You aren't penniless, but what coin you do have fits into a small pouch...a VERY small pouch. Still, the house is yours, there's plenty of game in the forest, and people in the small village nearby are used to your presence enough that they don't run off screaming when they see you slither into the market.

They pay good money for the pelts and meat you've sold, ever since Father was too old to do it. If someone was to run into town, shrieking about a monster attack, you wouldn't be the first suspect thought of.

You doubt that they'd invite you over for dinner though, and it's easier for everyone if you hang towards the back or to the side at services, and festivals.

Still, you're the best damn hunter in the village, and Father saw it as his duty to help protect this place just as fiercely as he did you. You know people here, you grew up with people here, and it's been your world for the longest time.

Of course, Father's scent and memories are everywhere here. Now that you know the truth as to how he 'adopted' you. By slaughtering the ones that birthed you. You're not sure how that makes you feel. You loved him with all your heart, but now...

You do still have Father's Medallion. It's the symbol of the 'Holy Order' that he belonged to, a long time ago. You vaguely remember a man in armor coming by the house...his name was James...Jeremy...Julian? Something with a J. Whatever it was, no one has come from Father's order to reclaim it. If you went to a bigger town, you could find out where they're based.

Also, on your last hunting trip, you chased a very stubborn elk deep into the woods, much deeper than anyone sane (save you or Father) normally goes. You lost the deer, but spotted something new, there are Lamia living out there. Somewhere.

Your armor is in excellent condition, Father's sword is yours now, your bow was the best Father could buy as a gift. Your skills are sharp, your fangs sharper, and you're fast, smart (well...in some things), and can crush almost any creature's rib cage in your tail.

Father always had stories about being an adventurer, so you aren't against the idea...but you have no idea how to get started. Father's stories often started in taverns and bars...but the local tavern is less a den of seedy shadows, and more of a place where farmers go after work to get a drink. It also serves as the town hall if you move the benches.

Still, you suppose you could check the town notice board, see if there's any bounties or missives posted by people passing through.

>>23602895
Head over to the tavern.

>>23602895
Check the notice board.

Hey, OP, i think maybe the reason for the lack of posters in the last thread is because it was late at night in America, and very early morning in Europe. Like it is right now.

>>23603228
There's not that many people here yet. Thankfully, Elias is the one behind the bar. He doesn't hate you like his parents, who own the bar, do. His folks are getting too old to run the place, however. He gives you a smile. "Hey, look who slid in. What's up?"

>>23603659
The sorrow of living on the west coast and having a long work day.

>>23603675
"Hi, Elias. I've been thinking about what I'm going to do now that Father is dead. Maybe i should go out and see the world, go on an adventure. Follow in his footsteps, so to speak. What do you think about that?

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>making a quest based off of old writefaggotry
First you fuckers try to turn every new homebrew setting/idea into a quest and now you are trawling through the archives to turn /tg/ classics into them? This shit is getting worse than fucking Hollywood at this point. I mean, fuck, have some goddamn respect.

Where does it end? Whats next? Gav and Bob Quest? Its fucking sickening.

>>23602868
this is relevant to my interests

>>23603827
Stop it, if OP wants to take inspiration from old as shit writefaggotry, he can. it's not like the whole "Adventurer adopts offspring of people he killed" is extraordinarily original anyway.

>>23603979
>it was so relevant that i had a tab open and you had gotten much farther then this..

>>23604012
>it's not like the whole "Adventurer adopts offspring of people he killed" is extraordinarily original anyway.
Which is exactly why he could make his own fucking story about an adopted lamia rather than piggybacking off of /tg/ nostalgia in a bid for instant approval.

>>23603777
Elias shrugs. "I think it sounds interesting. You know some of the old folks here wouldn't mind seeing your back. Tricia would probably miss arguing with you. I know the King's Men passed through with a few bounties and the general call for troops...always a need for those." He laughs. "Hey, maybe I should be worried. Don't all stories of the First Lightbringers begin with their villages being destroyed in one way or another?"

>>23604081
"Don't be silly, those are just stories. Besides, I'm nowhere near that important, just a girl who happens to be a Lamia."

After we Finish talking, let's go check the notice board.

>>23603827
>Gav and Bob quest
For claiming to hate such things, your presence only feeds me ideas for more things you'll hate.

So shut up and hide the thread, but do try not to shit things up for the rest of us.

>>23604081
"You'd better hope I don't turn out to be a Lightbringer, then."

Maybe we should figure out who Tricia is?

>>23604289
"Oh, and those are just so common." Elias laughs. "His Light be with you. Come back later, I think Hector's going to try to sing again."

Just as Elias said, on the notice board there's the usual call for soldiers, there always seems to be a need for those. A bounty for a pair of assassins. A bounty for the head of a bandit group. A request for some odd items for an alchemist in a town a day away. Finally there's what looks like the same call for soldiers, only instead of the King's Seal, it has the symbol on Father's Medallion.

>>23604387
>your presence only feeds me ideas for more things you'll hate
Go ahead and make it. The outrage you generate might be enough to get quests flamed off /tg/ altogether.

>>23604403
I get the feeling we'll end up with the most STORYTIEM with the second call for soldiers, or at least investigating it.

That's my vote.

>>23604387
Tricia is the daughter of the Druid that use to explore with Father. The same Druid that Father had pretend to be your horse that one time...you try not to talk about that incident.

Tricia is a druid too, she has a talent for insects. She's also your 'sworn enemy for life.' You eat ONE pet caterpillar when you were five, and some people never let it go...

>>23604461
Well, we've got a dead father and we're considering leaving on an adventure. If anything will make her forget her damned caterpillar for a bit this is it.

I say drop by on some pretense.

>>23604403
Let's look at what the second call says and what the alchemist wants.

>>23604448
The wording on the request is near identical, the big changes are the words 'aggressors' and 'savages' are replaced with 'heathens' and 'heretics'.

The small difference is in the symbol. There's the nine pointed Star of His Light, that you know of. However, on both Father's Medallion and the notice, the Star is placed upon a black circle. It's supposed to be blue. On the notice, inside the center of the Star, which is supposed to be kept pure silver, there's a red dot. On Father's Medallion there's also something in the center of the Star, only it's a clear crystal.

Father Uriah might know more. He is the town's priest.

>>23604502
The alchemist is asking for some empty wasp nests; a whole, undamaged, shed snake skin; and a jar of 'tar root venom.'

>>23604575
>>23604562
The alchemist job sounds like something we can do without committing to anything, but for now let's go ask Father Uriah about the medallion.

>>23604562
Uriah might be who we need to ask about this before we blunder into something.
>>23604575
Tricia could help us get a hold of the wasp's nests without getting stung or inordinately harming the wasps.

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>>23604562
cults? already? I thought this WASN'T dark heresy.

>>23604647
You find Father Uriah at the church, fixing the village's lone clock. He likes you. Uriah is less of a 'blood and brimstone' preacher and more of a 'duty and love' preacher. (Although he lets the choir sing the 'damn the sinners' songs cause they're the fun ones with clapping.)

Father Uriah comes down from the ladder from winding the clock. "Hello my child. It's good to see you out and about. Your father wouldn't want you to stay in your house forever. Is there something I can help you with?"

>>23604686
Ask about the difference between our medallion and the symbol on the notice.

>>23604686
Ask him about the medallion and the call for soldiers that had the same symbol.

>>23604702
Uriah sighs. "Different branches of the Church, my dear. Normally, His Light is shown upon the blue of our World, protecting us and showing us how to find our way. In this case," He gently holds Father's Medallion. "In this case this is His Light in the Darkness. There are few who are brave enough to bring it there. You know all the stories of the Lightbringers, yes? Your Father, may his way be bright, was a member of a group that emerged from them. The Occuli. Those that would be His eyes, and bring the Light where it was needed." He sighs. "The Occuli though, now walk a different path. They bring sight of His Light to other lands and kingdoms. It is good that His Light is spread throughout the world, of course...but...there are few Occuli who have pendants like your Father's these days. Why are you asking me these questions, child? You aren't planning on joining them, are you? Because there would be some...difficulty with that."

>>23604686
I think there's only the three of us OP. It seems there is a 100% consensus.

>>23604851
What sort of 'difficulties'? This is the precise reason we asked first.

>>23604884
"You are a Lamia, child. It would be an uphill battle every part of the way. The Occuli see your species as wild animals at best."

