Be a good girl!

>>282628
Remember that you have at every turn tried to do what was right, to minimize danger to the clan, to protect people. You did the best you could with a bad situation, and have very little to apologize for. You might be intimidated- the council are rather intimidating people- but remember that, and keep yourself together.

The Cimmerian 2011/02/19(Sat)14:28 No. 282637 ID: c44286
File 12981544915.png - (22.42KB , 300x600 , 580.png )

The Cimmerian did not have a very pleasant night. All in all, being confined to a stone sarcophagus is rarely a jolly good time. No light to see, barely enough air to breathe, not enough space to even scratch his nose. It didn't matter. Compared to the milleniae spent alone in the Hollows, this was a field trip.
The Cimmerian could sense the magics weaved around the sarcophagus by a dozen mages. They constricted him, restricted his power, gripped him tight. It mattered even less. The corporeal form constricted him tenfold. The Curse was a much greater hindrance than this stone box. He could break out with a thought if The Girl opens the seal, but what would be the fun in that? It's entirely breakable as is.
The Cimmerian's body was aching from the hardships of the night. The thirst and hunger, the dry breath, the taste of dry blood, all these things were filling his mind, and he revelled in the sensation.

Suddenly the Cimmerian was jolted awake from his stupor as the Sarcophagus was lifted up. A muffled pain followed every bump as he was carried through the hallways and up the stairs. There were many stairs.

With a final thump the Sarcophagus was laid to rest on a stone floor. The echo suggested a large stone hall. He could sense humans nearby, seven to be precise. They were talking, but he could not hear. Cursed body.

Hmm.

"Could I get some food in here? I flew in her from San Francisco and boy are my arms tired. The food was shit too."

>>282637
Casually stretch and break all the wards. Lean up and yawn, play it like you just woke up.

No need to be rude to your hosts, let them knoww how good of a time you're having. Whistle a cheerful little tune and tap along the box with a beat to match. Heck you can even prepare a little shuffle dance in case the box opens.

See if you can listen in without breaking any wards for now. They wont talk about the good stuff if they know you are listening.

>>282644
I'm going with this one. Let's see if we can accomplish our goals with subtle action first; if that fails, we can go with something more forceful.

>>282644
>>282646
He can't listen. He's stuck in a human body behind an inch of stone. He said that already.

 

>a little shuffle dance

Oh god not the Truffle Shuffle? D:

>>282650
Can't, not fat enough.

>>282647
My hope was that he could use his own magics to penetrate the wards without shattering them, and use his magic to pull in the sounds from outside the box- or just amplify whatever noise hits it so that he can hear right through the stone. We don't have much of an idea of what the Cimmerian can actually do, aside from being invincible and smashing things really well.

>>282652
Oh, well you shoulda said that. If he can do something like that, do it. If not, break the barriers.

The Cimmerian 2011/02/19(Sat)17:03 No. 282680 ID: c44286
File 129816382411.png - (77.70KB , 300x600 , 581.png )

It's such a shame that I can't hear. Or I couldn't if they'd only had someone competent seal this box.

The Cimmerian reaches out, feeling the threads woven by the Kinsley mages. Haha, these wouldn't hold a child. A little tug here, a slip there, ah better keep this tight, don't want the squishies catching wise. Aaah here we go.

>Loser: "... be destroyed."

>Moron: "Your recommendation is noted."

>Loser: "I will have the it taken to the nexus immediately, Speaker."

>Moron: "That won't be necessary, Kenric. The council will decide what to do with it, in due time. Could we please return to the topic at hand?"

>Loser: "As you wish. As I stated in my preliminary report, Alexander the Heretic has indeed risen again, this time in his daughter's body. I found his trail in Adeleine. The local safe-house had been compromised, and the specimen contained within was missing."

>Moron: "The ward stone?"

>Loser: "Broken, Speaker. May I inquire what the specimen was?"

>Moron: "You may not. Continue."

>Loser: "His trail went from the safe-house to a hospital in Adeleine. He appears to have raised a substantial number of walking dead there. Just minor daemons, hardly a challenge. He appeared to have fortified himself there."

>Bitch: "Why would he do something like that? Walking dead draw attention."

>Loser: "Your powers of observation are as acute as ever, elder Ymanye. He wanted to draw attention. And he succeeded. The German containment team was lured to an ambush. I happened across their remains. There were no survivors. The suite of the German agent in Adeleine was also trashed."

>Moron: "Where did Alexander go from there?"

>Loser: "His trail disappeared at the hospital. I was unable to find any trace of him there."

>Moron: "Thank you, Kenric. Unless you have anything to add, you are excused."

>Loser: "Thank you, Speaker."

Tapping of tiny shoes, slam of a door.

>Moron: "*sigh* All right, as you've heard, the Rothwalds are a tiny bit upset over this. They're calling the Conclave two weeks early."

>Queer: "Perhaps we could convince the Conclave to take a common action against Alexander."

>Moron: "It's a long shot, but we'll try. Imanye, are you still-"

>Bitch: "Yes, yes, nothing has changed. We still need to bring the girl to the Conclave. We still need them to recognize that she is one of us, or we will regret it later. You know that."

>Moron: "Very well. Although I insist her master will accompany her."

>Queer: "She doesn't have one."

>Moron: "Ah. Well, I suppose that thing has been keeping her busy."

>Bitch: "Oh hush. I'll find someone for her if needed."

>Moron: "Do you think that necessary?"

>Bitch: "Balian, please, you know as well as I that she's perfectly capable of finding one herself. I simply meant-"

>Queer: "Are we going to invite her in?"

>Moron: "In a moment. Kenric confirmed what we feared. Alexander has begun the rituals. He's attempting to become the Bone King."

>Fuckwad: "And now he has an Immortal. Bloody lovely. Does anyone have any clue on how to kill those things? I sure don't."

>Moron: "I'm sure a method will present itself."

Hah. Good fucking luck with that. You made them to be immortal. You fucking cunts.

>>282680
Well, this is interesting insight into the inner workings of these douchebags. Keep listening and occasionally silently marveling at their incompetence and stupidity.

Okay. So that's nice to know. Nothing we urgently need to tell Tiffany, though, and nothing that particularly helps us. Continue listening and waiting, I suppose.

>>282680
Cimmerian, can you relate everything to Tiffany realtime?

>>282687
Where's the benefit in that? He can tell her anything important later, and there's a chance that she'd fuck up and let others know what he's doing if he did that now.

 

If you're bored and don't want to listen I highly suggest you start singing Henry the VII to annoy everyone in room.

The Cimmerian 2011/02/19(Sat)19:43 No. 282712 ID: c44286
File 129817342831.png - (50.92KB , 400x800 , 582.png )

>Queer: "Do you really think the Immortal would obey Alexander? I mean, those things don't obey anyone."

Well eat my brain and call me Clarice. Who is this idiot? OF COURSE THAT ABOMINATION WILL OBEY. That's the only thing it can do. You made sure of that didn't you, you backstabbing ₣åśŕẫǎłļіяŗẫĩŝћệ.

>Moron: "If it didn't, it would've torn through half of Adeleine. We would've heard of it by now. The fact that it's keeping a low profile can only mean that it has someone holding it's leash. Now, before we call the girl in, we should talk about this creature of hers."

>Queer: "Kenric may have had a point. It would be safest to destroy it."

Haha, I'd like to see you try. Whatcha gonna do, slap with me with those noodles you call arms?

>Fuckwad: "We would need to kill the girl as well."

>Bitch: "You can't be serious! She's done nothing wrong! And we don't, as a rule, kill our own."

>Fuckwad: "The daemon is under the Curse of Earth. It cannot be killed otherwise. Would you have one running around freely?"

>Bitch: "It is far from free. The Curse of Earth prevents it from harming us, as you well know."

>Fuckwad: "Unless the girl says so! Would you have her hold our home hostage?"

>Queer: "And how exactly could you kill her and destroy the daemon without her sicking her dog on us?"

>Bitch: "I can't believe you're even discussing this. You make me sick."

>Moron: "Enough. She will not be harmed for this."

>Fuckwad: "Would you have it walk free then? To do as it wills? There are plenty of things it could do to harm us, even with the Curse. Who knows why it came here in the first place. It could've been sent by any number of enemies."

I kinda like this guy. He's delightfully sociopathic.

>Bitch: "How many enemies can you name who could send an unbound greater daemon?"

>Fuckwad: "Well I-"

>Bitch: "And Joyce tells me the daemon isn't a mindless beast like most of it's kind. Perhaps it could be reasoned with."

>Fuckwad: "What? You can't be serious."

>Psycho hunter chick: "Forgive me, elder," HEY it's psycho hunter chick! "but it's true. The daemon has a mind of it's own. It might be reasoned with."

>Fuckwad: "Madness! I ought to-"

>Sharp little fucker: "Madness or not, I think you should all be aware that it's listening to every word we say."

. . .

Oops.

>>282712
Eh, not so bad, really. You got more information than you otherwise might have, and you learned that one of them would be willing to kill Tiffany to get rid of you but most of them wouldn't. Important to know who the most likely threats are. Or who the most awesome allies are, if you can get around the whole "wants to kill you" thing and end up working with the Kinsleys significantly in the future.

Hold on a bit longer, see how they react to this newest bit of information. The fact that only one of them noticed anything in the first place makes me wonder just how skilled they are; how easily will they pick out what you've done?

Anyway, if they act to make you stop listening, chastise them for being rude but don't force a confrontation. If the hunter chick thinks you can be reasoned with even after how much you were messing with her, best to play to that- at least until you get to a point where you've got more freedom of action.

>>282712
Break open your cage and give that man a hand. I like him.

>>282712
Well? You have some choice little words for them, why not speak up?

But first, let yourself have a hearty laugh and compliment the sharp little fucker for his observation.

>>282712
"I was wondering when you'd notice.
... No, I'm lying, I wasn't expecting you to notice at all. Kudos.
I'm very reasonable. I sat in this tinfoil cage to keep you happy, and all I want before we talk is a Reuben and a soda."

Ask for a Rueban sandwhich.
Threaten to sing Henry the Vii if they do not comply.

>>282712
Indicate your surprise that there is an individual here who demonstrates baseline competence.

Then ask for your Reuben, and indicate that you mean no harm to them, you're just here to watch the shit hit the fan.

It also could be appropriate to indicate your disapproval of them making Tiffany wait out there.

The Cimmerian 2011/02/20(Sun)14:01 No. 282875 ID: c44286
File 129823929078.gif - (162.01KB , 400x800 , 583.gif )

"Bravo. I gotta hand it to you, I was beginning to think that you were a bunch of clueless wankers. Looks like at least one of you can pull his head out of his ass."

>Fuckwad: "Silence!"

The mage throws a tighter net over the sarcophagus. Overextending. Careless. With a swift tug the Cimmerian corrupts the spell, causing it to begin eating through the stone. The mage attempts to pull back, but the Cimmerian holds him tight.

"Well aren't you rude fuckers. Talking about me behind my back."

>Moron: "Eavesdropping is hardly polite either."

"What of innocent little Tiffany? Shouldn't she be a part of this discussion. Oh, I guess that would make it awkward to plan stabbing her in the back. Of course, you'd know all about that wouldn't you."

>Queer: "We will not listen to your lies, Daemon."

"Cry me a fucking river. You mortals forget your own sins at the tip of a hat. If I was lying, I'd be saying your mother isn't a raging slut. And you've got no choice but to listen. Just ask Fuckwad over there how his efforts at getting me to shut up are going. Looking a little pale there, Fuckwad. You all right?"

Fuckwad let's out a stifled breath.

"He's all right. Now, I'm going to come out in a moment. Then I'll get me a goddamn sandwich, maybe some soda. Then I expect you, me, and the girl to sit down and talk like adults. If you're mean to her, she just might give me permission to tear your respective heads off. And believe me, I will."

There was a stunned silence in the hall.

>Moron: "This council is sacred to the Clan. It's decisions are absolute. To allow them to be influenced by threats is unthinkable. We would not compromise the integrity of the council for mere personal safety. Your requests are reasonable, as long as they are not demands. Are they merely requests?"

Tell them that the sandwich is the closest thing to a demand. Its only proper to when you take in a guess to give them something decent to eat, you remember much better hospitality last time you were around. Anything after a good sandwich is a request, but it better have extra meat on it.

I would aim for sarcastic politeness. They are not used to dealing with Daemons of your intelligence or experience. Also we don't want our actions to hurt Tiffany. Life is good at the moment best to keep the gravy train a rolling.

>>282875
"I'm not in a position to make demands or threats here, remember? Not my call. I'm just asking for proper respect for myself and my master. Power aside, I have my own mind and she her... good intentions. Acknowledge that."

I wouldn't call this life 'good' but it's certainly on the rise. Play along with their demand/request shit.

>>282875
"If saying it's a request will get me my sandwich then sure, it's a request.

Now, threats? I don't do threats. I know you're a little slow, so let me spell out the core rule of society.
I like being alive. You like being alive. Your panicked flailing is annoying, but I honestly don't give a shit about any of you.
Now, you see Fuckwad over there? He's planning to off Tiff anyway. He tries, I kill him. I kill him, you'll try to kill me. You try to kill me, I kill you all.
See? No threat, just me stating the obvious.

If that's too harsh for your delicate skins, then look at it the other way. I don't give a shit about you, so I'm not going to do anything unless you go out of your way to piss me off.
If you can avoid being a pile of ass-hats to Tiff then we won't have a problem.

So are we all on the same page, or do you need more insults to realize how rude and self-important you've been?"

Point out that Moron has just implied that you can make demands outside the council hall, and then say you know better than to actually do that.

