I wish to be Smart above all else, with psionics as our main weapon against the world. Our mind is the only tool we shall ever need.

I want to be strong enough to throw cars. Before the car falls apart because it isn't designed to be thrown.

>>459363
I will Second this

>>459363

also, we shall never wear any headwear other than tophats.

Shot!H508X.HbJ6 2012/10/02(Tue)14:45 No. 459652 ID: e5e647
File 134921433015.jpg - (250.53KB , 1754x1240 , ABitOfABind.jpg )

"Gentlemen, can we not come to an agreement?"

A rising chorus of deathly cries comes forth. It appears that they will not listen to reason - just yet. A show of force is needed...

Ah. An interloper? Nay, for I am strong against other Psions. No matter, an emerging psychic pattern in my head is not a concern for the present. My name is Ace, unknown thing, and I am in a perdicament.

Several, truly.

You see, the first is that I am quite, quite lost. The second, aha, is that I am very hungry. I desire food so much so I stooped to stealing from bandit tribes. Normally my skill and wit allows me escape, but, in this case, I have been caught red handed. Soon to be no handed, aha. And while I think I should be able to handle this, in my panic, nothing springs to mind...

I can exert decent force, like a punch, lift maybe fifteen pounts and propel it with some speed, I can sense the feelings and emotions of others - these chaps are quite angry, I can trick them with images and sound, but only one at a time, I can heat things sharply and cool them sharply.

I am not yet armed, and I am not the best at melee combat.

Heat the weapons in their hands.

>>459652
You could heat their weapons to disarm them, then either grab a dropped weapon to fight- cooling it first of course-, or just book it.

>>459652
heat their masks and when they clutch their faces in agony escape

>>459681

This.

>>459681

this. except less escaping and more psi-punching.

Shot!H508X.HbJ6 2012/10/03(Wed)01:42 No. 459833 ID: e5e647
File 134925376335.jpg - (96.38KB , 1037x733 , ProperDisplayOfConfidence.jpg )

"Gentlemen and ladies, let us please... Be reasonable." I turn and place my fingers to my temple.

Every Psion has a... tick. A motion, a movement that calls forth the mental paths they need to take. It's not necessary - but it helps. And his mask heats, rapidly at that, and I grin wide as he screams and tries to pry it off - but finds his skin sticking to it, screaming in agony.

"Let us calm down, then? Lest you end up like your friend here." I say, and they quell.

"Well?" asks the seated female. "Are you going to burn off Frederick's face for a meal, or did you have something else in mind?" she asks angrily as I pick up the weapon.

they can do the smart thing and make like happy little trees before a forest fire breaks out.

Shot!H508X.HbJ6 2012/10/08(Mon)14:14 No. 461181 ID: e487f5
File 134973084879.jpg - (88.82KB , 1071x757 , AFineLass.jpg )

One of the raiders steps forth before I can speak, holding off her friends from attacking. She removes her mask and stares at me for a moment.
"Actually, wait. This might be our chance." she says to her allies. "You with the strange clothes. I've an offer."

"You're in one strange place to make one." I reply, leaning on the weapon.

"Consider it a mark of our desperation. Some weeks ago, a Whitewash patrol steamrolled through here. Half of our clan was taken, along with our tribal leader. I stand in his place, but our food stores run low, and several towns have increased their security greatly. They would not allow us in, even if we brought money. However..."

"If you gave it to me, I could bring back supplies that you need."

"Yes, exactly."

"And how do you know I won't dash with the cash?"

She shrugs.
"It matters little - we've nothing to lose. You abscond with the money we could never spend, then it is as useful as it is right now."

"And if I come back?"

"Gratitude and service, as well as a portion of the food you purchase." she says smoothly. "What say you?"

>>461181
Agree,

it's better then wandering aimless I believe. Of course carrying that much food around is going to attract attention but we can probably manage most things.

>>461182
Meh this guy is right. It's not like you have some ultimate goal yet right? If you don't then you might as well go with the flow.

...she's awful quick to trust someone who just casually painfully and permanently disfigured one of her companions.

>>461187
I think that's part of the reason. She gets something she wants and she won't get her face burnt off. It's a win win situation for her if this works out.

I don't think anyone's gonna vote for saying no. should they not have the cash in hand, you won't enter their camp, but rather meet with them to receive it at a place of your own choosing where you can see them coming long before they arrive.

Shot!H508X.HbJ6 2012/10/13(Sat)23:02 No. 462728 ID: e487f5
File 135019452780.jpg - (111.93KB , 1033x730 , APennyEarned.jpg )

>>461182
"Far better than aimless wandering. I admit to being somewhat lost, however."

She hands me a map. It seems directly south, Transit Town rests - a town built from the ruins of a massive hub of transportation.

"You'll just go in, purchase some nonperishables and ammo, and leave. We mostly use rifles from [Gun Manufacturer], so tell them that and they will know what to give you."

"You're awful trusting, considering what I did."

She scoffs.
"It's not like we're a happy family." she says, "You've truly done me a favour. Besides, if you had dishonest intentions, I would know." she adds, setting her mask into place and snapping her fingers. The money is brought to me, along with a large duffel bag to carry the things I need.
"Once you do this, you should know the way to Transit." she says.

