Which, in your mind, is excellent. Then you get a good look at the coin. Looking back, not in profile, but dead-on, is an angry orc face. He looks like any other orc you'd see, except for the love of the Free Man he's on a godforsaken COIN.

Appaerently...

After your sealing, Orcs overran the city from the east. Formerly, the kingdom now known as Rust held them back with superior metals and armies. Resistant as they are to magic, they bowled over the rusted kingdom and then right over this one - but while they were warlike, they also had a simple government, and they took over. hence, Garrum, Lord Master, is in charge of the kingdom now.

Judging by the state of... well, the state, you assume that most of the cash made from taxes is spent on military, which then goes out to take over more towns, cities, and countries, in a bid for more taces, which go towards more armies, etcetera. Unfortunately, the average orc is worth two or three men.

(CONT)

Fortunately, for you, however, they are scared shitless of magical and sentient weapons and items, fearing that said items subside on Orc souls instead of meat. Hence the culling. Though... from the sound of it, they just slammed things with a hammer until they broke - you know for a fact several intelligent items and magical weapons are far tougher than that. Looks like you might have to redefine your priorties.

A quick review of your powers:

1: You can exert your EGO on the world around you, at the cost of your control of a situation. This is technically shaving off bits of your self to fuel wild sorcery. You can also roll a d100 when suggesting something involving your weilder at the cost of 5 EGO, allowing you to subvert your weilder either subtly or overtly, so long as you roll under EGO -AFTER- the new value. Please mark these posts in the subject line with INFLUENCE.

(CONT)

2: When you strike organic matter, you cause the wound to necrotize. If untreated, or the victim does not die from the initial wound, then the infection will spread to the whole body, leaving a living, pained rust mummy. You are uncertain as to their capabilities, but you have no control of them, and the process can take weeks.

3: You can float, with enough speed and force to pull ten pounds of weight.

4: From the gem on your hilt, you can expend currently charged energy from kinetic force and movement. Keep in mind this causes recoil. When using this ability, please check the most recent cannon die, roll it, and mark your post with the subject CANNON. Not Canon.
(Current CANNON die: d10 )

Currently, you are in a metal sheathe, and your champion is eating. You'd rather not know -what-.

(CONT)

(LAST THREAD)

You are a sentient magical blade, out to appaerently take over the world.

You woke, to make a deal with a young man. You would make him rich. He took you, and, in the process, you exerted EGO for the first time to turn him female. You discussed her situation - she is homeless, and depends on an Orc Templar named Big Green to avoid harm in the city.

You awoke a Giant upon leaving your tomb, handily defeating it with a d10000 CANNON blast, blowing him to pieces and discovering that the ability also propels you, albiet in the opposite direction. You then arrived in town, to find that much time has passed since you were sealed.

((OKAY. Now we can get this party started.))

Bumping, /tg/ is being fast.

>>16581771
How much EGO do we have?

>>16582632
Oh, never mind.
I just saw the number.

>>16582632
>>16582650
>>16582481

I will need to read the other thread to catch up.... or you can nudge us in the right direction, OP.

bump

>>16581771
Well, the first thing that we should do is get Dio some food, right?

Can have this girl grow muscles if she doesn't eat.

Alright, caught up.

>>16582921
Can't we just use our Ego to transform her into a better fighter?

>>16582921
>>16582973

Yeah, alright, lets go and find some food.
Also try to glean as much of history from Diometricus as you can.

You blearily shake yourself awake. Although you should not need sleep, ever since the sealing, you've been unable to stay 'awake' for much longer than a normal human. Which is odd, but not a dealbreaker for you. Eventually, you're confident you can find a way around it.

>>16582973
You get the feeling that augmenting a being too often will have... disastrous results. You recall that your second wielder, Tomerius, died this way when you accidentally added too much muscle, resulting in a snapped spine.

You look to Dio - she's eating at the moment, some gray gruel.

>>What can you tell me about the time since I was sealed, Dio?

She jumps a little, then relaxes.
"Well, the Eastern Kingdom and this one were always on the... edge of war, as I understand it. I don't know all that much, really, but this country started making weapons, magical ones, to aid their soldiers in case a war broke out."

Ah, you remember - you were made alongside dozens others. Suits of armor, magical chests, sheilds, even money, for spying. You and your brothers marched into war against the East. And you were victorious.

"At the time, we didn't know about the Orcs. We destroyed the kingdom to the east, and, uh, that was that. The weapons were sealed away, so they couldn't be used, even in a civil war. Then the Orcs came, and rolled right over us - our weapons weren't that great, our armies were weak, and our magic was useless - only the paladins even brought any skirmishes to a stalemate, but eventually... They died. Takes a long time to train a paladin."

>>Ah. So that's why...

"Yeah. Orcs're in charge now."

>>Huh. I see...

"They ain't all bad. Some are real nice."

>>16583181
"That's nice...."