>>23604851
"I'm asking because ever since father died, I've been restless. I feel like I have to just get out there, and see the world. And I was thinking that that might be one way."

>>23604945
Great, so they're really not like our Father. That removes any possible reason to want to join them.

I'd thank him for explaining all this to us before we found it out the hard way, then go find Tricia.

>>23604994
Also, before we leave I'd confide in him that there may be lamias in the forest where we hunt. If we're gone and they should put in an appearance. I'd prefer there not to be a scene. Presumably the local minister could keep things calm until we can be summoned to help defuse.

>>23605074
Oh yeah i forgot about that. That would be a good idea.

>>23604974
"The vitality of youth wanderlust, such wonder, such folly." Uriah shakes his head and then sighs. "There are better ways for a young woman to see what is out there than joining the army or the Occuli. Travel with Wendy's trade caravan as a guard, work with the Coachmen Couriers, or travel on your own selling those pelts you're so good at collecting. Remember, though, you are a Lamia and people will react to you, wherever you go. Here you are known, but know that if you travel out there in His World, you will have to deal with people unused to you, and their foolishness and fear. Over and over and over again."

>>23604668
Hes even going as far as abhoring the abhuman, too. The world he paints is nothing like the writefaggotry it was based off of.

>>23605074
"Snakes in the fields, serpents in the river. That Naga incident in the mountain cave, Lamias in the woods, and of course, you. We should call this place 'Serpent's Cross' instead of 'River's Cross.' I swear." He mutters as he shakes his head. "Thank you dear, I'll make sure that it doesn't become an issue."

>>23605156
I think this would be a good note on which to leave his company. Thank him again, then go find Tricia. At worst we leave on a conciliatory note.

>>23605107
Huh, let's thank him and go see about the caravan, we might be able to deliver the alchemists stuff at the same time as we get paid to guard. If they're going that direction, that is.

>>23605196
You give Uriah your thanks and goodbyes and go look for Tricia.

You find her at the store. Tricia is hauling bags of flour onto a wagon, her parents own the mill. Tricia isn't a pretty girl...well...okay that's being unfair. You just like teasing her about her looks.

She's got lovely dark copper-red hair, slightly tan skin, and long nice legs. But her face is covered in freckles, a small chest, her arms are covered in welts and calluses from her 'friends.' And she always seems to be squinting.

"What do you want, Snake?" She says, squinting at you. There's a slightly audible buzz to her voice.

>>23605228
Wendy is also at the store. She's a huge wall of a woman, with a head for business and a heart of gold...as in a lump of cold metal. She doesn't hate you...but you think she'd prefer it if you weren't what you were. She's also none too fond of Tricia and her 'friends.' Still, money is the greatest Light in her life, so she never turns down your catches or Tricia's honey.

>>23605272
"I don't know, Buzz, what could I possibly want from a girl who spends every spare moment cuddling bugs?"

>>23605371
"Class, dignity, and warm blood." She sneers at Father's Medallion. "And jewelry that isn't tacky."

>>23605462
"You only have one of those things. But anyway, as entertaining as trading insults with you is, I'm actually here to ask for your help with something, if you can believe that."

>>23605462
"Then I won't come to you for it, because after sniping at the last piece of my Father I have left, you clearly have none."

"I just wanted to let you know that I'm finally leaving. Try to keep the celebrations to a minimum. I don't like a fuss."

>>23605605
"Girls, buy something, or take it outside." Wendy says.

The two of you step outside. Tricia crosses her arms and gives you her best squint. "So, what is it? And more importantly, why in His Light would I ever help you, Snake?"

>>23605657
"Oh, that was...sorry. It's actually a nice piece." She says, sincerely sorry. "Wait, you want me to help you leave? But...why are you?" There's an honest look of slight sadness. She shakes it off. "Okay, sure. Whatever. The sooner you're gone the better."

>>23605667
"Because I'm trying to build up some funds so I can have some money when I leave?"

"Yes, that's right. I'll be out of your hair, and your bugs will be out of mine. Isn't that its own reward? You hate me enough to help me if it means I'll leave, right?"

>>23605725
>scratch that
>>23605722
"Yeah, I'll miss... WON'T miss finding your bugs in my hair..."

"Anyway, it's a job for an alchemist. I figured I'd do some easy jobs first while I plan my next move, and it involves getting some empty wasp hives."

>>23605725
"Well...okay. Fine, whatever. What do you need?" Tricia sighs.

>>23605774
>>23605753

Oh the moment OP and public miss each other by seconds....

>>23605774
I'll give you a chance to revise that, if you'd like.
>>23605785
That's life. One missed connection after another.

>>23605753
"Just some empty wasp nests that I need to deliver along with some other things I can get on my own, only this time of year they're all full of wasps."

>>23605825
whoops meant to quote >>23605774

>>23605753
"Okay. That's no problem." Tricia sighs. "I had some of my friends make their home in the Asshole's forge. I'm sure I can call 'em off."

She's talking about the Blacksmith. He truly hates you. In fact, he's one of the few remaining people in town who paid Father to go and...go and do what he did.

He's not fond of Tricia either. His son's just as foul, and one night he got ' a little fresh' with her, and she responded with siccing her friends on him, causing him to look like a swollen blueberry for a week.

>>23605869
Smile at the memory, and remind her of it if she asks why.

Again, I'd prefer to leave as friends even if we don't get get... well, her more long-term assistant.

>>23605869
"Well, come on then, let's get it done."

>>23605869
As for the other two items, those are as easy as going back home and rummaging around a little.

The shed snake skin...well...you've got one or two hanging around the house.

The 'Tar Root Venom' is actually a type of tree sap that you use as part of your snare bait. It's black, sticky, and poisonous. (Not to you, though, it's slightly tasty to you. Also, Tricia's friends love the stuff, as well.) You keep a jar of the stuff handy.

>>23605961
Tricia knocks on your door when you finish getting the items and locking the place up. She has a perfectly round, light grey wasp nest in her hand, also there's the faint sound of screams and swears in the direction of the forge.

"You know, it occurred to me, Snake." She says. "YOU are trying to get money from MY talents. You must have thought you were so damn clever, trying to scam me. Taking off with my friend's home, and get all the money alone. Leaving me...looking like an idiot while you get rich." Tricia says.

>>23606048
If you'd like to share the windfall, I wouldn't be opposed. Though I'm certainly flattered you think I'm clever.

You seem awfully worked-up today, Tricia. Any particular reason?

>>23606048
"Oh? and just what are you suggesting, then?"

>>23606095
And be sure to use her actual name. Should be good for a laugh at worst, maybe deescalating at best.

>>23606171
Speaking of names, what's our name?

>>23606095
She bristles as the pair of you walk to the edge of town. "It's your Father's fault...kinda...well, not that he..." She sighs. "Mother is worried about what happens when she and the Old Man...go to His Light. So she's been talking to me about how I like Elias, Trevor, and some of the other boys here. What kind of dowry my Dad can provide." She shakes her head. "Ugh, it's too weird to know your parents are thinking about getting you married. You're lucky your Father never gave you any grief like that." She pauses and then frowns, realizing what she said. The clears her throat. "I mean, who in His Light would ever want to be known as to having a woman who can crush an elk with her hips as a wife!" She covers the unintentional gaff with the usual mocking insult.

>>23606188
Your call

>>23606191
Those are ribs, not my hips.

Anyway, it sounds like you could do with some time out in the world.

>>23606216
Tricia shrugs. "Well...maybe. If you begged me, I might be persuaded to follow you...just to get my share of the money, of course."

>>23606228
"U-um... Well." let the silence drag a little bit, then; "please?" really quietly.

>>23606228
Please.

I mean, so long as we don't end up getting all sappy.

>>23606193
original write fag here, no real way to prove it though I guess. I was shocked to find this and had nearly forgotten about this. Good to see someone still enjoys it and now making use of it
on that note I always imaged in her name to be Ssen, exadertating the S with her snake tongue.

>>23606332
wow screw all these typos, damn its late I guess

>>23606228
Drop that from "begging" to "asking politely" and I might take you along.

>>23606285
"Don't flatter yourself. The sooner we're done, the sooner I get money and you're gone." She's smiling as she says it. "So how are we getting to White Tree? (The town where the alchemist is) Cause Wendy's going to make us work, and Coach isn't cheap...but it is a day and a half walk...uhh slither away."