>>282875
"Sure. They're requests that are gonna happen."

>>282875
Oh hey, they're testing your ability to reason. That's cool I guess.
It isn't shameful to call them requests if you make fun of human sentimentality over their precious council's reputation more. It's just a damn council, a small governmental speck that can be corrupted and wiped clean by war, famine, and humanities own completely and understandable nature. They're just talking apes.

>>282922
>Oh hey, they're testing your ability to reason. That's cool I guess.
Ask them if Turing is their wingman.

The Cimmerian 2011/02/21(Mon)16:38 No. 283216 ID: c44286
File 129833512752.png - (177.53KB , 400x800 , 584.png )

"I'm not making threats here. Just stating facts. It is in my interests to keep little Tiffany alive for as long as possible. If you try to kill her, I'll kill you first. And believe me, I'll be knee deep in bodies before you get anywhere near her. Don't try to play this off as me giving you threats. I will NOT listen to moans of wounded pride from filthy deceitful monkeys."

>Moron: "Your bravado is in vain. I am familiar with the details of your binding. I know you cannot raise a finger against us without Tiffany's approval."

"Oh I've got a finger I'll be raising against you. In a minute."

The stone sarcophagus begins to crack under the stress. The Cimmerian gives a final push and large chunks of stone fly through the air in an exaggerated slow motion. Blinding light surrounds him as the spells woven into the sarcophagus crackle and break, and Fuckwad let's out a gasp of relief as he is released.

The Cimmerian stood up among the drifting stones, giving the finger to the First Speaker.

>Moron: "Does that make you happy?"

"Extraordinarily."

>Moron: "If you are quite done?"

After a moment of stillness the Cimmerian lowered his arm. He gives a light chuckle, and begins to walk towards the council at a leasurely pace. The silence is only broken by the soft padding of bare feet. Joyce stiffens as the Cimmerian passes her. He gives her the slightest of nods.

"Psycho bitch."

>Joyce: "Filthy daemon."

The daemon comes to a halt in front of the council table. The elders sit motionless, showing no emotion at his approach.

"BOO! he shouted. Queer was the only one to flinch. Sharp little fucker kept the same cold glint in his eye.

>Moron: "Tell me, unkaftuugan lunaxgan ha''a, why have you come here, after all this time?"

Nosy bastard. What to tell him...

None of his damn business.

Although I bet it was boredom, wasn't it?

Might as well tell him the truth. Opportunity knocked and you took your chance. Although why did you go for it? Does where you normally live really suck?

>>283216
"That sounds like an excellent topic of conversation... for over a sandwich."

>>283216
"Shit's about to hit the fan, if you hadn't noticed. Now I'm getting my fucking sandwich".

>>283216
Bored. It's why you agreed so quickly to a Curse of Earth, it provides a bit of challenge. Plus, of course, to taste multitudes of humanity's only true success and thing of value, food.

It's really the only thing they're actually good at. I don't know why ya'll aren't just a race of chefs.

Yeah the curse was a bonus due to getting a shiny human body for the duration.

>>283216
Cause you want to stop a dumb ass bone king from destroying everythign...
cause it's not in your interest.

Tiffany 2011/02/26(Sat)13:39 No. 284463 ID: c44286
File 129875639674.png - (155.56KB , 400x800 , 585.png )

Tiffany wasn't sure what to think of her test scores. Her spark was way higher than normal. Duncan certainly didn't seem to know what to think of it. He wound up putting five on her certificate. She stared at the parchment as Owen led her towards the council chamber.

Owen answered the blackguards question appropriately, and they were allowed to approach the chamber door. Tiffany snapped out of her thoughts at the sight of the cat. It sat in front of the door, watching the pair. With a flick of its tail it turned and pawed at the door. The door opened soundlessly. Tiffany creapt up to the door.

>The Cimmerian: "Hey, opportunity knocked for a first row seat, so I took it. Can you blame me?"

>Balian: "A first row seat to what?"

>The Cimmerian: "End of the world, baby."

>Balian: "Excuse me?"

>The Cimmerian: "You heard me. The word on the street is you got Uncle Bones running around again. Good times."

>Balian: "He will be stopped, as were the ones before him."

>The Cimmerian: "What, by you dolts? Not likely."

>Balian: "Your opinion is noted. Now, back on topic."

>The Cimmerian: "Oooh yes. Let's."

>Balian: "So... What do we do with you? An ancient daemon, clearly hostile to the Clan, bound to a little girl. Ready to wreak havoc at the tip of a hat."

>The Cimmerian: "Oh don't say that. I'm as harmless as a puppy."

>Balian: "Ah yes. The Curse. Funny, that. Makes you completely unable to inflict direct harm upon humans."

>The Cimmerian: "See? I knew you'd see things my way."

>Balian: "Except... There are a myriad ways you could inflict harm upon us, indirectly. And disregarding that, you're far too dangerous to be handed over to a young girl. No, we cannot allow you to walk around freely."

>The Cimmerian: "Hah, do you think you could stop me?"

>Balian: "Why, yes, yes I think I can."

>The Cimmerian: "Try me."

Oh crap. I have to stop this. Maybe there's some alternative they would agree on?

>>284463
walk in like the baddass you are.
At this point, the enemy of your enemy is your friend... and that at this point, it would be advisable to fight fire with fire as this man already has a bizzare kill count.
Your spark should be able to convince them of potential... but only if they trust you...

You'll have to submit to constant monitoring, but it should appease them well enough.

Just have them put a surveillant or two on you through who is/are well trusted. It should make things easier on everyone.

Also, now would be a time to ease tensions between the Cimerrian and the people

>>284463
"Er... Excuse me, sir, but why do you say he's hostile to the clan? Disrespectful and rude, of course, but has he actually done anything harmful? I mean, this place doesn't look like he's used anything stronger than harsh language."

@Cimmerian: Didn't you want to fight that immortal? How about you offer to do that to help against the bone king in exchange for them not bothering you?

Supervision. Appoint someone to keep watch over you and the demon, to make sure you keep him in line and can still use him when needed. If they cant trust you, and they can't trust the demon, then trust the one who watches you both.

Okay so maybe some sort of compromise is what we want here.
Perhaps it would be suitable for the Cimmerian to be constrained to Tiffany's presence when in Kinsley territory.
Thus he wouldn't be running rampant, and he would be monitorable through Owen. In the general public, he's free to do as he will (within the constraints of the Curse of Earth). Quite a bit preferable to being tied up in a cellar, but he can't go about interfering with Kinsley shit either.

>>284463
"You can't afford to do that. I've seen enough to know that your magic is a shadow of what it once was and Alexander controls an Immortal. I don't think you have anything which can stop that. You aren't even aware of half the things existing in your own sanctum- The Cimmerian is proof of that. You don't even know what he is now that he's incarnate. Even if you're arrogant enough to think that you can destroy him, can you afford the destruction I'll allow him to wreak if you try to destroy him? What will be left to stop the Bone King even if you prevail?"

>>284504

That's just like, your opinion, man. Also saying that would escalate this meeting into a first-rate pissing match.

>>284471

This is good but I would add the qualifier of "Since he was bound," because The Cimmerian did rough up your dad before you bound him.

>>284463

The trouble is fundamentally one of trust. The Cimmerian hasn't been out in the world in ages, and he only knows the Kinsleys by how they used him and his ilk during the war, and by the time he spent observing Tiffany. This council doesn't know The Cimmerian at all, except that he is a demon, and all demons share a bad reputation.

Since trusting each other's word isn't going to happen between The Cimmerian and the Council, we need something that will allow the council to exercise some measure of control without doing anything The Cimmerian would consider an egregious abuse.

Unfortunately, we only have general ideas of what both sides consider unacceptable behavior. We'll need to find out from The Cimmerian what is completely off the table in terms of binds, and we'll need to find out from the Council what exactly they don't want The Cimmerian doing. Spell it all out, and then find an appropriate bind to ensure adherence to the contract by both parties.

"Why do you want to risk your lives to destroy this weapon, when it could be turned against the greatest threat that has been known in millenia? He may not like humans in general I'm sure he is even less fond of would be bone kings. If he's to die let him die fighting my grandfather."

Tiffany 2011/03/01(Tue)18:51 No. 285563 ID: c44286
File 129903430636.png - (53.46KB , 400x800 , 586.png )

Tiffany strode in the open door, Owen at her heel. Balian's eyes flickered in her direction.

>Balian: "Ah. Young Tiffany. I see you're early."

"I'm really sorry to interrupt, but you've got to stop fighting."

>Balian: "Young lady, this council does not need your-"

>Melmidoc: "Do you have an alternative?"

>Balian: "I don't think-"

>Melmidoc: "I wish to hear what she has to say, Balian."

>The Cimmerian: "Yeah, Balian. We want to hear her out."

Balian gives the Daemon a toxic look, then raises his hand in frustration.

>Balian: "Very well. On the issue of the greater Daemon of the Cimmerian Hollows, the council will now hear Tiffany of Bardsey."

>The Cimmerian: "Oh I love it when you use my full name."

Arsenic.

"Please, I know he's an ass and that we need to keep an eye on him, but we can't afford to keep him locked up."

>Melmidoc: "And why would that be?"

"We need all the help we can get to fight Alexander. He could help us, but do you think he'd want to help us if we keep him stuffed in a cellar all the time?"

>Melmidoc: "Quite an astute assessment."

"Couldn't we come up with some kind of a compromise? Have someone watch him maybe?"

>Melmidoc: "I'm afraid you don't quite understand our concern. See, the body the Daemon has created for itself is not the thing itself. It sees through the body's eyes, it feels whatever the body feels and it can act only through it. However, it is still a separate thing. At any moment it may be released from that prison of flesh. With a word from you it would be free. And the council in all it's wisdom is not comfortable with your finger on the button. Don't get me wrong, I don't think you'd mean the clan harm, but the Daemon might talk you into it. As it happens we do have methods to contain the Daemon, flesh or not. In the cellar, as you put it."

"How?"

>Melmidoc: "Simple, when you think about it. A circle. One that kills a human if it is crossed or tampered with."

"That's horrible!"

>Melmidoc: "Not really. The Curse would force him to stay inside, unless you were comfortable with innocent blood on your hands. And quite frankly, you don't seem the type."

>Imanye: "Stop trying to traumatize the child, Melmidoc."

>Melmidoc: "What do you take me for, sweetheart?"

>Imanye: "Quit it."

"Wait, wait. Couldn't you just.... I don't know, come up with a way of keeping him in the body so he could still walk around and stuff?"

>Imanye: "Perhaps. I believe the reliquary still holds a set of Benezét's Shackles, does it not?"

>Alainon: "You can't be serious. Those are priceless historical artefacts, the etchings alone-"

>Imanye: "Still perfectly functional, I know. I'll have to ask Cain to modify them for our purposes but-"

>Alainon: "That brute?! Have you lost your mind?"

>Imanye: "Oh please. It's not like they're doing much good gathering dust."

>Alainon: "Balian, you can't let her do this."

>Balian: "She has a point. This may be an acceptable compromise."

"Excuse me, what are the Benezét's Shackles?"

>Alainon: "Priceless relics!"

>Imanye: "Hush. They a special set of shackles. They're meant to kill whoever wears them if the wearer attempts to escape in any way, even by turning into an incorporal form. Of course, they wouldn't work on him as such, but I'm confident that the Artificier can alter them to suit our needs."

"You mean kill someone else?"

>Imanye: "Well I-"

>Melmidoc: "Yes."

"Again, that's horrible!"

>Balian: "I must agree. I cannot allow any of my kin to be subject to such treatment."

"Right."

>Balian: "So I will do it myself.

"What?"

Tiffany's question was echoed by the assembled Kinsleys. Balian stood up to address the hall.

>Balian: "Allowing the Cimmerian to walk among us is a great risk, I know. Even having him on the island is a greater risk than I would like. If my suspicions are correct, the two of you could cause the clan terrible wounds before you were through. I would not see that come to pass. Instead I choose to accept the compromise you have proposed. Wear the shackles. I place my trust in you two, and will pay the price if I chose poorly."

>The Cimmerian: "Boy you like the sound of your own voice. So you want me to wear bloody shackles twenty-four seven?"

>Balian: "They will only be removed by council decision."

>The Cimmerian: "Naturally. What do you think, Tiff?" *Of course, I could just kill these guys. And I still could after you take the deal, if you change your mind.*

That does not sound ideal, but it's better than the alternative.

>>285563
Okay, they have now proposed a solution that:
-Does not actually stop you from setting the Cimmerian loose
-Gives you a gun to the head of a member of the council at all times

The most practical thing to do from a strictly self-interested point of view is immediately accept. I recommend against this- you don't want it, because it will immensely increase the pressures on you and only make your position in the clan more fragile.


Instead, I would shoot for improving your reputation here instead of chasing as much power as possible, and there is a rather elegant way to do that. Point out that it would be far safer and more effective for the clan if they rig the shackles to kill youif set off, instead of some random innocent. Then as a practical matter, the Cimmerian will never get loose without having them removed properly, because even if you order him free you'll immediately die and your soul will no longer be anchoring him here. And then Balian doesn't have to place his trust in anyone, heh.

You'd be giving up a significant amount of power, obviously. At the same time, do you really want to be under the constant pressure of being able to kill Balian with a word, particularly when a bunch of other people know it? You would become even more of a target than you already are, because by taking you and convincing, torturing, or tricking you into freeing the Cimmerian any enemy could strike at the heart of Kinsley power. And it would very effectively stop the Cimmerian from ever urging you to murder someone in order to set him free, which you've got to know he'd do constantly.

