It looks like a fairly ordinary restaurant from the outside, it’s mid-hive and seems a fairly respectable establishment. Although not open yet, according to the sign it opens at midday, there’s signs of movement from within, you knock at the door cautiously and a old man in a well-tailored suit answers “Ah you must be Ms Hyul” he stays pleasantly, a smile creasing his wrinkled visage “I’m Father Mathai, come in, come in.” He certainly sounds like the voice on the phone, and seems familiar to you somehow. He lets you into the place, all around you there are young men and women cleaning the place and arranging tables, he leads you into the back and up the stairs.

“Wait” you say as you follow him “What is going on?”

“Oh its quite simple “says Father Mathai, pausing on the stairs “the former owner of the Waystation, Nikos Snow was one of a number of our Church who offered to buy a Gift from someone the King awarded it to, a time-honoured tradition. By agreeing to the bargain you forfeited the Gift itself, and Nikos will very soon be promoted to demonhood, a minor demon to be sure, but I am confident he will earn more in time. In return, you get one of his businesses, the Waystation, we’ve had lawyers draw up the documents, all that it awaits is your signature honoured Reunited.”

“About the Reunited thing” you say “Who knows?”

“Only senior members of the Churches” says Father Mathai “We don’t tell many that the legend of the Reunited is true, it would only upset them.”

“Then how..?” you struggle to think of a way to ask this.

“Will the staff accept you?” says Father Mathai “Simple, they’ve been told that you are high in the favour of the King, though you follow all of the Five. Even regular worshippers can be granted Gifts after al, this transaction is not so unusual.”

“So the staff are all worshippers of the Five?” you ask.

“Not all no” says Father Mathai, “I’ll let Nikos’ deputy explain.” He continues up the stairs and ushers you into an office. At a desk is a woman who appears in her mid 20’s dressed in a grey suit with her dark hair drawn back into a bun and thin-rimmed glasses on her face.

“This is Shee” he introduces you to the woman, “Won’t you please show her around as the new owner? I’m afraid I must attend the Ascension Ceremony. I’m sure you will get along” and with that, he leaves.

“I’m Ms Carter,” says the woman, adjusting her glasses “the deputy manager” she hands you a thick wad of complicated documents “Please sign here, and here, and here, here and here...”

You spend over two hours going through all the documents she gives you, reading them carefully. There doesn’t seem to be anything sinister here, just a contract giving you ownership of the building and the business in return for *considerations given*. You notice that ownership of the place officially passes to you midnight tonight, must be when Nikos *Ascends*.

Once you’ve signed you say to Ms Carter “So are you planning on staying on or...”

“I’ve helped run the Waystation for five years, and I’ve worked here for twelve years total.” She says, frowning at you “should you not wish to retain my services, I will of course leave, however I have no plans to seek alternative employment at this time.”

“Just asking” you say, holding up your hands “No offence meant, I just wanted to understand who I was dealing with, as well as the business itself”.

“Of course” says Ms Carter “The business: the Waystation is divided into two floors for our clientele. The first floor is our mass-market section: here people can enjoy a variety of dishes cooked on the premises. We strive to always have fresh food rather than preserved ingredients.”

“The second floor is divided into a half-dozen private dining areas, four of which can handle parties of up to ten, the other two rooms can each accommodate twenty and thirsty people respectively. This floor is rented out to private parties, and those wanting to order from the exotic menu. What’s that? Well very simply the exotic menu is this: you order it and we’ll find it, learn how to cook it, and serve it to you.”

“Of course there are limits: Nothing so toxic that it’s fatal to cook or eat, nothing sentient, stuff like that. Also anything ordered from offworld will take weeks if not months to arrive.”

She leads you on a guided tour.

“Here’s the kitchen” she opens a set of double doors into a large room with metal furniture everywhere. There are four people present wearing white uniforms. Two watch with worried expressions as a third, a very short man, perhaps a metre in height is yelling at another of the chefs. The short one has a regular-sized chef backed into a corner, it would seem ridiculous except for the fact that the undersized chef has a large knife in each hand and is yelling in a language you’re not familiar with.

“Ah I see Tenley is having a moment, let’s see where is-” starts Ms Carter.

You miss what she’s saying because you catch sight of the rooms fifth occupant, by the Five that guy is huge! He makes Dev seem small, tall and wide with arms as thick as your waist, and his hat brushes the ceiling. He calmly walks over and picks up the tiny chef, who turns to him and glares, grumbling.

“Now Tenley” rumbles the man-mountain “be reasonable, he’s only been here a week, he didn’t know he weren’t s’posed to touch your private spice cabinet.”

The tiny chef glares at the huge guy, as well as the chef he so recently had backed into a corner and mumbles out something unintelligible.

“See?” says the big chef to the one backed into the corner, Tenley says he’s sorry” he pauses “At least, I’m sure that’s what he really means.”

“And that’s Tenley and Gambon” says your guide, indicating the small and big chef respectively.

She leads you through the front of the restaurant, where the staff are preparing and then once you’re in private again she continues.

“Those were the wait staff, well-behaved young men and women, all of them. We have fifteen that work here, with usually ten on shift at any given time, the rest are either on days off or holidays, we can call in an extra one or two if things get really busy. Staff turnover is fairly high, most only stay for a year or so, we have three that are here to stay though: Alice, Shania and Felicity. They tend to train the new staff and keep them in line,”

She sits down at her desk and offers you a seat in front of her.

“And now the less legal activities, where to start....ok...Alice, Shania and Felicity all make private arrangements with some clients to go home with them later. No one forces them to do anything or anyone they don’t want to and if any of their clients hurt them then we hear about and take steps, but that’s pretty rare, they tend to have a lot of repeat business. As this often results in them needing to leave early, the business takes a cut from their activities.”

“Tenley works for the Hypia as an interrogator, though he only gets called in rarely” adds Ms Carter.

“The Hypia” you say “I thought they were-”

“The Hypia” you say “I thought they were-”

“Just a myth?” asks Ms Carter “No they’re quite real, as organised crime groups go they seem fairly reasonable, though we’re in their territory they don’t charge any protection money, as long as Tenley does the occasional job for them. Oh and Gambon still takes part in the occasional street fight. It’s less often now he’s getting older, but he’ll still get lured in for a big enough purse, and he usually needs a week off afterwards to recover, now, about the accounts...”

>http://pastebin.com/NwspZmKw

“As you can see although our turnover is quite high, the weekly profit is only 2,100. That is the food trade I’m afraid. We’re very popular and are packed most evenings and always busy during the day, but the profit margin is fairly small.”

“Now Father Mathai was a little vague about your position in the Church” she says “He just said you may display gifts both from the King, and from others of the Five, but I should warn you, only myself, Tenley, Gambon and Alice, Shania and Felicity are full-time members of the Church of the King. Some of the other staff may be followers of the Five, but none know about any of the extralegal activities here, and none know what Nikos is truly being rewarded with, I’d recommend not speaking about it in front of them.”

“Alright” you say, nodding “So should I go and meet everyone now or...?”

Ms Carter gives a thin-lipped smile, or is that a grimace?

“We’re having a retirement party for Nikos tonight” she says “he’ll tell everyone that you’ll be taking ownership then, the official story is that you are a distant relative that he’s giving this business to whilst his closer family have most of his businesses. I’d prefer it if you stopped by tomorrow midday if possible.”

“Alright” you say nodding “I can do that.”

With that, Ms Carter shows you out of a side door and you make you way to Ashs house
---

You knock at the door, wait a reasonable amount of time, no Ash. You knock again. After ten minutes or so, Ash opens the door and lets you in “Hi Shee” he says dully. His face is a mess, bruised and bloody, one eye is blackened and the other swollen shut. He’s wearing just a dressing gown as he greets you.

Ash shows you into the living room and slumps into a chair. He looks like hell.

Where do you start?

Main topic
>What happened to you?
>Why do you even hang around with Quinn?
>You said you’d found out things I need to know

Please only pick one at a time, you’ll have a chance to work down the list, but each of these will have options to discuss.

Optional
>Heal Ash
>Tell Ash to clean up and get dressed
>Ask other question (what?)

Pick as many as you like from this list. Vote time 20 minutes to allow reading time.

>>37725973
>What happened to you?
>Heal Ash
I guess as good a time as any to reveal that part.

>>37725973
>Why do you even hang around with Quinn?
>Heal Ash
btw, I'm psychic.
>Tell Ash to clean up and get dressed

>>37725973
>You said you’d found out things I need to know
>Tell Ash to clean up and get dressed

>>37725973
>What happened to you?
>Heal Ash

>>37725973
>Why do you even hang around with Quinn?
>Tell Ash to clean up and get dressed

Already loving the restaurant.
But it looks like we need some serious cleaning up there, that Tenley guy and his divided loyalties are not to my taste, that needs to change first.
Gambon is a good lead to the other Reunited.
Of course it would have prostitution. Pally.
But I don't think thats going to be a problem most of the time.

