>>32267309
> See if the Blood Priest got any useful information from Ku-Aya

>>32267309
>> See if the Blood Priest got any useful information from Ku-Aya
> Try to find a suitable candidate for the Blood Priest to perform his next transformation ritual on

These seem to be top priority. For, er, personal reasons on the first one, and monster reasons on the second.
I was sort of bluffing when I said I didn't want to know who dad was, I really do.

>>32267383
this

Anyway, now my that vote is done, I am glad to be back with a working computer.
Thread turned out well last time, though I do think we're being too forward with the scorpionboy. Also, I wouldn't have taken that lion. Still mad about ninlil.

>>32267600
>too forward with a shota
Anon pls. We have to strike while the iron is hot, and mold him into our /ss/

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>>32267309
After straightening up your room and having your morning quality time with Mr. Clicks, letting him crawl up and down your arm and telling him stories, The Blood Priest comes in with a slave carrying breakfast on a tray. There's sweet cakes and watered wine for him and a whole charred goat leg for you. "I hope you don't mind the imposition. I just thought I should be the one to bring you this news. Leave us." He shooes the slave away, slapping him lightly when he doesn't get to the door fast enough.

The Blood Priest closes the door. "Now, then. I did some more work on our prisoner last night. After last night, I don't think she'll be capable of speaking again, but I'm trying to keep alive what's left of her without using too much blood. She said... some things. The group she's working for calls itself the Second Flood. They include centaurs who are bored or disgusted with humankind, some other monsters, slave soldiers, and madmen who for whatever reason want to bring together every part of Pazuzu and see what happens. An interesting idea, I must admit, but curiosity has to be tempered by self-preservation. They're searching every part of the world they can get to. They'll definitely be back for Iltani, and with a greater force than before."

"And did she say anything bout... me? My family?"

"Yes, uh... That's why I wanted to be here. She says you let her live because you secretly want to know who your true father is. She thought I'd release her if she told me. She was damned persistent - I had to torture her for a long time before she'd tell me anything else. But... I don't really think it's important for you to know. He abandoned you. What better revenge than to abandon him in return?"

> "I appreciate the sentiment, but come on, tell me."
> "You're right. I have people who love me now. That's all I ever really needed."

>>32267901
>> "You're right. I have people who love me now. That's all I ever really needed."

>>32267901
>> "You're right. I have people who love me now. That's all I ever really needed."
"My father caused me nothing but trouble."
"The real reason I brought her back was to learn more about Pazuzu. Ishtar told me that killing beings with pieces of Pazuzu was okay, as long as it didn't happen too many times too quickly. Do you think we should kill her now?"

>>32267901

> "You're right. I have people who love me now. That's all I ever really needed."

>>32267970
Yes
We should totally kill her now

>>32267901
>> "I appreciate the sentiment, but come on, tell me."
If you don't tell me it is going to bug me FOREVER.

Also, uh, blood priest? I might not want to know what exactly you do to prisoners. It sounds... bad.

>>32267977
>>32267970
>>32267963
But I am so curious. SO CURIOUS!


Also, I feel bad for her. But that's entirely unrelated.

>>32267901
...so you're telling me you found out he abandoned me? Not killed or taken captive or something, but simple abandonment?
Was he the guy that gouged out mother's eyes?

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>>32267901
"You're right. I have people who love me now. That's all I ever really needed."

The Blood Priest smiles, somewhat at a loss for words. "Yes... that's, uh, that's right. You're exactly right." He's usually the most well-spoken priest, but apparently not when he's trying to convey sentiment.

"The real reason I brought her back was to learn more about Pazuzu. Ishtar told me that killing beings with pieces of Pazuzu was okay, as long as it didn't happen too many times too quickly. Do you think we should kill her now?"

"I'm indifferent. Since keeping her alive would give you more freedom to kill others, I saw this as a chance to test some spells that can keep people alive even when they're missing... a lot of parts. I assure you, she won't pose a threat. Unless you think just having her nearby will have an ill effect on Iltani."

> "That's exactly what I'm afraid of. So don't experiment for too much longer before you kill her."
> "That's an important concern, but maybe it can be helped by sending Iltani somewhere else, someplace harder to find."
>"Iltani's been very good these past few days. I don't think it'll be a concern. Do what you will."

>>32267901
>> "You're right. I have people who love me now. That's all I ever really needed."

>>32268162
>"Iltani's been very good these past few days. I don't think it'll be a concern. Do what you will."

>>32268107
If you feel bad for her I think this is the best path. Meeting a father who abandoned her would just be emotionally painful. Better to just drop it.

>>32268162
>>"Iltani's been very good these past few days. I don't think it'll be a concern. Do what you will."
>"Also, she's been talking about a bad thing that is happening soon. Maybe we should try to piece together what that is?"

