...Ah... huh.
Well... finish your bath I suppose.
Though you shouldn't take too long.
I doubt Entropy's minion wants to be left waiting.

>>106255
We clean one another, emerging from the bath and drying each other gently. I change into my sleep clothes, whereas she simply puts on my cloak and drapes her body with it. We make our way to our room and shut the door behind us.

"I hope I'm not being inconvenient." the spectre says as he shows up again. "Allow me to introduce myself: Jeremiah Anteres, majordomo to Entropy. I have been sent to send a message.... and to assist you in your further endeavours."

Ask what the message is.

>majordomo to Entropy. I have been sent to send a message
I thought so...

>and to assist you in your further endeavours.
Wait what.
Now I'm even MORE curious about his message.

>>106275
"So what is the warning?"
"That you aren't uunderstanding the implications of your power, especially in regards to the Watch and your items in general." he says. "The warning is twofold." he says. "Would you rather hear the specific or general warning first?"

>>106279
Let's hear the general warning first.

>>106279
...General warning first.

>>106281
>>106287
"First thing: You've got a lot of magical power in one place. If you were to get the links and cane back, you'd have enough power to conquer the planet by yourself, even the Dark Continent. Entropy's pretty cool with this, so long as you keep a good eye on it all. You're our custodian, so to speak. So I think you know why this warning was sent."

>>106293
Well that's obvious. Don't say that. Ask for the specific warning next.

>>106293
I suppose I hadn't thought of that, but he's right.
We have a very large amount of magical power at our disposal. Or perhaps just a 'large' amount now. (Damn that girl. We WILL pay her back.)
Mm... now about the watch...

>>106300
>Put box and poison into cat

>>106301
>hurderhuurrr my bad

"And the watch?"

"Entropy thought you would get this sooner, but... Okay, let's say you've got a cat, a box, and a fragile bottle of poison. Now, you put the cat and the poison into the box. Assuming you have normal vision, you can't tell how the cat is doing, right?"

"I suppose..."

"No, here's the thing. If nobody can observe the cat, then nobody knows what condition it's in. Therefore, the cat could be either alive, or dead. Once you open the box, you eleminate the possibility that isn't true. One could almost say you kill the cat by looking at it. Do you see where I'm going with this?"

>>106300
Is he saying... that we can inadvertently CREATE a possibility of someone dying just by observing their times of death?

>>106303
Well, telling someone they're going to die certainly makes them wary, doesn't it?
Worried? More prone to mistakes?
It's the self-fulfilling prophecy business.

>>106303
Jeremiah hems and haws.
"Not... really. It's more like, no one is really fated to die at any certain point. They just... will. By using the watch. you're defining the moments that they are at risk." he shrugs.

"Hey, don't look at me. I'm just the messenger. Personally, I don't think it's a big deal..."

>>106308
This might be why Anansi and Raven are so afraid of the watch. Thank him for the info.

>>106310
"Thank you for the information."
"Ha, not a problem. You want to ask me anything?" he asks, reclining in midair. "I'm pretty much stuck on the Prime until you folks are done with whatever it is you're doing."

>>106308
Okay. I think I get it.
If we don't use the watch, then any moment someone may be at risk is undefined. It may or may not even happen.
But if we use the watch, then all the moments they are at risk become defined.
They WILL happen, unless something stops them. Directly or inadvertently.
I think.

But yes at any rate thank him for the info.

>>106313
I can't think of anything to ask him. Tell him that, and also that he can't scare anyone. Including Arryn.

>>106321
Excepting Shi.

>>106321
"I haven't got anything to ask, really."
"Oh, alright, then." he smiles. "I'll just be on my w-"
"And please, don't scare my friends."
There's a pause.
"Oh, alright. If you insist." he fades from view.

>>106328
Now that you and Ella are alone again, Ask Ella if she wants a backrub. You are good at giving backrubs, being a (former) doctor and all?

>>106340
One could say I am quite an adept masseuse.

"Ella, now that we are alone, would you like a backrub?"

"I, ah... c-certainly." she smiles and discards the cloak, laying down on the bed and relaxing as I knead her soft flesh.

I hear splashing in the bath.

>>106346
I think you should just ignore the splashing and continue the backrub.

>>106349
Send a hand/eye to investigate. Apologize to Ella for one hand being temporarily indisposed

rolled 10 = 10

---

>>106358
"One moment, Ella." I smile and send out my hand and one eye, putting on an eyepatch I jeep for this occasion as I move lower. She mumbles agreement.

The hand slips under the doors easily, and...
Well, it's just Arryn bathing.

>>106363
WAVE TO HER WITH YOUR INDEX FINGER

>>106363
Just resume giving Ella a backrub.

>>106365
I smile, and 'wave' at her.
She blinks, looks down, and leaps out of the tub like a scared cat. her back to the wall as she stands up.
She belatedly covers herself, blinking. She appears too shocked to say anything.

>>106370
Abscond with her panties.

>>106370
Stop scaring Arryn. Just get back to the backrub. Don't make her wait any longer.

>>106371
It's not that hard to worm under the armor and steal away her (pink, hahahaha!) underwear while she's in a state of shock and leave.

The hand returns and Ella sees it. There's a pause and she smirks and lets out a little giggle.

>>106371
I second this.

>>106374
Give the panties to Ella and say that they're a gift. If she has trouble putting them on, ask if you can help her putting them on.

Ask her if you can do some massage thing to make her relax enough to get them past her thighs of steel.

