My vote is for Central.

Lets go to the vault, there might be something important there

im voting the Vault, 'cuz vaults are awesome

Central

Central, we need to get to know the Blue Shield, so at the very least they know not to shoot Harumda

your adorable when you act bashful. anyways I vote we head to the vault. once we hit central we will probably be heading out to the treasurer ship. also just to clarify, when you say vault do you mean the one you came out of?

>>381497
No, the one that Dreanin mentioned after Sera showed him the mysterious pair of numbers that appeared in our book.

Central, vault could be dangerous, we should be prepared

>>381500
Besides, Blue Shield might be able to provide us an escort if we wanted to go to the vault before hitting the treasure ship.

I agree, central

Sera, the new numbers are from Shan's Book about White Magic or from the White Book, which is us?

First case, Shan's Book, that vault is maybe connected to white magic. Perhaps a library vault, a time safe. Ask Dreinan what he knows about Shan's history, youth, home and friends not in the Transit/Tinsel/Jamestown area. If Dreinan doesn't know anything, lets go to Central first. Otherwise, lets hear it, then decide.

Second case, the White Book, I would be mighty suspicious about the timing of the revelation. Might be someone who doesn't like either of us wrote in it. In this case definitely Central first.

Well, who is all in your exploration party? Does Hamruda still behave or is he getting antsy for action? I've questions I want you to ask Hamruda. Hamruda enthusiastically told us about the Harbringer, who cause he advances. How is his relationship with War? Who are the other Harbringers? I've got a guess, but I prefer knowing. Does every demon have a Harbringer as patron? If so, which one was ours?
Another thing, has anyone ever tried Banishment on Angels?

Central. Vault is going to be dangerous and might implicate us in nasty ways; best to wait until you're stronger and people know you better.

Practice flying at every opportunity. The mutation may have given you the basic ability, but it's experience and exercise that will improve the time you can stay airborne and your agility. Not to mention it's awesome as hell and you'll never get bored of it.

>>381524
>Another thing, has anyone ever tried Banishment on Angels?
This is a promising idea. Even if Banishment proper doesn't do it, it would make sense that there exists an analogous spell. Might want to talk to people and see if you can find and learn it before heading out to fight them.

@@ Shot!H508X.HbJ6 2012/01/21(Sat)23:32 No. 381551 ID: c53845
File 132721754738.jpg - (90.34KB , 1000x1500 , LIGHTBEING.jpg )

Right, before we go...
>>381524

"What was Shan interested in, as a mage?" I ask Dreanin. We've set up camp here on the edge of the Flats, and I sit down.

"He was... mainly in it to save lives. He said he was searching for a more permanent solution. Once or twice he would wander off for weeks, and come back very excited - said something about... Changes. Engineering. It... worried me." he admits.

Harumda behaves. About all that has changed is the increased questions of whether he can kill someone.

"So, Harumda... Who... what, are the other Harbringers? You told me about war..."

"Yer mean War." he corrects. "And, uh. There's Death, Pestilence, and Conquest otherwise."

"Does every demon serve one?"

"Naw. They ain't broad enough. F'r instance, you know what an Incubus is? They's follow, say, Lust. Or Envy, sometimes. You smell of the green-eyed man, yerself, though it bothers me as to why..."

"Oh, I bound one to my mind." I reply.

"You...What?"

"I... had to. It's a long story."

"You shouldn't tell other demons this." he says.

"W-why not?"

"Fer the same damned reason yer don't tan raider hides and wear them to town!" he barks. "I've a mind to break convent despite our agreement. Though it'd rip apart my..." he calms. "Look, what you did is blasphemy to both up and downstairs. You'd best have a good reason." he says simply.

"I do. I know I do." I nod. Really - I did. "Oh! Can you Banish Angels?"

"Their spell is Chastise, it's white magic." he says simply. "We're like a coin - Up and downstairs. Everything one side has, the other has opposite. Equal and yet opposing." he says.

I nod.

"We're going to Central first. To handle things there..."

"Good, good." Dreanin says. He turns to Rose, who is curled by the fire. "Oi, puss-in-boobs. We're moving."

"Yeah, yeah." Rose says, stretching. "You know the way to Central?"

"Of course! I saw it, before I ran."

"Lead the way..." she says, stretching.

The sun dawns as we walk. Dreanin tells tall tales of wild plans and daring escapes, and terrible fortune.

"Stop." he says, holding up a hand. "Listen."

"...Choir..." Harumda rumbles. "The old tongue. Praising Life and Purity." he adds, drawing his blade as a beautiful thing appears from behind a ship.

"Don't look at it!" Dreanin says. "Never look at them head-on.

"[strike]In the name of Life, impurities of this world must be scoured clean.[/strike]" calls the most beautiful voice I've ever heard, as... something clad in light raises one limb, light gathering in its hand.

"SCATTER! I have this one..." Harumda roars, as we all run and Harumda throws forth his free hand, a lance of smoke and choking fire lancing for the white being, who points at it as well, a beam of pure light slamming into it. The Light overcomes the darkness, but Harumda was not intending a power struggle, alreagy rushing forth as the beam slams into the earth, leaving a round little hole about the size of my head. I draw my weapon while hiding behind a boulder.

What should I do?

Well THAT'S interesting.

Apparently what Sera did to us is considered blasphemy by other demons.

AND Angels.

... Honestly I still stand by my conviction that what she did was the best thing for us, though. If anything their opinion about it is just further proof of that.

Oh!

Uhm.

Okay, put up a Shield so you can see where you're aiming, and then try firing off a Void and then a Smite, to see which does more damage.

I mean, if you can do all of this in one round of combat.

He says he has it; let him handle it, unless it looks like he's losing badly. No need to taint ourselves unnecessarily. Watch your surroundings and make sure the angel was alone.

Also, we, as Legion, should directly inform Harumda that we're cool with Sera and the whole binding deal. Don't want to give any mistaken impression of coercion, and Harumda's good will is valuable.

>>381555
>Also, we, as Legion, should directly inform Harumda that we're cool with Sera and the whole binding deal. Don't want to give any mistaken impression of coercion, and Harumda's good will is valuable.

This.

Also:

>He says he has it; let him handle it, unless it looks like he's losing badly. No need to taint ourselves unnecessarily. Watch your surroundings and make sure the angel was alone.

... Okay, yeah, I rescind my suggestion. Let's give it a moment.

Reminds me, is Ayda still with us?

>>381556
>This.

To be clear, we should do so after the fight. He doesn't need any distraction right now.

>>381555
how would the (from his point of view) victim of a rather sever type of mind rape telling hims that they are cool with it make him less creeped out by it?

as for the fight, stay behind cover and help Harumda out if it looks like he's losing. if there is no cover nearby use the shield spell to make some.

wait wait wait

what if you give mutations to one of those purity freaks

I totally wanna see what happens

Look for other targets. Keep with the not looking directly at the angels.

>>381551
Don't bring attention to your position until your ready to act. See where the others are, and check for flanking enemies.

>>381555
>should directly inform Harumda that we're cool with Sera and the whole binding deal.
The less we bring it up, the better, i think. Putting too much pressure on the issue might make him snap. After all, he was disturbed enough to seriously consider tearing his... something (soul, maybe?), in order ether leave or kill Sera.

>>381567
Oh god if you can do this without looking at the angel do this so much. And on another note OH GOD WE'RE LOOKING AT IT.

Well, with how Angels are with salt, this was inevitable, I suppose. Start shooting blindly?

>>381555
Definitely upvote on the plan of waiting to see how harmuda does. He says he has it so lets let him fight for now. If he starts losing then interfere.

I also doubt harmuda gives a fuck about consentuality. We need to know more before clarifying things there.

>Reminds me, is Ayda still with us?
Ayda didn't even come with us to Jamestown.

>>381567
The angel might be immune. For sure it will focus the attention of the angel on us. Even if the angel will kill/dissolve/shred itself after the battle, I think it will concentrate its efforts on killing Sera during the battle.

>I've also learned every spell from all my books
>And I took the time to master White Magic
>matrices and bounded field equations were really easier than I thought
>Everything one side has, the other has opposite. Equal and yet opposing.
You know Lesser Binding of Black Magic. You have Mastery in Black Magic and White Magic. Do you think you can bastardize a Black Magic Lesser Binding circle into a White Magic Binding circle. Even a weaker, shorter duration, general outsider binding circle would be helpful. If you think you can, prepare the circle, then tell Hamruda to lure the angel into the circle. Then empower the circle with the angel inside and Hamruda outside.

>>381584
>Invent spell on the spot
Really not something to do mid combat. I would be weary enough just testing it in combat for the first time after spending out of combat time designing such a spell and double and triple checking the equations.

>>381587
It'll work or it won't. With Void and Smite Sera knows one mirrored pair already. I don't think this is taking more chances than casting Cause Mutation on the angel. It might be less likely to work, but I think it is much less risky, too.

We know the angels hate the taint and try to kill everything tainted, but we don't know what, if anything, taint does to them. But their hate will make one spreading taint the primary target of an angel no matter if it works or not. An attempted Binding by one running around with a demon may be an insult but is it not of the same weight as someone spreading taint around, especially aiming it at an angel.

>>381590
Not to mention that if the Binding actually works the thing will be immobilized or at least severely weakened.

It's something we could try, for sure. At least with a mirrored set of spells we have something of a basis for understanding the differences between them - we know what the coin-flip looks like, so to speak.

It would be easier than trying to do the same for, say, something Fire-elemental, if such a thing exists.

>>381581

we don't even know if this was consensual, or anything else about the conditions under which our mutilation took place. let's just find out and act accordingly from there.

>>381584

really think twice about this. you know how awful things have went for us the past few times we messed up magic-related stuff exactly this way.

>>381601
We know that we don't mind our current situation, and that's all that really matters. We probably should find out exactly why Harumda is disturbed by it though.

>>381567
This is GENIUS. DO IT.

>ROLL! To understand basic theorum behind spell flip.
>[76]
>Passed 80 chance.

Right, right. Everything's got an equal opposition. Applying that to the Lesser Binding Circle for demons, certainly I could... Yes. Yes, the theory holds, though the equations might be difficult...

>ROLL! To determine difficulty of the procedure.
>[94]
>Chance set at 10.

I know that I must prep a binding circle. Since this is mid-combat, I'll prep something simple to lock him down, then add more bindings to intricate the circle... I turn and shoot the ston behind me, to the side, picking up a shard that falls.

Really need to get a dedicated inscribing rod...

ROLL! To execute the manuever and complete the spell.
[6]
>Chance 10 passed.

Quickly, quickly...
I draw in the salty sands, a wide circle. Symbols of binding... Four symbols of bounded space. Okay. Okay, I can do this!

>ROLL! To execute the plan.
>[92]
>MISSED 80 chance.

"Harumda!" I call. He bats away another blast from the monster, and looks over to me. I point at the circle, and he nods, spinning his body so the next blast misses - but only barely. It's a dance of death as he manuevers the angel. Again, I'm stunned by the monster's strange grace and powerful movements. His boistrous personality shows in the way he fights, large sweeping blows as he leaps at the angel, drawing it closer... and closer...

"NOW!" I roar, sending magic into the circle. The binding area rockets up to catch...

Half of the angel.

Binding circles are absolute. Anything caught in one, can't leave. But... It was going so fast...

There's a horrific sound of tearing in the air, and I can only watch as the angel's speed rips it in half. There's a brilliant flash of light, and both halves explode into white fluid that rains down. The one in the binding circle splats against the sides of the barrier, but the rest... I run, as Harumda does, and watch as it pools on the ground.

And then Harumda starts to laugh.

"Did you come up with that, or did the demon yer wearing?" he asks, cackling. "Because that... that was great... oh man. Oh man, I need to sit down."

Dreanin sighs.
"We... should get moving."

"You okay?" Rose asks.

"Y-yeah. I just... didn't expect it to work out that way." I manage. "I was hoping to bind it."

Rose raises an eyebrow. "And then what?"

I shrug, looking back at the stuff pooling and evaporating.

"It's for the better. It probably killed a lot of people, anyway..." she says as we walk on.

... Bwahahahaha!

... I can see how Harumda feels.

So do we tell Harumda about how we feel about our situation, or...?

To Harumda: Well, we gave her the general idea, but she did all of the fancy magical equation stuff. We are Legion by the way. Nice to meet you.

tell 'im we send our regards.

...so, where was we left? do we camp or continue? it's up to you guys, Sera.

I still say Central.

If we're going to talk to Harumda:

Tell him that it was our idea and her mathy thingies. Also, tell him that apparently Sera says she had to bind us to her and erase our memory, etc. to save us. Since she's pretty much an innocent, we're taking her word for it so far. Hell, the girl gets embarrassed whenever Rose or you mention sex. She's almost certainly telling the truth, but it'd be a good idea for the two-plus of us keep an eye out.

@@ Shot!H508X.HbJ6 2012/01/22(Sun)19:44 No. 381656 ID: c53845
Audio Evil_Horde_-_Hangarmageddon_(Best_version_of_E1M1).mp3 - (3.79MB , Evil Horde - Hangarmageddon (Best version of E1M1).mp3 )

"Comrade. We have discussed our binding with her in the past, and determined it to be necessary to continued existence."

"... How can I know that for certain?"

"How can we? Nevertheless - until we know more, relax. Err on the side of the benefit of the doubt."

[i]"If you so wish it, envious brother."[/b]

"I so wish it, war-brother."

What was that about?

... Ah. Thank you for speaking to him. After we're done in the flats, next stop is our own vault, okay? I promise.

Dreanin stops us.
"You hear that?" he asks... then sighs. "Fuck, look at that ship." he says, pointing. A massive dark-red crossed-out circle marks it.

