>>25806670
>C. Strike up a conversation with Spear-Tip, standing to the side.

And welcome back.

>>25806670
>A. Allow the sparring match between Sharp-Strike and Blade-Tip to conclude while you observe.
Welcome back, PQ.

AWWWW YEAH! Time for Opredators.
C. Strike up a conversation with Spear-Tip, standing to the side.

>>25806670
>C. Strike up a conversation with Spear-Tip, standing to the side.

Welcome back. Its been too long.

Now, that should be Spear-Eye right? You seem to have conflated the two names again.

Good to see you back PQ, your brief hiatus allowed me to catch up in the archives. Great quest you've got going.

>C. Strike up a conversation with Spear-Tip, standing to the side.

>>25806748
Yes, that should be Spear-Eye.

My mistake.

Regardless, looks like C wins. Write-up inc.

To summarize an outline of future plans:

>1. We enter Three-Claw and Sharp-Strike into the Night-Douches' gladiator tourney.
>2. We draw their attention.
>3. The rest of the team (sorry, forgot their names) tries to plant bugs for intel gathering, while acting inconspicuous.

That sound right?

>>25806810

>C. Strike up a conversation with Spear-Eye, standing to the side.

You move next to Spear-Eye, and greet him.

"I'm Three-Claw. You must be Spear-Eye. Well met."

He looks at you, and clicks his throat. "Yes, I have heard about you. I hear you are very capable. There is much we can learn from each other."

You hear a growl from Blade-Tip as Sharp-Strike lands a hit on his shoulder, knocking him off balance.

Spear-Eye clicks with irritation. "Slow, isn't he? I've seen practice dummies that move faster than that one."

Do you:

A. Say "I've heard he's quite the marksman, though."
B. Say "Blade-Tip isn't slow. Sharp-Strike is too quick."
C. Say "Is that so? Come, let's spar. See if you're as fast as you say."
D. Say nothing.

>>25807021
>D. Say nothing.

Patience. The battle is yet to be concluded.

>>25807021
D, let him make more snide remarks. The ass beating will be all the sweeter later.

>>25807021
>D. Say nothing.

Silentium est aureum

>>25807021
>D. Say nothing.

>>25806860
Pretty much. In summary, we know that the leaders of clan Night-Prowler are conspirators in a plot to arm humans with Yuatja tech, but we have no evidence. We're going to their base under the pretense that we are Shark-Strike's mentor and entering him in a tournament so that we can snoop around and get some proof.

In addition, clan Night-Prowler is now charging Quick-Shadow, also a member of clan Night-Prowler for treason or something-other. We went on a mission with Quick-Shadow, Burning-Scythe, and Sharp-Strike and together uncovered the conspiracy.

Basically.

1. Find evidence.
2. Use evidence to exonerate Quick-Shadow
3. Dish out justice to Night-Prowlers

>>25807097
>>D. Say nothing.

You remain silent, and say nothing.

You two watch as Blade-Tip takes another elbow to the chest. Suddenly, he sinks down and attempts a leg sweep against Sharp-Strike, but Sharp-Strike blocks the hit easily.

Shortly after that, Blade-Tip is pinned to the ground. Your mentor steps forward and declares Sharp-Strike the winner.

The two young fighters stand, and respectfully thanks each other. Blade-Tip steps to the side as Sharp-Strike turns to greet you.

Do you:

A. Arrange a sparring duel between Sharp-Strike and yourself, to see how much he has learned.
B. Arrange a sparring duel between Sharp-Strike and Spear-Eye.
C. Arrange a sparring match between yourself and Spear-Eye.
D. Strike up a conversation with Blade-Tip.
E. Challenge Blade-Tip to a shooting contest in the holo-range.

>>25807365
B

>>25807365
>B. Arrange a sparring duel between Sharp-Strike and Spear-Eye.

>>25807365
>B. Arrange a sparring duel between Sharp-Strike and Spear-Eye.

Lets see if we can't knock him down a peg.

>>25807283
Quick-Shadow is pretty much the only respectable Night-Prowler we've come across. His origin story is particularly interesting. It's because of that I suspect he isn't the most 'patriotic' of that clan.

