Like I said I took no real pleasure in trying to write that aside from overcoming the challenge of it, due to being fond of our wifelette.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714018265102496.jpg","filename":"1444511991586.jpg"},"posted":1714018265},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5986325,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986322
You keep calling her "wifelette". Why that specifically?","attachment":null,"posted":1714018415},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5986339,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986156
welp, just read all of it, nicely done, i would be 100% down for a bad path alternate timeline with Arty and this helps scratch that itch, nicely done","attachment":null,"posted":1714019308},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5986357,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986339
Thank you for the compliment and looking at it.
I was relatively happy with how it turned out given it was inspired by my insane idea she is secretly evil and a I wanted to give teen-pregancy-fag something if he wanted to read it. I am also okay with her being just a little evil if we become a real dark lord.
>>5986325
It seems pretty unanimous that Elliot does intend to marry her at some point. You could even argue her promising to stay with us till the end means we are kinda married but it is probably just stupid teen love stuff. She is our waifu, however. But she is comically small to the point she could be mistaken for a student 2-3 years younger than her according to thread 1, and the 1st time she kissed Elliot, she had to pull up a box to stand on, even though he is small as well. Therefore the diminutive "-lette". Also I just like the term.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714020692244555.jpg","filename":"1443742717849.jpg"},"posted":1714020692},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5986437,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985776
send you another one","attachment":null,"posted":1714034967},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5986458,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Hey QM I am going to need to know how busty Raven/Linda is for no particularly important reason. I imagine at the lower end of "normal"? Or is she big titty goth GF material?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714039039459158.jpg","filename":"1696054345144661.jpg"},"posted":1714039039},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5986461,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986357
>teen-pregancy-fag
THAT'S ME, YOU NIGGER!
>the explanation
Cool, thank you","attachment":null,"posted":1714039290},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5986471,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986461
Who are you calling nigger, nigger!
I am not really into that because I had a scare when I was like 17. It WAS honestly a bonding experience, aside from the fear. She was a half year younger than me and we were both stupid teens. We spent every day together after she told me and we bonded a lot before we tried to double check, to get the most out of it in case one of our parents flew of the handle. Then thankfully she had the time of the month and we decided to be a bit more more careful. Use protection kids.","attachment":null,"posted":1714041246},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5986553,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986471
Ok I finished reading it
>But I won’t let you destroy the world… I love the world because it gave me you.
Godly line
>the entire wedding sequence
Kino. Contrived as hell like all fanfictions tend to be, but still nice","attachment":null,"posted":1714053068},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5986641,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986553
Thank you for looking at it! I liked that line pretty well. I try, and this thing was based on a weird idea I had while drunk, so I did what I could. Fanfiction based on fanfiction based on stuff a waitress scrawled on a napkin is interesting to write. I enjoy it though, given I that I have put like 80,000 words to the page now. But I needed a new hobby and if the girl who wrote 50 Shades could make it by starting as something based originally on motherfucking Twilight penned under the name "Snowqueens Icedragon", I might as well have some fun and try even if I do it for free. I will probably post a rewrite of a pre-Avalon date, with extended sex part later, just to get it out of my system. I need to move some files to the new computer first.","attachment":null,"posted":1714064707},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5986953,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986458
despite my inner coomer, i havent been able to imagine any woman besides Helga as anything remotely big, an update about their descriptions would be cool","attachment":null,"posted":1714100409},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5987021,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5986458
I'd imagine slightly smaller than average, but not flat enough for her friends to tease her about it. Definitely noticeable under most normal clothes.
>>5986953
I have a general rule that boob size descriptions should be only included for the same reason as dick size descriptions: when it is relevant to the character’s personality or story, society’s treatment of that character, or strikingly abnormal, otherwise it’s usually just about the author mentally jerking off. Everything else can be left to the imagination of the readers, or specified when the plot requires it.
That being said, the only ones I particularly imagine as busty are Amalia and Helga, and before that Lily, simply because she was meant to be both a year older and also The Hottie (tm). Everyone else varies on the normal range, except for Arty who is a smaller size.
If there’s anything or anyone specific you’d like to know, just let me know
In unrelated news, I have been staring at an empty page for almost two days now, to the point I’m almost fading to black and fading it back in after Elliot magically beats the challenge. I had a pretty good idea of the two other challenges, and I hate all of you for picking the one I had mentally handwaved as “something related to some of the members of the Round Table, I’ll figure it out later” without realizing it was the most complex of all of them. More like hate myself for giving the damn option.
Well, back to staring at the empty page. Sorry for taking so long.","attachment":null,"posted":1714108986},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5987044,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987021
that is a pretty wise rule, no wonder the quest is good, if you manage to set important ground rules like these its only natural the story will be naturally great, as a coomer and resident drawfag you have my respect and admiration for sticking to it
>unrelated news
uff, man, im familiar with that feeling, if there is anything we could do to help you with this part, dont doubt on letting us know, we all want whats best for the quest and you, so take your time and ask for help if needed, im sure somebody could give you some sort of inspiration in someway","attachment":null,"posted":1714111025},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5987059,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987021
>Well, back to staring at the empty page. Sorry for taking so long.
It is fine my man. However, we must hurt you for you to grow.
We also missed out on big titty librarian girl by going for the tiny eternal semi-loli. I think it is a good trade, though I was considering convincing people to try and pursue Amalia since I like blondes and appreciate big tits, even if I like the other side more. Before our micro GF was an option of course. There are studies showing large boobs are less sensitive than smaller ones, just saying. Also, a new idea... a side to side breast size ranking chart. Helga looking smug at the left-hand side. Arty with an annoyed look as she stands at the end of the right-hand one.
>>5986953
I, too, imaged most of the female cast being basically normal, aside from Helga. That was my general experience, when I was in high school, aside from the one girl I knew who choose to get breast reduction surgery due to her tig old bitties giving her back problems.","attachment":null,"posted":1714113195},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5987061,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987059","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714113338502412.jpg","filename":"d149200b217e17c56ea35c163694f9354e9a34c8r1-743-343v2_hq.jpg"},"posted":1714113338},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5987165,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987021
>boob size descriptions should be only included for the same reason as dick size descriptions: when it is relevant to the character’s personality or story, society’s treatment of that character, or strikingly abnormal, otherwise it’s usually just about the author mentally jerking off. Everything else can be left to the imagination of the readers, or specified when the plot requires it.
Good QM practice
>hate all of you for picking the one I had mentally handwaved
>hate myself for giving the damn option
Bad QM practice","attachment":null,"posted":1714137374},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5987748,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Guys, I think we might have broken the QM.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714196246528343.png","filename":"1600624105543.png"},"posted":1714196246},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5987756,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5987165
> Bad QM practice
I am aware, but know that the part about hating people was an attempt at a joke. Yesterday was a bad day, and I apologize for the particularly foul mood.
>>5987748
Nah, just a bout of shit that I had to deal that crept into the quest. I found my footing and I'm back to writing. Should be done soon-ish","attachment":null,"posted":1714196689},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5987758,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985962
>>5987748
I'm willing to change my vote to a Test of Wisdom, if need be.","attachment":null,"posted":1714196791},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5987767,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987758
I think he is alright, apparently. Interested with what he cooked up.
>>5987756
I understand. The past few days have been very annoy/hectic for me as well. I don't know why all this shit has to happen at once.
If it makes it any better, the Arty art for the losers bracket got posted in the K&Q thread, and looks nice.","attachment":null,"posted":1714197576},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5987777,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5987767
>If it makes it any better, the Arty art for the losers bracket got posted in the K&Q thread, and looks nice.
Oh, I saw it. And I thought Lily was the one with legs for days.
--
“I would not say I am weak,” you say. “But I cannot compete with you, your majesty. I would not say I am unwise, but I have not even lived two decades yet. And I have not commanded my men to die for my cause… But I have led them into battle. I have sent them to fight for me and convinced them they would win even when things looked dire. And I have won. Not always, but always when it mattered the most. I choose the Challenge of Leadership.”
Arthur nods.
“Very well then.” The two chairs on both his left and right were filled by four shadowy figures, semi-transparent and almost human-like. You can’t quite make their features. “Percival, if you would.”
One of the outermost shadows stands up and you can feel your brain filling in the empty space of his face with what you’ve seen in paintings and illustrations. A young and noble knight of blond hair, probably in his early twenties. Yet there is a detail that you feel being… original. Both his hands are dark, as if covered in dark soot, or maybe even burnt to charcoal.
“When I went in search of the Grail,” the shadow of Percival says. “I met its guardian, the Fisher King. He was injured, he told me, for having defied the will of the Grail. I did not know it at the time, but he could only be healed after a certain question was asked and I… I took far too long to realize what said question was. Talk to the Fisher King, show me there is someone within you who could have done better, show me there is one who could have seen the truth before me, and I shall allow them to pass.”
You frown. In the known story, Percival, which in some versions was Gwain or Galahad, had passed by the Fisher King once and not asked the question, since he had been taught “not to ask unnecessary questions,” and only returned years later. There were different versions of what “the question“ was, but you figure that it won’t be anything obvious.
Your knowledge of life-extending related things and myths in general might give you an edge, or even the whole challenge, and going on the Quest For The Grail is literally your thing but… It isn’t a task of power, but of wits. Someone else might also be able to get through it and leave you free to do something else.
> Elliot goes on The Quest for the Grail
> Brighton goes on The Quest for the Grail
> Linda goes on The Quest for the Grail
> Arty goes on The Quest for the Grail
> Apollo goes on The Quest for the Grail
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1714198349},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5987778,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5987777
Once you choose, Arthur nods to the shadow on his other side. “Galahad, and you?”
You feel your brain filling in the gaps once more. This one is also young, but more androgynous. Handsome, but at the same time beautiful, with almost golden hair.
“When I went in search of the Grail,” says the shadow of Galahad. “We found the Castle of Maidens under siege by a pagan lord who wished to force one of the many beauties who lived there to marry him. We fought to free them from their aggressors but… There was foulness at play that we had not expected, of which we were not warned. I lost men. Too many men. Enough that I asked Arthur to rid me of my title, but he did not. Show me that someone could have done so without losing so many, show me that someone could have gotten through with less bloodshed, and I shall allow them to pass.”
The Castle of Maidens… that story had so many versions that it wasn’t even funny. At least half-a-dozen knights supposedly went there. There was always a siege, but in some versions it was the knight who created the siege to free the maidens from evil rulers, and sometimes they broke the siege to save them, and sometimes, Morgan was there to mess things up and put everyone against them, even the ladies.
All of your friends are army leaders, and so are you, but who would fare best against the “foulness” Galahad mentioned? Who can best see through a trap like that?
> Elliot goes to The Castle of Maidens
> Brighton goes to The Castle of Maidens
> Linda goes to The Castle of Maidens
> Arty goes to The Castle of Maidens
> Apollo goes to The Castle of Maidens
Two choices for this update. Remember, you may only choose each person once, and there are still three more tasks to come (or less, if you win a streak of three, but you know what I mean).","attachment":null,"posted":1714198410},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5987788,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987777
> Elliot goes on The Quest for the Grail
>>5987778
> Apollo goes to The Castle of Maidens","attachment":null,"posted":1714198993},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5987797,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"fuck, the pressure begins
>>5987777
>It isn’t a task of power, but of wits
this one fits either Elliot or Brighton...
but i´ll vote for:
>Elliot goes on The Quest for the Grail
out of all of us, i think its safe to assume we have the most wits of all, plus his knowledge about this kind of stuff gives us an edge, best to take the most victories we can guarantee
>>59877781
this one is a bit easier to me
they mention "Foulness at play".
the only one besides us that has gone against "untold foulness" would be Apollo since he survived AND beated Dumbledore´s skelleton, he commanded his own army and was pretty succesful at it, so it just makes sense for Apollo to take this one
i vote for:
>Apollo goes to The Castle of Maidens
on this one
>inb4 Apollo gets mad pussy from saving all the maidens as an unintended reward","attachment":null,"posted":1714200195},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5987801,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987777
>Elliot goes on The Quest for the Grail
>Apollo goes to The Castle of Maidens
Straightforward","attachment":null,"posted":1714200236},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5987803,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987797
>accidentally added a one to the second post
woops, my bad
i'll re-link it just in case
>>5987778
>>5987797","attachment":null,"posted":1714200275},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5987804,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987756
Mentally handwaving your own given options and giving options you are not prepared to write are the bad QM practices, OP. Hating your playerbase is a horrid QM practice, try not to to it","attachment":null,"posted":1714200354},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5987835,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5987804","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714202724791807.png","filename":"literally_me.png"},"posted":1714202724},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5987972,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987777
> Arty goes on The Quest for the Grail
The bit about “unnecessary questions” and him taking far too long to ask one makes me think that knowing about the Grail is a misdirection. Cleverness and wisdom might get in the way as well since you’d expect that out of someone searching for the grail. Perhaps a kinder person would ask the right question first?
> Raven goes to The Castle of Maidens
She’s the most well-versed in warfare thanks to her hobbies, and is bound to have picked up more esoteric knowledge of these legends on account of being friends with us for hears. She has Rowena in her, even if she isn’t active. Finally, if anyone is going to know about foulness it’ll be the persona of a woman who wanted to be a dark witch. One that knows how to cast the Killing Curse.","attachment":null,"posted":1714219626},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5988024,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987777
> Apollo goes on The Quest for the Grail
He's a very direct fellow. I think he could get to the heart of it.
>>5987778
> Linda goes to The Castle of Maidens
Battle tactics are her strong-suit.","attachment":null,"posted":1714228553},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5988029,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987777
Nice get.
>>5987972
I will support this.
Percy was too concerned with the grail to be concerned with what was really important. Arty would be happy to get it I am sure if she could get a regular life span out of it, but she doesn't seek it like us. And while she is more clever than she seems at first pass, she is also kind. I think she would be able to understand both aspects of what is required for this task.
It is explicitly said to not be a task of power.
I was going to say Brighton but this is better.
Raven knows about traps, she even told us about that famous chink thing. She is also a girl, which I think is important for this task, and would be able to see through a woman like Morganna who was supposed to have orchestrated the whole Castle/Isle of Maidens thing.","attachment":null,"posted":1714229055},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5988032,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987778
Changing vote from >>5987801 to backing >>5987972","attachment":null,"posted":1714229253},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5988033,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988029
IT JUST HIT ME
"ARTHUR" CAN ALSO BE SHORTENED TO "ARTY"","attachment":null,"posted":1714229315},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5988059,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987777
>Elliot goes on The Quest for the Grail
I get that it could be a misdirect, but I honestly don’t think Arty has the right mindset to ask the right questions. (Also, if the black hands came from not knowing the question in time, maybe we shouldn’t risk Arty taking that kind of scarring.) Meanwhile, Elliot is a Slytherin raised among Slytherins and a pair of people extremely fond of technicalities. I can’t think of anyone better and safer to send.
>>5987778
>Raven goes to The Castle of Maidens
The one who does war tactics as a hobby is an easy pick. If nothing else, she’ll probably enjoy it quite a lot regardless of the outcome, so we might as well send her.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714231113786392.jpg","filename":"IMG_5296.jpg"},"posted":1714231113},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5988196,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987777
> Arty goes on The Quest for the Grail
The most empathetic of our crew.
>>5987778
> Linda goes to The Castle of Maidens
The most tactical of our crew.","attachment":null,"posted":1714238130},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5988213,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988033
So... is going to be the Queen of Magic Britain? Her coming in to strike down Salazar or even Potter with the sword of legend, one she could only retrieve because she didn't seek its power but only wanted it to help her boyfriend not die, would be pretty cool. I had imagined her coming to our aid at our lowest, with Godric's sword in her had, riding a dragon and leading an army of magical beasts before... I suppose I will replace a proto saber with an over large arming sword in my head.
Picrel.
>>5988059
I don't think we are passing this test with lawfare like we might have learned from mom and being a Slytherin. As much as we don't want Arty to get hurt, ending up sending everyone else and our self on tasks and stopping her from going might hurt her more than getting a few scars.
The Fisher King awaits a hero to heal him. I think asking him why he has not used the grail, why he hasn't healed himself when it was right there are going to be the correct things. Offering to give him some power from the Grail to help him when it is retrieved.
Arty is self-sacrificing to the point of hurting herself, perhaps due to what she had Apollo due as a child.
She would ask for the grail because she wanted to help the Fisher King and others, not for her own sake.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714238883950972.jpg","filename":"1629173877059.jpg"},"posted":1714238883},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5988243,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988059
The other reason not to do the Grail is because we can’t go on the last two challenges and we’re a pretty good all-rounder. This also seems like a really good pick for Arty, so we don’t have to weigh using her in the later rounds.
It’s also validating we trust her more than we’re scared for her. Given that she knows we’re afraid of her pushing herself too hard and that she hates being coddled too much, it’s not meaningless. That extra trust that we’ll use her effectively even here, in Avalon facing off against trials devised by the most powerful wizard anyone can recall, could matter later in all this BS.
If we want to get by on a technicality later, Arthur didn’t say we were limited to just one challenger per confrontation, only that we had to win the majority and we could each only be used once. If we beat these two we could try stacking everyone else into the third challenge to overcome it. Risky move since we’d likely lose later challenges by default, but it wouldn’t matter if we already won 3.","attachment":null,"posted":1714240157},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5988363,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987748
the only time we really broke the storyline is when we found out info months in advance of when he had originally planned to tell us","attachment":null,"posted":1714245762},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5988371,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987778
>> Linda goes to The Castle of Maidens","attachment":null,"posted":1714246089},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5988372,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987777
>> Arty goes on The Quest for the Grail","attachment":null,"posted":1714246150},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5988439,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988213
If we send Arty on the grail quest I think our best piece of advice would be to not think like us. Percival was focused on looking for and learning how to use the grail, as we no doubt would be. Use her own judgement on what is needed, not what she thinks ours would be.
Any advice we could give Linda? Think like Raven would and sufficient quantities of explosives solve most problems?","attachment":null,"posted":1714250303},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5988480,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988439
I think equal amounts of Linda and Raven would be required. If it ends up having Morgan/Morganna at play like one version Elliot mentioned and the ladies of the castle turn against the force trying to break the siege, having a girl there is probably going to help.
Knowing what C4 is, how it works, and being magically powerful to transfigure it might be a good thing as well.
Also, apparently the siege is occurring somewhere speculated to be Avalon, so... yeah.
For Arty, yeah just say to be her, I agree. Not take anything she hasn't earned. Could be why Percy has his hands burnt black. He didn't earn the grail and still tried to grasp it.
In that hypothetical case, Arty Is literally the best one for that task. She wants to earn everything she has and would resist the urge to grab the Grail even if it was right there if she didn't think she earned it.
>>5988363
Getting to bond more with Helga when she knew who she was better, before we should have figured it out, was worth it. I regret nothing in.
Figuring out where Avalon a bit quick may have bought us more prep time and training time, so I don't regret doing that either.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714254302552524.jpg","filename":"ArtywithAwig.jpg"},"posted":1714254302},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5988499,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987777
> Arty goes on The Quest for the Grail
>>5987778
> Linda goes to The Castle of Maidens","attachment":null,"posted":1714255188},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5988502,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988480
We are ahead of the curve repeatedly. The one time we were not was Last Light, but I think we did good to not go there early because then Salazar would have let loose much faster, or have gone for the repository by himself on his own, and then it would be too late","attachment":null,"posted":1714255420},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5988511,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988502
Last Light was kind of bullshit with the whole calendar thing","attachment":null,"posted":1714256755},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5988529,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988480
Irrelevant lust-provoking image aside, you raise a very valid point. Good insights, anon!
>>5987778
Changing >>5988024 to send Arty to the grail, instead.
>>5988511
We missed the clues. It is what it is.","attachment":null,"posted":1714259350},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5988606,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988529
I think we didn't realize this was that kinda game where making those connections ahead of time mattered vs characters doing things.
Since that point we've made connections even harder to notice than that. If the qm made a similar situation with lower stakes, that'd prob been caught too.
Meanwhile we notice we have Helga more than a month ahead of when we should've.","attachment":null,"posted":1714264049},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5988964,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988529
Konata is always relevant, my friend.
>>5988511
I recall actually chuckling when Taylor bitched about the Julian/Gregorian difference. Just thought QM was a nerd and never thought about it after thread 1.
>>5988606
>>5988502
QM did promise to make his twists even more convoluted, so we have to keep on our toes, gentlemen.","attachment":null,"posted":1714278108},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989052,"name":"HeadQM","msg":"Uh, Part 1 of the update with Arty and the Quest is done with... 11k characters. Seems I got over that writer's block. I'm going to sleep now and review it and post it when I wake up (and hopefully trim it down at least a bit)
>>5988606
>I think we didn't realize this was that kinda game where making those connections ahead of time mattered vs characters doing things.
That was the narrative point of Last Light. It was the moment the character’s, and by extension the players’, perception shifts into the “oh fuck, this is real and has consequences” mode. It was meant to be the point where Elliot realized the magnitude of the task ahead of him and truly comprehended the stakes, the point where he realized he needed to up his game, that he needs to pay attention to detail because a single mistake can lead to doom, to him and the people he loves dying. (And it would have been an even greater dick-punch if you had romanced Lily instead of Arty)
Not every moment is planned as a narrative device or turning point, but Last Light sure was. There was the chance of you seeing Julian/Gregorian coming, which was definitely a possibility, but I did not expect it to happen (and would have to have changed my plans if you figured it out, much like I did when Anon figured who Faith was)
There are connections which Elliot will make on his own, and some which he will need your help. Theorycrafting in the thread is definitely included in Elliot’s thoughts, and any theory seriously discussed here that he can easily check will be checked, because if you can think about it, Elliot can think about it. For more complicated or harder to confirm theories, y’all will need to use at least a weekly slot to do some sort of a plan for checking it out, if confirming whatever crazy theory you guys come up with is even feasible.","attachment":null,"posted":1714292127},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989064,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"ok! this should be the final WIP post before i post the entire thing completed
just one question, what color would her wedding shoes be? white? Hufflepuff yellow? black?
>>5989052
>11k characters
holy shit, post it all, i do love me BEEEG updates!","attachment":null,"posted":1714293329},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989065,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989064
>forgot the fucking WIP
getting sleepy here...","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714293390212643.jpg","filename":"final WIP.jpg"},"posted":1714293390},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989079,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989065
Amazing work. The colors you have for her dress really seem to compliment her skin tone, hair, and eyes, I think. Can't really comment on the shoe color. I am bad enough with them that when a previous girlfriend and I went to the store to pick some paint out, she ended up telling me to just go and look at the chainsaws because I thought all the blues looked the same.
>>5989052
>Multipage update
>Arty either making this challenge her bitch or failing super bad
Stop QM, my cock can only get so hard.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714295573618706.jpg","filename":"Fih1TFvX0AYTVLZ.jpg"},"posted":1714295573},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989133,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989064
Try all 3 and then decide","attachment":null,"posted":1714307526},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989194,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989064
Black and yellow.","attachment":null,"posted":1714314731},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989258,"name":"HeadQM","msg":"I would just like to say that these tasks have right people for them which will just solve it without rolls, have answers which will depend on a dice roll, and wrong answers, and I have already decided beforehand which is which.
Feel free to attempt to figure out the nature of the Grail along with Arty, if you wish.
--
“Arty, will you go face Percival?” you ask.
“Me?” She says, surprised. “But- but I don’t know anything about the Grail! I mean, I’ve heard you talk about it, but I never really studied it!”
“I know,” you nod. “But Percival did, and it didn’t help him. He roamed for years searching for it before he got it, needing it to prove himself to Arthur. Because he focused so much on it, he didn’t stop to care for the sick king in front of him. But you would never do that.”
She swallows hard. “You’re sure?”
You smile. “I am. I trust you, Arty.”
She bites her lip, but nods. “Alright. Take me to the Fisher King!”
Percival’s shadow steps forward, and as he does the room around you turns into a battered wasteland. The grass looks sick, the plants are dying and browning. The broken ruins of a castle sit by a lake, and by the lake there is a small camp with a firepit, then a weathered harbor.
“Let us go, then,” Percival says. “Let us meet the Fisher King.”
Arty starts distancing herself from you, takes a last glance back, then follows him. She goes away for a bit, then the terrain shifts and you almost lose your balance as the ground below you moves. It takes you a while to realize what is happening, as you have basically become a third person camera for Arty, moving only relative to her, but not the world.
“What- what is going on!” Brighton shouts as he falls to the floor, disoriented. “Stop moving!”
“She can’t hear you,” Apollo says, and it is true. He has his eyes closed, clearly looking like this is the only way he isn’t going to throw up from motion sickness. “She is in her task now.”
Only you and Linda, who have some experience with computer games in third person, manage to deal with the movement.
Arty and Percival walk towards the lake for a while.
“Are your hands alright?” She asks.
“No,” he answers. “They will hurt for the rest of my life. The pain will not be kind to me. It will take the love of Blanchefleur for me to stop hurting, but that will not happen for many years.”
“What happened to them?”
“To tell you would be to defeat the purpose of this task,” he says. “For my injuries and that of the Fisher King are one and the same. But they weren't like this when I met him.”
And, as they walk, his hands clear, becoming normal and whole.
When they reach small harbor they find a man of tanned skin and white hair. The man has a fishing rod, not between his blackened and useless fingers, but between his toes. In a corner, among many useless belongings, is a crown, clearly not used for a long, long time.
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1714320160},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989259,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5989258
“Hail, oh old king!” Percival says. “It is I once more, Percival, knight of King Arthur's Round Table! Bearer of the purest heart, seeker of truth! I stand before you, servant of the righteous cause, bound by duty and honor to serve the realm! Grant me thy wisdom, O Fisher King!”
Arty looks surprised for a moment.
“Ah, and I am Artemis Pertinger! Student of Helga Hufflepuff and… bearer of the… whatever. I am here to help you… Or something like that.”
She immediately looks displeased with herself.
The old King simply shushes them. “Shhhh. I’ve almost caught lunch.”
The two wait in awkward silence as the king watches the water, gently tapping the rod with his feet for a few minutes, until something bites. He struggles for a bit - “Do you want help?” “No, I got it!” - before managing to yank it out of the water. It flops on the floor of the harbor, and he struggles to kill it - “Sir, I can do that for you!” “No, I got it, really!” - then finally shove a stick through it and put it over the fire, all without using his hands.
“Ah, now that that’s settled!” He plops down on the grass by the fire. “You return, Percival. How has your quest gone?”
“Poorly,” Percival says, and there is annoyance in his voice. “For what I sought has been with your majesty the whole time.”
“Indeed it has. It is my duty to protect it. It has been my family’s duty to guard it since time immemorial. But I grow weary and my line ends with me.”
“Then give it to me. I shall take it to Arthur, and there is no nobler man to hold such an artifact.”
“I would if I could, son of Pellinore, but the Grail is not that easily bequeathed. While my hands are burnt, I may not pass them on, and they may only heal once the right question is asked.”
“Then what is the question?“
“That I cannot tell you.”
“Then how-”
“Ah, ah, ah,” the king says, shaking his finger. “It is her turn to ask, now. You came with a challenger. You have the nobility’s right to ask first. She has the right to ask second.”
“What happened to your hands?” Arty asks.
“They were burnt by the Grail when I defied it.”
“Where is the grail?” Percival asks.
“Here and there. I could not tell you one place to look for it.”
“Why did you defy it?” Arty asks.
“For love. My line is chosen by the Grail, and we must marry the ones it choses for us. I refused.” He raises a ruined hand, waving it at the wastelands around them. “I paid the price, and so did my lands.”
“How can the grail not be in one place? Have you broken it?”
“Only one question at a time.”
“Is the grail split in many pieces?” Percival asks through gritted teeth.
“No. It cannot be broken by any means known to me.”
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1714320221},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989261,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5989259
“Do you regret it?” Arty asks. “Defying the Grail? Marrying the one you loved instead?”
“I regret that she died before me. I regret that my people suffered because of my choice.” The king’s eyes grow weary, looking at something in the distance, something none of you can see. “Being with her? No. Not for a moment. She made it all worth it.”
“What are all the protections of the Grail?” Percival asks.
“Me. Itself. The foolishness of those who attempt to use it. Nothing more, nothing less.”
Arty stops for a moment, furrowing her brow.
“Did you know, at the time? Did you know you were defying it? Or were you tricked?”
“One cannot be tricked into defying the Grail. One must make the choice of sane mind.”
“Have you ever used the Grail in any way?” Percival asks, irritation clearly showing in his voice.
“Yes, twice. Once when I was given the burden, as it is custom, and another, when I betrayed it. I felt it was the right thing to do, to deliver it my choice personally, even if it was not required of me. I poured wine into it, and with my right hand I raised it to my lips, and the wine tasted sweet. I made my choice, fully and irrevocably, and with my left hand I raised it to my lips, and the wine tasted sour. The flames engulfed the hands which held it and burned them. And my love cried over them and soothed their wounds.”
“It sounds cruel,” Arty says. “The Grail. It didn’t need to hurt you. No one does.”
“That is not a question! And that’s heresy!” Percival says, but the king interrupts him.
“Shush, boy. I did not say you could only ask questions. Indeed, girl. The Grail can be cruel. But it was made in pain, and so pain it takes. I took my oaths upon it willingly, knowing the cost.”
“Why ‘oaths’?” She asks. “Wouldn’t one be enough?”
“No. Not for the Grail. First I took an oath that I would not bring it harm. And then I took an oath that others would not harm me. So I protect it, and it protects me.”
That’s when you see it. That’s the moment you figure it out. If only Arty could realize…
“With its own definition of protection, clearly,” Percival says, looking around. “Then would the Grail be revealed if I were to strike you down?”
“You would not be able to strike me down. Though I suppose that if you did, it would be revealed, in a way.”
Percival puts his hand on his sword. “Shall we put that to the test?”
“Not your turn to ask a question.”
You can see the gears turning in Arty’s head as she frowns, trying to put the pieces together. Would she see it? Would she realize it?
“What do you need to protect it from?” She asks.
“From the foolishness of men who would use it with ill intentions.”
Percival pulls his sword out of his sheathe, holding it in both hands.
“What are you doing!?” Arty shouts.
“This man holds the Grail which I searched for so long! The Grail which belongs to the King of Britain! I shall not let him keep it for himself!”
“You are not hurting him!”
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1714320282},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989263,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5989261
“Indeed he is not,” the king says. “Let him do as he wishes. Though I shall count the strike as a question.”
“I can’t let him kill you!”
“You will not, child.” The king’s voice is firm. “Step aside.”
Arty looks from one to the other, as if trying to decide what to do.
“I promise I shall be fine, Artemis.” The king says, once again. "Trust this old king. I do not lie."
She looks at him… then takes a step back. Percival holds his sword with both hands, raises it high in the air and brings it down.
A scream fills the air.
And Percival falls to the floor, hands engulfed in flame.
“I told you. You cannot harm me. Shame that you do not use a sword for a single hand. You might have been able to save one of them.”
The knight keeps on screaming, shuffling on the floor before desperately crawling to the water and jumping into the lake.
Arty’s worry turns into a frown. The frown deepens.
“Would he have only lost one hand if he had struck you with a dagger?”
“I suspect so.”
“Then-”
“His turn,” the king says, nodding with his head to the knight in the lake.
She looks at all the splashing, displeased. “He might take a while.”
“I have nowhere else to be. I believe my fish is ready, would you like to have some?”
“Why, yes, thank you!”
The two eat, and a few minutes later a drenched and furious Percival climbs out of the lake, hands ruined like you had seen him originally.
“You… you use witchcraft!”
“I am protected by the Grail, child. You’re the one going against its wishes. It is your turn to ask a question.”
“What? I’m not playing any more of your games!”
“Then you shall return to your king with nothing to show, and useless as a knight. Those hands will never heal.”
A wave of horror washes over Percival’s face when he realizes what he’s done.
“No. No! I must have it!”
“Then ask the right question.”
“WHAT IS THE RIGHT QUESTION YOU BLASTED OLD MAN!?”
“I’m afraid I cannot tell you,” the king says, calmly. He turns to Arty.
“Did both your hands burn because both your hands were holding the Grail?”
“I am unsure, but both my hands were holding the Grail at that time, yes.”
“How-” Percival says, shaking in both anger and agonizing pain. “How- how can you stand this? It… it hurts. It hurts so much.”
“Love. Love makes it bearable. At least it did for me.”
“But you said…” Arty is thinking. Still thinking. Still trying to put together the puzzle. “That with your left… And then your right… And then you drank it… And it is here and there…”
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1714320365},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989266,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5989263
You have your hand balled into fists, whispering to nothing, as if hoping she could hear you even though you know she can’t, as if you could beam your thoughts directly into her head.
Please…
She approaches the Fisher King, and reaches out. He puts his hands into hers.
Please realize that a grail is just a fancy name.
She looks at the burnt and scarred hands. It is not a pleasant sight. Still, she looks at them with kindness.
Nothing more, nothing less than a fancy name.
She looks at the patterns of where the flames left their marks, molded by what he was holding when they burned.
Grail is just another word… for a Cup.
“Are there two Grails?” She asks.
The man smiles.
“And that… is the right question.” In the man’s now intact hands, he holds two large, roughly hewn wooden cups. One of them is made of lighter wood, and is filled to the brim with blue flames. The other is darker, filled to the brim with purple fire.
The Cup of Promise and The Cup of Sorrows. The Holy Grail. Created not from the death of the Son of God, but by the inconsequent hands of Atlantis.
The artifact Merlin had needed to break magic asunder, delivered to Arthur by Percival, and delivered to Merlin by Arthur. Still an artifact of Power, just not quite the one you expected it to be.
The lake, the king and Percival disappear, only Arty remains.
“Very well, Artemis Pertinger.” King Arthur looks pleased. “You chose your question wisely.”
And even through the relief of seeing her return safe and unharmed, some part of you still finds the time to be amused by his choice of words.","attachment":null,"posted":1714320490},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989278,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989266
>Merlin used the fucking Holy Grail","attachment":null,"posted":1714321477},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989279,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"I wonder if we know enough to tell Potter almost everything and still force him to leave this work to us?
We know how Merlin and the founders came to die (and we suspect it’s because Salazar predicted Merlin’s reason to bring them together and sabotaged him so he was caught in it too) and that the Time Turners brought them back indirectly. We know Merlin seeks to use us as a gate to the world, one that Helga has kept sealed. We know that if we die, she can’t seal it anymore, and apparently we don’t need to be alive to let Merlin through. It’s why the Dementor was so persistent in trying to kill us. We know Salazar is still alive like Helga, and is seeking to claim Merlin’s broken form as a puppet in some manner, and that he, like the other shades, can hop between bodies. Death of the host forces it, but it seems they can hop bodies even while the host lives if the target is close by. We learned that through Godric and Rowena. Merlin should follow the same rules, hence our death allows him to escape anywhere that can host him. Who could be a better host for the greatest wizard we know of than Potter?
So the reason so many prophecies end with Potter getting involved is because he did something that triggered the end. He killed us and failed to contain Merlin because he didn’t know enough to stop him from taking him or someone else over and crushing the wizarding world. He went after Salazar newr the repository and got possessed, leading to his eventual corruption by Salazar instead. We learned enough to tell him about the shade hopping, yet when he went to Avalon to stop Merlin’s last failsafe he was turned into a vessel directly instead of us. At least, I suspect this last one will be true by the end.
We never knew enough to prevent those scenarios once we told him what we did know, not until now.
Ultimately, we’ll have to stop Merlin and Salazar. Merlin, because we are his gate to the world and no one knows enough to change that. Salazar, because we’re his best chance to put Merlin on a leash. He can run away from Potter and the others. He won’t run away from us.
What we’d want from Potter is three things. The first is to find the a way to drag the Time Turners out of the void. Doing so should allow us to end the threat of Merlin escaping himself. Without time, the shades in the Void felt and did nothing. Merlin won’t allow it to happen easily, which leads into the second. We’ll want anything he knows of that can defend us against the Void, because we’ll need to pull Merlin into a fight to distract him from Potter’s plan with the time turners. Third is some form of contingency to seal us away without killing us. If we’re possessed by Salazar or Merlin, his only immediate recourse is to use our body as a prison. It may not work, but far better for these knowledgable and powerful people to be in the body of a teenager than some adult. We’re weaker, and he knows it.","attachment":null,"posted":1714321518},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989281,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989258
>“What- what is going on!” Brighton shouts as he falls to the floor, disoriented. “Stop moving!”","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714321538617964.jpg","filename":"8cdf53be8ab2555861258ebe83d4dfae.jpg"},"posted":1714321538},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989286,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989259
>Percival, knight of King Arthur's Round Table! Bearer of the purest heart, seeker of truth! I stand before you, servant of the righteous cause, bound by duty and honor to serve the realm!
But then
>Percival asks through gritted teeth.
>Percival asks, irritation clearly showing in his voice.
>Percival puts his hand on his sword.
>Percival pulls his sword out of his sheathe, holding it in both hands.
>“This man holds the Grail which I searched for so long! The Grail which belongs to the King of Britain! I shall not let him keep it for himself!”
>Percival holds his sword with both hands, raises it high in the air and brings it down.
For all your big talk, you still act like a total intemperant brigand","attachment":null,"posted":1714321906},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989297,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989279
if pulling the Time Turners out of the void is possible, in theory could it be possible to also pull out Helga, Rowena, and Godric?","attachment":null,"posted":1714322360},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989301,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989279
Besides, I think we know enough now to suggest we’re not “real”. The gate in us should have always existed, but if Helga was defending us all along we’d have met her far sooner like Lily met Salazar. But if Lily can be erased from time, someone can be added as well. If we simply came into being as a sixth-year because of Merlin, with Helga pushed into us because she had no host and the sheer power of the act swept her up as well, it’d explain our weak connection in spite of our age. The idea that Hogwarts and those connected to the shades (Harry due to his connection with Merlin’s artifacts and Hogwarts, Lily because of Salazar) were unable to be overwritten due to their connection to the timelessness of the void/sheer power needed for it would explain their “forgetfulness” as well.
There is a chance, however small, that the only way to seal the gate and end the threat of Merlin again would require us to undo our existence. Time makes only the adjustments it needs to, so acts such as the time turners being taken from the void would happen anyway.
It would mean Arty would never know us. Possibly that no one would remember what truly happened at Last Light, correcting the dual memories we never should have had while it edited Linda. Not unless she keeps the shade of Rowena at the time. Same with Brighton. Only they might remember we ever existed. And they may not want to.","attachment":null,"posted":1714322535},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989304,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989301
Sounds like a real worst end scenario there, buddy.","attachment":null,"posted":1714322656},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989319,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989279
...Are Dementors the ghosts/shades of Atlanteans?","attachment":null,"posted":1714323517},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989331,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989319
>Merlin is a fucking Super-Dementor
that actually makes so much sense","attachment":null,"posted":1714324327},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989337,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989304
The worst-case scenario is more likely if we can’t get the time turners out of the Void. It’d make sense that the reason the shades and Merlin can seemingly edit so much time is because they’re connected to them. We could probably find a way to use them to erase Merlin’s gate by having the shades do battle with Merlin for more scraps of his knowledge. Not a permanent solution in that case though.
But us being an addition to the timeline rather than Harry, Hogwarts, and Lily forgetting us seems way more likely. With how far-reaching the time editing shown by Lily’s death can be it’d make more sense for select individuals to have protection against it in that instance rather than they were specifically targeted for memory erasure.
I wonder if we got the gate in our sixth year because it roughly lines up with when Salazar would have ended the world through Last Light anyway? We didn’t need to exist for that to happen, Salazar was already working towards it with Lily. Merlin would have basically told time “add this person into existence and make sure they have a connection to me” and the timeline went “creating this kid and making the connection at this time causes close enough to the least disruption to what I already have, fuck it”. If we can own the stone without explanation then the gate could start existing without one too.
The real kicker there would be if neither of them actually made us and we came into being because Salazar and Merlin battling caused so much damage to the timeline that we were put in place by time itself trying to find a way to stabilize and prevent the events.
Some greater overarching spell that prevents a timeline from occurring where every human dies out could fit canonically and explain why we didn’t all die when Merlin stopped saving the world. Merlin gained power because he was “picked” to shield humanity. When it became untenable because Merlin became the threat instead, time/fate contrived for others to fill in that gap. Potter was one such person. Perhaps timelines getting overwritten is far more common than anyone realizes, and only Merlin’s own interference from the void is why anyone is aware of this gap. Must be the one dead zone for timeline rewriting because it was never meant to have “time” to begin with.
>>5989319
Could be? The alternative suggested is that they were house elves. At the very least it’s safe to say dementors were created when someone or some group decided to mess with the void.","attachment":null,"posted":1714324975},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989343,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989286
Well, he was talking to the same dude who had the grail, knew he was looking for it, but still let him wander around for years searching for it. No wonder he'd be fucking pissed.","attachment":null,"posted":1714325433},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989401,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989337
>Elliot, Merlin, and even Potter are creations of the universe (or God? or... DEATH?) to protect the flow of time and the existence of the world.
Possible. Would that make us something akin to Century Babies from Planetary?
>Merlin made us.
If THIS is possible... Could it be Merlin's consciousness still exists, inside or outside of The Beast? His desire to protect and preserve the world, even against his darker aspect?","attachment":null,"posted":1714328684},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989404,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989337
Are we REALLY gonna persona 3 this shit?","attachment":null,"posted":1714328761},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989409,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989404
Though cool, I would rather not have it happen","attachment":null,"posted":1714329040},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989511,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Arty did it
holy shit, my nerves are a wreck after reading all of that
>all this theory crafting right after it
im too stupid to understand most of it or maybe i havent payed as much attention as i thought i was doing, but none of that sounds good at all...","attachment":null,"posted":1714338520},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989519,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989511
test","attachment":null,"posted":1714339240},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989574,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989401
I doubt Merlin would have made us to protect the world. Far more likely it would have made us because it needs a host. All the founders do, why wouldn’t he? Maybe he can exist without one later, but I’m sure he needs a foothold first.
It’s clear the Beast is much greater than the founders are now, hence the need for a “gate” to enter through instead of however the founders came through.
>>5989404
We do have wizards, and we’ve learned there were plenty even greater than Merlin. I don’t think the universe would be protecting us all itself in some way, that’d be weird. I could absolutely believe that outrageously powerful spellcasters crafted a spell that would ensure humanity survives even if it means rewriting time. Powerful to the point it even keeps muggles from ending the world with nukes. Hell, divination may simply be a way of tapping into that spell to force an outcome and we’ve all forgotten too much to understand how it works.
What would be more wizardly than creating a concept of fate where one never existed?","attachment":null,"posted":1714343614},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989591,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989574
If he need a host and purpose-built us, why choose someone to manufacture some friendly, empathetic, and borderline-Hufflepuff, and assign him to a loving, kindly couple who would instill the sorts of values Elliot has? If the Beast merely made us to help it/him manifest and destroy the world, why not make a Voldemort or Crouch or LeStrange? Or even a Potter or Arty or Apoll...,Someone raised in shitty circumstances, with every reason to embrace The Beast? They'd be easier to turn Dark and destructive, or to manipulate towards such ends.
If Merlin/The Beast created us, it either 'rolled' poorly in generating us and our backstory or our creation was motivated by something at least somewhat positive.","attachment":null,"posted":1714344484},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989605,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989304
Seems on par for the course.
>>5989404
>Are we REALLY gonna persona 3 this shit?
And just like that, the cool factor of that theory has gone down by 20%","attachment":null,"posted":1714345518},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989613,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989605
>letting that kill the cool factor for you
Nigger","attachment":null,"posted":1714345711},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989691,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989591
I’m thinking he was able to create someone as a host, but couldn’t choose what was created or how they fit into the world. Much like how Salazar couldn’t choose how Lily’s absence from the timeline was dealt with, Merlin/the Beast couldn’t choose how his host was inserted. He must have only had the power to ensure that one WOULD exist.
Because… he tapped into divination maybe? It shows you the future, and whatever you see will happen. Maybe it’s really connected to something that creates and enforces an event, and we can only use it to create future events through “divination”. Merlin knows how to do it with the safeties off, so to speak, so when he tells it “show me my host” it will create one for him by editing the past as well. Doing it that way could have exhausted the power of whatever spell he tapped into, causing divination dry up indirectly until it recharges. That’d benefit his ends too since no one could divine who his host was until after he devoured them.
That honestly would have been enough if Helga wasn’t involved. Another flaw in his plans, in part because the founders seem to carry bits of Merlin in them now. He can’t be as smart or masterful with the skills he does have without all those pieces.
I feel like I need an empty wall, a bunch of articles, and way too much red marker and string.","attachment":null,"posted":1714350527},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989723,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">the sayan keeps winning
at this rate she is gonna be our biggest thread for that crown, she needs to go down","attachment":null,"posted":1714353453},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989727,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989723
I should be voting in that more often. I admit I came into this quest only because I saw this in the tournament and decided to give it a whirl.
I’ll rep Arty in the next vote she comes up in.","attachment":null,"posted":1714353795},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989730,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989727
its not enough to vote for Arty, you also need to vote for whoever is that sayan's enemy so she can lose, thats what i tried to do whenever she shows up anyway","attachment":null,"posted":1714353958},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989741,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989730
dragonball is going to be VERY hard to beat","attachment":null,"posted":1714355014},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989748,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989741
well, we better all do our part and vote against her, not many matches left before we get to it, so we have to focus fire","attachment":null,"posted":1714355399},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989778,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989748
Her quest's been going YEARS and has the power of one farmboy's multiverse autism fun behind it. It might be impossible","attachment":null,"posted":1714356924},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989790,"name":"RQM","msg":">>5989730
Strategically voting to sabotage someone else rather than voting for who you like, just to win a LOSER'S Bracket, would be super lame and probably earn this quest a bad rep on the board, at the very least leading to backlash against Elliot in the actual king tourney. I would like to formally request you chill and just have fun.","attachment":null,"posted":1714357953},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989831,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989790
Agreed. I may be the biggest Artyfag in this quest, but if I don't know the quest or whatever, I just vote for who is cuter/cooler. I want a tiny princess crown for her, but not at the expense of other people not having fun. Arty wouldn't approve of sabotaging people. She wants to earn what she has after all.
Now to get to reading all the crazy conspiracy shit that was posted when I decided to go out for the day.","attachment":null,"posted":1714363905},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989855,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989266
Lurker here
Just wanted to say that I really enjoyed your portrayal and interpretation of the Fisher King. One of my most favorite stories in Arthurian legend. Nice job QM.","attachment":null,"posted":1714366617},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989967,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"im gonna take a small break from doodling this week, i´ll continue with the other stuff i had in the backburner later.
hope you all enjoy this thing!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714387969991715.jpg","filename":"Artys dream world.jpg"},"posted":1714387969},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5989976,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989967
Amazing. All hail the Queen of both Elliot's heart and of spiders.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714390807767855.jpg","filename":"1424406838287.jpg"},"posted":1714390807},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5990471,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989967
Now I’m imagining Linda getting Arty into wargaming by showing Arty there’s a Wilderness faction made up of nothing but magical creatures.
Cue mechanized infantry battalion vs. spider swarms and hippogriffs vs. auror squads.","attachment":null,"posted":1714444853},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5990549,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5989855
Thank you!
>>5989967
I love it, anon! Thank you so much for the art! I love their expressions!
>>5989790
Agreed. If we're to win or lose, let it be fair.
>>5989404
Considering I have never played any Persona, I can guarantee that if any plot points ever happen to coincide, it is not intentional (mostly because every single thing I heard about those games make them sound like a fucking fever dream)
--
Arty scurries back to your side, looking proud of herself, and you look proud of her.
“Linda, you up for tackling the Castle of Maidens?”
“Leading a charge to save a bunch of helpless maidens?” She asks. “Yeah, I can do that.”
“Be careful. In some versions of this story, they say Morgan was there. And you won’t be fighting with wands.”
She nods. “Swords and shields, bows and arrows. Yeah, I got it. Let us go, Galahad.”
Armor appears around Linda, replacing her clothes. A sword at her hip, a helmet at her head. The room around you changes to be green forests surrounding a lonely castle in a great clearing by a river, with an army of men surrounding it, Linda and Galahad standing atop a nearby hill.
“There it is, the Castle of Maidens,” Galahad says. “Lord Tallidés has put it under siege, and it is our duty to rescue the fair maidens that live within.”
“Wait a sec, I can’t see crap in this thing.” Linda struggles with her helmet before managing to pull it out. “Ah, that’s better. Right, the situation doesn’t look good. How many men do we have?”
Galahad turns and waves to the space behind them, where a small army stands at the ready. Still, they are outnumbered.
“Huh, we’ll need to be clever about this.”
Galahad and Linda retreat from view, then spend several minutes devising a plan and coordinating their troops. Once they are ready, they descend upon the besieging army like a storm, Linda directing the archers to support the horsemen, Galahad charging with the infantry, striking and pushing them into the river. Once the enemy is in the water, the archers can pick them off one by one, and though they have suffered some losses, the result of the battle is a definite victory.
“This is still not over,” Galahad shouts as the battlefield is calming down. “Where is Tallidés!? Bring him here so he may answer for his crime!”
A loud scream comes from the castle.
“Help! Please!”
They charge towards the partially broken main gates, where a beautiful woman, with moon-bright skin and white gold hair, dressed in fine silks is waiting for them with a fearful look on her face.
“Please! Their lord has broken through with some of his men! They have my sisters!”
“Open the gates so we can march in!”
The castle’s gate creaks open, what remains of the army marching through. The woman, more beautiful than anyone you’ve ever seen, clutches at Galahad and Linda’s hands.
“Please! My sisters! Please hurry!”
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1714454804},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5990550,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5990549
Even you, at this distance, are entranced by her sheer beauty. You feel the need to go there, to aid them in saving the other women of this castle. It’s Arty’s small whisper at your side that brings you out of your trance.
“Oh no.”
You look back, trying to see what she sees, knowing that even if you do, there is nothing you can do to help.
“Of course, milady. Do not be afraid,” Linda says, posing gallantly. “Raven Everdark is here to help you! Lead us to them!”
They charge in, searching for the remaining soldiers as the woman goes with them, attracting every glance. Up they go, until they find a group of men threatening a group of equally, if not more, beautiful and scantily clad ladies. Another battle follows and though there are more losses, they once again come out victorious.
And the vision does not yet fade.
The women cheer in happiness as the last enemy falls, thanking, hugging and kissing the soldiers.
“Oh brave warriors! I am Lorelei, lady of this castle! Please, let us reward you for your bravery! Rest with us before going on to your adventures!” One of them says. They pull the soldiers, Galahad and Raven away from all the dead bodies and into a room, and soon silver platters with fruits arrive. There the women talk, cheer, compliment and feed them. One by one, they convince the soldiers to remove their heavy armor.
The enemy is dead, after all. No need to keep that bothersome thing on, is there?
Out come the breastplates and the helmets, and the beautiful women of the Castle of Maidens mingle with them. They touch them gently, softly, all of them entranced by their beauty. The women are in smaller numbers, but in mere minutes they have all the soldiers at their fingertips.
You scream for Raven to snap out of it, but she doesn’t listen.
Then the touches begin to grow more intimate. Firmer. Closer. They turn into hugs. The hugs turn to kisses to the base of the neck. Raven moans, a moan that should only be given in a bedroom, but she does not seem to care, and neither do the men around her, their hands in breasts and buttcheeks, their tongues intertwined with those of their rescuers. Some have their own private beauties, some share, so that everyone is involved.
And the beautiful Lorelei, straddling Raven, kisses her.
“No, I… I shouldn’t.” Raven says, sounding confused for a moment. “I-”
She’s interrupted as the woman shuts her up with her tongue once more. Raven loses herself for several long seconds before pushing her away again.
“No. I have… I have a boyfriend.”
“He won’t know,” the blonde says. “It will stay just between us.”
She tries to go for another kiss, but Raven stops her.
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1714454865},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5990551,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5990550
“I will know.” You see her struggling to regain her thoughts. “I will know.”
“I’m sure I can show you things he never would. There are things only us ladies can do.” One of Lorelei’s hands goes down to Raven’s breast, the other tries going down further. But Raven holds them.
“I said no.”
“Come on, just another kiss,” she says, with a sultry smile. “I’m sure it will change your mind.”
You can see when Raven’s mind snaps fully into focus, her face turning to anger.
“No!”
She pushes the woman away from her and she falls to the floor with a painful thud.
“Gah! You vile little bitch! Fine, we do this the hard way! Come, sisters! We shall feast for weeks!”
And balls of flames appear between her now sharp fingers, feathers grow from her arms as her body’s shape changes to something beastial, the true form of a veela.
She lets out a long thrill and her sisters respond. Their faces elongate into sharp, cruel-beaked bird heads, and long, scaly wings burst from their shoulders. Their fingers, already touching the soldiers, sink into their flesh as they grow into talons, making the men scream.
Linda scrambles for a sword, but there are none nearby. She ducks as a ball of fire flies over her head, diving under a table. She rolls and crawls as battle crashes down around her, grabbing one of the metal plates and using it as an improvised shield to block the attacks.
“Crap, crap, crap!”
> Roll a d100+15 for Raven (+25 from her natural prowess, -10 from the clusterfuck around her). Bo3, DC 90","attachment":null,"posted":1714454948},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5990556,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 44 + 15 (1d100 + 15)
>>5990551
>DC 90
fuck! cmon dice gods! your last roll was great helping Elliot, lend us your strength to our friend!","attachment":null,"posted":1714455640},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5990557,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 63 (1d100)
>>5990551+15
Whooops, shoulda went for Apollo. Oh well.
Fuck them up, Lady Everdark.","attachment":null,"posted":1714455705},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5990566,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 59 + 15 (1d100 + 15)
>>5990551
Hopefully this doesn't mean Apollo is going to have to do one that doesn't fit him.","attachment":null,"posted":1714455989},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5990567,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990566
>>5990557
>>5990556
fuck","attachment":null,"posted":1714456055},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5990571,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990556
>>5990557
>>5990566
Ah shit.","attachment":null,"posted":1714457114},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5990597,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990556
>>5990557
>>5990566
Fuck.
At least we didn't send Brighton, that would have probably been an auto fail. Hopefully Raven gets more than 1 chance at this. Apollo might have been better for this due to being... Apollo and immune to thots. Raven was still probably a good choice for this just due to being a girl and wiping the floor with the army with no rolls and being able to resist that bitch's advances due to her love for Taylor. It is cute as fuck she still says he is her boyfriend despite him being dead for like 3 months. Also now I am thinking of Raven/Veela thot smut.
I did think she would be able to see that this was a trap but maybe her strategy game autism got the better of her.
>>5990471
I bet there is a Wilderness faction in that wizard 40k game we got Raven a few pieces for at Christmas. Getting Arty into it so Raven has someone to play with would be funny, especially since she is a good commander.
>>5990549
The persona games are good if you dont mind a bit of grindy game play. Persona 3 is one of my favorite games, to the point I own all the versions that have been released in the last like 20 years.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714463536180080.jpg","filename":"GGeMnrMXIAAbC7-.jpg"},"posted":1714463536},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5990659,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990597
>went from Elliot/Apollo as choices
>to Arty/Raven
See >>5989258
We had Apollo right initially, I'll bet, but we shifted to having Arty right. So now we're 1-1 because we failed the rolls","attachment":null,"posted":1714472886},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5990675,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990659
Elliot may have been the actual best for this last one honestly. He is a good commander, could have resisted the veela thot, and because of Crouch's training could likely out fight everyone here in a physical altercation.
However, if we had, did have to roll and still got the same BS mediocre stuff as we have for the whole quest it might not have mattered.
I really did think Raven would be able to see this was a trap.
We still have another smart good commander to use for one of the tasks so maybe Brighton can be useful.
My only worry about Apollo now is sending him on a task which ends up being physical/magical might, since he is still recovering from magical exhaustion.
Depending, we might want to send Elliot on the next thing, if it was the one meant for Raven despite it not being the one he is best suited for it just because he has us in his head, and we could possibly help to pick up the slack. IDK, need to see how this one shakes out and what the next one is.","attachment":null,"posted":1714476703},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5990678,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990675
If we had won this too, we'd be 2-0, and we need best 3 of 5 to get past this trial. I wonder if we fail, will it have all been for nothing? Or did Merlin fail at least once too?","attachment":null,"posted":1714477277},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5990682,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990678
He isn't all knowing or all powerful so I could guess in all the times he came down here he had to fail at least once. He obviously didn't fail that often, considering he designed the trials and managed to keep making new bodies for himself.
I am really not sure how QM would deal with us failing to make it through, all the way to the end of this place, since this is supposed to have stakes, but I assume he doesn't want a rocks fall everyone dies thing. I am going to guess if we fail, it won't be good for Elliot regardless of what happens","attachment":null,"posted":1714478363},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5990686,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 4, 1, 14, 2, 1, 12, 13, 13, 14, 1, 4, 15, 8, 8, 10, 12, 14, 10, 2, 8, 12, 10, 13, 5, 8 = 214 (25d15)
>>5990551
I don’t care that we’re already fucked I’m rolling anyways","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714479047944410.jpg","filename":"IMG_5302.jpg"},"posted":1714479047},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5990689,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 27 + 15 (1d100 + 15)
>>5990686
That was very much the wrong dice wtf
I must be rustier than I thought","attachment":null,"posted":1714479109},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5990704,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1 + 15 (1d100 + 15)
>>5990689
This is how you do it.","attachment":null,"posted":1714482371},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5990706,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990704
Hahaha.
It is probably good I have bad timing and miss a lot of the rolls.
This is the second nat 1 I have rolled for Raven when it didn't count. The other one was for how many sex toys she had in her suitcase. Perhaps the dice hate me for all the porn I have written about these characters.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714482887081586.jpg","filename":"Merlin.jpg"},"posted":1714482887},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5990725,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990551
I don’t suppose she can use the banked army roll since she’s leading a group in combat and is always present in those study sessions?","attachment":null,"posted":1714486755},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5990748,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990725
That would be pretty great but I doubt it is going to be allowed. It would be perfect since the last one we had was literally 90.","attachment":null,"posted":1714489516},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5990866,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990706
>>5990704
>>5990689
>>5990686
>all these miserable rolls even with the wrong die","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714503208712624.png","filename":"we are doomed.png"},"posted":1714503208},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5990881,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990866
It seems Raven/Linda is as hated by the dice Elliot is; maybe more. Makes some sense, given she is our bestie. Maybe we should have shouted "Fuck 'em up Dark Lady Everdark" while rolling?
I think the only time we got 3 rolls above a 90 before modifiers was when we fought the Inferi to save Arty. Maybe her being in danger is the key for good rolls in this quest.
We have come in clutch a few times but this game has some of the more cursed rolls I recall seeing in quite a while.
Lets hope Apollo's chadness extends to dice when it is his turn.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714505411108704.jpg","filename":"Fsf8_nEXwAEeDjj.jpg"},"posted":1714505411},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5990926,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990881
I just think DC 90 is unreasonable most of the time.","attachment":null,"posted":1714509683},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5990932,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990926
With 3 rolls and a +15, I think we had better than a 50/50 shot at success. I haven't double-checked, but Meta's AI tells me it was a bit over 58%.","attachment":null,"posted":1714510215},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5990942,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990551
Dc 90 is kind of insane what the fuck","attachment":null,"posted":1714510930},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5990944,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990942
for Elliot it wouldnt have, but for Linda/Raven? yeah, bit bullshit","attachment":null,"posted":1714511042},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5990947,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990932
It’s the basic calculation for probability where you take the chance of not getting it on one roll raise it to the number of rolls, with the number being your chance of failing every roll.
0.74^3 (subtracting 15 from the DC gives an equivalent result to adding to our roll, and we win in the event of a tie) yields a 40.5224% chance of failure. The inverse of that, 59.4776%, was the success chance.
So yeah, better than 50/50 in our favor.","attachment":null,"posted":1714511276},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5990951,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990947
you forgot the variable of the cursed rolls we´ve had pretty much this entire quest, other than a hanful of exceptions, our rolls have usually been shit even with bonuses","attachment":null,"posted":1714511588},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5990964,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990926
>>5990942
I think the only part that annoyed me was her losing 10 on her roll, not that it would have mattered. We chose poorly for this quest and a real chance of failure is better than some quests I have seen where the MC almost can't lose. There is one power fantasy one running where in the like half dozen threads I read before dropping it, the protag only failed one or maybe two rolls.
I do hope Raven gets a chance to turn this shit around and maybe only gets injured. I still think she should have been the best option here based on her background, knowledge base, understanding all women are harpies when they want to be, ect. But maybe it was a mistake sending the girl who seems like she might be a bit bi into a castle full of maidens, even if her love for Taylor prevented an auto fail. IDK.","attachment":null,"posted":1714513548},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5990999,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Arty and Linda are both good choices cuz they know how to fight with their hands to an extent.
Apollo is way too reliant on his raw magic.","attachment":null,"posted":1714516461},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991021,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990999
True. He was also magically and physically exhausted from fighting Dumbledore's skeleton. He might have been able to see through the trap or just completely shrug off the Veelas' supernatural beauty due to the 'tism but who knows if he could have convinced the knights to not go in for an orgy, since he is not good with words. He is the physically strongest of our group, been described as being stronger than a boy his age should be and is 6'1 though.
I am starting to wonder if my first guess that Brighton was the worst choice is completely off base and he would have been able to lead the knights well and immediately tell the bird thots were up to something. Hell, maybe he is gay in secret and wouldn't be affected by them at all; he just keeps his floozies around to keep up his cover because he is in the closet.
Elliot might have been the best choice, given his army roll bonus and loving Arty enough to not be affected by the thottery. He was able to tell what was up when watching Raven, but he also had figured out what the correct question was in Arty's trial. Maybe he auto passes any one trial but we only get to use him the single time?","attachment":null,"posted":1714518327},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991024,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990999
Apollo was probably the correct choice regardless. Anyone who would have resisted their advances at the start would spring the trap early, before they had disarmed the rest of the knights. Falling in battle would NOT have disqualified him either, the goal was to have less casualties than the challenger and the rest of the knights would have had a better chance.
I regret voting for Linda over Apollo, but such is life.","attachment":null,"posted":1714518592},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991027,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991021
Honestly, Elliot totally would have got got, remember early days with Lily?","attachment":null,"posted":1714519448},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991045,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991027
Back before he had found his true love? Yeah, he was kind of a push over, but he did push Lily off when she cornered him and drunk kissed him. Apparently resisted her advances one of the times he got obliviated at the Quidditch field too. Friend zoned her so hard, her soul died.
He is and by extension us kind of a white knight, hence Salazar saying he likes broken things, so who knows. I guess it is a moot question now. Maybe if Raven can survive by the time the rest of her party dispatch the Veela she can still pull out a win because fewer people died when they broke the siege because of her better tactics, since the win condition is just fewer casualties than before.
What if these aren't visions/trials, but we are actually going back in time each time and changing things so it helps Merlin more?He did create the time turners and while modern magic doesn't let you go back more than 5 hours, this place was created by the Atlanteans and repurposed by Merlin. Maybe they Butterfly Effected themselves out of existence by doing the same kind of shit we are. Instead of physically going back, us and our friends are just sending information backwards to crucial points, one that Merlin knew could be changed in a way that benefited his future plans.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714520530374390.png","filename":"lily4.png"},"posted":1714520530},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991068,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Also, I am really getting the feeling Arthur is just another identity of Merlin. His body is supposed to rest down here next to Lailokens. We know Lailoken was just Merlin in a wig. So yeah Arthur was down here because he retired that personality. I can't figure out why Merlin would willingly bring another to his ace in the hole live forever cavern with him; like even if they were the best of friends or even lovers, Merlin knew it wouldn't matter in the end since the next time he came down, he would be ridden of any attachment he might have had by Nimue. Merlin knew he would be gone for a while, even if he couldn't see why exactly but would return. Arthur is called the "Once and Future King"; predicted to come back to lead Britain once more, lead it to a new golden age. Sounds oddly similar to a man who you could call the King of Magic planning to return after an extended absence. Hmmmmm.","attachment":null,"posted":1714522196},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991088,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991068
It could be that Arthur wasn’t another Merlin identity, but was expected to be in the future. Arthur’s “spirit” is missing, which is all that Merlin is now. If he went through all this here, he may be able to inhabit Arthur’s body and return with it. Much better than Elliot’s body, that’s for sure.
So Arthur was groomed with his own legend so Merlin could supplant it later?","attachment":null,"posted":1714524137},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991142,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991088
>Merlin was a groomer
Sounds possible. We know this guy has a very loose concept of ethics. He cheated on Rowena multiple times as Lailoken, lied for years to her, abandoned her after she just had his child, then came back and sacrificed the mother of his child. Honestly, if Salazar does end up being why Merlin's ritual sucked him in as well, my opinion of him would go up quite a lot.
Not sure which idea is more likely. Merlin could create a new body here it seems. I am also pretty sure he left the means for a copy of himself to take over someone else. A spare body isn't unlikely. Probably had other fail-safes to ensure his return we haven't considered yet.
Wizards. No sense of right and wrong.","attachment":null,"posted":1714527412},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991157,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991142
And a number of wizards who do don’t care. Right, wrong, I’m the man with the wand so what I say goes.
I’m willing to give credit for sabotaging Merlin to Salazar until proven otherwise. It’s not enough to make me respect the man, but credit where credit is (likely) due and we’re absolutely leveraging it to put Merlin away for good if possible.
… unrelated, but if we do convince Potter to pull the Time Turners out of the void then do you think we can also convince him to stash them on a deep-space satellite somehow? Probably a safer alternative than keeping them on Earth or launching them into the sun. I’d normally bet on launching things into the sun being a safe disposal method, but I’d have also thought tossing them into not-really-metaphorical nothingness would also work and that proved incorrect. Better to not risk our only sun.","attachment":null,"posted":1714529064},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991204,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991157
I like the idea Cocksucker is actually Merlin and not Salazar, that Sally was a hero the whole time aside from being a petty asshole and racist. Especially since we found out the whole idea of blood purity was just something Merlin planted in wizardkind's heads to control the population. Or at least was a hero in the end, Snape style. Hell could be him leaving Hogwarts was to figure out what he could to defeat Merlin and the whole muggleborn disagreement was just a cover. House of the cunning after all. Guess we will find out. Would be a pretty interesting reveal.
I am not even sure they can remove the time turners from the Void. We can always see when this shit shakes out, and we reach a point telling Potter the real story without him going apeshit and doing something dumb that destroys the world. Might be Ancient Magic is what it takes, our connection with Helga being great enough she could manipulate it through Elliot in order to remove them. Launching them into deep space sounds better than the sun, just in case they like speed up its aging somehow or loop its time so much no light escapes. We could also maybe toss them in the storage space in the Mirror, possibly. They would be safe in there as long as it was kept secret where they went, since the Mirror is going to be around till the heat death of the universe.","attachment":null,"posted":1714533731},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991207,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991204
>>5991157
Throwing the timeturners into unknown-space is 100% how you end up sparking an alien invasion or creating a time-warping SpaceGodzilla.","attachment":null,"posted":1714534063},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991255,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991207
So what you are saying is volume 2 of the quest would be Wizards vs Aliens or kaiju. Sounds like a win-win to me.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714539400599790.jpg","filename":"FHGrv3MXoAIxnCu.jpg"},"posted":1714539400},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991562,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989301
>>5989337
Those are interesting theories. I had actually briefly considered that Elliot would have to sacrifice himself, toss himself through the Archway in the ministry and that the Founders would end up back in the void to contain the Merlin Beast, keep it from escaping again at some point along with Elliot. Something I really don't want to consider. If that does end up being what we have to do, we are getting Arty pregnant before we sacrifice ourselves, so she has something to remember us by. Being a single mom is hard but she would have Helen and Kendrick there to help. Linda would make a good god mother. And if what had happened, what Elliot did to save the world was known, those kids would be treated like magical royalty. Hope it doesn't come to that.
As for us not really existing before September of last year... I mean it is possible. Does that mean our mom and dad never existed either? We talked about it some in thread 1 but now that we have more info it MIGHT be possible. I speculated once that Elliot was like a "Counter Guardian" from Fate. That we just appeared to save the world and would disappear when it was done. Might be possible Merlin used another Grand Ritual to ensure someone would be there to do it if he was destroyed or turned evil, ergo Elliot popping up right when someone had to stop Salazar from ruling the world. The Cup of Sorrow can bind the entire world to a contract after all.
The Potter's and Hogwarts might have been protected from the world inserting memories of us in them because of Ancient Magic. Potter just so happening to have the Cloak and/or Map with him at the time and Lily having the stone with her having recently stolen it; those bits of power leaking out protected them. Hogwarts' enchantments are made of Ancient magic, of course. The Wand was in Dumbledore's tomb, so no one had that one at the time.
It is possible.
Elliot slowly fading during his and Arty's marriage ceremony would mirror a certain scene from an anime I know QM has seen, since one of the original spells in quest is a green drill shaped spiral of energy named Lagann which pierces things.
>Must be the one dead zone for timeline rewriting because it was never meant to have “time” to begin with.
Makes sense why it could get him as well. If time didn't exist there till recently, it would be a blind spot for him I imagine, something his Sight Beyond Sight wouldn't see coming, something that could take him out. Also I just realized that was a ThunderCats reference. I knew it was familiar. I, too, was a child of the early 90's. I would have a giggle if the true title of Excalibur was "the Sword of Omens".
Anyway, if we get a trial from Gawain I think that is going to be the one to send Elliot to, since there are a few parallels or similarities between our boy and him, in some of the legends at least. Unless we are going with the idea that the person most opposite of the knight is better.","attachment":null,"posted":1714576761},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991571,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991562
If we were inserted, fate/time should have made small changes where possible so our parents likely existed. Could have been they were already married but had no kids. A longer reach could have been that they never met and were independent when a change caused them to meet instead, paving the way for us. Seems like more work than just finding a couple without kids to plonk one down on retroactively though.
If we do a timeline sacrifice, I don’t think we’d be having any kids. If we do the more ordinary “die to save the world” route I’d prefer to not burden her as a single mom without some time for her to think about it. She wants to be one, sure, but we couldn’t give her the number of kids she’s (currently) looking for.
Of course, my mom wanted more kids until after she had my ADHD-riddled ass and learned how hard keeping up with just one was. Maybe Artie would dial back her expectations because “pushing through exhaustion” with your kids isn’t going to be good enough for her.","attachment":null,"posted":1714578167},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991615,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991562
>one of the original spells in quest is a green drill shaped spiral of energy named Lagann which pierces things.
That is stolen from the fat californian redditor jew's famous masturbatory fanfic, Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality, as well as Prismatis and the slow moving blade that vaporizes things if touched and many other great and interesting ideas. That fanfic is a goldmine, but it is also a physical easy-to-point-to example of why 4chan has always maintained that reddit is BAD.
>a certain scene from an anime
The Gurren Lagann ending SUCKS
Samurai Jack Season 5 (which I still remember being in the /co/ threads for so many years ago) copied it almost exactly too, though it sucked less there
>a ThunderCats reference
Is it? How sure are you?","attachment":null,"posted":1714580954},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991616,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991571
Naturally, it would be up to her if she wanted to take that on if Elliot had to die to save the world. It would also depend on if we can get her anywhere close to a normal lifespan, since especially after she learns her own mom roped herself and that is why she was never able to meet her, I doubt she would want to bring a kid into the world if their dad was dead, and she would die before they even graduated. Even though she wants 'em, and they would have a good support network via their grandparents, her brother, Linda, ect. Arty is too kind to make them go through her dying.
These are worst case scenarios, of course. It also relies on her not dying in the next few in game hours.
I do think she would be okay if she knew she would live long enough to take care of them. She isn't afraid of hard work though, and Merula seems to have done a pretty good job by herself considering how well the Snyde girls turned out.
I also now know what a Merula cup is now which is great. Go me for googling her to check something and finding that.","attachment":null,"posted":1714580956},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991625,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991615
I liked it better when I thought QM had great taste in anime. I only read a bit of Methods of Rationality years ago. I recall seeing that the dark ritual Linda mentioned on the train was a reference to it, the one with a sword and a rope. A green drill of energy just screams that anime, however, so maybe that fic used it as a reference? GL did come out before it.
And that is the only place I recall seeing "Sight Beyond Sight", so if there is another, that is fine. You seem more well versed in Harry Potter fan fiction than me.
And Gurren Lagann is kino, even the ending.","attachment":null,"posted":1714581657},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991635,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991625
>I thought QM had great taste in anime
What if he still does? How are you so sure?
>maybe that fic used it as a reference?
You are a retard for even asking it when it is so blatant and intentional already, and that fic is filled with fucktons of other blatant and shameless references
>only place I recall seeing "Sight Beyond Sight"
I don't even remember that
>You seem more well versed in Harry Potter fan fiction
Nope
>even the ending
I like how the guys behind that one Super Robot Wars game hated it so much they made Nia remain in existence and have at least one kid with Simon. Now that's how it should have been","attachment":null,"posted":1714583265},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991636,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991616
>spoiler
finally, another anon that sees the might of the powerful witch at Hogwarts: Merula Snyde
shame it wouldnt be Merula herself but her daughters, still good tho, i´ll take any Snyde content we can get","attachment":null,"posted":1714583374},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991667,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5990926
If it was one dice? Absolutely. But with Bo3 the odds are much higher (the average is 80), and it is what I take into account when making the DCs, and it does skew them up.
When I was deciding what system to use, I had to choose between a more stable system with more consistent results (say, 1d20+bonus) or a system with more variability but more interaction (more people can roll and there is more room for consistent growth with 3d100). I chose to go with the latter, but that does come with its own set of problems.
As an example, in D&D, a DC of 5 would be a Very Easy task (80% chance of success), while an easy task would be DC 10 (55%). With Bo3d100, the equivalent DCs would be 60 and 78, approximately. With a +15 bonus, as the other anons pointed it out, there was a 59% percent chance of success. (Not that D&D is the epitome of game balance, but just so you can see how things compare and the method to my madness.)
The biggest problem with the Bo3d100 is that is "bunches up" the results, making it so the probability climbs too fast in the lower ends. So from DC 85 -> 90 -> 95 -> 100 the probability goes 40% -> 30% -> 17% -> 3%, dropping off a cliff at the end, instead of being evenly distributed. Maybe by next quest I come up with a system that is less cramped, but that's what it is for now.
If you want to look behind the curtain and peek at the actual probabilities, you can always look here https://anydice.com/program/363f0 (and click on "At Least")
--
“Crap! Crap! Crap!” Raven crawls under the tables as fire rains down upon her. People scream and shout, fighting with whatever is at hand. “Why don’t I have my wand when I need it!?”
The burning table above her is flipped, and the now fully harpy-like Lorelei reaches down towards her with her sharp claws.
“Come here, little girl! I just want a bite!”
“Fuck off!” Raven swings the plate in her hands, slamming it against the veela’s face, who stumbles backwards. The girl uses the opportunity to scramble to her feet and dive towards where a few discarded swords lie. She swigs them around to keep the veelas away, but the blade is far too heavy for her to use properly. She looks around, and you can see her calculating, you can see the moment she decides there’s no saving it. “Crap. If I die here, do I die outside or do I just fail?”
She asks more to herself than anyone else, and receives no answer.
“Yeah, this is a bloody mess. Lesson learned, never trust a nice arse, no matter how nice it is. And here I thought I’d need to teach one of the boys that lesson.” She throws the sword at an approaching creature and grabs a shield off the floor. “Screw it! Sorry Elliot!”
Holding the shield in front of her, she runs and dives directly through the closest window.
“Hope this river is deep enooooough!”
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1714586910},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991668,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5991667
She falls at least thirty feet holding the shield above her like the world’s smallest parachute before hitting the water feet first, then hitting the ground under the water about three meters later. You can hear her scream through the bubbles.
She struggles with the water and the pain, but manages to force herself to the surface before collapsing on the shore, taking deep breaths through gritted teeth. It still takes long minutes for the fighting above to end and Galahad to stumble out the front door, alone and covered in blood.
The Castle of Maidens fades, Linda’s clothes return to normal and the room with the Round Table appears back into view.
“You bloody idiot!” You say, worried, dropping down by her legs where a bone is very much piercing skin. “Did you really think the shield would help you?”
“Not on the air,” she gasps. “Figured it might in the water.”
You shake your head. "Bone's half-fucked. We're going to need to put it in the right place before healing."
"Is it going to hurt?"
“Like a bitch.”
“Cool. Give me something to bite, at least.”
“Can’t. Someone is going to need to turn a Wiggenweld down your throat, so try not to grit your teeth. Brighton, hold her in place, will you?”
After a bit of coordinating and you passing orders, Brighton holds her by the shoulders, you grab her foot and pull. She screams bloody murder, but Arty manages to drown her with at least half a bottle of the potion, and you eventually feel the bone heal. You let go of her leg and her screaming eventually subsides, reduced to gasps and teary groans as Brighton finishes up with a few minor healing spells.
"Thanks... And sorry."
You shake your head, calmer, now that you’re sure she is mostly fine. "It's fine. Just don’t give me another heart attack like that."
“I was pretty sure that if I fell with my feet first I wouldn’t die.”
“There are limits to what my potions can do, or healing spells. For some things I’d have to get Apollo to lug you out of here to St. Mungo’s. I can’t heal your femur out of your ribcage.”
She laughs at that, or tries to, before groaning in pain.
“I can’t believe I fell for a Veela. I’d heard about them but… That’s some real powerful stuff.”
“Brighton and Elliot almost went to help you fight for them,” Arty says, but there is a mocking tone in her voice.
“Well, obviously,” Brighton says. “It wouldn’t be a very good trap if you could easily avoid it just because you knew it was there. And I didn’t have to avoid it. I’m not dating anyone, I can enjoy the show.”
“Wait, you’re not?” You ask, confused.
“No, why?”
“Then… You know what? I don’t want to know. Are you good, Linda?”
“I’ll live. Just let me lay here for a while, I’ll be up in a bit. Your Wiggenweld packs a punch.”
You stand back up, cleaning up the sweat that had soaked you as you saw your best friend jump from who knows how high.
“One out of two,” Arthur says. “And you didn’t even lose your chosen. Very well.”
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1714586971},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991671,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5991668
“What… what happens if they die during your tasks?”
“They die. Injures will be just injuries, as there is no magic here to replicate what the Grail did to poor Percival throughout his life, but death… well, that is quite permanent.”
You ball your hands into fists. You had just sort of assumed that… That Merlin wouldn’t have put death traps into his Great Work. And he hadn’t, because these challenges wouldn’t have been challenges for Merlin. He would have been perfectly safe. But not you and your friends, mere mortals.
You breathe deeply, trying to regain your composure.
“Very well. What… what are the next challenges?”
Arthur turns to one of the two remaining shadows by him. “Gwain, if you would.”
The shadow takes the form of a handsome and muscular man, of dark hair, strong jaw and piercing eyes.
“When I served at my king’s side, there was once a great celebration during New Year’s. There, this knight, of green clothes and even green skin, appeared. He issued a challenge against the bravest of Arthur’s warriors: To strike him with his own axe, and that in a year and a day he would return the blow. I did not hesitate, took his axe and chopped off his head in a single blow.” Fear creeps into the knight’s voice. “Imagine, to my horror, that he stood up, put his head back onto his shoulders and strode off. I knew I had signed my own death, but I was no liar. A year and a day later, I strode into the Green Chapel, where I would fight for my life and my honor. To this day, what I faced there terrifies me. Be braver than me and conquer the challenges there, and you shall pass.”
The Green Knight… There was some variation of that story, but not much. They all ended with the knight simply nicking the neck of Gwain, but you find it unlikely that’s how it really ended. If what he said was true, then this Green Knight had to be some sort of magical entity. You knew headless ghosts existed, but they shouldn’t be able to affect the world around them. You knew dullahans as mythical creatures, but as far as you knew they weren’t real.
Whatever it is, it will require someone able to adapt to whatever this thing is, and be able to fight it, without a wand.
> Elliot goes to meet The Green Knight
> Brighton goes to meet The Green Knight
> Apollo goes to meet The Green Knight
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1714587032},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991672,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5991671
“And for the other one?” You ask.
Arthur takes a deep, deep sigh. “Sir Lancelot, if you would.”
The shadows takes the shape of… A beautiful woman in her fifties, dark flowing hair with just a tinge of white, a chiseled face and powerful physique. She wears a dark armor and has a killer look on her face.
“So I guess Stay Night missed which seat at the Round Table it was, then,” you say to no one but yourself, but you do hear Linda snort a laugh from the floor.
“In my foul quest to seduce the innocent Queen Guinevere, I once pursued her through many perils. One of such perils was the Sword-bridge. The river below it was black and raging like a storm, so deep and bottomless that were I to fall, I would be lost to the salt and the waves of the distant sea.” As she speaks, the words seem almost forced out of her, and Arthur looks on with a sour expression. “The only crossing was a bridge made out of a gleaming sword, polished and sharp. The gap was too long to cross with a leap, and on the other side, two lions awaited me, posed to attack. My lust was greater than my sense, and through great pains and injury I made it across. Show me you can cross it too, and you shall pass.”
You take a moment to process the words. In the original tale, Lancelot crossed the sword-bridge to rescue Guinevere, Arthur’s wife, from a kidnapper. In the tale, he was also her lover. This means that either the tale is severely wrong about what happened, which wouldn’t be a first, or… Or Arthur resentment was leaking into “Sir” Lancelot’s shadow.
In any case, Lancelot was supposed to have removed his gauntlets to get a better grip on the sword and just crossed the hard and painful way, on his hands and knees, coming out on the other side bleeding profusely, but alive. Fortunately for him, the lions had happened to be illusions and he was not eaten alive. Whether that was true or just part of the story, you don’t know.
Crossing the Sword-bridge won’t be easy, most of all without a wand. Maybe there is a better way, a cleverer way, or maybe whoever does it will have to grit their teeth and get through it like Lancelot. You have… Unfortunate experiences with high amounts of pain, so maybe you could get through, even if you don’t like the idea. But you also don’t like the idea of sending either Brighton or Apollo to it.
> Elliot goes to cross The Sword-bridge
> Brighton goes to cross The Sword-bridge
> Apollo goes to cross The Sword-bridge
Vote wisely. Unless both succeed, whoever is left will have to face Arthur in his own challenge.","attachment":null,"posted":1714587114},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991675,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">these tasks have right people for them which will just solve it without rolls, have answers which will depend on a dice roll, and wrong answers, and I have already decided beforehand which is which.
Arty was right for Percival's. This means she was roll-reliant or flat wrong for the other 4.
Linda was not right but a roll could have got her through.
We cannot reuse people in these Arthur trials. This means Linda was the right person for either Gawain or Lancelot or Arthur, not for Galahad. But we do NOT have a guarantee that it goes
>1 full correct, no-roll
>2 partial correct, dice needed
>2 full wrong, auto-fail
HeadQM could have made somebody have one person be full correct for 2 trials, partial correct for 1, and full wrong for 2. It is not a guarantee how he decided these.
We have to decide 2 right now and not 1, so we cannot decide the final 2 based on how the first 1 goes. We are currently 1-1.","attachment":null,"posted":1714587799},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991677,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991675
I personally think Apollo to Gawain, Brighton to Lancelot, Elliot to Arthur... but there's no guarantee our protag is the right man to face Arthur's trial just because he's the protag and Arthur is Arthur.","attachment":null,"posted":1714588116},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991680,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991677
>>5991675
Look
>>5987777
>It isn’t a task of power, but of wits.
But Arty got past with compassion and care, looking at the king's hands.
>show me there is someone within you who could have done better, show me there is one who could have seen the truth before me
>>5987778
>who would fare best against the “foulness” Galahad mentioned? Who can best see through a trap like that?
Linda failed because it wasn't actually the trap, but minimizing casualties that was the end goal
>Show me that someone could have done so without losing so many, show me that someone could have gotten through with less bloodshed
Now look at these
>>5991671
>what I faced there terrifies me. Be braver than me and conquer the challenges there
>require someone able to adapt to whatever this thing is, and be able to fight it, without a wand
>>5991672
>My lust was greater than my sense, and through great pains and injury I made it across. Show me you can cross it too
>Maybe there is a better way, a cleverer way, or maybe whoever does it will have to grit their teeth and get through it like Lancelot","attachment":null,"posted":1714588462},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991681,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991675
>>5991677
>>5991680
My ID keeps changing, but a
I am the same person for fuck's sake. I might be reading too hard into these descriptions","attachment":null,"posted":1714588532},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991692,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Me in >>5991681
>>5991668
>“It wouldn’t be a very good trap if you could easily avoid it just because you knew it was there. And I didn’t have to avoid it. I’m not dating anyone, I can enjoy the show.”
Is this the QM's way of saying Brighton would be the best one for that? Instead of causing the fight to break out and making the veela go raptor mode, he'd fuck them alongside the knights and have 0 casualties because he's going along with them and not against them?
>There was foulness at play that we had not expected, of which we were not warned
The "foulness" is just "the tower's actually filled with magic harpy monstergirls"? And Brighton would "fare best" against it by... simply accepting the foulness isn't even anything bad? He'd just win with his dick? This means Galahad did exactly like Linda, or Linda did exactly like Galahad did, where they saw through to what was going on, and decided to reject it
The knights of King Arthur, looking back, weren't really that knightly were they?","attachment":null,"posted":1714588976},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991699,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5991692
Ask me again once all the tasks are over and I can say who's who on each task. And, of course, always take Brighton's word with a mountain of salt. He does think too highly of himself.
And yes, Linda did what Galahad originally did, eventually breaking out of the seduction and getting attacked, though he fought his way out while trying to save his men, while she jumped out of the window because she couldn't fight out of there, nor did she care about the other soldiers (because they weren't real)","attachment":null,"posted":1714589543},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991703,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991671
>Whatever it is, it will require someone able to adapt to whatever this thing is, and be able to fight it, without a wand.
>Apollo goes to meet The Green Knight
he doesnt have a wand, but he isnt useless, didnt he manhandled us a couple of times before when he got mad with us about Arty?
he also beat the fucking magical skelleton when it attacked him by surprice, if that doesnt prove he is able to adapt to anything, i dont know what is
>>5991672
>Maybe there is a better way, a cleverer way, or maybe whoever does it will have to grit their teeth and get through it like Lancelot.
i feel like its cliche but we are going against Arthur, thats just a gut feeling.
But Brighton feels like the best for this one, he is extremely clever and top of his class in Ravenclaw so he is VERY smart, his ego has been his donwnfall so far and right now, in this test, i dont really SEE something that could trigger his ego.
he fucked us in battle class with a mandrake, that was very clever of him (much as it pains me to admit it)
he is also not a stranger to pain, he tanked the trap that Potter set up in his office during the siege of the magical items.
he can figure out a way across the bridge
>Brighton goes to cross The Sword-bridge
these are just my ideas and current votes, im willing to change them later if anyone has a better idea","attachment":null,"posted":1714589772},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991704,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991671
> Brighton goes to meet The Green Knight
We did pick him for Godric, and he’s always been resourceful in the army matchups. Elliot feels like a bad choice given his fear of death and quest for immortality.
> Elliot goes to cross The Sword-bridge
Well, as pointed out we have a high tolerance for pain. Apollo is bigger and stronger but size doesn’t always translate well to climbing. Some hand or footholds are small, and could break with enough weight.
It’ll mean Apollo is the one to face Arthur, but I don’t believe that’s a bad choice per se.
I’d be willing to switch for Apollo facing the Green Knight and sending Brighton to Arthur if it comes to the final round.","attachment":null,"posted":1714589781},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991707,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991699
Yes please. And explain your logic behind your choices too, when that time comes.
>Linda did what Galahad originally did
Then that makes one thing clearer, thank you.
>always take Brighton's word with a mountain of salt. He does think too highly of himself
It does make me wonder if the veela were always planning to kill and eat the rescuing knights from the start, or if they felt they had to on the spot when they got rejected? Galahad and his cohort did stop the siege and those veela woman were begging for help to save their friends. They could have transformed and killed the sieging enemy knights anytime. Why didn't they? Eh whatever, I'll be laughing if you do confirm Brighton was right and slaying birdpussy was the correct way to survive without anybody dying","attachment":null,"posted":1714590637},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991715,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991703
>>5991704
On one hand, Apollo has the power to face the Green Knight.
On the other hand, Brighton has bravery from Godric in him plus his Gryffindor blood.
On one hand, Elliot can endure the pain and pass over the sword. He did get Crucio'd briefly by Salazar in Last Light.
On the other hand, Brighton has nothing to enable his pompousness in this challenge. Just him, the bridge, the sword, and the area to work with.
I thought a bit, and I assume Linda would have been the one for the Lancelot challenge. Edgy goth girl to edgy goth girl communication.
I also thought about it, and realized if Brighton and by extension the QM are correct in >>5991692, and if I'm right in >>5991675, then 2/3 of these remaining challenges are roll-reliant or autofail for Brighton since the Percival challenge was autowin for Arty already. Apollo and Elliot are even bigger mysteries when it comes to this. Curse this choice paralysis!","attachment":null,"posted":1714591043},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991717,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991635
Like I said, only every read a bit of that thing years ago so I don't know how derivative it is. And I recognized that Lagann was likely a reference to the anime 1st time it was used and mentioned it; part of what amused me about this quest. I however do not have perfect knowledge, and apparently Lagan is a word in at least 3 languages.
Also here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btjbqisVQSU
>>5991672
>>5991671
Need to think about these for a minute.","attachment":null,"posted":1714591531},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991750,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"I am still going to give an analysis and vote, but... wouldn't the thing a good leader do is ask his knights what they thought before reaching his own conclusion. For their advice? Apollo once said that was why he thought we won at least our 1st battle. What is the point of having soldiers if you don't listen? Arty may have not believed she would wipe the floor with the first challenge, and we could have told her she would, but more opinions and what not is not a bad thing. This challenge is about knowing where people are best used and people can have incorrect opinions about what they can do but if we can, would it hurt to... ask Brighton and Apollo what they think. Ask Arty and Raven? The latter two might not be eligible to do another challenge, for better or worse, but there is no rule that they can't advise their "king".
Is that maybe the trick behind this? So we don't have to rely on our imperfect impressions of people and what they can do? Most of the time when we fought our battles in class, one lieutenant usually had given a plan which was going to give us a better chance after all; along with clever write ins, that is what lead us to victory.","attachment":null,"posted":1714596511},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991759,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991750
I’d back asking them and seeing their thoughts. The pointed questions to ask are if there’s anything that they fear enough to paralyze them (Green Knight challenge) which Elliot can admit to the answer being yes. I expect Apollo would answer the same if Arty were to disavow him. Not sure about Brighton.
I expect whatever the Green Knight is, they (or the chapel) has an effect that forces whoever faces it to suffer their fears during the fight. Only reason I can think of for the horror he faced. Brighton has the least trauma out of everyone here.
For the bridge, Elliot can attest to his pain tolerance after training, and if love/lust is a real factor for some reason then we can always imagine we’re going after Arty. Though if any of us have a fear of heights… doesn’t Apollo have one? He hated getting on brooms.
Nevermind, Apollo is out of consideration for the bridge. He’d likely auto-fail from climbing the wall over the put. It’s between us and Brighton.","attachment":null,"posted":1714597780},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991766,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991759
>>5991750
supporting asking for their opinion and vetoing Apollo from the bridge one if necessary, thats an important point we havent considered until now","attachment":null,"posted":1714599285},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991775,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991750
+1 this
Don't even decide right now, just stop and ask them. Maybe if Elliot explains his reasoning for picking Arty and Linda for those two, the others can figure something out. Bringing up these >>5991715 >>5991759 and other points could help them help us to decide","attachment":null,"posted":1714600055},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991784,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991759
Apollo doesn't like heights and gets motion sick, apparently. I am leaning towards Brighton for the Green knight because he could probably figure out you can strike someone down without dealing a blow which will kill you when it is returned. Just hook the axe behind their leg and put them on the ground. Boom, you both struck them down and struck them in a way that won't kill you when they return the blow. Could also strike them down with your words, in theory. Green knight sounds fey, which Potter implied were real, and as long as you fulfill the word of the contract, the spirit, killing him, doesn't matter.
Elliot doesn't like broom riding but is okay with it unlike Apollo. He/we can probably figure out a clever means to cross the bridge and wouldn't be motivated by lust so would be able to maybe find a better way. Maybe ask Guin perhaps if she can turn the sword blade from her side with us so we only have to walk across the flat of the blade? At the same time, if it came to a roll, Elliot does also have a lot of experience recently crossing over large bodies of dark liquid. Might also have his pouch with the broom we stole and an erudus potion so he doesn't get fucked up if he does have to do it the hard way.
Still probably going to check out the legends and think about it some while making dinner. It seems we have to send the person most unlike the knight who originally did the deed for an auto win, I think.","attachment":null,"posted":1714600644},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991963,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Its her time!
i repeat! its her time!
vote for Artemis Pertinger now!","attachment":null,"posted":1714619176},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5991997,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991963
Woooo Arty time!
Vote you fuckers!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714621180122770.jpg","filename":"1433397718663.jpg"},"posted":1714621180},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5992016,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991704
+1
>>5991671
>>5991672
> Brighton goes to meet The Green Knight
> Elliot goes to cross The Sword-bridge","attachment":null,"posted":1714622462},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5992022,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991997
Damn, our girl going 8-0 in less than 30 minutes.
>>5991775
I will hold off my vote till seeing if we can consult with our knights. Maybe see if we can give a rousing speech too. I am pretty sure I know how I will vote but still.","attachment":null,"posted":1714623094},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5992033,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991671
>>5991672
> Brighton goes to meet The Green Knight
> Apollo goes to cross The Sword-bridge","attachment":null,"posted":1714623642},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5992094,"name":"HeadQM","msg":"I’m writing the update of you talking to them, but I’m going to list the current votes as they are here and count them towards the next vote also. If you want to keep them the same after the update, you don’t need to do anything. If you want to change your mind, please also backlink to your previous vote to make my life easier
>>Apollo goes to meet The Green Knight
>>5991703
> Brighton goes to meet The Green Knight
>>5991704
>>5992016
>>5992033
--
>Brighton goes to cross The Sword-bridge
>>5991703
> Elliot goes to cross The Sword-bridge
>>5991704
>>5992016
> Apollo goes to cross The Sword-bridge
>>5992033","attachment":null,"posted":1714630809},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5992108,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"If we manage to clear these, and Apollo doesn't have to do a task, I hope he doesn't think we didn't trust him to do a good job. He IS starting to be more normal, so I hope he isn't offended.
Granted, if we screw one up he will be the one facing Arthur's own trial, so that might have the opposite effect since we saved him for probably the most challenging test.
Despite trying to kill Arty, he is one of my favorite characters. Apollo's a good boy.","attachment":null,"posted":1714634043},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5992193,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992108
we already know about his fear of heights","attachment":null,"posted":1714655331},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5992208,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992094
Thank you for giving us that leeway to change votes based on new info","attachment":null,"posted":1714656937},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5992221,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992208
It would be kind of unfair to lock those votes in when we were going to learn stuff that might be relevant. It is nice that QM decided that yeah we can consult with our friends since it is more work for him.
I only hope we don't fuck up worse because we got their opinions.","attachment":null,"posted":1714658074},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5992668,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Arty won
lets fucking goooooo!
we against the rabbit on the next one","attachment":null,"posted":1714701497},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5992671,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Woooo Arty made it to the semi-finals! Bad news is her next challenger is Ruby from the oldest quest I can recall. The one that basically started our hobby on 4chan.
I expect all of you to get in there in a couple of days.
Good news is, if she loses it is to a cute bunny. Hell she would probably vote for Ruby instead of herself if she got the option.","attachment":null,"posted":1714701613},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5992693,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992671
I, uh, have a confession for you anon.
I’ll vote for Ruby if I do show up.
Like you said, at least Arty would be losing to a traumatized bunbun. That’s gotta be an acceptable loss in her book.","attachment":null,"posted":1714703683},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5992697,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992693
you traitor","attachment":null,"posted":1714703981},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5992746,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992693
Damn you Brutus!
It is fine though. The OG vs what is likely to be a filthy space monkey would be fine to see. I will be making the thing I am working on 20% sadder and more angsty if she loses by a single vote, however.
If she does get knocked out, anyone think they could photoshop a cardboard Burger King crown on one of her pictures? I like the idea of Elliot taking her out for muggle fast food to cheer her up.","attachment":null,"posted":1714707377},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5992755,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992746
drawfag here, i gochu, i´ll make it a piece later
but fuck me, if she loses because of a traitor in this thread, amma call him out in the drawing","attachment":null,"posted":1714708053},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5992758,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992697
Ah, but your mistake was thinking I was ever on your side!
Which I am, admittedly. Just not in this case. I binged Ruby Quest in the archives over a decade ago. It was a bit surreal trying to read over it again specifically for the king and queen thread and remembering I’m part of the old guard now. Some people still haven’t read it yet and don’t remember a time before /qst/, but I do. Any older and I’d vote for phasing.
>>5992746
It’d be better to have something like Ruby, Arty, Linda, and Elliot sitting down for Linda’s wargames. Ruby grew up on the /tg/ board, that’s gotta count for something in that department.","attachment":null,"posted":1714708090},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5992817,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992758
Everyone is a newfag forever, newfag. Me as well.
But yeah I remember reading through them all god knows how long ago. I recalled an old ass Harry Potter Quest I read a few threads of and wanted to go back and check it out recently. Motherfucking 12 years old.
And I just want to get a crown for her, even if you have to fold it out and it smells a bit like fryer grease.
Betraying a tiny Hufflepuff girl will end in picrel.
>>5992755
Amazing as always. That would be funny to call out this Quisling.
I will email you this weekend about the commission, it has just been a shitty annoying week or so.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714715414698254.jpg","filename":"GJZuVcBXYAAcS_B.jpg"},"posted":1714715414},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5992872,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992094
> Brighton goes to meet The Green Knight
Seems reasonable, he's a noble fellow, and he's adaptable.
> Apollo goes to cross The Sword-bridge
I'm guessing this is the one that Linda would have auto succeeded at. Apollo with his strength I think would be the best substitute.
Which leaves us against King Arthur. Duh anons. You really think a test of leadership the correct choice isn't for each leader to challenge each other?","attachment":null,"posted":1714723415},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5992880,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992872
Thinking about it more and I'm guessing each person has an Auto-Suceed/Auto-Fail for a particular challenge, and rolls for the ones that they don't quite fit but still have a chance at.
Assuming this is correct, and assuming that we're meant to fight Arthur and fight him alone, let's try this out.
>Quest for the Grail:
Arty auto-suceeds (which we witnessed)/Apollo auto-fails (duh)
>Castle of the Maidens
Apollo auto-succeeds (too autistic to drop his guard or let the troops take off their armour)
Brighton auto-fails because I'm guessing he's tooting his own horn here. Or maybe he's gay, I dunno.
>The Green Knight
Brighton auto-succeeds. General Gryffindor nature and ability to adapt fits Brighton here, plus he strikes me as the kind of guy to be able to fight without a wand.
Auto-fail: No idea. Could be either Linda or Arty. I'm guessing Linda because I suspect Arty auto-fails the next one and the success seems like it would fit Linda.
>Sword bridge
Auto-success Linda. Obvious experience dealing with high pain.
Auto-fail Arty. Doubt she's be able to drag herself across a sword though maybe I'm underrating her.","attachment":null,"posted":1714724863},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5992930,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992880
I was thinking Apollo would auto-fail the sword bridge because of the height. Be hasn’t been good with heights historically, his broomriding is atrocious.
I think Elliot would auto-fail the Knight.","attachment":null,"posted":1714736906},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5993001,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992880
Some parts of those sound correct, but I don't think the last couple are entirely right. Assuming there isn't a clever solution for the sword bridge, I don't think Arty auto fails, necessarily. She was beaten pretty often as a kid after all. And if done correctly, the green knight shouldn't involve any fighting, since it was said the dude got his head cut off and still was fine. Trying to outfight a fey immortal isn't going to work. Plus the challenge is to be braver than the knight in the Green Chapel when faced with what is in there and survive a return blow; a test of both cleverness and bravery. For the sword one, if it is a question of dealing with pain, Elliot has the most experience with that, for now.
I have been leaning towards Brighton/Elliot for these but I feel like Elliot might be meant for Arthur as well. Why I suggested getting out teams thoughts.
Could be we are misinterpreting Apollo and it is less heights that bother him and just that he gets super motion sick. He did come to face Elliot in thread 1 by flying in on a broom and seemed okay when he landed that time but it was flying point A to B; maybe it was just all the advanced flying in the other battle made him sick. Would be a means for QM to be tricky with us.","attachment":null,"posted":1714740568},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5993056,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"You know, we might be working under a false assumption. That Apollo would have been the best for the second task. He dosen't like people fucking with his head, evidenced by not wanting a Founder in it. Him and Riley have something going on. He probably would have responded like Raven did but stay and fight instead of running, risking more injuries if he failed his roll because he is loyal to his men, even if they aren't real. There was no indication the Veela were going to do anything but fuck everyone's brains out until Raven rejected one.
Brighton could have just gone with it and there would be no casualties. Or he might have figured it out in time, given he figured out Potter had a time Turner even before winter break.
If that is true, our idea he is best for the green knight is flawed and there is a better choice, unless the ideal one was Linda, in which case I suppose it is a moot point.
Just saying. But I guess we will know more soon.","attachment":null,"posted":1714744178},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5993068,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993056
Also just because, how the fuck are veela even a thing? They don't have any men; they are an all female race. Children of them and humans come out as half-veela. They shouldn't exist, they would have died out since full veela wouldn't be able to be born. Are they hermaphrodites and a female veela can temporarily become a male to mate with a female? At certain points are they parthenogenic and can give birth without a mate, basically cloning the mother? WTF Rowling.","attachment":null,"posted":1714744995},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5993120,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993068
Should have just gone the standard monstergirl trope of the boys being human but the girls being veela, with half-veelas maybe being uncommon chance occurences whose children can be either humam boys or further-diluted part-veela girls. This way new veela can only be born from full-blooded veela and not from partials","attachment":null,"posted":1714747597},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5993130,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993068
Last ADHD post but I think I figured out Veelas.
They were created by the Atlanteans, like house elves. Instead of being general purpose slaves, veela were created specifically as sex slaves/living sex dolls. Get young veela, groom it, have it imprint on you, mind rape it into loving you unconditionally and have them created with rapid maturation. In a few years, which is nothing when you are immortal, you have a completely devoted sex toy which is always horny because that is how they were designed. It has a built in defense system if anyone but you tries anything by turning into a fireball tossing, screeching monster with wings so it can escape back to you, and no one is going to want to fuck that. Only the veela's owner gets them as a supernaturally beautiful nympho. When the veela's expiration date is up, parthenogenesis occurs, a clone daughter is born, and you can do the whole thing again while mom takes care of their needs till sexual maturity and she dies. An eternally renewing, eternally young looking sex slave.
The kind of fucked up part is why they were made to be able to have children which seem to always be girls and inherit the supernatural beauty. Well, its not really incest and or pedophilia if they aren't fully what Atlanteans considered human. ","attachment":null,"posted":1714748438},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5993163,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993130
*children with humans.","attachment":null,"posted":1714752182},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5993184,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993130
I don't think it's that deep. Not every magical race needs to be related to horrific experiments or punishments from ye olde ancient whizzards, genetic compatibility aside. I think that magic can manifest in quite a few different ways in beings, and that the magical 'genes' just expressed themselves in different ways that ultimately ended up producing a lot of different human-adjacent entities over thousands/millions of years. I mean, just going off of strictly interbreedable races, the list is pretty big - goblins, giants, veela, vampires, elves, trolls, and POSSIBLY merfolk, centaurs, or hags.
Evolution theory aside, it could also be the result of magic just deciding to make some of these things at some point. Pulling ideas from the collective unconsciousness to create an entire race of beings, or arranging for the circumstances of their birth in other cases (i mean, you can make a basilisk by hatching a chicken egg under a toad, so who's to say there isn't a method to birth a pure veela with otherwise ordinary seeming things?)","attachment":null,"posted":1714754023},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5993258,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992872
Apollo would get fucked by his fear of heights","attachment":null,"posted":1714759845},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5993260,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993184
Probably true. Regardless, Veela probably aren't going to likely be relevant to the quest again after this. They are probably all female because Rowling just didn't think it through but wanted to add some flavor to Fluer so boom; she is part supernatural siren/nymph/harpy.
I realize the "Atlanteans did everything" theory is about on the level of the "Merlin is everyone" theory but it was fun to think about.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714759936047452.jpg","filename":"eee3e043076a35715f5fff4fc828939d.jpg"},"posted":1714759936},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5993279,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993258
We need to confirm he is; in that one battle he leaned over and puked off his broom, he told us he didn't like flying, not heights. Didn't specifically say it was being up high that was the issue. Got motion sick just a little bit ago from watching Arty move in third person. So it might just be that.
Hopefully the strategy discussion IC will clarify which it is.","attachment":null,"posted":1714761118},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5993307,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5992693
That is fine, Anon. I know no one both me and Arty would be happier to lose to than Ruby.
>>5992758
> I binged Ruby Quest in the archives over a decade ago
Same, man. I read Ruby Quest when Nan Quest was being run, still in /tg/, and it already had a few years then. Feels a bit insane that it is almost old enough to drink.
And what became of cat and hare?
Did they break free to purer air?
To guess their fate we shouldn't dare
Perhaps their tale closed well.
But for all the beasts trapped in the Nether
All life from out the loch and heather
The flock that could not work together
Are sure still trapped in Hell.
Probably going to binge Nan Quest soon. I remember it being very good, but not a single thing about the story.
--
You turn to your friends, even those who have already completed their part in this challenge, and tell them what you know of the Green Knight and the Sword-bridge.
“So, what do you think?”
“I think that I’m not going to get beheaded or fuck up my hands and legs,” Brighton says.
“Yes, Brighton, I am aware. I expect whoever goes on to these tasks will perhaps find a better way. The Green Knight didn’t kill Gwain, but something else happened there, something that was probably not very fun. I expect anyone who goes to face him to either be able to get through the same thing or find a way better way through. Same thing for the Sword-bridge.”
“The stories as we know them are wrong,” you say. “They were warped by time and superstition. There was magic there, in every single one of these occurrences. Magic that these knights, these muggles, faced and defeated. I’m asking you to find a way to be better than them.”
Brighton scoffs. “Fine, Hallaster.”
“So, any suggestions on who faces who? Or what the real danger could be in these tasks?”
“The Green Knight could just be a wizard who decided to mess with them,” Linda says from where she’s lying. “Someone controlling a mannequin from afar, or something.”
“Wouldn’t Merlin have done something about that?” Arty asks.
“Where was Merlin during all this?” You ask Arthur. “Wasn’t he in your court?”
“Merlin came and went as he pleased,” he answers. “He would offer me advice, sometimes he would offer me his powers, but not often, and then leave for weeks, months, sometimes even years. It was rare such occurrences happened while he was still there.”
“Right, so Merlin is out of the question,” Arty says, biting her lip. “Maybe some other magical being? I mean, many were extinct through the centuries. Something clever, like a goblin or a centaur, maybe even a hag, could maybe pull that off.”
“So, someone that can negotiate might be good,” you say.
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1714763066},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5993308,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5993307
“If this Green Knight really is a lost creature, maybe they got all killed off for a reason,” Brighton says. “People don’t go out of their way to exterminate creatures that keep to themselves.”
You simply stare at Brighton.
“Fine, people don’t often go out of their way to exterminate creatures that keep to themselves and whose death doesn’t bring a profit,” he corrects himself. “I don’t see it being a threat to anyone’s gold. And magical beings don’t have a track record of being reasonable. I mean, have you ever tried to argue with a goblin or a centaur? Might as well be talking to a brick wall.”
“If it is a magical being, you don’t need to fully convince them to stop. You just need to appease them,” you ponder for a bit. “But it doesn’t need to be a magical being. Like Linda said, it could just be a wizard who thinks they’re funny. In which case, you’ll need to defeat them without magic, same as a creature.”
“So we either need someone who is good with people,” Arty says. “Who can out-talk whatever the Green Knight is, or someone good in a fight, who can pass… whatever it has in store for Gwain.”
“Uh, I don’t think I fit,” Apollo says. “I’m not good with people and… I’m strong, but without my wand… I never fought without my wand.”
“How about you, Brighton?”
“My father and Potter are friends,” he says. “Take a guess.”
“Brighton-”
“I know how to punch, Hallaster. I can get by without a wand. And I know a fair bit about talking to magical beings, I had to deal with them when I was a kid in the Three Broomsticks.”
“Good. Then we’re both decent in a fight, but I think I’m better with people than you. You know more general knowledge about the magical world than me, I know more about this period of magical history. It should be about whether we guess this Knight is a wizard or a magical being.”
“What about the Sword-bridge?” Apollo asks.
“Can you deal with the height?”
“If there’s ground nearby. I don’t have a problem with bridges, or tall towers. It’s the lack of everything that gets me. But the sword part of the bridge doesn’t make me comfortable.”
“Brighton?”
“No problem with heights. I have a problem with slicing up my hands in a thousand pieces.”
“How about you, Elliot?” Arty asks, a bit sheepish. “You know… If you really think about it-”
You groan. You hadn’t thought about it, but yes, the deep-seated fear you had of ice-skating was precisely because you thought about someone skating over your fingers. Would you freeze up if you were the one who had to go through it? You didn’t know the answer to that question.
“Maybe. Still, I hope there is a better way than crawling over a razorblade.”
But there is still just the question of whether you’d simply freeze over the simple concept of the task. Phobias are not exactly rational.
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1714763127},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5993311,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5993308
You figure it is more a question of whether this is a problem that can be solved through the use of force, say, pushing a tree down and over the river to make a bridge, in which Apollo would do better, or some clever solution such as improvising a hang-glider from leaves and sticks, which you and Brighton would do better.
It still isn’t an easy choice, but at least now you have some more information. So, once again, who will go on each task? (No need to vote if you already voted and don’t plan to change your vote)
You can also let me know if there is anything specific you’d like to ask your teammates about themselves to help with the choice (probably should have said this earlier) and I’ll answer it if possible.
> Elliot goes to meet The Green Knight
> Brighton goes to meet The Green Knight
> Apollo goes to meet The Green Knight
> Elliot goes to cross The Sword-bridge
> Brighton goes to cross The Sword-bridge
> Apollo goes to cross The Sword-bridge","attachment":null,"posted":1714763188},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5993318,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Elliot to Green Knight
Brighton to Sword Bridge
Apollo to Arthur's finale
That's what I think, this is NOT A VOTE. I will vote when I get home and not on mobile","attachment":null,"posted":1714763454},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5993329,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993308
Damn, I was going to mention Elliot's fear of ice skates but thought it wouldn't apply. He was fine fighting all those chess pieces with sharp ass swords.
Gonna try and think about this while I have to do a few things; do you have a time in mind for when you are going to call it, QM? So I know exactly how long I have to overthink this?","attachment":null,"posted":1714764830},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5993341,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5993329
I'm thinking a day and a half-ish. I usually post at 6/7am-ish UTC, except when I don't finish revising it in time, go to sleep and revise it in the morning (which was what happened today), so that is the idea: Leave it for today, start looking at things at about this time tomorrow and close it a few hours later.
I'll give a closing call a few hours beforehand.","attachment":null,"posted":1714765582},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5993371,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993341
Cool thanks. I was just wondering if you would end it early, since quite a few people made their decisions.","attachment":null,"posted":1714769506},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5993413,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991672
>>5993311
My PC post is in >>5991775 and I mobile posted here >>5993318
Here's my vote now:
> Elliot goes to meet The Green Knight
> Brighton goes to cross The Sword-bridge
I hope we don't die","attachment":null,"posted":1714773345},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5993433,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991672
>>5991704
I’ll change my vote to back >>5993413, which is
> Elliot goes to meet The Green Knight
> Brighton goes to cross The Sword-bridge
because of the ice skate fear. I hadn’t considered that, and it’s real enough to worry about. We can deal with pain, but phobias are another matter.
Hopefully the Green Knight’s fears are easier to manage.","attachment":null,"posted":1714775902},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5993442,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Here is what I think.
Apollo wasn't going to be the best choice for the 2nd trial; Brighton was. So any trial we send him on will need a roll now. We have Apollo and Elliot who can still auto pass a trial. I don't think the 5th one with Arthur is going to be his, if we don't pass these. I think there is something to sending a person seems unlikely to a given trial has some merit. Arty didn't think she was right for the Grail trial and she beat it. I think Linda might have been meant for the Green knight. So with the idea that the people you wouldn't expect are correct and Brighton's intended trial done I choose:
> Brighton goes to meet The Green Knight
> Apollo goes to cross The Sword-bridge
If that is right we get 1 auto win then a roll. If Elliot is meant for the 5th, boom.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714776843996841.jpg","filename":"1432710693107.jpg"},"posted":1714776843},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5993445,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993442
>>5993311","attachment":null,"posted":1714776989},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5993480,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">People actually voting Elliot to not go against King Arthur
Anons, why? Isn't it obvious that we as leader will be the one to beat King Arthur? I honestly don't think Apollo or Brighton have it in them to challenge the Once and Future King himself.","attachment":null,"posted":1714780764},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5993487,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993480
I wonder if we do happen to win with what is chosen this round and Elliot already has done a task, if we could ask Arthur's shade to let Elliot attempt his challenge as well, since at that point the test will have ended and the 1 quest per person rule wouldn't matter? Just to see if we could have overcome it. Maybe unlock some secret info or a reward?
But yeah I am pretty sure if it ends up 2-2, Elliot is supposed to be the one to do it. Oh well.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714781432161498.gif","filename":"1432687338731.gif"},"posted":1714781432},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5993518,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993311
>>5992016
I'm switching from this to:
>Elliot goes to meet The Green Knight
>Brighton goes to cross The Sword-bridge
>>5993480
Neither of these is an ideal challenge for Apollo, and I don't want ego to sabotage us.","attachment":null,"posted":1714784214},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5993597,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Arty vs Lucy is a go! Go show her some love!","attachment":null,"posted":1714789217},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5993603,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993597
first thing i did as soon as i came back from work, looks like she is has more popularity than i thought","attachment":null,"posted":1714789643},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5993605,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993518
To be fair, I think one of these being his auto success quest is more likely than Arthur's if it wasn't the Castle of maidens. Could be wrong though.","attachment":null,"posted":1714789738},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5993626,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993603
Indeed. I thought this was going to be super neck to neck but it is 10-3 with like 15 to 18 people voting in most of the previous rounds. Could still be and I don't want to jinx it though.","attachment":null,"posted":1714792251},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5993636,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"fucking hell, this is probably the hardest a vote has made me think so far, gotta sleep on it","attachment":null,"posted":1714793016},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5993715,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993311
I don't intend to change my vote. I still think that Brighton for GK and Apollo for SB is ideal.","attachment":null,"posted":1714806418},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5994040,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Not really relevant to what is going on, but I kind of realized as well as wanting her own kids, Arty might also be interested in adoption, given what happened with her and Apollo. She is also probably a great candidate, since I have no doubts she would love those kids as much as one that shared her blood, which is adorable Just a random tangent that popped into my head.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714836159241885.jpg","filename":"1445143070094.jpg"},"posted":1714836159},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5994347,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"i´ll be switching my vote from >>5991703 this
to support >>5993518
anon has a point, even if Apollo´s fear doesnt cripple him midair, he is still the bulkiest of us, thats gonna be a problem for him to manage in there
AND
he is shit with people, if whatever challenge he has to face against the green knight can be solved vie talking, which, ideally would be the best case scenario, he wouldnt do well there either.
