>>23725498
I am so glad I am here at the beginning. I've had to miss a few because o work and school. I asked this in the last post, but I was wondering if I could compile your posts into a single story, only edited enough to make them flow better and to make it sound like a single continuous story. I won't do it if you say no and I will never post it until you get to check it. Sound good.

>>23725498
>Your journey continues...
Right into a fucking sewer.

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>Theme Song Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvZgKRAacFc

The coastal city of Stone Hall has fallen to a huge army of Ghoul raiders. Ssen and her friends joined up with Paladin Julian Graves, Ssen's 'uncle' to try and break the siege.

When they arrive, they discover that the situation is worse than they imagined. The Ghouls are using their numbers and the urban terrain to sap the Occuli army, the huge number of refugees are straining resources, the other Paladins commanding the army either lack any skill in strategy or are unconcerned with casualties. Worse is that the leader of the Ghouls, the 'Fell King' (Mage's father) has a mage with him, who is 'converting' prisoners into other Ghouls, causing their numbers to continue to swell. Julian told Seen that he felt that calling in the royal fleet to shell, and completely destroy, Stone Hall is the only solution.

However, Ssen voiced another option, using a clue given to her by the strange benefactor who seems to be haunting her dreams.

Beneath Stone Hall there is a city of Lizard People. Once slaves, now second-class-citizens, they maintain the plumbing and sewers of the great city.

Julian has sent Ssen and her companions down into the sewers to find the Lizard People, and convince them to get Julian's forces into the city, as well as fight the Ghouls.

The 'Beautiful Nightmares' plunged into the sewers, and mangaed to find their way to the entrance of the Lizard People's undercity. Only to discover that the Ghouls had beat them to it, and were trying to get past the defenders at the gates.

Two of the defenders, were old 'friends' of the group, Tara, the minotaur girl, and the all-around pain-in-the-ass 'Isen the Audacious.'

>>23725498
Glad to see this went on past thread #1. It seemed like a close thing for a while when I was one of maybe two posters.

Uoohoo! Caught up with the thread!

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>>23725658
By all means, you have my permission. Just let me have access to it for editing purposes.

Also, I am lagging like crazy for the moment, so until I can get this fixed, I'll do a little Q&A for the world that I created. I'll try to answer any questions that you have.

Also I have the harem scene ready, BUT...I still want you guys to pick Ssen's 'mate.' But not just by vote. I'll explain later.

Also, if there's anyone who can draw Mage, Peri/Mari, Lea, or anyone else, I will give your responses/better dice rolls priority as thanks. Or if you want me to write some private smut for your favorite characters, I can do that too.

Alright lemme dig up my suggestion from last thread.

Right, lets do this as stealthily as possible. Which means just us and Mari for now. Hopefully they'll concentrate on those in front of them and won't notice thsoe behind dropping. Lea should see about getting closer and Tricia should try to see what bugs there are and if nothing should join Lea. Mage should prepare a larger spell for when they do notice us.

Targets should be any obvious mages, or stronger fighters. I doubt we'll get more then 1-2 volleys off but every shot counts when your facing 20 hah.

>>23725803
Yeah, things are getting weird in general. Hell, I caught a warning tonight for posting "western-style" images on /h/.

... I never go to /h/.

>>23725803
ya 4chan is slow all around. getting errors here too

>>23725872
I support this.

>>23725872
Okay, sounds like you have a battle plan. That's good.

>>23725938
Sadly, I'm still lagging...damn it.

So how powerful is our poison anyways?

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>>23725948
Don't worry, we all are.

Also, this quest made me realize what's missing from RtR block: lamias. I got my good centaurs, dryads, and angels, but there's a distinct lack of playable lamias in standard.

>>23725875
Why go to /h/ when there's /d/?

>>23726046
I know, right?

>>23725948
Okay, a new test post.

Julian showed you a picture of Paladin Liam Patrick's crest. The crest that you're going to take up when you (presumably) become a Paladin. It's a tierced per pall reversed, with blue-celeste on the dexter, sable on the sinister, and or at the base, at the nombril point there's the Nine-Pointed Star of His Light in sable. Along both sides of the shield are orange dragons, wings extended, maws open. Below is a scroll with 'Within The Darkness.' is written on it. It's very impressive. Also, 'Within the Darkness' was the motto of the Clear Occuli, but Julian didn't know why. He too, has an unclear idea of what your Father's exclusive duties were. All he saw, when they travelled together, was him taking confessions, speaking at marriages and funerals, blessing newborns, and stabbing things to death.

>>23726153
Oh, jesus fuck with the heraldry. I USED to know this stuff.

Anyway, do go on.

Within the darkness the light shines brightest.

>>23725996
Still lagging.

Lamia poison is among the more fatal animal-produced substances found in the natural world. Not counting eugenically manufactured, alchemically enhanced, and magically enhanced substances, there's only three creatures above you that are more toxic. Underside wasps, glass scorpions, and the bile of dragons. Those are the three natural animal-based poisons that you aren't immune too, as well.

Also, the only one who's immune to your poison is you, and maybe someone who's had your blood transfused into their body. Maybe, provided that process doesn't kill them. You are NOT immune to other Lamia poison.

Your poison is injected through your fangs, and it causes the breakdown of calcium and cartilage. Your bite melts people's skeletons. It's to make the prey easier to consume.

You did it once, on a wolf when it attacked you on a hunting trip when you were younger. It was more out of instinct than anything, it leapt at you, you dodged, constricted, chomped, held the beast tight as its insides turned to mush, then you ate it. It was one of the most disgusting experiences of your life...but it felt very 'right' too. You threw up later.

(I think I have a new favorite song)
Lag is getting better for me thankfully, onyl af ew seconds delay now

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>>23726313
I don't think a paladin should ever use this.

>>23726347
Only when we have no other choice but yes Lamia bites are indeed horifying.

>>23726347
It's a holdout weapon: like the world's most deadly derringer.

>>23726291
>Within the darkness the light shines brightest.
Nope. That's not the full phrase.

Still slow as fuck...okay...what else...what else...

Back during the siege, you got the feel of the two other Paladins. The dwarf, Avery, he doesn't like you...but it's less of a prejudice thing and more of a 'what is this person doing in my way' thing. He just doesn't see you as useful or part of his solution to the problem. Which is kind of the general attitude the dwarves you met have. They're very quiet, very goal oriented, and just avoid people they have no time for. Of course, the only dawrves you've seen are Occuli members. He has an Amber Occuli stone, same with the other engineers working the catapults and trebuchets.

Paladin Bobbi is a stone cold bitch with a rod up her ass and hate in her eyes. She's a red stone.

>>23726347
I wouldnt use it on someone like Donovan, but wouldnt bat an eyelash at using it on the Ghouls etc.

>>23726401
Getting a little better...
Do you want to fight Donovan again, or are you good with him being gone?

>>23726432
Gone.

