Heretic 2018/06/20(Wed)05:32 No. 889487 ID: 8a947d
File 152949793993.png - (210.48KB , 1212x826 , Morning Workout.png )

You're name is Roland Gallows Conroy, and you've realized you're a bit scrawny...

You looked in the mirror this morning and realized that despite the fact that you're now going to be coming face to face with dangerous demons to study them you've honestly got almost no muscle and it's a little embarrassing. Luckily your dad had a few weights laying around so you've decided to start a little exercise regime. This morning after breakfast you did a few laps around the house for a half hour, some push ups, sit ups, and now a little weight lifting. You feel like you've done enough for now since you're getting a little tired. Now with that out of the way you need to decide what to do next. You have a lot you could do right now.

VOL: Can't we just stay in today? We need to chill for like a second before we almost die again.

>>889487
>you've honestly got almost no muscle and it's a little embarrassing.
What’s even more embarrassing is how your hips scream "feminine curves", which you most likely inherited from your mother.

In fact, you feel like if you put on a dress, for some strange reason, everyone would believe you were a woman!

That’s right, I’m bringing back the “feminine curves” joke I made in the first thread of the original quest! Let’s see how Roland reacts to that joke this time around! XD

>You have a lot you could do right now.
Do you think anyone would buy your Broken Scrap Shotgun from you? I’m sure someone could use it for spare parts or something.

You should also go buy some more bandages, since the ones you’re wearing are the last ones you own. There’s probably a reason your dad wanted you to keep your tattoos covered up, so you should at least try to keep them covered up.

>Can't we just stay in today? We need to chill for like a second before we almost die again.
Vol’s right, you know. You should take a break before you run off on another job that’ll end up with you unintentionally finding demons you aren’t looking for.

Although, staying home doesn’t sound fun.

How about this? You and Vol spend a little time practicing playing the violin at home, then both of you hop on the Skipper, head into town, and try to earn some money by playing music instead of doing jobs on the job board.

And it’s doubtful that Troy will want to come with you, since he’s trying to keep a low profile, so ask him if he wants you to try and find some paint to buy in town for his truck and what color of paint he wants.

Yeah sure, probably a good idea to relax a bit after that last brush with death. Maybe we can find some things to do around the house? Maybe get started on the flamethrower? If we do leave then it’s only to visit town.

Still gotta take that hide to the tanner but if you want an easy day that's fine.

I need to work with the captured displacer anyway.

>In fact, you feel like if you put on a dress, for some strange reason, everyone would believe you were a woman!
Oh you are on!

Let's do something here, like the flametrhower. And maybe look for some stuff your father hide somewere.
Say, Gallows, remind me, did you ever tell us something about your mum?
Do you know anything about her, maybe something your dad told you about her?

There's a few non-lethal chores you could do to satisfy Vol's request. Getting the hide tanned, crafting your flamethrower, and upgrading your skipper (I forget if that's been done but I don't think so) to start.

Tanning actually takes several days, so we should get that started as soon as possible.

>>889504
Yeah, he installed the Skipper parts. It was the last thing Roland did before he showered and went to bed.

1/2 Heretic 2018/06/20(Wed)17:49 No. 889550 ID: 8a947d
File 152954217895.png - (212.99KB , 1212x826 , Building.png )

>What’s even more embarrassing is how your hips scream "feminine curves"
You have never once in your life thought you had any form of "curves" feminine or otherwise. And you certainly hope nobody else has felt that way about your physique. Despite how scrawny you are you still poses a very manly appearance...at least you hope you do.

>Flamethrower
That's right you bought those parts for the flamethrower! you take a little time to put together the parts around your broken scrap shotgun and try to make it work. You realize a conventional flamethrower might be a bit bulky, so you do your best to make it easy to carry while still being effective. The more you work on it the more you figure how the pieces fit together...

2/2 Heretic 2018/06/20(Wed)17:55 No. 889551 ID: 8a947d
File 152954255780.png - (227.48KB , 1212x826 , Flamethrower.png )

You're worried that due to lacking the proper parts it won't quite have the proper range a real flamethrower would. So you've designed it to be able to blast a small projectile of fire at a longer range as well as a larger stream of fire.

You bought 5 Canisters of Fuel.

>>889551
Duuude, Kick ass, we are the Fire!
This is even better that i was expecting!

What now?

>>889550
>And you certainly hope nobody else has felt that way about your physique. Despite how scrawny you are you still poses a very manly appearance...at least you hope you do.
You’ll get your answer if a man starts hitting on you because he mistook you for a woman!

>>889551
You should test fire that thing before you get into combat. It’s better for it to fail in practice than it is for it to fail when you need it the most!

>>889551
The lack of a propellant tank means that the stream probably won't reach farther than eight feet in length.

What's the rate of fuel consumption? The tank looks like it holds around a pound of fuel, which would burn for around 100 minutes in a standard grill.

That thing is going to be HARD TO RELOAD. Use it sparingly in close-quarters to scare away maulers.

>>889570
We can check it out with a test. A little ways from the house.

1/2 Heretic 2018/06/21(Thu)05:06 No. 889592 ID: 8a947d
File 152958276095.png - (189.95KB , 1212x826 , Flamethrower Test 1.png )

>>889570
The propellant tank is in the stock. The flamethrower can toss out fire for about a minute before you need to reload. Might not make sense in real life, but I hope you understand I can't let you throw flames for over an hour if that's true

You head to the back of your house far enough away as to not damage anything dragging a can and a barrel. There you test the flamethrower. The stream reaches about twenty feet in front of you, you only fire for about half a minute. The gun seems to work just fine.

2/2 Heretic 2018/06/21(Thu)05:17 No. 889593 ID: 8a947d
File 152958342066.png - (488.75KB , 1212x826 , Flamethrower Test 2.png )

You move a bit further from the barrel and test the next setting. You fire a ball of flames from your gun. A few of the parts involved in the gun helps throw the ball of fuel with a bit more force and range, you keep it on a separate setting instead of having it on at all times since that might blow you up if you fired it. A fireball takes up a lot more fuel than a stream though and used up the rest of the canister

The fireball hits the side of the barrel denting it and knocking it over engulfing it in more flames. Vol quickly walks over with a bucket of dirty water to extinguish the fire. Your gun works pretty well. You have four canisters left.

Now that that's out of the way. You can continue to stay home to relax or you can head into town to do something else.

>>889593
How about you and Vol head into town and try to earn some money by playing your violins? That doesn’t involve almost getting killed by demons, so it should make Vol happy.

And since Troy is trying to keep a low profile, he might not want to come with you, so you and Vol should head into town on your Skipper without Troy.

Even though Troy’s not coming with you, you should at least tell him where you’re going and ask if he wants you to get anything for him. If he wants paint for his truck, ask him what color he wants.

A MINUTE OF FIRE, most flamethrowers could last only seconds. Damn, that’s some fuel dapacity.

>>889598
Considering the hybrid nature of this thing, it working a bit differently isn't too shocking.

We wanna upgrade the skipper?

>>889592
A grill's flames are a lot weaker than what's required for a flamethrower. I'll do the math later and post the actual duration.

I thought the front tank was a butane torch. What's fueling the igniter?

>>889592
>No sense in real life, would be too OP.

>Gives us a fucking tricked out, Decent Range, Fireball throwin, Fire spittin for almost a minute out of a tiny, cheap, hard to hit canister?

Yes Pls.

Sure, it looks like it only spits fire five or six meters, but that's more than enough. WW2 Military grade ones that fire feakin napalm could only fire a few times that length. For a janky home job this is fantastic.

>>889600
>We wanna upgrade the skipper?
Roland already installed the parts last night.

>>889606
Cool. I had forgotten and was really just hoping to be reminded.

Maybe we could meet the Tanner then.

>>889607
I know Ada said we’d get a discount if we brought our own hides to the Tanner, but do we even have enough money to afford it?

>>889611
Because we’ve only got 53C and I’m worried that even with the discount, we won’t be able to afford paying the Tanner.

>>889603
im pretty sure that our dude is some kind of genius with every passing moment.

Heretic 2018/06/22(Fri)01:06 No. 889653 ID: 8a947d
File 152965476524.png - (150.23KB , 1212x826 , Get Dressed.png )

>Flamethrower
You did well building this thing but you do have a few worries. No doubt finding ammo for this will be hard, and you're worried despite how well it works it's durability might not hold up well in the heat of battle. Still you feel pride for making this work so well.

>Town
You decide even if you want a more laid back day you don't really want to just stay home, there's always things to do in town aside from looking at a job board for demon hunting. You get your coat on and think about what you want to do in Dawnsprings. There are a few things you could do while in town aside from just wasting time. Tanning that displacer beast skin would be good, playing at the bar would be a good source of money and pretty fun to, maybe you could go visit a friend like Ada or see what Ichigo's up to. There's plenty of stuff to do but where do you want to go first?

>>889653
Make sure Ada isn't plant food.
Lunch.
Another dangerous high-paying job.

>>889653
Deliver skins to the Tanner, check on Ada and the plant, then play some tunes.

Ok, do this: First we check on Ada and the plant, then we eat something, might as well invite Ada. Then we go to the tanner, so bring the hides with you. And finaly, asuming averything goes well, we play something with the violin with Vol in a bar or an inn.
Nice and easy.

>>889658
This sounds about right.

>>889663
>then we eat something, might as well invite Ada.
Roland just barely ate breakfast. It’s too early for lunch.

>>889664
Alrighty then, skip the luch part.

1/2 Heretic 2018/06/22(Fri)07:43 No. 889672 ID: 8a947d
File 152967863356.png - (295.25KB , 1212x826 , Ada 1.png )

You decide to check on Ada first, You want to see how the plant is doing. You ride your newly upgraded Skipper to Dawnsprings, the trip is much faster and smoother thanks to the modifications. You arrive at the Lila Palast to find Ada hanging from the ceiling of the shop as she does normally.

ADA: Guten morgen Roland! How are you today?
YOU: Oh I'm good. I think I'm doing a bit of a relax day after almost dying yesterday and I was wondering how that plant was doing.
ADA: Oh yes, zhe plant...it has made some progress, some very interesting progress...

Ada drops from her web and moves to the back of her shop...

2/2 Heretic 2018/06/22(Fri)07:44 No. 889673 ID: 8a947d
File 152967866162.png - (247.93KB , 1212x826 , Plant.png )

She shows you the plant which has grown MUCH larger than before. The most important thing you've noticed is that the plant is much too big to be contained by the glass container, that and the new eye on the base of the tree that looks at you when you see it.

ADA: It grew much bigger and broke from it's case. Afterwards it vas looking for soil to root in so I got it a pot. it is starting to grow fruit zhough, lots of nice peaches. After some study I had not been able to identify anyzhing odd about the peaches but zhere is somezhink strange about zhem, for example: if zhey are separated from a branch for over half an hour they rot at a fast past, but if eaten before that zhere is no ill effect.
YOU: Did you eat the peaches ?
ADA: ...They vere really good looking peaches in my defense. Also it dripped more sap, speaking of which did you find anyzhing important about zhe sap I gave you before?

