Ember Nightshade 2010/11/03(Wed)21:13 No. 252027 ID: a7a85a
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>>251401 Hey, I never thought of it that way...! Potential...yeah...!

Okay, I'll try. We have a good share of freedom, but we want to serve. It's why we were created, and doing so feels right. It's up to the mage on how we're used. That said, we do have our own personalities and minds. It's not unheard of for a Familiar to refuse orders.

Once summoned we're attuned to a Summoning Stone. After that it's just a matter of summoning us again. We can and do 'unsummon' at will. Usually after a task is performed. Hanging around after is awkward though because it takes the same amount of mana to banish us back to our world as it does to summon us. It's an unspoken courtesy to 'excuse yourself' at the right time, and costs no mana for us. Hallow's Way is naturally mana emitting so we can also replenish ourselves here for the next summons.

This only changes if a pact is made. We're permanently bonded to the mage. That turns us into more or less a party member and servant of the mage, continually feeding off their mana at a rate that's a minimal cost to them and a maximum output to us. Very beneficial to both concerned.

>>251405

That's very kind of you to say so! Still, we're summoned before we're seen. This doesn't cause any problems, so no one ever developed a way to see us first. Maybe someday.

Aaaah, everyone's getting summoned. ;-;

Not us, though, we'll stick by you through and through.

Honestly, though, you need to start over. A new start means a new outfit! I don't want to be icky or anything, but, you know, less is more. :3

Anyway, how does one train down here?

wait... if EVERYONE is getting summoned, then what if they run out and you get summoned cause stronger ones aren't around?

>>252034

As George Takei would say, Oh My. And here I thought that no one else would see the subtext.

But seriously, let's start with the basics. Now that we've got the setting of things, let's start on gaining you some power, however minuscule. Gotta start somewhere right? Right, so how one gain power here?

Ember Nightshade 2010/11/03(Wed)21:35 No. 252043 ID: a7a85a
File 128884532259.png - (294.07KB , 530x604 , grim_twig.png )

[Ember created a Grim Twig! HP 1/1]

>>252043
Uhhh.

Okay?

>>252027
Well, if everyone else is getting summoned, then you're the only one left here to... do whatever it is that more powerful people around here would normally be doing and thereby stop you from doing. To gain power, or enjoy yourself, or whatever. Best seize the opportunity while you can, I suppose.

>>252043
Even your grim twig is adorable.

...I suppose you could use it to bite someone's finger off, or another similarly sized appendage. That would be fairly grim.

But overall, not incredibly useful.


>>252026
In terms of battle, fright, and mischief, I would point out that a lot of being frightening is about style and attitude. If you work on switching away from... adorably spunky... to something quietly menacing, you could probably learn to at least act the part even if you don't have the actual magic to support it yet. Might be worth spending some effort on, anyway.

hrmmm, what about instead of going from 0 to tree you make the twig into a branch?

>>252050

Ember Nightshade 2010/11/03(Wed)23:06 No. 252069 ID: a7a85a
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>>252034 I'm already wearing a skin tight nether suit and a pretty tight top. Besides, there's another pocket realm for that kind of Familiar.

To gain power you have to defeat other familiars in genuine combat. Friendly sparring results in refined skill, but we operate on power down here. That's why I can only make twigs. You can increase your power by performing your skills alone, like I just did with the twig, but it's a mind and body bending, exhausting effort to get anywhere that way. I think it's because we're supposed to be learning how to fight genuinely. These progress barriers were put in place to make combat a natural flow of life here. That's not to say we're constantly beating one another into pulp. We have a pretty big society of non-combatants. But most of them have given up on getting summoned. I haven't.

Unfortunately there's very few combative Hallow Familiars who weaker than me. I've beaten very few in my existence, and I never felt very good about it. I'm not a bully, even if it is the name of the game. I've never beat a Hallow Familiar stronger than me. It's embaressing to say the least.

Those few victories I do have are how I made Lil' Jack and am able to make Grim Twigs. Jack was originally a squashling.

Oh, and I should tell you, Maurice isn't something I made. It's extremely rare, but I can bond with a lesser Familiar. I found him at this very pond, sunk under the water. I pulled him out, and he's been watching my back ever since. Sadly he has No Abilities I Can Discern!

Maurice: ...