He has been a pretty good leader in the army battles, so he could still face nicely against Arthur
as much as i wanted to face leader to leader, best to not get ego or emotions get the best of us
my vote is:
>Elliot goes to meet The Green Knight
>Brighton goes to cross The Sword-bridge","attachment":null,"posted":1714851704},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5994401,"name":"HeadQM","msg":"I'll be closing the votes in 6 hours. Cast or change your votes now or regret forever! (Or don't, I'm not your mom)","attachment":null,"posted":1714853394},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5994421,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994401
I'll only feel bad if we fail the entire Merlin gauntlet or an ally dies. I still maintain DC 90 is bullshit btw","attachment":null,"posted":1714854094},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5994516,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994421
I really hope I just overthought things with what I suggested.
And everyone else got it right. If we can even just auto pass one of these, we still have a shot.
Either Brighton or Apollo hasn't had their auto win quest yet, maybe even both, so all we need it to choose one of these correct and we at least would get to have a 5th round.
Still really feel like Elliot is supposed to do Arthur's but oh well.
Maybe we should have gone for the test of Wisdom?
If Arty dies we riot.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714860358179206.jpg","filename":"1476156795095.jpg"},"posted":1714860358},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5994551,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5993311
>Brighton goes to meet The Green Knight
>Elliot goes to cross The Sword-bridge
Fuck it, there wont be any need for Apollo to face Arthur if we win the fucking thing first","attachment":null,"posted":1714863773},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5994648,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Arty made it to finals
lets fucking GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
only one obstacle left and its the biggest one...","attachment":null,"posted":1714870382},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5994674,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994648
Woooo!
I think she has a chance vs the ape girl influencer thot, but it will be close AF.","attachment":null,"posted":1714872292},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5994838,"name":"HeadQM","msg":"It appears the votes stand like this right now:
> Brighton goes to meet The Green Knight
>>5992033
>>5992872
>>5993442
>>5994551
> Elliot goes to meet The Green Knight
>>5993413
>>5993433
>>5993518
>>5994347
--
>Brighton goes to cross The Sword-bridge
>>5993413
>>5993433
>>5993518
>>5994347
> Elliot goes to cross The Sword-bridge
>>5994551
> Apollo goes to cross The Sword-bridge
>>5992033
>>5992872
>>5993442
Which is a tie between Brighton and Elliot on the Green Knight, but Brighton's victory on the Sword-bridge (by one vote. if >>5994551 had voted differently, it could have been a double tie, which would have been honestly impressive).
I don't think a tie on an important decision had happened on this thread yet, so it was time.
I'll consider Brighton as going to the Sword-bridge, as he has the victory there, and Elliot going to the Green-knight as consequence. Closing the votes and writing!","attachment":null,"posted":1714880311},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5994847,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994838
oh man, its happening
hope it all goes well, im nervous anons","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714881198685040.jpg","filename":"f54549c1cf0f2a62252d571e5acf7ccb_400x400.jpg"},"posted":1714881198},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5994871,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994838
Fair.
Fingers crossed this goes alright...","attachment":null,"posted":1714883497},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5994872,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994847
Me too. I really hope I am wrong. Really, really hope. Because if I called it... my Sight beyond Sight may be growing too strong for me to control...","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714883689402803.gif","filename":"1434954649783.gif"},"posted":1714883689},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5994991,"name":"HeadQM","msg":"“Right. I’ll go face the Green Knight. Brighton, you go to the Sword-bridge. We find a way to deal with whatever is in there, preferably without dying.”
“Don’t fuck it up, Hallaster.”
You turn to the shadow of Gwain and nod.
“Let’s go. Take me to the Green Chapel.”
Gwain nods, and once more the terrain shifts around you, but unlike other times, your friends disappear with it as your clothes vanish and are transformed into armor and your wand into a sword. The room around you becomes the bottom of a barren and gray cliffside, a strange view that doesn’t look like anywhere you know about in the British Isles. In a crevice on the cliff, there is a strange house, painted entirely a sickly light green from top to bottom. There are no windows on it, and to call it a “chapel” is definitely a curious choice, as there are no obvious religious symbols on the outside.
You two stop at the door.
“I shall wait for you here,” Gwain says.
“You are not coming?”
“I have already faced that which is inside once. Its challenge is for one person. Go, the Knight will recognize you as if you were me.”
“Anything you can tell me before I go in?”
“You already know as much as I did when I walked into this house. I can share no more.”
You nod, leaving him behind and swinging the door open, entering the mouth of madness.
Every inch of the wall is splashed with a different bright color, like an artist that has gone mad. There are prayer benches thrown around in off position, some even hanging still in the air. There are bookshelves, their books spilling out as if the whole thing had been struck by an explosion from behind, but the tomes are frozen in place as they fall. The paintings on the walls have impossible scenes, images filled with things that only look like something when you’re not paying attention, but shift into an incoherent mess the moment you focus on it for too long. Not only that, but the room itself is far larger than it should have been from the outside. There are windows, open windows, but looking out from them makes your head hurt.
And the mannequins. There are wooden mannequins sitting at the benches, even those that are upside down. There are wooden mannequins reading the books, even those that are flying through the air in disarray. There are wooden mannequins admiring the pictures that have insanity on them, and there are wooden mannequins admiring the view on the unseeable windows.
And, somehow, despite these faceless mannequins all looking like they are frozen and focused on their task… every single one of them also seems to be looking at you.
The door slams behind you, and you instinctively reach for a wand that isn’t there. Instead, you hold on to the handle of your sword, ready to pull it out the moment these mannequins give any signal of moving.
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1714898512},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5994992,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5994991
In the middle of what was once a pew, the Green Knight sits, his armor the same shade as the exterior of the Chapel. His face, with a twisted grin and a very large nose, is the same color.
What is clear to you is that, whatever this is, it is no common wizard. There is either ancient magic or something else involved.
“Gwain! You really have come!” He says in a high-pitched voice. It has a mocking tone, not one you’d expect from a knight.
“Yes,” you say, taking the role of Gwain. “I have come, as promised, to fulfill my part of our deal.”
“My, my, my,” it says, putting each hand to one side of his head and pulling it off his neck. He tosses it from one hand to the other, playfully, the mouth still moving as it speaks. “I’d heard of a Knight’s word being his bond, but I never thought you would follow it to your death!”
“I agreed to your challenge, though I admit I did not expect it to go the way it did,” you say. “I am here to fulfill the second part of its arrangement… Though I hoped I could convince you to settle its conclusion in another way.”
It stands up, looking curious, then shoots up, flying through the air and right through a mannequin, then bouncing off a bench, sending it flying off to crash into the wall while he did a twirl and then stopped upside-down, holding his head by the hair right in front of your face.
“Ohhh, does the great knight of King Arthur plead for his life?”
It is the flying that does it. Because there was only one person in recorded history who could fly unattended, and that was Lord Voldemort. So this is not a wizard. Yet you can feel his breath on your face. You had seen him pass through matter, but also affect it. So it is not a ghost. It is something in between.
It is a poltergeist. A spirit of chaos. Unkillable, because they’d never been alive, and the only way of getting rid of them was warding them off from their place of haunting for long enough, months, years or more, until they dissipated. Their powers varied greatly, from Peeves, who could play pranks and cast minor spells, to reports of some creating entire haunted dungeons in folded spaces. They rarely killed people, and when it happened it was usually an accident… but some were known to cause enough torment to send their hauntees to St. Mungo’s insane asylum.
Chaos formed it and fed it, so anywhere with a lot of people, most of all teenagers, coming and going could create one. Which makes it all the more strange, since this chapel is in the middle of nowhere. It shouldn’t have been able to form in such desolate place, much less leave to go find Arthur’s court.
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1714898573},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5994993,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994991
Oh shit here we go.","attachment":null,"posted":1714898600},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5994996,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5994992
Something doesn’t add up, still. There is something you aren’t seeing, something in this creature isn’t right, even if you don’t know what. You’ve only dealt with Peeves but… This one seems more insane, more deranged than him.
You could continue to pretend to be a muggle knight, ignorant of his true nature and see what he has in store for you, or you could reveal that you know what he is. He stares at you, waiting for an answer.
> I am pleading for yours. If you kill me, whatever you are, Merlin will come. Against him you have no chance.
> I am hoping we can come to an agreement. If you kill me, who will tell others about this wonderful place?
> Of course I am. After all, I couldn’t be pleading for yours, could I, poltergeist? No, making you vanish is not within my powers, but definitely are within those who will come seeking me.
> I would never dream of pleading for my life with a poltergeist. But making a deal for my life with a poltergeist? That I could do.
> Other (Write in)","attachment":null,"posted":1714898634},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5995002,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Guess I will think about this overnight. Just woke up to get water and saw updoots.
So Brighton might have been the best choice here? Since he is clever and has dealt with magical beings. That or Linda, b/c clever and likes Dark shit I guess.","attachment":null,"posted":1714899367},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5995027,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"so, i have 3 theories for this
1: this poltergeist is looking "more insane, more deranged" because its actually "dying" and will disappear soon since it is so alone all the way out here in the middle of nowhere without chaos to feed from and its trying its hardest not to disappear by causing chaos itself in this place and feed itself, he is desperate to feed, so it planned this encounter a year and a day later to get enough nourishment from this encounter to "stay alive" for a bit more
so we could maybe appease it by causing some chaos ourselves OR remove the chaos and starve it to "dead"
2: the reason this poltergeist is "alive" all the way outhere in the middle of nowhere is because its not feeding from the chaos of this area, but the entire country/continent/world? and this happened to be middleground where he can absorb all that chaos while still being in the middle of nowhere.
Its not the poltergeist of the chapel, its the poltergeist of Europe/Britain/wherever we are
3: it is known that some poltergeist can become powerful enough to cast spells, Peeves can do it.
maybe this one is so powerful that he used transfiguration to turn people into mannequins but still keep them alive or revert the transformation to use them later?
in any case, i have ideas for each scenario, but i still have my doubts about it all, but perhaps, it could help making the gears move a bit in our collective brains
1: this one could work for both ideas 1 and 3.
IF (and thats a MASSIVE if) im correct and the mannequins are important, we could destroy them to make him lose his source of nourishment
i was going to say "free them" by changing them back to humans, but we dont have our wand and i dont think we can do wandless magic
2: if he is actually that powerful, we stand no chance in a duel and even if we did, "hurting it" its gonna be practically impossible, so our best option would be to fool it into signing a contract making him surrender to us, poltergeist are chaotic, but it seems like they can be controlled or bound to contracts, perhaps giving him something in exchange for his surrender could do it?
i hope im not sounding crazy here, but maybe this could help bring up ideas","attachment":null,"posted":1714906050},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5995282,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Making a deal is probably the way to go since that was a bigpart of Gwain and the Green knight. Making a deal and holding it up fully.
Also big part was that the knight was not who had seemed to be and was in fact King Bertilak. So this is crazy, but what if Peeves was the Green knight in the past. He didn't manifest because of Hogwarts, he was said to have come with the building.
Tell him were Hogwarts would be built in a few hundred years in exchange for not harassing the Round table?","attachment":null,"posted":1714936420},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5995300,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994996
> I would never dream of pleading for my life with a poltergeist. But making a deal for my life with a poltergeist? That I could do.
He obviously has some means to leave this place to collect new 'visitors' to his so-called chapel without our aid. it's how he challenged Gwain to begin with, right? And that process is probably sustaining his un-life... But maybe we could make the process less arduous and complicated for him? Bring a better class of entertainment into his existence? He must want SOMETHING.","attachment":null,"posted":1714938148},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5995340,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994996
>”The terms were simple. A blow to the neck I gave, a blow to the neck I will receive. As you did not die, I should not die. But I would understand what I bargained with now that it has proved it isn’t simply a man.”
>”Can you tell me more of why you issued your challenge over such a long period of time? Why you did it at all? How a poltergeist could exist here, so far from others?”
I’ll try a write-in. Asking what the hell is up with all this makes sense, and we can brush aside questions of how/why we can guess what he is by pointing how weird it was. Of course we’d try to learn more about it! Merlin should have had knowledge or books for us to glean from, and legends could have told us some things. We just couldn’t fully succeed without speaking to the Green Knight.","attachment":null,"posted":1714940104},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5995579,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994996
> I would never dream of pleading for my life with a poltergeist. But making a deal for my life with a poltergeist? That I could do.","attachment":null,"posted":1714956412},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5995590,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994996
> I would never dream of pleading for my life with a poltergeist. But making a deal for my life with a poltergeist? That I could do.
all we have to do is the proper deal and we win","attachment":null,"posted":1714957484},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5995592,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994996
> I would never dream of pleading for my life with a poltergeist. But making a deal for my life with a poltergeist? That I could do.
Wheel and deal","attachment":null,"posted":1714957562},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5995594,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994996
I guess I will support
>>5995340
>>5995579
I don't have anything for this, it has been a draining few days.","attachment":null,"posted":1714957730},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5995599,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994996
>>5995340
Support","attachment":null,"posted":1714958185},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5995710,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"WE IN THE FINALS! WE BEAT THE MONKEY!
only one last thing to do now anons! vote for Arty and give her the victory! we can do this!","attachment":null,"posted":1714966047},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5995868,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"currently making 2 drawings for Arty, one in case she wins and one in case she loses, you better not fucking make me post the losing one, guys...","attachment":null,"posted":1714977963},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5996034,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Something Linda could try...","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715001924556990.jpg","filename":"1709907067315408.jpg"},"posted":1715001924},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5996143,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996034
>implying she hasn't
This is the girl with a split tongue, a trunk full of sex toys, and a hippy mom. If we ever needed a hook-up for some goblin pipe weed for example, I bet she has a guy.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715012533774086.png","filename":"GIhd2JEXcAAMHCF.png"},"posted":1715012533},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5996155,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995868
Im not going to jinx it but you might work on the loser one more. She is behind right now. I really thought if it was anyone but monkey girl she would have it in the bag but I didn't realize how much people like Finn's. Don't play but I read the archives.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715013761337232.jpg","filename":"F8mnQtnWQAAKvep.jpg"},"posted":1715013761},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5996237,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996155
yeah, i started with that one because she was behind when i saw the current votes, i was hoping she would pull ahead this morning but i dont think she will...im mad","attachment":null,"posted":1715018588},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5996300,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996237
We still have time. Magic is making the impossible possible!
If not, she had a good run. Maybe just be sad her crown is from Burger King and Elliot has a nice fancy one when he is King.","attachment":null,"posted":1715021223},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5996308,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996300
you are very close, i finished the doodle yesterday before i went to bed, i based it of your previous burger king request, but i changed just a couple of things to tug at the heart strings of people who didnt vote for her
im gonna make them feel bad for crushing her dreams","attachment":null,"posted":1715021598},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5996320,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996308
It's Gryffindover...","attachment":null,"posted":1715022392},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5996426,"name":"HeadQM","msg":"“I would never dream of pleading for my life with a poltergeist,” you say, and he looks both surprised and delighted for a moment. “But I shall argue that a contract where one of the parties deceives the other about the nature of what is happening is no contract at all. A blow to the neck I gave, a blow to the neck I will receive. As you did not die, I should not die. That sounds more than fair to me.”
“Oh ho ho! Sounds like Merlin is making school for little muggies! What a pleasant surprise!”
“You know of him?” You ask, surprised.
“Of course I know of him!” The poltergeist says, twirling in the air. “Who doesn’t!? Had to wait to make sure he wasn’t there before appearing, after all! Didn’t want him spoiling my fun!”
“Why? Why did you go to King Arthur’s court and not anyone else? Why did it have to be me? Why wait a year?”
“Why? If I went around always asking why I wouldn’t get anything done!” He perches atop a bookcase, holding himself there with one hand as if gravity applied to him. “But I shall humor you! It is because I needed someone stupid enough to chop my head right out, honorable enough to come here once my powers were back from that little adventure, and strong enough to do the thing I’m going to make you do in exchange for not cutting off your head! It’s simple, really!”
“So you need me for something.”
“Need is such a strong word! More like… I’m heavily incentivized to wish it done.”
“Right. I still don’t understand how you could go that far. Or even exist this far from everyone, really. I thought your kind needed people.”
“And we do! That’s why I’m so bored! I’m all alone here in this middle of nowhere! I need people, I need FUN! I’m going craaaaaazy in here!” He swirls around the whole room as he speaks, but when he lands his grin turns sour in an instant. “So I need you to destroy the thing that’s keeping me here, so I can go find somewhere else better to be. There is an artifact down below, something that generates enough chaos to create something like me. I want it destroyed.”
That was… odd. You had never heard of a magically generated poltergeist. But if it was possible…
“And you didn’t want Merlin to hear about it because if he came here he wouldn’t destroy it. He would take it for himself and possibly keep you stuck with it.”
It wasn’t entirely true, you know it. It is possible Merlin hadn’t known about it, after all he wasn’t omnipotent, and it wouldn’t matter to him unless it came to threaten the world before his prophecies ended. But it was also entirely possible that he knew, and had allowed this to come to pass for a certain purpose.
But to the poltergeist, who didn’t know what Merlin really was, the most obvious view of Merlin was of a great wizard who loved strange and powerful artifacts, and who would certainly love to put his hands on one that could manufacture poltergeists.
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1715030095},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5996428,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5996426
“Exactly!” He says, excitedly. “Wouldn’t want him to be a party-pooper, would we, Gwain?”
You shake your head, laughing. You can’t even begin to think what the real Gwain had made of all this, not knowing what you know. It had probably been utterly terrifying. I mean, it still is, but not more than some other stuff you’ve gone through.
“No, no we wouldn’t. Very well. Show me the way to the basement, then. What should I call you on our journey?”
“Our journey? Oh no, no, you’re going to go down alone. If I could go down there and do it, I would have done it long ago! And you can call me Fastidio, if you want.”
“Very well, Fastidio. I will return with your broken… thing.”
“Good, and I shall not cut off your head.”
He snaps his fingers and a trapdoor at the far end of the pew opens.
“Any advice?”
“Hum… Try not to die. Or fall!”
“Thanks.”
You climb down the ladder of the trapdoor into complete darkness, and it doesn’t take long for it to snap shut behind you. You keep on going down, until you reach the… floor, or what is currently the floor, as you have basically just entered what appears to be a cross between an Escher and a particularly psychedelic Dali painting. Stairs go every which way, sideways, upside-down, or simply twirling through space. Forms which appear to change and shift as they move around, going from one deformed object to the other as they float about.
In the distance, something is spinning and shining like a small sun.
“Well, that’s obvious enough,” you tell yourself before heading towards it.
At first it is easy to follow the paths, but they soon become more treacherous and winding. “Not falling” becomes harder, then harder still when gaps in the way appear and you need to jump while in a space deprived of the concept of "up". The shapeless objects which appeared small and upclose prove themselves to instead be huge and far away, and more than once you need to dive out of their way to avoid falling.
Still, all and all, you seem to be doing surprisingly well.
And that’s the moment Dali shifts into Beksiński, and amusement becomes horror.
The pale and soft tones become brash and aggressive, the dreamlike surroundings become a dystopian landscape filled with eerie figures, and otherworldly scenes that blur the line between reality and nightmare appear floating in the air. It is intricate and grotesque, precise, horrifying. Limbs are distorted and space itself becomes warped too, visibly so, in great bubbles of semi-transparent red.
You pull out your sword and poke at the red bubbles with it. Forwards becomes left inside it, and the sword violently bends that way at the midway point. When you pull it out, it remains bent.
“So I guess we don’t want to touch those. Aaand this thing isn’t going back into the scabbard, is it?”
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1715030156},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5996430,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5996428
So you continue down the path, jumping over bottomless pits, dodging reality warping bubbles, fighting off aberrations straight from nightmares with a bent sword and thanking Merlin for having an insane Death Eater as your teacher, because you’d definitely have died by now without him. The further you go, the worst it gets, until you are dripping with sweat and panting in exhaustion.
The core of this place is a few meters in front of you, what appears to be a structure of hundreds of rods connected to a single spinning orb at its center, maybe the size of a grape, each rod connected to another rod spilling freely, all wildly flailing around in random directions and passing through each other as they also spin wildly in place. It reminds you of a lovecraftian beast of tentacles, if its tentacles were mechanical and the beast was having a seizure.
It is also on a platform separated from all other platforms by a gap of about five or six meters.
“Fucking hell,” you say, wiping the sweat off your brow. “That’s fucking bullcrap. At least it looks stable and safe. Eye of the hurricane and all that.”
You look around, searching for a way over, but there is none. You look down at the gap, and it looks to be an abyss into impossible horror. You swear for a bit, before resigning yourself to the long jump.
You unfasten your breastplate, letting it fall into the nothing below. You do the same to the rest of your armor, until you are in medieval underwear. It isn’t very fashionable, but it is lighter than carrying several pounds of steel with you.
You take a deep breath and take your distance.
“You know,” you say. “Having a couple of inches of height would really help right now.”
You take off running and leap.
Somewhere you can’t see, Arty screams as she sees the jump is too short, as she sees you’re not going to make it.
You see the edge of the platform go past you as you fall down, just out of reach of your fingers.
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1715030217},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5996431,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5996430
But not out of reach of the bent sword on your right hand. You slam against the wall, hooking it to the top of the platform, all your weight being held by your grip on the handle of your blade.
“Ahhhhh! Shit! Fuck!”
You swing side to side, gritting your teeth through the pain, grabbing on to the handle with the other hand, pulling yourself up, the muscles in your arms screaming at you, until you manage to roll over the edge and onto solid ground.
“Ah! Haaaaa! Haaaaaa! Fuck you!” You say, gasping for air as the adrenaline rushes over your body. “You gave me Gwain’s task but not his leg size!”
You curse at the sky for a bit more for a while, until your heart no longer feels like it is going to hammer its way out of your chest. You stand up, looking at the miniature sun that is the core of this place.
You lift up the bent sword that just saved your life.
“You are, without a doubt, the shittiest ancient artifact I’ve ever seen.”
And you bring it down, shattering its connections. The horrors fade, the chaos around you disappears, and you find yourself back in the chapel.
“I’m free! I’m free! I’m freeeee!” Fastidio shouts in ecstasy, twirling through the air. Around you, the madness of the place slowly begins to fade. The windows show the outside, the paintings fade, the mannequins disappear, and the green off the poltergeist’s skin starts to flake off. “Oh, Gwain, Gwain! What a fantastic knight you are!”
“I have done as you asked,” you say. “Shall I have my blow now?”
“Indeed!” He flies down, picks up the green axe and swings it at full force at your neck. You just have the time to give off a exhasperated scream before it passes harmlessly through you. He laughs, twirls and takes a bow. “And with that, I am out of here!”
He dives out through the wall and disappears.
“Well… All is well that ends well,” you say. “Though I don’t know if whoever he ends up haunting will agree that this is a happy ending.”
Fastidio’s face appears once more through the wall.
“Oh, and you might want to run. I think that thing down there is going to explode dramatically!”
And you run out into the cliffside, run until your legs scream at you, run until you see a blinding flash behind you and the earth shakes.
The desolated lands disappear, and you are once more in the presence of King Arthur and your friends.
You grin, breathing deeply.
“Well, that’s two out of thee-” And that’s when the air is forcibly pushed out of your lungs as you are tackled into a hug by a little auburn-haired Hufflepuff.","attachment":null,"posted":1715030286},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5996437,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"YES! oh thank god, that was the correct answer!
now we need one more","attachment":null,"posted":1715030700},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5996440,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"btw, give Arty a kiss while she is on top of us, gotta let her know we also missed her and were worried","attachment":null,"posted":1715030774},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5996462,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996431
Fastidio. Peeves. Why, of course.","attachment":null,"posted":1715032511},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5996476,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996440
We're going to be snogging right here with her brother in full view. Ah fuck it, let him see it.","attachment":null,"posted":1715033829},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5996477,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996431
>>5996428
Ah shit, I forgot about Fastidio. Since his quest was a stupid PS5 exclusive. Well calling him as really being Peeves was close enough for me to be okay with it.
So all we need is for Brighton to not fuck up. Then Arthur vs. Apollo don't have to be a thing.
Yeah, I am sure Merlin was interested in being able to preserve a "spirit" in a nearly impenetrable locked space... for good reasons.
So just in case Arty loses in the tourney, here is a rewrite of an older fic, now with more lewds and other stuff.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715033846759961.pdf","filename":"Post Avalon DateV2.pdf"},"posted":1715033846},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5996487,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996462
we need to remember to ask Peeves if he recognizes that name when we get back","attachment":null,"posted":1715034497},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5996498,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996487
If him, Fastidio, and Bertilak/Green knight are all the same dude, I would laugh.
I also think maybe the things we just saw at the end
>The pale and soft tones become brash and aggressive, the dreamlike surroundings become a dystopian landscape filled with eerie figures, and otherworldly scenes that blur the line between reality and nightmare appear floating in the air. It is intricate and grotesque, precise, horrifying. Limbs are distorted and space itself becomes warped too, visibly so, in great bubbles of semi-transparent red.
Might be a depiction of Atlantis' last moments for some reason. I also wondered why that name rang a bell.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715035437224387.jpg","filename":"5e150fabe4eaabb74f3885fb87afe2a5 (1).jpg"},"posted":1715035437},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5996530,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996498
>Might be a depiction of Atlantis' last moments for some reason.
Doubtful. I think it's just the manifestation of pure Chaos.","attachment":null,"posted":1715038689},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5996534,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996498
what >>5996530 said
it's chaos bro, I don't need to explain shit","attachment":null,"posted":1715039182},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5996545,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996530
>>5996534
Maybe. Thankfully, in this whole ordeal, we haven't seen other scenes which happened in the far past.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715040923752959.jpg","filename":"the-persistence-of-memory-1931-1140x867.jpg"},"posted":1715040923},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5996623,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"its over","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715048339694391.jpg","filename":"maxresdefault.jpg"},"posted":1715048339},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5996626,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996477
>V2
is this a rewrite of a previous fic or a new one? asking because im saving these and i´d like to differintiate and tag which ones are which","attachment":null,"posted":1715048613},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5996661,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996626
Thank you for caring enough to check it out; it is like 90% new but recycles some of the stuff from the pre-avalon date one. I intended to just add some extra seggs to that one but ended up wanting to do something more. It is mostly new aside from part of the middle which was just recycled.
So I would consider it a whole new one, especially with the extra non-lewd/romantic stuff.
I just put V2 because I had been fucking with it for a while.
Your picture in
>>5996621
was amazing. Apollo looking pissed at Elliot and Linda just looking sad in the back ground sold it.
If you ever wanted to do quick sketches, the, "chibi" characters are fun. I can't help wonder what the "chibi" Arty would look like.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715051254699032.jpg","filename":"GMhOYe_WwAAp_3E.jpg"},"posted":1715051254},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5996665,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996661
>I can't help wonder what the "chibi" Arty would look like.
i can do that easily, i´ll try to deliver one tonight
and thanks! i appreciate you linking it!","attachment":null,"posted":1715051362},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5996735,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Now I do need to know... what would Arty order at a McDonald's/Burger King/Wendy's?
I am going to guess a double what ever, with everything. Medium fries, extra salt. A small shake, and a medium soda. Maybe a side of chicken nuggets.
A Baconator at BK?
Maybe go with a happy meal at McD's with stuff on the side, just so she could get the toy, and she doesn't get to eat muggle food often, to keep it as a collectable?
I am positive she would love chocolate frosties and hot fries. It does seem that Wendy's is uncommon in the UK, however.
Oh fuck! She has never had like southern fried chicken, has she? So when we get her to spend summer with us, we have to go to like a chicken joint with her and Apollo. I am going to vote for her to come stay with us over the break, even if she thinks she needs to work, once we get back from Spain.","attachment":null,"posted":1715054784},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5996820,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996661
my pleasure, i really like your stuff, hope you can keep doing more of it in the future, this one has to be my new personal favorite tho, they way you wrote the romantic but cheese lines near the end sounded legit, like something people of their age would actually say, great job on that
>>5996735
she would definitely get a medium, large would be too much for her, mostly the soda, those cups hold way more liquids than one would think
she would definitely go for a happy meal, food PLUS a toy? she would love the concept alone
>friend chicken
KFC is a global brand, right? we need to get her some of that, maybe both the regular crunchy and the spicy recipes, wonder which one of them has the biggest spiciness tolerance?
btw. was that you who made the small fanfic with the winner?","attachment":null,"posted":1715059498},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5996913,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"i wonder, will we have summer vacations? we had the winter break a bit after our first big adventure
im sure this one counts as the 2nd and after all the stress we had, a beach episode would be a nice rest/interlude, just like the xmas updates","attachment":null,"posted":1715069996},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5997049,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996820
Yeah. The Burger King called to me and I felt his spirit take my body, then I woke up like 10 minutes later and that was posted.
>>5996913
Up to QM I suppose. If nothing else, I hope we get a highlight reel of the trip with Arty to Spain. Granted, that might be called off now that a good portion of the world thinks Wizard Hitler is back, and the third Wizarding War is about to pop off. Not an excellent idea to go out of country on a trip like that with your newborn twins, autistic wife and a couple of 16-year-olds, like Rolf planned to.
Though we have to make sure we don't die down here, in the bowels of the earth, and that Potter doesn't kill us afterword. And that the Ministry doesn't kill us. And that rogue aurors don't kill us. And that we didn't set off the wizard versions of the Troubles by casting the mark. Reminds me, QM said there are only 2 means of long range communication in the wizard world. If the Dark Mark counts, I suppose that makes a third. Wonder if we can figure out how Voldy made that spell and get sick tats for our followers-friends. I suggest it just be dickbutt.
We might have to wait for that beach episode, basically.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715084537313792.jpg","filename":"5p2rz9.jpg"},"posted":1715084537},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5997060,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996820
Also, thank you very much for enjoying these dumb things I write to pass time. I do try to remember what I was like as a love struck 16-year-old when writing some parts. It sometimes requires a lot of alcohol and listening to the shitty music I did back then but it is fun.
I can guarantee you will hate what I am working on next. I thought I couldn't do worse than what I had been working on before since that was the point, but sometimes I surprise myself.
I wonder if I should try to write a short evil Elliot one at some point to go with the evil Arty one.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715086096496054.jpg","filename":"1515843445611.jpg"},"posted":1715086096},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5997315,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997060
>evil Elliot
i would read that, it could be fun","attachment":null,"posted":1715104916},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5997360,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997315
What do you think? Evil all the time, or just broke after Taylor died? Sociopath or psychopath?
Regardless, I wouldn't have him kill/hurt Arty. I don't think. You can be evil, but not Evil. Or maybe make it even worse that he does. I don't want to ape QM with a last minute face/heel turn I don't think, since Elliot being evil is on the tin. Lacks the stuff the Lily reveal had.
I have written far too much nice stuff, so I might start on that idea and finish up on the horrible shit already in the works.","attachment":null,"posted":1715107327},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5997367,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997360
could do some timeline fuckery where he ends up going along with "Lily" instead of friendzoning her so hard she fucking dies and turning evil","attachment":null,"posted":1715107993},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5997370,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997360
>Evil all the time, or just broke after Taylor died?
definitely after Taylor died
Sociopath or psychopath?
sociopath definitely
>You can be evil, but not Evil
yeah i agree, actually i dont really see Elliot as a villain, i just cant see him doing evil for the sake of being evil...an anti-hero tho, doing the "wrong" things for the "right"reasons? i can totally see him doing that
it could also work to bring Arty along and both be "evil" while still keeping their lovely "dark lord and dark princess" chemistry","attachment":null,"posted":1715108216},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5997479,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997367
I still love the fact that friendzoning her destroyed her soul. Like I am sure Sally made her keep fit and look after her appearance so much just so he could use that to influence other people if needed and Elliot just shrugged it off at the end. Said, "Nay, I have my tiny badger wife, begone thot".
I might try one like that with it actually being Lily vs Cocksucker at the wheel and just saying fuck it, being evil is more fun and gets shit done, at some point.
>>5997370
I was thinking of maybe if Elliot ended up being the one to use AK instead of Linda and it started a downward spiral. Have Arty try to stop him but be unable to do it, kill him, and instead joining him. She did say till the end after all. Though I would hate to show Potter was right and she DID need or want us that bad and would go along even if we went Dark.
But yeah, Dark Lord and Lady Hallaster is fun. I also love the idea of Raven being our vizier who might be planning to overthrow us and take Arty as her own. I will also make Brighton be our garden keeper in every timeline.
Thank you both for the feedback.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715116481893849.jpg","filename":"Fj4cx-1VEAE2otI.jpg"},"posted":1715116481},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5997602,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997479
>Brighton is the Biff Tannen of the Disappearing Hogwarts multiverse.","attachment":null,"posted":1715128147},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5997621,"name":"HeadQM","msg":"I am physically unable to write a short update.
>>5996623
Well, it happens. It was fun anyway, and second place is pretty good. Besides, it brought some new players to the quest! Thanks for everyone who voted for Arty, it warmed my heart.
>>5996735
She would definitely ask for the biggest, greasiest looking sandwich, with large fries and nuggets, not manage to eat even half of it, then look embarrassed as Elliot and Apollo finish her meal for her (or maybe insist on taking it home so she can eat later, even with Elliot protesting and saying reheating fastfood is a sin).
--
From the floor where Arty is lying on top of you, you kiss her forehead, gently weaving your fingers through her hair.
“That was a pretty scary jump, huh?”
“It was,” she says, voice muffled by your clothes. “Don’t do that again.”
“I’ll try not to.”
“Well done, Hallaster,” Brighton says, reluctantly. “You didn’t fuck it up.”
As far as Brighton goes, that was high praise.
“Thanks. Your turn now, Brighton. Be careful. I doubt the bridge is only going to be a bridge.”
“Yeah, I’m aware.” He turns to Lancelot as you and Arty stand back up. “I’m ready.”
“Very well,” Lancelot says in a cold tone, almost cruel. Gone are the walls of the room, replaced by a beautiful scenery of grass, the smell of the distant ocean filling your lungs. You find yourself watching over Brighton riding a horse up the green mountain-side, now in full plate armor with a helmet, much like Lancelot at his side.
As he crests the slope into a flatter area, you see the mountain is actually part of a narrow and steep fjord, 40 or so feet separating both sides. After a fall of far too many meters, a dark river filled with sharp rocks violently flows below, leaving no doubt that if the fall failed to kill you, the water would.
“Lovely,” Brighton says, dismounting and peeking over the edge. Curiously, Lancelot does the same at the same time, and with exactly the same inflection of displeasure.
“I was told there would be a bridge here,” she says, frowning. “That it was the only crossing in three day’s travel. Yet I see none.”
“That is because I removed it,” says a voice behind them. “And shall replace it with something more suitable for someone like you.”
They turn, and in front of them is an middle-aged man in light-blue robes with small stars twinkling across it. A little out of shape, with a small paunch. Taller than average, but somewhat stooped. A bearded face groomed with care, and green eyes. Ancient, ancient green eyes.
He wears a silvery, almost fluid-like cloak over his robes. He has a ring with an octagonal dark stone set upon it on his left hand. He holds a gray, knobby wand on his right.
A chill runs down your spine at the look of disgust on Merlin’s face.
“Merlin!” Lancelot says, sounding relieved. “Thank God, you are here! Guinevere has been abducted! We require your aid to rescue her!”
“No,” Merlin says, anger in his eyes. “You require my help to bed her, Lancelot.”
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1715128687},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5997622,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5997621
“What?” She says, sounding shocked. “I- I would never-”
“Do not lie to me, Lancelot!” Merlin bellows, and it is like thunder. The very air around you seems to darken. “There is nothing my eye cannot see, there is no lie it cannot pierce! You have betrayed your King, Lancelot! You have betrayed those you have sworn to love and protect. How could you? How could you?”
There is barely contained fury within him, and Lancelot cowers in fear.
“I- I-”
“You are a fool, that is what you are! The both of you have hurt Arthur more deeply than you can possibly imagine!”
“He does not know! We made sure to never-”
“Of course he knows! Do you think him blind? Do you think him daft? He knew the day it happened! He has known it ever since. Only he refuses to heed my advice and keeps trying to earn her love back, love he never truly had. He refuses to heed my advice and throw both of you out of the highest window!”
Lancelot is quivering in both horror and shame.
“We never meant for it to go this far!”
“Really? And how far did you mean it to go? Did you intend on stopping it after the first time you sullied her? Or the tenth? Tell me, Lancelot, Whore of Benoic! When did you mean for it to stop!?”
Lancelot averts her eyes, looking away into the depths of the river. Her voice is meek and quiet.
“Please. Merlin. I… I just wish to save her. I just wish that which is best for her.”
“If you did, you would have left her with her husband.”
“I…” Lancelot forces the words out of her mouth. “I shall leave her. If that is your wish, I shall leave her. I shall rescue her and leave her in Arthur’s care.”
“No, you shall not,” Merlin says, and his eyes narrow. “You shall do no such thing.”
He raises his wand and waves it, and a blade appears connecting both sides of the fjord. Two lions appear on the other side, too, guarding it. He flicks his wand once again and Lancelot and Brighton’s gauntlets are launched off their hands and into the waters below.
“You wish for a bridge to reach Guinevere? Here is your bridge.” Merlin says, voice dripping with cruelty. “You wish to cross it and save your lover? Then you shall have to destroy the hands that made you a knight, the hands you used to pleasure her, the hands you used to stab your king in the back. You shall cross it, Lancelot, and if you survive the lions which hunger for your blood and get her back, you will flee. You will run. You will run with her as far as you can run, over land and over water. You shall take her away from Arthur, for I do not want to see you ever again.”
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1715128748},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5997624,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5997622
“And I leave you with this knowledge, oh dark knight. If you attempt to go around, through the closest bridge, she will be dead by the time you arrive. And if you rescue her, know this: just as she did with Arthur, she shall do with you. One day, she shall betray you. She shall hurt you. You shall spend the rest of your days wondering if she has done so already. And when you come to know the pain you have caused your king, when you scream at the heavens for forgiveness for the hurt you’ve caused, when you beg for relief from the wrenching agony in your heart,” Merlin gets as close to Lancelot as he possibly can, flicking his wand to force her to look him in the eyes. “I will be there to say ‘no’.”
And he apparates away.
--
“Holy shit,” you manage to blurt out once you remember breathing again.
“Merlin was furious,” Linda says. “No. He was out of control.”
“Well, boo-fucking-hoo,” Arty says, sounding mad. She’s in front of you, your arms wrapped around her. “Big talk for someone who cheated on Ravenclaw for who knows how long.”
“In another life,” you say. “Maybe… Maybe when he came here, maybe when he viewed his memories again… Maybe he saw how he had hurt her. And when he saw someone doing the same to someone he cared for, he got mad. Not because he was mad with Lancelot. Because he was mad with himself.”
“I don’t buy it. He had plenty of years where he was both Merlin and Lailoken.”
“Maybe he stopped cheating on her during that period. Maybe by then he was already ‘bedridden’,” you say. “There is a lot about him we don’t know.”
“Stop trying to defend him!”
“I’m not trying to defend him, I’m just saying he saved the world a lot of times, so maybe he deserves the benefit of the doubt.”
“Maybe they were all virgins that were going to be sacrificed to summon the Unseelie to destroy the world,” Linda says with a smirk. “The only way he could possibly have stopped that from happening was with his dick.”
“You are all terrible.”
--
Brighton paces from one side to the other, Lancelot’s shadow and everything she brought having long vanished. On the other side of the “bridge”, the two lions eye him hungrily.
“No trees to chop, nothing to build a bridge with,” he mutters, thinking. “Maybe if I…”
He approaches the sword-bridge and tests it with a grass leaf. It cuts through without effort, extremely sharp. He then pulls out his sword and tries pressing it against the bridge, but it slides off. He tries using his armor to sort of pad the bridge, but it is too thin for anything made of metal to balance on top of it. He tries using some of the leather straps of his armor, the fabric of his clothes, anything to create a buffer between him and the bridge, but nothing works.
“I’m trying to outsmart bloody Merlin.” He tells himself. “A pissed off Merlin who probably wasn’t thinking straight, but still, Merlin. This doesn’t bode well for my hands.”
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1715128810},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5997627,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5997624
He looks around some more for resources but, though beautiful, the terrain offers him nothing of use.
“Right… I’m trying to think like Lancelot, but that’s stupid because Lancelot thought like Lancelot and she got out of here with bleeding hands. So let’s not think like her. That leads to the question, what would guilt-ridden Lancelot, who was a crap knight but still a knight, not do?”
That’s when he looks at the horse and grins.
“Why, hello there, friend!”
--
“He’s not going to do what I think he’s going to do!” Arty shouts by you.
“He absolutely is.”
--
“Mother- fucker- heavy- piece of crap-” A blood covered Brighton grunts as he pushes half of a horse’s carcass onto the sword-bridge a few minutes later. It sinks onto the metal with a disgusting noise. “There! Enough flesh to keep this thing stable and if it didn’t cut through Lancelot’s fingers it won’t cut through this thing’s ribcage. A third of the way there. Now for the rest of it.”
He makes sure all the pieces of his armor are back on before taking one of the horse’s legs he’d cut up before and holding it with his left hand. With his right he holds his sword.
“Heeeeere kitty kitty.”
The two lions watch him intently, licking their lips.
“Can a lion make a jump this long?” He asks himself, stretching the meat over the cliff. “I don’t know, but let’s see if a tasty meal convinces you to try, huh? Come here, kitty kitty.”
One of the lions crouches down, getting ready to pounce.
“Good kitty, come here.”
The temptation becomes too much for one of the creatures and it shimmies back before darting forward and leaping over the rift on the earth and directly at Brighton. The Ravenclaw raises his sword at it, impaling it through his neck and chest, and the 400 pound creature slams against him at full speed. They tumble, the lion still clawing at the armor even as it dies.
Brighton rolls the creature off him with great effort and stands up, panting, sinking the sword on the ground to use as support as he recovers his bearings.
“One down, one to go-” The second lion tackles him from behinf, biting and scratching at anything it can as Brighton fights for his life. Fortunately, the creature claws at the well protected chest. The real problem is the massive weight of the creature, pouncing on top of him again and again. He struggles, the sword almost out of his reach from when the lion hit him.
He grabs the sword by the blade and sinks it into the beast, as he shouts “Fuck you! Fuck you! Fuck you!” Again and again as he desperately stabs at it from his position below him. Animal against man, lion against ravenclaw, hunger against rage.
When the beast dies, Brighton simply lays there, breathing.
“FUCK YOU, HALLASTER!” He shouts at the sky.
[Cont]","attachment":null,"posted":1715128871},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5997629,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5997627
Shaking, he stands up, looking at his hands. They are covered in scratches and cuts from the sword.
“Bloody hell.” He says, shaking his head. “Precisely what I didn’t fucking want. Better than doing it the stupid way over Merlin's magic sword, I suppose.”
A whole lot of pushing and grunting later, the sword-bridge has been adorned with the carved bodies of a horse and two lions, and Brighton crawls over them to the other side before collapsing on the grass on the other side, utterly drained.
The fjord disappears and the room with King Arthur returns. You already have the Wiggenweld ready to pour down his throat.
“I’m not going to lie, Brighton,” you say as you feed it to him. “That was badass.”
“Fuck you. Fuck Merlin,” he says between ragged breaths. “And fuck you too, Arthur.”
King Arthur smiles.
“Well done, Elliot. Well done all of you. You have proven yourselves worthy to pass.”
“Thank you, Arthur,” you say. “Before you go… Is there anything you’d like us to do? If we reach Avalon, if your body is there, is there anything you’d like us to do to it? Bury it somewhere?”
He looks at you, and the sheer exhaustion in his voice is enough to bring you to tears over what this man has endured, so much of which you will never know.
“I have no family. Guinevere left me and Mordred betrayed me. Just let me rest. Somewhere I can watch the sun set over the sea. Somewhere beautiful. Somewhere… somewhere peaceful. Somewhere… finally… peaceful.”
You nod, your voice strained.
“I will. I’ll make sure I’ll lay you to rest. Go now, King Arthur. Be at peace.”
The shadow of the Once and Future King bows his head at you, and gladly fades away into nothingness.","attachment":null,"posted":1715128932},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5997648,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997621
KFC is better reheated, clears out a lot of the excess grease","attachment":null,"posted":1715129675},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5997650,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Oh wait the update's done right now? OK
>>5997627
>>5997629
I FUCKING KNEEL BRIGHTON","attachment":null,"posted":1715129757},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5997659,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997629
Now we need to make sure Arty doesn’t kill him for what he just did to the horse.
But seriously, kudos to Brighton for out-of-the-box thinking. Here’s to hoping he doesn’t die later, he’s a good rival.","attachment":null,"posted":1715130671},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5997691,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997629
DUDE! You didn't ask him where's Excalibur, Rhongomyniad and Carnwennan! Goddammit Hallaster.","attachment":null,"posted":1715132943},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5997709,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997691
Pretty sure Excalibur is cursed/horcrux. So... yeah.
I guess Apollo would have been the man for the job, with the Veela? And if it came to it, Linda/Raven would have been best for Arthur? That is pretty cool. Once and Future Queen of Britain.
>>5997627
I kneel Brighton. Being kind of a sociopath who is fine with killing your horse seems to have been the ticket. Kinda fucked but can't argue with results.
Also fuck Merlin, spangly robed hypocritical asshole.
Additionally, I suppose we are levicorpus'ing the body of King Arthur out of here. That will be fun for Potter and the Aurors to see. Two acts of grave robbing on a single day.
Need to find a nice place, maybe on a cliff on the western side of the isles, to put him.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715134173401907.jpg","filename":"FctlmD-X0AEjajv.jpg"},"posted":1715134173},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5997712,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997709
>on a single day.
Elliot... It's been a whole year outside the construct... You have to wake up...","attachment":null,"posted":1715134398},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5997714,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Did we ever figure out what was the cup of sorrow? Goblet of fire is one part of the Holy Grail, but what's the other?","attachment":null,"posted":1715134468},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5997717,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"holy shit, Brighton, you absolute fucking derranged maniac, im seriously considering putting you in the movie poster now, that was amazing","attachment":null,"posted":1715135030},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5997718,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997709
I'm not reading your slop matpat, and that's still just one of the three weapons i mentioned.
>>5997714
If I had to guess, its floating in the darkness beyond time after the ritual ate Merlin and the Founders","attachment":null,"posted":1715135073},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5997727,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997718
>I'm not reading your slop matpat, and that's still just one of the three weapons i mentioned.
Okay... kinda weird, but you do you. But that is just a theory... a QuestTheory.
>>5997714
It probably got sucked up in the ritual. Or it is down here in Avalon. I don't recall an artifact like it being in the books, so who knows where it is.
>>5997717
That would be funny. I am now referring to Brighton as MC HorseKiller or HorseMutilator in the future.
>>5997712
Us being down here for like a year would be a way for a soft reset to happen... we come back and the hunt for us is off because they think we are dead, and they have to deal with Death Eater terrorists from us casting the mark. Kek. There are plenty of stories where going to a magic land fucks with how time flows for you vs everyone else.","attachment":null,"posted":1715135786},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5997784,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997629
Brighton is now my favorite character.","attachment":null,"posted":1715139839},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5997833,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5997659
It took me a good while to think of a feasible way of getting through a fucking blade bridge without coming out the other side completely fucked.
>>5997709
Yeah, though Arty would maybe have also succeeded with the veelas, too. I hadn't quite decided on that. Linda was the one for Arthur. Everyone else would struggle on the Green Knight because the only other person who has anything close to the level of physical endurance that Elliot has gained from Crouch is Arty, but she has her own set of problems (besides being even shorter than he is)
So the final ideal order was Arty, Arty/Apollo, Elliot, Brighton and Linda, with everyone else needing rolls or straight up failing (Brighton with the Holy Grail, for example would have been a straight up fail since he isn't really the kind to give a shit).
>>5997784
Really anon? All it takes is a little horse dismemberment to change your allegiance?","attachment":null,"posted":1715143011},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5997948,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997833
Linda n' Arthur would be cool.
Also yes, the horse dismemberment was cool. Then again, not needing a horse to get around helps disassociate the though.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715154052882032.jpg","filename":"1340671205062.jpg"},"posted":1715154052},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5997987,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997833
Arty and the Veela sounds like it might have been funny. Yeah, I can kind of tell Brighton doesn't really give a shit, what with the horse dismemberment and such. Even if it is just in a memory/vision, killing the horse to help make a bridge isn't something most of the crew would consider. I wouldn't have considered it either.","attachment":null,"posted":1715158416},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5998061,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997987
>killing the horse to help make a bridge isn't something most of the crew would consider. I wouldn't have considered it either.
And that's why he's in Ravenclaw","attachment":null,"posted":1715165985},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5998082,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997833
What would Arthur's challenge have been?","attachment":null,"posted":1715168158},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5998087,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998061
House of the intelligent, wise, and animal murderers.
>>5998082
A good question, if you can answer QM. Also, were there any other auto fails aside from Brighton and the Grail?
For his B-Day or Christmas, we are totally giving Brighton a MLP figure with a detachable head.","attachment":null,"posted":1715169091},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5998179,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997833
If Taylor was still alive and we didn't have brighton, which would Taylor autosucceed at?","attachment":null,"posted":1715178441},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5998201,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5998082
That's staying a secret for now (you never know, maybe there will be somewhere where the same general idea can be used, wouldn't want to spoil it)
>>5998087
> Also, were there any other auto fails aside from Brighton and the Grail?
Grail: Brighton (doesn't give a shit)
Maidens: Brighton (would have gotten his dick sucked, then disemboweled)
Knight: Linda (not enough physical readiness to get through the gauntlet)
Bridge: Arty and possibly Apollo (wouldn't have come up with any bright ideas and wouldn't be able to get through the dumb way)
Arthur: Apollo
Elliot doesn't get one because he has MC privilege, but on the Sword-bridge it would have been a open write in scenario. If none of you managed to come up with a good enough way across, he'd have tried to cross it the dumb way and lost to the lions.","attachment":null,"posted":1715181209},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5998254,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998201
>(would have gotten his dick sucked, then disemboweled)
Hahahaha holy shit that is funny. He at least he a BJ before dying.
But damn, this thing was no joke. I am really glad we didn't have to send Apollo for the last task then, in the end.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715184607233677.jpg","filename":"F9BzhPiWsAAc75W.jpg"},"posted":1715184607},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5998305,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998201
I look forward to a point in the story again where we are out of the lethality sequence. Also hilarious and sad that Brighton would have failed so badly, and that the veela girls were in fact all straight up evil and going along with them would not stop them from eating all the knights. Guess I was wrong earlier. Total harpy death was the solution all along","attachment":null,"posted":1715188232},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5998323,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998305
I was wrong about that too. I thought they just wanted some dick and got pissed about being denied/outed as Veela. I mean, we have several examples of Veela/human crossbreeds, so I didn't think they were going to eat their partners after getting deep dicked. Thought they just brought the crazy fireball tossing harpy out just when pissed off at you.
I was pretty off about most of these, honestly.
I am also curious how Apollo would have solved it. Realized they were fucking with his head before even going inside, which he doesn't like at all, and commanded the knight to enact TVD?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715188946707093.jpg","filename":"6e76906dee100a515a5b4acd4dace4ab.jpg"},"posted":1715188946},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5998330,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998323
Green Knight was a physical test instead of a negotiation or talking one, and sword-bridge was one of creativity and brains instead of a pain endurance one. We were so off the mark on these it's a miracle we all voted Elliot Knight and Brighton Bridge before. We were THIS CLOSE to failing by sending Brighton to Green Knight and Elliot to Sword Bridge","attachment":null,"posted":1715189264},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5998363,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998330
Yep. Brighton would have got a roll, and MAYBE we could figure it out as Elliot, but we have shit luck with dice, so then Apollo goes and auto-fails.
Also though, the Maidens was about tactics and maybe stopping the knights from doing what ye olde timey conquering forces were wont to do after "liberating" places, hence the tactician female. The vaguely bicurious female tactician lol. Yeah in retrospect, that was kinda silly.
And I guess I have underestimated how out of shape Linda is. I thought half a year of battle classes would have gotten her in shape a bit, but Arty, despite being a foot shorter and frail, is physically more capable than her. That 90DC was probably pretty generous, I guess, for her to fight off a bunch of harpy girls...
Her making the roll and ending up soaked in blood from smashing bitchs' faces in with the edge of shield would have been pretty amusing though.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715190987279846.png","filename":"1700811540109057.png"},"posted":1715190987},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5998481,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996477
I just finished this, writefag. I am in deep pain once again because of it. Thank you for writing this and the others. Now I will have to go to bed when I get home so I can silently cry into my pillow","attachment":null,"posted":1715197451},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5998523,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998305
If veela are like humans in any way, it's probable they have a variation within their species as to propensity to violence. These ones might be more murderous than average, essentially a bandit band that also steals semen... Or the Dealcouer's ancestor could have been unusually peaceful, like a token good monster-girl.","attachment":null,"posted":1715199527},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5998708,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998481
It's my pleasure to make you cry. Thank you for checking it out.
If I can ever get it done, there is one I am working on which is intended to be about as sad as I can make it. So maybe stock up on clenex wipes.","attachment":null,"posted":1715210375},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5999164,"name":"HeadQM","msg":"The medieval room around you fades, and the bright white halls return. You take a while to make sure everyone is alright and healthy, before looking for Irkalla, but you do not see him anywhere. You tap your cane on the floor and a red line appears once again, guiding you deeper and away from the black door back to nigredo.
“Well, you guided us once, so show us the way again.”
You follow the line, forcing yourself to not spend hours examining the embossed illustrations on the walls. The path isn’t that long and mostly straight with the eventual stairway down, until you reach a circular pool of liquid. Silvery light shines from it, bright and cloud-like, as if its contents were light made liquid. It gently slopes downwards, like a shallow basin.
“It’s like a massive pensieve,” you say.
“Didn’t your clone say he was the guardian of the Grail of Memories?” Arty asks.
“I would say this fits the bill.”
“And that’s the way forward?” Apollo asks, pointing to a door on the other side of the pool.
“To either citrinas or rubedo, depending on which interpretation of the Philosopher's Stone recipe you believe in. Or maybe it just had a black and white theme and it’s just Avalon. Who knows?” You shrug. “Either way, I doubt that it is going to open without me going through the process.”
“And you can put your memories in place?” Linda asks.
“Hopefully.”
“Alright, dive in. And don’t drown. You survived a lake of rot, we came too far to lose you to a damn puddle.”
You nod.
“I’ll be right back.”
You take off your shoes, socks and your robes, until you are just in your pants and shirt. With one foot, you touch the liquid, and it feels like it almost isn’t there, as if it was the exact temperature of your body. You start to make your way into it, the floor proving to not be as slippery as you expected, and soon you are wading through it with the liquid at your waist.
“Well,” you shout at your friends who are watching you intently. “See you in a bit.”
And you dive.
--
You are in a white space, floating. You look around, then up, then down, which is when you see the cube coming up, or you falling down to it, fast.
It is a few meters away from you, and you come to a sudden halt as it stops as its middle is right in front of you. It is not solid. No, instead it is composed of hundreds of dark spheres the size of your head, about twenty of them in each direction in a neatly spaced grid. You look down at your hand, and wrapped around it is a rosary of black beads, from each of them a small line comes, leading to each of the thousands of spheres.
You breathe a sigh of relief. Your memories, safe and sound.
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1715238052},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5999165,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>5999164
You wander around, peeking into them and watch your days pass inside each of them. Each of your days as a sphere. You touch them and they join your body, join your mind where they belong. It is a slow process touching one by one, some five thousand of them now that you’re sixteen, and you can only wonder if the process was the same for Merlin, checking each of his days of a hundred-year life one by one, or if you were special because of what happened with Nimue.
In the end, it doesn’t matter. They'll all get back where they belong, and for now that’s what is important to you.
You go through all your years, gathering them. The earliest ones are faded. The more recent ones are firm and tough. Each its own. After a good half-an-hour of collecting, you are done… Yet there is one more. One memory that isn’t dark, but tinged slightly red, as if to show it was important.
Carefully, you touch it, and you understand it.
It is the one memory, if Merlin was to somehow lose all others, the one memory he needed to always remember, that all his selves needed to know above all else.
It’s the instructions on how to use the Elixir of Life in the depths of Avalon to create a body of unimaginable power and pour a soul into it.
Simple, easy, made it so there could be no possible mistake and in just a few short minutes, engraved into your brain with letters of fire twenty meters high.
You know then that, like the words of a prophecy, this knowledge can never be erased from your mind without destroying it whole. While you remain, it will remain with you. You might not know how Avalon creates its elixir, or why its structure is the way it is, or why so many steps and fanciful areas, but you know that it takes a hundred years to gather its power and a hundred more to create its liquid. You know how to take it and create the body Merlin would have crafted for himself.
And you feel yourself fade away, trying to return to reality.
But you can also feel something else. Older memories. Ancient memories. Ones that don’t belong to you but that lingered here because they were important. Because they mattered. Yet there is not enough time. You can only reach out to one of them.
> The Day I Was Banished From Atlantis
> The Day I Watched Atlantis Fall
> The Day I Bent Fate And Forged the Prophecies","attachment":null,"posted":1715238141},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5999167,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999165
> The Day I Bent Fate And Forged the Prophecies
Tough choice but knowing more about his BS Sight beyond Sight seems helpful.","attachment":null,"posted":1715238451},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5999179,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999165
>> The Day I Bent Fate And Forged the Prophecies
>>5999167
agreed
knowing why he was banished or how atlantis died would be useful, but knowing how he creted all this prophecy bullshit could prove essential to control it, evade it or walk around it","attachment":null,"posted":1715239111},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5999184,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999179
Yeah, we know he was Banished for being a half-breed already. Probably for overstepping his position as one by fucking around with stuff he wasn't allowed to, or taking great works for his own. Interesting to know exactly what happened but eh.
Knowing exactly how Atlantis deleted themselves is a close second for me, since that would be good to understand what happened so we don't screw the pooch like they did but considering a Prophecy is currently screwing us, seems best.
If someone has a good argument, I would change my vote though.","attachment":null,"posted":1715239651},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5999187,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999165
> The Day I Watched Atlantis Fall
Ayo this could tell us WHERE atlantis was. Which I suspect will soon be relevant in another arc.","attachment":null,"posted":1715239818},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5999249,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999187
we can't exactly go to somewhere that literally doesn't exist anymore","attachment":null,"posted":1715250790},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5999250,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999165
>> The Day I Bent Fate And Forged the Prophecies","attachment":null,"posted":1715250850},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5999255,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999165
> The Day I Bent Fate And Forged the Prophecies
Atlantis. Home. Least it was before I went and fucked it up","attachment":null,"posted":1715251180},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5999322,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999249
Well said. As far as we know, the only things left from there are the artifacts Merlin stole, maybe some left over from Atlantean diaspora, and the blood in wizardkind's veins.
But there is also Agartha, Hyperborea, Lemuria, ect that we can raid the ruins of.
And because we have been lied to about the Hall and when we went there were blindfolded, knowing about prophesies seems the most interesting.
>>5999255
I think Merlin, Lailoken, what ever didn't cause the fall, probably. Hell, part of why he got kicked out may have been because he tried to warn them. I am curious to a degree about the "Gods" who sent the Bull of Heaven, which Merlin's dad and his bud slayed. Who are the "Gods"? A race even greater than the Atlanteans?","attachment":null,"posted":1715258416},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5999331,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999322
>Hyperborea
I fear that our true foe may be Yakub, the greatest wizard of all time.","attachment":null,"posted":1715258905},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5999411,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999165
> The Day I Watched Atlantis Fall
I’m willing to stick to theorycrafting for how Merlin bent fate (I’m assuming divination as we know it is actually tapping into a spell he created that only shows futures that don’t eliminate his existence) but I can’t theorycraft well enough to figure how they erased themselves.
Semi-related, is there an explanation for how information can supposedly only go back 5 hours, but we can view the future way beyond that? Supposedly divination always comes true, so that implies the future is sending information way past that 5-hour mark to influence the past.
We know there’s no limit because our whole past was rewritten after the fight with Salazar, but I assume wizardkind has had to make up explanations for why that discrepancy exists.","attachment":null,"posted":1715266485},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5999506,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999411
Could be the 5 hour limit is something Merlin imposed at some point because the Atlanteans tried to go back WAY more and butterfly'd themselves out of existence. He did create the Time Turners after all; maybe that was as much as he though was safe, even for him, to do. Maybe they tried shit with the Cup of Sorrow, and it only affected them because how the ritual was made it would only affect them, since they considered non-Atlanteans to be non-human? Merlin did use it to create the Interdict and got scooped up accidentally and tossed into the void so we know shit with it can backfire. The 5-hour limit might be a limit of modern non-Atlantean magic, and they could do more back then. Or if you go back further, you end up always creating a timeline which you would never have tried to go back at all, and therefore you don't, and it solves itself. I hate time travel shit in general.
Prophecies can come true because it will happen no matter what, or they can be misheard or misinterpreted and people do shit they wouldn't normally do because of that and makes it happen. Or even hearing it correctly, it shifts your behavior in a way that makes it happen. There are also ones like about Voldy being defeated, which can have multiple ways to resolve themselves; Harry or Neville could have either been the one named in it, for example.
If Voldemort had just ignored the damn thing, he probably would have won.
But Helga did speculate that the reason prophecies were no longer being made is that there were so many timelines where things couldn't be changed, where doom was certain, and that if you aren't able to change it, why would you see them at all?
>the future is sending information way past that 5-hour mark to influence the past.
As I said, prophecies might always be true, but we have shit like Neville/Harry and the fact that Elliot could just trip when helping his future daughter with a school play and "rip the stars from heaven" by tearing down part of the set with stars on a shitty black cloth sheet. Could end the world by playing a video game where he destroys Earth. All true, but not like people would assume.
Why I think learning more about Merlin's Hall of them is a good idea.
>>5999331
>We wuz wizards an' shit","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715272022308441.jpg","filename":"GNEmQRpWEAE7xSC.jpg"},"posted":1715272022},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5999574,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999506
I agree that the 5-hour limit is likely an arbitrary one imposed by Merlin and no one knows enough to circumvent it, but I wanted to know if there was an “official” explanation for it among wizards. The discrepancy exists yet Harry was super confident about that limit and I’m trying to wrap my head around what a “reasonable” explanation to square that contradictory piece of info from the wizarding world’s perspective is.
Do they just ignore it? Spout some BS about how the future is treated differently than the past even though it’s just a different frame of reference and shouldn’t matter? Say that time turners and divination follow different rules without considering how divination gets around it? I’d love it if the accepted reasoning is “Merlin was a dick” but I doubt it is.","attachment":null,"posted":1715275266},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5999637,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999574
think the colses we get is the explanation in the play, but it doesn't really explain it much further anyway","attachment":null,"posted":1715279041},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5999746,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999331
Kek. Can you imagine?
>>5999165
> The Day I Watched Atlantis Fall","attachment":null,"posted":1715287293},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5999756,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999637
>the play
Ewww. And QM has said that aside from names and directions the trio went, he really isn't using anything from there.
Is it as bad as it looks just from summaries and clips?
It may be that a person can only go back 5 yours, but just info can go back further? Or prophesy is more like seeing how shit is going to play out, an excellent prediction that is just magically enhanced? If you subscribe to a hard determinist view of the universe, if you have enough knowledge of the past and present, what will happen in the future is easy to see. One of Merlin's 'IRL' powers was perfect knowledge of the past, so maybe that is why he had such powerful Seer abilities.
Like I said, I hate time travel stuff in general, and Rowling's whole Wizarding World starts to fall apart if you look too closely.","attachment":null,"posted":1715288232},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5999760,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999756
i liked it, even though the plot got stupid when "voldemort's daughter" showed up","attachment":null,"posted":1715288486},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5999772,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999760
Yeah, when I found out spoiler is when I lost any interest I might have had...","attachment":null,"posted":1715289428},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5999774,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999772
spoiler is only in the end and a bit near the start, a minor character despite being the main antagonist","attachment":null,"posted":1715289574},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5999776,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"im sorry? what the fuck is this about a play and that spoiler? this is the first time i´ve about any of that","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715289825432806.png","filename":"ye fucking wot m8.png"},"posted":1715289825},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5999778,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999776
There is a Harry Potter Stage Play that takes place post books. It has Harry's son, Albus, and Draco's, Scorpius, as 2 main characters. It involves time turners.","attachment":null,"posted":1715289944},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5999785,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999776
It is called Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, btw.
It is widely reviled by the larger fandom, though I have only read snips of the script, synopses, and some clips.
Yeah turns out snake hitler had a kid with Bellatrix in it.","attachment":null,"posted":1715290399},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5999788,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999785
>>5999778
>cursed child
ahhh, its that one, i´ve heard of that before
>spoiler
fucking how...","attachment":null,"posted":1715290492},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5999793,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999788
Yeah...
She also apparently could out duel Potter, and it takes like all the original cast plus the kids to take her down.
This quest, written for free on an Indonesian Cave-painting website, is better than this multimillion dollar production seems to be.
Spoiler also looks like she browses tumbler and identifies as a dragon-kin. Oh she and has zoomy back tats.","attachment":null,"posted":1715291164},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5999795,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999793
please stop, the more i know about it the worse it gets, its hurts reading this","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715291380304004.jpg","filename":"wtf is this shit.jpg"},"posted":1715291380},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5999798,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999795
she's only actually in it for about 10-15 minutes and has basically 0 relevance to anything, despite being its main villain, the timetravel mess is much more interesting","attachment":null,"posted":1715291488},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":5999802,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999798
You know... that makes it kinda worse sounding.
Main villian.
Zero real relevance.
IDK, haven't and won't watch it, so maybe it isn't AS bad as it seems. But just seeing the actress for her in I guess the biggest production was enough to turn me off of it. Also, from the stuff I know, the time turner shit sounds pretty dumb.","attachment":null,"posted":1715292019},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6000040,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999165
> The Day I Watched Atlantis Fall
I'm guessing this has more info on the artifacts, the Mirror, the Goblet of Fire, the Cup of Sorrows, etc. We probably want to catch up on why those are important. Also what getting wiped from time entails since that may help us with Lily and Taylor down the line.","attachment":null,"posted":1715306854},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6000097,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999165
> The Day I Watched Atlantis Fall
This is arguably the most important event in history, ironic since it never happened!","attachment":null,"posted":1715311660},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6000129,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"test","attachment":null,"posted":1715316110},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6000204,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999746
Yes, I can imagine.
>"You all played your parts exactly as I expected, my creations. From the moment that I created the first white wizard, I had manufactured absolute victory over my enemies. Your very essence commands you to do my bidding, pulling you inexorably towards a destiny of my own creation. Everything that your people have ever done was all in service to me, from the greatest of heroic deeds to the most vile of dark magic. Merlin was merely a puppet obeying his strings. And now, thanks to him, I have been reborn - the only one for whom the rules he placed do not apply to."
>"Holy shit, why is your head so big?"","attachment":null,"posted":1715328990},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6000401,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000204
An opponent not fit for Lord Hallaster, Dark Lord Hallaster, or even Bright Lord Hallaster. The only one who could stop him would be Grand Wizard Elliot.
>"Shut up nigger."","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715351082853863.png","filename":"1710836676149119.png"},"posted":1715351082},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6000432,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Had another thought. We now know how to use Avalon’s elixir to craft a powerful body and shift a soul into it.
By thinking through that process enough, we could also figure out a way to create a terrible body and pour a soul into it. Like Salazar.
I think we have our primary solution to the Salazar problem. Put him in a crafted body, kick him back into the void once the Time Turners are out of it. Or work with Potter to figure out a modified form of creating horcruxes that uses Merlin’s elixir or its general principles to sever the soul and the horcrux spell to shift it into an object and figure out what to do with it from there. Skips the murder step in exchange for possibly using some of an Elixir that takes over 200 years to form. No biggie.","attachment":null,"posted":1715355609},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6000454,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000432
What we could do is make a body for Helga and have her transfer into it. Once she got used to it, she should be able to use Ancient magic, and we know Isadora could use her power to take parts of a person's soul, like pain or suffering, and rip it out. I am sure Hufflepuff Prime was a better witch than someone who came 400 years after her.
Get Helga in a body, help her relearn all the shit she forgot, then get her to use ancient magic juju to pull Cocksucker out of Scorpius.
Also has the benefit of denying him or Merlin a body for a couple of centuries if we can't destroy this place in the end.
And regardless, we have to do something with the elixir, make sure it can't fall into the wrong hands. Pour it down the drain if that is what it takes.
If this shit shakes out in a way where Potter doesn't kill us, moving St. Mungo's anywhere else would be good. Avalon requires distilled pain to make the Elixir so if there isn't a hospital right above it, it would stop working in the future, if we can't burn this place to the ground. Make this location unplotable, put every charm around to make it impossible to enter, ect.","attachment":null,"posted":1715358250},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6000461,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000454
This is of course assuming the Gate went with her, or we found a way to seal it up. Get the time turners out of Nothingness, or what ever.","attachment":null,"posted":1715358757},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6000467,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000454
Wasn't it implied in a prior thrwad that Avalon si part of the reason St. Mungo's works so well as a place of healing, too, though?","attachment":null,"posted":1715359225},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6000524,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000454
If we chose to give it to one of the founders, Godric or Rowena would make more sense. Too risky to get rid of Helga. Even if the gates moves with her there’s no guarantee that she’d be able to fight it like she does now when she’s also managing a physical form. If it doesn’t move then we’re boned anyway.
It’s been way longer than intended between uses, so I assume it’s “overflowing” and contributing to the health of people in St. Mungo’s, but that also implies a proper use of the process is a one-time deal with no extra. Using only part of it to purposely corrupt the process could be useful in itself against Merlin and Salazar. Depends on how well we can figure out other uses for the potion though.
>>6000467
It was. Unlike the ancient magic jar that we destroyed earlier, removing Avalon should have a noticeably negative effect on others.
I am willing to turn over that decision to others later if possible. We shouldn’t be the only one making decisions that may doom the world centuries from now, there’s so many decisions like that to make!","attachment":null,"posted":1715362887},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6000535,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000524
There's a sort of appeal in not using the Elixir and simply having the excess life energy generated go back up to help cure people in the hospital. I wonder if once the Elixir is used, St. Mungo's will not help people recover as well? It needs pain from people to charge the process for 100 years. I don't think using it to give Elliot and Arty immortality will work, since Merlin had to keep using it to reincarnate himself for so long. Neither Elliot nor Arty will ever want that if the other isn't there with them. And by design the Elixir is only for one individual.","attachment":null,"posted":1715363564},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6000536,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>6000467
>>6000524
It is the other way around. There was a place of healing, and Avalon was built under it because it was a place people would gather with their sick. As Nimue said "This was always a place of healing, and, as such, always a place of pain. And he harnessed that pain, diminished it, to create a pure Essence."
Avalon was built there because it uses the pain of others, both physical and emotional, and the place with most pain is the place people go to get rid of it. "The walls of hospitals have heard more prayers than the walls of churches," or however that saying goes.","attachment":null,"posted":1715363874},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6000549,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000524
We did say we would get her a body... if we could without just leaving the Gate unguarded, we should. This is the best chance we might ever get.
>>6000535
>simply having the excess life energy generated go back up to help cure people in the hospital
That is also tempting, if possible. Giving people like Alice, Frank, and even Gilderoy their lives back.
If a small sip, dose, what ever could give Arty a normal lifespan, not immortality even, I know how I will vote, however.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715364977398386.jpg","filename":"GFhKpvQXUAA0jJq.jpg"},"posted":1715364977},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6000556,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000204
>>6000401
lmao","attachment":null,"posted":1715365466},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6000557,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000536
Ah, thanks for clarifying. I thought that was how it was written but figured we learned that the book had the two flipped for some reason. With how much has passed into legend I could see someone saying Avalon was placed in a location of healing if they didn’t realize that Avalon itself generated that effect to make people consider building one there.
The fact that Avalon diminishes pain by using it does mean it assists in making St. Mungo’s what it is though. No idea how quantifiable that pain reduction is compared to the norm, so we run the gamut of nobody noticing Avalon’s destruction to St. Mungo’s suddenly having trouble keeping patients stable with their current procedures since they’re different from comparable hospitals that don’t have Avalon to work as a balm.
We could also bungle things and have it feed the pain back into the area, causing staff and visitors to share the burden of the patients. This is ancient engineering and we’re a sharply-dressed monkey, what do we really know about taking it apart?","attachment":null,"posted":1715365567},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6000611,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999165
I just realized:
Is Helga getting memories back too in this pool?","attachment":null,"posted":1715369480},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6000625,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000611
That... is a very salient question.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715370566416104.png","filename":"1439657057586.png"},"posted":1715370566},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6000636,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000611
>>6000625
If she did, the next question would be if she picked up any additional ones from Merlin. She’s pretty sure her prophecy knowledge came from him after all.","attachment":null,"posted":1715371547},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6000648,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000611
i wonder if the pool could "cure" Lockhart's memory destruction","attachment":null,"posted":1715372755},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6000651,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000648
That'd imply we may obtain memories from when we got obliviated by Salazar.
If Helga gets some recovery, the other house heads should probably take a dip too.","attachment":null,"posted":1715373123},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6000653,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000651
would they get any benefits from it tho? i don think they have manifested inside them yet, they havent given us any signs of it so far, still support the idea tho","attachment":null,"posted":1715373400},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6000680,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000653
they said it'd take a bit before they woke up again","attachment":null,"posted":1715375305},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6000719,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000611
Oh god, is the BEAST going to regain MERLIN'S memories?","attachment":null,"posted":1715378109},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6000773,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000719
Seems hard for it to filter through us, Helga, and the gate to get to Merlin.
It seems unlikely that any of the others are getting memories though. We’re the one poking the crystals after all.
I’d expect we would get more of their memories if anything. Kinda like how we’re grabbing one of Merlin’s memories right now.","attachment":null,"posted":1715382695},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6000795,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000773
I hope you're right, anon. Something tells me the Beast, armed with knowledge and expertise, would be a far more dangerous prisoner.","attachment":null,"posted":1715384360},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6000815,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000795
Speaking of dangerous prisoners, what's everyone's over/under that Crouch is gonna use the dumbass prison guard lady to escape? I am like 100% on it. I mean, when is he going to have a better chance than when all this shit is going down?
I would also like to remind people that the now 1 armed attacker who loved exposition is still on the loose. Also still pretty sure it is Bill or maybe Percy Weasley.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715386114863088.gif","filename":"1443283410642.gif"},"posted":1715386114},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6001672,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">last update was 2 and a half days ago
i know it means nothing, but im always nervous when it takes longer than usual to get an update, feels like a massive thing is about to happen, which, i mean, it is, but my nerves cant help it, its like the update is building up","attachment":null,"posted":1715470791},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6001681,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001672
You have no idea how bad I want to shitpost worst-end scenarios in response to your comment. I already had to delete one since it involved Arty and figured it would hurt other anons to think about.
I don’t have much else to contribute unfortunately. My HP knowledge is rather lacking compared to others in the thread.","attachment":null,"posted":1715471542},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6001714,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>6001672
I would never drop a massive twist after almost three days of waiting, anon, don't be ridiculous :)
--
You are atop a mountain on the coast, watching the sea to the south, to the east and to the west. The sun is setting soon, and you wait with a heavy heart, not even the salty smell of the sea filling your lungs can stop your gloom.
It is happening today. You can feel it, like a man on a beach watching the unstoppable tsunami approach, knowing doom is at hand. It feels like poor design that it happens on such a beautiful day, but it soothes you that maybe they will have a nice final sight.
“You said it would be a nice day,” a voice comes from behind you. “You haven’t gotten it wrong yet.”
You turn to see the old woman approach. She looks… old. Too old. None in the City have ever looked like this. There are too many wrinkles. There is white hair. There is ugliness. You don’t know what your father ever saw in her, how he could ever have thought her beautiful.
Yet you still love her just the same, so who are you to judge?
“Mother,” you say in a chastising tone. “I told you not to come.”
“And you knew I would.”
“I can’t see everything. Just the important things. Time-”
“Yeah, yeah,” she says, waving her hand. “Time this, time that. It still sounds like nonsense.”
She was cleverer than the other mud people, but she still struggled with the simplest of concepts. You sigh, shaking your head and flicking your fingers. It cleans some of the filth off her, enough to soothe some of your pain at her state, but not enough that she notices it and complains.
“So, what is all this, then?” She asks, pointing to the pile of artifacts on the floor. There are many of them, in many different shapes.
“Things I stole from the City. Some are things they won’t miss because they think they’re trinkets, even though your people would think whoever wields them is a god. Some are things they won’t miss because they’ll be gone by then.”
“Shouldn’t you hide them, then?”
“No need. In moments, Time will force them to be in places they couldn’t have possibly arrived at, lost and scattered, and I shall spend the next seven decades searching for them. Some to use, some to destroy.” She looks puzzled at your words, but doesn’t question. She turns to the landmass to the south, beyond the sea.
“You know, I always wondered what was over there.”
“Your people have boats already, don’t they? I’m sure they can barely stay afloat but-”
“Women can’t go on boats,” she states simply.
“Ah. I can change that.”
“Don’t you dare. Your father has already done too much damage with this devilry already.”
“It’s not devilry, it’s… Forget it. I can take you there, some day.”
“That would be nice.” She shimmies under your arm, and she feels frail. Weak. It makes your heart ache. “Tell me about the future, Merl.”
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1715474357},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6001716,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>6001714
“In… Many, many moons, more moons than you have days,” you say, waving your hand and summoning a soft seat for you to share. You turn it towards the east before sitting down. “There will be a people called the Greek, born in islands far in that direction. They shall build with white stone, and their cities will be grand, and their names will echo through time. They will have great boats that can sail the sea, and they will reach out to discover what is out there. And they shall pass between this mountain and that mountain,” you point south, to the other landmass. “And exit into an ocean that is bigger than they can comprehend. And they shall name these mountains over a great hero of myth, and put in great letters a warning for would-be sailors that there is nothing out there, that in that direction there is only blue, forever.”
“But they’ll be wrong,” you say. “Because there is. It is just far, far away. Too far for them to reach with what they can do, too far for them to reach with what they know. But it is there, and it is a land as vast as this one, and with many, many beauties.”
“Will they ever get there?” She asks, like a curious child.
“I do not know, I can’t see that far. But I suppose they will. That is the beauty my people looked away from in horror. The ever moving progress of generations. When you don’t die, you don’t create great things for others, you create them for yourself. But you? You who know you won’t live long? Those brightest among you, they begin things that will outlive them. They start processes, things which will move on, which will improve, which will make the ones after them great. They share, because they know they won’t be here forever, and if they don’t share the things they’ve built with others, once they’re dead it will be lost.”
“I would like,” she says. “To live forever.”
“I know,” you say, pained. “I’m sorry I can’t make you a new body.”
“It’s fine. You are here now, and that is what matters.”
“Ah, would you look at the time,” you say, wiping away the tears. You flick your finger and the couch slowly turns so you can watch the sunset, then you put your hand in hers. “Pay attention now. I’ll try to hold the view for you.”
You hold on to her hand and watch. Slowly, the great sphere of fire dips down under the horizon, its light shimmering over the water and the waves in reds and yellows and purples. Just as it disappears, in that lost moment between day and night, there is a flash of green and, just at the edge of the horizon, Atlantis flickers into view.
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1715474418},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6001718,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>6001716
Towers of gold and diamond and marble and obsidian. Spires of platinum guarded by great silver dragons, defying the dying light of the day as they glow with warmth. Roads that stretch ever on, filled with perfect people surrounded by glimmering magical barriers, flying around, clueless to their impending doom. It is marvel made manifest. It is beauty made into reality. It is everything anyone could ever wish for, times infinity.
It is your old home.
You tighten your grip on her hand using your magic to allow her to see it for just a while longer, extending the instant as she gasps in awe, tears welling up in her eyes.
“It’s…” She begins saying, but there are no words to describe it. For someone who lived her life in mud huts, it might as well have been heaven.
And if you ignored all the flaws in its people, all the greed, all the arrogance and callousness… It had been.
There is a point of darkness in the middle of the city, seen even through metal and stone and flesh. It grows in an instant, expanding to cover everything, all the gilded towers, and the people, and the beauty, and more. It goes over the sea, covering an area so large you fear it might reach you.
But it doesn’t, and just as quickly as it happened, it is gone, having never happened at all.
It didn’t even disturb the waves.
“Why, that was a nice sunset,” your mother says beside you, her memory already gone. She wouldn’t remember that moment, you know it. She wouldn’t remember your father. It was a testament to her strength that she could even remember you, and you don’t doubt that strength is why your father loved her. She can see something is wrong with you. “Is everything alright?”
“Yes, mom, it’s just…” You stand up, voice garbled. “It’s nothing. There is… There is something I need to do now. Can you find your way back to the village?”
“I can. Be well, Merl.”
“You… you too.”
She leaves, passing by where moments before there were artifacts and now there is nothing, and you reach out towards the horizon. It is a strain on your powers, but you know where it is, so it doesn’t take long to find. It comes towards you, stopping but a meter from the edge of the mountain. It stands there, the only remain of what was once the greatest civilization to ever exist, hovering impassively. Impossibly.
And it shows you in Atlantis, with your mother and your father, all accepted and cheered.
And you cry, for you know that will never happen, for Atlantis is dead and gone, and dead is a long, long time.
--
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1715474480},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6001720,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>6001718
You burst out through the surface of the liquid with a gasp, scrambling for air. You saw it! Atlantis! Past the Pillars of Hercules, past Gibraltar, just like in Plato’s notes! It was everything, everything the stories and myths had said and more, just so much more! And there were artifacts, so many artifacts, the Cups, the Hallows and others, and the Mirror at the end, who had taken the full force of Atlantis’ annihilation and survived unscathed!
And Merlin. A kind Merlin. A gentle one, with a different face. One that hadn’t gone through thousands of years of struggle. One that had loved his mother and longed for the brotherhood of his peers. One that had been there to watch, because he needed to see, because he needed to be sure. One that hadn’t yet realized the size of the task ahead of him.
Your head is still spinning as you climb out of the pool, shaking the silvery liquid out of your hair. A hand offers you a towel, and you accept it, drying your face.
“Had a nice swim, little Elliot?”
You freeze, a chill running down your spine. You put down the towel and see nothing less than seven masked men in the room, and Scorpius smiling. There are three more slumped in a corner, either stunned or dead, and Arty, Apollo, Linda and Brighton all tied up, gagged and without their wands, struggling against their bonds.
Four of Scorpius’ men have their wands pointed at your friends. Three of them, including one with only one arm and a cracked mask from which a tuft of red hair peeks through, have their wands pointed at you, and so does the Malfoy heir.
“If he tries to react or hex me at any point, kill the little one before doing anything else,” Scorpius says to the others without taking his eyes out of you, still smiling politely but forcedly. His left eye is red and twitching, and as he stretches his hand towards you, his movements are stiff. “Now, little Elliot, your wand. Handle pointing towards me, if you don’t mind.”
> Write in","attachment":null,"posted":1715474545},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6001738,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">I would never drop a massive twist after almost three days of waiting, anon, don't be ridiculous :)
oh, you can eat my entire ass HeadQM
HOW THE FUCK DID THEY GET THERE?! THERE IS NO POSSIBLE WAY THEY SHOULD BE THERE!","attachment":null,"posted":1715475930},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6001739,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"we have to get through to Scorpius himself and Bill Weasley behind that mask there
if we can't get through to either, this becomes impossible
>>6001738
The door to Avalon path was still open
The scanner stick put the colored dots on all the walls
They just walked all the way through the trials we already cleared","attachment":null,"posted":1715475995},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6001742,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001739
bullshit, if they are there then why isnt Potter there too?
no way in hell he isnt huntting us down by now","attachment":null,"posted":1715476067},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6001746,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"also, dont think i didnt noticed the reference HeadQM, you cheeky fuck
https://youtu.be/lAzzdITK3MU?si=bIPhM6uIKYmOMAa9","attachment":null,"posted":1715476292},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6001752,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001720
I knew this would happen from the moment the door wasn’t closed behind us but somehow I had hope that it’d be Potter getting here first instead of Salazar
We are so incredibly fucked bros","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715476548156960.gif","filename":"IMG_5297.gif"},"posted":1715476548},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6001757,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"holy shit HeadQM, you actually got me excited and worried and hyped and stressed all at the same time, curse you, but god damn, you are good at this
im gonna take a shower to clear my head and think about what the fuck can we do here...","attachment":null,"posted":1715476778},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6001762,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001752
I don't think there was a way to prevent anybody from entering. The door wasn't able to be closed, it stayed open didn't it?","attachment":null,"posted":1715476933},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6001770,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001757
let's look first at the scene
>seven masked men
>Scorpius
8v1
>three more slumped in a corner, either stunned or dead
They had 11 total going into this place
>Arty, Apollo, Linda and Brighton all tied up, gagged and without their wands, struggling against their bonds
Wandless nonverbal magic could do something, but then they die
>Four of Scorpius’ men have their wands pointed at your friends
Out of reach
>Three of them have their wands pointed at you, and so does the Malfoy heir.
The immediate threat
>only one arm and a cracked mask from which a tuft of red hair peeks through
This motherfucker >>6000815 was correct. It's Bill or Percy, and we can use that to our advantage. That's an opening
>If he tries to react or hex me at any point, kill the little one
The chain
>His left eye is red and twitching
>his movements are stiff
No way he went through the Lake of Rot. Maybe he had somebody else do it, and that somebody got carried out of here? He sure as hell didn't go through any Arthur trial, and he didn't go into the pool when Elliot was in it since he's out here untouched.
The rest of the scene from >>5999164
>The path isn’t that long and mostly straight with the eventual stairway down, until you reach a circular pool of liquid. Silvery light shines from it, bright and cloud-like, as if its contents were light made liquid. It gently slopes downwards, like a shallow basin.
>You take off your shoes, socks and your robes, until you are just in your pants and shirt.
All we have is the clothes on Elliot's back plus his wand of course.
We are SCREWED","attachment":null,"posted":1715477420},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6001864,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001720
>"Salazar. Pleasure to see you again. Oh, and Scorpius too, I suppose. You there, Weasley, I assume you and the rest have all figured out what this is about: long-dead witches and wizards being resurrected by ancient magic. did your boss tell you he has an old racist snake-fellater in his brain?"","attachment":null,"posted":1715482667},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6001869,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001864
>>6001720
ACTUALLY, adding to this, bluff to insinuate he cast the Dark Mark. Meld truth and fiction.
>"When I saw that stupid snake-skull in the sky, I knew you were about to make your move. Embarrassed I beat you here?"
After all, who is the more likely candidate to stir up blood-purity fanatics: a pair of mudbloods, a pair of (at best) half-bloods, and Neville"I killed Nagini" Longbotoom's kid, or the son of a pure-blooded Death Eater?","attachment":null,"posted":1715483097},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6001872,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001869
>>6001864
This sort of double-bluff might be very interesting if we can pull it off","attachment":null,"posted":1715483397},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6001873,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001872
Right?? Come on, anons, it's the best idea I could come up with!","attachment":null,"posted":1715483529},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6001874,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001873
Problem is if Scorpius was somewhere known and could not have been in the Forest to cast the Dark Mark","attachment":null,"posted":1715483570},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6001877,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001874
If he says that, act surprised. Roll with it.
>"Wait, you were? How the hell did you pull that off, then?!"
If these guys don't know about our training with Crouch, there's no way they know of WE could have learned the Mark and, with our ancestry, it legitimately makes no sense for us to be Death Eaters. For anyone who doesn't know exactly what madness has been happening in our life, Scorpius LEGITIMATELY seems like a more likely Dark Lord, ESPECIALLY since he's a weird, smug shit telling them to kill a little girl.
Well, a very short teenager with a birth defect, but still.","attachment":null,"posted":1715483918},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6001880,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001877
OK, what do we do about Percy or Bill behind that mask?","attachment":null,"posted":1715484625},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6001884,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001864
>>6001869
>>6001877
this","attachment":null,"posted":1715485127},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6001885,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">bluffing our way out of this
i was actually thinking about this exact same thing.
>we cant do anything with our wand or Arty immediately dies
>if we do a quick shield spell for her, then either us or our friends die, followed by Arty
>we cant attack Scorpious/Salazar because then Arty dies
our best chance to get out of here alive (and probably in one piece...probably) is if we out-snake snake prime.
IF we are going with the assumption that those masked men arent secret blood eaters and are just some VERY confused police men being misguided by snake prime, then revealing enough of whats going on is very likely to make them doubt and probably get some of them in our side, we know Percy Weasley is stupid enough to fall for it, he did so before when Voldermort was being reborn, but i think that would be a bit metagaming, since i dont think we´ve even meet any actual member of the Weasley family, but regardless, if our assumption is true, he WOULD be the very first one to betray them, he isnt bad, just stupid
If they are all actual blood eaters (which i dont think they are) they would still struggle a bit to act on his orders, they want mud-blood genocide, not all-life-including-them genocide, so that SHOULD be enough to make them think twice about this entire thing
so, i guess im supporting these
>>6001864
>>6001869
maybe a couple of jabs at his ego, calling him out and putting on the spot should break his charade
please, this NEEDS to work...","attachment":null,"posted":1715485245},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6001886,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001880
If he's not a magic-racist (which would be a weird shift of a Weasley kid), then managing to convince him Scorpius is a Death Eater hosting the ghost of Salazar Slytherin will turn him against him. Even if we can just make him think it MIGHT be true, it could buy us a precious delay.","attachment":null,"posted":1715485288},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6001935,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Well RIP Atlantis. Sounds like they got Akira'd. Wonder what really happened to them, something of Merlin's doing or their own folly? And why did the Mirror survive the fall? Is it older than Atlantis itself?
>>6001864
>>6001869
Supporting.
>>6001770
>All we have is the clothes on Elliot's back plus his wand of course.
There's also the deathly hallows, which only Salazar should know about. If we can figure out how to get our hands back on them, we might have a fighting chance.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715489480407941.png","filename":"escaflowne atlantis.png"},"posted":1715489480},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6001938,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001935
sounds like it was Merlin's doing","attachment":null,"posted":1715489677},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6001944,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>6001935
>>6001938
That was not the feeling you got from the memory. It wasn't guilt Merlin felt. It was powerlessness.","attachment":null,"posted":1715490763},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6001971,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001935
>the deathly hallows
>get our hands back on them
They are part of the fucking door to the Avalon path outside in the secret lab under St. Mungo's. They will only be ejected once we complete the Avalon trials and do something with the Elixir and the perfect vessel. They are a non-factor here","attachment":null,"posted":1715493675},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6002204,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001720
>Voice in your head just telling you to kill children and not molest them? Thats good I suppose. Met Nimue I gather? Lovely lady.
Fight, Malfoy.
>Weasley I am in fact disappointed in you though. What you do behind a mask. Ginny would be horrified at what you are doing, she seemed like such a nice person.
>You need me alive and unconscious otherwise I would have got a stunner or a green bolt to the face the second I was out of that pool. So no I shall be keeping my wand I think. And if you so much as touch them I put it to my neck, and you know exactly what happens then, don't you "Malfoy".","attachment":null,"posted":1715513072},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6002209,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002204
>*not unconcious","attachment":null,"posted":1715513437},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6002249,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002204
Oh hey, yeah, we're a walking reality bomb. If we die, game over for everyone. We should abuse that more.","attachment":null,"posted":1715517212},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6002263,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002249
Yeah and Scorpy knows it, though I am pretty sure Cocksucker is at the helm right now.
One thing... how the fuck did they even make it down here. We had the cane to help us. But spells seem to not really work down here. Lumos didn't do shit, Patronus didn't work. Nimue was probably up and running once more.
Did Malfoy/Cocksucker have to go through the worst memories of his goons? That is a lot of people.
Is this even real?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715518484993704.png","filename":"1694202189405923.png"},"posted":1715518484},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6002365,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002263
>how the fuck did they even make it down here
We marked the walls with the cane on the way in. They just followed the linear path.
>Did Malfoy/Cocksucker have to go through the worst memories of his goons?
I had the thought he sacrificed all of Scorpius' memories to Nimue, so he's the only one piloting now with Scorpius mindwiped or gone. I could be wrong though","attachment":null,"posted":1715526846},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6002368,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002365
don't think that would really work with how the lake fucks with your head","attachment":null,"posted":1715526962},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6002447,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002365
I was thinking the sparks faded after a few minutes.
I think Scorpy is fighting back some, which is why his body isn't working well, and one eye is bloodshot. From Cocksucker attempting to assume total control and someone fighting back.","attachment":null,"posted":1715534002},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6002474,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002368
Then I'm wrong
>>6002447
What if one of the party landed a spell on him before they got suppressed? Good point on the Scorpius rebellion","attachment":null,"posted":1715535219},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6002485,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001864
>>6001869
We're Slytherin, so this could be our best shot.","attachment":null,"posted":1715535853},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6002495,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001864
>>6001869
>>6001877
+1 all these
Talking is all we can do here with nothing but wand and clothes on Elliot","attachment":null,"posted":1715536316},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6002511,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002474
Could be, but if Cocksucke/Salazar wasn't in to total control, I assume he would fight from the back where he was safe. He did bring a bunch of dudes, unlike last light.
Hell maybe Linda did get shot in, given how much she hates the guy who killed Taylor.","attachment":null,"posted":1715537211},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6002513,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001681
Rewrite it and post it. I literally have a thing written about Arty being evil posted, and one of her being molested by Crouch while he makes Elliot watch 3/4 of the way done.","attachment":null,"posted":1715537590},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6002515,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002513
>one of her being molested by Crouch while he makes Elliot watch 3/4 of the way done","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715537738708859.png","filename":"y tho.png"},"posted":1715537738},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6002530,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002515
Trying to write the worst thing I could. Something that would make Elliot use Avada Kedavra when seeing his closest male friend killed didn't.","attachment":null,"posted":1715538955},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6004755,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">2 days and 17 hours since the last update
>last update was around the same timeframe and it put us in this awful situation we are currently in
oh god, i hope nobody dies...i mean, nobody from OUR team that is...","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715712240316157.jpg","filename":"dude snape.jpg"},"posted":1715712240},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6004767,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>6004755
I promise it isn't intentional, just have a lot going on right now. And when I'm not dealing with stuff, I'm playing Hades 2, so that also gets in the way. I should get an answer to my stuff soon and it should improve for at least a couple of weeks (and then I'll probably have to search for an apartment, which might make things difficult to update often, but we'll deal with that when it happens)
--
Crap. Crap, crap, crap.
You are good with a wand, but not even you can take eight full-grown adults by yourself, even if one of them is missing one arm and the other one is apparently being forcibly mind-controlled by Salazar. They’ve got the drop on you and your wand is in your pants, which might as well be a mile away.
You can’t fight your way out of this, not without your friends. But perhaps you can out-wit him?
“Salazar, pleasure to see you again. Oh, and Scorpius too, I suppose. You there, Weasley,” you turn to the redheaded naked wizard. “I assume you and the rest have all figured out what this is about: long-dead witches and wizards being resurrected by ancient magic. Did your boss tell you he has an old racist snake-fellater in his brain?”
“Oh, so you’re still going with that story?” Scorpius, or is it Salazar, scoffs. “What is more likely, Elliot? That I am Salazar reborn, or that you are just a wannabe Dark Lord? Did you know Potter sent out a call for aurors to find you? Why, I think it is pretty clear who here is dripped in Dark Magic. I mean, the Dark Mark, Ellot? Really?”
Craaaaap. Right, maybe you could turn this on him?
“You framed me!” You say, sounding shocked.
“Framed you? No. Gotten Ranrok’s descendant to create the designs to a drill that couldn’t ever possibly work for a lack of an appropriate powersource, then leave it where your allies could find it so you would rush your plans and reveal your real self? Absolutely.”
And inside your head, as he locks eyes with you, you hear his voice.
“How’s Goddy? Still a self-righteous prick? I admit I was quite surprised when I saw him and Rowena here. Figured it was only a matter of time until they did something stupid enough and got your attention, and from that to you discovering Avalon… It was only a matter of time. Thank you for going to the trouble of stealing the Deathly Hallows for me, by the way. It would have been and awful lot of work.”
“Now, your wand, Hallaster,” he says out loud so everyone can hear it. “I will not ask again.”
“Shouldn’t we just stun him, sir?” The redheaded man asks.
“No. Hallaster may be Dark, Mr. Red, but he is clever. He forced me to find this place and discovered how to open it. We may need him to help us find a way down.”
“A way down? Sir, we should go back! Warn Potter and the ministry!”
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1715712574},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6004769,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>6004767
“And then this place shall be locked by the Unspeakables for Merlin knows how long! Do you not know what this is!? This is the pathway to Avalon! The land of healing!” Then, while his face is still turned away from everyone except you, while he still holds his grin on his face, his voice turns sorrowful and sad. “It is the only place that can heal me from the curse he cast on me. If we go back now, I shall be dead in a few weeks.”
“Sir, I-”
“That is all I ask of you. I got you all this far, did I not? Wasn’t everything I said about Hallaster proven true?”
“It… It was, sir.”
“Then help me, Mr. Red. I do not wish to die, and this is the only place that can save me. Once we reach the end, once we find a cure, we can call the ministry. Please.”
It was all said with the perfect intonation of a man begging for his life, acting worthy of the king of Slytherins.
“Oh, that is such bullcrap! He-”
“Silencio!” Salazar flicks his wand, and the words stop coming out of your mouth. “Mr. Blue, Mr. Green, seize his wand and that cane.”
Two burly men approach you, and after some struggle the cane is wrenched out of your grasp and the wand out of your pockets, the first going to Scorpius’ hands and the second going into Mr. Blue’s robes.
“Bind his hands behind his back and tie him to the others,” Salazar says.
He approaches the door on the other side of the silvery pool and taps on it with the cane. It slides sideways, revealing a long yellow corridor leading downwards.
“Very well, everyone. We go downwards. Leave the fallen, they’ll be here once we return.”
-- Interlude --
A while has passed now, and things have reached a stable level of awful tension. The place is still in lockdown, there is a country-wide search for a sixteen year old boy that the ministry had been surprisingly fast to agree to, and Weasley had left frustrated after questioning the Death Eaters.
I mean, things are still insane and everyone is ready to snap at the smallest sound, but it has been that way for enough tense hours that it is a new normal.
This meant it was time for Nienna to see what she could get.
“I’m going to check on the prisoners,” she says, standing up.
“We’ve done that three times in the past hour,” Kal says.
“Yeah, but if I don’t go for a walk I’m going to hex someone.”
“Fair enough. Don’t take long.”
She stands up and starts off from the top of the prison, making her way down the spiral corridor. She follows procedure, checks on every cell, does everything by the book. At least until she reaches the door with the nameless prisoner.
“So, have you given it some thought to my proposal?” She asks through the small window on the door.
“I have, little birdie. I think I might have something you want.”
“And what do you want in exchange?”
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1715712636},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6004770,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>6004769
“There is an old man, died maybe, twenty? Thirty years ago? Hard to tell the time here. His name was Bartemius Crouch.”
“Your death eater friend?”
“Heh. No. His father, little birdie. The one who locked up so many of my colleagues. The one who sent so many of them to the Dementor’s Kiss. If anyone still misses him, if anyone still grieves for him after all this time, well, I want to make them suffer just a little bit more.”
“I won’t torture anyone for you.”
“Nothing crass like that. All I want you to do is go to his grave and carve something small for me there, little birdie. Something that will make them look for him. Something that will make them hope. Something that will make them think that maybe, just maybe, he’s still there, that someday he’ll just walk through the door like nothing happened. Make them yearn for a return that won't come. Something to make them look when there is nothing to find.”
“I… I don’t know if I can do that. That sounds cruel.”
“What part of coming to make a deal with me made you think this would be fun, little birdie? Either do it or don’t. But don’t stand there without making a decision.”
“What- what do I even write?”
“I don’t know. That’s up to you.”
“I’ll… I’ll have to think about it.”
“See you then, little birdie.”
-- Interlude Over --
You all go in a line, Salazar and Mr. Red in front, you and your friends follow one after the other, a rope tying you all together, then the rest of Salazar’s men. As they had been organizing you, Linda had forced herself in front of you, and now you can see why.
She’s signaling.
“Kick my feet if you see this,” her hands say, over and over. You gently kick her as you walk. “Scorpius came out of nowhere, followed our sparks through the dark. We took down three of his men. We're mostly fine, but they roughed up Apollo. They can't wake up their allies, this place’s magic doesn’t let them.”
You wish you could tell her good job on the three hits, but this is a one way conversation, with you now both gagged and silencio-ed.
“They think you’re evil. Potter made you persona-non-grata, got everyone looking for you and the ministry was happy to go along," she continues. "Scorpius told them you cast a curse on him, forced him to use his father’s resources to find Avalon as it was the only way to cure him. The drill was a bait. They never had a way to power it.”
You want to scream. You had known you’d been facing Salazar, and still fallen for it. How long had he known? Could you have avoided this if you hadn’t gone with the Dark Mark plan? If you had kept Rowena in Alice Longbottom so she could undo the protections and alarms on the path to this place? Or were you doomed from the start? Again he’d tricked you. Again you had put your friends in harm’s way.
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1715712697},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6004772,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004767
I'd probably have leveraged the fact Neville is with us. But welp.","attachment":null,"posted":1715712749},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6004773,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>6004770
“If it hadn't been the drill, it would have been something else, Elliot. You can't beat yourself up.” Helga says in your head. “This is Salazar we're talking about. He would have found a way. This is no time to despair, this is the time to think. There is still some time until you reach Avalon proper. You can beat him. We can beat him.”
The room opens up into a great yellow golden dome, the floor covered in sand. In the middle of it there is a large golden sarcophagus, almost Egyptian in nature. Standing in front of the sarcophagus is a great female humanoid figure, three meters tall and with muscular arms and legs, with the head of a white-haired jackal.
The masked men point their wands at it.
“Calm, gentlemen,” Salazar says. “These are guardians of this place. I do not believe they intend to do us harm unless we attempt to harm them. That is not to say they will not harm us accidentally, of course, but let us keep our wands at bay for now.” He turns to the creatures, raising the cane. “Who are you, oh guardian of Avalon?”
The creature simply stares.
“I’m talking to you!”
Still, silence.
“Ah, I see,” he says, frowning. “See, gentlemen? That is why we kept the wannabe dark wizard awake. It seems he started this process, so he must be the one to complete it.” He flicks his wand at you and your gags are unmade, the silencing spell gone. He forces the cane into your hands. “Here you go, little Elliot. Show us the way forward.”
And inside your head you hear him again.
“Do not attempt to do anything foolish, boy. I am smarter than you, I have more resources than you, and even before I was cast into darkness by Merlin I had a century more experience than you. I spent weeks building a narrative for them, one where you are the villain. Potter’s reactions to your Dark Mark only served to confirm it, and not all of those masked are aurors. In fact, after that last meeting with Potter, most of them aren’t. They would gladly crucio a child, if given the chance, and if you test me I’ll make sure there is nothing left of your friends�� minds. From what I hear, one of them would be quite at home on the upper wards of St. Mungo’s. Now be a good hostage and play your part.”
He pushes you forwards towards the dog-headed woman.
“Welcome home, master,” she says, yellow eyes staring deeply at you. Her voice is… stilted. Unnatural. It feels less well made than the others. “Are you ready to receive judgment?”
You ponder your words carefully. Could you manipulate this somehow? Your mind keeps racing, trying to find a way forward, a way to beat Salazar. But no matter what plan you come up with, someone dies. Arty dies.
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1715712759},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6004776,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>6004773
“This life was… problematic,” you say. “Our memories are jumbled. Who are you? What will happen here?”
“I am sorry to hear that, master. I am Anput, and this is the Chamber of Reflection. You shall enter the sarcophagus, and there images of your past selves shall gather and judge you. They shall weigh your deeds and reflect upon what you did right or wrong, and what you need to change. Each of your generations shall speak, and with them you shall reflect on your choices.”
“Why, that seems awfully interesting.” Salazar says, stepping forward. “I wouldn’t mind a chat with Merlin.”
Anput drops on all fours and growls.
“You are not master! Only master can go!”
To speak with Merlin, or at least his other incarnations, could be extremely useful. But at the same time, having time without Salazar close by would be useful too. Perhaps you could convince the creature to let him go in your place?
> “Let him pass, Anput. I require an outside view of myself, so he shall go in my stead.”
> “I guess we don’t have a choice, Scorpius. Unless you want to fight the incredibly ancient dog-lady?”","attachment":null,"posted":1715712820},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6004788,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004776
>implying Salazar would fool or be accepted by Merlin after one tried to save the world since a time before recorded history.
But also if we don't go, we may lose the opportunity to save time.
We could just straight up let him decide whether he wants to be obliterated by Merlin or let us save space time. He doesn't seem to understand quite what's at stake given he didn't dip in Abledo nor Nigredo.","attachment":null,"posted":1715713373},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6004796,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004788
severely doubt just letting him through would be a good idea, but going in could also give us a chance to expose to the aurors with him that we aren't evil","attachment":null,"posted":1715713600},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6004799,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004767
hey dont worry about it, no pressure, take as much time as you need, i was merely pointing out the coincidence of long time = big stuff happening
hope everything goes well for you","attachment":null,"posted":1715713701},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6004802,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004770
>>6004773
I'm starting to reach a point where even if Elliot dies and everybody is erased by black hole beast Merlin being released, I will be content because at least every single shitter in the story is also gone. And we're only in Act 2 of this quest supposedly. I'm too tired of constantly being doomed from the start.
>>6004788
Do we just ask Salazar to flip a coin or rock-paper-scissors us for it? I'm too hopeless to consider much about the plot anymore.
>>6004796
If we go in and Elliot is judged and his heart is eaten, out comes Beast Merlin and game over. If Elliot is judged and found just, we get... something.
This is starting to remind me of the Mirror of Erised. Can we Quirrel this fucker here?","attachment":null,"posted":1715713758},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6004804,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004773
>This is no time to despair
I'll just be over here despairing and +1 whatever plan anybody posts that sounds good enough or entertainig enough I want to see it happen for the sake of reading it happen","attachment":null,"posted":1715713859},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6004808,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004802
the big question here is if it considers Scorpius and Salazar the same person","attachment":null,"posted":1715713974},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6004813,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004808
I'm not surprised Scorpius is going along with all this without a single act or indicator of doubt or rebellion or objection. He only ever bothered when his fucking house founder tried to make him drink whiskey and not wine. Like father like son. Must be quite the gullible twat.","attachment":null,"posted":1715714194},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6004884,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"ok so, here is what im thinking
so far every plan we´ve had, Salazar is one step ahead, he is ready for every plan we throw at him.
his goons arent evil, just retarded and misguided.
Scorpious is gone by now, i dont think there is any reason to try to save his ass.
Salazar is waiting for us to make our move/plan so he can counter us...
...so what if we dont have a plan? what if we just react?
my idea is this, we go by ourselves and get the judgement, here is the kicker, she didnt say Merlin´s past selves, she said OUR past selves, i dont think we have reincarnated hundreds of times, so we only have ourselves to judge
BUT if im wrong and we get judged by Meriln, we get to that sarcophagus do whatever we need to do and then figure out whatever that has to happen, so far we´ve gambled a lot with plans, maybe its time with gamble without a plan?
Also, Anput seems to be loyal to us and willing to protect us
we could tell her that our friends are needed/essential "this time" for the process, that should grant them protection while we do whatever we need to do, if Anput believes this, any sudden movement by Salazar of his goons would immediately make her hostile towards him, and given how she is an ancient being, i dont think even with his entire team he would be able to defeat her, its a huge gamble, and barely a plan, but Salazar is expecting us to do something, so what if the one that does something is the guardian instead?
im rambling at this point, i hope im making myself clear or my point is getting across or at least able to give people ideas","attachment":null,"posted":1715717783},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6004910,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004884
that could work","attachment":null,"posted":1715719258},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6005046,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004776
> “I guess we don’t have a choice, Scorpius. Unless you want to fight the incredibly ancient dog-lady?”","attachment":null,"posted":1715726571},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6005057,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005046
Do we look him in the eye and go "Hey Salazar, shitty founder of my shitty house, are giant dogs anything like giant snakes? Because you're one massive bitch, you know that?" then walk into the cool coffin?","attachment":null,"posted":1715727690},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6005062,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005057
holy shit, i vote for this, fuck it if we resetting the timeline might as well fuck with him at this point","attachment":null,"posted":1715727944},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6005067,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005057
I want to give him a massive middle finger as well. Instruct Anput to start ripping them to shreds if they so much as touch a hair on our friends heads while are under. She is a good puppy after all.
Will reread some. Also another fanfic is done, just had work and a bunch of other shit to do today.","attachment":null,"posted":1715728428},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6005068,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005057
Kek, support.
>>6004884
Remember, we have always have the nuke button of threatening suicide. Ends it for us, but it ends everything for Salazar and everyone else too. To hell with plans, we'll act completely insane and make everyone else cope around it!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715728448135417.jpg","filename":"harry.jpg"},"posted":1715728448},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6005070,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005062
>>6005067
>>6005068
I didn't mean it as a vote, but fuck it. I'm too into despair to care anymore!!! Move your +1s here then
>>6004776
>Look Salazar in the eye and go "Hey Salazar, shitty founder of my shitty house, are giant dogs anything like giant snakes? Because you're one massive bitch, you know that?"
>Instruct Anput to start ripping them to shreds if they so much as touch a hair on our friends heads while we are within.
>Stride into the coffin. Blow a kiss at Arty before we step inside.
Let's fucking rock","attachment":null,"posted":1715728652},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6005079,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"anybody got that /qst/ header with the "do it" post that rolled a 1 and had a nuke after it? that sounds appropriate right now","attachment":null,"posted":1715729193},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6005106,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004776
> “I guess we don’t have a choice, Salazar. Unless you want to fight the incredibly ancient dog-lady?”
Like >>6004884 said, I’m wondering if we’ll be judged by ourself instead of Merlin. I’ll also back
>”Anput, please ensure the guests do not attack each other.”
to enforce civility. That doesn’t make it impossible for some of them to attempt escape potentially. No idea how Anput will characterize an attack, but that’s on everyone else to figure out if they dare.
While walking away, toss in
>”With how our environs function I’m doubtful your illustrious self can readily parasitize another host upon forced eviction, Salazar. Centuries of experience forced to puppet a young prince of Slytherin and a younger delver of ancient secrets for paucity of options. Marionettes as we are, I remain compelled to speak to the puppetmaster.”
>”If you succeed, fuck trying to cage him. The world beat Voldemort so it can beat you, but he was so much better than you both. Erase him and be done with it.”
I’d say Merlin, but I don’t want to risk breaking Anput by having “Merlin” say Merlin should be destroyed.
He can’t gag us again if we’re to do the trial, and he can’t torture/silence anyone if Anput is on guard. Won’t stop him later, but better to keep chipping away at the others while we can.","attachment":null,"posted":1715730943},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6005129,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005079","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715732160693638.gif","filename":"banner.gif"},"posted":1715732160},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6005137,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005129","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715732742326441.gif","filename":"rodin beautiful.gif"},"posted":1715732742},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6005190,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004776
> “I guess we don’t have a choice, Scorpius. Unless you want to fight the incredibly ancient dog-lady?”
I think Merlin would have an 'emergency phrase' we could use here. Learn it. Use it.","attachment":null,"posted":1715736451},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6005213,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004767
>redheaded naked wizard
Wait, he's what?? Typo of 'masked'?
>>6004770
Crouch, you sly son-of-a-bitch, what are you REALLY up to?
>>6004772
I did include that in my posts, but also we got silencio'd before we could really launch into a speech, drat it all.
>>6004776
> “Let him pass, Anput. I require an outside view of myself, so he shall go in my stead.”
Let Merlin pass judgement on the fucker who probably got him mindbroken and wants to use his beastly remains to take over the world. Seems like the kind of thing old Merle would judge UNKINDLY.
Get fucked, Salazar.","attachment":null,"posted":1715737845},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6005238,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>6004767
>>6005213
>redheaded naked wizard
Fuck, yes, masked, Merlin I proofread things three times and shit like this still comes out.","attachment":null,"posted":1715739534},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6005266,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004769
Oh boy. Anon might be right being concerned about Winky.
That gives me an idea. Lily was Mr. Red's niece... maybe we could use that?","attachment":null,"posted":1715740911},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6005278,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005266
nobody remembers her but us and Salazar, doubt it would have any effect","attachment":null,"posted":1715741293},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6005290,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005278
We could try jostling his memory, we are in an Ancient place, we could lore dump about the fall of Atlantis to segway into timeline deletion... Just as an idea.","attachment":null,"posted":1715741678},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6005321,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005290
If we survive this he’d mention it to Potter. Potter has seen the mirror, he’d know there’s a truth about Lily being real even if he doesn’t want to believe it.
I’d say let it lie. I’d only go as far as mentioning Salazar had another host before.","attachment":null,"posted":1715742735},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6005330,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005321
I thought no one held any delusions of not coming clean to Harry after all we've done, guess I was wrong","attachment":null,"posted":1715743200},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6005334,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005330
I want to come clean to POTTER, not to these randos who will spread the rumors far and wide","attachment":null,"posted":1715743369},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6005336,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005334
Ever heard of Obliviate?","attachment":null,"posted":1715743488},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6005337,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005336
Provided we can do that before we're out of here. You're assuming too much too early anon","attachment":null,"posted":1715743541},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6005338,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005337
Bitch, rumors getting out is the least of our concerns. If they get that far that means we lost. The time to think ahead was like a thread ago.","attachment":null,"posted":1715743684},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6005340,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005338
You want to spill EVERYTHING to everybody here? And then you want to Obliviate all 8 of these goons? And Scorpius/Salazar?","attachment":null,"posted":1715743740},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6005349,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005340
If it helps winning the race why the fuck not. Has the direness of the situation not been drilled into you yet?
Just saying, I see some support for letting Scorpy go first but no idea of what we'll do if he actually gets out. And on the other side, trying to diss him like a cringy online chat loser doesn't really get us closer to escaping safe and sound. Help me find some faith in the playerbase, anon.","attachment":null,"posted":1715744309},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6005351,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005349
But it'll get to him, which is what matters","attachment":null,"posted":1715744374},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6005352,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005351
X","attachment":null,"posted":1715744408},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6005355,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005330
we tell him ourselves, AFTER we've stopped him knowing about it from destroying world","attachment":null,"posted":1715744631},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6005358,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005355
I didn't argue otherwise but cool","attachment":null,"posted":1715744850},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6005372,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Alright. So Scorpy/Salazar has planted the idea Elliot is evil into all the people who are not hired guns. We have a one armed Weasly to work with. Scopius is fighting back hard, enough it is making him pop a blood vessel in his eye. Linda is smart eough to help us with some weird code we likely developed with Taylore. We have a dog girl who will attack people because she thinks we are Merlin and He was crap at making AIs. Also time bomb in our head. Helga back in play.
