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167536 No. 167536 ID: 34470e

I stand here fighting a person that claims to be my brother. This may be a trap set by the order. I recall Murelle told me of rumors of a secret organization that tries to keep balance in the world. I believe this person in white could be a part of whoever erased my memories. He could be saying he's my brother to let my guard down. But... then again, maybe he IS my brother... He gets ready for another strike.
Expand all images
>>
No. 167538 ID: 1ac39d

start laughing. i mean really really hard. when he asks what is so funny you tell him that your name is torus, and the order has been trying to kill you. they knew about you the whole time and didn't tell him.
>>
No. 167539 ID: 7524b0

Easy way to tell. Freeze him, and remove his mask. He should look similar to you.
>>
No. 167541 ID: 701a19

>>167536
"Hold."
Avoid his attack, then pull back your hood, take off your mask, and cause enough light so that he can see your face.
"Prove your claim."
>>
No. 167560 ID: 34470e

>>167539
>>167541
Torus:"Hold it. I have something to show you."
I put my hands on my mask.
Torus:"Prove your claim."
I take off my mask. He drops his sword and touches the wound on my face.
Person in white:"What... is this? Did... Did I inflict this on you?"
>>
No. 167564 ID: 1ac39d

tell him you don't remember THAT day but don't let him know that you have no memory.
>>
No. 167565 ID: 701a19

>>167560
"I took a hit to my head, so my memory of it is very fuzzy; can you tell me what happened, exactly?"
>>
No. 167570 ID: 34470e
File 127181953061.jpg - (277.45KB , 689x934 , unmasked.jpg )
167570

>>167564
>>167565
Torus:"I took a hit to my head, so my memory of that day is very fuzzy. Can you tell me what happened, exactly?"
Person in white:"I'm sorry. I can't tell you how you got the wound. You just disappeared one day and..."
He punches me and I fall to the ground.
Person in white:"...You had me so worried..."
He takes off his white mask. He kind of looks like me apart from the eyes and the hair.
Murelle:"IT'S NOT SAFE!"
I see Jathura running toward the person in white.
>>
No. 167573 ID: 7524b0

>>167570
Just tell Jathura to stop. Only Freeze him if necessary.
>>
No. 167574 ID: 1ac39d

shit... he is your brother but it seems that he was trying to find you for some horrible reason. try 'Silence' to keep him from being able to cast spells.
>>
No. 167575 ID: 1ac39d

>>167573
dude, he just punched torus in the gut. he is not a good person.
>>
No. 167578 ID: 34470e

>>167573
Torus:"Jathura, stop!"
He skids to a halt.
Jathura:"But master, he's a threat! He tried to kill you!"
>>167574
If I do that, he might not be able to speak. He's my brother!
Brother:"Who is this?"
>>167575
You would do the exact same thing if you lost your sister, had to search for her for a very long time, and finally found her again.
>>
No. 167581 ID: 1ac39d

>>167578
i don't know about your family but i would hug her and cry, not sucker punch her
>>
No. 167583 ID: 701a19

>>167578
"A very dear friend. It's alright Jathura, Murelle.
Brother, why are you searching this cave?"
>>
No. 167588 ID: 34470e

>>167583
Torus:"A very dear friend. It's alright Jathura, Murelle. Brother, why are you searching this cave?"
Brother:"I was sent on a mission, but I got sidetracked. I found this cave and thought I could search for you here. Before you say anything, I should tell you how desperate I was. You just disappeared out of the blue one day, and I was losing hope of ever finding you again. I want an apology. Why'd you disappear? Where'd you disappear to?"
>>
No. 167589 ID: 1ac39d

i can give you the where but not the why. i told you i don't remember that time.
>>
No. 167591 ID: 7524b0

This is your brother. I think you can tell him you've lost your memory. However, you'll need to be sure Murelle doesn't hear. Also, put your mask back on.
>>
No. 167595 ID: 34470e

>>167591
I put my mask back on and Murelle slithers up to us. I can't tell him now.
>>167589
Torus:"I can give you the where but not the why. I told you I don't remember that time."
Murelle:"What's this Murelle hears about memory loss?"
Brother:"Where were you? I need to know."
>>
No. 167598 ID: 701a19

>>167591
Why do we care if she hears or not?
She's one of your most loyal minions, and this is as good a time as any to tell her. Send us over to her, then say the following:
"Murelle, the last attempt was sabotaged and I lost most of my memories.
It's not lightly that I share this information with you, but you have earned this much trust."
>>
No. 167602 ID: 7524b0

Tell your bro you've got a secret fort set up. Ask Murelle why she was so interested in memory loss. Does she know of a way to restore lost memories?
>>
No. 167609 ID: 34470e

>>167602
Torus:"I have a secret fort set up in Europe."
Brother:"So you've been in hiding."
Torus:"Murelle, why are you so interested in my memory loss? Do you know of a way to cure it?"
Murelle:"...The Well of Memories. It will take a long time and a lot of research for Murelle to find it."
Okay, I'll send you to Murelle.

...

...
>>
No. 167610 ID: 34470e

Murelle will need to work extra hard in order for her to create the well for Torus.
Torus:"There's something more you should know. Murelle, the last attempt was sabotaged and I lost most of my memories. It's not lightly that I share this information with you, but you have earned this much trust."
Sabotaged? Why didn't she tell me this before? Murelle could've gotten to work on the well sooner.
Person in white:"Last attempt at what?"
>>
No. 167616 ID: 701a19

>>167610
She did not tell you because there is a betrayer in the ranks, and they are placed well enough that they were able to sabotage the ritual.
She has been trying to determine who she can trust, and so far that means Jathura and yourself.
Take a moment to think that over.

...

Now, we have recently discovered that there are forces at work against Torus that she can't win against, and she's too stubborn to look for other means to the same end.

Look out for her, ok?
>>
No. 167620 ID: 34470e

>>167616
Guidance spirits? And a betrayer in the ranks? Hmmm... Murelle can make an artifact for Torus that will be able to find out who it is. Murelle will do all she can to make sure Torus remains alive. She'd loose a friend if she didn't.
>>
No. 167621 ID: 701a19

>>167620
Well, mostly we want to know why she has been seeking ultimate power, and if there are other ways to achieve those goals.
>>
No. 167622 ID: 1ac39d

if you have any questions then ask them. if not then can you send us back over to torus?
>>
No. 167623 ID: 34470e

>>167621
There are many paths that lead to ultimate power. As for why Torus was seeking it, Murelle doesn't know.
>>167622
Murelle has a few. How much memory did Torus lose? How quickly is she getting her memories back? How long were you guidance spirits in Torus? Where'd you come from? Who created you? Who- sorry. Murelle is asking too many questions. She likes to learn.
>>
No. 167627 ID: 1ac39d

>>167623
1: nearly all of them
2: regaining is only what we can find.
3:since the ritual
4&5: dunno.
>>
No. 167629 ID: 701a19

>>167623
Lets see... She lost everything except her name and the very basics, she doesn't seem to be getting any memories back at all (Could you ask her brother for his name? It would be less awkward that way), we can only remember as far back as the moment she lost her memories but could have lot our memories of this incarnation as well, we are uncertain where we came from, and we do not know if we even have a creator let alone who they would be.
We share your love for learning, and are happy to answer any questions you have to the best of our ability.
>>
No. 167643 ID: 34470e

>>167627
>>167629
Hmmm... troubling. This makes Murelle worry for Torus. You say you guidance spirits like to learn like Murelle does? Then let Murelle tell you something. Nagas cannot learn magic. They're immune to mana rituals. That's the reason Murelle has to use scrolls in order to create magical artifacts.
Murelle:"Excuse me, but Murelle would like to know your name."
The person stares at me for a moment.
Person in white:"It's Arris."
He turns back to Torus.
Arris:"I'm going to ask you again:"Last attempt at what?"
Torus:"Um..."
>>
No. 167645 ID: 7524b0

>>167643
Better send us back to Torus.
>>
No. 167646 ID: 701a19

>>167643
"Knowledge. Research. Torus tried a ritual to learn more about the universe."

That's very interesting! How much resistance to magic do you have? Does it increase or decrease depending on how unwanted a spell's effects are?

Oh, and what can you tell us about this cult? What does it believe, and what of that do you believe?
>>
No. 167648 ID: a14da2

>>167643
Sounds like it's time for you to send us back. And thanks Murelle, it's good to know that there are loyal friends out there.
--------------------------
Torus, might not be here later. But tell him you were seeking revenge on those who did that to your face.

Now ask him if he has seen the sword you came there for.
>>
No. 167654 ID: 34470e

>>167646
Murelle thinks you misunderstand. Nagas can be dealt magical damage normally, but they cannot return it. Murelle has been researching the exact nature of magic, but she has only made little progress.
Murelle:"Knowledge. Research. Torus tried a ritual to learn more about the universe."
Arris:"You're trying to figure out who's corrupting Deer of Death as well?"
Torus:"Yes, exactly that."
Murelle has also been researching that as well.
>>167645
>>167648
Very well. Murelle hopes to talk to you again. You guidance spirits are always full of fun knowledge and stories.

...

...
>>
No. 167655 ID: 34470e

Gods damnit, that was close! I shouldn't have sent the guidance spirits to Murelle! He almost found out about it!
>>
No. 167657 ID: 7524b0

>>167655
Ask your bro what he's found out about the Deers of Death.
>>
No. 167658 ID: 701a19

>>167655
Found out about what? Us?
We have been maintaining control of the situation just fine, no worries.

"So, why exactly did you decide to explore this cave, Arris?"
>>
No. 167663 ID: 34470e

>>167658
Found out about the sacrificing to gain ultimate power! I didn't want to have to tell my brother that!
Torus:"So, why exactly did you decide to explore this cave, Arris?"
Arris:"I told you before. I wanted to search everywhere for you. I didn't want to lose you forever. I almost did."
What's wrong with him? He should be crying and hugging me! I should be crying and hugging him!
>>167657
Torus:"What did you find out about the deer of death?"
Arris:"Only that someone's been corrupting their transformation. Normally, The Order would fins out lawbreakers very quickly, but whoever or whatever is doing this is out of our sight. It's the main reason The Order Exists. To stop the world from being destroyed by ghosts by forcing total order onto it."
>>
No. 167664 ID: 1ac39d

>>167658
found out about torus's quest for ultimate power and how she is leading a cult.
>>
No. 167665 ID: 1ac39d

we actually have inside knowledge on that, no one is. the corrupted deer are a result of the transformation process used by the god of death himself going wrong. so their quest is futile as to stop the corrupted deer from happening they would stop the normal deer as well, making it even worse.
>>
No. 167669 ID: 34470e

>>167665
And you want me to try and stop him? I have other goals in mind. Goals I don't want my brother to find out.
Murelle:"Murelle would like to know how you found out about the Deer of Death corruption."
Arris:"Kifo told us about it himself. He said that his Deer of Death are being corrupted by someone and he doesn't know who. He also says the corrupted ones need to be killed as they bring too much work for the pure ones."
>>
No. 167670 ID: 701a19

>>167663
"Ah, a fool's quest. The universe exists as a balance, and attempting to spread order by force shifts the balance and prompts a correction in the form of increased chaos."
>>
No. 167678 ID: 34470e

>>167670
Torus:"Ah, a fool's quest. The universe exists as a balance, and attempting to spread order by force shifts the balance and prompts a correction in the form of increased chaos."
Arris:"The reverse is true as well. The Order formed because of the corrupted Deer of Death popping up.
>>
No. 167681 ID: 701a19

>>167678
"Naturally, but my point was that enforcing laws and codes does nothing to stop the corruption of the Deer of Death, and forcing it will only make the problem worse.
But enough of that, it's good to meet you."

Then hug him.
>>
No. 167687 ID: 758d17

>>167678
Don't hug him. If the uptight bastard wanted affection he should be the one giving it. After all he's the one that has been looking for you.

Time to find the sword. Ask Murelle if it's the one your brother is holding. If it's not then go find the one you need.
>>
No. 167693 ID: 34470e

>>167687
Torus:"Naturally, but my point was that enforcing laws and codes does nothing to stop the corruption of the Deer of Death, and forcing it will only make the problem worse. But enough of that, it's good to meet you."
I hug him. It feels nice. He doesn't hug back.
Arris:"You don't understand. If The Order never existed, the world would be a lot worse than it is now."
>>167687
Torus:"Murelle, is the sword I'm looking for the one Arrys was using?"
Murelle:"No, this is not the one Murelle found. It's a 1-handed sword."
I'll find the sword once I'm done hugging my brother.
>>
No. 167694 ID: 7524b0

If the corruption started before they formed the order, then they aren't the ones causing it.

I think it might be a good idea to help him with the Deer of Death problem. Heck, killing the Deer with that sword might give you some crazy boost in power!
>>
No. 167699 ID: 758d17

>>167693
Then go find the sword. Very good that you have found your brother and all that. But he sounds like a true believer in his cause. If he knew the truth of what you were doing then one of you would most likely die.

Oh and as he wants to uphold order, it's very unlikely that he will accept you killing the deer of death with that sword. If you were to gain that power that would upset the order quite a bit.
>>
No. 167701 ID: 34470e

>>167694
Yes, I could help him, but I've also got a continent to rule.
Torus:"Are there any deer of death in Australia?"
Arris:"There should be, but not any corrupted ones. Humans are the only ones able to become Deer of Death. Only kobolds, gnolls, that sort of stuff. Why do you ask? And what's the sword your looking for for? And you can stop hugging me now. It's uncomfortable."
>>
No. 167705 ID: 758d17

>>167701
Stop hugging him. Tell him it's a nice little artifact that you hope will let you regain your memories. Then go get the sword and get back to your own place.
>>
No. 167708 ID: 7524b0

>>167701
No, seriously. Helping him out could pay off in the long run. I mean, you've got all the time in the world to conquer Australia, but if this Deer scenario isn't fixed, bad things could happen which would prevent your ascent.
>>
No. 167718 ID: 34470e

>>167708
Good point. Plus if I help him out, I'd get closer and closer to being able to killing Xom and ultimate power. Uuh... don't you dare tell my brother about this. It'll destroy the universe. You guidance spirits still have to look for a way for me to gain ultimate power without the universe being destroyed.
>>167705
I break the hug.
Torus:"It's a little artifact that I hope will help me bring my memories back."
Arris:"After you gather it, I want you to join up with The Order."
Torus:"I can't do that!"
Arris:"Why not?"
Uuh...
>>
No. 167721 ID: 7524b0

>>167718
"I don't believe in all that pure law crap. Sometimes you've got to work outside the rules to get stuff done."
>>
No. 167725 ID: 1ac39d

'loo, all i know is that 'pure law' looks great on the surface but once it is finally like that then everyone alive would simply be surviving, not living. progress is a force of chaos, if chaos didn't exist then man the spear would have never been made and we would still be subsisting an whatever animals could be beaten bare handed.
>>
No. 167727 ID: 701a19

>>167718
"Because I do know enough to say that order and chaos are equally capable at causing suffering, and even more so when they each vie for power. Reducing suffering is the only noble goal, and joining the order would just add to that problem. Why do you want me to join, anyway?"
>>
No. 167738 ID: 34470e

>>167721
>>167727
>>167737
Torus:"I don't believe in all that 'pure law' crap. I know that 'pure law' looks great on the surface. But once it is finally like that, then everyone alive would simply be surviving, not living. I know enough to say that order and chaos are equally capable at causing suffering, and even more so when they each vie for power. Reducing suffering is the only noble goal, and joining the order would just add to that problem. Why do you want me to join, anyway?"
Arris:"I know that, but if I defect from The Order, they'll hunt me down as a traitor. I want you to join The Order so I can look after you better."
>>
No. 167745 ID: 1ac39d

so they have a rule that quitting results in death? yeah the order is a bunch of douchebags...

well what if he simply never showed up at the place again and reports of his death appeared?
>>
No. 167748 ID: 7524b0

>>167738
"Oh don't worry, I can take care of myself. You saw how well I fought."
>>
No. 167749 ID: 701a19

>>167738
"So, what if you just disappeared one day and never returned?"
>>
No. 167762 ID: 34470e

>>167745
>>167749
Torus:"What if you just disappeared one day and never returned? What if reports of your death started popping up?"
Arris:"No... they scry vitals. They'd know I was faking my death."
>>167748
Torus:"Well, I can take care of myself. You saw how well I fought."
Arris:"I just don't want to lose you again. You have no idea what I put myself through. I've slayed countless people just because they upset a little rule of The Order. They were people I thought were innocently justified."
>>
No. 167765 ID: 701a19

>>167762
"Can they tell if you're imprisoned? Or where you are?"
>>
No. 167768 ID: 34470e

>>167765
Torus:"Can they tell if you're imprisoned? Or where you are?"
Arris:"If they could, I wouldn't be in this cave to begin with. I'm actually disobeying orders. If another person from The Order saw me coming out of this cave, it would mean death for me. And if I was imprisoned, they'd find me eventually."
>>
No. 167788 ID: 7524b0

>>167768
Sounds like the best thing we can do is to fix the Deer of Death and then disband the Order. Forcefully if necessary.
>>
No. 167794 ID: 34470e

>>167788
Very well. After that, I'll look into Australia.
Torus:"It's time we get the sword."
Arris:"Okay."
Murelle leads us to the sword. It looks... very boring. It's just a single slightly-curving blade with a black and white handle. I would've expected something more stylish.
>>
No. 167797 ID: 701a19

>>167794
Alright, pick it up and leave.
>>
No. 167798 ID: 7524b0

>>167794
Appearances can be deceiving.
>>
No. 167802 ID: 1ac39d

yes, but you see who would ever expect it? some moron with a huge and ornate sword would VASTLY underestimate someone with the a simple blade.
>>
No. 167804 ID: 34470e

>>167798
Yes, I know that. It just looks so dull.
>>167797
I pick it up.
zero

What the fuck? This thing keeps a body count?
>>
No. 167812 ID: 1ac39d

interesting... now i wonder if the power it gives is based solely on number or if power of those slain matters...
>>
No. 167813 ID: 701a19

>>167804
Yep.
I wouldn't be surprised if it's intelligent, too.
>>
No. 167821 ID: 34470e

>>167813
Intelligent? Um... Hello?
hi

Oh gods, this is weird.
>>167812
i give power based on number

I guess it can hear you as well.
>>
No. 167826 ID: 7524b0

>>167821
Just number? Ah fuck there goes all our plans. I guess the best thing we can do to gain power with it is to get in a lot of fights. So... hunt bandits, or otherwise kill things without attracting too much attention to yourself.

