Suggestion 2012/03/25(Sun)16:03 No. 395890 ID: ce4a4d
File 133271662644.jpg - (75.03KB , 600x600 , tower.jpg )

She lives within an ivory tower atop a living mountain, the legends say, a banyan tree so vast that the span of its base is a day's walk.

Suggestion 2012/03/25(Sun)16:04 No. 395891 ID: ce4a4d
File 133271664495.jpg - (56.76KB , 600x500 , swamp.jpg )

The legends said nothing about a swamp beneath its roots. I think I may be lost.

Something just brushed against my leg.

I would advise getting out of the water for now. How good are you at climbing? Could you get to the top of one of those trees and get your bearings?

For that matter, who and what are you?

Check what brushed against your leg. Also, identity would be nice, as mentioned.

Has anything else happened other than fire from the sky? Anything else untoward or suspicious?

So what kind of idiot sets along to kill a god with naught but a dagger and a flimsy-looking cloth?

Take a moment to appreciate how beautifully arted you are.

Then get your ass up a tree. You look catlike, that shouldn't be any problem. If it's a banyan, hell, you should be able to travel, albeit slowly, without even touching the ground. Are we in a particular hurry?

JUMP AND DRAW YOUR DAGGER. JUST IN CASE.

perhaps this 'god' is already dying. her domain appears to be of life. if she is losing power then the plenty and safety you once had would wane.

>>395891
You probably don't want to keep standing in that, so quick, climb up on top of something. This swamp seems rather unnatural, might be a sign that you're heading in the right direction rather than the wrong one.

Sinan 2012/03/25(Sun)16:51 No. 395920 ID: ce4a4d
File 133271949945.jpg - (38.75KB , 600x600 , climbing.jpg )

>who and what are you?
My name is Sinan. I am a warrior. I have brought with me a fine bronze dagger, over which many prayers have been said, several days of rations, and my father's father's spear.

>perhaps this 'god' is already dying
This hardly seems possible, but perhaps you are right. The land itself feels ill.

>climb
Yes - perhaps there are paths above this water. Surely they will lead inward. I strap my spear to my back and begin to climb.

Sinan 2012/03/25(Sun)16:52 No. 395922 ID: ce4a4d
File 133271952185.jpg - (38.82KB , 600x600 , climbing2.jpg )

Erk.

Something has my leg.

>>395922
Stab it.

>>395922
Look down, you muppet.

Greet it and attempt to make polite conversation. Failing that, kick it in the face. If it has one, that is.

>>395922

There's these things called eyes, use them before you lose them.

use knife on grabby thing.

You told us about feeling something against your leg. You felt that while in an unfamiliar swamp, in the general home turf of a goddess you were telling us you intend to kill. A goddess being, of course, something powerful enough to apparently change the weather, and who likely either knows or could guess that you are coming towards her for vengeance.

*I* have no patience for those who ignore signs of a possible ambush, especially while in the home terrain of your enemy! Shape up or my wisdom is denied to you.

Shank that grabber good and proper and be quick about it, you gnollerscamp.

What manner of vile thing grabs your leg? Let not your leg be grasped.

Give it a quick claw with your legs and jerk away, then climb faster. The nice painful lacerations you'll give it should shock it enough that you can pull yourself free and get into a position such that you don't have to blindly wave sharp things in the vicinity of major arteries and tendons.

Sinan 2012/03/25(Sun)17:38 No. 395965 ID: ce4a4d
File 133272232315.jpg - (39.53KB , 600x600 , treed.jpg )

>look down
>stab it

Hmm.

>>395965
Stab it before it can bite!

Sinan 2012/03/25(Sun)17:42 No. 395970 ID: ce4a4d
File 133272253990.jpg - (36.65KB , 600x600 , falling.jpg )

I wonder what else awaits me.

I wonder how long I shall be climbing.

What precautions should I be taking within the trees?

>>395970
Bring the snake. Use it as a whip or food source!

Well, there are large snakes, so always be sure that nearby branches are actually branches for starters.

dangling vines can be snakes.

>>395965
You are one ugly gnoll.

>>395970
Given you set off without so much as a complete pair of pants, I'm going to take a rough guess at none whatsoever, Captain Preparation.

>>395975
I'm with this guy. You are pretty bad at preparing. You don't even have a spear, second most basic tool after the ROCK and the STICK. Just charge in there, and beat the shit out of your god. After you climb the tree.

Wait. You're going against a god, or something that might as well be a god. Who rains fire upon all you know every month.

I hope you can throw water at things quickly before fires start erupting out of the damn trees.

That looks more like a lion than a gnoll to me. Who already mentioned bringing a spear, even if it's not been drawn so far.

Do watch out for snakes and other tree dwelling critters. Also, signs of fire from the sky. And anything poised to attack you from below.

How do you know that this god is responsible for what is happening? It could be something natural, albeit extraordinary, or it could be some other god or supernatural force. It would sure be embarrassing to confront this god and have to turn back finding out that she's not responsible, or worse, kill her and find that she does something important.

>>395980
Lions don't walk upright, silly.

You brought rations, do those include water?

A few questions:

Are you male or female? You look male to us, but we probably shouldn't assume until we know more about your people.

What do you know about this god, other than the fact that she has left you alone for generations? Is she a god of weather? Are there other gods in this land?

Sinan 2012/03/25(Sun)18:55 No. 396014 ID: ce4a4d
File 133272694464.jpg - (58.47KB , 600x600 , moreclimbing.jpg )

The branch was broad, and the path not steep, and it led me here within a few hours. There were many vines, but no snakes, and I still have full skins of water. I believe this may be the main trunk, but I cannot see the tower above.

>How do you know that this god is responsible for what is happening?
I shall confront her and learn the truth. Even so, I do not think the world will be worse off with one less god.

>What do you know about this god, other than the fact that she has left you alone for generations? Is she a god of weather? Are there other gods in this land?
It is said that once there were many. They were not true gods, but had the power of such. No tribe could hope to stand against them. I hope she truly is dead.

There seems to be a building cradled within the branches above me, but surely it is not where the god lives. I am growing tired.

>>396014
Could be a good place to rest for a bit, or maybe it has an easier path into the main building. Either way lets get in there and check it out.

yes, check it out.

>>396014

I hate to be philosophically pedantic, but if they had the power of gods, but were not true gods, what makes a true god?

On other more relevant thoughts, perhaps the stories of grandeur were exaggerations and that hut is where this 'god' lives? Or maybe this god just isn't into fancy living...

Actually, let's take a nap before exploring the thing. Better to be fresh if there's more to it than it seems, and with gods you never know.

Sing a song to make your journey pass more pleasantly. Hakuna Matata! What a wonderful phrase! HAkuna matata! Ain't no passin' craaaaaze

>>396014
Definitely rest in the building. We've already been attacked by one wild animal here, and sleeping in plain sight would provoke another attack.

>>396024

Mortals who somehow obtained god-like powers, perhaps? If there [i]once[/] were many, that could mean that they've been dying out.

Do you know what happened to any of the other... not-gods? Has anyone succeeded in killing one before?

The building might be a good place to rest, or at least to investigate, but take a few minutes to gather your strength before you take a look. Just in case.

Yeah, it's probably safer there.

Sinan 2012/03/25(Sun)23:15 No. 396118 ID: ce4a4d
File 133274255707.jpg - (75.50KB , 600x600 , rest.jpg )

Perhaps... perhaps I should rest. Just a few minutes. My limbs are weary.

Sinan 2012/03/25(Sun)23:16 No. 396119 ID: ce4a4d
File 133274259422.jpg - (71.28KB , 412x800 , progress.jpg )

I awaken with a jolt, unsure how much time has passed. The mud on my limbs is dry. Above me seems to be the tower of the goddess. I take a drink and continue climbing. Surely she shall be at the top of this tower.

The way is eerily silent. The vines grow thicker as I climb.

start cutting vines.

>>396120
She'd totally buried in vines. Seems trapped. Huh. I wonder, is she even concious? If she's trapped maybe she isn't the one responsible for the the rain of fire.