Also, blood priest, give us some context. Come on. If you know who the dad is, you know what went down.
Did he even know about us? Did he abandon mother intentionally? Was he the guy mother attacked? Did he have a hand in her death? Was he just some noble who had a fun night with a wench, and forgot?

>>32268162
>>"Iltani's been very good these past few days. I don't think it'll be a concern. Do what you will."

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>>32268162
"Iltani's been very good these past few days. I don't think it'll be a concern. Do what you will."

"As you say." The Blood Priest nods and finishes his watered wine. "It'll be close, but we should have enough blood for tonight. I'm calling in all the pyramid servants who haven't given blood recently, and I'll also pay some beggars for a little blood. My first choice was to buy up all the cheapest slaves available, but... I thought you wouldn't like that."

"Aww! I always knew you'd kill for me, but I never knew you'd not kill for me."

"Yes, well... Take care of yourself out there, Hunzuu. Ligish needs you. I'll make sure your pet is fed until you come back."

> Double-check on Iltani
> Go looking for the best transformation subject
> Go looking for soldiers

>>32268482

> Double-check on Iltani
Best to make sure that she actually will be ok if we're letting Ku-Aya live. Plus I trust the priests to make an alright choice. They chose us ,after all. Us and Nilnil.

>>32268482
> Double-check on Iltani
See how she's doing today.
Ask if she has any clearer warnings about the bad thing about to happen.

>>32268482
>> Double-check on Iltani

>>32268482
> Double-check on Iltani

Let's check in on our favorite reformed psychopath

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>>32268482
You look around for Iltani. She's on the terrace a lot, so you check there again. She must like the fresh air after so much time in confinement. You see her sparring with Nakurtum. You're not sure how you feel about that.

"Iltani? I was just checking to see if you had any more bad premonitions. Nakurtum... are you sure you should be doing that?"

"She asked me to, Hunzuu! She asked me to! I was good!"

Nakurtum wipes her brow. "Well, I don't know. It's been so long since you and I got to train together, and training Dadanum and the other guards is boring. They've got no stamina."

Iltani tries changing the subject, still afraid that she might be in trouble. "But hey, let's talk about feelings! Usually sensing something powerful makes me feel all excited, as you know, but this was a bad kind of power. This was like when I was with the giant blight demon, and I saw myself the way Pazuzu sees me for the first time. It was under the ground. I didn't want to look any closer than that, so I tried getting drunk to forget. It takes a lot to get be drunk."

> "Nakurtum, if the guards have gotten soft, that's all the more reason to train them harder. Iltani's not here for your amusement."
> "So does Iltani know any good moves? Or does she just get by on being really strong?"
> "I think it's been long enough. Iltani, how'd you like to go kill things for your Lady Scorpion?"

>>32268843
> "Nakurtum, if the guards have gotten soft, that's all the more reason to train them harder."
> "So does Iltani know any good moves? Or does she just get by on being really strong?"

>maaaaaaaaybe she can come with us to kill stuff

>>32268843
>> "So does Iltani know any good moves? Or does she just get by on being really strong?"
>"Hey nakurtum, after seeing that 10 year old's spearmanship, think we can start training meleku a little?"

Also, assure illtani she's allowed to fight and practice and stuff, just, you know, no going crazy and killing/torturing a bunch of dudes.

>>32268843
I don't usually like all of the above, but here it's appropriate

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>>32268843
"Nakurtum, if the guards have gotten soft, that's all the more reason to train them harder. And Meluku. He needs to learn from someone other than Rabi-Tammuz. They get along w little TOO well."

Nakurtum smiles and rolls her eyes. "Yeah, yeah, I know. Can I help it if I wanted a challenge for once? After my brush with death, I've been afraid I'm getting soft, too."

"You look tough as ever to me. So does Iltani know any good moves? Or does she just get by on being really strong?"

"Her style is really weird. She wants to wield everything overhand. You can't so anything that way, especially with a full-sized sword."

"Well, I did kind of teach myself, mostly," Iltani says. "But it's good to be moving again! I think killing people might make me do something that disappoints you again, but I've still got it, in case I ever need it."

> "Well, just keep practicing, then. You're right about the dangers of killing people."
> "Come with me! We're gonna kill that lizard."
> "The mission I go on tomorrow wouldn't be good for you, but if there's any danger in the city, be a dear and kill it for me."

>>32269155
>> "The mission I go on tomorrow wouldn't be good for you, but if there's any danger in the city, be a dear and kill it for me."
And by danger, I mean like a monster or something. MAAAYBE people if they're a whole invading army.
And not our new monster. They tend to be a bit unstable when they're made, and just need a bit of restraining.

And sorry I've not been practicing with you Illtani. I thought I'd find that lizard long ago. Still carrying that chisel I'm going to use on him.

>>32269155
> "The mission I go on tomorrow wouldn't be good for you, but if there's any danger in the city, be a dear and kill it for me. Maybe we can spar when I get back."

