>>104780
>>104781
Okay, I agree with Jax Arryn and Ella then. I guess we can stand to know the ogre a little better then. Sure.

(by this I mean that Jax, Ella, Uktal, and Arryn is fine)

I wanna take the ogre along just to see what happens when he meets the Ogress.

>>104797
.... YES.

Current list is:

((Ella | Jax | Utkal | Arryn))

Are you sure?

*idly ponders stuffing the cutebold in the hat*

How many days would the trip be, base? If it's more then three I say take the cutebold, if less, then the current list is fine.

>>104802
If you went alone? Four.

With the current list, nine days.

>>104804
Before leaving, I recommend we speak to Anansi.

>>104812
You wait off the effects of the drug, and seek him out.

"Whatcha got fer me, boyo? What happened?"

>>104813
Tell him all about Shi's betrayal including Raven's punishment. Try not to let him run off to kill her.

>>104814
At first the spider is furious, and for once actually takes human form, a skinny man in tribal wear with a deep tan and a long goatee, weilding a massive club, but as I finish the story, he returns to spider form, and looks at me oddly.

"What.... what did she say again?"

"'You hurt someone very, very close to me today.', I believe."

Anansi thinks again, then smiles.
"Thank you for this news." he says. "Is that all?"

Ask him if he believes Salzane's story... and if Coyote would behave if he were to somehow replace Clown as the god of Chaos.

>>104817
I knew Salzane personally. He was Coyote's first creation, a masterful one. He has trouble lying, but he does tend to omit unpleasant truths. As for your idea... don't every speak it aloud again. But I like it."

>>104827
"Ah, good. I was hoping you still had some faith in your son."

>>104830
There is a pause.
"Get out." Anansi rumbles. "I have no son."

Ah um, whoops. Hopefully he won't stay mad at us for that. Apologize while leaving.

>>104842
"I'm sorry."
"It's alright. Just leave. Do not attempt to contact me again until Raven speaks to you."

I leave with Ella.

rolled 23 = 23

---

>>104843
It doesn't take long to gather Jax, Utkal, Arryn, and Trik.
We set out.

rolled 72 = 72

---

>>105023
The first night is uneventful. We eat quietly while Trik tells us about her home warren, the one that sits under a Dwarf mountainhome.

rolled 20 = 20

---

>>105029
The new day dawns, we pack up camp. I hear rustling in the distance, but we encounter nothing in the morning.

rolled 15 = 15

---

>>105178
As the second day ends, and we are halfway to Ishkal, Utkal takes me aside.
"You know how to fight, leetle man? Because your woman does. You woman is great, great fighter! But are you better?"

>>105180
Haha, can we fight, he asks. Yes, yes we can.

>>105185
Oh, as for if we're better... Well, in a contest of skill it's hard to say. Being a lich gives us an unfair advantage.

"Man should be stronger than lady. In fight, this one means. Utkal smash things pretty good, but Utkal is smart as rock, yes? Utkal think it odd that lady smash and man think. Utkal merely offering opinion, no offend, yes?"

>>105198
No offense taken. Humans usually take the same view, but not always.

>>105421
"None taken, Utkal." wait... "So what are ogresses like?"
"Smaht. Pretty. Strong. Not as strong as man ogre, but stronger than man human. Big, too, so they can lie with ogre without problem unlike human woman."
Erm.
"And huge kno-"
"I believe that's enough."
"Awkay. You need Utkal help with lady, Utkal teach yer! Know how to bash head just right. No problems later."

>>105437
I... think this is an offer for help. Accept it if it is.

rolled 6 = 6

---

>>105439
"Er... Yes?"
"Good! Utkal teach you proper fighting! How to knock someone out propah! Most ogres just cave in skulls, but not Utkal, no, Uthal know how to make someone drop!"

He continues to happily rant and rave, until we go to sleep.

>>105440
I wake up. Something seems off about the camp, but I cannot place it.

I can see a column of smoke ahead.

No one else is awake.

>>105460
What exactly does the smoke look like?

>>105460
Something's off? Do a head count, and make sure all our supplies are in place.

>>105464
Everyone is present. I reach into my hat to verify my own supplies, and...

