>>43823
So tower then.
I doubt they want money for looking at the tower.

Suggestion 2009/09/13(Sun)09:52 No. 43828 ID: 15f6d6
File 125286076446.jpg - (61.38KB , 680x297 , 2.jpg )

The Ophian swipes Spikesby across the snout with her paintbrush!

She speaks. "There. Now I should be able to understand your squalking.

Kshaara's tower? Follow me. I will remind you again not to cause trouble."

>>43828
Yeah, follow her.
Maybe we should cause a little bit trouble, just to be rebellious.

Suggestion 2009/09/13(Sun)10:08 No. 43839 ID: 15f6d6
File 125286171863.jpg - (404.07KB , 1440x900 , 3.jpg )

Spikesby follows the Ophian through the city. The closer they get to Kshaara's tower, the more empty the city becomes. The hot, dusty streets are clear of all signs of life by the time they reach the tower's base.

"My name is Hreshka," says the Ophian, "I am an adept of Kshaara, from before the rebellion. My lady's body still bleeds from the wounds inflicted on her, and that blood leaks down the tower constantly. We collect it in urns and use it for various purposes.

Adepts can use the blood to perform various magical feats, such as allowing me to understand you and warding away other Wizard's spells and powers.

Any further questions?"

Spikesby is glad he can't see the enormous wizard from this angle, impaled on a multitude of spears and surrounded by a sea of corpses.

>>43839
So apparently she has lots of knowledge about magic and understands us.
We should ask her about becoming free willed and getting a soul.
Should be save right? They don't really like magicians that much.

Spikesby!!Z0Mwx3ZJZj 2009/09/13(Sun)10:32 No. 43853 ID: 15f6d6
File 125286315017.jpg - (112.99KB , 680x297 , 4.jpg )

Hreshka addresses Spikesby's queries.

"A soul isn't something you 'get,' Snikt. It is something you cultivate inside yourself. We Ophians were created by my Lady to produce art, philosophy and poetry, to entertain and engage our Lady. These pursuits lead many of us to begin acquiring souls. The lady was unaware or unconcerned, I'm not sure which. Because I was an Adept, I fought on the side of My Lady when the people rebelled. I have given up my compassion for power, however, so when my Lady fell, my loyalty fell also.

You were created by my Lady's close companion, Lord Ryxix. He made you to fight and kill, to make it difficult for you to cultivate a soul. I'm sure it is possible.

Your 'free will,' however, is a separate matter. Because you are magical and tied to a wizard, you cannot disobey them. Other than their orders, however, you are as free as anyone else.

Any further questions?"

>>43853
Can we use our fighting ability to gain a soul.
Fighting for good things I mean. Like we did when we helped those people against the other snikts.

>>43856
no, we don't need to fight for -good-

we just need to turn our fighting into an art. a technique. a form. with mastery and beauty come souls, so say the snakes.

Spikesby!!Z0Mwx3ZJZj 2009/09/13(Sun)10:51 No. 43859 ID: 15f6d6
File 125286430224.jpg - (112.30KB , 680x297 , 5.jpg )

Hreska continues:

"As you begin to form intentions and reasoning outside of your master's orders, you will begin to form a soul. Nothing can coalesce unless you act on those intentions and that reasoning.

You have begun to do so now. Saving people because you see them hurt, because you fear for them or worry over them, is a first step. Alternately, killing out of hate or jealousy would be just as effective. They must be consistent, though.

These thoughts and ideas, as long as they are consistent with one another, are the raw materials that will make up a soul, but only action can gather them together, coalesce them into something real."

>>43859
We should go to the market and think about what we heard.
"good" seems like the more logical choice for Spikesby though, considering we already started doing good things.

Spikesby!!Z0Mwx3ZJZj 2009/09/13(Sun)11:27 No. 43876 ID: 15f6d6
File 125286644140.jpg - (205.44KB , 720x450 , 6.jpg )

Hreska brings Spikesby to the market.

Spikesby doesn't have any money, so he isn't too sure what he's supposed to do here.

The Ophians in the stand address Hreska.

"My lady! Please, what can we help you with? Silks, jewelry?"

>>43876

I think we should just leave. Maybe go and see the tower.