>>32269155
>> "The mission I go on tomorrow wouldn't be good for you, but if there's any danger in the city, be a dear and kill it for me."

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>>32269155
"The mission I go on tomorrow wouldn't be good for you, but if there's any danger in the city, be a dear and kill it for me. Maybe we can spar when I get back."

Iltani smiles and nods. "We could do that... You know, I try to be good and not be a bother to you, but I do like it when we're together. You're the good kind of powerful..."

"Well, thank you!"

"May I touch you?"

"Just a little." You offer clawhugs. As your claws touch her hair, you feel a little jealous of ho long it's grown in. Your hair is still shorter than Hillallum's.

> Look for soldiers (you may specify a school)
> Look for someone to transform (you may specify a place)

>>32269383
> Look for someone to transform (you may specify a place)
Is there anyone from our orphan childhood who we're close to, and might not mind monsterhood?

>>32269383
I don't really want more soldiers because I agree with the footmen, we don't want to leave the city undefended.

I wouldn't mind checking in on the slingers, asking how the common man is doing.

Otherwise,
> Look for someone to transform (you may specify a place)
Have we gone through all the promising monster candidates from when we were getting picked?

Rolled 1

>>32269155
> "The mission I go on tomorrow wouldn't be good for you, but if there's any danger in the city, be a dear and kill it for me."

So, is the blood priest Hunzuu's dad?

Rolled 6

>>32269383

> Look for someone to transform (you may specify a place)
Lets look at a shrine dedicated to the goddess of war and whores. She owes us a favor .

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>>32269383

You go out into the city in search of someone to make into a giant mole-person. From what you can overhear, the common people are very upset about the rise in executions, but you'll have put a stop to that after tonight. The harvest coming in is good, at least. And, of course, wild rumors about about what kinds of monsters the other cities are producing.

You recall you old friends from the poorhouse. Meluku was probably your best friend. A lot of the girls you spent time with were older than you, and they've likely all been sent away to apprenticeships or married off to men who care more about looks than breeding. You remember that recently after you transformed, many girls were taken in to be trained at a brothel. Some of them might be happy for a change of employment.

> Find that brothel
> Choose one of the younger kids who are still at the poorhouse
> Look for highborn families in the palace or fighting schools who might find it useful to have a giant monster in the family
> Pray for guidance. Roll 3d6.

>>32269719
> Find that brothel
Hillallum will appreciate one less whore in the world.

Rolled 2, 2, 1 = 5

>>32269719
> Find that brothel
Whoresfor the whores god!

>>32269719
Ask at the brothel first.
Then at the orphanage.

I sort of want to pray for guidance, but this issue isn't big enough to concern gods with.

Speaking of god issues, you reminded me of the whole dead scorpion race thing. Fuck if we ever came to a solid conclusion on that. I want to release them, but feel ill at ease to, and it's been that way... forever.

>>32269719
> Find that brothel

Inb4 the brothel turns out to be surprisingly nice.
If it is, then we'll move on.

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>>32269719
You head for the brothel, which is converted every year into the temple of Ishtar on her feast day, in the style of all the holy places left in the city except for the great pyramid itself. It's a relatively large complex, originally with a wing for love and a wing for war, now entirely furnished for love. You remember feeling bad when three of your good friends were sent away here simply because they were getting older, were a burden to feed, and had nowhere else to go. You squeeze through the door and announce yourself. "Hello, it's me, savior of the city! Yes, good to meet you, too! Bring me Arvia, Puzur-Lama, and Gula!"

The portly eunuch guard speaks with obvious fear of offending you. "Ah, Lady Scorpion. Those girls are not our best. Still in training, really. Unfit for an important person such as yourself. May I show you the finest we have to offer?"

> "I don't want to fuck them, you idiot! Just bring them to me!"
> "So you know them. How are they treated here?"
> "Bring whoever would be interested in being changed into a protector of the city like me."

>>32269719
>Choose one of the younger kids who are still at the poorhouse
Younger is better for the ritual

>>32270067
>> "So you know them. How are they treated here?"

>>32270074
True enough. We're really only at the brothel to save someone if they really need it. Otherwise, we're just checking in with old friends.

Rolled 2, 2, 5 = 9

>>32270067
> "I don't want to fuck them, you idiot! Just bring them to me!"

>>32270067
> "So you know them. How are they treated here?"

>>32270067
>So you know them. How are they treated here

>>32270067
hahaha
misunderstandings

>>32270198
Whores and whore-keepers keep thinking we're out to buy whores.

We just want to talk to them! Or get precious blood from them! Or get beauty tips!

Speaking of beauty tips, we should let someone paint our shell some. Maybe do it ourselves.