Conquering Australia might be fun, and we might get some kills for the sword that way but after it's conquered the power we get from being involved there kindof tanks. I mean, unless you want to kill the entire continent. I don't think your brother would approve of that at all.
>>
No. 167830 ID: 1ac39d

what do you mean? as far as we can tell torus is immortal so she can easily just kill the already dying for years at Australia.
>>
No. 167831 ID: 1ac39d

oh, and another question for you sword: what is the highest number a previous master has reached?
>>
No. 167832 ID: 34470e

>>167826
>>167830
Well, I'll just have to kill as many people as I can get away with.
>>167831
zero i had no other master this person is the first

Haven't you ever heard of a sentence?
no

>>
No. 167834 ID: 1ac39d

then do you know your creator? odd that they would make you and then never use you.
>>
No. 167837 ID: 34470e

>>167834
i was created by a naga named murelle she created me when she was young but never used me she never wanted power only knowledge

..........What?
>>
No. 167843 ID: 701a19

>>167837
Murelle thought something about creating the 'Well of Memories' when we first switched to her.

We need to have a chat with her later, but her trustworthiness is not in question.
>>
No. 167849 ID: 34470e

>>167843
Do you know of any reason Murelle is lying to me?
no

I wasn't asking you! We start to make our way back to the fake wall.
>>
No. 167850 ID: 7524b0

>>167849
Was she lying? I don't think so. She just didn't tell you everything.
>>
No. 167852 ID: 1ac39d

just say 'YOUR sword told me the truth' it may take a moment but it will sink in.
>>
No. 167862 ID: 34470e

>>167850
Hmm...
>>167852
Torus:"Your sword told me the truth, Murelle."
Murelle:"Murelle also told you the truth."
That was a quick comeback. I think she knew her sword would tell me that, but why is still insisting that she's telling the truth?
Murelle:"Words have more than one meaning."
What's that supposed to mean?
>>
No. 167863 ID: 701a19

>>167852
I would advise against saying anything like that right now; Talking magical artifacts generally carry a destroy-on-sight mandate for Order-like organizations, and there's no rush.
Establish a means of communicating with your brother, then go your separate ways.
>>
No. 167865 ID: 701a19

>>167862
It means "Shut up! We can talk about this later!"
>>
No. 167867 ID: 1ac39d

she means that she told you the truth. 'it is a sword that can get you power' she never said she DIDN'T make it. so she never technically told a lie.
>>
No. 167871 ID: 34470e

>>167863
Apparently, attempted murder and stealing do as well. Oh look at that, I'm not dead. What does that tell you?
Torus:"Is there any way we can communicate with you?"
Ariss:"I thought you were coming with me."
Torus:"I'm not. Sorry. I don't want to join your order thing, but I would like to establish an effective means of communication."
Arris:"You will listen to your big brother. You're coming with me."
>>167867
I guess so.
>>
No. 167872 ID: 701a19

>>167871
He's overlooking the attempted murder, and he himself said that the order denies that people have the right to claim ownership of caves and their contents.
Besides, he may try to 'protect you' from it.

Move your hand to your face so your fingers are touching your forehead.
"Arris, you really don't understand the situation. I'm safer where I am than I would be with the Order, and I've got a lot of backing.
Does the Order even operate in Europe?"
>>
No. 167873 ID: 1ac39d

look right at. stare for a few seconds then give a strong, but not demanding, "no"

if he still keeps up then tell him that taking you to the order will result in ether all of them or you dying cause you will not stay.
>>
No. 167876 ID: 7524b0

Consider how much killing the Order does.

That will let you gain power.
>>
No. 167919 ID: 34470e

>>167873
>>167872
I stare at Arris for a moment.
Torus:"No. Arris, you really don't understand the situation. I'm safer where I am than I would be with the Order, and I've got a lot of backing. Does the Order even operate in Europe?"
Arris:"There are people in The Order in Europe, yes. I don't get why my sister wants to abandon me and disappear again. I never want to lose you again."
Jathura hugs me from behind. I can feel his cheek rub against mine.
Jathura:"I'll protect my master for you. I've done it for a longtime, and I can continue to do it."
Arris looks down at the ground, but doesn't say anything.
>>
No. 167941 ID: ee9fc1

>>167919
Tell Arris that he is worrying to much. You will keep in contact with him. All he has to worry about is finding a way to get away from the Order.

Then lets get back to your cult. You have alot of preparation to do.

Also, Murelle making that sword explains one thing. How she found it so fast, she already knew where it was.
>>
No. 167946 ID: 34470e

>>167941
Torus:"You're worrying too much. I'll keep in contact with you. All you have to worry about is getting away from the Order."
Arris looks at me.
Arris:"Jathura, you better protect her as best as you can. If I see her harmed in any way, I will take her to the order by force."
He puts his mask back on.
Arris:"I hope to hear from you frequently, sister."
He walks off while we go through the illusionary wall. Now, for the other matter. We need to find out what Murelle knows about this sword.
>>
No. 167948 ID: ee9fc1

>>167946
You can find that out back in the saftey of your own place. I don't trust this damn place or that foxperson. Lets get back before anything annoying happen to interupt your talks.
>>
No. 167981 ID: 701a19

>>167948
Back in your room, specifically.
I wonder if Murelle can find a way to get Jathura (and you?) the proper genitals. Ask about that before bringing up the sword.
>>
No. 167990 ID: ee9fc1

>>167981
Why do they need them? Both get along perfectly fine as it is. Turning to a Naga to get your genitals fixed so that you can engage in sexual relations with a constructed life form is a bit odd. I think we should leave Murelle out of Torus love life.
>>
No. 168001 ID: bbdfae

>>167981
Our genitalia are really not a major concern at the moment.
>>
No. 168047 ID: 701a19

>>167990
All things considered, I don't think Murelle would find it all that odd.
>>
No. 168120 ID: 34470e

>>167948
>>167981
>>167990
>>168001
>>168047
Okay, okay! We'll talk about this when we reach my chambers! The trip back to the cult is uneventful, and I told Murelle I would like to discus something privately in my chambers. We currently just entered the cult lair.
>>
No. 168122 ID: 701a19

>>168120
First tell her how the sword claimed she was its creator, and ask her why that is.
>>
No. 168124 ID: 34470e

>>168122
Torus:"The sword claimed you as your creator. Why is that?"
Murelle:"Because it is true. As Murelle said, found has more than one meaning. In this case, 'found' means 'created'."
>>
No. 168127 ID: 701a19

>>168124
Nod, have a seat, and motion for her to assume a sitting-like position. Which would be what, coiled up?
"Ah, I thought as much. So, you created it, then put it someplace where you could lead me to find it.
That begs the question of why, though. Why did you feel the need to hide this from me?"
>>
No. 168136 ID: 34470e

>>168127
I do so, and she just slinks down a bit. I guess that's sitting for her.
Torus:"Ah, I thought as much. So, you created it, then put it someplace where you could lead me to find it. That begs the question of why, though. Why did you feel the need to hide this from me?"
Murelle:"Murelle knew you before your memory loss. You would've overworked Murelle if you knew she was creating the artifacts. That was before Murelle heard of your memory loss. Now maybe you won't work Murelle too hard now you know."
She smiles.
>>
No. 168147 ID: 1ac39d

let her know "well, i may need a few more things but none of them are urgent, so you can work at a comfortable pace. just work on that well of memories for now and when you are done i will tell you if i may need anything else."
>>
No. 168156 ID: 701a19

>>168136
Take off your mask and give her a hug.
"Well, things are different now. Just tell me if I start trying to push you too hard.
So, I have a bit of an unusual request...
Jathura and I have become... intimate, but lack the proper parts. Could you help us with that?"
>>
No. 168166 ID: 34470e

>>168147
>>168156
I take my mask off and hug her.
Torus:""Well, things are different now. Just tell me if I start trying to push you too hard.
So, I have a bit of an unusual request..."
Murelle:"What would that be?"
Torus:"Jathura and I have become... intimate, but he lack the proper parts. Could you help us with that?"
Murelle:"Uh... M- Murelle will try to make an artifact that can do... uh... that."
She clears her throat.
Murelle:"W- Would you like Murelle to create an artifact that can heal your wound?"
>>
No. 168173 ID: 701a19

>>168166
"No, not just yet. I don't know what caused it, so it might be cursed.
Do you think it would be possible to restore specific memories instead of all of them? I don't want to be who I was."
>>
No. 168186 ID: 7524b0

Oh, if we're in your room... try opening the diary using "Arris" as the password.
>>
No. 168189 ID: 34470e

>>168173
We break the hug.
Torus:"No, not just yet. I don't know what caused it, so it might be cursed. Do you think it would be possible to restore specific memories instead of all of them? I don't want to be who I was."
Murelle:"Murelle can make it that way."
Torus:"Thanks. You're a big help."
>>168186
I get the diary. Are you sure Arris is the passwo- wait, it opened. Gods damn, it opened! ...For some reason, I'm too scared to look through it.
>>
No. 168191 ID: 701a19

>>168189
"Murelle, do you have any other artifacts scattered around?"
>>
No. 168192 ID: 1ac39d

well if the password was the name of your brother then at least we know your past self still cared about him.
>>
No. 168205 ID: 34470e

>>168192
That's true. If I have a brother, I might have parents. They could still be alive somewhere. I'll need to find them someday.
>>168191
Torus:"Murelle, do you have any other artifacts scattered around?"
Murelle:"Murelle has many arifacts she has created."
>>
No. 168218 ID: 701a19

>>168205
"Do you think we could go through them together some time?"
>>
No. 168223 ID: 34470e

>>168218
Torus:"Do you think we could go through them together some time?"
Murelle:"Murelle doesn't see any reason why you and Murelle can't."
>>
No. 168229 ID: 701a19

>>168223
"Thank you.
Also, you know this entire religion is a load of crap, right? It's just a way of attracting support.
Since we're airing secrets, I thought you deserved to know."
>>
No. 168232 ID: 7524b0

>>168229
Before we say that we'd better ask Murelle about the cult a little, and look in the diary.
>>
No. 168244 ID: 343146

>>168223
She is quite the useful little snake person isn't she.

Ask Murelle about the cult and see what's on the first page of your diary.
>>
No. 168245 ID: 34470e

>>168232
>>168229
What about the cult do you want me to ask Murelle of? I open the diary to a random page. It's in faer, and I can only pick up a few words. I feel relieved I can't read my diary.
>>
No. 168248 ID: 7524b0

Ugh, if Murelle has a lot of different artifacts I think you'd better ask for one that will let you read Faer.

Ask her if your members see you as a god. If so, what kind of god? What has your behavior been like before?
>>
No. 168249 ID: 701a19

>>168245
Basic beliefs, belief structure, who they worship, rules of conduct, etc...
>>
No. 168253 ID: 343146

>>168245
Oh your going to have to learn how to read that and then read it. No way around that.

>>168249
Works as the basic questions.
>>
No. 168265 ID: 34470e

>>168253
Okay! Fine! I'll get more lessons from Jathura!
>>168249
>>168248
Torus:"What are the basic beliefs of this cult?"
Murelle:"Murelle doesn't know much. She only hears small bits and pieces of conversations while traveling in these halls. She has heard you gaining ultimate power would be good. Murelle does not know why. She works mainly in the outside world."
Torus:"And the belief structure?"
Murelle:"Murelle has heard the acolytes worship you because once you get ultimate power, you may be benevolent enough to grant some to them."
Torus:"Who do they worship?"
Murelle:"They worship you.
Torus:"What are the rules of conduct?"
Murelle:"Well, from what Murelle has heard from conversations, it's to never anger you, nor anger Des, Haru, Raul, or Murelle or any other informant."
>>
No. 168275 ID: 343146

>>168265
Sounds like we're not going to get alot of useful stuff from her either.

Tell her to work on the well of memories at her own pace, and if she has any other artifacts that might be useful then she should tell you about it.

Then get cracking on learning more Faer.
>>
No. 168289 ID: 34470e

>>168275
Torus:"That's all I ask of you. You can get working on the well of memories at your own pace."
Murelle comes up to me and shakes my hand.
Murelle:"Murelle thanks you. She'll be doing her best to create the well to your liking. Murelle will also research cursed wounds for you."
With that, she leaves. Jathura and I start my lessons in Faer again.
>>
No. 168291 ID: 343146

>>168289
Keep the lessons going for a couple of weeks, other stuff needs to happen as well. Just make sure you put aside two hours a day to train with Des and Haru.
>>
No. 168317 ID: 34470e

>>168291
How's this for a schedule:
Wake up
Eat breakfast
Learn Faer
Eat Lunch
Train with Haru
Train with Des
Eat Dinner
Learn Faer
Have fun with Jathura
Go to sleep

Is this schedule any good?
>>
No. 168319 ID: bbdfae

>>168289
In addition to learning Faer, have Jathura tell you the story of your life, as far back as he can remember it and moving to the present day. If he's really been with us a hundred years, he must have some useful information on what the heck we've been up to for all this time.
>>
No. 168332 ID: 34470e

>>168319
Okay. It seems my schedule is perfect. Now I need to know exactly how long I should follow that schedule. I'm thinking maybe a year or two. Does that sound good?
>>
No. 168334 ID: 1ac39d

>>168332
sounds about right. but remember that it is only a guideline, you can change it up if you want to.
>>
No. 168336 ID: 701a19

>>168332
Indefinitely, but there are other things to do in that year of time.

First, stop people from worshiping you. You live in a world with active deities, and they are perfectly capable of making your life hell.
If you turn the cult into a secular following where you are revered as a great teacher, then little changes besides the deities losing interest.

