>>560585
This. Fight hard but honorably if we want Moriko to be impressed. Wounds can be healed, so have the sword golem go for a slash on her wrist then try to wrench the hammer free. Throw more scarves if you can to further bind her. I doubt she'll be held for long so be fast!

Also, are you saying there are 3 golems including your true body? If so you need to make this threesome a real party. At the moment you have an advantage, against an opponent like her you need to press the advantage to try to strike a blow that will put us in a superior position for the rest of the duel.

so we could try and hold her while our other golem comes from behind to finsh her off (are we going for a kill her since people can be brought back to life or is victory won though other means?) or you could try and rip the hammer from her arms and then you and your twin can rush her when she no longer has a weapon.

I'd say we avoid death, or unhealable injuries. We don't know her inventory, she might not have a token, or know of one.

>I swear every second comment out of Kallia's lips is some sort of innuendo.
It's not just you. She's having a lot of fun with this.

>jealous
Pff. Or that.

>>560566
An additional witness appears!

>>560578
You animated the scarf! Leaning from Kallia's tricks already.

>what do
I would agree with the general sentiment that winning like an asshole isn't what we want to do. Still, grappling an opponent with golemetry (your stated powerset) isn't that. I would also agree we don't want to intentionally kill her (we have no of knowing if she used the fountain) or seriously injure her, but we shouldn't hold back. She'll take it as an insult.

Still, I think people are underestimating her. Just because we've got a grip on her hammer doesn't mean she's fully disabled, or that she's going to take whatever we throw at her.

Press her hard, now. Make an attack. Even if you did catch her off guard, She still has the speed and strength to possibly twist out of the way of or block your attack, or to tear herself free. But you should still make her work for it. Don't forget your deemplicate can attack from the other direction as well.

>>560578
Um, have we established if this is a duel to the (temporary) death? If so, stab her in the neck. If not, attack her hands to disarm her.

I doubt the fight will end this quickly, though. She'll probably manage to rip away her hammer. In that case, she'll be off balance for a moment, and that's enough to let you slip through her guard for a slice or stab. Meanwhile the other Deem can attack from behind.

Alternatively you can disarm her or place your knife at her neck, and then say that you would rather not win due to trickery, and let the duel restart.

I think there may be a Break the Flow aggressive type of action coming your way so watch out. Also make sure she can't use the scarfgolem to pull YOU around.

From here on I think you had better not overthink things. Fight along with your duplicate. Make quick jabs and keep up your defense.

Remember to keep up the chatter though. Make it demoralizing, but not insulting. Ask her what kind of room she'd like to have when she joins you and if she'd be interested in a chest binding golem of her own. Things like that.

One more thing - It is unlikely, but she might still go for the dungeon heart so watch out.

I suggest a chase of some sort. Are there tunnels?

Unless you bind her with it firmly that strip of cloth will be easily torn apart by Moriko. You're at close range, is it close enough that you can turn this into a wrestling match and disarm your opponent or otherwise stay too close for her to use that hammer against you?

Tethering ourselves to her hammer probably isn't a winning move. But maybe we can detach the scarf golem and leave it wrapped around the hammer shaft. Keep up the attacks and she won't have an opportunity to try and remove it, and we can pick an opportune moment to have it bind to both her hands (locking her into an awkward grip) or onto another nearby object when we need to create an opening.

>>560621
I'd recommend attempting the disarm, though she probably can put up a fight even without the hammer. Have the scarf wrap itself to the hammer and a stalactite/stalagmite so she can't get it back, perhaps.

you won't disarm her like that. try to use that scarf to entangle her body instead, to slow her down until the other Deem can smack her.

Can the other duelist golem act as the bone of your sword or just you? Because if it can, Moriko is at least temporarily still, a ranged attack to quickly take advantage of what I have no doubt is a fleeting state for her would be ideal.

In the meantime we should try to show her our stabs while keeping her off-balance with the weapon entanglement. Ideally we hurt her, but distracting her long enough for our duplicate to deal some damage is entirely adequate.

If this is a dual to the death have the other you run her through with your sword, if this is more of a dual to "pin" your opponent then just put your knife up to her throat, if this is more of a battle until you can't fight anymore dual then have the other you just slice her across that back as that wound would most likely make it harder for her to make any large attacks herself for the rest of the battle. Either way this is what you wanted, a chance to seize the initiative to take control of the battle, whatever you do though, don't let her take back control or we're going to find ourselves in a world of hurt.

Also if this is a dual to the death and she has one of those amulet things that means she'd drop most of her valuables when she revives right?

>Duel to the death?
Hmm. I rather wish we had asked beforehand. If there's a convenient opportunity to ask, do so, unless you already know her death/wounding won't be permanent.

>>560756
Short answer: It stops when Moriko decides to walk away, postpone for another occasion, or admits to being duly impressed. If I had to guess how it ends, it ends with knockout or submission on one side or abrupt decision on Moriko's part to discontinue.