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>>32270067
"So you know them. How are they treated here?"
The guard shrugs. "Not hard enough to kill them, but hard enough to teach them. Not the best, I'm told, but we'll make proper whores of them yet. They just need more time before they're ready for the challenge of pleasuring a giant scorpi-ooohhhhh. You're not here for that, are you? Well, come along. They're kept where the old barracks used to be, until they earn better."

After a few minutes of rounding them up, he puts your old friends with you in an uncomfortably sexy private room, with the walls painted with countless images of Ishtar and Tammuz making love. They're all about your age, though you look older than them now. It's very strange to see them with painted faces and revealing outfits. They're speechless and fearful at first, not sure what to do. "You came to check on us?" says Arvia. "To make sure we're all right? We're doing very well. The elder sisters say we might be great one day. We hear about all your battles. We're proud of you." They don't look as cheerful as their words sound.

>Clawhugs!
>"Okay, show of hands. Who doesn't want to work here anymore?"
> "They said they'd punish you if you said anything bad about them, right? Don't fear them. I could kill them all right now. In fact, shall I kill them all right now?"

Rolled 2, 1, 4 = 7

>>32270385
>>Clawhugs!
And hair ruffling

>>32270385
>Clawhugs!
>"Okay, show of hands. Who doesn't want to work here anymore?"

>>32270385
>Clawhugs!
We can't go around breaking all the systems

>>32270385
>Clawhugs!

>>32270385
>Clawhugs!
While clawhugs are happening, CONSPIRATORIAL WHISPERS.
Are they making you say those things? I'm strong now. I could take you away. Or convince them otherwise. Or... a lot of things.

>>32270385
Anyway, regardless of the vote, break down why we came and ask if they are up for it if we should move on.

We're looking to find someone to be another monster warmachine. It is incredibly dangerous, and the last one that was our friend died. Only come with if your life here is not good.

>>32270385
>>Clawhugs!
>> "They said they'd punish you if you said anything bad about them, right? Don't fear them. I could kill them all right now. In fact, shall I kill them all right now?"

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>>32270385
You pull all three of them into clawhugs. You're just so happy to see them again! Of course, they're terrified at first, but one by one they realize that you mean no harm. "Eeeek! Oh. Whew! Don't scare us like that!" Arvia says. Puzur-Lama freezes in fear before catching her breath again. Gula starts pleading for her life. "Please, Hunzuu, be gentle! Don't - oh, hey... this isn't so bad!"

You double-check that the door is closed and lean in close. "Okay, show of hands. Who doesn't want to work here anymore? The Great Priests have the ability to make one more monster, but it has to be tonight if the monster is to come help me fight evil tomorrow. Even if all of you want to leave, though, I could take you all away. Do they beat you? Make you lay with people you don't want to?"

Arvia bites her lip and looks at your monstrous claws. "They do beat us... but just when we're bad! Lots of masters beat their apprentices. And this is the only trade I even come close to knowing how to do. The last time I tried to learn a trade, my master threw me out for incompetence. At least that hasn't happened here..."

Puzur-Lama backs away from you. "I know you're rich now, and staying with you would be wonderful, but I don't want to have to fight. My whole childhood I had to beg and steal and fight. I told you how I killed someone just for a bag of flour. I can't do that again. I'm sorry."

Gula takes the longest to say something. "Well... You know, I think I might just have what it takes to be a really good whore! I see the sisters at work, and I think, what do they have that I don't? Nothing! But at the same time... there's something exciting about the idea of changing into a monster..."

> Choose what to do with each of them

>>32270704
So they're not starving you? And they're not hurting you bad? You guys aren't miserable? Do they let you leave sometimes, to meet friends and the like?

Anyway, give all of them a big smile, and tell them that you're very relieved by their answers. We can find someone else. I think.

Gula, we MIGHT be back for you if we don't get any volunteers, to see if you're still up for it. It was nice seeing the three of you again.

>>32270704

>"You can stay if you want. But you can also come with me, and if you don't want to change like me, you can become my maids."

Well, nothing is wrong with being a whore, it's condoned and holy and all that. Just so long as they're not being treated awfully.

I don't actually see the need for a new monster tonight, now that I think about it.
I want them to be thoroughly trained before going out to fight.

>>32270704
>"Well, alright. As long as you guys are happy here. We don't want to make monsters that won't be happy with their situation."

>Tell Gula the time and place of the ritual in case she decides to do it.

Rolled 6, 6, 2 = 14

>>32270704
Maybe gula

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>>32270704
"You can stay if you want. But you can also come with me, and if you don't want to change like me, you can become my maids."

Puzur-Lama nods. "So I wouldn't have to fight? And I also wouldn't be beaten and have to fuck strangers? I could see myself as a maid, then..."

Arvia shakes her head. "I'd be a bad maid, I just know it. I may be unhappy sometimes, and scared of things in general, but I'm resolves not to mess this up since I've gone this far already. I'll stay."

One again, Gula takes a long time to think it over. "What kind of monster? A sexy monster?"