Ember: Heehee. Sorry.
>>252039

Sorry, I should have told you Hallow's Way is well populated. Summon mages do summon a number of different Familiars, generally speaking, usually one at a time of course unless they have multiple pacts or mana to burn. Still, Hallow's Way alone would run out of strong and medium Familiars long before it ever got to novice Familiars, and loooong after that comes weak Familiars like me.

>>252049

Things remain more the same in their absence than you'd think. And I would still have to find someone weaker than me to fight, or beat someone slightly stronger.

He is kinda cute. Um, I think his mouth is too small to bit a finger. Besides which his jaw strength isn't too powerful. He can't even eat Maurice.

Oh! Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh!!! I have a scary look! That takes no battle wins to work on! It's all me! Watch this!!! OoooOOoooOOOooOoooooooo! OOOOOOoooOOooooo!!!

Maurice: Which one of you asked her to do her scary face? It makes me sad.

>>252050

Ember: My fault, I neglected to mention the tree I've been trying to make would be quite small, but a tree none the less. I could try for a branch if you want me to. I'm not sure how it would be better, but you're the Guide.

oh? well then, pump it with more power and make it grow roots and a top, maybe do it on soil so it has something to grab.

>>252069
I think the idea is to see if it's easier for you to upgrade a twig to branch, branch to tree, tree to whatever, than to just dry summon a tree.

Y'know, see if you can get anywhere that way. We're just figuring out everything we have to work with with you.

>>252069
Hm. Let's find someone to beat into a pulp, then!

Put it this way, Ember, what do you value more? Them, or your summoning?

How risky is fighting anyways? The victor gains power, but does the loser become weaker? If not then there is no real cost to trying to fight someone else, except the whole feeling like a jerk thing.

If that is the case... surely there must be some others who haven't gained any power but still want to. Make it a good spirited challenge! Not mere friendly sparring like you mentioned, but really try to knock the other person into next week. Maybe we can organize some kind of a beginners competition if we find enough people willing to try.

Ember Nightshade 2010/11/04(Thu)00:30 No. 252087 ID: a7a85a
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>>252076
>>252077

Ember: These ideas make sense. Yeah, let's try it!
>>252079
I just can't bring myself to do that.

>>252082

The loser doesn't become weaker, but you are at their mercy once you're-

Forsythe: "I. Found. A pumpkin. Seed. Oh I. Wonder. Do you? Float? Do You? Float? In the water. Do you? In the. Water. Float? DO?! YOU?! DO?! YOU?! FLOAT?!"

Ember: "F-f-forsythe!" He's much stronger than me!

[Boss Encounter!]

>>252087
Oh he certainly does like pleasant. Summon a grim trig, in his eye.

Do you have any real offensive powers? Or weapons? A sturdy belt? ...A handy stick or rock? Hmm maybe if we can manage to disarm him we can give him a whack with his own wrench.

Ember Nightshade 2010/11/04(Thu)01:46 No. 252101 ID: a7a85a
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>>252088

Ember: I can't create anything inside another Familiar!I don't have anything that would work as a weapon against him either.

I send Grim Twig with my best hopes!

*SCRUNCH*


...!

>>252101
Quickly! Do you float?!?

how fast can you make those twigs? if less then a second then make them rapidfire, just keep shooting them. if it takes a few seconds then flee.

>>252101
Hmm, quite a bastard. Anything you can use as a weapon nearby? This guy seems like a bully, which is not to say that he's a coward who won't fight if there's a chance that he can lose. But there is a chance that he's mainly used to very onesided fights, you could get a nice surprise hit in.

Oh, and aim for joints. If you can get his knee to bend backwards then you gain quite an advantage. Broken arms are also good as are gouged out eyes.

Run. Run very fast. Run Run Run.

Love the jughead hat.

Ember Nightshade 2010/11/06(Sat)21:43 No. 253502 ID: a7a85a
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>>252103
Technically I can, th-the thing where you just hold your breath and float on top of the water that anyone c-can do!

>>252136
>>252149

No good, it takes some time and effort just to make one twig! Nowhere to run! I was on the dock when he started toward me! I could swim, b-but I doubt I'm faster!

>>252147

I doubt I'd make a dent anywhere! The one eye I might hit is hard to hit right now, I'm not in close!

>>253502
Kick him in the nads!

Grab the nose, pull it waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back, and let go.