Shot!H508X.HbJ6 2012/10/13(Sat)23:02 No. 462729 ID: e487f5
File 135019453966.jpg - (586.99KB , 2961x2093 , Transit Town.jpg )

I head out, careful attention being paid to my surroundings this time. The trip is long, but I make it there before nightfall.

The place is large, and has several locations I can visit, and others I need to. A pub and brothel combo, a munitions store, the train line, a mercenary post for outsourcing jobs, a general store, and a medical pavilion.

Being unarmed as I am, having returned the bladed staff, and unarmored, and unburdened by equipment... Well, there's lots of uses for this money, aside from my given one.

>>462728
((That's supposed to be "Imperial Standard". Durrr. ))

Well, might as well get the essential purchases out of the way first thing. Far to often do people start at the brothel, and realize the next day they do not have enough money for ammo anymore.

Picking up something from the medical pavilion is probably a good idea, considering how the world is.

Dude, get what we came for first.

1/2 Shot!H508X.HbJ6 2012/10/18(Thu)10:52 No. 464315 ID: 4435b3
File 135058272297.jpg - (92.51KB , 1099x777 , AgoodProprietor.jpg )

You decide first of to do what you came for - going into the general store (Harold Groceries And Pawn). The hovering robot approaches, beeping quietly.

Greetings, {CUSTOMER NAME HERE}, you look p-p-p-p-p-p-positively dashing!How may I assist y-{ERROR IN DATABASE BANK 403} today?

With some more talking than I'd have hoped for, I leave with enough canned food and grain to last a few good months for the folks back at that camp.

2/2 Shot!H508X.HbJ6 2012/10/18(Thu)10:57 No. 464316 ID: 4435b3
File 135058305290.jpg - (149.50KB , 1099x777 , AfineShop.jpg )

>>464315
You next approach the gun store, which seems to have been converted from a fruit shop or restaraunt of some sort. As soon as you enter, the man grins at you.
"Oh now, here's a man of fine taste! What can I get yer?" he asks, a wide grin on his face. "We got some Pheonix Wing munitions the other day, but we always sell some fine, fine Imperial Standard."

"Come to say it, I was hoping to stock on ammo. I use Imperial Standard rifles..."

"Gotta love Standard, all the same caliber." he says with a chuckle, pulling out a few boxes. "This'll be a bit heavy, mind..."

"I can handle it." I say with a smile. "I am not going far."

"Good." he says, as I slide the ammo into my pack. "Now, have you any other arms? Standard is fine if you want sumthin' cheap and modifiabible-like, but really, one should have a weapon to count on."

"No thanks, maybe I'll be back later." I say, waving him off.

Okay, I'll admit this load is surprisingly heavy.

I dunno if you can do much about that aside from getting a cart or someone/thing to carry shit for you. Anything like that around?

1/2 Shot!H508X.HbJ6 2012/10/25(Thu)15:09 No. 466173 ID: 03da93
File 135120295903.jpg - (78.94KB , 1169x826 , ReadyToReturn.jpg )

I check the map after finding a cart - Nickel allows me to take it because I purchased in bulk. There's many just like it in the back of the store. It's then that I hear a rising commotion from nearby.

2/2 Shot!H508X.HbJ6 2012/10/25(Thu)15:12 No. 466174 ID: 03da93
File 135120316980.jpg - (204.72KB , 1107x783 , She\'s pretty big.jpg )

"Please, this is a Blue Shield matter." says the larger... thing, holding up a massive white hand with three fingers. "We will not accept assistance in this matter, for the safety of those who would come forth. A powerful demon has come into this world, near a garrison, and we would like to get there expediantly. If you all would clear the way..."

And beneath the strong voice, a smaller, quieter one tries to plead with them to move.

Hm. South of here? The map does point out some rather troublesome looking cliffs and plateaus. They might need my help. On the other hand, that tribe I saw before should be warned in case the demon swings that way instead of Transit. Hrmmmm...

Honestly they seem like the kind of guys who wouldn't appreciate your help at all. They may even fight you if you try to help. You might as well go back to the tribe first to warn them.

>>466178
Agreed at least on the matter of warning the tribe. You have their stuff, anyway, so if you intend on fulfilling your half of the bargain, yeah. You can always double back and look into this garrison later if you're curious.

On a sidenote, unholy mother of Hell that is one huge motherfucker.

I say drop off the supplies, but don't warn the tribe. They're not your responsibility.

Drop off the supplies and warn the tribe.

Option two is clearly the correct choice.

1/3 Shot!H508X.HbJ6 2012/10/29(Mon)12:01 No. 467077 ID: dc2631
File 135153730621.jpg - (117.33KB , 1062x786 , There and back again.jpg )

I decide, at least, to return to the tribe and alert them to what's going on. I feel a little exposed, but nothing happens on the way.

2/3 Shot!H508X.HbJ6 2012/10/29(Mon)12:02 No. 467078 ID: dc2631
File 135153731911.jpg - (461.05KB , 3730x2760 , Formal introductions.jpg )

I return and hand over the materials. She smiles, not wearing the mask this time as the other folk are busy with repairs.

