>>39074934

The creature stares at you. You’d thought you had been hidden but the childlike silhouette has been looking in your exact direction for as long as you’ve been staring at it, if not longer. You try to still yourself and keep calm. You can’t let it know that you know about it.

Ophi’s cart is dark and inert, the merchant no doubt still slumbering beneath peacefully. You’ll get no help from that direction unless you’re willing to draw attention.

You pray desperately for Hiss to wake up but she is well and truly under the oil’s spell and will not wake. Instead she just murmurs in her sleep and coils tighter, something you might have rather enjoyed if it hadn’t been for your voyeuristic intruder.

> Just keep still and wait.

> Shout and/or babble to try and wake Hiss and Ophi.

> You still have a bottle of non-lethal poison. Throw it at the shape.

> Bellow madly and charge it.

> Make a wish.

> Other

>>39074947
> Just keep still and wait.

Rolled 36 (1d100)

>>39074947
DO A BARREL ROLL!

>>39074947
> Just keep still and wait.
Get the non lethal poison in our hand with as much subtlety ad possible

>>39074947
>> Just keep still and wait.
>Pray to Hiss try to wake her.
if it moves towards us
> Make a wish.

Keep eye contact at all times.

Rolled 67 (1d100)

>>39074947
Rolling for sanity

>>39075013
We should wait for a more dire situation to use a wish

>>39075083
Well if it starts moving at us we spend it, if not we're good.

>>39075083
I agree for now, but on the other hand ourwishes won't be of any use if this thing kills us.

>>39075134
Hiss is already compelled to save our life no matter what

>>39074947
>> Just keep still and wait.
>>Pray loudly to Hiss

>>39075013
If it moves toward us we should throw the poison at it, not waste a wish on something we know literally nothing about.

>>39075180
Not when she's sleeping

> Just keep still and wait.

No need to do anything but rash. You might just alert it. If it still thinks you haven't noticed then it might not attack, right?
You continue to pray for Hiss to wake up but the prayers don't seem to register with her comatose form. Whatever the oil had been, it is way too strong when undiluted.
You don't want to nudge her more than you already have because more movement could attract unwanted attention and because you have the sinking feeling that it might not be of any use. So for lack of a better option you just freeze up and wait.

The one by the firepit stays where it is but you can see other shapes moving in the darkness around your peripheral vision. Scampering agile little shapes.

One of them drops down on top of the cart. You hadn't even seen it jump. A long curved blade catches the moonlight.

And then from behind you, Ophi's donkey screams and you hear a commotion as the animal runs into the distance as fast as it can in a wild panic. You can see something small clinging to its back.

You hear a shout as Ophi wakes immediately and bangs his head on the cart's underside. He scrambles out from underneath it with his leaf-bladed sword drawn.
And the merchant stops in his tracks as the darkness comes alive around you. There are at least ten of them.

> Help Ophi

> Just stay still.

> Shake Hiss awake as hard as you can.

> Other

>>39075315
>> Help Ophi

> Shake Hiss awake as hard as you can.

Literally drag her along on your way to Ophi if you have to, just wake her ass up.

>>39075315
> Shake Hiss awake as hard as you can.

>>39075315
> Help Ophi
> Shake Hiss awake as hard as you can.

If shaking fails wish it cause at this point. Fuck this Noise.

>>39075315
> Shake Hiss awake as hard as you can.

If she akes up

>Help Ophi

>>39075315
Protect hiss while she's vulnerable. Try to get her closer to the merchant

We kick Zombie ass now

We really need to learn acid or explosive potions asap

>>39075457
Yeah. We do. But no must have mystery box.

>>39075484
Snake oil could have been great. I am pretty disappointed with it though. Might be useful for identifying is someone is a human or just a snake disguised as a human, which could be useful later

>>39075484
We should have known from the name alone. Fucking snake oil

>>39075507
pretty sure our resident snake can do that when she isn't high on snake nip.

> Help Ophi
> Shake Hiss awake as hard as you can.

You spring up, grabbing Hiss by the shoulders and doing your best to shake her into wakefulness. She opens her eyes but only a little, a ropey string of drool running down her chin.
"Hz?"
She's still almost entirely limp.

At the same time, Ophi wastes no time questioning the situation and instead just lunges forward and plunges his sword into the chest of childlike creature in the firepit. The sword barely seems to penetrate and then they come leaping from the shadows, little blurs of speed with rusty blades.

To his credit, Ophi is a surprisingly good swordsman for a merchant. Though his blade can't seem to cut them he knocks the first two assailants away with the flat of his sword before another leaps up from behind and buries a broken scythe-blade into his back.
He doesn't scream but he does fall and the little 'children' swarm over him.

You give a hoarse shout of your own and throw the nonlethal poison, letting it shatter over Ophi's body. The creatures scatter immediately as if fearing something far worse.

And then you see something catapult out of the darkness towards you.

> Dodge!

> Hurl yourself to the ground.

> Try to catch it.

> Make a wish. (Specify)

> Use a brew (Specify)

> Other

>>39075638
Do we even have any brews left?

>>39075638
> Dodge!
> Make a wish. I wish you were awake, ready to fight and able to defeat these creatures without suffering harm to you or myself.

>>39075638
Do we have any leftover brewed coffee? If so dodge and make hiss drink it

>>39075638
>Dodge
>Wish: Kill the Zombies

>>39075675
You have some Treebrew and the shapeshifting potion from Master Yolan.

>>39075638
>> Dodge!

>>39075719
>Do we have any leftover brewed coffee? If so dodge and make hiss drink it

Seconded

>>39075638
Dodge, then use the shapeshifting potion to become the strongest man alive and pick up the dropped sword. Coat it in the nonlethal poison that is drenching the merchant and attack

>>39075638
>> Dodge!
>>Do not spend a wish

Rolled 1 (1d6)

Alright looks like a tie between trying to dodge and force-feeding Hiss the coffee or dodging and using a wish. Odds for the former, evens for the latter.

>>39075873
I think you forgot to add our new potions to the pastebin

>>39075931
Don't bother the man

>>39076103
I'm not trying to be a dick, just making sure he knows

>>39075931
Still using the pastebin from last thread, yeah. It'll be fixed by next thread.

> Dodge and try to force Hiss to down the coffee

You do your best at throwing yourself out of the way without outright hurling yourself to the ground. You keep your footing but as the shadow hurtles past, you feel a sudden line of cruel pain flash across your chest.

You're bleeding. Where did all of this blood come from? A long line gashed straight through your shirt and into your chest. The cut is shallow but it hurts. It hurts so bad. Blood pumps out with each fresh breath you take.

You stumble backwards and involuntarily sit down right next to a still intoxicated Hiss. You reach out for the coffee but your fingers tremble uncontrollably, slopping a lot all over the place. Your hands are slick with blood and it's spilling into the coffee itself.

You pull Hiss' head up and force the mixture down her defanged mouth, bitter coffee and fresh blood running down her throat in equal measure.
She snorts and then coughs explosively and you pull you hand back as quickly as you can as venomous fangs unsheathe themselves.
Her pupils are dilated but she drags herself up, clinging to you and your wound with enough force that leaves you screaming in pain.

