>>34042265
The Dragon opens its mouth wide and roars, sending a funnel of wind and lightning your direction. The bolts strike the ground, setting off wildfires as they skim the surface of the earth. You run to the side, slipping out of the electricity's path, but the Dragon's long, sinewy neck cranes around. The lightning tracks you just a few steps behind, and you can feel the leather on your boots growing hot from the proximity...

>Empty your magazine at the Dragon (Strike)
>Switch your Crossbow to close quarters mode and slash (Crash)
>Keep your distance and shoot for the legs (Guard)

Combat Rules http://pastebin.com/yDJMYKwu
Previous Threads http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Warhound%20Quest
Twitter @FreelancerQM

Forgot my subject line before.

>>34042277
>Empty your magazine at the Dragon (Strike)
Sounds like a crash maybe?

>>34042277
>Empty your magazine at the Dragon (Strike)

It feels more like a Crash than anything else.

It doesn't seem fast or precise enough to be a Strike, nor it is evasive or defensive so Guard doesn't feel right either. And it's certainly telegraphed, and not something we want to get hit by.

Two people, huh? I'll go to dinner to give everyone time to show up, then. If anybody else is going to pop in, make sure to be counted.

>>34042277
>Keep your distance and shoot for the legs (Guard)

If it's sending multiple bolts of lightning, that sounds like a Strike to me.

>>34042855
Been a long ass time

OP is out to lunch...

>>34042855
How long are you going to be eating OP?

>>34043026
He's on 7 mins..I could eat dinner in 3

>>34042265
>Empty your magazine at the Dragon (Strike)

As long as it is at range its best too make use of that

>>34042277
>Empty your magazine at the Dragon (Strike)
I dunno what's going on, but I like it.

>>34043268
Bump

Okay, back from dinner. Gave everyone a little over an hour to show. Who is here?

>>34044673
Less than if you'd waited a half hour

>>34042606
>>34042634
>>34043199
>>34043268


I'll go ahead and start writing this in the meantime.

>>34044715
Can't be helped, I guess. I figured after waiting about half an hour to begin with, I wasn't going to get a big rush.

>Strike Successful!
>Your Advantage: 1
>Enemy Advantage: 0

You take aim with your crossbow, years of training steadying your aim despite your frantic pace. You squeeze the trigger and you fight to stay grounded as the bolt flies toward the target. The dragon screams as the shaft tears through its scales, spilling its blood as you pull the crank to ready another bolt. Your arms are a blur, firing shot after shot at the monster while you circle around it, kicking up dirt as you feather the beast from afar. You pull back the crank only to have the magazine spit air. Damn, empty. You roll out of the way of the Dragon's tail, the dust stinging your eyes. The ground shakes as you pull a fresh magazine from your pack and you slam it down into the crossbow's feed. You're ready for more, anytime!

The River King's teeth snap, and it lunges forward with its flexible neck. The serpentine jaws skim the ground as it darts like a viper, nicking you on the arm and leg even as you dance away. The monster rears back and snaps forward again, but you're ready for it this time. You shove your crossbow into its open mouth and jam its maw open with your weapon. You can feel its crushing power buckle your crossbow, and you gaze into the slitted eye of the beast. With a mutual understanding between you and your foe, the two of you pull away and ready yourselves. The Dragon's head streaks forward, aiming for your torso!

>Shoot its eye! (Strike)
>Catch its mouth with your sword! (Crash)
>Roll to the side and slash its neck! (Guard)

Guard also I'm on mobile but still here

>>34045067
Guard

>>34045067
>Roll to the side and slash its neck! (Guard)

It's a fast, reasonably precise, attack. So, Guard that Strike.

Hopefully the Twins have things taken care of on their side of things.

>>34045067
>Roll to the side and slash its neck! (Guard)

Get those twins too start throwing some magic around

>>34045067
>Roll to the side and slash its neck! (Guard)

Let's guard!

>Guard Successful!
>Your Advantage: 2
>Enemy Advantage: 0

You've got to be brave here. No half measure is going to kill a dragon! You flip the switch on your crossbow and the tension reverses, pulling the ends of the bow together. The grip lengthens and slides back, the trigger and magazine disappearing into the stock. With your grip firmly on the weapon, you pull on the cord that once served as the bowstring and the blade slides out like a carton knife. You slide forward and the Dragon's head shoots past you, blowing back your hair with a rush of wind. You twist your body at the waist, stabbing the sword into the serpent's neck as it rushes past you. The sword, though comparatively fragile due to its variable construction, is unbelievably sharp, tearing open the scale and sinew with little resistance. The creature howls and writhes, rolling down on the earth in pain. It begins to scamper away from you, kicking up large sheets of earth your direction. Its mate joins it shortly, its once beautiful scales darkened by fire and shattered by ice. Their bloody forms do not turn away from you as they fall back, covering their dash for the watering hole by crying to the sky.