"Not really. You'd be enormous and have a lower body like the four legs of a mole. Possibly too big to get through doors."

"Hmm... I bet the change would feel really great, but then if I'm stuck with it afterward... I dunno. Can't they make me into anything smaller? Or sexier? Preferably both."

> "I'll just take Puzur-Lama, then. That way you two can keep each other company."
> "I'll take Puzur-Lama and Gula. Maybe the Blood Priest has a different relic he could use instead. And in the meantime, we can start training you to fight."
> "The pyramid isn't as safe as it sounds. Maybe I shouldn't take any of you..."

>>32271063
> "I'll just take Puzur-Lama, then. That way you two can keep each other company. If they get a relic that's more appealing to you, Gula, I might be back."

>>32271063
>"I'll just take Puzur-Lama, then. That way you two can keep each other company."
>"You will still have to please me, you know?"

A good bath always pleases the Hunzuu. Shining carapace and help to put decoratins over too.

>>32271063
The change actually sort of hurt, now that I recall.
> "I'll just take Puzur-Lama, then. That way you two can keep each other company."
Though, warn her the temple is sort of weird. It might be a little dangerous, but you don't know if it's more or less dangerous than being a whore.
Also, ask her if she knows how to paint at all. Now that the idea is in my head, I wouldn't mind a bit of color on the ol' shell on days we aren't sneaking around.

Rolled 5, 5, 6 = 16

>>32271063
> "I'll take Puzur-Lama and Gula. Maybe the Blood Priest has a different relic he could use instead. And in the meantime, we can start training you to fight

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>>32271063
"I'll just take Puzur-Lama, then. That way you two can keep each other company."

Gula nods in agreement. "Yeah, I wouldn't wanna leave a friend all alone anyway. Just, you know, let us know if there's any developments. Don't wait a whole year before seeing us again. And... you know... sending us a little money would be cool, too. They don't let us keep anything we make until our training's done."

You escort Puzur-Lama back to the pyramid quickly before continuing your search. She thanks you profusely. Even done up like a harlot, she looks kind of boyish and scrappy. It's a pity she refuses to fight. She'd probably make a great fighter.

"Hey, Puzur-Lama... do you know how to paint at all?"

"Not really. But I can try! It can't be that hard, can it?"

> Continue the search. Find a younger girl at the poorhouse.
> Continue the search. Find a child who maybe knows a little about fighting already.
> End the search. Tell the Blood Priest that doing this ritual in haste is a bad idea anyway, and the one girl you fund is a pacifist.

>>32271317
> End the search. Tell the Blood Priest that doing this ritual in haste is a bad idea anyway, and the one girl you fund is a pacifist.
Ask if he has any relics that aren't mole-womany.

>>32271317
I sort of want to visit the orphanage again, but I don't really think we'll find a good candidate there. I just want to visit.

Let's go tell the blood priest that we re-thought making a monster for the hunt. Ninlil was a monster, but she died before she got any serious combat training. We don't want to do that again.

Rolled 3, 6, 4 = 13

>>32271317

> Continue the search. Find a child who maybe knows a little about fighting already.

>>32271317
>Continue the search. Find a younger girl at the poorhouse.

>>32271317
>Continue the search. Find a younger girl at the poorhouse.

>>32271317
> Continue the search. Find a child who maybe knows a little about fighting already.

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>>32271317
After getting Puzur-Lama settled in and teaching her how to be careful around Mr. Clicks, you head for the orphanage. The little ones have seen enough of you by now that none of them flee in terror anymore, though some refuse to touch you and offer only squeaky one-word answers to your questions. One six-year-old even agrees to clawhugs! You explain to them all how you're looking for someone to be transformed and go on dangerous but important adventures, and the louder children boast of their bravery, but you suspect that none of them really understand what they'd be getting into.

The servant woman that the Footmen sent to replace Ettu is still here and seems to be doing fine - she accepts the bag of coin you brought with great gratitude.

> Take the one who clawhugged you. That one has spirit.
> Take a very young toddler. The priests can spend a good long time raising her to be the perfect monster.
> Take the oldest one, who's roughly the same age as Meluku. She's very quiet, but maybe she'll warm up to the idea.

Check it out, three way voting deadlock.
Though, my end search vote was earmarked with a vague desire to visit the orphans too, so maybe not so deadlocked after all.

>>32271751
>Take the one who clawhugged you. That one has spirit.

>>32271751
Hm. Maybe they're too young. None of them really jump out as very good for this.

Picking new monsters is haaard. Blood priest, how do you do it?

>>32271751
> Take none.

>>32271751
>>32271803
>>32271814
Oh yes, I forgot to include the option
> Take none of them. You brought money and kept the kids distracted for a while, and the nursemaids consider those to be equally precious gifts.