>>396124
if she is even alive under that. if so maybe we can make her totally owe us one and help stop whatever god is shooting fire at you.

Questions first, vine cutting later

Well, what are you waiting for? Apply dagger to neck.

>>396120
Be advised, check the ceiling and floor first, and put a leaf on the god's mouth to see if it moves from its breathing.

>>396120
Goodness, what a social faux pas walking in on this. Climb down a bit and pretend you didn't see anything.

>>396120
Inspect her genitals. May be important.

>>396120
You should go over and check that you have the right one, don't want to stab some maid or something, that would just be awkward.

>>396120
Cut those vines away.
They're either helping her or hurting her. If they're helping her you'll deny her that, while if they're hurting her then she is obviously not to blame and needs help. Having a goddess indebted to you would be of great value to the tribe.

>>396147

indeed.

Are you here to kill a god or not? Take out yon gutterknife and open up the runnels on her circulation until the floor's sticky-red. Yes you, Brutus.

>>396120
Approach with caution, but with the intent of removing the vines. You came here to change things, did you not? Killing her in that state will not change things very much.

Also yeah this might not even be your target.

Sinan 2012/03/26(Mon)23:54 No. 396318 ID: ce4a4d
File 133283129558.jpg - (123.50KB , 600x600 , goddess2.jpg )

There are no others here. This is the goddess, sleeping or dead.
I approach cautiously, to pull back the vines.

...If it was bound, it is no longer! I must act swiftly!

stab the glowing!

>>396318
Stab everything always.

Stabbity stab stab.

Suggestion 2012/03/27(Tue)01:10 No. 396336 ID: affb00
File 133283581333.jpg - (119.15KB , 600x600 , wut.jpg )

Stab this thing right here.

lets try talking first, it looks like she has been sleeping for some time, the rain of fire is probably not her fault, though she may know some of what is going on.

>>396318
Well you're there to kill her, so let the stabbings commence. Not really sure where the best place is to stab to kill a god. Just go for the eyes and hope for the best.

There's no honor in killing an incapictated opponent, and since it appears that she has been bound here, she probably has nothing to with your village's plight. She could potentially help you lift the curse upon your village if you let her live.

>>396336
May we at 'least' question her involvement in all of this? Even a 'goddess' deserves the at least a little rant/explanation about why you are set on shanking her I think.
>>396340
The fact that she's been bound and unconscious further makes her involvement unlikely, seriously, who the hell has a disaster and decides "Huh, I guess I should go kill the local god, obviously she is to blame!"

Nevermind that if she could or was the type to call fucking fire from the sky you probably would have faced a lot more legitimate resistance than some stray animal nibbling at your ankles, or a slightly tiring climb up an overly large tree.
I mean, think! there was even a rest stop... what kind of monster puts up a conveniently unguarded rest stop for anyone looking to kill them after a long day of raining hell from the sky?

>>396318
This has all the markings of somebody attempting to frame her for these attacks. If that is so, then the worst revenge you could get would be to ally yourself with her to fight the one responsible.

WHY HAVEN'T YOU YET SLIT HER THROAT LIKE AN ORANGE ON A RIPE SUMMER DAY? Chop chop!

>>396318
Get her out of there. We can decide whether we're going to kill her or not when we're somewhere safe.

If it was bound, then either it wasn't doing the things or it could have killed you earlier. Don't just go murdering people in their sleep because you suspect them of wronging people. That's dumb.

Not to mention that killing a god can't possibly be as easy as stabbing it. Right?

Sinan 2012/03/27(Tue)23:04 No. 396528 ID: ce4a4d
File 133291467286.jpg - (82.14KB , 600x600 , duty.jpg )

>stab
>don't stab
>tie

You're trying to trick me! I do what I must.

Sinan 2012/03/27(Tue)23:05 No. 396529 ID: ce4a4d
File 133291471842.jpg - (83.27KB , 600x600 , awakenings1.jpg )

She is sitting up.

Perhaps it is not so simple to kill a god as I had hoped.

______ 2012/03/27(Tue)23:06 No. 396530 ID: ce4a4d
File 133291476859.jpg - (30.34KB , 600x600 , awakenings2.jpg )

Who's this asshole?

Answer me, spirit.

some guy, thought stabbing you would stop fireballs from raining on his town, despite you obviously not having fire powers.

>>396530
Some brave and foolhardy local claiming you're causing fiery death to rain from the heavens and cause other calamities upon his people.

Admonish his bravery by not killing him but sincerely beating the shit out of him for plunging that blade into your sternum. Bind him down with the foliage of your sacred tree and get him to explain himself afterwards.

>>396530
Who cares? Incinerate away.

>>396535
This sounds like a plan.

dude thinks he can stab a god.

His name's Sinan. He's kind of a moron.

>>396530
Well it seems you have been sleeping for a very long time, and that sort of pissed of the locals, and killed lots of people from his village. So he decided to get revenge by stabbing you, clearly he did not expect you to be able to survive brutal stabbings.

Hump him.

Some shitehuffer without the sense to go for the brain, methinks. The chumpler's named Sinan, thinks ye some kind of deity, and blames you for fires that been rainin' from the sky each of the past three moonless nights. So he came to give you a little of the old steel cuddle, only lookie-look, it didn't do quite so very much, did it?

I heartily recommend you razzle-dazzle him with a good beating.

Are you aware that you're a zebra?

>>396530
A bit of background, then.
In recent years the natives have suffered a major uptick in the number of natural disasters, but what prompted him to come here to kill you is that they've been suffering from rains of fire for the past three months. That's a pretty unnatural disaster, any you're the only thing they could think of which could cause that.

He's a scared man willing to die fighting to protect everyone and everything he loves. Rude awakening or no, you have to respect that level of courage and loyalty.

We would advise talking this out. He's hardly a threat to you, and responding to violence with kindness is the fastest way to defuse his conviction.

On an unrelated note? Vine blankets? What the fuck? How could those possibly be comfortable?

>>396636
Zebra with green gravity defying blood at that.

It's like a lava lamp.

______ 2012/03/30(Fri)16:45 No. 397197 ID: ce4a4d
File 133315111569.gif - (472.14KB , 600x600 , rise.gif )

>rain fiery death
Not exactly my strong point.

>Incinerate away.
Nor that.

>hump him
Perhaps later.

>zebra
Yes?

>he's kind of a moron
I can see that. You certainly know a lot about this intruder, spirit. Maybe you'd like to explain just how you came across this knowledge?

But first things first.

______ 2012/03/30(Fri)16:46 No. 397198 ID: ce4a4d
File 133315116301.jpg - (81.15KB , 600x600 , awake.jpg )

This filthy tribesman tried to murder me in my sleep. By all rights I should kill him, but... that's against the rules.

I'm also so overloaded with mana that I'm literally bleeding magic here. Even without this knife I'd have a hell of a time containing it, so if I don't do something with it in the next few minutes it will be gone. That'd be a terrible waste. I'm also not sure how many more vines this room can hold.

Fortunately, I can solve both of these problems at once. I need a new minion, and he has forfeited his life with this attack. He belongs to me now - I shall make something useful of him.

______ 2012/03/30(Fri)16:46 No. 397200 ID: ce4a4d
File 133315121548.png - (40.71KB , 600x600 , minion.png )

Normally this requires a lengthy ritual, but I'm juiced up enough that I can blow my wad and finish it in one shot. I'd also like to stop leaking life magic so these vines will stop humping my ankles.

The question is, what exactly should I do with him? I have quite a few options available to reshape him into a better servant.

I could shape him for combat, to aid me against my foes.
I could strengthen him, to be better suited for labor.
I could grant him speed as well as additional size, to serve me as a mount.

I can pick any two of these, or even double a pick, such as combat, to focus his new talents.

Alternately, I could grant him flight, but this is a delicate change that would leave him fragile and unsuited for other tasks.

Finally, I could place him in a form that would, given time, assure his loyalty. It's not good for much else, but it has been a very useful option in the past. Otherwise, I might be forced to resort to slower, cruder methods to ensure his obedience...