"Thanks for coming back. I didn't introduce myself last time - I'm Sarah."

"Ace." I reply, tipping my hat. "There's a problem..."

"?"

"There's a demon in the area. Powerful enough to bring out a powerful Blue Shield agent." I tell her. "It's at the Blue Shield garrison."

She swears.
"That isn't more than a day away." she says. "Shit... We'll need to get to someplace safer. You too."

"Why? I'm not affiliated..."

"Would you rather wander the sands alone with a Demon out there?" she asks. "The least we owe you is keeping you safe. James! Load the autos! Burnie! Get me the big map! We're gonna be moving out!"

"Where to?"

"Well," she says, looking over the map, then up in thought.

3/3 Shot!H508X.HbJ6 2012/10/29(Mon)12:02 No. 467079 ID: dc2631
File 135153733193.jpg - (122.22KB , 1034x765 , Decisions.jpg )

"There's a cave nearby that Burnie knows of. It's supposedly abandoned, and defensible. We don't know what it leads to or where it ends, but who knows? Could be useful.

"Then there's an old fortress nearby. It's abandoned. Might take some doing to get in, but if we can take it, it's probably our best bet to handle whatever is coming.

"And then there's the awful, horrible, suicidal option. Depending on the strength and disposition of the demon... We may be able to swing around it to the Garrison after it is significantly weakened, and loot it - or even take it ourselves. But as I said... It's risky."

"Why ask me?"

"Why not? I need a second opinion, and Burnie and James aren't exactly the brightest folk."

The fort!

>>467088
Eh sure let's go to the fort.

Definitely the Fort for weathering the storm.

Fortress, for sure

>>467079
Take some time to get in? Psh. Ace, you can alter the temperature of metal. That makes any door your bitch.

Let's take the fort.

Yeah, let's avoid Option 3 like the plague. We don't want to bring whatever that homghuegmotherfucker was back around.

Yeah, let's go for the Fort.

>>459652

"emerging psychic pattern"

Hmmm, are you talking about us? Can you tell us anything more about these psychic patterns and such? It would be interesting to know, that and maybe we can somehow help you in more ways than just providing advice and such. :)

"I can exert decent force, like a punch, lift maybe fifteen pounds and propel it with some speed, I can sense the feelings and emotions of others - these chaps are quite angry, I can trick them with images and sound, but only one at a time, I can heat things sharply and cool them sharply."

Alright, can you change the area of effect of your your telekinetic punches? Because, compress it down enough and apply a spin to it, instead of applying simple telekinetic blunt force trauma, you will be able to drill and pierce through enemies. Apply, it to a vital organ such as the heart or brain, and you've got a dead enemy. >:D

How good are your image illusions? Can you deafen or pop people's ear drums with those sound illusions of yours?

Alright, finally, can you focus heating on a small area and burn through something or have it freeze strong enough to be brittle for when force or rapid heating is applied?

>>467079

Anyway, go for the fort. The suicidal option is suicidal, and I personally don't feel like having you or Sarah (and her people) cower in some cave while a demon throws it's chutzpah all around.

Now, the fort is something else in entirety. >:D Fix it up, have people live in it, create farms and such, entice others to join, and you can create your own community put under your, Sarah's and our rule. Imagine, you could be called The Dapper Overlord Of The Fortess. Heh.

Besides that, the fort is a more civilized place to be, in my opinion... less squatting in a dank cave.

Shot!H508X.HbJ6 2012/11/01(Thu)19:53 No. 468005 ID: dc2631
File 135182478429.jpg - (126.79KB , 1111x785 , OntheRoad.jpg )

>>467432


>Alright, can you change the area of effect of your your telekinetic punches? Because, compress it down enough and apply a spin to it, instead of applying simple telekinetic blunt force trauma, you will be able to drill and pierce through enemies. Apply, it to a vital organ such as the heart or brain, and you've got a dead enemy. >:D

Such effects require concentration and focus. If I'm facing an enemy one on one, without support, generally I have doubt regarding that. I need to see what I am affecting, most times, as well, so targeting organs is a no go... unless they're exposed.

>How good are your image illusions? Can you deafen or pop people's ear drums with those sound illusions of yours?

Illusory sounds and images are relayed to the mind directly. Thus, it's impossible to inflict real harm with them, because plitting the drums is caused by sonic force. However, with concentration, I can create somewhat convincing images or sounds.

>Alright, finally, can you focus heating on a small area and burn through something or have it freeze strong enough to be brittle for when force or rapid heating is applied?
Again, with concentration and time, I am somewhat confident in this. Somewhat. It would be difficult, for me.

"I believe the fortress is the best option." I state, and she nods. The men - three of them - go about loading quickly. The one I burn is working especially fast, though he seems to be slightly paranoid, his flat, masked face looking about as he works. The larger one, with a skull mask, jokes about him calming down, while the last is silent in his work, taking smaller loads.

"... This is all of them?" I find myself asking.