When you do it, work your finger magic to get her worked up as well.

How do I shot trip?!H508X.HbJ6 2010/01/06(Wed)15:23 No. 106387 ID: 6faa8c
File 126282018775.jpg - (178.39KB , 500x856 , ArrynUnarmored.jpg )

>>106383
Ella laughs outright and after some trouble we manage to get them on her and then get her dressed just before Arryn bursts in, looking around.

"Where did you put them?" she asks, her face angry.

Oh ho ho... I know that face.

>>106387
"Put what, Arryn?" Begin massaging Ella's shoulder's/neck. See if you can get her worked up in a way that's subtle, but just barely noticeable over a few minutes.

>>106390
"Put what, Arryn?"
"You know very well what I mean!" she says, stalking forth as I gently massage Ella's shoulders and neck.

"The others? Well I think they're in their rooms..." Look mildly concerned and continue working your magic on Ella. "Do you think they're in danger?"

Hahahah oh my!
I shift my attention for a second and look what you do!
...I approve.

>>106398
I continue to knead Ella's flesh, and she mumbles appreciatively.
"I believe the others are in their rooms. Do you think they may be in dang-"
"My underwear, you slive!" she says, moving closer, blush creeping onto her face, the Sworn scar white against the pink of her cheek.

>>106400
"You lost your underwear? You should be more careful with your stuff."

>>106402

"You lost your underwear? You should be more careful with your stuff."

She sputters. "I saw you take it, you gruesome B-beast!" she manages. "How dare you insult me like this!"

Ah, here we go. She rears back to punch me. Without even looking, I block it with my hand. Again and again she does this, evventually trying to kick my head. Just as predictable as always.

>>106419
Okay okay~ We don't wanna piss her off TOO bad.
Tell her she can have it back...
And then tell her where it is.
Her reaction should be priceless.

>>106419
"Ella's taking it out for a test run."

Tell Arryn that you don't have the panties in your possession.

"Well, I don't have any feminine underwear in my possesion..."

I lean forward as I block another blow and whisper in her ear:

"But Ella's taking it out for a test run."

She howls in anger and pulls me away from Ella who lets out a little disappointed cry as we tumble to the ground.

>>106436
Tell Ella that you need help with fighting off a monster, and try to make sure she knows your just teasing Arryn.

>>106441
"Ella, a little help, please?"
Ella smiles and walks over, looking over Arryn as she tries to punch my face... unsuccsessfully. then she reaches over and tugs a string, Arryn's top falling onto my bare chest.

Arryn blushes heavier now, but doesn't slow down. Ah, she also has black ones...

>>106442
"Mind if Ella can have your black ones as well?"

>>106445
Grin and smile suggestively at Ella.

>>106452
"Mind if Ella can have your black ones as well?"

"Wha-" that causes her to pause as Ella simple takes them away with a giggle. "Ahhh! You..."
She rears back for another punch. Her fist is suddenly sheathed in light shaped like a spiked gauntlet.

STRENGTH OF LAW!
oh dear.

>>106458
Kiss Arryn.

>>106458
Ah... oops!
I think we made her a bit too mad.
DUCK!
And take Ella down with you so she doensn't get hit or something. :V

>>106463
I rush forth and kiss her lips, holding her head in place. Her eyes widen, and the gauntlet of light cracks... then shatters, as she goes mostly limp.

...
...
...

COYOTE IS AMUSED!
RAVEN IS ESPECIALLY AMUSED!
ANANSI IS ESPECIALLY AMUSED!
THE INCARNATE IS MILDLY AMUSED!

The night passes... eventfully.

We awaken to a long, low howl.

>>106467
Ask how Arryn and Ella slept.

>>106467

Mongrel huntin' we go!

>>106472
"Did you sleep well, ladies?" I ask, rising out of bed to dress.
There's murmurs of agreement and Ella giggling.

>>106472
Uhm, dude, canid coyotepeople howl.

GET THE FUCK UP. CLOTHES SOME FUCK ON. WAKE THE OTHER TWO UP. GET SOME WEAPONS. FUCK.

If nothing, get your hat on before anything else.

>>106477
Also, alert the others to the probably imminent danger?

>>106467
LEGION IS EXTREMELY AMUSED!
Hahah oh my~
That went far better than expected~


>We awaken to a long, low howl.
Ahhh boy. Better check that out.
Hand with an eye in the hat, way up high.
Survey the area.

>>106477
Oh no.

I take a deep breath, and bellow.
"MONGRELS ARE NEARBY!" and hurry dressing, Ella dresses quickly, and Arryn gets dressed and puts on her armor. She passes me without a word. We both know it's best to not comment on it.
We awaken everyone and make out way upstairs, where Ishkal waits.

"Lotsa the cheeky bastards." she grumbles. "There's no way my hut is well-fortified enough to handle that many."

I use the hat to peer out over their camp...

This force is easily ten times the sixe of the one that assaulted Rivermeet. But I don't see any heroes.

>>106492
Give us a tactical overview of the situation. A map that includes enemy positions and trees, if you could, please.

>>106492
...We can't rule out the idea that they may be invisible. Or maybe just hidden.
Still. Don't spend to much energy worrying about it we've got to prepare ourselves for the threats that are DEFINITELY here.
Load the hat with pointy things if it isn't already.
Also yes, map please.

>>106496
The house is the black square. Some distance north and west is a cave with a narrow entry: perhaps three or four men wide.
Lots of trees, though.