Second: Give up on ultimate power. Instead focus on perfect immortality, and then gain power the regular way. Your power doesn't need to be ultimate, it just needs to be enough. You won't have much of anything working against you if you just seek enough power, and that's not an all-or-nothing deal.
If you plan to rebuild yourself for a year or two, then doing this will leave you in a FAR better position, and should result in The Order losing interest in you.
>>
No. 168338 ID: 1ac39d

>>168336
our definition of 'enough power' still involves you having the right amount to do anything.
>>
No. 168340 ID: 34470e

>>168334
>>168336
Well, stopping people from worshipping me, having the Order forget about me, and remaining in contact with Arris are the only things I can promise to do. I still want ultimate power, but I'm putting that on hold until we figure out a way for me to gain that without the universe exploding. Shall we get started?
>>
No. 168341 ID: 1ac39d

>>168340
okay then
[training montage, cue 'eye of the tiger']
>>
No. 168355 ID: 34470e
 

A year passes while I train in various things. I now fully understand Faer. Jathura told me I was somewhat... insane. The diary proved it. The rambling was almost incomprehensible. But that doesn't matter. I'm a different person now. I've almost stopped people from worshipping me. There's a small group that refuses to give up. I've kept them contained. Also, I threw away my old diary and got a new one. Des and Haru really haven't taught me anything new. It's like I didn't need them to teach me. I also challenged Des a few times to combat, and I lost every single time. That fucker is really strong. He says he can lift up to 700 pounds. That doesn't make any sense, seeing as he's about 2 and a half feet tall. I've done a few other things as well, like have Murelle construct a skull like the one for Des. I talk to my brother that way. I've also unmasked myself. I really don't care about low I look with the wound on my face. Obviously, Des and Haru were worried. Raul acted like he didn't care, so I secretly ordered everyone to spy on him. Something's up with him. Oh, and I still want ultimate power.
>>
No. 168366 ID: 7524b0

>>168355
Well who doesn't want ultimate power, really. At any rate I think we can just mostly give up on restoring all your memories now. The only thing I'm interested in is finding out how you got that wound.

Hey, remember that book you detected magic on? What's in it?
>>
No. 168367 ID: 701a19

>>168355
You may want it, but you should stop trying for it.
You said it yourself that the old you was insane, so why stick to the old goals? Focus instead on attaining perfect immortality and building up your power the normal way. That will allow you to obtain enough power to do whatever you want without any of the issues associated with ultimate power itself.
>>
No. 168385 ID: 34470e

>>168367
I may be a different person, but that doesn't mean I should change my biggest goal.
>>168366
What about memories of my childhood? Those memories seem to be good memories to restore. And I totally forgot about that book, so I don't know what's up with it.
>>
No. 168388 ID: 7524b0

>>168385
Ultimate power isn't a goal, it's a means to an end. Considering you were a nutter before, I can only assume you wanted to either destroy or take over the world. Neither of which is really a good idea.

What do you want now? Deep inside, what is it you desire? Happiness? Fame? Respect?
>>
No. 168389 ID: 1ac39d

oh, yeah, those are a good idea. anyway, let's check that book out now.
>>
No. 168391 ID: 1ac39d

>>168388
he means, you get ultimate power, then what?
>>
No. 168392 ID: 701a19

>>168385
Except we still don't know why it was your biggest goal.
Have you considered the possibility that you wanted ultimate power for the sole purpose of destroying the world?

Regardless, we can get you an impressive amount of power very quickly if you abandon that goal.

@Xom So, it's taking longer than we hoped, but we've made some significant progress. We're still working on that ultimate power bit, but she's incredibly stubborn.
How do you regard what we've accomplished so far?
>>
No. 168395 ID: 34470e

>>168388
I would like for Jathura to gain lower bits. I would like to save the world in order to take over Australia. I would like for you spirits to quit slacking and fins out how to allow me to gain ultimate power without destroying the universe. I would like to get outside more. I would like to find my parents if I have any.
>>168389
I browse through the pages of the book. It details many ways of sacrificing people. After I figure out what the magic is, I'm getting rid of this book.
>>168392
I can also gain an impressive amount of power if you start figuring out how to get me to gain ultimate power without destroying the world.
{[She's resisting you because you're trying to take away something she wants obviously. You need to be more subtle. But good progress on the whole 'getting rid of the cult thing.]}
>>
No. 168398 ID: 701a19

>>168395
@Xom 'Subtle' is when I use conventional weapons instead of nuclear. Have any suggestions?
>>
No. 168402 ID: 1ac39d

[oh, maybe we can access her subconscious, and slowly shift it away?]
>>
No. 168410 ID: 34470e

>>168398
>>168402
{[You should try that.]}
>>
No. 168471 ID: 6aff0b

>>168395
Well sounds like it was a year halfway decently spent. How many followers and how good fighters are they now?

And keep that small part of the cult alive. Deities are in most cases just mortals that have gained enough power. Somewhere along your quest for ultimate power you will probably cross that limit.

But I think it might be time to go for Australia. Make sure you get some up to date information about the place and start planning.
>>
No. 168509 ID: 701a19

>>168471
No, you're confused. Demons are mortals who have have become that powerful.
Besides, staying secular keeps deities from paying attention to Torus, and being worshiped provides zero benefit beyond being a tool to keep the cultists around.
Since membership hasn't suffered any, it's pretty clear that being worshiped serves no useful purpose.
>>
No. 168513 ID: 6aff0b

>>168509
Was not the way I heard it, but whatever. Demonhood and a demon cult later then. It's still useful to keep them around, will make it easier later since then we won't have to create a brand new cult, setting up religions is hard work.

But time for a status update on how many members you have and their martial capacity.
>>
No. 168734 ID: 34470e

>>168471
If I recall correctly, I have a world to save before taking over Australia.
>>168513
Since this grouping became secular, only about 10 people left for good. Justin was one of the. Oh, wait, I forgot to tell you nobody is referred to as numbers anymore. Most of the people quit wearing the robes. The only ones who wear them are the only ones who still insist on worshiping me. All of them are pretty good at combat both magical and non-magical.
>>
No. 168737 ID: 701a19

>>168734
How's morale?
Have you made up for the people who left?
Also, you haven't do something inane like kill the people who left, have you?
>>
No. 168740 ID: 34470e

>>168737
Morale seems to be much better seeing as nobody's afraid of me anymore. I guess that makers up for the people I've lost. No, I haven't killed anything yet. Any more questions you want to ask me? I'm on my way to Des to help him train.
>>
No. 168764 ID: 701a19

>>168740
How close is Jathura to getting his dangly bits? How are you two doing?

How is your friendship with Murelle developing?

Has Arris been doing alright?
How about your french assassin?

Given how much of a psychotic nutjob you use to be, do you still hate Xom for being a dick to you when you talked to him almost immediately after you lost your memories?
[Subconscious suggestion: Maybe he was justifiably angry?]
>>
No. 168767 ID: 1ac39d

>>168764
that kinda makes sense, you may have contacted him before you lost your memories and were a bitch to him. he tends to hold grudges.
>>
No. 168773 ID: 34470e

>>168764
Murelle's been putting off the whole 'Jathura gaining lower bits' thing for some reason. It's like she doesn't want to touch that. She's mainly been concentrating on the well of memories. She says it's her biggest project yet and it's very hard. I'm not going to tell her to work at a faster rate. Murelle and I are now open friends. We both like that. Arris is doing fine, but he contacts me a little too frequently. Maryse has been going with Murelle because she's teaching her english. I don't know exactly how well she speaks, but at least she gets her point across.
>>168767
I really don't know right now if I still hate him. Maybe I was rude to him? I still don't want to summon him, seeing as how you told me he'll kill me with marshmallows.
>>
No. 168788 ID: 701a19

>>168773
Oh, no, I'm not going to suggest you summon him. However, you might want to have somebody else contact him and ask if he's willing to forgive and forget.
If nothing else, then at least it wouldn't hurt to be on neutral or better terms with him. Actually, if I recall correctly the reason you summoned him was to ask him to grant you power.
Obviously he couldn't grant you ultimate power, since if he could make you more powerful than himself then he could just make himself that powerful, but he could grant you enough power to do... well, whatever it is you're going to do with it, I guess.
[Subconscious suggestion: Why would I need more than enough power? Isn't enough enough?]
>>
No. 168792 ID: 34470e

>>168788
I guess I should try to be a little light er on Xom, or get to know him better. But... I think ultimate power is still better. It's just not enough. If I had ultimate power, I could just snap my fingers and Australia would be mine. I could even save the world from being destroyed. I could even save the universe from exploding if I had ultimate power.
>>
No. 168796 ID: 1ac39d

[okay, think that's enough nudging for today. need to do this one step at a time or she will catch on]

okay then. anyway. main reason i think murelle is staying away from jathura's crotch is it's his crotch. it's an incredibly awkward subject to deal with.
>>
No. 168800 ID: 701a19

>>168792
You would also become very, very bored.
We've done the ultimate power bit in other universes, and have long since learned that there is no satisfaction in it. We're lucky, though, we can just detach ourselves from those universes and go elsewhere.
The ones we really pity are the ones who have ultimate power but don't have that option. When anything is possible everything loses meaning, and within a few years at most they slip into depression. Eventually they sort of shut off their minds, and watch impassively as everything they ever cared about crumbles and dies because they no longer have the will to change things.
[Subconscious suggestion: I hadn't considered that... that's a fate worse than death...]
>>
No. 168804 ID: 1ac39d

>>168800
oh yes, one deity like that instead of just falling asleep erased their memory and decided to live a normal life. because when you can do everything you have ever wanted instantly forever, you kinda just stop caring.
>>
No. 168809 ID: 701a19

>>168804
More than one, but those never turn out well. Eventually they stumble across their powers and they suffer through the whole damn thing over again, then their memories come back, then they repeat the process.
>>
No. 168813 ID: 34470e

>>168796
Well, I hope one day it will no longer be awkward for her. I can wait patiently for that day.
>>168800
Well, while I do feel sorry for them, but what they had doesn't sound like ultimate power. You can do whatever you want to do while having ultimate power.
>>168804
Like forcing yourself to not be bored.
>>168809
It seems like it's their fault for not using their ultimate powe- wait... You say that have ultimate power, yet the universe didn't explode. They seem stupid enough to not consider using their power to not have the universe explode, so how do you explain that?
>>
No. 168815 ID: 1ac39d

>>168813
they exist outside the universe, looking down upon it. the universe is like a bubble in that respect. it is contained within a greater something. and they are bored in SPITE of their power. if you had every last wish you have ever had or ever will have granted, then what? the only thing left is to sit there watching the universe, forever.
>>
No. 168816 ID: 701a19

>>168813
This is the one of the reasons why ultimate power destroys the universe.
Lets say you had ultimate power, and used it to create a rock that was so heavy that you would never be able to lift it, and then you tried to lift it.
One of those two actions must fail, but if either of them fail then your power is not ultimate.

By the same token something with ultimate power cannot be destroyed, so you run into another paradox if you attempt to kill yourself.

Not all universes resolve paradoxes the same way. Some are much better than others, but yours is not one of those.


As far as manipulating your mind goes, Murelle could easily craft an artifact that would make you both happy with the way things are and not bored. However, it wouldn't be real.
When you start cutting-off parts of your mind to keep yourself from going insane, you're following in the footsteps of the people who shut-off their minds.

[Subconscious suggestion: This is all too much of a headache. Screw ultimate power, lets just go for enough to crush our enemies like bugs.]
>>
No. 168818 ID: 34470e

>>168815
>>168816
Uggh... You're starting to give me a headache... Let's just stop talking about ultimate power for now. I need to be mentally ready to train people with Des. Speaking of which, I just arrived at his class. I open the door. Nobody's in there but Des, Raul, and Haru. Raul's tied up in a chair.
>>
No. 168822 ID: 1ac39d

they ether caught him doing against you or he is doing a lesson on escaping capture.
>>
No. 168825 ID: 34470e

>>168822
Torus:"What's going on here?"
Haru walks up to me and shows me a scroll.
Haru:"I found a scroll with instructions on how to wipe the memory of somebody in Raul's room."
Raul:"I told you, it isn't mine!"
>>
No. 168828 ID: 1ac39d

'oh? if it isn't yours then who's is it? having it located in your room makes it very likely that it is yours.
>>
No. 168829 ID: 701a19

>>168825
Send us over.
>>
No. 168830 ID: 34470e

Torus:"Oh? If it isn't yours then who's is it? Having it located in your room makes it very likely that it's yours."
Raul:"It's Des's!"
Des:"No way. I'm Torus's friend, so why would I want to erase all of her memories? I'd have to be some sort of braindead lunatic! The same goes for Haru! He respects Torus too much to even think about doing it!"
>>168829
As you wish.

...

...
>>
No. 168831 ID: 34470e

Gods damnit! Why were they sneaking in my room to begin with?
>>
No. 168832 ID: 701a19

>>168831
[Say nothing, just wait]
>>
No. 168837 ID: 1ac39d

[subconscious: maybe i should tell the truth?]
>>
No. 168839 ID: 34470e

>>168832
Torus:"If it isn't Haru's, Des's, or yours, Who does it belong to?"
Raul:"I told you, Des asked me to keep that for him!"
Des:"I keep saying I never want to erase the memories of my friends! Get that through your damn skull, you idiot!"
I guess this is what I get for trying to be ambitious.
Raul:"It isn't mine!"
Haru:"THEN WHO THE FUCK OWNS IT?"
Ow... that hurt my ears a little..
>>
No. 168840 ID: 701a19

>>168839
@Torus Say "At this point I'm curious as to how relevant this really is. Why is this scroll such an issue?"

[Subconsciously suggest: Yea! Play it off like it's no big deal!]
>>
No. 168842 ID: 34470e

>>168840
Torus:"Haru, please do... Please don't shout. At this point, I'm curious as to how relevant this really is. Why is this scroll such an issue?"
Des:"Are you saying you wanted your memories to be erased?"
Gods damnit... They all know it was me. Now I'll get punished or killed or jailed.
>>
No. 168848 ID: 701a19

>>168842
@Torus: Wink at Des and Haru from where Raul can't see you, then say "Des, before that I was a raving lunatic, and a very unhappy one at that. I read it out of my own diary, so don't bother arguing with me on this. Now I'm sane, I'm happy, I have friends, morale is up, fear is down, that cult nonsense is gone, and the lives of almost every person I've been in contact with have improved. Honestly? I wouldn't have wanted it before, but it was probably the best thing to ever happen to me."

Well, you could always confess. That seems like the best option.
>>
No. 168860 ID: 7524b0

Yes... confess! Or we'll use the pillows! And the COMFY CHAIR!
>>
No. 168922 ID: 371e4a

>>168842
Raul, there are two ways this can go down. Either you tell them right now why you did it, and just maybe they will show some mercy. Or they will do this the hard way, which involves skinning knives and healing magic, you can have so much fun with a sharp knife if you can make sure the subject doesn't expire before you wish them too do so.
>>
No. 168947 ID: 34470e

>>168922
What? Oh, guidance spirits. I guess you came here to help me. That won't happen to me if I can convince them it wasn't me.
>>168848
Torus moves behind me for some reason.
Torus:"Des, before that I was a raving lunatic, and a very unhappy one at that. I read it out of my own diary, so don't bother arguing with me on this. Now I'm sane, I'm happy, I have friends, morale is up, fear is down, that cult nonsense is gone, and the lives of almost every person I've been in contact with have improved. Honestly? I wouldn't have wanted it before, but it was probably the best thing to ever happen to me."
Or... maybe not.
Haru:"No! You're supposed to be angry! This isn't fair for you!"
Des:"Calm the fuck down."
>>168860
Uuh... what?
>>
No. 168948 ID: 371e4a

>>168947
Oh you're going to tell anyway. Torus has changed some, but with the right guidance from the right spirit she can still very much make some very nasty things happen to you. There is so much fun you can have when you know you can keep someone from dying, and it makes it so much worse for them, they know that they are utterly helpless, they won't die until the other one allows it, and it can go on for months.

So dear little Raul. You're going to tell them, and you're going to tell them now.
>>
No. 168953 ID: 34470e

>>168948
I don't think I like your tone. I know how to block off outside communication for you, and I can decide to banish you forever. You will apologize to me before I confess.
>>
No. 168954 ID: 371e4a

>>168953
Oh, I'm ever so sorry. Didn't mean anything by it. But you know doing that won't really help your situation any right now, I can still send to the original host. Torus can still hear what I say.