Another of the little creatures dart forward and she sleepily intercepts it with a blow from her left hand. The strike was weak and yet the thing drops to the ground unmoving as if its strings were cut.

She pushes you aside. Her expression is glassy and unfocused but she looks at you and your surroundings with visible disgust.

> Get up and do your best to fight.

> Investigate the downed 'child'.

> Check if Ophi's alive.

> Try to talk to Hiss.

> Make a wish.

> Fall unconscious.

> Other

>>39076248
> Check if Ophi's alive.

>>39076248
> Make healing potion

>>39076248
Do your best to bandage the wound. Tie something across it as tightly as possible

>>39076338
This. Stay close to hiss so that she can continue to protect us too

>>39076248
>> Check if Ophi's alive.
>>Try and stop the bleeding

Hey has anyone else here been getting this sticky thing that keeps popping up when you try to post?

>>39076467
april fools!

>>39076248
>> Check if Ophi's alive.
Hiss appears to be in pissed off attack mode, for now we fucking back off with our life... by the sound of it our cut will be fine under the circumstances.

>>39076338
>>39076391

>Do your best to bandage the wound and keep close to Hiss.

You pull your shirt off and do your best to shred it into a makeshift bandage. It was already cut so you hardly mourn its loss. You wrap it around your chest, feeling fresh pain with each movement. It feels like every action you take involves pain rippling across your chest.

Hiss isn't being very proactive, swaying in a dizzy stance and only lashing out as any of the creatures that get too close. They'll dart in and then dart out, evading her retaliatory blows but never getting close enough to attack either of you.

You swear you can hear muffled giggling in them as they circle you and as you see Hiss' arm shake as she repels another attacker, you think you understand. They know she's afflicted, that she's tired. They know there's no need to risk anything swarming her when they can just keep on safely wearing her down until she collapses again.
You wonder if Hiss understands this. She looks really out of it so probably not.

With a sudden gasp of pain, Ophi lurches to his feet, bloodied but apparently not dead and his sword still tightly held within his left hand. He looks at Hiss and his face twists with a violent anger.
"What have you done to her?"

You can't tell if it's directed at you or the creatures but he hurls himself back into the fray, his sword bouncing off their wooden hides with little effect. And yet the force of his blows are strong enough to briefly scatter the 'children' before him.

> Assist him now before he's overcome.

> Try to get Hiss to understand what's going on.

> Just stay beneath Hiss' faltering protection.

> Get to the cart!

> Other

>>39076632
A broken potion bottle makes a really nasty shiv... Also respond that we literally have no idea.

>>39076632
>> Assist him now before he's overcome.
> Try to get Hiss to understand what's going on.

>>39076632
>> Assist him now before he's overcome.
>>Start hurling poisons and any grenades you have.

>>39076632
>> Assist him now before he's overcome.
>Make break a potion bottle at the neck for a makeshift weapon...

>>39076632
> Assist him now before he's overcome.
>Hiss I wish you were fully awake, fully empowered and not under the affects of the snake oil.

>>39076632

Changing vote to Support this >>39076668... these things are actually quite dangerous.

Also you autists aren't going to use the damn wish anyway

>>39076632
Use the pot to hit them on the head and deflect their blades Blunt weapons work better than piercing on these guys apparently

>>39076632
>>39076689
Alright I give. Also suportan. (my original choice was >>39076659)

>>39076668
Try to say it quietly enough that only hiss can hear

>>39076746
Are you shitting me, This guy doesn't give a shit any more, he just wants to live... if we save him he'll say nothing. Also hiss can eat memories

>>39076632
Now I'm much more curious about what hiss and the merchant were doing while we were studying. Sounds like he likes her a bit too much

>>39076689
Why are you so determined to blow one of two wishes in combat?

You don't even understand the mechanics behind it. They don't allow Hiss to do the impossible, a wish just forces her to obey the wish until it is fulfilled. She wouldn't be able to instantly sleep off the effects of snake oil because you wished so.

>>39076772
Anon She needs any boost we can give. We wait we could very well die. It also unlocks magic she normally can't access or use.

>>39076668
I vote not to use a wish on that

>>39076753
That doesn't mean we shouldn't try to keep it secret dumbass

>>39076772
Actually we have no idea how wishes work, we know they aren't god mode but from my understanding its basically using a fate point

>>39076793
think of some wording that helps us beyond this fight an i might vote for it

>>39076772
Wishes instantly bring her to her physical peak

Guys, we literally don't understand how wishes work other than that they make her become neo from the matrix...

>>39076832
Fully empowered anon.

>>39076861
Am I the only one who reads the pastebin?

>>39076793
If you want to give her a boost, we have a cart loaded with enough coffee beans to stock a dozen starbucks.

If you want to help her fight these things, use the poison we've been hanging onto specifically for combat situations like this.

>>39076904
We already used it!

>>39076904
We have no poisons left.

>>39076879
No

These can be used to make any request from Hiss that she is bound to fulfill, even to the point of unlocking theoretical prowess that she does not yet possess in order to enact it.

>>39076904
>If you want to give her a boost, we have a cart loaded with enough coffee beans to stock a dozen starbucks.
No time to brew something.

>If you want to help her fight these things, use the poison we've been hanging onto specifically for combat situations like this.
used it no fucking effect.

While were having a shitstorm over all of this, can we at least agree that the mayors cousin is the best waifu?

> Assist him now before he's overcome.
>Hiss I wish you were fully awake, fully empowered and not under the affects of the snake oil.

You rise back up, wrapping another shred of your shirt around a jagged shard of broken potion-bottle to serve as a handle for makeshift glass dagger. You take your small cauldron with your other hand to serve as either a shield or a club. Ah fuck why does everything hurt?

"Hiss," you breathe out raggedly. Should you be using loud imperious tones with this? Well too bad, you can't seem to muster anything more than a hoarse croak.
"Hiss, I wish that you were fully awake, empowered and not under the oil's spell."

Will that work? You honestly have no idea. You know that the wishes are basically requests that can be made of her but how far can these requests go? Still, she should be able to fight as best as she is able now, if only because she is literally incapable of not doing her best now that you have ordered her to.

You stagger forward in a failed charge but Hiss is already ahead of you, striking one of the creatures across its bloated turnip-like head. Like the one before it, it drops like a sack of potatoes after mere contact with her.

In the end you don't get to do any fighting of your own. In fact, you can't really have called it a fight at all. Hiss took the group apart, striking them down one by one. It would have been hard enough to follow had you been uninjured, right now it might as well be a miracle from the spirits.
Which it sort of is, you suppose.

After the slaughter is over and the ground around you lies scattered with broken child-bodies, Hiss falls over and sinks right back into her previous deep sleep.
You and Ophi are left to gape.

> Fall unconscious from wound and dream of something strange.

> Help Ophi and tend to each other's wounds.

> Make sure Hiss is okay.

> Inspect the bodies.

> Brew something up to help.

> Other

File: 1420792602329.png (77 KB, 500x500)

77 KB PNG

>>39076947
no

>>39076970
>> Help Ophi and tend to each other's wounds.
> Brew something up to help.
> Inspect the bodies.