"Yes - but just as well. A small force is easier to move." Sarah states simply, "The large one is James. He is specialized in automatic weapons. His upper body is stronger than the others." she says, "The one you burned is Burnie. Tenatious and quite useful. The last one is our offensive spellcaster."

"I am a researcher!" he calls back.

"Silence, Jack!" she barks, and he goes back to work.

"And you?"

"Holy magic. I keep them together."

I nod. "We will likely leave tonight." she says simply, "Do you have any other questions?"

"Is Burnie his real name, or a nickname?"

>>468005
I can't make out Jack's face... What's he wearing?

I hope it's not our fault that he's called Burnie.

Ask if she knows anything else about the fortress beyond the fact that it's a fortress and it's there.

Might want to apologize to Burnie for burning his face off.

keep youself from giggling at Burnie's nickname.

isn't a fortress kinda too big to be held by five men?

>>468005

I didn't really mean for you to look for the organs and more or less focus on piercing through the body where the organ should in most cases, be. Sufficient amount of force applied and it probably won't matter if there is flesh or bone in the way.

Hmmm, how easy would it be for you snap someone's neck with telekinesis?

Also, you still haven't told us about the psychic pattern's thing...

Dollmaster!mYSM8eo.ng 2012/11/07(Wed)10:49 No. 469417 ID: dc2631
File 135231415688.jpg - (97.24KB , 1251x884 , Bespoke.jpg )

>>468354
While controlling someone as you would a puppet on long strings, you find it prudent not to alert them to your own presence.

>>468071
"Is Burnie's name..."

"It's his real name." she clarifies. "He's suffered worse than your assault."

"You're joking."

"No. Burnie has suffered quite a bit." she admits.

"Won't it be hard to hold the place with just us?"

"I have a plan. Don't you worry." she says with a grin. Something about it unnerves me, but... it's probably nothing.

Snap someone's neck?
I'm not sure.

If you think you can ask these without offending someone:
How large was the tribe before that patrol came by, why are there no children or elderly, why can't you spend money in town, and how do you normally support yourselves?

Naturally I would expect someone to be a touch offended or violent about that line of questioning if the real answer is that they're ex-mercenaries/ex-regulars that turned into raiders. That possibility seems likely to me upon considering the whole can't spend money in town problem they have, and the fact that these people were described to you in terms of military specializations/roles.

So congratulations, you have just unintentionally joined a small gang of raiders by supplying them. Ask them what kind of targets they used to hit normally and what their operational specializations are. Maybe them getting halfway wiped out recently has nothing to do with incompetence and they are worth adopting as your crew.

They DO sound kinda like they were ex-military. What military, though? I mean, yeah, I can't imagine many formal militaries exist around here.

Shot!H508X.HbJ6 2012/11/11(Sun)11:56 No. 470722 ID: dc2631
File 135266378421.jpg - (346.33KB , 2911x2057 , Close.jpg )

>>469666
>[DEVIL BONU- no fuck that.]

"You guys aren't from a military, or a merc band, are you?"

Sarah shakes her head.
"Maybe a long time ago. But not anymore. We are Kamen Raiders. Masked. There are rules, but the most important one is to not endanger the lives of those who bear us no ill will."

"Sounds noble."

She scoffs.
"Far from it. We will rob merchants, for they stiff us with their prices. We will fight Whitewash, for they hate everyone. We will even fight Blue Shield, for they consider us a nuisance at best, with exceptions that we leave alone. You mentioned a tall one, in heavy armor? We do not touch her."

"...Why not?"

She sighs.
"Our old leader and her came to blows. He was... eccentric. He wanted to protect people, but did not say how. Back then we raided other raiders. But our continued attacks on the larger Tribes only lead to heavier assaults. She found this out. She tried to curtail us. She and him fought.
"The end was clear from the outset. Kamon lost. Despite his might and strange power, he stood beaten. But she didn't kill him. That's when we left the Salt Flats and came here. We were hoping to make things better here and perhaps come out ahead. But the Whitewash came, and with them, most of our men vanished. And here you are - unmasked, holding strange powers that do not taint you. I wonder... what it would cost to put you in a mask?"

She leans close, uncomfortably. She is warm, and smells of baked bread.

Kamen Raiders? Really? Well, this has just turned out awesome. Also, it seems like she's asking you if you want to join her merry little band. And judging from everything, it seems like you already have in everything but name, so I'm not going to make any suggestion as to your official answer one way or another. I leave this one to you.

Either way, let's hope you make it to that Fortress soon just in case that demon is getting close. Sounds like bad news.

Ask for a little more information about Kamon, by the way. Sounds like a rad dude.

