>>28948596
>>"Of course not. I'll kill them all. And their little bull-man, too."
BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD

>>28948596
As soon as I figure out a way to ground the monster, I'll kill him and his masters.

>>28948596
tough decision. I'm going to default to
>I don't know, I don't rule here
with a side of
>I'm going to get that bull-man if he comes down low enough to cause trouble

naturally I'd prefer peace, but I'm not going to stand by while they threaten force against us.

>>28948596
>>"Of course not. I'll kill them all. And their little bull-man, too."

out of curiosity, how does our voice sound?
The lion girl got her voice dropped a few octaves, but that's from the roar configuration.

>>28948596
>"Of course not. I'll kill them all. And their little bull-man, too."

Really with what just happened I pretty much want to destroy them

>>28948880
I'm guessing still a little girl.Which makes the talk of slaughter a bit more horrifying.

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>>28948596
"I don't know. I don't make those decisions. All I know is I'm gonna find a way to get that bull-man and kill him!"

The man stands up and has a look around. "Well, that's good. The people will like that a great deal, Lady Scorpion. Be sure to bring back his head!"

You purchase some fine black cloth and assure the rest of the people in the area that the danger is gone. The man tries to give it away, probably in the hopes that you'll tell the priests about him, but you figure that paying him will both benefit him and remind him of his place.

You have the strange tailor carry the cloth back to the pyramid as he walks with you. "So you never told me your name."

The tailor smiles, but it doesn't look quite genuine. "The names I've used would attract suspicion and displeasure. That would be a disservice to my new owner, wouldn't it? The Lady Scorpion may call me what she will."

>>28948880
> Your voice sounds just like it did before. Ninlil's voice seems to be uniquely messed up. Which will bring us to the next order of business, trying to heal the pains in her throat.

> Name him.
> "You want to see displeasure? Keep disobeying. Otherwise, tell me the name your mama gave you."
> "Uh, I'll keep that in mind. You can make dresses, right? Let me explain what I want. This is very important to me..."

>>28949034
if he doesn't want a name, then whatever. Our name is hunzuu by the way.

Now, about that dress. And that blood. Don't mix them, but we want both.
Lion girl needs a cup of blood probably. Maybe. We don't actually know, but we hope.

>>28949034
>> Name him.
Make him give himself another name.

> "Uh, I'll keep that in mind. You can make dresses, right? Let me explain what I want. This is very important to me..."
WE WANNA BE PRETTY!

>>28949034
"I need to call you something. You pick a name."
"So, about this dress..."

>>28949179

sounds good...

Also, have we thought about where he is going to stay? I don't think he will get on with Mr Clicks... not to mention feeding him...

>>28949234
no, we haven't.
We basically came home one day with a slave and a "Can we keep him? Can we huh huh please?' to the priests.

>>28949034
>> "You want to see displeasure? Keep disobeying. Otherwise, tell me the name your mama gave you."

>>28949252
Why can I imagine the priests looking at us as if we're retarded, before one of the reminds us we're just a kid?

>>28949302
because that's character interaction!

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>>28949034
"I don't care. Just call yourself something."
"Hmm... perhaps something after Tammuz, god of rebirth. Rabi-Tammuz will do."
"Fine, whatever. My name is Hunzuu, by the way. People don't' have to call me Lady Scorpion. They just started doing that on their own."
"Very well. I take it from what I'm holding that you didn't buy me to be a surgeon. A pity. I think I was finally getting the hang of it."
"Maybe later. But first you have to make a dress for me. A really nice one."
"And I heard something about bleeding into a cup."
"Yes, that too! It's for my friend."
He smiles. "That's what they all say."

When you reach the pyramid, you find that the priests have already bled a small amount from some of the house slaves. They don't even seem to mind - they know that each time they're bled they get the rest of the day off from their duties. When the Blood Priest finds that you've purchased someone for that purpose, he looks amused. "Oh, Hunzuu. That's precious. We'll just have to throw him in with the rest of the slaves."
"Not until he's made me a pretty dress!"
The Blood Priest rolls his eyes. "Women! They care more about their looks than any man does. And why? Just to attract a man who'll ruin her one day."

> Keep Rabi-Tammuz in your room
> Keep him with the rest of the slaves
> Find somewhere else for him to stay and work on that dress

> Check to see if Ninlil was properly healed
> Check in Iltani
> Check on Tabni-Ninsun
> You've got very little time before the war. Have Nakurtum run you and every available guard through some fighting drills.

>>28949390
>> Keep Rabi-Tammuz in your room
> You've got very little time before the war. Have Nakurtum run you and every available guard through some fighting drills.

>>28949390
>> Find somewhere else for him to stay and work on that dress
And check on our lioness friend.

>>28949390
[x]find out where the slaves are kept
It really hinges on how far away it is, and if it's absolute shit tier.

[x]check to see if ninlil was properly healed
also important.

Honestly, we should check on all these people. I don't know if we have time.

>>28949390
>> Find somewhere else for him to stay and work on that dress
>> Check in Iltani

Iltani might know how to deal with a Iammatsu and it's magic. She mighte ven help during the fight.

>>28949390
Check on the crazy. See if our presence makes her stronger.

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>>28949390
The slaves' bunkrooms are clean but cramped, with no room to make a scorpion dress. You find some tools and supplies for Rabi-Tammuz, then find an empty room for him - the old room with the magic torches where you used to hang out with Tabni-Ninsun. He takes your measurements, expressing no fear as he climbs all over you. "Hm. Should be enough. Now what are we going for here?"

"You know, something pretty! Something an important lady would wear. Something longer than this one. This one makes me look too much like a little girl." He smiles knowingly and nods.

Next, you go to Ninlil's room to see how she's doing. She's sulking on her own pile of bedmats as Nergal-Edir brings her several trays of meat. "Hi, Ninlil! Did the priests make you all better?"

She shakes her head. When it looks like you want a further explanation, she replies in a whisper. "it stopped hurting. but it still feels... wrong. i don't have a... in between voice."
"What do you mean?"
She roars in frustrarion. "STOP ASKING ALL THESE QUESTIONS!" It hurts your ears and makes you flinch for a moment. You're about to ask her what you did wrong, but you feel tongue-tied.

> Roll 4d6 to resist her command and continue asking her questions.
> Now you feel guilty for bothering her. Just offer clawhugs and then go make sure Iltani isn't getting into trouble.
> You can also specify what you want the new dress to be like.

>>28949850
huh, well you don't see that every day.

I suggest clawhugs, since if she doesn't want questioning, she doesn't want questioning.

Rolled 5, 1, 4, 5 = 15

>>28949850
So I'm guessing you only have roar and quiet?
Hug her and then go check on crazy.

Rolled 6, 1, 1, 6 = 14

>>28949850
>> Roll 4d6 to resist her command and continue asking her questions.

>>28949882
>>28949850
as for dress opinions, just something that actually covers our scorpion bits. Ignoring the tail, I guess, since that would look silly. Maybe like a tail slit or some shit.