Pull out a normal walking cane. With a note attached and sealed.

>>105465
Read the goddamn note.

>>105466
Hello, Hattori.

You may be wondering why I have decided to steal something this important from you, especially when you need everything you can get. Why, you ask, must Shi need this item? Because, my dear, Shi wants revenge. On you. On Raven. On Coyote. I heard about your plans, your ideas. I'm not about to let the world fall into chaos, but, and this is important, you still haven't taken my pride.

And I will. I will find your real mind. I will drag you to it. I will nail you down. And I will take apart your brain until your mind matches the body I've been cursed with. But that's years from now!That's the least of your worries, darling. Right now, you should be worrying about the last of the Spidersworn, and the fact that I've been a day ahead of you this whole time.

Much love,
Shi

>>105468
As much as I hate to do this, we have to use the hat to teleport. Shi may do or say something to get Ishkal to hate us, and therefore, not help us. We should leave a note to tell the others.

>>105468
Okay, I think we need to get some serious speed going here. Wake up Jax, and ask him to get you on top of a high place so you can see the source of the smoke. If it's the Ogress's cave then we may have to use the hat to teleport directly there and fend off Shi. Get some junk to put in the hat to make it into a weapon again. Rocks, sticks, anything. Be sure to take out anything in it you want to keep.

>>105471
I consider going alone, but as Shi has prove- AGH! I drop the note as it chars and then bursts into flames.

...

As I was saying, Shi has proven violent and capable. Therefore, I believe it's time to teach her a real lesson in humility.

No.
One.
Fucks.
With.
Hattori.
Delarosa.

I fill my hat with rocks and sticks and sharp, metallic implements. My cape pockets are filled with more knives than a butcher could ever hope to own. I awaken the group and tell them what is going on and they agree, time is of the essence. We move as fast as we can.

>>105474
Okay, time to prepare. Ask Jax what he thinks of the situation and the chances of there being an ambush, and then after the Raven's Cunning ask permission to use the Watch.

>>105476
Jax closes his eyes.

Raven's Cunning!

"Shi wants you angry and unfocused. That is why she stole your property and left a note behind, as well as threatened you. She wants you to barrel forth into the home of an ogress we have never met, Clearly intent on murder, weapons drawn. Further, my suspicion is that she will likely attempt to clean up the remaining Mongrels, if only to make the world safe enough to kill you. I would reccomend moving forward with caution, and defending yourself against her should she show hostility. If she merely wants to brag, do not give her the pleasure of a reaction. Let her say her peice and then either watch her leave or force her to. Killing her now is a distraction we do not need."

"And the wa-"

"After the next church is cleared, I will teach you in proper use of the damn thing." Jax grumbles. "Until then, do not speak of it."

>>105474
Technically Ella does...

Er, moving on. I'm seconding the whole "Have Jax take us up so we can see the smoke and teleport" We were already told one person tacks on an extra day. And she only has one person.

Hattori, do you believe you could teleport really high up while maintaining your composure? We could skip the whole Jax step if you do.

>>105479
Okay, Jax is right. We should not run blindly in. If we can catch her unawares it is tempting to just take her out right there... but if she IS going to be using the cane to kill mongrels then we could leave her alive and track her down after things calm down a bit.

>>105482
Do we not desire our crap? Though I guess it's too time consuming. Ugh. I still say we should teleport directly there, since shi can't do that.... Unless she borrowed our hat to... oh no.

We need to reach there immediately. We may already be too late.

>>105479
She won't get the reaction she wants. Here's what I think we should do:
1: Get the cane away from her by using the hat
2: getting both cufflinks away from her, though I don't know how to do that exactly.
3: Anchor one of her arms so she can't run away
4: We tease her, rile her up, and devastate her pride.

We can use an eye to surveillance her before all this, but only if she doesn't see us first. Then we adjust this plan as the situation fits.

>>105483
We still have the hat. I think if we teleported there alone Shi would have the upper hand. That cane is incredibly powerful, and she has the cufflinks to give her an extra edge on top of that. All we have is the hat, gloves, and watch. The gloves are amazing but it only makes magical items work while in the presence of Seerans. We would have to make absolutely sure that Shi doesn't ambush us after we teleport there. The hat won't help if she gets the jump on us.