>>37725973
>What happened to you?
>Heal Ash

>>37726216
>that Tenley guy and his divided loyalties
Actually most of our staff has divided loyalties, being loyal to the King of Hell.
That will be a problem if we don't become his champion.

also Fuck yeah, this quest

>>37726306
I don't know if Champions are actually a thing or just a trap option anymore. We didn't get that special brain crystal until we had a Gift from everyone, after all.

>>37725973
>What happened to you?
>Tell Ash to clean up and get dressed

>>37725973
>What happened to you?
>Why do you even hang around with Quinn?
>Heal Ash

>>37726336
>We didn't get that special brain crystal until we had a Gift from everyone
We knew that, they told us from the start it only works with getting a gift from everyone. The "champion of" was always just informal, meaning we could pick one we favored over the others for he endgame, because each of the Five wanted to have the Sixth be allied to them.

>>37726374
Anon. Once again I implore you to learn to read.
It would really help everyone.

>>37726374
Literally everyone else managed it.
Just you had to be special, huh?

You walk over to Ash and lean over him “What?” he asks.

“Shhh” you say as you lay hands on him, concentrating.

“Shee, what’s going on?” asks Ash “I feel...weird.”

You straighten up and take another look at Ash, his injuries wiped away. He shivers and then touches his face in wonder “How..?” he asks.

“It’s complicated” you say “Now go get dressed and stop moping. We’ll talk after.”

“Right” he says, heading upstairs, looking back at you curiously as he does so.

You can hear water running as Ash gets washed and dressed. You grimace, Ash was a mess, he really took a beating. Not just the face but broken rips, bruises and internal bleeding. If he wasn’t a vampire he’d have been in hospital, or dead. Of course it would never occur to him to go and get help, just to sleep it off, boys...

After a short interval, Ash reappears, wearing jeans and a loose top, his hair still damp “Ok Shee” he says “I’m impressed, but how?”

You answer with a question of your own “What happened?”

Ash shrugs “stuff” he says.

“Stuff like...?” you prompt.

“Guy stuff” he says “You wouldn’t understand.”

Right, yeah, because men and women are different species Ash, instead you say “try me.”

“Quinn and I had a fight” says Ash “about...stuff. We argued, I hit him, we fought, that’s what happened.”

How do you respond?

>This was about me?
>What did you fight about?
>Quinn kicked your ass huh?
>Other (what?)

About Healing Ash
>Say nothing about it
>I’m psychic
>I can’t tell you right now Ash
>Other (what?)

>>37726379
I don't recall them mentioning we get something for getting a gift from each of them. Why would OP have kept his mention that one gift from each does something special as a spoiler with a meta-warning if they had already stated it?

If they said being the champion of one was okay, they might've been lying to disqualify candidates that lack sufficient self-reliance to become the Sixth. They mentioned that there would be tests other than Demon Thunderdome, but I don't recall them saying none of those tests would be during the aforementioned event.

>>37726487
>What did you fight about?
>Quinn kicked your ass, without me huh?
>I’m psychic

>>37726487
>What did you fight about?
>Quinn kicked your ass huh?
>Say nothing about it

>>37726496
They literally flat out said it when they explained the whole Reunited deal to us, that they found out that it only works with someone having gifts from all Five.

>>37726487
>This was about me?
>I’m psychic
I think we can tell him now.

>>37726487
>So you like quinn?
>I’m psychic

>>37726487
>What did you fight about?
>Quinn kicked your ass huh?
>I can’t tell you right now Ash
There is still a different question we need to get to.

>>37726526
I thought that was a warning that having too many gifts from one without having any from the others fucked with the heads of the candidates too much, like following the King of Hell did with our father.

>>37726487
>What did you fight about?
>Quinn kicked your ass huh?
>I can’t tell you right now Ash

>>37726487
>This was about me?
>I’m psychic

>>37726487
>What did you fight about?
>Quinn kicked your ass huh?
>Is Kae always with you guys when you go out now?
>Ash, we fought three other vampires together. I had your back back then, don't come me with the "you wouldn't understand a brawl" shit.

>>37726487
>Quinn kicked your ass huh?
>What did you fight about?
>I can't tell you right now Ash

>>37726487
>What did you fight about?
>Quinn kicked your ass huh?
>I’m psychic

>>37726487
>>37726609
Forgot
>I tell you later
More important business at hand

>>37726487
>>37726500
Changing to
>>37726609

10votes/10IPs
guys, seriously.

>>37726663
It's inevitable in this quest now. You just have to hope you're on the winning side.

Appears to be tied on the telling Ash about your powers, so I'm leaving it out for now.

I like the write-in so I'm using it.

>>37726691
We could have had put a stop to it last thread, really.
Putting Ash firmly into friendhsip would have rid us of all that retardation. And we could have finally interacted with the guy without retarded monkeys fucking the quest up.

>>37726726
I know, I know...

>>37726487
>What did you fight about?
>I'm a wizar- I mean psychic

>>37726726
How is this tied to romance, exactly? People would've samefagged for or against telling him we're a psychic at this juncture regardless, and it would've come up whether he was friendzoned or not.

>>37726773
He's just mad because he dosn't like Ash, anon.

>>37726797
Who does? Besides Quinn.

“Ash, we fought three other vampires together.” You snap at him “I had your back back then, don't come me with the *you wouldn't understand a brawl* shit.”

“Yeah ok” says Ash, looking away “you have a point”.

“So Quinn kicked your ass huh?” you ask, adding “Ash why would you even-”

Ash gives you a flat look “I held my own” he insists “Quinn didn’t walk away unhurt.”

You change tack “What was the fight about?”

Ash seems to shrink, and then sits down in a chair “Stuff you wouldn’t believe” he says “I mean, you think you know some people, and then you find out they’re....” he searches for a word “monsters” he settles on.

Oh so he finally figured Quinn out huh?

“I mean, I knew the Crimsonthornes were power-hungry” says Ash, partly to himself “They’d have to be, to stay on top, but what they’re planning is madness. I think it disgusts even Quinn, but he won’t admit it, he won’t admit being scared either.” Says Ash ruefully “I tried to get him to walk away from it and called him a coward, that’s how it started.”

Well that was...mysterious.

“So is Kae always out with you guys now?” you ask.

“Not always” Ash shakes his head “I mean yes, every time she lets us know she’ll be out, we have to go. But we go out without her, she only manages to get out now and then, I guess she’s pretty closely watched. The other times it’s either just blowing off steam or its vamp-only gatherings.”

Your response?

Main topic
>Why do you even hang around with Quinn?
>You said you’d found out things I need to know

Other
>What has Quinn told you about him and Kae?
>Other (what?)

>>37726773
Nah man, its all about that shit at this point.
The same reasons we always had for not telling him still apply, so why exactly would someone bother to samefag this, which was never a issue before, if it weren't about how close we let him to us now?
Its pretty clearly about that.

What is the origin of the Five anyway? They don't strike me as creator deities.
And is vampirism caused by some sort of disease or parasite/symbiote, as in is it 'treatable' by mundane means?

>>37726827
I got nothing against him.
He can be alright, like in that fight when he went to help Kae. That was cool of him.
Its just that most interaction with him was him being a whiny bitch for no reason.
>>37726834
>Why do you even hang around with Quinn?
>What has Quinn told you about him and Kae?
>Ash, how safe a place is your head? Could you keep Quinn out? How likely is someone to read it?

>>37726827
He seems an alright guy so far, so I suppose I do.

>>37726834
>You said you’d found out things I need to know

>What has Quinn told you about him and Kae?

>>37726834
>Why do you even hang around with Quinn?

>>37726889
So you've got the same problem with him that I do.

>>37726834
>Why do you even hang around with Quinn?
>What has Quinn told you about him and Kae?

>>37726834
>Why do you even hang around with Quinn?
>Ash, how safe a place is your head? Could you keep Quinn out? How likely is someone to read it?
Thats a pretty good question. I guess we might as well settle that one right now.
>>37726827
FriendAsh is a alright guy and can be areal bro.
LIAsh is entitled manchild.
Which is a shame really, I wished we could see more of FriendAsh.

>>37726834
>Why do you even hang around with Quinn?

>>37726834
>>37726931
seconding

>>37726836
You're assuming that it was the people in favor of telling him that samefagged, that people wouldn't have still voted to tell him as a friend, that there was universal agreement on those reasons being enough to not tell anyone and that people aren't voting in that way to deliberately cause drama.

>>37726842
They already explained that they are the original creators of reality.
There just used to be a lot more of them.

Does no one read this quest or something?

>>37726842
We don't really know.

We don't know.

>>37727011
I must have missed that bit.
But it's still just their version of the story.

Thanks anyway.

>>37727066
>But it's still just their version of the story.
The problem is that as far as anyone knows, no one else was around to have a different version back then
So it might be untrue, but we have no way of finding out.

And since they are NotYozi, I'm going to assume its true until I have reason to think
otherwise, anyway.
Even if, yes it might be not true.


>>37727031
I'm fairly sure I remember it being said somewhere that people assume vampires were created by mages at some point, so its most likely not a physical disease or anything like that.
I'm gonna look for it.

