>>39300191
>Gatebreaker
>War Shield

>>39300191
>>Impaler (Long spear, not the hardest hitting weapon, but the point is inscribed with anti-magic runes for punching through magical wards and barriers)
>>39300191
>>War Axe (Solid axe, can be used as a melee weapon, inscribed with some gravitational runes to aid accuracy as a throwing weapon)

So this is back, apologies for the long, long hiatus since thread 1. I'm stripping out most of the stats and systems of the first thread though, as I think trying to puzzle out complex probabilities, stats and equipment bonuses and all that was part of the reason I gave up. From now on the quest will be running on a simple best of three 1d100 system.

>>39300191
>>War Sword (Good all-round weapon)
>>Greatbow (Long range weapon, complete with 20 arrows)
Welcome back, Lordy.

>>39300191
>>Greatbow (Long range weapon, complete with 20 arrows)
>Impaler (Long spear, not the hardest hitting weapon, but the point is inscribed with anti-magic runes for punching through magical wards and barriers)

>>39300191
Impaler
War shield

>>39300191
>Greatbow (Long range weapon, complete with 20 arrows)
>Gatebreaker (Solid, heaving hitting mace, good for destroying armour and fortified structures)

>>39300217
>tfw no longer Shota

>>39300191
>War Sword (Good all-round weapon)
>Greatbow (Long range weapon, complete with 20 arrows)

Okay, looks like Impaler and Greatbow have the most votes. /tg/ loves them some pointy things.

Writing.

>>39300364
Truly the worst fate.

I settle on the Impaler and Greatbow. Fortunately the forests of the south road are not so thick that I will have trouble wielding my weapons, still, I would do well to pick my vantage well if it comes to battle.

Unfortunately there is no time for Virgil to alter the wards and runes inscribed into Raziel's shell, however the network of Armour Runes are still in place, which should further harden the stone and steel of my Golem's flesh. Raziel also wears a single Barrier Rune in the centre of the chest, which should prevent at least one fatal blow before dissipating.

“Ready?” Sir Paxton asks across the communicators, his squat, rugged golem rising as I pilot Raziel out into the grounds.

“I am, though I would feel a lot better if I knew what we were getting ourselves into,” I reply, as I run through a quick test of Raziel's features, everything feels normal, the comforting warmth of the cockpit's magic swirling about me.

“Should have thought of that before you agreed blind, Sief. Now let's get a move on, unless you want to try and track down our intruders in the dark.”

He's going to be taking shots about that for a while, I can tell. Not sure I don't deserve it though.

“Do we have any information at all?” I ask, as we fall into step on the path out of the gardens. The servants are so used to the sight of golems after our regular sparring matches that barely any even stop to watch.

“A little. Caravans, travellers, they have been disappearing for a little while. Since it was happening near to Thursten's town, it was left to the militia at first, but apparently the patrols either find nothing, or don't return at all.”

Worrying. That suggests either large numbers, or something more dangerous than simple bandits.

It's a long walk down the southern road to the area the disappearances have been taking place. If I have any more questions for my teacher, now would be the time.

>(Write-in)

>>39300506
>No foot prints or marks of struggle that could be useful?
>Was there ever anything magical in the forest?
>Any way to detect magic at a distance? If so, has any been detected in the forest?
How big is the forest, anyway? I don't suppose a 50 meter tall giant could hide in it, but could a 25 meter tall one?
I actually totally forgot how magic works in this setting, is there actual sorcery as well, or just enchantment/runecrafting?

>>39300591
The trees are fairly tall in places, so yes, a 25 meter tall giant could hide provided it was careful.

Enchantment and runecrafting is what humans use. Spontaneous magic is the realm of some of the titan races, dragons in particular.

>>39300506
What's The load out on Paxton's knight?

>>39300191
Should we expect occasional smut in this quest or not?

>>39300664
Read the first thread, according to the plan, yes, there will be smut eventually.

>>39300664
Yes, although I doubt it will reach the levels of Orc Warlord Quest by a long shot.

>>39300506
>>39300591
good questions, I don't have any better ones

>>39300687
what kinds of levels? frequency or content?

>>39300713
Less frequency, and since Sief is not a giant green rapist with addictive jizz, the content will be a lot more vanilla.

>>39300729
Seduce the maid!

>>39300628
This would be good to know, though I assume his is either what he used in the sparring match, or meant to complement ours.

>>39300748
Depends on if father has gotten to her yet.
We're not going to fuck our father's sloppy seconds.
Not unless they're excessively attractive/cool.

Local farmers stop to stare as we make our way down the southern road. While golems may be a common sight to the servants in my family's estate, it's far more of a spectacle for the rest of our people. Given my father's lack of interest in piloting Raziel, it has most likely been many years since they witnessed a sight like this, not since...

No matter, I should focus on the issues at hand. I glance over at Paxton's knight, an old, battered Legion golem, mass produced for lowborn Knights during the Empire's wars with the Garou Tribes of the north. A solid old battleaxe gripped firmly in its right hand. The left arm, as I well know, holds several bolts in hollow tubes inset into the wrist, which can be fired by way of runes at the base. The range is nowhere near that of the greatbow I carry, but they can be fired instantaneously, and hit hard at close range.

“Were any signs of the attackers ever discovered? Footprints, signs of struggle?”