Hmm. What do we do now?
Perhaps we should loot Giants hoard further?
Oh, I know!
Could we have Dio go around looking for more magical, sentient artifacts? Perhaps a suit of armor?

This all started when we stretched out our mind's eye to find someone we could influence. What else can we do with this power? Could we seek other artifacts like ourselves?

>>16583245
>>16583300
Your brothers may yet live - you felt that fairly strongly when you heard no magic was used to destroy them. Seeking out their prescence, you let your mind wander...

(d100 for new item, d10 for location. You're rolling on a table.)

rolled 72 = 72

>>16583398
A full-body armor is what I am aiming for. Knight armor or the like.

rolled 3 = 3

>>16583448
Gah. Fucken Captcha.

Tryin again.

>>16583453
that was d10 for location btw

rolled 6 = 6

>>16583398

>>16583437
>>16583453

You can feel him - deeper in the city. Deep within its bowels. He rests on some sort of podium. He still shines, untouched by rust or dirt or grime.

The Hand of Turso.

A collective group of artifacts, Turso was said to be fully automated in combat, moving to assist the user in manuevers as well as sensing danger. It's likely the orcs broke him apart, for without the helmet, the whole set is silent, yet retains some power, piece by piece. As far as you recall, the Hands each increase grip strength, preventing disarmament as well as allowing for some powergul grappling ability. He also resizes himself to the holder.

As for location... aside from being on a stone podium with... lots of noise... I cannot discern more than a rough direction.

>>16583617
After some silence suddenly speak to Dio scaring her.

"Alright,
I know what we do next.

First go deeper to the city"

Then we will try to sense the Hand again.

>>16583617
Ask Dio if she knows anything about the deep parts of the city.

>>16583643
>>16583639
>>... What's deeper in the city?

She jumps again and you chuckle. Ah, the little things.

"Deeper? Well... There's the slums. Big-ol nasty place. Like... caves made-a garbage an' scaffolding. I've heard rumors about it. That there's contests down there, between the Orcs. Nasty combat. No-holds barred, sorta thing. Big prizes, too."

>>We need to go there.

"First you tell me ter stand down a giant, and now yer telling me to go fight thugs what can rip a man's arm orf? If I didn't know better, I'd say you was trying to kill me. Why are we going into the Pits?"

>>16583693
>"Why are we going into the Pits?"
"To make you rich!
And I am not trying to get you fight thugs.

Anyway, lets get going!"

Hmm... she might have a point there. We racked a lot of dosh, perhaps we should invest some into her survivability?
Hire a bodyguard who doesn't ask questions or perhaps better armor?

>>16583693
"As I recall, we beat that giant rather easily. Fear not; we are in this together, and there may be something in the Pits we can use. If you think the giant's horde is something, just wait."

"When in doubt. Shake me"

>>16583751
>>To make you rich!

"... I'll pretend I didn't hear that. Anyway, I'm gonna spend a few of these on a silvering, if you don't mind terribly. Because, uh, the second I draw you here?"

she draws her thumb across her neck and makes a weird sound.

"Year, not in ther mood to die 'orribly."

>>Very well. What does that leave us at?

"Well, I paid two for a few weeks at this inn with a meal each day, and it'll be three more for the silverin' oils, so ninety fiveish."

>>Ah, very well. What of Armor?

"As if anything the Orcs make would fit meh."

>>... Good point.

"Though the tannah might be able to make me a suit special, like. That'd probably run me quite a bit of money, though."

rolled 54 = 54

>>16583919
"Get yourself armor, custom-fit if not too expensive. Do not buy right glove for it, you'll know why in due time.

Also, get a weapon. You'll use me only in dire need or if no one else is there to observe it"

>>16583919
"Not only is there plenty of money to be had, your safety is certainly worth it."

>>16583951
"Fine. I'll buy the leathers and a good knife." she says. "But the formah will require fittin', and you best not watch."

>>16583955
"Why don't ye flat-out tell me what we're after, here?"

>>16584033
>"Why don't ye flat-out tell me what we're after, here?"
"Oh, very well. The Hand of Turso, one of my compatriots. While not as effective without the complete set, it will still help you."

>>16584033

"I don't have eyes, if you didn't notice."

"Everything."

rolled 100 = 100

>>16584033
>"But the formah will require fittin', and you best not watch."

"Meh, my magical omnivision lets me see you in all your glory all the time anyway"

>"Why don't ye flat-out tell me what we're after, here?"

"Something good. Trust me"

>>16584112
((I'm sad I can't use this post.))

>>I don't even have eyes. You would not comprehend what the world seems to me.

"Yeah, and you turned me into a chick the moment I touched yer."

>>... Well-put. At any rate, we're after another one of my comrades, a right-handed gauntlet.

"Ah, okay."

She slips into a store, paying a rather large sum and handing you over. You're put into a safe.

Time begins to pass.

>>16584215
Wait, I guess? Not much else to do.

