>>38956124

“What did you do?”
You look down at the wanted notice for your companion. The picture is a little crude and there are some minor details that are missing but it’s obviously Hiss. You just don’t understand why. For better or worse, you’ve been by her side for almost your entire journey so far. You’re pretty sure you would remember “Assault and Attempted Murder upon a High Personage, Murder and Assorted Heathenry”.
Well, that’s not quite true. She’s assaulted and killed a fair few people by now but what you don’t remember are witnesses for that.

The snake herself is looking inordinately pleased with herself.
“It’s about time someone recognised my importance. One of my station can’t stay ignored forever after all.”

“Hiss, they’re not inviting you to a damn gala, this serious business!”
She can read, right? Surely she can read.

Her smirk just grows wider at your clear discomfort.
“I know what it is. Do you think I’m as dense as you? But it’s fine. I can just retake my true form anytime I want. Or adopt a new human face. All of this human effort and work is completely futile against a superior being such as myself.”

You guess that’s mostly true.
“But what about if they have my face somewhere on these?”

“No loss.”


“I told you that something like this would happen if you keep acting out! Just how many people have you been murdering anyway?”

“I might as well ask you how much bread you’ve ever eaten in your life. It’s about the same significance. Besides, it’s obvious what this from. That leaky woman ratted us out.”

It takes you a moment to understand ‘leaky’.
“Iana? How would she do this? This is right from the Mayor-In-Standing himself!”

“I don’t know what that is.”

“He’s like, uh, the most important man in the city. I think.”

A light goes off in her head.
“So we just have to kill him?”

“No!”

1/2

>>38956158

2/2

Your argument is interrupted by a sudden outcry from the man on the cart the two of you have been behind this whole time. The old man hollers at the guards up ahead.
“Oi! I found them! They’re planning to kill the mayor!”

You peek out from behind the cart. That is a lot of guards.

> Just run back down the road.

> Try for a mad break past them and into the city.

> Get Hiss to snake herself.

> Pretend you have just captured her instead.

> The above but there’s no pretense involved. Time to get rich.

> Other

>>38956176
>> Get Hiss to snake herself.

>>38956176
>> Get Hiss to snake herself.
>Nobble the snake...again...

>>38956176
> Just run back down the road.
I would say to use an obscuring cloud potion but I don't think we have any of those right now

>>38956176
>> Get Hiss to snake herself.

>>38956176
> Just run back down the road.
> Get Hiss to snake herself.

> Get Hiss to snake herself

"Go snake! Go snake!"

For the briefest moment it looks like she isn't going to do it. But then she starts clawing at herself, ripping rough gouges through her suddenly fragile skin. Down her arms and her side and through her face, all in a frenzy of movement. There's no blood.

You can hear the guards running closer and closer as she works to free herself. You've never seen her do this before, you're not quite sure how long it'll take. Her entire body is flaking to pieces, becoming dust in the wind.

Somewhere in the cloud, a three-foot long black snake with a blood-red underside drops onto the ground, fangs bared.
You reach out for her but the guards are upon you!

> Quickly kick her under the cart.

> Try to nobble her into your pack as fast as you can.

> Do your best to explain away a mythical creature to the guards.

> Turn and meet them and pray that Hiss doesn't do anything stupid.

> Flee and leave her.

> Other

>>38956540
>> Quickly kick her under the cart.

>>38956540
> Quickly kick her under the cart.

>>38956540
> Try to nobble her into your pack as fast as you can.

>>38956540
>> Try to nobble her into your pack as fast as you can.
Lets do what we do best! Nobbling!

>>38956540
>> Quickly kick her under the cart.

> Quickly kick her under the cart.

You don't waste time, immediately kicking her somewhere in...you're not sure. The tail? Where a snake's body end and the tail end? Either way, you send her flying underneath the cart, smacking your toe into the wheel in the process. Even through your boot it still hurts a little, a sharp little spike of pain that leaves you cursing as the guards find you.

They surround you, men in leather and chain. None of them have drawn their swords but the leader has a crossbow out in your vague direction. He steps forward, a burly blonde man with a warty face that only a mother could love.
"There's no woman here you old coot!"

"She was! She was!"
The old man jigs around the side of the cart.
"I heard them with my own ears!"

The guard looks him up and down dismissively.
"I'm surprised you hear anything. But still, this bloke looks a little suspicious. Look through his pack."

One of the other guard, a scrawny guy with a big nose moves forward a little and then stops.
"What, is he gonna have a lady stashed away in his backpack?"

"Shut up and do it. We're out here we might as well check him down. He might have something illegal substances on him."

The big-nosed guard seems to get the gist.
"Yeah, you never know what travelers have on 'em. All kinds of illegal contraband."
You're fairly sure that they are preparing to count anything valuable on your person as 'contraband'. Sucks to be them then, you're fucking broke.

They pull open your pack as you quietly thank the Creator that you didn't put her in there. Easily worth a hurt toe. Which is still hurting. You shake your foot around, trying to get rid of the pain.

The guard captain looks up from your assorted belongings, obviously disappointed by the lack of signets to confiscate as evidence.
"Alchemist huh? No worries, it all looks fine. A word of advice for you though. You're not going to find a good job in Melire, we've got more brewbotherers than we know what to do with right now."

>>38956969
Ask him what's up with all these alchemists in town. It's pretty obvious there's a saturation of the market going on here.

>>38956969
oh dear god that was close.

>>38956969

"Ah thanks. I'll keep that in mind. Sir."
You already knew that!

The captain nods to his men to start heading back to their posts.
"Looks like nothing. Spirits save us from old farts with old brains. Got half a mind to...Are you feeling alright? You look pretty pale."

You do?
Come to think of it, you do feel a little tired. Maybe you didn't sleep enough last night. And your goddamn toe won't stop hurting. You didn't even kick the wheel that hard.
You look down. There's a hole punctured in your boot. A tiny amount of blood is leaking out. Oh no.

As if becoming aware of it has made it worse, you suddenly feel heavy and weak. Your breathing starts to come shallow and fast.

You remember Fel keeling over with a gray face. You must have much less venom in your system because his death was quick. Was it the boot or some last-minute constraint on her part?