How do I shot trip?!H508X.HbJ6 2010/01/06(Wed)17:01 No. 106502 ID: 6faa8c
File 126282608253.png - (9.35KB , 640x480 , Ishkal\'shome.png )

>>106501

>>106502
Do they have any archers? Do you think you can get to the cave? It's a hell of alot more defensible then this place. and if they have no archers, we should be able to hold them off for a Very Long Time.

>>106499
If they are invisible or hidden, the monocle will be useful.

>>106502
Hat ammo check?
Also yes, making our way back to that cave would be very good for us I think.

>>106509
I checked with the monocle.

We make our way to the cave, and it opens out into a large chamber. In the back are stairs down. There are ornate writings on the walls, but the language is unfamiliar to me.

Another howl pierces the air.

>>106516
What direction is the howl coming from?

GL12!JQq0cR/.GM 2010/01/06(Wed)17:22 No. 106522 ID: a64482
File 126282736580.jpg - (25.12KB , 1374x764 , Battleplan.jpg )

The seerans use thier spears to cover the strength up front, we maintain formation, except for Hattori, who provides support however he deems necessary, sound good? (oh, silver is Seeran spears)

>>106522
And trik is to EXAMINE CAVE, and all it's aspects. Tell her to mention anything that might be useful, especially the possibility for cavein.

How do I shot trip?!H508X.HbJ6 2010/01/06(Wed)17:25 No. 106528 ID: 6faa8c
File 12628275035.jpg - (240.28KB , 1280x1334 , ErhgalTheIntense.jpg )

>>106520
The northeast.

Someone walks up the stairs, covered in platemail.
He blinks.
"You all here hiding from them?" he asks, resting a warhammer on one shoulder.

>>106528
Not exactly. It's a defensible position. We would like to kill them all if possible.

>>106528
Greet Ehrgal. And introduce yourself and explain what you're doing.

Be respectful.

How do I shot trip?!H508X.HbJ6 2010/01/06(Wed)17:29 No. 106535 ID: 6faa8c
File 126282779092.jpg - (36.15KB , 300x300 , StrengthSigil.jpg )

>>106528
"Not quite. We seek to kill them."

"Oh, good." he replies. "Then we got a common goal." he chuckles. "They razed my town. I'm here to kill them. All of them. The name's Erhgal, Strength Sworn."

I blink.
"Who..."
"No god. Just me."

I... uhm. Huh.
"I'm Hattori."
We shake hands, and I see a scar on the back of his hand.

>>106522
Good idea. Will use that plan.

>"No god. Just me."
...I think I like this guy.
I have nothing useful to add, except that when the horde arrives it would be a great time to use the HAT CANNON.

>>106540
No hat canon until we see a huge cluster of them in one place. If they're scattered, then it'll be a waste.

But if Erghal leaps into the fray instead of staying with the line, we'll be unable to use it. We should use it as the opening shot, I think. Maybe even... Hah, we could teleport over to their camp where they all are, CANNON, then teleport back.

>>106545
We can tell him that we'll use hat canon so he won't jump out in front of it.

>>106544
"Excuse me, Erhgal?"
"Yeh?"
"When they arrive, can you let me have the first shot?"
"Coit'nly." he replies, grinning.

The howl peirces the air again, and I girect everyone into position, with me standing in front. I see them charging, currently barely in sight.

>>106547
Ready the hat, but don't use it yet. Tell us when you see a cluster of them and where the densest one is.

>>106535

New quest: Make this guy the God of Strength. We've done it before, with a psychopathic mutant dorf, we can do it again.

>>106580
If he's going to be the god of strength, I'm fairly certain he has to use his strength to do it.

Can mortals even become gods? What is the origin of divinity anyway?

>>106552
I prepare the hat. They're coming in three columns, one from the left, one from the right, and one centrally.

They look somewhat bigger than before, now that I think on it...

>>106590
If we aim for the central one, I bet we'll take out 1/3rd of the army.

>>106590
Maybe the howling is an ability being used by a Fangsworn or something, giving them heightened battle power? Or perhaps they're getting boosted in some other manner.

I wonder if, after using the hat, we should investigate the howling.

>>106592
I aim at the central column, and fire just before they meet me jumping into the air.
The huge amount of stored stuff propels me backwards over the line as Erhgal leaps over it.

Spontaneosly, I tag him in.

He lands heavily in the crater I made, a heat haze washing over him.

INNER FIRES!
The ground around him begins to blacken, crack, and glass as he slams into the remainder of the central column, sweeping with his hammer. He doesn't blow them away: the strength he swings with is so great that the hammer is almost like a wide blade, hewing through hide armor and flesh and bone.

The remaining columns meet with the ogres, who repel them handily, with backup from the Seerans and the kobold, who sits in a perch she had wrought before the battle at the upper lip of the cave entrance.

>>106597
The watch. Point it at all of the mongrels. ALL OF THEM. do not point it at your allies. ANY OF THEM.

>>106598
No, that's so inefficient. Just pick off all the remaining mongrels with the ca- um, I mean the cuffli- um... Steal a weapon from a mongrel and use that.

>>106598
Disagreement. If it can seal in someone's death, then it can seal in someone's survivability as well. Besides, it would make Jax mad and we could spend the time doing offensive actions instead.

Start stabbing via the hat.