>>23606332
Honored to get your input. I'd love to talk to you more about some ideas for this quest verse. As for her name, as decreed by the original write fag, Ssen it is, then!

>>23606191

It's a bit confusing to follow all the decision threads.

That said, just laugh off Tricia's little gaffe. No need to get snippy here. We'll probably catch worse from others.

>>23606400
sure email is in subject field

>>23606375
... okay, that sentimental feeling is gone now.

Which way you wanna get there? Would you rather work, cut into your precious profits, or "slither"? I assume you'd rather spend as little time with me as possible, so maybe we'll go with Coach.

>>23606375
"Oh come on, a little work won't hurt, lazybones. And it's not like we'd be useless in a fight... I mean, I wouldn't be useless in a fight."

>>23606435
I mean with Wendy, fuck.

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>>23606332
>>23606361
Yeah, calling bullshit on this one. People will do anything to justify their shitty little quest.

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>>23606499
If it helps I got some odd ass art faggotry from the very first thread. I dont know how to prove myself any other way

>>23606443
"Hey, I have no problem working with Wendy. These are hands that know work, unlike those dainty things that you have. You're the one leading this stupid thing."

>>23606499
>>23606552
Don't bother. Some people hate fun.

>>23606576
Alright, we do it that way.

And would it kill you to run your mouth a little less? If we're going to be working together, the least we can do it play nice for a while.

>>23606576
"I guess we're in agreement, then." Offer our hand to shake.

>>23606641
"You're a lot less fun now that your Father's gone." Tricia says.

Wendy is more than happy to have you and Tricia along. Especially since she doesn't have to pay you. It also cuts down on her having to buy food or worry about insect because that's what you and Tricia will be doing.

The trip will take two days to White Tree, the caravan moving slower than the coach or yourselves. Wendy is also hauling mostly furs on this trip. You two have been given strict orders to 'NOT TOUCH.'

She also has broken the wrist of one of her drivers that complained about working with 'a monster and the wasp witch.' So you and Tricia are riding in the last wagon together. Well...Tricia is riding on the seat. You've been trying to get comfortable for the past two hours as you head down the road.

>>23606782
"So, you ever planning on coming back to the Cross, once you've got the money to go get yourself killed?" Tricia asks. "Cause if you aren't, you should probably sell your Father's house."

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>>23606552
I have that same picture and some more.
>>23606584
The HURR U HAET FUN Fallacy is getting really fucking old. You would think /tg/ would be above such a /v/ tactic.

>>23606829
It'd be nice to have something to come back to, but I don't know when I might actually be back.

Don't YOU ever get the feeling that there's something more out there? Something beyond hunting woodland critters or playing with bugs? Your old man and mine certainly seem to have thought so.

>>23606829
"I don't know, probably not. What would i do there? Live as hermit, selling pelts and growing old alone? You were right, nobody there would want me as a wife..."

>>23606917
She shrugs. "Maybe, but...it's hard out...watch your tail! It's hard out there, and everything's all mixed up these days. It isn't like a Lightbringer story, or when our Fathers would just travel around looking for monsters, or bandits, and finding them in every town. Now things are...different." Tricia reaches into her dress and takes out something. It's a medallion like Father's. "Do you know anything about this? The Old Man just gave it to me when I told him that I was going to White Tree with you."

>>23606995
Show her our Fathers medallion.
"Father Uriah it's the symbol of The Occuli, and that my Father was a member."

>>23606995
Uriah told me something about the "Occuli". They were an order that spread "His Light", but apparently they're not what they once were. Apparently they were descended from the Lightbringers.

I doubt your old man would give it to you for no reason.

>>23607058
"Huh." She says. "Hope the town's still standing when we get back. That's how all those stories start, don't they?" She shakes her head. "Any idea what you're going to say when you knock on this alchemist's house and he sees...you?"

>>23607148
I thought I'd start with "we brought you the alchemical supplies you requested," and see what happens.

And trust me, you're not the first to make that observation. Believe me, I really hope that particular fairy tale doesn't come true.

>>23607148
"First Elias, now you? Well, they're just stories, I hope... Anyway, I think I'll probably be fine, as long he doesn't freak out and start throwing nasty alchemy stuff before I can say anything."

>>23607176
Daylight savings time is a bitch, and I need some sleep. I hope this is here in the morning.

>>23607305
Goodnight, OP.

>>23607305
Shit, that's right. I'm losing an hour out of tomorrow's work time.

Any time in particular?

>>23603744
I know how it feels to be in a crappy time zone

>>23607305
if your work schedule doesn't change too much you should try to pick a day when you have time and try to stick to it.
or you could try to do it hoboking style and post an update every now and then when you can, if it works for him maybe it might work for you who knows?

>>23607258
"Well, it's good to know that your 'duck quickly' plan is intact." Tricia says. "You should look into buying one of those long robes you used to wear, way back when. That or a dress, that way people wouldn't instantly freak out and start throwing thi-uff!"

Tricia is cut short by the caravan stopping suddenly. You can see that Wendy halted the group because there's two large logs blocking the road. She sounds annoyed, and is ordering two of her flunkies to get them out of the way.

Rolled 7

There's something off about the fallen trees...

>>23611035
"Two large logs in the road" sounds like every highway ambush out of every story that has a highway ambush in it, so we should be ready.

Also, a long cloak we could wear over our armor sounds like a decent idea. We could coil up into it.

Rolled 3

>>23611147
You draw Father's sword out from its sheathe as you get down off the wagon.

"Trouble?" Tricia asks.

>>23611508
Ignore that roll.

>>23611508
Maybe, maybe not. It certainly seems like a setup for an ambush.

Some stinging insects might not be out of the question.

>>23611508
>>23611519
If you're waiting for more participation, you might have to wait a long time.

I think I may be the only player here at the moment.

>>23611508

Tell Tricia to watch the treeline. There might be archers there.

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>>23612171
>>23613591
>that feel when OP never returns.

>>23611674
>>23613591
"You got it...let me see if there's anyone nearby I can talk with." She pauses and then opens her eys. They've gone pure black with little wisps of green flicking through them. "Some cicadas...there's the smell of iron in the air...and burnt flesh...it's coming from..." Her eyes snap back to normal. "Get Wendy out of the way, NOW!"

>>23614409
When you're stuck in traffic, you're stuck in traffic.

>>23614473
Ah. I feel your pain.
>>23614457
That sounds like our cue to pull Wendy back. It also sounds like there's no time to try anything cute.

>>23614546
For this I need some details. Right now there's about fifty feet of distance and two covered wagons between you and Wendy. You can move damn fast, hopefully fast enough.

What path are you taking to get to Wendy? (Specificly please, you can't just say 'shortest route')

What are you going to do when you reach her?

>>23614652

Are there enemies on both sides of the road? Use the covered wagons as cover to get to Wendy. If we're not fast enough, we yell at her to get back.

>>23614652
Ask Tricia where they are as we go, so at least we can try to stay in cover.

Also, shout "bees!" at her, and make vague gestures in the bandits' general direction. She should know what to do.

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>>23614679
>>23614866
>still waiting

>>23614679
>>23614866
"I'm not sure...cicada directions are hard to determine...and I can't call for bees if there AREN'T any! I told you, all that's around us are some cicadas!"

How exactly do you want to use the wagons as cover? Cling to a side, go through them, slide under? You have a versaility to your movement that allows for options.

Doing this at work, and going to have to stop for now, then fight traffic, will be back in a few hours.

>>23615681
I guess if we can't determine the likely direction of attack, and the wagons are stopped, going under is the best strategy... so long as we can do it fast. If we stay out of sight we might even avoid letting the enemy know we're on to them.

Also, cicadas can make one HELL of a racket. We might be able to use that as a diversion.

>>23615681

That you, EchoGarrote?

We should go under the wagons if we can fit. It's the safest approach to Wendy's position, and we can ambush anybody who gets too close to the wagons.

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>>23616627

>That feel when OP is stuck in traffic.

Rolled 10

>>23615815
>>23616627
"Then use them, make some racket!" You shout as you dive under the wagon in front of you and slide your way forward, shouting Wendy's name.

Wendy has a brief experience of a living nightmare. One moment, she's helping to heft some bothersome logs out of her way. Then, the forest is filled with this ungodly loud buzzing, she turns and sees a lamia, in armor, coming at her from beneath her wagons at full speed, shrieking her name.