You can picture it now in your mind's eye. The boot unexpectedly striking the snake, the fangs darting out in instinctual response even as the snake is struck under the cart.

You don't know how much time you have.

> "I feel fine."

> Tell the guards that you need urgent medical attention please.

> Where is that fucking snake

> If now there was ever a time to spontaneously learn how to brew antivenom, this would be it.

> Other

>>38956969
Hopefully Hiss understands the necessity of the kick and isn't too upset

>>38957149
> If now there was ever a time to spontaneously learn how to brew antivenom, this would be it.

>>38957149
> "I feel fine."
> If now there was ever a time to spontaneously learn how to brew antivenom, this would be it.


>>38957156
Considering she bit us, I doubt it.

>>38957149
>> "I feel fine."
>> Where is that fucking snake
>> If now there was ever a time to spontaneously learn how to brew antivenom, this would be it.

We seriously need to have a long talk with after this. Explain that damn near everything we do isn't about asserting dominance, but trying to keep her safe in a very alien world. Because holy shit she's nearly gotten us killed so many times now it's not funny.

>>38957149
>> If now there was ever a time to spontaneously learn how to brew antivenom, this would be it.
> "I feel fine."
> Where is that fucking snake
...

File: 1427384600734.png (75 KB, 224x223)

75 KB PNG

>>38957208
>still thinking that lecturing the snake will help anything

>> "I feel fine."
>> Where is that fucking snake
>> If now there was ever a time to spontaneously learn how to brew antivenom, this would be it.

"I feel fine."

"If you say so," the guard says doubtfully, casually cuffing the old man around the head before he and his men head back to your posts.

You sink down to your knees as they leave, looking under the cart. Hiss is still there, looking what you sincerely hope is contrite. You can't tell now. Snakes don't really have faces.

"Thanks a lot, princess. I'm so happy I met you."
She doesn't reply. She can't. You feel faint.

You sort your belongings together, trying to find anything that could make an antivenom. You'll have to do a cold mix, which should be fine. There's only one obstacle.
You don't know how to make it. Not a fucking clue. You start mixing anyway, feverishly putting whatever you want in.
Time for divine inspiration!

Roll a d100.

Rolled 5 (1d100)

>>38957404
Ask for some of her venom to counter it whatever you do.

Rolled 7 (1d100)

>>38957404

Rolled 8 (1d100)

>>38957404

File: ohmy.png (213 KB, 512x275)

213 KB PNG

>>38957422
>>38957440

>>38957422
>>38957440
>>38957449
What the fuck
please tell me it's roll under

>>38957454
Wow I could have sworn that was the version without the watermark.

But still, 5 7 and 8 it is.

Rolled 98 (1d100)

>>38957404

>>38957487
Too fucking late, were screwed.

>>38957477
Question is this roll under or over. You never said.

>>38957522
We'll find out when we die in the next update

>>38957454

You never even see if you managed it or not as you stumble and fall over while brewing, causing the whole concoction to spill into the thirsty earth.

Well, shit.

You try to take the cauldron again but you can't reach. You can't stand back up. Darkness dances on the very edges of perception.
You suppose that option is off the table now.

You're too tired. You need to just lie down. Sleep a little. You can brew it after just a short nap. There's a weight on your chest.
You look up to see a snake coiled on top of your prone form. How strange. What's it doing there?

It looks you in the eyes and for a brief moment you sense some sort of frantic intelligence but you are much too tired to fear anything. The fangs slide off your soul without purchase.

> Sleep

> Wish for help

> Other

>>38957638
> Wish for help

>>38957638
>sleep

She can't kill us. It's against the compact or what have you.

>>38957638
>> Sleep

>>38957638
>> Wish for help
>>38957731
She can't intentionally kill us or let us die intentionally, she can try and fail to save us however.

>>38957638
> Sleep

>>38957795
Us using a wish wouldn't help with that.

>>38957849
I think us using a wish gives it a lot more push to her not letting us die, and possibly allows her to do shit she might otherwise be unable to do. such as tap magical powers or use inhuman strength.

>>38957879
Where did it say that?

>>38957914
It didn't, I'm just assuming those wishes have some significant force behind them seeing as she literally is compelled to do all this shit as is.

> Sleep

You close your eyes and let darkness take you.

...

You stir. Something is carrying you. Whoever it is, they're not doing a very good job of it. You hear shouting but you can't make out the words. Everything is muffled. You go back to sleep.

...

You wake up somewhere soft. You lie there for a long time without opening your eyes. When you finally muster up the energy, you find yourself in a bed in a small room.
The room is made of whitewashed brick. There's a door in the wall across from you and a single window. There is nothing else here save you and the bed that you're in.

> Go back to sleep. You feel exhausted.

> Shout for help.

> Get up and inspect the room more closely.

> Other

>>38957638
> Sleep

>>38957638
> Wish for help
do you fags want to die?

>>38957964
> Go back to sleep. You feel exhausted.

>>38957964
Pray to hiss so she can hear and say we're awake

>>38957964
> Go back to sleep. You feel exhausted.

In regards to wish discussion: Hiss herself doesn't know the full bounds of just what they can accomplish, it's not like she's ever been bound before.
All I will say is that Sleep and Wish both lead to you surviving but in very different ways.

>>38957964
>> Go back to sleep. You feel exhausted.

>>38957964
> Go back to sleep. You feel exhausted.

>>38957970
Oh. Look at that.

> Go back to sleep. You feel exhausted.

You can find out what's going on later. You're safe somehow and that's all that matters. You close your eyes and drift off.

When you wake again you are in the same room but the light has changed, the sunlight beaming in through the window coming from a different angle. Quite a few hours have passed.

You feel much more refreshed and the reason you wake up is because of a touch on your hand. A man is holding your wrist, checking the pulse.
He's an older man, his hair mostly missing and white where it's not. He's wearing the dark blue robe of an official master alchemist. He notes your sudden wakefulness.
"Oh! I beg your pardon. How are you feeling?"

"Pretty good."
And it's true! There's no pain at all. The man nods and bustles about to the foot of the bed, flipping up the sheet to inspect your bandaged foot.
"If you'd like the nurse, I can go." He gives a weak smile. "I just felt a personal check-up might be required, considering..."

"Considering what?"