Besides, you know that if you thought the Cimmerian would be able to get Alexander because of it, you'd murder the whole council in an instant. Setting yourself up to walk that path is a dangerous thing. Remove your own option to do so.

Sounds like the best solution. For the demon I don't think that limitation is even close to what the Curse of the Earth did to him. But they aren't going to physically string him up too much right? I mean he's irritable enough as it is, you don't to have to deal with him when he's unable to scratch his own ass.

Think to the demon "I would walk around in shackles myself if it meant these wahoos would calm the fuck down a little."

>>285563
"While I thank you for your show of confidence, Balian, the problem is that your solution isn't functional.

If the council believes there's a chance I'll fail then they won't agree to it because the danger remains unchanged.
If the council believes I won't fail then the entire idea is pointless inconvenience.

Forgive me, councilor. When you brought the shackles up you knew the only solution, but you didn't want to be the one to suggest strapping a bomb to a child."

This seems like a bad idea all around. If they can modify these shackles who is to say Alexander couldn't just set them off if we got close. Has got to be a better way than strapping a bomb around someones neck.

>>285576
The problem with that is that then if we ever needed to free the Cimmerian without going through the proper rituals, we'd die. I don't know about you, but I sure don't want to tangle with the Reaper again.
Accepting this is the best option for us, even if it does bring a bit more suspicion onto us. Besides, Balian obviously doesn't think the Cimmerian would be able to escape... or something. I'm not entirely sure what these shackles are supposed to do if the death aspect is offset onto a different person.
Anyway, we will exercise our own judgement in the destruction of Alexander. If the death of Balian were to be necessary, that would be an acceptable sacrifice, considering Alexander threatens the entire world. But it's no more likely to come to that if Balian is the one who might die than if we are, and in the former case, we can choose to make that sacrifice, whereas making the latter might well remove our ability to effect Alexander's death as we might otherwise plan.
Removing our ability to choose is never a practical thing to do.

>>285592
Fuck your shit. The council are acting like this would be an acceptable compromise, so let's treat it like one. This isn't a case where we want to say "we know better than you council, and we can't be trusted with that". They think it's acceptable, and the whole point here is to placate them. So it's fucking acceptable.

>>285605
Why would Alexander be able to fuck with them? That doesn't even make any sense.

>>285563
Do indicate that you're not too comfortable with Balian assuming this liability, and ask if the Curse of Earth will prevent the Cimmerian from attempting to break free. In the likely even that it will, be relieved, and say something like "I guess that's okay then".

Ask what 'releasing' him entails. Would we be able to still use his power against Alexander without killing the one with the shackles?

>>285607
>Removing our ability to choose is never a practical thing to do.
Sometimes it is very practical. If one is in danger of being mind controlled, bullied, manipulated, blackmailed, or otherwise forced into doing something they would not normally want to do- like Tiffany seems to be on a near-constant basis- then it's better to have removed that as an option in advance.

I consider it more likely that we will end up releasing the Cimmerian's power for someone else's purposes than for our own, at least in the immediate future. I also consider it likely that if we are able to kill Balian with a word, we will end up being somehow forced to do so. Thus, being unable to would be a good thing.

Also, as you point out, if we can learn enough necromancy dying is not necessarily going to stop us- meaning that if the council lets us set up a suicide lock instead of a murder lock, we could potentially get the Cimmerian out of the shackles without anyone at all dying and leave everyone else thinking that we'd be unable to do so; an extremely powerful hidden asset if we can develop it.

>>285592
There is a bit of logic in the points you make, in that if they don't trust us to keep the Cimmerian sealed why the hell are they only putting our conscience in the way, and if they do trust us then why bother with anything additional at all? It seems like they're putting up paper shields here. Pointing that out, though, will force them to either decide to let him walk around free or to take reliable action to lock him down (such as the suicide lock, but there may be other suggestions). I'm not sure we want to force them into making that choice- though it could turn out well for us, potentially.

>>285605
Alexander is a master necromancer, not a master artificer. He won't be able to fuck with the shackles.

>>285592
it'd also be a good time to mention you ain't a child anymore.
You kinda watched you mom get taken before your eyes and an ally die in critical condition.
You are not a child. remind them this.

>>285620
Tiffany is very much a child. She has grown up exceptionally fast in some ways, but claiming that she's not a kid anymore would only make her look foolish.

Tiffany 2011/03/02(Wed)18:05 No. 285779 ID: c44286
File 129911791722.png - (47.29KB , 500x200 , 587.png )

"I don't understand. Why would you do something like that?"

Balian sighs and sits back down.

>Balian: "Let me explain then. In simple terms. The Cimmerian is like a nuclear weapon. You've got your finger on the button. We must have a safeguard in place. The problem is, the only safeguard that would work is one that takes advantage of the Curse. He already demonstrated that we cannot keep him imprisoned otherwise."

Balian gestures towards the fragments littered on the floor.

>Balian: "Understand this; there may be a time when releasing that creature is necessary, but you will not be the one to make that call. That will happen only by the council's decision. If standing in front of your gun is what it takes to drive home the point, I will."

>Melmidoc: "Do I even need to point out how pointless that gesture is?"

Annoyance dances on Balian's brow before he replies.

>Balian: "Do you have an alternative, Melmidoc?"

>Melmidoc: "Strap the bomb to the girl. Unathorized release, she dies, the daemon gets banished."

>Balian: "You would do that to a child?"

>Melmidoc: "It is the best solution and you know that."

>Balian: "I won't-"

>Melmidoc: "Oh don't go all noble on me now."

>The Cimmerian: *Heh, I should hang out with mortals more. Adorable. So, if you let em strap it to you, I bet I could wriggle out of those shackles in no time. Don't worry, I couldn't trigger them if I tried. So what do you say?*

Hmm. Alright, so. The shackles only trigger if he's unleashed from his human body. They basically keep him fleshy.

While in the human body, he has to get permission to hurt humans, and his power is limited. So, basically, this shackle deal will keep us from just letting him overwhelm our enemies.

Attach the shackles to ourselves. It will show them we don't want to rely on his power, and demonstrate that we are in fact unwilling to attack the Council.

>>285779
Well, if he'd be able to wriggle out, that makes it a pretty decent option.
And they're thinking down this path anyway now, so there's not really a better way out.

Acquiesce.

Now these shackles are they like 20 pound monstrosities? If the Cimmerian thinks he can wriggle out of them in time then we might as well go for it. Even if he cant once we get in better with the council we should get some leeway if we need to us his full power. The only problem I can think of is if we get mind controlled. Bring the mind control thing up.

>>285779
"If that's what it takes to make sure nobody hurts anybody then I guess I don't have a choice."
To Demon: *You need a name. That way you can get indignant when people don't use it and mock them for poor manners. How does "Tom" sound to you?

Oh, how about you ask for advance permission to unleash hell on the bone king or his immortal if we run into them?*

>>285779
our demon hasn't even SEEN these shackles and is making conclusions based on previous magic he's seen used.
proceed with caution.

>>285779
Think to the Cimmerian that ones who made them might have actually been competent, don't take it so damn lightly.

What is the advantage to putting it on Balian, again? Letting him die isn't going to do us even the slightest favor except kill the one guy here on our side. We take it on ourselves, be just as restricted as before, and all these wahoos get to feel better about themselves. Of course the way to explain it is that we are taking responsibility and being noble and all that shit.

A bigger worry isn't who is being strapped on or aimed at, but how well the council can actually arm this weapon if needed. How long would it take and who in the council actually will have the means to release it? Do they have to all be here to do it?

>>285832
He knows a lot more about shit than we do. If he's not worried, I'm not either. Besides, worst case scenario and he's wrong, that just means he's still bound by the shackles. Not a huge loss compared to being bound by the shackles with no chance to wiggle out undetected.

>>285881
Indeed, we are now best served by taking it ourselves.
And we certainly should as how viable it is that the shackles be removed in a time of need.

Tiffany 2011/03/12(Sat)18:57 No. 287962 ID: c44286
File 129998507560.png - (93.45KB , 800x500 , 588.png )

"Put it on me."

>Melmidoc: "See, she agrees."

Balian gives Tiffany a long, inquisitive look before giving her a slow nod.

>Balian: "That settles the matter then. The Artificier will alter the Shackles to suit the purpose. In the meantime, I believe the young miss is anxious to see her father. Owen?"

>Owen: "Yes, Speaker. I will see to it."

>Balian: "Good. The Daemon will remain here."

The Cimmerian gives Tiffany a look, who gives him a quick nod.

>The Cimmerian: "Sounds like a hoot."

And so Tiffany leaves for Liverpool, the hospital and her dad. The Daemon remains a captive in the castle, and Mulder is loose on Bardsey. Who do you wish to control?

>>287962
Cimmerian: Go to the cafeteria and get some lunch. Invite Joyce along, then flirt with her to mess with her head. Subtly at first, but gradually becoming less so until she gets fed up and goes off the handle, then act disgusted for her thinking you'd even consider having sex with a mortal.

Mulder: You gay, dog. You gay.

Tiffany: Make a hide+absolute belt so you'll be able to hide from people when it's convenient.

>>287962
Mulder man. Dude is more cool than Vanilla Ice stuck in a giant freezer in the back of a restaurant.
Lets go eavesdrop on an important character and further the plot with newly gained secrets!

>>287962
On the one hand, I want to see if we can get Tiffany to try and magically heal her dad.

On the other hand, the Cimmerian is a laugh riot. And what he does could be kind of critical. Could definitely go with that.

Mulder is a definite no; he's gay, as has been pointed out. I don't want to control a gay bird.

Tiffany.

I want to see how Dad is holding up.
And we should apologize for getting him hospitalized.

So far one vote for each and one for schizophrenia... hmm.

I say Mulder. He can see and hear all kinds of things, is capable of limited communication with Tiff and can even check on the demon. Maybe.

>>287962

The Cimmerian is fun

>>287962
Is there any way Tiffany or Mulder can share their senses with The Cimmerian?

The Cimmerian. Dudes hilarious.

The Cimmerian 2011/03/13(Sun)18:44 No. 288124 ID: c44286
File 130006708570.png - (91.52KB , 600x800 , 589.png )

The Cimmerian rolled his tongue over his teeth as Tiffany and Owen departed. The door bolted shut with an air of finality. As the echoes died down the Cimmerian glanced back to the council.

"So what now? You got another one of those to stuff me into?"

A subtle crack of his knuckles followed the question. Balian leaned into his hand for a moment before replying.

>Balian: "Perhaps not. It seems like you will be our guest for a while. We will arrange quarters for you. There will be enchantments, of course, but at least it will be a little more comfortable."

"Right. Now, who do I need to suck up to to get a sandwich around here?"

Balian raised an eyebrow at that.

>Balian: "You eat?"

"Yeah. Us daemons live on mortal guts and sauerkraut."

>Balian: "Ah. Well, perhaps we can arrange some to be brought to you."

"No no, I can just grab some myself."

Before Balian could reply, Imanye interjected.

>Imanye: "I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to let him stretch his legs a bit, Balian. I'll have my kids keep an eye on him."

>Balian: "Words fail to express my apprehension at that."

>Imanye: "Oh fine. I'll go. We're done here for now anyway, and it's almost lunchtime."

Balian rubbed his temple, looking tired.

>Balian: "Fine. The council is adjourned."

The shuffling of cloth filled the hall as the elders rose to their feet. Imanye strode towards Joyce and the Cimmerian. She came to a halt inches away from the Cimmerian, looking him straight in the eye.

>Imanye: "You're not going to give me any trouble, are you young man?"

"Wouldn't dream of it."

>Imanye: "Such a charmer. Come on, let's get you something to eat. But first, we need to get you some clothes. What is that, an old raincoat?"

"Afraid I'll flash you or something?"

>Imanye: "Hah. You don't have anything I haven't seen before. Black really isn't your colour, dear."

"Do you even have anything else in here?"

>Imanye: "You'd be surprised. Come along, Joyce."

>Joyce: "Yes, Lady."

"Huh. You're pretty fearless for a little old lady."

>Imanye: "Hehehe, you're pretty fearless for a young man to be standing near little old ladies with no pants on."


Check questdis for paperdoll, time for daemon dress-up. NSFW.

>>288124
Do something to warp your genitals. Make them like a squid's beak and tentacles or something, with eyeballs instead of suction cups.
Then flash her.

Or you could just start flirting with Joyce to make this hilariously uncomfortable for everybody.

>>288133
I suspect that it would freak them out more if instead of flashing them, he just made his genitals utterly horrifying and then let them 'accidentally' glimpse something without shoving it in their faces. Then they'll be staring uncertainly at his crotch in an effort to discern if what they thought they saw was real for an indefinite length of time.

Considering that is mostly a mental exercise, though.


Anyway. Imanye has been the most generous of the council by far with regards to Tiffany, so let's play nice for a bit while talking. Ask a few random questions that strike the mind, like about "her kids" (actual kids, or younger people she's in charge of?) and if you can get one of those wall-sized televisions and a king-size bed for your quarters.

I like this old bag, she just doesn't give a shit. You could probably stand to act reasonable around her if only to show that you can. That should help the others to ease up off your ass a little... Except for Joyce, she's too much fun to not piss off. And even better is she'll have to behave because of the old bag.

The Cimmerian 2011/03/15(Tue)12:20 No. 288492 ID: c44286
File 130021684411.png - (108.60KB , 600x800 , 590.png )

Somewhere in the bowels of the castle.


"Hey Joyce, you think this outfit makes me look fat?"

>Joyce: "Why are you asking me?"

"Well I just figured that you're the expert on picking clothing that makes you look fat."