"Fiend lands. They must have expanded since the last time I was here. We need to be careful."

We all draw our weapons, looking around.


It's then we notice the group, not twenty meters off.

"D-Dreanin!" I manage, and he wheels, something burning in his hand as his gun fires.

I feel a little sick, and Harumda grunts as he gun barks - far louder than I've ever heard - and the muzzle flash expands from the barrel, shaped like a stretched skull. The feeling of sickness passes as one of the figures drops.

Cue music

"Life preserve me." he mutters as the group turns, a rallying call raising.

Four men, one huge ape with curled horns and red eyes, they run forth.

In the lead is a man who bangs his long sword on the ground, the weapon shrouded in dark smog. He wears little, his body scarred in strange circular patterns, a horned bovine skull secured to his head.

Behind him, his friend raises a weapon to his shoulder, some sort of rifle, as we all round a nearby boulder.

The last one, who I only saw a glimpse of, seems to wear nthing at all - a woman painted red and black, her eyes glowing a sickening red, smoke curling from her lips.

And then the boulder shatters, showering us in bits - I sheild Rose with my body and wings, while Harumda grapples with the demon, a few feet away.

Oh god. What are we going to do...

the one with the riffle, hit him with smite, you don't have cover and his gun seems nasty enough to splatter whoever it hits.

>>381657
Seconding this plan.

>>381657
A good, simple plan right off the bat. Go for it

>>381657
Yeah, sounds good.

Music continues~
>>381657
>>381664
>>381662
>>381658
>TOTAL CONSENSUS BONUS
>AUTOSUCCESS

I stand and turn, opening my hand - three white crosses launching from it. I feel the taint course through me, but the backlash of mental agony has waned to the point that I can almost ignore it.

The crosses spin as the man turns his weapon on me, but before he can fire, one of my Smites slams into the side of his gun and ruins it, tearing into the trigger assembly - as the next slams into his elbow, as he screams in pain, turning into a gurgle as the last hits his chest on the right side, sending him to the ground. Harumda tosses aside the demon to leap in front of me, huge fist slamming into the man's chest, sending him tumbling heel over head, his weapon flying past Harumda to slam into the ground at my feet.

Dreanin groans as he he searches his pockets, then screams in agony, clutching his chest as he falls to one knee and the behemoth beast slaps him back. Harumda returns to fighting him while Rose tries to unjam her gun, the unarmed man rising.

take me. something whispers to you. Young woman. Take me.

I only have a bare few moments to think! What should I do!?

some sort of compulsion is coming from the sword, don't touch it. the naked women seems to be some sort of caster, take her out with another smite.

>>381673
Leave the sword, you're no melee fighter even if it means well. Instead, cast Fireball on the unarmed dude.

Yeah, let's NOT take the scary talking sword that was held by an insane apparent demonic cultist. That seems like the WORST thing to do.

Besides, our Strength stat is shit.

Agreeing with smiting the caster!

Whatever you do, DO NOT TOUCH THE SWORD. In fact, put a shield bubble around it so no one can touch it till after the fight.

>>381688
Okay, avoid the sword, and don't let any friendlies near it, but seriously let's not throw around magic like candy here. We can only cast so many spells in our life.

the sword will wait for now... use black lightning. maybe you could kill multiple people with it.

>a woman painted red and black, her eyes glowing a sickening red, smoke curling from her lips.
That sounds like a fire mage with natural flame breath.
Cast Sickness and aim it on her eyes. While casting concentrate on windows clouding and getting milky, the colors fading and shapes blurring. The goal is to give the mage blindness by cataracts.

>no one can touch [the sword] till after the fight.
This is important. Prevent your allies and your enemies from taking it up. Shoot the sword guy if he isn't out of it by now.

>ROLL!
>Smite
>[58]
>PASS 80 check.

I lift my hand again, energy gathering in my hand as I throw forth three more shining projectiles - but the woman sees my motion, and snaps her fingers. A huge, gaping maw of darkness eats my Smites and collapses on itself, and she grins, lifting an arm to point at me.

>ROLL! To shoot.
>[24, 90, 16]
>PASS 25 x2

But I'm already focusing my attention on the man closing the distance to me. My weapon barks once, twice, three times. The first round slams into his wrist, and he cries out - but keeps coming.

Horrible pain rips through my body briefly, and my shot goes wide - but Rose unjams her gun and opens fire on the caster, forcing her to bring up another maw to eat her gunfire. But in the time it took for me to recover, the man has already closed with me.

[Point Blank]

Desperate, I jam the gun forward and scream as I pull the trigger. The gun's barrel slams against the bovine skull as his fist comes for me.

A small hole appears on the skull, just before half of his head explodes out the back.

I raise my hand again and draw more power, this time, I use Black magic.

The other caster seems to misinterpret it.

>ROLL! To Cast Sickness (Focused)
>[48]
>PASS 75

She blinks a few times as her sheild pops up again, then screams, grasping for her eyes and falling to her knees. Rose drops her gun, and in a display I hadn't expected, slams into her shoulder first to knock her to the ground - then bites her neck and tears. Then her hands swipe, one, two, three times, and she rises, stained in blood from mouth to navel as she walks away.

The demon she had summoned roars mightily, but his distraction proves his undoing - Harumda slams his sword through his mouth and out the back of his head. But that doesn't seem enough, until he lets forth a cry of triumph, turning his back, using his shoulder as a fulcrum to throw the impaled beast to the ground, shattering his head.

The combat ends, and Rose walks towards the blade, her eyes oddly, slightly, dull.

SHIT SHIT SHIT.

Tackle Rose.

Don't let her grab that thing!

>>381732
Do this. See if we can get that
>TOTAL CONSENSUS BONUS
>AUTOSUCCESS
thing again or if it goes away if we purposely try to invoke it.

yeah, tackle the shit out of her. and warn the others, too.

Tackle Rose.

tackle Rose, hold her down. Shout The sword is cursed

Throw up a shield around the sword.

Or maybe Smite the damn sword, since that destroys inanimate objects.

>>381743
Way to ruin a possible
>TOTAL CONSENSUS BONUS
>AUTOSUCCESS
also valuable experimentation on the nature of that thingy. And given that it can talk, it'd be magical and possibly resistant to Site, etc.

how about we use wicked hands to snatch the sword away rather than trying to tackle rose. she's vunrable to both magic and pychic effects so we don't know how much the sword is controlling her, and she just ripped someones throat out like 30 seconds ago, we really don't want to get within arms reach of her if there is a chance something is controlling her.

Tackle rose AND yell "Harmuda don't let anyone touch that sword"

Yeah, it's probably due to her sensitive nature to psionics. We didn't get a hint of it since we're Null.

My first inclination is think the sword a demonic item.
Ask Harumda if knows anything about it.
After snapping Rose out her apparent trance, of course.

I just realized that if we tackle rose and the control the sword has over her is enough to simply maker her struggle, if she nicks us with her claws and draws blood Harumda will by the agreement we have be allowed to kill rose. I've already voted against tackling her but if we do we should make sure to keep an eye on Harumda.

>>381767
Point. If we (Legion) are able to talk to Harumda without bothering Rose, tell him NOT to kill Rose, as that'd just piss off/depress Sera, and she's being controlled by the sword.

>>381769
Well, unless he absolutely HAS to. We don't want out host dying on us.

Actually wait... DON'T tackle rose...
KISS rose!

>>381777
>Rose tears out someone's neck

Fuck no.

Yeah, pluck it out with wicked hands, then.

Whatever you do, though, DON'T let Rose get it.

"Rose, stop!" I scream, casting forth the Wicked hands to lift it from the ground.

"I am It That Lurks. I am the Darkness beneath the earth. The shadow of the Grave. I can give you power." the voice from before beckons - louder and more forceful than before. "I ask for freedom from this blade. I offer you power - spells. I offer you the power of It That Lurks. I would rather be nothing than here - I would give myself to you, give you my might - all you must do is set me freeeeeee. There will be no harm to you. There will be no compulsion. LET ME GO. PLEASE. LET ME GO." It pleads.

Rose shakes her head, coming out of the trance, blinking as she wanders back to her weapon to pick it up.

"We move on." Dreanin says.

"But the dead..." I manage. "They -"

"Are animals." He says bluntly. I nod quietly.

... I have to do something with this sword. I can't just maintain these hands forever...

We continue walking. Everything is quiet.

"YOU CAN HEAR ME, LITTLE GIRL. LET ME GO. LET ME GO. PLEASE. PLEASE, I WILL GRANT ANYTHING I CAN. PLEASE."

heh. wrap it up in something for now. eventually, we'll draw a binding circle around it and melt it.

oh did you grab the guys gun? it seemed to be a decant weapon and might be worth fixing. also we should see if we can talk to whatever is in the sword. it sounds panicked enough that i feel kind of bad for it, not use it bad for it. but try and find some way to send back to wherever it came from bad for it.

Sounds like there's a demon in the sword. We should set up a binding circle, put the sword in it, then make for the nearest place that might have a Banishment spell. We come back, banish the demon and we're done with it.

Actually I'm not sure how we're supposed to set this guy 'free'. Destroy the sword or what? Try asking it.

Or you could make another contract rather than leaving the sword alone for who knows how long. Make it a short-term contract or something that ends with it being banished.

Hang on, what happens if Harumda's contract ends? Did we specify that he would go back home if the contract was broken or whatever?

what if the book touches it?

My advice: Make Harumda eat it.

I do not trust this thing.

Ask Harumda if he's ever heard of an It That Lurks before. If it is a demon, we can get another contract out of this situation. If we can't confirm that it is a demon, or an angel as unlikely as that seems, then dealing with it is probably too dangerous as contracts wont necessarily be binding on it.

If it is one of those two things, we can offer it freedom from the sword in return for its servitude to us in all things for as long as we live. Also stipulate that at the end of the contract it return to hell/heaven. Wouldn't do to have our death cause more damage than necessary.

Questions for the sword: If there's to be no compulsion, how do you explain what you just did to my companion? How do I set you free? What are you willing to offer? What are you?

Also ask Harumda if he knows of it, and if he knows of any safe methods of disposal, should it be necessary.

"Silence! If there is no compulsion, then why-"

"THE PROCESS IS DIFFICULT! I KNOW IT, BUT CANNOT ENACT IT!"

"What, then, are you willing to offer for freedom?"

"POWER OVER DARKNESS! STRENGTH IN THE PLACES WHERE LIGHT DOES NOT REACH!"

"...What are you?"

"I AM IT THAT LURKS! DARKNESS! SHADOW!"

"H-harumda... Have you heard of It That Lurks?"

"Er, not exactly." he says. "...In the sword, right?"

"...How'd you know?"

"Because you didn't mention it until now. And the sword was weird shit."

Rose walks close to me as we go.

"Go on."

"Hokay. So. Yer gots... Heaven, up stairs. Yer gots hell. Downstairs. Ter sides of a coin, yeh? But whatsabout the rim? The side?"

"The... side?"

"'S a place where things man... and, I think the rest of us... send our beliefs and shit. Dreams come from there, if you dream."

"You don't?"

"As if I'd tell yer. Anyway. So this place, fulla dreams and shit. The creatures there 're called Fae. They're... kinda like demons. Except not. It's hard ter explain. Like... Imagine, uh. Coffee. Yeah."

Rose perks up.

"Now imagine Coffee as a person, suchlike. That's a fae. Sometimes they can get trapped in shit like that poor fuckhead." he nods at the sword. "They're hateful sonsabitches like we are. Not fer the same reasons, mind - most of them are based off shit humanity used up and tossed aside. Or worse." he adds.

"Mmmph. I'm still not sure..."

"Listen. I can't offer council. But someday, I ain' gonna be here to saver yer hot arse. When that time comes, hell, it might even be me throwing the punches. You'll want erry advantage you can get. And despite the rapid downturn, heh, of popurlation, I'm sure that no matter who you shaft, there'll be someone else out there. Get strong. Live. Save the world if you want to die early and gloriously, but if yer wanna live..."

He laughs, a creepy little chuckle.

"Burn the meek, pillage the dead, and rape the helpless." he says with a laugh.

Dreanin growls, and Rose stiffens a bit as he cackles to himself. "Most important, learn to laugh. 'cause if you carn't laugh, then what's the damned point?"

>>381828
Dreanin took it, but commented on needing several replacement parts that I outright annihilated.

It's been almost ten minutes with these Hands. I should make up my mind...

if we can get it to promise to not hurt people (with the possible exception of bandits) I think we should let the poor guy out. I feel kind sorry for him, he really seems to be suffering in there. also he doesn't exactly seem harmless in that sword.

>>381938
Agreed. We should also have a relatively easy time convincing him to follow a few ground rules, so why not.

Sounds like it'd give us some sort stealth powers if we let it out.
Ask the others if they think you should let it out, especially Rose.
If yes, then do it.
If not... we now have a sword with a Fae in it to do something with, and judging by its apparent desperation, being confined like that is pure torture to it.

>>381936
Okay. We make a deal. It cannot harm or influence us or any of those we call friends. Nor can it cause mayhem in a certain radius of us (let's say half a mile) Aside from that it can go do whatever, in exchange for any new spells it can teach us and that kind of power in darkness it's talking about. Or is it like, darkness spells? That would include both, so good.

So basically it leaves us alone.

For making a deal, we need to know if Fae are bound to contracts they make in the same way that demons are. Otherwise it could just do whatever once it is out.
I think a short term contract ending with it being banished sounds like the best option.

>>381958
This. Given that they're on the same coin, they probably are, but best not to chance it.