>>39076970
>> Make sure Hiss is okay.
>> Brew something up to help.

>>39076970
> Make sure Hiss is okay.
Then brew up several healing potions. Use one on ophi and one for ourself.

>>39076970
>> > Brew something up to help.
> Help Ophi and tend to each other's wounds.
> Inspect the bodies.

some kind of poultice, we've got quite dangerous wounds...

>>39076970
>> Help Ophi and tend to each other's wounds.
> Inspect the bodies.

> Brew something up to help.

Dammit.

>>39076970
>> Make sure Hiss is okay.
>> Brew something up to help.
>> Inspect the bodies

>>39076970

> Help Ophi and tend to each other's wounds.

> Make sure Hiss is okay.

> Inspect the bodies.

> Brew something up to help.

>>39076970
Fuck. You guys realize we can't use any more wishes now right?

>>39077069
I don't think she'll kill us at this point...

>>39077069
Also we basically are the sole source of snake drugs and could probably use them as a chemical method of avoiding death at worst.

>>39077069
Good. Maybe we'll collectively stop making bad decisions now?

>>39076970
The glass dagger was dumb. We have a real dagger we stole from the mugger

>>39076970
What the hell, were there really enough votes to use that wish?

>>39077136
We really need an inventory pastebin

>>39077140
There was a lot of bitching but not many actual votes

Remember, you fuckers are still less autistic than the princess guard quest fanbase...

>>39077176
That's like saying that we're smarter than literal retards

>inb4 we get NTR'd by the merchant

>>39077176
I think we'd all be significantly less autistic if we could get some actual information on what we're supposed to be voting on. We need to get Hiss to tell us what she is capable of, and what we can and cannot do with our wishes.

>>39077259
All the information we need is in the pastebin already. She doesn't know shit about how wishes work

>>39077248
Tsk We killed a spirit, what has that merchant going for him?

> Help Ophi and tend to each other's wounds.
> Brew something up to help.
> Inspect the bodies.

Ophi pulls a set of bandages from his cart and wraps your wound while you set about brewing something. He seems remarkably unconcerned about the stab wound in his own back though it obviously didn't hit anything vital.
It doesn't take long for you to whip up several brews of restoration and small healing for both of you. They can't close your wounds entirely but they ease the pain, restore a little feeling and just allow for an overall easier time of it.

After that you pull Ophi's shirt off and start bandaging his wound in turn. He's got a surprisingly powerful physique for a traveling merchant. He grunts when you touch a sore spot but little else.
"As long as she's fine, I'll be right."

You stop for a moment. What was the deal with saying that? And his flash of anger just before in the fight. You can't help but think back to the long discussion he and Hiss had and the coffee beans he had let her sample for free while you had had to cough up actual money for them.
You really don't like where those thoughts are leading you so you keep quiet. And if you bind the bandages a little tighter than you needed to, could anyone blame you?

Ophi kneels down to check on Hiss while you investigate your former attackers. Your initial assessment of their size was correct, none of them are taller than a small child. They seem to be puppets of wood and sack-cloth pieced together into a vaguely humanoid form. Gobbets of long-rotten human flesh and skin are strung along their bodies. None of them are holding blades as you had originally surmised, instead they have rusty old sickles and broken scythe-blades jammed into their fingerless hands, clumsy extrusions of their bodies themselves.

None of them are particularly damaged, you note. A few have scrapes, dents and chips broken from the solid wood of their frames, no doubt due to Ophi's futile sword-work.
1/2

>>39077169
I'd be a little less salty about it if Ouro actually put it to a vote. For something as irreplaceable and central to the narrative and mechanics of this quest, they shouldn't be used if there is any doubt the majority of players favor it. We just burned the equivalent of a fate point, which we have no way of getting back, when there was no significant consensus to do so.

>>39077343
Fair enough

>>39077343
We could always just nobble her again...

>>39077382
I seriously doubt that's gon- wait a minute, we have snake oil now

>>39077399
Fuck yeah we do!

>>39077311
2/2

Mere scrapes and little else. You have no idea how Hiss killed them nor do you have any idea what these monsters could even be. Are they even truly dead? You hold your breath and look one right in its glass eyes but see no spark.

Ophi joins you, buckling his sword back at his side.
"You recognize these things, alchemist? Because I have no fucking clue."

You shake your head.
"Never seen the like. How's Hiss?"

"Still breathing. I have some questions about that, actually. But I think they can wait."
He shivers.
"These things musta been what were tailing me the night before. Imagine if they had attacked me then. Would have lost more than just my donkey. Awful lucky you two came along."

You look up at him suspiciously.

> "Are you implying something?"

> Ask just what his deal with Hiss is anyway.

> Go through his cart.

> "Do you think we can track down that donkey?"

> "Stay away from her."

> Compliment his sword work and ask him just where he learned it.

> "What kind of merchant are you?"

> Other

>>39077450
>> "What kind of merchant are you?"

>>39077450
>> "Do you think we can track down that donkey?"
> Compliment his sword work and ask him just where he learned it.
> "I seem to be a magnet for running into weird supernatural shit"

>>39077450
> Ask just what his deal with Hiss is anyway.
including why he gave her free coffee
> Compliment his sword work and ask him just where he learned it.
> "What kind of merchant are you?"

Anyone have any idea what those children were? I'm not familiar with that mythos, homunculi possibly?

>>39077136
Cennen wasn't thinking particularly straight, I was incorporating somebody's write-in and also I knew it wasn't going to actually matter in the update.

>>39077140
Yes, if you consider the retracted votes.

>>39077154
I'll put this up next thread.

>>39077450
> Ask just what his deal with Hiss is anyway.
> "Do you think we can track down that donkey?"
> "Stay away from her."
> "What kind of merchant are you?"

>>39077450
>> "Are you implying something?"
>> "What kind of merchant are you?"
>> Ask just what his deal with Hiss is anyway.

>>39077450
> Compliment his sword work and ask him just where he learned it.
> "What kind of merchant are you?"

> Ask just what his deal with Hiss is anyway.

>>39077450
> "Stay away from her."
You're a cool guy Ouro but I will drop this quest immediately if it involves NTR

>>39077544
He can always get killed 'accidentally' by a well throw poison potion in the next dangerous situation we get ourselves in

>>39077544
>>39077582
Inb4 he's a snake and immune to poison.

Rolled 76 (1d100)

>>39077582
I'll prep my nat 100

>>39077544
I don't get why a QM would ever write something like that unless he actually wants to piss off his players as much as possible. I don't think Ouro is that kind of guy

>>39077597
We nobble him and get more wishes

>>39077544
>>39077582
Really? That's the only thing you vote for?

Have you paid any attention to Hiss' behavior in this quest? She wouldn't give this guy the time of day, and even if he did get his pants off she would probably keel over laughing at his johnson.

I don't think this guy is trying to seduce her, I think its more likely he's a dedicated snake catcher sent by her daddy.

>>39077728
I highly doubt he's sent by her dad

>>39077728
I'm >>39077582 and i voted for >>39077461
My suggestion about killing him was mostly a joke

Got to say, Sticky is trolling me beyond belief.