T̵̢̙̭̗̺͔͇̫̣̳̻̳͈͉͔͙̒͌̏̓̎ͦͣͩ̈́ͪ̎ͬ̇̿̈́̊̚̕͞͠H̢̋̑ͨ̓̒̽́͐̌ͬͧ͞͝͏͉̭̩̝̝͕Eͥ̀ͫ͒ͫ̄ͭ́̅̎̈́̀̅́͊ͯ̿ͩ͋͏̖͍̟̞̣̪͚͇̰̱̥̣ͅ ̸̶̡͉̻̘͔͔̖̙͙͕͙͎̯͉̺̘̱̲̏͒̃ͭͧͨͬͣ͗̾̄̉ͩ̇O̷̡̰̙̗̯͇̹̣ͦ̈́̋̎͊ͭ͢͢Ņ̛̆ͧ̋͐̎͐͏̻̺̪̰L̷͖̘͕̭͉͎̼͔̬̼̦͖̅̊̃̓̇̑ͭ̇͂ͨ̔̏̉̚͜͞͠ͅY̰̗̠͈̠̜̘̩̗̥̜̗͌ͣ̍ͣ̌ͣ̒ͩ̄̋ͫ̋̃͊ͣͥͦ͜͝ ̵̶̡̩͓̠̫̥͑̐͗ͤ̄ͯ̄́ͩ͒͆̋̃̾ͥ̚͜͡H̭͓͉̣̬̫̬͖̠̪͔͇̟ͭ̿̂ͦ̌̉̚͢͠Eͧ͑͋̅ͪ̊͡҉͏̱̥̬̘͔͈͔̙̯͔̝͓̖Ȧͯ̋̊̅͛ͩ͑̓́̆̂̊̂̀͏̻̻̹̫́͟D̸͒ͣ̉̽͏͚̜̗͙̯̖̫͔̩͓̹͖͟͜ͅW̭̬͍̟̝͚͕̼̗͓̱̰̝̬͕͔͒͋͒͊̾̽̀͜͡E̴̸̺͚͇̠̝̞̜̙͕̭̭͙̼̱̱ͧͧ̿̍̓̐ͫ́́̀̓ͭ̑͗͑̄̎͐́ͅA̘̰͓̝̰̅̒͛͌̃͐̓ͫ́̎̽͘R̷̢̝̹̫̺̦̯̠̭̲̬͖͕̳̗͊͒ͤͩ͋̔̉ͤ͋̏ͮͧͨ̒ͯ͑ ̢̢̛̫̹̯̤̮̫̘́͛́̽̃̒͒̔͗̓ͪ̓́̚͠ͅY̡͆̀ͨ̚͢͢҉͖͔̯̻̞̹̪̗̙̜̙ͅͅǪ̵̛̥̻̜̩͓͈̯̲̋̈͗ͬ̀͜Uͮ̌͒ͣ͛̀̑̇͜͏̗͉͙̰̲̥̜̼̙̲͈̰̫̞͝͞ ̵̿͊̓͑̍̓̏͐҉̙̬̰̹͈̟͉͚͈̯̦͕̥͍ͅŞ̸̬̫̳̦̳̫̳̤̖͉̜̎̈̃͌̂͛̊́Ḫ̛̯̲̝̲͖̙̬̥̄ͯ̏̆̇͌́͟ͅͅͅĄ̬̼͉͈͎̳͔͈̃̃ͣ̈́ͣͥ͗ͭ̕͟L̷̛͗͊ͯͯͧ͗̈́ͫͥ͆̌͑͆̓̎͂̓̎ͥ̀͜҉͚͇̮̺̠͈̞̼̯͕̟L̡̡̮̫̪̠͔̬͇͎͖̔ͫͣ͆̃̊ͬ̑̿ ̶͖̩̩͕̱̟̮͖̯̿̒̊͛̂̂̄̇̾̎ͫ͋̍̀Ë̸͉̘̼̩̰́̍͒̍̿̎ͤ̋͊̊̕͝͠V̵̵̨̙̟̤̲̠͖͉̫̟̟̮͎ͫ͊̄̍͊ͤͪ͌ͭ̄̾ͤ͊̊̓Ȩ̦̭̲͚̫̾ͪ̓̉̍́̀̕Ř̢͚̣̫͎̗͎̱̱̘̝͍͇̺̬͙ͫ͆ͬ̂͆̃ͩ́̎̈̀̆̉ͣ͐ͅ ̶̛͓̤̝̮ͪ̇̽̎͐͋ͭ̑́͜B̵̴̧̻̘̮̂̃͋͒̋̂̃̒̈ͦ͋̍͂ͮ͆̔ͪ͌̚͟Ẽ̇͛̃̒̑̽̓̉̔̍̍̏͞͏̺͚̞̹̣̱ͅḀ̜͕̫̩̟̼͔̫̙̦̲͓̮̮̫̌̅͗̋̀̏ͪͨ̌ͧ̈̀͘R̴̨̙̥̫͔̜͈̗̯̦͉͓̦͚̱̫̼ͭ̈̆̈́̐ͣ͆ͫ͂͛̚̚͢͞͠ͅ ̶̀̄͊ͥ҉̻̟̣͔̦̞̩W̐ͧ̄ͭ̉̑͐̽͑̆̽̅ͮͧ̿ͫ́҉̵̛͕͓͎̠̰͎̜͟I͔͔͕̳̫͔̹̹͍̦͕̫͓ͣͧͭ͆͊̒̓ͪͧ̍̆̌̑̐ͤ̄͟ͅL̙̯͇̣͚̭̘͔͔ͨ̔ͧͤͫͮ̓̌ͥ̈͗̍͘͜͢͢ͅL̢̠̻̱̖̳͓̥̞͂̆ͮ̎̇ͧͦ̽̍͛́ ̓ͫ̉̋ͨ̋ͣͪ̏͛͊͊̽̓̕҉̪̰̰͈͠B̴̨̜̠̬̲͇̥͚̙̻͇̂̂͊̊ͮ̓́̏̆͆̑̚͟E̷̡̛͕͔̳̲̱̥̗̯̳̱͚̦͓̹̬̯̹̍̎̅ͧ̈́̽̾̍ͪͥ̀̅ͥ̓ͧͅ ̙̩͉͕͔̫̤͎̯̼̜͓͚͈̽̏ͣ̆̑͊ͯ̍̐̾̆͌̎ͥ̀̚͘͠ͅT̴̡̼͖̜̺̥ͮͦͧ̊ͣͬ̊̎ͩ̾̎̅̒̃͑̓̃ͥ͒͢͟H̫̹̱̦̰̫̤̦͖̯̦̯̰̫̯̮̅̉ͣ̐̓̉ͬ̀̅͂̏͋̊̎͆͞ͅͅẸ̰̺̫͚̝͕̱̗̻̮̮̫̙̞ͯ͊̽̓ͫ̀̓ͫ̇̀̊͂͌̀̃ͩ̇ͥ̓̕͡͡ ̶̯̲̥̻̼̼̯͙̦̦̮̟͉̬̼̖̞͓ͧͧ͂̽ͯͪ̚̚̕͘T̻͖̖̫̖͔̮̖̤̲ͩͧ̔ͭ̅̚͢͡Ő̢̧̫͈̩͉̙̳̹̦̜̗͈̫̦͍̻͙͔̜ͭ̍͐ͤͫͦ͒͑̓͗̚͘P͚̥͎̤̳͇̻͍͕̣̰͖̯̠̀̋̓̽̋́̒̉͗ͬ̓̓̈̔͌͢͠H̷̡ͯ̈̆̿͗̈́͐̊ͬ̎̿̒͑̊̌̌̉̋ͩ́͏̮͔ͅA̽̓̀ͧ̊͌͑ͩ͋̃ͧ͝͞҉̙̜̼̩̫̕͞T̈́̽̈́ͬ̒́ͧ̌̽̇ͮ̂̊ͧ̚̚͏̫̯̭̘̱̙͚̖̙̫̹̦͢͟ͅ.́̂̍͋ͣ͏̡̫̠͔̻͚̺̪̮͈͉̳̟͘͢