>>253503
>>253512
Both of these at once.

>>253512
Or tug his mask down so the eye holes don't match up with the eyes. Or shove him off the side of the dock. Or everything at once.

>>253502
Distract him with a tray of hamburgers, then call Ethyl to scare him off.

>>253502
Grab his arm, then put both of your feet on his abdomen, flip him over and throw him into the water. Then we will we where we can go from there. It's possible that we can just force him to stay in the water until we have defeated him. Which would gain us alot of power.

SirTen!!H3AwAzMwMw 2010/11/07(Sun)17:45 No. 253811 ID: a7a85a
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>>253503
>>253512
>>253515

Ember: Here'goes!


Creeeaaak...

SirTen!!H3AwAzMwMw 2010/11/07(Sun)17:45 No. 253812 ID: a7a85a
File 12891807349.png - (268.27KB , 464x576 , halloquest011.png )

Snap!

SirTen!!H3AwAzMwMw 2010/11/07(Sun)17:45 No. 253813 ID: a7a85a
File 128918074759.png - (224.35KB , 511x389 , halloquest012.png )

[b] CRAK-A-BOOM [b]

Ember's kick is surprisingly strong!

SirTen!!H3AwAzMwMw 2010/11/07(Sun)17:48 No. 253814 ID: a7a85a
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Ember: He l-looks like he's...uhm...dazed...yaaaaay!

What should I do now? R-run...?

>>253814
No! Then he'll hunt you down and get revenge!
Grab that wrench and bash him over the head! Hard! And repeatedly!

take his wrench, lift it as high as you can, maybe have little jack help, and smash him in the head with it.

>>253814
He'll only chase you! You have to strike now, or his revenge will be most powerful! Your kick was incredible, keep at it!


You can do it, Ember!

We believe in you!

>>253814
Follow it up! Press the attack!

Shove him off the dock and into the water, then declare victory.

>>253814
No don't run, now is your chance to beat him.
If you beat him you will get stronger, and if you get stronger you can be summoned.
Bash his head with his own wrench!

>>253814
Pick up the wrench. Smash him in the head with it. Keep smashing until he stops moving completly or his head is smeared out over the dockside.

Hey, congratulations, do that and you're going to become more powerful. Maybe even powerful enough to be summoned.

Press the advantage. Dirty fighting is perfectly fine as long as it works.

Ember Nightshade 2010/11/07(Sun)20:44 No. 253871 ID: a7a85a
File 128919145764.png - (294.19KB , 649x462 , halloquest014.png )

>>252149

I've gotta run...Run, run, run!!!

[Ember has acquired Vile Wrench.]

>>253871
You... uh... really pick and choose from our advice, don'tcha?

Ember Nightshade 2010/11/07(Sun)20:47 No. 253874 ID: a7a85a
File 128919165930.png - (367.06KB , 714x557 , halloquest015.png )

But not away.

Gotta be fast! Reach high!
The Guides believe I can do this!

Ember Nightshade 2010/11/07(Sun)20:51 No. 253876 ID: a7a85a
File 128919187558.png - (143.38KB , 378x352 , halloquest016.png )

Not high enough yet... I've got to make this shot count! ...Higher!
You said I can make a branch...If I could make it grip...

Come on...branch...branch...branch...Just this once I can win!!!

>>253876
YOUR BRANCH IS THE BRANCH THAT WILL PIERCE THE HEAVENS

Ember Nightshade 2010/11/07(Sun)20:53 No. 253878 ID: a7a85a
File 128919202510.png - (266.75KB , 475x558 , halloquest017.png )

[Ember's confidence has been reinforced by the Hallow's Guides!]
[Ember has created a Deadwood Whip!]

>>253878
YES YES YES NOW KICK HIS ASS DO IT

sweet! turn his head into paste!

Hell yeah you can do it.

Now BEAN HIM GOOD!

>>253878
Oh fuck yeah, you're the best familiar girl around. Those magicians don't know what they have been missing. Now smash his fucking head in.

What goes up must come down. Directly on his head, with much force.

Ember Nightshade 2011/01/11(Tue)19:47 No. 270789 ID: a7a85a
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>>253880
>>253882
>>253885
>>253885
>>254000
>>253948

>>270789
Who's awesome?

You're awesome.


(Press the attack with continued beatings, just in case.)

>>270789
Whoo, its back!