> Conversation

You can't help but feel a little suspicious about Ophi for a number of reasons. He's a pretty strong man and quick with a sword for a merchant who rides a cart all day and sells foreign beans.
"You were pretty good with your sword back there."

Ophi looks down modestly, his finger tapping his scabbard.
"This old thing? Thanks but it wasn't much use in the end, was it?"

"Where did you learn?"

"I picked up a little here and there. What can I say? I just like the feel of good steel."

You shake your head at him. It doesn't add up in your mind.
"What kind of merchant are you anyway?"

Ophi laughs.
"Like I told you, friend. A traveling one. You'd be surprised what you learn doing that. It's not really your business, though I thank you and your lady for the help."

"My 'lady'? Just what is your deal with her anyway?"

He looks taken back by your sudden shift in tone.
"Can a man not admire a beautiful woman? She certainly doesn't seem to mind me doing so."
You don't think Hiss was even aware what he had been angling for back before but you don't say so.
Instead, Ophi takes your silence as an excuse to continue.
"What was wrong with her? What did you you to do?"

> "It's none of your business."

> Tell him to fucking back off about this subject right now.

> "Just stay away from her. It's safer for you."

> Ignore the question.

> "They must have nicked her with a poisoned blade."

> "She had an allergic reaction to that oil I was cooking."

> Other

>>39077878
> What did you you to do?"

"What did you do to her?"

goddamn

>>39077728
Some people just get super weird about this shit.
Like a character shows the slightest interest in a female character and people start getting worked up and possesive

>>39077878
>> "She had an allergic reaction to that oil I was cooking."

>>39077878
She had quite a bit of the potion. It was experimental, apparently it's a sleep potion if you have enough of it

>>39077878
> "She had an allergic reaction to that oil I was cooking."

>>39077878
> "She had an allergic reaction to that oil I was cooking."

>>39077878
> "She had an allergic reaction to that oil I was cooking."

>>39077878
>> "She had an allergic reaction to that oil I was cooking."

>>39077922
Ouro wouldn't write about it if he didn't want us to have a reaction towards it

>>39077878
Ask what he did before he became a merchant

>>39078038
If you seriously think that you really are PGQ poster level autistic.

>>39078118
Princess Guard Quest did nothing wrong.

> "She had an allergic reaction to that oil I was cooking."

"She had a bad reaction to the oil. People react to the same medicine in very different ways sometimes."

He harrumphs noncommittally.
"I guess that could make sense. Different strokes for different blokes."
Ophi looks up at the night sky and then points to the horizon. You can't see anything out there.
"Sun's coming up soon and I don't think I'll be able to sleep for a veeerry long time so we might as well get going. Load her into the cart and we should be able to make it to Tedwell before long. Maybe ask around about these little devils."

"We can't get the cart anywhere without the donkey."
The last you saw of Ophi's ass, it had been running into the night. The merchant himself doesn't seem too worried.
"No worries, I'm a pretty good tracker. Going to see if I can track it down before the sun rises."

The donkey's hoofprints are still visible and he begins to walk after them, sword already drawn.

"Tracking too?"

"Lessons learned from a foolish childhood. Say no more."

"What did you even do before you decided to be a merchant?"

Ophi stops to consider for a moment, screwing up his brow.
"I guess you could have called it a handyman. All kinds of odd jobs."

> Follow him after the tracks. You're still curious and besides, at least one of those creatures was with the donkey when it fled.

> Wander off alone with this guy? No thanks. Stay behind and tend to Hiss.

> Act like you're staying behind but attempt to follow him secretly in the darkness.

> Other

>>39077922
I subscribe to the theory that it's the aftershocks of Psion Quest on /tg/s collective psyche.

>>39078255
>> Wander off alone with this guy? No thanks. Stay behind and tend to Hiss.
Make some potions, poisons, heals, restores and treebrews.

>>39078255
>> Follow him after the tracks. You're still curious and besides, at least one of those creatures was with the donkey when it fled.
He could've murdered us just as easily back there...

Also hes pretty likely to shrug off the snake thing seeing he just got attacked by what I am hereby titling the children of the corn, because fuck you all that name is fitting.

>>39078255
> Wander off alone with this guy? No thanks. Stay behind and tend to Hiss.
Study how to make acid and explosive potions so we're more useful in a fight

>>39078255
> Wander off alone with this guy? No thanks. Stay behind and tend to Hiss.
>read books

>>39078255
>>Stay behind to brew more poisons and alchemical grenades, then follow his tracks.

We can watch from a distance and help out if he's attacked by more of these things.

>>39078261
What is it with /TG/ and lesbian xenophiles anyway?

>>39078316
seconded

>>39078316
This+making as many potions as we can while we have time

>>39078255
>> Wander off alone with this guy? No thanks. Stay behind and tend to Hiss.

>>39078510
bit late tbh

> Wander off alone with this guy? No thanks. Stay behind and tend to Hiss.

You'd rather not follow him and Ophi certainly isn't offering so you sit back on the cart and watch him leave.
As soon as he vanishes from sight you make sure that Hiss hasn't choked on her own tongue or anything of the like. She seems to have drifted out of her drug-induced sleep and into a more natural rest and after a moment's thought, you decide to leave her there.

Instead you spend your time studying your books and repeatedly brewing experimentally. It takes you another hour or so but you learn how to brew acids and explosive concoctions.
Neither are quite as powerful as you want them to be but at least you aren't be caught off-guard next time. You'll just have to remember to be very careful with how you handle the explosive potion.
You also stir up some more Treebrew in anticipation to selling it to the people of Tedwell when the day brightens.

You spot the first of the sun's light beginning to spark the horizon aflame and yet Ophi still isn't back yet. You wonder if he's dead. For some reason that idea doesn't bother you too much.

> See if you can wake up Hiss with either prayer or natural means.

> See if your own tracking is good enough to go after Ophi's trail.

> Wake up Hiss with a restoration potion.

> Wake up Hiss with a treebrew.

> Brew some more snake oil and use that to wake her.

> Use Ophi's continued absence to rifle through his cart and to check out his goods.

> Other

>>39078567
>> Wake up Hiss with a restoration potion.
Might as well... she can track better than we can afterall.

>>39078567
> See if you can wake up Hiss with a prayer

if it doesn't work

> Wake up Hiss with a restoration potion.

>>39078567
> Use Ophi's continued absence to rifle through his cart and to check out his goods.
I doubt he's only shipping coffee

>>39078567
>>Wake hiss with Coffee

For crying out loud, that's what it's best at.

>>39078619
Of course not, I wouldn't be surprised if he's smuggling opium or exotic animals.

>>39078567
> Wake up Hiss with a restoration potion.

>>39078567
> See if you can wake up Hiss with either prayer or natural means.
> Use Ophi's continued absence to rifle through his cart and to check out his goods.

>>39078619
This is a really bad idea. He'll conveniently come back at just the right time and find us. Do you have no genre awareness?

>>39078626
You ran out of the coffee you had already brewed when you did it the first time. To get more would entail nobbling some from the cart.

>>39078702
I'm really sorry guys but I have to end for the night.

>>39078768
Nice try anon

>Wake up Hiss with a restoration potion.