We're fighting to make a good impression on someone that's picky about her employers (with good reason): This is the second round of the initial small-talk, mutual-interrogation and personality profiling. If both parties are sufficiently satisfied with the attractiveness of their date prospective professional partner it proceeds on to further stages of the contract negotiation and fulfillment.

This type of job interview sequence may more closely resemble the progression of romantic/sexual/marriage-negotiation dating than the kinds of job interviews you're familiar with. This is because what's at stake here is a much deeper relationship than the more tenuous relationships where both parties are easily free to end the relationship, and less dependent upon each other. Moriko's reluctance to agree as easily as Merud, Hin, Reisarf and Stargazer stems from her lesser confidence that Deem presents a good opportunity for her and more developed notions of what she risks by being easy here. Moriko is aware of this, and probably expects Deem is aware as well, which makes Deem's willingness to engage her on her terms like this a sign of respect and good faith, possibly submission, and possibly bravado/overconfidence as well if Moriko expects that Deem has poor odds of coming out unscathed and victorious.

>>560912
maybe we shouldnt say things (in a way) that could potentially distract deem from the fight. take it to the discussion thread.

>>560756
I guess since we've agreed for Moriko to join the group if she loses then the fight is not to the death.

If Moriko does a clever reversal and gains a significant advantage then surrendering with grace is always an option. No need to take this too far.

1/5 Deem 2014/02/07(Fri)18:58 No. 561396 ID: 256d52
File 139182833798.png - (17.68KB , 400x540 , keikaku_means_plan.png )

>Is it a duel to the death?
That sounds like a remarkably ineffective means of recruitment.

>Can the other duelist golem act as the bone of your sword or just you?
Just me.

>You animated the scarf! Leaning from Kallia's tricks already.
Well, I am amazing.

>Have the golem come up and slice the back of her shirt open. If the double gets even one strap, the whole shirt falls apart.
I think you have become confused about the purpose of this duel.

2/5 Deem 2014/02/07(Fri)18:59 No. 561397 ID: 256d52
File 139182837948.png - (20.15KB , 600x451 , justice_knee.png )

>At the moment you have an advantage, against an opponent like her you need to press the advantage to try to strike a blow that will put us in a superior position for the rest of the duel.
I haul on the scarf connecting us and lunge. Moriko refuses to release her hold on her hammer. She ducks and pushes forward, getting in under my arm. It's an awkward position to use my knife.

>Press her hard, now. Make an attack. Even if you did catch her off guard, She still has the speed and strength to possibly twist out of the way of or block your attack, or to tear herself free. But you should still make her work for it.
But I'm hardly unarmed. I drive a knee into the hammerai's stomach and she folds up around it. Winded definitely.

One hand's lost the hammer and it's bending her wrist back, but she refuses to let go. Disarming her is definitely looking difficult.

3/5 Deem 2014/02/07(Fri)19:01 No. 561398 ID: 256d52
File 139182851630.png - (31.92KB , 850x400 , gordian_knot.png )

>Don't forget your deemplicate can attack from the other direction as well.
She pulls back and I let her stagger a few steps, then my copy rushes her from behind. Gasping for breath, Moriko reels and- she knew an attack was coming. At the last second she darts to the side, pulling her hammer toward her. The scarf is cut.

>Remember to keep up the chatter though. Make it demoralizing, but not insulting. Ask her what kind of room she'd like to have when she joins you and if she'd be interested in a chest binding golem of her own. Things like that.
She's looking a little short of breath, so I'll have to hold up both sides of the conversation.

"Ahahahaha," I say ruefully. "I suppose it's true when they say fools rush in."

4/5 Deem 2014/02/07(Fri)19:03 No. 561399 ID: 256d52
File 139182859551.png - (20.54KB , 600x650 , look_out_shes_got_a_hammer.png )

Moriko spins her hammer, an almost hypnotic motion, and takes up her normal ready stance for but an instant before she counter-attacks my copy.

5/5 Deem 2014/02/07(Fri)19:03 No. 561400 ID: 256d52
File 139182863099.png - (20.29KB , 400x600 , whack_a_deem.png )

WHOCK

Agh! Pain! I may have a hard head, but that was unkind. The main weakness with attempting this level of synchronisation is I get a lot of feedback from my golem.

>>561400
Oh jeez, her hurting your clone hurts you as well? That greatly reduces the utility of having a clone.

Time for a new strategy. Both of you approach her at once from slightly different angles. Attack at the same time, either from different directions or one high one low. Whenever possible, try to grab at the scarf scraps still wrapped around her hammer. Keep her on guard. Press her against a wall, take advantage of cramped quarters to swarm her.

Now you (well, at least the main you) have a bit of distance, so it seems like a good time to try out that knife thing.

Always keep on multiple sides of Moriko, make her spend effort moving to try and avoid being counterattacked every time she tries to attack you (or other you). Keep up the pressure with harassment if a full attack doesn't look viable--remember that you can control her movements by throwing swords at her.

