Cheelop 2011/08/02(Tue)00:26 No. 335336 ID: c811c4
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This is the layout. The Gnolls have come through, and I've sent a great amount of undead forces along the wall as well. So, it is manned by 200 Animal people, 300 gnolls and 200 undead. There are another 200 undead at my own base. In front of the wall are set traps, with very deep pits laced with stone pikes, while a simple network of tunnels makes for an easy retreat to the Tower, if it's needed.

The enemy Lich is marching his forces, and it will be awhile until he has enough for an attack. Since undead don't have trouble seeing in the dark, I imagine he'll push after sunset.

Ears and Tae are at the Animal front, while Shabin and Clamp are in the middle. The undead give me awareness at the eastern third, so in a sense, I'm there.

The undead, as well, march from all across the land. There will be more attacks as they reach this peninsula. Before the night falls, however, what should I do? Move my forces around to different locales or leave them be, and what should I do personally?

do you know if any of the harpy or orcs make it out? more sword arms would always be of use and flying scouts would be nice.

>>335336
Send for Minci. She'll be able to help you with her illusions.

I don't think we want that lich's soul. He's too crazy. We already have our bird lich boosting our necromancy, and honestly necromancy is not going to be our most powerful tool in the battles to come. So just break the barrier and get him out of you, into something else, which you then destroy.

If they're going to attack at night, then we should set up some kind of light magic at the battlefield. Also, I think you should spread your undead a little on the wall so you can keep tabs on more of the battle. Not very much though, just enough to get awareness.

Can you get a communication orb and call the succubus via that rune pattern we have from Tom's memories? An illusionist would be AWESOME in this battle.

OH! OH! One thing we forgot. Are any of the water-dwelling races willing to speak with us? We could see if they'd help out in any way. Either the Naga or Sea Giants. Both would be great.

I think the forces should be put together. The animals are primarily mages, the gnolls warriors, and you can see through the undead. Makes sense for the entire wall to have some of each. If you have any flying undead, birds or the like, I say you have them scout ahead. If there's a large grouping of undead without any significant figure, like the Lich himself, you or a rading party should go in and hit them with some mass healing and then get out. Don't do this too much though, otherwise they'll probably plan an ambush. The lich should be able to see through his undead as well after all.

Cheelop 2011/08/02(Tue)00:47 No. 335343 ID: c811c4
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"Tom, do you know where Minci hid?"

>"Nope. I used to. Occasionally back in the good ol' days, I'd come visit her now and again and share some of my souls with her, but then I went and got defeated. She had to vacate when the paladins thought her hideaway was my base! I'm sure she made it out, but I haven't seen her since."

>Make Light on the battlefield
>Mix Gnolls, Undead and Animals
>Send messengers to Naga and Sea Giants
>Send several scouts outward

Will do! And yes, the communication rune pattern! I think I recall it. I'll get Winston on that right away.

Oh, another thing. We've got that Dragon, right? Well, we should hold back some of the better trained animals and gnolls who we don't knows names, and then use the Dragon to deliver them to any problem areas. A dedicated strike team for arising threats.

Cheelop 2011/08/02(Tue)00:55 No. 335345 ID: c811c4
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>>335344
Alright, I'll try and keep a strike team on alert with the dragon for any small, necessary operations.

>"Master Chee, the communication orb is set."
"Thanks, Winston!"

... "Hello, is anyone receiving this?"

...

>"Hello?"

That sounds like her!

tom anything you want to say to her?

>>335345
"Minci? Duke's back! Sorta! Duke, let her hear your voice and explain!"

>>335345
Oh jeez how are we gonna start this conversation without her hanging up on us?

Maybe you can just start by apologizing for being such a huge bitch in your previous life. Then lead into the fact that you've gotten a good connection with Derrick, and from his memories you got this code so you just wanted to call her and apologize, and to make sure she's alright. Then move on to the other reason for calling.

>>335348

Well first off, I'd imagine we'd let Tom out to explain to her first. She'd be much more willing to listen to Chee if she had Tom's approval first.

Cheelop 2011/08/02(Tue)01:12 No. 335350 ID: c811c4
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"Hey, Minci! Tom- I mean Duke- is back."

>"Chee? Oh, it's been awhile. Duke died, please Chee, we don't have anything more to do with one another."

Uh, Tom? Come out and talk?"

>"Ah man, this is a little awkward. Hey, Minci?"
>"DD?! How?"
>"Haha, long story. I'm not that dead. Anyways, these fine souls call me Tom, these days."
>"That's too good.. I'm sorry, DD, but Chee, how do I know you're not mimicking DD's voice? Last we saw you, you were trying to kill us!"
"I'm really sorry! I don't remember that! I mean, I saw it in a vision and I was kind of a - a- a bitch!"
>"You do sound different.. I'll try to trust you, in the slightest chance you are with duke. I'm hiding away in the tower's dungeon, at the lich's study. I know you're inside the tower, because of the communication device you're talking through."

I have to go through the dungeon, then? That'll take all day, and chances are the sun would set by the time I get out!

you should probably tell her your in a time sensitive situation. what with the massive undead army en route to murder everything and all.

>>335350
"I'd love to, but the other non-king lich killed half the continent so he could throw an army at us. I'll try to get Tom to you, though.
Unless there's something only you two would know or something? That would be easiest."

>>335350

Eh, sight from the Undead at the frontline will keep you updated right? We'll just have to hurry then. :3

If there's any diplomatic stuff needed to be done, the use the butler skeleton to communicate with them from down there or something.

That is of course, if we can't persuade her to come to us.

>>335350
Oh, the name of the uh the wombat thing

Hmm. Well, you could:
1) Send a construct down. This probably won't accomplish anything.
2) Send us down with someone. We might be able to convince her since she'd recognize our presence or at least be able to tell that there are many souls in one person.
3) Go down yourself riding on a construct, reading the book and trying to concentrate on figuring out how to break the phylactery barrier. We'll probably get her out this way but it could make it harder to learn.
4) Convince her to come up on her own by proving you have Duke with you. He's got all sorts of private info so we could probably do this easily!

I'm leaning towards 4 for obvious reasons (it's very simple and easy)

Why do you have to go down there? Why can't she just come up?

1/2 Cheelop 2011/08/02(Tue)01:31 No. 335362 ID: c811c4
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>>335361
She doesn't trust me enough, and I simply can't blame her for that.

>Tell Minci something only Duke would know

Let's try it!
"Duke, is there something only you and Minci would know?"
>"Well, you did get that vision, so a lot is out, but... ah, wait! Hey, Minci, you remember that one time, after it had been at least a month since I visited, and then I suddenly popped in your hideout and....."

2/2 Cheelop 2011/08/02(Tue)01:32 No. 335363 ID: c811c4
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OH MY UNHOLY GOSH

>"Haha, it really is you, Duke! Only you would describe it like that! Alright, I'll come up myself!"

Wait, Lich's study? I may have to keep that in mind! Well, since I have the day free, what preparations should I do?"

Stupid Tom, saying stuff like that when we can't hear it...
Hey Chee, what did he say?

>>335363
Thinking about it, there's not a lot more for us to do aside from deal with diplomacy and study how to make the lich mortal.

Oh, we could go and visit the troops personally, sending souls to notable units and having them practice a bit to get a boost of power. Only those gnolls we can trust though- those close to Clamp. I think all the animal people are pretty loyal at this point.

We maaaaay want to go down to the Lich's study today anyway. Or ask Minci to see if she can look for some good books on phylacteries or soul manipulation. We're trying to destroy one.

"Couldn't you have told her something else?! Something that didn't include things like...that?!"

Gently whack Tom upside the head for divulging such things for your delicate ears to hear.

Cheelop 2011/08/02(Tue)02:14 No. 335374 ID: c811c4
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>>335365
Noooo, I'm not going to say! Stuff like that shouldn't even be physically possible, magic and shapeshifting or not!

"Minci! I think I'm going to head down there to look at the Lich's study! Make yourself at home, I'm not sure if we'll cross paths. You're welcome to any part of the tower."
>"Alright, um, thank you Chee. But show me Duke sometime soon!"

It's certainly a long trek to the Lich's study. I wonder how long Minci's been hiding right underneath the Lich's nose? Or beak. The study isn't much, but it's absolutely packed with scrolls and tomes.

I can start perusing immediately, but if I get anywhere at all, the battle will start without me. On the other hand, the defenses set are still strong, and there's no saying if the lich will launch everything he has at me at the first attack.