Speed and speed, he will be the best mount

speed and combat. battle mount.

Speed and labor

Do you have a dick?

Loyalty. As much of an asshole that he is, he has shown himself to be quite the go getter.

>>397200
Pick combat and speed. His loyalty is irrelevant, as his desire to kill came from his assumption that you were responsible for the destruction and bad weather his people have suffered. It would be in both of your best interests to find whatever power is making it rain fire and destroy it--to save his people and preserve your dominion.

>>397200
LOYALTY

>>397200
We know his motivations. He, above all, wants things to improve for his people. Agree to help him, and show that you CAN help him, and I believe he will quickly become loyal. Enhancing that would be a waste of magic.

Go with Strength and Combat. This sounds like a base-building exercise so we need a laborer and if a single tribesman can get to you and stab you in your sleep, we really need a guard.

Oh, and what's your name hot stuff?

>>397200
It's hard to say without knowing what the actual effect of each one would be. "Loyalty" is so vague as to be useless.

Combat and Speed. Keep his new form as close to his current one as you can - being able to pass as a tribesman is incredibly useful, and it will ease his transition into his new life.

Leave his mind alone. He was willing to give his life to save his people; if you do that for him then he will be eternally loyal.

>>397206
I think I agree with this one. You can probably get his loyalty by offering him revenge against whoever is doing the fire rain thing. (Of course, that involves fighting fire guy at some point, but that seems fairly likely considering his apparent disregard for the rules about raining death on them mortals.)

Labor and Combat.

BATTLE PEASANTS

>>397233
This.

>>397201
Double speed all the way.

>>397200
Speed and labor.

Combat and Strength, gives us some heavy muscles to help us with the heavy lifting and take care of any other Tom, Dick, and Harry that wants to kill you.

>>397257
go with this combo. strength will synergize well with combat. as for securing his loyalty, that would be a simple matter of helping his village.

sex and combat.

Speed and Combat

I'd say go for either double combat or strength and combat, those seem to be the best options.

Speed and labor let's us build shit good fast repair the fire rain damage.

Labor and combat. Also, either lose the clothes or get better ones, those are hideous, holy shit. No offense.

>>397200
DOUBLE-FIGHT.

Combat and Labour

Astara 2012/04/01(Sun)03:12 No. 397546 ID: ce4a4d
File 133327514948.jpg - (72.25KB , 600x600 , mana burn.jpg )

>Do you have a dick?
?

>what's your name hot stuff?
Thanks. I do work at it. It's Astara, but you really should have known that already.

>Combat + Labor
What, you want to skip the fun part?

>Keep his new form as close to his current one as you can - being able to pass as a tribesman is incredibly useful, and it will ease his transition into his new life.
'fraid not. If you wanted to ease his transition we had that option. Anyway, I said I was going to make him into something useful.
Something like a Juggernaut. He'll be strong but a bit slow. Useful as a siege engine, not so good against hordes of barbarians.

Now hold on, this bit's tricky.

Astara 2012/04/01(Sun)03:14 No. 397549 ID: ce4a4d
File 133327526207.jpg - (80.33KB , 600x600 , hibernation.jpg )

All right, he'll stay suspended in there as long as I need. It's going to take a little while for this change to wrap up anyway. Skipped the ritual, but I'm still limited in the amount of mass I can create or convert.

Gods above and below, I feel better. Now I can get back to sleep.

Astara 2012/04/01(Sun)03:15 No. 397551 ID: ce4a4d
File 133327532643.jpg - (83.30KB , 750x600 , titlecard.jpg )

Damn.

>>397546
Wait, we had that option? What would have done that?

Regardless, his mind will be unaffected, correct? I doubt he's aware of our presence; ask him why he attacked you when he gets out

>>397551
Yea, remember what we were talking about? Shit's fucked; he's just the snooze alarm going off.

So what now?

Punch the title.

>>397551
Looks like you need to clean out a whole shit load of vines from your tower. Or at least from your bed.

Why were you sleeping anyway?

>>397557
This.

Oh shit, that title is sleeping in your bed! Kick it out.

clean your house a bit you filthy harlot.

If I had been around for that part, I would have just said to make him a giant.
Maintains a familiar form, upgrades labor and combat, and is mountable and a fast traveler at the cost of easy to hit.

Answer the phone.

Astara 2012/04/26(Thu)00:34 No. 404773 ID: ce4a4d
File 133542567829.jpg - (35.12KB , 600x600 , astaraatopthetower.jpg )

This place is a mess.

I'm not entirely sure how long I slept. I'll have a better idea when night falls and I can examine the night sky. Somewhere between a decade and a thousand years, at a guess. Not long enough to have been forgotten, apparently. My leylines have gotten tangled and spells are failing left and right. This place was not meant to be consumed by rampant vine growth. Most of the interior is uninhabitable. Especially my bed.

I know for sure that my spell of sustenance has fallen. I awoke with a terrible pain in my stomach, expecting I'd be fighting off poison from that stupid knife. It took me a minute to realize that I was just hungry. I haven't been hungry for at least... I can't remember the last time I was hungry. And you're still here, but you're acting peculiar.

My big ritual circle is intact, but I can't seem to do any scrying. It's hard to get more power for that than sky-clad beneath the vault of heaven, but there you go. So right now I'm just looking.

Astara 2012/04/26(Thu)00:35 No. 404774 ID: ce4a4d
File 133542575325.jpg - (35.50KB , 600x600 , astaraatopthetower2.jpg )

Not sure where to start here.

My manse is in dire shape. Not just my quarters, or the various spells and protections I've crafted. The tree itself is ailing. It has at least a century before the damage to the roots becomes critical, but stopping whatever is attacking my tree would improve matters significantly up here in the canopy.

I could head out directly to fix the basic geomancy I set up ages ago. There's obviously a lot that's broken, like basic weather control and proper mana management.

Could hang out here for a few days, do minor repairs, and wait for my new minion to finish. What's-his-face. The idiot.

Or, I could simply survey my territory. I'm sure there have been new developments since I last saw it, and it's been even longer since I saw it in person. ...actually, how much territory shall I lay claim to? My manse spans nearly a league, and few indeed could challenge me within, but occasionally I like to venture forth and do... stuff.

Your thoughts, spirit?

You should probably fix the geomancy to get a good mana foundation set up, then focus on whatever's killing your tree house.

claiming territory without securing your base of operations seems like a bad idea. i'd recommend fixing the basic geomancy, it sounds like that's might be related to the whole rain of fire thing and aside from the ethical reasons of not wanting anymore primitives to get roasted, hellfire raining from the sky sounds like the kind of problem that will make itself worse quickly if left alone.

fixing the weather also make securing the loyalty of the dude who stabbed you awake fairy easy. just tell him that you've fixed the weather, and your glad he woke you up once it was "fire from the sky bad". However your still pissed he woke you up via stabbing so he's going to spend the next few years working for you in his new form, though if he does a good job you'll turn him back once he's done paying you back for the whole attempted murder thing. you should also make a point of being nice to the natives, if nothing else they would make a good source of information and if you have the time/patience to do an uplift you could end up with a competent and loyal force of musketeers inside a few decades.

Your tree is pretty, find and destroy whatever it is that dares to attack a tree of such magnificence.

Fix the geomancy, then take care of the tree.

Also, au natural is a good look for you.

Stop whatever is attacking the tree before conducting minor repairs. Geomancy fixing and territory surveying/claiming can happen after every problem in this location has been corrected. If it is possible to fix the geomancy from here, then geomancy fixing should be the main priority.

>>404775
This. But start by fixing your nourishment spell so you don't feel hungry anymore.

>>404776
I'd prefer we keep him as a slave forever

Jesus Christ where did your clothes go.

Let's go deal with whatever is messing the tree up.

fix the tree

Nice ass!

Also, fix geomancy, proper mana management will help in the long run.

>>404774
It would appear that his attempt to kill you was a huge favor. Call it even, and start over fresh when he wakes up.