>>889673
“Ok, I am getting very worried about your safety!”

>Ada ate the peaches from the strange plant.
“That also fills me with worry!”

>Also it dripped more sap, speaking of which did you find anyzhing important about zhe sap I gave you before?
“No, I haven’t. I’m not an expert on plants and I don’t know anyone that would know anything.”

“I mean, maybe Doctor Mordecai would know something about plants, since I did a job for him involving getting him a living Mandrake yesterday. Do you think we should go get him and have him look at this thing?”

Can we ask Vol if he’s possibly seen a demon like this in the Aether?

Not yet-
Oh yeah we bought a microscope.
We should check that out today. Or have the guy studying the mandrake look at it.
Or see if it can be bound.

>Can we ask Vol if he’s possibly seen a demon like this in the Aether?
Is this thing even demonic in nature?
I mean, it most probably is, but it might be a totally different thing altogether, something new and undiscovered.
Are there more types of creatures besides animals and demons?
If there are angels, maybe there are other things as well?
We shlould probably look for a library.

>>889675
Now that I think about it, we don’t have any jobs to do today, so after we take the Displacer Beast hides to the tanner, why don’t we ask Ada if it would be ok for us to stay here and study the plant with her all day, if Doctor Mordecai is too busy to come over?

Sure, Vol will end up getting bored, but hey, at least we’re doing what he asked and not taking a job that would almost get us killed!

.....then again, the best way to find out more about this plant is to go back to the bunker where we found it. We didn’t finish exploring that place, so there might be more info there. And with our new flamethrower, we might be able to clear out the Lacerfly infestation.

>>889679
And we might find more scrap and/or cool shit to sell!

Sorry, Ada, the plan is to have Dr. Mordecai study it in depth, considering his interest in plants and plant demons, but for now we're just waiting for him to get some free time. Dunno how long his study of the mandrake will take but we'll get this sap looked at after that.

I say we go play some Violin with Vol.

Heretic 2018/06/22(Fri)15:32 No. 889697 ID: 8a947d
File 152970675324.png - (205.13KB , 1212x826 , Ada 2.png )

YOU: I haven't found anything about this sap yet, but maybe Dr Mordecai can find something out about it. So drinking the weird sap was too much but eating the peaches is just fine?
ADA: It seemed like a perfectly normal peach, if anything it vas much tastier zhan any ozher fruit I have eaten before. I feel better zhan I usually do actually!
YOU: I'm extremely worried about this whole thing... Vol does that thing look demonic?
VOL: I mean...kinda? It ain't like anything I seen before but I'm gettin' some demon vibes off a it.
ADA: Zhe plant was found in a testing facility, it's probably zhe result of scientific tests involving demons? I doubt you vill find much on it if zhat is zhe case.

>Dr Mordecai
It's been a day, whether he's done analyzing the Mandrake or not you should still go check to see what progress he's made.

>Library
Ada says that a small library is in town and gives you directions, there aren't a lot of books in it but there might be somethings you can find useful.

>>889697
Alright first thing's first we ask the doctor to analyze the sap, then go to the library to look up any possible books on weird demon plants.
This situation could go out of control at any point, we need to find out what we're dealing with here.

>>889708
I agree with all of this.

The only adjustment I’d make is going to the tanner and dropping off the Displacer Beast hide first, otherwise we’ll end up forgetting about it.

>>889708
And don't forget to ask him for any information he acquired from the mandrake as well, it is a demonic plant after all.
Also, and very important, since Ada consumed something that is from an aparently demonic origin, it would be good to write down whatever simtoms she starts to feel from now on. Everything we can find could be of use.

I think Ada should get to a medical center right now. If she develops an illness, you need to have it identified as soon as possible. A day in quarantine, just to be safe. Pay for her examination - she gave you four silver buckshot shells for free, after all.

Sell what's left of the displacer beast while you wait.

>>889697

What did you do with the peach seed Ada? Plant it?

We should try to eat a peach, then, there's not really a worst-case scenario there.

>>889743
What if you get addicted to the peaches, and over time they become less than benign?

>>889744
They're... They're peaches.

>>889759
Peaches from a demon-hybrid plant. It could be capable of anything and we should really be treating it more like an SCP.

>>889759
From a demonic looking plant!

What >>889744 said are very real concerns! Which is why we need to figure this out so that we can determine if the peaches are harmful or not.

>>889768
>>889767
Solid points, still, I will go with eating the peach option. I'm really sure that while this plants look like a demon, it still works like a normal plant and will absolutly try to not kill us, look at it! Cute plant, I will call him Herby II.

>>889711
Agreed. Letting that skin just hang around seems gross, anyway.

Heretic 2018/06/23(Sat)01:08 No. 889781 ID: 8a947d
File 152974133529.png - (276.71KB , 1212x826 , Ada 3.png )

YOU: Ada, I really think you need to go to Dr Mordecai in case anything bad happens because of what you ate.
ADA: I understand you are vorried but I assure you nothing odd has happened since then and I doubt anyzhing bad vill happen later. Besides Mordecai only works on humans, he has no idea how a mutant's anatomy works.
YOU: You're sure that you're going to be fine? Nothing odd happened when you ate it?
ADA: ...My cavity stopped hurting after I ate it...but I doubt zhat is anyzhing. I left zhe peach pit in the back I plan to study furzher. Maybe planting it vill grow anozher tree, zhough I'm not sure if I vant zhat or not. Zhere's still a peach left on zhe tree and zhe plant doesn't seem to mind having zhem removed, I assume it can feel since zhe eye moves from time to time.

The peach does seem normal. A small part of you wants a bite, and another part feels like strange fruit from that plant is too much of a risk to put anywhere near your mouth.

No one remembers a coward. Eat it!

>>889781
Her cavity stopped hurting? Do we have any aches we can test this on, because I want to see if those get healed.

Eat it. Remember the good old days of food meaning stat boosts!

Wait, don't eat it yet! We could use the fruit for experimentation. I might probably have some effects in injuries or aches. Since we can't examine the fruit because it goes bad really fast we can see what happens if we eat it while injured.

>>889781
>Besides Mordecai only works on humans, he has no idea how a mutant's anatomy works.
“Wow, that doesnt sound good. I guess that means you’ve gotta be extra careful to avoid getting sick, huh?”

>>889800
>Do we have any aches we can test this on, because I want to see if those get healed.
Roland has a missing eye.

But we also have a Displacer Beast in a Binding Scroll that’s missing one of its paws when we shot it off.

I think it might be safer if we test the peach on the Displacer Beast first before we try eating one ourself. Plus, since some people want to try taming it, healing up that paw would be a good way to start earning its trust! Although, I am a little worried about what we’re gonna feed it if we keep it, since as far as we know, it’s gonna try to eat Vol!

The only questions I have are: Do Binding Scrolls work like Poké Balls? As in, can we put the Displacer Beast back into the same Binding Scroll or do we have to get a different one to recatch it again?

FUCK IT!
Eat The Fruit.

>>889781
...healing fruit? Maybe the plant is so grateful that we rescued it that it is giving us helpful things. A bit redundant with Vol around though.

>>889819
This. The fruit may have different effects on humans than on demons, but the intensity of the effect can help us estimate the concentration of catalysts in each gram of peach.

>>889823
Well, making Vol use magic every time we want minor healing would drain him, and it's easier to sell a healing peach than our friend's services.

EAT, THE, FRUIT.

Heretic 2018/06/23(Sat)17:07 No. 889850 ID: 8a947d
File 152979882811.png - (237.06KB , 1212x826 , Peach 1.png )

>Roland has a missing eye
Your eye isn't missing, it's just badly damaged and incredibly hard to look out of.

>How a binding scroll works
After being released the binding scroll is burned and rendered unusable.

>Test on Displacer Beast
YOU: Ada is it fine if I let a docile demon out in your shop?
ADA: Zhere is already one standing next to you so sure I guess.

You let the displacer beast out of the scroll, it sits on the floor looking at it's surroundings for a little before sitting down. Ada's a bit shocked but you assure her the demon is safe, you ask for the peach and put it in front of the beast's mouth. It sniffs at it and eats it carefully to avoid biting your hand. From the stump of its leg the you see the red jelly in place of the beast's muscles reforms and the skin grows back over the paw. The displacer beast licks its regrown paw and walks to you doing that thing where cats rub their heads along people's legs to show affection, except since its so big it ends up rubbing against your whole body. It's kinda cute, you don't have anything to put the displacer beast back into but you have a feeling it won't be a threat to anybody as long as you keep it under control.

This proves the peaches look normal but definitely aren't. They probably aren't dangerous though. This raises some questions about the properties of the sap from the tree too.

How are you gonna take your hellhound back now? You have to either work fast on those new scrolls or get someone to take care of this demon. Ask Ada if she like dogs.

alright, I'm guessing after this test that the town doctor will be MUCH more interested in looking at the sap now so maybe we should do that. Also did you bring any of the other displacer beast's skin, the one that you skinned, with you? Could see the tanner in town and see if you can get some ready so you can make another scroll... or at the very least sell what you have to make some spare cash.

We should call him a name, maybe Emmett, like that famous circus clown!

>>889850
>It’s friendly
Alright, I think that if we’re gonna keep this Displacer Beast, we’re gonna have to give it a name, a collar, and some food to eat. And I don’t think dog and/or cat food at the local grocery store is gonna work, so we’d better think of something before it tries to eat Vol!

>This raises some questions about the properties of the sap from the tree too.
Well, you’ve got a dead plant back home, you could try putting a few drops of the sap on it to see what happens.

But what worries me is how fast this thing is growing. Maybe the research paper we found with the plant said not to expose it to air because it won’t stop growing?

>Now what?
Let’s go to the tanner with the Displacer Beast hide.

Hopefully no one in town will mind your new Displacer Beast with you!

>>889850
Oh my, that's a STRONG healing peach. You could try eating one to heal your eye, or you could save it for if someone else loses a limb. (which, narratively speaking, is inevitable now) I wonder how quickly the plant bears fruit.

The sap is probably like an energy drink or something. Get it analyzed, and avoid giving it to your new guard dog. Also name him Spot.

1/2 Heretic 2018/06/23(Sat)19:17 No. 889866 ID: 8a947d
File 152980664969.png - (197.33KB , 1212x826 , Brei's Tannery 1.png )

>>889853
You can probably get it from the Tanner, even if you can't the thing can still walk and run. You'll just ride slowly so it can follow you.

You head for the tanner with your displacer beast skin. You realize that the displacer beast probably can't go in so you ask Vol to stay outside and watch it. You still haven't decided on a good name for it.