You don't really fault her for screaming, or falling back. The warding sign she made with her hands was a little much...but it did the trick. The arrow that was aimed at her head is now sunk into the log behind her.

She blinks as you pull up to her and stop, concern in your eyes. She looks at you, then at the arrow, and then back to you. You can see the logic pieces click together in her mind.

"TO ARMS!" She shouts in a voice that's louder than the cicadas. The hired guards and drivers draw steel, just in time for both sides of the road to spawn forth the raiding party of bandits.

>>23618009
There's about eight of them, wait...no ten.
Four on each side of the road, two swords, one ax, two spears, two with hatchets in each hand, and one with a mace.

The last two are a little ways away from the direct fray. A large man with a greatsword, and he's got this other, younger man on a rope leash. The leashed guy is wearing a robe and has a staff that's shackled to his wrist. He looks miserable.

>>23618081

GEEK THE MAGE FIRST. Failing that, get somebody to snipe the greatsword guy.

>>23618081
Well, the guy in the back is clearly the leader. What are the chances of putting an arrow through his neck, or do we even have our bow?

>>23618081
Ideally they weren't expecting us to know they were coming and they'll leave, but I get the feeling that won't happen.

Would Tricia be able to handle herself in a fight? Are the logs still in the way? If we wanted to reverse the caravan, would we have the space to do so?

>>23618165
You do have your bow, you can certainly try to arrow the guy with the great sword.
>>23618198
In order: Probably; Yes; No, the drivers are busy trying to keep the horses pulling the wagons from spooking.

>>23618532
Let's duck behind a wagon to prepare a shot and take mister greatsword by surprise.

Rolled 5

>>23618739
You slide to the side as Wendy clashes with the ax man. You draw, take a breath, and let fly.

Rolled 6

>>23618830
It's a miss.

Rolled 20

>>23618839
But you're damn fast, and having a few more flexible parts of your body lets you draw and fire another.

Rolled 2, 7 = 9

>>23618861
BINGO! Right in the bastard's throat. He drops to the ground, bellowing in pain. The guy on the leash is struggling to get the rope out of the big man's hands. "SHOOT HIM AGAIN!" He yells.

Rolled 3, 6 = 9

>>23618890
"I could use a little help, Snake!" You hear Tricia yell.

Wendy is holding her own, ax man is down and she's moving onto the hatchet guy.

>>23618919
Let one last arrow fly then go help Tricia.

Rolled 5

>>23619018
You let fly.

>>23619065
Another miss, but you see the guy with the staff continue to wrestle to get free. You head back towards the last wagon. Tricia has her dagger, and a cloud of cicada around her, but the guy with the mace is making this a little difficult for her. A mace being a bit better of a bug swatter than the other weapons.

"Do something!" She yells.

>>23619113
Swipe his legs out from under him with our tail

Rolled 5, 2 = 7

>>23619168
You lash out with your tail and the man stumbles as Tricia scrambles to the side. He keeps his grip on his mace, and spins to look at you. His eyes bug out when he realizes what you are, and he takes a step back, his mouth open in horror.

That's when Tricia directs a horde of her new cicada friends down the bastard's throat. He drops to the ground gagging and scratching at his throat.

Rolled 6

>>23619284
There's a nasty sound coming from the middle wagon and you see one of Wendy's guards drop to the ground dead. The two sword people have taken him out.

Wendy is still holding her own, but not making any progress.

>>23619315
The big guy has gotten back up to his knees, but is still dealing with the arrow in his neck, and the little guy hitting him. The first seems to be more of an inconvenience than the other.

>>23619360
Finish off mace guy, then shoot another arrow at big guy.

Rolled 19

>>23619429
You plunge your sword into the guy, he dies with a rasping, cicada buzz filled choke.

Tricia grabs the mace off the ground and heads towards the other attackers. You aim and let fly.

Rolled 2, 3, 3, 8 = 16

>>23619506
You nail the bastard again. Solidly in the chest. He brings his hands to his chest. It's enough to let the little guy pull his rope free and he runs towards your group. "BASTARDS!" He screams and aims his staff at the two spearmen

>>23619592
Two blue bolts of energy let fly, but miss. It does get the spearmen's attention.

Tricia instantly realizes that there's two people with swords and only one of her, and she's lacking her insect horde.

Wendy has the hatchtet man on the ground and is beating his face into a pulp with her bare hands.

>>23619652
Charge one of the swordsmen, hopefully little guy can hold his own with the spearmen for bit.

Rolled 1

>>23619746

Rolled 6, 9 = 15

>>23619767
(That one wasn't actually for you.)
"Monster!" One of the sword wields yells. "No, no, no! A wasp witch, and a demon!" The other one turns to see Wendy who has the other hatchet guy by the throat and is choking him to death. The other sees their leader, on the ground, bleeding from arrows. He looks at his partner, and both of them drop their swords and run for the woods.

Rolled 9

>>23619823
The little guy fires again. Two hits, one on each spear user. The first one staggers back, singed. The second one screams as his leathers catch on fire.

"Tell me, is THAT cooked enough for you, asshole?!" He yells.

Rolled 12

>>23619870
The final spearman takes a stab at you, and misses.

>>23619877
Your sword stab, however, does not. He drops to the ground.

>>23619899
There's a large roar, then. The big guy has gotten back up, rips out the arrows from his flesh, and has drawn his sword.

"Oh God...the troll meat worked?!" The little guy says, pointing.

It looks like his wounds are clotting. It's obvious that he's been hurt, but now he's back up, and looking very grumpy.

>>23619962
Well then, lets hurry up and finish the spearmen, and regroup.

>>23619962
Burn him, spear him, choke him, shoot him full of arrows.

If we hit him hard enough and fast enough his regeneration won't be able to keep up, and when he goes down next we can take his head. Let's see him regenerate THAT.

>>23619962
So we done for the night?

>>23620027
>>23621410
You and Tricia stab the spearmen, making sure that they stay down.

"You girls that attached to this stuff?" The skinny guy asks. "Because, we really really need to run if the Diablerie is starting to kick in. You don't want to know the number of beings that he's eaten. The troll stuff is just the beginning."

>>23623246
It's up to Wendy, really, but it sounds like if we don't bring the big guy down lamia's going to be what's for dinner.

If his little court jester has any idea how to keep him down, let him know now is the time.

>>23623305
"Money does us no good if we're dead." Wendy says. "We should count ourselves lucky that we managed to take out so many of these bastards...and if THIS one," She grabs the guy. "Is what I THINK he is, then this isn't a total loss."

"Fine, good, if we run now, maybe Wendell will be too busy eating the dead ones to worry about us."

"Wendell?" Tricia asks.

"I'm not calling him The Gourmet!" He snapped.

"Just come on and RUN!" Wendy yells.

>>23623513
Tricia frowns. "Crap! I left the satchel with our stuff back on the wagon...wait...the Gourmet?! He's got a huge bounty on his head. If you can stall him, maybe I can try to find some more friends!"

>>23623580
"Look, I can't use my magic against him." The guy shakes the chain attaching him to his staff. "And unless you want to...you're a Lamia. Wow. Anyway, I'm for the run plan."

Wendell the Gourmet has slowed, mostly because his skin is rippling, turning this strange grey-ish hue in a pattern that could be seen as scales. It looks tough and thick as hell. The changes in his body are also slowing him down. It also looks like he's in pain as well.

"Huh, so that's what happens..." The mage says. "Normally they make me only do one at a time."

Wendy scowls at the mage. "You stall him long enough Ssen, and there's a few things Twig-boy and I can put together to make him unhappy. Still, running isn't a bad plan."

>>23624440

A quest with a bondage witch (regardless of his being a male witch)? Sign me the fuck up!

Can we, uh, aim for Wendell's face? He's already apparently a bit distracted by the weird changes he's going through, even if we don't get lucky and nail one of his eyes, the extra pain should disorient him. Maybe.

>>23624659
sign me up too. I spent last night reading this and rereading it this morning since I lost lucidity at two am.

I agree with guy above

>>23624659
>>23627060
The eye might be a tough shot, so maybe the knee as backup? Either would give Tricia enough time to rally the forces, as it were.

Rolled 6, 19 = 25

>>23624659
>>23627957
You let two arrows fly, one for the face area, the other at his legs.

>>23628532
The shot at his face goes wild, but the other shot sinks into his left leg right above his knee.