@Torus: Now there is something else you should tell him. The fact that what he did turned out to be something somewhat positive for you doesn't change that he betrayed you. So he had damn well better have a good reason for why he did it, otherwise there will be some serious trust issues which could end badly for some people.
>>
No. 168955 ID: 34470e

>>168954
Actually, when I said I'd block outside communication, I meant it. You'd only be able to communicate with me and me only. You wanna know why I erased Torus's memories? I wanted to lead the cult. Group. I wanted power. I was ambitious. But look at what ambition gave me.
[outside communication blocked]
Torus:"Um, Haru, you can try to be more understanding. Raul cured my insanity."
Haru:"I will not calm down! He erased your memories! That's practically the worst thing anyone can ever do!"
Des:"Knock it off, Haru! It's Torus's decision as to what she wants to do with Raul."
>>
No. 168956 ID: 371e4a

>>168955
Ah, now that I can understand. I thought we were going to have a problem here. But some honest to god backstabbing ambition is no problem at all. Send us back and we will fix this in no time at all.
>>
No. 168961 ID: 34470e

>>168956
Sorry, but I'm not going to fall for any of your tricks.
Haru:"Torus, he stole all of your memories from you!"
Des:"Gods damn, quit saying the same thing over and over again!"
Haru:"I'm just trying to get her to have some common sense!"
Des:"You want common sense? I'll give you common sense."
He jumps up and gives a kick that sends Haru flying across the room.
Des:"It's extremely clear Torus isn't angry because of Raul erasing her memories. I have no idea why he erased them, but to me, it doesn't fucking matter."
>>
No. 168963 ID: 371e4a

>>168961
Understandable. I wouldn't trust me either. I am after all a lying manipulative somewhat sadistic spirit. But I'm also quite honest at times, there will be a conquest of Australia, it will happen. And it will need a ruler, and right now I'm thinking you might be an ideal candidate. But none of that will happen if things are allowed to keep spiraling out of control. So, would you now kindly send us back so we can fix all of this?
>>
No. 168966 ID: 34470e

>>168963
No... I'm sorry, but I never want to be ambitious ever again. It almost got me in trouble.
Haru:"S- sorry for freaking out."
Des:"S'alright. Just try not to let it happen again."
>>
No. 168967 ID: 371e4a

>>168965
Then we can find you some nice safe spot. Would be a shame to just give up like that though. Torus didn't give up on her dreams even when she could no longer remember why she had them in the first place.

But if you don't want the job I'm sure we can find someone else who would be willing to do it.

So how about sending us back now?
>>
No. 168986 ID: 701a19

>>168966
Here's the current game plan:
You send us back, Torus kicks you out because you can't be trusted, no hard feelings for anyone. After a few years you can come back and we can see if you've gained some perspective on all of this.
If you've been paying attention to how Torus has been behaving, then you know what I am saying is true.

If you try to hold us or banish us then we're going to miss our check-in times with Torus which will result in her killing you in order to free us. If you banish us, then we call up one of our buddies to send us back to Torus.
>>
No. 169069 ID: 34470e

>>168986
Your bluffs are starting to irritate me. You don't realize how weak and useless you are right now. If I die an you're still in my head, that means you stay in that corpse. If I banish you, that means I erase you from existence. Nothing can bring you back. Not Xom. Not even Izanagi. Now I'm going to offer you a little choice. Either you swallow your fucking pride and sincerely apologize to me, or you keep digging that hole you're in deeper and deeper. Choose wisely. It's your decision.
You might want to check the discussion thread.
>>
No. 169082 ID: 701a19

>>169069
I'm sorry, but I, personally, have no idea what you want us to apologize for. If you can tell the voices apart, then you should no I have made no threats and simply laid things out as accurately as I could, and tried to work out a reasonable compromise.

AH! So THAT is how banishing works! Well, that's suitably annoying. I wish we had known that before we started this plan
Anyway, my point still stands; keeping us here is only going to get all of us killed.

I think the offer I made is reasonable; you leave in peace and can return in a few years when you have some perspective on things. Torus will forgive your actions, but you violated her trust so you can't be one of her trusted lieutenants anymore.
You have my word that Torus and the others will abide by these terms if you do the same.

Or do you have a counteroffer?

@Xom
This guy wants to kill us. Think you could help? All we need to do is get out of this guy's head and into a friendly one.
>>
No. 169110 ID: 34470e

>>169082
Fine... I'll take your offer. But don't you dare threaten me ever again. There will be no escape next time.

...

...
>>
No. 169111 ID: 34470e

Hello? Guidance spirits? Where'd you go?
>>
No. 169118 ID: 701a19

>>169111
He held us against our will, and threatened to destroy us.
Anyway, we cut a deal:
You forgive him and he leaves leave in peace - no hard feelings, no revenge or anything. Since his plot worked out so well for you there's no sense in holding it against him, but he violated your trust so he can't keep his position as a trusted lieutenant.
In a few years he can come back and we can see if he gained some perspective on his actions.

Explain the terms to the others, and have somebody keep an eye on him while he packs. Anything he can't carry we can ship to him once he's settled in somewhere.
>>
No. 169123 ID: 34470e

>>169118
I kind of feel the exact same way you do, you know, with being glad Raul curing my insanity. But isn't sending him packing going a little too far? I mean, what'd he do? What did you do to make him threaten you?
>>
No. 169127 ID: 701a19

>>169123
Well, I suppose you could just bust him down the ranks for it if you wanted.
Still, make it clear that you don't hold it against him and you're just upset by his betrayal. Also, tell him that he should have admitted to it when you came out and said you lost your memories.

Oh, and could you look for a way to rip us out of somebody else's mind and pull us back into your own?
>>
No. 169133 ID: 34470e

>>169127
No really, what was the reason he erased my memories? Why are you keeping it a secret from me?
>>
No. 169140 ID: 701a19

>>169133
Hrm? OH! That!
Sorry, it slipped my mind. I didn't intend to keep you in the dark.
He wanted to depose you as cult leader so he could take your spot in a bid for power. Obviously it backfired, but it was fairly incompetent all around.
>>
No. 169148 ID: 1ac39d

so it was a simple 'i want to be in charge' plan not a 'i'll get her out of the way for the order' plan. he just wanted power, ironic isn't it?
>>
No. 169149 ID: 34470e

>>169140
He what? ...Maybe I should send him out of here for a while after all.
Torus:"Raul, I've thought of a suitable punishment for you. You shall be exiled from this group no less than 5 years. You will think about what you've done. You will start packing immediately. While I'm glad you cured me of insanity, this needs to be done."
Haru:"I still say the punishment should be death..."
>>
No. 169503 ID: c42dc3

>>169149
Ask Haru why he thinks Raul should die.
>>
No. 169504 ID: 482f1b

>>169503
It might be better not to provoke him. Try to find out later.
>>
No. 169683 ID: 34470e

>>169503
>>169504
Okay, I'll ask later. I untie Raul and send someone to oversee his packing up. I guess I won't be teaching with Des today, so I have no idea what to do.
>>
No. 170466 ID: 701a19

>>169683
Check in on Murelle to see how she's doing, and cuddle up with Jathura.
>>
No. 170477 ID: 34470e

>>170466
Luckily, I asked Murelle to make a skull like Des's and Arris's. I go over to my chambers.
Jathura:"I thpught you were going over to help Des teach."
Torus:"Class was canceled due to betrayal. Raul erased my memories to try and take my place, but instead he onlgy cured my insanity. I kicked him out for 5 years, so don't worry."
I pick up the skull for Murelle.
Torus:"Murelle, can I get a progress report?"
Murelle:"Well, Murelle has... restarted on the well."
>>
No. 170481 ID: 1ac39d

huh? what does that mean? something explode?
>>
No. 170482 ID: 34470e

>>170481
Torus:"Did something explode?"
Murelle:"No, No. Murelle just thought of an added feature for the well. She's making it so it has the ability to take away unwanted memories as well."
>>
No. 170483 ID: 1ac39d

that's... pretty good actually.
>>
No. 170492 ID: 34470e

>>170483
Torus:"That's actually a good idea. Why'd you do it?"
Murelle:"The well neds to be in a fixed position, and Murelle doesn't want to just destroy the well after you use it, so she'll leave the well for other people as well. Murelle will also spread rumors of the well for this."
>>
No. 170493 ID: 1ac39d

we need to be able to gain from this somehow... how about spread along with that rumor that you need to throw in a gold piece for it to work? it may not be much but a handful of extra gold week can add up.
>>
No. 170494 ID: 1ac39d

>>170493
can reinforce the rumor by putting a sensing spell inside it that causes a small ball of light to form in the water when a coin passes a certain depth. then a second one that makes the light go out whenever the well uses it's memory powers.
>>
No. 170496 ID: 34470e

>>170493
>>170494
I feel a smile form across my face.
Torus:"Murelle, if you're going to spread rumors about the well, I want you to do something for me."
Murelle:"What would that be?"
Torus:"Make it seem like you have to throw in a gold piece for it to work. To reinforce the rumor, have a sensing spell that makes a small light glow in the bottom of the well. It will start glowing when the gold coin passes a certain depth, and have it stop glowing when it uses it's memory powers."
There's a small pause.
Murelle:"Hehehe... Murelle applauds you for your creativity. She would not have thought about that. Murelle could make a secret passage to the bottom of the well where all the coins will fall."
>>
No. 171535 ID: 34470e

>>170496
Torus:"Good. I believe that's all I need. Unless I'm forgetting something."
Am I? I'm not so sure.
>>
No. 171537 ID: 1ac39d

yeah, that's all for murelle for now.
>>
No. 171540 ID: 34470e

>>171537
Torus:"No. I'm not forgetting anything."
Murelle:"Murelle shall talk to you later."
Time to cuddle with Jathura. I get in my bed and tell him I'd like to cuddle with him. He gets in bed with me. His skin is warm
>>
No. 171942 ID: 34470e

>>171540
We cuddle for a little while when there's a knock on the door. I get up and open it. It's Haru.
Haru:"I came here to apologize for my behavior earler. I'm sorry."
>>
No. 171956 ID: 701a19

>>171942
"It's ok. You were concerned, and having one person menacing him while another appears sympathetic is a classic method of extracting information."
>>
No. 171962 ID: 34470e

>>171956
Torus:"It's okay. You were concerned, and having one person menacing him while another appears sympathetic is a classic method of extracting information."
Haru:"Oh. Thanks. I thought you were going to yell at me. I got a little too riled up."
He smiles.
>>
No. 172489 ID: c42dc3

>>171962
I'm curious as to why he as rile up. Ask him why.
>>
No. 172632 ID: 34470e

>>172489
Torus:"I'm curious as to why you were so angry. Do you mind telling me?"
Haru:"It's just that... well, I think that changing people into someone they're not is the greatest insult ever. Even if it helped you, it was very bad and demeaning."
>>
No. 172727 ID: 701a19

>>172632
"Oh, I agree, but the old Torus brought it on herself."
>>
No. 172732 ID: 34470e

Torus:"Oh, I agree, but the old Torus brought it on herself."
Haru:"Well, it made you reveal your face and your scar. What are you going to do with your mask?"
You know, I haven't thought about the mask in a long time. I really don't know what to do with it.
>>
No. 172755 ID: 701a19

>>172732
"Keep it as a reminder that she's dead and gone. Besides, it might come in handy in the future."
>>
No. 172763 ID: 34470e

>>172755
I pick up the mask and hand it to Haru.
Torus:"Keep it as a reminder that she's dead and gone. Besides, it might come in handy in the future."
Haru:"Thanks."
There's a small pause.
Haru:"You know, you'd look cute without that wound. You should try healing it sometime."
He smiles
>>
No. 172764 ID: 1ac39d

just start laughing. i don't think he has any clue about the irony of that statement.
>>
No. 172773 ID: 34470e

>>172764
I start laughing.
Haru:"What? What's so funny?"
>>
No. 173101 ID: 34470e

>>172773
Torus:"Oh, it's nothing."
Haru:"Is it really nothing or are you keeping secrets from me?"
>>
No. 173103 ID: 701a19

>>173101
"Oh, I'm not keeping it secret, I just don't know much to tell. It seems this scar was what motivated old Torus; both its removal and revenge against the cause."
>>
No. 173108 ID: 34470e

Torus:"Oh, I'm not keeping it secret, I just don't know much to tell. It seems this scar was what motivated old Torus; both its removal and revenge against the cause."
Haru:"Well, it sounds like you want to get revenge on the person that caused you that would, but why were you laughing?"
>>
No. 173113 ID: 701a19

>>173108
"No, no, old Torus. To me it's just part of who I am. The laughter came because this whole mess came of her trying to do what you suggested."
>>
No. 173124 ID: 34470e

Torus:"No, no, old Torus. To me it's just part of who I am. The laughter came because this whole mess came of her trying to do what you suggested."
Haru:"Oh. I'm sorry then. Uh, it's almost lunchtime. Want to eat with me? Privately, you and me."
>>
No. 173125 ID: 701a19

>>173124
Shrug "Why not?"
>>
No. 173126 ID: 34470e

>>173125
I shrug.
Torus:"Why not?"
Haru:"Good. We can eat in my room. Come with me."
I instinctively look at Jathura. He's giving me a longing look.
>>
No. 173131 ID: 701a19

>>173126
Wait till Haru isn't looking, then look back to Jathura, make a motion with your hips confirming that your body is his, and give him a smile with a wink.
>>
No. 173136 ID: 34470e

>>173131
Haru starts to leave. I look over to Jathura again and wink at him while motioning that my body is his. He nods slightly. I rthen catch up to Haru.
Haru:"So what do you want to eat?"
>>
No. 173138 ID: 701a19

>>173136
"I could really go for a hoagie about now. Think they have any freshly baked bread down at the mess hall?"
>>
No. 173145 ID: 34470e

Torus:"I could really go for a hoagie about now. Think they have any freshly baked bread down at the mess hall?"
Haru:"Oh, definitely."
We continue on and come across a student.
Haru:"Hey, do you mind getting us some lunch? You can deliver it in my room."
Andrew:"Oh, no problem. What do you want?"
Haru:"Give me a grilled kobold."
Torus:"I'll have a hoagie."
Andrew:"What do you want on that hoagie?"
>>
No. 173148 ID: 701a19

>>173145
"Turkey, roast beef, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, peppers, mayonnaise, Swiss cheese, and a bit of Italian dressing.
Kobold? Seriously? I've made it a policy to not eat anything with which I could conceivably carry on a conversation."
>>
No. 173154 ID: 34470e

>>173148
Actually, if such a policy was made, I'd have to be a vegan, as you told me Xom can grant animals the ability to speak. So I don't see what's wrong with that.
Torus:"Turkey, roast beef, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, peppers, mayonnaise, Swiss cheese, and a bit of Italian dressing."
Andrew:"That sounds good. I'll make one for myself as well."
He walks off toward the kitchen area as we continue our way to Haru's room.
>>
No. 173156 ID: 701a19

>>173154
Ah, poor word choices.
Those are classed under the 'awakened' header and are ignored for our purposes; Xom could create an awakened glass of water, so it hardly makes sense to include those possibilities.

You need to draw a line between what should and should not be eaten; most people disapprove of cannibalism, but with nonhuman sapients the water is murkier. Would you eat a naga like Murelle? Or a construct like Jathura? At what point is something no longer food?

The ability to carry on a conversation without divine intervention is generally a decent benchmark, since it's fairly easy to test and intelligence is a good metric for the ethics of predation. Kobolds are intelligent enough that only the language barrier stands in the way of meaningful communication, ergo we find their consumption distasteful.
One of the nice things about this metric is that you never get put in a position of answering the question "Why did you eat my mommy and daddy?", which is not only incredibly awkward but often comes around the time you realize that you stumbled right into a trap set by vengeful sophonts.
>>
No. 173159 ID: 34470e

>>173156
What? You never complained about this before. Why'd you change your mind all of a sudden? Is it or is it not okay to eat kobolds?
>>
No. 173162 ID: 701a19

>>173159
It's up for you to decide where that line is drawn, but we find it repugnant. The only reason we haven't mentioned it is because nobody had brought the consumption of sophonts to our attention before.
Sadly our senses are very limited, and you should be well aware that we are not always observing you. This is both a blessing and a curse; we can't aid you with matters we do not observe, but at the same time you have no privacy while we are with you and our presence tends to draw the notice of higher beings.
The benefits far outweigh the risks, obviously, but we aren't omniscient.

@Xom: Want to make Haru the proud owner of an ascended grilled kobold?
>>
No. 173164 ID: 34470e

>>173162
Well, how about after Haru eats I enforce a rule of no more eating kobolds. Would that make you happy?
{[I would love to, but dead men can't talk.]}
>>
No. 173170 ID: 701a19

>>173164
It's not about us, it's about ethical standards.
While 'good' and 'evil' are terms that bend to the will of those who hold the people's faith, like they used to do for you, there exist standards that are beholden to no mortal or deity.
Ethical standards all stem from the belief that every person has inalienable ownership of themselves. Ethical behavior is any behavior that respects this, while unethical behavior is anything that undermines it.
So-called 'moral guardians' would have you believe that laws exist because 'good' and 'evil' as they describe them are concrete reality, and that the laws are an expression of 'good' fighting 'evil', but we both know that's propaganda. In reality, the core purpose of law is to protect the self-determination of people from those who would undermine it; thieves take the fruits of a person's labor, murderers force death on a person, rapists violate a person's body, etc...