>>16584215
>((I'm sad I can't use this post.))
W-why not? D:

Anyway, lets wait.

..Or use our link to observe her and the surroundings to make sure that she is safe.

>>16584252
>>16584259
You seek her out again.

So pale. So incredibly pale, most if not all of her skin has probably not seen the light of day for years. Smooth yet wiry, there's a hidden strength there, a power of determination. A... constitution that is undeterred.

"There, I've measured. I think there is an outfit here for you that will work while you wait - it'll take a full day."

"Oh, fine. Bring it out." she says, sitting on a bench nearby in the small room. She still looks boyish - perhaps the full effects on bone structure take time to set in. But it's clear that other than that the initial transformation was a resounding success. She slips into the studded leather suit the man hands her. It's a little loose, but not terrible.

"Renting only - you'll have to pay for it if it's excessively damaged."

"Thankee, sir."

"Not a problem. Let's go get that sword of yours back."

He opens the safe and hands you over, and she smiles, sliding the sheathe and belt onto her waist.

"Excellent. I can ditch the damn rags, now." she says with a grin. You notice that the face was likely girlish even before the transformation.

>>16584361
I'd recommend wearing atleast one robe, running around armed and armored as a human in a society run by orcs seems like a bad idea.

rolled 32 = 32

>>16584361

>"Excellent. I can ditch the damn rags, now."

"Indeed. After the changes I've made (and plan to make) you'll look very fine in a dress."

>>16584361
Ask what her aspirations are, besides being rich.

>>16584430
To quote a line I liked from the first thread:

"By my peerless blade you will be a ki...,quee.....Monarch, you will be a monarch!"

>>16584361
"You might want a cloak or something that you can hide me with. I don't like the justice system of this society.
"And now that you've got some food, lodging, and new cloths, have your aspirations changed? Are you still set on riches?"

>>16584408
>>You should wear at least one robe. It might be suspicious to be walking about like this.

"Oh, fine." she mutters, ducking into a shop and coming out with a simple black robe. "And now to the blacksmith. Feel like a right proper citizen now."

>>Besides being rich, is there anything you desire?

"A castle. Servants. My..." she gestures vaguely at her crotch. "...thing, back. I dunno, really. There's just so many possibilities." she says as she walks out of the blacksmith with a long knife, about two hands long - almost a shortsword. This she sheathes and belts opposite you.

rolled 8 = 8

>>16584536

"Wait, wait, what's this? What are you going to be doing with this insensate lump of iron when you have me here?"

>>16584589
We recommended she get a weapon to use when we're not required or using us would make a lot of trouble. Read.

rolled 59 = 59

>>16584626

. . .
. . .
How did I miss that?

>>16584536
"The first two may prove to be easiest. My wielder must be female. But- If it means so much to you, I will certainly try to get you your 'thing' back."

"Now, how do you feel about scouting the slums?"

>>16584589
[That's sp that she doesn't attract attention with a supremely powerful artifact]

I guess she doesn't enjoy her current form, so what does that mean about us? We did say before that she could return to being a man a while after leaving us, so will she just leave us when she no longer thinks we are needed?

rolled 68 = 68

>>16584652
>must be female
>thing back

Are we proposing to turn her into a futanari?

>>16584536
You are never going to stop giving me shit about that, are you?

But you do want a castle and servants. You know who has a castle, and servants? A King/Queen! And if I'm ever going to make you into one, we need that armor.

>>Well, that's not so hard. Just need money for must of that. But-

"I know. Your weilder must be female." she mutters. "I'll find a way around it."

>>...Alright, what of those slums?

"Oh. Oh, right. Right..." she says, turning down an alley slowly. "You know, really, uh, these places are really dangerous, and all, and, uhm. I still haven''t gotten back to big Green, and stuff."

>>16584677
I think we'll just string her along until he want to INFLUENCE her to be satisfied with her present gender and stop whining about it.

>>16584736
*we want to

>>16584725
"If you insist, we can visit your keeper first."

>>16584677
She used to be a guy.
People from previous thread turned her into a girl for shit and giggles

>>16584725
Oh FINE, we'll go see you beloved father figure before this! It's not like my brother is going anywhere, lobotomized as he is. But you'd do well not to mention me.

rolled 18 = 18

>>16584725

>"I know. Your weilder must be female." she mutters. "I'll find a way around it."

"Now why would you want to do that? You're much easier on the eyes (not that I have any you understand) now than you were before."

>"Oh. Oh, right. Right..." she says, turning down an alley slowly. "You know, really, uh, these places are really dangerous, and all, and, uhm. I still haven''t gotten back to big Green, and stuff."

"That reminds me, we still haven't met this Big Green. Would he happen to be an orc?"

In my head, the sword sounds like Grimoire Weiss:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BRA_IBfkOo

rolled 68 = 68

>>16584725
"Do you think it is a good idea to visit Big Green with your new appearances?

>>16584772
((A quick reminder: Your weilder doesn't actually have to be female. It's just a lie you're perpetrating.))