well that went wrong. point is, no masks.

>>470722
What's the deal with the masks? Is it similar to dreamcatchers supposedly protecting a sleeper from bad dreams while letting through good ones, like maybe preventing tainting from happening...

Speaking of taint, what is it? Do some supernatural abilities taint the user somehow?

Anyway, ask more details Kamon, masks, taint and such.

Tell her you haven't decided yet, but would prefer not to be slaughtered along with the rest of a raider tribe that's being destroyed.

I think you should be open to the idea of joining their crew but don't do it yet:
They are enemies with many groups better armed, equipped and staffed than they are, and have no apparent source of livelihood besides raiding people. Having to fight for your lunch every day sucks, especially if the people you have to fight might stomp your skull flat for bothering them. Explain that the way they've been operating means it's likely they have either starved to death or been killed within a month and that this is why you do not want to join right now--this is something important that they need to face and whether they can do it sensibly or not will tell you if it's even worth your time to try and rescue them.

No. They benefit a lot more than you do. You can do better than them

1/3 Shot!H508X.HbJ6 2012/11/18(Sun)14:40 No. 472760 ID: 91d729
File 135327840708.jpg - (184.14KB , 1943x758 , On Taint.jpg )

>>471133

>Speaking of taint, what is it? Do some supernatural abilities taint the user somehow?

Magical abilities, items, and spells all taint the user. After certain amounts, the user goes through extreme pain and is mutated, which shunts the taint into the mutation and clears the body of it, for the most part, I believe. This applies to being on the recieving end of magic, as well, especially healing.

Psionic abilities do not taint the user or the afflicted.

The reason for this distinction is unresearched, as far as I know. But it's why I never bother with magic, if I can help it.

2/3 Shot!H508X.HbJ6 2012/11/18(Sun)14:40 No. 472761 ID: 91d729
File 135327842205.jpg - (151.25KB , 1427x1025 , On Kamon.jpg )

>Kamon

"Kamon the Kinetic," she says when I ask about him, "is the only Fae I know of that cooperated with humans willingly. He was of heroism, his mask a sign of anonymity - that no Hero should ever be known for their name, but for their actions. That is why we wear the masks ourselves. He was strong. Incredibly strong - few could match him. His methods, while initially effective, often enraged major tribes of raiders, who came down on the villages he 'protected' like iron mallets. In the end, the Whitewash patrols found him."

3/3 Shot!H508X.HbJ6 2012/11/18(Sun)14:40 No. 472762 ID: 91d729
File 135327843274.jpg - (64.36KB , 1139x805 , DOOR.jpg )

"Sorry. I can't join." I say. She looks briefly frustrated, almost angry - then Burnie talks.
"Miss, we've arrived!" he calls, tugging at the great doors. "No traps on the door, it seems. Problem is getting them open."