Oh wait. Start stealing weapons and putting them in the hat to reload it, then look for a time when you've got a clear shot at a group Erghal isn't engaging, and expel their own weapons at them.

>>106607
Cunning Disarmament x 20

I lean in between Jax and Ishkal and let loose a torrent of axes and swords and maces, blowing away a third of a column. I look up at Erhgal as he runs back towards us a way, then leans forward, rearing back the hammer.

FURY'S HAMMER!

And suddenly, from the head of the hammer and out, an extension apprears, ten times longer and bigger than his own hammer, made of fire and smoke. And this is what he slams down on the last of the central column.

It does not crush them, but they all light ablaze, And then he pulls out three bottles.
"OI! KOBOLD!" and throws them into the air over the rightmost column, in a line. I can see wisps of heat haze under them as they line up.

And a bolt flies through them, shattering them and dousing a good half of the column in...

Alcohol?

>>106609
He's pretty smart. Hattori, you strikes me as the type of guy to know these things, but I'll tell you anyway. Alcohol catches fire pretty fast. Fire to make more mongrels catch on fire.

>>106610
Well, yes, but why...

Oh.

One of the blazing mongrels runs into the right column.

190 PROOF OF STRENGTH!
There's a loud whoomph, and the whole column nearly catches ablaze. Then Erhgal laughs and clenches his fist.

FURY'S CRUSHING FIST!

The fire literally freezes in place. And then it shifts... and rushes towards the center of the burning mass, dragging the mongrels with it, until...

I'm a doctor of several thousand years and even I have to look away while Erhgal laughs.

"No one here can take me! Hahahah!"

>>106612
So after all these mongrels die horrible. "Yo dude, we might have to kill a god eventually, you'll be around here?"

>>106620
Don't say that. We're not killing any gods.

>>106612
Yikes. I'm not sure we want to hang out with Erhgal. We shouldn't mention anything about killing a god just yet, either. Finish off the rest of the mongrels, and we can ask him where he's planning on being for a while in case we want to request his help with something.

>>106621
Clown maybe, remember?
>>106624
yeah, okay:p

>>106624
After his display of power, the mongrels run for the hells, Ehrgal boasting to their backs of what he'd do if they'd ever stop.

"Absolutley incredible." I manage, walking behind him. He puts his hands on his hips, chuckling.

"Hahaha. And they said I was a fool." he turns to face me. "That hat is a sight impressive, too." he says.

I shrug.
"You sticking around here, or... what? I might need help later, and I can pay handsomely."

He shakes his head.
"No idea. But I think you and me are gonna meet a lot more than just once."

>>106629
"I hope that when we do, it will not be on opposing sides of the battlefield."

>>106630
"Ha." he smiles at me. "Ain't no fun in fighting a guy who cairn't die."



{Say goodbye | Ask (Mongrel activity | abilities) | attempt recruit again | continue to church | Inspect cave }

First ask about mongrel activities and abilities, then inspect the cave.

>>106692
This.

>>106689
Ask about Mongrel activity, and the cave.

>>106695
"What about the activity of mongrels in the area?"

"They're gathering. Organizing. Under... one of their kind. Big fella. Carries an axe. Calls 'imself an Avatar of Coyote. Makes lotsa promises. Only saw him once, but he is a creepy bastahd."



{Say goodbye | Ask (Location of convergence | abilities) | attempt recruit again}

>>106714
Where at?

>>106717
"The northeast. Though I really wouldn't recommend going up dere... Stuff up that'd rip even a Sworn apart."



{Say goodbye | Ask (Northeastern creatures | abilities) | attempt recruit again}

Ask (Northeastern creatures

Also, after that, consider asking how he managed to become the awesome sworn to a concept motherfucker that he is.

Sounds like the northeastern mountain range.

>>106733
"Well, that's where Coyote and Clown done duked it out. Such magic was tossed about there as to... sorta... stain the land. Most people try to avoid the area, what with wanting to be the same thing when they wake as when they go to sleep. An' all dat magic give rise to weird, crazy things that cairn't live elsewhere. Big lizzahds, swahms o' razor shahp metal bits what would hack you up..." he shudders.

"How.... how did you get so powerful?"

"Dedication. This armor, this hammer, this scar... everything I do, comes from me. I forged the armor. I mined the ore to make it. I sewed and wove this hood and created the padding inside the armor. I brewed the 190. That sorta dedication and commitment don't just go to thin air, 'less you ain't a human."

>>106742
Sounds like becoming a self-made sworn takes a lot of hard work.

Hattori, do you think maybe you'd be able to do something similar with your dedication to medicine?

>>106757
What's that called? Doctorsworn? Medicinesworn?

>>106761
Healsworn.

>>106768
Yes, that. That sounds awesome.

How about Heartsworn? or Lifesworn?

>>106777
I am... uncertain. I am not sure what it would entail. It seems something that happens naturally, not something you knowingly attempt.

>>106790
Ask him if it's something that comes naturally.

>>106801
"I imagine so. I mean, it's different from those godsworn, I can feel it.

Wait. WAIT.

HE DID ALL THAT IN FRONT OF JAX AND ELLA.

>>106811
I have a couple ideas:
1. Those that aren't sworn to gods can use their abilities
2. Everybody can use their sworn abilities

Now that I think about it, Arryn used one of her abilities when she was in front of Ella.

>>106811
Uhh... check to see if their antimagic is still working at all. Take off your gloves and try um... Well, the cape of holding is probably the safest item to experiment with.