We can figure out a solution to this.
One thing we do not let happen is let Salazar into the thing. If he was afraid, feared it he sure as shit would not be saying he is going to try and go into the casket. He is pretty smart... don't think letting him is a great idea.","attachment":null,"posted":1715746143},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6005392,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005372
Ambition will be his undoing, as it so often is for the scions of our house.
...
But, uh, not Elliot. Obviously.","attachment":null,"posted":1715746960},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6006069,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005372
What's more slytherin than reaching out for power and getting burned to shit for it.
This guy already thinks he can tame a nothing that Merlin had to set up a shit ton of work for.
Also consider the fact Merlin has a guardian at Albedo. He had a safeguard past 2 trials.","attachment":null,"posted":1715806291},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6006078,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"ok, im not HeadQM and this might be just me, but it feels like this particular voting session is kinda chaotic and all over the place
i feel like we should call an organization vote to make everything clear, is it just me? anyone?","attachment":null,"posted":1715806703},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6006155,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006078
Maybe if people GREENTEXTED their VOTES it would help.","attachment":null,"posted":1715811894},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6006212,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006078","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715815208167174.gif","filename":"giphy.gif"},"posted":1715815208},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6006270,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>6006078
What? The question at a fundamental point of the quest where you are facing your nemesis being an utter mess to understand? Nonsense, anon! That would never happen!
But seriously, the votes are a mess, or at least the discussion is, but it seems like the consensus is at least for Elliot to enter the sarcophagus. The votes below are the only ones that are greentexted and quote the post with the question:
>>6005046
>>6005070
>>6005106
>>6005190
And one going against it:
>>6005213
I'll leave it for a couple more hours before closing the votes so people can tag any posts that are meant to be considered votes or vote differently. Please quote the post with the options and greentext your votes when you vote, it does make my life a whole lot easier.","attachment":null,"posted":1715819969},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6006305,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006270
Even if no one supports my write-in, at least I did it properly. Greentext votes ftw.
>>6005372
I don’t think we need to make any major moves yet. This clearly isn’t the time for it. Linda hasn’t been able to coordinate with the others yet, Scorpius is still fighting, and the minions are inured against us.
We’re fighting on an asymmetric battlefield. Salazar has experience and more powerful people on his side. We have knowledge, specifically of Merlin and this place, which outweighs his since the founders only seem to have scraps of Merlin’s knowledge. The vote boils down to how we can best manipulate things to our favor more: build on our information advantage, or sacrifice some of it to chip away at his own advantages.
Getting more info seems like the best call because it builds our advantage on information while he can’t get a stronger hand than he currently has with his pieces. Allowing him to go into the trial gives him the chance to learn something of value (we didn’t expect to learn how to use the Elixir in our last section, but we did and this can teach something similar) while we may fail at cracking his grip over the others. More time alone may also allow him to take more “robust” methods against his host that he can’t while under surveillance.
Stack the deck against him as much as we can before we make our actual move. We’ll likely only get one real shot.","attachment":null,"posted":1715821515},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6006310,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006305
hadn't even thought about him not knowing how to use the elixir, holy shit","attachment":null,"posted":1715821744},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6006334,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006305
He can't Legilimens or Veritaserum Elliot either because we have Occulumency learned. I think that even with my vote to do an insult jab at him, there could be things we say or do to give Scorpius strength to keep fighting better from the inside. Or at least destabilize Salazar enough to Scorpius can reassert control.","attachment":null,"posted":1715823208},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6006340,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006334
hopefully Scorpius's soul didn't get destroyed","attachment":null,"posted":1715823619},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6006366,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004776
> “I guess we don’t have a choice, Scorpius. Unless you want to fight the incredibly ancient dog-lady?”
Guess I will go ahead and lock my vote in for this.
>>6006310
That is a very good point. Right now, only we know how to use the Merlin juice.
He tries to hurt Arty and our friends though... well I doubt we can take these guys on but... he needs us sane and alive. We have the fact everyone in this place aside from Nimue thinks we are Merlin right now. Have the bomb in our head if it comes down to it.
>>6006305
I agree completely with doing all we can to stack the deck... surely at least one of his henchmen have issues with torturing kids for example.
We will need to get our friends and our wand back before doing something... can't accio them due to how they are enchanted even if we get ours. Gonna need a pretty good distraction. Arty can fight pretty well and Apollo has retard strength and has already killed a dude to protect his little sister.
Gonna need to wait for a perfect moment, use this place against them in every way we can. Without our help they managed to deal with three guys... we can probably put 2 more on the ground by ourselves if we get a chance.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715825000115144.jpg","filename":"GDn578-WEAA_8K4.jpg"},"posted":1715825000},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6006376,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006366
"Mr. Red" is likely our best option since he was already questioning "Scorrpius" earlier","attachment":null,"posted":1715825740},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6006397,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"looks like we are locking down our answer now
very well, i am >>6004884, just posting from work
but it seems that after all my ramblin, i didnt really actually vote, so i´ll do that now
>“I guess we don’t have a choice, Scorpius. Unless you want to fight the incredibly ancient dog-lady?”","attachment":null,"posted":1715826756},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6006413,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006310
Yeah, pretty important piece of info that if he had and we didn’t we’d be a lot worse off by the end! Best to keep trying to stack that one advantage to make our opening later.
>>6006334
It’s what I was going for with my write-in too. Put on the silly facade because it’s something everyone has likely heard about, and drop it at the end asking Salazar to kill what he’s seeking. Give Scorpius an idea of the stakes and potentially rattle the others since we’re asking him for a rather odd request. It’s not much, but I don’t think anything we could do know outside our choice of heading in or not will be very impactful in this moment.
Maybe the others can take the time granted from the ridiculous speech to do something on their own for a later advantage.
>>6006366
If we’re out of ideas, I’d say do something as simple as have Helga blind us while we make the elixir and admit it to Salazar afterward. If even we can’t tell if we truly made the potion correctly, he can’t do anything other than roll the dice. There’s only one potion, Occulumency means he can’t rip knowledge of it out of our head reliably, he can’t torture anyone until we admit if it was done correctly or not since even we won’t know, and if he leaves now Potter will eventually come and destroy this place.
He’d be up against Fate in a way he can’t bend to his whims. A truly bad place for him to be in when fighting against Merlin’s plans.
The real kicker is that having him take the potion is probably our best move. He gambled a surprising amount on us finding a way in when he chose not to. He may not know exactly how Avalon or the Elixir works, only that it’s one of Merlin’s many ways of returning, and we can use that.
Put him in another body when he doesn’t expect that to be the result and he may not have time to cripple Scorpius fully. That means Scorpius could order the goon squad to help us instead.","attachment":null,"posted":1715827809},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6006421,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006413
don't think we know any way of forcing him out other than killing Scorpius, unfortunately","attachment":null,"posted":1715828468},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6006429,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006421
The elixir is used to pour a soul from one body to another. It didn’t say outright it’d kill the old body, though it’s implied a body without a soul can’t live since Arthur is like that.
But Scorpius has two souls in him now. Taking the elixir may only shift only Salazar over since he has the lesser connection to Scorpius’ body, and Scorpius would live since he still has a soul.
Probably no way we’ll really know until we do it, but I would heavily suspect any plan that seemed guaranteed to work anyway. I’ll be open to more ideas as we learn more about Avalon and Merlin though.","attachment":null,"posted":1715829038},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6006435,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006429
sounds too risky to try","attachment":null,"posted":1715829861},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6006446,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006435
Just keep an open mind for it later. I refuse to trust any ideas that don’t have obvious risks given who we’re up against, and at least a sabotaged soul transfer is something we can be reasonably certain he has no direct defense against. The risks are in what he can do in Arthur’s body even if weakened and what happens to Scorpius.","attachment":null,"posted":1715830567},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6006463,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006446
we did also promise Arthur that we'd get his body out of here","attachment":null,"posted":1715831972},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6006485,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006446
We could always try shifting Scorpius over instead. The instructions mentioned how the body would be uber powerful, the guy might be pissed he can't inhabit his original but it's better than being dead. Plus we'd cement him as a certain ally.","attachment":null,"posted":1715833143},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6006500,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006485
how exactly are we supposed to explain Scorpius now being fucking King Arthur?","attachment":null,"posted":1715834741},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6006515,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006376
Agreed. Kinda thinking this might be Percy now as opposed to Bill... he was a little shit heel but not evil.
It seems there are two kinda of person with Scorpy right now; people trying to do the "right" thing and just fucking mercs. If we can convince the ones who are good... well 5 relatively skilled teens and a couple of adults probably have a fighting chance. We have been battle maxing for a reason. With potions and Helga we have a better bonus than Potter. Not sure what we will see in the casket. But Harry should also be on his way soon as well, he should be able to figure out where we went after all. If these guys can make it down he will too. Delaying tactics are on the table. If Arty and Apollo used magic, the Trace should still be working and tell the cops their general location, especially since there is a nationwide manhunt for the five of us right now. Potter does think we plan on killing our little badger wifelette for some dark magic shit. Wouldn't put it passed him to have even put some tracking spell on her previously.
I am also now concerned about Crouch staging a prison break out and coming to fuck with us more, assuming we survive this crap. If Winky is the one to get the message on his dad's grave... house elves are able to Apparate in Hogwarts, have weird magic that gets around a lot of protections and as long as she doesn't directly fight she can cause a bunch of trouble.
Also another fanfic.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715835686249301.pdf","filename":"After Avalon.pdf"},"posted":1715835686},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6006522,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006515
question there is whether the Trace works in here with how other stuff didn't","attachment":null,"posted":1715836081},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6006523,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006515
>new fanfic dropped
ooh shit, with this and that gravity falls fanfic im reading, its gonna be a good night","attachment":null,"posted":1715836595},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6006537,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Wait a fucking sec... most of these people are ones who will kill and torture kids for money... we get them down there... tell them exactly what the Elixir can do... sow a bit of discord? Well someone willing to kill kid? Sounds a lot like someone who will shoot his allies in the back for ultimate power. Someone who isn't a mind ghost probably can't transfer into a new body... but they don't need to know that. We could even create the body... have Helga go for it first. We know how strong she was in her prime, scary as hell and could fight Nimue to a standstill. Old Sally might have a bit more experience possessing bodies but... huh. A possibility. It takes a while to manifest but if it was a body completely without a mind? She could maybe get up and running quick, considering Merlin designed this shit as he did. How would his new body even live if it took a few weeks for him to man the helm with no food or water? He wasn't even supposed to bring people down here. The mind transfer should work almost instantly. We get Helga in there first... well it is explicitly stated Salazar would be unstoppable if he got a body which could use magic like they did 1000 years ago. Maybe that is our in?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715837859125279.jpg","filename":"FyWsyARWwAAwa8x.jpg"},"posted":1715837859},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6006552,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006522
Normal spells worked after we got past Nigredo since our friends fought with Scopy's men. I assume the Trace is strong enough to work considering it is a nationwide enchantment but do they know if it doesn't? We can surely pretend it does... people who think a magic swat team is on the way make poor decisions, especially ones who likely care about their reputations like "Mr. Red".
I should have added that if we get Helga into a new body, she would need to return to keep the Beast at bay. We likely have a few minutes till it starts fucking shit up, given Sally thought he had enough time after killing us to take the Ancient Magic from the repository before. It would be cruel to make get her own body before having to return and leave it behind... but if it is what is needed, the kindest of the Founders would do it. She already got hurt pretty well fighting Nimue with us after all.
>>6006523
Is Gravity Falls any good? I never watched it and I need things to do while I am off. Saw a few clips before, but that is it. Also if I can force my self to finish it, I will try to put out the second thing I have on the burner tonight since my insomnia is acting up. Only have like four pages and then I can get started on the Raven/Rowena futa thing unless I decide to try a short thing with Apollo and Riley.
Once more thank you for reading the dumb shit I put out, though I do like this one pretty well.","attachment":null,"posted":1715839941},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6006557,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006552
I liked Gravity Falls, though the ending was a bit rushed and Mabel's arc was weaker than Dipper's by a wide margin. I think it could make for good fics, and a good quest even.","attachment":null,"posted":1715840639},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6006569,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006552
>Is Gravity Falls any good?
good? nah, great, dare i say probably the best disney show from the last 2 decades easily
it has some cringe jokes that aged like milk under the summer sun and a couple of low points, i wont lie, but its one of those things thats part of the charm i guess, cannot recommend it enough
only has 2 seasons so you can binge it in a weekend, tho if you are not hooked by the end of the first season, then its pretty fair to say that it may not be for you, but its totally worth a shot
also, just finished the fanfic, the beginning had a bit of a rocky and VERY sudden start, felt awkward to read, but after that, it became pretty fucking good, like, holy shit, i actually felt something there, couldnt dethrone the last one as my favorite, but its pretty close to it. nicely done
>the second thing
take your time
>Raven/Rowena futa thing
nevermind, hurry the fuck up, i wanna read this, my inner coomer is begging for this
>thank you for reading the dumb shit
thank (You) for making really good dumb shit","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715841058705214.png","filename":"good shit.png"},"posted":1715841058},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6008151,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"OP are you ok","attachment":null,"posted":1715968234},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6008158,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008151
he is has been a bit busy lately, give him time, cant rush greatness","attachment":null,"posted":1715968739},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6008217,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>6008151
Always am, anon. Just busy with life.
--
“Do you really want to face the ancient dog-lady that is part of your only means to create a Merlin-like body for yourself?” You ask.
“It is not living,” Salazar says, holding his wand pointed at Anput. “Merlin couldn’t have created something that lived for this long. It is just a construct, like all the others.”
“A construct that may or may not be a fundamental part of this place,” you say. “And which may cause it to fail if destroyed. Do you want to take that risk?”
He stays silent for a moment.
“Psh. Very well,” he says, putting it down. “Go ahead, little Elliot.”
You pass by Anput and pat her head. She seems to enjoy it and waggles her tail.
“Keep them civil, Anput. Don’t let them fight.”
She gives a growl of approval and nods. The golden sarcophagus slowly opens, and for your relief there aren’t a bunch of spikes on the inside, iron-maiden style. It is a simple, empty, golden sarcophagus standing upright.
You step in and it closes. You expect it to be dark, instead it looks like an open space without floors or walls, ever so slightly tinged yellow. There are several long seconds where nothing happens, enough that you begin to wonder if you need to do something, until you hear a voice.
"Och, ah didnae see this comin'."
You turn to see a handsome, strong and well built man with bronze hair and beard. His muscular, hairy chest is half exposed though his robes.
"I was expectin' an auld man, nae a young lad. Wha are ye, an' hoo did ye manage tae get past the ither layers?"
Holy fucking balls, it’s Lailoken, you realize. Though you can see some semblance of the man sculpted in the statue of the “Architect of Hogwarts” in the castle, it is clear it was sculpted to greatly improve the man’s appearance of respectability, as this person is very much disheveled. Then again, maybe he got his act together by the end of his life. And with an unbearably strong Scottish accent. Atlantis-era Merlin didn’t have an accent but this version has one? This is utter bullshit.
“Ah, hello, Lailoken, sir. I am Elliot Hallaster, a student from Hogwarts. I’m here because… Because your plan failed, sir. When you tried to create your Interdict, it took you with the other Founders. It corrupted Salazar and now he has returned as a spirit, and is trying to use Avalon to create a new body for himself!”
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1715971307},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6008219,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>6008217
"Is that true? Ah see... Weel, Ah widnae ken onything aboot ony o' that ye juist said." The accent is so thick it is difficult to parse the words. You can feel your brain filling in the gaps, some part of you knowing Lailoken was scottish and putting the accent in there simply because it ‘made sense’. You try to make your brain stop being an idiot, trying to actively force yourself to believe he couldn’t possibly have anything close to recognizable speech, so there was no reason he should have any accent at all. It takes a moment and you give yourself a headache, but his words become retroactively clear. “Is that true? I see... Well, I wouldn't know anything about any of what you just said.”
“What? Sir, your plan-”
“We don’t remember plans here,” he says, now still sounding Scottish, but more of a british-actor-making-a-fake-scottish-accent accent than whatever that thing he was speaking before was. “We are only a semblance of personality. An aggregate of emotional data, joined to serve as a mirror for us to judge ourselves.”
“Like the Sorting Hat,” you say. Also, you are pretty sure the real Lailoken would have never said ‘aggregate of emotional data’. These things are really messing with your head.
“I wouldn’t know. The purpose of this place is to reflect and decide how we are going to lead our life, to try and find a way to endure the Great Work ahead of us, a way to remain sane when everyone we love is bound to die, when we need to save the world three times before even having breakfast.”
“You… you create your own personality?” You ask, massaging your temples.
“In a way. It is more a… discussion of things that worked and didn’t work in our past lives, and a decision of what we’re going to do now. For example, in the life before this one, I was a strict man, always following the rules. It was a pain, and I was glad to have him rest. This life was far more pleasurable and relaxing for my mind but…” He seems to have a hint of sadness in him. “It did end up hurting people I loved. We expected a return to something akin to our original selves would have been fun, last time.”
And you understand him, somewhat. Merlin, for all his greatness and power, was still human. A single man drifting through time, alone. To be yourself, by yourself, for so long… You can see how it could be difficult, or even impossible. Eternity wasn’t meant to be lived alone, after all, and Merlin had found a way to make sure he’d endure.
“It was the only way we found to stay true to our task,” he says. “Even with all the other measures in the chambers above, this was still needed. Sometimes we regret the decisions our past selves made, but… We each deal with the consequences of our mistakes our own way.”
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1715971368},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6008223,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>6008219
“I understand, sir. But please, is there any way you can help me?” Your headache is getting worse, now a throbbing pain in the back of your head. “There are people here, inside the path to Avalon, who wish to use it to create a body for themselves. A body worthy of Merlin. And with that, they will destroy everything. Everything you fought so hard to protect.”
“I see. That is grave news indeed. Yet I do not know what you wish for me to do. I do not exist outside these moments. In fact, I do not exist at all. I am merely a reflection of you passed through a filter, and a poor one at that. There should have been many of me here, many versions. But you cannot hold them all inside you. Even me is already giving you pain.”
“Ah, so that’s what that is.” The pain slowly turns into a pounding. “Is there nothing you can tell me?”
“If what you say is true, if I am truly dead, then humanity is doomed. Sooner or later, you will find a way to end yourselves, possibly this very force which seeks to create a body for itself will be the cause. But… there may be a way to cut at least this thread of doom, something I know because I am part of Avalon itself.” Lailoken looks at you, and his face is grave and serious. “The Elixir of Life is powerful, but it has a flaw. It is volatile. It will quickly vanish if perturbed, and evaporate after enough time, which is why it must always be refilled. Yet it can also be destructive. If the Green Death was to touch it… The energies would annihilate each other, violently. It would start a chain reaction that would consume Avalon whole, destroying everything in it. Everything in miles would become a hole in the ground.”
A blast with that much power, with that much magic… It would kill everyone in it, take St. Mungo’s with it and a good chunk of London. Could it take the Beast with it? Could it take Salazar once and for all? Would it be worth it?
“I see this does not please you,” he says. “I chose to save the world because I knew I would survive any attempts on my existence. You do not have this luxury, child. If you wish the world to keep on going, you may have to give your life for it.”
“I… would very much prefer things to not come to that, sir.”
“I find life does not care about what we prefer. For example, you would prefer to keep on chatting, yet if you do you will soon collapse from the strain.”
He is right. The headache is now a massive migraine pounding at your skull. You have time for a last question, but not much more than that.
What will you ask?
> Who were you in your previous life? Before you were Laloiken, I mean.
> I think I know one of the people you might have hurt in your life. Your wife. Is there anything you’d like me to tell her?
> Write in (Other)","attachment":null,"posted":1715971450},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6008225,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008223
>Who were you in your previous life? Before you were Laloiken, I mean.
good to know the Elixir is highly volatile","attachment":null,"posted":1715971812},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6008237,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008223
>If the Green Death was to touch it…
wait, so...we have to avada kedavra the potion in order to trigger it? and the results would be a literal magical nuke that could eliminate the beast AND Salazar too? well shit, looks like we have our McGuffin, sadly, i dont think thats even remotely survivable for us...damn, thats a tought one...
>What will you ask?
>I think I know one of the people you might have hurt in your life. Your wife. Is there anything you’d like me to tell her?
i feel like if we tell her (when we can, of course) any info coming directly from him, it could help her remember stuff and maybe even give us some important info, its a stretch, but fuck it, its not like we have that many options anyway, we might not even survive this","attachment":null,"posted":1715972614},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6008240,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008237
+1
Imagine if we throw the Elixir into the path of Salazar's AK and everybody fucking dies.","attachment":null,"posted":1715972750},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6008252,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008223
Green Death being Avada Kedavra? Shame only one of us can cast it. I suppose letting some evaporate and then blasting it may result in a lesser explosion. We’ll see what we think of that later.
For a question, I’d say either
> I think I know one of the people you might have hurt in your life. Your wife. Is there anything you’d like me to tell her?
or
> How else can the Elixir be misued?
I’m currently voting for the former. I suspect we’ll get no other easy answers from him.
He’s suggesting Merlin put something in place to always ensure he’d have a chance of returning. Time manipulation? The Void being timeless could be why he was left alone until Time Turners were pushed in. A dead world has no chance of bringing him back, so whatever he did to create prophecies is sufficient to defend the world even without his direct presence so long as he exists somewhere, and his erasure would end that specific protection.
Not that it’d change much. The world survived long before Merlin too. Alternatives must exist.","attachment":null,"posted":1715973026},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6008281,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008223
>Is there anything else you can tell me about the creation process, perhapes even the next trial? The other founders... they escaped the darkness as well. I have Lady Hufflepuff in me where she holds back a beast I believe may be related to how your old home destroyed itself. The others... would it be possible to try and portion out the Elixir create more than 1 body, 3 perhapse, not as grand as yours, more like a normal one for our kind. They deserve another chance at life, after theirs we cut short. After how kind the girl in my head has been to me and what she endures.
Awesome, we have an extra nuke button we could employ possibly. Next step is probably going to be try and get our wand back. We also need to stall to give Harry time to find us, try and turn "Mr. Red" and anyone else with a shred of morals.","attachment":null,"posted":1715974083},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6008394,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008281
We could also ask if the elixir can only be used to make a new body or if it has the power to restore Arty's lifespan, heal a shattered mind.
>>6008252
Technically, Elliot still has the opportunity to still use, AK; the vote was so close it wasn't sealed to us. If something rocks him, traumatizes us enough.
Something like Arty of even Linda being killed, tortured in front of him for example.
And on that last note here is a new thing. No it is not RavenXRowena, still working on that one but I have like 2.5 pages down.
Also can't use reentry anymore because the site thinks it is spam, lol.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715979316741657.pdf","filename":"The Final Lesson.pdf"},"posted":1715979316},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6008395,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008394
>torture porn just dropped
oh boy, this one is gonna hurt to read, i´ll save it for when i get home","attachment":null,"posted":1715979527},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6008408,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008394
iirc another bit of AK is that the hatred is only necessary for human target","attachment":null,"posted":1715980107},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6008409,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008394
>ask if the elixir can only be used to make a new body or if it has the power to restore Arty's lifespan, heal a shattered mind.
changing to this","attachment":null,"posted":1715980169},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6008412,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008394
>if it has the power to restore Arty's lifespan
uuh! i almost forgot about that, changing >>6008237 to this
our priority until the bitter end!","attachment":null,"posted":1715980306},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6008433,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008223
Changing vote from >>6008240 to
>ask if the elixir can only be used to make a new body or if it has the power to restore Arty's lifespan, heal a shattered mind","attachment":null,"posted":1715981475},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6008520,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"I have to wonder what doom he was saving the world from when he made the interdict. Or was it many? Is there a chance that Merlin blinded himself to prophecy, only seeing that doom and ignoring the other alternatives? Kind of like the Golden-Path from Dune. We probably can't get away with asking about Merlin's prophetic powers, but maybe something more general about the supposed end of the world.","attachment":null,"posted":1715989703},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6008544,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008409
>>6008412
Yeah since I suggested it might as well vote for it. I do want to get the other founders bodies, but I care more about securing a way for our waifu to not die in like 2 decades.
Changing
>>6008281
To asking about using the Elixir for Arty/ Frank and Alice.
>>6008223
>>6008237
True enough. Harry can use it on a spider, after all. A pot of Merlin Juice should be even easier than that. Though, really hope it doesn't come down to the nuke buttons.
>>6008395
Hope you enjoy. I did give it a happy ending but... well, trigger warning I suppose. I did not enjoy having to write parts of it, but it turned out a bit less sickening than I thought it would, given how fond I am of Arty.
I may try to write something worse in the future but for now it is wholesome 17-year-old bisexual girl on 1000-year-old witch time. If I don't get distracted this weekend, I will try to get it out since it should only end up like 10 pages.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715993619109580.jpg","filename":"90bdeb5a6b50cbd49c31ffbd6424f1ef.jpg"},"posted":1715993619},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6008558,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008520
It might be that he knew he was going to not be there, be back for a while? Knew something was going to happen if not the specifics and needed to do something which would persist till he returned, something to keep the next generations from doing dumb shit easily. He had already been going about ending the bloodlines of people who could use Ancient magic for some time already, and used the four greatest magicians of the era as sacrifices, preventing any but Sally from passing on their knowledge.
Might not have seen exactly what could happen. His sight not reaching to the point muggles made atomic weapons, nerve gas, engineered plagues, ect; though he would be back sooner.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715994530964554.png","filename":"vague referance to her energy.png"},"posted":1715994530},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6008878,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008544
alrighty, just read the entire thing, fuck you for puting Arty through all that shit, still, not as bad as i was expecting it to be, so thanks for that.
still not sure of its MY favorite, but its definitely your best one so far, the ending was great too, i only wish we get something like that near the end of this quest, i salute you and thank you for all of these.
now i gotta return the favour and do some more art for both the quest AND your fanfic
godspeed you magnificent bastard.","attachment":null,"posted":1716023598},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6008907,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008878
Haha, thank you for reading these and for all the art. I am trying since it is fun to do, aside from some parts. I did kind of get sick at THAT part in this one. That was difficult, probable why I toned down some of it from what I initially was planning. Turns out I am a big softy and prefer small character interactions, some only slightly sad shit, and the fight scenes were enjoyable to write.
I will also keep putting the spiders and giant murder bee where I can. Spiders because your art made me laugh out loud when I saw it, the bee because she is cute and a reference to Hogwarts Interbellum Quest which I recently reread and died too soon.
I have trouble with sex scenes sometimes some but hey, practice makes perfect and the RavenxRowena is like 75% fucking, aside from set up and just a sprinkling of angst. Got another couple pages done before I started to burn out and needed a nap. Going to try and not insert TOO much of my own fetishes in to these but an Arty one with some BDSM might eventually appear.
I went back to one of the first ones... it does need some polishing. Oh well, it now has 90% more Merula in it, which is only like 1.5 pages granted. So if nothing else that will have improved when I collate these, put them all in the same place eventually.
Your compliments and knowing at least a couple of people check these out means a lot to me.
While I am at it, thank you, QM. I haven't been this interested in a quest, in some make believe characters in quite a long time. I am very glad I decided to pop on the board and found this thing one Friday night back in fall.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716028507273224.png","filename":"HappyAcromantula.png"},"posted":1716028507},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6009834,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>6008907
Awww, thank you for the compliment and for the fics (though I probably won't be reading that last one)
--
“The Elixir of Life,“ you say while forcing yourself to stay, if only for a little longer. “Could it be used to create more bodies? Ones not as grand, perhaps? Could it be used to heal minds?”
“I do not know if it could be used to heal minds,” Lailoken’s shadow says. “The Elixir is a powerful thing of great potential, but if it can do so, such a thing it has never been done within these walls. As for creating more bodies, if done quickly, yes. Once perturbed, the Elixir will vanish in minutes. The transferring of the soul and the pouring of the power into it is done in instants, yet the creation of the body takes time. If you had more than one wizard to do so, perhaps even several people could be created. Yet though they would be magical, they would not be able to wield the Powers That Be. And there lies the problem.”
“The process needs to be reset. Avalon was created to make the Elixir of life, and with little to spare. Once it is used, the body of Avalon must be purged of its remains so it can begin again, and that takes someone who can use powers like mine. If you were to spread the Elixir of Life among more than one body, those who inhabited them would not be able to reset the process. Avalon would grow cold and useless, until someone capable of using the Powers That Be appears once again.”
“I… I see.” So, either one body with the power to control Ancient Magic, or several without it, and without the power to ever use Avalon again. That… is not an easy choice. “Thank you, Lailoken. Not only for this, but for everything. You saved the world until this day. I’ll do my best to make sure it stays saved.”
“Good luck, child,” he nods. “May you find a way to live. May you find a way to not allow the world to fall.”
He fades from view, and the pressure inside your skull stops growing before it cracks open. You stay inside the sarcophagus until it has mostly vanished, then push it open to find a bloody scene. In a corner, surrounded by blood and with a leg missing at the knee, is one of the masked men. He’s being held back by two of his companions.
“I’m going to fucking kill this bitch!” He shouts as he tries to escape the others’ grasp.
“I told you to not antagonize her, Mr. Purple,” Salazar chastises him. “What on earth did you expect to happen?”
On the other side of the room, gnawing on a bloody leg, is Anput.
Good dog.
“Ah, Elliot. You return,” Salazar says, pleased. “Mr. Purple here had an accident, but he’s mostly healed. Someone transfigure him a peg-leg and let us move on. We can get him a new one once we are out of here.”
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1716106114},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6009835,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>6009834
There are some minutes of scuffle as Mr. Purple arranges a new leg while giving foul looks at Anput, and soon you are ready to proceed. All your friends seem to be with just as many bruises as before you went in the sarcophagus, and you are, for now, allowed to stay both ungagged, with your cane and with your hands in front of you instead of the back like Arty and the others.
You tap the cane against a rectangular ident on the wall, and that section evaporates into nothing. Behind it is a circular tunnel of red. It isn’t blood red. It isn’t crimson or carmine. It is simply pure and utter red. The walls glow with the color, tainting everything that comes close to it. Not only that, but the walls seem twisted, as if they were made out of thick red ropes wrapped around a hollow tube into a spiral.
“Why, that looks friendly,” Salazar says. “You first, little Elliot.” And he pushes you into it.
--
The tunnel is long, continuing its wide downward spiral. Except that now you’ve gone on for so long that its curvature is drastically noticeable as you reach closer to the end. The red almost hurts your eyes, and you feel like you’re in an oven even though there is no heat. You make your way through rubedo, the final stage of an alchemist’s Great Work.
In nigredo, the memories were taken. In albedo, they were analyzed and put back together. In citrinitas a new personality was decided. Yet you still do not know what the reddening will do. You are almost afraid to discover.
After some minutes of walking, you reach a wide and tall circular room. There is a single, narrow path that reaches a slightly wider platform in the middle of the room, then continues to the other side. Where there isn’t a platform there is-
“Oh fuck, boss! Is that blood!?” One of the masked men shouts, covering his nose to stop the smell of iron from coming in.
A massive pool of blood floods the room everywhere that isn’t the way between both sides, maybe a millimeter away from going over the floor, if even that.
“So I assume we don’t want to fall into the ominous pool of blood inside the ancient magical structure,” Salazar says. “Or would you disagree, little Elliot?”
“No, you’re right,” you nod. “Though I don’t have any idea what this place is for. All other rooms had guardians. This room feels different.”
“Well, feel free to go to the center. Though do remember that if you try anything, well, we have your friends.”
Gently, carefully, you make your way to the middle of the room. As you step, the blood ripples in waves around you, even though you are not touching it. Once you reach the central platform, you can see more clearly the other end of the path, and within it a door. Even in the red light you can read the words, written in many different and ancient languages.
“Magnum Opus”
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1716106177},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6009836,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>6009835
In the center of the door, a circle, within a square, within a triangle, within a circle. The alchemical symbol for the Philosopher’s Stone. You can feel it, Avalon, just on the other side.
You would be excited if you weren’t both terrified and too busy trying to find a way out of the mess you’re in.
Before Avalon… maybe this place can give me some advantage, or a weapon? Something!
You look around, trying to find some sort of symbol, but you can find nothing until you look up. The rope-like formations of the walls climb high, tracing the shape of an enormous eye, either looking down upon you or up into the world above.
“Fate,” you whisper, low enough that no one else can hear, the realization dawning upon you, some fragment of a memory that isn’t yours fitting into place. “This is where he looked ahead. This is where he decided what he was going to do.”
Not even Merlin could hold the weight of all possible futures on him all the time. Prophets saw things in glimpses, prophecies, and even then only in bursts. It stood to reason that Merlin was not unlike that. Yet he needed somewhere to force himself to see beyond, to reach into the future and find a path which would avoid destruction. A place created not to store the tellings of fate, like the Hall of Prophecy, but to watch it fully.
A place that could only be used by a seer.
“Helga… Do you think you could use it through me?”
“It… it is possible, though I would have to take my eye away from the Beast. I cannot fathom neither how the room will react to someone like me attempting to use its power through you, nor can I know what it will do since Fate is in such a compressed state. I still cannot use my powers of foresight normally, it is like staring into the sun.” Her voice comes into your mind, sounding hesitant. “This place was made for Merlin, Elliot. The dark room has nearly killed you. We don’t know what this could do!”
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1716106299},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6009839,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>6009836
“It could show us the future,” you say. “It was what allowed Merlin to see how to save the world again and again.”
“It could kill you.”
“It could give us a path to victory.”
“Or it could explode and kill everyone in the room, or leave you so hurt you’ll be able to do nothing against Salazar! We're dealing with magic we can't even begin to comprehend! If the powers in this place go out of control, I won't be able to stop it! We could lose everything!”
“So, little Elliot! Found anything?” Salazar shouts from where he stands with his allies and your friends at the edge of the pool of blood.
> Attempt to use Helga’s prophetic powers with the Pool
> Move on from the room and into Avalon proper
Additionally, write in anything you’d like to attempt or do while in here or while entering Avalon (cut your bindings on the edge of the pool, invoke your latent vampiric powers to hypnotize Scorpius, charm Salazar with the power of friendship, or whatever crazy plan you come up with). These might happen or not, depending on the number of votes and feasibility given what happens with the vote above.
To make my life easier since I already predict this will get messy, any of the suggested plans must be in greentext and tagging this post.","attachment":null,"posted":1716106362},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6009888,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009839
jesus fucking christ HeadQM, this shit is getting more and more convoluted by the post, its getting hard and frustrating to even think what we could possibily do that wont explode in our faces
...
WITH THAT BEING SAID
>Attempt to use Helga’s prophetic powers with the Pool
+
>Write in
time to use our ACTING skills, if we even have one
>head to the center of the room and pretend we are having some sort of revelation or magical mind thingy thats telling us what to do next
>act hyped and excited
>tell Salazar we ALL need our wands if he wants to continue and that we need everyone in the center of the room with us, EVERYONE, including him
>even hug him if necessary due to our "hypeness"
>tell him they all need to form a circle around us because you saw a ritual performed by Merlin, but you arent skilled enough to cast multiple sources of Lumos, so you need their help too
>our team in one side and Salazar and his goons in the other or maybe everyone mixed up with the other, whatever gives us the best surprise advantage or bluff
>tell him we all need to cast Lumos as some sort of significat ritual or something that lets us "iluminate fate" enough to make everyone somewhat blinded by the light
>before that, tell Linda using our secret hand code to push them into the blood or go for the kill and book it to the door at our signal
>use Wingardium Leviosa and Lumos to pretend we are getting some magic stuff transfered into us while levitanting
>wait until Helga gets whatever info she can get
>while they are all distracted looking at us give the signal with out hand code while pretending we have some sort of seizure while screaming so the hand signal is disguised
>go for the kill if possible then book it to the door and close it while they are either dead or trying to get out of the thick pool of blood
>profit???
we´ve had crazy plans before, we tried having no plan, time to go fucking crazy and risk it all
you guys ready to die? cuz we might, but fuck it, im sick and tired od Salazar´s shit","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716111421766833.jpg","filename":"all in.jpg"},"posted":1716111421},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6009935,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009839
> Attempt to use Helga’s prophetic powers with the Pool
>Alright, fuck. So anyone who is going to try to get through this last door, they are going to need to be close to me. I need everyone near. Everyone including my comrades because I will not just leave them. I need my wand for a couple of minutes; keep yours pointed at me if you need but I am the only one here who knows how this shit works, Sally. Went through all the trials. Talked with Lailoken.
So... I assume there will be a check like when Helga tried to predict McGonagall... we might not have her for any final fight. But this can give us a chance, show us a path forward.
Elliot has also jumped forward into danger at every chance, hesitating now would be suspicious. I do think we can probably knock Mr Purple at least into the lake at least, have Apollo body check him, Arty sweep the peg leg, given she has been through as much with Crouch as us, and he has a stick for one leg.
>>6009888
I will also support trying to signal to Linda we are going to try something, maybe use any code words we might have developed when we talk to Salazar.
So otherwise... we could get one of the founders a body which could use "the Powers that Be" or maybe get them all just normal wizard ones...
Or... we know a certain girl and love her who needs a better body, needs her soul healed.. We could try and put Arty into the single Merlin tier body. There is like a manual soul transfer device there, has to be... we could make her a demigod, if we have some time, get a chance.
>>6009834
Not sure if you mean the one I posted last time, RowenaxRaven futa thing I am working on, or the one with Arty BDSM that may or may not be a thing. Regardless, please never feel obligated to read the shit I post. I am pretty happy with the one I posted, however.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716117468659630.jpg","filename":"1711020382155107.jpg"},"posted":1716117468},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6010110,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009839
>> Attempt to use Helga’s prophetic powers with the Pool","attachment":null,"posted":1716134042},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6010119,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009839
>>6009935
I suppose if using the room wins
>Give Helga a mental pep talk
>Helga, we have until we make it past that door untill Salazar starts killing our friends, forces me to show him how to use the elixir one way or another. We are running out of time and options. Even with a few already down, with one missing a leg, we aren't beating that many people by ourselves even with all the power you can lend me. I don't like gambling... but I trust you. Completely. I know you can do this, use Merl's power to show us a path that will lead to victory, to everyone not dying. We got this far by trusting each other, right? So trust me on this. You CAN do it and I can do what comes after. And... if we can make, stop them, find a way to win? We can get Rae and Goddy bodies. Get you one, if you think you can drag the Gate with you. Maybe create a better body to get Arty's soul into. But we need a path to victory and I am running short on ideas that don't invole magical nuke buttons. I have faith in you, the woman I once gave the name Faith to. And... if I am wrong... I want you to know it was the greatest of pleasures to have met you, shared my soul and time with you. Had the kindest witch of all time, one of the greatest as well as my headmate. I couldn't have asked for better. But I suppose that is premature however; we ARE going to win after all, PuffPuff.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716134983081659.jpg","filename":"GDaVHNxXMAADQQy.jpg"},"posted":1716134983},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6010240,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009888
>>6009935
>>6010110
>>6010119
So which concrete plan is worth it to do here?","attachment":null,"posted":1716146463},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6010357,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009839
> Attempt to use Helga’s prophetic powers with the Pool
>Turn to Salazar, tell him we'll give him a body only so long as he's willing to let Helga, Godric, and Rowena one too. If he even thinks of harming our friends he can say goodbye to any chance of us letting him have anything. And try and ask him what daddy Malfoy would think if he never got to see his son again.
Remember, we hold some cards here. We are the only one who knows how to create and use the elixir, and we also have the nuke button of threatened suicide/nuclear elixir if pushed to it. Also Salazar is hopefully still struggling with Scorpius, maybe we can push that.","attachment":null,"posted":1716157851},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6010359,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010240
I mean, the second thing is mostly just fluff since I like it when QM has Elliot do little speeches and since she seems kinda hesitant. I am sure she would go with which ever option we choose.
I think our main objectives need to be:
1. Get the info from Helga on how we have a chance to flip this.
2. Get a wand, if possible. We might be able to knock one dude out without it due to being fit and Crouch's training but past that we are screwed.
3. Somehow signal Linda we are going to try shit so she is prepared, can possibly indicate to the others shit is going down subtly.
We are going to be on a relatively small place bordered by shit you probably don't want to fall into and the henchs are probably going to have to be single file to get close to us if we get them to start coming over by fooling them into thinking otherwise they will get left behind or what not.
Could also say that the crimson liquid will be rising up once Elliot opens the door so it can be refined into the Elixir/Stone, since we are the only one how knows how this shit actually works, maybe
But getting them in close and not able to just start pelting us with a barrage of spells seems good.
Could also let them know that this place is going to get a hard reset and anyone not in the final chamber is getting deleted so a couple might want to go retrieve their friend before that happens; bring down their numbers when we make our move.
Apollo has his retard strength, Arty has trained as hard as us, Brighton claims to know how to fight some and Helga can boost our physical skill as shown at the ice rink... If we get some prophesy cheats, get the drop on them, have our wand at least it might work out.
IDK, kind of a really bad situation.
If we make it to the final chamber and stuff is still fucked, we don't have a lot of options. Disturb the Elixir and stall. Nuke if we can get us or Linda a wand. Kill ourselves and make sure every one loses.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716157919787831.jpg","filename":"1453078915558.jpg"},"posted":1716157919},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6010365,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010357
Given his stiff, fucked up movements and popping an aneurysm in his eye, I am pretty sure Malfoy is fighting back. If we have a chance, trying to encourage him might buy us some time, though all Sally has to do is tell the goon squad to start shooting.
Salazar should also know Helga leaves means the beast gets out and kill us all unless he already has the power to control it. Mentioned wanting to rip Helga out of our head at last light and torture her if he had the chance, so IDK. Might be a last ditch plan since he would just have a normal wizard body if we make more than 1 and this place would be useless after.","attachment":null,"posted":1716158419},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6010376,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010365
he doesn't know that he would just have a normal body in that scenario, that's another advantage for us","attachment":null,"posted":1716160262},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6010393,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010376
Might be an alright back-up. Like it is an adult wizard body, sure, probably pretty powerful. Helga has told us she couldn't teach us the spells she knew in life, but Sally would probably have Lily's spell repertoire since he was in her for like 14 years. So we just have to fight a supercharged version of her; maybe a few more tricks from Scorpius. If we can get rid of the goons, it might be doable since we have more allies. Raven and Taylor both added a +5 last time. Apollo will probably do a +10. No idea about Arty, but she has fought a gimped Crouch to a standstill before.
And hey, Taylor added a +10 when he died for a round. When Arty does, it will probably be like a +20!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716161659584313.jpg","filename":"RememberMe.jpg"},"posted":1716161659},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6010400,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010393
I really don't like the thought of using the elixir to make multiple new bodies, because then it kills this entire place and Avalon forever since nobody will ever have Ancient Magic again","attachment":null,"posted":1716162824},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6010401,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010400
maybe that's a good thing after all the shit we've seen","attachment":null,"posted":1716162974},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6010405,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010400
I mean the way I envisioned it we just blatantly lie to his face and then give someone else the full power body and keep Avalon safe with the healing magic. We just draw him in with a half-truth, since it's what he wants anyway.","attachment":null,"posted":1716163205},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6010408,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010405
Who do we give the full power body to? Elliot himself? Arty? Godric or Rowena?","attachment":null,"posted":1716163273},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6010415,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010408
Probably Godric or Rowena, I'm thinking. We could give it to Arty but that puts a giant target on her back, plus Godric or Rowena would make the most use of it. Anyway, I doubt we'll be able to just grab it, we'll probably have to destroy it at somepoint to stop Salazar from using it. Or, even, we make it and threaten to blow ourselves up if Salazar doesn't spill the beans. The dude's a snake but I suspect his self-preservation instinct would trump his spite, he didn't escape the void just to get blown to bits after all.","attachment":null,"posted":1716163694},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6010421,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010408
giving it to ourself causes the same issues as giving it to Helga","attachment":null,"posted":1716163977},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6010423,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010415
a simple solution would be "accidently" spilling it since it quickly disappears","attachment":null,"posted":1716164063},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6010510,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010408
If there is like a manual device, Arty. We might not ever find another way to help her with her magic power and lifespan, given this is the "Last Great Work". If we give it to someone else... that might be it. Need more info.
If somehow Helga could use Ancient magic to get rid of the Beast that is a second place for me. Plus we know she is scary AF with her real powers from her fighting Nimue; also know she wouldn't misuse her power. If we go that route, she might be able to fix Arty and Frank/Alice, IDK. Modern magic can't help them, but Ancient stuff might.
Not sure if we could even give it to Goddy or Rae given they aren't active yet.
>>6010400
Avalon won't be full again for a couple of hundred years, so Elliot and everyone he knows will be dead by then. I don't mind this place being gone if that is what it takes in the end.
>>6010421
The gate is connected to our soul which we would be transferring, and Helga can body hop into Super Elliot. She kept the Beast at bay for at least some amount of time before she could even manifest a form for herself. Plus, Elliot would have enough power he could probably do something to keep it sealed up for a while with that kind of power.
Having him take it is kinda low on my list since he has never been power hungry and what not, but it is better than nothing if it comes down to it. Spilling it is an option but Salazar will do his damned best to kill Arty and our friends out of spite. Still an option like the nuke buttons, but not ideal.","attachment":null,"posted":1716169848},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6010516,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010510
>Elliot gives himself the super body
>but people he cares about dies over it
>he thwarts the Beast but still has more to do
>Avalon and the knowledge of the Elixir remains
>Elliot BECOMES the new Merlin","attachment":null,"posted":1716170088},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6010552,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010516
That would be something, alright. We are in the same house as him, have a couple of other parallels probably. Merlin did know he would be gone for a while but come back; maybe that is one of the ways "he" could return, even after becoming ultra dead.
If that happens, though, I am all for becoming the real Dark Lord Hallaster. Why would we want to save a world that took everything from us after all?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716172066439800.jpg","filename":"GJyl6-MbEAI3rdm.jpg"},"posted":1716172066},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6010555,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010516
if soul transferring can be done, a way to revive the dead likely is possible","attachment":null,"posted":1716172456},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6010569,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010555
We would need the soul. If the stone is down there waiting to retrieved, maybe a tiny chance, assuming it actually shows you a persons spirit, not some imitation. Irkalla did say that this place could "move and repair" and it can create the body, naturally.
It would depend on if there is a means to retrieve a spirit we can find.
We know there is some means or series of events that can let Helga and the gang returning, but their deaths were kind of odd.
Also, gonna emphasize the 'repair' part, considering we have a LOT of Merlin pieces in one place.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716173679497621.jpg","filename":"FjvpByUaEAAhSvo.jpg"},"posted":1716173679},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6010573,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009935
+1
>>6009839","attachment":null,"posted":1716174094},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6010579,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"One more little bit of paranoia... the reason we stole the Hallows, made it down here is because Rowena talked about the "Ranrok" drill, gave a timeframe for it being complete. If we didn't do shit Salazar would have had no way down here unless he wanted to try and break in to steal them, which would be really fucking hard givens Hogwarts defenses against outsiders. We were given incorrect info by a woman who is supposed to be very, very smart. The drill didn't have a way to power it. She commented on the state of this age's magic, even. Hmmmm.
Wonder if she loved Lailoken/Merlin more than she disliked him. Got us all down here for a chance to bring him back? Unlikely but a bit interesting.","attachment":null,"posted":1716174547},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6010604,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"for the looks of it, it seems that using the powers is gonna win
question....what do we do if Salazar pulls ANOTHER bullshit move and is prepared for whatever happens next? are we really using the nuclear option?
like, sure, im down for it if we dont have any other choice, just wondering...whats gonna cost us this time? you know...besides being the epicenter definition of a nuclear magical explosion?","attachment":null,"posted":1716176953},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6010606,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010604
>the unclear option
>the one that kills everyone in the area, quite possibly including us, Helga, Linda, and ARTY
Never.","attachment":null,"posted":1716177166},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6010612,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010604
the cost is that us and a large chunk of london fucking die in a wizard nuke","attachment":null,"posted":1716177562},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6010618,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010604
If our closest still living friend or Arty dies, I am voting that Elliot start AKing people at the least since it makes sense from a RP perspective, given how close we were before. I know it is not an insta win button, but at that point it makes sense to me.
If both die... I like Apollo and Brighton has grown on me since he got some development, but the nuke is now on the table. It is useful as a negotiation tool but only if we are willing to use it. Really hoping it doesn't come down to that.
Gonna probably avoid it but who knows.","attachment":null,"posted":1716177972},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6010619,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010604
Game end the quest so hard we rewind time or force the QM to collapse","attachment":null,"posted":1716177973},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6010623,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010612
Technically everyone dies unless the nuke sends the Beast back, since a bit after we and Helga die it gets out.","attachment":null,"posted":1716178063},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6010665,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Can't we technically force Salazar to help fight the shadow while we follow the instruction.
We can LITERALLY tell him the truth and he can't do shit about it.","attachment":null,"posted":1716182857},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6010793,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010665
Okay. I may have had a stroke or something but I have no clue what you mean by this. Like I waited 20 minutes after I read this because I woke up and was still groggy but I still got nothing, man.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716196931025992.jpg","filename":"FPSCK8eWUA40u8j.jpg"},"posted":1716196931},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6010857,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010619
>we rewind time
You know, we still don't know why Eliot got wiped from Hogwarts and Harry's memory in the first place...
>>6010793
If Salazar doesn't help keep the beast in check then he dies too.","attachment":null,"posted":1716206123},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6010942,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010857
Can he even help without popping in our head? Can you have 2 mind people at the same time? If he gets a body which can use Ancient magic, sure could do something, but then he is just going to kill us all, try and fail to harness the Beast, and end the world.
That did make me think though; all the other people have the 1 founder and are young; have some spare room in their soul. We have Helga and the Beast or at least the portion which can reach out from the gate. Is our soul overcrowded b/c of the extra thing? Are we slowly dying from being overcrowded?","attachment":null,"posted":1716213665},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6011048,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010857
the only one who can do that is Helga","attachment":null,"posted":1716224256},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6011054,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010665
Salazar is trying to control and weaponize the Beast. If we ream up with him, he'll backstab us and either take over the world (f he succeeds) or doom the world (if his cocky ass fails).","attachment":null,"posted":1716224799},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6011133,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010857
For that 1st point since I kinda was more focused on the other Thing, we have had a couple of pretty good theories even if we have 0 way to really prove them because we don't have enough info. I am somewhat partial to the one that says we only existed when reality rewrote it'self when Helga who was carrying the gate escaped because it needed someone able to house her and the gate and no one like that was real so, boom, meet Elliot Hallaster; gave us parents and a backstory because of course a 16 year old boy need those. Manifested us at Hogwarts because that is the largest existing epicenter of magic around. Wasn't able to insert us into 2 peoples memories because they had a mind person/soul in their head now or in the past. Wasn't able to effect the school due to all the Ancient magic so it doesn't consider us real, less than even a spider who has a name. Gave us friends because of course a guy going to school for 6 years would make some. Manifested us as literally 100% average aside from giving us a couple of hobbies we excel at since that makes sense.
Not amazingly likely but I like it because it means more angst when we choose to send the beast back/destroy it and let Helga rest, Elliot might end up fading away because why would we exist any longer if our purpose was over?
Yes I love angst, why do ask.","attachment":null,"posted":1716229484},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6011139,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011054
The point was that we're not at the end of the instructions. The beast has to be held back while Helga handles the seeing required by the instructions. Salazar doesn't know it may be unnecessary, but we can literally point at the eye and tell him we need to follow those instructions, but only Helga can far see.
He wants to harness the beast, but that's not feasible without the elixir. Therfore, he is "forced" to help in order to keep along with the instructions merlin set up. If he doesn't, then we're stuck. If we fail to hold the beast back while Helga sees, everyone dies anyway.
Essentially, either the elixir journey is over or he increases his own chances by helping hold off the beast. No real space for backstabbing when such a move will ruin everyone.
That is the true slytherin Xanatos gambit here. Some other anon please tell me what other valid good moves Salazar has in this situation?","attachment":null,"posted":1716230121},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6011143,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011139
>Some other anon please tell me what other valid good moves Salazar has in this situation?
literally anything? he has bullshitted us with less, the drill being a very clear and recent example, he WILL pull some bullshit out of his sleeve, he probably already knows how to tame it or control it and is playing along with us and waiting for us to make our move so he can counter it","attachment":null,"posted":1716230421},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6011201,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011139
I mean, he always has the option of torturing and of starting to kill our friends and Arty to make us do what he wants. I don't think the player/Elliot would be able to hold out while our closest friend or wifelette are being crucio'd. That might give Elliot reason to try and fuck him over even more than I am sure he already suspects, but it is certainly an option. Not that creative but he has a grip of men, our wands, is very clever and experienced, ect.
We do have some cards, a couple of rocks fall, everyone dies buttons, but he is in a superior position right now.
What confused me was him helping with the Beast issue, since he has no way to do that we know of right now.
One big card we have I think is that he is on a time limit. Potter will figure out where we went, likely soon, and show up with a dozen Aurors and half the teachers. He probably isn't lying his way out of getting caught with all our comrades being hurt and tied up. Having the same dude Potter cut the arm off of in his gang.
This of course presents it's own issues for Elliot as well, since we are wanted right now and Harry getting down here presents the chance he figures out too much, somehow learns about his daughter being deleted, having access to the elixir himself and a good reason himself to make Elliot use it for him. He is very good at scanning minds, can probably rip the knowledge of how to use it from us.
I am also now paranoid Salazar has some veritserum and will force it down our throat when we make it to the last chamber, so we can't fuck him over by lying about how to make the body. We might have become good enough at Occulemency to just shut up, but I now wish we had brewed up the counter to that stuff during our time prepping.
Very concerned, actually, since Scorpy is another potions dude and has more than enough resources to makes some truth serum.","attachment":null,"posted":1716235553},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6011209,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011201
On the 4th note, recall that there is a portrate in the lobby by where the excavation entrance is connected to McGonagall's office. Scorpy's men might have all been disallusioned, had standard invisibility cloaks or something but that many people would be a bitch to hide. If that thing saw him or the dude with 1 arm for even a second, Potter is already on his way since he can put 2 and 2 together.","attachment":null,"posted":1716236059},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6011212,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011209
Potter figured it out VERY quickly, he altready had a patronus following us while we hadn't even arrived to St. Mungo's yet","attachment":null,"posted":1716236475},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6011278,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011212
You don't need to know where someone is to send a Patronus, it can only return a message from the person it is sent to, and cannot tell the sender where they are.
Otherwise, Apollo wouldn't have freaked out when Arty didn't return his after her failed attempts and pinned our boy to the wall; he and Elliot wouldn't have needed to ask Potter to use the Map to find where she was at, crying.
While I am sure he has likely figured it out by now, or has very strong suspicions, that isn't the reason.
Thinking about it... mom and dad, Linda's too, probably got their doors kicked down by now, mind scanned, then obliviated as muggles don't have rights under wizard law. Fucking magic cops.","attachment":null,"posted":1716240385},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6011288,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011278
>mom and dad, Linda's too
uuuh, i almost forgot that wizards could just do that if they wanted, if they fucked with mom and pops, i say heads will roll","attachment":null,"posted":1716240733},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6011291,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011278
I guess to expound. Yeah he knew probably 30 seconds after the mark went up Elliot and his allies had a good chance to be involved, given Elliot and Arty are the only ones with access to anyone who could teach the mark, aside from the students who have old Death Eaters for parents, or ones suspected as being ones. So easy deduction when added to all the rest of Elliot's BS; the fact we knew sectum sempra and used it like a week before, ect.
I am a bit surprised Draco got here so quick, relatively, given both him and his dad I guess mom too, are all former death eaters. Would have though there would be no way the Auror's would have left them after going to Malfoy Manor till this shit was figured out. Maybe Draco was already out and about, I guess. Had the goon squad whose code names are a reference to Reservoir Dogs I think, lol on retainer at all times.
Unless... no. Surely one of our group isn't a traitor and tipped him off that tonight would be the night. That is silly.","attachment":null,"posted":1716240952},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6011298,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011291
>traitor
...oh please, dont give me more reasons for paranoia, i was already suspicious about Brighton
also, when Potter inevitably comes to fight and acuses us of being a fucking death eater, lets not forgot to point out the former death eater family we are currently dealing with that Potter himself had butted head withs before and that is suspicious that they are even involved at all, i feel like that hasnt been brought up enough, specially since they are also Slytherins and have access to many ways of escaping blames and pointed fingers","attachment":null,"posted":1716241355},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6011301,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011288
I don't think the Auror's would actually hurt them, Potter would flip his shit after this shakes out but... you just made me think of something.
Salazar/Draco has people in the ministry. Was able to get some corrupt aurors and likely a fucking Weasley to help. What if... he managed to get some he turned to be the ones to show up to ours and Linda's houses? Abduct Mom, Dad, Linda's mom, and her little sister? Use them as a trump card, threaten them?
Or fuck, he could just have had hired wands wait till the good cops were done interrogating them, pop in and snatch them.
Fuck. I am going to not give QM more ideas.","attachment":null,"posted":1716241521},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6011303,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011298
>>6011301
Too late.
And yeah... Brighton gave me an odd feeling, a tad.
And I guess the Malfoys are "good guys" now. They even remain on the Board of Hogwarts Governers because wizards are dumb as hell. and Draco is filthy rich/connected. Its like hiring fucking Nazi's for high ranking position after WW2. Oh wait, that is a real thing that happened.","attachment":null,"posted":1716241781},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6011330,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"I will point out that threatening people only works when you actually let it get to you, and if what you're being threatened into doing will kill them anyway then you might as well fight back. You can only push someone so far.","attachment":null,"posted":1716243454},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6011343,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Can we please clarify what the fuck we're voting on? What exact plan?","attachment":null,"posted":1716244030},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6011368,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011343
I think
>>6009935
Is the only one with a +1. Which seems to be an attempt to convince Salazar to give us our wand and friends and walk through the door.","attachment":null,"posted":1716245499},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6011374,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011343
seems like the general consensus is to convice him to give us our wand and our friends while alerting Linda of what will we try to do since she is the only one that understand our secret signs","attachment":null,"posted":1716245771},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6011398,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6009935
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1716247439},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6011461,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"If we want and pick the thing I suggested:
Could add more to it. Tell them that because it had been so long since the elixir had emptied this reservoir was almost over flowing, why it was so close to the path. Normally Merlin could take a nice stroll to the door but we are going to have to book it. That you really probably don't want that essence to get on it, since it is made from 1000 years of distilled pain and would probably make crucio look like a nice summer vacation to Spain; and besides, befouling it before it was distilled with a human life... it wouldn't work, not become a true stone. Produce the Elixir as it should be any longer. After all Merlin came down here alone aside for 2 instances. The place was never designed to accommodate multiple people, even if he had tried to use it as such before. Why the pathway is meant for a single man.
Try and sell the lie more. Or not.
Not a vote but maybe a suggestion if people like it.","attachment":null,"posted":1716252936},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6012234,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"So I just recalled something that might be salient soon. When were in the lab before going to enter Avalon, someone suggested leaving a message kindly suggesting Potter not kill us and let us explain. I thought we were going with a post-it note or something.
Nah we used magic fire. Underage magic fire which triggered the Trace, since we weren't in magic wonderland.
I think he is alot closer behind us than I thought.
Fuck might have even been how Scorpy realized shit was going down, since the Malfoys own life half the people in the ministry. Potter has also been stated to be very good at Disillusionment and is friends with the Minister who has people who know a new spell that no revealing charms get through.
They special forces squad and him are already here and waiting for a chance to make a move.
Just food for thought.","attachment":null,"posted":1716314908},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6012250,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012234
>Underage magic fire which triggered the Trace
>special forces squad and him are already here and waiting for a chance to make a move
I seriously hope so. Getting Salazar to go on a villain rant to lull him into an easier state might be a good play. Elliot being casual with him about his ambitions might be a good way to do that.","attachment":null,"posted":1716315947},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6012257,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012234
Also... recall during an interlude how Potter went down to see Crouch with the Minister then came back up, and it was noted he had some wrapped up thing with him?
He smuggled someone to replace Crouch transfigured into an object or who was a small animagus, had Hermione detransfigure the replacement while he shouted to cover the sound of it, gave the replacement some Crouch based polyjuice, shouted some more while Hermione transfigured the real Crouch into an object or animal to bring out.
Grindlewald escaped US Nurmengard similarly.
We even had the dumb prison guard say no one could get "Crouch" out and "Crouch" literally said Potter could.
Hahahaha.
Now the question is whether it is because he needed a pipe hitter or wanted to do some enhanced interrogation on the real one since he probably figured out who taught us the Mark.
If either of these 2 are right I am sleeping on my couch from now on since that is what I did when I figured out a couple other twists.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716316195495591.jpg","filename":"1365962267070.jpg"},"posted":1716316195},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6012307,"name":"HeadQM","msg":"“Helga, we have until we make it past that door for Salazar to get everything he ever wanted and become free to kill my friends,” you say. “We’re running out of time. We’re running out of options and I don’t have a plan on how to stop eight adult wizards without my wand. We need this. We got this far, right? We… We can make it. Just this last step. We find a way to win, a way to get you, Rowena and Godric new bodies. Maybe even get Arty a new one. We do this, and we get to go home. But this is the only way through.”
“Are you sure?” She asks.
“I’m not sure of anything at this point. But I’m out of options. It’s either this or going through the door.”
You can feel her hesitate.
“Alright. I trust you.”
You look at Scorpius.
“I’m going to need my wand.”
“Why?”
“Because this stupid contraption requires me to use magic, Salazar. Keep your wands pointed at me if you want, but I need my wand to get us through. And I need everyone close.”
“What does it do?”
“I don’t know. It could open the door. It could flood the whole place with blood. I just got the barest of glimpses on how to operate it, not its function. If I knew what half of this nonsense did I would be teaching at Hogwarts, not studying there.”
Scorpius’ body shrugs.
“Very well. Everyone, keep your wands on him. Mr. Purple, keep yours pointed at the redhead. You know what to do if he attempts to betray us. Mr. Blue, toss him his wand.”
Your wand flies through the air and you snatch it before it hits the floor. Right, one problem down, a billion more to go.
“And everyone needs to stand on this platform with me.”
“No, I don’t think so.”
“This was made for one person to cross, Salazar! Getting everyone together-”
“Is not happening, Hallaster. Once you get past this nonsense, if only one person can get through I will shoot you and find a way through the rest of it myself. Right now you are a useful tool, little Elliot. If you stop being useful, I’ll start being less kind to you and your dark acolytes.”
You tighten your lips. It had been unlikely to work, but you had to try.
“Very well, then. The consequences are yours.”
You leave the cane on the floor, where it stands upright, light the tip of your wand, then start drawing in the air while leaving a trail of light. It doesn’t serve any special purpose, you just need to buy time. With the right hand you carve mystical-looking shapes in the air, while with the left you, slowly, form signals. Signals saying “Get ready for anything.”
Scorpius would maybe have seen it, after all he was also a Slytherin from recent years, but you suspect Scorpius is no longer in control.
Once you see the look of realization in Linda’s face you allow the light to fade.
“Very well. Let’s see what this does.” You say out loud, holding on to the cane. Inside your mind, you tell Helga, “Let’s do this.”
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1716318903},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6012309,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>6012307
You close your eyes, the connection between you activates, and for the first time you can feel something else crossing through it. Not power and guidance, but something else, something incomprehensible to your mind. It comes from her, goes through you and into the cane.
The surface of the lake of blood begins to ripple. Gently at first, then it becomes rougher as more and more of the unknown feeling goes through you.
Then the blood starts to boil.
“Elliot!” Salazar calls out in a warning tone. “What is happening!?”
“I’m trying to deal with this thing! Shut up and let me work!”
Great bubbles rise to the surface of the liquid, popping with low sounds. It starts closer to the platform you’re in, but it slowly spreads to the entire surface.
“What is going on, Helga!? Talk to me!”
“I’m- I’m trying to see- I- I can’t-” Her voice sounds strained, as if she is exerting enormous effort. “It’s-”
Hundreds of thick strands of boiling blood rise up from the pool and join at a point above your head, then they separate into thousands of thinner strands, each of them going in a different direction. Or at least they try to. Some force mashes them together, intertwines them, as if to form a single great rope from all the strands in a chaotic string of crimson.
“Fate! The strings of fate!” Helga shouts in your mind. “They’re- too tight! Too bright!”
The blood keeps on flowing, pouring more and more into the rope of fate which begins to grow and twist and entangle with itself. One loop, then another, and another, and another, an impossibly tight knot of destiny which grows bigger and bigger.
“I can’t stop! I can’t stop looking!” Helga shouts, and there is horror in her voice. “It doesn’t let me stop!”
You try to let go from the cane, but you can’t, as if an electric current is keeping your hand glued to it. You try pushing and pulling away, but it refuses to move, stuck in place.
“Helga!”
“Too much! It’s too much!” She screams in pain, and you scream with her as the full blast of fate’s light tears through your connection. It is like staring into the sun, no, a million billion suns. Your eyes, usually black when you connect with her, shine bright white, like two great lighthouses inside your head. The masked men recoil in horror and surprise as the red-tinted room for a moment becomes bathed in an alabaster hue, shielding their faces from the light.
There is a sudden bang and you are flung backwards, slamming with your back in the narrow path, and the light fades from your eyes just in time for you to see the massive Knot of Destiny hovering just above where the cane still stands, immovable.
The great twisting blob of boiling blood that represents the future hangs there for an instant, then explodes.
> Roll to protect yourself from the blast. d100+20 (+45 from Battle Magic, -25 from doing the seer's equivalent of looking into the sun with a telescope). Bo3.
> DC 80 to avoid some damage, DC 100 to avoid most damage","attachment":null,"posted":1716318965},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6012311,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012250
The scarier thing might be if he wasn't here for good reasons... that somehow he ended up as the real bad guy. Going after the same thing Elliot is because somehow he figured out Lily II was real or has Merlin in him or some shit. Or has Voldy in there still because that part of the books, where the portion is destroyed, is just pure BS.","attachment":null,"posted":1716319163},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6012317,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 98 + 20 (1d100 + 20)
>>6012309
Bright Lord Hallaster! Bright Lord Hallaster! Bright Lord Hallaster!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716319673570902.jpg","filename":"GJp1AqlaIAAm8RI.jpg"},"posted":1716319673},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6012318,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 51 + 20 (1d100 + 20)
>>6012309","attachment":null,"posted":1716319714},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6012321,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"out of all the potential things i had expected to happen, the blood all turning into a single orb and exploding wasn't one of them, holy shit","attachment":null,"posted":1716320031},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6012323,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 47 + 20 (1d100 + 20)
>>6012317
HOLY SHIT! FUCKING AMAZING ROLL!
BRIGHT LORD HALLASTER! LETS GOOOO!
rolling to get this done","attachment":null,"posted":1716320042},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6012327,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012317
Damn. Close to a crit. Would we have become a seer if that roll was a bit higher? Hahaha. Best roll I have got in the game I think.
You must "whatever" Lord Hallaster post for good rolls, it seems. Fuck 'em up Lord Hallaster also works it seems to give good results.","attachment":null,"posted":1716320294},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6012328,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012327
yeah, gotta keep that in mind whenever the next roll comes, thats our official mantra now","attachment":null,"posted":1716320427},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6012337,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"also, since we tanked most of the damage, we gotta get rid of the goons while everyone is distracted/in pain from the explosion, surely we arent the only ones affected by it, now its our change to free our team and get their wands back","attachment":null,"posted":1716321319},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6012351,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012337
They should also maybe be kinda blinded, between fate twisting into a knot and exploding and Elliot just flashing the whole room with his eye beams. Could be a good time.
If we can get up quick, hitting "Mr. Purple" would be good, since he is the one with a wizard gun to Arty's head. Assuming Apollo hasn't already popped his balls by then from kneeing him in the nuts with retard strength for putting a wand against his sister, of course.
I hope Helga is okay. She took most of the strain.","attachment":null,"posted":1716321889},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6012501,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012317
Sweet.","attachment":null,"posted":1716333882},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6012572,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"So weird idea before I try not to post more conspiracy theories for now...
It seems like a decent number of us agree that "Mr. Red" is a Weasley. What other Weasley is there? One who might have a decent amount of experience doing undercover work. Would probably notice if one of his brothers had a missing arm which apparently can't be regrown, even after like a month and a half? Guy who is now the head of the magic cops? Wasn't there when his wife and best friend went to talk with a mad man despite that being his job now. Who is probably good enough to be able to partial human transfiguration to make it look like his arm was missing. Was warned that there was a conspiracy in the Aurors and his wife bodyguards?
The Mr. Red we have here right now isn't the one from the fight, it is Ron who replaced him when Salazar summoned his crew to try and stall when he could, try and prevent kids from dying, keep us from pushing buttons we shouldn't until the other got here. Inside man time.
While trying to research this, I also found out they cast a nigger as one of Ron and Hermione's kids in a production of the play thing. I hate Harry Potter and the Cursed Child soooooo much fucking more now.","attachment":null,"posted":1716339869},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6012617,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012572
Of course their kid was black. Hermione was black in the play. And potentially in the book, according to Rowling, who deliberately left her ethnicity ambiguous according to her own interviews. Weird thing to get bent out of shape about.","attachment":null,"posted":1716342282},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6012636,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012617","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716343133044655.jpg","filename":"main-qimg-88013826ab0c555f3680b2cfa089eab2-lq.jpg"},"posted":1716343133},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6012653,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012317","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716344280899940.jpg","filename":"The Ride is Starting.jpg"},"posted":1716344280},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6012661,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012636
>>6012617","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716344784458437.jpg","filename":"E-z6a5_WYAQEy3j.jpg"},"posted":1716344784},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6012669,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012636
Rowling commented on this, but I genuinely have no interest in starting a /pol/ debate. You can always look up the interview.","attachment":null,"posted":1716345169},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6012684,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012653
Oh, yes. It most certainly is...","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716346061069061.jpg","filename":"F_Fx1TjaMAAM6NE.jpg"},"posted":1716346061},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6012769,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012317
BRIGHT LORD HALLASTER! BRIGHT LORD HALLASTER! BRIGHT LORD HALLASTER!!!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716350759947117.jpg","filename":"IMG_2663.jpg"},"posted":1716350759},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6012895,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012769
>>6012317","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716360850478517.gif","filename":"file.gif"},"posted":1716360850},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6012977,"name":"HeadQM","msg":"Rolled 30 (1d100)
Do not mind the dice rolling behind the screen","attachment":null,"posted":1716372411},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6012979,"name":"HeadQM","msg":"Rolled 17, 17 = 34 (2d100)
>>6012977
Forgot the other 2 dice","attachment":null,"posted":1716372473},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6013001,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012977
>>6012979
Every single one of these people rolled bad. I bet one of them is Salazar","attachment":null,"posted":1716373999},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6013075,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012977
>>6012979
I will in fact mind it. But holy crap, double 17s?
>>6013001
I... really hope it is not our comrades and/or Arty. We have 4... so maybe it is just the 3 closest people to the fate knot bomb, regardless of if it is our dudes or Salazar's? Sally should be the closest person behind us since he was going to shoot us in the back and rush the door if we tried something, so yeah, hopefully he is one of the ones who got fucked.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716379029345716.gif","filename":"1444715515571.gif"},"posted":1716379029},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6013079,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"I will also remind people the last 2 times QM said to not mind his rolls, it was for who got fucked by an Ancient magic corrupted gobbo and if it was Taylor or Raven who died from Salazar AK'ing them.
Thank you for making me worry when I have a meeting with the medical board in a few hours.
Really fucking cool, bro. It's a joke, this is shaking out to be one of my favorite part of the quest, aside from wholesome Christmas stuff.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716379769446298.png","filename":"1520140615676.png"},"posted":1716379769},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6013098,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6013079
That was a 1d2 coinflip. This is one 1d100 and 2 d100s separate from the first one. Clearly first is for one person hopefully Salazar, and the other 2 are for allies or unknowns. Or maybe the 2d100 is for Scorpius and Salazar in their struggle, and both failed equally badly in winning over each other","attachment":null,"posted":1716380745},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6013146,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6013098
Sally vs. Scorpius would be good, a nice little bonus to blowing up the fate knot. Scorpy didn't seem like a terrible person from what we know. He seems to be fighting back after he realized he done fucked up by having Salazar tell him what to, and I would really not like one of the richest, most powerful families in magical Britain on our ass because Scorpius died down here with us. Blame Elliot. Assuming we don't all die down here, in the bowels of the Earth.
If we get some chance to help him fight back, might be a decent idea to do it.
I kinda regret not just coming clean with the dude when he still had mostly all of the control, trying to help keep Salazar at bay earlier. Probably would have been hard, maybe backfired hard but being piloted while you are still in there is like nightmare fuel.","attachment":null,"posted":1716385057},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6013156,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012977
>>6012979
Low is good, right, right? Unless it's to do with the Founders, which means they're probably in a spot of trouble.","attachment":null,"posted":1716386447},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6013192,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6013156
Oh crap.
Had not considered that... Like our roll would have counted for our mind person in this case and the other 3 are for the others?
Or, since QM said he meant to roll 3d100... fuck is it for Helga and how fucked she is from staring at the sun? IDK.
Guess we will see? I would be sad if it is bad for us after getting a good roll for us, for once.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716388790611356.jpg","filename":"FsMkuCSWwAMWygs.jpg"},"posted":1716388790},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6013335,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012977
>>6012979
really now, THATS how you gonna make me start my morning? aight, bet","attachment":null,"posted":1716400954},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6013362,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6013146
But what does it mean if both Scorpius and Salazar rolled equal 17s? Did they both mutually eat shit?","attachment":null,"posted":1716403835},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6013379,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6013362
if thats what that means, then we eating good, both eating shit can only be a good thing for us","attachment":null,"posted":1716405059},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6013422,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6013362
Cross counter, double knock out?
Or maybe DBZ fusion dance because of how unlikely matching dice are on a d100? But due to the shit roll, the resulting Scorpyzar isn't more powerful, just vastly more retarded.
Picrel","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716407953453774.jpg","filename":"Scorpyzar.jpg"},"posted":1716407953},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6014407,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">page 10
update soon? we gotta, right? so far every thread has ended up in what i would call a small resolution or a cliff hanger, i wonder whats HeadQM cooking this time...","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716489890039139.png","filename":"scary.png"},"posted":1716489890},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6014409,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014407
Avalon end will be the end of this "Act" but not the end of this thread it seems","attachment":null,"posted":1716490017},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6014552,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014409
Really hope we end up with Disappearing Hogwarts: Book 2 and do our 7th year, after act 3 or 4.
If we end up dying and not nuking the world or something when we go, I would also accept Arty Quest, her doing her 6th year and trying to find a way to bring Elliot back. Or fuck, Raven Quest even, her trying to bring back her two best friends. Or just moving past it, learn to live with the lose I suppose, IDK.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716498588632069.jpg","filename":"luna4.jpg"},"posted":1716498588},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6014586,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014552
reviving the dead is theoretically possible with the knowledge of how Merlin's body-transfer process works, just the issues of how to actually get a dead person's soul, getting a body for it, and getting more elixir","attachment":null,"posted":1716501395},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6014600,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014552
>spoiler
lets hope it wont come to that, but if it does then im 100% supporting","attachment":null,"posted":1716502816},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6014667,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014586
Atlanteans weren't the only Ancient civilization... maybe.
Brighton currently has "Lemurian" parasites in his throat. Atlantis and Lemuria were said to be opposing factions. If one is real, why not believe the other is as well? Plus we have Ker Ys, Thule, Agarth, Hyperborea, ect. If spoiler happens... who is to say they didn't find a means?
An Arty quest where she has to learn to just accept Elliot is gone while dealing with her own BS magic adventure shit, life, and school would be pretty kino.","attachment":null,"posted":1716507064},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6014679,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>6014407
Update is coming in a bit. I planned to finish Act 3 with this thread, then take an extended break, but life got in the way of things moving faster. This weekend I'll be getting heavily drunk, so there will be no update.
Page 10 lasts a while, and I'll try to post more regularly after sunday without rushing and hopefully we'll get to the end before the thread dies. If not, we'll just have a thread with a handful of posts. Not ideal, but it will do.","attachment":null,"posted":1716507462},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6014680,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014667
I'm going to lose my shit if we ever find proof of Yakub's existence in this quest","attachment":null,"posted":1716507573},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6014684,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014679
>extended break
just out of curiosity, any idea on how long this extended break will be? i dont mean to push or rush, just asking to mentally prepare for the draught
hell, i might even start my own quest...maybe","attachment":null,"posted":1716507753},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6014700,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014684
>draught
drought, god dammit","attachment":null,"posted":1716508777},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6014842,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014680
If we find out the progenitor of wizard kind was a big head nigger I will laugh my ass off for a good 10 minutes.
>>6014679
>Extended break
Ahhhhhhhhh
>>6014684
If you run something, I would check it out. Might sooth the pain of this being gone for a while.
No capcha, it is not WAY 0K","attachment":null,"posted":1716520066},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6014875,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">king thread is up
its our time boys, remember to vote for our boy!","attachment":null,"posted":1716521535},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6014932,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>6014684
Probably a month or two, unfortunately. I’m moving places and will probably have my hands full for a while.
>>6014875
Cool! Don't forget to reserve an IP! >>6014808
--
There is no time to speak, there is barely time to think as your thoughts form “Protego!” and uncountable droplets of blood splatter against the magical shield. You hear other people shouting the spell, followed by cries of pain from those who cast it too late, or at the wrong angle, followed by loud splashing and brief sounds of drowned screaming. You scream too as it hits your feet, the protego only covering above your knees.
And you see. Flashes. Images. Possibilities. A garden. Grass. Blue light. You walking through a door bathed in red light in a hundred slightly different ways. Then the visions fade, and agonizing reality sets in once more.
“Ahhh! Glacius! Glacius!” You frantically cast the cooling spell at your legs, but it is already too late. The blood soaked your robes, transforming it into a scalding rag that sears your legs. The potionmaker part of you briefly remarks that blood should have completely boiled away at such temperatures, but it is quickly overridden by the part that is forcing yourself to not grit your teeth so you can properly enunciate your spells. “Glacius!”
Once your legs are no longer actively burning, only severely burned, it takes you just an instant to remember your friends. You stand up to go to them, your legs screaming at you, and limp in their direction.
“What the hell was that, Hallaster!?” Salazar shouts, furious. His face is clear of the liquid, but his torso looks soaked and his eyes look even more bloodshot than before.
“I don’t know! Some security system, like the rest of all this nonsense!”
He grabs you by the collar of your robes and pulls you close, practically hissing at you. “Do not fuck with me, little Elliot! What the hell did you do?”
“I don’t bloody know! You think I planned on burning my bloody legs and my friends? Half of the crap in this place tried to kill me, Salazar! Don’t throw a hissyfit when it tries to kill you too! Now let me check on my friends!”
You push past him, sparing a glance at the two bodies floating on the still bubbling pool not too far from where Linda lies, covered in blood and painful blisters, still untreated as the masked men are focusing on healing themselves. A little further away, Brighton, who managed to jump backwards into the tunnel quickly enough to escape unharmed. To the right is Apollo, back completely soaked in steaming blood, gritting his teeth as he struggles to move from where he’d jumped on top of Arty, who seems completely unharmed.
“Glacius! Glacius!” You shout, cooling Linda and Apollo down, the boy collapsing on the floor, gasping in pain and relief. “Accio pouch!”
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1716524557},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6014935,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>6014932
Your pouch comes flying out of the pool and you let it fall on the floor before cooling it and shoving your hand inside. You pull out a Wiggenweld potion, but it immediately flies off your hands.
“I’ll be having that, thank you very much,” Salazar says, uncorking it and downing it.
You reach inside for another one, only to be tackled to the floor by an utterly deranged Mr. Purple, covered from head to toe in blisters and wounds, who wrenches the potion from your hands before frantically drinking it like a man dying of thirst. Some of the wounds close, but not all of it, and you know it isn’t because of the quality of your brew. This will take more than mere potions to heal, but he doesn’t care. He tosses the bottle away before reaching into your pouch for another one.
“Careful, Mr. Purple. I suspect he has more than just Wiggenweld in there,” Salazar says, pointing Scorpius’ wand at you. “Pass it around once you’re done. He was the one who caused this ruckus, only fair he pays for it. Also, Mr. Silver, wand on the girl, please.”
“Corr and…” Mr. Silver starts, then corrects himself. “Mr. Green and Mr. Brown are fucking dead.”
“This little bitch kicked them in! I saw it!” Mr. Purple says, furious. He grabs Linda by the neck and lifts her up, slamming her scalded body against the wall, and even through her gag you can hear her scream.
“Let her go!” You shout, pointing your wand at him.
“Why? This little bitch killed my friends! I think she should join them!”
YOu point the wand in the other direction. “Salazar! Get your man under control before I kill everyone in this room!”
“Really?” Salazar asks with an amused tone. “And how would you do that, I wonder?”
“He means it,” says a voice coming from one of the masks. That is enough to make everyone stop what they’re doing and look at the man. “I saw it.”
“What do you mean, Mr. Gray?”
“We’re in a room with only one exit,” Mr. Gray says, sounding haunted. “He doesn’t mean to kill us, not really. Only hurt us. He fires a bombarda at the corridor. He thinks he can protect himself and his friends if he protegos himself quickly enough. He’s wrong. The walls can’t give in. The air has nowhere to go. We’re either crushed by the pressure or fall into the lake. We die before we’re finished screaming.”
That… that couldn’t be right, could it? You thought- you figured if you protected yourself- You hadn’t really meant that threat… Or had you? Was there a future where that happened and you succeeded in saving your friends?
“I- I saw it too.” Mr. Blue says. “Or… Or is this the time he pulled an exploding potion off his pouch when we weren’t looking?”
“What are you two talking about?” Salazar hisses.
“The flashes. When the blood hit.” Mr. Red says. “It- It was the future! Didn’t you see it?”
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1716524618},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6014936,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>6014935
You see Salazar calculating for a moment. Could he have not been able to see it because he wasn’t that body’s soul? Had Scorpius seen it instead? “I saw… nothing that made much sense. I guess I didn’t get as wet as everyone here. Very well, then. If fate says it must be so. Mr. Purple, please put her down. She will answer for her crimes once we get out of here.”
Mr. Purple snarls, then throws Linda on the floor.
“Has everyone gotten a potion?” Salazar asks, and there are nods from all the masked figures. “Good, then let us move.”
“My friends haven’t. I’m not moving until they get something.”
“Your wand first, then.”
“Not a bloody chance,” you say, still pointing towards the stairwell, though now that you know the results of your actions your hand is shaking. “I can bombarda faster than any of you can hit me, I promise you that. They get their potions, we can talk wands.”
Salazar frowns, analyzing the situation.
“Fine. Give them a couple of potions. And make sure not to stay within kicking distance of the pool, for Merlin’s sake!”
“Last of your stock,” Mr. Blue says, tossing you two final Wiggenwelds. You briefly remove Linda’s gag before pouring it in, and relief washes over her pained eyes.
“You good?”
“Could be better. Your legs got hit.”
“I’ll live. It won’t heal you fully, I think there was something in the blood that doesn’t let the wounds close properly, but it’ll ease the pain for now.”
“Thanks for the warning.”
You kiss her forehead before going to Apollo. You’re careful to not turn him on his back as you feed him the potion.
“You’ll be alright, big guy.”
“Don’t… don’t kill us.”
“I won’t. Thanks for protecting Arty.”
“Always will.”
You look at Arty and try to give her a reassuring look, and she returns with a look as if asking "what do we do now?" but you don't have an answer. Once your friends are healed, the masked crew gags them again.
“Now, little Elliot. Your wand, before I need to resort to more physical coercion.”
You look around. Two of them are gone, that still leaves six against one, yet they are closer to the pool. If you can just knock them into it, maybe with Helga’s help…
“Helga, do you still have enough for one burst of power?”
“I… I can’t, Elliot.”
“Come on, just one last push and-”
“I can’t! I… I can’t…” And there is grief in her voice as she speaks. “I can’t see. I can’t see, Elliot.”
You feel something cold sink in your stomach.
“You- You mean-”
“It’s dark. It’s all dark. I… I can’t see the forest. I can’t see my hands.”
“Oh Helga, I’m… I’m sorry. I didn’t… I didn’t mean to-”
“I told you, Elliot! I told you it was dangerous!” Her voice flares up with anger, then dies down, becoming mixed with pain and sadness. It hurts you, too. “I… No. I was the one who went with it. I should have told you no. I should… I should have chosen differently.”
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1716524679},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6014939,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>6014936
“I’m sorry, Helga. I’m so sorry. I- I’ll-”
“Your wand, Elliot!” Salazar shouts, breaking you away from your thoughts. He and his goons now all have their wands pointed at you. “Now!”
“I- uh-” You stammer for a moment, trying to find the words, but none come and you simply allow your wand to be taken. What had you done? What did you do to the one person who sacrificed everything to help you?
You stumble forward in a haze, as if trying to find a way to fix things, a way to make things go back to the way they were, but there is none. You are pushed forwards inexorably by the march of time, who does not stop to let you grieve the blindness you had caused your friend.
“There is your cane, little Elliot. Now, onwards.”
You take the cane from where it stands hanging in the air, approach the final door and tap it.
The door opens slowly, and sunlight floods the room. Beyond, you see blue skies, green grass, flowers. The air is sweet, and decorating the small island are great stones made of glass-like material which refracts the sunlight into ever-present rainbows. The grass ends in sand, which gives way to a perfect blue sea, stretching into infinity. The sun is bright, but not overly hot. The wind blows just right for it to refresh you, and for a moment the simple beauty of the place takes your breath away.
You know it isn’t real. You know it is impossible to create an extended space this large. You know somewhere the sea ends and the illusion begins. Yet it is enough to soothe some of your weary soul, if only for a moment.
In the middle of the room, several meters away, there is a great slab of black marble-like stone. Lying on top of it, as if resting, lies the perfectly preserved body of King Arthur Pendragon, the Once and Future King, in full armor and wearing a golden crown, holding his sword over his chest. By his head rises a pillar of gold, maybe waist high, with a basin resting atop it from where a liquid of pure white drips onto his forehead, ever so slowly.
The center of Merlin’s Great Work.
The source of the Elixir of Life.
Avalon.
-- Interlude --
There is a knock on the metal door, and Crouch smiles within the darkness of his cell.
“Yes, little birdie?”
“I’ll do it. But you have to give me something worth it.”
“I knew you’d make the right choice, little birdie. Now, here’s something interesting for you to think about…”
And Bartemius Crouch Junior starts talking, to his own amusement and to Nienna’s horror.
-- Interlude Over --
Everyone slowly pours into the island in awe. Well, almost everyone.
“There should be another body in here,” Salazar says, frowning as he steps past you. “Well, no matter. This will do.”
“Not so fast.”
Salazar turns to face Mr. Purple, who has his wand pointed at him.
“What are you doing?”
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1716524741},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6014940,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>6014939
“Me? Oh, I don’t know. Maybe pointing my wand at one of the four Founders. Maybe pointing it at a rich brat who got himself into far too much trouble. Because, you know, I also got covered in blood, not that you cared. Felt it in my skin as it burned almost my whole body. And I also saw some things. Some futures. And wouldn’t you know it? In some of them you do get to use the pretty little liquid in that bowl! But let me tell you, what comes out of it doesn’t look like a Malfoy, not one bit.”
Mr. Red backs away until his back is against the solid frame of the door, breath ragged.
“So here I’m thinking that maybe you didn’t tell us the truth about this whole thing, that maybe the boy isn’t lying all that much,” Mr. Purple continues. “And that maybe I’m just not getting paid quite enough to lose a leg, my good looks, two of my friends and probably my job. Here I’m thinking that maybe in one of those futures that I didn’t see, maybe I’m the one getting a brand new body out of this deal.”
Mr. Red falls to the floor unnoticed by the others, dropping his wand to the floor, grasping his face with his hand. His voice comes out slow, strained, almost pained.
“I… I had a niece? Wha- How? How could I forget…”
“You fool, you have no idea how to use this thing!” Salazar shouts.
“Yeah, but the boy does. And he doesn’t have a wand.” Mr. Purple’s wand never wavers from Scorpius. “So here I am thinking… Why should me and my mates risk letting you do what you want… When we can just do what we want?”
Scorpius’ face becomes cold.
“Gentleman. You may follow this fool. Or you may kill him and those who agree with him, and whoever does so gets an extra hundred thousand galleons.”
It takes only an instant for the spells to start flying in all directions.
And as you look around, trying to decide what to do and where to jump for cover, an odd chill runs down your spine.
“Elliot,” Helga says, voice filled with fear. “It’s the Beast. It’s coming! My defenses can hold it for a while, but without seeing anything I can’t stop it!”
What do you do?
> Tackle Mr. Blue and attempt to recover your wand and pouch
> Rush to untie your friends
> Dive for Mr. Red’s wand
> Hide, try to focus on your mind and help Helga
> Other (Write in)","attachment":null,"posted":1716524802},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6014959,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"We CANNOT let anybody in the party die
We CANNOT let Salazar win
Even if the party is untied, they have no wands
Percy remembers Lily existing now, but he doesn't know Lily was Salazar all along
I don't know if we can fix Helga's blindness in time, but everybody here needs Elliot alive to use the Elixir. If he's out of commission due to the Beast, they're all doomed anyway
>>6014940
> Tackle Mr. Blue and attempt to recover your wand and pouch
If Elliot dies, it's game over
If anybody of Elliot's dies, we can ruin the Elixir forever by simply tipping it over or something
If the Elixir is ruined, Elliot has no more leverage over the masked guys
Without any more reason to be in Avalon, the masked men kill everybody including Elliot and the Beast is freed, game over
We go for Mr. Blue, pull a "You saw futures! You KNOW! Help me out and we'll live!" or similar, and hope he backs us up.","attachment":null,"posted":1716526003},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6014962,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Helga got fucked up
ooooOOOOOOOH CMON THE FUCK ON!!!
could we NOT get progressively worse each time?!
>Other (Write in)
ok, they KNOW we aint fucking around and they need us if they ever want to get the fuck out of this place, lets fight with them to take down Salazar, he is our biggest inmmediate threat
we NEED the goons in our side, we have to convince Mr. Blue to protect us while we build our team back up, just enough to give them their wands and untie them, after that, its All Vs Salazar, he HAS to go down NOW","attachment":null,"posted":1716526194},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6014968,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>6014959
The golden basin appears to be affixed to the floor, so not easily tipped. You also get the feeling that they didn't all see the same things, some saw more, some less, some saw different paths altogether.","attachment":null,"posted":1716526428},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6014977,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014962
We CANNOT kill Salazar. If he dies he goes to another body again.","attachment":null,"posted":1716527068},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6014983,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014977
we dont have to KILL him, just fuck him up until he is crippled and unable to move ¯\\_(ツ)_/¯
probably cast a groupal petrificous totalus so he has no chance to even scratch his ass","attachment":null,"posted":1716527554},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6014984,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"hell, i say use diffindo to chop-off his arms and legs, cauterize the wounds so nothing can grow back with incendio and the punch him in the throat so he cant speak at all
brutal but non-lethal damage
im sick of that piece of shit, anything just to have him trapped in a the magical equivalent of pic related","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716527861961987.png","filename":"resizer.png"},"posted":1716527861},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6014996,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014984
anon are you okay","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716528736639687.png","filename":"hamster.png"},"posted":1716528736},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6015018,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014996
no, i am most DEFINITELY not ok, i want Salazar to be fucking gone, all of the bullshit we´ve gone through because of him is starting to feel like the torture parts of fanfic anon´s works
also, what did we get from Helga looking into destiny? did she get Stevie Wonder´d for nothing?","attachment":null,"posted":1716530578},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6015021,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014940
> Rush to untie your friends
Friends first. :( I'm so sorry, Helga.","attachment":null,"posted":1716530772},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6015069,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015018
Aww that is sweet. Never thought about taking a character's eyes out, eye's which can't be healed because they are a mind ghost. Might have some new inspiration, heh.
> Hide, try to focus on your mind and help Helga
>Weasly fucking fight! Fight for something good and right. For that girl who never was.I am going to need help here!
>>6014936
>you kiss her forehead before going to Apollo
That is sweet, given we do love her a friend; likewise Arty getting shielded by her brother was great even if it harmed him in a place he had been hurt before.
>>6014940
>Weasly fight back! Don't just lay there! Get them untied!
>Helga you and I are connected right? Take one of my eyes. Use it!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716536886175687.png","filename":"1714181474868943.png"},"posted":1716536886},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6015084,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015069
god, they did her nicely in this art.
legs for days, thats that good shit","attachment":null,"posted":1716538106},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6015126,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015084
Olympus QM draws like that. You should see their other art; some of it for Queen of /qst/ is like 80% leg
>>6014983
Can't be too much or then Draco hates us. Scorpius is still in there
>Salazar shouts, furious. His face is clear of the liquid, but his torso looks soaked and his eyes look even more bloodshot than before.
>>6015018
>all of the bullshit we´ve gone through because of him is starting to feel like the torture parts of fanfic anon´s works
I agree
>did she get Stevie Wonder´d for nothing?
She barely even saw anything with how hard the plot and muh destiny is cucking her. She couldn't even see anything normally before this. QM really said "no future sight" all quest to the character with future sight, and now he's punishing her and the players for the blood pool vote. Might as well sacrifice her seer powers entirely to get her regular sight back. The most useless and unused power ever. I've kept thinking how Helga is nothing more than Beast denial and a powerful buff in battle and some nice lines, and nothing else. She really got dealt a raw hand
>>6015069
Yelling at Weasley to help might ne interesting","attachment":null,"posted":1716546774},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6015282,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015084
I noticed when I saw at it again that it kinda looked like she is trying to stand on her tip toes to look taller, which is cute and has heels on the shoes to boot. But yeah, my head cannon now is that while being tiny/petite, Arty does have a nice set of legs.That Elliot is even more of a leg/ass man than I already thought of him as.
>>6015126
>She really got dealt a raw hand
Since this is taking a break for a while soon, I might write something about her getting a scarred "raw" hand in a slightly different timeline and in a good place, in a better way. Manually. Also, something else raw, rapidly and hard. She was intended to be one of the love interests after all... might as well give her some love, heh.
I tried to start on some Arty BDSM fic shit and guess fucking what? It turned in to Apollo and Elliot bonding interactions, Riley coming over to Helen and Kendrick's house during the summer and both of them being awkward for different reason during the set-up. We Apollo fic-ing now boys. Wholesome interactions, Elliot showing his future brother-in-law how to fight like a Muggle some, Apollo and Elliot kicking the shit out of a group of urban scholars who tried to give them and Riley crap at the shopping arcade, and maybe Apollo's soul getting sucked out at the end.
Rowena/Raven is still cooking, but I do not know how to write one girl giving another a futa cock to fuck her with, so it is going slowly.","attachment":null,"posted":1716559685},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6015498,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014940
>> Rush to untie your friends
need to get them now while the others are all distracted from the chaos, we need any help we can get and we can deal with the Weasley's mental crisis after","attachment":null,"posted":1716575874},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6015517,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015126
>some of it for Queen of /qst/ is like 80% leg
ooh i´ve seen them, they are all great, us legs fans are eating good there
>>6015126
>Helga is nothing more than Beast denial and a powerful buff in battle and some nice lines, and nothing else. She really got dealt a raw hand
i mean...yeah, the most useful she has been so far is as dice rolls bonuses
>Yelling at Weasley to help might be interesting
i was thinking about this, once we deal with Salazar we then have to deal with Mr. Blue, making Weasly side with us is probably our best next move
>>6015282
>my head cannon now is that while being tiny/petite, Arty does have a nice set of legs.That Elliot is even more of a leg/ass man than I already thought of him as.
my man, that was my headcanon all along, thats why i´ve been trying to make her legs as nicely as possible in all the fanart i´ve done, but now that i know this is a more shared view of her, i miiiight make her just a bit thiccer, just a bit...
>new "raw" fanfic idea
you have my interest...
>spoiler
you now have ALL of my attention! cant wait to read both of those
>Rowena x Raven
try going for the hentai route, women are curious but naturally good at sucking dick, its just the receiving end of the deal that is getting the "new" experience, also, no fucking way Raven doesnt know how to suck dick, she has at the very least seen a few dozen hours of porn at some point","attachment":null,"posted":1716577661},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6015522,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015517
>Linda's head game
Taylor RIP told us she can hold her breath for a really long time, and she had a tongue split, so...","attachment":null,"posted":1716577896},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6015539,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015069B
>>6014940
> Hide, try to focus on your mind and help Helga
Gonna modify it a bit.
>Weasley! Get the fuck up from the floor and help me to keep Salazar from ending the world! Unless you WANT to join Lily that badly! Ask Salazar what he did to that kind girl with green eyes before she got erased if you need more motivation. Get our allies untied and a wand for me!
We really need to help Helga. We have a possible/probable ally in Mr. Red so we need to be Slytherin and use him. One because while sowing discord with the prophecy shit and gaining a possible ally, we did fuck Helga up in doing so, and she is all that is standing between us and everything ending. Two, it is also the right thing to do if we hurt her with that choice.
Red has a wand even if it is at his feet, we don't have jack and his brother, shit, and we probably aren't getting 4 people untied in a fire fight, though I do suspect Brighton has his already undone his and is just keeping up appearances to wait for a good moment, given everyone here lost sight of him for a moment when he dove out the door before the blood rain.
We need as many allies as we can get and right now we only have one possible person who can maybe help our friends. We could try, and do their bonds ourselves, either faction of the people fighting need us to tell them how to use the Elixir but that doesn't mean someone cant just stun us to keep Elliot around till after they get done quarreling. Torture us or our friends till we break.
Name-dropping Lily II to the Weasley and mentioning a feature only someone would know from having met her will probably bring him to our side.","attachment":null,"posted":1716578909},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6015562,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015539
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1716579706},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6015720,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015539
If this does win, or regardless I suppose... we are going to really put to point that under no fucking circumstances can Weasley ever mention Lily to Harry or Ginny. Assuming he even makes it out, might even have to obliviate him, messily I suppose since we aren't that good with said spell. He might get a pass just because he is an associate of Harry's but shit, he is still probably getting truth serum'd by the ministry given he was involved in this plot.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716592144115050.jpg","filename":"1451435685007.jpg"},"posted":1716592144},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6015724,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015720
we could try making an agreement to say nothing about his involvement in exchange for him not saying anything about Lily, not sure how well that would work though","attachment":null,"posted":1716592470},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6015726,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015720
we can tell him that specific piece of information is the ENTIRE reason we are going through all this shit, technically not a lie, that bit of information is one of the few things that will cause the end of the world, maybe not by our hand, but Harry´s","attachment":null,"posted":1716592494},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6015756,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015522
>Head game
kek
Though I had planned for it to be the other way around... I was going to mention her tongue in some way, because it is pretty hot.
>>6015517
>thicc Arty
Arty will always be a waif in my mind, have a thigh gap, but... well she has canonically been eating like twice as much as she had before due to training with Crouch. Some nice thighs along with girl abs is a pretty nice picture in my mind.Thigh job in a fic? Who knows.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716595860406646.png","filename":"arty pertinger final wbg.png"},"posted":1716595860},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6015774,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"I would like to say something before the thread dies on this page 10. If or when Elliot ever says out loud that the Sorting Hat wanted to put him in Hufflepuff first, if Arty admits in response that the Sorting Hat wanted to put her in Slytherin first, I vote for Elliot to drop everything he's doing and start aggressively making out with her immediately. Yes, even if they are in a hostage situation with wands pointed at both of them. Yes, even if they are in public.","attachment":null,"posted":1716597250},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6015786,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015774
-1","attachment":null,"posted":1716598055},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6015797,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015774
-2","attachment":null,"posted":1716599009},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6015804,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015756
>Thigh job in a fi-
YES! DO IT!","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716599602702800.jpg","filename":"FsZ6x72WcAAVI1G.jpg_large.jpg"},"posted":1716599602},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6015806,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015774
+10
dont care about if it fits their personalities or not, thats just hot","attachment":null,"posted":1716599691},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6015808,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015786
>>6015797
Aw come on guys
>>6015806
I agree","attachment":null,"posted":1716599768},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6015891,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"almost forgot, im wanted to ask this before the thread dies
what are we going to do while HeadQM is away? do we make a couple of threads while he is away? do we just hibernate while checking the catalog?","attachment":null,"posted":1716605075},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6015951,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014940
>“Elliot,” Helga says, voice filled with fear. “It’s the Beast. It’s coming! My defenses can hold it for a while, but without seeing anything I can’t stop it!”
Oh. Here comes Merlin.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716609195644907.jpg","filename":"Ahahaha.jpg"},"posted":1716609195},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6015952,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015891
I'd check it out if someone wrote a non-canon side-story quest. Maybe fanfic anon.","attachment":null,"posted":1716609263},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6016598,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015891
>>6015952
I might post the shit I am working on in QTG or something. Commission something as a nice surprise for the next thread, perhaps.
I am not sure if I would be comfortable running something unless I had explicit permission from QM, and it would probably be something silly and dumb like Linda/Raven slice of life even if he signed off on it.
>>6015804
1 page down, and we are already getting to it, since the only set-up is Elliot and Arty chilling in the bed and her not wanting to go all the way that night but wanting to do something.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716661282201184.png","filename":"1693993890003762.png"},"posted":1716661282},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6016612,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6016598
absolutely BASED beyond belief","attachment":null,"posted":1716662049},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6018069,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">2nd to last thread in the catalog
death soon, both in thread and in-quest","attachment":null,"posted":1716775805},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6018070,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6018069
>new ip
shit, now i gotta check in the king and queen threads again...","attachment":null,"posted":1716775866},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6018189,"name":"HeadQM","msg":">>6018069
Well, crap, I'm finally alive again after sleeping for a total of 16 hours today. Getting utterly shitfaced gets more consequences every year that passes.
Anyway, here's the link to the archive. Don't forget to vote even though I'm an dumbass who forgot to change the number when putting the title. I'll create a new thread tomorrow, even if it will probably only be a handful of updates until we reach the end. I'll ping on QTG and twitter once it is up.
https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Disappearing%20Hogwarts","attachment":null,"posted":1716784771},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6018190,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6018189
You can ask Lord Licorice on Discord or via email to fix the archive, if need be.
Thanks for running!","attachment":null,"posted":1716784879},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6018193,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6018189
>16 hour sleep
damn, those are always good
thanks for everything HeadQM, we´ll most likely keep that new thread alive between me (drawfag) and fanficfag, maybe you can call it thread 6.1, since it wont have many updates","attachment":null,"posted":1716785114},{"board":"qst","thread":5977239,"pid":6018420,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014940
>Try and talk to Mr Red, get him to snap out of it and help.
One last vote for the road.","attachment":null,"posted":1716811044}]}
+{"title":"Antegrian Occupation Quest #2","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5977488,"name":"Ivan","msg":"By the authority vested in you through the Law On the Administration of Special Military Districts under the Ministry of Defense, you, Lieutenant Colonel Gennady Nasirovich Liptsov, are the sole and final established authority on civil and military matters within Gordon District. All decisions there are ultimately yours to make.
Since arriving in Gordon, you have made it your main priority to establish contact with the security forces stationed in the region. You now command the 7th Glorian Internal Ministry Company, encamped at a local high school, and are searching for radio equipment that would enable you to contact the 216th Independent Motorized Rifle Battalion, stationed somewhere in the distant countryside north of Vadim-Tepe.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713095587603385.png","filename":"Occupation Quest Title Image.png"},"posted":1713095587},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5977489,"name":"Ivan","msg":">>5977488
Apologies for letting the quest fall off the board. For those joining us and anyone who wants to check on what has happened so far, the quest is archived here: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2024/5940975/
I am counting the votes from the last thread on this decision, so please continue your discussions here as if there was no interruption.
You have just finished a basic search of the District Administration Building, which housed the occupational government of Republia in this region, but did not find anything resembling radio equipment.
The question before you to what to do now. Do you stay and continue searching this building or do you continue on and search the police station?
>There is no radio equipment here, move onto searching the police station, where you will hopefully have better luck
>There is no radio equipment here, but that does not mean nothing here is valuable. Take something you want and then move on to the police station [Select items to take with you]
>Radio equipment or not, this building represents the headquarters of the hostile occupational government. It is surely full of valuable information and supplies. You should spend more time here [Select what room or area to search]
>WRITE IN","attachment":null,"posted":1713095643},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5977510,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977489
>>There is no radio equipment here, move onto searching the police station, where you will hopefully have better luck
We need to get into contact with the 216th, that's more important than looting shit.","attachment":null,"posted":1713099249},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5977645,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977489
>Radio equipment or not, this building represents the headquarters of the hostile occupational government. It is surely full of valuable information and supplies. You should spend more time here [Energy office.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713112575},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5977757,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Same guy, reposting from last thread: the energy office could narrow down the base' location if we fail to find a radio. Additionally, the basement is worth investigating with its locked door behind a computer room, and its furnace that is still warm despite current intel suggesting it can't have been maintained for a period anywhere from a week to a month and a half.","attachment":null,"posted":1713123268},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5978073,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977489
>>There is no radio equipment here, move onto searching the police station, where you will hopefully have better luck
When we rendezvous with the Captain we should split one of his platoons between the courthouse and the admin building.
I'm assuming the police force has disintegrated as well, we'll have to remedy that soon.","attachment":null,"posted":1713151345},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5978253,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978073
Yeah, Cpt. Hasanaliev informed us the police left with the occupiers.","attachment":null,"posted":1713168347},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5978465,"name":"Ivan","msg":">>5978073
>>5977645
>>5977510
Counting the votes from last thread, I have this tabulation:
Move onto the police station: 3
Take something from here and move on: 0
Spend more time searching this building: 2
I think this is right, I did not quite know how to count >>5977757 your vote in the last thread.
I will write us as moving on to the police station, but -- since people are interested -- we will check the furnace first because this is quick and easy to do
Expect an update late tonight","attachment":null,"posted":1713200791},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5978818,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978465
Neat, thanks Ivan, looking forward to the update.","attachment":null,"posted":1713236584},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5978915,"name":"Ivan","msg":">>5978465
Sorry, update will actually be tomorrow. I still have work to do tonight and tomorrow morning. My apologies.","attachment":null,"posted":1713248152},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5978922,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978465
Even though I didn't vote to double check anything I love your weighted voting, gives me a vibe of the players being something like voices/trains of thought, very satisfying.","attachment":null,"posted":1713248765},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5979213,"name":"Ivan","msg":"Your search has been far from fruitless – there are many things here which caught your eye, Gennady, and you will return for them later – but you also have not found any radio equipment. If radio equipment was here, you would expect it to be in a central room or the office of a senior official, but there is nothing of the sort to be found. Before you continue your search over at the police station, however, there is one small matter you’d like to address before leaving.
Thudding down four flights of stairs in army boots produces a racket that reverberates through the empty building then cleanly cuts off when you set foot on the painted basement floor. You make your way to the large black furnace and rest a hand on its painted surface – yes, still warm to the touch, just above the temperature of the room.
From your village childhood, you know that old iron furnaces – like this one – can hold onto residual heat for long periods of time. The larger, the better they retain heat. With one this size, designed to heat a whole building, you don’t know how long it could remain warm after use – a few days at least, maybe more. But for it to be as warm as it is, there must have quite a fire going and quite recently, which does not accord with the dry hot weather that has persisted all March across northern Republia. You lift the oversized lever locking the furnace door in place, tug open the door, and peer within. As soon as you begin, ash pours out onto the floor. The furnace is stuffed to the brim. Either it has not been cleaned in a long time or a large amount of material was burned all at once fairly recently.
Hot air from the furnace interior wafts out into the basement room, carrying with it small flecks of ash. Distinctly absent from that air are the expected smells of smokey wood or acrid and cloying coal. This all must be paper ash, then. Curious: not that someone would burn files in advance of an invading army, of course, but it raises the question of where the files came from, as your brief tour of the building testified to masses and heaps of papers and records remaining unburnt.
You stare into the remains of the great mass of paper before again closing the furnace door, locking the remaining heat inside, and continuing back up the stairs to the ground floor, where Matsukov waits.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713295985205997.jpg","filename":"1-19.jpg"},"posted":1713295985},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5979214,"name":"Ivan","msg":">>5979213
You look at Matsukov as you surmount the stairs: “Nothing. Let’s go.”
He nods imperceptibly and opens the door for you to make your way back into the square. You make straight for the awaiting jeep, pulling open the back door and leaving it ajar for Matsukov to join you. The driver starts the vehicle. When Matsukov gets in, you begin issuing new instructions to the driver, plumbing your memory for the location of the police building and directing him, slowly, north along the main thoroughfare which has the high school as its southern terminus. You see the police station again and call out for the driver to stop. He pulls up on the edge of the road in front of the stout two-story concrete building.
There are not many windows on the building’s ground floor and those that do exist are protected by metal bars; windows are more plentiful on the second floor, although the bars are still present. To the north of the building, there is an asphalt drive leading off the road and into the alley between the police precinct and the furniture wholesale store to its north. A red-and-white painted metal bar on a concrete stand sits a few feet into the asphalt drive, blocking access, although it could be easily lifted up. There is a single metal door at the front of the building, next to a sign reading “POLICE” in all capital letters and, below it, “Gordon City Subdistrict Precinct”. Below that is another separate sign: “Police District of Gordon”.
You warily check the visible windows. The place looks abandoned, but it is best to exercise caution when entering one of the nests of the occupation regime’s forces; you didn’t make it to ripe middle age by being incautious. Matsukov stands back towards the street, keeping his own watchful eye on the police station and surrounding buildings. You try the door. It is locked. You try it a second time just to be sure. It is still locked. Bitch door. Fuck.
After your breeze through the courthouse and the district administration building, this is an unexpected – although perhaps not too unexpected – impediment to your search. Faced with your first tangible foe since being pulled from the front, how will you react, Gennady? What will you do?
>There has to be another way in. Or, there doesn’t have to be, that’s wrong, but there may be and right now you just don’t know. Work smart, not hard, and see if there is an easier way to gain access to the building than through a locked door
>You will show this Republian door the same fate you have meted out to scores of Republian men. Draw your service weapon, Gennady, or better yet borrow Borya’s, and vanquish this door
>WRITE IN","attachment":null,"posted":1713296046},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5979284,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979214
>WRITE IN
Get one of the men to breach the door. It's almost certainly trapped.
Then have a squad run around the building to set off any other traps. A noble sacrifice.","attachment":null,"posted":1713301064},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5979291,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979214
>>There has to be another way in. Or, there doesn’t have to be, that’s wrong, but there may be and right now you just don’t know. Work smart, not hard, and see if there is an easier way to gain access to the building than through a locked door
There's bound to be a roof access or at the very least ventilation.","attachment":null,"posted":1713302202},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5979498,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979214
First: Look for an antenna. Absence doesn't fully prove anything, but it informs how desperate we are to actually get in right this moment.
Plan A: If the building's designers did something silly like make the door open outwards, tap the exposed hinge pins out and use a rope to pull the door out of frame from a distance. Fire exits are especially guilty of this, if one exists. Simple and effective countermeasures exist, but who would install them on the least likely criminal target in the city in normal times?
Plan B: Scout the exterior fully. Some enterprising criminal may have already staged a break-in of their own.
Plan C: Rooftop access. If the furniture store is tall enough, it presents an alternate route if necessary.
Plan D: If an antenna has been spotted, consider coming back with more people and the means to break in through a window.","attachment":null,"posted":1713324849},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5979654,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979498
Support.","attachment":null,"posted":1713337863},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5979822,"name":"Ivan","msg":">>5979498
>>5979284
>>5979291
These are all very fun. Thank you for enjoying the quest! This is exactly the kind of creativity and open thinking I was hoping players would bring when I made this quest.
Update up shortly","attachment":null,"posted":1713372100},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5979950,"name":"Ivan","msg":"First, before you put in the effort to gain access to this building, you should try to ascertain if there appears to be any kind of radio equipment inside. While most radio equipment is just mobile equipment, lying in a room somewhere with no visible sign of its presence, a fixed installation will have an antenna. So, you will start by looking for an antenna.
There clearly isn’t one in the front of the building. You walk north to the asphalt strip leading into an alley. You can see the road continues along the side of the building, stopping at the gate of a chain link fence laced with barbed wire at its top. You see no sign of any antenna on this side of the building; there are also no windows. Crossing in front of the main door, you walk to the other side of the building and peer down the narrow gap between the police building and the building to its south – which appears to be residential. Peering through the half-meter gap, you see two first-story windows without bars set into this wall and, running beside one of the windows and up to the roof, is the thin line of a simple radio antenna.
Terrific, you have confirmed the presence of radio equipment inside the building – whether it will be the correct kind is yet to be confirmed, but this still a better sign than anything else so far. Now that you know it’s worth expending the effort, you set about finding a way into the building. The windows on this side are without bars, but the gap between the buildings is pretty narrow which would make the approach both difficult and uncomfortable. You aren’t under enemy fire right now, Gennedy, you can take your time and examine all possible points of entry before making a decision at your leisure.
To complete your survey of the building, you cross back again to the north side of the police precinct and walk down the asphalt road past the barrier pole and up to the fence gate. From what you can see, the chain link fence encases an empty asphalt-paved lot abutting the back of the police building. The gate has wheels attached to the bottom and is meant to slide open. You give the gate an exploratory yank and it slides open a hair. There is no track set into the ground for the wheels and going against the open ground is rough, but with enough force you manage to haul open the gate and gain access to the back lot. The concrete wall of the building is slightly stained, especially towards shin-level, and there is only one window in this wall, at the far end of the lot; like those in front, this one has bars. Slightly more than midway to the window, the wall falls away and there is a path towards not one, but two backdoors to the police station. Exiting out onto the path and straight into the paved lot is a metal door, with another on the left-hand side of the path.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713383271296952.jpg","filename":"1-20.jpg"},"posted":1713383271},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5979951,"name":"Ivan","msg":">>5979950
You try the main forward-facing door. It is locked, just like the one out front. You try the side door. To your surprise, the handle easily turns. This feels too easy; it feels like a trap, like someone wanted you to find this door. You take a slow deep breath as your adrenaline spikes and your heart rate ramps up, like it has a thousand times for the thousand times you have felt danger well up in your gut. Keeping one hand tightly gripped on the door handle, you use the other to draw your service pistol. It’s not much. Fuck. If you had thought this search operation would even potentially involve clearing a building, you would have brought more men than just Corporal Matsukov and the driver, whatever his name is. Still better to use what resources you do have. “Matsukov!” You call out in a loud voice, higher than normal from the effort of projecting across the building. You hear the jostle and thud of an equipped serviceman running and see Matsukov run past your location before spotting you and doubling back. He sees your hand on the door and weapon drawn and cocks his automatic rifle.
“Room has an open door, it could be an ambush, trying to draw us in. Go around front and collect the driver, then return here.”
Matsukov affirms your order and rushes back around the building. There is no sound from inside the room nor any movement on the handle. You continue to grip it tight, holding your body slight away from the door. Matsukov returns with the driver, who has brought his own service rifle. The tag on his uniform reads “Meliev N.”.