"Go!" Wendy yells at Tricia. Your friend takes off into the woods as Wendy grabs the mage and pulls him towards the wagon.

Wendell stumbles and drops to his right knee to pull out the arrow. He looks directly at you with a look of rage mixed with hunger. You can see that his teeth have changed now into an unholy mixture of canines and incisors, almost distending his jaw.

"I'll eat your heart!" He yells at you as he rips out the arrow.

>>23628599
Put one down his throat, since he's opened his big mouth.

If that doesn't work, I'd say draw our sword and be ready for a charge.

Rolled 10

>>23628651
You let one last arrow fly before swapping back to your sword.

Part of you is terrified at all of this. This is even worse than the time that you had to face down that rabid boar and you ended up with a huge gash in your side. Only Father's not here to save you now.

Another part of you loves this. The smell of blood, the horses braying and going wild, the sounds of the bandits and Wendy's men dying on the ground. Your tail tip twitches in excitement.

Upon your chest, beneath your armor, Father's Medallion feels warm.

Rolled 12

>>23628900
The arrow's a miss.

Wendell, now back up on his feet, and looking only slightly the worse for wear, there's just little patches of pale flesh where your arrows ripped into him.

He charges, swinging his sword.

>>23628925
You have never been so thankful for the flexibility of your spine and ribs. You bend your torso out of the way of the blade.

>>23628925
>>23628936
As always, the eyes are a good target of opportunity, as are the patches where we've hit him already. Those sound like thy haven't scaled over yet. I'd be wary of using a tail sweep, this guy sounds like he's VERY conscious of what we are.

Rolled 18

>>23629021
Another advantage of having your body is that you can rise up to equal even the largest man. A quick slash across the face.

Rolled 6

>>23629412
It connected beautifully, the Gourmet staggers back blood streaming from his face, into his eyes as he takes a wild swing.

>>23629431
The swing goes wide. The man is gnashing his malformed teeth and screaming half-understood obscenities.

>>23629443
With the blood in his eyes, now would be the time to either trip him or drop low again to put a stop-hit in his knee.

I'll leave it up to anyone else who might be paying attention, but personally I prefer the hit to the knee.

>>23629483
we need to be cautious, so I would agree. And personally if either sword arm becomes open, we should go for it. Hard to swing a great sword with one hand.

Besides the wagons and the logs, are there any features of the scene we could take advantage of?

>>23629590
Not that I know of, but his skin has apparently hardened. That's why the knee is one possible option, since it seems the spots we have hit previously haven't hardened to the same degree.

>>23629590
>>23629622
If we could get our sword in behind the patella, we could use it as a lever and pop out an entire skeletal element. No amount of soft-tissue regeneration would ever restore functionality to it.

>>23629664
good idea if Ssen has enough knowledge of anatomy to do this

Rolled 17

>>23629483
>>23629622
You lower to a level to get a swipe to the knees. Legs are over-rated.

Also, from this vantage point, you can see streams of red moving through the grass towards you and Wendell.

Rolled 20

>>23629741
You slash straight across the pale bit of flesh where your arrow hit earlier. There's a gout of red, and the brute staggers back, limping, blood streaming down his leg.

He takes another swing with his blade. He's lost any sense of tactics and has gone completely berserk.

Rolled 6

>>23629793
This time however, your luck has run out. The blade chops hard into your side, just under where your armor stops, your scales provide no resistance. Apparently, there ARE some advantages to legs...armoring them for one thing.

You can hear a rib crack, and the blood comes pouring freely down your side. You double up in pain.

The Gourmet lunges with his mouth of teeth and now enlogated tongue.

Rolled 15

>>23629862
You slide out of the way of that, thankfully.

>>23629862
>>23629873
Two things: letting the players roll d20 for the PC's actions and giving us some idea of the threshold for success are both good ways to make people feel more involved.

>>23629930
Sure, no problem. The last time I did a board quest the OP insisted on rolling himself.

1d20, over than 16+ is success.

>>23629996
Cool. I need to go do some lab work, so expect participation to drop at least 50%.

I'll be back, though.

>>23629996
Apologies, that should read 16-20 is success.

>>23630044
I have to go to work anyway. Will be back

>>23629873
Even with a cracked rib, we're faster that Wendell, right? If so lets put some distance between us and him

>>23630124
hope you continue this, always wanted to see more lamia stuff.

>>23630124
Right-o, back from lab, too much analysis, need more /tg/.

He's got a wounded knee, he's bleeding into his eyes, and he's beyond rational thought. If we dove under a wagon and yelled a particularly nasty insult at him fro mteh other side, he'd probably run smack into the thing and trip himself up.

By then we should have delayed enough for Wendy, Tricia, and the wizard to put together a strategy.

>>23630664
>>23633446
It stings like hell to slide away from Wendell, but you are still faster than he is, you make you way to under one of the wagons.

"COME AND GET ME, ASSHOLE!" You scream.

Half-blind with rage, and the other half blind with blood, Wendell the Gourmet charges at your voice.

He gets three steps forward before his right leg sinks into a hole. There's a pause and then he lets out a shriek of pain.

"Red ants." Tricia says, on the ground beneath the same wagon as you. "Great diggers, and little bastards can bite through almost anything. Let's see how HE likes being eaten for a change!"

"Why are you here?" You ask.

"Wendy told me to take cover when she threw the brandy. Also, she said that I had to tell you that you need to chop off his head before it's too badly burnt, or we wont get the bounty."

"HEADS UP!" You hear Wendy bellow. She's holding a medium-sized wooden keg of brandy over her head. There's a cloth sticking out of it, it's been lit on fire with a deep blue flame, probably help from the skinny mage.

Wendy hurls the keg at the bandit leader, and there's a burst of blue light, and now the Gourmet is lying on the ground, his body covered in flame and ants.

"I think that's your cue, Snake." tricia says, sounding a little awed.

>>23634286
Shall we roll to behead now?

Rolled 3

>>23634286
LET'S
ROLL
THE
DICE

Rolled 2

>>23634348
>>23634362
JESUS CHRIST BOY, SIT DOWN.

Please, people, wait to roll until AFTER a roll is asked for.

>>23634424
LOOK, YOU CAN'T BLAME ME FOR GETTING A LITTLE EXCITED. I'VE BEEN FOLLOWING THIS THREAD FOR 2 DAYS AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME OP'S POSTED WHILE I'VE ACTUALLY BEEN LOOKING AT THE THREAD SO YOU CAN BET YOUR ASS I WANT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT.

ANYWAYS YEAH, WE GO FOR THE OBVIOUS MOVE AND BEHEAD THE DUDE. OR TRY TO, ANYWAYS.

>>23634452
Slow your roll, dude. No need to get hysterical.

>>23634452
Well, how can I not reward such enthusiasim? Roll 1d20, with a +5 for spirit.

Rolled 14 + 5

>>23634477

Rolled 1 + 5

>>23634477
I JUST LEFT CAPS LOCK ON BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WOULD HELP ME STAND OUT...

BUT ALRIGHT, LET'S DO THIS! (even though I rolled a 2 and a 3 already)

>>23634487
Sounds like a good solid hit.

>>23634487
>>23634499
I... I'M GLAD SOMEONE WAS FASTER THAN ME.

I THINK IT'S TIME I STOPPED ROLLING. I'M NOT VERY GOOD AT THIS.

Rolled 16 + 5

>>23634539
I'm going to break my own rule and try.

Please don't count this, even if it's a 20.

>>23634487
The last thing you see in the Gourmet's eyes, other than pain, is utter confusion. As if he just can't understand that he's been defeated by a lamia. His kind falls before the blades of the good and rightegous. The Lightbringers and Soldiers. You...are a monster...not a hero. This is wrong.

Of course, then there's nothing but a hazy glaze as your sword snaps through his neck and the lump rolls down onto the grass.

Tricia crawls out from beneath the wagon with a sack. "My friends can take care of the rest of him, and his cronies." She says smirking. "Nice job, Snake!" As she puts Wendell's head in the sack.

"Well done, Ladies." Wendy says as she comes up to you with the Mage behid her. She sighs as she looks at the ruins of her caravan. "I'm getting half of that bounty." She says. It's more of a statement of fact than a request.

The mage, who was grinning at the dead body, screams in pain as his wrist shackle suddenly glows bright red. "Augh!" He cries. "One last fuck you, isn't it Uncle?" He drops to the ground. You can see smoke rising from the flesh around his arm and his veins are starting to become raised and turn black.