Also, didn't Arryn's light gauntlet work too? Or was Ella not looking at that point?

Are they even still conscious? Ella got a severe shock from you using the cape of holding in front of her, I can't imagine what this spectacle might have done.

>>106822
Something feels very, very wrong here.
Thinking back, Jax and Ella weren't around when Faith's Fetters was used. The ifrst instance of magical effects working without the gloves is... Arryn's gauntlet.
And now this.

>>106838
Try something magical without the gloves.

>>106838
The gloves... Wait!

Either the gloves have an area effect or whatever they touch gives them that ability.

>>106840
Very well. I take off the gloves and I reach into the hat... and encounter velvet.

This is very befuddling!

>>106845
Hold on, keep the gloves off and ask Erhgal if he can use one of his abilities. If he asks why, say it's for SCIENCE!

Maybe divine magic is immune?

>>106851
He chuckles.
INNER FIRES!

The ground begins to blacken. Hurm. The inside of the hat is still velvet. Jax told me he has problems with his wings, because they were magical...

>>106861
Maybe this is a special property of humans! Ask Arryn to try something!

>>106861
Sounds like human Sworn have the natural ability to break through Seeran antimagic, no matter what they're sworn to.

It is restricted to their abilities though. Shi must've had some kind of magical item giving her complete silence.

>>106863
"Arryn, can you come here a moment?" I ask.

She walks over. "Can you use one of your Lightsworn abilities for me?"

She lifts her sword.

Light of the Law!

The sword shines... and then flickers out.

>>106871
Hmmm... now that Ella and Jax are aware, ask her to do that one more time.

Hattori, how does magic work in this world? Do creatures, most creatures, create their own magic? Or do they draw it from the environment or their gods? Maybe the Seeran ability stops magic from being drawn from another source, and since our friend here is selfsworn, he's immune. Does that seem plausible?

>>106871
Odd, why did the gauntlet work?

Wait. Perhaps... the antimagic is just getting weaker. Erghal is able to overpower it because he's very STRONG, and only Ella was around when Arryn successfully used the gauntlet. I think both Jax and Ella together barely manage to overpower Arryn's power, but can't do anything against Erhgal.

>>106877
Nothing.

Something strikes me.

"But what about that thing you did last night?"
"Out here?!"
"No, the gauntlet."
"Oh..."

STRENGTH OF LAW!
She lifts her hand and it is incased in golden light shaped into a spiked gauntlet.

>>106881
Strength. That power involves strength. That must have something to do with it. Ask him if he has some kind of passive ability that effects those near him.

STRENGTH BASED VALIANCES er, I mean, sworn-abilities, are obviously immune or something.

>>106881
Ask if she's been able to do that before yesterday.

How do I shot trip?!H508X.HbJ6 2010/01/06(Wed)22:13 No. 106893 ID: 6faa8c
File 126284480473.jpg - (20.21KB , 362x392 , Arrynsnewsymbol.jpg )

Wait...

"Arryn, show me your right hand."

I knew it. I knew it!

You can't be sworn to two gods, no.

But a concept aligned with a god...

It all makes sense.
Magical items work by channeling magic from the user through an established circuit in the item.
Divine magic works by connection to a god.
Selfsworn don't need to send magic anywhere!

>>106893
Well, now that's settled, how about examining that cave?

Arryn is both a Lightsworn and a Lawsworn? You can Swear to two things at once?!

Can you Swear to two GODS at once?

>>106895
We move into the cave, Erhgal leaving and chuckling. There are stairs here.

"This place is very stable, very secure." Trik says happily.

>>106901
Proceed down the stairs cautiously.

>>106912
Arryn, Jax, and the Ogress gaurd the front of the cave while the rest of us descend. The stairway is very, very long.

"Old place. But place of worship." Trik murmurs quietly. "Been up for... many many Dwarf lifetimes."
"Many many?"
"One, two, three, four, five, many, many one, many two..."
"Ah."
This is going to be a long way down.

>>106926
How long? If it takes more than an hour or two to see what's in here, we may want to just leave it here while we do more important things.

>>106926
Let's see if we can get Trik to ramble on about something. Ask her what caves she knows about.

>>106934
It takes less than an hour, but we reach the bottom. It'sa a huge square room devoid of features except two: A small sword, laying across a pedestal, and the statue of a monstrous beast looming over it.

There is an engraving under the sword.

>>106951
EXAMINE WITH MONOCLE. Consider looting sword, then realize that there's a reaso that it has remained here so long. Read inscription.

>>106951
Check the pedestal, the statue, the sword, and the engraving. Don't touch anything yet.

>>106954
Engraving says:

"Touched with rage
Burned with envy
Taken by lust
Marred by sloth
Dirtied by greed
Lost by gluttony
Destroyed with pride.

Such is the way of my blade."

The creature has incredible detail.

The room itself is sturdy, and in fact much larger than it seems.

It's the seven deadly sins.

I'm not sure I want to let you touch the sword.

>>106960
All of you grab the sword at once and pick it up in unison, then walk out.

>>106966
With careful timing, you all grab it at the same time.

The sword glows pink.

The statue animates, snatches it away, and places it back on the pedestal, after pointing at the inscription with anger.

It then returns to its perch.

>>106970
Hattori, release your sex hormones by thinking of delicious Ella, then take the sword. Taken by lust.

>>106971
This time it blazes with pink, and I recieve a punch in the face for my trouble.