Paxton's golem marches on silently for some time before my teacher's gravelly voice replies.

“Some broken trees and blood, but no footprints, no clear paths, nothing.”

“How could that be? If the attackers were powerful enough to topple trees, they could hardly have vanished into nothing. Magic, perhaps?”

(cont)

>>39300948
“I wonder. We used to have many unpleasant low race creatures skulking these forests when your family's lands were first settled by your grandfather. Most are gone now, dead or driven off into unsettled lands to the northeast. It is possible that some witchery is at work here, but I doubt it's true magic. Creatures capable of that tend to have bigger ambitions than picking off farmers on their way to market.” Paxton rumbles, the massive hand of his golem rising to wave at a family passing by the other way, the two children's wide-eyed stares turning to excitable chattering as we leave them behind.

“Could we detect any traces of magic? It might give us a clue on where to go?”

“My Legion could. The runes may be old, but unless the magic is particularly subtle it should give us a general idea of where to go.”

The sun hangs low in the sky as we stop, the dirt of the road before us uneven and torn up, cracked branches and disturbed undergrowth evident.

“You remember the trader who visited a few times a year with fabrics from the capital. This is where he disappeared a day past. The most recent victim.”

I frown, I remember the trader, if not his name. Perhaps there's still time for him, if we're lucky.

“Anything, Paxton?”

>Roll 1d100

Rolled 13 (1d100)

>>39300959
Come on Paxton

Rolled 1 (1d100)

>>39300959

>>39300972
...

well I'm never rolling again ever

Rolled 36 (1d100)

>>39300959

>>39300972
>>39300981
first for rolling low WH40K RPG style

>36
Writing.

>>39300970
>>39300972
>>39300985
Paxton is not the best tracker, it seems.
Either that, or we're being ambushed.

We rolling high or low?

>>39300995
>>39300990
High, I'm afraid.

Rolled 35 (1d100)

>>39300959
High or low

Paxton's Legion Golem stomps back and forth, pacing the road from forest edge to forest edge.

“Nothing, perhaps the detection rune finally gave up the ghost. I suppose we'll have to do this the old fashioned way. There's more damage to the trees to the east, so we can either set off that way and hope we pick up a trail, or we patrol the road tonight and hope we come across another sign.”

“I notice the word 'hope' in both of those options, Paxton.”

I sigh, so much for a quick resolution. The forests have been cut back a lot since my youth, but they are still deep and wild, we could be crashing around for weeks without finding anything.

“Up to you, Sief, unless you want to give up and try again after the next attack.”

>Set off east, look for a trail
>Patrol the road tonight
>Forget it, come back tomorrow
>Other (Write-in)

>>39301034
how long would we be gone if we set off east? could we come back and patrol the road if we don't find anything?

>>39301034
>Camp out far enough from the road to not be easily noticeable, but close enough to hear any signs of struggle, or see the lights of caravans as they pass by.
Let us wait for the enemy to strike.
If nothing, we shall make a trip on the road for any fresh clues at dawn, and if none are found, head into the forest.

>>39301053
You can take as long as you want exploring the forest to the east, so you certainly could come back in a few hours to patrol.

>>39301034
I'll second >>39301065

>>39301065
Sounds reasonable

>>39301034
>>Set off east, look for a trail

>>39301065
IF we end up doing this(and this is not a vote, because I'm not going to samefag my own suggestion), we should probably look for a spot that sees the biggest length of the path, or the one that got attacked most frequently, or both.

>>39301065
I'll second this too

>>39301065
Fourthing this

>>39301158
Adding on, should we bother with camo/disguising the golems? I assume golem "eyesight" might be enhanced so it could see the road from farther away than humans could see it from, but if it isn't, might be good to not stand out like a sore thumb.

>>39301034
>Set off east, look for a trail

“Let's find a good spot and camp, close enough to keep an eye on the road, far away enough that we won't be spotted easily,” I suggest, looking around.

“Sounds reasonable. Alright, there's a spot just a little ways down the road, the land's raised enough to give us a good vantage point, but the trees should be tall enough to cover the golems.”

I set off with Paxton, until we reach the spot, a sheer rock surface jutting from the forest, circling round to the steep incline on the far side, picking our way to the top.

“Shame we didn't bring any food, the cockpits of the golems should keep us warm enough without a fire though,” Paxton rumbles as he sits his Golem down below the treeline.

Ah, I didn't think of that. Looks like I'm going hungry tonight.

“I'll take first watch, get some rest,” Paxton continues, as I sit Raziel down next to his golem. The inside of Raziel's cockpit is comfortable enough, noble house Golems are as much a status symbol as a weapon. Something tells me that Paxton's Legion is far less pleasant inside. I feel a little bad for making him camp out in it.

>Roll 2d100

Rolled 99, 29 = 128 (2d100)

>>39301297

>>39301306
wrong dice anon, its 2 d100's

Rolled 21, 88 = 109 (2d100)

>>39301297

Rolled 31, 39 = 70 (2d100)

>>39301302
>99
I am erect
>>39301297

>>39301302
>>39301320
>>39301323
>99, 88
Oh, now that's just delicious. Looks like my idea was a good one.

>>39301316
Noticed that myself immediately upon posting.
Since I got the 88 on the reroll, I'm not going to be disappointed with myself too much though.