>>Are you sure you WANT to see him, like this?

"Not like I have a choice, do I, yer damn perverted pigsticker." she grumbles.

>>Ah. Well... Would this Green fellow happen to be-

"An orc? Yeah. No big. He's way nicer than most anyway..." she says, approaching a guard tower. "'EY! BIGGREEN! GEDDOWN 'ERE!"

And now you meet your first Orc. Clad in silvered armor, a large hammer on his back, his face looks like it was carved from jade. Black hair falls around his head, thick and full-bodied. His frame is humanoid, but bursting with muscle and thick skin.

"Hey, Dio." he says. "You gotch the gemmies?"

"Yep. Here yer are." she says, handing over a pouch.

"Escellent. We'll eatin' well tonights." he says with a nod and a smile. "Might eben get promoted again!"

... You don't think the orc knows it, but his hammer is sentient.

rolled 1 = 1

>>16584871
>... You don't think the orc knows it, but his hammer is sentient.

Can we communicate wit hit?

>>16584871
Are we able to contact the hammer without Big Green noticing? If not, wait.

rolled 71 = 71

>>16584871

Attempt to initiate contact with the hammer, preferably with a snappy one-liner to give a good first impression.

>>16584871
Speak the language of the inventory, silently communicate to the hammer and ask what's been happening these long and boring years.

>>16584871
Can we communicate with it without Big Green knowing? For that matter, how do we communicate? Telepathically? Can anyone else hear us? Can we read minds?

>>16584871
"Well, he doesn't appear to notice anything."

Can we whisper to the hammer without big green hearing? If so, we do it.

"Cousin, is that you? It's me, you know, uh...
Blast, I've forgotten my name! The kingdom slayer, the rust sword. I'm free.

You tentatively reach out to the hammer...

Oh, fuck, you know this guy. Gavel. Gavel the JUSTICE-MAKER. Gavel the RIGHTEOUS. Gavel the supremely goddamn annoying. You decide to... leave him alone for the moment. He seems pretty set.

"Find anything else in that Annex?" he asks, and Dio shakes her head.
"Nosir, just dust and dirt."
"Awright. Well, I'll see you here roun' sunset fer yer meal." he says, walking back into the tower. Dio visibly relaxes.

>>16584986
"Well, that went well."

What are Gavel's abilities?

>>16584986
He doesn't notice any changes? Dio, were you androgynous or is he just thick?

Also, he has one of my cousins attached to his belt. Don't mention this. Don't mention me. Gavel was annoying as hell.

OP? You awake?

>>16585056
GAVEL has the natural ability to DETECT EVIL. This, however, only applies to things that are NATURALLY or ELEMENTALLY evil. You don't count. Also, he can smite said evil beings, causing him to gain a sort of etheralness to pass through armor and strike bones directly.

>>16585017

>>He... didn't notice? Are you androgynous, or is he just...

"He's mostly just thick." Dio admits, walking hurriedly down the street. "But then, he's a nice person."

>>He's wearing one of my cousins.

"... Like I said, thick. But if he ever found out, he'd probably run to the hills."

you pass into the same alleyway, and the darkness is somewhat overwhelming.

"I... hate the slums."

>>16585264
"Maybe you can change them? Not right now of course, but maybe with the gauntlet I mentioned earlier... Well, we could get a start atleast."

>>16585264
Annoyance aside, Gavel's abilities are useful and he might have some useful information as well. We should consider talking to him when we get the chance.

>>16585264
Nothing in this world can harm you so long as I am with you. You have power now. Soon you will have more.

>>16585302
>Nothing in the world can harm you, so long as you hold me. You have power! Soon, you will have more...

"As if you weren't creepy enough."

You consider talking to Gavel. While he was... annoying, he generally had excellent insight. He was one of the few built to be used after the war - it might explain why he's alive.

>>Maybe you could change them?

"Maybe." she mutters, putting up her hood. The place is indeed depressing. You're glad, at least, you cannot smell things.

((Need at least three d100s.))

rolled 40, 38, 7 = 85

>>16585343

rolled 87, 16, 88, 57, 17, 59, 47, 41, 100, 73 = 585

>>16585343
Rolling some dice.

>>16585343
You act as though I don't have your best interests at heart.

(LOW ENCOUNTER)

>>You act as though I don't have your best interests in heart, Dio.

"Oh, for the sake of the Free Man." she mutters.
"I'm sure you have some sorta agenda. Everyone does!"

>>You mean like those three fellows behind us?

"Yes, just like them."

>>16585446
You know that power I was telling you about? Now might be a good time to give a demonstration to any riff-raff that may be watching.

>>16585446
"Going to run or fight, child?"

When we get a chance, Ask Dio about this "Free Man" s/he keeps mentioning.

>>16585536
>>Going to fight o-

You don't even have time to talk before the knife is free.

"Y'all jus' keep on walkin', awright? No need for blood today."