Rolled 40, 35 = 75

>>28949850
>Now you feel guilty for bothering her. Just offer clawhugs and then go make sure Iltani isn't getting into trouble.

>>28949850
> Now you feel guilty for bothering her. Just offer clawhugs and then go make sure Iltani isn't getting into trouble.

Gonna look for dress pictures.

>>28949934
whoops, I keep accidentally rolling errywhere

hey guys, a note for later:
Let's get some scorpions, horses, and maybe a lion or two for our tailor to take apart, along with the blood priest.

You know, so they can get a good idea of our internals.

> Now you feel guilty for bothering her. Just offer clawhugs and then go make sure Iltani isn't getting into trouble.

She could help in the fight.
>>28949905

The scorpion body breathes too, it's better to leave it unconvered.

>>28949971
half the point of getting a tailor was to have a scorpidress!
Besides, most of the fabrics of the time period were breathable enough.

>>28949971
>>28949993

We can work with our Tailor to show him where we need more breathable materials, then he can fashion the thinner fabrics in to look aesthetically pleasing as well as being functional...

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>>28949993

They were also revealing as fuck on the chest area, IIRC. And by that, I mean open/exposed.

It's easy to breath by with an open hole like that.

>>28950051
>>28950025
yeah, we can just sort of stick holes where the breathing scorpion parts are.

Though, I'd prefer to avoid titholes. Probably my modern sensibilities leaking through.

>>28950064

What tits? We're 12.

>>28950085
yeah, exactly why I'd like to avoid 'em. S'weird.

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>>28949850
That felt odd. You give her gentle clawhugs and decide not to say any more. She seems a little guilty for yelling at you and returns the hugs with one paw. She whispers, "this whole thing feels wrong. maybe i'll see if i can help rebuild shamash's house with my dad. maybe then i'll be more like... me..."

You venture into the dungeons. Every time you duck under these archways and skitter into these dank corridors, it feels just as spooky as the first time. Iltani has new, plain clothes and a freshly shaven head now, and she's sitting with her back to the bars, playing with her food. She calls to you without turning her head. "Hello, Hunzuu dear. You're coming more often than you used to. Maybe you're beginning to understand. My head feels so smooth now. Will you touch it? Go on, touch it."

> Ask her for practical advice on the war, or killing lammasus, or Pazuzu
> Just try to have a normal conversation with her
> Humor her and touch her head. This will give you a position to bargain from later.

>>28950094
Mix normal conversation with talk of lammasu killing.

>>28950064
>I'd prefer to avoid titholes
We could pull it off. It'd be funny if people wanted to look at our breasts but were afraid to do so.

>>28950094
>> Ask her for practical advice on the war, or killing lammasus, or Pazuzu
Do it while touching her head.

>>28950094
>> Humor her and touch her head. This will give you a position to bargain from later.

The shaved head was a ruse all along to get us to touch her.

>>28950122
paint eyes on them

Rolled 1, 2, 2, 3 = 8

>>28950094
Touch her head and then talk.
Might as well make her happy before she dies. Be really nice to her. Why not say "dear" and shit?
I mean, she's going to die soon anyway.

>>28950125
seconded

>>28950094
> Humor her and touch her head. This will give you a position to bargain from later.
>Begin with a normal covnersation. Like, why is her head shaved? Did she not like our haircut?
>Then move on about lammasu and the war. Ask her if she can help.

I don't see why we can't do all things.

>>28950153
Her dying isn't really in the schedule, anon. We've already got her captured.

>>28950125
This and
>>28950116

Make sure to introduce lion girl as well.

>>28950181

Seems the poison either is more lethal thanw e expected, or some was left in her and we couldn't suck it out.

>>28950199
Whoops, misread. Thought she was with us.

>>28950094
>> Humor her and touch her head. This will give you a position to bargain from later

Talk to her while touching her head

Rolled 1, 1, 4, 6 = 12

>>28950181
Oh young anon. You know nothing of the insidious ailment that girl has. She's got a very severe case of DEATHFLAGS

>>28950207
I thought that was just a side effect of her monstrous strength. You know, mutations.

>>28950094
You're not sure how to get through to her, so you just tell her what's been happening lately, how you stopped the lammasu from completely ruining the festival, how Ninlil was turned into a lion-girl, how the lammasu came back to mess with you. Iltani turns to look at the magic letters on your back. "Ohh, the orange brings out the texture on your plates." Her shaved head and black eyes make her look quite inhuman in the dim light. She reaches for you, and you put a hand on her head just to humor her. The contours of it feel funny, but maybe that's just how human heads are.

The touching makes her grin, perhaps a little too wide. "Lammasus... Enlil sent them to talk to Pazuzu. But Pazuzu's great wings drove them into the sea and drowned them. Their spells were not as fast as the great wind that came for them. I have seen it..."

"Good to know... Are they feeding you all right?"

"Don't worry about me. But bring little Ninlil down here to see me! She sounds magnificent. Maybe I can make her understand the nature of things better than you. No offense."

> "Sure. She has nothing to fear from you."
> "If you want me to keep looking out for you, you're going to have to learn some respect!"
> "You shouldn't be teaching anyone. You are mad. And I'm not letting you around poor Ninlil until you come to your senses."

>>28950064
>We're all modern here. I'll rule that titty-dresses are very rare in this setting and not at all expected of you.

>>28950378
I don't mind letting her down here to see you, but you must understand, I am obliged to tell her you're kind of nuts beforehand.

>>28950378
>> "If you want me to keep looking out for you, you're going to have to learn some respect!"
>"I'm the only one you should lust and love! Now I have to keep you here forever, so you won't go after someone else..."

>>28950417
...
I'm really tempted just so we can see how she'll react.

>>28950378
>> "If you want me to keep looking out for you, you're going to have to learn some respect!"

>>28950378
>> "If you want me to keep looking out for you, you're going to have to learn some respect!"

>>28950440
me too

>>28950417

Hah! Guess losing Iltani's admiration can be a concern. Specially if she's involved with the greater plot.

> "If you want me to keep looking out for you, you're going to have to learn some respect!"
>"I'm the only one you should lust and love! Now I have to keep you here forever, so you won't go after someone else..."

>>28950440
>>28950463
>>28950464
I don't like where this is going

>>28950514
I guess it at least works as cover. We're not letting her corrupt the Lioness.

>>28950514
I think we can swing it as a fake. Have Hanzo be curious to how she'd react to such a thing. Plus I also really want to see it.

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>>28950378
"If you want me to keep looking out for you, you're going to have to learn some respect!"
Iltani tilts her head. "Mmm, that's how the savior of a city talks. That's good, that's very good..."
"I might let Ninlil down here to see you, but you must understand, I am obliged to tell her you're kind of nuts beforehand."
She shakes her head and leans against the bars. "Nuts? I am the only practical one! Ligish is in danger. Why? Because someone else has more power now. That's the nature of things. You must take all the power you can, seize it, own it, accept it. And if there is still a greater power than you, you have to accept that, too."