Paxton's wakes me in the early hours of the morning, pointing out a light on the road some distance away.

“There are some people camping there with their caravan. No sign of anything yet.”

I frown, rubbing the sleep from my eyes as I sit up in the cockpit.

“Why are they camping out here, surely they've heard the rumours of disappearances.”

“Who knows, perhaps they're up to no good themselves, maybe they're from further away and no-one warned them, either way if an attack is going to happen, that's where.”

I open my mouth to reply, only to be drowned out by the screech of a panicked owl and the creaking of trees. I look down to the caravan, a campfire lit, perhaps a dozen people around it, and then out to the forest to the east, leaves shaking, the snap of broken branches. Something is coming right for them.

“What now, Sief? It will be hard to cut them off from this distance before they reach the caravan, but we could do it if we hurry."

No clear shot with my bow, at least not until they leave the tree cover, but if I could see them, I could most likely hit from here.

>Plan of Attack (Write-in)

>>39301410
>Charge with the Impaler.

>>39301410
Have Paxton lure them into our LoS with the bow?

Also ask what he recommends

>>39301410
Can Paxton detect any magic?
Rush them, but Sief can stay a bit farther behind for a sneak attack snipe with his bow, priority should be the lives of the people if they're traders.
Not like we're going to be much worse for wear if the enemy gets away, because they WILL leave a path this time, or at least we will be able to follow them.

>>39301453
Seems reasonable, if at all possible.
I think the risk would be that they may just ignore Paxton and go for the traders though.

If we're doing this we shoud be prepared to react quickly if it doesn't work.

>>39301410
>>39301456
this

>>39301508
It really depends on the enemies.
If there's just one big one, we might be able to snipe it from afar, but if there are multiple, we1ll need to get closer.

>>39301539
Regardless of how many there are, if they don't /let/ themselves be lured into our LoS and just go for the merchants, we're not going to be shooting at anyone.
His hand crossbow thing mitigates the odds of them ignoring him somewhat, but unless they actually want to fight a single Golem Knight odds are they won't charge him, which would leave Paxton out of range to protect the merchants and us without a LoS.

Okay, so the plan seems to be to have Paxton go in first, Sief hang back a bit for ranged support with the bow, and cut off the enemy before they reach the caravan.

Sound right?

>>39301766
Only if Sief can still get to Paxton in time if something doesn't go according to plan.
Also, if the "cutting off" happens in the trees, then drop the plan with the bow, as Sief wouldn't have a line of sight anyway, and just have him go with Paxton/attack from two direction.
It would probably be better if the attack happened once we've seen the enemy for info, but eh, what can you do, depends on their speed.
Also, Paxton can tell us what he thinks as well, he has more experience.

>>39301766
I think so.
Ideally, they wouldn't notice Sief before it's too late, but I suppose that's down to the rolls.

>>39301825
It will be very hard to move through forest with a pair of golems at any real speed without making a fair bit of noise. If you want to sneak up on them, you'll be hitting them long after the enemy reaches the caravan.

>>39301846
thats way too slow, we need to intercept them before they get to the caravan

>>39301846
>>39301865
I'm still saying that we should just charge with Impaler.

>>39301909
I'll support this if getting a clear LoS isn't an easy thing to do.

>>39301909
I agree.

“Hurry, we have to keep them away from the caravan. You go in first, I'll support you with the bow,” I explain, Raziel rising as you jump down the low cliff, the Legion Golem slamming down to the ground a few moments later, kicking up a cloud of fallen leaves and loose dirt.

I take off at a sprint, slowing just enough to let Paxton take the lead. Whatever is coming for the caravan is moving fast.

“We don't know numbers or strength, so stay flexible. You may need to support me in close combat.”

The people of the caravan are starting to be roused by the racket, not just of the enemy, but mine and Paxton's golems as we smash through branches, the stone feet of the golems leaving great prints in the earth. The people of the caravan aren't locals. Golden skin, dark hair, slanted eyes. They must be Iquani nomads, a small party, certainly too few in number and ill-equipped for the diplomatic visit to come. Still, given how tenuous things still are with the Khan, it would be a bad move to let Iquani blood be spilled on our soil.

A massive shape erupts from the treeline, flabby and bloated, as high as Paxton's golem. Bonesnapper? I feel a chill down my spine against the warm air of the cockpit. It came back, I thought my father killed it, it can't be here, it's dead.

“Sief. Fire, now!” Paxton shouts, bringing his Legion golem low as he skids to a halt between the giant and the caravan, swinging his axe at its fleshy flank.

I shake my head, slowing my breathing, willing my jaw to unclench. The giant bellows, stumbling back as the axe cuts into its blubbery side, too shallow to kill. It's not Bonesnapper, it looks similar, perhaps, but it's smaller, less powerful.

I pull an arrow from the quiver in one quick motion, feeling the familiar strain as I set it against the bowstring, pulling back against the force of reinforced wood and metal.

>Roll 1d100

Rolled 31 (1d100)

>>39302068

Rolled 48 (1d100)

>>39302068

Rolled 96 (1d100)

>>39302068
Do it Sief, hope you get some bonus

>>39302117
nice save

>>39302117
YEAH!
I did well for once in the quest.