"Of the 14 years he has spent hunting since his blooding, 9 of it has been spent on a jungle planet on the edge of the galaxy. He was part of a Night-Prowler hunting team sent there to evaluate the local tribal civilization. The locals turned out to be far more savage than they expected, and after a disastrous ambush, his two teammates were killed and he himself took a large slug to the chest.

Their ship, deciding the entire team was wiped out, lifted off on auto-pilot and left him there.

He spent the next 9 years alone in the jungle, surviving and hunting, surviving and hunting, until a few years ago, when the Night-Prowlers finally sent a second team and picked him up."

He also despises Night-Star, the biggest conspirator we've captured.

"You ask him whether they've had some past history. "

" 'My clan-mate took the recordings of my ship which proved I may be alive, and tried to convince the Fleet-Master to send a ship for me. He wouldn't.' "

>>25807365
>B. Arrange a sparring duel between Sharp-Strike and Spear-Eye.

This should be interesting.

>>25807365
>B. Arrange a sparring duel between Sharp-Strike and Spear-Eye.

Show him it doesn't pay to be cocky.

>>25807429
>>B. Arrange a sparring duel between Sharp-Strike and Spear-Eye.

You congratulate Sharp-Strike on his win and turn to Spear-Eye. "I am very much keen to see your prowess in the field," you tell him, "care for a sparring match against Sharp-Strike?"

The young student rises to the challenge. "Yes. Certainly. Though..." he turns to Sharp-Strike, "... I should warn you, I am a much more skilled fighter than your last opponent."

Sharp-Strike glances at you, and accepts the challenge. As the two fighters approach the practice field, Seeking-Eye walks over and stands next to you.

"Sharp-Strike is a natural. I've seen that Spear-Eye fellow move." he whispers, "This isn't remotely fair. You should have him and Blade-Tip together against Sharp-Strike for a proper challenge."

Do you:

A. Say nothing and let the sparring commence.
B. Suggest pairing Blade-Tip with Spear-Eye and arrange a 2 on 1 with Sharp-Strike.

>>25807538
>B. Suggest pairing Blade-Tip with Spear-Eye and arrange a 2 on 1 with Sharp-Strike.

Well, if we're gonna enter him into the tourney, better expect some melee free-for-all and double teaming.

>>25807538
>A. Say nothing and let the sparring commence.

He was talking some serious shit a moment ago.

Let him learn the hard way that he isn't the big kid on the block.

>>25807538
>A. Say nothing and let the sparring commence.

>>25807538
Actually, I change mine to A.

>A.

Because it will benefit Spear-Eye to have his ego damaged a bit.

>>25807585
He's the hunter who was training Sharp-Strike in hand-to-hand combat.

Looks like we have a tie. Tiebreaker?

>>25807631
Vote changed, looks like there is no need

>>25807631
No need good sir.
A.) took the lead.

>>25807631
I changed mine so it looks like A is ahead.

>>25807651
A wins. write-up in.

>>25807687
You acknowledge, but say nothing, and watch calmly as the sparring begins.

Spear-Eye begins to the manuever as Sharp-Strike remains still. He quickly dances from side to side while throwing out the occsational punch or palm, all of which Sharp-Strike blocks or evades effortlessly.

"Fancy footwork," you whisper to Seeking-Eye.

"Yes. I once fought a six-legged Devourer Mantis in the arena. It had fancy footwork too. I spent a good hour chasing it around before putting a disc into its neck. Watch this." He gestures to Sharp-Strike.

You see Sharp-Strike effortlessly grab Spear-Eye's fist out of the air and lock his arm down with a solid grip. Spear-Eye bellows in pain as Sharp-Strike twists hard. A split second later, Spear-Eye is on the ground. He springs to his feet quickly, however, and the match continues, though the score is now heavily in Sharp-Strike's favor.

Do you:

A. Continue observing the match to its conclusion.
B. Get Blade-Tip's attention and have him join the fight.

>>25807880
>B. Get Blade-Tip's attention and have him join the fight.

We put a dent in Spear-Eye's pride, now we should test Sharp-Strike. He needs to prepare for this competition.

>>25807880
B. Get Blade-Tip's attention and have him join the fight.