First you try praying to her again but she doesn't react. Maybe prayer doesn't reach her when she's asleep? Or maybe she's just not good enough to do it.

Instead you mix up a restoration brew and gently force it between her lips. She hisses, a sound that transforms into a splutter then into a cought and then into a shriek.

You throw yourself backwards as her fangs reflexively close on empty air. She grabs you by the throat and forces you down to the ground before dragging herself on top of you, her mouth ready to bite...
Then she sees who it is and blinks before rolling off in a single hasty action.
"Cennen. I thought it was someone else."

You gasp for breath, your wound burning where her weight had been pressed against your chest.
"Wh-Who the hell did you think it was?"

"Oh, that's no concern."
She clearly isn't going to apologize, at least not right now. But she does pull you to your feet.
"So what happened to do all of this?"
She gestures at the little wooden corpses lying everywhere.

> "You really don't remember?"

> "Just a little altercation, not much to worry about."

> Tell her about the snake oil.

> Other

File: whatyoudoin.jpg (78 KB, 427x640)

78 KB JPG

>>39078768

>>39078899
> Tell her about the snake oil.

it'd be bad to keep it secret

>>39078899
>> "You really don't remember?"
>> Tell her about the snake oil.

>>39078899
>> "You really don't remember?"
> Tell her about the snake oil.

>>39078899
> Tell her about the snake oil.

> Tell her about the snake oil.

"You tasted that oil I brewed up, remember? It really did a number on you."

She looks quizzically at you for a long drawn-out moment before your words jog her memories and she does what could only be described as a full body flinch away from you, her fangs still bared.
"How DARE you?"

"I didn't know what it did! You wanted it to try it!"

She looks you in the eye as if she was trying to draw you into a gaze but you aren't scared enough for it work. Instead she just settles for looking upset.
"You have to promise me not to brew anything like that ever again. Ever!"

> Make the promise.

> Make the promise but don't really mean it.

> An alchemist cannot deny knowledge!

> Other

>>39079072
> Make the promise.

>>39079072
> Make the promise but don't really mean it.

think to yourself
> An alchemist cannot deny knowledge!

>>39079072
> Make the promise but don't really mean it.
We really didn't know it would drug her.
> An alchemist cannot deny knowledge!
Science!

>>39079072
> Make the promise.
I think I learned my lesson after what happened last night

>>39079072
> Make the promise.

>>39079072
>> An alchemist cannot deny knowledge!
Besides Yolan already made a shape change potion with that skin of yours. I won't make that specific brew though.

>>39079072
> Make the promise.

>>39079089
>>39079116
>>39079144
>>39079188
Welp no more snake anything potions.

>>39079072
>> An alchemist cannot deny knowledge!
>>Side's you did enjoy yourself. I think that was the first time I've ever seen you smile and laugh.

>>39079206
We can always change our mind if it's really necessary

>>39079072
>An alchemist cannot deny knowledge!

>>39078899
>"Cennen. I thought it was someone else."

>"Wh-Who the hell did you think it was?"

>"Oh, that's no concern."

Anybody else catch that? She was probably having a flashback of her time with the Mayor's interrogators.

>>39079206
>Side's you did enjoy yourself. I think that was the first time I've ever seen you smile and laugh.

This

>>39079072
> Make the promise.

>>39079072
I wonder if the wish still counts as used if she has no memory of it happening

That was a very close vote in the end, with two very different results waiting at each one.

> Make the promise.

You can understand her displeasure. The loss of control and the temptation must be terrifying to look back on after the fact. You think about pointing out that she seemed like she'd been having fun when it was active or that as an alchemist it could be said to be your duty to help advance the cause of human knowledge rather than restrict it.
But pointing out that she enjoyed it would only highlight her objection to it, you decide. And of course Hiss doesn't really give a fig about advancing the cause of human knowledge.
"Okay. I promise I won't make any more of that. Or anything like that. I didn't know what it did, I swear."

She relaxes by just a little.
"And Cennen?"

"Yes?"

"In the future, you should be very careful not to try and feed me anything while I'm asleep. Especially if it's alchemical."

You nod, watching the wary distance between the two of you slowly fall back to normal.
"I'll keep that in mind."

"So..."
Hiss looks out over the vanquish wooden 'children'.
"I did pretty good work regardless. You burned a wish, didn't you? Yes!"

She doesn't have to sound so happy about it.

> Ask her if she knows anything about the creatures.

> Ask her how she killed them in the first place.

> Ask her about why she doesn't want to drink anything.

> Nobble some more coffee from the cart as an offering.

> Wait for Ophi to return.

> Other

>>39079494
> Ask her if she knows anything about the creatures.

> Ask her how she killed them in the first place.

> Ask her about why she doesn't want to drink anything.

>>39079494
> Ask her if she knows anything about the creatures.
> Ask her how she killed them in the first place.
> Ask her about why she doesn't want to drink anything.

>>39079494
> Ask her if she knows anything about the creatures.
> Ask her how she killed them in the first place.

>>39079494
> Ask her if she knows anything about the creatures.

>read books

>>39079494
> Ask her if she knows anything about the creatures.

> Ask her how she killed them in the first place.

> Ask her about why she doesn't want to drink anything.
Do this while perfecting our acid and explosive brews

>>39079494
>> Ask her if she knows anything about the creatures.
>> Ask her how she killed them in the first place.
>> Ask her about why she doesn't want to drink anything.

>>39079494
> Ask her about why she doesn't want to drink anything.
poor traumatized snakegirl

>>39079566
This

>>39079494
Ask if she still wants to travel together when all the wishes are gone

>>39079494
> Ask her if she knows anything about the creatures
Ask her about why she doesn't want to drink anything.

>>39079627
>Ask if she still wants to travel together when all the wishes are gone

Yes

>>39079627
Oh boy, good idea, we gotta ask her sometime.

>> Ask her if she knows anything about the creatures.
>> Ask her how she killed them in the first place.
>> Ask her about why she doesn't want to drink anything

You gently turn one of the small bodies over with your foot, exposing nothing save more wood, cloth and rotting skin.
"Do you know what these things are? Ophi and I are stumped."

Hiss shakes her head.
"Never heard of anything like them. At all. But they had souls inside them."

You really hope you heard that wrong.
"Pardon?"

"Human souls, to be specific. Ones plucked up and bound into them. I knew it the moment I touched one."
She picks one of the 'children' up, dangling it by the head.
"The living body protects the soul and does its best to send it on its way. I have to burrow in there and get their blood if I want to intercept it and drag it down inside me. But the souls in these things have been dead for a long time and were in vessels that they were never meant to inhabit. My hunger alone was enough to call them out."

"So you ate them? The souls?"
Sometimes you wish that soul-eating wasn't always so relevant in your daily life. It's an aspect of Hiss that you'd prefer to ignore when you can.

"Like draining yolk from an egg."
She closes her eyes for a moment and then has to steady herself as she opens them again.
"I wish I hadn't. They were bad eggs. Rotten. I can't strip anything useful from them and they don't sit too easy."

"So why did you keep eating them?"

"Because it was an easy way to kill them, why else? Would you prefer I not have?"

"Not if it causes you too much pain."