> That settles it. Resolve to never let Ninlil down here.
> "The king is going to put me at the head of an army of footmen. How can I make them follow, like you did?"
> "I'll think about that. I just wanted to talk. I think talking to people might be good for you. Goodbye, Iltani."

>>28950626
>> "The king is going to put me at the head of an army of footmen. How can I make them follow, like you did?"

>>28950626
B, followed by C as parting words. We want to talk, and she happens to like talking about military stuff.

>>28950626
>> "The king is going to put me at the head of an army of footmen. How can I make them follow, like you did?"

>>28950626
B.
Pat her head a bit.

>>28950626
> "The king is going to put me at the head of an army of footmen. How can I make them follow, like you did?"
> "I'll think about that. I just wanted to talk. I think talking to people might be good for you. Goodbye, Iltani."

>>28950626
>> "The king is going to put me at the head of an army of footmen. How can I make them follow, like you did?"

>>28950440
>>28950463

You guys should have voted. It would have been fun and controlling of her.[/spoiler~

>>28950745
I tried to vote. I wanted to show support for the idea.

>>28950768

That saddens me. Maybe the next time then, we will have the cahcne for this.

>>28950745
always next time comrade

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>>28950626
"The king is going to put me at the head of an army of footmen. How can I make them follow, like you did?"
Iltani laughs to herself and reaches out to feel your heavy claw. "There was no great trick to it. Just power, combined with a little beauty. I arranged for some men to attack me, just to show them what I could do with knives. Some of them bowed out of fear, or desire, or belief that I was blessed by the gods. But they all bowed."
"Well, that only got you so far. They hate you now."
"And what about you? Do you hate me?" She shows her teeth.
You pat her head. "I think I just pity you. Goodbye, Iltani."
She calls out to you as they leave. "Make them bow! It's all those vermin are good for!"

>>28950768
>>28950798
>It would have counted as a vote; I just vetoed it for being a little too much. Maybe later, if Hunzuu develops that way.

You go back to see if the priests have time to try to get these magic letters off of your back. You hear that they're busy because they're entertaining a very important guest - the king! That can't be true. The king rarely leaves his palace, and for very good reasons.

> Barge in on their meeting
> Ask Kullaa, your acolyte friend, if she can do it for you.
> Leave the letters there. They'll serve as a reminder. Go train with Nakurtum.
> Take a walk outside. Maybe you'll see your friends come home from the Deathless Delta where the Footmen were keeping them.

>>28950890
can we spy on them and the king in any way? Ear to the door in an incredibly conspicuous display of scorpion childish curiosity?

>>28950890
Let us train.

>>28950890
>> Barge in on their meeting

>>28950890
>Ask Kullaa, your acolyte friend, if she can do it for you.

maybe even recruit her for >>28950929

>>28950929
It'd be difficult. You are kind of huge. You may roll 1d6 to be stealthy.

>>28950959
well, either we succeed at being sneaky, or they hear us coming and invite us in.

Or they hear us coming and stop at the door, but they don't invite us in, and then it's just awkward.
Do folks agree on rolling for this?

Rolled 6, 4 = 10

>>28950959
We are Solid Scorpion, Queen of stealth.

>>28951019
so, just the first 6 then?

Rolled 5

>>28950959

another roll in case the first doesn't count

>>28950959
Stealth sounds good to me.

>>28950890
>>It would have counted as a vote; I just vetoed it for being a little too much. Maybe later, if Hunzuu develops that way.

Ah, I see. That's ok then, understandable. I would appreciate preventive warning, though, or at least when you post the update.


> Barge in on their meeting

Make way for the Scorpion!

>>28950890
>> Barge in on their meeting
SCORPIONBUTT STYLE!

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>>28950890
That can't be right. You head for the priests' solar, keeping your steps as gentle as possible, keeping our head low, and listen in from the terrace nearby. It kind of works!

You hear the voice of a young man, but it's not the king. The priests chatter and mostly agree with the young man. The Sand Priest says "Yes, but it would be dangerous! If it failed at the wrong time, there would be chaos."
You hear something that might be bronze armor plates clattering against each other. The young man sounds like he's insisting. The priests seem to concur and defer to his request, then there's a pause, then the conversation turns to more mundane things, like the quality of the figs they're eating and what the weather will be like in the next few days.

> Go intercept them when the meeting is over. It sounds like it's wrapping up.
> Ask the Blood Priest about the meeting afterward.
> Ask the Sand Priest about it afterward.
> Lose interest and go see someone else.

>>28951138
>> Go intercept them when the meeting is over. It sounds like it's wrapping up.

Don't think stealth is an optimal choice, for anything.

>>28951138

go see Kullaa then ask Blood Priest later...

>>28951138
>> Ask the Sand Priest about it afterward.
I think she knows what is going on.

>>28951138
>> Go intercept them when the meeting is over. It sounds like it's wrapping up.

>>28951138
we'll talk about it afterwards. What's so dangerous?

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>>28951138
You sneak around to the stairs leading down from the solar. You catch the priests just as they're coming down the stairs. With them is the king, in fine bronze armor over his whole body, with his helmet under his arm.

The king is startled to see you at first, but the Blood Priest smiles. "Hunzuu, dear! Please, say hello to His Highness the king! He has come to pray for the very first time since his father's reign. In times like these, the favor of the gods is the most important thing, wouldn't you agree?"

> Helpfully explain to the king about the last times you met him. You know he doesn't remember you.
> "While your here, your majesty, how should I prepare for serving in your army? Think everything will go smoothly?"
> "Ooh! You look really handsome in that armor, your Majesty!"
> "No way. That can't be the king. Stop messing with me, guys. Who is he really?"

>>28951296

Handsome king is handsome.

>>28951296
>Helpfully explain to the king about the last times you met him. You know he doesn't remember you.

This has a duel purpose. 1 it helps flesh out the disguise. 2 it lets the priests know that we know that's not the king...

>>28951296
>helpfully explain to the king about the last times you met him
>how should we prepare for serving in the army? We've never, uh, warred before.

I think it's pretty obvious this is a stand in the king's people sent because the king has the tragic memory problem. No reason to out him.

>>28951296
Lets silently show them that we don't believe their bullshit.

>>28951296
>Helpfully explain to the king about the last times you met him. You know he doesn't remember you.
Be subtle about it.

and a bit of
"While your here, your majesty, how should I prepare for serving in your army? Think everything will go smoothly?"

Lets see if he has any idea of what he is doing or if we need to write him off completely.

>>28951350
maybe make mention how he seems so much more *ahem* handsome than the last time we saw him.

>>28951296
>> "No way. That can't be the king. Stop messing with me, guys. Who is he really?"

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>>28951296
You bow. "Your Majesty! Good to see you again. It seems like it's been so long since I came to visit you in the palace, and even longer since we first met out there on the steps. If anything, you look even more handsome. I've been a little nervous, though... do you have any advice for how I should prepare for the war? I've never, uh, warred before."