2/2 Heretic 2018/06/23(Sat)19:21 No. 889869 ID: 8a947d
File 152980690319.png - (215.00KB , 1212x826 , Brei's Tannery 2.png )

The shop is pretty small, you assume most of the work is done in the backyard. behind the front counter you see a small woman running the store.

Brie: Hello! Welcome to Brie's Tannery! Is the anything you'd like today?

>You still haven't decided on a good name for it.
Eclipse?

>Hello! Welcome to Brie's Tannery! Is the anything you'd like today?
ask what you can get for you demon parts... and see how much it would take to get the beast skin tanned but that probably goes without saying.

Yeah, she's really small! But it's time to do what we came here to do, get the demon skin tanned!

We also can call the displacer beast of... Peaches!

>>889873
I am rocking that name. It might be too cute for a demon though.

>>889875
He's just like a big grumpy cat with tentacles! I think it totally fits with him.

>>889866
>You still haven't decided on a good name for it.
How about Echo? Because whenever it displaces itself, it’s leaving behind an echo of itself to fool people.

>>889869
Hand over the hide and ask what the price is to get it tanned. And make sure you let her know that it’s from a demon, so she should probably avoid using silver on it.

Peaches is perfect, we can confuse people by calling for peaches and bam! Displaced beast.

Heretic 2018/06/24(Sun)03:50 No. 889914 ID: 8a947d
File 152983740659.png - (241.78KB , 1212x826 , Brei's Tannery 3.png )

>Peaches
The perfect name for your little killer!

>Skins
You hand the skins over to Brie and explain how you got them and how you want them turned into parchment.

BRIE: Right! Normally turning skins into parchments would take weeks, luckily I've developed a method that makes it much faster and easier for all of us! Since you brought me the skin I'll give you half off and it'll cost you 40 Cards!

You hand over what you have and Brie heads into the back to work, you hear a lot of odd sounds but sure enough after what was about a few minutes she comes back out carrying an armful of parchment sheets. 4 good sheets of demonic parchment.

Not just any parchment, demonic parchment!

Also, whatever is in that building must be amazing if it can mechanically and chemically process material so quickly.

Ask if she's a chemist, and what else she can do.

>>889914
“Damn, you weren’t kidding! That was fast!”

Go ahead and pay Brie.

.....now what? Should we stick around and try to earn some money by playing the violin, should we try to buy some more bandages and hope they’re cheap, or should we head home and test that sap on the dead plant we brought home with us?

That was quick. Well, we can either play the violin and earn some "coin", or we can go and see if the doc. is done with the mandrake.

Check the doc, he might also be interested in Peaches.

>>889914
>a few minutes
Ask how she does it. Is it magic?

Heretic 2018/06/24(Sun)17:06 No. 889961 ID: 8a947d
File 152988520502.png - (183.92KB , 1212x826 , Mordecai 1.png )

You ask how Brie finished it so fast.

BRIE: I have my methods. It's all a secret of course, I can't give away valuable business methods to just anyone. I also have associates that help me sew the leather and furs I get into cloths and light armor if necessary, I'm no good with metal though.

You collect your parchment and leave to go to Mordecai's Clinic to check on his progress with the mandrake.

MORDECAI: Mr. Conroy! I'm glad you're back I've made good progress studying the mandrake's medical properties. I didn't go in depth with it though...that would've involved an autopsy and I... couldn't bring myself to cut the thing open.

You look over and see the Mandrake sitting on the counter in the back of the shop.

MORDECAI: ...His name is Rooty

>>889961
Introduce Peaches. Ask him if he could help study the Ent.

I... see. Well, then what did you found out?
If you want to we could go and find another one some other time, we could perform the autopsy ourselves, we are getting the hang of it. Also don't worry about having it as a pet, i did tame a displacer beast myself. It's name is Peach, but it wouldn't be prudent to bring it here, it might try to eat Rooty, they seem to like to eat mandrakes.
Say, i have an interesting sap i would like you to analize. It is from a plant i discovered when i was scavenging a vault. Now it has mutated, grew an eye and it seems to give a healing fruite, but i still don't know what the sap does. Care to take a look?

There was a half-eaten mandrake corpse back at the facility, we could go get that for him...

Anyway yeah ask him to analyze the sap if he could. It's rather important.

Oh well, Rooty looks like a good boy, we should pet them! Would be a good ideia to check where Mandrakes fits in our Panic system too, seem's like they're a common prey of Displacer Beasts.

We also should ask him to check about the plant in Ada's shop, what it seem's, it produces peaches that can cure injuries!

>>889972
Sorry if I'm being rude, but that half-eaten mandrake was... Completly eaten by Peaches! This is how we did capture him.

>>889966
I like the general gist of this.

>>889961
Tell him about the strange plant that you found and left in Ada’s shop. Explain that you left it with Ada because you didn’t know anyone in town that would know anything about plants. But since he seems to be interested in plants, you thought that maybe he’d want to go to Ada’s shop and look at the plant himself.

Make sure you tell him everything you and Ada have discovered about the plant and let him know about how fast it’s growing.

And when you tell him about the peaches, tell him how when your Displacer Beast ate one, it regret its front paw.

>>889965
>Introduce Peaches
.....speaking of which, what gender is it? .....don’t tell me that we’re gonna have to look between its legs ourselves!

>>889972
Peaches ate that.

>>889977
It's a demon so I think they don't even need to breed to exist, so better just call it up peaches and stay like that, forever.

>>889980
I don’t really care if we find out or not, I’m just asking to see how Roland would react to the thought of checking a demon for its gender and whether or not he’d be willing to actually take a look! XD

1/3 Heretic 2018/06/24(Sun)18:52 No. 889986 ID: 8a947d
File 152989156206.png - (226.42KB , 1212x826 , Mandrake PANIC.png )

>Mandrake PANIC Rating

In a lot of area's Mandrakes are pretty underwhelming, aside from their deadly screech which they don't seem to be able to do on command they aren't much of a threat. You give them a low PANIC score of 1 star. You make note of the medical properties they could have and where they tend to take root.

2/3 Heretic 2018/06/24(Sun)19:01 No. 889987 ID: 8a947d
File 152989207605.png - (250.76KB , 1212x826 , Mordecai 3.png )

>Peaches Gender
You're pretty sure Peaches is a guy.

YOU: So what have you discovered about mandrakes?
MORDECAI: Well, the leaves on their heads when crushed and boiled in water like tea turn into a soothing agent. Lots of aches and pains of sickness can be aided with this mixture from headaches to burns to rashes! It's not the cure all I was hoping for but painkillers are still important, especially ones that can get rid of pain for so long. Unfortunately there are only so many leaves I can harvest from one Mandrake. Nothing else from their bodies seems to be useful for medicine, but then again I have grown too attached to Rooty to cut him open. I shouldn't have named him the second I got him...

>The Peach Tree
You explain everything you and Ada know about the plant you got from the bunker, the peaches it grew and the effect it had on the paw of the displacer beast you caught. You hand him the vial of sap.

MORDECAI: This is even more interesting!...So you're saying that the peaches off of the tree could possibly regrow human limbs? The sap might possess some of the same qualities, possibly at a weaker effect...

3/3 Heretic 2018/06/24(Sun)19:07 No. 889988 ID: 8a947d
File 152989247068.png - (132.90KB , 1212x826 , Mordecai 4.png )

Mordecai reaches underneath his desk and pulls out a scalpel. He then quickly cuts off the last segment of his left hand pinky finger and sips the sap from the vial. The bleeding from his finger quickly stops but the finger doesn't grow all the way back.

MORDECAI: Still hurts a little, doesn't have the same numbing effects as the mandrake tea but the bleeding did stop.

He drinks a bit more from the vial.

MORDECAI: Drinking more doesn't heal it more either. This is definitely an interesting find Roland, are there any peaches left on the tree still?

>>889988
>Cut off tip of his pinky
>Drinks sap
>SCIENCE!!!
Well, that’s one way to perform an experiment.

Might as well tell him that the tree produced more sap, if he wants to head over to Ada’s shop to check it out.

>Anymore peaches?
“None left. But with how fast it’s growing, there might be another one in a few minutes or something, I don’t know. The only thing I know about the peaches are that eating them has healing properties. Ada even said that her cavity stopped hurting after she ate it. She said she removed the pit from the one she ate and was considering planting it to see what would happen. Oh, and she also discovered that if the peach has been separated from a branch for over half an hour it rapidly starts to rot.”

>>889988
DUDE! Calm down!

Someone tells you that they discovered a locally unheard of method of regenerating limbs and you immediately slice off part of your pinky?! Was it itchy or something?! It might be itchy now!

1) You're the first standard human we've tested this on, out of two biological entities to taste this. That's dangerous, and you're the only doctor we know in this town!
2) We don't know the long-term effects of this stuff, you could go mad and then we'd all be @#$%ed!
3) Couldn't you start by cutting yourself instead of an actual mutilation?! Or at least start with your toe / earlobe?!
4) We don't know how long that tree could last. If it dies, you're out a piece of pinky. Or whatever else you decide to slice off.

>Sap instantly heals open wounds
That's useful, though. Sap by its nature is a strong preservative. With enough testing, we could manufacture healing potions and get rich off the process. Might make the area safer as well. But I also expect the sap will require distillation and experimentation to maximize the effect/risk ratio. I'm confident with your... enthusiasm... you would be willing to experiment for months in exchange for a portion of the take. So are we good?

Holy shit dude! I wanted you to find out it was poisonous, not self mutilate and drink it.
You better hope those peaches grow fast, otherwise you will have a short or a long reattached finger. I suppose you could cut the portion from your severed finger that is equivalent to what already regrow...

I want to ask if he knows a way to reproduce mandrakes. I'm scary of what he is gonna do to find out, in case he doesn't, but it's important if we hope to improve the local medical treatment efficiency.

>>889987
>You're pretty sure Peaches is a guy.
Then why’d you give him such a girly name?!

Well, it seems that you are not the only crazy bastard in this place that performs careless actions against its own heath. You might actually become friends with the good doctor, become science pals. You two could make a reaserch team!

>>889993
Cause Peaches m8, you are a tad bit late on the naming of it.

Dude.
Metal.

>>890001
No I wasn’t. I made a suggestion when asked for a name.

Make a mental note never to go to this guy for medical attention. He'd probably kill you, Vol and somehow Troy with sheer enthusiasm.

>>889993
Fight me, I find peaches rather a cute name and fits that he did eat a peach to recover a paw, not the worst name of the world.

>>889988
Uh, alrighty then. So the sap stops bleeding and heals a little bit, while the peaches heal major wounds. This mystery plant seems quite benign. Maybe the researchers just panicked when it started walking around on its own?

There were no other peaches remaining on the tree but I'm sure it will grow more. Tell him you'll bring him one tomorrow, and you'll tell Ada to take good care of it and store any sap it makes... we can sell the sap to the town as minor healing potions!

>>890012
>fits that he did eat a peach to recover a paw
Yeah, that’s my problem with the name.