In simple terms? A person is free to do whatever they wish as long as they do not unjustly impinge on the rights of others.

The only questions that go unanswered are those of what constitutes a person. We drew the line at capacity for conversation because it can be tested with relative ease, and makes a decent benchmark for intelligence.
Clearly, killing and eating intelligent beings is not respecting their rights unless you have the consent of those who are dying.
I really, really doubt that's the case.

@Xom: I didn't mean the kobold coming back to talk. Or do you mean that you aren't capable of creating an ascended glass of water?
>>
No. 173172 ID: 34470e

>>173170
If that's the case, Then I'll wait until I converse with a kobold to see where I should draw the line.
{[Water can't talk. It doesn't have the muscles necessary to create the vibrations that are required. That, and water doesn't have any orifice with which to speak with. I'd have to change the water into a demon, which would then be too obvious, and therefore, not fun.]}
>>
No. 173175 ID: 701a19

>>173172
Oh! Hey! Now we have something to do today; lets take Jathura to America and chat up some kobolds!
You still remember the path Murelle showed you, right?

@Xom: Huh. I figured a magical enchantment like that would be within your power. Oh well.
>>
No. 173179 ID: 34470e

>>173175
I think I remember. I'll do it after I eat lunch. You didn't forget about that, did you? Speaking of which, we already entered Haru's room and were waiting. Andrew comes in here with the kobold meat and the hoagie. We both thank him and ste down the plates to eat.
{[You would think so, but many stories of my power is a tad exaggerated. And I don't like being left out.]}
>>
No. 173181 ID: 701a19

>>173179
If I'm reading things right, he's probably going to start flirting with you.

[Subconsciously: I completely hadn't thought of any of this. How much suffering have I unwittingly caused? The thought of causing needless suffering feels... disgusting. Like I'm covered in sewage and bugs. I need to be more careful in the future.]

@Xom: That's why I offered. I'm tempted to ask for Haru to have a flash-hallucination of his kobold asking him to kill it, but that would lack both subtlety and class. How about having it be that it looks like its moving whenever its at the edge of his vision? Subtle, unverifiable, and unnerving.
>>
No. 173182 ID: 34470e

>>173181
[subconscious suggestion failed. Does not relate to conscious suggestion;went unnoticed]
Flirting? With me? Well, I suppose it's pretty obvious in hindsight. I don't really feel comfortable with it, though. I belong to Jathura.
{[Oh, that last thing is way within my league. It also sounds like a lot of fun.]}
Haru:"You want a piece of my kobold? I be it'd taste reall-"
Haru quickly locks his eyes on his food, and stares at it for a second. What's he doing?
>>
No. 173183 ID: 1ac39d

dunno. maybe a fly landed on it or something?
>>
No. 173185 ID: 34470e

>>173183
Maybe. I'll ask him.
Torus:"Anything wrong?"
Haru:"No. No, nothing at all."
He starts eating the kobold meat as I eat my hoagie.
Haru:"How's it taste?"
Torus:"Delicious."
Haru:"Mind if I have a bite?"
>>
No. 173186 ID: 701a19

>>173185
Sure, why not?
>>
No. 173187 ID: 34470e

>>173186
I offer it to him.
Torus:"Go right ahead."
Haru takes a bite. He seems to enjoy it.
Haru:"You're right. It tastes won-"
He quickly looks over to his kobold meat.
Haru:"Now, I know I saw it move."
What?
>>
No. 173188 ID: 701a19

>>173187
Er... What?
"Are you feeling alright? It looks remarkably stationary to me, which is quite an achievement considering it's both dead and cooked."
>>
No. 173189 ID: 34470e

>>173188
Um, saying exactly that feels unnecessary and redundant.
Torus:"Are you feeling alright? Food can't move on it's own."
Haru:"Yes, I'm fine. It's just... nevermind. Uh... So, um... H- how do you feel about me?"
Something strange is going on here.
>>
No. 173190 ID: 701a19

>>173189
Well, since it started after he started eating it's possible that the kobold was stoned off its ass when they killed it. Their small size belies their tolerances, after all.
Tell him that you're flattered, but not available.
>>
No. 173191 ID: 1ac39d

or he could be allergic or something.
>>
No. 173193 ID: 34470e

>>173190
But wouldn't the grilling kill off any bacteria? Unless there's a super drug I've never heard of, I don't think that's possible.
Torus:"Haru, you falatter me. However, I regret to inform you that I'm not available."
Haru:"...Constructs being romantic interests is a creepy thought."
>>173191
Torus:"Are you allergic?"
Haru:"No, this is the first time something like this has happened."
Haru takes a sip of his drink and spits it out.
Haru:"Euugh!"
I think I know what's going on here.
>>
No. 173195 ID: 701a19

>>173193
Not bacteria. Drugs. Intoxicants.
Hallucinogenics, to be specific. LSD is one possible cause since it has a very low effective dose, a very high lethal dose, and comprises a large enough portion of the common ergot fungus to make it a viable vector.
...
Oh, I see the source of the confusion! You're a mage, not a scientist. My apologies; I'll try to be clearer in the future.

So, what is it that you suspect?
>>
No. 173261 ID: 34470e

>>173195
Well, it seems I don't know what I'm talking about. I believe this to be Raul's doing. Lacing the kobold with LSD and poisoning Haru's drink just because Haru yelled at him. He can now forget about ever coming back here.
>>
No. 173310 ID: beadbd

>>173261
Could be Raul's doing, but you don't know if that is true. Don't be so quick to judge.

Perhaps Haru has been indulging himself prior to this encounter. Perhaps Haru is crazy. Perhaps Jathura has intervened. Perhaps it's none of these things. OK, Raul has motive and has shown that he is willing to do stuff like this (so we do have probable cause), but gather more info first.
>>
No. 173344 ID: 701a19

>>173261
That's a vanishingly small possibility.
Raul has been under watch from the time it happened, and even if he had gone unsupervised he couldn't have known that Haru was going to order the kobold.
Aside from that, how would he go about poisoning Haru's drink? There was no way to tell which glass Haru would drink from, and the only way Haru's water could have been tainted like that would be if the entire water supply was compromised.

It should be easy enough to check. Take a sip of his water and see if you start showing symptoms. If not, then the water is fine.
>>
No. 173360 ID: 34470e

>>173310
>>173344
I was only stating the most likely possibility. I'll have some people check this out.
Torus:"Haru, mind if I take a sip of your water?"
Haru:"It's vinegar. You wouldn't want to."
Torus:"Just let me see."
Haru hands the glass to me and I take a sip. It tastes like normal water.
Torus:"Are you feeling okay?"
Haru:"Yeah, it's just that I-"
He quickly looks at his kobold meat again.
Haru:"I... I lost my appetite. I'm sorry I ruined our date."
>>
No. 173361 ID: 701a19

>>173360
Give a small laugh "Haru, this wasn't a date. We're just friends eating lunch.
Your water tastes fine to me. Tell me, what's going on?"
>>
No. 173364 ID: 34470e

>>173361
I utter a small and short laugh.
Torus:"Haru, this wasn't a date. We're just friends eating lunch. Your water tastes fine to me. Tell me, what's going on?"
Haru:"I don't know. I think I need to take a rest. Can you take this kobold out of here? I feel uncomfortable with it in my room now."
Shit, something's terribly wrong with him. I hope Haru doesn't die from this. He's my friend. I'm really worried about him.
{[That was so much fun. I'd love to do it again sometime.]}
>>
No. 173365 ID: 1ac39d

have someone watch over him tonight. if he is okay by morning then what ever it was is only mild and nothing to worry about.

[@xom: if we ever need to make someone paranoid about their food we'll call you]
>>
No. 173366 ID: 701a19

>>173364
"I was just thinking about the ethics of eating kobold. Are they intelligent enough to converse with? Is that what was bothering you?"
Once you leave his room, call for a healer and insist they examine him whether he wants it or not. Don't forewarn him, since if it IS poison you want him to stay calm so that it won't circulate so quickly through his bloodstream.
>>
No. 173369 ID: 34470e

>>173365
>>173366
Torus:"I was just thinking about the ethics of eating kobold. Are they intelligent enough to converse with? Is that what was bothering you?"
Haru:"I don't know if they're intelligent enough to hold a conversation. I've never seen one alive before."
Torus:"I hope you get well soon."
Haru:"Thanks, Torus."
I finish my hoagie and exit Haru's room. Along the way back to my chambers, I encounter a student.
Torus:"Janine, can you go send a couple nurses to Haru's room? I think he's sick. Also, make sure they know to watch over him at nighttime."
Janine:"Will do, Torus. Is he okay?"
Torus:"I don't know."
Janine:"Well, okay. I'll make sure the doctors get there."
We continue on our ways.
>>
No. 173370 ID: 701a19

>>173369
Alright! Now, head back to your room, show Jathura just how much you belong to him, and head out to ADVENTURE IN AMERICA!
>>
No. 173372 ID: 34470e

>>173370
I'm heading back to my room right now. I don't know if I should cuddle with Jathura. If I recall correctly, it takes about an hour to get out of the cave and find the teleporting spot. Hmm... when I think that, it sounds like I have enough time. Cuddle with Jathura for a half hour, then go to America, talk with this group of kobolds you're so intent on having me meet for a while, then get back before dinner. Sound good?
>>
No. 173377 ID: 701a19

>>173372
Sounds like a plan.
>>
No. 173389 ID: 34470e

>>173377
Okay then. I enter my room. Jathura finishes the chicken he was eating. At least I think it was chicken.
Jathura:"Why did you need to speak with Haru in private about?"
I don't want to lie to him, but I don't want to hurt his feelings. What should I say?
>>
No. 173390 ID: 701a19

>>173389
Walk over, embrace him, and give him a kiss.
"Haru had romantic intentions, and I had to turn him down gently. Hopefully that will be the end of it."
>>
No. 173393 ID: 34470e

>>173390
I hug him and give him a kiss.
Torus:"Haru had romantic intentions, and I had to turn him down gently. Hopefully that will be the end of it."
Jathura:"I'm glad you turned him down."
Torus:"Enough about that. I feel like cuddling with you for a while."
Jathura:"I like that idea, master."
We begin.
>>
No. 173422 ID: 34470e

>>173393
We cuddle for a little bit more than a half hour. I tell Jathura he's coming with me to America again. He says he's glad. One thing before I head out. Should I bring my sword with?
>>
No. 173423 ID: 701a19

>>173422
It's dangerous to go alone. Take it.
>>
No. 173425 ID: 34470e

>>173423
I'm not going alone. I'm taking Jathura with me. Did you forget already? I take my sword and head on out with Jathura. You know, since I was, and still am, taking him with me.
>>
No. 173429 ID: 701a19

>>173425
I meant you and Jathura going alone. He's not a fighter, and you're still missing most of your magical powers.
>>
No. 173535 ID: 34470e

>>173429
Oh, sorry. I misunderstood. Maybe we can train Jathura to become a fighter. And I think you know more about this group of kobolds than you're letting on. Do you?
>>
No. 173678 ID: 701a19

>>173535
Not at all. However, running into random Order members or wandering monsters is entirely possible.
If Murelle and her lover Maryse were around, I would have suggested you take them along. Can you think of anybody else you would want to have at your back in a fight?
>>
No. 173679 ID: 34470e

>>173678
Murelle and her lover Maryse? That's hilarious. I can consider Des to be stronger than me. Maybe I should bring him with as well.
>>
No. 173680 ID: 701a19

>>173679
Sounds like a plan to me. Go ahead and invite Des along.
>>
No. 173681 ID: 34470e

>>173680
We take a detour to Des's room and I open the door.
Torus:"Des, do you want to go to America with me?"
He looks thoughtful for a moment.
Des:"Sure, why not? Let me get my sword."
He walks over to his closet and opens it. There's a ton of weight lifting stuff in there. He grabs his sword and joins us.
Des:"What's the occasion -chie?"
>>
No. 173683 ID: 701a19

>>173681
"We're finding out if kobolds are intelligent enough to warrant not eating them."
>>
No. 173685 ID: 34470e

Torus:"We're finding out if kobolds are intelligent enough to warrant not eating them."
Des:"Okay. I hope they're intelligent and strong enough to spar with me -chie. I haven't had a fight with anyone my size in ages -chie. We should bring Haru along as well. We'd be like a real adventuring party -chie."
>>
No. 173689 ID: 701a19

>>173685
"He's not well today. The healers are looking him over now, but he was having hallucinations earlier."
>>
No. 173691 ID: 34470e

>>173689
Torus:"He's not well today. The healers are looking him over now, but he was having hallucinations earlier."
Des:"Is he okay -chie? What do you think happened to him -chie? I hope he's okay."
He looks worried.
>>
No. 173695 ID: 701a19

>>173691
Wave your hand casually, as if you're unconcerned. There's no point in Des stressing out over it.
"He probably ate something he shouldn't have. Don't worry, he'll be fine."
>>
No. 173700 ID: 34470e

>>173695
I'm not going to casually dismiss this! Haru's my friend as well! I don't want my friends dying.
Torus:"He probably ate something he shouldn't have. I also hope he'll be okay."
Des:"After this trip, I'm going to go check up on him -chie."
>>
No. 173718 ID: 701a19

>>173700
Alright, lets go!
>>
No. 173721 ID: 34470e

>>173718
We start to head on out to the cave where the false wall is.
Des:"So, uh, why do you want to go check kobold intelligence in the first place -chie?"
>>
No. 173727 ID: 701a19

>>173721
"Because I started thinking about the ethics of eating them. Eating humans is a disgusting idea, but what about other species?
I wouldn't feel right about eating Naga either, but that's because Murelle is my friend. That's such an arbitrary distinction though, and I want something more clear cut.
I'm thinking that we shouldn't eat anything capable of carrying on a conversation, but I'm interested how you would draw such a line."
>>
No. 173728 ID: 34470e

>>173727
Torus:"Because I started thinking about the ethics of eating them. Eating humans is a disgusting idea, but what about other species?
I wouldn't feel right about eating Naga either, but that's because Murelle is my friend. That's such an arbitrary distinction though, and I want something more clear cut. I'm thinking that we shouldn't eat anything capable of carrying on a conversation, but I'm interested how you would draw such a line."
Des:"Well, in imp culture, we eat the weak. Alive. And they consider it an honor, so I wouldn't know."
>>
No. 173729 ID: 701a19

>>173728
"The difference there is that they want to be eaten. Most species aren't like that."
>>
No. 173730 ID: 1ac39d

also, chances are they would die anyway, considering that where he is from is probably literally hellish.
>>
No. 173737 ID: 34470e

>>173729
Torus:"The difference there is that they want to be eaten. Most species aren't like that."
Des:"I'll try to learn what's acceptable -chie."
>>173730
Torus:"Um, where exactly do you come from?"
Des:"I was created in Ifrit's realm -chie. All imps are -chie. I just got lucky when I asked to go to Earth. There aren't that many imps on Earth -chie. You know, imps can't die of old age -chie. We usually die in battle, or eaten alive. And we have a hierarchy system based on how strong an imp is -chie. And before you ask, I am not the strongest imp ever -chie."
He smiles.
>>
No. 173741 ID: 1ac39d

so how many are above him? 2, 3?
>>
No. 173749 ID: 34470e

>>173741
Torus:"How many are above you? 2? 3?"
Des:"Seven billion. I'm actually only a bit stronger than average for imps."
>>
No. 173757 ID: 1ac39d

holy damn! i do NOT want to meet imp #1.
>>
No. 173762 ID: 34470e

>>173757
I might want to meat the #1 imp, just not piss him off. If Des is stronger than I am, think of how strong the strongest imp is.
Des:"One more thing -chie. You see these things on my tail chie? They severely limit my strength."
Oh gods... I'm not even in Ifrit's realm and I'm about to piss myself with fear.
>>
No. 173768 ID: 1ac39d

[subconscious suggestion: maybe that's why ultimate power blows up the universe, you would need to be able to erase something as powerful as imp #1 with a thought. it's kinda hard to imagine that much power NOT breaking everything by accident]

imps seem REALLY powerful.
>>
No. 173773 ID: 34470e

>>173768
YOU REALLY FUCKING THINK SO? I THOUGHT THEY WERE AS WEAK AS TWIGS! I mean, come on! Ultimate power is beginning to sound scary as well. Being able to blow someone as strong as the #1 imp with a mere thought has got to cause a ton of accidents. Then again... I can always get power limiters.
>>
No. 173775 ID: 1ac39d

>>173773
no, you can't. ultimate power is infinity, and 1/100000000 of infinity is still infinity. in fact, the limiters would probably just explode the moment you try to put them on.
>>
No. 173777 ID: 701a19

>>173773
Power limiters don't work on ultimate power, because if your power is ultimate then it can't be limited. Besides, even if it could be limited you still run the risk of even the tiniest mistake causing no end of harm to those around you.