>>335374
We came down here, so we need to find something before we go back up. If not we'll have completely wasted the day. Start looking. Anything related to phylacteries or soul manipulation. We want the lich's soul out and destroyed somehow, or sent to the beyond. If we can't manage that, just sending the soul back to the lich (as if his phylactery was simply destroyed) would work fine.

Minci's helping out, and we know she is quite skilled at illusions. I think the defenses should hold.

>>335374
Do a quick once-over to see if you can find out anything about those barriers.
If you do then bring it with you topside. If you don't find anything about that quickly then grab whatever looks interesting and head back up.
Every living being that dies while you're not there increases the enemy ranks. You HAVE to be there for the battle.

Cheelop 2011/08/02(Tue)03:02 No. 335382 ID: c811c4
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I'm staying down here. The tome's are definitely the lich's personal notes. They go on forever and ever, talking about minion upkeep, the various blueprints and room assignments of the tower.. he's very unorganized! I can spend hours here and find very little. But I'm wittling away at this, and I know that somewhere in here there might be something related to my case, more likely here than the library!

...

The sun is setting. I can't sense it through the undead, but animals and gnolls are starting to complain about the rancid smell, it won't be long. There's no sign of Orcs or Harpies. My messengers can't find any Naga or Sea Giants. I should be going up. I'll visit the Study again later, there just has to be something...

Cheelop 2011/08/02(Tue)03:03 No. 335383 ID: c811c4
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"It's nice to meet you Minci!"
>"Thank you! And DD, I'm so happy to see you too, we'll have to catch up! Winston has updated me on everything he knows while you were still down there, which includes how Duke is now inside of you. I hope it's not too awkward! Anyways, about the battle, I can either help with illusions on the front line, or stay here and use my old alchemy shop to make potions. Most of my potions are support, but spread out they can help a lot of individuals, with increased stamina in both physical exhaustion and sleepiness. This should especially help, if the battle is long and drawn out. Which is very likely, as it's a key part of sending undead troops against living troops!"

This is so awkward.

Support potions or illusions at the battle, that's the choice for Minci's task! Oh, and also, should I change her outfit, and if so, to what?

>>335383
Potions. Putting her on the front line risks her, and keeping our people alive is vital for surviving a siege against the undead.
Ask if she can brew anything to increase and replenish magical stamina, since keeping you in mana would let you unleash game-changing artillery constantly - destroying their troops and healing yours at the same time is ideal for outlasting your enemy.

Oh, and if you see any Orcs or Harpies hit them with healing but don't assume they're on your side.

If she won't be distracting anybody with her looks then Minci can wear whatever she wants.

>>335383

The scraps she has on now don't serve any purpose, just take them off. She'll be fine naked.

I say potion duty.

Also hang in there Chee, just give her some robes or something.

>>335386
That would improve morale. Do it.

And put her on potion duty.

>>335383
Argh, we got NOTHING from that! Send down some noncombat constructs to gather up everything and bring it upstairs so that we don't have to waste time going back down there. Also have them ransack the place, to see if they can find anything hidden.

It sounds like illusions will help increase how efficient we are at killing the undead horde, and the potions will help us outlast them and keep the pace up. It just depends on how drawn out the battle is, I guess.

Thinking about it... We should have her on potion duty. It doesn't matter how efficient we are at killing the zombies if the fighting just keeps going and going, and we have to ensure that our living troops never fall. We can't replace them.

As for her outfit, have her wear that 'more modest' outfit she was wearing while she was going through the illusions way back when.

Also, do not have a naked succubus around, I think that would cause Tom to spend all his time ogling. It would probably distract you too. And all the troops.

>>335388
>>335386
It seems stupid. I like stupid stuff though.

>>335390
It'll only distract for a short time, and then everyone will get used to it.

>>335383
potionnssss

Ask her if she'd like something a bit more modest to wear, perhaps a cloak? Or a dress, if there are any? It should be up to her what she wears, as a succubus she might be more comfortable naked after all.

I cant remember, but have we already set up some sort of wards on the main battlefield (or where you believe most of the battles will be happening) that might raise those killed in action to fight for you?
If that's possible at all, you might look into it. Though it would be a good idea to ask your soldiers if it's ok.

Can she make an illusion of a mosaic? Have her go naked but "wearing" a censorship mosaic.

(this is my fetish)

>>335394
Don't bother with that, just have her go naked, and put her on the front line with her illusions.

Guys. Chee won't want to do this, and might disobey us, injuring herself.

Think of THAT.

>>335398
Hm. I thought she was asking advice instead of for further orders. Hmmmmm.

>>335403

Just daydream it or something. =/

>>335402
Your advice stinks.

Have the succubus wear a women's business suit, and have her do potions.

>>335383
Support potions, and why would you take control of her clothing decisions?

>>335409
I agree, but >>335405 's idea is too awesome to ignore.

>>335383
Support potions, and experiment to see if heal potions can be used as grenades against the undead. If it works then you want more of those.

Oh, and do a first strike against the undead horde. Send out a few fliers to airdrop things imbued with AOE heal over them. That should thin them out on the ground and force the other Lich to act before he's really prepared.

>>335420
>first strike
Can you say... healing caltrops? Just enchant healing onto a bunch of rocks and put them into a bin. Then fly up above the forest and scatter them.

Chee, you should figure out how to animate zombies with healing magic, so they can kill other zombies by hugging them

whatever she wears it must be purple

Unrelated to the question at hand, we DO have some sort of defense along the shore, right? Or at least patrols keeping an eye there? Sea-dwelling races aside, the undead don't need to breathe so if the lich has made them durable enough to handle the tides then there's a chance he might get creative and have them pop up along the beaches and surround us behind our main line of defense, not to mention reach the tower immediately.

As for potions verses illusions, the undead are pretty brainless, aren't they? The illusions might not have as strong an effect on them as they would the lich. Keep Michi in the tower making potions and readying to use illusions should the battle require falling back to the tower.

Also, I believe some sort of armor might be prudent for the battle at hand. Michi has way too many vulnerable spots exposed. Remember what happened last time she faced someone with the powers of a lich?

go potions

OOH OOH OOH, make her wear a skintight bodysuit coloured to make it look like she is naked!

Potions

potion duty. we a fighting a siege against a large number of weak foes. being able to keep fighting for as long as possible would be very important.

1/3 Cheelop 2011/08/02(Tue)09:27 No. 335457 ID: c811c4
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>Send scouts along the shoreline
>Imbue rocks with healing
>Send constructs to bring up the contents of the Lich Study.
"Please make potions, Minci. I've got some things to do. I'm going to the front line."
"Alright!"

Um, well, I thought since if she would be seen it might be distracting, so I would have her wear something, but I guess that is a little controlling.
>Nearly every clothing opinion is different.
I'll decide later! Also, I really don't have any idea what a business suit looks like.

Zombies have been trying to assault. They're weak and the shambly sort, and they haven't even reached in range of offensive spells before the already existing traps kill them. There are a lot, though.

2/3 Cheelop 2011/08/02(Tue)09:28 No. 335458 ID: c811c4
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"Ears! How is it going?"
>"Real easy. They haven't even gotten close. We could stay here all night without lifting a finger."
"Oh, good! I was afraid I wasn't seeing well through the undead. I'm going to gather some rocks then, and imbue them so we have some good ammo to lau-"

KA-SHWOP

..."What was that noise?"
>"No idea."
"It sounded kind of like..."

3/3 Cheelop 2011/08/02(Tue)09:29 No. 335459 ID: c811c4
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I'm sensing tougher zombies coming in by air, but it seems weird how they're.. they're getting launched by catapults?!

make a heal net like against the ninja thing and just swat them.

oh, and then fly over it and fireball the pults.

this is bad. have your mages shape a roof over the wall. then see if you can locate and destroy the catapults.

>>335463
spiked roof. uses their own speed to splat themselves.

>>335459
Shoot them down, then take out the enemy's catapults. Send a warning out to the others.

>>335459
Heal net, then get some imbued heal knives and do a strafing run over their catapults.

>>335459
First rule: fire*.

We should scramble the rear guard to take down whatever makes it over the wall, but don't shift from defenses on it!

* keep it close to the friendly side of the wall so the catapults won't see it. We'll use it to crisp the zombies; it'll be safer than dealing with them directly on both sides. Just make sure they don't move too much after they light up.