>>23726367
>>23726389
>>23726401
I think the problem is theres no real situation I can think of that we'd have to use it. Seems specifically geared towards eating things, and is probably too slow to use as a weapon on it's own.

>>23726432
no, im glad we are done with that crazy bastard, and having to fight him again would just traumatize Peri more.

>>23726395
how fast does our venom kill?

>>23726447
depends on the speed it kills, or how tough our opponent is. remember the first big ghoul we fought took ALOT to kill.

>>23726446
>>23726453
Aww, okay, Donovan's going to an Occuli dungeon in Grand Citadel and maybe if he's lucky they'll choose to kill him one day instead of taking 'confession.'

>>23726507
Well, here's the sick thing and what made you so disgusted. It doesn't. Lamia poison leaves organs, tissue, and grey matter alone. It just pulps the skeleton, which is usually enough to cause death due to a person's organs no longer having support, but the poison itself is non-fatal. That wolf was mostly alive for about two thirds of the time that you wear eating him.

The only exception is that Lamia to Lamia poison IS fatal. Heart slows and then stops within two minutes tops. Painless though.

Oh god, talk about making fleshbags literal. How long does the process take?

>>23726313

Note to self: Genetically/magically engineer yourself to be part glass scorpion.

>>23726432
Happy to see him gone.
>>23726447
Grappling? If it acts quick enough and there's an opening, we don't have to crush them. Which is good if their torso is armored, for example, but there's an opening to bite.

>>23726579
wow, so we have two methods to make fleshbags now, squeeze em with the tail OR bite em.

i guess it depends if we want chunky or smooth style

>>23726579
... okay, maybe we won't use that poison.

Probably.

>>23726634
Easier to use a stiletto.

>>23726739
not really, a stiletto can be knocked out of our hand/disarmed etc, we will always have our fangs

>>23726579
Alright, I'm gonna surge ahead, lag or not.

The bulk of the Ghouls attacking, 15 of them, are like the thugs you saw earlier, savage animals that were once human. A few of them look like they ate their own lips in their endless hunger. They all have blades, or claws, or large rocks, strapped to their arms. Their teeth have been either filed or transmuted to points. Unlike the half-starved goon ghouls you faced earlier, these all look like they just ate. A few of them are eating their fallen comrades.

The last five Ghouls are hanging near the back. Two of them are shooting arrows at the defenders with bows that look like they were made out of femurs and tendons. Two of them have robes and cat o' nine tails. They keep whipping the horde, and every time they do they seem to get bigger or quicker.

The last one is obviously the one in charge. She's six feet tall, and quills are growing out of her back. Her eyes are this sickly jaundiced yellow, and her lips and tongue are black. The rest of her skin is shock white, and looks tough and leathery. She's got a whip that looks like it has glass embedded into the lash.

"SHE IS MINE!" She roars, pointing at Tara. "I WILL HAVE HER HORNS AND HER HEART!"

"Come an' get 'em!" Tara yells.

Well we have our targets. You and Mari both on the robes with the nine-tails

>>23726780
Unless they break, like when we try to bite someone wearing armor.

Rolled 18

>>23726790
Arrow->Back of Leader's head.

>>23726790
>Slow
Didn't you say the venom was used on the children if the den was disturbed? This hardly sounds as painless as you describe.

>>23726790
volley at the ones standing back.

>>23726843
(The only exception is that Lamia to Lamia poison IS fatal. Heart slows and then stops within two minutes tops. Painless though.)

>>23726820
You two aiming for the same one, or one each?

Also, what are Mage, Tricia, and Lea's targets? You have an surprise attack round.

Tricia's insect options are Fly Cloud, or Roach Swarm. Which one do you want her to call?

>>23726843
did you miss the part where it affects the heart of lamia in minutes?

>>23726862
we take the leader, mari/peri takes 2nd, mage takes a 3rd, tricia roachswarm 4th, and Lea takes the 5th

>>23726896
sounds good

What if the female leader is Mage's sister?

Rolled 12, 18, 1, 13 = 44

>>23726896
Okay, you shoot at the Porcupine. Mari aims for Cat9 1. Mage Cat9 2. Tricia sics her roach swarm on Archer 1, and Lea tries to put her fist into Archer 2's skull.

Roll 1d20+2

>>23726926
Mage's sister sounds like she's the one doing the conversions, if anything. I doubt they'd put her down in the sewers.

Rolled 14 + 2

>>23727010

Rolled 18 + 2

>>23727010
Let's try it.

>>23727031
>>23727037
Aw. First time I roll better than single digits in weeks, and I'm seconds late.

Rolled 2, 8, 1, 6, 5, 3, 4, 4, 10 = 43

>>23727010
>>23727031
Everyone but Tricia hits...unfortunately Tricia has a little bit of 'feedback' from the roaches. So she's going to spend the next turn trying to keep herself from licking the slime off of the walls.

Of course, the Ghoul Elite all spin around and begin their attempt to have an appetizer to their lizard dinner.

Roll 1d10 for initiative

Rolled 2

>>23727094

Rolled 10

>>23727104
damnit

>>23727107
GOD DAMNIT

>>23727107
tgdice...

Rolled 1, 4, 5, 4, 2, 1, 4, 2, 7 = 30

>>23727107
screw it, I'm giving redaeth a one time regular-poster gift and using his roll.

Plus you'll need it.

Your turn...please remember that the Ghoul Leader here is covered with quills.

>>23727134
I suggest covering her in more quills.

arrows

Rolled 6

>>23727134
Arrow to the face.

Rolled 9

>>23727134

Rolling for neckbite.

Rolled 17, 16 = 33

Right, sword the leader if in range, and tailwhip the one Tricia missed.

Rolled 20 + 2

>>23727134
shoot the ghoul leader

>>23727134
Are we close enough for a stab+tail whip on the leader? If not, shoot her again. And mage can blast her too.

Rolled 2

>>23727150
need I remind you?
>please remember that the Ghoul Leader here is covered with quills.
That and its slow as shit and likely to just get us stabbed.

>>23727147
>>23727148
We should also move to cover Tricia. Sounds like she's having a hell of a time.

After shooting an arrow we should draw a sword and prepare an action to parry for her.

Rolled 5, 13, 19, 8 = 45

>>23727156
redaeth's move was at the same time as the others.

Father's sword swipes and you draw a thin line across the Ghoul's stomach. Your tail, at the same time, jabs out as fast os Lea's kick and cracks an archer in the stomach hard enough to make a crack sound.

The leader screams, "I'LL EAT YOUR HEART!" As she tries to whip you.

Mage keeps shooting at the mage he was fighting.

Lea continues to attack the archer she's dealing with.

The archer you got in the stomach aims at you and shoots.

>>23727243
Well that seems to have gone well.

How's Buzz?

Rolled 3, 16, 13, 12 = 44

>>23727243
Ladies and Gentlemen, you ARE Beautiful Nightmares...for the Ghouls.