One possibility is trying to break her hammer. If it's not some difficult to replace, major relic you could get a lot of combat and recruitment mileage out of destroying her weapon. She would need a replacement and you already have your own native talents and a skilled smith at your disposal to offer here.

Have the Deemplicate thrust the sword over and perpendicular to the hammer shaft. Trap it that way means Moriko can't pull it back on the same arc it cam in on, and will be forced to move closer to twist her weapon out.

More importantly, this give you an oppening to attack her while the hammer's freedom of movement is resticted.

Don't use the bodies in series (one attack and then the other). The key to success here is to work in conjunction. Both at the same time, like one warrior. Working together to press her, not taking shifts, or getting in each other's way.

>>561400
Be the bone of your sword!

well you're quicker then your twin right? If you can have your twin grab the her weapon again well you see if you can't get a good attack in. doubt that will very successful but seeing how well this worked when we had her with the scarf.

Anyways when we attack always make sure you and your twin are attacking from two different directions so she has to keep her guard up on two fronts at all times, and don't be afraid to use your scarf to try and grab her legs and arms to trip her up or slow her down so you can land more blows in.

Don't let her follow up that hit! Pull the clone back and go defensive for a second. When you're both ready then take a side each and do a simultaneous flanking attack.

Did you manage to practice any other particular reinforcements or have we exhausted our bag of special tricks? Is the remining scarfgolem still animated or do you have the ability to create another one with the remaining cloth on you? It might work as a threat/feint, you could throw it at her face like a self-guiding missile or make it go low like a snake to tie her legs up.

cling to the hammer. hopefully she can't swing it with a person-sized lump of rock and clay attached to it.

the scarf is a golem and therefore a being onto itself, right? have it attack and let it absorb the counter attack - try to entangle the hammer again, but even if that fails you still avoided a good chunk of damage.

>>561400
Is there any possibility you can control the sliced off bit of scarf still attached to her hammer? if so, we can totally throw off her mojo and be a total annoyance here by just having it pull around random directions

1/3 Deem 2014/02/13(Thu)08:03 No. 562356 ID: 256d52
File 139230739163.png - (25.65KB , 840x400 , knife_time.png )

>Oh jeez, her hurting your clone hurts you as well? That greatly reduces the utility of having a clone.
My golems are fairly simple minded if I do not assume a measure of direct control. Close coordination would not be possible either. Some feedback is inevitable. I have had neither the time nor the resources to create a more sophisticated permanent golem.

>Don't let her follow up that hit! Pull the clone back and go defensive for a second.
I press in and fling my blade to force Moriko back, a brace sliding free in my off hand to let me keep up the attack.

"That was no love-tap!" I shake my head. "I should have taken that hammer off you while I had the chance."

"No chance!" Moriko gasps back. "To a hammerai, their hammer is their soul!"

"Isn't it a little small?"

She's having trouble breathing still. I don't intend to let her catch her breath while I give my doppelganger an opportunity to recover.

2/3 Deem 2014/02/13(Thu)08:04 No. 562357 ID: 256d52
File 139230745454.png - (19.54KB , 600x520 , plenty_more_where_those_came_from.png )

>Always keep on multiple sides of Moriko, make her spend effort moving to try and avoid being counter-attacked every time she tries to attack you (or other you). Keep up the pressure with harassment if a full attack doesn't look viable--remember that you can control her movements by throwing swords at her.
I'm staying back for the moment, content to press her further and limit her movements while my copy advances. Fast attacks from afar like this were a good choice - she's having trouble staying clear and she's lightly armoured.

"To the small-minded, perhaps!" Moriko's voice rings out. She moves intently forward to face my copy.

We clash again, orichalcum against the finely wrought metal haft of her hammer. A furious exchange of blows and evasions. Knives harry her as she tries to reposition. I can feel the earth-pulse thumping, even with such a meagre hoard as I possess. It makes me feel intoxicated, being in the thick of battle as I feel it rise up around me. Is this what I dreamed of during my long sleep?

"Oh, you wound me!" I say through my doppelganger. I am feeling a little battered to be honest. "But I'm sure I have the generosity of spirit to survive a few pinpricks."

"Careful," the hammerai smiles wolfishly, "lest your hot air escape."

>Did you manage to practice any other particular reinforcements or have we exhausted our bag of special tricks?
Speed, strength, armour. I have a little more reach too. This is already a cobbled together mess of spells though. I would not care to try putting anything else on top of it.

>Is there any possibility you can control the sliced off bit of scarf still attached to her hammer?
No. Not without trying another golem creation spell.

3/3 Deem 2014/02/13(Thu)08:05 No. 562358 ID: 256d52
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>When you're both ready then take a side each and do a simultaneous flanking attack.
I'm in position now. I close with her. It's two against one. Moriko gives ground, but her hammer is everywhere, its almost blinding me with her swiftness.