We named him after a thing he ate one time. It’d make more sense if the only thing he ever ate was peaches.

>>890022

He ate a peach and his paw regrew.

His paw is made of peach.

HE IS PART PEACH NOW.

Heretic 2018/06/25(Mon)02:44 No. 890045 ID: 8a947d
File 152991988419.png - (130.06KB , 1212x826 , Mordecai 2.png )

>>889993
On what planet is Peaches not the name of a cold blooded killing demon?

YOU: That was an insanely dangerous and unnecessary way of testing the effects of that but I'll be damned if a small part of myself isn't impressed. Anyway, Will you be able to go over to Ada's and analyse that tree?
MORDECAI: Of Course!...Well after the work days over, I can't close my clinic in the middle of the day. If you want more help there might be some books at the library that you'd find useful. I need to stress "MIGHT" though, a lot of them are simply story books. Y'know since you brought me this I wonder...

Mordecai rushes to the back of his clinic. He doesn't come back out for a while, you almost get ready to leave until you hear him rushing back.

MORDECAI: This is incredible! I mixed the peach sap with the mandrake medicine and drank it and my pinky finger grew back almost instantly! I'm not sure how well it'll work on illnesses but this is still a great discovery!
YOU: You're just all about this self experimentation aren't you?
MORDECAI: If it means more medical breakthroughs like this than sure! Here, take the rest of this vial. Someone in your line of work must get wounded in the field pretty often.

You take the vial and thank Mordecai for his enthusiasm taking your leave. Mordecai will be heading to Ada's to look at the tree more later today, for now you don't have much else to do. Mordecai mentioned books in the Library, and you can still play at the Bar if you want a little more money.

>>890045
Okay, now that's just silly. We happened to find two plants in two different areas in the span of two days that combine to make long-lasting regeneration potions?

You're ready to take on the tougher jobs. Find one immediately, all these investments are going to eat into your assets.

let's play at the bar, Vol wanted a lazy day so I get the feeling that he'd enjoy just playing a few songs with you and the extra money wouldn't hurt much either.

I would like to go to the bar and the library. If the library will close soon then that first. If we still got all day then sure, bar first.

We could ask for a book from the library to read later, and go play the violin now. We are not in a hurry, with how fast we are discovering data about demons and new medicines based on demonic plants, you can take a day off and do something quiet.

>>890046
Wait, didn't we found the mandrakore and the other plant in the same vault?
Maybe the people that where there before were investigating these very same things that we discovered today, new types of medicines to regrow lost limbs. Now that would make a lot of sence.

>>890045
>On what planet is Peaches not the name of a cold blooded killing demon?
The Aether?

>This is incredible! I mixed the peach sap with the mandrake medicine and drank it and my pinky finger grew back almost instantly! I'm not sure how well it'll work on illnesses but this is still a great discovery!
>Here, take the rest of this vial. Someone in your line of work must get wounded in the field pretty often.
Wow, he gave you something that rapidly heals injuries for free!

Well, the first one’s free, next time, if he manages to make any more, you better make sure you’ve got the money to be able to pay for it!

>Library or Bar?
Vol wanted to relax today, so going to the Bar to play some music sounds like the right choice. Besides, you need the money or else you can’t buy anymore bandages to cover yourself!

.....although, if you happen to run into Ichigo, you could ask him if it would be alright for you and Vol to play some music to go with his stories. After all, a good story needs some background music to set the mood!

>>890058
>Wait, didn't we found the mandrakore and the other plant in the same vault?
Nope.

The rapidly growing plant in Ada’s shop was found in a bunker that was infested with Lacerflies.

The Mandrake was found up in a mountain bunker, where we met Troy and we caught Peaches.

>>890061
They could still be connected somehow, or it is a really big silly coincidence, like kome stated.

Let's go to the bar and get smashed!

>>890045
Bar!

>>890045
Bar, we're running awfully low on money.

1/2 Heretic 2018/06/25(Mon)16:38 No. 890098 ID: 8a947d
File 152996993131.png - (474.39KB , 1212x826 , Lucky Lucc's Bar.png )

>We happened to find two plants in two different areas in the span of two days that combine to make long-lasting regeneration potions?
It is a funny coincidence, you could've easily taken either of the other jobs and not have found the mandrakes at all. You wonder what you would've found on the other jobs. This is good motivation to keep doing what you're doing since with the help of Ada and Dr Mordecai you found something pretty life changing!

>The Bar
You wander over to Lucky Lucc's Bar. You have Peaches wait under the shade until you are done, you trust it not to get into any trouble...

2/2 Heretic 2018/06/25(Mon)16:45 No. 890099 ID: 8a947d
File 152997033955.png - (224.26KB , 1212x826 , Luucc's Bar 1.png )

Inside it looks like business is doing pretty well. The place isn't packed but it's decent. You walk up to the front bar to speak to who you assume to be Lucc.

LUCC: Hey man what do ya want to drink today?

You're not really a fan of alcohol, plus you're not really here to drink. You notice that the bar lacks any sort of music, unfortunate for patrons who want something to listen to other than silence but lucky for you.

"Wine made from stuffing apple pie into a barrel."

Speaking of which, try making a mini-bottle of wine from the next peach. See if the advanced rotting effect also includes fermentation.

And now that we're done joking, find a job.

Well, you could order something light and ask permission to play a few songs with Vol for some carts.

ask if you could maybe play here from time from time. Could help bring in a few more customers or at a bare minimum give his regulars something to enjoy giving them more reason to come back or stick around longer.

>>890099
Ask him if he’ll allow you and Vol to play some music here?

You’ll have to negotiate with him how the Cards will be split between him, because it’s his bar, and you, as payment for your performance and drawing in customers.

>>890112
I don't think we have to negotiate a price. Music attracts customers, and will likely keep them drinking here longer. We're going to get money from tips while we're here too, so it isn't like we're taking anything from the owner. He profits, we profit.

I notice it's real quiet in here.
Well we got fiddles and we know how to play.

Don't make us busk now.

Heretic 2018/06/25(Mon)20:52 No. 890118 ID: 8a947d
File 152998515148.png - (180.38KB , 1212x826 , Lucc's Bar 2.png )

YOU: I noticed there's no music in here.
LUCC: Oh yeah, my damn jukebox broke last week and it had to send it to get fixed. Since then this place has been pretty silent. It ain't great since this was the one place there'd could constantly have records spinning and people could listen to music that isn't spoons or mouth harps.
YOU: Y'know me and my pal here are pretty good at playing fiddle. I was wondering if you wanted some help with the music problem?
LUCC: Well...If you can go and play those fiddles like you know what you're doing then sure I'll pay ya, and any tips ya get you can keep. Course, that's only if you can play at all, last time someone said they could play guitar it was quite frankly some of the worst noise I've heard in years.

You have the okay to play, but what music are you going to play?

>>890118
I'm thinking something a bit energetic and lively, something that you might like to dance to. I've always been a fan of Celtic music.

I'm not really picky though.

https://youtu.be/NytIbo_MLD8

I don't even know if we can do that song but what isn't better to represent our eternal hatred of lacerflies? Energetic and experimental is always good!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9uk9IcoQ0w
This was the only thing i found that has fiddles and can be played by two people. Hell you could make it a duel, like in the song.
Chose who you want to be boys!

>>890118
How about literally anything from the Fairy Tail anime? Because almost all of the music that plays has a violin in it.

Guys. GUYS, c’mon. Was there ever any other choice? Their first real jam session???

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wt4cAW9z4Qc

>>890128
And you should ask if there’s a stage you can perform on? Or at least ask him where you can perform so that you’re not in anybody’s way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XTvUeesQE0&list=PLxAMwvyxAlQEXSy9bJHE-O9ZG1iPbN1Dx&index=4

Only problem is you don't have a guitar, but just do the first half for now.

1/2 Heretic 2018/06/26(Tue)23:36 No. 890239 ID: 8a947d
File 153008137638.png - (317.02KB , 1212x826 , Violin 1.png )

>>890129
You and Vol tune your violins and move over to the side of the counter. Vol puts a can down for donations and without introduction or any real foreword. You think something with high energy would be best for the silent bar. You're honestly a bit nervous playing in front of people no matter how small the crowd is but playing with Vol helps you get it done. The fast pace of the song makes it easier too, you notice the people in the bar certainly enjoy it as well. A few more patrons enter the bar, a man and a woman, you doubt it was because of your music but it's definitely good timing. When they come up and order the man drops a few cards into the can at your feet.
The time passes pretty quickly while you're playing, you take a small break to get a bowl of water out to Peaches who's still waiting in the shade of the parking area near the bar. Luckily he hasn't gotten himself into any trouble, though from the look of the feathers around his mouth and the bird corpses on the ground around him he caught himself some lunch to eat. You go back inside and continue to play for the crowd, which's gotten to a decent size now. After a while you and Vol begin to switch in and out of other songs songs such as https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XTvUeesQE0&list=PLxAMwvyxAlQEXSy9bJHE-O9ZG1iPbN1Dx&index=4 and https://youtu.be/NytIbo_MLD8 . Until final you bring the performance to a close and finish off for the day. You get a bit of applause and a few whistles for your playing, Lucc's Bar is a bit less empty and now the silence from before is drowned about by chatter and people talking among one another.

2/2 Heretic 2018/06/26(Tue)23:50 No. 890240 ID: 8a947d
File 153008221261.png - (193.91KB , 1212x826 , Violin 2.png )

Vol picks up the can of cards and you speak with Lucc about payment.

LUCC: I gotta admit, that was a lot better than I expected. I ain't never heard violin like that before! and from the look of it the mood in here's increased a bit. I think they like the live performance more than jukebox actually. If you'd like to play here again I'd be glad to have ya!

Lucc hands you a small stack of cards. Including the donations you gain 52 Cards bringing you to 105 Cards.

VOL: Glad we got to do dis! We got money and played some good music! Now wat're we doin'?

Guess all we have left to do now is find another job that needs doin'.

Why don't we ask Vol if he has an idea of what to do next?
He was the one who told us to relax today an so far looks like it has been a great idea. We even got some profit out of it.
What time is it?

Well since we're taking the day off to relax I guess head home... maybe pick up some supplies if we're low on anything back and probably need to pick up more food anyways now just so peaches doesn't get to hungry. Hell maybe when you get back home and after you use the tanned hides to make more binding scrolls you can ask Vol more about imps and try and figure out what their panic score would be.

>>890240
>Glad we got to do dis! We got money and played some good music! Now wat're we doin'?
Let’s go buy some bandages so that Roland can keep himself covered.

After that, I guess we can go home for the rest of the day.

Heretic 2018/06/27(Wed)13:43 No. 890282 ID: 8a947d
File 153013221879.png - (130.74KB , 1212x826 , What Do.png )

>Why don't we ask Vol if he has an idea of what to do next?
VOL: I thought ya wanted to go to dat library to look for plant books? Actually I think I'd like a book to read too.