[Subconscious suggestion: Yea, I don't want that. I couldn't live with myself if I hurt my friends on accident, and if I hurt Jathura... *shudder* No, no, I can't risk that. Ultimate power is a fool's goal.]
>>
No. 173783 ID: 34470e

>>173775
>>173777
Damn... If what you say is true, I can't rely on magical strength limiters. I could hurt my friends. I could hurt Jathura. Okay, from now on, Ultimate power is on hold until I know for sure I can control it. We arrive at the teleportation stones. I'm pretty lucky to have remembered the way there.
>>
No. 174047 ID: 34470e

>>173783
I put the stones in a circle as best as I can. Um... now was there any specific words I was supposed to say? I can't remember.
>>
No. 174560 ID: a594b9

"Giao thông vận tải hiện nay."
>>
No. 174568 ID: 34470e

>>174560
Thank the gods for your photographic memory. I would've never remembered that. Everybody gets into the circle. I hope I pronounce it correctly.
Torus:"G- giaoh thông vận tải hiện ney."
A white light engulfs us for a second. When we vanish, we're... we're above the forest OH GODS!
>>
No. 174570 ID: 1ac39d

argh! try using levitation magic!!
>>
No. 174574 ID: 34470e

>>174570
I try and use some levitation magic. Everyone seems to slow down.
Des:"Never do that again -chie!"
I let all of us down slowly until we reach the ground. That was a little frightening.
>>
No. 174576 ID: 701a19

>>174574
Oh, for the- Torus, when speaking words of power you must remember to NEVER STUTTER. EVER.

Check your location, and hope you're at least on the right continent.
>>
No. 174580 ID: 34470e

>>174576
Hey, you have no right to chastise me! I don't speak whatever language that is, so I was trying my hardest to pronounce what you told me! I don't know if I'm in the right continent. We're just in a forest. I guess I should try to find someone who knows where we are. The problem is, is that I'm in a forest, and I don't know where the teleportation circle is. I don't think I can get back to Europe quickly.
>>
No. 174910 ID: a594b9

Well, did you see any landmarks from above the forest? Wander around a bit if not.
>>
No. 174911 ID: 34470e

>>174910
I saw a clearing in the forest. I think I saw a few huts in the clearing as well. It was... over there.
>>
No. 174914 ID: 1ac39d

then let's go. once you get close slow down a bit and try to sneak up to it so you can see what race built it. cause there are different ways you enter a village if you want to stay civil.
>>
No. 174920 ID: 34470e

>>174914
I do so, and tell both Des and Jathura to be as silent as possible. We get close to the clearing. There's a couple short brownish-grey things. One of them is wearing a cloak and hat. There's also a Nedynvor, a black deer, and a... some sort of construct? Looks like a combination of a crab and a shark.
>>
No. 174926 ID: 1ac39d

... god damn, i actually was not expecting these to crossover.

um, ignore that, anyway, the construct is set to 'kill ANYONE that tries to attack the tribe. as long as you make it clear you don't want to fight he will leave you alone. the short things are Kobolds, the hatted one is a wizard. oh, and the black deer is a non-corrupt deer of death, it is probably the most solid lead into finding out what is corrupting them in existence.
asking how we know that would just make your head hurt, a lot.
>>
No. 174927 ID: a594b9

>>174920
May as well introduce yourself.
>>
No. 174929 ID: 34470e

>>174926
metagaming ignored. Also, try to get on mIRC
Okay, I think I've got it.
>>174927
I tell the others to stay hidden to see if it's safe. I walk into the clearing. The crab-shark construct takes an offensive stance.
Crab-shark:"Are you here to destroy the tribe?"
Torus:"No, I'm here to talk to some kobolds. I'm Torus."
Nedynvor:"Welcome, Torus!"
It hugs me for some reason.
>>
No. 174931 ID: 1ac39d

>>174929
you mean we are not the same guidance spirits?
>>
No. 174932 ID: 34470e

>>174931
Torus and Nir have different guidance spirits
>>
No. 174934 ID: a594b9

>>174929
Don't accept close physical contact from someone you don't know. That's a good way to get your pocket picked.
>>
No. 174935 ID: 701a19

>>174934
Don't anger the crab shark, just wait for the hug to end.
Ask what the brown/gray things are, and then greet them. We suspect they are kobolds, but since we are blind we can't say for certain - how you described them they could be dwarfs, or zombie gnomes.
>>
No. 174936 ID: 1ac39d

>>174934
that's a good point. he is ether VERY friendly or he did something sneaky.
>>
No. 174944 ID: 34470e

>>174934
>>174935
>>174936
Um, okay. I wait for the Nedynvor to end it's hug.
Nedynvor:"I'm glad to meet you! It's nice to have visitors."
I turn to one of the small things, specifically to the one in the robe and hat.
Torus:"Excuse me, but what are you?"
Thing in robe and hat:"I'm a black mage."
Torus:"No, I meant what species."
Thing in robe and hat:"Oh. I'm a kobold. I'm Nirblilm, but you can call me Nir."
It smiles. And then points to the other people.
Nir:"This is Carg, this is Arkan, and this is Dedea. I'm sorry, but Rojo isn't here right now. She went to the lich."
I... guess it's safe for everyone to come out.
>>
No. 174950 ID: 701a19

>>174944
Well, it seems that they aren't only capable of speech, but also learning magic. I think that qualifies them as intelligent.

Being a mage yourself how about you talk shop with Nir for awhile? After that, ask about their culture; rites of passage, how they handle funerals, celebrations, rituals, diet, and other such things.
>>
No. 174951 ID: a594b9

>>174944
Yeah. I guess. Tell them that you're gonna get the rest of your group, first. No surprises.
>>
No. 174954 ID: 34470e

>>174950
Yes, it does look like they're intelligent. I'll impose a ban on eating kobolds once I get back.
>>174951
Torus:"Hold on, I'm going to go get the others in my group."
I signal for them to come. Jathura walks up next to me while Des goes to Arkan. It looks like he's examining it.
Dedea:"An imp? This is most bewildering. It is a most seldom opportunity to even encounter such a creature."
Okay, this deer of death likes to talk a lot.
Nir:"Who are these people?"
Torus:"This one is Jathura. That one is Des."
Nir:"That wound on your face looks bad. Rojo can heal it for you once she gets here."
>>
No. 174955 ID: 701a19

>>174954
"That would be nice, but I think it's magical in nature. Would she be able to check on that?"
I wonder what white magic encompasses... Could she grow Jathura the parts he needs?
>>
No. 174956 ID: a594b9

Maybe we shouldn't bring that issue up with a complete stranger!
>>
No. 174959 ID: 34470e

>>174956
Agreed. If Murelle thinks it's creepy, others will as well.
>>174955
Torus:"That would be nice, but I think it's magical in nature. Would she be able to check on that?"
I'm actually growing to like this wound. I don't want it removed.
Nir:"I don't know. Neither of us are really powerful. I've only been a black mage for less than a year, and I don't know how long Rojo's been a white mage."
Des:"Arkan, you look pretty powerful."
Arkan:"I should be. I was made to protect this tribe."
Des smiles and puts what looks like another strength limiter on his tail.
Des:"Wanna spar?"
>>
No. 175001 ID: c42dc3

>>174959
Tell them they might want to go into the forest. They could damage the huts.
>>
No. 175059 ID: 34470e

>>175001
I don't see how I should be concerned with that. The huts look fairly easy to make and repair, but whatever.
Torus:"If you two are going to spar, please do so in the forest."
Des:"Alright -chie. Arkan, follow me -chie."
They both leave into the forest. Now then, what exactly should I talk with Nir about?
>>
No. 175065 ID: 701a19

>>175059

-> >>174950
>>
No. 175077 ID: 34470e

>>175065
Torus:"So, Nir, when exactly did you become a black mage?"
Nir:"I think about 10 months ago."
Torus:"And what spells do you know?"
Nir:"I know a couple. I know Sting, Pain, Freeze, Drain, and Mute. I can also make mana balls."
Wait... Mana balls? My mana balls? I think he stole my idea somehow.
>>
No. 175079 ID: 1ac39d

>>175077
how mana mages have existed? are you sure that in all the years magic has been around NO ONE thought of that?

anyway. laugh and tell him that's funny, you use mana balls too.
>>
No. 175092 ID: 34470e

>>175079
Okay, I suppose it wasn't my idea in the first place. I laugh.
Torus:"I use mana balls as well."
Nir:"Really? Can I see?"
Should I show off and make them huge?
>>
No. 175093 ID: 1ac39d

not too huge. if something pops up you don't want to be out of mana because you were showing off.
>>
No. 175094 ID: 701a19

>>175092
Make a few the size of large cherries, then pool them together into something the size of an orange.

Don't show off too much, since you should teach Nir a bit about magic and learn some spells from him.
>>
No. 175096 ID: 34470e

>>175094
>>175093
I make 3 mana balls in one hand. I then combine all 3 into one the size of an orange.
Nir:"Cool! I can't do that, though. Can you teach me how? Are you cheating?"
>>
No. 175098 ID: 1ac39d

tell him 'no, i have just had more practice and have been a mage much longer, one day you may be able to to it too.'
>>
No. 175102 ID: 701a19

>>175096
Sure, try to teach Nir how to improve his technique.
>>
No. 175113 ID: 34470e

Torus:"I have just had more practice and have been a mage much longer, one day you may be able to to it too."
Nir:"I hope so."
It smiles.
>>175102
I teach Nir a little bit of black magic for a little while.
Nir:"You're pretty cool. Want to stay here?"
>>
No. 175167 ID: 1ac39d

tell him that while this was an interesting trip you already have a home.
>>
No. 175168 ID: 34470e

>>175167
Torus:"I'm sorry, but I must decline. While this has been a very interesting and informative trip, I already have a home."
I begin to smile when I catch something out of the corner of my eye. A foxfolk. Not just any foxfolk. I recognize that foxfolk. She's the one who attacked me last year. Tell me one good reason why I should not kill her right now.
Foxfolk:"Um, Nir, who's this?"
Nir:"Her name is Torus. She's helping me with black magic."
>>
No. 175171 ID: 1ac39d

first, are you absolutely SURE it is the same one and not just one that looks really similar?
>>
No. 175172 ID: 1ac39d

>>175171
i ask because you are our eyes so we don't know if they look the same, and killing someone just because they look like someone else is poor form.
>>
No. 175188 ID: a594b9

>>175168
First, confront her about it and see if she'll apologize.
>>
No. 175198 ID: 1ac39d

WAIT i got it! ask jathura if she smells like the one you saw before. their animal half, the fox, uses smell more then sight to tell individuals apart.
>>
No. 175282 ID: 701a19

>>175168
Because there would be no point to it, and killing Nir's friend would be a very bad idea?
If it IS the same one, then ask her to explain what happened.
>>
No. 175289 ID: 34470e

>>175172
Yes, I'm sure. I'll prove it to you as well.
>>175198
Torus:"Jathura, does she smell like the one before?"
Jathura:"Yes she does, master."
You see?
>>175282
>>175188
Torus:"Listen, foxfolk. You attacked me a year ago and called me prey. Why was that?"
>>
No. 175294 ID: 1ac39d

wait for a reaction. be ready to cast a spell in case she goes hostile.
>>
No. 175297 ID: 34470e

>>175294
The foxfolk closes her eyes, gets down on her knees, and bows down to me.
Foxfolk:"I remember now. I'm very sorry. I was insane at the time. A psychopath. I'm sorry. Will you forgive me?"
There's a lot of grief in it's voice.
>>
No. 175300 ID: 701a19

>>175297
Ah, then I think you should forgive her.
You know what that's like, after all...
>>
No. 175301 ID: 1ac39d

should probably forgive her, BUT we need some kind of compensation... easiest would be a single favor, redeemable by you at any time. she must swear on her life that she will try her best to fulfill it when you ask.
>>
No. 175313 ID: 34470e

>>175300
>>175301
Torus:"I'll forgive you..."
Foxfolk:"Thank yo-"
Torus:"Under one condition. You are to grant me a single favor redeemable by me at any time. You will swear your life you'll best fulfill it when I ask."
Foxfolk:"I'm sorry. You can be an even bigger psychopath than I was, but if you deserve it, I'll help you."
Oh, this is hilarious. It doesn't even know I'm cured. I can't help but laugh.
>>
No. 175332 ID: 701a19

>>175313
Murelle doesn't want to give Jathura bits because it's awkward for her to add parts to one friend that go inside another friend. It's too weird.

However, if this mage can do it then we can get the job done without weirding out close friends.
Besides, when are you going to be back this way again?
>>
No. 175340 ID: 34470e

>>175332
True... I shall see if this foxfolk can do it. I kneel down.
Torus:"I think I'll cash in on that favor right now. I want you to give Jathura, that's my construct, a penis."
Carg:"Are you fuckin mad? I mean... What? That seems a bit creepy."
>>
No. 175361 ID: 701a19

>>175340
"Let me be more accurate, then: Jathura, my lover."
>>
No. 175379 ID: 34470e

>>175361
Torus:"Let me be more accurate, then: Jathura, my lover."
Rojo:"I'm sorry. I can't."
Gods damnit. I guess I'll have to do it myself.
>>
No. 175580 ID: 34470e

>>175379
I guess it's time for me to leave. I need to find Des and the teleportation circle. I get up and begin to walk away.
Torus:"It was nice talking to you, but I must leave now."
>>
No. 176415 ID: 701a19

>>175580
Wait! Before you go, ask Nir if he or anybody else there wants to go to the school for an education!
Kobolds are great to have around.
>>
No. 176416 ID: 34470e

>>176415
Damnit. I already entered the forest a few minutes ago. Oh well. I'll just go back. When I get back, I see the foxfolk just sitting there.
Torus:"Do any of you want to go to school for an education?"
Wait... I think they should be able to answer the questions on the "Prerequisite scroll" before I should consider them.
>>
No. 176419 ID: 701a19

>>176416
If they're interested, then ask.
>>
No. 176421 ID: 34470e

>>176419
I'll just leave them a scroll. A bit more work for them, but at least they won't be able to forget the questions.
Foxfolk:"Okay. Nir, you want to come with?"
Nir:"Sure."
Torus:"Then you need to solve all the riddles on this scroll."
I toss them a prerequisite scroll and the foxfolk opens it. I need to get going now. Find Des and the transportation circle.
>>
No. 176625 ID: 34470e

>>176421
Foxfolk:"Can I keep the scroll to decipher it later? What happens if I get one wrong?"
I could lie to her to get her in deeper debt, or I could do the boring thing and tell the truth.
>>
No. 176648 ID: 701a19

>>176625
Be honest. You're in a similar position yourself, after all.
>>
No. 177029 ID: 34470e

>>176648
Okay, okay, fine.
Torus:"You will be killed on the spot if you get even one question wrong. Better get to studying. Your life depends on it. Is that all?"
Foxfolk:"I'm sorry. I refuse to go to this school of yours. I can't trust you."
>>
No. 177182 ID: 34470e

>>177029
Foxfolk:"But thanks for picking me for a dangerous task. It's an honor."
Torus:"Very well. If you choose not to solve the riddles, then do not. There is little chance I'll consider letting you into my school now. Farewell."
I leave and enter the forest again. I don't want anymore distractions. It's getting late, and I still have to find the teleportation circle.
>>
No. 177771 ID: c42dc3

>>177182
You need to find Murelle. She's the only one who can find the teleportation circles.
>>
No. 177818 ID: 34470e

>>177771
Well, yes, but where in the world is she? She could be anywhere right now. I see the construct fly and hit a tree, which then breaks.
Arkan:"I'm loving this!"
Des:"You're a bit too easy -chie."
Des runs at Arkan.
>>
No. 177821 ID: 1ac39d

huh, seems arkan was built for insane defense. ask if they may be finished soon.
>>
No. 178919 ID: 34470e

