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233735 No. 233735 ID: a76809

[ First Thread http://quest.lv/kusaba/questarch/res/83524.html]
[ Second Thread http://quest.lv/kusaba/questarch/res/142119.html ]
[ Third Thread http://quest.lv/kusaba/questarch/res/156884.html ]
[ Fourth Thread http://quest.lv/kusaba/questarch/res/177882.html ]
[ Fifth Thread http://quest.lv/kusaba/questarch/res/186331.html ]
[ Sixth Thread http://quest.lv/kusaba/questarch/res/195348.html ]
[ Seventh Thread http://quest.lv/kusaba/questarch/res/203684.html ]
[ Eighth Thread http://quest.lv/kusaba/questarch/res/222777.html ]

[ Discussion Thread 1 http://quest.lv/kusaba/questdis/res/316616.html ]
[ Discussion Thread 2 http://quest.lv/kusaba/questdis/res/331007.html]
[ Wiki Page: http://tgchan.org/wiki/Golem_Quest ]

LAST TIME, ON GOLEM QUEST:
Keddic Harksburton the 4th, scion of one of the warrior families of Castiliathen, faced down Jeeba Hechler, a notorious warrior from his homeland that had joined the Disciples of Domintus. In their clash, which took place in the finals of a tournament in the Land of Dragons, Keddic learned much of the mysteries within his blood, commanding becoming the WHITE LION. He chose to return to Gainer in search of his master, rather than returning to Mordre's side immediately.

ELSEWHERE:
>"....Okay, so Del, you said that these hand-cannons couldn't support a revolving cylinder AND lightning runes at the same time, yes? Made quite a definitive statement out of it too, yes?"
>"Well of COURSE you feckin' can't, the-"
>"WELL LOOK AT THIS THEN OLD MAN!"
>"..Wha... what? Heh, heheHAH! Well, color me impressed lad! Ya pulled that off, then!"
>"...This isn't quite as satisfying with you being all impressed rather than shocked."
>"Eh, shut yer yap! You got just one converted like that, there's what, a Deep-damned thousand of these things left to change? Why wast that jawin'!"
>"No gloating in my little triumph? ...Fine. Question though, since you were up earlier than me."
>"The feck is it?"
>"When did that guy Vimes and his group leave?"
>"Ah, that. Just shy of dawn, a runner from the south showed up, and they just piled up and marched. Too bad, that Vimes guy, he had a feckin' head on his shoulders."
>"Hmmm..."


.................................................................PERSPECTIVE SHIFT: MORDRE.............................................................

I have spent the last day wisely, Oz the Breaker having warmed to me considerably as I continue to provide him excellent sparring partners in the form of my Deep Spawn. He still drinks, but has not intoxicated himself anywhere near to the point I noted when I first met him. I have noted that he has asked after Bagrom more than once, and is rather clearly concerned for his first and currently only pupil. I have also noted that he has a fascination with tumultuous events, and finding quick, dirty solutions, facets of his personality that I must take into account in my interactions with him. After all, I am ultimately here to sway him to Lubu's side. I seem to have him hooked with talk of facing down the White Pheonix, a rival martial artist he holds in no high regard, but he still seems leary to serve a Dragon, even temporarily.

However this has ceased being my singular concern of the moment, as Burduko, upon my request, teleported to Vandgurd and Zelgoto's side after I got the message they had been felled, and returned with their broken forms. Their regeneration writhes, but they stay broken, shattered husks unable to do much at all. Sadronm noted to me that I could restore them to their full functionality by putting a second Deep Spawn core within them, ultimately restarting their existence... and I wonder if I should. It would mean that I would have at best a maximum of forty eight Deep Spawn to my name rather than fifty... but it would also mean the older, more experienced Deep Spawn to my name continue to persist. Oz himself looks mildly concerned, lamenting the current state of his two favorite 'punching bags'.

The information that reached me before their fate is troubling as well. Ash Dragon Jioga was able to track me back to the pagoda I abandoned, and according to Vandgurd and Zelgoto, he set off into the fruit orchard thereafter.... he may be getting close indeed.


What should I say or do?
Do I have anything I wish to say to Oz, or to ask of anyone directly or through Phohn?
Should I spend two Deep Spawn cores of my remaining forty one to restore Vandgurd and Zelgoto?
Or should I do something else?
Expand all images
>>
No. 233743 ID: 2ce024

Restore them.
>>
No. 233744 ID: 2ce024

Someone in the discussion said that we should try to convince Oz to take Uggrock as a pupil and I think that's awsome
>>
No. 233746 ID: e31d52

Restore them. At the rate we're using them, they'll rot up before they see much use!

>>233744
The issue here is yet another language barrier.
>>
No. 233747 ID: d3dfb8

I guess it's time to make some support deepspawn. one for healing and one for buffing I think would be good.
Contact Keddic and ask after Bagrom for Oz, I'm sure he Oz would appreciate it.
>>
No. 233748 ID: ab04d4

>[deepspawnname] embodies Healing in the form of Aura and Crystal
>[deepspawnname] embodies Strengthening in the form of Balls and Fists, also ball of fists man :D
>>
No. 233749 ID: e31d52

>>233748
>[deepspawnname] embodies Healing in the form of Care and Attachment

Hoping for a Spawn that makes little lampreys that grant regen to those they attach to.

Where is the master list of Spawn Names?
>>
No. 233750 ID: b18ccb

Damn it, Vimes left! Damn damn damnity damn!

Oh well. Hopefully we can get them again.

And I'd argue agasint healing, for now. They could heal on there own and could possibly become stronger for it. However, if they look like they will die, power them up.

So, Mordre, what happened to KORGOTYO THE CHAINED and Immortal Angormandius The Undying?

And did anything intresting happen at the Tyotworro estates?

And question: If we impower with Deep Spawn Eggs, will our Monster Party members gain -new- abilities, or just be strengthed?
>>
No. 233751 ID: b18ccb

Getting list:
>>
No. 233756 ID: b6460c

Restore them.

Now we have to make a spawn that can directly mess with the dragon after us.

Quiz Vandguard and Zelgato and then craft as spawn based on their response and Sandronim's recommendations.

Via Phohn:
Ask Keddic if the new guy has anything that Phohn can use to find him, then have a caht with the fellow.... if possible.
>>
No. 233760 ID: 6ae689

Yeah don't restore them with our precious cores! Use option 3 - Create a NEW Deepspawn for this sort of situation! This IS going to happen again so it's best to have a permanent repair and healing solution at hand. Besides it probably looks cool so Oz can watch you do it. See what he can tell from the process as he's obviously used to soul manipulation.

Akeakam embodies the concept of RESTORATION, and his form revolves around OIL and NEEDLES.

Get Phohn to ask Magnum Bang for a mission report. I'd like to know how he's doing or if he wants any tactical advice.

You might want to discuss Oz's opinion of Dragons a bit more. Does he just not like bossy types or what? Ask Oz if he's willing to join forces (both mentally and physically) against Jioga if he turns up. Like play some jokes on him and stuff, then fight him together with Dulu and the Deepspawn if he actually blows his top.

Actually it might be handy to speak with Jioga a bit before you meet. Maybe he's willing to join forces and collaborate with the plan to bring Oz into the fold? Propose the possibility that if you end up fighting outright then you might just lose the objective and both of you will lose face in front of Lubu!

Make one or more metal objects and have Phohn and Burduko make a connection with the objects. Then leave them behind you on your trail with written instructions on them or next to them saying that it's a magical device that lets people speak to you. If Jioga picks one up then you can have a chat. If he also brings one with him then Burduko might be able to tell where in the world it is relative to your location... :)
>>
No. 233762 ID: b18ccb

List has been posted in the Discussion Thread.

As for talking to Oz, just ask him what he thinks of Dragons, and what he thinks of Lubu.
>>
No. 233763 ID: b18ccb

Two other memebers of our Monster Party that could help:

Murhyihal embodies the concept of MAINTENANCE/REPAIR, its form revolves around REPAIR TOOLS and RESOURCEFULNESS

Jidkof embodies the concept of VITALITY. Its form revolves around FLESH and BLOOD.

There are a few other's that are a stretch, but those seem to be the best easy match, other then the two suggested here - But not BOAM, because that's not really a buff.
>>
No. 233764 ID: 445c48

I'd say use Queeyurtoh and Erostika's cores to restore them, as well as making a new Deep Spawn, Murhyihal, Concept of RESTORATION, form of TOOLS (For repairing mechanobits) and CRYSTALS (For healing fleshbits)
>>
No. 233770 ID: 56dc25

Guys, the Ash Dragon is incoming. We do not have time to sink hours and large chunks of our soul into making numerous Deep Spawn. One at most, and that only after we've done something to deal with the incoming rival. A rather brutal incoming rival, at that, seeing as he did something this nasty to our Deep Spawn when they were under orders not to start anything violent; the evidence would thus suggest that he'll try something violent upon arrival, as well.

I presume that we have already spoken to Oz about the fact that the Ash Dragon will soon arrive, and of his presumed intentions as a rival but similarly-intentioned recruiter. The problem here is, as someone who favors quick and dirty solutions and likes fighting Oz is likely to be more than willing to go with a proposal like "Hey, I'll fight you for it" on the part of the Ash Dragon. Either as a challenge to us, or to him; it plays to Oz' likes and also the to Land of Dragons' general culture. Regardless, I don't think that we want this to come down to a matter of personal prowess.

So what've we got to avoid that? We could attempt to secure an agreement with Oz now and trust him to keep to it in the face of the Ash Dragon, or we could come up with some other plan. And I haven't got another plan.

The only new logic I've got to persuade Oz is that he's the master of his own fate; if he says that he'll work for Lubu for a bit and after two weeks finds it anything less than enjoyable, he can just turn and leave. All we're really asking is for him to give it a shot; if Lubu turns out to embody those characteristics he despises in Dragons, he can just go. And if he makes it clear after a while that he's planning to leave, considering that we know Lubu is interested in having him stay Oz might well be able to pressure the Fierce Dragon gradually into making concessions to keep him around.
>>
No. 233778 ID: 445c48

Right, right, forget makin' Deepspawn, forgot about the time investment. Ask if the restoration would take much time, if not, do it, otherwise, keep moving. I suggest you start gathering up lots of metal as you move, for Magenetomatic anchors and also SURPRISE BITCH LANCES FROM THE GROUND in case you need to fight.
>>
No. 233782 ID: b18ccb

>>233778
No, no, it's 'Suprise, Fuckers'. But we kinda have to be a Arabic Null for that to work. Anyway.

I do think it would be a good idea to make one healer. If I remember right, we're on a moving platform, aren't we? We can keep it moving while we make our healer. If we're -not- on the platform, we get back to the platform.
>>
No. 233784 ID: 56dc25

>>233782
We're not moving anymore. We're staying with Bagrom's people, and waiting here for his return. Moving further is not really an option at the moment, and it's not necessarily desirable anyway; it's already served its purpose in buying us time to meet and befriend Oz without the Ash Dragon's interference.
>>
No. 233787 ID: a76809
File 128544483359.jpg - (506.24KB , 800x1067 , Land Of Dragons Hieryou of the Iron Mustache.jpg )
233787

>>233750
[Putting a new core in could graft new abilities, forcibly evolve and improve existing Deep Spawn. otherwise, they all start at a given baseline based on your own soul.]

Angormandius left heading towards Gainer, and I imagine he likely has reached it. As for Korgotyo the Chained, he is currently the guest of a local school of martial arts, the Chaining Calamity school, who seem to be wholly separate of the Tyotworro clan ...Perhaps guest is not the right term: They have open air arenas and gardens in their premise that easily accommodate the gargantuan Rageglut, and I have seen their deferential yet familiar attitude with him. It would seem fairly likely he is a member, and a considerably talented one at that. He has been largely courteous in his interactions with the locals, quite a few of whom seem to know him, including several elderly individuals that speak with far more familiarity than the rest. Korgotyo has nevertheless not spoken with me, or in fact anyone at the Tyotworro clan estate, including Oz. I have noted that Oz would likely be quite pleased if able to have a chat with the titanic warrior, and the degree of notoriety the Rageglut holds intrigues me. Perhaps I could pursue this vein, some time or other.

The Tyotworro estates themselves have a few branch family members who still act somewhat deferential, as apparently Bagrom is from the main family line, which extends over us as his invited guests. There is Edgo Su-Tyotworro (The Su denoting branch family), a man past his prime and tending slightly towards sloth, a receding hairline doing nothing to hide the bull neck and strong jaw beneath, clearly having taken part in martial pursuits in the past. He has a wife, however as a branch family member his status could not confer via marriage, and so his wife and daughters are housed outside of the estate, where he frequently departs to visit them. His sons could not be more different. The youngest, Dano Su-Tyotworro, is studious, obsessed with finance and details, a critical aid to to his father the effective head of the estates. Between the two of them, they largely run and manage the impressive grounds. Then their is Heiryou of the Iron Mustache, the eldest sun. He is assertive, aggressive and exceptionally direct, a contrast to the tactically subdued Edgo and Dano. He left on a great many travels about the land, and now is the commander of the local army of Waltora, and champion of the local judicial system, a position involving defending the courts side when cases go to trial by combat. He is noted to have not lost a single case. Hieryou also has an enormous wolf, so heavily built it seems some primal throwback to a bygone era, a quiet, attentive companion that obeys his master's commands without question. Thus far, Oz has also sought a match with Heiryou, who politely declined due to work. I wonder if I could convince the scion of the branch Tyotworro's to at least hold a light spar, as I imagine this as well would please Oz, and make him more inclined to follow me to Lubu.

>>233760
>>233763
>>233764
I invite Oz to take a break from his sparring with the other Deep Spawn (Nihilino has told me via Phohn that his erasing abilities cannot effect Oz at all, and Mothbern has had similar complaints) and their manifested spawn, while I heal the two he enjoyed fighting the most. Intrigued, considering both are little more than paste on the ground, feebly struggling to regenerate, he comes to watch, as does Hieryou, drawing with him his younger brother Dano whom he had been speaking with. I put forth my hand as I pluck free two of the forty one cores revolving about my form, and bend my Will towards crafting them. As I do so, I idly speak with Oz.

"So, what exactly is your opinion on Dragons in general, Oz? I don't think you ever told me more than that you don't wish to serve."
"...Huh, that's right. Well, I respect them as warriors, one and all they can do some amazing things, and no matter how they are now, they had to sweat, bleed and dance with death to get like that, and I can respect that. The thing is thought, that the way they act like they're the best fighters around, like no one else is their equal, that just pisses me off. I have yet to meet a Dragon that wasn't ultimately so pompous that those who served around them were simpering fools, spineless sycophants, crippling their effectiveness as individual soldiers, all to suit some stupid whims. So yeah, I have a problem with Dragons."

>Murhyihal, Concept of RESTORATION, form of TOOLS (For repairing metals) and CRYSTALS (For healing fleshbits)

Murhyihal

The ever giving, of restoration, of recovery. I imagine a being to grow as a mass of crystal and metal, able to give up its own body to replenish others, spines on his metallic portions allowing incredible manipulation, an aid to construction as well. The crystals dotting his form, so similar to the type I forge when I invert Soulfire, hold within them the potential to revert, to unharm, restoring injuries by sacrificing their existence. With spawn that look like nothing more than giant leeches, able to grant passive regeneration to their host, Murhyihal is hardly offensive compared to many of the others... but I imagine I shall find him as useful as I have found Phohn and am now finding Burduko. Oz looks mightily impressed as the first roe simply begins to swell and harden, shards of transparent crystal abounding as a vaguely humanoid shape unwinds itself into a prostrate stance, as a voice like a saw on metal hails me reverentially.

"Murhyihal Serves."

As Oz claps, clearly impressed, Hieryou says nothing, all while Dano wears his astonishment on his sleeve. I continue my dialogue as I set Murhyihal to tending Vandgurd and Zelgoto, collecting my thoughts as my only just recently fully restored soul takes the hit without complaint.

"So, it is a question of attitude?"
"Not.... entirely. If they were actually such godly fighters like they acted, then yes, fine. But really, in all fairness there's a few Dragons I might be able to take, a few others who would have a hell of a time beating me, accounting for every one I have met. You don't get to act that high and mighty without commensurately absurd ability to go with it. Don't talk unless you can back it, that's the way you do it."

>Akeakam embodies the concept of STRENGTHENING, and his form revolves around OIL and NEEDLES.

Akeakam

Power, improvement, acceleration, enrichment. A being not to fight, but to make others fight more ably. Needles and fluids of nebulous power fill my mind, my soul diminishes as Will pours into the seed. It explodes into a bed of spikes, sprouting outward as an oil so dark it eats the light around it flows all about, a towering mass of shifting needles festooning a transparent membrane holding thousands of gallons of that perilously shadowed fluid, radiating a power I can scarce fathom. I see spawn so similar to Murhyihal's, now simple sacks and a single needle, a brilliant red elixir the cargo they carry. Another Support based Deep Spawn, as I swift find myself favoring them. This time Oz roars his laughter as the blob of oil and needles moves to Murhyihal's side, and begins to likewise aid in its work.

"Well Deep-damn, I've never seen anything like that, just making beings just like that. One fancy trick you got there, never-mind that I have no idea how you do it."
>[Hierou]"It appears the prayer-bead like orbs revolving about him are proto-souls of some form, and that by binding a piece of soul to them, he forces them to sprout, bound to his will."
"No shit? That is one sharp as sin Eye you got there, reading workings that deeply. Hah, to send a piece of your soul over distance and out of a fake body like that, one impressive trick, no doubt. That, or you're completely off, and its something else, HAH!"
>"...I would not have spoke were I not certain. Now pray excuse me, a serial killer is having a verdict rendered tonight, and will likely demand trial by combat."

With a glance to me, and a whistle for his wolf, Hieryou of the Iron Mustache, as ever barbed in his stylized armor, bows and leaves. Dano returns to his work on the estate accounts, while Oz spends a bit longer watching Vandgurd and Zelgoto be treated, before he rejoins the other Deep Spawn in his one-sided beat-down, looking happy as a child while his strikes topple giants that keep getting back up. As the night wears on, my two defenders finally arise, and return to the brawl without my need to ask after giving their report. They note that while Jioga was polite when he first arrived, upon learning that the pagoda was a ruse he struck out in anger, leaving them wounded so, with a simple metal sword, carrying the oppressive weight of his soul. They both note that while he entered the Fruit Orchard, Jioga and his retinue, some three hundred in number and all officers, was not following any trail, so I likely do not have as much cause for concern as I could. I watch the two restored Deep Spawn, clearly enjoying their fights against a human they simply cannot seem to harm, who extends the courtesy of not threatening their souls. Despite their support status, Phohn, Burduko, Murhyihal and Akeakam all likewise fight, their regeneration and innate strength making them excellent at keeping the pressure up on their laughing foe.


[DAY 140: DAY 10 OF WEEK 2 OF MONTH 4:]
[Randiday of the Second Cycle of Praeclarum (Summer)]


With even Dulu now having given in and finally joining the fray against Oz, likewise being beaten down like a child by burlier foe even as magic slowly grants him limbs and height alike, I have been occupied feigning some weariness, soon to cease moving and pretend to sleep, when a servant comes to speak with me, giving me reason to resurge in apparent alertness.

"Honored Golem User Mordre, Master Bagrom Tyotworro and a guest have arrived, and would like to meet you and guest Master Oz in the main hall presently."

As the servant departs without waiting to hears my response, I call out to Oz, apprising him of the situation, as he springs free of the fight while several Deep Spawn simply take a knee, letting their bodies finish regenerating as Dulu likewise watches our departure. As we take up residence in the roomy main hall, Bagrom and a young man puffing on Keddic's pipe who I presume is Senth stand before us. Both take part in giving us a recounting of the tournament, Oz seeming to be pleased with Bagrom's performance, having bested a past champion and three veterans before finally having to withdraw, but it is the recounting by Senth, that of the final match, that interests me most. Oz likewise is enthralled by that tail, and as we are fully brought up to date, Oz slaps his knee with a sound like thunder.

"Well GOOD FOR HIM! Got to have a personal moment it sounds like, and running into your master right after? Ah, serendipitous stuff, that. And that Jeeba fellow, I met him a few times... actually killed him twice, now that I think about it. First time didn't know he had three hearts and a backup mind, so technically didn't really kill him... but I pasted him the second time around, and still I run into him later. Guy has multiple copies of his body, or some crazy thing like that. Decent fighter, no mistake, but more than a bit loopy, and a violent arse. But taking a RageSphere... whooo, that takes balls. Even your soul gets warped by that. Makes your fellow... Keddic, that's it, makes Keddic's victory all the more impressive. AND SENTH!"

Without warning or hesitation Oz's right hand exudes a ghostly hand as large as a wall that rushes towards the wiry redhead at the speed of thought-and meets nothing, Senth having slipped away by some use of Tractomancy. ...A valuable skill, that. Yet instead of continuing, Oz laughs, walking forward and offering his hand to Senth.

"Well squirt, haven't seen you for a few years. Still a no-good waste of space, bothering your betters?"
>[Senth]"Haha, you know it!"
"And I note you use that Keddic's pipe..."
>"Yup, having a bit of fun with him."
"Ah-hah..."

With Bagrom moving to leave, likely seeking a wash and sleep, Senth and Oz chat, catching up since their last encounter (apparently two years ago, with Oz mocking Senth's new patch of chin-hair mercilessly), I look out of the main entrance, towards the vibrant night life of Waltora, a city large enough to hold scores of thousands I see Korgotyo's massive form illuminated by enormous bonfires as he leads nocturnal instruction for the Chaining Calamity school, his enormous chains dancing to his whims as they flick over building tops. I also note the four story courthouse is fully lit, and packed with throngs of people, likely interested in the sentencing of that serial killer. I see Hieryou vanishing into the courthouse. Dulu has engaged the Deep Spawn, asking that they spar with him as well, and they now continue their violence, the support Deep Spawn no longer taking part as pairs of warriors face Dulu. I briefly consider my soul, only slightly strained from the crafting of so few Deep Spawn.



What should I say or do?
Should I bring up Jioga's impending approach, and discuss potentially relocating?
Or should I try to speak directly with Bagrom, Dulu or Oz and Senth about anything?
Or perhaps should I venture out into Waltora proper, and seek to meet with Korgotyo or Hieryou?
Or should I simply stay and feign sleep?
>>
No. 233791 ID: 57baa0

Well, I would think, now that we having a restoration type Deep Spawn, that we get Murhyihal on repairing Edge of Oblivion.
>>
No. 233794 ID: 9338f5

>>233791
this has my full support
>>
No. 233801 ID: 57baa0

Also, determine some of the limits of our new Deep Spawn, if there are any (e.g. Murhyihal's spawn cannot grant regeneration to non-living organism {like Mordre when he is not using Blood Magic, or even when he is using Blood Magic}, Murhyihal's soft/hard cap on how fast he can repair things with and without the help of his spawn/Akeakam/Mordre's Blood Magic Magnetomancy/the patient's innate regeneration/other healer's attempts/any combination of the above, how far does Akeakam's/his spawn's strengthening effect goes in duration and strength of effect, if Akeakam and his spawn's effects stack, if the strengthening effect can affect non-living organisms, exactly which attributes the effect affect, if it can be used on themselves, etc.)

And, um, I am not suggesting restrictions, just so we are clear. Just desiring to know what Akeakam and Murhyihal can and cannot do, in their current state.

If Murhyihal's spawn can increase the rate of regeneration of our Deep Spawn, perhaps attach some of his spawn onto the sparring Deep Spawn (and their opponents, if they wish)? And, if Akeakam can increase magical strength, if only for a time, and we go for repairing the Edge of Oblivion, perhaps he can strengthen Mordre and Murhyihal so we can shave off more estimated time until complete repair, hopefully hours or even days, though minutes or seconds is good (especially since we know that our Spawns' abilities increase in strength as they age and earn experience, eventually Akeakam could just empower Murhyihal in the heat of battle, and Murhyihal finishes repairing the Edge of Oblivion in seconds, though that is a long way off).

Also, Murhyihal is really fucking hard to remember and to spell. Who came up with it?
>>
No. 233806 ID: 5f0943

>>233801
> Also, Murhyihal is really fucking hard to remember and to spell.
Let's call him Mury/Murhy then, for short.
>>
No. 233815 ID: 6ae689

You might want to have a talk with Senth, see what he expects and make sure he's reasonably well updated on the current mission and all that. Does he use his tractomancy for anything useful apart from saving his own hide?

If Bagrom is still hurt from the tournament then Murhyihal might be able to fix up the remaining ills.

Since you've got a combat lawyer about there might be some way to keep Jioga from entering the estates through legal means somehow... Check out Hieryou's skills and abilities if possible. They may be tied to rules and laws somehow, giving him a possible edge against even a dragon. Also is it possible to create another teleportation box from AGC shells? If so then we could just use that to get away if Oz agrees to it.
>>
No. 233816 ID: 1384b4

What? No pictures for our new Depp Spawns? Awww.... I like to have visual representation....

I am starting to miss Arkus and Arcaneworks in general, lets have a status update again through Phohn... And while we are at it, lets do the same for Mordreden, lets see how the integration is going...

Concerning Senth and the pipe. I would like to know if he would be able to evade our anti-magic field.

Also, Bob, are our Deep Spawn gaining experience by sparring with Oz? I also hope that gaining experience does not necesarely mean fighting and killing stuff as our support Spawns would have little chance to better them self. I hope that the more we use our spawn for their core abilities the more experienced they become overall (like using Phohn for communication, Sadronm for commanding, etc.)
Oh, speaking of Sadronm, is he helping during the sparrings? He should direct and give orders to other Spawns, this will increase his experience too.
>>
No. 233831 ID: b18ccb

...question: Burduko can teleport to the Lenryt Boxes. We have a box back at Lubu's camp, don't we? Because if we do this is an escape plan we need to use - I don't mind coming back, enjoying the sights and sounds, but if a Dragon attacks, I'd rather cut and run then risk losing our deep spawn and allies.

Oh, question for Vandgurd and Zelgoto: Did he trash our Pagoda? Because I'd kind of like that back.

But as for what to do, checking up on Dulu would be a good idea, and then see how Bagrom is. We should also find out who this 'Senth' person is, seeing as we apparently hired him.

We should make mention about the Dragon following us and what happened and ask for input. A suggestion I would like to make to Oz, in a smooth segue to this is that Oz might just be at Dragon level himself.

After that, let's just walk the town, see what there is to see. Maybe tell Hieryou his relative has returned.

And idea: I have a lurking feeling that either Keddic's Master is Angormandius or Angormandius is hunting down Keddic, being a student of the Lined One.
>>
No. 233835 ID: 32a249

>>233801
This.
Actually, this applies to most of our Deep Spawn. While most concepts are straightforward, some are less so. There are several meanings for "Communication", for example.
>>
No. 233851 ID: 445c48

>>233801
I don't think we have some time for all that testing currently, we probably should wait until we get back home to test it.

Also Bob came up with the name, honk.
>>
No. 233859 ID: b6460c

WALKING STIM PACK!!
>>
No. 233860 ID: b6460c

>>233791
Mury with the support of Velada and Budurko(to help with the bindings)
>>
No. 233864 ID: 57baa0

>>233860
Ooh, I forgot about that. Yeah, Velada (I feel that we aren't using them as we much as we should...) and Burduko conjoined is a very good idea. Though I hope EoO still has its locks when they are done...
>>
No. 233866 ID: ab04d4

I vote to go meet Hieryou. If things go as he predicted, he'll have to fight this serial killer in one-on-one combat, and we can use this opportunity to appraise his use and skillset if necessary.

Then again I'm an idiot for new, well-fluffed characters, so disregard if a more efficient plan exists.
>>
No. 233871 ID: a76809
File 128546255453.jpg - (81.98KB , 581x771 , Totally not Hong Kong Fooey.jpg )
233871

>>233791
>>233794
I turn over the Edge of Oblivion to Velada and Murhyihal, feeling the temporal lock receding at the presence of the time bees, even as Burduko joins himself to the working to pull back the spatial lock as well. I see cracks finally starting to seal, the blade having its restoration begin in earnest. They add their collective efforts to my own, and I find myself hoping for a sword wholly repaired soon.

>>233801
Through Phohn I ask Murhyihal for some specifications on his powers, and come up with the following:
-spawn cannot grant regeneration to non-living organism or anything wholly inorganic.
-spawn grant equivalent regeneration to hosts as a normal spawn of equivalent quality possessed.
-spawn grant no other bonuses besides the regeneration, and cannot fight on their own.
-spawn regeneration cannot stack with other forms of regeneration.
-Murhyihal can supply proto-metal that takes on the characteristics of metal around it, rather than specific types of metal.
-Murhyihal can fully restore five Deep Spawn before running out of materials for further healing, and needing half a cycle to recover. This equates to one Deep Spawn's worth of healing a day.
-Murhyihal's regeneration requires a compliant recipient, i.e. healing cannot be administered on the fly, time must be put aside for it.
-Murhyihal's regeneration allows even magically sustained wounds that would otherwise pierce regeneration to be combated.


With this information gained, I turn my questions next on Akeakam, learning the following:
-spawn grant a strength equivalent to conventional spawn, i.e. rend mundane metal, rip bodies apart, still inferior to Deep Spawn.
-Unlike Murhyihal's spawn, Akeakam's spawn can be stacked, potentially all twenty on a single person, potentially making a normal human stronger than Vandgurd or Zelgoto.
-spawn can stack with other methods of strength enhancement.
-Akeakam's personal enhancement is multi-tiered, imbuing a passive Combat Magic that steals magic from foes on contact to add to one's own mana pool. This stolen mana is then directly converted to direct body amplification, in the form of body hardening, and improved reaction time.
-Akeakam regenerates fluids, as do its spawn, passively over the course of time.
-spawn hold enough energy to provide a ten minute boost before needing at least an hour to refill, While Akeakam regenerates more slowly but has a much larger reservoir.

>>233816
[They are gaining experience, and it is not just fighting that grants them experience.]
I use Phohn to speak with Arkus, seeking an update on the status of the Arcanoworks. It turns out despite the late hour Arkus was awake, and his report through Phohn contains the following:

-More than 1,000 hand-cannons have been made, and the original one hundred and eight still in his possession have now been modified with both Skyfall runes and a revolving cylinder for repeating shots. Several of the lesser singleshot, non-skyfall versions have been traded to the Blue Knight, in addition to several payments of rubies.
-The Arcanoworks has any metal they could ask for, Del Rogo having joined the Arcanoworks smiths, now working on building uniform plate for all soldiers, to compliment their morphic weapons and hand-cannons.
-Jezebel has finished constructing enough WASP spears and lightning guns to arm every soldier, including enough recharge packs for ten shots per person. She has now begun work on building ODIN mines, and making new versions of the TASTE o' Doom.
-Ellayia has taken several books from the library, saying she will exact payment as she continues to wait for Mordre. She still refuses to tell anyone else her findings. Thus far, she has taken three books.
-The widespread theft of minor items ended after the Watchmen under Vime's command left per orders from Brigadier General Quinton.
-Dregas has further improved the Arcanoworks finances, claiming taxes from local farming communities in exchange for both patrols and optimal commerce, insuring the people who will pay the most see the village's goods. Thus far, opinion of the Arcanoworks, and through it the 'Mage' Mordre continue to be high.
-The Blue Knight has delivered three person-sized sets of Golem Armor thus far, forged of steel, granting improved strength and complete with a funnel to direct heat from the back-mounted furnace to wrist mounted nozzles. These tank-like flamethrower suits are currently being used by Ulzrick, Vespinto and Ellorika, though only Ellorika seems to enjoy the clunky but powerful sets of equipment.
-Ulzrick has made several gains both in Magnetomancy (beyond opening locks, he can no levitate up to a pound of metal), and in Souldreaming (he can now flit into the dreams of any he's met, and independantly initiate healing.
-Reinhardt and Kyrchesia of the Paradox Knights left for half a day before returning, and resuming their occupation of the Arcanoworks.
-Eisenhardt continues to wait at the Arcanoworks, and is currently keeping an eye on the transportation box, presuming the new item to be of note.

...Quite a bit has been happening at home. I forward the same query to Mordreden, but it seems that most of those Phohn has spoken with are asleep, and his words cannot rouse the slumbering.

>>233815
>>233831
>>233866
I consider speaking with Senth, but find him so heavily entrenched in banter with Oz I refrain lest I undo the careful efforts of the prior day in ingratiating myself to the Breaker. Another time perhaps, but I find myself thoroughly intrigued by his displayed Tractomancy, especially couple with his age. After assuring myself that Bagrom does not wish further aid and being thanked for my concern, I take one last moment to check on Dulu. On finding him thoroughly entrenched in fighting the Deep Spawn while Oz chats with Senth, I depart, venturing into the nightlife of Waltora as I consider what to do. One way or another, Ash Dragon Jioga is likely coming here. This could be problematic, considering how we are ultimately rivals in this quest, and so considering this, I seek out Hieryou. I have an excuse to speak with him, namely that Bagrom has returned, as well as a chance to see him in one of his official positions. Perhaps a solution to my coming problem can be found through the judicial system, or through the military, as Hieryou has his hands in both. As I near the courthouse, walking slowly to avoid injuring the pressing throngs of people I move through, I note Korgotyo the Chained peering through a particularly open set of windows on one side of the structure, looking far too accomodating to his stature to be anything but designed for Ragegluts. I finally make it to the main doors as I hear people explode into reaction: A verdict has been rendered, it seems. Through their mutterings, a single, strident proclamation cuts like a knife, silence in its wake jarring and unnatural.

>"I demand Trial By Combat."

All eyes glue to a single figure, a man-shaped mound of muscles and matted fur, blood spattered up arms and about his mouth of fangs, a ragged red set of clothes his only possessions. He stands some eight feet tall, and likely weighs some four hundred pounds., breath steaming to mist before him. He stands surrounded by guards, spears pointing towards him from all directions. He stands before an austere panel, with three elderly officials sitting in deliberation. As one, they all turn to look at Hieryou, stepping forward as he hefts the strange, short-bladed and long-handled sword of his, saying nothing as he joins the accused within the circle of guards. One of the officials sitting in judgment holds up a liver spot covered hand, and speaks in a feeble voice.

"Then... Hieryou of the Iron Mustache shall represent the courts, as Kangaxo represents himself."

Nothing more is said as the furred Kangaxo charges forth with a turn of speed I would not have expected, closing the distance in an instant-

And dying just as fast, a sword neatly placed through his brain, directly between the eyes. His now lifeless body slumps to the ground, as Hieryou cleans the viscera from his blade, and moves back to the side of the court. ...Strange. I felt considerable magic in Kangaxo... yet none from Hieryou. What exactly did he do?

The officials briefly confer, before speaking as one.

"The case has been settled. Kangaxo was judged guilty on twelve counts of murder, and judged in a trial by combat. This session is over."

Just like that, the press of people begins to dissipate, Hieryou clearly noting my presence as he stays in the courthouse, Korgotyo still happy to sit and watch from his balcony level viewpoint.



What should I say or do?
Should I try to speak with Hieryou or Korgotyo?
Should I attempt to finagle either into sparring with Oz, which the Breaker seems to desire?
>>
No. 233884 ID: d3dfb8

>>233871
Advise Arkus to form a Golem Armor regiment. Place Ellorika in charge and recruit volunteers from the normal troops. For now leave Ellorika piloting a Golem Armor suit, one as a training suit for the volunteers, and one as a prototype for Del Rogo, Jezebel and Arkus to add modifications to. The TASTE o' Doom can be easily added to something of that size. Also we need a flag or something to attach to Ellorika's armor too differentiate from the training armor.
>>
No. 233886 ID: 57baa0

So, given what we know of the customs of the land, may we soulsuck Kangaxo's soul?
>>
No. 233932 ID: b18ccb

Bob, you killed Hong Kong Fooey. My god.

Anyway, can you sense Kangaxo's soul? Might be a good idea to try and eat that soul, if we can. But tip out non-existant hat to Korgotyo as we walk to Hieryou.

"Greetings, Heiryou of the Iron Mustache. Who was the accused?" Walk closer to him. "Forgive me, I have never seen trial by combat before, and to see the judgment so...harsh. What is it that he did?" Beat. Illia coughs. "Oh, yes, forgive me, thank you, thank you Illia, forgive me. You're...relative, of young Bagrom, are you not? He has just returned, quiet successful, I believe. And while I was here I wished to ask some questions, if that's alright with you."

"Erm, yeah, yes, first question," Gesture to the dead creature. "What was the ex-Kangaxo? He doesn't seem to be a Rageglut although I doubt I've been here for long enough to know what counts as 'normal', haha." And pause, steeple our hands together.

Other topics of conversation:
Can we eat that soul?
How can we legally eat the souls of those we've defeated?
There is a Dragon coming. Can you give us some advice for dealing with him?
How long has Korgotyo lived here?
>>
No. 233933 ID: 445c48

>>233886
I thought what we knew of the customs of the land in regards to soul-sucking was "Holy shit that's super-murder"

Also, blast, I knew we should have popped back to the Arcanoworks, but I didn't say anything. Ah well. Use Phohn to talk to Ellayia in a manner similar to how he first talked to Arkus (Being close to the Danger-Rod right?), explain that it is a secure magical means of communication. Also buy back dose fukken books. Explain to Eisenhardt, politely, that the boxes are new, a gift, and to not mess with them during Round II or any other time, please and thankyou.
>>
No. 233934 ID: b14128

>>233886
I get the feeling the answer is no, considering how they don't aggressing people's souls after the deaths of their bodies. Then again, this was a convicted serial killer, so maybe things are different in this case.
>>
No. 233936 ID: 1384b4

>>233886
Oh good idea....
We could even try to say that a quick death is not a suitable sentance for someone who murdered 12 people...
>>
No. 233938 ID: ab04d4

Don't soulsuck. At best Kangaxo will be a heroic soul, but he's probably just a normal soul with a bit of speed magic.

Talk to Hieryou about the trial, and exactly what Kangaxo did. Ingratiate yourself by agreeing with his statements of law and order, and depending on how he treats trial by combat react accordingly. Preferably, he values martial prowess, which we can use as a stepping stone in the chat.
>>
No. 233940 ID: 56dc25

>>233933
If we go back to the Arcanoworks, Eisenhardt will enter combat with us. Unless you have a plan for either avoiding or dealing with that, please do not suggest returning. We were only able to leave in the first place by tricking him into rushing off, remember?

>>233871
I would speak with Hieryou, first complimenting him briefly on his style and attempting to learn something about it since its characteristics are so low-key. Move on from there to explain briefly that the Ash Dragon will likely be arriving soon and not feeling terribly amicable towards you, and you thought it would be prudent to inquire as to any laws which might come up. On Dragons in general, fighting in town, that sort of thing.


While Oz might want to spar with these guys, it's not our job to make whatever he wants happen, and frankly if we make every effort to facilitate everything he wants it'll only encourage him to take longer to decide, since he'll be able to hang out with a cool guy who provides fighting fun, adventures, and works to make him happy pretty much endlessly. Not to be cynical, but we've taken steps towards friendship, and should attempt to be his friend, not someone who showers him with gifts/bribes so that he does what we say.
>>
No. 233941 ID: d3dfb8

I vote for politely asking permission to soul suck.

Explain that if a soul is strong enough it survives within our form forever, to do battle. The ultimate reward for any true warrior.
>>
No. 233945 ID: b18ccb

>>233940
We have Del Rogo and with him, Del Rogo's Ax, the thing that cost Eisenhardt his apprentice and allying with Weinsho.

>>233938
Any magic is a good thing, and we can get a feel for just what the hell he was, along with maybe making ourselves seem nicer, if we're 'tormenting' a serial killer, even if he's a mage or a hero we're just using them.
>>
No. 233946 ID: b18ccb

>>233941
Serial Killer. Don't compliment the Serial Killer.
>>
No. 233948 ID: ab04d4

No soul suck. They consider the trial by combat and death to be a proper judicial punishment. Any appending to that, whether we say it's eternal torment or valhalla, is changing the status quo of the law and thus unacceptable.

Besides, we already have enough speed.
>>
No. 233950 ID: b18ccb

First, let us see if the soul is worth eating. If it's just a normal soul, I suppose we can pass. If it's a Hero Soul, or a Mage Soul, we should get it. Combat magic is always useful, and any Arcane that could cause speed increases we don't have or need to increase.
>>
No. 233962 ID: a76809

>>233884
Through Phohn, I instruct Arkus to form a Golem Armor regiment with the aid of Derkin and Ellorika as it's tentative lead, with the other two suits being used for training soldiers and for being experimented with by Del Roga, Arkus and Jezebel alike. I get back a reply as swift as thought, revealing that Arkus has deduced he need not speak for Phohn to hear. Arkus reports he shall do so, but that even with Dregas and the seed money of rubies, it will be considerable time until enough has been traded for a regiment's worth... unless we expend nearly all the rubies, or trade nearly all the default hand-cannons. I take his concerns under consideration as he nevertheless sets to organizing a super-heavy infantry, a walking bulwark, a Tank Division for the Arcanoworks. I eagerly await whatever changes Arkus Jezebel and Del Rogo can work on what already sound to be potent armaments.

>>233886
[What you know suggests it would be a TERRIBLE idea.]

>>233932
I nod to Korgotyo looking on from above as I work my way to Hieryou, receiving a passing gesture of acknowledgment back. Upon finally making my way to the patiently waiting Iron Mustache, his wolf once more at his side. As I approach, he speaks clearly, neither obsequious or inflammatory.

>"What do you want?"
"You're a ...relative, of young Bagrom, are you not?"
>"This is so."
"Well, he has just returned, quiet successful, I believe. "
>"...The Grand Gainer?"
"Exactly so. And while I was here I wished to ask some questions, If that's alright with you."
>"I have time yet before my military duties this night. Speak."
"What exactly was the accused? I still know little about local constructs."
>"A Warhound. Strong, fast, violent. Shorter lifespan, act recklessly."
"I see. I had two other questions of some import, as it were."
>"Being?"
"Do you have any advice, concerning how to deal with an irate Dragon, Potentially seeking violence for a perceived slight?"
>"That unless you're stupid, or they're stupid, you'll be safe. Dragon can't make the first strike, so just don't attack. And if Dragon does attack, gets a national warrant concerning the incident. ..Won't help if you lack witnesses who could tell the tale, though."
"I.. see. My final question was thus: How long has Korgotyo lived here?"
>"...Since before my birth, I could not speak beyond that."

>>233938
>>233940
"The trial seemed to go cleanly, when your turn came."
>"My foe was not focused enough to See, this is true."
"A rather unusual style, by my own experience. May I ask what makes it so... low-key?"
>"....I was not aware you could See as well."
"By 'See', you do reference sensing magic in others, yes?"
>"If by 'magic' you mean Mass Connection, then yes."
"Then it seems we are in agreement."
>"I happened to encounter a practitioner of Elegant Expunging. I coupled this with some of Iron Body and Armor Annuller, to craft something of a hybrid style. Beyond that, I speak to no one, so you shall have to make due. No warrior would speak that frankly."

At this, the enormous Korgotyo chimes in, his rumbling interjection audible to all.

"HEH. WOULD NOT DO WELL, TO SHARE ONE'S SECRETS.
QUITE THE INQUISITIVE TRAVELER, THIS GOLEM USER.
"
>"Perhaps, but a friend of the Tyotworro family, and thus far an acceptable guest."
"AT LEAST HE HAS MANNERS, THIS WANDERING FOREIGNER.
AND WHERE ARE YOUR MONSTERS, THAT FOLLOWED YOU BEFORE?
"




What should I say or do?
Do I have words for Hieryou, Korgotyo, or both?
Or should I do something else?
>>
No. 233971 ID: 445c48

Say something about how you understand the secrets bit, couldn't get you to spill the beans on your long range control method after all, and then tell 'em the truth. Your munsters are sparring with Oz, because Oz likes fightin', and the munsters regenerate from the thrashing Oz gives them. He really likes his sparring, Oz, I'm sure he'd enjoy some with you even.
>>
No. 233977 ID: d3dfb8

>>233971
This, but preferable not worded so poorly.

Ask Keddic via Phohn what he (and The Lined One if/when Keddic finds him) knows about Elegant Expunging, Iron Body and Armor Annuller.

Let Arkus know the Armor regiment is not an immediate thing, but we shall proceed with trading with a future full regiment in mind.
>>
No. 233978 ID: b18ccb

"With a...friend, I suppose, of mine. Dulu, the iron one with many eyes. They are brawling togeather - something I believe Bagrom's teacher would quite enjoy with you both. But...Warhound? A construct or something of natural birth?"

And cough. "Forgive me, I don't know much about your culture, but...would it be rude of me if I allowed my golem to...use the criminal soul for experimentation?"

Rotate our head to look up to Korgotyo. "And if I may speculate, Hieryou's style is derived from Elegant Expunging sudden blade, empowered by using the Iron Body upon the blade itself? Pardon if I'm just...shooting my mouth off, as it were, but the magics...the Mass Connections of the Land of the Dragon are so...unique! They interest me more then I can say."
>>
No. 233988 ID: 445c48
File 128547562548.jpg - (126.09KB , 1024x682 , RA3_Soviet_TeslaTank.jpg )
233988

>>233978
>More trying to get the guy's soul

>[What you know suggests it would be a TERRIBLE idea.]

Let's stop with this.


In addition to Golem Armor sorta tank guys, let's try to build actual tanks. Maybe some that, say, shoot fuckin' lightning (I'm sure Jezebel will be happy with that), or just normal cannon. Also, we've really got to figure out how to make that morphic steel, can't run out. Which is why you should tell Arkus, Via Phohn, to buy those damn books back, they might be important. Either that or we'll need to get Senth to steal them for us, if we get back in time.
>>
No. 233990 ID: b18ccb

>>233988
Capacitors Ready

But it's that 'From what we know'. I'd just like to ask a legal official if we could or not, and how we could use souls for 'experimentation'.
>>
No. 233991 ID: b6460c

Tell Arkus to ask her for a description and then talk to her via Phohn

Scratch that, it would not be polite to dismiss her like that even though she has been waiting.

"They are back at the estate, training in the ways of combat. They are still young constructs and have much to learn both in the ways of combat and the other Arts. I hope that my stay here will allow them to grow to be more well rounded."

"As for sensing magic, this particular construct bears several unique features, the least of which not being my newly devised 'W.O.R.L.D' System. I hope that I will be able to add much more to it in the future as it has become one of my favorites. You may understand my indisposition to the damage of such a device, by the hand of a Dragon or otherwise."

"Ah! One moment."

Do a quick scan of world magic sources in this region. I fact just do a general scan of the region right now, find what metals are around here, magic sources, rock types, etc. Just a pulse quick pulse across the magic spectrum. Find things that would be useful to you, especially Leylines.

I hope to find, among other things, a special 'ingredient' to add to our next Deep Spawn construct. Something that screams LOD.
Heck, maybe even an old set of armour that was buried close to a world magic geyser and has some latent magic stored in it or somn.
>>
No. 233995 ID: b6460c

>>233990
Truthfully, though it would be a great loss, I don't think we should do much soul sucking while we are here, unless of course the soul attacks us in it's spectral state; Then it's free game.
>>
No. 234011 ID: b6460c

But even if this guy can 'See', for him to be able to identify how we finished up the Deep Spawn so accurately AND on his first go, this man is good...

This truly is the Land Of Dragons. There are strong people to be found behind every bush and around every corner.
>>
No. 234014 ID: 56dc25

>>233945
We "have" Del Rogo? We haven't even spoken to the man since his arrival. For all we know, he's working with Arkus more because he's bored while waiting than anything else, and is planning to leave. Certainly, he'd likely object to our turning over priceless- and confidential- customer information to some random (if powerful) guy just to avoid a fight. Nor would it necessarily be wise on our part to do so, and if we're not going to hand it over then it comes back to fighting. More than that, if I recall correctly, Eisenhardt isn't after us because of Del Rogo, he's after us because we killed his apprentice and cost him years of effort. We're not going to be able to erase a grudge like that. It's easy to be distracted by the fact that Eisenhardt is a well-spoken guy, but he genuinely wants to see us dead.

So unless I'm missing something here, that doesn't really help us with the Eisenhardt issue.


>>233871
We might consider having Arkus inform Ellayia that he's been in touch with us and that we would be willing to send her transport to our current location so that we may confer, and then have her use the box to drop by once we've returned to our Land of Dragons portal. No sense having her sit around stealing our library. Speaking of which, our books! How dare she? She should be paid in rubies or something, knowledge is precious and not to be released so easily. For that matter, she clearly has free access to our library, which frankly is something that many mages would deny even valued actual employees, to say nothing of sometime contractors. That's already like paying her. Annoying.


>>233962
I hadn't realized that Korgotyo was that old. We should tell him that we'd be interested in hearing how he came to his current position sometime; we have never met a man of his particular stature (is joke, see?) before. He probably has some interesting stories to tell and would be worth associating with by virtue of having lived this long in these lands, if nothing else.

Also, as long as we're chatting here, I'd be interested in knowing just how one gets the title of Dragon. Is it simply due to having the whole legendary soul bit, and the associated metaphysical gravity that is apparent to everyone around, or is there some other qualification? Are there Dragons who have no interest in ruling places like most of them seem to? I'm basically fishing for information about the social and political structures involved here, as it would give us more of a reference to work with Oz in.

Other topics could be covered as well, of course. How Hieryou got his job, how often he encounters stubborn and powerful lawbreakers like that one, that sort of thing. How large his extended family is, and what exactly his relation to Bagrom is as unfortunately we are an ignorant foreigner and haven't picked up on this yet (is another joke).

And I suppose we could casually mention that we know Oz would relish the chance to spar with either of them, as they are doubtless highly capable, but don't push it.

Then after talking for a while, mosey on back to where Oz is; hopefully we'll have time for a bit of a chat before the Ash Dragon shows up.
>>
No. 234019 ID: b18ccb

Oh, one last note: Dragon's can't strike first, he said? What if we have proof that they did? And make sure that Vanguard didn't, you know, strike first.
>>
No. 234027 ID: 56dc25

>>234019
Ahaha, are you thinking that we could get the Ash Dragon accused of cutting down our deepspawn and accordingly in all kinds of trouble? That's awesome!

To make that happen, first point out in response to Korgotyo that our spawn are not monsters, really; they're specialized but autonomous lifeforms whose souls are shaped by another's rather than formed in the classical fashion, but for all that they're just as much people as anyone else. Do so in a casual fashion, as though discussing a science project or philosophy problem of which an old mage is exceptionally fond.

Then move on to our other suggestions, but eventually bring things around to the legal rights of ragegluts, warhounds, ancestral tombs, and other beings of debatable humanity. The point being to discover if they've got equal rights, and accordingly if we've actually got an argument here. Be subtle.

Then we just have to find out who qualifies as a witness, and if we've got one or if we'll need to trick the Ash Dragon into admitting that he whomped on our spawn when they didn't attack him in the presence of the authorities/more witnesses.
>>
No. 234042 ID: d3dfb8

Oh, we should ask Arkus if he'd like us to pick him up a souvenir from the Land of Dragons while we are here!
>>
No. 234049 ID: 445c48

>>234042
You don't ASK, you just get them some snow globe thing or a lousy t-shirt.
>>
No. 234052 ID: b6460c

Who designed her character again?

ARCHIVE HUNT!
>>
No. 234088 ID: e31d52

>>234049
hahahahahaha

I wholly support this.
>>
No. 234093 ID: 56dc25

>>234049
Last trip we brought him back a full set of Mortal Coil beginner mage books. And now we're seriously considering lowering ourselves to a snow globe? I admit that it's traditional, but I also think that we've set a high standard for ourselves and would feel bad about discarding it.

We should get him, uh. I don't know, something magical and nerdy.
>>
No. 234094 ID: e31d52

>>234093
Some writings about Mass Connection?
>>
No. 234111 ID: 44da65

The problem with legal action is that the rights and status of Mordre and the Deepspawn would probably come into question. The Deepspawn are to some extent part of Mordre and Mordre is actually a sentient golem, if one that could be classed as an Ancestral Tomb by LoD standards. Any witness would also potentially have to stand against Jioga's 300 officers.

Legal action probably not the best way to go about it, but it's a good deterrent or leverage.

Ask Korgotyo what he's generally up to these days. Maybe he's interested in coming on a journey?
>>
No. 234112 ID: 1384b4

Wow, Bob, so many updates...
It's like early Christmas here!
Thanks, man...
>>
No. 234115 ID: ddd48d

>>233816
>What? No pictures for our new Deep Spawns? Awww.... I like to have visual representation....
I AM ON THE CASE MY FRIEND


>>234019
If our Spawn count as people here and this actually works that would be AWESOME 8D

>>234093
>>234094
I suppose after our chat we can go out shopping? see if there is anything for sale here that would help Arkus in his studies.
Also to see more of the town would be good.

>>234052
Who designed who?? I think I missed something here.

Also I vote no for soul sucking for every case that pops up here in LoD, since it seems like a baaaaad idea.
>>
No. 234147 ID: b18ccb

See, I just wanna ask 'Legally, when is a soul forfit?' so we have some idea of when it would be possible. The last time we soul-ate was during a war, so I was wondering what other times would it be legally allowable - or if never, we don't bring up our eating ever.
>>
No. 234155 ID: b14128

Don't eat his soul. Don't -ask- if you can eat his soul. Don't even -mention- souls.
>>
No. 234157 ID: ab04d4

Man, I really want to actually have Mordre ask about his soul if only to teach you guys the fucking lesson.

Shut up about the souls.
>>
No. 234171 ID: 9338f5

we should probably tell Arkus to send someone to check on that forrest of omonious trees that we burned down a while ago. make sure nothing has grown back.
>>
No. 234172 ID: 9338f5

>>234155
this, a thousand times this.
>>
No. 234177 ID: 5f0943

Yeah I'm going with the people saying to not take ANY action whatsoever when it comes to souls right now.

Maybe when no one is looking, or in the chaos of a battle, but not now.
>>
No. 234216 ID: 57baa0

So, while rereading the seventh thread, I came upon the name Hieryou, the messenger Lubu told to give tell Jioga the challenge between us. So, is Hieryou of the Iron Mustache that Hieryou?
>>
No. 234217 ID: a76809

>>234216
[Not everyone has a different first name, different Hieryou.]

>>233971
>>233977
I pass on to Phohn a request for Keddic, to comment on anything he or his master The Lined One knows about Elegant Expunging, Iron Body and Armor Annuller. For a moment I fear Keddic to be asleep the same as others, but in that space between seconds, I get his response at the speed of thought.
-Iron Body involves just that, adding the properties of Iron to the body, presumably using the iron in one's system as a medium for this change. This style is exclusively built around defense and hardening, with little to term offense included in the style.
-Armor Annuller is something Keddic has heard of before, but never seen in practice. It seems to be a Combat magic specifically designed to reduce fights to a less charged format, using one's energy to negate the combat energies of others.
-Keddic knows nothing about Elegant Expunger, and will ask The Lined one about it and the other two styles on the morrow. Currently he is simply catching up with his master before he goes to sleep.

>>234019
[An excellent point to raise-]

>>233990
[...Okay, you want to ask this question still? Fine.]
"Hieryou, if I may ask, there was something concerning local customs and laws I wished to clarify."
>"That being?"
"Well, souls are rather clearly held in high regard here-"
>"They are the seat of consciousness, the repository of one's life and experience."
"As you say. Well, I wanted to clarify something, concerning souls. If a soul, once excised of it's mortal body, elects to attack me, can I defend myself?"
>"...You speak of a free soul beginning aggression? Yes, you can defend yourself by any means you wish in such a situation."
"Would perhaps taking a murderer's soul for experimentation-"

Hieryou's voice hardens as I feel a tinge of hostility in his form.

>"Criminal or not, his soul is his own, and no others. If you ever attack or accost an unresisting soul, you will be eligible for capital punishment any and everywhere in the whole Land. Other than direct defense of one's own life from a rogue spirit, there is NO situation where damaging or otherwise manipulating a soul without their express permission would be acceptable. Try it, and you shall be subject to having the slumbering Ancestral Tombs of any given area seeking you out in addition to local law enforcement."
"My apologies if I offende-"
>"It is not a question of offense, it is a question of common sense. Our whole society is built around extolling the strengths and virtues of the Soul, and those who in death choose service are honored for their work: How could one neglect to notice the reverance directed towards souls?"
"I am new to the area-"
>"And yet you speak our language easily. I tell you this, Mordre: You are a guest of the family, and an acquaintance of the Main line, and as such I will do my duty and be your host while in the estates. And if a Dragon does seek unlawful aggression against you, you will find myself and the Judicially-oriented Ancestral Tombs on your side, as is our duty. ...But after such poor judgment as this, do not expect me to be your friend."

Without another word, Hieryou marches away, his heavyset wolf loping along behind him, neither paying me any more attention. ...Clearly, my choice to try and weedle some means of legally harvesting souls from him was not my best idea. I hear a rumbling chuckle, and look up to see Korgotyo smiling at our exchange.

"HEH. NOT THE WISEST MOVE, THAT.
SO, NOW THAT HIERYOU AIN'T TALKING TO YOU,
WHERE ARE YOUR MONSTERS?
"

>>233991
[Even with Blood Magic active, the most you could scan for on a wide scale would be Blood, and anything made of Blood Iron.]
"They are back at the estate, engaged in sparring and assorted training. They are still young constructs and have much to learn both in the ways of combat. I hope that my stay here will allow them to grow to be more well rounded."
"THEY ALMOST SOUND LIKE YOUR DISCIPLES."
"I suppose in a way that they are, as ultimately they are sapient beings, Both of my making and as such under my direct care. By my own estimates, They are just like the rest of us, hardly 'monsters' by any means."
"HMM. FORGIVE AN OLD ONE HIS SLIP OF THE TONGUE,
I SHOULD KNOW BETTER THAN TO LABEL SO, CONSIDERING MY OWN NATURE.
I SUPPOSE I AM TOO USED TO BEING SEEN AS 'NORMAL' WITHIN WALTORA."[/code]

>>2340111
"Pay it no mind, I well understand mistakes of this nature. Well, since I cannot ask Hieryou now, as I clearly angered him, Perhaps you could answer a question I hope to pose to him."
"[b]THAT BEING?
"
"Combined with the... insight he has displayed, he has spoken of 'Seeing', As if to reference something beyond simply using the visual sense itself. Do you know of what he spoke?"
"AH, THAT. WELL, ONE IS TERMED ABLE TO 'SEE' WHEN THEY CAN READ THE MAGIC OF OTHERS.
THE TERM USED WHERE YOU COME FROM IS 'MAGIC', IS IT NOT?
"
"Indeed.... I see, so he is a magic sensor, as I am?"
"WOULD CERTAINLY SEEM THAT WAY.
...CONCERNING YOUR... DISCIPLES, THEY CAN WITHSTAND THE BREAKER?
"
"Well, so long as he does not use attacks that would directly harm the soul, yes."
"MOST IMPRESSIVE, THE HARDINESS THEY MUST HAVE."

>>234014
"So, you have been a sometime resident of this town for some time, yes?"
"YES. I TOOK UP PRIMARY RESIDENCE BEFORE SHANGOD WAS THE HIGH DRAGON....
NEARLY SIXTY YEARS AGO, NOW THAT I THINK ON IT.
I HAD FINALLY SAVED UP ENOUGH TO BUY OUT,
AND WAS NO LONGER MILITARY PROPERTY, BUT A FREE MAN.
"
"That must make you quite the fixture of the town... And a veteran from before the last Emperor? I do not meet men of such stature often."
"HEH, HEH, HEH. IS GOOD JOKE.
I THANK YOU FOR THE COMPLIMENT.
"

Korgotyo begins to stretch, pulling back from the open balcony he had been looking through, suppressing a yawn a horse could vanish into behind a gnarled and callused hand.

"MEH. GOT ANOTHER NIGHT PRACTICE TONIGHT...
HONESTLY, ALWAYS SO BUSY WHEN I COME BACK.
"
"You seem to be something of a celebrity at that school, is this not so?"
"YEAH, THAT IS SO. MOSTLY DUE TO THE FACT I SURVIVED FIGHTING A DRAGON,
SOME SEVENTY FIVE YEARS AGO, AND HAVE BEEN PRACTICING CHAINING CALAMITY,
FOR LONGER THAN THE CURRENT MASTER HAS BEEN ALIVE.
LONGER LIFESPAN HAS ITS PERKS.
"
"Perhaps you could clear up some confusion for me: What makes a Dragon different from a Living Legend, like Oz?"
"A DISTINCTION NOT ALL THAT MANY CAN MAKE WITH CERTAINTY.
ALL DRAGONS ARE LIVING LEGENDS, BUT NOT ALL LIVING LEGENDS ARE DRAGONS.
BECOMING A DRAGON MEANS BECOMING A LIVING LEGEND THROUGH MILITARY SERVICE,
AND BY VIRTUE OF BECOMING THAT POTENT, HAVING AN ARMY AT YOUR BACK.
SO REALLY, THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT DRAGONS HAVE SOLDIERS, AND MUCH MORE TO TRACK,
THAN A LIVING LEGEND LIKE OZ, WHO SIMPLY HAS HIS STRENGTH TO MANAGE.
REALLY, ITS A QUESTION OF ONE'S AMBITION TO COMPLEMENT THEIR STRENGTH:
DO THEY SIMPLY SEEK PERSONAL STRENGTH, OR DO THEY SEEK CONTROL?
NOT THE ANSWER MOST WOULD GIVE, BUT I'VE FOUND IT LARGELY ACCURATE.
"
"So how would a Living Legend with a number of disciples be viewed?"
"A GOOD QUESTION. ACTUALLY, THAT'S ONE OF THE OTHER TWO WAYS TO BECOME A DRAGON.
ONE CAN BECOME ONE BY GROWING THROUGH MILITARY SERVICE AS MOST DO,
ONE CAN BECOME A DRAGON BY FAIRLY CHALLENGING AND BESTING A DRAGON,
AND LASTLY BY BEING A LIVING LEGEND THAT GAINS SUFFICIENT NUMBERS OF DISCIPLES.
AND BEFORE YOU ASK, THERE IS NO SET DIVIDING LINE FOR THAT LAST METHOD,
AS IT HAPPENS SO RARELY. HASN'T HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE IN MY LIFE,
AND THE ONE THAT DID PASSED AWAY A DECADE AGO.
WHY DO YOU ASK ABOUT DISCIPLES?
"
"Well, Oz has taken on a student, and seems inclined to take on more."
"NO KIDDING? I WISH HIM THE BEST OF LUCK ON THAT,
IT HURT TO SEE SUCH A TALENTED WARRIOR HAVE SO LITTLE.
"
"Well, I know he would certainly appreciate the chance to speak with you, And to possibly even have a sparring match: If you wished, I could offer my own disciples, To play sparring partner to you, or even your school, in exchange for your time."
"....HRM. A SPAR WITH A LIVING LEGEND? A FIGHT AGAINST YOUR OWN FOLLOWERS?
AND GETTING SOMEONE TO AID IN MY LESSONS? ...I DO BELIEVE I AM INTRIGUED.
...LET ME SEE... AH, I COULD HAVE A SPAR WITH OZ TOMORROW AFTERNOON,
AND SPEND TIME BEFORE HAND SPEAKING ON WHATEVER SUBJECTS HE WISHED,
IF HE AND YOUR OWN DISCIPLES CAME TO THE CHAINING CALAMITY SCHOOL.
LET HIM KNOW THE OFFER IS OPEN, WILL YOU?[b]"
"Of course, and I appreciate your accommodating gesture."
"[b]EH. SEEMS CLEAR ENOUGH TO ME YOU ARE JUST TRYING TO GET YOUR FEET WET,
LEARN THE AREA, ALL THAT, AND HIERYOU MIGHT HAVE TAKEN YOUR QUESTION THE WRONG WAY...
THAT LAD'S ALWAYS BEEN EASY TO AGGRAVATE, GOT IN FIGHTS ALL THE TIME AS A WEE TIKE.
"

Korgotyo finish pushing himself away from the courthouse, and begins to depart with some simple words.

"WELL, IT WAS NICE MEETING YOU, BUT I MUST GO.
UNLESS YOU ARE TURNING IN FOR THE NIGHT,
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COME TO THE SCHOOL IF YOU DESIRE...
BUT I WOULD RECOMMEND SEEKING OUT HIERYOU:
YOU MIGHT WANT TO TRY EXPLAINING WHY YOU ASKED HIM THAT,
BEFORE HIS IRRITATION HAS TIME TO FESTER.
IT WAS GOOD TO SPEAK WITH YOU, MORDRE.
"

So I find myself surrounded by milling people within the courthouse, Korgotyo departing towards the Chaining Calamity School, and Hieryou having traveled deeper into the bowels of the courthouse. I consider what would be the best use of my time, considering that Jioga is an ever-looming threat, even as I find myself stuck in Waltora for the moment.



What should I say or do?
Should I go after Hieryou and try to assuage his aggravation, and if so how will I do this?
Or should I follow after the thus far exceptionally helpful Korgotyo, to speak or observe the school he teaches at?
Or should I go back to the Tyotworro estate, and hunker down for the night?
Or should I do something else?
>>
No. 234221 ID: 445c48

Damnit, shouldn't have asked about experimentation on souls. Criminal Experimentation is really weird, even when it's on the body and not the soul. The self-defense question was good, though.

Tell Phohn to tell Oz about the sparring thing.
>>
No. 234225 ID: f4e4f9

Very smooth. Kinda like asking if its ok to perform experimentation on random civilians.
>>
No. 234229 ID: 445c48

Ok, for a "Why do we know the language damn well but not the customs" reason, first explain that, being a research oriented mage, you have taken it upon yourself to learn many languages, so as to not be slowed when you encounter a book in a foreign tongue, and you've rather got a knack for languages. You learned Low because, after your last brief trip here, you saw many interesting and very different golems than you were used to, and prepared in case you ever ventured back, or came across/purchased a book detailing these golems. You learned the language from one of your staff, whose family is from the Land of Dragons, but who was born and raised up near where you are. Her parents were raised up near you as well, it is her grandparents who made the move. She still needs to speak Low, because her parents speak it at home, and she must occasionally talk to her grandparents as well, but because she is third generation, she doesn't know too much about the culture down there. In addition, she's off this week, so you can't ask her to ask her parents or something about the customs here.

I don't even know what the fuck I'm talking about
>>
No. 234230 ID: 56dc25

>>234217
>[...Okay, you want to ask this question still? Fine.]
Dammit, Bob, must we all suffer for the foolish curiosity of one person, even when most of us were explicitly against this line of questioning? (Apparently yes.)

Okay, lines of logic to get us out of this. Um... We were looking for a cultural reference point, because [insert nation here] does that regularly, and we wanted to know if criminal punishment in the Land of Dragons ends with death. It wasn't a matter of us actually wanting to experiment with a soul. Because that would be wrong.

Yeah, that's all I've got at the moment and I don't know how persuasive it would be. But we should definitely try to smooth this over if we can come up with good arguments for it. After watching us make new creatures and having heard us ask that question, Hieryou is probably pretty sure at this point that we're a crazy unethical soul mage.
>>
No. 234231 ID: f4e4f9

"I suppose you're right. I do hope he'll be willing to listen to reason."

Alright, find Heiryou before he starts shitting bricks.

"It occurs to me that I did not look at the context in which my question was asked. Would you permit me to speak on my behalf, lest you judge me upon faulty premises?"

"My question was relevant on two fronts to myself:

In my own lands, I am opposed to an individual who is guilty of taking not only the bodies of the innocent, but their souls for his own experimentation and as fuel for his magic. To my knowledge, he has abducted at least one village, possibly more, for the purpose of..."materials." I believe he has bases here, and if so, I needed to know how customs in your land would view his actions, and any potential response I made against him, before I could consider making a move against him.

Secondly: I will say only that I recommend you look into the customs of other lands before casting aspersions on individuals. Judging a man by killing him would not have been considered a fair test of innocence in other lands. I mean no offense, only a suggestion to broaden yourself."
>>
No. 234233 ID: f4e4f9

If he asks US about our lands customs on souls:

"...a touchy subject. The soul is an important part, the core, to any being. Valuable, but not necessarily moreso than an individuals life, you understand?

An example: If one would take an innocent life or commit some other atrocity, the body is not alone in that act. His soul doesn't get a free pass of innocence. HE is guilty of that act, body, mind and soul, and all are ultimately forfeit, however distasteful. Whereas, If I'm correct in my assumption, your people view them as separate entities and judge them separately, they are considered the same, separate parts but one entity, in others, and judged collectively.

Though doing anything to the soul is considered a harsher punishment than death, by its very nature of being a harder thing for the average person to accomplish."

That about right?
>>
No. 234235 ID: f4e4f9

"On the other hand, however, Soul Magic, the act of using Souls as a fuel source for a type of powerful magic, is considered absolutely outlawed, with a few exceptions. Your own land's use of your own souls in the style of the Jade Monks or Mass Connection would be a capital crime, punished by all nations."
>>
No. 234248 ID: a76809

>>234221
I ask Phohn to relay to Oz that Korgotyo would be willing to spar and speak alike tomorrow afternoon at the Chaining Calamity school, and that the Deep Spawn would be coming as well. I shortly get a response that Oz is most impressed, but would like have been told beforehand about someone who can speak into your mind.

...This is not a good moment.

>>234230
...I find myself fearing I pretend to be human far too much now, as I realize the error of my earlier remark. Coupled with seeing me fully craft beings under my power, and ones that do not look particularly friendly at that... and my own rather imposing appearance, I would be surprised if he did NOT think me some wild and unethical Soul Mage.

Because the alternative would be that he suspect my true secret.

>>234231
>>234233
>>234235
My mind racing to come up with ways to bridge the divide I made, I bid my farewells to Korgotyo, having found him a highly useful conversation partner.

"I suppose you are right. I do hope he'll be willing to listen to reason."

I wave goodbye to the passing titan, still impressed by his admission he fought a Dragon to a standstill, before I take off after Hieryou, carefully formulating my recovery. Thankfully he did not travel down unduly small corridors, and I am just able to fit, much to the chagrin of a few straggling audience members and staff, who press aside to let me pass, eyeing my approach with wariness, but noting the absence of my sword, for those few that have seen me yet. I find myself doubly grateful I left it with my Deep Spawn for repairs, as it adds a less combative air to my presence, without it upon my back. I find Hieryou looking over some paperwork and signing pages, not looking up even when his faithful wolf flicks its ears towards me.

>"Go away please, I have much work to do."
"It occurs to me that I did not look at the context in which my question was asked. Would you permit me to speak on my behalf, lest you judge me upon faulty premises?"
>"Speak."
"My question was relevant on two fronts to myself: In my own lands, I am opposed to an individual who is guilty of much, Having taking not only the bodies of the innocent and not just combatants, But their souls for his own experimentation and as fuel for his magic. To my knowledge, he has abducted at least one village, possibly more, for this purpose. I believe he has bases here, and if so, I needed to know how customs in your land would view his actions, And any potential response I made against him, before I could consider my approach."

At this Hieryou looks up, his gaze obscured within his stylized helm, still atop his head, before he returns to his writings.

>"You tell the truth, I See. Hm. The second reason?"
"I gained my knowledge of this language in absence of cultural exchange, So despite my linguistic capacity, I know very little of the land, and had no intention to offend. The lands I call home actually have different laws concerning the soul, That being that the crimes of life pass on to the soul, making them culpable as well. ...Consider it like this: A soul is still precious, simply not any more so that an individual's life, And so the crimes of the body pass on to the soul... I am not legally minded, so forgive my explanation."

Again Hieryou looks up, and this time puts his pen down, his body adopting a less aggressive posture in his seat.

>"...Again I See truth. ...Then it seems I was in error. I understand the nature of your question now. You are not from the desert, the coastal regions, or the swamp, but the far north. Interesting, one from so far. ...Concerning that accused you mentioned, who is it you speak of?"
"A Mage Weinsho."
>"I don't know the name, but if you could find their residence and some sort of evidence for your claims, I could forward it both through military courts and judicial ones, to insure bribery is as practically impossible to achieve as is feasible. Only in the instance that you can convince me of your claims."

Hieryou turns back to his writings.

>"Ultimately, I am still busy, so unless you wish to watch me do paperwork for a short while then attend to night command of the local garrison, I will still ask that you leave. I find it difficult to write when being spoken to."

I consider the fact it is still deeply early in the morning, hours before dawn.



What should I say or do?
Should I go back to the estate to do something or speak to someone?
Or should I seek out Korgotyo and his nighttime instruction?
Or should I simply wander the city night?
Or perhaps return to the estate and feign sleep?
>>
No. 234268 ID: 1384b4

Heh, it seems that he has an ability to see if someone is lying or telling the truth, a truly valuable skill in judiciary work.

I wonder how it works on non-organics like us. Does he see the soul or something...
hmm

Oh, since we are here we could ask about Jiogas attack on our Deep Spawn and the legality of that act.
>>
No. 234271 ID: 16e676

Here is an idea. Go spar with Oz. You may get some awesome insight and he would get to have fun against a stronger opponent.

Scratch that. Let's wait to do that until after Ash Dragon catches up and decides that he wants to kill us.

Wander around, see that sights, get accustomed.
>>
No. 234272 ID: 44da65

Well we have an ace. Dulu is walking proof and a witness to Weinsho's ability and willingness to enslave the souls of the dead. Mordre even freed him from his terrible shackles! Anyway it's mission time. Get back to the estate and make sure everything is all right. Consider the possiblity of setting off towards Lubu after visiting the Chaining Calamity School with Oz.

During the night do a few ability experiments. Is it possible to hollow out AGC cannon shells and using pyromancy to fill them with soulfire? I am assuming the shells won't be harmed while in the cannon as the shells should share the soul grave soulfire immunity while they're part of Mordre. The soulfire will probably melt out of and destroy the shell once it's in flight, but that's ok. It would add a new all-burning flavor to the AGC shells which individually tend to lack punch against large opponents. Don't go firing the cannon in the night however.

Also make some very long pieces of flexible metal wire using magnetomancy. We know that Zakrath's magnetic field is too weak to support Mordre's weight using his current strength, but if wires are unfurled from Mordre's body for hundreds of metres in all direction then it might act as a magnetic sail or at least a magnetic parachute allowing hovering or limited flight. Probably too bulky to use in battle, but very handy in general. Just throwing this out there.
>>
No. 234280 ID: 16e676

>>234272
Actually thanks for reminding me about this stuff.

Can't draw em right now but I can suggest something.

Grow a tube under your AVG blades (or any location you find opportune) and task it to be filled with tiny B.Iron balls, each about the size of a pin head. This will be your new 'iron storm' holder.
Should be simple enough.

I will have to draw the AGGrapnel and the Repulsion devices later.
>>
No. 234291 ID: b18ccb

First, to explain myself to my fellow...pieces of chaos: I asked how we could legally use souls, and we have our answer. We must talk to souls and ask them if we may. I suggest we try this with [s]Hong Kong Fooey[/b]Kangaxo, and this will also help us with learning to talk to our own souls and gain their wisdom. So instead of eating vast armies we have to pick and choose.

As for what to do: "Forgive me, Hieryou," Bow, deeply as we can. "And thank you for your keen insight." Pause and look to him. "You know what it is my," cough. "Beads to, and you can see truth from lies. I feel that this village is safe within your legal protection, and that so am I." Bow again. "Forgive me for distracting you I still...and adjusting for it to be night when I am use today. If you have a moment before you rest for the night, I would like your opinion about something. Once you have finished, of course, and you return to your estate."

Turn and leave. Go see if Kangaxo still exists and see if we can speak with it, convince it to allow us the use of its soul.

But let's meander about for a while, taking in the sights, sounds, and lay out of the town for an extended siege or attack while making it back to the Estate.
>>
No. 234295 ID: f4e4f9

Leave Heiryu alone for the moment, the man is busy.

Lets just take in the Scenery of the Tyotworro estates and GET OUR SHIT TOGETHER. Perhaps a little stroll around the city will give us some breathing room to collate the situation right now.

We have alot on our plates at the moment.

Afterwards, lets go check upon our Deepspawn, and consider the merits of merging them with another egg.

The eggs are already named, are they not? This suggests they may have some manner of individuality. I wonder if merging them and a Pre-existing Deepspawn would yield simply an enhanced version of the current Deepspawn (I.E. merging Nidhogg and Mothbern would make a more formidable Mothbern) or if it would yield a more radical change then that.

OUr Deepspawn are intelligent beings as well. Let us ask their thoughts on the subject.
>>
No. 234297 ID: b18ccb

>>234295
>>233787
[Putting a new core in could graft new abilities, forcibly evolve and improve existing Deep Spawn. otherwise, they all start at a given baseline based on your own soul.]
>>
No. 234300 ID: 16e676

>>234291
Dammit, no. No.

Just stay away from soul based shit other than attacks while we are in this city. We just got back in the man's good graces, I don't want to give him ANY reason to change that.

If we do decide to do soul stuff, do it when we are FAR away from this place. VERY FAR away.

-------------------------------
It would be nice to make another Padgoda for our travel, a BIG one.

You could even buy some bedding and make tiny bedrooms and storage areas. Make it fancy, you can buy more wine and tea, some meat, stuff like that. Pick up the food when you are ready to leave.

Then move quickly, Beating heart type of speed.
>>
No. 234305 ID: a76809

>>234268
>>234272
"I do have something of proof, on two counts: The testimonial of two of my servants, attacked by Jioga, As well as an Ancestral Tomb once enslaved to Weinsho's service."
>"As to your claims against Weinsho, until you can show me WHO this Weinsho is, a place to direct charges against, I can do nothing. You say he has holdings in these lands? Find them, then bring your testimonial. As to the Ash Dragon... I find myself skeptical of what will testify against a Dragon's word. Two beings you crafted?"
"They quite literally cannot tell a lie."
>"...That is one hell of a useful thing, and you believe it, I See that. ...Okay, when I get back from my shift at the barracks, bring your two before me, and should their testimony be what you claim, I could get the Ancestral Tombs sworn to uphold laws in this city to preemptively act to impose law, Order on the Dragon. But be aware I am still skeptical of your claim."
"I can accept that. When you return from your duties, then."

[APPOINTMENT MADE]

>>234295
I leave the courthouse, and rather than return to the Tyotworro estates, or seek someone out.... I walk. I wander the streets as I let time pass, Murhyihal, Akeakam, Velada and Burduko all laboring over the Edge of Oblivion in their own ways, and Hieryou puts away hours at his primary vocation.

As I walk, I note an oddly over-sized figure, some good two heads taller than the crowds (still present even in the dead of night, lanterns lighting the streets), wearing an enormous cloak that doesn't quite cover the few flashes of vibrant red that are seen, a metallic sheen-

That rejects my Magnetomantic attention. Combat magic seethes... and more than this, I sense the feel of a Small Tomb... is this one of the local Ancestral Tombs?

It is almost laughably attempting to be discreet, and I know not why.



What should I say or do?
Should I try to speak to the presumed Ancestral Tomb?
Or should I return to the manor to await Hieryou?
Or should I do something else?
>>
No. 234306 ID: b18ccb

>>234300
We can have souls with their expressed permission. But I suppose you're right. I do want a Hound soul - more different souls, more power.

And Emba? Thanks for saving my ass. I suppose I phrased the question wrong, and it was stupid to press the issue, even if a theoretical way.
>>
No. 234308 ID: b18ccb

>>234305
Sigh, stop and turn. "Forgive me, friend, I have an appointment I must keep. I would so love to keep this cat-and-mouse game going, it is quiet lively, and does my old mind good, but could you please tell me what you want? The last time I missed an appointment...well, everything did turn out for the best, but I feel not as good as it could be. Did someone perhaps send you after me, or maybe you wish to talk? Please, come forward, I don't bite. Well, I doubt I could bite you, being several...Well, I am a good three nations or so, let us put it that way, mhm? And this golem is not so violent as it seems." Cough. "Forgive me, I do go on when I get nervous. Who are you?"
>>
No. 234309 ID: 1384b4

>>234305
>[APPOINTMENT MADE]

Oh, God. Do not forget this.
Remember how we forgot to meet Dulu after the the attack on the caravan when we were playing wiht Keddic for the first time?
Never again.

Ask Phohn to remind you if we forget for one reason or another...
>>
No. 234310 ID: 1384b4

>>234308
What makes you think that the person is stalking us?
From the update it did not seem like it was following us just that it was trying to be discreet (not necessarily from us)
>>
No. 234311 ID: b18ccb

>>234310
Ah, forgive me, I seem to have not noticed the 'crowds that were still present'.

Well, lets continue exploring - keep our eyes open for any good books to get - and see if the figure follows us. If he does, just walk towards him and say 'hello' and be as friendly as we can.
>>
No. 234313 ID: 445c48

Reminds yourself of what time he'll be off of his shift. If you don't know, call Phohn to get Burduko to come with you so he can teleport you home as soon as Phohn notices the Iron Mustache gets home.

Have you got any of the local currency? I forget. If so, looks around for two cheap souvenirs, one for you and one for Arkus, something like a snow globe or a shirt, something that clearly says "I went to the Land of Dragons" but is also kind of lame, then go back to the Manor and wait.
>>
No. 234314 ID: 01604f

Make it quite obvious that you are observing him.
>>
No. 234315 ID: b18ccb

>>234314
Rotate our head backwards as we're walking forwards? Or just seperate our eyes and have them look at him?
>>
No. 234316 ID: 57baa0

From my perspective, the tall guy looks like one of the Ancestral Tombs Hieryou mentioned that maintain law and order, using Combat Magic to cast an illusion over itself, which Zagrath's soul allows us to pierce (only the visual component though, can we hear anything from it?), so that it can watch for criminal actions without being seen. So it is probably not something to worry about, ignore it unless it is obvious it is following us; continue to walk around, watching for some interesting things we could get for our followers (anything that would reveal some aspect of magic for Arkus, something to help Ulrick learn Will Magic and/or Magnetomancy, anything with World Magic for Moss, etc.), listen to the conversations around to gather information, and search for metal in the ground for our consumption and precious metals to amplify the power of runes (if we were to concentrate platinum/gold into the runes of the Amaranthine Annihilator and Immortal Genocide, what would happen?).
>>
No. 234317 ID: 63bf21

Both.. heheheheh

Ask Zagrath about him.
>>
No. 234322 ID: d3dfb8

>>234313
Or we could get something that would be of actual use. Or something that Arkus specifically wants. We haven't asked him about it.
>>
No. 234326 ID: 445c48

>>234322
In addition to a lame souvenir.
>>
No. 234327 ID: 9338f5

>>234322
do mages/wizards have wizard hats in this setting? we could get Arkus one if he does not already have one.
>>
No. 234328 ID: ab04d4

...Well, we have an appointment which is all good, but I don't think Mordre actually told us exactly what happened other than Jioga kicked some Deep ass. Given the lack of detail, I'm a bit leery of going into this court unprepared.
>>
No. 234332 ID: a76809
File 128555171996.jpg - (200.99KB , 578x788 , Paradox Knight Red Comet.jpg )
234332

>>234309
I convey my desire to Phohn that the moment Hieryou is seen returning to the estate, Burduko is to come teleport me back, so that we may speak immediately. As such, he is to move to my side now, so that he can return with me in tow when needed. In minutes, he should arrive.

>>234313
I realize that I have no coinage on my person, neither can my non-Blood based powers sense any metal un-mined in the area. I am penniless for the moment, Senth having returned with naught but Bagrom.

>>234314
>>234315
I turn my head to constantly face the furtive figure, a sentry locked on its form, and in seconds I find this highly conspicuous figure halts, standing tall. I note that traffic continues to move about the figure with nary evidence of interest-or indeed, recognition. Perhaps they cannot see it? It is possible there is some obscuring illusion to its name, yet unable to veil it from the aid of Zagrath-

"Be oh, so, wary, O' host of mine, For that soul has been seen before, And made for a most terrible time."

With his caution and apparent recognition of the soul before me, I find the hood being pushed back, the cloak beginning to swing wide, and still the flow of feet moving about it like an island. Beneath that cloak there rested a massive sword, a matching smorgasbord of reds to match the small tomb-I suspect Red Steel, now that I look upon it, With a few pillars of platinum sticking out heavy with deeply ensconced gems and neat, tiny runes. Along the spine of the sword, similar amplified runing is present, and I suspect potent magics to have indirectly been linked to the already highly potent Red Steel.

An interesting individual to meet in the street, when in a land that to my knowledge does not make Red Steel.

A voice calls out to me-

-into my mind.

"You Can Percieve Me. Be On Your Way, I Have Work To Attend To."

>>234316
Ah, my mistake, this must be an Ancestral Tomb. One of those upholding law and order in this area, The wardens Hieryou spoke of? I will not impose or so go my thoughts, sent back to the speaker through their connection, detectable thanks to my experience with Lenryt's work.

"...Your Thoughts Are In Common. I Had Not Noted. And You Communicate With Locals So Fluently... Who Are You?"

The Mage Mordre, currently based in the Azelhaedran State my response goes, as the figure nods' the cloak shifting enough to reveal some sort of enormous chimera of drill and spine protruding from its back, as another set of words carry through.

"Then You Shall Understand The Following's Implications: I Am A Member Of The Order Of Harmonious Discord, A Paradox Knight, The Red Comet. Now Leave Me Be Mortal, I Have Duties To Attend To."




What should I say or do?
>>
No. 234334 ID: b18ccb

Yeah, up to the Estate, let's find Zelgoto and Vangurd. And does anyone remember if we left any other Deep Spawn back on our Pagoda? That would be good, we could get more to come back and give there statements.
>>
No. 234337 ID: e31d52

>And does anyone remember if we left any other Deep Spawn back on our Pagoda?

If that's the case we should just All-Call with phohn.

I was just thinking. Should we get a bureaucracy-themed Deep Spawn, one centered around PAPERWORK and BOOKKEEPING?
>>
No. 234338 ID: 63bf21

I am pleased to meet another of the order. Maybe you can drop by for tea later?
Oh heavens, I suppose you no longer drink either.. hmmm well maybe swapping stories?

Ah well, if you meet with him first, say hi to Risendhart(?) for me.
>>
No. 234340 ID: a594b9

>>234332
I think we should leave him be... although... perhaps mentioning that we met another of his order recently would be safe enough, as a passing comment. Don't mention it's Reinhardt unless his reaction is favorable.
>>
No. 234341 ID: 63bf21

Then just walk off without waiting for a response.

After you leave, ask Zakrath about him and maybe pop off one eye to continue to observe him from above.
>>
No. 234342 ID: e31d52

>>234340
He knows we did:
>Then You Shall Understand The Following's Implications

This was after we mentioned where we were from. It's thus clear he's communed with HARMONY.
>>
No. 234345 ID: b18ccb

>>234332
>>234332
"Oh! Forgive me. You have heard good things from Reinhardt, I hope. May I assist?" So, so the thought should go.

If not: "Then good hunting, Red Comet. I hope I will not trouble you again."

If yes: "I have some business of my own, but before and after that time, I will assist where I can. What are you after?"

And to Phohn ask, if Arkus is awake, if Reinhardt has heard of the Red Comet. And then ask Zagrath where he's seen The Red Comet before.
>>
No. 234347 ID: b18ccb

>>234342
The reason I'm...concerned is the 'Mortal' comment. We're not, and Reinhardt knows that. So would Kirchesia. So...let's see if we can pay attention to how his magnetic or electromagnetic field looks, or if it's missing, doesn't look so we can track him later.
>>
No. 234350 ID: e31d52

>>234347
It's obvious they lied for us in repayment of reuniting us with Reinhardt's family.
>>
No. 234351 ID: e31d52

>>234350
*them, rather. hurr.
>>
No. 234353 ID: b18ccb

>>234350
...True. But I thought the knights were all like Reinhardt and Kirchesia. Mmhm...oh well, Still worrying.
>>
No. 234357 ID: 903f16

>>234332
Leave him be, but idly offer him some aid in his duties and a place to stay if he's ever in our part of the world as we walk away.

If we come across any nice silk robes I think that one would suffice as a nice souvenir for Arkus. I don't recall him having a recent set of mage robes yet and he'd have a nice piece of gear to rune up and tinker with to increase his power.
>>
No. 234358 ID: 1384b4

>I am penniless for the moment, Senth having returned with naught but Bagrom.
Now wait a minute.
Did Keddic take the prize money or did he leave it with Senth?
>>
No. 234363 ID: 1384b4

Lets leave him alone. We shouldn't bother him
>>
No. 234364 ID: e67080

>>234358
Oh, it is/was with Senth. In fact Keddic specifically told More in his report he left the money with him.

So, we have a teleporting Kleptomaniac on our hands quite likely... though we never did ask him directly for the money. We should deal with that.
>>
No. 234365 ID: a76809

>>234334
[None left.]

>>234358
[I dunno, what did happen? Who did I say had the money last?]

>>234338
>>234340
I recall Reinhardt and Kyrchesia back at the Arcanoworks, the Order they are part of... clearly another member, and I wonder if mentioning them may glean more information... I let my rapidly shifting thoughts coalesce, and send what I hope to be a good idea to The Red Comet.

I am pleased to meet another of your Order, As both Rheinhardt and Kyrchesia have been gracious guests, Still back in the Azelhaedran State at my Arcanoworks, as it were. In case you are back in the area before me, as I have much to attend to, Perhaps you could say hi to your comrades for me? the thoughts ring out clearly along The Red Comet's connection. The previously nonreactive Small Tomb twitches his helm in surprise, before thoughts blast into my head with a great deal of weight.

"You Know Both Reinhardt And Kyrchesia?
This Denotes You Know Their Nature,
Something Kyrchesia Does Unwillingly....
Why Are They At Your Abode,
And Why Do You Know Kyrchesia?


>>234341
Just as I make as if to walk off, having simply dropped names of import before being on my way, I find myself grinding to a halt as I consider the question.

>>234347
>>234350
...So, he does not know what I am. This raises several questions. Reinhardt and Kyrchesia both had already been informed of my nature when they arrived several weeks ago, and the information seemed to come from within their Order. Why would The Red Comet not know of this?

Apparently my thoughts are not guarded enough, as The Red Comet's own comments reach my mind.

"Aaah, You Are The New Anathema, I Recall Mention Of Such.
Hm, But What Brings You To The Land Of Dragons?
Clearly Reinhardt Has Approved You To Travel,
As I Would Have Felt His Death."


Startled by the subtle precision he stole those thoughts from my mind, I am unable to deflect his second delving, and shortly he notes my reflexive considerations of dealings with Lenryt.

"Ah, Another Of Lenryt's Would Be Champions.
So, Which Dragon Do You Serve, Then?"


My body frozen and still drawing attention as my mind races, I continue to gaze at the Small Tomb no one else notices. My thoughts turn to Lubu as I resign myself to the fact this one can manipulate minds far to expertly for me to ward him without preparation. I offer up who I seek the gratitude of, in the hopes The Red Comet will be less invasive. But upon reading my thoughts, he moves as if to laugh, and I see a few confused faces beginning to glance his way, as if his veil was beginning to waver in his joviality.

"Lubu? That One? Hrm, Jaegrezweistrick Would Love You,
For Having The Confidence To Choose So.
You Are The Only Would Be Champion On His Side, To My Knowledge."



The Red Comet begins to turn as if to go, eyes still combing over my form, as if hesitant to resume his duties.



What should I say or do?
Should I continue speaking/thinking to The Red Comet, or should I do something else?
>>
No. 234368 ID: e31d52

>Aaah, You Are The New Anathema, I Recall Mention Of Such

SHITFUCKBALLSCRAP

THERE IS A WHOLE GODDAMN ORGANIZATION THAT KNOWS WHAT WE ARE
>>
No. 234372 ID: a594b9

Ask who Jaegrezweistrick is.
>>
No. 234375 ID: 1384b4

>You Are The Only Would Be Champion On His Side

What? Did she send other her champions to help other dragons?
Is-... is Lenryt cheating on us?!


>[I dunno, what did happen? Who did I say had the money last?]
I am pretty damn sure Keddic left the bag with him, I think we even told Mordre that he should have it.
>>
No. 234376 ID: e67080

to quote Keddic from our apparently bad memory, as Bob ninjad me within seconds of posting:

"Oh, one more thing: I won. He has my prize money too, so keep that in mind."
>>
No. 234377 ID: e31d52

>>234375
>What? Did she send other her champions to help other dragons?
>Is-... is Lenryt cheating on us?!

THEORYCRAFTING!

Lenryt is seeking a Champion. To this end, she's contacted numerous individuals who may be roughly even with us in terms of power, and sending them to various Dragons.

Since the Dragons are in conflict, so are her To-Be-Champions, making for the nice situation of being able to test and eliminate us in one fell swoop. Thusly, we can expect to fight other champions in the future.

And if we do, we should be as lethal with them as physically possible.
>>
No. 234378 ID: 63bf21

DAMMIT SENTH!!!

Mordre, remember that Keddic sent you a Phohn call, telling you that Senth had his money and pipe, you have to pick that up with sir trollingwood at the earliest opportunity.

Oh? There are other champions? Well I cannot say that I am surprised, it would be unlike Lenryt to leave anything completely to chance.

Though it seems that you know more of the situation than I do.
If you wouldn't mind, perhaps I could accompany you for a time so that we may continue to chat without further delaying your journey?

>>
No. 234380 ID: 57baa0

>>234365
Senth had the money. (Though I thought the prize money Keddic won in the Grand Gainer was given over to Senth in exchange for Senth's employment to Mordre?)

Also, there was a CHOICE!? Lenyrt did not offer any choice! ARGHASDFGHJKL! I mean, we like the guy (or I do, at least), but we also like having a choice in what we do, as Lenyrt should very well know since we told her when we met her! ...Then again, the only Dragon we knew of was Lubu, so there wasn't so much of a choice in that and wasting time to tell us of a choice that didn't exist is foolish and extremely out-of-character for Lenyrt and then we would be annoyed at her for doing that and we did have a choice (though that was just 'help Lenyrt' or 'ignore Lenyrt'), but still!

>>234368
This shouldn't be a surprise. Kirchesia did say the information was confined to the order, not to the two of them.
>>
No. 234381 ID: 445c48

Can we kind of throw in a side thought, small and quick, about being called something other than Anathema? It's kinda mean.


Ask about Jaegrezweistrick. Think about how Lubu's a pretty cool guy, and killed a core being host with your help, that was pretty cool.


>>234375
I think I recall Senth having the bag last. We should order Phohn to, if he's near Senth, actually verbally ask him usin' talkin' bits instead of the weird headvoice, because that throws people, about where the money is, or get another deep spawn to.
>>
No. 234382 ID: b5af8d

>Aaah, You Are The New Anathema, I Recall Mention Of Such

So if we're the new one, what happened to the old one?
>>
No. 234384 ID: b18ccb

>>234368
They knew about us before hand, that's why we got a visit from Reinhardt and Kyrchesia. And that's what Reinhardt and Kyrchesia kinda are, if I remember right.

But yes, Who is Jaegrezweistrick, and what is he doing here [This is our most important question, so we can help and get the Harmonious Discord on our side], and what else does he know about these other 'Would-Be Champions'.

And remember, Lenryt already said she had other agents. We are just a free agent she is most likely testing.

Ask if he knows who these Dragons are, too.

Oh yes, and just what Reinhardt and Kyrchesia said about us.
>>
No. 234386 ID: 19de59

>>234381
We should call him Jag for short

>>234382
heh
>.>
<.<
>>
No. 234387 ID: b18ccb

No, no, Reguading Senth, we go back and talk to him in person. We are Cross. He will nto like us when we are Cross. He will duel everyone we know, mass-duel.
>>
No. 234388 ID: 19de59

>>234387
i.e. He fights Budurko, temporal stability, naughty naughty, STIM PACK, SMACK!

in that order
>>
No. 234390 ID: e67080

We should offer to join the Tomb's patrol for awhile, as we do not want to hold him up from his duty. Offer our assistance even, if he wishes to take it while we take up some of his attention.

After our conversation concludes, we need to go to Bagrom whenever he is awake and apologize, likely stating that we had somehow erroneously assumed we already had his permission due to forgetfulness, We ask Sten about the money, as he may just give it to us, then we become cross and call in temporal lock spawn if he refuses, and consider if we want some Tractomancy for Morde. As of now, this is coming off like a very un-useful bargain mercenary.
>>
No. 234394 ID: 57baa0

>>234390
Well, I would presume that the Red Comet's work requires some subtlety since it (or whatever appropriate pronoun) is using illusion magic to disguise itself, and since we are very not subtle, it probably isn't a very good idea to go along with him. We could ask him about his work, though, I guess, while we stand in the street.

...We are standing out like a sore thumb, aren't we, a metal golem standing in the middle of a street.
>>
No. 234421 ID: 6dd58d

>>234394
What? For all anyone else knows, the "mage behind the golem" is ah, AFK, so to speak.
>>
No. 234433 ID: ddd48d

Questioning is all well and good, but we should probably leave him be to do his job. >>234394 has a point with the subtlety thing.

We should go have a chat with Senth, now that he isn't talking to Oz, I think. He hasn't really been introduced to US in the form of Mordre yet. And if we manage to get some moneys, we can get Arkus a book or something! Magical trinket? Charm of protection? And if we want to h=get something lame to go with it that is fine too, I guess. But the lame souvenir shouldn't be the only thing, he deserves something for working so hard!
>>
No. 234441 ID: a76809

>>234372
So who is Jaegrezweistrick? I inquire into The Red Comet's mind, before he even has a chance to take a step himself. Thoughts fly back in a tone that makes me think he is acting more familiar with me, with the context of the Order's interactions with me now known.

"Ancestral Dragon Jaegrezweistrik The Radical AxeGod Is Another Paradox Knight, A Local Dragon, The Only.. Ancestral Tomb, As They Call Us, To Hold The Office For Three Hundred Years... He Has Been In Service As A Dragon For Two Hundred Of Those Years, But Still. He Is Coming To Meet Me Here Per My Request, As He Has Information Concerning A Local Claimant To The Title Of Red Knight. I Will Deal With The Issue Myself, Once Informed Of The Culprit's Location. Be Advised That I Would Appreciate Any Notification Of One Claiming To Be The Red Knight, As It Is Not A Title I Share To Upstarts."

>>234375
>>234376
>>234377
I turn my thoughts towards what Keddic told me via Phohn, reviewing who had the money... he claimed it sent back with Senth. I believe I shall have Words with him when I return. But from there my mind wanders to what The Red Comet said, concerning other champions for Lenryt's cause... under Other Dragons. She seems intent to insure that one way or another she can claim a champion once this civil war plays out, optimizing her chances that she can claim the right to expand the Mortal Coil. I received no word that I should simply withhold violence from those I meet, and considering they serve Dragons opposing Lubu, I would be wise to end them. I feel bothered that Lenryt did not inform me of the chance to serve other dragons...until I recall that I actually had past positive dealings with Lubu to build on, so I hardly had a choice, unless I wanted to waste unnecessary time gaining even the most basic trust.

>>234378
So... There are other champions? Well I cannot say that I am surprised, it would be unlike Lenryt to leave anything completely to chance. Though it seems that you know more of the situation than I do. If you wouldn't mind, perhaps I could accompany you for a time, So that we may continue to chat without further delaying your journey? I posit back, hoping for the chance to pluck the name of someone clearly tied to high circles. It seems his change in disposition behooves me, as he offers no rejection, simply walking along, letting the cloak fall back around him as the crowd subconsciously parts for him, while I wade through their mass. As we travel, time seems to stand still for a time, some few minutes passing with only silence passing before Burduko arrives, whizzing to my side at incredibly speed. He bows deeply to me before taking pace at my side. The Red Comet had briefly started, clearly recognizing a closing Deep Spawn, and surprised at the deference it is showing me.

>>234381
>>234382
Could you please not refer to me as Anathema, if possible? And if I may pry, what happened to the last you labeled such? I weedle, continuing to ply the pathway betwixt our minds. The Read Comet mulls over my queries for a moment, before giving his response.

"...The Last Anathema Was Deemed Too Hazardous, And Exposed. This Was Some One Hundred Thirty Years Ago. ...Why Does A Deep Spawn Serve You?"




What should my response be?
And do I have any more questions before following The Red Comet to his meeting with Jeagrezweistrik?
Or should I do something else?
>>
No. 234454 ID: a594b9

>>234441
May as well tell him the truth. We managed to find a fragment of the Caged One, and delivered it to a Deep Spawn Administrator that we had met via an ancient mine. In exchange he granted us a boon of 50 Deep Spawn eggs and the chance to meet another Administrator to possibly gain more information about the Curse.

Also tell him we may have to go in the near future, as we have an appointment. That is the main purpose of this Deep Spawn we have- teleportation.
>>
No. 234464 ID: b18ccb

"Hazardous...how? I would like to know so I do not fall into the same trap." Look to Burduko and sigh. "I doubt I could keep any secrets from you...heh. Seems more and more I meet those that make my secrecy moot. He serves me because I came to an agreement with an...overseer of other Deep Spawn. I hope this does not cast me in ill light...although I have some idea that the Order is both aware of such things, and employs them from time to time?"

And, hoping to god we don't start a brawl right now: "The Radical AxeGod? Sounds quite strong...if I am not pressing an issue, do you know where his loyalties lie? Lubu could make fair use of such a wise and strong ally, as could I. But, what will you do to this usurper? I would think such a title is common, is it not? Anyone who wears red, thinks himself a knight would be quick to adopt such a title, would they not? And one last question: Where is it that you head after taking care of this Faux-Red Knight?"
>>
No. 234483 ID: b02cf1

"Hm? Ah yes.
I managed to locate a fragment of the entity located in the earth, known to those I have met as 'The Caged one'. I handed it over to a Deep spawn Administrator in exchange for a few services, the possession of my own deep spawn among them."
Wave it off like this is a regular occurrence for you.
"My life has been busy of late, hopefully I can learn more about just what is going on in the world."

Burduko has likely come to inform us that our blade is ready.
Prepare to teleport out in case the red comet does not take too kindly to our lateset bit of info.

We might be giving this stuff out too eaisly.

Tell Phohn to ward your 'mind' against any outside interference. Red will still likely be able to break through, but it's not really him I want to block. Tell him about it so that he does not get suspicious.
>>
No. 234515 ID: 45be60

"More than one, actually, all bound to me personally. They were a reward of sorts, for returning an escaped shard of the entity the deep ones strive thanklessly to protect the surface from. A dubious reward I think, since I do not relish the further attention the bring me, but they have great potential, and have made some aspects of my life considerably easier.
>>
No. 234536 ID: 57baa0

...Say, does Bang's combat healing count as regeneration for the purposes of Mury's spawn's 'grant regeneration' ability?
>>
No. 234540 ID: 57baa0

And say, how does the Red Comet know of the Deep Spawn, anyways, let alone recognize one at a glance?
>>
No. 234541 ID: a76809
File 128556383949.jpg - (227.00KB , 900x900 , Paradox Knight Jeagrezweistrik The Radical.jpg )
234541

>>234454
>>234464
>>234483
>>234515
I found a fragment of the Caged One, And I returned it to the deep ones, lest it escape. In Reward, I was granted Deep Spawn of my own I confide, my mind already following up with a change of focus.


Incidentally, this Deep Spawn, Burduko, Is capable of Teleportation. I have an upcoming appointment, And I wish to be sure I do not miss it.

My concerns fall on understanding ears, as The Red Comet divulges how he feels about my remarks.

"A great service to perform, removing an outlet for the Caged One.
And when duty calls to you, go without hesitation, I will not slow you."


Out walk continues once more in silence, Burduko at my side and ready for whenever Hieryou gets off his shift. Soon enough, something breaks the peaceful monotony, a bombastic musical cacophony begins to echo about, and I see people running, shouting out to friends that a Dragon has come. ...I feel a soul very nearly the equal to Lubu's striding within the city of Waltora.

And the Red Comet leads us straight towards it.

In short order I see him: I Small tomb in neon blues with wild whorls of color and stylization all over its frame, face lacking any feature save slits for sight, a prismatic glow from within. This resplendent and vibrant figure rides atop an equally flashy armored horse, a beast whose heart thuds with otherworldly energies as it approaches.

But what I notice most is the Axe.

An enormous weapon, a haft some nine feet long and an axe head three feet in length is a ludicrous weapon, and he wields it like a twig. The axe dancing in his hand draws the eye, it's head and details ever-shifting, as if not fully in this reality, a shield festooned with scores of emblems all brightly gleaming festooning his other arm. His gaze goes straight to The Red Comet, piercing the veil I pierced with equal ease, before flipping his axe up in the air, and holding it in reverse. For a moment, I see the shadow of strings running the length of his ever-warping weapon, when magic builds-

"Well HEEEERREE WE ARE."

He looks on My own form now, noting my companion Burduko, as I reel from the fact his axe vibrated so complexly that it generated a facsimile of spoken words. I see window pains still rattling from the sonic pressure Jeagrezweistrik exudes-as he speaks through his axe again.

"I see we're all BOOORN to be kings,
we're the princes of the uuuuniverse!"


Music continues to simply emanate like a fine mist from the Radical AxeGod, his lyrical comments still causing my form to vibrate in sympathy. The Red Comet seems content to say nothing... or maybe he speaks directly into Jeagrezweistrik's mind.




What should I say or do?
>>
No. 234553 ID: e67080

Clap, of course. This is quite the performance, especially only for an entrance. The Axe God deserves a round of applause.
>>
No. 234564 ID: d3dfb8

"Here we belong, fighting to survive
In a world with the darkest powers"
>>
No. 234581 ID: e31d52

Be careful: That song probably ain't for show. It's very likely he could amp it up, or sing a different tune, and vibrate you to pieces.
>>
No. 234631 ID: f4e4f9

I wouldn't be surprised if his soul is actually encased in the Axe and not the armor.

Enhance whatever you choose to say with an small lyrical undertune. Just a bit of fun.
>>
No. 234642 ID: a69afd

>>234541
"Hmmm, a Phonomancer... from what I can see, a master of the art. Skill is to be expected from one that is untouched by time, such eccentricity is surprising to behold. Then again, perhaps such a manner of speech has a special meaning for the owner of a rare magical art."
>>
No. 234645 ID: b5af8d

>>234541
If you can figure out how, play an accompanying tune to his own.
>>
No. 234670 ID: 45be60

Hum dueling banjos.
>>
No. 234723 ID: 1384b4

>>234553
I think we lack a second hand to clap.

Also. Freddy as an Ancestral Tomb and a Dragon. FUCK YEAR.

Though I don't know what to do. Observe the performance? Play along? Form a rock-band with Dulu on drums, Red Comet on keyboard, Mordre with a guitar and Jeagrezweistrik as lead singer?
>>
No. 234729 ID: 903f16

>>234541
>I see the shadow of strings running the length of his ever-warping weapon, when magic builds

>Radical AxeGod

>I see what you did there.

Anyway, sing with him and after the performance shake his hand. Ask him about what he knows of the Lenryt's game and what he thinks our chances are backing Lubu. Then carefully listen to what information he has on the upstart Red Knight, maybe mention we happen to know a fellow who goes by the tittle of Blue Knight and remark at the coincidence.
>>
No. 234743 ID: b18ccb
 

>>234564
Thisthisthisthisthisthisthis!

Sing in return, and sing the blessed song with him. And I know you can sing because that voice can do anything. Also, try to hit the bass rhythm from the song, too!

Wake the town, stage impromptu rock concert, Phohn up allies for anyone that wants to rock out with us!

And once he finishes:

"It's a kind of magic."
>>
No. 234773 ID: 1384b4

Oh and don't forget we have the collective experience of John, Paul, George and Ringo in us. We should be able to improvise a good performance.
>>
No. 234774 ID: b18ccb

>>234773
Jade Soul Band GO!
>>
No. 234795 ID: 10f195

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnrXiaPVeHY
You know what to do

Bob and his everlasting like of Queen songs and left-handedness.
>>
No. 234838 ID: 445c48

Seconding
"Here we belong, fighting to survive
in a war with the darkest powers"
>>
No. 234841 ID: 1384b4

This is kind of goofy to tell you the truth...
>>
No. 234855 ID: 56dc25

Must we become incredibly silly whenever the slightest opportunity presents itself? This is serious business! We are serious golem!
>>
No. 234856 ID: 445c48

>>234855
No we're not. Do you see how many ham points we have?

Besides, the next bit sorta fits with us, we are fighting to survive, and against the darkest power (Weinsho, the bastard).

Besides Queen is the best.
>>
No. 234877 ID: b18ccb

>>234856

Here we belong, fighting for survival
We've come to be the rulers of you all


Check.

I am immortal, I have inside me blood of kings - yeah - yeah
I have no rival, no man can be my equal
Take me to the future of you all


Check.

Really, the only way this song could be more apt is if we were voiced by Christopher Lambert.
>>
No. 234964 ID: a76809
File 128564549117.jpg - (35.14KB , 445x634 , Freddie Fringe Benefit Bonus.jpg )
234964

>>234564
>>234631
>>234645
>>234723
>>234729
>>234743
>>234773
>>234774
>>234795
>>234841
I reach out to the all the hero souls in my system, thinking of a rather irregular way to ingratiate myself with a Dragon and Paradox Knight. As I prepare to weave my voice in all the manner I can, I sense four responses... the Jade Soul Monks, consumed some time ago.... so it shall be. Soulfire belches as I draw every eye of the already enormous night-time crowd, and voices beginning as chants come streaming and blending out of my mouth, a melodious mixture, multiplying most madly, the words carrying with a sense of finality, as I speak, words twisting as thoughts coalesce and are channeled through the four souls.

"Here we belong, fighting to survive, In a War with the darkest of Poooweeeeers!!!

Thinking of Weinsho, I barely suppress my Heart, my flow of Blood Iron, as power ripples and warps, unsteady and threatening to buck in my grasp, as notes accompanying my lyrical proclamation begin to intermingle with Jeagrezweistrik's, complexifyng and spreading wider, the completely expressionless Dragon nodding vigorously. Almost unbidden, I continue, my next thoughts only half formed, yet carrying all the same.

"I am Immortal, I have inside me Blood of kings! I have no rival, no man can be my equal! Take me to the future of you aaaallll!"

[+11 HAM points, modified for importance of moment. New Total: 079 Next Bonus: 100]

Jeagrezweistrik has a response of his own.

"And heeere we are,
WE'RE THE PRINCES OF THE UNIVERSE!
Here we belong,
FIGHTING FOR SURVIVAL!!"


Jeagrezweistrik's axe surges, threads of almost existence proliferating wildly as his soul swells so brilliantly I can scarce sense anything else, my musical utterances inspiring something. I feel some sort of weight settling upon my form, as something shifts about the fours souls I channeled, leaving the Soul Nexus in my hand... and instead spreading themselves out along my Left Arm, using body and hand Soul Nexus as magical focus points to simulate....

I turn my Will inward, and set my form to flowing, a thudding beat beginning almost immediately as the power of Blood flows about.

TH-THUMP

I feel the added layer of false life encouraging the grafting souls... and knowledge begins to flow into my mind, a sense of understanding, of Mass Connection-more specifically, the moves from Jade Soul that each respective monk knew best in life.

Jade Fist:
-Signature move of the Jade Soul style, a direct gathering of Soul energy around the fist by means of expanding the soul itself to encompass more area than it normally would. This causes supernatural impact, compounding the fact it is used on a Siege Fist.
-The Soul field can somewhat ablate and negate magical defenses, in proportion to my own soul. Considering that it is ultimately slaved to the Soul Grave furnace containing several thousand souls, it can pierce considerable amounts of magic.

Ethereal Strike:
-A projection of energy, a replica of one's hand that is emitted as a projectile impact, possessing some of the Jade Fist's piercing ability, but little of its kick. The fact it can be used in rapid succession opens the options to which it can be applied.
-The projection has a range directly related to the originating source of energy, your Soul Furnace, and as such can reach ranges normally not considered feasible for the move, some several hundred feet before half the energy has dissipated, and more than a thousand before it completely decays.

Warding Palm:
-A gathering of energy for hardening, rendering the hand far more durable, if much less flexible while active.
-While under the effect of warding Palm, any magical attack that strikes the palm can be unraveled, most of its energy breaking up before even reaching your hardened hand.

Rending Grasp:
-A move reserved only for approved students, it has the built in condition that to work, the practitioner's hand must be in contact with the foe's body for one full second before the ability can be triggered.
-Once the condition has been met, the move allows for far amplified armor piercing to Jade Fist, in all areas in direct contact with the hand. If all magical protection is pierced, excess energy goes towards weakening the material being touched, allowing an omniruinous attack.

[To use Combat magic (Which the above abilities are), both the body and hand Soul Nexus are only devoted to magic, so no IG, or speed/defensive bonuses while actively employing Combat Magic.
Have fun.]


One more time, Jeagrezweistrik proclaims words echoing from his Axe so festooned with strings, As it feels half the town watches our exchange, The Red Comet eying me critically as the weight pressing into my body begins to recede, leaving behind a feeling of finality.

"We've come to be the rulers of your wo[/i]oooooorld!!"

As the crowds burst into confusion and ultimately cheering, The Red Comet's thoughts stream into my mind.

"Now I Hope You Realize That By Responding To His Word Magic,
You Have Agreed To Quest To Be A Dragon, Whereas He Just Approved You.
So You Are Now Officially, Publicly Proclaiming Your Intent To Strive For The Seat Of Dragon.
But You Of Course Already Kn- ...Ah."


Jeagrezweistrik the Radical AxeGod twirls his axe about as the music falls back to lower levels, the beat that seems to pervade all levels of existence still throbbing in the background, before he gestures to me?

"And by what NAME,
Do we know this prince to be?
What title would future ruler claim right nooooow?"


Burduko moves closer as I hear Phohn's voice, commenting Hieryou has returned to the Tyotworro Estates.




What should I say or do?
>>
No. 234993 ID: b18ccb

Ooh, I'm torn between an actual answer, going 'But, I was singing', and poofing because of meeting.

Ok, lets go with a mix of A and B.

"It’s a *snap* kind *snap* of magic *snap*
It's a *snap* kind *snap* of Magiiic *snap*
A kind *snap* of magic *snap*
One dream one soul, one priiiize One goal, one goooolden glances of what should be-" Look to The Red Comet with as much shock as we can muster on our metal face. "But, I just sang. The second song I have ever sung." Pause and turn to he of the most Radial Ax. "But...I am Mordre...Must I name myself now, or does that come later? And...my meeting requires my attention, as much as the song and the Quest demands of me."

And at a later date, we must attempt to use the Feasting Anima and the Beatles-Fist togeather.
>>
No. 234997 ID: b18ccb

Also, I have a feeling we are on our way to finding either Scars Of Yesterday or Killer Queen.
>>
No. 235000 ID: 9338f5

I dont think this is the kind of thing that can be doged or delayed and considering were dealing with people that could probably kill us lets not try that.
>>
No. 235004 ID: 445c48

Oh man what, Dragon? Well, we might be able to swing that, sure. Maybe not.

When we finish the song bits, we should leave with a flourish and Burduko teleporting us home, we've got an appointment to keep after all.

Also, Word Magic, eh? Interesting. It'll probably make the title we choose quite important.
>>
No. 235008 ID: 9338f5

also we need to remember there are laws and stuff about being a dragon. like that not be the first to attack one we were hopeing to take advantage of.
>>
No. 235011 ID: 5018f7

Regardless of whether or not we take him up on this he needs to be answered now.

He probably would not think to highly of someone declaring themselves into a position of power and then running away.

On that note "Iron Blood Dragon", or something like that.
>>
No. 235014 ID: 445c48
 

So, we could either become a Dragon through military gubbins, challenging and beating a Dragon, or becoming a living (hah) legend and getting a bunch of disciples. I hope there isn't any sort of time limit on this quest.