“I will release the handle on this door and open the door. At that time, enter the room as quickly as possible.” You are mainly addressing your speech to the driver, whose face is blanched white, “Fire on anything that moves. Matsukov will enter the room first, I will follow, then Meliev. Matsukov, take up the left position, I will take right.”
You stare into the frightened eyes of the soldier opposite you. You wait, unmoving. Eventually, he nods, then again more vigorously and places his finger inside the trigger guard of the rifle. You take in a deep breath, then… in a motion practiced and executed times without count, the door is open, Matsukov is in, you are in, you are in the corner of a dingy and windowless concrete room. There is no one here beside Matsukov and, after a second pause, Meliev. The air is heavy with the fumes of motor oil and gasoline.
“Room clear. Stand down.” Meliev’s exhalation is the loudest and you can see the twenty-something man tremble from the adrenaline.","attachment":null,"posted":1713383331},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5979953,"name":"Ivan","msg":">>5979951
The empty room appears to be a storage unit for maintenance supplies, particularly those for police vehicles. There are no other doors in the room, which explains why they didn’t lock it. Which means you are still left grappling with the question: how do you get in?
>You have inspected all the ground-level entrances to the building, but you would be remiss if you ignored the roof. Let us hope that, like many before them, these police have ignored the roof
>The gap between the residential building and the police station is narrow, but the unbarred windows are too tempting to pass up. Breaking and entering through here seems the easiest way to gain access to the building, providing you can fit
>Before finding a way into the main part of the building, you should spend time in the one part of the precinct to which you have access: the maintenance room. Search this room first and then worry about the rest
>The best way into the building is still going to be through one of the doors. You like the prospects of the back door more: notably, it opens out, meaning its pins are exposed. If you can figure out how to pry them out, you can just rip the door out. Or you can shoot it, either way
>This experience with the door to the maintenance room has soured you to the idea of unknown doors. At least you *know* the front door leads into the building. You should go back to the front and shoot it until it opens
>WRITE IN","attachment":null,"posted":1713383392},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5979965,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979953
>The best way into the building is still going to be through one of the doors. You like the prospects of the back door more: notably, it opens out, meaning its pins are exposed. If you can figure out how to pry them out, you can just rip the door out. Or you can shoot it, either way","attachment":null,"posted":1713385294},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5980000,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979953
>>WRITE IN
They are not going to leave somewhere important un-protected - but they seemingly have. This leads me to conclude it's trapped - I mean, why wouldn't it be? A site of interest that enemies will poke around is the best place to trap.
So we need backup - people with actual weapons, explosives clearing devices, etc. Or, at least, someone with a really long stick to poke the tripwires with.
Meliev, get a stick. A good one, long and sturdy. One you'd be proud to wield.","attachment":null,"posted":1713388986},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5980019,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979953
>>5979965
Changing to
>>5980000
The quads of truth and let's be honest it's a good write in.","attachment":null,"posted":1713390288},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5980154,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980070
It seems to be the only building in the town so far with a radio, so that makes it high priority, defencability, utility, and whatever is left inside notwithstanding.
Support >>5980000 but also I want to search the maintenance room for any tools (hammers, wire/boltcutters, broom, ladder. etc.) that might be helpful to enter and clear the building. Back door first.","attachment":null,"posted":1713399842},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5980484,"name":"Ivan","msg":">>5980000
>>5980019
>>5980154
Okay, I will write that we are going back for reinforcements to properly clear the building. Before that we will search the maintenance room because we are already here","attachment":null,"posted":1713450283},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5980749,"name":"Ivan","msg":"It is empty, Gennady, but there is also nothing important in this room, just spare parts and motor oil. The police precinct is clearly an important location - not just to you, with its promising radio antenna, but to its Republian inhabitants too - and it is unlikely that it is left unprotected. You don't know that for certain, but police are dangerous and there is no need to risk anyone's life by being incautious. For now, you should treat the police precinct as potentially occupied or dangerous and treat it accordingly. That means it needs to be cleared and you will be damned before you conduct any clearing operation that does not meet and exceed the standards of professional excellence. You will return here later with a properly equipped force of an appropriate size to conduct an operation of this type.
In the meantime, you holster your pistol and look around the one room you have cleared. It is what you would expect from a windowless maintenance room. The air is exceedingly acrid because the fumes have nowhere to go. There is a fluorescent light in the ceiling but, like everywhere, the power appears to be out. Two metal cabinets sit against the back wall, there is a vacuum cleaner and a mop next to one of them. On the left-hand side is long metal bench with sliding drawers. The right-hand side of the room is a random assortment of industrial fluids - you can distinctly smell gasoline and motor oil, but the diversity of containers suggests more substances than that - as well as a pile of rags in a woven basket and some oil-stained pieces of cut wood.
You pull open the doors to the metal cabinets. Both have a number of shelves filled with spare car parts, all in a rough organization. There are more cans of automotive fluid resting on the bottom of the cabinets. You can clearly make out air filters, lights, tubing, and a fuel pump, as well as less recognizable components from some part of an engine. Moving on to the bench, you pull open each drawer at its own time, beginning with the top one. It contains an assortment of basic tools: wrenches, pliers, wirecutters, and, to your surprise, a set of keys on a large hoop keychain. Turning away from the desk, you decide to try them out, somewhere safe. Meliev, who has been milling in roughly the same spot as when he entered the room, steps aside to let you near the door. You try the first key, which doesn't fit; and the second, same thing; and the third, which goes in but won't turn; and the fourth, which twists easily in the lock. You turn it back, the door unlocks again.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713470535821340.jpg","filename":"1-21.jpg"},"posted":1713470535},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5980753,"name":"Ivan","msg":">>5980749
You smile to yourself and a self-delighted chuckle nearly escapes your lips. Whoever secured this place clearly forgot about the janitor or maintenance worker or whoever he is. You haven't seen any other doors on the property besides this one and the two locked ones so you feel fairly confident that these are the keys to the building. But just because you have access doesn't mean you *should* access the building right now. The dangers of explosive traps and ambush haven't gone away just because you found some forgotten keys. This just make the whole thing easier, however; a smile once again creeps across your tight, thin lips.
Stepping back out into the fresh clean air outside the room, you glance at your watch. The face reads 19 minutes past 5 o'clock - 1719 hours - meaning you have over an hour before your scheduled rendezvous with Captain Hasanaliev and Krasvyov. You could go back now, grab the men you need from the 7th, and return to the police station before that time. But Hasanaliev may have a report about finding radio equipment which would make you recalculate the costs and benefits of an immediate operation to clear this building.
>The police precinct is important not only because of the radio equipment and it has to be cleared sometime; why not now? Return to the high school, collect a sufficient force from the 7th, and return to clear the police building
>You have already decided, Gennady, that your top priority is locating RF transmission equipment, not clearing strategic buildings. You have an order of events *because* it makes sense: finding the radio equipment will facilitate contact with the 216th, which will give you the soldiers needed to effectively occupy all strategic locations in the district. Accordingly, you should wait until the meeting with Hasanaliev before taking any action here [Prompts vote on how to use the remaining time]
>WRITE IN","attachment":null,"posted":1713470596},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5980767,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"We should just bust in. I'm sure nothing will happen.","attachment":null,"posted":1713471443},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5980819,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980753
>>WRITE IN
Just open the door and check it out. Maybe tie a rope or something to a stick to pull the door open from a distance.","attachment":null,"posted":1713475817},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5980919,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980753
Ah, negligence. Friend of all misbehavers. Wonder what the police did with any jailbirds when they fled.
Tempting to just get started, given how likely it is that the place is abandoned. But we need manpower to handle potential trap accidents.
>Come back with more people from the 7th. Leave a message that Hasanaliev is to find you at the police building if he returns before you.","attachment":null,"posted":1713482911},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5980957,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980919
+1, we still need to get power setup & we should be able to send someone to follow the power lines simply enough, I doubt the town has buried fiber. Dispatch anyone from the 7th with electrical knowledge in fireteams with vehicles to follow powerlines converging at a central point or leading out of town. Have them report their positions & any pertinent finds.","attachment":null,"posted":1713487964},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5981102,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980919
Support.
We are still on uncertain ground until we have established control over the situation, so time is precious.","attachment":null,"posted":1713501798},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5981282,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980957
The idea so far is get a generator from somewhere. The week-or-more-long outage doesn't seem to promise an easy fix to the grid. We do need to know eventually and we've got idle manpower, just saying we have a more direct answer for the task at hand.","attachment":null,"posted":1713518535},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5981654,"name":"woofhound","msg":">>5980753
>>The police precinct is important not only because of the radio equipment and it has to be cleared sometime; why not now? Return to the high school, collect a sufficient force from the 7th, and return to clear the police building
If we end up with multiple radios, that's better. Two is one, one is none.
Also, securing a site like this is good for other reasons - it legitimizes us, gives us a strong building to operate out of if needed, might have useful intel or otherwise inside... Clearing it is a low-cost operation that's a no-brainer when the alternative is to waste time.
>>5980919
+1 to this as well.","attachment":null,"posted":1713567199},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5982130,"name":"Ivan","msg":"Okay, so far the vote is:
>Bust on in: 2
Come back with more soldiers: 4
On the suggestion of this anon >>5980957
there will also be a later vote about instructing some of the 7th to follow the power lines to help determine the source of the power outage.
>>5981282
To address this, I will summarize what Gennady Lipstov knows about the power situation. The power is currently out for the city, determined on the basis of power being out everywhere he has been so far. He does not know what the issue is. Electricity in Gordon City and between it and Elmsford is carried by above-ground-wires, which Gennady would have seen driving south on the road. Based on his own experience in Antegria – where power outages are also frequent – there are likely to be a number of diesel/gasoline generators in the area.","attachment":null,"posted":1713616747},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5982152,"name":"Ivan","msg":"With the keys falling into your lap, you are sorely tempted to just unlock the door and enter the police building, but you have to stop yourself. Easy entry has not negated the dangers inherent in an uncleared and unsecured building that saboteurs and wreckers would have every incentive to rig into a trap. You will take the time you have to assemble a proper team, take and secure the building, and only then search it for the radio equipment you know to be inside. This plan also has the additional advantage of familiarizing you with the units under your command; you will get to see just how the 7th operates in the field.
Pocketing the key ring, you wave at the other two men: “Come on, we’re going back to 7th Company HQ.” Matsukov nods wordlessly, but Meliev looks perplexed and stares at you, finally saying: “Sir, aren’t those the keys to…” His question trails off as he meets your uncompromising gaze. He looks down and away and takes up a position at the tail of your little group heading back to the jeep parked out front.
When you are all fitting back into the vehicle, Meliev starts up the engine and turns back towards you: “Just a moment sir, I’m going to radio ahead so they expect us at the school.” He then picks up the dangling radio mouthpiece and, after experimentally tapping the breaker button several times, speaks out: “SGCMVD-1217 transmitting. Request copy. Over.”
You hear the buzz of the radio and vaguely hear a string of numbers read out in response. Meliev picks up the mouthpiece again: “1217 swim upriver. Over” Hmmm… you don’t recognize the code – which makes sense that the Internal Ministry would use a different one than the Army – but it is reassuring that they are speaking in code, and transmitting quickly too. You hear another short response from the imbedded radio speaker and then Meliev returns the handset to its nook.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713619314642260.jpg","filename":"1-22.jpg"},"posted":1713619314},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5982154,"name":"Ivan","msg":">>5982152
A thought carrying a new possibility floats into your mind Gennady, do you even have to drive back to the high school? Couldn’t you just use the short-distance radio here to call for assistance?
>Yes, good idea Gennady. Very good idea, to use the radio to assist in your search for the radio. In fact, you should really be taking advantage of radio communications more fully [Gennady will use radio comms as a default when available; you will have to specifically WRITE IN to not use the radio]
>No, you shouldn’t. In fact, you should avoid the radio unless you have to use it. Yes, it may be convenient, but radio traffic can be intercepted. Face-to-face is much safer and you should instill that habit in your men [Gennady avoid radio comms as a default; you will have to specifically WRITE IN to use the radio]
>Yes, you should do just that. You can request the men from here and also inform Hasanaliev of the update via the radio in his vehicle – assuming he is in a vehicle [Does not set default stance on radio usage]
>No, you should still go to the high school in person. Radio comms have their place, but this is your first time working with the 7th and you should be there in person to see them assemble, check their equipage, and lead the platoons to the station [Does not set default stance on radio usage]
>WRITE IN","attachment":null,"posted":1713619375},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5982235,"name":"woofhound","msg":">>5982154
>>No, you shouldn’t. In fact, you should avoid the radio unless you have to use it. Yes, it may be convenient, but radio traffic can be intercepted. Face-to-face is much safer and you should instill that habit in your men [Gennady avoid radio comms as a default; you will have to specifically WRITE IN to use the radio]
An abundance of caution hurt nobody - but a lack has killed many.","attachment":null,"posted":1713626885},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5982240,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982154
>>No, you shouldn’t. In fact, you should avoid the radio unless you have to use it. Yes, it may be convenient, but radio traffic can be intercepted. Face-to-face is much safer and you should instill that habit in your men [Gennady avoid radio comms as a default; you will have to specifically WRITE IN to use the radio]","attachment":null,"posted":1713627033},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5982896,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982154
>No, you should still go to the high school in person. Radio comms have their place, but this is your first time working with the 7th and you should be there in person to see them assemble, check their equipage, and lead the platoons to the station [Does not set default stance on radio usage]
I feel radio comms are important, hence our search, but the fact we need to search and commit so much just to get the system working is indicative of its unreliability.","attachment":null,"posted":1713679556},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5983776,"name":"Ivan","msg":">>5982235
>>5982240
>>5982896
Okay, we will not be using radio comms. In case you do want to break this rule and use them, you can still WRITE IT that suggestion and it will go up to a vote
I am writing the update and it should be done tomorrow evening. I will post in the general thread when it is ready","attachment":null,"posted":1713748720},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5984519,"name":"Ivan","msg":">>5983776
Scratch that, I got more work than expected. I will post in the general thread when there is another update","attachment":null,"posted":1713840029},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5985546,"name":"Ivan","msg":"You think about using the radio and even incline your body slightly forward as if to reach up front and towards it, but think better of yourself. You know nothing about the operational environment here. The brief warned about the continued presence of wreckers and saboteurs - is there any reason those wrecker-saboteurs couldn't have been supplied with radio listening equipment from the stores of the Republian army? At the present stage, there really is no way to tell. Besides, you have yet to fully assemble the military forces available to you. If you are going to shine like a beacon on the RF band, you must be fully prepared first. It would not do to broadcast your positions and activity at this early and immature stage in pacification operations. So, for now at least, you will remain radio silent unless the situation specifically calls for a radio.
Instead of intervening and requesting the radio, you do nothing. You lean back into your seat and let Meliev pull away into the street and take you slowly down the main road until you arrive back at the high school. There are many more people on the streets now than there were when you first arrived in the city. A least a dozen other cars pass you on the street and you can assume a similar number were behind or in front of your own vehicle. Pedestrians were also more active and, compared to earlier in the day, you see many more men and many more children. You hadn't realized it before, but most of the people you saw on your earlier walk were women, sometimes with a child or three in tow; now there are swarms of children being corralled by parents and grandparents along the sides of the road. In a chain reaction, that realization sparks another: you have seen no young men or women in the town yet. You peer more intently out of the window, but the children you see seem to age out at around their mid-teens and then there is a demographic gap until the parents in their early 30s. The likely cause is conscription, Republia has gathered all of its youth into the army and they pulled back from their homes when the army pulled back from this front. Trouble brews at the edge of this thought - such widespread conscription must tie people to the Republian cause; out the window, every middle-aged pedestrian now has sons or daughters that can only return with a Republian reinvasion. The brief was right to warn about potential spies and wreckers, you can imagine they would be rife in a social environment like this.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713929827866939.jpg","filename":"1-23.jpg"},"posted":1713929827},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5985548,"name":"Ivan","msg":">>5985546
The jeep parks in front of the school and you disembark from the door facing the school, Matsukov first. This time the sentry salutes you and holds it until you dismiss him - this is a welcome change in discipline. Your obvious next action is to find Shcherbin, now acting C.O., and have him assemble the soldiers for the clearing operation at the police station. You want to use two platoons for this operation: one to clear the building and one in reserve and to secure the surrounding area. Assuming the Internal Ministry's company are organized like the Army's, they are then there should be three to choose from: two rifle platoons and one machine gun platoon, the difference being that the eponymous platoon carries belt-fed machine guns.
The real difference between the squads is not, however, their equipment, but the caliber of men leading them. This all-important variable is not known to you; you have never met any of the platoon leaders, at least not to your knowledge. Accordingly, this choice about deployment is really more about who you wish to see in action, which unit would you like to gain a working understanding of?
Choose ONE OR TWO platoons from the list below
>Rifle Platoon "A" - Lieutenant Nikolai Masherallah
>Rifle Platoon "B" - Lieutenant Abel Bakriev
>Machine Gun Platoon "V" - Lieutenant Artyom Rashidov
While you are conducting the clearing operation, you can choose to send some members of the 7th Company on a separate mission to follow the power lines and determine the source and/or cause of the power outage. Do you want to do this?
>Yes, we can have the unit conduct multiple operations simultaneously, especially since the search operation should draw little manpower or resources
>No, you would like at least one platoon to remain behind at HQ and you would prefer if that platoon were at full strength. Not to mention that sending an isolated group south of the city - where you yourself have not yet gone Gennady - puts them at risk of ambush
>WRITE IN","attachment":null,"posted":1713929922},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5985704,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985548
>Machine Gun Platoon "V" - Lieutenant Artyom Rashidov
>Yes, we can have the unit conduct multiple operations simultaneously, especially since the search operation should draw little manpower or resources","attachment":null,"posted":1713943291},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5986626,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985548
>>Rifle Platoon "B" - Lieutenant Abel Bakriev
>>Machine Gun Platoon "V" - Lieutenant Artyom Rashidov
>>Yes, we can have the unit conduct multiple operations simultaneously, especially since the search operation should draw little manpower or resources
I say that we only take B platoon with us to the police station. I would assume that V platoon is made up of more seasoned men, considering they have the most firepower in the company, we should send them to investigate the power situation.","attachment":null,"posted":1714061905},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5986719,"name":"woofhound","msg":">>5986626
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1714074494},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5986839,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985704
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1714086473},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5986850,"name":"Ivan","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d2)
>>5985704
>>5986626
>>5986719
>>5986839
Okay, this is a tie and I have already had this up for a while so I will "flip a coin" to determine what Gennady does.
Everyone seems agreed on only bringing one platoon to the police station and sending another south to look for the source of the power failure. Here is what will happen with the roll:
On roll of 1: Gennady will take Platoon "V" with him and send Platoon "B" south
On roll of 2: Gennady will take Platoon "B" with him and send Platoon "V" south","attachment":null,"posted":1714087258},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5986887,"name":"Ivan","msg":">>5986850
Pushing through the doors into the school, you make a steady line down the unlit hallway towards where you remember the principal's office is located. Around halfway down the hallway, however, you are met by Senior Lieutenant Shcherbin, who is approaching from the opposite direction. Seeing you, he stops and salutes. The Senior Lieutenant breaks into conversation as soon as you are within distance: "Lieutenant Colonel, we were informed of your return. Captain Hasanaliev has not come back yet, but I will assist you in whatever way I can, sir." He looks at you, expectantly; he is breathing heavily, as if he just exerted himself.
No need to keep him waiting on his orders: "We are conducting a clearing operation at a former site of the occupation regime, Lieutenant. Prepare the company's machine gun platoon to conduct an urban clearing operation and have the platoon's commander report to me to receive a briefing on the operation."
Shcherbin lightly taps a waiting private on the chest and audibly whispers: "Alert V Company and bring Lieutenant Rashidov here for the colonel."
You wait for the private to go scurrying along the hallway and then continue: "In additional, prepare one of the rifle platoons. I would like them to drive south and attempt to find the source of the power outage affecting the city."
"A whole platoon, sir? Isn't that the sort of thing that can be done by one or two bitches in a jeep?" Your face freezes in the middle of starting the next sentence.
"No", drifts into the front of your mind, "this cannot be done by 'one or two bitches in a jeep'". It could, if the Internal troops were assisting with a forest fire outside of St. Marmero, but not in unknown and, therefore, potentially hostile territory. Sending one or two men is asking to have them returned home in body bags. There is a reason here to send men out in force, a reason clearly escaping the company's lieutenant.
The short and wide man in front of you instantly senses his mistake - or what he perceives to be a mistake - "So sorry, sir. You know best. I am deeply sorry for speaking out of turn.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714091834349778.png","filename":"1-24.png"},"posted":1714091834},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5986889,"name":"Ivan","msg":">>5986887
He looks up at you, a shred of apprehension leaking into his hitherto docile expression and small bored-looking eyes. He is wondering where he stands with you, Gennady? Clearly, he is used to speaking to his CO in a particular way and unsure how you will react. In short, he doesn't know if you are going to take this Gennady? Well, Genya, are you?
>The hell you are!! Authority flows in only one direction in the military: up to down. The idea of a subordinate talking back goes against the core ethos of military organization. You do not tolerate insubordination or 'advice' from inferior officers and that includes Senior Lieutenant Shcherbin
>You know what, you will 'take this'. Shcherbin may be wrong in this case, but a good commander takes advice and information from all quarters. You have seen senior officers who sit in their headquarters tents and issue orders without regard for the on-the-ground situation - you have even had the misfortune to serve under some of them - and it always ends in a lot more dead boys. This commander is not you, Gennady, you listen and that is what makes you effective.
>WRITE IN
This is a character-decision and determines the course of some of Gennady Lipstov's future interactions. In particular, this vote will make him more or less willing to tolerate unsolicited advice from his officers, which it turn will impact their willingness to speak their minds freely and to act without your prior approval. It will determine the model of military organization you are running. I will try to have another post up tomorrow so that the clearing operation does not last an extremely long time","attachment":null,"posted":1714091922},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5986912,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986889
>>You know what, you will 'take this'. Shcherbin may be wrong in this case, but a good commander takes advice and information from all quarters. You have seen senior officers who sit in their headquarters tents and issue orders without regard for the on-the-ground situation - you have even had the misfortune to serve under some of them - and it always ends in a lot more dead boys. This commander is not you, Gennady, you listen and that is what makes you effective","attachment":null,"posted":1714095591},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5986996,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986889
He's not exactly defiant, just still thinking like an IM. Needs a readjustment, and his focus should be the mission, not avoiding our displeasure.
Impress on him how alone we are. Messages can cross the old border no faster than mail, the populace has only ever known the old regime, and an entire army battalion is unaccounted for. We are all we have until proven otherwise, and we will act accordingly.
He is not in Antegria, and we are not Internal Ministry. He's free to say two bitches are enough again, but he'll do it with some tact.","attachment":null,"posted":1714104421},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5987029,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986889
>You know what, you will 'take this'. Shcherbin may be wrong in this case, but a good commander takes advice and information from all quarters. You have seen senior officers who sit in their headquarters tents and issue orders without regard for the on-the-ground situation - you have even had the misfortune to serve under some of them - and it always ends in a lot more dead boys. This commander is not you, Gennady, you listen and that is what makes you effective","attachment":null,"posted":1714109798},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5987438,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986889
>>You know what, you will 'take this'. Shcherbin may be wrong in this case, but a good commander takes advice and information from all quarters. You have seen senior officers who sit in their headquarters tents and issue orders without regard for the on-the-ground situation - you have even had the misfortune to serve under some of them - and it always ends in a lot more dead boys. This commander is not you, Gennady, you listen and that is what makes you effective.","attachment":null,"posted":1714168081},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5988172,"name":"Ivan","msg":">>5986912
>>5986996
>>5987029
>>5987438
Okay, I am closing this question and starting to write.
I know that I said I would make this quick, but then I write and I realize that there are more decisions to make that I feel you the players should have an input on. So there will soon be another question! On the plus side, that means updates are shorter and should come out maybe once a day","attachment":null,"posted":1714236923},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5988457,"name":"Ivan","msg":">>5988172
Meeting the anxious gaze from the Senior Lieutenant’s small sharp eyes, you wave your hand in a gesture that dismisses all offense. “I always appreciate insights from my staff, Senior Lieutenant Shcherbin.” The tension dissipates. “The search platoon will be moving into unknown territory to the south and therefore exposed to unknown threats, accordingly any reconnaissance missions should be reconnaissance in force.”
Shcherbin bows his large head in agreement, “Yes sir, of course sir. I will have Platoon B readied to conduct the operation. Do you wish to speak to that platoon’s commander as well?” You think, yes, it would be good to know more of the staff; you communicate as such to Shcherbin, who promises to have both platoon B and V commanders meet you at the assembly area for the operation in front of the school.
“Anything else sir?” asks the senior lieutenant.
You press your lips firmly over your teeth to prevent any hint of a smile from showing, “Yes, Shcherbin, there is one more thing that comes to mind: these soldiers are not ‘bitches’, they are brave young men defending the Antegrian Patrimony. I expect you to avoid comments like that in the future, is that clear?”
The anxious look returns to Shcherbin’s face. He nods his affirmation. “Yes sir, perfectly clear, sir.” You both stand together in the hallway for a moment. Taking the initiative, you make it clear that, with that comment, the meeting is over. The Senior Lieutenant salutes again, then turns and briskly waddles back down the hallway, presumably towards the principal’s office.
For your own part, you walk back out to the front of the school, now the designated assembly area for the two operations you wish to run. You are not kept waiting long, within 10 minutes a man in his early thirties with a badly receding hairline is approaching your one-car convoy. He salutes and presents himself as Lieutenant Abel Bakriev, commander of Platoon B, 7th Glorian Internal Ministry Company.
Placing the man at ease, you outline the plan for the operation: “The objective is to locate, if possible, the power supply for the city and identify any possible damage or sabotage causing disruptions to that power supply.” You see the lieutenant nodding along. “Your platoon will proceed in force south down the main road.” It is helpful that, being without the aid of a map, you can simply point to the road right next to you. “You see the electrical line there?” You point to the wire running between two poles next to the road. Bakriev looks: “Follow that south, sir?”
“Yes, exactly, follow the line south and record any damage to it.” From your experience with Shcherbin’s comments and with Meliev, it is manifestly clear that this unit has not operated in a combat environment before; they are much too complacent about threats in a contested operational zone.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714252051877650.jpg","filename":"1-25.jpg"},"posted":1714252051},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5988458,"name":"Ivan","msg":">>5988457
“Lieutenant Bakriev, I would like to remind you that the area you are entering should be considered hostile territory. I want you to keep your men close together, avoid having them separated by too great a distance, and when possible maintain radio silence.”
You judged right about the unit’s lack of combat experience. To an army soldier, this is standard operating procedure and doctrine, but Bakriev has received the orders like a death sentence; you can see the clamminess of his skin and hear a nervous tremble in his breathing. Underneath this coat of fear, however, you detect a resolve in his response and its tone: “Yes sir, I will do everything I can to protect my men and bring them home safely, sir.” His greenness aside, a commendable attitude for a military officer: “Good, see that you do Lieutenant Bakriev.”
“And sir,” The man’s nervousness is forcing itself into his speech again, “if we should encounter enemy fire, what…umm…dis-disposition..” He is clearly trying to come up with an appropriate military term, something that sounds better than ‘what do I do?’. You finish the thought for him with the direct language most suited to the military: “Are you asking what you are meant to do, Lieutenant?”
A fair question, Gennady. The Internal Ministry obviously has its own way of doing things and that way of doing things obviously doesn’t include teaching combat doctrine to its soldiers. Abel is now entering a different world and, sensing this, asking an appropriate and reasonable question. So, what *is* he meant to do?
>He is expected to stand his ground and fight! You don’t know how things are done in the Internal Ministry but in the Army you meet fire with fire. B Platoon is expected to live up to the standards of the Republic – Antegria ever victorious!
>He should retreat if he encounters armed resistance. This is a reconnaissance mission, not a combat offensive. You aren’t about to send a single unsupported and untested platoon into combat alone nor recreate that scenario by other means. If there is armed resistance to the south, you will create a new plan to deal with it.
>Leave it up to his own judgment. The best person to make decisions on-the-ground is the person on the ground, not some far-off superior. You won’t be there, Bakriev will, so Bakriev should make the decision.
>WRITE IN","attachment":null,"posted":1714252112},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5988820,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988458
On one hand, they're all we have, and proper aggression is not trained in a day. On the other, I'll be shocked if they find themselves outnumbered or outgunned. Panic and confusion are the real likely killers, so:
>To the extent of his training, swat the fly, flee the rabid dog. Above all else, he is to speak as firmly to his men as he did about their lives to you.","attachment":null,"posted":1714271019},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5988875,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988820
+1
Specifically personal discretion regarding engagements and cohesion, keep them safe, but they are still armed soldiers.","attachment":null,"posted":1714273676},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5989923,"name":"Ivan","msg":"For the most part, this isn’t really your decision to make. You have no knowledge about the area south of the town beyond that the highway you came on continues south towards the city of Lesrenadi – and that the front is somewhere north of that city. You don’t know what Abel will encounter on his reconnaissance in force and, without that precious on-the-ground knowledge, you can’t tell him the best decision. However, seeing how he has not seen combat before, you can give him a least a little general advice.
“The purpose of this operation, Lieutenant, is to conduct a reconnaissance of the territory south of Gordon City and determine the cause of the ongoing power outage. This operation is conducted in force precisely to prevent limited armed resistance from impeding successful completion of the mission; your men should be able to defend themselves and complete the assigned task. This is not, however, a combat mission and you have permission to retreat if you feel enemy resistance is too strong or unit cohesion is disintegrating.”
“And sir,” A confused and apprehensive expression remains on the lieutenant’s face, “if I make this judgment, do I radio for permission? Can Captain Hasanaliev grant permission?”
Ah, so it is this kind of unit. Not the first you have been it, so you see where he is coming from. It is surprising it took you this long to notice, Gennady, he is scared of being punished. Shifting blame is a crucial part of any military operation and Lieutenant Bakriev is fearful of having it weigh solely upon him. He doesn’t realize it yet, Genya, not like you do, how alone you are out here – the chain of command, at least for now, stops with you. So long as you do not find fault with the man, he will not be punished.
“Lieutenant, you have my full permission to retreat if you feel the situation requires that action. You do not need to radio for permission beforehand. I entrust the decision entirely to you, and” You attempt to allay his fear of post-combat retribution, “I will take personal responsibility for having given you that power. Does that make sense, lieutenant?”
“Yes sir.” The tension in the lieutenant’s face has been replaced by a faint shock, you can’t imagine that he has heard many commanders promise to take responsibility before. With that question answered, you dismiss Abel Bakriev, who jogs back to the high school to finish assembling his platoon.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714380351699117.jpg","filename":"1-26.jpg"},"posted":1714380351},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5989924,"name":"Ivan","msg":">>5989923
Another five or ten minutes pass. Still no sign of Lieutenant Artyom Rashidov, the V Company commander. You hear the sound of diesel engines roaring to life somewhere behind the school. You turn your head to follow the sound as it heads south and see the truck emerge from behind the school and make its way along a dirt track south of the school to turn onto the road. However, instead of turning left and continuing south, as per your orders to B Platoon, to truck turns right and pulls over beside the school entrance. It comes to a juttering stop but does not switch the engine off.
The passenger-side door is pushed open and a dark-haired man with strong, sharp facial features steps down and salutes you: “Lieutenant Artyom Rashidov, sir! V Platoon is prepared to start the operation, sir!”
Hmmm… You had wanted Lieutenant Rashidov to come to you first so that, knowing the mission, he could equip the platoon appropriately. Now that they are here and assembled, however, there is no time to save by doing so; better just check that they have everything they need for an urban clearing operation.
“Lieutenant, I expected you to meet with me before the platoon was prepared.” You glance towards the idling truck containing V Platoon, “Are they prepared and equipped to conduct an urban clearing operation?”
The lieutenant nods and apologies for being late, “Sorry sir, we had to perform an equipment check and I need to personally be in attendance for that. I can assure you that the unit is equipped for an urban operation, sir.”
“Good. Are you familiar with the operational plan?”
“We are clearing the city police station, sir.”
“Yes, exactly. The main objective of the operation is securing the radio equipment inside the building, which appears to be on south side of the ground floor. Secondary objective is clearing the rest of the building to prepare it for future search and occupation.”
“Understood sir.”","attachment":null,"posted":1714380412},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5989926,"name":"Ivan","msg":">>5989924
You remove the key ring from your pocket and begin to offer it to the lieutenant, along with an explanation of its significance, when you stop, keyring still in your hand. You know, Gennady, you don’t actually need to give him the keyring. You’ll be there with him at the police station. Really, you don’t *need* Lieutenant Rashidov here at all. You could lead the operation yourself. The keys rest heavy in your hand. Like an ancient totem of authority, they will go to the operation’s commander: who will that be?
>Gennady Lipstov. You are going along, so you should conduct the operation. You probably have more experience than the entire platoon combined and besides, you are a man of action: how could you be so close to the fray and just sit it out?
>Artyom Rashidov. One of the major fringe benefits of this operation is meant to be seeing one of your units in action, something which will give you insight into its capabilities and leadership. Replacing the leadership means losing an opportunity to observe.
>WRITE IN","attachment":null,"posted":1714380535},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5990067,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989926
>Gennady Lipstov. You are going along, so you should conduct the operation. You probably have more experience than the entire platoon combined and besides, you are a man of action: how could you be so close to the fray and just sit it out?
Like you say, we have a lot of experience, both to be put to use and to share. It would be good to ingratiate ourselves a bit with our forces, though with so few speaking the local language we probably don't have to worry about defection much at any rate. Also it would help us to develop a bit of a reputation locally that it is not strange to see the local governor in the field so we can put our secret knowledge of understanding the language to more use.","attachment":null,"posted":1714405816},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5990531,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989926
>Artyom Rashidov
We may be highest authority, but it doesn't do to interfere with command except where there is clear fault in procedure or competence; even good people perform differently if they suspect their work will be taken out of their hands. Rashidov shows confidence, skipping out on briefing based only on what he heard from a runner and evidently not as hung up on permissions or danger as Bakriev. He clearly thinks he's got the goods, so let's see them.","attachment":null,"posted":1714451093},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5990591,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989926
>Artyom Rashidov.
Let's see just how bad Interior Ministry troops are.","attachment":null,"posted":1714460393},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5990861,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989926
>Artyom Rashidov.","attachment":null,"posted":1714503097},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5991078,"name":"Ivan","msg":">>5990861
>>5990591
>>5990531
>>5990067
Okay, I am closing this vote in favor of letting Artyom Rashidov lead the operation.","attachment":null,"posted":1714523394},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5991741,"name":"Ivan","msg":"You do extend your hand and plant the keyring in Rashidov’s outstretched palm; his hands are small for his size.
“We got lucky, these are the keys to the police station. But –“ you pause for emphasis here, “you are still to treat the precinct as an uncleared building with potential hostiles and traps. We don’t know what to expect from the occupiers.”
He fiddles with the dozen or so keys threaded on the large steel ring: “Any idea which one is… ummm… the one for the…”
“No, not yet. The fourth opens a maintenance shed at the rear of the building, accessible from the motor pool lot. There is an entrance to the building there too, in addition to the one on the street front.”
“Understood, sir. We’ll act as if the building is occupied until it is determined otherwise. And sir, on the drive there, should I take point?” You nod, letting the powerfully built truck lead your little convoy up the street. With that settled, he salutes again and, seeing as you have made no comment nor any attempt to stop him, walks back to the waiting truck and hops in the cab. You enter your own vehicle and, seeing that you are ready, the transport truck lurches forward with a plume of dark exhaust.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714594388918649.jpg","filename":"1-27.jpg"},"posted":1714594388},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5991742,"name":"Ivan","msg":">>5991741
The roads are narrower here than in Antegria. The truck takes up more than half of the street and oncoming traffic is forced to come to a halt and cling to the street edge to let you pass. The truck driver seems to know the way better than Meliev and you reach the police station without issue. Taking a hard right turn, the driver positions the truck perpendicular to the street, blocking it off. The back panel of the truck swings down and a dozen men, half leaving in pairs and supporting a machine gun between them, jump out of the back.
You see Lieutenant Rashidov leave the truck’s cab and shout something at two men, who run past you and over to the other end of the street. You get out of your own jeep, as do Matsukov and Meliev. You see the two men from V platoon are standing in the street some distance from the precinct; when a car approaches, they point their rifles at it and menacingly wave it away.
Most of the men who left the truck, you count ten in front of you, have lined up in the street in front of the police building. Six of the men are hard at work setting up tripods and attaching ammo belts into three PK guns. The other four stand behind them, glancing between you, Rashidov, and their comrades working on the machine guns.
Once the guns have been assembled, the three of the soldiers slump themselves on the road and take aim at the building. The others who were assembling the guns squat next to them holding the feed belts. You watch from a safe distance, waiting for Rashidov’s call to approach the building. He cries out: “Ready?” The men on the ground repeat the order. Rashidov cries out: “Fire!”
The front of the police building explodes in a rain of gun fire and noise. Every window on the building’s front shatters and small clouds of dust shoot up from the façade as the bullets cut into the cement walls. After a couple of seconds, one of guns stops firing and the squatting man next to it fits in a new ammunition belt, all amid the din of the other two guns.
Your eyes are on the disaster in front of you, but your mind reminds focused on the slim single radio antenna emerging from the south side of the building. The antenna seemed to be from about midway through the police building, but without knowing the internal layout there is a real chance that it is exposed to the barrage being launched by the PK guns.","attachment":null,"posted":1714594450},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5991743,"name":"Ivan","msg":">>5991742
>Say something, Gennady! Stop them! The way in which V Platoon is conducting the assault is totally inappropriate to your objectives. They risk damaging the radio equipment you mean to acquire and, even if that were not the case, an approach like this risks injuring civilians when conducted in an urban area.
>Saying nothing and let the operation proceed. You aren’t happy about the way in which V Platoon is operating: it poses unnecessary risks to the radio equipment and, potentially, to civilians. But to intervene now would humiliate Lieutenant Rashidov in front of his men, which would hurt morale in both the unit and among the 7th Company generally.
>WRITE IN","attachment":null,"posted":1714594511},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5991758,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Well, then. Probably the gentlest we can afford be about this is order Rashidov to call it off, compliment the men on a Stage 1 (tm) well done, something something establishing threat and presence. Have Rashidov assign the MGs to overwatch and give us two rifle squads, and make sure that his preparations included medics. We're taking care of the rest of the foreseeable mission.
Of course, do we want to be this gentle? It's certainly my inclination.","attachment":null,"posted":1714597561},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5992133,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991742
>say something, Gennady! Stop them! The way in which V Platoon is conducting the assault is totally inappropriate to your objectives. They risk damaging the radio equipment you mean to acquire and, even if that were not the case, an approach like this risks injuring civilians when conducted in an urban area.
Cease fire. Only fire when you come into contact or see the enemy","attachment":null,"posted":1714639292},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5992234,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991743
>>5992133
+1 also mention physically fragile mission priorities","attachment":null,"posted":1714659419},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5992387,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991743
>Saying nothing and let the operation proceed. You aren’t happy about the way in which V Platoon is operating: it poses unnecessary risks to the radio equipment and, potentially, to civilians. But to intervene now would humiliate Lieutenant Rashidov in front of his men, which would hurt morale in both the unit and among the 7th Company generally.
Mentally note Rashidov as useless.","attachment":null,"posted":1714674565},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5992827,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991743
>Say something, Gennady! Stop them! The way in which V Platoon is conducting the assault is totally inappropriate to your objectives. They risk damaging the radio equipment you mean to acquire and, even if that were not the case, an approach like this risks injuring civilians when conducted in an urban area.
Potentially damaging the radio is a big no-no, and we want this place intact for later use. We need to upbraid this soldier for engaging without seeing the enemy, lest we find ourselves in a boy who cried wolf scenario.","attachment":null,"posted":1714717109},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5994511,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991743
>>Say something, Gennady! Stop them! The way in which V Platoon is conducting the assault is totally inappropriate to your objectives. They risk damaging the radio equipment you mean to acquire and, even if that were not the case, an approach like this risks injuring civilians when conducted in an urban area.
The fault is ours for not clearly communicating our expectations, and ignoring the tools at our disposal.
We went into this expecting their performance to mirror army troops with which we are familiar, they simply are not the same.
We mustn't be harsh, but we must correct the action and establish expectations.","attachment":null,"posted":1714859960},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5994939,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991758 me
>>5994511
Backing this, as it's my rationale.","attachment":null,"posted":1714889611},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5994978,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">3 votes for Rashidev
>6 votes for damage control
you should have listened","attachment":null,"posted":1714896085},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5995229,"name":"Ivan","msg":">>5991758
>>5992133
>>5992234
>>5992387
>>5992827
>>5994511
>>5994939
>>5994978
Okay, I am closing this in favor of order them to stop firing immediately, even if it means we have to take control from Rashidov right at the start of the operations.
I have had more work than I expected, but I hope to get something up here on Monday -- I will also post in the general thread","attachment":null,"posted":1714931779},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5995858,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995229
Looking forward to it!","attachment":null,"posted":1714976610},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5996917,"name":"Ivan","msg":"“Halt! HALT! Cease fire! Cease fire!” Gradually, over the pounding rhythm of the automatic guns, two of the teams hear you and obey. One of the guns is still going. “I said cease fire, damn it!” You have to grab the assistant machine gunner and shout near directly in his ear before it too is silenced.
Covered by a dull ringing in your ears, the town seems totally mute – a quiet scene in which all eyes in the platoon are focused on you. You are focused on Rashidov, filled with a penetrating sense of disappointment that all of the barracks jokes and gossip about the Internal Ministry seems to be coming true. He looks as confused as the rest of them, tinged with some other emotion, fear perhaps, or irritation. At any rate, you cannot parlay with Lieutenant Rashidov now, not with the eyes of the whole platoon on you. Unless you are willing to find a replacement and deal with the resultant fallout, Rashidov is the V Platoon commander and you need his troops to follow his authority. Your mind races for a way to redirect the attention and move on: “Prepare for an assault, we’re storming the building!” Some of the men look at Rashidov, some start to move but then see their immobile comrades and stop again. You too look at Rashidov. He meets your gaze and his eyes widen; he joins in: “You heard the Lieutenant Colonel, move! Don’t stand there, move!” He walks along the line of men, now hustling to-and-fro in some planned formation, pushing on their backs to move them along faster.
As Lieutenant Rashidov reaches your side of the formation, you walk up and pull him brusquely aside: “That barrage could have damaged the radio equipment,” you snarl in a tight-lipped whisper, “Starting now, I’m taking over the rest of the operation.” The flesh is taught over his angular and chiseled features when he looks at you again, he gives a curt nod and a quiet “yes, sir.”
Your first thought is you shouldn’t have trusted him, but your second is that it is better you did; now that you have seen him in the field, you know not to trust him in the field. The ringing in your ears has lessened gradually, you can now make out the sound of a child crying somewhere north of your position, frightened by the gunfire.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715070477834557.png","filename":"1-28.png"},"posted":1715070477},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5996918,"name":"Ivan","msg":">>5996917
The men of V Platoon have reformed now: six remain squatting or laying down by the machine guns, although the assistants now have their automatic rifles in their hands; two men are still guarding the south side of the road, although traffic has stopped entirely since the gunfire; another four men are in a square, one of them holding a metal battering ram. This won’t do at all for a clearing operation. You doubt anyone left inside is alive, but even so – only four men to clear a building! And, you look at their uniforms, all privates to boot! You start with the machine gunners: “Get up soldiers. Get up.” They have a dreamy confused look in their eyes, only one starts to move, “I said ‘get up’!” They all stand to attention now, still exchanging worried glances, like frightened school boys, “Return the PK guns to the truck, I want you inside that building with the rest of the platoon. Now go, GO!” The men are back in their element packing up the PK guns at least, moving with speed and practiced ease. The last thing you need clearing a building is machine guns facing your own position.
Moving back to the south end of the street, you point at Rashidov, who is standing on the sidelines of the operation now: “Lieutenant, I want you next to me. We’ll be going in first” You also gesture at Matsukov and Meliev, “you too, join the formation.” The driver; you remember the other driver, the one for the Internal Ministry truck. Pulling open the passenger’s side door, you encounter a squat man with a thick neck, one private L. Cheskin, he too is to ready himself to enter the police building.
You do a light jog back to the column in front of the building, which, still two wide, has grown from a square into a respectable line of fifteen soldiers, counting yourself. Your instinct is to divide the column to breach all entrances at the same time, but, with an untried unit that has already shown itself too trigger happy, this does raise the risk of friendly fire.","attachment":null,"posted":1715070538},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5996919,"name":"Ivan","msg":">>5996918
Is it worth dividing the column? How do you want to dispose your men?
>There are *TWO* choices here. Please cast one vote in each choice
CHOICE 1
>Don’t divide the column, although you might want to leave a few more outside. After a machine gun barrage, it is likely anyone not hiding behind a metal door or desk is dead or dying, so there shouldn’t be any resistance anyway. In other words, you don’t need to worry about both doors
>Standard practices exist for a reason and you deviate from them at your own risk. Even if everyone in the building should be dead, send a squad around the back to cover the other egress. And trust that your first day will not include a friendly fire incident
>You do want to have all your bases covered, the thought of an unguarded back door that you could have accessed during a clearing operation just doesn’t sit right in the pit of your stomach, but after their earlier performance you don’t want these men bumping into each other or you in a dark room. Split the platoon in two, but have the other men guard one of the doors from the outside of the building.
>WRITE IN
CHOICE 2 [This is a choice of which door Gennady will enter, which may also be the only door being entered]
>Go in the front door. This is the part of the building most severely impacted by the gunfire, so it should have the least surprises and the most damage.
>Go in the back door. People never expect the back door, Gennady. It also happened to be further on the south side of the building, meaning it is potentially closer to the location of the radio.
>WRITE IN","attachment":null,"posted":1715070598},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5996944,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996919
>You do want to have all your bases covered, the thought of an unguarded back door that you could have accessed during a clearing operation just doesn’t sit right in the pit of your stomach, but after their earlier performance you don’t want these men bumping into each other or you in a dark room. Split the platoon in two, but have the other men guard one of the doors from the outside of the building.
>Go in the front door. This is the part of the building most severely impacted by the gunfire, so it should have the least surprises and the most damage.
Keep an eye on the privates","attachment":null,"posted":1715074635},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5997528,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996919
>>Don’t divide the column, although you might want to leave a few more outside. After a machine gun barrage, it is likely anyone not hiding behind a metal door or desk is dead or dying, so there shouldn’t be any resistance anyway. In other words, you don’t need to worry about both doors
>>Go in the back door. People never expect the back door, Gennady. It also happened to be further on the south side of the building, meaning it is potentially closer to the location of the radio.
And use the damn keys.","attachment":null,"posted":1715120796},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5998083,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5996919
>Don’t divide the column, although you might want to leave a few more outside. After a machine gun barrage, it is likely anyone not hiding behind a metal door or desk is dead or dying, so there shouldn’t be any resistance anyway. In other words, you don’t need to worry about both doors
>Go in the front door. This is the part of the building most severely impacted by the gunfire, so it should have the least surprises and the most damage.
Best to keep potential blue on blue to a minimum.","attachment":null,"posted":1715168291},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":5999126,"name":"Ivan","msg":">>5996944
>>5997528
>>5998083
Okay, I am calling the vote in favor of:
>>Don’t divide the column, although you might want to leave a few more outside. After a machine gun barrage, it is likely anyone not hiding behind a metal door or desk is dead or dying, so there shouldn’t be any resistance anyway. In other words, you don’t need to worry about both doors
AND
>Go in the front door. This is the part of the building most severely impacted by the gunfire, so it should have the least surprises and the most damage.
And yes, we will be using the keys
Expect an update sometime tomorrow","attachment":null,"posted":1715232897},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":6000082,"name":"Ivan","msg":"You survey the bullet holes studding the exterior of the building and the broken glass of the windows behind their iron bars. If there was an ambush waiting for you – and it seems unlikely that there was – it cannot have survived the earlier salvo. Accordingly, as much as it goes against standard doctrine, there really is no reason to place a guard on the back door. Walking the line of soldiers, you tap three of the men, two of them corporals, and direct them to remain outside and assist in cordoning off the area. You then grab Rashidov out of the formation and take him with you to the front of the line, where you slide in alongside him as the second pair of soldiers in the column; the private with the battering ram is in front.
“We approach by the front entrance!” You shout loud enough for the whole column to hear you. “First six with me! The rest of the group should stay a few meters behind!” You look behind you and see a slow backward shuffle in the rear of the column. You are grasping your service pistol in your hands, but it feels wrong: “Lieutenant Rashidov, do you have an additional rifle in your truck?” Rather than answer, Rashidov passes an order along to the man behind him, who leaves the column to run to the truck and returns shortly afterward with an AK-74, which he hands to Lieutenant Rashidov, who hands it to you. Your hands feel the familiar wood and gunmetal and find their proper places; the weight feels natural in your arms. Now you are ready, Gennady.
“First three rows advance with me!” Led by the battering ram team, you, Rashidov, Matsukov, and three privates approach the front door of the police station. You order a halt when you reach the door and fish in your pocket for the keys. Moving ahead of the soldiers, you try each key on the large ring, but not only do none of them fit, none ever manage to fully insert; they all get stuck around half way down the blade. Noticing a large bullet hole near the handle, you eventually just try the door, which pulls open after only slight resistance, the lock probably shot to pieces.
Retaking your second-line position in the group, you allow the first line to open the door and enter the police station. This first room has a white-tiled floor now covered with glass shards. The walls are a cratered mess, as is a partially-destroyed wooden desk at the rear of the room. “Antegria Police” is painted in bold lettering on the back wall. On the right side of the back wall is a metal door covered with dents from the barrage. Making your way to this new door, you glance over at the destroyed desk, but see only scattered paper, a broken mug, and multi-line phone with two holes punched through its receiver. At the second door, you again fiddle with the keyring, but this time find success, as the first key twists in the lock and gives you access to an unlit and nearly pitch black corridor.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715310606519917.png","filename":"Gordon Police Station 1st Floor - Raid.png"},"posted":1715310606},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":6000084,"name":"Ivan","msg":">>6000082
As you cross into the darkened corridor, you call back for the next group to follow but maintain distance. You see the front of the next column enter the front room as you walk into the corridor. It terminates in a T-fork. You instruct the private with the ram to head right and you reach for the keys again, but the door is unlocked. It opens onto the view of a carpeted staircase heading up to the second floor and a metal door at the bottom landing. The room is large and filled with desks and filing cabinets. Its floor is not carpeted, although the tiles are now covered by glass shards, wood splinters, dust, and paper debris. There are three doors on the south wall, the right-most is metal and the other two are wooden.
You recall the radio antenna sticking out from a window in the middle of the building, so it should be behind one of the two wooden doors. You pick the one closest to the stairs and find it also unlocked. It leads down a narrow hallway covered with framed pictures of Antegrian policemen, most from decades back. At the end of the hall, on the left side, is another wooden door, locked, but, after several attempts, opened by the keyring. A quick scan of the room reveals a window, but in the wrong wall. An intact window is placed high in the back wall, without a view of the motor pool, but there are none in the right wall facing the alley. What the room does have is a large wooden desk with several phones, as well as a few filing cabinets and potted plants against the walls. Most of the floor is covered by a large carpet.
“It isn’t here,” You tell the men around you, “we go out and move to the next room down.” You stand aside as the column inverts itself and, passing between you, the soldier holding the battering ram takes lead again. When you enter the large room with the desks, you see the other column. Holding up your hand to signal their attention, you call out: “Take the other door at the fork! Clear the ground floor then take positions at the base of the stairs!” There is a chorus of ‘yessir’s in response.
The other wooden door is also locked but, again, its matching key is on the ring. This office is much smaller and mostly occupied by two desks that have been pushed together. Across both desks are six phones, basic office supplies, and binders full of paper. And, at the far edge of the desk, is a bulky radio transmitter with its antenna snaking out of a window in the south wall. Advancing past the soldiers, you crouch to unplug the unit from the wall. “Clear the area; I need some room.” The other members of the column back out as you grab the cumbersome piece of machinery and carefully maneuver it backwards so that the flexible antenna is allowed to slide inside without warping or breaking.","attachment":null,"posted":1715310667},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":6000087,"name":"Ivan","msg":">>6000084
Mission accomplished, Colonel Liptsov! You have secured the radio from inside the police station. Of course, your technical knowledge in this field is still lacking and you will need to consult again with Specialist Officer Kolovokov to determine if this police radio is capable of contacting the 216th Battalion. The question now is how urgent of a priority this is: do you need to leave now, before the raid is concluded?
> You don’t have to leave now, Gennady, but you also don’t have any good reason to stay. The radio has been secured, which is what you came to do. Mission accomplished! Time to pull everyone out and return to the high school.
>You don’t have to leave now, Gennady, but you also don’t have any good reason to stay. The radio has been secured, which is what you came to do. You and your entourage will return to Company HQ and leave Rashidov in charge of finishing the raid and occupying the building.
> You don’t have to leave now, Gennady, but you also don’t have any good reason to stay. The radio has been secured, which is what you came to do. You and your entourage will return to Company HQ and leave Rashidov in charge of finishing the raid; he can return to HQ once the building has been cleared.
>Yes the *primary* mission objective has been accomplished, but without any pressing time concern there is no reason to leave while the operation is still in full swing. You should see the operation through to its conclusion and remain here to direct both the clearing operation and the subsequent search and occupation.
> Yes the *primary* mission objective has been accomplished, but without any pressing time concern there is no reason to leave now. Stay to finish directing the clearing operation. Then you can pass things back to Rashidov to set up an occupation force.
> Yes the *primary* mission objective has been accomplished, but without any pressing time concern there is no reason to leave now. Stay to finish directing the clearing operation. Once you are sure the police station is host to no stay-behind partisans, you can end the operation and lead the troops back to Company HQ.
>WRITE IN","attachment":null,"posted":1715310771},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":6000120,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000087
>> Yes the *primary* mission objective has been accomplished, but without any pressing time concern there is no reason to leave now. Stay to finish directing the clearing operation. Once you are sure the police station is host to no stay-behind partisans, you can end the operation and lead the troops back to Company HQ.
Bit of an embarrasment for the ministry troops, but oh well. We at least know they won't be any good in a fight. Probably not much better as an occupation force either. Clear the station, which is probably empty, then head home.","attachment":null,"posted":1715314615},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":6000125,"name":"Ivan","msg":">>6000084
>>6000082
Two mistakes here, FYI. The sign in the front lobby says "Republia Police" and the photos in the hallway are of Republian police officials.","attachment":null,"posted":1715315975},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":6000451,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000087
>Yes the *primary* mission objective has been accomplished, but without any pressing time concern there is no reason to leave now. Stay to finish directing the clearing operation. Then you can pass things back to Rashidov to set up an occupation force.
Still need to meet the Captain to get his report.","attachment":null,"posted":1715357819},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":6002378,"name":"Ivan","msg":">>6000120
>>6000451
Okay, I will start writing now. We are definitely staying here to run the clearing operation. If the tie is not broken by the time I post the update, I will flip a coin to determine whether we leave Rashidov behind to set up an occupation","attachment":null,"posted":1715527676},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":6008710,"name":"Ivan","msg":">>6002378
I am sorry, I still have not had time to write this. I have a lot of work this weekend. I do not know when I will have the time.
I start a new job with normal hours in July, I may have to break this off and continue then","attachment":null,"posted":1716004971},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":6008870,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008710
Sure, that's fine. It's a neat quest, don't push yourself and burn out.","attachment":null,"posted":1716022084},{"board":"qst","thread":5977488,"pid":6008956,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008710
It's ok OP, I hope you get a break sometime soon.","attachment":null,"posted":1716036571}]}
+{"title":"Witch Queen Mazela Quest","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5976968,"pid":5976968,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"You're Mazela, the queen of the witches. You live in a hut standing on chicken legs deep in the forest and use your psychic powers to defend women who have been abused by men. Today the miller's wife has come to you with a black eye. "My husband beats me when he is drunk," she cries about her abusive husband. How do you help her?
>>Grant her psychic powers to enslave her abusive husband.
>>Teach her a curse to kill her abusive husband so she can find someone better.
>>Write In","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713045967226364.jpg","filename":"witch-fantasy-art-uhdpaper.com-4K-6.770-wp.thumbnail.jpg"},"posted":1713045967},{"board":"qst","thread":5976968,"pid":5976980,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976968
Just make it so the guy can't get drunk any more. EZ","attachment":null,"posted":1713046894},{"board":"qst","thread":5976968,"pid":5976983,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976968
>>Write In
Sacrifice my life to prevent any husbands from abusing women ever again by performing a special ritual.","attachment":null,"posted":1713047123},{"board":"qst","thread":5976968,"pid":5977025,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976983
No, that's stupid.","attachment":null,"posted":1713050991},{"board":"qst","thread":5976968,"pid":5977027,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976980
"I will cast a spell to prevent that man from getting drunk, no matter how much he drinks," you use a folk magic spell that's often used by the Domovoy spirits to punish men who don't make offerings. The miller's wife thanks you profusely for your help. After she leaves, you reminisce about your past. Why did you set out to punish abusive men?
>>Your father was an abusive husband who beat you and your mother.
>>Before you got your psychic powers and became the queen of witches, you were assaulted by a group of wicked men.
>>The boy you loved in your youth betrayed you and abandoned you for a rich girl with big tits.
>>Write In","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713051080293262.jpg","filename":"981277-digital-art-digital-painting-fantasy-art.jpg"},"posted":1713051080},{"board":"qst","thread":5976968,"pid":5977051,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5976968
OP you're a legend, I'm the guy who constantly keeps pushing the Witch Queen Mazela thing, I made that up. I love you for making an actual quest out of it. You just made me laugh and scream "WITCH QUEEN MAZELA" throwing my arms into the air in an autistic fashion.
>Write In
You were once a young handsome maiden who got sold off by her parents into becoming a sex slave for a famous brothel called "The Virgins Tail". Winter was near and the summer was long and dry, the harvest was terrible, therefore your stock for the winter was bad and they had no other choice. While you were in captivity you were brutally molested, beaten and generally abused. Every day you reminisced at the though of your parents selling you for 10 bags of tatoes, while you were being molested by sometimes even up to 15 violent man. One day you were booked for 2h to be a young lads plaything, but he forgot to put away your knife. You took his knife while he was fondling your downstairs area and thrusted it deep inside of his eye hole. At first you thought to yourself, while killing him, "I don't care if the brothel manager Gordaf or any of the guards hear the screams. I might as well be dead anyway". But as you speared his head with his knife you noticed that you did it in such a manner that he didn't make a single squek. You suddenly realize that the client booked you for 2h and you were only going at it for 5min, therefore you had plenty of time to make your escape and disappear into the night before anyone noticed. You climb out of the windows in your torn up dress, half naked, half dressed but you think to yourself "Better naked than dead". And that's how you escaped into the Witches Forest, where you'll one day become the Queen of witches, judging and punishing abusive man as you remember the days of physical and mental abuse in The Virgins Tail.","attachment":null,"posted":1713054299},{"board":"qst","thread":5976968,"pid":5977053,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977051
I'm the guy who constantly keeps pushing the Witch Queen Mazela thing
I can prove it. If you want to I can write something in the threads below!
>>5965000
I'm doing it in the Gondola quest, this is where I started, because I really wanted to go into the forest and see a witch, not sure why kek. I just really did
>>5976163
Also started mentioning it in this quest
The Witch Queen AWAITS MY LADS! Let's make this story a good one ! With the power of our combined IMAGINATIONS!","attachment":null,"posted":1713054534},{"board":"qst","thread":5976968,"pid":5977060,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977027
>Your father was an abusive husband who beat you and your mother. When he passed, your mother became abusive as well. Abuse perpetuates abuse, and as such it must be prevented at all costs","attachment":null,"posted":1713055123},{"board":"qst","thread":5976968,"pid":5977086,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977051
>OP you're a legend, I'm the guy who constantly keeps pushing the Witch Queen Mazela thing, I made that up.
I could kinda get it in the gondola quest, but why pester the Prodigal Son one ?","attachment":null,"posted":1713056566},{"board":"qst","thread":5976968,"pid":5977093,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977086
i think its some autistic kid thinking hes quirky and not a fucking annoyance, he has nothing better to do than force his garbage on others","attachment":null,"posted":1713057119},{"board":"qst","thread":5976968,"pid":5977100,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977086
I don't know. I just like adding my side story to it. Sorry if it bothers you or other people. I just fell in love with the Witch Queen Mazela thing. I don't know why, I just makes me giggle. While on the other hand Mazela is all-seeing and I really don't want to anger her, since she is the incarnation of the magic god Lok'thuk herself.
ALL HAIL THE QUEEN
>>5977093
I prefer to be called kid with autism my good sir","attachment":null,"posted":1713057264},{"board":"qst","thread":5976968,"pid":5977102,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Oh, so this is a shitpost quest?
>>5977100
>kid
you must be 18 to post","attachment":null,"posted":1713057484},{"board":"qst","thread":5976968,"pid":5977103,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977102
No, this is a PROPER non-shitpost quest with a proper story. It's the most non-shitposty quest on the whole board. It's the best quest to be precise, it's the only good one to be honest, It'll literally breath new life into this board, it'll attract HOARDES of new people since the story is something so bold and new and never thought out before.
ALL HAIL THE QUEEN
THE QUEEN OF WITCHES
MAZELA, THE INCARNATION OF LOK'THUK","attachment":null,"posted":1713057615},{"board":"qst","thread":5976968,"pid":5977143,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977027
>>The boy you loved in your youth betrayed you and abandoned you for a rich girl with big tits.
Is the quest always going to be filled with annoying spam?","attachment":null,"posted":1713060385},{"board":"qst","thread":5976968,"pid":5977210,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977027
I will swap my vote from >>5977060
>The boy you loved in your youth betrayed you and abandoned you for a rich girl with big tits.
just to get the quest started","attachment":null,"posted":1713063517},{"board":"qst","thread":5976968,"pid":5978338,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Dead quest","attachment":null,"posted":1713184003},{"board":"qst","thread":5976968,"pid":5978662,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978338
Oh no :(","attachment":null,"posted":1713224124},{"board":"qst","thread":5976968,"pid":5978769,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977027
OP don't fuck me over :'(. I'm counting on you!","attachment":null,"posted":1713231233},{"board":"qst","thread":5976968,"pid":6006634,"name":"Witch Queen Mazela","msg":"I've come to life from your story to tell you to kill yourself OP. You are not worthy of telling my tale.","attachment":null,"posted":1715850064},{"board":"qst","thread":5976968,"pid":6006657,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006634
You will never be a woman","attachment":null,"posted":1715852640}]}
+{"title":"With Stick Queen Mazela","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5977106,"pid":5977106,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"You're a stick with a witches hat. Your name is Mazela. You're a queen of the witches forest.
>Stick around
>Become a bigger stick
>Grow other stick parts
>Other","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713057853553044.png","filename":"0.png"},"posted":1713057853},{"board":"qst","thread":5977106,"pid":5977108,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Stick around with Width Stick Mashallah","attachment":null,"posted":1713058072},{"board":"qst","thread":5977106,"pid":5977119,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977106
>other
>try to produce seeds to grow trees","attachment":null,"posted":1713058687},{"board":"qst","thread":5977106,"pid":5977121,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977108
>Stick around with Width Stick Mashallah
You stick around with Width Stick Mashallah. You see a crack pipe on the floor
>use physic powers destroy the crack pipe
>pick up the crack pipe and store it
>call the magic stick police","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713058816590110.png","filename":"0_sticking with WSM and crack pipe.png"},"posted":1713058816},{"board":"qst","thread":5977106,"pid":5977123,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Are you the guy that used to spam trans girl quests?","attachment":null,"posted":1713059145},{"board":"qst","thread":5977106,"pid":5977126,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977119
>try to produce seeds to grow trees
While you wait about for the people in this thread to make a decision on what to do next you think to yourself "I'm a fucking witch, I can use my magic to make magic seeds and plant some fucking trees up in here"
You wiggle your stick body and suddenly a handful of magic seeds spurts out of nowhere. Our good man Width Stick Mashallah is happy to see the spurt and starts planting seeds immediately. Because the seeds are magic the pop into existence INSTANTLY almost killing Width Stick Mashallah in the process
Width Stick Mashallah says to the queen Mazela "Bitch, why didn't you warn my cracka lacka ass about it being instantly you fucking ho??!!!" in an angry chinese mans voice
The witches queen is upset with him, but let's it slide since she owes him dearly for when he rescued her out of that jiffy she had with the magic popo back in da day.
>>5977123
Maybe, sounds interesting, what did that guy do?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713059395022517.png","filename":"1_sticking with WSM and crack pipe and seeds with trees.png"},"posted":1713059395},{"board":"qst","thread":5977106,"pid":5977127,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977126
>pick up the crack pipe and store it
>with physic powers
Op, my man. I have always wanted to play with physic powers B)","attachment":null,"posted":1713059544},{"board":"qst","thread":5977106,"pid":5977180,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977127
>pick up the crack pipe and store it
>with physic powers
You first shrink the crack pipe to a smaller size with your magic powers and then you muster your physic powers and pick it up and put it inside your back pocket. Width Stick Mashallah looks at you scared "Woman, you scare the living behesus out of me every time you do that. I always thinkin I be hallucinating again fr fr no cap ma Nigga".
>Go to the graveyard
>Go to the brothel
>Go to mountain of Tho'belkin the demon lord of death
>Other (write-ins. Use your fucking IMAGINATION YOU DIMWIT)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713062354306351.png","filename":"2_holding onto crack pipe.png"},"posted":1713062354},{"board":"qst","thread":5977106,"pid":5977184,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977180
Last post of the day, I need to get some work done","attachment":null,"posted":1713062416},{"board":"qst","thread":5977106,"pid":5977194,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977180
>Other
>Do drugs, drink alcohol, party hard, sleep.","attachment":null,"posted":1713062657},{"board":"qst","thread":5977106,"pid":5977197,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977180
>Go to the brothel
>Look for some bitches and/or witches","attachment":null,"posted":1713062924},{"board":"qst","thread":5977106,"pid":5977511,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977180
>>Other (write-ins. Use your fucking IMAGINATION YOU DIMWIT)
Chop down the trees, process the wood, and build a log cabin.","attachment":null,"posted":1713099349},{"board":"qst","thread":5977106,"pid":5977624,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977194
>>5977197
>>5977511","attachment":null,"posted":1713111288},{"board":"qst","thread":5977106,"pid":5977627,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d3)
>>5977624
Forgot to roll","attachment":null,"posted":1713111350},{"board":"qst","thread":5977106,"pid":5977702,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977194
>>5977197
>>5977511
>>5977194
>>5977197
>>5977511
Width Stick Mashallah turns to Mazella and says to her in a chinese mans voice "Yo Mazella, watcha say we go down to da club and hit sum of dat MDMA and booz". Mazela seems to agree with you.
Mazela and Width Stick Mashallah go to a party downforest to the famous club the Shufflin Magic Broom. They drink heavily through the night, while pooping MDMA pills and dancing like autistic children while flailing their non-arms around. Suddenly it all becomes a messy blur.
The next thing you know you wake up in your bed with none other than Width Stick Mashallah. There's empty beer and vodka bottles on the floor, MDMA pills scattered around, some puke, a dildo and some lube. Must've been a wild night. You still feel sick like you want to vomit again. You look into your back pocket, luckily the crack pipe you found yesterday is still there.
>You go puke and clean up
>You nudge Width Stick Mashallah in hopes he'll wake up
>You check your ass since you are feeling lucky
>Other (write-ins.)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713118906415089.png","filename":"3_after_bender.png"},"posted":1713118906},{"board":"qst","thread":5977106,"pid":5977742,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977702
>Puke, then use the crack pipe
Better get ready for the day","attachment":null,"posted":1713121646},{"board":"qst","thread":5977106,"pid":5977790,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977702
>>You go puke and clean up
Puke and clean up, and then get ready for a life of sobriety as house builders.","attachment":null,"posted":1713126150},{"board":"qst","thread":5977106,"pid":5978431,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d2)
>>5977742
>>5977790
I'll roll now and when I have time I'll make something up","attachment":null,"posted":1713196932},{"board":"qst","thread":5977106,"pid":5978660,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977702
This level of purposely shitty editing leads me to believe that this will be a high effort shitpost of a quest.
>You check your ass since you are feeling lucky
If we don't have a badonkadonk that puts game over Grunthilda to shame, then conjure one up like what a real witch would do.","attachment":null,"posted":1713223850},{"board":"qst","thread":5977106,"pid":5978697,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977742
>>5977790
>>5978660
You notice you're about to vomit, you rush to the toilet and barely make it, yet some of the puke still goes all over the toilet. After you empty yourself you start feeling better, but you still have a light head ache. Then you think to yourself "I know what will make me feel 100%". You take out the crack pipe, crush up a ecstasy into it and just as you were about to take a hit you notice an engraving on it. It spells CJ.
>Go wake up Width Stick Mashallah and tell him about the engraving
>Keep the fact that it's engraved to yourself
>Flush the crack pipe down the drain, it's surely cursed
>Write in","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713226742243551.png","filename":"4_CJ_engraving.png"},"posted":1713226742},{"board":"qst","thread":5977106,"pid":5978782,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978697
>Go wake up Width Stick Mashallah and tell him about the engraving
If this crack pipe is signed by someone, that means the pipe must be wort a lot!","attachment":null,"posted":1713232663},{"board":"qst","thread":5977106,"pid":5980003,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978697
>>Flush the crack pipe down the drain, it's surely cursed","attachment":null,"posted":1713389179},{"board":"qst","thread":5977106,"pid":5980063,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d2)
>>5978782
>>5980003","attachment":null,"posted":1713394094},{"board":"qst","thread":5977106,"pid":5980084,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978782
>>5980003
>>5980063
Mazela nudges and nudges Width Stick Mashallah but we won't wake up. You think to yourself he might still be in a drug comma and that's why he doesn't wake up.
>Try to nudge him harder
>Clean up the mess while you wait for him to wake up
>Other (write-ins)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713395552039657.png","filename":"5_mazela_nudge_WSM.png"},"posted":1713395552},{"board":"qst","thread":5977106,"pid":5980151,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980084
>Other (write-ins)
Why are we wasting time here? We have houses to build.","attachment":null,"posted":1713399386},{"board":"qst","thread":5977106,"pid":5981012,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980084
>Nudge harder, then check pulse
You better not be dead, we have a crack pipe to sell for mad cash money","attachment":null,"posted":1713492535},{"board":"qst","thread":5977106,"pid":5981458,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d2)
>>5980151
>>5981012
I'll roll now, but do the drawing later when I have time","attachment":null,"posted":1713548088},{"board":"qst","thread":5977106,"pid":5982790,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980151
>>5981012
Mazela thinks to her "Fuck this shit, I'm tired of this life, I'm tired of doing drugs, getting drunk and going to parties. I'm going to clean myself life, lead a life of sobriety and become a house builder like my papa was". And it was at that moment that the door bell rung. Mazela looked who it is and noticed it's the pigs. "AAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWW SHIIIIIEEEEETTTTT, just as I'm about to sobber up."
>talk to them, see what they want
>try to wake up Width Stick Mashallah again
>abscond, since fuck this shit
>wait, they'll probably leave
>write-in","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713668500525945.png","filename":"6_pigs_at_the_door.png"},"posted":1713668500},{"board":"qst","thread":5977106,"pid":5983123,"name":"woofhound","msg":">>5982790
>>wait, they'll probably leave","attachment":null,"posted":1713715291},{"board":"qst","thread":5977106,"pid":5996586,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983123
You wait, they stop knocking and after like a minute you carefully look out the window to see if the pigs have gone. You notice they are nowhere to be seen, but at the same time a cold chill start running down you back "Fuck, what did we do?"
>Try to wake up Width Stick Mashallah again, he might have clues
>Fuck this, we're becoming house builders
>Take the gun out of the drawer, end it
>Other (write-ins)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715045750480626.png","filename":"7_looking_out_the_window.png"},"posted":1715045750}]}
+{"title":"The Dogbusters' March 15","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5977562,"name":"usurper","msg":"You are Mouse, the ogre. Although raised by humans you found yourself in service of the dark elven queen - and with her blessing you have embarked on a quest to purge the corruption plaguing the very world you live in.
You are not alone. Your mission is shared by an eclectic band of companions:
-Phineous, the sophisticated orc of culture.
-Smutkin, the formerly depraved bard who took your mission for his own
-Sparky, the formerly warped imp that was, by touch of holy power, transformed into something else
-Tithe, the diminutive yet vigilant gargoyle
-Chloe, the shadow of the queen sent to safeguard you and your mission.
Your band has since grown with additions no less colorful:
-Elle, the royal courier who has since sworn herself to your quest
-Harriet and Janet, the twin scouts you've rescued from the mercenaries
-Diana and Minerva, twin golems you've freed from their questionable service to the old order
-Her majesty queen Olga Discordia, the dark elf ruler turned exile after the Beast possessed her minions into mutiny
-Mercenary princess, Maia, seeking to confront the man she loved
-And quite literally in spirit, a fragment(?) of the goddess Laurentia you had wrestled from the clutches of darkness (and in doing so, likely forced the enemy's hand to the desperation he was showing...)
And on top of that, a group of thirteen penitent mercenary men, turned into unholy abominations by a dark ritual, but purged of its taint when Sparky healed them. They seemed earnest about their intent to atone for atrocities they had committed even with their lives, prompting you to bring them along so that they get their chance.
You were drawing close to your goal, having entered the misty wetlands that were, if you remembered the topography correctly from your maps and dreams alike, the final stretch you needed to navigate before reaching the mythical lost city of Atlassia, and in any case a major locus of power of the cult of the Beast.
Powerful adversary was waiting ahead.
But you were not without help, either.
Be it your bond with your companions, powers of light channeled by Laurentia, or your own dedication to that spark of light bequeathed to you by your parents, you made it through the swamp into shelter of a hidden grove that formed itself before your eyes, as a gift of respite.
One you were happy to partake in. And so, presently, you found yourself drifting off into the realm of dreams...","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713106306596679.jpg","filename":"9509bf8d51a74dc747eeb4aa351ad32b.jpg"},"posted":1713106306},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5977563,"name":"usurper","msg":""She's late again..." A sweet voice pronounced mournfully. That was wrong. Her voice was made to sound playful, cheerful. Laughing with joy. Crying only when moved by happiness. It was not right to hear it heavy with concern, especially not a concern justified by the grim circumstance of war.
If this could even be called war. It was a butchery, a tempest of fear, desperation and adrenaline, contrasted with cruel, malevolent glee, only made worse by the glimmer of consciousness behind it, fully embracing the darkness it visited upon its victims.
How could someone, or something, capable of thinking, derive delight from suffering of another?
How could someone, or something, actively seek and revel in it?
Just knowledge that such a force existed was enough to inspire despair. But that was something she could not afford. Not for herself, not for those who depended on her.
"She will come. You know that as well as I do." She said. A different voice, one close to you. Even though it may not have been very confident in her vision anymore, she more than made up for it in hope and faith she came to appreciate in new light. And perhaps there was even more than that... in either case, it was enough.
"I... I guess so. Still, I wish she took me with her this time." The first voice spoke, with some of the light restored to it.
"You need to put at least a little bit more trust in me than that, Prim." New one enters, and as the focus shifts, you take in the surroundings. A tent, lit by dim light. You recognize owners of all the voices, and a few more faces besides. Their faces are a bit worse for wear than you remember them, their clothing marked with exertion, and especially in the case of newcomer, injury.
"Cuz! You're hurt!" Prim stops herself just short of crushing Alicia in a hug.
"It's just a few scrapes." The blonde princess shrugs it off, and to your relief she's not lying, you can make out a bruise and two shallow cuts, most of the blood mixed with dirt seems to be of monstrous origin.
"Nonetheless, allow me." Celestine raises her hand, and soft, warm glow connects her palm with the wounds, mending them instantly.
"My lady, I wish you spared your powers for those who need it more." Alicia says.
"I'll have all the strength I need to see this through." The elven hierarch speaks softly, but again with confidence beyond what she could back with just cold numbers.
And again, at least for now, it seems to be enough. Alicia's expression softens. "Thank you."
No longer restraining herself, Prim restrains Alicia with an embrace. "Cuz, I was worried! What happened?"
"Oof. Careful, the rib is still sore."
"Sorry!"","attachment":null,"posted":1713106355},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5977565,"name":"usurper","msg":""Anyway, there's not much to say." Alicia sighs. "The raid was a success. We didn't lose a man."
"But that's great?"
"It is, and I'm thankful. But there's so many of them. We've sacrificed the keep, and it doesn't seem like there's a dent in their numbers!"
"Alicia, the keep will be rebuilt. The important part is that you saw your subjects to safety."
"Thank you, lady Celestine. But they're not safe yet. If the horde gets through us, they will be free to roam and move against Cathedral City or into Levantines' rear."
"We won't let them." Celestine says resolutely. "Besides, we don't need to defeat them all at once. Don't forget about Mouse's quest."
Alicia's serious expression thawed into smile for a moment. "Mouse..." She said, and frowned with concern. "He better return soon to us that I may thank him for that final spar. It may well have saved my life..."
"He's doing well and will succeed. I'm sure of it." Celestine says, smile gracing her gentle features as well.
"Have you... seen it?" Alicia asks cautiously.
Celestine shakes her head. "No, I know I cannot rely on my powers. But I feel it in my heart. That... I believe I can trust."
"I... see. I suppose - no, I am certain - thank you, lady Celestine." Alicia says, composing herself. There was still a war to win raging outside.
"Cuz?" Prim inquires. "You're not going back out there right away? You need to rest!"
"No... no, you're right. But I can't put that off either. Thank you, Prim."
With that the blonde swordswoman turned to leave, but before she set into motion, two more men walked in.
"Highnesses." The first one started with a bow.
"Commander Hanig. And Robert! You bring news from the Levantines'? How are they holding up?" Alicia asks.
"Situation seems stabilized, for the time being. The fortress holds, and after... what we discussed earlier, there was no sign of situation deteriorating." The officer gestures at Robert. "As for how their lordships fare on personal level, you're probably better off judging for yourself."
The courier produces a scroll Alicia takes and unfurls it, skimming the text.
"Klaus's penmanship again... but in the same style as before." The princess comments as she reads. Then she falls silent.
"What? What is it?" Prim urges.
"It's... good news. They are safe, and he's making sure Claudia is not overextending herself..." Pause. "...it's curt and impersonal. I think something's eating him up, but he doesn't want to burden us with it."
"Don't be so insensitive. His dad died, of course he's grieving." Prim says.","attachment":null,"posted":1713106416},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5977566,"name":"usurper","msg":""Yes, and in a heroic final stand, as I understand. But that's not it. I've seen Klaus grieve when their last dog died." Alicia shakes head. "I wish I could talk to him, but that's impossible."
"May I?" Celestine takes the missive from Alicia, and you can feel her spirits sag somewhat as she runs her gaze down the technically perfect script. "I think you're right that he's shouldering a burden. But I can assure you of this at least - he is not bearing it alone."
"You mean...?"
"We need to have faith in them. Whatever happened, they will overcome it, together."
Alicia sighs, but relief in it is almost tangible.
"Thank you, lady Celestine."
And that is the last thing you hear before your grip on the circumstance loosens once more, and your consciousness is swept by the currents of the realm of dreams into a restful void...
...your eyes blink open, and you take in a lungful of fresh air, fragrant with a rose blooming next to your bedroll. You're not sure if it was there when you laid down, although the thicket itself most certainly was. You rise up into seating position, overlooking the sheltered glade, stray beams of dawn's light making their way through cover of clouds and foliage above and around. Remainder of your company was still sleeping soundly. You could rouse them and set out immediately, or you could give them that little bit of peace...
>Go through some morning workout until rest of your company awakens, it should not take long. Perhaps you could even approach someone specific as they get up and discuss something with them?
>Take this moment to reach out to Laurentia, you hadn't felt her articulate much since she helped you make your way through the swamp. And chances are, you may need to ask for her help again...
>That was enough rest. Get up, pack up and set out as soon as possible. You can't be certain if it was just a dream or a vision of some sort, but you do have people depending on you...
>other idea","attachment":null,"posted":1713106477},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5977597,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977566
>Go through some morning workout until rest of your company awakens, it should not take long. Perhaps you could even approach someone specific as they get up and discuss something with them?
>Smutkin, our right hand of sorts. What do we think of the recruits?
So Lord Graves croaked it huh, I was kinda on the fence with the guy seeing what a piece of shit he is in canon but y'know, this is a good compromise of karma","attachment":null,"posted":1713108782},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5977680,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977566
>Go through some morning workout until rest of your company awakens, it should not take long. Perhaps you could even approach someone specific as they get up and discuss something with them?","attachment":null,"posted":1713115402},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5977824,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977566
>Go through some morning workout until rest of your company awakens, it should not take long. Perhaps you could even approach someone specific as they get up and discuss something with them?
>Smutkin
we haven't talked to our piper 1 on 1 in a long time, if ever, kek.
>>5977597
>I was kinda on the fence with the guy seeing what a piece of shit he is in canon
isn't it the case for almost everyone from this story based on a hentai ? btw how are Klaus and Claudia there ?","attachment":null,"posted":1713128665},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5977896,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977824
>isn't it the case for almost everyone from this story based on a hentai ?
From our supporting cast? Not really. Arguably only Olga and Chloe (and Manga Prim) and even then they are depicted sympathetically. Graves though, he's dissapointed by Klaus being a studious malewife instead of a big dick knight so he rapes Claudia in front of him to make his ideal son.","attachment":null,"posted":1713138814},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5978002,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977566
>Go through some morning workout until rest of your company awakens, it should not take long. Perhaps you could even approach someone specific as they get up and discuss something with them?
I wonder if anyone else saw things in their dreams.","attachment":null,"posted":1713145497},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5978056,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977896
and what Klaus do next ? does he kill his father ? and how's smutkin ?","attachment":null,"posted":1713150265},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5978114,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978056
Oh you already know, NTR stuff. Smutkin is oc.","attachment":null,"posted":1713156456},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5978152,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978114
>Oh you already know, NTR stuff.
so he just let's his dad cuck him and does nothing ? sadge.","attachment":null,"posted":1713158852},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5978355,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977562
I would touch her breasts (consensually) if you know what I mean
>Go through some morning workout until rest of your company awakens, it should not take long. Perhaps you could even approach someone specific as they get up and discuss something with them?","attachment":null,"posted":1713188647},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5981616,"name":"usurper","msg":"Carefully, so as not to disturb your companions while they can still recuperate in such a soothing setting, you pull yourself up, and commit yourself to a workout routine, intending to make most of the pleasant air of the grove.
For a brief while, you do so in quiet solitude, surrounded by your resting companions. Soon enough, though, perhaps touched by the growing light of dawn, or perhaps disturbed by the movement - it is after all rather hard for you to move without shaking the ground to some extent - one by one begin to rise.
You don't notice the transition between Sparky resting peacefully wrapped in his wings with innocent smile on his face, and sitting on a limb of one of the mangrove trees, watching over you and the others. You do however notice the others slowly rousing and gathering their bearings, some, like Maia, actually pinching themselves to confirm they are back in the waking world as they take in the ambience that took on a distinct, warmer hue, contrasting to the moonlight they fell asleep to.
As you proceed through the array of exercises, many of them taught to you by your father - or at least the man you consider such - your gaze eventually falls on one of your oldest companions.
Smutkin, the bard, the piper. One of your first subordinates in queen Olga's army, and one of your first friends, if you could call him such.
Thinking back, it was probably the case ever since you got to know each other, after her majesty consigned him under your command. But only now, after you got to interact with more people, and made more friends, were you confident enough in the concept to recognize that.
As if in response to your thoughts, or perhaps just your gaze, the bard turns your way with a small smile and gives you a nod of acknowledgment while tipping his hat. After that he pulls out his flute and begins to play a gentle, playful tune, slightly evocative of birdsong, to accompany the company as they were just about done waking up.
To this tune you conclude your workout and walk over to keep the man company as the camp was being packed up.
"Sir."
"I think we're long past time where we need to maintain this formality." You remark. Even your queen was walking with you, after all - although amusingly enough, out of consideration for her sensibilities you would not make this suggestion to her.
"Fair enough. Mouse. Something on your mind?"
"As a matter of fact, I intended to pick yours." You say, keeping your voice low. "What do you make of our new companions?"
Smutkin nods. "Yes... hmmm." He hums. "How many stories do you know... Mouse?"","attachment":null,"posted":1713562562},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5981617,"name":"usurper","msg":"You raise your eyebrow at this response, and think on your answer. It was surprisingly tough to answer, as you jogged your memory, as the further back you went, the more difficult it was to unravel various tidbits and trivia from a number of tales from each other. Although as you proceed, you realize your parents seldom told you an entire coherent story.
Turning your attention closer to present, reviewing what you learned from texts brought back by Phineous and Smutkin, few of these tales ended in a satisfactory manner.
"You understand what I'm getting at, don't you?" Smutkin interprets your silence. "On the path I had walked previously, I familiarized myself with dozens, hundreds, and variations for each besides. And perhaps it comes with my bias, in all the variety, some themes were recurrent." Smutkin pauses. "Tale such as theirs, one of defeat and mercy, is not that infrequent... but universally, and without fail, leads to treason."
The bard turns to look you directly in the eye.
"Before, even as late as when we set out from the ruins... I would have urged you to caution." His small smile turned slightly bitter at his next remark. "As ironically as it would sound from me, specifically. I could not imagine a different outcome."
He looks back over to where the men have assembled themselves at the other side of the glade, ready to depart. One of them seemed to have come up with some sort of prayer and the others joined him as they waited.
"But now?" You prompted Smutkin.
"Now... I think we find ourselves in an entirely different story." He said.
"One with a happy ending?"
The bard grips his flute that a concern passes through your mind that he might break it.
"As long as I have anything to say, yes." He says, locking gaze with you.
In a silence that ensues you decide that enough has been said. You acknowledge the man with another slow nod and survey the glade to see that everyone stands ready to depart.","attachment":null,"posted":1713562630},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5981618,"name":"usurper","msg":"It was time to get a move on. The question was, how exactly? You could think of several options, but all had its drawbacks. The most obvious one would be to call upon Laurentia's power once again, and you felt her wordless reassurance that she was ready to help in any way she could. But you also knew previous day's efforts must have been taxing for her, or at least you feel that way... on the other hand, pressing onwards without her aid meant a choice between speed and safety, with some amount of restriction to both.
Looking between the trees, the fog was just as thick as the day before, confirming supernatural properties of the enchanted glade - and urging you to make a choice on how to proceed.
>Take the mundane approach, and take it slow. This will cost you time, but at least the scouts shold be able to find a path for you; and you might find some time to spend with someone (although presumably none of the scouts).
>Take the mundane approach, but try to maintain a balance between carefulness and speed. You are confident in your groups' ability to navigate the swamp, but it will tax your focus and may lead to you emerging from the swamp rather spent.
>Call upon Laurentia to help you again. Tiring or not, this is quite possibly the greatest benefit you could get from her powers, at least she seems to suspect that.
>Try to meditate. Perhaps you might be able to at least ease the burden off your spiritual companion?
>other idea","attachment":null,"posted":1713562691},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5981621,"name":"usurper","msg":">>5977896
Thank you for elucidating for fellow Anon's benefit, Anon.
I think I'm not revealing anything particularly surprising when I add some context to the dream:
When Graves learned that Claudia is expecting, he had an attack of conscience and revealed to his son what he was thinking about committing, and as his way of making up for this, and for benefit of his unborn grandchild, he charged off for his heroic final stand during subsequent attack of the horde. Klaus could not bring himself to keep what he learned secret from his wife and they are both coming to terms with what the fuck happened, in between repelling waves of orcs and demons.","attachment":null,"posted":1713563208},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5981630,"name":"Celestine Fag","msg":">>5981618
>Take the mundane approach, but try to maintain a balance between carefulness and speed. You are confident in your groups' ability to navigate the swamp, but it will tax your focus and may lead to you emerging from the swamp rather spent.","attachment":null,"posted":1713564425},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5981645,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981618
>Try to meditate. Perhaps you might be able to at least ease the burden off your spiritual companion?
The dream kinda urges me to keep the current pace. So far there's been minimal losses but they are getting spent, and I dont want to sour our good ending.
>>5981621
That does make sense. Kinda tragic, knowing what we know about the world maybe it didn't have to come to this but at least he went out on his own terms. Now, Klaus having to carry that fucking SUCKS.","attachment":null,"posted":1713565784},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5981674,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981618
>Try to meditate. Perhaps you might be able to at least ease the burden off your spiritual companion?
>>5981621
well, that sucks but at least he got a better ending. a shame klaus and claudia have to carry that.","attachment":null,"posted":1713568806},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5981921,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981618
>Try to meditate. Perhaps you might be able to at least ease the burden off your spiritual companion?
>>5981621
Fucked up but at least he didn't go through with it.","attachment":null,"posted":1713588533},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5982702,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981618
>Take the mundane approach, but try to maintain a balance between carefulness and speed. You are confident in your groups' ability to navigate the swamp, but it will tax your focus and may lead to you emerging from the swamp rather spent.
>>5981621
Klaus probably wishes his father took that to the grave with him.","attachment":null,"posted":1713662841},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5988951,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Waiting warmly","attachment":null,"posted":1714277699},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5989113,"name":"usurper","msg":"It is not without hesitance that you make the next call. It was obvious that to maintain some semblance of tempo, you would have to call upon Laurentia's gift again, but somehow you felt unsure whether she's fully recovered from expenditure of power over last day's travel, to say nothing of the spectacular boon of the enchanted grove. This consideration led you to contemplate walk
In the end you decide to try and meditate yourself. Perhaps that way you would at least be able to ease some burden off the luminous spirit you've gotten rather fond of - with reciprocation, as a warm sensation caresses you.
"It's time to depart." You nod and exhale, collecting your focus. "Sparky." You address one of your oldest friends, and he glides over back to his perch on your shoulder.
"I'm with you." You hear.
With that reassuring message, you immerse yourself in the realm between the realms, your consciousness slipping into a sort of routine, although in fairness you feel at least part of it is in guidance Laurentia provides.
You shed just enough of your mundane senses to be able to tell in which direction you need to go. Technicalities and details of your companions expressions, ranging from serious to awed, slide away from your perception - what remains is the invisible links and bindings you nonetheless can tell are there... the hopes you share with them, and the hopes they place in you and each other.
From your oldest companions, through your human followers to the dark queen herself, and her shadow - the nimble half elf, whose features have, ever so slightly, softened, even as her focus and ability grew.
This even extends to the twin golems, although that should hardly come as a surprise. You did see them grow from devoted automatons to a pair of distinct personalities finding their own path, and as with all other of your companions, you count yourself lucky that their choice aligned their paths with yours.
One of your current companions stood slightly apart from the rest.
Mercenary princess Maia, the red haired tomboy.
She is committed to our cause. Laurentia lets you know. But her heart lies elsewhere. Well, of course. That's why she volunteered to go with you. I worry for her. I... can relate. Laurentia adds, but stops short of elaborating further, though you can gather that she is referring to what she herself endured in the past.
The notion brings your own focus back to the now, and what you need to do.
You stride forward. You don't need to confirm your companions follow - you know they do, and more than follow. They travel alongside you.
And ahead of you, the bog and the fog make way.","attachment":null,"posted":1714303267},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5989114,"name":"usurper","msg":"One step after another, you proceed with little concern, but not without fatigue.
As you resolved, you pour what will you could muster to support Laurentia as she eagerly channels her power over nature to clear your path. With more confidence and less care than yesterday, your companions also put their faith in the path that keeps opening itself before you. It's kind of endearing to see them accept the boon of the goddess so readily, and stride through the formerly treacherous landscape with a spring in their step, further enhanced by a subdued marching tune provided by Smutkin.
You couldn't bring yourself to ask the bard to stop for concerns of stealth. Partly because his music was probably not that meaningful a difference next to sheer number of footfalls, considering the size your company has grown to, but also partly because it helped you to maintain focus as well. The effort you managed to push forward was surprisingly taxing, but Laurentia's relative silence convinced you it was a worthy investment regardless.
You don't need to be so concerned for me. Laurentia lets you know, with a backlight of appreciation, and undercurrent of hope and joy. Even so, you sense a "but" behind it. In the brief pause you can feel her internal struggle, and realize it is not between admitting something to you, but perhaps even herself. Eventually, she relents. It is true that when I realized that there was a way to help you on your quest, I... may have poured more of myself into it than would allow me to keep my presence in its current form.
What does she mean, "current form"?
I am unsure myself. But it would most likely lead to me being unable to manifest as a distinctive entity. Possibly ever.
Your reaction to this revelation fits snugly into the opening of dread she had been anticipating, and almost leads to you interrupting your marching trance, but whether it was because you partly suspected your ethereal friend's selflessness might lead her down similar path, or due to knowledge that things seem to have worked out somehow, you are able to compose yourself in time.
Still, you need to ask, and you need to have her formulate a reply.
Why?
There's that pause again.","attachment":null,"posted":1714303328},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5989115,"name":"usurper","msg":"I was afraid. You are told, somewhat reluctantly - again, reluctance seemed to be directed at herself rather than at you. Towards yourself you felt she was worried you would feel betrayed.
Afraid... of the enemy?
Yes. Laurentia says. I wanted to do my best to help you, and the way to shape the terrain for you seemed something I was perfectly suited for. But it takes a lot of strength that I cannot replenish without exposing myself to... to the world.
And the underlying corruption, you add to yourself. But it was not the fear of her own corruption she was referring to...
No... no, it was my fear of confronting the Enemy directly. That I would fall and turn against you and your cause. That I would fail. That... I would watch you fail. Again, a pause, though this time there was not much left of the struggle as she seems to have come to terms with her self-assessment. I have felt that if I gave myself trying to do what I could do best, then if it meant I'd be spared all this... perhaps it would be for the best.
So that was what it was. She was fine with fading away, rather than face the uncertain outcome and possibility of having her hopes crushed once again.
You couldn't hide from yourself, or her, that the sentiment did bite you somewhat. Although you'd like to think it was because you were bothered by idea of losing a friend this way, rather than from indignance at her assessment of your chances.
After all, you yourself knew that in purely mechanical terms, odds were stacked heavily against you. When you set out, you had hardly an idea of where and how to proceed past some immediate steps you could take - and a reason to do so.
You thought back to what had moved you in the first place. That spark of light bequeathed to you by your parents, joined by flickers of hope you saw in eyes of your comrades.
You kept that spark close to your heart. Even if you were to fall and fail, you would do so sheltering its flickering warmth, knowing you did what was in your power and more besides.
At the same time, could you begrudge Laurentia for feeling the way she did? Would you have felt the way you did if you had endured what she did?","attachment":null,"posted":1714303390},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5989116,"name":"usurper","msg":"For a while you travel in silence, processing what the goddess shared with you, and her own quiet introspection joined with relief at having been sincere with both you and herself.
And as you mull over your respective outlooks, another realization strikes you.
She was speaking in past tense, and her strength seemed undiminished. If anything, she was rather optimistic when you chose to press for her to elaborate. So what happened next?
In truth, I don't understand that myself. Laurentia answers. I felt at my limits when we stopped for the night. I found myself back in my dream, and at peace. And... a bit guilty, as I didn't know if I'd be able to help you again. But then... It's not exactly the same as when you wake up, but when I realized that the dawn is coming again, and I felt stronger. And a bit embarrassed for some reason. But recovered. It occurred to me that maybe I've underestimated my reserves. But I think that's not it. I can't be certain, but perhaps it's your own quest and purpose that allowed me to go on.
She didn't... remember?
I already told you, I don't consciously know everything about me. There was a tiniest hint of indignance and embarrassment in that admission. I'm still discovering things. Some I have forgotten. Some I may have chosen to forget. But some... some I am certain are new for this world.
With that she falls silent, and you get a sense of quiet contemplation from her.
Hopefully, this time she would not be so quick to throw her existence on the line.
You accept the tiny spike of annoyance, embarrassment and affection that comes in response to that last internal remark of yours with a mental equivalent of a friendly squeeze, and allow your mind to settle on what to focus on next...
>Laurentia seemed at peace for now, but if she is that worried about failing, you could reassure her of your trust in her?
>Laurentia seemed at peace for now, but if she is that worried about failing, you could encourage her to trust herself a bit more?
>There was something else you wished to talk with Laurentia about... (what?)
>There was nothing to say right now. Keep your peace, and your pace. Atlassia draws near.
>Perhaps you could take this chance to reach out to one of your other companions (who? what about?)
>other idea","attachment":null,"posted":1714303466},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5989238,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989116
>There was something else you wished to talk with Laurentia about... the dream.
Correct me if I'm wrong but that one was waaay more real than the ones we are used to. Must be a transcendence thing.
Also, Laurentia Route, anyone?","attachment":null,"posted":1714318234},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5989371,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989116
>There was something else you wished to talk with Laurentia about... (what?)
If Laurentia fears to replenish her strength through exposing herself to the world, perhaps she could replenish her strength through ourselves and our companions.","attachment":null,"posted":1714326975},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5989513,"name":"Celestine Fag","msg":">>5989116
>Laurentia seemed at peace for now, but if she is that worried about failing, you could reassure her of your trust in her?
>Laurentia seemed at peace for now, but if she is that worried about failing, you could encourage her to trust herself a bit more?
trust in the me that trust in you kinda thing.","attachment":null,"posted":1714338616},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5989516,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5989116
>Laurentia seemed at peace for now, but if she is that worried about failing, you could encourage her to trust herself a bit more?","attachment":null,"posted":1714339127},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5994236,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978152
>>5978114
Wait is NSFW stuff allowed on /qst/?","attachment":null,"posted":1714846394},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5994438,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994236
not exactly, it has to be indirect or through pastebin links, but don't worry there's no nsfw stuff here, aside from war brutalities.","attachment":null,"posted":1714854818},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5994492,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994438
No I had an idea for a Pokemon Girl Harem quest and NSFW was, not lying, part of the storyline. I'd have to skip or write pastebins for it right?","attachment":null,"posted":1714858029},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5994525,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994492
yup, but since you said that's gonna be a big part of it, wouldn't it be better to do it on akun than having to make a lot of pastebin posts ?","attachment":null,"posted":1714861371},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5994644,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994525
I have no idea what Akun is. I suppose even I am a newfag in some ways. Though I'd rather not go to a whole new board. Pastebin it is.","attachment":null,"posted":1714870224},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5994694,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994644
Akun is fiction.live. I suggested it because if smut is gonna be a big part of what you want to do, doing a lot of pastebin posts might not be good for voters.","attachment":null,"posted":1714873203},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5994762,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994694
Oh. Thanks. Will check it out. Its /ss/ though","attachment":null,"posted":1714875987},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5994766,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994762
>>5994694
>checked terms of service
Damnit. Here it is. Or nothing.","attachment":null,"posted":1714876079},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5994962,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994766
>checked terms of service
>Damnit. Here it is. Or nothing.
wait, is shotacon/lolicon not allowed there ? though luck.","attachment":null,"posted":1714892142},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5994965,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994962
"Depiction of minors" usually is normie code for "No fictional anything. Drawings are real. I stand with Dr. Pizza" and whatnot","attachment":null,"posted":1714892635},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5995012,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994965
Hmm, I’d suggest you to ask people there because I’m pretty sure there’s stories there with minors, like MHA smut for example.","attachment":null,"posted":1714900959},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5995014,"name":"usurper","msg":"As you mull over what you've learned, you decide you can't just let it slide. Even though you had faith in Laurentia's earnestness, the idea of not at least trying to support her somehow just didn't sit right with you.
That, and you still had a thing or two to ask her about. In fact, perhaps you could open up with that.
In the slightly awkward spiritual silence, as the goddess awaited the query she felt you would be making, you bring up the vision you saw during your dream.
The dream was vivid, and felt much like you were observing the meeting in person. It was quite different from both the dreams and nightmares you remember from your earlier life, and from these transcendental experiences you were apparently getting used to. You found it easy to believe you saw something that had actually taken place - could it be some form of clairvoyance? Perhaps akin to what Celestine, and Laurentia, could do? Was it also some sort of boon from your spiritual companion?
A vision? came back in a somewhat concerned tone. No... at least, not by choice. I have been careful not to extend my reach past your aura of defiance, out of fear that I would invite corruption. Laurentia hesitated. If it came from my powers, it would have to be when I was recovering, but that means...
You reach out towards her in a reassuring manner. Nothing ill seems to have happened; at least, from the reception itself. Although it was worrying to watch your friends in peril, and some of them actually enduring some sort of distress, at least you saw them in good health and resolve.
What exactly did you see? Slightly relaxed Laurentia prompted you.
Under normal circumstances it would take some effort to describe everything faithfully, luckily though, your bond with the goddess allowed you to share what you recalled simply by willing it.
How strange. This does look like a vision I should be able to call forth, were I to take the risk. And the concern was back. It seems likely I've unwittingly granted you this boon while I was dreaming, myself, thus exposing both of us. That was careless of me.
You sigh internally, and renew your effort to let her know of your trust in her. From the warmth of her light, through the boons and words and emotions that she shared with you and exposed herself to you, to the trust you could feel coming from her - and the fact that she retained ability to all of this even after the untold aeons of torment suffered at the hand of the beast.
If she is bothered by bringing up the painful past as a point in your assurance, she doesn't let it hamper her joy at your confession.","attachment":null,"posted":1714902589},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5995015,"name":"usurper","msg":"But you're not satisfied with that. As much as you appreciate that she's averse to taking risks that would endanger you and your companions, you still feel she's selling herself short, an understandable sentiment perhaps, but one that cripples her and could pose a weakness, rather than an advantage, in the coming confrontation. After all, when you are goint to face Vult and the force driving him, she's going to be there with you, and you wouldn't want her paralyzed by her fear.
What might provoke an indignant response from a human only inspires thoughtful silence from the goddess. Although there is, you feel, a tiniest pang of bitterness - for a goddess, she spent most of her existence as a helpless toy, be it in form of a captive spirit, or a broken reincarnation.
As her thoughts go back to Celestine, you feel fondness that joins with your own. Thank you for helping her grow... beyond what I could have given her.
And you are returned to the topic at hand. Perhaps that is not so. Perhaps she could do more than she admits to herself. Perhaps the vision was a token of this potential. It reached across the physical distance, from where you were very near the focal point of the enemy's power, and no harm has befallen either of you.
Assuming it was indeed my unconscious boon to you, rather than some manifestation of the light you carry, Defier.
Perhaps. But was there a way to determine which was which?
I...
There's an awkward silence as she realizes what you're getting at.
I see. Perhaps I'm only putting away something I will have to face, one way or another. Perhaps it would be better to do so on my own terms.
For a while, her voice fells silent and her presence shrinks, and you get a vague impression she's sorting her own thoughts and feelings, leaving you to travel forward in silence and peace, and for the time being you leave it at that, taking comfort from the subtly luminous haze accompanying you through the mists parting before your small company and rejoining behind it, the bog around none the wiser for your passing.","attachment":null,"posted":1714902650},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5995016,"name":"usurper","msg":"I have not been idle. Laurentia shares at one point, entering into the steady rhythm of your footfalls and echo of Smutkin's tunes, but without disrupting either and with her voice an undercurrent of resolve joins the eerie symphony. From all that we've talked about, through what you allowed me to see through your eyes, to all I've been able to discern on your nature.
You get the impression she's not talking of your nature as an ogre. But then, what?
I'm getting to that. Although there's not much I can tell. Your existence seems aberrant to the world. Or at least portion of it that makes you what you are, and what allows you to keep your rapport with your companions.
Well some of that is what you've been asking yourself occasionally, but still no answers or explanation.
And there won't be any, at least for now. Laurentia says. You are the limits of my sight. And I infer that it is the same for the Beast, and part of the reason why he is afraid of you, or perhaps that spark you shelter and carry. The goddess falls silent. This is not nearly the first time someone had defied him. He can grant immense power to those who embrace his offers, but as is my experience, simple refusal does not foil him. You have met people who did refuse, and without your intervention, their fates may have been grim.
You look around you, the cluster of luminous figures advancing in front, behind and to either side of you.
Yes, your companions, and more. My vessel, my daughter... There's another brief wistful pause. I do not yet feel or understand what exactly it is that makes the difference here. But I've come to feel that there IS a difference that can be made. And... I feel that I've been touched by it, as have your friends. I feel it allowed me to go on when I shouldn't - didn't expected to have.
You grimace internally, reminded of how she seemed ready to lay down her.. existence? ...to not endanger your mission.
I believe I've been given a boon I'm not going to be quick to squander, as, I believe, the men you've spared and taken with you. And I also believe... that I have been given that boon for a reason. So... There's a downright human moment of hesitation, as if drawing her breath. If I am assured that you'll be there with me- She is. -then I've resolved to make an attempt. To test myself, and my conviction, against the darkness. It is as you say. If I truly wish to be of help, I'm going to have to dare and go out in there, look into the abyss and not blink.
As her proclamation concluded, you could feel the resolve behind her words. She took your trust and made it her own.
Still thee was an air of expectation. Wordlessly you acknowledged her, and she knew, but even then she was waiting for your input.","attachment":null,"posted":1714902835},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5995017,"name":"usurper","msg":">Do it now. No time like present, although you couldn't tell what would happen, and how Laurentia's exercise would impact your travelling trance...
>This looked like something that would demand your full attention and freedom from any possible distractions. Terminate the travelling trance with securing a tiny strip of ground and have the company stop.
>Although you welcome her resolve, perhaps it would be best to leave it for when you've stopped for the evening, to ensure you would be able to rest after what might turn out to be a harrowing and exhausting experience.
>other idea","attachment":null,"posted":1714902897},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5995020,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995012
I will. But odds are its gotta be here.","attachment":null,"posted":1714903821},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5995108,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995017
>Do it now. No time like present, although you couldn't tell what would happen, and how Laurentia's exercise would impact your travelling trance...
No balls","attachment":null,"posted":1714917110},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5995392,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995017
>Do it now. No time like present, although you couldn't tell what would happen, and how Laurentia's exercise would impact your travelling trance...","attachment":null,"posted":1714943296},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5995835,"name":"Celestine Fag","msg":">>5994965
yeah, usually when it says no minors on akun it basically means don't go full pedo. 15 or 16+ seems to be the minimum (as long as you want to be safe). I've seen it go as low as 14 for the mc in a smut story.
>Do it now. No time like present, although you couldn't tell what would happen, and how Laurentia's exercise would impact your travelling trance...
i will live by my name","attachment":null,"posted":1714972968},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5995861,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995017
>Do it now. No time like present, although you couldn't tell what would happen, and how Laurentia's exercise would impact your travelling trance...
Perhaps Laurentia faltered and gave in to the beast in the past because she had no one to fight for beyond herself.","attachment":null,"posted":1714976894},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5999542,"name":"usurper","msg":""Do it."
You're not entirely sure if you spoke aloud or just conveyed your input wordlessly, but Laurentia received your intention all the same.
Perhaps it was more than just daring, perhaps even a bit reckless. After all, you were still marching onward in your trance of light, and one way or another reliant on your connection to the goddess.
Or perhaps it was expression of trust and faith. In your convictions, in her resolve, and in the inner strength you believed she possessed.
She takes all of it, and confers to you her assurance, even if it comes across a little bit forced. But its foundation is true, you can tell that much.
For a few moments, you proceed as before, the soundless conversation ended. But even then you feel the tension beyond your own concern for your friend, with faint pulses of light echoing in your own hands like a distant drumbeat, shifts of force you're only able to perceive because of your closeness to their origin. There's several of them, like breath exercise or stretching of someone about to undertake a major exertion.
You hold your breath yourself as the pause between them extends into an expectant silence.
And then you feel it. Like a miniature sun gliding elegantly away in periphery of your perception, and a faint note of sorrow like when a close one breaks intimate contact, with only gentle touch of their fingertips brushing against you as they head out--
--and then all hell breaks loose.","attachment":null,"posted":1715274283},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5999544,"name":"usurper","msg":"The music stops. Someone cries out. You're not sure who, it may even have been you. There's a rumbling sensation that makes it difficult even for you to retain balance, and of your companions only Chloe with her preternatural agility and Diana and Minerva with their innate stability keep themselves from stumbling or tripping. The fog outside the bubble of light darkens, deepening the contrast, and from swirls of mist, as if crawling from behind edges of reality itself, the creeping blackness you've since become familiar with, oozes out to press towards you and your companions.
Steel is drawn. Even though you realize that alone won't do much, the stance it represents might, as your companions' eyes survey the area, eclipsed by darkness yet somehow still bright on the inside. Smutkin has already recovered and began to perform another, considerably more puissant tune, with fervor you don't recall seeing before. And in this situation you are almost surprised at your relative calm - perhaps that would be the effect of your consciousness still straddling the boundary between material and the shadowy realm, or perhaps it might be the soothing presence of Sparky at your side -
-on that note, you do spend a precious moment of your time assessing the situation on the transformed imp. The sight was not something that could be easily grasped.
On one hand, you could tell that it was Sparky, the companion, whom you shared adventures with. Playful, faithful and always helpful.
On the other hand, where in the past was a tiny, scrawny runt of an imp, the boy enveloped with radiance with his wings spread was a sight that would make his erstwhile tormentors and peers, if you could use that term so loosely, scramble for their lives, or grovel for mercy.
Which Sparky you knew would give without hesitation. But right now the boy's face was a mask of grim determination. The force you have stirred was not interested in mercy, beyond as something to be dangled in front of a captive.
"Don't worry. We got this." He tells to you, the mask momentarily breaking with a smile.
You take his word for it and resume your assessment of what was actually going on, and what you could do to impact it.","attachment":null,"posted":1715274344},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5999547,"name":"usurper","msg":"Almost immediately you come to conclusion that, at least in terms of physical interaction, not much.
Your allies have clustered closely around you, in a defensive formation. Weapons at the ready, and in case of Minerva also a soft glow of her magic. Olga simply sat next to you on the ground, kneeling in meditation or prayer. And in fact it didn't seem like force of arms was called for - the onslaught of crawling darkness looked intimidating but, for now at least, ineffectual.
Then again, the actual battle was not taking place in this swamp.
And so you focus inwards, ease your breathing once again, and shift your consciousness to where the action is.
You fail. At least, at first. Perhaps it's because of the distracting spectacle outside. Perhaps it's because of the concern for your friends, including the goddess herself. Perhaps it was something else entirely, such as the guilt - perhaps it was not after all the greatest idea to spur Laurentia to leave her "comfort zone" after all?
You never doubted she was earnest. But what if you were wrong in assessing her resilience?
Calculating part of your mind suggests that even that would be something better found out now than under even less favourable circumstances, but you quickly rebuke it. You've come this far without treating your companions as things, and you were not going to start now. Or ever.
Abandoning the pretense of quieting your mind into a state of serenity, you instead opt to ride the wave of your feelings and let your longing to take you where you need to be.
Longing for your friends' good health and smiling faces.
Longing for the dawn breaking the hold of darkness.
Longing for that which can not be taken by force.
The landscape shifts.","attachment":null,"posted":1715274405},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5999548,"name":"usurper","msg":"You find yourself once again in the shadowy realm.
This time, however, something, everything, is different.
The landscape is ravaged, scarred. Shadows ebb and flow around tears both in ground and in the reality itself, there's a red undertone to the formerly colourless ambience, and the air(?) you breathe(?) has an ashen quality to it.
None of this matters to you, though, as your attention snaps onto a blob of golden radiance collapsed just outside your circle of light, blob that immediately resolves itself into a female form.
Your heart sinks as you propel yourself towards it, and in the next moment you find yourself cradling Laurentia in your spectral arms. You feel as if a great weight drops off your soul when you feel her warmth, her breath steady, her heartbeat peaceful (Whatever those things meant in this context).
And then you felt your spirit soar when she began to laugh. It was a gentle, soft, ringing sound. Not loud, or aggressive, biting, but it was enough to shake the ground a bit. You didn't mind.
I did it. You hear familiar voice ring. Thank you, Defier, for being with me in this moment. I think I need a reminder to not let this sensation into my head...
You ask her what happened as you set her down on her own feet.
I did as you suggested. I confronted the darkness... and endured.
She was okay? But she was fallen when you found her...
I am not saying it was easy on me. Laurentia conveys with mirth sidelined for a bit. The assault was swift and savage. I fought against it, as you can see. There was a moment where I thought I had lost, failed again. But then, something happened. I'm not sure how or if I remembered myself... but I realized something.
There was a pause. Eventually you can't bear it and ask - what was it?
That there is a reason why we can - shall - succeed. That the darkness can be defied. That other path is possible, and cannot be forced on us. I held onto that hope, and the beast recoiled. Laurentia makes a pause and locks her focus on you. Although the nature of it still eludes me, Defier, I now know that the same force that allows you to go on, I can also rely on it. Look!
You're about to ask where you're supposed to be looking, but then you realize the world is changing all around you.","attachment":null,"posted":1715274466},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5999550,"name":"usurper","msg":"The shadows thin, and something unexpected emerges among them.
Grass. Flowers. Saplings.
A small, humble, sparse, but a garden emerged around you, surrounded by a faint aura of light, not entirely unlike the one what seemed to surround you.
The beast withdrew, and I was able to draw some strength from the world it vacated. She says. It's nowhere near anything that could shake foundations of the world itself. But it shows that the beast is not invincible. It validates every hope I had for you, Defier, and then some. I still have much introspection to do. But seeing as none of this would be possible without you, I'd like to hear if you have an insight of your own to share.
Laurentia looks at you expectantly.
In return, you feel/think - it's kind of difficult to distinguish...
>...that darkness you face is an unnatural rot that needs to be purged with holy light so that the world is free from it.
>...that the darkness you face is a wound upon reality that needs to be mended so that the world is made whole as it should have been.
>...that perhaps you need not as much destroy the darkness as allow its captives to successfully reject it.
>...that you don't have anything to add to what she's already sharing with you, and you with her.
>something else","attachment":null,"posted":1715274526},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":5999823,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999550
>...that perhaps you need not as much destroy the darkness as allow its captives to successfully reject it.
Darkness is natural and its contrast gives the world depth. Accepting its role but not its hegemony is the key to growth I think.","attachment":null,"posted":1715294023},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":6000189,"name":"Celestine Fag","msg":">>5999550
>>...that perhaps you need not as much destroy the darkness as allow its captives to successfully reject it.","attachment":null,"posted":1715325672},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":6000315,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999550
>...that the darkness you face is a wound upon reality that needs to be mended so that the world is made whole as it should have been.","attachment":null,"posted":1715342796},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":6000932,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999550
>...that perhaps you need not as much destroy the darkness as allow its captives to successfully reject it.","attachment":null,"posted":1715399351},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":6006929,"name":"usurper","msg":"You think.
Which is something you've been doing before on this subject. Laurentia is aware of that, as you made no effort, conscious or otherwise, to conceal your thoughts or recollections from her. She's after all been through worse than you - even taking the worst moments of your life into consideration. But that was not the matter at hand right now.