"That was a nasty bite. I did my best but still...I don't think I've ever seen poison quite that vicious before. It was touch and go. But questions can wait for later. Do you need anything?"

> "Where is she?"

> Thank him.

> Tell him that you're an alchemist too. Try to talk shop about antivenoms.

> Nobble him

> Don't do anything right now.

> Pray

> Other

>>38958296
> Thank him.
> Tell him that you're an alchemist too. Try to talk shop in general.

>>38958296
> Pray

>>38958296
>> Thank him.
>> Tell him that you're an alchemist too. Try to talk shop about antivenoms.

Look, the snake just got us in a world of pain after we prevented her horrible lynching death, if she got in shit after that its her own damn fault.

>>38958370
Obviously it was an accident and she saved our ass afterwards. Quit being so butthurt

>>38958296
> "Where is she?"
> Thank him
> Pray

>> Thank him.
>> Tell him that you're an alchemist too. Try to talk shop with him in general and about antivenoms specifically.

"Thanks. I'm an alchemist too. Just an apprentice."

His face brightens.
"Oh? Then you understand the theory about why it was so hard."

Yeah you can sure pretend you do.
"Absolutely. Do you want to walk me through it?"

He is more than happy enough to do so. You have the feeling that he doesn't get out much. You tell him your name and he does the same, introducing himself as Master Yolan.
You spend nearly half an hour talking about antivenoms, what mix is best for them, the way you can brew a weaker one without the proper ingredients or without bringing it to boil, the best way to apply it and how to tend to the wound afterwards, etc.
You feel like you're a lot closer to getting this theory down. You can now brew flasks of antivenom but you're still inexperienced with it enough to need good ingredients and both water and heat for each time.

As the discussion of technicalities goes on, you ask a question that's been bothering you.
"Master Yolan, why are there so many alchemists in this city? If you don't mind me asking?"

"Oh, that's a bad business. A few years back, Melire had an outbreak of plague. It never became too deadly but part of that was because the Mayor sent out the call for alchemists. And those alchemists all taught as many locals and apprentices as they could. Set up the Melire Potions College and everything. And eventually the plague died down but the College is still here."
He shakes his head sorrowfully.
"And kids kept coming in, thinking it has the same glory. The Potions College is an institution here now, a place for rich folks to send third sons and the like. But there's too many of us so most graduates end up in low-end brewing jobs or just going back to their parent's estates. "

1/2

>>38958686
Nice. Maybe this guy could teach us to make the dispel elixir as well

>>38958686
2/2

"By all rights they should be heading out to the smaller towns and villages but most of them don't want to leave their home. I suppose I can't blame them. It's a lot to ask someone. But what it does mean is that Melire chokes on alchemists while all the poor sods in the rest of the duchy run dry."

"A College? Do you teach there?"
He looks about the right age.

"Years ago, yes. I'm mostly retired now. Do some specialty jobs, help out occasionally in the hospitals. That's where you come in, Cennen."

It's the first time you've been called your name for a while.

"I'm in a hospital then?"

He nods.
"Don't worry, it's run by the Sisters. Charity."

> Who brought me here?

> Talk about alchemy more.

> Ask about the wound.

> Ask about the Potions College

> Other

>>38958813
>> Who brought me here?
> Ask about the wound.

>>38958813
>> Who brought me here?

> Talk about alchemy more.
> Ask about the wound.

>>38958813
oi m8 pray got 2 votes too

>>38958813
> Who brought me here?
> Talk about alchemy more.
> Ask about the wound.

>>38958862
My bad, I'll fold it into the next update.

>>38958813
Ask if he can give us tips on making a dispel elixir

>>38958813
> Talk about alchemy more.

> Who brought me here?
> Talk about alchemy more.
> Ask about the wound.

You close your eyes for a moment and pray, begging any nearby spirit to uh, look we all know this is to talk for Hiss. You pray as hard as you can, trying to convey the message that once this is all over you and her are going to have to have words.
Again.

There's no immediate response. Maybe she isn't nearby? Either that or she's deliberately ignoring you. Probably the latter.

You talk about alchemy for a bit longer, trying to guide the discussion towards dispel elixirs. Master Yolan confirms that he can make them but that the process is a little too complex to teach without a demonstration.

That's fine. He'll probably brew one up for you later for free if you asked after getting out, you reckon.
"How's the wound?"

Master Yolan checks it again, as if making sure. "Still got it bandaged up tight. You shouldn't have any problems walking on it. I must admit I'm sort of curious about it. Did she give it to you?"

She? Wait, what does he know?
"Who brought me here?"

"Ah, that was a guard captain. That's why you're in the Charity. He said it was some criminal, that woman who has the whole city up in arms over some nonsense or other. Never really paid much attention to that, personally."

What?
"What happened to her? What did she do?"

"Don't you remember? The captain said she made a huge ruckus with you as some sort of hostage or the like. Don't worry, she was easily subdued. Barely put up a fight after they wrested you off of her. Must have realized it was useless."
He shakes his head at the foolishness of criminals.
"That reminds me. The captain told us that he'll be down for you later. Wants you to assist him with his investigations, ask about the criminal. That's why he even bothered having you sent here, I reckon."

> Wait, so what happened to her?

> Flee

> Ask to see the captain.

> Other

>>38959198
> Wait, so what happened to her?

>>38959198
> Wait, so what happened to her?
you guys just had to be stingy with the wishes

> Flee

>>38959198
> Wait, so what happened to her?

>>38959198
> Ask to see the captain.
How did he know our name if it wasn't hiss who told him?

>>38959311
You introduced yourself here >>38958686

>>38959336
ah shit. my bad

>>38959198
> Wait, so what happened to her?

> Wait, so what happened to her?

"Someone wanted as much as that?"
He sucks in his breath and looks faintly disgusted.
"I imagine the Mayor and his men have some hard questions they want to ask her. They've got rooms in the gaol for that. I've talked to some of the alchemists they have on duty there and it's..well, you can rest assured that she will pay for everything she's done. And then some."

You can't move. It feels like the bottom of your stomach has dropped out and into an infinite pit of dread.
"And then what?"

"The gallows, I suppose. By that point, it'll be a mercy."