Also I'm suggesting King of the Impossible, Mordre of the Impossible, or something else that's a reference to Flash Gordon because I've got it stuck in my head and I think keeping with the Queen theme, even if it's not the same song, will give a bonus. And King of the Impossible sounds pretty awesome, and fits with some stuff we are/have done.
>>
No. 235018 ID: 445c48

>>235008
Yes, well, we're not a Dragon, and it's rather unlikely that we'll be one soon. We should ask The Iron Mustache about laws when one is a Dragon, and when one is becoming a Dragon/fighting a Dragon.

Iron Blooded Dragon Mordre does sound pretty bitchin', by the way, whoever suggested that.
>>
No. 235024 ID: a76809

>>235018
[No really, Freddi-I mean Jeagrezweistrik is asking you what prospective Dragon title you are going to be striving for down any of the three paths. So, _____ Dragon Mordre the ____________ The more attuned to his nature in diction choice, the more quickly the title can become real, and leech of the ambient energy of thousands of years of belief by billions of lives in the power of those who hold it. Take that as you will.]
>>
No. 235025 ID: f4e4f9

>(Emba)So I'm guessing our dragon title should resonate somewhat with our nature

>(TheBeardiestBob) Yup. Remember it would be your prospective title, it becomes real the more people that hear it, and adds to collective belief set of Dragon

A Dragon Title, eh?

I don't think this can be put off. Perhaps something to resonate with our nature, and resurgence from a now dead kingdom.

Unforgotten Dragon Mordre the Indelible...or something along those lines.

MORE IDEAS, guys.
>>
No. 235027 ID: b18ccb

>>235000
True, but we did make prior engagements that weren't 'Fuck yes, singing!' And I really don't know if we're suppose to say 'Gift Horse Dragon Mordre, the Self-Made' right now, or not.

And I actually kinda wanna sing our dirge for him, see how he likes it.
>>
No. 235036 ID: f4e4f9

>>235027
It's not a song, despite the name.

It's a portrayal of the sounds of a thousand screaming voices in a howling wind, shrieking as if being painfully slaughtered by the most abominable nightmares able to be fathomed.

Or something. I forget the exact details beyond "Oh god, oh god, make it stop"
>>
No. 235038 ID: b18ccb

Huh...so...mhm...I suggest we start coming up with titles that we like for both our 'Dragon' nature and our 'The' nature.

Currently, we have:

'Gift Horse Dragon Mordre, the Self-Made'
'Unforgotten Dragon Mordre the Indelible'
'Iron Blooded Dragon Mordre'
'Mordre the Impossible' [He'll Save Every One of Us]
>>
No. 235042 ID: b18ccb

>>235036
Well, yeah. We can see how he likes it. I mean, it is a -little- death metal, but he might give us some hints on how to make it really jive, 'ya know?
>>
No. 235048 ID: 445c48

>>235024
Yeah, I was talking to the guy who said
>also we need to remember there are laws and stuff about being a dragon. like that not be the first to attack one we were hopeing to take advantage of.
Saying that, since this is just a start and such, we're not one yet, probably unlikely to be any time soon, and can still use these laws to our advantage probably unless there are special laws for people who've declared they're going for a dragon.

Though I did mess the title bit up because I forgot the format! I'll make a proper one later, then, no queen reference I guess unless it's a good one as opposed to one off the top of my head at midnight. Iron-Blooded Dragon Mordre the Self-Made sounds good, but that self-made bit could use some more purple prose. What else is a good word for self-made?
>>
No. 235049 ID: e31d52

"Unforgotten Dragon Mordre, The Dirge of Souls!"

Stomp your feet, plant your elbows at your sides, hand open, tentacles writing, and let the dirge scream across the landscape!

WRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
>>
No. 235050 ID: 445c48

Oh yeah, and don't do the dirge. That would totally kill the mood man.
>>
No. 235053 ID: 6dd58d

Enduring Dragon Mordre the Legend of Steel, perhaps. ...And hold off on the dirge I think, doesn't exactly fit the feel of things right now.
>>
No. 235056 ID: 45be60

Guys, we have several titles already back home, Well of Souls being most prominent, though stuff like soulgrave of mosmordre and sword of the empire would also be fair game if you really want. If we are making this a true reflection of who we are, those titles should be represented.

Iron Blooded Dragon Mordre, the Well of Souls would be my vote.
>>
No. 235062 ID: e31d52

>>235056
This is good. Changing vote to this.
>>
No. 235067 ID: a594b9

Iron-blooded Dragon Mordre I like...

I don't want anything complicated to throw on the end there though. The Indelible sounds okay but I'm not sure it's really in tune with Mordre's nature.

How about the Devourer? Remember we can eat like the dickens. That would be:
Iron-blooded Mordre the Devourer.
>>
No. 235069 ID: e043a1

>>235056
It sounds cool and all, but isn't "Well of Souls" a little too revealing of Modre's nature? Millions of people are going to hear this title remember.
>>
No. 235072 ID: b18ccb

>>235049
I -kinda- wann do this, you know, because it's awesome.

But I like 'Self-Made' because it's what we are and what we do. Mage Mordre and Golem Mordre both.
>>
No. 235077 ID: 56dc25

>>235056
A "Well of Souls" is apparently a technical term for something- we're not unique. It'd be like calling ourselves "Mordre the Magnetomancer". More than that, it would immediately announce our nature to anyone versed in that particular aspect of lore. Not really what we want, I think.

I would like our name to resonate with our aspect of eternal growth; if there's one thing that we have done since awakening, it's constantly gain in power, gathering ever more souls and modifying ourself to be always stronger, more capable. Perhaps "...the Ascendant"? It's vague enough to be nonspecific about what exactly we're ascending towards or to become, but at the same time it's quite descriptive. To be more explicit, "...the Augmented" could work.

And while "Unforgotten" is an awesome title, I'm not entirely certain that it's in line with what we've done; we're the one who doesn't forget, not the one whom others remember. Though I suppose that people don't really forget us, that's pretty tangential. "Enduring" is probably more accurate, and still an imposing name which references our origin. And the fact that we've lived through some ridiculous shit. More than that, it gives us a potential out for taking other people's souls- we're not eating them, we're giving them the opportunity to endure together with us, the Enduring Dragon.


So yeah, my current vote would be for "Enduring Dragon Mordre the Ascendant". Nicely references our past, our future, and our abilities all in one.
>>
No. 235078 ID: b18ccb

I just noticed something, but...wasn't 'the Red Comet' also in Ant Quest?
>>
No. 235089 ID: 45be60

We have made no secret in this land that we are no ordinary ancestral tomb. We have explained ourselves as a construct based on the same concept, but housing many heroic souls. We can even back that claim up, and relate the achievements of the various heroes sustained forever within us, banded together toward a single purpose. Calling ourselves a Well of Souls reveals nothing which we have not already said about ourselves, and is more true to who we are than anything else we could chose.
>>
No. 235091 ID: 56dc25

>>235089
>We have explained ourselves as a construct based on the same concept, but housing many heroic souls.
No, we have explained our body as that concept, but claimed that we're piloting it remotely to most people. Including Lubu, I'll note. Additionally, there is a large difference between saying something to some people and explicitly including something in your title- because doing the latter, if we become famous, will not only give us away but will also inspire thousands of people to look up just what the hell a Well of Souls is. And they might not like it at all, considering that we do literally burn up people's souls to keep running.
>>
No. 235095 ID: 903f16

>>234964
Our current goals already feed into becoming a Dragon or a Dragon equivalent anyway. As for a name choice perhaps Consuming Dragon Mordre the Timeless. The reason why we are The Consuming Dragon should be fairly obvious and we are the Timeless is because when Dorgrum spoke of our nature he called us a paradox, a new timeless being. If that doesn't work I'll throw my vote behind this poster's suggestion >>235077.
>>
No. 235096 ID: 732129

Wise Dragon Mordre, the Commanding Philosopher
>>
No. 235101 ID: 1384b4

Do people in LOD even KNOW that we are powered by thousands of souls?
Maybe we should keep quit about that...
>>
No. 235122 ID: f4e4f9

>>235067
Suggested Indelible because it carries two implications: Hard to destroy, but also hard to erase (from knowledge/memory).

Thought it seemed a nice double meaning.
>>
No. 235128 ID: 45be60

Oh good gravy. People shoot down Well of Souls for the implications, and then we have suggestions like Consuming and Devourer. THOSE raise obvious questions which there are unfortunate answers to. >_<

>>235091
I did not intend to imply that we change the "I am a mage" story. It was word choice going from a reality perspective, not a keeping the story straight perspective. Sorry for confusion.

I do want to point out that while "well of souls" is a term which one could look up, it does not mean anything incriminating. It is not the same thing as "soul furnace" or "I eat dead people". A well only means filled depths. We turned Lorgk's new crystal sword into a well of souls, after all.

And I can't stress the Word magic implications enough here. We have been called Well of Souls only by the most powerful entities we have encountered, and it is second only to "Mage" in how often we use it to refer to ourselves. It is What We Are.

>>235101
no, and we should keep it that way. Though to be fair, we are powered by one soul a month. the other thousands are just extra.
>>
No. 235131 ID: a594b9

>>235128
Consuming/Devourer are titles that could easily be explained for our ability to eat shit that attacks us. Not specifically souls.
>>
No. 235132 ID: e31d52

>>235131
>"So why are you the Consuming Dragon?"
>"Ah..."
>HANDS!
>"...oh."
>>
No. 235138 ID: 903f16

>>235128
While I had no problems with your suggested tittle, I must say you're wrong in your implication that the Consuming and Devourer titles are more revealing. Mordre consumes in a variety of ways that aren't at all soul related. For instance his Feasting Vestments, Hands of Hunger, Immortal Genocide, and ability to consume any metal short of Lortoxite all involve eating of some type. It'd be rather easy to deflect any questioning by demonstrating any one of these and even if it were discovered we eat souls it wouldn't compromise our most important secret. This is as opposed to your tittle which straight up says that 'Mage' Mordre's Golem does house a collection of souls and then must raise the question how he got them into there and why. The logical progression from that is that "Hey he's a mage he must have put them in there" and then while we can go back and say it's because our people follow different customs about the soul it'd still have the common man look at us like some uncivilized foriegner with no respect for the dead every time they hear our name.
>>
No. 235144 ID: ddd48d

uh oh, well as soon as we tell it what we want our name to be we should apologize and leave for that meeting.

Is anyone else a little worried about this whole "attempting to become a dragon" thing? we are missing a lot of information about this kind of thing, and we have a lot of secrets to keep as well...I'm too tired to finish this thought argh
>>
No. 235150 ID: b18ccb

You know, I think this Dragon thing isn't just about what we've done, but what we want to be too.
And it should reflect our magehood as well, and something about our personality.

The Singular Dragon Mordre the Bombastic?

Anyway, updating our ideas, and I'm gonna slip them up between Dragon title and 'The' titles.

_____ Dragon:
Iron Blood Dragon
Unforgotten Dragon
Gift Horse Dragon
Enduring Dragon
Consuming Dragon
Wise Dragon
Singular Dragon
Hidden Dragon
Bombastic Dragon
Long-Dead Dragon
Old Dragon
Foreign Dragon

the ____________:
the Impossible
the Indelible
the Self-Made
the Dirge of Souls
the Legend of Steel
the Well of Souls
the Devourer
the Augmented
the Ascendant
the Timeless
the Commanding Philosopher
the Bombastic
>>
No. 235151 ID: b18ccb

>>235096
This one. I like this one.
>>
No. 235157 ID: 56dc25

>>235128
Good point on the more general nature of the well of souls bit. Nevertheless, while it is what we are, it is most definitely not what we claim to be- and the one claiming the title of Dragon here has to implicitly be Mordre the mage, even if it's actually Mordre the golem. At some point in the future we will doubtless be able to pull a Big Reveal and take the title for our own- possibly after growing our own soul into something genuinely Legendary- but until then, best to keep things on the down low even if it means a slightly less fitting title.

>>235151
Just for the irony that we are neither wise nor a particularly commanding philosopher, or for some other reason?

>>235150
>Hidden Dragon
I missed that one, and now I can't stop laughing. Because it's so fitting for our mage persona, and yet so referential. Can't really see how it fits our true self, though.
>>
No. 235175 ID: b18ccb

>>235157
Yeah, I came up with the Hidden Dragon one. Maybe we can have one be who we pretend to be, the other who we are?

But the reason I like 'Wise Dragon Mordre, the Commanding Philosopher' is because it's who we intend to be, like we told Kyorto. We are going to forge a new empirer, not feared but loved. The Conquring Hero. Which might make for a good title.
>>
No. 235176 ID: a76809

>>234997
[Could Be....]

>>235078
[Yup.]

>>235008
I find my very first thoughts not being how I could or could not escape this situation, or what title to claim, but squarely focused on the laws involved with the title Dragon. Not being able to attack anyone unless they take the initiative lest I run into pervasive legal troubles does not appeal to me... and I realize that this would only apply once I fully gain the title, not simply when I proclaim my desire to strive for it. Somewhat calmer with my primary concerns assuaged.

>>235025
>>235038
>>235053
>>235067
>>235077
>>235128
As titles swirl and riot in my mind, a single set of words seems pulled forth from me, flitting through the supercharged air.

"Indelible Dragon Mordre The Ascendant. That is the title I shall strive for."

I hear thunder crackle without seeing any storm, the ground rumble without threat of earthquake, and the Words I spoke, the Name I chose, as Jeagrezweistrik's axe thrums with power. I see his expressionless face turning to regard the still hidden Red Comet beside me for the briefest of moments, before he continues speaking.

"And so here we all stand,
Destined to be Dragons,
The Summit and the Climber, standing stroooong!"


Jeagrezweistrik begins to speak to the crowd now, the cadence of the music accompanying his words shifting and warping as he turns away from me, and The Red Comet's words infiltrate my mind.

"If You Wish To Leave, Now Would Be The Time,
While Jeagrezweistrik Is Yet Distracted Plying The Crowd...
I Sensed Some Other Words In Your Mind,
A Place You Must Be."


In the half instant where I realize I could be meeting with Hieryou, I find Phohn already relaying my desire to Burduko, who places a hand on my side-

I am in the Tyotworro estates, now standing before a Hieryou only just restraining himself from drawing his discreet blade, now relaxing by increments at my presence. He says nothing, as I summon Vandgurd and Zelgoto, the two giving their words on what the Ash Dragon did, their simple presence outside a building never outright claimed to have Oz or myself within, and Jioga's wrath smiting them both. Hieryou listens to their testimony with only a few probing questions, nodding as he listens. Finally the report by my two Deep Spawn ends, and Hieryou finally speaks to me.

>"....I believe you. You ultimately acted to deceive by omission a Dragon, but you and your minions committed no illegal act in this function. So it looks like you do have a valid complaint against the Ash Dragon."

Hieryou tilts his head to the side as he continues.

>"So what do you want me to do about this? Even with the testimony, without the Dragon in question here I cannot rouse the full legal might that could be brought to bear.... so to what end do you tell me this? What do you try to accomplish in the here and now?"

Hieryou yawns after his pointed question, reminding me of the severe earliness of the morning, as he awaits my response.




What should I say or do?
>>
No. 235181 ID: e31d52

Pause for a moment.

"Well, nothing need be done right this moment, necessarily. That you have heard the complaint and will keep it in mind until a later date, that is enough. Many thanks for your time... I apologize, the great distance tends to make it harder to perceive it proper, you see. I merely want it known that the breach of law was made, that is all. True action can wait for a more opportune time... Perhaps I can have some form of written document that you have questioned my fellows and found their testimony truthful?"
>>
No. 235182 ID: d3dfb8

>>235181
This. Then we should ask the deepspawn what the effect black steel would have on them.
If it's safe I don't see why we don't fight them.
>>
No. 235189 ID: 69bee4

"I mostly want to see that justice is done, I have a great fondness for those around me, as I do hope they themselves would attest. being dishonorably attacked for their guard duty is something I find distasteful."

pause for a bit, make sure this next part is done right, communicate with Deep Spawn to leave

"If I may have a moment Hieryou, I wished to apologize again for my severe cultural blindness and deafness of earlier. Also, feel free to ask me to leave, but I did want to ask about your companion, a wolf I could best call it as I never learned his or her name. But if you don't mind me waxing poetic, it reminds me of someone I had to leave behind in these ventures, a little... well not so little anymore creature I call Moss, met him awhile back... [story of moss goes here]"
>>
No. 235190 ID: 5018f7

Well, as memory serves one of the ways to become a dragon is to challenge and best one in a duel.
Asking for one with the title as prize could cement our status as a dragon, if we decided to become one.
>>
No. 235203 ID: eb35bf

I'd rather not duel Ash Dragon Jioga. Ultimately he is Lubu's ally and by extension our ally. We might need his help to unify this land.

Tell Hieryou that there is a challenge in place between yourself and the Ash Dragon, however it is not a martial challenge. You would like to arrange a forceful reminder to him of that fact in order to prevent any further conflicts or rash actions.

See if there's any night-shift estate retainer you could learn some Land of Dragons lore from until it's time to go to Korgotyo's school.
>>
No. 235204 ID: d3dfb8

>>235203
Bang was authorized to kill his dood, I don't see why we can't. Besides, look at this from Lubu's perspective. He loses a dragon but gains an immortal dragon.
>>
No. 235213 ID: b18ccb

>>235181
Agree with this.

>>235189
Agree with this.

>>235203
Agree with this.

Bow humbly and thank him for his time. Make note that there is a rocking consert going on - and inform any of our allies that are awake and not in talking diststance with Phohn what just happened. And try to talk to Mordreden with Phohn again, see if they're awake. If not, and if Ulzrick is awake, have him relay the message. And relay the message to anyone asleep. Then gather the Monster Party, and any one of our friends to rock out until brawl-time at the Chain School.

And, while we're gathering the Monster Party, try to combine the Feasting Anima and the Jade Fist and Rending Grasp while we're alone.
>>
No. 235215 ID: b18ccb

Oh yes, and I don't agree with killing the Ash Dragon for two reasons: Lubu loses a powerful ally. We could not actually win, or would be hard-pressed to win any Dragon fight. We would have to be very cunning to actually eat that soul, because we'd have to talk to and convince said soul that this si a good idea.

Also, if we fight him, we wouldn't get the powers of a Dragon, just the name.

Personally, I'm wondering what 'Inedible Dragon' will take the form of...Does it mean we'll start tasting like Fugo?
>>
No. 235256 ID: 10f195

>>235215
'Indelible' Dragon

in·del·i·ble/inˈdeləbəl/Adjective
1. (of ink or a pen) Making marks that cannot be removed.
2. Not able to be forgotten or removed
>>
No. 235261 ID: 10f195

>>235215
Also, agreed, we should not kill him, but instead subdue him with overwhelming power (AHHAHAHAHAH OH CRAP I CRACK MYSELF UP)

We are gonna need a Keddic brand string of Epiphanies here.

hmmmmm

Pristine soul on Soul matrices to gain understanding of crafting procedure?
Like gaining basic soul magic and golem craft competency without using a Lenryt Boon.
>>
No. 235263 ID: 10f195

Also, idea.

You could teleport back to Lubus place with Budruko, make a earth padgoda, come back, make another padgoda and then teleport the lot of you there.

If Oz is not ready to come, you can just keep moving on the padgoda until he is ready, then PORT!.
>>
No. 235271 ID: 445c48

>>235263
Too many variations on the earthen structure. Distribution of nutrients in the soil might throw it off, even, or they might have a somewhat different mineral blend that results in a nice red dirt over there but we've got a brown one here or something.

I suggest we pop out our ammo, reload our hooks if we haven't, magnetomance it full again, then magnetomance them into a big box shape, using another reload or two if needed. We can run out of town and look for metals if we need to resupply.
>>
No. 235341 ID: 95aed6

Well he did just say 'some sameness' here's to hoping it does not have to be exact.
>>
No. 235447 ID: b18ccb

>>235263
Ok, Falcon, why would we need to do this? I'm just wondering.
>>
No. 235451 ID: 112508

>>235447
Just in case the dragon shows up and decides to mess things up for us.

Or in case ANYTHING happens and we need to get out quickly. Then we could simply port to the palace.

Also, if Oz decides that he will do it, we port and save time.

not a necessity, just a convenience/precaution.
>>
No. 235452 ID: b18ccb

>>235451
But, we can do that any way. We have a Lenryt Box at the palace. We could, at any time, cut and run back to the palace.
>>
No. 235453 ID: 112508

>>235452
We don't have a box HERE!

As far as I know, we would need a box at the destination AND the departure point.

If I am wrong, then that is great and we save time. Unfortunately, I doubt I am wrong.
>>
No. 235454 ID: 445c48

As I understand it, we and Burduko could cut and run, but everyone else couldn't, without the box. We'd need a box to transport everyone else.
>>
No. 235460 ID: 112508

>>235454
We don't need a box.
The box is just fancy and awesome.

He said we needed some kind of 'sameness'. That lends itself to anything, it's simply that a room would be better for several reasons.
I believe that if we have simply a patch of ground leveled and has a design on it that makes it distinct from the surroundings, we could use this to port.
This method would usually be impractical because we have to make the other teleporter and by the time we do that the patch may have been covered or weathered.

The only reason I am suggesting the pagoda is that if we use it at all, it would be in the near future. So there would not be much time for change to occur via environmental factors or otherwise.
>>
No. 235463 ID: b18ccb

>>235453
Shh! Bob might have forgotten that.

Anyway, I do want our Pagoda back, and we could try to make some teleportation boxes out of our ammo...possibly with Murhyihal...mhm...

We could send Murhyihal and Burduko to copy a Lenryt Box.
>>
No. 235465 ID: 445c48

>>235460
I suppose it depends on the amount of sameness required. Perhaps as Burduko grows in strength, the level of sameness needed will decrease?
>>
No. 235466 ID: 112508

>>235465
That's my guess.
>>
No. 235467 ID: b18ccb

>>235460
No, boxes are easy. I do not want to chance teleporting on something not 120% the same as the other connecting points. I don't want to reenact 'The Fly' with all of our allies. Boxes are easy to make 'same'. 90 degrees each side, use the same metal. We can boost our megnetomancy, or use Murhyihal to craft boxes, perfectly.
>>
No. 235479 ID: 445c48

>>235467
I rather hope it won't end up like The Fly. I assumed that it would just fizzle, wouldn't work at all if it wasn't same enough. Or, at least, I assumed Burduko would notice and tell us "Yeah shit ain't gonna work right, continue y/n?"
>>
No. 235481 ID: 112508

>>235479
That is pretty much what I was going to say.

since our porter is a living being and not a computer, I think he can tell us if it will work or not.
>>
No. 235502 ID: b18ccb

>>235479
I think we should ask Burduko. We haven't really bro'd with him like we have Phohn or Aggrocrag so I still feel a bit wary of him.
>>
No. 235549 ID: a76809
File 128573438994.jpg - (157.90KB , 1200x1600 , Chaining Calamity.jpg )
235549

>>235467
[Currently Murhyihal is to weak, relatively speaking, to use your rounds as the basis for making identical boxes. Conversely, it could be that Burduko is too weak, the amount of Sameness he demands still too high.]

>>235465
>>235466
[Completely accurate.]

>>235463
[Me? Forgotten your teleport box locations? Pssh, they're obviously still where the started at, as you haven't moved them. ...Or maybe Mordre did, while you were playing Keddic...]

>>235460
[Actually, you kinda do. The sheer degree of sameness required is far more of a difficulty to achieve than you may be inferring. Lenryt saved you a huge hassle.]

>>235454
[This is correct.]

>>235261
[Hah, to just spontaneously generate that, would take 3 Pristine souls, but yes, even that is possible.]

>>235181
>>235182
>>235189
>>235213
I step forward as I speak, looking to ply the legal route as deeply as possible for the coming Dragon Jioga. My words are eased and slightly muted due to the lateness of the night (Senth and Oz are both sprawled passed out in the open sand yard of the Tyotworro estate, having retired from another impromptu brawl as a culmination of their reunion.), as I see Dulu moving up to one of the entrance-ways, lending a non-physical ear to our words, so that Phohn may translate for him.

"Well, nothing need be done right this moment, necessarily. That you have heard the complaint and will keep it in mind until a later date, that is enough. I merely want it known that the breach of law was made, that is all. True action can wait for a more opportune time, but I wonder if I could have one thing... Perhaps I can have some form of written document that you have questioned my fellows, And found their testimony truthful, as wells as what was said, generally speaking?"
>"Certainly. You have a legitimate legal complaint, so this does fall under the jurisdiction of one of my jobs. The fact the accused is a Dragon complicates things, but I have familiarity with the power of bargaining tools. You shall have your written assessment."

Hieryou begins walking to a small desk at the side of the room, pulling out a stand for writing, fine brushes and stark ebony ink, pre-stamped paper bearing a seal I presume judicial in origin. The Iron Mustache sits and begins to write without further ceremony, and his over-sized and heavily boned wolf pads to his side, curling beside his feet for a moment, one eye still lazily locked on me. I make a noise akin to a throat clearing, as I begin speaking again.

"If I may have a moment Hieryou, I did want to ask about your companion, A wolf I could best call it as I not yet learned his or her name."
>"..Mohbo."
"As you say. But if you don't mind me waxing poetic, It reminds me of someone I had to leave behind in these ventures, A little... well not so little anymore creature I call Moss, met him awhile back..."

I recount a brief description of my travels and experiences with Moss, the living wood beast with a stone heart, a playful companion I had grown accustomed to. He does not stop writing, but I hear Hieryou chuckle twice, soft yet echoing off the interior of his armor, at some particularly endearing quirk of Moss being described. It takes at best guess a half hour, long after I have fallen silent again, but Hieryou produces a carefully written and blotted manuscript, dated and signed, concerning the damning testimony that he, as one who can See truth, verified while recording it, heard, concerning Ash Dragon Jioga. So long as violence can be avoided, this would be considered one of the most daunting weapons to bring, as I note Hieryou writing a log entry into a massive ledger, recording the work he just penned and its nature for archival purposes. He nods to me, as he and Mohbo march away, looking to finally get some rest.

With everyone else but Dulu asleep, and the Golemslain immediately retreating as my gaze falls on him, I find myself with no one to talk to and nothing to do, and resign myself to waiting for morning, at least to give the appearance of sleep and inactive periods, the most vexing part of my guise. Dawn comes slowly, but I rise several minutes after Oz awakens, idly trying to kick away a sleeping Senth that discreetly made his way across the sand, missing as Senth teleports away, yawning as he sits up, pulling out Keddic's pipe and packing it with more of the green herb that he seems to constantly inhale. Once both have fully risen for the new day, I finally begin to move, rising as my head rotates as if to scan the surroundings. I say good morning to Oz and Senth, before the Breaker sets Senth the challenge of remaining untouched as he fights the Deep Spawn. I see him dodging with ease-until Burduku enters the fray with Velada at his side, and Senth's amorphous, warping form reverts to normalcy, his Tractomancy shut down. I see Vandgurds multiton fist descending like an avalanche, Senth's hand slithering up even as his form whips through the air oddly.

His fingertips touch Vandgurd, and the Deep Spawn is spun about, his body twisting through the air with wild abandon as Senth slips between flailing limbs like a snake, trying to put distance between himself and the duo of Velada and Burduko. I see a grin on his sleepy face, though I could not say if it is any different than the absentminded smile he always wears. Shortly Bagrom, accompanied by Hieryou and Edgo, now dressed in far finer vestments than the raggedy clothes he bore when last I saw him. His body doing notably better, recovering with a speed that while surely not natural is not directly visible (unlike Bang's rapid regeneration, or that of the Deep Spawn) Oz joins me in moving to meet with Bagrom and his familial retinue, as Senth continues to be a writhing snake, his monkey-like tumbles and evasions keeping him just a hair's breadth away from pulverization as he continues to turn Deep Spawn upside down, now steadily working his way towards the hive of Velada. Bagrom begins speaking, and out of politeness I turn my skull fully to face him.

>[Bagrom]"Master, I wish to begin by telling you of what I fought in the Grab Bag Tournament of the Grand Gainer. A brave farmer, who surrendered without a fight was my first foe. My second was a practitioner of the Fire Flesh style, and I payed the price one must pay to touch and ultimately defeat them. My third was a Fluid Fist practitioner, but with the application of some mid-range Jade Soul techniques, I ended the fight swiftly, still recovering from the burns. My fourth fight was a practiced veteran, a man far larger and stronger than eye that thoroughly pummeled me before I was able to finally harm him with the aid of... well, of Ghost Hand."
[Oz]"Really? And how did you employ it, how did you tap it?"
>"I... I was beginning to pass out, my foe having me in a submission hold, and in that semi-delirious state, I think I forgot that my hand was gone. Then I was trying to fight off my foe, and the ghost of my hand just went straight into his flesh, reaching for organs-"
"Yup, that's it. Most of Ghost Hand is based around that feeling that the limb is still alive."
>"Why did you not tell me?"
"Won't mean as much unless you come to it yourself, and it has to mean a whole damn lot. Go on."
>"..Well, my fifth fight was my final. It was when I faced Keddic-"
"Right, Senth talked about that, you healed Mordre's fellow, took a dive? Eh, you had a chance to use Ghost Hand, my teaching are starting to take root."
>"As you say, Master Oz."

Bagrom now turns to briefly face Hieryou, before turning towards me.

"I hear that you have evidence, even a written declaration concerning the Ash Dragon, who you say is on his way hear, was that not so?"
"Well, I do not know how long he will take, But ultimately I imagine he shall come here."
>"...After the Master, then, well-"
"OY!! SENTH! TAKE A BREAK!"

Oz's roar cuts our conversation short, as the enormous muscled man with metal hands turns about, facing Bagrom with an open smile.

"Well, we're already wasting time, let's get you practicing, right now. Get in there and face the Deep Spawn, Mordre's got one that can do healing now, hell one that can grant passive healing, and you need to start recapturing that feeling of Ghost Hand right now. Get to it!"
>"I..! Yes!"

After a brief and spluttering moment, Bagrom dashes off to take Senth's place fighting the Deep Spawn. ...I wonder how the man from Trollingwood fared in hunting down Velada and Burduko... Edgo and Hieryou both step forward in the sudden absence of the main family member. Edgo is the one who speaks first.

>[Edgo]"...I must admit concern, guest of this house, concerning the recent events around your presence. Having a Dragon that could bring his wrath down on this house... I would ask what you intend to do."
"To avoid violence, as it need not come to it. But if it absolutely must, if it becomes inevitable, I will do everything I can to take the fight away, Preserving your home to my best capabilities."
>"....Then that is all I needed to hear. Thank you for your time."

Edgo bows, he and Hieryou departing while I finally spy Dulu, following a servant out with a late breakfast. As Senth, Oz and Bagrom feast in a brief respite from their riot with the Deep Spawn, I realize that the time for speaking with Korgotyo nears. I posit this to Oz, and the moment the meal is completed I find myself with Bagrom on my right, Senth on my left as we all follow after Oz, now marching directly towards the Chaining Calamity school, speeding up when Korgotyo's towering form waves. The Deep Spawn that trailed behind me as a third group to our train pile in after us as Oz immediately breaks into rough salutations, Korgotyo barely managing to get out a request for the Deep Spawn and my other companions to join the school in their practice, as it is all elder students. As Oz buried Korgotyo in a torrent of words and questions, friendliness weaponized in his grasp, I turn to face the top students of the Chaining Calamity School.

The uniform is rust and brown, simple, yet starkly defined colors. Other than these vestments, not a single other item of apparel adorns any of the students. In contrast to this, no two hold the same chains. One holds a length some ten feet long, each link as thick as his wrist, wrapped over a shoulder and held lightly. Another has a pair, thin and ever so slightly barbed lengths he winds about his forarms, like coiled springs ready to leap forth. Another has lengths of chain with clasps and rings, several pieces that look to form a chain net, when interlocking. Everywhere I look, a different format, and while many sweat, none falter at the sight of the Deep Spawn.

There are ninety five students in this so-called advanced population, eleven Deep Spawn (not all of whom are combat oriented), and the duo, Bagrom and Senth.



What should I say or do?
How should I arrange this sparring session, considering the resources available to me?
Should I just let Oz speak with Korgotyo as he wills, or should I try to direct him towards the match he desired before he potentially bores Korgotyo with his onslaught?
>>
No. 235636 ID: 56dc25

>>235549
As Korgotyo is (presumably?) the senior instruction of the school hosting this event, it would be polite to allow him to determine the format of the sparring, at least initially. That said, it would probably be a good idea to start out slow, letting each side get a feel for one anothers' capabilities in a series of one on one light matches, before eventually escalating to larger engagements which test teamwork and tactics as well as style. Based upon how the first two go, you might eventually try an event with everyone participating, teams determined by rough skill identified previously. Deep spawn and students need not be on opposing sides during these events, since after all working with unexpected allies of unknown capability is a vital skill for any warrior.

Let Oz say whatever he wants; you've practically arranged his match for him already, as he should be well aware. If he's not going to take it at this point it's hardly your fault, and he doesn't need you to outline things.

During the sparring, if you identify any students of particular skill or interesting style, you might consider giving them an invitation to travel with you, should they wish it. Ultimately one must test themselves against the school of life in order to truly excel, after all; surely at least some of the students here would be interested in gaining some experience at the side of an adventure magnet like yourself.

You might consider speaking with Korgotyo and/or Oz about the arrangement of the various matches, treating the Deep Spawn as your own "students", since you know their capabilities the best, and sharing their particular talents and traits so that they might be best matched up with the other students. Visibly acting as a teacher/mentor figure to your spawn might be a little strange but it would definitely bear up the idea that you espoused to Korgotyo yesterday that they are their own creatures, with their own souls, and not mindless slave constructions that you don't care about. Would give a good impression. Also might make Oz like you more, since it's clear that he values good, personalized teaching- recall his disdain for the one-size-fits-all Jade Soul style.
>>
No. 235641 ID: d3dfb8

Have Phohn ask Dulu if he wishes to participate in some fightan.
>>
No. 235647 ID: 69bee4

You should probably quickly apologize to Oz for the while 'speaking in your mind thing that led up to this without your permission' thing. Maybe in the vein of "I did you wrong my newfound friend, and I hope you can forgive an old man's oversight and disrespect... plus, this set of fights and sparring should be fun!"
>>
No. 235768 ID: 814332

>>235636
I was actually hoping that this might be a massive battle between Korgotyo and his students verses Oz, Senth, Bagrom, us, and our Deep Spawn. But tournament style sparring secessions and small teams sounds fun too.

Before the sparring starts:
Make sure Mothbern and Nihilino won't kill anyone. Get Burduko to walk around the arena so that he can teleport anywhere within. Ask all the Deep Spawn to tactically analyze each student's appearance along with the chain(s) they carry, have them share their conclusions and assumptions with Sadronm and ourselves. Have Phohn ring up Dulu and ask if he wishes to join us.
>>
No. 235806 ID: f4e4f9

Am I the only one a little...depressed as to how poorly our combat oriented Deepspawn are performing? Seems like the only thing we hear about them is how they get pounded on in spars (though I suppose in Nihilino and Mothbern's cases, the fact that they hold back the full lethality of their abilities probably plays a significant part).
>>
No. 235811 ID: f4e4f9

>>235806
Then again, maybe its just the people they've been fighting. Jioga's just pissing me off after what happened to Vangurd and Zelgoto.
>>
No. 235828 ID: 7150d8

>>235811
Our spawn are still rather inexperienced, not to mention the fact that they lack the crazy amount of restrictions that regular deep-spawn have on themselves.

In time, they will most likely be more effective at what they do, and not get pulped as easily as they have been (granted, the have only been pulped by something stronger then thenselves).
>>
No. 235845 ID: e31d52

It's time we tested the full capabilities of our healing spawn. Allow Zel to go full lethal on his next opponent (make sure you ask first!) and have our healer spawn be on the ready. If Zel is still getting pounded, let him use his lesser spawn, and if that doesn't work, let our enhancer pump him the fuck up.

Do this in progressive stages, healing him between each one. LET'S GIVE THESE BOYS A LESSON.
>>
No. 235857 ID: 1455c6

Ask him how lethal are you allowed to be. Then give Sandronm full control over the course of he spar.

STIM PACK all of them though and pump Regen on Vadguard. HE SHALL BE THE TANK!


MORDRE! OBSERVE THIS FIGHT CLOSELY! SEE EVERYTHING THERE IS TO SEE AND INCORPORATE THEIR STYLES INTO THE SABLE EXECUTIONER!

I want to use those 3 P.Souls, but then if shit hits the fan we would be screwed. Ah well.

Also.
HECK YEA! MORDRE MASTER OF THE LEFT HAS ARRIVED!

Maybe you could fight Senth... with your new magic null ability it would be hard for him to win
>>
No. 235862 ID: b18ccb

Note: Ask Senth for the money and the pipe, please?

But yeah, let Korgotyo lead us.

>>235811
The major problem is we're in the Land of the Dragons. Everyone here seems to know several ways to kill a man with Mass Connection badassery.

However, they have been constantly fighting a Living Legend, so they may be slowly powering up. It's just hard to notice when fighting against such...over powered individuals.

Anyway, have us and our 'students' bow and await orders. Talk to Dulu about what he thinks about all this, too, try to be Bros in a friendly, old-teacher manner if possible.
>>
No. 235879 ID: 9338f5

>>235806
mass connection is a mix of soul and will magic i think, and soul magic is super effictive against everything. deep spawn as well.
>>
No. 235883 ID: ed5ae8

Ah yes. Money from Senth please.


Lets see now... how could we improve our spawn in a short period of time....

FEED THEM
>>
No. 235884 ID: ed5ae8

Feed them souls and/or bodies of fallen foes.

Not in LotD of course. That's for when we get back and after we get Kyorto's skins.
>>
No. 235897 ID: 9338f5

>>235883
can they eat?
>>
No. 235900 ID: ed5ae8

>>235897
I would be surprised if they couldn't. At the very least, the ones with discernible mouths should be able to. Nothingness guy can probably eat souls or energy.
>>
No. 235901 ID: ed5ae8

I mean, Dogrum could eat magic, granted his form was based around eating, but I think others should be able to eat as well.

If not, we need to make an eating guy to be our point man.
>>
No. 235912 ID: 9338f5

>>235900
>Nihilino's abilities are to cause others to slowly fade from existence when touched by Nihilino, and render those who gaze into the maddening hole in his blank face soulless, their souls rent to nothing, entropy his very existence.

also

>Dorgrum
>(Deep Spawn) Dorgrum embodies the concept of HUNGER, and his form revolves around FACES and EATING. One of the two individualized Deep Spawn that attacked the Drazken Clan. Currently serving as representative between Eldghodd and the Drazken Clan (and, by extension, Mordre).

is the only one i have read anything about being able to eat.
>>
No. 235916 ID: f4e4f9

Yeah, going full lethal might not be a good idea just yet. These are students, and we don't know how able they are.

I think letting the instructors set the pace for their student's combat is the best course of action. And when we DO let them go all out in training, make damn sure that the humans get the Passive Spawn Regen benefit. IT'll keep injuries and casualties down.
>>
No. 236021 ID: 56daf4

Why not encourage them through other means than straight out fighting? Set a few interesting challenges for the Deep Spawn and the Chained Calamity students. It'll raise some new scenarios and leave a more favourable impression of the Deep Spawn on these youths.

Like mark a few spots on Vangurd's body and have the challenge be for the students to strike those spots while Vangurd tries to PROTECT them.

Have Akeakam try to measure and control his strengthening abilities by challenging him to manipulate a fight between a stronger and a weaker opponent to a draw.

Challenge a number of students to steal a ball from Burduko while Burduko tries his best to avoid them.

For some challenges have the students cooperate with the Deep Spawn, mix it up.

Really we need to work on their individuality. At the moment they are still relatively newborn and two-dimensional. We need to allow them to express themselves and grow even more more individual by encouraging them to change and improve. Ask the Deep Spawn what they want apart from just serving Mordre. Perhaps they should set much higher goals for themselves. Sadronm could one day be the world's greatest general. Mothbern could aim to be so strong that he can stop a flood by drying it out.
>>
No. 236034 ID: 9eba94

Well, since we organized this match so Oz and Korgotyo may fight, why not let them lead? Besides, we don't know the capabilities of the students, nor what exactly Korgotyo wants out of the fight. Let them have a free-for-all before the structured fights to improve a specific skill, so their abilities can be gauged, and then the training can be tailored to their strengths and weaknesses. If we are going to direct anything at all. Korgotyo has a lot more experience with teaching than any of the other participants in this match-up do, so he probably will direct things.
>>
No. 236058 ID: b18ccb

>>236021
I like this. Some really cruel ones should be suggested too: Beat Burduko in a race. Defeat Aggrocrag without attacking him.
>>
No. 236090 ID: 3d741a

>>236021
This is good.
>>
No. 236091 ID: 3d741a

>>236058
>really cruel ones

Catch Senth.
>>
No. 236107 ID: f4e4f9

>>236021
This is great.
>>
No. 236124 ID: b18ccb

>>236091
This is great.
>>
No. 236127 ID: b18ccb

>>236021
An idle thought, brought on by 'One of the Monster Party's goals should be to become the best dancer in the world', but would it be a idea to suggest to the Deep Spawn to develop...hobbies, wants, and none-'use' focused ideas? I mean, get Aggrocrag iterested in sports and exersize, Nihilino could get into some Zen teachings. Suggest to them to become rounded characters, rather then our tools, become our allies or students.
>>
No. 236178 ID: a76809

>>236021
>>236058
>>236090
>>236107
In a fit of creativity, I decide to gain my initial assessment of the students with some interactive challenges. I step forward, and begin speaking to the disciples verbally, as I use Phohn to communicate the same to the Deep Spawn. I suggest the following, as a means for our two groups to gain a better sense of each other:

--Seven points noted on Vandgurd, those being the forehead, throat, heart, liver, kidneys and pancreas, are to be the targets of Group 1. Vandgurd is to actively guard these locations, manifesting his spawn as suppressing units but take no direct offensive actions. Vandgurd gets to do what he does best, and I have a fairly durable target for the students to show their respective mights.
--Akeakam is to act as the epicenter of a close quarters combat medley, with Aggocrag, Zelgoto and Velada (complete with innate four monstrous mechanical bee attendants) facing Group 2. This is a challenge for Akeakam to accurately heal enough to stabilize any disparities in power by optimal application of healing. the trio of Deep spawn fighting get a chance at being outnumbered, and the students get the aid of strengthening spawn.
--Burduko is given a sextuplet of balls, as I find that tiny thought while creating him manifested, as he promptly begins juggling them, reflecting them off the blade he has in place of his left hand. Group 3 is tasked with claiming any and all of Burduko's spheres, as he is tasked with retaining them, and retrieving. He can take no offensive actions.
>>236091
--Lastly, the challenge to catch Senth, for Group 4! This challenge is rather straightforward, they simply have to capture Senth of Trollingwood...

>>235641
The students are split into four groups, and cycled through the full gambit, taking forty minutes each round. As I explain this, Dulu steps forth, Phohn telling me he wishes it said he will step in on the side of the students if necessary, but does not expect to need to. The uneasiness lingering about the elder disciples vanishes, as they perceive an honored Ancestral Tomb offering vouchsafe, a further tether of safety. As the practice proceeds he interceded a few brief times with lightning speed in a nonchalant manner, calmly offering advise via Phohn, whom speaks through one of the Deep Spawn. At the presence of a warden so strangely gifted in manner of speech, those last shreds of uneasiness begin to vanish, as the sheer otherwoldliness of the whole affair seems to claim them. Warriors begin to move as if in a dream, simply letting concern go as they revel in this chance, and for them, time flies.

>>235806
I find my building trepidation in the effectiveness of my Deep spawn vanishing, as group three becomes a frenzied, desperate battlefield, the Deep Spawn severely outnumbered with enhanced and constantly healed foes, and the students barely hang on, Dulu's intervention needed at least thrice each round in this one Group alone, as despite all their gifts, Aggocrag and Zelgoto shrugging off attacks even from the most obdurate and focused of students, their return strikes always accompanied by the sickening sound of bones breaking, organs collapsing-but Akeakam heals in seconds, the strengthening agent keeping the pain back, and though seemingly hellish, the disciples come to brag of having done it, their robes in tatters. Group three vied with Group 4 in failure rates, only a single globe claimed from Burduko, by a student with chains complete with weighted ends, one wrapped about each hand and forearm, another pair about the torso, with considerable ranges of attack with lightning speed. I find her name to be Oliltu, an as of yet undistinguished martial practitioner, no title attributed to her name. Group 1 proves Vandgurd to be an overwhelming wall, moving at terrifying speeds enormous weight as a giant above the disciples. Many have trouble even facing him, so daunting a figure does he strike, only a few students ever completely avoiding that hesitation, chief among them an older man with one ear, chains about his legs and forearms anchored with hooks, which he turns to slinging up and around Vandgurd, his daring, wild movements binding Vandgurd... until the chain breaks. But the warrior, by the name of Akhan The Binder is able to mend the harm, pieces flying back to his possession to repeat again and again, making one set of disciples much more effective when facing this challenge. ...None catch Senth, but not for lack of trying.

I learn Chaining Calamity to be several things. It seems to involve Magnetomancy, or something incredibly close, but is largely built around defining the chain as part of the body, and thusly controlling its action, all while housing it in energy. Some use them like snakes coiling at their command, others put tons of weight behind every swing, others home on their foes... all of it seems built around binding, or imprisoning, bringing up the mental image of an iron prison. It seems a heavily suppressive style, with many agonizing submission moves, all of it significantly outside the normal melee combat range. Once anchored to a foe, most disciples prove amply able to directly enhance their own bodies, more durable than humans have a direct ability to be, faint glimmers of power in some, semi blazing intensity in others. None directly match the Deep Spawn, not even close... but considering how much it was their salvation in facing their foes... what will Korgotyo Do?

As Dulu continues to speak through different Deep Spawn all while they themselves speak on their thoughts with the students, quickly breaking into a highly informal analysis of what could be improved, like a set of coaches advising athletes on how better to face such a team in the future. Again, the bemused students seem immensely enthused in the experience, and I note the walls of the school, a considerable housed area with considerable space to it's name, are lined with on-watchers.... some of them beginning to mutter about Indelible Dragons, even as the crowd is glued to the combat.

That is, until Korgotyo and Oz the Breaker finish speaking, and Oz says the following, words that instantly claim every ear they grace:

"Alright then veteran of a thousand battles... be my foe... for a spar?"

The words, almost seductive, anchor every set of eyes so firmly on the pair, the hulking figure of Oz, built like a mountain and eight with change feet tall, doesn't even reach Korgotyo's knee, just barely past half the length of the Rageglut's shin. Compounding this, the already over-sized arms and gorilla-like forearms, Korgotyo has fists larger that Oz by a considerable amount, the chains about his arms cast with links as large as the Breaker's torso, and as I feel the weight of Oz's soul swell as he speaks his challenge, a welling of intensity in sheer anticipation, the immense ocean of Korgotyo's soul does not react. And then, a ripple, a wave, a smile...

"THAT I SHALL DO, I THINK. MY STUDENTS SEEM TO HAVE NEED OF A BREAK, AND MY MOUTH IS TIRED. PERHAPS SOME EXERCISE WOULD BE GOOD."

The smile on that massive face does not look completely pleasant. Oh, there is kindness, here and there, when one looks, but with it a see a predatory gleam, as Korgotyo's chains well with so much Soul energy I can scarce seem them as anything other than links forged fresh from the sun, so brightly do they glow.

I feel Oz's soul uncoiling, a slumbering dragon that starts to unfurl and reveal ever more size and ferocity as he idly heaves away the massive table he was sitting at, while I only now note they were currently speaking in the middle of the largest part of the sand clearing, as students and citizens alike nearly drool in anticipation. The Deep Spawn as one focus on the building pressure of Mortal souls reaching heights far vaster than their own, as I wonder how they view their matches against Yeti and warriors, students and masters... and how they wish to grow. I do not ask Phohn if my thoughts are true. I refuse to. their rapt attention, Phohn not even attending as I think his name multiple times, is proof enough.

Korgotyo moves like a whip of lightning, the air and ground alike quaking as his blurring form whips a length of chain towards Oz, a bare instant after being completely lax. That speed is devastating, and Oz only he had time to guard.

The magically and physically immense chains slap into Oz with a crack of visible thunder, the air quaking about the impact as several of the closer citizens are literally knocked off their seats by the pressure wave and rioting intensity of the impact. Despite Oz's unyielding stance, his traction with the ground is threatened, sand furrowing and sloughing beneath him, in some bare few patches heated to glass by the pressure and speed-

As another chain is already bare feet away from his right side Oz manifests his hand so spectral, a right hand now dwarfing Korgotyo's own snatching for the chain-

That promptly slips back like a snake, jerking out of reach.


PERSPECTIVE SHIFT CHOICE: Oz the Breaker, Left Handed God of the Fist, or Korgotyo the Chained Rageglut?
VOTE

>>
No. 236189 ID: b18ccb

rolled 1 = 1

Both of these are awesome, blinding amounts of power. I really don't know who is the underdog in this, and I have no idea which would be the better to 'win', for Mordre.

So, I'm gonna roll dice, 1 for Oz, 2 for Korgotyo.

Anyway, Mordre, go to Dulu and sit beside him. "How did it feel to teach these young students, Dulu? And who would you think would win in this duel of the Titans?"
>>
No. 236190 ID: 69bee4

Korgotyo
>>
No. 236199 ID: 445c48

Oz the Breaker
>>
No. 236212 ID: 6d4338

Korgotyo the Chained Rageglut
>>
No. 236213 ID: 56dc25

>>236127
Korgotyo!
>>
No. 236220 ID: aff29c

Oz the Breaker
>>
No. 236238 ID: 6dd58d

My vote goes to, THE GREAT AND POWERFUL OZ. Even though he's not a wizard. ...Pardon the wordplay.
>>
No. 236240 ID: 814332

Oz the Breaker, Left Handed God of the Fist!
>>
No. 236252 ID: d3dfb8

Oz up in this bitch.
>>
No. 236263 ID: 46c430

>>236178
Hrmm... On an only slightly related note: Their style seems oddly similar to that of the Blue Knight's daughter. Or, at least, the enchantment on her sword. Perhaps we should take notes for her?
>>
No. 236271 ID: a76809

>>236189
>>236199
>>236220
>>236238
>>236240
>>236252
...............................................PERSPECTIVE SHIFT: OZ...................................................

I skid back as the initial chain blow continues to impact my left flank, chains grinding and groaning against my arm, it's stupendous size turning a contact of instants into long seconds as that darting chain lashes out towards me again, once more repulsed by my grasping Ghost Hand, and once more evading capture. Honestly, the big and fast ones, always a hassle to deal with. I consider my options, finally in a situation where I can let loose at least a []little[/i] bit.

--I am strong, a combination of some of the most complex and multi-layered Mass Connection personal augmentations the likes of which even Dragons must respect, all layered on top of an innately powerful body. I likely have as much strength as Korgtoyo, despite him being far larger. The question is leverage, as while he is anchored by several tons, for me to get a solid hit in I need to have proper footing.
--I am enduring, not so much durable as a combination of pain deadening and body hardening intertwined until one's own skin is like armor. Between my strength and this, I wear enough layers of assorted styles takes on personal boosting to likely represent an anthology of styles.
--I have the Ghost Hand, which I can exude from my metal right hand, with a maximum range of one hundred feet, and the hand in question able to be any size I wish. The Ghost hand can either grasp or phase through matter at my command, and can exert as much force as I devote focus to, potentially enough to even lift Korgotyo.
--I have The Breaker, my left arm of flesh and Lortoxite fused together. The arm is completely invulnerable, and can impart to any blow made with this fist a portion of the power of the stars, the riotous entry though the sky coming back in my fist. To compound this, the red gem in my arm is surrounded by a rarity that I actually stole, some orange platinum woven into my flesh and metal, armor and skin limb, with the aid of both my own command of the elements, and a renegade forger. This gem can extrude tendrils of my will with considerable power behind them, based on some arts from around the world to further enhance an already incredible quality focus. I can grasp foes, pull them to my fist, or conversely move myself around freely with these threads. I can manifest as many as I wish, but they do not have enough rigidity to pierce or directly stike, and have a maximum range of one hundred feet.

...And if I get really lucky and Korgotyo pushes me, I have a battle stimulant that can induce the state of perfect meditation that normally takes long minutes with potent hallucinogens, allowing my to focus enough of my soul in my arm to cause what I have heard some Ancestral Tombs call Over Limit Trance. My left arm becomes like molten metal, moving past the speed of sound, sonic-booms echoing at my every move of the limb, while I direct the transformation so that the gem engorges and becomes a giant growth anchored along the knuckles, forearm and elbow, allowing for crystal-based magical annulment.

--Beyond that, I can also use pretty much every single punch or chop of the Jade Soul style, I know a good bit of Stone Fist and I have some considerable knowledge of Fire Flesh and Iron Body, but ultimately I only know mediocre moves of the styles, my real strengths lie in Ghosthand and Breaker.

The chain begins to whip down towards me as my left arm is still occupied dealing with the prolonged impact, the ground giving as I resist several dozen tons of force.



What should I do?
What kind of attack format should I use? I can do just about anything that involves punching.
>>
No. 236282 ID: d3dfb8

How about we punch his chains. Break em for a second and give us a chance to close the distance and punch him. Ultimately it's a midranged combat style and we would do well to get close. Especially considering we are a melee fighter.
Maybe try using ghost hand to encompass ourselves to defend from the chains as we get close. He's really fast but we're still confined to a small space and he is a very large person.

So Oz, any thoughts on Mordre?
>>
No. 236283 ID: a69afd

>>236271
How does one "steal" this orange platinum you speak of, is there some alternate version of the Camelo Repository that houses metal of all types and you just broke in for shits and giggles? What the balls is a renegade forger, did some scornful blacksmith outlaw just happen to pass by when you made your arm into Lortoxite and offer to put the gem in?
>>
No. 236293 ID: 903f16

It sounds like your Ghost Hand is unoccupied so exert an even amount of force into it to slow or halt the incoming chain while building up a bit of Warding Palm to disperse any magics within the chain so you can safely grab at it with your right arm. If you manage to grasp it use the power of the gem you stole to form more tendrils to keep the chain in place. Once you have deliver a heavy chop imparted with the power of the stars as soon as your left arm is freed up to sever it like you did Bagrom's arm.

Also, describe some of the signature abilities of the styles you only have mediocre knowledge of? The Stone Fist in particular seems useful at this juncture.
>>
No. 236297 ID: ddd48d

>>236271
so, Oz, glad you get to let loose some more? Lets try your Lortoxite arm against his chains.

What made you become a fighter? Personal dream? family? other?

Is there a specific Dragon that made you wary of them in the first place?
>>
No. 236299 ID: 240a15

I wanted to have Mordre ask Oz about his brother again.
Guess I'll ask it directly to Oz.
Somehow I am a little skeptic that his brother just died in a fire. Oz can you tell more about your brother and the events of his death?
>>
No. 236300 ID: c396f0

Damn, I hate fighting chain's...

Lets see...if the ghost hand can lift you, Exude it and throw yourself upwards and towards Kyorgto, he will use his chains to try and hit you down or hold you.
Use arm tendrils to pull you towards him, warding yourself from attack with ghost hand and Jade soul.

Impact into his chest and down(to use gravity to help) with GIGA FIST BREAKER! and prepare ghost hand to follow up and or protect you.

Keep the pain deadening up.
>>
No. 236301 ID: b18ccb

While you think about all these things, an idea: Rushing in and using both the Breaker and the Ghost Fist, beat the ever loving crap out of Korgotyo ankles. Him bing so much bigger then you, it might not be able to reach you by his shin. Bigger they are and all that.

Anyway, you have any badass speical moves, or is it mostly 'beat it until it can't move any more'?
>>
No. 236331 ID: 240a15

Oh, also, Oz what do you think of allying with Lubu right now? I know you were dead against it before you met Mordre but what do you think now.
What if you had a chance to fight Lubu? And if you think that he is strong enough will you be more willing to agree with joining him?
>>
No. 236357 ID: e7cd79

Oz, what do you think of Mordre? He's a pretty strange guy and he seems to have an agenda, but ever since you met him haven't things been really good for you? Drinking is suddenly just a idle pasttime between events, you've got a really good student who's already learning your Ghost Hand techniques and there's awesome fights and stuff everywhere! Just think of all the things that Mordre's hinted at brewing on the horizon! You could have a chance to bring down that stuck up Ash Dragon, you could insult Lubu to his face and punch the White Phoenix right in the dick if he tries his kicking nonsense. Who's the man? YOU ARE! Maybe Mordre has it going after all...

Anyway on the fight - those chains are the real thing, but you say leverage is an issue when utilizing your strength? Well anchor down! If you defend by forcefully parrying Korgotyo's chain strikes with your unstoppable left arm (punch that chain into the ground!) then you can keep doing defense-piercing ghost hand attacks with your right! Jab! Jab! Force Korgotyo to reveal what he's holding back and show him that the long-range playing field is yours after all. If he moves up close... things get good...
>>
No. 236719 ID: a76809
File 128590380499.gif - (40.98KB , 400x400 , spin-arrows.gif )
236719

>>236301
Fancy moves, shouting names and all that crap... seems pointless to me. I make myself durable enough I can take anything my foe dishes out, and I make sure I hit hard enough that sooner or later, they can't keep taking what I hit them with. Attrition of the Fist, is what I call it. Served me well so far, I'd say. ...Well, the battle stim... which has no name, now that I think of it-causes something sort of like a special move, but it's still an augment of passive ability, rather than an active, single move.

Far as I am concerned, relying on finishing moves is for wusses. Your foe hits you, you hit your foe, keep doing that till one of you drops. That's the REAL way to show your stronger.

>>236331
...Eh. I was pretty set against it in general before... but Mordre's been in a fight with Lubu, and what he said was interesting. Moving beyond how strange it is that the mage from far away was somehow in the mibble of the largest rebellion in the last hundred years, what he saw.... Lubu cracked the walls of the capital, he slew a Core Being being hosted in some poor sap, and did so with the Fanged Dragon looking to end him, before killing him AND his father. Now, in and of itself, that's impressive, no doubting that... but what got me most is how cavalier the guy is. According to Mordre, he just... well, doesn't give a shit. And I can respect an attitude like that. I suppose the idea of a temporary alliance with him is palatable now, if it will get me that fight with White Pheonix, but I still need to see the Dragon myself, get a real measure of the man who eschewed all the drivel and bullshit that builds up around the seat of High Dragon, claiming the seat the Old Way.

>>236357
Mordre.... is interesting, I'll give him that. He flat out confessed to his vested interest in being around me pretty much upfront, but I can tell there is a whole lot of stuff he's still keeping to himself. Well, his secrets are his own, so I'll leave it at that, but in terms of my take on him so far.... something is off. His soul feels too... present, to anchored to that golem body for my liking, and it irks me. Could just be the end result of getting such a control scheme put together, but even with that possibility, his soul itself feels wholly different. How to describe it... When I look at Mordre's golem, I mean really look at it, focusing on it, his soul feels at odds with every single other soul I have ever felt, an Other on a level so fundamental it makes me question his humanity. Even those monsters of his, those Deep Spawn or whatever he calls them, they still feel at least somewhat similar to normal people, deep down, like the same blueprints were used. But Mordre? His soul feels like.....

Imagine a pair of painters. One is prolific, creative, untold millions of portraits being crafted, each different, unique, each possessing a specific form of flair, of identity that sets it apart from the rest, while all their works still share many key commonalities. Then there is the other painter. He cannot see, he cannot touch, he cannot smell the paints, the canvas of the other artist's works, and yet from the observations of others, this second painter strives to make their own portrait. It lacks those common points that pervade every other picture despite their diversity, the touch of this other painter clear in its crafting. That is what Mordre's soul feels like to me. As if hewn by some mythical divine being that never before dabbled in crafting life, and got several facets ever so slightly wrong.

...Beyond these rather absurd ideas running through my head, I must admit him to be excellent company: He provides foes I can hit without fear they shall break, and is largely responsible for gaining me my first student. ...I find myself indebted to him.

>>236299
...For whatever reason, Mordre reminds me of my brother. They are nothing alike, save one feature: Both labor to make life more enjoyable for me... I still find his passing painful, and I am still quite certain his death was no accident. My reasoning for this is quite simple: Two days before he died, he got into a massive argument with Old Hui, head of the Jade Soul style.... and a fire started a few days thereafter, with nothing occurring in between save quiet painting. It hardly takes a genius to get suspicious in such a situation.

>>236297
In a brawl against a foe that can really take it... this is the only place where I can really find myself, that part of me before I became a warrior. I joined a local martial school at the age of six, nearly my whole life devoted to combat. Having known nothing else, I can't even comment on what drew me to fighting: The better question, from my perspective, is why others DON'T become warriors. The state of constantly seeking strength seems so natural to me it feels like questioning why I breathe, when I wonder just why I fight. I have fists, therefor I punch things. Simple as that.

>>236282
>>236283
wrapping my own form in a protective cocoon constructed out of my exuded Ghostly hand, I charge forth the very instant Korgotyo's initial strike finishes impacting me, his chains warded away by the sheer density of soul about my body. As the titanic warrior dances about with speed I note as superior to my own, I decide to be more direct about closing the distance.

The hand wrapped about my body slams into the ground, its spectral weight throwing me skyward, a fleshy rocket aimed straight at Korgotyo's heart. The Chained whirls about with speed that remains hard to judge due to his sheer scale, a chain whipping about to smite me from the air as I begin moving my left arm, finally free from deflecting that earlier assault. As my fist rises to meet the impending threat, I reflect on those things that make its Lortoxite composition different from the norm. The orange platinum framing the gem embedded in my forearm pulses, a mainline for magic to circulate to my still-living limb, the only thing I have ever stolen. Those of the Metal Maestro style have stockpiles of rare ores and alloys at their every school, examples for disciples to study and replicate. In their main temple they house their most precious finds... and Orange Platinum was their greatest prize. A metal claimed to have fallen from the sun to the earth, ancient yet untarnished, I could not help but seek it out when I learned of its existence.

My mind finally begins to slip out of its deluge of considerations as my fist finally collides with the approaching length of chain. With a crack loud enough onlookers by the hundreds cry out in surprise and agony at its intensity, my blow boils away the immense weight of gathered power in those chains, a kaleidoscopic explosion of untamed power rioting through the air as my momentum reverses-

Until I anchor several threads on Korgotyo's own garments, pulling my body ever closer as I draw back my fist again, noting the massive links of chain to already be merging back together in the wake of the annihilation my fist brought with it. ....Weapon regeneration, one of the most irritating things I have ever found in the martial styles of others.

Korgotyo anchors a chain in the ground with a heavy thump as his feet go wide, the chain suddenly taut as he begins to slide away from me-

And continue to move, using the chain as an anchor as he whirls about, my own tendrils keeping me from being hurled back, but sheer centripetal force preventing me from reeling myself in. As my body screams through the air as I whip about under Korgotyo's command, I wish Gebba the rogue forger that aided me in becoming a Living Legend was here: His abrasive opinions always contained useful insight into my foes.

>>236293
My body scoffing at the tremendous pressures exerted on me as I revolve ever faster about Korgotyo, I consider what I could do. While Fire Flesh and Iron body could grant me further layers of body enhancement, offensive and defensive alike, it is Stone Fist I find myself thinking of most now. Any stone, any earth that I lay hands on will follow my command so long as I maintain contact, from the meanest of pebbles to boulders as large as a Rageglut. ...Now if only I was not airborne, this would be useful.

With only seven elastic and prehensile tendrils anchoring me to Korgotyo, who shows no signs of slowing his spin, I consider my position.




How should I reclaim momentum, and bring the fight back into ranges I am most suited to?
How should I fight this centuries-old veteran, this free Rageglut?
>>
No. 236736 ID: a594b9

Hit him with a Jade Soul attack!
>>
No. 236765 ID: a76809

>>236736
[Seeing as Oz knows just about every Jade soul move that is based around punching, would you like to try and outline how the move would function, or mention whether it should be a previously identified move, such as one of the four Mordre knows. And yes, this does mean you can just make up Jade Soul moves, same for other styles to a degree.]
>>
No. 236774 ID: a594b9

>>236765
I was just gonna leave that up to Oz, but... How about a Jade Soul grapple? We're only attached in one way right now, so make it into two ways!
>>
No. 236795 ID: 3e56f0

Is the distance from Oz to Korgotyo small enough for this suggestion to work: form Ghosthand/Jade Fist/some other technique that great reach and allows the grasping of matter while ignoring other matter, throw the fist forward into Korgotyo's body, and then grasp a vital region of Korgotyo's body (e.g. the heart, the spine, the lungs) and use that anchor point to reel himself into close range. Alternatively, block blood flow with Ghosthand (best if the blood was to/from the head, unless Korgotyo has another central nervous system located away from the head, since the brain starts to die when blood is denied to it, I think) to mess up Korgotyo's body. This hopefully will stop his spinning, allowing Oz to close in.

Or, if Stone Fist's signature ability works through Ghosthand: exude Ghosthand towards the ground, and once control is achieved, form a spiraling slide angled at a slope in which Oz's altitude will decrease as the spin goes along to where your body is, angled, of course, so that Oz won't plow through the stone. And, perhaps, with sides so that with at a tightening spiral so that as Oz descends, Oz also become closer to Kortogyo.
>>
No. 236799 ID: 445c48

What about Keddic? He was pretty cool, right?

Favorite Deepspawn for reasons other than fightan?
>>
No. 236897 ID: 10f195

>>236765
>And yes, this does mean you can just make up Jade Soul moves

GRIN
I'll save that for when I have time.
(I'm not sure
For now, focus on the spin, quiet yourself, try and feel the motion not just as a blur but as what it is.
Then release.
Make yourself fly at one of the walls and prepare stone fist.
Slam your hand into the wall right as you are to hit it and turn it to sand (to cushion you .... sort of) and then launch yourself off at high speeds towards him using a pillar of earth.

Before you reach him however, release Ghost hand and grab the ground, pull yourself and change your vector, head instead to about two paces (two of his paces) to his right. (We be trying to predict his movements here.)

What you see from that point will decide your next move.
If we successfully guessed his movements, then hit him with an amped up Jade fist.
If not, then expand Ghost hand and hit him with Far fist Ethereal Strike.
>>
No. 237002 ID: 3e56f0

So, Oz, when you look at Mordre's golem, do you see the souls (beside Mordre's own soul) that reside within it? Perhaps the soul within the rubies embedded in the skull?

And what exactly do you think of Bagrom?
>>
No. 237024 ID: 8fc362

Here's an idea: Try running up the chain when it hits the ground and giving him an uppercut?
>>
No. 237063 ID: a76809
File 128599421268.jpg - (16.83KB , 400x318 , SNAP.jpg )
237063

>>237002
Mordre's golem.... its a mystery to me. I can feel power in it, immense power, easily enough to squash my own soul like a gnat....but the vast majority of that power seems to go into maintaining the golem itself, little left for actual combat endeavors. The body pulses with energies of countless formats, like thousands of different people had chunks of their existence grafted together to make it.... but more than that, my attention is drawn to the eyes. Those completely smooth rubies that he gazes through... I feel far more than one soul's gaze passing through them, and while Mordre may look at me, whenever those gems are on me I feel those other presences looking through me, questing for secrets, looking to learn. I'm not sure what to make of these feelings I get from the golem Mordre pilots, beyond simply that the golem.... is downright spooky.

I admit myself impressed with Bagrom, a student from a posh upbringing with every reason to be a snobbish twat... and yet he follows my commands without question, forges through pain and hardship at my will... I must admit my first impression of him quite wrong indeed.

>>236799
I shall have to see Mordre's follower Keddic again. What I have heard suggests he had a Moment of Inspiration, pitting his soul against one superior to himself, and forcing his own existence to evolve to face it. Such a change can be harrowing, and I would know what he thinks, should we have occasion to meet again. Something to think about... once I finish this spar with Korgotyo.

>>236897
I focus on the maddened blur of motion the world has become, brute magical force demanding my senses acclimatize, as the world resolves back into detail despite my constant and frenzied motion. I watch the walls, the path I am swung about, and take a few revolutions to get a solid sense of the timing of Korgotyo's swing. ...two thirds of a second, to make on full revolution. Once I am sure, I release my grasp of Korgotyo, letting my body fly free and away, flung towards one of the school's walls-a wall made of stone. I reach out with my left arm, my metal fingers gracing the obdurate wall first, as I channel Mass Connection, tapping the style of Stone Fist to claim that which I now touch. As the rest of my body begins to impact the wall at rather considerable speeds, I find my landing softened, stone turning to sand beneath my form, the individual grains swirling and writhing at my command. Before I even come to a halt, I eject myself, a pillar of sand throwing me back towards the Rageglut I face even as the grains fall to the ground the moment I depart and contact is lost. Hurtling through the air, on a riotous collision course with Korgotyo-

As I reach out with my Ghost Hand, grasping the earth itself and changing my approach vector. Instead of approaching head on, I list to the left (Korgotyo's right), as I tighten my soul's focus to even higher levels. I dimly note Korgotyo anchoring another gargantuan chain to the ground mere instants before we collide.

>>236795
[Indeed, Ghost hand just expands where one's soul is, so all Combat magic can still be practiced through said spectral projection. So, Fire Flesh, Stone Fist, all can be mixed with Ghost Hand for hybrid effects]

I dispel my Ghost Hand yet anchored to the ground, immediately re-exuding the massive fist of spiritual energy as the spear-point of my aerial charge. I see Korgotyo whipping a chain about to intercept the blow (where did he get a third chain?), but my ethereal fist phases right through his attempted interception, and I see his eyes widen as it continues on, plunging into his chest. I grab one of the Rageglut's seven hearts, the primary one that was once his only heart when he was human, as I see his face contort in pain as an iron will prevents his body from spasming. Using my singular grasp on one of his hearts as anchor, I jerk myself closer to my foe, my left hand rising as I find my mood turning melancholy. Will the fight end so soon?

Korgotyo's hands clench together and fly at me, fists larger than my whole body whizzing ever closer as my own fist leads the way. I tap the magic of Iron Body, adding further defensive layers to my flesh, and twin titanic fists hit with the weight of mountains-

And nearly jerk Korgotyo's heart out of his chest as I continue pulling myself closer. My head swimming from an impact mighty enough to sober anyone, I manage to connect my fist with Korgotyo's upper torso, even as I note in my peripherals that a further three lengths of chain are not anchored to the ground about us. I almost worry about this as I feel bones the size of wagons shatter, flesh tearing itself apart as my single strike multiplies itself a thousandfold on impact, each carrying the supernatural weight of a falling star.

The strength of the blow is so great that Korgotyo is knocked off his feet, a sixty foot tall and multi-ton behemoth completely airborne-

>>237024
As his form falls away, a length of chain seems to rise unbidden before me, and I pull myself to it by means of tendrils from my left arm, and immediately begin dashing along its length, looking to once more close to melee range, as I note Korgotyo still looking at me-

And grinning.

His one good arm rises (I know I shattered his collarbone), and with a flick of his fingers, a half dozen lengths of chain, each forged of links larger than me and possessed with a wealth of energy, lash out and bind about my body, new chain forming like spontaneous growths on the binding metal, and in less time than it takes for a heart to beat, I find myself bound midair, my whole form swaddled in chain. ...Without a solid surface to push against, I realize I will be largely crippled in terms of how much strength I can exert.

Chains rising to bind about his wounded shoulder, Korgotyo raises his one good fist and drops it towards my immobilized form, a hammer larger than a house destined for the crown of my head. It is at this point that I realize that Korgotyo's chains are sapping energy from my body with every passing second of contact.

....THIS is what I was looking for.



How should I handle this precarious fight?
What approach should I choose for extricating myself from this scenario?
>>
No. 237072 ID: a69afd

>>237063
Use your Ghost Hand to grab one of Korgotyo's ribs, swing yourself away from his falling fist and toward his backside. When you reach his backside, extend your ghost hand to reach into the back of his wounded shoulder and grab that same heart. Activate Fire Flesh and Iron Body and brace for impact, rocket yourself headfirst through his body. His focus will be disrupted, use your tendrils to force the chains off of you and then drag them behind you as you land.

GHOST HAND AND BREAKER OPENING PERFORMANCE: GHOST RIDE THE WHIP

Follow this up by using your tendrils pull the chain taut, employ your knowledge of the Stone Fist to sink Korgotyo's feet into the ground and simultaneously form an earthen pillar that will strike him in the face repeatedly on his way to the ground.
>>
No. 237116 ID: 055339

First point is the hammer blow heading your way. Meet his punch an even stronger one from your Lortoxite arm. Show him what an unstoppable force can really do.

As these chains have been in contact for over a second it means you can use the Jade Soul: Rending Grasp to free yourself! Just expand and flex your ghost hand with the annihilating power of the Rending Grasp to tear these chains up.
>>
No. 237159 ID: f4e4f9

Cant your arm consume metal? Try absorbing just enough of the links to get free.

Meet his fist with your own, the Breaker.
>>
No. 237180 ID: a76809

>>237116
>>237159
[Metal absorption of left arm suffers from a speed issue. While yes, it can absorb just about any metal, the amount of time required makes the ability largely useless in combat.]
A fist falls towards me like an executioner's axe, large enough I'd be pasted under its immense weight. I see muscles tighten, bones strain and the weight of mountains plummet towards me. The indomitable strength of a Rageglut, plummeting towards me.

I couldn't ask for a better challenge.

My left hand begins to rise, chains larger than my body snapping like dry tinder about the limb, fingers of warm metal closing together into an inevitable fist, a joyous cry of challenge coming to my lips as fist meets fist.

KRA-BOOOOM

A crack of impact makes the very air ripple and quake, dust violently shaken free from the Chained Calamity buildings as the crowds of spectators cheer and roar at what they see, even as they fight to keep their footing with the repeat shockwaves rocking through the area. The flesh of Korgotyo's descending fist dimples and writhes under my strike, flesh splitting like an overripe grape as drops of blood the size of children splatter and slosh down to the ground, a crimson deluge that stains the dirt and sand underfoot. Korgotyo is rocked back, his feet coming off the ground as his wounded hand's momentum drags him skyward-for the briefest of instants, before chains anchored about his waist hoist him back down, as more snake about his wounded hand as it plummets back towards me.... this time aimed for my right flank.

Crafty bugger.

Other than my left arm, my body is still bound in the air, and the drain on my magic from the leeching chains about me is considerable. But maintaining contact serves me as well, as I know a Jade Soul move practically made for just this scenario... Rending Grasp. I refuse to do the Jade Soul school any credit, and say nothing as I employ the move. With Rending Grasp's conditions met, I exude my Ghost hand, swathing it in ruinous power as the leech-like chains fall apart like rotten rags as my hand's soul expands to encompass my whole body. And just like that, the chains binding me are undone, and I am free.

Which leaves me in the middle of the air, with Korgotyo's chain wrapped fist still descending towards me, wrapped both in more power than the prior blow, and glimmers of my own stolen energy interwoven into the melange.

Well.

>>237072
The Ghost hand wrapped about my body rockets forward as I aim to grab one of Korgotyo's ribs, but after having gripped one of his hearts, the Chained is rather understandably wary of my spectral grasp. Once more utilizing that ludicrous speed that one his size really should not have, Korgotyo backsteps, putting himself out of range as he draws back his left hand, still being wrapped with ever-more lengths of chain, as he anchors another pair of chains in the ground to his sides as I finally see that he seems to craft the chains from thin air. Seeing a broken length of the titanic links still anchored to the ground near me, I whip out a trio of tendrils from the gem in my left arm, their elastic forms pulled tight as I hurl myself into a spinning arc to circle about Korgtoyo. My body moving so swiftly I temporarily go blind as my eyes become too pressured to function, I feel myself rotating about-and finally getting into range. I let my tendrils dissipate as I lash out once more with Ghost Hand, reaching, questing, grasping.

Phasing through flesh and bone, my spectral hand closes once more about Korgotyo's main heart. With it as an anchor, I exude scores of scarlet tendrils that lash about anything they can, as I pull my body towards Korgotyo. As my brief respite from pressure-based blindness passes with my once more calamitous movement, I cloak my body in Iron Body, skin going gray and merging more fully with my artificial right hand. On top of this, I then channel the powers of Fire Flesh, and my obdurate form is enveloped in flickering emerald flames, Soulfire of my own devising turning my hardened body into a fiery projectile, as I slam into Korgotyo's back.

KA-KRUMPT

Korgotyo's form rocks forward, as I feel bone creaking and cracking under my assault, a grunt of pain escaping the Rageglut, as I feel my Ghost Hand being rejected by a wave of hardened self Ownership. My tendrils are likewise negated where they touch Korgotyo's flesh, my vision beginning to return, just in time to show me Korgotyo starting to whirl about, hand now a mass of chains on a collision course with me. The Chained's right arm, still largely crippled, flutters and writhes, finger movements seeming to charm the dozens of chain lengths stuck in the ground, as all start to swell and grow, Korgotyo's immense soul more than potent enough to fuel all of them leaping towards me to rebind my form, this time with thrice as much chain.

Hmm.



What should I focus on, fending off the attempt to ensnare me, or dealing with the chain-wrapped fist coming my way?
>>
No. 237205 ID: e31d52

Okay uh

Two things

Place ghost hand against chest, and rapidly enlarge it around you in a fist so that it throws off anything around you. Then shrink it again. Kneel down and place it behind you on the ground, then enlarge it as fast as you can to propel you, and your sharpened metallic hand, forth like a rocket-launched spear.
>>
No. 237285 ID: f4e4f9

>>237063

Utilize Fire Flesh style to incinerate the approaching chains by projecting a SHORT RANGE aura of intense heat. If that doesn't work, spawn will-tendrils to assist in fending them off.

Channel WARDING PALM through the Breaker. Stop that fist.
>>
No. 237423 ID: adba1e

I think we should try to fend off ensnarement first.

Oh hey, Oz, have you ever been in foreign lands? If not, would you want to ever go there and have adventures? Or do you prefer to settle down forever?
>>
No. 237528 ID: 3e56f0

Well, since you being bound empowers Korgotyo, I think you should focus on staying free of the chains. Also, you are on the ground, maybe turn the earth beneath Korgotyo and the stone his chains are anchored to into sand? Or maybe tunnel under his foot and Breaker uppercut, along with a Fire Flesh enhancement to burn the skin? Or, if tunneling will just give Korgotyo a free hit, since Oz doesn't have a method of keeping track of things when sight is blocked off (...hmm, is a Jade Soul technique that allows the practitioner to gain an ever-present awareness of the direction and general location of a punched foe entirely disconnected from all the other senses viable?) and Korgotyo would just relocate, move the ground to bring Korgotyo to you.
>>
No. 237544 ID: d38648

[I'm surprised that no one posted this yet...
>Soul
>As if crafted
>Caged one can create anything
OMG MORDRE WAS MADE BY THE CAGED ONE!]

In any case.
Kill two birds with one stone.. fist.

Slam your fist into the ground and bid it open into a pit. Fall.

Slam the walls and launch pillars up to slow his fist.
After impact, launch yourslef up with a pillar again and wrap Ghost hand around his chains.

SOULFIRE!

Let's see how he deals with all consuming fire.

he will likely break off the chain that is burning, prepare for his change in attention and rush him
>>
No. 237556 ID: d38648

>Or you know that's what happend with the curse...
Men trying to make souls and failing miserabely.

I wonder what Lenryt's involvent was in the curse anyway.... hmmmmmmm
>>
No. 237610 ID: a76809

>>237528
[Oz is still mid-air rebounding from his full-body tackle of Korgotyo's spine. Korgotyo's fist will reach Oz before he hits the ground, as will the chains reaching for him.]

A vast, fast and vastly fast foe... huh. To keep up with him, I end up putting so much pressure on my eyes I can't see, and a few times I was going fast enough I couldn't hear, either.... I'm not really concerned about my own well-being when deprived of senses, so much as I am concerned with not being able to find my opponent when I move fast enough to catch him. Hm, do I know anything that could help? A move to locate foes in absence of senses? ...Well, Stone Fist can let me sense any soul touching the earth while I likewise touch it, with a range great enough Korgotyo would have to flee the school to evade detection.... but what with how often I'm airborne, that doesn't seem ideal. ...Iron Body's got nothing in the field of detection, same for Fire Flesh... ah. There was a Jade Soul move, let's see here...

I clap my hands together, pulling them apart carefully as I retain ownership of the space between them, the air itself under my command. I refine my definition of Ownership, making it anything my hands face-

And tilt my hands out, palms towards Korgotyo. I feel magic rumbling, and with the aid of Connecting Grip I anchor my soul to Korgotyo's, a passive knowing of his location coming to me. This should serve nicely.

This still does not serve to solve my problems though. Chains and fists, chains and fists...

>>237285
I set my soul to a boil, my Ghost Hand winking out as I condense my essence before turning to Fire Flesh... and igniting it. Brilliant emerald flames, Soulfire bright enough that I become a miniature sun explodes from my body as I use Fire Flesh's greatest move, Sunny Dominion, chains melting and sloughing away from me even as the supernatural flames begin to consume them-

As the walls of fire expand into Korgotyo, meeting his shrouded hand, they are sucked away, the heat and intensity eaten by the leeching chains swathing that titanic fist. With the secondary threat dealt with, I consider my hands, still palms-first towards my foe, as I take another move from the Jade Soul pages, Warding Palm coming to my aid as reality itself seems to bend about the sheer weight of spirit I compress in my left palm, holding it as my sole soul's shield from the Chained.

The fist meets my open palm.

I feel the workings of Korgotyo's attempts at absorption warring against my Lortoxite fist, just the same as I shore up my soul and shunt aside his attempts, leeching every ounce of magic from the mass of chains right above his middle finger's knuckle-

As I close my fist, red ropes springing from my jewel shard to latch onto Korgotyo, giving my coming attack proper 'grounding', given that I am still mid-air. A fist proportionately as big as his little finger's tip slams into Korgotyo's hand, as once more our punching mitts are put to their purpose, the air once more resounding with a horrendous cacophony. But this time, with a path cleared of magic before it, my strike rends its way through feet of layered chain with ease, revealing flesh that subsequently ruptures, bone that shatters under my strike. Once more, the thousand strikes I impart with every blow, the true strength of The Breaker, beyond the obvious of its composition, comes to my rescue as Korgotyo's face contorts in pain, his body springing back-

As he drops his stance, speaking the words I knew were coming but hoped were yeta bit farther off.

"......I YIELD."

I land heavily on the ground, rebounding from that last impact, taking a deep breath as I stretch my neck, before offering my response, noting Mordre's glowing and sparking ruby eyes, mounted on that floating skull amidst a perpetual sea of flame (nice gimmick that, got to give him credit on style).

"Ah, nice match. Wish it could of gone longer, but that's how it is. ...You're pretty damn good with those chains, if I hadn't kept locking you down every time you tried to snare me, I bet you would have had me trussed up like a pig before long."
"PERHAPS. BUT YOUR FISTS ARE TOO MUCH FOR ME, AND THIS PARTICULAR OLD WARRIOR IS TOO ATTACHED TO HIS OWN HIDE TO CONTINUE. IT WAS A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE, TO FACE A LIVING LEGEND THAT CLAIMED THE TITLE OF GOD OF THE FIST, AND MADE IT THEIR OWN."

>>237423
I consider Mordre again, his followers certainly of note, especially with such ludicrous regeneration to their names... and I wonder if I should rethink my view on travel. Before, seeing mercenary after mercenary gape and gawk at Dragons, I assumed the other lands just didn't have as big of people in them... but if someone like Mordre could hail from them, well, I may have to rethink that. I haven't seen him fight, but in a golem so clearly made to be a weapon of war of as high of caliber as possible, I doubt its performance would disappoint. Too bad that if I broke it I probably wouldn't see Mordre again... well, he's finding me fun fights anyway, so there is that.

I begin walking towards the clustered watchers, Senth and Bagrom, the lazy smoker and attentive student side by side, Dulu standing betwixt the Chained Calamity students and Mordre's crafted followers, a smile painting my face as a single thought occupies my mind.

That was a nice workout.


..............................................................PERSPECTIVE SHIFT: MORDRE..............................................................

...At times during that fight, Oz's soul threatened, possibly even exceeded that of the Fanged Dragon, the late emperor's son, even Korgotyo's massive existence unable to compete. ...A Living Legend, hm? An apt title, if one cannot call them living armies. Could such individuals exist back North? Is Aurockoth a threat of this nature? Others? And what of the lands outside the warring nations, the Swamplands, the Islands, the Desert, do they too have those who quested for strength so diligently?

....So many souls, to reap and stoke my fires with. The only question is how to slay them.

With the spar concluded, Oz makes no move to speak with Korgotyo, who now moves to occupy himself tending to his wounds, while the students mill about uncertainly, unsure of what to do now.




So what should I say or do now?
Should I try to get this joint practice going again, resurrect the demon sparring, and if so in what format should I begin it?
Or should I take this chance to leave, and if so what should I do?
If I do intend to leave, how should I excuse myself?
>>
No. 237631 ID: abfb6d

*CLAP**CLAP*CLAP*
(well you don't have two hands, so make a sound like a person clapping from your mouth)

"That was a brilliant bout gentlemen, I only wish I coudl eb there in person. Though this construct has been crafted to geive me the higest sensory data possible, It still pales to the real thing. Ah, I miss the rush"

Get up, shake down.

"Well then, I think it's time I flex some muscle of my own eh? Who would like to face this old man before he leaves?
Though it will be a spar, I hope you understand that this golem is not made with life in mind.
Come on then. The more the merrier."

I will be very sad if we don't get to face any of these students before we leave, maybe even Oz will jump in.
>>
No. 237632 ID: abfb6d

So.. many typos...

going to sleep now.
>>
No. 237641 ID: 8fc362

"Haha! Such wonderful sport!" Stride forward, slapping our hands together. "Let me say that if I was here in person, I would be beaming! I hope this Living Legend did not hurt you too much, he might not remember that not every one he duels can regenerate from every blow he deals, Eh Oz?" Nod in his direction. "And I hope you enjoyed yourself, Mr. Breaker, and didn't deal any lasting damage to our friend, Korgotyo. Now, where were we? AH! Yes, yes, of course, right here in my notes: Training! Now, I I had an idea - maybe another challenge? Everyone vs Oz this time - maybe we can eventually bury you under numbers, eh? haha! Mmhm...and how about...ha, yes, Korgotyo, what if the Students each picked one of my friends," Gesture to the Monster Party, "And togeather they had to survive a free-for-all. Interesting, no?"

And Mordre, temper that hunger. There are great souls but each is a possible ally that we make ourselves strong by allying with. They will grow stronger with us, and even become our friends.

Also, speaking of allies, does music still fill the air? If so, excuse ourselves to go find the Red Comet and Jaegrezweistrik the Radical Axe God.
>>
No. 237642 ID: 8fc362

>>237631
>Oz will jump in.
>to fight Mordre
ARE YOU TRYING TO GET US KILLED? God, I don't want the other knocked back out for a -damn- long time.
>>
No. 237647 ID: f4e4f9

>>237610
We needn't slay them. Do we even want to? In time, all mortals die. Perhaps they will make the same choice Ozmand did, and seek...sanctuary, i suppose, with us after death.

Musing for another time, in any case.

"THAT was entertaining. Kind of makes me want to jump in the fray myself.

Actually...hmm...well, theres an idea. I suppose I should actually participate in this training as well, eh? Korgotyo, what do you think? You probably know your students better than anyone. Should we continue, and if so, what do you think of using my golem as another even?

Of course, suspending it's more outright lethal abilities."

Have Mordre added as another Phase in the sparring and classes. The basic premise is going to be the same as in the lesson we gave to our guard, only instead of lasting as long as possible, their goal will be to cause Mordre to lose his footing and fall two or three times (Depending on how they've been performing up til now). We'll leave our more utterly lethal techniques unused (AA, Soulfire, Cannonfire, ETC) but this time magic and supernatural abilities are totally fair game.
>>
No. 237661 ID: 56dc25

I'm thinking that it's time to kick this up a notch. Those students had their couple hours of warm-up, and now we've all had a chance to see what true excellence feels like... so let's move on to some more serious sparring. I don't really care how we do it, but everyone fighting in a more strenuous fashion than before.

If we do participate, I'd like to try out a few magical tricks. Fighting as a mage rather than a warrior might not showcase the abilities that most have here, but it will certainly be a learning experience that these students are unlikely to find anywhere else... and once we're content with our displays of skill, we can shift gears to full-on combat mode and have some fun that way.

First, devoting all of our spellcasting capabilities to machine-gunning Ignimancy. With two Nexi and our base abilities, we should be able to create a ridiculous number of lightning bolts at frightening speed even before touching blood magic, and if we hold them to taser-level they should be perfectly usable in a situation like this. Call it a proof of concept for a more lethal implementation later.

Second, let's see what Kinetemancy can do. Could we, for example, create a field around us which shifts all movement vectors ninety degrees upwards? What about translating the force of motion from the end of a weapon to its base, causing it to be violently torn from the wielder's hand? What about nullifying any motion vector they try to create even as they make it, to cause complete paralysis?

Third, try out some more precise uses of Geomancy. Seal people's feet and legs in stone- or their whole bodies, if they get knocked over. Modify terrain at a frightening rate to create obstacles and opportunities, or get clever and roughen it to make people trip.

Lastly, I'd like to try combining disciplines, if we can. Can we, for example, use Kinetemancy and/or magnetomancy to hasten the speed with which our geomantics take effect? Ignimancy to electrify anything metal that we're manipulating with Magnetomancy, thereby giving it a stronger magnetic field (and a nasty shock if it hits someone)? Can we somehow create flames with our various magics which we can then manipulate with Pyromancy- had real problems with that when there was melted metal facing Eisenhardt, but surely there's something we can do with all that energy... there are tons of things to try out.


And as long as we're on the topic of trying out abilities, I know this might not be the best time, but Oz said-
>The body pulses with energies of countless formats, like thousands of different people had chunks of their existence grafted together to make it...
Those thousands of souls are just sitting in our furnace. Sure, we can destroy them to do things, and we get their will to boost our magic a bit, but frankly that strikes me as a massive underutilization of a priceless resource. At some point in the future, we need to figure out how to talk to with the souls within us- heroes first, of course, because they give us more abilities and frankly it's safer. But once we've got that down, I want to try talking to the massive store of souls in our furnace. We don't have to burn them up all the time, you know. If we could get them- or even a significant number of them- to align themselves with our purpose, to focus their energies willfully in concert instead of merely being forcefully and clumsily grafted together, I believe that what is now a loud but chaotic babble of voices could become a mighty song of power, granting us far greater capabilities than merely burning them up for energy provides. Something to think on, at any rate. The first step to communing with any of your souls is, I think, to activate our blood magic to remind them a little more of what it is to be alive. Then if we just reach out and try to talk to them, it might work- perhaps try one of our willing hero souls, first.


>>237610
When we leave here, I want to offer each of our deep ones the opportunity to choose one of the students that they sparred against and invite them to travel with us. Presumably, they will choose someone they liked or whom they feel will stimulate them to grow and excel.

At least some of the students are sure to want to seize the opportunity for the sort of adventure that we're obviously involved in, chance to meet the dragons, what have you. There's also the fact that they would be able to spar against/learn from some seriously crazy powerful people with very varied styles, which would almost certainly bring about personal growth and strength- which is what learning these styles is all about, is it not?

The students can refuse, of course, or our deep ones might not wish to invite anyone... but I think it would be a nice touch. Not only would it give them a chance to show initiative and their own judgment, it would also establish them more as unique people, something which I feel they are somewhat lacking at the moment- they seem all too much like mere extensions of our will. Having random student companions would be an opportunity for them to develop socially as well as in power, which I consider desirable. And I do love acquiring new companions.

Might want to check with Korgotyo that this isn't somehow offending his school or something, of course.
>>
No. 237672 ID: abfb6d

"Tell you what, if any of you students can get me to move from this spot, I will give you something good"

Quick think of something good.

I half want to see their reaction to inferno golems, but half want to save it for the dragon to face, granted he will likely deal with it instantaneously... hmmmmm... and Oz and the other sensitive ones might not take to kindly to a big mass of souls set aflame.

Ah well.
In any case, this is the plan I have in mind.
We sit down and stay still. When they move to attack us, we Geomance-pit/quicksand em. When they come up with contingencies for that (likely predicting and chaining something to pull them out) we Kinectomance their chains away from their targets. If they get around that, we add magnetomancy into the mix, creating magnetic fields that attract their chains and repel their chains, throw them off course, stuff like that.

All during this period, we will shoot earth pillars out of the ground around them as distractions and obstacles, and we will slide them (the pillars) towards them as 'simple golem opponents'.

So, who wants to use a P.Soul(or two... or three) on gaining that base golemcraft and soul-magic competency I mentioned.

(Mordre needs to learn the winding way, then he can repel peoples souls)
>>
No. 237674 ID: abfb6d

>>237642
It would be very interesting, and we would definitely gain form the experience.
>>
No. 237692 ID: d3dfb8

I would like to get Mordre fighting some students.
Try using our body nexus for FEASTING VESTMENTS so they can't ensnare us in chains, momentarily switching to HANDS OF HUNGER to consume any mundane chains that catch us.
Use our left arm soul nexus for magnetomancy to speed us up, especially the Sable Executioner.
Use our Will magic to start up our Blood magic. Use said Blood magic to power Ignimancy shocks, nothing deadly, but enough to momentarily paralyze. Focus this into our Sable Executioner and take a defensive stance. It'll be like that time we sparred with our militia, but with more magic and more deadly opponents.
"Who thinks they can knock me over?"
>>
No. 237719 ID: e043a1

>>237672
>>So, who wants to use a P.Soul(or two... or three) on gaining that base golemcraft and soul-magic competency I mentioned.

I'm all for this. Not only will golemcraft likely give us more avenues to improve than just throwing pristine souls at abilities/parts, the soul magic will give us some measure of much needed defense against soul magic used against us (which we'll definitely need if we ever hope to stand a chance against Weinsho).

Also once Mordre learns how to communicate with the souls within him, we will find out we are the souls and he can hear us just like Ulzrick!
(fourth wall break go!)
>>
No. 237730 ID: 055339

I don't like using P.souls until we HAVE TO. Soul magic or golemcraft are things we should be asking Lenryt for as boons.

If Mordre was to use a P.soul in general I think it should be on his Blood Magic. If that is mastered or in some way better integrated with his body then Mordre will be able to get a lot more out of his existing heroic souls.

Anyway get Murhyihal to do a bit of healing on Korgotyo over a cup of tea while the Deep Spawn take on any final student challengers. Mention to Oz that while it's been fun playing around maybe you should get down to business. It's time to go see Lubu.
>>
No. 237732 ID: e31d52

>So, who wants to use a P.Soul(or two... or three) on gaining that base golemcraft and soul-magic competency I mentioned.

yes!
>>
No. 237733 ID: e31d52

Also, I was kinda hoping for more chances with Oz than the one I got that didn't really result in anything... I had no ideas up until then, then I started getting a lot, and it was suddenly over. :c
>>
No. 237735 ID: 6834bc

>>237672
>>237719
>>237732
Don't we have a boon from Lenryt coming if we do our job correctly, here? (One that could be spent on the golemcrafting stuff, you know - unless the amount of knowledge from spending 2-3 Pristines isn't the same as the Boon from Lenryt.)
>>
No. 237736 ID: adba1e

>>237730
I agree with this one. Like I said before PS are our "get-out-of-jail-cards". We need to use them only in dire situations where we see no other solution. Though I am for getting golem-craft and soul magic competency competency.

>Anyway get Murhyihal to do a bit of healing on Korgotyo
I wanted to suggest this too.
After we heal him, give Murhyihal the previous task he had healing students while sparring.


Also, concerning our own involvement in the sparring session.
I like >>237661 and >>237692
But what I REALLY want to us to do is to test our MAXIMUM speed capabilities. I want to see how we will perform at 200+mph (if we can get even faster with stealing time and/or blood flow, the better). Since this is a sparring session I don't think we are in danger.
>>
No. 237766 ID: a76809
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237766

>>237647
>>237661
>>237672
>>237692
An idea strikes, and I speak to Korgotyo, even as I send Murhyihal and Akeakam to tend to his wounds via a massage through Phohn.

"THAT was entertaining. Kind of makes me want to jump in the fray myself. Actually...hmm...well, theres an idea that I like the feel of. I suppose I should actually participate in this training as well, eh? Korgotyo, what do you think? You probably know your students better than anyone. Should we continue, and if so, what do you think of using my golem as another even? Of course, suspending it's more outright lethal abilities."

The Rageglut, so focused on the speed of healing he is subjected to, as Murhyihal, bolstered by Akeakam labors on his form, flesh re-knitting and bone re-fusing, turns to consider me, looking to the students before his speaks, his face contemplative, as Oz begins speaking with Senth, once more engaged in reminiscing about earlier shenanigans.

"THAT COULD WORD QUITE ABLY AS A FINAL TO THIS SHARED SPARRING.
HOW DO YOU PROPOSE THE CONTEST FUNCTION THEN?
I KNOW YOU HAVE NOT ENOUGH OF THOSE... LEECHES, OR OF THOSE ENHANCERS,
TO SWADDLE THE WHOLE CLASS IN AUGMENTS, SO I WORRY FOR THEIR SAFETY.
"
"I intend to take no overt offensive actions, making it a contest for students, wherein they collectively attempt to take me off my feet, while I act defensively, At most taking some non-lethal suppressive actions."
"HRM. I SEE NO ISSUE WITH SUCH AN APPROACH AS THAT,
THE MATCHES YOU HAVE YET ORGANIZED HAVING GONE QUITE WELL...
YES, I APPROVE. WILL THE ANCESTRAL TOMB STILL STEP IN IF THE SITUATION CALLS?"
"
Dulu wishes someone to speak to Korgotyo, and say he is quite willing to do so.
"Well, Dulu here is quite willing to continue as a... failsafe, I suppose, So yes he will still act in that fashion."
"THEN PLEASE, PROCEED. I WOULD NOT MIND SEEING WHAT THE STUDENTS MAY HAVE LEARNED,
FROM THE TRAINING REGIMENT ITSELF OR FROM OBSERVING THE SPAR.
"
"As you say."

I take up a wide stance where Oz and Korgotyo fought a minute ago, as I have the Deep Spawn ask the students to come surround me, explaining to them the general format of what I propose, a mass assault wherein they attempt to knock me down. The two students I noted as being singularly capable before, Oliltu and Akhan the Binder, both immediately set to recruiting others and forming small groups, most of the other disciples doing the same as they consider my size, making estimates concerning my weight. Soon enough I am encircled with some ten groups of varying size... and a single lone fighter, no visible chains on her body, yet the sounds of clinking metal emanate with every move she makes, suggesting she hides her implements beneath her robes. As Dulu stations the healing and boosting spawn in a loose circle around the students, Akeakam and Murhyihal still laboring on Korgotyo, I watch as the students slowly block out their external stimulus, bringing their focus to bear solely on my own form.

With a shout from Dulu, it begins.

Two groups try rushing me immediately as another two send chains whizzing through the air on a collision course with my form. I turn my hand's Soul Nexus towards Geomancy, making sand ever finer underfoot so that the charging students find themselves sinking into the earth, as I turn my innate magic towards Geomancy, looking to repel the chains-and finding them well sheltered in Combat magic and ownership. Short of blood magic, I do not think I could claim possession of those metal links, not while my foes still touch them.... or so I think, before I note the resonance between my altered blade launcher and Magnetomancy. hoisting one of the blades altered by the Other from its rack, I spin it open, the onetime solid circle blade taking the form of a bladed ring, the air shimmering in its center, as I feel a muted storm of magnetic waves fluctuating within. I move this ring, some eight feet in diameter, betwixt my form and the incoming chains, directing my Magnetomancy towards it-

As chains strive to pass through, they are scooped up, caught in swirling magnetic fields that anchor them in place. The students attempting this ranged attack now find themselves straining to free their weapons from my grasp, as I remain completely motionless, watching as half of the students I sank into the shifting sand underfoot finish clawing their way free, as Oliltu and Akhan both begin leading their groups about in sweeping moves, clearly intending to hit me with a pincer as the remaining groups begin cautiously advancing, attentive enough to the ground I only catch individual students with Geomancy now. None attempt throwing their chains at me for the moment.... but the circle about me is steadily constricting.

As the most adventurous of the students begin attacking me in ones and twos from all directions, leaping into motion with chains wrapped about their bodies, I tap my body Soul Nexus while freeing my hand's from commanding Geomancy, the metal ring dropping to the ground without my input, still grasping the chains it ensnared as their owners fight to reclaim them. I turn one Nexus towards Ignimancy, as I begin plying electrical currents in search of a a ranged tazer, a low pulse to shock and surprise rather than wound or kill, as I turn the other Nexus towards Kinetomancy, building a swirling field about my form to turn all vectors I can grasp to spinning round and round. As the sand underfoot starts to lift into the whirlwind brewing about my form, I begin sending out tiny bolts of lightning, blinding threads of current that leap out, shocking students without warning, their metal chains now serving as excellent targets. Of fifteen students in this second wave of assault, only two manage to brave their way through the electrical storm, subsequently finding themselves hurled away the moment they step into the domain I defined with Kinetomancy. And all throughout this, I continue to weaken the ground underfoot, forcing all my opponents to stay attentive to their feet lest they be immobilized. Some five minutes pass in this fashion as the students continue to tentatively approach, being zapped, flung or sunk into the ground for their troubles. Those few unlucky students that got their chains ensnared finally manage to wrest their weapons from the bladed ring and its warped magnetic field, as I finally trigger the Geomancy I patiently built beneath them, all nine of them now sunk into the earth up to their waist as they scrabble to free themselves.

Another minute passes before the nine finally free themselves, and move to join the students, a rough circle of ninety about me at a respectable distance and constantly on the move, when I note two things:
--Oliltu and Akhan both are now leading their groups, moving to engage me.
--The lone student has not moved more than a few feet, changing her footing as minimally as possible to avoid being pulled into the ground.

I begin defining a larger patch of sand beneath her as my target, yet before the spell is fully ready she simply steps aside, just past its borders, untroubled as sand turns to quicksand to her flank. ....Interesting. Where the others continue to have troubles working about Arcane magic, which seems to be rare if not unheard of in these lands, she seems completely unperturbed. I tentatively fling out a rapid quartet of stunning bolts with Ignimancy, finding that they veer off wide, as if repulsed by her body. ...Strange, I know she bears considerable metal on her form, why would it not attract the electrical discharge? I force my attention back to the two groups now moving to flank me, noting Oliltu and Akhan's groups to have each swelled to twenty strong, both using chains that drag to the ground to channel the stunning bolts earthward, avoiding the muscle spasms that otherwise would rack them, as they continue to fleetly dance about the quagmires I craft beneath them.

...It is time to change the game, then. Eight minutes into the contest, with none having yet touched me, I shift from weakening the earth underfoot to crafting spires and pillars from the earth, and sending them sliding outward from me, homing them on those closing on my form. at least half of those in this particular wave of assault are unable to avoid the scores of stone blocks radiating from my form, still housed in that whirlwind of force, and are knocked back to the edges of our contest area, Oliltu and Akhan both continuing to make headway along with a dozen other students, more coming on their heals as they realize the ground is stable once more as the pillars move. Slowly but surely, they are advancing on me. As I sweep my gaze about, noting Dulu to still be standing on the sidelines, the spawn of Akeakam and Murhyihal still arrayed and ready for use by the students, I realize the student that did so little, merely avoiding what I throw out, is no longer in her spot. My head whirls about, completing a perimeter of the area... and still I cannot find her.

All the same, I hear the sound of clinking chains, the shuffling of cloth, and I know her to be on the prowl.

"I cannot see her. Why can I not see her? Dost she be garbed in Myrrh, to be so sheltered from my Eyes?"

As I shush Zagrath the Unseen, I note that ten minutes have passed, and both my stunning bolts and my rock wards are proving far less challenge to the students, who now are finally getting a better feel on Arcane magic. Korgotyo watches without comment as Murhyihal and Akeakam both still labor over his massive wounds, while Senth, Bagrom and Oz continue to chat with an eye turned towards the sparring.




What should I say or do?
Should I have Dulu distribute the healing and boosting spawn amongst the students to improve their effectiveness?
Or should I switch to Blood Magic, to boost what I am capable of without resorting to lethality?
Or should I claim the match completed, and do something else?
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No. 237769 ID: e31d52

She's hiding mundanely, if Zargath can't see her. Magnetomancy pulse to check locations and react accordingly.
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No. 237774 ID: ddd48d
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237774

Magnetomancy to see if her blood is sense-able. if that fails, pull up a dust storm perimeter and see if you can "see" where she is by the displaced sand/dirt, the physical body must still be there even if it is not visible. Unless she dug underground or is flying while invisible somehow.
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No. 237777 ID: f4e4f9

Check upwards, as well. Shift your magical defensive down, temporarily, and attempt to draw them in.

"Perhaps a time limit, lest this drag on for too long. 20 minutes more, students. Think fast."

Mix geomancy and ignimancy, and instead of making treacherous, unstable ground, create some patches of ignimancy charged sand. Taser Mines.
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No. 237781 ID: 8fc362

Myrrh...Mhm. Ping Phohn if possible to ask any of our experts about this. I'm guessing it's some kind of 'Death Mask', but I'm not sure - As I really doubt perfume would be enough to block Zargath and the only other then I can think of Myrrh being used for is funeral rites.

"Pardon me, ma'am," You should call out to the one with no visible chains. "I am afraid I never caught your name. I know that Oliltu and Akhan are leading the other group, but must have missed yours." And rotate our head towards the group trying to pincer us. "Well done, lads! And lasses, let it not be said that I am not an equal judge of character. How are you holding up? Wish me to ah, ah...yes, 'step it up a few notches'?"

Alternate our geomancy - rock waves, with quicksand between the waves, and then hit the ground with a local earth quake. Start splitting off our Kinetomancy - pushing outward as strong as you can and pulling any chain you can reach in with you. And start pulling any fire near by to start using Pyromancy and Ignimancy to start melting chains.

If these students get too strong, start Blood Magic, and if they start to weaken then use Murhyihal and Akeakam's spawn to boost.
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No. 237786 ID: 445c48

Switch on Blood magic, but be sure to keep it restrained a bit, so you don't kill anyone. As I recall, it sensed blood in the area too, so that might help find her.

Don't say anything yet.
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No. 237787 ID: 56dc25

>>237766
At this point, I'd tell your spawn that they can start to aid the students in whatever manner they see fit short of personally assaulting you. So they can give augmentations, advice, act as shields, what have you; it's important that we give them all a chance to participate, since this is a co-op exercise, after all. And announce that in another ten minutes, the spawn can help the students however they please, and then minutes after that the exercise will be over if it has not ended before then. Make sure that the spawn keep the student safe if things start getting heavy, of course, and remind them to keep things co-op rather than completely taking over.

Basically, stacking things more against you as time goes on. I imagine that you'll need to kick on blood magic at some point, and by the end of the match you'll almost certainly need to press your abilities' limits. It'll be great fun.

Ploys to consider:
-Using geomancy to build yourself a steep hill on which to stand. Particularly useful because you can then make the sides of it crumble away, leaving climbers to tumble down.
-Using kinetomancy to grab any particularly successful student and pin them in the air with a constant vector exactly the opposite of gravity.
-Using geomancy to sink partially into the ground, so that you're that much harder to knock over.
-Using our Immortal Genocide's anti-magic pulse, so that just when they think they have us we can make everything go horribly wrong by removing their combat magic.
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No. 237788 ID: 445c48

Oh, and maybe send your eyes out, just floating above your head, pointing in different directions, one on top of each other, and circling. Maybe she just ran ahead of your gaze? Probably not but, may as well check. Then pull them back into your skull
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No. 237794 ID: 3e56f0

Start up Blood Magic.

Turn the entire ground into sand, and use Geomancy and Kinitemancy to pull the earth pillars into the air, and while in flight, redirect all of the force into the bottom of the pillars, so that there are many earthen pellets being shot at the students in many different directions. There should be enough force behind the shots to damage the students if they hit. Break down the pillars piecemeal.

Start up IG. Use Geomancy and Kinitemancy to clump the students into manageable groups (if it is possible, tangle their chains together, which would slow them down and give us stronger magnetic fields to work with), and then, once you have enough charge to affect enough area to catch all/most of the students in IG's Anti-Magic Field, pull (throw) them toward you with great force and trigger IG's Anti-Magic Field. Hopefully this will strip their chains of the protection of the imbued Combat Magic, and allow you to use a combined Magnetomancy+Kinitemancy repel to fling them all the way toward the edges of the arena (if there are any edges, if we are in an arena), or at least a great distance. Make sure to untangle the chains before the repel, and to position the chains in places so that the students aren't/won't be locked into a circle close around you (but position the chains so that they touch and give you a strong magnetic field to affect). There could be an Ignimancy charge to give the students a shock before the repel, though that might knock off a casting that we need.

On the subject of Ignimancy, perhaps direct a few shocks to their clothes/hair to start up a fire? The fires would probably be small at first, and almost immediately go out, but if Pyromancy is directed toward maintaining the fires, and encouraging them to spread and grow, I suspect that there would be an appreciable fire, or some, eventually, if you make an effort to spread the fires to all the students. Perhaps explode the fires, into expanding spheres of flame and heat, when there are enough good-sized fires going. Or maybe implode the fires, gathering and compressing them into a single point and then explode the flame spheres. That should catch a few stragglers, at least, burning away their clothes and hair. The students would probably try to put them out when they realize what you are doing, but that's okay. Putting out the fires would probably take up some of their time and focus, allowing you to sink them with Geomancy.
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No. 237810 ID: 055339

There's no need to get competitive. If the students win then good for them. Keep going using only Will magic and switch both soul nexus to magnetomancy. Split one or two AGC shells into little 1-2 inch Blootz metal spheres and start moving and spinning them around in devastating attack and defense patterns.

The invisible student is probably trying to trap your legs or something. See if you can find her using indirect means. Release a superthin layer of metal skin dust from your body! Like the top 1/100s of a millimetre. Repel the dust outwards like an expanding spherical wave using a magnetomancy burst and keep your senses focused on it. Some of the dust should stick to or part aside where this undetectable student is.
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No. 237826 ID: adba1e

I still want to switch to gear 5 and go 200+mph just to see how well we can perform at that speed.

Hey, also, if it's not lethal we could try out our new Jade Soul moves.
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No. 237840 ID: 04bc3c

"Heh"

Dual power geomancy

raise the arena 1 foot, then drop it 3.


This is the point I'm getting at with the souls.
If Lenryt is strong enough to give us something that takes us 3 pristine souls to do, AS FAVORS, we can likely get things of more value from her for the boons.

Granted, the souls are more useful to us in their raw form at the moment, being applicable to any situation, but for all we know, Lenryt could give us P.Souls too (though I doubt it)

ah well.

P.S Don't use the IG. Not only is that for our 'srs business' stuff, I don't want Ssenth and OZ, heck ANYONE else knowing that we can erase magic before we use it on them, u dig?
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No. 237841 ID: 04bc3c

Here is a pyromancy idea,

out head is floating in fire... take it from there.(the fire, not the head)
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No. 237844 ID: adba1e

>>237840
>P.S Don't use the IG.

agree
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No. 237902 ID: 3e56f0

Say, has Mury finished repairing the Edge of Oblivion yet?
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No. 237990 ID: 9d60e4

Also gonna suggest no blood magic. That is a trump card and something a Golem should not be able to do in the first place.

Save that for serious stuff. Not to be used in a spar against some students when we are not even threatened.

If you really want to find he, poof up a geomancy dust cloud.
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No. 238074 ID: a76809

>>237826
[Jade Soul moves barring the defensive one are excessively lethal, and to reach such speeds Mordre needs sufficient room to accelerate, which he cannot find inside a city without considerable property damage, in this case needing to exit the school to build proper momentum.]

>>237902
[It was left behind at the Tyotworro estates when you left for the joint practice, and as of yet is some one third fully repaired, insofar as the Deep Spawn can accomplish (solid repair, but not perfect)]

>>237810
>>237844
>>237990
I decide that no matter how this spar goes, I shall not employ the Immortal Genocide, nor shall I use Blood magic. Both are considerable assets, one a crafting stolen from another Soul Grave and warped by Lenryt's power, the other a trick no other Soul Grave has managed. This is meant to be practice, using such potency would ruin the entire point of this endeavor, and show my hand to Senth, Oz, Korgotyo, all the students.... it is unnecessary, to remove so much mystery from my abilities. I shall make due without.

>>237769
I presume this vanishing foe to be hiding by some mundane means, with Zagrath unable to ferret her out with his magic-veil-piercing gaze. A rapid pulse of Magnetomancy flies from my body as I seek information, but I do not find her, her own existence or a notable whole in what I can detect revealing her location. ...How is she doing this?

>>237774
[FANART BONUS]
I add a pulse of Magnetomancy seeking blood, and find myself counting.... ninety students, as I should. But when I try to pinpoint specific students, I can only locate eighty nine. ...One missing. ...Perhaps I look at this problem the wrong way, and the student is not hiding mundanely, but by some means that bypasses vision.... I do recall Arkus having a trick involving being hard to notice....

I feel something about my mind beginning to slip, but its touch is so faint, so light I cannot identify it.

>>237777
[7777 BONUS]
I turn my gaze up, frustrated with my elusive foe, largely ignoring Oliltu and Akhan's groups as they charge me, still having to deal with moving earth pillars as I add complexity to the assault, weaving sinkholes back into my Geomancy for a dual-tiered assault, even as Ignimancy continues to direct rapidfire stunning bolts towards my foes. And it is when I look up that I note a shadow is falling on my body. ...That's impossible, there are no clouds overhead, so what could-

[Xuupi The Forgotten FOUND]

Before I can complete the thought I see her, the elusive foe hanging in the air with chains flying from her robes, her sleeves to anchor on thin air as she regards me. I hear a growl from my eyes as Zagrath looks through my eyes with an intensity to rival my own.

"One that knows of Sight, Of how to trick, turn the Eye to blight, Dodging a knowing and a seeing, By becoming a most forgotten being.... This one, I wish to see as intimately as I can."

I speak even as I split my Ignimancy as well, now electrifying some of the sand sinkholes that hold enough metal bits, both hand and innate casting turned towards dual-layered magical applications, even as my hand continues to guide Kinetomancy about myself in a swirling horde.

"Perhaps a time limit, lest this drag on for too long. Twenty minutes more, students. Think fast... and struggle"

With the sand pits now proving electrified and excellent grounds to get one hit by multiple concurrent stunning bolts while so immobilized, the momentum the students worked to build starts to crumble, and in their uncertainty I strike, letting my control of Ignomancy lapse as I instead turn towards more Geomancy, raising the earth beneath my so that I stand atop a steep hill, the swirling dustdevil like a massive caricature of a struck match about my form as I return to Ignimancy, once more becoming the golem housed in the unending storm exuding countless tendrils of lightning. With my rise I come closer to the student that vanished to reappear in the sky, and I speak more softly, words for her ears piercing through a momentary crack in the whirlwind about my form.

"A valiant attempt, but I still perceive you, student...."

She smiles even as another dozen bolts of lightning simply slip about her, never managing to find her body, before offering a demurely phrased retort.

>"Then Xuupi the Forgotten will strive to be less noticeable."

...What was I doing?

>>237781
>>237787
I turn my attention back to the students struggling to reach me, the Kinteomancy vortex about me only barely able to deflect a sudden attack by Oliltu, her potently charged chains nearly piercing through the barrier-and giving me ample targets to shock, her body shortly jerking and twitching as she is potently stunned. Akhan continues to try to lead an assault on the hill itself to close to melee, but as I continue to turn its sides to sand, the students cannot reach me. In a minute, not a single student has gotten close. Another minute passes and the same is true, even as I note a few irregular spurts of current as my rapid-fire Ignimancy encounters strange pockets in the air. Ultimately, the students are beginning to flag and despair, already fairly tired from their earlier exertions-

And an idea strikes.