The clear day goes pitch black, and white bolts of light fall from the sky, striking randomly all around them. You go to give chase but your progress is hampered by the bizarre weather. Eva and Lily follow in step, looking more jubilant than winded. Not a single scratch...not a single bruise. So this is the power of a witch. Lily notices your gaze and makes an X with her arms. What's that supposed to mean?

"No gawking."

They're not taking this seriously at all.

>Have the girls help you snipe the targets with their sorcery! (Strike)
>They're weak. You'll finish this with a decisive blow from your sword! (Crash)
>You finally have a chance to breathe. Regroup! (Guard)

>>34045682
Crash!
Lets kill us some krittters

>>34045682
>They're weak. You'll finish this with a decisive blow from your sword! (Crash)

Finish them off, don't let them retreat. If they get back in the river they'll be annoying to fight, and probably zap all the fish and stuff in the river as well.

>They're weak. You'll finish this with a decisive blow from your sword! (Crash)

Lets end this

Sounds like Crash is the general idea here
>writing

>Crash Successful!
>You Win!
>Flawless Victory!

You trust yourself and charge the monsters. Though your skin is singed by the falling bolts, you advance across the field as fast as your feet will allow you. Your sword raised above your head, you leap towards the female dragon and latch onto her neck. Your sword arm comes down and you begin to saw her neck from her body, her bloodspray blinding you as you cut through flesh and bone. With the female's head severed, you jump off her dead body and plunge you sword down into the male's back. You push down with all your strength, until the sword is buried to the hilt in the dragon's back. It screams and tries to shake you off, but you pull out your weapon and hop to the ground. With a quick turn, you cut the monsters's legs out from under it and watch it topple over to the ground. You climb its body, standing on its breast as the Dragon whimpers, attempting to conjure one last burst of lighting.

You don't let it.

You thrust your sword through its chest and deep into the heart of the beast. It stops cold, all life, all motion ceasing. Out of the corner of your eye, you can see the pair's young circling around you. You raise your weapon, eager to strike them down, but a chill wind envelopes everything. The youngling dragons slow to a crawl, frost forming on their scales as they drag themselves towards you. Then, a wave of flame overtakes the horde. Their scales crack and blister from the sudden shift, and their bodies break apart like glass. The witches step out from behind them, straightening out their hair and clothes. The worst thing that happened to them today was some scuffed clothes. You sort of feel jealous...

"How bloody, Mr. Wolf."

"So vulgar, Mr. Wolf."

>They pulled their weight today. Let their comment go.
>You won't let that stand. Punishment time.
>Praise their efforts. They were a big help.

>>34046611
>They pulled their weight today. Let their comment go.

>>34046611
>Praise their efforts. They were a big help.
Its not like they weren't.

>They pulled their weight today. Let their comment go
>Question how long they been with hound company
About as good a time too ask as any

So, we decide to swallow our pride a bit, and maybe sneak in a question?
>writing

>>34047228
not swallowing our pride they did a ok job nothing too commend them on and punishing them for that side comment feels petty

You grunt and wipe the blood off your face. You inspect your weapon as is your usual routine, and frown. The blade is chipped, the drawstring is warped, the feeding ramp got bent...it's totally useless. You suppose you shouldn't have expected much from a gimmicky piece of crap. Sighing, you toss the weapon aside and step off the dragon's corpse. You're feeling a little bit curious, so you ask the girls if they've worked with the Hound before. Eva and Lily glance at each other, then begin to whisper frantically amongst themselves. Is it that big of a question? Eventually, they straighten themselves out.

"The Coven has worked with the Hound before, Mr. Wolf."

"The Coven considers the Hound to be a very good client, Mr. Wolf."

What about them, specifically?

"It's embarrassing, but," Eva turns away, "This is our maiden voyage"

"You shouldn't ask a lady that kind of thing!"

That's funny. You don't see any ladies here. They puff out their cheeks and stomp.

"And we were being so nice! We shouldn't have bothered with Sidika's rule!"

"We came to work for you for barely any money! We were told you'd be nicer!"

You shrug your shoulders and start to walk away. Witches...

...