Mage shoots a bolt of lighting at the mage's forehead, and the rest of what's inside of the ghoul's head bursts out the back of his skull.

Lea does an open palm punch on the Archer's shoulder that causes him to spin around on his heel, she grabs his head with both hands and jerks, hard. He drops like a rag doll.

You slide yourself effortlesly, an inch to the side one way, and the whip cracks air, then lean slightly the other and the arrow passes harmlessly by your cheek.

The other ghoul mage waves his cat o' nine at the ghoul leader. The skin under her right arm starts to bulge and throb.

Tricia manages to regain her composure, and wipe the taste of sewer scum off of her tongue.

Mari reloads her crossbow.

Your turn.

Rolled 20, 9 = 29

>>23727358
slash at the leader, and tail whip the mage that just buffed her.

Rolled 1

>>23727358
Let's see if we can't polish off that mage.

In range of a sword?

Rolled 14, 4 = 18

THis one is a tough one. Lets try to disarm her. Aim for her whip hand with the tail whip and sword the remaining mage.

See if you can't get Mage to help you with the leader as his target is down. Lea should move on the the remaining archer

>>23727395
Man, I'm glad you rolled first.

>>23727395
you. I like you

Rolled 13

>>23727358
Arrow->Leader's Head.

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>>23727395

>>23727395
Well, you sadly missed with your tail.

Okay, do you want to do double damage, or stop her transformation? Double damage will NOT kill her, she started with equal hp to you guys.

>>23727439
stop the transformation

>>23727448
I agree (This means we need 3 more hits I believe.)

>>23727448
Ditto. Narrative casuality, Tropes, our nonexistant scaly ass.

>>23727439
Stop the transformation.

We're beating ass as it is, I'd hate for her to suddenly gain an advantage.

Rolled 2, 19, 16, 13, 7, 15 = 72

>>23727448
You aim Father's blade, and your blade slides across the bulging piece of flesh, it rips open, spilling a gout of black blood across her side. You can see what looks like a withered octopus tentacle within the wound, it twitches slightly, completely useless.

She screams something inaudible, and then lashes out with the whip again.

Mage shoots lightning at her.

Lea goes for a kidney punch at the other archer.

Said archer is still shooting at you.

The mage waves his cat-o-9 at the leader again, now her neck's starting to inflate...kinda like a frog's does.

Tricia tries to give the mage a bad day with her roaches.

Mari fires at the mage.

>>23727568
Sounds like Tricia's the only one having a bad day.

>>23727568

Neckbite now?

>>23727568
THUNK! Mari's crossbow bolt goes right into the mage's forehead.

Lea's kidney punch connect, but not before the arrow goes free, and hits you with an arrow. You've had worse.

Mage's lightning blast hits the leader, causing her to scream. It sounds like she's gargling live puppies when she does, and you swear you see at least three separate tendrils waving around in her open mouth when she does.

"I swear...I'm never using roaches again!" Tricia swears as her forces refuse to muster to her commands.

Your turn.

Rolled 7, 7 = 14

>>23727619
Slash the leader again, and tailwhip the archer

Rolled 4, 14 = 18

>>23727619
Sword+tail whip, both on leader. We should be able to finish her off.

Rolled 17, 14 = 31

Right I think we have two more hits before the boss goes down. Sword again. Tailwhip whomever remains. I lost track

>>23727600
nope. Now is the time for DECAPITATION!
>>23727619
>tentacle mouth head
Yeah, we should really cut that shit off.

Rolled 6, 7 = 13

OH well, maybe Mage will have better luck

Rolled 4, 11, 16, 13 = 44

>>23727636
The archer and the leader aren't stupid apparently, they've gotten wise to your moves, and dodge them.

The leader lashes out with her whip, and at the same time, she opens up her mouth and her tongue shoots out at you. It's long enough to stab you, covered with thick black hairs, and there's a nasty looking stinger at the tip.

Mage shoots at the leader, he's changed back to reliable fire bolts.

Lea continues her assault on the archer.

>>23727619
... out of curiosity, what are the lizardfolk doing?

>>23727600
We are never biting, it's too slow to act in a fight.

Rolled 8, 14 = 22

>>23727619
Try to punch a knee out from under the leader while making a stab at that distended neck.

Rolled 10, 14 = 24

What has Mari\Peri been doing? I haven't seen her act the last couple turns

Rolled 20, 13 = 33

this last turn I mean

>>23727706
fighting the 15 other ghouls at the gate

>>23727716
not really, we are snakelike fast with the bite, we used the speed to headbutt before.

>>23727750
The poison is too slow, not the bite itself, we'd have to use an action to attack again anyways.

Rolled 11, 2 = 13

>>23727704
This woman couldn't hit anything with that whip slash unless it walked right into it.

You also manage to dodge out of the way of the stinger tongue.

Mage's blast hits. Her quills are burning to cinders and falling off. It looks like lots of her extras are falling off. The spikes, the quills, her skin is peeling, and blood is dripping out from her eyes and her mouth.

Lea does a leg sweep and the archer falls to the ground and his head hits the tiled floor with a sharp crack. He goes still.

Behind you, you notice that, without their leaders to guide them and keep the magic pumping, the savage ghouls are losing. They fall to biting and trying to eat each other. Their blows are clumsy and they don't attack as one. Also, they don't shake off blows as easily as before. Tara and Isen are not letting any of them flee though. They're having a grand time.

Tricia gives up on the bugs and just goes for the leader with her sickle.

Mari swaps to Peri, Peri draws her first blade and tries to slash the leader.

>>23727798
Both girls miss as the leader dodges. There's fear in her eyes now, as she realizes that her support is gone, her army is being pulverized, and that she's probably going to die.

Your turn.

Rolled 14

>>23727828
Wrap

Rolled 16, 8 = 24

Finish her with father's sword. Tailwhip the savages if they are in range.

Rolled 17

>>23727828
go for the kill with the sword

>>23727765
I assumed we would only use it on the tougher multiwound enemies, like this one had she not had quills everywhere.

Rolled 20, 4 = 24

>>23727828
Kill her dead.

>>23727828

Wrap.

>>23727836
You lash out, and your tail wraps around the leader's neck. The added bulge for her new tongue gave you just enough quill free skin to do this. You squeeze and she start to struggle. You are, however, a Paladin, and a Paladin is not cruel. So you just jerk, and there's a CRACK, and the woman's body goes limp.

At the same time you hear a WHACK! You look up to see Tara smash in the skull of the last standing Ghoul. The liazrd people are finishing off any on the ground who aren't dead yet.

"Oh!" Tara sees you all and her face lights up. "Isen! Look!" She waves at you all. "Hi guys! It's Tara! Remember? We met at Purple Sands? I hit you once? Remember?"