"Ok, a new rule: There are some twenty healing spawn and twenty strength boosting spawn, Every three minutes they are to be cycled, one of each belonging to specific students as temporary boosters. And once ten minutes pass, my own minions shall join your side as supporters."

I see hope where before sullen despair was beginning to brew, and as the augmenting existences are distributed I see those looks of bemused marvel spreading again as the demon training continues its strange existence, culminating in a match against the demon's master: I do hope this tale will be spread about, as the more that know my name in these lands, the easier it becomes to serve Lubu, and ultimately succeed at the task Lenryt set before me.

The first three cycles of boosted students pass relatively uneventfully, those enhanced so frequently climbing the treacherous hill after clearing my swirling minefield, yet still being rejected by my Kinetomancy field. ...I also note that I only succeed at deflecting them because at most a trio at a time assaults my last layer of defense from direct contact. This changes shortly, as a group including Oliltu and Akhan alike is given the augments, midway into their turn the Deep Spawn join the fray to aid the students in closing on me, and I find myself assaulted by at least five students challenging my Kinetomancy at any given time.

More than this, just as Oliltu and Akhan, both now shrugging off the stunning bolts and dodging the electrified sand pits with ease thanks to the Deep Spawn's aid, both lead a party of nine augmented students in charges, looking to overwhelm my apparent last defense with numbers-

As I realize something is draining my magic from my body, hampering spells by reducing the amount of power that reaches them.

"The witch of normalcy continues to hound, Her presence, her location staying unfound, Even as the scent of myrrh fills the air, A sign even to those who See to beware."


Korgotyo is finally finished being healed, and in some nine minutes the spar shall conclude. Oz, Bagrom and Senth are less occupied with the conversation as they focus on the tumultuous maelstrom I play epicenter to as the increased crowds that came to see the fight of a Living Legend linger to see a golem with demonic attendants hold a training exercise with a local martial school, a sight just as rare.




What should I say or do?
How do I plan to deal with Xuupi the Forgotten, and how do I suspect her particular variant of Chaining Calamity works?
How should I deal with the coming paired surge of enhanced students about to challenge my current last line of defense?
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No. 238079 ID: 9d60e4

Her chains are made (or super augmented) by mass connection, she chains things not physical, the heart, the mind, your magic.
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No. 238082 ID: 9d60e4

WE heard the clinking, suggesting that the chains have a physical form, or that she is simply very good at visualizing chains, must have spent a LOT of time in image training, listening to chains, feeling their shape, movement, etc.

In any case, the chains bypass the physical (a trait that seems popular with mass connection, well the non-mainstream modes) and bind up any 'concept' she desires.

That explains why you forgot what you were doing as soon as she acted and why Zagrath(?) was cool, she probably does not know about him.
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No. 238086 ID: 9d60e4

How to deal with her?

hmmmm activate THE RUNE!(disjointed) I think that will help.

The students?
Hmmmm

Out of time, leave that for others... or later.
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No. 238090 ID: 8fc362

Mhm. Where is this draining coming from? I have a feeling that it might have something to do with Xuupi and the way she uses her Chains.

Anyway, I'd like to put forward Falcon's idea: Can we Pyromancy the flames around our neck? Set them up as a low-level wall of flame around us.

Anyway, we could unfurl the Sable and start slapping folk about the head with anti-magic blades. That was fun the last time we did it.

Too bad we haven't knocked anyone out yet.
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No. 238092 ID: 8fc362

An idea: Zagrath, can...you smell still? Where does the Myrrh come from? And if he can't, can we?

But also asked Zagrath what he means by Myrrh.
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No. 238100 ID: d3dfb8

If I had to guess I would say the magic she is using makes us forget her even as we are looking at her. To target her specifically would require our undivided attention. Instead lets try an area of effect attack. Personally, I'm thinking we take some mundane fire and boost it with pyromancy, all three of our will sources, and have it expand into a hollow sphere surrounding Mordre. This would (hopefully) deal with both problems at once. Also we haven't used pyromancy a lot and it's a pretty cool power)

>>238079
>>238082
>>238086
Your logic seems sound to me Falcon, I'd be up for trying the rune. Though I was under the impression the disjointing rune just took away our magnetic field.
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No. 238101 ID: f4e4f9

Wrap two coils from the sable executioner around yourself.

Attempt to sever her connection to your form.
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No. 238102 ID: f4e4f9

Also: If the Sable Executioner does nothing to stop the magic draining...

Activate the FEASTING VESTMENTS.
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No. 238117 ID: 56dc25

>>238074
On the Chaining Calamity style:
>all of it seems built around binding, or imprisoning, bringing up the mental image of an iron prison.

Based upon this, it seems to me that she must be somehow attempting to bind your perceptions and magic just as others bind you with chains. More than that, as long as she's got her mental chains on you, she'll be much better at dodging your attacks, as demonstrated- perhaps because you're somehow bound mentally into making only attacks that would miss, blocked from taking actions which would strike her successfully. An extremely interesting and powerful variant on this style, if this speculation is true.

There are a couple ways to deal with this, I suppose.

The easiest is probably to have a second person go after her- I doubt she can successfully bind more than one at once, should they be separated. But we don't really have that without tipping our hand regarding Zagrath or using some of our more objectionable capabilities.

I can't really recall exactly what our rune does- does it fully stop anyone from gripping us with magic, or is it just a magnetomantic thing? But if it's more general, that might work. Heck, since the school is based loosely on magnetomantic principles it might work anyway, although frankly Xuupi is so far afield from that I'll be surprised if they're related at all.

Striking out blindly with area attacks might work, but I suspect it will not; her ability to dodge our lightning bolts flawlessly implies to me that she wouldn't get hit by any of our attacks at the moment.

Anything which nullified magic, from the IG on down, should be able to stop her, since there must be a connection here. Of course, most of our tricks which do that fall under "tricks to conceal", as long as we're worrying about that kind of thing.

Basically all the Land of Dragons techniques seem based upon soul magic, to some extent, which to me means that there must be some sort of soul chain linking her to us. Admittedly, the whole stealth bit would be kind of wasted if anyone could immediately track it back, but if we can find the link we might be able to attack it somehow.


Anyway, other matters. If the students are really about to get you, sink mostly into the ground and wish that you could give a massive trollface. It'll be interesting to see how they attempt to knock you over when your center of gravity is buried under six feet of solid dirt.

But you can, of course, start batting them aside physically if things should come to that. I imagine that we'd be rather effective at it, particularly if we use a bit of combat speed boosting. We'd have to cut down on our magical obstacles for that to happen, of course, which would open us up to a larger assault... not so great. If we do shift to combat enhancers, it'd better be decisive.
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No. 238143 ID: a594b9

>how do I suspect her particular variant of Chaining Calamity works?
Mass Connection and a very powerful version of Arkus' stealth ward thing.
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No. 238170 ID: 5407dc

I don't really thin she is dodging so mush as making the lightning forget she exists and miss.
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No. 238175 ID: f4e4f9

>Anyway, other matters. If the students are really about to get you, sink mostly into the ground and wish that you could give a massive trollface. It'll be interesting to see how they attempt to knock you over when your center of gravity is buried under six feet of solid dirt.

That seems a bit like cheating, though. "Your task is knock me to flat onto the earth.

TOO BAD I'M CHILLING ON MARS, SUCKER!"

If need be, Geomantically anchoring our foot to the earth is the extent we should go in that route.

Once things devolve to a close combat situation, attempt to grasp one of the slower students and Time Thief him. At that point, they'll need to either free said student from your grasp, or simply tank your speed enhanced form. That'll force them to make snap judgements on which task their group is more suited to.

We're trying to teach them, just as much as we are challenging ourself.

Mind you, we still need to do our best to stop them. But if they can at least make progress, get us to one foot, then they're learning and improving.

Cycle all 6 Magnemantic Saw Rings as roving Distortion zones, occasionally darting to attempt to snare the chains of the unwary.
>>
No. 238176 ID: f4e4f9

>>238175
One more thing about the saw ring Magnetic Foci: Send them out slowly, over the course of a few minutes, adding one every 30 seconds to a minute or so. A gradual ramp up in hazards.
>>
No. 238177 ID: f858f3

I suspect that Xuupi the Forgotten has only just now started to chain and restrict Mordre.

Xuupi keeps her chains under her robe so she is probably mainly binding herself and not Mordre. She has locked her presence away from the perception of others. The flying similarly be a trick where she separates herself from the effects of gravity.

She is now slowly starting to separate Mordre from having an effect on the world around him, making him the forgotten one.
>>
No. 238204 ID: 10f195

If I remember correctly, we are not allowed to move. (rather not supposed to)

How about this, rippling earth. During an earthquake, the earth buckles and tears apart, how about we mimic this.

Extend your sense of ownership over the entire arena floor, soul nexus boost geomancy and then start up the waves.

Also, antlion (LURKERS IN THE THRESHOLD) style pits. Wider sand pits that constantly shake, sending them downwards.

Use pyromancy as a deterrent, not to attack, just to make walls that flare up when they get near them (Ocarina of time style)
>>
No. 238313 ID: 10f195

Oh right yes, since this is training, make some pathways for them to get to you, so to speak.

Make some of the pillars with small poles sticking out that would be prime for them to wrap their chains around. It will help them to be even more observant and see if they have the skill to not only see the opening but take advantage of it.

You can do other things like weakening magic at some places, and stuff.


Also, send out the Modified AVB and make them hove at certain prime attack points and leave some others open.


TRAINING FOR EVERYONE!
(We need to copy those runes onto something. I'm thinking a split sword that already has the lightning runes on it.)
>>
No. 238435 ID: 445c48

I forget if you've got your sword. If so, time steal it, see if that helps, otherwise butts.
>>
No. 238630 ID: a76809
File 128625616153.jpg - (300.81KB , 1000x706 , Land Of Dragons Dragon Spotted On Mountain.jpg )
238630

>>238079
>>238082
>>238086
I deduce the leeching of energy to be the work of Xuupi. Considering what I know of her variant of Chaining Calamity, she could be doing anything, from binding metaphysical concepts as she somehow steps out of notice and memory… should this be true, he power is one to be feared, as she could stray into one of my weak areas, Soul magic in particular coming to mind rather swiftly. I rely upon my tried and true favorite defensive measure, the disjoining rune, the only of the copied engravings of Dulu’s staff that works in my hands. I feel the rate of energy drain wane, and a gasp is heard behind me. I do not turn my head, instead using my knowledge of her existence to allow THIS Magnetomantic pulse to get a full read of her, when she still believes herself hidden. I feel her blood flow, but no hint of her chains…. Yet I sense an arm stretched out. She is the culprit indeed… but the Disjoining rune only slows her. Hrm.

>>238090
I drop the Ignimancy barrage for a brief moment as I take grasp of the ambient Soulfire exuding from my maw of a neck, spreading its supernatural touch into the kinetimancy vortex I occupy. Invading chains of the ranged fighters are now being seared away, and the melee specialists falter, their footing thus lost upon the steep and sandy hill I occupy. Again, I feel Xuupi’s connection, her mechanism of draining me weaken with the omnidirectional assault of Soulfire, yet still I feel her pull, insidious and inexorable.

>>238101
With lightning speed I unfurl the Sable Executioner and promptly wrap its blades about my form, quickly scrubbing my body in the hopes that the magic annulling effects of Black Steel shall prove useful here. ..I find myself rewarded, her connection weakening… and still persisting. I do note she is sagging in the air now, rather than sprightly supporting herself. I find myself wondering how much she invested in her leeching attack.

>>238102
As the students, Oliltu and Akhan included, finally begin regaining footing at the base of my hill, only to find themselves assaulted by a solid wave of sliding pillars preceded by sand pits courtesy of my Geomancy, they are pushed back even further as I happen upon a final solution. I deactivate my body Soul Nexus, letting my Soulfire swirl on momentum alone as Kinetimancy becomes a Soul Nexus ability, my body whispering in Goran’s tongue.

FEASTING VESTMENTS

A brief pulse of magic absorbing energy cascades through my body, form turning into an artificial magic eater and completely severing what was left of Xuupis chain. I observe her form rebounding as the severed chain lashes back, her position midair beginning to slip and droop back to the earth. My Body nexus returns to Kinetimancy as the students finally start surmounting the wave of poor footing and rushing walls I graced them with, once more charging up the hill. I wonder at the aid Vandgurd and the others are being, now laboring to clear ways or otherwise expedite the student's approaches to me, and how easily the students accept it: If nothing else, this repeat exposure as something not to be feared is critical for getting my Deep Spawn, current and pending to be accepted.

My mental dawdling is snapped away as Zagrath again reminds me of Xuupi. ...Ah, I do not note her behind me anymore. Where... she is not immediately around me, this I know, but beyond that the field is too hectic for me to be certain, especially with one specialized in such a form of evasion. With five minutes left until the match, a half hour long affair, is called, the exhausted students get a further boon: Oz sends Bagrom amidst them, and shortly an intermittent ghostly arm is seen on the student of the Breaker, lending an able hand to the sparring. I find my Soulfire ensconced final barrier broken by a Jade Soul working of his, its name eluding me as he dashes back before I could take a swing at him, while Akhan and Oliltu assault me from each side once again at the head of groups, their time with the boosters clearly extended, yet those laboring under them changed: They continue leading as the others shift out for rest. An interesting thing to note. Where Oliltu leads with a calm and collected reservation, favoring ranged practitioners and surprise attacks, Akhan the Binder and the melee students with him are focused on sustained combat, on layering inhibitors on the foe until even a god can be brought low. An effective combo, and I find myself continuing to look for Xuupi the Forgotten's influence, but she has of yet been reclusive.... perhaps it shall persist.

>>238175
I turn a nexus from Pyromancy to Magnetomancy, pulling the five remaining blades in my launcher from my shoulder, plucking free the one used earlier as I spin all of them open, their wild fanged rims now festooned with glowing runes as magnetic fluctuations and shifts transpire, each ringed sawblade housing a powerful magnetic lens-much to the detriment of the students. Oliltu's troop is devestated, at least half their numbers claimed, weapons stuck fast inside the roving rings as I move them about, more falling by the second, losing their footing to quicksand as a bonus while they try to reclaim their weapons. Oliltu herself is likewise caught, though by some means I do not fully understand she seems to free herself with a great deal less effort than the others. Akhan and his group however, are largely untouched, their tightly held or wrapped chains to suffused with their own Ownership and combat magic to be outright claimed... yet their movements stumble, they turn to jelly as they fight invisible tugs... oh, I may not outright be able to claim them, but with this I have them so crippled they can do nothing! With a grand total of four ringsaws, I fended off twenty boosted warriors to a standstill. The remaining two are occupied suppressing any groups that get close through my solely geomantic defenses now, their exhaustion beginning to get the better of them. My sentries achieved via directed Magnetomancy swiftly terrorize them, turning their efforts to naught with the ludicrous boost they give to my magnetomancy. ...My god, they function like a million-pound, heavily magnetized iron node an anchor for anything, when those runes activate, yet none of the force bleeds through to the housing blade... I can accomplish so much more with so much less...

I recall these to be the workings of the Other...

These last few minutes of the fight almost pass just like that, no further incident-but twenty seconds till the end, Xuupi makes a final attempt to bind me, in doing so buying time for Akhan to finally breach my defensive barrier and begin crawling about my body, laying chains when Dulu calls the match concluded. Exhausted monks slide to the floor, some already joking with Deep Spawn as they pant, Oliltu yelling obscenities as she stomps away, several friends already moving to placate her, while Akhan simply accepts the conclusion without question or reaction. Breathing deeply as he does so, the Bind unhooks his chains and climbs back down, bowing as he reaches the ground. He says a single sentence to me as he leaves.

>"An interesting opportunity."

Korgotyo says something to me, but even as his words boom out, a keening roar echoes across the skies, blotting him out in an instant. The previously genial Rageglut immediately suffused in a red-faced and sullen rage, eyes seeking the source of the cry as the audience begins to uncertainly flee, mainly staying in the hopes that such individuals as we could protect them. But what is it, what could they be-

I see it.

Upon a nearby mountain peak, one of the ever-present sharp peaks jutting fitfully up from what are otherwise largely flatlands... considering the distance, that beast is the size of Korgotyo....

"A dragon, eh?"

Oz's yawn aborts as three more dragons climb about the mountain's borders, joining together to howl like stalking wolves, before plunging into the air, their very existence bespeaking magic to me, but their behavior primal and animalistic. They come to feed and slay, to lay waste.

Korgotyo stands tall.

"THE LOCAL RAGEGLUT REGIMENT IS OUT ON ASSIGNMENT IN DUBUHNA.
I WILL NEED TO ASK FOR AID IN DEFENDING THE TOWN.
"

Before I can say anything, Oz immediately offers himself without second thought, and Phohn's words flit into my ears.

Ash Dragon Jioga has arrived at the estate according to the spawn I left behind. He is being insistent in demanding entry, still tracking Oz. What are your orders?




What should I say or do?
Should I or any of those with me move to aid Korgotyo in defending the town?
Or should I move to deal with Ash Dragon Jioga... especially considering my sword was left behind...
>>
No. 238638 ID: d3dfb8

Have Phohn tell Ash Dragon Jioga that Mordre will see him after the Dragon's are dealt with. Have Burduko fetch our sword, we're hunting dragons.
>>
No. 238639 ID: f4e4f9

>>238630
Task Burduko with swiftly retrieving your sword.

Heroic image, remember. It would not do to abandon the safety of the estates and town to these dragons. Besides, such an act will be quite useful.

Ask what you can of these Dragons from Oz and Korgotyo while you have the opportunity. Akeakam and his/her spawn will move to aid any injured, and your other spawn should move to defend civilians.

We can also at least start to take action. We were just marvelling at the magnetomantic enhancements to our saws, yes?

Lets get ready to test out our Ozmand Cannon + 6 coil mag-accelerator. Try to aim to account for potential overpenetration.
>>
No. 238640 ID: 56dc25

>>238630
You, and almost all those with you, should offer yourself without hesitation to fight off the dragons. Dealing with a personal problem when the entire town is under threat would cast aside most of the goodwill you've built here, not to mention likely making a poor impression with Oz.

You can send Burduko to retrieve your sword for you. He should be able to get it to you extremely quickly- in time for whatever combat takes place, hopefully.

Last time that we had Phohn start communicating with people without warning it went over poorly, so I'd say something to the effect of asking Korgotyo for permission to use mental communication to coordinate the defense, then have Phohn start talking very fast to everyone so that orders can be efficiently given.

When it comes to actually fighting the dragons, see if you know anything about them- you've absorbed many, many souls from these lands, and with them might come knowledge of dragons just as they gave you speech and other background knowledge. Still, it would likely be wise to ask Oz and/or Korgotyo just what they can do and what the accepted methods for fighting them are.

Regarding the Ash Dragon, I would direct those at the estate to not bar his path and to be completely honest with him. We promised to try and avoid bringing conflict to them, and he has shown willingness to smash those who stand in his way. We'll just have to deal with these dragons and show him up by having defeated them before he arrives, making him look the fool by showing up late. We knew he'd catch us eventually, after all, and we've told Oz the situation.
>>
No. 238661 ID: a69afd

>>238630
Tell Phohn to send Jioga a message:

"Listen, Ash Dragon Jioga- I know we're in a competition right now, but you really don't have to take it this seriously. Being the only dragon to take the side of Lubu, shouldn't you know the aloof nature of the man you follow by now? Lubu pits us against each other because conflict is the best way to inspire growth among his allies both loyal and potential, and because it amuses the crap out of him. However, he never said we had to kill each other to accomplish this task, and so far you've been acting like I pissed on the graves of your forefathers. Regardless of how you feel on the matter, can our conflict wait a while? I was at the Chaining Calamity school helping the students in a training exercise and some dragons appeared, now they are attacking the town and I've got to help deal with it. I came here as a diplomat- dragon attacks might be a regular occurance for you, but how do you think it'd look if I didn't at least try to help? If we absolutely have to fight can we do it after the dragons are dealt with?"
>>
No. 238665 ID: 56dc25

>>238661
>so far you've been acting like I pissed on the graves of your forefathers
We... uh... haven't actually met or spoken with the Ash Dragon yet. Yes, he smashed up our deep spawn, but he was pissed and they don't really look like people. Until we at least get a first impression of him, I'd rather not say/do anything which makes this level of dangerous assumption about his personality or what he thinks and understands about things.

Actually, I'd rather not talk to him at all.
>>
No. 238687 ID: ddd48d
File 128626183296.jpg - (42.16KB , 723x463 , golemband.jpg )
238687

Lets not talk to the Dragon, instead avoid him completely by conveniently going off to fight the real dragons with Oz and company. General information on dragons would be handy to ask about. Also do these attacks happen often?

Also go see if the Red Comet and Paradox Knight Jeagrezweistrik are still around.

someone mentioned something silly earlier but i can't find the post, so i drew a bad picture of it.
>>
No. 238698 ID: a69afd

>>238665
We've done nothing but avoid and ignore Jioga so far, perhaps that is the reason he's pissed off. In the event that it isn't, I would rather confront him now and ask him why he is angry than do things like "deal with these dragons and show him up by having defeated them before he arrives, making him look the fool by showing up late"- he's already angry at us, that's making the situation worse. We're going to be preoccupied in a battle with four very angry mythological beasts soon, which is a prime fucking opportunity for Jioga or anyone of the pricks Weinsho has hiding in this nation to come up and stab a hole in our furnace and open up a whole can of worms on the situation. Mordre needs to make a decision now, otherwise this will bite him in the ass.
>>
No. 238726 ID: a594b9

Tell Phohn to speak through someone (don't speak directly into the Ash Dragon's mind) and tell Jioga that there are three goddamn dragons attacking right now and we could use the assistance fighting them off.
>>
No. 238727 ID: adba1e

>>238687
I mentioned that >>234723
And it was not silly..... it was amazing just like your picture )
>>
No. 238730 ID: 445c48

Tell Phohn to have his spawn verbally say something along the lines of "Oz isn't here right now, may I take a message?"
>>
No. 238762 ID: 8fc362

You know, we could try yelling as loud as we can - we do have a very good voice box.

"ASH DRAGON! IF YOU CAN HEAR THIS, I'M OFF TO DEFEND THIS TOWN FROM DRAGONS! NOT YOU, HAHA, BUT THERE SEEMS TO BE THREE DRAGONS THAT HAVE DECIDED TO MAKE THIS TOWN THEIR FLAMBE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP, I AM SURE THE ASSISTANCE WOULD BE WELL RESPECTED BY THIS TOWN. NOW, TO DRAGON SLAYING, HO!"

Or, if yelling loudly we would just deafen everyone, send a running with a note rather like >>238661, but including the line 'what with attacking my allies out of hand - yes, I know they look like demons, but that is no reason to assault them, just because they were taking my pagoda to Lubu' after 'pissed on the graves of your forefathers' and 'I'm sure if you want to come, dueling - literally, artistically, combatively, or diplomatically - atop the corpses of three dragons would make a great sonnet for the ages.'

But before we start yelling or note sending, let us thank the students. Bow in return to Akhan. "I hope such an opportunity pushed you to your edge as a warrior and as a tactician," and then walk towards Oliltu. "Oliltu?" We should call out, before bowing to her. "I thank you for a most enjoyable martial confrontation. You, ahhah, kicked most serious ass?"

And pause for a moment, looking around. "Were is Xuupi? I wish to thank her for almost defeating me before I help slay this dragon."

>>238687
Oh god, let this happen. NEW GOAL: BECOME ROCK STAR!
>>
No. 238763 ID: adba1e

Can't we just -I dunno- ignore the guy while we deal with the dragons? I wouldn't want him around while we are in middle of a great battle there...
>>
No. 238767 ID: 5f0943

I say we just ignore Jioga while we go to slay dem dragons. We can talk later, when it is more fitting, and the town isn't in danger of being razed to the ground.
Don't say or convey anything to him at this moment.
>>
No. 238782 ID: 56dc25

>>238763
>>238767
I am with these guys. My earlier suggestion regarding him, >>238640, was basically meant to ignore him while attempting to care for the welfare of our hosts in town. It's not like he can legally attack us anyway, so we don't need to worry about him first striking us. Unless he decides that since we're just a mage's property and have no soul ourselves we don't count and he can smash us with no problems. But hopefully he won't think that.

>>238762
I would prefer not to single out several students for congratulation at this point, since that does kind of minimize the contributions of the others- who, although unnamed characters, were valiantly throwing themselves at us in a rather relentless fashion for the entirety of the exercise. Some general loud congratulations to the students on their efforts as we rush off to fight the dragons should suffice, and we can get more personalized later. I do rather still want to invite/have the deep spawn invite some of the students to travel with us, so we should have at least a little more interaction with them. Acquiring new people, even if they're not technically followers, is much like acquiring wealth, souls, or power- it should be done habitually and continuously.
>>
No. 238787 ID: 8fc362

>>238782
I will agree that we should thank everyone, but two groups did do most of the heavy lifting and it was Akhan and Xuupi that almost brought us down, not one of the other students. And Oliltu is generally being angry as all hell, so we should go tell her 'hey, good game, woman, you were damn awesome'.

But you are right, we should bow to everyone and apologize for being so hard on them and that we are going to go beat a dragon, and if you all train very well, you can find me in the waring states. Rematches will be followed by food, drink, and the opportunity of employment.

Anyway, I would rather have the Ash Dragon along with us so we can keep an eye on him and, you know, slay dragons together, which should be a bonding experience and keep us from being eaten whole and possibly being trashed. Also, if he comes with us, we might get a chance to have our POV change to Ash Dragon Jioga and we can just bombard him with 'Mordre is nice, why not be friends with him' until he agrees, goes mad, or expels us from his mind.

And, if possible, another goal: Develop our own Combat Magic. Theoretically, at least. I mean, 'Indelible Dragon Mordre The Ascendant, Master of the Whip Hand, the Feasting Way, and the Parliament of Souls Styles' just seems more...badass, you know?
>>
No. 238788 ID: 8fc362

Actually, can we check to see if it's possible to become a Dragon and a Living Legend?
>>
No. 238806 ID: 2899b0

Ignore him, our primary goal is to sway Oz to Lubu's side and have him say the we caused it.
If this dragon feels like messing with us before ensuring the safety of the citizens, I don't think Oz will look kindly on it, or improve his opinion off dragons in general.

"In that case, I will proceed first"

Have budrko teleport you to the edge of the city then promptly max speed to the dragons.
Budrko then teleports back to base and gets your sword.

I know that these are feral, but they might still have some sense about them, have Phohn talk to them on your behalf, try and sway them, to calm them, promise them food or somn.

PREPARE THE IG AND RAILGUN!

Oh wait, first, tell Dulu what's going on and offer to blast him with magic so he can get there faster.
If he agrees, take him in your left hand, LIGHTNING*LIGHTNING*LIGHTING and Kinectomace-throw him in the direction of the dragons.
>>
No. 238895 ID: 3e56f0

Since Burduko is going back to the estates anyways, might as well use him as a messenger to Jioga. We could tell Oz that Jioga is asking for him back at the estates, and ask if he wants a message, other than "Master Monk Oz The Breaker, Left Handed God of the Fist is currently not here right now. Please be patient and wait here quietly until Master Monk Oz The Breaker, Left Handed God of the Fist is available." (it sounds a lot like one of those recordings that companies use, bland and mechanical, because the reason of the call tends to cause an actual person to use a particular tone, but the recordings use a tone that one uses for comedy? But I digress), but I suspect that everybody else wants to say something more personal to Jioga.

...Hmm, if the dragon's very existence is magic, then would Akeakam's enhancement allow the enhanced to to achieve an effect similar to Nihilino's existence erasure ability, but restricted to dragons? And if a dragon's existence is magical, would it not follow that the fire they breathe out is magical as well, and therefore our FEASTING VESTMENTS can eat them? If that is true, then we might be able to use Pyromancy to direct any fire they breathe out into our form with FEASTING VESTMENTS active and gain lots of magic to hold down at least one of the dragons using Blood Magic, I hope, since Keddic wanted one. Alternatively, if we can't get hold of a dragon, then the blood (and the bone and the liver and the gallbladder and the brain and the blood vessels... Heck, the whole corpse!) of just one dragon is good enough. We could give Keddic the body of a dragon and then he could break it down and use to gain a little more knowledge of dragons; I hope it would be a little like vaccination, though I suspect that Keddic won't be able to gain much of a passive defense against dragons if he assimilates only one dragon.

We probably should ask the natives first about how the defending-the-town-from-dragons deal goes before thinking about what would be done if a dragon is killed and we get its body, actually.

>>238877
Actually, there are four dragons. There original that roared, and three more that joined it.
>>
No. 238925 ID: 60f5f6

>>238895
Their sense of ownership is probably too great for us to pyromace it out of the way, especially with basic competency.
Our soulfire should overwhelm it though

I really hope they aren't just balls of flying magic like other dragons. The balls of magic ones tend to be sentient and sapient, these just look like beasts with tons of power.

>Kill dragon
>give keddic body
Sans the skull and wingbones. Those will be added to our collection for the ultimate life golem thing.

!!!!
Dragon skin for Kyorto?
Hmmmm.
>>
No. 238942 ID: 3e56f0

>>238925
Yeah, our 40 souls Inferno Golem overwhelmed it with itself. That's what happened the last time we went the Land of Dragons. Which is why I really, really hope that we could neutralize the giant balls of fire with our Soul Nexus ability. It's not Pyromancing the fire away, it's Pyromancing the fire to our body and letting Goran's soul do the rest. Or, if we can use Pyromancy on it (I think we can? Since animals, to my knowledge don't have a sense of ownership?), and we can't eat it, then compress it into a big ball of fire and let Nihilino erase the fireball from existence (I think Nihilino can do that, at least) or let the natives handle the thing. Or store it for an attack if we need to, though that binds up at least one casting point.
>>
No. 238957 ID: 60f5f6

>>238942
You know that the dragons we saw last time were golems right?

(well I thought they were....)
>>
No. 238980 ID: fa32fb

Well helping Oz in this fight is pretty much a given. So far he has yet to see the full wrath of a Mosmordren soul grave. Before you go though make sure you get the facts clear with Korgotyo!

- Will you be fighting to kill the dragons or just to chase them off? These things could be sacred or something.
- How strong are dragons? Does Oz feel confident that he can take one on? What sort of smarts and abilities do they usually have? Do they have any weak spots? It would be annoying to shoot the wings off one only to discover that they fly using magic anyway.

Make sure everyone else is ready before firing the elecro-rail AGCannon and make sure you fire it from a spot that can withstand the possible retaliation (like not in the middle of town).
>>
No. 239093 ID: a76809
File 128633500668.jpg - (219.96KB , 768x576 , Railgun achieved.jpg )
239093

>>238957
[Nope, dragons just like these. There's a True mountain-range near the capital, part of the High Dragon's duties as ruler is to lead every defense against incursion. dragons can learn to click teeth together to create a spark for igniting their acid spit, and Lubu attacked during a dragon incursion, as his force was outnumbered one hundred to one if the main army was not diverted so.]

>>238639
I immediately think of my sword, the Edge of Oblivion still within the Tyotworro estate, and via Phohn command Burduko to return and claim the blade, then bring it to me as swiftly as possible. I see Burduko hesitate for a moment, looking uncertain, before he takes off at something just shy the speed of sound, racing back to the estate by foot. In his wake, I here Phohn speak of interdiction found, some nulling field warding off Burduko's spacial manipulation. ...The Dragon, most like. ...it seems I am beset by FIVE dragons. How wonderful.

I send most of my Deep Spawn out to serve as guardians of the town, bringing students with them to aid in interacting with those that have yet to meet them, roving wards against errant threat to the population. Even as they leave, I speak of what I asked of them aloud, Korgotyo inclining his head graciously as Dulu steps forth, the Rageglut nodding as he listens to an inner voice before welcoming the 'Ancestral Tomb' as well to the coming struggle, while I next put Akeakam and Murhyihal at the disposal of the town as healers and support, before I finally ask a brief question, riding on my generosity before I commit myself.

"Could you give me a brief rundown of the dragons? I'm not familiar with the actual capabilities."
"STRONG. FAST. LIKE WOLF MY SIZE, AND FLYING. TEETH LIKE THOSE FISH THINGS, SHARKS, ROWS AND ROWS, AT LEAST A DOZEN. CLAWS AND TEETH CAN TEAR METAL WITH EASE, BUT SCALES OF BODY ARE NO HARDER THAN PLATEMAIL, THE BEASTS NOT OVERWHELMINGLY DURABLE. IT IS THEIR RELATIVE SWIFTNESS, AND LUNGING, LONG-NECKED BITE, THAT ENORMOUS GAPING MAW OF NEVER-ENDING FANGS THAT THREATENS MOST... THEY COULD WELL SWALLOW YOUR GOLEM WHOLE. CAN SPIT HIGHLY FLAMMABLE ACID, MELTS ANYTHING IT TOUCHES. HAVE SOME INNATE COMMAND OF THE WIND AND WEIGHT, SOMETHING THEY GAIN WITH AGE. HOPE THEY AREN'T OLD ONES."
"Don't forget that old enough ones can and often do have command of even distant winds and weights, giving them just about unstoppable air superiority. Then, able to strafe and spit acid at will, they tear you apart. ....I wasn't expecting a quartet this far from one of the True mountains."
"I IMAGINE THAT IS WHY HIERYOU AND THE RAGEGLUT PLATOON, AND MOST OF THE ARMY ARE AWAY. I HAVE NOT SEEN THIS MANY DRAGONS AROUND HERE IN SOME NINETY YEARS."

Korgotyo turns back to face me as the keening cries finally finish echoing off every surface available, and the four dragons start to spread out on their mountain perch, spreading wings as I see the air distort about their forms, yawning maws decorated with hundreds of teeth anchored to heavy bones and musculature alike, power and speed implied in turn. The neck are as long as limbs, an arm outstretched and scaled to size, but all of that means relatively little compared to what I sense. The dragons... I can't feel a soul about them, nothing of the sort, but even at this distance I feel some sort of power in their innards heavily related... proto-soul, if I would have to term it anything.

The first takes flight as the Chained speaks again.

"YOUR AID IS APPRECIATED MOST GRACIOUSLY,
BUT WILL YOUR OWN GOLEM BE JOINING THE TOWN'S DEFENSE?"


I turn Magnetomancy on myself, claiming my six anti-vanguard blades converted to runed saw-rings, and arraying them before the Anti-Golem Revolver Cannon in a direct line, each Magnetomantic lens directly in the line of fire of my artillery. I turn Magnetomancy on myself from my Body Soul Nexus now, all that power devoted towards the magnetic fields of the cannon itself, and the round loaded. My hand's Soul Nexus goes to Ignimancy, and again all my attention goes to my cannon. ...I have been thinking, about the mechanism employed to fire my cannon. Magnetomancy is already the primary method of lift, the Soulfire a close second.... but the Magnetomancy, the rail-firing method already employed? I can make it more, give this cannon power it lacked. With the vacuum provided by the soul of Balboa, I am fairly unlimited by friction.... The speeds I could achieve.

Instead of answer Korgotyo, after using my targeting algorithms briefly, I fire my cannon, in a manner somewhat different from the norm. I only briefly feel myself successively channeling the spiraled spike through each of the six lenses, building its speed so high I lose it by the second ring.

First, there is no sound, and for the briefest of instants the only thing that's changed is my barrel glowing white-hot and searingly bright, and the fact my feet dug furrows three meters deep in the ground with an explosion of recoil that threatened to warp my entire body. At this same moment, I already see a tiny hole in the head of one of the dragons that had yet to take off.

WH-THOOOOM!

The air slaps into the void left in my shot's passing, a clap of thunder and horrendous horizontal cyclone briefly existing as the sky repairs the wound rent upon it. I see the tiny hole in the dragon's face suction backwards as the people around me begin reacting to my discharge, as I witness the entire dragon's head being blown off, somehow ripped away in the wake of the attack, the mighty beast's headless corpse falling back down to drape over the mountain-peak. ...A pity they were side by side, I could have slain them all had they been aligned correctly.

[-1 DRAGON 03 DRAGONS LEFT]

Oz slowly claps, a ringing beat as Korgotyo stares, mouth agape.

"I do believe I can personally contribute, yes."

Administrator Mordre, Burduko wishes to state that mortals sworn to Ash Dragon Jioga, officers of his are blocking all means of entering the estate, and forbid under pains of death entry. With the nullifying field in effect on the area, he cannot bypass their threat. They would not move even when told that Burduko is a guest of the family.

>>238687
[FANART BONUS ALLIES]
I recall the presence of two Paradox knights in the camp, something I was pulled from to meet Hieryou The Iron Mustache last night. Could they still be in the city? The aid they could provide-and one is a Dragon, as I recall. I speak as three dragons slowly swoop towards us, crossing the distance with a deceptively lazy speed, ignoring their fallen comrade as I continue to struggle with the warping superheated barrel of my cannon even as words emit from my mockery of a mouth.

"Do you know if Dragon Jeagrezweistrik has left?"
Oz and Korgotyo both look at me sharply, surprise in their faces. Neither knew? I press on, looking to expand on this knowledge, lending it credibility as concisely as I can.

"Excessively colorful blue-base Ancestral Tomb? Giant ever-shifting axe he talks and produces music from? Excessively attention-getting oriented speech patterns?"
"..HE IS HERE, THEN. HE WOULD NOT LEAVE WALTORA SO SUDDENLY. ....WE HAVE A MINUTE LEFT AT LEAST BEFORE THEY ARRIVE, AND WE COULD BE BETTER PLACED ANYWAY. LETS SPREAD OUT TOWARDS THE DRAGON'S APPROACH, LOOKING FOR THE AXE GOD. HIS AID WOULD BE CRUCIAL, AS I SEE YOUR MARVELOUS CONTRAPTION DOES NOT SEEM PRONE TO RAPID USE."
"No problem, I'll keep an eye out."
So be it.

Dulu's nod of approval heralds our departure, and we race off, into the city proper both to meet the Dragons and to search for a most potent ally... with another possibly around as well, should The Red Comet still be here.

>>238763
>>238767
>>238782
I decide to ignore the Ash Dragon for now, ordering the still-rejected Burduko to return lest he be captured as I race through the still peaceful town.... they don't know yet, now with the press of buildings and immediate distractions. I continue to race through largely passive crowds for a brief period, listening for the AxeGod's music or any inkling of his soul....

[BONUS]

And I find it, just as I hear the first person scream, pointing at the mountain.

Chaos erupts around me in moments as the knowledge, the fear spreads like wildfire, and I have to work much harder to avoid injuring someone whilst I move so swiftly, Merrack's soul sending me racing across the streets, threat looming ever closer. I turn a street cornet, finding Zegrezweistrik, Red Comet nowhere in sight, only now clutching his axe, turning his head about in observation-and noting my form. I speak quickly to save time.

"I with others moving to defend the town. Will you assist us, Dragon Jeagrezweistrik?"

A stead basso beat erupts into existence as Jeagrezweistrik leaps into motion, his rioting axe continuing to speak as he races beside me.

"Buddy you're a boy, make a big noise
Playing in the street gonna be a big man some day!
"

The music surges and resounds throughout the calamitous population, faces turning as Jeagrezweistrik's axe now roars at the coming dragons, sonic waves visible in their intensity as the population's fear shifts.

"WE WILL WE WILL ROCK YOU!
WE WILL WE WILL ROCK YOU-come on!"
"

As he begins his next verse the people move out of our way as if rehearsed as their voices rise, ensnared in Jeagre's mad beat, not calmed but not anticipatory, amped for our obviously imminent victory. ...Mass mental manipulation... a potent feat.

Jeagrezweistrik and I erupt into a market square, the wider view showing me Korgotyo already battling a dragon nearly a mile away, Oz and Dulu both vying to claim the attention of a second some twenty hundred feet away-

Day turns to night as the entire square falls into shadow, the third dragon descending from the sun's direction on the market square, mouth gaping and claws proffered as I dives-towards me. Jeagrezweistrik at my side is already moving to begin a new musical number. The dragon is some five hundred feet away and closing fast, the six ring saws still held before my cannon a moot point as I still need some more time before the barrel is cooled enough, now a brilliant yellow a shade darker than its earlier white.



What should I say or do?
How do I plan to deal with the descending dragon?
What do I plan to do about the still considerable crowd of civilians, not yet fully out of the way?
>>
No. 239103 ID: e31d52

>Dat first shot
Yessssssss.

That dragon should be dealt with with an AMARANTHINE ANNIHALATOR. God, it's been ages since we could really let loose.
>>
No. 239116 ID: 990c34

hmmm, risky time?

Dual nexus geomance a pillar under you so that your scuffle is above the crowd.

Quickly change and start up the IG, when the dragon gets close enough PAUNCH!
Activate feasting vestments and eat the explosion before it goes anywhere.


On a saner note,
Flying things don't like lightning. Dual boost and shoot it.

Also start deactivate the rune in case you didn't already.

I want to use AA but I keep thinking that Ash Drag might want to fight us, hrm.

screw it, wait till he is about to fire then AA him and look at promptly swing your vision to the other dragons.

After that huge ass run here it should be ready for battle.
>>
No. 239118 ID: 8fc362
 

THERE IS ONLY ONE THING THAT CAN FOLLOW WE WILL ROCK YOU! SING IT MORDRE!

OTHER THEN THAT, UNLEASH ALL SIX BLADES INTO THAT OPEN MOUTH! CUT IT'S HEAD OFF FROM THE INSIDE OUT!

OTHER THEN THAT, I REALLY HAVE NO IDEA OTHER THEN WE ARE WITH FREDDIE AS A AWESOME, AXE-WIELDING WARRIOR GOLEM AND ANYTHING WE SAY OR DO WILL BE AWESOME!
>>
No. 239119 ID: e31d52

>>239118
We Are the Champions is for when we win.
>>
No. 239122 ID: 8fc362

And as a following note: If we use the AA again, we should really follow tradition and spend another pristine soul on it so it will explode the dragon and only leave steak-sized chunks to litter the ground.

And as another note, we should send a runner to Hieryou of the Iron Mustache saying that Ash Dragon is willfully interfering with the protection of the village and baring a guest access to the Tyotworro.
>>
No. 239132 ID: 445c48

I think we should save AA. It's a very nice surprise move, and we've got a Dragon on our ass, who's tougher than a dragon. Does the heat on the cannon prevent us from firing normally? If not, five rounds rapid, please, I think we've got spare ammo on the hooks. If it does prevent us from firing normally, butts. Would the use of pyromancy help move the heat in the barrel, either into the air or the rest of your body, or is it just fire? Maybe try an Ethereal Strike on its eyes.

We're going to need to talk to Jezebel when we get back. I'm sure she'll love the railgun stuff, and might help us with a heatsink on our barrel.
>>
No. 239135 ID: 8fc362

>>239119
You can't follow 'We Will Rock You' with anything else, and Jeagrezweistrik is already moving to begin a new musical number. So with us AMARANTHINE ANNIHALATOR one, or two, of the dragons - as we can split our eyes up now and then Oz, Dulu, ourselves, Jeagrezweistrik, and Korgotyo go curb stop the last one - if we wanna be kill thieves - or we just obliterate this one and march on with 'We Are The Champions' to the next dragon and open cans of whoop ass with a big-ass throng around us whooping and cheering.

Then we go to Ash Dragon and try to somehow make him not want to obliterate us the first instance we leave the town.
>>
No. 239142 ID: 445c48

Also when you kill it be sure to say "Another one bites the dust"
>>
No. 239145 ID: d3dfb8

... oh god, use semi-AA on our cannon. cool it off.
>>
No. 239149 ID: 46c430

Hey, is the barrel of the cannon blootz steel? Can we activate our heart, 'pump' and magnetomancy the heated metal away from the barrel and swap in cool metal, so we can ready our next shot faster? This would be tipping our hand for an ability of ours, if it even worked, but... Well, what do you guys think?
>>
No. 239157 ID: 56dc25

>>239093
First, kick on that Blood Magic; you'll need it.

>the six ring saws still held before my cannon a moot point
No, they're not. They are, in fact, a ready-made jump platform. Put several them on the ground (reclaim one or two, if you can) and use them to power up your magnetomancy enough that you can jump up hundreds of feet onto the dragon and take it to him in melee on your own terms. Throw in kinetomancy to help, if it would. You should be able to slice through platemail-level armor like butter. This has the added bonus of distracting the dragon from the present civilians.

Now, this could go wrong if it makes you weigh a lot more while you're in flight, but if you're fast enough it won't have time to react. And also, if that does happen, use kinetomancy to twist your vector around onto the right course once you start falling; you should be able to hit it anyway.
>>
No. 239159 ID: 990c34

>>239145
That will super-cool it and cause it to shatter at the next impact.... so no.

(see: Golem we shot with AA)
>>
No. 239162 ID: 990c34

>>239157
Awww, I was hoping to keep the blood magic secret.
>>
No. 239168 ID: e31d52

>>239157
>jump up hundreds of feet

>Master of wind and weight

That doesn't seem like a terribly fantastic idea.
>>
No. 239177 ID: 56dc25

>>239162
Well, if we can become Mordre the (arguably-) living kinetic missile without using it, that's great, but if not... the only one here to see it is the Axe God, who presumably is going to get all kinds of reports on our capabilities anyway from the other Paradox Knights. And even if they didn't know about that one, I don't think that we're in much danger of Jeagrezweistrik turning hostile or informing others spuriously.

Sure, the population at large and maybe some students might see us using it, but they don't have the necessary senses to detect exactly what we're doing.

>>239168
We can cope with our weight changing thanks to blood Kinetomancy, and somehow I don't think wind is going to do shit to a golem that already weighs many tons.

That said, if you have an equally/more awesome idea, I'm all ears. I don't have much faith in the AA's ability to one-shot this guy since we've been using geomancy to move around so much since arriving in these lands, and would accordingly rather save it, but it couldn't hurt, I guess.

I suppose that we could just start using the booster rings to throw other metal objects at it really really fast. I doubt it would like that. Or use lightning bolts, or just start chucking things with Accelerator. We have no lack of ranged firepower, really. I'm just concerned that we won't be able to effectively protect the town and civilians around us unless we decisively draw the dragon's focus to something of obviously greater importance, like a golem hacking into its innards.
>>
No. 239187 ID: 46c430

Huh. Come to think of it, our blood magic would make a good 'beat' for the Axe God's music, wouldn't it? Random idea.
>>
No. 239191 ID: e31d52

>>239177
Here's an idea: We have six rings, right?

Set up three of them in a triangle, and then the other three in a line. Launch the latter using the former to assist, making it spin. Then, when they near or hit the dragon, ignimancy a lightning bolt at them.

Anything that doesn't involve making ourselves a projectile at a creature that can shoot fiery acid that melts anything, claws that can rend apart steel, etc.
>>
No. 239192 ID: 990c34

>>239177
The thing is, this place (LoD) is CRAWLING with sensors and strong people, there could be peopel in the crowd capable of sensing it and it is simply that Mordre does not know, also this may be a powerful enough source of blood magic to be broadcasted for quite some distance.

I just feel that of we use it then everyone is gonna know, eventually.

But whatever. Im too tired to argue.
>>
No. 239203 ID: d3dfb8

Well, how about we launch something with just the anti-vanguard blades. If the untransformed blades fit through the hole in the rings we could just launch one of them like we did with the railgun. Then we could have it transform and fly it around on the other 5 blades. If it doesn't fit just array 5 of them in a circle and launch the last using said 5 as a base.
>>
No. 239226 ID: adba1e

Can't we fire regular non-railgun shots?
Rapid five shots might do the trick, the rageglut told us that their scales aren't that strong and our cannon is devised to puncture the strongest armors.
>>
No. 239228 ID: adba1e

Oh, and to cool the cannon down more swiftly we could try accelerated repair procedures. Just shift the hot metal of the barrel with the cool metal from our body.
>>
No. 239327 ID: f4e4f9

HEY GUYS. YOU WANTED AN AWESOME FUCKING MOUNT?

WELL WE'RE GONNA GET AN AWESOME FUCKING MOUNT.

Time to put the pieces together, and figure out HOW we're gonna leash one of these beasties.

Lets look at the following fact, and exactly what it implies:

The Dragon's possess no souls, but rather a form of proto-soul infusing their being.

Mordre has had some experience with Proto-souls and their development. We have a ring of them around our neck. Now, as Hieryou so kindly described for us, when we create our deep-spawn, we bind a piece of our soul to their own Proto-soul, with the resultant being bound to our will, but still individuated.

Why could we not do something similar to one of these Dragons?

Now, before we go any further, there are problems with this approach. Let's address them:

1. We have no way to feasibly graft a piece of our own soul to them. Eldghodd took care of that detail for us when he gave us the Deep Spawn by creating the link between them and us himself.

RESPONSE: I would point you to Lorgk's new Sword, Legalloth, the Legacy of Lorgk. When Dorgrum and Mordre transfered the Souls, Mordre utilized a Pristine Soul to punch through the potent anti-magic nature of the crystal the sword was made of. So why not use a Pristine soul to form that link? We get contact with the Dragon, and bridge the two Entities with a Pristine Soul. BAM.

2. The Dragon is currently trying to EAT us.

THat ones a bit trickier

Since our cannon is on Cooldown, array the Magnetic Foci around us, but do not trigger them yet.

Use your aiming algorithms to get as precise as you can, and: Repel. Try to hit a speed that will get us to the target: We can use Kinetimancy for mid-air guidance and softening our "landing" a bit. Our goal isn't to kill the thing, after all. Blood Magic Boost to get the absolute optimal performance from our Kinetomancy and Magnetomancy.

If we make a successful landing, immediately CHRONAL BANDITRY the Dragon to give us ample time to do what we need to and shorten the amount of time this is going to take. THat'll let us get back to the fight faster.

Initiate the binding attempt.

If it succeeds, we'll have a fucking DRAGON. How impressive would that be? Queue midair duel against other dragons.

SO ANY TAKERS?
>>
No. 239339 ID: 6a0dee

>>239327
Could we not also use one of the deep-spawn eggs to form the link between our soul and the proto-soul of the dragon?
>>
No. 239342 ID: f4e4f9

>>239339
Possibly. Perhaps we could even imbue Niddhog's egg into the Dragon as well. Would be so very fitting, grafting the egg named for a dragon TO a Dragon.
>>
No. 239347 ID: f4e4f9

Oh, one more thing: Keep the Saw Blads Dragging along below you. That way, if the Dragons utilize their Aero/Gravimancy to fuck with your trajectory, you can use the blades enhanced magnetic fields to repel your own body back on course.

Think like a Trampoline.
>>
No. 239348 ID: f4e4f9

Also, mention to Jeager:

"I think I would like to attempt something on this creature."

To give him a heads up to be wary.
>>
No. 239375 ID: 445c48

Ah, how about you magnetomance the blades off your cannon, line them up, point it at the dragon, and fire a round using just that? Float a shell at the back end, have the first blade pull the shell, then as soon as it passes flip it so it's pushing, and the second's pulling, etc etc. Obviously won't be railgun strength but
>>
No. 239376 ID: e31d52

>>239342
>>239339
>>239327
spend a pristine on this

SPEND THREE IF YOU HAVE TO

THIS IS THE BEST IDEA EVER
>>
No. 239379 ID: 9b8c80

Wear two of the magnarings as bracelets and embed some more rings into the ground as anchors. This would allow powerful flight within a set area defined by the anchors. You could also make javelins from spare AGC shells or metal drawn from underground. With the Accelerator and some more magnetomantic manipulation they should prove quite devastating.

To deal with the incoming acid blasts - Use geomancy to create simple mud/earth armor with weak geomantic mines in it. The armor should then be instantly (explosively?) discarded if hit by acid to prevent corrosive damage from reaching Mordre's body. I doubt it would protect against full-on acid breath, but if the acid is dispersed or mostly parried using soulfire and/or kinetimancy then the earth armor should be able to shrug off stray acid splashes. Try using non-alkaline rock and earth such as granite as it won't react as violently with the acid.

Does Jaegrezweistrick know any songs about taming and controlling beasts?! With his musical support we can do this!
>>
No. 239389 ID: 36c283

Fuck that shit
Am I the only one who doesn't want a fucking dragon?
They also seem to be fucking pushovers. DO we need a dead weight to carry around?
And the other thing, how the hell will we feed it? Also, LoD seems to pretty much hate them, going around with a pet dragon is not good idea imo.

And do not spend P.Soul or an egg on it if you will not drop the subject
>>
No. 239392 ID: 56dc25

>>239389
I'm with you on this one, I think; we can always enslave a dragon later. There is apparently no shortage. For the moment, it seems to me that it would be much more trouble than it's worth to get one.

Also, the fact that it's got a proto-soul rather than a true one doesn't mean that it's weak enough to succumb to our will in short order. It'll fight back. If we do get up onto it, just carving it up would be a simpler and likely more effective way of achieving victory.

Less awesome, I know. But I don't think that the binding plan would work, and I rather like having pristine souls to play with; spending them on this seems a waste. If we used them to learn soul magic, we might well be able to accomplish this sort of thing without throwing so many pristines at it, and might even learn the whys of how it works.
>>
No. 239399 ID: e043a1

1. Use P. souls to gain knowledge of soul magic and golem crafting as suggested earlier.

2. Use new found insight into soul magic to bind the dragon to us.
>>
No. 239400 ID: 808cd7

Ok, IO am all for getting a dragon using the P.Soul+Nindhogg combo, but let's do it on a dragon from the TRUE mountains.

From what Oz said, the dragons normally come from the true mountains, and from his demeanor, these are a dime a dozen (or you know he is just so badass that he doesn't care).

So ya, supporting the enslaving dragon bit and giving one of our spawn a base to form around, but not necessarily these dragons.

Maybe an older one, harder to fight but worth it.
>>
No. 239402 ID: f4e4f9

>>239389

I would rather spend a Pristine on it than 3 or a boon or whatnot. One of those is significantly easier to get than the other.

Also, stockpiling is no fun.
>>
No. 239411 ID: 0b62d9

>>239389
I agree, we don't need a goddamned dragon as pet.
We can eventually make a dragon-golem if it's really needed.
>>
No. 239416 ID: 9338f5

>>239389
i agree the dragons are to fragile to invest so much in.
>>
No. 239418 ID: d3dfb8

No dragon, no using pristine soul.
>>
No. 239421 ID: 36c283

Guys, just a reminders we have 16 vanguard blades at our disposal not 6
>>
No. 239430 ID: d3dfb8

>>239421
Oh lord this.
>>
No. 239442 ID: ddd48d
File 128638957333.png - (53.94KB , 328x313 , ADORABLE.png )
239442

Cashing in on the dragon discussion, I agree with >>239416 , >>239400 , >>239389 and >>239392 in that we should wait on the dragon enslaving idea.


When this is over with we may have time for a trip into the mountains at some point. Perhaps it would be worth it more to enslave a younger dragon with one of our proto-souls, so it can grow up as a sentient Spawn of ours. Making it fuse with a proto-soul may make it able to survive without eating, so the food problem may be completely averted (as other Spawn don't need to eat). It will most probably become sentient like the other Spawn, and therefore easy to control/talk to. We can keep it up north at the Arcanoworks if we wish, to add prestige to our name (OMG a DRAGON! WOWZERZ), maybe even as protection/study-thing for Arkus in a way. Also to keep the LoD people from being wary of it. There is a lot more that could come of this but the main thing is to wait and think about it.

We could just make a Dragon-themed Spawn if the real dragon fusion seems like that bad of an idea anyways. I'm going to try and draw it to convince you guys. It will be the cutest grotesque monster you have ever seeeeeen.
>>
No. 239497 ID: 5f0943

Honestly? I like the idea of having a dragon-spawn, and I am mostly ok with the idea of using a pristine soul to achieve it (considering Pristine souls are effectively Deus Ex Machina).
The advantages would be the prestige that would result from making a dragon your 'servant', because I doubt something like that is a usual occurrence (if it has ever happened before).
We would be known as the guy who is so awesome that we made a dragons head into paste, and then 'tamed' (for the lack of better term) another.

Then there is the fact that a dragon is essentially a huge flying monster thing that can spew acid fire, for which there is little defense.
It's main strenght is staying out of reach while shooting fire-acid.

The downside would be it's relatively low durability, though if we actually fused it with the proto-soul (and PS) to essentially make it into a deep-spawn, then it would probably become more durable, and at least the regeneration would make up for it plenty.

If, however, the idea of making it into one of our spawn is an impossible idea... then it is an AA to the face.
>>
No. 239501 ID: 6cfaad

I don't understand where the idea that these things are pushovers came from. One is going toe to toe with Korgotyo, who matched a Living Legend in combat, and they can at least give pause to Oz the Breaker. A dragon incursion was considered by Lubu enough to mitigate 100-1 odds.

Admittedly, I AM partially banking on the idea that fusing it with a deep spawn egg will give it similar attributes to a deep spawn.

However, Glue's and Falcon's suggestions have merit, and if need-be, I would see no problem with going those routes.
>>
No. 239502 ID: 445c48

>>239389
Second. Dragons don't seem very... useful. At all. Definitely not worth spending a p soul or a deep spawn egg or a whatever. Maybe enough to spend a couple hundred marks for a young one, but nothing more.

Besides, we already have the best pet, Moss.


Also, don't use the AA here. We've got plenty of other tools at our disposal that we can use to kill the dragon, hell we could probably just shoot blades at it. No need to use up this nice tasty charge we've been building for... how long? Anyways, I think that would better be used as our Ace in the hole if we need to fight Jioga.
>>
No. 239504 ID: 9338f5

>>239501
There were probably more dragons attacking the capital.

As i understand it the danger stems from the dragons "Float like a butterfly sting like a bee" tactic. A multi-ton golem would likely slow any but the largest. Theres also the problems of feeding it and the weak armour.
>>
No. 239505 ID: e5b1bf

On a tangentially related subject, it seems that belief can empower something (e.g. Dragons, DragonSparks, and dragons as well porbably). Apparently, belief produces a free-floating 'pool' of magic (or something that empowers things) that the subject of the belief can tap into. One of the last Secret Bonuses we got was on the subject of Athelens declaring a new national religion, based on the worship of Leylines, sending magic to the Leylines. Since Leylines are 'blood vessels', of a sort, of the System, and the System can be overwhelmed with too much energy, if Athelens' new religion were to get popular, there would probably be an increased rate of Core Being manifestations, from the influx of magic from the belief of Leylines from the surface forcing the Deep Spawn Administrators to shunted more energy faster.

That was just me trying to get a PS.

On a more related topic, if we were to kill the dragon, as seems to be getting popular, what would happen if we do kill the dragon, and not take care of the massive corpse? The dragon is massive and would fall on the town, probably crushing buildings and civilians in the process.
>>
No. 239506 ID: 8fc362

I have to agree with 'No Dragon' suggestions. Because these dragons do seem to be push overs, we have no idea what would happen if we gave them a soul, and we are right over a town that we have been building up a pretty good rep with, and I don't want that to fail because the dragon suddenly became over powered, went on a rampage, and burnt down half the town.

The other reason I say no is because I want our mount to be able to grow with us rather then be dragged down with a protosoul. If you do want a dragon, the better idea would to ask Lenyrt for a ponystallion golem that would be an extension of our will, infused with Niddhog so it will not only be a stallion fit for a king, but it will also turn into a dragon fit for an emperor and a weapon-platform fit for Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann that we can also GATTAI with

I am also on the edge between needing to use our AA and waiting to use it - mostly because if we impress these people enough, we'll have a statue erect to us and we'll get a new town that loves the hell out of us.

Also, Ash Dragon is Lubu's only ally. If we AA him, he has a likelihood of dying as our AA is rather...one of our 'high powered' weapons. So we really need to talk him down and discuss this like gentleman, not fight like gentleman.
>>
No. 239507 ID: 6cfaad

>>239502
Max charge is 3 days worth of marching. Everything beyond extends the length of time the beam persists.

And there's no need to be stingy with the beam. If necessary, the AA can be used to bring down two of the beasts if played right. (Annihilator one, Infernal Lance the other)
>>
No. 239508 ID: 445c48

>>239505
Ah, right, forgot about the belief empowerment thing. It's a good thing there aren't too many popular religions in this world, otherwise we might get something like discworld.
>>
No. 239510 ID: 6cfaad

>>239506
Ugh, I really don't want us to waste a perfectly good boon that could be used on more direct improvements to Mordre's capabilities.

Also, I pray we never get a pony/stallion golem. Not a fan of the concept, I must say.
>>
No. 239513 ID: e5b1bf

On the dragons are pushovers thing, they only seem to be pushovers becuase we used an overpowered attack at ridiculous speeds. I do want a dragon minion; I agree not now, unless the split part of our soul, imbuing a Deep Spawn egg, and binding the proto-soul of a dragon (also, if we do this, the dragon won't have a proto-soul, since we are splitting our whole, fully grown soul to force the evolution and growth of the dragon's proto-soul) process works to gain us a loyal follower.
>>
No. 239516 ID: 36c283

>>239510
Same here
>>
No. 239525 ID: 9338f5

>>239516
Its a funny idea but impractical. If we want one that badly grab a lump of metal and magneto the hell out of it untill it looks like a horse and moves how we want it.

Also I would much prefer a Top hat or Wizard hat to a steed.
>>
No. 239528 ID: e31d52

>Top hat

...

Just a moment, I'll be right back.
>>
No. 239529 ID: ecb77d

>>239525
It's more a matter of inanity than impracticality, personally.

I cannot get behind an idea that involves becoming Voltron or TTGL with your steed.
>>
No. 239531 ID: 8fc362

>>239505
Yeah, this is something we should look into. Stopping or directing worship at ourselves is up in the air right now, but we should maybe visit the Harksburton estate. In a little bit, we should spend some time at home rather then, you know, traversing the world all the time.

And I'll leave arguments about the awesome idea of having a triple-changer steed to the discussion thread.
>>
No. 239534 ID: 445c48

>>239510
Well, I don't say we use a boon to get it or anything, but, in the fullness of time, when we get the ability to make it, it would mesh quite well with our current Knightly look and be quite funny. Not effective, so obviously we only ride it when trying to look impressive,as a mount gives a certain finished look.
>>
No. 239536 ID: 445c48

>>239529
Oh, right, well, the combining idea is really silly and I don't like that bit too much.
>>
No. 239540 ID: c1ef66

I don't want to make the dragon a mount, i just want a dragon, that was the idea when Nidhogg was named.

I just believe that forming it around the body, mind and soul of an actual dragon would give it a boost in growth and awesomeness.

Seriously, the only reason I would want a mount is if it could reach our top speed without issue and if Arkus (or someone else) could make it so that it linked with our AA and/or had one of its own.

And you know, we could give the dragon to Keddic if we so desire, not that I am suggesting that, just idle banter.


In any case, we gotta take out this one, I think we agreed on that.
Using the AA would be practical only if we decided to take them all out ourselves and show off to the folks, which would be odd considering we just asked Jag for help.

After our stints with Bang, Keddic and Oz, I am in full fighter type thought mode. It's gonna take me awhile to get back into Mordre mode.

hmmmmmmmmmm

MIMIC LUBU!
Soulfire and Pyromancy control it, Nexus boostx2
GIANT FIRE WAVE THING!!!!!!!!
>>
No. 239581 ID: a76809

>>239421
[Nope. The ones loaded on your sides did not get changed, only the ones actively in the Blade Launcher, which you guys never changed out, so you still don't know if you can generate these blades or only have the six. The other ten you have can still be used as regular saws just fine though.]

>>239095
For some wild reason, errant thoughts of news I heard idly some time ago, secondhand Arkus to Phohn to me, flits back into my mind. Athelens, a nation known to provide the majority of many staple foodstuffs, is now worshiping the leylines, the System, the veins of the Caged One. Now that I have a firmer grasp of what belief can do, some form of multi-dimensional magic that slowly pools and can be tapped by the subject of belief to their own benefit, I find this worship concerning. It could ultimately threaten the System in one of a multitude of ways, depending on how the pooled mass belief effects the subjects. ...Should their ways spread enough, it could rapidly accelerate Core Being manifestations, or even induce Deep Spawn reprisals to the mortals above. Even as I feel tense about the new known threat, I feel pleased at the bit of mental agility I squeezed into a barest fraction of an instant.

[MOMENT OF INSPIRATION+1 PRISTINE SOUL TOTAL: 04]

>>239379
I embed two of the runed rings in the ground, widely spaced in gaps in the crowd, as I encircle my wrists and feet alike, chaining my own magnetic field (as I drop the Disjoining rune) to the excessive fields of my altered weapons. If I am right, between Magnetomancy and Kinetomancy, I should be able to fly within a general vicinity of my anchors. ...But for this, there is no question that I will need the power... of Blood. I rapidly turn magic inward and reach out for what I know is coming.

TH-THUMP

>>239540
>>239534
>>239513
>>239327
>>239497
>>239442
>>239376
>>239339
I soar skyward by vector and magnetic manipulation alike, my theory holding strong as I flit through the air, the diving dragon's eyes snapping open wide as pupils dilate, reacting to my change in mobility. Riding on the brash confidence of having my relatively ramshackle hypothesis about magnetic field manipulation prove out, stoking the fires of my ego, I see another option before me:

--dragons do not have souls of their own, being animals lacking an ego on which ambition, resolve etc. can grow on.
--the Deep Spawn cores, of which I still have 39, allow me to graft part of my soul to a budding existence to bind it to me.
--Pristine souls, four currently in my possession as best I can make out, allow me to graft or conjoin things together, something I have seen ample evidence of.
--dragons, lacking a formal soul, DO have something other animals lack: proto-soul, and a considerable amount of it.
--Given the above, it seems logically possible that, using a Pristine Soul as a connecting and strengthening agent, I can graft a Deep Spawn core to the dragon, and bind the collective existence that results to my will, forever-after.

TH-THUMP

The sheer audacity, the arrogance to turn a monster terrifying the populace into my plaything, make it my own because I can, intrigues me far more than the fame I expect would come with slaying a dragon in a single shot and then enslaving another, further fame to add to my name-and draw myself closer to the title Jeagrezweistrik challenged me to live up to: Indelible Dragon Mordre the Ascendent.

TH-THUMP

Slipping by a horizontally fired flaming spitball the size of a horse before evading a slashing claw, I dive in deep, further shocking the beast, so unused to prey moving TOWARDS its head. I close with a speed I find impressive, aerially able to rival what Merrack now grants me with Nimble Nitro, and stretch out my left hand, a Deep Spawn egg proffered forth as with a surge of energy I channel my fabricated Blood magic, along with a Pristine Soul I wrest from its paradoxical existence within my Soul Furnace, into dragon and egg alike. I hear The Radical AxeGod's music pushing people back, away from the incursion zone even as it mounds up, pushing the bearer of the shifting axe skyward in my wake. My view, completely filled with the enormity of the beast I target, writhes into madness as the magic begins.

TH-THUMP

Spines erupt from the dragon's back, cruel and saw edged, wicked and wild. scales mutate as well, growing thicker, spurs becoming spikes as the whole of its body begins to grow thorny, tooth-like. Claws, once surprisingly fine and suited to flensing, grow heavier, hardened knobs along their bone ridges making any wound they cause far more gory. A bone crest sprouts from the previously unadorned skull, vicious and regal. The neck grows longer, the rows of teeth extend farther back, as a Name is considered.

>Nidhogg embodies the concept of BEASTS, manifesting as WRATH and STRENGTH.

I think of a Beast. Power, raw and primal, untainted by civility, power unrestrained. I think of the proud hunter, the king of their domain, slaying any they please, their might supreme. I cradle these concepts seen in many ways throughout the lands, and I instill them into what I craft, Mortal animal and Immortal bound existence melding together as a sense of knowing flows to me.

TH-THUMP

>-Nidhogg is defined as a Beast parasite. It inhabits a non-souled body, drawing power from their existence, and warping the shell around them.
>-Nidhogg's soul gains power through the experiences of these bodies, and can bring that potency with it to new vessels, potentially allowing an older Nidhogg to elicit similar potency as a dragon from, say, a cat.
>-To change form, Nidhogg must slay and consume what new form is desired as host.
>-Nidhogg cannot speak or in any way articulate words, so bound into dominating animalistic and primal essences, but it can comprehend any orders given verbally or via Phohn.
>-Nidhogg fully brings the Deep Spawn augmentations, regenerative and directly bolstering alike, into its host. In this case, the dragon is now significantly stronger physically and enormously more powerful magically, and can heal unscaled at the rate of its smaller brethren.
>-Nidhogg can manifest a number of spawn based partly on its current host. Currently up to thirty eight wyvern like spawn can be manifested, significantly stronger than normal spawn.
>-Nidhogg removes the need for a host to eat, but also grants methods of consuming power through feasting. The dragon's innate ability to feast on magic is bolstered to twice its original strength.
>-the Dragon Nidhogg controls is gifted with combat Aeromancy and Gravimancy. Nidhogg has expanded the methods in which these can be applied, becoming much more nimble, and partly extended them into the realm of the Arcane, now able to reach up to fifty feet from its body.

[-1 PRISTINE SOUL TOTAL: 03]

TH-THUMP

As Nidhogg the dragon turns soulful eyes on me, dropping its gaze in supplication as it hovers in place, the screams from below abort as the diving dragon never lands. I turn to Jeagrezweistrik as he reaches my side, moving myself to Nidhogg's back and taking a seat betwixt spines, showing my dominion over the altered beast/Deep Spawn for all to see. I offer a simple bit of my thoughts to the highly attentive Paradox Knight floating on wings made of music.

"I do believe this one is no longer a threat, as it were. Perchance, would you like a ride in style to another dragon of your choice?"

"WE, ARE THE CHAMPIONS, MY FRIEND!
WE'LL KEEP ON FIGHTING TO THE END!


TH-THUMP

With Jeagrezweistrik leaping to perch upon a spine's top, I consider:




Where should I bring Nidhogg, myself and the Radical AxeGod?
To Oz and Dulu's side, or Korgotyo's? The pair have trouble solidly striking at their foe, while the Rageglut is being pressured by the beast's sheer ferocity. Either could use my aid.
So what do I do?
>>
No. 239586 ID: e31d52

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAH

PET DRAGON MOTHERFUCKERS

PET

MOTHERFUCKING

DRAGON

Nidhogg should focus on helping out Korgotyo, have him manifest his spawn.

You will help the others. Tell Oz and Dulu to give you an opening and leap from one back to the other, DRILLING INTO THE BASE OF ITS NECK WITH THE SABLE EXECUTIONER.
>>
No. 239588 ID: c1ef66

Rageglut.
>>
No. 239589 ID: e31d52

>>239586
((Also you misqouted there buddy thought you should know.))
>>
No. 239592 ID: 9338f5

>>239581
Korgotyo, Oz is a bit stronger than him and is mostly unwounded he also has the help of Dulu.
>>
No. 239595 ID: a594b9

Korgotyo lost to Oz. Let's help him.
>>
No. 239596 ID: 46c430

>>239581
If Oz and Dulu simply can't finish their fight, then they can stand to be left alone a little longer. Korgotyo being pressured is worse, suggests he's in danger. If nothing else, we might be able to use our cannon again, railgun version or normal, to provide ranged aid if it is needed.
>>
No. 239597 ID: 45be60

I will accept this. This is better than the pony, and suitably epic. proceed.
>>
No. 239607 ID: c1ef66

Oh, you might want to deactivate the heart now.... and reclaim your rings.
>>
No. 239609 ID: d3dfb8

>>239596
This, also Oz is probably having the time of his life fighting that dragon.

Don't forget to grab the two blades, those might be precious, we haven't tried to replicate them. Speaking of which, grab the two blades in our and and start production on another two blades to see if they come out as these new ones or as boring old ones.
>>
No. 239612 ID: c1ef66

While flying, gram mundane rings, hold in hand.

Kenectomancy+Magnetomancy+Accelerator throw at the dragon.
>>
No. 239620 ID: 445c48
 

Send the Wyverns to attack the one going after Oz and Dulu, if Burdko is back yet, get him to run over there and tell Oz and Dulu that the Wyverns are bros, try not to stab them. Then, go help the Ragelut. Has your cannon cooled enough to fire regular rounds? If not, and if Nidhogg could use Arcane Aeromancy without crippling his flight, get him to aeromance the cannon cool. Also , magnetomance your altered blades that you left on the ground to you, and fire off a round of normal blades. If that hasn't killed him, Magnetomance your anchors closer to the other dragon, then jump off, propel yourself at it, and hit it with SGA, your SE, hell maybe try smacking it with your super-hot cannon. Be sure to sing that you're a shooting star leaping through the sky, like a tiger, defying the laws of gravity. That you are a racing car, passing by, and, like Lady Godiva, you're going to go go go, there's no stopping you, you're burning through the sky, two thousand degrees, that's why they call you Mr. Fahrenheit.

Can Nidhogg transform? Are his forms "saved", or is it one after the other, no going back unless you kill and eat it again? Also, we totally need to make this guy a nametag, and light armor. I'm sure Del Rogo will make some great stuff, though we can expect to pay out the eyesockets. Armor would probably be good for Sadronm, maybe.
>>
No. 239631 ID: f4e4f9

>>239620
If he can't now, it's possible that he can eventually develop the capacity as he grows stronger with experience or bindings.
>>
No. 239641 ID: 9e5b05

Body hopping deep-spawn? Why yes, that is fucking more amazing then a dragon. In a few years, he will go into a cat. And it will be awesome.

Anyway, I'm in favor of going to help Dulu, just so we can impress him and Oz.

>>239620
And I support this method of asskicking and does anyone know any Queen Songs about dragons?
But, fucking awesomely, I don't think Nidhogg has a form. He takes over bodies, not having one of his own. It's own.
>>
No. 239649 ID: 3e56f0

Oz's and Dulu's problem is a matter of reach, as we saw in Oz's fight with Korgotyo; the two are mainly land-bound fighters, and therefore lack the means to attack the air-borne dragon. Fortunately, we have at least two groups of spawn that can carry, working together maybe, the two to the dragon: Nidhogg's wyverns and Burduko's cloth-wrapped bundles of air. If the two groups of spawn were to provide some sort of ground-to-air transport (e.g. mounts, landing areas for leaps), likely, once the two get on the dragon, the fight would be easily finished.

Korgotyo, on the other hand, has the problem of handling the beast on his own. The dragon is too quick and its attacks too dangerous for Korgotyo to simply kill: perhaps his submission attacks just don't harm the dragon enough to paralyze it long enough for him to pummel the dragon to death, or the dragon is too quick and escapes the chains Korgotyo relies on. In any case, helping Korgotyo, by providing distractions or hurting it enough to kill it ourselves, is probably the best choice.
>>
No. 239652 ID: c1ef66

Ah, well Oz can get them by being creative. All he really needs to do is a few Jade fist techs along with roping it down with his wires.

Maybe a little iron body.

for example, Earth pillar up, iron body, Jade fist-far fist move, rope in, rending strike. i am sure there is an air/wind based fist style around here, he can use that too.

He can have two basic ones from my personal character's repertoire, they should be applicable with any variation of the style.

Tornado fist - A vortex of wind erupts from the attackers fist, slicing and pushing the foe back.

Tornado pillar - The attacker strikes the ground with a variant of tornado fist, causing a wall of spinning air to erupt. This can deflect enemy strikes and launch objects into the air, or suck them in and down, depending on what the user chooses.

Simple, yet effective.
>>
No. 239670 ID: 3e56f0

>>239652
Yes, but what about poor Dulu? He doesn't have any cool magic tricks.
>>
No. 239671 ID: 445c48

>>239670
He has his staff, so he's got a bow.
>>
No. 239673 ID: c1ef66

>>239670
Dulu: "Oz, Hit me"
Oz: "What?"
Dulu: "You heard me, gimme your best shot"
Oz: *shrug* "Ok then"

DULUx10 (or dead)

Too bad they have that pesky language barrier.
>>
No. 239676 ID: 3e56f0

>>239673
>>239671
...Oh yeah. And there's always Phohn for the language barrier.
>>
No. 239693 ID: 69bee4

Speaking of Phohn, we probably need to stabilize that situation, else I suspect the Ash Dragon will likely kill Phohn (as we know he was willing to attack the others), take our sword (Bob basically said this was the response if we stayed to help fight dragons), and worst of all be totally rude towards our hosts!

Tell Phohn that we agree to meet the Ash Dragon with Oz as long as hes fine with it, within a couple of hours, under the condition he do nothing to harm our charges, and not inconvenience our hosts further.
>>
No. 239699 ID: a594b9

If we want to speak to Oz we should speak through a Phohn-spawn instead of speaking to his mind again. He didn't seem to appreciate that. Heck, we should do that to pretty much everyone unless it's really necessary/we have permission.
>>
No. 239707 ID: a76809

>>239607
Before I even make a choice, I deactivate my use of Blood magic and return to Will, even as I slot all six (including the pair I retrieve from the ground) one my left hip holster, preparing the four they displace to be fired as I test whether regenerated blades carry these new enhancements. Likewise, considering how much attention is on me, I'd rather keep the knowledge I can use Blood magic somewhat muted for the time being. With Nidhogg to rely upon, that should not be an issue.

>>239588
>>239592
>>239595
>>239596
>>239620
>>239641
[No going back to past forms. Nidhogg becomes what it eats if it actively chooses so, but once changed cannot undo the change, only get a new form.]
Through Phohn, I tell Oz and Dulu that help is on the way, some thirty-eight spawn the size of wagons coming with the aid of flight, while some twenty (courtesy of Burduko) will be hot on their heels. As I communicate this, I direct the two Deep Spawn in question to do exactly what I just promised, manifesting spawn on demand. While the sudden flock of compact dragonettes wheels off, I direct Nidhogg towards Korgotyo, prioritizing the pressed fighter. Heavy wingbeats that do little to keep us in the air accompany potent Aeromancy and Gravimancy, my own body seeming to weigh but a thousand pounds at the moment. I consider my still glowing and warping barrel, so blindingly hot, and consider Nidhogg's magic. I begin pooling heat via Pyromancy towards the surface, even as I request cold winds to constantly blast past the barrel, to expedite its return to use. Whilst I do this, I use Magetomancy and the Accelerator ability in my Left hand to launch the saw blades at high speed, a vanguard to our coming entry, two slicing into the dragon's scales to some penetration, another deflecting from poor angle and a fourth missing completely, the dragon surprising me with its sinuous and flexible movements. ...Can Nidhogg's body do the same?


>>239649
>>239673
Two sets of events begin to transpire concurrently more than a mile apart.

Nidhogg's spawn arrive to the aid of Oz and Dulu, with Burduko's own visible in the distance, while I see Oz experimentally slap Dulu with a hand veiled in fire, and upon witnessing the fire wink out and Dulu sprout an extra pair of arms, he hauls back and delivers a direct uppercut with a smile. On my own end, Korgotyo sees our approach-and stumbles, witnessing the mutated dragon with myself and a Dragon, a known one at that by the look of it, appear from seemingly nowhere. The dragon facing him hisses as it spits forth a glob of acid, howling as it seeks the Rageglut's life.

Nidhogg acts without the need for orders, a strident roar from a larger throat and mouth heralding a blasting typhoon of Aeromancy, spinning and spraying ignited acid that slams into and throws aside the other dragon's assault. As if Korgotyo never existed, the feral dragon's head rises as it now growls at my mount Nidhog, managing quite well under my weight. At this same time Dulu, now a blazing comet of molten metal, eight arms all bearing blades, weapons and torso alike sporting gaping, crazed maws, hurtles towards a now back-pedaling dragon, even as Oz now hitches a ride with some of Nidhogg's spawn.

As the dragon struggles free of Korgotyo's grip with a surge of motion, semi-real strings by the untold millions blossom forth from my compatriot the AxeGod, ensnaring and binding the dragon as the axe's ever-present shifting begins to make it incrementally bigger. In seconds the axe head itself is five feet across, and growing.

"DON'T.
STOP.
ME.
NOW."


Jeagrezweistrik leaps from Nidhogg's back, axe blossoming ever bigger as it keeps reforming, re-crafting itself, the music that always accompanies him reaching a crescendo as his words boom across the sky.

"LIKE THE FLYING TIGER: SKY LEAPING SHOOTING STAR!!!!"

An axe swings, snicker-snack.

There is an absence of sound, a moment of oppressive silence, of total nonsound that stretches into infinity, as the Chaos axe splits the dragon in twain, the flesh that came in contact with the Dragon's axe immediately festering to boils-that rupture into fire, and explosions, chemical warfare at work as Jeagrezweistrik begins descending to the ground atop a curtain of music, throwing out a proclamation of his strength.

"There's no stopping me!
I'll burn through the sky, oh yeah!"


As this happens, I see Dulu's flailing body, a blur of hectic motion slam into the Dragon's belly, threatening to bounce off of the surprisingly resilient scales-but teeth of metal dig in, and the Golemslain begins carving out his own path, as Oz let's go, now right before the dragon's face, right hand drawing back, a ghostly fist seventy feet tall thundering into existence, now soaring forward as a fist flies. Dulu carves out its heart, and Oz crushes its head, the fourth dragon dead just on the heels of the third. Oz gives Dulu a high-five even as he uses his Ghost Hand to catch the falling carcass before it crushes any buildings-or civilians, as Korgotyo simply watches the biological chain reaction ending with the dragon the AxeGod felled... exploding.

All four dragons are dead.

With the threat dealt with and my cannon's barrel half-way cooled, I am made aware of two things:

Korgotyo, Oz, Dulu, everyone's eyes are on me, and the mount I now sit astride. ...I may wish to make a statement, as I see more than one mouth hanging open in total shock. I take it riding dragons is not a common occurrence.

On top of this, I feel a massive soul, one I must assume to be Ash Dragon Jioga, moving steadily towards my location, originating from the Tyotworro estate. Oz and Dulu are already reaching out to be carried by spawn to our side, those carrying the molten Small Tomb hissing but ultimately ignoring the discomfort as their flesh constantly heals the burns they receive.




What should I say or do?
How should I attempt to explain my dragon, Nidhogg, any of it, and should I try to convey anything to the general populace?
What do I plan to do, now that Jioga is finally going to be meeting me, by the look of it in minutes?
>>
No. 239710 ID: a7ffab

"He he,looks like my gamble paid off"?

scrfe it, im goin ta bed
>>
No. 239711 ID: 69bee4

There is only one thing to say

"Another one bites the dust... for I am Indelible Dragon Mordre the Ascendent! Even the dragons of lore bow towards a future prince of the universe!

When we get a chance to loot: Dragon bones would make an excellent source of carbon to reforge our steel with. Collect some skin, because we need to make a kickass cloak for ourselves, and probably one for Lerynt to go with her Yeti skin cap. Get one/some of the Deep spawn on collection and prep of that stuff.
>>
No. 239712 ID: f4e4f9

"Yes, well, something of an idea struck me at the sight of these creatures, and...well...

I wanted one."


"Rather like my other Followers now. Benign, I assure you."

"More to the pressing matters, it seems Ash Dragon Jioga has appropriated the Tyottworro estates and is moving to this location now...if anyone didn't already notice, that is."
>>
No. 239713 ID: f4e4f9

Oh, one more thing to mention:

"I've named him Nidhogg. What do you think?"
>>
No. 239714 ID: d3dfb8

"... What?"
>>
No. 239715 ID: d3dfb8

>>239714
"Do I have something in my teeth? I have something in my teeth, don't I?"
>>
No. 239716 ID: 9e5b05

"YES! I HAVE A DRAGON!" If possible, get up and start doing a little jig on Nidhogg. "MORDRE THE ASCENDANT HAS ASCENDED!" Rise out fist, and give a whoop!

"Take me to the room where the red's allll red Take me out of my head's what I said yeah!
Hey take me to the room where the green's all green And from what I've seen it's hot it's mean!
"

And cough, an old man getting his breath back, and point. "Pardon...I am..." Cough, wheezing. "I am on a dragon with the most entertaining warrior I have ever met. but," Deep breath. 'I believe that the Ash Dragon is on his way."

And send a message to Hieryou either via Burduko or via Phohn. Legal action may need to be taken.
>>
No. 239719 ID: f4e4f9

Regarding Jioga: In the presence of both Oz the Breaker, Korgotyo the Chained, AND Ancestral Dragon Jaegrezweistrik The Radical AxeGod, this is pretty much guaranteed to be a nonviolent meeting.

We need to get an idea of Jioga's mannerisms. Simple pleasantries at first. See how he responds. Do not bring up his acts of violence against your followers yet, because all things considered, as was mentioned, Jioga IS a follower of Lubu, and it would probably be best for all involved to keep things as cordial as possible.
>>
No. 239720 ID: 9e5b05
 

>>239716
Hm. For some reason, I forgot the link. Fixing that.
>>
No. 239727 ID: 3e56f0

Right, first off, bloodironbloodironbloodiron (aka Magnetomance the dragons' Blood Iron into our maw, unless we want to save some of it for Keddic).
>>
No. 239731 ID: 69bee4

Do not do the speaking to Hieryou via Phohn, either send another deep spawn, or send a spawn of Phonen to speak physically.

Also, total yes to Dragon Blood Iron, if we have time loo from all of the dragons (besides the one we railguned atm, since its a bit too far away). First things first though, showing off, victory cheer and pose!
>>
No. 239732 ID: d3dfb8

>>239731
Also we need to collect their bones so we can burn them and get carbon to replace the carbom content in our steel.
>>
No. 239735 ID: f4e4f9

Hieryou is currently away with the Ragegluts and other defense forces, I thought. Korgotyo mentioned as much. Even if we could communicate with him without Phohn, i'm not sure he'd be able to come.
>>
No. 239754 ID: 36c283

Oh guys, one thing that I've been thinking about.

Lubu wants Oz as an ally because he is a powerful living legend, right? (and it will help to recruit The Figment ... speaking of which, we should ask Oz what his relation with The Figment is)

Keddics teacher, The Lined One, is also a living legend, right?

So... maybe we will be able to recruit BOTH of them somehow? That would be awesome, no?
I think it would help Lubu a lot and I don't think he would care about the fact that The Lined One (TLO) is accused. In fact, he could help us clear TLOs name.

Maybe we should communicate that to Keddic through Phohn?
>>
No. 239757 ID: 36c283

Oh yeah, act nonchalant about it, as if this is every day occurrence to you...
>>
No. 239767 ID: a594b9

"Oh, pardon me, just harnessing the power of your local wildlife. I must say these dragons are quite impressive. I will enjoy having one serving me."
>>
No. 239837 ID: 96066e

>>239714
best response.
>>
No. 239902 ID: 445c48

Seconding "...what?"
>>
No. 239920 ID: 445c48

Oh, and if we ever get back to the house, go to the sparring room and eat the deepspawn blood iron.
>>
No. 239926 ID: e5b1bf

Say, can we affect the proto-souls left over from the death of the two dragons? Particularly, I want to take control of and compress the two proto-souls together to gain a stable proto-soul sphere like one of our Deep Spawn eggs. Even if we wont't be able to turn it into one of our Deep Spawn or something, we would have a great deal of proto-soul for our followers (e.g. Bang, Keddic, Heol) to experiment with and study. Perhaps that would allow them to advance their knowledge of how to affect souls, or gain more power from the proto-souls within their bodies.
>>
No. 239932 ID: 36c283

>>239926
Oh, and while we are at it try to collect blood and bone-marrow too.
>>
No. 239935 ID: 98f885

>>239926
Now you see the benefit of soul magic... which we don't have by the way.

The reasons we have been able to do anything in this realm at all is due to the deep spawn and P.Souls.
>>
No. 239964 ID: 56dc25

>>239707
As one speaking to oneself: "And they told me there was nothing that could realistically serve as a mount for a fifteen-foot, eight-ton golem. Take that, naysayers! Ahaha!"

Followed by >>239714.

Move on from there to congratulate your fellow elite defenders of the town on their most excellent job; was any of the civilians hurt? Make sure that our first displayed concern is for the welfare of the people, to improve our image here.

Then mention to Oz that the Ash Dragon is incoming, doubtless with strong feelings regarding ourself, him, and what should be happening here.

If they ask just how you took over the dragon, I am torn between staring at them and saying "Well, why didn't you?" like it's perfectly natural in spite of how insane that is, saying something like "Very carefully," to make it clear that this is our secret, and recommending that they feel for Nidhogg's soul to discover the answer. Actually, any or all of those would work. Just make it clear that Nidhogg is now a person, lest someone attack him.

Whatever is said to the general populace is probably going to shape our legend throughout the Land of Dragons, which will apply the whole belief thing to it and somewhat shape our power's growth in the future. Personally, my belief is that the number of legendary souls that they have in the Land of Dragons is part of a feedback loop, wherein everyone believes that the soul can be honed and become powerful and legendary and therefore it becomes easier to hone one's soul and become powerful and legendary. It's not that it can't be done in other lands, but it's easier in the Land of Dragons because there is the belief of millions helping to push aspirants towards ever greater power and skill. Unfortunately, I am not certain what to say to best take advantage of this; something inspiring about the nature of the soul, reaffirming that we believe in the humanity and power of our creations (and by extension other nonhuman beings such as ourself), might work well.

If the Ash Dragon is no longer at the Tyotworro estate, then nothing is stopping Burduko from retrieving our sword, yes? I suppose that there's no need to do so at this moment- after all, the dragons are dealt with and we have no intention whatsoever of engaging in combat with the Ash Dragon- but if things get rough don't hesitate to call for it.


What we should NOT do is name ourselves a dragon of any stripe. We can reference our planned adjectives, Indelible and Ascendant, but don't claim a rank that we do not possess. Not in the least because that would open us up to attack by anyone at any time, including the Ash Dragon, should no one object to it.
>>
No. 239976 ID: 577290

>>239964
>belief system causing eaiser growth

do I smell a P.Soul?

Quick, someone predict something.


Hmmm, I believe that as long as we stay here it will be easier for us to become stronger.
>>
No. 239983 ID: 445c48

>>239976
Well, I predict the longer we stay here the easier it will be for us to get called out as anathema (See Oz's description of us, The Iron Mustache's ability to See, general soul whatsits), and also the longer we stay here the bigger chance we've got of getting our shit kicked in (See Oz, Kyorgto, Dragons [Not dragons]).
>>
No. 239986 ID: 577290

Then learn soul magic dammit. Block our soul from view or some bull.
>>
No. 239990 ID: 903f16

>>239707
Whatever we do we need to mention our desired tittle of Indelible Dragon Mordre The Ascendant to further ingrain it into the populaces mind, spread it's use, and have this particularly impressive event tied to it.

Also see if you can't ask Korgotyo and Oz if it'd be alright to appropriate at least one of the carcasses for our use. We need the bones to cook up our monster, some blood for Keddic, scale or hide to make a pretty trinket for Lenryt, and also perhaps some hide to make Bang's luchador mask like the one in the discussion thread.
>>
No. 239991 ID: 445c48

>>239986
Well, we're not too likely to learn that much soul magic in this foray down here. And such hiding might not go well with one who can See, if they ask. But, we've so far not had too much trouble, let us just not give them too much time or cause to really think about it. More Ham, less doubt. Hopefully, Weinsho doesn't receive a... detailed description of us down here. A soul mage, he could probably piece our secret together.
>>
No. 239994 ID: 9338f5

i fully support the "Dont mention being a possible dragon" and "Learn some damn soul magic already" ideas
>>
No. 239998 ID: 445c48

>>239990
Aha, a scale or hide trinket for Lenryt? A good idea. Perhaps after Jioga leaves we can get Burduko to run it back to the Arcanoworks, grab some rubies, and run it to a town to get someone to make it into something. Also, while he's up there, maybe he can grab us some bloody dosh so we can buy stuff down here.
>>
No. 240007 ID: 5f0943

>>239964
I agree with this one.
He speaks words that makes sense!
>>
No. 240037 ID: 716eb0

>>239902
fourthing.
>>
No. 240131 ID: 577290

Simple HAM is the best HAM after all.
>>
No. 240154 ID: e31d52

>>239998
Speaking frankly, Deep Spawn are seen as Demons in this setting. Not everyone is going to like that we have them... and I really don't think one is going to be able to negotiate sales on his own. That would be something we have to do in 'person'.
>>
No. 240163 ID: 445c48

>>240154
Demons down here, at least. And I think Burduko was significantly less weird lookin' than the rest. Well, he can give it to a normal guy, then, and have him run it to a big town.
>>
No. 240164 ID: 36c283

Guys, I though of a simple but an effective way of becoming "Indelible".

We should craft a whole bunch of small metal toys of Mordre and give them out to kids. Also craft a dragon which is mountable by toy Mordre. These toys shouldn't be heavy, make them from a light metal (like aluminum or something). Make them with movable parts and stuff (including a small spring based anti-golem cannon).

... Oh also craft Deep Spawn toys.

Could be cool, and people wont forget us ever.
>>
No. 240167 ID: e31d52

>>240164
Action figures! *squeek squeek*
>>
No. 240169 ID: 36c283

>>240164

Oh, but make sure they don't have sharp edges and small parts.
We don't want children to become hurt after all.

Maybe craft a stand for Mordre to put him up when not in use and write "Indelible Mordre the Ascendant" on the side of it, so that people don't forget the title...
>>
No. 240172 ID: ce0575

When we get the chance, we should send Burduko running off to the mountains to retrieve the dragon's headless corpse. 

>>240164
If we make action figures we're going to need a villain for toy-self to face. Who will be our arch-toy nemesis? Core Beings are too scary for children and don't always look the same. We don't know what Weinsho looks like. Perhaps our action-figure villains should be the FUCKING YETIS!!!!!!!!
>>
No. 240174 ID: 9338f5

>>240164
This could work, but we have to remember Mordre is covered in killy stuff. Any action figure would need to be made child friendly and still look like Mordre, the skull floating in soulfire would be kind of tricky.

This kind of reminds me of the "The Pinky and The Brain" episode where brain trys to use toys with mind control powers to take over the world
>>
No. 240176 ID: a76809
File 128650997842.jpg - (262.97KB , 1280x890 , Land Of Dragons Lubu Protege Ash Dragon Jioga The .jpg )
240176

>>239964
>>239990
[I like the way you think.]

I give quick orders to Phohn, a devious plan coming to mind as I slip into my character of Mordre the mage, once more playing up my displayed persona and its previously evidenced quirks, as I look for a way to get through this potentially awkward situation by once more steel and confounding the show.

"And they told me there was nothing, absolutely nothing, That could realistically serve as a mount for a fifteen-foot, Fifteen-ton golem. Take that, naysayers! Ahaha! You know, I must say, I-"

I act as if only now realizing the gaping reaction my cavalier rumination is incurring, pressing on with my absent-minded mage persona.

>>239714
>>239902
"....What? -Oh, of course how rude of me: I've named him Nidhogg, what do you think?"

Korgotyo is the first to speak, Jeagrezweistrik taking a moment to simply turn his fingers to his axe in music once more, relishing in the revelry, Oz and Dulu both not quite as accustomed to dealing with the egotistical idiosyncrasies that seem so prevalent among those with great personal power. The Rageglut, nursing a torn and rent shoulder but otherwise largely unharmed, speaks slowly, hesitantly.

"...SETTING ASIDE THE FACT THAT DRAGON IS FEMALE....
WHAT DID YOU JUST DO? HOW DID YOU ENSLAVE A DRAGON?"


I affect genuine confusion, calm and hoping to grasp what is wrong, replying with a simple line.

"...Well, why didn't you?"

Again a stunned silence to my words, as Phohn, now having finished asking each individual listener, and everyone who witnessed the dragon incursion in general, if they would like to hear a message, without me having to yell so loud those nearest me are permanently deafened. The message is as follows, and is accepted, I am told, by every single person asked:

I wish to make an Indelible mark in each of your minds,
As through my aid, dragons were slain, the town spared ruin.
I introduce myself as Mordre, a mage in the far north lands,
Acting through this form, the golem you see here before you,
I hope to bring a wave, Ascendantly positive in focus and nature,
And so I ask that you recall my
Name, as I intend further greatness,
In this splendid Land of Dragons.


Even filtered through Phohn, I can feel the swell of responding souls, as my grandstanding, happening completely outside of the knowledge of those directly about me, flits into the minds of tens of thousands, as I plan for the future, now suspecting the title of Dragon to bring literal power, the belief in these lands of Dragon's strength so pervasive as to empower those tapping it. As such, I now hunger to taste this new source of power, to bind myself to this pool of belief, and turn it to my uses. The response my conveyed words incurred is thoroughly gratifying.

And all this happened without me having to do anything, a backdrop to my conversation with Oz, Jeagrezweistrik, Dulu and Korgotyo, now resuming as the Breaker himself finally speaks.

"...We did ask first, so come on, just answer the guy, will ya?"
"I made Nidhogg.... very carefully."
"..Ah, okay, so this is a thing you can do, then?"
"Surely you can feel the soul yourself, Need you any further proof than that?"
"...Really gotta say, I don't know if I can even handle the amount of crazy around you. Makin' demons that are actually great guys in general, controlling what sure as hell feels like an Ancestral Tomb, got that crazy as cannon, stirring trouble with Dragons-"
"Oh yes, I really must mention: Ash Dragon Jioga is on his way right here, And should be here any minute now. Thought I should mention that."

[+17 HAM points, modified for importance of moment. New Total: 096 Next Bonus: 100]

Expansive, muscled and scarred shoulders, skin melding to metal and rolling as Oz seems to give up, and give the world the universal gesture for mentally reaching the conclusion of: 'meh'. Now seemingly resigned to bemused expectation, The Left Handed God of the Fist simply turns to wait, swiveling about before orienting on Jioga's incoming soul. Korgotyo seems to struggle with my flippant disregard for gravity for longer, before a roar from above draws attention, a heretofore unseen fifth dragon, having taken a long, arcing climb to great heights, now dives like an olive fist of vengeance, plummeting towards a section of town away from all of us. Even astride the still-hovering Nidhogg, considering its speed and distance, I cannot reach it.

Yet when I see a gray blur swipe up from the ground, I feel only trepidation as a simple sword, no longer than four fleet flashes out, and the dragon falls to pieces, sliced a thousandfold, finely diced gobbets falling to the ground-

As the recipient of the welling soul stands before me, Ash Dragon Jioga sheathing a simple looking sword at his side-holding the massive cleaver that is the Edge of Oblivion in his off hand, addressing the gaping civilians around him and our own group all at the same time.

>[Jioga]"I am Ash Dragon Jioga the Arbiter, and I am here to both bring the glory of the new High Dragon Lubu, to show the wonder his rule can bring, as well as to proudly extend an offer of kinship to Oz the Breaker, the Left Handed God of the Fist, who-"
[Oz]"Right, you can piss off you pompous grand-stander, you just killed a dragon, hell Mordre here slew one and conquered another, he ain't even a Dragon!"

At this remark, I see Jeagrezweistrik's fingers, dancing on his axes semi-real threads, twitch and flutter, before Oz goes on.

"He's been a great host, a good traveling partner, and as I understand it, you'd be asking me to ditch than and come with you, is that right?"

Clearly not expecting the welcome he's getting, and casting a suspiciously bland look my way, Jioga continue after only a momentary pause.

>"...Of course not. You and your... friend, all can come with me to meet the High Dragon! I have hundreds with me here, I am certain we can accommodate you all in opulence."

A retort Oz does not seem all that aversive to.




What should I say or do?
[And exactly how do you guys propose the Deep Spawn harvest blood, or not look scary as fuck harvesting bone? Just asking.]
>>
No. 240177 ID: 3e56f0

>>240164
...I suppose that would be a way to get people to remember us, but... how is that "Ascendant"? Or playing with the double meanings of "Indelible"?

...You know... Hmm... Remember those ideas back like near the beginning of the first discussion thread? Where ideas for how to establish long-distance communication were thrown around? And Bob said that if we were to construct life-sized models of our head and place them over Leylines, we could create a communication network? Well, if we are going to make models of us, can't we co-opt that idea to spread a communication/spy network? We need to eat some runecrafters or get Arkus/other runecrafters to actually realize the concept, but having a spy network made of innocuous toys scattered everywhere-

Actually, I don't really know what that would do, I am too distracted right now, but I certainly like the idea.
>>
No. 240179 ID: 445c48

I'm not quite sure action figures convey the right... image for a Dragon. Not, at least, with the title we've picked. First off, kinda silly, not too great for someone that's supposed to be a military leader and such. Second, kids always break or lose their toys. Hardly indelible!
>>
No. 240183 ID: 36c283

>>240177
Well, Bob also said that it was a great way to take over our mind if one knew what he was doing...
>>
No. 240184 ID: e31d52

"You have nigh crippled two friends of mine.

"You have attempted, and failed, rather spectacularily to grandstand me just now.

"You have hounded me, prevented me from accessing my own equipment, and been nothing, nothing, but a thorn in my side, Ash Dragon! You have acted in illegality against me! No! I will not follow you. To merely walk the same path as you is an insult!"
>>
No. 240185 ID: 577290

Jeagrezweistrik is slightly confused, maybe a bit pissed.
>>
No. 240187 ID: 577290

He, no worries bro. I think we have left enough of an impression on Oz that no matter the outcome he will put in a good word for us with Lubu... but just in case.

Screw it, come up with that response later.

Ask him for your weapon back and what happened to the one repairing it.
>>
No. 240190 ID: 36c283

Nah, I think we should be as amiable as possible towards Jioga

But while talking to him we should discreetly hint that what he did was several counts of illegal and we can file a formal complaint if we must.
>>
No. 240191 ID: 445c48

>>240184
>[And exactly how do you guys propose the Deep Spawn harvest blood, or not look scary as fuck harvesting bone? Just asking.]

A good point. I suggest the big tough spawn try and lift/drag the corpse a good way away from town before doing anything special with it, maybe with Nidhogg helping with gravimancy.

>>240184
I think this is what's known as "Cruising for a bruising". Oz can get away with it, he's the Left Handed God of the Fist after all, but we... We're not that strong. We've got to wrap up our insults words in diplomacy.

Also, after you say something, the wording of which I'll either leave to better wordsmiths than I or stumble in drunkenly at 3 AM and plop something down myself, ask for your sword back.

>>240187
I think they all came with us. Right? I think so. Only one I wasn't sure about was Vel, and I just checked that.
>>
No. 240195 ID: f4e4f9

>>240176
"Well, now, all things considered, I hardly think there's any current need for hostility. Dragon Jioga, I do believe this is the first time we've truly met...well, so to speak. Golem and all that.

Before anything else is said, though, I'd like to thank you for the assistance. Had you not intervened, I'd hate to think what that dragon would have done. Honestly, they may lack higher thought, but that was an interesting bit of cunning it showed. Additionally, I see you've retrieved my blade."

Concurrent with this, direct the following to Jioga mentally via Phohn:

Well met, indeed. You must understand my worry for the residents. My follower informed me that he was threatened under pain of death when approaching the estates to retrieve my blade.


I trust, as would-be allies under forced competition, we can still be civil.

>>
No. 240198 ID: f4e4f9

>>240184
DO not, DO NOT, mention his illegal acts against us. That is to be worked out PRIVATELY.

Jioga is one of Lubu's most trusted allies and advisors. It will not be good for us to destroy his reputation unnecessarily.
>>
No. 240201 ID: 9e5b05

>>240177
Because MIGHTY MAGE MORDRE AND HIS MANY ALLIES© will fight day and night against the evil forces of WILY WEINSHO© where ever there's trouble!! MIGHTY MAGE MORDRE© along with EL BANG©, LION-MAN KEDDIC©, THE EVERLEARNING ARKUS© AND THE PRIMAL TWINS© will defeat any foe, from the evil BARON VON BELLY©, THE TROLL-YETI©, or BLOODYBUTCHER© in their effort to Protect the World!!!!

COLLECT THEM ALL!

Anyyyway:
"Nidhogg, girl, down," And pat our new Deep Spawn's head as it hopefully circles lower to the ground. 'Dust' ourselves off and focus our magnetomancy to pop out any dings and look the most regal we possibly can. Walk forward and bow before we stand and remove OUR sword from his hand, as gently as we can with a nod. "Thank you for my sword back, I did wish it during the battle but I see it was not needed." Pause, as if to consider his words "Very well! We shall ready ourselves and leave in the morn. I believe I still have a few orders of business to do and of course we must stock up on food, wine, and combat before we leave! As we are both journeying to the same place, I see no reason to pass this hospitality. Ah, but I warn you, if this is some sort of trickery to gain Lubu's favor, I will be cross and will be forced to use legal action." Turn and put our giant sword onto its holster. "Now! Organ Harvesting!" March toward the fallen dragons. "yes, yes, some bile, I think, a heart of course...Now, what did that spell require? Liver! Yes, that's it! Oh! Yes, gentleman!" Stand up, turning, covered in blood. "How does dragon cook?"
>>
No. 240202 ID: 445c48

>>240198
Agreed. I think, though, that we should perhaps vaguely hint at them, and get Vandgurd and Zelgoto to lumber into view, if they're not already. Perhaps something about overhearing of some trouble on the road? I don't know I need to sleep.


>>240195
I do not believe using Phohn's mental communication abilities would be a good idea, personally. At least not this early in the proceedings.

I do like the "I see you've retrieved my sword" bit though.
>>
No. 240204 ID: 69bee4

nah, I consider it very unlikely that Jioga would take the extremely direct path with us. Keep in mind, we have a dragon on our side (at least for the moment, hes probably more neutral), a living legend off Dragon fighting levels against being taken, and we just looked like insane heros. All things considered, fighting us would probably end up with his army basically dead, and looking horrible.

Mentally command the deep spawn to collect the closer dragon corpses and drag them out of sight/town. Then begin collection of parts such as skin and bone... alternatively, we could first ignore the situation at hand, and begin absorbing dragon blood. To continue Acting like this is no big deal, we just kinda go "Ah, shame Oz dosen't wanna join you, now excuse me, I have a kickass dragon to ride".
>>
No. 240205 ID: 9e5b05

>>240185
Oh yes, good point.

"Not a Dragon Yet, Oz. I am a spry man in his mid," coughsplutternotthatold,darnit. "And I still have my youth and good looks on my - I CAN HEAR YOU GIGGLING AT THE DOOR, YOUNG LADY! I AM NOT OLD! A MAN PAST SEVENTY IS NOT OLD!"

Note: Edit this when someone finds that master-copy of the backstory we wrote up when we were on Magicless-Island.
>>
No. 240208 ID: f4e4f9

>>240202

Vandgurd and Zelgoto being in view should be MORE than sufficient insinuation that we know what he did. Perhaps match their arrival with a Phohn-call to Jioga saying something like:

Yes, I know, Dragon Jioga. I do not intend to publicly say anything, but for fear that your actions indicated an attempt to do me or my disciples further harm, I HAVE taken precautions regarding the legality of your acts.

Know that if possible, I would like to keep it out of the public eye, as I am given to understand that you are a loyal follower of Lubu, and I would not want to deprive him of a potent ally in these turbulent times.

This I swear.

>>
No. 240211 ID: e31d52

>"Now! Organ Harvesting!"

I giggled.
>>
No. 240212 ID: 46c430

Honestly, I'm tempted to suggest we simply go along with this, and head back to Lubu. We can have it out with the Ash Dragon over his attacking our friends in front of him and in private.

>>240201
This on the whole seems like a rather good idea, though minus the public organ harvesting, as it comes across as very, very callous and rather horrifying on the whole. Though, perhaps we may ask about what's to be done with the corpses.

>>240176
...Last but not least, if there really is a crying girl like in the pic, can we try comforting her or something?
>>
No. 240217 ID: 9e5b05

>>240212
Well, we are an old Mage. I mean harvesting that fiddly bit at the back of the head, and those little wee pulsing organs under the stomach is practically our job. But yes, if that horrifies anyone, we should stop.
>>
No. 240220 ID: a69afd

>>240176
Begin harvesting the dragon remains. Anyone says anything about it: "Waste not, want not. I am a guest here, and would be positively rude of me if I didn't clean up after myself."

To Jioga: So, I imagine being Fierce Dragon Lubu's right hand man is all work and no play- Would you attend us this evening? The Dragons are slain, the citizens are safe, we must celebrate! This is a perfect chance for us to get to know each other, don't you agree?
>>
No. 240222 ID: 56dc25

>>240176
I think a delicate, off-putting touch is needed here. Whatever we say must attempt to accomplish the following:
-Don't give the Ash Dragon an excuse to attack us.
-Get our sword back.
-Keep our reputation intact, particularly with Oz
-Get Oz to remain with us, as opposed to leaving with the Ash Dragon

Given that, perhaps this. It's talkative, but we have established our persona as quite loquacious- and beyond that, inclined to approach problems from a somewhat circuitous diplomatic route. Our entire adventure with Oz has been one, after all.

"Oz, if I may?" Address Ash Dragon. "Perhaps a moment for our own introductions, before we move on to business. Forgive me if they are unnecessary. You know Oz the Breaker, of course, but perhaps you have yet to meet Korgotyo the Chained, Ancestral Dragon Jaegrezweistrik, or Dulu Thrice-Golem; valiant and capable fellows all. My newest creation here is Nidhogg, and I myself am Mordre, as you have doubtless determined through my description. I do appreciate your being thoughtful enough to bring me my sword; few would be so kind to one set against them in a contest like Lubu's."

At this point he will either claim the sword as his, at which point we will question why he was so rude as to take it from the peaceful home of our honored hosts in this town, or hand it over. Preferably the latter. We can retrieve it in some suitably impressively magical fashion if he does.

Moving on from there. "As for your invitation, I would point out that if Oz does feel like meeting Lubu, my offer stands as well as yours, and transport on dragonback is likely to be a far more entertaining experience than the offered opulence. Though I daresay that I can likely accommodate a few less people."


Things we should NOT do:
-Threaten the Ash Dragon with legal action when things have not yet turned particularly hostile.
-Use any sort of secret communication with him, since we know that Oz hates secrecy and deception, so his breaking that open would lose us major points.
-Act crazy and declare it organ harvesting time (awesome, but no). Whatever Oz decides, we'll have a little more time in town since his apprentice isn't with us and there's likely reconstruction to be done.
>>
No. 240223 ID: 0cfe8b

The only way to really take the organs and bones is if you had a good reason to remove them. Could we offer to cook some dragon steaks then run off with the rest of it somehow.
>>
No. 240225 ID: 3e56f0

>>240205
Maybe we shouldn't bring up our quest to become a Dragon? We don't exactly match his definition of a Dragon that he hates, but the characteristic pervasive and common to Dragons that Oz does hate, and extends that hatred to the person, well, we did exhibit that characteristic when we did our HAM routine. Best not to aggravate him, I think, if we would.

Also, let's get Mury, or his spawn if he's busy with more serious injuries and Korgotyo isn't regenerating/regenerating as fast as a spawn, on healing Korgotyo. Also, thank him for informing us that Nidhogg's dragon is female, and ask how he can tell.

And this is probably paranoia talking but: on the Athelens thing, is the perpetrator behind all that a Fragment of the Caged One? The one we found at the beginning of the quest wanted to possess a body, though it seemed to be unable to possess an ensouled body (quite like Nidhogg, now that I think of it), and it seemed like it could. So, what if a fragment did do what the one from the beginning couldn't: possess a non-souled body? Leylines seem to be governing the health and life of the planet (since they are the blood vessels of the Caged One, who is the soul of the planet, and blood seems to represent life in the cosmology of magic in this setting. ...If World Magic is the blood of the Caged One, what's the WBC analogue?) and if they are weakened or destroyed in an area, the health and life of those who live there suffers (see: the Curse, the description of Necronostrium's ability to reject the power of Leylines in wounds to cause agony and mutation). Since a Fragment of the Caged One is still the Caged One, even only a small part, it follows that a Fragment could manipulate the Leylines in an area to cause the health of the plants in that area to suffer, reducing harvest and producing the crop yields reduction the Secret Bonus revealed. If a fragment did cause that, it would explain why the religion was so quickly adopted; the fragment managed to dominate the upper echelons of the nation into converting to the New World Order. (Kinda like True Edge's influence over Lorgk, though since True Edge wasn't even that powerful enough to completely dominate Lorgk, and -wait. Lorgk's soul was powerful enough to be considered a Heroic Soul, which let him resist True Edge for a time. The leaders of Athelens, being primarily a crop-growing country, probably didn't have Heroic Souls, allowing the Fragment to easily dominate them, especially if it weakened the Leylines by absorbing the World Magic contained inside them, drawing more of the Caged One out and empowering itself.) With its success in converting Athelens into empowering the Caged One, it probably would try the process again, likely with Castiliathen since the country would likely go to war, being a war-happy state (or at least that is my impression of the country), and deplete itself of mortals, weakening the System (perhaps because it removes World Mages, who act as a secondary/tertiary drain on Leylines, draining the Caged One of a little of its power every time they tap directly into a Leyline?), allowing further weakening that the Fragment can exploit to plunge people into a state where they would happily/desperately convert to the New World Order. I really hope that is just paranoia talking...
>>
No. 240227 ID: f4e4f9

>>240225
When did we act holier-than-thou or claim undue credit?
>>
No. 240233 ID: ddd48d
File 128652177849.jpg - (158.79KB , 1354x1296 , IMG_0629.jpg )
240233

>>240223
after whatever discussion we have we could add
"well it seems we have a long night of discussing ahead of us. I must ask though, what of the corpses? Are they...edible?" this would work well with >>240220 's idea to party, and we can harvest certain parts by putting them into 'waste' piles.

>>240201
>COLLECT THEM ALL!
SO SILLY

>>240205
also silly, but :D. although the little part aimed at our 'maid' would have to be in Northern, unless she is the one that speaks Low?

>>240198
i agree wholeheartedly.

>>240222
using transport by dragon as a bargaining chip is a good idea in my book. a silly picture for you my good sir (yes i know the dragon is too small)
>>
No. 240235 ID: e31d52

By the way, an idea for a Deep Spawn just came to me.


Fortgon embodies the concept of RETRIEVAL, manifesting in STORAGE and SPACE.


Not only are his spawn handy-dandy living bags of holding, he himself eats our enemies, stores them, then spits them out where we can conveniently kill them and eat their souls!
>>
No. 240244 ID: 0bd394

Nthing disarming Jioga with courtesy.

Greet him, perform introductions, thank him for his assistance in defending the town and retrieving your sword.
And, as he has only just arrived, he simply must stick around and celebrate victory over the marauding wildlife. Mordre would be only too happy to start frying up dragon burgers for everyone.
...Unless, of course, the town's accommodations are not good enough for him?
>>
No. 240249 ID: d3dfb8

Can we please nickname Nidhogg Puff the Magic Dragon?

We can hum the song while flying :D
>>
No. 240286 ID: 9e5b05

>>240233
"What do you mean you understood what I said? I...Oh, Damn this autotranslater! DAMN MY WISDOM!"
>>
No. 240295 ID: 2a3bc5

There's no need to go confrontational. Jioga is obviously trying to be smooth here so just take the lead and keep things rolling the Mordre way.

Ask if lizard dragons are edible. Whether or not they are suggest that you have a quick dinner buffet. Maybe Jioga can show some of that opulence and pay for drinks and condiments? Definitely call dibs on the body of the dragon you killed with the headshot and ask if you can loot the other ones or if they should go to the town to cover repair costs. If the Deepspawn can procure some large sheets of cloth from the town merchants then they could hang up some cloth curtains on wooden poles around the dead dragons while they disassemble them. A simple, yet effective means of keeping people from seeing bodies getting ripped apart.

State that going to see the High Dragon Lubu is a great idea and now that you've acquired a suitable means of transport everyone important could get on Nidhogg and Nidhogg's dragonettes and fly to Lubu's place. Try to leave Jioga behind in a subtle manner.