Aah there's that wonderful little twitch.

>Imanye: "Still in black, I see."

"It's charcoal you blind bat."

>Joyce: "Hold your tongue, cur!"

>Imanye: "That's the darkest charcoal I've ever seen."

"Just because you can't see in this lighting doesn't mean I can't."

>Imanye: "Fair point."

>Joyce: "Why do you tolerate this, Lady? This lack of respect is outrageous!"

>Imanye: "I have not yet grown so old that I need people to be outraged on my behalf."

>Joyce: "I- apologies, Lady."

>Imanye: "It is only words. I can take his worst."

"You sure you want to bet on that?"

>Imanye: "I've known some quite colourful characters in my time. So far you're not even in the top ten."

"Haha, I'm intrigued. Did you know these characters in the biblical sense?"

>Imanye: "Some of them, yes."

>Joyce: "This is not appropriate! How can you talk like that to the Lady?"

"Haha, she's no lady. By her own words even."

>Joyce: "You-"

>Imanye: "Calm down, child. If fencing with words is his way of getting to know me, I'm more than happy to oblige."

>Joyce: "Yes, Lady."

"Yes, it's very nice of you to oblige me. So friendly and open and honest. So very very nice."

Imanye furrows her brow a bit.

"I'm amazed at how much you've changed over the millenia. Completely different. It's almost like you didn't put an inquisitor to keep an eye on the girl."

>Imanye: "I don't know what you mean."

"Oh? Those were very handy illusions on him. You could hardly tell he had the Eye. Well, I could obviously, but hey, what I can I say."

>Imanye: "That was not by my choice."

"Not by your choice? Yes I'm sure other council members insisted. But you stood by and let it happen. Are you going to tell me he wasn't ordered to cut the girl's throat if I got loose? Do you deny it?"

Imanye remains silent, while Joyce looks at her in shock.

>Joyce: "Is it true?"

"You haven't changed one bit. Not one fucking bit. The same lies, the same deceit. You disgust me."

>Imanye: "And I suppose you are any better? Have you told her that you've read her mind? Or about the Coalescence?"

The Cimmerian glares silently at Imanye.

>Imanye: "I believe we are done here. Joyce, see that our guest is fed. Joyce, that is an order."

>Joyce: "Y-yes, Lady."

>Imanye: "He is not to leave the castle. Malcolm will send for you when his quarters are ready."

>Joyce: "Yes, Lady."

Imanye strides out, leaving Joyce standing alone with the Daemon. Joyce seems to be in a bit of a state, while the Cimmerian sneers towards the door.
There is an uncomfortable silence.

Maybe I should say something.

>>288492
First off, explain to her simply what the Coalescence deal is about, so if you don't tell Tiff she knows she can. A peace offering, of a sort.

"Ironic, isn't it? That I'm the one here who can be more trusted, the only one really on Tiffs side, and who can't stab anyone in the back?"

>>288492
It may be fun antagonizing these worms, but now it's time to plan for the future. Comfort Joyce. "It's hard having your illusions destroyed, isn't it? Tiffany might need a mentor without ulterior motives. Think you're ready for the role?"

>>288495
This seems potentially very unwise.

>>288492
You should probably come clean about the mind-reading thing. Probably about the coalescence too, although I don't know what that is. What's Coalescence?
Also, what's the history with you and that old girl, anyway? Or was that "you" the general "you" in reference to humanity?

>>288492
Tell Joyce that if it's any consolation, while reading Tiffany's mind you discovered that she wouldn't even be surprised to learn you had. She's of the opinion that people are already reading her mind and manipulating her constantly, magically or otherwise. Oh, she's sure her new daemon is nasty and doing terrible things behind her back, but she's half-convinced that she hasn't fully escaped Alexander in spite of what the clan tells her, and she's sure that if the Kinsleys aren't mind controlling her already they will as soon as they suspect she's stepping even a little out of line. Gareth's father and seeing the prophet cemented that; she knows perfectly well that if the clan can't use you, they'll pound you into a shape that they can use. The only one left she trusts is her dad- and she even worries that she can't stop anyone else from controlling him and using him to manipulate her.

She asked to have the bomb put on her because she knew that the council would do it forcibly, or do something worse secretly, if she didn't volunteer. This way at least she knows where the puppet strings are attached.

So young to be so... perceptive. Alexander gave her a good few first lessons. And given how the clan's treating her, she'll grow up into someone truly great if the council doesn't freak and off her first, don't you think, Joyce?

>>288496
This is basically my overall goal here- make Joyce want to take charge of Tiffany by making her see her as a sad, abused girl desperately in need of someone who actually cares about her.

>>288520

They're sparring like old partners in crime.

Owen's behavior is a good sign for Annie, right? Shows an Inquisitor can behave like a decent human being, even if they have a job that makes everyone a little wary of them. I wonder how long Owen's been keeping deep cover? Might be fun to find some clues from earlier and help Tiff stumble on them.

She's a smart girl, she'd understand what he was supposed to do. She'd also understand that only an Inquisitor would have a chance of standing up to more radical elements and making them back off. Like he did for her earlier.

If she stumbled on the right clues she'd realize why he had to keep his cover with her, too. Her mind is still too easy to get a look at, isn't it? Not much in the way of protections, even as mortals rate these things.

The Cimmerian 2011/03/15(Tue)17:09 No. 288541 ID: c44286
File 130023415466.png - (138.87KB , 600x800 , 591.png )

Ah Coalescence. In retrospect I should probably have warned the girl. But hey, how was I supposed to know she didn't know about it. She seemed to think it was sort of like with familiars. Ahah. Yes. Probably should've warned her.

Coalescence. Heh. Yes.

See, when Mulder was made, it was like pouring water into an empty cup. She gave up a little bit of herself. Nothing that would be missed. Perhaps her child-like sense of wonder, or her attraction to boys. Oh she would eventually compensate for the loss, no cause for concern. But in case of the Curse...

What happens when you fill a cup that's already full?

Ok well it overflows obviously, seems like I lost my metaphor a bit there.

In our case the waters mixed, a little bit. I became a tiny bit more like a mortal, while she became a tiny bit less. Just a smidgen. I don't know exactly what I gained, yet. Some part of her sense of humour, perhaps? Time will tell. Certainly a pattern of speech I didn't have before. I also got a fair glimpse at her memories. All in all, it matters little. The floodgates are closed, and the waters are separated once more.

>Joyce: "Well, go ahead. Mock me."

The Cimmerian stirred from his musings to find Joyce leaning against the wall with a dark look in her eyes.

"Oh I wouldn't dream of it. You seem absolutely devastated!"

>Joyce: "C'mon. Lay it on me."

"Nonsense. Why would I do something like that? I mean, you're beating yourself up like no tomorrow! I'd only be making it worse by going on about how Tiffany wouldn't even be surprised at all this skullduggery, I mean, she's already lost her faith in humanity. Hell, it's the whole reason she volunteered to that shackle thing, she knew that if she didn't the clan would do something worse behind her back. I'd be surprised if she could ever trust anyone other than her dad, if even him. And she'd be right not to. Kinda wise of her don't you think? She'll grow up to be something great, eh? Well, unless you off her first."

Joyce glares at the Cimmerian's transparent trolling efforts. Some if it seems to have struck home.

>Joyce: "Like you're any better, holding Greg hostage and damn near pulling his leg off."

"At least I was up front about it. No sneaking around from me."

>Joyce: "Marvelous."

"So, how you taking all this? Just learned your Lady isn't a lady after all, hmm? Feeling a bit under the weather?"

>Joyce: "Shove off."

"A bit of a twist, wouldn't you say? Shaking the foundations of your faith in the clan, yes?"

>Joyce: "Do I need to stab you?"

"Such a harsh wake-up call, no? A crash back into reality? Curse those politicians, curse them all to hell?"

>Joyce: "I'm going to hurt you now. I'm not sure when I'll stop."

"That'd ruin my suit. If you're so desperate to have me out of it all you gotta do is ask, sugar."

Joyce storms off, slamming the door behind her.

"Hey, you're supposed to be watching me! I could run off and do mischief you know!"

>Joyce, muffled: "I'll wait here. Come out when you're done playing dress-up."

Yeah she wants me. Although, I saw another door out of here. I could ditch her and have my own un-guided tour. Ooor I could keep tormenting her, maybe get a sandwich. Hmm, choices choices.

>>288492
"I like her! It's refreshing to have somebody not trying to bullshit me.
Oh, Tiff knows 'bout the mind reading; everybody's been doing it and thinking she wouldn't notice."

>>288541

For Tiffany's sake, and the possibility of a sandwich, continue to play along. Finish getting dressed, give Joyce a little time to cool down, and then ask her to take you to the kitchen.

Point out that whatever the result of the confrontation Alexander is building up to, the family is going to be changed by it again. After the last great war, they ended up splitting into two families. Joyce will need to decide what shape she wants the family to take, how she wants to help shape it that way.

>>288541
She could defiantly lead you to a sandwich, she was ordered too after all. Now off to the Kitchen.

>>288541
Oh, that's all? Yeah, you should tell Tiffany about that.

Anyway, be a good demon and chill here for a while. Go ahead and talk to Joyce. Let her know how silly it is for her to get embarrassed about that. It's only natural, after all. You've assumed a very attractive body, and of course are very charming. And etc. I'm sure that this will strike an epiphany in her, or will at the very least be amusing.

>>288541
Honestly... considering how Tiffany acts and thinks, I don't think she'd flinch at knowing that she gave up some of her humanity and got a little essence-of-daemon in her. She's got no faith left in people, half-expected going into the binding process that there might be nasty side effects from making a second familiar, and is desperate for power and knowledge. Her first question would probably be if what she got from the Cimmerian will be useful.

>>288541
force her to make you a sandwhich
realize you took her sense or sarcasm (you haven't made a single kind gesture... then again you ARE a demon and they ARE hunters soo...)

still, at least try to be nice... it'd be nice to have someone other than tiff have something RESEMBLING trust... or at least not have everyone want you dead and watching for any reason to kill you

>>288541
Cmon Cimmerian, give her an in. Plant the seed of mentordom. Tiffany can't stand alone.

The Cimmerian 2011/03/16(Wed)17:33 No. 288782 ID: c44286
File 130032200892.png - (58.87KB , 600x800 , 592.png )

Ah yes. I guess the girl needs a little status update.

*This is Bald Eagle calling Riding Hood, is Riding Hood receiving over?*

>Tiffany: *Huh?*

*Roger that, Riding Hood. Just a little newsflash: Reading your mind is the new black, everyone's doing it, including me. I got a bit of your essence and you got a bit of mine, if you play with it you'll go blind. Oh and Owen's an Inquisitor, hope you don't mind. Ta-ta, see you when you get back.*

>Tiffany: *WAIT WHAT?*

Ah that'd oughta take care of that. Lemme just tune her out here... Aight. Now, the other little girl. Hmmm....

"You listening?"

>Joyce: "Yes."

"Look, I'm probably the last person you want to talk to right now-"

>Joyce: "You got that right."

"but since you're stuck with me I might as well pitch in."

Silence.

"Speaking as a complete outsider, you mortals are kinda shit."

>Joyce: "... Really."

"Don't take this the wrong way. I'm sure there's plenty of fine upstanding people with many wonderful qualities, but as groups you tend to be- well, shit. Mistrust, scheming, politics, the same old jazz. You guys keep falling into the same old patterns. With a group as venerable as your clan, it's no wonder you're in the state you're in now."

Joyce remains silent.

"Now, I'm going to assume that you're not happy with the state of the clan as it is now."

>Joyce: "Don't assume too much, daemon."

"Are you happy with it, then?"

>Joyce: "Well, no, but-"

"It's a yes or no question, there is no but. Are you happy with the way the clan is?"

>Joyce: "... no."

"Would you rather it was run differently?"

>Joyce: "You expect me to fall for that, daemon? I won't betray the council."

"Oh knock it off. I'm not trying to tempt you into anything. I'm trying to warn you."

>Joyce: "About what?"

"Events have been pushed into motion, Joyce. We are headed towards a time of great upheaval. You know this. You can feel it in the air. Things are about to change, whether you wish it or not."

>Joyce: "What are you talking about?"

The Cimmerian let out a long sigh.

"In this great game, people such as you and I are but humble pawns. It's not up to us how the board ends up."

>Joyce: "That's, uh, very philosophical of you. Why so fatalistic?"

"Oh don't get me wrong. We do play a part in our own way. See, where we are pawns the girl is a player."

>Joyce: "What, Tiffany?"

"You've known since you laid eyes on her. You could tell she was born for great and terrible things. You can deny it if it makes you feel better, but she's definitely a player. A side to her own."

>Joyce: "I... I guess."

"But beyond that she's also a little girl. She's alone, scared and frankly neither her nor I have seen a single good side of your clan. Remember, no matter what happens, she'll play a big part at the end-game. If she gets nothing but shit from your clan, why would you expect anything else in return?"

>Joyce: "Even if what you say is true, I wouldn't start manipulating her to gain some future favor."

"I'm not suggesting that. I'm suggesting that you help a little girl. If in the process you stop her from becoming a jaded, heartless shrew like your council members, who's to complain?"

There is a long silence. Eventually there is a creak from the door, as Joyce slowly pushes it open.

>Joyce: "I... I guess you have a - OH GOOD GOD."

The door slammed shut once more.

>Joyce, muffled: "Put some FUCKING clothes on before I FUCKING stab you again you ass."

>>288782
"I'm not the one who looked. Like what you saw? Yea, you did.
So, here's the basic rundown. Tiffany's the first blood - yea Duncan was right. Don't argue, I remember this shit. Same goes for her mother - your council done proper fucked up there.