You give an exasperated sigh. The Mobile Fortress Astrea is as busy as ever, rumbling over the countryside without ever stopping. The cafeteria is empty at this time, with most of the other Hounds out working or resting. You've decided to go blow your paycheck on a good meal. Or...that's what you wanted to do. You look at the paltry few coins sitting in your hand. Less than 20 Varandi. After splitting it with the twins, this was all you had left for yourself. This isn't even enough to buy a cotton shirt, let alone a lavish meal.

"Yo, Wolf," You look up to see Panther limping toward you on her crutches, "You don't look happy. Didn't your first job go well?"

>Complain about the girls.
>Complain about the pay.
>Complain about her nagging.

>>34047714
>Complain about the girls.
>Complain about the pay

Yes those two are going be included in the after action report and its not going too put them in the best of light and not only did we have too work with them the brats took most of the pay check

>>34047714
>Complain about the pay.

Gonna wait a few more minutes, then go ahead.

OK pay it is.

You drop the coins on the table and frown. What's the deal? Didn't Panther arrange for these jobs? Is she trying to keep you in the poorhouse or something? Panther hobbles over to you and takes a seat, setting her crutches by her chair. Her toothy grin doesn't abate, and she reaches forward to play with your money.

"This is a learning experience, Wolf. You gotta take the good with the bad if you're ever gonna make it big."

You're not interested in making it big, you'd just like to get paid. She picks up a coin and throws it across the table, beaning you in the forehead with it. Her face grows cross.

"What, you wanna be some small time, huh? You ain't interested in all the wealth, women, and wine that's just out there, waiting to be had?"

She leans over the table and bears her teeth.

"I didn't raise no two-bit nobody. Listen up, this is how you get a reputation. You have to put your name out there, work with lots of other mercs, make a big show of yourself. That's how you get the big name jobs. Otherwise this," she points to her eye, then her missing leg, "Is all that's waiting for you. Got that?"

She gets back in her seat and lights up a cigarette. She glares at you, as if to dare you to say something...

>Joke around and tell her that you'll never be someone's nanny.
>Surrender. You'll take this publicity work more seriously.
>Tell her to shove it.

>>34048763
>Joke around and tell her that you'll never be someone's nanny.

Everybody's going to sleep, I suppose.

>>34049039
To be continued?

>>34049205
To be continued tomorrow, yeah. I should have time for at least a few hours after work. Maybe I should start planning for 2-part threads.

>>34048763
>>Joke around and tell her that you'll never be someone's nanny.

bump

>>34048763
>>Joke around and tell her that you'll never be someone's nanny.
Just got back from class OP, glad I haven't missed this.

>>34052234
Well shit, nevermind then.

>>34052263
You didn't miss anything because apparently the OP refuses to run for less than 4 players.

Which is fucking retarded beyond all belief.

>>34052361
He had 1 person voting, it's understandable.

>>34052452
One is more than none, and for an unproven quest that's very new, its lucky to get the players it does, and yet the OP just goes "No thanks, not enough for me"

>>34052361
Eh, I can't really hold that against him, these quests usually start out small in the beginning. It's getting pretty late anyways.

>>34052512
>these quests usually start out small in the beginning
That presumes they end up bigger than small, which is going to be very hard to do when the OP won't run because he 'doesn't have enough players'

You keep running, and you gain players, you don't run, and you lose players, its pretty fucking simple.

>>34052579
I would not run for one guy. That kind of takes the collaborative part out of a Quest.

>>34052509
>>34052579
Holy fuck these are bitchy posts.

>>34052361
>You didn't miss anything because apparently the OP refuses to run for less than 4 players.
Makes sense since he usually gives three choices. It was like an hour before another guy showed up for that last post.

>>34053489
Indeed, though I can kind of understand that anon, I woke up right as Freelancer put this thread on hold, which was a bummer.

>>34053765
Yeah, I hate it when that shit happens. I'll try to stick around for it tomorrow but I'll have class so I might miss the start

bump

well shit... hopefully I'll be awake in time tomorrow to participate

bump

I like this quest but my timezone won't let me participate.

Also bump for the bump god.

bedtime bump

b-bump

Okay, I'm back. Going to make a tweet for those who aren't here.

Oi?
When does the tenderlovin' with panther start?

>>34069478
Slow

>>34067001
Activate it

So, two, maybe three people present? I suppose I can try to whip something together for the next two or so hours.

>>34070118
>Crash

>>34070193
Dude.

>>34070118
What about humping panther?
"I like my women mean, seasoned, and onelegged, c'mere sexy mama, let me show my appreciation for you"

This choice got the most votes over night.
>>Joke around and tell her that you'll never be someone's nanny.