Shot!H508X.HbJ6 2012/01/24(Tue)21:33 No. 381996 ID: 5076d3
File 132746963132.jpg - (32.95KB , 518x700 , ITTHATLURKS.jpg )

"It That Lurks. We will offer you a Contract. Will you accept?"

"THE TERMS MATTER NOT! I WILL AGREE, FREE ME, AND I AND MY ESSENCE ARE YOURS."

"... Alright, then. No harm or influence to Sera or those she calls friends. No damages of structures or individuals unless she commands. No invasive or damaging modifications to her body. This Contract lasts until ended by Sera AND ourselves. Is that clear?"

"IT IS CLEAR. NOW FREE ME, IN THE DARKNESS! I ITCH FOR THE COOL AIR!"

"He is yours, mistress."


I nod.
"Hold on, guys. I need to do something." I call, turning away from the sun and placing the blade before me. It takes meticulous care, but soon I extract a stone sphere.

"Harumda. Break this." I order, and he nods, slamming his fist down upon the orb. Black fluid drips out onto my shadow. I shiver.

My shadow ripples and warps, two spots of light appearing on my 'face' disconcertingly, followed by another two - and then the whole thing swells into an inky creature the size of a small dog.

"I AM FREE~!" it screams, in a falsetto voice. "TONIGHT, MY LADY. TONIGHT I SHALL TEACH YOU THE SECRETS OF DAAAAAAHKNESSSSSS. FOR NOW, I WILL REMAIN AND SLUMBER WITHIN THE CHILL OF YOUR SHADOW."

Harumda chuckles, shaking his head, and... we walk once more. The salt flats seem endless...

((Gained Perks will be posted in /disc/.))

we seem to be making a habit of unsealing bound horrors we come across for altruistic reasons. I wonder if anything interesting will happen if we do it a third time? also you should probably explain what just happened to rose and Dreanin.

oh cool, he's gonna teach us to use dahhkness. in the meantime, I hope he can hide. what was the Central's views on demonology? 'cause we might have to hide Harumda, too.

anyway, keep on struttin'.

>>381996
If you don't mind, I'm gonna imagine this guy as a Mr Freeze played by Ahnold kind of guy except with more DAAAAHHHKKNNEEESSSs and less ice

>>382047
Oh God.

Can't unhear.

>>382015
Hopefully by that point we will have some actual banish spells. We really need to get some of those.

This creature is just as dangerous as a demon or angel , but we cant afford to treat it like one. We dont even know if Banish would work on this thing. It is a creature of void, of nothingness beaten into shape by the hammerblows of uncontiousness, and will probably have a greater power over the mind than any normal demon or angel.we need to keep an eye on it even more than Harumda, because he is relatively predictable in his outlook:

He is a demon of war, and can be expected to act as such. WE DONT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS FAE.

Shot!H508X.HbJ6 2012/01/25(Wed)17:11 No. 382199 ID: 5076d3
File 132754030722.jpg - (650.89KB , 750x1198 , Joachim.jpg )

Right. Be careful.

A few hours pass, and we finally slump down to rest. These flats are enourmous! I hate that there's no transit or anything. No trains... I sigh heavily.

"Dreanin, do you know if I'll have to hide Harumda at Central?" I ask as we pass around the water.

"Not rightly sure..." he says. Might be. Might not. Angels might be pushing it, what with the high populations of them here... Good rule of thumb is to make sure it's clear they are bound."

"A strong leash shows a strong summoner." Harumda agrees as he takes a bite out of a tattooed arm.

"... Please don't eat humans in my vicinity." I say quietly.

"Oi. Sure." he grumps, tossing it over his shoulder and over a nearby boulder. There a cry of surprise, followed by horror. A young man's voice.

The one who cried leaps out from behind the boulder, holding a strangely-colored metallic staff. He is covered from the neck down in smooth-looking cloth. One hand is raised, and on his breast under the shawl, I see a familiar emblem. ...But I can't place it. Irritating!

He relaxes.
"A bound demon?" he asks.

Harumda grunts.

"Well, a party as strong as you may be able to assist me. I am Joachim, Scribe of the Blue Shield. I became seperated from my patrol during an angel attack - and my sense of direction is terrible. May I please travel with you?" he asks. "At least, until we run into another operative..."

Of course.

And you may as well ask out of curiosity what that emblem was. Is that the symbol of the Blue Shield?

If he's with Blue Shield, it stands to reason. Where would she have seen it before, though?

>>382199
Well, I'm headed for Central, your Blue Shield HQ. We should meet with a Blue Shield guy along the way, probably.

lets help the guy out. getting lost sucks, especially out in the wastes were you might get eaten.

"Sure." I say, looking at Dreanin. "It's okay, right?"

"... You've a bad habit for picking people up, you know." he grumbles, but nods. "Sure thing, kiddo. What can you do?"

"I'm a fair bit skilled with many weapons of close combat, and I'm a material summoner."

Dreanin chuckles.
"Haven't met one of you in a while. Nice to meet you, Joachim. We're actually headed to Central now."

"How wonderfully fortuitous." he says. "I certainly hope your business is worth Ancelot's time. He is... not in the best of moods."

Dreanin raises an eyebrow.
"I wasn't aware a Scribe would know that."

"It's more... a sense for how things are going. See, the Fiends are growing stronger, securing more land. There's a town in the centre of the Flats, and while they were able to hold off a couple of angels a week, the Fiends are starting to attack soon as well. The place is full of strong men and women..."

"I understand. So you guys want to evac them?"

"Yes, something like that. However, a large movement of people isn't going to move very quickly, especially if we take belongings along - And we can only commit so many people."

"You don't have that many?" I ask. "But I thought... I thought you were..."

Joachim smiles.
"We are strong, of heart, soul, and body, yes. But it takes time to train someone worthy of the armor and the sword - and resources to outfit them. We must be very careful in our expansions and acquisitions. At most, we have maybe thirty people. If that, and not all that many combatants."

"...Oh."

So the Blue Shield, the main remnant of the old world military with the good of the people in mind... Is smaller than Jamestown, even Greyface's gang.

I sit down heavily.

"I am sorry if I dispelled some notion of greatness of our people - but I'm willing to say this mostly as motivation. Every missing member is a blow, and I must return as soon as possible."

I nod, standing up.

"Dreanin, how far do you think it is now?"

"A few hours."

"And if we hurry?"

"... Sera..."

"Dreanin, they need our help." I plead. "We have to get them that information."

"... Fine. We will hurry." he says. "let's go."

He walks purposefully, and we fall into following. Joe hangs near me, as does Rose.

Should I ask Joe anything else?

>>382281
Well, the main question we wanna ask Jo is will Blue Shield shoot at Harumda and by association us when we see them

does Dr. Dre have something against Blue Shield?

questions to ask

1. whats a material summoner?

2. does he know anything about the fay? specifally anything about how they can be bound into an item or bond with a person

3. what does he know about the fiends? specifically numbers,tactics, equipment and leadership.

4 where did the blue shield come from? and is this the only place they are?

>A strong leash shows a strong summoner.
Is this based on the idea only a strong summoner could force a demon to wear a strong leash? I mean a physical leash would be pretty useless as the demon is stronger than the summoner anyway and would just pull her after itself. We could use the rope or the handcuffs to make a symbolic leash. That's the best I can come up unless we start chiseling things into Hamruda's skin. I don't think we he'll agree, given the inherently temporary nature of the agreement. But ask Hamruda quietly, outside Joe's hearing, what he thinks about chiseling his skin anyway.

Question's for Joe:
What does Blue Shield consider an acceptable leash anyway?
Does Blue Shield trade? Magic knowledge is particularly interesting.
Perhaps tell him we demolished a fiend party a few hours back.
What is your staff made off? What can it do?
Blue Shield has to deal often with angels. Could he tell us some good tactics for dealing with them?

>>382295
"So... What's a material summoner?"

"As you may or may not summon beasts from Below, I summon materials. Halocite, Orichalkos, and Azurium are the ones I have mastered. Most are stronger, more durable than our own metals. Azurium is... special." he chuckles. "This staff has been with me since my first summon. I don't really know what it's made of - but it has lasted a good ten years." he says.

"Do you know much of the Fae?"

"Cannot really say I know much of the Etheral. I suppose they could be bound in a similar method to demons, with adjustments and changes. I would not attempt it without examining one in depth, personally."

"... What about the fiends?"

"An incredibly unpleasant neighbor." he says. "Very strong - well-armed, skilled in summoning, uses some binding to maintain demon loyalty. Between the Nobles, the Jesters, and the Fiends, the Fiends live and play primarily in the land of Angels and salt - perhaps that can tell you of their strength. And that is without accounting for their leader, who I hesitate to even speak of."

"So... Where are the Blue Shield from? I'm sorry if I'm too inquisitive or -"

"Worry not! It is most wonderful to be speaking with another again. I had missed conversation a great deal. Nay, this is not the only place Blue shield operates - we have many branches. Cannot exactly tell you where or how many, however." he says with a smile. "As for our main one - that is privileged even for myself."

>>382354
It's actually an old saying. 'A strong leash means a strong summoner' means that if you find a large demon walking beside a petite young girl, then it's wise to assume both are significant threats. It takes a strong will and capable mind to bind demons like I have. Not to toot my horn or anything. But the fact that Harumda is calm and nonviolent unless I let him go shows my strength.

"... Do you know how to deal with angels?"

"Same way you deal with demons. Shoot them until they die, or bind them, or banish them." he says with a shrug.

"Do you do trade?"

"If we can afford it - for any supplies, really."

Good... Maybe Dreanin will get what he wants.

"HALT!"

We all stop stiffly, staring down a man in combat armor with a very large rifle. "This is Lion Claw Territory. State your business. Don't try anything stupid, or Argyle will blow your head off."

His combat armor and gas mask, and his helmet, obscure any facial details. He wears mainly red. Dog tags hang from his neck, shimmering in the sun's light.

oh, deja vu... let's not fuck with him. tell 'em why you're here and do make clear you've no hostile intentions against... whatever the hell faction this guy is from.

Sheesh, sure is crowded out here for salt flats.

>>382380
They're the merc company we got the job to kill the jesters from, remember?

You should say you're just passing through, unless you want one of the others to handle the talking, of course.

Yeah, let's be reasonable.

Lion Claw and Blue Shield should be on reasonable terms. Tell them you are on your way to Blue Shield 'Central'. May be helpful to tell them you were not aware Lion Claw has holdings in the Salt Flats.

if they bothered to yell a warning they probably are not going to kill you for just passing though. lets be resalable here.

>>382383
>Sheesh, sure is crowded out here for salt flats.

So far we know the entire place is holy land, that there's at least one cache of old world treasure out here, that Blue Shield makes their main home here, and that there's a town.

Tales of treasure and spoils breed violence and greed.

Hopefully Lion's Claw is mostly reasonable.

Funny, if not for the red, this guy would look like the guy who helped us on the train.

"We're just passing through." Dreanin says. "On our way to Blue Shield."

"..."

"The demon is bound."

"Alright. You've passage for now." he says. "Blue Shield, right?" he asks Joe.

"Yes, indeed."

"...Actually, nevermind." he says, shaking his head. "Move alo- Rose?"

Rose lets out a small swear.

"You want to stop in? Your grandfather's in. Dunno how long he'll be around."

"I, uh, we're kinda in a hurry..." she says, nervous.

>>382530
Rose's grandfather 'is in?'

I've gotta see this.

I think rose may not be on the best terms with her grandfather, though it could be something else. we should probably ask rose about this later. but for now this is not really our business.

I think rose has another lover and doesn't want you to know, Sera

>>382539
>I think rose has another lover

>>382530
> Your grandfather's in.

Seriously, Asellus?

>>382543
That's not what I meant, I've thought Rose has had another lover since long before I knew she has a grandfather and hiding another lover would be a good reason she doesn't want to go into wherever this guy came from.

>>382545
Being fair, we never talked terms with Rose.

And I'm sure SOME of us were hoping to get a threesome with her and Ayda.

You could just whisper to her and ask if something's wrong.

>>382539
I know Rose is... Well, she's not cheating on me. I just know she loves pleasure. She's not... easy, but...

She likes sex! I-I-I, she was insatiable!

Argh.

"Is there a reason you don't want to see your pappy, Rose~?" Dreanin asks.

"N-no, I just, he,"

"Don't worry, he's not habing an orgy. It's only like, 3 in the afternoon."

"Augh, Arkvad!" Rose blurts. A little giggle rises from behind the mask.

"I'll let him know you're on the way." he says, walking off and hi-fiving the seemingly identical fellow walking out.

She rolls her eyes.
"You two stay out here and help Dennis." she growls. "I have to introduce Sera to the family."

Dreanin is clearly suppressing laughter, while Joe merely arcs a brow. Harumda relaxes, sitting down. We make our way inside. The ship they have holed up in is pretty flat, and Rose seems to know her way around. Eventually, we reach the deck, where a man stands in a red, tattered robe, looking out over the expanses. In the distance, I see a grey speck.

"Hey, pappy." she finally says, and the lion turns around.

Oh god, it's like a more mature, male version of Rose. The robe has a huge rip down the front, exposing a strong chest and toned body, his arms muscular. He's covered in dense fur, with several scars, but he gathers Rose into a loving hug. Still... I can't help but notice how strong and... augh.

"So who is this?" he asks, walking over to me. Oh god. Watching him move is even worse than when he's standing still. It's like those books Miss Derenza had with the covers that were all pretty and aaaaugh. I feel my face flush, and my wings cloak me.

"Pappy, she's Sera. I..."

"Oh, she your new friend?"

"... More than a friend." she mumbles.

"Hrm. And that demon there is hers?"

"Yeah."