Are the hinges the problem, or is the sand blocking the door? Alternatively, are they just fucking heavy?

can you exert smaller, more controlled amounts of force, such as, say, remote unlocking of doors? I'm opposed to breaking them down, since we want this place to remain defensible. if not, is it possible to fling yourself or others upwards in a semi-safe manner?

oh, and scan the place for any signs of life, if that's a possible use of your detect emotions ability.

Actually, there's a question - can you self-levitate?

There's an awful lot of sand around it looks like, how much work would it be to pile up a ramp to high enough to climb over the wall? I'm not sold on the idea of defending a fort whose walls can easily be walked over just by moving a bit of sand.

Can you climb over and look on the other side for what's keeping the door shut, and if so what's going to stop someone else from doing that?

1/3 Shot!H508X.HbJ6 2012/11/23(Fri)18:08 No. 474074 ID: f8a02f
File 135372290243.jpg - (175.37KB , 1829x1293 , Entry.jpg )

>>472809
I can almost certainly pick the lock, if one existed. I place my hand against the door, and realize there's a siege bar against it, not through being able to see inside, but because it's what I 'feel' with my psionic capability. I lift it and drop it inside.

"With me." I tell the boys, and with my mind, I help them push the door open. Wide-area manipulation is difficult, but with concentration, doable. The doors open into a large courtyard, and a pile of dust puffs away under James' feet.

2/3 Shot!H508X.HbJ6 2012/11/23(Fri)18:08 No. 474075 ID: f8a02f
File 135372290889.jpg - (63.04KB , 1131x799 , Discovery.jpg )

Burnie holds him back, opening a pouch and tossing forth a bit of metal.

It freezes in the air - no. It slows, incredibly slowly, in the air.

"This place don't feel right." Burnie says, "Watch yourselves. There's pockets of oddness. I'll look for something to explain it. You guys secure this courtyard." he doesn't speak with order, but recommendation.

3/3 Shot!H508X.HbJ6 2012/11/23(Fri)18:08 No. 474076 ID: f8a02f
File 135372291314.jpg - (78.56KB , 1201x849 , BECAUSE.jpg )

He than gathers more bits of metal, tossing them forth as he walks. The men flank the door, and the current leader of the men enters last.

Something about her doesn't add up, to me. I'm not sure what - but she arouses suspicion. Other things, but mostly that.

>>474076
Well, for one, how does she stay so pale in the desert?

I'd say that is pretty suspicious. How did a wastelander get her hands on a spandex bodysuit and thigh high boots? More importantly how many hours a day does she spend exercising to get an ass like that?

>>474077
>>474079
Focus gens, we can check out the girl when we know that we're not in danger.

Let's to use our psionics to sense if there is anything dangerous in the area.

>>474076

...

>>474092

*snaps out of a daze*

Huh, what? Oh yeah, good idea. Let's make sure nothing nasty is in the area, or if it is, catch it before it shivs us in the... back.

Well, now that we know that magic causes people to mutate, that golden eye and her pale skin actually DO make a certain degree of sense.

Also, step carefully, because that metal bit just floating around in the air like that is kinda creepy. Ask Strelo-- Er, Burnie if he has any idea what's causing the phenomenon.

Shot!H508X.HbJ6 2012/12/07(Fri)11:58 No. 477006 ID: 27cbbb
File 135491031537.jpg - (49.89KB , 1221x771 , PstandardPsionicPstance.jpg )

>>474125
>Check for hostiles.

I can try. Psionics can, of course, sense other beings... Hold on.

I order James to guard me, as I concentrate my mind.

Shot!H508X.HbJ6 2012/12/07(Fri)11:58 No. 477007 ID: 27cbbb
File 135491032161.jpg - (13.74KB , 1221x771 , Pings.jpg )

Ah... It seems we are not alone. These pings are all underground, about ten feet down.

Many, many normal human pings. A few 'different', stronger ones... And one that almost shocks me from my daze.
[LEVEL ONE SENSORY LIMIT]
I can't get any more information like this...

inform your companions of this.

a sneaky entrance would be best. sneakily sneak through an entrance to the underground level while avoiding the pockets. keep your eyes peeled for traps and ears peeled for conversations to eavesdrop on.

A lot of normal presences combined with a few differences and a single strong presence?

Like the others say, inform the others, but more importantly, keep a mind-ear out for the feeling of this place and its inhabitants once you're inside.

If this is some kind of bandit stronghold, then you'd think someone would be manning or at least watching the gates. You'd have come under attack by now.

I'm wondering if the other presences here might be something other than immediately hostile.

Watch out for that big one, though, or whatever that was.

In the meantime, whilst waiting for the doors to open, maybe you could tell your mind-splinters (us) where you got your magnificent hat?

I think we have to run somehow in a way that doesn't get us shot in the back.