>>23725658
>>23725803
(I am not the poster who originally asked about editing the threads into a single story.)
I've created the beginnings of a page for this quest on 1d4chan: http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Quest:Lamia_Daughter_Quest

What it could use: session-by-session synopses, more details on the characters (and it doesn't have all of the characters in it yet), setting details, and possibly information about the mechanics of the quest. A prose-ified write-up of the quest would not be inappropriate, either.

>>23727939
Smile at Tara "Yes I remember, Hi Tara."

>>23727939
toss the ghoul aside, double dead ghouls have no place in polite conversation.

"Ah, hey there! Man, are we glad there are survivors down here."

>>23727939
Hello Tara its good to see you again. Hello Isen. What in the Lights name are you two doing down here of all places?

Then greet the lizard people, introduce yourself and tell them you are here on behalf of the Paladin Julius and you wish to speak to their leaders

>>23727939
"I remember. What brings you guys down here?"

>>23727939
"Tara, it would be impossible to forget you two. What on earth brought you here? And would you care to make introductions?"

>>23727961
I believe you failed to understand this sentence.
>Her quills are burning to cinders and falling off.

>>23727968
>>23727976
You smile at Tara as you toss the corpse away. "Yes I remember, Hi Tara." You say. "Man, are we glad that there are survi-URK!"

You're in another one of Tara's rib cracking hugs. She's babbling a mile a minute about...you aren't sure...it's hard to think when your lungs are being forced to occupy the same space at your stomach.

She legs go and you gasp for breath. You look at Tara. There's something different about her. Her face is different. It's not as smooth as it was back in Purple Sands. Her eyes aren't as big and round. You can see skin bunched up along the ridge of her nose, and her cheeks are slightly pouchy. There are still the surgical scars, but they're fading now. It does look much less painful.

"And here I'm thinking, we're about to die." Isen says as he walks up to you all. The Lizard men and disposing of the corpses. "Then all of a sudden, I'm saved by a bevy of badass beauties." He puts his hands together and looks upwards. "I'll never doubt you again, and I mean it about paying for the chapel." He sighs, and actually looks serious for once.

"Okay, I've got about 50 or so people down here with me, plus all the lizard folk. Please tell me that you're here to tell us that we won." He asks.

>>23728095

"I pulped a pointy ghoul. If that isn't winning, then tell us now so we can go pulp a pointier ghoul."

>>23728095
"Nope! Battle hasn't even started."

>>23728095
Im afraid not. The current plan is to charge in head first. The causalties will be horrific. We need help and Julius was hoping we'd find it here. I need to speak to the people who live down here. Their leaders if they have any.

>>23728155
beat me to it, supporting.

>>23728066
not burned, still burning, I assume we would have gotten a tail full of quills had it been a bad roll, especially considering the wording echo used

>>23728095
"Sorry pal, we're here to enlist the help of said lizard folk. We need help to clear the city so we don't have to blow it to hell and back."

>>23728095
"Actually, we're losing!"

>>23728217
This plus ask to see the leader of the lizard folk.

>>23728095
Close. The Paladins up there are basically planning to commit mass assisted suicide in a frontal assault, but one of them who's actually using his noodle thinks we might be able to convince the Lizardfolk down here to launch a sneak attack.

Before you start throwing things, he's offering full citizenship.

>>23728155
"I'm afraid not. The current plan the Paladins have is to charge into the city head first. The causalties will be horrific. We need help and Julius was hoping we'd find it here. I need to speak to the people who live down here. Their leaders if they have any."

Isen sighs. "That...could be a problem. I mean, they're nice enough. Hell we'd all be dead if not for their help...but they can't speak Citadel tongue."

"I'm sure that there must be someone who knows." Lea says.

Isen blinks. He's seeing Lea outside her bandages for the first time. He shrugs and then shakes his head. "No, I'm sure they understand me...it's just they can't speak it, even if they wanted to."

"Of course." Mari says. "Their physiology in the larynx and voice box are radically different, not to mention that their ear drums are different as well."

"How did you two get here?" Tricia asks.

"Isen took me here so I could get unpretty!" Tara says.

"You look gorgeous, babe." Isen says. "I felt bad when I learned how much pain Tara was in, so I took her here to see a real Cups Healer. So, we go through that, and we were talking about where to go to next."

(More coming)

>>23728376
"We were gonna get a ship, and go fight pirates. That was one plan. I wanted to go sail and see the Phoenix Empire and take it over for Citadel!"

Isen smiles at her. "We had options, anyway, we're going by and we see these guards hassling one of these people." he points at the lizard folk. "I think a water main had ruptured or something and he had to come topside to fix it. They were yelling at him, pushing him, and...well, I might have been slightly inebriated at the time."

"Surprise, surprise." Peri says.

"So, I went up to them to express my displeasure with his behavior with Tara." He sighs. "So, when she an I are getting handcuffed for striking city officers, the world goes man, and the Ghouls are everywhere."

"The lizard person motioned for us to follow him, we got as many people as we could get, and came down here." Tara says. "We hid out, sealed off the sewers, and hoped that we could hide until help came."

"But they must have sniffed us out." Isen says. "And now you're telling me that WE'RE supposed to be the help?" He shakes his head and looks up. "You know, I can't fulfill my promise if I'm dead!" He says to the heavens. He sighs. "Alright, I gotta introduce you to everyone so they know you're here to help." He snaps his fingers. "Oh, damn...I forgot. What was your group's title from Purple Sands?"

>>23728384
looks like its naming time.

suggestions:
Ssen's Serpents

damn brain isnt working, got nothing else right now. I dont mind staying the Beautiful Nightmares.

>>23728384

Cross our arms and stare at him, eyebrow raised. We refuse to believe that he's seriously forgotten anything that he's come up with, especially given how much he embellished his involvement in it.

>>23728384
"Hold on a second."
Brainstorm with party.

>>23728384
Quick, think of an actually decent name!
Uh...
Nope, got nothing.

Ladies of the Light! (laugh at mage)

>>23728529
This right here!

Also i can't think of name for the life of me ...

>>23728384
Sorry, new title. Savior of *the last town's name*. Well, we had ought to at least pitch the idea to the lizardfolk, as we may be able to assist greatly without getting into a pitched battle. It looks like from that last fight that the ghouls are rather vulnerable to decapitation raids. If we can whack their head, we might be able to earn the lizardfolk full citizenship, reduce the ghoul effectiveness, and reduce casualties amongst the paladins all without much cost in life. That is, if they accept our offer. Otherwise, we must try the decapitation raid unaided, and if we fail, figure out a way to call in the bombardment of the city above."

>>23728529
You cross your arms and stare at him, eyebrow raised.

"No, I'm serious. It was something like the Gorgeous Gorgons, right? No...ah! Beautiful Nightmares!" He frowns. "Ugh...no, no that's not going to work now though. You need something that will tell these people that you WILL win, not that you HAVE won. Do you have any preferences? There's no mob breathing down our necks now."