"... You ladies sticking around until sevenish?" he asks, tail lashing a bit. "We just got paid in scotch, and it's not gonna drink itself. Normally I invite Sally and Rosa over and whatever guests they like, but I wouldn't mind having you two, instead." he offers. There's no sleaze in the offer, like what I remember from the bars. Just an honest declaration of availability.

"Uhm, well."

"We'll even keep you and all them safe. You've had a long trip, I could tell. You could use some rest and relaxation." he purrs.

"Uh, I." Rose looks at her feet, then at me, uncertain. It's at that point that I realize, she looks about how I feel, as well. Does this guy have the same effect on everyone?! "I-it's up to you, Sera."

Hmmm honestly I'd say no. She was trying to avoid him so she wasn't looking to have an orgy before this effect began.

Also while Monogamy might not the only way to find love I think you prefer it since you didn't take up Ayda on her offer.

Though after this it might be a good time to have that talk with Rose about it. Since its now safe to say her sex life was active.

Aren't we trying to get somewhere quick? If we have time after that, MAYBE. This is kindof important business.

I'll note that we know there's no psionic funny-business going on here, as you're Null. He could have some sexiness magic going on, I guess, if magic can even affect minds like this. That could be psionic-only... Eh. Maybe he's just a stud.

Wait wait wait wait he's her grandfather, has she been having sex with her GRANDPA? What is he offering here exactly?! I don't even... surely he's not offering sex. Surely not. Get your mind out of the gutter.

This goes for the rest of you guys too!

Wow uh...
Right, we need to get going, we are in a hurry and I want to see what the blue shield headquarters look like

I got nothing against it.

Yeah, I've got questions I'd want answered before agreeing to this. Unfortunately, those questions are quite rude/awkward. Pass on the offer, maybe another time.

Rose does not seem to want to be here so I figure it is best to move on.

if you stay its going to get really awkward. on the other hand it is a chance to find out more about rose. though considering how easily you get flustered i'd recommend not staying. asking rose about her family situation after this would be justified.

I suggest we leave. Spirit of DAAAHKNESS, quick! Get us out of here, our host and her friends have the willpower of damp chewing gum.

don't panic, definitely don't cast a spell.
Politely decline. Got all these quests to do and all that.

D'aww. she's really hooked on you, Sera.

We really can't stick around, we have a time sensitive objective right now.
Politely decline and say you have a time to keep to.

"I, uh. Sorry, we have to be somewhere." I manage. "We won't be able to make it."

"Ah, that's too bad. Say, Rose, how's R-"

Rose claps her hand over his mouth suddenly, shaking her head, and they have a small whispered conversation I can't hear. "... Anyway. I actually have something to ask of Blue Shield myself - I'll be sending along Dietrich." he says.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, we found out that the main cannon there on this ship is still functional. However... For one thing, the calibration is off, and there's no ammo. We need their expertise with old tech."

I nod. "Hell, with that cannon, I wouldn't mind sending a few boys to help with their plan to save Midtown." he adds. "Anyway. I'll catch you later, Rose." he says simply. We make our way back down, and Rose speaks up.

"I, uh. I'm sorry about grandfather, he's... Well." she scratches the back of her neck.

"It's alright." I smile and grasp her hand. Dreanin looks up as we emerge, and I nod. On the road again... I'm feeling tired, so I have Harumda heft me onto his shoulder. it's surprisingly stable. That grey spek in the distance - it must be Central.

>>382707
Tell everyone that you see a grey speck ahead. Jo should know if its Central or not.
Also, sereptitously ask Rose why is she so awkward about family.

Right, Rose not wanting you to hear something in such an obvious manner makes me curious.
Seeing as I am sure Rose knows how obvious she was at her attempt, she probably expects you to ask anyway so try to find out what it was.

>>382733
Or we could just trust her and not push?

>>382739
I agree. Since it was so obvious, you can make a point of not asking or alluding to it, and waiting till she's ready to talk about it, as a show of trust.

>>382739
Yeah, I figure the trusting thing is important, but it's right there!
Few people could resist not trying to find out what such an obvious evasion is all about.. But go with the majority. Waiting will probably lead to the answer anyway. Though if it turns out Rose is two-timing Sera..

You know, simply asking her about it doesn't mean you don't trust her. it means you're curious and want to know more about something that is obviously bothering her. Pushing her if she then says she doesn't want to talk about it would be wrong, but simply asking isn't a problem. Besides, there is a high probability that it effects you either directly or indirectly. Whenever you guys settle down for the night, consider having a proper talk with her about your relationship and her obvious, obvious baggage.

Yours too actually, I trust her with the information that you are an amnesiac.

>>382771
We already know that it's someone else she knows, though. She TOLD us, when she first left, that she had to go visit someone important. If she were two-timing us I don't think she'd have let us know it involved another person. And she DID tell us that she wasn't ready to talk about them yet.

(Both instances were in thread two.)

Pushing it now would put a strain on things.

>>382771
yeah, this is a good idea. especially telling her about your amnesia and what happened to your vault. a the best way to get someone to trust you with there secrets is to trust them with yours. and before your unfounded fears that you are somehow responsible for the death of your vault crop up, there is no way in hell you were capable of killing everyone in that vault. both in the sense that your not a monster, and in that you are terrible in a fight without your magic(less so now than then), and you didn't know any direct attack spells when whatever it was happened. at the absolute worst you were used as a pawn by some demon or something to help it get into the vault, but even that is unlikely, considering how you seem to be a natural at dealing with such creatures.

I doubt a 'so, what was up with all that' can be interpreted as being particularly pushy.

>>382855
Probably not, but it seems that she REALLY doesn't want to talk about it. An inquiring look at most, maybe.

I look over at Rose, but she doesn't seem to notice - she looks like she's thinking, uncertain about something. I'm curious as you are, Legion - but I'm worried, too. If there's something like this that she can't tell me... Time passes and we eventually make camp. The boys get a tent, and we get a tent. Harumda guards.

As we lay together, my face nuzzled in the softness of her chest, I decide I need to tell her.

"I... I need to tell you something, Rose." I manage.

"?" She looks over at me, curious.

"I... I'm the only living person from my vault." I begin. "I don't remember what happened to them, exactly. All I know is that Legion is bound to me - and that my suit was bloody, and, and, I wasn't hurt. And everyone was dead..." and it hits me.

There were so many people in that vault. Hundreds. And... I don't know. I don't know how they all died. All I know is that they all did die. And that I was covered in blood. The hugeness of it strikes me, like a massive hammer blow. "I... I don't know if... I don't know..." I can't talk. I can't form coherent sentences anymore.

Strong arms pull me close, gentle hands stroke my hair. "I just... I'm... I don't..."

"Shh." Rose whispers, holding me close. "We've all got our own skeletons. No one is perfect, and for what it's worth, you either didn't do it... or you had a reason."

"But, I... what if I..."

"No 'what if's." Rose says. "That's a dark road. You can't take it. You're Sera. I love you. That won't change."

"But-"

She silences me with a gentle kiss, pulling me into a tighter hug.
"I love you. You've told me about it, rather than me finding out. I'm not about to walk away because you decided to trust me."

There's a pause of consideration. "...So I need to trust you." she admits. "I... I... Before I met you... There was a man. He was a good man - he didn't deserve what had happened to him. But before he left, he left me a... gift. A part of himself."

She sighs.

"I've a son, Sera. A little boy, about ten years old. His name is Reese. He likes to sing, and dance, and he can take apart an old watch. He can't... put it together again, yet. But he's working on it." she says fondly. "He's in an old Vault. Safely tucked away. I visit him when I can, bring him food... I want to make the world a better place before he sees it. Or at least, I want him to be strong enough to face the world."

A son. A little boy.

"When do I get to see him?" I ask quietly.

"When I'm ready. And when you go to your old vault..."

"You're coming with me." I agree, nuzzling back into her chest. So warm, so soft...

"I, uh. Sorry about Pappy." she manages. "He has that affect on most women. And some men. He's really a nice guy, he just..." she sighs. "Pleasure is important." he says. "If you can't enjoy yourself, then... Well, you'll lose sight of why you live, sooner or later. So people like me, and Pappy..."

I nod.
"I understand."

Most important, learn to laugh. 'cause if you carn't laugh, then what's the damned point?

I cuddle closer to her, and slowly fall asleep.

---[DISCONTINUITY]---

Speak with Sera?
Observe Dreams?
Let her be?

I have nothing to ask her at the moment. I'm fine with leaving her to her dreams. Though It That Lurks is probably gonna be there. So if anyone is curious I guess we could ask it questions during dreamtime.

what you have right now is what everyone lives for, and yet so few even come close to attaining it... enjoy Heaven while it lasts, Sera.

let us observe her dreams. she just might have triggered vault-related thoughts after all. and we must know.

Observe dreams.

lets check her dreams if only to see if It That Lurks is also going to be there.

Observe but don't interfere unless she is having nightmares / is being mentally attacked by something...

Oh wait duh... the FAE is going to teach her in her sleep... we gotta get in there and make sure it is going the way it should.

>>382937
Yes. We should go in there and make sure DAAAHKNESS doesn't fuck up and kill everyone.

You observe.

This time, her dreamspace is one of a classroom - a huge ampitheater. Sera... is sitting in every space. There are hundreds of her, with slightly different hairstyles and outfits. Each one watches as It That Lurks stands before a blackboard.

In chains. Dozens of chains stretch from his form to the walls, the ceiling, the floor. He explains the concept of Darkness in depth, how to harness it and weave it into spells. He teaches her of the spell matrices of Shadow, of the mental formats necessary to utilize his spells. He still looks similar to how he was before, an inky, writhing mass of darkness, but now, shackles bind his wrists.

You notice a terrible tendancy to pun, as well. Whether this is his own doing, or Sera's influence, it's hard to tell.

The only problem you note is that these sorts of dreams often are not restful. Once or twice a week, it is harmless. Daily would render her mostly useless within less than a week. Eventually, the dream ends.

---[DISCONTINUITY]---

I blink awake. Rose slumbers with her head between my breasts, body curled close. For a moment, I revel in what I have. A loving partner, a group of stalwart allies.

"Time to get up." I whisper. One of Rose's ears perks, and she rises... I admit to a small vice of especially enjoying watching her stretch and dress. Her movements are so smooth and limber... I shake my head and slip into my my own suit, going over what I learned in the dreamspace again and again mentally, to make sure it retains as I walk out into the warm morning sun.

...And see Joachim in merely a pair of long loose slacks. He is moving through a series of attacks with his staff. He is sleek, fluid, and built. And his arms are made of... I want to say gold, but the coloring is off. It's too thick, too... deep to be gold. His movements are precise, practiced. Pappy Avalon was toned, and oozed masculinity, but...

But I can see why Joachim wears those robes, now. He finishes his movements and turns to us, smiling as usual.

"My apologies, ladies. I was not aware you were awake."

"By all means, continue." Rose says, and I shoot her a look. She smiles, catlike, in return. Joachim laughs good-naturedly, getting dressed, much to Rose's apparent disappointment.

Dreanin finishes cleaning his guns, standing and sliding them into holsters smoothly. He draws a few times experimentally, then nods to himself.

Harumda is cleaning his sword. The rag he was using is useless for the purpose by the time he finishes.
"A good night." he says to me with a chuckle. "Many people bearing the marks and civility of those fellows from the other day, with the skulls and scars."

Any things I should do or ask before we leave?

do you feel any different today? y'know, because of Donnie Dahhko.

also wondering about what the staff does, since you don't have or need one yourself.

Ask him if he can make guns?

you mentioned early you need a dedicated inscribing rod, would one being made out of special materials help in any way? making a deal with Joachim for something like that might be worth while.

Remember to check the bodies for loot and useful/dangerous magic items.

"... Harumda, bring me any chips or weapons they have that weren't damaged, please."

"Yes ma'am." he says, sauntering out.

"Joachim, can you make guns?" I ask. "Out of... summoned things?"

"Indeed I can, young lady. However, use of Heavenly materials, such that I can summon, usually leads to Taint. And I must taint myself to get them, as well. I apologize, but what I summon, is for myself, or my truly dear friends. You're a fine young woman - but I'm not that close to you." he smiles as always. "I would not be adverse to teaching you how to summon the metals of the land Above, if you'd like to learn."

"And the others?"

"I apologize, I have no proficiency."

If I was to make a special inscribing rod, I'd probably want it made from Hornyx or Soulsteel. But then, the latter would require gloves. Argh.

"I'll think about it."

"Do so. It's not often I get to talk shop on an equal level. It's refreshing."

I smile and nod.

>>382950
"Does your staff augment your spells, or..."

"It's just a big stick." he admits. "At least, I don't know if it makes me any better. Never casted without it."

Turning, I reflect on my dreams last night. They were indeed highly informative, though I think I'll tell It that Lurks to cut down on the puns and maybe not take a class tonight. They can tire me. I look up at Harumda returning with a sack.

"About thirty of them chip thingers between them, and nothing I didn't break in terms of weapons."

"You broke all of their weapons?"

"I had fun."

Okay, that chills me. "By the way, might not want to head south if you've eaten recently."

"th-thanks for the warning."

"Not a problem!" he says with a grin. I shiver a little. It's not cold.

Shaking my head, I approach Dreanin.

"We ready to head out?"

"Yep. We're coming in close on Blue Shield territory, by the way. Might be able to drop Joe here into more capable hands."

"Excellent news, sir! I'm sure Alisa will be happy to see me."

"...Alisa?"

"Yes, her patrol is today."

For once, I note a look of... hope? Fear? Concern? It's hard to read. But Dreanin takes a bit to sort this info out.