None of this makes sense. Why would she take you hostage and suddenly rush the guards? Couldn't she at least have used a different human form so she wouldn't get arrested?
Unless she knew that using her usual human face was the only way to give you the importance that would ensure you a place of care. He said she didn't really fight and that doesn't sound like her at all.

But she wouldn't do that, would she? Even if you allowed yourself the thought that she cared for you, she'd never sacrifice herself for anyone else. But then again, you suppose she didn't get a choice about it.

> "How long has it been?"

> Tell him the truth.

> Ask to speak to the guard captain.

> Tell him that you feel fine and you can leave now.

> Run, you've gotta go help her!

> Run, this is your chance to leave this mess behind for good!

> Other

>>38959530
> "How long has it been?"
> Ask to speak to the guard captain.

>>38959530
>> Tell him the truth.
I'm kind of fed up with this wandering around and getting into trouble malarky. I'm hoping this guy at least understands our plight and has some form of pity for us.

>>38959530
> Ask to speak to the guard captain.
Ask where our bag and staff are
Fuck. We have to bust her out now

>>38959530
> Ask to speak to the guard captain.
Do NOT tell him the truth

>>38959530
> "How long has it been
> Ask to speak to the guard captain.

> "How long has it been?"
> Ask to speak to the guard captain.

"How long has it been?"

"Since you wound up in here? Three hours? That's just a rough guess. A little more, a little less?"

Three hours. You don't know how fast these things are supposed to go. Do you still have time?

"Can I speak to the guard captain? You said he was waiting."

He nods, no doubt having been expecting that.
"Absolutely. I'll send off a messenger."

He pads out of the room. You just lie there, feeling sick.

She probably deserves this.
But not for my sake!
She bit me! This is all her fault!
I kicked a snake!
It's still her fault.
She still saved me.
Because she had to.

You are alone with your thoughts for some time. before the guard enters the room. It's the same big warty man you spoke to earlier. His helmet is off.
"You feeling good? Good lad. I've got some questions about your circumstances."

> Do you best to answer.

> Ask him questions instead.

> Nobble him

> "I need to speak to her! Right away!"

> Tell the captain the truth.

> Offer the captain a bribe.

> Other

>>38960058
> Do you best to answer.
try to
ask questions to but subtly.

>>38960058
> Do you best to answer(lie your ass off)
If a good opportunity arises
> Nobble him
look for keys or something i suppose

>>38960058
>Do you best to answer.

>>38960058
>> Do you best to answer.
We can be honest to an extent, although try not to tell them shit they don't already know. We can also make the point (if they know her identity), that she literally knows nothing about human society and probably should never have been brought into it.

> Do your best to answer.

He drags in a chair from the hallway outside and settles down it. He's a big man, run slightly to fat but still obviously fit enough that you find it extremely unlikely that you could best him in a fair fight.
It's probably best to answer his questions. You just won't be telling him the truth.

"So."
He leaves the word hanging for a few seconds but you say nothing.
"Tell me what you last remember."

You try to think of what the situation with Hiss had been when she was arrested.
"I had just finished talking to you and your men. I was putting all my kit back into my backpack when she surprised me. After that...nothing."

"Is that so."
His face might as well be granite.

"And then I woke up here. I don't remember what happened between that."
That's truth at least.
"I've been told it was you who saved me. Thanks."

"No worries."

"I can't believe I nearly died. I hope she gets what she deserves."

"Oh there'll be no doubt about that. She's gallow-bound, after the formalities. Don't know how long those'll go for."

"You don't?"

"She got dropped into the gaol for the usual treatment but there was some hubbub two hours or so ago. Moved somewhere else on the big man's orders. Very strange."

You do your best to keep your expression blank but the captain seems to spot something.
"You see, mate, I've been thinking. This has been a really weird situation, all in all. The gaol transfer is bad enough but I can't just stop myself thinking back to that old geezer."

"Who?"

"The one who called us on you in the first place. And now you're in here for poison and you know what? You were looking pretty sickly when me and the boys checked you down."

"I look like that a lot."

"If you're gonna lie, shut it. You think I'm an idiot? Something's strange about this whole thing. Something that's probably way past my pay grade."
He drags the chair closer to the bed until he's sitting right next to you.
1/2

>>38960647
welp, were fucked.

>>38960647
2/2

"But what kind of mutt would I be if I could drop a scent? I'm being up front with you, mate, so that you can understand your place here. Either you tell me what's going on here and why the Mayor In-Standing is so driven for this woman you seem to know so well."

How did he know that you knew her well? Once again you try to keep your face blank but he gives a small grin at your response. He starts again.

"That's what I thought. So as far as I see it, there are two roads here for you take Mister apprentice alchemist. You can tell me the answer to all of this or you can be considered an accomplice. That'd be a real shame."

> Tell him the truth.

> Feed him a really big lie.

> Nobble him.

> "I'm afraid you're not authorized to know, captain."

> Other

>>38960751
>> Tell him the truth.
Seems we don't have much choice if we want her to not die horribly.

>>38960751
>> Tell him the truth.

>>38960751
"Fine, she's actually an ancient snake spirit I stumbled upon in the forest and captured. Now she's bound to do my bidding."

Pause.

"What do you expect me to say, here? She's a mad woman. I don't understand why she does what she does."

File: what.jpg (33 KB, 600x434)

33 KB JPG

>>38960751
> "I'm afraid you're not authorized to know, captain."

>>38960751
> Tell him the truth.
Just tell him that shes the mayor in-standing's daughter and that she ran away from home.

Well this thread certainly could have gone better. I'd say we're at about a 9/10 on the "how fucked are we" scale

>>38960751
>> Tell him the truth.

>>38960751
>> Feed him a partial truth.
Tell him she's some kind of spirit woman who we encountered and have been indebted into helping. Absolutely no good can come of telling him she's a snake, a legendary creature who grants fucking wishes. She's on the run from some kind of secret organization of vampire like beings, as she uncovered information that could help bring them down (Shortland st business).

Honestly this is textbook interrogation stuff he's pulling on us, don't take the bait and tell him everything. But if we make it seem like there's some kind of conspiracy against the townsfolk and we can gain the help of this guy.

>>38960890
I mean, from what I'm getting this quest is going as QM planned, I've seen only one extraordinarily retarded decision we've made that surprisingly DIDN'T go badly (us trying to watch her clean herself off). Everything since appears part of the OPs plan.