>>23728599
Whatever. We couldn't even name a cocker spaniel.

Julius named us the Champions of First Wood when we helped capture the leader of the elven seperatists. Champions of Light maybe?

(Honestly I'm stumped too hah.)

>>23728599
Most of our lives we've tried to AVOID drawing attention to ourselves. Why is he asking US?

>>23728644
you are right, what a band of misfits hah. Light within the Darkness is right. We cloak ourselves in shadows most of the time.

>>23728639
>Champions of Light
... a bit presumptuous, no?

>>23728666
I like it.

The Justice League

>>23728639
too generic i think.

mabie:
Serpents of the Light
Darkness' Bane

>>23728666
>>23728693
Eh.

>>23728732
I support the Light Within the Darkness title.

>>23728639
"Well, we recently became the Champions of First Wood." You say.

Isen's eyebrows shoot up. "No kidding? Huh. Champions of Light? No...too Lightbringer-ish. Umm...let me think..."

"Within The Darkness..." You mutter remembering Father's seal.

Isen looks up. "Oh, right...how did that oath go? Within the Darkness is Where the Light is Needed Most, thus There In The Darkness We Must Stand." He smiles. "Glad I remembered THAT from my tutor. You want to use that old order's name?"

>>23728724
The Leggy Lamias?

Nah, too far to go for the joke.

Righteous Dudettes

>>23728741
Yes.

What is it?

Premptively yes.

>>23728748
Dude where is my Lamia Train?

>>23728772
Is that kinda like a man train?

>>23728784
It is a play on the movie Dude Where is My Car. We mentioned the Lamia Train earlier in the thread, with all the characters riding us, the lamia, to get covered under the silent move spell

>>23728741
"...old order?"


also yes to the name

>>23728767
"What is it?"

"It's an old order that predates the Occuli, they were First Age. Proto-Paladins kinda." Isen says. "They were known as the Caligo Clarus, or the Cimmerii."

"How do you know this?" Mari asks. "I never read anything on that!"

"Private tutors." Isen says. "You want to use one of those? Not exactly the sexiest things as far as titles go."

>>23728833
It has connection to an order that the lizardman hopefully trusted.

It is good.

Yes, lets use that. Perhaps its time to bring them back

>>23728741
>>23728812

It might not sit well with some paladins that we've appropriated one of their old order's names. Even if they really don't exist anymore. Ssen's not actually a paladin YET, though there are signs that point strongly to that happening in the future.

>>23728833
"Darkness made clear?"

That's more or less the translation, I think. My Latin is rusty.

Illuminati.

>>23728887
if so, its perfect for us.

>>23728862
Yes, but it's not our fault if other people start calling us that.

>>23728862
The fact that Mari AND Julius didn't know the origin of Within Darkness probably means it has faded from memory. It'd take a historian or someone tutored by one to remember.

>>23728911
Or head Paladin.

>>23728887
Light in the darkness?

>>23728887

Well, a lot of the group are either outcasts (Peri, Lea) or exceptional members of their respective unusual/rare/monstrous races (Ssen, Mage). The group has a good bend, and the leader in particular has agreed to hear out a noted enemy's confession against better reason. She is a noted paladin aspirant and has not acted contrary to that, despite all the prejudice and hostility met toward her. The rest of her companions seem to be similarly inclined.

How about "Dawnchasers"? They pursue light and aspire to its heights. It's also gender-neutral and catchy, and indicates how Ssen's aspirations.

>>23728935
The word carries more of a meaning of "dimness", if I recall correctly.
>>23728949
>Dawnchasers
... catchy, and doesn't step on any toes.

Dawn Chasers aren't bad but I prefer Caligo Clarus simply because its a connection to father.

>>23728949
Don't forget, the dawn also brings light to the whole world.

>>23728949
Dawnchasers is my favourite so far, I guess.

>>23728989
Caligo is darkness/gloom/murkiness at least in the dictionary.

i perfer Caligo Clarus/Cimmerii

>>23728992
We're not him, and we're not a part of his order.

But that IS a goal we seem to be chasing after, among others.

>>23728845
"Yes, lets use that. Perhaps its time to bring them back." You say.

"Well...okay...the return of the CC." He says. "I think I can make it work. No one remembers it, not even other Paladins, so no one can get too mad at me if I embellish a little. 'Darkness made clear,' heh...this could be sexy after all." He smiles again and then snaps his fingers. "Oh! One last thing!" He looks at Lea. "You do music, right, babydoll?"

"Yeah..." Lea says. "What of it?"

"Well, I compose a little, and I was thinking...when they tell the epic poetry of my deeds, the musicians in the back should play this music whenever they say my name." He hands her some sheet music.

"You wrote...your own...theme music?" Lea says.

"I'm working on something for Tara too." He says. "But that can wait for later...okay, wait at the door and come in when Tara opens it."

The five/six of you wait as you hear through the big door the faint sounds of Isen's speech. Lea's going through all of the music, shaking her head in disbelief.

"The Claigo Clarus." Tricia says. "A bit of a mouthful...do you think your Father would approve?"

>>23729063
"If he doesn't I'm sure he'll tell me."

I hope so. He visits me you know. In my dreams. He says... Theres more to come I think. Beyond the ghouls. I hope Im strong enough to meet it.

Whisper: The tough part is yet to come.

>>23729063
Screw up his theme song in subtle ways that the baffoon would not notice.

Like substituting in parts from a fool's theme.

>>23729063
Cimmerii is better. It's easier to remember.

"Well, if that's too wordy, what about the Dawnchasers?" Mage says. He smirks. "Although, that's not exactly the nicest thing to call someone...it's what Ghouls call people who hold to the Light and His Teachings. Dawnchasers, cause you can never catch it, and a hunter that can't catch their prey is a fool and a meal."

Tricia shrugs. "That could be our informal nickname...so we don't piss off the Paladins."

Lea nods. "The Caligo Clarus...the Dawnchasers." She smiles. "It feels right."

You knock on the door and whisper something to Tara. She nods. She comes back. "Isen says that it's the sexiest thing he's heard."

>>23729116
Nah, what Lea should do is put everything into minor key. And then make Tara's more grandoise. Everyone will be able to tell SHE is the hero of the epic from the music.

>>23729142
I like it.

>>23729063

He wrote his own theme music. Why am I not surprised?

Inb4 when we're asked to speak to the lizard people and we mess up the diplomacy roll.

>>23729149
But be nice to Tara. She deserves a good theme music.

>>23729165
Can we communicate with our lizard brethens? Do we have a special lamia knowledge on how to do so?

If not, can our little knowledge tome of a sharpshooter translate?

>>23729132
Well won't they feel foolish When the Dawnchasers kill their asses.