Or was it?
How would you even consider this darkness that enveloped the world, darkness you've been told was an integral part of it. Perhaps you could go as far as to say it was the sole reason for its existence.
But was that right? Was that all there was to it? Or was it a rot that only took place over time?
Or was it, as you've briefly considered, akin to a wound, a festering gash across something that was meant to be beautiful, good, or perfect?
Then again, what is perfection, and what sort of standard would you hold a world to? You could, if you spent some time on it, try and put to words the rules you yourself try to live by. Many of them would be taken from your human parents, with perhaps some inspiration drawn from elements of tales Smutkin brought with him, or Phineous shared after picking through leftovers discarded by his orcish peers as unworthy of being looted.
Sometimes it was difficult to pick out. Sometimes it was mocked, either by chance - or seemingly so - or by explicit intent of the narrator. But even beset by evil, those sparks managed to retain their luster.
What if this backdrop of darkness made them stand out all the more?
You hesitated. It was a thought, perhaps radical, but you didn't feel entirely comfortable with it. After all, it relied on admission that the darkness could enhance the quality of the light it surrounded. As you ruminated on the matter, Laurentia too let you feel her apprehension on the notion. Yes, maybe the contrast of cruelty made the kindness all the more precious. But that could not have possibly been a justification for evil. Or... at least - for choosing evil over good.","attachment":null,"posted":1715879181},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":6006931,"name":"usurper","msg":"Choice.
Another word that could hold meaning from petty and trivial to world altering.
You have made a choice to embark on the adventure. But was it a foregone conclusion that you would be allowed to?
Were you truly so special?
You've met people of pure heart. Celestine, obviously. Klaus. Alicia, and all the other princesses. Elle, the courier. Surprisingly enough, Sparky.
Was their choice less important than yours? Was there something they could have done to take upon themselves this impossible quest of yours, but failed to? Was it truly your intervention into their lives that changed their fate?
"You are not the first to defy the beast.", Laurentia had told you. But their fate was the same, each of them. This world binds them to fall.
Does it - no, you would not finish this question. It would not matter to your answer, you know that much. You would go on to confront the darkness, and whatever the outcome, you would be free of regret, and you would have done so of your own choice.
...choice.
Perhaps that is the key. Perhaps even the darkness cannot be wholly extricated from the foundation of the world, perhaps at least those who dwell in it can be liberated from its corruption.
Perhaps everyone's choice can be wrestled from the rot, and their choice to renounce the corruption, can have meaning.
With that, you settle, at least for now. And you feel Laurentia consider the line of thought she had prompted of you, and her warmth embraces you in gratitude.
There's a strange mixture of feelings in her touch. Along with gratitude there is some apprehension and perhaps even disappointment, along with relief, affection and resolve. Was she expecting you to say you would see the world healed of the darkness wholly? Or that you would not hesitate to see it burnt to ash if it meant freeing it from the taint? Not like you'd imagine either of those were actually in your power, but sentiment/thoughts is what she asked for, and what you've freely shared.
Once again, Defier, you've given me something to think about. Comes her articulated reply. But I suppose this will have to wait for the next time. I see trials ahead, and right now your attention is required on the material plane.
Wait, what? You blink, metaphorically speaking, adjust your focus. The shadowy realm, now considerably more lively, recedes from your vision(?).
I will be with you, always. No matter what. Laurentia reminds you, and the reality reasserts itself around you.","attachment":null,"posted":1715879242},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":6006933,"name":"usurper","msg":">>6006931
The reality being a wide clearing in the bog, with the fog lifted and sunshine cheerfully illuminating the green meadow that was eerily lacking in features except for two groups of people squaring off against each other. Although perhaps the term "people" might be misleading.
You and your diverse band of companions were one of those.
The other, considerably more numerous, and perhaps as surprised as yours, stood across the clearing, several score of powerfully built and well armed mercenaries led by a face that was familiar to you.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" The man says, his surprised expression settling into a smug grin. "Somehow I had the feeling that this would be a good day. Although that blasted fog took me by surprise and made me second guess, it seems the luck was with me after all."
It was not your voice that was first to respond, delivering the next word much in the way you would spit after mistakenly taking a bite of an unexpectedly spoiled meal.
"Hicks."
Mercenary thug's grin spreads so widely that if it went a bit further, the top of his head might have just fallen off.
"Her highness Maia! What a pleasant surprise. Learned that the men around the holy cow can't measure up to the real thing?"
Face of the tomboy princess momentarily warped in an angry snarl, but after a moment, rather than coming up with a retort, her features softened into a mask of calm resolve. She looked up at you and asked:
"Sir, your commands?"
For a few seconds Hicks seems to be genuinely taken aback. Then, he lets out a guffaw.
"So that's how it is! Oh damn, this is going to be good." The mercenary lieutenant looks you in the eye. "I have no idea what is running through that cavernous head of yours, but you can't possibly believe you have a shot at winning?"","attachment":null,"posted":1715879308},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":6006935,"name":"usurper","msg":">Strike first.
>He seems willing to have a conversation. Use it, and talk. Ask him to get out of your way.
>He seems willing to have a conversation. Use it, and talk. Ask him to join you because you are going to prevail.
>He seems willing to have a conversation. Use it, and talk. Ask him to join you because it is the right thing to do.
>You don't have time for this. Signal Smutkin to put them to sleep.
>other idea
(write-ins recommended to go along with the diplomacy options)
Also, since this thread is likely to hit page 10 by another update, thank you for accompanying me on this journey, Anons.
See you in the next thread.
In the meantime, feel free to update or affirm your choice of the best girl.","attachment":null,"posted":1715879369},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":6006961,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006935
did we learn about that guy before or he's a random ?
>He seems willing to have a conversation. Use it, and talk. Ask him to get out of your way.
I doubt we have any chance of getting him on our side, but I wanna evade conflict due to our limited time. He probably learned about us by now and seeing our team he should be catious about outright attacking.
Laurentia has become my waifu candidate","attachment":null,"posted":1715882805},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":6007046,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006935
>He seems willing to have a conversation. Use it, and talk. Ask him to join you because it is the right thing to do.
I can already tell he wouldn't want to join us but maybe some of his men would be more willing to defect.
I'm still somewhat on team Chloe but Laurentia's starting to take the lead.","attachment":null,"posted":1715890223},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":6007146,"name":"Celestine Fag","msg":">>6006935
>>He seems willing to have a conversation. Use it, and talk. Ask him to get out of your way.","attachment":null,"posted":1715897669},{"board":"qst","thread":5977562,"pid":6007582,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006935
>He seems willing to have a conversation. Use it, and talk. Ask him to get out of your way.
I can’t see this working, but we shall try anyway, just because doing so is the right thing to do.
>>5999548
>That there is a reason why we can - shall - succeed. That the darkness can be defied. That other path is possible, and cannot be forced on us. I held onto that hope, and the beast recoiled.
I find myself thinking of The Hound of the Baskervilles.
>But that cry of pain from the hound had blown all our fears to the winds. If he was vulnerable he was mortal, and if we could wound him we could kill him.","attachment":null,"posted":1715919950}]}
+{"title":"GRAPE FLAVOUR; HIS PENIS COMES","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5978006,"pid":5978006,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">After many moons, the Narrator returns from actions which would make the most homo of fags tremble.
>The Narrator, that amorphous blight, will not divulge into this further. Spinel's world has enough faggotrous activities at present.
>GRAPE FLAVOUR is back and has undergone slight mutation in how to play.
>GUIDELINES;
>Players will submit suggestions they'd like to see!
>Narrator will choose ONE suggestion out of all sent to guide the direction of the quest.
>Narrator may take handful of suggestions at any time to present for a vote to decide how we progress.
>You are currently Spinel and last we saw you had been presented some options....
https://archived.moe/qst/thread/5707323
>Dig yourself a hole and crawl into it in the feral position
>Was there any cool and strange technology Pink Diamond left behind? Go press some buttons
>What will you do?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713145848738879.png","filename":"grape flavor.png"},"posted":1713145848},{"board":"qst","thread":5978006,"pid":5978027,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978006
Pink Diamond left behind some shoes with wheels on them. You will try them on and start skating.","attachment":null,"posted":1713147241},{"board":"qst","thread":5978006,"pid":5978047,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978006
Wander around.","attachment":null,"posted":1713149038},{"board":"qst","thread":5978006,"pid":5978058,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978027
>+1","attachment":null,"posted":1713150356},{"board":"qst","thread":5978006,"pid":5978067,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">As lonely as you are..
>Which is prerty friggin lonely.
>Your phone call solidifed one thing crystal clear.
>You don't think you are EVER going to be lonely enough to move back in with Lapis and Peridot.
>Being homeless..ish is fine.
>>5978027
>Your wheely shoes?
>No, sadly Wheeley Heeley Fall and...
>Uh...
>You can never figure out how you want to end the rhyme.
>But your wheely shoes were lost to Peridot's advances long ago.
>Soaked in...abomninal fluids.
>You didn't think a shoe could even go that far up a mush making hole.
>But..wait..
>The Crystal Gems disbanded FOREVER ago.
>Why not go loot their homes for Pink's stuff?
>You might even find a new pair of wheely boots.
>Your voices are genius.
>>5978047
>The second voice commands and you must oblige.
>Inadvertantly, the first vote of the quest has been decided.
>You will go look for buttons to press and loot to steal.
>No wallowing inside an holes today!
>That's Peridot's job.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713150970758548.png","filename":"tegaki_2024_04_15_02_55_07.png"},"posted":1713150970},{"board":"qst","thread":5978006,"pid":5978082,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978067
>Since you're going off to loot....","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713152108254163.png","filename":"tegaki.png"},"posted":1713152108},{"board":"qst","thread":5978006,"pid":5978096,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978082
>No need to keep your phone ready.
>BZZZT
>In she goes into your little hidey hole.
>BZZZZZZT
>You know for a fact that's Lapis still trying to call you back,
>Weed addicted water witch is probably trying to suck you off back into the DEGENERACY of addiction.
>But not you!
>You're no drug addict!!!
>You're an honest thief.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713153456389473.png","filename":"tegaki.png"},"posted":1713153456},{"board":"qst","thread":5978006,"pid":5978106,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Where choices?","attachment":null,"posted":1713155154},{"board":"qst","thread":5978006,"pid":5978111,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978096
>Off you go!
>
>
>You are now Lapis.
>You rub your temples in frustration, Peridot some few feet away from you lays exhautsed on the Stinky Couch.
>You can hear her...juices...dripping against the floor and squelching under her as she moves ever so slightly.
UGgghh..
>You just wanted to get high.
C'mon pick up the phone Spinel..
>BZZZT
Urrghh...Spinel this is really important...
>Try not to groan, because it excites Peridot.
>You didn't want to deal with a bunch of stupid garbage too.
>"Ooouhhh..."
>Peridot gives a huff of air.
>"Seriously- Lapis,"
>"That had to be one of THE BEST HENTAIS of all time."
>"When Princess Pretty Pretty Pony Sucky-chan started gagging on that magnificent hoofed beast's gargantuan SCHLONG..."
>She sighs dreamily.
>"I thought I was gonna poof!"
>You hate Peridot so.
>So much.
>>
>
>You are Spinel again.
>Pearl's house over on the beach looks pretty ok.
>You still feel a little..
>Off.
>When you come here.
>But you don't mind that.
>it's not as bad with them gone.
>The door doesn't take much to force open. It is weak and you are strong.
>Musty stench of absence that haunts this once bright home packs a wallop right at your button.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713155794462693.png","filename":"tegaki.png"},"posted":1713155794},{"board":"qst","thread":5978006,"pid":5978139,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978106
>I see you need help from the one.
>The only.
>The-unfairly-on-a-certain-registry
>Peridot's help to understand
HOW TO PLAY THE GAME;
>Players send in suggestions!
>Narrator chooses one suggestion at a time (mostly), these will help direct the story.
>Narrator MAY choose at random intervals a handful of suggestions to be voted on.
>This is the only time narrator will provide choices directly.
>That's it! Hopefully that makes sense.
>Now if you'll excuse me...i have a marshmallow waiting to meet a VERY unconventional hole, ehueheuheuheh.
>PERIDOT, OUT.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713157836648962.png","filename":"tegaki.png"},"posted":1713157836},{"board":"qst","thread":5978006,"pid":5978193,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978139
Play some vidya. Do gems have games?","attachment":null,"posted":1713161609},{"board":"qst","thread":5978006,"pid":5978204,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978139
Play vidya (if we have some) or board games.","attachment":null,"posted":1713162428},{"board":"qst","thread":5978006,"pid":5978672,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5978139
>>5978193
+1
Play vidya and then gawk in horror at the audacity of the male fantasy.","attachment":null,"posted":1713224775}]}
+{"title":"Gourmet Hunter quest","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5979000,"name":"Headchef","msg":"This is a Toriko fan quest, taking place after the manga/anime ended.
The world is in the Second Gourmet Age and you are Sterling Pister a student in his final year at Gourmet Hunter Academy.
Alright, your final assignment, which is necessary to graduate, is as you all you know the so called Graduation Full Course. This means that you need to come up with and hunt a full course meal using the ingredients available to this school. As a reminder anyone who successfully captures an ingredient with a Capture Level of 3 will be injected with gourmet cells, though I only recommend doing this if you're confident in your abilities. [/green.]
The moment your teacher is done with his speech you look at the form on your desk. There are of course eight courses in a full course menu and you had a good idea of what you wanted to go for, but the highest capture level is 2. Even your Main Course has a Capture Level of 1.
You have no doubt that your planned full course menu is good enough to let you graduate as is but should you keep it or try to go for the Gourmet cells? Of course as Gourmet Hunter you will get Gourmet Cells eventually just by eating delicious food but that way it can take a while. As you think it over you decide to at least fill in what you're already sure of.
*Hors d'Oeuvre: Almond Cabbage (CL less than 1)
*Soup: Rock River Soup (CL 1)
*Fish Dish: Garlick Crab (CL 2)
*Meat Dish: Bacon Leaves (CL 2)
*Main Course:
*Salad: Golden Carrots ( CL less than 1)
*Dessert: Cakeshroom (Cl less than 1)
*Drink: Stalactite Milk (CL 1)
What should you do for your main course?
> Original choice: Barbecue Pig (CL 1)
> Change it: Winged Buffalo (CL3)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713267697620492.jpg","filename":"toriko_summit_of_all_ingredients_by_mdwyer5_dek39gx-pre.jpg"},"posted":1713267697},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5979019,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979000
>> Change it: Winged Buffalo (CL3)","attachment":null,"posted":1713271007},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5979022,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979000
Based Toriko enjoyer.
> Change it: Winged Buffalo (CL3)","attachment":null,"posted":1713271642},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5979081,"name":"Headchef","msg":">>5979019
>>5979022
Well as they say no guts no glory, at level 3 the Winged Buffalo might be too much to handle with conventional weapons but you have been trained to hunt animals like that and besides the taste is said to be worth the risk.
Having filled in your "Full course" form you get up and deliver it to the teacher's desk.
[Green]"Done already?"[/Green]
[Red] Yes, sir."[/Red]
He looks it over before giving his opinion, without giving away any of your choices. You wonder why he is being so vague but figure it's to prevent anyone unscrupulous from just stealing your ingredients and present them as their own.
[Green]"Not bad, not bad at all. The Fish Dish is the highest quality out of the entire bunch even if it isn't the most difficult to get. You are taking some risk with your Main Course but the fact that some of your ingredients are below 1 shows you're not just recklessly going for whatever is most dangerous. Finally your dessert and drink go very well together. Good luck."[/Green]
You exit the classroom, but before you leave the building to go to the hunting grounds you decide to check on your equipment one last time
Double vote.
What is your equipment?
> Fragrance Gauntlet. A special gauntlet that release fragrances that can affect wild animals in different way.
Comes with Super Deodorant Smoke: A fragrance that can erase the scent of the user and those nearby.
> Knocking Gun. The standard and most common Knocking Gun. It fires two needles at once into the target's body and if the right nerves are hit, it can knock out a beast instantly.
> Fragrance Gauntlet and Knocking Gun: You can use both these tools but aren't as skilled as you could be if you specialized in just one.
> Nothing: You rely on just your physical skill to hunt.
And where wil you start hunting?
> Black Grass Plains, here you can find The Winged Buffalo.
> The Bread Basket, here you can find Almond Cabbage, Bacon Leaf and Golden Carrots.
> The Rock River, here you can find Garlick Crab and Rock River Soup.
> Lemonstone Cave, here you can find Stalactite milk and cakeshrooms","attachment":null,"posted":1713279657},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5979170,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979081
>Fragrance Gauntlet. A special gauntlet that release fragrances that can affect wild animals in different way.
Animal tamer!
>Lemonstone Cave, here you can find Stalactite milk and cakeshrooms
Sounds delicious","attachment":null,"posted":1713290741},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5979178,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979081
> Nothing: You rely on just your physical skill to hunt.
And where wil you start hunting?
> Lemonstone Cave, here you can find Stalactite milk and cakeshrooms","attachment":null,"posted":1713291798},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5979414,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979081
> Fragrance Gauntlet. A special gauntlet that release fragrances that can affect wild animals in different way.
>Black Grass Plains, here you can find The Winged Buffalo.
Let's do the hardest one first!","attachment":null,"posted":1713317147},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5979546,"name":"Headchef","msg":">>5979170
>>5979178
>>5979414
>>5979414
Your Fragrance Gauntlet looks to be in good order, you attach it to your left arm while heading to the Lemonstone Caves. Lemonstones come in three variations and a pebble is enough to turn a pitcher of water into either yellow, pink or hard lemonade, though the last one wasn't used when making the artificial caves, since the Gourmet Hunter Academy is still a school with underage students. Despite the name not every part of the cave has Lemonstone in it, which is good for you cause otherwise the Milk Stalactites and Cakeshrooms wouldn't be found hard there.
As you arrive at the entrance of the caves you notice that most of the mining helmets are still there, even better news. With the caves mostly empty you can be sure that the Scorpion Bats won't be disturbed.
After putting on one of the helmets you enter the cave and start looking for your drink and dessert
>Roll me one 1d20, BO3. Feel free to reroll if needed after an appropriate amount of time.","attachment":null,"posted":1713328420},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5979551,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 12 (1d20)
Mazela grant me LUCK!","attachment":null,"posted":1713328832},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5979585,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 11 (1d20)
>>5979546
Time to EAT","attachment":null,"posted":1713331305},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5979645,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 16 (1d20)
>>5979546","attachment":null,"posted":1713336102},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5979676,"name":"Headchef","msg":">>5979551
>>5979585
>>5979645
A few seconds after entering the caves you remember you need an empty milk bottle, and turn back to grab one from a nearby case of them.
As expected you find a Milk Stalactite without issue and after a quick check of the surrounding area you confirm there is no Lemonstone nearby to "contaminate" the milk. You place the empty bottle below it and decide to look nearby for Cakeshrooms as the bottle slowly fills.
It doesn't take you much longer to find what you're looking for and after gently prodding the mushroom to see if it's ripe, you confirm it has the texture of spongecake. After pulling the cap off you notice a second smaller Cakeshroom nearby. Deciding you might as well have snack while waiting on the milk you remove it's cap too and eat it. It tastes just like store bought cake but with the benefit that it's much healthier.
After you finish your snack the bottle is just filled enough for a single glass of stalactite milk so you take it and leave the Lemonstone Caves, having collected two ingredients without any issue.
[Blue]"Two down, six to go."[/Blue]
Where will you go next:
> Black Grass Plains, here you can find The Winged Buffalo.
> The Bread Basket, here you can find Almond Cabbage, Bacon Leaf and Golden Carrots.
> The Rock River, here you can find Garlick Crab and Rock River Soup.
And roll me Roll me one 1d20, BO3 to see how it goes","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713343429567079.jpg","filename":"Grotte_de_Soreq,_israel,_Stalactite.jpg"},"posted":1713343429},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5979677,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 13 (1d20)
>5979676
>> The Bread Basket, here you can find Almond Cabbage, Bacon Leaf and Golden Carrots.","attachment":null,"posted":1713343658},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5979687,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 2 (1d20)
>>5979676
>The Bread Basket, here you can find Almond Cabbage, Bacon Leaf and Golden Carrots.","attachment":null,"posted":1713345313},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5979691,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 2 (1d20)
>>5979676","attachment":null,"posted":1713346516},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5979763,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979676
The Bread Basket, here you can find Almond Cabbage, Bacon Leaf and Golden Carrots.","attachment":null,"posted":1713361608},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5979806,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979676
>The Bread Basket, here you can find Almond Cabbage, Bacon Leaf and Golden Carrots.","attachment":null,"posted":1713368647},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5979935,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979676
>The Bread Basket, here you can find Almond Cabbage, Bacon Leaf and Golden Carrots.","attachment":null,"posted":1713381042},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5980346,"name":"Headchef","msg":">>5979676
You decide to head to the Breadbasket next and have the misfortune of entering at the same time as several of your classmates. The group ends up attracting the Gourmet Hunter in charge of the Breadbasket, and probably the least liked member of the school's staff, Zongeh. What is worse you all know for a fact the braggart could easily beat all of you.
"Oh great, Sanguellia noticed us."
You honestly don't know where the habit of calling Zongeh by obviously wrong names started but it has become sone kind of school tradition.
"Who the hell is Sanguellia?! It's Zongeh, Zongeh."
As always he quickly calms down after his outburst at being called a wrong name and he arrives at the wrong conclusion as to why you have come here. You highly suspect he is the only person in the academy who doesn't realize the final exam is going on.
"Did you come here to train under me? Perfectly understandable! In fact I have raised all my stats since..."
You tune him out as you have heard it all before and it's easier to let him finish before explaining what is going on. Unfortunately the other students take the opportunity to sneak off and get a head start while you are left to deal with him
"Actually Zongeh, we are on a ..fetchquest that we can't accept help on."
You explain your reason for having come to the Breadbasket in terms that he not only understands but also allows you to refuse his "help" in a way that shouldn't result in him bragging about knowing Toriko or having an ingredient with a capture level of 8 in his Lifetime Full Course.
"Oh right, I knew that."
What will you go after first?
>Almond cabbage
>Bacon Leaves
>Golden Carrots","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713422266948106.jpg","filename":"Zonge_Full.jpg"},"posted":1713422266},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5980349,"name":"Headchef","msg":"Sorry I meant to link to
>>5979677
>>5979687
>>5979691","attachment":null,"posted":1713422356},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5980356,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980346
>Bacon Leaves","attachment":null,"posted":1713423656},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5980370,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980346
>>Bacon Leaves","attachment":null,"posted":1713427362},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5980408,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980346
>Bacon Leaves","attachment":null,"posted":1713437270},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5980470,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980346
>Bacon Leaves
Yum","attachment":null,"posted":1713449313},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5980590,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980346
>Bacon Leaves","attachment":null,"posted":1713461362},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5981155,"name":"Headchef","msg":">>5980356
>>5980370
>>5980408
>>5980470
>>5980590
You decide to get the Bacon Leaves first, figuring that they are probably the most popular of the three ingredients you are here. Looking for a bush you come across a field of Clovergers, a special type of clover with the form of a hamburger; having two bread leaves, one cheese leaf and one patty leaf. One of your classmates seems to be carefully inspecting them, no doubt looking for a perfectly ripe one.
"Good luck!"
Thanks, you too.
It doesn't take you much longer to find a bacon bush. but while there are enough leaves left for your purposes taking them all would leave the bush barren and almost certainly kill it.
>Do you
>take the bacon leaves?
>look for another bush and risk someone else taking these leaves?","attachment":null,"posted":1713506210},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5981280,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981155
>look for another bush and risk someone else taking these leaves?
Its the right thing to do","attachment":null,"posted":1713517866},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5981301,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981155
Someone else is likely to take the leaves and kill it anyway, but we probably being watched so eh.
>look for another bush and risk someone else taking these leaves?","attachment":null,"posted":1713523080},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5981357,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981155
>look for another bush and risk someone else taking these leaves?","attachment":null,"posted":1713535525},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5981360,"name":"Headchef","msg":">>5981280
>>5981301
You decide not to kill the bacon bush, not when you still can find the leaves elsewhere. You walk around for about 45 minutes coming among more edible planta and animals. Eventually you find yourself at the edge of one of the Golden Wheat fields which give the Bread Basket its name.
As you push some of the stalks to the side you come across the half eaten body of an Axis deer mouse, named for the fact that it's a deer mouse the size of an actual deer with meat that tastes like venison. You immediately freeze, realizing you must be in the territory of the Bread Basket's most dangerous predator as there are no other animals capable of taking down a full grown Axis deer mouse.
As you slowly look around you don't see any sign of nearby Black Wolves but that doesn't say much. They aren't as strong as Winged Buffalo but they are much smarter and work together well, in fact a single adult Black Wolf has a Capture Level between 2 and 3 but in a pack of three more the level of each individual increases to 4.
What will you do?
> Quickly but calmly leave and look elsewhere.
> Keep looking around the Wheatfield.
> Use the Super Deodorant Smoke to hide your scent and keep looking.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713535743944520.jpg","filename":"198926952-a-big-field-of-wheat-in-summer-all-in-yellow-anime-manga-art.jpg"},"posted":1713535743},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5981369,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981360
> Use the Super Deodorant Smoke to hide your scent and keep looking.","attachment":null,"posted":1713537403},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5981371,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981360
> Use the Super Deodorant Smoke to hide your scent and keep looking.","attachment":null,"posted":1713537639},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5981372,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981360
> Use the Super Deodorant Smoke to hide your scent and keep looking.","attachment":null,"posted":1713537680},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5981374,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981360
>Use the Super Deodorant Smoke to hide your scent and keep looking.","attachment":null,"posted":1713537858},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5981408,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981360
>Use the Super Deodorant Smoke to hide your scent and keep looking.","attachment":null,"posted":1713541784},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5981567,"name":"Headchef","msg":">>5981369
>>5981371
>>5981372
>>5981374
>>5981408
You decide you want to keep looking where you are and since you doubt that your Super Deodorant Smoke wouldn't be useful on an open plain you might use as well use it here. After once again checking your surroundings for any sign that there are already Black Wolves nearby just in case, you spray yourself. You successfully cover your entire body in smoke, using it up in it's entirety.
Constantly keeping your guard up means you're moving a lot slower than normal and there are several times you nearly freak out because you think you see or hear something but in the end nothing happens.
Having stayed close to the edge of the wheatfield you successfully find several Baconbushes growing near each other, giving you more than enough Bacon Leaves. However not long after harvesting the leaves you spot a single Black Wolf Cub in the distance, it seems to be hiding from you in the wheat. Your first thought is that is abandoned and that you should help it. Before you do so you realize it might also be a trap of some kind, set up by the cub's parents. On the other hand Black Wolves are said to be smart enough to recognize and sometimes return acts of kindness depending on their mood.
What do you do?
> Throw some Bacon Leaves towards the cub.
> Ignore it.
> Scare if off.
> Throw a rock at it.
Whatever you choose roll me 1d20, BO3","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713556885513640.jpg","filename":"fd00e7c3a931b6c44b53abccbe772928.jpg"},"posted":1713556885},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5981569,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 2 (1d20)
>>5981567
>Throw some Bacon Leaves towards the cub.","attachment":null,"posted":1713557035},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5981576,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 19 (1d20)
>>5981567
> Throw some Bacon Leaves towards the cub.
>Abduct it
Pet wolf GETS","attachment":null,"posted":1713557823},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5981578,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981576
>Abduct it
YEA YEA YEA, let's call him Snuffles, he'll be our new partner in crime!!! Let's do it!!!!","attachment":null,"posted":1713557987},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5981648,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 11 (1d20)
>>5981567
>Throw some Bacon Leaves towards the cub.","attachment":null,"posted":1713566282},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5982118,"name":"Headchef","msg":">>5981569
>>5981576
>>5981578
>>5981648
Man, so far you're avoiding all combat encounters. First by going to the caves first and avoiding students going in deeper and disturbing the scorpionbats, then by doing the sensible thing and using your Super Deodorant Smoke. The first bacon bush was more of a personality defining choice, which unlocked the feeding option here which you absolutely crushed. That said you will run into an unavoidable fight soon.
Despite knowing it might be a trap you can't leave the poor thing to die. Careful not to get too close you remove a few more Bacon Leaves and throw them towards the cub. It eyes you a bit before going after the offered meat, first smelling it and being strangely unfamiliar with something that should be part of its diet.
Soon enough though it chomps it down with gusto though it looks like it has some issue with tearing pieces off. Once its done eating instead of running away it slowly walks towards you, occasionally stopping to sniff the air and holding its head sideways seemingly confused as to why it can barely smell you.
Eventually it comes close enough that you can touch it and by now you're convinced that it isn't a trap as the parents would have reacted by now. You stretch your hand out to pet, making sure it can see what you're doing.
"Hey buddy."
Seeing no sign of aggression you pet the cub's head and aren't surprised when it follows you as you head off in search of your next ingredient.
Double vote time
What is your next target?
> The Golden Carrots.
> Almond Cabbage.
>Also write in the name of your first partner.","attachment":null,"posted":1713613641},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5982120,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982118
> The Golden Carrots.
Bacub","attachment":null,"posted":1713613944},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5982174,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982118
>> The Golden Carrots.
Gordon","attachment":null,"posted":1713621505},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5982223,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982118
>The Golden Carrots.
Snuffles","attachment":null,"posted":1713625698},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5982277,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Looks like a fun quest, QM! Will be reading this with interest.
>>5982118
Cute doggo. I suppose since the parent wolves aren't chasing after it, this one is was indeed abandoned.
>The Golden Carrots.
Soot. Like black, dirty fur, I guess.","attachment":null,"posted":1713630757},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5982367,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982118
>The Golden Carrots.
Inky","attachment":null,"posted":1713635964},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5982429,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982118
>> Almond Cabbage.
Toriko quest? LET'S FUCKING GOOOOOO!!!!!","attachment":null,"posted":1713641275},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5982861,"name":"Headchef","msg":"Rolled 2 (1d5)
>>5982120
>>5982174
>>5982223
>>5982277
>>5982367
Rolling for name and writing","attachment":null,"posted":1713675349},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5982867,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982861
Oh god no, Gordon... Why did it have to be Gordon","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713676360109570.jpg","filename":"Gordon.jpg"},"posted":1713676360},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5982869,"name":"Headchef","msg":">>5982120
>>5982174
>>5982223
>>5982277
>>5982367
>>5982429
Confident that his parents must have abandoned him or that something happened to them you decide to take the wolf cub with you, luckily adopting animals as pets/partners is allowed even if he is a bit too young to help in any battles.
After thinking you decide to name the little guy Gordon, after one of the best chefs in the world.
"How do you like the name Gordon, buddy?"
Of course Gordon has no clue what you're talking about but he does follow you as you take a few steps. Pretty soon you come across what must be the edge of his packs territory as he suddenly stops walking.
"It's okay, nothing is gonna hurt you."
You stretch your hand out and wait patiently, Gordon sniffs it a few times before reluctantly following you.
Moving on you spot the Cloverger field from before in the distance and notice there is a group of people standing in it. Figuring they must be your classmate you pay it no further mind and keep looking for any sign of Golden Carrots or Almond Cabbages.
It doesn't take you long to find a whole field of carrot tops, and pick one to see if it's what you're looking for. Having confirmed these are indeed Golden Carrots you pluck enough for your meal, leaving you to only find the Almond Cabbages before moving on the next area?
Where will you look for them?
> Back at the entrance
> Near the Cloverger field
> Even deeper into the Breadbasket","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713676814818818.png","filename":"Golden_Carrots.png"},"posted":1713676814},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5982871,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Even deeper into the Breadbasket
Write-in
Sacrifice Gordon and offer him to the Witch Queen Mazela so we easily find the last ingredient and GTFO","attachment":null,"posted":1713677063},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5982907,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982869
> Back at the entrance
Almond cabbage should be easy to find","attachment":null,"posted":1713680777},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5982914,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Gordon
>The chef
Oh. Okay, I see what you're going for it now, I dig it.
>>5982871
>Witch Queen Mazela
Top fucking kek, scourge of the /qtg/, right there
>>5982869
>Back at the entrance","attachment":null,"posted":1713681715},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5982938,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982869
>Back at the entrance","attachment":null,"posted":1713685542},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5983002,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982871
Fuck off faggot
>>5982869
> Back at the entrance","attachment":null,"posted":1713698298},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5983014,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982869
> Back at the entrance","attachment":null,"posted":1713700102},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5983119,"name":"Headchef","msg":"Maybe I should have made it a bit clearer but this is literally the reason I introduced Zongeh, Almond Cabbages are one of his favorite foods.
>>5982907
>>5982914
>>5982938
>>5983002
>>5983014
You decide to look back at the entrance for Almond Cabbage. You walk a bit slower than normal so that Gordon can keep up with you, but for how short his legs are he does a pretty good job. Eventually you see the door you entered through and begin looking. You find many different plants including Ketchulips, Gratin Flowers and Bonito Bushes but you don't spot any Almond Cabbages. At one point you think you see one but it turns out to be a Snack Sangchu Lettuce instead.
Seeing how tired Gordon is you decide to take a break and figure you might as well grab some lunch while resting and pluck a Turkey Fruit since it is easily big enough for you and Gordon. It tastes just like a juicy fried turkey, as its name suggests.
During your meal Zongeh walks by again, since he usually just hangs near the entrance away from the Black Wolves.
"How is your quest going?"
"Well I've found two of the three ingredients I wanted but I have no luck finding Almond Cabbage."
"I had the last near the entrance for lunch. But this is clearly a flag so something is bound to happen to move things along"
By pure coincidence just as he is one talking Gordon flattened his ears and turned around barking. As you look to see what is going on you spot the figures you saw at the Cloverger field rushing towards the entrance with amazing and realize you recognize none of them and that most seem to be old to be students.
'Should we deal with them?"
"Remember no killing, we're just here to steal that and don't need the extra attention."
"Aww that is no fun."
Two of the figures stop, one of them blocking Zongeh's ax with a potlid while the other looks more around your age and gives you and points at you with his index finger, clearly beckoning you by moving it back and forth like a hook.
What do you do?
> Ignore him and run
> Try to fight
> Shout that there are intruders
No matter what give me 1d20, Bo3","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713714737409154.png","filename":"Turkey_Fruit_Movie.png"},"posted":1713714737},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5983144,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 9 (1d20)
> Try to fight","attachment":null,"posted":1713717505},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5983146,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 15 (1d20)
>>5983119
> Try to fight
Let's back up Zongeh-- he already seems to be engaging one of the bandits (?) with his axe, so we might as well.","attachment":null,"posted":1713718119},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5983156,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 14 (1d20)
>>5983119
> Try to fight
Gas them with pepper spray","attachment":null,"posted":1713719470},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5983651,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983119
>> Shout that there are intruders
They said they don't want attention, give it to them.","attachment":null,"posted":1713740684},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5984100,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983119
> Try to fight
Nice finally some blood sacrifices for Mazela","attachment":null,"posted":1713786531},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":5989353,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"i want to believe","attachment":null,"posted":1714325959},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":6008696,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"He's dead Jim","attachment":null,"posted":1716003499},{"board":"qst","thread":5979000,"pid":6010056,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008696
Taken behind the shed and shot with a shotgun. RIP Headchef","attachment":null,"posted":1716127281}]}
+{"title":"MOON","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5979722,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"You float about the void, a wasted carcass of white flesh and bleached bones. A slug relentlessly clutches to your remains as you bare yourself to the motherly embrace of the cold black nothing.
You’re submerged in the loving abyss, the parasite your only tether. This is your birthright, revel in it. Feel.
You feel
You are
> Alone
>Watched","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713354476086454.png","filename":"387A8F2B-1F74-451B-B5A3-EA8243765EE5.png"},"posted":1713354476},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5979746,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979722
>watched","attachment":null,"posted":1713358229},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5979757,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979722
>Watched","attachment":null,"posted":1713360557},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5979761,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"You are being WATCHED
You felt it,weaved it into being, you float in front of indomitable perception. The full presence of the gazing bastard moon, sinking in the ink of god, as you rotate slowly in place towards its all mighty view you realize you’ve revealed the unseen and for your efforts have had your own eyes opened.
They bulge beneath the wilting skin on your face and gift you sights of the almighty, the eye of the infallible god waiting in the depths of his domain for you.
Endless warmths and sensations nip at your deadened nerve endings, an infinite embrace ensnaring you as you continue to stare. Slowly pulled further and further into ever reaching orbit.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713361150669284.png","filename":"CA123488-11DD-4E60-BE64-F3DD93597526.png"},"posted":1713361150},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5979765,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"The mortal body buckles under the influence of the divine, sensations course through your body and your blood begins to slow within your veins, hardening with each passing moment.
The colossal “slug” wrapped around your nethers ceases its feeding, a leech’s mouth releasing its teeth from your side now that your blood is slowly hardening into sludge and its meal is coming to an end. The creature pulses its eye stalks at you, waving its body, it squelches and spits the remains of your crimson out into the void. You begin to hear its voice as if it were your own.
“Blood man no”
It calls
“go bloodman. Away” wretched snail. Thieving for your essence.
The moon’s holy embrace grows closer to your meager body, divinity awaits.
>EMBRACE THE MOON
>Listen to the bloodsucker","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713361709147890.png","filename":"4DF6A1A1-5ED5-46BB-8FAB-65A323C1E498.png"},"posted":1713361709},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5979772,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979765
>EMBRACE THE MOON","attachment":null,"posted":1713362381},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5979787,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979765
>Listen to the bloodsucker
The snail is Mazelas pet, we must listen to it or be eternally cursed","attachment":null,"posted":1713366294},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5979789,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979765
>>EMBRACE THE MOON","attachment":null,"posted":1713366751},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5979816,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979765
>EMBRACE THE MOON","attachment":null,"posted":1713370100},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5979837,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979765
>EMBRACE THE MOON
Why listen to the words of a leech?","attachment":null,"posted":1713373131},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5979866,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"IS THIS A MOTHERFUCKING BLOODBORNE REFERENCE? Nice","attachment":null,"posted":1713375967},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5979874,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979787
Ok, I hate to agree with this faggot, but I'm seeing this as a choice between unity/rejoining the collective consciousness vs separation/maintaining individuation from the rest of the universe (albeit with a demon/negative vibrational parasite attached)
>Turn from the Moon's Embrace
(he prolly a crip & we a bloodman)","attachment":null,"posted":1713376242},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5979941,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"EMBRACE
“bloodman”
You take the weakling within your arms and cradle it gently as you both near the iris, it grows heavier with each moment, a weight binding you to this world, becoming more and more unbearable as your wasting vessel begins to disintegrate into nothing within the moon’s presence.
It sobs gently, heaving up and down beneath your fingers.
“Please”
You drive your nails deep into the beast’s sides, plunging and tearing and ripping through. Its wails and screams elude you as the buzzing of the bastard moon fill the pits within the side of your skull
You fling the squalid earthly thing into the void
You are now loose
The moon awaits","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713382301169658.png","filename":"495B682F-1A09-41AE-861B-B799C062BC8B.png"},"posted":1713382301},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5979947,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"An open eye opens, its pupil splitting at an open seam down the middle, incandescent light pours forth.
HUMBLE DREAMER
Buzzing absorbs your senses
Light warps and bends
Your bones wilt within its might
CHILD OF LIVING CONFINES
It pulls you forward, the matter within your brain pulses and twitches madly to the tunes of an all ringing chorus as you’re pulled into an invisible tender grasp, dragging you down.
YOU ARE HOME SAFE","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713382803062470.png","filename":"18D6E0B7-B2F8-4517-881D-A03E538D2E7E.png"},"posted":1713382803},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5979952,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"You’re being pulled further in
The hearts of billions opening for you and you alone, to welcome you into the greater whole. All voices of longing and pleasantry
DEVOUT CHILD OF ALL
Your family
YOU HAVE FORSAKEN ALL
Unclean thoughts are singed and scrubbed free from you, but dark influences call from the depths behind you even as the body dissipates and your spirit boils out from your pores. Older voices beneath the sing songing of the beloved, whispering heresies, making offers. Their spiraling tones swim about the last vestiges of your organs
AND YOU WILL BE REWARDED
This is your last chance
>Join divinity
>Try to leave
>Listen to the spurned voices","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713383373958318.png","filename":"E6389E18-E632-4F78-8B01-5156EBC8AAE0.png"},"posted":1713383373},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5979956,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979952
>Join divinity","attachment":null,"posted":1713384393},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5979960,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979952
>Try to leave
We must get back to Mazela!","attachment":null,"posted":1713384823},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5979962,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979952
>Listen to the spurned voices
I uhh... Can we get a second opinion?","attachment":null,"posted":1713384938},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5979998,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979952
>Listen","attachment":null,"posted":1713388884},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5980056,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979952
>>Join divinity","attachment":null,"posted":1713393117},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5980079,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Listen
The voices within your rotting innards tangle and unscramble themselves as you focus your attention unto them. Away from the moon’s light. Whimpers and laughs of carnal sin rip and echo through your mind as you try to hone in on the gnashing calls bleating your name.
You are committing sin, even humoring the dark voices buried deep within the moon’s aura is a cardinal offense and even worse you have indulged in uncertainty. You have doubted the moon, you have doubted yourself, you are questioning your beliefs and the ways of the world now that you’ve reached the mountain’s crest.
This sin acts as a beacon, you’ve invited the voices in, you will humor them and lend an eager ear now that you have second doubts and they will flock to you. Millenia damned pastors issuing long silenced cries to their first audience in lifetimes.
The darkness behind you rattles and croaks and rustles, bubbling and shuffling and rotating as you hover in front of the moon.
“Vessel. Hear me”
You turn your gaze towards the rattling sounds and away from the colossal pupil’s ever glow.
“Incongruous vessel of bone and clay. Thou art one of many in a grand and horrendous line. A single link within an infinite binding. A monument to arrogance. Divine agony”
The darkness of the void continues to shimmer and distort as two limbs spring forth, descending upon the bleeding and writhing ruins of the groin slug like a rabid animal.
Melodic chimes of clashing metal ring out. Chains.
“mortal dreamer. I am a vassal scorned. Cast from moonlight for the truths I possess. I can free you from your fate, enlighten you to a world anew, reveal all that was hidden from you. I am Vhal Lumen. The path to your true divinity”
The lumen feasts upon the slug, ravenous eating sounds from the black beneath its voice as it talks directly into you.
“I only ask that you take my hand in trust, and swear fealty unto me.”
You stay within the light, within safety it’s too late to flee now. The dark is writhe and alerted. The lord scorned can’t approach you here. You lie between your two options, the indomitable eternal glow and the spurned voices of the infinite black.
>Step beyond the veil and pledge yourself to the lumen
>Await other voices
>Ask the Lumen a question of your own, write in
>Head into the light","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713395045729517.png","filename":"737679F8-E9AA-4555-9880-EF2BDC223822.png"},"posted":1713395045},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5980080,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980079
>Await other voices
We must await for the voice of queen Mazela!","attachment":null,"posted":1713395346},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5980082,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980079
>>Step beyond the veil and pledge yourself to the lumen","attachment":null,"posted":1713395403},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5980127,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980079
>Await other voices","attachment":null,"posted":1713398472},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5980248,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980079
>Ask the Lumen from whence we came before being awoken to the Moon","attachment":null,"posted":1713412518},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5980344,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980079
>>Head into the light","attachment":null,"posted":1713421866},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5980364,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"ASK
AWAIT
You stew within the void, awaiting the arrival of others as the lumen hunches in front of you out of site, gorging itself on the groin slug. You’re naturally hesitant to accept its offer, the grand promises spoken along the rattling of a blasphemer’s chains. Your faith in the moon’s promises of divinity may be wavering, enough to compel you to sin, but to willingly place yourself into the hands of the being, to enter a pact with it without truly knowing why. You won’t, not now, another voice of sin needs to speak their claim.
Yet for now only the lumen remains, rattling its bindings.
“Perhaps you wish to know more. Though there is only so much I can part with,vessel.”
Within the silence you ask the lumen of your origins, what happened before you awoke before the moon, where you were.
“A vessel proved thyself exemplary. Seldom few part the tower whole. Fewer gain audience. But thy meager being remains together still. Even after all has been taken.”
It continues its brine soaked feast, dining upon the last of the pallid morsel, the stench of its ichor permeating throughout the nothing. The tether serves its purpose still even in death. The pungent scent bolsters the ravenous howls of the voices within the black, causing one of the shimmering forms along the veil’s edge to come forward and towards the light. Granting you audience.
A misshapen body of ivory skin sculpts itself before you, ribbons of sinew and clumps of muscle molding into a vaguely familiar shape.
the limbless approximation exudes a strange aura, you feel pangs of its influence even this far from its reach. Docility, deep enveloping sleep, suffocating calm. It merely nips at you now within the moonlight’s cover. Hummed lullabies sing, her name appears to you. Home.
“Listen not to the Lumen, sweet foundling. Neither he nor the moon will sully you now for I have come for you, to save you. You’ve come so far my love, through pain and loss. Your ambitions have hurt you so, cast them aside so I many relieve you. So I may bring you deep into my warmth and carry you away.”
An infinitely familiar voice smiling into the recesses of your spirit. Its words
intend to nestle deep. You feel as if you’ve known it, home, for far longer than now.
“You shall not find the divinity you sought.” She croons “As subjugation ill befits you. Your divinity shall carry through legacy. Through matrimony. Come forth.”
The lumen watches you expectantly, though you remain undecided as a voice slithers through you, stirring within.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713425268967149.png","filename":"E9CB8FAA-CB06-4AAD-89C2-1A9B634443DB.png"},"posted":1713425268},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5980367,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Another shape appears, a body ensnared in strands of chitin sat in front of an Indiscernible mass. It reeks of an alien scent, unworldly.
“They seek to entrap you, kin. To bleed you of your agency. Leave the fools amongst themselves in this pit, and I will set you on the path. True divinity is gained through lordship, through the self, and you will conquer all as you see fit. You can abandon this world, and flee into mine. There you will find your true home in my paradise, under the boundless freedom of the dark sea, there you will rise to your potential and take the throne, do as you wish, and provide the waters with your nourishment as king.”
Thousands of voices dictate through the body’s agape mouth, the stenches of death mired in that of what must be “sea” are unbearable. What is sea?
The silent mass behind it slightly retreats into the darkness, the loose hanging body drifting along with it.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713426858949068.jpg","filename":"2B1A72A9-7027-4E51-815A-4D8842CE0CD7.jpg"},"posted":1713426858},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5980371,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"The lumen grows bored of this, and seeks to end things before more are drawn near. It presents a final ultimatum.
“perhaps my purpose eludes thee. Only beneath my tutelage will existence serve our whims. Thou will receive mastery of all unending, and I shall reap freedom’s boons. Together we shall cut a new path from lunar skin and unleash majesty upon all. I only require your servitude.”","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713427695257511.png","filename":"25D8409F-B93A-42A6-86CB-258CF54C4684.png"},"posted":1713427695},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5980379,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"The three blasphemers await your decision, eagerly watching from the dark. Four avenues to divinity present themselves.
DIVINITY THROUGH KNOWLEDGE
>The Lumen.
The Lumen promises an alliance against the divine bastard moon, revenge for its imprisonment. Yet you know nothing of why. You will enter a pact, freeing the beast and tethering it to you, offering undying allegiance in exchange for a divine ally and the knowledge it possesses, should it uphold its end of the bargain.
DIVINITY THROUGH CONSORT
>Home
Home speaks of legacy and lineages as opposed to godhood, it promises to carry you far away from the holds of the void and embrace you forever, to rescue you. As long as you give up the prospect of ascension.
It is the only pleasantness you can recall ever encountering.
in accepting its offer of matrimony you will become a “consort” whatever that role entails, and home will be free to take you away from the moon’s influence.
DIVINITY THROUGH LORDSHIP
>The body
The strange being spoke of a land beyond the void, the dark sea, promising it to be the opposite to every rule and convention your mind possesses yet everything you desire all the same. A land of constant strife and freedom, the chaotic nature of everything as opposed to the tranquil of nothing. The body spoke of ascension through lordship, mantling greatness by easily assuming a throne, and reigning over this other world.
DIVINITY
>THE BASTARD MOON
Despite making contact with the heretics you have little understanding of the moon’s transgressions, its actions, its history. yet you still have a deeply ingrained reverence and adoration for it, the natural instinct to veer from sin, eternal gratitude for everything it has seemingly offered you. The chance to enter its graces and become a part of something higher.
>inquire with one of the heretics, time seems far from finite. Write in","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713429477555060.jpg","filename":"9506CFEB-70B3-4FDE-9D88-E94241C0309F.jpg"},"posted":1713429477},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5980383,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980379
>Why is the Bastard Moon called such? What has it done? Answer me this and I will choose","attachment":null,"posted":1713430206},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5980388,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980383
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1713430633},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5980445,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980383
+2
Extremely interesting stuff, seems like some NDEs & TES lore might be influences.","attachment":null,"posted":1713446221},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5980777,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980379
Incredibly evocative and fascinating.
>>5980383
Let us be curious. We have time, ample time.","attachment":null,"posted":1713472555},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5980836,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"You wish to know of the moon’s namesake, its history. You refuse to make your choice until you are given answers, you await their responses.
The carved form of home speaks first, compassion soaked melodies and smells of sweet wet earth. Your body involuntarily hums in place, muscles pulse and spasm to accordance to her speech. She talks to you gently, as if telling a secret to a child.
“though the world claims deafness, I yet hear the moon weep. An unwanted child of old, of ill conceptions, abandoned by its mother and spurned by its father. cast into this unforgiving plane. I wish it not upon anyone. rumor of cruelty smells of deceit, I see no harm within him. Only a wounded babe acting within its nature. A champion to the forsaken and abandoned seeds, the patron of all misbegotten, offering the nurture he could not receive. I have been cast from him for I see this truth, if you wish to bathe in moonlight I shall not stop you. But what burden is heavier than the responsibilities of divinity? You must not worry over such things.”
The scattered visage of the lumen distorts amongst the visible light at the words of Hope, making its discontent known through warbling growls. Yet it holds its tongue.
The ocean sovereign follows next, water logged croaks and chitterlings a thousand fold clutched within his rotting throat.
“Kin, what hasn’t he done to gain the name. Penance and agony a millennia fold, infinite souls cowering beneath the line and buckling against the weight of god’s will. Heed this lesson kin, you don’t harvest that much skin, bind that many chains, and forsake that many young without claiming a few curses to your name. Unification, conquest, it creates its share of detractors, generations lost pry foul utterings from the survivors’ tongues. It’s only natural.
Yet in his infinite domination, his gluttony unparalleled, the lord sought to conquer his own namesake, tearing the curse away from the downtrodden hordes. Embraced it, sanctified it, becoming the one and only bastard, and doing it proudly.
It’d be something to admire had he not scattered me to time, crushed me among the hordes in his grand subjugation. A foul one to the end if you ask me.”
The lumen grows ever more exhausted, the rich aromas of the slug’s wine stain its tongue.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713477379416114.jpg","filename":"F16B0D2A-63EE-48E0-AFC4-961889113699.jpg"},"posted":1713477379},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5980842,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"The lumen grumbles and speaks
“The matron weaves reality to her liking and the earthly monarch clouds his recollections with rumor and bitterness, the title eludes any origin yet carries a potential many. All claim a differing answer, miring history in falsehoods. The white son has worn the name of bastard since its arrival, childhood nor matters of curse and mortality play any role. But If speculation is sought, then I shall humor thee.
Within its grand and arching history of expansion, the bastard deviated from his purpose. Bending against an order of its own in a time now forgotten, the perpetrator exudes the image of omnipotent, unconquerable. Yet it stood once where we do now, and mantled its former masters place, bastardizing its role as the lesser. And becoming the greater.
Yet truly vessel, I know not. I merely dream, as do you”
They have all presented their answer, your choices remain the same
>The body
>The Lumen
>Home
>The Moon
>Inquire yet again, write in","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713477657042907.png","filename":"3FEABA67-83B2-4311-98D0-CEA3FF044C5B.png"},"posted":1713477657},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5980852,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980842
>The Lumen
Home wants us a docile slave, The body demands we make ourselves a king by his dogma, and the Bastard Moon would see our sense of self eradicated. Vhal Lumen alone is honest. He desires that we serve and promises power in exchange. Compared to the other three? That is enough. No foundation can be built that is not laid down on trust.","attachment":null,"posted":1713478188},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5980864,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980852
+1
At least he's an honest asshole","attachment":null,"posted":1713478822},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5980935,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Home
The only way to truly reach divinity is through the union of the feminine & masculine","attachment":null,"posted":1713485191},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5981075,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">home
Waifu will save us","attachment":null,"posted":1713500094},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5981087,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980842
>Home
Better then being a servant and going into a crack den","attachment":null,"posted":1713501150},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5981095,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980935
>>5981075
>>5981087
Oh my god we are going to actually end up being a simp, the tits won","attachment":null,"posted":1713501440},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5981099,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980842
>The Lumen","attachment":null,"posted":1713501604},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5981159,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Home
>>5981095
It’s not really about tits for me she said she wants to keep us safe and she’s nice.
right now we’re kinda pooched and I’d rather live w her than be a slave right now I don’t see any downsides. There’s nothing stopping us from being in control and married at the same time is there?","attachment":null,"posted":1713506634},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5981166,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981159
Anon...these are fucked up demons from the abyss, we're not in control no matter who we go with. Lumen straight up tells us he wants our servitude, the Moon wants to subsume us and Home want us to renounce ascension altogether, something we literally set out to get apparently, to be one of her consorts. She's literally a god damn honey trap I'm not sure how you don't see that. We'll still be slave, just under a thin veneer of comfort and love. Notice how both Body and Home tell us that the others want to take away our agency but Lumen doesn't even deny it or pretend to ask anything but that.
This is a choose your poison situation and I'd rather be with an honest asshole than somebody who will smother us into docility.","attachment":null,"posted":1713507117},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5981182,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 19 (1d20)
>>5980842
>Kill them all","attachment":null,"posted":1713508471},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5981184,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979874
Weird I had a dream about gang violence","attachment":null,"posted":1713508592},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5981226,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980842
>Home","attachment":null,"posted":1713511264},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5981228,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980842
>lumen
this man is our only hope don’t let the hometards prevail","attachment":null,"posted":1713511379},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5981248,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980842
>Lumen
home is easily the worst option im not a cuck","attachment":null,"posted":1713514658},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5981457,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Vote ends within five hours, then the answer is locked in. So far:
Lumen-5
>>5980852
>>5980864
>>5981099
>>5981228
>>5981248
Home-5
>>5980935
>>5981075
>>5981087
>>5981159
>>5981226","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713547995525832.png","filename":"8F87598C-1629-42BE-A236-18AFAF1B4049.png"},"posted":1713547995},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5981469,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980842
>Home","attachment":null,"posted":1713548921},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5981488,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981075
>>5981087
>>5981099
>>5981159
>>5981226
>>5981228
>>5981248
>>5981469
>1 post by this ID
Tragic","attachment":null,"posted":1713549839},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5981492,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981488
t. 1 post by this id","attachment":null,"posted":1713550039},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5981496,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980842
>Lumen
Fuck this, coomers really do ruin everything","attachment":null,"posted":1713550596},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5981516,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980842
>Home","attachment":null,"posted":1713551859},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5981525,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Homecels genuinely what is your thought process?","attachment":null,"posted":1713552299},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5981528,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981525
Seems like it's either samefagging or anons would still flock to a honeytrap even if their life was endangered","attachment":null,"posted":1713552673},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5981534,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980842
>Home
Because fuck vote beggars going to /qtg/ to ask for votes to their preferred choice. Roll with the punches or skip the quest if you don't like the choices made.","attachment":null,"posted":1713553460},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5981539,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981534
I'd be less annoyed about it if it wasn't obvious that there was samefaggotry going on anon, probably for both sides actually. Fucking tragic for a quest to start like this.wg4ata","attachment":null,"posted":1713554278},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5981559,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981539
I get being annoyed by samefagging too, don't get me wrong, but I guess I just find begging for votes more frustrating. It's like a /qst/ localized version of those people who come into /qst/ asking for people to dox a person because of poor or faked reasons, at least to me.","attachment":null,"posted":1713555914},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5981564,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981559
I can see where you're coming from, though personally I guess just don't want to see yet another quest fucked by coomer tendencies and samefagging, especially not a cool drawquest like this one. We're literally being told to set aside all ambitions to go with the first woman we see and anons just go straight for it like moths to a flame. I sincerely hope it's not gonna suck as much as I think it will.","attachment":null,"posted":1713556309},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5981566,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980842
If they're all blasphemers in our eyes, then we can't at all be certain that there truly is an "honest" voice, sure they can be upfront, but they all want something from us for a reason.
If Home were to hold up to her end of the deal, she mentioned almost zealously protecting us and treating us as consorts, which usually means equals, yet, her exuding aura and fraternization Is almost pitiful in tone, which makes the claim dubious.
Lumen seems a bit too un bothered to get us on his good side and we're one of many that cross this path so already we maybe are expendable to him in that sense. He said we would progress together yet he demands servitude instead and promises no safety whatsoever, which would be In line with his bluntness.
Body is just pure make believe so he's out of the question.
Ultimately though it's hard to say no to the gentleness of our probable benefactor wether it be poisoned or not. So.
>Home","attachment":null,"posted":1713556780},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5981585,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981566
Actually add something,
>Inquire yet again; To Home. Ask her what consort implies for the both of us and if she has an idea of where will we escape to
Would be good to at least get an outlook on what she really meant if she'd be so kind to spell it out","attachment":null,"posted":1713558599},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5981587,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981525
Better a happy simp than a sad vagrant","attachment":null,"posted":1713559016},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5981589,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980842
>The Moon
Don't trust any of these new guys.","attachment":null,"posted":1713559504},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5981604,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981585
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1713561013},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5981646,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Vote locks in shortly, taking time to read and tally. But right now I’ll be taking advantage of this window between updates.
I’m currently debating whether or not to prune suspicious one ip’d votes before the lock in on this current vote due to the sudden influx of quick single postings.
Regardless after the next update and from now on non backlinked 1ip posts will simply be disregarded, a trip will also suffice.
The discussion regarding the options is greatly appreciated, and I’m surprised to see this much investment so early. Even if it’s caused it’s share of discourse.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713565879786242.jpg","filename":"BBD2300A-78BD-442E-AE09-17992F50CB64.jpg"},"posted":1713565879},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5983162,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979866
>>5979874
>>5979998
>>5980248
>>5980445
>>5980935
All of my votes. I can only assume the QM is stumped by the sudden cascade of samefagging, so everyone link back all your votes in order. This is far too interesting a qst to die off due to blatant bullshit among the voters.","attachment":null,"posted":1713720646},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5984019,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980864
>>5980383
>>5980127
Those are my votes. I know I voted for EMBRACE THE MOON in the beginning but I don't remember which was me","attachment":null,"posted":1713768320},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5985519,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981646
Hope this ain't dead really wanted to see where it would end up.","attachment":null,"posted":1713928130},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":5987727,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Samefags ruin all the good qsts","attachment":null,"posted":1714194845},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":6003547,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Please, continue.","attachment":null,"posted":1715620739},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":6008942,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"You raise your voice and exclaim that you will be going with Home.
The Lumen wears a begrudging expression after which he groans and utters
“Hmph. Suit yourself, you ignorant fool. All mortals are the same. Enjoy thy unfulfilling matrimony, you sorry excuse for a vessel.”
The body reacts as well, its haunting thousand voices all filled with disappointment in your choice.
“May you be forever trapped in the endless suffering that is this realm then.”
They both disappear into the darkness of the abyss seemingly consumed by it or perhaps simply returning to it.
The Ivory sculpture seems taken aback at your choice. Her soothing voice once again blesses your ears and an overwhelming sense of calm fills you as she speaks in her mesmerizing voice.
“oh, my love, i’m so glad to hear, for you to be willing to be mine, your legacy shall be etched into the upper echelons of the world...” Her voice quivers as the soothing presence grows stronger, nearly making you lose consciousness.
“come forth, let me take over your burdens, your guilt, your body. so we may both act as one together…”
You’re about to fall into a slumber, but refuse and shake the feeling off, clearly Home is meddling with you actively, making you submissive and breedable. You have your own will and will not fall to her enforced bewitchment.
You demand her to stop her overpowering presence.
Her face tilts down. “then… then how will you ever love me.” the presence still lingers.
You grab her by the shoulders. Telling her you chose her for a reason. Being that you believed in her out of everyone that tried to entice you with wicked charms of divinity and delusions of grandeur.
You can’t read any explicit expression from her but you can feel her shock by your sudden words and movements. “do you… do you mean it, love? i’ve been here for eons… awaiting.. i- just wanted to comfort you in the sweet bliss that i never had.”
You tell her that won’t be necessary, for you have put your faith in her as she has in you. You kneel down to her and ask her to finish the pact, the sweet earthy smell of her accompanying you on your way down.
“so be it then… we will engage in matrimony.” proverbial chains can be felt inside your heart and throughout your body, you and Home are now consorts.
“it is done pookie. we have spiritually merged as one.”
You nod at her with a fullfilling smile.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716032969132928.png","filename":"FAG0T3-JK23-SRRY-M004-3DF5.png"},"posted":1716032969},{"board":"qst","thread":5979722,"pid":6008944,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"“let us leave this place once and for all then.” she softly says.
“consort. grab my bosom” she bluntly says in an utmost serious tone, unusual of her. Estranged as you may be, you comply.
As you squish her bosom you both suddenly start propelling into a blinding light flying together for what feels like an eternity.
Somehow you both end up talking about how it’d be pretty stupid to pretend to be something you’re not in a system where the only verification for it is honor.
YOU THEN FINALLY ARRIVE AT A NICE PLACE, SETTLE DOWN AND MAKE LIKE 10 COOL KIDS TOGETHER, ONE OF THEM EVENTUALLY BECOMES A GREAT DIVINE CHAMPION THANKS TO YOUR MENTORING AND ALL THE FAMILY REACH DIVINITY!!!
{ THE END}","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716033031325343.png","filename":"D84REAL032ENDING9_2HKR3.png"},"posted":1716033031}]}
+{"title":"Indeterminate Activity, Thread 2","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5977615,"pid":5977615,"name":"Junky","msg":"Previous thread: >>5952601
The weird thing that came out of the wall can talk. It tells you that she was just in a room like this, and asks you where she is.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713110590461598.png","filename":"p15.png"},"posted":1713110590},{"board":"qst","thread":5977615,"pid":5977638,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">Reply, "HOLY **** YOU HAVE LEG THINGS STICKING OUT OF YOUR SHOULDERS!"","attachment":null,"posted":1713112181},{"board":"qst","thread":5977615,"pid":5977649,"name":"Junky","msg":">>5977638
She calls them "arms".","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713112708536203.png","filename":"p16.png"},"posted":1713112708},{"board":"qst","thread":5977615,"pid":5977688,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977649
mommy","attachment":null,"posted":1713117085},{"board":"qst","thread":5977615,"pid":5977967,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977615
You tell her that she is in the famous brothel Wet Bussy and that you're both bondage fanatics","attachment":null,"posted":1713143392},{"board":"qst","thread":5977615,"pid":5978019,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977649
>"Aaaaarms? I don't know where we are. I'm Derf."","attachment":null,"posted":1713146609},{"board":"qst","thread":5977615,"pid":5978668,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977649
"Where's your bleeding hole?" Of course, we mean the trepanning, what else?","attachment":null,"posted":1713224430},{"board":"qst","thread":5977615,"pid":5979101,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5977615
>I have no Idea. Could you please search in my headhole for secrets?","attachment":null,"posted":1713282231},{"board":"qst","thread":5977615,"pid":5980031,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5979101
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1713391591}]}
+{"title":"Tequila Sunrise: A Mexican Mecha Quest","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5980052,"pid":5980052,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"The year is 2444. Much of mankind has abandoned a ruined Earth to live in space colonies. The countries on Earth have corresponding colonies just outside the planet's atmosphere. Rather than fight wars for political and social dominance, the colonies agree to hold a M.I.L.F Olympics every four years. Each country sends to Earth a representative, piloting a highly advanced Mechanized Infantry Land Frame, or M.I.L.F for short. Due to an oversight in the M.I.L.F Pilot recruitment program you have been recruited as Mexico's' only Pilot. With your 3rd generation mining M.I.L.F "Tequila Sunrise" you must defend your countries honor! First things first, what is your M.I.L.F best at?
>Speed!
>Strength!
>Mining?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713392931920066.png","filename":"Title.png"},"posted":1713392931},{"board":"qst","thread":5980052,"pid":5980076,"name":"woofhound","msg":">>5980052
>Mining.
We're career miners, starting at age 17 with an old RAPIST frame. Nobody knew what it stood for.
But we can mine, that's the point. The 'sunrise ain't strong or fast, but itcan clear rock faster than any other frame.","attachment":null,"posted":1713394817},{"board":"qst","thread":5980052,"pid":5980078,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980052
Mining, si.","attachment":null,"posted":1713395012},{"board":"qst","thread":5980052,"pid":5980085,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980052
>Mining?
Ours is so old that it's actually a G.I.L.F. (General Industry Loading Frame)","attachment":null,"posted":1713395796},{"board":"qst","thread":5980052,"pid":5980087,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980052
I can't read taco runes, but I understood what you meant to convey.
>Mining","attachment":null,"posted":1713395799},{"board":"qst","thread":5980052,"pid":5980102,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"You've always been a fast learner, when you first started your mining career with the old 3rd gen R.A.P.E - G.I.L.F you knew you'd found something special, Tequila isn't the fastest and she certainly can't dish out much but the ol' girl can take abuse like a Guatemalan street walker. She's been your ride for the past the two years and together you're going to make history. What's your name? And what drives you to succeed?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713396959775344.png","filename":"Post1.png"},"posted":1713396959},{"board":"qst","thread":5980052,"pid":5980108,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980102
What's your name? Witch Queen Mazela
And what drives you to succeed? The smell of a blood sacrifice","attachment":null,"posted":1713397230},{"board":"qst","thread":5980052,"pid":5980148,"name":"woofhound","msg":">>5980102
Our name is Juan. Of course. We're a NeoMexican!
Wo want to succeed because, well, we're great miners but have nothing to show for it. No Spesos (space pesos), no recognition. We're only here because of an error. We want something to show for our skills.","attachment":null,"posted":1713399205},{"board":"qst","thread":5980052,"pid":5980205,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Your name is Juan Mazela and you've got a point to prove. When you volunteered yourself and your Machine to the M.I.L.F Olympics they laughed, you were treated like an idiot for even daring to suggest that you could compete and the things they said about Tequila made your proud blood boil. You were going to make them eat their words and thirty tons of dirt too when you cut the ground out from under them. With your unbeatable mining technique and your die-hard determination you're going to show the colonies the power of the R.A.P.E - G.I.L.F! You have little time before your first opponent is chosen, you need to assemble yourself a pit-crew. Who do you want to join your team?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713407957302310.png","filename":"Post2.png"},"posted":1713407957},{"board":"qst","thread":5980052,"pid":5980210,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980205
Who do you want to join your team?
Gilles Fedak and his tranny crew","attachment":null,"posted":1713408497},{"board":"qst","thread":5980052,"pid":5980230,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980205
Get our cousin Marco to join up. He's kinda weird and has a lazy eye, but I'll be damned if there's anybody who knows more about MILFS than him","attachment":null,"posted":1713410941},{"board":"qst","thread":5980052,"pid":5980267,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Holographic AI replication of Poncho Villa, Leon "Trotsky" Bronstein's tortured soul trapped in a manual labor droid through technomancy (forcing him to actually be part of the proletariat), & Speedy Gonzalez' personality imprinted upon a genetically uplifted mouse hybrid via simulation flash-learning.","attachment":null,"posted":1713413687},{"board":"qst","thread":5980052,"pid":5980342,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980267
+1
Viva Neo Mexico!","attachment":null,"posted":1713421419},{"board":"qst","thread":5980052,"pid":5980429,"name":"woofhound","msg":">>5980230
Marco is a good shout, but I think he's in prison.
>>5980267
>>5980342
This is a patrotic choice - viva Neo Mexico.","attachment":null,"posted":1713443497},{"board":"qst","thread":5980052,"pid":5980714,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Marco would be a great teammate, unfortunately he's still serving time for trying to steal dinosaur bones from a museum. You look across your workshop to see PAN-CH0, a worker bot with the personality of Poncho Villa sitting in the corner, he doesn't like to work but with enough convincing he's good at lifting. the only other 'companion' to speak of is Speed-E, a genetically uplifted mouse hybrid, he's fast and highly motivated, a real role model to you growing up. Thinking about Marcos ability to actually fix machinery he'd be very helpful, maybe you could get him out of prison. What about a sponsorship? Who could you get to fund your team?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713467975291652.png","filename":"Post3.png"},"posted":1713467975},{"board":"qst","thread":5980052,"pid":5980787,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980714
We are sponsored by the local church and the orphanage they run who want to attract more donations.","attachment":null,"posted":1713472908},{"board":"qst","thread":5980052,"pid":5980877,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980714
Obviously we're sponsored by the miners labor union ( if we lose, they'll kick us out)","attachment":null,"posted":1713479857},{"board":"qst","thread":5980052,"pid":5980937,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Dole Fruit Corporation (through a network of subsidiaries of course)","attachment":null,"posted":1713485319},{"board":"qst","thread":5980052,"pid":5981657,"name":"woofhound","msg":">>5980787
>>5980877
+1 to both. We can have multiple sponsors, right?
Those so-called pro" MILF pilots are absolutely covered in all sorts of sponsors, from Amazon-Boeing to Coca-Cola Corpse Reprocessing.","attachment":null,"posted":1713567345},{"board":"qst","thread":5980052,"pid":5982139,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"With your ties to mining and your troubled past you of course have ties to the local orphanage/labor union. The fact that these two establishments are already heavily linked helps massively with your sponsorship deals! It helps less so for the poor orphan miners. Sister Foreman Superior Catalina Cabrera seemed to remember you from your years spent in her care, she gladly accepts your offer of sponsoring you and your R.A.P.E G.I.L.F, she even offers you a few of the orphans to help in the pit crew. With your crew and sponsorship sorted you're well on your way to Mecha stardom, this fact supported by the official invitation to the opening ceremony you find waiting in your mailbox. The opening ceremony is in three days time, there's a lot that needs to be done to get you frame ready.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713617419769285.png","filename":"Post4.png"},"posted":1713617419},{"board":"qst","thread":5980052,"pid":5982256,"name":"woofhound","msg":">>5982139
Do we have a checklist of what needs to be done?","attachment":null,"posted":1713628016},{"board":"qst","thread":5980052,"pid":5983566,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982139
what do? Drink a Chinese modelo in the meantime.","attachment":null,"posted":1713736847},{"board":"qst","thread":5980052,"pid":5984141,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982139
Put together a promotional video to get some fan support","attachment":null,"posted":1713792236}]}
+{"title":"Dungeon Dine","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5981624,"pid":5981624,"name":"Fleshberries","msg":"INGREDIENTS
-Imp tail (E)
-Greenwell Potatos (D)
-Sickle Herring (D)
-Darkbloom Mushrooms (E)
-Mystery Meat (?)
-Rockshell Tomato (C)
-Bilehound Slab (E)
-Leadborn Peas (B)
EXTRA
-Eastwind Spices (E)
-Salt (D)
-Pepper (D)
-Diluted slime (C)
-3 magical pots (can cook anything in any conceivable way)
-3 hungry adventurers headed for The bone forest to kill THE NECROMANCER (D)
-Histy ( Female,Ranger,elf, vegetarian), Dezrin ( Male,Human, Warrior, iron stomach), Eliea (Female,Human Priestess, snobby)
-You Homunculus, You cook.
-Dish= 2 INGREDIENTS + 1 EXTRA ( Optional)
-low intelligence, need experience to grow.
-unknown information about ingredients, need to cook
>C O O K (1 dish per person, quality of food increases with more description)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713563705304516.jpg","filename":"images (4).jpg"},"posted":1713563705},{"board":"qst","thread":5981624,"pid":5981643,"name":"Fleshberries","msg":">>5981624
test
test
[purple] test [/purple]
[s] I am hungry [/s]","attachment":null,"posted":1713565694},{"board":"qst","thread":5981624,"pid":5981656,"name":"Fleshberries","msg":"Off to work
Anything can be grilled, boiled, etc. Use your culinary imagination","attachment":null,"posted":1713567324},{"board":"qst","thread":5981624,"pid":5981956,"name":"Arino","msg":"Homunculus cooks
>Bilehound Slab (E)
bilehound meat is soaked in the bile secreted by the beast.
To counteract the acidity of the meat, homunculus brushes
>diluted slime (C)
and uses the magic pot to sear all sides of the slab until golden brown.
Homunculus cuts
>Greenwell potatoes (D)
in small cubes and brings the remaining diluted slime to a boil.
Homunculus drops the potatoes in the boiling slime and adds the meat.
The translucent slime starts taking a greenish tint because of the neutralized bile.
Homunculus waits for a few hours.
Homunculus is ready to serve.
Homunculus presents
>Bilehound Stew
A hot stew of a deep green color with stringy meat and white potatoes—will keep the adventurer full and warm during their travel.
Homunculus places a bowl in front of Dezrin.","attachment":null,"posted":1713592124},{"board":"qst","thread":5981624,"pid":5982016,"name":"Fleshberries","msg":">>5981956
Bilehound Slab (E)
Hunted from: Underblight, Deadman's Copse.
+Acid Resistance
-Use this ingredient more to unlock more info.
Greenwell potatoes (D)
Gathered from: Morew Uplands.
+HP Regen.
-Use this ingredient more to unlock more info.
Diluted Slime (C)
Acquired from: nearly all regions
+Amplifies Other properties.
-Use this ingredient more to unlock more info.
Bilehound Stew (D)
+Acid Resistance(+1)
+HP Regen (+1)
"Yum! Just like how me mum cook'em."
+70 Gold
>C O O K (1 dish per person, quality of food increases with more description)
>Don't cook, save ingredients.","attachment":null,"posted":1713597985},{"board":"qst","thread":5981624,"pid":5982055,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981624
>-Imp tail (E)
>-Leadborn Peas (B)
The tails are hollowed out and mixed with crushed peas. Outer tail skin is sauteed by itself, fried again in
>-Diluted slime (C)
Then stuffed with the tail-pea mixture and baked in an oven.
Leftover hot slime is used as a seal on the tail for short-term storage.
>Stuffed Imp Tails
Easy to eat, although not particularly great cold.","attachment":null,"posted":1713603294},{"board":"qst","thread":5981624,"pid":5982057,"name":"Fleshberries","msg":">>5982055
We run out of slime, do you want to add another extra? and who shall eat this dish?","attachment":null,"posted":1713603477},{"board":"qst","thread":5981624,"pid":5982058,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982057
Add the eastwind spices to the stuffing instead, I guess.
Give this to Eliea","attachment":null,"posted":1713603714},{"board":"qst","thread":5981624,"pid":5982067,"name":"Fleshberries","msg":">>5982058
Imp tail (E)
Hunted from: The Flaying Forge
+Fire Resistance
-Use this ingredient more to unlock more info.
Leadborn Peas (B)
Gathered from: Morew Uplands
+Physical Resistance
-Use this ingredient more to unlock more info.
Eastwind Spices (E)
Acquired from: Sahaar's Stretch.
+Increases Physical Attack based on quality of ingredients.
-Use this ingredient more to unlock more info.
Stuffed Imp tail (C)
+Phys. Resistance
+Fire Resistance
+Phys. Attack (+1)
"Ugh, what is this slop? Disgusting."
+40 Gold
>C O O K (1 dish per person, quality of food increases with more description)
>Don't cook, save ingredients.","attachment":null,"posted":1713605201},{"board":"qst","thread":5981624,"pid":5982163,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982067
Okaaaay
>>5981624
>-Darkbloom Mushrooms (E)
>-Rockshell Tomato (C)
>-Pepper (D)
Remove the shell and roast it with pepper. Afterwards, use it as a bowl to boil the mushrooms with the tomato filling, serving once the shell is soft enough to eat.","attachment":null,"posted":1713620893},{"board":"qst","thread":5981624,"pid":5982591,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981624
Seeing that we are only allowed to use 2 ingredients at a time, let's try this.
Take the darkbloom mushrooms in hand and pluck the stalk from the cap.
Use spoon or tip of knife to remove gills from cap.
Set gills aside.
Dice shroom caps and stalks before setting aside.
Grab Leadborn peas and shell them.
Set shells aside with mushroom gills.
Grab pan and put oil in to heat to just below smoking.
Put shelled peas and diced mushrooms into pan to cook and add pepper.
Remove from heat after a few minutes of continuous stirring.
Flavorful vegetarian dish for ranger.","attachment":null,"posted":1713651462},{"board":"qst","thread":5981624,"pid":5982711,"name":"Fleshberries","msg":">>5982591
We ran out of peas! All ingredients are used once","attachment":null,"posted":1713663575},{"board":"qst","thread":5981624,"pid":5982736,"name":"Fleshberries","msg":"Don't forget to name your dish!
>>5982163
Darkbloom Mushrooms(E)
Picked from: The Bone forest, Deadman's Copse
+Dark Resistance
-Use this ingredient more to unlock more info.
Rockshell Tomato (C)
Gathered from: Augur's Skytrail
+Bleed Resistance
-Use this ingredient more to unlock more info.
Pepper (D)
Acquired from: Various regions
+Amplifies one property, nullifies the other one.
-Use this ingredient more to unlock more info.
Stuffed Rockshell Tomato (D)
+Dark Resistance (+3)
"A-Achooo!! Thank you!"
+60 Gold
-Adventures left you. Vanish through portal.
-you alone. Would you see them again?
-sad.
-What to do with gold? Trade. Buy ingredients.
-No gold? Hunt, pluck, kill, smash, rip, slice, ingredients, Adventurer you?
-You must cook, running low of ingredients.
-You must change yourself, mercury flesh must adapt...
>You better trade, silver tongue, Mercury tongue (+1 to Haggling)
>You Adventurer so Adventurers Adventure better (+1 to Adventuring)
>Bad thoughts, you cook, you only cook (+1 to cooking)","attachment":null,"posted":1713664843},{"board":"qst","thread":5981624,"pid":5982889,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982736
>You better trade, silver tongue, Mercury tongue (+1 to Haggling)
We need a larger stock of ingredients before cooking skill is going to mean anything.","attachment":null,"posted":1713678323},{"board":"qst","thread":5981624,"pid":5983087,"name":"Fleshberries","msg":">>5982889
-better tongue, yes. Can talk, can haggle.
-New face. Not adventurer. Homunculus like you.
-girl, pretty, merchant, food, more?
" Instersted in my wares? Cough up some coin first~"
Quality (E->D)
Meat Ing.-> 45 Gold
Non Meat Ing. -> 35 Gold
Extra Ing.->25 Gold
Ing. from a specfic Region-> 55
Upgrade stock-> 475 Gold
Random Race Info-> 45 Gold
Random Food Recipe> 75 Gold
Random Trait tip-> 35 Gold
Random Region Tip-> 35 Gold
>Buy___
>Skip, wait for next adventurers","attachment":null,"posted":1713709082},{"board":"qst","thread":5981624,"pid":5983092,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983087
>2 meat
>2 non meat
I don't think this quest is going to get very much traction with this sort of pacing.","attachment":null,"posted":1713709532},{"board":"qst","thread":5981624,"pid":5983095,"name":"Fleshberries","msg":">>5983092
I just wanted a comfy food sim quest. Shit you are right. Should I call it off ? Maybe prep a bit for a redux? What should I take into consideration next?","attachment":null,"posted":1713709894},{"board":"qst","thread":5981624,"pid":5983097,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983095
The initial tutorial was not presented very intuitively. You didn't mention that there's only one serving of every ingredient, for example.
I'm thinking
>skipping any preamble is fine
>start with 1 adventurer, with a line or two of what they want and MAYBE the opportunity to accept multiple different dishes so more than 1 anon's vote gets through.
>Bigger quests than this have died shopping. Just do a single lump purchase, or don't make it a vote at all.
>The second half of the shopping choices don't make sense for low intelligence homunculi to deal with. Introduce them through the master or something, or provide them as rewards from the customers.
>Sprinkly narrative hooks to slowly introduce the tavern, whoever operates it, and the surrounding areas.","attachment":null,"posted":1713710319},{"board":"qst","thread":5981624,"pid":5983099,"name":"Fleshberries","msg":">>5983097
Well, I will be back soon with vengeance, thanks anon!","attachment":null,"posted":1713710496}]}
+{"title":"Star Wars: Against the Republic II(b)","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5981826,"name":"Whills QM","msg":"https://starwarsintrocreator.kassellabs.io/#!/ENqx6VLm9928xBAC5FUH
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...
STAR WARS
AGAINST THE REPUBLIC
War has engulfed the GALACTIC REPUBLIC
With the pyrrhic victory of the GRAND ARMY at GEONOSIS, the CLONE WARS have truly begun. Republic forces find themselves vastly outnumbered in space and on the ground, as despite the massive influx of CLONE TROOPERS, the industrial capacity of the CONFEDERACY OF INDEPENDENT SYSTEMS remains unassailable.
After the battle, hundreds of thousands of solar systems declared independence from the Republic, swayed by the impossibly persuasive COUNT DOOKU.
Even the JEDI ORDER has found itself fractured, a hundred JEDI KNIGHTS have invoked their Right of Denial, opting to stay out of the conflict entirely, while a handful have found themselves seduced by Dooku, though not all by the allure of the DARK SIDE…
=====
Welcome to Star Wars: Against the Republic. This quest will, as the name implies, take place during the Clone Wars. This quest will be basically entirely Legends (i.e. from the old EU) with very little if anything taken from the canon outside the movies. Yes, this includes the 2008 The Clone Wars cartoon, which is impossible to fit into the Legends continuity. Darth Maul is dead, barring anything unforeseen, Anakin Skywalker will remain a Padawan until the middle of the war, Mandalore is CIS-aligned and is not a pacifist monarchy, Nightsisters are a minority on Dathomir which as minimal contact with the Galaxy at large, Asajj Ventress is a Rattataki, and General Grievous is both a master strategist and a serious personal threat, etc.
This thread will probably be shorter and just wrap up the Krant Campaign/Hunt for the Decimator. Don't expect a follow-up immediately after because the worst dreck in all of nuWars is about to drop and I don't want to have any reason to be wiki diving when it does.
Previous threads:
Thread 1: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2024/5853066/
Thread 2a: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2024/5929453/
Feel free to ask questions and clarifications below. With that out of the way, let's get started.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713581437438675.png","filename":"SWATR OP.png"},"posted":1713581437},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5981827,"name":"Whills QM","msg":"-Krant-
-One Month After the Battle of Geonosis-
The Republic’s air support arrived in force several hours into the battle between General Tann’s droids and their own Clone troopers. It had only taken so long because the Clones were able to rapidly entrench themselves and their ground support into the rough terrain that surrounds the refinery that the Chiss general had occupied to serve as her base. The arrival of the Republic’s fighters and bombers meant that your gradual advance was slowed to a grind, but it also meant that the enemy general’s apprentice, a Padawan Commander, took to the ground. Several minutes after an outdated and unshielded bomber was shot out of the sky by a lucky shot from one of the Tri-Droids accompanying you and General Tann at the middle of the formation of droids, you caught a flash of blue deflecting oncoming blaster fire from one of the forward Clone squads, before the padawan, still clad in her flight suit, and the accompanying troopers ducked into the nearest trench.
General Tann, upon spotting her dogged pursuer’s apprentice take the field, sprang from your position with a contingent of B2 super battle droids, the unactivated hilt of her lightsaber in-hand.
That was just under five minutes ago, but something, be it your gut or the Force (if there is truly any difference, as Master Trebor liked to ponder), made you stay in place, slowly moving forward as the Republic’s forces were pushed deeper into the hills. It’s that same feeling, which confirms that it was the Force that draws your attention back in the direction of the refinery. Nothing about it has changed visually, but there is a weak disturbance in the air around it, certainly imperceptible to any who are not attuned to the Force. It’s likely invisible to those who aren’t as well-trained as you are, and an ability like Shatterpoint, or even Psychometry, which you don’t possess, would help further.
A single gossamer thread, visible only thanks to Shatterpoint, stretches from some point deep in the facility off in the direction of General Tann, where the thickest fighting is. Your hand goes to the hilt of your own lightsaber.
>1/2","attachment":null,"posted":1713581462},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5981828,"name":"Whills QM","msg":">[A] Remain where you are, but direct the droids at the back of the formation to turn and defend against a possible attack from inside of the facility, if that’s where the Jedi General is, as the Force seems to indicate.
>[B] Return to the facility, you can’t let General Tann’s work in securing the Decimators amount to nothing, even if she’s seemingly willing to let that happen. You’re not sure if Shen-Jon, the Jedi General, will be able to completely wipe out what General Tann has managed to glean, but you’re not going to risk it.
>[C] Pursue General Tann, she was trained in the Jedi arts by Count Dooku, so the two of you would be able to make quick work of a single Padawan and whatever Clones are by her side. Not to mention that the two of you, though you’ve never fought together, should be a handful, even for a Jedi Master trained by Mace Windu himself.
>[D] Write-in (have a plan).
>2/2","attachment":null,"posted":1713581523},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5981872,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981828
>[B] Return to the facility, you can’t let General Tann’s work in securing the Decimators amount to nothing, even if she’s seemingly willing to let that happen. You’re not sure if Shen-Jon, the Jedi General, will be able to completely wipe out what General Tann has managed to glean, but you’re not going to risk it.","attachment":null,"posted":1713584571},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5982063,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981828
>>[B] Return to the facility, you can’t let General Tann’s work in securing the Decimators amount to nothing, even if she’s seemingly willing to let that happen. You’re not sure if Shen-Jon, the Jedi General, will be able to completely wipe out what General Tann has managed to glean, but you’re not going to risk it.","attachment":null,"posted":1713604740},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5982094,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981828
>[B] Return to the facility, you can’t let General Tann’s work in securing the Decimators amount to nothing, even if she’s seemingly willing to let that happen. You’re not sure if Shen-Jon, the Jedi General, will be able to completely wipe out what General Tann has managed to glean, but you’re not going to risk it.
Nice to see you back QM!","attachment":null,"posted":1713608306},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5982241,"name":"Whills QM","msg":">>5981872
>>5982063
>>5982094
Unanimous. Voting's closed.","attachment":null,"posted":1713627056},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5982386,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"It's good to be back.","attachment":null,"posted":1713637748},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5982674,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981828
+1, would be idiotic to ignore your prior comments & shatterpoint ex machina","attachment":null,"posted":1713659759},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5983077,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981826
Nice intro and welcome back","attachment":null,"posted":1713708051},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5983960,"name":"Whills QM","msg":"The staging area from which the base’s droid forces were deploying against the invading Clones is as far as you get before the telltale glint of white plastoid armor stops you in your tracks. A snap and an order get a pair of lingering Assault B1s, left behind to alert the forward troops of any intrusions on the rearline to fire their or take down any ambitious clone pilots which strayed too close to the base to fire their missile launchers into the gantry that wraps around the cavernous room.
Several Clones and a great deal of metal go flying haphazardly as the projectiles strike the section of walkway you’d seen movement on, but only seconds after the preemptive strike, a pair of troopers peak their heads over the railing and begin laying down suppressing fire with their Blastech carbines. The commotion has gotten the notice of several of the B2s left in the rear guard, which start to march forward, returning fire with their wrist-mounted blasters. One of the B2s is struck several times, though it remains standing. The Assault B1s quickly fall to the concentrated fire of the rest of the surviving Clones when they begin to fire as well.
After almost half a minute of this, the Clones cease firing before eight grenades are thrown from their positions. You chose to make your move then, as in the instant between the rocket detonations and the Clones returning fire, you were able to faintly hear the voice of the Jedi General giving his men orders, and, reaching out with the Force, you were easily able to tell that it was indeed the Jedi, as he isn’t concealing his strength in the Force. It seems, in fact, that he’s broadcasting his location. Catching the grenades isn’t a matter of effort, but a matter of finesse. Pushing them back into the Clones would doubtlessly just deflect them off the wall and cause them to fall onto the floor, giving them cover enough to leave, so you have to focus on catching each one individually. After you catch them, stretching your hands into the air and suspending the explosives several meters above the ground and well away from any of your droids, you realize that you’ve been holding your breath, and slowly exhale.
A brute force application of the Force wrenches the grenades from your grip and sends them into the roof of the loading zone, where they rip a hole through to the sunlight beyond. Rather than using that distraction to retreat back into the facility (though that wouldn’t have helped, as most of the droids’ attention is still fixated on where the squad was), the Jedi General leaps onto the floor, his green lightsaber bisecting a B2 and a wave of his hand sending a squad of B1s tumbling across the floor.
>(1/3)","attachment":null,"posted":1713761152},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5983962,"name":"Whills QM","msg":"“You aren’t Tann,” he almost sounds disappointed, his voice clear now that the sounds of your brief battle have faded, though the sounds of battle from the distance echo in from the enormous hangar doors of the staging area.
Echuu Shen-Jon, you know instinctively, is a mustachioed human male, shorter and stockier than yourself. He wears a cloak over a tight, military-style tunic and padded pants, all dull colors which contrast with the bright green light cast by his weapon. The handle is relatively short and unornamented, sharing design elements with that of his master, and he holds it in a stance you know is characteristic of Form VII.
You adopt one of Niman’s standard openings, light dancing off the hilt of your lightsaber before it snaps on. You hold your blade high, keeping your feet wide and keeping your off-hand close to your body.
“General Tann is overseeing the battle,” you inform Shen-Jon, behind him, you can see his Clones making their way to the floor.
The Jedi’s eyes narrow when he sees your weapon, briefly flicking to the insignia on your epaulets and the customized Confederate uniform you wear. “You’re not another of Dooku’s Acolytes,” he says simply, without the venom of the last Jedi General you encountered, “so why?”
He lets the question hang, it could be ‘why are you here?’, ‘why stand against me?’, ‘why stand with the Separatists?’, or a million other queries.
“I’m not, no,” despite both of your masters serving on the Council, you never met Shen-Jon, though he must be a more recent student of Windu’s than detached Depa Billaba or the slap to the face of the Order that is Rahm Kota. Perhaps he only finished his training under the famous Korunai. “I’m simply doing my duty as an officer in the Confederate Military,” despite what Tann said about him, Shen-Jon seems to be rather collected, though there is an intensity simmering beneath his calm veneer. “General Taen-Qyl Tarrag,” you know him, so he may as well know you, it’s unlikely he’ll be leaving the planet a Jedi General, if he leaves at all, given Sev’rance Tann’s presence.
>(2/3) Sorry about the low quality picture, but this guy is from a 2002 CD-Rom game and nothing else.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713761319832990.png","filename":"shen-jon.png"},"posted":1713761319},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5983963,"name":"Whills QM","msg":"“Master Echuu Shen-Jon,” he says with a nod.
Now it’s your eyes that narrow, and you address the man by his rank, “You can’t maintain your current offensive long enough for reinforcements to arrive, even from Bothawui, General Shen-Jon.” It’s true, you aren’t trying to rile him up. “Even if you manage to get to General Tann, my fleet is still in orbit, your men would never be able to leave Krant.”
“Don’t threaten me,” he says, emotion creeping its way into his voice.
“It’s a fact,” at a gesture, your droids open fire at the Clones who have finally reached the loading area’s floor, cutting several down in an instant. You didn’t order them to attack your opponent, not wanting their attacks to get in your way.
The Jedi General makes the first move, a Force-assisted leap bringing him all the way to you. You sidestep the blow, a Juyo adaptation of a Djem So opening, even heavier and more aggressive than that already deadly strike. As you step backwards, you bring your lightsaber to your chest, coiling your sword arm like a snake, and when Shen-Jon lands, you strike out, aiming to skewer him. Your opponent swiftly shifts his weight and blocks vertically, catching the tip of your lightsaber. As Shen-Jon straightens up, he slashes at your neck, though the distance means that all you have to do for the attack to go wide is lean back. Your hand slides down the hilt of your lightsaber as you slash low, leveraging both your longer weapon as well as your greater reach to drive your opponent back.
Rather than simply fall back, Shen-Jon strikes back the instant he regains his footing, batting away your lightsaber and swinging upwards, aiming for your chest. You circle around him, again aiming your blade low. He attempts to disarm you by trapping your lightsaber in a circular sweep, but you pull back as fast as you can before driving your heel into his chest. The older Jedi has the air knocked out of his lungs, and he stumbles backward. Still, even that throws him off his rhythm for barely an instant, and he aims a powerful one-handed strike at your collarbone, seemingly intent on cleaving you in two. Your left hand moves to the pommel of your lightsaber, and you flick it across Shen-Jon’s face with speed you hadn’t previously demonstrated.
That gets him to stagger, though even as he shouts and brings a hand up to his face you can see that the injury, though it will scar, is only surface level. Nonetheless, you take advantage of his lapse, and get inside of his wide open guard, leveling your lightsaber at his throat. In that moment of calm, you see that your droids have taken out the last of the Clones.
>(3/4 because I cut this up wrong)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713761400132448.png","filename":"TQT saber 3 quarters.png"},"posted":1713761400},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5983964,"name":"Whills QM","msg":">[A] Tell Shen-Jon to stand down, and order his troops to stand down. You can guarantee they’ll be treated well, even if the Clones may not make their way back to the Republic. You’ll even make sure he doesn’t cross paths with Sev’rance Tann while in custody.
>[B] Destroy Shen-Jon’s lightsaber and take him prisoner, even if his troops don’t stand down, having the Jedi captive will make the escape from Bothan Space a lot easier, and will help elevate your record after what happened in Anx Space.
>[C] Strike down Shen-Jon. Though you didn’t feel it while fighting him, between the feeling you got from him before you engaged him and what Sev’rance Tann has said, he’s close to the Dark Side, and a Dark Jedi trained by Mace Windu isn’t something you can let loose on the Galaxy.
>[D] Taunt Shen-Jon before disarming him. If he’s as close to falling as Sev’rance Tann seems to think he is, then his presence, while unfortunate, would be a thorn in the Republic’s side, and therefore best for the Confederacy.
>(4/4)","attachment":null,"posted":1713761461},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5983972,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983964
>[C] Strike down Shen-Jon. Though you didn’t feel it while fighting him, between the feeling you got from him before you engaged him and what Sev’rance Tann has said, he’s close to the Dark Side, and a Dark Jedi trained by Mace Windu isn’t something you can let loose on the Galaxy.
If we are at an advantage, I would bait him some more to confirm if he's really on the edge before striking him down. If we're not at that much of an advantage, better than safe than sorry, I think...
These are some tough choices, OP That is a good thing; choices are supposed to matter","attachment":null,"posted":1713762592},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5983994,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983964
>>[C] Strike down Shen-Jon. Though you didn’t feel it while fighting him, between the feeling you got from him before you engaged him and what Sev’rance Tann has said, he’s close to the Dark Side, and a Dark Jedi trained by Mace Windu isn’t something you can let loose on the Galaxy.
Why does this feel too easy? This is fishy.","attachment":null,"posted":1713765591},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5984015,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983964
>>[B] Destroy Shen-Jon’s lightsaber and take him prisoner, even if his troops don’t stand down, having the Jedi captive will make the escape from Bothan Space a lot easier, and will help elevate your record after what happened in Anx Space.
I want to give him to Dooku to mind fuck.","attachment":null,"posted":1713768072},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5984025,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984015
I don't want him to do something stupid or heroic while we have him in custody otherwise I would have voted for that one.","attachment":null,"posted":1713768770},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5984044,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983964
>[B] Destroy Shen-Jon’s lightsaber and take him prisoner, even if his troops don’t stand down, having the Jedi captive will make the escape from Bothan Space a lot easier, and will help elevate your record after what happened in Anx Space.
I'd call this a high reward, and we need to make up a bit for what happened in letting that last jedi and battle cruiser escape.","attachment":null,"posted":1713773312},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5984061,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983963
>[B] Destroy Shen-Jon’s lightsaber and take him prisoner, even if his troops don’t stand down, having the Jedi captive will make the escape from Bothan Space a lot easier, and will help elevate your record after what happened in Anx Space.
Promotion?","attachment":null,"posted":1713775876},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5984069,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983964
>[B] Destroy Shen-Jon’s lightsaber and take him prisoner, even if his troops don’t stand down, having the Jedi captive will make the escape from Bothan Space a lot easier, and will help elevate your record after what happened in Anx Space.
For be precise, knock him down too IMMEDIATELY AFTER DESTROYING THE LIGHTSABER. A well delivered kick in the stomach followed by a dozen or less hits with the butt of our lightsaber on his head should do, after that a medical droid can drug him and other droids can tie him up and bring him away. We don't have jedi containment measures just sitting in the corner of this base, but probably up in our Lucrehulk. This is war and he is a jedi trained by Windu, we don't take chances.
If the clones want to surrender good, if not just kill them. They aren't going to win so the more sensible ones should stop. Too bad about that confederacy space outpost and the officer there ;(
With these things out of the way we will need to grab the Obliterators, Tann and her army, and bring them to safety in our fleet. And decide what else to do in space, probably leave ? This was a smash and grab mission, Dooku wanted Tann and obliterators safe.
>>5984044
Our first mission was rough on the edges, but we did surprisingly well overall for a man put in charge of a fleet and army, for a short period of time and with no similar command experience before. And Taen ensured the Confederacy free'd a region of space from the Republic.
This time it will not happen again.","attachment":null,"posted":1713777019},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5984117,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983964
>[B] Destroy Shen-Jon’s lightsaber and take him prisoner, even if his troops don’t stand down, having the Jedi captive will make the escape from Bothan Space a lot easier, and will help elevate your record after what happened in Anx Space.
I feel like this is going to bite us later on, but we have to at least try.
>>5984069
Also supporting this idea on how to keep him captive and knock him out.","attachment":null,"posted":1713788165},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5984151,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983964
Really well written duel scene, although it definitely seems too good to be true how easy it was. Perhaps he intends to be captured....
Nonetheless,
>[E] Disarm him of his lightsaber, render him unconscious, & keep him sedated in captivity.
Rahm Kota was Mace Window's Paddlewand? I only knew of Depa Billaba & Sora Bulq, though he was more of a sparring partner/co-innovator.","attachment":null,"posted":1713794529},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5984192,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983964
>[C] Strike down Shen-Jon. Though you didn’t feel it while fighting him, between the feeling you got from him before you engaged him and what Sev’rance Tann has said, he’s close to the Dark Side, and a Dark Jedi trained by Mace Windu isn’t something you can let loose on the Galaxy.
Welcome back qm","attachment":null,"posted":1713798644},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5984286,"name":"Whills QM","msg":">>5984151
>Rahm Kota was Mace Window's Paddlewand
I have his backstory different from his canonical one, but yes. Canonically Mace found him in his teens on his war-torn and backwards homeworld and chose to train him as a Jedi. It makes Mace unnecessarily hypocritical and contradicts both the movies and a lot of the internal turmoil he has in the rare stories where he's a POV character (several issues of Republic, briefly in Labyrinth of Evil and the ROTS novelization, and Shatterpoint most notably).
Also your vote is pretty much just B, so I'm going to count it as that.
>>5983994
>Why does this feel too easy? This is fishy.
On one hand, maybe you're right to be suspicious, on the other, it's a matter of luck and Shen-Jon's troubled mental state. Form VII should have an advantage over Form VI, but you need to be centered to properly practice Vaapad. The contrast of Taen's conduct to Tann's also threw him off.
Leaving the vote open for another 6-ish hours.","attachment":null,"posted":1713813954},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5984289,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984286
>but you need to be centered to properly practice Vaapad
I thought Windu and that other guy were the only two to actually know Vaapad? Or am I getting Juyo and Vaapad mixed up since they're kind of the same thing? I thought Vaapad had a huge "you're gonna dark all over the place" thing going on kek
Just read the spoiler, so I guess things aren't exactly as they may normally be. Right on.","attachment":null,"posted":1713814311},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5984385,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983964
>[B] Destroy Shen-Jon’s lightsaber and take him prisoner, even if his troops don’t stand down, having the Jedi captive will make the escape from Bothan Space a lot easier, and will help elevate your record after what happened in Anx Space.
We don't have any reason to just kill another jedi yet I don't think? Its been awhile sense the first thread.","attachment":null,"posted":1713827531},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5984407,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983964
>[B] Destroy Shen-Jon’s lightsaber and take him prisoner, even if his troops don’t stand down, having the Jedi captive will make the escape from Bothan Space a lot easier, and will help elevate your record after what happened in Anx Space.
Plus I don't know that we should relish killing individual Jedi, even if the Council are a bunch of total hosers.","attachment":null,"posted":1713829774},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5984473,"name":"Whills QM","msg":">>5983972
>>5983994
>>5984192
Survey says... KILL!
>>5984015
>>5984044
>>5984061
>>5984069
>>5984117
>>5984151
>>5984385
>>5984407
Take the Jedi captive, sedated if you can manage it.
Voting is closed, the Bs have it.
>>5984289
>I thought Windu and that other guy were the only two to actually know Vaapad?
Depa also knows Vaapad and was actually better at it than Sora Bulq though she's currently on Haruun Kal getting mindblasted, but there is literally no information on Echuu Shen-Jon's fighting style, so his arc in Galactic Battlegrounds (for as little narrative that has) of slowly falling and him being trained by Mace Windu mean that it can easily be filled in that he has at least some Vaapad training.
>>5984407
>Plus I don't know that we should relish killing individual Jedi, even if the Council are a bunch of total hosers.
You're not necessarily relishing it.","attachment":null,"posted":1713837214},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5985249,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984407
>>5984473
>Plus I don't know that we should relish killing individual Jedi
THE FORCE WILLS IT! ","attachment":null,"posted":1713906176},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5986716,"name":"Whills QM","msg":"Sun djem is one of the traditional marks of contact in lightsaber combat, and is most often seen in Forms I, III, and VI, and involves the destruction of an enemy’s weapon, though Soresu most often executes it on blasters. It’s a simple matter to flick out your orange blade along the length of your opponent’s arm and strike the emitter from the rest of his lightsaber, rendering the weapon useless.
It’s a common misconception that lightsabers are, themselves, resistant to their own blades, but most materials strong enough to withstand lightsaber blows would disrupt the flow of energy within the weapon.
The emitter clatters to the floor and you deliver your ultimatum.
“General Shen-Jon,” your blade is placed back at the Jedi’s neck, and he regards you with an empty stare, “I’m taking you into my custody, order your men to stand down or don’t, the Republic has already lost this battle.” You pause, centering yourself and listening for the distant sounds of battle, hearing that they’ve gotten fainter, “it may not be standard procedure, but forgive me if I order you bound and sedated, I can’t give Mace Windu’s former apprentice free rein on my flagship.”
“I understand,” he says, as you order a B1 to fetch a set of binders and another to search the infirmary for something to sedate the Jedi with. “Just promise me that you’ll— that Naat will be treated well.”
“Your padawan? Of course,” you’re reasonably confident that Tann will be forced to yield any prisoners to you, since it’s your fleet that’s evacuating her and her forces. “You understand that you won’t be seeing one another, at least until we can arrange your release.”
“As long as I can feel that she’s safe in the Force, that’s enough,” he says, resigned.
You start to nod, but something draws both your attention and Shen-Jon’s to the loading area’s hangar doors. Backlit by Krant’s distant setting sun, Sev’rance Tann stands in the cavernous opening with a restrained human girl at her side and a platoon of super battle droids at her back. The blonde teenager at her side looks slightly worse for wear, but not particularly roughed up, you suppose that, even with her accelerated training, it makes sense for General Tann to easily trounce a padawan.
“Another Padawan you couldn’t protect, Master Jedi,” the Chiss taunts, her grin visible from across the hangar. “It seems there’s nothing of yours I can’t take from you.” The sunlight glints off of her lightsaber’s emitter as she raises it, her other hand wrapped around the back of the girl’s neck.
>(1/2)","attachment":null,"posted":1714074186},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5986717,"name":"Whills QM","msg":"Clenching your teeth, you start moving before Shen-Jon does, but that doesn’t mean you’re fast enough to prevent his Force-enhanced leap, your lightsaber carving a gash into his upper thigh rather than running him through as he intended. The scream the Jedi unleashes in the Force throws you back several meters, nearly causing you to lose your footing, and destroys the battle droid that was rushing forward to deliver the Jedi’s cuffs to you. It even knocks down several more droids scattered around the hangar, and he reaches the object of his ire in a blur.
The lightsaber at the other Confederate general’s side flies to the Jedi General’s hand and is ignited even before the Chiss manages to activate hers. The cold blue and brilliant yellow blades collide with such force that Sev’rance is thrown into the droids behind her, her back bouncing off the chest of a stunned B2.
“Master!” The Jedi’s padawan is the first to properly react to the ferocity of his offensive, her distraction throwing him off just enough for his opponent to raise a proper defense.
Still, the feeling of the Dark Side emanating from Shen-Jon does not ebb, rather deepening as he hacks at Tann, who retreats into her droids. The feedback loop of the Dark Side feeding into Juyo, the original Form VII, is certainly impressive, though concerning. It seems as if Tann was correct about the Jedi Master’s proximity to the Dark Side, as his boiling rage far outshines her passive sadism in the Force.
>[A] Step in to help General Tann, she’s clearly outmatched and it seems like you’re done reasoning with the Jedi General. She may have caused this situation, but she’s still one of the top Separatist commanders.
>[B] Allow the fight to go on, but take charge of the padawan and order the droids to support General Tann. While she’s busy reaping what she’s sown, you’ll see to mopping up the rest of the operation and step in when you can.
>[C] Wait for Shen-Jon to strike Tann down and step in then. As far as you can tell she’s been more trouble than she’s worth, and turning a Jedi Master like this creates a dangerous x factor in the chaos that is a battlefield. The Decimators were the first priority over the General anyway.
>[D] Write-in.","attachment":null,"posted":1714074246},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5986814,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986717
>>[B] Allow the fight to go on, but take charge of the padawan and order the droids to support General Tann. While she’s busy reaping what she’s sown, you’ll see to mopping up the rest of the operation and step in when you can.
We did just injure his leg. She should be able to handle him. Honestly, she needs to just shut her damn mouth. She's probably going to kill him given the chance, but a padawan prisoner and a dead master is fine enough.","attachment":null,"posted":1714083338},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5986818,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986717
>[D] Allow the fight to go on, but take charge of the padawan. Don't order your droids to step in yet, observe the fight.
I hope Tann loses, that was done in a retarded manner.","attachment":null,"posted":1714083726},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5986833,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986818
Well if Tann loses here she's more than likely going to die. SJ over here is absolutely gunning to kill her at this point. Best case scenario for her losing here is losing a limb or two. Lightsaber fights are brutal.","attachment":null,"posted":1714085073},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5986856,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986833
True but I'm not impressed with her command skills so far, I don't really see what the hype around her is. The CIS doesn't stand to loose much if anything if she dies.","attachment":null,"posted":1714088184},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5986877,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986717
>>[B] Allow the fight to go on, but take charge of the padawan and order the droids to support General Tann. While she’s busy reaping what she’s sown, you’ll see to mopping up the rest of the operation and step in when you can.","attachment":null,"posted":1714090670},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5986898,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986818
No.
It doesn't truly matter if she can't shut up. If she is good or not, if its political, scientifical or other reasons for Tann to be valuable.
No what's matters is that we don't make another error. A dead confederate general is that, so we complete our mission fully and she gets back. Our orders are clear. She also needs to be extracted.
Realistically Shen-Jon is almost falling to the dark side, that rage is going to power him up, and he is fighting in a confederate base with our objectives to extract. You got that right ! WE CAN'T HAVE HIM GOING ON A RAMPAGE.
For these reason, these options are not exactly good, and we did just now very poorly. We had a feeling already there was some beef between Tann and Shen-Jon and ...... we talked with Shen-Jon instead of knocking his ass to sleep.
>>5986717
>Write in
Order some droids to knock down the padawan and then order other droids to restrain her (there is B2 s, B1 s and our droidekas here should be easy to do. A B2 punch in the face should be enough for put to sleep the already weak padawan), then attack Shen-Jon with everything we got. End this now and get out of here with the Obliterators, Tann and a padawan. A wall of blaster fire should put him down, or wound him enough for capture.","attachment":null,"posted":1714094227},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5986941,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986856
Dooku had enough faith in her to keep her around and give her pointers. If nothing else he'd appreciate us keeping his investment alive.","attachment":null,"posted":1714099027},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5987032,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986717
>[D] Write-in.
Take control of the Naat the padawan. Cause enough of a commotion to pause the fight for a moment (blow something up?), the loudly reiterate that Naat is under OUR care now, and will be treated well if he stops this now. We should probably also tell him to control himself.","attachment":null,"posted":1714110009},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5987187,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986717
>>5987032
+1
I'm half tempted to just leave Tann to die since she's being dumb.","attachment":null,"posted":1714140368},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5987442,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986717
>[E] Have our droids fire a massed volley of stun bolts at the Jedi, while we detain his Padawan at lightsaber-point & sedate her.","attachment":null,"posted":1714168284},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5988331,"name":"Whills QM","msg":">>5986814
>>5986877
Clean up the rest of Tann's mess while she deals with the consequences of pushing a Jedi Master to the brink.
>>5986818
Secure Naat Reath while sitting back to observe the duel.
>>5986898
Secure Naat through means that are certainly over the top and crude then step into the duel.
>>5987032
>>5987187
Keep trying half-measures and talking to the guy who's clearly seeing red with rage and just pulled out a Force Scream. Surely that will work.
>>5987442
Separatist droids don't carry stun weapons. This write-in is invalid.
It's tied but I feel like more votes aren't coming in, I might just roll a d2 in an hour or so.","attachment":null,"posted":1714244297},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5988340,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988331
I'll switch my vote from [D] to [B] to keep things moving.","attachment":null,"posted":1714244910},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5988526,"name":"Whills QM","msg":">>5986814
>>5986877
>>5988340
B wins then, voting is closed.","attachment":null,"posted":1714259086},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5993049,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"roger...rog...er....r....","attachment":null,"posted":1714743787},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5994887,"name":"Whills QM","msg":"The B2s that recovered the fastest are quick to pin Shen-Jon’s padawan’s hands behind her back, and several more accompany them and her in backing away as the Jedi Master’s duel with Sev’rance Tann destroys more of their fellows. In seconds, the frenetic dance of blue and yellow lights has dismantled most of the platoon of B2s that arrived with Tann, droid limbs and torsos clattering motionless to the floor amid the duelists’ furious blows.
Shen-Jon’s shaky Vaapad has turned into a more than able display of Juyo, the raw power of his form easily beating back his Chiss opponent, forcing her onto the backfoot. Tann is clearly a skilled technical duelist, easily on the level of many knights within the Jedi Order, and her dextrous form gives away the fact that she was taught by Count Dooku, still one of the greatest lightsaber duelists and instructors in the Galaxy. But her familiarity with Form II and preference for what must be Form IV, based on her failed attempts at seizing the momentum of the fight, are hampered by the mess of droids and droid parts surrounding her, and the masterfully followed doctrine of power her opponent bears down on her with.
Seemingly by happenstance, Tann manages to angle the tip of her blade into Shen-Jon’s fresh leg wound. She follows up by attempting to blind him or take his head off above the eyes, but he’s able to bat her saber aside and slash at her throat. Tann ducks back, aiming to gut the Jedi General while at the same time attempting to kick at the gash on his leg to force him to stumble. The fight continues in this way for several moves before you decide that it’s safe for you to contact your transports and the base’s control center.
Dishearteningly, the only response you get from the control center is a B1 that only replies after a few minutes’ delay, which tells you that the entire command and communication center of the refinery was gutted by Shen-Jon and his squad of clones. The news from the transports is better, though two of the C9979s carrying Decimators were sabotaged by the Jedi, all of the Diamond-class medium transports managed to take off before Shen-Jon was able to reach them. Getting into contact with your fleet is more difficult on account of the communications array being down, but you’re eventually able to connect. A glance at the ongoing duel tells you that you have enough time to order everything but Longest Haul about in response to the Republic fleet which is beginning to move away from Krant’s moon Aereen to array for battle in orbit of the planet. The Lucrehulk itself will finish reloading its complement of C9979s before engaging in battle, while the Diamond-class transports hang back at the rear of the fleet.
>(1/3)","attachment":null,"posted":1714884880},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5994889,"name":"Whills QM","msg":"“General,” one of the B2s that’s taken custody of Shen-Jon’s padawan grumbles at you in its heavily modulated, deep voice.
“Take her to one of the landing craft,” you order, making sure the Jedi General’s full attention is still on General Tann. “There are cells on Longest Haul, the crew will take charge of her.” You give the droid a once-over, while battle droids don’t have the learning matrices of protocol or astromech droids, they do have the capacity to learn and remember. “Escort the prisoner to the ship, then join the droids aboard the fleet.”
“Sir,” the B2 says with the closest thing to gratitude it can manage.
Tann throws the dismembered torso of a B2 at Shen-Jon when she’s able to put some distance between them, but the Jedi bulls through the diversion, slashing through it with a casual backhanded strike. For her part, Tann is able to follow up on the distraction better than you expected, aiming to skewer her opponent through the head. Shen-Jon smothers the Chiss’ golden blade into the floor of the hangar, then flicks his padawan’s blue lightsaber in another deft backhand strike, again aiming to take her head off. Your fellow Separatist officer angles her blade parallel to her body and uses the momentum of the Jedi’s strike to regain the distance that’s been keeping her alive. Again at a distance, Tann uses the Force to throw the severed arm of a B2 into Shen-Jon’s legs, but the Jedi easily regains his footing. Unfortunately, that momentary lapse in concentration towards his opponent means that the Jedi General is free to notice that his apprentice is gone.
“Naat!?” He shouts, confused. Tann makes her move, yet again recognizing that her only chance at victory is leveraging what few opportunities she can find. This time, her strike doesn’t even make it past her own body, as Shen-Jon wheels on her, his left hand reaching out and freezing her in place with a choked gasp. Tann’s aborted attack means that the Jedi’s one-handed slash isn’t initially fatal, though his blade bites deep into the side of her abdomen. Shen-Jon is unable to go any farther, as he’s stopped by your own lightsaber slipping between his ribs.
“You b-bastard,” the Chiss general chokes out, taking a knee and breathing heavily.
“I had a mission to see through,” you state blandly, making sure to take the padawan’s lightsaber from the Jedi Master’s slackened grip. You’re surprised, perhaps it was because General Shen-Jon fell to the Dark Side before you struck him down, but you expected to feel more out of striking down another Jedi. All you feel instead is the same relief as you felt when the rest of the obstacles on this mess of an assignment were overcome, as well as the weight of the campaign so far beginning to creep up on you. “We’ve won, all that’s left is the evacuation.”
>(2/3)","attachment":null,"posted":1714884940},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5994891,"name":"Whills QM","msg":"“You could have done that—” Tann winces, anger clear on her face. Her hand is hovering over her wound, as if she’s concerned about touching it. That’s understandable, it looks a lot worse now that you can see it clearly. “You could have done that after we finished the Jedi off, together.”