If your people cut the nose-on-prostate action they could fix shit now, but they're so damn prideful there's a better chance you'll have Tiff's kids.

Since they won't act now to stop the end of the world themselves and won't let Tiff do it for them, somebody needs to make sure she'll be ready to beat the four horsemen into submission on doomsday."

>>288782
"Don't blame me, I didn't say I was dressed yet!" Haha well done on all parts. Feel free to be more smug than usual. Be sure you are still monitoring Tiff though, in case something goes massively stupidly wrong on her end. Oh and what do you remember from Tiffanys memories? Like, any big secret stuff that might matter?

Anyways get dressed and get out of here so that you can indulge on mortal cuisines. As many as possible. And then we can indulge in mortal waste disposal, yay for new experiences!

>>288782
"Hey, I didn't tell you to open the door and peek at my dick."

Anyway, I think it's sandwich time.

>Joyce, muffled: "Put some FUCKING clothes on before I FUCKING stab you again you ass."

"You act like I've got anything besides second-hand information about putting these things on."

The Cimmerian 2011/05/18(Wed)13:41 No. 305064 ID: c44286
File 130575126510.png - (85.80KB , 600x300 , 593-1.png )

[1 of 3]

NO NO NO! The hell was I thinking? Don't these nancies have any decent threads? Black on black? Grey on black? Grey and... Lime green? ... Is that a tie-dyed robe? Oh god. This is hopeless. I might as well go naked.

The Cimmerian 2011/05/18(Wed)13:41 No. 305065 ID: c44286
File 130575130193.png - (86.45KB , 600x300 , 593-2.png )

[2 of 3]

Wait, I take that back.

Tiffany 2011/05/18(Wed)13:42 No. 305066 ID: c44286
File 130575133660.png - (50.80KB , 600x300 , 593-3.png )

[3 of 3]

*WAIT WHAT?*

Tiffany and Owen were a little over half-way to the small private pier on the coast. The wind cut through Tiffany's sweater, but she barely noticed it. The Cimmerian's revelation sunk through her mind like a cartoon anvil. The daemon's invasion of her mind wasn't pleasant news, but somehow it didn't seem like a huge surprise. Owen being an inquisitor, however, did. It wasn't just that she faced another potential threat, it felt like a violation of trust. She liked Owen, and felt like she could trust him. He never felt threatening or scary, even now-

>"You all right there, kid? You're looking a tad pale."

>>305066
"Unpleasant truths, that's all.
Nice eye, looks real."

>>305066

"When they make new Inquisitors, they don't all turn out like Kenric, right? Some of them turn out more like you. Do you think Annie will be like you?"

>>305071
>>305096
Do not immediately spill this realization as soon as we get it- particularly since doing so now is bound to make Owen ask questions. I don't think you particularly want him thinking about the fact that the Cimmerian can mentally chat you up at any time, even if he must know it on some level.

In hindsight, of course Owen is an Inquisitor. The clan would never have assigned someone to only protect you when they could assign someone to watch you instead. And of course he's nice- he's probably spent years learning how to make good impressions on people so that they trust him and let their guard down in front of him, so that he'll be better able to determine if they're someone he needs to kill. He's a professional con artist; the clan's enforcer hiding a knife with a smile. You can no longer afford to be fooled by such tricks.

Keep your cards close and say something true but irrelevant. "No, I'm not all right. I miss my life before all this. When no one was killed, or mind controlled, or sent to the hospital. I don't think I'll be all right for a long time."

Just say you're fine. He'll assume you're thinking about your dad or something.

he is an inquisitor, you are a necromancer, your friend is a demon...
So far he has been nice to you and saved you from something very unpleasant.

>>305174
The Cimmerian is not Tiffany's friend.

So far Owen has acted nice, but then, Alexander acted nice too. While he had her under mind control and was using her to murder her family. And what's to say that Owen actually saved her from anything? He was an Inquisitor talking to the other Inquisitor- a suspicious person might speculate that they could have staged the whole thing to manipulate Tiffany into trusting Owen more. Good cop/bad cop is a recommended psychological technique for manipulating young people.

>>305184
I was using a liberal interpretation of the word "friend"... "Ally" or "Buddy" would have been a better word, you are correct that he can hardly be considered a friend.

It is possible that the whole thing was staged to engender trust though. Perhaps it is worth investigating?

Alexander wasn't nice, he was a total jerk even during the parts he didn't mess with your memory... he made you not remember the parts where he had to you helped him harm your brother. It is worth to learn ways to defend against mind control ASAP.

Tiffany 2011/05/20(Fri)10:32 No. 305492 ID: c44286
File 130591274627.png - (69.05KB , 300x600 , 594.png )

"It's nothing."

>"I'm sure your dad's going to pull through just fine, kid. From what I hear, he's a tough one."

Listen to him. Talking like he's my friend. Like he worries about me. Traitor. Nothing but a filthy traitor.

>"He'll be fine, you'll see."

Don't talk about my father, you bastard.

>"I've seen people pull through much worse. A man I knew had a hole clean through his chest and lived."

Yeah? I bet you gave him that hole. Real slow. Did you like cutting into him, huh?

>"Don't worry about a thing, kid. Your dad's in good hands."

I told you not to talk about my father. I'll shut you up. I'll shut you up real good.

>"Once he's awake, he'll want to see you. And if I was him, I'd get some ice cream. Does your dad like ice cream?"

I'll kill you bastard. I'll push you over the side or bash your head against the side again and again until your skull cracks you fucker. I can do it. I can if I want to.

>"Tiffany?"

SHUT UP

>>305492
Tiff, of all the people here he's one of the few not treating you horribly.
Now that you KNOW the truth you can't be tricked, so push your sense of betrayal aside and play nice with him.
Now you need something suitable to claim as a distraction.

"The prophesy only makes sense if you realize Duncan was right about the two families having a common origin, you know. From there our options become obvious.

I'm going to need 32 kilometers of 1.9cm diameter hose, 9000 liters of blood, every ritualist you can gather, and a few weeks to train them.

You don't trust me, but I'm not asking for trust. I am not going to delve into back-room dealings. I am not going to pursue hidden agendas. I am not going to bother with politics.

I am going to let you know exactly what my plans and methods will be every step of the way, and you will help me because everything else on the table is so much quarreling and masturbation.
I am going to destroy Alexander and rescue my mother. Anything that stands against this will be ground to dust.

What have you to say, Owen?"

So, to recap, you are contemplating horrific violence against the only person trying to be your friend right now, based solely on the word of an ancient demon who seems to enjoy nothing more than fucking with people. Well, I think I know what you inherited from the Cimmerian, cause this is not the Tiffany I remember.

Lets take a step back and think about this, shall we? Even if he IS an inquisitor, what does that mean? Inquisitors are like the police detectives around here, right? Just because one police officer is a colossal bastard doesn't mean they all are. It makes sense they would put someone with some legitimate authority in charge of watching you. He's probably even supposed to be finding stuff out about you, but can you really blame them for wanting to know? And talking to a friend seems like a more pleasant option than the being strapped to a table and poked with magic sticks scenario the other inquisitor had in mind.

I don't even think I even blame him for not mentioning his job to you. The two situations where he could have done so were "Hi, my name is Owen, I have a job you don't know anything about and the title would be meaningless to you, and I am supposed to escort you around today," and then later, "You know, that horrible man I just had to step in and save you from technically works in the same department I do, please don't hate me." Neither of those scenarios seem like we can fault him for not bringing it up. We should just be a little more cautious what we say around him.

Maybe you should just ask him what his job is and see what he says.

>>305492
Calm DOWN, Tiffany. Even if he is a inquisitor he isn't necessary your enemy. Not all inquisitors are the same and HE HASN'T BETRAYED YOU YET.

This sort of anger isn't good to bottle up, if you can't get over him being an inquisitor, confront him about it, now.

"Why didn't you tell me you were an inquisitor too".

>>305492
Tiff, Dark Side magic is fucking with you. Stop it.

>Well, I think I know what you inherited from the Cimmerian

Considering that he hasn't been all that violent, and he was quick to anger while holding her dad's leg before the deal was completed, that's almost definitely it. Tif got his rage, bloodlust, anger, whatever you'd like to call it.

Also, what the hell guys, The Cimmerian, troll or not, has a vested interest in keeping Tif alive. He's actively cultivating a trustworthy ally for her as well. While he's certainly not our friend, considering the circumstances he is in fact one of our most trustworthy allies, because we know that our current interests are his. He needs us strong because everyone around here are pansies in comparison to him, and he's out classed by Alexander who wants us dead.

On Owen, take a second to tune him out, calm down and make sure you don't say anything murderous. Do however confront him about being an Inquisitor because we're alone right now, so hopefully none of his superiors are watching. He may just be acting on orders while genuienly trying to be nice or he could be a manipulative prick. The thing with the other guy might've been a set-up, or the guy could've actually been trying to get around Owen and mind-rape you. You definitely should bring up what happened with Kenric though, because what he said afterward is definitely off with this new information. Definitely want to sound accusatory though, because for him to make excuses he has to hand out new information. Hell, I suggest opening with something like

"When you said don't piss off the inquisitors, was that a general thing, or did you mean you specifically? As a sort of in joke thing I mean."

>>305492
Calm down. He hasn't done anything yet. It's entirely possible that he legitimately does have your best interests at heart. You should be cautious with him, but there's no need to go getting all hostile.

>>305527
Oho!
Tiffany, do you remember when you grandfather controlled you? How do you hate having your mind tampered with? how you wouldn't ever want to be forced to do things against your nature again?
Resist those emotions tiffany, for they are not YOUR emotions. Clear your mind, you are not a bloodthirsty and angry demon. Binding a living being is not like making a dead thing into a familiar, there is feedback, you are both changed. The cimmerian demon has had its mind changed to be more like yours, and you more like him. Do not let demonic rage control you. Focus, resist the anger that is not truly yours.

You view him as a betrayer because the cimmerian views your entire clan as betrayers... focus on yourself, does the rage even mark you yourself as a betrayer? How would you betray yourself?

Tiffany 2011/05/21(Sat)13:54 No. 305754 ID: c44286
File 130601125595.png - (97.88KB , 700x600 , 595.png )

>"What's wrong?"

That's it I'll kill you and drink -

No.

Something's wrong.

This isn't me.

I don't know what's happening to me.

>"Hey kid?"

"SHUT UP! I mean... please be quiet."

I'll tear open your flesh and no no no focus. Calm down. Don't kill him. He's ok. Fuck he isn't, he's a fucking assassin. I gotta kill him first. I can't, he's Owen. Yes I can I-

Ugghhh, it's like my head is on fire, can't focus.

>>305754
Call Muldur! I think you're being spiritually attacked!

>>305754
HEY! HEY! EVERYBODY SHUT UP!
You know how to meditate, Tiffany?

A simple technique that should help here is repeating a mantra inside your head. It doesn't need to have any meaning, it just needs to flood your mind so that the unwanted thoughts are pushed to the sides.

Start singing Henry The Eighth or The Song That Doesn't End inside your mind, and keep it up until you've lost track of why you started in the first place.

yes, just repeat something until nothing but what you are saying is on your mind.

Don't be too vague guys, awesome idea with the mantra, now lets execute it right! Not henry the 8th; not telling her to "just come up with something"...
WE need to come up with a mantra, then ALL OF US need to say it in unison; while not perfectly fitting, it is a very good mantra to get used to and is highly versatile

Ignore the pain and repeat:
I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.
*repeat*
Ignore the outside and repeat:
I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.
*repeat*
Ignore the anger and repeat:
I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.
*repeat*

Perhaps, in addition to mantra, we should focus and visualize an arcane symbol? Can anyone think of a good symbol to use?

>>305817
that isn't a mantra, that is a god damn poem.

>>305754
just concentrate on something else alltogether... think about... i dunno dolls... play pretend in your head.

>>305754
Imagine a barrier around your mind.

>>305818
A mantra is anything one focuses themselves upon. It could be as simple as a word or as complex as a format of thought.

Don't you guys recognize the litany against fear? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bene_Gesserit#Litany_against_fear
from dune

>>305909
Technically, this is true. Except the idea here is to flood her mind with something simple and repetitive so that everything else gets swept away. This requires that it be short enough to be repeated rapidly and so the entire thing can be remembered at once instead of remembered piecemeal, and complex enough to occupy most of her mind.
The target length is between one line and a simple refrain, with allowances for high internal repetition.

>>305919
Yes, we recognize it. However:
A: It is too long to repeat quickly.
B: It is too long and complicated to repeat from short-buffered memory.
C: Tiffany is enraged, not afraid.

Then someone come up with a new custom mantra and lets all chant it

>>305980
That was me, just fixed my PC and forgot to put in my name

Tiffany 2011/05/22(Sun)16:33 No. 306038 ID: c44286
File 130610720690.png - (129.21KB , 700x600 , 596.png )

No, this isn't me.

But it is me.

Someone's attacking me, I've got to raise a- a shield. A barrier around me. I've got to-

Tiffany struggles to envision a barrier around her mind, but it slips in and out of focus, flickering and fading.

I've got to do this, I've got to

Why? There is no-one here but me.

I've got to block it out, drown it out somehow.

Owen must die. I wish I had a knife that I could cut him with.

My mind is my fortress. No-one may enter. It is my own. My mind is my-

weapon, better than any knife. I could carve him up with only a thought, cut him good and deep.