>>38960953
tbh I didn't expect the path you are on now but I'd be dumb if I hadn't planned for all the reasonable routes you could have taken.

>>38960988
Are we better off or worse off than you expected?

>>38960953
I'm upset that we didn't just run off at the very start

>>38960996
Worse by quite a lot. You are basically in the worst timeline right now regarding recent events.

>>38960953
retarded decision:
>don't run
>kick the snake
>refuse to use a wish
>now we're telling the truth

I voted against all of these and I'm starting to get frustrated

>>38961026
Sigh. How much of this is due to Hiss' behavior? Is there that we can do to get out of it?

>>38961046
I voted against three of the four of those, the snake one I chose because its easier to hide a snake than a wanted person.

>>38961026
Also well shit... Whats the plan if we bad end? Do you start us back at the last salvagable point? Punish us significantly, or just give us a perma bad end and start a new quest altogether?

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>>38961026

>>38961026
>tfw dumbshit players fuck up my favorite new quest

>>38961128
To be honest if we had rolled better, we could have avoided this.

>>38961138
If we rolled better we'd still be in some shit. I can't argue anything other than us being an idiot for the way the quest is going.

>>38961138
1 bad roll isn't as bad as near constant bad decision making

>>38961128
>>38961046
>>38961080
>>38961026
>>38961026
Guys, it'll be fine. What's the worst that could possibly happen?

>>38961196
Premature quest end

>>38961196
The quest bad ends and then we have to live without seeing this quest grow to what it could have been. Ouros written a very interesting universe even with the limited fluff hes supplied. Hell, I don't even care about character development so much as I care about fluff.

>Soma mentions quest
>It instantly turns to shit.
I blame you, I know you're reading this.

This is honestly one of the first times I've seen everything go to shit and have people NOT blaming QM for it. Which goes to say something about our choices and QMs writing.

>>38961227
Hey hey, the quest isn't shit it's just that we're in a bad situation. We'll get out of this, I'm sure of it. You just gotta believe.

>>38961248
I think were going to bad end. We've definitely earned a bad end.

>>38961231
Because it's clear which bad decisions fucked us over and why

>>38961264
It wasn't one bad decision that fucked us over. It was the series of multiple bad decisions on top of poor rolls on top of bad decisions.

>>38961080
>The plan?

Suddenly change perspectives to someone who is somehow having a better time of it, naturally.

>>38960751

You are in a lightless room and you are feeling really awful. You're sure that if there was light to see by, you'd be the very portrait of misery.

Your name cannot be given shape by human tongues and cannot be inscribed by any alphabet. You are most commonly known as Hiss. This is an unfortunate fact that you are slowly learning to live with.

You are not a human, though you currently look like one. You are something greater, grander. A debased spirit with natural powers far greater than that of any normal human.

That's one way of looking at it. The other way of looking at it is that you are a very young girl who is very far from home and with no idea about anything.
You feel like the latter might suit better these days.

You are still feeling quite a lot of residual pain. You had been in the gaol for nearly a full hour. There had been pain. You don't want to think about it. But you had held on and refused to shed your form for a mad escape attempt. Not only could turning back into a snake make things worse for you, you had been resolved to not reveal your people's existence.

And then they had forced a bottle of something that had burned through your lips and you had done that anyway, babbling to all and sundry about your true nature and your life with back in the forest, back in secluded Snakehome.
You had told them about your father, among other things. You don't remember if you told them anything about Cennen.

And then they had taken you out but not to free you. Instead they had escorted you to ...somewhere else and you have sat here for what must nearly be two hours now. You didn't even try to turn back. What good would it be? There's nothing you can do.

They did something to you to make you talk. You don't understand it. More alchemy. But you can't blame it. It's you. It's your weakness.
1/2

>>38961285
I said "decisions" anon. The s at the end means more than one

>>38961298
2/2

You've disgraced yourself. No. You've disgraced your entire people. What would they think about you now? You should have never left home.
All you've done was prove all of them right.

This realization hurts more than any of your bruises and carefully measured wounds combined.
You are the idiot. It's you. It's always been you.

> Recede and go back to sleep.

> Just wait. There's no point to anything anymore.

> Time to blame literally anyone else but you.

> Other

>>38961392

Granted, a novice alchemist meddling with an inexperienced supernatural being and then getting caught up in the middle of shit for doing so would, unsurprisingly cause a bad end. Also

> Time to blame literally anyone else but you.
Its easy to blame ourselves, but its even easier to blame everyone but us. This never would've happened had that asshole not kidnapped us and had no idea what the fuck to do with his wishes.

>>38961392
> Time to blame literally anyone else but you.

>>38961392
Attempt to change into a bug or small animal and gtfo if there are any possible small escape routes nearby

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>>38961298
>She was tortured and fed truth serum.
>She told them everything

Jesus Christ. This thread really has gone to hell. There really isn't any way out of this clusterfuck. I was really enjoying this quest too.

But it looks like that's over now.

Unless the QM explicitly states we can turn this around, it looks like it's all over. There is nothing that can be done that will stop people from coming after us now.

RIP Hiss and idiot, I only wish it could have lasted longer.

>>38961392
>Time to blame literally anyone else but you.
It's that asshole Cennen's fault. If he hadn't kicked you this all would've been fine!

>>38961448
>Hanging your participation over a QMs head as some sort of bargaining chip.
The lowest scum.

>>38961435
This. It'd be worth it to change to snake form now if we could possibly escape. I don't want to just give up and wait around

>>38961264
Choosing alchemist was the first one.

>>38961514
tg is a fan of shit classes that can't function on their own.

Really though. Hiss being an autistic arrogant idiot got herself into a massive amount of shit. It's not surprising.

>>38961448
Nah obviously you're on the nonstop Misery Express now for infinity. Why would I want to write about that?

>>38961514
You kidding me? Our worst decision was letting Hiss run off by herself in the last city. If that hadn't happened we could've hung around and saved up some money.

That said, Hunter probably would've been a better choice. Considering that we wouldn't be as constrained to towns and would more easily be able to generate income.

>>38961448
>> Time to blame literally anyone else but you.
Hey, I chose this for Hiss, not for you. What gives?