"They're really closely matched." Reisarf comments.

"Are you seeing this?" Hin says. "I didn't think she had it in her. These moves, look at that kick! She should have charged admission. One thing's bothering me though. She had nothing magic on her except that sword and the medallion. Where is she getting all these knives from?"

Merud chuckles. "Magic."

"You think?"

"She put an enchantment on herself as well as the reinforcement. She has a template for a simple object - a knife - and she's using the stone in her body as a source to create copies."

Kallia whistles slowly in astonishment. "Godsdamnit, Merud. You tricked us into listening to one of your explanations!"

>Is the remaining scarfgolem still animated or do you have the ability to create another one with the remaining cloth on you? It might work as a threat/feint, you could throw it at her face like a self-guiding missile or make it go low like a snake to tie her legs up.
It is. I've kept it in reserve for the moment. There's a few things I could try still. I think I need to press Moriko a little harder.

cast that erection spell on your sword now. let's see how she blocks that while your copy is knifing at her flank at nearly point blank range.

idea, attach scarf to knife and have it flick when near her so it changes trajectory before she can dodge.

ok so both you and your clone are attacking her at once and the only thing stopping the two of you from overpowering her is her hammer. If you could get in close to make it look like your going for a stab and then grab the hammer again with your scarf golem to stop her from swinging it around and have your clone AND you press an attack you could get the upper hand. If you can pull that off try to attack her with stabs or not using the sharp part of your weapon (like the hilt or just a fist, foot, or knee) so you don't cut the scarf again.

Even if she manages to dodge the scarf grab she'll still open herself to you being able to stab her.

>Acting as your own ranged support.
Smart.

>golem sync / feeling problems
I wouldn't see this as a problem, so much. Looking at them as drones is the wrong mindset. They're natural extensions of yourself. You're maneuvering multiple bodies the way others would maneuver multiple limbs. Of course you feel it when they're hurt.

>lest your hot air escape
Okay, this practically demands a quip about how your power comes from the earth, not air, punctuated with a powerful attack.

>Kept scarf in reserve
Yeah, save that for a surprise grapple in the final assault. She thinks she's dealt with that.

Starting to look like this fight is building to a finish. Just remember to be gracious, in defeat or victory.

You could claim to have a positional advancement if she's giving ground, but is she controlling the direction of movement or are you Deem? If you have plenty of magic to gamble with on failure it might be worthwhile to try growing a surprise stalactite/stalagmite in her path of movement.

Note that this is really a job-interview.
"Wrong element, although I would admit that my current fighting prowess compares more to mud than steel as far as my potential goes.
"If I disappoint you now perhaps you should note that I currently am a dungeon that is barely anchored at all, has little treasure, few vassals, one creature, and no structures. I am currently at the weakest I've ever been and truly fought: In your terms that would be rather like fighting unarmed with your legs tied together, one arm broken and already bleeding from a half-dozen cuts. With a little bit of time and effort it's rather straightforward to help me present many different kinds of encounter. At least some of those should be less boring for you."

As far as charging admission goes, we arguably have charged admission: Everyone watching here is an employee aside from Kallia. We owe her a nice gift to for everything she's done for us, and she's really good at stopping Merud from rambling on endlessly so we probably want to recruit her for that when we can.

She's not countering. Move in with confidence. Spiral in with the both of you to pincer her. Make sure any words you speak are alternated between you and your copy every now and then to throw her off.

You've also faced greater champions before haven't you? She should be happy she's fighting earth and not air. Tell Moriko of warriors in the past that struck like lightning and moved like shadows. Ask her to be your friend and companion in weathering countless, greedy assaults as part of the labyrinth game. Tempt her with the powers of a fully stocked dungeon, practical immortality, training in esoteric fighting skills, the chance to battle endless golems and true allies that are willing to help her become the ultimate warrior.

Tell Mariko you've fallen in love and you want her by your side. If you have a chance grapple her with the scarfgolem and claim her as your own.

I've got an idea. Both golems have scarves. Can you link both scarves to the scarf tatters on the hammer? Then you would both be grappling with it and you can proceed to pummel Moriko.

>>562582
>You've also faced greater champions before haven't you? She should be happy she's fighting earth and not air. Tell Moriko of warriors in the past that struck like lightning and moved like shadows. Ask her to be your friend and companion in weathering countless, greedy assaults as part of the labyrinth game. Tempt her with the powers of a fully stocked dungeon, practical immortality, training in esoteric fighting skills, the chance to battle endless golems and true allies that are willing to help her become the ultimate warrior.
>Tell Mariko you've fallen in love and you want her by your side. If you have a chance grapple her with the scarfgolem and claim her as your own.

No.
While all that may be true (although I have doubts about the 'love' part) we should not say such things. There is a balance, and saying too many things that Moriko would not understand, would not believe, or would find less than credible and/or desirable will push her to leave.
We may have already pushed her as far as we can go saying things she finds questionable by claiming to be over a thousand years old (even though it's true).