>>39302117
i was a little worried there

The shot is good, kicking up a trail of dust from the road as it flies true, striking the giant in the chest. The force of the blow throws the titan from his feet, sending him crashing to the ground, splintering trees as he rolls.

“My chest, that fuck shot me in the chest,” the giant croaks, shakily picking himself to his feet.

“How'd ya know we wuz 'ere? We made sure to kill everyone, that way no-one could tell ya no-one wuz missing,” he grunts.

Seems the stories of giantish stupidity I heard growing up had a pretty solid basis in fact. Still, watching it rise, an arrow thick as a man jutting from its chest, the fact that my enemy is a moron does little to encourage me. He does seem to be having trouble breathing, so he isn't uninjured by the strike. I just have to finish him off.

Wait, did he say 'we'?

Either it's a quirk of his speech, or...

“Surprise, you shit,” another voice booms, a second giant, similar in appearance to the first, if perhaps a little lighter built, erupts from the treeline, charging towards you.

Not a great surprise attack, considering the distance he's going to have to run to reach you.

>Nock another arrow, hit him before he reaches you
>Switch to the Impaler, meet him in melee
>Other (write-in)

>>39302317
>>Switch to the Impaler, meet him in melee

>>39302317
>Switch to the Impaler, meet him in melee

>>39302317
>>Nock another arrow, hit him before he reaches you
Throw the bow to the ground as soon as the arrow takes flight, take hold of the the impaler, and ready ourselves to start running towards the giant, if it falls/staggers, then switch back to the bow.

>>39302374
This

>>39302317
>Switch to the Impaler, meet him in melee

>>39302317
>Nock another arrow, hit him before he reaches you
If we'd taken any other weapon I might vote for melee but we have equipped the low damage weapon with an anti magic and barrier effect against enemies that can apparently tank a boatload of damage.
Meleeing him is a horrible idea.

>>39302317
>>39302353 here, changing to seconding >>39302386

>>39302399
The worst possible outcome is that the lance pierces through his entire body, causing substantial damage.

>>39302399
Agreed, though I've already voted, so I'm just trying to make people see this now.

>>39302435
Depending on the area of the hit, the damage won't be enough to stop him, and since he's close and our weapon is stuck, nothing's stopping him from crushing our arm or cockpit.
Plus, we need to support Paxton, which we could do by staggering the giant charging at us with an arrow, and another shot at the first giant, after which we rush towards Paxton and the caravan, leaving the giant to have to quickly change course.

>>39302435
No, the worst possible outcome is that we are using the weapon straight up said to have the lowest damage output against a mountain of muscles, that does nothing but melee and can ignore ridiculous wounds.

We currently have the advantage of our enemy being in an open field having quite a bit of distance between us.
Our weapon is very much suboptimal against melee focused opponents that don't use any magic or barriers.
So we need to soften him up with our arrows before he reaches.

>>39302534
THIS
Guys, be reasonable.

Seriously, our current loadout is the absolute weakest loadout possible in straight up melee against a nonmagical opponent like this.
Shoot him before he gets to us.

>>39302317
>Nock another arrow, hit him before he reaches you

Looks like firing another arrow wins.

>Roll 1d100

Rolled 15 (1d100)

>>39302635

Rolled 91 (1d100)

>>39302635

Rolled 86 (1d100)

>>39302635

Rolled 8 (1d100)

>>39302635

Rolls are ridiculously good today.

>>39302660
You just had to say it. Thanks anon, you've doomed us all.

>>39302642
>>39302643
>>39302647
>91
Okay, looks like the giant is at least, possibly on the ground as well, means we have a chance to fire another arrow at the one we wounded previously.
Do we want to try to keep one of them alive for an interrogation? The interrogation itself shouldn't be too hard, considering their intelligence.

>>39302693
What I meant to say was, at least staggered.

Rolled 91 (1d100)

>>39302689

My fingers tense inside the cockpit, reacting to countless hours of practice both on foot and in a golem, Razial plucking another arrow from the quiver with unconscious ease. I am no child now, I will not be intimidated by these beasts that would defile my family's lands.

I have already learned how tough they are, so I aim lower, to the thick, flabby legs of the titan. The steel tip of the arrow glances off the shinbone, ripping through muscle and flesh, the giant leaving a great furrow in the earth as it tumbles to the ground with a roar.

I look past the fallen giant even as I bring another arrow to the bow, Paxton's Legion golem locked in combat with the giant, which has uprooted a tree for a makeshift club. While the giant has an advantage in size and power, Paxton is warding off its attacks for now, just barely.

I hear a snap, the fallen giant breaking off the part of the arrow still jutting from his leg, struggling to regain its footing, cursing and bellowing promises of horrific violence to come.

>Finish off the fallen giant with another arrow to the head
>Shoot at the giant fighting Paxton
>Cripple the giant's other leg and leave him there for questioning
>Other (Write-in)

>>39302776
>>Cripple the giant's other leg and leave him there for questioning
And then
>>Shoot at the giant fighting Paxton

>>39302776
>>Finish off the fallen giant with another arrow to the head

>>39302813
seconding

>>39302776
>>39302813
this, and now seeing as its 3:30am I need sleep, thanks for the thread Lordy

>>39302776
>Finish off the fallen giant with another arrow to the head

>>39302813
I can back this

>>39302813
2nd

Okay, >>39302813 wins

>Roll 1d100

Rolled 4 (1d100)

>>39302919

Rolled 47 (1d100)

>>39302919

Rolled 23 (1d100)

>>39302919

Rolled 39 (1d100)

>>39302919

>>39302928
>>39302940
>>39302944
God damn it people.
I hope at least one of the actions succeed.