>>32271844
> Take none of them. You brought money and kept the kids distracted for a while, and the nursemaids consider those to be equally precious gifts.

Rolled 4, 2, 2 = 8

>>32271751
> Take none of them. You brought money and kept the kids distracted for a while, and the nursemaids consider those to be equally precious gifts.

>>32271844
yeah, it doesn't feel right to take any of them
The ritual is probably getting rushed too much, we already recruited a bunch of extra warriors. We should be fine, especially with the forces from the other city.

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>>32271751
You consider taking the six-year-old girl who agreed to clawhugs, but a twinge of guilt makes you relent. You don't think you can do this to a child. You don't think you can do this to anyone.

"So you're going to take one away? Make them like you?" a nursemaid asks.

"Well... eventually. Not yet, though. I just wanted to see how you all were doing. It's been so good to see you!"

You return to the pyramid and admit that you couldn't find a good candidate. The Blood Priest looks indifferent. "Well, perhaps it's for the best. This ritual will need all the preparation we can get. We've never done one of these outdoors before. I can keep most of the blood preserved that we've collected already. If any of it is beyond saving, perhaps some acolytes have ideas for how to use it before it goes bad..."

You sleep fitfully, too nervous to feel the pull of the underworld. You wonder if Hillallum is feeling the same.

The next morning, you meet him in person again outside the city walls. He's wearing his best finery, with gilded bronze armor and a long spear with a strong, narrow head perfect for piercing monster hides. Even his hair is decorated with golden beads. Behind him, hundreds of men form ranks. The hunt is ready to begin.

> "Thank you for joining your strength to ours. Together we will find the missing heroes, and I will have my revenge."
> "You look good!"
> Just wink at him as you head to the front of the host of men.
> Write in

>>32272056
Yeah, that's pretty much the sentiment behind my vote too. Even a trained warrior person should have a few months to get used to the body.
Also, geez, it's been a year already. Time flies.

>>32271844
>Take none of them. You brought money and kept the kids distracted for a while, and the nursemaids consider those to be equally precious gifts.

we need someone that already has some fight in them. We don't have the time to completely raise a monster.

Rolled 2, 2, 2 = 6

>>32272227
> Just wink at him as you head to the front of the host of men.

>>32272227
We're decked out in our cool armor too, yeah? Want to look good/be protected and all that.

Anyway, I say just wave, say hello, and wish him good luck. Let's try to make it so none of our guys die this time!

>>32272227
> Just wink at him as you head to the front of the host of men.

>>32272227
> Just wink at him as you head to the front of the host of men.

Then:
> "Thank you for joining your strength to ours. Together we will find the missing heroes, and I will have my revenge."

>>32272227
>> Just wink at him as you head to the front of the host of men.

>>32272227
>Just wink at him as you head to the front of the host of men.

>>32272294
Yeah, that sounds like the kind of thing we'd tell the men, rather than in private conversation. The mission statement of this sojourn.

Though we probably won't get any revenge, the lizard isn't going to be in our patrol range.

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>>32272227
You just wink at Hillallum as you rush to the front of the host of men. You clearly see him blush blue. Damn, he's quick to blush!

You decide to deliver a speech. The rising sun behind you makes your armored carapace shine. You raise the blue-and-black metal spear, one of Ishtar's gifts to you. "Men of Zagros! Men of Ligish! Today we join our strength to defend the honor of both our cities. Together we will find the missing heroes, we will kill the outlaws that call themselves the Second Flood, and I will have my revenge!"

Spears and bows rise. Men cheer.

> Try to find a time to touch Hillallum with the white glove the first time you make camp
> Offer to share a burrow with him
> Keep it clean. Maybe apologize for letting your scorpion instincts go out of control last time.

>>32272517
>>Keep it clean. Maybe apologize for letting your scorpion instincts go out of control last time.
Besides, we've given him a lot to think about later, as he's having awkward teenager stages.

>>32272517
>> Keep it clean. Maybe apologize for letting your scorpion instincts go out of control last time.

Rolled 3, 5, 3 = 11

>>32272517
> Try to find a time to touch Hillallum with the white glove the first time you make camp

>>32272517
>Offer to share a burrow with him

This seems like it isn't pushing it.

>>32272517
What does the white glove show, anyway? Just stuff you like?

>>32272517
> Try to find a time to touch Hillallum with the white glove the first time you make camp
>Otherwise keep it clean. No hanky panky on mission time.

>>32272517

Keep it coean, but don't apologise. Commander Clawblock will get irate if we make any moves on him now.

>>32272517

>Try to touch him with the glove

Otherwise don't seduce him in front of your men. This is war!

Only reason I'm not for the glove is I already know what it will show.
His parents. His city. Friends. Maybe us, one day, if we work at it.

>>32272822
MAYBE US ALREADY
DOES HE LIKE US YET
WE NEED TO KNOW

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>>32272822

What do we lose by knowing for sure?