There's a pause, and a sound of blades being freed. "Bloody hell, not today." she mutters, "Fine, you pieceashets, you want ter go!"

But it's the men who attack first. She blocks one attack with the dagger, roughly evades the second, but the third is rushing for her side. She doesn't have time to react.

But you do. You slide free, blocking the weapon and flying into her hand, just barely saving her.

(CANNON DIE: d100)

You're in an alleyway about ten feet wide. There's mud everywhere. Three men stand before you with minimal armor and daggers.

rolled 73 = 73

>>16585481
HehehehehHAHAHAHAH! Come, my lord, let us introduce these brigands to their ancestors!
(Rolling to fight)

>>16585634
A step to the left.
Then a slash to the right.
Gonna win this battle.
Just gotta fight!
Wield me, Diometricus, and we shall WIN!

>>16585634
She wants servants, doesn't she? Can we use EGO to enslave them?

Flick mud in ones eyes.

>>16585572
So she's 2-weapon fighting now? Using the cannon would be a bit of a waste, I think. So instead, let's help her fight in a normal manner. We can move on our own, so just tell her to hold onto us with a hand, and we'll handle what she can't. So on, so forth. Since she's holding onto us, we probably shouldn't be TOO suspicious.

Can all sentient artifacts use EGO or is that ability unique to us?

>>16585683
you swoop low, and mod flies from your blade into one of their eyes, as she surges forth. She's fast, you notice - must have grown up here. her knife flicks high, then low, and then she steps to the left, an overhand swing missing wide as she smiles, bringing up her knee into their gut - as you slide into his neck, through his spine. You come out again as another wipes the mud from his eyes and Dio spins to block the other, who had yet to move. her dagger darts out, and he grips his hand, weapon clattering to the ground as the last man rushes forth.

You simply rise and skewer his heart. He falls dead.

She stands over the last man, helpless.

(do I help or do I kill)

rolled 32 = 32

>>16585788
Neither. Enslave.

>>16585788
One small cut to the forearm.

Help who? Kill who? Sorry, but that paragraph was kind of hard to follow.

>>16585788
Do not kill this one. Dee what he knows and take his possessions, then release him so that others may know the consequences of molesting the grate DIO!

Also,I had completely misjudged you. You're actually quite the little badass.

rolled 53 = 53

>>16585800
Yes, can we use EGO to bend this one to our Will.

>>16585815
((My apologies. There is one man left of the three, this one is wounded by Dio's knife.))

rolled 60 = 60

>>16585881
Use our EGO! OWN HIM!

>>16585898
>>16585840
>>16585800

You almost feel the whole of your being slip out. It's painful and harsh, but you know it'll come back. The vagrant picks up his knife, making to stab her - but stops, unable to complete the action.

"What witchcraft is this!?" he growls.

Dio merely smiles. "You're my slave now."

"I won't be a servant to a little ur-"

"Shut up." she smiles as the man tries to speak in vain. "ooooh, good."

>>See? One out of three!

"I misjudged, maybe."

>>16585935
Ask him his name. Hell, give him one! He belongs to you now, after all. Maje sure you order him to never knowingly subvert your will or intentions. Feed him a story to tell big green. Maybe build him a little house in the yard to live in, with a water bowl, and you can feed him scraps from the table and...

NO, I'm getting distracted. Ask him where my comrade is. It's a glove, a shining, spotless glove!

>>16586004
This.

>>16586004
>>16586024
His name (No matter what it was) is now Loren.
You have Dio ask about Turen.

"You mean today's arena prize? Not that anyone will win it before sunset."

>>16586117
Inquire further. We need directions.

>>16586117
They're giving away sentient artifacts as ARENA PRIZES!? DETAILS, NOW.

... also, if the other prizes are also sentient artifacts, this place has major issues.

>>16586117
Why not? Tell him Lead us to this arena and revel all he knows about it. I will not see a former comrade hawked off as some prize on some second rate orc.

(Is Loren an orc?)

>>16586169
((He is human. The slums are mostly populated by them.))

Loren tells you where to find the arena, and mentions offhand that while anyone can enter, the rule of "to first blood" is often ignored and the matches can be highly lethal.

>>16586153
While Turen is sentient, he is silent until more pieces are gathered. Likely he was scattered.

You also learn that the current champion is an orc, bigger than most, clad in full plate with an enourmous mace - he notes that the head of it is about as large as Dio.

>>16586257
How much cannon is charged?

Sound like a risk we'll have to take.

>>16586257
Loren will accompany us. If Dio is up for it, we'll go to the arena, and, first off, we will determine if the champion is carrying any artifacts himself.

>>16586257
... come to think of it, if we were to just unleash all the powers we have in a public arena in full view of a public audience, won't people catch on to the whole magical/sentient weapon thing?

That seems kind of important. The last thing we want to do is to get caught up in a modern-day culling.

>>16586314
Perhaps we should charge up our EGO first, since it's both our most potent ability and the most stealthy, if used correctly.