“He was handled,” you exhale through your nose, looking at the face-down body of the Jedi General next to you. “You chose to compromise everything by parading his Padawan in front of him, we could have interned them separately and been off-planet before their fleet arrived, then we could have used them to get out of Bothan Space. Now it’s up to me to figure out how to extract from this Force-forsaken sector without losing everything we’ve both worked so hard for.”
“I—” Tann grits her teeth, red blood standing out against the white enamel and her dark blue lips, “—can get us out, I had a plan.”
Vote for 1 A option and 1 B option:
>[A1] Whatever plan she had is woefully obsolete. She’ll be spending your journey back to Separatist space in a Bacta Tank. Order medics to assist Tann off planet before you leave, but you won’t be long.
>[A2] Fine, you’ll take her advice. But that means she’s going to be in a lot of a pain and possibly out of commission for a long time, though that’s her choice, and you’ll make sure that she’s clear in restating that.
>[A3] No. All of this was her fault. The remaining droids will be shut down and then destroyed when the Republic retakes the base. There will be no evidence if she happens to ‘expire’ before she can be extracted. Giving the Count a false account of events may prove tough, but Tann has proven herself to be more trouble than she’s worth.
>[A4] Write-in (think through it carefully if you’re going to submit one)
And:
>[B1] Leave Shen-Jon’s body for the Republic. You’re sure that they’ll see to it that he gets a Jedi funeral, without the specter of his fall hanging over the ceremony. It’s not your job to see to that anyway.
>[B2] Get your droids to set up a makeshift pyre for the Jedi. He may have been your opponent and he may have fallen in the end, but it’s what a Jedi Master deserves. Besides, he conducted himself well enough before Tann antagonized him.
>[B3] Take Shen-Jon’s body and freeze it. Someone, you’re not sure whether they’re a representative of the Count or one of the Separatist cause’s corporate backers, is interested in the bodies of Jedi. And while living Jedi are more valuable as tokens for ransom, there’s no such policy regarding their bodies.
>(3/3)","attachment":null,"posted":1714885002},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5994899,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994891
>[A1] Whatever plan she had is woefully obsolete. She’ll be spending your journey back to Separatist space in a Bacta Tank. Order medics to assist Tann off planet before you leave, but you won’t be long.
>[B2] Get your droids to set up a makeshift pyre for the Jedi. He may have been your opponent and he may have fallen in the end, but it’s what a Jedi Master deserves. Besides, he conducted himself well enough before Tann antagonized him.","attachment":null,"posted":1714885380},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5994933,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994891
>>[A1] Whatever plan she had is woefully obsolete. She’ll be spending your journey back to Separatist space in a Bacta Tank. Order medics to assist Tann off planet before you leave, but you won’t be long.
Her plan seems to revolve a lot around other people showing up and things going just right. I don't trust circumstance as much as she does. A lesson she hopefully learned when we decided not to help her like she was planning on.
>[B1] Leave Shen-Jon’s body for the Republic. You’re sure that they’ll see to it that he gets a Jedi funeral, without the specter of his fall hanging over the ceremony. It’s not your job to see to that anyway.
I'd rather not spend any more time here than necessary. Even if it is to give the guy final rites he deserves. His remains can go back to the order.
What about Naat's saber, I wonder. Should we leave it with Shen, or take it with us? If Naat goes turncoat it would be useful to have a weapon she is familiar with. On the other hand, if Dooku turns her he's gonna give her a new rock to swing. We should probably take it with us but I'm torn. If somehow Naat is freed before we make it back to safety, probably by some commando bullshit, it would be annoying for her to rearm. And now I am overthinking it kek","attachment":null,"posted":1714887800},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5994947,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Happy May 4th
>>5994891
>[A2] Fine, you’ll take her advice. But that means she’s going to be in a lot of a pain and possibly out of commission for a long time, though that’s her choice, and you’ll make sure that she’s clear in restating that.
She's fucked up badly, but I'm willing to give her a chance to explain herself here. All in all, my current theory is that she's smart but that the Dark Side causes her to be way too overconfident.
>[B1] Leave Shen-Jon’s body for the Republic. You’re sure that they’ll see to it that he gets a Jedi funeral, without the specter of his fall hanging over the ceremony. It’s not your job to see to that anyway.
Really doesn't feel like its our place to do much with the body, and I'm a little suspicious of this B3 option.
>>5994933
I'm in favor of taking her saber with, could prove useful later if for no other reason than having a backup saber on hand.","attachment":null,"posted":1714890710},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5994948,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994891
>[A1]
>[B3]
>Take any lightsabers for yourself besides Tann's
>Ensure any Decimators that were damaged or loaded onto transports that were sabotaged are extracted
>Use footage from the base security mainframe & the droids present whether our battledroids or maintenance units to show the two Jedi as hostages, beam this footage to the Republic fleet ordering them to stand down or else the hostages will be executed","attachment":null,"posted":1714890745},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5994957,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994891
>>[A1] Whatever plan she had is woefully obsolete. She’ll be spending your journey back to Separatist space in a Bacta Tank. Order medics to assist Tann off planet before you leave, but you won’t be long.
>[B3] Take Shen-Jon’s body and freeze it. Someone, you’re not sure whether they’re a representative of the Count or one of the Separatist cause’s corporate backers, is interested in the bodies of Jedi. And while living Jedi are more valuable as tokens for ransom, there’s no such policy regarding their bodies.
>Take any lightsabers for yourself besides Tann's
>Ensure any Decimators that were damaged or loaded onto transports that were sabotaged are extracted
>Use footage from the base security mainframe & the droids present whether our battledroids or maintenance units to show the two Jedi as hostages, beam this footage to the Republic fleet ordering them to stand down or else the hostages will be executed","attachment":null,"posted":1714891480},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5994961,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994947
I was thinking about a spare saber, but I think we already have one or two. Well we have a spare crystal if nothing else. But I thought we had our former padawan's saber as well, as distasteful as it may be to wield it.
Obviously more backups is always nice but still. It feels strange and I don't know why.","attachment":null,"posted":1714892115},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5995033,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994891
>[A1]
>[B3]
I'm forgetting who could want the bodies of a Jedi and why, so I'm mostly voting out of curiosity.","attachment":null,"posted":1714907417},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5995165,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994891
>[A1]
"No, you are barely walking and while it might prove useful tactically, i have no intentions to see you explaining it while bleeding on the ground and with the Republic fleet rapidly coming towards us. Don't take it personal, we will have a long chat later on Tann."
>[B3]
>Take any lightsabers for yourself besides Tann's
>Ensure any Decimators that were damaged or loaded onto transports that were sabotaged are extracted
>Use footage from the base security mainframe & the droids present whether our battledroids or maintenance units to show the two Jedi as hostages, beam this footage to the Republic fleet ordering them to stand down or else the hostages will be executed
Oh and have some Vultures droid above us for air safety, we need to extract and it would be sweet to not be swarmed by LAATs leaving troopers left and right.
Can we send a ship for a quick looting of the Republic camp ? Getting our hands on their datapads would be nice. Tann should have break through it i think. Beyond that lets try and evac anything else we can from the separatist base, the rest we can detonate it with orbital bombardament, explosives and Force. Troops, equipment, data, etc ... i would prefer to reuse it.","attachment":null,"posted":1714923355},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5995231,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994957
I'm him, I'm 100% Himalayan
>>5995165
+1 to what this anon added onto my own vote/write-in","attachment":null,"posted":1714931804},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5995368,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995231
???","attachment":null,"posted":1714941532},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5995414,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995368
I think he mislinked his own vote right above yours. Or he's schizophrenic.","attachment":null,"posted":1714944600},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5995443,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994891
>[A1] Whatever plan she had is woefully obsolete. She’ll be spending your journey back to Separatist space in a Bacta Tank. Order medics to assist Tann off planet before you leave, but you won’t be long.
>[B2] Get your droids to set up a makeshift pyre for the Jedi. He may have been your opponent and he may have fallen in the end, but it’s what a Jedi Master deserves. Besides, he conducted himself well enough before Tann antagonized him.
>Take any lightsabers for yourself besides Tann's
>Ensure any Decimators that were damaged or loaded onto transports that were sabotaged are extracted
>Use footage from the base security mainframe & the droids present whether our battledroids or maintenance units to show the two Jedi as hostages, beam this footage to the Republic fleet ordering them to stand down or else the hostages will be executed","attachment":null,"posted":1714947375},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5995540,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995414
Schizo","attachment":null,"posted":1714952978},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5995567,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995414
LMFAO yeah, my B, I was the vote with those write-ins, linked someone supporting my write-ins by accident in order to add another anon's write-ins to my vote.","attachment":null,"posted":1714955125},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5995752,"name":"Whills QM","msg":">>5994899
>>5995443
A1, B2
>>5994933
A1, B1
>>5994947
A2, B1
>>5994948
>>5994957
>>5995033
>>5995165
A1, B3. This one wins + write-ins.
Might be a bit before the update.","attachment":null,"posted":1714968124},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5995958,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"droidekas with ... twin linked gatlings.","attachment":null,"posted":1714991648},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5995963,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995958
Well roger my roger & call me a protocol droid","attachment":null,"posted":1714992556},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5996216,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995958
Hear me out, droidekas except they do handstands and each of their four feet is a minigun instead.","attachment":null,"posted":1715016850},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5997882,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995958
I'll one-up you:
>Drodekas with a battery of disrupters on one arm, a flamethrower on the other, and plays Skillrex from it's head.","attachment":null,"posted":1715147203},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5997941,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5995963
lol
>>5996216
>>5997882
Intriguing .... the Count will be certainly pleased with these new military insights......","attachment":null,"posted":1715153038},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5998678,"name":"Whills QM","msg":"Klaxons ring out as you set foot onto Longest Haul’s bridge, your prisoner, as well as your fellow Separatist general, and Shen-Jon’s corpse, were all sent to different parts of the carrier. Tann went to the expansive medbay in the core ship, Naat Reath was sent in stuncuffs to the brig at the rear of the ring, and the Jedi General’s body was placed in a pod in the carrier’s cold storage, close to the engines. The tactical readout on your console tells you that the Republic’s main task force has moved inside the orbit of Krant’s moon Aereen, and that Shen-Jon’s former flagship and its escorts have moved around the side of the planet, and are almost in firing range. The another screen, on a console manned by one of the bridge droids, displays the Munificents ahead of Longest Haul and the Republic’s Dreadnaughts trading long-range fire, though the shields and gravity well of the planet make the exchange rather futile. One of the Dreadnaughts’ shields are blinking out, courtesy of a lucky shot from a Munificent’s ion cannon.
“Open communications with the Republic flagship,” you request of the communications officer, an actual organic, a Bith.
“Sir,” the bulbous-headed alien complies with a nod, fiddling with his console before connecting with the Acclamator that’s come about the planet. “They’re requesting we contact the Acclamator at the head of the Republic’s task force.”
You nod, and the communications officer switches channels.
“This is Captain Bulus Kroscindal of the Republic Assault Ship Interceder,” the hologram of an uptight-looking military man says after the image flickers to life in front of your console.
“I assume that overall command of the Republic’s forces in-system has fallen to you, Captain Kroscindal,” you offer. The officer inclines his head, which you take as an answer in the affirmative. “I am Lieutenant General Taen-Qyl Tarrag, and I’ve ordered my ships to cease firing on yours.”
The Republic officer grunts, “I assume there are conditions behind your ceasefire.”
“Naturally,” you nod, “you will allow my fleet to leave Bothan Space, or I will be forced to execute my hostage.”
“Hostage? What hostage?” Your counterpart plays dumb.
“Jedi Commander Reath,” you inform him, “though her master did an impressive job in hindering my mission, she was the only one I was able to capture alive.”
“That confirms it then, General Shen-Jon is dead,” Kroscindal scowls, “fine. I don’t have enough firepower to bring down that Lucrehulk anyway, not if you’re that determined to escape.” He looks away, likely to one of his own bridge crew, “we may, however, be able to delay you long enough for the Bothan Civil Defense Force to arrive. I suggest, to minimize casualties to both our forces, that you relinquish Commander Reath to us, after which, you may exit Bothan Space.”
>(1/2)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715208379232222.png","filename":"Krant system 1.png"},"posted":1715208379},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5998679,"name":"Whills QM","msg":">[1] Deal, you have no use for the Padawan. Your mission was to extract Tann and the Decimators, Shen-Jon’s body is more than enough of a prize, considering the mysterious benefactor requesting Jedi bodies.
>[2] Deal, but you’ll release the Padawan into Republic custody once you reach Separatist space. Kroscindal seems like a man of his word, at least as far as you can sense, but you don’t trust the Bothans to keep to his word. Or their own, for that matter.
>[3] No deal, a Jedi Padawan could be worth more than your escape from the Krant System. Keep her for insurance and for a possible advantageous prisoner or materiel exchange in the future.","attachment":null,"posted":1715208440},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5998691,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998678
>[3] No deal, a Jedi Padawan could be worth more than your escape from the Krant System. Keep her for insurance and for a possible advantageous prisoner or materiel exchange in the future.","attachment":null,"posted":1715209408},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5998705,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998678
>[3] No deal, a Jedi Padawan could be worth more than your escape from the Krant System. Keep her for insurance and for a possible advantageous prisoner or materiel exchange in the future.","attachment":null,"posted":1715210274},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5998707,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998679
>>[3] No deal, a Jedi Padawan could be worth more than your escape from the Krant System. Keep her for insurance and for a possible advantageous prisoner or materiel exchange in the future.
We should inform him that the Jedi council is hardly fair, and the blame falling on him for guaranteeing the death of a padawan will be certain. A prisoner can always be freed or ransomed or rescued later, a corpse cannot.
Basically just bluff the shit out of him as a former street jedi ourself we know what we're talking about and he'll get fucked up if he presses us. The best part being that we really do know.","attachment":null,"posted":1715210319},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5998713,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Most of our force are transports, correct? We can definitely take the republic ships on in a fight, but we'll lose most of what we gained.
>[4] Offer a prisoner exchange; any separatists captured from the comms outpost, vac, or Tann's base in return for the Padawan.","attachment":null,"posted":1715210688},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5998724,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998678
>>[3] No deal, a Jedi Padawan could be worth more than your escape from the Krant System. Keep her for insurance and for a possible advantageous prisoner or materiel exchange in the future.","attachment":null,"posted":1715211290},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5998727,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998713
we have some other ships with us, like the two Munificents and some hardcells. Plus our Lucrehulk","attachment":null,"posted":1715211435},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5998746,"name":"Whills QM","msg":">>5998713
If there's not >[no.] Write-in option, write-ins won't be accepted.","attachment":null,"posted":1715212445},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5998757,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998679
>>[3] No deal, a Jedi Padawan could be worth more than your escape from the Krant System. Keep her for insurance and for a possible advantageous prisoner or materiel exchange in the future.","attachment":null,"posted":1715213676},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5998841,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998727
Y","attachment":null,"posted":1715218179},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5999111,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998679
>[3] No deal, a Jedi Padawan could be worth more than your escape from the Krant System. Keep her for insurance and for a possible advantageous prisoner or materiel exchange in the future.
The more Jedi we can remove from the field, the better.","attachment":null,"posted":1715232248},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5999114,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998679
>>[2] Deal, but you’ll release the Padawan into Republic custody once you reach Separatist space. Kroscindal seems like a man of his word, at least as far as you can sense, but you don’t trust the Bothans to keep to his word. Or their own, for that matter.","attachment":null,"posted":1715232386},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5999686,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998678
We could try a jedi mental trick with Captain Kroscindal maybe. Uhm, risky he has his men on board that might notice it. If we had a bit more reputation or dread this could be different perhaps.
I don't consider his fleet a threath, even for our transports, i think we can easily blast them. But reinforcements might be the issue. Still with how the Captain agreed to not fight, Republican reinforcements beside the Bothan Space Defense Force might not be coming and he wants to avoid a costly defeat that would maybe destroy one ship and damage slightly the rest of our fleet.
We still have to pass by more than one republican system for return in friendly space, there is that to consider too.","attachment":null,"posted":1715283434},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5999687,"name":"Whills QM","msg":">>5998691
>>5998705
>>5998707
>>5998724
>>5998757
>>5999111
Hold onto your chips.
>>5999114
Keep her until you can reach your own space.
Surprisingly callous and unanimous, voting is closed.","attachment":null,"posted":1715283437},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5999698,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999687
>Surprisingly callous and unanimous, voting is closed
Perhaps the Captain reminds Taen of the political class of the Core.... or the fight of before and the whole deal with Shen-Jon and Tann, left a sign on our boy.
I like to think its a further detachment to the Jedi Order and Republic, maybe some disgust of sort, and an increasing desire of seeing the Confederacy cause win.","attachment":null,"posted":1715283898},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":5999739,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999687
All power to shields and drives. Just jump straight outta here. It's not like we need to beat them to actually leave.","attachment":null,"posted":1715287047},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":6000621,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"“No,” you lean back in your seat. “Three Acclamators isn’t enough to keep a Lucrehulk pinned, and I know the Bothans won’t pursue my fleet into Republic space proper. And you still have forces left on Krant to extract,” your fingers come together in a tent, “we both know, Captain, that a Jedi Padawan is worth more than a deal for safe passage when it’s already assured.”
“General,” the Captain says with a scowl after some grumbling, “you were Jedi once. Surely you understand how well returning a Jedi prisoner immediately would reflect on you.”
“That,” your tone is flat, “is exactly why I value Commander Reath higher than you do. If you open fire after I close this channel I will be forced to retaliate, and we both know who the winner of that exchange will be.”
The hologram of the Republic officer winks out, and transmissions from Munificents and Wavecrests taking point against Republic detachments report that the enemy Acclamators and Dreadnaughts have opened fire. The Munificents concentrate their prow turbloasers and heavy ion cannons on the cruiser on the Republic’s starboard flank, quickly wearing down its shields and disabling it.
Longest Haul opens fire on the former flagship while transmitting the escape vector to the rest of the fleet.
>[A] Break through at Kothlis. It may be lightly defended, but jumping off back to Spirador instead of taking the Manda Merchant route would be both unexpected and straightforward.
>[B] Jump to Zygia, its defenses are oriented away from Bothan Space, so jumping into the system won’t be complicated. Jumping out of the system may prove more difficult, but immediately jumping to the remote world of Somov Rit will minimize losses.
>[C] Use Moonus Mandel for your escape vector. The Bothan run is risky, but as long as you avoid moving on Lannik, it should be the cleanest break.
>>[1] Jump from Moonus Mandel to the Leritor bypass, skirting the Bothan Run proper and reenter Separatist space at Bresnia. Dressel, though outside of Bothan Space, did have its defenses built up by the Republic, though they’re oriented against attacks from the Galactic east, rather than Bothan Space.
>>[2] Use Moonus Mandel as a jumping off point for Thokosia and Chroma Zed, the upper Gamor Run, nearest Hutt Space, is less defended than the worlds closer to the junctions at Gamor and Milagro, so the extraction will be less complicated, though Chroma Zed is far removed from the major Separatist worlds.
>>[3] Use Moonus Mandel as a jumping off point for Shador, where you’ll broadcast your flight plan for Emberlene. The ruling Mistryl sect of Emberlene is a militant order that is staunchly Separatist, and may send reinforcements if you’re opposed in your escape. Owing the Mistryl Shadow Guard a favor, however, is infamously risky.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715370379256058.png","filename":"Krant escape.png"},"posted":1715370379},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":6000655,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000621
>[A] Break through at Kothlis. It may be lightly defended, but jumping off back to Spirador instead of taking the Manda Merchant route would be both unexpected and straightforward.","attachment":null,"posted":1715373762},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":6000661,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000621
>>[B] Jump to Zygia, its defenses are oriented away from Bothan Space, so jumping into the system won’t be complicated. Jumping out of the system may prove more difficult, but immediately jumping to the remote world of Somov Rit will minimize losses.
I don't know what any of these places are.","attachment":null,"posted":1715374288},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":6000675,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000621
>[C] Use Moonus Mandel for your escape vector. The Bothan run is risky, but as long as you avoid moving on Lannik, it should be the cleanest break.
>>[2] Use Moonus Mandel as a jumping off point for Thokosia and Chroma Zed, the upper Gamor Run, nearest Hutt Space, is less defended than the worlds closer to the junctions at Gamor and Milagro, so the extraction will be less complicated, though Chroma Zed is far removed from the major Separatist worlds.
I don't like the idea of getting stuck in a minor pocket, especially with our valuable cargo.","attachment":null,"posted":1715375071},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":6000731,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000621
>>[C] Use Moonus Mandel for your escape vector. The Bothan run is risky, but as long as you avoid moving on Lannik, it should be the cleanest break.
>>[3] Use Moonus Mandel as a jumping off point for Shador, where you’ll broadcast your flight plan for Emberlene. The ruling Mistryl sect of Emberlene is a militant order that is staunchly Separatist, and may send reinforcements if you’re opposed in your escape. Owing the Mistryl Shadow Guard a favor, however, is infamously risky.","attachment":null,"posted":1715379089},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":6000772,"name":"Whills QM","msg":">>6000675
>I don't like the idea of getting stuck in a minor pocket, especially with our valuable cargo.
The Ando/Andosha Pocket isn't minor, it's a pretty solid line of Separatist fortifications that has workable connectivity with greater Separatist space thanks to Hyperspace mine warfare being way more widespread on the Separatist side than the Republic side. Here's the current Galactic situation.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715382688785177.png","filename":"galaxy map.png"},"posted":1715382688},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":6000775,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000621
>[A] Break through at Kothlis. It may be lightly defended, but jumping off back to Spirador instead of taking the Manda Merchant route would be both unexpected and straightforward.","attachment":null,"posted":1715382873},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":6000950,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000772
Ah, my bad. I'll stick with C2 however. It seems prudent to get the tanks to the Separatist core for mass production, not to mention Tann and our new apprentice hostage.","attachment":null,"posted":1715401372},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":6001077,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6000621
>>[C] Use Moonus Mandel for your escape vector. The Bothan run is risky, but as long as you avoid moving on Lannik, it should be the cleanest break.
>>>[1] Jump from Moonus Mandel to the Leritor bypass, skirting the Bothan Run proper and reenter Separatist space at Bresnia. Dressel, though outside of Bothan Space, did have its defenses built up by the Republic, though they’re oriented against attacks from the Galactic east, rather than Bothan Space.
Decisions decisions","attachment":null,"posted":1715418395},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":6001847,"name":"Whills QM","msg":">>6000655
>>6000775
Return to Spirador, simple. Wins.
>>6000661
Take the back way out, probably the least expected.
>>6000675
Return to the core of Separatist space (not to be confused with Core Separatist space), albeit a distant corner of it.
>>6000731
Make a deal with the Shadow Guard.
>>6001077
Make it seem like your breaking for the main body of Separatist space then juke for the Ando pocket.
I meant to close this earlier, sorry. Everything got a vote so this is weirdly close.","attachment":null,"posted":1715481815},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":6005744,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001847
true true","attachment":null,"posted":1715781850},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":6007612,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001847
Fuck it, make a deal with the Shadowguard. I'm curious about these cats.","attachment":null,"posted":1715921148},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":6011202,"name":"Whills QM","msg":"Longest Haul’s turbolasers drive the Acclamator rounding the planet back while your fleet’s Munificents continue to plug away at the rest of the Republic fleet. This continues long enough for the Diamond-class transports and Kolivex-class corvettes to jump out of the system along the vector to Kothlis. The Munificents and Wavecrests jump out next with your flagship coming about and jumping last, having had to dedicate a large amount of its reactors to its shields.
To your surprise, the void of the Kothlis system is illuminated by laser fire, several of the planet’s defense satellites having been moved to the edge of the system. One of your Diamond-class transports collides with one of the larger gun platforms, its relatively weak shields failing as it rams into the station as it drops out of hyperspace. The distraction isn’t enough to keep your fleet in-system, and the Diamonds are the first ships to jump back to Separatist space. Again, Longest Haul takes up the rear, and as its hyperdrives spool up to leave Bothan Space, the sensors show several large signatures arriving in-system.
-Gyndine Shipyard-
-Five Weeks After the Battle of Geonosis-
“I am pleased with your results, my young friend,” says the hologram of Count Dooku projected from the table at the center of the lounge you’ve been provided while your flagship is refitted at the Gyndine Shipyards. You deepen your bow in response. “Depa Bilaba’s Systems Army Gamma has struck Old Mankoo and Enarc, likely in retaliation for the rescue of General Tann and the Decimators.”
“Perhaps Master Bilaba is not in command,” you respond when the Count doesn’t continue, “the Council could have sent her on a mission that would leave her out of contact with her troops.”
“Indeed,” the Separatist Chief of State strokes his beard, “Bilaba’s absence is fortuitous. Remain at Gyndine, your fleet will reinforce you there. Your forces will bolster a force amassing at Nuvar to repulse the Republic’s attack on Old Mankoo, Enarc will not fall to the assault the Republic has sent against it.”
“Yes, Count,” you incline your head again, ready for the transmission to cut.","attachment":null,"posted":1716235621},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":6011203,"name":"Whills QM","msg":"“General Tann is still recovering from her injuries,” that gets you to look up at the hologram. “She understands how precarious her current position is, but I would like to extend you an offer,” you’re sure that, even across the vastness of space and the distortion created by the hologram transmission, that the Count can see you look away from his hologram. “The general was the informal head of a group of disillusioned and former Jedi who have joined our cause, a position which she will be unable to fill for the foreseeable future and which I do not believe she is capable of acting as regardless. Taen, would you step in to fill that role?” You can almost hear amusement seeping into the Count’s voice as he asks and clarifies the question, “not permanently, of course.”
“It’s not my place,” you shake your head, unable to raise it, “not now.”
“I am not impatient, General Tarrag,” the Count’s tone hasn’t changed, which disconcerts you more than if it had, “the true leader of my Acolytes will join us soon enough.”
At that, the transmission ends quite abruptly.
>Thread end! I think next time is going to skip a few weeks and be a bit character-focused before skipping to the time of the Battle of Hypori, where the war really starts to gain momentum. I think the Clone Wars can be divided pretty handily into three or four segments, the second of which starts with Hypori, and the third of which starts with the Bulwark Fleet breaking out at Foerost. I know this was also a shorter one, but it was always meant to be, given it’s a part 2 to the real thread 2.","attachment":null,"posted":1716235682},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":6011222,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011203
But will there be a part two to the part 2 of the thread 2?","attachment":null,"posted":1716236991},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":6011352,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011203
Man I love how you write conversations between Dooku and our boy","attachment":null,"posted":1716244628},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":6011436,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011203
Nice. Thank you for running Whills QM.","attachment":null,"posted":1716250665},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":6011446,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"He'll yeah borther, thanks for running, looking forward to the next chapter. I would like to have some more flexibility as far as what we pursue, like mopping up republic clusters in-between major assignments, politicking with different seppie factions & neutral parties, & maybe some more focus on spacebattle mechanics like in Imperial Remnant Captain Qst.","attachment":null,"posted":1716251776},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":6011522,"name":"Whills QM","msg":">>6011222
No, just Thread 3.
>>6011352
>>6011436
Thanks and thanks for coming out.
I really like Dooku as a character and hate what Canon has done to him. I hear he's alright in Tales of the Jedi, but he also couldn't get a clean W over Yaddle in that, and they waited to use that name till after Tom Veitch died so they wouldn't have to pay him which is one of the most evil things which Disney has done with the IP so I don't want to touch it.
>>6011446
>would like to have some more flexibility as far as what we pursue, like mopping up republic clusters in-between major assignments, politicking with different seppie factions & neutral parties, & maybe some more focus on spacebattle mechanics
Noted, I'll try to have more choice in that next time, and I intend to have more politicking and Taen's past come up in the next thread. Which will be at some point in the summer.
What do you suggest for space battle mechanics? There was a lot of that in the first thread and it honestly felt like it got in the way of the story.
Actually, if there's a lot of personal/politicking stuff, that might push the second "act" of the war back. Though that is still the longest part of the war. Really what spurred me onto wanting to write that part was Sev'rance Tann surviving means that her and Taen can be Grievous' round 2 for Supreme Commander after he dumpsters Durge and Ventress on that space station. Sora Bulq was never really in contention, I think Dooku recognized that his fall completely ruined his ability to look at the bigger picture.","attachment":null,"posted":1716256867},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":6011535,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011203
Nice, looking forward to the next thread. It seems like we’re back in the Count’s good graces, he seems to see a lot of potential in us.","attachment":null,"posted":1716257567},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":6011579,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011522
I don't have any particular notes at the moment on the system, but if you take a gander at Imp Remnant Cap Qst I'm sure you can find some decent bits to merge into your own, I recall it being pretty solid.
I like the way you're thinking in regards to the suprema, & I agree, Dooku has far more potential as an interesting character than he ever gets shown with.","attachment":null,"posted":1716259722},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":6012822,"name":"Whills QM","msg":">>6011579
That quest never really grabbed me, but I think the combat from the first thread was similar and I already said I wanted to dial back on that.","attachment":null,"posted":1716353455},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":6013403,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011522
Stars wars love space fighter fights. Uhm maybe battles POV changes in certain moments ?","attachment":null,"posted":1716406794},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":6013516,"name":"Whills QM","msg":">>6013403
>Stars wars love space fighter fights. Uhm maybe battles POV changes in certain moments ?
To the Vulture Droids and the Trade Federation Bombers?","attachment":null,"posted":1716419101},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":6014010,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6013516
sure or anything/anyone else really.
You have a whole galactic war to play with !","attachment":null,"posted":1716466512},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":6015169,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6013516
Is there any reason that the CIS couldn't include some more 'Biological' fighter squadrons? Having large amounts of Droids is cool, but there's no reason they couldn't be backed up by some volunteer squadrons drawn from their actual population?","attachment":null,"posted":1716552126},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":6015694,"name":"Whills QM","msg":">>6014010
>>6015169
No but you'd have to pick one up/hire one at some point. Maybe there will be another force composition vote in the next thread.
Either way I don't really want this to be as tactical as it has been, and will be working to change that, and POV swaps like those old Imperial Quests aren't something I have in mind. Maybe something more small scale and character focused to other OCs but that's about it.","attachment":null,"posted":1716590402},{"board":"qst","thread":5981826,"pid":6015704,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6013516
I'd rather you NOT change the POV on us. It makes no sense too.","attachment":null,"posted":1716590900}]}
+{"title":"Seekers of the Esoteric (Volume 8)","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6011108,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"The Goblin Wastes. A forsaken land where the sun hangs low and oppressive, painting the sky in gradients of molten gold and fiery crimson. A parched and desolate region, with its earth a mosaic of cracked earth and shifting sands, punctuated by stubborn tufts of scrub-brush that cling to life with a tenacity born of defiance. Jagged outcroppings of rock jut skyward like the broken teeth of some long-dead colossus, casting slender shadows that offer scant refuge from the elements, by day or by night. A land where life is a constant battle, where the echoes of a thousand forgotten conflicts whisper through the arid air.
Including yours.
Your name is Ezreal Mious van Houtzmann. You are many things: a half-elf born of the Sylvan Realms, a Mage of the Hawksong Mages’ Tower and personal apprentice to Archmage Theresa Henzler. You are the founder and keeper of the royal land reserve at Old Maple Hill, in your capacity as a possibly-apostate Disciple of the True Fey. In service of your mother’s folk and your father’s, and for the sake of your own ideals of a peace between peoples, you found yourself embroiled in politics of gods and kings. You prevented a war, but at great cost: you became an enemy of your homeland, outcast, and incurred a debt to the dreadfully-unpleasant fey of the Unseelie Court.
To seek out knowledge which would allow you to make good upon this debt, you sought the sacred knowledge of your cousins, the Neme (or Ashurati) ‘sand-elves’. These genasi-folk keep a covenant with a court elemental fey ‘djinni’, and have shared that knowledge with you in the past. When you arrived, though, you found their sacred place forsaken, save for a band of goblinoid bandits and slavers…
And you destroyed them. Killed them with lightning. Sicced your demon-goblin creation—Carazzi—upon them, to rip and tear their flesh and feast upon their fear. You liberated their slaves, tore down their perverse and wicked ‘goblin market’, and took some of their number prisoner before banishing them into the wasteland when supplies grey scarce. All this carnage in turn attracted ravening trolls, who nearly brought ruin and death to you, your friends and freedmen.
You killed them, too.
With more lightning, with fire, with the horns of your new minotaur companion and your beloved chimera Muffins. Their blackish-red blood seeps into the cracked earth. The stench of their death permeates the air. Their greenish flesh is opened up to the circling vultures above, and their yellowish eyes stare, unseeing, at the horizons of this awful, awful place.
You did that.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716227833472521.png","filename":"Seekers_comission_Final (text).png"},"posted":1716227833},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6011109,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6011108
You���ve seen death before, even been party to it, but nothing like what you did here. Not on this scale. Not so directly, casting lethal spells upon thinking, feeling people—albeit goblins, and especially awful ones at that—with the intent to kill. It’s different from sending an elemental or animal companion upon them and turning away, eyes squeezed shut.
How do you feel?
>Fine. Good, even.
[+Ego, -Empathy]
>Bad
[Courage roll will follow…]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716227874053008.png","filename":"level 3,1.png"},"posted":1716227874},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6011114,"name":"RQM","msg":"[Welcome back! To anyone just joining us, or who needs/wants a refresher, this quest and its predecessors (which aren’t required reading) are at https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=reptoidqm. The character sheet is attached. I do the dice-rolling, with 1d20 + an extra d20 for every pint in a selected relevant skill when applicable, and sometimes a bonus die for another related skill; DC is 15 by default, adjusted by circumstance. We update usually once a day, sometimes two or three times when I’m not working and have time and enough votes. On major, important votes only multipost IDs are accepted, to help reduce vote-rigging and arguments; a backlink or established tripcode is fine, too.]
[Also, be sure to check out the Queen of /QST/ tournament (or don’t, I’m not your real dad) at >>5997910, which I’m also running; the upcoming King of /QST/ tournament will include Tips as an entrant.]
[Special thanks to fellow QM Narrator for our thread header, and to Abismo for our character art]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716228067324646.png","filename":"1715150326730958.png"},"posted":1716228067},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6011123,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011109
>Bad
Prevent the Psychotips.","attachment":null,"posted":1716228535},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6011126,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011114
Let me get a trip too.","attachment":null,"posted":1716228597},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6011204,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011109
>Bad","attachment":null,"posted":1716235688},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6011226,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011109
>Bad
:(","attachment":null,"posted":1716237266},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6011261,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011109
>Bad
don't feel like making twisted tips, at least not now.","attachment":null,"posted":1716239516},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6011338,"name":"RQM","msg":"Rolled 9, 20, 8, 19 = 56 (4d20)
>>6011123
>>6011204
>>6011226
>>6011261","attachment":null,"posted":1716243837},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6011366,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011338
we literally can't not crit","attachment":null,"posted":1716245213},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6011412,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6011366
>>6011338
You feel terrible. At the time, gripped by moral outrage and engaged in pitched battle to defend yourself and others, you hadn’t had time to reflect on exactly what you were doing in any depth. The end had taken precedence over the means. Now, the means are all about you, and they are all you can think about. You can’t stand to look at the carnage you have wrought-charred bodies, shredded and burned, but nor can you look away. The trolls, who had seemed so much like animals as they loped about on all fours and spoke in their unintelligible and savage tongue, can now be seen clearly. Theirs are not the faces of animals (not that this would make you feel much better, being quite the animal lover) but of people—people not so different from Carazzi, or Zith-Zi, your dear friends.
“By the Gods, what have I done?” you quietly lament, gripping your knees as you sit on the hard ground, and watch the scavenger-birds settle.
“What you had to.”
It is Izirina Henzler who speaks: the Archmage’s daughter, your long-time magical rival, and more lately your lover. You look up to see her surveying the same charnel grounds as you, though her own expression is partly hidden by her shaded glasses. What you can see is calm untroubled, possessing the same certainty as her voice.
“Ez, look over here, huh?”
You feel a hand settle softly upon your shoulder, and look up at the smiling, green-freckled face of Costella Fanucci: you other lover, and Izirina’s as well. It’s… Complicated. Regardless, and in spite of the horror you have wrought, her expression remains brightly, her smile sweet. She guides you to your feet, and directs your attention away from those you helped to slay and towards those whom you helped to SAVE: the former slaves you liberated. You see women and girls—humans, halflings (or gnomes, maybe? you can never tell the difference…), and even goblins; elderly and crippled men, too, and a few young boys; and the bull-faced minotaur, who seems stalwart in his loyalty in spite of a difficult linguistic barrier. They are huddled close to the carriage of your half-orc driver, but no longer are they gripped by mortal terror, nor the hopelessness of bondage.
“You did that, Ez,” Costella says softly, squeezing your arm. “You took all these people and gave them a better life, and protected them from monsters who wanted to, like, eat them or sell them or whatever.”
“They weren’t monsters, though,” you whisper. “They were people, too.”
“Bad people,” Costella affirms.
“But—”
“Tips, this is just life, out here.”","attachment":null,"posted":1716248210},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6011413,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6011412
It is Zith-Zi who interjects next—the pink-skinned little woman who, before your magical meddling, was once a goblin of these very wastelands. You all look over at her, as she chews upon a chunk of meat.
“This is how things are,” she says bluntly, as you recall her own admission to having been involved in banditry, slavery, and even prostitution, as both perpetrator and victim. “They wouldn’t be mourning you, and with the trolls ‘specially, they prob’ly wouldn’t even mourn each other. They’re cannibals, ya’ know.”
Your eyes settle on the meat she’s eating, and your stomach knots itself. Zith-Zi seems confused for a moment, then glares at you.
“It’s that horse-meat you cloned us with your magic!” she exclaims. “Whaddaya’ TAKE me for?!”
>20
You take the words of your loved ones to heart, though, rejoining those whom you freed and protected. You can’t stomach any food yourself—not here, not near this bloody battlefield—but you do not let despair drag you down. Rather, you take solace in the peace and security you can bring—HAVE brought—others. Not only solace: you take PRIDE. Some battles MUST be fought, you resolve, and if you can preserve the lives and innocence of others by your own actions… Well, so be it.
Carazzi, the demon-souled goblin girl, is sitting in your lap, humming happily as you stroke her hair and praise her own good work in saving the day. Her rather voluptuous form makes this a little awkward, but she assures you that physical contact is useful in providing the psychic sustenance which she needs to help abate her succubus’ appetite. It is in this innocent-yet-unseemly state that the Ashurati find you.
“What in the Heavens’ name is THIS?” balks Khankhe, the young man of the Neme-Ashurati who you freed, as with the other captives.
You stand up quickly, Carazzi yelping as she tumbles from your lap. And onto the ground. You start to stammer an explanation, but quickly realize that he is not asking about you and Carazzi, but rather is surveying last night’s grisly aftermath. He is not alone, either, but ahs rather returned with two older members of his race: an elfman and elfwoman of the Neme. Like him they are lithely muscular, taller than your mother’s Sylvan race, with eyes so pale that they are almost white, no hair on any of their brownish skin, their pointed ears close to their heads, and partly-webbed fingers for swimming through loose soil.
“Ah, well…” you begin.
“You did all this?” the female asks, regarding you with hairless brows raised.
“Well, the others helped,” you say, without shame, “but yes.”
“You really have grown stronger, then, Ezreal Mious.”
You blink a couple times in confusion, then squint, and finally you recognize her.
“Nemenmo?”
Nemenmo—the female Neme who taught you to summon <Daylight> even in dead of night, when last you visited the wastes—graces you with a small smile and a slight nod.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716248307925247.png","filename":"d66a2ho-3f234f8f-4e64-4f10-a9e7-5d1b3c01501a.png"},"posted":1716248307},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6011415,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6011413
“It has been a while,” she acknowledges.
“It has!” you say. “I’m actually going by my father’s name as well, now. ‘Ezreal Mious Van Houtzmann’.”
She nods slowly, and then adds somewhat-critically: “It’s quite long.”
“He hasn’t even added the titles or nothin’ yet,” Carazzi notes, standing up and dusting herself off.
The Nemes’ attentions all turn to Carazzi—with short horns and hooked, deformed paw-feet resembling a goat’s cloven hooves, her green face more warty and yellow eyes brighter than even those of a regular goblin-girl. You see Nemenmo and her fellow stiffen, hand moving subtly towards the hooked ‘eagle claw’ dagger-sickles which they keep bound tightly to their bodies.
“Ezreal will do,” you say quickly, stepping between them, “and this is Carazzi. She’s a friend.”
“She was helpful in freeing me as well, brother and sister,” Khankhe adds, by way of lukewarm defence, though his own distaste and distrust for Carazzi is well-known to you.
There is a pause, and the Neme slowly relax when Carazzi—though fidgeting nervously—makes no hostile move.
“I see we have a great deal of catching up to do,” Nemeno says. “Come. We will regroup with the others.”
The Neme are capable of using <Sandswimming>, their secret magical art, to delve into those areas of the wasteland where the ground is deeply-packed with dust and fine gravel. Unfortunately, the rest of you are not; even your <Improved Aethereal Form> cannot penetrate the Earth, nor grant you sight to navigate with if you were to delve into the ground below. You must travel on foot, through the unpleasant heat of the day. The Neme do not seem to feel it, mind you, nor does elementally-attuned Izirina, but the rets of you do.
“Have you got the magic to <summon> an air elemental, to cool us off?” you ask Izirina.
She frowns and shakes her head, admitting: “I’m still quite drained from the battle.”
“Me too,” you admit, and Costella fans herself with her wide-brimmed straw sunhat.
“It is not far now,” Nemenmo assures you, and then adds: “You have grown powerful, but done no physical conditioning.”
“Less than maybe I should have,” you cringe. “I was, uh, on the moon for a while. Gravity’s lower there.”
“That is no excuse to neglect exercise,” she chastises you.
You pout, but she has already turned away, and doesn’t see it. You sigh, and carry on.
Eventually, you spy some small, humanoid silhouettes upon the ground. You approach cautiously, and find the remains of goblins, crushed and mangled, and in many cases partly devoured. Scattered around them are the remnants of familiar bundles of cloth—those which had been used to bundle the horse-meat rations for those slavers whom you banished from your overlarge party.
“The trolls must have found them, too,” you say.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716248378390325.jpg","filename":"a20791712a58ac27fe80a9_m__65108.jpg"},"posted":1716248378},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6011417,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6011415
“Bastards prob’ly squealed on us,” Zith-Zi notes, prodding one with the toe of her stompy black-leather boot. “Looks like the trolls were workin’ ‘em over, by the way their limbs are all pulled off. Prob’ly how they found us, and how the big boy rallied a bunch a’ smaller shits ta’ come after us, knowin’ we were a big score. Only reason ta’ ‘waste’ all this meat, too.”
You frown, and shake your head. No good deed seems to go unpunished…
“Hey, hey Tips!” Crazzi shouts to you, from where she has begun poking the bodies curiously with her clawed fingers. “This one’s alive!”
You hurry over to her side and see that, indeed, one of the goblin slavers is just barely clinging to live, breathing gurgling, bloody breaths through a pulped face. He is missing a leg, while his arms are so broken that they flops freely like tentacles when Carazzi lifts and drops one. He does not even seem to register your presence, so close to Death’s Domain that he is beyond pain.
“Can I—”
“No eating goblins,” you gently remind her. “Or people in general.”
Carazzi whines, and flops onto her back in protest, but obliges you.
You regard the nearly-dead goblin. By this point, you’ve managed to regain enough aura to cast a pair of healing spells <Cure Wounds> and <Monstrous Regeneration>--such that you could keep him alive and maybe even get him walking again. It would deplete your energies anew, but you’re also apparently quite close to the sanctuary of the Neme, and you’ve seen no trouble for some time now.
“Six male trolls’ll put th’ fear in pretty much any other fucker ‘round here,” Zith-Zi remarked earlier. “Bet they cleared th’ damn place out, for now at least. No wonder they wanted ta’ nab us so bad.”
Still, if this goblin (who is ALREADY a thief, murderer, and slaver, or at least kept the company of their like) really worth the effort? Especially if, as Zith-Zi suspects, eh repaid your kindness by telling the trolls where to find you?
>Save him and restore his leg
>Put him out of his misery
>Leave him to suffer
>Save his life, but leave his limbs maimed and missing
>Write-in","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716248466667936.png","filename":"d66a2ho-3f234f8f-4e64-4f10-a9e7-5d1b3c01501a.png"},"posted":1716248466},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6011425,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011417
>Put him out of his misery.
The neme don't even like goblins in general, trying to convince them to provide sanctuary to a raiding slaver, would be an incredibly hard sell.
Since once reunited with his fellows he might try to help track them down and attack them.
And he'll die in the wastes if sent out alone. Not dragging out his death is the biggest kindness we can give the bandit.","attachment":null,"posted":1716249412},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6011444,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011417
>Put him out of his misery
:'(","attachment":null,"posted":1716251478},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6011463,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011417
>Let Crazzi feed of his emotions
Might as well get something outta the suffering, if we’re not trying to save him","attachment":null,"posted":1716253015},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6011471,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011463
Good idea, if we can do it","attachment":null,"posted":1716253399},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6011491,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011417
>You frown, and shake your head. No good deed seems to go unpunished…
>you could keep him alive and maybe even get him walking again. It would deplete your energies anew
Uh, no. We showed mercy once and that’s how we were repaid.
>Put him out of his misery
Confirm the kill. We can’t him talking again. Stab into the side of the throat and follow through with a cut.","attachment":null,"posted":1716254566},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6011637,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011417
>Put him out of his misery
thinking better, we don't wanna make Cazzy a psycho","attachment":null,"posted":1716263793},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6011657,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6011637
>>6011491
>>6011463
>>6011444
>>6011425
You take a deep breath. You can see how and why the goblin bandit could have been induced to betray your kindness, but it doesn’t really make him any better, or more trustworthy. The Neme (understandably) do not much care for goblins to begin with; spending precious social capital for the sake of preserving this poor wretch just so eh can backstab you AGAIN doesn’t seem worth your while.
“Carazzi…”
Carazzi’s eyes light up as she jumps up and down, clapping her hands together giddily. It seems she has picked up on your intent already.
“Fuck yeah! You mean I can mow down??”
“Put him out of his misery,” you say slowly, enunciating to ensure she understands. “Quickly, and painlessly.”
Carazzi sighs melodramatically, but snaps a salute. You turn away wincing slight at a wet squelching sound behind you, and get ready to move once more.
By the time the sun has become TRULY terrible to endure, you and your companions are greeted by the convenient shadow of the more mountainous region where the Neme make their camp.
“Is this a holy site as well?” you ask.
“All mountains are holy,” says the older male Neme, speaking the first words since his brief introduction as ‘Nament’. “This one serves as best as a fortress, though, with its many caves to deep and cool places, some accessible only by those who can <Sandswim>.”
“Some, but not all,” Nemenmo is quick to assure you. “There will be a place to shelter those whom you have saved, while we attend to other matters.”
‘Other matters’, of course, meaning the liberation of those last prisoners of the goblins slavers whom you have not yet managed to free: the Elemental Fey who are kindred and holy guides to the Neme-Ashurati, and who remain trapped within the heavy chest of tiled stone which you brought with you from the goblin market. You also obtained the wand-like magical rod which apparently was used to bind them to this plane and then to the chest… But unfortunately, not even Skekz-Gab the hobgoblin (whom you have tied up and under minotaur supervision within your carriage) knows exactly how to use the one to open the other.
“Do you know how to free them?” you ask hopefully. “Are you familiar with these magical devices? I, ah, killed the hobgoblin who knew how to use them, and his partner-in-crime hasn’t been very useful.”
“I do not,” Nemenmo admits, “but the elders of the tribe may.”
“Well, I guess we should go see them,” you say cheerfully for, at long last, you will be in the company of elven civilization once more—if not the Sylvan culture in which you were raised.
“Hold, cousin.”
Nament raises a palm, and meets your eye.","attachment":null,"posted":1716265782},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6011660,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6011657
“Those humans and little folk whom the goblins have terrorized are welcome on our mountain, for a time. But they…”
He looks quickly to the goblins, and then looks away just as quickly, as if even the sight of them offends him.
“They must wait at the base.”
“What’d he say?” Zith-Zi whispers harshly, furtive glance flicking between the Ashurati. “I don’t speak none a’ this lingo, but I recognize a ‘fuck you’ glare anywhere.”
“The demonic one, especially, cannot be allowed into a holy place,” Nament adds.
“Who, me?” Carazzi asks. “My elf-lingo ain’t so good either, Tips, but did he say I’m not inside?”
“There is still a cave to shelter them from the elements,” Nemenmo adds.
“And the greatest threat in the region has already been dispatched, thanks to you and your allies, cousin!” Khankhe adds, clearly still awed by the sight of your victory over the band of fearsome trolls.
You frown, looking to the unfortunate goblins who, for various reasons (age, infirmity, indebtedness, or simply because they seemed like they would be attractive enough to Southmen to fetch coin as sex-slaves) were betrayed and abandoned by their own kind… And, of course, at Carazzi.
(Though not Zith-Zi, since her pinkish skin and fey-adjacent artificial ‘soul’ seem to make her pass for a member of the fair folk to your wasteland ‘cousins’)
“Okay, so the trolls are dead. Fine. But what if some other predators come over here after they sniff out all that roll and gob meat layin’ in the sun?” Zith-Zi demands, when you translate to her. “Tips, Carazzi’s pretty good for soemoen who was practic’ly born yesterday, but not keep a half-dozen lame an’ weak gobs safe from dire jackals an’ giant scorpions good, ya’ get what I’m sayin’?”
Carazzi’s own argument is somewhat less rational, but no less impassioned: she simply clings tight to you, burying her face in your abdomen due to her short stature.
“Please don’t leave me alone again,” she whimpers.
You look helplessly at the stony face of Nament.
Will you accept these terms?
>Yes, you will leave the goblins at the base of the mountain
>No, either they come or you’re not going [Sociability check]
>You'll go up alone [or with a small cadre, specify who] while the others remain below for safety in numbers
>Write-in a counteroffer or alternative","attachment":null,"posted":1716265844},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6011667,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011660
>No, either they come or you’re not going [Sociability check]
After the night we just went through, surely they can make an exception?","attachment":null,"posted":1716266220},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6011749,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011660
>>You'll go up alone [or with a small cadre, specify who] while the others remain below for safety in numbers","attachment":null,"posted":1716272017},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6011750,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011749
Coming up : Izzy, Costella
Minotaur, and both Zi might manage it down with the other slaves.","attachment":null,"posted":1716272078},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6011885,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011660
>You'll go up alone [or with a small cadre, specify who] while the others remain below for safety in numbers
Izzy
Minotaur (incase we get jumped for some reason)
Everyone else, gobs, humans, whatever, they stay at the base of the mountain. ZithZi will act as our second in command. Carazzi will stay with her and Costella.
am >>6011491","attachment":null,"posted":1716286082},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6011931,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011660
>You'll go up alone while the others remain below for safety in numbers
Take Izzy for magical expertise, the rest stay.","attachment":null,"posted":1716291834},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6012293,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6011660
>You'll go up alone [or with a small cadre, specify who] while the others remain below for safety in numbers.
>Coming up : Izzy, Costella
Izzy wanted to see the desert fey, and costella isn't a fighter so there is no reason for her to stay.
Zith zith and the minotaur should be a to defend the pack.","attachment":null,"posted":1716318044},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6012414,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012293
>+1","attachment":null,"posted":1716325685},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6012662,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6011667
>>6011749
>>6011750
>>6011885
>>6011931
>>6012293
>>6012414
You gently extricate yourself from Carazzi’s deceptively-strong grip, while ignoring (or trying to ignore, at least) her quivering lower lip.
“You’ll be fine,” you promise her. “You won’t be alone.”
You look to Zith-Zi, who hesitates for a moment, then sighs, rolls her eyes, shrugs, and finally nods.
“Come on, bully-boy,” she says gesturing to the minotaur—whose name you REALLY have to puzzle out, at some point. “If I’m stuck on makin’-sure-nobody-gets-killed duty, I’m at least keepin’ the muscle.”
“You can have Muffins, too, if you’re really that concerned,” you say.
Zith-Zi looks at you in alarm, and fleetingly at the chimera, whose head perks up at the sound of his name.
“You’re jokin’ me, right?” she asks.
You smirk a little, and Zith-Zi gives you a punch in the thigh which nearly knocks you over, and causes Hershy to squawk in annoyance at how it jostles him upon her shoulder. Then, she and the one-time captives depart towards the shallow cave—really more of an overhang—beneath this holy mountain, where the goblins will be permitted. All together, they will have safety in numbers, you hope. Carazzi stares back at you with wide eyes as Zith-Zi drags her doppelganger along for the journey.
“Are you ready?” you ask the two who—apart from your animal companions—will accompany you.
“Yes,” Izzy responds immediately.
She is calm at a glance, but to one who knows the human mage, she is vibrating with barely-contained excitement. She may be a bit more stoic about such things these days, but you grew up with her, as classmates and study-buddies; you, roe than anyone, know how much she loves exotic and foreign magic.
“I’m, like, not sure how much help I’ll be…” admits Costella sheepishly.
You take her hand in yours, and meet her eyes.
“You’ve already been a huge help,” you assure her, remembering the post-battle malaise which nearly seized you—may have drowned you in depression, were it not for her support. “Besides, this is a vacation for the three of us, right?”
Costella smiles, but then her smile turns a little crooked.
“What?” you ask.
“It’s, uh, not exactly my idea of a nice vacation,” she admits.
“All the more reason not to miss the best part, then,” Izirina adds, a touch impatiently. “Now come on!”","attachment":null,"posted":1716344846},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6012664,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6012662
The ascent up the mountain appears a nearly insurmountable series of steep plateaus. Each plateau is fractured with crevices—natural labyrinths one might just barely squeeze through. The fabric of your tunic and trousers are rarely snagged upon the stones, though, for the light brown rock is as smooth as silk to the touch, as if sanded down across aeons. The mountain-maze is both imposing and strangely mesmerizing: its walls are at times painted with abstract tapestries of colour which catch the filtered rays of light to accentuate the colours with Holy Sol’s own beautiful radiance.
Nemenmo leads the way, her lithely muscular form displaying an easy grace as she slides effortlessly through the fissures. She presses her hands and feet into ancient holds with the confidence of one who has ascended this path countless times. Her demeanor is solemn but her demeanour welcoming; her voice, when she speaks, blends seamlessly with the whisper of the hot wind that sweeps through the canyons and overhangs they traverse.
“Take great care where you step,” she murmurs, turning her pale, penetrating eyes upon you. “The mountain’s face is as unpredictable as the sea.”
As Nemenmo leads the way, Khankhe stays close. When at last you alight upon one of the flattened ‘peaks’ of this multi-tiered mount, he bounds ahead slightly. Here, harsh rock softens to by billowing pools of sand which the Ashurati—the 'sand-elves'—must have brought here from elsewhere. Khakhe scoops up a handful of the fine, yellow-white grains, and turns with a grin to offer a hand to you.
“Behold, cousin,” he exclaims with enthusiasm, his pale violet eyes twinkling. “This is one of our sacred baths. It brings purity, in mind and body, when one bathes within it.”
You, Izzy, and Costella gaze into the basin filled with fine, shifting sand. Izzy scrutinizes it with her sixth sense, and even Costella—not trained, not exactly a mage—has the ritual-bequeathed fairy-sight to see something of the subtle dance of mystical motes across the surface, and within.
“Fascinating…” murmurs Izirina.
“Pretty!” enthuses Costella.
Before you can add your own impression, Khankhe dives headfirst into the sand pool, disappearing entirely for a moment, only for his head to pop out with a joyous laugh, sandy tufts clinging to his skin—which, you see, is now bare of even the thin fabrics which eh wore before. He beckons you.
“Come, cousin!”","attachment":null,"posted":1716344911},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6012665,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6012664
Nament arrives at the rear, casting his gaze watchfully upon the party. His silence feels heavy, thoughtful, his presence a constant reminder of the mountain’s sanctity and the significance of the journey.
“It is not for outsiders, Khankhe,” he reminds the excited young elfman.
The young Neme frowns slightly, protesting: “But they have done us a great service, and Ezreal is kin. They all are: you can see it in their souls and bodies!”
“Not truly, or wholly,” Nament comments levelly, then regards the three of you. “No offence intended, of course.”
Costella is quick to nod along, agreeable individual that she is. Izirina frowns, and looks as if she wishes to protest.
You look automatically to Nemenmo, who says nothing, and seems to regard you with curiosity. She has shared her people’s secrets with you before, after all—even once offered to teach you the art of <Sand-Swimming>. Nament seems to be her elder, though, or at least feels more confident speaking with authority than his current company.
You…
>Will enter the sacred sand-bath with Izzy and Costella
[+Ego, gain esoteric magical knowledge, learn Sand-Swimming]
>Will cede to Nament’s will, and carry on to the elders
[+Reputation with Neme]
>Have a question for the Neme [write-in, can do in tandem with either but must pass a Sociability check if you choose to enter the bath and also ask Nament questions]","attachment":null,"posted":1716344972},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6012743,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012665
>Will cede to Nament’s will, and carry on to the elders
we can learn it later, no need to antagonize them now. btw we really need to get a basic exercise regimen after we return, it's really fucking us over specially after our trip to the moon.","attachment":null,"posted":1716349108},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6012831,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012665
>Will enter the sacred sand-bath with Izzy and Costella
Cannonball!
Can't turn down the esoteric magic knowledge
Plus we already left all our other companions outside for them
>>6012743
We're a great magician with a focus on biology, I'm sure we can magic ourselves into shape. Just need to develop the spell. Oh man if we did and recorded it for others to pass on that might no joke be our greatest contribution to the world.","attachment":null,"posted":1716353962},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6012844,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012665
>Will cede to Nament’s will, and carry on to the elders
Honestly better to just not do any disrespect right now.","attachment":null,"posted":1716356030},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6012850,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"By the way, the ingredients for star iirc is…
Unseelie queen’s blood
Neme elemental energy
Drow crystals
Sever old ties
Rite of attunement
Does Tips or Izzy have a way of containing / transporting the elemental energy currently? I guess she could open a dimensional door to hawksong to get her things but still, do we have the means?","attachment":null,"posted":1716356547},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6012887,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012665
>>Will cede to Nament’s will, and carry on to the elders
>Have a question for the Neme
We came for several things.
We want to learn more about the elemental energy of yours. Second, Sand swimming would be appreciated too. Last, the chest and the rod : they might trap some of our kin, we'd like to research with you how to safely get them out.","attachment":null,"posted":1716359415},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6012909,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012665
>Will cede to Nament’s will, and carry on to the elders
Priorities. Though it pains me.","attachment":null,"posted":1716362916},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6013290,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012665
>Will enter the sacred sand-bath with Izzy and Costella
I’m just too tempted, and Sand Swimming is awesome","attachment":null,"posted":1716397557},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6013424,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6012665
>>Will enter the sacred sand-bath with Izzy and Costella
Izzy wants to enter the mystical sand pool, and considering she had a troll toss a bolder and muffins at her. She definitely earned herself some relaxation.
I also question how useful gaining +reputation with the neme is, they been forced to hide out inside of a mountain cave system out of fear. They are not exactly a mighty faction with far reaching power.","attachment":null,"posted":1716408116},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6013497,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6013424
+1 This is another fey ancient art we are being offered, and as another anon pointed out we do need Neme magic for our pseudostar, while not exactly what were looking for its an opening into another elemental fey ritual and studying its fundamentals, lets hop in","attachment":null,"posted":1716416909},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6013582,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6013497
>>6013424
>>6013290
>>6012909
>>6012887
>>6012844
>>6012831
>>6012743
[We seem to have a tie. I'll roll for it tonight or tomorrow, if no non-1post ID breaks it by the time I feel like writing.]","attachment":null,"posted":1716426117},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6013639,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6013497
>and as another anon pointed out we do need Neme magic for our pseudostar
we do, but it's not the sand swimming one. we can learn more with them.","attachment":null,"posted":1716431480},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6013662,"name":"RQM","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d2)
>>6013582
[Rolling and locking]
>1: Sand-Swim
>2: Don't do that","attachment":null,"posted":1716433752},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6013664,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"damn","attachment":null,"posted":1716434435},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6013695,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6013662
>>6013664
You frown. It’s tough NOT to take offence to Nament’s refusal. You’ve come here to seek esoteric magical knowledge, especially that of the so-called ‘elemental fey’—those True Fey who have attuned themselves to unliving aspects of the natural world rather than to flora or fauna. Aside from looking rather fun and relaxing—a bit of REAL vacationing amidst all this mission-focused martial marching between pitched battles crimes against dignity—this is also a prime opportunity. Yous ense no fairy intellect to the ‘sacred bath’, but its sands are rich in fairy energies. Energies of the fey clinging to crystalline structures of sand… Not unlike the structure of the ‘pseud-star’ you hope to craft for the Unseelie.
And so, after a moment’s hesitation and with rapidly redennning cheeks, you begin to strip.
“E-ez???” Costella squeaks, covering her eyes automatically despite having seen you just as naked and in FAR more intimate contexts many a time.
“Come on,” you say brightly, and without looking at Nament. “We’ve earned this, haven’t we?”
>+Ego
>-Neme Reputation
Neither Nemenmo nor Nament say anything as you slip down into the sandy basin of the bath. You see them exchange a brief look, before Nemnemo quickly looks away, thoughtfully. Nament’s silent displeasure is almost tangible, but as the war sand slides around you like warm water, you pay it little heed. The sensation is FACSINATING: the sand is so smooth, every grain so perfectly round, that it is almost without friction. A part of you had feared that the rough, coarse grains might get everywhere—including in crevices and orifices best unmentioned; you now find this fear unfounded. Opening your mind and your senses to the elemental energies here—not extraplanar, but native to this Erath, only ENRICHED somehow—you allow your own energies to subtly attune. In meditative mindset, you beint o <swim>.
>NEW SPELL: Sand-Swimming
>>By casting this spell, your naked, nearly naked, or appropriately elementally-charged/aethereal form can navigate sand, dirt, and ash as easily as water, and you can also see through that material as well
Your intellectual reverie is broken only by the less-elegant splashing of Izirina’s impact. To your surprise and amusement, stoic Izzy’s brownish cheeks are bright red at the moment, despite her scrunch-faced expression not to show her emabarssment. Her bare breast with their pinkish brown peaks are quickly covered as, eyeballing your arcane experimentation, she swiftly approximates it well enough to sink into the sands and hide her shame. She sinks down to her nose like a crocodile in a still lake, but once nudity lose sits novelty, you can see that she, too, is soothed by the energy-rich sands.
>MP restored to full
>+Izirina relationship","attachment":null,"posted":1716436994},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6013696,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6013695
Costella Fanucci alone hover at ‘water’s edge’, she kicks off her shoes and buries her wiggling pink toes into the fine, satin-soft sand, sighing happily. Her eyes flit to where you and Izirina navigate the sands, you especially, and her expression is vexed by envy and insecurity for a moment.
“You should join us!” you encourage her.
Costella’s eyes flit to Nament, whose crossed arms and averted gaze speak of deepening discomfort.
“I, um, like… I don’t know. I burn a bit more easily than you too, you know?”
This is a weak excuse, for since her own transformation adjacent to these elemental planes, Costella’s paragon form has never shown any signs of sun-damage, never achieving more than a burnishing of her beauty or a glimmering of the green freckles which are the soul reminder of the ‘dragon-pox’ which once afflicted and deformed her. The real culprit is plainly embarrassment, or a fear to affront your hosts. You let the matter lie, though. You are too enamoured with this new form of Feycraft, and even once you have come to understand the art of <Sand-Swimming> fully with Khankhe’s aid, you are loathe to interrupt Izirina’s own more gradual exploration of the ability, and the beauteous glow of her own recharged elemental aura.
(Costella’s own eye wanders to Izirina, too, and you suspect this is part of why she does not speak up to convince you two to cease in this not-quite-sacrilege.)
“Shall we meet with the elders?” Nemenmo eventually asks, a little abruptly.
You look up, and realize she has been watching you for some time now as well. Khakhe arises in his youthful nakedness and quickly clothes himself, not in the last chagrined. With the thrill of discovery behind you, you find yourself more sheepish to expose yourself to this tan-skinned, bald-headed elfmaid, but she looks wryly amused at your sudden shyness.
“You are shamed now, Ezreal?” she asks. “It isn’t so long again I offered to share this same secret in the sands with you…”
Nament looks sharply towards her, as do both of your grilrfriends; the latter two then look back to you, and your warm face burns brighter.
“Much has changed since then,” Nemenmo adds, finally looking away to allow you privacy as you dress yourself once more. “Of course.”
“Of course,” Izirina says coldly, as Costella shoves clothes hastily to the both of you, watching Nemenmo warily as if she might peak.","attachment":null,"posted":1716437054},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6013698,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6013696
When you ascend to the uppermost peak, you find a realm where the rough stone has been chipped or sanded away to reveal quartzite crystals, rich with veins of orange sunset and golden sunrise, wrapped about an almost air-transparent crystal. You fix your mage’s gaze upon them, but there is no Feycraft at work here, no elemental spirits or natural magic: just the hidden beauty beneath the craggly roughness of the Goblin Wastes, an oasis of beauty hidden amidst the mountains. Here, you finally understand (or perhaps remember, from those years before) why anyone would stay here, in this terrible, rid, and unrelentingly savage environment.
So, too, do you understand the entirety of Nemenmo’s earlier statement, that MANY things had changed.
Like your Sylvan elders, and unlike your human father and other elders of his race, the Neme-Ashurati do not visibly age. Even moreso than a sylvan elder, whose greying hair and dulling eyes give them away to the initiated, the small council of male and female elders are almost indistinguishable form those of hale and hardy young adulthood; after all, none of them HAS hair to go grey, and ALL their eyes are pale as opal. Only the speckles and stripes of healed battle-damage across exposed skin gives them away, and their air.
It is an UNHAPPY air.
“Vendui', malla ersda're d'l'ust fuma d'l'myar thac'zil,” you greet them.
“Vel'bol zhah myar bauth ol?” replies an old matriarch.
You blink in confusion, and then grimace. The Sylvan Elven word for this land is, more or less ‘the bad land’. Hence the response: ‘What is bad about it?’
“I meant no offence,” you continue. “It’s just a dialectical difference. I have no intent to be a rude guest, or ungrateful to my hosts, cousins.”
“As I understand it,” speaks another elder, “you are not so concerned with such things.”
“I… Do not understand,” you say, wary now at his guarded tone and mysterious words. “Is this about the sand-bath?”
“The SACRED bath, which you entered without permission?” asks an elder. “No, not exclusively.”
“There are whispers on the wind,” speaks another. “Zephyrs who travel from one mountain to another tell tales of a young half-blood who came home and caved a village, only to steal secrets from the gods from under their own roof… Who broke with his own people to aid their ancient enemy… Who wantonly gifts every learned lesson and treasure of the fair folk to the humans, and even to the likes of lizardfolk and goblinoids.”
You cringe. None of that is… Wholly inaccurate.
“Yet I come bearing good tidings,” you say, unconsciously adopting their more formal, antiquated dialect and speaking pattern as you defend yourself.
“We brought your ancestors!” Costella says.","attachment":null,"posted":1716437166},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6013705,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6013698
Izirina holds out a hand, murmuring the incantation for <Dimension Door> and flourishing her wand to materialize a portal. With a twinned casting of <Summon Elemental>, she summons two small constructs of extraplanar, elemental earth to lift and carry the heavy crate through. Costella gestures to the hobgoblins’ magically-locked box with a flourish and a hopeful, winning smile… But the elders only flinch bad, clunking tongues and hissing.
“You bring the tainted and sacrilegious foreign soil upon our Holy Earth?!”
You grimace, recalling the Neme aversion to extraplanar elementalism too late to warn Izirina and Costella against this form of presentation.
“Still,” you say, “it DOES contain the True Fey we saved from servitude, or worse. And with your permission, and your knowledge, we would work together to free them from this trap.”
“Yes, our knowledge,” muses one of the elders suspiciously. “That is what you are truly here for, isn’t it? Why you came, before you knew we had need of you?”
“We are grateful to you,” one of the other elders—the first female to speak, now speak again—interjects. “Is this tiding a gift, given freely, though? Or is it the case that you have liberated our shared kin, our honoured ancestors, to offer up in TRADE, just as the goblin slavers would have?”
You take a step back at the accusation, aghast. And yet… These Neme are clearly not kindly-disposed to you. If they are not the sort to prevent you swimming in their sacred sands, they are clearly the type to begrudge you the act. If they will not detain you or attack you for your earlier trespasses against the Sylvanfolk and Lunar Eladrin, they know of them, and subsequently suspect you.
You DID come here for their knowledge, and the energy of their locked-away True Fey patrons. What if they… Just refuse to share it?
>The crate, and your aid, is a gift, given freely, without expectation
>The elemental fairies’ return is part of a bargain, for help in powering and producing the Unseelie Pseudo-Star
>Write-in [careful!]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716437386511429.png","filename":"level 3,2.png"},"posted":1716437386},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6013808,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6013705
>The crate, and your aid, is a gift, given freely, without expectation
We got "Esoteric Magical Knowledge" (not on the sheet) from low impulse control. If that is not enough, we'll have to research more by ourself.","attachment":null,"posted":1716446307},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6013987,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"well, anons voted for the bath because of the star-project, so we don't need to ask for anything more. also let's keep our decreasing good relations with them from falling even further.
will voot when I get home.","attachment":null,"posted":1716465247},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6014018,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6013705
>The crate, and your aid, is a gift, given freely, without expectation
We saw the neme detained by goblin slayers. We immediately acted in defense of them. We are here to help them be free. That is all.
>Write-in [careful!]
Clarify rumors
>tales of a young half-blood who came home and caved a village, only to steal secrets from the gods from under their own roof… Who broke with his own people to aid their ancient enemy… Who wantonly gifts every learned lesson and treasure of the fair folk to the humans, and even to the likes of lizardfolk and goblinoids.”
(I presume you meant saved a village - I don’t remember doing that in dappulyet)
My duties are to my family. Both of my family. I defended dappulyet from their enemies - prevented them from taking the moonstone through a judicial duel.
For my efforts, I was granted audience with the gods. Joined them at the moon. Studied there. When I wished to return, to serve my human-side family, I was prevented from doing so.
I persisted and returned.
The knowledge, the gifts I learned I did not give freely. Only to my closest, most trusted allies who could aid me, and even then, a fraction of it. Let it be known I never shared a single spell I learned during my time on the moon to anyone.
(Technically we’re not lying with this one; we only learned improved aetherial form)
Princess Ekaterine of Hawksong asked for my aid. She wanted peace between the kingdoms, Sylvan realms included. I aided her in that regard.
The Unseelie wanted my friends and family dead for it. They wanted to use me as a tool; they wanted a sword to ally with the drows; the authority seize territory of their own. They wanted a country of their own and they will do anything to achieve it. I did not want to see a war. I never did. So that is why I propose to them a home. It will be a home far, far away from everything and everyone. I don’t wish to see them hurt any elf - but I don’t have the means to wipe them all out - this is the compromise to stop more bloodshed and backstabbing. For good. That is what I intend to do.
I ask for your aid.
>>6012844","attachment":null,"posted":1716466788},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6014166,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6013705
>The crate, and your aid, is a gift, given freely, without expectation
This is why I voted against sandbathing. Good luck getting help with the star now. This whole trip was pointless.","attachment":null,"posted":1716473415},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6014227,"name":"RQMonaphone","msg":">>6014018
>(I presume you meant saved a village - I don’t remember doing that in dappulyet)
[Kek, yes.]","attachment":null,"posted":1716476656},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6014263,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014166
I said the same damned thing >>6012844
Shit happens. >>6013662","attachment":null,"posted":1716479020},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6014338,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6013705
>The crate, and your aid, is a gift, given freely, without expectation
>Who wantonly gifts every learned lesson and treasure of the fair folk to the humans, and even to the likes of lizardfolk and goblinoids.
What the hell, we've been careful with it, we made Izzy break off her tutelage with the Nothic, and iirc we never shared the full version of the Attunement Rite.
Also all of >>6014018","attachment":null,"posted":1716483867},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6014357,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014338
The moon gods and the elven council are spreading lies & falsehoods about us. After we refused imprisonment and rescued natvodsk to prevent a war. In order to save face or something.","attachment":null,"posted":1716485612},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6014363,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6013705
>The crate, and your aid, is a gift, given freely, without expectation
we got what we wanted in that bath and we don't need to antagonize them anymore.
>>6014166
>This is why I voted against sandbathing.
same, I wanted to be more specific than a simple boost.
>>6014338
>What the hell, we've been careful with it,
I think that doing it a lot also counts as "giving it away" but it paints a false picture indeed.","attachment":null,"posted":1716486621},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6014371,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014363
Well when you put it like that I guess we have looked pretty reckless to anyone not closely involved.","attachment":null,"posted":1716486983},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6014372,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014363
>we got what we wanted in that bath
Did we? We wanted a way to help with the artificial sun IIRC.
>>6014357
>The moon gods and the elven council are spreading lies & falsehoods about us.
They're speaking the truth as they know it, actually. Unnuanced, but truth.","attachment":null,"posted":1716487023},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6014527,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014372
No they are definitely lying, the eladrin offered us a chance to study at moon freely without strings. For services rendered in protecting the moon stone. And mentioned nothing in terms of future repayment.
Then they unilaterally decided on imprisoning and conscripting us for their agenda. Because we weren't ideologically pure enough for their taste by the years end.
As for breaking with our people, they threatened our entire party with mass imprisonment due to prophecy. A severe violation of diplomatic norms if I ever heard of one.","attachment":null,"posted":1716496166},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6014536,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014372
>Did we?
no, but the anons who voted for the sunbath thought it was, so we can't do much now","attachment":null,"posted":1716497290},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6014727,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014372
eh. Partly truths. They omitted a few details and even made shit up.
“Who wantonly gifts every learned lesson and treasure of the fair folk to the humans, and even to the likes of lizardfolk and goblinoids.”
Uh, no. We did not do that.
“Who broke with his own people to aid their ancient enemy…”
Missing a lot of context. >>6014527
I also added a few details in my clarification of rumors to make it more favorable to us","attachment":null,"posted":1716510962},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6014732,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014527
>Then they unilaterally decided on imprisoning and conscripting us for their agenda. Because we weren't ideologically pure enough for their taste by the years end.
Uh, this is not true. It was anything but unilateral, and there was no conscription mentioned at any point.
>As for breaking with our people, they threatened our entire party with mass imprisonment due to prophecy.
To be fair, if anything is cause for violating diplomatic norms it would be the fate of the world
Plus we also violated some rules ourselves springing Nat out, so not like we're wholly innocent.","attachment":null,"posted":1716511690},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6014894,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6014166
>>6014338
>>6014363
>>6013808
>>6014018
“I didn’t come here with any ulterior motive,” you insist, a little defensively. “This entire account is… it’s a total misrepresentation.”
“Is it?”
The Neme elder does not speak it like an accusation, yet still it burns like one. You adjust your hat and hold your tongue, taking a moment to cool your temper before you say something you’ll regret. Costella and Izirina look to you, the former in empathy for your plight, the latter in plain confusion as to how to proceed. You signal to Izirina to dismiss her elementals, and after a moment she does they crumble and scatter, the non-native earth fading away from whence it came without its animating extraplanar energies. The great, mosaic-tiled box which they hefted drops heavy upon the earth with a thump to make one jump; still, it remains intact.
“It doesn’t matter if you gift us anything in exchange,” you answer the assembled sand-elf elders, “ and if you choose to do so, it will not be because of blackmail, or coercion. We don’t take or trade in lives. I REMAIN a Disciple of the True Fey—of the Gods of Freedom.”
The elders regard the box warily and you with even greater care.
“We will help you, if you will have us… And ask nothing in return, but safe lodging and sustenance while we remain here, as your humble guests and servants.”
[Sociability check. DC would normally be 10 to win them over to a 'friendly disposition'; bringing Khankhe and the Elemental fey home is a -2 DC, the rumours flying about are a +5, the ignoring and disrespecting their culture is a +1, but gifting the box without preconditions is a -1. If you get a 14, they will be open to letting you stay; with a 17, they will be amenable to sharing their secrets.]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716522338560885.png","filename":"Tips 2 fc.png"},"posted":1716522338},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6014895,"name":"RQM","msg":"Rolled 3, 4, 17, 4 = 28 (4d20)
>>6014894
now with actual dice","attachment":null,"posted":1716522399},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6014896,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014895
nice","attachment":null,"posted":1716522466},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6014899,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014895
the clutch","attachment":null,"posted":1716522672},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6014906,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014894
Wait, wouldn’t that be DC 13?
DC10 originally
Bring fey -2
Rumors +5
Sandbath +1
Give box -1
So DC10 + 3","attachment":null,"posted":1716522848},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6014933,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6014906
[Ah, you're right. Well, you made it anyway!]
>>6014895
>>6014896
>>6014899
>>6014894
Trust does not come easy to the Neme-Ashurati. Perhaps is cannot, not even to a tribe of fair folk, in such a place as ‘the bad land’. Still, your earnest words and refusal to barter and bargain with the well-being of their sacred elders evidently moves them. When first you proffer the chest and rod, they say nothing in your favour, nor against you. As you set yourself to studying, however, they grow increasingly amenable to your presence, until finally theya re at ease.
The Neme are not like Sylvanfolk at a glance—not aesthetically, nor in demeanour. They do not laugh easily, and when they sing, it is a high and heady song—warbling, keening, almost sad. However, there is beauty there, and resilience. Their songs are often wordless , plaintive pleas of emotional resonance, often sung in harmony or in duets to one another; when there are words, they are words of welcome, and of solace against this world’s worst:
“Dalharuk, dalharen,
Lueth zhal'la pholor uns'aa,
Oloth vel'bolen,
Tsoss vel'bolen,
Udos xal xun wun,
Usstan xun wun draeval.
L'elghinn zhah udossa,
L'olath zhah ussta faer.
Nindyn morfeth 'zil nindyn vel'uss,
Udos belbau uns'aa l'thalack lueth lil alindorn'urn dal:
Aluve! Aluve!
Lueth ulu lil qual'dageb pholor nau esaph ulu ol:
Aluve! Aluve!
Lu'veldrin pha fluen uns'aa.”
“What does it mean?” Costella whispers, hodling your ahdn as you listen one evening.
It is Izirina who answers, for her own grasp of the Eleventongue is nearly as great as yours by now and, without her preconceptions tainted by the subtle-but-imrotant differences of a separately-evovled dialect, her own approach si more analytical.
“Let’s see…” she says. “‘Aluve’ is ‘farewell’ in the Sylvan dialect, but from the context they sue it, it is more like a general term of…, Acepptance, and grateful parting. ‘Farewell to torubles’?”
“A thanks,” you supply.
Izirina nods, and piece by piece, the two of you work it out:
“Come brother, come sister,
And shelter with me,
From fire and from ice,
From sand and from sea,
AMong stones we will hold,
In soft sand will we bed.
The earth is our mother,
The sky is our father.
The moon and the sun watch us,
We raise our hands to them and sing:
Thank you! Thank you!
And when hardships come we still say:
Thank you! Thank you!
Because even a desert can bloom.”
>17
There is magic in the song, of course, as in all ancient songs of your mother’s race, taught to you by the Bonum Chaoticum. This particular song is old, you learn from Nemenmo, intensely sacred and eminently relevant to the task at hand:
“They taught it to me as an elfling,” she explains, “and to my mother, and her mother, and to my father, and to his father also.”
“They?” asks Costella.
Nemenmo simply nods to the box, sealed shut, which forms the focus of each day’s study and each night’s song.","attachment":null,"posted":1716524560},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6014937,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6014933
Sometimes, when the Neme sing of their acceptance of their lot—their grateful parting from hardship, and their readiness to face it anew, together as a people—you think wistfully of Dappulyet, and Iternagreyn. You remember your first home, and your first place of learning. You remember your mother’s face, when you parted as a child, and of seeing her sad-but-loving eyes again as a man… And of the letter you wrote her, bidding a farewell which might well be final.
You can’t help but turn your eye skyward at night, to Holy Luna, where you studied amongst the High Elves of the Moon, and learned so many of the deep and ancient secrets of your people… And paid so dearly for it.
What do you feel, reflecting on your relationship with the Council of Elders in Iternagreyn, and the Princesses of the Moon?
>Sadness
You regret the bad blood and misunderstanding which have come between you and your people, but you begrudge neither they nor your gods—it is an honest misunderstanding, which you hope to one day clear up.
>Anger
You feel hurt, betrayed, and bitter—you have only ever acted in service to the greater good, and peace between peoples, and they have KNOWINGLY slandered your name amongst all the fair folk! How DARE they?!
>Guilt
Could you have done something differently? Maybe. Probably you should have. You know you have been reckless at times, and failed to explain yourself as you should… To respect and venerate your elder kindred. This new difficulty which you must work to overcome is your own doing, in the end…
>Nothing
You are at peace with it. You remember those places and people fondly, bit will bid them grateful farewell, and move forward. You have no need to ever return, if they do not want you, and you will dwell on them no further.
While you work upon opening the crate, you find it remains infuriatingly stuck fast, those first few days. However, in your generous and empathetic dealings with your wasteland cousins, you find THEY at least are not so closed-off any longer. These distant relatives, normally so guarded with outsiders, begin to open their homes and hearts to you.
You…
>Go hunting with the Nament and Khankhe
>Practice Sand-Swimming with Nemenmo
>Learn more lore from the elders [specify if you have a specific question about their history, faith, culture, etcetera that you wish to learn]
>Petition on behalf of the goblins you freed, for a place to stay
>Attempt to correct the record and win the Neme over to your ‘side’ in the dispute with the gods
>Take green or pink shirin [specify which colour, and who you share it with if anyone]
>Write-in
>Focus only on the task at hand
[You can choose up to two activities, though if you have any simple write-ins to add I may allow a third.]","attachment":null,"posted":1716524690},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6014965,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014937
>Nothing
We did the best we could.
We did everything in our power to not harm the moon goddess, Nenaias, anyone in the sylvan realms. We risked our lives for the cause. Took the path of least bloodshed.
>Attempt to correct the record
I would not say to win them over. Just present the facts. We didn’t give the gifts to anyone. We want the unseelie gone just as much as they do.
>Practice Sand-Swimming with Nemenmo
Could come in handy some day.","attachment":null,"posted":1716526312},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6015052,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014937
>Attempt to correct the record and win the Neme over to your ‘side’ in the dispute with the gods
>Take green or pink shirin [specify which colour, and who you share it with if anyone]
I want to take the one that make esoteric visions magic-unlocking LSD. Sharing with our girls and a Neme powerful mage for "research" purpose","attachment":null,"posted":1716533971},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6015068,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014937
>Anger
I dont know what they hoped to accomplish by dragging our name through the mud. But those eladrin and elves of Iternagreyn better not show their faces top us.
>Attempt to correct the record and win the Neme over to your ‘side’ in the dispute with the gods
>Learn more lore from the elders [How was the sand pool enchanted without using extraplanar elemental energy. Why does aetherial form consider the ground to be a living thing.]","attachment":null,"posted":1716536679},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6015082,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015052
You forgot to vote for the
>What do you feel, reflecting on your relationship with the Council of Elders in Iternagreyn, and the Princesses of the Moon?
Option","attachment":null,"posted":1716537776},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6015098,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014937
>Sadness
It did not have to come to this, and it did as a a result of the player votes.
>Petition on behalf of the goblins you freed, for a place to stay
>Attempt to correct the record and win the Neme over to your ‘side’ in the dispute with the gods","attachment":null,"posted":1716541083},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6015107,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015052
>>6015082
Thanks.
>Nothing.","attachment":null,"posted":1716542780},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6015372,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014937
>Sadness
>Anger
Sad our relationship deteriorated so far, rage against the injustice of it all
>Practice Sand-Swimming with Nemenmo
Spend time with friend
>Attempt to correct the record and win the Neme over to your ‘side’ in the dispute with the gods
Clear our name","attachment":null,"posted":1716565909},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6015402,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014937
>Sadness
>Practice Sand-Swimming with Nemenmo
>Petition on behalf of the goblins you freed, for a place to stay
I'd rather correct the record through actions than arguments","attachment":null,"posted":1716569564},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6015476,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014937
>Sadness
seems fitting
>Practice Sand-Swimming with Nemenmo","attachment":null,"posted":1716574301},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6015837,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6015476
>>6015402
>>6015372
>>6015107
>>6015098
>>6015068
>>6015052
>>6014965
[Locked!]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716601876046286.png","filename":"tallied up.png"},"posted":1716601876},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6015930,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6015837
You wish you could just forget all those who would drag down your reputation—those whom you loved, and respected, and trusted, and who betrayed you. If you can’t be divorced from all that, then you wish you had the catharsis of righteous anger—fury at the injustice, at having slander heaped upon you for your simple pursuit of peace and freedom for all!
But you can’t.
The problem is that it’s not past-tense for you. You still love and respect those who have seemingly written you off as a heretic and a criminal. You still wish to go home, and even to visit Holy Luna again. You still dream of the silver city of the Sacrae Schoale Lunae, and miss Nym and Devi, you eladrin attendants-turned-friend. Most of all, you miss your motherland. You regret the bad blood which keeps you apart from the towering trees and sacred groves of your ancestral land, and the communities in Dappulyet and Iternagreyn which were once home-sweet-home to you, and which you still hold in your heart.
The worst part is that you know it could have been different. It was YOUR choices that caused things to end up this way. YORU decisions have ostracized you from those people and aplces whom you hold dear. This isn’t some gran conspiracy of spite. There is no ‘betrayer’ to shake your fist at in bucolic, cathartic outrage. It’s all just… People, doing what they think is best, speaking what they believe to be the truth.
No, you take it back. The WORST part, the very WORST…. Is that you feel not an ounce of guilt. As you stew on the regrets and recriminations, and come to this understanding of your self and your circumstances, a single truth crystallizes:
You would do it all over again.
…","attachment":null,"posted":1716608296},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6015932,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6015930
“Ezreal, why do you sulk so?”
You look up from your melancholic reflections one evening. The study and song are over, and Izirina and Costella are asleep in one another’s embrace. You, though, cannot sleep. This is a rare thing for you, for the metabolism of the Sylvanfolk is attuned keenly to the movements of moon and sun—where your most noble and celestial ancestors and gods dwell. As such you went for a wander about the terraced planes of the sacred mountain, and it was there where Nemenmo finds you now.
“I’m not sulking,” you say.
Nemenmo regards you with a look of bemused consternation, and notes: “No, now you are pouting, instead.”
You pull in your inner lip, prompting a small smile from your intrusive observer.
“To share joy is to double it,” she says.
“To share sorrow is to halve it,” you finish the old parable. “You know, our peoples aren’t so different.”
“Ah, so that’s what this is,” Nemenmo says, crossing her arms and nodding her bald head.
“What WHAT is?”
“The sulk,” she reiterates, as if speaking to an elfling. “You are sulking because you feel separated from your people.”
“It just settled in,” you admit quietly. “But they aren’t my ONLY people.”
“The humans of the northwest,” she says. “it is different, though, isn’t it?”
“There’s not quite that same… Connection,” you admit. “It’s since, and I’d gotten used to it, but being among other elves, in a place full of feytouched life… Having experienced it, you notice it when it’s missing.”
Nemenmo shrugs, admitting: “I haven’t ever known that feeling. That isn’t how we live out here. We cannot afford to be so soft as your kind, in this place. We do not live in a garden, but in the wider world... In all its roughness, and cruelty, and want.”
“And yet you don’t feel the… The lack?” you inquire, curious now.
Nemenmo smiles again, opalescent eyes sparkling with secrets, and reaches out her subtly-webbed hand. You take her hand, stone-soldi in its strength despite its sculpted beauty, and she guides you down with alarming speed down the hills. Not expecting the leaps and bounds, you let out an embarrassingly high-pitched cry, which draws a single laugh from your companion.
“You slew a half-dozen bull-trolls and fought against Unseelie and Celestial Curts alike, and yet you cannot make a little jump without aid?”
“I did NOT fight the Celestial Court,” you protest. “It was just a little disagreement that spiraled out of control.”
You regard one particular leap, across a wide gulf and over a long, sheer drop, and gulp.
“…And I’m not used to, ah, quite so much running, and jumping and…”
“Physical fitness?”
You glare, but when you open your mouth to fire back a report… Nemenmo pushes you.","attachment":null,"posted":1716608357},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6015933,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6015932
You pinwheel your arms as you tumble backwards from the firm blow to your chest. Your eyes go wide, and you feel the rush of air as your hat—your HAT!—leaves your head.
“AAAAAAH!” you manage to say, thoguh you can barely hear your own voice ove ryoru panic.
“Cast!”
You are stunned for a moment, and then remember that, yes, you have magic. Almost immediately, you default to Wildshape, but there is no time—you are falling too fast, the stone spires below approaching altogether too swiftly. The acsting tme and cocnentartion required.
“CAST, Ezreal!”
Suddenly, you spot it: amidst the stone, between the jagged and flattened rocks, a circle of lighter material, sparkling in your sixth sense with cultivated and refined fairy-magic: a sacred sand-bath. It clicks, and you adjust you posture as you might in a flight-capable form. You spread your arms like wings then, thinking better of it, push them forwards and bring your fingers together. You squeeze your eyes shut and shriek:
“<Sand-Swimming!>”
The somatic components for this spell are borderline non-existent, it seems—or, at least, in your fear and urgency you have bypassed the need. You push more of your aura into the casting to compensate, and to ensure success, and you are rewarded. You do not break upon the stone, nor crumble amidst the sands as you surely would regardless of their softness, but attune to the energized particles of silicate. Amongst bits of ancient bone, flecks of shattered crystals, and the secret biome of the dry earth, you find sanctuary.
The bath goes deep, deeper than you ever thought it would. You kick your legs and flail with your arms, never having been an especially strong swimmer even in water. Your robes drag upon your body, and so you DO assume as <Wildshape>, if only to absorb the enchanted attire into yourself form a moment. You imagine yourself a sand-rat, or some other desert denizen, as you push and wiggle through the sand in clumsy and unpracticed fashion, unsure whether you are digging deeper or rising t the surface. When you fear your held breath might give out, only then do strong, supple arms slip around your waist and those lightly-webbed bronze-brown fingers find your chest. Nemenmo guide you, and you allow her to do so, as she helps you to breach tehs urface.
“Whaaaaat… Haaah… WhatthefuckingHEEELL was that?” you wheeze, as Nemenmo laughs.
“Did you feel it?” she asks, when you have caught your breath.
You glower at in the direction of her voice, but cannot see her. Where are the moon, the stars?","attachment":null,"posted":1716608427},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6015936,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6015933
You haven’t surfaced under the sky, but in one of the sacred caverns of the Neme, hidden from all who cannot <Sand-Swim>. Low-light vision fails you here, but Nemenmo and you are both in command of the spell <Daylight>, and it serves you well, illuminating a secret cave of wonders: small and intimate, but replete with natural, carved, polished, and raw gems of all sizes and colors, and the boens of strange animals, polished white and often painetd or pierced with holes as if to serve as instruments or jewelry.
“What IS this place?”
“It is a holy-of-holies,” Nemenmo replies, her voice a hushed whisper, as he kneels there, and pats the smooth sandstone beneath her knees. You, still in half-animal form, self-consciously ape her posture of prayer.
“Did you feel it?” she asks again.
You think on this question more deeply now, and eventually nod.
“The sand… You brought it from somewhere.”
“From our ancient home,” Nemenmo confirms. “From the fields where we fought, in the wars against darkness… The oases in the distant deserts of the south and east, which we cultivated. We carry it with us everywhere, in the forms of these bones, these crystals. When we reach a new place, we take some of the, or portions of them, and grind them fine, and scatter them to the winds. We ask the zephyrs to spread them far, so that the fairy-dust may settle upon our new land, and make it a hope to us, as our old one was.”
“You attune the Earth itself,” you say wonderingly, realizing the magnitude of this. “It’s a <Rite of Attunement>, for inanimate matter! THIS is how you draw upon elemental energy without involving the natively-enchanted, extraplanar energies and materials!”
Nemenmo smiles, and holds a finger to her lips, which curve in a small, subtle smile.
“The Earth is alive,” she tells you. “She is mother to us, also. But she does not think, does not aspire, does not dream. She is not like an animal, or even like a plant. Her children are her dreaming, but without the magic of the Outside… Of the Gods of Light or of Darkness… She slumbers in dreamless sleep, and the children who are born from her womb are barren, also. Without dream, without nightmare, without objective or purpose.”
You look upon this shrine of holy relics, each subtle radiating with the evidence of feycraft… Yet none burning so brightly as to serve as even a quasi-star. To charge any of these with the amount of elemental energy you’d need to keep your pledge to the Unseelie Queen would surely explode it like some dwarven mine.
But still… It is a hint, a clue, as to what you might achieve.
“Why share this with me?” you ask.
Nemenmo looks thoughtful, and finally answers:
“Because of love.”","attachment":null,"posted":1716608487},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6015966,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015936
Your cheeks flush hot, and you stammer to reply.
“You are a creature of love, and peace, and hope, Ezreal,” she elaborates. “You who makes peace with your enemies, who travels and bridges worlds. I am a warrior, a defender of the people. You… You aren’t.”
“Hey, I can fight,” you complain.
“But you do not LIKE to,” the Ashurati points out, tapping your forehead. “You don’t ENJOY battle. You REGRET killing, even a barren one like a troll, or an evil creature like a dragon.”
“it’s more complicated than that,” you huff. “it’s not so black-and-white.”
“See?” she says, smiling again. “You have always been like this, since I have known you. You do not hate, or fear. Your disgust and horror turn to fascination. You want to KNOW, to UNDERSTAND, and what you comet to understand, you love.”
Her hand slips from your forehead to entwine with your hair, undoing your ponytail.
“You spread this love, this joy, and it thus spreads, and redoubles, and covers the Earth. You bring love to our mother. It is… A noble thing.”
She cups your face, and stares into your eyes. You stare back, wordless.
Do you kiss her?
>Yes
>No
Choose a stat to boost [two, if you kiss Nemenmo]:
>Athleticism
>Elementalism
>Religion
>Natural Philosophy
>Linguistics
Got a bit carried away and went long, sorry! Next update we'll tackle the rehabilitation of Tips' reputation","attachment":null,"posted":1716610330},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6015993,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015936
>She slumbers in dreamless sleep, and the children who are born from her womb are barren, also. Without dream, without nightmare, without objective or purpose.”
Sounds like one of our soulless clones
>Yes
As long as it's just a kiss
>Athleticism
>Elementalism","attachment":null,"posted":1716611944},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6015994,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015966
>Yes
>Elementalism
>Religion
We'll need the stat boosts if we want to make a holy star.","attachment":null,"posted":1716611947},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6016001,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6013705
Stat for ref
>>6015966
Yes
Just a kiss and nothing more
>Elementalism
>Religion
We’re 2/5 on ingredients right now
Queen blood (pretty much guaranteed)
Elemental energy (pending)
Drow Crystals (Theral has a way in)
Rite of Attunement (we already have that)
Sever old ties (greater disjunction might help but unknown as of now)
Drow Crystals and Elemental energy are our main concern right now. I think our social skills are okay at the moment. Athleticism might help but that is mainly for combat or if I recall correctly, stealth, neither of which don’t seem to be situations we would be in too often.
>>6014965","attachment":null,"posted":1716612696},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6016220,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015966
>No
I doubt it will be just a kiss, if RQM is enticing us by an extra boost.
>Elementalism","attachment":null,"posted":1716630415},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6016291,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015940
Neat
>>6015966
>Yes
She cute in her own way, what can I say
>Athleticism
>Elementalism
>>6016220
You make a good argument, but I’ll still get on it just being an energized kiss or she giving us something because of it.","attachment":null,"posted":1716638757},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6016294,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015476
Me btw","attachment":null,"posted":1716638824},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6016333,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015966
>Yes
I mean, she did give us insight of the world and it’s nature, least we can do is this.
>Elementalism
>Natural Philosophy","attachment":null,"posted":1716642984},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6016348,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6016220
I don’t think she wants to have sex with us right after saying
>You bring love to our mother [earth]. It is… A noble thing.
Also I can’t imagine having sex while there’s sand in every and all crevice. Striaghtup sandpaper grinding.","attachment":null,"posted":1716644060},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6016364,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6016348
Tbf, I think the sand-swimming would make the sand not affect us that much. But your argument as to way it becoming xes is good, it’d be too soon and strange after what she said.","attachment":null,"posted":1716645202},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6016540,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015966
>No
We have things working with our two soulmates. Let's not uselessly make things more complex.
>Elementalism","attachment":null,"posted":1716656824},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6016541,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6015993
>>6015994
>>6016001
>>6016220
>>6016291
>>6016333
>>6016348
>>6016364
>sandy-crack
[As you discovered in your initial dip in the sacred baths, the incredibly fine sand does not cling to you, most ESPECIALLY when using Sand-Swimming.]
>it was only a kiss, it was only a kiss!
[Full disclosure, as should be obvious IMO given that I included a bonus for choosing that option: the kiss will have consequences. Otherwise, it's literally just "do you want two stat boosts or one?", which is a silly thing to vote on. At the very least, you should probably consider how this will affect Tips' characterization and his relationships when voting. Anyone who's been playing my quests (including this one) knows that, for all the swinging and threesomes and polyamory I allow as options, I don't tend to just allow consequence-free porn-logic power fantasy harem silliness. At least, not without some damn good rolls to back it up, kek.]
[It isn't a trap option, but it also isn't a "do you want superpowers and new side-piece for free?" vote, either. The vote remains open if this changes anyone's decision-making process.]","attachment":null,"posted":1716656997},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6016675,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6016541
Shit nvm
No kiss
Just Elementalism","attachment":null,"posted":1716664839},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6016681,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6016541
hmm I see, I was expecting it to affect but the sex thing thrw me out. well while we could get lucky with a free boost without consequences with a good roll, let's not start it. changing vote >>6016291 to :
>no
>Athleticism","attachment":null,"posted":1716665425},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6016762,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6015966
>Yes
I think with the recent ego rolls its only natural, but I think it would be kind of funny if Tips looked at this as a self study narcissist elf thing, he isnt in love with Nemenmo, but he does love elves and regardless he has 2 human fiancés, Idk if that makes sense
>Athleticism
>Elementalism
Naturally we gain some elemental affinity, and with Nem's jabs at our scrawn and raise in ego we care a little, plus might be nice for the girls too. I understand im asking for drama by saying yes, but I dont think Nem wants anything too too serious given their disregard for sacred spaces and the fact we brought the girls with us, might be a culture thing might just be a hoe thing but I wanna see where it goes","attachment":null,"posted":1716669872},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6016765,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6013497
this is me, ik thats not helpful and I understand not taking my vote so my arguments are more for other players, I wont say change votes just saying why I did mine","attachment":null,"posted":1716669996},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6016975,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6015993
>>6015994
>>6016001
>>6016220
>>6016291
>>6016333
>>6016540
>>6016675
>>6016681
>>6016762
[/qst/ anons refuse a delicious brown tomboy? Never thought I'd see the day! But alright, locked and writing!]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716683847481048.png","filename":"no seggs today.png"},"posted":1716683847},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6016994,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6016975
>/qst/ anons refuse a delicious brown tomboy?
Breaking my heart here RQM","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716684640672335.gif","filename":"5C3877E2-CAB9-4567-9D49-BA88846D5CA5.gif"},"posted":1716684640},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6016998,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6016994
We have Costella.","attachment":null,"posted":1716684724},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017003,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6016998
Quouple beats throuple ;)
Mainly influenced by the previous scene, it was quite heartwarming ngl","attachment":null,"posted":1716685133},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017010,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6016998
[Costella is practically a ginger, and thus categorically immune to being delicious or brown. Also not a tomboy: just a very physically-capable girly-girl who has been given a supernatural 'super-soldier serum'.]
[Izirina is sort of a brown tomboy, though more of a goth GF, realistically.]
>>6016998
>>6017003
>>6016994
[Anyway, back to writing!]","attachment":null,"posted":1716685405},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017011,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017010
Even if we don't kiss her we can at least tell her "thanks sis you too"","attachment":null,"posted":1716685564},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017013,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6016975
>[/qst/ anons refuse a delicious brown tomboy? Never thought I'd see the day!]
tips is a loyal husbandu","attachment":null,"posted":1716685669},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017019,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6016975
>>6017010
>>6016975
Your heart hammers in your chest, as if it wishes to burst forth and blossom like a flower in bloom, unfurling feelings you didn’t realize you held. The atmosphere is as rich with tension as it is with aura. Your own hands reach out for Nemenmo’s hips without your conscious volition. She gasps softly, then smiles, eyes alight with delight at your decisive action—action in favour of, as she puts it, an all-encompassing ‘love’. For you, here and now, it is a much less vague and ephemeral feeling which seizes you: a very focused feeling, more lust than love. You are both breathing hard. Nemenmo steps forward, her body pressed against yours. It is lean, and muscular, yet so appreciably feminine. A moment which had started with religious abstraction quickly turns private, intimate. You lean in.
(Gods, she smells intoxicating.)
And yet… You linger there. On the precipice of something you want—you REALLY want—yet you know is wrong, or at least reckless. Your relationship with Izirina and with Costella… It is a beautiful thing, shared and deeply unconventional. Yet, it is not OPEN. It is not a carte blanche to do as you please. It is a commitment—an engagement, in public with one and in private with the other. It is also DELICATE. Izirina’s emotions are difficult to read, distant and confounding at times, but she is not COLD—not really, not like your master, who raised her, much as she might seek to emulate her at times. And Costella—insecure, contested, sensitive and soft—how would SHE feel about the sudden intrusion of a fourth party into your affairs?
“I can’t,” yous ay abruptly, removing your hands from Nemenmo, who looks confused.
“I’m sorry,” she says. “Did I misunderstand? I thought there was a mutual…”
“There is,” you assure her breathlessly, face burning bright and mouth salivating in anticipation of an unrealized kiss. “There REALLY is. But… I’m taken. Engaged.”
“To humans?” she asks. “Ezreal… You are more of our kind, than of theirs.”
“Maybe I’m more elf than man,” you allow, “but every part of me is theirs. Izirina’s, and Costella’s.”
An awkward moment passes.
“Maybe if they said it was okay…” you begin. “or if it was only a kiss?”
“It would not be only a kiss,” Nemenmo replies softly. “I do not desire ONLY a kiss, Ezreal.”
You gulp.","attachment":null,"posted":1716685909},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017020,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017013
Tbf, Izzy probably would be down for it for the esoteric knowledge alone, just gotta keep it on the up-and-up with her","attachment":null,"posted":1716685933},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017021,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 4, 5, 9, 19, 5, 19, 17, 7 = 85 (8d20)
>>6017019
“No,” Nemenmo says, with a small laugh, and then adds: “I’m sorry, you are right, Ezreal. I was lost in the moment. Your decision is the correct one, by the morality of Man, and the Gods of Law. Even if they are not my gods, not my people… I was wrong to try to assume what I did.”
She frowns, and looks away, expression thoughtful. You look away as well, using the excuse of retrieving and replacing your hat.
“But we’re still friends, aren’t we?” she asks.
“Of course,” you reply.
“Good,” she sighs in relief, then bites her lip and adds, to your deep consternation: “Had I only acted sooner, perhaps we could have been more.”
You do not reply, nor does Nemenmo press you for a response. In the days that follow, you do not meet—not in private, at least. It is for the best, though it limited your education on the sacred mysteries of the Ashurati somewhat. Still, neither that ‘almost’ moment nor the revelations which preceded it.
>Elementalism +1
Nemenmo is true to her word: she never again approaches you romantically or sexually, but nor does she renounce you as a friend. As you continue to aid the Neme in the freeing of their True Fey patrons, you also take every opportunity to put forward your virtues, your commitment to Feycraft and the values of the Bonum Chaoticum, and your earnest respect for their people and their culture; all the while, Nemenmo offers her support, vouching for your honesty. If anything, the respect you showed for your oaths to Izirina and Costella seem to lend her greater confidence in attesting to the truth of your words…
>+Neme reputation
…And gradually, her fellow genasi seem to absorb and accept the sentiment as well.
[Aracane/Feycraft, +1 for Elementalism, +1 circumstantial bonus for this one major event]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716685976474687.png","filename":"Tips Level 3,3.png"},"posted":1716685976},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017048,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6017021
With Izirina’s assistance, and that of the Neme-Ashurati, you eventually find your way to the heart of the chest’s mystery. The secret lies in those same sacred sands—those which you shared with your fiancés, and with the one-who-got-away.
“So if we were to just break the break the enchantment on the chest then… What would happen?”
“We’ve been over this,” Izirina notes, without annoyance but with evident confusion. “Your <Disjunction> spell, however ‘great’ it is… It could kill or banish the fairies within.”
“And if we sink it into the sands, first?” you press. “If we attuned the chest itself to them… To the energies the sands have absorbed from millennia of Feycraft?”
“Love and reverence as a beacon…” Nemenmo murmurs.
“That could work,” one of the elders notes, though he sounds uncertain.
“That’s beautiful!” Costella swoons.
“It is,” Nemnmo agrees, and you exchange a brief, fleeting glance.
You form a ritual circle, together with your badlands-dwelling cousins. Nemenmo is there, across from you…. But to either side, holding your hands tight, are Izirina Henzler and Costella Fanucci. You join the Ashurati in song, in dance, in ritual magic, and so too do the two human women whom you hold dearest, of all peoples, in all the universe. You hear their voices rise in song. You see Iziirna’s exhilaration, to be part of a fairy court, to make a new and grand discovery about the cosmos’ nature. You witness Costella’s simpler, more altruistic enthusiasm, simply to help and to be a part of something good, for the good of others.
Your heart soars. You sing louder, matching their energy. You smile wide, beaming. You wouldn’t have it any other way.
>19
The chest opens, and a rainbow of elemental light—fire-red, sky-blue, earthen brown, and the green-blue of that rare, water-storing desert vegetation—explodes forth, until it swirls and coalesces into the form of a few, distinct spirits. The Elemental Fey join the dance, rejoicing in their freedom, and replete in gratitude and grandeur.
“What now?” is the next question, of course, and it is practical, results-oriented Izirna who voices it.","attachment":null,"posted":1716687796},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017055,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6017048
“Like, what do you mean?” Costella asks. “We saved the fairies! Now we go home… Right?”
“We still can’t make an artificial star for the Unseelie,” Izzy points out.
“We have an idea how to start,” you say, “and without… Outside interference or extraplanar elements.”
Costella looks between the two of you, confused, but izirina pales slightly, and nods. She knows, a you know, that part of this expedition was the pursuit fo a solution to the ‘Unseelie Star’ project which didn’t involve following the recipe of that dark spirit whom she had take tutelage from, which calls itself ‘The Nothic’.
“The secret is the chest, the rod, and the sands,” Izirina says, after some consideration. “The chest can store power. The rod can control it. The sands… They can disperse it and broadcast it, but not store it as effectively or completely as the chest, nor control it as precisely as the rod. But I need more time to study them.”
“WE need more time to study them,” you counter.
“Umm… You guys?” Costella chimes in, apologetically. “We’ve been gone a while.. A few weeks now, almost a month. What about, like, The Hill?”
Old Maple Hill, your land reserve turned neo-feycraft commune, has been without it three leaders for some time now. It is a contentious project in many quarters, and its ‘citizenry’ (such as they are) are still mostly-ignorant and uneducated humans, barely educated in the ways of the True Fey. There IS a fairy court there, upon the hill itself which gives the area its name, but the spriggan which presides from within the ancient maple upon that holy mound is no great god, nor overfond of humanity. There are many reasons to suspect they are ill-prepared to govern their own affair indefinitely, even before you account for whatever hostilities may still foment among the dark elves, the Sylvanfolk, or even some of the more conservative elements of Hawksong’s human society.
“And what about, like… The goblins?” Costella adds, ever considerate of those in need. “Aren’t we supposed to find them a home, or whatever?”
You HAD already decided that Old Maple Hill was a poor place for those greens-skinned slaves whom you liberated to make a permanent abode, after all; between their nature and reputation, and given the history of the region and the sentiment of the nearby human communities, a fairy-commune on the outskirts of Hawksong was simply no place for a goblin village to live in peace and freedom.
>Assign Izzy, Costella, Tips, Zith-Zi, and Carazzi to each of the following locations and projects:
>>Studying the chest and rod at the sacred mountain
>>Providing supervision and guidance at Old Maple Hill
>>Finding a permanent home for the goblin captives whom you freed
[Feel free to write in any tactics, approaches, or inquiries you have to help guide or direct your decisions]","attachment":null,"posted":1716688402},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017065,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017055
>Tips and Izzy study the chest
>Costella manages the Hill
>Zi and Carazzi deal with the goblins","attachment":null,"posted":1716688765},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017066,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017055
>>>Studying the chest and rod at the sacred mountain.
Izzy, Tips.
>>>Providing supervision and guidance at Old Maple Hill
Costella
>>>Finding a permanent home for the goblin captives whom you freed.
Zith-Ziand Carazzi.
I wonder if we can ask Theral for help and send the goblins to go live in bloodrise's territories amongst multiple the races there.","attachment":null,"posted":1716688795},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017069,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017055
>>Studying the chest and rod at the sacred mountain
Izzy
>>Providing supervision and guidance at Old Maple Hill
Costella & Tips
>>Finding a permanent home for the goblin captives whom you freed
ZithZi & Carazzi
As for the goblins home, tell them Hawksong isn’t very welcoming of them. They might be able to stay there, but it will be difficult.
I want Tips to be with Costella in case we get jumped by Carlos again. Also to back up our claim of going on expeditions then getting married after our project is done.","attachment":null,"posted":1716688817},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017080,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017055
>>6017065
Seems the ideal configuration","attachment":null,"posted":1716689118},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017125,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6017066
>I wonder if we can ask Theral for help
[It is an option, now that you mention it...]","attachment":null,"posted":1716691583},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017128,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017065
>+1
>>6015476
>>6017066
>I wonder if we can ask Theral for help and send the goblins to go live in bloodrise's territories amongst multiple the races there.
maybe, but dunno if sending them there is the best","attachment":null,"posted":1716691750},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017164,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017128
i recall bloodrise still having slavery but it became a bit more meritocratic under theral's & ancestor possessed theral's rule? Still feels pretty fucked to send them there though","attachment":null,"posted":1716694353},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017278,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017164
>>6017128
I mean where else can the goblins go? Hawksong the most mutli ethnic place in the pax argentum. Has a goblin settlement ban, and the other human duchies in the boonies are more intolerant presumably.
They were going to be sold into slavery in the southern lands. And the orcs are going on a rampage further up north east in the waste. So we cant send them there.
These goblins live in a place called "the wastes" for a reason. Its the only area normally available to them. And Zith zi believed it was unlikely for them to assimilate into human society, even if we do mange to bribe or negotiate a place for them.","attachment":null,"posted":1716704763},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017342,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017164
Meritocratic doesn't mean "no slavery". I just means you're getting enslaved based on the enslaver abilities, not ancestry.","attachment":null,"posted":1716716650},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017396,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017055
Could we
>Ask for sacred sand for the chest, and attempt to create a Neme Sanctuary near our Grove?
Not like IN the sacred forest grove. But close. Either in our granted land reserve or negociate a bit more land, and work on our Newt Salamender Pokedex of fairies","attachment":null,"posted":1716723517},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017401,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017396
Thus my formal Vote would be
>Izzy, Tips and Costella back at Old Maple Hill
Izzy on chest and rod
Costella on Supervision and guidance
Tips at expanding Fairy grounds to create a small Earth-attuned sand-oasis, home for Mino
>Carazzi, Zith-Zi and Theral on a bloodrise adventure.
More on Theral's business side of things. Open links for a Dark elf future adventure time if we don't find a crystal alternative; maybe the Chest can?","attachment":null,"posted":1716723875},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017421,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017055
>Tips and Izzy study the chest
Have Nemenmo help us (and maybe leave a good impression on Izzy)
>Costella manages the Hill
>Zi and Carazzi deal with the goblins captives
We should revisit incorporating some of our charges into Maple Hill- it an obvious that doesn’t lead them back into chains.","attachment":null,"posted":1716726906},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017427,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017055
>>6017421
Also, should probably spend some ‘alone’ time with Costella (and Izzy) before she leaves, and have Carazzi satiate her hunger on the residual feeling to top her off before her trial.
>>6017307
My friend, if ever the Sun Belt Crusaders gets resurrected, I’d be happy to call you my brother-in-arms in-quest.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716727364730612.jpg","filename":"9EF5AF28-58A8-4758-A1DA-B9230C7EBB0C.jpg"},"posted":1716727364},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017434,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017401
I do like this idea. I like Izzy & Tips on chest while keeping Costella secure.
Switching from >>6017069 to supporting this","attachment":null,"posted":1716727964},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017437,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017019
>five days into the thread and we’re almost risking pregnancy again.
… ain’t no way.","attachment":null,"posted":1716728466},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017518,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017437
Tips got the rizz after all and you know how alluring tomboys are, specially one that’s hairless.","attachment":null,"posted":1716734145},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017555,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6017518
Hairless everywhere, too, not that Tips will ever know that, kek
>>6017434
>>6017421
>>6017401
>>6017128
>>6017066
>>6017065
[Writing! Right after I make some coffee.]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716737713826753.png","filename":"loading.png"},"posted":1716737713},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017566,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017555
Can I get an answer to how feasible my plan was in update pretty please?","attachment":null,"posted":1716738057},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017601,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017555
Expected it, since she even is bald","attachment":null,"posted":1716741004},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017605,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6017555
>>6017566
>>6017601
“You’re right,” you admit sadly, with a wistful gaze in the direction of the upper-most peak where the chest and rod await further researches.
“We’re not done here,” Izzy insists. “Tips, there’s still so much more to discover!”
“Maybe we could, like… Take them with us?” Costella asks hopefully.
Izirina shakes her head, and you quickly elaborate to clear the confusion: “We need all three aspects: the chest, the rod, AND the sands… As WELL as the Elemental Fey, to lend us their energies and help with our understanding of the underlying divine arcana.”
“Well there’s room at the hill, right?” Costella prods.
You reflect upon that private, midnight swim with Nemenmo, and on what she told you. So, too, do you recall these many days of meetings, of speaking and singing with the Neme elders who serve as mystics and historians for their race. You frown, and Costella’s face falls when she sees your expression.
“No?” she asks.
“No,” you agree. “The Ashurati, or Neme… They came here for a reason. These places—‘empty’ place, where life is hard and the soil barren—are their sacred duty to enliven. Nemenmo told me as such, though I only fully understood it later. They are guardians and creators of oases, not only of life but of MAGIC.”
You smile ruefully, and conclude: “Old Maple Hill is already rich in life, and magic—fairy magci, no less. It’s simply TOO NICE for them.”
“So… What do we do?” Costella asks, looking between you and Izirina.