>>37727031
>>37727152
>No one is exactly sure where vampires come from, though plenty of mages have claimed credit for creating them throughout history. The popular theory is that vampires came from two distinct magical rituals, one designed to make the caster immortal, the other to craft his followers into loyal, and powerful pawns.
There we go.
Setting pastebin.

File: 1328183-maya1.jpg (47 KB, 252x487)

47 KB JPG

>>37727202
Thank you!

“Ash why do you even hang out with Quinn?” you ask “I mean, he’s....an asshole.”

“Yeah” says Ash moodily “He can be, but rarely to his friends. Ash is alright, as long as he’s in charge, or thinks he is. Do you want a drink?” he heads into the kitchen to start a kettle boiling, returning he says “Quinn is...complicated. I hung out with him at first because I didn’t see his other side, he can keep it hidden when he wants, then I met some of his family and I found out that Quinn really is the nice one in the Crimsonthornes, by a wide margin.”

“For a whole I was trying to convince him to change” muses Ash “Or maybe just hoping he would, but now, with you coming back, and everything else, I need to stay close to Quinn because the Crimsonthornes are planning something, something big, and Quinn is party to it, some of it anyway, he has shared some of it with me, but not all of it.”

“Ash how” you think of a way to phrase it “How safe is your head, I mean, could Quinn read your mind?”

Ash gives you a curious look “Shee” he explains patiently “Most vampire mental powers are about control, not perception. Can Quinn read my mind? I really doubt it. Mind-reading is an elders trick, or someone who has really focused on it.” Huh, seems Lirael is more special than you thought.

“Is Quinn focused on it?” you ask “Or could he command you to talk?”

Ash ponders this “I don’t think so” he says “If Quinn could read minds, he would lord that power over others, use it to mess with them, I would have seen him do it. He could be keeping it secret, but I doubt it. As for commanding me? Maybe he could, but it would be an attack, and commanding people to forget is difficult, I’ve seen it done, they have...blank spaces...in their memories, the command is too general I guess.”

Ah, so maybe it is safe to confide in him-

“Now Elder Crimsonthorne” says Ash “He can read minds, I see him occasionally when I meet Quinn, like once a month or so.”

Or maybe not.

As Ash heads back into the kitchen, you wonder what to ask.
Clearly you need to know the secrets Ash has found out, but what else?

>Just the secrets (exclusive option)
>You’re trying to save Quinn?
>You’re spying on Quinn?
>Quinn implied he bit you...and had sex with you
>What was Quinn scared of?
>Other (what?)

Tell Ash?
>Nothing, not safe
>About your psychic powers
>About the Reunited
>About Lirael
>Other secret (what?)

>>37727362
>You’re trying to save Quinn?
>Quinn implied he and you were pretty..intimate. Its none of my business, in the end. Just curious.
>What was Quinn scared of?
>About your psychic powers
I guess psychic powers is safe. Crismon already knows about something worse.

>>37727362
>What was Quinn scared of?
>You’re trying to save Quinn?
>Quinn implied he bit you...and had sex with you

Tell Ash
>About your psychic powers

>>37727362
>You’re trying to save Quinn?
>About your psychic powers

>>37727362
>>37727403
Seconding

>>37727362
>Quinn implied he bit you...and had sex with you
>What was Quinn scared of?

>About your psychic powers

>>37727362
>You’re trying to save Quinn?
>You’re spying on Quinn?
>Quinn implied he bit you...and had sex with you
>What was Quinn scared of?

>About your psychic powers

>>37727362
>You’re trying to save Quinn?
>What was Quinn scared of?
>About your psychic powers

File: 1362767704591.jpg (365 KB, 1110x688)

365 KB JPG

>>37727362

>You're trying to save Quinn?
(good luck with that lol)
>Quinn implied you...

Tell Ash
>Nothing, not safe
Maybe, just maybe I'd tell him the information Quinn told us. But that might be very unsafe for Ash.

>>37727505
>Maybe, just maybe I'd tell him the information Quinn told us.
I'm pretty sure that is exactly what Ash is already talking about.

>>37727362
>You’re spying on Quinn?
>What was Quinn scared of?

>Nothing, not safe

>>37727362
>What was Quinn scared of?
>Are you trying to save Quinn orare you spying on him?
>About your psychic powers

This is taking a while to write, thank you for your patience.

>>37727849
Don't worry about it. Your update speed is far above average anyway.
But thanks for the heads-up.

>>37727849
HURRY UP SHIT HEAD!
jk pally, you're aces, take as long as you need to.

Let's tell ash we're a psychic. That way when his mind is read by the elders they'll know!

>>37727943
Crimsonthorn already knows way worse about us.
Even if he does read Ashleys mind about us, it won't actually change anything.

>>37727943
Or we could convince him to not hang out with people who can read minds instead.

I mean not with the bad ones.

I mean not with the ones he knows won't murder him when he gets in the way.

Uh... I mean he can still hang out with us is all I wanted to say.

>>37727943
In this case we benefit more from Ashley knowing about our psychic abilities, then we lose from Crimsonthorne knowing about them.
Its often useful if allies are on the same page about things, unless there is a specific reason not to be.
Like, I wouldn't tell Ashley about Lirael or the Five.

>>37727997
>Or we could convince him to not hang out with people who can read minds instead.
Thats not possible, he goes to school with them.

>>37727975
Psychics with demon powers usually means we're following one of the Five and are gaining power from them and morphing into something like them, IIRC.

That's a lot more threatening than just a demon worshiper or just a Psychic.

Not that I'm criticizing you if you made that vote, I'm a different guy than the sarcastic joker you're replying to and I voted for it too. Regretting it a little bit.

>>37728065
But he doesn't know we're a psychic, him knowing both is the dangerous part.

>>37728046
Okay, let me rephrase this.
Crimsonthorn even knows about our Dad.
He knows Shee got gifts.
Her having psychic powers is additional info to him, true. But its not really something he can leverage against us. It just means we can't flatfoot him with them, which is a cost of opportunity, that much is true. But its also useful for Ashley to know. So it evens out in my book.

>>37728108
Yeah sorry. I realised what you meant,>>37728122
You are right in that regard of course.
Yes its a card we are giving away.

>>37728046
Thats not quite accurate.
The psychic part is what allows us to shape our gifts thats difference.
Assuming Crimson knows that is how it works, it would only tell him we have influence over what gifts we recieve and how we change.

“Wait” you say “let me get this clear, you were trying to save Quinn?”

Ash comes out of the kitchen, a steaming mug of coffee in each hand. He gives one to you then answers, looking a little shifty “Not at first no” he says “At first Quinn was fun to hang around with, then he let his other side out, and I walked away, swore I’d never be back. After he apologised I gave him another chance, then I found out about his family. I met his older sister” Ash shivers and pales a bit “anyway, I thought maybe Quinn was lonely, or scared.” He gives you a meaningful look “I remembered when someone else helped a lonely vamp kid on the playground when no one would go near him, and I decided to try. I found out that Quinn is...messed up. Controlling, narcissistic, wants to be the centre of attention, and yes, he can be cruel and savage sometimes. But having met his family, I think” he pauses “I dunno, the only psychology I’ve studied is about advertising and sales, so maybe I’m way off, but I think Quinn is scared. I think his family messed him up so bad that the only way he can feel safe if he’s in control, and that as soon as something breaks that control he lashes out.”

“Quinn implied you two” you stop, then start again “he implied you two had been intimate.”

Ash blushes “Quinns bitten me a few times” he says “more of a dominance thing than feeding. By the way, sorry if I’ve pushed you about that in the past – I get it now, it’s, as the feeder it’s more intense...ah anyway, yeah, I won’t push you.”

“He also implied” you’re not sure you can say this.

Ashs blush deepens “Yes” he says quietly “We had sex once, Quinn was in a bad place, he came back from a meeting with his family, he was terrified, crying. I’ve never seen Quinn cry before. I tried to get him to talk about it but he wouldn’t, so I let him bite me, the first time I’d ever asked him to. Things kinda went from there. If you’re asking for details...?” he gives you a teasing look.

“Not really” you say, though privately you’re a little curious, in a purely academic sense of course.

Ash chuckles “Anyway” he says, “Quinn got really chatty afterwards, I guess pillow talk really is a thing.” He continues his face darkening “Quinn told me, there’s an off-worlder coming, an old vampire, like older than the colony old. As senior vampire Elder Crimsonthorne is required to participate in a welcoming ritual, he’s nominated Quinn as his stand-in.”

“What does that mean?” you ask, you’re not really up on vampire social rituals.

“When a weaker vampire welcomes a stronger one into their territory” says Ash “He is required to bare his throat to the other, at least, that’s the old ritual. Nowadays just a personal meeting is sufficient. But the old vampires require the old forms, now since the more powerful vampire is allowed, without punishment, to kill the weaker by biting his throat out if he feels offended, a lot of social protocol has to be followed. One of the rules is that if the welcoming vampire can reasonably claim that his death would result in a lot of in-fighting and chaos that would disrupt the visit of the visitor, he is allowed to substitute a close relative, or heir.”

“Oh” you say.

