Oh, and let's go find Heartsbane and Glory by the way before we flee completely.

Trying to use the Wizards blood for power sounds the best idea. . .

>>160319
We can deal with snikts. We have the warpony and Heartsbane for those. Ophians also seem to be quite decebt at dealing with them where they can't swarm around the ophians. Wards can possibly be drawn on the ground and still have an effect. If not I guess we're gonna have to draw them on the walls of houses or something.

It's weeks of travel of a snikts before they would get out of the desert, going to take even longer with a bunch of refugees without proper supplies for that kind of traveling. Ryxix might forget about the Ophians for long enough to get out of the city and put some distance between them and the city. But then he would be on top of them like a ton of fucking bricks alongside with his snikts.

>>160385

The only problem is that A) We actually don't have Heartsbane. B) There's a raging fire threatening to take out the wards and the walls. And of course, C) as soon as those wards fall we're gonna be like fish in a barrel. I just don't think we could mobilize enough adepts to draw the wards back quick enough. We'd have to get more than 1 crew to make a difference, and if Ryxix realized what we were doing he's just focus fire on killing us himself, because we'd be outside.

I think the best bet is to evacuate and just leave Ryxix to the city. I mean if we stay it seems like certain doom, and if we run it seems like we might just live. Ryxix wants his girlfriend back. There's at least somewhat of a chance that he'll not come tearing after us, but instead tend to his girlfriend's wounds and maybe try and get some hot snake sex. If we stay here and he gets in, we're fucking dead.

Ok. So our priority needs to be to use everything we have to stop the fire. We've got some magical resources here, we need to use everything we have to stop the fire from overwhelming the wards: blow up buildings to prevent it's spread, magic it out, whatever we can do but we've got to keep that last ward line intact

Spikesby!!Z0Mwx3ZJZj 2010/04/12(Mon)17:15 No. 163393 ID: 15f6d6
File 127111775072.jpg - (402.70KB , 950x750 , 10.jpg )

Ryxix seems totally focused on the tower. He doesn't notice as the Ophians begin to slip away. Majestic Thunderstrike did well in sallying out and slaying the Snikts waiting in ambush, and took a heavy toll on the forces outside. Her gate, directly opposite the one Ryxix entered through, held through the fighting. Traveling carefully in single file, the Ophians slip out of the city unmolested.

There is no sign of Heartsbane or Glory, and their area of the city is far outside the wards and crawling with Ryxix's minions. It seems clear now that the bulk of his forces attacked the north and eastern gates.

Spikesby secretly hopes that everyone is OK before he slips out with the other refugees. The river is only a few hours away and once they cross they will be in Radia's territory. Isenore can't go there at all - she'll be attacked for having her face covered - and Spikesby doesn't really want to run into her again. They'll be fine right across the border, but at the very least Spikesby and Isenore have to break off from the rest of the refugees. Everyone is weary, and many of them are wounded, but because of the measures taken to reinforce the wards and slow down the fire, they should have plenty of time to get to Radia's territory.

The sky is blackened as the city burns behind him, but without Spikesby and his companions, many of the Ophians would be corpses instead of refugees. Even though Ryxix won, that's still something.

Ryxix rages among the smoke and flame, clearly audible even from miles away.

"THIS IS ALL FUTILE! ONCE I REACH THE TOWER ALL OF YOU ARE CORPSES! DO YOU HEAR ME? HEARTSBANE, I KNOW YOU WERE INVOLVED IN THIS SOMEHOW! THERE IS NO WAY THE OPHIANS COULD HAVE STOPPED MY ATTACK ON THEIR OWN! KILL EVERYONE ON THE WAY TO THE TOWER, AND BRING KSHAARA TO ME! BREAK THE WARDS! DO YOU HEAR ME HEARTSBANE? THERE IS NO DENYING YOUR DESTINY! YOU WILL MURDER YOUR FRIENDS WITH YOUR OWN HAND BEFORE I FINALLY GRANT YOU THE AGONY OF DEATH! ALL OF YOU! I WILL KILL ALL OF YOU!"

I think the best thing to do would be to use the wizard corpse somehow to combat the psycho bug man.

>>163393
Alright, sounds like we've got a bit of RUNNING THE FUCK AWAY to do.