A storage Deepspawn is a good idea, but give it an ability with simultaneous combat use. Perhaps focus it around something with lethal applications? Like folding/warping space a bit like Senth or compression so it can compress tons of water, air or soil into a little ball and then have it explosively decompress...
>>
No. 240296 ID: 36c283

>>240295
>Perhaps focus it around something with lethal applications? Like folding/warping space a bit like Senth or compression so it can compress tons of water, air or soil into a little ball and then have it explosively decompress...
Besides that, have him be able to open rifts so that he can offensively "drop" stuff which was stored before.
>Battle
>Open rifts
>Suddenly anti-golem rounds, anti-golem rounds poring from the sky everywhere.


Also, the stuff that he stores should go into stasis mode. We could put in some food and take it out half a year later without worrying that it got spoiled. Hell, we could put bodies in our pocket dimensions.... I wonder if we could hold live people too...
>>
No. 240298 ID: 5f0943

>>240176
"Ash Dragon Jioga, I would presume, given your introduction? I am the mage 'Mordre', you may or may not have heard of me. And... is that my sword you are carrying around there? I really hope you are not planing on keeping it, I'd rather not loose something that is so rare as it is.
But on to the case, you and I technically seem to share the same goal, though I am slightly shocked that you seem to think that a man like Oz would be swayed by grand words and promises of luxury."

And that's mostly all I have to contribute.
Also, let's not do the 'illegal action claim' thing right now, but keep it as an ace in the hole should Jioga go hostile on us.

I'd rather not that happen though, seeing that Jioga is one of Lubu's prime supporters, and a powerful one at that.
If a push came to a shove, we could PROBABLY take him on if we use Immortal Genocide like a boss, because otherwise we are screwed.

I also support not making secret conversations with Jioga over the Phohn, cuz Oz no liek secrecy.

>>240286
auto translators seem to be a good explanation for others understanding what we are saying on both ends.
We can chalk it's fictional existence up to the fact that it would save us time and effort when speaking other languages (we can say that the system would have to be set up first using pre-learned knowledge of a language, in case anyone asks for specifics of it's workings).
>>
No. 240299 ID: 6d4338

>>240298
Don't say "Is that my sword," change it to something like "Ah, I see you found my sword," or something like that. Make it clear that it's your sword, don't leave any doubt about it.
>>
No. 240300 ID: 6d4338

>>240296
Would there be any restrictions we could put on him to make his power fucking stupid?
>>
No. 240304 ID: 46c8d6

Oh yes right...


WHERE THE HECK IS SENTH!
>>
No. 240306 ID: 10f195

>>240286

Sorry, no autotranslator, we already told mustache face that we learned the language, and Rageglut was there during the first confrontation.

I don't want any more confusion to surround us unless we cause it on purpose.


also.
Oh you
>>
No. 240307 ID: 10f195

>>240306
Scratch that.

It could work.

I am being silly.
>>
No. 240313 ID: 9e5b05

>>240306
"Well, yes! Of course I am learning your language! What do you take me for, some kind of barbarian? Pah! But it is easier if I have the autotranslator on. Yes, I will admit that he does get a bit...worrysome, but instead of falling back into the common tongue when I am ordering my allies, it is spoken so most everyone can understand it, don't you see?"

And as a note, does anyone remember how much SOAP we have?
>>
No. 240316 ID: e5b1bf

I'm not completely adverse to the autotranslator idea, but the idea runs into a lot of problems, the primary being: exactly how does the translator work to translate languages? I mean, its the golem itself that translating, or a machine of some kind, and the mechanical translators today run into plenty of problems of that nature.
>>
No. 240318 ID: 5f0943

>>240313
We have 43 SOAP points.
It's a little harder to SOAP than it is to HAM, so we don't get them quite often I think.
>>
No. 240319 ID: 46c430

>>240316
Well, then why don't we just not mention it or something? I don't know.
>>
No. 240320 ID: 5f0943

>>240316
hmm... A temporary answer to that would be that it works on magic, and that we are not quite willing to share it's workings, since it's and experimental device.
Of course, coming up with some technobabble (magicbabble?) on it's workings might make it more convincing.

We can also say that it requires an extensive array of magical equipment and finely attuned crystals/gems, and that the share scale of the thing only makes it practical from the supposed 'golem control room', which is large enough to house the wide array of equipment we use to control the golem from afar.
>>
No. 240321 ID: 445c48

I don't think saying we use an autotranslator is a good idea. It's a lie. Straight up Lies are not a good thing, in a land where there are people can See Truth. The less straight lies we tell, the better.
>>
No. 240322 ID: 9338f5

>>240321
a very good point.
>>
No. 240331 ID: 5f0943

>>240321
Yeah I think I can agree with that.
It's probably just best to drop the entire idea of an auto-translator, at least in the Land of Dragons.
That means that we should also drop >>240205
Because it would be hard to explain why that person understands low and all that stuff.
We should try to stay consistent.

OUTSIDE the land of dragons though, an auto-translator might be a credible explanation.
>>
No. 240340 ID: 9e5b05

>>240331
Eh, we don't need to not use >>240205. Instead of autotranslator, we just say it in Common, or rather:

"Not a Dragon Yet, Oz. I am a spry man in his mid," coughsplutternotthatold,darnit. "And I still have my youth and good looks on my - I CAN HEAR YOU GIGGLING AT THE DOOR, YOUNG LADY! I AM NOT OLD! A MAN PAST SEVENTY IS NOT OLD! WHAT DO YOU MEAN I AM SPEAKING SOM- OH," Switch to common. "Blast it woman, you see how you confuse me? Well now, what is it? Ah, lunch? Well, I'll take that then. Set the Golem for 'Harvest Organs'..." ANd eating sounds while we harvest organs, automatically!
>>
No. 240341 ID: 36c283

>>240340
>Not a Dragon Yet, Oz. I am a spry man in his mid

Don't say that ... we'd better keep our plans to ourself.
>>
No. 240342 ID: 5f0943

>>240340
I got to agree with >>240341
That one isn't all that much better for us...
>>
No. 240343 ID: 445c48

Say something about how opulence would distract from the teaching process for Bagrom.
>>
No. 240352 ID: 716eb0

>>240340
This still runs into the "how does the maid speak the low tongue" question. Honestly, I think that entire conversation line should be scrapped.
Partial truths and misdirection are our bread and butter here.

To that end, I really think we ought to quell all this speculation the locals are having before they come to a conclusion on their own. Maybe not right NOW, but soon. To those who can sense such things, the golem feels like an ancestral tomb, only more potent and more patchwork. This has likely been noted to a greater or lesser degree by most of the more potent personalities we have faced, by simple virtue of the fact that they are sensitive to the weight of soul pressure in those around them. So I will reiterate the explanation mentioned before: The golem is similar in principle to an ancestral tomb, but instead it houses many (admittedly somewhat less potent) warriors working together to achieve what they could not alone. The offer knowledge and advice to Mordre, and lend the golem their strength in their own specialties.

If questioned about specifics, we could discuss Ozmand the Hammer and Zagrath the Unseen preferentially as examples, (friend who fell in battle and offered to join, warrior from a bygone age retrieved from a broken ancestral tomb, joined the golem to see battle once more.)
>>
No. 240376 ID: 36c283

I think its time we tried to improve our form.
We had already saturated our metal with (normal) blood iron, it is time to go for another level.
DO do this our Deep Spawn must start donating a little bit blood to us each day. I am not sure how much we can take but with their regenerative abilities the blood should be restored quit quickly. I think we might get about 10 pounds of blood from each Spawn a day (Nidhogg - 100 pounds). Though, maybe, if we exclude Murhyihal from the list and put him to work on regenerating our Depp Spawn we might get much more than that (I think up to 10 times more).
So, without Muries help we might be able to get 210 pounds of blood a day, and with his help 2000 pounds blood a day. (these are my estimations, maybe they'll be much lower than that)
I forgot how much Mordre weighted.. was it 15000 pounds or 40000 pounds?... So it could take from 8 to 20 days before we completely saturate ourself with Deep Spawn blood.

We can call the new metal "Deep Blootz Steel"
I think it will have some kind of magical ability.... Maybe strengthening the magic we employ many, many.. many times over or something completely new..

Anyway, how do you guys like this?

(oh, please, Bob tell me this is feasible...)
>>
No. 240381 ID: 69bee4

>>240376
Unfortunately, I had this similar concept (and asked Bob about it). It can be done, but there is a problem with it: 'bleeding out' a spawn is like taking out a little bit of its soul. Do this too often, and the Deep Spawn WILL die eventually.
>>
No. 240383 ID: 36c283

>>240381
Maybe we can determine the safe amount of blood which we can take per day? We could just ask them I guess.
And Muri alleviate the strain on the Deep Spawn.
>>
No. 240386 ID: 9c28d1

I don't think he can heal souls.
>>
No. 240390 ID: e7bf04

Dragon blood has to have something useful in it, and the bones as well, we might be able to get away with "cleaning" the bodies up from the town, and then consuming the blood out of sight and having the bones transported back to Arkus.
>>
No. 240391 ID: 46c430

Sure, but we didn't get all the kills. We should split up the 'spoils' between everyone.
>>
No. 240395 ID: f4e4f9

>>240381
If it's actively harmful to our Spawn, I am completely against it.

If you really want to, you could use a boon from Lenryt to improve our form. We've already consumed some Deepspawn blood iron from the Mordreden aftermath.

If you really want to try to salvage the Dragons, then AFTER we've spoken with Jioga and whatnot, ask Korgotyo:

"So what will be done with the Dragon's remains? I can't imagine it will be very easy for the town to clean it up."

If he says they will dispose of it, or attempt to salvage what is useful from them:

"Oh, ok then. Would it be fine for me to salvage something from them, then? I just realized, certain components from them could be very helpful in my research on the nature of proto-soul formations and properties."
>>
No. 240407 ID: 36c283

>>240381
>>240383

I mean their souls should be able to restore eventually ,tight?
Like our soul after we craft Deep Spawn, it gets damaged but restores itself ...
>>
No. 240410 ID: 3e56f0

>>240407
Our soul restores itself because we switched part of the proto-soul that was our Deep Spawn before we hatched them with a piece of our own soul, so we just needed time to fully absorb and bind the proto-soul piece to our soul; there was no loss of soul involved, all together, in the process. The blood iron draining damages their souls, but doesn't involve giving anything to replace it.
>>
No. 240430 ID: 3e56f0

Say, if Nidhogg were to grow sufficiently strong enough, could it bring the magic abilities of the beasts it possesses between forms? Like, even if it left the body of a dragon, and possessed the form of a mouse, it could still use Aeromancy and Gravimancy?
>>
No. 240445 ID: 445c48

>>240430
A very good question. The wording on
>the Dragon Nidhogg controls is gifted with combat Aeromancy and Gravimancy.
Seems to imply that it is the form that contains the magic, yet we know (Oh, do we know) that it is the soul that contains one's ability to cast. Then again, deepspawn be crazy.

Also, what fuels the Grav/Aeromancy? Blood would be my first guess.
>>
No. 240489 ID: a69afd

>>240430
Now that you mention it- What happens if Nidhogg eats more than one beast that shares a form with her? Do the abilities stack? Will we eventually have QUEEN OF THE DRAGONS, NIDHOGG THE FLESH GORGER?
>>
No. 240500 ID: 9e5b05

>>240489
Nah, she's gonna turn into a saber toothed cat eventually. She will go through the entire animal kingdom. I hope we can get her into the common cold at some point. That'll be fun.

>>240341
>>240342

We are someone who tries to get what he wants. Hell, we just got our own dragon. Anyway the implication is 'we could if we wanted to be', but if the reading is bad, I'll edit it again.


"Not a Dragon Yet, Oz. Or do you think 'Mordre the Living Legend' sounds better? Either way, I am a spry man in his mid," coughsplutternotthatold,darnit. "And I still have my youth and good looks on my - I CAN HEAR YOU GIGGLING AT THE DOOR, YOUNG LADY! I AM NOT OLD! A MAN PAST SEVENTY IS NOT OLD! WHAT DO YOU MEAN I AM SPEAKING SOM- OH," Switch to common. "Blast it woman, you see how you confuse me? Well now, what is it?" "Your lunch, Master Mordre" "Well, I'll take that then. Set the Golem for 'Harvest Organs'..." And eating sounds while we harvest organs, automatically!

>>240352
And...the maid doesn't speak in that revision. And she never speaks Low, she giggles by the door and we chide her. In common, after we yell in some foreign tongue which she doesn't understand.
>>
No. 240503 ID: a76809

>>240489
[Very fucking possible, actually. And if eating enough dragons, would most likely end up hermaphroditic, unless careful attention was taken with the diet. Granted, this would, if enough dragons of sufficient age and heights of the True mountains, make some sort of Core Being equivalent super-monster enslaved to your will, a transcendent god of dragonkind at your beck and call, so... options.]

>>240376
[Because of the soul-based damages incurred by willfully shedding blood with persistent magic, rather than fading on leaving the veins, your current Deep Spawn set could shed blood for you and render, at best, a pound of Blood Iron a day before they start having a non-stable contribution rate that ends in their deaths. If you wish to start that, do try to account for how to fit daily drawings into your schedule, as well as the political implications of taking such a daily act.]

>>240343
>>240390
I make a foray into the verbal battleground before me, Jioga and I both well aware that this coming to blows would be ill advised from both our views if for different reasons, and so-

"Hmm... Oz, on the subject of Bagrom:"
"Yeah?"
"Would a return to opulence be to his benefit?"
"...Probably not, now that I think of it."

Without missing a beat, Ash Dragon Jioga contributes as well.

>"Praise be to you then God of the Fist, you bring great honor to your pupil. I could easily accommodate him with my officers of lesser rank, and offer any of my armies members as sparring partners for yourself and your student. I would be happy to accommodate any request you have."
"Well... do you have stuff like this? A dragon, conquered? Minions that don't die?"
>"Hmm?"

It is at this point that the Deep Spawn take up rank beneath the collosal Nidhogg, still bearing my own weighty form, and I see Jioga's glare pick out the two he smote earlier, eyes narrowing a fraction behind a genial smile.

>"...I.. see. Marvelous things, to be true. But as I understand it, Mordre here is a fellow supplicant of the High Fierce Dragon, Lubu the Unparalleled. You would lose none of these coming with me, as my invitation is as ever open to an ally as well."
"Huh. Okay, so more styles for Bagrom to spar against, maybe something interesting for me..."

As Oz mulls over Jioga's most recent recovery, I think swiftly in search of a new avenue of linguistic assault. Ash Dragon Jioga is proving an apt negotiator, a political threat in complement of martial might... but how deep does his prowess go?

>>240359
I decide to lead with a distraction, before flitting to new topics. I turn to Korgotyo, posing a question concerning resources I very much so wish to claim, but have reason to hesitate.

"So what will be done with the Dragon's remains? I can't imagine it will be very easy for the town to clean it up."
"ACTUALLY, THE MEAT, AND MOST OF THE ORGANS WILL BE PREPARED INTO FEAST MATERIALS.
IT IS SOMETHING OF A TRADITION, THAT AFTER FENDING OFF DRAGONS,
ONE CONSUMES FLESH OF THE FALLEN BEAST WHILE SHARING IT WITH THOSE SAVED.
THE SCALES WILL BE USED IN MAKING ARMOR... ACTUALLY, I MAY FASHION MY OWN,
AS DRAGON SCALE IS ONE OF FEW THINGS THAT SCALES WELL TO MY STATURE.
THE BONES WILL BE DISCARDED, TO DURABLE TO WORK, THE BLOOD DISPOSED OF,
FAR TOO ACIDIC FOR CONSUMPTION OR FOR DIRECT DISPOSAL INTO THE GROUND.
"
"Is that so? Well, my fellows here would be most happy to dispose of the blood and bone alike, As there is no reason the townfolk should have to work at cleaning up such as that!"

The last words are said with some volume, and are quickly muttered and passed through the everbuilding crowd, my generous offer likewise enjoyable to me, as I will get bones to burn with Soulfire, Pyromancy and Magnetomancy for carbon, and blood to sift for Blood Iron. Through these means, I hope to add further power to my body, adding some of the proto-soul dragons bear to my own forging, and further improving the alloy I forge myself of. Jioga looks unsure, seeking reasons behind my actions here, and lacking sufficient understanding to reach any meaningful conclusion. And now, with his mind spinning circles as he tries to unravel me, I pounce, carefully sticking to the truth.

>>240187
>>240190
>>240195
I strike with civility.

"Before anything else is said, though, I'd like to thank you for the assistance. Had you not intervened, I'd hate to think what that dragon would have done. Honestly, they may lack higher thought, but that was an interesting bit of cunning it showed. Additionally, I see you've retrieved my blade there, and I thank you for it."

At this, Jioga does something that gives me pause: His smile gains more depth until I realize it is no longer a mask, now filled with amiable malice.

>"Well the kind words are much appreciated,
>And it was the least I could do,
>To do my part protecting civilians from my namesake.
>..But I'm afraid I do not follow your last remark.
>Your sword? As I understood it, this is my blade,
>The Supreme Fang, forged far to the north,
>Steel with martensite matrices, bands of carbides,
>Inscribed with the workings of Time and Space...
>I admit it is a rough blade, and not as refined as it could be,
>But I felt it needed to be used,so out of nostalgia I brought it along.
>Perhaps do you think of a similar blade you may have misplaced?
>It is my understanding you have been quite busy,
>Perhaps in the general dissaray it was misplaced?"

I am about to retort as I notice something profoundly disturbing: The Edge of Oblivion is warped, faint etchings of fangs woven into its surface, complimented both by the wavy ripples in the alloy itself, and ever so subtle shapings making the fangs three dimensional. The runes on the sword itself seem to have been similarly tweaked, vagaries and complexities not present before added, some few lines shifted... the whole function could have been changed, for all I know. I know the sword to be mine, I feel the vestiges of my Ownership on it, but its so faint I doubt anyone else could sense it. Oz still seems unsure on how to proceed, whether he should go with me alone or Jioga. To this backdrop, I note Senth teleporting onto a nearby rooftop with Bagrom beside, both peering towards our meeting as Senth continues to puff on Old Bessy, rheumy eyes and dopey grin directed my way.




What should I say or do?
Should I suggest traveling with Jioga to Oz, or advise against it?
How should I go about proving the sword mine?
>>
No. 240505 ID: 9338f5

>>240501
He is attempting to steal our sword. This fills me with great anger. We Must KIll Him And Devour His Soul.
>>
No. 240507 ID: 69bee4

>>240505
now, I may be jaded, but im pretty sure that would be a battle we would not win on our own. and I doubt too many others are going to risk the consequences or fighting him over a sword that probably only Oz knows is ours.
>>
No. 240512 ID: a69afd

>>240500
[This is Jioga's sword eh? Ooh, let's get some testimony from Zagrath! Jioga must be the one who sent the assassins to Gialgorra's estate. Once I figure out why Jioga wanted Gialgorra dead, and once we get back to the capital, we're so blowing the fucking lid on the Ash Dragon. Lubu loses one dishonest dickbag, he gains Mordre, Keddic, and Bang plus Oz and Figment. Fair trade I say.]
>>
No. 240515 ID: 445c48

Say that it might not be your sword, but you're not quite sure. Your sword is quite similar, and it is possible multiples were made. But your sword is unique, as you've added onto it. On your sword, while it does seem at first that the sword's power is through the space and time inscriptions, there is another, more powerful working. Ask him if his sword has any such thing, and to briefly describe/name it. Nod, and say something like "Impressive" or "Interesting", if he says his sword has something. If he says ANYTHING that's even vaugely apart from the Cataclysmic Chaos Cleave, say something that your sword has something rather different, and there is a rather simple way to check, if you would let me hold/see the sword for a moment. Then, invert it into the sky.

Oh wait runes have changed shoot this might not work as well as I assumed! But if he's, say, added something else, well yours will literally be the opposite of it. So I think the general "My sword's got a rather different second effect", so long as you're nonspecific as to what this effect IS.
>>
No. 240520 ID: 445c48

>>240512
I don't think it's *actually* his, just that he recognizes the metal and runes, and changed it ever so slightly.
>>
No. 240527 ID: 9c28d1

Our guy just fixed it.
They cannot lie
Have them vouch for us before someone who can 'see'.

Make your soul bubble in wrath.
BUBBLE!


Oz should be able to identify it, as with Bagrom and possibly Senth.
Heck even good ol' mustashio wolf judge guy can say that he saw us with it.

As long as our ownership remains in it.

Oh yes, save the dragon skulls for life golem stuff.


Oz said that the combined weight of our soul could squish him like a bug, Flare that now. RUMBLE IN ANGER!
HOW DARE YOU TRY AND TAKE WHAT IS MINE!
LET THE EARTH TREMBLE AND THE CLOUDS THUNDER IN YOUR WRATH!!!
LET THE SOULS OF THE LIVING SHRIVEL AND BE DESTROYED UNDER YOUR GAZE!!!

HOW DARE HE!


*cough*


Use P.Soul on matrices so that your furnace actively participates in the powering of your magic, not just fueling you.
Like a passive soul boost. It also give our magic the potency of soul magic.
Costing just a few more souls a month, maybe up to 10.... or 50... we can manage 50.
>>
No. 240529 ID: a69afd

>>240520
That may be true, but we got it from Diozagrath. The fact that Jioga recognizes a sword that was in the possession of assassins sent to kill Gialgorra sets off a million warning bells right now. Even if the sword isn't his, his knowledge of it proves he must have some hand in the assassination attempt.
>>
No. 240530 ID: ddd48d
File 128659604655.jpg - (244.14KB , 1555x2074 , collettessurprise.jpg )
240530

WHAT

HE BEST BE FOOLIN'

HOW ABOUT A DOES OF SEXXAY TO HEAT THINGS UP

ITS ON NOW BITCH

seems Seth either knows something or was explicitly involved in this situation somehow. sneaky little jumpbag.

The best thing for now would probably to take this discussion to a later time, during the revelry? where bystanders are too busy partying, and the main figures here can converse in peace.
>>
No. 240531 ID: 9c28d1

>>240529
Or he might be lying through his teeth and realized that swords don't look like that here and thus must be from the north, farther than he has been, so far to the north.
Plus we mentioned that it could be ours, and he probably knows that we are from the north from one of Lubu's people, seeing as he knows about our involvement and is not completely surprised that someone else is trying to say Oz.
>>
No. 240532 ID: 46c430

>>240527
Boosting how many souls we need to eat? ...Are you sure that's a good idea? I mean, we're doing fine right now... ...Plus Bob actually noted a doomsday scenario that involved us boosting how many souls we needed to eat, basically had us ending up killing and eating every living thing on the planet.
>>
No. 240534 ID: 69bee4

Realization:

Notice that the Ash Dragon just messed with our sword, a sword keep in mind that is Temporally and Spatially locked, and that we have needed basically 3 specialists aid in order to mess with.

Also I notice that this guy can use a simple sword, and cause massive and multiple wounds on a dragon. How could ne do this?

Simple, the Ash Dragon is a mage, not only a mage, hes at least both a Chronomancer and a Tractomancer of some skill. This explains how he killed the dragon and got multiple slices, he moves his weapons through time and space, allowing him to inflict multiple simultaneous wounds. This also explains how he can tamper with our sword.

I predict that this is why the Ash Dragon is so confident against us. Using his skills, he could likely even morph our sword with a few moments notice (he did not have that long a time between the house and being here) to fit what it needs to contradict our story to gain it back. As such we have to be very careful what we are willing to say about this sword, or it will be his.
>>
No. 240536 ID: 45be60

hold your face in your hand.
"Jioga, why do you behave to discourteously toward me? Have I wronged you in some way? It is unbecoming of a Dragon. You seek to claim honor from my work, you try to slay my servants with no provocation, and now you steal my blade and try make it your own by scratching minor modifications in its surface. Did you attack those I left working on its repairs as well? I know I am a stranger to these lands, and so I try to be gracious. But you are trying my patience sir."

The sense of ownership thing can be sensed, huh? If there is anyone here who could claim ownership of the sword more strongly than us, it would be Zagrath, the willing soul who inhabits our eyes. Small tombs do develop a sense of ownership with their equipment, right?

See if we can get him to manifest for a bit.

...And then be prepared to deliver this:
>>240352
>>
No. 240538 ID: 9e5b05

Ok, I am too angry to think straight or hammy, so details:

Ask Bagrom via Phohn what happened.
Notify him that the name of the steel is Wootz.
Use Zagrath's statement to back us up.
BURN A FUCKING PRISTINE SOUL TO FUCKING TELL HIM.

I don't care, I want my Mosmordre sword back, that had fucking Mosmordre runes on it that reminded me of home, I want him fucking told to back off bitch, and I am not happy.

I know we should SOAP it up right now, but god damn it I am too angry to think straight.
>>
No. 240539 ID: 45be60

>>240527
er... I was actually going to suggest we use one of our Lenyrt boons to make the golem not burn ANY souls to run, like a composite small tomb. This idea seems like a step in the wrong direction.
>>
No. 240543 ID: 9c28d1

>>240539
Sooooo, how about we do this and still get teh boon ?

Then we have free soul power magic.

I must warn you though, geeting the rest to agree would be very hard since we seem to be leaning towards golemcraft and soulmagic as the boons.

Also, it has to run on something. Lenryt likely cannot make it fuel free... at least not for one boon.

it would probably take 3 and she would run it on herself or some bull.
>>
No. 240548 ID: e7bf04

RAAAAAAAAGE!
>>
No. 240549 ID: 9c28d1

RAAAAAAAAGE!
>>
No. 240550 ID: 45be60

Falcon, I.. rrrgh. I don't mean some sort of no energy to function thing, I mean using the ambient energy produced by some powerful soul(s) to run the golem, instead of burning weak ones for fuel. Like a small tomb.

golemcraft + soulmagic = know how to make a small tomb though. It meshes, as long as we can figure out how to meet the other requirements ourselves.
>>
No. 240561 ID: 9c28d1

>>240550
awww you broke the rage combo.

sorry im amped up right now and I don't know why.

hmmm, we could force-fuse 100 souls together to amke a nexus and use that as main power source.
>>
No. 240564 ID: 3e56f0

...? Did Jioga just admit that he is lazy enough to allow a potent weapon to languish in an unfinished state?!

If we're going to something to convey Jioga's admitted laziness, perhaps something like this: "Jioga*... I admit, I have heard very little of you, so I know little of your established character. For allowing your non-existence in the minds of the people to get the better of me, I apologize. I shall strive to do better in the future. But... you just stated that you are lazy and do not take proper care of your weapons. Even the most common and dull of the common soldier in any army can tell you that to allow your sword to stay in a state of an unsharpened edge, to let it lie in the ground of its potential, barred from its rightful power, its place high in the sky, is the height of foolishness. Only the lowest, the undisciplined latrine diggers**, would refuse to give the weapon*** his proper due. Surely, as a Dragon, to be a Dragon****, one must always strive for excellence, which must extend to one's weapons? Surely, as a Dragon, to be a Dragon****, you are not the foolish pit digger, stuck inside holes digging for others to pour their waste? Surely, as a Dragon, to be a Dragon****, one does not steal from the weapon*** its great power? You must be joking, playing the fool, the jester debasing himself for the entertainment of his betters. You have introduced yourself as a Dragon; you cannot lie so blatantly and foolishly, stupidly believing that the audience would fall to your forgery."

*note the lack of any titles, this shows our massive disrespect for him
**I don't actually know if that is correct. Someone better versed in such matters suggest a better replacement
***we're the weapon
****As if we are not sure if he is a Dragon

The above is just insulting Jioga. I'll leave the sword-getting to better wordsmiths.
>>
No. 240568 ID: 903f16

>>240503
I think Velada in particular would be a valuable witness to bring out due to her specialization and to screw with the Ash Dragon. She can potentially mess with the temporal lock on the blade as we have experienced when she first came near it. We can have to covertly send some of herself to float around and screw with it, perhaps give the Dragon a knowing look if he notices it. We don't actually want to destroy the lock, but it would be unsettling to him and give us an opening while he is shocked to say something damning.
>>
No. 240571 ID: 445c48

>>240529
Not... particularly. He identified the runes and metal, but anyone can do that. He identified the direction from which it originated, but that could easily have been made-up, or he could employ a runecrafter that could identify that, or he simply could have traveled and known of it.
>>
No. 240573 ID: 445c48

This anger is not a good thing. We must keep a level head, keep things ... calm ... diplomatic. No insults, no outright accusations, no threats and voice full of wrath. That's not handling things politically.

Ask to see it, sorry but your eyesight isn't quite what it used to be, just want to make sure, would put your mind at ease a bit. Then do >>240515
>>
No. 240580 ID: a76809

>>240564
Noting the changes he wrought enough that I see no recognition in Oz's face, and with the barest traces of my Ownership already fading, I resort to more barbed words.

""Jioga... I admit, I have heard very little of you, so I know little of your established character. But... you just stated that you do not take proper care of your weapons. Even the most common and dull of the common soldier in any army, any at all, Can tell you that to allow a weapon of potency to lie untouched and neglected, Barred from the hand of its rightful power, this is the height of foolishness. I cannot think of a single warrior worth the name I have met, Who would have left such a weapon alone to only now return to it."
>"...Well, as it happens I seek to challenge myself, and to that end I carry a simple sword that I use most often, the one I struck that dragon down with.
>It would seem a waste in my eyes, to set such power as this blade loose for even the most meager of situation.
>But Lubu's rise has changed all that, a chance to clash with fellow Dragons the current state of affairs...
>Though I will graciously note, Ancestral Dragon Jeagrezweistrik the Radical AxeGod, that I have no inclination to fight you, lest you seek combat yourself.
"When its real rock and roll,
when you get down to my soul,
Then we will rock in SPACE!!"


>>240538
As Jioga says nothing at all as he tries to parse Jeagrezweistrik's eccentric response, I use Phohn to inquire of Bagrom what happened where Senth extracted him from. The response I get is brief, noting Bagrom to have worked to clear traffic jams of panicking wagon merchants, Senth claiming he did nothing but specifically being seen evacuating an orphanage before a dragon corpse fell on it. Tucking this knowledge away, I proceed on an interesting path, directing my speech... to Zagrath. I propose he testify that the sword belongs to him, as the precurser-owner before myself. My eyes roll with anticipation as Zagrath ponders... and speaks.

"Speak then, set the stage, I shall spread my knowledge of Phage."


>>240534
I take note of the fact Jioa altered in a short timeframe a sword that took three specialists to work upon, with spatial and temporal runes locking it down. To even mess with that, to my understanding of magic from the north, that would take Runecrafting knowledge, Tractomancy AND Chronomancy. Even allowing for Mass Connection to potentially operate under different rules as presumably soul based magic, I feel confident that his actions reveal much of his hand. This would even explain his attack, a simple sword making thousands of strikes, possibly the same blow repeated a thousand times but spatially oriented differently each time... in this bare instant, I feel I have thoroughly gained a basic understanding of Jioga's combat style.

[MOMENT OF INSPIRATION+1 PRISTINE SOUL04 TOTAL PRISTINE SOUL.]

>>240527
>>240512
Murhyihal, Velada, Burduko, I believe you have something to say?"

With Dragons and nearly the whole of Waltora watching, pressed together into one mass of huddled, staring eyes, the trio speak of having been working on the sword earlier in the day, in the estate that Jioga just came from. Jioga's absolute confidence and more established reputation seems to largely rebuff this, suspicion growing in the audience but not enough to sway his stance. But when I have Zagrath speak, the Ageless Eyes of Winter floating from my eyes as the ruby soul communes with us, Jioga's smile begins to slip. Testimony from a trio of craftsmen that cannot lie, and an honored ancestor, the first wielder of the blade, all checking out as telling the Truth to corroborate my story? I am sure he can See how this effects his attempted bluff. How shall he respond to this, then?

>>240530
[FANART BONUS]

Instead I favor prolonging his uncomfortableness, to make further verbal probes more effective, by bouncing to a new topic and leaving the biting situation lingering both in his mind and the spectators, as I put on the airs of an expectant party-goer.

"Well, since the issue presents you with such difficulty, Perhaps it can be tabled for a time, as there is much to do. ...So, how can I help get this feast started, then?"

The Deep Spawn I sent out to butcher the dragons, claiming Blood and bone for me, soon begin turning up to our current location, a middling market square now the center of the town as firepits crackle, meats sizzle and pots bubble. The entire town is celebrating, that breathless enthusiasm of having dodge an avalanche, the joy of being part of celebration, to be alive. Jioga's grandstanding was curbed with my last remark, and he has not taken public stand again... and I wonder if the feast occupying our evening could be put to other use. I may be able to speak with him privately, with Korgotyo and Oz alike thoroughly occupied in consuming dragon meat.




What should I say or do?
Do I have specific words for Jioga, Oz, or anyone else?
Should I check in on Mordreden to see if anyone is awake to report?
>>
No. 240582 ID: 56dc25

>>240503
Short version: Guys, he is deliberately trying to provoke us into calling him a liar. Do not fall for it.


I suppose we have several points in our favor:
-There's a magistrate in town who can tell if people are lying to him, though the Ash Dragon might have enough tricksiness to fool him.
-Our spawn cannot lie, although if anyone will believe this enough to take their word as evidence is anyone's guess.
-Our ownership is still on the blade, at least a little. If he hands it to someone else so that they can inspect it closely, they might be able to determine that... or not. Not sure how clearly ownership is detectable when a third party is looking to differentiate between two others.


But most importantly, it has been previously shown- at the beginning of this very task!- that if we hold him to be lying or incorrect, and stand by our claim, then he's within his rights to duel us, or get someone else to duel our someone else on his behalf. Remember how that is apparently the accepted method for settling disputes and disagreements like this? We must NOT allow this to go into a confrontation of sheer force; the odds of our losing are more than I would care to contemplate, even if we're likely more powerful than he realizes. But neither can we put ourselves in a situation where we're forced to back down after he proposes such a method of resolution.

The only option I see at the moment is to dodge the question. Delay, and explain that we left our blade in the care of our generous hosts in this town, who doubtless have it still, if the Ash Dragon truly brought this other one with him as he claims. If they do not, certainly they will be able to tell us when it left their care.

The problem with THAT, of course, is that it puts the duty of claiming that the Ash Dragon is wrong upon someone else. Which they might not be willing to do, lest he duel them. In fact, that's a problem with virtually everyone here; if a Dragon says that the damned sky is plaid, they might well agree just because he can legally chop them to bits if they don't.

What we really need to do is somehow circle around and get this guy to contradict himself with his own logic, and thereby be forced to admit himself incorrect. But he seems sharp enough to avoid that. So... I got nothin', someone else help me out here.



We also need to continue our multi-pronged attack. Don't stick to a single topic- dart between matters as though no single one is important enough to hold our full attention, hopefully either giving the impression of or actually being able to somehow verbally circle around and catch him in a trap.


On the matter of Oz: There is no way that Oz is actually unsure how to proceed, and we have no need to jockey for his attentions. We're his friend, and our friendship would, I think, stand regardless of if he feels like coming to Lubu with us. Of course we'd appreciate his doing us the favor of helping us complete the High Dragon's task, but the important thing is that we have had good times and if we fail Lubu because we're not willing to endanger our friendship, then we fail Lubu; big deal. I suspect that expressing this general sentiment would do more to win him over than any number of entreaties on our part, because Oz is seemingly not a political animal and dislikes this sort of maneuvering.

Speaking of disliking it, no way in hell has Oz not realized that that's our sword; it's got the same blasted dimensions and he's watched us toting it around. If we drop a veiled comment that makes it completely clear that it's our sword, we know it's our sword, and Jioga is frankly stealing it from us because we can't win a fight with him if we call him a liar, I would not be surprised if Oz would actually come to our defense. Though that could be hopelessly naive and optimistic of me.
>>
No. 240583 ID: 56dc25

>>240580
Alas, I clearly type too slowly. And apparently was wrong about Jioga's planned trap, or at least overestimated how easily he could pull it off. Ah, well.
>>
No. 240585 ID: 9e5b05

First: Make sure we get the heart, the kidneys, the Gal Bladder and other 'White Blood' organs for Keddic when he gets back. Also, save ourselves a head and some scales for gift-giving.

Second: Learn some recipes. We could ham this and pretend we're a maid for a few conversations.

Third: We should find Senth and think him for his selfless help in saving the children - forgiving him for felling the beast at such an inopportune location. Also, I would like Keddic's pipe back and where are his winnings?

Fourth: Make sure our new friends are eating well and take Dulu for his actions. Get Oz to come with us, possibly suggesting that a preemptive duel with a Dragon my be possible if things go south.

Fifth: Bow to the god of rock and thank him. Ask where Red Comet is off to.

Gather together all our Deep Spawn and search for Ash Dragon. Keep any and all deep Spawn, and Oz, away from the communications which will be Sixth: Talk to Ash about his behavior. And ask for our sword back. A Pristine Soul to get the sword, get as much information about him out of him as we can, to intimidate him into line, and the act as a general friend.

I know this is a bit much, and not everything I want to do, but I can't remember everything else. I know the second item is rather foolish, but I would like to get the 100 in our HAM, and I would like to let our Maid have some fun.
>>
No. 240586 ID: 445c48

>>240585
>Ham, pretend maid
Not a good idea. How would maid know Low? It's a lie, they can see it's a lie, too much silly need to look srs, etc etc
>>
No. 240587 ID: e7bf04

>>240585
I agree with everything except for confronting Jioga. On the matter of the Ash Dragon, we should stick with >>240582
>>
No. 240588 ID: 69bee4

We also need to either absorb the dragon blood iron, or find a way to store it/remove it (magnetomancy probably, it should just look like dust flying off the dragon then). Also, we must make a dragon scale cloak either for Morde, Lerynt, or both! some skin and scales then.
>>
No. 240590 ID: 9e5b05

>>240586
True. Actually, I agree. We should go for SOAP. However, we should also ask Jeagrezweistrik about the Ashole - which should be done in some song-like format. Anyone wanna try for singing 'Why is Ash such a jerk what did I ever do to him?'
>>
No. 240591 ID: 445c48

>>240588
For storing the blood, we can do what (Daobo? The guy with the blood toga we stole) did. Make a jug (Out of blood iron) and put it on one of the hooks on our hip and store the blood there.
>>
No. 240592 ID: f4e4f9

We need to speak to Jioga. Letting this silly feud fester will do us no good at all.

Its all a misunderstanding. He thinks we want to kick him out of the loop, toss him aside. He's Lubu's second, and he feels threatened.

When we find him, we need to talk to him thusly:

"Ash Dragon Jioga. I would like to speak with you, privately."

"I do not wish be confrontational, but I have to ask:

Why are you doing this? Why do you seek to cause this manner of harm to me?"

If its about Huaow:

"I did not intend for our followers to be forced into combat to the death. I can only hope they both managed to survive. I was only asked my opinion on the matter, and sought to render aid to the best of my ability. I do not intend to recant or apologize for what happened either way, but just know it was not an intended blow."

If its about his position as Lubu's head advisor:

"You seem to be misunderstanding something: I only wish to ensure that Lubu weathers the coming storm of opposition. Displacing you, one of his firmest and most powerful supporters, does not aid in this. I would think you'd agree and understand me."

If it's about that stupid pagoda thing:

"...really? I thought it a relatively harmlessly clever method of giving me time to allow Oz to consider joining Lubu."

Point out the following, as well:

"All things considered, let me point this out to you: Everything I have done has been either in aid of my ultimate goal of helping Lubu solidify power, or defending myself, my followers, or my property.

You attempted that gambit with my sword - don't think I couldn't see my own Ownership lingering even after your tinkering - and I responded. Why do you think I stopped short my case? Because I wanted to, if possible, secure a peaceable return of it.

You struck down my followers - and I would still like to know WHY you thought that was a fair or appropriate response - and the only reason you did not recieve a far colder reception than you did is because I have not asked that the information be disseminated beyond the ones who were the first to discover it, and those necessary to ensure you did not mean myself or mine further ill intent. Destroying your reputation does not help any of us in the long run, myself, Lubu, or you.

So, please, I humbly request once more: Temper your anger, and please, may we talk as allies instead of aggressors?"
>>
No. 240596 ID: a594b9

Why don't we just bring him before the lie detector? Or maybe we can just show him the written declaration that he broke rules by attacking our Deep Spawn and just demand he give the damn sword back or else we press charges.

Also we could prove it is ours by using the CCC with it... but that would be revealing our secret attack. I'm thinking we could kill this Ash Dragon though. We can shut down a great deal of his tractomancy and chronomancy via our deep spawn... but he likely also has some gravimancy in there somewhere considering the damage he did to our two servants he attacked.
>>
No. 240601 ID: 445c48

>>240596
I haven't exactly seen a straight lie yet. He didn't straight say "This is my sword, not yours", but "As I understood it". Perhaps he believes that he's changed it enough that it is his? Perhaps he believes adamantly in "Finders keepers, losers weepers". Perhaps he believes he's just borrowing it. Too weasely to get called out on.

See if you can ask for a scale or two, for "study". One for study, and one for making a gift, though you don't need to tell them about that.

And yes, Mordre Phohn Home. Authorize the purchase of the books back from what'shername, the assassin, see if she'd be willing to talk to you over Phohn as opposed to in person, very busy, or if she'd be willing to come down where you are (If Jioga's suppression of Burduko is gone[If it isn't we should probably ask him to drop it so we can have Burduko run some errands, fetching some petty cash for feast supplies, doing this and that you know]). Have Arkus or Derkin or whoever to send a messenger out to Vimes, apologizing about missing him, very important business came up, had to go north, and south at the request of an Archmage and well you don't say no to Archmages when they make requests. Give pretty much the same message to the state inspectors who are there, I believe. If Burduko can indeed travel back to the Arcanoworks, give him a Blootz shell to give a sample to Del Rogo. Or would that tip off Eisenhardt too much? Eh.
>>
No. 240603 ID: 36c283

>>240503
>your current Deep Spawn set could shed blood for you and render, at best, a pound of Blood Iron a day before they start having a non-stable contribution rate that ends in their deaths.

So... we could take 1 pound of blood each day from each spawn (even Nidhogg can't contribute more?). That makes 11 pounds a day .... that... could take a while.

But you said if they "willingly" dispense blood... what if they lost blood during a fight or during sparring? Could we safely collect that blood?

Also you said "your CURRENT Deep Spawn", keyword "current", does that mean that in future they could safely 'donate' more blood or does that mean we need another type of Spawn which can easily dispense a lot of blood without worrying?
>>
No. 240604 ID: f4e4f9

>>240603
He said Deepspawn SET.

THat means one pound from all of them. Total.

Personally, I suspect there are far more immediately viable ways to enhance our composition.

Replacing the Silver in our mask with Platinum or Palladium (apparently the flat out best Runic Enhancers known) would be a nice start.
>>
No. 240605 ID: f4e4f9

Also, I say that after we finish our task with Oz, we finish our duel with Eisenhardt. We can only keep him waiting so long before he takes measures, and we've been kept from our OWN FACILITY for far, far, FAR too long.
>>
No. 240606 ID: 36c283

>>240604
>He said Deepspawn SET.
Oh, shit, I did not notice that.
Damn, I guess it's just not feasible at all.

About the silver, we aren't gaining any benefits from it, right? We just did it to look cool and kind of forgot about it.
I remember Bob telling that all precious metals and gems could be used to amplify magic abilities. What if we filled our runes on the hand and/or chest with silver or gold, shouldn't that increase the performance?
>>
No. 240607 ID: f4e4f9

>>240606
Silver, Gold, Platinum, etc, metals that hold collective value all act as Amplifiers to Runemagic inscribed on them, as I understand Bob's description. Significant ones.

Silver is apparently a very low grade common runic amp. Platinum and Palladium are the top-tier, with certain special substances crafted specifically to act as Rune Amps just above them.
>>
No. 240610 ID: 36c283

>>240605
I agree.
And we have 4 pristine souls, so if shit hits the fan we can always use them to bail out.

One of the things we could use against Eisenhardt are our upgraded vanguard blades. When the runes become active, they act as million pound heavy objects, right?
Then we could shoot one at Eisenhardt, he would think that it would be easy to defend against it but would quickly find himself caught in a surprise. He will have to use all of his magic attention on the blade to redirect it, at that time we will attack offensively and hopefully catch him with our sable executioner.

Of course, the fact stays that he spent a LOT of time on our grounds and could have prepared EVEN better than before ....
>>
No. 240627 ID: e31d52

"... Ash Dragon, if we truly wish to settle this matter, we shall take it to court. For now, let us celebrate. We cannot ruin the good mood of this occasion over a simple blade, no matter how incredible" andmineyouthievingbastard "it may be!"
>>
No. 240645 ID: 9338f5

I feel I should point out that the longer the thieving basterd has our sword the more he can change it and increase his ownership of it. Also the longer we wait before a dealing with this scum the more time he has to prepare, and as the scum is our opponent in this test of wits, giving him time to prepare will do nothing but make things more difficult. The thieving basterd has to many advantages as it is(dragon, politicaly connected, understands the local legal system, possibly a good reputation) as we already told him of our proof all he needs to do is find ways to counter it. we really should not have told him that and then given him time to come up with a defence.
>>
No. 240648 ID: 9e5b05

>>240592
I agree with this, but I do want to bring some back up. Oz most likely, as he's a Living Legend and can stand up to a Dragon. I say this because if Ash Dragon turns violent, I don't want us temporally fragged with our own sword.

Also, I would like to tap some of our believe pool, if possible, see what that does.

And to remind people, but Weinsho has holdings in the Land of the Dragons, and we should be on the look out for them.
>>
No. 240650 ID: 36c283

>>240648
We should charge up IG before talking with him just to be sure.

Hmm.... a proposal for P.Soul usage. Could we upgrade our IG so that we can shoot medium to large field of magical annulment at will without having to charge it up? That would be useful I think
>>
No. 240651 ID: 36c283

>>240645
That's what I thought...
But if Bob has used fanart bonus for that, it can't be bad .... can it?
>>
No. 240653 ID: e31d52

>>240592
this so hard
>>
No. 240654 ID: 3cd3a5

Have a chat with Oz about Jioga. State how you're quite certain that he has appropriated your sword as you can still feel traces of your own ownership upon it. However Jioga has revealed his hand as a person capable of runecrafting as well as time and space. Ask if Oz has any tips on fighting such a warrior. If he's a friend of Figment then he might have some tips.

Otherwise make sure Velada is ready to instantly counter time trickery if this turns into open warfare (a situation that would probably tip things in Mordre's favour). Order the defensive Deepspawn to protect Velada in turn.
>>
No. 240656 ID: 1b88da

>>240654
Whatever we do, do this first and then other suggestions.
(I like this one >>240592 )
>>
No. 240659 ID: a76809

>>240601
With the impromptu celebration for having bested the dragon incursion, I take a moment to use Phohn, once more trying to reach those in Mordreden that know the support Deep Spawn's words. This time, it seems Jojo, Lorgk, Mingsk and Oggroth are all awake, and from each I get a separate report.

>[Jojo]:
>Ulzrick's lessons have resumed, currently happening each and every night while both Souldreamers are asleep. Jojo wishes to note that Ulzrick has made considerable progress on his own, having gained a rough understanding of the Dream far more swiftly than Jojo had thought possible. To this end, Jojo cautions that, as one that has a mental frailty as their rpice for Dreaming, Ulzrick could well be descending into madness as he seeks more power. This suspition is not aided by Ulzrick's dreams, which now even Jojo cannot enter. Despite these areas of concern, his worthiness as a student is inquestioned, Jojo personally quite proud of his first disciple.

>[Oggroth]
>Thus far, no less than seven different tribes have had their chieftain declare themselves Goran's replacement and seek to re-dominate the clans. Each time, the warriors of Mordreden have punished the offenders. Between fighting several capable shamans and slaying four chieftains, Oggroth has had ample time and opportunity to absorb more of the souls put in him, his existence as a completely new form of Life Golem stabilizing, now bringing him pride. His continued moments in the spotlight of Premen politics are swiftly spreading his name, and besides being known as 'The Mountain', Oggroth is also gaining the title 'Little Magic Eater.'

>[Lorgk]
>The first thing Drazken's chieftain reports is that his new armor, a reforging of his old bone and blood vestments is finally complete, the Goran bone and Red Steel bound Slayer's Bastion. As a reactively offensive set of durable armor that steals spilled blood to form sanguine armor, this new equipment stands up to Legalloth, the crystal blade housing his ancestor's souls. With such aids as these, Lorgk has had ample chance to continue practicing Combat magic, and his melee shamanism has improved, speed and perception boosting abilities far greater, regenerative capacities now able to tap stolen blood from the armor itself. Among the Premen, Lorgk's scarlet-garbed figure (by metal and blood alike) is swiftly becoming known by two names, the Blood Knight, and the Red Knight.

>[Mingsk]
>A mixed report from this one. The think-tank has had some interesting ideas about magic's function. They postulate that Word magic is different from other forms because of its source, more-so than any other reason. Word seems to tap belief, a self-fulfilling prophecy of people believing Word works in this manner over the centuries actually causing the magic to function in such a way. As near as they can tell, there is likely a phonic form of magic that inspired what is currently known of as Word magic, but they know not what it could be. Mingsk also reports that on no less than five occasions, the yetis have made a nuisance of themselves, disrupting three separate formal meetings to discuss alliances, to the point the meetings ended in failure, and twice slaying another clan's champion, opportunistically stealing glory for their own tribe. Trollzaru, the one-armed yeti, continues to lead them and be a general irritant. It has been noted that Trollzaru is beginning to change, becoming larger, and more charged with magic, Spectral false arm glowing brighter every time he is seen.

With this report having been given, I move on to asking Arkus, Dregas and Derkin of the state of the Arcanoworks.

>[Arkus]
>Arkus has hit upon an idea on how to optimize the golem armors procured from the Blue Knight (now four total). The strength-enhancing yet cumbersome frames work excellently as weapon platforms, and to this end the following is propose to make more effective weapons. Twin revolver-model hand-cannons, Skyfall variants, are to be mounted on the back, one over each shoulder and linked directly to the furnace powering the armor, yielding electrified molten metal projectiles, up to twelve in a single assault. As both arms have wrist mounted nozzles from which to throw flame from the furnace (sadly not soulfire), a modified sword is proposed, scores of WASP spear heads forming a toothy blade as the pressure canisters are stored on the armor's back and connected via tubing to the weapon (Jezebel has not named it yet, but seems to be leaning towards Giant Biter. For the other arm, a newer, larger, longer range version of the TASTE o. Doom is plotted, to complete the ensemble. Lastly, the armors are being garbed in fake Blood Toga's of Arkus' making, less potent than the ones gained, but still considerable. Beyond this, not much has been happening on the political level, the State having been strangely quiet the last few days. Arkus will make the offer to Ellayia both to speak to Mordre and to buy back the books.

>[Dregas]
>My prestige is beginning to wane on a personal level due to my extended absence, but the effect the Arcanoworks and the wealth therein is having on the surrounding area is still considerable. Dregas does note that the soldiers are beginning to clamor for pay, and has calculated out the maximum rates that could be afforded, considering monthly income, and is preparing to make an offer. Currently, he plans to offer an equivalent to normal military service in pay, though a lower or higher wage could be offered if Mordre requests it. Also a certain pepper pickler has been doing great business selling his wares to both the state and the Blue Knight's followers. Trade with the Blue Knight continues to serve the Arcanoworks well, and the tons of metal have nearly seen the whole of my army there outfitted in plate, and equipped with a lightning gun, nine charge packs, a Skyfall hand-cannon, a WASP spear and a morphic weapon. I am fast on my way to having one of the best equipped forces in the area. Dregas also notes he shall send a diplomatic message to Vimes concerning Mordre's absence, but he is unsure when the missive would reach him.

>[Derkin]
>Mixed bag on the three lieutenants. Ellorika has been rising to the position as golem operator with aplomb, and fights equally well on foot, shouting orders with the best of them. She is however starting to cause trouble when not on active duty, starting fights with other soldiers she claims to be 'leering at her without being worthy'. So far, nothing serious has happened, but it could get worse. Vespinto is swiftly proving himself a better handler of blades than Derkin, or anyone else at the Arcanoworks, now bearing a pair of Blood swords, in addition to five differently sized and shaped swords and daggers secreted about his body for easy access. While he could likely bring significant fame to the Arcanoworks with his prowess, he still has trouble with following orders he dislikes, or in accepting a loss where he had blades on hand to use. Otherwise, the soldiers have no issue following his commands, and while more level headed than Ellorika he is less effective at pushing the soldiers. But most interesting of all is Ulzrick, who is now proving at best suited to leading a small task force, no large parties. However, when it comes to infiltration, none else come close, and the once more slim warrior has regained the stamina he lost. Derkin does note he mutters to himself more often now, but that he has found a great deal of utilitarian uses for what he knows of Magentomancy and SoulDreaming alike.

>>240603
>>240604
[Not 1 pound of blood, 1 pound of Blood Iron, rendered from said blood. So, at that rate, thirty thousand days to saturate yourself.... Or sixty and change years (480 day years). Still, the suspicion that it would saturate power into the Blootz is completely accurate.]

>>240592
>>240648
>>240653
I walk by Ash Dragon Jioga, speaking softly at his side without slowing.

"Ash Dragon Jioga, I would speak privately with you."

Rather than saying anything, Jioga takes a moment to stretch, get some food, and speak with a few townsfolk as he doesn't even look my way, only extricating himself once its clear his leaving has nothing to do with my own. Around a corner from the still-raging party, we speak without prying eyes.

>"Speak."
"You clearly hold a certain amount of animosity towards me."
>"Now, why would I dislike one appearing out of the blue to kill one of my more capable officers, and trying to steal favor from Lubu out from under me?"
"I did not intend for our followers to be forced into combat to the death. I can only hope they both managed to survive, and are well and waiting-"
>"Huaow is dead, slain by that swarthy minion of yours."
"...I did not know."
>"That does nothing to excuse it. And what of simply muscling in on my realm, hm?"
"I was only asked my opinion on the matter by the High Dragon, And sought to render aid to the best of my ability as requested. I do not intend to recant or apologize for what happened either way, But just know it was not an intended blow. But beyond that, you seem to be misunderstanding something: I only wish to ensure that Lubu weathers the coming storm of opposition. Displacing you, one of his firmest and most powerful supporters, does not aid in this. I would think you'd agree and understand me."
>"Oh? No threat to me? It would seem you know little of our new High Dragon. Do you not grasp how fickle he is? Those who grant results are lauded, given what they desire, and those who fail are forgotten. You may not intend to damage my position, but any further 'victories' on your part will still cause me grief. So if you seek some sort of peace between us, I scoff at your attempts."
"All things considered, let me point this out to you: Everything I have done has been either in aid of my ultimate goal, That of helping Lubu solidify power, or defending myself, my followers, or my property. I feel some measure of respect that you attempted that gambit with my sword - Don't think I couldn't see my own Ownership lingering even after your tinkering - And I responded. Why do you think I stopped short my case? Because I wanted to, if possible, secure a peaceable return of it."
>"Keep talking."
"You struck down my followers - and I would still like to know WHY you thought that was a fair or appropriate response - And the only reason you did not receive a far colder reception than you did, Is because I have not asked that the information be disseminated any further, Beyond the ones who were the first to discover it, And those necessary to ensure you did not mean myself or mine further ill intent. Destroying your reputation does not help any of us in the long run, myself, Lubu, or you. So, I request once more: Temper your anger that we may talk as allies instead of aggressors?"
>"....Since your things survived, I assume you got some bleeding heart judicial official to sign off that their testimony is true, that I defied the restrictions on Dragons?"
"That is so."
>"...I must say, I was not expecting you to have the soul of the blade's original owner, and that of a trio of tinkers, to back your claim. It would appear you were not as ill prepared as I thought. ...So, the return of your sword, for the continued discretion of the documentation and grievances you have? Is that what you seek?"
"I have some attachment to the weapon, yes."
>"......Fine."

Jioga casually tossed the altered Edge of Oblivion forward, its tip sinking into the ground beneath its multi-ton weight, as he turns to walk away, calling out some last words over his shoulder.

>"If you really want to prove you don't desire.... differences between us, you and Oz will travel back to the capital, back to the High Dragon in my company. As a show of solidarity amongst the Unparalleled's supporters. ...Enjoy the rest of the feast."

Once Jioga makes his way circuitously back into the revelry, I begin to make my own way back, when Phohn reports the bones and blood alike to have been stockpiled from the corpses in the city, and are awaiting my ministrations in a clearing just outside the town, away from prying eyes. I consider the height of the moons, the lateness of the evening as I wonder what to do.




Should I head back to the party to speak with anyone there, or to learn more of how dragon is prepared for eating?
Or should I go spend my time burning down dragonbone for carbon and harvesting Blood Iron?
Or should I do something else?
>>
No. 240663 ID: 8c0848
File 128664188747.png - (47.23KB , 315x220 , golemquestupdate.png )
240663

>>
No. 240664 ID: 5f0943

>>240659
Well, at least we got the sword back.
I could have gone worse, really.

But something sort of struck me just now.
>Beyond this, not much has been happening on the political level, the State having been strangely quiet the last few days.

It was mentioned earlier that Vimes called to the south, and what is to the south?
The only I can think of are two things:
1. The core being trapped in Trekels Northern farm (Timmy)
2. More research outposts, controlled by mercenaries.

So either, something is happening with the core being (unlikely, but possible), or the mercenaries may be stirring up trouble (or the state is launching an offensive against them).
>>
No. 240665 ID: 9e5b05

>>240659
If we can, Phohn Lorgk and tell him FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, DO NOT ENCOURAGE THE TITLE THE RED KNIGHT! There is an possible ally who kills for that title. But congrats on becoming a total badass!
Also, Phohn back and ask about Reinhardt and Eisenhardt. I wanna know what the Metal Titan is doing, and I wanna tell Reinhardt that we met Red Comet and Jaegrezweistrik. And that Jaegrezweistrik is awesome. Amazingly awesome.

[And as a Pristine Soul searching aside: Is Scars Of Yesterday the High Master of the Order of Harmonious Discord?]

As for what to do: Holster our Oblivion Edge. Make our way, with friendliness and courtesy towards the pile of organs and bones that were not cooked, listening to stories, how the meat is cooked, and the revelry that's going on.

And, I know this might be hard, but could we use our Anti-Golem Cannon to create some fireworks? Hollowing out the rounds and filling them with some soulfire of different colors? And how many aerial Deep Spawn do we have? I think it's two, but if it's more that would be good too...

Because when we are in the center of the celebration, I think we should loudly, but not deafeningly, proclaim that "My friends! As a Mage, it is my privilege, nay my duty to lighten up these festivals! So, forgive me as I leave, but turn your eyes skyward soon, I shall have such a show for you!" And we leave to the meat, where we launch fireworks and have Nidhogg and Velada and any other airborne Deep Spawn duel in the air while Zelgoto, Vandgurd, Aggocrag and Burduko duel atop Nidhogg - or as many of those four as can fit atop a dragon and still fight. And while entertaining, we harvest organs!
>>
No. 240666 ID: 69bee4

the Deep Spawn can easily handle anyone who attempt to pry into our gains, and we have no need of sleep as long and we have over looked 'Mage' Morde's sleep before. As such, why not go to the party, talk to a few people, learn a few things, and use the night instead to gather the spoils of war. Now is a time of celebration! Stay a few hours, then we can take care of spoils.

Among things to do: at least quickly apologize to Oz about speaking into his brain without permission, and ask him how he feels about our eventful little day. Find Senth at some point, ask about prize money. Ask Korgotyo about his wellbeing, and if he wishes for the aid of our healing Deep Spawn, as he was injured and still fighting a dragon. Learn about dragon preperation, and maybe listen to a story or two of the lore and life of dragons, as I suspect would occur in these events.

Also, as an aside/prediction by something he said, Jeagrezweistrik is totally a valid companion for our 'Morde in space' adventures of the future.
>>
No. 240667 ID: 1b88da

Examine the sword.
I sure as hell hope that he didn't alter it that it's previous capabilities are gone.

Lets get on our way. Pack our stuff, say good-bye to everyone, make toys for children (what? I still like my idea).

Talk with Oz and ask him what he thinks about all this, oh and tell him that we have negotiated with Jioga.
Lets go with Jiogas party.... though I am still wary he will try to steal our glory. Ask Oz if he would make sure that Lubu knows that it was US who convinced him to ally with him (if he's going to ally with his) as a favor.
>>
No. 240668 ID: 1b88da

>>240663
Heh, my thoughts exactly...

>>240659
>[Not 1 pound of blood, 1 pound of Blood Iron, rendered from said blood]

I guess we could haverst that and give it to Arkus and Del Roga to study and make equipment from.
...Heey, maybe it will work as an amplifier for magic and runes (like precious metals) but be much, much more potent?
>>
No. 240671 ID: 1b88da

>>240659
Wait.... how about Ugrokk, how is he doing?

I feel kind of sad that he's being overshadowed by Oggroth, I like their friendly rivalry and hoped that they would grow at the same pace...
>>
No. 240672 ID: 9338f5

>>240664
I suspect that the state mages have been conversing with the mutant corebeing, depending on the mages dealing with it and how mentaly devloped the mutant is all manner of trouble may be growing. If the state mages are foolish enough they may even be trying to tame or barter with the mutant.

Then again they could just be having some bad luck.

As for the State i suspect weinsho may be trying something political or the State may be preparing for a major military action of some sort, there may be some connection with the departure of Vimes.

Also i still want to kill that fucking theif.
>>
No. 240676 ID: 1b88da

Also, doesn't anyone have thoughts on my idea concerning The Lined one? >>239754

Don't you think it would be amazing if we'd manage to get him to ally with Lubu too?
Though, I guess we have research the whole situation better first.

Or is it too unfeasible?
---

Test out the power of belief that we are tapping from a few ten thousand people from this place. Something mundane as not to make a scene.
>>
No. 240682 ID: 1b88da

Hey....

Why don't we establish a trade route between Mordredn and Arcaneworks through the transportaion boxes?
Both parties will fill the boxes with goods and Burduko once a week will exchange them or something like that.


Also, I had a great idea (at least I think so)... We have the Northern Mountains under over control (more or less). Lets utilize the latest knowledge that we have gained, the one on the power of belief.
Lets somehow make everyone living there (how many Premen are there in total? I guess about a million maybe less like 100000) to believe in 'us', the same way how people believe in Dragons in LoD. Imagine if we will have the belief of being a Dragon and on top of that belief from the Northern Mountains (I guess something like "an eternal metal warchief/god that looks out for the safety and well-being of Premen [who believe in him]).
We would gain significant power with that :D
>>
No. 240683 ID: 9338f5

>>240676
too little is known about the lined one and the legal system of the LoD. he is as far as the public knows a extremly powerful wanted murderer.

also from what was mentioned by the Premen think tank harnessinge the power of belife would work best with word magic. I think that the belief magic works may best if there is a clear idea being believed in. If the city people belive that we are indelible is strong enough we may gain some sort of increases durability. not sure what asendent would get us mabey flight or some sort of learning ability?
>>
No. 240685 ID: 1b88da

>>240683
>not sure what asendent would get us mabey flight or some sort of learning ability?

I think that we took ascendant meaning as constantly becoming more powerful/better, "ascend the previous achieved heights" or something like that. Not literally flying.
So with that belief we will become powerful and have it easier to become powerful in future.

"Indelible", as in unforgettable. So, once people start seeing us as a Dragon they will never forget us and the memory and the emotions will stay strong forever as if on the day that they met us. Meaning that if we never come back to LoD people will remember us just as strongly for decades to come.
I think it's a good feature we took as we are immortal being and time is nothing for us ...
>>
No. 240686 ID: a76809

>>240671
I recall Lorgk and Jojo both commenting that lacking Ugrokk's lost arm they cannot regenerate it, and while still an able fighter and assassin, he is not as capable on the front lines as he was. He would need to be, in both their opinions, 're-armed' to be of use again. Now that I reflect on it, once I get back to Lubu, I can use the travel box there to reach Gialgorra's island, I recall impressive work with Prosthesis by his daughters. Perhaps some sort of thunder arm, insulated from harming the body, it's engine and weapon one and the same? Adding to this, it sounds as if Arkus is progressing quite diligently as a runecrafter, once Ugrokk has a new mechanical limb courtesy of Gialgorra, I would like to see what runecraft Arkus could contribute. Would do quite a bit to restore the warrior, and the sooner I approach this issue, the sooner I have a trio of potent and loyal warriors vying to take control of the now leaderless premen clan collective.

>>240665
I also send a swift message via Phohn back to Lorgk, cautioning him on the title of Red Knight, that another claims it that hunts others of the same, one who is part of a considerable organization I have no wish to face. I am greeted with an assertion, Lorgk assuring he grasps my meaning and reasons for reticence.

>>240666
I leave the Deep Spawn tending the gathered materials, and return to the party first, looking to learn and continue to make my presence known. I make my way back as slabs of dragon flesh thick as a horse are being cut and served, kidneys, livers, stomachs, everything save blood, scales and bone are used. While I see the smaller individuals eat, I see Korgotyo laboring on fashioning something from the piled scales beside him, some sort of robe, or surcoat, heavy and daunting. Oz and Senth are raucously telling jokes and feasting, wine and camaraderie thick about them as Bagrom is met by Edgo and Dano, who look strained as they thank Bagrom for his contributions, while discussing area finance, and the effect from a few buildings that were demolished on the family coffers. The conversation does not seem grim, merely inensely contemplative, as they vanish into their own little world while eating.

I approach Oz and Senth first, and inquire of the ever-toking resident of Trollingwood, the location of the prize money Keddic sent back with him. At first he tries to offhandedly play me off, claiming it still in Keddic's care, but when I note I heard this from Keddic himself, his grin shifts, growing not a whit smaller. With a flourish, his turning hand now grasps the neck of a sizable purse, gold registering to my senses within its depths. He offers that Keddic said I would hire him, so he assumed the reward his pay. I am distracted from a swift retort as I note Jioba looking sharply at Senth's display of Tractomancy.... my earlier suspicions look more and more true. I inform Senth he will actually have to provide service to me if he wants these resources, as I attach Magnetomantic hooks to the gold, patiently wait as my Ownership takes root in the unclaimed coins, and abruptly snatch them with such force they tear through the pag Senth still holds. The coins float above my hand, as I say I will certainly cover his expenses in the interim, but payment requires service. Again, I am met with a shifting smile, and I don't know what to make of it as Senth resumes his wild conversation with Oz, now focused around a story about stripper monks, of all things.

I continue to keep an eye on the cooking process, compiling it with what I saw of the preparation, while I ask Korgotyo if he would like aid for his shoulder and other few wounds.

"THE AID OF THOSE FROM EARLIER WOULD BE APPRECIATED, YES."

In short order Murhyihal and Akeakam return to the party while the other Deep Spawn continue to attend to the claimed dragon remains. Korgotyo continues his labors, affixing scale to scale, as his skin mends, before he asks if Murhyihal can contribute metal. He has some few massive rings of refined and aligned metals, carefully made to both be chain and armor. But with only four examples to his name, he has hardly enough to compliment the dragon scales. He saw the Deep Spawn's efforts to restore students and their chains alike, and wonders if he could aid in enlarging his supply. I see no reason to object, and the next hour sees Murhyihal exhausted even with Akeakam's assistance, but Korgotyo now stocked well enough that a Chain and dragonscale robe is on his horizon, and considerable gratitude lurking in his enormous eyes.

During this time I here and learn many things. I feel confident I could either lead or personally perform the preparation of all the conventionally consumable parts of a dragon's body, as well as hear several stories of dragons in the world. Apparently, the True mountains, of which there are several in the land, between five and eleven depending on who speaks, are the nest and roost of dragons, and they come down to neighboring lands not in search of food, but for reasons that are not fully understood, as they seem to mindlessly lay waste, and little else. I also hear stories of older, larger dragons, ones with considerable magical capability with their proto-soul, displaying more evidence of thought and planning than normal in their ilk. All these tales do, ultimately, is increase my desire to see the True mountains for myself. ...So many things to do and places to go. But first, the here and now.

>>240667
I examine my reclaimed sword, the Edge of Oblivion, once more in its slot on my back. ...It seems Jioga may be owed a thank you, as the blade is... restored. I know not if by Chronomancy, he either unwound time to a point the blade was whole or fast-forwarded to a point when its repairs where done, or more directly acted in its restoration, but not a single ding, scuff, scratch or crack is visible, the blade wholly restored. Moving past that, I detect that the decals worked in, the engravings of fangs woven into the sword's ripples somehow seeming to add an aesthetic boost to the pair of runes. On that subject, I find myself a bit perturbed. The runes have been shifted in more ways than was originally present, warped during the feasts ever further, or so I suspect. Where once a copy of each rune was on each flat of the blade, now only a single, massive rune adorns each side, more complex and intricate than their preceding form. I can tell the cleaver-like sword's left side holds the temporal rune, and the right the spatial... but what does this mean? Mosmordren runing technique, established as effective but flawed, has now been fundamentally shifted, taking on a more stylistic flair that seems far more in tune with the Land of Dragons than the Mosmordren empire. The Edge of Oblivion has become flashy, practically a banner to draw the eye.... and I shall reserve judgment until I have a chance to test it, and learn more of the altered runes.

I excuse myself as the party continues deep into the night, and make my way to the dragon bone and blood, stored out of sight, outside of the village. With Magnetomancy I claim Blood Iron of dragons, with Pyromancy I turn my passive exuding of Soulfire from my neck to inflaming the bones, an hour of careful ministrations finding me harvesting carbon and iron from three dragons worth of corpses. I feast readily, on some hundred pounds of Blood Iron and pound of carbon. A shift in my form begins to occur, a hardening birthed in the here and now, but my body yet needing more saturation for its full effects. ....So, dragon material will boost the innate hardness of my alloy? A useful thing indeed.

[DAY 141: DAY 1 OF WEEK 3 OF MONTH 4:]
[Zakday of the Third Cycle of Praeclarum (Summer)]


>>240668
I make my way back to the still-persisting party, Oggroth's labors now joined by some exceptionally energetic craftsman, as despite the late hour no one shows fatigue. I hear a few people marveling at how invigorating dragon is as a meal, and wonder if it acts as a stimulant or restorative of some sort... as my foray into dragonizing my construction makes me wonder what would happen if I likewise ran my body through a thorough coating of Deep Spawn blood. To my understanding, to make energy stay in their sanguine emulsions after it leaves the vein, they must invest a portion of their souls, and can only contribute so much before threatening their own well-being.... as it is, I see no option but to whittle away at this over the course of decades. I wonder if I should start, and if so, what plans I should use to keep my blood harvesting a secret, or even if I should try.

>>240676
[Belief a day old from thousands is nothing. Your title as Dragon from Jeagrezweistrik needs to spread to more areas before you could tap an appreciable amount of belief-based energy.]

I mull over The Lined One, Keddic's master, and what he could mean concerning my task for Lubu. I must assume, given Keddic's respect for the man, that he is a Living Legend. It fits the quality of student I have seen from him, and would give an explanation for why there is a warrant out for him, in the form of attacking someone below Master status first. ..Lubu wants Oz not just to get a Living Legend on his side, but to get another, Figment, more amenable to alliance. I realize I have not spoken with Oz about any connections he has with Figment, just as I wonder if bringing another Living Legend back would be wise. If Lubu was willing to negate the sentence on The Lined One's head, then with figment he could expand to THREE Living Legends to his name- and all from me, rather than Jioga, if I can help it.

As the dawn comes and people continue to be full of energy, I speak with Oz, asking him what his opinions are on traveling with Jioga. When he replies noncommittally, I note that (and I hate the fact Jioga maneuvered me such that not doing this would be a declaration that I do not support Lubu enough) I would appreciate him choosing to go with Jioga, so that we may all travel together. He agrees amiably enough, and Jioga is at my side with unnerving swiftness, noting he shall make ready for us to depart. The Killjoy of the party, Oz, Dulu, Bagrom, Senth, My Deep Spawn and myself are all swept up into following the Ash Dragon, and are in his camp in short order. I have no time to note that Oz's pagoda is still within the estate as we immediately set out, thousands marching around us as we travel down the road to Gainer, back towards the Capital. I feed myself, siphoning some metal from the surrounding landscape when I detect some meager tin and copper over the day, but otherwise am occupied keeping Oz and Bagrom busy, the Deep Spawn having a much harder time inspiring camaraderie with the officers they fight alongside in the all-day sparring sessions. With Nidhogg slowly flying overhead, hundreds of feet up and simply floating along by means of magic, the days passes swiftly.

[DAY 142: DAY 2 OF WEEK 3 OF MONTH 4:]
[Morday of the Third Cycle of Praeclarum (Summer)]


The whole day passes without Jioga ever speaking to me or showing any direct hostility, Oz thoroughly enjoying the brutal crucible he can forge for Bagrom, with the aid of regeneration, officers of scores of styles and Deep Spawn all at his disposal. For his part, the disciple looks almost in a daze, constantly in and out of consciousness as he is ever revived to fight again. By the end of the day I am forced to admit his Ghost Hand is notably brighter, and it is almost completely under his control, even if he can't alter its shape yet. I find more copper and tin to appease my need for metal.

[DAY 143: DAY 3 OF WEEK 3 OF MONTH 4:]
[Atenday of the Third Cycle of Praeclarum (Summer)]


It is midday when Jioga finally speaks to me, while Oz takes one of his own moments to spar with... everyone.

>"We should be at Gainer in another hour or so..... I heard one of your agents, a foreigner like you, won the show of the Grand Gainer, a fight on the last day involving another foreigner who used a Ragecore."





What should I say or do?
What do I have to say to Jioga?
Do I have any messages or questions to transmit via Phohn to Keddic, who is presumably still in Gainer?
Do I have any orders or commands for any of my allies, present or elsewhere via Phohn?
>>
No. 240689 ID: 5f0943

>>240686
HOLY SHIT! Rapid fire update?!
>>
No. 240691 ID: f4e4f9

>>240682
That would give too much time for perishables to go to waste. It's also far too large a workload for one individual, I'd think, and ties him up from other pursuits. There's no reason a standard trade method wouldn't suffice.

Salvage your materials after excusing yourself.

Regarding Jioga: I think perhaps he has an idea, there. We could definately make the case for both of us contributing to convincing Oz to come and join him, our own efforts helping solidifying Lubu and his followers as someone he could work with, and Jioga helping to seal the deal with his own efforts.

We'd have to be wary of Jioga attempting to cut us out or something.

And of course, all of this is contingent upon Oz accepting ours and Jioga's invitation.

During the travel, we can work on picking apart Jioga's misgivings. We'll need to have further talks in private at points during the trip, and perhaps build up a firmer base.
>>
No. 240696 ID: e31d52

"Oh, right. That'd be Keddeic, another one of my allies... and probably one of my closest friends. He mentioned something of some great import came up and that's why he can't be here right now. ...Too bad, I imagine Oz would love to have him around for Bagrom to learn from."
>>
No. 240698 ID: 1b88da

We can Phohn Keddic and tell him of the situation and then ask him what he will do. He is of course free to stay with TLO or come back to capital with us.

During the travels we should try to talk with Jioga, try to get him more friendly. Ask him about his position of Dragon, how he obtained it, about his youth and training, why and how he became Lubus ally, etc...
Answer his questions within the lines of our established persona (if he ask about our family, we will tell about our late wife, etc, etc)

Lets not dwindle too long here and arrive to the capital as soon as possible.
>>
No. 240699 ID: f4e4f9

>>240686

Definately transmit the idea to Keddic of attempting to convince the Lined One to consider joining Lubu. He'd be able to resume Keddics training in Mass Connection, gain Lubu another supporter, and to be honest...we'd kinda like to meet him.

"Ah, you speak of Keddic. Yes, I had heard as much.

He is currently reconnecting with one of his former mentors, another Living Legend who I believe could be swayed into being a firmer supporter of Lubu, though as I understand it he already holds him in high regard."

"A question, if I may. Why is there this feeling of...well, disdain, for those with me from the ranks of your troops? I understand they're not the most non-threatening in looks, but they are genial enough."

"Also...I must thank you. You must be a very potent Chronomancer and Tractomancer indeed. I have been laboring with my followers to repair the blade for a while. And these new runes...

...may I ask what these modifications are?"

Share some stories. Learn a bit about Jioga and Lubu.
>>
No. 240700 ID: 1b88da

>>240686
>I make my way back to the still-persisting party, Oggroth's labors now joined by some exceptionally energetic craftsman, as despite the late hour no one shows fatigue.
>Oggroth

Clearly a typo, but who was supposed to be this?
>>
No. 240702 ID: 1b88da

>>240699

>his former mentors, another Living Legend who I believe could be swayed into being a firmer supporter of Lubu

Umm... lets not say that. He might be able to deduce who we are talking about with the information that he has.
He wouldn't be too happy hearing that we are trying to gain even more of Lubus favor.
We are not entirely sure if this idea will even work.

Oh and tell Keddic that this is just and idea, we aren't going to do anything that he (or TLO) will disapprove of.
>>
No. 240706 ID: a76809

>>240700
[Korgotyo]
>>
No. 240713 ID: 45be60

"Yes, the blond fellow who came with me. You remember him don't you?"
>>
No. 240715 ID: 445c48

I think bringing food from Arcanoworks to the north through the boxes would be good. Heck, maybe bring Gialgorra's farming thing and see if we have anything that'll grow up there (Probably not though). Also, we could claim the rubies set aside for us much, much faster.

Perhaps for the blood we could claim it, rather than just cutting their wrist and eating it, while sparring? I'm sure the experience gained from fighting would do their souls good, making up for the bit they have to spend to make it stay magical.

And confirm it, though you hear it was a Rage Sphere, not sure if there's a difference.
>>
No. 240716 ID: 1b88da

>>240686
>now focused around a story about stripper monks
>stripper monks
...
...I'll be in my bunk.


Anyway, we should also start chatting up Senth. I wish we could extract knowledge about tractomancy, when we come to Arcaneworks, I think he can contribute to the think-tank and helping with the unified magic language we have been working on.
Hmmm.... we should establish a sort of communication device so that Arkus can stay in touch with Premen shamen and exchange experiences and work further with the unified language and general magic theory.


Ooohh... Have the train been invented yet on Gialgorra's islands? If not, maybe we can push the idea to Gialgorra or some other inventors... it's not like they don't have the technology for it.
We could build a railroad connecting Arcaneworks and Mordreden and later other notable places. We will start a great trade route network that way and people will be able to visit each other more easily (like Mordreden sending specialists like shamen and builders to Arcaneworks or other places to learn new things).
>>
No. 240719 ID: 56dc25

>>240686
Dammit, I wanted to invite some of those Chaining Calamity students to travel with us before we left. They seemed cool. Particularly Xuupi and Akhan. There was a plan, involving our Deep Spawn inviting them to make them seem more human and opportunities for adventure in our company.

Well, that opportunity was lost as we pissed away one day after another doing nothing, I guess. I suppose we can have Burduko drop by with a note for Korgotyo, noting that if any of his students feel like exploring or traveling to the north, we'd be more than glad to host them and even transport them there in short order, and that they can likely find us or our representatives where Lubu lives.

>[Ugrokk] would need to be, in both their opinions, 're-armed' to be of use again.
We could just call him down here and ask Oz to teach him. Admittedly, he doesn't speak the language or anything, but I imagine he'd cope. We'd lose his prowess for a while, or maybe even permanently, but he'd come out of it totally badass. We could strike up the question of what Oz looks for in a pupil at some point, with an eye towards bringing up the matter if he would be willing to go with it.

>Do I have any messages or questions to transmit via Phohn to Keddic, who is presumably still in Gainer?
Chat him up, find out what he's been up to, explain our situation. If he's on good terms with the Lined One, then if he thinks the guy would respond well, we can make a straight-up offer to him, explaining our whole plan to have him declared innocent by Lubu and what we would get out of it. Since both sides win here, there is little need for deception.

Speaking of both sides winning, if we haven't been completely straight with Oz about why exactly we asked him to travel with Jioga, we should lay it out. There are annoying politics involved here, and we don't want to make an enemy for life out of someone that we have nothing against. There's a sense in recent posts that Oz is somehow out of the loop and subject to being easily convinced of things; that's not how we should be playing this. If we are totally honest with Oz about what we want and why we want it, he's likely to go along with us as long as we stay friends with him.


Did we never get an answer from Arkus, in the last week, as to if spy/thief girl would talk to us?


On the matter of the myriad of things plaguing us in the north: We should really start delegating here! We have a lot of highly competent people, and we can start dispatching them to investigate or deal with various problems. Since Burduko can still teleport around and use our boxes to get people where they need to go, there is no longer a need to treat all our locations as separate. If we have to, we can throw our entire Arcanoworks army at killing Trollzaru before he becomes too powerful.

Speaking of our other people, get in touch with Bang, ask him how things went. And everyone else again.

Actually, you know what, just contact everyone on a daily or bi-daily basis, when we're pretending to be sleeping. No more of this being uninformed shit.
>>
No. 240721 ID: 9e5b05

To Keddic: "Hello, my friend. How is your teacher and yourself? We are currently making our way to the capital. I am attempting to plan some method to allow the Lined One to join us, if that is feasible and he wishes - I do want to meet the man that trained a good friend of mine, eh?"

To Arcanoworks: Updates on about Reinhardt and Eisenhardt. I wanna know what the Metal Titan is doing, and I wanna tell Reinhardt that we met Red Comet and Jaegrezweistrik. And that Jaegrezweistrik is awesome. Amazingly awesome.
I also want to suggest that Dregas get some direct trade going with Mordreden.

As to Ash Dragon Jioga: "Yes. He also defeated Duodee of Gainer, Leydo of the Fluid Fist, Wahkoto Of Iron Body, Senth," Cough, looking around, "Of Trollingwood, Seijuu of the Soul's Weight," Cough again, resisting a chuckle, "Bagrom, Of Oz and the one who ate the Ragecore and ended up a veritable titan." Pause and tilt our head inquisitively. "Why do you ask?"
>>
No. 240723 ID: 1b88da

>>240719
>If we are totally honest with Oz about what we want and why we want it, he's likely to go along with us as long as we stay friends with him.
oh, thats a good idea. I approve. Oz seems to be straightforward type of guy and he'd appreciate us being honest (just like how he liked when we straight up told him we want him to ally with Lubu)

>there is no longer a need to treat all our locations as separate. If we have to, we can throw our entire Arcanoworks army at killing Trollzaru before he becomes too powerful.
Huh, I never though of that!
But to kill Trollzaru we need to find him first, as you might remember that was a hard task.
I think we will have to send Velada and Burduko to do a detailed search or make a new Spawn specialized in that.

>Dammit, I wanted to invite some of those Chaining Calamity students to travel with us before we left. They seemed cool. Particularly Xuupi and Akhan. There was a plan, involving our Deep Spawn inviting them to make them seem more human and opportunities for adventure in our company.

Oh, right....
That was a good idea but I am concerned about one thing, will they come with us outside of LoD? If they do then how will they react to the fact that we harvest souls? I have no intention of leaving perfectly good souls when we leave LoD.

>We could just call him down here and ask Oz to teach him. Admittedly, he doesn't speak the language or anything

Have you forgotten our Phohn translator service? Dulu is operating like that for the time being, I am sure Uggrok will benefit from that too.
I like this idea, I like it very much. And after Uggrok gets his training done we can go and acquire mechanical arm a Gialgorras place. The Uggrok will be something like Oz: have an artificial awesome arm and a spectral one.
>>
No. 240725 ID: 9e5b05

>>240719
I agree with most of this, but before we train him with Oz, ask Oz if the Ghost Hand can be used for stealth - as Ugrokk is more a sneaky, classy, Preman and less a giant Mountain of badassery.

I especially agree with starting to get reports from everyone at the end of every week, or during any event that may need our hand - and I agree with letting our army go up in the north, get some cold-weather experience and some training, but not right now - we need to take care of Eisenhardt before we do that. We could possibly send a small task force to deal with it, but that's it for now. Field Test the walking tanks, maybe?

>>240716
And I agree with this, including trying to get Keddic's pipe back and also becoming friendly with Senth. Apologize for taking the money rather forcefully, but we've been under stress and we would rather like the money to find its way back to Keddic first.

And Phohn should try to to open instant communications between all our mages - let them start talking despite being yonks away from each other.
>>
No. 240727 ID: e31d52

>>concept of SEEKING, manifesting in KNOWLEDGE and STEALTH.

Hunting specific Deep Spawn.
>>
No. 240731 ID: 1b88da

>>240725
>I agree with most of this, but before we train him with Oz, ask Oz if the Ghost Hand can be used for stealth - as Ugrokk is more a sneaky, classy, Preman and less a giant Mountain of badassery.

I am not sure how that even matters. I mean, a mechanical arm will not add to his stealth and reconnaissance abilities.

Sure, a spectral hand might not be handy in stealth related issues but it is still an amazing power that will increase the offensive capabilities multiple times. Anything that makes our allies stronger is good with me.
>>
No. 240732 ID: 445c48

Well, we could get a mechanical arm AND ghost hand, if he's willing to train him, Oz himself has a metal hand.
>>
No. 240735 ID: 1b88da

>>240727
I hope it has good offensive abilities too.
At least be able to take one mid-range enemies.
>>
No. 240738 ID: a76809
File 128665503014.jpg - (20.01KB , 240x240 , LUBU.jpg )
240738

>>240699
>>240721
I use Phohn to send inquiries after Keddic and his status while informing him of my location and situation, as well as my hopes that The Lined One might seek service with Lubu as a means to gain a pardon or otherwise clear his name, even as I speak to Jioga, happy I have not yet revealed my communication trick to this Dragon.

"Yes. He also defeated Duodee of Gainer, Leydo of the Fluid Fist, Wahkoto Of Iron Body, Senth-"

I glance back at the lounging resident of Trollingwood, several soldiers with knowing looks on their faces in a circle with him as Old Bessie is passed about, and simulate coughing and continuing.

"Of Trollingwood, Seijuu of the Soul's Weight,"

I suppress a chuckle halfheartedly, letting a bare snigger tinge my words.

"Bagrom, Of Oz and the one who ate the Ragecore and ended up a veritable titan. Though now that I reflect on it, I heard the item called a Rage Sphere, not a core, So I do not know if the names are interchangable, or if I misunderstood something. Why do you ask?"

Before Jioga can reply, Keddic's own response slams into my head thanks to Phohn.

It is noted that The Lined One is still actively hunted for. Some form of assurance is desired by the party in question, that coming with a military group would not lead to his execution. If that cannot be secured immediately, then Keddic suggests not meeting with him, to prevent his master's discovery. However, if such assurances CAN be secured, that The Lined One's name would be cleared for service, then his master would find what I propose acceptable.

>[Jioga]"The names are interchangable as you suspect. He bested Seijuu as well in that exchange? And Oz's disciple? Most interesting. As I understand it, his name is Keddic, of the Harksburton line, is it not? Is that a known family where you hail from?"
"Indeed. He is a member of one of the head families of Castiliathen."
>"Where shall we head to pick him up, then?"
"..I do not believe we should. He has been most busy recently, In my opinion in need of a break. As a champion and local hero, What better place could he pick to rest and recuperate?"
>"...So, a foreign noble with the ear of the town, just being left idle?
>That hardly seems an intelligent use of resources."
"Nevertheless, he has earned it.

I send a message to Keddic, to wait while I gain those promises, to continue spending time with his master safely out of sight while we pass through. I also send a request to the Arcanoworks, seeking an update on the status of Eisenhardt and Reinhardt alike, the living and dead members of the Hardt family line as Jioga purses his lips and lets the matter drop, his opinion of me clearly not improving with my rebuke. So far, I have avoided calling him out on anything, or in any way giving him cause to seek satisfaction, as I feel quite confident that the bout between Huaow and Bang was ample evidence that might plays a large role in legal affairs here.

>>240719
[You can always go back to Waltora later. One would assume the students will still be there, and remember you.]

I have Phohn transmit to Burduko a message I wish personally delivered, the Deep Spawn vanishing to bring an invitation to the Chaining Calamity school, for any students that wish to travel, see tyhe world as they polish their style, as I have transport on demand they could avail themselves of. In less than a minute Burduko returns, stating the students said they would think about it, though the message seemed well recieved. A few ask after where to call on me, and seemed thoughtful when told the capital.

I return to some earlier thoughts, things I wished to broach to the Dragon, as we continue marching, now beginning to pass through Gainer, eyes drawn from every nook and cranny, and I cannot tell how much attention is for a passing Dragon and his army, or for the paired Golems, Deep Spawn and possessed dragon.

"A question, if I may. Why is there this feeling of...well, disdain, For those with me, emanating from the ranks of your troops? I understand they're not the most non-threatening in looks, but they are genial enough."
>"I have no reason yet to trust your constructs.
>In fact, I told my soldiers to not get too personal with your creatures, so they are in fact obeying orders."
"..You do not sound inclined to change that view."
>"I am forced to travel back to the capital and explain why an upstart from nowhere managed to befriend the individual I was tasked with bringing back. So yes, I will not be changing my view."
"It would seem there is little to do about that, but also...I must thank you."

Still smiling and waving at the crowd as we continue to march, Jioga does not even look at me.

>"Explain."
"You must be a very potent Chronomancer and Tractomancer indeed. I have been laboring with my followers to repair the blade for a while. And these new runes...may I ask what these modifications are?"
>"Yes, you can ask."
"...So-"
>"I said you could ask, not that I'd answer."

From here, I resort to asking after tales of how Jioga became alligned with Lubu. On this front, the Ash Dragon finally begins to open up, after only a little more prodding. He began serving Lubu fifteen years ago, when he first met the then-new Dragon himself. In that teenaged Lubu, Jioga saw promise, power, a place to gain glory. While his tails grow a bit loud, clearly intended for gossips in the audience to overhear, I begin making deductions based on what he says and what I already know. It seems possible he allied with Lubu to get ready access to a superior soul, to forcibly evolve himself in this fashion. Considering that at the time he met Lubu, Jioga himself was no Dragon (a topic he glosses over very swiftly), this would seem to fit. Once his stories conclude, Jioga moves away from me, clearly indicating he desires no more communication at this juncture. And so we march on. Gainer is soon enough vanishing behind us, and the sun sets not long therafter as yet another enormous camp is pitched beside the road, the finally motionless convoy now playing host to even more elaborate sparring sessions for Oz and his student alike. Jioga is clearly doing everything he can to sway Oz to his side-and continues to run afoul of my Deep Spawn, their otherworldly talents seeming to mock his attempts to prove his own resources superior. The day ends with Jioga looking speculatively my way as I feign sleep and inactivity.

[DAY 144: DAY 4 OF WEEK 3 OF MONTH 4:]
[Washiday of the Third Cycle of Praeclarum (Summer)]


Once more, a day is spent marching. Once more, a day is spent seeing to Oz's needs, in my subdued war with Jioga to be as accomodating to the fight-junkie's requests as possible. Once more, I pluck metals from the ground to feed myself. And once more, we grind to a halt as the sun sets, getting steadily closer to the capital.

[DAY 145: DAY 5 OF WEEK 3 OF MONTH 4:]
[Corday of the Third Cycle of Praeclarum (Summer)]


Another day passes without incident, Jioga's appearence growing more strained as his every attempt to sway Oz to his side fails, my sturdy foundations socially established with the man warding off the Dragon, feeding off Oz's innate dislike for possessors of the title. No one talks to myself or my Deep Spawn, save Dulu, Bagrom, Oz and Senth, the other thousands mute as far as we are concerned. The air grows steadily more hostile.

[DAY 146: DAY 6 OF WEEK 3 OF MONTH 4:]
[Lorthday of the Third Cycle of Praeclarum (Summer)]


In the morning, we arrive at the sundered gates of the castle, the massive walls swarming with craftsmen laboring to undo wouds left in Lubu's ascent to High Dragon, most done by his own hands. With the impressive backdrop of a mountainrange rading into the clouds overhead, the immense city is not dwarfed, its labrynthian innards eventually giving way to a familiar palace. Most of Jioga's officers begin peeling off and attending to other duties, the gaping stares that follow Nidhogg pleasing, when I hear a familiar laugh from on of the higher floors, and with a burst of sundered woodwork Lubu bursts from the wall, leaping down to the ground some eighty feet below as concerned voices emenate from the room he left.

[Lubu]"Ah, back together then? Interesting. I see Oz here, so clearly someone had success here.... so, what has happened?"

Before anyone can say anything, another familiar voice cracks out, the first bit of Common I have heard in quite some time, and someone follows Lubu's dynamic method of departing the building. I see Lubu, not currently clad in the armor I saw last time, turns a wry smile at Bang, the muscled warrior ecstatic to see me.



[Bang]"Oooooooo!! Good to see you again, Mordre! ...Where's Keddic?"





What should I say or do?
What should I say to Lubu, and what should I say to Bang?
Do I have any particular questions or lines of inquiry I wish to follow?
And now that I am finally back at one of my transport boxes, is there anywhere I wish to go?
>>
No. 240743 ID: 9e5b05

"BANG! I HAVE A DRAGON!"
>>
No. 240744 ID: e31d52

I really figured Bang and Lubu would get along well.

Explain EVERYTHING, gently leaving out the details of the sword-theft, the assault on your spawn, and general prickness that we agreed to do.

However, leave enough closeness that Lubu will probably ask about them. For instance, mention having to heal your men, but not who attacked them, having trouble retrieving your blade, but not why, etc.

When he asks, then we can open up and still hold to the word of our agreement.


Then explain to Bang that Keddic is seeing an old friend he met here, someone he doesn't see often. Then direct him to Oz and tell him to ask about sparring with his student.

Also, Lubu must have seen the Edge before it's alterations - if he notices the changes, it's just another opportunity to out Jioga for the prick he is.

Don't steal our shit and kill our friends, and we won't tell anyone about it, Jioga. If you wanted to avoid this situation then you wouldn't have done those things.
>>
No. 240746 ID: 9e5b05

>>240743
Other then that, did we get around to telling Oz why he's here?

No matter, we should also leap forward and POWER BROFIST BANG! And then tell, in the most manly way possible, our awesome exploits with dragon killing, Keddic now being the Blood God, sadly not having a drunken brawl in a tea-house, and most everything else - void talking about Paradox Knights, however and call Oz over and ask him if he wants to get settled in by beating the crap out of the entire capital.
>>
No. 240750 ID: 56dc25

>>240738
We don't need to explain anything to Lubu. In fact, it is likely to our advantage if we do not; he'll be able to be certain that we're not spinning things in our favor that way, and if the Ash Dragon tries to take the lead then he'll look manipulative. Presumably Oz has a fully grasp of what's going on by this point, and we've played things straight enough with him. And needling/speaking against Jioga would only hurt our rep with him and make him think of us as one of those conniving diplomat types. "I believe that Oz would be the preferred one to speak on that matter, High Dragon Lubu."

To Bang: "Oh, Keddic won a combat tournament- rather impressively, so I heard- and then asked for some time off. He'll catch up with us eventually. Ash Dragon Jioga here brought word of your success, Bang; my congratulations." Do not mention that Keddic is seeing an old friend until it's time to discuss the matter of the Lined One with Lubu.


When the matter of Oz is sorted, try to get ourselves talking alone with Lubu, and bring up the matter of the Lined One and clearing his name in exchange for service. Presumably the High Dragon will have a good idea of how to go about it.

And see about getting Lubu to agree to Lenryt's request, so that we can get all that finished off. From there, if any other matters have come up... and then back to the Arcanoworks with us. We'll have to fight Eisenhardt, probably, but I think that at this point we are likely able to take him. We've learned a few new tricks.
>>
No. 240751 ID: 9e5b05

As for using the boxes, I suggest we go back and take care of the Metal Titan when we get our next chance. Don't ask it for that, but ask to head out
>>
No. 240756 ID: d3dfb8

>>240743
THIS
:V
>>
No. 240757 ID: 1b88da

>Another update
This is a great day

>>240738
>see Lubus disdained face as a first thing
>Oh boy, I hope we did not fuck up
>we didn't!

Well, tell Lubu what happened after you left the capital.
Also could we try to put a good word for Jioga? Don't tell anything bad he did, and otherwise try to make it as if Jioga played an important part in this whole venture. So that it comes of like we didn't do the whole thing ourself (even though we did)

Then ask Lubu how the situation is, what else happened while we were away and if he has any other tasks that he'd like to give us (but please do not make this another competition, we have already proved to be capable, having to compete with someone is stressful and that is bad for our health with our age).

Then take him aside and ask about TLO, what he knows about him. What he thinks about him. Depending on the answers relay what TLO told you (that he's willing to ally with him if there is a chance that the charges be dropped and that he get a military escort)

Then talk with Bang. Catch up with him, ask him what he has been doing all this time here and tell him about our ventures. Tell him what Keddic is doing.


And now choosing where we should go.
-First we must determine how much free time we have. If we don't have any feasible time boundaries (as in, Lubu will let you know when you are needed) we must leave some sort of trinket or something so that Lubu can contact us with it through Phohn (when talking with Lubu, the voice should come out of the trinke t as opposed in his mind)
-Also, we should know if Oz is willing to teach Ugrokk so that we can bring him here for training, if that is not possible then Ugrokk dhould be brought to Gialgorras island.
-See if any students took up our offer, if they did we can take them with us and have training sessions everyday wherever we travel.

I think we should finally come back to Arcaneworks and confront with Eisenhardt. Does everyone feel confident we can take him on? I mean without downright killing him.

Then (depending how Oz recieves the offer to train Ugrokk) we should take Ugrokk to Gialgorra and have him made a prosthetic arm. We should take lots of funds with us too, not only for the arm but any other things we might want to buy.


Oh right, now that we have money (ask Keddic if we can spend it), go around shopping to buy something for Arkus. Be it books on magic theory or magical equipment that Arkus can study. Oh and get him an dictionary too (don't think he can talk Dragon) or maybe have Phohn serve as translator (man, Phohn is so useful we should praise him sometime)
>>
No. 240758 ID: 56dc25

>>240750
As an addendum to this, I should note that while we should head out, spending a few hours/part of a day here getting settled would not be a bad thing. Maybe get a slightly better sense for the politics, hear about Bang's adventure, speak with Lubu or possibly Oz as to what's going on and their next set of plans. We'll want to leave a few people here as our representatives, probably. Perhaps Buduko's spawn can use the box to teleport as messengers- seems logical to me, but who knows, they could just be flying bits of cloth with no other abilities- and if they can, then we can start using them to keep all our places well-connected and in touch. Phohn's guys might be able to tie things together well, too.

Also, I don't know that Nidhogg will fit in our box. So he might be stuck in the Land of Dragons for now.
>>
No. 240760 ID: 3c4318

Holy crap, more updates today than I thought there would be.

YAY!

To Lubu: Something about a joint victory followed by "let's hear what Oz has to say"



BROFIST!
>>
No. 240761 ID: a69afd

>>240738
I think Jioga's problem is with Lubu, not us.

>>240659
>"Oh? No threat to me? It would seem you know little of our new High Dragon. Do you not grasp how fickle he is? Those who grant results are lauded, given what they desire, and those who fail are forgotten. You may not intend to damage my position, but any further 'victories' on your part will still cause me grief. So if you seek some sort of peace between us, I scoff at your attempts."

PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE AS FUCK

I say we just tell Jioga to grow a pair instead of being a fucking hypocrite. If Jioga doesn't like the way Lubu runs his damn kingdom, he should speak up instead of snapping at everyone else that does a better job than he does.
>>
No. 240762 ID: 3c4318

>>240758
Well if we want him real bad we could always ditch the dragon body... but that seems like a waste... until we visit the TRUE mountains anyway.
>>
No. 240763 ID: 1b88da

>>240744
Noooo, say anything that might out Jioga in a bad light.

Jioga may have been a prick but I can forgive him that he was trying to fulfill Lubus task the only way he knew how, we can't be mad at him for his lack of meta-knowledge on how to rightly deal with the kinds of characters like Oz.

I actually want to put a good word on Jioga to Lubu.
>>
No. 240766 ID: 3c4318

Also we need to bring up the possibility of gaining another powerful ally, though he i snot in the best standing with the government right now.

Wait, first off, ask Keddic, what EXACTLY did the Lined one do to get in trouble. I think he mentioned it before, but I don't remember. WE need to know just how forgivable this man really is.

It's no 'he slew the grand council of elders after raping the emperor wife and daughter' type of bad I hope.
>>
No. 240769 ID: 903f16

>>240766
>must assume, given Keddic's respect for the man, that he is a Living Legend. It fits the quality of student I have seen from him, and would give an explanation for why there is a warrant out for him, in the form of attacking someone below Master status first.

This is from the update prior to the current one. It seems as if he is being hunted for charges quite similar to what we would threaten Jioga with. Which really brings to light how heavy the sentence on such a crime is.
>>
No. 240770 ID: 1b88da

>>240762
I think that Nidhogg will be able to fly fast as fuck though. Probably be able to reach Arcaneworks in a day or two. Or we could leave it here resting somewhere where everyone can see it so that people know how awesome Lubu that his allies are even capable of conquering a dragon. Will probably boost Lubus stand.


Eisenhardt has probably severely altered the grounds to suit him. We should be ready for that.

Also adding to this >>240757
After we do all that we should come back to Northern Mountains and hunt down Trollzaru and kill, we should use all available resources to finding and eliminating him..... Haha, what am I talking about? We should kill every last yeti we stumble upon so and set up yeti fur hats trade.
>>
No. 240772 ID: 3e56f0

On the subject of Ugrokk, can Soul Infusion regenerate his arm? Yeah, it would give him nightmares and put him in danger of losing control of his body, but it would empower him. And, like was suggested to be done to Oggroth, we could bind a concept to his soul to help him retain his identity. Perhaps CONTROL or OWNERSHIP, to bypass the ethical considerations of binding the concept of HUNGER like with Oggorth and to give considerations on his own strengths. If we were to bind CONTROL into Ugorkk's soul, he might be able to ensure that the souls bind and are enslaved to him, and thus grow in power. And, perhaps if he doesn't fully integrate the souls, perhaps he could set them to specialize in certain fields while Ugrokk's soul and the other souls specialize in other fields, to bypass the specialization means more power for less breadth while generality means more breath for less power restriction. So, like, Ugrokk can have a soul that specializes in brute fore through projection of the soul (the soul that internalizes Oz's teachings) while another soul specializes in controlling the body and rapid-fire Combat Curatiomancy (like Bang) while yet another soul specializes in sneakiness, and so on and so forth.
>>
No. 240775 ID: ce0575

Mordreden:  Delro? Lukgo? Fersh? What are they up to? How is Heol, has anyone been able to communicate with her yet or vice versa? How are our bodyguards doing (We really need to come up with a name for these guys and actually learn their name because it's just getting weird calling them our Bodyguards constantly. How about the Sons of Mordre)? Ask Ugrokk how he would feel about receiving a mechanical prosthesis to replace his arm and/or learning the Ghost Hand from Oz.

When we get the chance, ask Oz if he would be willing to teach Ugrokk, also inform that his training would require him to use Phohn as a medium for them to communicate through.

Ask Lorgk and Delro about the Drazken Clan's and our own current position politically, since Goran was slain by our hand. Does this mean we claim his position as Head-Chieftain over the other clans through our Right of Strength?

I fear that Lukgo's new found ingenuity is from a serious health risk that we are putting aside because it gives him a "clearer mind". To alleviate or confirm my suspicions, I would like to have him throughly inspected by the healers and shamans of the clan. If they find don't find any health risks besides the extreme pain he feels when struck then we shall leave it be for now. But if they DO find that he is at risk of something (intracranial hemorrhage, brain herniation, etc.) then I want him to be treated immediately before his condition can worsen. If he protests, inform him of our concern for his health and safety. We cannot force him to take the treatment, but we beg him to do so for his own sake. Besides, Lukgo doesn't need a fractured and bleeding skull to be an ingenious fighter and tactician, which he already was before his injury (a little compliment to make him feel better).


To Bang: >>240750 Have Phohn fill Bang in on whats really happening and ask him if he could keep it on the down low.

To Lubu: >>240744 + >>240750
>>
No. 240776 ID: 9e5b05

>>240773
I keep calling the 'The Bachelors', personally.

Also remember that Nidhogg is a body jumper. While it is sad to loose our dragon so early, it/she could consume the body and we could stuff her in a cat, or something.
>>
No. 240778 ID: 1b88da

>>240776
I just wonder how will we able to go from cat back to dragon?
A cat cannot possibly eat a dragon!

Also, we shouldn't be too hasty about getting a new body, let Nidhogg eat an ancient/true dragon first
>>
No. 240779 ID: 445c48

Nidhogg could probably fly back pretty quickly. We should send Burduko with her, to give her directions, and to gain teleport points in the desert. Admittedly, they'll probably be up very high in the air, but I'm sure if we order them to touch down when we either need Burduko or when they spot a city/town it would fix that.
>>
No. 240780 ID: 1b88da

>>240779
Have Burduko touch the ground every 50 miles or so?
Can't be that hard
>>
No. 240782 ID: 5f0943

The steel box is big enough to fit Mordre+Keddick, Bang and Dulu+all of our spawn we had at the time of creation.
Who's to say that the box isn't big enough to fit even more?

In any case, maybe Nidhogg could fit in if she squeezed in really tight.
>>
No. 240783 ID: 3e56f0

>>240775
Actually, by the method through which Lukgo was introduced into the quest (a contest Bob held because a poster correctly predicted that the concurrent Yeti and Deep Spawn attack effectively put them on a SoulDreaming path of power; they are broken and thus, they gain power, if they were healed, they lose power) Lukgo needs that fractured skull to retain his abilities at non-direct combat.
>>
No. 240785 ID: 903f16

>>240738

>What should I say to Lubu, and what should I say to Bang?
Everyone else has this pretty well covered, but just tell Lubu about what happened on our mission while glossing over things that could hurt Jioga. Make an opening or motion that we have something important to ask him in private later too, so we can properly ask about removing The Lined One's sentance. To Bang tell him Keddic is taking a bit of personal time, but he had a rather spectacular time in The Grand Gainer tournament and won the competition. He got to fight against the likes of Senth, and then introduce the two, and that we're sure they would get along. Tell him we're sorry he didn't get the opportunity, but we have something cooked up for later that we're sure everyone will enjoy.

>Do I have any particular questions or lines of inquiry I wish to follow?
Get an update on what happened while we were away. In particular ask Lubu why he isn't in his spiffy new armor and get Bang to retell his exploits from his own mission and his fight against Bang. Also ask Bang either in private or via Phohn about his progress with possibility cells and state Keddic himself made a great leap and when they next meet they should work together and share again.

>And now that I am finally back at one of my transport boxes, is there anywhere I wish to go?
Well the first priority would be the Arcanoworks, Mordreden/The Icy Bastion can handle itself for now, Gialgorra's Island has no pressing concerns either. Though first we'd need to know if we are clear to leave and Lubu doesn't have another mission for us to do off on. If we do have free time then yeah, take a box out to the Arcanoworks. I'm just a bit hestitant because we have a crushing amount of stuff piled up for us to do at the Arcanoworks and we will be one seriously overworked Golem.

>>240750
I would suggest against asking about Lenryt's proposal now. I do not think we have done enough for him yet, I mean we've only completed one mission for the guy so far aside from our help during his first meeting. Lenryt made it fairly clear this is a long term sort of mission what with the two boons offered instead of one. We've yet to meet Lenryt's other champions as well and I feel like the narrative will demand us to fight at least some of them prior to completing our task.

Also does anyone else feel bad for whoever maintains this place? Bang and Lubu don't even use doors, they just make new ones when they want to leave a room. I just imagine some old peasant builder shaking his fist to the sky whenever he hears wood cracking and then sullenly going to fetch his tools.
>>
No. 240787 ID: a76809
File 128666148984.jpg - (89.58KB , 500x800 , Lubu walks away.jpg )
240787

>>240766
>>240775
I realize I know nothing of what Keddic's master has actually done to incur distrust, to gain the sentence hanging over his head, and use Phohn to ask after this. As the question gets filtered to Keddic and I await a response, I also inquire after others at Mordreden, before I begin addressing those around me.

>>240743
>>240756
"BANG! I HAVE A DRAGON!"
"Okay, what nowohsweetTAPDANCINGPILESOFAWESOME!!! Why do you have a dragon that is incredibly cool can I ride it?"
"Feel free my friend, but don't go too far, I'll want to hear how your own adventures where. Also, Keddic will be arriving in the near future, he is visiting an old friend now."
"Right whatever, dragon riding time is now?"
"Go for it."
"OH YES."

Bang leaps from the ground, soaring into the sky to land atop Nidhogg, his flesh tearing as it meets barbed scales before he scrambles to the hollow I sat upon, the joining of shoulders and neck. Nidhogg, calmly continuing to float overhead, turns her head around to start at Bang on her back, before snorting and promptly ignoring him. Bang seems not to mind, especially once Nidhogg begins slowly rolling, a lazy attempt to remove her passenger that Bang simply finds entertaining. With the spinning dragon overhead, I defer to Oz, letting him speak for himself.

>>240746
Oz begins explaining to Lubu why he came, his time with me and his desire to face the White Pheonix, all of it compounded by Jioga having comments of his own at nearly every step. While this happens I speak with Bang while he clings to the rotating Nidhogg, still nonchalantly trying to shed her human rider.

"So, let me see, Keddic participated in a tournament that netted considerable prestige, Several rather impressive fights occurring to my understanding, and in general having a good time. We also ran into Oz there, who is known as The Breaker, The Left Handed God of the fist, And quite possibly the most potent pugilist I have ever seen. Some drunken revelry, And Oz ended up with a student, the one-armed lad there, by the name of Bagrom. After that, lets see, there were some dragons that attacked a nearby town, With the one you cling to one I turned to serving my own will.... Really, I must say these lands are fascinating, I have met a wealth of potent individuals.... And how was your own venture?"
"Oh, you know, punching faces, kicking spines out, fun stuff like that. I ended up offing that Huaow guy, apparently I was right, in that punching him enough WOULD solve my problem... but that was on the way back. The actual event we competed over? Crazy fun, and irritating as all hell too. This guy... think they called him Immortal Angormandius the Undying, big guy and all, he just.... well, he wouldn't go down. I shatter his skull, he keeps trucking. I break every bone in his limbs, he kept moving. I rupture his every organ, and still he fought. The thing that struck me as weird was that he wasn't doing regeneration, it was more like the damage just meant absolutely nothing to him, no matter how much I piled up. After three, four hours of fighting that guy with Huaow (who was a TOTAL jerk in the race to the outpost, breaking bridges as he crossed them and such), he left after getting bored... which was pretty good, because I was going to run out of magic soon, which would not have been pleasant. But hey, cool new trick I figured out while fighting someone that stupidly enduring: check this out!"

Bang releases his left hand's grasp of Nidhogg, and I watch the limb in question stretch and warp, now five, now ten feet long and fully prehensile, razor-sharp bone spines protruding from the flesh, and humming as they blur, vibrating fiercely. It is at this point that I am informed of the requested details of Mordreden:

>[Lukgo, Fersh]
>Both the healer and tactician for the Drazken clan have been doing excellently. Fersh has become much more adept at healing, and is now so valued by the clan that there is not a single person that would not aid the severely crippled maker turned shaman. Lukgo's plotting has been instrumental, and with Delro aiding him, they have proved phenomenal support to Lorgk's attempts to fill the power vacuum.

>[Heol]
>Fersh is noted as having seen a spirit lingering about the healing tent, but as of yet no one in the clan can speak to or hear it. It is quite likely that without my presence, Heol has no one to speak to.

>[Sons of Mordre]
>The twenty premen that I left behind have been massively expanding their experience in larger-scale engagements, their potent arms and armor making them considerable shocktroopers, turning Oggroth's charges into devestating routes on enemy forces.

>[Ugrokk]
>The warrior notes that the sound of this Ghost Hand style sounds too much like what the yeti Trollzaru has been seen using, and as such he is hesitant to attempt learning it. Conversely, he has no qualms with the technological solution proposed, as everything he has seen of lowlander technology has left him holding a high opinion of the whole realm.

"I AM SAW. ...How cool is that?! I think I'm going to call it Magnum Saw...... OH! Maybe BANG BLADE"
"...How-"
"Possibility cells, oh yes! Finally starting to figure out the little buggers.... though so far, this trick is the only one I can pull off without, well, becoming a giant pain-wracked ball of tumor, but HEY, progress!"

As I finish catching up with Bang, still laughing as he clings to Nidhogg (who now begins to spin faster, snuffling with some irritation at her passenger), I get to hear Lubu's response, to Oz's requirements for allying.

[Lubu]"Don't want to bow your head? Pssh, fine, I don't need some genufluctors or the like. You want to fight the White Pheonix? Sure, guy wants to take my head as I understand it, you can have fun with him.... so, Mordre showed you a bit of a good time, huh? That Gift-Horse-Golem was a good host?"
>[Oz]"He was at that. ...So, you would accept a temporary alliance?"
"Sure, I don't care. You got your own shit to do, I get that, I just want some muscle for a couple fights, as there will be so much fun to go around I can't hog it all. So.... yeah, go ahead and pick any building you want, and you can call it home for training your student, housing more students, whatever. Or not, your call really. ....By the way, how is Figment?"
>"Ah, him. Well, you know that crusty guy, always so damn quiet. He's been doing fine last I heard, doing that Dream delving stuff of his. Why?"
"I wouldn't mind him being here, either. I'm looking at... what, nine Dragons against me? I mean, sure it would be personally fun to kill every last one, but if they kill all my followers, well that just sucks. And I know Figment to be quite adept at defense."
>"Huh. Well, I'll keep that in mind."
"Please do."

As Jioga now moves to act as guide for Oz while the Living Legend picks out a place to temporarily call home, Lubu turns my way, snickering as he sees Bang astride a spinning, flying lizard.

"Hah. So, looks like your man Bang here passed that initial challenge, AND you were the one to get Oz to come. Well color me impressed, Gift-Horse-Golem."
>>240757
"It wasn't all me. Ash Dragon Jioga was a great help as well. ...So, how is the situation here?"

Lubu leans on the haft of his spear, letting out a yawn before he speaks. In that instant before he does vocalize, Keddic's response graves my mind: The Lined One is, as I suspected, accused of attacking a student of Jade Soul master Hui's. A single death, born from the same type of breach that Jioga committed. The Lined One claims the charges false.

"Well, things are iffy, but stable. Tufted Dragon Diaoji's got an ally in Thoughtful Dragon Kunna now, with Bearded Dragon Gwanyao The Splendid joining in too, which is on top of having Living Legend White Pheonix AND Living Legend Theriguno the Claimer out for blood too. I like having so many enemies of that caliber, what bothers me is that between them all, they have... ten? Twenty times as many troops as me. Having Oz as a deterrent will help, and if I can get Figment too that would make things even better, but really, I'm looking to get some more general-quality people. If I don't, I could win every fight I get in, and still end up losing the civil war. ...Man, being emperor can be a pain in the ass."
"...Actually, I have some thoughts on that. I am curious, would you excuse a Living Legend, One that has a warrant over their head, If it engendered their service towards you?"
"Hm... depends. I mean, there are some rules you just cannot break, you know? But I would overlook a good bit if it could net me another Name like that. Clearly you have something on your mind, so name the accused you think of already, will you?"
"The Lined One."
"OH, THAT guy! Yeah, he is one mean staff wielder. Hell, I've seen him fight a few times, that is one precise fighter, guy just does not miss, not once, not ever. ...As I recall, he's accused of breaching the code of conduct for Living Legends, attacking a lesser fighter... that could have a whole mess of backlash, if I cleared his name."
"The individual claims himself innocent, The charges leveled by Hui of Jade Soul."
"I could believe it, Old Hui is a crafty, crafty one. If you can find me some sort of proof that the claims are false though, anything to back up The Lined One's stance, and I'll pardon him in an instant."