>>43876
Skills? They sell skills here? Are those like services, or something else entirely?

Also, seconding getting a good soul. Fight for those who cannot protect themselves. Spikesby Biteface the noble!

>>43882

Silks? Like, as in cloth from the behind of a silkworm?

AND BY LEAVE I MEAN THE CITY. THANK FOR TIME SAY GOODBYE

Spikesby!!Z0Mwx3ZJZj 2009/09/13(Sun)11:47 No. 43891 ID: 15f6d6
File 12528676659.jpg - (247.80KB , 864x540 , 7.jpg )

>>"Wak wak wak!"
Spikesby says some stuff.

One of the Ophians replies:

>>"What's that, little guy? Did somebody fall down the well?"

Hreska doesn't seem amused.

>>"He just wanted to see. We're going now."

Spikesby may as well go back to the hospital, unless you have some clever plan. What does he want to do about Ria anyway? Is she staying here with Llewin, or coming with him to Radia's tower?

>>43891
Let her choose.

>>43891
It would be safer for Ria to stay here, but we could use someone to translate for us.
Can Hreska improve her spell, this way we could normally talk to others.
We could also try to find out if someone got a "mission" for us, going straight to the magician to deliver our package seems like a bad idea.

>>43896

I say let her choose. Let's just head and drop this package off. We can head back home after that.

Spikesby!!Z0Mwx3ZJZj 2009/09/13(Sun)12:14 No. 43901 ID: 15f6d6
File 125286929654.jpg - (146.42KB , 438x627 , 8.jpg )

Spikesby asks Hreska about making her spell permanent or if it would allow other people to understand him.

>>"No. The blood loses its latent magic over time as well. I won't be able to understand you in a few hours."

Spikesby eventually reaches the hospital and asks Ria what she wants to do.

>>"I'm worried about Llewin," she says, "The doctor said it will take him weeks to recover, and even though some people are familiar with him here, Ophians and Ravians don't exactly get along most of the time. Ravians can be sort of racist. Once he can get around some, we are going to sell the stuff we recovered and try to find something to do here." They said they'll take care of him, but he doesn't trust any of them. Maybe it'd be better if I stay.

>>"Thanks, though, Spikesby, you saved my life."

How does Spikesby want to respond?

>>43901
Ask if there's anything we can do to help.

>>43901
Say "Wak wak wak wak wak"

You're welcome. Sorry for dragging you in dangers way first. Have to go now and most likely will never see you again. Don't venture outside the city, not safe anymore. Goodbye.

Tell the adept about the Gour and Ryxix before leaving. If it's after us is it likely to come after Ria and can they protect her? Them giving over her to Ryxix at first sign of genuine trouble would be a real pain.

Spikesby!!Z0Mwx3ZJZj 2009/09/13(Sun)12:42 No. 43920 ID: 15f6d6
File 125287092424.jpg - (206.78KB , 643x544 , 9.jpg )

Ria says that she can't really think of anything. While he was gone, people were talking about how they were worried about him attacking someone, or having some secret mission for Ryxix. They really, really don't trust Ryxix around here.

Spikesby mentions Heartsbane and Ryxix, and generally fills Hreska in on what happened before. She gets rather... emotional.

>>"Ryxix has no power here, and his minions cannot hear him if they were to breach these walls. Their supernatural strength and resilience have no meaning. Let them come! We will slaughter them with guns and magic! Ever since My Lady's death, Ryxix has been mad with grief, constantly seeking to destroy us! His own love's blood protects us and wards us from his magic. He is powerless within these walls!"

...

well now. Spikesby guesses Ria will be pretty safe.

>>43920
So it's just you and your blades again?
You should probably really go towards the magician to deliver the package, maybe something interesting happens on your way.

>>43920

Whoa, teeth. Well, take care now and don't die or we will be very sad. With Ryxix after us and we having a delivery from him it's likely we will not survive. Since there is nothing else to do we're saying goodbye. It was nice while it lasted.

>>43920
waiwaitwaitwait

before we go

deliver the package to the wizard that we got from the worm wizard. it was large, and dildo-shaped, and damnit we must complete our duty even if she's dead.