The sword is placed back on the pedestal.

Delivered while staring pointedly at Ella" Jax... Can you uh... Mmm... can you do that,... cunn....ning thing?" Then lick your lips.

>>106972
Empty your mind entirely and touch it.

>>106974
That's not how it works. Just ASK Jax what he thinks.

>>106975
Try this. If it doesn't work, I have an idea

>>106975
I reach out after clearing my mind and pick up the blade.

Nothing happens, but the gargoyle is watching me intently. He rises from his perch and steps down to the ground.

"Gargoyle, I claim this blade, for I have need of it. Do you assent?"

>>106979
Calmly assume a combat stance. I think we have to kill the gargoyle to leave with the sword.

>>106981
>"Gargoyle, I claim this blade, for I have need of it. Do you assent?"

The gargoyle says nothing.

SKILL CHECK FAILURE

The first emotion to return is... Greed. This blade belongs to me and me only!

The blade is covered in black, uneven, sticky pitch. The gargoyle laughs and points at the altar.

Insert sword into gargoyle's mouth.

>>106988
Put it back on the altar and try again.

>>106988
Take your gloves off.

>>106994
I remove my gloves and the gargloyle looks around. It panics.

And then it crumbles entirely.

And the back wall opens to reveal stairs down.

>>106995
Examine stairs, go down if not too far. We've wasted alot of time here.

>>106995
Keep your gloves off. Go down the stairs. Keep the sword equipped.

Oh hell. This was just an entrance puzzle. I bet that sword isn't even really magical. Let's go on down.

>>106997
I head down.

Another large chamber. Near to the entrance is a large scale.
At the far end are three bottles.

In between is a pool of water.

There is an inscription on the scale.

>>106999
Examine the inscription.

>>106999
examine the bottles and the inscription on the scale

>>107000
"There is no half empty.
Or half full.
There are no half measures here.
Balance is king."

>>107003
Examine the bottles. This is a guess, but I bet the bottles are all different sizes: one small, one medium, and one big.

place a single empty bottle on each side of the scale.

>>107003
Put one empty bottle on each side of the scale. Do nothing with the third.

>>107004
All the same size and weight.

They are, however, remarkably heavy.

>>107007
Nothing occurs. Though it is balanced.

two empty bottles one one side, one full on the other.

>>107010
Place 2 empty bottles on one side of the scale, and a full bottle on the other side

Fill each side of the scale with water, no bottles.

>>107012
There is a moment of hesitation and a click. The pool drains, and the bottom turns into stairs further down.

>>107014
Proceed downward.

>>107016
The next room is very large. At the far end of the room is a door with five dragonheads, each a different color, each mouth opened and pointing up.

Opposite them are five vials, uncolored but for the alchemical substances within. I can recognize two of them. One is a powerful acid. One is a strong and heavily spiced liquor made by the Bitekin.
The kobold frowns, pointing at the farthest one. "Watka-tal." she says. "Er... liquid cold."
the dragonheads are black, white, blue, red, green.

>>107019
Examine all the vials and dragon heads.

>>107019
Do you have anything to test the other two unidentified vials with? We're looking for a poison.

>>107020
I look closely at the dragonheads. the liquid poured in seems to have two destinations: one behind the door and another under the floor.

I also note that the vials are easy to uncork, and there is a small slot under each pedestal.

>>107021
I have my chemical sorter, the same thing I used to determine the cure that Shi left.

>>107023
How much liquid is required to identify anything?

Hmm. Maybe we shouldn't cheat too much. Uncork the unidentified ones and see what they smell like. One should smell like chlorine, the other should be poison.

>>107024
At most, less than a drop.

There are two liquids. One is clear, the other opaque.

>>107025
>>Smell like chlorine
>>Smell chlorine

>>107026
Is the opaque one.... black?

>>107026
Identify both the clear and opaque ones.

>>107030
The clear one has no medical use whatsoever.

However, the opaque one is an incredibly strong killer of... anything, really. It'd probably be great for sanitizing surfaces.

red-liquor white-cold black-acid sanitizer blue-clear green-opaque

Okay!

It should go black: acid. White: liquid cold. Blue: clear liquid. Red: liquor. Green: sanitizer.

>>107034
I pour this liquids with care, and one by one, the dragonheads shut and retract into the wall and door. The door opens.

There is a treasure chest here with an inscription, and stairs down.

>>107037
READ NOTE, HUG ELLA

>>107039
I would mike to make a change to this.

Read inscription
Hug Ella

>>107041
I read the inscription.

"Take your reward and leave forever, or venture forth into the nether."

"Jax, Ella... If we go any further, this will probably delay us from reverting your churches, however it will also confuse Shi, who is currently one of our most cunning adversaries, what do you two, as worshipers of Raven, and therefore closest to the issue, think we should do?"

How long has this taken so far? If going further gets us something really, really useful, it would be worth spending another 3 or 4 hours.

>>107047
Hattori is with Ella, Trik, and Utkal. Ishkal, Jax, and Arryn are guarding the entrance.

>>107085
... FFFFFFFFFFFFFfffff

Then ask Ella. Hey, Salzane told her to be decisive.

>>107149
"If we venture further, it may be a while before the next reward is presented..." she mumbles. "However, I believe it would be worth it."

>>107171
Continue downstairs cautiously.

>>107175
The room before me is small. Before me are three wooden statues. On the floor is a small torch.

The statues are of a soldier, a pauper, and a bureaucrat.