>>177829
I really don't have time to wait.
Torus:"Des, we need to get going right now. We have to go eat dinner and check up on Haru."
Des:"Ah, alright -chie. Arkan, I need to go now -chie."
Arkan:"Aw... I was having fun..."
Des:"I can always find time to come back -chie. But for right now, I have a friend who's sick. I need to check up on him."
???:"THERE you are!"
What? Oh, it's just that foxfolk from the kobold tribe.
Torus:"What do you want now?"
Foxfolk:"I have a question for you. Is this your sword?"
She holds out a katana. My katana.
>>
No. 178922 ID: 1ac39d

WHAT?! how did she get that?! demand answers! would suggest just blasting her but finding out how you lost it will prevent it from happening again.
>>
No. 178923 ID: 0b2a05

Well that answers that question. Take it and ask how the hell she got it.
>>
No. 178930 ID: 34470e

>>178922
>>178923
I walk up to her and grab her by the cuff angrily.
Torus:"If you do not have a good reason why you possess my sword right now, I will unleash pains unimaginable upon you!"
Arkan:"You ket go of Rojo right now or I'll tear out your spine!"
Torus:"Des, if that construct comes near me, take off all your strength limiters and kill it. Now talk, foxfolk!"
Foxfolk:"Ah! I- I found it laying in the forest! I decided to show it to you, because you seem to like swords! That's all! Olease don't hurt me!"
Arkan:"You have three seconds to let go of Rojo right now!"
>>
No. 178933 ID: 1ac39d

give her a really hard stare, then shove her away and tell her that if you see her again you will kill her. then walk away. should induce some hard terror.
>>
No. 178946 ID: 34470e

>>178933
I stare at her really hard. Then I grab my sword and shove her to the ground.
Torus:"If we ever meet again I will surely kill you. Come, Des and Jathura. We have to find Murelle."
Foxfolk:"Who's Murelle? It sounds like she'd be kind of hard to find without knowing where her tracks are."
...What in the gods' names is she talking about?
>>
No. 178949 ID: 1ac39d

i don't know...
turn around, slowly and look right at her. 'what do you mean?'
>>
No. 178960 ID: 34470e

>>178949
I turn to face her slowly and cautiously.
Torus:"What do you mean? Explain yourself."
Foxfolk:"I'm a ranger. I may be able to help you find who you're looking for."
A ranger? What does firing arrows have to do with finding someone?
>>
No. 178963 ID: 38cdb2

Ranger is a general term for hunters - the kind that track their prey through every terrain.
>>
No. 178964 ID: 0b2a05

She knows how to find people in the wilderness, at least. Might be helpful.
>>
No. 178970 ID: 34470e

>>178963
>>178964
Wait a second... I may not even need to find Murelle. I can just get her to find Murelle's... tracks or whatever she called it to find the teleportation circle. But... I think she stole my sword. That does not get her on my good side.
>>
No. 178975 ID: 1ac39d

okay then. if she is telling the truth about this though and we find the circle then she will be upped from 'instant death' to 'massive hatred'. sound fair?
>>
No. 178993 ID: 34470e

>>178975
Uggh... gods damnit... It does sound fair.
Torus:"Very well. You shall lead us to a thing called a teleportation circle. She has used it in the past, so her tracks will lead to it."
Foxfolk:"Arkan, you can wait back at the tribe."
Arkan:"Okay then, Rojo."
It walks off. The foxfolk starts to lead us. I don't know, but something seems a little weird about this thing. I can't put my finger on it.
>>
No. 178997 ID: 1ac39d

if you are unsure then have a mana ball manifested with you in case something goes bad. unless it's a different feeling. can you get more precise?
>>
No. 179001 ID: 34470e

>>178997
I mean, if my sword was treleported to a different place, shouldn't it have dropped to the teleportation circle? If the sword was teleported elsewhere, then mispronouncing the codeword seems really dangerous. I could kill myself. I need to practice saying it so nothing bad happens. Can you tell me what it was again?
>>
No. 179009 ID: 1ac39d

sure,

"Giao thông vận tải hiện nay."
>>
No. 179035 ID: 34470e

>>179009
I practice saying that phrase. When asked about it, I say that I need to remember it exactly, else I be killed. We reach the circle, but it doesn't look like a circle to me. Should I rearrange the stones in order for it to look like a circle for me?
>>
No. 179042 ID: 1ac39d

if it's just a little of then no, if any more then that then yes.
>>
No. 179253 ID: 34470e

>>179042
Alright, I'll just move them a little. I do so, taking the time to study it to see if it's correct. After a few minutes, it seems more like a circle. I turn to- wait... Where'd the foxfolk go? She was just here a second ago.
>>
No. 179256 ID: 1ac39d

make sure you have all your stuff on you. if nothing is missing then forget her, the other thing rangers are known for is hiding their tracks.
>>
No. 179265 ID: 34470e

>>179256
I check and... I have everything with me. I'm sure I can say the phrase correctly this time. Des, Jathura, a kobold and I step into the circle. This may be the last chance I have to be here again. Is there anything I'm forgetting?
>>
No. 179324 ID: 1ac39d

let's run down a mental check list

decide if kobolds are off menu: check
everything else was just a bonus thing. so on this trip we did better then we wanted to, let's go.
>>
No. 179336 ID: 34470e

>>179324
Okay... let's hope I get this right...
Torus:"Giao thông vận tải hiện nay."
We're teleported to the familiar place I've been to twice. Europe. I hope. I do a quick limb check to see if I messed anything up.
Torus:"Jathura, are you okay?"
Jathura:"Yes, master."
Torus:"How about you, Des?"
Des:"I'm fine -shie. We need to get to Haru -chie."
Torus:"And you, kobold?"
Kobold:"Yes."
...Wait...
>>
No. 179338 ID: 1ac39d

wait, you mean you didn't take it on purpose? .... shit. well at least we can ask murelle to take it back later.
>>
No. 179344 ID: 34470e

>>179338
Well, if I'm bringing this thing to my school, I better get to know it.
Torus:"Kobold, what is your name?"
Kobold:"Armi."
Torus:"And why did you follow us?"
Armi:"Wanted to be like brother. Become strong mage and maybe help protect."
...Should I blindfold it? I really don't want her to know the location of the school without passing the prerequisite scroll.
>>
No. 179349 ID: 1ac39d

okay, tell her why you are doing it first. say 'i need to cover your eyes cause my school is a secret place so until we get inside i can't let you see.' then blind fold her, and i guess have jathura carry her.
>>
No. 179354 ID: 34470e

>>179349
Torus:"Armi, I need to cover your eyes."
Armi:"Why?"
Torus:"My school is a secret place. Super secret."
Armi:"Um, okay."
I put a blindfold on it's face and tell Jathura to carry it. We start our trek back to the school. I have no idea what I'm going to do with this kobold once I get back.
>>
No. 179356 ID: 1ac39d

well, her brother was smart enough to learn magic so she should be able to as well. so i guess once you get there give her a run down on the kinds of magic and see what kind she wants.
>>
No. 179364 ID: 34470e

>>179356
True.... I think it's going to be a hassle, though. You know, with Haru being sick. I'm going to ask more questions of this kobold. If you want some questions answered yourself, just tell me.
Torus:"Can you tell me what types of magic you know about?"
Armi:"Just black. What brother has."
>>
No. 179383 ID: 1ac39d

well, let's hope haru has a speedy recovery.

explain to her the other magics. white mostly healing, green is alteration, and red is a bit of all of them.
>>
No. 179394 ID: 34470e

>>179383
I also wish Haru gets well.
Torus:"White magic is mostly healing, but there's also some death and law related stuff in there as well. Green is altering stuff, like speeding up time or creating fake things. Red is a mixture of all of that stuff."
And I see you forgot something as well.
Torus:"Last is blue magic. It's like copying other people's magic spells."
Armi:"Death... die... if brother die, can white magic bring back to not dead?"
I blink. I have no idea what it just said.
>>
No. 179396 ID: 1ac39d

ack, knew i was forgetting one, hehe. she asked if white magic can revive the dead.
>>
No. 179420 ID: 34470e

>>179396
Oh.
Torus:"I... am not entirely sure. The closest thing is necromancy. Death magic. It won't revive people, but it's good for creating minions to help protect people and do the dirty work."
The kobold is silent for a while.
Armi:"I do it. For to be ready with brother."
Okay, we're going to have to teach this kobold some proper grammar.
>>
No. 179828 ID: 34470e

>>179420
Wait a second...
Torus:"Did you tell your brother you left?"
Armi:"No. Was supposed to?"
Great... this just makes it even worse...
>>
No. 179865 ID: 1ac39d

*sigh*hopefully they will she wandered off and not you kidnapped her or something. you got anything that can send messages?
>>
No. 179876 ID: 34470e

>>179865
Uh... I'll see if there's anything like that in the school. ...Random thought. I'm training at least 3000 people in both magic and martial arts. I could easily take over Australia, convert those gnolls, then, using those, I might be able to rule the entire planet. Do you think that would work?
>>
No. 181010 ID: 1ac39d

>>179876
yes, eventually, the plan is sound and the only thing it would need is time to execute it. and after it's done dissent may appear as a Governor abuses their position. and you can't run the whole thing alone, too much area for you to do it alone unless you were some kind of super-intelligent multi-armed monster capable of doing 1000 things at the same time. this can be offset if the power the sword get's you enhances your time magic as well, then you can haste yourself enough that it LOOKS like you are doing a lot of things at once.
>>
No. 181013 ID: 1361b4

>>181010
I like that haste idea. I can also try and make clones of myself. I may be able to have my students be the people that help me rule. They already like me for not ruling with fear anymore.
>>
No. 181028 ID: 1ac39d

true, they already know what it feels like to be ruled by fear AND compassion, so they would be much less likely to rule with fear then a random guy.
>>
No. 181239 ID: 1361b4

>>181028
Gods damn... the pieces are all falling in my favor easily. I may be able to get this kobold to help me rule the world.
Jathura:"It looks like you have something on your mind, master."
>>
No. 181242 ID: 1ac39d

"yes, i do, but it's something that can't be said in front of the new recruit"
until she officially decides you are her friend it would be best to not talk about taking over the world. it also is poor form to talk about it in the open where a random ninja could be listening. yes, that does happen, a person will say their plan aloud and SOMEHOW someone they didn't want to hear it, hears it.
>>
No. 181248 ID: 1361b4

>>181242
"Yes, I do, but it's something that can't be said in front of the new recruit."
Des:"It sounds like you have a good idea -chie."
If any ninjas are listening, I'll just kill them. It'll serve them right.
>>
No. 181251 ID: 1ac39d

haha, if you could see them they wouldn't be very good ninjas. if you see one ninja assume 10 more are around that you can't see.
>>
No. 181405 ID: 1361b4

>>181251
Well... uh... maybe if they see me killing the one ninja, they'd surrender themselves to me. It might work.
>>
No. 181414 ID: 1ac39d

nope, goes against ninja code. the rest would flee and inform their master.

so, how much further?
>>
No. 181415 ID: 701a19

>>181405
Not really. Ninjas operate under a code that they are to complete the mission no matter what.
However, I think ninjas are unlikely given how there are far simpler ways to spy on people.
>>
No. 181435 ID: 1361b4

>>181414
>>181415
Hmph... I still think I'm better than any ninja. While we were talking, we reached the school. Not much further to go. I should probably take the blindfold off now. I do so. Any last questions you want to ask me?
>>
No. 181450 ID: 701a19

>>181435
Oh, no. While you can kill a ninja in a straight fight, that's not how they operate.
Generally, ninjas take the guise of somebody unobtrusive and act in a perfunctory way until it's time to act.
People imagine ninjas as people in black outfits skulking around in shadows, but that's fantasy. A ninja is far more likely to be disguised as a menial worker.
They also do far more than assassinations, such as infiltrating ranks and espionage.

Really, though? I wouldn't worry too much.
>>
No. 181462 ID: 1361b4

>>181450
Heh. Imagine if Raul was a ninja. He did want to betray me, even though it actually cured me. Des goes to Haru's room while I go to mine. Along the way, I tell a student to bring a white mana ritual to my room.
Armi:"How big this place? I'm little hungry."
Oh, yeah. I probably should get some food for us. No kobold, though.
>>
No. 181463 ID: 1ac39d

kobolds are hunter gatherers so must wild fruits and game animals would be fine.
>>
No. 181495 ID: 1361b4

>>181463
Torus:"Jathura, what do you want to eat?"
Jathura:"I'll have some spagghetti, master."
Okay. I open the door and turn to a student guarding it.
Torus:"We would like some food. Get some pears, apples, limes, and carrots. They're for the kobold. Jathura wants some spagghetti. I'll have some mi krop."
Daniel:"Will do, Torus."
He walks off to get he food.
>>
No. 181793 ID: f4b868

>>181495
What's Mi Krop? Also, ask Armi how long her brother has been a black mage.
>>
No. 182053 ID: 1361b4

>>181793
It's Thai food. One of my favorites.
Torus:"Armi, how long has your brother been a black mage?"
Armi:"Um... long time. Don't know how long."
Well, that wasn't helpful.
>>
No. 182256 ID: 0b2a05

Maybe she can tell you at what point he WASN'T one and go from there.
>>
No. 182317 ID: 34470e

>>182256
Torus:"What time was he not a black mage?"
Armi:"Um... long long time ago. Don't know how to count past fourteen."
Ugh... Do you want to teach her how to count, or should I?
>>
No. 182320 ID: 1ac39d

well we can see if it was before winter ask 'was he a black mage before it got really cold?' if she still is vague, then yeah, send us over so we can start her up on book learning.
>>
No. 182330 ID: 34470e

>>182320
Torus:"Was he a black mage before It was cold? Really cold?"
Armi:"No. Not get cold. Get hot sometimes."
>>
No. 182340 ID: 1ac39d

*sigh* looks like we aren't going to get anywhere with this. let's start on a numbers lesson, just need to teach her the pattern of numbers.
>>
No. 182343 ID: 34470e

>>182340
I teach her how to count and similar things for a little bit when our food arrives. I'll let her have a piece of food each time she answers a question correctly.
Torus:"Armi, what's 14 plus 12?"
Armi:"Um... fourteen... fifteen, sixteen, uh... Twoty-six?"
>>
No. 182344 ID: 1ac39d

ha, i can see how nir managed to become a black mage, they can learn pretty quickly.
>>
No. 182345 ID: 701a19

>>182330
It looks like the tribe is from the southern portion of America.

>>182343
Kobolds learn quick, don't they?
She can't attend the school without completing the prerequisite test, but there's nothing stopping you from assigning a recent student to educate her to the point where she can pass.

After all, it would increase recruitment if you did primary schooling so the uneducated would be less so, and then having your current school as a secondary school where the best and brightest go.
Everybody new goes through primary school but only people who are the cream of the crop get to go on to secondary schooling, and those are the ones you make into specialists or officers.
People who flounder in primary school can be menial laborers.

Even better? The people with the worst educations are generally the people in the worst lots in life. If you take them in then you'll have their loyalty, and that goes double for children.

Interesting, proposition, isn't it? Building yourself up as a benevolent organization that is a patron of the poor and downtrodden via a method that provides you with a more skilled and competent force.

Oh, but keep the education politically and religiously neutral, and free of propaganda. You don't need it to have the loyalty of society's detritus, and neutrality would keep other organizations from taking interest in opposing you.
Cultivating a sense of ethics is a wise idea, though, and neutral to boot.
>>
No. 182349 ID: 34470e

>>182344
Yeah, no kidding. I'm surprised she learned that much in 10 minutes. I hand her a carrot. She starts munching on it.
Torus:"What's 52 plus 83?"
Armi:"...Uh... 52, 53, 54, 55... um... 65, 75, 85, 95... um... Tendy-five, Elevendy-five, twelvedy-five, thirteendy-five. Right?"
Okay, she didn't get that one pronounced correctly.
>>182345
You... you are one of the best guidance spirits ever. I'll announce that plan in a school-wide meeting sometime later this week. Practice a good speech, gather up every one of my informants, and get some of the necessary items. This may be the best idea I've ever heard.
>>
No. 182456 ID: 701a19

>>182349
I don't know how well you can tell us apart, but you've said things along those lines to me on a semi-regular basis.
For what that credit is worth, I'm also the one who pushes the hardest for you to not pursue ultimate power.