Hey, we need to get more ammo for Isenore. Where's the nearest town that has that sort of thing?

Sky and Isenore hug the river down to the border of childless Meg's territory, and then head over to Blacksoul's tower. Sky should inform him of Ryxix's actions and Heartsbane's sacrifice and nothing more, wait for him to offer to fix the wings if he even will. He might not, since they did get in a "needless" fight, and asking something of a wizard never seems to be a good idea.

It might be time for Spikesby to finally meet Blacksoul again. There's not much else to do at this point. At any rate, having him and thunderstrike hang back when they get to the tower while sky and isenore check out how Blacksoul is at this time is probably a good move, and if he has an appropriate interest in spikesby...

Sky, flee to blacksoul. Spikesby's uninjured (right?) so he should go into the sea of oblivion.

No time like the present. And it's not like he has to get his equipment together.

>>163432

sacrifice? SACRIFICE? HA!
this is exactly what heartsbane was born for. combat, murder, death. he would never die because fate decreed him to. fate and logic are tools of gods, and the godless have no need to fear them. logically, heartsbane is already dead, fate would say he dies as a hero. well, I spit in the face of fate and logic. they mean nothing! only power means anything to one such as heartsbane. and power heartsbane has.

>>163393
Hmmmm, I think we should advice the refugees to make their way over to the Lord of Marvels. I think he should be able to keep them safe and is among the least likely to be a dick to them in their need. Of course it might be hard to find refuge for them since they killed their last wizard.

Anyway, Spikesby and company making their way over to Blacksoul sounds pretty good.

Call me crazy but I think Blacksoul should be notified before Spikesby goes into the sea of oblivion. He might have some way of helping Spikesby out either before or after, and if he knows that the first thing Spikesby's doing with a soul is using it to try to save everyone, well...

>>163708
and be all 'if i make it back alive, i may have some... interesting data for you.' for blacksoul, incredibly hard to get data on the sea of oblivion would be worth fuck tons. just information on what it looks like would be valuable, because as a wizard he HAS to stay on this side.

>>163393

I think we should head to the Sea of Oblivion, but going to Blacksoul with Spikesby is obviously the wrong thing to do.

Why?

Blacksoul has mentioned a number of times that he wants SOULS. Spikesby has a soul now, and he's under Blacksoul's thrall. Do you really think this is a good idea, walking in and showing the big boss that we have a soul? What if he orders Sky to choke herself to death unless we give up our soul? Sending Sky to talk to Blacksoul isn't a terrible idea, but it's still one I'd recommend against.

For now I suggest Spikesby and Isenore head to the Sea of Oblivion while Sky, Majestic, Llewin and Ria head off with the Ophians to get them set up and offer protection. Maybe Majestic and Sky (ok maybe not Sky... those wings be gone) can scout around for Heartsbane and Glory while the others help out.

Xix Ryxix!!Z0Mwx3ZJZj 2010/04/13(Tue)16:39 No. 163809 ID: 15f6d6
File 127120196873.jpg - (332.91KB , 950x750 , 11.jpg )

Spikesby decides that now more than ever he wants to be away from Wizards. He heads toward the Sea of Oblivion.

Sky decides to go tell Blacksoul what happened and hopefully get her wings back.

Isenore has very little ammunition. She's going to try to find a town or something and then meet up with Spikesby before he enters the sea. Ria recognizes Spikesby! She's missed him so much! She can't be dissuaded from traveling with him at least to the edge of the sea to wait for Isenore.

Majestic Thunderstrike agrees to lead whichever of the Ophians who want to go from Radia's territory into the Lord of Marvels. She should be able to keep them safe.

Meanwhile, in Suri...


"OH! MY POOR, POOR KSHAARA! WHAT HAVE THEY DONE? WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO YOU? DON'T WORRY, I'LL TEAR EACH OF THEM APART! EVERY PIECE! IT'S BEEN SO LONG SINCE I'VE TALKED TO YOU! SO LONG! YOU SHOULD BE WAKING UP SOON, BUT I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO SAY! VOICES? VOICES? WHAT DO I TELL HER?"

>>163809
How about "I'll show you just how much I love you by tearing apart the Sea of Oblivion, so we can find our own part of the world where we can live together forever"?