>writing

>>34070251
>Your players have withdrawn their interest, and are cautiously watching from the sidelines. They seem more wary than anything else.

>Strike: Make a short, quick post aimed at keeping your players' attention
>Crash: Write a huge post with plenty of plot and some solid decisions, but it'll take a while to send
>Guard: Watch your thread for a while and see what the players' mood is like

You decide it would be best to not keep her in a bad mood. You toss her a quick smile and tell Panther that you're definitely not going to end up like she did. There's no way you'll ever become a grumpy, chain-smoking nanny who still frets over a grown man. Panther's eye light sup, and she chuckles out a plume of smoke.

"You got me pegged. Okay, okay, I'll let you do your own thing. I didn't come here to give you a lecture anyway. Panther here's got one last thing for you."

She reaches into her jacket and pulls out a rather hefty looking bag and tosses it onto the table, letting its contents spill out. Coins of various shapes and sizes scatter across the metal surface, holding your attention until the last bit of coin falls still. You start counting the money, but you're interrupted before you get too far.

"One thousand, kiddo. It's a little bit more than the last job you did, don't you think?"

You glare at her. How did Panther get all this coin? She turns her blind eye to you and rests her chin on her arm.

"I did some saving when I was young. And even though I look like this, there are still jobs I can do. I just thought you would need a little pick-me-up, to go buy some gear or maybe have a little fun on the side."

'Fun'?

"Don't be such a stick in the mud," She waves her crutch at you, "You know what I mean! Go take that money and spend it, because it's the last handout you're getting from me! You're officially off the tit. From now on, you'll have to go to Fortune to get your own jobs too!"

You stare at the money in front of you. Yeah, you did just lose a weapon in this mission. You could go get something better. Or maybe there's something to Panther's 'fun'? Of course, you could always just save it and go see Fortune yourself.

>Time to get equipped.
>Time for some fun.
>Time to see Fortune.

>>34070709
>Time to get equipped.

>>34070709
Save it, see Fortune first.

>>34070709
"The only fun I want is from you baby"
>Go buy gear

Buy...Gear?!

Okay.

>writing.

Glad to see this thread survived.

>>34070846
Also flirt with panther

>>34070940
You point your fingers at Panther and give a cheesy smile. Any chance you can get back on the tit?

"That would have been adorable eight or so years ago."

Right.

>Back to writing.

>>34071114
....She can barely keep from attempting to ravish us..clearly what is happening there

Near the heart of the Mobile Fortress Astrea, just shy of the reactor rooms, is a small storefront that goes by the name of The Riddle. Surrounded by simple chickenwire, one can easily see row upon row of weapons lined up in the tiny space. A modest workbench covered with a multitude of parts and never free of curious metal shavings takes up the majority of the shop's space. You crouch down and peek through the tiny hole in the wire fence, to see if the owner is about.

"Wolf!"

Small hands reach up to the counter, and the shopkeep hefts themselves up to your level. Dulsa always manages to surprise you. With their face covered in a hood and wraps, wearing loose, baggy clothing, you're not really sure if Dulsa is man, woman, or even human. But Dulsa or someone like them has always been here to man the Riddle.

"Come to spend your money? Come to chat all day? There's nothing wrong with your knife, right? Your pistol's doing fine, yes?"

Yes, they're both fine.

"Ha ha, but they could be better, yes? Could be stronger? Dulsa can make this happen, can't Dulsa? Dulsa can also make you something new, if you please?"

>Funds: 1020 Varandi
>Modified Barrel: 600 Varandi. Dulsa will improve your pistol using a unique design which imparts more spin to the shot. Effect - Once per mission, you can choose to make a Strike using your Pistol gain twice the Advantage from a successful Exchange.
>Sycra Coated Edge: 800 Varandi. Dulsa will improve your knife, adding a coating of Sycra which more easily causes gushing wounds. Effect - Once per mission, you can choose to make a Crash using your Knife reduce an Enemy's Advantage by 1 whether or not you win the Exchange.
>Snake Pattern Mesh: 500 Varandi. Dulsa will line your Hound Uniform with a unique armor mesh that resists slashing blows. Effect - Once per mission when you lose an Exchange, you can choose to not grant the opponent any Advantage if they were using an attack based on slashing or cutting.

>>34071526
>Modified Barrel: 600 Varandi. Dulsa will improve your pistol using a unique design which imparts more spin to the shot. Effect - Once per mission, you can choose to make a Strike using your Pistol gain twice the Advantage from a successful Exchange.

>>34071526
Is there just gear for sale instead of upgrades?