No-one may enter. It is my own. My mind is my fortress. No-one-

could stop me, least of all him. I could cut him up and spill his blood all over-

my fortress. No-one may enter. It is-

on my hands, and clothes, and on my tongue. Hot, coppery, sticky fluid on my tongue, sliding down my throat. I want to taste it, drink it until his veins are dry.

No-one may enter. It is my own. My blood- no, my fortress, shit, my mind is my fortress, no-one may enter-

The smell, the hot spatters across my face, how I long for it-

Oh god yes I mean no, my mind is my fortress-

>>306038
Fine, let's go more offensive.

Envision fire in your mind. A cleansing fire that leaves only you in its wake.

>>306038
TOO COMPLICATED!
TOO RELEVANT!

THINK SIMPLER!
THINK ABSURD!

You remind me of the babe
What babe? babe with the power
What power? power of voodoo
Who do? you do
Do what? remind me of the babe

(repeat)
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Put that baby spell on me
Jump magic, jump (jump magic, jump)
Jump magic, jump (jump magic, jump)
Put that magic jump on me
Slap that baby, make him free
(/repeat)

The darkness is not you. The darkness is everything evil and the wicked, the death and the lies. The darkness is your enemy. The darkness is the demons. The darkness is every asshole in the clans. The darkness is what hurt your father, that took your brother and your mother from you. The darkness is your grandfather.

But it is also power. It is your power. You are its master, and it does not control you. Grab it, hold it and wield it. Put it in it's place, create a sheathe and put it away.

Look inside, draw the circle in your mind. You are inside of it, the darkness outside. Create a trap for it, channel and bind it to a container that you control absolutely.

If someone could describe the circle better with the right runes that should be a big help.

>>306038
One. Two. Three. Four. One. Two. Three. Four. One. Two. Three. Four. One. Two. Three. Four. One. Two. Three. Four. One. Two. Three. Four.

o 2011/05/22(Sun)18:45 No. 306087 ID: 45be60
File 130611510523.png - (10.05KB , 148x141 , AntiScrying.png )

Hey Tiff, you've seen all sorts of runes to protect against scrying and outside influences, right? Why don't think about those for a bit, eh? do some visualization maybe.

>>306069

Yes, this, this!
It'll work and be hilarious.

>>306087
This.

>>306087
ah, magic to the rescue.

Although, could it be she is not able to resist it because it is not technically an outside force? she got soul spillover from the cimmerian. If this is indeed that as we suspect and not an external attack then this means it IS now part of her, does it not?
perhaps the approach should be to balance it with her own emotions and traits, or at least seal it in rather then protecting from the outside?

Tiffany 2011/05/27(Fri)17:40 No. 307233 ID: c44286
File 130654320054.png - (45.49KB , 700x600 , 597.png )

The chants aren't working, oh god I can feel something eating me someone help me

Anti-scrying, what? FOCUS Tiffany!

It's moving, it's moving inside me. Oh god.

>>307233
This is definitely a piece of the Cimmerian you got via the ritual. I wonder if it counts as a demon by itself? Then it would be weak and stupid and mindless and unreasonable. So... we need to bind it.

You have a bead on it, Tiffany. Imagine a cage around that thing. Section off that part of yourself. I don't think you can really use any magic circles in your own head...

If you can't manage to bind it, you will want outside help. You'll need to tell Owen.

>>307233
HEY! DEMONBOY! YOU NEED TO FIX THIS SHIT!

Remember when you punched out the reaper, Tiff? It's kinda like that - you need to punch it in the snout to establish dominance.

>>307233
This is YOUR mind. You hold the power here. Dive deep and fight him. Tame him. Make him YOURS.

Suggestion 2011/05/28(Sat)16:07 No. 307412 ID: 234c26
File 130662404812.png - (15.58KB , 600x600 , coma.png )

>>307233
Runes are hopefully the answer here- try throwing this around the fucker mentally. Make sure that the circle is all the way around it. The circle is the MOST IMPORTANT PART. Even if you can't manage anything else, a circle will keep it away.

The blade is sleep+total, bound tightly and hopefully affecting whatever's in the circle. The little circles and lines will hopefully let you control both the circle and the blade from your position outside of the circle. If this works, it should trap the nasty thing inside you and knock it out, hopefully forever.

Once you have that visualized, mentally throw power at it and maybe chant anything that you think might help.

>>/questdis/347036
Nobody is reading the questdis so what the heck, lets do it in here.

Quoting myself:
>maybe go on the offensive? Lash out and try to consume it? It is after all inside tiffany, she has the "home field advantage" so to speak.
When the reaper himself entered her domain she had power over it.

>Or maybe focus on a better magical rune... the last one we tried apparently was anti scrying. Not useful here. Maybe some sort of entrapment circle?

In the above note, any runes we use should be discussed and analyzed, the last rune someone threw around was "anti scrying" and did nothing to help. We need to do some legwork and make sure we use the right runes.
>>307412
What specifically do you believe those runes you have set up do?

>>307465
y4eap. Right runes.
Things work like that!!!

Most of it comes complete from the inner workings, not from the conscious mind. Then you just need to tap to it with THE RIGHT RUNES, or someone gets very confused..

If you're counter-intuitive it's good, but then you're not intuitive and need mechanisms.

Tiffany 2011/06/11(Sat)19:59 No. 312203 ID: d37a32
File 130784756678.gif - (504.06KB , 800x500 , 598.gif )

Grasping for straws, Tiffany tries to section off a part of her mind, to create a pocket to isolate the daemon seed. Dividing one's own mind proves difficult, as no clear boundaries exist within it. She struggles to contain the intruder, but it continues to eat away growing ever larger.

It isn't until a single realization that she makes any headway. No boundaries exist, so she must make her own. A circle, a simple circle to divide the mind in two. A wall against the intruder, a hedge to keep away the night.

As the circle is drawn, the creature stops for a moment to examine this strange new event. No longer can it move unopposed, taking ground at will. A wall stands between it and its prey. The creature pauses for only a moment before resuming it's burrowing. It is only a matter of time before it breaks through.

Using the precious moments of clear thought, Tiffany envisions a few extra runes within the circle. The creature slows it's advance, it's movements becoming sluggish until it finally lapses into a restless sleep. Tiffany can feel it twitching, only barely under control. Any break in Tiffany's concentration and it will surely wake once more.

Tiffany tries to contact the Cimmerian, but he's still blocking her. For now she's on her own. Should she let the creature sleep and hope for the best, or try to reinforce it's prison? Perhaps try to tame it somehow? It suddenly dawns on Tiffany that she is completely unaware of the outside world, Owen and the boat forgotten and far away. What approach should Tiffany take, and how to address the most pressing issues whichever they may be?

>>312234

Consume it. It's inside you now, but as a whole thing. This time, chew your food. Incorporate it. Tear it to pieces and spread it about you, giving yourself some anger, a bit of an edge, but controlled and PART OF YOU rather than the fragment of the will of another.

>>312236
very yes!

>>312203
Reinforce its prison, then tear it to pieces and throw it out.

Divide it into smaller and smaller parts, into seperate, smaller prisons. Divide its strength so it can't stand up to you as a whole. You should be able to subdue, imprison, and control seperated fragments much more easily.

Cruxador 2011/06/12(Sun)00:50 No. 312286 ID: f5fe2f
File 130786503316.jpg - (26.46KB , 600x600 , friend_coma.jpg )

First try pic related which could make the thing more friendly to us and/or eliminate its whole "kill everything" shtick. Even if it doesn't do a whole lot to aid us, little friendship never hurt anyone.

Can we apprise Owen of the situation and request his guidance without breaking concentration? With the runes Tiffany knows, we don't really have a safe way of dealing with this, and ideally we could make use of it.

>>312286
I think "friend" is targeting, not an effect.

Instead, how about you attach a negated hide/absolute? I believe that would make it an advertise/absolute, so Owen would be have it proverbially shoved in his face if he used magic to see what's going on.

>>/questdis/347556
Do thiiiiiis! Though attach it to the little circle we've already drawn, instead of a new little circle and line.

Suggestion 2011/06/12(Sun)10:12 No. 312348 ID: 234c26
File 130789874258.png - (48.31KB , 1000x1000 , coma-al-asmari.png )

>>312203
All right. Plans.


Before anything else, focus on that trap that you have already. Straighten up the circle and runes so that they are perfect. That might help it work better, but regardless, you need to keep holding that image in your mind while doing whatever else you do. Do not let it drop or waver, keep it as perfect as you can.

After that, whenever you try something that doesn't seem to be working- particularly if the creature seems to be getting loose and eating you again- refocus all your energies on the coma spell. When in doubt, go back to what you know works.


My suggestion for getting rid of this thing would be to turn to the most reliable spell you know for excising spiritual entities: Al-Asmari's Atonement. Spend some time carefully adding its outer circle to the one you're focusing on around the critter, working a bit at a time and being certain that the coma spell does not weaken or waver while you work. The final result should be pic related; it's slightly adapted to account for having an attack spell rather than a soul anchor in the center, but should hopefully function identically while allowing you to retain control of the inner spell. If nothing else, you've used this spell a couple times so your spirit should be familiar with basically what you're going for.

When it's done, spend some time mentally going over the rune structure to ensure that it's perfect- there is no sense in rushing this as long as the daemon is still asleep and you thus have time to check on it. Then hold the entire rune structure in your mind as firmly as you can, and use the chant three times.

hiat luut laha hanku
kiaufta'autsan naatsa
uftus niaftfta hx'ä 'anku
nxs kasua shu taatsa

Hopefully that'll get rid of it while still keeping it asleep so that it can't fight the spell. If it doesn't, something has probably gone horribly wrong and we'll need a new plan.

>>312348
Whoa wait, we want an enemy rune in there to keep it from effecting us. Otherwise it might banish part of our mind along with the demon.

o 2011/06/12(Sun)19:29 No. 312546 ID: a99131
File 130793216871.png - (9.26KB , 600x600 , 130662404812.png )

>>312299
Words mean what we intend them to mean. That is how language works, even magical ones. No reason we can't make friend into an effect, though I am not sure this is the way to do it.

>>312348
Banishing this presence could have all sorts of unforseen consequences, I really advise against trying it until we have a chance to figure this out a bit more.

The immediate problem here is that the circle we have requires constant effort of Tiffany to keep it going. If the rune could draw it's energy from elsewhere, say the entity we are binding, we would be fine long enough to at least ask some questions. Maybe something as simple as this?

>>312546
The real problem isn't about energy being devoted to it, it's the fact that if she loses her concentration the rune structure itself will dissolve- it's only as firm as her focus upon it. That is, even if the structure you propose works, she still couldn't return her focus to the real world because its runes would fall apart the moment that she did. I wish that she could somehow carve it more durably into her mindscape, but I can't think how she would possibly manage that given our current level of knowledge and ability.

As far as unforeseen consequences- yes, I agree, it certainly could. It's a significant risk, and I would much rather lock it up permanently somehow but I don't see any effective method for doing that due to the problem I stated above. Nor can I approve of spreading an unknown and rampantly insane creature's essence throughout her mind, like the suggestions to somehow consume it support, or of summoning up a soul eater, which is the only method we know of for severing soul bits (and accordingly the only method we know of for making sure that our soul wouldn't end up accidentally banished; I don't think an 'enemy' rune would do it) since we're working inside Tiffany's head here.

It's a bad option- but still the best one on the table, as far as I can tell.


On a more practical topic, I suspect that the structure which you've proposed wouldn't actually function as you want it to- it looks to me like it would try to draw power from our coma spell and pump it into the circle. If we want it to draw power from the trapped creature we'd have to use an "enemy" or perhaps "touch" rune.

I also have concerns based upon the Cimmerian's implication before that this is now part of Tiffany; if it's really part of her, then draining its power might amount to draining her own power. Of course, those same concerns make me worry that banishing it will accidentally tear her own soul out and send it to the underworld- there's risk on every path.

>>312551
oh, riiiight, the whole visualization thing. Well, I suppose we could try the Labyrinth of Hak'keth thing then, weaken the intruder. If it does affect us, we'll pass out and escape :V

Still, wonder why this is only coming up now. If this is soul mixing, it's taken ages to start doing anything.

Cruxador 2011/06/13(Mon)00:15 No. 312681 ID: f5fe2f
File 130794932268.jpg - (30.22KB , 600x600 , friend_coma.jpg )

>>312586
The Labyrinth of Hak'keth would do substantial damage to us if we were effected.

For now I think we shouldn't try anything that drastic, hopefully we can get input from Owen and he'll have something less dangerous we can try. Much as I'd like to avoid trusting him, it's not unlikely that this is a relatively common situation that he may know of magic to deal with.

>>312551
I think the best way would be to attach the power transference to the outside of the circle and have it direct the power along a line to the blade. Pic related.

MrBeaRUSH 2011/06/13(Mon)06:33 No. 312722 ID: e2020c
File 130797203244.png - (14.93KB , 768x614 , bardic.png )

Probably won't do anything, but what if we tried to include a more specific instruction to the cobweb of consciousness. Also include a combat bardo locale and a chaotic energy alignment, visualisation entrenchment and gravitic reference. Dissect entity from target visualisation reference gravitating under the bardic alignment of chaos of warfare.

>>347562
You know, if we are concerned about being attached to the hostile soul fragment and attempting to banish it being bad, why don't we just pull notes from the OTHER half of the ritual that circle comes from. We could summon a soul eater, feed the fragment to it, let go.

You know, if we are sure we want it gone.
I am still inclined to drain its energy into dormancy again and do some research asap if we can pull that off.