She smiles, just a little.
"You're too soft for your own good, Cennen. It's what makes you an idiot."

"Yeah, maybe I am."

Hiss sits down by the cart and you sit beside her, almost within arm's length. Almost. You let the silence drift on a while longer as you read through your books, attempting to refine your explosive and acidic recipes.
1/2

>>39080063
2/2

"Do you want to talk about it?"

She looks up from where she's been scooping through Ophi's belongings.
"Talk about what?"

"What you said earlier. About not trying to force feed you anything."

Her expression closes up almost instantly and she gets off of the cart.
"No."

"Well if i-"

"No."
It's a tone that brooks no disobedience and you can't help but quail from it a little.
While you're thinking of what to say next, Ophi finally appears in the distance, the sun rising behind him. He's leading his donkey behind him and carrying the head of one of the little creatures under one arm. He raises his other hand to cup to his mouth.
"Coooeee! Ready to head off?"

> Ask Ophi about the head.

> Try to press the matter with Hiss.

> "Yeah, let's go."

> Other

>>39080140
>> Ask Ophi about the head.
Wat

>>39080140
> Ask Ophi about the head.
> "Yeah, let's go."

Looks at hiss and ask one question. "Truth serum?"

>>39080160
Don't be stupid.

>>39080140
> Ask Ophi about the head.
I'd still like to ask this if we get some time alone
>>39079627

>>39080140
>> "Yeah, let's go."

>>39080179
seconded

>>39080140
>> Ask Ophi about the head.
>> Ask Hiss if she will still travel with you once you spend the last wish.

>>39080179
This

>>39080140
> "Yeah, let's go."
Plus >>39079627

>>39080140
> Ask Ophi about the head.

> Ask Ophi about the head.
> Ask Hiss if she will still travel with you once you spend the last wish.

You point at the head, a little wooden ball carved into crude features while bound up in cloth with two glass eyes set into it. You can't help but notice it's still quivering.
"What do you think you're doing with that?"

"What? This?"
Ophi feigns disinterest, as if it was just a regular occurrence.
"I found it latched onto my donkey. Don't know what the hell it was even trying to do but it attacked me when I hollered. Now, turns out these little buggers aren't so tough when they're alone. Couldn't cut it up without something heavier like an axe so I settled it for trying to pull it apart."

You eye the head and then Ophi and then the head again.
"What, with your hands?"

"Something like that. They're barely even nailed together so you only have to work the joins. When I twisted the head off, the rest of the body stopped moving. And yet this little guy is still going!"
He waves the twitching head around.
"Might be good to sell to some wizard or collector I reckon. I was afraid that it might try to bite me at first but it doesn't have a mouth. Harmless."
He tosses it to Hiss who catches it. You notice that this time she refrains from immediately drawing out the soul within.
"It's good to see you up, young lady. Does this curiosity suit your eye?"

She shakes her head and throws it back to him like it was a ball.
"Rotten. You keep it."

The merchant nods.
"As you please."

He shoos you off as he starts tying the donkey back to the cart, giving you and Hiss a small amount of time while he's busy.
Enough time to ask a certain question that's been bugging you.
"Hey, Hiss. I've been wondering. Once all of this is over and I-I spend my last wish. Will you still travel with me?"

She laughs and you immediately feel awful.
"Since when I have been traveling with you. Isn't this my quest, we're on? You're traveling with me."

1/2

>>39080540
2/2

> Press her on the matter.

> Ask Hiss to eat the soul of the head, it could be trouble.

> Warn Ophi off from Hiss.

> "Alright. Then let's get going."

> Other

>>39080540
>Isn't this my quest, we're on?

Where did that comma even come from

>>39080576
> "Alright. Then let's get going."

>>39080576
> "Alright. Then let's get going."

>>39080576
> "Alright. Then let's get going."
Ophi cover it's head, don't know if it could be reporting back to whoever made it.

>>39080576
Tell Ophi to get rid of the head, they had to be made by someone and it could be reporting back to whoever it is with magic

>>39080576
> "Alright. Then let's get going."
Only one of us voted to word the question that way but whatever

>>39080576
> Press her on the matter.

>>39080576
>> Press her on the matter.

>>39080626
changing my vote to

> Press her on the matter.

Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>39080881
That brings it back to even by my count then. Odds for pressing her, evens for just going on your way.

> Press her on the matter

Ophi gets the cart ready while you stay back with Hiss, unwilling to let her answer go.
"You know what I mean, Hiss."

She raises an eyebrow at you.
"And I told you my answer. Maybe it's you who doesn't know what I mean?"

You can't stop yourself from giving her an exasperated look. What she said could have meant anything!
"As you like to say, I'm an idiot. Maybe you should spell it out."

Your explanation seems to please her view of the world because she takes a step back.
"And you've never proved me wrong. Almost never. And of course you can still come with me, Cennen."
Your heart soars.
"I'm going to need someone to carry everything after all."

"Well as long as I know you care that much..."

"Hold your tone," she says, almost playfully. "I said that you could still follow me, I never said I'd let you live."

> Good enough. Let's get going.

> Not good enough, hell no.

> Tell Ophi to throw that head away.

> Other

>>39081058
"How's that supposed to work then? I can't imagine I'd make a very good porter as a corpse."

>>39081058
> Good enough. Let's get going.
> Tell Ophi to throw that head away.

>>39081058
> Good enough. Let's get going.
My death would make following you not feasible just fyi.

Ophi cover than head up or toss it, it could be tracked by whoever made these things.

>>39081102
Heh. Banter.

>>39081058
>laugh
>good enough
>read book

>>39081102
>>39081058
That's marginally more intelligent than the other options, so I give it my full support.

>>39081102
Unless your powers include necromancer and you haven't told me yet. It's understandable to be ashamed of the dark arts but I won't judge you for it

>>39081178
Necromancy*
fuckin autocorrect. Gets me every time

> Good enough. Let's get going.

"How's that supposed to work then? I can't imagine I'd make a very good porter as a corpse."

She folds her arms. Maybe it's all the souls or just the body that she's been in for so long but the gesture is so human-like that you forget what you were going to say afterwards.
"Don't tempt me, alchemist. This cart does that job just as well."

"You can't replace me with a cart and donkey!"

"I don't know about that. Maybe if I teach the donkey how to mix trash together and bottle it, you might just find yourself becoming redundant."

"And what? I can't imagine a donkey's a good conversational partner."

"That's what Ophi is for. So you see Cennen, I'm starting to wonder why I need you around at all. So you better be good so I don't have to consider it."
You laugh, taking it all in good stride because you know that the two of you have danced around every reason save the real one.
"Alright. Is the cart ready? Let's get going."

The three of you pile onto the cart and let the long-suffering donkey begin its work driving you all forward. It's fairly slow about it, especially considering all of the added weight but Hiss looks so guilelessly happy about finally having not to walk everywhere that you can't really find it within yourself to complain.

The next few hours go by without any incident save Ophi trying to subject the two of you to his awful singing voice. You find it discordant and grating and Hiss has little appreciation for song in general.