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>>32272517
You march for a day, past hamlets and farmsteads that live under the protection of the shadow of Ligish. People who might otherwise be filled with fear and doubt at the sight of soldiers instead wave and smile because they see your mighty silhouette at the front of the line. The first night, you all make camp by the banks of a small tributary to Ea's great river. You do not give Hillallum any intimate washings or other such chicanery, you just take the time to talk to him. "Hillallum! Come, share some dried goat. Look, I'm sorry if I took it too far before. I'll admit, it is exciting to have you around, but I should behave myself better than that. Forgive me?" You extend your gloved hand.

"Forgive you? Um, yeah, of course! I'm still trying to... you know... understand my feelings, too. But our cities are more important than our feelings. I'll do what's best for them." He clasps hands with you.

You get a longer vision than usual. Through Hillallum's eyes, inside his fully human body, you see him sparring with a large, leathery-faced man. He whirls his training spear and strikes the man just above his heart, which sends the man falling backwards. He claps his hands and smiles. "Perfect! Like a true hero."
Suddenly, he's somewhere else, indoors. Hes tugging on the fringe of another man's robes. "Papa! Hazzon says I use a spear like a -"
The man yanks his trailing robes away from the boy and sweeps him aside. "Not now!" Ouch.

You think you've seen it all, and you're about to let go, but just as the vision fades you catch the impression of something else. A whisper, in your own voice. Very faint, but you remember the exact intonation. "No... you'll be mine..."

>I'm going to call it a night. You may add more stuff you want to do at camp if you want, and I can add it next time. Next thread possibly this weekend, or a week from today at the latest. Check the Twitter.

>>32272970
thx 4 runin budi gud thred

>Hillallum totally likes us!

>>32272970
Thanks for running Anu! Hopefully see you Sunday?

Rolled 3, 2, 1 = 6

>>32272970
So, who is Hunzuu's father?

>>32272970
Oh, we're gonna treat him so good, he won't even KNOW what to do.

>>32272517
>Keep it clean. Maybe apologize for letting your scorpion instincts go out of control last time.

We need to keep it professional in front of the troops. We can touch him with the glove later.

>>32272970
I still want to find out who hunzuu's father is damnit.
Anyway, not much to do, other than point out to the patrols where previous villages got burned out by the pazuzu freaks.

>>32273054
I agree with you that we should treat him super good, but I have a feeling we are going to argue bitterly about how is the best way to go about this at a later date.

>>32273052
We chose not to find out! I think it was worth it, just to increase our relationship value with Blood Dad. We even got him choked up a little.

>>32273142
We should totally come to him later with it though.
Like Hey guy, I know I said that having people who love me now is what is important, but my curiosity is driving me half insane.

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>You think you've seen it all, and you're about to let go, but just as the vision fades you catch the impression of something else. A whisper, in your own voice. Very faint, but you remember the exact intonation. "No... you'll be mine..."

Redouble our efforts. It's working!
>

>>32273116
I vote to be kind yet instructive in a very slightly dominant way. He could use some training with his claws, after all, and this kid is totally starving for approval.

>>32273157

I just want to spite Ku-Aya. I'll actively avoid seeking it out because she tried to use it to keep us from our duties.

>>32272970
Archive is up: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html

>>32273162
What do you think the apology and talking about our feeeelings is, anon?

WE ARE ON THE JOB.

>>32273204
Let's train him and approve of him.

Though, I still am kind of angling to get us to go live with him, as is traditional. Or to start a new home equidistant between both places.

>>32273223
Stop that, anon. Please. You're spiting us as well. Also she's having a REALLY BAD TIME already and I feel bad for her.

>>32273227
Maybe we could negotiate a scorpion-baby-sharing program. The city we don't live in gets scorpion babies when they're old enough to leave the nest.

>>32273313
We should just frequently have vacations/visits to whichever city is not our primary home, kids in tow.

With any luck, some will come to like the "away" city.

>>32273223
That's a bit harsh. She's getting tortured by the blood priest already, and used as a magical guinea pig, that's probably way more torment than I would ever wish upon anyone.

I still don't want to search for Hunzuu's father though. He left her. It doesn't matter who he is. Meeting him would be emotionally painful for Hunzuu. She wouldn't get closure, it would serve no good purpose. If we ever find out who he is we won't be able to resist tracking him down. That's why it's best to just drop it.

>>32273247

>Feeling bad for Turtak spy turned Pazuzu worzhipper who stole our shit, kilt our dudes and doesn't even have the decency to do it out of love for her people.

Fuck her with a ritual knife. I hope the lood priest enjoyed his experimentation

>>32273341
I don't want to search for the father.
I DO want to know who the father is.

I -may- want to search for him if he's A. in some kind of hostage situation or B. had a hand in whatever happened to mom.