The king nods and appraises you with his eyes. He speaks in the king's voice, almost. It's a little bit more gravelly, more calculating. "You're to lead the van. You won't fit in a phalanx, so if we catch them in the field, you lead a flying wedge. You drive deep with those claws and don't get tangled up in minor. skirmishes. Armor yourself well. And for the love of Enlil, listen to field commands!"

"Right. Sounds good, Your Majesty. Will you be staying?"

"No, I don't think so. The muster is beginning. Our new allies from the south are due to arrive today. Busy. Go with the gods." He puts his helmet on and strides toward the great stairs.

> This makes you feel kind of bad for the real king. Maybe visit him today and make sure he's all right.
> Step aside with the Sand Priest and make sure you've figured the situation out correctly
> You've got it. Go practice fighting!
> You've got it. Go practice blood magic!

>>28951296
>>Helpfully explain to the king about the last times you met him. You know he doesn't remember you.

>>28951575

Visit the real king.

>>28951575
>> Step aside with the Sand Priest and make sure you've figured the situation out correctly

>>28951575
>> Step aside with the Sand Priest and make sure you've figured the situation out correctly
What the hell is happening here.

>>28951575
I am content with every one of these answers, and thus abstain

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>>28951575
When the "king" is gone, you follow the Sand Priest back to his quarters. "All right, tell me what was going on there."

The Sand Priest snickers and wrings his hands together. "It has been decided that Ligish's army, fractious as it is, needs a strong leader in the field. And since we don't have a strong leader, in the field or out of it, I've been called to create one. He's probably some Charioteer of note. I wonder how the spell will hold to him. It will test who he is as a man. If he enjoys the fantasy of being king too much, it may make him a little mad. But it's better than trusting in the real king." The Sand Priest cackles. "He must be truly weak to require such a replacement. Perhaps he's soft, or weeps often, or cares only for reading, or girls... or boys..."

Oh, the Sand Priest doesn't know?

> Tell her about the king's bad memory. It'll prove your usefulness to the Sand Priest and maybe get you favors in return.
> Keep your promise to the King and keep his secret

>>28951752
>> Tell her about the king's bad memory. It'll prove your usefulness to the Sand Priest and maybe get you favors in return.
If there is one priest who can keep a secret its her.

>>28951752
>Keep your promise to the King and keep his secret

we can say he is 'shy'

>>28951752
>> Keep your promise to the King and keep his secret

>>28951752
>Keep your promise to the King and keep his secret

We're no promise breaker.

>>28951752
Tell her those are all bad guesses, but then keep the secret.

Are you doing this of the priest's accord, or of the king's?

>>28951752
>Keep the promise
"We'll see, won't we" and give the priest a nudge and a wink. We'll see.

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>>28951752
"I guess he's just shy..." You smile. You know something that a very sneaky man/woman doesn't know.
The Sand Priest nods and points to the letters on your back. "Word has already spread about your little message from the lammasu." He touches your back, running his hand along one of the letters. "Hmm... that's not an etching; it's a pure image. Sand magic. It takes strong magic indeed to put such a mark on the unwilling. And he was definitely working bronze magic when he was repelling those javelins at the festival. It seems that lammasus take well to magic." The Sand Priest rubs some black sand along your back. "Try not to think about the writing for a moment. I'll get a hold of the spell and bring it down." After a few moments, the writing is gone. "You're welcome. Now, have you gathered any more information on the Bronze Priest and his idiot daughter?"

> Tell the truth about that family's troubles
> Defend Tabni-Ninsun. You two had kind of a sweet moment, and maybe she's not a *complete* idiot.
> "Nothing useful. Sorry. Is there anything else I can do fr you?"

>>28952046
>she's not a *complete* idiot!
>But their family does have its own troubles. Priest is just so set on making his daughter more powerful or something.

>>28952091

seconding this

>>28952091
sounds like a plan

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>>28952046
You feel the need to defend her. "She's not a complete idiot! She's just been under a lot of pressure. Her dad is just so intent on making her more powerful, or something."

"Mm, so I've noticed. We came very close to being forced to make a monster out of her! That won't do. So I have a new assignment for you, if you're up to the task. Find Tabni-Ninsun a husband. That will give her and her father something else to focus on. That girl's just not cut out for becoming a fighting machine. Lot like you. She's more of a brood bitch.

> "I'll see what I can do."
> "I have no idea how I'd do that. But I can try to keep her busy in some other way."
> "I think you're underestimating her. We've become friends. If she wanted to, she'd be an all right monster."

>>28952215
>Lot like you
Wait, what?
Are you saying I am not the tip top of scorpion destruction?

>>28952046

> "Tabni-Ninsun isn't a complete idiot. She's at least smart enough to know that being turned into a monster isn't her best option, not that her father seems to understand that. I had to *convince* him to stop pressuring her toward that. Last thing I want is to have to put down a possible ally. Please help me ensure he continues to understand."

>>28952215
>> "I'll see what I can do."

>>28952215
Did you just say I'm a bitch?

>>28952231
>>28952249
Typo, sorry. Meant to say "not like you."

>>28952215

> "Is that the only reason?"

When the person who is good at subterfuge sees a split that can be exploited, and defers to make her rival more stable, something is up.

>>28952215
>> "I'll see what I can do."

>>28952261
ah, I see. nevermind on indignation.
>>28952215
>you're underestimating her
>but I'll see what I can do

getting married is, after all, more what she wants.

also,
>I'm sort of a giant scorpion, I might not be the best matchmaker

>>28952215

> "A young girl knows little enough about proper match making, let alone when boys run in terror of her lower half. I think that mission may be beyond me, but I will try. At any rate, I can certainly continue to protect her from her father."

>>28952215
>I'll see what I can do

>>28952215

> "Any recommendations? She wants someone rich and powerful. As I've said, she's not a complete idiot. She knows how the balance of power works, at least."

>>28952360

This works. Seconding it.

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>>28952215
"I'll see what I can do. I'm sort of a giant scorpion, though. I might not be the best matchmaker."

"And that's what the boys will think! They'll think that you can only harm them with your stinger. They won't expect you to meddle with their hearts."

"Really? I don't know."

"Neither will they! Use surprise to your advantage." The Sand Priest changes his voice to a woman's for just a moment. "I know all about surprise."

> Go practice fighting
> Go find Kullaa and ask for help with your blood magic homework
> Go see the real king
> See if the rest of your friends have been returned from the Delta yet.

>>28952401
>> Go practice fighting

The legendary fierce cute scorpion fighting style.

>>28952401
>> Go see the real king

>>28952401
>>28952416
do we have enough time to practice fighting and then check on our friends?

I keep worrying that problems will occur.

>>28952440
Sure, just specify when you're going out to check on them and for how long.

>>28952401

> Find Kullaa and send a runner to tell the king's advisers that we want an audience come the evening to discuss important matters, nothing to the effect of actually mentioning said matters, but enough to provoke a response.

> Send our new slave to check in on the orphanage. If we send a normal runner to the king's court and demand they return with a letter, we will get results. Sending anyone to the orphanage will just lead in them "not finding anything out".