I wonder if Hattori can make it so we can talk to her and Shi can't stop us, we could then A: make her think she's going insane, B. possibly eavesdrop on her thoughts C: tell her all the horrible things Hattori could do to her (We'll make it seem like he's the psychopath that thought them up, I mean, he's a medical genius. He cold paralyze her, flay all the nerves related to pain out in the open turn her into a lich and leave her in the blazing sun for the buzzards, or he could probably make a good deal of money from paralyzing all but certain parts of her anatomy, and selling her to a brothel. I'm sure someone will pay a pretty penny for a mute loli that can't wander off, will never age and doesn't require feeding, but still has functional orifices) We could even do something like, say... "You know Shi, it's funny. You almost got away. When we first met you, Hattori's glee at the prospect of slicing up your vocal chords to see how they worked was electric, but once the little mouse bitch got involved, she was a more interesting specimen. Oh the fun we'll have, now that it won't be detached curiosity behind the scalpel, it'll be the need for revenge."

Of course, I have no idea if it's even possible, or if we work that way.

>>105486
We don't have to hat-a-port in alone, we can use the hat to send other people whole - not just their heads. IIRC, it's actually less taxing to do it that way.

If we haven't already, we should also refill the hat with boulders and crap before rushing headlong into a confrontation.
>>105480
Does the vertical hataport preserve speed, or would it be possible to use it again just before hitting the ground, for a soft landing?

>>105786
Teleportation by hat-tipping ends any momentum and does not add any. A small teleportation could save you from a nasty fall.

We move onwards towards Ishkal's hut. It's in sight, and not burning. It seems she has the stove going.

Currently loaded inside hat: at least thirty small stones, several pounds of sticks, and a couple of knives.

In cape: Five long knives, and the cane she gave me. The money has since been deposited in a secure location.

On my person: One long knife, my suit, and the monocle.

I do not see Shi anywhere. She is not in hiding.

>>105863
I'm guessing she is in the hut, acting friendly. Try sending an eye and ear in to find out what the situation is.

>>105871
I put on my special glove and place my eye in the slot prepared, then pop the stitches on my wrist.

My hand moves quickly across the ground as I hide in a secure location, slipping in through a window.

I see Ishkal, unconcious on the floor, facedown, a small note, sealed, on her back. There is no sign of Shi.

>>105892
Examine cabin door with monocle. Examine body with monocle. Examine window with monocle. If no traps are found, ascertain whether the ogress is dead.

HUG NOTE

READ OGRESS

>>105892
Not dead? Good. Probably drugged. Let's just advance carefully, then. Hold your breath, get in the hut, and drag the ogress out into fresh air. I'm betting Shi put some manner of drug in the stove so that Ishkal would stay unconscious.

>>105893
I enter with caution, finding no traps or bitches. I check to see if Ishkal lives, and... she does. She's just out of it.

I open the note.

Do you get the message I'm trying to send here, you walking corpse? I know your movements, I know your skills, I know your friends. Where, and how, we will meet, is entirely up to me. You will find the antidote to the sleeping poison secured under the chair. Inject the whole vial, I know you have the tools on you. We will meet when I am ready, and when you are alone and unarmed.

>>105895
I don't think there's any reason to trust the antidote. Imagine how pissed you'd get if you injected it, and it turned out to be lethal? Can you test it somehow? Or maybe we should just wait for the sleeping drug to wear off on its own.

>>105896
I retrieve my set of tools and the vial of orange liquid.

...

My tests determine it to be harmless in this amount, and it is a proper dosage of the drug to awaken someone from a poison-induced stupor.

>>105896
You're assuming it will.

Hattori, use doctor skills to determine if antidote is consistent with being an antidote for the poison ladyogre's symptoms indicate.

>>105897
Inject it into the Ogress! Step back, maintain a nonthreatening readiness in case she attacks.

Yes, I suppose it could be something that would wake her up but make an introduction awkward. Be careful.

Er... try to wake her up normally first.