1/2 Cheelop 2011/08/02(Tue)10:17 No. 335473 ID: c811c4
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A heal net is pretty hard to do over such a range! They're probably catapulting zombies across the entire peninsula.

"Ears! Get your earth mages to create a roof of spikes, it should at least ease the numbers we have to fight normally. I'm going on the offense."

The catapults are actually assembled inside the jungle, I have to go in to get a clear shot.

2/2 Cheelop 2011/08/02(Tue)10:19 No. 335475 ID: c811c4
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There's definitely a lot more undead deeper in, they're holding back, but I don't want to get cocky. I've taken 5 catapults down as I've moved east.
>"Chee! Are you so desperate already to show yourself in the front lines? Show me what you've got, or surrender!"

hrmm. make an earth thing launch it into the air, use air magic to assist if needed. then while it's spinning wildly fly by and rip the necklace off then turn around and heal beam it.

1/2 Cheelop 2011/08/02(Tue)10:40 No. 335477 ID: c811c4
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>Launch it in the air, take its necklace.

>"What?! How did you know to take my protective necklace?! No matter, I'm tougher than that!"

2/2 Cheelop 2011/08/02(Tue)10:41 No. 335478 ID: c811c4
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>Heal.

Either the lich isn't taking me seriously, or tonight's attack was simply getting rid of what he thought was his trash.

Cheelop 2011/08/02(Tue)11:18 No. 335483 ID: c811c4
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It doesn't take long for me to burn the remainder of the catapults, and the attack dies down along with the moon. My healing wards in the harpy territory are still active, but they've learned the routes of weakest effect.
Tonight's losses were a few replaceable undead, 6 gnolls, and 3 animals from zombies that got through the roof. Morale is decent, all things considered.

>"Welcome back, Chee! It's taken awhile, but I've got the alchemy shop back in order. Tomorrow night, I'll either be able to have potions for mana, or for physical stamina, whichever you think will be a problem."
"Good! Please wear something."

I still haven't lit up our wall with protective torches. Should I prepare the torches, or try to look through the Lich's Tomes again, before going to bed for the day? And which potion, should we have strong mages or fighters?

mana

>>335483
Uhm. You have zombies to do the bulk of the physical combat, so the gnolls and such can rest in shifts. Mana.

>>335483
Get something that will allow you to stay awake. Then fix up the torches and read the books.

>>335488
and ASK HER ADVICE ON WHICH BOOKS ARE WORTHWHILE. She spent all that time down there, she should know.

hmmm... they should still not be getting into melee range. mages.

We got more gnoll losses than mage losses. So buff our fighters.

Mana
Have her wear some mage robes so she doesn't distract people
Research

mana. if they breach the wall for long enofgh for stamina to become an issue we have already lost. might want to consider rotating your troops so they each get some rest. also what was that thing you ripped off the undeads neck?

hmm, yes, is it anti-heal or just defense? if defense then give it to the troops.

>>335501
Probably anti-heal shield like the one emobird's construct had.

1/2 Cheelop 2011/08/02(Tue)12:50 No. 335529 ID: c811c4
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>>335501
It seems to be an anti magic pendant. I'll give it to either Ears or Clamp I think, because they likely are the most major targets.

>Mana Potion

"Could I get a quick little something to stay awake?"
>"I don't have the right equipment set up for a Waking Potion, but I do have a few herbs that'll keep you up for the time. I'll mix it up for you!"
"Thank you. Also, do you know what tomes could be helpful?"
>"I'm sorry, I mostly hid away in there because, for whatever reason, the Lich actually never went into his own study. I know some of the books and tomes though, and can help narrow it down for what you're looking for.
"That's good! Also, I'm going to get some clothes of some kind for you to wear."
>"Oh. Alright, then."

Good, I have more time, like this.

2/2 Cheelop 2011/08/02(Tue)12:51 No. 335532 ID: c811c4
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I've got the torches lit, now. I've sent constructs to go back to the wall and deliver them. Night won't touch our walls, anymore.

The Naga and Sea Giants are dead ends, I never could find any. So are the paladins of the dwarven homelands, as they're still fighting their battles in their own land, and I doubt they can afford to send any help my way even if they wanted to.

With the extra time and Minci's help, long after I finished the torches, I finally found a tome that seems to be entirely about me. Specifically, the lich's effort to have his soul escape from me. This must be the right book! But, it is large, and if I tried to read it now, the sun will set before I'm finished.

>>335532
Send out all the souls you can to every defender unless you discover, say, a scholar soul or something. Then read read read. This is our best chance to short-circuit this war.

Speaking of souls, DD said that he gave her quite a few. Did she eat them or use them?..

>>335532
Skip to the end. Or halfway through. If he wrote it as an experiment log then most of the book will be dead ends.

As for the succubus, just put her in a t-shirt and skirt.

>>335532
Hey Chee, next time we go onto the front lines remember to let Tom out a little. Every soul-powered construct the lich throws at us will be more fuel for our own fires of war!

Although I wonder if eating the souls of clumsy and stupid people effect you negatively...

>>335556
ah, but tom can see if they have any skills while they are in his mouth. so if they are useless then they just go in his belly, if they are useful then they go to the skill-drive.

>>335556
Eating the ninja earlier didn't seem to affect her throwing abilities any

>>335584
That was because the body was inferior.

Cheelop 2011/08/02(Tue)13:58 No. 335601 ID: c811c4
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>>335538
It.. I don't know, I didn't really want to know. But she doesn't seem like the kind of person that would fully eat them. And, I've already given all my talent based souls to the major fighters and mages! I'm just keeping you guys with me, until further notice.

The sun has set. The attack is more of the same, just more zombies. There have been virtually no souls, out there. They are starting to set the jungle on fire, though.

But I found a lead, skipping ahead to around the middle of the book, written by the lich here.

>That accursed barrier! It's impermeable! I've researched and researched, years spent trying to figure this out, and it always leads to the same thing. That barrier is formed similarly to how Chee could, theoretically, send souls to another person from any distance. How is that? I have deducted that if she gets emotionally attached to someone, her soul and her target forms a bond, a bridge of sorts, between both souls that transcends distance. Using that bridge, she is able to guide the souls to their target. This magic, and this barrier, is formed entirely based off such emotions. I've no idea how the Lich King was able to use such to recreate the bridge in the form of a barrier within Chee, but it is done.

>To create the barrier, one must understand the emotion formed in becoming emotionally close to someone. To destroy it, one must understand the emotion formed in crushing that bond, either through a simple killing, or a more elaborate form of betrayal that must break the friendship beyond repair, or something of that sort. I can't do that personally, I have detached myself from friendships, thinking they were too weak! And how could I get Chee to knowingly, understandingly, kill, betray or otherwise throw away a close friend of hers, and then break the barrier with her newfound emotion? Why would the Lich King form such a bond off of love, anyway?! He must enjoy mocking the emotion, as there must be a bridge for hating someone as well. Perhaps I can use that for personal experiments, but it is utterly irrelevant to this scenario. And breaking it this way is impossible for myself, and so I must find another way.

There are dozens and dozens of entries past this, trying to find another way. He never found one.

This is my only lead? Complete betrayal? That's not a lead at all!

>>335532
HEY! TOM! You know how normally we're against you eating souls unless we say it's ok?
Go ahead and eat the souls of any enemies you want. Eat all of them.

>>335600
Huh, I must have missed that, thought he was either a clumsy idiot or delusional.

there is another way. fall in love yourself and use your own love to form a drill in your mental landscape.

>>335601
The paladin loved you, and you slit his throat and fed him to Tom.
Grab that feeling. Harness it. Channel it into the barrier. That will hopefully weaken it.

>>335601
...that's... not acceptable. We can't do that.

There is something else though. You said you gained the ability to send souls to people you weren't close to emotionally. Could you reverse that method in a similar way?

...or, we could ask the succubus for advice on this front. She made LOVE potions, surely she can make a potion to force you to experience this emotion.

Cheelop 2011/08/02(Tue)14:19 No. 335629 ID: c811c4
File 131231998726.png - (40.25KB , 600x600 , 509.png )

>>335606
Even if I could love myself, I'd have to betray myself then, following the book. I mean, I wouldn't hurt else, but.. well, I'd horribly cripple myself at best, by the book.

>>335607
Ohh, I felt.. feel bad about that, but I didn't love him back. It was one way. The entry seems to imply I would have had to love him, back.

>>335608
I'm not sure what you mean. The barrier on Tom is based off the ability to lets me send souls from any distance, but not sending souls to just anyone.