By the way, K'shaara seems a bit... small, compared to you, Xix. When she's fully healed, will she grow to match you, will you shrink to match her, or will you just find a way to make it... work?

>>163809
"I won't let any more of your blood be spilled."

You shouldn't say anything. Just focus on safely pulling out the last few spears and healing her. Let her wake up on her own.

After she wakes up, just tell her she's safe now. Try to make your voice sound the way she'd remember it.

>>163809
Tell her you're sorry it took so long to rescue her.
If you've altered yourself to be more capable of retrieving her, then you should probably return to the form she knows and loves.

Oh, and don't think about seeking vengeance on the mortals right now. Your only duty is to K'shaara, and so your only thoughts should be of her. The right of vengeance is hers, and you must respect her wishes.

Discard her.

She is useless. Weak. She was not strong enough to not be captured. Look at her for what she really is, Ryxix. A weakling. Unworthy. If she really loved you she would have broken out of this prison herself and come back to you.

Xix Ryxix!!Z0Mwx3ZJZj 2010/04/13(Tue)17:45 No. 163835 ID: 15f6d6
File 127120592014.jpg - (256.01KB , 950x750 , 12.jpg )

Yes, I'd better be careful with the spears and let her take her time. I didn't notice at first, voices, but these spears are strange. My hand tingles when I touch them.

What are you talking about, voices? I haven't changed. Everything is exactly the same. Just exactly like I remember it. As soon as K'shaara wakes up it will all be back to normal exactly like before. She will wake up soon and it will be just completely the same, voices. You are crazy.

Yes, no more of her blood that is what I will tell her. I shouldn't kill all the mortals either, you are right. You are right. I have to let her tear them apart too. Only a few spears left. I will be careful with these. Soon. Soon.

>>163835
Wait. Why do the spears tingle? You must be careful. It could be a trap.

Soon you will have to change again, however. If you can. Something tells me your love may be a slight put off by the whole bug image. You're not the same man you were, Ryxix. Perhaps we should ask Flails Breaker for some lady impressin' tips.

>>163835
Mmm... Looking at your memories shows us that you used to be the same size as her. As you are not that way at the moment, you have clearly changed.
Use your current body as raw materials for a new body which is the same size as her. That will make her more comforta- WAIT!
Stop! Something is wrong!
Set her down and start investigating those spears! Only a wizard can kill another wizard, but what if those spears are designed to steal your power to do just that?

Lay her down on the ground, check her vital signs, then investigate the spears to see what magics they contain.

We know you are eager, but you must calm yourself. You have her back, and the both of you are safe.
What is a few paltry minutes of caution compared to the long decades you were apart? Is it worth the risk of losing her forever?

Be calm, be cautious, be careful.

no, he was always insectoid.

but the difference is you have gotten rather HUGE. you way want to shrink yourself a little so she recognizes you.

DISCARD HER.

SHE IS WEAK.

SHE NEVER LOVED YOU.

IT WAS ALL A LIE.

>>163847
quiet you.

(I'd like to point out that Kshaara dying is a very bad thing, we need to prevent that. The Sea of Oblivion will advance if she dies. Blacksoul's tower is right on the edge so he'll be overtaken. Then he dies, and the rest follow.)

Eat her.

She will be with you forever.

Well, uh... keep at it, big guy.

Xix Ryxix!!Z0Mwx3ZJZj 2010/04/13(Tue)19:15 No. 163891 ID: 15f6d6
File 127121133963.jpg - (280.07KB , 950x750 , 13.jpg )

Stupid spears. I hate them. They feel like nothing... I am not afraid. Let the trap be sprung! I WILL DEVOUR MY FOES! I had better set lovely K'shaara down to be careful.

Stupid voices! Why are you so stupid? Wizards don't choose how they look and can't alter their own bodies. They just look like what they are. I am lucky, though, and my mind and body are exactly the same even though I went through great trauma when K'shaara was hurt. We aren't supposed to go into other wizard territories ever, so I was always prevented from rescuing her personally, even though I knew it would be safe for me to go.

I AM NOT HUGE! I AM EXACTLY THE SAME! NOTHING IS DIFFERENT!