How do I shot trip?!H508X.HbJ6 2010/01/05(Tue)19:42 No. 105908 ID: 6faa8c
File 126274935998.jpg - (68.61KB , 400x480 , Ishkal.jpg )

>>105904
I inject the antidote. After a minute or so, she rises, hands on her hips, looking me up and down.
"So you're the one the spider sent." she says simply. "I'm Ishkal of the RockChewer clan."

>>105908
Ah. Introduce yourself, and ask if she met a young girl wearing leather armor.

>>105908
Introduce yourself, bow respectfully (hat in hand), ask if she knows who poisoned her.

In that order. (Well, you can do the first two at once)

>>105910
"My name is Hattori, my good lady." I say, bowing. "Tell me, have you seen a young lady with raven hair lately?"
"Nope. Far as I can remember, I was just eating, and..." she shrugs. "Out."

>>105912
Ah. Drugs in the food or drink, then. Introduce the rest of the party, then... and ask if there's any way she can assist us in our quest to revert the churches and clear Coyote's mind.

>>105913
We can't speak of the plan with Coyote, remember? Anansi told us not to. Just ask if she can help us revert the churches.

>>105914
Wasn't that just for the whole "replace the clown" thing?

Yes, that's correct. We cannot mention doing that extra step. Probably shouldn't even think about it until we can put it into action.

>>105913
I explain the situation to the Ogress, omitting the last step of our plan.
"Don't see why not." she says, "You folks in any kinda hurry? You look haggard."

>>105920
Meh. Shi's already 15 steps ahead of us. Might as well rest or something, right?

Perhaps us (meaning you, Hat) and Jax should teleport ahead to the chapel. To scout, and initiate contact before Shi does something to them. Just a suggestion though.

>>105920
Just rest there for the day, Hattori. You earned it.

OH, if you do rest, can we make a harness for the cutebold, so the ogre can carry him during the day, and he can keep watch for the bitch at night?

>>105920
Hey. Can you see her spidersworn mark anywhere?

>>105931
It's on the back of her hand.

"I would love to rest here, Ishkal. My many thanks."
"Not a problem. Is that a kobold?"

"Trik is kobold, yes." the kobold says, ear perking.
"Well, in that case, can I ask you a favour? There's a part of the basement that's been sagging lately..." the two wander off.
Jax sets down his spear, as does his sister, and the both relax.
"Staying here for the night isn't a bad idea." Jax states.

>>105940
I suggest we stay here for the night, and build a harness so someone can carry the adorable Trik during the day, so she can stay up to lookout at night, and sleep while we travel. Assuming trik and one of the ogres is okay with that idea.

>>105952
I mention the harness thing, but Utkal interrupts.
"Trik ride on shoulder. No problem."

Ah. Very well.
Ishkal returns with a smile.
"We have six rooms and a small hot bath." she says. "Use them as you like."

Ask Ella if she would like to share a room with you.

>>105990
That's probably a good idea, considering Shi wants to get us alone and unarmed.

>>105990
"Ella, would you like to share a room?"
She blushes heavily.
"I, ah... yes. I do not see why not."

Trik laughs. "You all smell of the road and farm animal. You should bathe, too."

Okay, now do a big game of Rock Paper Scissors to see what order everyone bathes in.

>>106005
Privately ask Ella if she wants to bathe with you. and add that she doesn't have to if she doesn't want to.

I'd like to add that everyone would probably be able to tell that you did that. You would both be clean and wet at the same time.

>>106038
We begin to walk to our room, and Ella pulls me aside into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her with her tail.
Ahm. I guess I won't need to ask...

>>106055
Oho! I don't want to guide you directly here. But uh... if it was me, I'd start by expressing approval of the idea. Then give her a quick kiss and begin drawing the bath and removing clothing, if she isn't already doing so herself.

I should note that if this leads to sex it's not a good idea to do it in the water. Water is not a good lubricant.

>>106101
I smile and kiss the side of her neck, and she smiles back, pumping the water, which is appaerently drawn from a spring and heated in the pipes.

"Hattori..." she asks, pumping the lever, "Wh-why did you select me? I... I am not the model of a... a housekeeping wife, after all. I am... nontraditional, strange.Outside of your race. So why..." she sighs as she finishes. "Why do you love me?"