>Buy food and bandages
You hop around to a general store and a butchers for some bandages and meat for Peaches, it costs you 45 Cards in all leaving you at 60C.

>Ask Vol more about imps
You're surprised you didn't do that sooner. You can talk to him about while you're walking around.
VOL: What do I know about Imps? Well dat depends what d'ya wanna know?

GENERAL LIFE IN GENERAL

Let's go to the library then!

Also ask if there's another smart demon like imps or if imps had societies, or better, if Vol ever meet a imp after the time he was with big ol' demon hunter dad.

>>890284
Do Imps have families? Parents, siblings, etc.

>>890282
Ask if Imps are the only demons that can cross over from the Aether through the portals created by humans forming close relationships with objects?

Are all Imps capable of speaking intelligently like him?

Do all Imps have the same size and/or shape as him?

Ok got to the library. On your way there ask Vol about anything that might be useful for the PANIC chart.

ask about imps that he knew in the past and what they were like and what their skills were. Example, Vol is cautious and is skilled at playing the violin and can make a pretty strong barrier and can heal people.

Heretic 2018/06/27(Wed)19:39 No. 890314 ID: 8a947d
File 153015357449.png - (88.72KB , 1212x826 , Imps!.png )

>General Life?
VOL: Imp's mostly live in little groups. Anywhere from 4 to around 20, possibly more than dat. Our group stayed small though, dere was only 4 of us. Stayin' in one place fer too long was pretty dangerous for imps since bigger demons could come and get us. Some imps did make little cities but only because there were so many of them that could manage to do it. Our little four man group couldn't but we were happy just wandering.

>Other intelligent demons?
VOL: Oh there are plenty of smart demons: Goblins, Gnomes, High Demons. Dem High demons are jackasses, I'm probably smarter than most a dem freaks, but I only got one eye so they think I ain't worth shit. I do not miss 'em.

>Family
VOL: Nah...Well I probably did but I don't remember 'em. Demons are more well off as babies than humans, at least imps are. My mom or pop might have dropped me off, or they coulda died and I didn't know?

>Imps are the only demons that can cross over from the Aether through the portals created by humans forming close relationships with objects?
VOL: Plenty a demons can do dat, like I said it's not common but possible.

>Are all Imps capable of speaking?
VOL: Yeah, Imps and other demons too. Imps do this thing were if they hear somebody talkin' for long enough they just pick up the language. I couldn't speak English til I met Marshall and I couldn't read til I looked at some books for about a month.

>Other Imps, what were they like? Abilities?
VOL: The other's were pretty cautious too. It's risky not to be when it's easy for ya to die. None a' them knew magic and I knew VERY little until I came here. Imps ain't born knowin' magic y'know? Kinda like how Mandrakes have their screech and Displacer Beasts displace themselves, Imps can do dis thing where we turn our blood into solid materials. I can turn my blood into pretty durable objects whenever I want to...I just don't like to do it.

Ask Vol if he wants to make tiny blood lockpicks and other lightweight materials. You know, just to save a few cards on fine tools. If he doesn't want to then whatever.

Next mission is to look for a lead on the person who created that tree. If it requires special treatment to survive and reproduce, you need to know.

Well, since we talked about your friends, why don't you tell me about them in detail?
If you don't mind of course.

>>890314
>I only got one eye so they think I ain't worth shit
Do demons have some sort of hierarchy based on number of eyes or something?

>I knew VERY little (magic) until I came here
Wait, you didn't know a lot of magic in the aether? How did you learn demonic magic here?

>Solid objects out of blood
You can make solid objects from your blood?... Wait, that violin of yours looks pretty abnormal. If you dislike doing it, couldn't dad just buy you a violin instead of you bleeding one?

>>890314
>Our group stayed small though, dere was only 4 of us.
Do you miss your friends? Could you not bring them with you when you came through dad’s violin? If your friends managed to leave the Aether, do you think we’ll run into them some day?

>I only got one eye so they think I ain't worth shit.
Well that’s stupid! .....wait, do all Imps only have one eye?

>I couldn't speak English til I met Marshall and I couldn't read til I looked at some books for about a month.
So, did you not have a name before you met my dad? And what language did you know, if it wasn’t English?

>Imps can do dis thing where we turn our blood into solid materials. I can turn my blood into pretty durable objects whenever I want to...I just don't like to do it.
But isn’t your violin made out of your blood? If you don’t like doing that with your blood, then does that mean that you don’t like playing the violin?

Ask him for some stories about things he saw before coming here

Little late to this but it's not that surprising that the mandrake leaves and demon plant sap work well together. It's an experiment, right? Almost certainly some attempt to make demon medicine more viable.

Anyway, I'm guessing that it's not easy to find decent, or even working, violins.

1/2 Heretic 2018/06/27(Wed)21:38 No. 890337 ID: 8a947d
File 153016068769.png - (243.01KB , 1212x826 , Hollow Garden 1.png )

>Do demons have some sort of hierarchy based on number of eyes or something?
VOL: Yeah, all of the high demons have lots a' eyes. It doesn't make any real sense though; You haven't seen a Goblin before, but they got no eyes at all not even the sorta "fake" eyes that displacer beasts or mandrakes have. Some imps hold that over 'em but I never really cared.

>Isn’t your violin made out of your blood? If you don’t like doing that with your blood, then does that mean that you don’t like playing the violin?
VOL: If I didn't like playing violin I wouldn't do it Rol. It's not like there's any big reason I don't like to do it, I'm just a little...squeamish is all. If I wanna make anything big enough I have to make a bigger cut and draw more blood, and I normally faint when I do that. But playin' violin's still fun for me!

>So, did you not have a name before you met my dad? And what language did you know, if it wasn’t English?
VOL: Nah my name was always Vol, and I spoke Demonic. That's probably not what i's called but that's what I called it.

>Wait, you didn't know a lot of magic in the aether? How did you learn demonic magic here?
VOL: When I was still in the Aether I still knew how to make barriers and heal, but it was so it weak it wasn't as good as it is now. I could barely heal a small cut and a barrier began to break after a few rocks were thrown at it. When your pops taught me how ta play violin, my magic naturally increased through da use of a violin. I can't say I know exactly how it works but it works.

>Stories about things he saw before coming here
VOL: I got swallowed whole once. I was out swimmin' in a lake and this big ass demon, don't know da name of da thing, came and drank out of it and swallowed me. I was scared as hell and almost drowned, but I managed ta grab hold in it's throat and it coughed me up a ways a way. It was a trek to get back to my group, but after da initial shock they were laughin' their asses off...good times.

You arrive at the library, Peaches seems to understand what to do by now and sits down by front of the building expecting you to go in.

2/2 Heretic 2018/06/27(Wed)21:44 No. 890338 ID: 8a947d
File 153016105614.png - (217.12KB , 1212x826 , Hollow Garden 2.png )

As you enter a bell above the door alerts the owner to your entrance. You hear her voice from the back.

???: Hello! I'll be out in a minute just...enjoy the books while you wait!

There's nobody else in the library, to the right there are some shelves but only about two of them are full of books and the rest don't seem to be that full. There's a little area to sit read if you want to. A lot of the books are a bit tattered, but plenty are legible.

>>890338
Look around for any books on demons. Hopefully any you find will either have useful but not rendundant information, or involve demon-type stuff you don't get to encounter in person.
Lacking that, look for any books on fruit trees or esoteric flora.

>>890338
Any books on magic? Demonic, Angelic, and anything in between

>>890337
>I'm just a little...squeamish is all.
“Yeah, I noticed that yesterday.”

>>890338
Well, I guess start looking for anything to do with demonic plants or something.

If Vol finds a book he wants, ask him if he needs help reaching the high shelves. And even with your scrawny, almost no muscles physique, you should be able to easily pick Vol up and hold him over your head so he can reach the high shelves. If you can’t do that, then you really need to start working out more! XD

>>890335
Huh, bad timing on this, haha.

Oh well, books on magic and anything demonic. Fiction is just as much of a priority, since there's every chance the fiction has a nugget of truth.

>>890338
Look at the book on the table.

Ask Vol how he feels about needles. A syringe might be a better way of drawing blood, and if it doesn't go bad too fast maybe he can use prepared vials to make whatever the situation calls for.

Read up on horticulture. Taking care of walking plants is not common sense, you will need professional advice on the matter.

Read survival books, of course.

And for light reading, do some research on pre-apocalypse cities and maps. Most of these have been looted, but the real deal is all the secret bases and hideouts that are only implied. Some of these would need centuries of unbroken analysis to develop a full picture of the treasure map - and you have Vol.

1/2 Heretic 2018/06/28(Thu)00:55 No. 890357 ID: 8a947d
File 153017250042.png - (158.72KB , 1212x826 , Books.png )

>Books on magic
You find nothing solely on the topic of magic, demonic or otherwise. Like wise you find nothing on the analysis of demons or angels.

>Plants
You do find a pretty tattered book on the care of plants. Lots of it is still legible.

>Other
You find no books on survival, general survival is an important topic so you doubt a book like that would still be in stock. There aren't any books on old world cities either. A lot of the books here are fictitious or from the look of it self written.

>Look at the book on the table.
It's a fictitious novel about a man that turns his house into a boat and survives a flood that takes out one of the few safe havens in a flooded world, it looks like an interesting read so you decide to take it with you.

Vol grabs an odd book that looks like more pictures than words. The front shows a cartoon child doing an odd pose, the title reads Cool Shock BT.

2/2 Heretic 2018/06/28(Thu)01:03 No. 890359 ID: 8a947d
File 153017299545.png - (220.72KB , 1212x826 , Hollow Garden 3.png )

You walk to the front counter as the librarian comes out from the back, she had to crouch down as she walked through the door. You're a bit, surprised by how large she is.

HAZEL: Oh! You aren't regulars. My name's Hazel, Welcome to Hollow Garden! What are you renting today?

Vol: "I'm renting you-"
*Roland SMACK*
Vol: "-r graphic novel. Where did you get this from? Yourepretty"

Get the plant book, it might get us some insight on what to excpect from the peach tree(?).

>>890359
...I kind of want us to get with her eventually, but at the same time I feel like that would be betraying Ada. But it isn't like we know her that well in this setting, so it shouldn't be that bad. I'm so conflicted right now.

Show her the books we want to rent, and ask her if she may be able to track down specific books for us. Also ask if she has any advice for writing our own, we'll need our book to look good and official when it's done to help captivate our readers.

>>890368
A fresh start, a fresh waifu.
"I'm looking for a book on dog tricks." Let's train Peaches to fetch, roll over and play chess.

>>890359
ask were each section of book can be found. I mean you found a lot of fiction but maybe you just weren't looking in the right spot.

>>890362
ok this got me to laugh.

>>890362

Yee

>>890359

Fffffuck she is cute! Damn it Heretic!