“I’m staying,” Izirina asserts, planting her feet as if bracing for a fight. “I’m so close to understanding this… To cracking open this mystery and really GETTING how it all works… The fundamental alchemy of turning dead matter, mundane matter, into MAGICAL matter with the potential for arcane animation! That’s what this all is, don’t you SEE? This research is at the very threshold of CREATING A WORLD. Their oases are—”
“I know,” you interrupt. “I get it, Izzy.”
Izirina’s excitement, spilling forth, comes to a trickling stop. She nods, and smiles.
“Of course you do,” she acknowledges. “You’re Tips. So you’re staying, too?”
You are. You cannot do otherwise, you realize. As much as you wish to return home, to attend to your responsibilities there, you feel the same thing which Izirina Henzler feels: the pull of ancient, hidden knowledge, the need to understand it completely.
“I have a duty to the Unseelie, as unpleasant as they may be,” you justify it.
Izirina smiles knowingly, and says nothing. Costella, though, only grows more distraught.","attachment":null,"posted":1716741299},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017609,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6017605
“Wait, but… Does that mean I’m going back alone? M-maybe I should stay here, with you two?”
“No,” you say, taking her hands to reassure her. “Someone needs to keep peace and provide leadership on the Hill. The Sprit of the Old Maple likes you—he told me as much—and everyone else there likes you, too.”
“But I don’t know how to DO, like, anything!” she frets. “I can’t cast spells, I can barely speak elven, I don’t really know all that many rituals—”
“But you can farm,” you interrupt her. “You can mend clothing and furniture, care for animals…”
“You helped birth that sheep, a few months ago,” Izirina notes.
“…And you know how to run the market, how to sell the gods we produce and keep everyone organized an productive so the community can stay afloat,” you finish. “You know how to do LOTS of things… And honestly, a lot of those are things the people there need more than what Izirina and I do, day to day.”
“Ez,” Costella whispers, lip trembling slightly, and then looks to Izirina. “Iz!”
Costella throws herself upon you both, squeezing you tight. You each wrap your arms around her in turn, Izirina only a few seconds after you. You remain like that for a time, and then part, to make preparations for Costella’s departure.
In truth, Costella isn’t really leaving alone: those slaves whom you liberated are going with her, as are Zith-Zi and Carazzi.
“I understand what you said about the goblins being a poor fit for Old Maple Hill, or for Hawksong,” you tell Zith-Zi. “So I was thinking, what about The Bloodrise Mountains?”
Zith-Zi freezes, leaned over her pack, and then slowly turns to stare at you.
“Are you fuckin’ nuts?” she asks you. “Did all this heat go to yet head or somethin’? Or did you finally take some a’ that shirin shit?”
“I’m serious,” you say. “It’s already a… A kingdom of monsters, right? But also elves, and dwarves I’ve heard. Between that and the lizardmen and… Uh, bugs…”
“What, they got all the gross shit and black elves, so a few little green gobs’ll fit right in? ‘Zat it?!”
“Well…”
Zith-Zi glares, but then gradually her expression shifts as she really considers it.
“Well, shit,” she says. “That might actually work, if I’m givin’ it a fair shake. But what if they just, you know…”
Zith-Zi makes the motion of drawing a sword or dagger across her throat.
“Or what if they enslave them again?” she asks. “And US?”
“Well, the Dragon King owes me one,” you note. “He might not need to deliver that pass to Wevenore for the Drow’s crystals, so the least he can do is not kill or enslave my friends.”
“Oh, he’s got jokes now!” Zith-Zi mocks you, throwing her hands up in the air. “Easy for you ta’ say, all safe ‘n cozy with your magical elf orgies up on th’ mountain, or whatever ya’ fairies get up to up there!”","attachment":null,"posted":1716741387},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017610,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6017609
“Orgies?” Carazzi asks, popping up from wherever she had been making her own preparations.
“That’s not even CLOSE to accurate!” you protest. “We’re attending to seriously, legitimate research! It’s all… I mean, there’s some singing and dancing, but ritualistic sorts. It’s very technical, and magical, and—”
“Aww,” Carazzi sighs.
“Only total fuckin’ nerds like Izzy ‘n you would call a bunch a’ studying a ‘vacation’,” Zith-Zi teases you. “Ya’ ask me, Costella’s LUCKY she’s leavin’.”
You frown, and ZIth-Zi seems to realize she’s taken her teasing a little too far, clearing her throat and averting her eyes.
“Besides,” you add after the moment has passed, “the Dragon King is technically your half-brother, you know. Yours and, ah, Carazzi’s. Sort of.”
Zith-Zi snorts at that, rolling her eyes.
“Yeah, I’m sure it’ll be just like comin’ home. ‘Hey, big bad lizard-bro, did you know your mom grew a demon dick an’ knocked up some gob almost thirty years ago? Anyway, can me an’ my evil twin crash on yer couch?”
You smile, noting: “You call her family a lot more easily these days.”
“Well, I guess it’s… Whatever,” Zith-Zi says, face abruptly crunching in discomfort, and then she gives you a knowing look. “You, too, huh?”
You both look to Carazzi, humming and hopping this way and that, helping the others to prepare for their journey. You do a double-take when you see her hauling—albeit with some strain—the larger form of the still-bound Skekz-Gab the Hobgoblin.
“Figure we’ll turn her inta’ the authorities or somethin’?” Carazzi asks.
Skekz-Gab glares.
“Or use her for emerhency rations,” Zith-Zi replies.
The hobgoblin shuts her mouth, and fumes silently. With Carazzi giggling at the idea and lciking her lips, she dare not protest the initial plan too loudly.
You laugh a little at the grim humour, and at the girlish delight with which Carazzi carries out her duties. Strange form and origins aside, she really HAS come to feel like… Well, practically like a daughter to you.
“Don’t worry, daddy,” ZIth-Zi cackles, smacking your backside. “I’ll take good care of the kid.”
“That would make you the mother, in that analogy,” you shoot back.
“Ha! That a come-on, Tips? What, like you ain’t got enough girl troubles?”
"You don't know the half of it," you mumble.","attachment":null,"posted":1716741448},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017613,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6017610
Costella and the Zis—and sundry others—do not leave all at once. They can’t. Even at full power, and well-rested, Izirina can only transport so many people across such a great distance with a single <Dimension Door>. This is doubly difficult for goblins, who by their very nature resist and disrupt magic. This does, at least, give you the added benefit of one more night with both of the women whom you love.
“Ezreal… We should take some shirin.”
You do a double-take, never having expected to hear such a suggestion from Izirina. In fact… How did she even learn of it? You’d never really discussed the shirin with her, had you?
“Shirin?” Costella asks. “Like… The drug? I heard that stuff is popular with some people… But won’t it just keep us up all night or whatever?”
“Tips has other kinds,” Izirina replies, regarding you with a subtly-seductive look over her shaded glasses. “Don’t you?”
It is true: you have two types, the psychoactive and hallucinogenic ‘mind-opening’ green shirin, and the allegedly-aphrodisiac pink shirin… And you have more than enough of either for each of you to have a full dose.
“Where’s this coming from?” you ask.
“It’s going to be our last night together for a while,” Izirina notes, provoking another frown from Costella. “I thought it might make it… Special.”
What will you do?
>Do pink shirin with the girls
>Do green shriin with the girls
>Do no shirin with the girls
>Mix the shirin up, and see what happens
>Write-in","attachment":null,"posted":1716741509},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017621,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017613
I recall RQM mentioning Izzy bringing along contraceptive creams and what not with us on the trip. If that is so,
>Do pink shirin with the girls
Green shirin is too useful. We might be able to trade it elsewhere.","attachment":null,"posted":1716741921},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017635,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017613
>Do pink shirin with the girls","attachment":null,"posted":1716742837},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017662,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017613
>Do pink shirin with the girls","attachment":null,"posted":1716744827},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017675,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017635
Addendum: with contraception ONLY!","attachment":null,"posted":1716745889},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017677,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017613
You know what, no. Changing >>6017635 to
>Don't do shirin and don't have sex
Because I'm paranoid.","attachment":null,"posted":1716745980},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017716,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017613
>Do pink shirin with the girls. Remember to use the contraceptive creams as well.
green would be funny, but it's too useful for other things so for now only the pinkagra.
am >>6015476
>>6017677
party pooper","attachment":null,"posted":1716747878},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017754,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017610
>“Orgies?” Carazzi asks, popping up from wherever she had been making her own preparations.
lel
>>6017613
>Do pink shirin with the girls
Woah Izzy getting adventurous","attachment":null,"posted":1716750879},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017762,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Yall realize Izzy is still talking to the Nothic right? Thats why she knew about the shirin, Nemenmos hypothetical kiss wouldve been immediately known as shes spying on us","attachment":null,"posted":1716752139},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017766,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017762
I thought she just had her own divination magic that she uses","attachment":null,"posted":1716752693},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017905,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017613
>Mix the shirin up, and see what happens
Have some fun and experiment a little!","attachment":null,"posted":1716762409},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017955,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017762
>Thats why she knew about the shirin
she doesn't need the nothic to know about a regular drug, also divination dude.","attachment":null,"posted":1716765675},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6017961,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017677
Now that I think about it, sending Costella home right after a night of sex and shirin probably won’t be a good look if her parents were to come visit.
I’m still supporting the sex + pink shirin option as long as we have contraception but get her cleaned up afterwards.
>>6017762
Uh, no? She knew about the shirin because she was there when we went to the brothel and got the shirin","attachment":null,"posted":1716766166},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6018021,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017961
>Now that I think about it, sending Costella home right after a night of sex and shirin probably won’t be a good look if her parents were to come visit.
anon, she just needs to wash and if anything, she can just say she was doing stuff(s).","attachment":null,"posted":1716772258},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6018032,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6018021
>>6017961
>>6017955
>>6017905
>>6017766
>>6017762
>>6017754
>>6017716
>>6017677
>>6017675
>>6017662
>>6017635
>>6017621
[Writing!]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716773343257431.png","filename":"go time.png"},"posted":1716773343},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6018077,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6018032
“Well, I do have some, uh… Variations upon the basic formula.”
Costella looks a little nervous, but Izirina is visibly excited—or, well, as excited as she ever visibly is, when magical secrets aren’t involved. You can forgive her usual muted reactions, since even SUGGESTING such a daring course of action is unusually adventurous for her. You’re even more astounded to see Izirina reach out and touch Costella’s lower back, rubbing her gently. Costella squeaks in surprise, but then immediately melts into the uncharacteristic physical affection.
“Well, uh, okay~…”
“How did you even know about the shirin?” you ask, as you rifle through your pack for the folded paper packages containing the finely-granulated, coloured powders.
(Has she been spying on you? Is The Nothic involved? You’d like to believe the answer is ‘no’, and yet…)
“Zith-Zi told me.”
(…Ah.)
“And you really want to do this?” you ask.
“Would I ask if I wasn’t?” Izzy asks, looking and sounding genuinely confused at the question.
“I guess not,” you utter. “Ah, here they are!”
You have nine pouches of shirin—tiny little brown envelopes, four sealed with a small dollop of pink wax and five with a dollop of minty green. You extract three of the pink, each containing a dose to last a single human—or half-elf—for an evening’s exploration. You have to admit to being a little excited yourself. You’d bought these with the intent to share in just such an experience, and just… never had the time, with everything else going on. Well, this IS a vacation, so why not?
“How does it, like, work?” asks Costella, as you pop open the first package.
“Well, it can be ingested in a variety of ways,” you say, recounting what you’ve been told and, on at least a couple occasions, experienced. “Any mucous membrane will do. Nasally is fastest, but is rough on the tissues. It’s easiest to take it orally. You simply lick a finger-like so—dip it inside, coat the digit thoroughly, and…”
You pause, and look over at the others—especially Costella.
“We have contraceptives left, right?”
“Chewable herbs and creams,” Izirina confirms.
“Good,” you say. “We should use both.”
“R-right,” says Costella, face flush.
“…Obviously?” Izirina replies, looking between the two of you. “Did something happen?”
“N-nothing!” Costella blurts out. “it’s fine!”","attachment":null,"posted":1716776561},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6018079,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6018077
Izirina slowly nods. She removes her glasses, and then her hat, and with a quick motion and shake of her head her reddish hair is cast loose. It frizzes up briefly as if with electrical charge, and then the small wind which encircles her begins to lift and spread it, until it hovers about her face like an angelic halo. Smile smiles, and asks:
“What are we waiting for? You’re being strange.”
“I just want to ensure that we’re being safe and conscientious,” you say, a little miffed. “I don’t want any—Ah!”
Before you can say more, Izirina approaches. She grabs hold of your arm, her hands sliding up to squeeze your wrist, and slowly work their way up to your knuckles. Her eyes, flashing and bright, meet your own. She never breaks eye contact as she lowers her head to your powdered index finger and, parting her lips, takes it into her mouth, to clean it with a swirl of her tongue and a booing, sucking motion.
“Holy shit,” both you and Costella say at once.
After that, your fears and worries swiftly abate. Izirina sets the pace—another rarity. With dilated pupils and rapid breathing-not to mention a persist reddishness about her face and unusual ashy near-whiteness about her extremities, it is obvious she is being affected. If that weren’t enough, the way she sets upon Costella, stripping away clothes and setting about her with hands and mouth, would be enough.
“Hoooly… Oh, f-fuck, Iz, you’re… Oh wow!”
Your pants tent at visual feats set before you upon your shared bedspread: Costella on her back, hands gripping at the sheets and eyes rolled back, chewing her lip as Izirina busies her own mouth in other ways. You’re s captivated that it take you a moment to realize that Izzy is speaking to you, and to notice her hand is reaching back to you, fingers beckoning.
“Tips!”
“Wait, what?”
“Shirin!” Izirina repeats.
You blink in confusion, but hand the second pouch to her. You expect her to offer it to Costella, but instead, she pours it onto her own fingers—slick and sticky with fluids other than saliva. She works her fingers together, and then—
“W-woah! ThaAAAaaAAttt… That tiiIIiingles!”
Well, you did say ANY mucous membrane, but you are nevertheless startled—and EXCEEDINGLY aroused—to see (and hear, thanks to Costella’s excitement) Izirina’s creative means of dosing your shared paramour.
“Oh G-gods… Oh, I feel… I feel really warm. Oh… OH! Oh Izzy, oh, that’s… Oh, it’s so much more int-t0tense than—AAAH!”","attachment":null,"posted":1716776723},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6018132,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6018086
>Give in
Damn it
Is Izzy ever not up to some shenanigans?","attachment":null,"posted":1716780941},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6018134,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6018083
I’ll be honest, this shit is not readable even on an ipad. Zooming in to read a sentence on one side then having to move to the other isn’t particularly fun.
Working on it.","attachment":null,"posted":1716781063},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6018136,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6018134
That bit is literally just the porniest and least plot-relevant part, so don't sweat it","attachment":null,"posted":1716781140},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6018142,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6018083
Alternative, for folks like >>6018134, is hosted at https://pastebin.com/9QGpZvSF","attachment":null,"posted":1716781419},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6018157,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6018086
>you cannot say for sure what time it is, how long you’ve been here, or…
>or how many of the contraceptives remain.
Wow, all that sex - with the drugs included - and still no on screen description of a creampie? We even had contraceptives this time.
>Resist the urge
Fine. I refuse to believe it didn’t happen off screen.
>>6018142
You know me.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OJOz8HPveKAPKc3OlruXDFU5nuniBmciu7LO-kZAM-U/edit","attachment":null,"posted":1716782424},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6018204,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6018086
>Resist the urge
alright izzy, that was really strange. if it were both of them urging us to do it, I'd bite the bullet but Cossy is not going along with this trolge. btw we only fucked cossy ? we gotta make up for it and correct izzy along with it.
>>6018142
you know, posting the pastebin is way better than that image since you have to go along and then return due to the zoom.","attachment":null,"posted":1716785651},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6018205,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6018157
thanks narrator, very cool","attachment":null,"posted":1716785713},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6018254,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6018086
>Give in","attachment":null,"posted":1716791071},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6018279,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6018086
>Pull out of Costella
"If you wish so much, I can give it to you instead."","attachment":null,"posted":1716793406},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6018481,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6018477
kek, might be the combination of sex and cum in the phrase but kinda strange this was deleted when other quests got away with more.","attachment":null,"posted":1716820377},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6018487,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6018083
prompt hidden within, for posterity. Seems even with the other, pornier bit excised and cordoned off, we flew too close to the sun. How oddly appropriate, for Izirina...
>>6018132
>>6018157
>>6018204
>>6018254
>>6018279
[It seems we have a slim majority, though, and it's about time to lock the decision anyway!]
>>6018477
[Thanks, anon.]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716820919235217.png","filename":"Untitled-1.png"},"posted":1716820919},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6018493,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"This is disgusting. Why are you posting literal pornography on a blue board?","attachment":null,"posted":1716821447},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6018495,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":"Rolled 3, 9, 6, 3, 19 = 40 (5d20)
>>6018487
You grit your teeth, grip tightening on Costella’s suppleness. Her body is a perfectly-balanced mxi of fat and muscle, ever since the same transformative journey which made you aethereal and Izirina elementally-attuned. Even now, you efforts to hold back—to be responsible, to evince control—are held back by just how exquisite she feels, inside and out.
And yet there’s something about that crazed look in Izzy’s luminous eyes… The intense focus writ across her face…
“If you want it so badly,” you say between gasps, “I can give it to you, instead?”
Izzy’s breathing hitches, her face flushing. She whines, a mix of pleasure and frustration, and almost looks as if she’s considering it. However…
“No!” she insists. “It has to be her!”
(Well, shit. That settles it.)
You’re not sure what Izirina Henzler is up to this time, or why, but she’s scheming at SOMETHING again. And that means, loathe as you are to do so, you must overcome your every natural instinct, retrieve those inhibitions which the pink shjrin stripped from you, and…
Natural Philosophy Roll to control yourself, DC 15, +2 DC for two Ego-boosting choices, two extra die for Sense Motive","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716821673628112.png","filename":"Tips Level 3,35.png"},"posted":1716821673},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6018496,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6018493","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716821793136480.jpg","filename":"IMG_7868.jpg"},"posted":1716821793},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6018502,"name":"ReptoidQM","msg":">>6018495
In spite of all of it—Izzy’s insistence, Costella’s own wordless pleading, the potent stimulant-aphrodisiac burning through your system—you manage to free yourself from the honeyed trap set before you. Release still comes, but without the risk. You stumble back a step, catching your breath, heart pounding at both the recent physical exertion and at the narrowly-avoided act of irresponsibility. Your legs go weak and wobbly, knees nearly knocking, and you tumble onto your bare backside. Your head is swimming, vision wobbly and wavy in the afterglow.
“AAARGH!”
You almost mistake the shriek for a cry of pleasure in your half-delirious state. However, when you see Izzy’s face, there’s no mistaking her emotional state: she’s upset. Izirina stands up, still nude from the waist down with her trousers cast aside and dress hiked up. She stares down, between Costella’s legs and at the evidence of your err in aim—or rather, your ability to resist whatever strange and confounding machinations she set in place. She glares at you, bizarrely FURIOUS, for reasons you can’t quite fathom. Then, her expression breaks, anger shattering to make way for a despair and dismay which is equally incomprehensible to you.
She bolts out of the tent.
“W-wait,” you stammer. “What…?”
You start to struggle to your feet, scrambling for your trousers and underclothes, still tangled about one another in a heap on the floor. You manage to extricate one from the other and, hopping on one foot, push your leg through the bottom hole. Your hurried scramble to clothe yourself, to chase after Izirina is interrupted, though…
By Costella.
You look down, the rush of drug-addled confusion broken by her touch. You look down to where Costella is tugging upon the cuff of your pants, still lying upon the ground. Her hair is sex-mussed, green-speckled face shadowed and half hidden by her wavy brown locks, but she shakes her head subtly and you understand that she doesn’t want you to leave. Not yet.
What do you do?
>Go after Izirina to confront her about whatever the fuck THAT all was
>Stay here with Costella until Izzy returns, or until morning
>Write-in
>>6018496
Don't feed the troll, he's just salty because people in the QTG called him out for being silly and a bad listener","attachment":null,"posted":1716822473},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6018510,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6018495
>3,9,6 on pulling out
>3,19 on sense motive
We still pulled out completely? Okay.
>>6018502
>Go after Izirina to confront her about whatever the fuck THAT all was
Gib head kiss to costella.
If we stay we probably fuck again and now we’re just repeating this.
Wow this sex scene is taking a while huh.","attachment":null,"posted":1716823175},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6018513,"name":"RQM","msg":">>6018510
[Your sense motive roll roll was a bonus to your base roll, essentially tipping you off even while high and horny that something was up.]
>Wow this sex scene is taking a while huh.
[A couple posts, but mostly because it's plot relevant]","attachment":null,"posted":1716823359},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6018522,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6018513","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716824178806826.jpg","filename":"IMG_7869.jpg"},"posted":1716824178},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6018523,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6018502
>Go after Izirina to confront her about whatever the fuck THAT all was","attachment":null,"posted":1716824251},{"board":"qst","thread":6011108,"pid":6018525,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Erotic roleplay is not permitted.","attachment":null,"posted":1716825034}]}
+{"title":"Curse Carrier 4","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5980900,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":"You managed to build a happy family far away from most of the magical happenings that could hurt you and your children's. Nowhere is truly safe, even in your newfound home in Russia, but you think the worst is finally over.
You decided to go on a vacation into your old nameless town, both as a way to unwind and to help find out more about your magic's memories. Unfortunately, Etsy's rightful fear of the U.S agency did make the travel pretty costly, but what's the point of money if you aren't spending it after all.
Your old house has all but been ransacked after you left. You did manage to sell it, but the buyer turned out to be part of the agency, and you presume they tried to find anything that you or Etsy would've left behind they could use. As far as you know they didn't find anything, so it's not really your problem. You end up staying at a pretty expensive hotel, it used to belong to Mona, but the town didn't have any place to stay that didn't belong to her, and since she's dead, her magic is all but gone from it. Your old apartment is also of course not an option, as it was wiped out long ago by the Sword of Dusk in order to spite the U.S agency.
Your kids are pretty happy that they get to stay in a luxurious place like this, although Anastasia does complain a lot about how she'd rather have stayed home. Etsy is still a little paranoid, constantly looking out the curtains of your room as if a man in black was going to suddenly attack you.
You are a little worried yourself, but your kids have all been given a tag that tracks where they are, so even if something happens to them, K.I.S.A will be able to rush to them in an instant-- A literal instant, borderline teleportation level speed, you're not sure how it works, but apparently tri-matter has some very funky applications when it's stretched over long distances. Etsy tried to explain to you how it works, but you didn't understand a word she said, you don't think even she knows how it works herself.
Anyway, with safety out of the way, you can finally relax. What should you do during your vacation?
(You can vote for two options. You will search for Arachne's remaining memories, in addition to the two most popular votes.)
>Look into Mia's dissapearence
>Visit your old house
>Go to a theme park with the kids
>Wander the town to see how much changed
>Let one of your kid pick an activity (specify which one)
>Write in","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713481645846962.png","filename":"CC4.png"},"posted":1713481645},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5980907,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980900
>Go to a theme park with the kids
And after that, to be nostalgic...
>Go on a date with Etsy (preferably in places we went with her when we were young and dating)","attachment":null,"posted":1713481937},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5980909,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5980900
Archive: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?searchall=Curse+Carrier
Random info: https://rentry.org/mdo67afk","attachment":null,"posted":1713482071},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5980918,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980900
First thing
>Call Sawyer and ask her to join us
THEN
>Visit your old house
>Wander the town to see how much changed
>>5980909
Welcome back OP","attachment":null,"posted":1713482851},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5980933,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980900
>Look into Mia's dissapearence
>Go to a theme park with the kids
Glad to see you back, OP","attachment":null,"posted":1713484953},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5980952,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980900
>>5980907
+1
Good to see you back DM.","attachment":null,"posted":1713486880},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5981422,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5980907
>>5980918
>>5980933
>>5980952
You've actually never been to the town's theme park. It has a lot of attractions, from rollercoasters to bumper rides. You'd think a town like this wouldn't have enough tourism to make something like this profitable, but everything here is cheap enough that people don't care about the nasty rumors surrounding this town, the housing's also relatively affordable.
You decide that now's a good time to try the theme park out. You also call Sawyer to hang out, since you know she likes kids and her power isn't an issue anymore.
Etsy checks the tags one last time on your kids before you leave the hotel. "A-Are you sure it's s-safe? W-What if a ride breaks, or-"
You tell her you'll make sure nothing happens. As far as you can tell, the rides have never once malfunctioned in all the years they've been active, which is pretty impressive considering this town has a tendency of blowing random buildings up on a whim.
"Mom, we came here in a plane," Sophia says. "There are more deaths in planes than in theme parks, stop worrying so much."
"I-I personally checked that plane, i-it's not the same!"
"I-I still think anywhere else would be better. W-Why did you pick a theme park anyway?"
You tell her you considered bringing her to the theme park instead of the anime convention at the end of your first year together, and you think it's a good opportunity to do so now.
"T-That was a long time ago. I-I remember the cosplay, actually i-isn't that what...?" Her eyes rest on Sophia for an uncomfortable amount of time.
"What?" Sophia cocks her head to the side.
"N-Nothing, just happy I picked the r-right clothes back then." She ruffles Sophia's hair.
"Grn- what does that even-"
You ruffle her hair too, if you give your daughter time to think she might realize what Etsy is implying. Once the unwarranted bullying is over, you finally leave for the theme park. Sawyer is waiting for you at the entrance of the Hotel.
"Aww! Your kids are so cute! They're a little different from what I imagined since, well, a future past is now a past future know what I mean?"
You tell her you don't.
"Haha, yeah! Anyway kids, I'm Sawyer! I knew your dad waaay back in the day. About uhm... 5 years...no, that's not right err- help me out here, Weavy!"
"T-Twenty years ago," Etsy answers.
"Oh. Uhm, sorry. Way longer than I thought, anyway, I'm kind of like your aunt!"
Mikhail raises his hand. "Hi Auntie!"
The other kids don't join in, Sawyer is a complete stranger to them, after all.
Sawyer forces a smile and turns back to you, "ah, that reminds me. You've realized by now, right? About the thing."
You tell her you don't know what she's talking about.
"It's over. Someone won, someone you know, I'm sure you already figured out who that is. A big change is going to happen, but it should be fine! So yeah, congrats. You also 'won' in a way, so have I! Happy ending for...nearly everyone."","attachment":null,"posted":1713543607},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5981424,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5981422
Sophia asks what she's talking about, but you tell her it's nothing important. This just makes her even more curious, but Sawyer deflects by saying you two were talking about some old games you two used to play. It's not technically wrong, but Sawyer is phrasing it as if this was just some kind of inside joke.
You make it up to the theme park, it doesn't have a lot of people, but that only means you don't have to wait too long to try out most of the attractions. Aleksander's a little too young to do any of the more 'fun' rides, and Sawyer volunteers to watch him while you have fun. Arachne stays attached to him just in case, but it's not like you expect Sawyer to do anything to him -- you wouldn't have invited Sawyer otherwise.
Mikhail and Sophia have a lot of fun, but Ana, not so much. She keeps complaining that she'd rather be home right now, and that the rides are making her sick. She's a little bit of party-pooper, but Sawyer manages to calm her down by buying her ice cream. To your surprise, Ana even says that Sawyers is 'okay', which is as high a compliment as it gets with her.
Soon, the day is over, and it's time to go home.
"We don't have a theme park in Vladivostok," Sophia says. "This town isn't that bad, why did you move out?"
You tell her Etsy had a business opportunity overseas.
"Is that true?"
You nod.
"Doesn't add up. I looked up this place online, did you know that there's basically nothing on this town's history? How it was built, who the mayor is. I expected a ghost town, but it's just a regular city? Feels weird."
Etsy takes notice of the conversation and nudges you with the shoulder.
"M-Maybe we should tell her," she whispers to you. "S-She's an adult now, a-and it's better than her finding out by herself."
You're not sure it's a good idea. Telling her about it gives the risk of her 'digging too deep' and finding things she shouldn't, but keeping it a secret also means she won't be prepared if she does encounter the supernatural on accident.
Should you tell her?
>Tell her, she's already starting to figure things out anyway. You'll need to tell the other kids when they come of age too.
>Don't tell her, it's too dangerous.","attachment":null,"posted":1713543674},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5981426,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981424
>Tell her, she's already starting to figure things out anyway. You'll need to tell the other kids when they come of age too.
It feels right
>>5981422
>Someone won, someone you know, I'm sure you already figured out who that is
Congrats Leah. Go make anime real.
>Happy ending for...nearly everyone
We can't save them all. That's how it is","attachment":null,"posted":1713543840},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5981433,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981424
>>Tell her, she's already starting to figure things out anyway. You'll need to tell the other kids when they come of age too.","attachment":null,"posted":1713544616},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5981474,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981424
>Tell her, but not right now
I mean, the game's over right? So there's no more battle royale. But we shouldn't ruin the vacation for her with this crazy-ass revelation. Just tell her we'll explain it later.","attachment":null,"posted":1713549224},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5981479,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981474
I personally want Weaver to show off without any danger for once","attachment":null,"posted":1713549438},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5981579,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981424
>Tell her, she's already starting to figure things out anyway. You'll need to tell the other kids when they come of age too.
she's a big girl","attachment":null,"posted":1713558001},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5981639,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981579
for you","attachment":null,"posted":1713565359},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5981642,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981639
I was going to post that too but I held back. Thank you for doing this for us","attachment":null,"posted":1713565616},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5981944,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981424
>Tell her, she's already starting to figure things out anyway. You'll need to tell the other kids when they come of age too.","attachment":null,"posted":1713590680},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5982151,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981424
>Tell her, she's already starting to figure things out anyway. You'll need to tell the other kids when they come of age too.
And ask Sawyer who won! I suspect it's Leah but not 100% sure. She'd have had to steamroll the Dusk for that, eh?
Also welcome back, OP!","attachment":null,"posted":1713618976},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5982156,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982151
Speaking of Leah, I wonder if she and Infinite Reflection guy were still a couple by the end? He was a thrall to Mona before, but what did he do after Mona died and he was freed? Did he break up with her, or did he decide to stay?","attachment":null,"posted":1713619538},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5982177,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5981944
>>5981579
>>5981474
>>5981433
You tell her you need to discuss something with her in private. Sophia nods with a worried look on her face. Once back at the hotel, you wait for the rest of the kids to go to sleep and tell her nearly everything. About your past, about the U.S agency, about the reason you moved out and what you've been up to. It's a lot, and it doesn't always make you look good, but if you're going to tell her the truth, you might as well go all the way.
At first she, of course, thinks you're just messing with her, but once you start showing your own magic, she realizes that this might be a little too real to be a prank. Etsy is also here to explain what her involvement was, although she lets you do most of the talking.
"Geez dad that's- I don't know. Am I in danger? Is this why mom's so scared all the time?"
"N-Not scared, just cautious. B-But you should be safe now, t-the agency hasn't b-bothered us in years, and our other enemies are g-gone. S-Sorry we didn't tell you earlier, i-it was to keep you safe."
Sophia lays down on your bed, and stares at the ceiling. "I get it. Okay, I don't really get it, but it adds up. It explains a lot, in fact. Wait, can I use magic too? Is it genetics?"
You tell her that as far as you know, it isn't genetics, but that nothing good would come out of her actively trying to awaken her magic in the first place.
"Easy for you to say! I don't- I don't have anything special like you or mom. I at least thought you were a little normal dad, but turns out you're a wizard or something!"
You tell her she's special in her own way, but she doesn't take it well.
"Don't patronize me, dad! I'm not 'special' at anything! Aleksander's good at art, Ana's a chemistry wiz, and everyone likes Mikhail. Me? I barely have any friends, my games suck, the guy I like is with someone else, and I don't know what else. Maybe I'd be a good magic user? Maybe that's my talent?"
You tell her you can't stop her from looking into these things, but a lot of the people that have ended up dead. Just because the game's over doesn't mean that it's an entirely safe thing to do.
"I just- Sorry dad. I know it's not your fault. Not your fault either mom, I know I turned out wrong but-"
"C-Can you stop with that!?" Etsy suddenly raises her voice. "D-Do you think we care how 'talented' y-you are? You turned out r-right! You care about o-others, you work hard, and you've never been a b-burden to us, so stop...stop putting yourself d-down like this...please. You're more than your grades, or what you m-make. You don't n-need magic to be special."","attachment":null,"posted":1713621819},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5982182,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5982177
An uncomfortable silence follows. Sophia grabs a pillow and hides her face in it. She says 'sorry' over and over, the apologies muffled by the pillow. After a few minutes of this, she excuses herself and leaves for her hotel room. She needs some time alone, and forcing things won't help.
"D-Do you think we did the r-right thing? I didn't want to sh-shout, I hope she's not mad."
You tell her it's for the best, and that she handled it well. If anything, you're actually proud of her. You also ask her if she wants to spend some time alone tomorrow. You figure Sophia can look over the kids for a day, and it's not like they usually cause trouble anyway.
"A d-date? Do you have any place in m-mind?"
You're thinking of a place that reminds you of not so simpler times. A few locations come to mind...
>The park you passed by on your 'first' day together.
>Sawyer's old store, now long abandonned.
>The old house you used to live in, it hasn't been used after you left ever since it was bought by the agency.
>Write in","attachment":null,"posted":1713622008},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5982184,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5982156
(It's mentioned that Leah's fight with Mona actually caused a bunch of her thralls to be freed from her influence, which did include the Infinite Reflection, and is how Leah's relationship started with him. You're not wrong to say Mona still had some influence on him, but she died before she could use it.)","attachment":null,"posted":1713622126},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5982196,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"By old house do you mean the apartment we met her in?","attachment":null,"posted":1713622693},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5982200,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5982196
specifically your old 'house' that you bought and lived in. Your appartment kind of got nuked by the sword of Dusk a long time ago, and it got replaced by something else. You could always visit what they built over it though.","attachment":null,"posted":1713622946},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5982203,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982182
>The park you passed by on your 'first' day together.
Seems nice, right? We went a long way since then.","attachment":null,"posted":1713623062},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5982204,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982182
>The park you passed by on your 'first' day together.
Ah, nostalgia...
>>5982184
Cool, I wonder how he's dealing with the fact his gf succeeded in becoming god","attachment":null,"posted":1713623118},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5982246,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982182
>The park you passed by on your 'first' day together.","attachment":null,"posted":1713627494},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5982300,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982182
>The park you passed by on your 'first' day together.
Really glad Etsy told Sophia all of this. I think it hurt her in its own way, but at least she has no intention of becoming like our parents were.","attachment":null,"posted":1713632106},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5982377,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982182
>>The old house you used to live in, it hasn't been used after you left ever since it was bought by the agency.
Trips down memory lane are always fun.","attachment":null,"posted":1713636873},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5982522,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982182
>The park you passed by on your 'first' day together.","attachment":null,"posted":1713646500},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5983068,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5982522
>>5982377
>>5982300
>>5982246
>>5982204
>>5982203
The next day, you bring Etsy to the park. It's one you only passed by as you were talking with her. It was so long ago, yet you still remember the conversation you had. Talking about the apartment's weird history, how she tried to show you something on her phone, how you were awkwardly trying to find a conversation topic she'd like.
"T-That brings back memories. I-I remember when you knocked at m-my door, my first thought was, uhm- 'why is he here?' And when you said you just wanted to get to know me, I-I just wanted to close the door and leave you t-there but..." She locks eyes with you, and kisses you out of nowhere, her arms wrapping around you as if she were afraid you'd fall if she ever let go. "...s-sorry, sometimes I r-remember the life I used t-to live. I-I knew that talking with you b-back then was dangerous. C-Could be an agent, could be d-dangerous, but I wanted to at least try to k-know someone for once. I r-remember when you helped me clean my room. I-I hated you for it, felt p-patronizing, but I liked that y-you cared, I liked that y-you were willing to fight me a little. I-I don't know, that doesn't make sense, sorry for rambling-"
You tell her she's cute when she rambles.
"Y-Yeah, well you're cuter when you, uhm..." She kisses you again, light and sweet. "I don't know! S-Shut up! We're getting to our f-forties, and you're s-still saying that stuff. Y-You haven't changed at all."
You tell you've changed a lot, but your love for her hasn't budged.
"Y-You're just trying to get a r-reaction out of me now."
You are, and you keep trying to for the rest of the date. It doesn't quite hit you yet, that it's all over. The game, the hardship, the danger. Sure, you were 'safe' all the way back here, but now that there's an actual winner, you feel like you can finally breath a sigh of relief. In a way, you did manage to shape the future, if you didn't come to stop the agency from abducting Leah, who knows what would've happened?
Back in that fateful day, you also wondered about a lot of what ifs, what if you stayed in school, or what if you talked to more people, but this time, you can’t say you really regret any of it. Even if you managed to save more people, there’s no telling if it could’ve made things worse in other ways.
You lament the fact that the walls of your room aren’t soundproof when you come back to the hotel, and you may have to hold back until you’re home. You do still have some unfinished business, or at least Arachne does.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713706879641659.png","filename":"memories.png"},"posted":1713706879},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5983069,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5983068
You decide to focus on Mona’s memories first, which proves to be a little bit harder than you thought. Mona has been around the world, and seemingly only settled down in the nameless town recently. Well, 40 years ago recently, but she’s been alive for centuries. Most of the place she stayed in have been ransacked and destroyed, probably in an attempt by the agency to make absolutely sure her influence was gone for good. The hotel you’re in is one of the few places that was left alone for some reason.
This only leaves the cemetery as a place of importance. You remember going to it once as a kid for some distant relative’s death, and you always found the place weird. A lot of the graves are nameless, and the place doesn’t have any staff you know of, with the burials often being done by third parties that don’t actually work here.
Even so, the place doesn’t look cursed as far as you can tell from MPR, and you find the one grave that matters the most here, that of an old acquaintance of Mona. The grave’s name is grayed out, but Arachne recognizes it. You let her take control for a short moment, and she puts her hand on the top of the grave.
“I wonder what kind of person he truly was. I hold nothing but spite towards him, but I don’t know if he really deserved it. He said things that Mona took personally, and she held unto these feelings and left them to fester because that was all she had. She only kept the grave so she could revive him when she reached godhood, not because she wanted to see him live, but because she wanted to go ‘I told you so’. What a stupid reason, and yet...”
The robotic arm starts to glow, heats dissipate from its mechanical pores. A flash of light, a burst of heat, and a crater where the dead used to be.
“...and yet I can sympathize with it, but I’m not Mona. Her story is over, and so is his, agonizing over the past is pointless, and that’s not the type of person I want to be. Only two more to go.”
You leave the cemetery without more interference, you almost expected some kind of security to show up, but this place really was empty and unguarded.
You feel like there’s more to Mona, but it’s not like it’d be a good idea to bug Arachne about it, pun intended. This leaves the queen and Oliver. You’re not sure you have enough time to find out everything about the two of them, but you can speed up the process if you only focus on a specific part of their history.
>Focus on their relationship (Location: The old hive)
>Focus on their childhood (Location: your old school)
>Focus on the aftermath (Location: Old Arthis Village & parents)","attachment":null,"posted":1713706943},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5983072,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983069
>Focus on their childhood (Location: your old school)
"Your"? It clearly means OUR, because it is where so many important people began","attachment":null,"posted":1713707339},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5983075,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983069
>>Focus on their childhood (Location: your old school)","attachment":null,"posted":1713707660},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5983079,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983069
>Focus on their childhood (Location: your old school)","attachment":null,"posted":1713708437},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5983114,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983069
>Focus on their childhood (Location: your old school)
Smells like a hornet's nest. OK, I'm in! Let's get ambushed.","attachment":null,"posted":1713713542},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5983117,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983114
imagine if it was somebody else who also went to the same school, haha","attachment":null,"posted":1713714131},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5983497,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983069
>Focus on their relationship (Location: The old hive)","attachment":null,"posted":1713733867},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5984169,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5983072
>>5983075
>>5983079
>>5983114
>>5983497
There is a high-school that the two of them shared. You unfortunately dropped out pretty fast, and you never interacted with your classmates much, so it didn't register you actually shared a school with them. You remember they used electronic tags to enter it, it's been a long time since you were here, but you're sure they still use it. Etsy hacks into the system easily enough, and at that point it's just a matter of breaking in. You don't even need to wait for the night to come as no one works here during the holidays apart from a few janitors and technicians, which hopefully won't realize you don't belong here.
You're searching for two things, the paper documents of Oliver and the queen (since all digital school records of them have seemingly been wiped out by the agency) and maybe taking a trip down memory lane with Etsy. She's not physically there with you, but she is on the radio. You did go to the same high school after all, even if she dropped out of it even faster than you did.
You highly doubt they kept file from kids that were there more than twenty years ago, but you know the basement has a lot of file cabinets, so you start searching there. Of course, you could've just looked up the queen and Oliver's dossier, but that's not as fun as digging through old dusty papers, is it?
The basement is actually locked with a regular, rusty lock, one you disrupt and open easily enough. You wonder how often they even go there if they can't even be bothered to replace some old lock.
Whatever the case, you find yourself into a corridor filled with metal cabinet ranged in alphabetical order, which makes searching for Oliver more convenient. As for the queen, her name is actually Isla. You actually remember her, she was this tall, creepy girl that everyone found weird. It didn't really hit you it was the same person as back then, Etsy says she remembers her too. Eventually you find their school dossier, this includes their grades, teacher comments, and even some medical records.","attachment":null,"posted":1713796224},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5984171,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5984169
[Oliver:
- Nice kid, his grades could be better, but I believe that is something he can get over with hard work. (History teacher)
- Terrible grades, even though he does his best to pay attention. Talks a lot in class, honestly kind of a troublemaker. (Math teacher)
- Even though he reads the books he is asked to, his media literacy is lacking. Grammar is good, but his essays are terribly constructed. (Literary teacher)
- I believe Oliver may suffer from some undiagnosed form of autism. He is incapable of understanding social cues or when he steps out of line, and this causes him to accidentally anger his classmates and teachers. He is well-meaning, please be patient with him. (School counselor)
- Negligible risk, naive and gullible. Would make a great asset if awakened. Keep an eye on this one.]
[Isla:
- I'm not sure what to do with this one. She is interested in history for sure, but she is incapable of remembering dates or anything not related to war. it does not look like she cares about her grades at all, often throwing away the exam result the moment I give it to her. (History teacher)
- Good grades, although her methods strange. She never writes down the formula she uses to come up with her answers. I thought she was cheating at first, but it looks like she is simply unnaturally gifted when it comes to mental calculus. (Math teacher)
- Obsesses over random details in the books she reads. I appreciate the passion that comes into her writing, but she is very bad at expressing her thoughts on paper. Grammar is awful too.(Literary teacher)
- Isla has been bullied for a while, and it honestly baffles me this issue has not been addressed. Her dad, the only legal guardian she has, does not take care of her in the slightest, and her lack of friends means she has no one to confide in. We need to figure out something soon, or I fear she may do something she will regret in the near future. (School counselor)
- Highly dangerous. Terminate her without attracting attention if possible. Could even result in a class A scenario if left unchecked. (Unknown)]
Huh, what's up with those last comments? Doesn't look like teacher's comment at all. Is the agency involved somehow? That's...not your problem, not anymore. But this does confirm that raising your kids in this town would've been a terrible idea. You try to find your document, but turns out that's kind of hard when you don't have a name. You do find Etsy's though, there isn't much since she quit so soon. But the comment of unknown origin just says 'keep her isolated, then assimilate'.
You hear Etsy sigh from the radio. Her paranoia really only gets more justified the further into the rabbit hole you go. You ask Arachne what she thinks, since she is the reason you're even here.
"I don't know. I don't feel that much closure. I almost want to say I feel worse. I...maybe it's better if we leave, sorry, it's not your fault, but this place makes me feel sick."","attachment":null,"posted":1713796293},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5984172,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5984171
You nod to her, and leave the school before attracting more attention. You doubt the agency will start targeting you for your little incursion, but it's better to not take any risks, and once back at the hotel, you tell the kids you're coming back home early. No one complains, since they were getting tired of the hotel room anyway.
You don't think Arachne's fully satisfied with the way things went, but she says that she just needs some time to process it all. Sophia has also been pretty quiet, and she makes more online research on magic in her free time, but she quickly gives up when she sees most of the info she finds is bogus.
She's also 18 now, making her a proper adult, but she says she'd rather live here until she can make her own money. She's unsure what college she'd like to go to, but she says it's a choice she wants to make for herself, so you trust her to make the right choice.
---
14.39M
+
2M (Investments)
-
360K (Yearly costs)
-
500K (Holidays costs)
=
15.503M
---
Sophia: 18 years old.
Mikhail: 12 years old.
Anastasia: 9 years old.
Aleksander: 7 years old.
Etsy & Weaver: 38 years old
---
You've got more money than you need at this point, so you'd rather not spend more time looking at graphs than needed. This gives you more time to take care of your kids, among other things.
>Focus on one of your kids.
>Try to get into contact with the new god. Might be good to have a literal deity as a contact.
>Keep tabs on the U.S agency, they might have noticed you during your school trip.","attachment":null,"posted":1713796357},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5984187,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984172
>I don't feel that much closure. I almost want to say I feel worse. I...maybe it's better if we leave, sorry, it's not your fault, but this place makes me feel sick.
>You don't think Arachne's fully satisfied with the way things went
Look, I know the "correct" choice might have been parents and the village for the real closure, but you can't blame me for the school thing! That curiosity got the better of me! Can't we go solo back there again?
>Try to get into contact with the new god. Might be good to have a literal deity as a contact.
How do we contact reflection man?","attachment":null,"posted":1713797965},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5984194,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984172
>Try to get into contact with the new god. Might be good to have a literal deity as a contact.
Kinda wanna mock Leah, if that's indeed her. I don't think anyone confirmed it.
>>5984187
>How do we contact reflection man?
Look into a mirror and insult his sunglasses","attachment":null,"posted":1713799230},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5984212,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984172
>>Keep tabs on the U.S agency, they might have noticed you during your school trip.","attachment":null,"posted":1713801918},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5984220,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984172
>Focus on one of your kids (Mikhail)
Hmm, guess we didn't show some love to Etsy after getting back after all. We haven't done anything with Mikhail in a long time, so we really should.","attachment":null,"posted":1713802449},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5984294,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984220
>+1","attachment":null,"posted":1713814944},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5984998,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":"sorry, not feeling like an update today, have this though. I couldn't ever nail the dynamic pose, but I remember wanting to draw Oliver's stance and weapon during the fight. He should actually be in a chitinous armor but couldn't be bothered so it just looks like a green shirt, it's kind of a useless fact, but the spear (although it's actually more of naginata) was basically made using Arthis uniquely grown to produce claws capable of withstanding his pushing speed, the weapon itself isn't even that sharp, but it is incredibly sturdy, which is why he can parry bullets with it.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713890024517083.png","filename":"oliver.png"},"posted":1713890024},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5985020,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984998
That's ok this is still cool. Take care OP","attachment":null,"posted":1713891206},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5985035,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984998
Nice. Thank your QM.","attachment":null,"posted":1713892094},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5985277,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984998
handsome chap, a shame we had to off him","attachment":null,"posted":1713909725},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5985331,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5984998
Hang in there lad","attachment":null,"posted":1713916981},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5986735,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5984187
>>5984194
>>5984212
>>5984220
>>5984294
You decide to focus on Mikhail, since he's reaching puberty, which can be a troublesome time in a boy's life. You don't quite remember what you did at his age, but you know it wasn't a great time. You wonder what young you would think of what you've become? You're sure he'd think you're pretty cool, that thought makes you pretty happy.
You knock on Mikhail's bedroom door, and after he tells you to come in, you enter to find him finishing the last of his homework. His secondary school is actually easier than his primary school, so he's actually at the top of his class. While you wouldn't consider him a natural genius, he's a hard worker and that's probably more than enough to succeed in life. He asks you a few questions about schoolwork, but you feel like he's doing it more to make you feel useful than because he actually needs the help.
Once he's done, he pulls up the collar of his sweater, slightly hiding the bottom of his face, he only does that when he's about to ask something he's ashamed about, which means...
"Uh, dad. How did you meet mom, anyway?"
You tell him you technically first met her when you were kids, but you only really got to know each other as neighbors. You tell him that one thing led to another, and you ended up falling in love. You're letting out a few key details, but he doesn't need to know them right now.
"How did you know she liked you?" He pulls the collar further up, half his face is under his sweater now.
That's a loaded question. Looking back on it, your relationship went fast with all the danger you faced. It was a mix of adrenaline and being dependent on each other that forged a bond that you doubt a casual friendship could've replicated. You didn't even know for sure if what you felt for her was real for the first few weeks, even today you'd struggle to say when exactly you fell for her. Maybe it was more gradual? Maybe-
"Dad?"
Right, the question. You tell him you ended up kissing after an argument, you wonder how many details you can leave out before he starts noticing inconsistencies.
"So if you argue with a girl a lot, that means she likes you?"
You tell him that not every girl acts the same, but that some show affection in very peculiar ways.
"...sis said my friend liked me, but I'm not sure if it's true. I asked her about it, but she starts talking about something else whenever I do."
Okay, so he asked her about it, and she didn't say no, she just evaded the question. You haven't talked to his friend that much, but she doesn't look like the type to string a guy along with her charms, which means the only reason she'd have to not answer is because she's afraid of what would happen if she said the truth. Sophia's probably right about this, and you'd say she's be pretty good at recognizing girls with unrequited feelings.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714076522798356.png","filename":"himb.png"},"posted":1714076522},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5986737,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5986735
You ask him how he feels about her.
"I don't know, I just haven't thought about it much. She just feels like a friend to me? Dad, what's the difference between a friend and a girlfriend? I know there's kissing and stuff, but that can't be just that, right?"
You don't bring lust into it considering he's 12 and that it would be a very awkward conversation, instead you tell him that it's a complicated feeling and that if he feels the need to be very close to her -- physically and emotionally -- then it might be love.
"Okay. uh, thanks dad, I guess."
You leave his room, and let out a breath you didn't know you were holding. You hope he'll figure it out, but for now, there's something else you have to take care of.
You want to get into contact with the new god, which after a little bit of research, is basically confirmed to be Leah. Now the question becomes as to how you'll even talk to her. Actually, assuming you even manage to contact her, should you even ask her for anything? She owes you that much after you saved her life.
Contact her:
>Call her phone, maybe someone she knows will pick up.
>A prayer should work, she's a god after all.
>Maybe you should look for her sister, she did dissapear after all.
Ask for anything?:
>You'd rather not have a monkey's paw situation, ask for nothing.
>The safety of your kids.
>Immortality for you and Etsy.
>Give Arachne a body of her own.
>Write in.","attachment":null,"posted":1714076584},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5986746,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986737
Hmm, well, let's see. Immortality is right out of the way, that shit gets bad soon. I don't want to have to outlive our children. Giving arachne a body of her own seems nice enough, but it's nothing 'cool'
Any ideas?","attachment":null,"posted":1714077358},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5986787,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986746
"Make anime real"","attachment":null,"posted":1714080908},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5986791,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986746
"De-age us by like 10 years so we can have a threesome with Sawyer"","attachment":null,"posted":1714081130},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5986794,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986791
But we'd need Etsy and Sawyer de-aged too","attachment":null,"posted":1714081209},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5986795,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986794
That's what I mean by us","attachment":null,"posted":1714081294},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5986796,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986795
I like the sound of that then. Let's do it.","attachment":null,"posted":1714081370},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5986799,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986796
I mean as much as i want to it's not very in-character, sad as that may be.","attachment":null,"posted":1714082007},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5986823,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986737
>A prayer should work, she's a god after all.
>Give Arachne a body of her own.","attachment":null,"posted":1714083951},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5986824,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986737
>Maybe you should look for her sister, she did disappear after all.
I want to see the old edgy chuuni teacher again.
>Write in.
"Make anime real."","attachment":null,"posted":1714084130},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5986859,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986737
>Call her phone, maybe someone she knows will pick up.
>Give Arachne a body of her own.
>>5986791
glad to see you back, anon","attachment":null,"posted":1714088747},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5986864,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986859
That's not the guy who wanted the threesome. Because that's ME.","attachment":null,"posted":1714089214},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5986999,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986737
>Call her phone, maybe someone she knows will pick up.
>You'd rather not have a monkey's paw situation, ask for nothing.","attachment":null,"posted":1714104602},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5987485,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986737
>Call her phone, maybe someone she knows will pick up.
Best shot here
Ask for anything?
>Keep an eye on my ankle-biters for me when I'm gone. No need to cover them in blessings, but just a little favoritism to ensure they don't have a shitty life","attachment":null,"posted":1714174914},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5988026,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5986999
>>5987485
>>5986859
>>5986823
You decide to call her, it's unlikely she'll pick up, but maybe someone she knows will. No one answers the phone at first, but since it doesn't say the number doesn't exist, you keep calling every day until you get some sort of answer. You know you're being annoying, but it gets result, as someone eventually answers, not her though, but her boyfriend, the Infinite Reflection.
"Mochi Mochi~ Sorry for not answering earlier, had to look up who you are. Unfortunately, Leah is a little bit occupied at the moment, so you have to go by me first."
Isn't mochi food? Anyway, you tell her you're someone that helped her a long time ago, and that you were wondering if you could talk to her directly.
"I'll ask her, should get an answer in a few business days. Ah, almost forgot! I know you're not too buddy buddy with the agency, but they won't be much of a problem anymore. They're still here, but let's just say that they'll be kept in check from now on."
It's nice to know that Mona hasn't messed him up too much, you ask him what Leah's like now.
"Hard question. She's different now, for sure, but I still love her, it's just a little harder now! If you do get to talk to her, you'll see what I mean. Oops~ I overcooked my lasagna, see you later friendo!"
And just like that, he hangs up. It takes a few days to get your answer, but instead of getting it from the phone, you instead get it from a more private place: your dreams.
There is no room, or space, only you and her. Leah looks different from how you remembered her, she's a little slimmer, although you wouldn't call her skinny. She looks pretty normal for a god, but a part of you can't help but feel like this isn't what she actually looks like, there's just something that doesn't feel real about her.
"Been a while, hasn't it? I didn't know you were trying to contact me, since I get like ten thousand prayers a second. Let's cut to the chase, you're here for a favour, and I do owe you that much. I won't grant anything, consequences are a bitch and a half, but I'll try my best to make things happen within reasons."
She speaks more casually than you expected. It's only hitting you now that you're talking to a god right now, you wonder how your parents would react if they knew that.
You ask her if she can give Arachne a body.
"You're wishing for someone else's desire, fuck man, you haven't changed at all, have you? I'm glad I didn't give myself omniscience, being surprised is one of the few pleasures I have left. Alright, done. Your tulpa will find a body in about a year. I'm a god, but doing things too fast fucks things up. Think about it like coding a game, you can change the code at any point, but doing that can create bugs, and then you have to clean up your mess or people start getting mad."","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714228949130716.png","filename":"WelcomeBack.png"},"posted":1714228949},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5988028,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5988026
You tell her you thought gods lost their sense of self when they ascended.
"They'd be right. I've only ascended very recently, but it's just- fuck, you're only seeing a part of me right now, you know? My real self, it's different. Your intrusive thoughts happen, always. 'hey, wouldn't it be fucked up if I turned this guy's life into a god damn nightmare', and then it happens, and you can't set it right because that intrusive thought gained a mind of its own actively fighting against your own power. I can't listen to everyone and help everyone, because the more stuff I do, the stronger my presence will be, and the stronger my presence, the harder it is to control those intrusive thoughts. Am I making sense? I don't know, I don't know what I'll be like in 50 years, I could know if I tried, but as I said, being surprised is one of the few pleasures I have left. At least I'll never lose my empathy, as it's the very thing keeping my power going."
You ask her if she's planning to do anything else with the world.
"I'll do a big god decree, I need to for reasons that would take too long to explain. It'll be a mess at first, but people will adapt fast enough, and it should be a net good in the long term. I know you've got more dumb questions, and even though I already know what they are, some of them are embarrassing enough that I'll give you the opportunity of picking the best ones. Actually, screw that, there are too many questions, I'll let you pick three, otherwise I'll never hear the end of it."
You do have questions, and unlike Sawyer, there shouldn't be any limitations in what she can answer.
(The three most popular questions will be picked, in the case of a perfect tie, the first votes will take priority.)
>Ask 3 questions (Write in)","attachment":null,"posted":1714229011},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5988041,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988028
Hmm...this is pretty hard....i can't think of a lot. Let's see. For something simple to start with,
>Any advice for the kids?
I mean we got a pretty good life, right? We're happy with Etsy and that's enough. But some of our kids like Sophia and Anastasia seem like they need some help.","attachment":null,"posted":1714229735},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5988056,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988028
>some of them are embarrassing enough
HEY, WANTING TO KNOCK UP OUR CHILDHOOD ACQUAINTANCE AS "PUNISHMENT" FOR TAKING THE FIRST KID AWAY (even though he'd be a problem as Sawyer said) IS PERFECTLY FINE. It's also a bonus that she wanted kids all along because her power cucked her out of it for so long.","attachment":null,"posted":1714230912},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5988063,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988028
>"Have you considered creating a whole immortal copy of yourself but with no magic power possible? This way even if you end up losing your sense of self, you'll have a reminder of who you were and where you came from."
She probably already thought of ways to account for her future, while she's still the Leah we know.
In fact, FUCK THIS QUESTION I WROTE UP THERE. I'M GOING FOR IT
>"Is there a timeline where me and Etsy... do that one thing with Sawyer after I change her powers and cure her addiction? You know... THAT? It just puts itself into my head a couple times every year, out of nowhere. Anyway, how does that end up?"
NOW OR NEVER, FAGGOTS. THIS IS MY VOTE","attachment":null,"posted":1714231380},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5988066,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988063
It wouldn't really be a copy of herself if she was immortal though would it?
>NOW OR NEVER, FAGGOTS. THIS IS MY VOTE
If you're gonna ask that, then you should just ask about a timeline where *that* happened in general, not specifically when we cured her. We were already like nearly 40.","attachment":null,"posted":1714231657},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5988069,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988028
>Any advice for the kids?
>How did the game to become god start?
>Is there anything that happens in the future that I should be worried about?
Sounds reasonable enough to ask.
>>5988063
It's over anon.","attachment":null,"posted":1714231744},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5988075,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988066
You're right, but I meant more a copy of how she was before she became god but without any magic at all. This way she has a reminder for herself. This does make things weird with infinite reflection bro now having two of his gf, but I don't know.
>ask about a timeline where *that* happened in general
GOOD IDEA, THOUGH I MEANT "WHAT IF WE CURED HER SOME TIME BEFORE DITCHING TO RUSSIA BUT AFTER WE GOT UNRELIABLE EXISTENCE, SO STILL EARLY 20S
>>5988028
WHAT >>5988066 SAID
>>5988069
YES I KNOW BUT LET ME HAVE SOME FUN AND CLOSURE AT THE SAME TIME
I'm still happy with how things went this quest so far. Quite a good run we had.","attachment":null,"posted":1714232257},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5988425,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988028
>some of them are embarrassing enough that I'll give you the opportunity of picking the best ones.
3some anon won, congrats
>How did the game to become god start?
seems like a good one, coupling with advice for the kids and >>5988063","attachment":null,"posted":1714249650},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5988461,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988028
>"They'd be right. I've only ascended very recently, but it's just- fuck, you're only seeing a part of me right now, you know? My real self, it's different. Your intrusive thoughts happen, always. 'hey, wouldn't it be fucked up if I turned this guy's life into a god damn nightmare', and then it happens, and you can't set it right because that intrusiv
How did Sawyer nuke the Deep Arbiter?
What happened to the Sword of Dusk?
That one question to make coomer threesome anon happy","attachment":null,"posted":1714252330},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5988462,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988028
>>5988069
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1714252353},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5988522,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988425
>3some anon won
Did I now?
>How did the game to become god start?
This is a good question too, especially since there's parts of the fucking skeleton in the ocean right outside Weaver's house in Russia
>>5988461
>How did Sawyer nuke the Deep Arbiter?
We can ask Sawyer this directly, can't we?
>What happened to the Sword of Dusk?
He got rekt offscreen by somebody, clearly, but we don't know who
>That one question to make coomer threesome anon happy
Awww","attachment":null,"posted":1714258582},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5988523,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988028
>The three most popular questions
Curse you QM for limiting our autism so! We have good questions on top of us limiting ourselves already","attachment":null,"posted":1714258643},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5988547,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988522
Hm yeah, we could. I was curious about the first two, so I wanted to ask them, mostly. I feel this is the point of this interaction, "hey, if there are unclear points, I'll clear them up", you know?
As for the last one, I was dreadfully uninspired, and even if I found that anon to be a bit of a pain at some point, I don't mind getting on board with it a little.
If my questions aren't the best, then it's OK to use other ones I suppose. I'm not a very imaginative person","attachment":null,"posted":1714261224},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5988549,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988547
>I found that anon to be a bit of a pain
Thanks for being honest with me, you faggot. And yeah this is still interesting stuff. Whatever we ask, I get the feeling the answers we'll be given are good no matter what","attachment":null,"posted":1714261375},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5988573,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988549
My pleasure, you coomer.
Oh shit, you actually made me think of a good one I wanna know, but Weaver doesn't.
What the FUCK is the deal with the other girl (Mary if memory serves?). SHE's the one I'd have wanted the fuck scenes with (Etsy as a bonus).
But that one's a definite no-go. We're a good husband and father.","attachment":null,"posted":1714262858},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5988587,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988573
No way man. I read all those hints the QM put in the narration. The more Weaver knows about Mary and that timeline, the more that version corrupts him here in this one somehow. Death of personality is some real existential horror I do NOT want our protagonist to go through, especially knowing how it'll fuck with Etsy and his kids and this life he's made for himself.","attachment":null,"posted":1714263345},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5988868,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988028
>Any advice for the kids?
>How did the game to become god start?
>"Is there a timeline where me and Etsy... do that one thing with Sawyer after I change her powers and cure her addiction? You know... THAT? It just puts itself into my head a couple times every year, out of nowhere. Anyway, how does that end up?"
(I gotta try lol)
And, if I'm reading right, she should already know all the questions we were going to ask, so wouldn't giving her advice in a question would be pointless?","attachment":null,"posted":1714273472},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5988946,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5988868
Good point. All of these questions are good","attachment":null,"posted":1714277145},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5990209,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"OP ?","attachment":null,"posted":1714421803},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5990887,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":"Sorry, been a little down lately for a variety of reasons. Will make the update in a couple of hours, thank you for your patience.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714505772045165.png","filename":"attempt.png"},"posted":1714505772},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5990927,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990887
Take care!","attachment":null,"posted":1714509744},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5990945,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990887
rest well, OP. also nice punished etsy","attachment":null,"posted":1714511073},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5990983,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5988868
>>5988549
>>5988523
>>5988522
>>5988462
>>5988425
>>5988075
>>5988066
>>5988063
>>5988056
>>5988041
advice for the kid 3
'that' thing 3
god game start 3
You think. Then you think harder. Is that really the question you want to ask? You've always been a little curious, and you don't think someone like Leah gets to judge you, you've seen her search history.
You ask her if there's a future where you do that thing with Sawyer. You don't elaborate, but turns out you don't need to as Leah knows exactly what you mean.
"I'll be honest, I didn't think you were actually going to ask. I mean, I get it, it's kinda hot, but not sure your wife would like knowing about it, so keep it under wrap, will ya? Anyway, in THIS future? not happening, you went 'I can fix her', and you did. In another timeline? It...sorta happens, maybe not in a way you'd like. You caught Etsy at a pivotal moment in her life, she would've taken a very wrong turn if you weren't here. In one of those very wrong turn, she would've abused her power to do whatever she wanted to people, which did include your weird fantasy. I'm not saying your wife has some repressed desires like this now, by the way, so I wouldn't try suggesting the idea to her."
Damn, I mean, it's good that there's a future where it does happen but... well, it's a bad future, so you shouldn't wish for it, but some primal instinct tells you it would still be kind of hot even in those circumstances. Maybe it's good to keep it as a fantasy for now.
Next, you ask her how the god game started.","attachment":null,"posted":1714515497},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5990985,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5990983
"Well, that one's sorta obvious. God 'died', there was a power vacuum, and everyone wanted to fill it. The truth is you could always absorb other people's magic, this isn't a byproduct of the game, killing was always part of the equation, but the old god was obsessed with 'karma', so if you killed solely for power's sake, you'd get smited. This made most magic users very hesitant on trying to gain power that way, as no one quite knew what kill would be 'bad karma'. As for how gods even started, I dunno, however gods do serve a pretty important purpose, and if this world went without one for a few more centuries, this timeline would just snap. I think Sawyer described time like soup, it's a retarded sounding analogy, but it's not wrong, personally, I see it more like a big pond full of fish. Each timeline is a fish in that pond, and every slightly different action someone can take creates a timeline, but here's the thing, the pond isn't infinite in size, so what happens when the pond can't hold more fish? As far as I know, four things can happen,
the first is that it gets kicked out of the pond, no one knows what happens here, maybe the fish dies, maybe it floats into the void, but no one can get into contact with it once that happens.
Second, is that two fish start merging into one by being smushed up together, the result depends, sometimes it goes well, sometimes it's hell. Did you know Isekai actually happens? Sometimes timelines brush up against each other for a split second and snag a few people from other timelines, except instead of being sent to a fantasy world it's a world where 9/11 never happened or something.
Anyway, third possibility is that a fish willingly kills another in an attempt to survive, this is where gods come into play, and if you see that you're about to get kicked out of the pond, you can start killing a godless timeline to free up space. It happens all the time, and by 'all the time', I mean once very few millennia, I haven't gotten my hands dirty yet, I'm not looking forward to it.
The fourth one is just the timeline dying by itself, maybe the god has had enough and nuked their own timeline, maybe some wizard used a forbidden spell that deleted everything, this is actually the main way the pond frees up spaces, with a near infinite amount of fish, there's bound to be a lot of fish not quite fit for survival.
Anyway, that's a long winded explanation of something you never asked. God game's here because we need gods, even shitty ones like myself. It's that or being kicked out of the pond."","attachment":null,"posted":1714515598},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5990986,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5990985
You still don't get how time work, you're tempted to ask her for a more in depth explanation, but she gives you a look that says 'no, I don't know how time travel actually works fuck off', so you decide to instead ask her for advice about your kids.
"Easy one, tell Sophia to work on getting information to the players. Her tutorials fucking suck and her mechanics are unintuitive, but it's unique and interesting, and the moment she can refine her formula, she'll truly make something special. Mikhail is going to do just fine, I can't think of a lot of things that would bring him down emotionally, it's like he has the opposite of depression. Anastasia is... urgh, where do I begin. She's obsessed with her brother, but it isn't incestuous or anything, it's more that she has no real friend, and he's the only person that accept her for who she is. Even though she isn't interested in him in that way, I can't say with utter confidence she won't get a little fucked in the head if things keep going that way. My advice? Use her superiority complex against her, dare her to bring a friend home or something, she's thankfully not smart enough just yet to make mind control juice, so she'll be forced to actually be nice to someone else for once. As for Aleksander, he's a little weird, but don't assume that because he thinks a little differently that he's unhappy. Probably won't have any friends or talk much, but if something bothers him, he'll tell you."
You want to ask her something else, but she shakes her head.
"Nuh-uh, blame yourself for asking about your fetish question first. Let's end that session, we might talk again when you're dead, I just made an exception now because I owed you."
You wake up in a cold sweat, and Etsy flinches and almost drops the laptop she was using on the bed. Looks like she was working late at night.
"D-Did you have a bad dream? You muttered s-something about fish..."
Thank Leah you didn't mutter something else in your sleep. You tell Etsy you just met God in your sleep, since you don't feel like keeping things secrets from her, you just don't omit the first question, both out of shame and because you don't think Etsy's confidence would increase from knowing she would become a terrible person in another timeline.
"D-Damnit, if I knew you g-got questions out of it, I would've p-put suggestions." She closes down the laptop and puts it away. "A-Anyway, you're up, and the kids are asleep, sooo..."
She reaches down under the blanket, and the night becomes longer still.","attachment":null,"posted":1714515659},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5990988,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5990986
The rest of the year has nothing noteworthy, You do tell Sophia the advice Leah gave you, but she takes it weirdly personally and thinks you're just telling her to dumb the game down so it has wider appeal. You might need to spend more time with her to get through to her. You can't seem to get through Anastasia either, you'll have to think of a way to bait her into making friends later. Etsy also more or less retired from her job, she says she'll make more designs if you need the money again, but with your investments you've got a pretty steady source of income, so it shouldn't be an issue.
---
15.503M
+
3M (Investments)
-
360K (Yearly costs)
=
18.137M
---
Sophia: 19 years old.
Mikhail: 13 years old.
Anastasia: 10 years old.
Aleksander: 8 years old.
Etsy & Weaver: 38 years old
---
>Focus on one of your kids (Write in which one. Can pick two if going FT)
>Keep tabs on the U.S agency, they might have noticed you during your school trip.
>Write in.","attachment":null,"posted":1714515734},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5990990,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990988
>Focus on one of your kids (Write in which one. Can pick two if going FT)
>Anastasia
>Aleksander
Yeah that fetish question was as useful as I felt it would be. I hope that doesn't become a thing for the rest of the quest.","attachment":null,"posted":1714516079},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5990991,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990990
+1
>I hope that doesn't become a thing for the rest of the quest.
I'm content. I will now move on from this","attachment":null,"posted":1714516134},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5990992,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990988
I'm certain that if we tried hard enough we could have found a way to do that in a non-shit timeline, but what a shame.
>Focus on one of your kids (Sophia, Anastasia)","attachment":null,"posted":1714516205},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5990993,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990983
And again OP thanks for finally humoring me. You are a good QM.
>you don't think someone like Leah gets to judge you, you've seen her search history.
You should take a look at your own, by the way","attachment":null,"posted":1714516232},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5990994,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":"(also I just realized I kept the vote counts in the first post when I usually delete those, I did count all the votes, just deleted those that lost in the tally.)","attachment":null,"posted":1714516307},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5991004,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5990990
There was enough support for it that I felt I might as well include it, and it's not *too* far fetched to have it as some kind of repressed fantasy Weaver may have had. It's still a little out of character in that Weaver probably would've asked a more useful question, and I do try to avoid doing actions that are a little too far fetched for him to take, but since it's just a relatively harmless question, I thought I'd allow it this time.
I'm still not even sure if I'd consider it a 'canon' fetish Weaver has, it's more like an intrusive thought at best, I wouldn't see him actually go through with something like this if the opportunity presented itself","attachment":null,"posted":1714517044},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5991006,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991004
Thank you for explaining it OP. I hope I wasn't too much of a pest through the quest with it. Now you can be sure I won't be any further.","attachment":null,"posted":1714517275},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5991009,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991006
Well it's not like there was really any real attempt at doing it.
Personally, I just liked the idea of saving both Sawyer and Etsy.","attachment":null,"posted":1714517474},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5991015,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991009
There was no real attempt at it because we constantly had to deal with something or other, just surviving month to month at that point. I'm glad we saved both in this timeline, with the downside it took us 10 years to do it for Sawyer. Could have have done it before we left to Russia? Most likely yes. Did we have so much shit to deal with and things were escalating so much with Mona and other factions that we willingly decided to hunker down and wait the contract out? Yeah. I think we did well overall in this quest.","attachment":null,"posted":1714517883},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5991022,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991015
Well by save I meant more that she never got to achieve that Dream of having a Kid. We were already like 40 when we met her again.","attachment":null,"posted":1714518330},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5991057,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991022
Ah. Yeah that sucks, but there's nothing to be done now. She'll have to be content with being the aunt to Weaver's kids this timeline","attachment":null,"posted":1714521794},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5991062,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990986
>You want to ask her something else, but she shakes her head.
>"Nuh-uh, blame yourself for asking about your fetish question first.
Kinda glad Leah called us out on that, but shit, lady, have you seen your search history? Guess becoming a god makes you forgetful, eh?
>>5990988
Spend time with Anastasia and Sophia. The other ones are apparently fine, even if lil' Sasha could use seeing his father sometimes too","attachment":null,"posted":1714522090},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5991066,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990988
Changing vote from >>5990991 to
>Sophia
>Anastasia","attachment":null,"posted":1714522168},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5991102,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990990
>+1
OP was a real one for it","attachment":null,"posted":1714525094},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5991582,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5991066
>>5991062
>>5990990
>>5990991
>>5990992
>>5991062
In order to convince Sophia to make her games a little more accessible, you'll have to do something you haven't done in a while, play video games. Well, It's not like you never did before, but you'd usually stick to the same games you'd play with Etsy, and you can't remember the last time you've played a single player game, it just wasn't your thing.
You have to do a little bit of research on how the gaming market changed over the years, and... not much has changed, honestly. Triple A games still hyper focus on graphics with very little innovation, while indie games are thriving in their respective niche. This means Sophia has a lot of competition, and she refuses to pay for advertisement, since she feels like it'd be cheating, maybe she doesn't want to be the kind of person that people think only succeeds because their parents are rich.
You do try a few titles that Sophia recommends to catch up on your gaming knowledge, she didn't think you were actually going to play them, as the games she tells you to play are rather obscure and a little much for someone that doesn't play a lot.
And she'd be right, the games are really unintuitive, but your magic makes it much easier to get the hang of them, she even gets a little mad that you figured out those games so much faster than she did. You tell her your magic does most of the work, but she thinks you're just saying that to make her feel better.
Even so, it helps you understand the type of game she likes and what makes them appealing. It's what some call 'immersive sims', the type of game where a lot of underlying mechanics in the game can be used to find a solution to a problem, and it encourages player freedom and experimentation. The particular brand of immersive sim she told you to play have very little player feedback and expect you to slam your head against the wall until you figure out how the game actually work. Still, the games feel more intuitive in how they teach their mechanics than Sophia's, even though they share a lot in common at a glance. If you had to describe it, the issue is that her game isn't consistent with itself, the rules shift constantly as you progress, and it makes it feel like you never gain full mastery over anything.
You tell her how you feel about this, but you get the same old tirade.","attachment":null,"posted":1714578964},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5991584,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5991582
"Dad, you don't get it, the inconsistency is the point. If I let the players adapt, the game will become too easy, and if they can learn everything from the first few levels, what's even the point? By changing the rules, it gives it a bigger air of mystery, like some uncontrollable force of nature you can only survive but never thrive in. It also makes every player's experience truly unique, no one can really win the same way, you know?"
Sure, it sounds nice, but in practice it's just really annoying to play. It doesn't look like she can see the game from the point of view of someone who doesn't already know all the ins and out like her.
You come to a compromise, you tell her to make the mechanics needed to win more obvious and telegraphed, but still keep the more esoteric stuff as optional content. That way, she can garner some attention from people that enjoy the base game, and she'll eventually get more people that can appreciate the weirder part of the gameplay. She's not a huge fan of the idea, but she says she'll try just to show you that it doesn't work.
She still isn't in college, so she has a lot of time to dedicate to remaking the game. It takes a while, but with some feedback, she eventually manages to make the game more accessible without sacrificing too much of her original vision. Her game eventually gains a proper following. Most people only beat the game normally, but a few were very interested in the hidden stuff, and this started theories and discussion which kept the game relevant in public discourse. Sophia even got some help from Etsy to make the game nigh impossible to datamine, which further amped up its appeal, as the only way to find the game's secret was to play it or look up what other players found out online.
Since her game is free, it had a lot of downloads, and even though it's nowhere close to mainstream, it's still pretty popular in certain circles. People asked for a sequel, but she said she disliked the idea of making 'the same thing but better', and would rather add expansions to the original when she felt like it.
She still doesn't admit you were right, and you're not so petty as to bring it up now. She asks if she can see where her game dev career leads instead of going to college, and you tell her that as long as she can make enough money from her games, you don't mind her not going to college.
You wonder if Leah plays your daughter's games, that would be a bragging right, 'this game is approved by god', would look great on the game's cover.","attachment":null,"posted":1714579045},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5991587,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5991584
You think Sophia doesn't need your feedback anymore, so you decide to focus on Anastasia now. As usual, you knock, and she tells you to leave her room, even though you didn't even enter yet. Unfortunately, your usual rule of 'don't enter if your kids won't let you' still holds true, and Ana knows that. Still, nothing stops you from talking to her from behind the door. You tell her she should make some friends, but she gets really defensive about it.
"I don't need friends. They're all dumb. Just leave me alone. Why are you here anyway? Just go spend time with sis or something."
Yup, going as well as you expected. Leah did say to use her superiority complex against her, but you're not sure how.
>"Your sister already had friends at your age, you know?"
>"Is it that you don't need friends or that you cannot make friends?"
>"Surely it wouldn't be that hard for someone as smart as you to make friends, right?"
>"Mikhail said he wished you made some friends, you don't want to dissapoint him, do you?"
>Write in","attachment":null,"posted":1714579106},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5991592,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991587
Well, let's see. Using mikhail wouldn't really count as using 'her superiority complex'. Something like the second option would work, but it feels a bit too direct. How about something like...
>"If you're having a hard time making friends that's okay, Ana. I'm sure your sister would help you if you asked her."
This, in theory, would make her want to do it because *not* doing it would be proving her father right that she can't do it without help.
Also, did Arachne get her body?","attachment":null,"posted":1714579523},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5991595,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5991592
She hasn't yet, but soon","attachment":null,"posted":1714579631},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5991608,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991587
>"Surely it wouldn't be that hard for someone as smart as you to make friends, right?"
Smells like the best way to "use her superiority complex", but it feels too much like an obvious "right answer"","attachment":null,"posted":1714580393},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5991611,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991592
+1
>>5991608
Yeah, I'd rather back a nice write-in for this","attachment":null,"posted":1714580443},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5991718,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991592
>+1
interesting.
>>5991595
got it","attachment":null,"posted":1714591713},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5991735,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5991587
>"Surely it wouldn't be that hard for someone as smart as you to make friends, right?"","attachment":null,"posted":1714593328},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5992261,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5991735
>>5991718
>>5991611
>>5991608
>>5991592
You tell her that it's okay if she has a hard time making friends, and that you're sure her sister would be happy to help her if she just asked.
You hear a loud slamming sound from behind the door, followed by high pitched, muffled screaming. "SHUT UP, SHUTUPSHUTUPSHUTUP. I don't NEED her help, or anyone. LEAVE ME ALONE!"
You leave at her request. You wonder if you should be harsher considering how she talked back to you, but you have the feeling that would only make things worse.
---POV change---
Idiot. Who does he think he is? Why is it that everyone treats you like a kid? You've never needed friends, it's not like you can't, you're sure you could if you tried, but you don't want to.
Even though you keep telling yourself that, you can't get what dad said out of your head. If you don't make a friend it'll be proving him right, he might even come back to rub it in. What if he tells sis? No. Nononono. You know you're being manipulated, but you can't help it. One friend, that's all you need, right? Doesn't even need to be a real friend, just someone that tolerates you enough to pass as one. Maybe you could pay another kid for it? No, if they found out you did that you'd die.
This is the weekend, you know where a few kids your age hang. This is good, you can't make any friends from those that are in your school, too bad of a reputation, but someone that doesn't know you? Should be easy. You tell mom you're going outside, she's surprised since you don't do that often, but she lets you anyway. You have to wear this stupid tag, but it's fine.
By the time you reach the park, you already wish you were back home. You hate the sun, you hate the air, you hate the sounds, you just want to be done with all of this. Most of the kids here are with friends already, looks like they're having fun, you wish you could say the same. You need an easy target, someone that's alone, a little pathetic, and that doesn't know you.
You notice a girl with a messy haircut and torn clothes poke the dirt with a stick. No one is playing with her, probably poor, and she doesn't look happy.
Perfect.
You approach her, trying your best to hide the visible discomfort on your face that comes with interacting with others. You can do this, you're smart, your parents are rich, and you're confident, in cartoons girls like this are always super popular, aren't they? They're also often the villain, but you try to not think about that.
"Hey," you start with a brillant opening line, casual, open, mysterious. Yup, you got this.
"...hey?" She looks up, her eyes devoid of joy. "You don't look great."
"Kill yo-" You miraculously rearrange the next word into an acceptable sentence. "-your sadness away."
What was that. Okay, no, it's fine, you can still salvage this. "It's from a poem I read," you add.","attachment":null,"posted":1714662168},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5992262,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5992261
"...okay?" She goes back to poking the dirt with her stick.
"Do you want to be friends?" You ask.
"I don't know," she responds with that same annoying monotone voice.
She didn't say no, which means you're doing something right. You just need to do some kind of activity with her, form a bond, you can't have her say something like 'I don't know' if your dad asks if you two are friends. You can't bring her back home just yet, but maybe...
>Hang out with her in the forest
>Hang out with her near the beach
>Ask if you can see her home
>Keep hanging out in the park, some of the kids you know might see you and ruin everything though.","attachment":null,"posted":1714662243},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5992304,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992262
>Keep hanging out in the park, some of the kids you know might see you and ruin everything though.
Eh...sure, who cares about them.","attachment":null,"posted":1714664734},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5992324,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992261
>By the time you reach the park, you already wish you were back home. You hate the sun, you hate the air, you hate the sounds, you just want to be done with all of this.
>"Kill yo-" You miraculously rearrange the next word into an acceptable sentence. "-your sadness away."
I somehow find myself relating to Ana a whole lot
>Hang out with her near the beach
Kraken. Nope.
>Hang out with her in the forest
Necrophage. Nope.
>Ask if you can see her home
Russians. Nope.
>Keep hanging out in the park, some of the kids you know might see you and ruin everything though.
Guess this is it. Worst case scenario she gets bullied and starts swinging around the 13% sentence and N-word. I love this kid.","attachment":null,"posted":1714667055},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5992326,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992261
>"Kill yo-" You miraculously rearrange the next word into an acceptable sentence. "-your sadness away."
damn, she's a schizo
>>5992262
>Hang out with her near the beach
let's swim a little","attachment":null,"posted":1714667340},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5992330,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992326
>let's swim a little
Did you forget there's a cursed kraken at the bottom of the sea?
Unless he was removed or something during that whole 'change' thing Leah was going to do...","attachment":null,"posted":1714667675},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5992338,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992262
>Hang out with her near the beach
Do not neglect cool childhood experiences","attachment":null,"posted":1714668289},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5992813,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5992261
>Hang out with her near the beach
Time for the beach episode.","attachment":null,"posted":1714714623},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5994185,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5992813
>>5992338
>>5992326
>>5992324
>>5992304
Yes, the beach. There are a lot of nasty rumors about the sea, but that only makes you sound cooler for proposing it. Mom and dad would get mad if you went there, but it's not like you're going for a swim anyway.
"Want to hang out near the beach?" You ask.
She looks at you with a confused look. "...sure, I guess."
You thought she was going to refuse at first, but it looks like she doesn't mind. Reaching the beach only takes an hour of walking or so. It probably took longer since you insisted on leading the way, even though you don't actually know the town that well since you rarely go out. You think she snickered to herself every time you got a little lost. It's taking a lot of self control on your part to not snap at her.
The beach itself isn't great. It's not one of those tourist spots people like to sunbathe in, it's more of an 'algae and seashells everywhere' type of deal. It's gross, you already regret picking this spot, but it's too late to go back now.
"My parents died during a sea trip," she says. "Said they found something that would've made us rich, then never came back."
Does this mean that the beach is bringing bad memories? This really was a terrible spot to pick.
"Why do so many people work in the water if it's that dangerous anyway?" You ask. Maybe you shouldn't ask this, but you really are curious. What's the point of working near the sea when the death rate is so high?
"Some people find stuff that makes them a fortune. Old stuff, weird fish, buried treasures. My parents didn't have any money, so I guess they just wanted to get lucky. So much for that."
"Your parents sucked." You answer. You realize a little too late that this may be slightly insulting, but to your surprise, she takes it well.
"Yeah, they did. It's-" She stiffens up. "Don't move."
You're about to ask why, but you're interrupted by a rumbling sound. The grains of sand littering the beach are jumping up and down, as if something was moving underneath it. An earthquake? Is there such a thing around here?
The vibration intensify, and you notice they're not coming from underneath--it's coming from the water. The waves part ways as something gargantuan emerge from the water. You don't move, not because you were told to, but because you feel like you can't.
A black mass made of both bright and dark colors makes an inhuman sound as it traverses the side of the beach, the giant waves created in its wake just weak enough to not reach you.
And after a minute that felt like hours, the beast is gone, and you let go of a breath you didn't know you were holding.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714844807448208.png","filename":"thething.png"},"posted":1714844807},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5994188,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5994185
"That's a new one, methinks," she says. "Looks like its peaceful, judging by how it looked at us. You okay?"
"What was that," you ask, unsure if you actually want an answer.
"I dunno, pretty cool though. Wait, you're aware about the things in the sea right? I mean, you're the one who proposed to go there, so I assumed you-"
"WHY WOULD I PROPOSE TO GO THERE IF I KNEW THERE WAS THIS FUCKING THING!?"
Dad told you not to swear but you think now is a pretty good time to do just that. Seriously, why, how, this thing isn't an animal, a blue whale isn't that big, so what is it? And why does she act like it's no big deal?
"...huh, I dunno what to tell you. There's weird things in the sea. Sometimes they show up, but usually they're not that bad unless you go for a swim."
"How. I- isn't this a big deal? Undocumented massive fish! This is in no book I ever read!"
She shrugs. "People took photos, but everyone assumed it's fake, and anyone that wanted to get 'real' evidence didn't last long. Just don't worry about it, unless you wanna become a seawoman, then worry about it a lot."
"I'll... I'm going home," you mutter.
"'Kay. Still wanna be friends? You're funny."
"SURE, WHY NOT," you shout as you stomp away from the beach.
"My name's Yulia, by the way."
"My name's Anastasia." You grit your teeth and try your best to say something nice in return. "it.was.fun. See.you.again." You enunciate each word which makes it sound very weird, and she laughs.
You hate to admit it, but this was more exciting than staying home.
---
"H-Huh, honey?" Etsy shakes your shoulder as you're reading the local newspaper. "U-Uh, Ana was near the beach and- s-she may have seen something she shouldn't h-have."
What? What was she even doing near the beach, you specifically told her not to- god damnit. You ask what she saw.
"She s-saw a big sea thing, it d-didn't hurt her, so I didn't h-have to send K.I.S.A, but she'll n-need some explanations."
You sigh, and throw the newspaper away. You can't get too mad at Ana, when you told her to avoid the sea, she probably thought you meant she shouldn't swim here, how could she know there were those things lurking in the water?
You have to sit Ana down, and explain to her a few of the mysteries of the town. You don't tell her about the whole world being supernatural, just that some places here are dangerous and she should avoid for a reason. She gets mad that you didn't tell her before, but she believes you without you needing to show some tricks like with Sophia since Ana experienced the supernatural firsthand.
You hope she won't get too curious now that she knows about this, and it's a shame she learned about it so early, but there's nothing you can do about it now.","attachment":null,"posted":1714844900},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5994192,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5994188
In other news, you heard that Arachne's body is wandering somewhere in the forest. Your only hint being that a strange woman with empty eyes has been saying 'Arachne' over and over, and it is, as far as the Russian agency can tell, soulless and magicless. It's not particularly hard to find the body, as she basically went right to you the moment you entered the forest.
The woman doesn't look great, but you suppose being soulless doesn't help. Unfortunately your magic friend can't quite enter that body just yet, she says it doesn't exactly fit, but if she attaches to it for long enough she might be able to make it work. Weirdly enough, she doesn't look super happy about it, you think it's because deep down she's afraid of having false hopes and that it won't work at the last moment.
The year is coming to an end, you've been keeping an eye on Ana just in case, but it seems her curiosity about the supernatural is mostly satiated by talking about it with a new friend she made. She's also a little bit more amicable now and slightly less obsessed with her brother, that should set her on the right track at least.
As for Arachne, the body meshing isn't going too well, she did manage to move a few fingers, but it looks like you'll have to use unreliable existence to speed the process up, which could take a while.
Another worrying rumor is that of a woman that has been asking around for you. It's worrying mostly due to the fact that she hasn't contacted you directly, meaning she might try to gather info on you for not so friendly purposes. Thankfully, your reputation is good enough here that no one gave her any info, and since she's apparently a foreigner, you expect it to take a while for her to learn anything substantial. She's described as having a sword and a top hat. Kind of eccentric, and it reminds you of someone else that dressed like this.
---
18.137M
+
1M (Investments)
-
360K (Yearly costs)
=
18.77M
---
Sophia: 20 years old.
Mikhail: 14 years old.
Anastasia: 11 years old.
Aleksander: 9 years old.
Etsy & Weaver: 39 years old
---
>Focus on one of your kids (Can pick two if FT)
>Might want to take a look at that swordswoman.
>Speed up Arachne's body mixing.
>Write in.","attachment":null,"posted":1714844965},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5994209,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994192
>Speed up Arachne's body mixing.","attachment":null,"posted":1714845383},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5994210,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994192
>Might want to take a look at that swordswoman.
We should do this BEFORE Arachne gets her new body, who knows if we'll be even able to use magic after that.
>Focus on one of your kids (Alexander)","attachment":null,"posted":1714845386},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5994278,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994192
>Might want to take a look at that swordswoman.
Yeah, we want Arachne around for that
Also I TOLD you retards that the beach was a nope-nope-nope, but you fuckers wouldn't listen. Now Ana is traumatised and she won't tell kids to kill themselves anymore. That's a fucking shame now innit?","attachment":null,"posted":1714848343},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5994350,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994192
>Might want to take a look at that swordswoman
Duskbro? Are you a girl now?
>>5994209
>>5994210
>>5994278
When will we spill everything to the kids? Sophia's 20 and she got told after all this time. The others are 14 11 and 9
>>5994278
She still can, relax","attachment":null,"posted":1714851913},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5994357,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994278
>>5994350
We still have an extra action, taking a look at the swordsman is not FT","attachment":null,"posted":1714852187},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5994461,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994350
>She still can, relax
I really want to avoid involving the kids in all that magic bullshit as much as possible.
>>5994357
>We still have an extra action, taking a look at the swordsman is not FT
In that case, either spend time with little Sasha, or
>Write in
Pray.","attachment":null,"posted":1714855732},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5994466,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994192
>She's described as having a sword and a top hat. Kind of eccentric, and it reminds you of someone else that dressed like this.
Welcome back, sword of dusk. inb4 it's his daughter.
>>5994192
>Focus on one of your kids (Aleksander)
haven't talked to him in a while
>Might want to take a look at that swordswoman.","attachment":null,"posted":1714855996},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5994497,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5994192
>Might want to take a look at that swordswoman
>Focus on one of your kids (Aleksander)
>>5994357
Good call
>>5994461
I meant she can still tell other kids to kill themselves
>avoid involving the kids in all that magic bullshit
I want to tell them when they come of age","attachment":null,"posted":1714858524},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5997019,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5994497
>>5994466
>>5994461
>>5994278
>>5994210
>>5994209
You decide to put off Arachne's body mixing off for now. She complains, but you're not a huge fan of your magic being separated from you when someone may or may not be after you. You can't say Dusk was ever a proper enemy, but he wasn't an ally either, you don't think he'd have any reason to go after you now that the game is over but...
well, that's assuming it's him in the first place, the similarities might be simply coincidences, it's just that you can't think of anyone else that you know that fits that description. Sure, he wasn't a woman, but maybe he used shadow magic to transition or something. Or was he always a girl and just never bothered correcting anyone? It's not like his body was human enough to tell.
Not like it really matters, you ask around where this woman might be, and you learn that she's hiding in the forest. You thought of doing an ambush, but maybe it's not a great idea to make another enemy when she hasn't done anything aggressive thus far. She had plenty of opportunity to attack your kids, and she didn't, so you'll give her the benefit of the doubt.
You decide to go to the forest 'by yourself' and reattach Arachne to you. Of course, K.I.S.A is scuttling close behind just in case, you're not THAT trusting.
Finding her isn't hard, it's more accurate to say that she found you. She's...a woman, alright. She has a simple dirty blue shirt with black plants that is tight enough to show how thin her legs are. It's a simple getup, and one different enough from the sword of dusk that makes you think it's probably not the same person standing before you.
"So you came. Saves me the trouble," she says, and point the blade directly at you. "...it's too late to go back now, of course. No more preparation, no more training, the last stretch. I'm ready."
You tell her you have no idea what she's talking about.
"Of course you don't. It was two decades ago, probably a footnote in your life's story. I thought about it. About making you suffer, but that's not final, people can recover from tragedy, I need you to end you right now, that's the finality I need."
Oh, so she IS here to kill you. That's...not good. Damnit, you should've gone for that ambush after all, but it's not like you could've predicted that she wants to kill you because uhm... mhh, you're not sure? She looks relatively young, maybe in her mid twenties, she said that it's something you did two decades ago, so she must have been, what, 10 at that time?
You think harder, what's something you did that would cause a 10-year-old to want you dead? She's not related to the bringer kid, he was an only child, maybe she's related to Oliver or the queen?
Arachne notices your thought, and shakes her spectral head, nope, not that either. Could it be...
You ask her if she was related to the criminal gang you wiped out.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715082270366171.png","filename":"Whileyouwerebusyhavingsex.png"},"posted":1715082270},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5997020,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5997019
"So you do remember. Ha. Yeah. Killed my parents that worked here, not much left of them. Looking into who did it, 'twas a revelation, let me tell you. Not the fact that the supernatural exist, the fact that I was excluded from it. Nearly everyone's got magic, but I'm one of the unlucky ones that didn't have a lick of magic potential."
...you get how she feels, you suppose. From her point of view, you killed her parents for no real reason, the actual reason wasn't great, either it was incentivized by profit and your hatred of those kinds of people. Even so, you wouldn't say you regret what you did, you consider those people scum.
Even so, looking at her, a girl that lost her parents because of you, it does tug at your heartstrings a little, especially now that you're a father.
You want to apologize, but it would only anger her further, you think, and if her goal is to kill you, then talking could easily result in your death, you'll have to disable her first-
A blade swing, fast, precise, and strong enough to cut the very air before you. Arachne pulls you back instinctually, it's been a while since you had to actually use your magic to dodge, and you're very thankful you had the presence of mind to not speed up Arachne's body mixing before engaging this woman.
"You're fast, of course you are, I hoped you would've gotten rusty after all these years."
Arachne tells you that the blade is the one that Dusk used, but the blade itself was always a separate entity from its wielder. Dusk was capable of manipulating shadows, but did the blade have any abilities unique to itself?
From what you can tell, she isn't using any shadow techniques, but there's definitely some magic the blade is using. You need to figure that out, you order K.I.S.A to cover for you and...
It doesn't show up?
Oh no. You tell Arachne to quickly check your surroundings, and it's as you expected, you're trapped here. Similar to Sarah's ability, it seems you're cut off from the outside world. But K.I.S.A could come in from outside Sarah's ability, surely the same can happen here, right?
You don't have much time to think, she goes for another slash, her attacks are faster now, and you come to a terrible realization.
Her first attack was just to test your reaction time, and she's now going faster and faster. You end up having to block with your silver arm more than once, and every time you try to fire at her, she uses that opportunity to strike, which disrupts your aim.
Her speed is inhuman, and her lack of magic potential just means that she had to strengthen her soul to make up for it. You're pretty sure she didn't go through the same training you did, though. Whatever the case, unreliable existence is going to be a pain to use on her, but maybe if you were to affect the sword instead...","attachment":null,"posted":1715082338},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5997022,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5997020
Apart from that, you notice that she grimace after every strike, is she getting angry she can't kill you in one hit? That can't be it.
(As usual, you can choose one offensive and defensive strategy, which will be used simultaneously)
-Offensive strategy:
>Disrupted invisible bullets, good old reliable
>Devil's gamble bullets on the sword? If she has to parry them, then...
>Unreliable existence on the blade, maybe you can turn it off?
>No sense attacking, she'll get tired on her own.
>Write in
-Defensive strategy:
>MPR on the blade, will slightly decrease your dodge as it requires some concentration.
>Disrupt the blade, should be enough to make her miss at the very least.
>Fully focus your magic on dodging.
>MPR on her, she's not magic, but you can still study her attacks. dodge is also slightly reduced.
>Write in.","attachment":null,"posted":1715082402},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5997051,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997022
Wait a moment, wasn't the entire benefit of Arachne that we'd be able to use magic *without* needing to concentrate by having her do it and allowing us to focus on the actual combat?","attachment":null,"posted":1715084961},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5997052,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5997051
(It's specified that the new faster version of MPR requires concentration, and part of your dodging style depends on both you and Arachne using your magic in tandem to dodge. You'll still be able to dodge, just not at peak efficiency as one of you will need to concentrate)","attachment":null,"posted":1715085069},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5997055,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997052
In that case, my idea was,
>Disrupted invisible bullets, good old reliable
BUT, for the defensive
>Use reversal to mess up her attacks.
It worked against oliver.","attachment":null,"posted":1715085392},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5997105,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997055
+1
Can we make the sword slip out of her grip? Or make her trip on the ground as we kite her?","attachment":null,"posted":1715090445},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5997161,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997022
>Disrupted invisible bullets, good old reliable
>Disrupt the blade, should be enough to make her miss at the very least.
Her grunting makes me think she has to exert herself either to reach those speeds or the sword consumes her lifeforce or something.","attachment":null,"posted":1715093631},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5997163,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997022
Changing my vote from >>5997105 to >>5997161. I am on mobile, apologies","attachment":null,"posted":1715093814},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5997166,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997020
>>5997022
>Her speed is inhuman, and her lack of magic potential just means that she had to strengthen her soul to make up for it.
IT'S FUCKING TOJI
>>5997022
>Unreliable existence on the blade, maybe you can turn it off?
>>Fully focus your magic on dodging.
>>5997161
I mean, you have to exert yourself to fight in general.","attachment":null,"posted":1715094114},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5997168,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997163
Isn’t what we did on Oliver the same thing as now ?","attachment":null,"posted":1715094130},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5997169,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997166
Sure, but grunting right of the bat ?","attachment":null,"posted":1715094191},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5997172,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997169
Shit, I grunt when I stand up and it's no herculean task. Some people are more vocal about movement than others.","attachment":null,"posted":1715094447},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5997178,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997172
You’re missing the point. It’s only highlighted for tiredness.","attachment":null,"posted":1715095200},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5997285,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997022
It's like a trash mob from level 1 comes back to bite us in the arse at the end of the game.
>Disrupted invisible bullets, good old reliable
Never failed us
>Use reversal to mess up her attacks.
>>5997055 is right, and that's a safer strategy. All the ones that reduce our capacity to dodge will end up with us having Etsy make us another silver arm.","attachment":null,"posted":1715102647},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5997579,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5997019
>Whileyouwerebusyhavingsex.png
At least Weaver and Etsy are still happy together","attachment":null,"posted":1715125457},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5998715,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5997285
>>5997166
>>5997161
>>5997105
>>5997055
Strong as she is, she's still human, and her lack of magic means she has no good way of locating invisible bullets, especially those with unpredictable trajectories like yours. You load a bullet and quickly disrupt it, at your level, this barely takes any concentration, and you can use the rest of your focus on reversing her attacks.
You fire the bullet, and as the bullet flies it gets...revealed? She parries the bullets with ease, as your reversal seems to have very little effect on her. It makes sense, if she strengthened her soul, then she would be much harder to affect with magic.
You decide to reverse the blade instead. Sure, it's a powerful magic weapon, but its soul? Incredibly weak, or at least really weak compared to its wielder, which makes it much easier to deviate her slashes. You're still not sure how she's revealing your bullets, but you suppose it doesn't matter, as it still keeps her in check.
Or at least that's what you thought would happen, but it looks like her attacks are only getting faster. The good news is that she seems to have all but given up on revealing the bullets, the bad news is that it's because she keeps striking every time you fire. Sure, it doesn't take that much concentration to disrupt bullet patterns, but it still takes some concentration, and that's focus you could've used on dodging. Thankfully the blade's impact is lessened by the reversal, but at this rate you might just run out of magic before you can-
The blade slices your neck. Grazing. Barely touching.
You might actually die here.
You didn't really even consider that a possibility, you survived much worse, so why is this woman giving you this much trouble? Is it because... oh, of course. It's because she's the one that's prepared for once. She surely has some device to reveal your bullets, she surely trained so she could use the blade even with your disruptions, there's no telling how much research she has done on you, you ARE her final boss from her point of view, after all.
Well, you're not the only one struggling at least. She's getting faster, but her body can't keep up. You don't think you've seen her take a breath since you started fighting, and you can tell the blade is siphoning something from her. You don't think it's taking away her stamina, but it's taking SOMETHING in exchange for whatever power she's getting, surely she can't keep this up forever.","attachment":null,"posted":1715210852},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5998718,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5998715
But it's a little late to fully go on the defensive, now.
Another slash, a jab, you don't have time to dodge, so you put your silver arm between you and the blade. Even with the reversal, it gets pierced, and goes straight to your lung.
You can feel something flowing through you, the spike of pain is suddenly replaced by another, arguably just as uncomfortable, numb feeling. It comes from your arm.
She smiles. It's an empty smile, a scared smile, you wonder what's going through her mind right now. Maybe she realized her mistake when you didn't faint right away, a mistake even you would've made, in her position.
Yes, the silver arm is still functional, and in this position, she cannot dodge, she cannot parry, and some of your fake skin slides away to reveal the end of a barrel aimed straight at her head.
Bang. Just like that, she falls. The blade moves with her, and the pain overrides whatever chemical was injected into your veins. The blade slowly slides out. It hurts. You don't move. You can hear K.I.S.A come, maybe a little too late. Etsy's worried voice you can hear from the radio. The woman's corpse is snatched away by something you cannot see, swallowed by the earth.
The rest of the day was a blur, but it looks like your lung was pretty badly damaged, and Etsy had to replace it with an artificial one. It's probably for the best, who knows what kind of magic infection the blade did to the original lung anyway. Speaking of, the sword isn't in the forest anymore. Maybe that's for the best.
Etsy says she almost unleashed Last Resort when she couldn't get K.I.S.A to help you, it's a good thing you ended the fight when you did, Last Resort would attract a little bit too much attention.
You tell Etsy how it went, and she frowns. "I-Is that so? Y-You don't have to feel bad. I-I probably killed m-more people than you did here. A-Are you okay?"
You're not sure. You almost died, what if you did? What if you left your kids and your wife behind? All because you were so confident it would be fine? You tell Etsy about how you feel, but she tells you that next time she'll make sure to prepare even more. She's right, you should've been more prepared. Although you doubt more people like her are coming after you, it doesn't hurt to have more contingency plans.
You wonder what this woman even was like. How long did she train to kill you? What was the deal with that sword? Does it even matter?
No, it does not. It's not your problem, not anymore. You'll tackle problems as they come, as you always did, no reason making new ones.","attachment":null,"posted":1715210918},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5998720,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5998718
With how hectic things have been, you decide to spend time with your most quiet kid, Aleksander. He doesn't talk much, but that just means there's more going through his mind. He's writing a paper about what he wants to be when he grows up for school, but he can't think of anything.
"Dad. Can I lie? I don't... I don't know what I want," he asks, repeatedly pressing his pen against the paper.
Even though he doesn't speak up a lot, when he does, he tends to be pretty blunt. Now, normally you wouldn't tell your kid to lie on a test, but if he really doesn't know what he wants to be, then it really doesn't matter.
"What did you want to be, dad?"
You open your mouth, then close it.
What did you want to be when you grew up, anyway? You don't think you ever had some kind of grand dream, but surely as a kid you must have had at least one thing you wanted to be, right? Surely you weren't this cynical back then, right? The kid probably looks up to you, so whatever you say might shape how he sees you or the world around him. Like he said, you could always lie
You tell him you wanted to be...
>A super hero
>A wizard
>A lawyer
>A doctor
>you don't remember
>Write in","attachment":null,"posted":1715210979},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5998722,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998720
Hmmm...did we say anything of the sort back then during the flashback? I'm a bit partial towards saying something like 'superhero', though. Any thoughts?","attachment":null,"posted":1715211226},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5999046,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998718
Now I’m curious, did we have better choices than we took or the fight would be like this anyway since she came prepared for us ?
>>5998720
>Wizard","attachment":null,"posted":1715227982},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5999217,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5999046
There were better choices, the best ones would've been to fully focus on dodging, or to use MPR to notice her attack pattern to make her attacks more dodgable. Using unreliable existence on the blade was also viable to make K.I.S.A able to come in by disrupting the magic separating you. It was mostly hinted at by her having strenghtened her soul (which clearly made her more resistant to magic) and her grimacing after only a few strikes, implying she wouldn't be able to survive a long fight.
There were also much worse choice, speeding up arachne's body mixing would've made the fight much harder, devil's gamble on the sword would've basically been useless, and disrupting the blade would've more or less done the same thing as reversal, albeit with slightly better results.
Worst cases would have caused Last Resort to show up, with best cases getting rid of her without a fuss and maybe even storing the sword somewhere.
Invisible bullets weren't the worse offensive choice even though she was prepared for it, as it did force her to parry them which tired her out faster, and her speeding up at the end was realizing that whatever device she used to reveal the bullets was running out of juice.","attachment":null,"posted":1715243785},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5999245,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999217
I see, so the ones who wrote-in reversal of instead of picking the disruption option nerfed us a little. Gotta be honest, I see the reason behind mpr being better but what we picked for the blade still sounds better than fully dodging, at least on paper. Was our concentration debuff on it that big ?","attachment":null,"posted":1715249494},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5999301,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5999245
The concentration wasn't that much of an issue, the difference between reversal and disruption isn't big, but because disruption is a 'lower' magic level, it's a lot simpler to use than reversal, not just that, but reversal is also a lot more predictable in general. Something can only be reversed in the direction it had gone in before or the opposite of what it's currently doing, while disruption can be a lot more unpredictable. Someone that doesn't know about your magic would still be taken by surprise, but someone that knows your tricks would be a lot better at adjusting their attacks, especially since the only thing you could reliably reverse was the blade itself.
Even so, disruption might have led to your silver arm being destroyed before the fight's end, which would've cost a little to replace instead of your lung (not like you're using the money for much anyway).
The fight had very little info on her, which was kind of on purpose, it was very much supposed to be a turntable situation where someone prepared themselves to kill you more than you did them. I probably wouldn't have been cruel enough to actually kill you there so close to the epilogue, I just thought it'd be interesting to show the passage of time by bringing a character who had about 20 years to gather hatred for something you never thought that much about.","attachment":null,"posted":1715256312},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5999340,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5998720
>wizard
But Weaver is one now, complete with age and wisdom and weird magic bullshit","attachment":null,"posted":1715259440},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5999343,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999217
So MPR and be completely defensive until MPR completes, then proceed to curbstomp. Got it. On the bright side the artificial lung must be insanely efficient knowing how Etsy is like","attachment":null,"posted":1715259827},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5999345,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999301
>someone prepared themselves to kill you more than you did them
A real "you took EVERYTHING from me!" "I don't even know who you are" moment. Very rare for a player character in any quest to be the final boss to somebody else
>show the passage of time by bringing a character who had about 20 years to gather hatred for something you never thought that much about.
She did almost get us, so credit to her prep and skills and accumulated seething edge. Too bad there isn't much counter to when a character uses being impaled to pull the attacker in, or end them while they are still in melee range. The instinct is to hold the weapon and NEVER let go, after all","attachment":null,"posted":1715260138},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5999456,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999301
If concentration wasn’t that much of an issue, why committing to only dodge was better ?","attachment":null,"posted":1715269333},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5999458,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999301
Also, it indeed was an interesting situation.","attachment":null,"posted":1715269454},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5999511,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999217
You baited us good with this one. Naturaly she'd expect our "ol' reliable" if she came prepared. Didn't even cross ym head. I guess we "are" Weaver after all, in such a way that we make as players the mistakes the supposed person would make. Pretty fun though. What was the sword's deal, now, I wonder. If it disappeared, Dusk might still be around...
>>5998720
>Write in
Astronaut
I'll be ok with Wizard too but I'd rather not push one of our kids towards someone that'll try to take Leah's seat some day and possibly get owned in the process (or worse, insulted on the internet)","attachment":null,"posted":1715272371},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5999526,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5999456
concentration wasn't the issue as much as the reverse you used on her could've been used on yourself to dodge much more efficiently (which is how the backstreet demon taught you how to dodge, use your own ability on yourself)
It is entirely possible to use the reverse both on the blade and yourself at once, but multi-targetting is kind of a pain and usually not as efficient as fully focusing your magic on one thing (in this case reversing her blade swings)","attachment":null,"posted":1715273531},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":5999554,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5999526
Oh, Since you didn’t put that there I thought it’d just be just the physical.","attachment":null,"posted":1715274612},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6000926,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Waiting warmly","attachment":null,"posted":1715398817},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6001135,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>6000926
Sorry, will update this afternoon, have this in the meantime
(It actually ended up looking more like Mona than i'd like, also fun fact, the green streak at the end of Sarah's hair is a coloring error that I decided to keep, and the fact she's yellow blonde kind of goes against the 'white is blonde' thing established earlier, so she's just a coloring anomaly in general.)","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715423243660357.png","filename":"SarahSketch.png"},"posted":1715423243},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6001162,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001135
While booba is provided, I do not mind waiting","attachment":null,"posted":1715425886},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6001177,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>5999511
>>5999340
>>5999046
You tell him you wanted to be a wizard when you were a kid. You don't know if that's true, because you barely remember what you were like as a kid.
"Wizards? But magic's not real?" He's phrasing this as a question more than an affirmation.
You tell him that you're not allowed to answer this question, you phrase this in a joking manner, but it will allow you to say 'hey, I didn't actually lie to you back then' when the time will come to reveal the truth to him.
Maybe you shouldn't feel so proud of outsmarting a 9-year-old with semantics. With the way he's looking at you, you're not even sure if you even lied to him successfully or if he just doesn't care.
"I can't put wizard on it. It needs to be a real job."
Hey, being a wizard is a real job. Very profitable, not great for your mental health and safety, but good upward mobility. Not that you'd say that to your son, even as a joke. Instead, you tell him if there's anything he enjoys doing.
"I like drawing."
You tell him he could put 'artist' on there.
"Sophia said that artist don't make a lot of money."
God damnit, what did she tell her very impressionable brother, now? You say that tons of artist make a decent living in animation and comics, and that if he ever needs help money wise you'll support him. He nods, looks like a weight was lifted off his chest, and he puts 'artist' on the page.
"Hey dad, why did you want to be a wizard."
You say it's because you...wanted to be special? That sounds like something young you would say, anyway.
"Not because you liked magic?"
You don't answer. Etsy says she needs your help, and you use that opportunity to leave. You don't know why that question made you uncomfortable. You can't say you were ever passionate about magic, it was more of a necessity. Do you...do you even have a passion right now? Sure, you love your family, but that's hardly a hobby. It's not like you're sad or bored, so does it really matter?
You decide to help Etsy with the garden, although most of it is unsurprisingly automated, and you barely have to do anything. You're actually surprised at how much of her machinery you understand, she's a genius, but you had to work closely with her when it came to selling her design documents, so you actually have a pretty good surface level understanding of electronics now.
Still, that's not a passion. Something that makes your heart burn and gives you the strength to keep going, you're sure you had one of those at one point, you must have, right? Maybe you'll look into it later.
You'll need to spend some time stabilizing Arachne's body mix, since the fight did use up a lot of magic.","attachment":null,"posted":1715428189},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6001178,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>6001177
---
Child update:
-Mikhail has confessed to his best friend. Ana threw a tamper tantrum about it, but she got over it after a few weeks.
-Sophia's game has grown more popular, and she's almost done finishing the sequel. She's thinking of moving out now that she's seeing proper returns.
-Aleksander's grades have dropped, barely passing. It looks like he's working hard, he's just not very good at some subjects.
-Anastasia gets seashells and other bits of sealife from her friend that goes to the beach. She hasn't experimented on anything magical yet, but it's only a matter of time at this rate.
---
18.77M
+
2M (Investments)
+
-
360K (Yearly costs)
-
500K (Cybernetic lung)
-
100K (Silver arm repair)
=
19.81M
---
Sophia: 21 years old.
Mikhail: 15 years old.
Anastasia: 12 years old.
Aleksander: 10 years old.
Etsy & Weaver: 40 years old
---
You'll need to spend some time stabilizing Arachne's body mix since the fight did use up a lot of magic. (Only one action available this year as one will be used for Arachne's body mixing)
>Focus on one of your kids
>Find a personal hobby
Additionally, Anastasia is at the age for higher secondary school. Anastasia picked Vershina for herself. It looks like she wants to prove she's better than her sister by going through the school she failed at, that and because her superiority complex makes it impossible for her to choose anything but the hardest school.
You might as well consider Aleksander's school while you're at it, he should get there in a couple of years. (https://rentry.org/h2wba9f3 for reference)
>Pick a secondary school for Aleksander.","attachment":null,"posted":1715428279},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6001179,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001178
>Focus on one of your kids (Anastasia)
While I wish we could find a hobby of our own, Anastasia is almost finding out about magic, right? We need to make sure she's safe.
>Raskolot
Seems like the best fit, right?","attachment":null,"posted":1715429068},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6001181,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001179
By 'safe' BTW I mean talking about Magic. The last thing we need is her trying to find it out by herself and running into a sea monster or rogue magic user.","attachment":null,"posted":1715429424},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6001209,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001179
>Focus on one of your kids
Alexander
>Raskolot
His grades dropping is bothering me, is he OK?","attachment":null,"posted":1715432199},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6001213,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001209
I feel like ensuring Ana doesn't end up risking her life is a bit more time sensitive.","attachment":null,"posted":1715432449},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6001231,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001213
Ugh fiiiiine
>>6001178
>Anastasia
>Raskolot
There
>>6001177
>You can't say you were ever passionate about magic, it was more of a necessity.
We have cool powers but Weaver only ever used them to fight and stay alive. Kind of defeats the purpose of having them, doesn't it?
>Something that makes your heart burn and gives you the strength to keep going
Yeah it's Etsy. Did we forget how things were 20 years ago? And now the kids too on top of that. Pretty interesting Weaver is thinking this now, when he's hit 40. I think calling Sarah and Sawyer and Infinite Reflection might be good, because everybody's in their late 30s and early 40s now so we might as well keep in touch even into middle age","attachment":null,"posted":1715434034},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6001453,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001231
>Pretty interesting Weaver is thinking this now, when he's hit 40
Well, he has been pretty much spending all his time solely for the sake of his family for the past 20 years. With the games over, our children growing up and etsy past the age where it's healthy to have children we're going to have increasingly bigger amounts of free time on our hands.","attachment":null,"posted":1715453998},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6001606,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001178
>Find a personal hobby
>Raskolot","attachment":null,"posted":1715465265},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6002055,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6001178
>>Focus on one of your kids
>Alexander
>>Raskolot
I'm a bit worried about him desu. While I agree with >>6001213, I don't think it's that urgent in the sense that it couldn't wait until next year, right?","attachment":null,"posted":1715500790},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6002565,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>6002055
>>6001606
>>6001231
>>6001209
>>6001179
You're finishing the final touches on Arachne's body. It's a slow process that requires a lot of concentration, but if you mess up you don't know if Leah will just give you a replacement body, so you'd rather make sure nothing goes wrong.