Spikesby!!Z0Mwx3ZJZj 2009/09/13(Sun)13:00 No. 43931 ID: 15f6d6
File 125287199134.jpg - (149.78KB , 686x540 , 10.jpg )

Spikesby guesses he should go ahead and leave.

As he walks through the gateway, that infinitesimal missing thing returns. He feels complete, comfortable, but somehow muted. He almost feels like someone is watching him...

>>"Snikt."

Spikesby recognizes that voice.

>>"I want to pose a philosophical question to you. What state is something in if it's still bleeding? Dead, or wounded, and if something is wounded, it must be alive. The dead don't bleed, snikt, especially not for fifty years.

Also, I've found something out for you. Wizards and magical creatures can smell the soul on you. Once you start to stink, they won't view you as one of them anymore.

Be cautious, little snikt, in your struggle against destiny."

>>43929
His package from Ryxix isn't for Kshaara. Its for another wizard called Radia the Glorious. Spikesby is theoretically headed that way now.

>>43934
oh, okay.

then we're good to go then.

also, that is a good question about dead and wounded things. maybe she's being continuously killed or something, and is already immortal?

>>43931

Well Heartsbane can't even understand us. Look at him for a moment, and just continue on. If he has more to tell us, we can do it while walking.

>>43931
Bow to show understanding, keep going.

Well, you're always a real cheer. Thanks for reminding us that we are dead if we do and dead if we don't. Blisfull unawareness starts to look very nice again. Besides what do we do with a soul anyway, alone forever and shunned by all.
>wak wak wak wak wak wak wak wak wak wak wak

... Oh, right. We are heading for the tower, if you want to cheer us more you have to follow us.

Spikesby!!Z0Mwx3ZJZj 2009/09/13(Sun)13:26 No. 43946 ID: 15f6d6
File 12528735932.jpg - (101.68KB , 864x540 , 11.jpg )

Spikesby goes south and west, out of the desert and away from Ryxix's land. Heartsbane can't understand his replies, and heads back into the desert.

Spikesby has been traveling across the plains for a couple of days.

He thinks about Kshaara. Before he saw her, he never knew a wizard could be killed. They heal from any wound, are immune to poisons, sicknesses and disease, and never age. Maybe with enough severe wounds, maybe because the spears are driven into the wall behind her, her body constantly attempts to heal itself, but the wounds are prevented from closing.

Wizards can kill one another, like they did during the war, but those that remain have alliances that keep further hostilities from breaking out.

His reverie is interrupted by a high-pitched keening scream!

>>43946

Let's check it out!

>>43948

Spikesby! The lone ranger of Apocolypsia.

Spikesby!!Z0Mwx3ZJZj 2009/09/13(Sun)13:43 No. 43956 ID: 15f6d6
File 125287463494.jpg - (226.96KB , 864x540 , 12.jpg )

Spikesby has a lot to think about, but there isn't time to think right now! He hurries toward the scream.

Don't run into those big letters!

As always, thanks for playing with me, I had fun. Questions/comments/suggestions/criticism welcome.

Chapter 6 Spikesby!!Z0Mwx3ZJZj 2009/09/19(Sat)11:15 No. 47154 ID: 15f6d6
File 125338413735.jpg - (368.19KB , 1080x675 , Title.jpg )

Spikesby Biteface travels across the open plains.

He is delivering a special item from Xix Rxyix to Radia the Glorious. Shortly after crossing the border into Radia's territory, he hears a piercing shriek!

He runs to the sound and comes upon a shocking scene. A Golden has been nailed to a scarred, wooden frame and some sort of creature is perched behind her, slowly squeezing her chest for some reason.

It turns to Spikesby as he approaches and screeches, the Golden's blood glistening on its face and hands.

>>KAA! Go away, snikt. Find your own!"

The Golden turns slightly toward him, looking weak.

>>"p.. please... help me..."

What should Spikesby do?!

>>47154
What kind of question is that? Save her, of course!

Preferrably stabbing creepy winged demon torturer guy while he's busy feeling her up.

That blood looks delicious.

Like sweet flowing beer. >>47159

Let's jump on him and lop off his head. don't let him get away.

Hiss threateningly and approach with your weapons raised (not that you can really lower them) in hopes of scaring him away.