>>562773
Yeah lets stow the love confessions for when we actually know her beyond "stoic hammer samurai"

Hey wait, just how much scarf do you have? Could we have knives attached to the ends of the scarves and have tentacle knives to back up our current tactics?

1/5 Deem 2014/02/24(Mon)06:32 No. 564099 ID: 256d52
File 139325233169.png - (24.83KB , 600x400 , double_team.png )

>idea, attach scarf to knife and have it flick when near her so it changes trajectory before she can dodge.
An idea with merit. I will have to attempt it if I have an opportunity.

>Okay, this practically demands a quip about how your power comes from the earth, not air, punctuated with a powerful attack.
"Hot air? Hardly. I too am the heritor of a strange and ancient power."

>Ask her to be your friend and companion in weathering countless, greedy assaults as part of the labyrinth game. Tempt her with the powers of a fully stocked dungeon, practical immortality, training in esoteric fighting skills, the chance to battle endless golems and true allies that are willing to help her become the ultimate warrior.
"Dungeon crawling... such a demeaning term. To play the Labyrinth Game is to immerse yourself in the old power of the earth. To pit yourself against a hostile existence and shout 'I will not be denied!' To seek might, glory and riches, a chance to carve your name into legend, never to be forgotten."

"If a destiny of battle is what you desire, you can do no better than coming with me!"

2/5 Deem 2014/02/24(Mon)06:33 No. 564100 ID: 256d52
File 139325239936.png - (33.99KB , 1000x400 , eh_saw_it_coming.png )

>She's not countering. Move in with confidence. Spiral in with the both of you to pincer her. Make sure any words you speak are alternated between you and your copy every now and then to throw her off.
I and my doppelganger move swiftly in to flank her. Even with the advantage of numbers, I can barely match her. She moves effortlessly, not a single motion wasted. Despite my best efforts at coordinating my attacks, she can still evade by the smallest of margins. The frantic tempo of the earth-pulse urges me on, and she can read it like a book.

>You've also faced greater champions before haven't you? She should be happy she's fighting earth and not air. Tell Moriko of warriors in the past that struck like lightning and moved like shadows.
To brag of greater victories while I am struggling here and now seems... tacky.

The hammerai evades a backhanded swing from my doppelganger as I race around just outside her reach. She pivots on her heel, gathering herself as she brings her hammer back up. She has me.

3/5 Deem 2014/02/24(Mon)06:33 No. 564101 ID: 256d52
File 139325243809.png - (24.15KB , 820x400 , ow.png )

Moriko lunges, rising from a low position and drives her hammer into my chest like a spear. Something cracks inside me as I fold around the blow.

!

4/5 Deem 2014/02/24(Mon)06:35 No. 564102 ID: 256d52
File 139325250080.png - (16.87KB , 600x399 , reflect_a_moment.png )

So this is it. Something I have not felt for a long, long time. But I am not unknown to pain. I have been hurt before and I know I will be hurt again. It's a small price to pay.

The earth-pulse roars in my ears and subsides.

She's mine.

5/5 Deem 2014/02/24(Mon)06:35 No. 564103 ID: 256d52
File 139325253489.png - (21.50KB , 600x450 , duel_over.png )

>If you have a chance grapple her with the scarfgolem and claim her as your own.
I am a dungeon, and once that which I truly desire comes within my reach, it will never escape my grasp.

>Starting to look like this fight is building to a finish. Just remember to be gracious, in defeat or victory.
This is my victory. Moriko squeezes her eyes shut and exhales deeply. I hear the others murmuring to each other. Ah, what to say.

>>564103
"You fought well."
Congratulate her for a good fight and that she caused you pain, something you hadn't felt for a long time. Then let her go.

how about "that was fun, now let's celebrate by making out with each other"

Give her a kiss and tell her she reads the earth pulse beautifully.

>>564110
>>564111
No.

>>564105
Better.

"I take it I win"

then if she admits defeat let her go, if not then this battle isn't over quite yet.

If she admits defeat then release her and thank her for the fight and then ask her what she thinks of your offer for her to join your dungeon now.

>>564110
>>564111
That's terrible.

>what do
Hold that position for a moment, then disentangle and step back, and offer her a hand. And say this stuff. >>564105 (Maybe "Well fought" instead of "you fought well"? The later sounds more like a teacher or master than a close-fought rival).

Then ask her if you've proven yourself to her satisfaction.

>>564103
Make sure you've got Mariko held securely. Don't glet her go until she actually gives up or gives you another reason to let her go. Mariko doesn't seem to be the type that gives up TOO easily. On the other hand I think Mariko knows why she lost. She hit the sentient Deem body dead on with the hammer, but still got grappled and defeated.

Tell Moriko that you can go for another round of fighting if she wants. Best of 3 perhaps? I don't think she will want to, but it's nice to be humble in victory. Let Moriko know you're always up for a rematch if she thinks she's gotten strong enough to beat you.