Right now the most important thing is repairing mana management. It's your power source and your tool, and with everything all mucked up it'll take so much longer to get anything done.

Keep in mind that you can't rule out enemy action. Unless your things are so messed up that they're causing rains of fire on the tribal lands it's pretty clear somebody else is out to get you.
I can see many possible plots to eliminate you like this, and only a few of them have been negated. The two most obvious of those would be:
A: The long-shot that the natives would have killed you. Laughable, but not impossible if he had been better prepared.
B: If you had been less clear-headed when you awoke and killed him, thus violating the rules; a stepping-stone to further actions.

In short? Secure your power base, then repair.

I assume you're going to restore your spell of sustenance, if you haven't done so already. It would not do to be distracted by hunger and thirst while you're working.

Fixing the geomancy should go first. You'll need the mana soon, and not having to worry about the weather turning nasty is a plus. While you're doing that it'll give Sinan, the idiot lion, time to finish "baking." Then you can both face what is attacking the tree in force.

Oh, and I must say that madam is gorgeous in the nude; Your stripes are quite lovely. Does madam prefer going about her business sans couture?

>>404791
Really, Sinan sticking a dagger in your chest, while a rude awakening, did do you a favor. Another century like this and the whole tree would have collapsed, with you in it. I do not know if that would have meant your death, or merely a major setback, but waking you up before that happened must be worth at least some small measure. Enough to eventually release the idiot from your service and restore him. Not any time soon, of course, but eventually.

There's also the question of why no alarms went off before the situation reached such a dire state. Surely there were multiple systems in place to wake madam if such things broke, right?

>>404774
Geomancy. Get your powers back up first.

geomancy first, tree second. and get rid of these vines for chrissakes.

Infrastructure is always important. The geomancy should be fixed first. Once that's in place, tackle the tree issue. There is little point claiming any external territory if internal complications leave you without a base while still trying to take territory.

Also, speaking of internal complications, fix the hunger thing if you haven't already. Why let petty mortal concerns distract one with power over life itself?

>>404774
Geomancy first, then fix the tree.

I think you should remain in your manse for a while; you need to re-orient, and given that you may have been asleep for several decades, I suspect another day or two of seclusion won't doom you particularly.

Put some clothes on you shameless hussy.

Then fix all the boring things.

So, Astara, if we're going to be here with you we're going to need to get to know you better. Seeing as how we're going to be in your head and sharing ALL of your experiences, we might as well get it out of the way. Where exactly we are, who you are, what you are, what you want, that sort of stuff.

Oh, and your gender. Don't make that face, this is a completely serious totally not perverted question. Supernatural things can have downright odd or unexpected biological characteristics. You appear female, but with your photosynthetic naturism you could be a gender neutral zebra/plant flower.

>>404774
fix geomancy and then tree

>>404774

Save the roots, first. It should be top priority.

>>404774
I still suggest that while he is in that cocoon you just make him into a giant version of himself.
Combines the benefits of each of the transformations you had in mind plus a few miscellania, and should be fairly simple to do.

it should be a simple matter to kill whatever is eating the tree.

Astara 2012/04/29(Sun)04:33 No. 405641 ID: ce4a4d
File 133569922019.jpg - (36.43KB , 600x600 , astaraatopthetower3.jpg )

>it should be a simple matter to kill whatever is eating the tree.

Let me remind you who you serve.

I am a master of life magic. My touch can shape flesh to my whims and bring forth new life. Where I walk, my hoofprints heal the land. My flesh knits, my wounds heal, my bones will not stay broken - so long as I have mana. Outside of my demense it is greatly slowed, but rest assured - while the world lasts, I shall endure. For it to be otherwise would be a grave insult to the universe. This was one of my great works.

The drawback is that I cannot take a life.

Fates worse than death are still ok.

>fix the hunger thing
A small drain on my reserves, no more. Mostly I wasn't expecting it.

>Sinan sticking a dagger in your chest, while a rude awakening, did do you a favor.
By accident! I fail to see how incompetence plus coincidence justifies his treachery.

>There's also the question of why no alarms went off before the situation reached such a dire state. Surely there were multiple systems in place to wake madam if such things broke, right?
You, for one. What was up with that?

>Put some clothes on you shameless hussy.
What am I supposed to be ashamed of?

Astara 2012/04/29(Sun)04:34 No. 405642 ID: ce4a4d
File 133569927168.jpg - (24.53KB , 600x600 , geomancy.jpg )

If only I had some sort of labor-saving device or possibly minion to simplify this tedious manual labor that I will need to repeat a dozen times. At least this one is still standing.

I'll suppose for now I'll range further afield to inspect the outer circle and look at the leylines, unless you had a better idea?

>>405642

I don't even know what you're talking about lady. just do what you gotta do. to get your freak on shoowap.

>>405642
You could always create swarms of ravenous locusts to eat all these vines. There is no way such a plan could backfire.

survey your territory, determine precisely what needs fixing. Then make a list, in order of what would be quickest/easiest to fix.

Sometimes, to get things running, you just gotta do the repetitive boring tasks yourself. It would be nice to have some cheap labour to do this for you, but I figure without the infrastructure fixed in the first place it would be more effort than just fixing it yourself.

Also, what are the restrictions on creating or causing something other than yourself to take a life, as already suggested with the locust swarm ( >>405646 )? Is it still too direct with intention for you to be able to do it, or can you get around that limitation through indirect action?

You said he will be done in a few hours right? A few hours aren't gonna make a big difference considering how long you slept.
Just wait for him to finish (timeskip), then have him carry you around from spot to spot while you repair the geomancy

bad news, we are different cluster of spirits than the ones you talked to last time. we don't know you or your world. we will still do what we can to help, but a basic primer on how this shit works and history 101 would be appreciated.

No, that sounds good.

>>405642
You're the master, er... Mistress. We defer to your skill and experience in this matter.

>>405641
We were supposed to wake and warn you? We don't remember anything from before Sinan arrived.
Why have we forgotten our purpose? Is it mere decay, a defect, ...or outside tampering?

>>405641
Treachery? There's been droughts, flood, and famine for awhile - likely because your stuff is all mucked up, which makes it your responsibility - and they toughed that out.
However, there has been fire raining down on his village for three months, and you're the only known being with the power to do that. In their place it would certainly appear that you turned against them.

Also? He was willing to wake you up and talk things over until some of our more violent voices insisted you were a dark goddess who would kill him for disturbing your sleep. He's easily swayed, but innocent of malice.

What is that giant crystal vine-crusted penis? What's it do?

>>405706
Er... Actually, I suspect it was our responsibility to maintain that, placed on us by Astara. For some reason, we've forgotten all of that.

Mistress, I'm sorry, but some of us have become attached to Sinan. Even though what he did turned out to be completely wrong, he was the first to give us new purpose and direction when we had none. Even though we know now that you are our mistress, we still don't like what happened to Sinan. We don't expect you to change his punishment, but we though you should know how we felt.

Astara 2012/04/29(Sun)22:33 No. 405846 ID: ce4a4d
File 133576402432.jpg - (28.92KB , 600x600 , geomancy2.jpg )

>Treachery? There's been droughts, flood, and famine for awhile - likely because your stuff is all mucked up, which makes it your responsibility - and they toughed that out.
Yes, treachery. If they lived outside of my realm, then none of their issues are my responsibility. If they lived within my domain then I may do with them as I please, even unto raining fire upon their lands. I mean my lands. Not that I'm saying I did.

It will be a few days, not hours, until my new minion is ready for duty and can start clearing these obelisks - the giant crystal phallus, as you put it. There's other ways to focus and redirect mana on a large scale, but these take the least work to set up.

I suppose I'll survey while you pester me with questions.

Astara 2012/04/29(Sun)22:34 No. 405847 ID: ce4a4d
File 133576408628.jpg - (38.44KB , 600x600 , vanished.jpg )

>indirectly kill things
It's not just a magical law. I have no interest in taking life. Drop it from your mind, spirit.

You were created as a genius loci - a guardian spirit - but you seem to have outgrown that while I slept.