Spikesby!!Z0Mwx3ZJZj 2009/09/19(Sat)11:28 No. 47163 ID: 15f6d6
File 125338490030.jpg - (307.35KB , 1080x675 , 1.jpg )

Spikesby gets ready for violence and begins to approach, but before he can act, the creature flies down quick as a wink.

>>"KAA! I told you to find your own! If you want to play with me though, by all means let's play!"

This opponent seems more skilled than the rock goblins and Spikesby doesn't have the element of surprise. How should he go about attacking?

Go on the defensive, try to slash out at his wing to keep him from flying away when hurt, then go on the offense.

>>47163
Is your tail sharp? I forget.

Either way, this guy's using a manufactured weapon. See if you can disarm him.

>>47163

Play defensive until you get the chance to slash a wing to limit it's mobility. Then you can pick up the tempo.

Btw, that's a golden. The ones with the bad reputation that everyone seems to want to kill on sight. All adepts. Who's going to rescue us?

Catch his sword with one scythe while attacking with the other, then blindside him with the tail.

>>47170
Yes but she has a boob out and she's tied up. She will no doubt be grateful for us letter her free and be willing to help us out.

>>47177

Probably by local villagers for killing their children and the bird thing is this places version of scavenger. Well, still helping, no point in acting prejudiced.

Spikesby!!Z0Mwx3ZJZj 2009/09/19(Sat)12:06 No. 47191 ID: 15f6d6
File 125338719264.jpg - (134.85KB , 462x285 , 2.jpg )

Spikesby has no shot at the creature's wings, it keeps them well behind it.

The creature slashes Spikesby's arm before he manages to block the sword with his other claw.

He gets a solid slash across the monster's chest, but his tail catches air.

What next?

>>47191
Fight defensively. He has one blade, you have two.

>>47191

Close the distance up. It has a reach advantage with the sword but you've got the natural close combat weaponry. Keep it's weapon and arm at bay with the blades then beak it in the face while stabbing it with tail. If you suffer a hit while closing up try to ignore it and just execute plan. You can bleed out later.

>>47200
This is probably the best idea, I'd say get in close if he's being dodgy, then we can rip off his face with our face.

>>47191
Seconding the Fight Defensively route. If you can keep his sword-arm tied up, you've got a second blade and a tail that can still hurt him.

>>47208

The tail is short, you have to be face to face for it to reach it's target. Target is faster than us. Trying to out dodge a dodger seems pretty counterintuitive.

Try to push his sword aside and then close in with teeth and tail and claw.

Spikesby!!Z0Mwx3ZJZj 2009/09/19(Sat)12:40 No. 47232 ID: 15f6d6
File 125338924899.jpg - (225.88KB , 692x428 , 3.jpg )

Spikesby decides to eliminate the opponent's height and reach advantage by getting in close!

He pushes forward and leaps on his opponent, burying his scythes into the creature's chest, but in the process he is impaled on his opponent's sword.

The monster keeps smiling, blood spraying from between it's needlelike teeth and grabs on to Spikeby's claws, keeping him from drawing them out.

Then, then he begins to flap his huge wings. Spikesby feels the wind rushing past him!

>>47232

Tail strikes to the face. He can't stop your tail now.

>>47232
bite off his face

Get real close so he can't maneuver his sword to hurt you more. Clamp your jaws on his neck. Slash one wing off with a scythe.

>>47232
We're flying, aren't we? Ack. D:

Um... keep stabbing?

Nono. Spieksby Biteface? Bite his face.

>>47232

Bite his face, Tail stab his ballsack. Twist and turn your scythes. When fall comes try to land on it.

>>47232
bite his head off!

go for the alien kill!

Spikesby!!Z0Mwx3ZJZj 2009/09/19(Sat)13:10 No. 47287 ID: 15f6d6
File 125339102280.jpg - (211.42KB , 646x399 , 4.jpg )

This asshole shouldn't have gotten into a facebiting contest with SPIKESBY BITEFACE!

It's pushed it's claws into his throat, though, and it's getting hard to breathe.

A horrid gurgling sound is coming out of its ruined face...

WHAT NOW?!

slash him to bits now that your arms are free.