Nice hit, too.

Ember Nightshade 2011/01/11(Tue)21:02 No. 270802 ID: a7a85a
File 129480857293.png - (155.70KB , 355x358 , halloquest019.png )

>>270792
>>270799

Ember: *Haff, haf, haff, haff.* Th-...Thanks!!!
I...don't think he's...getting up...*Haff, haf.*
He shot straight to the bottom of the lake like a rock.

Did you guys see that?! I was so...and you guys were...and the smashy!!! THAT WAS CRAZY!!!

>>270802
And down for the count. If you ever worked out a victory pose, nows the moment. Congratulations on winning your first combat against a genuine combat fiend. Also:

YOU GOT A WRENCH.

Ember Nightshade 2011/01/11(Tue)21:37 No. 270811 ID: a7a85a
File 129481064137.png - (334.99KB , 413x641 , halloquest020.png )

>>270809

Ember: There is that! Yay new weapon! WeaponS!
Funny though. I don't feel any different.
Shouldn't that have been a ton of experience?

Yes, except the encounter isn't over LOOK BEHIND YOU

>>270811
Whip the wrench around and slam it into his face.

We kinda toldja to make sure he was dead; probably shoulda done that. Well, that should be easy enough for you to fix~

>>270811
Emergency Reaction: Scream and fling hands to cover head - accidentally smash baddie over skull with wrench still in hand.

>>270811
Quick, do a turning whip with the wrench thing at about a little above your head hight. NOW!

>>270817
>>270814

>>270811
Whip around and hit him!

I said PRESS THE ATTACK! It's not over until they stop moving while you're still beating the body!

>>270811
Yes it should have been, if he was finished yet. But he's not. He's standing behind you, and you need to smack him some more in the face with his wrench. And then probably keep up with the smacking.

>>270811

Raise heel sharply up and behind you.

Ember Nightshade 2011/01/12(Wed)22:13 No. 271118 ID: a7a85a
File 129489920388.png - (318.56KB , 657x485 , halloquest021.png )

>Wrench!
>He's right behind you.

Ember: C-crap!

Ember Nightshade 2011/01/12(Wed)22:19 No. 271122 ID: a7a85a
File 129489959394.png - (555.46KB , 610x798 , halloquest022.png )

>>270879

Ember: Heel! Upward! Sharply! Something!

Panicingjustalittlehere!

>>271122
...


Someone is going to use you for decidedly non-combat things within the first handful of times that you're summoned, mark my words. And no one will be at all surprised.

Nice kick, though. Follow it up with more kicks and try to get that whip-wrench back to someplace usable. Whatever you do, though, don't let him start aggressing you successfully.

>>271122
The wrench may be out of reach, but you have the rest of the whip! Wrap it around his neck and choke the shit out of him. Twist it together from behind to crush his windpipe and then break his neck.

It's damn brutal but it works.

Dive away from him, get some distance so you can use your whip again.

>>271122
Continue cartwheel, hitting him with your other leg, and pulling the whip out of the water as you come up again on the other side. The wrench can hit him in the back of the ankle, thereby keeping him further off balance. THEN you get to hit him all over again.

Turn and kick him in the SOLAR PLEXUS with your heel!!

>>271140
Yes this should be workable. Hopefully he doesn't have stable enough footing to take that head on and not be pushed back into the water.

Make sure you pull the wrench and whip out of the water after you push him in. Because you're going to need those two so you can hit him every time he pops up for air or something.

Ember Nightshade 2011/01/14(Fri)20:04 No. 271573 ID: a7a85a
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Ember: I dropped my whip! I'msorryI'msorryI'msorryI'msorry!

Instead I go for the solar plexus. I only vaguely know where it is, but that's enough, right? Just like you sau, I lay into it as hard as I can! I give it everything I've got!

Maurice: Batshit and rat crackers that was LOUD!!!

[ Ember's focus has been centered by the Hallow's Guides! ]
[ Ember has learned the melee attack Chamber Howl! ]
[ Chamber Howl attacks remaining 1/2 ]

Ember Nightshade 2011/01/14(Fri)20:08 No. 271576 ID: a7a85a
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Ember: He's staggered back even further into the water. Which is good, he's so huge that I need the higher ground a little. I can't believe this is even happening! You guys are...are making me a better fighter!