>>16586335
True. Might also want to try to find out if 1) there are means of tracking magic... signature... things, 2) how much we emit, and 3) if this godforsaken dump has any magicians or walking magic radars around or whatever.

>>16586305
>he's coming with us.

"Loren. Follow me."

He follows us, as we make our way to the arena. In charge seems to be a rotund fellow.
"Signing in, Ehren?"
"Nawp."
"I am." Dio says, stepping forth.
"What."
"What."
>>What.
"Yeah, I can manage it. How'sit work?"
"... Elimination. No prelims, not that many are desperate enough to try." he says. So far there's eight entrants, includin' yer."

"Good. I can take them."

"... Iff'n yer say so. Name?"
"Diometricus Salahari."
"Rightoo. Inter the door ter the right."

"Stay." Dio commands the man, before you move in. You're given a numbered tabard, and sit in a dark room.

"Welp. That gauntlet better be worth it."
"Yarp."

>>16586399
Be the last one to enter.

>>16586399
"Swing me around a bit. If you get in a tight enough spot, my cannon may mean the difference between life and death."

>>16586399
Nice to see some confidence. Now, check out the competition, see what we're up against.

>>16586399
Size up our competition.

>>16586399
"make sure if you use me, you use me to kill. You know what happens when I wound."

We Whisper demoralizing words to the competitors to throw them off their game.

>>16586436
>>16586438
It appears the room is designed to avoid this. It's barely light enough to navigate through with help, and the others are obfuscated. You do note that most of them are human sized, but beyond that, you have no idea.

>>Shake me a bit.
"Like the giant, right?" she whispers, drawing you quietly, and slowly, furtively, shaking you up and down.

>>And if you do use me, go to kill. I don't wound well.

She nods quietly, as two of the men are called - one and two. You're number eight.

>>16586456
Reach out and whisper to the others about how they will fail! Except 7. We want them fresh.

>>16586456
Probe for artifacts.

>>16586477
Yes, we must see if there's anyone that has one. Just in case.

>>16586477
>>16586484
You look for artifacts - ah, there's Turen, still on the podium a few floors up - and find nothing. Not even simple magical weaponry or armors.

>>16586473
Tentatively, you whisper to the fifth man. He looks around, then shakes his head, grunting. it's unlikely any will listen - your voice is not as strong before they grasp you.

>>16586498
nothing to do but wait then. Listen. Try to hear how the fight is going.

>>16586525
You listen - seeking out with your self - and notice that the fight is fast and brutal. Clanging steel, grunts of power.

Time passes. One by one two men go in. Sometimes two come out, but more often, only one exits. The last fight of the first round, you're called out.

The arena is large. The floor is sand, swept in a spiral between matches. At the other end is a man with a longsword and simple leather armors. His face is completely unscarred, as are his hands. Strange.

The starting bell rings.

>>16586709
Unscarred is bad. Focus on defense right now. I'm assuming he'll make the first move, and we'll probably need to assist Dio with a parry.

>>16586709
Nonsense, the best defense is a ballsy offense.

FELL HIM LIKE A TREE

>>16586832
and do it while not being so damn obvious about our nature, we gotta save that for the finals.

>>16586832
>>16586849
>>Move aggressively, Dio. I'm sorry, I won't be of much use here.

She nods, carefully advancing. The man (Zelgan) raises his blade and watches her carefully. As they close, it becomes evident he's very good with that weapon. The first exchange is highly uneven - you could barely follow his weapon, and when Dio dances away, the robe falls to the sand in tatters. The man grins disgustingly and begins to advance.

>>16587005
Hmm, let's keep avoiding him and inspect his technique for some kind of weakness or oversight.

>>16587005
We could tell her to stash some sand away or use it for defence or as a distraction if something unexpected were to happen

>>16587005
... huh.

Seconding the defensive maneuvers, but try to make use of the tatters if we can- anything large enough to fling at him and obscure his sight for a second?

>>16587068
>>Grab some sand.

She nods, leaning down to pick some up - and the man's suddenly upon her, sword swinging. Dio defends, her own arm blurring, tossing the sand in his face. he stumbles back, reaching for a flask on his hip, pouring it over his face even as Dio rushes forth - and I notice something.

One of the sleeves on the leather armor is opened, a long smooth cut. Her pale flesh is untouched.

The man barks a laugh, clearing his eyes just in time to knock the blade aside before Dio can slide it into his gut.

And again, Dio dances away, unharmed - the slit a little further up her arm. He's standing on the tatters of the robe. chuckling and grinning. That smile... It's horrible.

Something about this isn't right...

>>16587122
He's either playing with Dio, or he has a weapon that only damages armour.

Are we sure he isn't emplying any kind of magic? Be it weapon or anything else.

>>16587122
Either he's going to do something to the tatters and Dio's leather or he wants to wear her. Either way, it's not good.

>>16587122
Not the slightest idea what to do, sorry.