"Alrighty. Let's head out." he says, and I hoist myself onto Harumda's shoulder again.

wait a tick, Joachim said he'd been a martial summoner for 10 years right? I know he's wearing fairly concealing clothing but it's still weird that he has not visible mutations. unless he has someone muddle his mutations until they are easily hidden or his type of magic has very hard to notice mutations something is up.

>I know he's wearing fairly concealing clothing but it's still weird that he has not visible mutations.

I really hate to rain on your parade, but he has arms made of not-gold.

huh, thought that just meant he had an interesting skin tone. probably should have taken that a bit more literally.

also you can probably figure out how to summon the infernal version of any metal he teaches you to summon in time. just something to keep in mind.

do learn to summon heavenly stuff. I bet you can sell it for a pretty penny and do some other stuff.

>>383105
I am not sure we can afford the taint it will take to make such an ability into a viable business prospect.

While you are wandering today, stay close to Joachim and start him on teaching you the theory of material summoning. Aside from heavenly materials, you may figure out how to get fiendish materials. Another possibility is to summon some fair materials by calling sideways into Darkness instead of up or down.

If I understood the dream right, Sera can now add Darkness to spells she knows. Now there is one Black Magic spell that will benefit from this immensely: darkness. Sera, I want you to think how adding Darkness to the spell darkness is to be done and the likely effects of it.
I think It That Lurks is the personification of the unknown in the dark, the monster you can't see but 'know' is there. He might be able to take advantage of the area of no-light the spell darkness creates to 'stretch his legs'. Ask him if he is able and interested.

>>383118
This. For another there is the question of customers. I don't think there are all that many people who can pay for summoned materials.

>>383118
Agreed. Learn it, but only use it to summon material for your own items and maybe close allies.
What does special inscribing rod made of Hornyx or Soulsteel do for you?

@@ Shot!H508X.HbJ6 2012/01/30(Mon)02:10 No. 383352 ID: 31afe3
File 132791823557.png - (157.29KB , 500x626 , alisa.png )

I ask Joe if he can teach and walk.

"I can get you started." he says. "Set you up for when we arrive. I can't take you on as an official apprentice, so I can only teach you halocite." he says, "And even that needs materials at Central." he adds.

Still, in what he feels able to tell me, it seems incredibly simple, so long as one sticks to simple shapes. More complicated devices require longer touches with the Taint - such that, he mentions, making guns is a terrible investment. Bullets is where it's at, especially if you don't make the whole bullet. I... Don't exactly get what he means after that point, as he delves into caliber and sabots and shot and powder. "...And one thing to keep in mind is that metals from above harm those from the below and those touched by them especially. In fact, you might quantify as such. I cannot be certain, though."

"...Wait, I'm a demon?"

"No, no. It's more like..." he scratches the back of his head. "If... Well, let's say you have a steak, yes? Such as one from a Hydra. And you decided to season it. Imagine those seasonings as the mutations, and the steak as your inherent self. Sooner or later, the seasonings will overpower the steak, yes?"

"So... I'm turning into a demon?"

"That's not it either. You're a steak, no matter how much salt or pepper you pour on. You just taste more like salt or pepper than you taste like steak."

"... You lost me."

"Just... Keep in mind that some angelic materials may react as if you were demonic."

"But... I'm not a demon. Right?"

"You ain't one of the Brothers or Sisters." Harumda remarks gruffly, beneath me. "You'd make a piss-poor demon anyway - helping the weak is the last thing an unbound demon should fuckin' do. Promotes weakness in the group as a whole."

"Huh?"

"You've a nasty habit of pickin' up the weak, or the stupid." Harumda notes. "'S gonna getcher killed, working like that."

"Know your place, bound one!" I bark, and he chuckles.

"Yes'm. I know it damn well." he remarks, only slightly rebuffed. "I apologize most sincerely for underminan' yer authority."

Central is closer in view, now. It's like a steel zigguraut, though something about it seems strange to me. It's not something I ca-

Harumda picks up Rose bodily and leaps back - Dreanin and Joe take the hint and stagger with him as a massive beast slams into a boulder formerly beside us. It looks like a lion with literally golden hair, a half-ring of glowing blue light around its mane.

Oh, and it's the size of a pre-cataclysm car. We all turn to look at what catapulted it so strongly, and see a woman with huskylike features. Her armor is bulky, and one arm is... bigger. Talons extend from the enlarged hand, which is covered in a carapace of bone - up to the elbow. The shoulder is covered with three small, feathered wings with an eye each. She rises from the stance that was caused by using this massive arm to slam the beast, lifting her massive blade with it.

Harumda whistles, impressed.

But it's not over. The beast roars, the points of its halo pointing forth. I have a moment to act.

Should I intercede or let it be?

>>383352
Ask first. If the answer is yes, throw some form of crippling black magic at it. Your choice.

I want to see what she can do. not that you should let your guard down for even a second- get ready to fire that black lightning.

I suggest you should, but only if you can be even less than a distraction.
Say, Cause Sickness and Muddle Mutation on the lion.

>>383352
We are really too free with the spells. Taint is serious business; there's a reason that we have demonic servitors and human allies, and it's so that they can save us the work of throwing down with magic and thus mutating and going crazy.

Sit back and watch. If we want to interfere, have Harumda do it.

>>383365
Agreed.

>>383365
"Haru-"

"On it!" he roars, blasting out from under me. He dashes up to the side of the beast, slamming his blade into it with a upwards swing - and the beast is propelled just slightly into the air, the spell it had been preparing winking out. "Oh, fu-" the creature twists in midair and slams onto of its paws into Harumda, sending him sailing back beside me. He bounces and rolls, then gets back up, charging again.

I palm my face as they exchange blows, and it becomes increasingly evident that swords simply don't even work on this beast. The Husky for her part, uses the distraction to charge forth with a roar - Only for the lion to roar in return directly at her. Her blade is snatched from her hand, but she runs forth anyway - and then the lion bats away Harumda for the third time, its maw opening and shining.

A lance of white energy slams into the woman, and I cry out. It pierces through her body, leaving a gaping hole where her chest once was. Her heart was simply erased from existence, along with some of her rib cage, parts of her lungs, and her spine. Blood sprays, and she tumbles forth, instantly dead.

Joe looks unconcerned, but Dreanin, fool that he is, runs forth, cocking his gun. Rose pulls him back, despite his incoherent rage he fires three times - he either misses, or the bullets simply don't work. Harumda is attempting to disentangle himself from a pile of rocks as the beast walks over to the downed husky, looming over her. Its maw opens one last time...

And the woman rolls over. Where once was destroyed, erased flesh is now softly-furred chest. Her fist slams directly into the beast's jaw, a blow that sends its front half up. She scrabbles out from below as Harumda frees himself, and she grabs her blade. Both of them charge together, side by side as the creature falls back down.

To be met by two massive weapons sailing for its face.

The creature is propelled through the air like a ball, skidding over the wastes, tumbling, and coming to a stop. After a moment, it rises, then decides better, walking away.

Harumda whoops, turning to Alisa.
"High five? Eh. Thought not." he grumbles, turning to us. That blast of white magic did... interesting things to the front of her armor. She's not hugely endowed, but the window through the armor to black and white fur and the sides of her breasts is nothing if not distracting. A long scar crosses the window, however, a shocking pink against the white and the black.

"I knew I smelled trouble." she says, walking up to Dreanin. "I told you to leave! This place is far too dangerous for you. If I had not been here, that Lion would have torn into everyone here. Why the hell are you back in the Salt Flats, Dreanin Dregas?!"

"I came back to make a deal." Dreanin states. "I have information the Blue Shield might find interesting."

"... Is that so." she says, staring at him with an oddly piercing glare. "I can't just go on word alone, you realize."

"I've the slat right here." Dreanin says, holding it out. But just before she takes it, he pulls it away. "...But the only person I'll show it to is Ancelot or the local squad head."

Her hackles rise.
"You're playing a dangerous game, Dreanin."

"I'm aware of how strong you are. Both you, individually, and Blue Shield. That is why I'm doing this. Take us to Central, and I'll show you what I have."

The two stare at one another for some time.

"... Fine. But you had best make it worth our time."

"Of course I will, beautiful." he says with a grin. She doesn't react to the compliment and flirtation at all, turning to Joachim.

"As for you. You're a disgrace, getting seperated like that." she says with a grumble. "Don't let it happen again."

"Of course, Dame Alisa."

Finally, a name to put to that che - face.
"And I suppose you want me to drag this whole damn group to Central, too?"

"Of course not!" Dreanin says. "The demon stays outside."

Alisa groans.
"If this info isn't worth it, Dreanin - "

"It's worth it."

"... Follow me."

We walk. Alisa is silent, dour, and aware at all times. She is strikingly tall, as well, bigger than me or Rose or even Dreanin. She walks with a certainty I've seen few others manage.

We approach Central slowly, and night approaches.

"We're camping." Alisa informs us. Tents are set up, a fire is lit, Dreanin cooks for us all. Alisa abstains, stating that she will eat when we arrive tomorrow. She wanders off to patrol the area. We finish our meals, and get back to our tents. Me and Rose undress and slip into our sleeping rolls, and watch as Alisa steps in, laying down on the last one, and swiftly falling asleep. Me and Rose exchange glances, then snuggle closer together.

---[Discontinuity]---

Watch Dreams?
Speak directly with Sera?
Let her sleep?

Let her sleep so we can make it to Central.

Watch dreams
we forgot to warn her about the "once a week only" aspect of shadow training.... She commented she is tired but never actually TOLD the fae to limit it to once a week. So if he does start it we should put a stop to it.
Also we should serve as guards against mental attacks, such as by mammon. (considering last time he came into her dream)

speak with her briefly, to tell her to take it easy, yo.

Watch her dreams. We want to know if It that Lurks gives her a new lesson and what the lesson might be about. I think her dreams are a good indicator of her mental health, too. Any issues she has, she will most likely dream about.

The talk with Rose went well yesterday, but today she got some disturbing info: she is tainted heavily enough that heavenly materials might react to her like to a demon. I think she didn't fully understand Joachim's steak explanation and might have bad dreams about turning into a demon. It is better if we watch and interfere in those dreams, provide her with another metaphor, inks in water for example.

Normal human is mostly a pot of clear water. If you were to dip a brush into the pot and write with it, you would leave only wet marks. The greater the taint, the more ink is in the water. At a certain point there is enough ink in the water, you can use what is in the pot to write. You, Sera, might might be at the spot where your water is inky enough to write with.

You stand outside her dreams, looking in. It is a familiar feeling - you are uncertain why, you only recall doing it a few times. Distantly, you feel It That Lurks nearby, slumbering.

Sera's dream is of her in the Vault - a young child. She is alone. The sense of loneliness is overwhelming in the dream. Even though there are hundreds of people around her at all times, they pay her no attention, as if by ignoring her, she will cease to be a problem. She is afraid that bothering people will earn her pain - a fear proven true several times.

And then she finds you.

Before the White Book, you were free - a creature that flitted from mind to mind in search of excitement and new experiences. Never before had someone actually acknowledged you as a being, more often, they saw you as their own thoughts. But the girl, this lonely little girl so eager to have a new friend, reached out and spoke with you.

At first, you were fearful. But over the years, you helped her. As she matured, you never left her side. In her dreams, you are an obedient hound, a stalwart knight, a demon confused by his own lack of anger and fury. But behind it, you plotted. You cannot remember what - but you knew, in your heart of hearts, that your plan would solve all of her problems. You learned of the White Book, listening to conversations she never noticed. You learned of its power...

But the plan eludes you, the you outside the dream. It is frustrating. You knew it before - why not now!? As she picks up the book and opens it, the dream fades, and Sera awakens.

---[Discontinuity]---

I'm shaking. I don't know why, but Rose is holding me close and murmuring softly. A terror slides away from my mind, as I awaken.
"Are you okay?" she whispers as I look up at her.

"Y-yeah, I'm fine." I reply, disentangling, getting dressed. Alisa is already awake, and I smell our food already being prepared by Dreanin. Me and Rose step outside, and are again treated to Joe practicing. This time, however, Alisa is sparring with him. Even bare-handed, she is smooth, graceful, a subtle strength in all her movements. Rose watches them quietly as well. The other thing that strikes me is how well Alisa moves, despite being in a shell of armor. It's like a second skin for her - she doesn't even seem to notice its weight or bulk, moving as if it is a part of her.

"Sera, Rose. You're awake. How about some Saltskitter?" Dreanin asks, handing me a bowl of... some creature meat mixed in with fried eggs. "Alisa there won't touch it, said she ate already. Almost time to hit Central." he says. "You know, Sera, you don't have to come with me if they ask me to lead the recon crew." he says gently. "It'd be a real weight on my shoulders if you went with and... well." he scratches the back of his head, looking away. "Consider sticking here, alright?"

Alisa huffs.
"Whether you can come inside or not is up to Headstrong." she says. "He'll have to make sure you aren't something nasty under your skin. I can only bring you to him."

Is there anything I should do or ask of anyone before we set out on the last leg of the voyage?

>Me and Rose

ffFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF

sigh.

what does the Headstrong exactly do? he might find us, or It, and you might be barred.

Well, considering Sera has plenty of "nasty" under her skin, I would say this might be a problem..

Perhaps she should ask Alisa what constitutes as nasty to them, though such a question is probably too revealing.

'Nasty under your skin' seems more like a mimic than demonic taint. On the other hand, Sera does have a demon living in her head...

Shot!H508X.HbJ6 2012/02/01(Wed)12:45 No. 383797 ID: 31afe3
File 132812910669.jpg - (303.94KB , 500x718 , GatekeeperHeadstrong.jpg )

>>383687
I'm sorry! My grammar isn't always perfect in the morning, even in my head...

>>383691
>>383725
"Excuse me, Alisa?"