Lubu stretches again, and yawns before turning away.

"Well, I got EVEN MORE meetings, and I didn't get much sleep with the recent dragon incursion, fun as that was, so I'll see you around. As it is, stuff's pretty quiet for the moment, so if you have affairs of your own to attend to, I'd reckon now is the time to do them."

And with that, the High Dragon departs, leaping back into the very building he burst from.





What should I say or do?
Do I have further questions for Bang?
Should I seek out Oz and Bagrom, to learn where they will be staying, or to ask if Ugrokk could be considered for being another disciple of the Breaker?
Or should I venture into the True mountains nearby, in search of more understanding of Dragons?
Or should I use the teleport box in the building Lubu returned to to travel elsewhere?
>[And to clarify, Nidhogg will NOT fit in teleport box.]
>>
No. 240788 ID: 1b88da

>>240738
>I have Phohn transmit to Burduko a message I wish personally delivered, the Deep Spawn vanishing to bring an invitation to the Chaining Calamity school, for any students that wish to travel, see tyhe world as they polish their style, as I have transport on demand they could avail themselves of. In less than a minute Burduko returns, stating the students said they would think about it, though the message seemed well recieved. A few ask after where to call on me, and seemed thoughtful when told the capital.

Oh, right...

Didn't we want our Deep Spawn choose the favorite student and ask them personally so that it gives them more personality?

Oh well...
>>
No. 240789 ID: 9338f5

>>240785
>Also does anyone else feel bad for whoever maintains this place? Bang and Lubu don't even use doors, they just make new ones when they want to leave a room. I just imagine some old peasant builder shaking his fist to the sky whenever he hears wood cracking and then sullenly going to fetch his tools.

we should find this guy and give him some gold/rubys as an appology
>>
No. 240790 ID: e7bf04

>>240786
If Nidhogg won't fit, then some one will have to ride her all the way back. I bet Bang would enjoy riding her all night long (tee hee).
>>
No. 240792 ID: e31d52

Hm...

I suppose we could talk with Keddic and get some info on him?

We could spend a Pristine in making a really awesome investigation-themed Deep Spawn.

No, I mean put the Pristine IN the Spawn, since we apparently infuse them with our soulstuff. Since half the time our issue is NEED MOAR INFO, could come in handy. Any takers?
>>
No. 240793 ID: 1b88da

>>[Ugrokk]
I don't care what he thinks about ghost hand training if he would have seen what it is capable of he would agree in an instant. I am more interested what Oz thinks about that (we should mention that Ugrokk will be completely green in that field... he doesn't know a bit of combat magic)
After he gains even a little bit of "ghost hand", we can go and get him an artificial arm (make it detachable so that he can focus on ghost training more if need be)

Ask Bang what he was doing all this time after the fights.

Talk with Oz, ask him what he thinks. His first impression with Lubu.

Then I think it's time we finally make our way to Arcaneworks.
>>
No. 240796 ID: 1b88da

>>240792
Private Investigator Deep Spawn?
Huh, I like that.
I guess he would be great as a reconnaissance too.
Could be good if he can move swiftly or even fly like Burduko.

Though I am not all to hot on spending P.S. on him.
>>
No. 240799 ID: 9e5b05

"Trust me Lubu, you have no idea how hard it can be." Laugh, and look up. "Not dislodged him yet, Nidhogg? Try harder, my dear! Haha! Now, Bang, we met this Immortal Angormandius on his way back and looked...well, much worse for wear, but still as agile as ever. Most interesting...So...How did you kill this Huaow bloke anyway?" And enjoy the calm, for now, walking to get a general idea of the location - Burduko should learn as much as he can so he can warp anywhere - and then find where Oz and Bagrom.

Phohn Keddic - tell him that we're in the capital, that we're going to head back to the Arcanoworks and if he'd like to come with us.

Have all of our Deep Spawn puzzle over the changes to the blade, if possible, and warn the Arcanoworks that we're coming. I would like an update on the Metal Titan and Del Rogo. Buggery, we should have suggest to Arkus to ask about the ax...
>>
No. 240801 ID: e31d52

[namehere] embodies the concept of SEEKING, manifesting in KNOWLEDGE and STEALTH.

Need an empty name, bros
>>
No. 240802 ID: 6dd58d

>>240801
Would've thought the name for that one would be obvious. Noir.
>>
No. 240803 ID: 3e56f0

Say, can Phohn keep talking to Heol, and perhaps ward off loneliness and madness by constant communication with her? Or maybe facilitate the full development of Fersh's ability to see and interact with Heol?
>>
No. 240804 ID: 1b88da

>She is however starting to cause trouble when not on active duty, starting fights with other soldiers she claims to be 'leering at her without being worthy'

Didn't Arkus want to ... "explore her vast fields"..?
Maybe we can nudge him in the right direction, help him with that? Who does she deem worthy anyway? Physically strong person? Someone with a vast statue, knowledge, money, ...?

I wonder if we could make Arkus into a powerful combat mage? I know he doesn't like fighting and is more of a researcher...
Eh... dunno. Probably better to keep him having dreams on "the fields" rather than diverting his attention from more important stuff.
>>
No. 240806 ID: e31d52

VERY WELL THEN.

NOIR embodies the concept of SEEKING, manifesting in KNOWLEDGE and STEALTH.
>>
No. 240812 ID: 1b88da
File 128666429813.jpg - (86.60KB , 700x700 , 128155409648.jpg )
240812

We must use names that we had chosen back when we were gaining these Spawn eggs.

Some of the free ones that I think are more or less good for the occasion.

Idoneus
Audey
Lerato
Dompaggio
Doftern
Jodron

Out of all of them I suggest Dompaggio.
I want our guys to have a name that somehow includes the concept of being a hard-boiled gentlemanly private dick who is also very charismatic, persuasive and suave.
Dompaggio sounds like a charming Italian man.. "My name is Paggio .... Don Paggio"

And as for offensive abilities... obviously he wouldn't as powerful as other Spawns but he should be a great gunslinger and a brawler able to beat mid-range enemies.
>>
No. 240813 ID: 56dc25

>>240806
Can we make this AFTER we go back to the Arcanoworks and deal with Eisenhardt? I'd like our soul to be as strong as possible when that happens. Also, it takes a couple hours to make a Deep Spawn from scratch, normally, and as long as we're crafting one I'd kind of like to make that "just as planned" Deep Spawn conceptualized a while back. Made of planning and prescience, or something to that effect; I'd have to look it up but it seemed like a highly effective adviser type. Which we could really use, as our holdings grow larger and more disparate.


Let's briefly seek out Oz, wish him well, tell him that we're honored to consider him a friend, etc. etc. and we'll say hey if we drop by sometime soon, also inquire as to if he's interested in picking up more students because we might know someone who has lost a limb. Then bid him goodbye and go back north through the box.

Leave Nidhogg, and someone else... Bang, maybe, if he likes it here. We need someone to act as our representative, lest we lose status/be forgotten/etc., and we don't have a ton of other options unless we care to leave one of the other Deep Spawn. Which we could, I suppose. Leaving Nidhogg with them will serve as a reminder of our strength and help to spread our legend, once it starts catching on, by serving as tangible evidence of our great accomplishments.
>>
No. 240814 ID: 9338f5

>>240804
fairly sure we got a bit of info on her a while ago that said something about her only being interested in those who can best her in combat.
>>
No. 240815 ID: e31d52

>Dompaggio embodies the concept of SEEKING, manifesting in KNOWLEDGE and STEALTH.
>>
No. 240816 ID: 1b88da

>>240806
Maybe better -INQUIRY- rather than KNOWLEDGE or STEALTH? Seems more fitting for a Spawn who are we going to use as an investigator.
>>
No. 240817 ID: 9338f5

>>240812
sounds like a possible spymaster. we could really use one of those, if we ever get control of good sized country he could build a secret police for us.
>>
No. 240818 ID: e31d52

>I'd like our soul to be as strong as possible when that happens.

The act does make our soul stronger, in moderation. I think 5/6 a month or so is fine. It's only when we go balls-to-the-walls with it like we did initially that it endagers us.
>>
No. 240823 ID: 1b88da

>>240815
>>240816
>>240817

"Dompaggio" embodies the concept of INQUIRY, its form revolves around ESPIONAGE and STEALTH.

Maybe this is better? Or switch INQUIRY and ESPIONAGE so the it becomes " [...] embodies the concept of ESPIONAGE, [...]"?
Though I prefer the concept INQUIRY more, he should be an investigator first and stealthy spy second ... though they go hand in hand I guess

I think it fits better for investigator, no? What do you guys think?
>>
No. 240825 ID: 1b88da

>>240823
Oh, I forgot to add.
He should have a nice, pleasing, persuasive voice and his body proportions shouldn't be much bigger than a human. Maybe like a tall fit man or in the line with Keddics proportions.

That would make him very swift and dexterous. Ah, he should be also able to use a short blade of sorts in supplement with his revolvers....
>>
No. 240828 ID: 1b88da

And if we make him right now we should send him to Keddic so that they can work together finding the answers.

They will be like partners. They can open up their own bureau of investigation and take up assignments from upper-class dames and what not.

This might even open a possibility for PERSPECTIVE SHIFT, we could take the role of Dompaggio.
When we do that, the whole quest takes up grimdark noir style.

Haha, oh damn, I have a vague noir montage running in my head now, too bad I cannot put it into words.


Anyway,
Talk with Oz, ask about making Ugrokk a student.
See what the if students from Chaining Calamity want to come with us (remember we wanted each spawn to take up one person as a sparring partner and student)
Lets head out to Arcaneworks. We have stretched out this fight for far too long.
>>
No. 240836 ID: e31d52

>>240835
Is that in the list?
>>
No. 240839 ID: 1b88da

>>240826
Because we must choose from the list of names that we determined back when the eggs were formed.
Here:

Ekron

Dorln

Hasbern

Jidkof

Larn

Acronum

Welnhiem

Calvern

Fortgon

Jodron

Doftern

Asgardia

Fjordak

Colossi

Gantzio

Rutgur

Dompaggio

Khanite

Akumdo

Orochoth

Lerato

Akeakam

Gashiji

Audey

Idoneus

Psilophilia

Vahnderhuug

Mahklargg

Erostika

Ignitract

Geopum

Nechrahno

Aehroahquia

Welgahoo

Queeyurtoh

Tallagga

Sanfrotti

Pengaiea

Bobobo


See if you can find anything gentlemanly and British
>>
No. 240840 ID: 903f16

>>240787

>What should I say or do?
Use Phohn to contact Keddic and have him report that Lubu is willing to clear him of his charges if we can acquire some sort of evidence to support his claims. Then have Keddic ask him if he has any or has any leads we could follow. If we end up getting nothing to go on we'll have to go to this Old Hui ourselves later on. I'm thinking we can either hire Ellayia to sneak about and get some evidence or perhaps go a forceful route and find a way to get a confession out of him.

Aside from that
>Do I have further questions for Bang?
How has his stay with Lubu been and has he noticed anything interesting. Also ask him about Figment, specifically about his "dream delving stuff". If I recall correctly he was the one who gave him his bone runes. He didn't remember much when we first asked, but maybe this trip could have jogged his memory. It sounds like aside from Chronomancy he may be using some sort of Soul Dreaming magic, which would be quite shocking to see as we have only seen it in the Frostback Mountains.

>Should I seek out Oz and Bagrom, to learn where they will be staying, or to ask if Ugrokk could be considered for being another disciple of the Breaker?
Definitely need to look for Oz, if only to know where we can find him again. Offering him Ugrokk as a student is also a very good idea, but we might want to ask him about the mechanical arm. It may interfere with his training plans or something.

>Or should I venture into the True mountains nearby, in search of more understanding of Dragons?
Not yet, ideally when we go we'll have a more full regiment of followers. Not only for our own safety, but so we can share the awesome dragon slaying experience with more of our friends.

>Or should I use the teleport box in the building Lubu returned to to travel elsewhere?
Make preparations before we teleport. Since Nidhogg cannot come issue an Order via Phohn to stay safe and concealed if possible and avoid Jioga. We don't want him messing with our awesome dragon. Send a little message to Keddic telling him we'll be at the Arcanoworks for a bit and we'll be back soon. Have all our Spawn that are able follow us in and ask Bang if he'd like to come or stay here for a bit and then teleport with everyone who wants to. Our first stop is the Arcanoworks, too much stuff is piling up there for us not to go. I'd also like to make a quick pit stop at Mordreden to pick up Ugrokk, but that can wait if we are short on time.


>>240792
I'd lend a vote to this, but then again I feel like we could always use Ellayia for this. If she should prove disloyal or ineffective in the future then I think we should do this then.

>>240804
There are a bunch of possible powerful male suitors we could get her, the problem is most of them have something up with them. As you've said Arkus could fit, it's just he's not the kind of powerful she respects and would need to act out of character to get her. Keddic could work, but if I recall he had a wife once and might not be ready for this girl. Then again she could be what he needs, who knows? Bang has a thing with the muscle girl Collete the Colossus. Then farther out there there is the option to use someone we've recently met, like Bargrom or Oz. I don't know how the language barrier could be breached without Phohn translating, which could prove very creepy.
>>
No. 240841 ID: 9e5b05

>>240828
Yes. Dom will be our Noir man. Dompaggio embodies the concept of INQUIRY, manifesting in SMOKE and HARDBOILED.

Dorln will be Bond, Spymaster Bond. Dorln embodies ESPIONAGE, in the form of STEALTH and SUAVE.
>>
No. 240844 ID: 9e5b05

And as ther seems to be some confusion reguarding the deep spawn I will post THE LIST on the Dicussion section.
Again.
>>
No. 240846 ID: e7bf04

Sorry about the confusion, I completely forgot about the list.
>>
No. 240847 ID: 3e56f0

>>240793
>>240828
...I would prefer to not alienate an ally by brute-forcing him into something he doesn't want. Preferably, we would convince him by telling Ugrokk of what can be done with Ghosthand, and the difference between Ghosthand and Trollzaru's arm, though we should get more information on Trollzaru's arm before we do that. For an explanation on why we want him to learn Ghosthand, maybe that to create a mechanical arm for him is going to take a not insignificant amount of time, and we want him to be growing in strength even handicapped by his lack of an arm while the arm is being made.

...And I still want to try concept-binding and Soul Infusion on Ugrokk.

>>240840
Actually, while SoulDreaming as a recognized branch of magic we have seen only in the Frostback Mountains, Ulrick has never been to the Frostback Mountains, and is quite far from them. That would suggest that SoulDreaming potential is quite common, especially since it manifests in those who are broken in body or mind and imagine intensely themselves whole.
>>
No. 240849 ID: 903f16

>>240840
>Aside from that
Derp, left some floating words in my post.

Anyway, is anyone else pleased to hear about the Sons of Mordre? The name makes me feel like Mordre is some sort of religious figure with a cult of champions or something. It also seems like they've gained some long due growth now that they finally have a name.
>>
No. 240850 ID: 1b88da
File 128666743646.jpg - (270.95KB , 1200x730 , 1269565966471.jpg )
240850

>>240841
Oh, that's a good idea!
They will be partners, then we will make spinoff series with them which come of lighthearted but become very serious at times.

...Do you have a second image though?
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No. 240853 ID: 1b88da

>>240840
Nah, better keep Nidhogg visible so that everyone can see our awesomeness!
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No. 240854 ID: 903f16

>>240847
Oh yes, potential for the school of magic is probably quite common. That's obvious enough, I'm concerned at the fact it seems like he's actually practicing it. Ulzrick needed to be trained in the art to use his potential, but I don't see how Figment could have access to the training. Unless he taught himself or the LoD also practices the magic and he found a tutor here.
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No. 240861 ID: 9e5b05

Three more Deep Spawn that could work as hunters and information gathers:
Gashiji embodies LANGUAGE, in the form of UNDERSTANDING and SUBVERTING.
[name] embodies the concept of FINDING, his form revolves around COMPASSES and LIGHT.
[name] embodies the Concept of STEALTH, form of LETHALITY and CAMOUFLAGE.

But I do prefer >>240841, I just want to get the ones we've already thought up mentioned first.
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No. 240862 ID: 3e56f0

>>240854
It seems I have omitted some crucial points. What I meant was that since the potential for SoulDreaming was so common, it would not be impossible that different lands and cultures from those of the Frostback Mountains would have noticed that those who were broken in body or in mind could develop a branch of magic distinct from other branches of magic, and therefore develop methods to utilize that magic and to codify techniques so as to more easily teach it to others. e.g. even if we have only seen SoulDreaming as a recognize branch of magic in the Frostback Mountains, it is quite possible that in the Land of Dragons, SoulDreaming, perhaps by a different name and with different styles of usage, is known and practiced. And one doesn't need a teacher to teach oneself SoulDreaming. From the sounds of it, Jojo taught himself how to use SoulDreaming, and what can be done with it. Figment, if he is SoulDreaming since Bob surely would have told us that he was using SoulDreaming when we first encountered him, could have very well taught himself the art without a teacher.

Hmm, since the Dream SoulDreamers enter is called the Dream of Zakrath, and Zakrath is the name of the planet the Caged One is the soul of, is the Dream of Zakrath the dream of the Caged One? As all beings with fleshy bodies and souls dream and enter the Dream of Zakrath upon doing so, perhaps that was why the Fragment of the Caged One was so freaked out about us? We have a soul, but yet we do not dream. The Caged One was not used to non-Deep Spawn with souls that do not dream and thus beyond its ability to know the person with that soul as they are dreaming.
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No. 240863 ID: 5f0943

If Ugrokk does not want to learn ghost hand, then we should not force him to learn ghost hand.
That's my opinion on the matter.

Also, I think we should make a at least temporary return to the Arcanaworks to deal with the matters going on there (if we even go to the Arcanaworks at all, then remember the disjoining rune or whatever it was called, so that Eisenhardt won't squish us like a bug).

Also, a question: Exactly how fast is Nidhogg?
Considering it was mentioned that the Land of Dragons is somewhat 15000 miles south of the northern lands, it would take Nidhogg just days at most to reach the Azelhaedran and the Arcanaworks, which wouldn't be too bad of a timeframe unless we were in a hurry.

Of course, there is no reason presently for Nidhogg to travel to the north, but it is nice to know beforehand.
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No. 240869 ID: 1b88da

>>240863
>(if we even go to the Arcanaworks at all, then remember the disjoining rune or whatever it was called, so that Eisenhardt won't squish us like a bug).

Oh man, I forgot about that.
I wanted Mordre to inquire about the concept of "ownership" with Korgoyoto and Chaining Calamity students. Thheir ownership was so great that we couldn't manipulate their chains.
Also, the fight with Goran, his Elite Warrior equipment couldn't be easily manipulated due to "Ownership"...

We should really start heavily imbuing the "Ownership" into ourself so that people can't easily manipulate us ....

when we activate the rune, we can't use magic, right?
Hmm... maybe we can use a P.S. to upgrade our magic defense so it nullifies the magic from outside sources but lets us use ours?
Or use a PS to gain a massive source of ownership over us so that Eisenhardt can't manipulate our body and equipment (that would mean he would be unable to manipulate our projectiles which is a great plus)
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No. 240871 ID: 1b88da

>>240863
Also,
I think we should at least have Ugrokk come and see what we are talking about. When he sees the ghost hand power that Oz and Bagrom has I think he'll start seeing it differently. Also assure him that he'll get a metal arm either way so it is not choose this or that, he can get both.
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No. 240873 ID: 56dc25

>>(if we even go to the Arcanaworks at all, then remember the disjoining rune or whatever it was called, so that Eisenhardt won't squish us like a bug).
We can turn on magic absorption instead of disjoining. It would probably be more effective, and if it's not, then we can just shift to the other.
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No. 240874 ID: 1b88da

>>240841
Both of these guys should be visually pleasing (as pleasing as Deep Spawn can be) so that people would like to work with them.
And like I said before, they must have good voice.
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No. 240875 ID: 1b88da

>>240873
Wait.
If we turn on the blood flow, wouldn't that mean that we don't behave like normal metal anymore?
We will be like a living being with much higher sense of ownership and controlling a moving flow of blood and metal is quite hard and on top of that using the absorption...

Yeah, we should turn on the blood flow with that too.
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No. 240877 ID: 1b88da

Haha, I just imagined the shock of Arcaneworks when we come back strolling in our new much more intimidating form and have a small army of Deep Spawn with us (all of which look pretty much terrifying)
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No. 240880 ID: 3e56f0

>>240869
When we activate the disjointing rune, it is only the metal that the rune is engraved upon that is disjointed. Since our magic comes from the souls we have, not the metal that is our body, save for Blood Magic, activating the disjointing rune doesn't bar us from our magic, except perhaps for our access to Blood Magic.

On the subject of runes, shouldn't we let Arkus know and see and copy the runes on the Edge of Oblivion, so that he could replicate it and we know what it does?

What did we do with the dragon blood? I know that we took the blood iron out, but what about everything else? And can Keddic assimilate dragon blood? We know that dragon blood is quite toxic, too toxic for even be used for most things, but Keddic is a master of blood, and with his White Blood magic, can't he reject the blood's toxicity for himself, and then integrate the blood into himself, so that he could have an edge when he starts hunting dragons so as to find a dragon he can tame (and modify so that the dragon won't need as much food)?
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No. 240882 ID: e7bf04

We might want to be careful about how we get Nidhogg back to the Arcanoworks, people don't like dragons and might shoot her down if we try and fly her back.
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No. 240887 ID: 445c48

>>240882
She'd just need to fly high. Maybe we should make her a name tag, too. Oh, maybe we could get Del Rogo down here to nick her with his axe and get the designs for some Dragon Armor, that would be cool.

I think it would be good to transport home to the Arcanoworks to get our affairs in order, hopefully it won't take too long. The only two things that might take a bit are Eisenhardt and the State. If we do go back, activate disjoining first.

Maybe we could get a man who Sees Truth to make certain of The Lined One's innocence, and get an official chitty like the one we got about the Ash Dragon.
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No. 240889 ID: 9e5b05

Note: Nidhogg will not, hopefully, always be a dragon. The great boon we have is that Nidhogg can become any creature, if empowered by Deep Spawn power. I will admit that it would be a waste to make her consume the dragon now, but she won't always be one.
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No. 240894 ID: 445c48

Also, I'm not sure we should be making more deepspawn just yet. Unless our soul's fixed up. Check if it is, Mordre, we don't want to be going back to the Arcanoworks, possibly being forced to fight Eisenhardt, with a weak soul.
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No. 240900 ID: e7bf04

>>240889
What is better than a dragon? Nothing immediately comes to mind.
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No. 240905 ID: 9e5b05

>>240900
This is true, but we need not be limited. A bear being 20 feet tall and covered in spines will be useful. Nidhogg will become Master of All Beasts, not just dragons.
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No. 240906 ID: 3e56f0

>Belief warped magic so that Word Magic as we know it was possible
...Wait. If belief can warp the subject of the belief as well as empower, does that mean that, if enough people believe that we have discovered remote golem control, and believe in a theory on how we do that for long enough, the nature of golems will be warped so that their theory on remote golem control become true?!

...Say, if we spread the belief that the Frostback Mountains are actually a resource abundant place, so that millions of billions believe that, will the Frostback Mountains change so that the belief is true?
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No. 240907 ID: 9e5b05

>>240906
So think means that we could eventually meet Mage Mordre, if we keep talking as if we are him?
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No. 240908 ID: a76809
File 128667524321.jpg - (93.77KB , 600x601 , Islands Beach Cave.jpg )
240908

>>240840
I ask Bang about Figment, and his answers are absentminded, but intriguing nevertheless.

"Well, I heard about him being able to do dream stuff, but when I saw Jojo I figured it had to be different, as Jojo's power is tied to his crippled body.... but then that kid Ulzrick can use this, right? So maybe Figment can do Souldreaming for the same reason Ulzrick can. Anyway, never witnessed it, but I have heard he can just.... put things inside Dreams, that's how he unravels stuff, or something like that. Dream magic's not a strong point, not really anchored in definite equations as much as a vague abstraction."

>>240793
I send a message back to Ugrokk, informing him the style could bring him great power, and would be pursued only after getting a replacement limb, a further level of power contributed towards restoring him... and letting him compete with Oggroth again. The answer I expect comes swiftly, a grim affirmation that he shall follow my orders, and hungers to see what I can offer. A visit to Gialgorra is in my future, then... but first, to ask after Oz. It takes surprisingly little effort to track down the Breaker... though considering the place he claimed to be his new school, I am hardly shocked. Oz the Breaker, the Left Handed God of the Fist, the Living Legend here as a temporary ally of Lubu... has claimed a colloseum, an arena as the location of his school-and is already having slaves fight in four groups, slowly reducing numbers as he seeks those with enough drive and ambition to meet his standards. Upon my approach, he calls a halt to the games he had been attending with a sharp eye (Bagrom amongst them, facing ten prospective students at a time), and greets me jovially.

"Mordre, how are you? Will you look at this? Desperate fighters, already used to killing to survive, here for me to pick out the best and brightest to start my school, a great place to train.. ah, an amazing place! So, what brings you here, now that you've successfully brought me to Lubu, eh?"
"I must admit, I have a follower of my own I pity, A warrior of deep will that was deprived of an arm, And I wished to ask you to train him in Ghosthand, So that he may once more be as capable as he was. Would you consider this?"
"....You know, this actually works out. I was looking for a reason to ask for your fellows, those Deep Spawn, for sparring partners. It would REALLY improve what I can do, and the prospects of my students if I could borrow them. And if Dulu feels like coming too, I know he'd be well-received. I'd be happy to teach Ugrokk whatever I can, and I'd appreciate any help I could get in exchange. Does that sound alright? I wouldn't need them all the time, but any time with them I can get, I'll take."
"...A proposal I shall need a moment to think on. I must admit curiousity, what is your take on Lubu?"
"..Hrm, you know, I can't really say anything bad about the guy so far. He doesn't get his britches twisted over titles or decorum, I didn't see any grandstanding... and wow, that is one hell of a soul. Sent shivers down my spine, meeting someone that strong. 'S plain ludicrous. So yeah, thank you for the introduction. If I get to take down the White Phoenix, this will be an excellent bit of time spent. That, and this opportunity to really make a bang opening my school..."
"Well, I intend a replacement limb for the possible student... And communication would be through Phohn, as he knows a different tongue."
"I could work with that, no issue. And no reason not to get the limb, as long as it isn't alive it won't mess with Ghost Hand."

After a few social niceties, I excuse myself, considering Oz's offer, the Deep Spawn for training Ugrokk. He doesn't ask for them all the time... and he didn't ask for Nidhogg, I note- but still, this gives me much to consider, even as Bang continues to laugh, Nidhogg now aggravated enough to be flying loops and circles, writhing and twisting in attempts to shake off the human who ignores wound after wound from the scales vicious teeth.

>>240799
"Not dislodged him yet, Nidhogg? Try harder, my dear! Haha! Now, Bang, we met this Immortal Angormandius on his way back and looked ...Well, much worse for wear, but still as hardy as the next individual. Most interesting...So...How did you kill this Huaow bloke anyway?"

Bangs words are somewhat strained as Nidhogg lapses from half-hearted attempts to throw Bang to bucking and sliding, a hyperactive mass with far more nimbleness than should be possible.

[Bang]"....Well.... I punched him... kept doing that.... eventually he couldn't keep reflecting it. Magical reserves gave out first.... before mine. So his face.... caved it in...... got me a bunch.... of practice.... at mass limb maintenance..... coupled with that guy..... Angormandius..... gave me a great chance.... to demo Possibility Cells. ...I still..... don't get..... why people don't learn..... how to heal properly.... its not that hard..."
"And it is through that you learned how to sprout those vibrating spine blades, to lengthen limbs?"
"...Yup. Can make.... arms, or legs..... even torso.... into chainsaw whip....."
"Chainsaw?"
"A type... of saw....that needs external... power.... but keeps... sliding... forever... never... stops.... biting."
"I see."

As Nidhogg starts to slow in her attempts to unseat Bang, who continues to shed blood as his body is violently shaken about, I inform Keddic through Phohn of my intent to return to the Arcanoworks. He immediately asks after The Lined One, and when I explain I need some sort of proof, the fourth Harksburton says he shall stay here, with his master.

>>240828
[Oh-ho.]
An idea, simple and insidious, occurs to me. What if I were to craft a Deep Spawn, centered around observation, insight, investigation? Without even thinking about it, I turn my hand upwards, and one of the thirty eight cores remaining to my name floats forth, as a Name comes to mind.

>'Dompaggio' embodies the concept of INQUIRY, its form revolves around ESPIONAGE and STEALTH.

Dompaggio.

The subtle. The inquisitive. A prodder, a seeker, a learner that unravels puzzles from the shadows. These are the thoughts that fill my mind as I try to craft one built around Espionage. The core turns jet black, fluttering and pulsing as it resolves into a pile of clothes, the stitching and tailoring style always shifting, as a masked face with a manacle ringed in eyes is the only accent visible beneath its tophat of smoke. A gloved hand touches the ground in supplication before me, and a voice that sounds... too normal calls forth. It is rich, calming, indulgent, the voice of a storyteller one longs to listen to.

"Dompaggio is at your service, o' crafter."

I send my newest and thirteenth Deep Spawn to Gainer, sent to aid Keddic in his search for proof of The Lined One's innocence. As Bang sits triumphantly atop a no-longer resisting Nidhogg, who is pouting with a face as large as my body and full of teeth, I wonder at where I will go.

>>240790
"So Bang, I intend to return to the Arcanoworks shortly, but there is not enough room to fit Nidhogg. Considering the desert I recall you calling home lies in between, would you mind guiding Nidhogg-ah, and Burduko as a passenger-back to the Arcanoworks?"
"No problem! ...Hah, I'll get to ride this dragon all day and night long, day after day, oh YEAH!!"

Nidhogg sniffs as eyes roll, yet she nevertheless does not try to buck off Bang any more, seeming to have accepted he is as tenacious as a barnacle.

With Ugrokk needing a new arm, my first stop seems obvious. I travel to Mordreden after climbing in the box, once more marvelling that once the doors close I gain no hint of our lengthy transport until its already happened. I make a few greetings, and considering the Drazken clan is as busy as I, it is only five minutes later when I depart with Ugrokk-and another bag of rubies, this one holding some twelve hundred carats of rubies.... or sixty thousand marks worth. ...Just how many rubies will these mines yield? From Mordreden, I travel to the islands of Gialgorra, stepping into a darkened cave once the doors open again. I consider my allies, the Deep Spawn... and the reaction non-Land of Dragons people have had. Thus far, the prevailing viewpoint has been to think of them as Core Beings until told otherwise... do I even want to bother re-explaining them as I travel?




What should I do?
Should I send the Deep Spawn back to the Land of Dragons to serve as sparring assistants for Oz's new school, pre-buying Ugrokk lessons?
And now that I am in the Gialgorran islands, should I do anything before going to the Doctor to see what he and his family can do for Ugrokk the Tall?
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No. 240910 ID: 445c48

Send the Deep Spawn back. May as well put them where they're needed, and where they'll gain some experience. Go straight to the Doctor.
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No. 240919 ID: 9e5b05

Darn, I had hoped our first stop would be to the Arcanoworks. Oh well.

On Gialgorran, lets take none of our Deep Spawn, let them brawl each other about. This is a group of non-magic folk, and I like not to flout our magic too much.
Pass quickly through town - I don't want an altercation with the sheriff/mob boss while we're here.
Up to Dr. Toledo 'Steel' Gialgorra's HOUSE OF BADASS SCIENCE with a stupid-happy grin on our face, if we had one and one arm over Ugrokk's shoulder.
"You said you hold these lowlander's science in high regard, Ugrokk? Then you will fall in worship of them after this. You are going to meet Dr. Gialgorra. Someone who has...well...possibly...mmhm...Well, when I was last here I thought he had eclipsed any foe previous and I have a feeling he will do the same again without the aid of any magic. I hope his daughters are in too! They were such lovely dears!" Press on, two old friends going to call in on a mad-scientist acquaintance.
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No. 240925 ID: 3e56f0

You know, after we visit Gialgorra, mayhaps we want to visit Dimmond, for the Wootz Steel Revolver Cannon he made for us?

Also, if metal for the arm is asked for, perhaps offer up one of our cannon rounds? I want to see just how well Blootz Steel performs in non-magically situations.
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No. 240926 ID: 9e5b05

>>240925
No he didn't. He made nothing for us, we lied our ass off and got the blue prints and thus the weapon for free. Let us not go back there for fear of a Benny Hill chase sequence.
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No. 240927 ID: 445c48

>>240925
The first part, well, that might not be a good idea, since we kinda stole the schematics and built it into our cannon. He might not be too happy when he sees his creation on our shoulder after we didn't pay.

The second part, that's a good idea, though.
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No. 240928 ID: 45be60

A few of our deep spawn (especially Velada, but also Phohm and Burduko to some extent) could pass for technological constructs rather than magical demonic entities at first glance, and thus should be fine to travel with us to the unusually steampunk islands without causing a panic. Explanations certainly, but without the urgent need to calm the unruly mob.

I feel sort of bad for Velada too. The clockwork swarm was made to address a specific problem which, while troubling, is fairly rare. Velada should come with us in order to give it a chance to experience more, to grow into something greater.

(Velada is totally a female name. not using feminine pronouns was very hard here.)
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No. 240929 ID: 33882a

You know, the fact that the dragons' souls are reminicent to the deep spawns' could be a major clue here. There is the strong possibility that if we travel to the True Mountains, we may end up running afoul of an Administrator, (or Land of Dragons equivlent) by the likely fact that we'd be killiing dragons to get up there. As for why an Administrator would manufacture mindless agents of destruction, the answer is likely because of the absurd powerlevels showing up, what with Dragons and Living Legends popping up all over the place. The fact that so many powerful people live in the Land of Dragons might be unhealthy for the land itself.
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No. 240933 ID: 903f16

>>240908

>What should I do?
Prep Ugrokk what he about to see. For someone like him it will probably be a bit shocking to see all this technology when he's grown up around a culture that uses mainly bone and ice for building materials. Brief him on our previous adventure and Gialgorra too.

>Should I send the Deep Spawn back to the Land of Dragons to serve as sparring assistants for Oz's new school, pre-buying Ugrokk lessons?
I suppose, it's not like we have much use for them here and explaining them is taxing. We might want to consider getting them all really large cloaks in the future should we grow tired of having to explain what they are to people.

>And now that I am in the Gialgorran islands, should I do anything before going to the Doctor to see what he and his family can do for Ugrokk the Tall?
Well I've got a couple things in mind, namely we can tackle that pirate with the Shell of Gavrock or look up Dimmond The Miner for another upgrade schematic. The latter promised to make up his earlier "failure" to us. I still feel kind of bad about tricking him like that too, I think he should get a big tip if we decide to look him up again now that we can afford it. Other than that maybe a bit of shopping and browsing stalls for helpful inventions we could buy, maybe we could find a tailor around here to make Bang's mask.
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No. 240936 ID: e7bf04

>>240927
We have money now, we could pay him and get back on his good side.
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No. 240939 ID: e7bf04

>>240929
PREDICTION: LoD Admins create the Dragons out of pent up core energy instead of summoning core beings. An elder dragon will be the equivalent of a summoned core being.
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No. 240941 ID: 3e56f0

>>240926
Actually, I only suggested that so if someone had any bright ideas on how to avoid Dimmond getting all crazy after hearing rumors revolving around our form, specifically the revolver cannon design.

And, er, we totally need Phohn to translate for Ugrokk, unless he has been working on his Common lately enough to become fluent.

And! Exactly what is Dompaggio capable of, in the way of defining traits like Mury's healing?
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No. 240945 ID: ddd48d

>>240936
>>240933
would it be possible to get Dimmond the miner to make that ruby monocle we wanted? for focusing the AA beam? We can put that order in, then go see Gialgorra

taking Velada, who looks to be made of MECHANICAL BEEEEEEES seems like an ok idea, while the others that aren't currently on any task go to the sparring. we can keep phohn around too.
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No. 240958 ID: 3c4318

OZ CAN READ MINDS! MORDRE SAID NOTHING ABOUT UGGROK JUST THAT HE HAD A FRIEND!
OZ CAN READ MINDS!!!!
(kidding, probably typo)

Send the spawn back to Oz to use as he wishes.

See if you can disguise the cannon... or at the very least come up with a good story.

OR DON'T CARE! Maybe he wont notice since you look so different

STRAIGHT TO THE DOCTOR!
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No. 240973 ID: e7bf04

We should not lie to Dimmond, we should PAY HIM for the HARD WORK he did not benefit from. Then we can ask for his help again.
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No. 240975 ID: e7bf04

>>240973
An addendum:

YOU WOULDN'T DOWNLOAD A REVOLVING BARREL.
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No. 240991 ID: 6dd58d

>>240975
BULLSHIT, YES I WOULD.
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No. 241015 ID: a76809
File 128668303127.jpg - (232.90KB , 1963x449 , Uggrokk Arm Base.jpg )
241015

>>240991
[WHO WOULDN'T DOWNLOAD ARTILLERY!?]

>>240910
I send the Deep Spawn back to the Land of Dragons, to continue spreading my name and to keep an eye on Dulu, all while providing service to Oz, to keep another method of improving the maimed warrior open.

>>240919
I pick up Oggroth in hand as I dash ever faster, Merrack's soul accelerating my speed up to more than a hundred miles an hour as I tear across the open, dusty plains, racing for Gialgorra's manse. I marvel at the fact this cove is suitably around the corner that I need not enter the port town at all, approaching Gialgorra's abode, visibly larger since the last time I visited. Ugrokk himself gapes at the many instruments and chimneys sprouting from the entire beach-side mountain Gialgorra built his home within, a single massive gear now turning near the mountain's peak, as the clouds overhead roil and lightning jumps to the gear from time to time. Thoroughly impressed, Ugrokk follows me to the door-

Where I am met by a hunched gray form, no soul in sight, that speaks with a stiff voice.

"visitor state name state purpose"
"...The Mage Mordre, with guest Ugrokk."

Without further comment, the automoton before me, easily two or three tons of machinery, smoothly steps aside as it opens the heavy doors before us. I step inside to see constructs roaming left and right, assistants of all craftings moving under the directions of Lucrazzia, who grins as she sees me.

"Hey, its you, the mage, with the secret to guess! Okay.... I suspect you use Tractomancy, with a Blood base, to link the location of the golem to yourself, and through that transmit your words with Word magic, Linked to a sustained Will magic matrix. Through this, the act of even defining Tractomantic similarity between the two points, senses could be thrown and latched on to things... like the golem!"

I turn to Ugrokk, and speak in the premen tongue as I buy myself time to think.

"You said you hold these lowlander's science in high regard, Ugrokk? Then you will fall in worship of them after this. You are going to meet Dr. Gialgorra. Someone who has...well...possibly...mmhm...Well, when I was last here, I thought he had eclipsed any foe previous and I have a feeling he will do the same again, All accomplished without the aid of any magic. This is one of his daughters, Four in number, who aid his crafting and tinkering, by the name of Lucrazzia."

Ugrokk nods before he sketches a bow to the ever-bubbling daughter of Toledo, who seems somewhat startled as she notes his presence for the first time.

"Oh I am so sorry I did not see you there."
"This is Ugrokk, a companion from far to the north. As you see, he was wounded not long ago, And I was wondering if I could contract your family, To craft him a new limb."
"What? Oh, um, uh yes, that's okay. I mean, you can go upstairs, today is a break from challenges, so daddies probably busy tinkering with C.A.N.T.I., but he said you could come talk whenever, if you came, um, that is...."
"Wonderful! As I recall, the lab in question is the second right?"

Rather than saying anything, Lucrazzia continues to fluster, her cheeks growing red as she looks at Ugrokk. ...Now that I think about it, he took off his armor with the heat of the islands, and is currently bare-chested, lithe rippling muscles topped with tribal tattoos and a wealth of scars..... interesting. It would seem Ugrokk has picked up on this too, though he looks to me before he takes any action, refraining in deference to what he could be gaining here. I take the opportunity to simply begin marching up the stairs, wishing Lucrazzia well on her management of the automata, to which she stutters a reply as she continues to try and fail to cease looking at Ugrokk, who I now note to be stretching like a sleepy cat even as he follows me. ...Organics.

Ugrokk starts running through the Common words he knows, rolling the pronunciations around as he waxes contemplative, at my side as we travel winding stone stairways, passing exposed pipes and machinery from within the mountain's heart many times before I hear a familiar cackle.

"HaHaHAHA!!! ANASTAZIA, the molecular stabilizer!"
>"Yes, father!"
"SOFIAZZA, THE ATOMIC COMPOUNDER!"
>"Running smooth dad!"
"EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT, AHAHAHAoh its Mordre here to visit, how are you! I haven't seen you in some time!"

It takes me a moment to bounce back from the rapid transition, only just having noted that, beneath the doctor's hands, with paired daughters and mechanical constructs alike assisting, the Steam Golem lies, its torso open as a central engine of unfathomable complexity hums in concert with the varied trio surrounding it.

"And it is good to see you again, Toledo, how are you?"
"Quite well, quite well! Things have been getting interesting-did you know I am the mayor of every town on this island, and its governor? Not only that, but some neighboring islands are talking about 'joining' me. HAH! Well, in any event I keep getting improved access to goods and materials to work with, more skilled specialists to call on for certain jobs, so I can't complain! -Oh, Elrind, come on out here, and meet a family friend!"

A shadow I hadn't even seen detaches itself from nearby machinery, the metal husk soundlessly walking forward, a pair of swords at its waist and an intriguing rifle in hand. The figure dips it's protruding conical mask, but says nothing as it continues to watch Ugrokk and myself. For his part, I note the largely naked Ugrokk to be glaring back with a decidedly dangerous placidity, so I begin speaking quickly.

"As it happens, I was hoping I could gain some services from your family- I wish a new arm prepared for Ugrokk here, to restore a limb and improve combat capacity. Would you be amenable to such a task? I happen to have a fair amount of gems with me, If you do not mind payment in that form."
>"Ah, a weaponized prosthesis? Those are my FAVORITE!"
"Oh hush Sofi.... ah, but its true, it sounds like it would be fun, having been some time since I attempted such, several new methods to try.. hold on."

Gialgorra and the daughters flick switches and turn levers, engines running to idle and lights dimming as they set their labors on CANTI on hold for the moment, before we slightly relocate to a nearby table, where Gialgorra begins making rough sketches on a large sheet of paper, talking as he eyes Ugrokk periodically for reference.

"Now, I can build a new arm, it will be heavier than the original, significantly so, so he's going to need to get used to a different set of weighting. ...That his armor there? Great, I can get it set up so the arm can slot into the armor, and in armor have more stable weight.... huh. I'll admit this armor is fitted well, real meticulous in hugging the body... but the forging methods are so antiquated, no real precision to it. ...Eh, I'll throw in a tweak to the armor gratis, get it lightened up and suited to the arm.

Now, for the limb itself: As I assume you aren't trying to waste my time with some budget request, I assume you want the best I can make. Well, the best arm chassis I can build is the Dynamo Mark 4, the largest and most durable frame I've yet worked out. I'll put in an engine of your choosing, electrical, pressure-based or motion-based, and hook it up to the appropriate nerves. This is going to cost twenty thousand marks, base, but get a properly balance, air-tight sealed and corrosion resistant self-powered limb, with enough strength to make fighting a golem barehanded feasible."
"I have forged myself of a special form of steel, modified Wootz: I can contribute some scores of pounds for making compenents, if that could help."
"Huh, don't want any specially treated metals or whatnot? ...Okay, I can do that. Knock the base price down to eighteen thousand marks, since you're saving me time and effort. Anyway, what we do past that is up to you. I can build pretty much any kind of weapon you can think of, one way or another, and I can integrate such concepts into the arm, give it some extra oomph. Most cases, first weapon integrated is six thousand, second is ten. Can be different depending on scale or complexity of what weapon is desired. Some sturdy foldout blade, I wouldn't even charge for, but it'd take room other more... capable weapons could use.

So, what's it going to be?"





What should I say or do?
What weapon concepts would I like to see integrated into Ugrokk's prosthetic?
What kind of engine should it have?
And what should the limb be called?
[Fanart can very much so improve this working.]
>>
No. 241020 ID: e7bf04

Name: Shadow of The Winter Storm
>>
No. 241022 ID: 9338f5

>>241015
grapling hook
retractable blade
a flamethrower
lightning gun

other than that i am unsure just what is possible
>>
No. 241026 ID: 9338f5

>>241022
some for of prusureized dart gun might be possible
>>
No. 241027 ID: a76809

FURTHER CLARIFICATION:

Picking an engine makes weapons associated with it more powerful, and easier to make. FOR EXAMPLE, if the electrical engine is chosen, electrical weapons will function better. With an electric engine, an electrolaser like CANTI's is possible, or turbine-like electro-snares, or whatever other electrical stuff tickles your fancy. The same applies if you have any pressure or motion based ideas, they will work much better paired with said engine.

Redlining the arm doubles output while tripling wear rate.
>>
No. 241040 ID: d3dfb8

>>241027
... would jezebel be able to dismantle and figure out how the electrical engine works?
>>
No. 241048 ID: a594b9

A literal Hand Cannon.

Electricity should be involved in some manner, so that we can boost his combat ability at a distance with Ignimancy. Hell, if we can get some fire-based shit in there so we can assist with Pyromancy as well!

The stuff should support his general ability set of being a fast, sneaky fighter.

Also ask Gialgora what other 'special' metal we could have it made from.
>>
No. 241049 ID: 56dc25

>>241015
Several points:
-Firstly, he calls the Dynamo Mark 4 his "largest and most durable frame". That's not necessarily what we want for Ugrokk, whose form of combat is based around stealth and swift motion as well as force. Of course, we could just be misinterpreting his words; we should discuss the matter with him. Of course we want the best, or we wouldn't have come to him, but part of that is choosing whatever chassis best suits Ugrokk's style.
-The arm should to be able to last for extended periods without any significant external fuel sources, if possible. So some sort of backup, perhaps?
-It should have portions of its exterior designed so that we can enchant it later. While Gialgorra may not normally go for the whole magic bit, we certainly do and this is an opportunity not to be missed.
-Since Ugrokk does the whole stealth thing, we need it to be silent throughout its operation. Preferably even while firing, if that's possible.
-His golem has very fine auto-repair capabilities; is it feasible to give the arm the same? Forgive us if this is a foolish question, but we know little of his methods. Needing to return here after every major battle for repairs would be quite inconvenient, even if it would give ample opportunities for socialization. *ahem*
-His limb needs a powerful ranged weapon, preferably one which can be fired silently and without revealing his position. It should also have a solid backup melee weapon, preferably one with a large blade or similar so that we can enchant it later and turn it from excellent into something truly impressive.
-Can we integrate random other systems into the arm? Say, detection systems, autoinjectors, multitool, communication system (which might give Ugrokk a chance to hang with a certain lady)... Anything Gialgorra might recommend?


Next, on the matter of Lucrazzia's guess...
"Your guess is a fine one, Lucrazzia, and I do not doubt it could be used as the basis of a functioning remote control system. But such a thing is decades behind my methods- if for no other reason than that it would be far too easy to disrupt. I fear you shall have to guess again, and as a minor hint I would recommend being more creative in your thinking."

That gives away very little, I think, while still looking like we're encouraging her to actually find an answer. I would note that in our tentative backstory from way back, we outlined that "Mage Mordre" is basically ripping off a Mosmordren black project with his control system, meaning that the true answer is almost certainly soul-based. Any guess not involving at least some soul components we can laugh off as incorrect.


Also, we should definitely come up with some excuse for Ugrokk to hang with Lucrazzia. And possibly mention some of his impressive exploits to her or otherwise set them up. Because that would be awesome. Just don't let Gialgorra catch them doing anything terribly untoward, heh.
>>
No. 241050 ID: a76809

>>241046
[Adding an automated repair function would count as a weapon slot. Further, all engine formats are autonomous, perpetual energy machines of Gialgorra's crafting. No guarantee they shall continue to produce infinite power when pried open though. Also the arm is his largest model because everyone else he makes arms for are human, and Ugrokk is bigger, and heavier boned. In truth, the base arm he will use is too small, he will be doing some scaling work in this process. Thought I should clarify these now.]
>>
No. 241051 ID: e31d52

A housing for a mini-WASP.

Fuck yeah, caveman superassassin. He seems to sometimes simply fade into the background, the first daughter didn't even notice him at first!
>>
No. 241053 ID: 6dd58d

>>241015
Hrm. Electric engine is tempting, but pressure-based might offer a nice variety of options too. Integrated dartgun, perhaps, nice little quiet tool to help with the whole scouting role. Or maybe a BIG O!-style piledriver to allow for delightfully powerful punches. Or a fitting for some WASP heads...
Hrm...
...A smokescreen generator, possibly.
Option to launch the hand free from the wrist on a line to turn it into a retractable grapnel...
And instead of a flamethrower, maybe a superheated steam-vent...still would sear the crap out of things, but no collateral damage from fire and might work around flame-based resistances...
So many possibilities.

...Hey, can we get this thing fitted with some modular hardpoints so subsystems can be swapped out as needed?
>>
No. 241054 ID: 3c4318

20,000 marks... wow. That's steep.

>Weapon integration
I want to make him a Dulu-staff arm, but that probably won't go over well with Dulu.
Instead, I copy from him a bit.

Get Morphic steel, Give to Gialgorra, make arm leaving space for a gem of some sort, copy Dulu's body runes onto it( I assume you got a good look at them while you labored to remove them, especially with your flawless memory), Uggrok gets Morphic-magic absorbing arm.

You know what? Screw it, we are totally stealing from Dulu now.
You looked over every rune on it after you took it from him, so this is what we are going to do.

Have Gialgorra make the arm with a simple tube or cuboid in the arm, along the inside if possible, then we will copy the runes we saw on Dulu's staff unto the tube-thing and runes for spacial distortion and the disjoining and possibly a few 'adjoining' runes unto the surface of both the inside of the arm and the tube inserted.

So doing we shall replicate the effect created by Dulu's weapon and body in one object.

It would complete the object if you could search that massive mind of yours for a 'trigger' rune, so that we can connect the form changing aspect of the arm to the amount of magic stored in the gem. I do this because I do not think it would be good for his arm to go into 'over limit trance' state, especially when connected to a flesh body.

To seal up this entire design, I need you to look into a hunch, the runes on Dulu's weapon are actually ancient rune forms for describing the weapons his staff can turn into, if so, and we can learn more about them, we can dictate what Ugrokk's arm has the ability to change into.

If the rest agree with this idea, I would recommend the use of a P.Soul to make this run smoothly because unfortunately, Mordre does not have any runecrafting skill and I think this is out of the scope of Arkus' talents.
Mage Wendelin might be able to help, but she also might not. We need OLD knowledge to make this happen, knowledge that would likely be held in the 'Repository' if nowhere else, so a P.Soul would help us out considerably without having to go traipsing around the world looking for the 'Repository'.


I will try and draw it, but I'm not sure how my timing schedule will turn from here on out. If I don't get this done and it turns out to be feasible, I hope that capable people like Glue and Emba(not saying that no one else is capable, they are just who I remember right now) can turn this idea into an image and through that, a reality.
>>
No. 241056 ID: a69afd

>>241015
Automatic launcher for his throwing axes.
Wrist mounted tazer axe for close combat.
Retractable needletips in the index fingers for injecting tranquilizers and poisons.

Also, if we have any money left over- I'd like to commission an extra weapon for Keddic. "Ahem, miss Sofiazza. I actually had an idea I'd like to pitch to you specifically. When we met for the first time you had a weapon you called a belt-fed forty caliber repeat fire gun- If I recall correctly, you were lamenting the fact that the explosive force of the rounds had to be reduced. Could you make a weapon with the full power you had originally imagined? I'm not picky, all I ask is that the gun would be able to be held in one hand, could survive the force of the shot and be able to fire multiple times, and have a paint job of gold and red. If it helps, recoil does not matter for the person I intend to give this to."

...WHAT? Everyone calls Keddic Primarch of the Blood Angels, and I've not seen one proper request for a bolter at any point.
>>
No. 241058 ID: 903f16

>>241015

>What weapon concepts would I like to see integrated into Ugrokk's prosthetic?
I'm thinking of two sets of weapons, each built to compliment a separate engine. One would be for the electrical and have the CANTI style electrolaser with some sort of chargeable stun hand. The other for I think the motion engine with an extend-able chainsaw and a belt fed machine gun like his daughter was using. We'd need to give it whatever magical runes allow our hand cannons to accept any metal and convert it into shot to avoid ammo issues, so maybe have him make that weapon easily modifiable.

>What kind of engine should it have?
Either the motion or the electrical engine.

>And what should the limb be called?
The Long Arm of the Tall
>>
No. 241060 ID: 6dd58d

Ahah, just thought of another handy (hah, handy...) accessory that would fit in a hollowed fingertip. A monofilament garrote.
>>
No. 241068 ID: f4e4f9

Take inspiration from the fucker that took the limb in the first place:

Engine: Motion

First Weapon: Phonic Destabilizer, designed to perform similar function to Goran's phonomantic blows - weakening materials touched while active, adding enhanced power to blows, and disorienting foes not outright destroyed by attacks.

Second Weapon: Infrasonic Wave. Emits a phonic pulse that can emulate the sonic effects of an nearby explosion, Deafening those in the immediate vicinity, even rendering them unconscious or too dazed to react.

Call it something like The Whispering Grasp
Hows that?
>>
No. 241071 ID: d3dfb8

How about we go with Gialgorra's trump card. Electrolaser up in this bitch.
>>
No. 241076 ID: 903f16

>>241058
Eh you know what, forget the chainsaw/machine gun combination. I just realized how bad that would be for Ugrokk. Instead maybe give him a silenced long range and high powered rifle and maybe a grappling hook.

We should also make some small talk while we're here. Ask about Gwendelazzia, hopefully it's not a sore subject and if it is we may be able to help him out with it.
>>
No. 241080 ID: 69bee4

My concept for a weapon: The body for the most part responds to electrical signals, and can move or flow when the right energy is applied. Using this principal, what I would want to accomplish is an Axe attachment that would use its engine to essentially 'heat up' and power the flowing blood element of the arm via battle and impact. As the battle prolongs, the axe would get extremely hot due to the friction of metal particles rubbing on one another, and this heat being sublimated into the armor would allow Ugrokk to actually partially or fully bypass the freezing effect of the armor, while making his axe more lethal. Making him end up a combatant who grows in power over time, and manages to use his power of invisibility to actually offset overheating, instead of compromising it. Also, this would allow a 'melting fist' effect when the axe is not invoked during the cooldown.

It needs some tweaking though I feel...
Options worth considering: Auto-repair, Redline engine improvement (this one would be electrical or Motion probably), and electro-laser for sheer spiffyness (and with help from and unnamed sources advice on that)
>>
No. 241086 ID: 3e56f0

The engine should probably be electrical, since we're going to have Jezebel modify it, and she gets bonuses to electricity-based weaponry. (Er, we are going to let Jezebel look over it, right? Or is she not able to exceed Gialgorra's work, I forget.)

On the general capabilities of the arm, my contribution would be that the arm should be ridiculously flexible, since Ugrokk's fighting style is based on his flexibility.

On the weapon slots, well, it definitely should be autorepairing; Ugrokk's going to be far from anybody that could repair it most of the time, placing it under a lot of stress, and it would probably be a long while (or until we collect enough proto-souls from dragons or other sources for grafting to our Deep Spawn) until Mury could repair any damage to the arm trivially. Perhaps magnetic properties? We are donating iron for the arm. I would like some kind of axe, because Ugrokk is most familiar with axes and the arm thing is going to be hard to become familiar with as it is; better there be some kind of familiarity.

We probably should save the magic and runes until we are at the Arcanoworks, since Gialgorra is pretty much a 'there is no magic in my work' kind of guy. Especially because we are not able to utilize runes for magic yet, and are reliant on Arkus to do runes. Though the runes that govern Dulu's staff's various forms and Dulu's magic-absorption should be given to Arkus so he can learn and be able to engrave them.
>>
No. 241087 ID: f4e4f9

Well, whatever we decide on regarding the arm, we should definately send a heads-up to Keddic and the Lined One that we're sending them a friend, Dompaggio, who should be very helpful in clearing the Lined One's name.

Speaking of which, does Mordre have any idea of what Dompaggio is capable of?
>>
No. 241096 ID: ddd48d
File 128668859612.jpg - (192.16KB , 1555x1528 , ugrokkapimpyo.jpg )
241096

I present to you...THE ARMORARM

OK I'm just being silly. Having one weapon be obvious and attached to the outside with the others hidden inside the plating seems like a good idea to me. I like >>241056's needle idea too.


>>241086
at the very least we should get that anti-magnetomancy rune on there. the rest can be decided later.
>>
No. 241099 ID: 6dd58d
File 128668880131.gif - (43.07KB , 128x119 , monocle.gif )
241099

>>241096
I SAY!
>>
No. 241102 ID: 195dcb

How about we ask Uggrock what he wants? See if we can get Gialgorra to teach him to repair the arm for latter.
>>
No. 241104 ID: e31d52

>>241096

Bitches love the rugged halfnaked northman. Man, if he can seduce one, easy secondary tinkerer~
>>
No. 241105 ID: f4e4f9

>>241104
Gialgorra seems like one of those...

...how to term it...

Fucking crazy dads?
>>
No. 241106 ID: e31d52

>>241105
Yoummean the kind with guns and a really really really big property that happens to have a lot of soft earth?
>>
No. 241107 ID: 195dcb

>>241105
that's why we stage a rescue for one of his daughters with Uggrock
>>
No. 241117 ID: 445c48

>>241107
It might be the other way 'round, depending on which daughter.
>>
No. 241127 ID: 445c48

Shoot, he's the expert, I suggest we get his opinion on weapons and such for a more stealthy dude. And tell him to watch out for the runes while he's upgrading the armor.
>>
No. 241137 ID: 3e56f0

On a complete tangent to the current topic, if we were to spend a PS on eating one pound of Deep Spawn Blood Iron, exactly how much of how body will be suffused with the iron?
>>
No. 241141 ID: 445c48

>>241137
Aha, I had almost forgot about that use of a pristine. Let's see, the only example we've had was that a Siege Fist chunk of metal would convert our entire body. So I don't think we have enough for that.
>>
No. 241146 ID: a17cca

>>241141
Well, we don't need to convert our body, just enough to saturate our body.

How heavy was our body when we last saturated it with blood metal?
>>
No. 241149 ID: 445c48

>>241146
I believe we needed 30,000 lbs.
>>
No. 241151 ID: f4e4f9

>>241141

Remember, that was for converting our ENTIRE body (then completely iron) into whatever the Siege Fist sized chunk was made of.

This time we just want to convert the (blood)iron component of our body.

However, the outlook would still be pretty grim. It would be very inefficient, as even if the fist was 1/10th our bodies total mass (thus 1000% increase in proportions), with only a pound to work with...yeah...not gonna work, really.

Course, maybe it works on a different scaling.
>>
No. 241153 ID: 3e56f0

>>241146
30,000 pounds.

And, um, I kinda want to maybe coat Ugrokk's right arm with Morphic Steel and Blootz Steel from our cannon, so that he could perhaps use some of the magic of Ozmand's soul, or something. I mean, while Ugrokk will be getting an awesome left arm with potent enchantments when we get Arkus and Jezebel onto improving the arm and eventually learning how to manifest the soul of his left hand for various tricks, Oggroth is still gaining power in the meantime and Ugrokk's not gaining comparable power. And I would like for both arms to be able to go into Over Limit Trance, instead of just the left arm. Maybe if Arkus and Heol are up to it, perhaps they could make the arm able to absorb souls and dominate them to create a Soul Nexus within the arm, based on our spell matrices on the consumption and domination of souls?

...Hmm, if it was the left arm, there wouldn't be any existing soul to push out, wouldn't there. And the souls wouldn't be able to move out of the arm and endanger Ugrokk because they would be enslaved to the arm. There is so much potential, I'm not quite sure what to say.
>>
No. 241180 ID: 445c48

>>241151
>>241146
Yes, I know we don't need to convert our entire body, and we won't need a siege fist sized chunk, and I never said we did. That was just the only example given, and the proportions involved make it look as though we cannot PSoul our way to replacing 30,000ish lbs of iron with Deepspawnbloodiron, unless we want to blow all our PSouls on it, and even then maybe not.
>>
No. 241184 ID: f4e4f9

>>Hmm, if it was the left arm, there wouldn't be any existing soul to push out, wouldn't there

Why wouldn't there be? I thought that was the whole function of Oz's Ghost Hand practice: Making use of the soul still present where the flesh and blood arm would be.

Also, if our spell matrices were that easy to copy into anything by ourselves, we'd be well on our way to crafting soul-graves already. As it is, we had to resort to pristine soul usage when we tried something similar with Oggroth, and that was with teh aid of Jojo, Heol, and Dorgrum.
>>
No. 241187 ID: 1b88da

I was thinking. Rather than making the arm into the armor to gain better balance what if we made and exo-skeleton arm for the other arm? Sure it will cost more, but I don't care. We should spend as much as we can on this we can't hold back.
Ah and the arms must be easily detachable.
>>
No. 241211 ID: f4e4f9

Regarding THIS:

>"Hey, its you, the mage, with the secret to guess! Okay.... I suspect you use Tractomancy, with a Blood base, to link the location of the golem to yourself, and through that transmit your words with Word magic, Linked to a sustained Will magic matrix. Through this, the act of even defining Tractomantic similarity between the two points, senses could be thrown and latched on to things... like the golem!"

Alright, lets give her some other things to think about. The more options she explores with her guesses, the better.

"A very interesting guess, my dear. Let me pose you a question in turn, though I leave it to you what vein of thought to follow and whether or not to believe I am leading you astray or giving a hint:

A mage I may be, but need it be a purely magical creation? Technology has amazed me, for its ability to bring understanding, and enable feats in some ways comparable to pure magic through raw craftsmanship. And it can scarcely be fathomed what both could do together, given the proper...mechanics, as I'm sure your family is awa-"

"And your lunch, Master Mordre, with a nice pot of tea...oh, well hello there!"

"ILLIA, COME ON, NOW! I'm trying to be profound here...oh, that does smell delightful, thank you.

*eating sounds*"

The above bit of dialogue is beneficial in a couple ways:

It encourages her to think of other avenues of controlling our golem aside from purely magic ones. It never pays to limit ones options, in my opinion.

It also gives her constraints to think upon: We've been going around acting like we can still speak with people near our actual body and interact with things, yet we have incomparable control of our golem and it's senses. Now she has to figure out how we're accomplishing BOTH of these things.

It'll also give us time to actually test to see if her First Guess could work.

Finally, attempted HAM.

I imagined that since we arrived at the city in the morning, given our expedited travel rates, it would be hanging around just before or after noon. Modify to whatever mealtime it is, depending on time.
>>
No. 241228 ID: 9338f5

>>241053
i like the sound of this one
>>
No. 241238 ID: 1a007d

>>241015
>I pick up Oggroth in hand as I dash ever faster
this is the second time you mistyped Oggroths name... man, you really must miss him..

>It would seem Ugrokk has picked up on this too, though he looks to me before he takes any action, refraining in deference to what he could be gaining here.
Haha, Mordre should have shrugged his shoulders and make a golems equivalent of "I dunno.."

>I take the opportunity to simply begin marching up the stairs, wishing Lucrazzia well on her management of the automata, to which she stutters a reply as she continues to try and fail to cease looking at Ugrokk, who I now note to be stretching like a sleepy cat even as he follows me

Heh, this kind of want me to forget the idea of training him in ghost hand and just leave him here. With a pretense that he wants to learn modern technology and language, leave him in the Gialgorras care as a student and helper of sorts. They could train him in engineering and science, since he's so fascinated with machinery and modern technology, I think it will work well . We could pay tuition costs too if need be..

>Now, I can build a new arm, it will be heavier than the original, significantly so, so he's going to need to get used to a different set of weighting. ...That his armor there? Great, I can get it set up so the arm can slot into the armor

Does that mean that if he takes off the armor, the arm must go too?
I don't really like that idea if its so. Make it so that armor and arm can be removed separately.
Also, throwing in my idea of a second exo-skeleton like arm again. Sure it will cost more but I think we should make it as good as possible. We have a good stream of revenue anyway.

>"Now, for the limb itself: As I assume you aren't trying to waste my time with some budget request, I assume you want the best I can make. [...] So, what's it going to be?"

Tell Gialgorra that money is hardly an issue here. Tell him to make it as good as possible and then even better. The more weapons he can stuff in it the better. Tell him to make the arm so awesome that could detach itself from the main body and go conquer a nation by its own.
Gialgorra should outdo himself with this project, hell have the base arm be Dynamo Mark 5.

Let Gialgorra examine our Blootz Steel and ask him what he thinks of it (I do believe that it is the highest quality metal aside from the magical ones, no?). We could come back to the idea we had to mass produce the golem rounds, reshape them into steel bars (or rods, in what form is raw steel sold anyway?) and sell them to Gialgorra on regular basis. Speaking of which, how much Blootz Steel can we generate a day (with using all the enchantments and boosts like soul nexuses, magnetomancy, blood flow, ...)?

Also, does anyone want to share our breakthrough with railgun?
Sure, we needed to use magic to get it working but if we share the concept with Gialgorra and show him how it works (set up a proper testing ground and shoot it) he will be able to make a purely technological one. We could integrate it into the prosthetic arm.
Also, it will show our goodwill and willingness to share knowledge.


Another thing, strike up a conversation regarding one of his daughters that swam away on a boat in search of adventure. Say something what old men would say like "Haha- young people, always so full of energy, never happy in one place. Why when we were young, going to a neighboring village was enough of an adventure for us..." (trying to bond with Gialgorra, so to say, as he's no young man himself). Say something like that (I am not good at making up good dialogs, I hope you get what I am trying to say).
Then tell him that we are always going from one place to other finding ourself in all kinds of interesting places (tell him about LoD and stuff) and propose to him that if we run into his daughter we could take her up under our supervision and let her hang out with us... if he approves of course.
Of course, on the other hand we are always finding ourself in huge, dangerous battles so I don't really know if coming with us would be safer for her then traveling alone.
>>
No. 241240 ID: 9e5b05

>>241102
As no one else seems to have mentioned it, how about this? Ask him what kind of weapons and style he'd like to have.

As for suggestions:
Engine: Motion.
Weapon slots: Tranquilizer, Extendable Arm
Name: Metal Gear

And something no one else has been saying, lets go over and look at the CANTI! The thing's just open up, lets take a gander and see what's inside. Let's be suitably amazed.

>>241056
As the one that keeps bringing this up, I want to say 'no' to this one. Keddic needs to learn how to shoot blood like a bolter, but I think he would kill us if we got him an actual bolter.
>>
No. 241249 ID: 9e5b05

>>241238
>Rail Gun
>Installed in Solid Preman's Arm
Hells yes, I say!

Anyway, regarding him learning with the Gialgorra family, he could do both. The Lenryt box isn't that far from the Arena...he could run back and forth, learning both bad-ass ghost-hand kung fu and then badass SCIENCE!
>>
No. 241250 ID: 1a007d
File 128672317139.jpg - (348.86KB , 1280x1024 , prince_of_persia-the_two_thrones.jpg )
241250

>>241240
>As the one that keeps bringing this up, I want to say 'no' to this one. Keddic needs to learn how to shoot blood like a bolter, but I think he would kill us if we got him an actual bolter.

...Why? Why would he be so adamant against getting a bitching ranged weapon?
Nah, I like this idea.

As for the motor, I'll go for electric .... since electricity IS THE FUTURE!

As for weapons, we could ask for suggestions from Gialgorra, his daughters and Ugrokk himself.
Putting a blade into it seems like a damn waste, not only because it's not such an amazing weapon but also because Ugrokk is proficient in axes.

I would suggest the afro-mentioned heavy bolter gun (with the schematics for the rounds so that Mordre can generate them as he generates AG rounds... he'll have to make a mini-forge inside his body though but I don't think it would be that a problem)

And some kind of sharp whip-like weapon like Prince of Persia here. Which is completely concealed inside the arm and can be shoot out like Scorpion does and then manipulated by hand like a whip. It should be as long as possible.
>>
No. 241252 ID: 1a007d

>>241249
>Anyway, regarding him learning with the Gialgorra family, he could do both. The Lenryt box isn't that far from the Arena...he could run back and forth, learning both bad-ass ghost-hand kung fu and then badass SCIENCE!

Oh, that's a great idea. I keep forgetting how useful those boxes are...
Hmm he could train with Oz one day and use the other day to rest his body and muscles and go to Gialgorra to give all the help he can and learn more about technology.
And Lucrazzia can help him with learning Common *nudge, nudge* *wink, wink*
>>
No. 241257 ID: 1a007d

>>241250
>As for the motor, I'll go for electric .... since electricity IS THE FUTURE!

Also, if people are down with my idea of integrating a railgun, it need electricity to work ... so
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No. 241267 ID: 1a007d
File 128672582893.jpg - (14.60KB , 246x226 , adahn-the-imagined.jpg )
241267

>>240906
>>240907

Gentlemen, may I present you Adahn!

(actually I was thinking the same thoughts, that we are going to run into a wizard tower and find a mage called Mordre inside of it .... that will be very awkward to explain if we have our friends with us at the time)
>>
No. 241272 ID: 56dc25

The more I think about this, the more I remember that Oz's style of training is all about brutally pushing his students to the very limits of their abilities... and if we send Ugrokk into that with a mechanical arm, it doesn't matter how good the arm is, it's going to get busted. We'll need auto-repair even if it means less weapons, just for practical reasons.


>>241267
Perhaps more practically, as long as we keep claiming that we're a mage and building up belief in that, then it will become easier to make a false mage body and link it to ourselves as a decoy, because we'll be making the belief more true.


>>241257
I'd be willing to go with a railgun if we can make it a stealth railgun. Ugrokk must remain the unseen, silent killer.

Makes me vaguely wish that we could have him train with Xuupi, too. That would be pretty nifty.
>>
No. 241273 ID: 1a007d

By the way, did we wan Keddic that we are sending him help?
Phohn him up and tell him to work together with Dompaggio.

And if they have already met, ask Keddic how he likes our new addition?
>>
No. 241276 ID: 9338f5

>>241272
>claiming that we're a mage and building up belief in that

if we become renowned enough this may grant us a boost to our magical ability or if we are lucky the ability to learn magic like a mage
>>
No. 241279 ID: ab04d4
File
Removed

I don't have anything to add to this wonderful event except some art. The bottom's a bit cluttered but I hope it's readable. I know I didn't include all the ideas, but I was lazy and bleh.
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No. 241280 ID: ab04d4
File 128672735466.jpg - (52.25KB , 632x809 , 231348.jpg )
241280

>>241279
Belay that, reuploading with resized file.
>>
No. 241286 ID: ab04d4

>>241267
Well if that happens I'm sure he'll believe he controls us because that's what everyone who believes in Mage Mordre thinks. Thus, we just have to pretend to obey his orders and we'll successfully pass subterfuge.
>>
No. 241287 ID: aa9dca

Why are people suggesting weak, pitiful weapons for Ugrokk's new arm? Think BIG! If the weapon wouldn't blow a limb off Mordre himself then it's just not strong enough! It only needs to be stealthy while Ugrokk gets in position to finish his foe with one unstoppable blow. First of all make use of Ugrokk's armor ability to cloak itself and more importantly store heat and energy while doing so! This is a GREAT extra power source and if Gialgorra (mis)uses it then Ugrokk can potentially stay cloaked for longer and then appear from nowhere with a superweapon overcharged and ready to blow war golems in half!

Idea 1: Electric engine arm with the aforementioned electrolaser as a devastating main gun running along the arm and emitting from the palm. Secondary weapon should be super electric arc emitters along the ridge of the hand so that Ugrokk's Open Hand chops can weld/cut through almost anything while simultaneously electrifying it. Used on low power it could be set to 'stun'.

Idea 2: Pressure engine arm capable of firing off incredibly explosive armor-piercing shockwaves. Add autorepair as a secondary function to help it recover from the constant strain done by the overpowered pressure cannon.

Discuss some possible Soul Grave upgrades. Is Gialgorra willing to sell high-tech armour plates, electrical capacitors/generators (for ignimancy combo use) or other inventions that could be added to Mordre's body?

Finally - Offer to share trade secrets. Mordre has learned much about the workings of Zakrath and how belief can change the world. Gialgorra's goal to make people believe in technology is both noble and capable of incredible effects. Similarly the Administrators are very interested in technological means and devices. In return for this ask Gialgorra to teach Mordre the essence of SCIENCE. Use the power of a Pristine Soul to truly soak up this knowledge into your core and make it yours. It is the most valuable thing you could ever learn!
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No. 241289 ID: ab04d4
File 128672865962.jpg - (46.20KB , 632x809 , 233739.jpg )
241289

>>241287
>>not big enough
>>
No. 241290 ID: e31d52

Wait uh guys uh shouldn't we uh ask him what he wants in his new arm?
>>
No. 241292 ID: 445c48

>>241290
Yeah, Prob'ly. He might not think of some of the crazier stuff Gialgorra can do, but it would still be good to get his opinion.
>>
No. 241293 ID: 9e5b05

>>241280
I like this idea, rather nice, and good detail.

>>241289
I support this as something Mordre, Ugrokk, and Dr. Gialgorra invent when they are completely drunk one day and invent instant-death hand that none of them know how to work.

>>241287
I support the bottom to ideas: SoulGrave upgrades, and SCIENCE sharing.

>>241250
>Ranged Weapon
>Pugilism Gentleman
I just don't think Keddic would want one. He might, and we should ask him, but I have this feeling that the Primarch would rather punch people to death or use blood in new and creative methods.

>>241286
yeah, -that- will be weird.
"Mordre why are you arguing with yourself?"
>>
No. 241295 ID: 445c48

Actually, see if you can get it where it's removable, at say the shoulder or something, so you can switch arms and weapons to meet the circumstance. I don't think we should buy more than one just yet, but it's good to leave room for flexibility and upgrades.
>>
No. 241296 ID: 9e5b05

>>241290
>>241292

Yeah, this has been suggest a few times, and seconded by me, but just firmly stating 'Ask Ugrokk what he wants first' should be standard, and suggested ideas for hand-weapons and hand-powers should be suggestions we can make, but not suggestions we're gonna make for him.
>>
No. 241297 ID: a76809

>>241184
[Clarifying: Ugrokk is missing his RIGHT arm. His LEFT arm is still whole and attached to his shoulder. He is getting a new mechanical RIGHT arm. I apologize if I made this unclear, but to be definitive: RIGHT ARM MECHANICAL, LEFT ARM MUNDANICAL (Shut up mundanical is totally a word).]

>>240140
[Maybe, though she is still miles behind Gialgorra, and no one else has yet been able to decipher his perpetual energy engines.... or even make them keep working once disassembled then reassembled.]

>>241187
[Gialgorra cannot micro-size tech sufficiently that he could make an exoskeletal arm that would NOT overbalance him the other way (now left side dominant instead of right side). Maybe in future visits he will be able to shrink things down more.]

>>241238
[No, taking off armor would not remove arm. It would simply have a gap the mechanical arm would slot into, so that while armored his balance would be restored to normal.]

>>241249
[Sure Ugrokk can have a Railgun, as soon as you figure out how to negate that monstrous recoil it has.]

>>241137
[About a hundred fold increase. So one pound becomes one hundred. This also means getting 300 pounds of Deep Spawn blood would allow full saturation with a Pristine Soul. The enhancement percentage can be boosted by a factor of ten for each additional Pristine Soul used, such that 2 souls grant 1,000X enhancement, and 3 grants 10,000X enhancement.]

>>241022
>>241048
>>241049
>>241051
>>241056
>>241058
>>241060
>>241071
>>241080
>>241086
>>241096
[FANART BONUS]
>>421127
"Ugrokk, assuming any kind of weapons in the world could be built into your new arm... What would you desire to have 'on hand' as weapons?"
>[Ugrokk]"Hrm.... string, or wire, strong and thin, so that I may strangle quietly. Some means of making sure arm goes invisible with armor. A weapon that does not create great noise or light. ...If an axe of some sort can be built into the arm, that would be to my liking."
"I see...."

I turn back to the expectant Gialgorra, the tip of one of Sable Executioner's tentacles grasps a pencil, and I attend to Gialgorra's sketch, positing ideas as I go.

"Now, it is my understanding that this is the largest chassis for a replacement arm you make: Do you propose using it due to Ugrokk's size, or because you assume him to be a strength based fighter?"
"His size. The only other model I have already established in that size are the Dynamo mark 1 and 2, both of which... are quite outdated now."
"I see. Well, I spoke with Ugrokk, and I was wondering what we can do about this. He desires access to sturdy wire, should a quiet execution be needed-"
"Anastazia, we still have some of that mono-wire?"
>[Anastazia]"Yes, daddy."
"Well, that's no problem, I'll hollow every fingertip and put a wire coil in five feet of length each, spring loaded release with a rewind mechanism hooked to the engine, could garrote five people at once if he finagled it. What else?"
>>241280
>>241289
[FANART BONUS]
"Could modular hardpoints be put on the outside, for future additions?"
"HAH, thinking of the future, eh? I can respect that. Hell, I'll install four of them for free!"
"Two more minor things: If some hollows could be kept here and here, Of these dimensions, as an inventor in my employ has done wonderful, Mervelous things with pressure based weapons, so I wish to leave room for work of my own."
"Okay, that's not much space you're looking for, that's easy... so, going for the pressure engine then?"
"Actually no. I was intending for this post-construction modification to be the only pressure based methodology in the whole ensemble. I was looking to go for electrical."
"Ok, electrical.... so, finger-filament is gonna be gratis, I got so much wire laying around I won't have to fabricate anything, and the spare room is free too. Any other tweak things like that, before we get to the nitty-gritty of the weapon systems you want?"
"One more thing yes."
"Right, you said two more things. So?"
[FANART BONUS: COLLAPSIBLE ELECTROHEATAXE ATTACHMENT]
"Ugrokk has a fondness for axes, so I was contemplating a collapsible axe, segmented pieces of blade that would interlock to form the crescent passively mounted on top of his hand, the haft mounted alongside the forarm-"
"Let's see.... I forgot how much room the Dynamo line of limbs has, but yeah, we can do that. So-"
"Would it be possible to electrify the axe, and possibly craft the interlocking blade from some highly conductive material, so that electrifying it also heats it to rather considerable levels without melting the blade?"
"...Probably doable, but a weapon that complicated is going to cost more, unlike the filament, I hope you understand that."
"I am here seeking results, not to hoard wealth."
"Eh, the kind of mindset I like to see. Okay, probably doable.... so, what main weapons do you want?"
"There are two things I saw you Steam Golem do that intrigued me quite heartily. Firstly, those automated repair dendrites, those unfolding arms that treated damages to the construct, I wish to see a variant in Ugrokk's arm."
"Okay, okay.... yeah, I can do that, I think. Might be a bit straining on the engine though, that takes a great deal more juice than one might expect."
"Then, as the actual primary weapon, some form of Electrolaser, Similar if scaled down to what C.A.N.T.I. has."
"Certainly fits an electric engine.... if I palm-mount the discharge point, would make charging the axe easier.... yeah, that should work. ....Eh, I'm a bit leery of the power constraints this arm is going to have. The repair dendrites are pretty power intensive, and the electrolaser is monstrously gluttonous... plus having components for automatic folding and unfolding of that stored axe, and leaving room for those add-ons you said you have planned.... well, I have a solution, but it will add more to the price."
"That being?"
"Well, one thing I've learned how to do that's quite handy is how to install a 'Redline' function in engines. Ups output substantially while active, while increasing wear and tear rates. In most cases, doubles engine output while tripling the rate of breakdowns while active. I would note that while active, that will make any limb hosting an electric generator become one giant tazer, with proper insulation at the shoulder of course. The great thing is, to even install a setting like that, I'll need to put in an auxiliary regulator, which should mitigate the majority of power consumption issues, and real heavy use can be sustained while redlining.... wouldn't recommend doing that for real long times, unless you want to sit there letting the dendrites work for hours to fix it. Another word of caution: If the redline is abused like all get-out, the engine itself could break down, and that the dendrites CANNOT repair, seeing as they need a functioning power source to do anything."
"Could some form of electrical collection point be added, such that, should Ugrokk by magical means come to have excess electricity in his body, he could use it to minorly power the arm?"
"Unless this guy can eat lightning, the most he could hold would be enough for just the dendrites to function on emergency power settings... but yeah, if you get some magic shenanigans to fit the bill, you could even make the engine field-repairable."
"Then, with a final request that, as the arm is intended for one who employs stealth, It be modeled to be unobtrusive, or as much so as possible, that is what I desire."
"Okay, let's see..... eighteen base.... gratis armor refit, gratis wires.... extra two thousand for the folding heat axe.... five to add redline function.... six for dendrites...... ten for electrolaser.... got that collection point I need to hook up too, in addition to the hollows..... Let's call it an even 42,000 Marks for the whole thing.... what do you want it called? I make a point of building nothing for a customer unless they name it."
"Well, it is supposed to be a stealthy prosthetic weapon.... I like the sound of The Whispering Grasp."
"A bit less impactful than I like, but hey, quiet intentions, quiet name. So...."

Without further prompting I rapidly assess the rubies in my bag, counting out 840 carats (and leaving myself 360 carats still in the bag) and placing them in a small ceramic urn holding down one of the corners of the paper Gialgorra has been sketching on during our conversation. Piles of notes already festoon the paper, and he only barely pays attention to my payment, yet when I finish dolling out the gems, he begins speaking again.

"Okay.... so, Ugrokk will need to stay here for the rest of the day at least, while we take initial measurements and whatnot. Past that, it will be three or four days before we have the arm built enough he'll need to come back to have it fitted, make sure everything aligns right. After that, another five days, maybe six, and the arm should be done, along with the modifications to the armor. So... a fitting today, another on Rathday, maybe Randiday of next Cycle, and the final hookup next Cycle somewhere between Washiday, Corday or Lorthday. Can't be too ironclad about time-frames, as I got a few dozen guests who already paid to challenge C.A.N.T.I. that I need to attend to as well."
"I saw the Steam golem there, it looked quite changed from its earlier iterations... Was that a new engine I noted in its core?"
"Ha[i]HAH
, the Abstract Alchemical Algorithmic Engine, the A.A.A. Engine! It-"
>[Sofiazza]"Dad, that's not what you called it before."
"I can change its name if I want!"

>[The Whispering Grasp]
>-Enhances wearer's strength to sufficient levels to be lethal against even experts of combat magic.
>-Arm is always treated as armored, and will attract any electric discharge to its form, storing the energy for later use without harming the wearer.
>-Automated repair functions.
>-Five feet of mono-wire stored in the tip of each finger, spring loaded for use as garrotes.
>-Spaces for a WASP spike and canister on each side of the wrist, for later installation.
>-4 modular external hard-points, for later installations.
>-Collapsible heat axe that is electrified when held.
>-Palm-mounted electrolaser.
>-Redline function, double engine output by tripling wear rates. Redline function electrifies entire arm, including mono-wire and WASP spikes once installed.

Rather swiftly the trio enters a familial squabble, the daughters giggling as they play with their father, who for his part keeps waxing between flustered and taking refuge behind his audacity. I take this time to explain to Ugrokk which days he probably has to be here for his arm while it is built, and offer him the chance to learn from Oz, the master of a truly potent style, in between sessions. I explain that all he need do is ask Phohn to have Burduko meet him at the teleporter, and he could be brought to the Land of Dragons in an instant. He accepts this offer gravely, eyes still roaming to the two daughters present as Sofiazza throws a sidelong look over her should at the soon to be bionically enhanced Premen more than once in her family squabble. I realize that Ugrokk cannot speak Common well enough to communicate with ease. So, to facilitate proper dialogue, I decide to introduce the Gialgorra family... to Phohn. I clear my nonexistent throat, and with attention drawn to me again offer a last bit of words.

"I have a specialized golem in my employ, by the name of Phohn: He can speak any language, and would be quite useful, as Ugrokk here... Is not yet the most adept with the Common tongue. If one of you would be willing to let Phohn speak with you-"
"A communication based golem? Certainly, I volunteer, I-OHOHWOW, those words are in my head.... ah, hello, Phohn. ..Ah, don't need to speak aloud... right."
"And it would seem the good doctor Gialgorra has met Phohn... or at least his words. I do ask that you encourage Ugrokk to use Common as best he can, But when accuracy is needed use Phohn to ensure no communication breakups."
"Certainly, a fair request.... hrm, words straight into my head, how does....... okay, magic, right, I keep forgetting that doesn't need to make sense within the realm of physics... wonderful."

After bidding farewell to the Gialgorras, already busy taking measurements of the scantily clad Ugrokk, I make my way back down the stone stairs, and emerge back into the entryway, where Lucrazzia is once more mired in directing robots. As I make my way down the stairs she turns to face me, an expectant look on her face... that falls short as she sees I am alone. In an effort to distract her, I reply to her posed method of golem control.

>>241211
"A very interesting guess, my dear. Let me pose you a question in turn, Though I leave it to you what vein of thought to follow, And whether or not to believe I am leading you astray or giving a hint: A mage I may be, but need it be a purely magical creation? Technology has always amazed me, for its ability to bring understanding, And enable feats in some ways comparable to pure magic through raw craftsmanship. It can scarcely be fathomed what both can do together, given the proper...mechanics, As I'm sure your family is awa-"
"And your lunch, Master Mordre, with a nice pot of tea...oh, well hello there!"
"THANKYOUILLIATHATWILLBEALL! I'm trying to be profound here, and.... and... ...Oh, that does smell delightful, thank you."

Fully distracted by my antics, Lucrazzia suppresses a giggle behind a gloved hand as she busies herself adjusting a pair of goggles, waving goodbye and letting me hear a snippit of dialogue as I depart.

>"...I wonder where that guy is staying...."


I make my way out of Gialgorra's manse, considerably poorer, and with a method to restore Ugrokk successfully purchased. Nidhogg, Burduko and Bang should be flying from the Land of Dragons north to reach the warring nations after passing the desert Bang hails from, while the rest of the Deep Spawn are busy laboring at Oz's new arena-based school in the Land of Dragons. I know I had intended to travel back to the Arcanoworks.... but I find myself wondering just how I shall deal with Eisenhardt's presence.

It is precisely on the heels of this query that Phohn brings news to me.

Reinhardt has been engaged in dialogue with Eisenhardt for substantial time blocks each day It is suspected that some degree of camaraderie is developing between the two, likely based on the familial ties I am told exist between them. Eisenhardt, for his part, has thoroughly inspected the transport box Lenryt crafted, and spends most of his time outside of conversing with Reinhardt speaking with Arkus. Arkus reports that Eisenhardt has confided he is bored, or concerned, it was difficult to tell which, with the state of affairs in Weinsho's camp. He still claims he awaits your return to finish your match





So what should I do?
Should I teleport back to the Arcanoworks, and try to deal with Eisenhardt?
Or should I hold off until Bang, Burduko and Nidhogg reach Kyogrock Arcanoworks?
Or should I do something else?
>[Or should the author perspective shift to Bang and co in ADVENTURES ON A DRAGON IN THE LAND OF LUCHADORES?]
>>
No. 241298 ID: a69afd

>>241293
>>241240
Keddic has one of the twins of Gavrock, and he used it quite well in the Domintus strikeforce routing. However, I want him to have something stronger when we take on Aurockoth.
>>
No. 241305 ID: 9e5b05

>>241297
Will the Right Hand go stealth? I noticed we seemed for have forgotten that, but it is something we need to make sure happens.

Anyway, on with dealing with Eisenhardt, possibly getting the name from the Ax and hiring the man-
>[Or should the author perspective shift to Bang and co in ADVENTURES ON A DRAGON IN THE LAND OF LUCHADORES?]
OH FUCKING HELL, BOB! I WANTED TO DEAL WITH THE DAMN METAL TITAN, FUCKFUCKFUCK!

Yeah, lets go meet EL SANTO, THE SILVER MASKED MAN! EL BANG AND El ESPADACHÍN TORRIDA SHALL TAKE THEIR DIVINE FISTS TO WHERE JUSTICE NEEDS THEM!
>>
No. 241307 ID: ddd48d
File 128673101722.jpg - (48.85KB , 1005x732 , DRAGONTIME.jpg )
241307

Mordre, take a chill pill and wait for Bang to get near the Arcanoworks, you can arrive just in time to explain why there is a massive dragon hanging around.

BUT WHILE WE WAIT, LETS SWITCH TO BANG
(ffffuuuuuuu- why do i have to be busy tomorrow. have fun you guys.)
>>
No. 241309 ID: 9338f5

So what should I do?
Should I teleport back to the Arcanoworks, and try to deal with Eisenhardt?
Or should I hold off until Bang, Burduko and Nidhogg reach Kyogrock Arcanoworks?
Or should I do something else?
>[Or should the author perspective shift to Bang and co in ADVENTURES ON A DRAGON IN THE LAND OF LUCHADORES?]

I want to say yes to bang and the dragon very badly but we need to deal with Eisenhardt we have left it far to long.
>>
No. 241312 ID: 445c48

Go home, Mordre. The faster we sort out all the stuff we left the better. Try to convince Eisenhardt, first off, to not start fighting you the second you step out the box. Activate the disjoining rune before you travel. Drop off some samples of Blootz at the forges, get a status update from Arkus and have him copy down your runes/tell you exactly what they are. Buy the books back from that one assassin, and such, see those state guys that I think are still there, etc etc. Busy busy busy.
>>
No. 241313 ID: 1a007d

Oh damn, I was drawing something for the bonus ... oh well

>[Or should the author perspective shift to Bang and co in ADVENTURES ON A DRAGON IN THE LAND OF LUCHADORES?]
This is tempting as hell ...
But damn, I want to deal with Eisenhardt already (how many days have passed since we left Arcaneworks?)

>[Sure Ugrokk can have a Railgun, as soon as you figure out how to negate that monstrous recoil it has.]

That's why I told to share the knowledge wit h Gialrorra, his brilliant mind would come up with something.... and besides, it must not be as crazy powerful as when we first used it (I am sure, if we use less Vanguard blades it will be less powerful and in turn generate less heat and recoil)

Speaking of Vanguard blades. Empty you slots and see if we can regenerate the new type of blades we have. If we can, then replace ALL of our reserve ammo.

And you didn't tell what Gialgorra thinks of Blootz Steel
>>
No. 241317 ID: 9e5b05

>>241298
I completely forgot about that. Continue with bolter idea!

>>241305
Burduko would be El ESPADACHÍN TORRID, of course.
>>
No. 241319 ID: d3dfb8

HNNNNNGGGGG these options are too good to pass up :(
I want to do both BANGS ADVENTURES and BOSS BATTLE: EISENHARDT ROUND 2
>>
No. 241320 ID: 9e5b05

Regarding 'wasting time', we could perspective-shift and time jump. Bang gets back in time to hear about EISENHARDT's Conversion? Maybe? I don't know, I want to get Magneto as an ally and I want to kick some Lucha Libra Ass!
>>
No. 241344 ID: 1a007d

If we go back to Arcaneworks

Maybe we should try to conduct the battle a bit away from it with a pretense that you don't want Arcaneworks damaged and people hurt (in reality I want us to fight on grounds where Eisenhardt hopefully hasn't meddle with)
>>
No. 241348 ID: aa9dca

>>241313
It might not be too late for fanart bonus! Gialgorra could still have a sudden stroke of genius!

How about Mordre just goes back to the Land of Dragons to continue working with Lubu as we promised Lenryt? I don't want us to get caught up in minor tasks and miss out on the action like the time we forgot to go meet Dulu.
>>
No. 241349 ID: ab04d4

I'm not sure here, though I think Mordre can fight by himself. As players, we mainly come up with new crazy ideas for the characters- and Bang is about to meet a whole new vista of powers when he learns about Keddic's white blood skills. If they combine their bio-skills, they could get awesome gestalt abilities that we would have the opportunity to influence.

That is, if Bang finds Keddic while we're playing as him. As much as it pains me, I vote Bang over Mordre.
>>
No. 241351 ID: a69afd

>>241297
Wait a minute, can't we just fight Eisenhardt first, then switch to Bang? It's gonna take Bang at least a few days to get to the Arcanoworks, but it's only going to take a few hours- a day at the most to decide the winner of the fight with Eisenhardt.
>>
No. 241352 ID: e7bf04

>>241351
THIS.

PUNCH MAGNETO
advicebang.jpg
GO RIDE DRAGON
>>
No. 241354 ID: ab04d4

>>241351
If this is possible, voting this.
>>
No. 241359 ID: 56dc25

I have to go all the way with Mordre on this one. Bang is awesome, but there are a lot of awesome people around. Mordre is our main character, and there are so many things for him to deal with at the Arcanoworks that it's not even funny, from Eisenhardt on down. Mordre all the way.
>>
No. 241366 ID: d3dfb8

>>241351
This.
>>
No. 241368 ID: 445c48

>>241349
Well, Bang's going straight through the desert to the Arcanoworks, while Keddic's still in Gainer with The Lined One.
>>
No. 241376 ID: 3e56f0

Say, can we teleport back to Kyorto's tower to link up our Soul Nexus? If I read Bob correctly, we could link up our Body - Heart and Left Arm Soul Nexus and then we could activate HANDS OF HUNGER solely on our Left Arm, bypassing the shifting ground thing that the full-body HANDS OF HUNGER causes. And other combinations...
>>
No. 241379 ID: 3c4318

rolled 1 = 1

We can have him build the railgun and then use magic to negate the recoil by separating it from the space around it when firing, tractomancy stuff.

Or we could simply displace the force into the area around him with tracto/kinectomancy stuff.

Runes runes lalalalala

1 for bang
2 for Boss battle
>>
No. 241380 ID: f4e4f9

Eisenhardt.

As fun as Bang's adventure is be, lets see if we cant beat Eisenhardt first, then shift to him.
>>
No. 241382 ID: f4e4f9

>>241380
>is be

Fuck me, I need to shut the hell up.
>>
No. 241386 ID: 45cd95

I have to say Eisenhardt.
>>
No. 241411 ID: a76809
File 128674379913.jpg - (76.19KB , 477x358 , Ellucci.jpg )
241411

>>241318
[Very true, new arm idea sketches and whatnot are still valid, and now go towards Gialgorra having moments of inspiration, as is a frequent occurrence while he labors.]

>>241313
I empty the six new blades from my right shoulder-and I find them unaltered, the same saw blades I normally possess.... hm, while as of yet I do not know why they de not regenerate to the new form, the fact remains I have six of the runed saw-rings on hand, to study, analyze and hopefully replicate. I find this prospect less daunting than I would have earlier, considering the high praise my alloy recieved when I gifted three shells to Gialgorra as materials. He said the innately pervasive magical currents would lend themselves quite well to future runing, and provide some basic enhancement to an already supernaturally durable metal. I may wish to consider vending the material, seeing as I can produce it so easily with sufficient other metal to replenish myself.

>>241305
>>241307
>>241309
>>241319
>>241379
[Ugrokk will take care of explaining via Phohn the nature of the suit's magic, and Gialgorra will call in one of the magitech workers from a nearby town to make sure the armor can mesh correctly. This will also lead to finding out the suit's magic produces thermal energy shifts, which crafty man he is will lead to Gialgorra including a means for that energy to some way be utilized by the arm. Gialgorra's got it covered.]

I war with returning to the Land of Dragons to continue my labors becoming vital to Lubu, to give Bang time to arrive with Nidhogg at the Arcanoworks, and simply going there directly....

Ultimately, I decide that continuing to work in the Land of Dragons, split between assisting Keddic and Dompaggio in hunting for proof of The Lined One's innocence, and finding ways to be of service to Lubu, keeping Jioga from destroying my image, and keeping tabs on both Oz and the Deep Spawn barring Nidhogg and Burduko. ...I have waited weeks to return to the Arcanoworks. I can wait a few more days, if it means I am best equipped to deal with the issue of Eisenhardt.


.............................................................PERSPECTIVE SHIFT: BANG.............................................................

OH YEAH

Riding a dragon.

Being fly and high, a radical dude on a radical dragon. Got a guy made of cloth and wind as my wingmate, and we are just tearing through the sky. City turns to blurs beneath us, as a cocoon of wind keeps the air nicely calm about us, Nidhogg still glancing back periodically to sniff disdainfully at me.

....Heh, I'm riding a dragon. I just can't get tired of saying it.

I have to say, Nidhogg is really moving. We've left the capital behind with ease, and passed by another two cities already. ...Come late afternoon, we skirt around our first considerable mountain range-which I might add strikes me as odd, as from the vantage point of a dragon's back, I can see the crazy super mountains have what look like flat tops, dragons swarming about its borders miles away. I'm tempted, SOOOOOOO tempted to go up there, and just have a blast punching dragons in the face, trying out my new Bang Blade technique made possible with... Possibility cells. But I told Mordre I'd go as fast as possible to the Arcanoworks.... so I pass them up for now.

...He's soo lucky this is his dragon and I don't really know how to make her change direction.

Soon enough the ground fades to sand, and mountains recede, and by the time the sun sets we find our first town in the desert, Ellucci, a dusky, sleepy little border town of the great desert nation of Despardos.

...Oh-ho? And I do most certainly here the sounds of conflict down below... a roving eye shows fires that have no business being lit, buildings inflamed and people screaming.... there they are, bandits doing what they do best....

Oh, I really want to contribute to this-

I only realize I jumped from Nidhogg's back when I am plummeting to the ground from thousands of feet up. At least I'm falling towards the town. Alright, targets, targets.... okay, civilian, civilian, civi-okay, there's a bandit trio, I might be able to catch all three in my entrance.... but over there are a few kids being menaced by a pair of masked men...... oh, and that one HAS to be their leader dragging a pair of screaming women by their hair, got fancier stolen clothes, bigger, not carrying any weapons either, I bet he's a fellow grappler....

Hm.




Okay, what should I pick for my entrance, the trio on watch, the duo menacing children, or the possible leader, a grappler taking women?
Should my entrance be one of my tried and true moves, or should I try to think of some what turning my limbs into chainsaw whips could be useful?
COME ON NOW, LET'S GET DANGEROUS!!
>>
No. 241419 ID: d3dfb8

I say we land ON the possible leader, immediately jump off of him (probably killing him in the process) toward the three keeping watch changing arms to blades and slicing them in half, the rapidly redirecting toward the two threating children and beat them into a pulp infront of those innocent little eyes.

ALL of them will be our entrance!
>>
No. 241420 ID: f4e4f9

>>241411
(Bang it is. I suppose Mordre can wait a day, and this'll give time for him to find out what the hell was done to his sword)

The guy taking the women isn't going to get away in the time it takes you to put a chainfist through the two attacking the Children.

Besides, we must be an INSPIRATION TO THE CHILDREN. Cock your fists back and launch them as fast as you can, extending your arms. One through each of the guys afte the kids. Tip your knuckles with the Bone-spurs.

MAGNUM PILEBUNKER

Smile for the kids, make sure they're in the clear, and dash off to rescue the women.
>>
No. 241428 ID: 1a007d

I say we save kids first.

Oh, question to Bang
what did you do AFTER the fight with Huaw. How did you occupy your time while waiting for Mordre?
Did you get chance to hang out with Lubu maybe?
What do you think of him and Land of the Dragons anyway?
How are you liking the current state of affairs?
Also, "Dragon! So awesome, right?"


Bang, yo are from this desert land "Despardos", right?
Where exactly are you from? Do you have any relatives here?
>>
No. 241429 ID: 1a007d

>>241411
>[Very true, new arm idea sketches and whatnot are still valid, and now go towards Gialgorra having moments of inspiration, as is a frequent occurrence while he labors.]

Oh, cool.
I was doodling random cyborg arms. Have 2 ready.
I'm going to try to draw Ugrokks hand we ordered and upload everything tomorrow. Now is time for sleep...
>>
No. 241432 ID: 3c4318

Look up, make sure dragon isn't leaving you behind.

Magnum Double barrel the trio, don't let blood splash kids, traumatized for life.
>>
No. 241434 ID: 445c48

Land ON the leader. Bug phohn to tell Niddhogg to swoop down and give you a hand.
>>
No. 241437 ID: a17cca

>>241411
KICK OFF THE AIR! Aim for the two attacking the children and TURN THEM TO PASTE!

Or even better, TURN THEM TO A FINE RED MIST!
>>
No. 241438 ID: aa9dca

Go for the duo and make it messy! Need to get your toga coated with blood after all and nothing says blood on your clothes like ramming into people at terminal velocity. The kids might get a fright, but at least they won't be taken hostage immediately.

"Striking like lightning from the clearest of skies - It is no one less than Magnum Bang The Human Dynamo, Annihilator Of Armies, Smasher Of Sieges, Cracker Of Castles!"

Save your new blades for the leader. I bet he loves surprises, but not as much as you do!
>>
No. 241440 ID: a76809
File 128674696796.jpg - (37.21KB , 467x625 , El Blank Magnifico.jpg )
241440

>>241432
She ain't. I see Nidhogg swinging around to eventually descend, but flat of dropping like a rock she will not touch the ground for a bit.

>>241428
Midair, I take a very, VERY brief moment to consider what I did AFTER finishing that challenge in the Land of Dragons. Really, the majority of my time was spent working the kinks out of my new technique (read: minimizing those times I exploded into a pile of tumors). Lubu saw me on one of his ventures to the training field, apparently intrigued when practice dummies kept getting broken (totally my fault). But he seemed okay with it, took a moment to watch me use Bang blade with my torso, arms and legs in turn.... actually, what he did next was kind of awesome. He.... he did the Bang Blade. After watching me do it, he replicated the move-and was cutting golems in half. They had these huge metal golems, shaped like bald fat men, about thirty feet tall, that were animated by direct magic infusion, and he was just cleaving them apart, no trouble... I couldn't even get more than a half foot of penetration on those things, no matter what I did, just solid metal, layered the whole way to their core. ...That guy, man, he's insane. I really want to fight him.... but the longer I put it off, the stronger I might become... and the stronger he will most definitely become. I know it will be more awesome the longer I put it off, but SOME DAY, I definitely have to go toe to toe with him. ....Gotta add him to BANG'S LIST OF TOTALLY AWESOME PEOPLE TO FIGHT, then: Aurockoth, Delbulu Fissykus, Jak Strife, Fierce Dragon Lubu the Unparalleled, Catbeard of Trollingwood, Diogeo Fissykus The Soul Knight, Jelten Hurduece The Ship Splitter....

Yeah, I need to get on that at some point. ...So hard to focus long enough to make one of those fights happen rather than just having fun with what I can find.

>>241419
Pssh, what was I thinking, trying to choose.

BANG PICKS ALL OPTIONS

I swivel about in my fall, directing leather wrapped feet towards the presumed head honcho, as I begin heralding my approach a thousand feet up and ever-descending.

"oooooooooooooooBIGBANGSTOMP!!!!"

With a thud of compression I pile-drive the large bandit into the ground, blood and gore spurting out of his ruptured sides as he turns to paste beneath my feat, his body completely unable to take all the kinetic trauma I subjected it to. As his hand only now begins to loosen in death from its grasp about the women's hair, I leap from my crouch, even as faces are still turning towards me, an arm stretching out wide as I put Possibility cells to use. During my leap, while my arm swings, it grows longer, skeletal structure shifting, a spine complete with edge protrusions, vibrating fiercely enough a keening sound is heard as I turn my arm into an elastic organic chainsaw, only one of the trio swift enough to see death coming.

"BANG BLADE"

My ten foot long arm whips out, and chews a path through the trio as if they were naught but confetti, cheap swords and torn leathers shredding and shattering alike under my assault, blood and entrails splattering everywhere as I keep moving, only now hearing shouts of alarm beginning to spread amongst the bandits-Who I now have had time to count, twenty eight in number still breathing. I see fear in the eyes of the duo I hurtle towards now, as they see the death and slaughter left in my wake, a fist clenched and ready to strike each face.

"MAGNUM PUNCH!!"

As I push the pair's brains out of the back of their skulls with naught but my knuckles, I spring my hands open inside their now empty skulls, grasping their now lifeless bodies as crude and messy flails, as the crying children get swept up by the fleeing women that would-be bandit leader released a bare second ago, as with gore caked arms and flecked with blood, my scarf whipping and cracking in the sharp night wind, I cry out my challenge.

"WHO WANTS TO RUMBLE WITH THE HUMAN DYNAMO!?"

I see fear, hesitation, unease in dozens of faces, my might something they were not expecting. I see civilians still safe in buildings as of yet unburning peering out hopefully, as others move to flee. The bandits, despite their unease, begin forming up in a ring around me-and just as swiftly I note a smug calm spreading over their faces as a clear and aggressive voice lances out into the night air.

"I WOULD FACE THE ONE THAT SLEW MY PRECIOUS STUDENT!
YOUR LUCK HAS RUN OUT, NOW THAT YOU FACE El BLANK MAGNIFICO
!"

Another bare-chested warrior steps forth, seven feet tall and at least twice my weight, I see cautiously opened windows slam shut in fear, this warrior wearing stark white, with gaudy highlights of gold, leather strips and tassels tied all about-

OH, and he's wearing a Mask.

Okay, this is going to be fun. REALLY FUN. I'm not going to ask what a Masked Warrior is doing leading bandits in a raid way out here, because this fight is going to be WAY TOO MUCH FUN to question. ....Okay, if he's got a Mask, by default he knows combat magic, and plenty of it. Calluses on his fingertips, palms, larger than on knuckles.... he's a grappler, no question. Okay.....




What do I say to this bad dude that called me out?
And how should I try to fight him/save the town of Ellucci?
>>
No. 241450 ID: 445c48

Ok, I know some of those names, but who're Delbulu Fissykus, Catbeard of Trollingwood, Diogeo Fissykus The Soul Knight, and Jelten Hurduece The Ship Splitter?
>>
No. 241453 ID: 3c4318

ARE YOU A BAD ENOUGH DUDE TO TAKE DOWN THE DYNAMO!?

OH YEA BABY FIGHT TIME!
>>
No. 241455 ID: e31d52

oh goodness this is gonna be awesome. OKAY.

HE KNOWS COMBAT MAGIC AND IS A GRAPPLER.

THEN, HAHAHAH, WE WILL TEACH HIM TO GRAPPLE YOU. LET HIM TRY. THEN SPROUT BANG BLADES ALL OVER YOUR BODY.

BLADES OF FREEDOM, MOTHERFUCKER, NO ONE HOLDS BANG DOWN
>>
No. 241456 ID: 1a007d

>hat guy, man, he's insane. I really want to fight him.... but the longer I put it off, the stronger I might become... and the stronger he will most definitely become. I know it will be more awesome the longer I put it off, but SOME DAY, I definitely have to go toe to toe with him. ....Gotta add him to BANG'S LIST OF TOTALLY AWESOME PEOPLE TO FIGHT

I guess you'll have to become Dragon for that as I don't see any other way for you to even stand a chance against Lubu.
>>
No. 241457 ID: 1a007d

>I'm not going to ask what a Masked Warrior is doing leading bandits in a raid way out here

Masked Warriors?
What do you know about Masked Warriors?
>>
No. 241462 ID: 3c4318

Also... where the heck is trollingwood?

is it some kind of group that anyone can join (which would lead me to believe that troolzaru is a member) or just a place?
>>
No. 241492 ID: 3c4318

Oh yes, I thought of this last night.

We help Keddic slay Aurockoth, when he is on deaths door.

NINDHOGG BABY!!!

We just got an Aurockoth pet.
>>
No. 241495 ID: 903f16

>>241440

>What do I say to this bad dude that called me out?
Make some comment about how his name is appropriate since we are about to wipe him off the face of planet. Then offer him a challenge, mask vs hair. I believe that's a traditionally accepted match type. You could also just beat him into a pulp and take it, but that lacks a bit of class.

>And how should I try to fight him/save the town of Ellucci?
Do a bit of high flying strikes and fast attacks to combat his grappling. If he gets a lock in bring out the spikes and show him why it isn't smart to grab the human equivalent of a porcupine.

>>241462
I'm imagining some sort of secret society that's members focus on becoming as annoying as possible.
>>
No. 241636 ID: f4e4f9

>>241492
Nidhogg is focuse around binding beasts an\d those living things lacking souls.. I dont know if Aurockoth, totally sentent and souled, counts.
>>
No. 241684 ID: f4e4f9

>>241456
A Living Legend would suffice.

Now then:

"Precious student? What, the guy I still need to scrape off my footwraps? GEE, SORRY.

Kinda...
Not really...
at all."
>>
No. 241721 ID: 3e56f0
File 128675537173.jpg - (1.52MB , 3510x2550 , Ugrokk Axe Arm Ideas.jpg )
241721

So here are my totally crappy drawings. Ignore the terrible erasure job, they're just Ghosthand shenanigans.

The drawing of the hand, and the hand holding the haft of the axe, is just my idea for Ugrokk to never lose the axe. The hand has lots of openings where wire can be strung out of storage and attached to the openings in the axe, securing the axe the the arm and preventing it from being knocked from Ugrokk's grasp.

The axe drawing with all the dots is what the axe looks like on the outside when it is put together. The dots are holes... Let's back up a bit.

My idea is that Gialgorra, once he learned about Ugrokk's armor special property, had an idea to replicate the property onto the axe, absorbing the surrounding energy (including the heat from the axe, so there would be no danger of the metal melting) making the axe invisible. There is the default method of release, the sudden explosion of heat and light, of course, but that is rather inefficient. So, another method of release was constructed: taking all that energy and superheating the air around the axe, and compressing the heated air around the axe so that whenever something encountered the axe, they would be burned first, weakening the material, before getting hit be the axe proper. Alternatively, Ugrokk could just superheat the air inside the axe and fire shots of superheated air out of the holes of the axe, maybe even large columns of heated air if he chose to; or Ugrokk could turn that energy into generating power, so that even if he overused redlining, he could just turn on the axe's ability to absorb energy and use that energy to power the dendrites to effect repairs.

The axe with all the lines inside it is just a diagram of what the insides of the axe might look like. The lines are the network of corridors for the shooting superheated air; and perhaps wires, also electrified and absorbing energy and superheating the air around it, for Ugrokk to bind things. If the wires idea is included, maybe the corridors are the wires, tightly wound and packed together, unwinding when Ugrokk lets out the wires.
>>
No. 241818 ID: a594b9

>>241721
>3510x2550

Dear god man, resize your scans!
>>
No. 241866 ID: 3c4318

>>241636
Then we will just have to wait and see eh?

(or be creative. hehe, I'll let you think on that before I out in my articular brand of insanity)
>>
No. 241894 ID: a76809

>>241721
[+1 Fanart: Ugrokk ArmUnspent Fanarts: 01/10 For Gialgorra Limb Magnum Opus]

>>241455
I can't do blades all over, just along the sides of my torso, extended or otherwise, and along paired sides of leg and arm alike. If I try to make them anywhere else, I run into issues of the tumorous sort pretty often, and that would not be pleasent at all in the middle of a fight.

>>241456
For a second, I wonder if I'll need to go through all that rigmarole to become a Dragon, just to take a shot at Lubu.... but then, I realize I can always just apply fist to face. I am fairly certain he would neglect to participate. As for standing a chance.... if I get good enough with Possibility cells, I wonder if I'll even be capable of dying....

>>241457
Masked Warriors. I left the deserts partly because they wouldn't let me in (granted this was a decade ago, and I have improved ever so slightly since). The Masked Warriors are mages and knights rolled into one, a judge and officer of local militias, a position of power, of immediately recognizable capability, displayed in the wearing of a Mask. Be they a local bounty hunter aiding sheriffs in towns all over, a fighter of tyranny that raises militias to oppose despotism wherever it may rise, or even a roving grappler seeking ever more foes to challenge. There are all sorts of Masked Warriors, what with the qualifier ultimately being capability, not intentions. The flip side of this, are the Fell Masks. See, the power, the prestige of being titled such can go to your head, and being reminded of how badass you are all the time, it sometimes makes a man feel like taking everything for himself. Fell Masks, eschewing the laws and obligations they are supposed to uphold for greed, are wanted men, but feared for their power, most finding ease setting themselves up as local kings.... until the Masked Warriors find them. Such is the way of things, in Despardos.

>>241462
Trollingwood... As I understand it, that lad Senth is one of them, a resident.... the Trollingwood is claimed to be the home of the only unclaimed meteor of Lortoxite in the whole land. A damn big one too, estimates rating it by tonnage. The issue is the nature of the woods its located in. Way, way long ago, some heavy hitting mages duked it out there, throwing everything they had into it, even using their souls as weapons. Well, the sheer amount of energy, both in total quantity and in terms of number of simultaneous spell matrices was so dense it permanently pervaded the whole woods that grew inside the crater. So, those mages, who fought over claiming the Lortoxite so long ago no one even knows who they are, messed the land up so bad with Tractomancy, Geomancy, Aeromancy, Pomumancy, even Chronomancy and some sort of stuff fiddling with Dreams, The woods are a trap that to date have not let a single person get to the prize at its epicenter and deepest point. Those of Trollingwood are those with bounties, warrants or other reasons they can live nowhere elese, and take a special sense of enjoyment out of the futuile attempts of periodic questers coming for the metal prize. I am told it is a dangerous and jarring locale to live in. It is betwixt the southern ends of the warring nations collective, and northeast of the swamps, a resolute lawless zone where anything can be done. Even the shipping empires of the Mahnlea Mountains won't ship to Trollingwood.

>>241495
"Before I bring the burning power of JUSTICE down on you,
For so abusing your powers, Fell Mask Blank Minimo, I propose a CHALLENGE!
WIN, and these treasured locks of mine are yours, but LOSE,
And your Mask is mine, claimed for having sullied its noble purpose!"
>[EBM]"You dare challenge me, EL BLANK MAGNIFICO, to a duel for a Mask!?
>You arrogant worm, learn you place beneath my crushing embrace! HOOOAAAW!!!"

Rushing forward with a speed impossible with such poor footing as the loose sand, El Blank Magnifico becomes a living rocket, hurtling towards me with arms extended and ready to crush me. I feel the build of power in his body, and if i am any judge, he would PASTE Huaow.

Now THIS is what I'm talking about!

I leap from the ground, snapping my feat up to plant them firmly on the Fell Mask's garbed face, but without something to provide leverage, I start to question my aerial reaction when he slows down not a single iota, charging forward as hands fly up to close about my shins. Before I have time to react, he snaps me back like a rag doll, before slamming me to the ground with bone-shattering force, stone breaking beneath me as blood spurts from between my clenched teeth and flits out my ears, nose and eyes alike as capillaries rupture from the impact. I barely notice it as I run twelve thousand, four hundred and eighty six simultaneous strings of magical upkeep, restoring what damage slipped through as I continue to prevent further breakages, my body flexing like rubber-

I blink blood from my eyes as I lengthen both legs on the rebound, exposing shin from beneath trousers as the limbs warp, and my legs begin sprouting the same bone saws my arms were adorned with, as I twist my body about, sharply scissoring my legs. I feel flesh tearing as fingers slip off my limbs, my body rotating midair as I draw the legs back, briefly alighting on the side of an old stone house, its walls heavy and thick.

It shatters beneath me like an eggshell as I kick off with every bit of force I can, screaming through the air like a living cannonball at my foe.

"MAGNUM PUNCH!!"

My fist flies forward, a knuckled missile on a collision course with the Fell Mask's throat-

>"HUUU-AAAAhWWW!"

A callused hand closes about my knuckle sandwich, a clap of thunder echoing from the impact, and while his feet skid back more than a yard, with but a single arm the Fell Mask takes one of my punches and stops it cold, muscle against muscle. And GRINS.