“Yeah” says Ash “So suddenly Quinn, despite not really getting on with most of his family, is apparently a *close protégé* of the Elder, and has to stand there and let an old vampire decide if he’s going to bite his throat out because the spaceflight over served the wrong kind of snacks.”

“Why would Quinn agree to that?” you ask.

Ash shakes his head “I don’t think he had a choice.”

Ouch.

“So the whole getting me to make you mad thing...” you say, changing the topic.

Ash shrugs “Could be Quinn being Quinn” he says “Or he thinks we’re...or he’s just being possessive.”

“What other things have you found out from Quinn?” you ask, getting to the main point.

“Lots” says Ash “There’s a plot to turn Dusters and low-Hivers into mandatory feeders for vamps, and fae.” Yeah this you already know, but as Ash is facing away from you, he misses you reaction, or lack thereof.

“Soon the vamp families will announce some programs” says Ash “housing, medical treatment, food shelters, a give-away to societies poorest” he says bitterly “of course everyone will be suspicious and will test the food for drugs, will expect the doctors to be performing experiments, and the housing to be a trap. It won’t be, it’ll all be genuine, for a time, six months, a couple of years, who knows?”

Yeah you would be suspicious if all the dusters suddenly got help from the rich hivers.

“And once everyone has gotten used to it” says Ash “Once the naysayers have been proven wrong, then it starts, drugs in the food to make you compliant. Medical check-ups will be used to see which people are healthy enough for multiple feedings. Housing projects will be built isolated from others, and troublemakers will be concentrated into specific areas. It’s all quite organised” he says, casually describing it, though you can see his hands shaking, the surface of his coffee rippling.

“The fae will be a part of it of course” says Ash “Hive 39 and a few other places are the test sites, but once it works, it’ll go global, but before it does, the off-worlder is coming. There’s a big party going to happen” says Ash “Everyone will need to be there to welcome him.”

Ah so that’s what that was, good thing you talked Sergeant Yonsul out of going, if there’s some super-scary vamp there.

“There’s some sort of treaty planned” says Ash “I dunno what, or why, but Elder Crimsonthorne...did something...to Quinn, Quinn tried telling me after we...well after, y’know. But he couldn’t, like he couldn’t spit it out, I think he’s had something done to him, commanded never to reveal the secret. I know the fae are not to be told about the off-worlder, I think maybe someone figured Kae might read it from Quinn or something.”

Ash suddenly looks back at you “So that’s what I know, so how did you manage to heal me, not that I’m complaining, but..?”

Ah yes, this “I’m a psychic” you say “healing is one of my powers, I have a few others, but I’m still learning.”

Ashs face shows a mixture of emotions “Oh well, yes” he says, saluting you with his cup “Good for you Shee, but keep it a secret, if the fae find out you’ll be made a Gifted, no choice there, y’know.”

“I was planning on keeping it secret” you say dryly.

“So that’s it” says Ash “Yeah, I hang around with Quinn for a lot of reasons, was there anything else you want to know?”

Is there?

>About this plan
>About the off-worlder
>Your families involvement
>Other Question (what?)

Other topics
>Good job Ash, keep spying on Quinn
>Stay away from Quinn, he’s dangerous
>I can’t believe you had sex with him, that’s horrible
>So what was Quinn like in bed?
>Do you think if we help Quinn, he could be an ally?
>Other (what?)

Hah, so Quinn really is Yan for Ashley.
Thats kinda cute.
>>37728479
>About the off-worlder
>Your families involvement
>Do you think we can help Quinn, get better?

>>37728479
>Good job Ash, trying to help Quinn, I hope for you it works out
>About the off-worlder
>Your families involvement
>Do you think if we help Quinn, he could be an ally?

>>37728479
>So what was Quinn like in bed?
>>Do you think if we help Quinn, he could be an ally?
C'mon, we HAVE to ask him that.

>>37728479
>>37728540
seconding
>>37728555
Damnit anon,
I guess Shee kinda has to. It'd be a insult not to, really.
>So what was Quinn like in bed?

>>37728415
>you’re a little curious, in a purely academic sense of course.
Do girls actually do that? I've only seen that in that red dwarf episode with rule63 Lister

>>37728479
>>37728540
this
It was nice of him. Hope Quinn turns out to be worth it.

>>37728479
About this plan
>About the off-worlder
>Your families involvement
>So what was Quinn like in bed?
>Do you think if we help Quinn, he could be an ally?

>>37728479
>About the off-worlder
>Your families involvement

>Good job Ash, keep spying on Quinn

>>37728607
>Do girls actually do that?
Some do. Less then man with lesbians.
But its a thing.

>>37728479
>About this plan
>About the off-worlder
>Your families involvement

>Good job Ash, keep spying on Quinn

>>37728479
>About the off-worlder
>Your families involvement
>Do you think if we help Quinn, he could be an ally?

>>37728479
>Good job Ash, trying to help Quinn, I hope for you it works out
>About the off-worlder
>Your families involvement
>Do you think if we help Quinn, he could be an ally?

>>37728607
Sometimes, not sure how common it really is, but sure. Fujoshi exist, afterall. So it stands to reason some basic appeal is in it for some.

>>37728479
>About this plan
>About the off-worlder
>Your families involvement

>Use your discretion, but be careful.
>What do you know about Kae?

>>37728479
So turns out people who claimed Ashley did it for his family were completly wrong.
And people who claimed its because he is a spineless whimp were also wrong.


Turns out its actually love.

>>37728479
Uh, so Ash is rather altruistic. That's nice.

>>37728997
Clearly he got something from it.

But it is a nicer reason than all the previously speculated ones, thats true.

It might be unlikely.
But could Quinns sister be Jade?

That'd be sorta interesting.

>>37728479
>Good job Ash, trying to help Quinn, I hope for you it works out

You know.. 13 votes and I haven't even voted yet. Good work guys.

>>37729091
I really don't think thats at all likely.
Probably would have been FemAsh.

>>37729110
I have honestly no idea what could be even samefagged here.
Not asking how good Quinn was in bed? But that had only like two votes.

>>37729110
Its 11 votes anon.
I know thats a thing now, but keep the paranoia down.

>>37728479
>About the off-worlder
>Your families involvement
>Do you think if we help Quinn, he could be an ally?

>>37728479
>Do you want to leave Quinn?

“Can you tell me anything more about the off-worlder” you say “like who he is or what he does or anything.”

Ash shakes his head “No” he says “I’m sure Quinn knows, but can’t say, I doubt even a mind-reader could get it from him. All I know is he’s old, very powerful and the Crimsonthornes and all the other powerful families want to impress him, without looking like they’re licking his boots.”

“And your family?” you ask “How deeply involved are they?”

Ash looks uncomfortable “I don’t know” he admits “I’d like to say not much, they never were very powerful, and they’ve not said anything about it to me. Quinn thinks that they – and a lot of the other weaker families – will only be old once a deal has been struck, and will be expected to fall in line. I think that’s a recipe for civil war, I think most or all of the family heads will know, but won’t be saying anything.”

“Oh Ash” you say, reaching out to touch his shoulder “You mean your grandfather...”

“Yeah” says Ash quietly “Yeah....” he goes quiet. You try to think of what to say.

“Still” says Ash grimly, straightening up, as your hand falls away “It’s not like we didn’t know the old bastard was scum anyway.”

True, but you didn’t think he was that bad....

You try to distract Ash, besides, a part of you just has to know “So what was Quinn like?” you ask “in bed?”

You time your question perfectly, just as Ash was taking a mouthful of coffee, he sprays it across the room.

“Shee!” he exclaims indignantly “what, why would you, I mean, what the-”

“Oh come on!” you say with a smile “You can’t tell me you slept with Quinn and not expect me to ask?”

Ash gives you a look that mixes outrage with amusement “This is just you having a guy-on-guy fetish right? I mean what, you want me to film it next time?”

“Quit ducking the question” you say “What’s Quinn like in bed?”

Ash blushes and his eyes go a little unfocused “A pain in the ass” he says “literally and figuratively. Quinn is just as commanding and bossy in bed as he is at other times, but also I dunno, needy as well, like he needed me to enjoy myself so that he could enjoy himself. If you have to know we had sex several times that night and Quinn couldn’t” Ash blush deepens “couldn’t climax until I had first. I dunno if he had to be in control, or if he had to be sure I was enjoying myself or what. And yes” he gives you a mock glare “he bit me, we fucked, my ass was sore, Quinns pretty large, enough detail for you?”

“Ah yeah, thanks” you say, your own cheeks a little pink too “Uh so um, if we helped Quinn, could he I dunno, be an ally?”

Ash nods slowly “yes” he draws out the word “you just need to remember, Quinn is messed up in the head. I mean, he spent ages threatening you, just because you wouldn’t do what he wanted. The key to getting Quinn on board will be offering him something he knows he needs, even if he won’t admit it, or playing his game.”

“What do you mean?” you ask “You sound like you’ve put a lot of thought into this.”

Ash shrugs “like I said, I was trying to save him once, uh, ok, what Quinn needs is to get away from his family, he knows this, but won’t admit it, me trying to get him to admit it kicked off our little disagreement. If you could offer him protection from his family, he’d need time to think about it, but would go for it, I think.”