"Mmmn?"

"I have demonic casting traits, will that set off Headstrong?"

"Probably not. He just looks you in the eye. He's... Well, you have to meet him for yourself."

Time passes and we pick up camp and get moving. It is a much shorter journey to the front gate than I thought it would be, only a few hours. The front gate is large, wide, even circular, a steel iris. It seems to be controlled from inside. A small camera stares out. And, before all this, standing directly in the way, unmoving, is a huge man in steel plate. Harumda frowns at him, then nods to me, walking off to one side, sitting cross-legged.

"QUITE A PARTY HERE, LADY ALISA." he comments. His voice is loud, booming, and powerful, almost in a literal sense.

"Yes. They claim to have important information for Ancelot." she states.

"WELL THEN. LET'S HAVE A LOOK AT YOU LOT, THEN? STAND HERE, AND LET ME SEE YOUR EYES."

Alisa is the first in line. He mumbles something we cannot hear, and he claps her on the shoulder. She walks to the entrance and waits. Then Dreanin, and Joe, and Rose..."

"WELL, YOUNG LADY?" he asks, and I step forth.

The visor of his helm moves forth, and darkened, hollow eyes meet mine.
A whisper, then.
"A thousand and one eyes stare back at mine, a thousand and one hopes and dreams. A thousand and one is the strengths, a thousand and one number your weaknesses." He claps me on the shoulder.
"ALL CLEAR! OPEN THE PORTCULLIS, MY GOOD MAN!"

The door slides open with a hiss, and all of us step into a small room. The door behind us closes, and the one ahead, opens. The interior is cramped. Bared pipes line the harsh steel walls, the floor is made of grated steel. Branching halls are everywhere. The place is almost like a maze...

"You will have to wait." Alisa states. "Take a left here and wait in that room - when Ancelot is ready, I'll come get you. Joachim, it's time for your monthly assessment."

"Yes, my lady." he says with a little bow, as we part ways, Dreanin leading us into the room Alisa had mentioned. Like the rest of the place, it's small, but there are chairs and tables.

So... What now?

ask Dre if there's anything you should know or do.

Now you listen in on Drenins conversation with mr bigshot blueshield.

So I take it Headstrong knows about us, eh?

Also, going to support pumping Dreanin for information.

>>383821
"So, is there anything I should do?" I ask Dreanin.
"Look cute."

"...What?"

"Sorry, I mean... Try to avoid looking threatening, or menacing. This group, while small, is powerful. Their view of you can be a huge asset or a major loss, depending on how it goes. So try towards helpful, or meek. Not threatening."

"I can be threatening?"

"Have you seen what your bound demon is capable of!?"

"But he's Harumda, not-"

Dreanin shakes his head.
"Allies are a strength of yourself. Even ones bound to you by pacts and the like - you're strong enough to keep him bound. Mentally, that means you're his equal or better. And Rose, too - She's a strength of yours."

"..." I flush a little, wings wrapping around my body to hide it.

Dreanin chuckles.
"Know your own strengths, kiddo. That's Step One." he says. "Be confident in what you have and cautious in its use. Anyway..."

A man walks in, wearing black and blue robes.
"Ancelot will see you now."

"I have a meeting to attend."

I nod. "No listening in, sorry. It's kinda rude."

"Oh..."

Joachim approaches, smiling.
"Well, shall we pick up where we left off?" he asks. "Or do you have other questions?"

Oh, right. Joe was gonna teach me more stuff.

Questions for Joachim
Is Alisa always so short to people? Or is that an effect of Dreanin or being on patrol? Another thing about her, her armor is like a second skin for her. Is that because of the armor or because of her? If it's a special of the armor it might be interesting for getting one for Sera.

Could Joachim give us a short tour of this place, at least the parts accessible to visitors? Then pick up the lessons again.

>>384123

the special thing about it, as I understand, is that the gaping hole in it gives a flattering sight of your underboob. I think she's the one with the regeneration ability.

can't think of any questions, so go on with the lesson. I wonder if a scourge made with heavenly sharp bits would be useful...

>>384123
"Is Alisa always so..."

"Impersonal?" Joe smiles. "Naturally. I don't think anyone here has seen her smile. She works tirelessly for everyone. Leisure time for her is almost an alien concept. Some people think she isn't even a person."

I raise an eyebrow.

"Foolish sentiments, I think. She might feel that way herself. Anyway..."

"Is her armor special?"

"Only in that it is powered. There's nothing particularly unique about it, now that she's gone to see Sanders about getting it repaired. She's just very used to it."

"...ah. So what's open to visitors?"

"I'll show you around." he says, leading me through the place. Rose follows, quiet.

There is a shooting range, ammo stockpile, and a few low-caliber guns. The targets seem to be improvised - rocks with painted-on faces or figures, cardboard, and the like. Rose seems interested, but we move on.

Rows and rows of computers.
"This is our archive of information. Visitor info is relegated to what we have found - pre-cata recordings and text. Nothing post-cata, that's all for members only."

"How do I become one?"

"You can't. Most of us are born in. Very very few are taken in." he says. "Especially not at your age."

"I see." I mumble. "And why can you teach me?"

"It's doing a service to the people." he says simply. "We can work here." he says, sitting down.

And so we begin. The lesson eats up hours without me even noticing. He runs me through the equations and matrices, mental exercises and thought constructions. He was right, it's not all that different from normal summoning. It takes a lot more effort, though...

But... I notice something as we work. An excitement in my voice, a feeling of... exhileration. It's so rare to work with someone who is magically on my level. I can talk, and say things, and he understands. His ideas are interesting, his theories, thought-provoking.

Dreanin approaches from behind and taps my shoulder. I jump a little and turn.

"We've been approved for a preliminary expidition. You and Joe can come along, but only if you want."

"I am afraid I shall abstain." Joachim states. "There are things I must attend to here."

But... he's been working with me for hours...

Anyway, should I go?

Seems pretty obvious to me. This expedition won't possibly succeed without us and Harumda. ... Will it?

Also at some point we need to check those archives.

You should stay, send Harumda with them if they'll let you.
See if they'll let you use the shooting range to practice

the expedition is why we came here in the first place, lets get going.

you already know our answer, do you not?

PS: Ayda, if I recall her name correctly, might also be fun to work with. y'know, because she's a mage too.

"I'll come along."

"Are you certain?" Joe asks.

"You don't have to if you're not sure." Rose chimes.

It's almost aggravating. I know what I am capable of, damnit! I shake my head.
"I'm sure. Harumda will be there, as will all of you." I say, rising from my seat. "Let's get going."

Dreanin nods. The excursion party involves Dreanin, Alisa, myself, Harumda, and Rose. Dreanin apparently finagled Alisa along because she is 'the least likely to die'.

Once we get outside, Headstrong nods to us. Harumda files in behind me, sword on his shoulders, grin on his face. How he smiles with a beak, I'll never know.

"We gonna kill some angels?" he asks, eager.

"We're going to explore a ship ruin that has a lot of salt in it. There may or may not be angels when we arrive."

"I knew binding to you was a good idea." he says with a laugh. "You're even brave enough to come with me!"

Dreanin is attempting to make small-talk with Alisa. Mostly, he's just getting a cold shoulder or ignored. It's almost comical watching him attempt to get words from her.

She's also no longer got a hole in her armor, to my simultaneous approval and dissapointment.

I wonder how Rose is feeling about all this.

Does Harumda have any clue why Angels are obsessed with salt?

>>384576
Salt and iron are traditionally associated with purification. You can often combat medieval-style witches with salt and iron filings. Presumably angels would be equally attracted to iron filings. Bring along some to test? If I'm right, it could be used as a distraction in battle.

Of course, there could be some other reason.

@@ Shot!H508X.HbJ6 2012/02/06(Mon)14:59 No. 384853 ID: a9f1dc
File 132856918235.jpg - (343.29KB , 547x741 , ElanHarl.jpg )

We walk forth, things notably quiet. I'm aboit to strike up a conversation, when I hear...

Whistling.

A low, lilting tune. I look in its direction, and see a man in heavy armor, and... An enormous corpse. I can't even tell what it is! It looks like it's the size of a bus! He casually pulls the weapon from the bulk of the creature, laughing to himself with a deep belly chuckle.

"Ohyes, this will be some fine meal!" he roars, turning to stock a flame behind him. Everyone seems to have stopped at the display.

I think I could get them walking again, if I wanted.

too interesting to pass up.

>>384872
We decide this man is too interesting to pass up, and approach him. Without his helmet, he looks very friendly - though it looks like a small, furred creature latched onto his face and died there. He laughs, directing us to sit for a spell.

"Greetings, friends!" he says. "My name is Elan Harl. Elan to my friends, and you must be friends, for you've yet to shoot me!" he says, finding this hilarious. "Come, come. There's plenty of megaladon for everyone! Why, it'd be a waste not to share a kill like this! let us enjoy ourselves!" he grins, slicing a cut from the beast and impaling it on his huge sword. Alisa looks away - she doesn't enjoy the smell, it seems.
"I'll make sure we don't get any nasty visitors." she grumbles, stalking off. Elan takes it in stride, chuckling to himself. His skin is the color of ash on the wind. He's probably an orc. The only mutations I spot on him are vaguely similar to Joe's, spots of steel poke through his skin.

I lean over to Dreanin, and ask if he knows him.

Elan laughs mightily.
"So you wish to know about the great hunter Elan Harl!?" he says boisterously. "Well. Then I shall tell you!"

He rises, still slowly turning the meat on his blade with care as he speaks. "Once, when I was a boy only half my height, I was out on these plains with my father. A great man, my father! This is his sword, his helm! And he told me, Elan, He told me that someday, this sword would be mine, this helmet, on my head. My family exults in hunting the great beasts of this land! The bigger, the better!" he chortles out. "We hunt these great creatures, and partake of their spirits! Their blood! And their meat." he turns it once more - the meat smells better than expected. "Indeed, this beast is not even my greatest kill! Nay, my greatest was twice this size!"

"It... It was?!"

"INDEED" he roars, "But for me to tell that tale, you must tell one of your own, of equal valour! Those with small souls are not welcome at this banquet! So, shall you hear my story?" he asks.

hmmm, i'd say your most impressive feat was probably when you attacked the army laying siege to jamestown and killed the commander .

>>384948
Hmmmmm... yeah. That was pretty good.

Or maybe that time when you killed like 50 dudes at the vault. Wait, you don't remember it. Too bad.

>>384951
we don't know what happened, and no way in hell was that Sara. her personality aside, at the time she was a terrible shot, panicked in melee and didn't know any offensive spells. even if she did get hit with some heavy mind control effect that made her go crazy she would not have been able to do nearly that much damage. also shut the hell up, Sara has enough baggage with just survivors guilt, she doesn't need someone telling her it was her fault.

>>384954
hmm. Perhaps you're right.

Maybe we just took control of her mind to force her to fight her way out, then abandoned it and wiped both our memories to erase the scar.

>>384955
this is not the place for this, if you want to discuss theory's about what happened in the vault do it here
http://tgchan.org/kusaba/questdis/res/357788.html

i motion 1854db be expunged from the collective for being a asshat

we got no kills as badass as a double megalodon.

I second this motion

He asks for tales of valour. Valour is about overcoming fear and doing the necessary thing. I think the greatest tale of valour is the head hunt for Greyface. Yeah, Sera had moments of fear, even got paralyzed by fear in close combat. But she fought him, she overcame her terror for the casting that allowed Rose to
get him. Given Rose's Psi and Magic sensitiviy, she could count Greyface as one of her valour stories, too. But she likely has much more encounters to choose from.

>>384951 no, no, no
Not only isn't that a tale of valour, it will be bad to Sera's mental health to bring it with that spin. Sera has enough problems with what happened in the vault. The last dream of her we watched was nightmare enough wake her shaking. And that dream was only about the events before the massacre and didn't even reach the massacre.

Shot!H508X.HbJ6 2012/02/07(Tue)10:21 No. 385047 ID: a9f1dc
Audio Black_Mountain_Radio_-_Big_Iron_(Fallout_New_Vegas.mp3 - (3.68MB , Black Mountain Radio - Big Iron (Fallout New Vegas.mp3 )

>>384951
>>384955
...

>>384948
>>385019
"I have a few stories of my own."

"Is everyone agreed?" the great man asks. Everyone nods - Even Harumda, which surprises me. "VERY WELL. You, gunslinger! You first." he says with a smile, seating himself. Dreanin nods, though he doesn't stand, instead, he...

Hums.

[Cue music, listen for Dreanin's Story.]

He sings, too. Some parts of the song are unfamiliar, but Dreanin merely smiles. "Some names and locations changed, mind." he adds, after he finishes. "That duel was nearly the end of me. Every part of me was on edge. For the first time in my life, I could feel, see, hear, everything. I was in focus. And while I'm not lucky... I know how to make my own."

I raise an eyebrow.

"Alright then! An excellent tale told in an excellent way - stopping a killer before he strikes again, despite the shallow odds." Elam grins. "What of you, feline friend?"

She grins.
"Ever heard of a spider-tank?" she asks. "It's a peice of old tech - an armored thing with many legs and a massive cannon. Some Jesters had gotten a hold of one, and I ran into them." she says. "At the time, my gun was in repair. All I had available was a couple hundred feet of chain, and a good drill bit." she grins, toothily. "They'd hurt a friend of mine. I was angry. I had decided, other than my weapons, to... Let us say, abandon certain trappings of civilization, for better movement and flexibility."
She winks at me. I'm not sure I got that.
"I used the chain to lash together some of its feet. It fell, but they still had a mounted automatic, so I killed him with a thrown rock. The drill bit was used to tear open the hatch, and I killed the rest with my bare claws."