Long story short, I'm one of the Archmagi that have ruled the land since time immemorial. At least, I could have, but I could never stand the alliances and infighting and political bullshit so I left the civilized world to retire here in peace and research my magics.

When THAT got boring, I manumitted my servants and closed my lands to sleep through a turning of an age...


...what's this? There was definitely a large obelisk here last time I checked.

Astara 2012/04/29(Sun)22:35 No. 405849 ID: ce4a4d
File 133576411873.jpg - (30.21KB , 600x600 , obelisk.jpg )

And there was definitely not an obelisk in this village that was also not here.

I have the power to rend their rude huts with animated vines, turn them all into trees, and wither their crops. Or I could just talk.

Your advice, spirit?

well then, that must explain the failing of the magic. Someone stole your giant mana phallus!
And there we go, the stupid villagers move it, and then blamed YOU when their own stupid actions caused it. I guess we could start by informing them that the reason for the droughts, rain of fire, etc, is all because they foolishly moved the obelisk which was maintaining the good weather from its proper place, and would resolve if they moved it back.

Also, I guess we would just have to solve the tree problem without killing. Maybe we can transform whatever is harming it into a loyal servant... actually yes. why kill at all when you possess such a power, enemies to minions. To kill them is to waste a perfectly serviceable minion.

i'm interested in WHY they moved it. did they just grab it and move it over? or did it fall over and they could not find the marking under the sand? stealing it from it's spot would be bad, but if it was already loosened then they didn't commit a crime. it sitting in the open tells me they don't care if anyone sees it. so i doubt stolen. approach them with an air of authority and demand what they are doing with it. they will most like question why you care. then you make yourself glow and say "because it's mine" some basic theatrics really. should put the scare into them and will trip over themselves trying to prevent your wrath.

You should probably start with a diplomatic approach. If the assassin thought you were responsible for all of the misfortune going on, then going in all hostile definitely isn't going to help their opinion of you.

>>405849
Y'know, the juxtaposition of
>I have no interest in taking life. Drop it from your mind, spirit.
and
>I have the power to rend their rude huts with animated vines, turn them all into trees, and wither their crops.
is simply astounding.

Anyway, talking first is easier and possibly requires less overall hassle.

lets try being nice, kindness as a general policy is fare more effective than people give it credit for. that means no flaying of huts or killing of crops.
assuming you can deal with the language barrier i'd suggest you start by asking them why the moved your obelisk. they are probably going to be rather arrogant at the start since they don't know who you are, but some impressive but non threatening display of power should convince them to take you seriously without turning things hostile. maybe grow a seat or tent out of plants while talking to them?


also whats with the whole, normal people don't matter attitude you have? you seem too smart to buy into the whole might makes right mentality I'm a bit curios why you seem to see normal people as nothing.

You've been asleep for a long while. I doubt anyone here was one of the people who took it. Try talking.

As a backup plan, how hard would it be to convert everyone in the village into minions?

>>405854
>I have the power to rend their rude huts with animated vines, turn them all into trees, and wither their crops.
Yea.. whats up with that?
1. Will turn sentient living fauna into non sentient living flora.
2. Will kill living flora.
3. Will not kill living fauna.

Its would be odd that they would go to the trouble of moving the obelisk such a short distance to put it in their village. Perhaps the obelisk was moved before they even settled here? You're going to have to talk to them to get the answer, so go the diplomatic route. They give you guff or question your authority, entangle them in vines until they comply. Nothing serious, yet.

How were you planning to get the obelisk back in position? More animated vines? Deforming the terrain to make a "land wave" to roll it back?

>>405849
Waltz over and command them to put it back.

If their reaction isn't to immediately start doing that, then go for vines, vines everywhere. Especially anyone who tries to run off instead.

>>405865
Have animated vines carry the obelisk back, but try to avoid scaring the people too much. They are probably not responsible, and they might know enough about other lands for you to figure out if any of your former coworkers have gone mad with power and/or started killing the rest.

While the vines are moving it back ask them if they know why the obelisk is here instead of in its proper place.

Moss glove, oaken fist. "Hey dudes, I'm awake, I need my obelisk back, carry it back to XYZ spot for me and I'll mend your ailments and injuries, displease me and I'll turn you in to a shrub"

just take it back. you don't need to explain yourself.

You do know that withering crops is taking life, right?

She probably just has a red blood phobia.

>>406467
or maybe it's the act of releasing a soul that bothers her. As long as a soul is not released from the material realm by her actions, she's fine.

>>406467
You could kill fauna via withering it just like flora.
In fact it will be MORE effective since they don't carry a massive sack of spare water in every cell in their body.

They probably don't even have the power to move an obelisk. They probably just built their village around it when it moved for whatever reason. No need to jump to conclusions. Just move the obelisk back to the ley line, or whatever is needed to get it working right, and don't bother the nice village people.

Of course if they protest you can turn them into trees and then wither the trees.

Wordlessly walk right up to the obelisk, use your magics to move it back into position, vine tangle and move out of the way anyone who gets in your way. Once the obelisk is back where it belongs, tell the villagers, in a booming, magically amplified tone, "do not move this obelisk." That'll establish your power in their eyes, and likely use equal or less mana than wrecking the place and transmuting the population into shrubs.

If you're curious about how the obelisk was moved, ask the villagers how and why it was in their village. Make sure to add that you'll know if they're lying, whether you do or not.

Astara 2012/05/09(Wed)02:03 No. 409922 ID: ce4a4d
File 133655423349.jpg - (34.85KB , 600x600 , diplomacy.jpg )

>use diplomacy
"You! Peasants! What are you doing with my obelisk?"

Several heads duck together in whispered conversation. One of the Kiri Pilai scampers out to greet me as I approach. I'm actually a bit surprised to see a settlement of these gypsies, much less in my lands.

"Um... welcome, traveler."

I very patiently glare at him until he continues.

"This pillar's been here for generations!" he says. "It's a pillar of the community."

I continue glaring.

"That's a joke?" he explains.

"How many generations?"

The mongoose rubs his chin. "Veerrrry nearly two? My father's father was elder when it was brought here. It's magical."

"I know it's magical. I made it! How did it get here? Why is it HERE instead of THERE," pointing at the proper site.

"We... hauled it? I guess? The soil's more arable here, so I guess it made more sense than moving the village." I could sort that out easily enough. More easily, if the obelisk was actually in the right place. "You were saying it was yours? There's a lot of them around here, and they've been around forever. Or there were, anyway." He clears his throat nervously. "I heard that we moved it after seeing one shipped downriver and installed on the dome at the Madrasa of Riaj. They're said to ward off evil?" That's a long way downriver. It'd certainly be nice to have some sort of riding beast.

So what am I doing with them now?

Inform him what they actually do, and how they work, and how moving them just gives him a useless if stylish rock.

Have them movie it back to where it's actually useful. If they don't do it willingly, convert who you can into servants, and the rest into trees.

>>409920
Owned? They are mine because I created them <X> years ago (specify year). And I made them to control the flow of life energy in my divine domain.
Removing, moving, or destroying any of them corrupts the flow. This corruption is why the pleasant weather spell has has been corrupted, this corruption is why there is a drought and why it rains fire.
I am going to move it back to its proper place now so I may begin fixing the damage to this land, weather you follow is up to you but do not tamper with those devices again.

>>409922
>"You damnable idiot peasants, do you have any idea of the damage you've done?! Those pylons were the critical nodes of my ward structure, without them in the correct places this land will turn into a desert!"
>"Unless you want your entire village to suffer an agonizing eternity in the depths of my Gardens, I suggest that you get to work on RETURNING MY STOLEN PROPERTY!"

>>409922
Tell them that they're moving them back.

All of them, as penance. You've just got your slave labourers minions.

So hey, incidentally, how long would it take to convert one of these folks into some sort of a riding beast?

>>409936
what all of them? they only have one here and they might damage it during moving rather then you doing so.

The only other they know was was ferried far away to a palace. Not practical for either us or them to go reclaim it rather then making a new one.

move the entire village to the proper site along with the obelisk.