Rolled 39 (1d100)

>>39302919

Let's see a good roll now that we failed

I step forward, aiming for the uninjured leg, this giant still has a lot of questions to answer after all. As I do, the giant brings up his foot, kicking the bow and ruining my aim, the arrow hammering deep into the dirt beside him. Damn it, that was stupid, I let my guard down, moved in too close.

Lurching to his feet, the giant lashes out, his fist hammering into the stone of Raziel's arm, the armour runes flare with pale blue light as they layer magic over the point of impact, white fire flaring from the runes as the magic overloads. Raziel skids back, shaking me in the cockpit until I manage to plant my feet firmly. It hurt like hell, but the runes did their job, little more than a small crack in the stonework from the blow. I doubt I'll be so lucky twice though.

Beyond the giant, I can see the giant knock aside Paxton's axe with the tree, dropping the hefty weapon as he strikes, lunging in and catching the blocky Legion golem in a bearhug before Paxton can react.

Not good, I'm far too close to fire the bow again, what now?

>Write-in

>>39303040
pocket sand

>>39303040
The giant has one of his legs ruined, move around him and get to Paxton, the other giant is a more immediate threat.
If we can, then fire an arrow at the other giant, if it's easier and faster to rush up to them, then do that.

>>39303040
>>39303096
this

>>39303040
>moving within melee range to shoot a bow at someone
Holy shit Sief, how retarded can you be?

>>39303123
That's what happens when people are retarded enough to vote for aiming for a specific bodypart of a guy who's still moving and uninclined to let us get a clean shot.

>>39303040
Let's try this >>39303096

>>39303123
This is his first ever non-sparring golem fight.

He lacks experience.

Okay, avoiding the giant to help Paxton wins.

>Roll 1d100

Rolled 70 (1d100)

>>39303294

Rolled 99 (1d100)

>>39303294

Rolled 66 (1d100)

>>39303366
ohhhh, so close
>>39303294

>>39303366
>66
>99
noice

Yes! Golem quest is back too!
>Btw your late mother's personal maid, shapely as all get out, was never touched by your father assumingly

“I'll smash you up you fucking weakling,” the giant bellows, lunging again, dragging his crippled leg behind him.

Can't say that sounds like much fun, so I hop back out of his range, drawing another arrow and nocking it as I run around the side of him, ducking another meaty fist which splinters the top from a tree.

“Where you goin',” he roars from behind me.

I ignore him, putting some more distance as he tries to chase after me, but Raziel is far swifter than any giant, least of all a one-legged one. I hear the creaking of the Legion golem's joints screaming under the strain of the bearhug, the iron starting to deform, a thin spiderweb of cracks growing along the stone surfaces.

“Paxton, I'm coming,” I shout, aiming for the giant, but the pair are too close together, I would need to get closer to avoid accidentally hitting my teacher.

“Sief, when I give the signal, fire,” I hear Paxton's voice reply, surprisingly calm given his predicament.

The Legion golem's left arm twists in the grip, and with a snap of discharged magic, a trio of bolts bury themselves into the giant's foot.

The giant gives an eloquent string of 'fuck!'s, its grip loosening from the shock, time enough for Paxton to slam the head of his golem into the giant's jaw, driving it back. It blinks, dazed by the impact, coughing out one massive tooth, the blow spinning it towards me.

(cont)

>>39303710
I need no confirmation, I bring up the bow and take the shot. I see the look of confusion etched into the giant's brutish features as it raises a hand to touch the wooden shaft buried in its forehead.

“Whu-” it rumbles, before it crumples to the ground, kicking up a great cloud of dust as it falls, jaw slack, drool and blood pooling on the road beside it.

“Oh shit, you killed big brother. Ma's gonna fucking kill me,” the injured giant rumbles from behind me, turning and staggering for the tree line.

“Lytr, help me, I don't want to die here,” the giant wails.

I draw another arrow from the quiver and bury it in the giant's uninjured leg, the crippled titan crashing to the ground with a pitiful moan.

I glance around for whoever this Lytr may be, it doesn't sound like any giant name I ever heard, but no-one rushes to the fallen giant's rescue, silence returning to the road.

I take a deep breath. My first fight piloting a golem like a true knight. I feel exhausted, my muscles ache from the strain of controlling the powerful creation, but I'll be damned if it isn't a good ache.

The question now is what we do first.

>Question the giant
>Check on the caravan
>Other (write-in)

>>39303729
>Tell Paxton to watch the giant while we check on the Caravan.

>>39303729
>>39303768
this

>>39303729
>Check on the caravan

>>39303729
>Tell Paxton to check on the caravan, check the treeline for more enemies.

>>39303858
aye

>>39303858
We're the diplomat here though, better we do the talking

>>39303729
>Tell Paxton to watch the giant while we check on the Caravan.

>>39303858
We're the nobleman from the family responsible for this land and very likely trained for dealing with people in situations like this. Given the position of our lands we may even be trained for dealing with Iquani nomads specifically.