>>335609
That might work. But if she made a love potion and used it on me for someone or something, would I be able to kill or break them?

>>335629
Sounds like we need a love potion again. We'll give you and an animal a minor dose so that you fall in love with eachother. Then we'll force you to kill it.

This is going to really suck, Chee. I'm not gonna lie. You'll probably resist and injure yourself.

>>335629
You need to love them back for it to break the barrier, but if we're just out to weaken the barrier then lesser emotions should help. The ideal would be a death of a thousand papercuts, but that might not be possible.

If that doesn't help, well... You and ears take love potion, spend some time enjoying it, then you use your healing magic to keep him alive while you torture him far beyond the point where he should have died from his wounds. Keep at it until you can break the barrier, then have Tom eat the souls of both the lich and Ears. Don't let Ears die OR find out why you're doing this at any point."

I'd like to point out that I was suggesting a non-intelligent animal. Like a cat or something.

just out of curiosity, what would happen if tom tried to eat the litch? would it just do nothing or would something interesting happen? as for how to experiences the loss of a friend, try looking up your old home.

Cheelop 2011/08/02(Tue)15:17 No. 335669 ID: c811c4
File 131232344060.png - (12.11KB , 600x600 , 510.png )

>>335660
I don't think it would do much, because I already have a lich soul for skill. And, I don't really remember anyone very well for my old home.

>>335650
I would sooner die!

I go to Minci. And I explain everything. I don't know of an alternative, with this.
"So, Minci... is there any way I could use a love potion like this?"
>"I can make another, but... this sort of misuse is why I stopped making them in general."
"Please, to stop this. Just an animal. Something small. Then I can..."
>"The greater good? Fine, then. Is this what you want to do, really?"

It isn't, of course, but I don't know of an alternative.

the alternative is risking a ton of people dying just for your own sake. do this, and the minions of the lich across the land will just drop dead. think of the lives you could save.

I personally consider not trying this to be evil.

Hrm... What if you tried sending Tom to the lich, to eat the lich from the inside?

>>335669
Hmm. Well, there are three avenues we could explore a little more.
1) OVERLOAD the barrier with MORE love?
2) Ask more about the lich's activities. Minci said he didn't go down to the study- but that's odd, to be honest. He made all these notes and never found a way to move the phylactery according to the book, but when you met him he said that he was going to resurrect you in order to filter out the souls. That doesn't really match the current evidence you have. I guess you could look into resurrection too but that would make you weak.
3) Experience the emotion vicariously through perusing memories like we've done before, or having someone else ruin a friendship instead of you.

what about looking up Fraga? the litch knew where his settlement was and its in the area his undead have overrun.

>>335669
Harsh times makes for harsh demands on a leader. If you can get Tom to nom the Lich's soul then he will be mortal again. Still incredibly powerful and all that, but if you killed him then he would be down for good.

... The lich's soul is inside Chee. Tom won't be able to do much.

It's this or betray one of our friends. This is how it has to be.

>>335675
This.

hmmm, yes, perhaps you have the soul of a betrayer in there? would help. and who knows, this could be what the lich king wants. and i am pretty sure that you still need to destroy the lich's physical body before they can be stopped. even with the phylactery gone. so doing it now wont stop the army.

>>335669
"No. I'm horrified by it and I know I'm never going to be able to live it down. I'd rather die, and I can't think of anything I want to do more than not this.
If you can think of anything else to neutralize the Lich's soul then for the love of everything please tell me, and if I can find some less terrible way to do this then I'll do that instead, but I need these potions brewed so that I can do it if I can't find a better way before we run out of time."

Living through a vision of betrayal WOULD be better if it worked... HEY! TOM! Any souls there with memories that fit our needs? Couldja make Chee live through those?

Cheelop 2011/08/02(Tue)15:54 No. 335689 ID: c811c4
File 131232567275.png - (8.12KB , 600x600 , 511.png )

"No, no, I really don't want to do this. I need an alternative."

>>335673
The point of the barrier is to prevent Tom from doing exactly that, his soul is protected.

>>335672
Unfortunately, destroying the soul, in a lich's case... I think that just makes him mortal. But given the emotion needed, I would really have to send my friends all in, regardless of risk. It may be the most, uh, gallant option?

>>335676
Oh! I could send you guys to Fraga. Except I have no idea what that would accomplish, other than to check on him.

>>335669
The first option... wow. I don't know. It's possible.
"Hey, Minci! This book doesn't quite match. It seemed he did find a way to get his soul out of me by resurrecting me."
>"How odd. You know, I'm not sure why the Lich didn't go down into that study. It was a bit of a walk, but he could have moved the tomes up like you have. It just never occurred to me to think about it, so long as he stayed away, I was fine."
And lastly, experiencing thr emotion through someone else could work if it happened, but I have no idea how to invoke these memories! Tom doesn't know, either. And just having someone else betray someone else I don't think would work.

But, trying to overload it...

"Minci... what if I tried to gather as much love as I could possibly get, and try to overload the barrier?"
>"Well! I have no idea if it would work, but I would certainly be happier about making potions for that! But, I've never tried using two potions on the same person before, and to overload such a thing, it sounds like it would need several potions, all with different people."

Well, it's unpredictable, but it may be worth a risk! I've already done so much harm, even if I don't mean to.

Should I drink up multiple love potions to try it?

>>335683
You know... Something that would be worth trying would be to get access to past!Chee's memories. She has probably betrayed plenty of people in her day.

Or what if we reversed the polarity on the Love potion and made a HATE POTION. We can temporarily turn Chee into Superbitch, and pierce the love barrier with her unrelenting hatred.

>>335692
Hate potion sounds like a better thing.

Cheelop 2011/08/02(Tue)16:01 No. 335695 ID: c811c4
File 131232611343.png - (9.44KB , 600x600 , 512.png )

>>335692
Oh my gosh.

That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. It could work.

I want to try this. Do you guys want to try this? It might work. I mean, it's not a stretch to think that the entire barrier is based on my ability to love and feel close to someone.

>>335695
Fuck yeah, lets do this. HATE!!!!

>>335695
Let's go for it. Make sure it's a really small dose though.

if you try it make sure to restrain yourself beforehand and only take enough for a few minutes. also can we talk to Minci for a second?

1. Make sure you're restrained.
2. Make sure the target of your hatred is the lich. That way, even if you do turn psychobitch, you're psychobitch against the guy you were against anyways.
3. SCIENCE UP IN HERE

Cheelop 2011/08/02(Tue)16:23 No. 335712 ID: c811c4
File 131232739748.png - (10.33KB , 600x600 , 513.png )

"Minciii! Hate potion?"
>".....what?"
"If you tie me up and make sure it's a small dose, a hate potion! It might negate the whole system!"
>"Hun, why would you ever, why would anyone, anyone, want to take one of those? Ohhh, I could, if it means you don't have to abuse a love potion, but... ahhhh! Fine! I can make one since it's the same idea as a love potion, but the subtle differences between love and hate might make it unpredictable! I mean, it would definitely work, but I don't know how strong, and for how long. And I don't think I can target specifically the lich, knowing nothing of him or having any physical part of him. It would just be a general purpose hate. But if that's what you think is best, then I'll do it, and restraining may be a good idea... still, I don't like it!"
"Better than murdering small animals I love and betraying my friends!"
>"But.. a hate potion.. I'll do it, if it's one step closer to getting DD out."

>>335712
It's one step closer to everyone sort of surviving. So lets throw some Science at the wall and see what sticks.

>>335712
Yeah, this seems like a reasonable risk. We could try a small dose on something harmless to see how long it lasts, too. Experiment before using it on yourself.

>>335715
Seconding this.

Cheelop 2011/08/02(Tue)16:31 No. 335719 ID: c811c4
File 131232791428.png - (10.04KB , 600x600 , 514.png )

"We should experiment first, and see how a small dose works on something harmless!"
>"I'm very sorry, dear. There isn't really a predictable dose for a single individual, everyone is different. It just amplifies the tendency to love, or in this case hate. So a potent love potion would do wonders for someone who can love and little for someone else, further complicated by an individuals resistance to change. Normally I would think that a hate potion would do little for you, but given our past... but more than that, this barrier sounds strong. If the hate potion were to be strong enough to break it down, I don't think we can do much with a "small" dose."

Oh. She does have a point, there.

everyone will be your Kismesis. DO IT.

tell tom you will need his help. he must limit any powers that could let you escape as much as he can. then get tied to a rack or something. and then need you to drink it with your eyes closed while thinking about the lich.