"Hurry!" The Mage pants through the pain. "Help...I'm so sorry...only way..." He points at the flap of skin that's hanging off of your side from the cut the bastard gave you, then he points to his mouth. "Please..."

>>23634665
He wants to.... eat our flesh?

Oh goodness. I don't know about this. This is really creepy. But he did help us...

Also, are we bleeding heavily or what? We got hit pretty hard back there.

>>23634665
Is that part of the skin we're going to eventually shed anyway?

>>23634665
You can't just eat a girl on the first date, how rude!
Anyway, take his word for it I guess.

>>23634708
Yep. That's his request. It's pretty much confirmed by now that you were attacked by a rading party of Ghouls. It's a bandit group that practices diablerie on almost anyone.

You are still bleeding. It's not as if you're going to die within the next ten minutes, but when the adrenaline wears off it is REALLY going to hurt, and it WILL need to be stitched up.

>>23634808
It is? What kind of ghouls are we talking about here? I thought they were just doodz.

Well, whatever. The kid did try to help us out, the least we could do is return the favour. Then again, I don't want to let him just eat us... Can we like, cut the loose flap of skin off or something? Assuming it's already mostly cut away, courtesy of the gourmet.

>>23634873
Giving a chunk that isn't going to make it anyway works, but there are dead guards too, right?

>>23634873
>>23634917
Pardon, I should be more clear. They are a group that calls themselves 'The Ghouls.' (More like they were given that title by others and they took it for their own)

It's more than just a flap of skin, there's a little flesh and sinew there, but yes. You could cut it off.

There are also the dead available, yes. But, from the little you can remember Father telling you about his fights with the Ghouls, there's a distinct difference between dead flesh and living flesh. Complete with consequences. It's a magic thing.

Plus, and this comes to you last...you don't have human flesh.

>>23635189
Well then, the dead flesh has known consequences. Our flesh, who knows? Besides, we're also using our flesh right now, and I'd rather we heal up.

What, pray tell, happens when he eats a dead guy?

>>23635189
Well, no sense wasting all the effort we went to to save him just to have him die. I say we give it to him, but tell him he'll owe us big time.

>>23635255
You have no idea. Father was less than specific.

So that's one for, and one against. I have to go to a meeting and then fight traffic again. I will be back around 10pm PST

>>23635543
Cool, will wait.

Give it to him, but remind him we're not human.

>>23635543

Do it quick, ripping off a giblet of yourself to feed some guy is going to hurt like hell, even with the adrenaline high.

"If I do this, you gotta promise not to turn into a monster."

>>23634808
why not blood? just get a vial. Depending on the rules, it is at least helpful and at best just as effective as flesh, at least alchemically speaking.

>>23635543
Presumably, he's at least partially responsible for this happening to others besides us.

He may have given us a hand this time, but saving him is still questionable.

>>23635640
"If I do this, you gotta promise not to turn into a monster."

He nods, tears in his eyes from the pain. "Yes, I swear upon my magic...please! It's killing me!"

You tear off the chunk of you that was dangling off...yes...there's the pain now. That hurts like a bitch and a half.

The mage grabs the morsel out of you hands and puts it in his mouth, he bites down hard on it. There's another flare of light, one that seems to consume the mage's shackle. "What in the Void?!" The Mage yells. The light fades and the shackle has stopped glowing, more than that, it's changed.

Gone is the oppressive looking iron shackle, in its place is an armband that looks like it's made out of snake-skin. Engraved on it is the Nine-Pointed Star of His Light, upon a black circle, a single clear stone in the center of the Star. The iron chain connecting it to his staff remains. You get a nice look at his staff now, an imposing thing that looks like a trimmed tree branch made out of metal with a bronze orb set into the top.

The Mage then promptly drops to his knees and begins to wretch. His vomit is red and there are large chunks of...matter...in it.

When he's done he looks up at the three of you with a smile. "I've wanted to do that for years. Is it so much to just want a potato now and again?"

The world swims and you feel woozy. You hear Tricia yell out a swear before the world goes dark.

>>23637251
Is he bound to us now?
Here's hoping we don't die.

So is this another shitty fetish quest? How would you rank it in quality? Is it linear or nonlinear?
Polite sage for not contributing.

>>23637251
"It is how it should be." Tragedy said. "This is the way."

Four figures in robes and masks watch as the village burns. They have been thorough, the Ghouls are effective, and they make a point to never leave survivors.

"You are sure the Chosen dwells here." Comedy says.

"If not, we will start again." Rage says.

The great tree, the pride of the town of Jubilee starts to make the first horrible cracking noises. It is dying, splitting open before crashing to the ground.

Peace shakes their head, there are fewer and fewer natural wonders left in the world. It is a shame that they must destroy one.

"I am concerned." Peace says. "Our Fifth has not been found."

"They will be." Comedy says. "Their proests will mean nothing. This is how we have ruled for ages. This is how we will continue to rule. This is how things ARE."

None of the masked figures look towards the fields, where there's someone, someone young, running away from the destruction.

A shift in a direction you never knew existed, and now there is a new person. It's another figure in a robe and mask, unlike the others, this one doesn't have and expression. It's a neutral face with a pattern painted upon it. It changes whenever you blink. Ivy to geometric to floral to fractal and back.

The figure opens its hands. A round purple stone is within one, and a large bronze ring made of smaller sphere is in the other. He closes his hands and the items vanish.

Another shift, and darkness. The familiar smell of tanned leather and father's stew. Rough arms around you in a hug that's tighter that any grip you can make. You wrap around back, and resist the urge to give a 'hissy-kiss' you're too old for that now.

"The hard part comes later. But I'm here." A voice says.

Another shift, and you are back to the dark drifting comfort of sleep. The images of the dreams slowly fade from your mind...save those two things in the masked man's hands, and of course, Father.

>>23637567
THUD. THUD. THUD. Is the sound that wakes you up.

You're in a cart that's slowly moving. Wendy is driving, and Tricia is sitting next to her. The Mage is in the back, trying to use a rock to break his chain. That's where the THUD sound is coming from. He's making no progress at all. There's something twtiching on you. You look down to see a bunch of little thick green worms crawling all over you, where your wound was, oozing out this white gunk.

"Oh, hey. You're up. Don't move, and don't pick at it. My friends know their stuff." Tricia says. "How are you feeling?"

>>23637610
Can we get a silent scream? I feel seeing what at first sight looks like an infested wound would provoke that reaction. Maybe hands moving toward and then away. We need a bit of funny imo.

>>23637682
"When they're done...I'm going to scream." You say, trying to keep your breathing regular. "And then I'm going to kill you."

"Gee, Tricia, thanks for healing me. No problem, Ssen. Tricia, thank your friends for making sure I don't have a nasty scar for the rest of my life. Of course, Ssen, they're very welcome. Ungrateful bitch." She says as she turns back to the road.

"Well, I'm thankful." The Mage says. "Thank you for saving my life, and whatever you did to this." He shakes his shackle. "Think you can get the chain off?"

>>23637731
"I don't even know what eating... me... did. I though only the gourmet had those powers."

>>23637773
"Marvelous, a Magic Thing. Hate those." He sighs and returns to the more practical attempt at a solution. Hitting it with a rock. "The Gourmet was a full blown," THUD "Three-course" THUD "Depraved asshole." THUD. "The others were initiates. You guys were supposed to be their first meal. Uncle was there to make sure I 'prepared' the meal correctly, and not take off. I guess they didn't expect the fact that your group had a wasp witch, lamia, and werebear."

"For the last time," Wendy says. "Stop calling me that!"

>>23637731
Not without lopping something off.

As for the bugs, it's more a matter of appearances. I appreciate the effort, but don't expect me to like how it looks.

>>23637859
"How it looks?" Tricia scoffs. "You're a disgusting loathsome lizard already...and the other half of you is a snake!"

>>23637941
Just remind me to consider armoring my side. If I can avoid worms wiggling inside me, it would be worth the gold. The extra protection would be a bonus.

Anyway, how long have I been out?

>>23637941
Not all of us are as fond of waking up to find your friends crawling all over our injuries. Though I meant it when I said I was appreciated it,

So where are we anyway?

>>23637941
That...

That was actually petty good, Trish. I'll... werebear?