>>25807938
this

>>25807880
B. Get Blade-Tip's attention and have him join the fight.

>>25807938
I concur.

>>25807959
>>B

You call for a pause to the fighting, and beckon Blade-Tip to join you. You ask him to join Spear-Eye as a partner in the sparring match.

Blade-Tip accepts, and steps beside Spear-Eye.

Sharp-Strike again adopts a fighting stance and prepares himself.

Spear-Eye growls. "I can take him. That... that was a lucky hit."

Your mentor steps forward and clicks in irritation. "No, Spear-Eye. You were too predictable. You moved around too much. You think it makes you harder to hit, but all it does is telegraph your every intention to Sharp-Strike. He knew which angle you would strike from by following your footwork, and he took advantage of it. Now, stow your ego, and fight properly!"

Spear-Eye breathes deeply, and brings his arms together in a fighting stance. He turns to Blade-Tip. "Try to hold him in place. I'll flank from the sides."

The fighting resumes.

Your mentor approaches you, and comes to stand with you and Seeking-Eye.

"Can't teach him a thing with that attitude," he mutters.

Do you respond:

A. "He seems to respond well to pressure."
B. "He does look to be pretty quick on his feet."
C. "Yes. His ego is getting in the way of his actual skills."

>>25808205
>C. "Yes. His ego is getting in the way of his actual skills."
With that attitude on pandora he'll be dead within 24 hours.

>>25808205
C

>>25808205
>C. "Yes. His ego is getting in the way of his actual skills."
>>25808232
agreed

>>25808205
C.

>>25808233
>> "Yes. His ego is getting in the way of his actual skills," you respond.

"He seems to be doing better now," Seeking-Eye remarks. You turn to observe the fight.

With Blade-Tip joining the fight, Sharp-Strike is definitely having a harder time. Spear-Eye's nimble footwork is far more effective now that Sharp-Strike needs to divert his attention to guard against Blade-Tip.

You watch as the pair works surprisingly well with each other. Blade-Tip is solid, and defends himself well against Sharp-Strike's attacks, leaving Spear-Eye to nimbly move around their opponent.

"They work well with each other. They're far more dangerous when fighting together," Seeking-Eye remarks.

You watch keenly as Spear-Eye catches an opening and dives in from the side. He slams his palm into Sharp-Strike's shoulder while Blade-Tip rushes forward and tackles Sharp-Strike to the ground.

Your mentor steps forward and declares the pair to be the winner. Sharp-Strike stands up, and looks at you sheepishly.

Do you:

A. Congratulate the pair and stress the importance of teamwork.
B. Ask Spear-Eye what he has learned from that match.
C. Ask Sharp-Strike what he has learned from that match.

>>25808447
B+C

>>25808447
B and C

>>25808447
B and C

>>25808447
>B. Ask Spear-Eye what he has learned from that match.
>C. Ask Sharp-Strike what he has learned from that match.

Rolled 1

>>25808447
>C.
He should have learned the importance of teamwork. How even the best fighters cannot stand alone.

>B.
He should have learned to keep his ego in check and to not become reckless because of pride.

If you only have time for one, I defer to the gods of dice.

>>25808447
B and C sounds good.
We have had quite the consensus on things tonight.

>>25808525
Sorry OP. Maybe you'll earn a bonus for all this extra writing.

>>25808515

You turn to Sharp-Strike.

"Good match. What have you learned?"

He thinks about it for a moment. "I think... I need more practice. It was hard following two opponents. Maybe I should have been more aggressive and focused on getting one of them out of the fight first."

You pat him on the back. "It was a hard fight. You did well."

You turn to Spear-Eye. "And you. What did you learn?"

"That Blade-Tip here is slow, and if he moved faster, we could have won in half the time." he scoffs.

"If I danced around like you did," Blade-Tip mutters, "We'd both be on the ground in half the time."

Spear-Eye turns to him, about to retort, but instead lets out a long breath. "That was... that was good teamwork." He turns to Sharp-Strike. "I need to learn how to fight like that."

Do you:

A. Tell his he's welcome to train with Sharp-Strike for the next few days.
B. Tell Spear-Eye he'll never become as skilled a fighter with his ego getting in the way.