Merud :- Isn't this such a fascinating battle? Spontaneous re-animaton of the damaged scarf golem. The firm, yet flexible construction of Deems body (that allows her to withstand a hammer blow like that). Isn't Deem just wonderfully more capable than Moriko?

"Thank you."

>>564103
She struck potentially disabling blows against both of your golems. If she had a magic-rending hammer or something like that, you would have lost. Feel free to point that out to her. Heck, if she merely had a guaranteed way to escape a grapple you wouldn't be able to beat her ever, I expect. Her only weakness seems to be that her weapon can be grabbed and she cannot let go of it. Enchanting the hammer with Returning or something so that she can never actually lose it would allow her to foil that tactic quite handily. She could also then use it as a ranged weapon.

Wait a minute, I don't see your lower body. Did she break you in half? Did you only win because your golem does not need half its body? Or would that count as you losing? Without clear terms of the duel I don't know what it would count as. If you are broken, then you are at least demonstrating a formidable will, and that should impress her even if this counts as a loss.

"skills that would beat a person are not enough to beat a dungeon."

be sure to just put your legs back on like putting on some pants.

Just because we *maybe* won a single sparring session doesn't mean she's satisfied with our skill and character.

"So, that was once. Do I release you and we try again, or is it time to talk?"

This is all about the big impactful moments and this should be one. Use the scarf to draw her even closer to you until you are face to face, and once you are tell her that you are both creatures attuned to the earth pulse, two of a kind if you will.

>>564105
I second something like this. A potential alteration would be "fight" instead of "fought", though I suppose the latter carries a bit of "so, we're done, right?" which might be a good thing to double check. Though, from your description, maybe that's already clear to both of you.

...wait a minute, how does a dungeon feel pain anyway, aside from using golem bodies like this?

Let's not get overcomplicated here:
Withdraw, step back, and bow.

1/3 Deem 2014/02/28(Fri)22:44 No. 564793 ID: 256d52
File 139365627793.png - (31.76KB , 700x600 , lets_talk.png )

>be sure to just put your legs back on like putting on some pants.
They are quite firmly attached and I have never worn pants.

>To Merud :- Isn't this such a fascinating battle? Spontaneous re-animation of the damaged scarf golem. The firm, yet flexible construction of Deems body (that allows her to withstand a hammer blow like that). Isn't Deem just wonderfully more capable than Moriko?
First things first.In any case, I'm sure he's quite capable of appreciating such things without my needing to point them out to him.

>"Skills that would beat a person are not enough to beat a dungeon."
Merud and Kallia are the only ones aware that I am really a dungeon.

>...wait a minute, how does a dungeon feel pain anyway, aside from using golem bodies like this?
By being hurt.

>"I take it I win?"
Still holing on to her and with my dagger leveled at her neck, I ask Moriko this.

Moriko opens her eyes again as I speak. "Yes, I submit. You've won this duel."

>"You fought well."

"I was careless." she replies.

>She struck potentially disabling blows against both of your golems. If she had a magic-rending hammer or something like that, you would have lost. Feel free to point that out to her. Heck, if she merely had a guaranteed way to escape a grapple you wouldn't be able to beat her ever, I expect.
"It was close, very close." I tell her. "I knew I would struggle against your skill at reading the earth pulse and that in raw power you'd probably still have the advantage even after I applied reinforcement." I exaggerate a wince as I straighten. Something definitely is broken inside me. "Those hammer blows of yours are not something to be taken lightly."

She's still hard to read. I'm not sure how she's taking the compliment.

2/3 Deem 2014/02/28(Fri)22:45 No. 564794 ID: 256d52
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>Tell Moriko that you can go for another round of fighting if she wants. Best of 3 perhaps? I don't think she will want to, but it's nice to be humble in victory. Let Moriko know you're always up for a rematch if she thinks she's gotten strong enough to beat you.
I will make her that offer then, I don't want her to feel she was beaten through trickery or because she made a mistake.

"I suspect a second match would go in your favour, now you've seen the tricks I prepared for this duel." I move a little closer and smile to her. "My stamina is sadly sorely limited but should you desire it, another match between us should be possible."

Moriko considers it for a moment and shakes her head. "That isn't necessary."

>Then ask her if you've proven yourself to her satisfaction.
>Ask her what she thinks of your offer for her to join your dungeon now.
"Then have I proven myself to your satisfaction? Is there anything more you wish to see?" I let my eagerness show. I've slept too long. It is a time for action. "Have you decided to join with me? To build a dungeon together, to become my champion and defend it against against all comers?"

I think she's having trouble deciding what to say.

>This is all about the big impactful moments and this should be one. Use the scarf to draw her even closer to you until you are face to face, and once you are tell her that you are both creatures attuned to the earth pulse, two of a kind if you will.
...

3/3 Deem 2014/02/28(Fri)22:46 No. 564795 ID: 256d52
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No...