>>23729063
I'm not sure. I hope so, but I hope our deeds will make up for whatever sins we make in naming.

he defiantely deserves some sort of prank for being so Isen. Tell Lea about this
>>23729142

>>23729142
>>23729149
>>23729169
Maybe write in Isen's part for piccolo? You know, because they're both loud and irritating to listen to?

>>23729142
this is good and harmless enough

>>23729132

The Ghouls have it half-right, although from a rather pessimistic point of view.

It's all about seeing how one can best protect and serve others, and in doing so, set a good example for everyone else. It's a lifelong commitment to enlightenment, altruism, and justice.

>>23729132
"AND SO...I GIVE YOU THE MEMBERS OF THAT LONG FORGOTTEN ORDER...THE ONES WHO BRAVE THE DARKNESS, WHO LIVE WITHIN IT, THOSE WHO CHASE THE LIGHT SO THAT IT NEVER ESCAPES US OR LEAVES US...FEAR NOT THEIR APPEARANCE...FOR THEY ARE THE CALIGO CLARUS...THE DAWNCHASERS!"

Tara flings open the doors wide with ease and you walk into the Undercity.

It's more of a connection of caves and tunnels carved into the stone, all of it based around a large spherical area. The place is lit by torches, and has a swampy smell to it. There's a crowd of scared looking people in the center of the large room. It's a mini version of the refugee camp back topside, the only difference is that these people seem to be behaving. You see the lizard people all over though. There must be a thousand or two of them, easy, judging by the size of the 'undercity.'

Isen starts to rant about the defense of Purple Sands, and how he and Tara single handedly held back a thousand Drones while the mighty Dawnchasers hunted down the evil.

The escapees are all watching him, or you, and you almost feel at how hopeful they look. A few even look relieved. None of them even look remotely concerned that you're a lamia.

<The Loud One is talking again> One of the lizard men behind you says.

<The Loud One always talks.> Another says. <Elder says he talks so others stay calm.>

<This one knows, this one just wishes Loud One was not so loud. Keeping Little Ones awake.> The first one mutters.

Wait...you understood that!

>>23729260
Apologize to them for the loud one.

>>23729260
"...By the Light, I can under stand them."

>>23729260

Try to see if they can understand us.

"Yeah, he can be a bit of a blowhard sometimes... but his heart is in the right place."

>>23729287
Hes always like this. He has a good heart though.

Try to speak in their language. If you fail though resort to common.

>>23729292
oh come now, it's no big deal. We're just comprehending languages we've never even heard before or been educated in based entirely on racial history.

Just... act natural.

>>23729260
"What language is that?"

Also ask if you can speak to their elder.

>>23729305
Well it was meant to be said in mildly surprised tone. Because Life is never this convenient.

>>23729260
Attempt to speak to them in their tongue. Give our pitch, see if any would be willing to give a shot at full citizenship and give a warning about the shelling.

>>23729292
<Sorry,> You say over your shoulder. <He's always like that.> You pause. "...By the Light, I can under stand them."

Isen, Tara, and the others are all gaping at you.

"Understand them?" Mari says. "Ssen, you just spoke to...oh yes!" She grins. "You don't HAVE human eardrums or a human tongue and voicebox."

One of the lizard people walks up to you. <You are Beautiful of Woods or Beautiful of Mountains?> He asks. <Because this one's son is strong, and will give you many fertile eggs.> Pardon SHE asks. <This one will introduce you.>

Another walks up. <That One is a liar, That One's Son puts slime on tail. This One's Son is mighty and needs no slime to shine! You will see This One's Son and receive many MANY fertile eggs.>

<This One is not a liar. That One is a liar!> The first one says.

>>23729375
<Please stop fighting, I'm hear to talk to your leaders currently, this is no time for matchmaking.>

>>23729375
<Sorry, but I'm not looking to start a family. Rather pressing business right now.>

>>23729401
Er maybe
<Please stop fighting, this is not time for matchmaking, I need to talk to your leader regarding taking back the city."

>>23729429
Not the time*

>You don't HAVE human eardrums or a human tongue and voicebox
That doesn't explain why we know this language. What even is this language?

>>23729375
in common
"...And I think they are trying to set me up with their sons..."

then
>>23729429

>>23729445
Reptile.

>>23729445
this happens all the time in stories. Like how people can mysteriously talk to dragons for no fucking reason just because they're the main character, or snakes, or something.

Perfectly natural response to protaganism.

>>23729401
<Please stop fighting, I'm hear to talk to your leaders currently, this is no time for matchmaking.>

<Elder is female. You are still -word you don't recognize- then?>

<Beautiful ones always are.> The second one sighs. <I will go get Elder.>

<Sorry, but I'm not looking to start a family. Rather pressing business right now.> You say.

Another lizard person walks up. You're actually starting to be able to tell the difference between them. It's hard, as they're all the same looking, no obvious difference between genders, but...part of you knows. And you know this one is female. Also, she's younger too.

<This One heard that you are -There's that word again- and not seeking male or eggs.> She tilts her head. <This One and others are -Again with that word- for those that have been taken by Howling Ones. Would would like to come and join?>

The others are standing back and just watching this. Isen's still entertaining the refugees with his bullshit.

>>23729480
Probably just common spoken at a lower/higher frequency.

>>23729445
We are probably communicating through scents.

>>23729510
<I'm sorry, I don't understand what -that word- means.>

>>23729510
... Please explain that word please. I was raised by a human Paladin so I have no Idea what you are talking about.

>>23729510
<Im sorry, what does -that word- mean?>

>>23729521
Nah, Mari realised that we spoke back to them. I doubt she'd notice a subtle pheromone shift like that and immediately understand what it was.

>>23729511

Or it could be "felt", rather than "heard". Perhaps Lamias and other reptilian races have specialized organs that can pick up on those subtle vibrations through the air, whereas other races only hear a faint humming (if anything)?

>>23729510
...Wait, they are talking about Heat. And she is asking if you want to join a female Orgy.

"...Err, No Thank you. Thanks for asking."

>>23729511
probably not common, but something with a similar structure, or was based on common.

I am betting is a mix of hissing and subaudible stuff.

>>23729537
<I'm sorry, I don't understand what -that word- means.>

"It's not something for you." A voice says. "You are not in mourning."

You turn to look. The Elder of the Lizard People who dwell beneath Stone Hall...is a Naga.

Isen looks gobsmacked. "Wha? She...you...she can...and you never...wow. Cock blocked by an entire village. Harsh."

"So..." She slithers around you. She's a head taller than you, and her tail is twice as thick. "What's your story, worm?"

>>23729544
She realized we spoke to them because we said we understood them. The books we read said it was unknown why lamias had pheromones. I'm fairly confidant it's for communication.

>>23729574
>For those who have been taken by the Howling Ones
I think it's a funeral/memorial service, not an orgy.
But maybe in their culture orgies are a traditional part of funerals.

>>23729602
Do you want my life story or the reason am here specifically?

>>23729602
Do you mean who I am, or why I'm here, or both?