>>38961481
I wasn't referring to the entire quest, I was referring to the two protagonists of the quest. But I really can't see how we can come through this with both of them surviving without having the rest of the quest revolving around their escape from aristocrats after their three wishes.

If any of those sociopathic murderhobos from Banished Quest are responsible for this mess, damn you and godawful decision making skills, I had high hopes for these two.

>>38961549
But yeah, as a testament to you so far, nobody is actively blaming you like they usually would, meaning that you're doing a damn good job writing.
>>38961567
I didn't think the three wishes would last this long, I expected them to last just barely long enough that she wouldn't murder us on sight afterwards, and that it wouldn't've been worth it.

>>38961567
I participate Banished Quest and I've voted against every awful decision made in this thread.

> Time to blame literally anyone else but you.

Hold on. You've made some mistakes, there's no denying that. But haven't you forgotten? There is always someone who is so much worse than you, someone who can be conveniently blamed for everything.

Damn it Cennen! This is all his fault! None of this had to play out the way it did if he hadn't been such a whiny idiot.

Yes. That feels good. That is how the world should be. You can't be the stupidest fool in the world as long as Cennen is around, it's mathematically impossible.
This is all his fault and when you get out you are going to...not hurt him because you literally can't. But you sure as hell going to make his life hell. If he thought you've been intractable these last few days, just wait!

This is all because he kidnapped you. Literally all of it. And you know what? He isn't even very good at alchemy! Yeah!

A fire reignites within you. You still aren't feeling anywhere near good but you have been reanimated back to a semblance of good health by sheer spite and delusion alone.

> Investigate the room you are imprisoned in.

> Make some noise to see who checks on you, if anyone

> Sleep and wait it out.

> Continue whipping yourself up.

>>38961698
>> Sleep and wait it out.

>>38961698
> Investigate the room you are imprisoned in.

>>38961698
> Investigate the room you are imprisoned in.

>>38961698
>> Investigate the room you are imprisoned in.
HATE IS THE MOST POWERFUL OF ELIXRS!

>>38961716
>still making bad choices
please stop voting anon, we're on thin ice right now

>>38961698
>Investigate the room you are imprisoned in.

>>38961698
...Was that vote going to determine Hiss' actual personality traits for more than one thread? We just voted to have the snake princess stalwartly refuse to learn anything from anyone, and when the quest shifts back to Cennen, there isn't going to be a thing we can do to convince Hiss to alter her behavior in any way is there. She's going to keep doing shit that will get her face on wanted posters for the forseeable future, isn't there.

Christ, we've been bitching about our terrible decisions for an hour and we go right back to making them. We're all worse than she is.

>>38961842
Yep. Autism forever is apparently now her battle cry.

>Investigate the room you are imprisoned in.

It's very dark. No windows or any other source of light. You settle to feeling your way along the walls. You seem to be in a stone shaft of some sort, five feet by five feet. The roof is beyond your reach even when you jump, supporting the idea that you're in a pit. If there is any entrance, it must be in the roof yourself.

> Start climbing. For however long as you need to.

> Raise a ruckus.

> Inspect souls for aid.

> Try to see if you can find a crack in the walls or the floor that you might be able to chip open enough for something small to fit though.

> Other.

>>38961866
> Inspect souls for aid.

> Try to see if you can find a crack in the walls or the floor that you might be able to chip open enough for something small to fit though

>>38961866
>> Raise a ruckus.

>>38961753
Hey, unlike you, I'm not bitching about how everyone is an idiot for not choosing what you want to do.

>>38961866
>> Inspect souls for aid.
> Try to see if you can find a crack in the walls or the floor that you might be able to chip open enough for something small to fit though.
WE WILL SURVIVE, WE HAVE TO, WE CANNOT DIE WITHOUT FIRST KILLING THAT PRICK WHO PUT US THROUGH ALL THIS TROUBLE!

>>38961842
It doesn't change her actual personality. She's just amping herself up.
Cennen and Hiss' relationship would never have settled into its current mutual orbit if either truly hated the other or if there wasn't at least a thread of affection.

>>38961866
> Inspect souls for aid.
> Try to see if you can find a crack in the walls or the floor that you might be able to chip open enough for something small to fit though.

>>38961866
> Inspect souls for aid.
> Try to see if you can find a crack in the walls or the floor that you might be able to chip open enough for something small to fit though.

>>38961866
>> Inspect souls for aid.
>> Try to see if you can find a crack in the walls or the floor that you might be able to chip open enough for something small to fit though.

>>38961908
That doesn't mean that we can't direct our anger towards him as a justification for why we can't die in a hole right?

> Inspect souls for aid.
> Try to see if you can find a crack in the walls or the floor that you might be able to chip open enough for something small to fit though

You lie down and let your mind look inwards, sifting through your collection of souls and memories.
As expected, Cennen's pilfered memories are completely useless. Most of the others aren't of much help but an unlikely help comes from what you stole from the traveling merchant that you never learned the name of.

He's been to this city many times and once he saw something similar to your current situation. They had been at the Mayor's private property. A grid of square pits side to side set into the stone. The trapdoors leading them into them are latched from outside and weighted down. So climbing probably isn't helpful.
What it does tell you though is that the wall between each pit is rather thin. They'd have to be in order to be set so close to each other.

You sit up and begin to search for cracks or flaws in the stone. They've been here for years, down in the cold and the damp. You've seen what happens to stones that sit by rivers. They weaken and begin to crumble.

You find a place where the wall is beginning to crumble, just by the corner where it meets the floor. You lack implements to scratch it but you paw at it with your fingers and when those can no longer grasp, you extend your fangs and begin a more painful work.
You only need to poke a tiny hole, one that you can fit through in your small form.

But the work is long and tiring and it is very cold down here. You might have your inner fire but you don't have any actual fire and so you're starting to lose energy at a frightful rate. You need heat.
But you just curl up as much as you can and keep working.

You've barely cleared a hole when you hear something grating up above. They've come back! All that back in the gaol. They're here to do that you all over again!


1/2

>>38962137

2/2

> Snake out and cram yourself into your half-made escape route desperately.

> Wait for your fate. Did you really think you could fight it?

> Wait so you can attack whoever it is.

> Pretend to have killed yourself. You certainly entertained the thought at times.