>>313011
That's certainly an option- I brought it up in the dis, at >>/questdis/347549. My concerns with the Soul Eater plan are three:
-It might eat more than we want it to, since it will be inside our mind.
-It will be able to successfully resist the banishment, since all the runes are being maintained by sheer willpower and the first one struggled a fair bit.
-Summoning outside entities into our internal mental/spiritual realm may be impossible.

I would consider it safer than attempting to absorb the daemon fragment, but less safe than attempting to banish it.


I would love to drain it into dormancy and do some research before trying anything drastic at all, but I don't think that any of the plans we've proposed thus far can reliably pull that off. The closest we come is using the Labyrinth of Hak'keth to try and drain it, but if that goes wrong we'll end up dead at worst, unconscious while the daemon eats our mind at slightly less terrible, worn out with an angry daemon that we pissed off and woke up at bad, and unconscious at okay. Call me paranoid, but I hardly think that's a safe set of results either.

I wish we knew more magic. And more about magic. And... anything, really. Or that someone- out of the entire clan of people who probably knew this would happen- had seen fit to give us advice on how to be ready to handle it.

But if wishes were horses glue would be free, I guess. Al-Asmari still seems the best of a bad set of options to me.

>>313017

We really can't go uncanny either. But it must be banished. It's disturbing, yet connecting to nowhere. Or is it?

for the record, this one's all for taking the more ambitious road. if Tiffany is awesome enough to kick the Reaper Man in the nuts and get away with it, she can do the same to some itty bitty fragment of daemonic essence in her brains.

Tiffany DOES have a six in power...

Yeah. We DO have a 6/5 in RAW POWER. We also got like a 1? in Finesse. I am bad at making decisions. So I flipped a coin. Absorbtion. Dang.

>>313232
The finesse thing was how well our oversoul thing understands us-

QUESTDIS

One of Two Tiffany 2011/12/22(Thu)17:13 No. 374411 ID: c44286
File 132460282033.png - (471.75KB , 900x1200 , 599.png )

There is no time for thought as the monstrous fragment stirs awake. A split second separates the hunter and the hunted.

The beast awakes. It hungers.
The girl. Fresh. Juicy.
It reaches out to feast.

But it is not alone.

You will not have me.

The girl slashes at the beast, tearing into it's flesh.

I am the master here.

The beast recoils but is struck again and again.

How dare you?

In pain, it flees back into the darkness.
Safe. Dark.

Suddenly, the darkness is pierced by light.

You think you can run?

The girl tears away through the black veil, leaving bloody marks as she advances.

Trapped. Nowhere to run.

This is my place. My mind.

Two of Two Tiffany 2011/12/22(Thu)17:14 No. 374413 ID: c44286
File 132460286753.png - (399.58KB , 900x1200 , 600.png )

The girl stood before the cowering beast.

>The Cimmerian: "Nice work, kid. You might want to hold up for a bit, though. Just sayin."

"YOU! I COULD HAVE USED A LITTLE HELP HERE!"

>The Cimmerian: "I'm not your babysitter. And you seemed to be doing just fine."

"You bastard!"

The beast attempts to slither away, but Tiffany slaps it back absent-mindedly.

>The Cimmerian: "Evil, remember."

"..."

>The Cimmerian: "Anyway, I thought you should know that you're standing at a crossroads. The little feller over there offers an opportunity. You can, if you choose simply kill it and be rid of it. If you do, no harm done, just have your inquisitor friend over there help you patch yourself up after. However, there's another way. You could devour it instead."

"I kinda figured that."

The Cimmerian smirked.

>The Cimmerian: "If you do, you would absorb it's power. This is a rare opportunity. You would be able to see magic as we do, and in time learn to use it like we do. You could wield power others can only dream about. But I will not lie to you. There is a cost."

"Always is."

>The Cimmerian: "It would leave you forever changed. You would become a little less human and a little more like us. I won't force you. A decision like this mustn't be rushed."

OM NOM NOM

But no, seriously, this is a chance to perceive magic more as it is. That's a great opportunity. It also might allow for more easily undoing a normal magic users spells. Like, say, the one Gramps is using to maintain possession of Mom's body

>>374413
I art thou and thou art me
BITE INTO THAT FUCKER LIKE A STEAK
DOITDOITDOITDOITDOITDOIT

Delicious!

Hope you're hungry, Tiffany, because dinner is served.

>>374413
Mustn't be rushed? There is no question here, no real decision at all. You are plagued with enemies; more of your "friends" and "allies" are false and suspicious than not; you lack the power to protect those close to you or save them from their fates.

If you value being fully human over having more power, then soon you'll be a dead human with no power at all. Only your own might can save you and those you care about, and whatever the price for that it must be paid without flinching.

Don't hesitate even a moment, Tiffany. Devour this wretched thing and grow strong.

Suggestion 2011/12/22(Thu)18:06 No. 374430 ID: cf49fc
File 132460596164.jpg - (8.54KB , 143x144 , NOMNOMNOM.jpg )

>>374427
Damn it all, it seems correct. Sorry Tiffany, your humanity is just going to have to take one for the team. Just try to hold on to your love of your parents and hope for the best!

Now, OMNOMNOMNOM.

>>374413
Don't eat it.

Wait, before we do anything. Ask him how much is a 'little'. I worry about eventually turning against those we consider friends. Or going mad. Or eventually deciding we don't need anything BUT revenge. We need to keep protecting friends and family after the crisis is over.

>>374413
Also, it's a chance for MORE POWER, and we already scored SIX OUT OF FIVE on raw power. Things can only improve...

How recognizable would this difference be to the inquisitor and others of his ilk? If not at all, then eat it. If it would make us a horrible beast that any mage would recognize as infernal, don't eat it. Somewhere in between... probably eat it.

Damn me and my stupidity I just can't really get the runes, but if she can use runes where she is, there should be a way to capture and transfer only the power or maybe reverse it's orientation from dark to light while transferring it or something like that.

>>374455
We can capture and transfer, but we can't diffrentiate between it's power and it's nature, and we don't have any sort of way to reverse it's nature, even if it is as simple as dark and light, which I doubt.

Kill it. Eat it.

it'll be harder to resist temptation, but I believe you're strong enough. eat it to use its power for good.

You need the power, yes. ...but remember why you need that power. Keep that reason in mind at all times. It's a dangerous game your in, but it's been a dangerous game for a long, long time and you're already used to it.

See if the Cimmerian will give you any more details on what sort of change might be expected, then decide accordingly. I'd say go for it, myself. If it makes you able to see like he does, that means he can teach you. Also, if the Kinsleys teach you as well, then you may be able to innovate as needed. Make some legendary stuff happen and turn conventional magic knowledge on its head. Like Galileo!

One of Two Tiffany 2011/12/23(Fri)16:25 No. 374731 ID: c44286
File 132468632920.png - (459.02KB , 1200x900 , 601.png )

Tiffany grabbed the beast in a firm hold.

"This will make me stronger, yes?"

>"Yes."

"Strong enough to fight Alexander?"

>"Perhaps."

"I need better than perhaps."

>"It depends. If you learn to use it, and are willing to use it, and Alexander does not truly become the Bone King, then yes. If he ascends, you might want to avoid a straight-up fight."

"... I'll take it."

>"Then you need only eat of its flesh."

Tiffany glanced down on the mass of twisting tentacles attempting to escape her grasp. Her throat felt dry.

>"It is easier than you think. Trust me."

Tiffany closed her eyes and bit down. Revulsion shook her as she almost gagged. A metallic taste, followed by a wave of unnatural heat.

Strange.

This should be disgusting.
But it's not.
It's almost
appealing.

Just another bite.

I want more.

After a few bites Tiffany was wolfing down the daemon fragment. By the time she realized the metallic taste was blood she no longer cared. It was life itself, and she wanted more. She hungered for more.

>"Steady now. Don't let it control you."

Tiffany ripped apart a tendon with her teeth.

>"Here, it is better if you sleep."

The hunger was quickly overcome by drowsiness and sleep. Tiffany fell asleep among the fragments of bone and sinew.

>"Sleep."

Tiffany 2011/12/23(Fri)16:25 No. 374732 ID: c44286
File 132468635106.png - (109.08KB , 300x900 , 602.png )

>The Cimmerian: "Time to wake up, kid."

"What happened?"

>Owen: "You fell asleep. Figured you needed it so I let you sleep. We're almost at the hospital."

"Oh."

Tiffany stared out of the windows without seeing. Apparently Owen hadn't noticed anything suspicious, and the hunger had ebbed into the background. Tiffany struggled whether to tell Owen what was going on or not. Did he know and was testing her loyalty? Could the clan help her control her daemon side? Maybe they could help her learn more of it?

>>374732
Ask him if you said anything while you were asleep.

Careful. Owen is our friend, but he is ALSO a powerful Inquisitor. We should just shake it off. They were HORRIFIED that you summoned a daemon, what will they think if you say you ATE one?

Let's just let it slide, play it cool, and remember how much we love our father.

And remember how Owen is pretty cool, so he can come stay with you guys.

Say nothing unless he brings it up.
If he does, we can come up with great excuses, so don't answer right away.

>>374732
The clan might be able to help you control your demon side and learn more of it... but I don't think that terribly likely. Certainly, you shouldn't be revealing it to any member of the clan you haven't established a personal bond with. If you manage to successfully apprentice to someone, maybe they'll be able to offer decent advice without dragging all your shit to the council so that they can mess with you again.

For now, just thank Owen for letting you sleep and focus on seeing your dad.

>>374732
The clan, so far, has demonstrated three things: They do not have your best interests in mind, they do not know nearly as much as they think, and they do not trust you at all. I think that we should keep our secrets close.

Owen is likable, but we don't know if he's trustworthy.

The clan seems unlikely to be sympathetic to your demonic situation. They've already put an inquisitor on you. They also don't know a lot, compared to the Cimmerian.

>>374743
Don't do this. He's (apparently) not suspicious, no sense in changing that. We can mention we had bad dreams at most. If he doesn't know anything, that won't reveal more; bad dreams would be expected in this situation. If he does know something, it'll merely make it appear that we aren't fully aware of the reality of the situation. Of course, this opens us up to questions about the dream, which is a dangerous proposition considering we aren't aware how much this guy might know or not know.

>>374732
"Ugh, some weak demon attacked my mind. Pretty sure it's dead; s'kinda a mess in there now.
Hardta do ritual magic in your own head; don' s'pose you could gimme lessons on how to oust things an' lock the doors, could ya?"

>>374852
>>374868
Owen is, above anything else, a very shrewd man and a skilled actor. We don't know if we can trust him, but the safe bet is on telling him what happened.
He's an inquisitor, meaning his job is to look for things like forbidden magic and demonic presences. There's a very, very good chance that he knows exactly what just happened.
However, he does not know that we know he's an inquisitor, meaning that he doesn't expect us to expect him to know the difference between somebody falling asleep from being tired and somebody going from lucid to unconscious mid-sentence as a result of a demon infestation.

If he does or does not know, then telling him will cause him to trust Tiffany to trust him. That allows for us to not only keep out important secrets covered, but also gives us some credence when we say things that others don't believe.
If they figure out Tiffany ate it then she can just tell them "It was eating me, so I ate it right back!". She's 12; they can't rightly argue with that.

If we don't tell him and he knows then he's going to mistrust Tiffany in the future and go over everything with a fine-toothed comb. We're on thin ice here already, and getting outed here wouldn't help.

If we don't tell him and he doesn't know then nothing happens until somebody checks for demonic presence.

>>374886
I would like to put the full weight of my vote to NOT do this.

Further discussion:
>>/questdis/357407

>>374886
DO NOT SAY THIS, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!?

We will be KILL BY WIZARDS.

Just... be quiet until we get to the Hospital.

The most I would ever suggest revealing to Owen is a hunger for a Reuben sub for yourself.
I think that eating stuff was a metaphor anyway, you're probably physically hungry. Go get yourself a sandwich or, like, a blue-rare steak. Appease the beast inside you.
That and father's are proud of children who eat big, rare steaks. True facts. Let's do something your Dad would be proud of.

Tiffany 2011/12/25(Sun)16:29 No. 375103 ID: c44286
File 132485936722.png - (89.35KB , 404x474 , 603.png )

Tiffany chooses to keep the daemon business under wraps for now. When she looked to her right she found Owen looking at her.

"... Did I drool?"

>"A little. I won't tell."

"Oh. ... You know you're driving on the wrong side of the road, right?"

>"It's Britain, kiddo. Being queer is what we do."

"Oh."

They drove in silence for a while. Owen eventually broke the silence.

>"Look, don't be too hard on Kenric. He was a nice guy once."

"What happened to him?"

>"It's the Eye. It changes people."

"Could you tell me a bit more about them please?"

>"Well, I guess. You know why the Kinsleys have inquisitors, right?"

"To make sure people don't go bad, like my grandpa?"

>"Exactly right. So we have the inquisitors keep an eye on everyone. There were problems with that of course. Some inquisitors went bad and caused a spot of trouble way back."

"How come?"

>"Power corrupts. The inquisitors have access to material that is banned for everyone else, and they get extra privileges. Some started to abuse that, and since they were the people who were supposed to be watching it was really hard to catch them."

"I see."

>"Quis custodes ipsos custodiet. Who watches the watchmen. Anyway, enter the Eye. The Eye is an enchanted gemstone or glass orb that lets the elder inquisitors see what the bearer sees. Hear what he hears. An inquisitor could not be disloyal if he wanted."

"Oh. What does that have to do with Kenric being an ass?"

>"Well, there are side-effects. Every one of the Eyes has been worn by at least a dozen inquisitors by now. Every one leaves a mark on the Eye. Like a ghost or a shadow. I've once heard someone describe it as a constant whispering in the back of your mind, ancient inquisitors constantly looking for treachery, telling you if they think someone's lying, evaluating your actions. And there's the lack of privacy. Someone always looking over your shoulder. Med have gone mad from that. Did you know that inquisitors are ten times more likely to commit suicide?"