>>16587137
>>Dio, he's playing with you.

She blinks, then rises.

>> He's not gonna disqualify you, he's had plenty of chances.

And then she bumrushes him - a fast, dead charge with the blade held forth - and the man steps aside. Dio attempts to stop and slash out, but the man raises the blade with a flick. Dio stays close, trying to get through his excellent defense, but once, twice more, the man defends well enough to deliver a riposte, then kicks Dio in the center of the chest.

>I... I'm not strong enough.

He's opened the sleeve all the way to her shoulder, and a new slit has opened in her side.

>There's no way to get past his defense. I either surrender, or I... die. Or worse.

She's not getting up. She's on her knees, hands in fists against the sand. The man continues his approach.

>>16587241
How much EGO do we have?

>>16587257
((Current EGO: 15 ))

>>16587257
2, going by the last score.

>>16587241
And (sorry for double-posting), could Dio position herself with the blade facing away from the swordsman while she looks so defeated?

>>16587264
Can we somehow influence his weapon to become brittle or rusted?

>>16587272
>>Dio. Dio, I have a plan. Shift so my gemstone faces towards him. Just stay where you are. Be ready to lunge...

She complies, as the man walks up. His blade flicks open again. This time, the back of the leather armor opens with ease, splitting like the skin of an orange. He stands there for a moment, as if deciding where to strike next. We only have a moment to act!

((Planning charges EGO, hence the sudden jump.))
((CANNON DIE: d1000))

rolled 6 = 6

>>16587349
Oh boy here we go.

rolled 341 = 341

>>16587349
Oh, boy. Here comes the /tg/ die.

rolled 707 = 707

>>16587349
EGO a stunningly bright flash, then fire like our life depends on it (because it might).

rolled 857 = 857

>>16587349

>>16587364
We are fucked.

rolled 75 = 75

>>16587378
((Hold on, all y'alls. You might've unlocked a special event. Let me roll all quick-like. ))

>>16587364
>>16587371
>>16587373
>>16587378
It's like i'm really watching a cannon charge.

>>16587389
((>Set DC to 75
WELP))

You feel the belt move - but the sudden flash of light blinds everyone nearby just long enough for Dio to slide her weapon into the wound - and it's a nasty one - left by the cannon. You notice the wall behind him has a hole in it, but pay it no mind as Dio stands.

>So now I can talk to you here, I guess?
>>I guess.

>EMPATHY INCREASED.<

You return to the holding area. The leathers are beyond repair, but at least they won't fall off - so long as Dio is careful, anyway. The last one opened it all the way to the small of her back. She heavily takes a seat.

>>16587418
"I apologize, Dio. I should not have given up so quickly. That said, some shaking before our next match might be a good idea."

rolled 572 = 572

>>16587418
>
>((>Set DC to 75
>WELP))

So, did we make it, or not?

>>16587418

"Good job, kiddo. I don't think I need to tell you, but don't dick around like that. You go into a fight, you do whatever you need to win, even if it means playing dirty."

"And I'd make a pun about being dirty and me being covered in rust and all, but even after spending all that time alone and thinking about stuff, puns are still puns."

"Oh, and watch the next matches closely. You could learn a thing or two."

>>Good job, kiddo. I don't think I need to tell you, but don't dick around like that. You go into a fight, you do whatever you need to win, even if it means playing dirty.

>Eh. Whatever. But now this rental is ruined, so I have to pay for it, too. Let's hope there's a purse in addition to that damned glove of yours, eh?

>>Right... Gonna shake me more?

>Yeah, yeah.

(Cannon die: d10 )

(Cannot watch the matches: Holding area seperated.)

>>16587458
Use EGO to look in on the match and then give Dio the details.

Well, Dio can't watch them, but can we watch them with our magical powers? Also, after we killed the giant, our ego went from 15 to 90. Is that from the shaking idea? Also, you said our empathy increased. What does that mean?

rolled 4 = 4

>>16587458
Shake and bake.

>>16587486
((Killing the giant was so incredibly unexpected that it pretty much left you in control until you hit town, hence the high ego boost. EMPATHY is special, and will remain unexplained.))

>>I'm going to take a look.

It's a match between a small man with knives and a tall thin man with a bow. The tall man gets off one shot before the midget reaches him, dropping him with ease and returning.

The next passes, as there is no challenger. Same with the next.

Dio is then called up, along with another. But as you enter the arena, there's a loud hubbub.

(SPECIAL EVENT)

"Things've changed! This fight's fer the prize! Someone killed the champion!"

Your opponent is the archer, who watches you quietly.

>>16587418
>>So now I can talk to you here, I guess?
>>>I guess.

Does that mean she can now answer us without speaking?

>>16587519
What does the arena look like?

>>16587519
Watch the archer quietly.

I say if Dio attacks, even with the dagger, we use EGO to help her hit, and also make the attacks a little more powerful.