>>32273356
She's getting tortured. Like, literally. We don't need to keep ourselves from knowing stuff just to spite her, she's already in the maximum state of bad we can inflict.

And I do feel bad about that. Blood priest makes me feel bad with some of the things he does.

>>32273339
omg
omg
they'll ride on our back
maybe they'll ride on HIS back if we train him right

>>32273385
Cmon, you know if we find out who he is we won't be able to resist finding him. He's dead to us. Let him stay dead.

>>32273455
I'm actually pretty content with the blood dad arrangement. I feel no real need to hunt the dad down.
But fuck if my curiosity isn't endless.

>>32273450
>training him to carry our kids on his back
>intentionally losing the chance to give our kids rides all the time
I choose to not do this.

Rolled 4, 1, 5 = 10

>>32273487
What if blood dad was real dad?

>>32273718
Then we'd be grumpy at him for 1-2 weeks unless he had a real good explanation

Rolled 5, 3, 6 = 14

>>32273751
Hunzuu's mom was a whore and a drunk, he probably had no idea.

>>32273800
yeah, hence we'd only be grumpy for a week or two.

>>32273227
That's traditional for humans. We're scorpions. It's traditional for him to come live with us.

>>32273969
I don't think living stationarily is traditional for scorpions.
If we're not being nomads, we're using human traditions.

>>32273992
We can't abandon our city though. We're the great protector!

>>32274046
We -may- be doomed to starcrossed romance.

>>32274060
Or we could say fuck human traditions, we're scorpions, we do what we want.

>>32273969
Saying "It's a scorpion thing" isn't going to make them any less pissed about giving away their best fighter, especially considering how much we've hyped up our species. Zargos' anger is the only reason we aren't /ss/ing right now so we should appease that with a compromise instead of playing word games and calling for cultural sensitivity.

>>32274094
One problem.
He's probably the great protector of HIS city too.

>>32274105
>>32274115
hnnngggh maybe we could do halvsies
summer there, winter here

>>32274153
Maybe we could become technically married, but due to political and safety necessity, continue living in our own respective cities most of the time. With relatively frequent visits to the other city on both of our parts for romance. And with shared child custody.

>>32274175
that could work too

>>32274208
Sometimes, you have to bow to cultural norms. And sometimes marriage customs have to bow to monster safety concerns.

A long distance relationship is probably much less shameful than the husband moving in with the wife. People in the industry are all the way moving away from their families for extended periods of time to guard and conquer.

>>32274175
>>32274115
There seems to be evidence that scorpionboy is underrated in his own city. Otherwise he wouldn't still have such a chip on his shoulder. Maybe we can come up with an offer that would convince them to give him away. We have a perfectly good giant. Lightly used. Slight head sticking out of chest.

>>32274233
This is a good point. He's worth more because he can give us scorpikids, but we could totally trade Zargos another monster for him.

>>32274233
>>32274259
There's still the issue of marriage norms. Even if an equal trade were to be given, they'd still be leery about it.

>>32274282
If we traded, it wouldn't be him moving in with us. He'd move into Ligish, and after that it wouldn't really matter. We could say he gets a room in the pyramid and we move in with him, when really he just starts sharing our room.

>>32274377
If he moves here, I would actually kind of like to see him get a house or something. Like, a real privately owned place to live. Then we move into that, and get to stay in the city with all our friends and have a private house with the hubby.

>>32274282

I have a feeling that isn't the root of the problem. They're very likely wary of Ligish stealing him, especially since he's so young and attention-starved. We aren't rushing to disprove the notion either. What if we agree to take some retainers and diplomats to Zargos and stay there with our egg sack? They can see our kids being born, count them, and send us back with half. We'll be there to ensure it goes smoothly and the priests trust us to not fuck it up.

>>32274482
We sort of live birth.

Anyway, this seems pretty similar to the "get technically married and technically move in with him, then go back to our respective cities with shared child care" plan from earlier.

Entirely unrelated, we need to learn to be at least a passable cook. Even if we're the dommiest domme, I still want to cook for the guy occasionally.

>>32274515
Sorry, assumed spiders and scorpions did it the same way. Still, if we go to Zargos during the only period where we *have* to be with the scorplings, it'll be a show of respect and send the right cultural message. The preists trust us not to let Ligish get screwed out of scorpions more than Zargos trusts Hillallum to do the same, so it's pretty even.

>>32274872
I wouldn't mind spending a few months in another city. So long as we're back before, you know, our place burns to the ground. From something or other.

>>32274886

It's not like we'll be able to do any fighting during that time. An extended diplomatic mission is about the extent of our capabilities.

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>>32274927
Actually a pretty great point, we'd be pretty damn vulnerable while waiting on kids. Our armor wouldn't fit. Both natural and artificial.

>>32274792
We are going for dommiest domme, we're going for tender loving domme

>>32275154
All the more reason we should learn to make snacks for 'im.