>>23638018
>when I said I appreciated it
And in other news, I can't fucking type tonight.

>>23638007
"They aren't inside you, they've...ugh, never mind. You've been out for about a day. We'll be at White Tree in an hour or two, you can see it from here."

>>23638021
"Don't you start!" Wendy snaps. "Honestly...back when I was your age it was considered an attractive quality if a woman could haul a pig under each arm! These days it's all about being useless, brainless, twits!" She scowls. "Anyway, stay down Ssen, until we're past the gate. There's wagon traffic, and I don't want you to cause a panic before we enter the city. Same with you Mage...what's your name, anyway?"

The Mage shrugs. "Ghoul children aren't given one until their first 'proper' meal."

"Don't the Ghouls EAT kids like you?" Wendy asks.

The Mage shakes his staff. "They don't if they have the Gift. That's something they can't take from the flesh."

"Lucky. Alright, so what are we calling you then?"

He shrugs, and looks at you for aid in this.

>>23638105
Its up to you.

(This anon sucks at coming up with good names quickly)

>>23638105
Bob.

>>23638105
This could be really symbolic. As we were taken from our family, so is this ghoul guy. Though slightly different circumstances we should pick something that reflects this

>>23638152
Pick one at random. It's not like our "father" had a lexicon of appropriate lamia names to give us, nor do we have any appropriate ghoulish names for him. So in both cases, pick something and go with it.

>>23638147
"Bob?"

"Something wrong with it?" You ask.

"Eh...I dunno...I don't feel like a Bob."

"Shut up, Bob. It'll do for now. Ssen, do you mind if I put a blanket over you?" Wendy asks.

>>23638325
Sigh. I's okay, I understand.

>>23638325
"Well, what about Jared? Or Carl? Or Tom?"

seriously, Anon? Bob?

>>23638408

Muna? Anybody here read that book before?

>>23638375
"There's a lot of horses, they see you, they spook, and then someone shoots arrows into you before we can explain. Sorry." Wendy says. The blanket is thrown over you and there's a period of stop-and-go, and the smell of a LOT of horses, and many many other things. This place smells and sounds nothing like the Cross. You can hear 'Bob' and Tricia's wonder.

"Grand Citadel is even more impressive." Wendy says.

Finally the wagon stops and the blanket is pulled away. Tricia sends her bugs away, and the secretion scab is holding nicely, and is quite tough as well. Bob helps you out of the wagon and you look around.

You're just inside White Tree's walls, and the place is amazing. Actual stone houses, more people than you've seen in your life, and everywhere there's color, and sounds, and life.

"Alright, you collect the bounty from the guild hall over there," She points at a building with a red roof and red banners. "And the note says that the alchemist you're looking for works over there. She points to a building with a glass (Actual glass!) dome. "I have to talk to my people about this mess. Remember, half."

Tricia nods. "We know, we kno-"

She's cut off by the sound of breaking pottery. A woman has stopped mid-step, dropped a jug of wine that's spilling all over the ground. She's staring straight at you, and is about three seconds away from a scream.

"Oh no." Bob says.

>>23638488
Look friendly and wave hello.

>>23638488
oh crap, give her a friendly, nonthreatening wave and a small smile, without showing teeth

(we have human teeth right? or is it a bunch of fangs etc)

File: 1363071783533.jpg-(29 KB, 426x583, seras.jpg)

29 KB JPG

>>23638488
DEPLOY AWKWARD SMILE

>>23638556
(You have no molars, two prominent fangs, and the rest are canines and incisors. You can survive off of vegetables, but you wouldn't be healthy from it. You're eight feet from head to tail tip, and you normally lay about 5' 10'' high, but you can go as tall as 7' You have yellow, snake slit, eyes, and your tongue is forked. I'm going by the OP pic as your human parts go.)

>>23638488
"... is there something on my face?"

Rolled 2

>>23638536
>>23638556
>>23638585

You give your best, non-toothy, smile at her and wave.

>>23638638
No offense, but that looks about 12-14 feet to me. Also, at seven feet high, eight means we have only one foot of our body on the ground: that's not particularly realistic.

>>23638665
She screams and points at you. Other heads turn to look and soon there's a crowd of people looking at you. No one's doing anything.

"Be ready to run." The Mage says.

Slowly, three guards approach. One of them has a fancier suit of armor on than the other two. He looks at you, then Tricia, the Mage, and then Wendy.

"What is this?"

>>23638695
(Okay, let's go with that. I was just pulling numbers out of my ass that sounded good anyway.)

>>23638715
We're what's left of a trade caravan, here on business.

>>23638725
12 ft is about right, some snakes can raise themselves to 2/3rd their length at max.

>>23638737
The other two guards step back and the crowd gasps. You can tell the general reaction is 'It can talk!'

The head guard takes his hand off of his sword. "What kind of attack? Were you from Jubilee?"

>>23638749
Any higher and it'd be difficult, since snake vertebrae have a ball-and-socket articulation.

>>23638715
loudly say:
"Wendell the Gourmet attacked us, we have his head for the bounty, and no we are from River's Cross."

>>23638783
Ghouls. And yes, yes we are.

We we able to fight them off, and if you happen to be collecting a bounty on a beast that called himself the Goumet, we'd like to collect.

>>23638802
Blah. Forgot we were from Cross.

>>23638783
... we're from River's Cross.

So can we go about our business?

>>23638798
I would avoid going into too much detail. If they want to know our business, they can ask Wendy.

>>23638798
>>23638802
"No, we're from River's Cross. We were attacked by Ghouls. We fought them off, and if you happen to be collecting a bounty on a beast that called himself the Gourmet,"

Tricia knows a moment when she hears it and dumps open the sack, allowing the Gourmet's head to roll out, in front of the guards.

"We'd like to collect."

>>23638833
"Thank you very much for scaring the nice people some more, Tricia."

>>23638833
Ten minutes later, the three of you are exiting the Swords Guildhouse with a nice amount of gold. Wendy is staying there, to hire new guards. You do learn that a larger group of Ghouls, led by someone known as the Gourmond, the brother of the Gourmet, razed a town called Jubilee.

"Weird." Tricia says as the three of you head towards the Alchemist's place. "That place isn't even on most maps. It's smaller than the Cross."

"Can we not talk about what my insane family is doing to people?" The Mage says. "I want to see if this Alchemist can get this thing off of me, or knows someone who does."

"How about we call you Muna?"

"Muna?" The Mage says. "Ugh...that feels worse than 'Bob.' Keep trying."

It's a little trying to get across town, people gawk at you, babies start crying, and one old crone actually spits at the three of you.

"Abominations!" She hisses. "Go back to the Darkness where you belong!" She brandishes a standard Nine-Pointed Star medallion at you.

>>23638913
keep moving and ignore the crone, nothing good could come from letting her get to us.

>>23638913
Crones gonna crone, I guess.

I wonder how he others are taking this, since this is normal for us.

>>23638913
"Oh no, the old witch has the Star, I'm going to disappear! Oh wait," hold up father's star, "If it truly works like that, then why aren't you out of town making curses on your flying broomstick and eye of newts, huh?"

>>23638913
Show her our own medallion?

Hey OP, I'm having trouble telling between when you're posting multiple times and when we can make suggestions. So don't be afraid to prompt us to say what we want to do.

>>23638969
>>23638999

Tricia and you just push past her. The Mage is a little non-plussed, and keeps looking back at the woman still shrieking curses at you.

"So, what are we going to do after we get paid for this?" Tricia says as the two of you walk up the stairs. "So far, I think White Tree kind of stinks. Grand Citadel sounds kind of cool, I mean, it's got the palace and everything."

>>23639029
Understood, I'll prompt with a *** when I'm done.

>>23639039
First off, archive this, we are on page 9. Secondly, go to alchemist for job stuff and possible chain analysis.

>>23639010
Not this confrontational, please.

>>23639010
>>23639029

probably not a good idea to show our medallion, especially from the reaction we got from the priest in our town.

who knows how the townsfolk would react to the order's medallion, especially with all the forshadowing that the order has changed.

>>23639039
"How can the pair of you treat this as normal?" The Mage hisses as he looks at the other people waving their Stars at the three of you.

You're starting to get a little fed up with this. You hold up Father's Medallion back at the nasty old hag that's been following you. "If it truly works like that, then why aren't you out of town making curses on your flying broomstick and eye of newts, huh?"

The old woman spits in your face.