"SHE ISN'T WEAK! IT WAS HER STUPID MINIONS! THEY BETRAYED HER! I TOLD HER! I WARNED HER ABOUT THEM! I WON'T EAT HER SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP!"

"W.. what the fuck is going on? I - feel... ugh. Who the fuck are you? Why is everything on fire?"

"SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHE ISN'T WEAK! I'M NOT GOING TO EAT HER!"

>>163891
You ah... Did have a relationship with her before, yes?
And not, for example, a kind of one-sided kind of admiration and lust?
Because I have a little inkling you're about to go more insane...

...Says the voice in your head. Right.

>>163891
It looks like it worked out fine.

Shh. Calm down. Tell Kshaara that you saved her, that you're sorry you took so long.

>>163892
She's obviously disoriented from being stabbed for so long. Remind her of your love by giving her a kiss.

Pucker up, lover boy.

>>163891
Say:
"It is I, Xix Ryxix, my love. You were betrayed by your minions, and it took me decades to save you."

[Switch to K'shaara]

Gesture at the fire.

Say "I MADE IT FOR YOU, DO YOU LIKE IT?"

If she doesn't say yes, point out that it's blue.

Also, she's probably just confused from all the pain, and because you put on some weight.

>>163891
"K'shaara! My love! It is me, Xix Ryxix! I'm sorry it took me so long to save you, but everything is going to be alright!

Please, my love, just tell me you want my help, and we will hunt down your traitorous minions who developed souls and imprisoned you within your own tower... together."

>>163894
No kisses. Kissing is not safe.

>>163891
She doesn't recognize you... you've become a hulking monster to regain her.

Chapter 4 End Xix Ryxix!!Z0Mwx3ZJZj 2010/04/13(Tue)20:42 No. 163931 ID: 15f6d6
File 127121654253.jpg - (352.22KB , 950x750 , 14.jpg )

OF COURSE WE HAD A RELATIONSHIP! WE SPENT WHAT TIME WE COULD TOGETHER.

"GRRRAAAH! OF COURSE IT WORKED! I SAVED YOU K'SHAARA! IF ONLY I HAD RESCUED YOU SOONER!"

"R-Ryxix? What the fuck happened to you?"

"I WON'T DO THAT! STOP SAYING I SHOULD DO THAT! GRRRAH! I SAVED YOU! YOU WERE BETRAYED AND I SPENT THESE LONG DECADES BUILDING UP TO THIS MOMENT! I HAVE RESCUED YOU!"

"What the fuck is wrong with you, Ryxix? You aren't making any sense! Why is everything on fire?"

"I MADE IT FOR YOU! IT IS BLUE!"

"W-what? You aren't making any sense!"

"EVERYTHING IS THE SAME! THIS ISN'T WORKING! THIS ISN'T WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN! I HAVEN'T CHANGED! WHY ISN'T THIS HAPPENING LIKE IT SHOULD? I AM NOT A MONSTER! I AM NOT A MONSTER! GRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"

"Ryxix! Wait!"

It was too late. bellowing with confusion and rage, he disappeared into the fire and smoke, losing himself in the Desert of Ruin. K'shaara was left on her own amidst the inferno, wondering exactly what had happened since the attack, but more curious about the origin of the weapons that had wounded her than the whereabouts of her former servants.

>>163931
>weird spears
>BLACK MARKINGS on spears

Looks like someone geared towards Antimagic assisted the Ophians in taking out K'Shaara.

Maybe Ryxix sint that bad after all, just driven insane by the loss of his love.

And yeah, antimagic does sound like the most probable cause for her stasis.

>>163931
If Ryxix is hearing voices in his head (i.e. us) then we might just be able to fix him. If anyone needs fixing, its him.

>>164225
>maybe the voices in his head he hears because he is insane can make him stop being insane
I'm not sure if that's how it works.

>>164278
I was thinking of making him less BURNMAIMKILL.

I am fairly sure it would've turned out differently if we had been consistently positive in our suggestions.

>>164284
Well yeah, we do kinda tend to be dicks.

>>164225
Why would we want to fix him? I was thinking more along the lines of driving him to suicide.

>>164643
Driving him to suicide would mean that there is one less wizard holding back the Wall of Oblivion. Which is obviously a bad thing.