“Protection from the Crimsnthorne family is a tall order” you point out “I wouldn’t know where to start.”

“Yeah” agrees Ash “it is, the other way is what I guess I’m kinda doing: play Quinns little dominance games, let him bite or have sex with you, or both, and he’ll go along with what you want, you just need to steer him gently.”

“I’m not really comfortable with that” you point out “Besides, would Quinn really betray his family for my skinny ass?”

>>37729593
>>37729620

Damn Ash you Gay.

Ash gives you a look “And such a nice ass it is-” he starts, then sees your look “Well” he clarifies “You’re one of a few people to stand up to him, and as far as he knows, you’re weaker than him. So suddenly he’s interested in you. Do I know he’ll switch teams if you let him bite you? No, I don’t, it’s a risk, but like I said, offer him something he needs or something he wants but *don’t*” he emphasises “let Quinn pick the terms, he’ll be an asshole, just to be an asshole, give him a package deal and tell him to take it or leave it.”

You leave unsaid that with your powers, you have a third option: Making Quinn think the way you want him too. That has its own risk that other vampires, such as the Elder Crimsonthorne could detect it, but avoids you having to protect Quinn from his family, or *ick* try to seduce him somehow.

“So what do you think?” asks Ash “Wanna make Quinn an ally?”

Quinn
>No
>I’ll try to offer him protection, somehow
>I guess I’ll try being *friendly* with Quinn (This pleases the Infinite Mirror)
>I’ll find a way (unspoken: mind control. This pleases Baalzamon)
>I need to think about it (no decision yet)

General
>So you wanna hang out some more Ash?
>I need to go, I’ll stay in touch
>Discuss other topic (what?)

>>37729620
That was a bit more detailed than I was expecting, to be honest. Ash most have REALLY liked it if he wants to talk about this bad.

>>37729644
>I need to think about it (no decision yet)
We could ask Kae
>I need to go, I’ll stay in touch
We need to get into contact with the rebellion leadership today

>>37729644
>I need to think about it (no decision yet)
He's not fucking biting us that's for damn sure.

>I need to go, I’ll stay in touch

>>37729644
>I’ll try to offer him protection, somehow
>I need to go, I’ll stay in touch

>>37729644
>I need to think about it (no decision yet)
>So you wanna hang out some more Ash?
Catching up with an old friend. Also i can feel a hook coming on.

>>37729644
>I need to think about it (no decision yet)
Its a good thing to tell Kae, she might be able to work with that.
>I need to go, I’ll stay in touch

>>37729644
>I need to think about it (no decision yet)
>So you wanna hang out some more Ash?

>>37729644
>No
Seroiusly? We're considering this now? Fuck.

>I need to go, I’ll stay in touch

>>37729644
>>I need to think about it (no decision yet)
I think mind control would be a very bad idea. He is involved in something sensitive so he will be given something to protect him against that, and they might check.

>>37729644
>I guess I’ll try being *friendly* with Quinn (This pleases the Infinite Mirror)
>So you wanna hang out some more Ash?

Damn Ash. That was. Explicit.
But its interesting Quinn does seem to care. Looks like he really is Yandere for Ashley.
>>37729644
>I need to go, I’ll stay in touch
>I’ll find a way (unspoken: mind control. This pleases Baalzamon)
Would have thought it pleases the King.

>>37729766
Well, protection or mindcontrol would be okay.

>>37729644
>I need to think about it (no decision yet)
I doubt we can keep him safe.
>So you wanna hang out some more Ash?

>>37729790
>>37729761
>>37729711
Did you forget we have to get into contact with the rebellion or people might die?

>>37729644
>I’ll find a way (unspoken: mind control. This pleases Baalzamon)
>I need to go, I’ll stay in touch

>>37729827
No but an hour or two makes little difference when we can teleport once we're clear of the city. We don't know where to look yet. They'd have to come for us. Still not like it's wining.

>>37729859
Yes a hour or two can make a difference especially because we don't know if they come to us today or we have to find them.

>>37729644
>I need to think about it (no decision yet)
>I need to go, I’ll stay in touch

>>37729859
>once we're clear of the city
Which is by far the majority of the trip.
Ash lives pretty high up in the Hive.

>>37729827
Ok changing >>37729819 to tell him about our new restaurant and tell him to visit.

>>37729976
Ah damn, thats a bit late. We could have done that.
But we can invite him another time, I suppose.

>>37729790
>>37729644
Adding this >>37729976

>>37729999
I'd rather first take a closer look at the place before inviting him.

And of course we need to take Rainya, Lirael and Dev there for dining too.
And Yonsul, to inform her we can't keep our deal as it is, since we can't really afford getting arrested as business owner.

Tomorrow, though.

>>37729976
We should definitely tell him about our new place. All our friends should know. (Ash,Dev,Rainya, Lirael) Yonsul should know too, easier for her to keep in touch that way.

>>37730087
Isn't bringing Lirael to the hive for long periods of time just a disaster waiting to happen?

>>37729639
Well duh. He's a twilight vampire.

>>37729644
Quinn
>I need to think about it
although if we could reliably subvert him, he could come in handy. Crimsonthorne family is definitely an enemy of the rebellion.

“I’ll need to think about it” you tell Ash “providing protection from the Crimsonthornes is going to be damn-near impossible, and as for letting Quinn touch, me....yuck.” you shiver at the thought, and not in a good way.

Ash nods “Yeah” he says “not a decision to be made lightly, if you want me involved in what you decide to do, just let me know.”

Your mind provides a helpful and graphic image of you sandwiched between Ash and Quinn. Curse your detailed imagination!

“Will do” you say, pushing the image away.

“Oh” says Ash thoughtfully “One thing I forgot to mention: I think Quinn is afraid of the dark – he doesn’t having the lights off, ever. Strange, I never noticed it about him before.”

You mentally file away that little bit, might be useful to negotiate with Quinn in the dark to scare him maybe?

“I need to be going” you tell Ash “Lots to do.” You recall that you need to contact the rebellion today, the planned mission to attack Kae and friends is tonight, you think. You recall Kae saying that it was this evening she was going out, and that they might be out for several days, the attack could be later, but this evening is the earliest opportunity.

But how? Maybe Charuns place has some clues?

What is the plan?

Shee's To Do List:

1.Re-establish resistance contact (TS)
2. Make contacts to sell the guns.
3.Talk to Ash (TS)
4. Teach Dev enough about mechanic to upgrade and quickly repair his mech.
5. Activate psychic power (I’ve lost track, so I’m saying it’s been long enough that this is not a risk)
6. Clean out Facility of mind bugs
7.Check out the reunited leads (chaos mage, elite cop, the brawler, etc.)
8. Warn Kae about ambush if we can't get Six or whoever to call it off.
9. Talk to Tom (reunited)

>Pick one, or something else

Additional
Tell Ash about your Restaurant?
>Y/N

It is assumed that you give him the inheritance story if you tell him, unless write-ins request another story (or the truth).

>>37730127
In the open, probably. But we just get her into and out of the restaurant. And inside she is safe.
>>37730146
>1.Re-establish resistance contact (TS)
We can scratch talk to Ash from the list now.
All the important stuff with him is covered.
>Y

>>37730127
Only if its around vamps and fae. Fae are either politicians or party animals. And only very strong vampires could pierce her illusion. One of them comes in our restaurant we hide her.


>>37730146
>1.Re-establish resistance contact (TS)
Asap

>Y

>>37730146
>3.Talk to Ash (TS)
Before time runs out

Also
>Y

>>37730146
>1.Re-establish resistance contact (TS)
>Y

3.Talk to Ash (TS)
I think we can remove that one.
>>37730193
>One of them comes in our restaurant we hide her.
They have those rooms on the second floor, so we would be dining there anyway.

>>37730190
>>37730221
>We can scratch talk to Ash from the list now.

Thanks for spotting

Rolled 16, 10, 18, 10, 20, 12, 15, 1, 9, 17 = 128 (10d20)

>>37730146
>1.Re-establish resistance contact (TS)

We better get ready for some convincing rolls.

>>37730146
>Re-establish resistance contact (TS)
And yes, but don't invite him right now, there is a demon ceremony at there and also we have to introduce ourself to the staff and such.

>>37730190
Still he's got a set of eyes o the city's elite. Talking to him every few days would be useful and help us catch up with an old friend.

>>37730209
WE just talked to him the ts should be gone.

>>37730221
Pretty much just make sure no one goes in the room.

>>37730246
Looking good already.

>>37730253
It says 'telling' him, not inviting. We won't invite him right now. Or likely anytime soon, we got a lot of shit to do.

>>37730263
>Still he's got a set of eyes o the city's elite. Talking to him every few days would be useful and help us catch up with an old friend.
This was specifically a "Important shit" list, we made to cover that. Removing Talk to Ash, doesn't mean we won't be talking to him anymore, its just not one of our priority tasks.

>>37730146
The list is missing
>Talk to Yonsul

>>37730383
I think he modified it this time for stuff we would do now.
Talk to Yonsul will come tomorrow after we have seen Kae again.