>>23729602
"I'm here on behalf of paladin Julian to request aid."

>>23729648
"Do you want my life story or the reason am here specifically?"

She smiles. "I don't suppose we have time for that. You here for them?" The Naga points at the refugees. "If so, take them and be gone with my blessing. It's their smell that's luring the Ghouls here."

>>23729675
"I'm here on behalf of paladin Julian to request aid." You say.

The naga stares at you. "You're serious." She pauses and sighs. "They are knocking on my door...what is he pretending to offer. At least let me know how desperate they got."

A seat on the council and the city above our heads. He gave his word as a Paladin, even if it costs him his current standing.

>>23729707
Also, mention he said this to his adoptive Niece.

>>23729697
"The city, full citizenship, and a representative on the council."

>>23729707
"Along with citizenship for the lizardfolk."

>>23729707
>>23729697
Don't forget full rights as citizens.

>>23729697
"He says the city is yours if you can take it back. With citizenship and a place on the Council. Otherwise they will just have to shell it again."

>>23729676
Mostly, I'm here about the Ghouls themselves. They know you're here, and they're building an army above you. The Citadel armies and Paladins are on the brink of failure, and once they've lost, your people down here are bound to be next because the Ghouls aren't exactly picky.

We should discuss how WE are going to prevent that from happening.

>>23729697
"The city. Full citizenship. A seat in the Open Council. All of it.

A promise made by Paladin and my uncle Julian ."

So whats the difference between naga and lamia, are naga just more reptilian?

>>23729754
Lamia grow longer with age whereas naga grow thicker with age, IIRC.

File: 1363504846434.jpg-(3 KB, 127x108, Michiru 2.jpg)

3 KB JPG

I see these threads from afar, once they are finished or in the archives. I don't feel I'd be very good playing but I wanted to say that I like your story and world. The possibility of one of these threads sparks my day. I hope to read from the archives for some time. Thank you EC, just wanted you to know that I appreciate what you are doing.

>>23729718
"The city, full citizenship, and a representative on the council." You say.

She laughs. "Oh my, it must be truly horrific then. That's the best fake offer that we've ever gotten."

"The man who gave that offer was my Uncle," You say. "He's gave his word as a Paladin, even if it costs him his current standing."

The Naga sighs and rolls her eyes. "The sad thing, little worm, is that I don't doubt you. I'm sure your 'Uncle' does mean what he says. There have always been men like him. The kind ones, the ones that bring the extra banana for the monkeys in the cage." She sighs and looks at your friends. She looks honestly crestfallen at the sight of them. "You poor poor girl..." She mutters.

"Mostly though, I'm here about the Ghouls themselves. They know you're here, and they're building an army above you. The Citadel armies and Paladins are on the brink of failure, and once they've lost, your people down here are bound to be next because the Ghouls aren't exactly picky." You say. Trying to not let her throw you. "We should discuss how WE are going to prevent that from happening."

"You want us to let you into the city and fight with you, yes? Fine." She sighs. "We will. It isn't as if we have a choice. We will die for our city, and then your promises will slowly wither away and we will return here." She pauses. "But...will you indulge me in something?"

>>23729817
Depends on the nature of the indulgence.

>>23729817
Of course. If you will indulge me in turn. What do they call themselves?

>>23729817
"What?"

>>23729817
"What is it you wish?"

>>23729817
No.

>>23729754
Also, this Naga is dark purple in scales, her hair is grey and straight, but it looks good on her. There's some wrinkles around her eyes and mouth, but the rest of her looks as young as you do. She has on a leather strap across her breasts, and yes, she's larger than you are. She hasn't been gorging herself or living in giant open caves, she she's actually really REALLY small for a Naga of her age.

Also, her tail end is a tad more rounded than yours.

There's a smell around her too...it's...comforting. Like the smell of Father coming home covered with that leather smell he'd get when he skin his catches.

One "depends", two "huh?s", a "we'll trade", and a "no".

Nobody said yes. I like that.

We're paladin's to-be, not stupid.

>>23729855
"What is it you wish?"

She grins. "You were very very lucky you were 'rescued' before your parents kissed you asleep. Or maybe not...but you don't know much about we, the Beautiful Ones, am I correct? How years of natural selection kept the ones who were the most fair alive and fed? I can see the stain of blood in the gaps of your scales, little worm. So you know that pleasure at least." The Naga chuckles. "Fight me." She says. "Win or lose, my people are yours to use. I just want to feel like a younger woman for a little bit, and the memory of having a lamia brat's face in the dust before me is too tempting to surrender."

>>23729933
oh man isen is gonna love this

Sounds like a learning experiance to me. Ask the rules. If they aren't too horrid accept. We'll try out best of course.

>>23729933
"...Very well."

>>23729933
"You want to fight? With a war above our heads ... just so you can feel young? I ... what."

>>23729969
>>23729976
hey, if we stipulate nothing too horrid fightwise so we are both still good to destroy some ghouls, what's wrong with a little practice?

It helps hone the skills dontchaknow.

>>23729969
I am in agreement with this anon.

>>23729933
Just called us a brat. Bitch is going down.

>>23729976
Its not going to take long. Most battles don't unless they are evenly matched.

>>23729933
"Fine."
She wants to beat us up a little bit, she can beat us up. It's worth it for an army.

After we've taken the city, we should ask her to teach us about the lamia culture and stuff.

>>23729991
dude, we have no idea of the age scales at play here. We could be like, a tenth her age. We should be worried about beating up an old lady before being worried about being called a brat.

>>23729985
Waste of time? Waste of energy? Any other time sure why not. Not when there's a bloody war on.

>>23730003
Call her granny for fun.

>>23730003
I am betting us snakefolk get stronger with age.

ask the rules, and if its nonlethal stuff then fight her.

>>23729933
"Alright Granny, what are the rules?"

Need I remind you all that we have business to attend to and can't afford risking injury?

If she wants to feel young, she can kill all the Ghouls she wants.

>>23730010
This is also something of a last request for her, since either way we're going into battle after this. Might not get another chance to fight a lamia, and all that.

>>23730023
Theres a healer here I thought.

>>23729976
"You want to fight? With a war above our heads ... just so you can feel young? I ... what?"

"It wont take long. And when the promises you were given are broken, and you and your Paladin 'Uncle' come before me ashamed and saddened that your fellow man could be so ungrateful. You will give me apologies and consolations. You will maybe give some small tokens...but I will still have this moment." The Naga says. "My people will continue, as they do, but I have very few good memories. This will be one of them."

"What are the rules?"

"You and me." She says. "No weapons, no fangs. Just our arms and tails." She looks at Isen. "Normally this was done topless, as we never wore clothes or armor, but I think we can skip that part."

Isen looks crestfallen.

>>23730047
"Yeah, Isen would enjoy that too much."
Take off our armor and wear a shirt or something.

>>23730039
Yup, both Lea and Tricia can mend wounds.