>"Puny Upstart, TASTE DEFEAT!! CHOOOOO!"

I can barely contain my excitement as, his left hand still occupied closed about my right, the Fell Mask's left hand flies forth with fingers angled like daggers at my right bicep. I am still midair from my attempted attack, suspended by Blank Magnifico's grasp.



What should I do to make this rumble as radical as possible?
HOW AM I GOING TO CLAIM THAT MASK!?
And do I want to do some smack-talk?
>>
No. 241896 ID: ab04d4

Do the same thing except this time when he grabs your fist you Bang Blade it and sever his whole arm in half.

Maybe a name for this move? Something with the word Split in it?
>>
No. 241909 ID: 445c48

Chop down your left bangblade on the arm holding your hand.
Maybe try a flip or something and kick the back of his head.
>>
No. 241912 ID: 903f16

>>241894

>What should I do to make this rumble as radical as possible?
You're going to kick his ass, and kick it hard. First stop doing high flying manuevers, that was a bad idea. Instead let's keep a more grounded style. Use this guys own tremendous force and strength against him instead of trying to avoid it. When he tries to punch you? Quickly raise your hands up and block in an x shape while extending blades along each arm to dice up his hands. If he's charging at you? Trip him, but not obviously. He might sidestep a normal trip, but he probably won't expect you to extend the length of your legs and get him that way.

>HOW AM I GOING TO CLAIM THAT MASK!?
Rip it off his head when he drops to the floor after your awesome battle. You could also maybe yank it off his head when he's not looking, but that's just unsporting.

>And do I want to do some smack-talk?
Yes, insult his family and his honor. Claim he uses the Despardos equivalent of anabolic steroids. Just be a damn chatterbox and annoy the hell out him.

Side Notes: Trollingwood sounds like such an awesome plot hook. I think we should take it at some point in the future and see if we can't acquire that meteorite. I want to use it make ourselves an awesome set of armor. Also, I'm thinking there may be an achievement for acquiring an amount of masks while in Bang's homeland and we should gather as many as possible.
>>
No. 241914 ID: 9e5b05

What do you do? Kick of the air! PUNCH HIM AGAIN WITHOUT MOVING! And then we twist! TO THE SIDE! TO WRAP AROUND HIM AND WRAP OUR SAW LEGS AROUND HIS ARM! OOOHHHA!
"Blank Minimo, what is a Fell Mask like you doing out here picking on women and childen? Line your coffers with honest gold, rudo!" Laugh! "Ha! Keddic must be rubbing off on me, you asshole! Taste JUSTICE FIST BANG!" AND PUNCH HIM! AGAIN!

[And I am watching old El Santo films and luchador wrestling I possibly can. And whoever suggested Hair Vs Mask...I love you.]
>>
No. 241915 ID: 445c48

Also, any info on the Mahnlea Mountains?
>>
No. 241916 ID: 9e5b05

>>241912
Stop high flying moves? But...but...that's what being a luchador is all about! Hell, that's what Bang is all about!
>>
No. 241922 ID: 9338f5

if we got that Lortoxite metorite and used a P.soul to convert mordre to Lortoxite what effect would that have?
>>
No. 241924 ID: 3e56f0

Er, on the topic of runes, perhaps they are belief fueled like Word Magic? Words, spoken and written, have always been thought to have some sort of power, able to be used to do magic. Since spoken words, Word Magic, has been noted to be fueled by the belief that spoken words can do magic, perhaps runes, the written words, too, are fueled by the belief that magic can be done by writing special symbols.

...This looks like Pristine Soul territory, so, um, a prediction: if we, or other people, were to spread the belief that the phrase "Indelible Dragon Mordre the Ascendant" meant something, like "immortality" maybe, and millions of billions believe that, "Indelible Dragon Mordre the Ascendant", if engraved upon a living being (with all the requisite runecrafting skills and procedures that we don't have yet, dammit!), that being will become immortal, with at least conventional immortality (cannot die by natural causes).
>>
No. 241935 ID: 1854db

>>241894
Allow him to attack your bicep, but turn it into a nest of whirring blades before he hits it. Meanwhile, swing down the rest of your body, and assault him with a double MAGNUM KICK!
>>
No. 241937 ID: 1854db

Oh btw, if Lubu has such a developed Eye that he can copy Bang's moves... he probably knows Mordre's true nature just by looking at him. Mordre should probably ask him in private about that! Like, ask him how he thinks the golem works.
>>
No. 241946 ID: 445c48

>>241937
Yeah, the Land of Dragons does seem like a major "Get called out as Anathema" place. Though, they might not view it TOO badly. Word would filter through to Weinsho and the rest of the world though, so it's not a good thing still.
>>
No. 241947 ID: 3c4318

Arm strength
Lift self up till parallel to ground
Thus, avoid attack.

Swing feet back down, wrap around neck
Chainsaw
Throw self backwards
suplex variant that I don't remember the name of.
>>
No. 241951 ID: a76809
File 128677536676.jpg - (371.24KB , 529x800 , Bang Mask.jpg )
241951

>>241896
[Can't turn hands or feet into organic chainsaw, jut the pasce between hand/foot and the torso, and the torso itself. Think of the hands and feet as the stops at the end of a chained blade. Besides, warping them would tear up your curatiomancy boosting leather wrappings on hand and foot. So, Bang blade cannot stab, only slash. Due to this, you cannot punch in such a way as to use the spines.]

>>241909
Without hesitation I bring my left arm down even as it sprouts vibrating spikes along its sides, a chainsaw descending towards the Fell Mask's grip on me. The hand that held me with indomitable and steely fingers flits back in an instant, out of the reach of my attack, and his hold on me is broken-for the barest of instants, as the Fell Mask already works to re-rush me, set to impact before I even hit the ground.

>>241912
I raise my arms in a crossed guard before me, shifting them to sprout the vibrating bone blades I crafted only recently as I see the Fell Mask's mass unable to halt swiftly enough. While I am thrown back with another bone-breaking impact, smashing straight through a house's walls and into it's storage shed, even as I see a new set of cuts and gashes now gracing my foe's hands, as I see him idly shake out his hands before the upheaval of dust about my body, blood again flowing from my every orifice of the face as Blank Magnifico speaks again.

>"And you call yourself a dynamo? Hah, you are nothing more than a child playing with MEN!
>Come out, would be hero, and face death in my grasp!"

In response I rocket out of the storage shed, passing through the two holes I made seconds ago as I fly through the air, several hundred pounds of metal distillery equipment in hand.

"HAVE A DRINK ON ME, EL MINIMO!!"

[i]CLOOONNG


I but a crater the size and shape of my foe's skull into the distillery with a heavy over-handed swing, staggering my foe while the ground cracks beneath his feet while he takes it. I use the distraction offered to finally plant my feet on the ground right before the Fell Mask, and get down low, striking from the ground with a rising uppercut backed by the best bracing of all the world itself.

"MAGNUM UPPER!!"

A pale leather-wrapped fist collides with a chin.

Teeth snap together with enough force it sounds like cannon-fire, El Blank Magnifico's face pushed skyward by my fist with such force the body follows. The warrior twice my size is sent flying some seventy feet into the air, bringing my eyes up in time to see a recalcitrant Nidhogg circling ever lower, now some fifteen hundred feet from the ground. As my foe inevitably falls back down, he crashes through a shingle roof, the sound of shattered pottery echoing everywhere as the crowd of banditos begin to look uncertain again.

"Is that all you have, Minimo? I thought you said you had me!"

Then entire wall facing me of the building the Fell Mask dropped into explodes outwards, the shower of dust and shattered stone completely failing to mask his charging form, his muscled form emerging from the smoke like some titan, full of rage as I see hands curled into claws pulled back, ready to disembowel me. Without a second though, I kick off from the ground, once more becoming a cannonball of flesh and bone, once more a fist proffered-

Before my body rolls into a midair tumble, my vision flashing past El Blank Magnifico just in time to show me his confusion, an instant before my right leg finishes extending and growing its bony teeth. My leg drops like a guillotine on a hastily guarding foe, arms braced and crossed before my attack.

"BANG BLADE!!"

The vibrating and blurring teeth chew and tear their way through flesh and bone, magically reinforced tissue flying as my kick keeps on cutting, my forward momentum pushing me ever closer, shoving tooth after vibrating tooth rending ever deeper paths through my foe's flesh. Before I get within five feet of him, I have cut cleanly through an arm. The Fell Mask bonelessly drops to his knees, torso half split open from the shoulder as I back-flip away, having finally run out of room in my rushing saw kick. Before the gurgling and dying warrior before me can drop to the ground, my hand stretches out, and I tear the mask from his face.

"You do not deserve this Mask, you scum. Die here, and be forgotten..."

I pull the mask over my head as I spit the last blood from my mouth, turning to face the remaining bandits, the onetime Fell Mask falling completely prone on the ground as the last of his life's blood drains out.

"Now, be ready to face the justice of a TRUE Masked Warrior!"

Even as I speak, I feel it. Power, a magic I cannot fathom erupts from the cloth about my face, as I feel a static tingle all about my head, cloths and threads shifting and writhing about me. I hear a multitude of whispers rising up all about me, resolving into a single questioning voice, soft and feminine.

>Be you worthy of a Mask?

I feel a force, alien, unknown, now assault my mind. I barely note it as I run thousands of spells to preserve the state of attacked portions and bundles of my brain, the attack completely repelled.

>Worthy one, be thou named a Masked Warrior!

I feel the cloth shifting, slipping, and sliding. A gap open over my scalp, my wild mane of dark hair freely jutting forth. Eyeholes become smaller, barely as large as my eyes, as my nose gets a whole to protrude from, and my mouth and jaw are left exposed to the elements. What was once tassels of gold and white, now flows into a new set of shades and shapes. A dark red mask encircles my face, a spiral that covers my whole visage springing into being, ends canted and angled, the swirl stylized to look like an eye, the coiled line a brilliant orange, like fire made cloth. With the change, the voice I heard moments ago becomes clearer, the monotone whisper becoming clearly and more imbued with character.

>So I have a new wearer now? Last one was a disgrace, so I don't mind.... Oh-hoooo, where oh where have YOU been hiding? I can feel the power, raw and vibrant, lingering about your soul.... who are you, oh Wearer... and what name do you give to my new existence, hm?

With my mind feeling like it is on fire even as I insure I suffer no cranial injuries from the sparks and surges of power still fluttering from mask to flesh, I see the bandits pulling back, hoping I will let them flee. I look about the town, see the bones of burned buildings, bodies on the ground that will not be getting back up. I see children wailing over dead parents, I see wives weeping over dead husbands, parents over children. Death and misery was sown here, an attempt to plunder and raze the town of Ellucci to the ground... thwarted by my arrival. I note several fearful voices emanating from a nearby building-which groans and shakes, as I note its support beam compromised. Nidhogg is seconds away from finishing drifting to the ground, silent and shadowed in the night's gloom. I doubt anyone has even seen her yet.




What should I say or do?
Should I make sure the bandits do not escape, or work towards the safety of those within the collapsing building?
Or should I do something else?
And what should I call my Mask?
And do I have any questions of the apparently talkative bit of facial apparel?
>>
No. 241967 ID: 69bee4

Bang! you may be a fighter, but you killed the best fight they had to offer! NOW IS THE TIME TO BE A HERO!

your mask is obviously the EL BANG LOCOMOTO! For you are the genesis, and it will help you continue and thrive in your efforts of power and KICKING ASS!
>>
No. 241968 ID: 3e56f0

Perhaps ask Phohn to tell Nidhogg to corral the bandits, to bar any escape from you? Or just get Nidhogg to eat them, they're not really worth fighting. I'm sure you can communicate with Phohn from where you are. Go for rescue.

One very pertinent question for the mask: just what exactly is the power held within the mask, and its nature and purpose?

And, er, how does the cultures of the desert view soul consumption, like that of Mordre's Soul Grave? Tearing the body apart to get at the resources the human body holds, like the iron within the blood? Mordre is always seeking souls for which to improve his golem, and the souls are always better when they are bad people doomed to eternal torment enslaved within the Soul Grave, and there are such potent warriors who had what a fall from grace here...
>>
No. 241969 ID: 445c48

Use Phohn to get Burduko and his spawn to help the people in the building, that's something he would be good at. Might want to shout that a bro's coming to help them, he's better at it. Chase down the rest of the bandits with Nidhogg.


That reminds me, we'll have to visit Dorgrum to put the "Don't talk about Mordre's nature" and "Don't start fights" bindings on our new spawn.
>>
No. 241971 ID: ce0575

Go save the people still inside the collapsing building and tell Nidhogg to finish off the remaining bandits.

Your mask shall be called, Ojo Roja del Dynamo!
>>
No. 241980 ID: a69afd

>>241951
First off, FUCK YES A MASK!

Second, save the people inside the building. We can pursue the bandits later, with all this excitement a good chase will do you good.

Third: "I'm MAGNUM BANG: THE HUMAN DYNAMO, THE ANNHILATOR OF ARMIES, THE SMASHER OF SIEGES, AND OF COURSE- THE CRACKER OF CASTLES! Fear not my noble mask, you are in good hands now!"

As for a name, I suggest: MAGNUM MASK OF MADDENING MALICE AND MARVELOUS MANLY MANIFOLD MAULING
>>
No. 241981 ID: f4e4f9

Ask Nidhogg to finish off the Bandits. She seems bored, and you're sure Mordre would appreciate her doing good in these lands to help perpetuate his image. Also, flattery.

Save the people in the building. Do what you can to stabilize the collapsing support while Burduko and his Spawn evacuate the building.

"FEAR NOT, Good citizens, tis only my compatriot EL ESPADACHIN TORRIDA (No idea what that means but it sounds neat, whoever it was that suggested the name). He and his fellows shall escort you to safety."

With any luck, no-one but the poor, stupid bandits will see Nidhogg for the moment.
>>
No. 241983 ID: 445c48

The mask name: La Espiral Roja.

But yeah, I suggest gettni Burduko to save the people in the building, because with his 20ish or so spawn he could probably get that building evacuated quick, or do some spatial whatsits to make it not collapse for a bit. And his spawn will probably have a... gentler touch. Admittedly, having him do it for you won't help your image too much, which might be important since you just put the mask on...
>>
No. 241984 ID: f4e4f9

>>241971
Red Eye of the Dynamo, eh? I like it.
>>
No. 241986 ID: 445c48

>>241984
Oh yeah, that's great.
>>
No. 241993 ID: 46c430

Why stablize the building? If it's going to collapse and be destroyed anyway, simply punch and kick it away, off from the innocents so that there is nothing to collapse onto them!
>>
No. 241994 ID: 1854db

The mask shall be known as the DERVISH DISGUISE.

Ask it what it can do.
>>
No. 241998 ID: 445c48

Oh right, and ask Ojos Rojas del Dynamo (Or Magnum instead of Dynamo?) what's up with the talkin' and such.
>>
No. 242038 ID: 903f16

>>241951

>What should I say or do?
Go with the plan of having Nidhogg take out the fleeing bandits and having Burduko help save people. Using Phohn to communicate with Nidhogg if you need to, but she accepts verbal commands if I remember and actually sicking her on these guys seems more satisfying. Also introduce yourself to the mask using this >>241980. Give a reassuring word to the people if you feel that's appropriate too.

>Should I make sure the bandits do not escape, or work towards the safety of those within the collapsing building?
You yourself should definitely be helping the people, you should make your first actions with this mask good ones. Run in there and grab as many people as you can in your arms and carry them to safety. Make multiple trips if you need to, just get them all out.

>And what should I call my Mask?
I'm putting another vote behind this >>241971 suggestion. It sounds like a nice authentic name for a Masked Warrior's mask.

>And do I have any questions of the apparently talkative bit of facial apparel?
After introducing yourself to her "And who might this lovely voice be, the spirit my new mask? What do you do besides getting to hitch a ride on this lovely mug of mine?"

Questions for Bang, since these masks obviously have some sort of magical properties what is the value of hair exactly? Is it just the traditional offer in exchange for a mask when you have none yourself? And about your list, how many of those people could you handle fighting right now? Because you know Mordre is a guy who likes to make things happen, and he'll probably take a liking to your since it may involve getting new and powerful souls to use in his golem. Might want to mention it when you meet up with him again.
>>
No. 242045 ID: 1a007d

It's "Ojo rojO", guys, since "ojo" is an masculine verb so the adjective ends with "-o" instead of "-a"

> C-
> See me after class
>>
No. 242071 ID: ddd48d
File 128680496363.png - (76.77KB , 1021x561 , ALLNIGHTLONG.png )
242071

>>241951
Those bandits and Nidhogg have a very special date ahead of them >:D

MASK! how long have you been around? have you had many owners? do you have likes or dislikes, as such?
>>
No. 242082 ID: 9e5b05

"Huh. El Ojo Rojo del Dynamo, because I'm gonna keep my eye on you...or anyone I fight, ahah! RIGHT! Gotta be justicy and good...so...Keddic-ish." Turn to the bandits! "HALT, FOUL RUDO! FACE THE JUSTICE FIST OF EL BANG! Hey, Burduko! Get down here and help me save people!" Think! What's an awesome name to call Burduko? I mean he's a smokey-steamy guy with a big sword...oh! Steamy Swordsman! So that'll be..."EL ESPADACHIN TORRIDA WILL HELP YOU, CITIZENS! FEAR NOT! Hahah! Damn, this is fun! No wonder Keddic does it so much! Huh, Mask...you mind if I call you MAGNUM MASK OF MADDENING MALICE AND MARVELOUS MANLY MANIFOLD MAULING too? Because that's awesome, even if you're gonna be El Ojo Rojo del Dynamo." Turn to the bandits as you're going to hold up the collapsing building. "Hey! Stop running or I'll sick...ah...El Dragon on you! Yeah, gotta think of a better name then that."
>>
No. 242102 ID: 445c48

>>242045
Ojos is a noun, but I see what you mean. I forgot the rules for spanish, been years since I've used the language. I was trying to fit a feminine something in there, though, because>>I hear a multitude of whispers rising up all about me, resolving into a single questioning voice, soft and feminine.
>>
No. 242111 ID: a69afd

I just thought of an upgrade for the MAGNUM SCARF! You ready for some SPAWN?

First things first- however long you plan to stay in Despardos, make sure you stockpile on masks you pry from the faces of the fools who've forsaken justice, get a bag or something.

Second- remember the necklace of skinned faces that Abeloth the All-Consuming tossed at you guys just before dying? When you get back to the Arcanoworks, ask Mordre if you can have it.

Third- COMBINE. If and when you can manage to control your possibility cells to the point where you can pull off THE LIVING TAPESTRY, the amalgamation of your scarf, Abeloth's necklace, and all the masks you gain here will increase your fighting power a hundred-fold.

This will take quite some time to make a reality, but it shall be worth it. Think of it, now you can start making a name for yourself as a hunter of Fell Masks and show those stuck up Masked Warriors just who they decided to turn down.

THE RED EYE OF THE DYNAMO SETS ITS GAZE UPON YOU, ARE YOU PREPARED?
>>
No. 242114 ID: e31d52

>>242102
>And Feminine.

Oh god.

Bang I think your mask might be falling in love with you.
>>
No. 242115 ID: d6eab2

I'd like to point out that Nidhogg himself has natural gravimancy and aeromancy available which would be really good for controlling fires and keeping buildings from collapsing...

Become a legend.

"Oh no! Is that women in mortal danger? Fortunately all dangers are trivial when compared to this MAGNUM BANG! Nidhogg! Burduko! Descend from the skies and assist me with this rescue!"

Find out why no one else was around to stop the masked menace you defeated. Perhaps greater forces are at work in your homelands?! Give the town a rousing speech from the roof of the tallest building about the importance of strength and healing. Then jump onto your dragon comrade to fly away in style.
>>
No. 242130 ID: 10f195

>>242115
herself. Nidhogg is a she.


In any case, start saving people and when you get some out of immediate danger, jump up and hug Nindy and beg her to help you out.


Also get familiar with The red eye of the dynamo.
>>
No. 242135 ID: 9338f5

>>242130
Dont call her Nindy we dont want her angry at us
>>
No. 242327 ID: 9e5b05

>>242130
No, Nidhogg is a body-jumping Deep Spawn that consumes the body that it is in before moving on to the next. As of now, it is in a she and for now, 'She' is the best gender to put to it. Soon, it would be better with a gender neutral pronoun or one related to a hermaphrodite.

Also: Nindy?
>>
No. 242336 ID: a76809

>>241968
>>241969
>>241993
I briefly entertain the thought of using that Deep Spawn fellow, Phohn, to convey a message to Nidhogg.... but it seems so impersonal. Where's the feeling, where's the flair? To communicate so, it just doesn't seem fair. ...And missing out on teasing her more is something I couldn't bear. Now where is she-ah-ha, over there!

Ah, sometimes I crack me up. I follow it with further taunting the dragon I rode in on.

"OOOOYYY, NNNNIIIIINNNNNDYYY!!!! OVER HERE!! WANT TO PLAY CATCH THE BANDIT? COME ON, IT WILL BE FUN!!"

Even as I note the immediate reproachful and indigent, bordering outraged look back (which coming from a mouth twelve feet wide and with teeth all the way down, is a rather perilous place to be), I dash into the collapsing building, ears only for the sound of pained, desperate voices, coughs and cries my cues through the roaring flame. The Blood Toga, fully filled only recently begins to drain away, but the flames do not reach me, the tens of thousands of curatiomancy instances I had ready now unneeded. I turn all my attention then, to seeking. With walls not an issue, I skirt closer to the sound barrier as I blast through the house, outracing the slowly bowing ceiling overhead. I find a child, perhaps ten, crying as she lays pinned under a falling bookcase, old and heavy. I slow only as much as I must to safely remove the child after I wrench the obstruction away with such speed it becomes naught but swiftly inflamed splinters at my touch. Before the child can even stop crying, I sweep her up and swaddle her in my Blood Toga, without a thought giving her my only protection from the flames. ...It is what a Masked Warrior would do, and now that I am one, however irregularly and... impulsively-
>Aware of your own flaws then? With an ego is large as yours, I wouldn't expect it.
Have to be. My magic is my body, and to do what I do, I have to know everything about me, hide nothing, physical, spiritual or emotional. The horomones and general chemicals that are involved in emotion have far too much of an effect for me to not be aware. I need to know, with absolute precision, the exact state of every single part of my body, at every single moment, without pause, without fail. Were I to not, the combat style I made for myself would crumble to pieces. It took me some nine years to really get used to it, so that I could be preventative rather than regenerative. It had taken millions on millions of regrowing skin, muscle, bone, tendon, organ, anything and everything, but I got to know myself, really get in touch with my inner fist. I-
>Hold on, your inner fist?"
Pet name for my soul and my sense of self as a gestalt existence. Anyway, I actually tried teaching it to other people, but they keep complaining when I want them to do more than even a hundred spell matrices at the same time. When I stopped trying to teach and delved deeper, that's how I figured out to make the human body give me its best and more in situations normally impossible, by prolonging the breaking point to absurd limits. Bones fail to break, becoming tensile bands, springboards in my command. Muscles fail to tear, sinews fail to snap, ligaments stay strong, organs stay unruptured, and I approach the ideal of Strength from a path chosen on a bet.
>Oh-ho? A bet? You spent a decade on a bet?
Why wouldn't I? Drunk or not, I swore, drowning my sorrows with other displeased youths when I was rejected from the Masked Warriors a decade ago, it came to pass that we all set challenges for ourselves, to prove our own supremacy when we eventually became Masked Warriors, some way to prove ourselves truly gifted, a gem unpolished and unrecognized by those we sought to join. I remember Buuchi The Belly swore he would find some way to kill foes with his gut alone, never killing with hand, foot or head. As I recall he went back to his homeland in the Land of Dragons. I wonder what happened to him... the others, Gebu and Gobu, The Titanic Terror Twins, some fellow street urchins swore that they would never touch a foe on arms or legs respectively, and even proclaim their loss should they fail to adhere to this. For myself, in a bid to top the others, I swore... to kill with healing, to make myself the strongest Masked Warrior of all without ever getting alchemically boosted, not even once. I would make the healer the slayer of all, the ultimate arbiter of the Masked Warriors. Those were the vows we all made, deep in our cups in resentment, and through our oaths we found solace in our states, and resolved to some day return and prove ourselves true to our words.

...Here I am.
>And yet this doesn't seem by your own choice, but by happenstance.
I've seen how vast the world is. I grasp its enormity, and the amazing places to hone myself as a living weapon, to know myself better, to above all enjoy myself. I am happy to return home, incredibly so, and if I find the chance I will look to stampede through the whole land and roar my name with such intensity that none will miss it, all will know BANG MAGNUM THE HUMAN DYNAMO, THE ANNIHILATOR OF ARMIES, THE SMASHER OF SIEGES, THE CRACKER OF CASTLES!! Its just that now, I intend to spread that name across the whole world, not just Despardos. But its a good start, if I can wing this impromptu chance well enough. Which I will, because I'm Bang, and I'm awesome.
>......You have got to be kidding me, [i]that full of yourself, even when you know your faults that well?[/i]
Hey baby, even counting the bad I'm all good, oh yeah! Now, your getting me distracted, and while I am keeping neurons firing in a constant adrenaline surge here, its hard enough keeping the little one free of the flames as I unburn myself all while seeking out the other two voices I heard and OH WAIT I HAVE VOICES IN MY HEAD.
>You chose to become a Masked Warrior, and were deemed worthy. You must either bear it, or pass me to another I deem worthy.

>>241971
>>241984
>>241986
>>242082
Pssh, yeah right, I can totall-ohheyanotherpersonoffwiththerubbleandinthetogawithyou-I can totally get a better handle on you, I just have to Name you.
>You have no right!-[i/]
Which would you prefer, [b][i]El Ojo Rojo Del Dynamo
in the old tongue, or THE RED EYE OF THE DYNAMO?
>I already have a name, and refuse you! You will not dare call me anything but-
Yeah, interest fading. Not digging the 'no can do' attitude. Look, I'm just going to call you the Nagging Wife until you earn a better name. Okay, that's settled, so-
>How dare yo-
Okay, be that way. Have fun as I grow tumors ALL OVER MY HEAD THAT WILL RUB AGAINST YOU AND BE REALLY GROSS.
>You think some paltry threats can-AHOHWAITOHGODOHGODMAKEITSTOP!!!!
Alright then, now SHUSH, burning, collapsing building, people to save, being burned alive here? I'm busy.


...As the Nagging Wife stays silent, I finally reach the third and final voice, a young woman, dusky and demure constrained to hopelessness lighting up as hope surprises her. I blur into the room every bit my namesake, dynamically snapping open my toga as the two children are tossed to the air as I sweep her off her feat. Before she can even gasp, I have the two children tucked to her bosom as I wrap them all in my toga with inches to spare, and get back to running. I see her begin to protest, then as she shies back from the heat in the halls and sees the collapsing ceiling that forces me to run ever lower she retreats deeper into my protective embrace. With thousands of different burns needing to be fought off simultaneously as I am no longer able to smash through walls with such fragile cargo, I curse the building for being so big.
>May I speak?[i]
Very briefly, focused.
>[i]I can extend your own Way to those you carry thro-

Not enough time to explain. Do it, permission for whatever, just GO.
I feel lightning crackling against and inside my skull as neurons fire even faster than I have ever pushed them, and my body erupts into flame for the briefest of instants as I race to prevent my own brain from frying. Then I feel the Nagging Wife, her delicate, practiced fingers woven into my brain, neurons like strands of silk beneath her touch. I fight back the bubbling and boiling burns, blisters subsiding as I kick off the ground feet away from a wall, the trio of civilians in my arms now much, MUCH more intimately known as I surge to ready them from the impact, even as I turn to hit first. Stone crumbles beneath my spine, my body flexing and bowing as force surges through me-and is ablated enough I keep my passengers well in hand, safe and sound.

I tumble through the air to triumphantly land on my feet swiftly standing as I snap the Blood Toga open with a practiced hand (I've spent way too much time playing with it after I found out how durable it is, and its paying off), its swirled and intertwined mass of scarlet and ivory intermingling revealing the spinning forms of the three I heard and save. I wind the Blood Toga about me spinning at tremendous speeds to draw it about me as I see the building's collapse reaching its climax. Not to miss a moment to be an all around awesome guy, I surge forth to sweep up the falling rescuees, the two children on my right arm and shoulder, the woman on my knee as I strike a pose, fist to the sky.

"BANG MAGNUM THE HUMAN DYNAMO, ANNIHILATOR OF ARMIES, SMASHER OF SIEGES, CRACKER OF CASTLES, MASKED WARRIOR....[u]

I pause for dramatic effect as the building finishes collapsing into burning mess.

"-IS HERE TO BRING BACK JUSTICE!!!"

The crowd is cheering before they even realize it, the grandstanding I imagined doing in this situation as a kid coming to mind with far too much ease as I fulfill a small piece of a childhood dream.


>>242071
SO, NAGGING WIFE!

>...What?

How long have you been around?
>What a rude question!
Have you had many owners?
>Th-that's even worse!!
Likes, dislikes, preferences, opinions, favorite positions-
>I, I.... AAAAHHH!

I twitch and jerk as electric fingers jab into my brain, just barely keeping up with the invader by dint of greater experience in the field, and suppress any outward signs other than a single twitch of an eyelid. The bombardment continues as I lower the civilians to the ground, stealing a kiss from the once more irately rescued women, her plump lips puckering in surprise at the tingle and shock imparted by my lips, her frowning eyes opening in surprise as I give her a debonair grin.

Thanks for the assist, Nagging Wife!

The electrical surges finally cease as I feel a psychic sense of frustrated pouting going on, somewhere inside my mind... or around it.

>>242111
Oh man.

This idea.

IT IS THE BEST IDEA.

I recall those leathery faces that dude Abaeloth tossed to us after I kicked him fifty feet into the ground and made my legs explode-
>Wha-
Storytime don't interrupt now what if I were to get those faces, which I noted had runes on at least a few foreheads, and then collected an equal number of Masks? I could make a bitchin' necklace of faces and masks, maybe with some more understanding of just what Possibility Cells can do, I could jimmy up a way to 'wear' multiple Masks at once!
>THAT'S DEPRAVED!
Oh come on, it would be fun!
>Such Slanderous Solicitation!
Said Sally Snake Slithering Sideways Seeking Soirees.
>...He.
There see I knew I could make you laugh but anyway it is an awesome idea and I am kinda running in some pretty heavy circles now and the amount of oomph that could give me would go a long way to keeping me from dying so at least think about it.
>....You need not threaten tumors again, I will.... consider... your idea's merits more thoroughly.
Okay great mental high five oh yeah!

Nidhogg slips back into the town, drawing a great deal of startlement that abates quickly as she dumps unresisting bandits on the ground, cowering and many covered in urine or vomit from their turbulent capture. With a glare promising vengeance for daring to name her Nindy the dragon Deep Spawn flounces away (not easily achieved when some seventy feet long from snout to tail and weighing some several hundred tons.
>You shouldn't guess a ladies weight.
You're right. I know you weight four and one sixteenth ounces.
>I WEIGH FOUR OUNCES DON'T YOU DARE-well, as I said you should not guess weights, as you are clearly bad at it.
Mm-hm.
>Jerk.


I leap onto Nidhogg's back and scale up to her shoulders as I scarf the hunks of food I gained as hero during my all to brief moment in the limelight, and begin chugging from the heavy jug of water I got. As I expected, once we take off Nidhogg, on seeing I have uncapped fluids, begins to twist in a lazy spin... and nothing happens as I already finished imbibing the gallon of water. Ah, thirst quenching!
>...You immediately used the fluids to re-enrich your entire body with fluids, rather than letting it languor in your belly and largely become voided.
Damn right I did. You pick up a few tricks when traveling alone and working on yourself like that. ...I note I can see two other cities roughly on our way now that we've gained some height-
>There are some twelve towns and four cities between here and a straight line path from here to the northern border. Do you wish me to name them all, or are you only interested in the locations of towns or cities known to be strongholds of Fell Masks? Hm, Masked Warrior? Am I correct in believing you wish to hunt down the rest of the Cabal that my prior bearer was one of, with the location of four of THE GOD MASKS as this particular group titled themselves? I could name any one of three other members like my last bearer, or even one of the two lieutenants of the group. I would caution against asking after him... but-
Damn right, I'm asking about all of them anyway.
>...........Fine.
>[u] San Bruno Toro, controlling the town of Figerdez
>A coworker my prior bearer was well acquainted with due to proximity. A warrior considerably stronger and more durable than Blank-and considerably slower. His durability is still forbidding enough that few can take advantage of his tardiness, as he employs passive Gravimancy to draw combatants to him. A giant of a man, some nine feet tall and more than a ton, severely biochemically augmented. Along the way we travel.
> Desperaspardos The Creeper, in the town of Piccolo
>A warrior much faster than my prior bearer and practiced in some form of subtle illusion, his body is rubbery, elastic, and giving. A punch or a kick will not bother him, no matter how hard, only something sharp can give him pause. He is some two hours out of the way of our current flight path.
> El Mortoro The Enslaver, controlling the city of Domingo
>I know considerably less about this one, and they are some five hours out of our way.... moving past that, what little I know is this: He seems able to enslave, just as his name would imply, and that the ability triggers on contact. Beyond that, I know nothing about this Fell Mask. ...I admit I do not know why he is not also a Lieutenant, considering his contributions to the The God Masks. Finally, the lieutenant I know of.
> Desmonte The Butcher, in the town of Lugerdios
>This was my prior owner's immediate superior, and I know a reasonable amount about his capabilities. He had command of weight and vibration alike, able to craft gravity shockwaves of a sort, ripples that could tear people apart with ease as they race through the air. Three times, Masked Warriors have attempted to stop him. Three times, they have failed. ...Some eight hours out of our way, but further north on our path he will be only two hours off the trail.
>...So, what are you going to do, wearer?





What am I gonna do?
>>
No. 242340 ID: a69afd

>>242336
First: Desmonte
Second: Desperaspardos
Third: San Bruno
Last: El Mortoro

Let's get crackin.
>>
No. 242341 ID: 0cfe8b

Just beat them in order of closeness, no need to backtrack you are supposed to be headed north after all.
>>
No. 242342 ID: d3dfb8

CREEPER TIME!
We're made of speed and chainsaws. It's perfect.
>>
No. 242343 ID: a69afd

>>242336
By the way, how many God Masks are there- or how many do you know of if not all?
>>
No. 242345 ID: f4e4f9

What are we going to do?

Bang, didn't we go over stuff like this already?

WE'RE GOING TO KICK THE EVERLOVING SHIT OUT OF THOSE FELL MASKS.

San Bruno Toro, will go first. Since Nidhogg was so kind a capable in rounding up all those bandits, we should be able to progress to each of them pretty much unnoticed.
>>
No. 242347 ID: 9e5b05

Hey, hey Bang! A Masked Warrior gotta kick all those Rudo's asses from here to whatever hell you believe in! So yeah, lets go! Desperaspardos The Creeper! And take out a map, if we got one, start making dotted line to there!

"Oh, yeah, Nagging Wife, Me 'n' Nidhogg, Me and Collete the BADASS GIANT WOMAN, Fersh that cute healer chick from that village in the snow, Valiria that hot royal Dame with that badass papa, Ellorika babe with the...yeah...bet she'd yield to me, eh? Or what about Keddic's Sis, he's a real bro, right? Come on, you're a female, you got a Mask for this kind of thinking, right? Haha!

Hey! Burduko! What the hell man, you didn't get down to help. Come on! Gotta be an awesome duo, you know? Come on, I gotta teach you some moves! Hey, Nidhogg, fly extra straight! I wanna show Burduko how to kick ass properly!"
>>
No. 242352 ID: f4e4f9

Oh, and the reason I advocate Bruno first is because he is the closest to our current location, and due to the proximity to Blanko's territory, the most likely one to get immediate word that something happened to El Blanko Minimo, assuming he has other informants in the area.
>>
No. 242359 ID: 1854db

San Bruno Toro is a given. Desperaspardos should probably be a good idea... Desmonte sounds a bit risky, since he'd be able to splatter your brain. El Mortoro sounds similarly risky since we don't know if Bang can resist that enslaving attack.
>>
No. 242361 ID: 445c48

I think The Enslaver and The Butcher should wait for later. Toro and The Creeper we can probably knock out quick though, and use their masks to get a boost before coming back. The information might be outdated by then, but hey that's what Dompaggio is for.
>>
No. 242363 ID: d3dfb8

"Oh, and if you aren't going to tell me your favorite positions I guess I'll just have to figure them out myself! HAHA!"
>>
No. 242403 ID: 1a007d

> Desperaspardos The Creeper, in the town of Piccolo
>A warrior much faster than my prior bearer and practiced in some form of subtle illusion, his body is rubbery, elastic, and giving. A punch or a kick will not bother him, no matter how hard, only something sharp can give him pause. He is some two hours out of the way of our current flight path.

It's- it's Luffy, right? From One Piece?


Anyway, while I want to kick ass and take names, we need to get to Arcaneworks, man.....

Also, after we meet up with Keddic and exchange our experiences (Keddic learns us how to use while blood, Bang teaches him probability cells), we'll be much stronger.

looks like Nagging Wife (heh, Nagging Wife) didn't even comment us riding a big-ass dragon ... can't be that common around here.


Oh, if we ever find us biting more than we can chew we can always request Mordre to warp in here (with Burdukos help) ..... damn, we should have done that when we killed that Fell Warrior so Mordre could take his soul.
Something to keep in mind.


Also.
Oh, bollocks!! The only way I had to upload my drawings has been compromised - my sisters camera on her phone is not working D:
I have like 3 pages with bunch of drawings at this moment ....
>>
No. 242405 ID: 1a007d

Seriously ... we need to stop killing hero level people and wasting their souls. Mordre could benefit SO much in Despardos right now ... Maybe it's a good idea to call up on him? But keep playing with Bang. Or just call him up when we kill a hero-level dude?
Lets relay this to him and ask his permission (we are dwindling from our path)


Oh and Bang, ask/see how stronger you have become and any new capabilities you have now that you are wearing Nagging Wife
>>
No. 242412 ID: f4e4f9

>>242405
Depressing as it is, it's kinda an inevitability. Mordre can't be everywhere at once, and unless we want to only move around as a localized Doom-troop, Mordre's gonna miss some souls.
>>
No. 242417 ID: 1a007d

>>242412
True.... but with Burduko he can instantly warp in suck the souls and warp back again.

I can only imagine what will go through Nagging Wifes mind when this happens several times.... Like seeing Death claiming souls...
>>
No. 242430 ID: a76809

>>242340
>>242341
>>242345
>>242359
Weren't you in my head a minute ago, WE'VE BEEN OVER THIS.
>No, you only donned me a total of twenty-eight seconds ago. You think fast, which allows for more prolonged conversations between us.
Well damn there goes my excuse to yell at you OKAYSO take a guess as to what I am going to tell you.
>......*sigh*... you want to do them all-
DAMN RIGHT I WANT TO DO THEM ALL. BANG PICKS ALL OPTIONS, BABY! Remember it!
>.....May I at least advise you to take a path built around scaling foes, and not speed?
Advise completely disregarded. I got places to be, so I need to make my splash fast, and get moving. I can come back later to wrap things up more thoroughly, but for now this is how its gotta be. So, what would let me fight all four of them the fastest, with the least deviation from the path?
>Figerdez, Piccolo, Lugerdios, Domingo. Total time out of path, nine hours, not counting time spent in combat. And this arrangement leaves much to be desired, a match against Desperaspardos followed immediately by Desmonte a mere hour's flight away.
I heal fast, don't worry about it-
>I am not concerned with your healing oaf, but what drives it! What happens when you deplete your personal magical stores, and that of your scarf before you finish a fight? You may recall how badly Collete beat you at that point.
Okay, the memory card, pulling it like that? Not cool, not cool. TUMORTIME, NAGGING WIFE.
>EUGHAHOHSWEETMOTHEROFGETITOFF!!
Alright. But come on, that was a pretty sad ending to a fight.... but yes, the point is taken. ...Well, the Blood Toga-
>Everything you know of the Blood Toga tells me it can be lacking too. once it has been exhausted, then what? What of being forced to fight Mortoro's enslaved minions, innocents under his grip perhaps, and have an empty toga? How do you replenish it before your battle with Mortoro.
Okay, if you're trying to tell me to be a Fell Mask to get more blood, forget it. Did you see that kick I used on your old owner? Tore him to pieces, and I can do it with arms, legs, and body alike. That is one crazy move-
>And one you could do much more with, one you learn to really use limbs that can turn and curve at any angles you wish, with your own brand of strength behind them. But ultimately, what will that do against Desmonte?
Are you sure you are a Mask, because that sounds like wussy talk to me. What kind of jibber jabber is this, whining about fights? THE BANG TRAIN IS AN EXPRESS, PASSENGERS DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MOVE, THERE WILL BE NO STOPS. Onward, I say.... and also ask which way is Figerdez I am from northern Despardos help I'm lost down here.
>Towards the constellation of the First Wrestler.
Got it.

>>242343
After relaying this information to Nidhogg with my normal charm and getting a grumbling response, I turn back to my inner dialogue-with interests in how many God Masks there are.
>Thirteen total, originally. Now twelve. Should you succeed in your mad venture, you will cut their numbers by nearly half-
Thirty eight point four six one five three eight and change percent, but yeah, I grasp that would really mess them up. What's their structure again?
>There is the leader, who's name, appearance and identity is only known to the two lieutenants, who each manage five of the remaining Fell Masks that joined the gang. They preach about masks making them superior beings, and how it is their right to rule as more enlightened and divine existences. They dress rule by might in the veneer of religious ramblings, and the fearful people are forced to worship them. Beyond that, and the individuals my prior owner knew, there is little more I could say. ...You really intend to do all that, the work of teams of veteran Masked Warriors-
Before the sun can even dawn on me as a Masked Warrior, you're damn right I do Should be done with two hours to spare, even! Make an entrance in style, that is how it is DONE, you know? Then I start that new day and finish my time in Despardos right now, hopefully finding another thing or two to pursue in lieu of making Mordre blue.
>*snrk* ....Beyond that...I am designed to encourage grandiose behavior in bearers... I find it odd to wish you would curtail your enthusiasm... it is an alien position to hold.
I'm just that awesome, what can I say?
>.....

We are flying over a city Nagging Wife identifies as Figerdez, when I see Nidhogg's lips peeling back, as she switches into a roll-
and I feel the wind and unnatural weight alike wresting me from my perch as I plummet downward like a missile. I see a look of mock surprise on her face, as if she wonders how I could have fallen... I'm going to need words with that dragon. Strong words indeed, once she actually gets down to the ground.

I plummet towards the earth and realize several things. The town is larger than Ellucci, some three times as large if not larger, and emits far less light. The only things I see burning, in the middling night, are some torches and lanterns for saloons and traveler's inns. I note what have to be an established uniform of those following San Bruno Toro. Okay, quick body count... yeesh, fifty eight, and somewhat intermixed with the locals, their position more stable than simple bandits now. That is a whole lot of civilians limiting the long range vectors I can employ once I make contact. The two saloons, the inn and the sheriff's building all have heavy concentration about them, at least a dozen men inside each, all likewise wearing ponchos with a skeletal bull with a black, all-consuming pit as a belly. So, bare minimum, more than a hundred goons, thoroughly intermingled into the town.... making a big seen before I can run into their boss could be a problem... as could just leaving them alone till after I take out San Bruno.
>Consider also that with moderately raised area density of low-grade combat magic, it is more difficult to pinpoint individual souls. Until we land, I cannot pinpoint Sand Bruno for you.
Hold up you can sense Souls?
>Within range and power limitations, yes. It is a function all Masks hold.
See, I knew there was a reason everyone said you were awesome, and it couldn't just be fiddling with existing powers of the bearer... okay then. When I land, I am going to make a whole mess of noise. I can choose to land out of sight, in an alleyway somewhere, so that while I make a racket I can be on the move before anyone finds me. Or I could drop on one of the many targets, and use them as a cushion for my fall as I try to kill all the goons around before the alarm bells go off. Then, there's option three, which is dropping directly INTO either of the Saloons, the inn or the sheriff's office, looking to bust up one of their densest nodes before they even know I'm there. This option means going blind as I can't see into the buildings enough to really know what would await me, and I would have no way of knowing beforehand if San Bruno would be inside a given building.

Hm.... options, of a mutually exclusive sort? I hate those. I wonder.....





What should I do?
Should I drop in stealthily in a darkened alleyway?
Should I drop onto a patrolling guard to make my entrance on the street?
Or should I drop into one of the occupied buildings to make a grand and blind entrance?
Or can I come up with something EVEN CRAZIER?
>>
No. 242434 ID: 1a007d

Seriously ,Bang, think about >>242403
>>242405
>>242417

Mordre wouldn't even need to stay here. This would take only a minute of whatever he's doing at the time and he would be right back. This is the reason why we even have Burduko, we need to use him more. I am sure he wouldn't mind if we delay our trek to Arcaneworks by a day or two if that means he can get awesome souls (especially the one which has Gravitomancy, that will be handy against Eisenhardt)


Anyway, go in stealthy.
>>
No. 242435 ID: e31d52

>>242434
Stealth? STEALTH?

Man, Bang don't do subtlety.

Find an isolated asshole. Turn your desctent towards him and begin SPINNING. THEN USE THE BANG BLADE.

CATASTROPHIC CYCLONE
>>
No. 242436 ID: 1a007d

>Or can I come up with something EVEN CRAZIER?

Even crazier?

Have Nidhogg and Burduko summon their spawn and wreck chaos and destruction among bandits while we take care of the big one.
I am pretty sure Figerdez is in a saloon, stuffing his fat gut.
So if we choose to wreck hell and destruction, land in a Saloon.
>>
No. 242441 ID: f4e4f9

>>242436
Nidhogg should fly perimeter about the town and keep anyone marked with San Bruno's uniform from leaving. Her spawn will conduct pacification operations.

While Burduko may not be QUITE as combat oriented, he's still an Individuated Deepspawn of no small power. Whereas Nidhoggs wyverns will hunt out Bruno's men, Burduko and his ghostly wind apparitions will conduct protective measures across the city, keeping civvies from harm. His speed makes him and his followers excellent for wide-area coverage.

That leaves Bang free to do the best Dynamic Entry ever. SO, Bang. How fast and hard do you think you can impact a structure while still sustaining manageable damage? With the aid of the Mask and your Super Healing Tunic AND reinforcing your form with Possibility Cell growth manipulation?

"He Nindy, you beautiful lizard, think you could do me a solid and make me fall a bit FASTER?"

Aim for the Sheriffs building. It'll have the largest concentration of combat-ready individuals in it.
>>
No. 242454 ID: a17cca

>>242436
If this is your choice (duh) then you must say "Hullo boys. Figured I could just drop in." Preferably if you smash in through the roof.
>>
No. 242464 ID: 903f16

>>242430

>Or should I drop into one of the occupied buildings to make a grand and blind entrance?

Yes, do this one. Drop yourself into sheriff's building. Why the sheriff's building? They usually have jail cells built into them. If there happens to be anyone inside one of them we can bust them out, after all the enemy of my enemy is my friend or at least useful cannon fodder. Just be careful not to do something foolish like crash through the ceiling and make a dramatic entrance only to find yourself having landed inside a cell yourself. If there are actually no prison cells in there then no harm done, you're still being as effective as you would by landing in another building.

Also seriously, get Mordre teleported in here after your fight or if you get into trouble. The poor guy's golem is in a bit of a dry spot for new powerful souls what with the LoD rules against chowing down on the dead.
>>
No. 242482 ID: 750519

Oh guys,

guys


Can we try to trigger a long Moment of Ispiration like we did with Keddic?

Using the anatomy and biology knowledge we could try to increase Bangs proficiency with Possibility Cells.
I reckon that Bang is at 2/30 or 3/30 lvl (presuming that their are 30 levels)

unfortunately I know not about biology like the guys who did all the brain work during Keddics MoI.
... Buut, consider this, we don't need to think strictly with modern medicine and science, Bang can mutate now.... sooooo, we could pull out comic book knowledge like X-Men or something (unfortunately I know not much about comic books either).
So... maybe we'll be able to have laser eyes, indestructible skeleton with retractable claws, super speed, etc... etc..

We should be able to grow and modify organs.
Heck, we could adapt Keddics MoI to use on Bang, like... we could craft sub-dermal armor, make and extra heart, upgrade the useless appendix, etc...

I hope we'll be able to max out Bangs Possibility Cell proficiency by the end of these fights like we did with Keddic....
>>
No. 242484 ID: 10f195

Introduce the sheriffs office to BIG BANG GENESIS.

Hmmmm I suppose it's time to start thinking about proper chainsaw applications.
>>
No. 242494 ID: 9e5b05

More crazy, you ask? "HEY! NINDY! Pull those assholes up TO ME! I wanna punch them IN THE AIR! OOHYAH! That'll scare those bastards! Ha, then we'll punch a buildin' open! GOTTA FIND THAT FAT RUDO, and BIG BANG GENESIS DRILL! Wait, Can I do Drill? Huh, if I can't... BIG BANG GENESIS CHAINSAW!"
>>
No. 242518 ID: a69afd

Regardless of where we decide to land, upon doing so, combine your arm Bang Blades with MAGNUM CLOTHESLINE. Have Burduko clear all innocents from your path and go fucking nuts with the new MAGNUM SAW TRAIN!

CHOO CHOO MOTHERFUCKERS
>>
No. 242529 ID: d3dfb8

>>242518
FUCK YES THIS!
>>
No. 242574 ID: 445c48

Also, some thoughts for upgrades, aside from the mask face necklace thing which is kinda creepy:
-Blood Magic. Get a certificate, get some training from Keddic, I'm sure he can teach normal blood magic and not The Way. This one's kind of an obvious step.

-Scarf. Hey, Bang, what's that scarf made out/how does it work? We might be able to replicate it eventually, in other forms of clothing, so you have a bigger magic battery. Studded with rubies, too. And some Silver thread. (Couldn't we get some little bits of silver, maybe the teeth, from Mordre's skull and have him repair it? Obviously not a fast solution, but it's a source of silver until we get trade for it.)

-White Blood. Copy Keddic!
>>
No. 242598 ID: ab04d4

Attack idea- Torment Injector

Figure a way to make possibility cells go cancerous and convert nearby cells to cancerous masses extremely quickly.

Design a special Bang Blade with a hollow inside and a fleshy piston (shut up I know what you're thinking) designed to inject said possibility cells in enemy. Find an enemy and inject some possibility cells into him just as an experiment; hopefully he'll turn into some sort of tumorous mass and die in agony.

Cancer syringe get.

Also, I'm imagining invasive Possibility cells charging into Keddic's bloodstream and an epic cellular-scaled war occuring, where tiny heroic cells and legendary cells do battle in a crucible of biology. Though I doubt Bang would ever do such a thing to his bro, it's a cool thought, no?
>>
No. 242602 ID: ab04d4

Also, special Keddic+Bang COMBINATION ATTACK:

Bang converts his whole body into a huge megachainsaw blade, perhaps with more awesome powers once Bang attains better mastery of Possibility Cells. Keddic wields Bang as a literal Bang Blade, augmenting Bang with his own white blood sword techniques, and perhaps even fusing Bang into his own arm using bioshenanigans. Keddic can then use his Colossus Cleaver technique.

Fuck yeah.

Biotic Union: Vitality Blade!

(if anyone else has a better name i'm all ears)

If fanart will help facilitate the realization of this I am more than willing to pay up.
>>
No. 242690 ID: 9e5b05

>>242574
No, Bang should not copy Keddic. he should become his own amazing badass...Mhm...question, Bang: Could you make the tip of your finger glow brightly? Because if so, I have a -few- ideas for you...

>>242598
This is interesting, but see if we can do it from submission holds rather then punches! CANCER LOCK! CANCER ARM BAR! Think of it!

>>242602
This is an aweosme idea. But speaking on Fan Art...we need Ugrokk arm art! NOW!
>>
No. 242740 ID: a76809

>>242602
[Fanart can make a combined character Tech that fits both character's magic styles and demonstrated personalities real, indeed it can. You want a Bang Blade scenario like that? No prob.]

>>242574
[Blood Magic: Bang already uses this, he just isn't that good at it yet, and Keddic will teach NOTHING of Blood magic to anyone, as all Blood Magic he knows is part of the Way of Harksburton, which he will under no circumstances share with someone outside the family.
Scarf: Bang did not make his scarf, he got it from Figment, who brought it into reality from the Dream, and has absolutely no idea how to make more, or even how to repair the one he has should it be critically damaged. To change the Scarf, or the complete skeletal runing he has, Bang would need to seek out Figment, or find enough SoulDreamers that they could match the originator in skill collectively.
White Blood: This is the only one that could be viable, but currently Bang knows nothing of Keddic's new findings. However, be aware that due to his specialization, White Blood will yield different results for Bang. In particular, gaining competency in its use will lead to increased resistiveness to devolving into a pile of tumors, expanding the range of body morphing options he has access to via Possibility Cells. Would need some serious sit down time with Keddic for this to happen.]

>>242434
[Not in Bang's character to do this, as he's trying to steal the show here now that he again has a chance to shine, and distracting everyone with GIANT METAL REAPER showing up to claim souls is not conducive to that. So, at least on this trip through Despardos, NO SOULS FOR MORDRE. Let the Soul Grave do the less interesting stuff to continue building rep in Land of Dragons for the moment, and just enjoy Bang being Bang. The time will come.]

>>242435
>>242436
>>242441
Hey, Phohn?
Phohn?
PhohnPhohnPhohnPhohnPhohnPhohnPhohnPhohnPhohnPhohnPhohnPhohn-
>What are you doing?
Trying to talk to Phohn obviously. Why is it not working?
>Who is Pho-ah, another of this 'Mordre's' sycophantic creations. ...I have been denying access to your mind to all outside influences, including a passive one that seems exclusively set to communication. Do you-
Well duh I want to talk to him. Now drop your defenses or whatever so I can talk to Phohn alrea-
Yes, Mortal Bang?
Ah, there you are. Can you ask Nidhogg and Burduko to watch the perimeter of the town I'm dropping into? Anyone with a skeletal bull emblem on them should NOT leave, for any reason.
I have relayed your request, and Burduko notes he shall labor towards that end, and that Nidhogg is widening her descent circle to accommodate.
Awesome, thanks. Okay, Nagging Wife!
>...Must you call me that?
I don't know, have you chosen between El Ojo Rojo Del Dynamo and The Red Eye Of The Dynamo? Have you?
>Do you even care what my name is... was?
Since you phrased it as past tense, yes I do.
>I was known as the White Sapient Legacy, an old and prestigious name.
Also boring. So, you going to choose, or are you staying the Nagging Wife?
>I-
AH, too slow! Maybe next time, Nagging Wife! Thanks for playing. Oh, also, watch this its gonna be CRAZY!!!

My angle of descent modified to take me straight through the saloon nearest the sheriff's building, I pick out spawn dropping around me with my peripherals, before I set my body to spinning, legs lengthening and coiling about as they sprout vibrating spines, my lower body becoming a drill-saw as just under a mile from impact I begin to howl a challenge to the world at large.

"ooooooooooooooooooooooooo-"

My scarf flaps open, now scores of square footage that does the opposite of what it should, the increased surface area lessening wind resistance, and pushing me earthward even faster. Two thousand feet from the ground, I break the sound barrier, entering a quite world of my own as the air rips itself apart in my wake, my spin accelerating to ever more ludicrous levels as I hurtle earthward. I scream out a challenge that I cannot hear, knowing the words will follow my entrance with a wave of crashing thunder. I core a hole through stone and wood roofing with ludicrous ease, splaying arms and legs wide as I enter the saloon, pleased to note note only the bartender seems to not wear San Bruno's colors. I hear the shout I roared an instant ago thundering down onto the roof at the front of a mile long sonic boom.

"BIG BANG CORKSCREW!!"

As wind and pressure floods into the room in my wake, I rebound from slamming into the ground, floorboards warping and writhing in slow motion as they peel away, buckling and shattered under my tremendous impact as my arms and legs alike become whipping saws sailing throughout the room. I become a hellish dervish, a baleful eye to the storm I brought with me, blood and gore flying as I leave only a terrified bartender alive.

"BIG BANG CRAZY SAW!!"

I snap limbs back in place and finally land on the ground once more as the thunder of my entrance continues to roar, drowning out any sounds that could be made outside the building, as I re-orient myself, and charge straight at the wall in between me and the Sheriff's building, scoffing at the flimsy barricade that would bar my way as I put a Bang-shaped hole in it.
-And as I exit the now singly occupied saloon, I find enemies of an entirely different sort than those I slew a second ago: These ones are expecting me.
>There are twenty seven within twenty feet of you, all with ready magics. I recco-
What are you babbling about? I love enemies that think they're ready for me.
>>24518
>>24519
Because in this case, they can't be. I recall a move I use fairly infrequently, the Magnum Clothesline. It's sole weakness was it's abysmal range, as I do not have particularly long arms.... orIdidn'tbeforehehethisisgonnabesofun

I throw my arms out wide with tremendous whipping force, giving a driving kinetic current for my Possibility Cell use acceleration, arms each ten foot long prehensile saws with leather wrapped hands at their ends. As bone spurs a foot long begin to vibrate and blur out of clear view, I scar the ground beneath me dashing forward, the rubble from my saloon exit only now falling to the ground. My mid-movement agility may suck, but with Adrenaline ALL DAY EVERY DAY and constantly preventing the systemic damage it can cause, I can mentally react to things SWIFTLY. Now that I consider it that makes my style right and deceptive, as my charge-based method of movement makes me look far less responsive than I actually am, an unintended trap to make foes think I am slow to react. Eh, I'll take it.
>This was unintentional concerning your style?
An inadvertent byproduct of of my direct application and weaponization of my magic type, and the actual processes by which my magic use function. Quick thought, and a way to make it frequently inconsequential.
>I do not know if I should be impressed by this or not. You ACCIDENTALLY made such a cunning and insidiously deceiving format for your way of fighting? Even knowing you think the truth, I have trouble cogitating it.
Really, it makes perfect sense if you're me. But then, I'm the only one that can understand most of what I do anyway. Only Bang gets Bang.
>Explain yourself, wha-
I'MBANGIAIN'TGOTTAEXPLAINSHIT! I just do what I do, because that's what I am! Well actually I could explain it butcanIpleasegetbacktomakingupanewawesomemoveIswearI'lltumoryou

I roar from my place between seconds, an exultant grin of a curious child finally allowed to experiment, simple glee painting my face as I say:

"MAGNUM SAW TRAIN!!!!"

Two are two far to saw-but not far enough to avoid my grip. As I messily and swiftly bisect their companions, I restore my arms to normalcy as I clap them together, the vicious deceleration the two thugs meet pasting them right before me. Good news, fully restocked the Blood Toga already!
>You slew twenty eight men who were expecting when you were flat-footed, and did so in one third of a second.
Told you I can think fast. Obviously this would translate to killing fast.
>That makes no sens-
DID I OR DID I NOT MENTION I AM BANG!?
>I believe I am beginning to grasp you, bearer, in some small way.
And?
>I would prefer to reserve judgment, or the dissemination thereof, until I have known you for longer than two and a quarter hours.
Boooo! I once more snap away from talking to the Nagging Wife in my head to slap my arms up and rend apart the wall I advance towards on momentum alone, rubble still not done falling behind me as I smash my way into the Sheriff's building. I emerge into an occupied cell, and by dint of seeing no mark of San Bruno on the man I pass on and warp a whole through the iron-barred cell door, successively snapping out and lashing back my arms, timing my retractions to simultaneously pull against opposed jail cells, moving swiftly enough that in the horrendous clamor of rebounding cell doors wrenched from their hinges in my wake, I lose not a whit of speed, sailing right on to the main room even as I finish freeing a total of twenty nine prisoners, each and every one appearing completely unassociated with San Bruno. I finish my charge, which lets me catch a goon rising from his seat, and sit him back down-through his chair-and through the floorboards-and into the ground as nearly every bone he has is shattered, perforating most of his organs and spelling his death in no more than another second. As I finish diverting all my speed into the man I piledrove into the earth itself, I come to my feet before the remaining thirteen San Bruno watchmen of the prisoners.

"JAIL BREAK, BANG MAGNUM STYLE!!"

the prisoners, already bravely rushing to support their abrupt savior, reach me as I finish ripping the spine out of the last San Bruno goon present the long way. I note a grand total of five cringing at my action. This would lead me to believe that unless they are all coldhearted bastards, the San Bruno goons have been bad enough that they feel they deserve every bit the swift and messy-swestly?
>No.
Fine, no new word.
>Still your observations seem well-founded. San Bruno is known for being a brutal God Mask, demanding heartfelt worship of all, lest they need disciplining.
Right then. Before the prisoners can even speak to me, I dash off with the sound of ever more wood breaking beneath my immense kickoff, as I smash the main doors off their hinges as I explode onto the main street. I see the majority of San Bruno's men still running to the saloon, a few returning from its interior already beginning to reflexively vomit upon seeing the mess I made.

>>242598
My grin threatens to unzip my head as I begin reaching out to those goons I can reach, as their heads slowly revolve to face me, and doing naught but touching them.
>What are you
Tumors. They suck. If I couldn't do what I can do, they would be even worse. Possibility cells, unless handled just right, just burst into cancerous growths and take over as many bits as they can, ballooning in seconds. So I figured, if it's that hard to control the finagly things with how well I know my body... what would happen to those that don't even know about it, to be faced with foreign Possibility Cells?

"BANG BABY!!"

As goons scream and writhe in my wake, bodies deforming into twisted, seeping husks of flesh, I consider: I still have not seen San Bruno.
>The amount of souls about you is too dense to be certain, but either the remaining inn or the remaining saloon contain him, as both are notable as having reacting souls within them of considerable power, both noting as similar to what I recall of San Bruno's feel.
...So much done in the six seconds since landing.
>Should you pick wrong, you will miss the chance to catch the Fell Mask unprepared, as in another two seconds the souls should be fully focused. On the plus side you managed to kill more than fifteen warriors a second since landing.
As I begin a furiously swift deliberation, I note Burduko's spawn beginning to work their way into the town, as dozens of winged shapes circle lower overhead.




Okay, choices, choices, saloon or inn, saloon or inn....
And should I change up what I do on my approach to either?
>>
No. 242749 ID: d3dfb8

It's late night right? he should be in the inn fucking bitches! If it's early night he'll be in the saloon gettin drunk!
>>
No. 242751 ID: e31d52

Hm...

How could we make the Blade better?

I know!

If there were MORE OF THEM.
>>
No. 242755 ID: 4884a9

if we are heading in, the inn sounds like a good bet

have you tried growing more limbs before Bang?
>>
No. 242757 ID: a69afd

>>242740
Oh? The choice doesn't matter then. In fact, we should aim for the wrong destination on purpose. Think about it, if we catch San Bruno off guard, there'll be no fun to be had here. If he has time to get focused, at the very least we'll have a better battle than el suckimo. If San Bruno is weak enough to be defeated by you in a matter of seconds, oh well you can say you gave it a chance. Either way is added incentive to seek out the god masks and their fell friends, liberating powerful items from weak posers, and showing the ones with actual talent that MAGNUM BANG IS ON THE PROWL- BEST PROTECT THOSE MASKS LEST YOU LOSE THEM.

I'd say hit the inn first, it sounds less important, therefore the probability of San Bruno being in it is lower!

NOW, TO MAKE YOUR ENTRANCE: Make all four of your limbs Bang Blades and roll your way to victory!

BANG BLADE: CARTWHEEL
>>
No. 242773 ID: 903f16

>>242740
It feels like a bit of a coin toss, but I suppose he'd be in the other saloon. I mean if you take over an entire town why would you be staying in the inn? Besides this guy has some sort of complex going and must be worshiped by those around him, he's probably crashing the saloon and getting everyone to sing his praises.

Oh and the entrance? Pull a modified Kool aid man. Go to the side of the in and kick the wall in, but not just have the debris fall on the floor, kick it so hard chunks of wall shoot out and hit people inside at high speeds.
>>
No. 242821 ID: 732129

>>242773

No no! That could put innocent people at risk. If you're not sure they can take it, it's not good to risk killing uninvolved people. Remember what Keddic's been saying about that.
>>
No. 242877 ID: 10f195

I SAY BOTH CHOICES BABY!

(this would be so much easier if cars existed)
...
...
...

Damn, I can't think of anything that would be fast enough other than throwing a car through the wall...

How far can you extend you arms *grin*

(just in case, saloon)
>>
No. 242895 ID: 9338f5

>>242877
the streets should have some form paving so there should be plenty of stones to throw
>>
No. 242919 ID: a8b93c
File 128698920237.jpg - (331.11KB , 2048x1536 , 13102010001.jpg )
242919

LOOK OUT, LOOK OUT!

HERE COMES THE FANART TRAIN!
>>
No. 242920 ID: a8b93c
File 128698922734.jpg - (411.33KB , 2048x1536 , 13102010003.jpg )
242920

>>
No. 242921 ID: a8b93c
File 128698924615.jpg - (302.67KB , 1867x1091 , 13102010004.jpg )
242921

CHOO-CHOO!
>>
No. 242926 ID: 9e5b05

You know if you had broken those pictures up to separate designs and ideas, it would have been eight fanarts, and we would have almost gotten the moment of inspiration with this.

But AWESOME!
>>
No. 242927 ID: a8b93c

>>242926

Yeah, I thought about it that way but then I thought that it would be cheating a bit so I left them as they are.
Let Bob be judge of that =)
>>
No. 242931 ID: 10f195

Let's see now. this guy employs Gravimancy right?

I was going to have you spin trip him, knee him into the air, and have super Big Bang Vortex Crush time with him, but he might just negate the gravitational boost of that attack.

So instead, I will have you do a modified Big Bang Lance on him.

or JET MAGNUM (hey, it even fits the man's name. He can do it).
>>
No. 242964 ID: e5b1bf

>>242926
>losing moment of inspiration from not enough fanarts

I thought that the fanart thing was that Gialgorra had a moment of inspiration during the construction of Ugrokk's arm, and that the 10 fanarts was just the limit of what he could do? Not the unlocking of the moment of inspiration?
>>
No. 243024 ID: 0de654

Though if it was me I would slam into the ground so hard that the earth quakes and destroys the buildings.

That would be too magic intensive though, and you don't have geomancy.

!*ding*!

You have two hunks of flesh (formerly goons) in your hand!

spin, spin, spin, spin RELEASE!
Send them flying through the walls, aiming for where you think support beams or highest concentration of people enemies would be.

I hope there are no civilians in there.
Ask Nagging wife if she can sense any souls that are out of the ordinary, i.e. do not seem as strong, and avoid those.
>>
No. 243029 ID: a8b93c

The guy uses graviomancy to pull his enemies to him.

>Enemy uses gravity pull
>AdviceBang.jpg
>Drill into him even faster

Seriously, San Brunos tactic of pulling enemies to him will work against him when he fights bang as BANG DOESN'T FLEE FROM DANGER, FLIES RIGHT INTO IT!
>>
No. 243030 ID: 9e5b05

>>242964

[+1 Fanart: Ugrokk ArmUnspent Fanarts: 01/10 For Gialgorra Limb Magnum Opus]

I would rather get this then anything else, and we are only at 4/10. We need MORE. Seriously, if it gets this bad, I'm gonna do some shitty scribbles and hope those get something.
>>
No. 243053 ID: 3e56f0
File 12870133116.jpg - (537.36KB , 2000x1453 , Ugrokk Arm Ideas 2.jpg )
243053

>>243030
Well, if you insist...
>>
No. 243054 ID: 903f16

>>242821
You probably didn't pay attention to this or read the whole posts, but when we first dropped down here we were given the choice of the four buildings because we noted they were all surrounded by a high concentration of this guy's goons. And judging by the other saloon we dropped into the only civilians that are in these places are bartenders. As long as we don't kick towards where the bar will be we'd be fine. Besides, it's not like we were being so safety conscious when we dropped through a ceiling, which could have potentially crushed the bartender had we fell through a few inches up. If anything this plan of entry is safer than our first because now we know which areas we should avoid breaking through.
>>
No. 243067 ID: 0de654

>>243054
Yea, but we don't want our legend to be 'the guy who kills bad guys and random people' we want it to be 'the guy who kills bad guys'.

Just because there were no civilian types besides the bartender in the other one does not mean there will be none in here two.

Different place, different stuff. There might be wenches in dere'
>>
No. 243239 ID: ab04d4

Oh come on, you guys are trying to game the system? How unsportsmanlike. Contrary to the spirit of art itself!

...i'll get to work on something now ._.
>>
No. 243241 ID: a76809

>>242919
>>242920
>>242291
[ (+1 Honesty)+3 Fanart Ugrokk ArmUnspent Fanarts: 05/10 For Gialgorra Limb Magnum Opus]

ELSEWHERE

Professor Gialgorra, laboring late into the night yet again, offers effort this evening on a a Dynamo Mark 4 right arm. He does not need to consult the piles of notes on dimensions and assorted other bodily assessments, neatly arranged along a single table completely devoid of tools, where Sofiazza is currently pacing and muttering. Toledo Gialgorra, father of four and genius inventor, methodically yet deceptively swiftly excises dozens of parts, muttering to himself as he works. To any ear listening, his utterances would sound like a foreign tongue, a babbling font of highly specialized diction. With each piece he pulls out, he picks out a newer, smaller piece, looking for what his optimal combination of saving space and generating performance could end up being, building a phantom limb besides the frame his is stripping down. By the time the Mark 4 has been completely gutted, naught but a joint and a stripped frame, the professor begins to rebuild from his 'ghost hand' pile, as Sofiazza, who had wandered off only to return with new sockets for the limb her father labors over, a a smug smile lightly painting her face. Her father does not even turn from his work while receiving her proffered parts yet still inquiring after her mood. Sofiazza completely ignores the question, as she comments she has a new toy she'd like to try out, and wouldn't daddy please, PLEASE make a bit more room, shrink things down a bit more so she could have Ugrokk try it? It's a newer, much smaller version of what his own Dapper Adventurer uses, and would conjoin oh so well with the redline capable electric engine. Faced with a pouting, pleading, puppy dog eyed daughter, a father is powerless. He accepts as he eyes her wearing far less weaponized limbs, tan constructions with naught different from normal flesh save an extra thumb on the far side of each manipulator, the digits all quite refined in appearance, and all with one extra joint. She's finally wearing the Prodigal Mark 9's he made, the current pinnacle of precision based artificial limbs. The father, so perceptive in working with machinery, and making the laws of physics play a merry tune for him, is completely blind in other ways, happily yet grumpily laboring ever onward, as he begins to rebuild his arm armory, new parts taking the place of old, as he finally mutters something all could grasp: He needs more power.

>>243053
[ +2 GIANTFanart Ugrokk ArmUnspent Fanarts: 07/10 For Gialgorra Limb Magnum Opus]

ELSEWHERE, HOURS LATER

The night is deeper, yet Gialgorra is still in place, contemplating engines, electrolasers, along with both power and space concerns. Finally, the inventor cackles as he rubs gloved hands together, coming to grips with the fact the only way to save enough space is to make a dual-system engine. The professor intends to craft a perpetual mechanical heart that beats with pressure and lightning alike..... he decides he shall call what he is about to make the Thundering Heart, even as he notes he'll be able to outright build the pressure-spikes Mordre asked after himself, saving space and the effort of leaving a vague amount of space free. With the turn and twist of lever and dial alike, Lucrazzia and Anastazia both sleepily come from their rooms, having turned in early, to wonder at why their father woke the mountain, gears the size of houses beginning to turn. Not brought up to pass up an opportunity, once Gialgorra explains he intends to not only craft a dual-system engine, something he has yet to do, but to make it no larger than a beating heart. Rubbing sleep out of their eyes with eagerness, the sisters take up places alongside their father, as they begin to craft a new marvel....all to satisfy Sofiazza's indulgent request.

>>242755
As I reach out to touch a pair of San Bruno's goons in passing, both rupturing into giant quivering masses of tumor and twisted growths within rumpled and ripped cloth shrouding their warped forms, I consider the use for Possibility Cells I tried first, before ultimately settling on beginning with vibrating telescopic saw limbs: Growing entirely new limbs. I still have yet to have an attempt at that which doesn't end in me being a giant pile of tumor. Shit is not pleasant.
>It is a wonder how you stand the horrific places you venture into, striving to wrest from that nightmarish muck wonders such as what you employ so readily now.
What, its my own body, I've had arms torn off, legs explode, rupture, livers turn to dust, muscle flayed off... I've been right there, right where the most gruesome things can happen to the body, thousands of times in forging the style I wield today. After all that, why would I shy from simple tumors? They're only barely life threatening!
>So, where will you tread in your search for San Bruno?
Hopefully, the wrong way.

>>242757
I snap arms and legs out wide as I finish closing on the inn, leaping into the air as limbs lengthen, spines grow.... and limbs wind in a ring about my spinning form.

"BIG BANG SAW WHEEL!!"

I bisect a few goons in my mad steering, weaving betwixt the still shocked civilians, most not even aware just what is going on yet, so consistently have I stayed in motion. Prisoners, freed seconds ago by me, explode out of the sheriff's building, even as some of Nidhogg's spawn begin to drop into the town, while Burduko's cloth and wind spawn snatch away straggling minions of San Bruno. It is at this point, that I rip and cleave a path through the inn's wooden walls, flipping and tumbling midair as I snap my limbs back into place, searching the inn-

He's not here.

What IS here is thirty eight of his followers, most midway to the door, and not expecting my entrance. I lash out in a chaotic snarl, limbs re-lengthening as I reek havoc on all the fighters in the pillaged inn. The beige walls are red and wet, the floor pulpy underfoot as assorted viscera is liberally spread everywhere as I laugh.

"BIG BANG CRAZY SAW!!"

Again limbs snap back into place, my body feeling oddly parabolic at the constant back and forth, but I can hardly argue at the results-as I have to devote another three thousand four hundred and twelve instances to preventing tumor outbreak, my body quaking from the rapid use of Possibility Cells, bulges beginning to shift and rumble about my body as tumors begin to visibly form before being fought off.
>I would recommend caution, this clearly could be quite danger-
I LOVE DANGER! Besides, as long as I catch it quick enough, its a distraction at best. Besides, I've killed how many of these guys now? No seriously, I lost count, been way to busy with calculations.
>Ninety eight.

A warrior still stands before me, having used the shelter of an immense iron stove as a makeshift shield to fend off my assault, strong and swift enough to avoid my divided attention. He doesn't do as well at dealing with my singular attention, as I kick off the ground and a support beam alike the moment I land, wood cracking in my wake as my fist finds a way.

"MAGNUM PUNCH!!"

Through grating and siding, my fist rends apart partly rent metal, crude and black, the shards peeling back to follow my fist's path, exploding through my foe's chest, his heart being torn asunder with my strike. I yank my hand back, idly flinging the stove off my hand, as I turn to face the remaining saloon's location through the open doors, seeing the despair already beginning to grasp those of San Bruno as they realize how badly they've been hit. I hear the last breath of the ninety ninth one I've killed here, and decide I gotta stop killing for a minute then, for two reasons: Burduko and Nidhogg can certainly handle what's left, and I can't pass up a chance to make San Bruno number one hundred on that list. LET'S DO THIS! I charge through the doors, for once not surrounded by demolition as I exit a building, my toga replete with blood, seeking San Bruno.

But it would seem San Bruno is seeking me too. The remaining saloon sinks into the ground, second floor collapsing heavily as Weight clings about the structure, a pair of massive hands grasping the edges of a darkened and buckling doorway. A man large enough I'd call him Oggroth's little cousin folds himself through the door-frame, heavy with muscle for twenty men and the gut of thirty, a white mask stitched to resemble a ravenous hippo stomping forth, the earth shaking, quaking, and cratoring beneath his advance, as I see people beginning to be pulled towards him, feebly trying to resist as the Fell Mask San Bruno advances.

>"WHO DARES CHALLENGE SAN BRUNO TORO, THE WHITE HIPPO!?[i/]"
>"I AM THE HUMAN DYNAMO, ANNIHILATOR OF ARMIES, SMASHER OFwait Toro means Bull in the old tongue, why would you call yourself that if you have a hippopotamus mask? Are you dense? Are retarded?
>[i]"WHO ARE YOU TO INSULT ME SO!?

I'M BANG MAGNUM, MASKED WARRIOR, AND WORST NIGHTMARE FOR THE GOD MASKS! PREPARE TO JOIN EL BLANK MAGNIFICO!!

With a roar of rage at my taunting, the eyes of the whole town on me as San Bruno's remaining men uneasily stand off against the collected spawn, already holding many of their brethren hostage, San Bruno charges at me, making Mordre look light as a feather with the thunder of his steps. As he advances, I feel my feet slipping on the ground, my body drawn towards him, as he pulls back a heavy arm as large as my body, an oft-broken hand grimly curling into a fist as fell as his mask.
>I am aware you suspect his power is to your advantage, but his only strengths are brute force and durability, as swift as you can be, I'd recommend not trying to slug it out with him. It is of course, your own choice, oh bearer.

The Nagging Wife brings up a good point. I got three more Fell Masks after this duy, at least two of them presumably quite capable, and conserving power with efficient tactics could be critical, as I won't have enough time to replenish my scarf's energy stores should I deplete them frivolously. However, if I were to continue down this path, I would continue to strain myself if I indulged in Possibility Cell use, and I could run into Tumor problems with a capital T. On the other end, we have a slugfest, which yes would be harder, more healing inevitably needed, but would REALLY make for an awesome fight, beating someone at what they do best, all while giving the rapidly crowding citizens, the prisoners intermingling in their ranks, a truly awesome show. I guess it comes down to risk analysis based on predicted fighting methodology of my foe, and my desire for struggle, strife and style of the most extreme sort.
>It would seem you have quite the dilemma, Bang.
So it would seem, Nagging Wife.





What should I do, go for a lightning rumble, or a slogging slugfest?
Do I have any crazy move ideas?
Or hey, what about some real minor body mods, I think I could work on some simple stuff pretty easily.
>>
No. 243255 ID: e31d52

>Or hey, what about some real minor body mods, I think I could work on some simple stuff pretty easily.


DYNAMIC EYES!
Able to pierce the darkest night, able to see miles away, you perfect your eyes to changing circumstance.


Wild Heart!
You heart pushes harder, faster, stronger than before, sending out adrenelin and other chemicals through your body faster than ever before.


Vitriolic Vomit!
Okay, mmmmaybe the ew factor is a bit much, but perhaps you could make your stomach acid more powerful and shoot it from your mouth? Or, hell, develop throwable skin-sacs of the stuff that burst upon impact!

Steel Knuckles!
Fuse the bones of your fist into a single mass briefly, allowing you to strike harder! Add more bracing to the arm to allow for truly titanic, armor-peircing punches!
>>
No. 243264 ID: d3dfb8

Start with a slug fest to let your possibility cells recuperate. After a sufficient time end it swiftly by chopping off either his arms or his head, depending on which you have an opportunity to sever first.
>>
No. 243266 ID: 9e5b05

>>243241
Gialgorra is amazing. We must gift Ugrokk the best! TO TEN AND BEYOND!

Anyway...ooh...shiiit, Bang! Why do you gotta make us choose! It would be SOOOO cool for you to just brawl! Ah, damn it. Can you hit him once and go 'You Are Already Dead' as he explodes into exploding tumors? Like...BANG TOUCH! WOooo! just turn as he explodes into tumors and give everyone a thumbs up! Because if we can one-shot him, that'll be fucking awesome.

And, yeah, make your thinker faster! Brain it up to like, fifteen times what you can do! HYPER BANG BRAIN MEATS FOR SUPER THINKING!

Crazy move, crazy move...ah...Yeah! Bang SUPER DOUBLEPUNCH! Hit 'em from across the town with stretching arms! And, dude, question: Possibility cells, could you make...anything with them? Like say...Bees! Or make one of those electric eel sacks so you can PUNCH LIGHTING! OR FIRE, LIKE BANG! It's just ATP, right, so you should be able to do that finger snap fire thing, right? SMARTER THAN EINSTEIN, STRONGER THAN HERCULES, AND LIGHTS A FIRE WITH A SNAP OF HIS FINGERS!
>>
No. 243271 ID: 1854db

Poke him with that tumor attack. I mean seriously, that takes a small amount of effort and would ruin him. Very efficient.

Also how about you modify your ears so they work better? You could detect attacks a lot easier with super hearing.
>>
No. 243281 ID: e31d52

>And, yeah, make your thinker faster! Brain it up to like, fifteen times what you can do! HYPER BANG BRAIN MEATS FOR SUPER THINKING!

To be a bit more in depth with this, the human brain is like... how to put it.

A neuron (pronounced /ˈnjʊərɒn/ N(Y)OOR-on, also known as a neurone or nerve cell) is an electrically excitable cell that processes and transmits information by electrical and chemical signaling. Chemical signaling occurs via synapses, specialized connections with other cells. Neurons connect to each other to form networks. Neurons are the core components of the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral ganglia. A number of specialized types of neurons exist: sensory neurons respond to touch, sound, light and numerous other stimuli affecting cells of the sensory organs that then send signals to the spinal cord and brain. Motor neurons receive signals from the brain and spinal cord and cause muscle contractions and affect glands. Interneurons connect neurons to other neurons within the same region of the brain or spinal cord.

So!

You need those signals to go FASTER. This means connecting as many nuerons together as possible, I think, as well as optimizing their chemical activators. Don't overdo the former, though, or everything will be associated with, well, everything, and that might be a little odd.

>Steel Fists

Fusing the bone is easy. Make the bones a bit thicker, and add bracing at the wrist: It's the area most likely to break. Furthermore, you might want to up the muscle mass of your arm, nearer to the shoulder, and if you can, get a singlular, triangle-shaped blade to sprout from your knuckle area. The faster you can do/undo this, the better!

>Dynamic eyes
You already have the CAPABILITY for awesome night vision, it just takes a while. Take a cue from cats, and make your pupils more easily dilatable.
>>
No. 243282 ID: 445c48

The rest are good, but the vomit one is too... ewww. And it's not cool. And we ARE wearing a mask, you know, wouldn't want any vomit to get on it. Not just because it's a magic mask, either.
>>
No. 243291 ID: e31d52

>>243282
What about our torso splitting and shooting it? Or hell, A GAPING TORSOMOUTH
>>
No. 243292 ID: 9e5b05

>>243282
Yeah, but that'll piss Nagging Wife off soooo much!

>>243281
Hey, hey, Bang knows all these words, you don't have to science up something awesome like 'Brain it up with Dr. Bang's Badass Bionic Brain Meat amplifier'.

And seriously, try to punch bees out of your fist.
>>
No. 243332 ID: 445c48

>>243292
Yes, it'd piss her off, but also vomit right on our face wouldn't look cool.
>>
No. 243342 ID: a69afd

>>243241
Your possibility cells don't have to work against you if they can become anything, simply factor them into your healing calculations. Let me put it this way: Make the cells work similar to what it would be like if you had an internal MAGNUM SCARF- Have your possibility cells queue up to transform and replace damaged ones, so that you don't have to do so much healing all the time.

Now, as to how the hippo should be put in his place: He's swinging his fist at you, yes? Your Bang Blades add ten feet to each limb, so wait until his fist is almost about to hit you. You can kick and punch with the speed of artillery, use your Bang Blades as springs to amplify what you can already do, he will not be expecting it at all. Did you forget what we do with choices around here? LIGHTNING FAST SLUGFEST IS BEST OPTION, BEHOLD:

MAGNUM JACK IN THE BOXING

"ALL ABOUT THE DESERT WE ROAM
SEARCHING FOR SOME EVIL
THE TIME HAS COME FOR HEADS TO ROLL
BANG- HAS NO EQUAL!"
>>
No. 243381 ID: 903f16

>>243241
Go for the lightening rumble. Slugging this guy out is just going to drain way too much magic and end up hurting you later. Besides, if you're looking for a looking for a good fight both Desmonte The Butcherand and El Mortoro The Enslaver would be better than this guy. The first has both Gravimancy and Phonomancy and the second is a lieutenant of this organization.

For body mods try to alter the protein fibers in your ligaments to include more elastin. A little extra flexibility never hurts.
>>
No. 243387 ID: 1854db

From >>/questdis/334685
>So what ideas do people have for Bang's Possibility Cells? I'm thinking he could form electrocyte muscle cells like those of an electric eel. Add the standard Magnum overdrive to that electric muscle and it's on! Just try to block a kick laden with 50,000 volts!
>>
No. 243388 ID: a8b93c

I don't see what the problem is with using a lot of magic.

After the fight we will request some food (yeah, 'some'), make a feast and eat half of the towns stock.

We could rest for a while till magic restores.
Doesn't matter if he takes up a bit more time on this journey...
>>
No. 243395 ID: a8b93c

Instead of vomit lets use spit.
You know, Acid Spit? WH40k Spacemarine style?
>>
No. 243401 ID: f4e4f9

>>243388
We have a wager to keep, to be finished with this before the light of dawn.

I say we keep it up.

Bang, Consider this: no matter how strong and how durable, there are two big weaknesses to any person - The eyes, and the ears. The ears especially for someone big and unstable, as striking or otherwise damaging those will also fuck with a person's equilibrium and disorient their balance. Something potentially interesting in someone amplifying their weight, no.

Also, lets go easy on trying to force a moment of inspiration, here. I'm pretty sure such a thing also needs a contest of sufficient quality and difficulty to serve as a catalyst to such an improvement, even if it were as simple as reciting technical definitions. Coming up with the Saw limbs and bendiness are probably something of a MoI in itself.
>>
No. 243402 ID: f4e4f9

Also, Bang already thinks at quite a bit faster than human capability. I suspect his mind is already enhanced in some way.
>>
No. 243418 ID: a8b93c

>>243401
Wager?
When did that happen?
>>
No. 243429 ID: f4e4f9

>>243418
>There is the leader, who's name, appearance and identity is only known to the two lieutenants, who each manage five of the remaining Fell Masks that joined the gang. They preach about masks making them superior beings, and how it is their right to rule as more enlightened and divine existences. They dress rule by might in the veneer of religious ramblings, and the fearful people are forced to worship them. Beyond that, and the individuals my prior owner knew, there is little more I could say. ...You really intend to do all that, the work of teams of veteran Masked Warriors-

>Before the sun can even dawn on me as a Masked Warrior, you're damn right I do Should be done with two hours to spare, even! Make an entrance in style, that is how it is DONE, you know? Then I start that new day and finish my time in Despardos right now, hopefully finding another thing or two to pursue in lieu of making Mordre blue.

BEFORE THE SUN DAWNS ON BANG THE MASKED WARRIOR, THE FOUR SHALL LAY FALLEN.
>>
No. 243467 ID: a8b93c

>>243429
Huh...

I must have missed that then ...
>>
No. 243601 ID: d60c71

Hey Bang.

I HAVE A CRAZY IDEA FOR YOU

In the bone marrow, there are Endothelial stem cells, these are multipotent cells capable of becoming any other cell.
(You may have stumbled on this already, seeing your current state)

What I suggest, is that you grow.... NEURONS!
That's right, I want you to grow a new brain, if possible close to your heart so it can get the benefit of having the rib cage as protection.

With this, you could react EVEN FASTER to everything here and you could dedicate the new brain COMPLETELY to working out stuff to do in fighting and healing.

With that, you lose your biggest current weakness, which is that if you lose your head, you die. Now you have ANOTHER BRAIN to control the body while your heal up/rejoin/REGROW your head.

So grow a mini skull and mini brain in the ribcage area and begin the awesomeness, just don't go crazy with how slow everything seems after that.
>>
No. 243670 ID: a76809

>>243266
>>243281
>>243387
Even as my sluggish foe closes whilst his magic pulls at me, I come to a rather direct conclusion: I need to think faster.
>Why? You already possess the swiftest mind of any I have encountered.
That's because you haven't met Mordre. He can multitask like none other, managing dozens of rapidly shifting issues simultaneously, all through a Golem he manipulates at range. No matter how I try to run the numbers, any attempt to calculate just how he does that gives me nothing but grief. How fast can I be, if an old man playing with a golem is faster? I'LL SHOW HIM, I CAN OUTBRAIN HIM IF I TRY!!
>....Putting aside the childish nature of your competitive streak in this instance, exactly how do you intend to 'think faster'?
Simple as pie-and not one of those real complicated pies, I'm talking apple pie here, ok? Anyway, brain runs on electricity, I've run into some futzy little fish things when a ship I was riding on completely accidentally was wrecked-
>You seem to remember breaking the shi-
ANYWAY these little noodle fish things, they could shock anything near them, generating electrical current in their body. I had a chance to fight, kill, even eat more than a few, what with first swimming farther out since I was so close to The Wall, but those leagues tall eternal hurricanes and tidal cataclysm are truly insane, even in my opinion. A bit humbling, that. Anyway, the only things living near the wall were mostly varying forms of these shocking-
>The name is 'eel', for that which you reference.
-Electric eels were a primary diet, pray, and occasional hunter I encountered for about a week, just getting back away from The Wall. Then, on the way back in calmer waters, I had plenty of time to think about how they tick, relegated to the familiar reef dwellers along most of the shallow sea bed, familiar foes I need not analyze. I believe their manipulation of current to stem from their muscular structure-no its building blocks itself, being altered. What's more, I think I can do it, now that I have at least a decent grip of Possibility Cells. ...I think I could even make it perpetual, a passive alteration to my form....I think while I am in there, I'll see about optimizing muscle density and performance as best I can, long ago having noted the varying types of muscle to be found even within my own body. If I am going to rebuild my entire muscle structure, I met as well go all out. Its the appropriately me thing to do. Then, through having made this stronger, more shockingly muscled me, I will then have the ability to manipulate currents in my own body while generating considerable power. I can not only use that in direct combat to live more ably by my title as the Human Dynamo, thundering punches, kicks and headbutts a side effect, but also Manually direct current flow in my brain.
>I cannot grasp how you can be serious about that, even one single, tiny mistake-
Cue the side effect perks to provide ample time to practice current flow as I further trace and assess my entire organic mind in preparation. As long as I have intensive enough dimensions to work with, if I can get some personal Bang time, I really do think I could learn how to optimize the electrical flow of my mind, gaining greater faculties with which to perceive reality. Really, being able to augment the brain without directly physically changing it is a boon, no doubt. And I get Thunder Punch, Thunder Kick, my god I could electrify the Bang Blade this is going to be the coolest shit ever. You cannot tell me that as one associated with Masked Warriors that such would be quite possibly the most stylish way to fight around.
>...Then I am with you, Bang. I can aid in directing magic flow from your scarf, increasing the total casting strength you have to work with, it should help mitigate the possible backlash for a moment. ...Show me you can do it, Bang.
WATCH ME!

This all transpires in my mind before I slide even a foot, San Bruno not even finished taking his second lumbering step when my runed yeti leather garments hiss and steam, runes balefully lit, Mask aglow as my flesh ripples and seethes. More than a million instances of Curatiomancy run at once as the world fades away, my every thought devoting to my body as I feverishly work to be delicate with Possibility cells, ever vigilant for tumorish rebellion. Muscle gets heavier, denser, it's fibers more tightly packed-now bearing a new use, even as I lose only a fifth of my body to tumor, and only in moderate systemic damage. Really, a great job. As I'm practically perfectly fine, so I decide to stick with my first attempt and try to salvage, world racing back to me as I begin the comparatively easy work of fending off encroaching cancer. San Bruno's face, heavy and blunt inside his ivory hippo themed Mask, showing naught but simple indignant rage, to have his supremacy of this place threatened. Even as my body leaves the ground from the rapid weight shifts, now soaring faster towards my foe, I continue to regenerate flesh to working form, analyzing my newly altered systems with intense focus. I barely pay attention to San Bruno's rushing fist as I add a final touch to my plan, fusing together bone in my fists, making skeletal weights to clobber foes, as the first bits of lightning race through my body.... and build as I turn theory to practice.

My body weight practically doubled, already so charged I'm likely fatal to touch, twin fists whip out, smashing towards the torso-sized fist that rushes towards me as it pulls me ever closer.
>What will you call this one?
Need you ask?

>"HIPPO CRUSH!!
"DYNAMO DOUBLE-PUNCH!!!


There is a brief period devoid of sound as our fists collide, my focus my fists as I prevent cracks, fractures, tears or ruptures, flesh pushing far past anything like conventional limits, lightning surging from me to him-

And I don't even feel a bone crack, a few knuckle hairs singed away and that is all, as recoil comes into play, that moment of drawing silence obliterated by a sonic deluge so fierce nearby windows rattle, as the now off-balance San Bruno falls back while I rocket skywards, my mass so insignificant compared to my foe it is ludicrous. Looking about the sky, I note Nidhogg flying into my path, providing ample purchase to land, and rejoin the fight, leaping away before gravity can pull me away from her side. She snorts, as if to hide impulsive indulgent behavior.
>How much are you reading into this?
Dragon happens to fly through the bit of air I'm vectored along? Damn right I infer that, its statistically ludicrous otherwise! Can't have that, now can we? So, fight? What's up with this guy, he's barely registered what I just dished out. Extra mass, his pull, my alterations, some of that should have fazed him.
>I did mention that while slow and ungainly, Toro is quite capable in the realms of strength AND durability, did I not?
....Ok, I can work with this. A fun challenge, right as I remodel my body, mid descent finally having purged tumors from my body, already growing somewhat used to my new faculties from my comparatively vast window of experience, having comprehensively assessed the entire system pre and post use in less than half a second.

BANG RADICAL ABILITIES BOOST
+MUSCLE DENSITY, DOUBLE WEIGHT 150% BASE STRENGTH
+ELECTROCYTE MUSCLE MASS, CURRENT GENERATION

>...You think in charts?
OH YEAH!

>>243601
San Bruno stabilizing on the ground, I near within a hundred feet of my foe as a fiendish idea comes to mind, as I consider my primary source of Possibility cells, my skeleton-and plot making neural pathways similar to my own brain within my marrow, seeking a form of support Consciousness.
>What no stop too many insane things at once no way.






What should I say or do?
How should I attack San Bruno, descending headfirst from above at a sixty degree angle with a velocity of 118 feet per second with ninety feet left to go?
How can I use my new power MOST AWESOMELY!?
>>
No. 243673 ID: d3dfb8

>>243670
Oh Nagging Wife, if you tell us not to do something, WHAT DO YOU THINK WE ARE GOING TO DO? WOO HOO DUAL-BRAINS TIME!
>>
No. 243675 ID: 445c48
File 128711324441.png - (15.45KB , 700x500 , Make this go higher.png )
243675

First off, fuck yes, charts. See this chart? Make it go higher.

Second, no that's not too much insane stuff at once yes way. Though, it might end with you having spent all your magic on upgrades and not left enough to punch Fell Masks.
>>
No. 243676 ID: e31d52

>How can I use my new power MOST AWESOMELY!?
>Electricity
>Bang Blades can channel it

>Idea.

Long, thin needles of similar stuff of the Blades, built to channel electricity, and hook into the target. Make sure they can support a shitload of weight too, because you will be using these DYNAMIC FINGERS to SHOCKINGLY GRASP your foes, pulling them into a TITANIC BLOW.

Titanic Blow?

Oh, that's what it's called when you turn your entire arm from the elbow down into a massive, superdense, penetrating column of bone, while the muscles that drive that part of the arm are pumped to ludicrous levels.

So not only will their body be seizing up, unable to defend itself, WHOOPS your fist just rammed right through their body how did that get there

TITANIC BLOW applies to your legs, too... in fact, if you could fuse your legs and turn your entire lower body into a massive spike while using the SHOCKING GRASP to reel yourself in EVEN FASTER, no amount of magic save something truly bullshit will stop you!
>>
No. 243680 ID: a17cca

>>243673
DUAL BRAINS GOGOGOGO!
>>
No. 243683 ID: a76809

>>243673
>>243676
>>243680
I briefly consider making my bones brainy anyway just because it would be funny to feel Nagging Wife's reaction...
>What-
>>243676
BUT THEN I HAVE AN AWESOME IDEA.

My legs snap together, as I expand on my bones more and more, fusing legs and joints as from mid-thigh down I become a giant bone spike, tumors flaring about my body even as I lash out with both my arms, their elongating reach questing towards San Bruno. If it weren't for how easy it is to make bone, and how much extra space that gives me to breed Possibility Cells, I manage to coast through the cancerous attack of the self as I enter the Fell Mask's weight field, the charge I began building a long moment ago surging through my hands and bone spikes as I grasp my foe and pull myself down faster

"BIG BANG BODYSPEAR!!"

An arm rises to block me, and my point sinks through a massive palm, shoving aside bone and tendon as it tears a path through-

And San Bruno, ignoring the electrical charge I blasted him with, closes his fingers about my fused bone lower body, as a hand reaches for my head.

>"I'L POP YOUR HEAD LIKE A GRAPE!!"







OH SHIT, WHAT SHOULD I DO, HE'S GOING FOR MY THINKING MEATS!!!
>>
No. 243686 ID: b97792

Damn, Bang is an effing genius.

He really does not look it, or act it.

Damn.

anyway, USE MISOGI!
(d,d,d two kicks)
>>
No. 243687 ID: 9e5b05

>>243683
HIT HIM WITH CANCER! IN THE FACE!
>>
No. 243688 ID: e31d52

>>243683
FUCK THAT SHIT.

HE CAN DEFEND HIMSELF ON THE OUTSIDE

BUT YOU HAVE A GIANT FUCKING NEEDLE IN HIS ARM.

FILL. HIM. WITH. CANCER.
>>
No. 243690 ID: b97792

oh wait, too late for that, damn
>>
No. 243691 ID: 445c48

OH SHIT YOUR THINKING MEATS

TUMORS, TUMORS EVERYWHERE

ALSO A BACKUP CONSCIOUSNESS IN YOUR BONES TO DIRECT HEALING WHEN YOUR THINKING MEATS ARE ENDANGERED WOULD BE COOL. BUT NOT A THING FOR RIGHT NOW PROBABLY. ALSO, YOUR BONES BREAK A LOT SO IT MIGHT SUCK. MAYBE SOMETHING MORE FREE-FLOATING IN YOUR BODY. OR YOUR APPENDIX OR SOMETHING.
>>
No. 243692 ID: b97792

Cancer, cancer everywhere.

(please someone make this pic)
>>
No. 243695 ID: a76809

>>243692
>>243687
>>243688
>>243691
[Fuck yes that would be an awesome fanart.]

>BANG, WATCH OU-
Shit woman I got this EAT A JUMBO SIZED CANCER INJECTION!

I divert every bit of tumorous flesh in my body through my marrow and down into my bone spike lower body, entering San Bruno's blood stream even as I charge ever more Possibility cells with magic and let them go without equations to back them, ever more growths sprouting and San Bruno's hand boils. I see his eyes peel back, a shocked stare directed at his already misshapen hand as he shakes me loose, severing the connection between us, as I feel his soul shifting. As I tumble through the air, forcibly purged of tumor and reverting legs and arms alike to their new norms (Bang the Human Dynamo, oh yes), I spryly land on the balls of my feet, once more earthbound as I see San Bruno do something I did not expect.

Decisively, the giant closes his good hand about his forearm, above the spreading taint-

And crushes bone and flesh beneath his grasp, as he rips the offending limb off, through it to the ground. A pair of bone spears now jut from his partly severed arm, a spear to arm himself with as he watches his removed hand continuing to warp and shift before slowly dissolving into puss and a few bits of tumor.

His gaze turns back to me, some fifty feet away from him, once more standing on the ground, just barely outside the perimeter I have now defined about him that he can exert gravity within.
>I would like to note that at the rate you are draining your scarf, you will not have enough to last through all four battles, however impressive your current actions are, triggering Possibility Cells as you term them seems to consume a considerable amount of power. ....I will also note that the runes built into your every bone, from tooth to tailbone, reflexively exist on any skeletal shapings you make. I suspect that the more surface area you have-
The faster my personal magical regeneration becomes... hm. Could make rests between fights easier, I might be able to personally recharge the scarf a bit myself, even with limited time....

San Bruno glowers as I see bone slowly lengthening from his stump, forming into a massive pair of out-thrust fangs blunted like the warrior's totemic animal as the stump closes up. The man with the hippo-toothed arm looks ready to continue fighting.




What should I say or do?
How am I going to keep up the awesome?
>Remember that things existing in real animals have a better chance of working, as will medically explained examples of how to alter the body. Also be aware that the more new things he tries, the faster his total stored magic pool is drained. Can you balance Bang?
>>
No. 243697 ID: b97792

CAN I BALANCE BANG!!!
NO WAY!
BUT I SURE CAN TRY!

SUPAH SLUG FEST TUMOR INJECTION 'YOU SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN IMMUNIZED' SAN BRUNO FUN TIME BEGINS NOW!!!!
>>
No. 243699 ID: b97792

*ding*

Get behind him (you can do it, you are a billion times faster than him)
Needle arm
Stick spine
Lightning/electricity
Fights over.
>>
No. 243714 ID: a69afd

>>243695
Hey bang, since you've encountered eels in your time- surely coral isn't such a foreign sea-dweller? I got one word for ya: NEMATOCYSTS! Normally, coral use these as automatic defense systems and fill the sacs with paralysing poisons to ward off predators. You could replace this with any poison know of, you could even fill the nematocysts with cancerous possibility cells to increase the points of contact and rate of infection.

Line your Bang Blades with these bad boys, and suddenly every square inch of your extended skeletal structure becomes the equivalent of a hand-cannon/lightning gun/W.A.S.P. spear orgy. Unfortunately, they're one use only. But hey, each indvidual barb fires in a fraction of a second with retardedly high gravitational force behind it. Obviously San Bruno has no solution to stopping the cancer from taking over his body other than ripping off the afflicted area, what is he going to do when you riddle his entire body with the stuff? Yeah, thats right- he's going to tear himself to pieces.

BEATING SAN BRUNO AT HIS OWN GAME: 500 billion healing calculations

HAVING SAN BRUNO BEAT HIMSELF TO DEATH AT YOUR GAME: PRICELESS
>>
No. 243719 ID: a17cca

>>243695
Arrright, we need those extra limbs now.

Also: head full of teeth. You saw inside Nindy's mouth, right Bang? Like that.
>>
No. 243721 ID: 1854db

More bone surface area?

How about an exoskeleton? CRAB BANG!
>>
No. 243722 ID: 903f16

>>243695

>Remember that things existing in real animals have a better chance of working, as will medically explained examples of how to alter the body. Also be aware that the more new things he tries, the faster his total stored magic pool is drained. Can you balance Bang?

So basically the more surface area of bone you have the faster regenerate your magic? That makes things simple enough. Most people have twenty four ribs, but a small percentage of people possess an extra pair of floating ribs. These go on the bottom of the rib cage, not the top. If you put them on the top you'll have some cervical ribs and those have a bunch of related health issues you'd need to sort out. In the foot the average person has twenty six bones, though through accident or defect there are a possible additional fifteen accessory bones. Granted, half of those accessory bones can cause discomfort or impair your movement so if you add any to your feet put them in areas that won't cause either of those two problems. Then there are some unconventional places you could add bones, like re/growing your wisdom teeth or if you want to go really out off the reservation you could give yourself a tail by adding to the coccyx. All of that together should give you more than enough power to fuel any crazy schemes you come up with.

Also speaking of crazy schemes you could take a couple plays out of the humble platypus' book. The males of the species have a specialized ankle spur that allows them to inject their victims with a venom. Get yourself some of these and fill them with cancer so you have an additional site you can inflict cancerous rage from. The little guys also have the sense of electroreception, which allows them to detect the electric fields generated by their prey's muscle contractions. They do this by receiving the signals through electroreceptors placed on rows of skin in their bills and comparing differences in signal strength. You don't have a bill but you could just as easily distribute them across various places on your skin and get the same effect. Just imagine having the ability to see your enemy without actually seeing them. If you fine tune it enough you could probably feel their muscle contracts and predict their movements before they even have a chance to strike.
>>
No. 243723 ID: d3dfb8

>>243722
Or even feel the electrical impulses as they travel from the brain outwards and gain even greater prediction powers.
>>
No. 243732 ID: 370f77

So your magical energy reserves are linked to you somehow, right? And Nagging Wife has already demonstrated that she can extend your area of magical influence to other people you're in contact with. What's stopping you from using their power against them, or adding it to your own reserves?
Don't inject your own cancer cells, use this guy's own power to make his own body go malignant!
>>
No. 243733 ID: a17cca

>>243722
An even better example of Electroreception would be the shark, by using specialized sensors in their faces. They also have the Lateral Line, which may be a better choice as a sixth sense. The Lateral Line detects movement in the water, but may work just as well in the air as both are liquids.
>>
No. 243734 ID: ddd48d
File 12871334953.png - (23.62KB , 800x600 , wtfdidijustdraw.png )
243734

>>243695
ok here is a half-hearted attempt

>>243721
oh god crab bang? 8I i am going to draw that, then have nightmares forever...

>>243722
i agree with this stuff
>>
No. 243755 ID: 750519

Why not just make bones bigger and long?

As I recall Bang is almost two times smaller than Keddic and is of average or even lower than average height. Just grow to about 190 - 200 cm up and some to the sides.

In short grow BIGEER. Then you will have MORE bones, MORE muscle and if you keep proportions right that means your head must grow too then that means you'll have BIGGER brain.
Oh, and while doing this we could leave some place for back-up brain in the chest area.
>>
No. 243756 ID: 46c8d6

Oh yes Bang, by the way.

Growing brain's elsewhere gives that place the same weakness as your head, if it gets a hard enough blow, you are really gonna feel it, so when you grow make sure your grow the force dampeners (aka, fluid or some kind of jelly-like substance) along with it.
>>
No. 243759 ID: 750519

Oh, right question time!

I want to ask Bang about Mordre again. What he thinks of him, how much he likes him or not, what does he deem the strong point of him and weak point, what does he think of the golem, etc...

And this can be played as if its the Nagging Wife who's asking those questions rather than an internal monologue. This works quite well since Bang mentioned Mordre in the update.
>>
No. 243760 ID: 750519

>>243756
Not only that but also a bony sarcophagus thingy to protect it from blows...


Hey, also, if we are going to try to get animal traits conciser this: the strongest person on earth (I mean in real life) is still a babby compared to an average gorilla, even chimpanzees are crazy strong (can lift 1000 pounds with ease). I am not sure why, probably because their muscles are much different than humans.
Bang should try to replicate their muscles and adapt them to himself, he would probably become 3 times stronger than before...
>>
No. 243771 ID: 46c8d6

Well you see (if I remember correctly) there are three types of muscle.
Red - for fast energy, but not for long. Used for lifting, punching, etc.
white - For a small energy over a long period, used in long distance running, etc.
Pink - combination of both, best muscle.

Bang should try and get pick muscle everywhere, if I am right(but I think he already done that, not sure)
>>
No. 243773 ID: 46c8d6

derp, switch red and white defs.
>>
No. 243811 ID: f7fc69
File 128716660147.jpg - (113.33KB , 691x369 , PowerTail.jpg )
243811

Need some extra bone structure, but don't want to turn your ribcage into a croissant? Well make like your monkey ancestors and grow a bone-filled tail!

Here's a cross-section of the proposed and highly recommended BANG POWER TAIL! Coated with electrocyte muscle cells and containing lots of hollow vertebrae with a complex internal structure this thing is entirely made for generating raw power and making the REST of you more unstoppable! Having so many electrocyte muscle cells lined up means you can generate even higher levels of voltage. The hollow bones contain more marrow and possibility cells than normal bones and best of all the complex honeycomb bone structure means they also hold far more magic regenerating runes than normal human bones!

On the downside it probably won't be very prehensile and the hollow bones will break fairly easily, but who cares! It's a completely non-vital body part, it'll probably work well even when broken and you can always fix it.
>>
No. 243834 ID: 5f0943

Idea for surface area.
Would Bang be able to 'fuse' his ribcage and make it into a solid boneplate (alla sphess muhreen)?
That would grant a some degree of increase wouldn't it?

Also, I really, really like the idea of crab-bang, because exo-skeletons are awesome.
>>
No. 243836 ID: cfa178

>>243834
And loss of flexibility.

For the bone stuff, I was going to suggest that after the fight (and on the way to the next) back just grow some temporary bone spikes out of his back. He won't have to move while he is on Niy and when he is ready he can just break them off.

Simple, effective ad does not alter his body permanently, which is a good thing for the [i]ladies [i]
*wink**wink*
>>
No. 243873 ID: 750519

You mentioned the Wall, more info please
>>
No. 243874 ID: 5f0943

>>243873
Yeah I want to know more about that too.
>>
No. 243875 ID: cfa178

>>243873
Ah yes, completely forgot about that. THE WALL
>>
No. 243878 ID: ab04d4

>>243721
...I don't know if this is a good idea, but I just had to draw it before Glue got to it.
>>
No. 243879 ID: ab04d4
File 128717979145.jpg - (48.90KB , 632x809 , 045434.jpg )
243879

>>243878
derp forgot my attachment
>>
No. 243883 ID: 5f0943

>>243879
Oh god yes! YES! THIS PICTURE IS THE BEST THING EVER!
>>
No. 243892 ID: e31d52

>>243879
There are no words
>>
No. 243906 ID: ab04d4
File 128718515968.jpg - (102.92KB , 632x809 , 062507.jpg )
243906

>>242602
Remember this? I made fanart in my attempt to make this real.

Bang is the whole sword. It's a very huge sword. Keddic is in full Blood-magic mode, and has augmented the blade with his own power as well as entered flight mode.

The two have literally fused, using their biological skills; Bang's leg is appended onto Keddic's hand.

>Like y/n?
>>
No. 243908 ID: d66067

That's really needs to be redone, I like the concept but you really need to re draw this. Add some green next time and get the bodies in proportion.
>>
No. 243909 ID: ab04d4

What, you mean my latest one?

...I'm not sure what you mean by green. Why green?

And yes, they're disproportionate. I sketched this up in like 5 minutes, you can tell because everything is in scribbles.

If you're talking about the first one, yes his arms are disproportionate and his back is angled strangely, but I also wasn't bothering to recheck him. Glue could have posted his drawing at any time, I had some emergency speeddrawing to do :P
>>
No. 243911 ID: d66067

Really though you need to re-do it the problem is the way it's drawn. It's looks like the angles are wrong and sorry to say it really detracts from the picture. What I would suggest is to re-draw it if you have time or edit it a bit so that the chearceter look more mascauline adn more of a angerier look with a smirk.

The green around him would be a reprenstation that he is mysterious. Give him a better look. This does need some decent fixing.
>>
No. 243912 ID: a76809

>>243760
[Muscle Optimization has already been achieved, insofar as Bang can. He has not encountered any primates, from which to copy similar muscle patterns for personal adaptation. He would be going completely blind, while already fairly strained from rapid Possibility Cell use. Note that there ARE several areas WITH apes, the Land of Dragons included, so this is certainly possible with some questing and learning, and would just about max passive strength.]

>>243811
[With the proper cartilage and connective tissue, that could be an excellent balancing device as well, and could compliment the Monkey Muscle bonus mentioned above.]

>>243714
I think to another type of organism I encountered in my weeks adrift, the builder of choral, within its colorful fortress.... it held a poisoned gland, tiny yet powerful.... a toxic sac I could refill with, say, triggered Possibility Cells, immediately going cancerous once released? I got plenty of evidence of how it functioned, having my fair share of run-ins with the defensive choral builders or the jelly fish-and as I dash forward, my arm lengthening and sprouting bone spikes at my command, I pit the vibrating sawteeth with sacs of Possibility Cells, the volatile yet marvelously flexible powers ready to directly weaponize.
>This is nearly eight hundred thousand more instances of Curatiomancy to run, all on top of your existing load. Why-
Because of how my foe dealt with my cancer. When faced with growth, Chaos unchecked and rampant, my foe tore off the stricken parts. So-I plan to orchestrate him giving a fatal beating TO HIMSELF. It will be flashy as all hell.
>The erosion rate of your cellular structure is-
I know, you think I don't know? I am the one doing it! -Oh right I need to circulate current too, no time like the present to keep learning, since I fully intend to one day captain my brain's electrical impulse.
>Your mind is a most strange one, Magnum. It is more wrinkled than any I have ever been paired with, of that there is no doubt... but in other ways, I perceive a difference from the general norms I have observed, but I cannot parse what that difference is...
Right, you pontificate, Imma just do this really cool move, gonna be totally worth the cancer-skin I got going now. ...Good thing my face is covered.
>I would just like to point out I do NOT enjoy you doing this, the texture is... uuugh/[i]
Bear with it baby, and [i]ENJOY THE SHOW!!


"DYNAMO BANG-BLADE!!!"

An arm and shoulder alike couch to shrug off my attack, as the tooth-tipped arm stabs towards my body whilst my lashing arm only slaps against San Bruno, an absurd amount of defensive magic hardening his body-
But it doesn't matter that the teeth don't bite.

"OPEN CHAOS!!"

Thousands, millions of sacs are triggered in a cascading rush, Possibility Cells activated and let loose, wild, free Chaos flows as growth uninhibited begins everywhere my arm's sawteeth have reached, arm, side, shoulder, back, all compromised before his jab ever reaches me. I see the rampant fear in his face as his defensive magics do nothing to what most defense stay open to: healing magic.
This is exactly why I think my choice to weaponize healing is AWESOME.
>I will admit, this breaches all but the most paranoid defenses, as who refuses what they percieve to be to their benefit? An interesting methodology.... so, eel's shock, choral's sting turned cancer... and you have lost an entire leg, and part of your side, more than sixty five percent of your mass compromised.
Doesn't matter, that was all I needed.

What I say rings true as San Bruno's attention goes exclusively towards the spreading tumors rippling through his flesh, engorging and swelling out of control. The toothy punch aimed at my head diverts to gouge out his own flesh, trying to scavenge as much of himself as he can..... how could he not have thought to rewrite his defensive magics to account for the glaring flaw of staying open to healing when he's around ME? I JUST hit him with it a moment ago too!
>Not everyone can alter their fundamental passive magics on the fly.... in fact one might call such a skill something of a rarity.
Pssh, whatever, just look at that. The big guy's screaming as he tears away at the corruption spreading through his body, not even paying attention to the sawblades still pressed against his side. The pertinent facet of this observation, is that the cancer doesn't benefit from his Combat magic, as he doesn't define it as a part of himself. The vibrating teeth find purchase where before they were repelled, messily chewing through the Chaotic flesh, my feet planting against my foe's gut as I turn his Gravimancy against him. I paint a house fifteen feet away a deep burgundy, gore splattered all over the grounds and people in between, as the keening teeth of my extended arm rend their way through my foe from shoulder to shoulder, taking just under a second. I see something akin to relief hovering behind the agony of his death, as if to be spared the corruption I set on him was a mercy in and of itself.
>...While fascinating and obviously effective, i have to agree with your assessment... the cancer injection does seem to be a hellish experience.
Did you not see how badass that is? This could potentially mean I can cut just about anything organic with this magic loophole!
>Again, some are paranoid enough to allow NOTHING access through their magics, for any reason, and as such would have a very different reaction to your attack... and the extra calculations burn through your scarf quite readily. You have expended more than the allocated amount for this foe-
Eh, I can grow some optimized surface area-to-mass bone protrusions, maximize my returns from the skeletal runing, and make some magic on the flight. Got a few hours to the next fight, yes? I mean, I cut his heart in half, and-holdonasec

"[b]BANG MAGNUM THE HUMAN DYNAMO, CRACKER OF CASTLES, SMASHER OF SIEGES, ANNIHILATOR OF ARMIES AND MASKED WARRIOR DOTH PASS JUDGEMENT ON THIS FELL MASK, ABUSING THE DESPARDEN PEOPLE!!
"

Watching the surviving goons being rounded up by spawn under the ministration of a dragon and a man of wind, cloth and blades, and seeing the amount of devastation I wrought on their foes, the people add all this to my self proclamation as a Masked Warrior-

And erupt into cheers, faces hiding worry and fear for years finally letting go, stress shedding years from everyone's faces as I am quickly rushed by what seems like the whole town, barring those aiding in watching the captured goons. As I am hoisted in the air, the populace supporting me grunting in surprise at the weight I pack into my frame now, I spy more than a few faces that look very open and inviting-oh, and I see some people running to get food, they're throwing a feast what, three seconds after being freed? Yeesh, this guy must have really been a dick-that, and I am so damn awesome! Perhaps I COULD stay a while-
>You have exactly two hours worth of time until dawn.
-Eh, Well, I could spend a LITTLE-
>>243722
>>243723
>>243733
>>243734
OH! THAT'S RIGHT! FUCKING SHARKS! ...Shit, I'm going to have to just grab some heavy foods and run, this idea is too awesome to wait till tomorrow to try, and if I work delicately enough at it after maximizing my bone surface area with some external support, I'll have two hours to add those electroreception nodules sharks had in their faces, but put it all over my body. With my electrocyte muscle structure, electrical Sensing could be vastly useful, improving my ability to detect foes, my own electrical current's disposition, and to further inadvertently become an anti-ignimancer. ...Really, I can't pass up trying this. I am hoisted onto a stage, a speech clearly expected, but I thankfully note Nidhogg flying by, snorting as if to say now is my only chance to get a lift. I make my parting words brief before I leap to her back.