Safety? Screw your safety. This is Science, we don't have time to second guess! It's now or never people!

And if it goes wrong? We just cancel it out with an equal strength love potion. Presto chango, normal Chee! It's magic, not rocket science. What could possibly go wrong?

>>335724
It might make Chee love to hate?

hey can we talk to minci directly for a bit? if we talk to her directly we can probably find out whats possible a bit faster.
minci is a skilled illusionist. she could probably create a convincing image of someone chee likes getting killed. it would only have to fool chee for a little bit.

Generalized hate seems a bit risky. You could wind up hating everyone and try to hurt them. Maybe you need to narrow the focus of hate to someone willing to be the target with orders for everyone to ignore anything related to your sudden hatred towards that person or wanting to hurt them, as well as to stop you should you break free of your restraints. Or if you can hate an object like, say, a rock, then all the better. Heck, you could hate a zombie if it required something humanoid.

>>335719
Yes Chee, please send us to Minci.

Minci 2011/08/02(Tue)16:48 No. 335738 ID: c811c4
File 131232892301.png - (9.35KB , 600x600 , 515.png )

>Restrain Chee
>Minci: Receive Souls

>"Okay! I'm going to send advice souls to you, Minci. They'll talk to you, but it seems like the hate potion is okay, so give it to me anytime!"

Oh! I feel like I'm being watched. This must be the advice souls?

Is there anything I should do, besides giving her the hate potion?

Oh! You know what you can do? Cast a few illusions. Then Chee will get some of that magical skill.

...unless you think it might be a better idea to wait until after the hate potion's worn off. Speaking of which, you should probably just straight up run away once it's applied.

Make an illusion of her being in an empty white room. She'll have nowhere to focus the hate but at the barrier and lich.

>>335738
The person Chee is closest to is Shabin. Make an illusion of Shabin after you give Chee the hate potion. That should fuel the required emotions without anyone real getting hurt.

Oh, and I love your dress.

tell me, don't those things give you back aches?

>>335744
>illusion of Shabin

Hey, that gives me an idea. I wonder if the emotional trigger would work if we had her kill an illusory Shabin?

>>335738
Get out of her line of sight. A conflict between her and DD would be a problematic thing if she were to hate you with all of her fiery passion and tried to make you suffer.

um actually we might have an alternative. that's what we wanted to talk to you about. would it be possible for you to use your illusion magic to trick chee into thinking that one of her friends had been killed in battle?

>>335748

clever voice is clever.

>>335758
I think it would be more effective to use a solid illusion of Shabin to give Chee the potion, then locking 'Shabin' in with her so Chee will kill 'her'.
Once the potion wears off Chee will see what she's done and get hit with the emotions she needs.

1/3 Minci 2011/08/02(Tue)17:29 No. 335764 ID: c811c4
File 131233136566.png - (8.64KB , 600x600 , 516.png )

Nice to meet you all!

>>335744
Thank you!

>>335747
Nothing that a stronger back can't fix!

Okay, I think I saw Shabin around earlier actually so I can try out the illusion! Just Chee and Shabin. The ropes won't get in the way of her casting, if she actually does kill Shabin. With that, I'm giving Chee the potion. Hopefully this works, either with the hate potion or killing the illusion of Shabin!

2/3 Minci 2011/08/02(Tue)17:31 No. 335766 ID: c811c4
File 131233145942.png - (8.84KB , 600x600 , 517.png )

I don't want to be around though! I'd rather not have... that Chee around, again.

3/3 Minci 2011/08/02(Tue)17:33 No. 335767 ID: c811c4
File 131233158068.png - (13.16KB , 600x600 , 518.png )

CRASH

>"Where are you going, whore? The moment you casted that illusion, I had your skill. You can't trick me with such things, now. Untie me. I know you'll do it, all I had to do was put on a cute little face, ask 'pleeeeease', and had you willing to both make a love potion you know I would abuse, and then make a hate potion. Anything for dear ol' Duke, who's screaming at me quite nicely, if helplessly. In fact I bet you'd crush your own ethics if anyone asked nicely, you weak tramp. You untie me, and I might reciprocate with passiveness. You don't, and I'll show you just how damn good your hate potion turned out.

wow. maybe back up a little more.

Alrighty. Looks like Chee is a bit irrational. Back up a little more, wait for Chee to calm down. If suddenly Chee is free, get the fuck off and let us handle the calming.

Oh crap.

Don't do it Minci!

Huh, I didn't know Chee knew the word whore. You learn something new every day

>>335767
Act as if she just REALLY hurt your feelings and you ACTUALLY believed what she said, then run off. Tell DD you'll free him from her somehow.
Just... Ah... Run quick, ok?

If you switch us back to her, we can MAKE her stop.

you know i just realized something. chee was not a nice person while she was alive. its possible shes going to have a stronger reaction to the hate potion. that said, distance would probably be nice right now.

by the way, Minci, I think we neglected to inform you that the new Chee is actually quite a bit more dangerous than the old Chee. so yeah, the voices telling you to back off are smart voices.

>>335767
Run. Just run. Do you know where Chee stashed that anti-magic pendant? Go get it.

Well at least it didn't seem to turn Chee the smart kind of evil. (She's still quite dangerous, of course.)

You know, that potion would make an exceptionally good weapon against anyone who is working with a group. (I suppose the ethics of using it are rather convoluted, though.)

I just realized that we may have forgotten to confiscate all of her throwing knives beforehand...

1/3 Minci 2011/08/02(Tue)18:43 No. 335790 ID: c811c4
File 131233582207.png - (9.53KB , 600x600 , 519.png )

>>335774
She did hurt my feelings! I can't run, the only door out of here is blocked, now! The door only opens in!

Okay, calm down, calm down...

RIP

Not calm! Not calm!

>"You had your chance."

I.. I don't know how to send the souls back! I mean, I feel like I can offer them back to Chee, but it's like she's blocking all of you from going!

2/3 Minci 2011/08/02(Tue)18:44 No. 335791 ID: c811c4
File 131233584763.png - (14.31KB , 600x600 , 520.png )

"Ung--!"

>"So, what am I going to do with you? What have you done for me? Mana potions? I don't see any yet. Fiddling around with books? I can do that too. You've just strutted around and made Tom look like a slobbering dolt. I could kill you. And I want to. But you constantly let yourself do whatever anyone asks of you, and I can tell it's hurt you in the past. And yet you still keep on doing it, hoping it'll finally do you some good! And now in your hope to spread love, you actually have accomplished more for my cause by spreading nothing but hate!"

3/3 Minci 2011/08/02(Tue)18:44 No. 335792 ID: c811c4
File 131233587151.png - (9.00KB , 600x600 , 521.png )

>"Yeah, I'll let you have your miserable excuse of an existence, if just to get Tom to shut up. Go power up your mana potions with your sobs. I'm going to handle the Lich, because as it is, I'm the only one around here that's worth enough of a damn to do anything about him! You can keep the souls or pass them around to one of my 'friends', I don't care! You're all on your own, now. Thanks for the illusion crash course, bitch."

>>335792
Don't cry, it's just the hate potion talking.

SIGH. Hopefully that won't last too long, because she's gonna get herself killed.

I'm sorry, Minci. You know she doesn't really mean that stuff, right? You've been a great help, and we wouldn't be able to do anything against the lich without you. If you can get those potions ready that would be great... just don't punish yourself over this.

If you're willing you could send us to Shabin or Fraga. Personally I want to know how Fraga's doing. Shabin is probably fine, although... Wait, maybe we should go to Shabin briefly to warn her that Chee is a potion-fueled hate machine right now and she should ignore what she says.

Yeah, totally saw this coming

Brew up a Love Potion to cancel the Hate Potion.

...Jegus, what a bitchsaurus. this shit better not last too much longer, because if she remains in bitchcakes flip-the-fuck-out mode much longer, we're all fucked, souls and all.

stay the fuck out of her way. make lots of potions. including one love potion.

Minci 2011/08/02(Tue)19:05 No. 335807 ID: c811c4
File 131233714689.png - (7.62KB , 600x600 , 522.png )

I... th-thank you, everyone. I'll be okay. I just, I just need some time to think. I'll still make the mana potions. The hate potion should wear off, but in case it doesn't, I'll have a spare love potion.

Ohh... you should check on someone else, I need to be alone. I'm sorry.