>>890377
Got anything on tiger training?

>>890359
>What are you renting today?
The plant book and whatever Vol picked up.

>Everyone saying Hazel is cute.
Yeah, I understand what everyone is talking about.

However, if you guys don’t mind, I’m gonna stay on team Ada.

>>890362
I’ll be surprised if Vol actually does say that! XD

You know, I just realized that Hazel is like 7 feet tall.

Still cute tho.

Dog taming manual

>>890405
I think that's a BIG part of her appeal.

Nice lizard pajamas.

Ask for a fairy tales book, might be a good reading for kids, Vol and tales to make peaches sleep, our giant demoniac puppy cat.

We're definitely going to be regulars from now on. Yeah.

Oh and yeah, these books. And a request. To hold on to books about general survival tips for us when those come back in stock.

>>890409
This guy gets it.
Tall chicks are hot.

1/2 Heretic 2018/06/28(Thu)19:48 No. 890446 ID: 8a947d
File 153024048458.png - (64.73KB , 803x764 , Vol.png )

>>890362
VOL: Ehhh. I had a thing wit a gal five times my size before. I won't get inta details, but I think it's safe to say I like my gals a bit more ME sized. Them horns are pretty cute though not gonna lie.

2/2 Heretic 2018/06/28(Thu)20:19 No. 890448 ID: 8a947d
File 153024236181.png - (170.02KB , 1212x826 , Hazel 1.png )

>Training Books
You ask Hazel if she has any books on training animals. You're not sure if a displacer beast is necessarily canine or feline, so you ask for a book on animals in general. Hazel points you to a ratty Animal Training 101 book on one of the shelves further back in the store. You take that along with the rest of the books you have.

HAZEL: I'm glad to see some different faces taking some books out. Not many people care about books, or even know how to read. These are some really good choices; All together this'll cost you 30C, but if you return these books within 2 weeks I'll give you 15C back.

You pay Hazel the 30 cards leaving you at 30 cards remaining.

>Track down specific books for us.
HAZEL: A lot of the books I scavenge out of random areas or buy off of others. There's no way I would be able to find the specific book you wanted. I do have other books in better condition, but I do not wish to put them up for sale to anyone...Actually, are you a demon hunter?
YOU: Demonologist, but it's sorta the same thing.
HAZEL: Oh, but you still go out looking for demons right?
YOU: Yeah from time to time if I want to study them. Why?
HAZEL: Well, I just feel like someone like you might come across some books while you're out doing your studying. D'you think if you found any, even if their in poor quality you could bring them back here? I could let you look at some of the better quality from my personal stash.

>>890446
Such raw reaction shouldn't be explaned further.
>>890448
We have pop's diary and our book that she can see, but both are extremaly lacking, still, something is better than nothing.

Might ask for tips with writing and saying that you can sell a few books while you scavange for her.

>>890446
You can’t say shit like that and not expect us to ask for more details! I demand details, you tease! D-:<

>>890448
>if you return these books within 2 weeks I'll give you 15C back.
That sounds like a good deal!

>D'you think if you found any, even if their in poor quality you could bring them back here? I could let you look at some of the better quality from my personal stash.
That also sounds like a good deal!

Reach your hand out for a handshake and say, “You’ve got yourself a deal!”

And with that done, I think we’re officially done doing things in town, so let’s head home!

>>890446
Vol, you devil you!

>>890448
It's a deal. We'll see to find some books for you.
If don't mind me asking, ehh, like seriously, i don't want to sound rude, but, what exactly are you?

>>890446
Just one question: Was it a another demon?

>>890448
That seems like a good deal, we'll see what we can do.

And again, ask her if she can give advice for writing a book.

Sure, we can bring back any books we find. Also her if she has any ricks for writing a book as well. Like with your demon book do you think once you fill it up if you should simply put the book from most dangerous to safest, should we make multiple sections for different types of demons and if so what would she think be the best way to categorize them.

Can we buy the books by forfeiting our 15C deposit or do we have to eventually return them if we want to rent more books?

Also, if we deposit new books can you put a special sticker on them so we can re-read them in the library at no extra cost? We'd return them faster if we're not forced to speed-read right before we deposit.

Heretic 2018/06/28(Thu)22:58 No. 890468 ID: 8a947d
File 153025191967.png - (162.46KB , 1212x826 , Hazel 2.png )

>>890462
HAZEL: You can keep the books if you give up the extra 15 Cards, certain books I will not be happy about if you keep but I'm not attached to any of those. I'll make sure you'll be allowed to read the books you turn in here at the library if you wish. They would be books you found after all, wouldn't be fair to make you pay to read them.

>Tips on writing
You show Hazel the journal you're working on and ask if she knows any tips about writing. You explain why you study demons and your plans for the journal.
HAZEL: I only have experience writing fiction books, from the sound of it you shouldn't worry on organization yet. The more important thing you should worry about is the collection of information on different demons as safely as possible. Just get what you can and after you've gotten enough re-work it and make a final draft of it all, this journal is more of a rough draft especially since there's still stuff about these demons you don't know. Bird watching journals will normally record conditions such as locations and weather, maybe doing the same for your journal would be a good idea too.

>What is She?
She seems like a mutant like Ada.

>>890468
I mean, she has to make money too, I guess. Still, unless we absolutely need to keep a book, let's make sure to turn them in. Early, if possible.

And there's some good advice there. Making sure to note where we found these demons and their situations would be important. That way we can keep track of whether, say, displacer beasts tend to live in mountains, or if they're migratory, etc.

>>890468
>record conditions such as locations and weather, maybe doing the same for your journal would be a good idea too.
Solid advice.

Go ahead and jot down those things for the demons you’ve already gotten in your journal.

And like she said, this journal is one giant rough draft. So if you find any new info that contradicts the old info, do some more studying to determine if the new info is reliable or not, and replace the old info if the new info proves to be more reliable.

>She seems like a mutant like Ada.
But what kind of mutant is she?

You know Ada is a Spider Mutant, so what kind of mutant is Hazel?

>>890470
That's racist and objectifying. She's big and that's enough. That's everything.

No no. "Dog" "Taming" manual.

>>890477
No, this: >>890483 , is racist and objectifying.

Ask for a few scavanging locations she know or any demon that she did meet while scavanging for books, it's always good for know better our world and places that we can go.

>>890484
Well I was making a joke, I didn't think we'd actually get a real example. I should've known better.

>>890468
>Conditions
Now that I think about it, we've only found lacer flies in one place: underground. In the vault, and those flies in the mines. It could just be coincidence, but I think it's a good idea to note that down. Maybe they don't like light or heat?

Apparently mandrakes like high altitudes, if what the doctor told us is true. The doctor might also appreciate it if we brought him more for more medicine. I also want to see if mandrakes need to breed sexually. Could be useful to make a farm of them ourselves.

Heretic 2018/06/30(Sat)04:21 No. 890564 ID: 8a947d
File 153035768555.png - (227.80KB , 1212x826 , Questions.png )

>>890514
You'd think Lacerflies being underground once would be a coincidence, but twice might be more of a pattern. You write down the information on the demons just in case.

>But what kind of mutant is she?
You've got no idea, you don't think all mutants fall into perfect categories of certain animals or bugs. Some mutants are just...mutants. You don't think it'd be polite to ask.

>>890490
HAZEL: Any demons I've seen I've done my best to avoid. I always see one or two but it's always from a distance and I never stay to look, Sorry.

You thank Hazel for her business and leave the library. You toss Peaches a slice of meat as you walk to the exit of town. On your way you hear a voice call out to your direction from behind you.

???: U-Um! Excuse me!

You turn around to face a young woman, possibly around the same age as you. She looks back and forward between Vol and Peaches.

???: I heard about somebody walking around with a big demon but I wasn't sure if it was true! D-do both of them belong to you?

>D-do both of them belong to you?
well they don't really belong to me. I'm just stumbled across peaches (gesture to peaches) and after that managed to calm him down and vol has been a family friend for a long time and has lived with us almost as long. Why do you ask?

>>890564
Vol is family (might a well be your brother after all you probably grew up with him around) and peaches might as well be your pet at this point after being tamed by the scroll (and becoming like a pet dog). Someone saying that you 'own' Vol is just insulting (and wrong) because even if he is a demon he is still a sapient being.

The imp here is vol, i don’t own him, he’s a friend and the canine looking one with the tentacles is peaches. Anyways is there something you wanted?

Yes to Peaches, no to Vol.

>>890564
How long has Vol been with your family? Because if he’s been around before you were born, then I think it would be safe to say that he’s practically your older brother. Or if you were born before Vol showed up, then he’s practically your younger brother. Either way, when you introduce him, make sure you let her know that Vol is family and reach over and give Vol a noogie.

But, no, you don’t own both of them, you only own 1 of them, which is Peaches the Displacer Beast.

Now now ma'am, they don't "belong to me", they are my friends!
This little charming fella is Vol, and the one walking on fours is Peaches. Peaches might be considered a "pet", but Vol is like my brother, so i kindly ask of you to treat him with the respect he deserves.
My names is Ronald, by the way. So now that we are done with the introductions, how could we help you?

She has a mark on her neck.

>>890581
I mean, it could just be a little scuff but nothing wrong with a quick check yeah?

>>890564
Well you own the Displacer Beast outside, but Vol here is a friend.

>>890581
That's a wrinkle in the collar of her coat.

1/2 Heretic 2018/06/30(Sat)19:12 No. 890632 ID: 8a947d
File 153041113208.png - (156.57KB , 1212x826 , Questions 2.png )

YOU: The imp is Vol and the big cat dog thing is a displacer beast named Peaches. I don't own Vol, he's been a close friend of my family for years. Peaches is basically a pet though. My name's Roland.
ULA: Sorry I didn't mean to offend you! M-My name's Ula and I was only curious. You didn't seem like the kind of person to keep Demons with you. Are you a-
YOU: I'm a demonologist. I look for demons to study and record what I find out.
ULA: Wow! Really? Have you been doing it for a long time?
YOU: No, I've been doing it for all of two days.
ULA: b-but you still managed to capture a displacer beast? That's impressive! Anyway...A friend of mine runs this uh...business in Crud City. It might interest s-someone like you! Here.

Ula hands you a red envelope.

ULA: Well, please consider visiting! I h-hope I can get to see you there Roland!

2/2 Heretic 2018/06/30(Sat)19:29 No. 890634 ID: 8a947d
File 153041215311.png - (84.16KB , 1212x826 , Questions 3.png )

Ula runs off. You open the envelope, but it's written in a language you don't understand. You show the letter to Vol.

VOL: It's written in demon language. It says ya invited compete to a "Devil's Duel at Dusk", a match up of skill, speed, and wits pitting demons and their "trainers" against one anotha in a battle of sport. Join fer a heart poundin' experience and a challenge like no other, glorious prizes and rewards fer winnin', or simply to strengthen the bond between your human/demon partner ship.

you should join. you wanna be the very best right? like no one ever was?