>>47287

Hey, it released your blades, lop his arms off and finsih him. Try to land on him.

>>47287

Tail strikes! Tail strikes! Your whole body is a terrible weapon spikesby!

Whackin' and hackin'? I'd say start with an arm, since we like being able to /breathe/.

Go for a wing!

Spikesby!!Z0Mwx3ZJZj 2009/09/19(Sat)13:39 No. 47335 ID: 15f6d6
File 125339273744.jpg - (285.12KB , 1080x675 , 5.jpg )

Spikesby slashes at a wing. He RIPS and TEARS as his opponent gurgles and squirms, digging its claws into Spikesby's throat and trying to tear it free.

They plummet to the ground, but not before long, and Spikesby lands on top. He staggers to his feet, his opponent still and silent.

The Golden groans, wheezing.

>>"help me. Please. I can help you."

What does Spikesby do?

>>47335
"Wak wak wak! Wak wak wak wak wak."

Help her down.

>>47335
Help her.

Well, we didn't go through all that trouble to NOT rescue her. Lop off the heads of the nails pinning her.

>>47335
Help her down of course!

alternatively, pass out from blood loss

>>47335

Look lady, what did you think we were doing? We don't actually enjoy getting teared to pieces. So you go your way and we go die in a hole now, deal?

Pull the nails off with your beak and crawl in a hole somewhere. Hopefully the golden dosen't decide we make a good sacrifice or something.

Spikesby!!Z0Mwx3ZJZj 2009/09/19(Sat)14:10 No. 47376 ID: 15f6d6
File 125339461980.jpg - (262.35KB , 857x570 , 6.jpg )

Spikesby pulls the nails out of her wrists. Blood goes kinda everywhere a little bit. Spikesby feels really weak and tired. He's having trouble focusing...

He tells the Golden that he's going to let her down, and then they can each go their own way, but she doesn't seem to understand him. After he gets the last nail pulled out, he collapses, everything goes black...

Spikesby!!Z0Mwx3ZJZj 2009/09/19(Sat)14:16 No. 47383 ID: 15f6d6
File 125339496443.jpg - (265.78KB , 1008x630 , 7.jpg )

Spikesby wakes up, surprisingly not dead.

He feels... warm? Strange, certainly. The Golden is standing behind him, and the blood is gone. The other creature looks quite dead.

The Golden speaks to him.

>>"Y, you're a Snikt, aren't you? From Ryxix? My name is Glory. Thank you so much for saving me! I... My brother Ashleigh told me it was time I went off on my own, and I ended up here. I... Lady Radia's Nemesis found me almost instantly, and nailed me to that thing. Radia hates anyone who covers their face. I, I didn't realize I'd wandered into her territory. I healed you. Thank you! Thank you so much! Please, please let me come with you, just, I..."

She kind of trails off. What should Spikesby do?

nooo drink her bloods for health

>>47383
Add her to your hare- I mean see where she came from and if it is on the way.

>>47383

Draw that your going to go to lady Radia's place to get your soul sucked. She probably shouldn't follow because we're going to die. Thanks for saving our life by the way. Draw a helpful map of near surroundings as you know it with civilizations and danger marked for her. Leave her to study it and continue onward.

indicate that she should uncover her face, for one.

Spikesby!!Z0Mwx3ZJZj 2009/09/19(Sat)14:34 No. 47416 ID: 15f6d6
File 12533960271.gif - (55.61KB , 720x450 , 8.gif )

Spikesby asks her where she came from...
>>"Wak wak wak wak."
But she doesn't understand him.

Spikesby then draws in the dirt what he plans to do. The grass and dirt are pretty difficult to draw in, but Spikesby manages somehow. While she's trying to decipher his scrawl, he heads off toward Radia's tower.

A couple of hours later, hears something behind him.

Spin around.

Animooted, btw.

>>47416

Turn around, give a long siiiiiiigh and stare at her with your head sideways. Continue staring until she get uncomfortable and continue staring more.

Is there a safe haven for goldies around here that Spikesby knows about or any civilization that might be dumb enough to take her? We might have to make a detour yet again.