Please roll Intelligence 1d20+2 for thing.

Rolled 4 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>37730506
We really need to buff our intelligence.

Rolled 16 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>37730506
we need to up our core stats.

Rolled 13 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>37730506
>ib4 Ash offers to look through our finances
Our Int is kinda bad, by comparison.

>>37730518
>>37730525
>>37730553
We should do that. Its even one of our primary stats. So it would be really cheap to do.

>>37730584
What's our exp count?

>>37730584
I wouldn't call it cheap. 4 XP for a +1, 10 for a +2.

>>37730606
It says 12 but it's supposed to be 14, since we had 2 left over after buying the ranks of Deception and got 12 at the end of the thread, IIRC.

>>37730606
12 apparently.
I could have sworn we should have 17, but that Deception purchase might have been on credit, not sure anymore.

>>37730146
>Re-establish resistance contact
Y

>>37730670
We should have had 2 left after purchasing Deception, got 5 in that thread, and got 12 last thread. Minus the 5 for the 4th level Mirror gift
It should be 14.

>>37730633
>>37730670
Considering bumping it up to 16 is 4 xp cost can we agree to do that? We'd still have a pretty sizable emergency exp cash. 8-13 depending on estimates.

>>37730633
>I wouldn't call it cheap. 4 XP for a +1, 10 for a +2.
Its 4Xp for +2
Its 3XP for ups from 14-16, minus the 2 of being a primary stat.

“We should meet up regularly” you say “ to talk about stuff. I um, I own a restaurant now, in the Hive.”

“You what?” asks Ash, confused “You own a restaurant?”

“Yeah” you say “The Waystation, level 15, I inherited it from a distant relative” you say “The paperwork is going through and I haven’t met the staff yet, so give it a couple of days before stopping by, ok?”

“Ok” says Ash “damn, owning your own business already, what am I doing wasting time at university for?” he asks himself.

You chat with Ash for a short while, then you head back to Dust Town, specifically Charuns place. Getting there you see the place has been cleaned out already, you shake your head in exasperation, Dusters huh. Still, if Charun had secret contact details for the resistance he wouldn’t have left them out in the open.

You search through what’s left: His shack, his garage, pulling up flooring, taking apart anything you can.

Finally you find some scraps of paper torn up and scattered where Charuns bedding used to be, seems someone already found this and destroyed it after realising it wasn’t valuable to them. You reassemble the piece of paper and you see a long string of numbers on it. A comm. code? no, too long.

You stare at the numbers, they look kind of familiar, maybe.

Yes, you remember this one, a numerical time code. You remember this from high-school mathematics. You need an origin number – a key - and then depending upon the time of day you use this code to get another, shorter number.

Looking at the length of the code you would probably get a comm.. number from this, and the key would be just as many numbers as a comm.. code, or longer.

However you don’t know how to use this code, it might need to be read backwards, or from the fourth number onwards, or anything. You recognise the general type of code, but not this one in particular.

>>37730722
Lets not do that right now, we can discuss it at the end of the thread.
Who knows what we might need.

>>37730748
>>37730633
Nevermind this one, I misunderstood you.

>>37730748
he meant adding in another bonus +1 anon.

What do you do?

>Try to figure it out yourself
>Ask for help (from whom?)
>Ignore the code, you know the bars Charun used to go to, just ask around
>Other (what?)

fixed xp in pastebin

>>37730819
>Try to figure it out yourself
Okay, if this wins, we should purchase that +2.

>>37730819
>Try to figure it out yourself

>>37730819
>Try to figure it out yourself
None of our freinds except maybe Ash have a better int than we do. And we can't read him in yet, far to risky.

>>37730857
As in the +2 to the mod for 10 XP or the +2 to the stat for 4 XP?

>>37730900
I use +2 for the mod.
Its confusing sry.
But yes, to upgrade to 18.

>>37730819
>Ignore the code, you know the bars Charun used to go to, just ask around
I don't want to gamble on us being able to crack a cipher in the timeframe we're working with.

>>37730935
You prefer to gamble on someone being in that bar who happens to know how to contact the resistance and would tell us?

>>37731036
We could pick up mind reading. Most of Charun's frequented bars are probably resistance hangouts and meeting points anyway.

ok, figuring it out it is, you have 5 minutes to decide out how much (if any) XP you spend upon boosting intelligence, then I'll call for rolls.

Boost Intelligence?

>Y/N

If Y, how much XP used?

Int 15 - 2XP
Int 16 - 4XP
Int 17 - 7XP
Int 18 - 10XP

>>37731164
Int 16

>>37731164
>Y - 16 - 4 XP
I want to keep our reserve above 5 and raising to 17 instead would be pointless.

>>37731164
I think 16 is enough for now, who knows what else we might need before this is over.
Also having 10Xp left, we could pick up mind-reading if we fail to decipher this.

>>37731164
>Y, Int 16 - 4XP
This, then.

Ok, please roll Int 1d20+3, updating character sheet.

Rolled 14 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>37731438

Rolled 16 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>37731438

Rolled 10 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>37731438

You sit down on the floor in Charuns former home and wrack your brains, trying to figure this code out. You try different combinations of numbers, you try it backwards and forwards, starting at different numbers.

Eventually after about four hours, you crack it, you don’t use the current time, you use the time 3 hours ahead, huh, are the rebels headquarters in that timezone?

Now you just need a source number, you try the first thing that comes to mind: Charuns old comm. code he made you all memorise to call him in an emergency.

You punch the number you have derived into your comm. After a moment it connects and a robotic-sounding voice asks “Password.”

“I don’t know” you say “I...I need to speak to Six” you say.

“Who is this?” asks the voice. Well, here goes...

“This is Shee” you say “Hive 39, I worked with Charun, please can you tell Six I need to speak to him.”

There’s a pause “Stand by” says the voice. You wait, it feels like hours, but is probably only 10-15 minutes. Then another robotic voice comes on, subtly different “This is Six” says the voice “who is this?”

“This is Shee” you say “Do you remember, from the broadcast station?”

“Your relay” says the voice “what was the logo on the side?”

You wrack your brains, you cobbled it together from spare parts, there was no logo, except part of the cover was from a Hexics portable computer, you think...

“Hexics” you say “Though only half the logo was there.”

You wait, the Sixes voice says on the Comm. “Shee, what’s happened to Charun?”

“Charun is” you say “Charun is dead, he died.”

There’s another pause “I’m sorry to hear that” says Six, though he doesn’t sound very sorry, though the connection isn’t great, he keeps fuzzing out “I’ll arrange for a new contact for you.”

Yeah, you’ll answer that in a moment.

“Charun organised a mission” You say “to attack some fae kids, it needs to be called off.”

“Why?” asks Six

“Too dangerous” you say “might be a trap.”

“Yeah” says Six “That’s what I said when I talked to him about it, I wasn’t going to provide him with extra forces, he said he’d go ahead with just you guys if he had to. Well you’ve let us know, anything else?”

Anything else?

>No (exclusive)
>You don’t need to send a contact, I’m in charge now
>Other (what?)

Other can be used for questions too.

>>37731647
>You don’t need to send a contact, I’m in charge now

>>37731647
>You don’t need to send a contact, I’m in charge now
Deal with it.

>>37731647
>You don’t need to send a contact, I’m in charge now
Things are in play right, having your man on catch up could get him killed.

Should we ask if they can keep Quinn safe?

>>37731647
>You don’t need to send a contact, I’m in charge now
>Anyone else would have a hard time getting the trust of the team, we can handle it.

>>37731647
>Ask for a meeting at the restaurant.

Methinks we should come up with a subversive action to show rebels we mean business.

>>37731900
Nope, we can drop some info on local activities though. Get them to really pay attention. Shee is wired pretty well unless we screw up.

“You don’t need to send a contact” you say “I’m in charge of this area now.”

Another pause.

“Ok” says Six “If that’s how you want to play it, here’s how it works: when we need you, we’ll call. You need to call this channel once a day, if you found it, I assume you’ve figured out how to find it. We’ll give you any intel relevant to your area, what missions you organise yourself are up to you. We will be sending someone by from time to time to check on you though.”

“What if I don’t want to help you when you call on me?” you challenge him.

“That’s your decision” says Six “but duck too many missions, and we cut you off.” The line goes dead.

Well, that’s that.

It’s now late afternoon, getting on towards early evening.

What is the plan?

Shee's To Do List:

1. Open crystal thing in your head (this is now an option)
2. Make contacts to sell the guns.
3. Teach Dev enough about mechanic to upgrade and quickly repair his mech.
4. Activate psychic power (I’ve lost track, so I’m saying it’s been long enough that this is not a risk)
5. Clean out Facility of mind bugs
6.Check out the reunited leads (chaos mage, elite cop, the brawler, etc.)
7. Talk to Tom (reunited)
8. Talk to Yonsul

>Pick one, or something else

And also:

>Alone
>With (whom?)

>>37731900
We can warn them about the vampires plan, actually. So they know how to react.