Select:
-Shabin
-Fraga
-Ears
-Tae
-Clamp

*hugs*
clamp.

>But you constantly let yourself do whatever anyone asks of you, and I can tell it's hurt you in the past. And yet you still keep on doing it, hoping it'll finally do you some good!

...I get the impression she isn't talking about Mince with that one.

>>335807
Hmmm... How about Clamp first since he's most likely with Shabin and they are ALSO the most likely to try to attack Chee for what she's saying now... AND we can boost his power this way. If we have any of the ability souls, that is... Chee might've taken them all for herself.

This whole mess could have been avoided if we had gotten Cheelop to focus her love/hate on the enemy lich.

Let's go with Clamp.

>>335807
If it's any consolation, the gut-wrenching guilt Chee will feel after this SHOULD work, so keep behaving like she really hurt you even after you've gotten over it back to normal. At least until the barrier is down.

I'm sorry. We'll... We'll make this up to you, somehow.

Select: -Clamp -Clamp -Clamp -Clamp -Clamp

what a silly question... I choose Clamp.

>>335807
Is this a serious Question? Clamp, obviously.

Damn, if Chee had killed you that might have been enough remorse to destroy the barrier. Oh well it was a good try. If it's any consolation, you actually did intend to give her a "crash course in illusion spells."

I want to switch to Chee now so we can help her hate more. ~_~ But I know many voices are namby pamby, so she's probably smart in blocking us out.

1/2 Clamp 2011/08/03(Wed)01:05 No. 335899 ID: c811c4
File 131235870346.png - (45.99KB , 600x600 , 523.png )

That nostalgic feelin'. You guys came just in time. The zombie's're stronger, this time 'round. But that ain't the problem. Problem is, somethin' just came out of the ocean.

2/2 Clamp 2011/08/03(Wed)01:05 No. 335900 ID: c811c4
File 131235872291.png - (65.26KB , 600x600 , 524.png )

An' it's pretty big.

can you tell if it's a zombie or a regular sea giant?

>>335901

>> regular
>> sea giant

Clamp 2011/08/03(Wed)01:28 No. 335904 ID: c811c4
File 131236009824.png - (35.70KB , 600x600 , 525.png )

If the smell's any indication, that thing is deader than a rabbit in a goblin camp.

well then, fight it piece by piece until it's all beaten. start with a leg.

1/2 Clamp 2011/08/03(Wed)01:58 No. 335907 ID: c811c4
File 131236189927.png - (8.19KB , 600x600 , 526.png )

Fight it? Hah! You guys've done me well in the past, so what the heck!

2/2 Clamp 2011/08/03(Wed)01:58 No. 335908 ID: c811c4
File 131236191317.png - (18.59KB , 600x600 , 527.png )

It's flesh is like cuttin' through butter- er, th'hecks that? It's healing right as I cut it though? Ain't ever easy, is it.

get to it's back and climb up to it's head. zombies are usually weak to having their brains pierced. don't ask me why they just are.

Clamp 2011/08/03(Wed)02:05 No. 335913 ID: c811c4
File 131236231525.png - (5.84KB , 600x600 , 528.png )

>" Fun fact, I learned how to hear you guys all the time, even if you're not with me. And hey, an undead sea giant. I bet Clamp could really use a little healing imbuement! You'd like that, yeah?"

"Yeah, I could use that right 'bout now!"

>"Yep. Always leaning on me. Souls. Souls. Souls. Always needing my souls. You know what? I've had it. You guys prove your worth to me. Show me you can fight without constantly going oh Chee give this person that soul no wait go give that other person a different soul' and I might just lift my pinky for you."

it's like you forgot that thing you thought was a dream involving past clamp. when we made him tribe chief. but fine. we'll have clamp kill this sea giant himself.

hey at least he's not a litch.

>>335908
I'd say to impale its head and just leave the sword in so it can't regenerate but it looks like you'd never be able to reach it.

Back off and list off our available forces and terrain nearby. Speaking of forces, how's Shabin doing? Oh, and Chee is currently affected by a Hate Potion we brewed up in order to help her disable the lich's phylactery which is INSIDE HER. So she's going to be hard to deal with for a while. We don't know for how long.

>>335913
Chee, you remember we helped Clamp fight in the past without any ability souls. If you want another demonstration I guess we can provide one.

Also where are you? Are you trying to find the lich? Don't kill yourself or anything by being reckless. I'm sure you hate yourself just as much as you hate everyone else right now but you have friends that will miss you if you die. Oh, and we have to kill the Lich King too, so you have to survive past this battle.

Oh hey, Chee, remember how you suck at everything if not for your souls, because you have no memory of doing shit? And how Clamp is strong as fuck and good in a fight even without souls?

I mean, sure, the souls are part of who you are, but only because you were killed and remade that way with someone else's power. And of course, before you were killed, you had to crib power off the Lich King. None of it was yours. And when he denied it to you when you needed it most? Not only couldn't you do anything, you didn't even try. But when Clamp is being denied power? He's going to damn best to kick ass and take names anyway.

You know, considering what you said to Minci, i think I understand how the hate potion is working. People hate most the qualities they wish they had, and the ones they have that they wish they didn't. Because hate of others is rooted in hate of one's self. You see someone wanting for power, unable to do something solely through their own ability, and you see your reliance on souls. You see Minci's figure, and you're reminded of your genderless state, a poor replica of your true body. And it burns.

Hey, hey Clamp!
Once we're done with this sea giant, let your guys know that Chee is having her... time of the month or something and is being a bitch.
Y'know, as a warning. She'll be back to normal soon enough.

oh clamp you should probably know that due to a magical mishap chee is kinda psychotic right now. It should wear off soon. we'll fill you in on the details when your not fighting a sea giant.

...actually. Chee, we might not need any talent souls at all for this. Don't we have a strike team for this exact situation?

1/3 Clamp 2011/08/03(Wed)02:50 No. 335924 ID: c811c4
File 131236503395.png - (7.85KB , 600x600 , 528.png )

>"Forgot? What I remember is Clamp getting nearly killed by some scrawny dick. That was his world. He's in mine now. Liches, Liches, and Lich Kings. Undead sea giant? Don't make me laugh! If he's going to have anything to do with me, he's going to stand toe to toe with my enemies! And where am I? I'm off flying to the enemy lich, of course, while all my weakling allies are fooling around with those forces."

>"Show me, Clamp. Show me you're more than just some gnoll chief. Show me some strength of your own!"

>>335919
>"Clamp is almost strong because of his muscles, I'm stronger because of my souls, because the lich king made me strong. There's no difference, the power is mine, now! Also fuck you!

>>335922
Consider this a test for Clamp! That strike team can prove themselves for something threatening, unlike a sea giant!

So that's a hate potion, huh? So be it, Clamp ain't going to go down from some rotting husk! An' to answer that question, Shabin's doin fine, fightin' back at the safer battles.

2/3 Clamp 2011/08/03(Wed)02:50 No. 335925 ID: c811c4
File 131236505627.png - (51.06KB , 600x600 , 529.png )

Thing is slow as hell, but my mobility ain't doing me any favors climbin' up on 'im! Hey, is that... there's some necro on 'is back!

3/3 Clamp 2011/08/03(Wed)02:51 No. 335926 ID: c811c4
File 131236507678.png - (18.54KB , 600x600 , 530.png )

Damnit, it got hold a' me!

Clamp 2011/08/03(Wed)03:10 No. 335927 ID: c811c4
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Yeah, ain't as limber as I used to be. Ain't down, but my right arm's messed up. Feels like it's rottin' right off the bone. If there's any miraculous idea's, let's hear 'em.

>"Oh, gosh. Is this the same gnoll I remember? The memories must shine a very flattering light!"

Gettin' lectured by a kobold, of all things.

By that logic if you give Clamp souls, and he becomes strong, it's then his strength. It's nice how you latched onto claiming something was yours though, instead of confronting the fact that everything you're saying is horrible about others is, in essence, your own situation. And the fact that you really do hate yourself for it.

But even your claim that it's your power is a lie and you know it. Do you really think the Lich King who denied you the power he granted once didn't put in a safety measure to do it again? You're still just using his power. Hell, your claim that you were made strong is a lie too. Tom was made strong, you were just made to harness his power. Your entire existence is based upon borrowing power from others. The souls'. Tom's. The Lich King's. None of it is yours.

It's so kind of you to give Clamp the chance to rise above what you are though. To be a person, not a parasite.