Stupid homework.

>>28952474

Woops forgot to include:

> Go find Kullaa to ask for help with your blood magic homework.

This should be the first step.

> Also see if Nukurtum is up for post-dinner sparring.

>>28952474
>send tailor to keep watch on the orphanage
Second, and specify don't do anything creepy.

also
>giant scorpion has homework
made me laugh more than it should have

>>28952523

Well, we don't need him to keep watch as much as we need him to report back with news.

>>28952556
keep watch until the orphans arrive, I meant.
We want to know when they get here.

>>28952569

Though he might speak with the caretaker first, as she might know something immediately. If not, then we should probably recall him to continue working on his job as a tailor and/or to continue having him run messages.

If Lammasu are proficient with magic, then shouldn't we study a way to counter that? We probably have the advantage in melee physical combat, but we need to disarm his defenses.

>>28952610
well, I think the bronze priest can help the most.

>>28952401

Right now, magic is more valuable than swords.

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>>28952401
You send two people out into the city - Rabi-Tammuz to check on the poorhouse, and Dadanum to ask for a later appointment with the king. You specifically tell Rabi-Tammuz not to be creepy. "Does that mean I shouldn't lance any of their boils?" He smiles. You don't think you like his sense of humor.

Then you head for the blood acolytes' common room, where Kullaa is squinting over some clay tablet. Though she was trying to do some research into what kinds of regenerative spells have succeeded int he past, she gladly agrees to help you go over some of the basics before you'll have to go out and fight. "Come over here and I'll read it to you... Come on, I mean it this time, okay?" Kullaa seems to be extremely nearsighted, considering how far she has to lean into whatever she's reading.

> You have learned a spell: Aid the Worthy
> It allows you to assist others in blood rituals. They receive bonuses as though their assistants were in a military unit with them
> You have learned a spell: Slow the Rot
By spending a jar of blood, you can keep other blood fresh and usable.

> "How long till I learn the stuff I can use in a fight? I need to show that lammasu who's boss."
> "Will you come with me and the army when it's time to leave? I need more tutoring."
> "Why are people so scared of the Delta? Whenever I tell people my friends were kept there, they look at me funny."

>>28952699
>> "Will you come with me and the army when it's time to leave? I need more tutoring."

>>28952699
>> "How long till I learn the stuff I can use in a fight? I need to show that lammasu who's boss. He uses a lot of magic, and I need a way to stab him to death."
> "Why are people so scared of the Delta? Whenever I tell people my friends were kept there, they look at me funny."

>>28952699

Can we just ask all of the above in the order they appear?

> "How long till I learn the stuff I can use in a fight? I need to show that lammasu who's boss. He uses a lot of magic, and I need a way to stab him to death."

>>28952729

That's asking for her to die. Remember that acolyte when we went ivnestigate the ruins?

I hope there is a dream with the scorpions again. Maybe we could ask them how to deal with a lammasu.

>>28952699
>slow the rot
Best spell you could ever put on your rampaging vanguard scorpion.

Now, the blood magic industry booms after the next battle.

>why are people scared of the delta?
>When do I learn something I can use on the cow-man?

>>28952699
>I would like to express my interest in learning combat spells.
>Why are people so scared of the Delta?

>>28952769
yeah, let's not bring any acolytes with us.

only -trained- combat wizards.

>>28952699
> "Will you come with me and the army when it's time to leave? I need more tutoring."

> "Why are people so scared of the Delta? Whenever I tell people my friends were kept there, they look at me funny."

>>28952755
This

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>>28952699
"How long till I learn the stuff I can use in a fight? I need to show that lammasu who's boss. He uses a lot of magic, and I need a way to stab him to death."

Kullaa laughs and leans on a couple of your legs. "Usually it takes years. Even I know mostly rituals, rather than things you could use in a fight. But Pazur-Ea was making blood pests after only three months, though. He was amazing..."
"Yeah, I miss him. I'm sorry again that I couldn't save him."
"Yeah, I know..." She sighs
"So why are people so scared of the Delta? Whenever I tell people my friends were kept there, they look at me funny."
"A lot of superstition, mostly. People think that strange things happen in brackish water. They also say that strange wizards live there, ones who didn't want to live in cities with laws."
"Strange doesn't always mean bad. I'm pretty strange."
"Yeah, I guess you are! You know what I like about you, though! I can tell it's you, even from across the room. I never get your name wrong."
You laugh. "We got off to kind of a bad start, but you're all right. Will you come with me and the army when we go?"
She hesitates. "Like Pazur-Ea did?"
"Um... yes?"
"I'm probably not the best person for that..."

> "Who would you recommend, then?"
> "Aww, come on! It just won't feel right if I don't have a friend in a red robe backing me up."

>>28952915
>who would you recommend?
I don't want another non-combat-trained acolyte going with us. she's still just starting.

>>28952915
>> "Who would you recommend, then?"

>>28952915

Even Hunzuu isn't too dense to get her reasoning.

> "I won't make you go if you don't want to. It's scary out there and your life would be on the line. I only ask because I feel like you are somebody I can trust. If not you, then do you know of anyone else I could ask?"

>>28952988
this sounds good

>>28952988
Thirding

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>>28952915
"Who would you recommend?"

Kullaa looks worried and hesitates to name anybody she knows. She has a good heart, but maybe not a brave one. "Try the Petty-wizards. Fighting is more what they do. I don't know if their magic is any good, but they're loyal to us and I know they're not afraid of taking big risks."

"Okay... I know it's dangerous out there. I only asked because I trust you."

She smiles. "Just come back in one piece, all right? We've got a lot more studying to do together."

You know she's still a little shy about physical contact, but you don't care. You give her clawhugs, and she hugs back!

When Rabbi-Tammuz returns, he has an interesting report. "Yeah, there were some older kids dropped off. A bunch of men in wicker armor turned them in. Had stripes of white mud on their faces or something. One of the little boys looked kind of odd. Gray all over. He said he felt all right, though. The men said he was their gift to Ligish. Then they went off toward the palace. Did you want me to do something else? One of the nursemaids had a mole on her nose. I was wanting to cut it off the whole time. Should have asked her."

> Sounds like they all got home safe. Get some dinner and then unwind with Mr. Clicks
> Go to the poorhouse and check on them. That sounds fishy.
> Go to the palace.

>>28953177
that... sounds suspicious. I wonder what's wrong with that grey child.

>>28953212
>>28953177
I guess my vote is on a quick check in with the orphanage, if that was unclear. Maybe we should bring an acolyte to check if this is magic on that kid.

After that, dinner.

>>28953177
>> Go to the poorhouse and check on them. That sounds fishy.

>>28953177

Do we have time to make our appointment with the king and also visit the poor house?

> Congratulate tailor on a job well done. Seriously, that's much better detail than I was expecting. Ask him to feed Mr. Clicks and then take off.
> Eat a light meal on the way to wherever we end up going. Make the poor house if at all possible. Let that set the pace of whether or not we make it to the palace. Chances are if we discover anything funny, we can ask the king about it.