>>34071526
>Snake Pattern Mesh
Better to make sure we mess up less than damage foes more.
Personally

>>34071621
If you need a rocket launcher for a mission, you get a rocket launcher at no cost. Similarly, Wolf has access to a variety of standard equipment at no cost (like zip lines or backpacks or grenades, what have you).

The gear here is for special things.

I'll wait about five more minutes.

>>34071526
>Snake Pattern Mesh

>>34071618
This

Oh boy, a tie. Gonna roll a tiebreaker here in a minute.

Rolled 2

1, Barrel
2, Mesh

>>34072014
Whoopie!

>>34072014
Krel

"Mesh? You are sure?"

You nod.

"You let Dulsa know when you fight next? Dulsa can outfit you then, correct?"

Yes, Dulsa.

The little...creature jumps for joy and snatches up the required coins. Dealing with Dulsa is always a little strange, but the dwarf's goods have never been anything less than the very best money can buy. You take a step back from the cage and stroll down the hallways, certain you've spent your money in a productive way, instead of pissing it all away with booze and dangerously young looking boys, like Panther did. Still, despite her issues with collecting coin on a long term basis, you've got a long way to go before you're half the mercenary she was. Maybe you should get her a gift to show her you still appreciate everything she's done for you...

Your senses sharpen and you return to the world of the living. There's someone blocking your path. Dirty blond hair. Dark sunglasses. Gaudy silver piercings in each ear. Two DG-LS of exquisite craftsmanship at their hip. There's only one person in the world that matches this description.

Fox.

"Jack. No, wait, I'm sorry," The sunlight from the windows casts a painfully sharp glint on his sunglasses, "You're Wolf now, aren't you? Guess you finally decided to get on my level."

Quicksilver Fox. They say he's a serious candidate for top leadership positions in the Hound. An impressive kill count. A near flawless mission record. The envy of every trainee. And...the guy who pisses you off the most.

>Tell him that he'd better address you correctly.
>Tell him that you've been on his level for a long time.
>Tell him that you're busy and don't have time for him.

>>34072555
>>Tell him that you're busy and don't have time for him.
Try and be professional about it, not a dick

>>34072555
?>describing an edgy faggot who wants our D
>Ignore the faggit alltogether
"I aint got time to get sucked off bub,I got shit to do"

>>34072555
>Tell him that you've been on his level for a long time.

>>34072555
>Tell him that you're busy and don't have time for him.

>>34072555
>Tell him that you've been on his level for a long time.

>>34072640
Counting this as a "busy". Telling Fox you don't have time to play just barely wins

>writing

>>34072841
And slip in a denial of his subrle sexual advannces thing too

Fox...you don't have time for this bastard today. You've got better things to do than deal with his bullshit.

"Like what, Wolf? Some top secret assassination? Are you off to break a siege? Don't make me laugh, I know you just went monster hunting for a bunch of dirt farmers and fishermen."

You grit your teeth and start walking past him. You're not going to engage him. You're just going to waltz on by and let him think whatever he wants. As you turn down the hallway, you can hear him laughing.

"Tuck your tail between your legs and run, then. I'll still be here. Being better than you."

This son of a bitch...

...

You count the money in your pocket. 520 Varandi. More money than most make in a single year, and you can only think about how you'll need to get another job before the month is out. The idea of picking up a new job right away sounds appealing. You don't want to let Fox have the last word, even if you're not going to get involved with his petty shitkicking anymore. But you're also feeling the urge for some recreation. You know that the Mobile Fortress will be pulling into a port in the next few days. You could always put off your meeting with Fortune until then. Get some rest and relaxation in. Maybe find that hobby you've been meaning to get. Or...you could do boring paperwork.

>Call a meeting with Fortune.
>Get ready for a night on the town.
>Do your duty.

>>34073199
>Get ready for a night on the town.

Rolled 24

>>34073199
>Call a meeting with Fortune.

Hm. A few more minutes.

>>34073199
>Call a meeting with Fortune

>Get ready for a night on the town.

>>34073199
>Do your duty.

Okay, so here's what I'm going to do. I'm going to roll a tiebreak in 5 minutes, then write that result down. We'll start the next thread off with that result.

>>34073199
>>Get ready for a night on the town.

>>34073199
>Call a meeting with Fortune.

Rolled 2

1, Party
2, Business

And there you have it. We'll start next thread with a meeting with Fortune. Thank you to everyone who put up with my bad scheduling.

>>34074108
Thanks for the thread, any idea when the next will be?

>>34074180
I probably have to work the weekend, so it will depend on my next day off. I'll try to send a tweet a day in advance and it shouldn't be more than a week this time, at most.