I let the scarf turn back to simple cloth and fall away. I step back.

...She's nothing like me.

anyone asks, you are just getting antsy about finally getting this place p and running properly. let's start excavating.

huh, dramatic.

Well I think you left an impression on the girl at least so I guess all that's left is to wait for her answer. But now that it's actually relevant lets talk about you building your dungeon. I'm not going to get into details of what goes where as it's still to early for that but I have to ask how long do you think this will take to set up your dungeon? I mean first we have to find where the gold is found in the mountains since that's what attracted us in the first place, then we have to carve out the dungeon proper, and then all the spell work we have to put in to make it so our guys respawn after dying, the wards to make sure that people trying to beat the dungeon don't go where they're not meant to, and other things I'm sure I'm forgetting. Just how long do you think this will all take just to set up a basic dungeon, hours, days, weeks, months, years?

Hmm, so we should outline the plan and the location we've got so far: The mountain location, building a dungeon off of the beaten path where there's plenty of good ore and minerals to mine. Planning route travelling, the question of whether to employ a guide to take us, methods of conveyance, rations and such are something we should discuss. We should make sure everyone is on board with the plan, double check for problems or opportunities we've missed or a need to redraft the plan from scratch, and acquire agreement. Agreement is important to help with morale issues during the travel, pacification and early construction.

>>564795
What will you do with your clone-golem now? Keep it active, or deconstruct it? Use part of its body to repair whatever's broken inside this one?

At any rate, we have two choices right now to deal with Moriko.
1) Wait for her response somewhat awkwardly, especially after that display.
2) Tell her she can think about it if she wishes, and to meet us at X time at the city gates if she chooses to join us. We have to go ahead and begin construction of the dungeon, which will take some time.

Calling it now she's going to leave the scarf tied to her hammer as a 'reminder'. Though she'll probably tie it on the handle better so no one goes trying to catch it.

>No, she's nothing like me.
That's not necessarily a bad thing. You're looking for people who can help you, who will be useful to you, not people who are you.

Don't let your personal issues get in the way of that.

Good news is you clearly had an impact on her. She's uncertain, and obviously affected by your withdrawal. Question is, will she close the gap you opened up and offer you her service, or withdraw?

I'd give here a moment of silence, standing there, to see if she takes that step on her own. If she doesn't make a response, you can turn and force the issue. (Your decision, Aritawa. Do I have your sword hammer?). Respect her decision, either way.

(There's always the possibility instead of inspiring devotion, we got foe-yay instead. Deem could have established herself as a worthy rival rather than a worthy master. Meaning we could have just inspired her to be a dungeon challenger rather than a dungeon defender).

>what do with the deemplicate?
I would assume Deem can't keep that level of sync up in two bodies indefinitely. It will either need to be deactivated, or downgraded to a more regular golem control system.

Best use of it might be re-absorption to repair the damage to Deem's form.

I now ship these two.

Now that our recruiting is done lets consult with our new employees on location and dungeon layout.

>>564793
Three arms?

Gather around everyone who needs to know about the dungeon and outline a plan for building it.

She hasn't yet given you the answer Deem. Wait until she says yes or no.

Also, we might want to outline our plan as >>564798 has suggested along the way to our dungeon. That way we start everyone off on the right foot.

She's all blushing and stuff!

You might want to outline the plan to set up a dungeon in the mountains. Let them know what's going to happen and when they can move in. I don't think there's anything else we need so we might as well get started.

http://instantyeah.org/

I'll just leave that here.

leave. she'll give you an answer when she decides. no need to push her- it's not like you're an impatient little kid at a millennium years old.

>plan dungeon!
Getting ahead of ourselves, here. We haven't even found an appropriate site, yet. Travel plans would come first.

And more importantly, we haven't finished here, yet. Ignoring Moriko is an insult.

Deem, cover for your sudden mood-shift by calling over Merud to figure out what the hammer-strike has broken.

Wow, asked for an impactful moment, and I'll be damned if that wasn't one. Maybe not in the way expected, but I don't expect Moriko is gonna forget that.

Say what you will Deem, but in the heat of combat you were totally enjoying yourself, and somehow I think it was the same for Moriko.

>>564819
>And more importantly, we haven't finished here, yet. Ignoring Moriko is an insult.

Well, my idea was to give her the option to claim membership in this group and our plans by engaging in group decisionmaking. Is this not obvious enough?

I don't think Deem ever had any intention of letting anyone else in on the decisionmaking.

>>565040
>I don't think Deem ever had any intention of letting anyone else in on the decisionmaking.

Well, that would be stupid: Her knowledge of current events is just ever so slightly stale.

1/4 Deem 2014/03/04(Tue)07:16 No. 565170 ID: 256d52
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Silence reigns for an awkward interval.

"So are they going to make out or what?"

"I'm sure it's not what it looks like, Kallia." Merud says.

"Didn't see this coming." Hin says. "But she does seem to get a bit too into things."