The community of Tedwell draws closer on the horizon, a collection of houses and huts all raised on long stilts and poles to avoid the yearly floods. It's not a large settlement, no Lesser Arlinton and certainly no Melire. It reminds you more of your home village, a nice small place where everyone knows each other's name. That's the way to live you reckon.

So why is this whole damn place so unfriendly? 1/2

>>39081389
2/2

Nobody's said anything or done anything yet but the locals have nothing but clear disdain strangers, casting long hard glances at all three of you as the donkey hauls you into town.
Ophi gets off the best, no doubt because they already know him a little. They talk to him and even buy a few of his wares though he can find no initial buyers interested in his coffee.
But even he gets the cold shoulder and as for you and Hiss, you two might not as well exist. They're doing their best to ignore the lot of you.

Hiss isn't taking this very well.
"What's their problem?"

"Just a very insular folk," Ophi puffs, pulling a crate off the back of the cart. "You get used to it. This is about as good as I expected. I'll be going to their local baron down the road tomorrow, I'll move a lot more coffee there."
He looks confident but you can hear a trace of doubt. Worrying about whether his investment will really pay off, no wonder.

> Go explore Tedwell and surroundings with Hiss.

> Stay with the cart.

> Head off alone.

> Is that a tavern?

> Try and talk to the passing townsfolk.

> Other

>>39081496
> Go explore Tedwell and surroundings with Hiss.

>>39081496
>read books
>read books
>read books

>>39081496
> Go explore Tedwell and surroundings with Hiss.

>>39081525
Go away Banished Quest. Mik isn't in until tomorrow.

>>39081542
>not reading books
pleb we could be on our way to dispel elixirs already (they are really overpowered in this setting)

>>39081496
> Go explore Tedwell and surroundings with Hiss.
> Try and talk to the passing townsfolk.

>>39081496
> Go explore Tedwell and surroundings with Hiss.
Keep an eye out for ingredients.

>>39081496
>> Go explore Tedwell and surroundings with Hiss.

> Go explore Tedwell and surroundings with Hiss.

There isn't a huge amount to see, you decide after a time walking together with Hiss through Tedwell. Many of the farmers live off on their own properties close to the fields, meaning that Tedwell itself is much larger than it appears. A vast intangible community spread sparsely over a lot of land.

There aren't many signs around. You suppose they don't need them. This is the kind of place where everyone's live here their entire life, cradle to grave. Everyone knows where everything is and everyone knows who everything is, making a pair of strangers like you and Hiss stand out all the more. Hiss' appearance sure as hell doesn't help.

People draw back whenever you approach, some even crossing the road to avoid you. Sometimes you catch glimpses of curtains twitching in the windows as those within regard you with little love involved.

"I might as well come in my real form," Hiss complains as you walk down a now-empty street. "The reaction would be more or less the same. And a lot more appropriate."

"I thought you liked being feared."

"I do! But they're not really scared of us. They just want us to leave."

"Seems like it. I can't imagine they get many visitors save the tithemen."
You bend down and start plucking up some long spinifex. You'll be able to make some top-quality acids with these.
Out of the corner of your eye, you spot what looks to be an unattended garden behind a fence, right in front of a fairly run-down dwelling. Are those devil's eyes? You think they are! They must have gone way more inland to pick some of those! The hardy (and poisonous) desert plant is an excellent reagent that can be used to substitute for almost any other high quality ingredient. They're also very rare, as their usual homes are exceedingly dangerous and they're very difficult to grow in hospitable climates.
I guess it took a liking to this dustbowl? There's no way these people know what they've got here.
1/2

>>39081761
2/2

> Quickly nobble it while nobody is looking.

> Knock on the hut's door to see if you can ask permission.

> Just leave it be and go back to the cart.

> Other

>>39081761
>> Knock on the hut's door to see if you can ask permission
then nobble it anyways if they say no.

>>39081781
> Quickly nobble it while nobody is looking.

>>39081781
>> Knock on the hut's door to see if you can ask permission.

>>39081781
> Quickly nobble it while nobody is looking.
Why do I like the word nobble so much?

>>39081781
>> Knock on the hut's door to see if you can ask permission.

>>39081781
> Quickly nobble it while nobody is looking.

>>39081781
>read books

>>39081864
In addition, if we get caught in the act at least try to sneakily get some seeds from it if they're present

Rolled 3 (1d6)

Once again down to a tie between nobbling and asking for permission. Evens for the former, Odds for the latter.

>>39081992
damn, /tg/ is too full of moralfags to actually use our nobbling skills

>>39082081
It wasn't the morals, but the fear that the house belongs to the person that created the 'children' and we'll get ourselves in trouble again

>>39082081
Concerned whoever is growing that knows exactly how rare it is and was powerful enough to makes the plants grow despite being out of native habitat.

>>39081992

>Knock on the hut's door to see if you can ask for permission.

You swallow your nobbler's pride and decide to do the righteous thing. You're not just some petty thief, save when it suits you to be. You're at least a kidnapper and kidnappers are a somewhat higher grade of nobbler.
And besides, the odds of Tedwell not only having an alchemist but an alchemist who knows what Devil Eye's are is unlikely. Chances you can just ask and get it without worry.
And if they turn out to be like the rest of the townsfolk? You can just take it anyway because honestly this entire town is arse so far.

"What are you doing?" Hiss calls out from behind you as you step over the fence.

"Alchemy stuff."

"Bah, never mind."

You knock on the door of the hut. You see something twitch in the dark window for a moment before the door slides open a little but not enough to see through. You hear a young woman's voice.
"What are you doing here, stranger?"

> "Do you know how valuable this is?"

> "I'd like to ask you if I could avail myself to your garden."

> "I hitched a ride with Ophi into town. He wants to buy something from your garden."

> Push the door open.

> Other

>>39082122
my overly cautious nigger

>>39082142
>> "I'd like to ask you if I could avail myself to your garden."
>read books

>>39082142
> "I'd like to ask you if I could avail myself to your garden."
I'm an alchemist and Came in with Ophi.

>>39082142
>> "I'd like to ask you if I could avail myself to your garden."
>> "I hitched a ride with Ophi into town. He wants to buy something from your garden."

>>39082142
> "I'd like to ask you if I could avail myself to your garden."
Offer to trade one of our many potions if she won't let us have it for free

>>39082142
> "I'd like to ask you if I could avail myself to your garden."

>>39082184
Or maybe some of that nice fabric we bought

Are we still shirtless or wearing our destroyed shirt? We should ask if there's a tailor around here

> "I'd like to ask you if I could avail myself to your garden."

"I can't help but notice the garden you're keeping out here. Would you spare some old blooms for a passing alchemist?"

The door almost slams shut in your face but stops at the last second.
"You're an alchemist?"

You nod, still trying to peer around the frame to get a look at the girl on the other side.
"Yes so if you want any brews, just say the word and I-"

"You have to leave!"
She raises her voice as if she wanted to shout but was trying to be as quiet as possible.
"Just go! Take what you want and go away! Now!"

"What? What's wrong?"

"Just GO!"
The door is slammed.

> Time to head back to Ophi. Tell him something's wrong with this town.

> Yell at the door. "I came with the traveling merchant! We're going to be gone tomorrow anyway! What's wrong?"