>>409947
If they moved it to the village without damaging it they can move it to the site without damaging it.
Also whats it even take to make one of those things? It might be less trouble just to find the ones that were taken.

Yeah, just get it moved back/ Do it yourself or have them do it, whatever's easier/faster. They can move their settlement to around it if they feel like it. If they complain about the stupid soil say that you can make it better.

>>409922
Get them to move the damn obelisk, and say that you will move the village to it in exchange. They do something for you, you do something for them.

>>409922
Do you know where the Madrasa of Riaj is? That sounds like a long fucking way from here if I had to guess.

>>409922
Tell them the obelisks only work at the original locations, and moving them causes disasters.
Make some plants grow out of the dirt and say you'll make the land around the original site arable after they move it back, but if they don't you'll turn this site into desert and move it yourself.

Also, if they have any riding beasts then take one. Turning one of them into one would take far too long, and would leave a bad impression.
Fixing all this will be a lot easier if the people don't think you're some sort of vile monster.

Inform him, in the loudest way possible, that that obelisk is a vital part of a mana management and collection system that feed a massive geomantic spell which keeps the land fertile and the weather good, and would run without flaw forever. Well, it was, and it would have, had all these huge fucking ignorant morons not moved the obelisks and broke it!

Time to make him an offer he can't refuse. Tell him that if this village moves the obelisk back, right now, then moves the village to around the obelisk and keeps anyone else from messing with it, you'll make the land there as more fertile than the land here. As a visual aid, use a little mana here to grow a single plant of whatever crop they use to maturity, right at your feet. Pluck a single seed from it. Then say that if they refuse, you will turn this land so that all their crops turn to vile thorny vines. Make the seed sprout into a thorn vine in the palm of your hand, then all the seeds on the plant. Now ask him what his choice is.

While the villagers are hauling the obelisk back, take their best riding beast. It won't be near what you want, but you can improve it along the way. Then grill the village elder for information about the current state of the world; Like why his people, who were gypsies in your memory, settled down.

keep in mind you've been asleep for more than long enough for you to be forgotten. tell him those monoliths help keep the lands healthy, and they can't do that if they are out of position. offer to make the land around where that monolith is supposed to be very fertile if they agree to move it back to where it was in the next few days/weeks and agree to make sure no one messes with it.

>>409922
Simple. Tell them that, in their Original Positions, they made the lands fertile and rich.
Its mostly true, right?

Astara 2012/05/12(Sat)22:53 No. 411061 ID: ce4a4d
File 133688840188.jpg - (44.77KB , 600x600 , diplomacy2.jpg )

Do I know where the Madrasa is? Yes. It lies down the river at least 30 leagues. Several days' travel by foot. Less than a day, should I have a capable beast.

All right. Time to explain things to this village.

"You have disrupted the delicate web of mana that enriches this land," - mostly me, but they don't need to know that - "softens the weather, brings rains in the spring and fair weather for harvests. Without your tampering it would run without flaw until these lands fell into the sea. You have endangered yourselves with your foolish recklessness, and meddled in the affairs of a powerful wizard."

The elder shrugs. "It hasn't seemed so bad thus far."

(animated!) Astara 2012/05/12(Sat)22:57 No. 411065 ID: ce4a4d
File 133688862799.gif - (134.88KB , 600x600 , mossgloveoakenfist.gif )

"Silence! We are not negotiating. This is not diplomacy. I am issuing terms."

"I am taking back my obelisk. YOU are to be its guardians. Serve me and I'll make the land more fertile than you can imagine. Otherwise, I'll make this land into a desert and turn your crops to thorns." It's only a tiny drop of mana to sprout a seed between us as a demonstration.

On the plus side, he's suitably impressed.

On the minus side, the expenditure of power has the local flora demonstrating its affection for my ankles again.

Astara 2012/05/12(Sat)22:57 No. 411068 ID: ce4a4d
File 133688866935.jpg - (41.48KB , 600x600 , replaced.jpg )

It took a small chunk of mana to assemble a homunculous of vines capable of carrying the obelisk, but I wasn't in the mood to wait on the mongoose-folk to get organized and begin hauling. I'm sure they appreciated that.

All right, there we go. Perfect.

Alrighty, that's a bit of shock and awe. Ask around the villagers to find out where that oafish lion guy came from.

>>411080
I am pretty sure he came from this village

Finish checking the conditions of the other obelisks.

1. Can we create a replacement for the one taken for that palace? How costly will it be of our energy?
2. Can we repair (at least partially) the mana generation spells without that obelisk? How costly would it be compared to option 1?

If neither of those is viable we will have to find our stolen obelisk at the palace.

>>411068
Still a bit crooked.
If assembling that creature took that much out of you then it's vital we get your mana supply back in working order ASAP.
Ride your vine creature to the city.

>>411080
Yeah, we should find and pay his kin a friendly visit.

My, the time flew by; It's afternoon already. Shall we return to the manse, mistress, or can you continue to check on the obelisks through the night without fatigue? We know you have magical means such that you do not need to eat or drink, but what of sleep?

Now, what would mistress consider a suitable steed? I'm sure the mongoose-folk have one that could be taken. It would certainly not be of the quality mistress wishes, but it would be the easiest to acquire at the moment. It would be better than walking, for the time being. If it would not take too long, perhaps mistress could use her abilities to alter it to better fit her needs?

>>411080
I do not see any benefit in hunting down and exacting punishment on a tribe of ignorant lion-folk. They're no threat to us, and can be safely ignored. If mistress happens to encounter them in her other travels, then she can put the fear of Astara into them, at a reasonably small cost of mana. They don't deserve any more than that.

>>411143
There are still other, much closer, obelisks to check on and put right. Once the near ones are dealt with, then we can work on the far ones. By then Sinan should be done "baking" in his minion-pod, and can aid us in returning the obelisks. Though, I do not know what we'll do if there are no clues as to where an obelisk has gone. Perhaps mistress has a way to track where her obelisks are through magical means?

>>411068

Now it's time to torment the villagers for their crimes.

>>411149
>>411173
No to revenge and torment of family and and tribe. Waste of our time, mana, effort, and is just being a bitch for no reason.

Astara 2012/05/13(Sun)17:48 No. 411441 ID: ce4a4d
File 133695652435.jpg - (41.95KB , 600x600 , alittletotheleft.jpg )

>Still a bit crooked.
Oh, fine. It's not like it's straightening it will actually make it do its job right now anyway.

Replacing them is tedious, but possible. It just takes a huge chunk of quartz, the purer the better, plus the time and mana to set it up and prepare it. A day or so plus transport for each one. Were my manse in better shape, I could just send its roots questing for suitable raw materials. The roots, of course, are the problem.

>We know you have magical means such that you do not need to eat or drink, but what of sleep?
I like sleeping.

>acquire riding beast from Kiri Pilai village
>find the oaf at the nearby village
>make riding beast from village
Sadly, you've already seen nearly all there was to see of the settlement. Fields, a number of goats, quite a few chickens, and a camel. No Zuberi - the lionfolk - and no swift steeds.

I could MAKE one, certainly. It would leave me drained. The main reason it takes so much mana and time is both to teach their mind about their new body, and to make them powerful enough to be a suitable servant. Why should I be content with what nature can provide?

>check on nearer obelisks
Actually, with this here I can tap into what's left of the web and take a look.

Astara 2012/05/13(Sun)17:49 No. 411442 ID: ce4a4d
File 133695656933.png - (371.22KB , 600x600 , manamap.png )

As expected, it's a mess. The leylines are tangled and actually siphoning power OFF my lands. They should all be funneling into my crystals, which funnel them into my tower. This one could drag things closer to where they should be, but there's a knot here that's going to be bleeding off mana into the atmosphere.

...

Which MAY just possibly, occasionally, perhaps have a small chance of igniting the atmosphere. In a very small area.

Every once in a while.



I'm sure no one lives there anyway.

Welp. Looks like you were responsible for the rain of fire after all.