>>23730047
Go for it. I fully expect to lose, as we have never fought barehanded before and we've never fought a snake-person. AND she has done both.

>>23730047
"Okay. How is the winner decided?"

>>23730047
"And I agree completely on that count."

>>23730068
>>23730047
Yeah we're going to lose, but PAY ATTENTION. This is as much snake martial arts as we are going to get to learn before the battle.

>>23730072
"I agree completely on that count." You say.

The Naga motions for you to follow as the lizard men and refugees make room.

"How is the winner decided?" You ask.

"When you've had enough." She says.

"You talk a lot, Granny." You say.

"Worm, I'm old enough to be your great-great-great-great-Grandmother's ancestor." She says.

She faces you. She claps her hands and then opens them wide. "I'll be nice. Three hits, for free."

>>23730134
Straight for the solar plexus.

>>23730134
go for the points from Julian's book, I am assuming we have similar anatomy.

>>23730134
Quick, what did uncle's book say about those lamia weak points? Hit them.

>>23730134
....Tail snap to the solar plexus, punch to the throat, warp around her neck.

>>23730134
I say we make her regret it and hit her three times in the nose.

>>23730156
>>23730161
>spinebreaker weakpoints

noooooo

>>23730156
No. We're not going for the kill points.

>>23730156
... We don't want to kill her. I think a tail whip would work though.

>>23730156
This, spots that were provided that can stun.

>>23730148
You charge and swing your fist straight for the solar plexus.

In...All...His...Light...it's like hitting a stone wall...a stone wall that's wearing full plate armor!

You really hope you haven't broken your hand.

"That's one." Granny says.

>>23730156
>>23730161
As >>23730166, I now feel I missed an opportunity.

There was a point our armor reinforced, right at the small of the back, if I recall correctly, though I'd hate to paralyze her or something. She could come in handy. Maybe there's one that's less potentially lethal?

>>23730179
Use the tail!

>>23730186
How about not using them?
We aren't trying to kill her, no matter how brick her shithouse seems to be made of.

>>23730167
ah I thought there where less lethal weak points in it also(like the solar plexus equivalent, or a kidney jab etc)

>>23730190
You whip your tail at her and wrap it around her neck. You're going to kill the old woman, just make her choke for a little before mercifully letting go.

You squeeze, and squeeze...and squeeze.

Granny yawns.

You squeeze harder than you ever have before. You one caused a tree to crack under this kind of pressure.

Granny clears her throat a little.

You squeeze a little more...and you feel something pop, you uncoil almost instantly. Ohhhh, that's going to need a lot of ice later.

"That's two!" She says

>>23730179
I'd say that, unless there are less lethal weak points, we should just make this a quick, convincing fight and just take the fall.

>>23730210
>maybe there's one that's potentially less lethal
>I'd hate to paralyze her
I'm curious to know where I suggested that I wanted to risk killing her. I'm saying there were several weaknesses alluded to in the book, and that maybe one of them would stun without killing.

Jeez.

>>23730243
Go for the headbutt!

>>23730252
>paladins falling
NEVER! We'll fight as well as we can. But we'll lose, yeah. no vital point attacks on the spine like that, it's against the spirit of this thing. I think.

>>23730243
...Go for any non-lethal weak point we know about.

>>23730263
Ya knock ourselves unconscious before she can even hit us!
>Don't actually do this.

...
Has anyone ever seen a snake do a suplex before?

>>23730291
she outweighs us by at least 2x, so that is out.

>>23730291
Assuming we can lift her, Granny seems to be made of stone.

>>23730291
...Can we even lift her? She like two times our size.

>>23730243
"Oh, just get this over with." One last halfhearted poke to the solarplexus.

>>23730353
oh, we could slap her instead.

Slap her, shrug, "I got nothin'". then we get creamed.

>>23730263
Okay, this one is going to be tricky...but you think you can do it. You're going to headbutt her, in one of Julian's mentioned weak spots.

It shouldn't kill the old hag, but it would let her know that if this WAS a real fight, you could take her.

You're even going to use her freakishly solid body to your advantage!

You lunge forward and wrap your tail around her neck again, only this time you go with the momentum, and hurl yourself. Since she's a bit bigger than you are the weak spot is bigger too. You brace yourself for the impact.

Ow. Ow. Ow.

Granny makes a small 'mmh' noise.

She looks over her shoulder at you, lying there in a heap on her back. "Good try. I wore armor there for years too." She smiles. "You know that spot's always itchy. Thanks."

She takes a deep breath. "Now...my turn." She lifts and drops her tail, and the entire cavern seems to shake.

"Let me say this, little worm. You are luckier than most our kin, and far wiser too." She says as an arm closes around your tail. It's as tight as a vice.

Oh, this is going to suck.

Poke her in the eye

Rolled 18

>>23730243
"What the hell are you made of Granny?"
one last tail slam.

>>23730367
Quickly rap yourself around her arm so she can't swing us.

>>23730385
yeah, this is our best recourse right now. Getting swung would hurt a LOT MORE than being bashed around on a wrapped arm. Right? Momentum and all that?

>>23730385
Sounds like the least painful plan.

Rolled 11

>>23730385
No, let her throw us, but latch on with our tail and use the momentum to throw her.

>>23730437
That might work, unless she decides to slam us face first into the ground like she said.

>>23730367
"Other beautiful ones, they've let themselves and the world turn them into animals." She flings you to the ground. Before you can even move she's slid over you, pinning your tail under hers. "Not that the world helps much to stop that, but more often than you think we are given a chance. Too often we squander it." She twists and you feel a part of your tail you weren't consciously aware of pop. You open your mouth to wail in pain, but Granny puts her hand over your mouth. "They try to get more and more and more...to devour the world, only to find themselves choking to death on it." She pulls you free by the neck and puts you in a sleeper hold. "I tried to let the world devour me. I threw myself into anything and everything I could. I was a warrior, a sage, a thief, and a priest. I've been a mother to children, and civilizations...I let the world's wonders devour me. It made me into this, and I am content." She lets go and you stagger around gasping for breath.

<The worst pain is when they die.> She points at the others, speaking in that lizard people's tongue. <How long do you think we live? 100? 200? Those are for the greedy ones who reduce themselves to animals. Beautiful ones live far far longer. You might live to even see the end of Citadel.> She spins around and slaps you with her tail, you go flying through the air and hit the ground hard. <They age, they die. You wont...and they will not hate you for it. For they love you, and your memory of them makes them immortal, and since they live in you and are associated with you, and a part of you...that makes them beautiful as well. So people give themselves up onto you, their dreams, their hopes, their wishes. You end up devouring them, just in a different way.>

Then Granny comes and picks you up by the neck and stares into your eyes. <And you little worm, little Dawnchaser...you wish to devour the Light, and when you do...it will make it beautiful.>

She slams you, face first, into the sandy ground.