Spikesby!!Z0Mwx3ZJZj 2009/09/19(Sat)15:08 No. 47458 ID: 15f6d6
File 125339808795.jpg - (215.05KB , 900x900 , 9.jpg )

Spikesby stares at Glory, trying to make her uncomfortable...

the sun is starting to get low...

Unfortunately, Spikesby doesn't know anything at all about Radia's territory, so he has no idea what sorts of towns there are around here.

He hasn't seen the slightest sign of civilization since he's come here though. He can tell which way Radia's tower is, but other than that he's in the dark.

What now? Should he just keep going, knowing she's going to follow him? Keep an eye out for a town? Turn around?

>>47458
Attempt to communicate that she return home.
Continue walking.

whatever, just keep going.

>>47458

Indicate again that your going to Lady Radia's place. If she shows no inclination to stop following don't follow a straight path anymore. Walk in a long pattern of a closing circle @ trying to find any safe place to dump her. Hopefully you'll find one before reaching destination.

If that's how it's going to be, shrug and continue on to your destination. Maybe she can help.

Spikesby!!Z0Mwx3ZJZj 2009/09/19(Sat)15:29 No. 47480 ID: 15f6d6
File 125339938284.jpg - (249.00KB , 1440x900 , 10.jpg )

Spikesby makes sure she understands that he is going toward Radia's tower, and then keeps going.

He continues forward, taking a somewhat circuitous route.

Several days later, Spikesby can see a small village on the horizon. He can also make out Radia's glass mountain, but it is at least a week away.

Spikesby and Glory have reached an Understanding. She can interpret his gestures and sounds for other people they meet.

Glory also explains that she can't remove her mask. Golden are given as infants to a random Wizard, who is told to take what they please. The Golden's parents then bind a mask to their body. It amplifies their Adept abilities and allows them to gain access to a variety of powerful magical abilities. Unfortunately, it's impossible to remove.

Glory doesn't know what the Wizard she was given to took from her. She just knows she's scared and feels safe around Spikesby. She says that she knows he'll keep her safe.

Does Spikesby have anything he wants to talk with her about? Where is he heading anyway? The Village or Radia's Tower.

>>47480

The village.

Say that you think the wizard removed her COMMON SENSE. Indicate again that the Radia can probably smell our soul and we are not welcome in the treehouse club anymore. We are going to die and anything within a days walk of us is going with us.

There's a nice ophian city back there that probably won't nail her up on first contact. A town near Radia with her covering her face is probably not the best place to be in. You doubt they'll even let her stay for a minute without trying to kill her but it's the only option if she insists on following. We might have to kill people to keep her safe and that kind of defeats the point on rescuing her in the first place.

Above all else please don't walk into Radia's tower like this. In fact you wonder how you've avoided the flying things this long. She really should leave this area.

She may be perfectly fine if she doesn't get too close. Let her follow, and at this point it's doubtful you've developed a strong soul, that info might even be wrong.

But go to the village first.

>>47480
Ask her where she'd rather go. Gesture to the town, then the tower, and then make an inqusitive gesture. See what she prefers.

Spikesby!!Z0Mwx3ZJZj 2009/09/19(Sat)16:14 No. 47503 ID: 15f6d6
File 125340208151.jpg - (184.91KB , 545x457 , 11.jpg )

Spikesby indicates again that he's going to Radia's tower, but he begins heading toward the village. He indicates as well that maybe Glory lost her Common Sense. She doesn't seem too upset by his suggestion, but politely disagrees.

When he indicates his soul theory, she starts laughing out loud.

>>"Don't be silly Spikesby! If youd've had a soul, that Nemesis would have attacked you right away. Besides, I'd be able to smell it on you, and you smell like a monster to me, no offense."

Well, it seems like Spikesby hasn't gotten a soul yet. It will probably just take time. He wonders if other magical creatures will be able to understand him once he gets one. He has a lot to think about as he walks closer to the village.

No more sidequests. Let's go to the tower.

>>47499
She says she'd much rather go to the village. She's pretty sure Radia will just kill her.

Thanks for playing, everybody! I had a lot of fun and hope you did too.

If you have any questions/comments/critique or anything else, please do tell. There is a discussion thread and I'm sometimes on IRC.

See you next week!

>>47503
No soul? Monster? That's harsh man.