Paxton meanwhile is the much more experienced soldier.

How about we take care of the diplomancing and let Paxton do the things he is much better at than we?

Looks like Paxton watching the giant while you go talk to the nomads wins.

Do you want to speak to them in person, or from inside your golem?

It IS a little strange for a group of Iquani nomads to be camping out on your roads, and being outside of the golem would put you at more risk, but on the other hand speaking to people on foot from inside a giant towering stone golem is rather intimidating and might send the wrong message if you want to just talk.

>Leave Raziel
>Stay in Raziel

>>39304096
Can we open the cockpit or something and speak from within Raziel but still expose ourselves?

>>39304096
>>Leave Raziel
a show of good faith

Going to be away for about 30 minutes to an hour, next post when I return.

>>39304096
>Leave Raziel

>>39304096
This(>>39304140) is good.
>>39304142
>>39304240
Anons, there still might be enemies around, do you really want to leave our only form of protection and weapons?
If you do, at least get the caravan off the road, away from the forest first.

>>39304096
>Stay in. We thought they might've been up to no good for being out here about this time

>>39304096
>>Stay in Raziel

>>39304096
>Leave Raziel

>>39304096
>Leave Raziel

>>39304096
>Stay in Raziel

>>39304096
Either >>39304308 or >>39304140

Back.

Well Staying in entirely hasn't won, but the whole "stay in the cockpit but leave it open vs leave" thing is a bit vague.

So I'll put this to another short (five minute) vote.

>Stay in the open cockpit and talk from there
>Leave Raziel (it will still be next to you, so it wouldn't take much time to get back inside)

>>39304946
>Stay in the open cockpit and talk from there

>>39304946
>>Stay in the open cockpit and talk from there

>>39304946
>>Leave Raziel (it will still be next to you, so it wouldn't take much time to get back inside)

>>39304946
>>Stay in the open cockpit and talk from there

>>39304946
>Stay in open cockpit, let the NotMongol ladies see our winning smile

Open cockpit wins.

Writing.

Well, here I go. Fortunately my lessons did include the basics of Iquani culture and decorum, although unfortunately the teacher left due to my father cutting his pay before I could learn the more advanced details. Still, it should be enough.

I open the cockpit, feeling the cool night air against my skin, mingling with the warm magical energies coiled around me. It's strange, piloting with an open cockpit, I can see out of Raziel's eyes and my own at the same time. I switch off the majority of my golem's senses with a mental command, blinking the spots from my eyes. Kneeling down next to the caravan so I'm at a more sociable level.

The Iquani look spooked, but surprisingly calm given their close encounter with giants. It's a small group, maybe a dozen with a few horses, lightly armed and armoured, a couple forgoing the practical riding leathers of their people for bright, patterned, flowing clothes that look more ceremonial. They regard me curiously, though the tension is obvious in their shoulders, still no love lost between the empire and the Iquani I suppose, no matter how things may have been smoothed over in the years since the war.

“I am Sief Atanor, of House Atanor...

>...are you alright, any injuries?”
>...are you with the diplomatic mission?”
>...what are you doing here?”
>Other (write-in)

>>39305276
>>...what are you doing here?”

>>39305276
>...what are you doing here?”
While small talk is nice we can probably see they are alright.

>>39305276
>>...are you alright, any injuries?”

>>39305276
>"...what is your status and business?"

>>39305276
"The roads are now safe. Are you alright? Any injuries?"

>>39305276
>>...are you alright, any injuries?”

Rolled 2 (1d2)

So that's three votes for
>are you alright

and three votes for
>what are you doing here
if I count >>39305335

Guess I'll roll for it.
1. are you alright?
2. what are you doing here?

>>39305548
For what it's worth, I'm pretty sure that >>39305335
was and attempt to state that more diplomatic and less accusatory.

>>39305584
I will bear that in mind.

“...what is your status, and your business here?”

One of the Iquani steps forward, a tall man in riding leathers, a curved blade at his hip. He's perhaps a few years older than me, it's hard to tell exactly.

“I am Anwa, sworn brother of Prince Juti, fifteenth son of the Great Khan. I assure you that we mean no harm, we were merely riding ahead of Prince Juti to ensure that everything was prepared for his arrival. We are honoured to have witnessed such glorious battle, Sief of House Atanor,” the man explains, clapping a hand to his chest, a thin smile playing across his sharp features.

I don't recall being warned of an advance party, though it is possible that Prince Juti did not deign to share it with the Empire, or that Tristram knew and also did not deign to share it with me.

“Unfortunately, the Prince felt that sending any of the behemoths ahead might send the wrong impression, so we were ill-equipped to face off against cursed titans. We have you to thank for our lives, it would seem.”

“Think nothing of it, these are my family's lands and it is my family's duty protect them,” I reply, smiling.

I suppose I should be glad that he's not accusing me of not protecting the roads in advance, or perhaps he's simply too polite to say so.

(cont)

>>39305945
“I'm sure that Prince Juti would be eager to meet you when he passes though your lands, after I tell him of your victory here today. If it pleases you, Sief of House Atanor, perhaps you could visit while the prince is enjoying the hospitality of your people in two days time.”