We don't know what the non-human presences are but a healthy worst-case-scenario guess is one of them is this demon you're apparently here to hide from. I think it's bloody likely you've been led into a trap. The main question with that is if these "bandits" knew that or not.
Sarah tried to get us to join the bandits on the way here before we've proven our character, which is a touch suspicious. After we rejected that appeal she's now appealing to us/distracting us by being dressed like a prostitute instead of a raider. What happened to her raider outfit? I don't recall her having privacy for a wardrobe session so there's probably magic involved there since there's no fucking way she roams the desert in thigh-highs and a thong under a poncho if she's human with skin that pale. The "abandoned fort" not being so abandoned may not have anything to do with them but if not then these people are either stupid or terrifyingly unlucky.

Safest hypothesis:
This is the rumoured garrison that the demon emerged near. The people we were traveling with intended to recruit us to this demon's service--initially as a sacrifice but now they want us more cooperative. Alternatively: They think that us as a psionic is too dangerous to take without backup because they don't want to suffer casualties, and now we've traveled to their backup. The demon has an eye on you right now and you need to bugger off while nobody else is near or watching. That is going to be hard to do because the demon is coordinating them watching you. The Sarah chick is likely a shape-changing/illusion-using lesser demon.

How the heck you get out of this one is beyond me unless you have impressive powers. The non-violent escape from this situation calls for turning invisible and running away while somehow keeping them from following your noise, scent and footprints, then crossing desert terrain you're less than perfectly familiar with unaided. Anybody else disagree with my analysis or have a plan that sucks less?

>>477196

Something's off about Sarah, but I'm pretty sure it's not that. Remember that big blue-clad lunkhead was talking about going to the Garrison. If Sarah had taken us there, I think we'd have noticed or had the opportunity to stalk that one.

Not to mention, if people like THAT live in a Garrison, I think we'd have a lot more non-normal signatures.

>>477261
I defer to your superior knowledge of demonology; I was assuming that lesser demons would likely be at or below the level of a human mind and difficult to distinguish by low-level psionic detection.
I still think that the safest assumption is that these strangers we don't know very well are likely to sell us out if we run into real trouble. We also haven't conclusively eliminated the possibility that they are a hunting team for someone and we only have their word about the demon threat anyway. The people/not-people underground are a further unknown and we're trespassing in their fort right now, the safe assumption is that they're hostile.

Alternative proposal: Without powers yell out, "They're undeground, it's a trap, everybody run in different directions!" and do so in a zig-zagging pattern to throw off aiming. Use powers minimally to determine if anybody follows us. Those are the hostiles.

>>477291
Actually, WE warned THEM of the big demon. A while back, we ran into a big blue-clad power-armored fella that claimed that a great demon was headed for a Blue Shield Garrison.

We were the ones to warn Sarah and her crew that it was coming, not the other way around.

You might want to take a refresher and go back to the beginning.

Shot!H508X.HbJ6 2012/12/29(Sat)22:59 No. 481137 ID: 9e3a04
File 135685079696.jpg - (205.11KB , 1266x940 , frozen.jpg )

>>477196
Wait, what? Oh, f-

>>477261
Oh. Well, crisis averted, I guess. I get up to warn them of the imprnding danger, when Burnie takes me downstairs.
"There's something we got wrong here." he says, leading me through the halls, to a cell where the other stand. "This ain't a fortress. It's a prison. A magical one."

He points out a frozen inmate in the cell, wearing magical manacles.

is it cold in there, or was he frozen by majyugel means?

I don't see any icicles, and given there seem to be pockets of magic that make things slow to a damn-near standstill...

... How long do you think these guys have been down here? This place looks disturbingly intact.

Do you need a power supply for the weird pockets of time shenanigans? Best to look around for one and make it sure it doesn't break on you. Also check if jumpsuit here is freakishly pale or just albino.

Shot!H508X.HbJ6 2013/01/12(Sat)02:02 No. 484741 ID: df484e
File 135798496502.jpg - (141.57KB , 1305x969 , wait a tic.jpg )

>>481361
>Do you need a power supply?

MAGIC. Well, uh... sorta. You need something to filter the magic in the air, I think? Even though any magic will taint anything it touches... Doesn't change how it works.

>>481272

>... How long do you think these guys have been down here? This place looks disturbingly intact.

"How long have they been here, you think?" he asks.

Burnie turns and walks. At a pillar is a chart - listing the various criminals.
"It seems that the place operated since before the Fall." he said quietly. "Many of these people have, uh, done their time. No telling what will happen when we release them, though." he says, turning to the mage.

"Nor what will happen when we break the manacles, or other parts of this place. Though..." he frowns, "Most of these were really nasty crimes."

Sarah thinks.
"We could recruit from here..." she says quietly.

>>481361
Magical oddities like this, they feed off the power of the world itself - but the items, the systems here, they need special parts, I think. That they still work this long is either a testament to the construction of them, or that their magic is out of control...

...Weren't there moving signatures in my scan?

yes, to your left, full battle mode.

>>484741
Someone's being dragged away.

Recruiting from here might be either the best or the worst idea possible, but until you know what would even happen if you got them out of whatever effect is keeping them still, it's probably best to focus on other things.

Tell burnie to keep his metal scraps at the ready and prepare for whatever may or may not be approaching you.

>>484746

Oh shit I didn't even notice that.

At attention, tophat!