She sits back down, and the man turns to Harumda.

"No, no." Harumda insists. "My mistress should go first." he says. "Her tales may include me, and I do not wish to steal her thunder."

Should I press Harumda?

And... And what did Rose mean, there?

I know clothes wouldn't be that helpful while fighting a tank but, still, fighting a tank nude?

she means that she went into berserk mode. batshit. bloodthirsty. dressed only in the blood of her enemies. a goddess of elegance, savagery, and terror.

...uh, at least that's what she made me think about. what with the throat ripping and all.

if you had to choose between Greytumor and Jewelryglove, I'd say Jewelryglove was a way more ingenious and elegant kill... although I must say you should've gone first, because the comparatively few victories you have under your belt are going to be overshadowed by those of your companions now.

oh, and do prepare to be terrified by whatever conquest Harumda will reveal.

My vote goes to Greytumor. It may not be your most outstanding kill, but it was YOURS, and you did it. Not to mention you saved kids, so eeee.

OH WAIT how about that time you tore an angel in half with a spell you concocted with very little frame of reference on the spot?

>>385051

um. actually, Rose stabbed and shot him while Sera was distracting him by having her ear cut off.

>fighting a tank nude?
>dressed only in the blood of her enemies.

I... Uh... Wha...

Oh.

A blush creeps up my face, and I let out a little sound of shock. Rose giggles a little.
"Does it really shock you so much, Sera?" she asks, and I shake my head a little. Still, it... imagining... knowing such a thing happened... nnngyaaah...I take a moment to compose myself. "I think I'll go next."

"Oh?" the big man says. "And what did you do?"

"I broke the siege on Jamestown."

His lips slip into a thin line and he stares a little.

"I-I, uh, went into the Noble camp, and I thought I'd just destroy their supply line, but a guy in noisy armor tried to stop me, and, uhm, so I distracted him with Harumda and put a bomb on his butt and, I, uh, got him to put up an all-inclusive magic sheild and sorta used it as a blast chamber." I manage. "Along with their seige equipment. I'm not sure if i got all the supplies, th-though." I blush again, for entirely different reasons. Put that way, what I did was... pretty out there, actually. I never thought myself so great or strong.

The man chuckles.
"You are truly welcome at this banquet, slayer of Nobles!" he cries, laughing hard.

"Ah, well, I didn't know... er, I just emerged from a Vault, rather..."

"Then your tale is even more impressive! A practically newborn babe, doing something even some of the strongest men in Jamestown could not do!" he roars, happily.

"Thank you..." I mumble, shrinking from the praise. I feel Rose's hand on my shoulder, and she's smiling at me, proud. I hug her and hold her, wings wrapping around her a little.

Harumda chuckles.
"Well then. I suppose it's my turn, then." he says. "I was summoned when the world was as this once maybe ten years ago. A group of men pleaded my assistance against another, one decked in the red of blood, the other in the blue of their icon of shield and sword. The one in red begged me to 'save' them." his tail twitches at this word. "Their bindings were weak, the wording of their contract, even weaker. They did not need me, in truth. They outnumbered and outgunned the men and women in blue. Such frivolous displays of power tend to anger me. A true warrior knows to apply only the necessary strength to the task. They had summoned me for spectacle. 'Let us watch the demon tear them apart', they mocked." he growled. "They called themselves Fiends. I have met real fiends. On that day, I found that they took that name in vain. Within six hours, their camp was ablaze, their innards decorated its walls, and they cooked upon the fires of their foolishness." he said, seating himself. "Only one got away. He even scarred me, here." he says, pointing at his shoulder. A crack there I had not noticed until now, deep and thin.

Elan smiles.
"Truly, we are all large souls. Let us dine, in celebration of this gathering of greatness!" he says, slicing more chunks, pulling out skewes and handing them out. Harumda merely takes the meat raw, while the rest of us cook.

Is there anything I should ask Elan? Or anyone else here?

>>385115
Should he not tell his story at this point? I believe that was one of the reasons for swapping tales.

I believe Elan owes you one (1) tale of doublemegalodon slaying.

what time is it? we might want to get going soon.

>>385218
I look up at Elan expectantly, and he smiles wide.
"Yes, yes. In but a moment." he says, eating the meat he had been cooking. "There's something I need, first..." he walks to the chest of the creature, and with a cry, hews through its ribcage. It splits open, and he grins, setting aside his sword to reach in with both hands and set one foot against a rib and pull.

With a sickening pop, something emerges in his hands, a massive organ. He pulls a large cloth from his side and hums to himself, wrapping it up.

"Alright." he says, when he is satisfied. "Once, I walked these lands as I would, any other day. But there rose a most frightening call from the east. I moved with speed, and found a creature so massive, it towered over a nearby ship!" he laughs. "But its huge size made it simple to climb the long fur that sprouted from its legs. Nay, the true danger was that I realized halfway up, the creature was not alone! So huge was it, creatures nested upon its back!" he roars in laughter. "Truly, that was a fright. Fighting off what were practically flying maws of anger and blood - with one hand! They tore at my back, and oh, I did bleed that day! But it was a magnificent victory when I plunged my steel into its back, and severed its spine. I found the nearest town, and yeah, we did eat well that day!" he roars in laughter. "Why, I believe midtown still is trying to hawk the jerky from that haul. There's no way they could have stowed it all, and the taste, well, after eating the same thing for days..." he chuckles. "Nonetheless! Its heart filled my soul with pride! I can only hope to slay something so grand again in my life."

"W-wow." I manage.

"Truthfully, it does not compare to the feline's tale. I am sad I was not there to witness it, for reasons more than one!"

I blush again, but Rose merely laughs.
"I'll take that as a compliment, Elan Harl."

He makes a little bow.

Alisa returns.
"We should keep moving." she says shortly. Her words are a little more clipped than usual.

So, he fought a giant monster near the ship we're heading too? Looks like there might be more monsters at the ship...

>>385267

There's nothing to say it was the ship we're looking for , he just said "a ship", but that doesn't mean we shouldn't forget about something like, it that might have made our ship its home. Perhaps if we phrase a invitation right he might want to come along? Try appealing to his adventurous side? "We're going to go find a ancient,lost cargo hauler filled with old world tech, there will very likely be many battles along the way, there might even be something like the beast you fought made its home there" Feel free to tweak it to better appeal to him better.

Heyyyy, let's not reveal that we're on the way to amazing loot to someone we met just an hour ago or whatever. He could very well betray us.

@@ Shot!H508X.HbJ6 2012/02/09(Thu)02:07 No. 385370 ID: a9f1dc
File 132878204129.jpg - (60.46KB , 450x319 , Aisitaine.jpg )

"Do you hunt Angels, Mr. Harl?" I ask.

"Iff'n they prove worthy of mah time. Why?"

"Well, we're heading to a place that may have a very large concentration of angels. We don't know how many are there... or how strong they will be..."

He thinks for a moment.
"I see. Well, I must feast on this heart. That will take some time. Sadly, I cannot accompany you."

I make a little bow.
"A pleasure meeting you nonetheless."

"The pleasure is all mine! Stay steady, friends. May the salts be kind to you."

"And also to you."

We depart, and I find out from Alisa (With some prodding) that the man is somewhat infamous around the area. He will approach a settlement, and take them to an aboslutely massive carcass. However, she warns me, one must avoid feasting on angels or demons, or even attempting to - their remains corrupt everything, even worse than Taint. Harumda chuckles and nods at this assertion. Places where a great demon is slain is evident, he says, simply because of the sheer lack of life.

Is... Is my blood going to eventually do the same?

I shake my head to clear it. I cannot be thinking of such topics now. I need my head clear, to think of solutions and issues. This is probably my most dangerous, or at least potentially dangerous, adventure yet. I must remain on my toes!

As we crest a hill, we look down on an area that has seen much Smiting magic. Clear-cut holes in the earth and surrounding stone mark it as a hotbed for angels. Small feathers dust the area - Alisa remarks that Nemean Lion roars bear the properties of the Bare spell. There are some discarded weapons nearby. The rest, she says, is light armor and clothing, destroyed by spellwork.

Looking up, we see distant lights.
"If we move quickly," Dreanin says, "We might be able to get in and out before anyone spots us. Determine what is left in there."

'There' is a dessicated ship, rusted, yet otherwise mostly pristine. Peeled paint names it: The Aisitaine. "Mighty small, ain' it?" he asks.

It is - barely half the size of some of the other ships I've seen. Yet this must be it. "We'll have to climb up the side - And then, hope that the doors ain' rusted shut. After that, who knows what's in there?"


The area is essentially a crater, a dip in the land. The slope is angled enough that a good running start would let me glide the distance - but once committed, I have to go the whole way. Turning at that point would only make me a sitting duck. Or we could attempt being quiet...

My eyes wander to Alisa, who shifts, her armor hissing softly.

Nevermind that.

What sort of approach should I make to the ship? Is there anything my allies and I should prepare now?

ask if they got a way to communicate with each other if you split up into smaller groups. if not, you guys probably should stay fairly close to each other.

>Is there anything my allies and I should prepare now?
Make sure your weapons and extra mags are loaded.

Okay, our party is Sera, Rose, Harumda, Dreanin and Alisa, right? And we need to get Alisa inside because her report is what counts with Blue Shield, isn't it?

Sneaking is right out. Neither Sera nor form the looks of it Alisa can sneak. And Harumda might rouse attention simply by being a demon.

Harumda can probably jump well enough to be right behind you if you glide. I think even when he carries Rose and Dreanin. Alisa is probably fast enough on her own.

If Harumda won't carry two, just tell him to move around the crater about 120 degree and get the attention of whoever lives on the ship. Then you make a run to the ship.

If its really necessary, the glide takes less than ten minutes and Alisa weights less than 80 kg, a Wicked Hands might allow you to carry her. 60 from the hands, 20 from you. But I don't want to do that because it leaves Sera tired and adds taint.

>>385444
"Okay." I say.
"Okay. I think I have an idea. Harumda, will you attract Angels?"

"Jus' bein' aroun'?" he asks. "Yeh, prob'ly."

"I need you to circle around to the over there. Okay. Dreanin, can you and Rose run fast enough to cover the distance and get to the overboard ladder?"

"Reasonably sure."

"Probably."

"... Okay. That leaves me and Alisa. A-alisa, I think I can carry you, but not the armor."

"You can't be serious."

"We won't be there long - we need you to get in, primarily, so that you can see what's in there. Not to mention, Divine attacks like Smite will punch right through that armor anyway and damage it. I think I can work one of my spells to carry you while I glide over."

"Are you sure about this plan?" Alisa asks. "It... It should work. As much as I dislike it, a quick run in and out should be possible in this case."

... Well. Uh. That... was easier than expected.

Well, guys? It sounds plausable. Harumda distracts, me and Alisa glide over (Sans her armor), tiring my wings, and Dreanin and Rose provide backup on arrival.

Hmm, sure. Solid enough. Once we get there we may be able to use a darkness spell to obscure our position if we're discovered.

can angels sense magic? black magic might draw them in a way similar to how a demon might. we should probably ask about that before we execute the plan.

How will harmuda undistract them afterwards?
He will not perform a task that is suicide. if we send him to distract a group of angels like that we need some way for him to lose them later...

And what if there is an angel on the ship? and ... so many things can go wrong. I think a better idea is to set up an ambush.
Harmuda distracts, instead of you running into the ship and out while he distracts, he draws them to the ambush spot and then:
1. Make some binding circles for angels (like the one you developed before, that halved that last angel).
2. Harmuda goes all Harmuda on their angel asses. (those you fail to bind)
3. Allies open fire from cover on them...
Oh, and you can reinforce their cover with shield spell for some chest high walls.

pray she's got clothes under her armor, because you're too much of a horndog not to be distracted by her otherwise.

>>385603 Well, that is a problem.
>>385533 Yes, check that with Harumda.

>>385577
>way for him to lose them later...
I don't think they will pursue Harumda all that far if it means leaving their precious salt mountain.
Our task is scouting, not taking the ship. We have done this mission so long as Alisa can inspect the cargo and we get back to Blue Shield. Even if we don't kill any angel here.
>And what if there is an angel on the ship?
So long as Alisa takes her weapon with her, she is able to deal with an angel. At the very least she is able to occupy it till Rose and Dreanin arrive.
>ambush plan
I don't think this is a good idea. For one it is not our objective to take the ship from the angels. For another as presented the plan is virtually certain to result in going over a full hundred during the battle. A thing we really should avoid.

It looks like the White Magic binding costs about 6 taint. AFAIK the taint gets added when Sera activates the spell. If you activate more than two bindings, you go over a full hundred. After two bindings you have 3 taint to a full hundred left.
Should Sera go with this plan anyway, I want to modify it a little.
1. Draw many binding circles for angels (like the one you developed before, that halved that last angel).
2. Harumda attracts angels to your circles and you activate two of them
3. Harmuda goes all Harmuda on their angel asses. (those you fail to bind)
3. Allies open fire from cover on them...
A Shield cast as cover before battle costs 4 taint and means either one less binding or a crucible during battle. If Sera casts shields, it is better to place and erect three for the ranged fighters (Rose, Deanin, Sera) to reach 597 taint. Then meditate a crucible mutation before the battle starts.

>>385533
"Harumda can angels sense black magic?"

"Yep. You as well, likely - but, to put it one way, yer a candle, yer magic's a bonfire, and I'm a firestorm. We still going with the original plan?"

"Yes. Yes, it should work. Alright. Harumda, get going. I'll give you a mental signal. for when you should leap in."

"Yer, boss." he nods and walks away in the direction I specified.

"Dreanin, Rose, you should go before I do."