The soldier who kills for his country without thinking of those he slays.

The pauper who lives off the work of others.

The bureaucrat who cares only for the money that can line his pockets.

the one least guilty is the one who holds your key.

>>107176
Examine the torch and statues. Don't touch anything.

>>107179
The torch is strange. it appears that the top is very sensitve: touching anything will cause it to break off.

The statues are spaced a fair ways apart, their heads covered in a sticky resin.

>>107176
Burn the pauper.

>>107195
I pick up the torch and place the head on the Pauper's. It snaps off and sticks long enough to set it alight.

It burns fairly quickly.

>>107196
Sift through the ashes.

>>107198
I lean down and sift through them, finding nothing. As soon as I brush away the ash, however, there is a click, and the space where the pauper sat opens to reveal a large opening and a ladder down.

>>107200
Hah. Descend.

How do I shot trip?!H508X.HbJ6 2010/01/07(Thu)14:35 No. 107209 ID: 6faa8c
File 126290370250.jpg - (85.06KB , 600x800 , 1246201541098.jpg )

>>107203
We descend.

This room is huge.

In the center stands a large statue, in a lowered section of the room.

There is an inscription near the stairs into the lowered area.

>>107209
Read inscription
Examine statue

2010/01/07(Thu)14:47 No. 107213 ID: 488063
File 126290443364.gif - (0.99MB , 193x211 , 1256683946226.gif )

>>107209

>>107210
This is a battle of not the mind but the body.
Destruction awaits the one who enters unprepared.
One and only one may enter.

>>107215
The body is Utkal's specialty. He can go in.

Ask Trik if, if it came down to it, she would rather fight this thing or go into the hat.

>>107224
"Trik would prefer to stay in the hat. But that would feel like cheating!"

Ehhh... maybe we should go in first. Utkal may have brute strength on his side but we have some powerful tools and extreme durability. Put on the gloves so we can use our stuff properly.

>>107270
Wait, what condition is the sword in now?

>>107287

The sword is clean.It's about the length of my arm.

Utkal looks at the statue.
"Trik, dat look odd to yer?" he asks.
The kobold peers.
"It does. If only I was a little closer..."

>>107399
OK, I wanna test something. Put your gloves on and think of greedy thoughts for a second. See if the sword changes.

>>107399
Make sure the kobold doesn't go in. It's dangerous. Instead, try to look closer at the statue. Via the hat.

>>107403
I do so.
The sword is covered in black, sticky pitch.

>>107408
I don;t think I have the stoneworking knowledge to ascertain anything!

>>107421
You know how you'd look though the hat with an eyeball? See if trik's up for it. With her body.

>>107430

I help Trik into the hat and out the other side.

When she returns, she blinks.
"It's strange. It's not rock at all! It's... like... uhm."

"A butterfly?" Utkal suggests, And Trik spins on her heel.
"Exactly! A... protective membrane! I imagine it is a natural predator that was lured here and decided to stay..."

>>107442
So it's a monster in a cocoon. Enter, Hattori. With your medical expertise you can figure out the best approach, like a weak spot or something, and tell the others when it's their turn.

>>107447
I flip the hat onto my head, drawing two long knives.

"I shall enter first. No one is to enter until it is clear I have won. Am I clear, Ella?"

"Yes."

"Very well."

I step down into the arena, and the cocoon cracks.

>>107461
Prepare yourself.

>>107463
I brace myself as the cocoon breaks, revealing an ugly thing in a black carapace. The arms lash out at me, and I leap forward over the first, sliding under the second as it smashes into the ground behind me.

Rolling forward, I use the momentum to drive both daggers into its left leg, just under the knee joint, jumping to one side as the arms move in, spines emerging on the inside of the arms.

Its blood dribbles along grooves in the floor and into a drain near where I land as the creature roars in anger.

>>107469
Make it bleed. Make it bleed a lot.

>>107475
Try and write "Hattori was here" in it using the daggers.

>>107475
I dodge out of the way of it's next strike, then, using all my strength, impale one of its hands into the floor with a dagger, drawing a new one.

I duck the next attack, but it knocks my hat fr-
I am now behind the beast. It lets out a confused noise.

As do I.

>>107480
Stop being confused and stab the creature's back!

>>107480
Yikes! Did you go in the direction it was tipped? Do you still have the hat on?

Continue the assault regardless.

>>107484
I rear back and slam my daggers into its back, sighing at the discovery of its lack of a spinal column.

Its leg has stopped bleeding.
It tears its hand free.

>>107488
Get a couple more daggers from your hat, but don't wear it. Then STABSTABSTAB

>>107491
My daggers are in my cloak for faster access. As it turns, attempting to attack me, I duck under the attacks, opening its arms with ease.

There is a clicking sound.

A dart launches from a wall, slamming into the creature.

It slows, then stops, then freezes, the cocoon forming again.

The door at the far end slides down a fourth of the way.

>>107498
I, uh... Retrieve your hat and, uh... I guess you should wait by the door while the next person goes. I vote for Utkal.

>>107498
Hmm. Well, there's nowhere to go now. Leave, and have Utkal go next.

Make sure to tell everyone that we have to make the monster bleed as much as possible.

>>107506
"Utkal! Make the damn thing bleed!"

"Yarsh." he says, stepping down as I wait by the door.
The stone cocoon shatters, and the creature lunges...