>>411442
Oh for fuck's sake what a mess.

Can't you park an obelisk on that knot and handle it that way?

wait, is that another one missing? to the south. north one is at that city. and i am guessing the knot is near a lion village. so while a bit miss-informed he wasn't entirely insane. try to get the funneling out of your area under control and then wait until he's done gestating.

>>411442
Better fix it, so the leylines move faster. Also I want to see the atmosphere ignite! Wait shit that's probably only once every new moon, isn't it.

Ah, but first we should go down the river and retrieve that other stolen obelisk.

>>411442
Ok, so now we know for certain that your attacker placed blame in the right direction.

If the knot is bleeding energy off into the atmosphere then couldn't you go there and siphon off of that directly? With that you might be able to create some creatures to assist your work, and have them repair your manse while you're off retrieving the obelisks.
No, I don't mean out of the villagers.

well go and untie it! looks like you need the mana.

I'd suggest that mistress retire to the manse for the evening. She may then examine the stars in the sky to determine how long she was asleep, and rest for the following day's work on that knot.

How will mistress go about rectifying this layline snarl? Is it a matter of teasing it apart, or cutting it loose and patching the leylines together? Will it require tools from the manse? Also, is mistress able to tap and use the mana in the snarl directly? That may provide the power needed to construct a suitable steed.

...There is also a worrying thought I wish to share. Perhaps whatever is attacking the manse tree has been slowed by the lack of mana around the manse. If mistress restores the mana flows, it may very well make excising whatever is in the manse's roots much harder. I'd suggest that the nature of the attacker be determined before opening the flow of mana back to the manse. Would it be possible to intentionally keep the flow away from the manse, once the obelisks are back in position?

>>411488
The knot is pretty far away. We should get some proper transportation before untying it, I think. Going downriver to retrieve that other obelisk is faster.

so we should
B)
take the knot

I should warn you that unmaking the knot will release any built up energy in it, try making something to drain it off to a manageable level before removing it.

Well, at least now we have a solid idea where the lion's tribe is.

>>411448
No she wasn't, they were for moving the obelisk... like we already established.

Would fixing laylines be a localized thing done on a per obelisk basis or do you need to have all obelisks in place and then fix it in one go?

If the former, then go ahead and repair what you can. If the latter, then check near the two missing obelisks.

Also, the tangle of laylines that's "probably bad"? If fixing stuff here would exacerbate it, then do it first. If fixing stuff here will mitigate it then do it last.

>>411442
So, has your minion finished cooking, before you go shlepping about all over the wilderness?

Astara 2012/08/20(Mon)00:20 No. 445518 ID: 026d25
File 134544723224.jpg - (63.39KB , 600x600 , homeward.jpg )

All right, that's taken care of. Tomorrow I guess I'll go look at that little issue with the mana flow. It's much closer than Riaj. Perhaps I can tap into it directly. Risky, and I'd want something to dump the excess into quickly. Or I could drop an obelisk on it. That would work fine as a short-term patch but it wouldn't really fix anything, and I'd need to uproot one from another location. There's a couple of ways, I just need to decide the least bad.


I'd head back to the manse, but it's all the way over there.


How can I possibly be so tired after sleeping so long?

Astara 2012/08/20(Mon)00:20 No. 445519 ID: 026d25
File 134544725980.jpg - (61.49KB , 600x600 , sleepytime.jpg )

This would all be simpler with more servants. I might remind you that mana refreshes with time - mine, anyway. There is no reason to hoard every drop and scrap like a miser counting his coins.

We'll discuss this tomorrow. Right now I'm going to sleep, and you will guard over me.

You DO remember how to do that, right?

The homunculous is yours for the evening.

>>445522
Let's grapple the fuck out of it.

beep, intruder detected, engage, grapple and subdue.

Creature: Identify yourself.

rape rape rape rape rape rape rape rape rape

>>445530
Yep. You're a god, it's a mortal, rape is imminent.

>>445531
We are currently commanding ourselves. We have a thing that we are using for guard duty.

>>445522
Detain the intruder for threat analysis! No raping it.

>>445522
They seem to be either praying or dying.

HELLO MORTAL.

>>445534
I'm aware we're commanding ourselves. And?

Looks like it might be a lion; Probably from the tribe Sinan was from, if it is one. Better capture whatever it is so Astara can interrogate it in the morning.

Run vines quietly out under the intruder's location. Ready a ring of vertical thorn vine tendrils around it, spaced close enough together that it can't get through, and tall enough it can't get over. Once they're in position, raise them up as fast as possible, then curve them over to form a small cage. Follow up with smaller binding vines around its hands, feet, waist, and around its muzzle so it can't speak; Don't want it waking our mistress up. Pull it down to the ground, and completely entangle it so it can't move.

>>445540
We're not a god. We serve one.

>>445544
Well, bugger.

Close enough.

Suggestion 2012/08/21(Tue)03:58 No. 445909 ID: 026d25
File 134554672567.jpg - (36.48KB , 600x600 , trap.jpg )

>Looks like it might be a lion
It seems to be one of the Kiri Pilai. A small one.

>grapple and subdue
>grow a vine cage
Astara has given you control of the vine homunculus, but no more mana than is necessary to animate it. It is strong, and durable, but you're limited to growing it about as quickly as a normal plant.

It can stretch, and lie flat in wait. The intruder approaches, cautiously.

Suggestion 2012/08/21(Tue)04:00 No. 445911 ID: 026d25
File 134554680194.jpg - (49.79KB , 600x600 , sprung2.jpg )

One thing the mongoose-folk are known for is their legendary reflexes.

Suggestion 2012/08/21(Tue)04:00 No. 445912 ID: 026d25
File 134554684917.jpg - (51.57KB , 600x600 , sprung3.jpg )

This hastily-crafted servant of vines and mana is not so swift.

augh, supposed to wait until it gets in the MIDDLE not touching an edge.

reach for the leyline in the air for a boost of power.

Suggestion 2012/08/21(Tue)04:13 No. 445918 ID: 026d25
File 134554763875.jpg - (40.56KB , 600x600 , untrapped.jpg )

The intruder begins to back away, slowly, sniffling quietly.

It's still within reach of a lunge. You could also temporarily abandon the servant body, or try something else. Unfortunately the flow of magic above you appears to be well out of reach.

What will you do?

just maintain patrol. if it starts coming forward again bury in the sand in it's path so it can't notice it.then wait until it reaches the middle to spring the trap. have the primary vines be like a venus fly trap.

The only reason we wanted to capture it was to prevent it from approaching our mistress... and now that it is leaving I think we can leave it be.

Agreed, we cannot abandon our post. Keep vigilant.

Boring. Dig a tunnel complex instead. Like some kind of labyrinth underground temple. Don't undermine the obelisk though.

Come out every 15 minutes to check on Astara or something.

>>445918
Well, there goes anything interesting to interact with.

Give Astara a relaxing back massage.

>>445918
Detach from the servant body and attach to the intruder.
"Hi, there! How can we help you tonight?"

>The intruder begins to back away, slowly, sniffling quietly.

Aw. :(

Go after them if you/we can, and ask what's the matter. Y'know, other than a vine monster trying to eat them...

I would like to speak to this small mongoose-folk for a little bit. Let's pop into its mind and say hello, and ask why it's here.

But first, send the homunculus over to Astara, while we still have control, and have it form a thick protective vine cage over her.

If nothing else, pop into his mind to warn him that he's sniffing around the sleeping grounds of a huge ass powerful god who's also kind of a bitch, and should probably make like a tree and get the hell out of here.

Suggestion 2012/08/23(Thu)04:29 No. 446558 ID: 026d25
File 134572139365.jpg - (38.79KB , 600x600 , guardduty.jpg )

The construct should be fine on its own. You slip free, giving it instructions to form a protective cage around Astara and to wake her with a restful massage. She'll surely appreciate your initiative.

There's a gentle pull in the direction of the sorceress as you examine the intruder.


They were right she just wanted to kidnap all the children and eat them! I...
The mongoose shudders and starts to run in the direction of the village.