Tricia turns you around back towards the door. "So, how much do you think we need to fund a trip to Grand Citadel?"

***

>>23639093
"I don't know, how far is it?" "Wait. We?"

>>23639066
We're not in autosage just yet, but it'd still be a good idea to archive, since we're getting close.

>>23639093
>>23639157

"We could ask Wendy, she would probably know."

also, archived on suptg titled and tagged as Lamia Quest. also tagged it as Lamia Daughter Quest, and with OPs name.

also duno how much longer il be awake, its 4am now.

Rolled 2

>>23639157
Unfamiliar with the new archiving process, aid is appreciated

"Well...yeah." Tricia huffs. "Look, you know you're my bes...my only friend. I'm sick of the Cross too, and apparently you'd die without me. So, yeah. We."

The door opens. "What is it? Do you know what kind of din you people are making? There are import-" The old man in the robe looks up at the three people at his door.

>>23639093
If you'd rather try our luck in Grand Citadel, fine. I'm pretty sure I hate it here anyway.

>>23639199
He lets out a gasp and slams the door in your face.

"We could ask Wendy, she'd probably know." You say.

"Yeah, but she'd probably make us work again. I want to ride there in comfort, and no attacks by bandits." Tricia pounds on the door again.

"Ladies...the crowd doesn't look awed or scared-afraid now." The Mage says. "I think I seem farm implements."

>>23639210
"If you'd rather try our luck in Grand Citadel, fine. I'm pretty sure I hate it here anyway." You say.

"Sounds like a plan." Tricia says. "WE AREN'T GOING AWAY! WE HAVE STUFF TO SELL YOU!" Tricia yells with that buzz-voice she has when she's pissed.

The door opens a crack. "W-what do you have?"

>>23639234
It's a different guy in a robe, he's a bit younger, and it's sadly obvious that he's got some kind of weapon behind his back.
***

Rolled 3

>>23639240
Roll for awkward smile again.

>>23639240
There was a request? For alchemical ingredients?

>>23639199
its pretty simple, just hit the add thread button lower left of suptg, scroll down and just add thread number, title, description and tags(must include "collective game" for quests)

>>23639240
"You where in need of a wasp nest, an unbroken snake shedding and some Tar Root Venom right? We saw the notice posted at the Cross."

>>23639255
... ok no more smiling, or someone is gona get scared and smite us or something.

>>23639255
>>23639269
"You where in need of a wasp nest, an unbroken snake shedding and some Tar Root Venom right? We saw the notice posted at the Cross." You smile...maybe showing more fang than you should.

The man's face goes pale and you hear the sound of something metallic dropping on the ground.

"-ove, move, MOVE!" A sound from within the hall says and the boy is pushed away and the door is opened. There's a man in gold trimmed robes. His face is a mixture of beard and scar tissue, causing him to look like a half-shaved sheep. He has a Medallion around his neck, the Star, a Blue Circle, and a clear stone.

"Ladies, please...come in. You too, young man." He ushers you three in and closes the door behind you. "You'll have to excuse the younger members of the Conclave here. They're idiots. Now, let's see what we have..." He takes the items from Tricia and examines them. "These will do very nicely. Thank you. You!" He barks at the young man, gathering up the sword he dropped. The man in gold tosses him the bag of items. "Go put these away, and put that thing back above the mantle where you found it. It's fake anyway!" He shakes his head.

"Can I interest you three in a drink, while we wait for the treasury to get your money? It may be a bit, we're not exactly quick when it comes to GIVING money."
***

>>23639234
You posted a list of ingredients you needed, and we brought them all. I'd appreciate it if you'd refrain from stabbing us.

>>23639339
"Of course, let me introduce myself, I'm Ssen, this is Tricia, and he is... Um, he hasn't decided on a name yet."

>>23639339
A drink, and a chat about that medallion of his, I'd say.

>>23639394
"Of course, let me introduce myself, I'm Ssen, this is Tricia, and he is... Um, he hasn't decided on a name yet."

"Hi." The Mage says.

"Overseer Gregory Trivalon. I have a great deal many more titles, but I'm not trying to impress you three, too much."

He leads you into a small room that's filled with a lot of red over-stuffed chairs that you can't sit comfortably on, an ottoman that you can, and a liquor cabinet.

"So, how is Alexander, Tricia?" He asks. "He and your mother are still together?"

Tricia blinks and sits upright. "You know my Dad?"

You actually do remember that he was at the funeral. Your mind was elsewhere at the moment, but now you do remember quietly shaking his hand.

Overseer Trivalon nods. "Yes, and your father as well, Ssen. In our younger days when I was just a researcher here, I was their go-to man for making sense of all of the trouble they got into. I see the apples haven't fallen far." He pours out four glasses of a red liquid. "They'd always come to me with stories and questions, and pay me with the gold and treasure that they'd find." He gestures to the opulence around him. "It was quite beneficial, exciting too, felt like I was one of the rebel sages of the library of whispers, working to help the Lightbringers." He sighed and then paused. "Nothing's happened to River's Crossing, has it? You know how those tales always start."

"No, it's fine." Tricia says. "So, you never went out with them?"

"Into THAT kind of danger? No, no. I'm was never one for combat." He sighs as he hands you all a glass. "Indulge me, I used to do this with your fathers and the other members of their group."

You all clink glasses and down the stuff. It is one of the most vile types of vodka you've tasted.

"Ah, stuff could strip paint." The Overseer says. "Now, I'm interested in your Mage With No Name, what cause him to be so fortunate to be with you two ladies?"
***
Going to bed, feel free to add, but please archive.

>>23639581
archive updated.

really hope you continue this another day.

>>23639581
Any plans on when you might return?

>>23639581
"it's a bit of a long story...(explain what happened) so yeah, now he is sticking with us and was named bob while we try to find a more fitting name; any idea?"

>>23639581
>>23640514
I have thought of other names, but they don't seem as important as trying to remove his shackle or figure out what to do? We were warned against nearly everything even what father did and worked for.

>>23640514
>>23640991
"It's a bit of a long story," You say. You then tell the tale of what happened during the attack, with Tricia and The Mage chiming in when appropriate.

"So yeah," You say when you're done. "We've been calling him different names, since he doesn't have one. That doesn't seem to be as important as trying to remove his shackle, or figure out what we're going to do."

The Overseer gets up from his seat and goes over to examine the chain and staff. "Interesting," He says. "I've never seen a staff like this one before. Do you know anything about it?"

The Mage shakes his head.

"Hmm, well, I'll look into it. As for the chain, that unfortunately I have seen before. It's a secret that the Ghouls learned for their feeding pens." He shook his head. "They're forged with blood and bone mixed into the metal along with some old twisted magic. Nigh unbreakable by normal means. I suppose if you lowered it into a volcano or some other fool thing, that would work. The best way would be to kill whomever's blood makes the chain, that would weaken the magic to a point where you'd have options at least."

"That would be my Father." The Mage says. "That could be a problem."

"We could always try cutting his hand off." Tricia says.

"Could we not? I like having both arms!"

"Also, that wouldn't be advisable." The Overseer says. "Your shackle itself has changed in form, but not in function. It's a limiter of some sort, for the staff. One thing that working for your Fathers have taught me is that you don't experiment with magic that you don't understand enough to put up proper protections, and certainly not in cities. I'm more interested in why you ran away from your family. I'd think it was a trap, if the Ghouls didn't have their brains warped from years of cannibalism and inbreeding."

The Mage shrugs. "I can't stand the taste, blood makes me queasy, and I never liked seeing people scream as they were...served. Maybe it's the magic, maybe it's just me."

>>23642620
"Hmm, interesting." Overseer Trivalon says. "Well, I'll have my people look into it. See what they can find." He blinks as an 'ah-ha' moment has obviously come into his mind. "And I think I have a solution to your problem as well. In exchange for our research, would you ladies be willing to take on a quest for the White Tree Conclave?" He says.
***

>>23642620
place a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You've more than proved you're not like your family. Besides you would fit in with us if you were completely normal." Smile confidently. "Perhaps working on the ghoul problem would be best. We could both free and deshackle your powers and I bet they will follow us if we try to leave. We killed a group of them and you've left them either is good enough reason to chase us. Both make it a near certainty."

>>23642660
sorry didn't see this before typing my response here>>23642742

It's the best lead we have so far, and making friends with someone who knew our family is a good place to start.