>>25808660
>A. Tell his he's welcome to train with Sharp-Strike for the next few days.

Sharp-Strike could use any extra training.

>>25808660
>A. Tell his he's welcome to train with Sharp-Strike for the next few days.
We should take Sharp-Strike aside later and tell him to be merciless until he lets his ego go.

>>25808660
B. Tell Spear-Eye he'll never become as skilled a fighter with his ego getting in the way.
Ego busting time

>>25808660
>A. Tell his he's welcome to train with Sharp-Strike for the next few days.

The second is not strictly true. He could be very skilled indeed, his motivations are just a bit differnt.

>>25808698
I like this train of thought

>>25808682
>>A.

"You're welcome to train with Sharp-Strike for the next few days," you tell him. You look to Blade-Tip. "That goes for you too."

"I think I'd like that," Spear-Eye tells you.

Your mentor approaches you. "Well, that's settled. When are you leaving for..." he glances at the Spear-Eye and Blade-Tip. "... that errand?"

Do you respond:

A. "In one day. We should hurry."
B. "In a few days. Sharp-Strike needs the training, and I'm hoping the archivist can tell me something before I go."
C. "Let's wait a good week. I don't want to rush anything. We need to be careful."

>>25808875
>B. "In a few days. Sharp-Strike needs the training, and I'm hoping the archivist can tell me something before I go."

Tie-breaker?

>>25809006
I'll switch my vote to A if we're at an impasse here.

>>25808875
>A. "In one day. We should hurry."
>>25808901
Raises a good point.

>>25809056
Strike that.
>B. "In a few days. Sharp-Strike needs the training, and I'm hoping the archivist can tell me something before I go."
knowledge is power

>>25808875
B.

>>25808875
B. "In a few days. Sharp-Strike needs the training, and I'm hoping the archivist can tell me something before I go."

We need to use our connections with the archivist.

We are opredator. We need info.

>>25809187
Oops. I didn't see the new votes.

Should we change?

>>25809301
I would prefer that, if it is not too much trouble

>>25809301
Nah it's fine.

>>25809276
Sorry, could someone run through the sort of weapons they are proficient with? I've completely forgotten.

Burning-Scythe:
Seeking-Eye:
Steel-Arrow:

>>25809301
Okay, let's just work with it. Saves you some hassle
>>25809361
That rundown would make it easier.

>>25809020
>>B

"Let's give it a few days," you tell him, "time for Sharp-Strike to train, and the archivist to make some progress on her task."

"Good." He turns to Sharp-Strike. "Train hard. There's not much time."

You say a few words of encouragement, and bid them goodbye. You leave the training grounds and prepare yourself for the mission ahead.

You spend the next day consulting with Burning-Scythe, who shows you how to use and plant the transmitters which will tap into nearby communication nodes and relay their traffic to your wrist computer.

Each one resembles a small and thin silver spike.

After some testing, you familiarize yourself with their operations.

You are visited by Ashen-Blade, in the middle of the day. He tells you he has already arranged for a meeting with his local Night-Prowler contact, as cover for entering the city. "I told him I can bring one more with me," he tells you, "as associates. Who else is coming?"

Do you:

A. Tell him it will just be you, him, and Sharp-Strike. You won't be taking anyone else.
B. Tell him you should have Burning-Scythe join you.
C. Tell him you will ask Seeking-Eye.
D. Tell him you should bring Steel-Arrow.

>>25809432
Who is the most proficient with stealth and/or general tacticoolomancy? Take that one.

>>25809519
This, pretty much. Its been so long I don't really remember everybody's skillsets very well, other than Burning-Scythe is the explosives guy.

>>25809519
>Who is the most proficient with stealth and/or general tacticoolomancy? Take that one.

Probably Steel-Arrow

>>25809432
D. Tell him you should bring Steel-Arrow.

>>25809561
Thanks.

>>25809432
>>25809561

D then.

>Burning-Scythe from Clan Gold-Bastion:

Personality: Easy-going and relaxed.
Specialty: Explosives and demolitions.
Experienced in: Hunting underground.
Preferred weapon: A heavy, high-yield plasma pistol.