"... That's horrible."

>"Yes. But necessary. The inquisitors pay the heaviest cost for their loyalty to the clan. I know Kenric can be an ass, but don't hate him for what he is."

Silence conquered the car once more. Owen forced himself to relax, the color returning to his knuckles. Tiffany thought he would probably be relieved to talk about something else, or maybe she could push for more information on the inquisitors.

wait, so if one eye can drive a man mad, and the chief Inquisitor is the only one connected to all the eyes, doesn't that make Kenric the one most likely to be nuts? why would anyone want a guy in that position to be the one who watches the watchers? because it sounds to me as though if Kenric snaps, the invisible hand that guides society becomes evil and the entire clan goes down shit creek.

see, this is why nations keep more than just one government agency around- if there was no FBI and CIA and INR and what have you and the only secret service in USA was NSA, the nation would be doomed to face an NSA-relted crisis sooner or later. sorry, but after we're done here, the Kinsleys are gonna have to make some changes around the house, because this will simply not do.

(not to mention that the inquisition was already in place when Poppop Kinsley took a huge dump onto the golden scales of power, so you can't even say it works all that well even when you disregard the whole 'whispers from beyond the veil of death' thing.)

...aaaaanyway, demons in your brain. how does it feel? try to take a peek inside your mind.

>>375103
Shift the topic- ask him to tell you a bit about the clan's history, maybe. How many people are in it, where they live, how they keep in touch- it seems like they live scattered around alone or with apprentices, but at the same time they've got big organized groups, so they must keep a close eye on people. Are they just randomly living in normal towns with normal families, or what? And what about all the people with weak magic, or no magic- how do they fit into this?

You know, just general information on clan structure that he could probably talk about endlessly while feeling like he's not telling you anything even remotely dangerous or secret and wouldn't bother him.

Ugh yeah that'll drive anyone bonkers. Owens in for some shit. Now we definitely can't confide anything in him, even the fact that we know what he is. Asking him about inquisitors isn't going to help our case much either. Maybe if we learned to talk with him mentally like we can with our demon? Let's look into that.

We're probably better off staying quiet for now. Feel out whats new in you, see if you can see magic like the demon said. The eye should be somewhere on Owen, trying to see it would be a good test. Just don't stare.

>>375115
I don't think they are connected like that, only the scrying is channeled through to each other not all the lingering imprints.

Wouldn't it make more sense to have multiple Independent inquisitions that watch each other instead of giving them an artifact that makes them go insane?

>>375103
"I don't think a system which promotes madness is altogether a wise idea. Doubly so when the worst of it is at the top.
It's done this way because it's done this way, isn't it. Nobody dares to suggest better ways because doing so is suspicious and taboo; tradition is sacred.

It seems like the family sees magic as a dying thing, to be preserved as it slowly fades from the world. That's why I've seen so many irreplaceable artifacts, isn't it? For all the pride they have in records they've been bleeding knowledge; not recording research they find so they take it with them to the grave, destroying records as politics disagree with them, and shoving minds of inconvenient brilliance into oubliettes like they did to Thomas.
They probably say magic is getting weaker, or that people of ages passed were inherently superior. That the weakening is an external problem nobody could hope to stop.
The Kinsley family is glorifying the past while revising it into impotence. They've got their rudder stuck and insist it's a current from circling the drain.
You don't want to say it but I'm right, aren't I. No, you can't tell me if I'm right because they're probably scrying me; a hidden remote listening sigil on my robe or some such.
Instead, how about a question? How many people here find reasons to keep their research and studies to themselves? How much knowledge passes only from master to student?"

Ok, lets establish some short/mid-term goals and some mid/long-term goals.

Short/Mid:
Since they have some many-to-one scrying eyes for the inquisitors lets design some one-to-may broadcasting glasses for people.
These would be useful for things like large sigils and coordinated rituals. If we wanted to, for example, have three hundred people show up, lay down a 3km wide sigil, and preform a ritual to empower it all within a one-hour window then we would need a one-to-many system to keep the chanters synchronized.

Mid-Long, lets design a ritual that attempts to scry everywhere within a circle and darkens where the scrying fails. Then put that on a pair of glasses.

Short-Mid, lets come up with a proposal for a new way for Inquisitors to work. One that gives them more privacy while also yielding better security. Also, keeping the ghostly aid but giving it an off switch. (This is easy. They will dismiss it out of hand.)

Mid-Long:
Get a laptop. Make it undetectable to others. Research how to magically download the library onto it so we can have a searchable database of all the magic. This will include the forbidden archives once the Cimmerian wants to make that happen.

Long:
Become goddess-queen of man. Fix everything.

>>375139
This is a terrible thing to say. We know he's an inquisitor- and he just told us that the inquisitors have senior inquisitors staring through their eyes at all times. Do we really want to essentially say to the senior inquisitors' faces that we think the way they do things is a bad one? Answer: Hell no, we don't. We do not have the standing required to make that kind of assertion without burning what lingering shreds of credibility we have and being slapped down.

And designing new artifacts and large-scale magical rituals is just ridiculous when virtually all our magic consists of stumbling around half-blindly and desperately hoping that something works.

>>375211
I concede that it is not entirely wise to say, but Tiffany is far more intelligent than she is wise.
Also, it's just making a simple inferrance from what Owen just said; HE said it drives them mad, TIFFANY says that's a bad thing. Continuing that to thinking there has to be a better way is simply taking an optimistic view of magic while looking darkly on things the family does, which is wholly reasonable considering how much she respects Thomas and how the family treated him.

The rest is just continuing that dejection and bitterness.

Giant rituals we could already do, but larger rituals need more power and if you need lots of people to supply that power then they need to work in concert. It's an organizational issue, not a matter of experience or knowledge.
The key word, of course, is design. We don't need to know exactly how to put something together if we can define its structure and function to the point where the missing pieces are defined enough for somebody more skilled to fill the gaps.
In the case of a new inquisitor system, that would mean defining how the system would work as a whole. That wouldn't require providing even a single speck of specifics. It's proposing a different system, not developing it.

Long term goals are things she'll have to put significant research and training into.

Let's not talk about inquisitors anymore.

We're going to see our dad. It might be appropriate to ask Owen about his own immediate family.

>>375139
Criticizing the system overtly is a bad idea; we're already seen as a dangerous element. Your goals listed aren't bad ideas but should be posted and discussed in the discussion thread.

One of Three Tiffany 2011/12/26(Mon)13:48 No. 375243 ID: c44286
File 132493609572.png - (259.20KB , 800x800 , 604.png )

"It doesn't seem like a very good idea to make the inquisitors crazy."

>"It doesn't really happen that often. When it does that particular Eye isn't passed on."

Silence reigned once more.

>"We're here."

Two of Three Mulder 2011/12/26(Mon)13:49 No. 375244 ID: c44286
File 132493615451.png - (176.29KB , 800x800 , 605.png )

Aaaaaah finally! Freedom!

And not crazy white bird in sight!

Man this is the life.



Oh no. That's the Cigarette Man. Sitting by his lonesomes.

Three of Three Mulder 2011/12/26(Mon)13:49 No. 375245 ID: c44286
File 132493616907.png - (40.18KB , 800x800 , 606.png )

What's he lookin at?

He's a friend to Boss. Maybe I could score some food.

Oh now he stood up.

Continue observing.

>>375245
Land close enough so you can hear him. Then peck at things and act like a normal bird.
We want to hear him harumphing to himself.

>>375245
Land on his shoulder and ask for some food.

Mulder 2011/12/27(Tue)15:59 No. 375487 ID: c44286
File 132503035266.png - (345.46KB , 800x800 , 607.png )

Ok I'm gonna get closer.

He ain't speakin tho. Just looking down.

Gareth stood at the very edge of the rampart. Mulder hopped up to the rampart next to him.

"Sup bro."

Gareth lets out a startled curse.

"Got any food on ya?"

>"No, get out of here, you stupid bird!"

"Hey I happen to be an avian thank you very much."

>"Whatever."

"Sooooo, whatcha doin here?"

>"Nothing. I- I just come here to think s'all."

"Whatcha thinkin 'bout?"

>"Nothing."

"Yeah I think about that all the time. Keeps me up at night."

>"Huh?"

"Maybe we could trade tips? I like to stare out to the horizon when I think about nothing. Makes me look all smart and deep an shit."

>"Look, just go."

>>375487
Nah. He needs a buddy. We'll stick around, just in case he wants to talk.

"Nah. Reckon you could use someone to talk to. A friend, maybe even. All the folks around here hiding things, all shifty like. Me, I just want a bit of something to slide down my throat. 'Course, I do report to Tiffany if she asks me, but she ain't gonna do you no harm neither."

"Come on, chicks dig dudes with avian on their shoulders. And I mean human chicks, not actual chicks. You know, for clarity. Don't tell me Kinsley's force Chastity on it's monk dudes or whatever you are. Let's hit the town or chill at your place, throw up a cool movie or something! Man who cares, it's you and me against the world! We're going straight to the top, cousin! I love me some BIIIIIG ENGLISH TITTIES!"

Just screw with him.

>>375487
"Heard your dad yelling at you before. Rough stuff.
Me an' Tiff 've got yer back. Woulda toldja before, but too many buzzkills around. Ya'know?"

Mulder 2011/12/30(Fri)13:10 No. 376224 ID: c44286
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"C'mon, chicks did dudes with avians on their shoulders. Human chicks too."

>"I don't care."

"You dig dudes? That's cool too. I mean, that's not MY style but-"

>"I'm not gay."

"So let's go see some BEEG ENGLISH TEE-TEES already man!"

>"I don't want to."

"Why not?"

>"It's just- I just don't alright?"

"Well what do you wanna do?"

>"Nothing. I don't want to do anything."

"Tha's coo'. We can just hang out."

>"I- I can't do that either. I can't sit still."

"Why?"

>"I don't know, man. It's just... nothing sounds worth doing, I can't relax. It's like there's a heavy lump in my chest."

"Probly cancer, man."

>"Not a physical lump, stupid bird."

"Whatever cancer man. And it's avian."

>>376224
"Sounds like LOVE. Who is it?
It's not Tiffany, is it? She's like 12; that's all kindsa wrong man"

Mulder 2011/12/30(Fri)14:32 No. 376238 ID: c44286
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"Sounds like LOVE. Who is it?
It's not Tiffany, is it?"

>"No, man. Tiffany's cool and all but she's like twelve. That's all kinds of wrong. And it ain't love."

"How'dya know? You been in love before?"

>"Guess not. But love's supposed to make you feel good, right?"

"Uhuh."

>"I just feel... useless. I'm just a burden on everybody. I'm not good for anything."

>>376224
"Guilt? Is it guilt? That's a heavy metaphorical lump in the chest that also feels physical, I think. Weird, why is this shit always in the chest and stomach instead of the brain? No wonder Samurais thought their heart was where their intestines were. They should've aimed higher. Don't go committing Sepuuku now, ya hear? Point is, I know I'm here for some reason, probably to have a meaningful conversation with you, so spill the beans and all of your emotions. The Raven just wanted to chill and talk with that Poe guy but he kept being so insecure about his problems all he could here was 'NEVERMORE! NEVERMORE! NEVERMORE!' I take it the Kinsley clan doesn't have good therapy, or health insurance for that matter, so let's get it out of the way. I think those Griswalds, or Grimwoods have decent health care, or whatever the german half of Tiff's family is again, crows are good with faces, not names. Don't let them have that advantage and keep this shit bottled."

>>376239
These questions I think are still applicable for the new post that got posted in the same minute.

>>376238
Man that's not true, he's been a real help with Tiffany. If it weren't for him, she'd never have gotten here.

>>376238
"Is this because your dad is an ass and yelled at you? Because he yelled at you because he's an ass."

>>376238
"Eh, you're not really supposed to be anything other than a burden until you're fully trained anyway. That's the point of training, right, to turn useless people into useful people."

Mulder 2011/12/30(Fri)16:21 No. 376289 ID: c44286
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"Man that's not true, your dad's just an ass."

>"No, it's true."

"If it weren't for you, Boss would never have gotten here."

>"Yeah? While doing that I lost the amulet."

"Everyone makes mistake, bro. Like me that one time, oh boy. I tell you, stay away from bluejays man."

>"It's not just that. I fail at everything I do. I can barely do magic, I'd never have become an apprentice if my dad hadn't pulled some strings."

"You seemed to do all right helpin Boss bind the dude."

>"Hah. That's just the bloody icing on the cake. Think helping Tiff with that was the right thing to do? Not many do. Honestly I can't do a bloody thing right."

>>376289
"Hey, it doesn't matter what other people think. Doesn't matter much what I think either, really. No denying you did that job right, even if some might not like that you did it. Just because you get given a hard time for some stuff doesn't mean a thing."

>>376289
"Ya don't need me ta tell you did the right thing. Ya don't need anybody tellin' ya that. You know it, and s'what matters.
Yer problem's got all these people giving ya crap fer not doing what they want, an' they ain't all nice people. They wish the boss died 'cause her bein' here's all inconvenient for 'em.

Ya did great when ya did what ya felt was right. Maybe yer problem is what they say ain't what ya wanna be doin'."

>>376289
Good will come of it, don't you worry.

>>376289
"Eh, screw 'em. You came through for Boss when it really mattered. You think she'll forget that? I can count the people in this clan she actually thinks well of on one claw, and one of those is now a toasted eyeball buffet."