They nod, and get going, and I hear a soft hiss, as the back of Alisa's armor opens up.

>>385603
A-about that...

She doesn't.

The opening displays a strong, reliable back, covered with smooth, soft-looking black fur Two scars mar its tight smoothness. As she steps out, her tail swishes left and right, baring a very... very fit bottom, long, strong legs. Her arms and chest emerge, and she flexes just slightly, as if unused to being outside her armor. She turns to face me. The front of her body has a wide stripe of white running down it from her neck to her groin, and a scar, deep and pink, runs from her shoulder, down over her chest. H-her breasts... look like they could fit in my hands, spilling over a little... And o-overall, she's so firm and fit and-

"Sera. Are we going?"

"Y-YES!" I straighten up, my face glowing red. She doesn't seem to either notice or care about my open ogling, picking up her sword as I cradle her in the Wicked Hands.

Then I leap, holding her as well as I can, my own strength needed as well. I feel her muscle and her soft fur as my hands wrap around her belly, holding her close as we sail over the crater.

"Brother. Now."

Harumda is breifly visible as he leaps into the crater, and me and Alisa land with less trouble than expected. Again, I notice how little she cares about being... bare... more it seems she's uncomfortable about being without the armor. She's more on edge and more defensive with her movements as we look around the deck. There's small holes here and there, but not as many as the crater. Dreanin reaches the deck and helps Rose up, then turns around, his jaw dropping slightly. I give him a glare and - oh god, Rose, you too!? I shoot her a look, and she shrugs, giving me one of her own.

Anyway!

The angels I had seen previously swoop down to assault Harumda, who whoops with joy.

From where we stand on the ship, we can either head to the bridge, the hold, or the crew's quarters. Where should we go now?

all of it, in order from closest to furthest.

Even the girls want her!

Also lol Harumda squeeing at being surrounded by murderous angels.

I guess we're supposed to be headed down to the cargo hold, right?

the stuff we are after would be in the hold, however so is a few tons of salt and whatever angels decided to not chase Harumda. the bridge might have a manifest or possibly some sort of working surveillance system or at the very least a map of the ship. its also unlikely to have any angles in it so it would be a good first place to look.

The hold.

Also, daaaaaaayum that is a fine specimen.

Is Lurk Black Magic, or is it something else that won't call attention to- y'know what no, let's not use magic at all unless pressed.

@@ EGO!b0vpMZLBb6 2012/02/12(Sun)16:04 No. 386080 ID: a9f1dc
File 132909149483.jpg - (152.54KB , 663x1000 , ScarsOfYesterday.jpg )

We move swiftly into the hold, Alisa moving in front (Which is both strategically and aesthetically sound, in my honest opinion) and slamming open doors with her massive fist.
"Remember, we're only here to find proof that the ship is worth a full excursion." Dreanin states as we stumble into the cargo hold. Huge containers line the walls, one spilled open with salt. White Ravens border it, pecking at the material, their feathers laced with golden filigree. And in one corner...

Rests a robot. It isn't like other military robots I've seen - this one is more sleek, insectiod. It lays in a heap. "Alisa, over here." Dreanin whispers, pointing to the lock on one of the boxes. She grasps it and squeezes, then pulls it away. The door opens to...

To a series of racks, and Dreanin strides inside. He swears loudly, though happily.

He emerges with a black handgun so huge I can hardly believe its existence - as long as his forearm and maybe as thick, he holds it comfortably, a large sack of quickloaders now over one shoulder. Alisa raises an eyebrow.

"Compensating?" Rose asks playfully.

"Naw." Dreanin says. "Satisfied?" he asks Alisa. She nods.

"Let's go."

As we turn to leave, I notice something - a sound, soft yet present - the robot is powering up.

>>386080
Quick before anyone else, call DIBS!

look alive, everyone.

PS: you have a right to grab an item of choice from there, too.

it might not be hostile and it should be worth a lot intact...

>>386096
>>386095
This. You may have to fight it, but that's okay, because Defeat Means Friendship. That doesn't seem too likely in this universe, though.

If you don't have to fight it, EVEN BETTER.

>>386128
not a bad idea, hey serra you know a bit about robots right? how smart can they get? if they are least pesudeo sapient we could reason with him, the whole the world ended and we are trying to rebuild angel might work well if it can truly think. if its less than pesudeo sapient but doesn't open fire right off the bat, you might be able to convince it this is a legal salvage operation. tell it the ship is aground(if it says that's impossible because it should be at sea tell it to look out the window.)and you are agents of the local government assessing the viability of salvaging the ship after they were unable to contact the proper owner.

((Back to my proper trip for this thread. Derp.))

"That robot. It's powering on... May I claim it?"

Alisa gives me a long stare.
"You assisted in the recovery. Very well."

I run over as it begins to stand.
"UNIT BOOTED: CAMELUS COMBAT/SCOUTING UNIT PROTOTYPE: KN-KN-KN-KN-KN-FILE CORRUPTED. REVERTING TO PREVIOUS NAME FILE. FILE CORRUPTED. REVERTING... REVERTING... UNCOMPROMISED NAME FILE FOUND: SCARS OF YESTERDAY."

He turns to look at me, and then the wall explodes, Harumda tumbling into the room.

"BEGINNING STARTUP PERFORMANCE TEST." the robot, er, Scars of Yesterday states, turning to the incoming angel - a man in long robes with two wings, wielding a spear. "CHECKING: 'AEROSMITH' PROPULSION SYSTEM."

The angel can barely even turn before the robot lunges forth with a roar of jets, spinning in midair to attempt to deliver a roundhouse kick. The attack is blocked by the shaft of the spear, but the engines kick up again, driving the leg forward with sudden, unexpected power. Scars bounces away, then the engines roar a third time, the same leg driven into the angel's belly. Scars lands as the Angel stumbles.
"SYSTEM ONLINE. 'VALIANCE' SUBROUTINE: OPERATION GROUND AND POUND UNCORRUPTED. ALSO WORKING: UNSTOPPABLE IMPACT. CHECKING: CRY OF THE BRAVE."

The angel charges, and Scars catches the weapon, pulling the enemy closer while part of the lower half of his face opens, baring a weapon barrel.

an explosion of sound roars from the bared barrel, and another section opens, snapping shut as well. Four total open and close, Scars holding the weapon tightly to keep the Angel close.

"CRY OF THE BRAVE FUNCTIONAL, AND 'VALIANCE' SUBROUTINE: FURY OF THE STORM UNCORRUPTED. NOW CHECKING: PATH OF GLORY." The robot slams one fist into the Angel's gut, sending him reeling, and Scars leaps back, then the jets roar again as its arms snap together in front of it, blasting into the creature, picking him up and slamming him, harshly, into a nearby container, which dents and rocks. "[code] VALIANCE SUBROUTINE UNCORRUPTED. NOW CHECKING: BODY BREAKDOWN."

Scars steps away, and the Angel attempts another assault. The robot lunges in, fist swinging up, catching the enemy on the chin. There's a roar of jets, and the angel rockets up.

Scars leans forward as spikes extend from its back, and the angel recovers in the air as Scars launches up - so fast, I can't even see between where he was standing and where he impacts, the Angel slammed into the roof impaled. Scars retracts the spikes, and jets forth, landing on all fours to stand.

"SCARS OF YESTERDAY CAMELUS PROTOTYPE BATTLE ANDROID FULLY OPERATIONAL." it states, as the angel lands wetly behind him.

"What are your orders, officer of Camelus?" it asks, looking to Alisa.

"Follow us. We need to leave."

"Order confirmed. Escorting personnel and guests." it states, running alongside us as we move to escape. I match pace with Alisa.

"I said you could have him, but his existence must be registered - and since his code is operational, ownership needs to be formally passed." she says, as Angels emerge from the wreck. "Scars of Yesterday, please pick up my armor."

"Yes ma'am." the creature leans over and snatches up the armor as it moves.

Do you have any ideas for escaping the Angels? Harumda is bringing up the rear, catching up. It looks like three of those flying ones with spears and a Lion, followed by quite a few white Ravens.

Best Robot Ever.

I got nothin'.

Unless you think summoning a Greater Demon for a distraction would work. I mean, we gotta make sure it won't kill us rather than hunt angels. Ask Harumda if it would work, and that it wouldn't become a worse problem than having these angels around.

It's that or summon Minor demon. We don't have any escape magic otherwise.

actually that might be a good idea, how long would it take you to summon a greater demon? preferably in a circle that will hold it long enough for the angels to catch up to it? or we could try a less taint generating idea and cast Tentacle pit 2 or 3 times.

I think the only thing tentacles would hamper is the lion.

If we can get a binding circle ready before the angels catch up then making a contract for the demon to kill the angels and then go back to wherever we summoned them from would be cool.

(posted some questions in QuestDisc about things spells can do)

run? zehahahahaha, no. my blood's all boiling up now. say kill 'em all.

We should really not be summoning demons on the fly. We don't have advanced enough binding spells to summon them in general, honestly, but summoning them with no prepared binding is really bad.

And we should be worried enough about our Taint that spamming spells is never a good idea unless we're actively going to die otherwise. Considering the amount of Taint that we soak up from sacrificing things to the book... we need to be carefully avoiding magic use except at points when there are no other options and magic will make a decisive improvement in the situation.

In accordance with this, just keep running. When the angels catch up, have Harumda and our companions drive them off. If they seem to be having trouble with that, then we can consider carefully applying magic to the situation to tilt it in our favor; before that, no.

>>386264
You do know that Sera doesn't have any decent skills aside from magic, right? She's an okay shot I guess but that is in no way our main weapon. We don't even have a special gun.

Keep in mind what happened the last time we tried to fight a Lion, even with a full group. There is no way we can fight these guys directly. Using a little magic to prevent an all-out fight will taint us less than using a shitload of magic in an intense battle against this vastly superior force.

>>386261
Yeah, fighting isn't viable when the lion is still in the picture. We still haven't seen anything that can actually damage one of those.

Keep running. Remember the ship is a literal small salt mountain. For each of those angels there is a point where their desire to chase us is overcome by their desire to stay close to salt. I think the farther we get before they catch up, the fewer angels we'll have to deal with.

>Summon unbound greater demon
NO!

>>387190

eh, I've seen worse contingency plans.

i'm just going to orgnize the suggestions so far in the order I think they should be tried in.

Plan A- run like hell

Plan B- use Tentacle pit to try and slow them down

Plan C- summon a greater demon in a circle set to fail fairly soon, or break the circle once the angels are almost on-top of him(from a distance, I imagine bullets wold work well for this).

(new addition) plan D- seal you and your comrades into a white magic binding circle. hopefully if your far enough from the ship they will eventually lose interest and go back to the salt.

I am against summoning any additional demon. If the massive taint and a following battlefield crucible going over 600 taint isn't enough to stop you, circle drawing takes time. Time in which the angels will catch up.

I look over my shoulder and decide that none of my magic is suited to stopping airborne enemies at the moment - at least, nothing that doesn't immediately hamper me or the like. So I decide to keep running, as Dreanin loade his massive black revolver, pulling out paper slips.

"Mammon..." he mutters, burning the paper, closing his eyes. When he opens them again, they are black pits, and he turns, firing. The gun roars mightily, the muzzle flash shaped like a stretched skull of fire. The Lion's maw snaps shut, and it tumbles to the ground, kicking up dirt and salt. How...?!

"One down." he mutters, his eyes returning to normal as he blinks. Harumda finally catches up with them as the angels pull away and return to where they came. Finally, we stop running, Dreanin loading a single bullet back into his oversized revolver. The bullets, too, are enormous as well. Such a weapon...

Alisa sighs and slips back into her armor, which erects itself around her when she steps into the boots. I almost have to hold back my cry of disappointment. Something so pleasing shouldn't be hidden, right? It's almost a travesty~!

I shake my head, clearing it.

"What now?" I ask.

"We'll definitely need a full group to handle extracting that much equipment. If the angels prove to recover their ranks there, or gain more..." she goes into thought. "This may prove to be a boon yet, though, Dreanin. I'll put in my word for your request."

He smiles, his head bowing in happiness.
"Thanks. It means a lot to me."

"As for the rest of you." she says, turning to me, Rose, Harumda, and Scars of Yesterday. "I'm afraid I can't really bring you back to Central - unless you're willing to put your life on the line in recovering those materials. However, Scars of Yesterday, you are hereby Sera's property. Is that clear?"

"Yes, it is understood. However, I am first loyal to Camelus, and I fail to see-"

"Giving you to her is an act to solidify the standing of the Blue Shield."

"...Very well. Command understood."

Rose, Harumda, and Scars all look to me. It seems I've... become a sort of party leader, somehow?

You've always been the party leader Sera, I'm a bit amazed you didn't realize it until now.

fuck this leader shit. what's everyone wanna do?

>>387359
"why's everyone looking at me, is there something on my face? i haven't grown a second nose, have i?"

>>387446
Let's not play stupid in the circumstances, hm? Hells, even Sera's already realized that she's the leader.

Anyways, do try and tear your attention away from the pretty lady to the murderous angels, hm? There'll be time for a threesome after we save our skins. Dreanin's thing shouldn't be relied upon, the cost/cooldown is unknown. Scars seems capable of beating ONE angel at a time. Harumda?

even if the idea's came from us you have provided a number of plans so far. you also have something of a commanding presence. I think we still have that vault to explore. if nothing else its probably going to have some nice salvage.

>>387466
The angels left.

Don't ask me why. It's not like they couldn't have kept chasing us. Maybe they need to stay near the ship for some other reason?

I'm bad at remembering what stuff we have available to do. Where can we go from here? We could just decide to help with the recovery, but I'm honestly not sure how much help we'll be.