>Seeking-Eye from Clan High-Arch

Personality: Sociable, but turns dead serious when talking shop.
Specialty: Medium-range combat
Experienced in: Taking on multiple hard-meat and winning.
Preferred weapon: A large, ancient-looking reflex disc that's seen a lot of use.

>>25809519
Couldn't find anything on Steel-Arrow

>>25809604
So... he's so stealthy that you couldn't even find a description of him?

We're taking Steel-Arrow.

>>25809432

>D. Tell him you should bring Steel-Arrow.
Steel arrow it is

>>25809594
>>D. Tell him you should bring Steel-Arrow.

You suggest Steel-Arrow.

"Good. I'll make the arrangements. When do we leave?"

"In a few days," you tell him, "I'll let you know."

He acknowledges, and bids you farewell.

You spend the rest of the day learning the ins and outs of the transmitter with Burning-Scythe, until you are confident you will be able to operate them effectively.

How would you like to spend the next day?

A. Going over a map of the Night-Prowler city with your team.
B. Spending the day at the Archives to see what you can do to help the decryption process.
C. Spend the time with Sharp-Strike, helping him train.

>>25809781
>A. Going over a map of the Night-Prowler city with your team.

HELL YEAH MAPS!

>>25809781
>A. Going over a map of the Night-Prowler city with your team.

>>25809781
>A. Going over a map of the Night-Prowler city with your team.

Best to know where we are going. Wouldn't want to be caught asking for directions when we are trying to be sneaky.

>>25809854
You gather your team and spend a good portion of the day studying the Night-Prowler map.

Most of the high ranking elders are housed towards the center of the city, conveniently near the arena, where the young blood competition is held. Nearby also is the clan palace, the seat of power of the Night-Prowler clan.

Towards the north is the market. The space port is to the west, along with the armory and shipyard. You note the courthouse to the east along with the prison where Quick-Shadow is likely to be held.

"How will we get there?" Steel-Arrow asks you.

Do you answer:

A. "Let's take a public shuttle. More discreet."
B. "We'll take our ships and land at their space port. Can't rely on a shuttle if we need to get out in a hurry.."

>>25810010
>A. "Let's take a public shuttle. More discreet."

If we are caught, they can lock-down their spaceport as easily as the public shuttle.

>>25810010
>A. "Let's take a public shuttle. More discreet."

Lets go full stealth run. If we need to blast our way out, things have already gone tits-up and we'd probably be boned in the long term anyway.

>>25810010
>>25810121
>A. "Let's take a public shuttle. More discreet."

Good point

>>25810139
>>A.

"Let's take a public shuttle. More discreet," you tell them.

"Right," Steel-Arrow agrees, "I'll make the neccessary arrangements."

"What about weapons?" Burning-Scythe asks. "You'll draw a lot of attention waslking around their city with a plasma caster, speargun, and heavy armor."

You say:

A. "Right. Let's keep it to personal weapons only. Combi-sticks and wrist blades."
B. "We'll go in fully armed. We're likely to draw attention anyway, might as well be prepared for it."
C. "We'll keep it to personal weapons only, but we'll take our heavy weapons with us in a case.

>>25810288
A

We're not here for a slaughter. Ideally, we don't want to be murdering anybody.

>>25810288
>A. "Right. Let's keep it to personal weapons only. Combi-sticks and wrist blades."

>>25810288
>A. "Right. Let's keep it to personal weapons only. Combi-sticks and wrist blades.

Here's where I wish we took the mini plasma-pistol.

Can we take our drone-mine? How concealable is it?

>>25810346

This! That drone will be great for recon

>>25810346
Can fit one or two - that sounds reasonable. I'll allow it.

A wins. writeup inc.

>>A.

"Right. Let's keep it to personal weapons only. Combi-sticks and wrist blades," you tell them. "I'll take two drone mines with me as well; should be easily concealable."

You spend the remainder of the day familiarizing yourselves with the city. You feel you now know the city very well.

What will you spend the next day on?

A. Spend the day with your team going over what you know of the Night-Prowler ruling council, with material gathered from the archives.
B. Spending the day at the Archives to see what you can do to help the decryption process.
C. Spend the time with Sharp-Strike, helping him train.