"It's only natural." Reisarf says agreeably.

"For love to bloom, even on the battlefield?" Kallia says.

Hin cuts in. "What's up with her other golem?"

"Ignore it for now I think." Reisarf says. "Deem's spacing out."

"Maybe we should head over." Merud says, frowning.

"They were just throwing knives a swinging hammers at each other with wild abandon and looks like they just had a falling out. Not going over there." Kallia says.

"Not looking for love, eh?" Hin says.

"Pffft!"

2/4 Deem 2014/03/04(Tue)07:18 No. 565171 ID: 256d52
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>Say what you will Deem, but in the heat of combat you were totally enjoying yourself, and somehow I think it was the same for Moriko.
Of course I was. The thrill of battle. Challenging others with my wit and skill. The roar of the earth pulse! It sharpens my senses, fills my Heart with fire and makes me feel alive.

>Deem, cover for your sudden mood-shift by calling over Merud to figure out what the hammer-strike has broken.
I feel a hand on my shoulder. Oh, he's already here.

"...I think that last attack did a little more damage than I first thought." I offer weakly, putting my hand over my chest piece.

Merud looks at me, a question in his eyes. He holds still for a moment and then inspects my injury. A dull pain when he prods. "I think it'll have to wait until you change back to look at it. How much longer does the change last?"

I shrug. "A few minutes maybe?"

"Is Moriko injured?" he prompts, eyes flicking past me significantly.

>Wait for her response somewhat awkwardly, especially after that display.
Ugh, stupid of me! I glance backward.

3/4 Deem 2014/03/04(Tue)07:19 No. 565172 ID: 256d52
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>She's all blushing and stuff!
Oh, Moriko's embarrassed she lost? I'll try not to draw attention to it then.

>Good news is you clearly had an impact on her. She's uncertain, and obviously affected by your withdrawal. Question is, will she close the gap you opened up and offer you her service, or withdraw? I'd give here a moment of silence, standing there, to see if she takes that step on her own. If she doesn't make a response, you can turn and force the issue.
I keep Merud close a moment longer and then turn and approach Moriko. She has some of her composure back.

"I must apologise." I say. "I suffered more damage than I first thought. Are you injured?"

"Hmmph, liar." the hammerai says.

I should have known better.

>You're looking for people who can help you, who will be useful to you, not people who are you.
>Don't let your personal issues get in the way of that.
Be bold, I tell myself. "I apologise in truth then. I am a stranger to this era. For a moment I was struck by a painful recollection of how alone I was. But you haven't answered my question. Is a destiny of battle what you desire? Do you need more time to decide? Meet me at the city gates at dusk with your answer."

She looks at me for a moment. "No! I mean yes! Yes, I'll join you."

MORIKO HAS BEEN RECRUITED!

4/4 Deem 2014/03/04(Tue)07:20 No. 565173 ID: 256d52
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>Just how long do you think it will take just to set up a basic dungeon, hours, days, weeks, months, years?
Several days for the most essential parts, weeks to get something I could call a dungeon.

>Gather around everyone who needs to know about the dungeon and outline a plan for building it.
"This is where our journey begins." I say. "The mountains to the north-east have strong sites for the earth-pulse and are rich in resources. We'll carve out our dungeon there. The sooner we can prepare ourselves, the sooner we can begin. We'll make our mark in the wilderness there. I can't say it'll be easy but I know that we're up to the task."

Only a few days have passed since I woke from my long sleep and I can hardly believe how much things have changed.

I am weak and broken but I am surrounded by companions now. We'll face the future together. Though it will only be greater challenges ahead of us, I find a warmth bubbling up inside me that I haven't felt for a very long time.

After a long, long wait... this is a new beginning.

END CHAPTER ONE

yay for Les Yay!

>Oh, Moriko's embarrassed she lost?
...no. She's embarrassed by a different emotional response. In getting caught up in the excitement and afterglow of the earth pulse, your closing remarks came across rather more intimately than I think you intended.

>>565173
Pose like a Deem because the team got real.

and we'll be there to help every step of the way

Yay!

Make sure to thank Kallia for her help with the training and fight suggestions. She showed you so many new things about your body and you wouldn't have been able to make Moriko happy otherwise.

>>565245
Now this can be easily misconstrued.

>>565245
Let's not. It's funny every so often, but doing it continuously just makes it look like Deem doesn't know how to function in society.

Thank Moriko for helping train you.

Deem is a dungeon, of course she doesn't know how to operate in society. She's like a newborn as far as interpersonal relationships go.

Deem double that Kalia has forgotten is standing behind her: lean forward and whisper a quiet 'Chu' into her ear.
She's been messing with Merud for days, turnabout's fair play

>>565258
And that is the precise reason we are here to advise her. Let's not intentionally be complete and utter failures, mm?

Oh Chac... Chakra... Shark O'Shay? Ehhhh. Close enough. You're still the best of them all.