> Other

>>38962166
> Pretend to have killed yourself. You certainly entertained the thought at times.
> Wait so you can attack whoever it is.

>>38962166
> Snake out and cram yourself into your half-made escape route desperately.

>>38962137
>> Pretend to have killed yourself. You certainly entertained the thought at times.
Snakes make for a good ambush predator, and our poison is fucking nasty.

>>38962166
>> Pretend to have killed yourself. You certainly entertained the thought at times.

>>38962166
> Pretend to have killed yourself. You certainly entertained the thought at times.

There were times today where you had briefly wished for death. But right now you are way too irritated by Cennen to worry about any of that. In fact, just thinking about being reduced so low makes you angry.
But it must not be the haughty arrogant anger of a princess. It must be the wrath of the snake, something that is endlessly patient and runs cold all the way through.
Maybe that's your problem. You've always been much too hotblooded.

When they lift the lid of the pit, you are lying there, your chest bloody from where you had bit yourself. You had only bit yourself once and shallowly but for the onlookers warned about your venom, that is more than enough.
"Get her up!"

Idiots. You might seem like a corpse but only because there is nothing colder and stiller than a snake ready to strike.

There are three of them. None of them wearing armor. Their clothes are well-made, though not as high quality as yours. You're in the Mayor's property. Are these servants?
Would he really send mere servants to attend to you?

You grab the woman by the throat and push her down the pit before trapping one man in your gaze before kicking him in the join between his legs, home to that silly vulnerable apparatus you saw yesterday. While he's occupied, you grow your fangs and bite the other man on the arm, letting the poison kill him instantly.
And as for the man you kicked, who is now rising...You are hungry.

> Eat your fill.

> Eat both flesh and soul.

> Question him.

> Throw him into the pit as well.

> Just kill him, nothing else.

> Other

In addition, a second decision must be made. You have been cast down into true darkness and through spite you have conquered it and hewed closer to your essential nature. You can choose another Snake Art or improve a weak one you already have.

1/2 Art choices next.

>>38962477
> Eat both flesh and soul.

>>38962477
> Eat both flesh and soul.

>>38962477
>> Eat both flesh and soul.
Get rused son!

Were going to berate the hell out of that prick aren't we!

>>38962477
Snake Art

> Scales. Currently your scales are weak. By improving this, you can become briefly impervious to most weapons at the cost of being visibly inhuman.

> Camouflage. You can cease all movement and blend in with your surroundings, no matter what form you are using.

> Constrictor Strength. Though the pythons fled Snakehome many centuries ago, you, who once aspired to follow their trail, can access their ancient Art of crushing irresistible strength.

> Shed Skin. You can improve your skin-shedding, allowing you to become a perfect replica of anyone whose soul has been mostly devoured by you.

> Death Rattle: You can strike a sound that warns off all creatures and inspires fear in all who hear it.

>>38962477
>> Question him.
>> Throw him into the pit as well.
Fucks sake, these guys could be with the Captain to bust us out, let's not be hasty.

>>38962558
> Constrictor Strength. Though the pythons fled Snakehome many centuries ago, you, who once aspired to follow their trail, can access their ancient Art of crushing irresistible strength.

>>38962477
> Eat both flesh and soul.
>>38962558
> Shed Skin. You can improve your skin-shedding, allowing you to become a perfect replica of anyone whose soul has been mostly devoured by you.

Obvious path is obvious.

>>38962558
> Camouflage. You can cease all movement and blend in with your surroundings, no matter what form you are using.

>>38962565

Shit you're right, Changing vote from >>38962538 to
>> Question him.

>>38962477
> Eat both flesh and soul.

>>38962558
>> Camouflage. You can cease all movement and blend in with your surroundings, no matter what form you are using.
Maybe we wont constantly get in trouble than.

>>38962558
>> Shed Skin. You can improve your skin-shedding, allowing you to become a perfect replica of anyone whose soul has been mostly devoured by you.

>>38962558
> Shed Skin. You can improve your skin-shedding, allowing you to become a perfect replica of anyone whose soul has been mostly devoured by you.

Guys, lets think over murder immediately, were on VERY thin ice currently.

>>38962638
We've already killed the two people he was with. Why would we spare him?

>>38962661
Actually we only incapacitated them, read carefully.

>>38962675
We killed one, we bit him.

>>38962675
Shit nevermind you're right. I'm going to sleep, its clear my reading comprehensions broken down as has my judgement. >>38962661

>>38962661
No we didn't, just tossed them in the cell we got out of.

>>38962694
>>38962661
Quoted >>38962675 which was myself, meant to quote >>38962661. I'm an idiot disregard me and I'm tired as shit, sorry for causing confusion.

>>38962701
WE bit one. He's dead

>While he's occupied, you grow your fangs and bite the other man on the arm, letting the poison kill him instantly.

>>38962701
Okay whatever. Why would we spare him?

Votes taken, writing.

> Eat both flesh and soul

>Improve Shed Skin

You take stock of yourself as you pin the man to the ground. You're covered with bruises and cuts, all of which are probably going to hurt a lot later. But right now, there is only the hunger and the hunt.

You pull yourself on top of him, fangs tearing his throat. He's dead before the venom can even do its job.
You bite down, ripping flesh away with your more human teeth and supping on the blood that results. In the shock of death, the soul remains trapped within the body for a few short minutes. They try to protect themselves but they are prey and you are predator and soon you feel what is almost the entirety of the dead man's soul slide down and settle into your metaphysical gullet.

You take a little more flesh, to help sate your more physical appetites and then toss his corpse into the pit. It lands on top of the woman you had pushed in before. Her arm looks to have been broken by the fall and having her friend's corpse thrown on top of her doesn't seem to have made that better. She's screaming. She'll have the whole household down on you at any moment!

> Leave immediately, seeking this 'Mayor'.

> Leave immediately, seeking Cennen.

> Maybe if you silence the woman right away, nobody will notice.

> Shed your skin into the form of the man you just slew and infiltrate yourselves among them.

> The whole household? Bring it!

> Other

>>38962868
> Shed your skin into the form of the man you just slew and infiltrate yourselves among them.

>>38962868
> Shed your skin into the form of the man you just slew and infiltrate yourselves among them.