>>106105
Uhh... I can't say I can read your mind Hattori but if I had to guess I'd say because she's strong, independent and beautiful... I think she's cute when she's nervous, too. Perhaps being 'alive' so long tends to open your horizons to new things. Maybe her exotic quality is in fact one of the reasons you're attracted to her?

>>106108
"You're beautiful... strong... independant." I said, gently lifting her chin so she looks into my eyes. "You are so very endearing when you are out of your element, and so exotic to me. When one lives as long as I has, one tends to... be rather open-minded, after all."

"I, ah..."

"Shhh." I smile and place a finger to her lips, kissing her neck again as I reach down and unbutton her blouse. Something falls out of a pocket and onto my foot. I jump from the pain, slipping on the wet floor, and stumble into the tub, blinking as I am doused.

I blow a lock of hair from my face.

>>106110
What? You felt the pain. Explain please.

Also, I think I know what that is. Jerasp was going to sell it, and she convinced him to give it to her instead until she could afford to buy it.

It's... well, maybe you should just ask her.

>>106113
Ah... pain dulling needs to be actively used, otherwise my limbs would be easily damaged from negligence. Pain is there for a reason!

"Wh-what is that?" I ask, ans she leans down to pick it up.

"It got chipped..." she mumbles as she lifts it from the heavily padded floor. She walks over and sits on the rim of the tub, untying the warmers around the bottom of her legs and unlacing them with one hand. "Jerasp had this, and he was going to sell it. I intended to give it to you sooner..."

I take the orb in my hands and peer inside.

...

I'm not certain how to react, but... it's not like she had any intention to destroy me with the information. It's not like there was much info there anyway.
"Keep it." I smile and hand it back to her as she finishes with the other legwarmer, dropping it to the floor. She smiles and takes the orb, setting it down on the floor gently as she begins to remove my shoes.

>>106117
You still have your clothes on, don't you? If so, you should take them off.

>>106117
Remove clothes, retrieve soap. Use soap. Talk about stuff.

Hey, is there a window? It should be closed, if there is.

>>106143
We undress each other slowly, and I begin to wash her back.

"I never thought I would be in such a situation." she murmurs. "I always thought I would grow to be a bitter old teacher and die married to my spear."

>>106145
"Well then you must be lucky."

>>106148
"I am." she leans back against me, arms sliding up around my neck as she looks up at my face.
"Uhm. You know that... that the blight was lifted when I spoke with Anansi, right?"

>>106153
Say that you did know.

Oh. Oh boy. Hattoriiii. You did realize that Anansi lifted it right then and there, didn't you? Don't tell me you didn't use protection.

Well, tell her the truth I guess.

>>106159
"I know."
"Th-then, on the plateau..."
"Why else would I select that date, Ella?"
"I... ah... But... but you'lll... you'll outlive us for certain." she murmurs, unable to meet my eyes.
"The time I spend with you and them... is made precious by its brevity, as is life."
"But... but you'll have to bury me! And them! And... and I don't want to hurt you like that..."
I sigh. How am I supposed to explain this?
"I'm a doctor, Ella. In my profession, I was surrounded by death and disease and hopelessness at every turn. I learned something very important when I was exiled. Knowing how to save a life is important. But so is knowing when. When the time comes, yes.... I will cry for you and my sons and daughters. But I will always, always cherish the memories you will leave me."
"But can't you make me... make me like you?"
"I'm a monster, Ella. I would not wish my existence on anyone."

>>106164
Oh. What if she got immortality in some other way, Hattori? There's a lot of magic in this world.

Everything ends eventually Hattori, just enjoy it while it lasts.

>>106174
That's my philo-

Tap. Tap. Tap.

What's that noise on the window?

How do I shot trip?!H508X.HbJ6 2010/01/06(Wed)01:06 No. 106177 ID: 6faa8c
File 126276877016.jpg - (304.55KB , 949x599 , 1262722501207.jpg )

>>106175
I look at the wi-AAAAGH!

"GREETINGS FROM THE MASTER."

>>106177
"Can this wait until after the bath?"

>>106177
Hey look, a good reason why a traditional housemaking wife would suck for you, Hattori. Point that out after the mind numbing fear and indignation pass.