>>37731951
>5. Clean out Facility of mind bugs
>Dev,Lirael and Rainya

>>37731951
5. Clean out Facility of mind bugs

The entire crew. Stock up on plasma weapons before we go (get 5 more pistols for Shee a heavy for Dev, a repeater for Rainya, Lirael is good with what she has)

>>37731951
3. Teach Dev enough about mechanic to upgrade and quickly repair his mech.

>>37731951
>>37732007
this
We probably also need to tell Dev about our tentacles.

>>37731951
>5. Clean out Facility of mind bugs
I kinda don't want to bring anybody. People that fight Serecs get mutated and I'm not sure if the Wrecked there would count for that or not.

>>37732007
Regular pistols for Shee? Light pistols? Heavy?

I'd personally prefer we keep one light on our person and six heavy in our Arsenal for the plasmastorm strategy. If we're using that, concealing our weapons has become a non-issue, and I can't recall any other disadvantage to heavy pistols.

By a repeater for Rainya do you mean a plasma rifle or pistol? Because I don't remember any such thing as a plasma repeater.

>>37731951
>Open crystal thing in your head (this is now an option)

>>37731951
>5. Clean out Facility of mind bugs
>All three

>>37732114
I think our dimensional arsenal should be heavy plasma pistols, no reason not to be, really.

>>37732114
Heavies will work provided our tents can work em.

And for Rainya i mean a fast firing plasma whichever type. She does best with rapid fire guns, so getting a modded one should be easy. i imagine thre a lots of differing plasma guns in the vault, or a kit we could use to alter one.


>>37732025
Going to have to if we want to use em.

>>37732114
>People that fight Serecs get mutated
Only Dev is at danger there, the other ones already have psychic powers.

>>37732298
I'm hoping he'll just stay in the mech and be protected. Rainya might be vulnerable too, we don't know how champion and psy powers react.

>>37732342
The mutation they give is literally just handing our psychic powers.

And I don't think Dev is much use in the mech for this, we need to hunt this thing and the mech could block the corridors.

>>37732404
Mkae him like a moving fortress and block off corridors after we clear em. We don't want him having a bad reaction and turning. Remember that video? Getting mind or gifted powers can really mess you up. Shee was a natural psy so she has a leg up.

>>37732298
Neither of those are actually psychic powers, though they can be similar or identical. Psychic powers in this setting are explicitly of Serec origin, other things can be similar but they aren't *quite* the same and might not provide the same protection. Assuming that having psychic powers provides protection in the first place.

>>37732342
I thought it was severe exposure to the Serec's psychic presence that caused mutation, not necessarily physical exposure. That might've just been an assumption.

>>37732404
It's not just psychic powers, there are all kinds of horrible physical mutations, and probably a non-zero number of SAN checks, that's why the Wrecked tend to be insane bug monsters.

>>37732506
Well I'm hoping him being in the mech will at least give him SOME shielding. I don't want him to mutate on us. Same for Rainya. WE might have to have them hold points while we sweep and clear with Lirael.

also pally please fix our stats we get +8 from enhance ability now.

You’re not going to let those serec or whatever they are have free run of your facility. Dev will be back from work soon and you can pick up Rainya and Lirael at any time.

You ponder your plan until it’s time. With everyone assembled you explain.

“So wait” says Dev “let me get this straight, we’re going to go in there, grab some heavy weapons and hunt down these monsters?”

“That’s right” you say with a nod. The four of you are assembled in your shack.

“Awesome” says Dev, clearly enthused “This is gonna be fun!”

“But Shee” says Lirael “The Serec are scary.”

Rainya gives Lirael a one-armed hug “Don’t worry Lirael” she says “We’ll stick close.”

-Real close- says Lirael in your head, you feel her trying to initiate another what was it called again, a gestalt? You push her away, you can do that later, if needed.

“Alright” you say “Before we go” you turn to Dev “You might see some stuff that will weird you out in there, so just so you don’t freak out...” you carefully extend your tentacles, and then retract them again.

Dev just looks gobsmacked.

“I’d say nothing about you surprises me anymore” says Dev “But uh, yeah. Ok, well now I know.”
---
You teleport everyone just outside the plasma weapons vault, you appear with guns in hands, just in case, but there is nothing hostile present. You open the vault, again, nothing nasty in there.

“Go go go” you hustle your team in “Grab weapons, spare ammo, grenades, everything.”

Your allies start leading themselves down with weapons.

“This is gonna be good” says Dev, grabbing a heavy plasma gun.

Rainya grabs three lighter rifles.

“I’m gonna need two guns for this” says Lirael, picking up two heavy pistols.

You grab extra heavy pistols as well, and you all remember to grab extra ammo, and grenades.

“Where to now?” asks Dev.

“Teacher” you whisper, “Teacher?!”

“Cadet Hyul” says the Teacher, materialising next to you “This is a restricted-”

You cut him off “Are there Serec in the facility?”

“Scanning” says the Teacher “Yes, three groups detected,”

“Where?” you ask, and then add “wait, groups? How many in each?”

“Numbers unknown” says the Teacher “My scans are having difficulty picking up details: Hypothesis, Overseer or Warmind bioforms may be present, both are known to be able to defeat conventional scanning.”

“Fine” you say “where are the groups? And what can you tell me about the Serec?”

“The three groups are in the Activation Chamber, the Cold Storage in the lower levels, and the Symbiote Research Station.” Says the Teacher.

Wait, symbiote research station, what?

“Ok...” you say, as your allies all look a little uneasy “So what can you tell us about-”

“You do not have clearance to access that inform-”

You resist putting a plasma blast through the hologram, just.

“Should we get the warmech?” asks Dev “It’d be useful right?”

“It would” you concede, thinking “But it’d be a tight fit in the corridors.”

Where do you do?

>Warmech Bay
>Activation Chamber
>Cold Storage
>Symbiote Research Station (maybe the Teacher can guide you?)
>Other (where?)

And how?

>Teleport
>Walk

You cannot teleport to the Cold Storage or Symbiote Research station, you have no idea where they are or what they look like.
>>37732564
fixing now

>>37732709
>Activation Chamber
>Walk

>>37732709
>Activation Chamber
WE know where it is already.
>Walk
Psy probably alerts em.
We'll get the mech after we clean out this batch ok?

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491 KB PNG

>>37732709

>Activation chamber
>Walk

Be ready. Be vigilant. They may be in the walls.

>>37732709
>Activation Chamber
>Walk
I think the warmech would get into the way.

>>37732709
>Activation Chamber
>Walk
>>37732761
Lets see first what the way to those looks like.

>>37732875
Exactly, that was ore just getting Dev to relax. Although if they are chrysallids i want Dev in that mechsuit so he can punch them.

>>37732709
>Activation Chamber
>Teleport in

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685 KB JPG

“We’ll head to the activation chamber” you say to everyone “stay close.”

With your allies sticking close you take a very nervous walk to the activation chamber. As you get close to the door, Lirael presses close to you and her mind tries to mesh her thoughts more closely with yours. You try to keep her at bay, you’re not sure you trust the gestalt the two of you become just get, still, you catch glimpses of what Lirael *sees* through her other senses: There’re things on the other side of the door, horrible monster looking things.

“Get ready” you say to your allies. They all point they guns at the door and you hit the button.
---
The activation chamber is crawling with bug-monsters, maybe forty in all. Most are the size of large dogs and walk on all six limbs, the front two of which are equipped with vicious-looking claws.

There’s about a half-dozen human-sized ones that walk upright on two limbs, and have a further four limbs, again with huge claws. They have almost human-looking faces.

And at the back is a massive one, rivalling your warmech in size. It walks on two limbs and has two more limbs holding some sort of living gun, and a further two ending in claws.

As one, the mass of creatures turn to look at you, hissing, then they charge.

---

And that’s the thread for tonight. Next thread in about 11 hours.

For your actions this thread you gain 5XP.

Feel free to use the rest of the thread to spend it, as well as your allies XP.

>>37733178
Well i think we need to sink a good chunk of change into rapid fire abilities for us and our allies.

>>37733178
thanks for running pally!

>>37733178
So, what was that about Fire Storm?

Thanks for running Pally.

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53 KB JPG

>>37733178
Maybe we should have taken the mech after all.

Thanks for the thread OP!

WE may need to heavily invest in Rapid shot. Between our heavy plasma rifle and 6 heavy plasma pistols we could really thin the horde.


Of course need AA to break it down if hes here.

>>37733178
So we have 15XP
That means we could get
>Rapid Shot 2
>Storm of Fire
Assuming we don't get a XP reduction from the SimGun for Feats, which I actually don't remember.

Question Pally, how does Storm of Fire additional targets interact with the additional targets of Rapid Shot?

>>37733438
Okay I just found it, so even feats get reduced by half. Meaning we can get Rapid Shot 1-5(10XP) and Storm of Fire.

Good god, thats broken.

>>37733438
>Question Pally, how does Storm of Fire additional targets interact with the additional targets of Rapid Shot?

Rapid Shot applies to each attack made using Storm of Fire.

Example: Storm of Fire with 3 attacks and Rapid Shot 2 means you affect 6 targets at -3 to hit on all attacks and +9 damage and burn through ammo very quickly (you have lots of reloads though).