>>28953304
actually, yeah. Good plan. I like it.

>>28953304

> Bringing Kullaa to see the orphans might not be a bad thing either. The kids would probably get a kick out of seeing a real mage, and she could help us figure out anything that was wrong on the spot. She would also get a chance to see where Hunzuu came from.

>>28953177
check on the poorhouse

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>>28953177
You haven't heard back from Dadanum about whether the king is free to talk tonight, so you just go to check on the poorhouse after putting your slave in charge of feeding Mr. Clicks. After a little convincing, Kullaa agrees to go with you, and you walk there hand-in-claw.

The men have long since left, but your missing friends are there. Many of them are old enough to recognize you, understand the story of what happened to you, and overcome their initial revulsion of you. "Zuu! She came back!" Some of them run in to hug you, though they're not sure where to hug, or how. One of them is the gray-colored boy. You remember him. His name is Seluku. He's 8. You used to go out begging together sometimes. He definitely used to be brown instead of gray. And it's not just mud on him - all the color seems to have been sucked out of him, even his hair.

"Seluku?! What did they do to you?"
He laughs. "Me? What did they do to you?" The smaller children who always run in fear of you peek out from their hiding places. "Seriously, though, the soldier guys had us in a big cage for a while. That was kind of dumb. Then there were these other guys, and they told me to go int he water, so I did. They say I'm half-created now. I dunno what that means."

You look for Kullaa. "Kullaa? What does that mean? Is he all right?"

"I have no idea. Aww, look, this one likes me!" Kullaa appears to be distracted by the toddlers, who clearly like her more than you."

> "You seem to have a talent with children, Kullaa. Tell them I'm not scary!"
> "Come on, Kullaa, get your head in the game. Can't you do a spell on Sekuku and see what they did to him?"
> "I'd like permission to take Seluku back to the pyramid. If he's some kind of magical gift to the city, we have to study him to find out how to use him."

>>28953554
Come on kuula, stop rubbing in how much more they like you than me and do some kind of magic stuff to tell me if sekuku is going to be all right!

>>28953589
also, judiciously apply hug to those who are confused as to how to go about it. No rides though. That's dangerous.

>>28953554
>can you tell whats up with sekuku, kullaa?
>fuck permission, Sekuku is coming back with me

>>28953554
>> "I'd like permission to take Seluku back to the pyramid. If he's some kind of magical gift to the city, we have to study him to find out how to use him."

>>28953554
>> "I'd like permission to take Seluku back to the pyramid. If he's some kind of magical gift to the city, we have to study him to find out how to use him."

>>28953554

If we went ahead and got dinner for the road, I was going to suggest picking up extra sweets for the little ones. A belly full of sweets will do wonders on a child's opinion of a person.

Also, we probably would have bumped into the centaur. We should really ask him how he went about killing the scorpion people back in the day, or ask him to show us with blunted weapons. Knowing our weaknesses is as important as knowing our strengths after all.

> Let Kullaa have her moment. Try to get kids to warm up to us with sweets if we have them. Otherwise, ask the older children and Kullaa to help us out.

> Definitely talk to Blood Priest later and get his approval to retrieve the boy.

>>28953554

> Ask Seluku if he would like to accompany us back to the temple after spending some time with everyone.

He is a person, not a lab rat or property.

>>28953725
I assumed this was what asking permission was

>>28953746

It seems that the intent of the proposed statement is to ask the orphanage if it is okay to take him, which doesn't seem to factor in that he has personal veto power on whether he goes or not. The priests don't have the best reputation after all.

>>28953817
well, just factor that in then. we'll ask him if he wants to hang out with us at the pyramid for a few days to get all magicked at.

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>>28953554
You ask if Kullaa can figure out what turned Meluku gray. Kullaa shrugs, "Sometimes we can diagnose diseases by making flesh speak to us, but I didn't bring any blood to use. Can it wait?" She sits on the floor and trades babytalk with the toddlers, one of whom crawls into her lap.

You had the foresight to ask Nergal-Edir for some sweets when you asked him for some leftover goat meat for the trip. You try to lure the toddlers closer to you with sweets, but they cling to Kullaa and refuse to come.

So you get back to business. "I'd like permission to take Seluku back to the pyramid. If he's some kind of magical gift to the city, we have to study him to find out how to use him."

The former slave woman shrugs. "That's fine with me! At first I thought it was kind of cruel how they'd send children away - just like how they gave you away! - but now I'm beginning to understand. There are always too many mouths to feed here. So go on. There's more food in the pyramid."

"Hey, but I don't wanna go! Come on! Zuu, tell her I don't have to go!" Seluku seems to misunderstand whose idea it was to take you to the pyramid in the first place.

> Don't take Seluku if he doesn't want to go. Just give everyone an open invitation to come visit.
> This is for Seluku's own good. Grab his clothes with your claw and carry him away.

>>28953877
he doesn't have to go. It's just you'd really like some visitors, and he really should get that, uh... greyness looked at.

We're just worried your arms might fall off or something.

>>28953877
>> This is for Seluku's own good. Grab his clothes with your claw and carry him away.

"You can come back later."

>>28953877
>This is for Seluku's own good. Grab his clothes with your claw and carry him away.

Try to convince him first, make him understand he won't be harmed. If it's a no-go then it's time for some kidnapping. That shit could be serious.

>>28953877
>This is for you, Seluku. You might be very ill.

>>28953877

> Explain calmly that we are worried about him and that the priests are just going to make sure that he is well. We may return him after that, though explain that the priests may want him to stay for a while. Explain our own living situation, and try to assuage his fears. Ask if he will go after he has been fully informed.

>>28953877

> Kullaa can't check on him because she doesn't have blood. Welp, if we love these people, we can at least bleed for them.

>>28954072
we keep trying to get people to test how scorpion blood works. They keep putting it off.

>>28954072

As a clarification, no pouring out our vital life fluids unless he refuses the diplomatic option. We should not, under any circumstance, haul him away bodily.

>>28954102

No time like the present. If nothing else, maybe the sight of someone cutting themselves open on the spot for his sake will convince him.

>>28954157
well, I'm not opposed to trying it. I've been wanting to try it for a while.

Hopefully if it deals us a wound, it regenerates through physical training with no check. Not hard to grow blood back.

>>28953877

Looks like we have a consensus on explaining ourselves, asking him to come peacefully, and grabbing him as a last resort.

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>>28953877
You bend down to explain yourself to Seluku. "I'm not taking you away forever. We just have to find a priest who can make sure you're okay. You'll get a nice meal, I can show you my room and my friends, and then you can come back here, okay?"

"No! I just got back here! You're not taking me away again!" He backs away from you.

"All right. Kullaa, I have an idea. Someone please get me a small pot. And a knife."

You cut your arm open and bleed some blue fluid into the red clay pot. The children turn away, except the brave Seluku, who seems curious.

> You now have 1 wound.