Well now, that is an interesting proposal, and a troubling one. I'm not foolish enough to not realize that turning down this offer could be seen as insulting to the prince, but on the other hand, Tristram seems eager to keep my family out of this visit, and if he is eager to do so, then presumably High Lord Vere is eager also.

So the question there is who do I offend, a foreign prince speaking with the voice of the Great Khan, or the high lord of all the eastern provinces of the Empire. Even in victory things are not simple.

Well, think Sief, how do I deal with this one.

>Accept invitation
>Decline invitation
>Other (write-in)

>>39305964
>Accept Invitation

>>39305964
>I apologize, but I must first discuss that with my father.

>>39305964
>>Accept invitation

>>39305964
>Decline on grounds of the investigation/interrogations of the giant, of which you'd sworn to eliminate in its entirely.

>>39305964
>Accept Invitation

>>39306023
This,
Say we would be honoured, but we still have more to investigate

>>39305945
This >>39306023

Not sure it's actually going to take two days, but it does sound like a good excuse they might even somewhat respect.

Shit I don't know kinda leaning towards Accept cause I feel like they might be trying to screw us

>>39305964
>>Accept invitation

>>39306254
Also princesses

>>39306254
>>39306310
Sief isn't the kind to screw so casually.
>>39305964
>Must discuss with father

>>39306254
Like who might be trying to screw us?

The High Lord doesn't want us there because our father is a useless drunk and if we want to regain the respect our family deserves we need to do so through hard work.
There's probably some ill-will involved but ulitmately there are several legitimate reasons for us not to be wanted there and showing up anyways, at the behest of some barbarians at that, will not help our rep whatsoever.

I very much doubt citing our duty as a reason to refuse will entirely remove the possibility of interacting with these people or meeting princesses or whatever.
But it does get us out of a pretty delicate political situation and moves any potential future meetings into a lot less tense and therefor more friendly atmosphere.

>>39306023
this

While accepting is obiously going to get our own superiors pissed at us, can we please not tell the people who very likely value personal strength and assertiveness that we can't go to the party before asking daddy first?
There's a perfectly servicable excuse already lined up and these people are very unlikely to find fault in dedication to murdering giant scum.

So since the votes to discuss it with father first/ votes to decline until the investigation is over outweight the accepting ones, how does this sound:

Tell them that you will discuss it with your father, and provided the investigation is finished in time, you will do your best to meet the Prince.

Is that okay?

>>39306439
Our father is the lord of the land, nothing shameful in keeping authority and politics in mind.

>>39306480
I guess

>>39306480
Seems alright.

>>39306480
I can dig it

Right, let's try this. Spirits know I'd prefer to get through this without offending anyone far more powerful than myself. My family has a bad enough reputation already.

“I am honoured by your offer, Anwa. However my investigation of these giants is not yet over, and I would not feel that I was watching over my people properly were I to ignore my duties before I was certain the threat had passed. If my investigation finishes in time, and my father accepts, I will meet with Prince Juti.”

The silence is heavy as Anwa's thin smile stays frozen on his face. I wrack my brain thinking through all my lessons in Iquani customs. I don't think I said anything too offensive. Then Anwa smiles, nodding.

“Your dedication is admirable, Sief of House Atanor. I can only hope that when you meet the prince, you have yet more tales of glorious battle to share with him.”

“Farewell Anwa, I hope we meet again,” I reply with a smile, a slight nod of my head as I thump a hand against your chest, Anwa mirroring your actions.

With that he calls out in the Iquani tongue to his people, who start to gather up their supplies and make ready to leave. It seems the conversation is over. Which leaves just one more conversation to have.

(cont)

>>39306843
I close back up the cockpit, turning and heading for Paxton and the giant.

“How did it go?” Paxton asks over the communication system.

“Well, I think. At the very least I don't think an Iquani horde is going to be rampaging through our lands over it.”

“Sounds like a win to me then,” Paxton snorts.

“So what about the giant?”

“He's just been whimpering and begging this whole time. Promising me all sorts of things if I let him go. Disgusting creatures, never seen a thing switch as quickly between fearless and cowardly as a giant.”

As I look down on the tear-streaked, mucus-caked face of the sniveling giant, it seems far smaller, somehow. Hard to believe it's the same thing as Bonesnapper, who haunted my nightmares for all those years. Perhaps with this I can finally but that old monster behind me.

So then, time to question it. What should I ask.

>Write-in

>>39306865
>Where are the others?
>Where did you take the humans?
>What is Lytr like?
>Tell me what he told you!
He's retarded, promise to treat him well if he cooperates.
And by that I mean a quick death.

>>39306865
Who is this Lytr?
Where do you come from?
How many are you are out there?

Anybody think it's dumb enough to fall for a I'll take you home where is it type bluff?

>>39306865
>"You want to live, I'd rather just kill you and be done with it. Actually I haven't had a rousing round of torture in awhile. Anyways, have anything you can tell me that might change my mind?"

>>39306865
>"Why does he wear the mask?"
>"Why would you shoot a man before tossing him out of a plane?"

>Where's your family
>Is thit Lytr a god of some sort?
>Would you prefer to keep your arms or your cock?

I do rather hope Warlord doesn't decide to include the more weird stuff here.

Writing.