Maurice: I know I haven't seen this much excitement in years! ... I hate you, Guides!

Ember: He looks dazed. He's holding the back of his head where the wrench struck, and now his solar plexus too. Should I go for the wrench and whip or keep at him?

>>271576
The water will slow him down further. Grab the whip, back up, and wait for him to climb out. When he starts climbing out use a CHAMBER HOWL KICK to destroy his kneecap.

He's only covering the back of his head. Chamber howl directly on his face, while he's still disoriented!

>>271576
Blast him back even further into the water- it will slow him. While he's struggling to recover, grab your whip and ruthlessly beat him with the wrench, never letting him get back to shore where he'd regain mobility.

Ember Nightshade 2011/01/14(Fri)21:05 No. 271588 ID: a7a85a
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[ Chamber Howl only works at the moment of a strike impacting an enemy. It is not a long distance attack.]

>>271588
THAT LOOKS BAD. GRAB THE WHIP AND SCUTTLE BACKWARDS.

>>271588
Find nearest rock and hurl at his head.

>>271588
Whip->wrench to the face before he can pull off whatever the hell he's trying to pull of. If you're not feeling confident in your speed, just grab the whip and prepare to dodge.

Dammit he is not going to be any less dangerous if you wait! Run up and high-kick him in the face with CHAMBER HOWL and then grab your whipwrench in case he doesn't go and stay down.

>>271588
Retrieve whip/wrench from pool
Bend over to do so :3

>>271594
Yes sorry this was what I was recommending

Ember Nightshade 2011/01/14(Fri)21:41 No. 271598 ID: a7a85a
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>>271581
>>271594

I only got about halfway there. I started right as you suggested it. I was fast...but not enough.

...I'm so sorry...


Forsycthe: PSYCHOTIC RIPPER!!!

>>271598
Don't apologize, don't cower, SCREAM BACK! YOU ARE OURS AND YOU WILL NOT BE WEAK ANY LONGER!

>>271598
It's not over yet! It's a big but unfocused attack being close or far doesn't going to matter as much just getting down! Keep yourself as shielded as possible but get ready to counterattack when he comes up close.

If you have the potential for a defense in there now is the time to pull it out, turn your focus outward and steel your body and will against everything this asshole is doing with a "NO, FUCK YOU!"

Ember Nightshade 2011/01/14(Fri)22:22 No. 271607 ID: a7a85a
File 129507257786.png - (79.85KB , 304x252 , halloquest027.png )

>>271600
>>271602

Ember: Y-you're right...! I have to at least try. I may never get this far again!

I can safely say this is the most painful thing ever! It's like walking through a whirlwind made of razor blades.

I push a step at a time. The water's slowing me down, but I don't think Forsycthe even sees me. He's just laughing and continuing the attack. He usually handles things with pure brute force. I had no idea he could sustain this kind of a energy blast. But you're right. It is unfocused. I'm getting close. I just need to get in arms length of him. I don't think I can bring a kick out of this deep of water.

This thing is some kinda scream, right? So when you get there, punch him as hard as you can just below the ribs. Turn your whole body, put all of your force into it that you can.

>>271608
No. Punch him in the -throat-. And do Chamber Howl, too. If he doesn't see your attack coming, that means he isn't gonna be able to do anything to avoid it, so may as well go for a vital point.

>>271609

Either one works.

Throat punch chamber howl is the way to go. Just hang in there as it will feel more focused as you get closer, but you'll come out of this stronger than ever.

>>271609
Definitely backing this one. Put your all into it; that's a match-ender blow if you can pull it off.

>>271607
Pain is weakness leaving the body. Do not punch him in the throat, punch THROUGH his throat.

Throat, chamber howl, then if you have time, pivot your waist back another 120 degrees and punch him in the solar plexus with your other hand.

A little insurance never hurts! :D

>>271607
Is it hitting you under the water as well?
If not, then you can try to dive underwater, swim up next to him, and pop out to Chamber Howl him right in the throat.
If so, then just keep trudging and hope for the best.

You can do this! Podghast believes in you! :D

>>271643
This will also greatly increase our chances of breaking his neck if we do it right.

>>271607
You don't need a kick, just the wrench. Then you hit him at the temple with it and a chamber howl. Then you just keep hitting him on the head with the wrench until he stops twitching, then hit him some more.

You can do it Ember! We believe in you.