[Subconscious suggestion: If that kind of wisdom and insight is against going for ultimate power, then I probably should give up on it. The guardian spirits have only done right by me so far, so I suppose they deserve at least that much trust.]
>>
No. 182461 ID: 34470e

>>182456
I can tell you voices apart somewhat easily. Sometimes I get confused about what spirit is what, but if I think about it, I can usually pick apart the confusion. You seem to be the wisest voice here, and you keep saying ultimate power is bad. I'm starting to have doubts on gaining it. I'm also starting to have doubts on the definition of ultimate power. What exactly is it? Is it just strength and being able to summon and do exactly what you want, or is it something else? And should I give a piece of fruit to ultimate power? I mean Armi.
>>
No. 182476 ID: 701a19

>>182461
We've been over most of this before, and there's no point in going over it again.
From my long years I can tell you that power is useful as a tool, but horrible as a goal.

Right now?
You're the owner and operator of a successful school.
You have the loyalty of people for who you are a beloved figure.
You have the love of a wonderful partner.
You have loyal friends.
You are in a position to secure lands of your own.
You have a brother who loves you.
You are healthy.
You are sane.
Most important of all? You are happy. As sad as it may be, happiness is a rare and precious thing.

Your goals are your own to set, but I can suggest one goal you may want to hold above anything and everything else: Protect your happiness, and that of your loved ones.

Achieving power requires sacrifice, and the more power you seek the more of yourself you must destroy. We care for you, Torus, and those of us who learned this lesson the hard way don't want you to risk what really matters.

[Subconscious suggestion: The voice is right... I am happy, and that's all that really matters. More power won't make me any happier, and trying for it is just going to put people I care about in harms way. I'll just let it come naturally.
The question is, if I'm happy then what is there for me to want?]
>>
No. 182477 ID: 1ac39d

think she earned some, she may have gotten the word wrong but she made up her own based on what she already knows which is pretty damn good.
>>
No. 182487 ID: 34470e

>>182476
You know what? You're right. I am happy. But you know what would make me even happier? Ruling the world through compassion. Memories of my childhood. That sort of stuff. I need to get out of this school more often. I can barely learn anything more while holed up inside of here. Jathura needs out as well. And I can train him to fight better, too.
>>182477
I hand Armi a couple pears and apples.
Torus:"What's 113 plus 388?"
Armi pauses for a moment. She looks really nervous.
Armi:"Uh... uh... 113... um... d- don't know."
>>
No. 182523 ID: 1ac39d

whelp, rome wasn't built in a day. still, did pretty damn good after just 10 minutes of study. probably has it figured out but can't think of how to say it. tell her the pattern of hundreds, how it's 1 hundred then 2 hundred. then ask her again.
>>
No. 182587 ID: 34470e

>>182523
I take the time to teach her how to pronounce numbers correctly, as well as solve a few number problems myself. I give myself a little trouble with 3649320 plus 2384047.
Torus:"Now that that's settled, can you tell me what 999 plus 247 is?"
Armi:"999... um... uh... 1000, 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, 1006... 1016, 1026, 1036, 1046, 1146, 1246. I right? Was hard."
That... this is simply amazing! And to think I allowed the consumption of such amazing creatures!
>>
No. 182594 ID: 1ac39d

they are normally rather simple, but because of their simplicity people think they are unteachable. so everyone thinks kobolds are stupid because no one ever tries to teach them anything.
>>
No. 182619 ID: 34470e

>>182594
I'm definitely going to allow kobolds into my schools now. Think of the usefulness! If one kobold is able to learn so quickly, just think if a ton of them entered my school!
>>
No. 182743 ID: 1ac39d

>>182619
don't flood yourself though, until they get into it they will be like unruly children. armi is doing well because she wants to do it.
>>
No. 182825 ID: 34470e

>>182743
Well, maybe they'll see Armi and think something along the lines of 'oh wow, she's so cool because she learned magic, so I'm going to learn magic as well'. Or am I too optimistic?
>>
No. 182899 ID: 1ac39d

some will totally be like that but others wont care about that. other lessons may be interesting them, like advanced carpentry for the woodworkers so they can build stuff better.
>>
No. 182937 ID: 34470e

>>182899
Hmm... I could use those ones for construction of new schools and maintenance. With the way things have been going for me lately, nothing can go wrong.
>>
No. 182944 ID: 1ac39d

.... great, now something is going to go horribly wrong. you jinx it. you said "nothing can go wrong" which is basically telling fate 'i double dare you to make something go wrong'. hopefully it happens soon so we don't need to sit around waiting for it.
>>
No. 182950 ID: 34470e

>>182944
What? I don't see how me saying that jinxes anything. I was... I didn't say it. I thought it. I was only thinking what I thought. Besides, by your logic, I could say something like 'everything will go wrong' and then I'd get ultimate power or something.
>>
No. 182953 ID: 1ac39d

it's complicated, but if we talk about it enough it will go away. say 'everything will go wrong' won't get you ultimate power. it's like saying 'break a leg' to an actor before a play.
>>
No. 182961 ID: 34470e

>>182953
I don't get why you're so worked up over my thoughts. If nothing goes wrong, then nothing goes wrong. Don't get so angry about it.
Armi:"Can have more food now?"
>>
No. 182964 ID: 1ac39d

not angry, worried. but i see your point. anyway, let armi finish up.
>>
No. 182983 ID: 34470e

>>182964
I hand the rest to her, and she happily munches on the food. I'm done with my thai, so I guess I should get a white mana ritual.
>>
No. 183447 ID: 1ac39d

i suppose.
>>
No. 183451 ID: 34470e

>>183447
Torus:"Jathura, make sure Armi doesn't leave this room. I don't want her wandering around some unknown place."
Jathura:"As you wish, master."
I step out of my chambers.
Daniel:"Is there anything can do for you?"
Torus:"You can keep standing watch there."
Daniel:"Yes ma'am."
I head on to the storage, get a white mana ritual, and head on over back to my room. I kind of want to make a nice speech to Armi before I hand the mana ritual for her to use.
>>
No. 183557 ID: 1ac39d

"well here it is, the white mage mana ritual. take hold of it and your training can begin. but be forewarned, i will not take it easy on you. being good at magic takes are work and if you do not think you can handle it then tell me now. if you KNOW you can, then take it"
>>
No. 183566 ID: 34470e

>>183557
Ooh, I like it. It sets the mood perfectly.
I enter my chambers. It looks like Armi is finishing up her food. I walk over to her and clear my throat to get her attention.
Torus:"Well, here it is, the white mage mana ritual. Take hold of it and your training can begin. But be forewarned, I will not take it easy on you. Being good at magic takes hard work and great dedication, and if you do not think you can handle it, then tell me now. If you know you can, then take it."
I hold it out for her. She looks at the scroll for a moment, then takes it from me. She then opens it and a white stream of mana transfers from the scroll to her through her eyes, nose, and mouth. After it stops, she starts crying.
>>
No. 183570 ID: 1ac39d

probably scared her. but after a speech like that you can't ease up. she gets the rest of the night off but first thing in the morning training starts.
>>
No. 183593 ID: 34470e

>>183570
Torus:"You shall get the rest of the night off. Training starts tomorrow, so you would do well to prepare yourself."
She just sits there and cries. The door to my chambers opens. It's Des.
Des:"We have a problem -chie. Haru doesn't want to eat -chie."
>>
No. 183597 ID: 1ac39d

have jathura take armi to an unused room so she can get some alone time and sleep. let's go with des and see if we can make him eat.
>>
No. 183604 ID: 34470e

>>183597
Torus:"Jathura, take Armi to an unused room to rest for the night. I have to go see Haru."
Jathura:"As you wish, master."
Des and I hurry on over to Haru's room. We open the door. Haru is standing on a chair with a noose around his neck. Shit...
>>
No. 183605 ID: 1ac39d

he is still on the chair. freeze him and then have dez help you pull him down then unfreeze.
>>
No. 183608 ID: 701a19

>>183605
Don't freeze him, destroy the rope instead.
Then ask what's wrong with him.
>>
No. 183628 ID: 34470e

>>183608
I throw a mana blade at the rope. It severs, causing Haru to clumsily fall to the floor.
Haru:"Ow!"
Des:"Haru, you're a fucking moron."
Torus:"What's wrong with you?"
He looks at me.
Haru:"I can't stop thinking about that moving food. I don't want to be insane, so I'm killing myself."
He gets up.
Haru:"Don't you dare fucking stop me. It'll be insulting."
>>
No. 183696 ID: 1ac39d

hit him in the pride "oh? so you are taking the cowards way out, just giving up instead of fighting through it? if you kill yourself i will find your clan and have you officially designated as the wimpiest thing ever." making him mad is better then having him depressed.
>>
No. 183715 ID: 34470e

Saying that will hurt, but it seems necessary.
Torus:"Oh? so you are taking the cowards way out, just giving up instead of fighting through it? If you kill yourself, I will find your clan and have you officially designated as the wimpiest thing ever."
He turns to me.
Haru:"Fuck you! A coward would be too afraid to kill himself! A coward wouldn't do anything about it! I'm no coward! I will never be a coward! It's not who i fucking am!"
He's really pissed off. Tears are forming in his eyes.
Haru:"A coward would never do this either. Ravage."
AAAAAH! AAAH! That hurt so much... Everything's numb and blurry... I'm having trouble breathing...
>>
No. 183753 ID: 1ac39d

just need little more "so, you are saying a brave warrior hurts his friends when they try to help him?" then you can pass out if you want.
>>
No. 183763 ID: 34470e

>>183753
Torus:"S- so, you aaaaAAH!"
It hurts to talk...
Torus:"Y- you're s- saying... a... a brave w- warrior hur- hurts his..."
I need to make it through this sentence, then I'll send you to Haru. You may be able to convince him not to kill himself.
Torus:"...friends w- when they... w- when they t- try to... to h- h- help him?"
I'll see you... when I wake up... I hope...

...

...
>>
No. 183764 ID: 34470e

What a bitch! She's not my friend! Friends don't insult other friends!
>>
No. 183766 ID: 1ac39d

they do when they are acting stupid. decided you being angry rather then suicidal would be best. also, what the hell are you talking about with the moving food?
>>
No. 183980 ID: 34470e

>>183766
What? Guidance spirit? Where'd you come from? And the kobold I had for lunch was moving so I'm turning insane. I think you're the ones being stupid. Des removes one of the things on his tail and walks up to me.
Des:"Quit being a moron, or I'll be forced to-"
Haru:"Paralyze."
Des falls to the floor limply.
>>
No. 183982 ID: 1ac39d

uh huh. so the chance that it may have been possessed by a vengeful spirit never crossed your mind? you know with the whole deer of death corruption thing going on, ghosts would start getting more common as the Shepards for the underworld dwindle. you obviously need to exorcise it or something. if it works then you have to admit that you fucked up. if it doesn't then we will tell torus to let you go through with it.

@xom: when he performs the 'exorcism' remove the curse. making him not want kobold anymore is one thing but driving someone to suicide is another.
>>
No. 183986 ID: 34470e

>>183982
Exorsism? I have no idea how to do that. And I really hate you guidance spirits right now. You're trying to get me to be somebody else. If I want to kill myself, just fucking let me!
{[Aww... And I was having so much fun~.]}
>>
No. 183988 ID: 1ac39d

do you know a special place in hell exists for those who commit suicide? the middle ring of the seventh circle, where you will hang for eternity with no hope of salvation, for you gave up on life so a new one will forever be bared to you.

we know you know for a fact that gods and demons exist. so a heaven and a hell must exist as well.

just tell some random acolytes to get some white mages to perform an exorcism on that kobold.
>>
No. 183991 ID: 34470e

>>183988
Quit trying to bluff. You know as well as everybody else that once you die, you become a ghost. No matter what. Once you're ghost, you have to wait for a deer of death to guide you. And there have been no cases of posession by ghosts, only cases of attacks by ghosts.
>>
No. 183993 ID: 1ac39d

guide you to where though? a deer of death would find you and guide you to hell.

the kobold's ghost obviously tried to get back into it's body. the movements you saw a manifestation of it's struggle. it died scared not angry.
>>
No. 183995 ID: 34470e

>>183993
I said quit trying to bluff! No deer of death is going to guide any ghost to a different realm of existence! A 'hell' is basically a mainly chaotic realm. Like the one Des is from. And ghosts are visible. If it was trying to get back in it's body, then I would've seen it! And I just found a vial of poison.
>>
No. 183998 ID: 1ac39d

wow, i take it back, you aren't a coward, you're a whiny cry-baby. 'waah waah, my food moved i have to kill myself waaah waah waaaah'
that's what you sound like right now. i hope you get tortured by wiggling food for all eternity you whiny baby. know what your grave stone will read? "here lies haru, the whiniest cry-baby in the world"
>>
No. 184000 ID: 34470e

>>183998
I'm not a coward! Neither am I a crybaby or a fucking prince! I'm just a black mage who doesn't want to be crazy! ...Fuck, I'm so pissed off, I can't open this shitty vial! These fucking hands aren't helping either!
>>
No. 184026 ID: 1ac39d

wait what? you're a prince? no way!
>>
No. 184028 ID: 34470e

>>184026
No, I am not a fucking prince! Don't call me that! Don't control my life! It's my life, not yours, gods damnit!
>>
No. 184030 ID: 1ac39d

you're the one that said it first.
>>
No. 184036 ID: 34470e

>>184030
No, I did not! You're exactly like my parents! You want everything to go your way and your way only! It's the reason I ran away! I hate them and I hate you! Now go away already!
>>
No. 184040 ID: 1ac39d

this has been brewing for a long time, the kobold is just an excuse to go through with it. let's have torus, des, and you go see your parents and kick their asses, is that what you want?
>>
No. 184043 ID: 34470e

>>184040
Well, I would like to do something about it because I'm not a coward. Maybe I should kill them. It'll teach everybody not to control my life.
>>
No. 184224 ID: 1ac39d

deal, you don't kill yourself, we help you get revenge on your parents.
>>
No. 184231 ID: 34470e

>>184224
I probably should heal Torus. I did a number on her. She probably will be incapacitated for a couple of days. I probably should apologize to you guidance spirits as well. I just got so angry at you and the others trying to control my every action. Just like my parents...

I grab Torus and bring her to her room. I heal her wounds as best as I can. She comes to.
Torus:"Uggh... H- Haru?"
>>
No. 184237 ID: 1ac39d

it's okay, now that we know what's up we can work WITH you instead of against you.

i think it would be best to tell her what's up.
>>
No. 184241 ID: 701a19

>>184231
We weren't trying to control your EVERY action, just prevent you from making a single horrible mistake.
I'm sorry if you didn't see it that way, but friends look out for each other. They step in and meddle with your affairs when you're screwing up, but the key difference is that you can and should do the same.
That's one of the reasons why you should pick friends you can trust; if you pick people whose judgement you can trust, then you don't have to worry too much about them trying to control you when they get involved.

Beyond that? If you don't like how your friends are involving themselves in your life, you can get new ones. In a few days you'll either decide Torus was right and forgive her for interfering, or decide she was wrong and kill yourself and/or stop being her friend.
>>
No. 184390 ID: 34470e

>>184241
I'm sorry... It's just that my parents- mainly my dad- were extremely controlling, I had to have the exact same way of thinking he did. If I didn't he'd yell at me. My mother forced me to train to become a king. I didn't like it. I will kill the both of them.
>>184237
Yeah... I should...
Haru:"I'm sorry, Torus. We're going to see my... parents."
Torus:"W- why?"
Haru:"To get revenge on them for fucking with me so much."
Wait... if we bring Torus along, isn't that controlling what she does? I don't want to do that.
>>
No. 184403 ID: 701a19

>>184390
You could ask her if she wants to come with you.

Rather than killing them, wouldn't it be a far more fitting punishment to have them imprisoned?
As punishment for taking away your freedom, they're denied their freedom.
>>
No. 184405 ID: 34470e

>>184403
You know what? That does sound like a better idea.
Haru:"Um, that is, if you want to come with me."
Torus:"A- anyone who h- hurts my friends deserves... deserves to die. And Haru... Whoever... or whatever c- caused you to see m- moving food, I will kill t- them as well. You know why?"
Haru:"Why?"
Torus:"B- because I'm your friend, and friends l- look out for e- each other."
She winces in pain after finishing the sentence.
>>
No. 184454 ID: 1ac39d

now that's a true friend. i guess give her a hug and let her get some sleep.
>>
No. 184515 ID: 34470e

>>184454
Fine... I'll listen to you only once... next time, stop telling me what to do. I hug her, and she hugs back.
>>
No. 184516 ID: 34470e
File 127508541838.png - (92.68KB , 605x563 , end 2.png )
184516

Now, I let her rest.
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