>>16587519

"Start waving me around. As much as possible. When things start to go bad, throw me as hard as possible at him. Hopefully, neither of our aims will be bad."

"Or you can just, you know, run up there and shank his ass. Just don't forget to serpentine."

>>16587519
Judging from the match we saw? Does the archer seem to be an honourable fighter?
If so, bow to him before we start to fight.

Also, how far is he away from us? How long did it take him to fire his shot on the halfling?

>>16587537
((Yep! No more looking like a lunatic.))

>>16587548
>>>>The arena is large. The floor is sand, swept in a spiral between matches

>>16587560
I read it more as cold and calculated. The halfling was running at him and he just shot him and then walked off.

Also, the champion is dead? How did that happen becuse it certainly wasn't the halfling.

We have to be careful about this archer, though.

Dio bows respectfully to the archer, who, briefly, looks shocked - then smiles warmly as the bell dings.

>>GOGOGO If you can make it there in just a few seconds

Dio runs, low and hard, as you watch the archer, who is starting to slowly back away... and fires.

Dio runs to one side, suddenly, the arrow pithing in the sand behind her. Arrow two zips between you and Dio - more damage to the outfit, but no blood, and you're in melee range now. He drops the bow as Dio lunges, pulling out a shortsword - and is only barely skilled as Dio. You even think Dio could manage it alone... if the front of the outfit wasn't sliding down her arms slowly.

She has him pinned, it seems... but if you don't act soon, she's going to lose the manueverability of her arms.

>>16587612

"Spit in his face! Kick sand at him! Say something funny! Just do something that will catch him off guard!"

"... You think telling him that your penis is bigger than his will work?"

>>16587612
>if the front of the outfit wasn't sliding down her arms slowly

If I remember, we can excert a little bit of force (10 pounds, if I remember correctly) without draining our reserves.

Let's use that to keep the outfit from sliding down.

>Re: Combat
Let's try to only disable this guy. Go for his legs, knock him over. Let Dio use her small stature to her advantage.

>>16587612
Well, from what I know of leather, it is made of animals. Perhaps we could rust it off, as our power is to do so?

>>16587612
Can we use our ability to 'float' to at least ten pounds of weight to keep that dress barely on?

>>16587645
You use the force that normally lifts you to lift the front of the outfit. You weren't certain of this before, but hey! Experimentation seems to have fallen in your favour. Thank god for that.

Dio is gaining the advantage, kicking his legs to knock him to his knees.

>Should I kill him?

>>16587612
>>16587611
Nevermind.

>>16587645
Agreed. Use your force to keep it on. Also, try to murder this guy dead with your dagger. This is a fight to the death after all.

>>16587671
"Ask him to surrender first."

>>16587671
>Should I kill him?

Offer him the chance to surrender, but keep an eye out for any funny business.

>>16587671
Yes. This is a fight to the death. If we leave him alive it will only humiliate him. Death is kinder.

But hey if we want to be a dick we can keep him alive.

>>16587671
No. Servants, remember?

>>16587689
>Yes. This is a fight to the death

Officially, it's to first blood. If I remember correctly.

>>16587696
If so, draw a little blood with our dagger to fulfill that requirement.

((First blood is fight to the death?))

>>16587671
>>Let him surrender.

"Surrender." Dio says, "Or the first blood will be all of it."

The man weighs is options, lifting his blade... Then stabbing it into the sand.

"I surrender."

The fat man laughs as he walks out, raising his arms to the cheers of the crowd. Dio, for the first time since you met hi-her-them, smiles broadly, happily, and takes the small purse (Twenty Gs!) and the artifact with grace. As we leave, the archer approaches you. and hands you a new robe.
"Excellent fighting, miss." he says, then leaves.

>Uhhh... Okay?

((OH GOD I'M GONNA PASS OUT someone archive this shit))

>>16587671
Off with his head! NO MERCY FOR THE MERCILESS!

>>16587696
It is?? GAY

Oh well... Cut his arm or something.

>>16587718
It's been archived since the start, hasn't it?

Who tagged this quest with "Gender Bender"?

>>16587718
Reread.
> to first blood
My bad.

>>16587732
Oh, good. Next game will be in a few days. catch you all on, uh... Wednesday, yeah.

>>16587718
Thanks for the session, it has been a great ride

>>16587738
Whoever archived it screwed up again, since they left out the Collective Game tag and the INFLUENCE Quest tag, which puts the archive up for deletion.
Goddammit, can't you do something this simple right?

>>16587850
Tags on suptg:
>Collective Game, INFLUENCE, Gender Bender

Collective game is there, influence quest was managed at least half way.

>>16587850
No, it has both Collective Game and INFLUENCE as tags

>>16587891
INFLUENCE isn't enough though. It has to be INFLUENCE Quest, per the submission form.

>>16587928
I think INFLUENCE does fulfil the requirement:
>unique tag to associate a quest line
although it does so rather poorly. I agree that Influence Quest should be used next time.