Welp, if we ever decide to join we need to first get some stronger demons. Or at least ‘more’ demons.

>>890634
I wouldn't mind checking it out sometime, so long as it doesn't put anyone in danger. We could use it to check out the capabilities of other demons while we're at it. I think it might be a good idea to go home and work on training Peaches right now, assuming no one has any other ideas for what to do in town.

Since our skipper now has an autopilot, we can read on the way there.

>>890641
It's perfectly normal to attend these events with only two pok-errrr demons! At least if NPCs are anything to go by.

If it's written in demon, then perhaps they have some demons on their staff. Maybe Vol could get a job in the commentators' booth! So how long do we have til the duel? Datewise I mean, we already know the time of day.

>>890634
This sounds like an excellent opportunity to gather information. I wonder if Peaches understands you well enough to say if she'd like to participate or not?

>>890634
It should be interesting to visit sometime, but we're well-off enough for long trips. Let's do some other jobs before we check it out.

>>890634
does that sound legal to you?

Either way it could be a good place to learn more about demons even if you don't fight yourself.

Yeah, we're totally shit compared to another demons but I bet we should try! It's like rooster fight but our giant dog eats people faces.

Heretic 2018/06/30(Sat)21:43 No. 890655 ID: 8a947d
File 153042021710.png - (203.84KB , 1212x826 , Questions 4.png )

You aren't quite sure of the legality of the whole thing, but you feel like even if you were to only watch instead of participate you'd be able to gain some useful knowledge on demons and possibly the people that train them. Vol pulls a second paper from the envelope.

VOL: Ya can bring as many demons as you can possibly carry, but can only use one durin' a match. The trainers role will depend on the type a challenge but normally a trainer will be in the action alongside da demon they bring. Da physical prowess and technical skill a da trainer can make or break a match.

VOL: It says da tournament is completely non-lethal and death and injury are avoided durin' any matches, though injuries may still occur. Well I guess I can participate of ya want me to since it says I won't die. We did everythin' in town already, I haven't been in Crud City before. Ya wanna go now? Or stop home before dat?

Let's check the jobs board now in case there is anything in the way to the city, otherwise, let's go!

>>890655
Is there a time and/or date telling us when the tournament is? Ula said she hopes to see us there, but that doesn’t mean she hopes to see us there today.

I’m still questioning how legit this is. The invitation being written in demonic means the only way to read it is if you have an intelligent demon that can speak English to translate the message. That makes me think that this could be an underground thing that people would normally disapprove of. Which means that we might not be allowed to walk around in public because Vol and Peaches aren’t put away.

The message also says, “Bring as many demons as you can possibly carry.” meaning we'd need Binding Scrolls, which we don’t have yet, since we’ve only gotten the parchments and haven’t turned them into Binding Scrolls. Although, maybe they’ll be selling them at the tournament?

>Ya wanna go now? Or stop home before dat?
Let’s go home and drop off the things we don’t need to bring with us. And while we’re home we can turn those 4 demonic parchments into Binding Scrolls.

>>890659
We’d also need to tell Troy where we’re going to see if he’d want to join or not. It’s doubtful that he will join, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.

We should wait until next year, when we have a full team of demons to murder anyone waiting to ambush the hapless trainers.

Er, I mean if you want, Vol, but I don't feel comfortable being called your "trainer". Not sure if I like the implications there. Not to mention that not all intelligent demons are there voluntarily. But hey, goal advancement and money are good motivators for getting over the weirdness. We'll check it out.

Let's stop at home first. See if we can get some Binding scrolls done.

>>890655
Go back to make those binding parchments, then check out that tournament. We might not be able to join in though, Peaches has literally zero training.

Another new test, is there a difference if we use human blood or demon blood in the ritual for the binding parchment?

>>890665
Then we shall become the most famous of demon trainers. The one thing they see before they lose: A red neckerchief. We shall be known as red, the demon master. If we work hard, maybe one day we'll even fill our journal with all 151 demons!

I just realized something. Tournaments usually require an entrance fee from the participants. I doubt we’ll be able to even afford that!

Oh, well. We can still go and just watch. There’s nothing saying that we have to participate in the tournament.

Heretic 2018/07/01(Sun)01:47 No. 890681 ID: 8a947d
File 153043484283.png - (114.76KB , 1212x826 , Going Home.png )

>Is there a time and/or date telling us when the tournament is?
The note says it will begin at Dusk. The invitation seems to wave any need for an entrance fee.

>Go Home
You mount the skipper and head home, setting the autopilot to go slowly so Peaches can keep up with you. While you ride home you read the fiction book, the one about the flood.

VOL: ...Hey Roland?
YOU: Yeah?
VOL: So, ya know how I have a really hard time usin' my ability? Since I'm too chicken to look at my own blood? D'ya think dat you could help me with dat? I seen imps dat can make lotta good use outta their hemo-sculpting, but I feel like without usin' it myself I'm sorta...I don't know handicapping myself.
YOU: Vol, if you need help in anyway I'll do my best to make sure you get it.
VOL: Thanks Rol.

You finally arrive home. Troy's truck is gone, on your front door there's a note that reads "Out, will bee back soon. Troy". It's a good thing you got those upgrades for the Skipper since the ride to Crud City is a bit longer than the ride to Dawnsprings. You go inside, Peaches lays down and takes a nap. You've got plenty of time until the Devil Duel, what do you want to get done first?

Check your crops - or lack thereof. Find a way to instruct Peaches to poo in the field holes that you dig, for demon fertilizer.

Double-check your shotgun ammo and tinker with the flamethrower - you need every self-defense mechanism you have if Crud City is a trap.

Finally, help Vol with his haemophobia with exposure therapy - slice your arm, drink some healing potion, repeat until Vol is ready to do it to himself.

>>890681
>The note says it will begin at Dawn. The invitation seems to wave any need for an entrance fee.
Oh, ok. That still doesn’t mean that we have to enter the tournament, we can just go over there and watch to see how things work. Then we can decide if we want to enter or not.

>Since I'm too chicken to look at my own blood?
But he has to look at his blood when he’s making his violin, right? Because if he’s not looking at what he’s making, then his violin would end up being formed all crooked and not sounding right. Has he been forming his violin without looking at it this whole time?

>It's a good thing you got those upgrades for the Skipper since the ride to Crud City is a bit longer than the ride to Dawnsprings.
It’s going to be even longer if you have to go slowly so that Peaches can keep up with the Skipper.

>You've got plenty of time until the Devil Duel, what do you want to get done first?
Turn those 4 good sheets of demonic parchment into Binding Scrolls before you end up forgetting about them.

Then help Vol with his hemo-sculpting. Start with having him make his violin, which I’m assuming is the biggest thing he’s willing to make before he starts getting squeamish, and then he can slowly work his way up to making bigger things.

>>890682
>Finally, help Vol with his haemophobia with exposure therapy - slice your arm, drink some healing potion, repeat until Vol is ready to do it to himself.
I don’t think we should be wasting our healing potion like that, we might need it for something else!

I think we should write about imps now we know more about them and all.

My opinion, in order to get this whole blood thing out we need to start small. Small quantities, then we work on ever larger amounts.

>>890681
Again, make those parchments. One with human blood, the other with demon to tell the difference.

>>890682
That's kind of like using a flamethrower for a normal gnat. It's a waste of a healing potion that can regrow limbs. Also, my memory is a little fuzzy, but I think remember him saying that it needs to be his blood.

First, we should have Vol cut just to where he gets squeamish. Repeat until he feels relatively comfortable, then ramp it up a bit and have him create something bigger. Maybe have him make a stick while he's at it, and use it to teach Peaches fetch, assuming he's fine with that. Next time we dissect something, we should also keep him here.

Also, he says that imps make good use out of hemo-sculpting. What is the most impressive use of it that he's seen?

Finally, I just considered this, we need a melee weapon. Not as a main weapon, but something to protect us in case we run out of bullets.

>>890697
>Finally, I just considered this, we need a melee weapon. Not as a main weapon, but something to protect us in case we run out of bullets.
We still have a Hand Axe with us.

>>890698
It's"tier 1", though, prone to breaking. But I do think we should start using it before we try upgrading.

>>890681
Okay, first is the binding scrolls. But then, maybe alternate between helping Vol with his fear, and putting some effort into exercising. Can't slack there.

Heretic 2018/07/01(Sun)15:58 No. 890727 ID: 8a947d
File 153048589524.png - (207.41KB , 1212x826 , Bloodtraining 1.png )

>But he has to look at his blood when he’s making his violin, right? Because if he’s not looking at what he’s making, then his violin would end up being formed all crooked and not sounding right. Has he been forming his violin without looking at it this whole time?
There must be some misunderstanding regarding Vol's violin. Vol only had to make his Violin once a long time ago, he doesn't form a new one out of blood every time he wants to play. Items created by imps persist for a long time until destroyed.

Vol grabs a knife from a drawer and you grab a jar to help collect the blood. Vol is fine making smaller cuts, he had to prick his skin to give you your mark to use magic right? You just have to help him get closer to making bigger cuts. You have Vol prick his palm to get a little blood out, then he makes another bigger cut across the palm. Next, he tries his best to form something out of his blood. You tell him to make something simple like a stick or a little block something along those lines. It takes him several minutes of starting then stopping and dry heaving and shaking in between, but by the end Vol has manage to make one stick about 10 inches in length. Immediately after Vol gets up and walks into the backyard to throw up. It was a little rough but some progress has been made.

VOL: Ugh...Jeez dat was pathetic. I seen Imps make full length swords in seconds and it takes me half an hour ta make a goddamn stick.

>>890727
Don't be to hard on yourself, Vol. You don't do this all the time so it is obvius that it will be hard at first. We can start little by little, there is no rush. Before you know it, you will be able to create lots of things in instants.
You want to keep practicing?

Hey, it's progress Vol. Don't knock it. No one won a marathon without training and preparation.

Also, possible application even if you only master making a small hemo-construct quickly; if you're ever forced into melee you can (assuming your palm is cut before hand) simply grab a vital and/or painful spot on whoever is assaulting you, then quickly project an ice-pick like blood spike from your palm. Piercing objects don't need to be large to be deadly or debilitating.

If you get further along in Hemomancy, consider maybe making a thin but extremely sharp blood whip? Probably wouldn't take as much blood as a sword, while giving you some extra reach and still causing good damage.

I'm sure you will you will get used to see your blood with practice. Don't worry about the time, since those object least you can take as long as you need and it will be equally useful. I wasn't expecting to create weapons in the middle of combat.

Even with Vol's personal difficulties this ability is too convenient. What is the draw back? Are the blood item of inferior quality? Maybe the blood used doesn't replenish. Is there a limit to how many items can be made? Is Vol heath worsened by making too many items?