After kissing one of the little ones on the head and standing up again, Kullaa takes the pot and raises it high. "Okay, Seluku. You won't have to leave this place. Just hold still. Great Aruru, you who invented humans, let the flesh you have worked speak its mysteries. Glowing blue mist rises from the pot. She pours the stuff onto Meluku's head and shoulders even as it has half-evaporated. It flashes bright blue, and Kullaa winces and drops the pot.

Meluku's skin starts turning transparent, and his gray muscles and veins start to quiver and make a thrumming sound that turns into a droning groaning sound, then finally becomes intelligible words. "MMMMMMMAAAAA- IIII AM ARURU'S NO LONGER. I WAS CREATED AND UNCREATED. I AM THE WATERY EMPTINESS BEFORE ALL THINGS. UNTIL I AM CREATED, I AM INFINITE." The boy seems to be in a trance as his flesh speaks.

You look at Kullaa. "Is that bad?"

Kulla rubs her head. "It sounds bad! Flesh usually doesn't speak in poetry. It just says it's sick or tired or hungry."

> "I guess we can't help him, then. I'll tell the priests what we learned."
> "That sounds really serious. We should really take him with us. Now, before he wakes up."
> "Actually, I think it's a good idea to keep him away from any more magicians. They might accidentally make him into something really bad. Keep him here. If someone shows up who looks like a mage, hide him."

>>28954538
Huh.
Well, it's not a contageous disease, that's what I found out.
It seems he'll be fine as long as we don't poke him with magic. Option C is my choice.

>>28954538
So he has the potential to be anything, is what I am understanding. Sort of the primordial sea from which creation arose?

"generally when things start speaking in poetry about being infinite and before creation its not a good sign. We should have the prists look at him."

after he comes out of his trance explain that there is something wrong with his flesh. say we will be taking him to the pyramid so the priests can look at him. swear to him that we will not let them do anything to him that he does not want.

>>28954538

> For now, Option C.

Leave Kullaa with him if she's willing to stay and tell her to run back to the temple if something goes wrong. We need to see the king now, accepted invitation or not. Hopefully his guests are still around and can answer our questions.

>>28954538
>Leave him here, hide him form other mages, will tell priests later

>>28954694
we'll take a priest around in the morning. They'll be interested enough to come with when we tell them about it.

>>28954538
For now, let's leave him here. We'll ask the Blood Priest about it later.

>>28954538"you know I didn't think you were being literal when you said the flesh would speak

>>28954538
>> "That sounds really serious. We should really take him with us. Now, before he wakes up."

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>>28954538
"Actually, I think it's a good idea to keep him away from any more magicians. They might accidentally make him into something really bad. Keep him here. If someone shows up who looks like a mage, hide him."

The slave woman nods, a little weirded out by the whole scene. "Even if it's your people?"

"Well... If I'm here with them, then it's all right."

You say goodbye to all your friends, and Kullaa tells the children she loves them but really can't stay. "I'll be back later. With more sweets!"

You and Kullaa move on to the palace. The guards remember the standing policy to let you in. You're led into a broad marble feast hall, lit by skylights with the reddening light of the setting sun. The king is there, though it's probably not the king. He is feasting with Buth-Shamash, Ninurta-Nasir, and a host of other men who look to be various kinds of soldiers, telling a bawdy story. "Ah! Lady Scorpion! Do come in. I did not know whether to expect you!" Eat, drink!"

> Try to convey through innuendo that you want to see the real king.
> Excuse yourself and wander the palace as much as you're allowed to.
> Well, maybe getting to know this guy will be good, too. Seat yourself - far away from Ninurta-Nasir - and have some more meat.

>>28954876
are the king's councellors here? They're the ones we would want to innuendo at. If so, eat dinner and convey we want to see real king. If not, eat some then wander.

>>28954876
>get to know fake king
he will be armying with us after all

>>28954876
>Feast on meat.

So... What the fuck are the clawhugs even?

>>28954876

We want to meet the king's advisers, not the king. It seems that they know about this plan to replace the king, which is interesting.

First, we want to find whatever men might know about what happened to Sukulu. However, we can't afford to brush off the "king".

> Courteously accept some of his food and drink. Eat a little, talk a little. Talk about coming from the orphanage and the strange complexion of our new friend. Make it out to be less than what it is, play dumb, and then see who pays the most attention. Most people won't care about a little orphan boy with a skin condition, after all.

>>28955021
oh, we basically just smoosh a person gently with claws against our main torso.
Gently.

>>28954876

Look for men with mud on their faces and wicker armor. They should stand out:

> Get to know this guy
> Work into casual conversation that we want to meet those guys, because our friends just couldn't stop talking about them.
> Mention that we were concerned with one of our friends, as he seems to have picked up a rather strange skin condition.
> Do not broadcast to everyone in the room that we might have a new monster.

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>>28954876
The king's three advisors are nowhere to be seen, and you feel unsafe making innuendo to everyone else. You sit and make small talk as you eat some kind of roasted fowl, with crispy skin covered in glaze and expensive spices. You mention Sukulu and his strange condition. One man in heavy wool with a white stripe across his brow laughs and raises a cup of beer to you. "Do not worry, girl! He is a blessing on Ligish and its people. No harm can come to him. When the time is right, he will know."

"What does that mean?"

Buth-Shamash huffs and shakes his head. He turns to you and grumbles under his breath. "Dun' wrry 'bout 'nything he says. He's with the City o' Exiles. Thr all touched in th' head."

> "No, let him go on, I want to hear this."
> Ask where the king's advisors are.

>>28955186

Last on the agenda:

> Speak to the advisers. We have been left out of the loop. We keep the king's secrets, and as such should be informed of such important things ahead of time.
> Speak with the king if he happens to be around.

>>28955198
let him go on, we want to hear this.
Then we talk to the advisors.

>>28955198
let him go on

>>28955198

The advisers will be there, we need not rush to find him:
> "No, let him go on, I want to hear this."

>>28955050
Aren't out claws like knee-high for humans?
Actually I'm having trouble imagining exactly how huge we are

>>28955281
we're as big as a draft horse, which means our torso and claws are about shoulder/head level.

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>>28955298
>>28955281
I even went and got a picture.

We're much wider though, scorpions have a wide splayed out body plan.

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>>28955198

Pic related.

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>>28955198
"No, let him go on, I want to hear this."

The man with the mud on his face takes a drink. "My city is home to mystics and wanderers who are drawn to the wetlands, where the sweet water and the salt water blend, as they did before all ages. Creation is soft there. We hope to learn its mysteries. One of those mysteries culminated in that boy. He is holy. And he is our gift to Ligish, as a pledge of good faith, a sign that we honor those who overcome their fear and hate and seek to become our friends."

Ninurta-Nasir snorts and takes a bite of food. "A lot of fuss over a handful of rangers and mad wizards! Dunno why we even bothered!"

The king prudently steps in. "I know, good commander Ninurta-Nasir. So trust in me. This alliance is good for us all."

The mud-striped man grins dryly. "No offense is taken. Drink makes men misspeak."