>>25810476
>A. Spend the day with your team going over what you know of the Night-Prowler ruling council, with material gathered from the archives.

It will help us decide who to target first.

>>25810476
>A. Spend the day with your team going over what you know of the Night-Prowler ruling council, with material gathered from the archives.

Dat intel.

>>25810497
Agreed
>>25810476
>A. Spend the day with your team going over what you know of the Night-Prowler ruling council, with material gathered from the archives.

>>A. Spend the day with your team going over what you know of the Night-Prowler ruling council, with material gathered from the archives.

You gather what material you can from the archives, and cross reference them with current information provided by your Matriarch.

You identify the few elders on the ruling tribunal and point them out on the map.

You were unable to find any detailed information about any of them. You point to one of the houses near the palace. "Keen-Mark. Head elder. Seems to be the most senior."

You point to a second house, above it. "Sword-Dancer, former aide to the matriarch."

You shift to the left. "Death-Gifter, elder, former lead warrior of internal security."

You point to another house nearby. "Dark-Shroud, chief judge."

"What do we know about them?" Steel-Arrow asks.

"Virtually nothing. Took enough work just to get the names," you tell them.

Steel-Arrow scoffs. "Not surprising. Night-Prowlers always did like secrecy a bit too much. So, who should we go after then?"

Do you answer:

A. "Let's start by planting transmitters on all of their houses."
B. "Let's start by asking around and observing, once we land in the city."
C. "We should start with the chief judge."
D. "We should start with the head elder."
E. "We should start with the former aide to the matriarch."
F. "We should start with the former lead warrior of internal security."

>>25810840
A

>>25810840
Tough choice.

Keen-Mark seems the most obvious, though he is probably the one that they want us to go for. Probably the most heavily guarded and the most prepared.

Sword-Dancer, if sided with the conspirators, would be incredibly useful to them. Still, probably not one with a lot of information.

Death-Gifter probably has a fair bit of intel. "Internal security" seems like it would require him to be in the loop. This could be the best bet.

Dark-Shroud is probably complicit. He could be the one pushing for Quick-Shadow's guilt. Not sure how much he knows though.

>>25810840
I suppose I'll go with A.

I propose our next target will be Death-Gifter, but that is for the future.

>>25811026
>>A.

"Let's start by planting transmitters on all of their houses. It's the best way to get more information."

"Sounds good," Steel-Arrow replies.

You spend the rest of the day with your team planning out the operation.

Finally, at the end of teh day, you decide everything is in place, and you are ready to leave for the city.

What will you do the following day?

A. Spending the day at the Archives to see what you can do to help the decryption process.
B. Spend the time with Sharp-Strike, helping him train.
C. Gather your team and leave for the Night-Prowler city.

>>25811251
I doubt we could help with the decryption process, so I say it's time to get on with the show.
>C. Gather your team and leave for the Night-Prowler city.

>>25811251
c

>>25811315
>> C

Deciding you are ready, at last, you summon Sharp-Strike and meet Ashen-Blade and Steel-Arrow at the shuttle station.

The four of you are armed only with your combi-sticks and wrist blades.

You carefully wrap two drone mines in some linen and strap it to a non-dsecript trophy case on your belt, along with a handful of transmitters.

You board the shuttle bound for Night-Prowler city, and the four of you are on your way.

___________________________________________

END Episode 35

Thanks for playing everyone! Sorry for the long delay.

>>25811411
Thanks PQ, sorry the quest was so quiet tonight.

>>25811411
Very good. I'm looking forward to get down to business.

Archived here.

Thanks!

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/25806670/

>>25811460
Did that mis-labelled archive get fixed in the end?

>>25811513
No, sadly it's still up as rape quest. I'll probably try to get ahold of the often afk IRC tomorrow

>>25807283
>Start reading this thread again
>pretense that we are Shark-Strike's mentor

Where are the drawfags when you need them?

>>25812295
Now you can pretend that Sharp-strike is actually Shark-Strike.The mental imagery shall be glorious, especially during the tournament.

>>25812347
Only if one of the tourney venues can be converted into an aquarium of sorts...

Polite, post-quest discussion sage.

>>25812390
"Underwater battle royale!"