Suggestion 2012/08/23(Thu)04:31 No. 446559 ID: 026d25
File 134572151012.jpg - (33.00KB , 600x600 , thegirl.jpg )

>What's the matter?
"Who's there?" the Kiri Pilai stops.

>Why are you here?
"I just wanted to see her. They say she had an army of monsters and I wanted to see them and maybe she could help but I got attacked by a giant plant monster!" The girl stops to wipe at her face with the back of her hand.

>She's a god who's also kind of a bitch. You should probably leave.
"B-but..." she stops, and swallows.

"I wanted to come."

she's asleep, the plant beast is a guardian. what is the trouble you are having?

>>446558
What? No. Children are a terrible source of nutrition for a deity, and rather unappetizing. I think there are rocks she's rather eat.

>>446559
Ah, ok. We understand.
The plant creature certainly wasn't going to eat you or anything; it doesn't even have a mouth.
It's mostly just to scare curious people and animals away. If something was determined enough to get past the plant we'd just wake her up and let her sort things out.

Sure, you can come with us. She slumbered for a few... Actually, I'm not sure how long she slumbered; when she went to sleep none of your kind were anywhere near her circle of obelisks, so much longer than your village existed.
Wait, sorry, I'm getting off topic.
The point is that her knowledge of her lands is charitably described as 'historic', and she needs to know about the now. You'll be a major boon to her work.

Anyway, I stalled you long enough for her to wake up, so now you should probably walk over, kneel, and call her your mistress. Or just hug her while she rolls over and goes back to sleep.

Meanwhile, we're going to get back to being the plant monster. Busy busy busy~

I really don't think approaching her will end well for you.
If you have a request, I suggest you relay it to her through us, as unlike you we (probably) can't be permanently transformed into things if she gets annoyed.

>>446578
You know that takes an obscene amount of mana to do at-will, right? She would have to go through a long and complicated ritual, and she has better uses for that time.
You know, like fixing spots of the sky being on fire.

Lets be honest here; what this girl needs is either significant enough that it would have to be attended to anyway, or trivial enough for the convenience of this girl's aid to be a bargain. Or both. Astara is certainly going to want to hear her out.

Besides that? The plant is waking her up, and running would just mean Astara would be much more annoyed when she gets her audience.

>>446559
You should have come during the day. What good would it do now? Well, come closer if you wish, the guardian will not make moves against you this time.

(let's return to the construct)

Maybe she could help? Help with what?

>>446559

She currently doesn't have an army of monsters, just the one. She's also got a number of huge problems she is very busy with. Please state the nature of your emergency and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Oh and if you just wanted to gaze at her godly glory best to wait until daytime for that (she snores).

I'm going to pop into the homunculus and stop it doing what would only charitably be called a massage on our mistress. (Seriously, it doesn't know how to massage; Why did we tell it to?) Astara needs her sleep after tromping about all day. We wake her up for this, and she's going to be more than a bit cranky.

So we can properly address you, may we get your name, little Kiri Pilai? Now, while our mistress Astara would likely not help you unless doing so intersected with her own goals, we might. Tell us your troubles, why you want to come with our mistress, and what you could offer to help, and we'll decide what to do from there. You'll have our aid until our mistress wakes.

Yeah uh, abort massage. That is possibly the worst idea. Listen we'll get back to you msmongoose but we really have to keep from fuckingupagainohgodhurry

Astara's been complaining about not having any good minion material. Now we're going to turn away the most promising one yet? We'll get in trouble.

Have the mongoose lady stick around. We can always tell her to go away later.

Under no circumstances leave a back massage half-finished.

Suggestion 2012/08/24(Fri)04:53 No. 446937 ID: 026d25
File 134580918548.jpg - (35.74KB , 600x600 , diyil.jpg )

>What is your name, little Kiri Pilai?
She sniffs. "Diyil."

>You should have come during the day.
"I had to sneak out!" she exclaims, in the tones of one stating the obvious.

>she snores
The girl giggles and wipes at her eye with the back of a hand.

>help with what?
Diyil takes a deep breath. "To get out! They say it's too dangerous and no one ever leaves the village and no one who leaves ever comes back but who'd want to go back anyway! I don't want to spend my whole life in the village and marry fat Gamba next door and have a bunch of kids and a goat and a farm and never leave!" She sniffles again after her speech.

You're not sure of the wisdom of revealing Astara's problems to a child, but the mistress might be interested in a willing minion. The girl seems to have spirit. You resolve to mention it to the sorceress when she rises.


Did you remember to set the massage to "dawn?" You're pretty sure you set it to wake Astara at dawn.

You should probably go check on that.

Suggestion 2012/08/24(Fri)04:54 No. 446939 ID: 026d25
File 134580926677.jpg - (52.37KB , 600x600 , soothingmassage.jpg )

Perhaps you forgot.

>>446937
Of course it's not safe to leave the village. Completely aside from people mucking up the flow of mana through the area and making everything is a mess, there's probably also predators and bandits and the like.

Honestly? You couldn't have picked a better chance to leave. You don't have to worry about any of that as long as you're by Astara's side.
Although right now you should probably approach her slowly, get down on one knee, and pledge your loyalty to her.

>>446939
Take this chance to let her know that someone has come who would be a willing minion.

Explain that we had to wake her up because the girl had to come in secret.

uhh, set her down. and point out the dook.

Under no circumstances leave a "back" "massage" half-finished.

We found a cute thing! Can we keep it?

(animated) Suggestion 2012/08/24(Fri)11:09 No. 447000 ID: 026d25
File 134583175771.gif - (152.59KB , 600x600 , sleepy.gif )

Somehow this is not terribly surprising.

>>447000
That's not relaxing; that's annoying. You are the worst homunculus.

It's not even dawn yet, so you're the worst alarm clock, too.

I'm thinking trying to make the homunculus wake her up with a massage was a bad idea, what with it having a completely different body type, no knowledge as to what a relaxing massage is and no way to tell what the time actually is.

Well let's not just stand here gawking make the homunculus stop before it bothers her and she punishes us.

>>447000
Ah forget it. Just move the homunculus away and let her sleep.

Inform our visitor that she should wait until dawn as we cannot and should not wake Astara before she is ready to wake. Our visitor can wait at a respectful distance, and perhaps get some rest as well, but we will be keeping an eye on her.

>>447000
"Ok, Diyil. Just come over here, wrap your arms around her, and get some sleep. You're far safer in her arms than you were in the village."

Homunculus, stop that! Gently release our mistress, and reform into a protective cage over her. Don't do anything else. Okay. Alright, back to Diyil.

Now, Diyil, as far as we're concerned, you can tag along and help however you can, as long as you pull your own weight, but it's our mistress that has final say if you can come or not. You'll have to wait until she wakes, and we're not going to wake her, since she's really crabby when she hasn't gotten her sleep. You'd best lay down and get what rest you can before she wakes in the morning.

Suggestion 2012/08/25(Sat)16:51 No. 447599 ID: 026d25
File 134593867141.jpg - (56.94KB , 600x600 , timelapse.jpg )

It's starting to look doubtful that anything short of stabbing Astara again will rouse her.

At your command the homunculus gently sets the sorceress down, then arranges the tangle of vines around her to be slightly more bed-like. The creation, of course, has no mind or volition. It is able to follow simple orders when not under direct control. You think it's probably best to keep it under direct control right now.

The mongoose sits nervously some distance away.


You wait. The girl waits. At some point Diyil falls asleep.

Astara 2012/08/25(Sat)16:54 No. 447603 ID: 026d25
File 134593886739.jpg - (124.86KB , 640x600 , indignant.jpg )

You feel an pull, and your awareness snaps back to your mistress.

---

Spirit, what is this?

What is a child doing here?

Will I ever again be able to retire without you dragging a stranger to me while I sleep? Explain yourself, or I shall be forced to break you down into your elementary cantrips.

She followed us! Can we keep her? We'll feed her and clean her and everything!

She came here during the night. She wants to get out of this small town, and would probably make a good, willing minion