Pull, push and then weave. Pull push and then weave. Repeat the pattern, one by one, until it encompasses the entire body. It gets harder and harder to do, as you can feel Arachne being separated from you and your magic gets weaker and weaker. You pay no mind to it, pull, push, weave-
SNAP
You fall backward, as if a string that was keeping you upright suddenly broke. You feel lightheaded and dizzy, the world is spinning and it takes a few minutes for you to come back to your senses. You fear for the worse when you look back to Arachne but...
She's right there, standing up, looking at the palm of her hand like it's a work of art.
"Ha?" She snorts. "Ha. Haha?" It's like a machine trying to emulate human laughter, it's uncanny. Eventually, the laugh becomes more natural, the voice less stuck up, the expression more...her. "I can...? Forever? Ah, wait, I can think and..." she closes her mouth, then looks back to you. "What am I thinking?" She asks.
You shrug.
"Free! I can think without you knowing about it! I can move! SPIN SPIN SPIIIIN!" She starts to spin until she gets as dizzy as you were, and fall into your arms. You do let go of her pretty quick because she's actually not wearing much, she doesn't even have a bra, and the last thing you want is Etsy getting the wrong idea.
After you let go, she starts to roll around on her side, not unlike Sophia before she learned how to walk. She quickly stops once she realizes her breasts get in the way though. "Ow- Ow- Ow. I forgot what pain felt like. It's no longer just mental pain anymore! I can hurt myself in other ways! WOOOOO- Ow- okay that's enough of that."
She gets back up, and gives you a hug. It doesn't last very long, probably because she knows Etsy as well as you do by now.
"I- I need to take a walk, or a run! Or- Or- oh, I can talk to people now! I can talk to Etsy, or the kids, or anyone! I can play video games, uh, I can..." She keeps listing off random mundane things as the fire in her eyes burns ever brighter. You can't remember the last time you've seen her this happy.
Well, if you have to introduce her to your kids, you could always say she's some kind of sister? You'll let Arachne introduce tell the truth about who she is to the kids if she wants, but you think she wants to be treated like a normal person by others for now.
It does feel a little weird to not have her linked to you anymore, but Arachne has been nothing but helpful, you think she deserves to be happy and free.
The introduction to your kids goes pretty smoothly, Sophia rightfully raises an eyebrow, with Ana and Aleksander seemingly not caring that much while Mikhail is more than happy to see another 'family' member.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1715543059043479.png","filename":"Aracute.png"},"posted":1715543059},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6002568,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>6002565
Arachne's very...jovial? You don't remember her acting like that at all before, and you're unsure if it's Mona's soul finally kicking in, the freedom she always yearned for, or both that's making her this hyper. She does occasionally go back to her professional persona, but it's usually short-lived.
Once she's past the high of actually having a body, she starts thinking about long term plans. She wants to live her own life, but right now she's kind of an illegal immigrant with no ID and past, so she's unsure how to start integrating into society.
You realize she's asking not so subtly for you to give her enough money to start a new life.
You give her one million, probably more than she actually needs, but since she partly helped you with your investments, you'd say she earned at least that much.
Another hug from her. "Don't worry, I'll come visit often! I want to say thank you again, I really don't know if I can ever make it up to you, but if you need anything, anything at all? You call me. Even if I have to risk my life, I don't care!" She grabs your hands. "I'm- I'm..." She lets go of your hands. "...noooot used to having chemicals in my brain. I'll just leave, experience the world a little, and then come back to you. Okay? Okay, yup, see ya!"
She leaves without waiting for an answer, you could've sworn she was blushing. Well, you suppose she's not used to have skin contact with anyone, so maybe you shouldn't jump to conclusions.
[Magic potential reduced to high. Unreliable Existence no longer available. General magic use requires a lot more concentration now.]
---
(I believe there's a tie between hobby finding and Ana, so I'll wait for the next vote as a tiebreaker for now.)","attachment":null,"posted":1715543156},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6002573,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002568
[Spoiler]Arachne Threesome???[/spoiler]
I joke, I joke.","attachment":null,"posted":1715543528},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6002574,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002568
Cute Arachne, thanks for the update, QM!
Still, oompf, that's a pretty rough nerf. We could climb that ladder again but do we really need to?","attachment":null,"posted":1715543583},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6002575,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002573
Oh, I messed that up. I deserve the shame. Still, she's nice.","attachment":null,"posted":1715543589},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6002576,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002573
I dunno man... Do you think Etsy would be OK with that?
Ctrl+S, fellow retard
>>6002568
>[Magic potential reduced to high. Unreliable Existence no longer available. General magic use requires a lot more concentration now.]
Small price to pay
>>6002574
I wouldn't mind trying to go back to Colossal just to have it again","attachment":null,"posted":1715543640},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6002579,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002576
> Do you think Etsy would be OK with that
Obviously not, but still, I have to hope that there's some path where a threesome with Etsy and one of the other girls wouldn't have been in a horrible path.","attachment":null,"posted":1715543776},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6002594,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002579
What's this? Did all my threesome talk get to somebody else? The fuck?","attachment":null,"posted":1715544903},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6002603,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002594
The gooner plague spreads","attachment":null,"posted":1715545174},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6002605,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002603
The fire rises","attachment":null,"posted":1715545321},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6002608,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002568
I'll vote for Anna, if I haven't voted already.","attachment":null,"posted":1715545484},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6002610,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002565
oh yes, she's very cute
>>6002568
a small price to pay to have our friend freed
also, are you sure the vote is tied ?
>>6002573
kek
>>6002576
why ctrl+s ?","attachment":null,"posted":1715545499},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6002620,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002610
Because Ctrl+S is how you can spoiler tag without fucking up and making typos. Try it","attachment":null,"posted":1715545954},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6002622,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>6002610
Huh, you may be right, I don't know why I saw two hobby votes. Vote locked in for Ana then.","attachment":null,"posted":1715546062},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6002892,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002620
I asked that 'coz ctrl+s is the command to save the page, then I tried doing it with the reply window open. thanks for the tip, anon.","attachment":null,"posted":1715561513},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6002894,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6002892
You're welcome, now you're less of a newfag.","attachment":null,"posted":1715561585},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6004688,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>6002573
>>6002574
>>6002576
>>6002603
>>6002608
>>6002610
>>6002622
It was a day like any other. You woke up, took a sip of the last energy drink in the fridge, and went for a jog outside.
Everyone is asleep at that hour, and you like the calm and quiet. Now that your magic is weaker, you can also think a little bit more clearly. It's hard to explain, it was like a weight, an urge, a sense that you were always a little bit incomplete. It wasn't a strong feeling, especially with Arachne essentially halving the effect at the time, but it was still there, like an itch that you could never scratch.
You feel a little weak, but maybe that's okay, you're past your prime anyway. You think you're getting the hang of this anyway.
[A BLOODY HEART OPEN FOR ALL TO SEE.]
Huh?
[A COLD HAND REACHES FOR YOU. GRASP IT, AND FEEL ITS PAIN.]
[A NEW DIVINE DECREE IS IN ORDER.]
It's not really a voice. It's not really words spoken in a language you can repeat, it's more like the meaning of the words are being blasted into you, and your brain tries its best to translate it into something you can understand.
Even though you know the words are not harmful, you still panic and rush back home. The house is in lockdown, but thankfully you're still allowed inside as the door recognizes your DNA. You weren't the only one that heard the voice, Etsy did too, everyone did.
You can feel her fear, and by instinct, you pull her into a hug. She squirms a little, still tapping a few button on a device in her hand even as you're holding her tight.
It's hard to explain, but it's as if you can tell what they're feeling by just looking at them. It's kind of like your old body read ability, but instead of reading their body language it's like you're reading their...soul language? Yeah, you think that's it. The worrying part is that even your kid and your wife can apparently tell what the others are feeling too, even some as socially inept as Ana can.
Eventually, you manage to calm down Etsy and she lets the lockdown go. It doesn't take long for you to learn that the effect is global. Everyone now has the ability to feel what the others are feeling, no matter how good they are at hiding it. It's not as potent as your body read ability, for one it doesn't seem to work online, and you can't tell what someone is thinking outright, but it makes it really easy to tell when someone is lying or what their intentions are.
As expected, chaos ensues.
Popular politicians quickly fall out of favor as even the most fanatic followers can tell they're being lied to, couples and friendship break, nearly all stocks are going down for a variety of reasons, employers now can tell when a candidate isn't actually motivated by the job offer.
Yeah, turns out people severely underestimated how much of our lives are supported by white and not so white lies, now it's coming back to bite them in the ass at full force.","attachment":null,"posted":1715707721},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6004691,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>6004688
Surprisingly enough, your family is affected pretty positively by this. Mikhail is a sweetheart and his good nature only shines brighter with this new change, , Sophia interacts with people online most of the time, and Aleksander speak so little that he had very few opportunities to lie about anything. Ana on the other hand did end up hiding in her room for a while, not because she was afraid people would find out something bad about her (it seems her public opinion is already at rock bottom anyway), but because she doesn't want people to take pity on her. Thankfully, this is summer, and she doesn't have to go to school right now, but you'll have to drag her out when the time comes.
Also, Etsy feels a lot less insecure now that she can tell what people think of her, which turns out is mostly envy or respect. The fact she can tell with perfect accuracy when something turns you on or not is something she has also weaponized incredibly fast.
Eventually, the dust settles, and society learns to adapt to this new sudden change. It now becomes required in many countries for job interviews to pass online if the person applying requests it, and it becomes illegal to fire someone simply because of what they were feeling at the time.
People do manage to hide how they feel a little bit better. While it's essentially impossible to hide strong emotions like love and hate, other weaker feelings can be subdued to be harder to see. There is also a special form of sharing that can only happen when very personal fears are being shared to someone you really trust, one you apparently already had with Etsy, that makes it possible to tell what the other is feeling even from far away.
It's a lot, and right now, it really looks like this change caused more bad than good, as some people even killed themselves as their lives were ruined by others seeing them for who they truly were. Even so, you'll have to see what the long term change are later, maybe it'll force people to be more honest with each other at the very least.
As for what people think is the source of this, most religious people think it's god's doing, and scientist are still doing their own research. E.N.D didn't even try to cover up any of this, as it's kind of a hard thing to do when everyone in the world has been affected.
You decide to spend time with the kid that you think has been the most affected by all of this, Ana. Sure, she speaks her mind a lot, but that doesn't mean she enjoys everyone seeing her emotions like this.
You enter her room to see how she's doing, and she's hiding under a blanket. You can actually still tell how she feels right now even without the blanket hiding her.
"You didn't KNOCK dad! You always knock!"
You apologize, you did forget to knock. You ask her if she's doing okay.
"I'M FINE, dad. If I needed your help I'd just ask!"
Her emotions says 'I don't want to ask for your help because it'd make me look weak, and it'd make you look right.'","attachment":null,"posted":1715707782},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6004693,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>6004691
You ask her what she's been doing recently to drive the subject away from her insecurities.
"N-Nothing! I'm.doing.stuff. Like school."
She's probably trying to sidestep the lie thing by making a vague statement like 'I'm doing stuff' that would encompass whatever weird thing she's been up without her needing to specify.
It does remind you that now your kids can tell when you're lying, which means you'll probably have to explain to them the supernatural sooner or later.
"Leaaaave dad! I don't want you heeeere," she whines. She gesticulates under the blanket, making her look like a very angry ghost.
You tell her you know she's been doing some weird experiments with stuff her friends found on the beach. Might as well be direct at this point.
"How do you know- Are you spying on me?"
You tell her that she's never been that good at keeping secrets, but she can tell you're evading the question. Still, she doesn't press the issue, and actually opens up a little.
"Yeah, but Yulia says the stuff on the beach isn't dangerous, I just want to know what it does, okay! If I find something, it could be huge! I could be huge!"
You're not sure how much of this is driven by her love of chemistry and how much is from her desire to be loved. From what you're seeing, it might be 50/50.
>"You're already the smartest in your class already, you don't need to go that far."
>"If you're going to experiment, at least ask your mom to make you a proper lab."
>"Fine, you can keep experimenting, but every single ingredient has to pass by me first to tell if it's really safe."
>"You can do whatever you want, but I just want you to let us know first, that's all."","attachment":null,"posted":1715707862},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6004697,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004693
>"If you're going to experiment, at least ask your mom to make you a proper lab."
Huh, so that's the decree she was talking about. A curious choice, i guess.","attachment":null,"posted":1715708016},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6004739,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004697
+1
It's just an altered universe-wide extension of her power. She could transfer her feelings about things to others","attachment":null,"posted":1715711279},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6005394,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004693
>"If you're going to experiment, at least ask your mom to make you a proper lab."","attachment":null,"posted":1715747045},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6005758,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004693
>>"If you're going to experiment, at least ask your mom to make you a proper lab."","attachment":null,"posted":1715783566},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6005963,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6004693
>"If you're going to experiment, at least ask your mom to make you a proper lab."
I'm hesitating with "run them by me first".
Fucking Leah shat the pooch again, now everybody will know about my porn stashes. Yes plural.
On the other hand, good thing someone with a more wacky power (Sawyer?) didn't win.","attachment":null,"posted":1715800079},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6006483,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005963
Why do you think someone with a wacky power would be worse ? It’s not like it’d be that much of a difference since they’d be nigh omnipotent anyway.","attachment":null,"posted":1715833008},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6006697,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6005963
>Fucking Leah shat the pooch again
Nah this sounds like a much better world from it
>now everybody will know about my porn stashes
Can't if you don't talk about it in-person","attachment":null,"posted":1715857645},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6006702,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006697
>Can't if you don't talk about it in-person
People would immediately feel it in person, though.
I must admit, maybe this has some positives, but this would be a really fucking awkward world. Imagine you were thinking of a cute girl and your parents - fuck, anyone around you, were immediately able to tell it. You'd have to basically learn to control your own thoughts and never allow them to roam free alone. Sounds pretty shitty to me. It's a world where privacy doesn't exist unless you isolate yourself like a hermit.","attachment":null,"posted":1715857853},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6006730,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006702
Or think and feel freely and be who you are without holding back. And don't forget it goes both ways. Nobody else is able to hide their true thoughts and feelings from you in turn","attachment":null,"posted":1715862004},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6006732,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006730
>Or think and feel freely and be who you are without holding back
Again, privacy, anon. Do you actually think a world without prviacy is good? They're *my* thoughts.","attachment":null,"posted":1715862146},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6007172,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6006483
>Why do you think someone with a wacky power would be worse ?
Worse if they pass a "divine decree" that's tied to their power. In the case of Sawyer, imagine anyone being able to easily fathom a few possible futures for each action? The resulting chaos would be greater.
>>6006732
>Again, privacy, anon. Do you actually think a world without prviacy is good? They're *my* thoughts.
Usually a world of mind-readers is a nice thing for the first few weeks, but becomes hell really fast, and people stop seeing each other to avoid reading each other's thoughts. So it sucks.","attachment":null,"posted":1715899479},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6007178,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007172
>n the case of Sawyer, imagine anyone being able to easily fathom a few possible futures for each action?
That's not the worst case scenario, the worst case scenario is that Sawyer's timeline would literally turn into "heaven" from Stone Ocean
Of course, i don't think that's actually how it works. After all, Leah's power was to make other people feel different. What she gave was basically a lite version of *our* ability. The one we got when we were cursed by Mona.","attachment":null,"posted":1715899811},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6007863,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6007178
Hmm, how I got it was that she gave everyone a lite, full-duplex version of *her* ability, as everyone can do it.","attachment":null,"posted":1715944271},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6008089,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>6004697
>>6005394
>>6005758
>>6005963
(Sorry for the delay, failed a job interview and not doing super well financially, so I was kind of down)
You tell her that if she's going to experiment, she might as well ask her mom to make a lab for her.
"I don't need her help! I can do it by myself!" She said in a tone so defensive you can smell the insecurity from here.
You answer that her mom is the one that paid most of the expenses here.
"But-"
You also say that she's the reason she can even go to school.
"It's not-"
You also note that she's still getting help from her friend to get things, so she's not even doing it 'by herself'.
"OKAY! FINE! But YOU ask mom, I'm not doing it!"
You can feel a sudden burst of rage, and then a slight sense of regret. Even though she's loud and rude, it looks like she still doesn't enjoy being mean to you that much. She probably know she's in the wrong, but she's too proud to admit it.
"Fine! I'll do it myself, mrgnhgn" She kicks the blanket directly on you and storms out. You wonder if it's because she also knew you were taking pity on her because of that new emotion reading thing. It's not as accurate as body read, you can't exactly tell what people 'think', just what the general feeling is.
Of course, if it's a feeling you're intimately familiar with, it becomes easier to guess what's going on in their head, but that's still a guess in the end. Even the lie thing isn't entirely reliable from what you've heard, and people have already found ways to circumvent it.
Etsy agrees to build her a lab, and she's actually very excited by the idea. Etsy was already building weird things at Ana's age, so she doesn't see the problem with her kid interacting with dangerous substances as long as she can keep an eye over it. Ana still doesn't like how often her mom checks up on her now, since the lab and the workshop are right next to each other, but it's not like she wasn't constantly being spied on anyway.
Her experiments don't go anywhere, it really looks like most of them are harmless, but you suspect it's only a matter of time until she finds something dangerous. It's fine, it's better for her to do her chemistry here than in secret. At least here, you can make sure nothing goes wrong.","attachment":null,"posted":1715964451},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6008093,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>6008089
Once you make sure every kid is asleep, you go back to your bed and slip under the blanket next to Etsy who's typing something on her laptop as usual. For some reason, she's wearing a jacket even in the warm summer. You ask her why.
"O-Oh, uhm... habit? S-Sorry, I'll just-" She slowly unzips the jacket and... she stops, then zips it back up. "Heh."
She smirks, unzipping it even slower this time, aaaand back up. "This is f-fun, I can just tell how m-mad you get whenever I-"
You disrupt the zipper, and it basically bursts open as it can no longer contain what's under there. The shirt is under there, and while you could reach under it, it's a lot more fun to rip it off. It might take some effort with a regular arm, but with the silver arm it's child's play. She's still smiling smugly, she really always gets what she wants in the end, doesn't she?
A strange sense of deja vu washes over you, but it's quickly pushed away by the renewed vigor this woman brings you. For some reason, the only thought present in your mind tonight was to never let go of her. You didn't.
---
Child update:
-Sophia's game sequel turned out a decent profit, enough for her to move out. She's thinking of moving out soon, maybe outside of town.
-Aleksander's grades have stopped declining, but he's still not doing well. He might not get past this school year if you don't help him.
---
18.77M
-
3M (Investments have been changed due to world events.)
-
360K (Yearly costs)
-
30 (Etsy's shirt)
=
15.41M
---
Sophia: 22 years old.
Mikhail: 16 years old.
Anastasia: 13 years old.
Aleksander: 11 years old.
Etsy & Weaver: 41 years old
---
(2 actions are now available as Arachne's body mixing is done)
>Focus on one of your kids
>Find a personal hobby","attachment":null,"posted":1715964634},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6008096,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008095
Wait, actually, actually, Sophia is going to move out. This is our last chance to spend some real time with her.
>Focus on one of your kids (Aleksander)
>Focus on one of your kids (Sophia)","attachment":null,"posted":1715964763},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6008101,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008089
>failed a job interview
Look up guides and how to answer interview questions. I watched this guy and it helped a lot I think
https://youtube.com/@ALifeAfterLayoff
And a bit of this one
https://youtube.com/@DonGeorgevich
Try googling stuff too. I hope these help you
>>6008093
As for my vote
Backing >>6008096","attachment":null,"posted":1715965042},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6008103,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>6008101
Thanks, I unironically got asked 'what super power would you want to have' during a job interview and answered something like time travel because I just wasn't prepared for something this wacky. I'm kind of used to shorter interviews so wasn't really prepared for being asked a ton of questions.","attachment":null,"posted":1715965194},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6008106,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008103
>Thanks, I unironically got asked 'what super power would you want to have'
I think you dodged a bullet, the kind of company that would use such a ridiculously retarded question would probably be utter shit. It's a meaningless drivel question made when HR has too much power.","attachment":null,"posted":1715965283},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6008110,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008103
>unironically got asked 'what super power would you want to have' during a job interview
It's the wacky nonsense stuff, I hate those too. If I ever get one I'll probably go equally wacky and nonsense at them.
>shorter interviews
Some sources say if an interview is shorter than 30 minutes, it went bad. But you're also supposed to be concise and follow KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid), and remember the interviewers also have places to be. So far, I think as long as the interview goes well without you fucking up and with you being able to satisfy the interviewers, it's good no matter the length.
>ton of questions
You can't prep for absolutely everything, and raw memorization is not good either. I can post some notes I can safely do so, once I get home later","attachment":null,"posted":1715965566},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6008160,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008096
+1
>>6008103
I have to agree with the anons here, that sort of question probably means the company is bad in some way.","attachment":null,"posted":1715968945},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6008393,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008096
>+1
we can look for a hobby next time","attachment":null,"posted":1715979231},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6010211,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>6008096
>>6008160
>>6008393
You decide to check up on Sophia. She's been a little more withdrawn recently, and you can't remember the last time she went outside. Looks like she's been hyperfocusing on fixing bugs on her new game and as such has had very little time for anything else.
You find her in her room, typing something away on her computer, going from tab to tab reading some kind of design document. Her ability to multi-task is pretty impressive, and she doesn't stop working even as you start the conversation.
"Hi dad. Can you get me coffee? Forgot to get it. I also found a nice place to live in, still in Russia, but out of town, so you don't need to help me with that," she says in a rapid fire tone. It's like she's trying to relay information as fast as possible as if she was on a timer.
You ask her if she slept tonight.
"No, yes, sort of, I don't know? A few hours I think. It's fine, I'll just sleep longer tonight. Love you dad!" She says the last part like she was reading off a script. Reading her emotion, it's probably a shortened version of 'I know you care about me and I appreciate that, but I'm fine'. Of course, if she's actually fine is another matter entirely.
You bring her her coffee, and she sips it without taking her eyes away from the screen. You remember the days when she couldn't motivate herself to do anything, and you're not sure if what she's doing is much better. Sure, it's good to be productive, but you don't want her to go through a burnout. You ask her if she can leave the computer for a moment as you need to talk to her.
"Just let me finish something, I should be done in half an hour, I don't know."
You nod, and she comes back to you in the living room after the promised 30 minutes. "What did you want, dad? It's not for what I said to Aleks, right? I didn't think he'd take that thing about artists so seriously, I was just rambling."
You shake your head, you doubt your son's problem comes from a random conversation she had with her. You'll get to him later. No, you just wanted to spend more time with her, as she'll leave the house and you don't know how many opportunities you'll get to talk with her when she's gone.
"I'm not going to die, dad. I just want to live by myself, that's all. It feels a little constraining in a way I can't explain, you know?"
Yeah, you get it. Although your family life wasn't great, so maybe living alone was just a better alternative than living with people you hated. Etsy occasionally calls her parents, not very often, like once every 6 months, but that's infinitely more than you ever did yourself. You don't think they'd have anything nice to say anyway. You ask if she wants to take a walk, since she hasn't gone outside in a while. She clearly doesn’t like the idea, but still goes along with it.","attachment":null,"posted":1716144227},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6010212,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>6010211
You walk side by side quietly, stopping to sit at a bench in the park. Once you're settled, you ask her how she's feeling.
"That's a loaded question, dad. I don't know. I'm fine? I don't want to die or anything, but it still doesn't feel right. I thought that if I made a game people liked I'd be able to go 'ha! I made it!' and that'd be that but.."
She sighs, pulls out a piece of candy from her pocket and starts to chew. "I'm scared that I'm not good enough, but I don't even know what good enough is anymore. I used to do it to impress a guy I liked, or to feel like I fit into that family, but maybe that was just an excuse, maybe I'll always feel like this, unsatisfied. Now I feel like I just need to do something, anything all the time, because if I don't, I start to think, and thinking just makes me miserable."
You tell her that it's still not a great idea to drown herself in work, and staying cooped up inside at all times isn't good for her health.
"I knooow, dad. I'm not five! I can't say I feel like an adult though. Can't believe I'm 22, I already feel so old."
You tell her that if she's old then you're ancient and that can't be right.
"Dad, you're prehistoric. Can’t believe mom’s staying with an old man like you- ow- I’m joking, you still look good!”
After a few light taps on the head, you ask her if she still speaks to that guy she liked.
"Not really. It's hard to get over a guy when you talk to him all the time, right? I think he broke up with someone recently but I'm not going to go after him now, I'm not a vulture. Did you have some childhood crushes, dad?"
You say you technically knew Etsy as a child, but never actually spent enough time with your classmates to develop any feelings. You may have had a slight crush on Mia now that you think about it? It was more of a 'I'm not used to talk to girls' kind of deal, and since she already had a boyfriend at the time, you quickly accepted you had no chance and she just became a good friend. You hope she's doing well, and you hope the guy that cheated on her died in a ditch somewhere. You sill wouldn't count her as a 'childhood crush', since you only met her when you were about 17 and started working in that damn fast food restaurant. You still name Mia as your childhood crush anyway.
"Wow, dad lore. Feels like you did so much at my age, how did you even deal with it? My worries feel pretty weak by comparison."","attachment":null,"posted":1716144324},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6010214,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>6010212
You tell her you didn't have much time to think about it, you just did things and hoped they worked. You were also pretty insecure yourself, you're not sure how far you would've come without Etsy's support.
"Guess insecurity runs in the family, then. Or maybe that's just a human thing, I don't know. I... thanks, dad. I feel a little bit better, I guess? I'm not sure if I can solve how I feel, but just being able to talk about it without being judged, it helps, I think. I don't get to do that often."
You keep chatting about nothing and everything. You have to admit it's also nice to talk about your worries too, she feels less like a daughter and more like a friend right now. You wonder if that's a weird thought to have? Maybe that's how family is supposed to be, and you just never experienced it yourself. Despite yourself, a single tear rolls down your cheek.
"Dad? H-Hey, are you okay?"
You wipe it off. You're just proud of the woman she became, and proud of yourself for raising her as well as you could. Maybe you're a little sad to let her go, but you know it's the right thing to do.
You both come back home after an awkward hug. You weren't out for long, but it looks like even this little bit of fresh air helped Sophia. You'll remind yourself to drag her outside more often, maybe bring Ana along too.
Now, here comes the issue of Aleksander. His grades haven’t been doing great, and you can tell he hasn’t been super happy with himself recently. Just like Sophia, you find him very busy in his room. He’s old enough to have his own Etsy made laptop, but he almost never uses it, he always preferred pen and paper, not that you’re complaining.
He’s doing his homework, he’s always doing homework, and if it weren’t for the cameras in the house, you’d assume he just pulls up his homework when he hears you come in to appear busy.
That’s not the case though, he’s really trying, and that’s really the worrying part.
You sit next to him, glancing at what he needs to do, it’s some kind of history lesson. Even though his school is on the more practical side of things, there are things it still has to teach anyway.
It looks like he needs to write an essay about some king’s accomplishment, but his grammar and the structure of it isn’t great. You can see a lot of discarded papers that contains what you assume are failed drafts.
You ask him if he needs help, and he nods. You manage to fix most of the issues with it, and you’ve done enough research on Russia’s history that you can add a lot of relevant insight. Unfortunately, it does mean you end up doing most of his work for him, which he doesn’t look too happy about.
“Thanks dad.”
You ask him if he’s okay.
“Does it matter,” he answers. he doesn't phrase it as a question, but more as a statement.
You answer that it matters to you.","attachment":null,"posted":1716144455},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6010217,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>6010214
“Dad. I don’t like school, but I need to go to school,” you can see the pen he’s holding in his handshake a little. “I don’t like the homework I get, but I need to finish it. It doesn’t matter that I don’t like it, because I need to do it.”
You tell him that if it’s really that much trouble, you can always home school him.
He shakes his head. “No. I just need to last a little longer, it’s fine.”
He’s clearly not fine, he reminds you of Sophia when she was in Ana’s school. Even so, isn’t his school easier? He clearly works hard, you don’t get why he struggles so much with it.
You try to change the subject, and ask him if he’s been doing other things. He shakes his head.
“No, don’t have time. Because now, when the teacher asks me if I really tried my best for a test, I can only say yes if I spent all my free time studying. They can tell when I’m lying, and I can’t stand them being right.”
Even though Aleksander is generally a pretty quiet kid, you can feel the spite and anger he holds for them even from here.
There are a lot of complicated emotions going through him right now, and you’re not sure how to handle them. You doubt just doing all his homework will fix the root of the problem, and it’s not like you can help him cheat his tests when anyone can tell lies now.
>Homeschool him anyway.
>Schedule a psychatrist, maybe his brain functions just a little differently.
>Help him study yourself.
>Maybe the stress makes his performance worse, force him to go to an art club to unwind.
>Write in.","attachment":null,"posted":1716144524},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6010220,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010217
Hmm..i'm not sure. I feel like homeschooling him would work...but Lea told us that if he had an issue, he'd tell us.","attachment":null,"posted":1716144793},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6010292,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6008103
Nigger what. Who even asks that question.
Anyhow.
>>6010217
Oh shit, lil' Sasha's not in a great place...
I don't like the homeschooling idea, and >>6010220 is right about what Leah said.
I feel like we can OFFER him to book a psychiatrist's appointment, and if he declines, then OFFER to help him study. If that doesn't work, send Etsy or Sophia. Does that sound good? Kinda looks like a write-in","attachment":null,"posted":1716151264},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6010293,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010292
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1716151340},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6010298,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010292
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1716151624},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6010339,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010217
>>6010292
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1716155815},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6010404,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6010292
>+1","attachment":null,"posted":1716163159},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6013030,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"OP ?","attachment":null,"posted":1716376122},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6013065,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>6013030
Still alive, will update this afternoon, just going through a lot, job search is a bitch.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716378572663778.png","filename":"frog2.png"},"posted":1716378572},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6013074,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6013065
Hang in there OP
I hope the stuff in >>6008101 can help you","attachment":null,"posted":1716379027},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6013284,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6013065
alright, take care. cute pic btw, new character ?","attachment":null,"posted":1716397178},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6013368,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>6010293
>>6010298
>>6010404
You ask him if he wants you to book a psychiatrist, but he shakes his head, you then ask if he wants you to help him study instead. He hesitates, and just shrugs with a 'sure'.
You end up helping him with his studying for the year, which actually takes a big chunk of your time, as you have to continuously review your teaching methods and see what works and what doesn't on him. Aleksander doesn't have a great memory, that's his main issue, even though he can understand the principle behind some math problems or why history is the way it is, he's awful at remembering formulas and specific dates. You don't think forcing him to remember things by just repeating it over and over is going to work, it's like hammering a nail with a screwdriver.
Eventually, you settle on some form of visual learning. He's not good at remembering formulas, but when applied to something more practical like a painting or even a basic shape, he becomes a lot better at applying his knowledge. As for history, there isn't a lot you can do on that front except making him learn the names of famous painting depicting historical events, which at the very least tend to help him remember the names of famous figures.
Even so, it's not perfect, and despite your best effort, Aleksander doesn't pass. You expect him to cry, or to at the very least be bummed out, but he seems oddly relieved. Maybe he can tell you aren't disappointed in him, or maybe he's happy that the year will be easier now that he has to take it again.
You know how it feels to have so much pressure put on you, and you can't expect all your kids to sail through school, besides, he's talented in other ways, so you're sure he'll make it just fine, you just need to make sure he makes it past high school.
You also have to say goodbye to Sophia, and after a heartfelt hug from everyone, she leaves to live on her own. Of course, Etsy still spies on her, but you have to admit you were a little paranoid yourself. It's something to have your kid be away for school, it's another to have them live somewhere else. Hopefully your fears are unfounded.
You'll still check up on her in person occasionally, you don't want her to lock herself in her room to make games all day, that and Mikhail misses her a lot, and you feel like he'll keep bugging you if you don't bring her here sometimes, in that way, she's not really gone, just a little bit further away than usual.","attachment":null,"posted":1716404389},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6013369,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>6013368
Speaking of Mikhail, he's almost an adult now, and he's still with that one girl. You have to admit, you were expecting his relationship to end sooner considering childhood crush rarely last that long, but maybe these two truly have something special after all. After all, if their love survived being able to basically read each other's thoughts, there's not much else that can break them up.
You just hope Ana's taking it well.
---
15.41M
-
200K (Investments)
-
360K (Yearly costs)
=
15.25M
---
Sophia: 23 years old.
Mikhail: 17 years old.
Anastasia: 14 years old.
Aleksander: 12 years old.
Etsy & Weaver: 42 years old
---
(You can still visit Sophia if you want)
>Focus on one of your kids
>Find a personal hobby","attachment":null,"posted":1716404486},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6013371,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>6013284
I was kind of in an art burnout so I drew some of the mascots from the game super auto pets as an excuse to draw more full bodies. The designs are cute, but also simplified enough it still gives me some artistic freedom. Still you can tell I'm still struggling to draw full bodies but it is what it is.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716404761625604.png","filename":"Frog_Mascot_Victory.png"},"posted":1716404761},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6013374,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6013369
>Find a personal hobby
At last, the time has cole for us to do something of our own.
>Focus on one of your kids (Anastasia)
How are her experiments going?","attachment":null,"posted":1716404841},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6013382,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6013374
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1716405366},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6013455,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6013374
>+1","attachment":null,"posted":1716411904},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6013456,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6013371
I see, keep going OP.","attachment":null,"posted":1716411965},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6013509,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6013374
+1 though...
>Find a personal hobby
Get into gunpla? It's not like we're not autistic already","attachment":null,"posted":1716418060},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6014549,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>6013509
>>6013455
>>6013382
First and foremost, you decide to check on Ana, just because nothing bad has happened yet doesn't mean you shouldn't keep an eye on her.
You enter the laboratory, which is full of vials, microscopes and other machines you cannot pronounce the name of. Ana is currently looking intently at a few vials of different colors, not paying any mind to you.
You say hi, and she almost jumps in surprise. "FUCK! Don't do that dad! I could've broken something here! Damnit, where was I? Uhm..." She lifts one of the vial, and shakes it. "...argh, forgot to label that one, do I just throw it away? Could be important though, I'll just put it with the rest. What do you want, dad?"
You tell her you're here to check on how she's doing.
"Doing great, not socially, but I might be able to fix that. Not that I care if people don't like me, I'm happy being alone. Actually, while you're here, can I ask you a weird question? Was mom always like uh... you know," she puts her hand on her non-existent chest and puts her hands further apart.
You tell her that it's probably something she should ask her mom and not you.
"Pfrrt, yeah, 'hey mom, are your tits natural or did Sophia take all the good genes?' That conversation is too awkward even for me."
You're not sure how that makes asking you any less weird, but you still give her an answer, that answer being that her body hasn't changed much since the time you knew her. You can't say you've paid particular attention to her when you were still in school, but you think she was...more regular sized back then.
Even so, if they were artificial, your magic would've figured something was wrong pretty fast, so you're pretty sure it's natural.
"Maybe I'm just a late bloomer then, tch."
You ask her why she even cares. You're pretty sure she's not trying to interest some guy, and judging by her haircut, she's not one to care about her looks in general.
"...a friend made fun of it, and it's getting kind of annoying. Whatever, maybe my growth spurt has yet to come."
You do find it cute how she says 'a' friend as if she has more than one. You ask her what kind of experiments she's doing.
She sighs. "I dunno, kind of just testing things. The things in the sea, they're weird, like biologically speaking they make no sense. There's simply not enough nutrition to sustain something this big, it feels like they eat something I can't see. I've been messing with a few ideas in my head, and I came to a very interesting conclusion, and it's that whatever makes us able to see other people's emotion is fueled by the same thing that they eat."
Huh, is it? You were never quite sure if that new feeling thing was actually magic or something else entirely. Then again, if it was made by a god, maybe it's magic so advanced even your MPR can't quite figure out how it works. Then again, isn't everyone able to use this feeling thing? Even people who don't have magic at all? So it can't be fueled by magic, right?","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716498280608823.png","filename":"Anagaming.png"},"posted":1716498280},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6014550,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>6014549
"Now, the interesting part is that the eating is done so more passively, so just bits of skins can absorb...whatever this is, even if the host is dead. It's like the weird metal mom uses, but it's a lot more selective in how it absorbs it. Might be... just might be possible to change people permanently. It's a stretch, but if done right, I could make people capable of masking their emotions entirely, or more? I'm sure that would sell for a lot."
Huh, that would be huge, being able to mask something like this would sell for a lot, and there's no telling what the side effects of this new decree may be, so it might be worth looking into. Even so, in order for the experiments to be successful it would need to be tested on people, and you don't want your daughter to ingest something weird.
>Tell her she should maybe look into another experiment.
>Let her test on you, what's the worse that could happen?
>Maybe she should keep experimenting on rats for now.
>Write in.","attachment":null,"posted":1716498351},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6014583,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014550
Uh, well, I don't know how exactly to phrase it, but we should really just tell her that she shouldn't try human tests when she doesn't know what the side effects are. Especially not on herself.","attachment":null,"posted":1716500956},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6014588,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014583
Also, I should also point out that while masking their emotions might be fine, having some kind of drug that can fake emotions would be really, really risky and almost immediately used for nefarious means.","attachment":null,"posted":1716501737},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6014603,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014550
>Write in
Tell her approximately what >>6014583 said: no human experiments unless she knows the side effects, and that developing something to fake emotions is a surefire way to get us all into trouble.
And that if she's really hell-bent on human experiments, we can "figure something out for her" (i.e. talk to Etsy first and test on us if she doesn't freak out too much)","attachment":null,"posted":1716503083},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6014607,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014550
>Maybe she should keep experimenting on rats for now. Human experimentation is risky.","attachment":null,"posted":1716503588},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6014640,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014550
>Maybe she should keep experimenting on rats for now.
Tell her about magic too. She's about to find out about it through the power of SCIENCE anyway, so we ought to get ahead of oncoming drama, sit down with her and Etsy, and explain everything.","attachment":null,"posted":1716505113},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6014912,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6014640
>>6014603
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1716523210},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6016342,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>6014640
>>6014607
>>6014912
>>6014603
You tell her that experimenting on humans is probably a bad idea, as there's no telling what that could result in, and that she should stay satisfied with rats for now.
"Huh? Why not? If I just put a very small dosage inside someone, it shouldn't do anything bad. And people get tested on all the time! Why can't I do it!"
You explain to her that the people that are being tested on usually suffer a lot, and that what she's messing with is more than regular chemical, it's magic.
"Magic? What are you talking about, dad? Just because it's something that I can't explain doesn't mean it's just magic. Didn't take you for the superstitious type."
You decide that now may be a good time to explain to her the whole truth. It's hard to fit everything you've done thus far, and Ana doesn't actually seem that interested in your exploit, as much as she is interested in the way magic works. She asks you to show your magic multiple times, and even prods you with a devil's gamble rod to see what happens, it's pretty annoying.
"Well, I still wouldn't say it's magic, it's just something I don't get yet. Actually, if I could awaken, I would be able to see it too, right? Which means... the possibilities..." She mumbles to herself, but you straight up tell her she has no magic potential and can't awaken in the first place.
You're not really lying, but you do know it's possible for people to gain magic potential before they reach adulthood, a fact you omit as to not give her false hopes. Not that telling her the truth discouraged her in her endeavors, in fact, she's now experimenting harder than she ever did before. She is sticking to rats for now at least, not that it stops your worry, nothing really stops her from drugging a classmate she doesn't like, after all.
You suppose the best you can do is tell Etsy to spy on her extra hard, the last thing you want is a dead kid on your conscience.
To take your mind off of this, you decide to find a hobby for yourself.","attachment":null,"posted":1716643923},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6016347,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>6016342
Problem: you have no idea where to begin.
Solution: try a bunch of stuff and see what sticks.
You've played video games before, but not a lot of them caught your attention for very long. They're fun to play with Etsy and the kids, but solo games often make you feel like you could be doing something better with your time. Reading? You've done a lot of reading for your research, and you're not sure if you'd be able to enjoy books with how obsessed you are with reading between the lines. No, sports maybe? But what kind?
You place down a playing card as you try to organize your thoughts. You like to have something to do when you think, and solitaire is a good time waster. Actually...
You look at the card, for some reason it evokes a weird feeling, the same kind of feeling you have when trying to think of a new hobby. This feeling that it's something that you should enjoy, but don't for some reason. You didn't mind books before, you didn't mind games, so what happened? Are you just old?
Or was the person that liked those someone else entirely?
If someone asked you what you liked beyond your family, what would you answer?
A foreign memory answers for you.
---
Mary puts down a royal flush, again and you sigh as you push a few dozen chips towards her. This would've been multiple months worth of work in your old job, and even though money's no longer a problem, it still makes you squirm a little.
"Pa-chink!" She stacks the chips ever higher, and winks at you. "Gee, you know what happens when you run out, right? You're not doing it on purpose, are you?"
"The best kind of victory is the one you get against insurmountable odds," you answer as you put more chips on the table. "Did you erase a few cards?"
"Nope! Try again!"
Damnit. You're both cheating, of course, but her power is so much harder to figure out than yours. It's bullshit, the entire shtick of MPR is that it can figure out people's magic, sure, you specialized in mirror match and not in analysis, but even the base version should be good enough right?
Wait.
"Did you erase the odds?" You ask. It's such a far-fetched idea, but her magic is absurdly flexible to allow something like that.
"Bweh? I- Well, not exactly, but it's close enough. Alright, keeping my word." She slides your chips back to you, a fake frown on her face. "Anyway, did you hear about that a Z.E.U.S plant got claimed by someone? It's uh... lady of something."
"Lady of circuits?"
"Yeah! That one! Apparently she just turned against D.I.Y and stole a bunch of their stuff, and now she's just... I don't know, raiding other corps for parts? Who knows what she's cooking, but there's been a loooot of casualties."
"It's weird, her dossier says she isn't magic."
"Mhh, so she's just killing for no reason then. Hey, she's kinda hot too, isn't she?" She wiggles her eyebrows suggestively.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716644053694379.png","filename":"poker.png"},"posted":1716644053},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6016350,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>6016347
"I'm not doing that, don't assume everyone's got your fetish." You count your cards, if your guess is right, you should win this round.
"Psh, she's committing atrocities, it's more like correcting her? Reformative justice! Revenge? Call it whatever, I think it's morally okay to do." She nods to herself vigorously as she puts another fucking royal flush.
Mary has always been weird, she does enjoy being dominated, but only if she lost after trying her absolute best, the issue being that her absolute best is really hard to top, and she doesn't mind turning the table when she wins.
"We also killed a lot of people, I don't think we can take the moral high ground here. Besides, I sort of knew her when I was a kid, she didn't look like a bad person."
She frowns, a real frown this time. "...are you worried about her?"
You shrug. "I didn't know her that well, but sometimes I guess I wish I still reached out."
"You care about others too much, what about you? What's the point of power if you're not using it for yourself sometimes? Do you even do anything on your own?"
"Yeah? You just never asked. I really like-"
---
You puke all over the playing cards, you feel sick, it's as if something else was right where you were. You quickly clean up your mess before anyone can find out.
Sports. You didn't do sports before, not in this life and not in another. It's a safe hobby to pick, one that won't remind you of anything.
>Fishing.
>Soccer.
>Swimming.
>Archery.
>Write in.","attachment":null,"posted":1716644115},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6016353,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":"(I didn't proofread this one so I only noticed a few typos and mistakes later sorry)","attachment":null,"posted":1716644297},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6016354,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6016350
I kinda wanna pick fishing solely for the memes, but that might be a little bit boring.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716644337916507.png","filename":"file.png"},"posted":1716644337},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6016382,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6016350
>Archery
That fucking vision went from me smiling to me being sad. Mary is right that our Weaver still never really used his powers for himself, except to survive.","attachment":null,"posted":1716646900},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6016411,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6016382
Weaver hasn't lived for himself at all in the past 30 years. It's always just been for Etsy and our children. This is like the first time in the entire quest we do something because we want to and not because we wanted to protect etsy, bang etsy, or raise our children.","attachment":null,"posted":1716648313},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6016416,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6016411
Is fucking Etsy not for Weaver himself? Did he not put 4 kids in her for himself? Also yeah you're right. I only picked Archery because he can flex his magic with it and actually use the powers he's had for almost 20 years for his own fun","attachment":null,"posted":1716648603},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6016421,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6016416
Well sure, but it was still for *Etsy*. It wasn't just for him. He loved Etsy, so he banged her. That's still not living for himself.","attachment":null,"posted":1716648748},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6016462,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6016350
>Soccer.
I love how burgers call football soccer.","attachment":null,"posted":1716651343},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6016531,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>6016462
(I actually call it football in my country, but Weaver's American, so it felt more appropriate.)","attachment":null,"posted":1716656507},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6016539,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6016531
GB?","attachment":null,"posted":1716656710},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6016565,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>6016539
Worse, french.","attachment":null,"posted":1716658751},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6016574,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6016565
I have heard stories about France lately from a guy I knew from many years ago. I hope things go well for you over there, and suddenly your woes about employment are in a darker light than before...","attachment":null,"posted":1716659519},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6016719,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6016350
Should have known that was a Mary booby trap.
Damn it. I wanna know more, and top her hard ofc.
>Archery.
Or fishing for the memes.
>>6016565
Ton anglais est pas dégueu pour une grenouille.","attachment":null,"posted":1716667483},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6016783,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6016347
>"Mhh, so she's just killing for no reason then. Hey, she's kinda hot too, isn't she?" She wiggles her eyebrows suggestively.
3some anons really became a staple of the quest, kek
>>6016350
>Soccer.
I'm biased","attachment":null,"posted":1716671285},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6016786,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6016783
>3some anons really became a staple of the quest, kek
Yet always doomed to cursed timelines.","attachment":null,"posted":1716671387},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6016791,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6016421
Damn, our boy is still a fucking shell after 20 years of not being a loser fighting for his life. He deserves more than what he's got so far
>>6016719
>top her hard
Not with our current powerset and not in this timeline
>fishing
I'd be up for that winning too
>>6016783
>3some anons
That's ME you nigger! And then that other guy that also started talking about it before
>>6016786
Ain't that the truth, brother","attachment":null,"posted":1716671652},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6016863,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6016791
>Not with our current powerset and not in this timeline
I mean who knows, she might be weak here too
Maybe we can get you that 3some in a way that isn't just the QM poking fun at you. Given the kind of person Mary is, I'd be on board for that now.","attachment":null,"posted":1716676097},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6016866,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6016863
>I mean who knows, she might be weak here too
Naw, we've already been told by Leah that it isn't happening in this timeline.
Also, we're way too old for it to be actually hot, pretty sure Etsy is past menopause given she hasn't gotten pregnant since Aleksander.","attachment":null,"posted":1716676245},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6016870,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6016866
Fuckin' gay earth. Can't have shit here.
But fair. That only makes me want a NG+ version more. We'd go the Sawyer route, cure her (with dick), and rule the world, the two of us, while murdering or dicking down any who oppose us.
I'll see myself out.","attachment":null,"posted":1716676523},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6017160,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6016863
What >>6016866 said. I for one am content with what I got
>>6016870
Love you too, faggot","attachment":null,"posted":1716694173},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6017858,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>6016791
>>6016783
>>6016786
>>6016462
>>6016382
Soccer sounds fun. You have vague memories of kicking a ball in middle school. Not because you wanted to, but because it was a mandatory P.E class. You don't remember being particularly good at it, but in that case it's a good thing. You'd rather be bad at something than be too good and stand out.
You apply to a soccer club, and even though not a lot of people here are your age, no one seems to mind. It's a pretty amateurish club, and your coach is more busy typing on his phone than actually coaching you, but the atmosphere is still friendly and welcoming.
You're pretty good at soccer, although a lot of it is due to your enhanced reflexes and habit of reading people. You can easily tell when someone is about to dribble past you, or if they're going to kick it to someone else. You're not perfect though, one guy is clearly more experienced than everyone else, and he's managed to trick you more than once. Sure, you weren't actively using MPR, but it's honestly still impressive he can keep up with you at all.
You think you do have an edge physically as well, your arm isn't involved, but you think your artificial lung makes it take longer for you to run out of breath. You're not a huge fan of having an inherent advantage like this, but you're playing for fun anyway, and you make sure to never dominate the other players too hard so that they also have fun.
Yeah, this is fun. It's not blood pumping excitement, but there's something nice about doing something with no stakes at all for once. Even interacting with your kids feels like work sometimes, afraid of messing up, saying the wrong thing, showing a bad example.
You kick the ball, a clean shot that leads to a score, you get a pat on the back.
The day ends fast, and once again, you are left alone with your thoughts when you come back home. Etsy said she went out with Aleksander to get something, and Ana should be at school. The house feels pretty empty, but you don't mind it for once. You wander the hall, thinking about things, when you hear... a moan?
Gears turns in your head, the moan is weak, and it comes from upstairs. Shouldn't the house be empty? You walk up the stairs, the moaning gets louder, and it comes from-
Mikhail's room.
Oh. Right. Mikhail's parents aren't home, and neither was his sister or brother. You should've figured that out sooner in retrospect.
Good for him.","attachment":null,"posted":1716759259},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6017861,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>6017858
You silently step back, and wait long enough for them to be done with it, and then re-enter the house as you loudly announce your presence. Mikhail and his girlfriend step down the stairs and say hello. Their hair are still messy, but they try to act as if nothing happened.
"Heya mister! We were playing games!"
Mikhail freezes up, he's probably thinking that her lie is very obvious right now, but turns out she isn't lying at all. They were playing games, in a sense.
You ruffle her hair and tell her take care of him.
"Don't worry sir! If anyone hurts him, I'll kill them!"
"I can defend myself!" Mikhail pouts.
"Reaaaally now?" she pokes his ribs a few time, and he pokes back.
Those two really are still kids in the end, aren't they? But they're going to be adults soon, very soon. They'll live on their own, maybe get married, and even have kids of their own.
It's strange to think about, but you're happy with this. Your kids are turning alright and, even if they didn't, you feel like they'd find their way eventually, just like you found yours.
Yeah, you've turned out alright in the end.","attachment":null,"posted":1716759361},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6017862,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":"(We're already at page 10, and I have a few things to take care of irl, so I'm going to take a small break and archive this thread before I forget to)","attachment":null,"posted":1716759433},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6017871,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">our son got laid
Good one, lad.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716759972384514.png","filename":"ye.png"},"posted":1716759972},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6017962,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017861
Mik's got it going on. Proud of the lad.
Are we slowly drawing closer to an epilogue? What would be your intentions after that? Keep it going, make a new quest, or take a break?
BTW and of course if it ain't too personal, in what field are you looking for a job? Mostly curious ofc so don't feel pressured","attachment":null,"posted":1716766247},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6017963,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017858
hmm
>>6017861
I thought it's gonna be masturbation before you said them in the next post, kek. Good for them, hope our kid used a condom.
>>6017862
thanks, QM. take care. here's the archive for all to vote https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Curse%20Carrier","attachment":null,"posted":1716766298},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6017965,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017963
>hope our kid used a condom.
Fuck that shit, we need grandkids. We didn't need no condom with Etsy.","attachment":null,"posted":1716766492},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6017973,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6017963
>thanks, QM. take care. here's the archive for all to vote https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Curse%20Carrier","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1716767555986642.jpg","filename":"2n9q2z.jpg"},"posted":1716767555},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6018003,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>6017962
I said this was going to be the last one the last two times, so I'd rather make a promise, but I did say I'd end it when all kids would reach 18 or leave home.
I have a few ideas for a next quest, and I'll probably do another unrelated quest to unwind, hopefully a one shot, although I might take a break first. As for NG+, I have a few ideas on how to handle it, one interesting idea being to make weaver rewind all the way back to his middle school, which would give opportunities that weren't here before, but it would also make the magic part take longer to arrive which I'm not sure how to handle.
As for the job, right now it's mostly min wage shit, usually janitor work but really anything that will hire. min wage is good enough in France to live off of, but even unskilled labor can be a pain to get hired in if you don't have a driving license.
I do have a few other unrelated skills in coding and whatnot, but with no big project on my portfolio and no diploma, it's basically impossible to get hired, and I'm not confident enough in my skills to do most freelance work.
Really I just want enough money to survive without relying on my dad for everything at this point.","attachment":null,"posted":1716770944},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6018008,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6018003
>one interesting idea being to make weaver rewind all the way back to his middle school, which would give opportunities that weren't here before, but it would also make the magic part take longer to arrive which I'm not sure how to handle.
I'm gonna be honest, I don't really like the idea of 'rewinding'. It would be basically equivalent to Weaver erasing all his children and story. I don't know how NG+ should be done, and i'm not saying it should be just something like 'an timeline that Sawyer saw and erased but never actually happened', since that would also make the new game feel cheap and meanignless, but I feel like i just want this Weaver to have this ending.
*This* weaver, the one we've been, has lived a good life, and he should live it to the end, with Etsy and his children. Not erase it so he can go back to middleschool and bang a different girl. Maybe a different Weaver could do that. But not *this* one.","attachment":null,"posted":1716771435},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6018011,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6018008
story with Etsy*","attachment":null,"posted":1716771570},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6018013,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6018008
>Maybe a different Weaver
Yeah, I think that'd be for the best. It's clearly and definitively an AU. Maybe have an Omake where we get the Weaververse or something and everyone else is shocked at the sheer level of happy ending Weaver Prime (or Weaver 1, considering that Weaver Prime was erased or some shit).","attachment":null,"posted":1716771704},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6018015,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6018008
I agree with all this","attachment":null,"posted":1716771807},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6018017,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6018013
> It's clearly and definitively an AU
Well i don't mean AU in the in-universe sense. In-universe, an AU would be like if the entire quest was a timeline that Sawyer saw and then erased. That's not what I mean.
I just mean that i'd rather if a New Game+ was just it's own thing. Weaver of the Cursed Quest had a happy life, died with his wife, and then went off to however the hell Leah's version of "Heaven" will look like. Weaver of Cursed Quest 2, whatever he does, will be his own man, with his own fate. He won't fuck over Weaver 1, but neither will he be merely a false shadow. They're two different people who just happen to be in the exact same situation with people who look the exact same.","attachment":null,"posted":1716771913},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6018027,"name":"Curse Carrier DM","msg":">>6018017
Parallel timelines have already been established, so this is doable, and it's true that I dislike the idea of tearing weaver away from where he belongs too. I think he deserves his happy ending.","attachment":null,"posted":1716772452},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6018028,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6018003
>and I'm not confident enough in my skills to do most freelance work.
I mean, for coding stuff isn't it easier to find something manageable for freelance to give it a try ?","attachment":null,"posted":1716772516},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6018030,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6018027
>I think he deserves his happy ending.
And I also think that Weaver 2 deserves *his* happy ending if he manages to win it just like our boy has.","attachment":null,"posted":1716772587},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6018031,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6018017
What I'm saying is an AU in the sense most people say when referring to it in other settings, being a split or parallel timeline starting from a given point; in this case probably getting cursed.","attachment":null,"posted":1716773077},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6018408,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6018003
>Rewind
Yeah rewind doesn't really sound good. Kinda feels like we'd destroy what we spent that long building, and it wouldn't be fun. But I think the other anons said so.
>>6018003
>I do have a few other unrelated skills in coding and whatnot
Hmm. My company's hiring, and I don't think they're too picky on diplomae. With neither one, nor a portfolio, and depending on whether you're good or not, might be too tough though.
>>6018017
>He won't fuck over Weaver 1
That bitch Mary did erase our name across space & time. Not sure we wouldn't end up fucking up family-man-Weaver somewhere.
>>6018028
Freelance is absolute cancer without contacts.","attachment":null,"posted":1716808445},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6018425,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"What girl do you guys think we should go for in v2, anyway?","attachment":null,"posted":1716812101},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6018429,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6018425
Sawyer or bust.","attachment":null,"posted":1716813515},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6018433,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6018429
I guess she's nice, but I personally am a bit curious of how a romance route with Leah or Sarah would go.
I don't know why, but Sarah kinda reminds me of Miwa from JJK","attachment":null,"posted":1716813690},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6018532,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6018433
I could be convinced for Sarah or that bitch Mary, but Leah is ew.
Only spitting facts, don't smite me, G*d.","attachment":null,"posted":1716825675},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6018538,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6018532
>Leah is ew
From her art, she didn't really look fat as much as thick...no "belly flaps" so to say, just kinda large. I will admit she's not thee best looking, but I just feel curious of how her "route" would actually be.","attachment":null,"posted":1716825913},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6018548,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6018538
Yeah, I checked it, and no, she doesn't really look fat. No double chin or anything gross. She's just a bit wide.","attachment":null,"posted":1716826459},{"board":"qst","thread":5980900,"pid":6018813,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>6018538
I said "ew", not fat. She's just not the kind of person that tempts me, on a personality level rather than on a physical one.","attachment":null,"posted":1716840682}]}
+{"title":"Office","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5980057,"name":"woofhound","msg":"You are the most feared Warlord of the Seven peaks, the small woman infront of you informs you in a hushed tone. This seems true, judging from the leatherclad psychos braying what is ostensably your name - oh, and the flayed skulls.
This is strange, because 30 minutes ago you left work - an office job, boring - went into a normal doctors office for extremely minor surgery. Now you're the leader of the "ExecuKillers" according to the woman (who also informed you she's your concubine).
"So... Lord of Skulls..." You frown, and she smiles slightly. "Sorry, Nigel. Right. So..." she looks over her shoulder at the tent-flap, beyond which you can hear the drums of war and bellowing hores of warriros - your warrirors, now.
"This, uh, incident... well, bad timing. The Execukillers are about to go to war with the Bloodletters... and you need to rile them up. Quickly, too, because everyone's ready to leave."
[Continued below.]","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713393223115851.png","filename":"Screenshot_902.png"},"posted":1713393223},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5980061,"name":"woofhound","msg":">>5980057
She grabs your arm - thick and musclebound, slightly tanned. Not the flabby, weak arm you're used to - and drags you outside. A huge crowd is assembled, and as you're led onto a raised dias, the numbers start to sink in. There must be hundreds of cars - Frankenstein vehicles bristling with weapons - and thousands of men, all dressed in black leather and carrying weapons from spiked clubs to sniper rifles.
She steps infront of you, raises her arms and shouts.
"Glory to the lord of SKULLS! Glory! Glory!" - each man drops to his knees, chanting in your honour as she gestures you to step forward.
>[System Information]
Rolls are a D10, rolled by me IRL.
You have two skills - Office Worker and Warlord. These are self explanatory. As you lean in one direction, you will lose points in one and gain those lost points into the other. You can ignore this and try to forge a third path, if wanted - like a diplomat or something. Mechanical alterations will be made if and when relevant.
You start with 5 points in Office and 5 points in Warlord.
Not everything you do will require a roll.
Creative write-ins are encouraged, although I may provide pre-written paths for inspiration.
This is my second quest, please be forgiving if this sytem sucks.
>Anyway... :
You see the men looking up at you, waiting for your words of inspiration. Deep breath in, deep breath out. Just like the mindfulness exercises you were taught in the mandatory staff party.
You begin...
>[Office] - "So... team. We've got a goal, a deadline to reach... deadline, hah. No pun intended. Those Bloodletters. Just, yknow. Team spirit, and work together. We can do this, guys. ExecuKillers number one!"
>[Warlord.] "I... I won't mince words - instead, we will mince the enemy. Let none survive."
>[Write-in speech.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713393973},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5980066,"name":"woofhound","msg":">>5980057
Please disregard the spelling errors. I had this wiped out by captcha fail twice and was rushing to rewrite it.","attachment":null,"posted":1713394227},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5980072,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980061
>[Office] - "So... team. We've got a goal, a deadline to reach... deadline, hah. No pun intended. Those Bloodletters. Just, yknow. Team spirit, and work together. We can do this, guys. ExecuKillers number one!"","attachment":null,"posted":1713394534},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5980138,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980061
>Double Warlord: "Today we will inflict suffering that will be remembered for generations. The Bloodletters actions will not go unanswered. Let's live up to our name: Exukillers!"","attachment":null,"posted":1713398833},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5980272,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980061
>[Synergy] We are one team of the deadliest butchers to ever roam the wastelands... the Bloodletters will choke on dust & blood when we're done with our quarterly quarterings! ExecuKillers!!!","attachment":null,"posted":1713413922},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5980335,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980272
Beautiful use of cross discipline team building to build or corporate culture sir. Has my support.","attachment":null,"posted":1713419756},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5980389,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980272
+1","attachment":null,"posted":1713430965},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5980444,"name":"woofhound","msg":">>5980272
>>5980335
>>5980389
>>5980272
Your speech starts with a stutter, sending a ripple of confusion through the crowd. You clear your throat - the quarter's profits rest on this speech, you tell yourself. If you fuck this up, Mr Murphy will be at your desk in 30 sec- Okay, you're overdoing it.
"'We're the deadliest team on, uhm... the scene. Nobody can stand against us." It's a rough start, but a current of excitement ripples through the crowd. Your crowd. "Yeah! You guys make this compa- warband! Without your
blood reaving, skull taking, without you signing their severance notice... we're fucking nothing!"
A couple cheers ring out, but most still listen intently. A few are nodding.
"But... you know that. I'll cut the shit - you get out there and cut *them*. Make this our best quarter... by chopping them into quarters! Buy those fuckers out!"
They erupt into jubilation. Guns are fired into the air, banners are raised in your name. The footmen begin to form up, and final vehicle preperations are made.
All the energy goes out of you the moment the crowd's attention leaves you. Legs go limp - but you stay upright, barely. The concubine tugs on your hand.
"That was... confusing. But you got into it, huh? The men seemed to enjoy it, and that's the important bit.
Anyway..." She leads you back into the tent.
"...I hope your, uh, hate to share bad news.. but you're to lead the main charge. Or, rather, the Lord of Skulls usually would. You can stay back, but some of the men might accure you of cowardice.
Your call, boss. Your Murder-Rig awaits." She grins at you, and sits on a plush chair, waiting for your decision.
>[Actions:]
>Ask for more information. (About what?) [This action can be repeated a few times without advancing.]
>See the Murder-rig and prepare for the battle.
>Refuse to go. Fuck that.
>Explore the tent, meet your other slaves.
>Write-in.","attachment":null,"posted":1713446188},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5980446,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980444
>Meet with our slaves & find out their skillsets/uses, then inspect our kill-dozer & prepare for battle","attachment":null,"posted":1713446422},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5980789,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980446
I'll agree with this. We are in a strange situation and need to be aware of everything.","attachment":null,"posted":1713473091},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5980824,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980446
Support","attachment":null,"posted":1713476148},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5981489,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980446
+1, even if it looks dead already","attachment":null,"posted":1713549866},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5981647,"name":"woofhound","msg":">>5981489
I was asleep then at work. Letting your quest die is a moral failing.
>>5980446
>>5980789
>>5980824
You glance around, "I'd better... meet my staff, first. Before I figure out what's going on."
The concubine stands up, bowing low. You get the feeling it's a sarcastic bow.
"Cynthia. No honourary, no family name. Concubine to the Lord of Skulls for 2 years, and now apparently... your advisor." - you look ehr up and down again. The woman must be in her early 20s. She's waifish and uncannily pale, with sunken eyes. When she talks, you can see her teeth are stained red.
Cynthia rings a little bell next to your bed, and a little while later - three men (?) walk in.
The first is tall, and muscled, wearing a mechanic jumpsuit. Mostly unremarkable, execpt for the black-metal rectangle replacing half his face. Three blinking lights shine out from it, and the edges where it connects with the flesh are mangled, burnt and tumerous. Beneath the skin, you can make out pulsating cables. His remaining eye refuses to meet yours.
"Johann. Your Murder-rig's custodian."
The second's wiry, standing hunched with too-long arms, giving him an ape-like appearance. He wears tight leather suspenders, and a dirty shirt with a faded graphic of a tuxedo printed on it. He smiles, teeth filed into points.
"Your personal butler, Fetter." - you find him unsettling, but make an effort to nod to him anyway.
The last man is, somehow, the weirdest. Bald, the top of his head has a collection of metal studs sticking upwards. Electricity arks from stud-to-stud. Each arm ends in disproportionately-large clawed metal hands. His legs are a black plastic with metal accents, ending in hooves - the legs connect to his abdomen, meaning he has no waist or groin. His lower stomach is malformed and spotted with rivets and staples, connecting the mechanical to the flesh.
"Satan, your body-guard. He, uh, it... is a Eunich Android. I think they're made by the Wanga Mountain Meat-crafters. He's utterly loyal to you, and other than regualr bodyguard stuff - he also tests your food for poison. He can tear even our biggest lads to shreds with those claws, and I once saw him vomit a kinda poison all over a dude. Melted his face away. Gross shit."
"These three men are the three who, well, have the best chance to murder you. The rest of your staff are managed by these three, and tend to get replaced quickly. Weakling slaves, meathead warriors... There's also the rest of your, ah, harem.." She exhales through her teeth, body langauge changing. "I had them murdered while you were freaking out. It was a snakepit, and I didn't want any of the other bitch- girls, even... to try to give you bad advice." - you look over at her and she flinches, body tensing up. It seems she expects some sort of punishment. Fetter licks his lips.
>[Actions:]
>Inquire about your other staff further, talk to your three main guys.
>View the murder-rig.
>Lie down and have a cry. This is horrid.
>Write-in.","attachment":null,"posted":1713565999},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5981670,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"> murder-rig babyyyy
What kind of wheels we got","attachment":null,"posted":1713568443},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5981710,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981647
>View the murder-rig.
Eh, power-plays are inevitable with harems. I'm not sure if Nigel would be down to lay with somebody he just met, if he's an office-worker, he's probably a bit of a weenie.","attachment":null,"posted":1713573878},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5981779,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981647
>Inquire about your other staff further, talk to your three main guys.
We need to know about our forces. Vehicles. Weapons. Food. Fuel. People. Where the fuck is our logistics guy? These three are just personal assistants, and i wouldnt be suprised if they were part of the power play, except for android guy, maybe. Go back to our bureaucratic roots","attachment":null,"posted":1713579212},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5981994,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981779
I think we'll have to be the logistics guy.
>View the murder-rig.
After the cool truck","attachment":null,"posted":1713595476},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5982003,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981779
+1, then we need to get on with leading our sales campaign-pillaging","attachment":null,"posted":1713596644},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5982245,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981779
Support
Well, sounds like a restructuring was needed in any case, now to restock the harem with more pliable women.","attachment":null,"posted":1713627493},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5982485,"name":"woofhound","msg":">>5981779
>>5982003
>>5982245
"RIght. Nice to... see you all again, I guess. Where's the logistics guy?"
Cynthia chuckles, Fetter grins wider and speaks. His voice is gutteral and strange. "My liege truly has changed, new memory, new man.... Very weird, very weird." He licks his sharp teeth, drawing blood. "The Lord of Skulls... you... saw no need for logistics... a, ah, formal system, at least. The worms outside pick what they need, and..." He looks over at Satan, who is staring blankly. "...myself and your Android, and the men he commands... would go out and demand tribute. So it goes."
You sigh. "So... it's every man for themselves?"
Fetter grins even wider. "Quite. Although they, your worms, tend to form into little groups. Clans and family groups, to help eachother. The weakest focus on gathering loot, pass on most of it to the stronger... And then the stronger take what they need... and the rest is taken by the stronger... But most are clever enough to save the best for, ah... you, my Lord."
So... no formal logistics. Strength rules. Absolutely brilliant, truly.
>>5981670
>>5981710
>>5981994
"Okay, cool. Right, uhm... Mister Johann?"
The mechanic perks up, saluting. "My lord!" He says. "Glory to your rei-" you wave a dismissive hand at him.
"Just... don't do that, okay? Can you show me the car? I mean, the rig? Murder rig?"
"Yes, my lord. Lead the..." He pauses, frowning. "If you would follow me, m'lord."
The rig is parked at the back of the Palace-Tent, in something of an improvised garage. The room is made up of tarps and corregated metal, and dimunative slaves scatter as you stride in. It is an alien vehicle to you, having driven a Smartcar for the past few years. It's... a tank? No, an APC? You think?
You walk around it, taking it in. It's a huge armoured truck, about 3 meters tall and 8 meters long. Three wheels sit on each side, with one at the front and two larger wheels close together at the rear, causing it to sit strangely with the vehicles nose pointed floorwards. Where you assume some sort of turret would've been on the base model - now sits a second vehicle... Some sort of Muscle car, welded straight onto the top. The car's roof is stripped away and a throne rises from the back. Various minor and major armaments are attached pretty much at random.
"The killblade is removed for repair, m'lord." Johann tells you, gesturing across the room to a modified bulldozer's bucket, festooned with spikes and barbed wire.
"It'll be readded immediately. We were repairing it and making your desired alterations."
You nod, and decide to enter your Murder-rig. A series of foot-holds lead up to the throne, and once sat down a feeling of power washes over you. This isn't as rough as you thought... but there are problems to deal with.
[Cont.]","attachment":null,"posted":1713644411},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5982525,"name":"woofhound","msg":">>5982485
Sat in your throne, you tally up all the problems.
You don't actually know who you can trust - Satan and Cynthia seem the best, but Cynthia openly confessed to slaughtering who-knows-how-many people just so she could "advise" you alone... and Satan's not said a single word, but is reportedly loyal to you.
The logistics situation is, obviously, another problem. You've seen compaies in roughly analgous positions and they tend to collapse, sometimes even going down for fraud when it becomes clear someone was taking from somewhere they shouldn't.
But that's a long term problem. Right now, you're expected to go into a battle pretty much blind. You don't know anything about these Bloodletters. Their numbers, their abilities, their resources. Everyone else seems confident, but you're still without almost all information.
So... what's the next step?
>[Actions:]
>Go into battle as expected, murder and kill.
>Go into battle but lead from the back.
>Avoid fighting.
>Write-in","attachment":null,"posted":1713646829},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5982625,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982525
>Tell your henchmen that you want a full accounting of every slave, warrior, & weapon in your warband to be prepared by the time you return; head into battle","attachment":null,"posted":1713654897},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5982655,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982625
I'll agree with this","attachment":null,"posted":1713658414},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5982682,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982625
I like this but there's no real way to do a census or inventory when a bunch of bodies and metal are about to vanish in the coming fight. Whatever numbers we get may also be inflated by those who seek to present themselves as stronger than the rest.
The idea of inventory taking is good but we should do it after the battle. We need our henchmen with us to help command or to ensure we make it out if things go bad.","attachment":null,"posted":1713661559},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5983056,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981647
>Letting your quest die is a moral failing.
Where the hell you think we are?
>>5982682
This guy has the point, the other two anons are missing the fucking point and also meta-fagging
>>5982525
>Go into battle as expected, murder and kill.","attachment":null,"posted":1713705927},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5983130,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982525
>>Go into battle as expected, murder and kill.
>>5982682
>>5983056
Agreed, we take inventory after the battle.","attachment":null,"posted":1713716331},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5983233,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983130
>>5983056
>>5982682
A census is impractical at this time. It's vital, though, but best left for further down the road.
"Cynthia."
She looks up at your throne, "Yes?"
"Bring me my weapons. Whatever's... the most spectacular. So others can see I'm in the battle."
She nods, then looks to Fetter. The two stare at one another, before the butler leaves.
"They're being brought, m'lord. So, you ARE fighting?"
"I don't see much choice. Tell me what's expected of me. How battles go down. That sorta thing."
"Satan and your Killboys can do all the actual work - driving, manning the guns. You just need to sit there and shoot at stuff, yell, try to avoid stray shots..."
You nod. "What did the Lord of Skulls do?"
"Similar. Sat there and made a show. Generally tried to get into a scrap with the other warlord, if he could. But once we're fightin', there's not much coordination. E'rryone shoots at whoever they want, even friends. Though most 'all have banners to minimize the chance of that by accident."
Fetter reenters, carrying an old military-style crate. Or, rather, old now. The sleekness of it and flashing lights make it look like a sci-fi prop.
"Master's phaseon cannon."
The crate opens with a hiss, and a strange gun sits inside. The grip and stock are, well, typical. Look like any old gun from 'War Duty X' - but the main body is covered in metal tubing, honeycomb-pattern wires, and flashing lights. The barrel is a thin tube with concentric circles decreasing in size down it's length. It looks like a Ray-Gun from a shitty B-movie.
Taking it from it's box, the gun's lighter than you thought, and comfortable to wield. You pull the trigger, aiming down at the sand, and it vaporizes a sphere about a half-meter in radius. Gone. The sand at the edges is glowing white. Holy shit.
Cynthia laughs, and Fetter grins wide.
"...If Master would like a slave to try it on... just to reaffirm master's great skill before the battle..."
It was just getting fun, but reality hits you. You are going into *battle* to KILL. To kill humans! To vaporize them! You've never killed before! You're an office worker! How are you...
"Master, you appear pale." Fetter tells you, snapping you out of it.
"Strange indeed, my liege, my master. To balk at bloodshed. Unlike you, truly. If I may be so bald, I daresay you'd not want to behead an upstart slave?" He bows deep.
"Excuse me, of course. How could I say that our liege would be so cowardly. Master loves such violence. It must be an error, truly. A mistake on the part of Fetter, indeed. Forgive me." - a subtle, sly smile sits on his face. The first time he hasn't been grinning wide. A glance at Cynthia reveals concern.
"So, my lord. The slave...?"
>[Actions:]
>Get it over with - shoot one of the mechanic slaves.
>Prove Fetter wrong. Behead the misbehaving slave.
>He's baiting you. Hurt him.
>You don't have the time or the desire to kill someone here. Get ready to go out.
>You can't KILL- Return to your chambers","attachment":null,"posted":1713726766},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5983270,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983233
>Have Fetter and the slave whipped for insubordination
>Go into battle
We aren't weak, but we won't be killing people for no reason.","attachment":null,"posted":1713727862},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5983327,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983270
+1, but have Fetter whip himself & the slave, at the same time","attachment":null,"posted":1713730398},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5983684,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983233
>>5983270
He should be whipped for the implications of cowardice, + 1 to this.","attachment":null,"posted":1713741970},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5984170,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5983270
>>5983233
Better idea, whip em both raw and make slave person the logistics guy. They're always hauling stuff so we'll make em keep count of the shit they haul!
Also we need to work out who's going to be the head of our new HR department to handle some on these unruly workers and get ready to hire new talent. I'd consider Cynthia since she already fired our harem but I think she's a better secretary, I like that venom. Reminds me of someone...","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713796229584458.jpg","filename":"latest-141474149.jpg"},"posted":1713796229},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5984404,"name":"woofhound","msg":"No update today. Thread's not dead.
Big update tomorrow.
c+c welcome at this juncture.","attachment":null,"posted":1713829485},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5986725,"name":"woofhound","msg":">>5983684
Something changes in you as you look down at the apeish man. You feel colder, more distant. A passenger in your own body. A voice that's not quite yours speaks.
"Fetter. You will whip the slave until he is punished, but still able to do his duty. You will then whip yourself the same number of times. Do not bait me again."
He bows, smiling wider. Strange man.
"Of course, my lord. Forgive me for my... insolence." - he leaves the garage-area without another word.
[Stat Update: Warlord: +7. Office: +3.]
Now, to battle. Satan awaits with a crew of enormous, muscled men - you didn't see them enter.
"My lord." - the Android speaks. His voice is tinny, like an old phone connection, and he is trying to maintain a monotone, but it sounds difficult. Strained. - "This is your battle crew. May we board, and fight for your glory?"
You nod, and the crew lurch into motion, practising a well-rehersed dance of minute adjustments and preperation. Satan drives, testing the clutch and listening to the roar of the engine as he cycles through gears. A bald man on your left pushes his augmetic hand into a port, bringing a gun-array to life. An overwight man with dreadlocks is forward-right of you, checking the internals of an enormous speargun. Behind you, a darkskinned warrior does much the same - adjusting weapons.
They continue the process as the Kill-Rig rolls forward slowly, leaving the garage-tent behind. It picks up a little speed, but maintains about 20mph going towards the head of the massed forces - a spectacular sight. Two columns of vehicles, hundreds in number, sit ready. Between them, formed-up ranks of warriors mill about, jostling with one-another as they try to board improvised troop carriers or taking up firing positions on vehicles.
The Kill-Rig pulls infront of them, and a horn finds it's way to your hand.
BwaaaaAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! - engines and men roar, and your force strikes out into the desert....","attachment":null,"posted":1714075649},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5986738,"name":"woofhound","msg":">>5986725
You're clinging onto the arms of your throne, rarely feeling safe enough to actually try to participate on the fight. The sound is deafening - gunshots, steel-smashing-on-steel, tearing and crashing and collisions. The screams of men maimed. Your kill-rig rolls over a spiked motorbike, sending the pilot flying under another car. Satan whips the wheel to the right, revving the engine almost to the point of failure - the whole 'rig launches into a drift, side-swiping an enemy car and sending them flying into a mass of infantry. Accelerating forward out of the drift, you're brought face-to-face with a triple-raised truck, the front festooned with skulls! Speeding towards you, the co-pilot opens fire. A chunk of your throne's blasted off, one of your gunners takes a bullet! The hostile driver steers towards you, a direct collision course.
Mere seconds before the impact! You...
>Leap left, letting your 'rig crash and burn.
>Charge forward and leap, trying to board them... but you'll still crash.
>Start shootin'.
>Write-in.","attachment":null,"posted":1714076700},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5986739,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980066
write it in a text document, or use google docs or writebox, then copy paste
This was a lifesaver for my quests after so many fucking captcha wipes","attachment":null,"posted":1714076727},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5986750,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986738
>Charge forward and leap, trying to board them... but you'll still crash.
cant show any cowardice in the middle of battle now","attachment":null,"posted":1714077519},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5986852,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986738
>Charge forward and leap, trying to board them... but you'll still crash.
Let the anger and hatred for our former boss fuel this battle!","attachment":null,"posted":1714087529},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5987024,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986738
>>Charge forward and leap, trying to board them... but you'll still crash.","attachment":null,"posted":1714109221},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5987156,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986738
We have a fucking phaseon cannon, blow them the fuck up (to minimize resource expenditure, lending itself to increased profits)","attachment":null,"posted":1714136547},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5987349,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987156
>>5986852
Shit you're right! Changing to blast the bitches away.","attachment":null,"posted":1714160591},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5987508,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986738
>>Start shootin'.","attachment":null,"posted":1714178311},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5990049,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Still not dead. Started a new job. Update tomorrow, please forgive the slowness.","attachment":null,"posted":1714401066},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5990081,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990049
In an office or as a warlord?","attachment":null,"posted":1714408327},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5990091,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990081
A slave, obviously.","attachment":null,"posted":1714408715},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5993306,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5990049
>still not dead
>update tomorrow
>that was 4 days ago
Just give up, fag","attachment":null,"posted":1714762881},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":5996541,"name":"woofhound","msg":">>5993306
I gave up. I feel so bad :(
I started a new job so I have sorta an excuse, but I'm still disappointed in myself.","attachment":null,"posted":1715040600},{"board":"qst","thread":5980057,"pid":6019590,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Try again when you have developed some writing discipline. Just write a bit every day.","attachment":null,"posted":1716913278}]}
+{"title":"Ramel Evo","posts":[{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5980223,"name":"Ramelnon","msg":"A narrative evo game. Pick a creature, make a single iterative change to it that helps it to adapt to its environment.
Your creations may antagonize other player's creatures, defend themselves, adapt to an environment, or meet change through periodic "evolution table" events.
1. Always save your picture as a .png, and never use a soft edged painting tool. This allows other players to easily edit your creation should they wish, and lets less experienced people without developed artistic skill join in.
2. Any player can edit any creature. If two players edit the same creature that creates a split in the evolutionary line, which is great for biodiversity.
3. If a shitpost emerges, instead of complaining, try to herd it full circle back to plausibility. It's fun.
--------
The Cast:
The titular Ramel, a sort of warm blooded repto-insect with a blade on it's face and tail. An omnivore with a preference for delecious ragas berries or the occasional bord. Stupid, territorial, and asocial. A patrician choice for a sensible player.
The noble Ragas. A semi mobile plant that reproduces via berries. A mild acidic secretion allows it to break down soil for maximum extraction of nutrition, as well as any tough carrion, or incapacitated organisms it comes across.
The VILE Bord. Clearly a fucking bird with the audacity to be named bord. The Bord are more intelligent than the Ramel and will steal berries, or as a pack, attempt to take down the Ramel. Only a sick fuck would evolve this creature.
The Setting:
Borgas Alter 1: A near idyllic planet, with only three organisms.
Endless rolling hills and flatlands with a balmy, if humid environment are all that exist at this time. The closest it comes to rain is the morning and evening fogs, with no seasons. There are other, lesser, organisms, but pay them no heed.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713410343142470.png","filename":"r-evo.png"},"posted":1713410343},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5980231,"name":"Ramelnon","msg":">>5980223
Genesis: roll a 1d5 to drive your next evolution
----
Borgas Alter 1 was at it has always been. Placid. Calm. Predictable. This changed the day an errant series of explosions ripped through the atmosphere, and a strange mist fell to the ground.
----
1: Speedy- Get leaner with slightly longer limbs.
2: Tough- Get a better defense
3: Tusk- grow tusks, horns or spikes.
4: Brainy- Get a little smarter
5: Nasty- Become poisonous","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713411084627892.png","filename":"Borgas IV Waste Recycling and Fraud.png"},"posted":1713411084},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5980378,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 3 (1d5)
>>5980231
quick question, OP
do rolls and edits count as separate evos, or do I roll first and then have to draw the outcome?","attachment":null,"posted":1713429466},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5980380,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 2 (1d5)
>>5980231
>The noble Ragas","attachment":null,"posted":1713429491},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5980504,"name":"Ramelnon","msg":">>5980378
Mighty 3VNSttI0, your question is as wise as you are powerful. You can either draw a picture and roll, then draw another picture for your next evo, to incorporate that change.
or
Just roll and draw a picture.
The choice is yours, and I welcome it all.","attachment":null,"posted":1713453595},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5980568,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d5)
>>5980231
What will by my Bord gain...","attachment":null,"posted":1713459739},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5980576,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980223
The Bord has grown longer legs to better outrun the pathetic Ramel using it's new long beak to pierce through the tough hide and more easily pluck berries from the ground.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713460218737786.png","filename":"Long Bord.png"},"posted":1713460218},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5980597,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 4 (1d5)
>>5980231
One of the toxic waste disposal canisters hit a ramel straight in the head. It survived, if a little... dented.
This dented Ramel actually proved to be a success with the lady Ramels, as the density and width of its head plate made it resistant to the blades of its rivals, while still permitting a "shield bash" maneuver.
Its weakness is that its SMASHED and SLAMMED nature makes it difficult for it to breathe.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713461774816743.png","filename":"1713410343142470.png"},"posted":1713461774},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5980605,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980597
It seems the impact had also caused a mutation that drastically increased the Ramel's intelligence. They are born with a very high IQ, however this high IQ very quickly drops as they keep engaging in duels and using the spongy brain tissue as a shock absorber.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713462161504371.png","filename":"1713410343142470.png"},"posted":1713462161},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5980607,"name":"Ramelnon","msg":"Rolled 2 (1d5)
>>5980231
any the GM thought to himself "Why shouldn't I?" and so he played his own game. It was very masturbatory.
---
Some Ragas fields began to have fruit with spikey berries. Nothing too terrible, but it did give pause for the ramels who would choose to eat the less pokey fruits first. The bords just poked open the tougher skin of the berry all the same and feasted....like bastard bitches.
---
Overhead a container exploded onto the field.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713462465937355.png","filename":"lil'poky.png"},"posted":1713462465},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5980624,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980607
The spikes become hooked. This doesn't stop Bords from pecking apart the larger berries... But this does mean the smaller ones sometimes get stuck in their feathers, being carried and spread around by the loathsome flightless bipeds.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713462954773594.png","filename":"1713462465937355.png"},"posted":1713462954},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5980629,"name":"Ramelnon","msg":">>5980607
The hydraluic motion the plant used to slowly move around was now driving a new motion. Flailing when disturbed. The Flailberry Ragas will swing it's berries around like little clubs, and the most ripe berries will simply splatter on impact to proliferate seeds.
Most animals prefer the more nutrient dense immature berries.
-----------
>>5980378
>>5980380
We await you, for your seat at the table sits empty.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713463362206115.png","filename":"lil'slappy.png"},"posted":1713463362},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5980651,"name":"Ramelnon","msg":">>5980576
Some of the Long Bord became, well, longer. A Flexible spine and neck allowed the Bord to viciously puncture through the Ramel and Ragas with little problem. Mate length became important to this subspecies as, size did indeed matter.
Sometimes during mating duels, the defeated bord would be exsanguinated by the victor.
----------
For my players, these evolutions are exactly the pace of the game. Light, easy, snippets of story as you desire. Maybe a little cause and effect, its up to you how much effort to invest.
I made this Evo to fit my own life, where I can just do a quick edit between moments at work or home, because we don't always have the time we used to. I figure now there are enough examples for people to figure it out though.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713464221001981.png","filename":"longerlad.png"},"posted":1713464221},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5980657,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980504
many thanks
>>5980378
some of the utterly disgusting Bord in their reprehensible desire to dominate, grow a dysfunctional second beak at the top of their heads, with which they can stab the brave heroic Ramels trying to rid this world of these abominations.
Thus is born the Horny Bord, which would have been called "Horned" had it lived in a better world where Bords didn't exist","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713464681884924.png","filename":"Horn_Bord.png"},"posted":1713464681},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5980658,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980651
The hated redguard, Blad the Impaler, whose numerous crimes have tinted his coat crimson. His name is a sort of ironic joke, because instead of impaling things like other Bords do he just bludgeons them to death. Little jokes like these add a little spice to the brutal farce that is life.
Defeating him will yield one(1) Plot Point.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713464700979126.png","filename":"1713464221001981.png"},"posted":1713464700},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5980662,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980658
Amazed by Blad's violence, a flock of Horny Bords join his cause, painting their horns red with the blood of their enemies and allies alike.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713464872775545.png","filename":"Red_Horny.png"},"posted":1713464872},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5980668,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980662
Mohawk Bords have multiple beaks all over their head. By stabbing them into enemies they can color them red, and by eating sugary foods they can color them orange. These bords color their beaks as a fashion statement, and no two bords have the same color scheme. This is because when two bords with the same sequence of horn colors meet, they are bound by fate to duel to the death.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713465244071896.png","filename":"1713464872775545.png"},"posted":1713465244},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5980673,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980657
Horny Bords that somehow had the sense to not join Blad have grown slightly bigger from their more peaceful (but still violent) lifestyle, granting them enough intelligence to not immediately try and kill all life on sight.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713465551691647.png","filename":"Horn_Bord_2.png"},"posted":1713465551},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5980677,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 3 (1d5)
>>5980231
Rolling for the base Ramel(and rerolling if I get brainy again)","attachment":null,"posted":1713465702},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5980679,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980662
Blad's most loyal, and powerful followers have absorbed so much blood into their horns that nutrients have actually seeped into them making them both grow and permanently reddening them.
the enormous horns of Pike Bords enable Blad to [i] actually [/i] impale stuff","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713465828312909.png","filename":"Red_Horny_2.png"},"posted":1713465828},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5980687,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980677
It was too big to be called a Ramel. Massive, thick, heavy, and far too rough. Indeed, it was a heap of raw horn. Although nominally a blade, the Heavy Ramel's horn is more correctly classified as a portable, readily applicable tombstone.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713466337470323.png","filename":"0343094i9.png"},"posted":1713466337},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5980695,"name":"Ramelnon","msg":"Rolled 5 (1d5)
>>5980223
In response to the explosive population growth of the hated Bord, some Ramel became even more aggressive and territorial. Those with the most weaponized horns would go on to breed, and those that could not fed off the Bladdites, bladdies if you will, simply perished, going on to become simple chopping tools for the fiendish creatures.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713466947771658.png","filename":"notgurion.png"},"posted":1713466947},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5980700,"name":"Ramelnon","msg":">>5980695
The Poison Ramel is a based retard who sprays toxic mucous at it's enemies. A mild irritant at this point, in time it may grow to become ever more deadly.
Though one would hope the Poison Ramel would use it's newfound powers for good, it is just as content to spray other ramels in the face as it is a lowly bord. What a prick.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713467301631428.png","filename":"loogey.png"},"posted":1713467301},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5980707,"name":"Ramelnon","msg":">>5980687
The Heavy Ramel gains thick, powerful hindquarters, and an ass that will not quit. This allows it to propel it's considerable bulk for short sprints and violent charges.
It is also now hungrier, a hungry, hungry, ramel...","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713467573801846.png","filename":"bigchonk.png"},"posted":1713467573},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5980796,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 3 (1d5)
alright, ragas time
let's see what the roll gods give me","attachment":null,"posted":1713473825},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5980801,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980605
In a freak accident a Flat Ramel is born with it's faceplate and is unable to engage in duels causing it intelligence to remain high. With it's greater intelligence it found success breeding through trickery and cuckolding of the less intelligent Flat Ramel. Through breeding they have lost many of it's defensive measures and instead relies upon hiding to avoid predation.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713473960662709.png","filename":"Lumpy.png"},"posted":1713473960},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5980804,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980796
some Ragas just develop thorns, for funsies, or because of radioactive waste, same thing really
these Thorned Ragas aren't as mobile as the normal ones, but because they're unpleasant to eat, they get to live longer and spread more berries.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713474144953018.png","filename":"Raggy.png"},"posted":1713474144},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5980808,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980658
>>5980679
The result of Blad the Impaler mating with his Pike Bord underlings to create a new subspecies. Perpetually caked in blood these new Gorebords are hyper aggressive to all not of their bloodline predating on Ramels and Bords alike. This most vile of creature has grown more corpulent due to its constant gluttony but did not carry over the interesting tool use of it's father.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713474806083795.png","filename":"Gorebord.png"},"posted":1713474806},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5980857,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980801
Lumpy Ramels develop longer, stronger legs, becoming the taller and faster Glumpy Ramels who are better at running away from predation if their hiding efforts seem to have failed.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713478557017924.png","filename":"Glumpy Ramel.png"},"posted":1713478557},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5980874,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980576
Despairing at the vileness among their fellow Bords and disgusted by the wickedness of Blad, the remaining Long Bords vow to reform and pick up sticks to defend themselves and protect other hapless creatures, becoming the noble(er) Bordladdins.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713479628212550.png","filename":"Bordladdin.png"},"posted":1713479628},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5981103,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980576
>>5980874
Sharing the sentiments of his fellow Bordladdin, Bord-Aladin would become a spiritual leader and renowned scholar in his quest to secure a virtuous future for the Longbord race. Through his studies, Bord-Aladin advanced Bordladdin craftsmanship, developing new methods of shaping wood and metal into tools and arms. As he discovered properties in raw materials and substances, he realized that a standardized language would be needed to spread word of his findings. Thus, he united the common elements of the balkanized Bord dialects under a new language called Bordanese. Simultaneously, he codified his spiritual and natural observations into a set of guidelines for Longbords and his Bordladdin brothers to live by. Bord-Aladin defined laws for Bordkind to develop organized society and morality around, proper ways of dress, what shall and shall not be eaten, and how to respect and worship what he referred to as the "Allbeak," the creator of existence and embodiment of good. His ideology would come to be known as Islong.
As Blad, Pikebords, and the Gorebord offspring spread destructiong and despair across the lands, he came to view Blad as an agent of the "Unbeak," archenemy of the Allbeak and embodiment of evil. Upon this conclusion, he rallied the Bordladdins and led a jihad, calling for the death of Blad, his followers, and his unholy offspring. However, Allbeak was merciful, so all Horny Bords and who were opposed to Blad would be embraced, and Gorebord young who were not yet guilty were made to repent for their race's evil and undergo thorough reeducation. Bordladdins would refer to this holy mission as the Great Jihad.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713501805772593.png","filename":"BordAladin.png"},"posted":1713501805},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5981117,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980651
>>5981103
>all Horny Bords and who were opposed to Blad would be embraced
Longerbords were treated similarly.","attachment":null,"posted":1713502374},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5981142,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 2 (1d5)
","attachment":null,"posted":1713504684},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5981144,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980801
>>5981142
The Hardback Ramel gets a tougher less flexible backside. While the weight makes it slower it also offer defense against the more aggressive Bord species","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713505140375948.png","filename":"1713473960662709.png"},"posted":1713505140},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5981152,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980231
After a time the great meteor* shower ended, and for an evening all was calm. Then once more, it began anew, this time with increased vigor.
-----
Roll 3d5. The first roll determines what you get, the second two determine the intensity of the first and second trait within the roll.
1- Your environment was generously enhanced with solid waste fertilizer. Heaps of it. Loads. Just huge steaming dumps all over.
-Develop some form of digging
-Your creature smells bad.
2- Bulk medical waste has been spilled across the landscape, and with it exciting new synthetic hormones and stimulants.
- Grow stronger
- Die faster
3- semi functional e-waste lays embedded in the ground, flickering and offering light and noise in the night, at least until the radioactive batteries go inert
- Develop enhanced night vision
- Suffer from lethargy during the day and albinism
4- Powdered metallics and silica released high into the atmosphere, blotting out the sun for a bit, its fine. a little cold, but fine. The rain will eventually wash it away.
-Grow some form of fur, denser feathering, hibernation, burrowing, or other method to combat the cold
-Suffer from tumors
5- A swarm of neural modifying nano machines (son), have been released. A little too defective for their original users the life forms of this planet find them to be fine, even with that weird side effect.
-Just be a better version of yourself
-Hunger for the flesh of your own kind.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713506013993116.png","filename":"solidwastedisposal.png"},"posted":1713506013},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5981252,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 5, 3, 3 = 11 (3d5)
>>5980673
the peaceful Horny Bords, subsisting now mostly on berries and the occassional Ramel meat, grow ever so slightly taller than before, now having a stable and nutritious diet.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713515031544991.png","filename":"Horn_Bord_3.png"},"posted":1713515031},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5981262,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981252
>>5981152
empowered by the foreign machines, Horny Bords grow larger brains, becoming more intelligent, their evil emotions easier to control, but also far more intense than before.
The disgusting, reprehensible, abominable, disgusting Horny Bord now not only desires the flesh of its kin literally, but also carnally.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713515539052874.png","filename":"Horn_Bord_4.png"},"posted":1713515539},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5981281,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980804
Instead of growing several berries the Extra Thorny Ragas grows one single large berry leaving more room for protective thorns on it's vines","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713518248556140.png","filename":"1713474144953018.png"},"posted":1713518248},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5981299,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981281
something tries to eat the berry, is instead killed by the plant, and then it uses it's bones as armor","attachment":null,"posted":1713522197},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5981300,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 2, 5, 2 = 9 (3d5)
>>5981152","attachment":null,"posted":1713522363},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5981302,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981152
>>5980874
>>5981300
>Grows far stronger then Bordladdins.
>Only dies a little faster, dies doing what it loves.
>Beats down Blad and the Gorebords without breaking a sweat.
>Doesn't even care.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713524424597461.png","filename":"Bordchaddin.png"},"posted":1713524424},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5981416,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1, 1, 3 = 5 (3d5)
>>5981152","attachment":null,"posted":1713543175},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5981427,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980857
Stuck in massive amounts of waste the Glumpy Ramel has developed a modified digging claw to tunnel amongst the waste. With the horrific stench warding off many predators the Stunky Ramel has evolved a sac at the tip of it's tail that emulates the stench.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713543900203389.png","filename":"stunky.png"},"posted":1713543900},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5981429,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 4, 4, 2 = 10 (3d5)
>>5981152","attachment":null,"posted":1713544078},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5981439,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980629
Due to the decreased temperature many creatures have retreated into caverns with the flailberry ragas following them. To avoid most creatures the ragas has burrowed into the ceiling of the caves using it's now singular tumorous flail to bash any creatures who enter it's domain. It will then crawl down the walls to collect the corpse to consume before returning to it's nest in the ceiling.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713545026525636.png","filename":"drop.png"},"posted":1713545026},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5981454,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980857
>>5981302
Because the Glumpy Ramels lack spikes of any form, the Bordchaddins have started mounting these majestic beasts as steeds. To bond with a steed, a Bordchaddin will suplex it directly on its soft head, giving it devastating brain damage and making it largely docile, if prone to sudden and violent rage.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713547698192497.png","filename":"1713524424597461.png"},"posted":1713547698},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5981497,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980874
カモネギ !","attachment":null,"posted":1713550659},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5981530,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981439
This Ragas has devised a new, more effective bashing strategy that does not endanger its seeds; it picks up a rock from the ground, crawls onto the ceiling, then waits until an animal passes under it. It then drops the rock directly onto the animal's skull, killing it instantly","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713553182130859.png","filename":"1713545026525636.png"},"posted":1713553182},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5981926,"name":"Ramelnon","msg":">>5980808
>>5981144
>>5981299
HOT NEW FEATURES
You may link and evo multiple creatures in a single turn, either as separate events, or a tangled narrative.
---
>>5980808
The Gorebord is successful in what it does, unperturbed, bothered, in it's lane, and gorging. It has grown more corpulent to be sure, and can often be seen utilizing springs of dried plant or even bone to assist in it's journey towards the next meal.
>>5981144
Hardback Ramels have grown a shear like maw and a rocky texture to their hide. These Ramels will use their tongue to bait dumber or juvenile bords towards their mouth where the shearing action of their jaws takes care of the rest. 80% of the time, it works every time.
>>5981262
Horney bords nanomachines (son), continue to proliferate in their bodies, enhancing their horn into something more deadly.
>>5981299
This needed a picture and is too fucking dope to pass up. The bones are held in place with secretions. irresistible secretions. forbidden secretions. mostly sap though.
>>5981427
This fucker right here grows a large pheromone laced tail that just sinks to high hell. Fucking bad. real bad. The head is also crested to protect from rivals goring them with those nasty little claws.
---
AN EVENT, for those that dare to read this far....
!!!Hybrid speciation!!!
Pick two organisms from the same starting lineage, and attempt to cross breed them. Roll a 1d5 to determine the success and then draw.
1. A deformed and hideous horror made of the worst traits of both parents, kill it with fire, likely to be a parasite if it is to survive it's wretched existence.
2. Sickly, a bit thin even, maybe sort of short, but otherwise serviceable. Neurotic, paranoid. Skittish. Prone to fleeing or hiding.
3. Average at best, maybe a little disappointing. It lacks vicious instincts and may be somewhat kindly, however it does feature both parents features equally.
4. An improvement, it boats the key features of both parents, but elevated, a natural predator, it is driven by instinct and a profound need for violence against it's ancestors.
5. The Ur-Organism, the Giga Chad. A perfect synthesis of the best traits and then some of the two constituent organisms. Smarter, Stronger, Faster.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713588936240346.png","filename":"theseguys.png"},"posted":1713588936},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5981940,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 4 (1d5)
>>5981926","attachment":null,"posted":1713590284},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5981942,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 3 (1d5)
>>5981926","attachment":null,"posted":1713590369},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5981947,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981942
>>5981926
>>5980707
While the Heavy Stonecutter Ramel features traits from both it's parent species, it's diet isn't able to fully support it's blade armor and tail. As a result it has lost the blade like tip on it's tail, it's armor is missing pieces and the blade has become slightly jagged. Luckily it maintains the hunting methods of both it's predecessors allowing it to feed both on juvenile Bords while preservering energy by using it's tongue as well go after bigger more dangerous Bord species","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713590811688840.png","filename":"1713466337470323.png"},"posted":1713590811},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5981958,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981940
>>5981926
When a Horny Bord first took carnal knowledge of a Gorebord the most horrid creature ever known was created. The Horny Gorebord is a truly vile creature that exists only to consume others and enjoy the carnal pleasures of life. In pursuit of greater kills has lead to them forming primitive tribal groups where they adorn themselves with the stinky secretions of the gorefruit.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713592317930830.png","filename":"Horny Gorebord.png"},"posted":1713592317},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5982000,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d5)
>>5981926","attachment":null,"posted":1713596246},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5982005,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980874
Woborddins are those Bordladdin's that emerged victorious in combat against their hated kin, the Gorebords. Replacing their stick with a horn, the bords could be found dueling and endlessly battling, as if under a malign influence from the gorebord horn. dark things indeed.
In the end they would find themselves falling to profound need for slaughter and rallying around Blad>>5980658
or
They overcame their desires, and found solace in the teachings of Bord-Aladin.
---
Within this word, there are emerging prototribes.
-Bladdite Unbeakers
-Allbeakists
->>598145
and the Chad outriders","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713596777708226.png","filename":"i studied the blade.png"},"posted":1713596777},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5982006,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 4 (1d5)
>>5981926
>>5980597
+
>>5980700","attachment":null,"posted":1713596860},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5982007,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982000
>>5981926
>>5980808
>>5981958
The questionable compatability of Horny Bord and Gorebord did however not only produce good results. Some specimens ended up with deformed beaks and horns, their feathers unable to properly absorb blood, leaving it to oxidize and leave a hard brown crust all over them. Their legs are short like their horny bord parents, and their bellies fat like gorebords.
Though they inherited the great violence of their gorebord parents, they use it exclusively to satiate the carnal desires of their horny bord parents ancestry.
These evil, disgusting, reprehensible, vile, abominable, foul, horrid, repulsive, atrocious, nasty, dreadful creatures are known to us only as Ugly Bordstards","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713597169929518.png","filename":"Horn_Bord_5.png"},"posted":1713597169},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5982011,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982006
The Scramel. What it lacked in any form of intelligence or ability to breath without gagging and wheezing, it more than made up for in pure aggression, stamina, and...well, it was pretty stupid and angry, but it also had quite the tail blade, hammer head, and ability to spray a vile toxin.
Scramels would compete against Heavy Stonecutters for prime grazing territory, and against the smarter bords, who were eyeballing it for parts.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713597667118979.png","filename":"trips.png"},"posted":1713597667},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5982297,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981926
Walking on claw tips isn't very fun, or stable, so the Stunky Ramels have found some solutions to this problem. The Stinky Runmel simply stops using its forelimbs for locomotion, now using them exclusively for digging. All its weight is concentrated on its two back legs, which have gotten stronger and larger to compensate. The Runmel's gait is balanced by its enlarged tail, the armored tip of which hides its soft and vulnerable scent gland when not in use.
The Buff Stinkmel, on the other hand, adopts a "knuckle-dragging" posture, its armored "hands" now taking the brunt of the walking off its claws. To increase its digging capacity, the Stinkmel's muscles have monstrously grown, as did its pungency. Even one of these creatures is enough to make the surrounding area smell of sweaty jockstraps and protein powder for MILES.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713631927156678.png","filename":"1713588936240346.png"},"posted":1713631927},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5985137,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982011
The Scramel's tail slightly elevates on its body so it can take wider and stronger swings with it.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713897068442015.png","filename":"still_a_scrammel.png"},"posted":1713897068},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5985207,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980857
Some Glumpy Ramel just get taller. It is unknown if this is because it is harder for Bordchaddins to ride these taller specimens, or if Ramel are being bred taller by Bordchaddins because Bordchaddins to prefer to ride the more difficult tall Ramels just to show off their Swag.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713902122236350.png","filename":"Glumpy Ramel.png"},"posted":1713902122},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5985263,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"I have nothing to add, but I am enjoying the view. Thank you for your efforts.","attachment":null,"posted":1713908979},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5985446,"name":"Ramelnon","msg":">>5985263
The sky above Borgas Alter 1 (henceforth A1) was oddly hazy today, streaks of what were nominally contrails crisscrossed the sky while the creatures noticed the water tasted funnier, and that the air itself was full of some sort of buzz just below an audible level. It was all quite disturbing. More disturbing were the earthquakes, shifts in weather, and changing temperatures.
Well players, shit is only going to get weirder from here on out. It is encouraged to create species that will be useful to you in the future. What you define as useful is entirely subjective. Surely this game will not end in a series of violent genocides between player tribes. surely.
--------------------
General
1- Omnivore
2- Geophagia
3-Evolve to forage Ragas
4-Evolve to hunt Ramels (specifiy a prey organism)
5-Evolve to hunt Bords
Ramel
1- Spiked + armored Carapace + Tusks
2- Amphibious + digging
3- Fur + warmblood
4- Extendable tongue + enhanced vision +
5- Prehensile tail + primitive communication + pack behavior
Ragas
1- Become Tree + gigantic
2- Become fungal
3- Become parasitic
4- Become Mobile
5- Become Sapient
Bord
1- Flight + enhanced vision
2- Swimming + electromagnetic sense
3- Running + nocturnal
4- Tool making + Fire
5- Family social dynamic + primitive language","attachment":null,"posted":1713924075},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5985504,"name":"Ramelnon","msg":">>5985446
Roll a 2d5 for your organism. 1st table applies to all, second table applies to the organism you choose.
You may post multiple organisms in one image.
--------
"Sweet fucking mother of egg!"
-Hugo Package Bord Sr.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713927115892496.png","filename":"spankbord.png"},"posted":1713927115},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5985652,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 3, 5, 4, 5, 4, 5, 1, 3, 1, 5, 4, 3 = 43 (12d5)
>>5981926
>>5981958
>>5982007
>>5982297
Rolling for (in order)
Gorebord
Hornybord
Hornygorebord
Fat Bordstard
Gore fruit
Stinky Runmel","attachment":null,"posted":1713936161},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5985701,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985652
Having run out of prey to hunt in some of their habitats, some Gorebord populations have instead turned to vegetarianism, growing longer arms to more easily pick ragas. This peaceful life has made them more social, to the point that they form small family units that stick together for life, becoming Vegegorians.
To facilitate better communication with one another, Vegegorians have developed little holes on their beaks, covered by skinflaps, to create a variety of whistling noises. These peaceful creatures have little need for weapons violence, returning their once blood crusted feathers back to their original color.
Hornybords are becoming increasingly more intelligent, and in the process, more violent. Having begun hunting Ramels exclusively, by forming packs and ramming their huge horns into them, these malicious carnivores have developed a horn-covered forehead to protect their bigger brains during charges, as well as a fashionable air-sac with which they can communicate longer and louder to coordinate their attacks
Horny Gorebords as well have taken to the hunting of Ramels, but they have little need for nerd shit like "tactics" and "talking" they instead use their newly acquired pack-instincts to turn hunts into competitions of strength.
No longer fighting among one another, the survivors the hunts become buffer and buffer until they are so buff that they can communicate with their fellow hunters solely by the flexing of their muscles.
Because of their impressive physique, these creatures are simply known as Gorelords.
Constantly struggling to survive, the Ugly Bordstard has taken to simply eat whatever it can get its hands on, fighting lesser creatures for their kills, powering through the pain of ragas defense mechanisms, and using its misshapen beak as a weapon to substitute for its dysfunctional horn, resulting in a strong all-purpose beak.
Driven into the night by stronger creatures, the Ugly Bordstard's naturally brown coloring has made them nearly invisible in the dark, and being constantly on the run has given them short, but powerful legs.
(cut)","attachment":null,"posted":1713942829},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5985703,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985701
(cont)
Because of their great success in killing its own predators, Gorefruits have grown larger and managed to save up enough nutrients to develop a large nutrient-bulb underneath, which distributes both stored nutrients as well as nerve signals through the plant's body, effectively making it a miniature brain.
In large numbers, they can interlock and become more than the sum of their parts, developing so much intelligence they become not just self-aware, but fully sapient, earning these plants the name Brainfruit.
Using their enormous intellect, Brainfruit can and will try to kill everything that isn't a fellow Brainfruit, so that they may grow and become even smarter.
To stabilize their bipedal running even further, Stinky Runmels have grown long tails with which they can remain upright without falling over. Their stinkgland has moved at the end of this tail, which has become bright red like a ragas berry so they can sit down and lure stupid Ramels in, so that when they try to eat these "berries" a powerful stinkblast instantly kills them and the Runmel can feed on them.
This bizarre lifestyle has caused them to grow fur to better blend with the environment, but also become warmblooded to survive the winters more easily.
Being as stinky as they are and now also having fur, Stinky Runmels are now Stinky Ratmels","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1713942919046376.png","filename":"Bigevo.png"},"posted":1713942919},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5985760,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985446
OP, could you compose a lineage tree / mark some of the early versions as extinct (as in there are no more left because all of them evolved to something else), please?
>>5985504
very cool image","attachment":null,"posted":1713954725},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5986879,"name":"Ramelnon","msg":"Rolled 1, 3, 2, 3, 3, 4, 3, 3, 4, 1, 3, 2, 1, 1, 5, 2 = 41 (16d5)
>>5985760
Anon, at first I was going to be a better QM. Then I realized I am pretty much a shit QM, and I said "everything is still alive to evo, but fucking up the latest renditions of things is usually most fun, however some people might like the classics."
Also that chart....man...I am tired. T i r e d. Not too tired to run this quest, but too tired to do things that feel like my regular job.
>>5982007
>>5985137
>>5985207
>>5981947
>>5982005
>>5980668
>>5980658
>>5980624
My contribution to this event.","attachment":null,"posted":1714090732},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5987227,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5986879
as If a greater intelligence in a far away basement laboratory of some forsaken space station observed the planet, the creatures evolved towards future uses.
----
The Rockwool Ramel was an offshoot the glumpy ramel. It's asbestos like fur prevented Bordchaddins from mounting it due to the VICIOUS jock itch caused by such hair. This growth was in turn fueled by the ramel's propensity to eat dirt and rock.
The Scrammel. Another dirt eater, also hairy, but unlike it's cousin most of it's mineral content is deposited on it's hide and bones, so much so that over time the Scrammels will rust. It does not perturb them one bit as they graze the land. (and spray blinding acids into the faces of their harassers)
The Shedding Ramel looks ferocious, but its actually a pretty good dude. It sheds it's exoskeleton over time, always growing more. A long tongue allows it to snatch ragas berries away from the host plant without dealing with their usual bullshit of poison, spores, spikes, or other misery. Even with spikes, a powerful and bony maw makes short work of the countermeasures. fuck ragas plants. all my homies hate ragas plants.
Sporefruit Ragas fill their fruits with deadly spores and when disturbed emit a lethal cloud of choking and parasitic spores. Bords that survive the interaction are infested and if weakened, will succumb to the spores. Their bodies mark the ground where a new ragas field will soon grow...
The Ugly Bordstard has adapted to night stalking, it will mate with the unwary then quickly flee before they rouse.
The RamelBord is aptly named as it hunts ramels. It's large and flexible wings allow it to confuse the simpler beasts before it delivers the killing blow with it's modified beak.
The pockbord dwells primarily in shallow lakes and along freshwater beaches. It's body is covered in electrosensitive pockmarks which it uses to hunt smaller organisms.
Blord. A cruel evolution of the Blad. It can fly. Blords will often patrol their territory killing anything they can, like some sort of avian hornet.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714147775770244.png","filename":"to do.png"},"posted":1714147775},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5987244,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"yeah, i know whats it like to be a lazy OP
anyways, here is the bord tree
i may or may not make the other species, but dont count on it","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714151796423738.png","filename":"bord.png"},"posted":1714151796},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5987273,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987244
no offense but there's some mistakes in that tree that I just had to fix","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714153602428085.png","filename":"bordtreefixed.png"},"posted":1714153602},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5987282,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987244
>no offense
im actually glad you did","attachment":null,"posted":1714154223},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5987284,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987282
damn
>>> >>5987273","attachment":null,"posted":1714154284},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5987372,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985703
The Brainfruit has developed an advanced network of nutrients and hormones. The network uses its advanced intelligence to observe how individual Brainfruit perform at their given task, and then diverts nutrients from worst Brainfruit to best, essentially culling the unfit and boosting the already strong. Through this process of artificial selection, the rate at which this plant is evolving has been greatly increased, as was the purposefulness of the evolution.
Sometimes they include other breeds of Ragas in the network. While these can't contribute to the colony's intelligence, they often have other useful traits such as toxic spores.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714161916246699.png","filename":"1713942919046376.png"},"posted":1714161916},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5987382,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987227
Darkblad was one of Blad's many descendants. Initially overlooked as a flightless cripple because of his missing wings, Darkblad quickly proved himself as a coldblooded killer when he massacred an entire pack of Gorelords at age 1. At some point, he has acquired the cursed longsword of legend, Demonbordt, which pierces the heart of anyone it strikes. Allegedly, this sword had fallen from the skies themselves. Ever since then, Darkblad has become obsessed with "Reunion" and "the will of the world", and he will stop at nothing to achieve them...","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714162632905152.png","filename":"Sephiblord.png"},"posted":1714162632},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5987383,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 4 (1d5)
>>5980223
Rollin for Ragas","attachment":null,"posted":1714162696},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5987386,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Bloud Strife
he's a big fan of Darkblad","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714163118613816.png","filename":"bloud strife.png"},"posted":1714163118},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5987398,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987383
Was smart. Got one-year plan. Started looting corpses and exchanging gold for diamonds, the latter being DENSLY PACKED in nutritious carbon. Some say it found its jewish roots.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714164105305815.png","filename":"1691057831072623.png"},"posted":1714164105},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5987526,"name":"Ramelnon","msg":">>5987398
>>5987386
>>5987382
>>5987372
I eagerly await developments. The world is changing. Times are changing. Can you feel it? In the air tonight?
It feels like the stirrings of greatness, the call to a new stage. a new map needs to be made for this shitheap. We need to evolve the world.","attachment":null,"posted":1714179677},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5987724,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981926
The Gorefruit's vine limbs become longer, more dexterous and more covered allowing it to easier kill anything that tries to eat it and becoming the Killerfruit","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714194673673013.png","filename":"1713588936240346.png"},"posted":1714194673},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5987725,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5987724
more covered in spikes","attachment":null,"posted":1714194739},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5987743,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5980223
The Poisonous Ragas has stared its acids in its berries making them less tasty and more likely to hurt anyone trying to eat them.
>>5981530
Having had a lot of succes with dropping rocks the Blade Berry Ragas has grown a stronger and longer flail and now drops the blade of a Heavy Ramel. Unfortunately while this is more deadly it is also easier to spot to its succes rate when hunting dropped","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714196033139862.png","filename":"1713410343142470.png"},"posted":1714196033},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5990845,"name":"Anonymous","msg":"Rolled 1 (1d5)
>>5980231","attachment":null,"posted":1714501296},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5990849,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5985207
Eventually, some of them become so tall, they can be categorized as a new species: the Glumpier Ramel.","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714501851245920.png","filename":"1713902122236350.png"},"posted":1714501851},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5991365,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5982007
a genetic fluke has granted it more intelligence enough to see that the world is ugly its UNEVEN","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714556010902301.png","filename":"ramela Uneven.png"},"posted":1714556010},{"board":"qst","thread":5980223,"pid":5991458,"name":"Anonymous","msg":">>5981926
>>5990849
The longneck Ramel grows a longer neck to easier reach Ragas and water without having to bend over.
For both camouflage and to appear better protected than it is the complete body of the Stonebody Ramel takes on the coloration as its rockyhide like armor","attachment":{"attachment_url":"https://i.4cdn.org/qst/1714565744821623.png","filename":"1713588936240346.png"},"posted":1714565744}]}