1/5 Clamp 2011/08/03(Wed)04:59 No. 335942 ID: c811c4
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>>335928
Yeah. Let's do this our way, no help required!

No way I'm gonna get told by some vindictive kobold! Just gotta knock it off balance!

4/5 Clamp 2011/08/03(Wed)05:00 No. 335945 ID: c811c4
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CRUNCH
Just like old times. I'm goin' back to fix up my other arm and let 'em know about Chee.

5/5 Clamp 2011/08/03(Wed)05:01 No. 335946 ID: c811c4
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... enough of Clamp! I'm shutting you guys down for a day. Who do you want to go to, for tomorrow night, before I finally get to the Lich?

Lets go with Tae. Who was capable even before you showed up, not relying on the souls of others to survive. Unlike you. Who's quite eager to add another Lich's soul to borrow power from.

>>335946
Lets see if we can get Shabin to go berserk in an amusing fashion.

Chee,
I leave you alone for a few hours and you go flying off to fight the lich in person? What the hell? I thought the entire reason you used that potion was to open a door directly to the lich's soul.

you know what i think?

that the hate potion reversed your feelings.

and you are now in love with the lich. that is why you are so butthurt with your friends instead of going for a man that you already hated.

and soon you will pierce that barrier and have undead babies with him.

or admit the plan failed and kill your last link with the living and become everything you hated, a boneless, soul scattered, lone lich.

I don't think sniping at Chee while she is under the effects of a hate potion is a good idea. Aside from giving her more to feel guilty over later, it just fuels the hatred all the more and makes her less inclined to listen to us, no matter how useful we might be. I'm sure we can all agree that no matter what we think of her feelings for us right now, we are here to assist her and whoever else we get sent to. I'm sure even as much as she hates everything right now she can see the wisdom in managing the tools she has on hand for her ends.

To that end, I must ask what your strategy is for attacking the lich on your own, Chee. I'm certain you must have a plan in mind already, but you must also be well aware that your judgment is somewhat impaired by a potion at the moment, while the lich has no such restriction. While we are a collection of voices that run the gambit of different moods and impulses, we have brought up strategies that have been useful in the past. Let us offer our assistance and you, naturally, should simply snatch whichever idea you find to be the most effective given the situation. You can be sure that the lich is using everything available to try and put the screws to you again. You should do the same. We're one of your tools, Chee. Use us.

>>335946
I am curious how Fraga is working through this mess, but Ears may prove to be a strategic necessity at the moment. I find no reason why you have to shut us down for the day.
Clamp is a very determined fighter and morale figure for Gnolls and Shabin. Very nice for us, gives us power over the Gnolls where we'd have none otherwise. You know, to answer your questions earlier about his usefulness and stuff.
On top of everything, you ARE technically a general here and your skills are best lined for support. Skills buffs with souls, healing, mages usually do work best as the supporting offense, especially mages working as a general. There's much efficiency at stake. An entire day out of battle is pointless.

Many of the individual's you can send us to are your political connections throughout the region, assisting you gaining influence and better chances against one lich who's wasting life that could be put to better use simply to get at you and a complete hooligan of a lich king. They are all useful in their ways.

Shabin.

Throwing in my vote for Shabin as well.

Also, as a parting shot, Chee? You don't hate any of the people that you're lashing out at. You're spreading the hatred around to distract from what you really hate; yourself. You hate that you're so weak that your primary use in battle is as support despite being the one in charge, you hate that you're so indecisive to need advice souls at all.

But most of all, you hate that all of this, every last little bit of it, is your fault.

This was a very bad idea. You know it, we know it; even if it works, who will we hurt or alienate in the process?

>>335946
You're a bitch.

That's really all there is to it.

I vote you send us to a sandwich, 'cuz I haven't eaten since I died

>>335946
Man, hate makes you STUPID!
You went and ASKED all these people to help you out, and now you're all 'oh these people need to prove they're worth my help in fighting my battles for me'.

That's somehow MORE stupid than knowing you're under a mind-altering effect that makes you feel shitty and deciding not to cure it.

Did you at least tear down that barrier, or was this a complete waste of time?

Send us to Tom. We need to talk about how you've suddenly become a drooling idiot.

>>336008
Yeah, seriously, I thought this was a hate potion, not an idiot potion. You could at least pretend to like your allies. That's what intelligent assholes do.

(Jesus christ look at all the hurr.)
Check on Ears.

Oh, hey! CheeQuest is back to its regularly scheduled antics. I wonder how everythi---

Sweet mother of shit did we just give the most volatile ball of magic in the universe an "Angry Bitch" potion?

>>336008
Seven what are you doing oh god she is going to kill everybody
>>336012
BLAME SEVEN

>>336014
I suggested the Hate Potion, not Seven.

Cheelop 2011/08/03(Wed)13:03 No. 336049 ID: c811c4
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Sure are a lot of WORDS that aren't NAMES going around. You guys don't get it at all! I'm not going to the lich to go have tea. I hate him. I hate a lot of things. Yes, hate potion, no, don't care. The lich has squirmed his way to my #1 hate spot. Call me an idiot? More like it's all clearer. Of course he wouldn't come down here himself, the only thing I'd accomplish staying south is fighting the world while he sits on his throne all day. So while he thinks I do the same, I'm going to him.

Oh, and I'm skipping the day because unless you want to watch Shabin sleep for 8 hours, there's no point in keeping all of you on. Now, off to Shabin.

Shabin 2011/08/03(Wed)13:05 No. 336051 ID: c811c4
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Hey, it's been awhile. As you can see, the forest is now on fire. They're getting ready to attack, and by the looks of it, a lot of them are going to come.

Hi.

By the way Chee hates everything now and is in mid-transit to the other lich.

Before you ask, the hate is (hopefully) only temporary, we just don't know how LONG.

...and? are you going to do something about it?

>>336051
Yo Shabin, ever get an urge to just go completely fucking berserk and rip apart everything in your way? If so, then the zombie horde is an excellent target for your rage.

>>336051
Well, with the forest on fire at least they'll be on fire when they go through it. How are the troops doing?

Shabin 2011/08/03(Wed)13:44 No. 336073 ID: c811c4
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Yeah, Clamp mentioned that. After he took on a Sea Giant. Alone. Like a crazy gnoll, made crazier because he actually won. Even if he did lose an arm. I bet Chee could replace missing limbs, it's all too bad she's off on vacation after dragging us here.

>>336057
Yeah, let me just go take my Rage Potion! Except I don't have any.

>>336065
I hear we lost about 20 gnolls and animals, each. Not crippling, but most people have lost a friend by now.

Really, I've been near useless! Just half a step above the non-fighter animals huddling together in their town. Kobold's aren't made for hand to hand combat, the earth mages around here make mining worthless, and the rest of the mages have handled traps more massive than my knowledge about them. I'm out of my league, here.

>>336073
Oh you don't need a rage potion, you should already be almost ready to pop. Just need the right trigger, like maybe some emotional trauma or something. I'm sure there will be something that gets you going properly at some point.

Yeah Chee dude channel some of the hate into Shabin
It'll be hilarious watching her go berserk and kill everything. I can only hope part of the Gnoll essence used in her potion was from Clamp so I can see her able to take a hit like a champ he can.

you need to organize traps

the undead will come while on fire

now its the time to dig trenches and put more fuel on the flames

>>336073
Ech. Well. You can be our voice, then. I agree combat may be unwise. I'd like to keep you around.

Also, considering this is likely our final night in defense, retreating to the tower might work in our favor. We could use choke points. Condense the troops and focus our magic, etc.

1/3 Shabin 2011/08/03(Wed)14:40 No. 336108 ID: c811c4
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"Hey Ears. Think it's a good idea to move back to the tower?"
>"Given Chee's undead aren't really doing much at ALL anymore, yeah, I was thinking the same. We're spread too thin on the wall now, and may as well make use of the escape tunnels. I'll get us moving."

2/3 Shabin 2011/08/03(Wed)14:41 No. 336109 ID: c811c4
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>"Hey, that's a good idea! I only know a little of Minci's magic of messing around with emotions. But! Combined with Shabin already being a natural at the whole bitch thing, and having a case of some gnollbane, I can get her over the edge easily! That should be interesting, and get her to do something."

3/3 Shabin 2011/08/03(Wed)14:42 No. 336110 ID: c811c4
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What just happened. Where am I, and why am I so pissed off.

>>336110
You appear to be in some sort of tunnel with an ear that you ripped off someone. I'm guessing you finally snapped and went totally berserk. Survey your surroundings to figure out how much stuff you killed.