> Take the Devil Eyes and leave.

> Do your best to knock the door down or gain access through the window.

> Other

>>39082356
> Take the Devil Eyes and leave.
Well she did say that we could

>>39082290
Wearing your crappy shredded shirt. You didn't have anything else to wear, Ophi didn't mind and Hiss isn't complaining.

>>39082356
> Take the Devil Eyes and leave.

>>39082356
> Take the Devil Eyes and leave.
> read book

>>39082356
>> Take the Devil Eyes and leave.
> Time to head back to Ophi. Tell him something's wrong with this town.

Get what you came for and beat a hasty retreat.

> Take the Devil Eyes and leave.

You shrug and back off from the door. Well, if she says so, who are you to object? You pull out all three of the thick-stemmed plants, taking extra care not to damage their bright crimson seed pods. The seed pods are where they get their name, after they've popped open and you can see the large black seed resting inside, like a pupil in a red monster's eye.

Hiss catches up to you as you hurriedly stride away.
"What's wrong?"

"I'm starting to think there's something strange happening with this town. More than the usual I mean."

"It'd hardly be the first time. In fact," Hiss says, "I'm pretty sure this is to be expected by this point."

You've taken the shortest and most direct route to Ophi's cart as possible, allowing you to get there just in time. There's a small crowd of folk standing around the cart, Ophi busy talking prices with an older man with a face like a leathery old boot.
"Now come on, I think you'll find th-"

"Ophi! Ophi!"
A new voice tears onto the scene, turning your head within moments because it's so familiar. It's the voice of the woman you were just talking to in the hut! But no, surely no. There's no possible way she could have overtaken you. She didn't even leave it.

A young woman runs in, jostling her way through the surprised barrier of townspeople.
"Ophi! You've got to get out! Run! Can't you see?"

A burly young man grabs her around the mouth and silences her while Ophi looks blankly at the young lady.
"I beg your pardon? I don't believe we've met."

She squirms and bites the man's hand, causing him to roar and drop her.
"How can you say that Ophi? After what you said to Liss? You told us that you'd get us ou-"
She is pulled away by the crowd.

"Never met her before in my life," Ophi claims, a genuine lack of recognition evident on his face.
"Oi? What do you think you're doing?"
Three farmers are looking through his cart, throwing crates around and letting wares spill out uselessly.

1/2

>>39082631
2/2

"We'll take what we need," the old leather-faced man says, his voice dry and entirely lacking in empathy. "You can explain yourself to the Master."

"Master? Explain what? I've never seen her before!"
Ophi goes for his sword but the townsfolk are all around him then, quickly obscuring him from view.
You almost head forward to help but Hiss grabs your sleeve and pulls you back out of view.
"Idiot!"

"What do we do with Aina?" One of the women say, the man beside her clutching the struggling girl with the same voice as the woman in the hut.

"She and her sister have been nothing but trouble," Mr Leather states. "Tainted blood, I told you all. Take her to the fields."

The girl is dragged off in the opposite direction of where Ophi and his cart are being manhandled towards. The townsfolk slowly begin to disperse, quietly whispering among each other.

> Go after Ophi!

> Go after the girl!

> Sneak after Ophi

> Sneak after the girl.

> Go for the old ugly man right now. He seems to be in charge.

> FLEE

> Other

>>39082705
>> Go for the old ugly man right now. He seems to be in charge.
>throw explosion potion for attention

>>39082705
> Sneak after the girl.
>>39082718
That's a shit idea anon

>>39082705
> Sneak after Ophi

>>39082705
>> Sneak after the girl.

>>39082705
I really don't know what to do here.
>Ask Hiss what she thinks

>>39082705
>sneak after ophi

>>39082740
you just can't appreciate my genius

>>39082705
>> Sneak after the girl.
If they're taking her into the fields, that means they'll be seperated from the rest of the mob. Then Hiss can pick them off.

Rolled 3 (1d6)

There are a lot of ties today. Even for girl, odds for Ophi.

>>39082910
It's not a tie though

>>39082910
Isn't it three for one and two for the other boss?

>>39082910
Girl
>>39082774
>>39082740
>>39082830
Strange man
>>39082718
Talk to hiss
>>39082775
Ophi
>>39082758
>>39082809

>>39082931
>>39082951

Whoops. No worries.

> Sneak after the girl

You look between the girl and Ophi. Ophi is a big guy, he has a sword. And you can't help but remember the way he acts around Hiss. Yeah. You're sure he can handle himself.

The girl on the other hand probably cannot. And she'll be separated from the others if they're going into the fields, all the better for you and Hiss.

You start walking through the streets after them as best you can, keeping out of sight. Or at least you try to start. Hiss grabs you by the collar.
"Where do you think you're going? Ophi is much more useful to us!"

"Ophi can handle himself!"
You actually manage to break her grip and start running. She follows you easily and you feel a small flash of fear but she doesn't try anything else.
"You know, either of these choices require me to protect you. I should just be grabbing you up in my coils all to myself just to make sure you're safe."

This idea makes you feel good and bad at the same time. You try not to examine why.
"But you won't?"

"Not yet."
She doesn't object though you see her glancing back from time to time in the direction Ophi was taken.

The two of you soon leave the town behind as you see the girl disappearing down the single path that leads straight through the wheat fields. The crops make a wall on either side of the road the men are taking her down, allowing you and Hiss to just walk through the crops themselves nearby undetected.

The two of you get closer and closer, seeking the best time to do something. You're now within earshot. One of the men is talking to the other.
"-looks pretty good, I'm just saying."

"Nah mate. You heard ol Boon back there. Tainted blood. You'd be cursing yerself if you stuck it in."

"She doesn't have any magic in her though! Same as her sister, I hear. Just because their mum dabbled, I reckon she's safe."

1/2

>>39083113
Okay, yeah, this choice seems pretty alright to me all of a sudden.

>>39083128
Yeah We've got to warn that guy that before he rapes her we can brew up something to prevent pregnancy!

>>39083113
2/2

"Doesn't matter Dalwert. Blood is blood. If dad was here listening to you he'd box your ears."

"Like to see him try. I'm not some kid anymore. Now where have bloody Children got off to?"

"They were fair clamouring after the outsiders before. The say all three of them are tainted. Mebbe they're flown out to the Master for that."

"They better not. If I've had to drag this damn chit all the way out here and they ain't home then I'll be taking some worth out of her for my trouble, say blood or not, Stib."

"Fuck off. If you had more hot air in ya you'd never touch ground. The Children are coming, just you wait."

You curl your fists in sudden anger as you stride forward, ready to do something about these two thugs when Hiss grabs you by the shoulder.
"Sssh. No. Don't move."

There's a wooden doll-like creature crawling forward through the strands of wheat. And there are more of them. Much, much more.

Alright, gonna finish up there and archive the thread for tonight. I'm already slipping by quite a lot. I hope you guys had fun.

Probably won't run tomorrow for video game release-related reasons.

>>39083248
Thanks for running boss. You been playing Bloodborne or what? Cuz all this fluids this and that is starting to creep me out.

>>39083248
Thanks for running dude.

>>39083271
Hah, I wish I had a PS4.