"Know that Bang Magnum, Human Dynamo, Masked Warrior, will STOP these God Masks from oppressing the people! JUSTICE AND FREEDOM WILL BE HAD!! TOOOO!!

With a sharp shout as I try to leap from the wooden stage with minimal damage to the structure, I latch on to Nidhogg's passing form, as the crowd now seems to turn as one towards the few dozen captured minions of the departed God Mask. They do not look kindly towards their past oppressors.

I turn my attention towards my body, bone spurs sprouting from my spine and slowly twisting into delicate bone fans, swathes of surface showing intricate runework, devilishly interwoven with its contours. I feel my magical regeneration rate climb substantially as I continue these fairly tame and slow modifications, enshrouding myself in a fragile, paper-thin bone shell, adding layers at slow speed while I turn the rest of my attention to rehearsing what I saw in sharks, trying to turn the finicky Chaotic Possibility Cells towards crafting sensitive sensory organs. The path is difficult, and I find my choice to be cautious and experiment in small scale to be highly beneficial, as the failure rate is disastrous. I slowly begin covering my whole body in the nodules, familiarizing myself with them as I go, but over one and a half hours, I run into some two hundred and eighty seven thousand eighty four failures even with my attention so finely focused, but I finally finish.
[b]OH FUCK YES, BANG LIST TIME

>NO BANG NO!

BANG'S NEWLY ACQUIRED ABILITIES!!
+BANG BLADE CANCER INJECTION, DOUBLES CONSUMED PROCESSING POWER.
+ELECTRORECPTION, CAN DETECT PROXIMAL ELECTRICAL SIGNALS, ALSO PINPOINT STRENGTH AND LOCATION.

>....Honestly, why-
I KNOW I MENTIONED I AM BANG, SO JUST GET USED TO THE HUMAN DYNAMO, PART MAN, PART EEL, PART CHORAL, PART SHARK, ALL RADICAL!!

In what seems like little time at all, Nidhogg is flying over Piccolo, and after I ask, Nidhogg is suspiciously happy to send my hurtling towards the ground with some extra kick. ...Maybe she thought she could make me black out... silly Nindy!
>I would not recommend calling her that again.
So, what should I do with this Mask?
>When did-
Come on, you're on my face, how can you miss this? I snatched it with an extending arm as the crowd initially rushed me.... so what should I do with it? ...I kinda don't have pockets.
>Uuuugh.

>>243873
>>243874
>>243875
I really have to love my decision to see The Wall, the eternal storm wall that marks the end of the world. ...Well, I'm pretty sure there's more out there, but any time you go too far from any land mass, there's just never-ending, all-breaking super-storms raging without end. Mages have tried opening paths in it before, but hasn't worked yet. Anyway, because I chose to see it, I saw the three type of existences I have taken notes from, and I wonder if perhaps there were some other animalistic traits I could replicate... so many things to consider.

I am descending towards the town of Piccolo late at night, the town perhaps two thirds the size of Figerdez, yet far more densely packed, many narrow alleyways forming the 'streets' of this town, so neatly gridlocked.
>I cannot sense any notable soul, and the town's structure is irregular enough I cannot get a feel for what are the notable buildings.
..Dang, me neither. Not a place I want to be eight hundred feet above and falling, not knowing WHERE to fall.

>>243879
OH MAN I COULD GROW SOME SORT OF BONE EXOSKLETON ALL CRAB STYLE, MORE MAGIC REGENERATION AND AN AWESOME ARMOR SET
>>243906
OH SHIT I CAN MAKE MOST OF MY BODY INTO A BLADE WHAT IF I JUST MADE MY WHOLE BODY INTO A BLADE KEDDIC IS A TOTALLY AWESOME BRO HE COULD-
<STOP HAVING IDEAS AT TERMINAL VELOCITY!!





What should I do?
Should I try to ablate my descent speed, and land a bit less forcefully?
Or should I stick to my earlier entrances, and enter WITH A BANG? If so, I'm not fully certain I could land without hitting at least one wall, so dense is my prospective set of targets.
And how should I try looking for Desperaspardos The Creeper, given that he is supposed to lurk in this town, yet not rule it?
THINKING MEATS, DO YOUR THING!!
>>
No. 243914 ID: ab04d4

>>243911
...Okay, you're a troll aren't you?

Using a color to represent mysteriousness? Really? Green has absolutely nil to do with any of these people. Neither are either of these people primarily mysterious.

You're interpreting my drawing the way you want it. I'm not trying to draw what you want me to draw, and if you don't like it based on the core concept I'm sure you can draw something better so that I can learn from you.

And now back to our scheduled showdown.
>>
No. 243918 ID: e31d52

Well, you could just... grow another head. Dunno where you'd put it though.
>>
No. 243921 ID: 445c48

>>243918
Probably not a good idea, really.

See if Nindy can pick you up before you hit the ground, because it probably wouldn't be good to, say, crash into someone's living room.
>>
No. 243922 ID: d3dfb8

About the fight, he uses magic to make himself less noticeable, which shouldn't be too much of a problem considering how much brain power you have. You can scan an area much more thoroughly and quickly than a normal person. However we know that possibility cells are useful for piercing magic so try lining your eyes with possibility cells, see if you can improve your eyesight.
>>
No. 243923 ID: d3dfb8

>>243921
We can maneuver midair using the scarf.
>>
No. 243938 ID: 445c48

>>243923
Well, yes, but I mean get on Nindy again, find the guy, climb to height, THEN jump off and land on him.

Or hell, just land softly as you can. We can do a horizontal dynamic entry.
>>
No. 243939 ID: cfa178

More paper thin bone fans.

Glide down like a boss.

CALL OUT THE CREEPER!


(get started on the bone brains)

>>243914
The only reason I could think of to add green would be to show soul magic and/or powerful magic being involved.

I think this pic is badass by itself though.
>+1 thumbs up
Would love to see a finished version someday.
>>
No. 243940 ID: d3dfb8

MANEUVER TO JUST OUTSIDE THE TOWN, HIT THE GROUND LIKE THE FIST OF THE FUCKING NORTH STAR. TIDAL WAVE OF SAND, MINOR ANNOYANCE, NOTHING THE TOWNSFOLK CAN'T CLEAN UP. DRAW HIM OUT WITH AWESOMENESS.

Also he's using his illusion magic to hide himself from our senses.
>>
No. 244014 ID: a76809
File 128719658172.jpg - (206.57KB , 531x900 , Desperaspardos The Creeper.jpg )
244014

>>243922
[No, White Blood has intrinsic Order magic piercing abilities and detection capabilities, with potential immunal rebellion as a recoil. That is separate from Possibility Cells, which are excessively flexible Chaos, with a recoil of being raw Chaos fueled cancer when not precisely controlled. The two DO NOT mix together that well.]

>>243923
[You are still inside a paper-thin bone cocoon for maxing magical regeneration, scarf cannot be flared with bone in the way.]

>>243939
I unfold bone fans and layers, a skeletal shell peeling back as I maximize my wind resistance, descent rapidly decelerating as my drop becomes a glide. At three hundred feet, I take another, fairly focused attention to the world around me-the wood is something of an issue, of all the cramped buildings, but still I feel confident my new sensory data, as I take a very direct approach.

"DESPERASPARDOS THE CREEPER, HERE COMES BANG MAGNUM!!"
>Why would-"
Did you sense a flair of soul over yonder by that abandoned, dilapidated building?
>I, yes, wh-
I felt an irregularity in someone's current flow, a spike of potency over there. We got him, just like that. Which reminds me.
I begin building an electrical charge in my body already, electroreceptors giving me tremendous sensory information, further means by which to know myself. I swivel and swoop, now angled straight towards the building. I weaken the twin connections that all the bone fans hinge on, readying myself to rip free as the wall hurtles ever closer. I work to insulate and preserve the ever-building charge in my body even as I ground myself while crashing through the wall, salvaging most of my power as I keep the current manually circulating, bone fans ripping free of my back as I see my foe. He wears enormously puffed and frilled velvet vestments, looking quite the noble judging by attire. Yet the eye seems to somehow reject this, the lank, lean form its draped on a twitchy, nearly inhuman shamble, pausing in the act of reaching for its Mask, but rather than a cloth wrap his is leather, face only, and brilliant white.

It is at this point I note the exceedingly sharp knife the Creeper has-

Which does nothing to change the fact I caught him flat footed, and the moment I land, I consider how to best use this opportunity.
>Please do remember you are holding a Mask in your right hand still. ...And that we are fighting an Old Mask.
Thoughts of ominous, partly understood powers flit into my mind, vague hearsay-yet I feel Nagging Wife firmly believes it, even if I have never heard the term. ....




What should I say or do?
>>
No. 244015 ID: d3dfb8

... Can you tuck it into your shirt or something?
Also punch him. Right in the face.
>>
No. 244017 ID: 445c48

Tie your scarf around the mask or something.
>>
No. 244018 ID: cfa178

Put second mask on
Nagging wife, takes it's power
becomes one mask

^Try that, ask first, it really is taboo to wear TWO masks after all, if she can't merge them then just don't.

Time for a change of pace.
This tightly packed area does not fit your fighting style.
Not if you want to stay true to healing anyway.

"it is a pleasure to meet an Old mask, esteemed veteran.... is what I would say if you had not dirtied the name of The Masked warrior with your treachery, Fell Mask Desperaspardos.
I challenge you to a duel a duel for masks, a duel of HONOUR!

If you have any spine left in that warped body of yours, meet me on the outskirts, we shall fight there."

*BOOM* (jump off)

or walk, walking is fine too, keeps him guessing as to the full extent of your abilities; just watch out for surprise attacks.
>>
No. 244019 ID: cfa178

Damn, that speech sounded much longer in my head.... and better.

Ah well, you can fix that.
>>
No. 244031 ID: 1854db

Stuff that mask rudely into your pants.

As for this guy, bang blade him asap. All blades, all the time. That's the way to go here. If you can, preemptively keep him from putting on the mask.
>>
No. 244035 ID: a69afd

>>244014
I say we end this before it can begin, this... this thing that stands before you is not a person you can have an honest duel and test of strength with. This is a tortured and meager existance, the price of greed paid with ones own body to achieve power that most warriors will never touch. Desperaspardos has sacrificed his humanity to become the thing you see before you, kill it and be on your way.

MAGNUM THUNDERCLAP + DYNAMO BANG BLADES = BIG BANG LIGHTNING CLASH
>>
No. 244049 ID: e31d52

"You will die as you have lived. In obscurity!"

KILL HIM AS FAST AND HARD AS POSSIBLE.
>>
No. 244052 ID: 9e5b05

Punch in him the face, WITH A FACE! MAGNUM MASK PUNCH!

Annnyway, how is the brain-meat-bones idea coming along?

And...Bang...have you ever seen a Mantis Shrimp? You know how their eyes work? Go for that. Have super eyes. And know Pistol Shrimp? Yeah...PUNCH NUKES! Oh, oh...Damn it, this'll drain you, so just make this a proper ass-whoop. GRAPPLE!
>>
No. 244055 ID: 3e56f0
File 128720525365.jpg - (941.79KB , 2000x2753 , Ugrokk Arm Ideas 3.jpg )
244055

On the subject of the runes on Bang's skeleton, what percent, of Figment's skill with SoulDreaming, would Jojo and Ulzrick working together comprise? On a related train of thought, when Arkus is finished putting runes all over Keddic's available skeleton, could Jojo and Ulzrick make it so that Keddic always had the runes on his bone, or that particular quality of Bang's runes was not made with SoulDreaming? On the thought of improving Keddic, could Keddic merge/combine blood cells with other cells that make up his body, to further impart the qualities of blood onto the rest of his body? I want to have Keddic able to consider the entirety of his body as blood, for his purposes, and thus, obtain some degree of Bang's comprehensive body mastery (as reflected through Keddic's own specialization).

This is just complete tangents: since Mordre has seen much of the runes upon Dulu's current form, has he seen the runes that govern Dulu's ability to eat magic and convert it into morphic steel? If he has, then can he pass them on to Arkus and the Premen runecrafters, so they can replicate it onto pieces of metal they want to have more of? This is so that, if the mine is starting to run out of metal (and they reached a limit on how much they can get out of the Deep Spawn with trading tech/people/openings), the Premen can still get more bronze, and for Arkus to be able to get more morphic fluid/steel/whatever shiny metal he needs. Also, that kinda of would take care of Mordre's metal needs: if he needs his daily five pounds of metal, he could just teleport to Arkus/Mordreden, and ask for the mage(s) to work up lots of general magical energy and then inject that into a piece of rune-inscribed metal, and then that piece of metal will grow, and then Mordre can cut/Magnetomance/something off his pounds.

And here is another fanart for Ugrokk's arm, with a focus on axes this time.
>>
No. 244057 ID: 9e5b05

>>243879
This is awesome, even if it doesn't really look to 'crabby', Badass however.

>>243906
This? This is...fucking amazing. Keddic is the Master of Order and the White Lion, Bang is the Manic of Chaos and the Beast Warrior.

When they fight the God of Blades...they will perfect this, and destroy him in one fell swoop.
>>
No. 244072 ID: a69afd

>>244014
So what differentiates an old mask from all the rest, besides the obvious implication of higher age equalling higher power? Who else has an old mask that nagging wife has seen or heard of?
>>
No. 244078 ID: f4e4f9

Oh my god.

My GOD. Bang really is becoming Alex Mercer.

FUCK YEAH.
>>
No. 244080 ID: f4e4f9

>>244055
Jojo has difficulty maintaining anything from the Dream for extended amounts of time.

Figment on the other hand, apparently can manifest things from the dream that sustain their own existence.

My guess would be "a relatively small percent."

Regarding the Morphic Steel/Metal generation, as I understand it that wouldn't work. Dulu's magic eating fuels growth of his metal body, but its only temporary. Its not an infinite metal-generator.
>>
No. 244081 ID: f4e4f9

Regarding what to do about Desperaspardos:

Before he puts the mask on, quick: MAGNUM THUNDERCLAP (clap hands together, form shockwave). He can't dodge that stuff, and it may disorient him enough that we can snatch his mask away.

We need to conserve as much power as possible, and finish this fight quickly. WE GOT TWO MORE TO BRING DOWN.
>>
No. 244085 ID: f4e4f9

And for gods sake, don't punch him. Nagging Wife already established thats useless against his brand of defense.
>>
No. 244086 ID: adba1e

Put on the mask you took from Hippo over the the other mask?
Fuse them together to make it some kind of double mask?

Heh, that might bring in a second voice in our head.... by the end of this venture we'll have a whole committee in our head.
>>
No. 244089 ID: adba1e

Also, I wanted Bang to talk about Mordre.
His opinion, what he thinks of the recent events, etc
>>
No. 244110 ID: 3c6bac

So if he's got an old mask does that mean Bang has a young teenage mask?

Regarding The Creeper, so far we know he uses subtle illusions and impacts can't hurt his rubbery body. Spread your electrosense far and wide! Use it to avoid any illusions that involve normal, human senses. If what's in front of us is really the right guy then punch him using your full and new electrodynamic might! If you get it right then he might expect to bounce off like a rubber ball, but he'll literally get the biggest shock of his life! See if you can send out a Bang Blade to disarm him as well. A Masked Warrior wouldn't have a knife ready unless it does something very, very lethal.

Regarding pistol shrimp ideas - perhaps you could fuse and slightly alter the shape of your hand... Make it so that when you clench the hand to form a fist it is done with such force and in such a way that it creates a sound and pressure wave. If you do this with every punch then you might stun your foes and accelerate your punch using that jet of displaced air. Best of all your fists will literally go BANG! BANG! You can ALSO make jokes about the sound of one hand clapping.
>>
No. 244182 ID: f67dcd

You should wait for him to get his mask on, it's an honour thing.

If you seek to win by any means necessary, even forsaking the honour of the mask, then you are just like them, nay, even worse.
>>
No. 244185 ID: 9e5b05

>>244182
Oh! Yeah, if he doesn't have his Mask on, this. -Then- MAGNUM MASK PUNCH!
>>
No. 244186 ID: 46c430

Hey, Nagging Wife said she could block all outside influences on our mind, right? Maybe she should put that back up, just in case he tries messing with our head, huh?
>>
No. 244187 ID: adba1e

A rubbery dude, eh?
Well, Bang, transform your fingers into needles and shoot your arm with extended fingers doing piercing attack.
You can also make your fingers into atom-thin claws (or mini chainsaws) and slash him with those.
Or you could extend your knuckles and make them into very sharp spikes.


Oh, and make sure that each attack does also cancer damage even if it's minor.
>>244182
>>244185

Nope. I'm for ending this as quickly as possible.
>>
No. 244195 ID: f67dcd

Well it is true that you have caught him without his mask on, which I would expect that means he does not get the power boost and stuff

I still want to wait though. Bang is the kind of guy to fight someone at their full power anyway (I think)
>>
No. 244200 ID: 9e5b05

>>244187
Rudo! Only a Fell Mask would dare to attack a foe unmasked! FOUL RUDO, FACE JUSTICE!
>>
No. 244203 ID: a76809

>>244055
[ +2 GIANTFanart Ugrokk ArmUnspent Fanarts: 09/10 For Gialgorra Limb Magnum Opus]

ELSEWHERE

The night drags on, and Gialgorra's Manse hums and whirs, gears, cogs, pistons and wires all crackling as they are put into use, Gialgorra and two of his daughters laboring over the Thundering Heart, dozens of automata acting as additional pairs of hands in their endeavors. Wires are connected, coils sautered, capsules sealed as the electrical pressure engine begins to take shape. Eschewing his normal propensity to ruminate, Gialgorra focuses on the interplay of vacuum and current, as he makes fiendishly scribbled notes on how to augment the Electrolaser components he plans to build into the forearm, while the paired daughters bounce ideas betwixt themselves at breakneck speed. It is at this point that Sofiazza returns from what she claims was naught but a nap, and gets to tinkering with the planned collapsible axe, sketching out designs for fractal saw-teeth with substantial bracing and self-sharpening metal formatting, all while insuring proper heat and electrical conductivity is preserved. The Whispering Grasp still not even assembled for Ugrokk's next fitting visit, yet nevertheless growing as a weapon and limb alike.

>>244182
>>244072
Nagging Wife, you said before this guy was lurking in this town, rather than ruling it. Mind explaining that, and maybe why he's in an abandoned house?
>My prior owner considered him psychopathic, a killer of some renown who was enlisted to encourage fear of the God Masks.
What, so this guy isn't a proper Fell Mask?
>Difficult to say. He wears an Old Mask, the predecessors of the current cloth versions seen in Despardos. Comperative to current Masks like myself, Old Masks function under entirely different rules... but are far more forceful, more 'weaponized]. It is uncommon to find them in the hands of one able to avoid falling to the Mask's dominion. You recall my question when we met of whether you were worthy?
Yeah, that electrical tango you did with my synapses was interesting, if negligible.
>I'LL HAVE YOU KNOW I- ...The important thing is that Old Masks cannot stop doing that, that is the mechanism by which they interface with their hosts. The problem is that the brain can only take so much strain before cells start dying, memories being lost or corrupted. Old Masks are more potent, this I cannot deny, but they go through hapless wearer's with incredible speed as they burn out.
Huh. Why didn't I know about this? I did do a fair bit of research on Masks before I left on my decade long journey... even if most of that is proving useless, now that I am actually wearing one.
>Both the Masked Warriors and the Fell Masks do not like disseminating this information. The Warriors because they do not want to see the unwary fall before the insidious might of the Old Masks, and the Fell do not share because they wish to keep this type of weapon as readily available as possible, and having every would-be Mask wearer hunting them insures that every Fell Old Mask stays worn.
Huh. Bit of a dick move.
>I could not comment
Well anyway, there goes my impetus to be all honourable and stuff. This guy's electrical signals are a mess, largely localized around that mask, there are no spectators here, and I already announced myself when I was gliding over here....
Yeah, surgical strike it is. Decision made in: 0.01 seconds. Fuck yes processing speed, and thank you adrenaline.

>>244086
Hm, Mask in hand, Mask on face.... maybe I could put the other Mask on-
>ABSOLUTELY NOT! Even compared to your abominable idea to use skinned faces to host multiple Masks, this one is atrocious! Masks are not supposed to be worn like LAYERS OF CLOTHING![/i]
Can you give me a reason I should actually listen to that?
>Try it and I won't do a single thing to help you!
Ohfine. I guess that leaves the skin/Mask combo idea, if multi-layering is out.
>Good, so-WAITIDIDN'TSAY-
Ah, you said 'Good', I'm sticking with your first response!

>>244081

"MAGNUM THUNDERCLAP!!"
I slap my hands together with every bit of speed I can muster, palms flattening to pancakes with the riotous impact as a phonic shock-wave lashes out. The wave washes over my foe-yet while I see blood start to drip from his ears, he shows no indication it caused him discomfort-and what I can see of his eyes shows them dead and glassy, completely unchanged from a second ago.
>That would be because of the Old Mask's control. I would question if the name attributed to this member belongs to the host body, or the Old Mask..
Hm. Okay, well, options exist. They're messy, gory, and likely tumor-ridden options, but still.

>>244031
>>244035
I stuff San Bruno's Mask down my pants-
>How disgu-
It'll stay secure, and I really don't see how that is worse than TUMORTIME! Anyway, I lash out with both arms, a closing pincer maneuver to follow my thunderclap, vibrating teeth of bone lining both arms as they lash out towards my haughtily dressed foe. About midway to closing my arms about him, Desperaspardos flickers out of sight, even as his electrical signal remains in place.
>I would note I can no longer sense his soul.
Interesting.

"DYNAMO GUILLOTINE!!"

What is even more interesting is the fact that my right arm begins to be perforated at high speed, the dimensions of the incisions rather precisely matching the knife I saw my foe clutching-too bad for him I'm a Curatiomancer. The wounds close as the offending bit of metal leaves my flesh, costing me naught but twenty thousand more instances of magic, hardly anything at all to deal with what feels like a purely mundane attack. My foe flickers back into conventional visibility as the rending bone teeth of my arm make contact, his body already jerking from electrical charge hopping to his body through the wonderful conductor that is his knife. Seriously, aquatic life has some crazy tricks up their sleeves. My left arm chews a gory path through my foe's right, but his left arm raises swiftly enough the knife, backed by far more anchoring than I would have expected, cleaves clean through my right arm, taking it off halfway down the wrist. Arms fly away from both of us simultaneously, as my foe's face remains deadpan, and his gaze shifts to look directly at my skull, particularly my eye sockets..... yeesh, another one looking to go straight for the brain.

Desperaspardos, blood flying from his severed arm, dashes forward with considerable speed, his remaining arm lashing out like a spear, dagger aiming straight for my right eye as he dashes closer, his blank leather Mask looming as he nears. I watch my right hand and part of my forearm bouncing off the ground, already devolving into masses of tumors as its Possibility Cell infused state loses control and becomes Chaos unchecked.

>>244089
[Wait until not being actively attacked to ruminate about allies please.]

>>244052
>>244119
Oh right, there were those wee little shrimp that made shock-waves from pressure manipulation, that could be an awesome thing to copy-
>Please stop trying to modify yourself mid-fight so much.
Oh, and if I followed through on the brains in my bones idea, I could up my processing power, could I not? Oh-ho-ho...
>THERE IS A KNIFE HURTLING STRAIGHT TOWARDS YOUR EYE, PLEASE FOCUS ON THIS!
Geeze, where's your sense of adventure? Also if that's an Old Mask, does that make you a teenage Mask?
>Huh?
Some nubile, fresh young face, spreading your stuff all over people's faces-
>You are disgusting!
This has GOT to be a step up from TUMORS EVERYWHERE, why are you complaining?
As Nagging Wife grows momentarily silent, I consider a couple things:

-My foe is wearing his Old Mask... but I never saw him put it on, and that bothers me.
-My foe doesn't seem to feel pain at all.
-My right arm feels strange, a bit tingly if I had to describe it.




What should I say or do?
Should I regrow my arm right now, or wait until I've dealt with the Creeper's attack?
Or should I do something really crazy to get the ball rolling?
And do I want to try talking to this guy, or just keep up the pressure?
>>
No. 244206 ID: e31d52

a poisoned blade! Quickly, quarentine the area he cut, before it attacks you from within. If you can, ejectit from your body at him, or store it in a sac of skin for later examination: If a curatiomancer like you didn't notice it, wow!

Anyway! Just hew him apart. Even if it's the mask controlling him, then if there's nothing to attack with, you've won. Howevcer, I roccomend against wearing this one. If you can, destroy it.
>>
No. 244207 ID: f67dcd

Here we go,
Lean back to dodge attack (and I mean far back), kick up with elongated chainsaw legs, aim for his other arm.

Purge exposed cells from your right arm at the stump, get his magic out of you.
He is doing something, and I don't want it to start up.
In fact, purge the old cells from wherever he hit you and split/cure new ones.


In any case, back to the attack plan.
Keep leaning back and plant hands on the ground,

Break-dancing elongated supercharged cancerous chainsaw legs attack

Hooo haaaa
>>
No. 244216 ID: 973180

Maybe we have to attack the mask itself?!
>>
No. 244219 ID: a76809

>>244206
>>244207
>Bang, the
I know, already purging afflicted tissue. Sneaky bastard has a magically inclined nerve poison gimmick to the knife, too dense to fight directly. A few gobbets of flesh drop from my wounded arm where I was struck, as I regrow the missing parts of the arm in totality, grasping the leather wrappings from the prior hand before withdrawing it towards me. Whilst I do this, the Creeper advances to within a foot of me.
>He's going for your brain through the left eye socket!
Which is why I halt my arm's retraction, using the abrupt transfer of kinetic enegry to rapidly set my torso swaying back, the knife passing inches above my face. My arm finishes returning to me as my sway becomes a roll, both hands going to the ground as my legs rise in concert around the thrusting arm. Sharply bent at the knees, I convert legs to organic saws, paired loops chewing into my foe's torso, shredding cloth and skin alike, as I provide a cancerous injection paired with a stunning shock. Again the shock is shrugged off, but as flesh flies and tumors spread-
>You are being afflicted as well, the rapid Possibility Cell use-
Again, I know, increasing cancer rate, now why is that happening? Instead of having cascading waves of spreading tumors from the paired rents I tear, the tumors immediately stop growing the moment they sprout, dying instants after being set loose. I devote a considerable amount of deliberation to this topic as I hurl myself even closer to my foe to avoid the now downward thrusting knife, looped ribbons of bony chain saws now beginning to tightly revolve around my lower body, my hands beating a staccato rhythm against the ground as I whirl forward.

"DYNAMO EVERSAW!!!"

I impart blasting waves of internally generated electrical current as fiercely vibrating bone teeth continue to fire injections of wild Possibility, Chaotic cancer following my every rip and slice-

But muscles move despite the electrical attack, cancer halts in its rampant growth the moment it takes root, and the fiendishly swift Creeper shows uncanny flexibility as he coils up, face mere feet away from mine despite his feet still being planted on the ground... and me spinning-
>He's coiling around you!
Little creepy, but sounds interesting!

The knife that rockets towards my eye even as I move to lower my spinning saw-legs onto the body wrapped about me, one-armed and rather severely wounded, glints with a strange glow.
DAMN, he's fast.





What should I do?
What's my plan for battling swift slicer here, considering how ridiculously close range the fight has gotten.
>>
No. 244228 ID: f67dcd

THE NEW PLAN IS THE OLD PLAN!

PUNCH HIM (and kick him) TILL HE DIES!
(but with knuckle/knee/anywhere else spikes)

Yea, this guy is doing what wify there said and is letting NOTHING in.
I am sure with dedicated attack, either the electricity or the tumors could do something(not both, one or the other), but it would cost too much for a small gain.

Try and tone down of possibility cell use for now. If you had more experience in blood magic, I would say use white blood cells to help keep them in check.


Hmmmm. Detailed plan of action time.
Let's keep the dance going and rise up on one arm, to raise your head above his strike.
Then flip off the arm( to stop him from bisecting it) and use the flip to slam your legs into him (I am in two minds where or not to keep the Bang saw going, ah well, use your judgment).

If you miss the kick:
Drop down to one knee and spin with one lg extended outward in front of you, in the opposite direction to your spin before, chainsaw.

If you get the kick:
RIP AND TEAR!

If NONE of this happens, gain some distance and then move in again with a close quarters spiked fisticuffs attack style.

Whatever you do
PROTECT THAT FACE!


[Hey Bang, do you think you could grow a spike out of your skull and make it hit him before he hit's you? If so then do that.]
>>
No. 244230 ID: 973180

Are we still not sensing his soul? It was said that he uses a subtle illusion ... would suck if we are fighting a fake right now.

Hmm... an idea: if he's aiming at our brain, could we lift our blood toga in front of the blade so that this guy pierces his own brain.

When we get a chance make some predictions on how successfully you could lethally attack him (preferable killing his brain) if it seems the chances are high, go for it, if not try sever his second hand so that his blade does not put us in danger anymore.
We could also try to sever his legs to reduce his mobility.

Oh, ask nagging wife how she thinks we need to deal with this guy. Some advice (even if we neglect it) wouldn't hurt.

>Again, I know, increasing cancer rate, now why is that happening? Instead of having cascading waves of spreading tumors from the paired rents I tear, the tumors immediately stop growing the moment they sprout, dying instants after being set loose. I devote a considerable amount of deliberation to this topic

Hmm... try to see if you and wife can sense any other presences in this building or near it. Maybe this body is not even real. Something a kin to a porcelain doll and the use of subtle illusion makes it seem as if its real (it has blood and stuff...). Maybe creeper is some kind of puppet master. Bang did note that he didn't see him put on the mask, maybe the real one changed places with a fake???? Dunno, seems improbable.

The other thing why the cancer doesn't work might be because the Creepers technical (magic, soul?) is ORDER based... probably VERY strong order. You did say that Chaos and Order do not work well together, I reckon that which ever side is more stronger/refined will prevail and repel attack from other side. Could also explain why he can ignore pain and does not show emotion.... that's the very core of extremely hyperbolic idea of order.


Dodge the blade as good as you can. Try to take off his arm and/or legs while you are at it.
>>
No. 244241 ID: 973180

Why can't masks be multi-layered anyway?
What will happen?


That guy can't be THAT fast that he literally flickers out of our perception, we are using ADRENALINE ALL DAY EVERY DAY, everything should be super slow-motion to us. I really suspect some kind of shenanigans...
>>
No. 244257 ID: 903f16

>>244219
Poor guy, it looks like this mask has burned him out. He's just a husk now, a marionette dancing to the masks tune. And I don't mean that figuratively, it seems like he has no control of his body anymore. His walk doesn't look natural, his eyes are dead, hell his body doesn't respond naturally to shock or pain. I think the only way we can kill him is either through massive trauma or removing the mask from the equation.

Either way you go you'll need to get that knife out of the way. Try to duck away from it and then saw this guy off of you with the Bang Blades that you can sprout from your arms. Getting distance from this guy is a good thing, really close fights like this are probably his specialty.

After this trip to the Arcanoworks is over I'm thinking we may want to have Bang train in Blood Magic with the Premen shamans. He isn't that great with the fuel type and Blood Magic is kind of their shamans' thing. Mignsk in particular would be a good teacher as his fighting style involved altering his body composition and making himself stronger or more flexible.
>>
No. 244262 ID: f67dcd

Silly me.

The illusion has already begun.

Back when he hit you.
Before, mask off, after mask on.

The reason why your arm felt tingly was not due to poison, it was because IT HURT and you were so deep in the illusion that only a little of the pain got to you.

My guess is that you are probably twitching on the floor, fighting yourself.
If he kills you in the illusion, your mind will take it as real and you will become brain dead.

It i svery likely that the reason that you are not TRULY dead already (cause he could just have stabbed you when you got in the illusion) is due to your RADICAL processing speed. All that you are seeing is being process in a fraction of a second,which is the acceptable visual processing time that your brain is used to.

I am surprised that Wifey got caught too though, old masks are better I guess.


In any case, snap out of it.
Bite your tounge,
Realize it's an illusion and break it
Control the matrix
There is no spoon
Stop the flow of your magic
Close your eyes
Think of something that your don't normally think of

I have no idea how you would break this.
Ask Nagging Wife or use your VAST experience.
>>
No. 244263 ID: 1854db

Seems like this Old Mask is able to evolve its defensive magics to neutralize our electrical/cancerous attacks. Let's abandon those and just go with regular ol' sawblades.

You know, we should probably GRAPPLE this guy. Grab his limbs. Then press ourselves against him and cut cut cut.

As for the eye attack... perhaps we can use the built-up momentum of our legs to shift our body around.
>>
No. 244322 ID: a76809

>>244241
>I feel your thoughts questioning why I refuse you wearing another Mask. I counter by questioning why you think it would be a good idea. You wouldn't get doubled benefits from the Masks, and since both Masks would be vying for the same neural pathways to influence or otherwise augment your magic, you would LOSE in terms of total boost experienced. There is a reason it is a common taboo to wear multiple Masks, and not all of it is cultural. There are grounding utilitarian reasons to go with it.
...I note my plan to do the skin/Mask combo thing with the trophy Abaeloth tossed us still sounds like it would work just fine, thanks for the advice!
>That's not wha-
Anyway, back to the fight!

>>244230
>>244262
...Hm.
>You think this an illusion?
Well, after I got stabbed, I didn't see him putting his Mask on. Every other bit of movement has been clearly visible to me, so why would I miss that part? And that happened right around when he first stabbed my arm. It may be that the poison I expunged was only a secondary attack, the primary focus being grounded in the obfuscation of perception. Would also explain why my attacks are not really doing much, despite him not being a particularly strong or durable foe.
>....We are in a Masquerade, then.
Do you feel like explaining what the hell you mean?
>The greatest trick of Old Masks is the Masquerade. As you are no doubt aware, all Masks are built to function around theatrical actions-
Yeah I know get to the Masquerade bit.
>Old Masks can pull foes into a false reality, transposing sensory information for supplied false data. They trap afflicted foes inside their own minds. It is a trick exclusive to Old Masks, and one I am powerless to prevent.... that does not mean we are without options.
My undivided attention, you have it.
>Because it was previously able to tell you his location even when his soul vanished from my view, I suspect your electricity sensing capabilities are unaffected by the Masquerade.
Right-hew, he's standing about five feet to my left, which would-
>Make that which assails you a fabrication, nothing more. If you push your sensory processing high enough, it will become more difficult to sustain the illusion.
Can do!

Sounds, smells, colors, gradients, depth, texture, every facet of detail I can acquire is filtered, faster and faster, as I ever more precisely define the area around me-

There is a sensation akin to glass shattering that flutters across my every sense, even electroreception displaying crackling static-

And I find no-one ensnaring or encircling me, a throbbing headache accompanying a blur resolving into a one-armed but otherwise unharmed Creeper, knife glowing in his hands as glassy eyes writhe with palpable shadow. Without the throat moving, or chest rising, words begin to echo from the Old Mask.

>"...You are a strange find, Mortal. So many of your ilk's limitations removed in your flesh.... perhaps I shall make you my new bearer."

With alacrity even greater than what I saw in the illusion, Desperespardos lunges at my whilst I still spin upside-down, my body notably riddled with tumors that have yet to recede from prior Possibility Cell use. I note the Creeper how aims for my heart, naught but the leather vest in his way, the Blood toga having slipped about my head and arms during my inverted state-
I also note his arm is notably extending towards me, elongating the same as my own limbs can, bringing that point to my iris faster than I was expecting. It is now less than four inches away and closing-
Getting a bit squeaky here, time to CHUG ADRENALINE!!
>On top of what you're already doing? That will-
It will give me the chance to make a response, to DO something. Its worth it!





What should I do, still upside down and spinning on hands and head, legs tightly spun Bang Blades, foe low and lunging close towards my heart, in a surge of enough adrenaline I'm stopping a heart attack every moment?
I love being me!
>>
No. 244327 ID: e31d52

Push up off the ground, spin in midair, kick his remaining arm off, land, turn, then guillotine cut off his head.

Some sort of dance oriented name i don't know.

Also, interesting idea. Belief = power.

So what if you believe in yourself to the point you replace that of a nation's worth?
>>
No. 244329 ID: 1854db

Spring your torso away by pushing your arms, swinging your legs down to chop off the offending limb.
>>
No. 244344 ID: 3c6bac

Well just get ready to TAKE IT. Try moving your vital parts out of the way and seal off the area he's going to hit in preparation. Then counterattack with an even more lethal blow from your Bang Blades and regrow any damage he's done.
>>
No. 244357 ID: f67dcd

>>244327
Breakdancing Bang?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_breakdance_moves

^sadly most of these do not sound epic enough.. to me anyway.

Something to do with Chainsaws and/or axes.
>>
No. 244450 ID: f67dcd

>He is coming in below your feet
>Chainsaw feet

Hech heh

EXTEND THE BONE SPIKES
DOWN
DOWN DOWN

NEEDLE CEILING!
>>
No. 244454 ID: f67dcd

>>244327
>So what if you believe in yourself to the point you replace that of a nation's worth?

Spiral energy.
>>
No. 244459 ID: a76809

>>244327
>>244357
>>244329
Muscles, sinews and bones all creaking, wood crumpling like tissue underneath my tremendous push as my body hurtles skyward amidst a shower of shattering floorboards, the Creeper's knife, still awash with a soft fell glow, just barely misses my face in passing, those dead eyes shrouded in shadow locked on mine. I crash through the ceiling and into the above floor, rolling back from the rough entry as I assess my surroundings, the jumbo boost of adrenaline already receding as the immediate danger passes.

There is a whisper as wood cleanly parts before me and a knife juts towards my jugular, the Creeper following behind as he refuses to let me go.

>"Where are you going, new Host-to-be?"

Again I sway back, this time vying to be a limbo champion as legs rocket up, my body whirling into a haphazard cyclone of limbs, striking out at the offending limb.

"BIG BANG CRITICAL WINDMILL!!"

Surging legs fly out and squarely catch my foe, his doll-like body violently thrown back to crash against several old stacked boxes, dozens of wooden shards now jutting from his back and neck-and clearly bothering him not at all as he immediately rises again, his head twisting side to side like a falcon observing prey.

>"Why have I not heard of you before, Masked Warrior? Why is one of your caliber unknown to me.... it irks, it bothers, I must know!"

>...The Old Mask has gone mad with age, it seems.... that is both good and bad. It is good because it won't have the precision of control it should.... it is bad because only the truly Old Masks go mad, ones so heavily steeped in the power of Belief to enrich their innate magics as to be a whole new existence. All I can say is that I believe it was most wise to avoid that blade, as it likely is the means by which a Masquerade is induced. ...I also would note that I can sense his soul properly now, and-
That's it, his electrical signals! Each time he has moved I felt the shift in his electrical field. Puppet body or not, muscles still need to contract and all-if I can get a brief forewarning like that, I could do a bit better at countering his brutal speed.

Desperaspardos' Old Mask continues to mutter to itself-
I feel a surge of electricity running down legs and along the remaining arm, shadowed eyes locked on my chest again, a spot just above my Blood toga. The Creeper is some fifteen feet away, and I am once more standing firmly on my feet.




What should I do?
>>
No. 244461 ID: 1854db

Manipulate your Blood Toga so that he strikes it. Allow him to stab it resulting in him stabbing himself, giving you an opening to cut off his arm.
>>
No. 244462 ID: d3dfb8

Have him hit the blood toga, turn his attack on itself.
>>
No. 244463 ID: e31d52

>enrich their innate magics as to be a whole new existence.

Hello, psuedo-anathema!

Wait until the very last moment, then ACTIVATE THE CHAINSAWS. WHILE STANDING ON THE GROUND.

Let the feet slide you forward, your body slide back. Then, use your feet to slide between his legs, and bring up the Bang Blade to slice the fucker in half!
>>
No. 244465 ID: f67dcd

You are faster, YOU ARE FASTER!

JUMP IN,
SUPAH PUNCH(with bone knuckles)
>>
No. 244467 ID: 9e5b05

Mmhm...idea: Let the arm come at you. Grab it, arm bar it, and punch him. If he's so old, use some classic moves! You're a Masked Warrior, start submission moves!
>>
No. 244468 ID: e31d52

>>244461
>>244462
Bang ain't passive agressive! He's AGGRESIVE. If it's the Toga or our flesh, sure, but otherwise, I'd rather do it with his power.
>>
No. 244471 ID: f67dcd

>>244465
Aim for the mask.

I want to save it for Mordre, but this thing might have to go down here.
>>
No. 244480 ID: ab04d4

>>244471
What could Mordre do with an Old Mask anyways? It's not like he could wear it, his skull horns would break it. And how would it interact with him anyways?

And I don't see any real use for the Mask on Mordre's part. Just destroy it and rid the world of such a parasitic thing.
>>
No. 244483 ID: f67dcd

>>244480
Eat it, get power
Turn it in to the Harmonious Discord, get favour
Give it to Lenryt, Get ?

There are tons of things we could do with it.
Wearing was not on my mind at all.
>>
No. 244488 ID: 9e5b05

>>244480
Of course, some fanart of Mordre as El Pozo de las Almas, El Golem caballo de regalo, El Mago Mordre would be...fucking amazing.

Anyway, let's not break the mask. We could use it! Bang's got amazing super powers, and it would look super-fly in that face-scarf.
>>
No. 244494 ID: e31d52

Okay, Bang, this is gonna sound fucking crazy, but...

Those needles you've been shooting staggered, why don't you fire them all at once?

Yer arm might asplode, but if you can get around that, think of the possibilities that could stem from it! Spinning at wild speeds, one blast with one arm, then the other, using the CRAZY SPEED to deliver a slicing kick you'll never forget!

The BIG BANG TRIPLE CUTTER!
>>
No. 244496 ID: e31d52

>And how would it interact with him anyways?

Silicon brain!
>>
No. 244499 ID: f67dcd

>>244496
Hey you!
Insanity is my racket.
>>
No. 244516 ID: a76809

>>244496
[Actually would allow Mordre to wear a Mask if done right.]

>>244461
>>244494
I leap forward, my upward bound putting the Blood toga in the way of the knife, as I warp my arms once more to Bangblades, filling them throughly with Possibility Cells ready to be fired. I swing my arms shut about the Creeper as his knife stabs into my toga right above my heart-

And the body of Desperaspardos trembles, as I roar triumphantly.

"BIG BANG CANNON CLEAVE!!"

Funny thing about the nematocysts copied from choral. They can fire at rather considerable speeds. Normally, because they're so small, that speed is negligible compared to the amount of mass that is affected.
>So-
So if I fire ALL OF THEM AT ONCE, I should solve the mass issue. To my reckoning, that are more than four times as swift as the speed of sound. Best part is the missiles expand once fired, owing to being magic Chaos-chance. ...Oh yes, I love Possiblity Cells.

My bone blades and spurs on my arms explode in recoil, unable to take the tremendous shock as billions of cells move at incredible speed, resultant bone shards shredding my flesh before I finish logging what just happened. The facts:

-I was accelerated with a pull of some forty gravities, just on the twin recoil. I must presume the Chaos inherent to the Possibility Cells is amplifying its actual kinetic signature, as ordinarily such a reaction from minute injections would be statistically negligible.
-I've pretty much lost use of my arms for at least two seconds, mostly muscle and skin flaps between hand and shoulder now-the recoil was magically enhanced too. Chaos magic, stuff always packs one major kick.
-I've advanced my erosion rate to cancer by very little, as with the choral-modified bone now an established pattern, it is only nominally more difficult than normally making my arms like that, so it has no additional strain to it. I am now only minorly afflicted, the last remnants of tumors subsiding as the seconds pass.
-My foe has been cut in half about as messily as is feasible. A head rolls on the ground, white Mask splattered with blood-and still calling out as the body it once topped, now naught but legs, twitches nearby.

"A scion of Chaos, a paragon of change, what a body to use! Wear me, boy, and become immortal! Wear me, and-"

I pick up the Old Mask, pull San Bruno's Mask from my pants, stuff the Old Mask inside San Bruno's and stuff the whole ensemble back into my pants, taking a moment to adjust them. ...Hm, a leather cup to protect what's important, not too shabby.
>WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING!?

I leap through the roof in a rush, the nigh sky clear and vibrant with the moons high and bright, and it takes me only a moment to line up the aerial electrical currents I feel with Nidhogg's location. She spotted my ascent, and is already on her way to me. I leap aboard without further fanfare, happy with my new protective brace.
>Seriously, what are you DOING!?
What, its comfortable, keeps them warm and snug, and I'm surrounding them with magic! That's got to be good for them right?
>...I can't talk with you right now.
Fine then. Hm... the path to the next challenge is a short one, less than an hour. ...I've expended about two fifths of my Scarf so far, between the three fights I've had yet. However, this new Cannon Cleave ability, if I should get a better handle on it, could be WILDLY useful. A massive recoil that could adjust my position, on ground or midair? And I can fire it from my bone saws, which lines opposed sides of arm and leg, so I can move quite flexibly with so many potential vectors. Then there was its actual effectiveness as an attack. I know the Creeper had some pretty solid defensive Combat magic, not the best but still pretty good. I mean, I only took his arm that first attack, that bespoke plenty durability. But this cancer broadside with microscopic bone cannons... ITS FUCKING AWESOME





What should I do with the time until I face Desmonte The Butcher in Lugerdios?
Should I make another thin bone shell, to optimize Scarf regeneration?
Or should I expend some magic to get a firmer grip on my new Cannon Cleave?
And once I get to Lugerdios, how should I approach a town controlled by a lieutenant of the God Masks?
>>
No. 244517 ID: 445c48

Think you should take a little breather. Get some more food and drink, have a leisurely meal with a thin bone shell, then start traveling, practicing the Cannon Cleave.
>>
No. 244518 ID: d3dfb8

>Should I make another thin bone shell, to optimize Scarf regeneration?
>Or should I expend some magic to get a firmer grip on my new Cannon Cleave?
BANG TAKES ALL OPTIONS BABY!
>>
No. 244519 ID: e31d52

>>244516
Not just a shell, but... and don't judge me, bro... a flower.

Yep, a flower of bone, layers upon layers upon layers. When the time comes, you can turn into a a very thick bone egg to be launched at something, then into a bone ARROW to peirce ANYTHING.

HELL, WHY NOT A BONE CAR

CHAINSAW TREADS FOR MOVEMENT AND A SLOT FOR SIGHT

WOOOOOO
>>
No. 244520 ID: 1854db

You definitely need to get some scarf regen bonus going. This next fight will be very damaging, plus you will need to make absolutely sure he does not asplode your head.

Hmm... actually for dodging his shockwaves it's MORE important to learn how to use this cannon cleave to alter your trajectory.
>>
No. 244521 ID: a76809

>>244518
[Cannon Cleave is violent enough that bone fans cannot stay whole and unbroken while it is being used.]
>>
No. 244522 ID: 9e5b05

>>244516
Ok, optimize regrowth first - of Chaos Cells and Scarf and Magic.
Second, start practicing/memorizing with the BLADECANNON FUCK YEAH
Third, Bone-brains. Find a way to make it work! We will be the best damn thinker ever!
Then go for Pistol Shrimp Fists and Mantis
Shrimp eyes! Someone who knows biology explain these!

Oh! Oh! Fucking idea, Bang! Crab Armor, right? BUT COVERED IN NEMATOCYSTS! Oh! Another one! Axolotls, right? Creepy animals that can grow into others, right? Well, also amazing-good at healing, and can even use other-limbs to heal. maybe if we steal that, we can auto-heal faster, and STEAL BODY PARTS TO KICKASS WITH!

OH! Yeah, one last idea! HAIR! Right, remember we were gonna try to kickass with hair, right? Cover yourself in punching follicles. How's that been going? Gotta go good, because BANG HAIR is the best!

Ahem...For more reasonable ideas, I suggest we interrogate the lieutenant. Possibly pull him into a nice Full Nelson and leap up onto our DRAGON, ahem, and beat some answers out of him. Other then that, he's suppose to be 'The Slaver', right? Then next town, look for the Slaved and free 'em. We're a Masked Warrior! Gotta do justice while kicking ass!
>>
No. 244524 ID: 9e5b05

>>244521
Bang Takes All Options. We think it out, and leave our arms open to practice while healing.
>>
No. 244525 ID: 56dc25

>>244519
Actually, this makes me wonder... perhaps Bang recalls the intricate structures of certain formations of coral, how they grow into elaborate patterns- which among their other features have a great deal of surface area. He could perhaps grow something emulating that sort of thing... and then, when time comes for combat, carefully detach himself from it so that he can have fun while leaving it undamaged. Importantly, this means that the regenerative aid which he creates could be far, far larger than his body.

Since the runes should remain on it even when he's gone, when he returns he can just hook right back up- healing himself into it- and gain the benefits of the ridiculous magic regeneration provided by an oversized bone sculpture, made of thousands of layers of ever-so-thin bone curled endlessly around themselves and intricately marked with runes like some mad work of abstract art.
>>
No. 244565 ID: a76809

>>244517
>>244518
>>244519
>>244534
I build myself a many-layered cocoon, a shell, a flower of bone about myself, open spaces about my arms as I try employing the Cannon Cleave, firing opposed sides of the same arm. My earlier use of the more riotous method of firing comes in hand, as I lose less tissue this time to explosive recoil. Some ten minutes later and a few dozen careful attempts to utilize its destructive force, I feel a bit more comfortable with it. Additionally, my bone flower has been improving my magical regen considerably. I continue its slow growth as I turn upside down in my pseudo-shell, legs becoming Bang Blades and likewise being put through the paces of my new ability. Another ten minutes pass, and I feel confident that leg or arm, I know the amounts of force I am dealing with, and will no longer break myself. I relegate myself to simply occupying my bone flower from here on, trying to recoup the energy losses of the considerable healing I had to do. Three fifths becomes four sevenths, even when I see Lugerdios looming beneath us. I shape my egg around myself as Nidhogg rolls me off, and I begin plummeting towards the ground from some eight miles up.

>>244522
Hm... I've been getting enough experience with working bone, and enough further trials with Possibility Cells that bone brains are becoming a more likely option to consider... oh, and there were some incredible shrimp I noted about the islands, some punching ones with the most fantastic eyes I have ever seen, and some with the craziest tricks they could pull with pressure... MAN, Possibility Cells are making that trip to The Wall the BEST IDEA EVER!
>Do you REALLY need to have ideas every time you drop?
Maybe the freefall sensation just jogs my mind, I don't know. So, Desmonte, any idea where he is?
>Actually yes, that casino right there, with the glowing sign, I feel his soul, it was quite distinct the few times my prior bearer encountered him, so I am quite confident I pinpointed him.
...Alright, casino it is. Hm, what to do with all this bone.... this time I re-absorb the bone mid-descent, reconverting mass to energy, refilling another seventh of my scarf, a full five sevenths of my total reserves available-

"BIG BANG KICK!!"

As I employ a textbook entrance, crashing through the ceiling of the den of gambling, customers turning to look at me, some wearing a vest or poncho with a barbed ring-but none of them flee, or panic at my arrival. Indeed, many turn back to their gambling, as my attention is drawn like a moth to the flame by a slow, ringing clap. I turn to follow it to its source, a leanly muscled man just past his prime lounging on a gilt-laden throne, likely twice my size, a giant without San Bruno's girth. He looks my way with a slack, disinterested expression. His mask, filled with swoops and swirls, looks like a highly stylized portrayal of a cloudy summer day, each cloud a different shade of sunset. Eyes lidded and piercing stare out from this colorful visage, the white backdrop to the clouds providing stark contrast even as it insures to me I have found the God Mask I sought. ...I note I can sense his electrical field as easily as I could the Creeper's.

>"Oh. Another challenger.... All alone?"

A rogue sparkle graces his eyes as casino works move with practiced precision, taking down bets from guests, all shouting different amounts of time they think I shall last.

>"So, does the Fresh Meat have a name?"





What should I say or do?
How do I handle his nonchalant reaction?
>>
No. 244567 ID: e31d52

Whip out the masks and introduce yourself!
>>
No. 244569 ID: a76809

[Also, as its past midnight now:]

[DAY 147: DAY 7 OF WEEK 3 OF MONTH 4:]
[Castiday of the Third Cycle of Praeclarum (Summer)]

>>
No. 244570 ID: 9e5b05

>>244565
"The Winner. Does the Looser have a name?"
>>
No. 244571 ID: 9e5b05

>>244569
CRAP! We need to hustle to beat our bet!
>>
No. 244574 ID: d3dfb8

'Damn, I knew I should have taken down the entire building.
I AM MAGNUM BANG THE HUMAN DYNAMO, ANNIHILATOR OF ARMIES, SMASHER OF SIEGES, CRACKER OF CASTLES, AND I'M GOING TO KILL YOU TO DEAD!'
>>
No. 244575 ID: 56dc25

>>244565
Pull the other two Masks out of your groin, and inform him that you've got three to bet on your own victory, and if he's so confident he'd best at least match your stakes.

Hey, at worst he makes fun of you and at best he actually whips out another two Masks. Possibly from random other challengers that he's killed.
>>
No. 244590 ID: 3e56f0

>>244571
Not really. We only have this dude, and the Enslaver left, which probably won't take more than a few hours at most; since Bob only mentioned that midnight has passed just now suggests that the time is just past midnight, and dawn doesn't come until sometime around 4:00 at the earliest (technically around 2, actually, but that is during the summer solstice far to the north/south [when there issunrise]), but really around 5-6 o'clock. Bang has plenty of time.
>>
No. 244601 ID: 1854db

Hmm. I wonder if his enslavement power requires the name of the target? Don't give him your true name or anything. Do throw a table at him.
>>
No. 244603 ID: 445c48

>>244601
We're not at The Enslaver yet, he's the next guy. This guy is a Gravimancer/Phonomancer.

So, do shout your name and titles, and nothing else. Don't show crotch-masks, and jump into the fray.
>>
No. 244669 ID: 370f77

Phonomancy, huh?
Is there anything you can do to protect your inner ear, maybe closing your ear canals or just regrowing them someplace safer? You're going to need your sense of balance totally unhindered for all the crazy capoeira moves you're about to bust out.
>>
No. 244692 ID: 973180

At least we have some expertise with phonomacy and graviomancy. Bang, utilize everything you've learned during the fight with Goran.


Hrmmm, I am still not happy we can't call upon Mordre so that he can take those souls. I mean, 2 hero souls with the knowledge of graviomancy.... that would have been so useful. Especially against Eisenhardt.

We should make some kind of soul-catcher devices and hand them over to our allies, they would gather some great souls during their individual journeys.

If we had Kyorto restored already, shit would have been possible. We could have even sent her with Bang so that she can stuff souls in her soul-bag or something.

Can we PLEASE make the next priority finding her suitable mage body? It shouldn't take long...
>>
No. 244776 ID: e31d52

>Kyorto
Now is not the time.
>>
No. 244804 ID: 973180

>>244776
>Now is not the time.

Then when is?
It keeps getting delayed .... or more like forgotten, like no one even cares.

Jeez, do you guys even want her restored? Ffs, it shouldn't take us even a few days to find a suitable body for her... Heck, just go north to Weishiros lands and capture on of those mages which were reported to be in hundreds if not thousands. Or send our Spawn with allies like Dulu and Keddic to kidnap one while we deal with other stuff.

And I didn't say right now, I said when we deal with the immideate task, which is dealing with Eisenhardts, which we delayed for who know what reason as neither Bang or Nidhogg or any other allies for that matter are going to help us in that fight. I honestly think we are wasting too much time on power-leveling our allies, WHO I might add are still considerate danger to our existence (there's no guarantee how they will react when they learn about our true nature). Maybe we should focus on improving ourself and only THEN improve our allies not vice-versa. Though I do not mind when we level up our Premen allies or Arkus since they are the only ones we can totally rely on if our secret gets out. this is also why it is important to free Kyorto as we'll have another ally who knows our nature.

So yeah, when do YOU think the right time seeing we could have dealt with it at ANY given time if we just focused on it.

Or maybe you guys don't even want her.
>>
No. 244835 ID: 90703d

>>244575
This.

and>>244570
This.


Also, prepare super legs.
>>
No. 244882 ID: a76809

>>244574
"Damn, I knew I should have taken down the entire building."
>"It would have given you entrance a bit more style, yes, though I'd wonder at how well the mass murder of innocent civilians in the building's collapse would go over."
>>244567
>>244570
>>244575
In response, I stuff my hand down my pants, dig around for a moment, and once I have a firm grip-
Pull out my double-Mask cup, pulling the Old Mask free of its shroud to display my prizes to Desmonte.
"You ask who I am? I'm Bang Magunm. I'm the winner. Does the loser have a name?"

The seven foot tall frame before me finally sits up in his chair, eyelids lifting from his droopy boredom as he appraises me more thoroughly, a smile growing on his face.
>"Hoho? Been having a bit of fun, then? I saw Toro three days ago, and Desperaspardos less than a week ago.... been pretty busy, haven't you?"
"Busier than you think, they died tonight, as did El Blank Magnifico."
>"Where-ah, you wear his Mask. ...But THREE God Masks in a single night? My, my, my, quite busy one. And now you've set your sights on me, is that it? Looking to add the Mask of Desmonte the Butcher to your collection?"
The pair or Masks get put back together and re-stuffed into my pants as I offer another attempt at ruffling my foe's feathers.
"Actually, I was looking to make a wager, as I assume this is YOUR casino."
A lazy, indulgent smile spreads far and wide beneath that ivory mask festooned with orange and purple clouds, and Desmonte heaves himself into a proper sitting position, as he props his chin in one hand.
>"A wager? Now that IS interesting. What are the stakes, how does the bet work?"
"Its simple. I bet the three Masks I have against three of yours. I have it on good faith that you've repelled your fair share of earlier challengers."
>Indeed I have, and I could quite easily cover the bet you offer-but why should I? You are here, and the Masks you have claimed are here. Why should I not just kill you outright and save myself some time?

Desmonte leans forward in his seat, and snaps his fingers at me, a rippling, purple-hued distortion in the air fluttering my way.

>>244835
My legs already morphed into Bang Blades but otherwise largely of normal length, I trigger the fronts of both legs as I aim them at Desmonte, their riotous blast sending my body hurtling through the air, whirling away from the bit of magic Desmonte pushed my way. While my back is turned, I hear a riot of rending wood and shattering stone behind me, my spinning form revealing to me a crater some eight feet across in the ground, the floorboards and stone underneath crushed and shattered to dust, the side of a card-table caught as well, now nothing more than warped metal embedded in the dusty pit. I see The Butcher smiling at me, still lounging on his thrown.

>"A rather interesting body you have there."

My feet land against the ceiling, and I crouch for that brief moment while my upward force ablates before gravity starts dominating me again. Hm....
>Those would be the Phonomantic and Gravimantic destruction shock-waves I spoke of. He crafts them directly on his flesh, and then lets them loose with a pre-determined eruption time. They also trigger when solid matter touches them. As you can see, it would be rather disastrous to be hit by one of those.
Yeah, I noticed.
I dig my fingers into the ceiling, perching in contemplation upside down.
So, anything else you know about him?
>He has a rather considerable amount of mana to his name, some of which must be due to having a magic battery similar to your scarf in purpose. If that item could be located and removed, he would have far less magic at his disposal.

The Butcher begins snapping his fingers in a staccato beat, dozens of gravity spheres wafting up towards my perch on the ceiling as I more closely inspect my foe. He wears:

-His Mask, a white base with yellow, orange, purple and pink clouds stylized and emblazoned all over its surface.
-dozens of heavy rings, some simple bands of metal, others topped with precious gems festooning his every joint of every finger.
-About his neck hangs no less than four heavy gold chains of varying styles, from bluntly simple to delicately complicated.
-His pants are covered in swoops and swirls of scarlet and silver, as flashy as clothes can be, and held up by a shimmering scarf that is either a deep ocher or a light orange.
-He wears snakeskin boots inscribed with runes, their pale alabaster surface spattered with dried blood.


The multitude of gravity bombs are drifting ever closer to my ceiling perch.




What should I say or do?
Which of the things Desmonte is wearing do I suspect to hold his supplemental mana reserves?
How should I go about fighting this foe?
>>
No. 244894 ID: 56dc25

>>244882
A pity that he wasn't willing to take our bet... but he let slip some important information! He's got more masks than the one that he's wearing, and they're here. No running off after this fight until they are found; leaving them here will only result in them getting handed off to some other Fell Mask in his organization when they come by to pick up the pieces after his destruction.

As far as removing items from him, I would recommend cutting off his hands and feet. That should take out all the rings, his boots, and his pants (that last through destruction). Removing limbs also has general combat benefits.

If he's using relatively slow-moving projectiles which only last so long before exploding, just keep moving. Make sure that they're going for somewhere you are not.
>>
No. 244896 ID: 1854db

Looks like his boots are the battery. Or at least, they do SOMETHING.

I don't think we can really get close to him though... unless... I wonder how MUCH solid matter triggers the bursts? Dodge this wave of attacks and start tossing spines his way. Don't be afraid to use tables to trigger the spheres too.

Hmm. Consider morphing some part of you into an ink squirting thing like squids have. It would be useful to blind him, or just to trigger the spheres prematurely.
>>
No. 244902 ID: 9338f5

wait a sec. were in a building full of innocent or at least partialy innocent people how much room do we have to fight? if he keeps throwing those blasts around he could easily hit one of the watchers
>>
No. 244919 ID: 445c48

Ask if you could take the fight outside the city. YOU probably don't want innocents too hurt, and HE probably won't want to replace a casino.

Try to remove his fingers and his legs. The only thing it probably isn't are the chains. The boots obviously do something, and the gems could act as batteries, and that scarf might do something.

And yeah, shoot a spine at him right when he fires one of those waves, so it activates near him.
>>
No. 244921 ID: 2c4e7a

Yeah, I think boots too. Though I am not sure how we'll go removing them.

Masks should give considerable power-boost to its wearer, right? ... So, what does Nagging Wife do for us? I'm not noticing much difference aside from constant blabber.


Splattering ink to his face is a good idea too.

Whatever you do, don't forget the cancer attacks. Maybe we could transform fingers into spikes, load them with cancer and shoot at him?
>>
No. 244928 ID: 9027ce

Actually I would guess that ALL of those pieces of apparel have some level of magic involved. The boots are made from skin and they are likely to involve blood magic seeing as they're so blood stained. Also if he uses his hands to craft his shockwaves then why would he cover them up with rings?

Knowing him as "The Butcher" his modus operandi might just be to make a mess of civilians before wading through the gore. By doing so he soaks up the blood using his boots and stores the mana in his clothes and necklaces before unleashing the power through gravimancy and phonomancy enchancing rings.

Try using surprise attacks. You can use your electrosense to accurately target him through walls, floors and ceilings. His mask can track your soul, but how quickly can it convey your position when you move at Bang speeds? Also see if you can set his clothes on fire using some booze or something.
>>
No. 244934 ID: ddd48d
File 128733677979.jpg - (189.62KB , 1243x1981 , IDAREYOU.jpg )
244934

Well it must be something he is wearing, the boots seem to be a popular choice.
>>244921
>not sure how we'll go removing them.
whatever IS giving him a boost can be negated easily by just chopping off limbs, be it the feet or hands, or even the head to make it quick. A burst of spines to disrupt the new attacks plus trying to damage him as we move to a new location seems good.
>>
No. 244940 ID: a76809

>>244894
>>244902
>>244919
>>244921
[Shooting bone spikes is currently beyond bang, until you give him some existing animal analogue to work off of.]
Several things occur to me whilst I am perched on the roof, upside down:

-Desmonte's gravity bombs move at a velocity around the order of one hundred fifty feet per second.
-The casino is mostly packed with non-Desmonte associated gamblers, citizens and non-combatants. They d not seem inclined to flee, so they could easily be caught in the crossfire.
-It seems Desmonte is required to snap his fingers to create those gravity bombs of his.
-The workings of Gravimancy and Phonomancy travel in a straight line once launched, so dodging them indoors will leave a whole mess of collateral damage in my wake.
-What little I know of runes suggests a combat orientation, direct Combat Magic in his footwear rather than a battery. ...That would leave that brilliant orange sash, and the manifold rings adorning his fingers as suspects... and his pants, I suppose.
-Based on the Combat Magic inclined runes on his boots, and blood likewise coating their surface, I must conclude Desmonte is quite capable in the realm of kicks. This may become relevant if he ever stands up from his iridescent throne.
-And what is Nagging Wife doing for me anyway?
>An apt summation of findin-WAIT WHAT!?
Really though, you're a Mask, famous national brand of magic artifact, where's the kickassery?
>So extending your Combat Curatiomancy into those three you saved in Ellucci was beneath your notice? As was the balancing of power draw from your scarf when you rebuilt your muscles? Or how about the Soul Sensing that led you to Desmonte? None of that is 'kickass'?
Don't get me wrong, its useful stuff, but I had heard of more DIRECT benefits from wearing a Mask, if you catch my meaning.

I have time to leap from the ceiling at a harsh angle as I dodge away from the impending gravity bombs, the sound of crushing wood lashing at my back as arms and legs alike are readied to use Cannon Cleave for midair maneuvering. I speak as I make a total of seven midair adjustments, a hail of gravity bombs bombarding the ceiling above me.

"I don't suppose we could take this outside? You don't want to lose a casino, I don't want to be distracted protecting civilians-"
>"Heh. Alright.... Bang, was it?"

The hail of attacks halts abruptly as his rapid finger-snaps conclude, and I bleed off enough velocity to land on the ground somewhat safely.

>"Then let's step outside. Dehefeh, open up the observer's booth on the second floor and roof, I imagine this will be an interesting one."

Without paying me any more mind, Desmonte vaults out of his chair with a spryness I only partly expected, a fluid, sinuous movement that sees him already halfway to the door when he finally takes a step. The patrons rush upstairs in droves, seeking a good vantage point for the coming brawl. Several pat me on the shoulder, wishing encouragement, but theirs is the wish of gamblers seeking profit, not civilians starved for freedom. ...Where is the suffering to be dispelled here?
>Just look outside.
It becomes clear when I look more closely at the town around the casino. While a massive, impressively cleaned building dazzling with light and cheer, the town around it looks hobbled, broken down, leeched by the brilliant parasite. It is the dirty, the ragged, the hungry I see looking my way from alleyways and ramshackle huts, it is them who look with hope and a plea for justice, for reprieve. The contrast between the richly apathetic gamblers and the viscerally hopeful populace is striking, and the hum of hundreds of electrical currents all about me tingles on my skin. Desmonte and I take up positions opposite one another in the middle of the main street, right before his casino, ten paces distance between us as the God Mask Lieutenant looks my way with that same lazy smirk.

>"So then, any last words you'd want on your grave?"

>>244934
[FANART BONUS]
It is now that I note the stitching patterns in Desmonte's sash to be very similar to those in my own scarf... Nagg-
>Yes, on analysis the two do share many compositional similarities, once you look past the color difference. I think you just found his magic battery.






What should I say or do?
HOW SHOULD I GET THIS RUMBLE STARTED RIGHT!?
>>
No. 244969 ID: 445c48

Well, maybe not bone spines, But I know some tarantulas can shoot hairs at people when threatened? They're sort of barbed, so they're a pain. A quick trip to wikipedia tells me these are called Urticating hairs, and that plants, like nettles, also have them, but in plants they're like hollow, and filled with acrid fluid. Maybe take the firing ability of the tarantula, and the liquid carrying ability of the nettle, but replace the fluid with CANCER.

Maybe. Hey, what do you know, a thing on the animal planet about animal weapons. Maybe I should come back after watching it.
>>
No. 244993 ID: 0cfe8b

Well if you wanted to shoot bone quills, you could just copy a porcupine.
>>
No. 244996 ID: 9338f5

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conus

highly posionious shellfish shoots a harpoon like tooth filled with deadly venom at its prey


sounds like something to base the bone spikes that we may shoot as well as something we could have encountered near the wall
>>
No. 245003 ID: 445c48
File 128734311844.jpg - (63.98KB , 400x299 , Conus-geographicus.jpg )
245003

>>244993
They make the quills, but I don't think they like shoot them. Just more kinda passive defense, right? We want something to shoot.

There's a type of tropical snail, the Geography Cone, that hunts using a modified tooth that fires out of an expendable proboscis and retracts. It's a sort of poison tipped "harpoon", hollow, barbed, and filled with a very potent venom, strong enough to harm or even kill humans. Being a sort of tropical creature, you might have run into it, actually. Could possibly copy that, replace the venom with CANCER, and forget the retracting bit, just grow a new one. Or, if you just want to shoot it to trigger the Butcher's blasts, forget the CANCER.
>>
No. 245005 ID: 445c48

>>244996
goddamnit ninja'd
>>
No. 245021 ID: 9338f5

>>245005
haha
>>
No. 245037 ID: e31d52

So we need to steal his scarf, hm?

Excellent. That'll double our own power, after this battle! All you need is SPEED, which you have in ample measure. If you can make yourself fast enough, you could remove the scarf with ease.

Or, uh, choke him to death. Either way works!
>>
No. 245061 ID: 903f16

>>244940
Reach out with your electroreception to predict his movements and cross those ten paces that separate you. Toss out one of those recently cooked up bone spikes if you can too. When you get to him see if you can't hit with a good swipe of the bang blades, attempting to sever his fingers so he can't use his little Phonomancy/Gravimancy trick. Also don't immediately go for the scarf, if we try and take it and fail he'll start guarding it from out grasp. Likewise don't let him try to grab ours, if he's smart he may notice the similarities and try to steal our reserves.
>>
No. 245074 ID: 2c4e7a

>>245037
I say we take everything he has: Boots, pants, scarf, if the golden trinkets amplify magic somehow, them too
>>
No. 245084 ID: cb475a

Boost sensory info, make sure that anything that moves in this area is known to you and have Nagging Wife filter out the mundane stuff like normal wind moving grass, insects, the like.

If there is any abnormal movement in the environment, she should let it through.


Boost towards him, then when you are in striking distance, abruptly change direction. Go to his right and get low, spin kick to sweep out and/or chainsaw his legs, following up with an upward kick.

Cancer anything you hit.
>>
No. 245085 ID: cb475a

Forgot this

"ooooooooOoOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-"
>>
No. 245102 ID: 2c4e7a

>>245084

Try to get his scarf while you are at it.
If you manage to get it, put it on imminently ...

Oh, and try to steal his pants too
>>
No. 245109 ID: a76809

>>244996
>>245003
>-Bang, how many animals did you analyze-
All of them, obviously. I mean, if I'm gonna eat something, and/or punch it, I better know what it is I'm dealing with. Also let me have my moment here... hm, let's see, another creature I encountered in my prolonged coastal swimming, a harpoon-bearing sea snail coming to mind. Really, it wouldn't take that much effort to modify the bone structure about my throat and jaw, and get some projectile teeth going. A bit strange, to be sure-but if I can trigger those gravity orbs prematurely, well worth it. Besides, I can regrow my teeth... ah, when just about every part of your body is both putty in your hands and entirely expendable, it really opens up one's possibilities.
>I would like to go on record as finding your tooth cannon, while highly eccentric.... is exactly what is called for. Everything I have seen suggests that those gravity bombs trigger for any solid matter they encounter.
See, told you it was an awesome idea. Hm-hundreds of thousands of curatiomancy calculations as I carefully rewrite my body yet again, this time new musculature and disposable proboscis forming as firing joist about my every tooth. I try to disguise my shifts while I speak, responding to Desmonte's taunt.

"Never thought about what should go on my tomb, since I don't plan on dying. Now, you got the gumption to face-"
>"Yes yes enough posturing the fight begins again."

Without any further fanfare Desmonte resumes his eclectic staccato snaps, purplish bolts of tightly bound fell energy whizzing forth in droves-
To be met by a barrage of projectile molars and incisors, my teeth constantly regrowing and being fired from my gaping mouth. Each tooth intercepts one of the easily deciphered attack vectors, triggering the gravity bombs far before they can reach me, as I begin dashing forward-
To find Desmonte throwing his attack more swiftly than I regenerate teeth. ...A lateral approach, then. With a fierce kickoff, I shift to circling about my foe, my oral bombardment triggering his assault's own 'teeth' before they can hit me or indeed the rest of the town behind them. I can hear the bemused conversation from the casino, where the gamblers all attend to our match.

>>245037
>>245061
>>245074
I run into something of a problem. My electroreception, while even more familiar in my hands, is not so precise I can read his snapping fingers in advance, and beyond that there is little physical component to his castings. To make matters worse, even as I dart and dash about him, kicking and gouging huge craters into the dusty ground as I constantly redirect at rapid speed, he keeps me firmly targeted, completely unable to flank, let alone get behind The Butcher. I know his sash is the key to his magical longevity, as my scarf is my own... so how am I to get to it? Just trying to dash close isn't seeming to cut it.
>You could try taking to the air, rendering your limbs as Bang Blades, and using the Cannon Cleave to achieve pseudoflight as a means of getting closer.
I could.... but somehow that feels like running away. ...Kinda want to just try taking one of his attacks, especially since he throws them so thick I'm probably going to be hit anyway.
>Unless you had some sort of superdense-
That's it, I could do the crab armor thing now! I got... back down to three fifths of my scarf left to me, it'd probably be comparably as difficult as that full muscle conversion. But as I've been going relatively light on Possiblity Cells just yet, I can probably handle it if you run magic interference again.
>I didn't phrase it that way so you could consider it as an idea!
Well too bad, now I'm curious.

As I dodge and dart about, continuing to spit ever-regrowing teeth from my mouth, all while trying (and failing) to close the gap to Desmonte, I wonder....





What should I do?
Should I try using some aerial shenanigans with creative use of Cannon Cleave to dodge about Desmonte's attacks to get close?
Or should I try forging superdense bone armor about myself so that I might weather his attacks?
Or do I have some other CRAZY plan?
>>
No. 245114 ID: ddd48d

did you ever take a look at Nindy's fire-breathing? How she has that acidic spit that makes for great flamethrower? A wall of flame would be great to try and get closer if you did
>>
No. 245116 ID: 500f1c

ALL OPTIONS!

Forge bone armour.

But, keep attacking, fire off two teeth in a direct line towards him followed by cannon cleave.

They should be able to pierce the wave of attacks by working together, if he stops to focus on the CANCER LANCE then you can use that time to get closer.


Also, think about placing receptors in your missiles so that you can ELECTRO-LANCE him.
>>
No. 245117 ID: 500f1c

Oh yes, and you don't have to use only your teeth as the interceptors, kick up walls of dirt and rocks, let's see how much the attacks can take before detonating.
>>
No. 245147 ID: 903f16

>>245109
Well you spent a good portion of the the time traveling here practicing the Cannon Cleave, you might was well see if it's payed off by using it now. Once you're in close with him use this >>245114 or hey why not use both that and the crab armor. He's probably got something else up his sleeve for situations like this and if we pop on the bone armor we can probably get a good amount of protection from it while allowing us ample opportunity to spit a big ball of fire into his face. Anyway we need to remember to ask this guy about the leader of the God Masks before we kill him, only he an the Enslaver know what he looks like and what his name is. We might want to grab the info from this guy just in case.
>>
No. 245164 ID: 445c48

Snap back at him.
>>
No. 245168 ID: 9e5b05

>>245116
That is not all options. That is not all options at all.

CARB ARMOR! CANNON CLEAVE upon the back of the armor, acting as rocket boosts to get some hight on him. That is all options.

And an other idea: Upgrade eyes to try and see these attacks even more detail. Mantis Eyes, someone explain this in better detail.

And does anyone know any animals that can reflect or neturalize virbations, because we should use that.
>>
No. 245185 ID: b20e4e

Dammit, I'm losing my Bang sense.

I WILL REGAIN MY BANG SENSE!

BIG BANG THUNDERCLAP!

Prematurely detonate all incoming gravity bombs.

Insta-dash forwards
Apply fist to gut
rinse repeat
apply cancer of symptoms of enemy life continue.
>>
No. 245303 ID: a76809
File 128736793637.jpg - (70.79KB , 600x879 , CRAB BANG.jpg )
245303

>>245114
>I see the thoughts flitting in your head.... but have you even seen a dragon use their acidic spit, enflamed or otherwise?
Well no but-
>Indeed, have you even touched any dragons save Nidhogg?
No but-
>So, lacking breadth OR depth of knowledge, exactly how were you going to replicate that feat? How were you going to copy something you do not even know?
..Okay, yeesh.

>>245116
>>245147
>>245168
...Nagging Wife-
>Don't both, I already know. ...I'll just do what I can to regulate power consumption, as this is going to be a big one.
Don't I know it.
My arms and legs alike lined with bone saw blades, I work to make even more direct surface exposure points for my skeleton, as I grow crustacean-inspired exoskeletal plating. My weight surges, and cancer encroaches dangerously even in my rested state, at the sheer amount of mass I intend.
>Scarf dropping... you're at a third power remaining!
And I'm done, three million four hundred seventy eight thousand twelve instances of Possibility Cell use, and if anyone could see it my skin would be a horrendous mess of tumors, heavy recoil from the intensive use-
But nonetheless I am encased in what I suspect will ablate his attacks.
>You weight two hundred pounds more, with lessened agility-
You didn't factor for the overhauled bone fangs and Cannon Cleave-based propulsion, including this big old swatch on my back that's pushing the vest and toga up-if anything, I've GAINED in acceleration, the issue is my mass has twice now increased substantially, and learning about that midair is veryhardbutherewego-

Front right leg, both arms back, right leg and arm front, I continue to load Possibility Cells to use their Chaos imbued ejection as a recoil-based thruster system from arms, legs and back, but my first thirteen uses are mostly spent correcting for the previous use of thrust, my weight immense-
Despite this, I am nimble, and so far have not even needed to spit any of my ready teeth to-
>Your erosion rate!
-!Crap, I'm starting to have concurrent compromise of multiple organ systems, THIS much Possibility Cell use is pretty intensive, and my system hadn't recovered from forming this new armor set to begin with. Bottom line, I could be looking at complete loss of function in half a minute, even with all the Curatiomancy I know.

I also in my moment of grim calculation finally get hit with a gravity bomb some four paces from Desmonte.

I surge to the ground, foot and knee, both hands my supports as I thud to the earth, compacted dirt flattening like dough beneath me-
And I am gone in a flash, a huge blast of Chaotic tumor injections left in my wake as I surge up, body rocketing through the air as I finally get in range of Desmonte. My left hand, not even fully formed into a manipulator, rises as its horrendously oversized bone spikes keen harshly enough I see windows quiver. I swing my arm forward-

A boot catches me right over my solar plexus, a cocoon of magic harder than iron enshrouding the foot as I rocket skyward, the bone arm splintering beneath the impact, where the gravity bombs only warped it. I consider this carefully as I repair the damages, noting myself flying some several hundred feet through the air. Rather than expend further energy-I do nothing, carefully devoting myself fully to fighting off the Chaos within. I am glad I was sent soaring for three seconds, I was able to restore every system to functionality save a single kidney, still in the works. When I shred a building in landing like a wrecking ball through paper, I stand as my body within the armor already is restoring to normality.

>"I do say, are you still alive and able to continue?"



From his voice, I match him to an electrical signal I sense, noting him to be some four hundred feet away, on the other side of a block's worth of buildings. There is no direct line of sight, and his gravity bomb ability is not forthcoming. ....That kick of his was ludicrously fast, significantly more-so than Creeper.... I may need an Adrenaline Surge when I attempt attacking just to see it coming. ...Still, so long as I run the considerable cycles it takes to maintain the armor as well as myself, I have a significant defensive mechanism in place, with un-extended Bang Blades still on arms and legs alike. The left hand-hand no longer, is also a considerable weapon, should I actually land with it. Even San Bruno's defenses would have not held back this.
>You can actually calculate that?
Sure, I have what his demonstrated maximum magical output per second was, in conjunction with analysis of how ablating his skin was, and how fast the fangs vibrate, their mass.... all the numbers are there, its not all that hard to figure out.
>You live in a very small world, Bang.
Hm. I am at a crossroads, unsure how to proceed. This Desmonte the Butcher... he's good, and so far I haven't even touched him.





What am I gonna do?
What's my plan, with the tumors receding?
>>
No. 245307 ID: 445c48

Confirm that you are, indeed, alive, and that you are just catching your breath.
>>
No. 245314 ID: a94d43

HMMMMMMMMM

Grab House
Lift house
Chuck house

Whoever it belonged to can live in the casino after we leave.
>>
No. 245385 ID: 1854db

How about a new attack? Launch yourself at him and begin using Cannon Cleave to spin yourself around. Repeat for ludicrous speed, and form CRAB BANG DRILL! Let's see him kick THAT.

Alternatively we could get close to him again and actually use Cannon Cleave to fire spikes at him instead of using the kickback as usual.

A third plan would be getting close and using Cannon Cleave to spin away from his kicks while Super Adrenaline is active.
>>
No. 245611 ID: 32994e

Hey what does Wifey have to say about that kick? Do the boots protect Butcher's feet or do they give them that speed? Could it be some kind of automatic defense? I think you need to hit him with a killer counter.

Is there's still blood left in your toga after the stab Creeper hit you with? Using it to block seems like a great idea. Generate a fake crack in your crab armor and cover it up badly with the toga, like you're trying to hide a weakness.

But that's just the backup! Rig up part of your body like the jaws of a trap-jaw ant! Those little critters lock their jaws back like a superpowered mousetrap and they trigger them to fire using sensory hairs on the jaws. If you can grow some sensor hairs and link them to an automatic (electrocyte driven?) nerve trigger then you can counterattack with such speed and force that it defies belief. Set your blade covered arm to strike back and all your electrocyte muscles to activate on overdrive when Butcher as much as touches your sensor hairs and BANG BABY! Electrosplode his limbs off!
>>
No. 245616 ID: 9e5b05

>>245314
BAD FALCON! No Bang!

>>245303
Ok, Bang now confirmed for twice as badass as Alex Mercer. Anyway, upgrading your eyes, Mantis Style: Mantis shrimp‘s eye is made up of six rows of specialized ommatidia. Four rows carry 16 differing sorts of photoreceptor pigments, 12 for colour sensitivity, others for colour filtering. With all the benefits, you could be able to see movements before they begin, or even see underlaying magical practices before they're used. Hell, Mantis Shrimp can see better then Blu-Rays.

>>245611
And you might be onto something, even if it is less then Masked Warrior honesty. Or, it could be that I am misreading you, but still. Burrying ourselves underground and going at him like an actual antlion so we pop up behind and yoink the sash.
>>
No. 245670 ID: 1854db

...oh, we could use that electroshock against his boot too.
>>
No. 245729 ID: 954a8d

>>245611
Oh man, gotta LOVE blood toga.
If there's not enough blood, saturate it with your own to fill enough are for the boot-kick.
Deliberately keep an opening open BUT do not make it too obvious, he might see through it.
>>
No. 245804 ID: a76809
File 12874551237.jpg - (2.37MB , 1799x1358 , MANTIS SHRIMP EYE GET.jpg )
245804

>>245307
>Bang, that attack-
Ah, quit worrying, I'm fine. Granted, I got hit with about forty tons of force, but still, completely fine.
>But-
Look, the constant worrying shtick? Getting old. Have anything directly useful to offer, like say an analysis of his boot's magic? I mean, are they protecting his feet from the kicks, lending speed to it... what's he working with for close combat?
>...Based on what I can tell from your observations and his use of it, I suspect his boots to only be responsible for the acceleration, and in no way related to the defensive magic.
Okay, so he cloaked feet and boots in Combat Magic, fine... but do you know what mechanism he employs? That was some ludicrous acceleration he showed there.
>That I cannot offer, I would need to see it in action more for such analysis.... keep in mind his own Mask is likely offering the same in return to him, though the actual functionality of your magic may make it harder to decipher.
Meaning-
>Meaning I have never heard of Possibility Cells before, nor have I ever seen weaponized healing. Realistically, this fight gets better for you the longer you draw it out, as his magicks seem more conventional than yours.
Really? A guy using Gravimancy AND Phonomancy, two reasonably rare types of magic, is LESS unusual than me?
>I will immensely regret saying this but... Bang, I suspect you are one of a kind.
FUCK YEAH I AM
>...So, what do you plan to do?
Hmm...

>>245385
Well, I could use opposed Cannon Cleave firings to build centripetal force and spin, turn my whole body into a drill, if I spin fast enough I should be hard as blazes to even mitigate, let alone outright deflect.
>I note you have issues controlling fine motor movements whilst spinning, and given the still relatively nebulous nature of his kicks-
>>245611
Okay okay fine, how about some hair-trigger type thing, kinda like what some ants and some plants do, what do you call them-
>[i]The fact you do not know even know which organisms demonstrate the trait you propose absorbing, let alone the specifics of how its used-

FINETHEN. Why don't I just fake an injury in my armor where he kicked me, cover it with the Blood toga, and try to bait him into taking a potshot at it? How about that?
>I see no immediate flaws in that plan. It also has the added benefit of not taxing your system as you recover from exorbitant Possibility Cell use.
>>245616
About that-
>Really? REALLY? Another one? ...What is it this time?
Type of shrimp in coastal regions, with the best eyesight of any living creature I have ever encountered. If I can combine that with the electroreception, I'll probably have the most acute non-magical senses around, and that's without fiddling with hearing, touch, smell or taste. Besides, better eyes can lead to me actually being able to see his kicks coming. How can you not like that?
>...Can you still tell which electrical signal is Desmonte?
Yup. Three hundred fifty feet away, not moving at the moment, on the other side of all those buildings.
>...Would you refrain from this if I asked you to?
Almost definitely not, but hey, you're learning!
Okay, let's do this!
Eyes. Lots of differences between the human eye and the shrimp eye, not the least of which being scale. Adjusting for the fact human eyes are NOT on stalks is another big issue. But the real challenge is the actual methodology of processing light. There were rows-bands, to be more precise, that cross Mantis Shrimp eyes, extending their vision into realms most could not imagine. More wavelengths can be converted into visual data. ....Well, bands would look just plain weird as is, and leave some issues in three-dimensional preception of my suroundings, so I start to fiddle with the specifications, bands looping together, becoming rings. ...Yeah, that should do it. ...Compound eyes, huh?

Let's do it.

My body, almost fully recovered from a bout of tumor-induced calamity, immediately starts to resurge into cancerous territory as I labor on such a small portion of my body mass, millions of calculations every second. I go blind as I being the transition, with The Butcher picking that very moment to call out to me again as I labor.

>"....I HAVEN'T KILLED YOU YET HAVE I? I'M RATHER LAZY AND WOULD RATHER NOT LOOK FOR YOUR CORPSE, SO I HOPE YOU'RE WELL ENOUGH TO COME HUNTING ME!"

I push aside Desmonte's antagonizing words as I start to reconnect my optical nerves, eyes thus far checking out as having been altered, and-

woah

I.... I can SEE. No, it would be more accurate to say that for the first time in my life, I can see. The radiation of the sun overhead now gleams with its own violet hue, heat itself adding new coloration to every object I see. Thermal vision? The LEAST of what I have now. Despite the plethora of structure between us, I can see Desmonte, idly yawning, as electricity flows and surges about his body. Six rings festoon my now prismatic and scintillating eyes, rainbow gems that peer out from within my Mask's embrace, kaleidoscope eyes through with to see the world.
>...I was about to caution you that the increased sensory data would put you at severe risk of seizures... but this seems to be a non-issue. Again, your processing capabilities behoove you.
That... that didn't sound like a complaint. No whining, worrying, anything like that?
>I could complain you nearly pushed your body back into cancerous breakdown, if you like.
Nah, I got brand new eyes, and-holdonletmeadjustthebloodtoga-A trap ready and waiting to bait my foe. I think I'm good. Well, should we go say hi again?
>Certainly. ...Before we do, I would like to point out that I can offer a different sort of aid, should you desire it: Masks are able to tap a collective pool of Belief energy, generated over centuries in Despardos, that could considerably augment how much magic you can cast.
There is rather clearly a reason you are waiting till NOW to tell me, unless you just generally hate my guts and like to see me suffer.
>I don't!- ....The issue is that to tap such magic, you would have to... surrender your body, even your soul, to me. Not many are willing to do this, but be aware that there is an option, should the situation get truly out of hand,
...Huh.


Okay, my eyes have been pimped out, I can see ALL the colors, and I'm ready to absolutely FLOOD my system with Adrenaline next time I close on Desmonte, so I don't get caught unawares. ...I still need to close on the guy who chucks out gravity bombs like a guilty noble trying to appease near-riot peasants.
>That analogy-
Is completely accurate, the example I'm thinking of saw a man give away his every possession to placate the crowd. That's about the only thing I can think of that matches the absolute deluge-oh, rain, he throws out those magic orbs so fast its like he makes it RAIN gravity bombs. I can weather them, sure, but it takes effort, slows me down, and in general is a pain to deal with. What with having more than ten times as much distance to cover as before, that could be an issue.




So what exactly is my plan here?
Do I just walk back to the Casino, nothing fancy?
Do I try to jump about on rooftops to get there faster?
Do I use Cannon Cleave to propel myself and get there REALLY fast?
Or do I make my way back over some other way?
And, considering he spoke not three seconds ago, do I have any reply to offer to his last biting comment?
>>
No. 245808 ID: 445c48

Say that yes, you're coming, just talking to your mask, just got it tonight, and boy does it nag.
>>
No. 245811 ID: e31d52

>Rain

IDEA.

Jump on the building between you and the asshole. Break off the corners and turn it into as many partic;es as you can: Preferebly fist sized. This hail will mask your approach, and falsely trigger the bombs.

Then SPEAR THE FUCK OUT OF HIM.
>>
No. 245826 ID: e4835a

>>245808
Delicious

DAMMIT BANG
YOU CAN KEEP UP WITH THIS GUY
HECK
YOU
ARE
FASTER

BELIEVE!!!!

Hey Bang
Sharks
Two rows of teeth
Grow em
More ammunition

Here is the plan
Super jump, get back in the fighting arena.

If he tries to intercept you super kick and redirect and cannon cleave in his direction.


Hmmmm, what do you do when it rains?
Use an umbrella
That is basically what we have been doing, with his bombs as the rain and our teeth as the umbrella.

But what is the better way?
Get rid of the clouds.

Fire a ton of teeth at him aim for his fingers or neck.
Even if this means that you will take a few hits that would have been intercepted or dodged otherwise, you have to hinder his output or it will simply be a war to see who has the most magic stores, a war which you would no doubt lose.
You have been fighting all night, he is fresh.
You run through your magic like water, he is doing a few finger snaps.

There is a chance that his snaps take more energy than you use for your every move, but that is highly unlikely.


The only other way I can think of getting the advantage right now would be to slow the match down. Walk towards him, super speed when you need to, tons of adrenalin to give you opportunity to react, use a fraction of the energy you would have otherwise used to keep your body from ripping apart to stop adrenalin overdose.
>>
No. 245861 ID: e31d52

>>245811
Okay so this might not work but uh if you can find a large boulder to break in midair or something.

What I'm after is a big cloud of projectiles to mess up the autoingiting bombs so you can speedily BIG BANG SPEAR him then FILL HIM WITH CANCER.
>>
No. 245862 ID: a76809

>>245808
"I'M COMING, WAS JUST TALKING WITH MY MASK. NEW ONE, NAGS A BIT, I'M SURE YOU UNDERSTAND."
>"HEHAHAHAAHH, I DO INDEED. ...WELL, ARE YOU COMING?"

The few seconds of chitchat having bought me time to completely stamp down the spreading cancer and return myself to an ideal state, checking my armor before I make my choice.

>>245811
>>245826
I leap atop a nearby roof, a bit worried as my following leap sets the roof to crumbling, but as I grab a handful of rubble and hurl it in a high arc towards Desmonte, a plan begins to form. I make a series of blurred hops, crushing shingles and stone alike as the air is rapidly filled with hundreds of projectiles, all homed on where I feel Desmonte's current, where I see his heat-and where I see something else, as well. Just as I reach one hundred feet's distance, the first of my projectiles begin to close on The Butcher, and a new glow revealed courtesy of my new eyes shifts and writhes-bubbling about his fingertips. Gravity bombs begin flying forth and exploding in the air, crushing to bits the roofing material, but so distracted is my foe he barely seems to note my appearance, so thickly did I lace the sky with my bombs, even teeth added to the mix as I closed range. But while his body shows a lax, unfocused demeanor, oriented solely on the projectiles, I see that same glow that shifted about his fingers now growing more brilliant on the flank facing me, the nearest foot and boot firmly connected to the ground by pillars of light. As I dash in, having favored my 'injured' chest and gone bow-backed the whole way, My eyes reveal to me an explosion of light outside what I once called the visible spectrum as Desmonte's foot rises towards me like a snake of lightning. I do nothing save adjust my bodies position in my reflexive adrenaline surge, more fully putting my weight behind the coming blow.

I see his confusion as I take on none of his kick's momentum, that split instant before I see his own chest dimpling, pillars of light anchoring his other foot to the ground quickly withdrawn as he rides the momentum-

And rockets out of reach before I can bring my modified crab saw hand of awesomeness against him. I do get to note that glow about him in disarray, his feet looking comparatively bare of light now that he is no longer earthborn, as his sash, having been dark as sin so far, briefly flares into a strip of sun, as Desmonte's whole body drinks in its light. Even as he demolishes a few ramshackle huts and half of a house, he already works to bring himself upright, before he even finishes landing he's already connected to the ground once more by pillars of light from his feet, that glow about his body now going downward, as the glow about his feet and the earth lances forth towards me, as I feel his electrical signal surge.

So fast I see the air cratering behind him, rushing to fill the vacuum of his passing, Desmonte is standing before me, one foot firmly on the ground, the other planted on my chest, tensed to extend. In a flurried instant I was able to perceive but not react to, The Butcher again strikes me, again having the force reflected at him, coughing up blood as he reels from the recoil, foot still anchored to the ground-

And spins about at supersonic speeds, raised foot falling to catch me on my bare shoulder.

CRACK

Bone armor breaks, shatters, crumples and disintegrates under the force of this kick. Beneath I feel a collarbone shatter, a shoulder wrenched out of socket, and a painful, jerking shifting of my spine. I feel skin torn away in friction, muscle pulped to paste, even a few organs quaking from the impact. I am driven up to my knees into the ground..... all from this one kick. Without hesitation, I push through the pain, looking to skewer him while he's in range, definitely having noted the raspy sound of his breathing, the clear indication of cracked ribs, the blood about his nose and mouth. If I can finish it-

The glow about Desmonte's foot on the ground jerks backwards, and instants later my foe is nearly a hundred feet away, watching in fascination as I repair my shoulder and bone armor alike in seconds.

>"What a marvelous ability, such regeneration! A pity you tipped your hand with that toga so soon, it would surely have been more useful if saved for a real pinch. Still, with it now understood..."

I see the light about Desmonte's feet shifting to flow in an arc, now coming towards my right flank as The Butcher, still motionless, lets his words hang in the air as electrical current goes wild and more light flows towards his feet.





What should I say or do, fully healed and still buried to my knees in the earth?
>>
No. 245864 ID: e31d52

...

>Below him

>he's coming to kick us

:|

There is only one option.

Extend your legs as hard and fast as you can at the last moment, and uppercut him directly between the legs.

The blow that no man can take.
>>
No. 245867 ID: 9e5b05

Idea! Bang, how much do you know about the Bloody Toga? Is it possible you could copy what it does directly onto your skin?

Oh, and how does the Butcher sound now? Healed, or not?
>>
No. 245870 ID: b0dd28

Light = magic,
connection to the ground = gravimancy


EFFING EF MAN
I guess he is faster than you
There are limit's to what the body alone can produce I suppose, in terms of strength anyway.

hmmmmm

You can't just barely dodge it, they explode with a timer and a contact detonator, nasty stuff.
You have to get away.

A phonomancy wave is gonna come and slice through you if you stay here.


You mentioning the knees leads me to believe that that could actually be an issue in your escape... hmm a conundrum indeed.

First things first, Survival.
hmmm
!!
NOW you can drill

You are already in the ground, so drill to avoid the attack.

Don't stay down there though, just in and out to avoid and fire off the TWIN CANNONS at him.
>>
No. 245872 ID: b0dd28

Dammit, is he a Kinectomancer as well? That's the only way I can explain his stuff unless the boots and/or his mask are just that awesome.
>>
No. 245873 ID: 9e5b05

>>245864
We are a Masked Warrior now, and such techniques are the soul domain of those Rudo Fell Masks.

I would like to suggest a counter idea that is amazingly badass, but I can't think.
>>
No. 245874 ID: e31d52

>connection to the ground = geomancy

Fix'd.

Still keeping my idea, though.
>>
No. 245876 ID: 903f16

>>245862
Showing our hand too early has become a real problem in this fight, we've been playing our cards too early instead of holding them for the right time. I mean we let off we had the two other masks in our possession without first getting him to agree to the wager and toss his own "chips" into the pot. Now we've let go of one of our trump cards in exchange for cracking a couple of his ribs. It's all spilled milk at this point, but we need to avoid doing it again.

Anyway you need to get out of the ground somehow, probably by using Cannon Cleave to rocket out and into the air. Then you need to make a small alteration to your body again. Yeah yeah you've been pushing cancer multiple times this fight, but trust me this is a good one. The main problem with guy is that he's too fast, well you can deal with that by becoming faster and jumping up your own reaction time. You know which animals have a crazy fast reaction time? The ones from the Annelid family, otherwise known as the goddamn ring worms. You see in humans groups of muscles are controlled by one neuron whereas the worms have multiple neurons controlling groups of muscles. Their neurons also have huge axons which increases resistance and makes the signals travel faster. At least that's what I got out of reading about them, translating it to a vertebrates anatomy might be difficult, but if you do it you'll be so fast you grab his foot mid air or at least block it.

>>245864
You know what would be even better? We use Cannon Cleave with out legs and jet upwards and instead of using our fist we use our bladed arm, which we really need to come up with a name for, and bisect him. If we were playing Mordre I would totally spend a Pristine Soul to make something like this happen. Then again I'm not even sure that's where we are in relation to this guy, this fight is getting a bit hard to follow.
>>
No. 245877 ID: b0dd28

>>245876
He is one hundred meters away from us and we are knee deep in the earth.
>>
No. 245881 ID: b0dd28

Other than straight up tractomancy of course.

I mean seriously, how can this guy move SO FAST!
It's inconceivable!

His lackluster demeanour leads me to believe he may be doing the 'belief of thousands' thing, but I don't think someone like that would go to such extents to beat us.

hmmm,

Ask Wifey if the 'soul surrendering' bit is temporary (duration of use) or permanent.

If permanent the he may have used it in the past and has been in 'super mode' ever since.

Seriously, this guy...
>>
No. 245883 ID: d3dfb8

The connection to ground is neither gravimancy nor geomancy, it's a restriction of the boots to increase their power. The reason he move's so fast is because of the boots acceleration, the same function as for kicking to move.

Also, WOOHOO WE CAN SEE MAGIC.
>>
No. 245913 ID: 954a8d

About the hair-trigger thing. I am pretty sure that there are underwater creatures that work the same way.

I know that alligators snap their jaws if something touches their tongue..
>>
No. 246022 ID: 9e5b05

...you know, I have an idea. We could remove his legs above the boots. One solid sweep kick would remove that problem. I know I should plan this better, but it would cripple him and get us those boots.

And as we now have BEST EYES EVER, I'm gonna wait before cancer-bombing Bang, but we should get PISTOL SHRIMP FISTS and BONE BRAINS and COMBAT HAIRSTYLING soon.
>>
No. 246036 ID: f4e4f9

Pistol shrimp mechanics only work because they are in water.

You can't create a high pressure air bubble...in air.

You know...If he's moving so fast, I would point out that while his legs may be reinforced, if you were to toss out a cloud of particulates (sand, rocks, dirt, etc) right in front of you as he triggered his acceleration...well, you remember Mordre's blood iron cloud of death? Like that, but worse.
>>
No. 246037 ID: f4e4f9

Actually, anything that he would run into between yourself and him would fuck him up. Debris would suffice as well.
>>
No. 246038 ID: 10f195

>>246037
He probably has 'way clearing' abilities or has the mask do micro management.
>>
No. 246041 ID: 9e5b05

>>246036
This is Bang we're talking about. He laughs at physics!

But I do agree, Saw Leg Sweep, Cannon Cleave and trying to get as much dust up in the air as possible.

Our major problem is that he has more magic then us and solid and long-distance defence. We need to stop that.

Maybe we could just properly punch him in the face? That seems to solve all problems.
>>
No. 246169 ID: a76809
File 128754287713.jpg - (117.35KB , 347x346 , Cerebral Zenith.jpg )
246169

>>245876
[Suggestion would work great when Bang has a spare second... which would not be now.]

>>245867
>Bang, how much do you know of other magics? Perhaps you could adapt the blood toga-
Stop right there. I know my own body inside and out, and in general I know a whole mess of stuff in the physiology department, but ask me about any magic but Curatiomancy.... eh. I'm a specialist that found a great deal more room than was expected in my field, that doesn't change the fact I have never learned any of the other arts. And in all honesty... I wonder if I would still be me if I did, you know? I've gotten this far keeping to my oath, to turn healing into a weapon-how pathetic would that be, to only now disregard that promise I made? It just wouldn't feel right.
>So you would prefer a vastly increased chance of death-
Over making a prior claim a lie? Absolutely. Why are you even asking, can't you see into my mind?
>...Sometimes it helps to formally put such cogitations together, Masked Warrior.
Whatever you say, now....

Hm. Desmonte's voice still sounded raspy... I think those ribsa re still bothering him.
>Of course they are, you wounded him some ten, fifteen seconds ago.
That's plenty of time to heal!
>It is plenty of time for YOU to heal.
I keep telling people it's not all THAT hard... but fine, at least I'm not back at square one.

>>245874
So, this light I can see-
>Light?
What, can't you read the sensory data I get?
>My view of the world only comes from what you think upon, not what you sense. I know you can feel something, but until you qualify what it is I am lost.
Okay, well, I modded my eyes, made them very similar to the most advanced natural optics I have ever observed, which happened to be in some coastal shrimp I encountered around the islands. As near as I can tell, there are a whole mess more colors and lights out there the human eye does nothing to perceive. ONE of those types of light seems to be associated with magic, as it precedes actions taken by my foe. At the moment, a long arc of light about the ground is moving towards me from my foes feet.
>I can sense a magical buildup in his feet, so this would seem to corroborate your hypothesis... but you claim there is a COLOR to magic?
Well, let's find out.

I fire the organic cannons in my legs, ripping earth in a flurry as I wrench myself free from the ground just as the glowing patch of lit ground reaches me-andthistime I see Desmonte move, one foot anchored on the ground and sliding as if on ice while the other adjusts to be used as a weapon, blurring across the intervening space. I have a bare instant to act, even with my enhanced senses and bubble of time sheltered within an adrenaline surge. My foe is quick, durable, strong, experienced... he has no immediately glaring flaws I have noted-save one.

>BANG WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?
I don't bother diverting even a single iota of focus to answer as, still airborne from freeing myself, I fire every single back-facing replica of choral nematocysts, a wall of cancer exploding in my wake as my body hurtles towards Desmonte's rushing form. There is not even time to see if he is surprised by my action, before we meet-

And pass one another by, my smaller body swooping under his rising kick-

As my hand closes about the end of his sash, wrenching the brilliant orange fabric from his waist before we part.

I cannot help myself from speaking at this point.

"Neener neener neener, I got your magic battery! What now, Butcher!? WHAT NOW?"

I turn about as I begin skidding to a halt, already putting the majority of my focus towards ablating the tumor incursions my body faces beneath my exoskeletal armor, only to find Desmonte still standing just where he was a moment ago, foot still raised. He speaks without turning to face me.

>"....First, you hide a reactive combat magic and bait me into striking it. Then, you take multiple kicks from me. You even demonstrate a method of healing I still find most-*cough*-amazing. ...And now, you demonstrate a greater prescience than your Mask could offer you, moving towards my attack before it is begun, all while not being a magic sensor."
"How do you know I'm not a magic sensor?"
>"My Eternal Sunset told me you have no inclinations towards magical perception to your soul, nor any magic item towards that purpose save your Mask."

Finally, Desmonte turns around, his eyes crinkling in confusion as he stares at me.

"What is it those vividly chromatic eyes of yours see, what mysteries have you unravelled to do such things? .....I suppose it does not matter, really. I will say I must re-evaluate my opinion of you: You are worthy of respect, Bang of the Magnum family.... and I am sorry that one as brilliant as you must die."

With resignation tinging his every word, Desmonte makes a proclamation that sounds like a death sentence as his hands rise to his Mask.

>"[u]CEREBRAL ZENITH"

His mask flares into a blinding sun of color, or magic unrestrained, as I feel his mind crackling like lightning.
>....That would be the final trick a Mask can offer their bearer... You shall no longer be able to out-think him, until he either his Zenith wanes.... or he dies. ...At least you deprived him of his magically enhanced stamina. ...Are you sure you will not consider retreat?

Dozens, HUNDREDS of paths begin to glow about the ground, swooping and curving all about-and all aiming straight towards me, the Butcher little more than a nimbus of light to my eyes, so intensely do I see his magic.




It's crunch time, what's my plan here?
What do I think to the Nagging Wife, in terms of response or questions?
[Now would be a good time for a Fanart boost if anyone feels like it.]
>>
No. 246173 ID: e31d52

GET.

OFF.

THE.

GROUND.

Holy fuck he is going to geomance you so hard it hurts, so get the fuck out. Leap into the sky, and start wearing that new item: Might come in handy.

Next: It seems he's activated the ability of his mask to take over his body. You will be facing an entirely different foe now, so be prepared. You'll want to avoid the ground for now, so how about some wings? Bat wings, that'd be cool. Almost like normal arms, really, with longass fingers and webbing. Might need more than one pair to stay up, though...

Anyway: Ask Wife about the surrendering of control. How permanent? Will you just... black out? Does she believe she can win? And how permanent?

Once you've settled all this, It's time to combine some techniques!

Your SPEAR is excellent, but it'll need a boost in power to defeat these guys! Add some steering fins along your arms and fill them with cancer cannons!

Use these to direct the spear and rocket it forth like a screaming missle! Prepare the cancer injection at the tip, and unleash it as soon as you connect!

BIG

BANG

MAGNUM

MISSLE

>>
No. 246174 ID: 445c48

Bang, you've got to name this color of magic you see. I suggest "Octarine".

Ask Nagging Wife roughly how long a Zenith would last.

I think now is a good time to call Phohn and get Burduko and/or Nidhogg to sight with you. I know, you'd probably prefer to do it alone, but, well, there's never anything WRONG with fighting alongside bros. And get them to spawn their spawn.
>>
No. 246178 ID: 1854db

RETREAT! This should be easy to outlast. We have his battery so let's actually take advantage of what we just did to him!
>>
No. 246186 ID: e31d52

>>246178
>Bang
>Retreat

PFFT
>>
No. 246188 ID: 445c48

>>246186
yeah that's probably what he would say.

Still, retreating would probably be a good idea. If we can get away in time. Don't know if we can drop the crab armor in time, or if it would be a good idea to do so. Probably not.


Poke his sash with magic. See if you can use it, or if it's all dedicated to Gravimancy/Phonomancy like yours is full of Curatiomancy.
>>
No. 246190 ID: 445c48

>>246174
I meant fight there.
>>
No. 246207 ID: 9e5b05

Ok, Add Sash to Scarf if possible. If not, just pull it on. We might have to tap it right away to beat SUPERMIND overthere. First off, yeah, get off the ground. Start moving, zig-zagging, get up onto buildings again.

Now, this part is gonna SUCK, but it might be the only way to beat him. While moving, startdoing that Bones-to-Brains thing. Maybe even spreading out your brain to a Jellyfishes "nerve net". I'm pretty sure with that, we can outthink him without hitting CEREBRAL ZENITH. With that, we should be able to calculate where he'll actually hit and be able to dodge it.

Aftet that, lets just get airborn and come down at him from the top. He can't seem to heal so either a CANNON CLEAVE or a BIG BANG MANGUM MISSLE stright down.

I wish I knew how to get some proper Lucha Libra arial artistry in here, but getting in close enough for submissions or flips seems like a bad idea.

Oh yes, and can we please get an artist in here?
>>
No. 246209 ID: e31d52

>>246207

>Oh yes, and can we please get an artist in here?

Pref. of the Magnum Missle.


One other thing: If we really, really want to, we could combine BIG BANG GENESIS with BIG BANG MAGNUM MISSLE for BANG BREAKER, but uh, that would drain everything we got.
>>
No. 246211 ID: 9e5b05

>>246207
An artist. For, ahem, fan art. For finally getting best arm ever and for SAVING BANG AND TURNING HIM INTO SUPER BLACKLIGHT AND AMAZING ANIMAL MAN COMBINED! OOOYAH!
>>
No. 246222 ID: d3dfb8

Fuck we need those boots.
>>
No. 246226 ID: 9e5b05

>>246222
Look, once we kill him we're gonna do one of the things we never do: Loot the Body.
>>
No. 246231 ID: 3e56f0

Speaking of fanart, does anyone have any for Ugrokk's arm? There's still space for one more...

Hmm, what Desmonte does is Gravimancy, stretching out tendrils of magic to designate patches of ground as attractions to him, from what I can gather. I don't precisely understand what the purpose of the multiple tendrils are, since he seems to slide down the paths the tendrils set out for him, and multiple tendrils seem to be a waste of magic to me, the only immediately recognizable purpose to them misdirection. Perhaps, if he knows Arcane Gravimancy, he is trying to restrict Bang's movements, while boosting his own? That might work, all the paths of magic working to suppress all of Bang's movements and one path to use to slide over to Bang (which explains the multiple tendrils: he wants to ensure that Bang cannot move one single bit of himself, and having multiple suppressions going one, each focusing on one part of Bang, if Desmonte has the stamina for it, is much more efficient than just one overpowered suppression).

The best plan I can come up with is dodging, and if that is not possible, make like a porcupine and grow lots of bone spikes all over Bang's armor, or predict where Desmonte's head is going to be and extend the left claw so that it will cut/tear/pierce his head before Desmonte can hit Bang.
>>
No. 246256 ID: a76809

>>246174
So, how long does a Cerebral Zenith last, exactly?
>There is nothing exact about it, the effect persists so long as the Mask wishes, once begun by the wearer's permission. Judging by his disposition entering that state, he has some considerable measure of trust with his Mask.
Hmmm.... how does does Octarine sound as a color?
>What?
Well, the color I see that seems to be magic itself... its a blend of ceil, byzantine, and maize, with a stark taupe/umber silhouette, and some blotches of fulvous, zaffre and wisteria.... honestly, that's as best of an explanation as I can do with existing colors, so I kinda need a new nam-
>IS THIS REALLY THE TIME!?
It's the only time, the here, the now. Tomorrow is nebulous, tomorrow is uncertain, tomorrow might not happen. So if you want to do something, do it now. Following that logic.... how does Oct-
>I think it is a stupid name, can we please focus?
Okay, Octarine's out, how about... Soulglow? Uninspired, I know, but-
>FINE YES SOUGLOW WONDERFUL NOW THE BUTCHER ABOUT TO KICK YOUR FACE IN?
Oh relax, his magic effects himself along the paths he sets, what good does multiple paths do other than give me more places to watch for hi-

As Desmonte seems to split into scores of bodies, following his EVERY path in blurred rushes, I redact my opinion as I reflexively leap up. Pushing as hard as I can, I cover some ten feet in the time it takes Desmonte to move more than a hundred, dozens of shod feet rising towards me-

Only to fall short, every Butcher unwilling to perform a jumpkick, anchoring foot still firmly planted.... Hm. I suspect the boots to be Geomantic... perhaps the power only applies when on the ground? The alternate Desmonte's flicker away as only one remains, glaring at me with eyes that seethe as if filled with stars.
...Okay, seriously, Nagging Wife, what the hell did that guy just do?
>As far as I can tell, 'Desmonte' did nothing outside of his normal magic in that.... his MASK, Eternal Sunset, however, is apparently able to perform some form of dimensional tapping, bringing other possible Desmonte's into existence for a brief instant.
Just for a brief, BRIEF midair moment, lets set aside the sheer insanity of the fact that means he could punch me with SO MANY FISTS-and focus on exactly how that works?
>...There is only so much I can say. When in a state of Cerebral Zenith, Masks, already items imbued with Chaos and Order bound in precarious balance, are forcibly pushed towards just their Chaotic aspect as the wild powers they flood into the mind they encapsulate in turn drag them further into Chaos.
Okay, really? The whole Order/Chaos thing is still pretty hazy to me, so maybe-
>The longer this is sustained, the more insane the Mask itself becomes, until the host dies, or the state is ended.... after a certain point, there is no guarantee the Mask will even remember they CAN end the state.
...But DURING that spiral into insanity-
>-Wherein the host's body is put at increasing risk of seizures, heart attacks, and complete nervous system shut-down-
-and that, and that... The bearer gets power out the ass. Again, you explained some of the mechanics, but not the source: Where does the power to make this happen come from?
>Now? You ask now?
What, this entire mental conversation thus far has taken one one-hundredth of a second, I have time.
>...Its Belief that makes it work.
Some of that 'believe in yourself' stuff? Hmm...
>No, personal confidence is not tangibly relevant to this. I orient on collective, mass Belief, centuries of absolute surety that the Masks hold power. Belief... it is a form of proto-energy, undirected towards a cause or format, wholely shaped by what taps it. When so linked to the Mask as it spirals into Chaos... the result is what you see.
Last question and then I actually, seriously will get back to the fight and not these oh-so-fun little chats: Why don't you tap the Belief pool all the time?
>I do-we do, all Masks-but its the same issue as your normal adrenaline use versus a sure: there is only so much that can be sustained indefinitely.
Hm... wear and tear issues, in addition to insanity problems while in the command seat... interesting tidbits... okay, back-story slogging done, now how do we beat this? This thought spins and bounces around inside my head as Desmonte stares up at me with eyes as deep as the void of the starry sky, hands rising and blazing with Soulglow as individual rings begin to flicker to life, filling with intense and nearly blinding light as electricity begins to build, then visibly crackle between his cupped hands. Betwixt his opposed palms, the lightning coils and binds, a small black dot beginning to form and swell in its shocking cage, as I see paths of light spreading about the ground from my foe in nearly every direction, seemingly in case I counterattack before... whatever that is gets completed.
>...I believe it to be a gravitational well... no, a superdense singularity that will crush even your armor to nothing.
..Okay, really? Body clones through some sort of Chaos-fueled dimensional shenanigans, AND some jumbo-sized Gravimancy? ...Oh man this fight is gonna be so fun. Really, I couldn't ask for more here.
>...Self destructive thought patterns aside, I was already going to suggest you allowing a very brief Cerebral Zenith to counteract a better equipped, more powerful and experienced foe.... now that Eternal Sunset is our foe, not The Butcher, I beg you either run, or let me assume direct control. ....You could still run your Curatiomancy as I guide your body, PLEASE don't kill yourself over some foolish notion of manliness.
See, now you've gone and done it. I was maybe gonna think about your offer, but the manly comment? That's just cold.