>>336110
Oh god is that Ears' ear?! Where the hell are you? Are those the enemy constructs or are those Chee's? I think we should find our troops and regroup immediately.

>>336110
That was wonderful timing. Thank Chee for being an enormous bitch when high on our ill-considered rage potion. Check to see what you killed. Hopefully it's enemies.

are those enemies? because if they are, you better make good use of your rip&tear mode.

...with all the shit Chee's done I hope the hate potion doesn't wear off until the lich is dead.

Because this will break her.

>>336110
Did Clamp ever tell you about how he had a touch of that Gnoll disease thing that made him go super-raged? And then he'd fight shit to death and wake up all "Where the shit am I?"

You just did that because Chee's a bitch and one of the other souls is a moron for suggesting things to her. Look in your hand and lick your lips.

>>336109
Good job destroying one of your very few somewhat competent war-leaders, Chee.
Way to go.

Shabin 2011/08/03(Wed)15:35 No. 336128 ID: c811c4
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This is Chee's doing!? Hate potion or not, I'm going to beat the everloving crap out of her if she ever comes back! Yeah, Clamp's told me about it. I generally haven't gotten it too bad, stuff like this isn't normal for me.

These definitely aren't Chee's constructs. In fact, these aren't even the escape tunnels! I feel a draft coming from the right, but the tunnel curves upward to the left. Which way should I go?

>>336128
Follow the trail of enemies and keep kicking ass. So, left I guess.

Are you any good with weapons? That one just dropped a sword.

Go to the draft- that'll give you a good idea of where you are, which will tell us if you want to go the other direction.

...and Shabin, please... it was our fault. We suggested it, and she's mentally compromised. Would you hate someone if they did something bad while under the effects of a love potion? This is the same thing. I don't care if you beat the crap out of her, so long as you forgive her afterwards.

...oh wait a minute. I know what's going on.

These guys made a tunnel of their own. Go in the direction that they're going.

Did not guess she would take me seriously since she hasn't at all really for anyone
Or that she could do it
Or that the rage would work
And that maybe something cool would happen
I shouldn't do science anymore or joke about it

God I hope this works out. They may have been digging underneath the town, though, making their own tunnels and you found them in a rage induced state. If that's true... well maybe something cool DID happen, or is about to happen. If so, come on let's keep killing shit. Something looks important around here.

Shabin, please, tell us whose ear that is. Is Ears nearby? or at least his body?

If you made that tunnel in your rage... holy shit, remind us never to get you pissed off at us. Wouldn't be surprised if you could punch abstract ideas.

>>336128
Ears -- err... Ear, now -- might want his other one back.

>>336015
You have been a very bad headvoice. Go sit in the corner!

>>336128
Ancient wisdom: Go Left.

go left. and keep the ear.

1/3 Shabin 2011/08/03(Wed)20:06 No. 336217 ID: c811c4
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Yeah, I don't know anyone else with an ear like this. Definitely Ear's. I don't see him around, though.

chomp

What the heck is with these skeletons?

2/3 Shabin 2011/08/03(Wed)20:07 No. 336219 ID: c811c4
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They're so weak, suddenly.

3/3 Shabin 2011/08/03(Wed)20:07 No. 336220 ID: c811c4
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I'm going up the slope to the left, it happens to be the way they were going it seems. It's daytime? Looks like this was a tunnel that was made to burrow underneath. And I'm hearing fighting inside the tower. Looks like they didn't slow down after the sun rose. On the other hand, I hear activity coming on the outside of the tower walls.

check outside.

>>336220
Look outside.

Find living people, obtain status report.

>>336223
Shabin, you were infusing your punches with healing before. Can you still do that?

Shabin 2011/08/03(Wed)20:33 No. 336228 ID: c811c4
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>>336225
I can heal-punch a bit, but it's no strong magic.

Outside, is some catapult that is out of use, and some odd eggs in a slight depression.

Oh, and some undead. About 50 of them. They just noticed me, that is something worth mentioning. I'm thinking I should run. In fact, I'm pretty darn confident I should have been running about 5 seconds ago.

nah, bottleneck 'em and punch them all dead. re-dead. unless they have ranged weapons. then run.

yeah murder them all and sabotage the catapult.

>>336233
Catapult's already broken.

>>336228
Nooope. Those eggs gotta go. NOW.

I think you're the one that sabotaged that, and the eggs were what was being fired by it. So let's go find someone else and get a report.

>>336228
Sadly, we need to help out in the tower more than we need to kill these things.

Even sadder is that when the hate potion wears off anything you do to punish Chee will only reduce her suffering.

dammit, the pult is simply not in use, it is NOT broken.

>>336242
'out of use' != 'not in use'

Shabin 2011/08/03(Wed)21:09 No. 336250 ID: c811c4
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Sorry for the confusion. I mean the catapult isn't in use. Nothing visibly wrong with it, though it could be broken for all I know. These undead sure are weaker than I remember.

That pissed off feeling isn't going away. In fact, it's starting to get worse. Just looking at these damn bones is making my heart feel like it's trying to burst out of my chest!

>>336250
SMITE AND BASH! SMITE AND BASH!

need to smash all the eggs then back off and cool down. don't want to take ear's other ear.

I think you can take them. Buuuuut you might want to retreat anyway, since we don't know how safe it is for you to be like this. I mean, you could be ripping your muscles to shreds by using this super strength.

Try throwing something heavy at the eggs, or the big skeleton.

>>336250
Throw a skellington at an egg.

>>336250
...Shabin, are you aware that you've had Gnoll Blight since you were born? Clamp has similar symptoms.

THAT SKELETON IS HUGE! THAT MEANS IT HAS HUGE GUT- wait no it doesn't. it had huge guts? that's something, right?

anyway, PUNCH AND, uhh, PUNCH SOME MORE! PUNCH AND PUNCH!

1/3 Shabin 2011/08/03(Wed)21:49 No. 336271 ID: c811c4
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>>336251
You got it!

>Smash Eggs
>Throw something heavy at eggs.
>Huge Skeleton

I SEE WHERE THIS IS GOING.

"Give me your skull, you big boned freak!"

2/3 Shabin 2011/08/03(Wed)21:49 No. 336273 ID: c811c4
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AHHHHHH

3/3 Shabin 2011/08/03(Wed)21:50 No. 336275 ID: c811c4
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BWOOSH

>>336275
I thought so! Are you okay? Get inside before more explosions happen!

now that the danger is averted, you should probably try to calm the fuck down before you tear something.

Well great Shabin Chee's in love with you. Sort of. That's why he's helping you, in a way that stresses your body to death. I hope he's good and traumatized after this. The hate potion is fascinating in its effect, in fact, because it seems to have not only switched to the opposite emotion, but also switched its scope and application. You see, instead of Chee falling in love with the first thing he sees (you), Chee seems to have fallen in hate not with you, but with everyone except for you. Us, Clamp, that slutty succubus, the lich king, basically he now hates everyone except you. Isn't that interesting?

1/3 Shabin 2011/08/03(Wed)22:50 No. 336309 ID: c811c4
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>>336296
Her voice wasn't exactly lovey dovey before I blacked out. If that's Chee's love, I feel sorry for the sap that falls for her.

>Go back to tower

>"Yeah, I think I saw the person start coming in the tower, it was just this w-"

>"Shabin! Uh uh uh uhm... how are...."

2/3 Shabin 2011/08/03(Wed)22:50 No. 336310 ID: c811c4
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"Sorry 'bout your ear. I'm going to pass out."

3/3 Cheelop 2011/08/03(Wed)22:52 No. 336312 ID: c811c4
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What the hell?! Even Shabin wasn't utterly useless! I didn't even intend for that rage to help her, at least she ripped off Ears' ear! His name is now Ear, yes. It's obvious they don't need me, so Ear can fight the incoming necrobold without you guys! At least the good news is that I can wrench my hands around the Lich soul now, that barrier is good as gone.

What the heck is with lich's and making their towers so dreary, anyway?! My gosh it could not possible be more grey if I was colorblind.

Now, what should I put the lich's soul in? Something demeaning and humiliating. Easily breakable, of course. Oh, and right now I'm... underground. His base is in a mountain. I don't know what this room is. Just.. no fucking clue what this room is supposed to be about. Nor any other room. It's just one big mash of unplanned, room after room of non descript purpose. Room after room of nothing but execratable gray!