>>890727
>Vol’s struggles
Wait, didn’t Vol say Imps can touch silver, but getting cut with it messes with an Imp’s ability? Check the knife he used to cut himself to see if it’s made of silver, that might be a part of the reason he’s struggling.

>Ugh...Jeez dat was pathetic. I seen Imps make full length swords in seconds and it takes me half an hour ta make a goddamn stick.
Hey, progress is progress, I think you did pretty good!

.....soooo, what do we do with this stick of Vol’s blood? I don’t know how much blood that is. Does he put it back into the cut and reabsorb it into his body? Does he eat it to get it back? Keep it in a jar?

>>890732
I’m pretty sure it works the same way Pagan magic worked in the original D3 Quest. Vol uses up his blood, but he has to make sure he doesn’t use too much or he’ll risk killing himself from loss of blood!

>>890734
Yeah, I'm going to agree and say "blood is important to living creatures".

>>890727
Well it's your first try at practicing overcoming your fear. It'll take awhile but that doesn't mean you are lesser for it. You're the one who was brave enough to try to face your fear, and that's really cool. Plus, how many of these sword-wielding demons are also expert violinists?

Firstly: we should get vol a cup of water of something.
Secondly: “Baby steps vol, you don’t become a master of something in minutes. Try again and see if you cant do it faster this time. That means less stopping and stopping for less time”.

Hey man, you made a something though.
You'll get better in time. For now, you did great. There's no rush here, you know?

1/2 Heretic 2018/07/01(Sun)17:53 No. 890745 ID: 8a947d
File 153049278744.png - (55.75KB , 1212x642 , Blood is vital to being alive.png )

>Check the knife he used to cut himself to see if it’s made of silver.
Neither you nor Vol are dumb enough to use a silver knife for this. Besides, Vol tells you if it were silver and he was cut it would be very obvious that it was silver. Vol's blood would become thicker, darker, and it would be almost impossible for him to make anything out of his blood for at least a few minutes.

>This ability is too convenient. What is the draw back?
Vol is a very small thing with very little blood in his body compared to a human, blood is important even for demons to live. Along with this blood items melt under intense heat so fire will get rid of them fast.

YOU: Vol, I think you're doing your best right now and that's all that matters. Progress doesn't happen over night, pretty soon you'll get over this if you keep this up.

You hand Vol a cup of water.

VOL: I think I'm done for today. Thanks Roland.

2/2 Heretic 2018/07/01(Sun)18:04 No. 890746 ID: 8a947d
File 153049347449.png - (540.90KB , 1212x826 , Binding Scroll.png )

Next up, you go to make the demon parchment into binding scrolls. You open your journal up to the page with the instructions and practice writing the runs out on scrap paper before you screw up on the parchments then you do the real thing.

After the runes on the first sheet of parchment are laid down a burst of red light sparks off of the parchment. The runes react much differently on demonic parchment than on regular parchment. The binding scroll takes on different properties and instead of becoming a Lesser Binding Scroll becomes a Demonic Binding Scroll.

Demonic Binding Scrolls act the same as a Lesser Binding Scroll but with the benefit of being reusable. Don't forget Peaches isn't friendly just because you caught him but also because you healed and care for him too, demons caught with the binding scroll will not instantly become friendly and will still need to be somewhat trained though the scroll makes it easier. Bigger and more dangerous demons will need to be weakened too before being bound.

sweet, that is something you definitely write down in the journal that when making binding scrolls the materials do matter

There was an anime episode with ancient artifacts as prototype pokeballs for summoning giant pokemon. And now we have pokecloth. What's next, pokepiercings?

>>890746
Great, even better than I actually hoped for. If we have more time, I think we should take it to read that book and try to train Peaches.

And if Vol is still sad about his capabilities, remind him that he can heal, create barriers, and knows the camouflage ritual. He probably can do a lot more than most imps back in the Aether.

>>890748
It's like yu-gi-oh but cooler.

Oh well, time to go to the demon fight city!

Hmm. Where did your dad learn of those runes?
Also, what would happen if you carved them on something more permanent Like Demon Bone?

>>890745
Vol’s violin is made out of his blood, right? That’s way bigger than the 10 inch stick he just made. So how did he create it the very first time? He must’ve had some kinda motivation to use that much blood, so maybe if he gets that same kinda motivation, it’ll help him now?

>>890746
>Demonic Binding Scrolls act the same as a Lesser Binding Scroll but with the benefit of being reusable.
That’s actually pretty useful! That also means we can get to Crud City faster now that we don’t have to worry about going slow enough for Peaches to keep up with us!

.....wait, how do you know what a Demonic Binding Scroll is? Or even what it does? You just now made it and this is the first time you’ve ever seen it, so how the hell do you already know what it is and what it does?!

>Don't forget Peaches isn't friendly just because you caught him but also because you healed and care for him too
Which is kinda surprising, considering you’re the one that injured Peaches in the first place!

>Now what?
Finish making the scrolls.

Then see if you can teach Peaches a few commands/tricks. See if Vol wants to help, since it’ll help him get his mind off of his problems.

>>890754
We already had the lesser scrolls. If dad didn't teach it, then we just copied what we saw. It's no great mystery. Though someone else mentioned wondering where dad learned it, which is curious.

And the scrolls make demons not hostile. It probably reset its aggression entirely, including its anger at being injured.

And Vol seemed terse. Self-esteem takes more than a day too so we should probably leave him alone for now. Let's get exercising.

Heretic 2018/07/02(Mon)00:37 No. 890804 ID: 8a947d
File 153051707712.png - (152.91KB , 1212x826 , Training.png )

>>890753
You're unsure of where your dad learned them, but the runes seem to only work on parchment. The carved bone of the dead displacer beast shows no other worldly attributes.

>Train Peaches
You finish making the binding scrolls. You dig up an old saddle and decide that you should learn how to ride Peaches if necessary. Getting the thing on him is the hardest part, Peaches constantly displaces himself so you can't get near him. You end up having to bait him with with some jerky to get him to hold still and sneak up on him. Afterward he constantly bucks you off and repeatedly smacks you with the back side of his tendrils, but with enough time and Vol tossing Peaches bits of meat and fruit he calms down. There's also a little thing you learn while trying to ride it, If Peaches wraps his tendrils around you while you're on his back he will displace you along with himself. This is probably something they do to carry young with them who can't displace as infants, you make a note in your journal.

You don't plan to constantly ride Peaches, but it's better to know how and not need to than to need to and not know how. It's getting closer to dusk and Crud City is a whiles away.

>>890804
>riding Peaches
Peaches does not enjoy that at all!

>Roland can be displaced while on Peaches.
That’s useful knowledge!

>It's getting closer to dawn and Crud City is a whiles away.
Wait, you’re telling me that you stayed up all night and didn’t get any sleep?! You’re gonna be fucking tired as hell!

I guess if you really want to go, then you’d better get that saddle off of Peaches, get Peaches into a Demonic Binding Scroll, get Vol onto your back, hop on your Skipper, and head out.

Make sure you leave a note for Troy to let him know where you went.

>>890807
Dusk, I meant dusk this whole time. I'm not a smart man

>>890808
It’s ok, everyone makes mistakes.

>>890808
It very clearly says dusk and probably always did. How mysterious...

Peaches will get used to it eventually. Best practice this daily so when the need arises he won't be a dick about it.

Leave a note and get going.

Yeah. Let's get on the skipper and head out to Crud. Leaving a note seems like a good idea.

>>890804
Alright, give him a reward for letting you stay on his back.

1/3 Heretic 2018/07/02(Mon)21:27 No. 890934 ID: 8a947d
File 153059204419.png - (506.32KB , 1212x826 , Crud City.png )

You write a note on the front door on the same paper Troy did in case he comes back. You bind Peaches to a scroll and mount your skipper. You head out for Crud City.

2/3 Heretic 2018/07/02(Mon)21:29 No. 890935 ID: 8a947d
File 153059218512.png - (368.97KB , 1212x826 , Crud City 2.png )

In town the fumes from the oil refineries are pretty bad. It's a much bigger city than Dawnsprings and more crowded too. You're not a fan of it. Vol gives you directions from the note and it leads you to what looks like a housing complex with a large red flag over the front of it. You park the skipper and head in.

3/3 Heretic 2018/07/02(Mon)21:32 No. 890936 ID: 8a947d
File 153059236120.png - (174.52KB , 1212x826 , Apartments 1.png )

The building is well put together compared to the rest of the structures around not dedicated to pumping or refining oil. Despite that it doesn't seem like the kind of place battles of between demons would take place, do they run the business in the basement? You're not sure what you expected but you were hoping it was a bit more official. You talk to the front desk attendant.

ATTENDANT: What do ya want?

>>890936
Show him the letter we got, and ask him exactly what goes on in these tournaments. We might join, but we want to know what we're getting into.

Suggestion 2018/07/02(Mon)22:38 No. 890947 ID: dbf422

Flash the invite.

>>890936
>doesn't seem like the kind of place battles of between demons would take place, do they run the business in the basement? You're not sure what you expected but you were hoping it was a bit more official.
The fact that there’s no obvious directions or anything kinda makes this look like this is a secret tournament that takes place away from the public eye. Maybe we should try to be discreet about this?

>What do ya want?
Show him the invitation and ask for directions.

This guy is probably only here to give directions and won’t answer any questions we have about the tournament. So any questions we have should be saved for when we get to the location, since we’ll have a better chance of getting answers there.

Maybe you’ll get lucky and run into Uma Ula and she’ll answer your questions?

To be the very best, like no one ever was.

1/2 Heretic 2018/07/03(Tue)02:05 No. 890981 ID: 8a947d
File 153060872349.png - (92.91KB , 1212x826 , Apartments 2.png )

You show him the invitation you got, before you can ask anything he makes a motion under the table like he's pressing a button and an elevator across the room opens up, you aren't sure if it was there before.

ATTENDANT: Go through there. Y'outta hear an announcement or somethin' but if ya don't then ya may be too late.

You go through the elevator, there are no buttons on the inside but it closes and begins to go down.

2/2 Heretic 2018/07/03(Tue)02:16 No. 890984 ID: 8a947d
File 153060937445.png - (211.93KB , 1212x826 , The Arena 1.png )

Once it reaches a stop, the doors open to a large hallway. A few other people wander, drinking, chatting, or smoking.

VOL: Looks like Pagan work. Watch yaself Rol, your dad neva trusted em.

You begin to walk down the hallway, looking for a map or a form of direction in anyway. You don't hear an announcement and start to get worried that you may be late after all. You begin to go in what feel like circles for a little bit until somebody gets your attention, a man wearing an odd mask talks to you.

???: Hey kid, you look lost. You here for the Devil's Duel tournament?
YOU: Y-yeah, do you like...work here?
???: Nah, I'm a contestant too. This is my fifth time doing this, here you can follow me I know where to go. I know this place is like a maze, but once you come back more than once you get used to it. Names Naos.