Can we already purchase higher levels of Duplicate for Rainya?

>>37733511
Sooo, for 3 attacks with storm, and 3 targets per attack, thanks to Rapid Shot, 9 targets.
Damn. And we can even boost it through Enhance Ability.

>>37733581
>Can we already purchase higher levels of Duplicate for Rainya?

You can now, yes.

>>37733511
Just to let that sink in.
We can get 4 attacks for Storm of Fire, can hit 3 targets per attack. For 3d8+21 damage.
With four pistols. Each.

>>37733658
>can hit 3 targets per attack
Requires Rapid Shot 4, but yes.

>>37733359
If we get Rapid Shot 2 and Storm of Fire, 24 attacks affecting 48 targets at a -4 for 3d8+9 plasma damage each.

>>37733477
You can't get a rank in any ranged or melee feat higher than the associated expertise skill. We'd need to raise Ranged Combat further to go above Rapid Shot 2.

>>37733581
Agility mod is +4 due to our Willpower.

>>37733658
Six pistols, and we can raise our Agility with Enhance Ability.

>>37733686
How would storm of fire, limb unrivaled tentacles with a pistol each and our heavy plasma rifle interact?

>>37733686
>>37733719
>We'd need to raise Ranged Combat further to go above Rapid Shot 2.
Forgot about that.
Okay so, with 15Xp that'd be.
>Ranged Combat 4 4XP
>Rapid Shot 4 8XP
>Stom of Fire 2XP
Correct?

>>37733722
>How would storm of fire, limb unrivaled tentacles with a pistol each and our heavy plasma rifle interact?

1 set of attacks with Heavy Plasma Rifle
4 sets with pistols
All at the same penalty, all with the same damage bonus.

Followed by reloading the next round. Plasma weapons are low-ammo capacity so you'd only be doing this once every other round.

>>37733796
>Followed by reloading the next round
I'm not sure we will need to reload after all of us, plus Rainyas doubles have unloaded into them.

>>37733790
Correct, though that would leave us without the usual reserve.

Probably worth it.

>>37733796
In other words anything left after that had better be dead,dying, or seriously thinking about legging it.

>>37733862
Agreed fighting Tyranids makes me twitchy.

>>37733862
So I guess we do that then for Shee.
I think, more Duplication for Rainya and Rapid Shot for her too, would be good.
Something to boost Devs melee defence so he can stand in front of us?

>>37733913
The only ways for a mundane to boost melee defence that I can recall would be Agility, Dodge, Melee Combat and [Weapon] Skill, the latter two only factoring into it if they're wielding an applicable weapon, of course.

>>37733913
You realize Rainya takes flaws if she levels her champion power any more? But yeah she needs more rapid shot and maybe storm of fire as well if she can get it.

right, I need to sleep, feel free to dump questions, I will answer at top of next thread.

If consensus is reached re: XP I'll go with that.

Champion/Gift power flaws will change, to be fully outlined next thread.

Instead of "Gain flaw at X level" it will be "Voluntarily gain flaw at X level, if you choose to do so, this level and next is cheaper (2XP vs 5XP).

In other words, power flaws are still a thing, but voluntary instead of mandatory, and picking them lowers XP cost.

Players can pick flaws from a list when the power levels up.

>>37733913
Also, are you *sure* that you want Dev standing in front of your when you vaporize a room full of Serec? Or is this for the post-slaughter round when you're reloading?

>>37734004
Can voluntarily taken flaws still be bought off at 5 XP each or are they forever?

>>37733987
>You realize
That is something you should only say if you are absolutely sure about what you are going to say. It just makes you look like an idiot otherwise.
Rainya gets power flaws with Rank 8 and upwards. She is Rank 4 currently.

>>37734046
>Can voluntarily taken flaws still be bought off at 5 XP each or are they forever?

They can be bought off for the full XP cost of the reduction they provide: I.e. typical flaw provides 6XP reduction over 2 levels, so costs 6XP to remove.

>>37734046
>Or is this for the post-slaughter round when you're reloading?
I thought that was obvious.

>>37733913
Tougher Duplicates, a new peripheral for Duplication, would be a good investment as well.

>>37734086
That's ideal. If it was exploitable (e.g. 5 XP to buy off the flaw, 6 XP total cut from power cost), I'd exploit it, and this way we can't really gimp ourselves in the long run.

>>37734124
I assumed as much, but it rarely hurts to make sure. In retrospect, still a dumb question, even if it was just for the sake of clarity.

Wait Did Charon finish selling those guns? Do people owe him by proxy us money?

>>37735259
I don't think he ever started.

>>37734223
So
Shee 14/15
>Ranged Combat 4 (4XP)
>Rapid Shot 4 (8XP)
>Storm of Fire (2XP)

Rainya 24/30
>Tougher Duplicates(6?XP)
>Ranged Combat 5 (6XP)
>Rapid Shot 2 (4XP)
>Storm of Fire (2XP)
>Agility 16 (6XP)

Dev 8/23
>Constituation 16 (4XP)
>Toughness 2 (4XP)
Probably need to keep saving for potential Mechanics purchases.

Not sure about Lirael.

Anyway, input appreciated. Especially from you AA.

>>37735376
The XP for our allies hasn't had the +5 from the end of this thread added to it yet.

Shee Hyul, 14/15 XP
>Ranged Combat +2 (4) -4 XP
>Rapid Shot +4 (4) -8 XP
>Storm of Fire -2 XP

No changes to Shee, just format autism.

Rainya Halms, 35/35 XP
>Agility +2 (16) -6 XP
>Duplication +1 (5) -6 XP
>Tougher Duplicates -5 XP
>Pistol Training +2 (3) -2 XP
>Ranged Combat +3 (5) -6 XP
>Rapid Shot +4 (4) -8 XP
>Storm of Fire -2 XP

Added in a level of Duplication, two levels of pistol training and two levels of Rapid Shot.

I'm assuming Tougher Duplicates has the standard 5 XP cost that peripherals usually have unless otherwise stated.

Rainya has no real reason to keep a reserve, unlike Dev or Shee, so I found a place for all her XP.

Dev Mosal, 8/28 XP
>Constitution +2 (16) -4 XP
>Toughness +1 (2) -4 XP

This is just format autism, I agree with saving the XP. The next thread will probably be when we enroll Dev into the Mechanics course as well.

Lirael, 20/20 XP
>Healing +2 (10) -10 XP
>Endurance +2 (9) -10 XP

+20 HP, Healing and Endurance are both now free actions. I considered getting Might to Free Action status before Endurance, but Lirael being as durable as possible is more important to me.


Delayed response because I have to reread everything I type in these fifty times when I'm this tired until I'm certain I missed nothing. Probably still missed something.

>>37735918
>Rainya has no real reason to keep a reserve
We do hope to unlock her other warrior powers.

>>37736008
We don't need to keep XP in reserve to do that, since it's fairly likely they unlock like Gifts, or maybe like multi-tier psionic schools. Something where the first level is free is my point.

In addition, those are something we unlock in-thread and unless we're going to immediately purchase powers upon unlocking them, we have a high chance of gaining enough XP for Rainya to buy a rank in any given power upon thread end.

I can still change it if you want, though I'm unsure whether it would be better to drop Agility, Duplication or some of the new ranged abilities.

>>37735918
The problem I see in taking so much Rapid Shot for Rainya is, she is supposed to mostly fight in "closer range", where Rapid Shot isn't quite that useful.
Admittely, we don't have anything better since we only got either Rapid Shot or Sniper.

>>37736242
>I can still change it if you want
No, you are probably right, I just mentioned it as one thing we could save for, if we wanted to. Since she is a bit limited in really good purchases, it would be nice to dump a lot of XP into new abilities she might unlock.

>>37736322
>"closer range", where Rapid Shot isn't quite that useful.
It works the same in close range as it does at longer distances, though?

>Admittely, we don't have anything better since we only got either Rapid Shot or Sniper.
Maybe a close-range ranged weapon feat should be created, for shotguns and the like.

>Since she is a bit limited in really good purchases
With these purchases, she's actually about as strong as we are, at least in regards to the plasmastorm.

Four Rainyas (Base + 3 duplicates), eight pistols, +3 agimod, total of 24 attacks with Storm of Fire, also has Rapid Shot 4, same equipment, her higher attack mod from skill ranks compensates for the penalty from not having limbs unrivaled.

>it would be nice to dump a lot of XP into new abilities she might unlock.
Maybe, but we don't know when we'll unlock those abilities or the manner through which they're unlocked.

We can start saving now if you wish, but I wanted to get Rainya to the point where she's really useful in combat first. Having a damage output comparable to Shee's is pretty good.

>>37735918
Since it seems to be just the two of us, I'm going to say that this should go up for a vote at the beginning of next thread with the possible exception of Shee's spending, as there were more people here for that.

>>37736812
>It works the same in close range as it does at longer distances, though?
The chances of a third target being close by in close range are slightly smaller then on long range.
Admittely, very slightly.

And agreeing to the vote. Sounds fair, although I don't think anyone will have complaints.