>>246207
I wrap the sash I grasp in one hand about my waist, its radiant orange immediately at war with my vibrant scarlet scarf for most colorful piece of cloth-and with both surrounded in Soulglow as well as rippling and shifting thermal signatures, they appear far more fantastic to my eyes. I feel Desmonte's sense of Ownership still heavily bound up about his pilfered sash, and immediately set to work perverting the magical item towards my own ends, as I inspect the sorry state of my own scarf.... just a quarter of its reserves left, ALREADY? That Cannon Cleave based movement, that drains magic BUT FAST.... that, and healing the bone armor is pretty energy intensive, no matter how much gains I make in passive regeneration rate from increased quantity of bone runes.

>>246209
I hit the zenith of my leap, suspended for that oh so brief moment weightless in the air as I realize that effectively Desmonte got himself a bigger, better magic battery to tap with this move... as I also notice his body flickering, still at the epicenter of an enormous path of glowing ground about him, all anchored to his firmly planted, boot-shod feet. His eyes blink independently as he speaks, his words... off.

>"White Sapient Legacy, I taste your clothe: Do you wish to perish, without having any say in your demise? Why do you not face me directly?"

A grin that has nothing at all to do with geniality stretches wide across that otherwise slack face beneath Eternal Sunset, as the Mask continues to speak through its host.

>"Don't you want to plaaaaaaaaay?"

...Really starting to think now is a very good time to pull a Genesis on this fool: Would be flashy, attract a lot of notice, be dynamic as all get out, and quite possibly even keep me breathing!
>I still do not understand what it is that makes this technique so potent to you, what-
Long story short: I am quick to run magic calculations, as you have noted. This also means that I can cast spells faster, its why I can keep a constantly shifting set of hundreds of thousands of spells running at once. This also means I constantly have to watch my energy expenditures, because I can use my 'fuel' up so quickly. A Genesis is the complete opposite of that: Restraint goes out the window, and I burn through every bit of energy in my Scarf in one explosive burst, seeing just how much energy I can output in one single attack. ...Rather obvious issues with its use, what with expending pretty much everything I have, but this would be boring as hell if I could just go 'oh hey this will work for sure.'
>...If you do allow me to enter you into a Cerebral Zenith, I may use that maneuver.
Sounds funky and fun... tempting. Hmm.

I begin to descend, still some fifty feet up, as the black... hole in the air cradled in electricity before Desmonte grows to the size of a boulder, before suddenly compressing, as the established paths on the ground flair to even greater intensity, and The Butcher's body flickers violently.

Oh-ho?
...I still note the sash to be outside of my control.







....Alright, what am I going to do?
Do I give Nagging Wife her permission to enter Cerebral Zenith, and make this some sort of crazy dimensional-possibility fight between pieces of cloth that are going insane?
Or do I maybe bust out some sort of Genesis move, maybe a spinning, drill-variant to really make sure I make a dent in the guy, and try to end it in one more hit?
Or hey, maybe there is some sort of even cooler option I am not immediately seeing here?
>[At this juncture Body Modifications are advised against.]
>[Fanarts can still be used.]
>>
No. 246259 ID: e31d52

>Or do I maybe bust out some sort of Genesis move, maybe a spinning, drill-variant to really make sure I make a dent in the guy, and try to end it in one more hit?

LET'S DO THIS.
>>
No. 246276 ID: 67f752

I don't mind entering Zenith mode
>>
No. 246284 ID: 370f77

BANG CHOOSES ALL OPTIONS!

Seriously, why not pile the belief energy and whatever else Cerebral Zenith has to offer on top of what's left in the scarf?
>>
No. 246286 ID: 7517f5

Might as well go with a Cerebral Zenith so you can see what your mask's innate abilities actually are. You might get a slightly crazier mask as part of it as well. Think of it as housewives gone wild. That Nagging Wife had better not hold anything back either! With near-infinite magic at your call it's time to make every punch so hard that every bone and muscle in the arm shatters and ruptures!

When you reckon it's time to end the effect just grow tumours on your face.
>>
No. 246292 ID: 445c48

One does not fight Chaos with more Chaos. If one can forcibly tip the mask's balance, perhaps it can be tipped the other way, towards Order?

Then again, you and your possibility cells are pretty chaotic, it seems, so more chaos might be good.


Hell, I don't know. I suggest ditching the crab armor and getting the hell out of dodge.
>>
No. 246305 ID: 21515b

Gahhhhh

I have so many good ideas, but they all hinge on your physical dominance, in at least speed.

Damn.

No man is an island and Bang has a new partner now whether he likes it or not (I think he likes it) but I don't want Wifey to risk insanity and I don't want Bang to admit personal loss by taking the help.

Can't beat him in speed, can't top him in power (well maybe, we simply have not hit him), can't top him in magic.

>>246292
Hmmm, this gives me an idea.

Well, Bang, naturally you are tiped towards order, seeing how well you manage your stuff, so here is the deal, when using zenith, she STILL has to run the magic through your synapses to get it to work. I recon that if you can encompass both you and teh mask in a natural ORDER field, then you could manage how quikly the extra magic comes in, diverting it into your scarf if the energy becomes too much to handle.

Basically, force the UNLIMITED POWRE to come in through a small door, still large enough for you to benefit from it (and to relieve pressure) but small enouh that Wifey does not go crazy.

You, however, might.
>>
No. 246306 ID: 9e5b05

Wait, wait. This Eternal Sunset asshole is calling out Nagging Wife? Oh...Oh, bastard doesn't call out OUR mask!

"Hey, hey! You're fighting me! MAGNUM BANG! HUMAN DYNAMO! ANNHILATOR OF ARMIES! SMASHER OF SIEGES! CRACKER OF CASTLES! And boy, your ass is TOAST! Say goodbye to Desmonte, Immediate Ending, because the only place you're going is IN MY PANTS!"
Nagging Wife, hit me with SUPER BRAINING! You handle kicking this useless Ascot's ass; I'll handle SUPER POWERING OUR HEALING!

Ahem.

The only reason I'm a bit nervous about the Genesis is that it's really an end game and we should use it on our last battle. Also, because we need to get the information out of this guy. He's the only lieutenant here, and I don't know about wearing that creepy mask just to get the info.
>>
No. 246312 ID: d3dfb8
File 128759156323.jpg - (96.49KB , 1280x800 , Prototype.jpg )
246312

Enemy attacking from all directions?

Kill him from all directions.
>>
No. 246319 ID: e31d52

>>246312
>Attack in all directions

>Ditch crab armor

>BIG BANG GRENADE!
>>
No. 246321 ID: 9e5b05

>>246312
>>246319

MY GOD, THIS IS GENIOUS!

Also, we need need Mangum-fucking-Bang as Alex-fucking-Mercer.
>>
No. 246391 ID: f8df87
File 128762077742.jpg - (202.69KB , 1000x971 , GQ Bang.jpg )
246391

Here is a drawing of Bang turning his arms and legs into Bang Blades and killing all the many Desmontes (even if there are only five, those are representations of all the hundreds of Desmontes). Hopefully, this will contribute to the fanart fund for keeping Bang alive and well...
>>
No. 246394 ID: f8df87
File 128762135155.jpg - (129.54KB , 1000x681 , GQ Bang 2.jpg )
246394

And here is one depiction of Bang, within his Crab Armor, killing Desmonte and reaching for Eternal Sunset.

On the sash thing, unless it is a matter of ownership, it is probably a matter of incompatible restrictions on the sash. Surely you can recognize the rune for restriction? You have it repeated upon your leather coverings on your hands and feet. Can you see any 'restriction' runes on the sash, connected to fields of magic that are not Curatiomancy? Or restricted it to only use by Desmonte? Nagging Wife likely knows how to analyze runes, perhaps she can tell you what to look for? If there is a restriction that we can't fulfill, then you just have a trophy. If there is a restriction that we can fulfill, then, if it is can be fulfilled within the timeframe of the fight, restrict yourself and draw on the magic stored within it.

Also, what's with the sudden size changes and the lightning? I know the the black holes are Gravimancy used with overwhelming power and skill, but lightning is Ignimancy, and Desmonte isn't a Ignimancer, is he? Maybe the lightning is from the use of such overwhelming power is frying his nervous system and some of the electricity is jumping out of his body and into the air...

Man, if the above is true, this fight is going to turn into an endurance match, since Desmonte nor his mask has shown any inclination toward healing or regeneration. So, unless there is a mask power that allows rapid regeneration, Desmonte will probably die relatively quickly (probably very long in battle time, though).
>>
No. 246423 ID: 21515b

option 1: Tie sash around waist, activates.

option 2: wrap scarf around sash or tie them to one another, watch as scarf eats sash due to figment's badassery.
>>
No. 246426 ID: f8df87

>>246423
Since the stitching on both are similar (though that may be due to the exact pattern is highly conductive to magic storage, and thus, not supporting the following position), who's to say that Figment didn't make Desmonte's sash, too?
>>
No. 246433 ID: 1854db

Let's use the Zenith.
>>
No. 246436 ID: 9e5b05

The Sash is wrapped about his fist, and all that is stopping the control is the fact that Desmonte owned it for a long while and is still alive. The Ownership is stopping any control, nothing else.
>>
No. 246445 ID: f8df87

Say, is the insanity caused by the Zenith permanent (i.e. stays even after the Zenith ends), merely overuse of Zenith multiple times causes marked insanity in the Masks, or the insanity ends with the Zenith? Also, related, if Nagging Wife used the Zenith when she was White Sapient Legacy, and Zenith-caused insanity remains after the end of the Zenith, does the insanity remain after the change into Nagging Wife?

If Nagging Wife becomes insane permanently, I rather not use the Zenith. I mean, yeah the Zenith's powerful, but I don't want having to put up with an insane Mask hanging around all the time, nor do I want to switch out Masks as they become too insane. Of course, if there is any possible way for the insanity to be combated (e.g. Bang learns enough about his Mask to be able to consider it as part of his body and therefore is able to manipulate the mind of the Mask, though that would likely take time that one fight would not give), I would rather not use the insanity inducing overkill technique.
>>
No. 246448 ID: f4e4f9

I will echo not using the Zenith if its side-effects are anything approaching permanent or longterm.

(I would contribute fanart, but have not had much time to work on anything lately)
>>
No. 246472 ID: a76809

>>246305
[Not an accurate assessment of Bang's innate disposition, but since the knowledge of how to asses a souls innate Chaos/Order disposition is one of the most rare bits of knowledge out there, I'll clarify: Bang's soul is almost pure chaos, creation-it ties in with how he can 'create' spell calculations, and in general think so swiftly, tying in with his roguish eccentricities, whereas Keddic's soul is a giant core of Order, a self-building tower that replicates newly experienced Order, the experience of adventures added, layer by layer, to his soul. Keep in mind that this is only one aspect of the soul, but within the realm of Chaos and Order, Bang and Keddic are essentially opposites, both so extreme in their disposition that they effectively start approaching the opposed side from the far end. Yes, that is supposed to be a vague and non-finite answer.]

>>246259
Eh, a Cerebral Zenith sounds like it would be interesting as hell... but then it's just Mask against Mask. I mean, hey, cool that you get the chance to shine but hey, my body, my fists, if someone is going to be knocked out, or beaten to death, I damn well better be the one doing it. So... Genesis option of some sort. ...The only issue is that Big Bang Genesis, the only Genesis move I've yet made, is... a bit slow in the windup. And judging by the state of things, that may not be a great idea.
>Good, so you agree that a Cere-
Nope. I need to think of a NEW Genesis move, one that would let me off someone in Cerebral Zenith without entering such a state myself.
>Why would you stack the odds-
Come on, you have to start getting me at SOME point, I do it BECAUSE IT IS FUN. The concept is not a difficult one.
>It is when one tries to account for sanity somewhere in your actions.
Sanity? Pssh, like I need that.

>>246292
My descent accelerating, I consider the nature of Chaos, Order, Masks and Belief as I seek out some new Genesis.
>...Please? Please, please PLEASE focus on the here and now?
In a tenth of a second, sure. Now.... okay, Chaos and Order don't mix, except when in very small amounts, is that right?
>How-
More time you spend asking questions, the longer MY questions last, the longer before I attend to the here and now. NOW, outside of-
>[YES, outside of small amounts, Chaos and Order cannot mix. Any attempt to mix the two beyond a small amount leads to a critical mass scenario... rather explosive.
Okay, okay.... that explains why Masks can be Chaos and Order in a default state, not all THAT much power in the passive state, yes?
>Correct
Okay, so, does that mean that Chaos and Chaos, Order and Order, no matter the amount can 'get along' together? Not blow up, but be used as needed?
>As far as I am aware.
OKAY, NOW the important bit: Can Chaos under ONE set of ownership be commandeered by Chaos under a DIFFERENT set of ownership?
>No more or less so than is conventionally the case with magic as a whole, however I will note that compared to Order, Chaos yields far more energy, but for equivalent values, Order is far easier to control. Does that help?
...Yes it does, you wonderful Nagging Wife, I know exactly what to do.
>What do you-

>>246312
>>246319
>>246321
>>249391
>>236394
[FANART DOUBLE BONUS]
>ARE YOU INSANE
THIS IDEA OF MINE-
>THE AMOUNT OF FEEDBACK IN CANCERYOU'LL GET-
OH, how it yearns to be used!
>Possibility Cell use is ALREADY a dance on a knife's edge-
The sheer mastery, to gain the speed I clearly need by ditching my bone armor- [/i][/b]
>To put something already dangerous in front of the power of a Genesis!?
-I'll even get to use it as fuel for a multidirectional attack, ensuring maximal probability of landing an attack. Really, a solid idea-but more than that, it's FLASHY.
>It's INSANE!
That's why I love it!

I trigger a Genesis with my scarf, burning away it's every iota of power as my body explodes with magical might, mind racing as I begin to spin the billions of equations required to spend this in one burst. I recheck my armor's condition as I begin demanding the service of every single Possibility Cell in my body, demanding more of their ilk to dominate, mind crackling with dazzling computations. I recall the kick that felled Abaeloth, the concentration demanded to fuel it, as I plot out spatial geometry vectors to create a comprehensive coverage of all the ground lit about Desmonte. My body blinds with Soulglow to my own eyes alone, as two hundred pounds of bone, more Possibility Cells then have ever existed in my body before, and my every remaining bit of magic channeled through two billion, eight hundred ninety four million, three hundred sixty seven thousand five hundred and one concurrent spells all blends together into one singular burst.

My lungs vibrate as I howl, almost mindlessly numb from what I just barely hold together.

"[u]GENESIS OF BANG!!"

Bone shifts and swirls like mercury, hundreds, thousands of bone spears forming about my chest, the front of my arms and legs, all that armor pooled as organic ballistics-that fire, coils of throbbing muscle wound about a spine thoroughly coated in vibrating bone spurs following after, whirling, keening, frenzied violence erupting to saturate the ground. I see The Butcher's body flowing, dividing into scores that follow his every brilliant path, all carrying the same pinpoint of roaring non-light. I see their pupils dilating as the blobs of gravity begin to warp-

Each and every Desmonte is hit by at least five spinning drills of bone and pain, stacked bone saws whirling away as they rip and tear, rend and bite. Limbs are removed, organs cored out, bodies obliterated in my messy hail-
>BANG!

Which begins to waver, magic spent, and Possibility Cells still running-now bereft of control.
Uh-
>I swear I shall exit it immediately, just give me permission for a Cerebral Zenith, I can fix this!
Fine, ju-
DISCONTINUITY
-st let... crap over already? ...Yeah, the tendrils are obediently withdrawing, Possibility Cells already deactivated, I can recoup at least a TINY bit of power from that... ah, the tendrils are crumbling into ash and... tumors... as they drop away. Huh... what's your take on that.

...Nagging Wife?
>....Yes, what?
..what just happened? I know a second or less is all that's elapsed, and its clear every single Desmonte is critically wounded-their gravity spheres beginning to go out of control. Holdonasec-

I lash out with a single arm, only dimly noting how pervasively my flesh is riddled and warped with tumorous growths and lesions, flesh crumbling away-to snatch one of the bodies of Desmonte, this one's hands cleanly severed, dragging it away-

Just before all seventy-eight sets of loose Gravimancy detonate, merging into a blast of suppressive force so severe the earth quakes but once-

And a sinkhole some seventy feet wide drops into existence... no bottom in sight... even to my eyes.

No one speaks. The whole town has had a chance to turn their eyes to the battle that just terminated, but not a single person yet reacts, still mesmerized by what has happened. On wobbly legs, I reach down to the last remaining Desmonte-was I really so lucky as to pick the original?
>Once the primary dies, that title defaults to another... if only one is left-
Huh, cool. ...That also means that every single other body was so demolished in that instant that this one spared that fate was the only left.... a bit of power, there. My hand, wavering as I have my internal conversation, finally finshes grasping that Mask, the Eternal Sunset, as the last light of the Zenith fades from it's threads. I pull it free (as my other arm surreptitiously begins tugging off his boots), and hold the trophy high, for all to see, my body still a seeping mass of growths and tumors, but notably beginning to improve as that bit of magic I reclaimed is carefully spent, drop by drop. I cough weakly twice, before I shout out, voice raspy but carrying in the deadening silence.

"...MAGNUM... BANG...HAS CLAIMED VICTORY!"

Those within the casino's clean and gleaming walls do not smile, save for a few gamblers, quickly silenced by the pressure of their compatriots, those wearing Desmonte's colors simply looking confused, not really grasping what has happened.

The rest of the town, in its dilapidated glory, all of it, thunders with cheers so loud not a single bird stays perched upon a clothesline or rooftop, all taking to the sky in dismay at the sheer weight of exultation beneath them. Grimy faces cheer, unshod feet pound as exuberance becomes action, the entire town beginning to surge towards the Casino-

They, ah, they do not look happy. But hey, I'm no longer crumbling away, I got Desmonte's mask in my left hand, his sash about my waist, and his boots (sadly far too large to fit my much smaller frame, but likely of a size for Keddic, or possibly one of those tribals) in my right. I, and the enormous crater before me, are the only obstacle between the enraged and finally unleashed town, and the casino's hundreds of patrons and scores of sycophants to the deceased Butcher. ...And yup, there goes my last drop of saved magic, all I can do now is spend any iota of magic as I regenerate it... fun.






What should I say or do?
And what should I spend the coming five hours of travel time to my final foe, El Mortoro the Enslaver in Domingo?
...And should I consider wearing one of my claimed Masks beside the Wife, to see if I could learn more about this organization, the God Masks?
>BANG!
>>
No. 246475 ID: e31d52

>How should I spend the last five hours

Bone flower. Seriously, we need all the energy we can get if we're going to take out this last guy. Query Wife, see if she has anything to say about him: His style, his abilities, how the town is suffering under him.

We won't do any more modifications for now, just think regenerative thoughts, really. We need all the magic we can get!
>>
No. 246476 ID: 56dc25

>>246472
Before leaving this town, recall that your latest opponent claimed to have many Masks in his possession. You need to retrieve them. Leaving something like that behind you is bound to turn out poorly as the rest of the God Masks try to reclaim this town (or at least their compatriot's loot) behind you.

As for the whole town slaughtering casino occupants thing... well, whatever. As long as you get the Masks at the end of it.
>>
No. 246477 ID: 9e5b05

Oh, hush Nagging Wife. You did good, but we gotta find out how to kick the ass of an ENITRE ORGIZATION! Which will be hard, as they have no Ass.

Anyway, first-thing's first. Got our Mask Winnings. We made a bet, we get winnings, simple as that. Dragon call down, ask these people if they need help, just call EL BANG, andwe will come. Something supitably badass.

And spending the fly time healing up. Build up magic, go for that Tape-worm thing, and go for brain-bones, extended nervous net, and try to empower your hair with badassery. But mostly just heal and take over the sash.
>>
No. 246479 ID: 9e5b05

>>246476
En, we are a Warrior Mask, we should supply some order here. Mostly so they don't kill nice gamblers.
>>
No. 246480 ID: 1854db

Steal the sash's magic. Maybe you could even WEAR the thing for extra battery life!
>>
No. 246481 ID: 9338f5

>>246475
this and grab some food and water while we have the chance
>>
No. 246492 ID: f4e4f9

I don't think we should wear any of the other masks. Eternal Sunsets potentially insane, Old Mask is without a doubt insane, and they've all had ample time to stew within the confines of our pants.

That, and we probably shouldn't alienate NW TOO much. She's been trying to help lately.
>>
No. 246493 ID: 1854db

We could probably wear Toro's mask safely.
>>
No. 246495 ID: 56dc25

>>246479
I rather figured that they probably deserve it, but if you really think we should save them, whatever. We can deploy Nindy and Burduko for that easily enough.

>>246492
I agree that we should not wear any other masks, at least for now. No telling how that would go. We should collect as many as possible, however.
>>
No. 246504 ID: 67f752

I think we should level the casino.
While this den of sin still stands there will be no peace in this city.

Look for other masks and collect them.
Take all the jewelry from Desmonte and analyze it, maybe they were magical artifacts.... if not, we'll have some money then...

>>244203
>[Wait until not being actively attacked to ruminate about allies please.]
Maybe now is the time?
Ruminate during the five hour journey.


Ah, one other thing I wanted to ruminate about.
Nagging wife was a fell warriors mask
which makes her a Fell Mask
>Care to explain that Nagging Wife?


If we are doing any modifications, I vote for secondary brain.
>>
No. 246510 ID: f8df87

We are definitely not wearing the Old Mask until we have a buffer between our brain and it, preferably also with lots and lots of magic (of which the rate will not exceed, and in fact, be dramatically less than the rate at which we regenerate magic). It is also unlikely that we will get anything useful from it, insane as it is and from the observation of Nagging Wife that it was only brought in for intimidation purposes, and therefore not privy to the information we want (unless, because of its madness and relative unimportance to the grand network of the God Masks, it was trusted with many sensitive matters; that is going down the road of paranoia, though, not a path we would want to walk).

Toro's mask is not likely to give us more information than Nagging Wife can provide us concerning the operations of the God Masks; unless I miss my guess, Toro and El Minimo were pretty much the same, in the hierarchy of the God Masks, and therefore received the same information. Sadly for us, he is also the only mask we currently have on us (except for the mask collection Desmonte had, once we find and loot it and Nagging Wife) that is not known-to-be-unsafe to wear. So, if we are going to be switching and wearing masks to gain info, we are pretty much stuck with Toro.

If we were to wear another mask, for the purposes of information gathering, the best mask to wear is the one we just got, Eternal Sunset. However, it would seem that it is rather unhinged, possibly from overuse of Cerebral Zenith, and may not be a reliable source of information.

...Do we even want to put on a new mask? When we put on Nagging Wife, she launched a massive attack on our brain. Granted, we fought it off with relative ease, but that was when we had a nearly-full store of magic. Now, when we are stuck with only what we get with our magical regeneration, do we really want to do that?

...Unless I totally misread that, and Nagging Wife was warning us of something...

Say, on a related topic, if we were to put on another mask, would the mask look the same as Nagging Wife does now? What does the appearance of the mask depend upon, the soul of the wearer (which means that all masks Bang wears will turn into his current one)?

On the topic of what Bang should do on the trip to the Enslaver, the brainy bone idea has my vote, with the bone flower to fuel the creation. If there is time, perhaps analyze the artifacts we got off Desmonte's corpse to determine if we can use them? Or, just, if it is possible, just dump them onto Burduko to give to Mordre (or the Arcanoworks, or whatever).
>>
No. 246516 ID: d3dfb8

1) Use sash to heal
2a) Recharge as hard as possible the whole way to the next fight (I dunno, if there's any meditation techniques or something that speeds this shit up)
2b) Learn everything you can about the sash
3) Transfer the power from the sash to the scarf until we know more of its usage
>>
No. 246542 ID: a76809

>>246475
>>246476
>>246477
>>246504
>>246516
I pay no attention to what the rioting town does, no one even daring to harm or bump against there savior as I slowly stand, body now passable in appearence as I still labor on internal threat (Must have some consideration for the situation, if I want my impact to be big, not just wierd). I walk in this protective bubble, following after the head of this massive mob that bursts into the casino. My head aches, a throbbing migraine sensation that seems purely neurological, and still outside my understanding in its complexity. I dimly note some citizens stepping forth after a time, respectfully offering me a total of three Masks, all claimed from Masked Warriors that faced Desmonte-not counting however many he already gifted to the God Mask collective. As I see Desmonte's men being beaten to death by enraged and malnourished citizens, only a few gamblers are spared, and among their number I note many of those few that bet on me, all tipping their hats to me. ...Somewhere along the line it is communicated to me that Desmonte's other belongings of value are going to be used to make reparations to the town in economic improvement, something I recall agreeing with in a dazed state. I keep trying to clear my head, but end up taking Desmonte's and the three other Masks, putting them two apiece on each side of my butt, held snug by my leather breeches. Even in such a fugue, I find this funny, having to deal with havcing not a single pocket. I must have spoken to Phohn at some point, as Nidhogg comes to land in the clearing before the casino, Burduko leaping off. I know he takes the boots from me, flickers, and the boots are gone-I think for Keddic to claim, or possibly Lorgk, I am not sure. The kickback from so much calculating was slow to hit, but it packs a whallop. The buzz is enough the soft voice of Nagging Wife cannot be heard as I realize I have claimed many pounds of roasted meats and a massive jug of hard cider, at least twenty gallons. I get onto Nidhogg, oddly complacent for once, allowing me an easy seating before taking off, as I eat and drink, waiting for the throbbing to pass, whiling away the time laboring to fight off cancer cell by cell, while trying to render energy from nourishment as swiftly as possible to boost what little I have.

We have been in the air for a few minutes when I finally start to feel more lucid, thoughts flowing in their lightning clarity like always. I note Nagging Wife is still not attempting conversation, and decide to investigate the sash I stole. I feel Desmonte's ownership scoured away both by his death and the immense wash of my own magic during the Genesis.... twelve minutes later, my body fully cured of cancer for the time being, has finally stockpiled enough magic to breach the last vestiges of warding about the brilliant orange cloth-

And plunge into a wonderful find. I can tell, by assessing its composition as my magic flits in, that this sash is only two thirds full. Despite this, its current load is just about half again what the scarf can hold MAXIMUM. ...This is an incredible find! The issues come as I tap it-its depth comes from inbuilt restriction, ONLY able to dispense power in preset lumps, one at a time. It takes me ten discharges to fully restock my scarf and bring my body back to ideal condition, and I begin drawing from the remaining sash reserves to fuel my work.

One burst of power is directed towards something I noted in ringworms, a threat all kids growing up fighting and wrestling all the time come to know. I was afflicted often enough as a child to have a solid grasp of the creature-and its highly reactive body. The connection between nerve and muscle it differed.... just SO

Twenty five minutes into the flight to Domingo, I augment the interface between muscle and nerve, added complexity for the already electric and most righteous meat on my bones. I know I can move faster, body more able to keep up with my perceptions.... excellent. My body even better then before, I consider my next project, and decide first to surround myself with an immensely multilayer shell of bone, getting the most of the multi-hour flight. I start to divert that building power to the sash, finding it amenable to any method of charging, after a burst powers the bone shell. A final burst, this time within my shell, is simply held in my body, tenth-full sash already beginning to refill ever so slowly as I delve into my bones, the home of so many of my Possibility Cells. ...Could not the brain be expanded? I could run the nervous system into the bones, establish shock-resistant auxhiliary minds... the circulation's already there, and the Possibility Cells won't need to be transported. I've thought of some ways to codify the interactions, such that the destruction of all these planned minds would mean NOTHING so long as my true brain is unmolested..... still, as my labors stretch from minutes to hours as I begin a project most intensive and delicate, I estimate my mental calculation to soon be at least twice what it current it, accounting for what I lose in protecting myself from feedback, and insuring the brains can take shock. Spine, pelvis, tibia, femur, tarsals, every bone gets at least a part of the new neural net, as my nervous system slowly expands to weave it all together. It takes three and change hours of work, but I finally finish making my whole body capable of thought, with my every bone now networked and slaved to my own mind as processing upgrades. ...Ho-ho, this should help make more directed and precise control of Possibility Cells possible, most excellent. In the time that passes my Sash refills two charges, reaching just shy of a fifth of its total stores.

>>244089
My mind finally given a moment to contemplate as my projects are complete, body still cradled in bone as thin as parchment in hundreds of layers as I consider Mordre. This dragon, for transportation, Nindy here... Burduko, for transport... some mention of EISENHARDT at the end of this, that crazy Metal Titan guy, the fun with Huaow and Angormandius, meeting Lubu, those fights in the mountains on THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD... I wish I had met him sooner, I don't even really need to LOOK to find opportunities for fun, working with him gives access to some ridiculous resources. The constant turmoil is a huge bonus to thrive in-I wonder at when I'd have even had a chance to learn of Possibility Cells without Mordre's influence? ...I fucking like this guy, no mistake, he hooks me up with my every need, and asks me to do things that always end in my enjoying myself. How can I not like that? Sure, I have more than a couple questions, but they pale in comparison to what I'm getting for being here. Shit is awesome.
>...Back to a more juvenile mindset? I had hoped your new neural net and correlative boost in compuation could have yielded a bit less... [i]snarky disposition.[/i]
There's no changing Bang, baby! ...But shit, things have gone very well for me, and as I see it, damn near all of it can be traced back to Mordre... need to thank that guy at some point. Also hey you're talking again.
>...I had to be certain, to make sure that there was no taint. I was in that state as briefly as possible, not even a full second, so I had to be certain I had not been corrupted. On earlier bearers, I have seen the depths Cerebral Zenith overuse can sink one's existence to... reset by your ownership, I see no reason to return to such things. ....But my concern seems a moot point, as no harm seems done. A considerable find, that sash.
Yeah, a shame about the boots... but they weren't really healing related, so whatever. ...Right, I sent them to Lorgk. Ridiculous ground gliding should be helpful, I think, to a swordsman with such a crazy sword.
>So cavalier about such a potent item's gifting.
Meh, I like being barefoot anyway.
Also, Nagging Wife as the Mask of El Blank Magnifico, that makes you the Mask of a Fell Mask... which would seem to make you a Fell Mask.
>I was, in his ownership. And before him, I belonged to another Fell Mask. But before THAT, I belonged to a Masked Warrior. The path one takes winds, and when you area a Mask, there is little to be done about a forceful bearer.
Huh.


Another hour passes as I run extensive tests, learning of my new reflexes and general muscle control (considerably improved), and make a new LIST OF BANG'S AWESOMENESS!!
[BANG'S RECENTLY ADDED ABILITIES
+Omnispectral vision, Compound vision, Mantis Shrimp eye adaptation
+auxiliary skeletal brain network, double processing power.
+nervous response time of body, nerve connections to muscles improved via ringworm trait.

All this on top of all the other mods I've made tonight. ...Gonna be a BANGIN' day tomorrow. But until then... It is not all that much longer before the glow of the still active city of Domingo is visible, in the pre-dawn twilight. I do not have much time to find El Mortoro the Enslaver, but that city is vast... I note my Sash now up to a fourth power again, scarf still completely full as I am dumped with the usual lack of ceremony by Nidhogg over the city. It is at this point I note that EVERYONE I can see on the ground-numbering in the THOUSANDS, even this early, all wear ponchos identifying them as belonging to one God Mask or other. I see several symbols, a few of Magnifico's tassel-bars oh white and gold, Toro's skeletal bull with a black belly, even Desmonte's field of clouds seen here and there. All this, I note at two miles up, as-
>There are too many sets of Combat Magic, too many souls of at least marginally appreciable value. I cannot pinpoint Mortoro, and there are scores, hundreds of buildings of considerable size and prominence... this city is too decentralized... it is strange. I only know of Mortoro through what my prior owner had heard and seen... and the Enslaver, despite note being a Lieutenant seemed to provide considerable power, and demand considerable respect.... could this be due to his contributions in manpower? ...Interesting hypothesis, if I may toot my own horn. It does seem supported by the fact I see more than ten different emblems all over the roving minions.
That is a rather fancy bit of intuition there-I LIKE IT.





I'm a mile and three quarters up, still wrapped in hundreds of layers of papery-thin bone shell, what's my move here?
Am I just going to make a flashy entrance, fists flying and try to bait Mortoro out as aggressively as possible?
Or should I work with the eighty minutes I have left before dawn, and do something a bit more involved?
>>
No. 246569 ID: 67f752

Well, many of those guys could be working for god masks against their will.
So killing everyone might not be the best idea right now.
>>
No. 246592 ID: 1854db

Kill someone in a secluded area where you won't be seen, take their poncho as a disguise, and wander around trying to figure out where the big guy is.
>>
No. 246595 ID: 10f195

>Cannot pinpoint
>Cannot pinpoint
>Cannot pinpoint

Dammit, she needs to work on that.

Drop down like a boss, knock people out with the pressure wave.

Then proceed to thunderclap them into submission until the enslaver shows up.

DON'T LET ANYONE TOUCH YOU!
>>
No. 246607 ID: f4e4f9

>>246592
Lets not do that. Against a guy nicknamed "The Enslaver", it seems a bit...overly callous to just kill a random person.

Actually, now that I think about it: IT should be possible for you to see the soulglow around anyone who has an active/passive magical effect on them. Could you see Mortoro yourself? What about discerning between those under a magical effect and those not?
>>
No. 246616 ID: a76809

>>246569
Hm... The Enslaver, in a city full of followers... Nagging Wife, how long has El Mortoro been here?
>Hard to say. When my prior bearer first enlisted, El Mortoro was already a member, He has been a God Mask, and in this city of Domingo, for a minimum of three years, likely longer.
...But this is a pre-existing city, right?
>That is so.
No way he could have convinced all the residents to join, or to leave and make room for sycophants... which leaves his namesake, enslaving. ..This is looking more and more dodgy, as if I'm right, I've been killing enslaved innocents as minions of Masks.... great.
>You have no guarantee this is true.
No, but from what I've seen so far, it looks the most likely to be true.

>>246592
>>246595
I come up with a plan as I descend within my bone shell. Phohn?
Yes, Mortal Bang?
Can you ask Burduko to get down here, I have a plan. I need him to follow my descent, and before impact put the nearest minion-sans their poncho inside my bone shell, and me in their place. Can he do that?
...Your request has been relayed, and seems viable.
>Bang, I thought you suspected the minions to be innocent-
Which is why I'd much rather kill one, in the hopes it spares me from having to kill others. This is simple statistics here, one versus thousands. ..And here's Burduko.

A pile of cloth, wind and steel flits to my side, carefully shaped to have as little surface area as possible, a pair of softly glowing eyes regarding me as it draws level with me, some thousand feet from the ground. I continue descending at tremendous speed, and through the night gloom that no longer conceals anything from my eyes, I direct my path towards the outskirts of the city, hurtling downwards towards a single poncho bearer all alone, outside of anyone else's line of sight. Ten feet before impact, my perception of the world blurs while I disengage the bone shell about myself, standing on the ground inside of a poncho (this one adorned with the dazzling clouds of Desmonte the Butcher) as my bone shell crashes to the ground, blood and pulp splattering everywhere as the substitute body is pasted. I dash aside to take up a position within a narrow alleyway as I hear shouts drawing closer, and keep an eye to the seen.
>Before the investigators arrive, I... would suggest taking me off. Hard to masquerade as a minion wearing a Mask.
Is that okay to do? I mean, no mechanical issues with doing that, like resetting you or something?
>So long as no one new puts a Mask on, it preserves the mindset and settings of its most recent bearer. So long as you do not share me, I shall still be very much so the same when you put me back on. Parting words of advice: If you are planning to be stealthy about this, consider Mortoro has a Mask as well: Any overt magic use from here on out could tip your hand with its clarity and potency.
Well, at least I've souped up my body-ah, I should keep away from decent lighting then, unless I want questions about my awesome eyes of awesomeness. Now, what do we have here....

As I take Nagging Wife off, carefully stowing her inside my vest close to my heart, and adjust the poncho I now wear, I see a smattering of minions appear, scores of individuals bearing five different sets of sigils: A fist closed about a skull (this seems the most prevalent sigil in the entire city), jaws closing about an entire city, a tragedy/comedy mask duo, a hand grasping a tornado, and an antlion's jaws gleaming at the base of a pit. ...I note none wearing Desmonte's colors save myself in my alley nook as the investigators assemble.

>"What happened here?"
>"Unknown, but it seems to have been fatal."
>"Is this part of an attack?"
>"Are there others present?"

It is at this point I see Burduko fading away, unobserved by any of the minions clustered about the corpse. Hmm.... even with my vision and electroreception working in concert, this town is so damn dense I'm having a mess of problems deciphering my every bit of sensory data: Anything beyond a hundred foot radius starts to blend together from sheer over-stimulation. ...Jeeze, learning new senses is a pain in the butt.

>>246607
All of the twenty eight minions clustered about the splattered corpse in its bone shell have some form of Combat Magic active, but the light is dull, soft, insubstantial: Even without adding more active magic to the mix, the innate modifications I have made to my body could well allow me to fight above their level, should that be relevant.




Okay, what should I do?
I am currently undetected, should I try to stay sneaky?
Or should I go for some bluffing shenanigans, and try to manipulate the investigating minions to my own ends?
I'm here to end Mortoro and find some answers before dawn, and I have seventy nine minutes to do so: What's the plan?
>>
No. 246622 ID: 10f195

"In any case we should report this to Mortoro"

Not.

Let them make the first move and follow them if it seems they can help you locate someone in charge.

If not, go exploring.
>>
No. 246642 ID: 9e5b05

>>246616
"No! It was one guy! This dude just dropped out of the sky, screaming that 'MAGNUM BANG, The Human Dynamo, Annihilator Of Armies, Smasher Of Sieges, Cracker Of Castles has Obliterated El Blank Minimo, Hunted and Poached El Hipopótamo Blanco, Run the Curtain up for Desperaspardos The Cup, and Broke Bank for Desmonte the Bumbler and will spend a good fifteen minutes thinking up a good 'Slaver' pun once he breaks Mortoro how he did that in the time it took it him to crash into him!" Point at the smear. "What should I do?"
>>
No. 246656 ID: 445c48

We gotta stop Phohn from calling people "Mortal ____"
>>
No. 246666 ID: 1a69ff

Too bad we didn't ask Wifey which sigils represents which God Masks...The scary thing is that El Mortoro seems to have the entire town in his grasp. He might be milking them for belief power.

El Mortoro might also be the kind of guy who hides in a crowd and runs things from the shadows. How about you cause a few more accidents? Things that won't expose you, but definitely warrant being reported to the boss? Like knock out some more minions and leave them where they'll be found, collapse some structures by throwing rocks from far away with your super strength etc.

If you poke this beehive you might be able to read a pattern in how the minions react and trace it back to the queen bee so to speak.

Also this low level combat magic all minions have, could it be part of the enslavement effect? It seems strangely uniform.
>>
No. 246669 ID: a76809

>>246642
Making some intuitive leaps concerning my place among the minions, being subservient to one of the two God Mask lieutenants, I speak with the crack of authority as I look to prod Mortoro's operation.

"A Masked Warrior fell from the sky, This is believed part of an attack, and no others have been seen dropping from above or otherwise."
Only a few glance my way, immediately noting my poncho's sigil as they continue to collaborate, adapting what I said to their joint rumination.
>"Masked Warrior attack? Alone?"
>"Explains why a Masked Warrior would attack, this is not a sanctioned move."
>"Payments and favors mean nothing to the vigilante."
>"Was a name heard at any point?"
>"Which way did the intruder go?"
"The name was self-mentioned as Bang, with the intruder travelling towards the center of the city."
>"A sweep, a quarantine..."
>"The Master will wish to know of this-"
>"And will expect results, not just worries. We must appease him."
>"Capture the intruder, then return?"
>"The plan seems reliable, our numbers make up for individual frailty against a single foe."
>"Bring word to your respective commanders, this must be done with speed."

The group disperses without any curiosity thrown my way for staying in the dark, as if seeing me in a poncho automatically negated the need for inspection. A good thing, as I doubt anyone else has such lustrous eyes. ....There goes an alarm bell... another... time to move. Instead of travelling towards the center, I begin making my way out farther onto the outskirts, as a plan forms in my mind.

>>246666
[DEVIL PLAN BONUS]
Misdirection, confusion, havoc: If this Mortoro is their Master, magical or otherwise, sufficient Chaos will force them to seek him out, to find a clear way to serve his wishes, or to gain his aid. Trying to not kill any more minions than is absolutely necessary is a strange twist, but subterfuge is not all THAT alien to me.... my experiences with it just happen to be specialized in a very small field of it.

I leap into a masonry workshop's yard, and without pause begin grabbing and hurling rocks of hundreds, sometimes thousands of pounds, each sent to clip the side of a tall, narrow building, four individual targets of this nature identified in my furtive pounce. Soon, there are heavy, cracking impacts, and roars of noise as entire structures begin to collapse, blocking streets, making noise and dust, snuffing out lanterns, and in general making the pre-dawn flurry of activity much more chaotic. I hear shouts beginning to move my general direction, but with a flick of my hand I quench the lantern near me, then leap into the dark night sky, low, swooping jumps that start bringing me about Domingo's perimeter. Twice more I stop to make noise doing what I do best, breaking everything I can get my hands on. I chuck wagons into stables for camels and livestock, their squealing ruckus spilling into the street, and I throw an old, headless statue into the front of a barracks, presumed such by the number of electrical signals and body heat I sense within. In eight minutes, what was once an orderly military city is in chaos, people running all about the place on conflicting orders, no one sure what's going on. Brief meetings between minions flicker into being all over the place, but nothing concrete is being hashed out, with not even a single sighting of their attacker yet reported.... I may have to re-evaluate my opinion of stealth, this is quite fun. It helps that the poncho keeps my scarf pressed down beneath its folds, and the sash likewise hidden. Only my runed leather wrappings on feet and hands, along with my eyes, could betray my true identity. ...But with seventy minutes left until dawn, Mortoro is still nowhere to be seen, and the chaos I just brewed is stalling. Perhaps something more is needed to pull Mortoro from his hole without revealing my hand.

I see quite a few confused looking minions milling about in the square before me as I stand in yet another alleyway, having halfway circled the entire city by now, and STILL having seen not a single sign of a Soulglow I would credit with belonging to a Masked Warrior. What's a guy gotta do?





So what's my next step here?
Do I try to fake being a minion to get some others to lead me to Mortoro, and if so how would I swing that?
Or do I feel more dissaray in his camp will draw him out, and if so, what should I try to do (this city is surprisingly self-sufficient, I could likely find almost any type of target structure one could hope for)?
And lastly, should I keep Nagging Wife off and hidden, or should I return to being a Masked Warrior yet?
>>
No. 246671 ID: e31d52

GRRRRRRRR

WE DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS BULLSHIT
>>
No. 246675 ID: 445c48

Duck into an alley or someplace you can't be seen, and pull on Nagging Wife, and quickly ask if she knows the Enslaver's emblem. If she doesn't, bugger. If she does, go up to the nearest man wearing a poncho with that emblem, and tell him you've been ordered to bring a message to The Enslaver, tell me where he is right now.
>>
No. 246693 ID: f8df87

Of course you haven't seen Mortoro yet; you're in the outskirts of the town and since Mortoro's ability allows him to create minions, surely his base of operations is near the center of the town, so as to allow him to receive and give messages to all parts of the town as quickly as possible. Therefore, the most likely place you would find Mortoro would be somewhere near the center of town, with a heavy flow of people going in and out, presuming he stays put.

>>246675
And, don't do this. We're pretending to be a minion of the God Masks; we should already know where Mortoro is located.

And hey, when did Burduko become able to switch people's places?
>>
No. 246697 ID: 579db4

Destroy the high class places, things that an important person in the town would enjoy frequenting, still as a minion.

Then pull on Nagging wife and make yourself known in all your splendor.
>>
No. 246698 ID: 579db4

Oh yes Bang, use your new tazer to knock people out without touching them.

I don't know if this guy can control people via other people.

If you are having problems, just put you arms beside someones head and run a current.

I keep thinking of this guy as Agent Smith.
>>
No. 246701 ID: 46c430

>>246697
Minus the revealing yourself thing, this seems like a good idea. Maybe also target warehouses and banks, knock over stuff that -needs- to be protected for the city to operate/survive to force him out of hiding.
>>
No. 246705 ID: 46c430

>>246701
Well, on second thought, 'Blow up what they need to survive' is a bad idea, but you get the general clue.
>>
No. 246713 ID: e31d52

Pretty sure the town is mind-controlled.
>>
No. 246738 ID: a76809

>>246671
Already missing another set of thoughts to bounce against, I think to myself. Yes, it is incredibly frustrating that I am being all cautious and calculating, rather than just tearing through the city full tilt. I certainly have the magical reserves for it. But I peg Mortoro as the cunning type: If I make too big of a scene, I suspect he may flee. As my estimations go, he has enslaved all these here, and getting bogged down fighting those under the control of another... does not sound enjoyable. I mean, killing someone that's gunning for me? Sure, no problem, that works. But just someone who isn't fully in control of their faculties... eh.

So, we do artful.

>>246675
I duck further out of sight and swiftly pull the Nagging Wife on for a flurried inquiry.
What does Mortoro's sigil look like?
>A fist closed about a skull, you have seen it.
Right, thanks.

I slip the Mask back off after my brief exchange, noting those with Mortoro's sigil are by far the most prevalent... and possess at least a few with some form of Combat Magic different from the norm. ...Actually, that default Combat Magic could be part of how they are held enslaved, now that I think about it. Certainly helpful, to turn anyone into an instant soldier like that.

>>246693
>>246697
>>246698
>>246701
I revise my stratagems, hunting down the bars, incapacitating those I find within with carefully applied electrical current, my electroreception allowing enough moderation I don't kill any. I spend ten minutes successively knocking out everyone inside (those few not ousted in the search for the intruder) before I employ Magnum Thunderclaps to shatter the glassware, all their spirits wasted, spilt on the ground before I move on at high speed. Seven minutes into this new approach, the shouts of those hunting me get more enraged as I steal away their booze, seven saloons falling to me-

And letting me draw the searching minions even farther away from the center, opening a path into the better lit, less dense area where I have yet to travel. By sheer process of elimination, I surely must find Mortoro somewhere within. I have to stun a few dozen more minions before they can raise an alarm, as I move swiftly, with purpose, trying to keep light from falling on my eyes. I begin to see a glow of magic markedly different from the others in the area, something I promptly set out to follow-

>"Oy, you!"

Before I even come to a halt my electroreception reveals no less than twenty five minions clustered about behind me, one notably larger than the others in the front. ...I also note that turning around would put light squarely on my eyes.

>"What's with those wrappings on your hands and feet?"
>"They have runes on them..."
>"He is not recognized, not a High Supplicant to one of the Gods."
>"He could be new."
>"New members do come in every day."
>"The timing seems off."

Again, I am confronted with the oddly flowing group dialogue, once more reminding me of a collective mind... maybe the Combat Magic and enslavement also bind them together on some level? But more importantly... I can't drop them non-lethally fast enough to avoid raising a ruckus and revealing myself. Conversely, it would leave a bad taste in my mouth to kill those whose minds have been subverted just to stay quiet... but if they do raise an alarm, THOUSANDS will be swarming me. Geez, I haven't even met him and I'm already hating this Mortoro guy, such a roundabout way to get to him! ...But this Soulglow I see of a different hue could lead to him... hm.





What should I say or do?
Am I going to bullshit my way through this, and if so what sort of linguistic tactics should I employ?
Or am I going to bite the bullet and off these minions to keep the lid on things?
Or do I have a different plan?
Lastly, when SHOULD I put my Mask on?
>[Sixty minutes left and counting until dawn]
>>
No. 246741 ID: e31d52

Godfucking rassum frassum fuck can't we make some sort of paralytic poison to hit people with isntead of cancer? One that knocks them the fuck out? We need to hurry the fuck up!
>>
No. 246743 ID: 676dda

[Effing Agents]

Bolt. They can't keep up with you.

Bolt towards the new source, with so much force behind your initial lunge that it blows people behind you away (yes, epic and nigh impossible... but you are Bang after all).

Fly past the area with the new soulglow, gaze directly into his eyes. Get a gooood look at him.

If it is the target, he will not pass up the chance to add such a find (you and your awesome eyes) to his collection.

If not, they will definitely tell on you.ut ur mask on.

Shit be goin down now.
In any case, after blasting through, pi
>>
No. 246745 ID: 676dda

If not, they will definitely tell on you.ut ur mask on.

Shit be goin down now.
In any case, after blasting through, pi

| |
| |
V

If not, they will definitely tell on you.

In any case, after blasting through, put ur mask on.

Shit be goin down now.
>>
No. 246748 ID: 9e5b05

>>246738
"He is new, still adjusting."
>>
No. 246751 ID: 45be60

Speak with an unidentifiable (made up? Low Dragonish?) accent and make strange pronoun choices when you explain your obviously foreign garb. This also helps disguise phrasing which would be out of the norm with the collective speech patterns. And half close your eyes. Any other minor facial modifications to look foreign you can pull off on short notice?

"This one is new, still adjusting. Solid bindings of toes discomfort, discarded when alarm calls of urgency."

(and hey, if they turn out to be xenophobic, you can demonstrate how your natural skill made an exception worthwhile)
>>
No. 246762 ID: e31d52

WAIT WAIT I GOT IT GUYS

BEES.

Seriously speaking, though: we can modify our cancer shooters to shoot bee venom (apitoxin) instead of, well, cancer. With shots this big, the amount of venom will either send them to the floor in pain, or knock them out.

We will fight our way there using this, and then stop him.

Alternatively, have Nidhogg buzz the town, maybe spew a little fire, roar some... that sort of thing. hard to ignore.
>>
No. 246763 ID: e31d52

>>246762
>The main component of bee venom responsible for pain in vertebrates is the toxin melittin; histamine and other biogenic amines may also contribute to pain and itching.

Just a thought.
>>
No. 246767 ID: 370f77

No subterfuge is going to last long, especially not one that involves posing as part of the hivemind. We need to create a false sense of urgency instead, by instructing our allies (via Phohn) to continue the rampage.

"High Supplicant? ... Not exactly. This one is the new vessel of the Old Mask, ohshitwhatwas Desperaspardos'masknamed? The one called Bang caused me a great inconvenience by slaying my former vessel, and I have pursued him all the way from Piccolo tonight. He means to tear this whole city down on his way to Mortoro - we must reach him first!"

Use the collapsing buildings as a distraction to put NW back on without anyone noticing, and chase towards the nearest one if you get asked any inconvenient questions like how you ended up on someone else's face or why Bang is such a threat.
>>
No. 246772 ID: f4e4f9

>>246762
Possibility cell use will cause us to sprout into tumors, which will probably trigger an alarm shout from these guys.

That, and upping the dose of ANY kind of venom at random can affect people to different degrees of severity.

That, and you can't really make the chemicals present in Bee-venom out of nothing.

I'm liking >>246751
>>
No. 246773 ID: 370f77

Hey, even if you couldn't see magic auras back when you slaughtered all those mooks in the last few towns, Nagging Wife could, and she didn't say anything about it. So they were all probably acting of their own free will. Chances are, the ones that are enslaved are still magically linked to him somehow, and there's a maximum range or duration to it. Otherwise, he wouldn't stop at just one city - everybody in those towns, even the civilians, would have been enslaved.
>>
No. 246775 ID: a76809

>>246748
"He is new, adjusting, preparing for service to the God Desmonte."
>"He wears his sigil."
>"The sense of the Butcher God is there."
>"The story is plausible."
>"Why do you not turn around?"
>"Yes why does the warrior not face us?"

Crap.

>>246751
I turn about, squinting my eyes as if preserving night vision, ready to weave a tail-
To find them immediately tensing, the glitter of my eyes unmistakably otherworldly. ...They suspect me irrevocably, now. Well.

>>246762
>>246763
I use a burst of magic from Desmonte's Sash to harness Possibility Cells and replicate the stingers of bees, chemical compounds wrought from freshly constructed new cellular constructs, all focused into the toxin sac launchers I have imprinted, shirt lifting up as my body arches, belly a bed of spines that fire swiftly towards targets carefully predicted. I hear gasps and wheezing moans almost immediately. Some still move as if to scream, but my request through Phohn for Nidhogg to strafe the city and draw some attention is taken effect, a tremendous knelling roar resounding and fiery acid globs soar through the sky, arrows, spears even a few cannons are raised against the enormous dragon, but naught pierces he hide, all eyes up-and all ears distracted from the few trying to give me away.

>>246743
>>246745
I turn back about, firmly setting myself and orienting on the differently hued Soulglow, kicking off with such force earth rises up to bombard those writhing on the ground, their rasping protest showing they will go nowhere soon. I rocket ever closer to the light I feel indigently welling in intensity, racing by a heavily refitted open air smithery-

My eyes meet the owner of the Soulglow, I link electrical current to coloration for future reference, and I see the Mask on his face, he who calmly issues orders to minions in genuine genuflection. Is see he of the white Masked styled like a skull, a macabre caricature, cartoonish yet still skillfully made, its bony grin disconcerting. I see shadows about the base of that skull-like Mask, as if a hand of nothingness were grasping it firmly from behind. The warrior himself, just barely topping six feet, is wearing fine clothing over a leather carapace that peeks through his collar and cuffs alike, it's hardened surface replete with runes. I can feel the Soulglow of that armoring already active, Mortoro still sustaining his own Combat Magic beyond, eyes blazing as he stares back at me.

I cannot help but notice he is flanked by TWO other Fell Masks, one a heavyset brute with a green Mask styled with a clenched fist, another shorter than me with a navy and ochre mask with lightning bolts crisscrossing its surface. ...A bruiser and a speedster, unless their Mask disposition misleads. ...But why are they even here? My momentum carrying me past in a flash, I whip Nagging Wife out, donning The Red Eye of the Dynamo, as Magnum Bang, Masked Warrior, re-enters the stage.
>..I believe those two Masks with Mortoro to be Masked Warriors... I recall running into each briefly several years ago, one with the prior owner, one with the owner before that. In both cases, they fought as part of Masked Warrior coalitions...
Then I have to conclude Mortoro subverted them. Damn, that enslaving thing in his name is on the ball! So, any ideas if he can enslave me?
>...He found a way about a Mask's innate sheltering, a rather worrisome show of skill.... but his magic could only be that strong if he was popping in and out of Cerebral Zenith to accomplish it, or if he had bound his methods up in many empowering restrictions to specialize.
Triggers could be anything, in that case. Saying his name while maintaining contact with me, or needing a certain minimum time to act over... Not much to work with. What about his combat abilities?
>That armor he wears beneath the lordly vestments looks potent, anchored in Kinetimancy... I think it decelerates incoming objects. It also has some form of power storage mechanism, and a release action... I suspect dampened momentum can be.. returned, in some way. I cannot offer more without seeing it in action, but I suspect it a potent magic item that is largely reactive-defensive.
Well, at least the Soulglow I saw about his own body wasn't that great... he seems to specialize in his enslavement, and leave his personal safety to that suit....
...And his enslaved Masked Warriors.

As I begin reversing, flying back towards Mortoro, his twin guards explode through the wall, the pair charged with considerable Souglow, suns blazing at my side in approach as I watch Mortoro already moving purposefully to walk away. The asymmetrical pair lunges forth, the smaller with hands stiffened like knives, the larger with grasping hands.






What should I do?
How am I gonna handle two Masked Warriors ten feet and closing fast that quite likely are enslaved to Mortoro against their will, and thus innocent?
And do I have anything to say about Mortoro just up and leaving like this?
Any plans on how to prevent his escape, without killing the Masked Warriors?
>>
No. 246777 ID: e31d52

The masked warriors? Two?

Don't fight them. You'll have to dodge like crazy, but hey. All the more impressive. Attack Mortoro directly, and avoid eye contact.
>>
No. 246782 ID: e31d52

>>246777
Er, rather, chase him.
>>
No. 246785 ID: 1854db

Disable the Masked Warriors. Break their limbs or something like that. We've got a good amount of magic to burn at the moment, so we should be able to avoid killing them. Against Mortoro, we should bypass the momentum dampening problem by using cancer injection and other indirect attacks like poison or whatever.

Hmm. Surely there is some way of fixing the enslavement. Hey... Nagging Wife allowed you to use your healing magic on others before, maybe you can do that with these two dudes to free them!
>>
No. 246787 ID: e31d52

Bang doesn't do well healing others. He was only able to manage in the Tent because of how it worked. Out here, it's unlikely he can't use it on others outside of lolcancer.
>>
No. 246788 ID: e31d52

>unlikely he can, rather
>>
No. 246798 ID: f4e4f9

>>246787
Except his vestments perform the exact same function as that healing tent did in amplifying his healing magic. Nothing should stop him from serving in that same capacity.

Momentum dampening, eh? Injection vector attacks will be hampered by that as well.

However, a sonic attack could work. Magnum Thunderclap to throw off the masked warriors, and give Mortaro something to think about.

Also, pulling off his limbs oughto work, but that DOES entail getting rather close to him.

I think our best bet is to free one of the enslaved masked warriors somehow, and find out how the fuck he does what he does.
>>
No. 246804 ID: 7150d8

Against Mortoro, we should use electricity charges.
That should have an effect on him, regardless of his anti-momenutm clothes.
>>
No. 246846 ID: 10f195

>>246804
>Electricity
>Leather.


Anyway, fast battle, quick battle.
Mini-gin hands, dodge them both while constantly spraying them with the bee style poison.

No matter how strong you are, get stung enough and you are going down.

So yea, running battle, keep within 3 blocks of the target at all times.


You might also want to try tazing the masked ones, it might help.

Don't underestimate them, don't get hit.
Simple avoidance battle while spraying.
Dedicate a few pulses from the sash to maintenance.
>>
No. 246860 ID: 1854db

>>246846
The proper use of the sash is to refill the scarf. We can use however much power we want from the scarf, so it's most efficient to use the scarf to draw power from, and just recharge it via the sash.
>>
No. 246878 ID: b0138b

Honestly just try to take these masked warriors apart as much as you can without killing them.

Yeah cut their tendons, break bones, spill blood and all that. If it looks like Magnum Bang is holding back then MORE hostages will quickly be brought to bear.

I suggest trying to attack Mortoro's head/mask first. It might not be as well protected by his armor and if you electrocute his brain and follow through with a Bang Blade then there shouldn't be any Mortoro left to enslave you. We have to finish this quickly before the enslaving trick comes into play.
>>
No. 246888 ID: a69afd

>>246775
Trigger his vestments on purpose, have it store MASSIVE ammounts of momentum from punches, kicks, projectiles, whatever. Get up in his face and make him release the built up energy, take the hit full force with the toga, laugh as Motoro is smashed into oblivion.

MAGNUM REVERSAL
>>
No. 246890 ID: 46c8d6

>>246888
That might not go as well as you expect, especially if the energy does not transfer to direct force but to enslavement stuff.
>>
No. 246897 ID: 6164e0

>>246777
I make a mental note that making eye contact? Not the best idea in the world when it comes to Mortoro. Way too many methods of messing with the mind rely upon eye contact…
>BANG!
What, you can’t think I’ve forgotten about the two Masked Warriors closing on me! Don’t worry, I got this!

>>246798
MAGNUM THUNDERCLAP!!

My hands slap together in a resounding boom of sound, the paired Masked Warriors hesitating as I note blood flowing from the smaller one’s ears. Even El Mortoro turns back for a brief moment, eyes narrowing as he regards me again. Before he can turn back away and resume his stately withdrawal, I combine my new full-body neural net, and my enhanced muscle-nerve connections with a spike in adrenaline-to find those warriors approaching me far slower than mere instants ago. Possibility Cells flying into use, my hands twist and warp, prongs and tendrils erupting everywhere while leather wrappings loosely drape about the altered manipulators, and I make some real hand cannons. I dash forward, bombarding my paired foes with a deluge of heavily modified bee stings, looking to incapacitate and circumnavigate the paired challenges. Hundreds of modified darts fly, embedding themselves in the larger warrior’s chest and arms, the smaller warrior dodging or otherwise warding the attacks away with blurring hands of surprising durability. I note the larger one, despite being hit continues on just fine-

But that’s not the point. The point is they had to focus on my actions, and by the time they’ve weathered it, I’m already past them dashing onwards towards Mortoro. As I draw ever closer I spread my arms wide again, preparing to again use Magnum Thunderclap before I try something I hope can get around that pesky armor of his.

Before my arms can close, burly limbs wrap around my right, thin ones about my left-the Masked Warriors enslaved by him recovered more quickly than I had hoped.

>>246785
>Before you turn these two into makeshift ballistics-
See, you’re learning my preferences!
>…I would suggest attempting to heal them. Your clothing boosts your Curatiomancy, and with my aid you would have a reasonable chance of success.
Wouldn’t their-or Mortoro’s sense of Ownership mess with that?
>Unsure, but their own ownership should be inclined towards being freed.
Good enough for me. NOW WHY NOT DO BOTH!?

My arms begin swinging forward, bones flexing past any reasonable limits, muscles and tendons prevented from tearing as I begin to throw my two aggressors by means of their grip on me, all while sending my Curatiomancy workings into their bodies, looking to reset any partitions of their bodies suffused with Soulglow. After all, if there is no magic in them, I don’t see how Mortoro’s works could persist. The two could not be more different, really. The large one, with the mask of green, is reasonably fat, if not nearly so much so as San Bruno, with a solid, heavy frame, considerable magic bound in his bones and his spinal column. The smaller warrior, with his Mask of Blue and yellow, has magic glowing from his every nerve, his spine a pillar of blazing light…. Both have spinal Soulglow of considerable levels… let’s try moderating that first, as the only common denominator. It takes a fifth of a second and more than half a million calculations each, but I overwhelm the resistances of both, happy to find neither so paranoid as to innately block Curatiomancy access to their body. The moment both spines have been reset from a magical standpoint by having the power suffusing them turned towards some comprehensive maintenance, I feel their respective grips slipping.
>They express confusion.
Who?
>The Masks, Forest Fist and Mind Lightning, worn respectively by [i]Adolfo Gomez and Conrado Concha.
You know them?
>I do now, at least to a point. Masks can communicate when their wearers are in direct physical contact… Confusion is giving way to rage concerning their enslavement.
So they’re free then? Do they recall HOW they were enslaved?
>They are free yes, but their memories are patchy around their enslavement, neither can offer thoughts on this… and neither Masked Warrior can think as swiftly as you, so you may need to verbally ask the warriors.
I’ll keep that in mind.

My two living projectiles leave my arms, hurtling towards Mortoro’s retreating form, wordless rage their only vocalization as both turn their wrath on their oppresser-

And seem to forget he has that momentum-dampening ability. I watch fists ready to break stone, fingers ready to crave through steel simply… do nothing. Mortoro almost absentmindedly sweeps an arm about as if to brush aside his aggressors. The moment he touches them, each goes hurtling off with bone-breaking force, their own ablated force returned with interest. Mortoro continues to move away from me, even though he faces my way and appears to be walking towards me-
>…I did not know he could Moonwalk

>>246888
>>246890
El Mortoro the Enslaver’s eyes stay firmly out of my focus as I dash forward, earth rending beneath my mighty footfalls as I build as much speed as I can. I brace myself with a wide stance just before a pair of fists hurtle into Mortoro with every bit of force I can muster-and end up striking with as much force as a lovetap.
>Why are you-
I see Mortoro’s hands moving towards my body, neck and solar plexus both targeted. I shift my positioning so that the Blood toga intercepts the attack. I feel no weight of impact, but I watch fully half the blood in my toga burn away in an instant, as Mortoro’s body is hurled away with such force a conic boom heralds his departure. His body goes flying over scores of buildings…. And lands somewhere in the outskirts of the city of Domingo with an enormous thud. …Great.

Dozens, scores of minions are beginning to home on my current location, not a whit of fear to be seen on any of the slightly slack faces. I also note that within thirty feet of me (and of course in opposite directions) both the Masked Warrior Adolfo and Masked Warrior Conrado are groaning, the piles of debris covering their bodies shifting as they stir… I suspect they have injuries and questions alike, and jut leaving them here with the minions does not seem an ideal solution… but if I don’t follow after Mortoro FAST, I could lose him, he already showed he has no issue with tactical retreat.

Hmm….






What should I do, stay here and make sure the two saved Masked Warriors are okay?
Or should I focus exclusively on hunting down Mortoro?
Do I have any more plans involving Burduko and/or Nidhogg?
Now that the cat’s out of the bag, just how flashy should I be?
>Fifty five minutes left until dawn.
>>
No. 246898 ID: 1854db

Heal your buddies, quickly confirm how they got Enslaved, and have Burduko teleport you over to relatively near where that fucker landed. Nidhogg should stay the fuck away from him, we do NOT want her to get Enslaved.
>>
No. 246899 ID: a69afd

>>246890
Maybe, but punching some asshole indirectly with the force of thousands of direct punches rebounded is totally MAGNUM FUCKING BANG tactics right there. Hell, if our brainmeats are strong enough, we might be able to REFLECT THE ENSLAVEMENT BEAM/WAVE/whatever. Trapping the enslaver in his own mind while thousands of freed innocents LYNCH THE EVERLIVING FUCK OUT OF HIM? Hell yeah.
>>
No. 246903 ID: 0cfe8b

Follow the Enslaver, if he gets away who knows how long it could take to find him again.
>>
No. 246905 ID: 445c48

Throw your buddies at The Enslaver, give 'em some healing while you're throwing them if you can, then jump after them.

Be very flashy.


Also, don't lose that magic leather gear. In addition to their normal purpose, their magic dampening effect might help fight off any attempt of enslavement on yourself.

Tell Burduko, via Phohn, to keep an eye on The Enslaver from the air, and tell you where he is if you lose him.
>>
No. 246907 ID: 10f195

Hmmmmm,

Ok, time to be flashy, effective and badass.

Charge energy and wit until the minions get close, then BONE THREADS EVERYWHERE! (basically really thin flexible bone tissue)

Try to hit as many people as possible with it, including the masked warriors.

Then heal along the lines, a mini cerebral zenith would be good for this.


Call Nidy, ask her to keep everyone busy.

With your skill, I think this entire process will take 5 seconds tops, most of the time spent waiting on those slower than you to get close.

Then grab the masked warriors and boost after the target. you can release them after the second bound, carrying them is simply because they don't react as fast as you do, nor know your plan.
>>
No. 246908 ID: f4e4f9

>>246897
>I see Mortoro’s hands moving towards my body, neck and solar plexus both targeted. I shift my positioning so that the Blood toga intercepts the attack. I feel no weight of impact, but I watch fully half the blood in my toga burn away in an instant, as Mortoro’s body is hurled away with such force a conic boom heralds his departure. His body goes flying over scores of buildings…. And lands somewhere in the outskirts of the city of Domingo with an enormous thud. …Great.

NICE, haha. Ok, grab the two masked warriors and tell them to hang on tight. Have Nagging Wife extend your healing abilities to them, and MOVE.

Given your rather...prodigious strength, carrying two relatively normal sized individuals shouldn't hamper you much. Use the travel time to talk to them, assess their condition, and find out what you can about Mortoro.

Geez, he's probably hurting after that one. Goddamn. I love those blood togas so damn much, kudo's to Daobo the Bloody (posthumously) for such a useful development.
>>
No. 246909 ID: f4e4f9

>>246907
Lets not abuse Cerebral Zenith's here. Even an incredibly short couple of seconds was enough to seriously worry NW, and Eternal Sunset wasn't in that form for more than a few seconds himself (accounting for Bang's accelerated perception) before he started going all "ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A DULL BOY" on us. I'd rather not use it except when necessary, given it's intrinsically harmful to us.
>>
No. 246910 ID: f4e4f9

Also, Nighogg should be pretty enduring vs. any kind of magical avenue of attack. Dragons are innate Magic-Eaters, and Nidhogg, being Deepspawn as well, has DOUBLE the magic-eating ability of normal dragons.
>>
No. 246932 ID: 7a79fd

THEY ARE MASKED WARRIORS
They should be able to handle themself. Go after the target do not let him get away!
>>
No. 246933 ID: 10f195

>>246932
Masked warriors that have been out of it for quite a long time.
>>
No. 246935 ID: f4e4f9

To expedite fetching them, extend an arm to each of them (BENDY ARMS AGOGO).

Mortoro will get no opportunity to escape as long as we have a say in it. Ideally, he's still reeling from being launched across a city.
>>
No. 246937 ID: f8df87

Well, I suspect, if Mortoro's enslavement process requires a touch and something that is not immediately obvious to observers, the two Masked Warriors have been enslaved; though, considering that Bang can see magic, he can likely easily tell if they have been (though he has not demonstrated an ability to see magic within another's body while not in contact with them). Therefore, make sure that they have not been enslaved.

As for Mortoro himself, perhaps Burduko can switch his place with a minion closer to Bang? Alternatively, if that plan is too dangerous for Burduko, have Nidhogg use Gravimancy and Aeromancy to fling Mortoro closer to Bang, or hinder his way while (hopefully Nidhogg and Burduko, but if Nidhogg cannot be spared, only Burduko will do) helping Bang closer to Mortoro.

On the flashy, probably as your usual flashiness. The only people who can appreciate it are either enslaved, doesn't care, or are concentrated on killing Mortoro.

So, what's Nagging Wife's analysis on Mortoro's armor? What are its weakness/requirements/methods of deceleration, etc.?
>>
No. 246946 ID: a76809

>>246898
[Burduko was able to perform that earlier body switch for three reasons: It was acceptable to kill one of the two switched bodies (the minion, as they were going to die from impact anyway), Because Bang's mind was partly sheltered by his Mask, and because there was a wealth of bone mass to render non-living in Bang's place. Remember that for normal organics, transfer OUTSIDE of a place of Sameness is excessively lethal. And yes, that should seem very similar to how Lenryt's teleportation functions in several ways.]

>>246905
Hey, Phohn?
What is it Mortal Bang?
Ask Burduko and Nidhogg to keep an eye on Mortoro, the guy that just went flying? Would really suck if he got away.
Your request has been relayed, Burduko consents, and Nidhogg is changing her flight path
Alright, that buys me at least a little time.

>>246908
>>246935
I lurch into motion like a drunken squirrel, arms extending in what yesterday I considered a reasonably strenuous use of Possibility Cells, latching around each Masked Warrior's waist. I see the gears turning in their heads as they see me crouching low as I pull them close-

Before I leap with such force the building Adolfo crashed into finishes crumbling in my wake, taking to the skies in a titanic leap even as I begin assessing the condition of each fighter, dumping the last of the stored energy in my sash into comprehensive healing and topping off their magical stamina. I see the confusion on their faces as bone knits, muscles restring, and a wealth of moderate injuries just fade away while they get a tremendous second wind.

"So, you two up to a bit of a scrap? Mortoro's got a whole mess of enslaved Desparden citizens acting as minions, and it's gonna be futzy to off him when he has such great living shields also how does his enslavement work?"
>[Adolfo]"He needs to touch someone, seems enough for most, but took me by tricking me into saying his name while he was grabbing me. Last thing I remember till now."
>[Conrado]"Yes, I would say we are up to a fight... but how did you heal us?"
>[Adolfo]"And who are you? I know most of the Masked warriors of this sector, and you're not one of them."
"I healed you with Possibility, what with being a weaponized healer, and I rather obviously am one of the Masked Warriors of this sector now, unless you think this some crazy plot by Fell Masks to trick you. Hold on."

My leap brings us earthward, and we put a crater five feet deep in the ground before I take off again, still trying to reach Mortoro's impact point. The deceleration and return to tumultuous velocities is jarring for my passengers, but Conrado squeezes out some more nonplussed confusion before his larger compatriot.

>[Conrado]"...WHO ARE YOU!?"
"Magnum Bang, new Masked Warrior, at your service! -Hold on, getting a message from Phohn here."
>[Adolfo]"....Where have I heard that name before-"
"Okay, looks like Burduko and Nidhogg spotted our quarry, they're gonna circle over him for us."
>[Conrado]"DRAGON!"
"What where? Oh, that's Nidhogg, the dude made of cloth and wind on her back is Burduko, they're my bros."
>[Conrado]"...A dragon?"
"Well yeah it's a bitchin' way to travel, on dragon-back!"

Once more I land, once more immediately leaping skyward again, as I look about-there he is, I see that skull-shaped Mask of his... okay.

>[Conrado]"You ride a dragon?"
"What Nindy? Oh yeah she's a big softy, hates to show it though, why?"
>[Conrado]"...You said you are a new Masked Warrior?"
"Well yeah, got my Mask last night when I took it from El Blank Minimo... wait that wasn't his name... anyway some Fell Mask, part of the God Masks? Yeah anyway been doing a bit of justice dispensing, and here I am!"

I land in a flurry of dust and wind, shouts of alarm all about us as I relinquish my grip on the two Masked Warriors with me, both immediately setting themselves on the balls of their feet. The three of us are some twenty feet from Mortoro, who seems suspiciously no worse off after his trip.... and we are surrounded by two hundred twenty five minions-ah, that reminds me.

I rip the stolen poncho off of my body, it's fabric tearing like papyrus as I return to my 'normal' garb. Conrad and Adolfo both move to face each of my flanks without the need for me to say anything.

>>246937
I put in a request through Phohn for Nidhogg to cut loose with Gravimancy and whatever other stuff Dragons can do, and dump it all on my foe. I see the thorny dragon wheeling about for another pass as I consider what to do. I have a full scarf, no cancer issues at the moment, two allied Masked Warriors at my side and a foe before me-who glows with somewhere around ten times as much Soulglow as he did when I observed him a few moments ago. ....Interesting.





What should I say or do?
Do I have anything I want to say to my comrades, to Mortoro, or anything?
Or should I just skip straight to the nitty-gritty, and lay the hurt on Mortoro? If so... what am I gonna do about that armor of his, now that he knows about my toga?
>[Fifty minutes until dawn]
>>
No. 246949 ID: e31d52

>I have a full scarf

>He's not in the town proper

>You're above him

>You have no cancer

GENESIS UP IN THIS MOTHERFUCKER

BIG BANG MAZGNUM DRILL BREAKER

TURN YOUR LEGS INTO A SPEAR, THEN A DRILL. LINE IT WITH CANCER CANNONS AND DIVE TOWARDS HIM, LETTING LOOSE THE ENERGY OF THE GENESIS.

HE DIES TODAY.
>>
No. 246953 ID: 669ef7

>>246949
>HE ABSORBS MOMENTUM AND VELOCITY AND THEN REDIRECTS IT
>BAD IDEA
>>
No. 246954 ID: 56dc25

>>246946
>If so... what am I gonna do about that armor of his, now that he knows about my toga?
Contact poison. Don't need to actually hit him hard in order to do damage, that way; something like a spitting cobra's got. Lace it with aggressive cancer mutagens for extra laughs. It probably won't finish the fight, but it's definitely worth a try.

When you actually hit him, go for exposed flesh and rely primarily upon your indirect abilities- poison, cancer, that sort of thing- to deal the damage, rather than kinetics which he might be able to use against you.

Since saying his name obviously gives him more of an in, stop using it. Rename him something demeaning, and use that to refer to him instead; "Skullsy" might work. Communicate this to the others, so that they do not get caught in such silly traps. Continue avoiding eye contact with him.

Request that your companions keep the slaves off your back while you deal with Skullsy. Having them deal with it will free you of some worries and give the random enslaved guys better odds of living through the fight, one would hope.
>>
No. 246958 ID: e31d52

>>246953
I'm almost certain an attack that can oneshot Mordre will be able to overcome the limits of this man.
>>
No. 246961 ID: 10f195

Ok, I just have to say, spear legs are a bad idea.
The only way you could justify it is if you have to hit a slow/immobilized opponent with incredible defense.

Spear legging takes away one of Bang's strongest weapons, his mobility. The enemies we are fighting now have shown that they can keep up with us at MAX, so hampering our ability to move at a moments notice is a bad idea.




Shoot him with cancer, aim for the head.
Your THUNDERCLAP would be useful as crowd control, it affects a wide area and has shown evidence of disrupting the targets control (likely because it jars the brain).
If you can somehow combine the elec move with thunderclap, to make a mass paralysis wave, then that would be good (also it would make it more thunder and lightning like).
>>
No. 246962 ID: 445c48

>>246946
>Remember that for normal organics, transfer OUTSIDE of a place of Sameness is excessively lethal.
Oh. Well. I didn't know this. I thought he just couldn't do it.

Telekills everywhere! Probably not on this guy though. Probably something about ownership and power preventing it, or the other guy had weakened ownership because of the enslavement. Or not! What's the harm in asking if it can be done, when one of the enslaved minions gets close?

Ask Nagging wife what she told the other masks her name was. Has she accepted The Red Eye of the Dynamo, or did she tell them she was Nagging Wife? That would be funny, but rather unlikely.

Try to get a grapple in on him. Once you grasp him, there shouldn't be much momentum to dampen to give him power, and if you've got a good solid grip, hopefully he wouldn't be able to return the energy. The bugger here is the enslavement ability. Hopefully your leather handwrapping will count as not touching enough for the magic to take hold, or their magic dampening effect on anything that's not curatiomancy will prevent that combat magic you noted earlier from taking hold, or let slow it down enough that you can out-heal it. Or hell, maybe HE has to initiate it, or it's channeled through his hands or something. Decent restrictions for power boosts, there, though the versatility lost might offset the power enough that he decided to not do that.

After you grasp him, on your arm, grow a Death Stalker Scorpion stinger, and inject him with poison, or cancer, whichever. Or, hell, if you've seen a male platypus, grow a venom-injecting barb similar to what it has and try to get him with it during the grapple. But have it inject cancer as opposed to the platypus venom because platypus venom isn't that bad.


Also, I would suggest a dance-off based on his prior moonwalking but no that's just too silly
>>
No. 246963 ID: 445c48

Also, thunderclap might not be a good idea when we've got two bromasks with us.
>>
No. 246994 ID: 9e5b05

>>246962
>Too Silly
>Golem Quest
Mortoro! I CHALLAGE YOU TO BREAKDANCE FIGHTING!
>>
No. 246995 ID: 445c48

>>246994
>Mortoro
Don't say his actual name, no matter what. I agree with the other guy, call him Skullsy or Skull-face or something.
>>
No. 246996 ID: f1e44e

Alternatively try a slightly less-than-genesis attack where you envelop this guy inside a spherical cage made of 3-4 loops of Bang Blades. As momentum is redirected he will be surrounded on all sides, trapped within a shrinking enclosure of saw blades with infinite feedback until he can't cope anymore. This vector redirection isn't free. Something has to fuel it just like the blood toga.
>>
No. 246999 ID: a76809

>>246994
[Dance contest? Sure, why no-]
>Mortoro! I CHALLAGE YOU TO BREAKDANCE FIGHTING!
>CHALLAGE
[Oh, so sorry, the spelling nazi clause is invoked, silly shenanigans cancelled.]

>>246954
>>246961
I dash forward without hesitation, noting Adolfo and Conrado both dashing off in my peripherals to face the masses about us. My hands rise, fingers ready to clutch at anything they may touch as I begin to secrete Possibility Cells onto my palms. The high energy cost and considerable feedback makes this hardly an ideal method.... but if I have to attack someone without moving fast....

"Goodbye, Skullsy!"

My hands close about his throat, smearing Possibility Cells into the gap betwixt Mask and leather under-armor-and let go, having never given him more than the most minor of momentum to work with. I see the Possibility Cells getting to work, charged and devoid of leadership, tumors of Chaos already beginning-

As a hand closes about my toga, and I feel that enchanted cloth beginning to constrict with bone-breaking force about my body. I begin running the calculations necessary to keep my body from crumpling-and otherwise do nothing. I do not try to strike my foe again, nor do I try to flee. I simply stand in place, resisting his counter, as I watch El Mortoro begin to claw at the expanding ring of cancerous growths about his neck, already gasping and wheezing. He drops to a knee as only raspy whistles and clicks escape his throat, still vainly clutching at my toga, the power constricting it about me diminishing-and vanishing, as his hand slips away, his neck so deformed it is clear his spinal column has been severed, his spine disjointed by the wild growth of Chaos, body still idly twitching on the ground. ....Man, that was EASY. That loophole in most Combat Magic, letting curatiomancy in because they assume it to be beneficial is a bit of a killjoy, I won't lie.
>You complain about victory not being challenging enough?
Of course! I'm looking to have fun here-and I do think it's awesome I managed to kill a total of five God Masks in a single night, with... forty nine minutes to spare... but where's the struggle, the clash, the desperation, that hazy, delirious moment between life and death, your every fiber devoted to finding a way to survive, to grasp victory?
>Did you not experience that with Desmonte?
..I did, and I suppose that will have to do.
I pull Mort's Mask off as I turn about, the sounds of combat persisting-
WOAH

The moment I pluck the Mask from his face, a... darkness, a dearth of Soulglow ripples outward, stripping away magic from hundreds, thousands of individuals. Adolfo the Forest Fist, Conrado of Mind Lightning, both in frenzies as they fight off waves of minions, come to a hesitant halt as they note the confusion on the faces of those facing them, the lowering fists. ...Mortoro's grasp was broken, then, or this is one hell of a ruse.
>I would point out that the two Masks we met here are highly suspicious of you, and will likely remind their bearer's to question you further.
What, suspicious? Don't they know not to look a gift fist in the knuckles? That's how you get a shiner on your soul!
>....Beyond the inanity of your retort-
Not inane, STYLISH-
>They likely question why a total of seven-now eight-Masks are detectable on your personage, one of them an Old Mask. This is not aided by the fact Masked Warriors are supposed to be officially appointed, something you most certainly were not, and the irregularity of your Combat Magic.

As if on cue, even as the crowds of minions-turned-civilians mill about in confusion, Adolfo and Conrado both turn towards me, keeping a respectful distance, yet offering probing questions all the same.

>[Conrado]"....While I... while we are most grateful for your help... I'm having trouble with a few things you said. You ride a dragon? You became Masked last night? Are you saying you were not appointed as a Masked Warrior, but just... picked up a Mask? ....And why, exactly, do you have so many extra Masks with you?"
>[Adolfo]"....Are you related to Magnum Boom the Unmasker?"

Wait hold on now THEY KNOW MY DAD WAIT WHAT? ....And since when did he have a title? ....Ah, as I recall, the Masked Warriors are not exactly happy when their rules and whatnot are broken, and I may have a good bit of explaining to do here..... on the other hand, I see Nidhogg circling overhead... I could just say 'fuck it' and leave.... though I REALLY want to claim Mortoro's runed leather bodysuit, and that would take a bit of time to get off his body....





Okay, so I kept my bet with myself, I killed my way through every single God Mask I or Nagging Wife know of.... now what?
Should I try to dance my way through some lame politic stuff with these two Masked Warriors I just rescued?
Or should I say nuts to that and just... leave? I am only one third of the way across Despardos, and times a'wastin....
>>
No. 247003 ID: 445c48

First thing's first, start workin' that armor off of The Enslaver. Spoils of war and all, yours by right.

Then, Tell the truth, pretty much. Dragon isn't exactly yours, but your employer's. Yes, you weren't appointed, but traveling through the area, and spotted a bandit group attacking a town. You then killed the leader, El Blank Magnifico and his bandits, and took his mask. Then, you decided, for the hell of it, to knock out all the fell masks on the way, because you could and it'd be fun. Took their masks too. Bet some of them against The Butcher's collection, killed him, and now here you are. You're going to keep them and do something with them. Don't give specifics about the whole face necklace thing because that is pretty creepy.

Ask about Pops. Tell US about pops. Ask about the title.

Then say, sorry, I've got to go, got places to be, nice talking with you, spread the word that I'm awesome and took out four fell masks in one night.

Though, if you really don't feel like talking, or they start getting really pissed about rule-breakin, you could just grab The Enslaver's corpse and bugger off, jumping onto Nindy and taking the armor off while riding.
>>
No. 247004 ID: 9e5b05

We killed our way through so many, and before dawn. DRINKING TIME! I would say FLEEING TIME, but hey one of them knows dad, I -want- that body, and it'd be pretty sweet to be a real Warrior Mask, right? Anyway, Nagging Wife, Ojo Rojo del Dynamo is gonna stay with us and as cool as it would be to get a kill team sent out after us all the time, that'll make you kinda hated rather then THE BEST DAMN WARRIOR MASK EVER.

So walk over, fireman lift up the dead body and slap our two new friends on the back. "I'll tell you on the way. We're gonna cantina crawl our way back to my home base, and you're gonna hear every detail on the way! And possibly a lot of other badass stuff!"
>>
No. 247005 ID: 445c48

And ask around for a bag or something. We can't just keep stuffing this stuff down our pants. Especially the armor.
>>
No. 247006 ID: e31d52

>>247005
Guybrush Threepwood is unamused.
>>
No. 247007 ID: 56dc25

>>247003
This seems pretty good, although I would add that we should say it in a loud and impressive voice so that everyone can hear us. Because, y'know, while the Masked Warriors before us might be prickly about their rules, I'd bet that the hundreds of people we just freed from mental control will be a damn sight less so. And spread our legend of AWESOME in a far more positive light, after hearing us tell our tale.

Ask about our dad first, though. If the questions about our status re: Mask turns ugly, we might have to leave in a hurry. I'd like to have news about our dad when we do, although I suppose that we can drop in on any town at random and ask for rumors if we care to spare half an hour on it. Would definitely be more convenient here, though.

As for not being appointed... of course we were appointed! By ourselves, in the absence of anyone else capable of doing so. They can declare it official now in light of our latest set of actions, if they feel like it. That'd straighten things out nicely.

Also: Is Mordre Bang's employer, or just some guy that he hangs out with for fun? Because I thought it was more the latter. Regardless, Nidhogg is a person, not a possession; it would be appropriate to phrase things in terms of "works for", not "belongs to".
>>
No. 247008 ID: f1e44e

Masks seem to have souls... Maybe you could just give the outright dangerous masks like the insane old mask and Mortoro's (enslaving?) mask to Mordre for his golem to eat as thanks for lending you Nidhogg and Burduko. Otherwise they'll just end up on some other nutcase in the future.

These two guys seem a bit slow on the uptake. Keep talking to them while you casually loot Mortoro's stuff. Chat about things like this Magnum Boom the Unmasker, how you've killed a few God Masks today for kicks and how you've helped countless innocent Despardan citizens escape cruel tyranny.

Finally when you're done jump onto Nidhogg with the parting comment "And yes Conrado I DO ride a dragon, I'm just that awesome." Then fly off while standing in a cool pose on top of Nidhogg's back.
>>
No. 247010 ID: 6fb39e

On Mortoro's body suit, surely you could just pick the corpse up, and carry it with you when you jump up to Nidhogg? Or just have Burduko run to the corpse and teleport to Nidhogg's back, where you can take off the suit at your leisure (on the corpse itself, probably get Burduko to teleport it to Mordreden, they would like the gift; maybe they could somehow utilize his bones make the Walls able to repel the magic of humans or something).
>>
No. 247014 ID: 445c48

>>247007
ok well wrong word employer there. Right on that. Quite tired here.

And for Nidhogg, well, maybe. But having a tame normal dragon is a simpler (haha) explanation than beast parasite deep spawn, and thus the quickest explanation is indeed "owned", like one owns a horse or dog. Not exactly truth, but it gets the point across. Doesn't really matter, though, "works for" is good as well. Should just mention it in passing, though, so they don't ask "How did the crazy son of a bitch tame/employ a dragon?" which would slow us down.

>>247010
We probably need more bones for that.

Hmm. Related to using Burduko, Can Mordre detect that... pliability Kyorto described, in world magic users? We keep killing magic users, and while I doubt anyone we've already killed has used world magic (Except maybe The Butcher), it would be good, if Bang were to continue tearing his way through the desert, to know if we can determine if a corpse is usable post mortem.

Oh man what am I even talking about. We could just have Burduko drop off any corpse we suspect to use world magic and shout at Kyorto that we're not sure, maybe this one, confirm it before you use it.
>>
No. 247034 ID: 903f16

>>246999
Well aside from dealing with this situation involving the other two Masked Warriors, which everyone else seems to have covered, you need to keep going across Despardos. You might just want to make a stop where your dad lives though. Get the full story on his tittle and ask why you were never told about this. Unless he's a drifting sort, then just stop by your home town and see how things have changed. Other than that just recharge your Sash and Scarf, practice with the possibility cells, save anyone you see in trouble below you.

>>247004
I really like the idea of having them join us for a drink, but not explaining the situation to them while we ride off. If we explain it here it allows us to have the people we just saved and who will be incredibly grateful for our service as a backdrop to the conversation. That sort of thing really adds a lot of oomph to your argument.

So after we talk them down and maybe get them on our side we can offer them a drink and a ride on the dragon. We can even make a smooth transition like "You know what Conrado? You seem keen on the fact I'm riding my Boss' dragon, how about you and your friend join me and we'll take it for a spin. I'll drop you off at your home base and maybe we can make a pit stop for drinks."
>>
No. 247035 ID: f4e4f9

>>246999
"Well, duh! Ain't it obvious?

...what, it's not? Ah geez, fine. Let's see, now:

>[Conrado]"....While I... while we are most grateful for your help... I'm having trouble with a few things you said. You ride a dragon?

First, yeah, I ride a Dragon...well, work with her is more like it. Call her Nidhogg, or Nindy if you really want, but be warned, I doubt you have the healing factor to stand up to the reprisals, haha! She gives me a lift to where we need to go, and of course helps my in my DYNAMIC ENTRY's.

>You became Masked last night?

Eh, last night, this night, same diff really. Saw a bunch of rudos roughing up a town and we stepped in. How was I to know El Blanco Minimo was gonna be there? Not that I'm complaining, of course, even if he did go down like a chump, but eh.

>Are you saying you were not appointed as a Masked Warrior, but just... picked up a Mask?

As for picking up a Mask...Well...yeah? That tingling brain thing it did when it happened was pretty neat.

>....And why, exactly, do you have so many extra Masks with you?"

As for the masks...well, lets see, I got that Hippo dudes here, San Bruno something or other, that Creeper guy's mask is right here (Damn creepy thing, mind you), Then there's Desmonte's right here...what'd he call it, Eternal Sunset?...

Oh, and now Mortoro's. Yeah, its been a busy, what, 9 hours?

>[Adolfo]"....Are you related to Magnum Boom the Unmasker?"

YOU KNOW MY POP? AWESOME. HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT NAME I GOTTA KNOW!
>>
No. 247037 ID: ddd48d

>>247008
>have Mordre eat the masks
actually that's a really interesting idea. if we don't turn over the masks to appease the two warriors talking to us now, that seems like a viable plan. Unless we still want to keep them for that necklace of masked-faces idea we had.

>>247003
this sounds like a PLAN

>>247014
I suppose if Bang asks Burduko to get rid of the corpse we can do that without too much suspicion from him, as he doesn't know about the Kyorto thing. It wouldn't hurt to try!

oh crap we still have like 50 minutes in-universe-time until the bonus time for Ugrokk's new arm runs out. brb drawing
>>
No. 247038 ID: 1854db

Do the lame politic stuff. It brings you fame!
>>
No. 247039 ID: 732129

Word of this will make people recognize you as a great power unto yourself. Since you're effectively immortal, barring catastrophic destruction of your brain and entire neural net, you're going to get to start tapping into Belief magic. If you want that sweet sweet Belief, you've got to stick around and talk. Maybe you could extract promises from everyone here to tell the tale of Magnum Bang's Five Fell Fights, too.
>>
No. 247046 ID: 732129

Also, I've got a prediction: As word of Bang's success, and of his style, spreads, more white blood users will start to pop up who specialize in covert operations. Bang, and any other sufficiently skilled possibility cell user, can make himself look like anyone else. Those same abilities allow for Bang, or a student of Bang's weaponized curiomancy style, to sneak chaotic cancer cells into a target. The cancer can be tuned to attack at different rates, and I suspect can even be tuned to remain undetectable and trigger when a specific condition is met. The same abilities can be used to make other biological poisons too, of course.

A curiomancer of Bang's ability could even alter other people to look like a specific person. No doubt that will be much rarer though, owing to the added difficultly of permanently altering someone else's flesh. I still expect it to happen.

In short, there will be a series of assassinations made using cancer cells and biological poisons, and there will be many curiomages who alter themselves and others to look like other people so that they can be excellent spies.
>>
No. 247052 ID: 46c430

Randomly, what say we stop calling nagging wife, well, nagging wife? She's helped us out over the past fights, saved our ass after that genesis move... I think it's the least we could do to stop calling her such a derogatory name, really.
>>
No. 247059 ID: e31d52

>>247052
with you there.
>>
No. 247066 ID: 7a79fd

Whatever you do, do not give up the masks.

If need be, bail out to Nindy. Grab the body and take the armor while riding Nidhogg.
>>
No. 247068 ID: f4e4f9

Agreed
>>
No. 247070 ID: f4e4f9

With the "not calling Nagging Wife" part. Returning the Fell Mask Masks is fine, just not Ojas Roja since us two are partners now.
>>
No. 247071 ID: 5f0943

>>247070
In the least I think we should give back those three masks that we claimed after we killed Desmonte.
>>
No. 247076 ID: f4e4f9

Of course. I don't actually see the use in having multiple masks anyway.
>>
No. 247077 ID: 445c48

>>247076
The creepy face-necklace, remember, with multiple masks?

Don't turn the masks in. If they're insistent, yes, turning the three you won from The Butcher is ok, since those were masked warriors he killed, but the four Fell Masks are definitely OURS.
>>
No. 247078 ID: 9338f5

>>247066
this has my full support. answer a few questions and ask a few of our own then grab the loot clad body and get out of there.

be fore we run off explain that we were going to meet a bro of ours before we took a small detour to get a mask and do the masked warrior thing but we have to get goining as we dont want to be to late.

could someone put this into Bang speech please? i would but i seem to suck at it
>>
No. 247080 ID: 5f0943

>>247077
I don't really see the appeal with that face necklace with masks thing.
What the heck is it actually supposed to do anyway?
>>
No. 247081 ID: 7a79fd

>>247078

Oh yeah, we should definitely make it clear that this whole venture was but a small distraction for us. That should make them clear who they are dealing with.
>>
No. 247093 ID: 445c48

>>247080
Give us the power-boost from multiple masks while also having a small amount of surface area for runes (I'm sure cheeks and foreheads could sport a few small runes).
>>
No. 247094 ID: a76809

>>247080
[Let's see.... chained Cerebral Zeniths, or using the other Masks as buffers to prevent insanity for Nagging Wife/Red Eye of the Dynamo, networked magic sensing for increased capacity.... all sorts of stuff.]

>>247003
I begin ripping the opulent garments off of Mortoro's corpse, and after briefly appriasing how his runed leather armor is fastened, begin carefully unlatching and unhooking it so that it can be removed. As I work on it, I note with certainty that I could fit within this leather shell... but with inbuilt gloves, boots, even a high collar, I would have almost no exposed skin... which would mean no Bang Blade.... well screw that then. While I labor I start to respond to the two Masked Warriors before me, being careful to insure my words are loud and carrying, cutting through the confusion of thoseone-time minions now milling about as they seek their bearings..

>>247035
"Really, I just gave you some perfectly fine explanations.... but I guess I can be a bit more involved. SO:
First, yeah I ride a dragon-well I guess it's more accurate to say I work with her, by the name of Nidhogg-nickname of Nindy, but she doesn't respond all that happily to the moniker. I doubt you have the regenerative capabilities necessary to deal with her... reprisals, as it were. Anyway yeah she gives me a lift and a high place to do a dynamic entry from: Say what you will, but turning yourself into an artillery shell dropping from the sky as an entrance is radical!"
>[Adolfo]"..You work WITH this dragon Nidhogg?"
"Well yeah, she works for Mage Mordre, one of my buddies, really cool guy, got a Soul Grave and everything."
>[Conrado]"If you could elaborate on becoming a Masked Warrior last night?"
"I swear I explained this while we were jumping, but whatever. ...Eh, last night, this night, same thing really. Saw a bunch of rudos roughing up a town as Nindy was flying overhead, and I decided to step in, take a little stroll on the ground miles below, okay? How was I to know El Blanco Minimo-that's gonna bug me, I've gotten so used to calling him that I forgot his name-"
>El Blank Magnifico, real name Vernio Deltulo
" El Blank Magnifico, real name Vernio Deltulo , that was it, thanks for the reminder, Wi-.... nah, you've done a great job being my Mask, I'll stop teasing: Thanks, Red Eye of the Dynamo. ANYWAY, how was I to know a Fell Mask of the God Mask gang was gonna be there? Not that I'm complaining, of course, even if he did go down like a chump, but eh."
>I... thank you.
>[Conrado]"So then, that is-WAS Magnifico's Mask?"
>[Adolfo]"Making it a Fell Mask?"
"Well yeah, she was, but you know how it goes, if a dick picks up a Mask, not that much they can do about it! I figured I could put her to use on the side of JUSTICE, punching faces for righteousness, all that."

I finish pulling and unfastening the straps, cinches and buckles of the Kinesis-Feasting armor, and realize that my pants are WAY too tight to stuff this down (too much Bang down there, HAHA)
>Was that entirely necessary?
OF COURSE IT WAS I'M BANG. Now then... Phohn?
Yes, Mortal Bang?
-Okay that's been bugging me, why are you calling me Mortal every time? I can recover from fatal stuff just like you guys, so what's the deal?
So if your head was destroyed, you would still persist?
Currently? Ah... actually, I might. Got auxiliary thinking meats in my bones, could keep me going while I regenerate the head. So... yeah, I probably would still persist, unless I lost my head and every single bone in my body at the same time.
...Acknowledged. What is it, Bang?
Could you ask Burduko to take these runed leathers and bring them to... let's see, how about Arkus? I never did pay him back for those medical textbooks he found for me in the Arcanoworks, gotta pay him back for the extra technical knowledge of how my body works!
The request has been made, and accepted.
Burduko appears in a whisper of displaced air at my side, many of the freed civilians reflexively cringing as the Masked Warriors tense, but at seeing my open stance (and Burduko's immediate vanishing act), they relax-with a new question thrown in the mix. I do note that the few hundred minions listening to my loudly vocalized words are frantically calling out for others of those just freed and milling about, all while they listen keenly to this conversation.

>[Conrado]"...Is your ally there... Burduko, was it?"
"Yeah."
>[Conrado]"...Is that a Tractomancer? And more broadly.... what IS this Burduko?"

"Burduko... yeah, he's gotta be a Tractomancer, or at least I assume so. Never asked, he's not the biggest in the world with small talk. As to what he is... well, I don't know that much about artificial or heavily augmented entities, but near as I can tell, he would count as a Life Golem. ...Man, my throat's dry, what say we continue this in a saloon? I could use a drink, and I bet you could to."
>[Conrado]"Hold on, I have more question-"
>[Adolfo]"He'll answer them while drinking, then. ..We do not know this city well at all, perhaps you know where one could be found?"
"Sure, I spotted at least one saloon I missed in the initial subterfuge to draw out Mortoro, was a three story affair, should be properly stocked... oh yeah!"

I turn to address the audience of freed civilians at large.

"Hey, I'll treat you all to some free drinks, courtesy of this Fell Mask here, how does that sound?"
I barely get a chance to speculatively flap about Mortoro's Mask before the confused but exceptionally attentive bystanders consent to the offer with a great deal of cheer: They may not yet know what's going on, but they certainly know they could use a drink. All right! Adolfo and Conrado take up positions on either side of me, and are bombarded with questions by the freed minions as I trailblaze to the bar, all of us united in our glorious quest for booze. Somewhere along the path, it comes out that Conrado was enslaved half a year ago, having come to investigate where Adolfo vanished to a year prior to that. ...So, big one was captured for a year and a half, little one for just a half year. I start getting timeframes for the enslaved minions as well, as talk of dates and timeframes continues during out trek. It seems that most were enslaved within the last two years, with just a few from three or more years back. Ultimately, the conversation dies as I come to a halt before a robust building, and say the magic words.

"FREE BOOZE INSIDE!!"

Needing no further encouragement, the audience propels we three Masked Warriors inward from sheer body pressure, as those claiming to have been bartenders immediately set to appraising the stock of the structure. With hundreds and hundreds of bottles stacked behind the bar, and as many mugs as one could want, it takes little time at all before everyone is happily nursing some whiskey, rum, or a large flagon of beer (or, in my case, twelve).
>Is that much alcohol strictly necessary?
What, worst case scenario I just blast out the alcohol-imbued blood, and grow some more! Besides, I'm THIRSTY!

The two Masked Warriors, each with a heavy flagon before them, Adolfo working on something that smells pungently of nuts while Conrado goes for the tried and true whiskey, resume their questioning, and the cacophony in the supremely packed bar immediately dies down as hundreds of ears strain to listen.

>[Conrado]"So. Mind explaining why I detect a total of eight Masks on your personage?"
"No problem. One sec-"

I fish around in my crotch and about my ass, pulling forth six masks to complement Mortoro's, still in my left hand. I get more than a few dumbfounded looks at my choice of storage space, even a generous smattering of drinkers snickering into their cups, but I ignore them as I begin ticking off the Masks.

"Okay, let's see here... I'm wearing one, this is Mortoro's Mask here, this one here was San Bruno Toro's Mask, another God Mask... this one was the Old Mask of Desperspardos the Creeper... these three were won in a bet against Desmonte the Butcher, with this Mask here being his."
>[Adolfo]"Mind saying just where you encountered this so-called Butcher?"
"Yeah sure, he was running a casino in Domingo, bleeding the town dry of finances for his opulence, all that fun stuff. I gotta say, THAT guy put up one hell of a fight, not the least of which for having this sash I wear now, and some potent white boots, Geomancy inclined."

The two Masked Warriors share a wordless nod at this, while they try to wrap their heads around what I just said.
>Considering that Desmonte The Butcher was one of the oldest members of the God Mask gang, and responsible for slaying several Masked Warriors, even in groups-
Oh boo hoo, I'm answering their questions-WHICHREMINDSME

"So hey, Forest Fist Adolfo."
>[Adolfo]"Hm?"
"You know my pops? That's awesome. How do you know his name though?"
>[Conrado]"Boom's SON!? Wh-"
>[Adolfo]"I know him because he is as well known as the current bearer of the Belt of Champions."
"What really? He wasn't that big of a deal when I left Despardos a decade ago."
>[Adolfo]"Much can change in a decade."
"True enough! So, do you know where he's at? I haven't seen him in forever, would like to say hi, all that."
>[Conrado]"So, you are with that outlaw?!"
>[Adolfo]"Settle down, he's been away since before it started."
"Mind filling in the blanks here? WHAT started?"
>[Adolfo]"This requires a bit of backstory... one moment."

After the massive warrior refills his tankard, this time with what smells like grain alcohol, he begins speaking, the other patrons of this bar not even trying to hide their singular focus.

>[Adolfo]"As you are no doubt aware, your father was a Masked Warrior-"
"Was?"
>[Adolfo]"Yes. He continued to be one of considerable prestige and capability, until Leatherface entered the political scene."
>[Conrado]"Honestly, the guy gives me the heeby-jeebies."
>[Adolfo]"A common occurrence. Leatherface the Evermasked, who claimed the title of 'Most Powerful Masked Warrior' two-... Four years ago, I suppose."

The Forest Fist turns from our conversation for a moment, speaking to the audience at large.
>[Adolfo]"Hey, any of you who've lost less time than me, do you know if Leatherface is still the belt holder?"
>[Freed civilian #1,382]"Uh, it sounds like I've only lost a month, and he was still champion last I heard."
>[Adolfo]"Right, so, Leatherface has held the belt against all challengers, be it official bouts during the day, or assassination attempts by Fell Masks while he slumbers, for four years."
"Unless something has changed, the next best I ever heard of, in terms of how long someone held the title, was measured in months, not years."
>[Adolfo]"That is correct. Leatherface is currently re-setting the record every day, for how long a single person has held the Belt."
"Okay... and what does this have to do with poppa Boom?"
>[Conrado]"He took off his Mask, Tomb Sight, and has, for the last three years, been... hunting Masked Warriors and Fell Masks alike. Last I heard he was up to thirty eight Masks claimed."
>[Adolfo]"Hrm. Last I had heard he had only twenty two.... must be picking up his pace. Anyway, there are reports he is using those claimed Masks in an attempt to craft SOMETHING, and he has hardly been secretive about the fact it is intended to let him fight and best Leatherface."
"Okay... I know my pop's a real focused guy, but he's impatient as all hell. Why would he start a multi-year plan to claim the Belt of Champions, instead of just challenging the guy outright?"
>[Adolfo]"Let me give you a brief glimpse into what is so different about our current champion than past ones: Leatherface possesses an Old Mask, one of the oldest known to still be around."
"Ah, so he's a puppet for the Old Mask, then?"
>[Adolfo]"No. He stitched the Old Mask to his face, grafting it to his skin... and devoured the Mask's psyche in the process."
"WHAT THE HELL THAT SOUNDS AWESOME!"
>[Conrado]"...Definitely Boom's son."
"So... do you know where pops is now? ...Or the current champion?"
>[Conrado]"Why do you ask, you working for him?"
"Whatno, I'd like to ask pops what the hell he's doing-I mean, I'm assuming he's killing Mask owners, he was never one for non-lethal fights-"
>[Adolfo]"Correct."
"Not to mention I thought he was in semi-retirement, what with the ban on Soul Magic."
>[Adolfo]"Also correct."
"So yeah, I got questions for him."
>[Conrado]"Then why do you want to know the champion's location as well?"
>>247081
"Well, this was a nice distraction and all, doing a bit of night-time cleaning in Despardos, taking down some Fell Masks, but hey, a spar with a champion like THAT? Sounds fun as hell."

At this, the smaller Masked Warrior has nothing to say, jaw dropping to the ground. Adolfo is less shocked, and after a pregnant pause speaks.

>"Your father's location is unknown, however Leatherface has been calling the same river-side city his home for several years. He is likely still in Lugo Oviedo."

Once again, an audience member speaks up.

>[Freed civilian #1,117]"Uh, I heard about the Unmasker being in Naviarro... I guess two months ago?"
"Thanks for the tip!"

The two Masked Warriors drinking with me seem to have run out of questions, though I note they are sitting a bit closer together now.
>Likely so their Masks can communicate between them, confer without verbalizing.
Right, the contact thing.
>I would like to point out that Lugo Oviedo is farther north and very much so on our path. Naviarro, however, is a good eight hours out of our way, far to the East.
...Eh, decisions, decisions. Let's review:

-Mordre asked me to make my way to the Arcanoworks as swiftly as possible, and I already took a detour to have this fun, but I got some magical artifacts to show for it, I could hardly picture him mad about that.
-Mordre's waiting on me to return to the Arcanoworks, but he's busying himself with stuff in the Land of Dragons, doing the followup on that mission from Lenryt, that crazy-creepy little girl who is somehow a Grand Elder Mage of the Mortal Coil?
-I've got my name starting to spread, now that I've finished disseminating the tale of my awesome night-time brawling escapades, but if I could get a fight in with Leatherface-or hell, get some answers from pops, it'd make what I just did look smalltime.
-I got two mutually exclusive directions to go: North bringing me to the champion, East to my dad (maybe).





Hm. What should I do?
Should I pump these two Masked Warriors for more information, or get while the getting's good?
And should I stop in to meet the current champion, or maybe trek out to meet my dad again?
Or have I had enough excitement (HAH) for the moment, and plan to just head straight to the Arcanoworks?
>[Dawn in five minutes.]
>>
No. 247095 ID: 445c48

Nah, head back to the Arcanoworks. Doubt the situation'll change too much in any amount of time, and you can always come back later.
>>
No. 247096 ID: 1854db

North to the champion! Your dad was seen two months ago, that's HARDLY a fresh lead. We'll just wind up being directed somewhere else, and waste tons of time messing about when we're needed elsewhere.
>>
No. 247099 ID: 9338f5

lets have a quick look for pops before leaving, he might be trying the multi mask thing we were thinking of. we can always comeback later for the other stuff.
>>
No. 247102 ID: 9338f5

>>247099
this is bangs dad were talking about, hes probably going to make a costume or armour entirely out of masks
>>
No. 247103 ID: 45be60

I am inclined to say continue to the Arcanoworks. This was an amusing diversion, but you did make a promise to proceed there with speed. You have a great deal of Mordre's trust, don't want to seem unreliable now.
>>
No. 247104 ID: 56dc25

>>247094
Just go the Arcanoworks. You could use some extra time to regenerate all your magic, and it's not like you won't be able to come back in a couple days. Neither of them is likely to vanish in the meantime. Mordre asked you to be as swift as possible, and you've already taken a detour or three- AWESOME detours, yes, but still detours. Mordre's your buddy; you should do what he requested and THEN come track down your dad. Doing right by your friends is an important thing, y'know.
>>
No. 247117 ID: 903f16

>>247094
Go ahead and check in with your dad and see what's up. He might even let you in on what crazy thing he's building with all those Masks. Also how is your relationship with him? And what fighting style did your dad use when he practiced Soul Magic? Ask the other Masked Warriors what he's using now. It must be something insane to manage doing what he's doing now.
>>
No. 247119 ID: 7a79fd

We shouldn't confront Leatherface before speaking with Boom.

But, I vote to go to Arcaneworks and get this thing over with so that we can deal with Eisenhardt finally
>>
No. 247124 ID: e31d52

arcanoworks.
>>
No. 247128 ID: ab04d4

To the Arcanoworks! I wanna see what Mordre's up to again.
>>
No. 247132 ID: ddd48d
File 128786452362.png - (56.39KB , 800x600 , ITSGOTIME.png )
247132

head to the Arcanoworks, see whats up.

hooray Arkus got a present!

ALSO UGROKK IS GOING TO HAVE THE MOST BAD-ASS ARM OF ALL TIME.
>>
No. 247149 ID: a76809

>>247132
[ +1 Fanart Ugrokk Arm Unspent Fanarts: 10/10 For Gialgorra Limb Magnum Opus] [MAXIMUM ACHIEVED]

>>247095
>>247103
>>247104
>>247124
>>247128
...Eh, the news on where pops is, that's a bit old, he could be anywhere now. And the champion... well, if he's held the belt for four years, I imagine he can keep for a few more days... but OH MAN, I definitely want to fight him.
>So...
So, little miss Red Eye of the Dynamo, I think I'm going back to the Arcanoworks. What better way to prep for challenging the champion than fighting a war hero? ..And, if I use that as an excuse, I should be able to excuse myself before the questions here get too overbearing.

"..Shit, it's just about dawn, isn't it?"
>[Conrado]"Hm? Yeah, yeah just about."
"Well, I gotta go. I'm already a bit late for a meeting with Mordre, but I'll be back. Can't leave that champion with his Belt, nor can I just ignore pops being a dick, going around killing anyone with a Mask he sees."
>[Conrado]"Now, hold on-"

I ignore Conrad's protests, easily accomplished as his words are drowned out by a deluge of cheering, heartfelt thanks from those I freed. Adolfo's words cut through the cheer like Conrado's could not, a final question as I approach the door, already asking Phohn to have Nidhogg descend.

>[Adolfo]"So what is this meeting about?"

As Nidhogg swoops down amidst a flurry of whipping, biting gusts, Burduko on her back, I turn to look back over my shoulder as I offer parting words.

"Got a war hero to fight."

Without a single word more of explanation, I leap onto Nidhogg's back, and fly off into the rising sun, stuffing Mortoro's Mask into my leather vest, eight separate Masks now secreted about my body. ...Plus this sash I got, and those boots, and that leather armor... not a bad haul for a night's work.
>You have a gift for understatement.
Damn right I do!

The city of Domingo has already faded away in our wake as we travel ever north, the sun slowly climbing to its noon zenith as I think about... dad.

Magnum Boom. A Masked Warrior since before I was born, one of the big names, too. Most of my memories of him are from when I was a wee little tyke, since he... kinda abandoned me when I was twelve, on account of... having beaten my mother, Magnum Kapow, to death with his own hands.
>WHAT!?
Bit more to the story. See, mom was a fighter too. She had a good bit of prestige going for her, what with having the oldest known Old Mask, and not going crazy from using it. That's how she and dad met, both were big name Masked Warriors back in the day. ...But somehow or other, she ended up in a tight spot. Couldn't handle it herself... and so she performed a Cerebral Zenith with the Old Mask.
>...With one so ancient as that?
Yeah. Well, when she finally made her way home from that... she wasn't all there. Seemed... off, that whole day. ...And that night, she tried to murder me in my sleep. Dad stopped her, but in the thrall of the Old Mask, she was strong... and her mind was gone. ...Pops, to keep me safe, and to let whatever was left of her mind rest.... put her down.
>Bang, that...
Not quite done yet. Well, as one might expect, he was not the most happy of folks after doing that. He tried to stay, to look after me... but every time he looked at me, I guess all he saw was what he did to keep me safe. One day when I woke up... he wasn't there. He had left, couldn't handle being reminded of what he did every single day. ...I was twelve at the time.
>....I am so sorry for you, Bang.
...Yeah, not a set of memories I like dredging up. But hey, silver lining... if that hadn't happened, I wouldn't of been rejected a few years later when I tried to join the Masked Warriors, I wouldn't have made that promise to become a famous warrior with healing alone... and I wouldn't of met you.
>Bang, I.... thank you.
Alright, so... gonna get busy trying to gather energy, fill up my sash so...
>I will give you your space, such as I can.
Thanks.

I purposefully eschew rumination for the entire rest of the day. I surround myself with ever more layers of bone shells, doing nothing but trying to optimize my magical regeneration. ....I am able to restore the almost completely depleted sash about my waist to a fifth charge before the day is out. Night comes.... and we keep flying north.

[DAY 148: DAY 8 OF WEEK 3 OF MONTH 4:]
[Enduday of the Third Cycle of Praeclarum (Summer)]


The scenery changes ever so slowly beneath me. Sand starts to give way to dirt by noon, a tree or two being seen instead of the constant shrubbery and succulents. At our cruising altitude miles above the ground, even my eyes cannot tell me if we are spotted... but I would hardly be surprised if we were, considering that dragons do on occasion wander north from the Land of Dragons. Still, nothing and no one bothers us in our high-flying travel.... and come nightfall, we finally exit the territory of my homeland. We spend a few hours crossing the outskirts of the swamplands those Froggrock... things claim their home within, even spotting a few of the human settlements that have sprouted on their borders-before we finally reach the southern end of the Warring Nations.


[DAY 149: DAY 9 OF WEEK 3 OF MONTH 4:]
[Rathday of the Third Cycle of Praeclarum (Summer)]


Dawn is still at least an hour away, my sash just slightly past half charged, when I finally enter the land of the Azelhaedran State. ...Phohn?
Yes, Bang?
Let Mordre know I'll be at Kyogrock Arcanoworks in... oh, another hour at most.
...Administrator Mordre has been informed, and says he shall join you upon your arrival. He also wishes to extend thanks for the gifts you sent to both Lorgk and Arkus.
Eh, no prob. ....Okay, it's almost time.......



[GOLEM QUEST ARC NINE COMPLETE]
ARC 10: ENCORE WITH IRON-HEARTED EISENHARDT IMMINENT ]


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