> "Well, thank you for the gift, sir. I look forward to working with you."
> "You're clearly a very spiritual man. I've learned a lot about the gods lately. And I have some very interesting dreams..."
> "I wish people would stop seeing children as tools instead of people..."

>>28955449
>spiritual guy, learned about gods, interesting dreams

>>28955298
>>28955322
Then we basically should rub them into our shell, no?

>>28955449
I'm tempted towards C, but I know it won't go over very well.
Best to just thank him for the gift and say we hope the boy won't be harmed by it. We like him.

After that, our agenda is to eat a tremendous amount of meat in a short time, and then find the advisors or the king. Hopefully this was a plan approved by them, and not a coup.

>>28955485
that's basically what is happening. It's why people say it's weird, and the blind lady thought she had died. We do it anyway.

>>28955449

> "Well, thank you for the gift, sir. To hear one of my brothers has been blessed is wonderful news. I imagine it is a different sort of gift than my own though."

>>28955508
Our human half is pretty strong, no? We should properly pic humans up to hug and finally feel some human warmth

>>28955566
I think we've only got a bit of increased strength.
No idea if it's enough to lift a dude, but your priorities are in order

>>28955595

We could always ask the armorer to mount a shelf on the front of our armor. People could stand on it and then we could hug them properly. For now, gentlemen/gentlewomen, I think we lack focus on the matter at hand

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>>28955449
"Well, thank you for the gift, sir. To hear one of my brothers has been blessed is wonderful news. I imagine it is a different sort of gift than my own though."
"It would seem so. Your gift is a mystery to us. Perhaps we will learn from each other when we take to the field together!"

"Probably. Do any of you know where the king's advisors went? I'd like to see them again."

The "king" field that question. "They were unable to make it to the feast. They are outside the walls, helping the troops begin to collect. We set out tomorrow. Do not be late, good Lady Scorpion! Find my tent, the one with the highest standard. We'll try to strike before their ridiculous demand for gold expires."

You nod and frown. You're not sure if the "king" is lying or not. You hope the real king is all right.

> Any last-minute preparations before disembarking the next day? Pay special attention to who will be given the duty of feeding Mr. Clicks.
>Also, I've archived the thread: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/28948596/

>>28955693
Get the sand priest on finding out if the king's advisors are alive or dead.
As for Mr. Clicks feeding duty, shit. Who -isn't- going to war with us but we also trust?

That blood priest girl? Think she'll do it for us? Let's ask her. And tell her to be super special careful.

>>28955693
>give Kullaa mr clicks duty

>>28955693

> Mr. Clicks rides first class on the Scorpion Girl Express. We are probably his feeder. If not, we let Nukurtum do it. We should also probably give him some attention later on in the evening.

> A brief toast to our brother, and then take off.
I don't believe the "king" for a second. We should have words with the priests. This room is loaded and we are unlikely to get any straight answers.

>>28955790
no, >>28955741 has the right idea for Mr. Clicks.
He can't come with us, and Nukurtum doens't like him.

>>28955833

But Mr. Clicks is a hard core killing machine. He drinks the blood of his enemies for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. However, we need a suitable handicap or it will be over too quickly. Leave him with Kullaa and ask her if she wouldn't mind visiting the orphanage while we are gone. I somehow don't think she will.

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>>28955693
You quickly ask Kullaa if she'll feed Mr. Clicks. "Of course!" she says.
"But don't just feed him," you say. "You must give him attention. Tell him that he's a pretty scorpion, and a good scorpion!"
"Sure... whatever you say..."

When you return to the pyramid, you find that Mr. Clicks has not been a good scorpion. He stung Rabi-Tammuz on the hand when he reached into his cage. Apparently Mr. Clicks' venom is not strong enough to kill a human, just to hurt them intensely. Rabi-Tammuz seems grateful for the experience, though, and relates the interesting minutiae of how it felt to be poisoned, to have his hand bur up, then go cold and numb, then ache all over and turn pink.

You tell the Great Priests what you learned, and about your concern for the whereabouts of the real king. The Blood Priest scratches his beard. "Hmm... I hadn't considered before that the king may have had to hide himself not entirely willingly. Well, perhaps it would turn out fr the best if he never came back. Why, you're not in love with him are you?"

"No!!" You blush blue.

From a high window of the pyramid, you can see just over the city walls, where torches and campfires burn. The king's united army is becoming a reality. Only it's not really united. And it's not really the king's. One thing is real, though. Tomorrow the war begins.

>I'd better call it a night. Thanks for following, and remember to follow the quest on Twitter and upvote it in the archives. You guys are the best players a QM could ask for.

>>28955907
Thanks for running. See you sometime this weekend.

Also, bad Mr. Clicks, no attempting to take human prey. Bad.

>>28955907
Thanks for running man!
Also
>telling mr clicks he's a good scorpion when he's bad
>bad to the booooone

>>28955943
Scorpions don't have bones, I don't think

>>28955938
Next session will probably be Saturday at noon EST. I'll put the time on Twitter when I'm sure.

>>28956019
wonderful. Looking forward to it.

>>28955907

What did I just say? He's a cold blooded punk, who lives life on the edge. A little disappointed that he lacks truly deadly venom, but maybe that will make it easier for Nukurtum to warm up to him.

>>28956019
<3

anyway, we've not progressed very far on that giant flying bullman issue. Maybe one of those minor wizards that were mentioned can do something about forced landings.
>>28956039
Mr. Clicks is a loose cannon scorpion on the edge.

>>28956039
>>28956062
>>28955943
Mr. Clicks is a loner, Anon. A rebel

>>28956015
Scorpions have bones, but they're on the outside. So for scorpions, beauty is only bone deep.

We should tell Rabi-Tammuz that he's not allowed to operate on anyone until he's had training by a real healer in how everything works in the body. Given the fact that he's already killed someone through malpractice if he does so against our wishes things could become rather dire for him.
That threat might keep him in line.

>>28956203
yes. No operating on someone until he's learned a bit.
Though, I'm still of the opinion we should get him some scorpions to look at the innards of.

>>28956220

If he gets any funny ideas about Mr. Clicks though...

>>28956266
nope. No way doctor man.

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>>28956297
>>28956266
>>28956220
We bought a crazy man. I think we may have bought a younger, sexier Qyburn. We need to give him something sick to do so he won't get bored and make trouble elsewhere.

>>28956444
Just have him take apart some poor animals to heighten his medical knowledge of us. Also get him some doctor information.

Finally, that dress. When will it be done?

>>28956479
Soon. And it will be glorious.

We should tell the priests that if they bleed any prisoners dry while we're gone, they should let our slave play with the corpses. That will keep him nice and busy and not thinking of doing anything bad to Mr. Clicks. Hell, he might even learn something.

>>28950417
>>28950440
>>28950463
>>28950464
>>28950745
>>28950768
>>28950798
>>28950829

>voting to dispose of her is trolling
>voting to fuck her brains out is perfectly reasonable
"We're not capturing her just so we can turn her into a waifu"

>>28957606
I voted against it and it didn't happen, yo.