>>39307349
Holy shit Lordy, you've been running for 8 hours nigga, I have an essay to write for tomorrow

I level the Impaler, the tip to the giant's throat.

“You and I have some things to discuss, monster. Tell me what I want to know, and perhaps I will grant you some measure of mercy.”

“W-what do ya want, anything, anything at all stone man,” the giant wails, the sound reverberating uncomfortably through the Golem's arcane senses.

“To start with, how many more of you are there?”

“Uh, there's me, an' me brother, who's dead, an' me other brother, who's missing, and me other brother, and me other brother, and me sister, and me other sister, and me other sister, and me ma.”

“That's a lot of giants, no way that many of them are hiding out in our lands unnoticed, they aren't exactly low profile,” Paxton mutters over the speakers.

“How many of you are there here?”

“Here, stone man?”

Oh spirits. This is going to take a while.

“In the forest.”

“Just me now, unless me missing brother's here.”

“So where's the rest of your family?”

“East in the big lizard lands.”

Big lizard lands, Behemoths maybe? That means the giants came from the Iquani lands.

“What about Lytr, is that your brother?”

“Uh, no, Lytr's no giant, 'e's a little wood man, 'cept when 'e's a big wood man... Heh, big wood man,” the giant starts to snort, until you give him a warning jab in the neck.

“Any idea,” I ask Paxton, switching to the communications.

“Sounds like a spriggan. I thought your father had rid us of the last of those miserable things twenty years past. I suppose he missed one. That would explain how these halfwits were able to hide in the forest so well.”

(cont)

>>39307854
>tfw 200 word essay due in 2 weeks
Fuck, I'm never gonna make it

>>39307920
“What about the people you kidnapped, where did you take them?”

“Well, uh, we ate most of them, cuz we were hungry, and Lytr fed some more to 'is big tree. The rest are still there, by the big tree, unless Lytr killed 'em already.”

My fists clench, and the giant whimpers as the tip of the Impaler presses deeper into the flesh of his neck. The thought of people having to die like that, it makes me sick.

“Why did you come here, giant?”

“We were looking for our brother, ma got real mad when our big brother never came back after she sent him out here. Me and Gutrocks figured maybe if we brought 'im back ma would stop being so mad and slapping us round all the time.”

“Why do you think your brother is here?”

“Cuz this is where ma sent him. Ma said to big brother, go west to where the stone man riders live, and kill the bigshot lady with red hair. She said it was real important.”

I feel a hammering in my skull, my palms burn as my fingernails dig into them, I feel my question catching in my throat, images of a smiling woman with a mane of dark red hair coming unbidden to my mind.

“What was your brother's name?”

“Bonesnapper. You seen him? Ma's gonna be real mad at him for being gone so long. She needs to know if he killed the red-haired lady.”

Looks like I can't put my memories behind me after all.

>End of Thread 2

>>39307854
There you go, anon, now you can go do your essay.

Unless you want to ask any questions, because I can stick around for Q&A for a while if people would like.

Glad to have gotten this quest going again. I had far too many ideas for it to just let it die.

>>39307944
Thanks for running Lordy. Had a blast.

>>39307944
Oh shit grudge match time. Red haired lady was mum right? What can spriggans do that Seif knows about?

>>39307944
PLOT discovered!
told you it was good to keep him alive

>>39307980
Next giant killing session when?

>>39307929
it's midnight for me, anon

>>39307999
Yup, that was Sief's mum.

Spriggans are a kind of petty and vindictive wood spirit, or one of the low races with unusual abilities, depending on which "expert" you read up on them from.

As for spriggans. They have powers over plants, which would certainly explain how it kept the giants hidden for all this time. They can also change size from smaller than a man to being large enough to throw down with a golem.

Beyond that, Sief isn't that sure, spriggans are rare, so there isn't a vast amount written on them.

>>39307980
Can giants be transported all the way back to the mansion? I think daddy dearest needs a cold shower if information, and the knowledge that he let the siblings of the one who killed mom terrorize our lands because he's a drunken man whore.

>>39308074
Next weekend probably.

>>39308116
You couldn't really drag him, giants are really goddamned heavy. If you could make him walk, or crawl since you crippled his legs, you might make it back in a few days.

>>39308106
Do Golems have a flame based weapon?

We're going to burn L's forest down

>>39308163
Flame based weapons certainly exist, unfortunately you lack anything that advanced in your family's armoury, because your father let the armoury go to shit over the past few years, and sold several pieces to fund his bad habits.

and since the head artificier you have now is rather mediocre, you won't get anything like that designed for you by him either.

All of the golem maintenance and upgrading was your mum's thing.

>>39308253
How many Golems are roughly located in the eastern provinces? Could we petition for their use to exterminate the giants?

>>39308344
Many. Of course since the rest of the family of giants is apparently in Iquani lands, marching in there with a horde of golems would constitute a serious diplomatic incident.

>>39308381
Well guess it's time to go say hi to our best friend Anwa again

Right then, thread 2 archived: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=golem+knight

Thank you all for playing, see you next time.

>>39300729
ehhhh I was excited for the quest till I read this, I do hope your not gonna let the anons fuck everything that moves, b ecause they will try if you allow even the most harmless of lewd indeundos

>>39312115
I certainly hope he will keep out of character votes out of the quest like "yo, that's a hot princess, try to fuck her!"