Only for Utkal to step aside and bring the hammer down hard enough to crush... and sever the limb!
It roars in agony and rage, sending out the other limb, but Utkal knocks it aside, steps forth, and with a roar, slams his fist into the creature's belly, ripping out endtrails.

He steps away as the creature burbles out a moan of death, blood pouring from the wounds and its mouth as it falls to the ground, soon encased in a stone cocoon once more.

The door is now halfway down.

>>107515
Hahahaha! Wow. Okay, I guess Ella is next. Tell her to be careful.

>>107518
"Be careful, Ella."
"Mmmhm." she smiles, stepping into the arena.

The cocoon burst open... But Ella is nowhere in sight. The creature wanders around for a few minutes in confusion, when a spear falls from the ceiling and impales it, the crossblades opening it from head to chest as it flails about.
Ella lands on one of its shoulders and jumps off as the dart is launched, the cocoon sliding back into place.
She lands beside me.
"Careful." she mutters, with a chuckle.

>>107523
I think Trik might need us for this. She doesn't look at all that strong. Mind her borrowing us?

>>107523
Hide erection.

Also, yes, give us to Trik.

>>107528
Agreed.

"Trik, I will lend you a friend of mine."
"A what?"

%^&*$#$

Oh....

Trik is ready. Trik not weak, Trik just small!

>>107537
Listen, Trik. We want to be with you, just in case, OK? Now step in the arena.

>>107537
What are your combat skills?

>>107538
Trik understand. Still...

Trik enters arena, grabs knife from ground. It stuck in rock but not that hard.

Monster is waking...

>>107537
Trik is awesome. Show us and the others what a kobold, no, what TRIK can do!

YOU ARE THE KOBOLD WHO WILL PEIRCE THE HEAVENS, GO BEYOND THE IMPOSSIBLE AND KICK REASON TO THE CURB! We know you can do it!

As a side note, could you perhaps trap the damn thing in the ground using your awesome kobold senses?

>>107541
Point your crossbow at the thing. You still have your crossbow, right? Please tell me you have it.

>>107542
No.
Trik have strong arms and legs. Trik good at aiming mechanical weapons. Trik can curl into ball. Creature wake up! It not see Trik!

>>107544
Hrm. So, sounds like you can use your protective scales to block its attack, then counterattack with the knife. Or if it has trouble seeing you in general, you could sneak up on it and strike each time it loses track of you.

>>107545
Trik watch others fight.
Trik knows things!
1) Monster is stupid. Monster not care about hurt.
2)Monster relies on sight but cannot move eyes or head.
3) Monster heals over time and cocoon heals it entirely.

So Trik is going to get on creature's back and climb up.

You have plan?

>>107547
How do you feel about running between it's legs?

>>107547
That sounds good. Even if it tries to hit you once you're on it, you have armor on your back for protection.

>>107547
Oh, did you mean... how to get on its back? Well, if you curled up and rolled towards it, it might think you're just a rock and ignore you.

>>107552
Alternate strategy: Stay around the edge of the room, moving slowly so it doesn't notice you. Then once you're behind it you can just approach and start climbing up.

>>107592
((Critical success holy shit this is an awesome boldling and he deserves and awesome post.))

Trik is fast and Trik is quiet. Trik move between the monster's legs and up its back quickly. Trik now show what knife is for.

%$^&$

Did... did that kobold just slit the neck of a monster ten times its size?

The door opens completely.

>>107594
Praise Trik. That 'bold is awesome. Also, continue down the stairs.

>>107597
Seconding this. Especially the praise trik bit, cause damn.

>>107598
Trik trundles up to us.
"Trik did good?" she asks the assorted people, who are stunned.
"Trik... Trik performed incredibly." I managed and she smiles, touching her forehead to the ground and then rolling into a somersault. It must be an expression of joy.

>>107603
OK, now go down the stairs while thinking of Trik being awesome and killing a creature that's 100 times her size in one blow.

This room is smaller than the last.

There is merely a scale and an inscription, as well as a pile of blocks to one size, all equal size and weight.

The inscription reads:

"--_--:+
+=+:%%%--
+_+:%---
%=+:"

>>107609
Put 20 blocks on the scale.

>>107625
I do so quickly, and the scale clicks and slides down. Then a treasure chest rises up, and to the left the wall opens to more stairs down.

The same inscription as before adorns the chest.

>>107626
How long did those 3 floors take? Seems like we're making good progress.

OH. Check the temperature of the watch to see if we're suffering any time dilation or something.

>>107632
I check the watch for the time.
!!!
My god it's nearly 4 PM! The watch is hotter than normal!

>>107636
I think we'd better take this one and leave. There's no telling how much faster time would pass on levels lower than this. We could wind up spending days or weeks.

>>107636
Take the item from the chest.I think that the further down you go, the faster time goes. And while were on the final puzzle, days will pass.

How do I shot trip?!H508X.HbJ6 2010/01/08(Fri)00:11 No. 107642 ID: 6faa8c
File 126293826717.jpg - (25.79KB , 419x461 , Grimoire.jpg )

>>107641
Agreed. I open the chest.

Hurm.

>>107642
Taaaake it. Also, open it and see what's on the pages.

>>107642
Check both the back and the binding.

>>107643
I pick it up.

As soon as it clears the chest, we are teleported to the cave, where the part members have set up camp. No one is dead or harmed.

>>107644
The back cover is normal as is the binding. I cannot open the pages, just the inside cover, which has a blank with "This book belongs to..." underneath.