>>38962868
> Leave immediately, seeking Cennen.
> Shed your skin into the form of the man you just slew and infiltrate yourselves among them.

>>38962868
>> Shed your skin into the form of the man you just slew and infiltrate yourselves among them.
> Leave immediately, seeking Cennen.

>>38962868
>> Shed your skin into the form of the man you just slew and infiltrate yourselves among them.
> Leave immediately, seeking Cennen.

> Shed your skin into the form of the man you just slew and infiltrate yourselves among them.
> Leave immediately, seeking Cennen.

You know you can do this. You've seen your father do it and for all that you have nowhere near as many souls as the constellation within him, it no longer matters.
You are not just Hiss, some demeaning name given to you by an idiot. You aren't just the Snake Princess, daughter of the Serpent King either. You are the Serpent Queen in-waiting and there is no Snake Art you cannot encompass within your coils.

You tear your human form apart in a cloud of dust. You've already started shedding your skin again by the time you land, snake form still just as bruised and injured as the human body had been.
Shedding your skin to become something else takes a fair bit of time. It was because of that inescapable duration that you had been forced to take the actions you did to save the alchemist's worthless hide. You had known by the time you had transformed, he would be at death's door and so there had only been one route open at that point.
Why did he have to kick you in the first place! You hadn't even meant to strike back, you just had! Not that he didn't deserve it, you hastily amend.

Still, you have just enough time to take on the form of the man you killed. His name was Danyl and you can feel his fossilized memories drift through your head. You seal the pit back up so they won't immediately see Danyl's ruined corpse and then flee as the first men enter.
"She's a monster!," you scream, ripping the appropriate emotions from Danyl's soul and throwing them into the world before you.

There are servants, many of them and surprisingly few guards. In the chaos, nobody cares about poor old gibbering Danyl slipping through them. You make your way through the corridor, climbing stairs which open out into a much more pleasant home than the roughly hewn stone corridors.

1/2

>>38963081
2/2

The building beyond is what Cennen's memories would have described as 'fancy' or 'posh' and you're inclined to agree. The sort of place where you'd naturally expect to find the kind of woman you had patterned your human form upon.
It's all very...soft. Plush carpets and statuary, sofas and paintings. What do humans even do with things like statues or paintings? Look at them? More uselessness, you suppose. They do love to surround themselves with such.

Is this what all the richest humans live like? Is this what people had been thinking you were? You don't really like that. You would only dull your fangs here.

You press onwards towards the entrance. You find yourself in the huge room before the front door but here you stop because you aren't alone.

There is a chubby man standing here, wearing an emerald green cloak and vest with burgundy breeches and a white shirt. Despite his clear weakness, there is some sort of strength in him. Danyl's soul tells you this is the Mayor In-Standing, the most influential man in the city while Duke is away, which is always. The man who had captured you and tortured you and made you such a fool and he did it all by proxy instead of his own honest hands.

You only just manage to use Danyl's soul to reign in an immediate attack as you see the two people standing by him.
Danyl's memories inform you that the woman by the Mayor's side is his treasured niece, sired by his dead brother. You know her as Iana. She looks very uncomfortable.

In front of the Mayor is another human you immediately recognize. It's that ugly guard captain that brought you in!

You struggle to control your fangs. Oh, what joy, what benevolence of the universe, to have brought all three of them into a room with you!

> Attack the Mayor first.

> Attack the guard captain first.

> Attack Iana first.

> Do your best to restrain yourself and just listen.

> Ignore them and keep running.

> Introduce yourself so that they may know death's name.

>>38963204
> Do your best to restrain yourself and just listen.

>>38963204
>> Do your best to restrain yourself and just listen.

>>38963204
> Ignore them and keep running.

> Do your best to restrain yourself and just listen.

None of them have noticed you yet, not even the guard captain, which you had previously pegged as being fairly sharp for a human. You are briefly caught between choosing whether to attribute that to your ability to move silently or just to his natural weakness of being human but in the end you choose to do both.
You keep your teeth sheathed and refrain from attacking for now. No point just rushing in.

The captain seems to be have been complaining about how the Mayor has been refusing to see him while Iana dithers in the background.
The Mayor rises his hands, silencing both of them.
"I will see to whatever problems you have in due time captain! Right now there is a situation that needs urgent attention."

"It wouldn't be anything to do with...snakes, would it?"
Both you and the Mayor freeze, looking at the blonde captain. He doesn't seem to be enjoying the attention.

"Who have you been talking to, Captain Frahm? Give me their names!"

"Don't worry, sir. None of your pet torturers have spilled any secrets. I investigated a different link in the case on my own initiative. I didn't really believe it, I thought the bloke was mad. But you seem to have taken the idea quite seriously."

The Mayor looks about, caught in a sudden trap. That is when he sees you.
"Danyl! You're hurt!"

Iana gasps and begins to head in your direction before the Mayor waves her back.
"As you can see Captain, there is a bit of a problem. The serpent has escaped."

"And just what were you doing with it, all the way up here instead of in the gaol? Sir."
The captain looks like he's pushing his luck.

The Mayor looks affronted.
"Why, the same thing I'd do to any person I discover to be an important personage from a foreign nation. Greet them formally and invite them to dinner. I was even plotting out a trade treaty but now the demon has broken free!"

And that's it for today. I'm gonna archive this and there'll be a thread tomorrow at around the same time, check the twitter etc etc.

I hope you enjoyed today's thread, despite a bit bumpier a road than usual.

>>38963442
Holy crackers, is there any decision we've taken in this quest that hasn't just made things worse?

>>38963518
I'm not doing it on purpose, I swear to god.

Also whether this last bit here with Hiss was a bad choice or not is debatable.

>>38963607
What was Danyl's relationship to the Mayor? Was he Iana's husbando?

>>38963660

He was a butler. Close enough to be on a one-sided first names basis and since Danyl was a naturally friendly person, a lot of people were fond of him.
Iana has no husbando. She lives alone out past her uncle's city for a reason though her uncle does supply her with occasional money and goods, of which she can use to buy expensive things like dispel elixirs.

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>>38963696
>of which she can use to buy expensive things like dispel elixirs.
>dispel elixirs

...Fuck.

I almost feel like our themesong should be yakkety sax.